Indiana State Sentinel, Indianapolis, Marion County, 2 May 1894 — Page 11

THE INDIANA STATE SENTINEL, WEDNESDAY MORNING, MAY 2, 1894 TWELVE PAGES.

11

A CHAINMAKER'S DAUGHTER.

CHAPTER, I. Bob Hiblen and Dan Helm, his "helper," were members of a night-shift, a fewyears before mechanical invention had stripped cable-chain making of some of fits manual labor. The chain-shop was a long, low, narrow, Irregular building; Jown each side were ten rows of glowing forces; here and there on flashed forth meteoric sparks, as clinking hammers welded link to link. Dense clouds of smoke floated up and about the black 'dust-laden rafters, and out through the Imperfectly tiled roof. Into the cool September air. Standing- at one end of the shop, one man could scarcely see an- ' other, so foul was it with gaseous vapors. Dan Helm, the "helper," was a tall, muscular young fellow of twenty-four, with deep blue eyes and regular features framed in a well-proportioned dark brown beard. As he straightened him'self, one naturally speculated on how well he would look in the habiliments of a guardsman. As the brawny smiths paused to rest, they deftly scraped the trickly perspiration from their brows ' and ashed It to the floor. "This is the tenth link, hain't it, Dan?" asked Ilibden. "Eight, nine, ten, eleven, twelve. This is the twelfth link, Mr. Ilibden," replied .the "helper," counting up the night's . work. "Then, by my empty feeling an the number o heats, it mun be near supper time, lad." "Yes; it's setting on for it," Dan astented. "It's a middling night's work, twelve links." observed Ilibden reflectively, looking at the glowing coll at hi." feet. "Yes. it is. Mr. Hilden." replied his helper. " 'Miner' Hibdrn." repented the older man. "That be two or three time tonight you'n called me 'mister.' Come now, what bin yo' wanting? There's somethink. I can see. Is it more wage?" "Oh, no nothing of th? kind," replied the young fellow, smiling, but not without an evasive downward glance as he picked out the ciinkers from the forge. "There's somethink wanted, I know," continued Hihd-n. "The parson doesna come wi' his sleek pfrlitenes o' calling me 'mister' ever other word, except whn he wants seme o' my hard-earned brass for a new organ, or somethink o' t' kind. Them as don't want anythink o' me calls me Ilibden llob Ilibden, or Gaffer, as you'n bin calling me afore tonight.' Dan did not reply: he was thoughtfully replenishing the lire. He knew he was guilty of unconsciously using the objectionable prenx in a i-om-ili.itory sense, lie did want something; but he felt it were better .isked for later, when, after a large night's v.rk. Hibden would be in a mere pleasing frame of mind. A thick-set. under-sized man was Hihden with brick-red hair and beard, big hairy hands, and 1- ng sinewy arms, a Fhort muscular neck, surmounted by :i square, close-cropped head, and 1 grotesque little turn-up nose. He wore a gray flannel sleeveless shirt, open at the breast, ivvealing a well-developed chest. It was said 'Hob" Ilibden in his younger days came from Lancashire, where he had a 1 ?al reputation as a sagacious dog-fancier and a pugilist of no mean ability. For years his habitual Sunday recreation was a dog or a cock fight, or attending a secret fistic encounter among his chain-making pals. The gentle, patient woman he had espoused in Warwick strove to reform him. with discouraging results. He was skillful at his Jrade, and earned a larere wage; but until his child Janet was born nothing was put by. though he generally had twenty or thirty pounds ready to wager on some local sporting event. It was after the birth of her child, and during what seemed a fatal illness, that his wife, by tearful pleading, induced him to buy for the child's sake what was now the Irst cottage in "Hibden's Itw." For fifteen years the devoted woman struggled on until "No. 8" was built: then, as Ilibden had begun to take a pride in considering himself a man of property, the good wife passed awav worn out in the battle with such a barbarous nature. After resting a few minutes, Hibben Bald: "Janet's late wi my supper tonight, bain't her?" "Perhaps a little," replied the helper. "Ow! here her comes." cried Hibden, as the figure of a pale young woman about twenty approached, and became more distinct through the murky air. When the blazing forges lit up her features, she was ?een to be a comely girl, with large brown eyes, and darker hairi brushed smoothly over her temples, which gave her a mature look, as if she had felt m my of the cares of life, but few of its joys. Sh? wore a quilted print bonnet and a plaid shawl, and carried In her hand a bowl tier! up in a red handkerchief, whi.-h contained her father's cupper. "You're a bit late, Janet, lass," said Hibden a.s she drew near. "Ye?, daddie," she replied; "the fire was a bit contrary tonight." She drew from her pocket a spoon, knife and fork; and hr father eagerly began to dlspo.se of the savory contents of the bowl. Dan had seated himself a little aside, on a pile of chain, and was eating his pupper. The girl cast an Inquiring glance at him. and as she passed on her way out. he said in a low voice: "I haven't asked him yet, Janet, but I will before morning." They were lovers, and Dan had promised to tell Hibden of his attachment fur his daughter. ' One Sunday in August, a few weeks after Dan Helm had come to work for Hibden, he was sitting on the stile in his workaday clothes, when Janet passed through the fields on her wav to the parish church. "Good morning," she had said cheerfully. "Öood morning." returned Dan. hastily removing his black clay pipe, as unfit for the presence of such lovely company. "Going to church. Miss Hibden?" "Yes. Mr. Helm Aren't you going?" "I ain't been since my mother died." replied Dat., with a lump la his throat at the recollection. . .. "Hut wouldn't you feel better for it?" asked the girl sympathetically. "I might," he replied. "But look at my hands, scarred and burnt and blistered, and as cracked as the back of a turtle; they're out of place in such company." "Oh, that would make no difference: It romes from honest work. I really think you would like it, after a bit." Littl more. was said .then; but Dan's eyes followed the comely girl with a look of admiration. The next Sunday he was at the stile dressed in his best, waiting for her. ' "I think I'll go to church. Miss Hibden." he said as she came up. "Can I walk along with you?" "Yes. Why not, as we're both going there?" she answered with a blush at his hidden meaning. "I I didn't know whether you'd like to be seen leading a black sheep." "Don't say 'black sheep'; you're only a neglected one, I am sure, Mr. Helm." These Sabbath waJit to and from church opened a new life for this young cotfple, and It was not Ion before tender word3 took the place of . sympathetic counsel. As the gTay streaks of the mornlig light were struggling through the begrimed windows of the cabin works. Dan found courag to say: "It's not a bad night's work, Gaft'er." "Now, It's not," replied Hibden regarding the heap.of chain wjth a, calculating

look. "Best we'en ever done, I think, by f look." "Best In my time, and I've been with you now going on three months." "Ay, It will be three month come Michlemus. But what o' that?" with a keen inquiring glance at his helper. "You've found me steady, reliable, and not afrajd of hard work. Mis Gaffer?" "That I'll none deny. Well?" "When I came here, I told you I was a moulder by trade. Our lads at Sheffield had seen fit to go out on a strike and we'd been out two months, and I was jolly well pick cf it, and cut away to find something to do I didn't care what. You gave me a Job. at a wage nothing like what I'd been used to you promised me more, to be sure but " "I knew I knew!" cried Hibden. "All that 'mistering' last night meant more wage." "1'ou're wrong. Gaffer; I've not asked you for more wage, nor am I going to, for I'm intending to leave you." "What! leave me leave me!" gasped Hibden. "Then what in blazes 13 it yo' want wi' a' this 'mistering?' " " I want," said Dan, looking Hibden resolutely in the eye. "to marry your daughter, Janet." For a moment the Gaffer was struck dumb; then, looking the young fellow over with a sinister smile, relieved himself with an oath. "Hum! that's the game, be it?" Dan nodded a firm assent. Then, as usual when baffled, Hibden fell back on a snarling, ironical tone. "Ho! ho! Yo' only want my daughter? An' belike yo wouldn't mind me chucking in a cottage, an' a 100 to furnish It wi'? An' a pony an trap to ride round during th' honeymoon." "Come, come this is nonsense, Hibden," said Dan. "Janet has promised to rrairy me with your consent." "Ho, ho! her has, has her!" fiercely ironical. "Many a young chap hereabouts would have run away with her first and asked your consent after. I've been open and fair with you. I " "Ho ay; yo'n been open an' fair! Open an lair as a weasel as collars little tender chicks at night w'en th" old watchdog is dozing. I'm the old watch-dog; I've been dozing; but yo'll find I'm waken in time. Yo' hav' na got my chick, nor yo' won't." "You refuse me, then." "Ay, I refuse yo" doggedly. "For what reason?" "I does na' need much reason. My helper works for me tv. o months; he finds out as I've a row o' ten houses, that brings me in forty shillin' a week, an' a handsome thrifty lass. Ho! he says, this shop will just do for me; an' s he slyly makes love to my daughter. He's a tramp when he comes to me " "That's not true, and you know It! I only tramped from Birmingham, reduced to that by a loyalty to a long hopeless strike. In which I had no sympathy." Dan was fast losing control of that diplomatic calmness which he had Intended to maintain for Janet's snko. "I say yer wer' a tramp." "And I say you lie!" flashed back the young fellow, his blue eyes blazing forth the indignation he could no longer subdue. "There's nobbut one thing for that." exclaimed Hibden, deliberately taking off his waistcoat; "an' that's a good drubbing for one of us. No mon calls me a liar wl'out paying for it." "Keep off, Hibden!" warned Dan, as he parried a blow savagely aimed at his ear. "it don't become me to fight a man of your age, and I don't want to, but " Hibden iunged at him again. The other mates cam rushing up. to see the bout. Finally, after a brief tussle. Hibden had. for the first time in a long pugnacious career, to see himself humiliated before his shopmates. Gradually, Hibden became winded, and Dan at length held him pinned against the brick forge. "You'm beat. Hibden! you'm beat! you'm getting too old for't now." cried one of his men as Dan released him gasping for breath. "If you ever cross my path again," cried Hibden, in helpless rage, "I'll do for you." "Tut. tut:" scornfully retorted Dan, as he leisurely left the shop with some of the younger men. Hibden raged about for some time and then trudged off by himself in a turbulent frame uf mind It was early morning when he reached home. Janet was sleeping soundly. He went into ihe scullery, and thoroughly douched himself with cold water as usual, and then went to bed; but he could not sleep. At 8 he heard his daughter busy with her morning duties; usually she brought his substantial breakfast to his bedside; but on this occasion he w.s too restless to wait, so dressed, and planted himself before the kitchen fire, lit his pipe, and contemplated the girl in sullen silence. Plainer than words, his actions told Janet the worst had happened. As she flitted about laying the table, his eyes followed her, and though avoiding his glance, she was fully conscious of its purport. Never before had he noticed how quietly md methodical v sh worked how comely and tidy shi Vokea how scrupulously clean and white the hearth how brightly polished the fiveirons, the bits of brass about the kitchener, and the burnlsned copper kettle given to her mother as a wedding present by Aunt Janet. "Here's a lass to be proud on." Hibden said to himself; "but her shan't throw herself away on a tramp helper." His bull-pup, Bendigo. lay blinking at him in a corner of the room, well but of reach of his master's hobnailed boot, for he instinctively divined his savage mood. Placing the bacon on the table and pouring out his coffee, Janet timidly said: "Breakfast is ready, daddie." She had never called him anything but daddie from the day she could first lisp his name. Mechanically he seated himself before his plate. She helped htm as usual to two substantial rashers, cut the bread, sweetened his coffee, and then sat down opposite him. He took one mouthful, then pushed back his plate, and exclaimed: "I can't eat ony breakfast; tak it away!" "Are you 111, daddie?" Yo knjw blessed well I'm none 111 " "What has happened?" "Yo' know blessed well what's happened; yo' know what underhand games has been goin on between yon helper o' mine an yo'." "Daddie. daddie! don't say that. Don't say underhand. Oh, don't. I've never been underhand with you in all my life." "Then why didna yo' tell me he were follerln ?' ' "Because. I did not know that he that he liked me till last Wednesday night. And I I feared you " "An rightly yo should fear an rightly yo' should hang yer head i shame, for takin' up wl' such a whelp o' a tramp as this." "He's not a tramp!" For the first time this gentle girl's eyes flashed defiance at hr father. "What! Do yo' tak sides wi him again me me, as has clothed an fed

yo. an saved for yo' for over twentv year?" "Daddie. daddie! I'm trulv BTAtefni for all you have done for me: but I must side with him. I love him." "Bah! Dove him or not, yo' sha'n't wed him." "Daddie. I I love him. I must " "Must?" he echoed: and In his rage he usd a term of insult toward his daughter. "Father, father! how dare vou use such a word to me?" AH the beHigerent blood Ehe had Inherited from him was now boiling over with uncontrollable passion. The word "father" struck his ear much as "that fellow" would sound to a prelate. He felt the child, the pet, was gone, and an outraged. angry woman asserted herself, before him 'with the dignity of innocence. "Don't Ulk to me o darin', yo' hussy. He's bewitched yo he's got yo' in his power." "You're my father; but i' you don't

withdraw that -shameful word I'll not stay with you another day." "I'll not withdraw nowt! An yo will Etay!". "I won't! I'll go this minute." She moved toward the little parlor to get her hat and jacket. He caught the girl savagely by the arm, and, in his blind fury, was about to strike her, when Bendigo, with a growl and a bound, seized him by the coatsleeve. He spurned the dog from him with a vicious kick, saying: "So yo'r again' me too, are yo', yo' whelp!" Janet escaped Into the parlor. Hibden kicked the dog out into the scullery, and returning, locked the girl in. saying as he did so: "Yo'll stay there until yo' come to yer senses, yo' unthankful brat." For a long time he sat sullenly smoking his pipe before the kitchen fire, now and again going to the parlor door to listen for a sob or other signs of submission. Finally, he flung open the door. The room was empty. She had escaped by the window, which opened intr he fields at the back of the house. This, In his rage, he had forgotten. He rushed out. through his little garden Into the fields, but could see nothing of her. He returned to the kitchen fire and began to think, and to marvel at her defiant spirit, which he had never suspected; and as he grew calmer regret pierced his dormant conscience at the shameful words he had used. He waited penitently about the house all day, but she did not return.

CHAPTER II. Finding herself free, Janet decided to go to her mother's sister. Aunt Janet, who lived at the church-end of the town. As she approached the church, she was surprised to see the figure of Dan seated on the stile, smoking, in deep meditation. Janet's first impulse was to turn back; but at that moment Dan looked up. and hastened to meet her. "Janet!" he cried, in tender rapture. "Dan! rh. Dan! In a moment she was In his arms; tears and sobs came quick and fast, to the relief of her swellins heart. "What's happened, Janet?" "I've quarreled with daddie," she sobbed. "About me?" "Yes, yes, Dan. He abused you shamefully." "And and called me names that Oh. Dan! I thought he loved me. I've been dutiful; and he's been so so steady, and careful and tender to me since mother died T I could never think It Oh. uch word! I couldn't stay with him after them." "Then you've left him?" "Yes, yes I couldn't stay." "What are you going to do?" "I don't know; but 1 won't go back." "Then come with me to Sheffield." "No. no. Dan; that would look as if we'd run away." "But to my Aunt Betsy. She'll give you a home; and I'll soon get a job: the strike's ended; and I'll have a cot of my own for you before long." "Nay. I'll go to my Aunt Janet; she'll tell me what's best. She has a large family of her own; hut she's always a kind and motherly word for mV "It's hard to leave you. sweet one; but I hall come over often every weekend." So, with prolrjnpH caresses. thy parted, and Janet hurried on to her aunt's. That large-hearted woman was holding the youngest of six in her lap, and rocking with her foot another in the cradle while she combed the hair of a wriggling boy of five. "Pear o' me! what's happened?" she asked, as Janet seated herself with a face plainly betraying her distress. Her niece quickly told her what had taken place, and of her father's abusive language. "An' you've left him?" "Yes. aunt" "An I glory in your pluck. Serves him right. He's been a bully o' his life. He lorded it over our Jane, until he ground all t' spirit out o' her. But her would have him, spite o' all we'd said; an" now. poor lass, hers head an' buried. If he'd had me. I'd " "Don't alk of that. Aunt Janet. Tell me what I must do." "What yo' must do?" "Yes. Can I stay here? I fear you have no room to spare." "Oh, yo' canstay here, an' welcome, lass. We'n -oom enough. Yo' can slep wi' little Jim here. But stop a bit; let me think. If yo stop here, Hibden 'ull be coming for yo'; an' that'll never do. Our Jim 'ud order him out o' t'house; an' then ther'd be a row. An' tho' he's a bigger mon nor Jim. our Jim 'ud never give in while he could raise a arm. He's a little un, but he's a rare plucky un, is Jim." "Then what can I do. aunt?" "Go to yer Uncle George at Sheffield. Our George has neither chick nor child, an his wife was alius fond o yo." "Yes; I think that is best." "Have yo' any brass, Janet?" "Yes. aunt, a little." Janet, after listening to her aunt's directions and motherly admonition to have nothing to say to fellow-traveler, man or woman, set out for her Uncle George's at Sheffield. This was Janet's first railway journey alone; her n?rves were at full tension; she clung tenaciously to her third-class ticket, and looked eagerly at every station sign, lest she should pass her destination, to the great amusement of more experienced travelers. While in a deep reverie, in which Dan figured, she middenly remembered that Dan's home was in Sheffield. What If he was on the train? Then her thoughts drifted off to her father; and she was picturing his storming at her aunt's when the train dashed Into a great black, smoky station, and she realized she was in Sheffield. A good-natured old porter advised her to take a cab to her uncle's, as it was fully two miles, and the road confusing. This she did; and after many windings and turnings which convinced her she could never have found the house alone she was put down at the door. She discharged the cabby, and was about to knock at the door, when she found, to her dismay, the house was empty; a "To Let" card In the window directed applicants to No. 19. she went, and knocked A cheerful, tidy old wholesome odor of hot To that number woman, and muffins, came the cottage door. "Can you tell me where George Ilelrock has gone?' asked Janet. "George Helrock, lass! Why. bless you, he's been gone to America these three months." "Uncle George gone! "Oh dear, what must I do?" she cried with a look of consternation. "Did you expect to find him. lass?" "Yes. yes. He never wrote; but but " "Have you come far?" "Yes; from near Birmingham." "Then come in and rest a bit. and have a cup f tea; you'll be tired," said the tidy old woman, with that kindly hospitality which is the first impulse of Midland housewives. She saw that the girl was in genuine trouble, und her heart went out to her In sympathy. "I've known your Uncle George this many a year," continued the good woman, after she had Induced Janet to take eft her hat. "Your father's brother, be like?" "No; my mother's. She's was a Helrock." "Ay, ay; I remember he told Dave, my good man. He's a night watchman, my dear. He's Just getting up. You will have a cup o" tea wi' us there's only us two." "Oh, It's very kind of you: but I cught to go go home; it will be very late." "You can stay all night. lass, an' Dave shall see you off in t' morning." When her husband came down stairs the childless mother told him where' the girl had come from. "Why," said Dave, "that's Just like Georgie! I fold him to write, but he kept a-puttlng It off until he forgot it. belike." Presently, as 3z:i&. w&s ea.U4 lTwxe

the hot muffins, feeling perfectly, secure i

with this whole-couled l orkshlre couple, there came a knock at the door. "Well, who can that be?" asked the wife, going to the cottage door. As she opened It Janet heard her exclaim: "Well. well, well It's my lad." and the sound of a smothered hug and kiss.. Then the tones of a manly voice that sent the blood surging from her heart Into her cheeks, as she rose from the table and reeled with giddy delight. "Dave, it's Dan come home," cried the old woman. Dan strode into the room, and was reaching out his hand to his uncle when he caught sight of Janet. In a moment she was locked in his arms, to the astonishment of Uncle Dave and Aunt Betsy. "It strikes me you've been at that game afore, Dan." said Uncle Dave as Dan released Janet. "She's my sweetheart, uncle." "Ow. ow! You sent her on before, then?" "No. I don't know how she got here. What train did ou come b, Janet?" "The train from Dudley Junction." "Ah, that's it. I came on the Northwestern, from Birmingham." Janet did not return the next morning, or the next month, for the childless Betsy, with the motherly heart, would not hear of It. The morning after Janet's flight, when Hibden rose, he was confronted with a desolate home. The fireless grate with the accumulated ashes smearing the generally snowy hearthstone; the rashers of cold bacon "looked ghastly; the unwashed dishes still littered the table, as they had ben left the day before. A sense of his helplessness came over him, for never In the course of his life had this domestic tyrant lifted a hand to help himself. After several trials, and many imprecations at its persistent smoking, he managed to light the kitchen fire. He warmed up the coffee left from the day before, and with some bread and butter made a far from hearty breakfast. Then, lighting his pipe, he sat befoi-o the fire contemplating the dismal scene. At noon he set out for Aunt Janet'., fcr he had come to the conclusion that was his daughter's only place of refuge. "Well," said that muscular woman, as Hibden presented himself at the door, "what do yo' want here?" "I want Janet " "Her's none here." "Her has been, then?" "Ay, her has been," said Mrs. Jim tartly. "Where Is her now?" "Her's run away fro' home; her's none o' age, an onybody as harbors her 1 11 ha' up afore magistrates." "Oh. yo' 'ill have urn up, will yo', Bob Hibden?" "Ah, I will." "Yo' '11 find urn first." "I'm none so far off finding urn now. Will yo' tell me where her Is?" "No; I won't. There you have it flat. Bob Hibden." "An' wh ?" "Because yo 'n ill-used hr. Yo 'n made a slave o' her. an' yo 'd bully her into her grave, as yo' did her poor mother." "I don't want none o' your slandering tongue nor I " Her husband came up for his dinner at this Juncture. "Now, Bob Hibden, I'll none ha you bullying my wife," said "Bantam Jim" bristling up. "Get thee in t' t house," said his wife; "this is none o' thy business;" and Jim suddenly found himself pushed into the kitchen with one jerk of his wife's muscular arm. "An' as for yo'. Bob Hibden, yo '11 never know fro' me where her is." Then she banged the door in Hibden's face, and barred it, to further emphasize her determination. Hibden went home fuming with rage. The next day he reluctantly called in old Granny Crip, of No. 6. to tidy up his house and provide his meals. He returned to his work with a new helper; but the loss of his daughter was never out of his mind. After Granny's advent all the gossips in "Hibden's F.ow" knew of' his misfortune. Some pitied him. and some did not; the general opinion was that in his disgrace he would turn to drink. Some one told him of seeing Dan and Janet together in the fields on tne morning of her disappearance, and this convinced him and the gossips that they had eloped. Weeks passed and no tidings came of her. The bull pup, Bendigo, whined fiom room to room, seeking her with piteous cri?s, which caused his master in his own acute sorrow to lament: "Ay, lad; we 'n both lost a friend, one as we n never get the like on again." Hibden had cherished his daughter while she was with him much as he had loved his dog; but now that she was lost to him he suffered with all the pangs of paternal bereavement, for he considered her lost. He often pictured her wandering about the streets an outcast, for he had no faith In Dan's honesty of purpose. As month followed month, and no tidings came of her, his once florid face grew sallow and haggard; his appetite failed; and he gave up his job at the chain-works, a physically broken man. Then he moped abov the house or the meadows, with Bendigo always at his heels,. He shunned the public house and drink, to the surprise of his neighbors, and gradually there settled upon him a determination to find the man who had desolated his home, and if they met, to destroy him. He carried a heavy oaken stick for the purpose. It was reported in the chain works that Dan had gone to America. At first Hibden believed this report; but finally, remembering Dan had come" from Sheffield, he decided to go there and make inquiries. His first two visits to the great straggling town were fruitless no one seemed to know of such a man. Still he kept up his search for many months, until one night he encountered Uncle Dave on his way to work. After they had exchanged the usual observations of the night. Hibden asked: "Do vo happen to know a man named Helm. Dan Helm?" Uncle Dave was about to answer, "Ay, he's my nevvie." when something in the haggard visage of the stranger caused him to modify his reply. "Ay, I do," he said. He's gone to America, they say." "Ay, he has. Did you know him?" "Ay. He ran away wi' my daughter." "Oh! Then you want him, belike!" "I want to get this stick on his skull." said Hibden, swinging the oaken stick threateningly. "You would kill him?" "A v. I would, if 1 swung for 't." cried Hibden. his face livid with anger. Then he told Uncle Dave the months of agony he had suffered at the loss of his beloved child. The Yorkshireman listened to his tale, deeply pitied him. and finally said: "Happen it's na as bad as you think. I'll make some inquiries, an I'll write an let you know when I've any news." With this they parted. Untie Dave thought it prudent not to reveal at that time all he knew without consulting his wife. Dan and Janet had been married soon after they joined the old couple; and later, at the urgent request of a relation, Dan had gone to the states to a giod situation. He wrote home that he was prospering, and that he would come and fetch his wife in the August following. When Uncle Dave told Aunt Betsy of his meeting with Hibden and the threat, she would not consent to Janet being told of it in her present delicate condition. But in July something occurred which decided Uncle Dave to attempt a little diplomacy of his own. He wrote Hibden to come over the next Sunday as he had some news for him. When Sunday came, and Uncle Dave met him at the station. Hibden eagerly asked: "What is the news?" "Come to the parish church and you shall see." , At the church he showed Hibden the register, and read to him the record of the marriage on Oct. 10,-187, of Janet Hibden. spinster, Jtnd Daniel Helm, j bachelor. : When the chain-maker heard this, the muscles of his face twitched convulsively, and he cried with a husky voice. "Thank God, it's none so bad as I thought." "I told you it mightn't be," said Uncle Dave.

Is to me, for I feel as if I'm none for long 1' this world; an' it's lifted a load fro', my mind to find as as he did the honest thing by her. God bless her! wherever her is. I've made my will, an' left all I have to her an' her childer, if her has ony." . "I'm fain to hear you'n come to that sen5ible conclusion, Mr. Hibden." "I don't know how to thank-o", master, as I'd like; I'm beholden to yo' "Don't mention it. Hibden. But you can do me a god turn today." said Uncle Dave as thev left the church. "Mention it. an' I'll do it willingly." "We're 1 trouble at our house." "Whit's up?" "There's to be a christening today. Rather sudden; child's weakly, an' mother main't live." "Oh! yer child?" "No; it's a niece o' mine. She's had a bit o' bad news, an' an' it brought her down sudden like." What's happened?" "Her husband's away from home, an" she's got word he's nearly killed in a explosion in t' foundry. Well, it's a question is she'll live: an' she's anxious to ' have th? child christened afore she dies. Farson's coming tiiis afternoon." "Oh. I see." "My missis is f be t godmother; an I'll be one godfather " "An yo want me to be t other?" asked Hibden. "Ay. You've neither chick nor child, an' an this little lad will may soon be without father or mother. I thought It would do yer heart good to do something like this." "Oh. it will. I'll do It willingly." When they arrived at Uncle Dave's, they found tne curate waiting. He had been into the back room.' where a bed had been placed, to comfort and encourage the helpless little mother, and now he was seafnl by the fireplace, while Aunt Betsy was nursing Janet's child. When the two godfathers came in. the parlor door was closed; but as the curate began the baptismal prayer, Janet softly asked th nurse to open it a little, so that she could hear th curate's supplication. Bob Hibden knelt to his Maker for the first time since the death of his wife; as he did so, he exprienced an indescribable feeling of consolation and contentment. Then the minister sprinkled the child, and concluding, said: "David Hibden Helm. I baptize thee in the name of the Father, and the Son. and of the Holy Ghost. Amen." As tho curate handed th? child hick to Aunt Betsy, Hibden grasped Uncla Dave's arm and exclaimed: "Is yer name Helm?" "Ay. And it's mv nevvie's name." "Whose child is this?" "Your grandchild." "Mine! An' an' Is is my lass my Janet dead?" and great scalding tears trickled down nis cheeks. Just then there came from the little back room a Irmpr quivering, wailing cry, which shaped itself into the words: "Darkle, daddie! oh, daddie!" Janet had heard him. and her shattered heart could not suppress '.he appealIn a moment he had burst Into the room and held her in his arms. "Ah, Janet, my lass, my lass!" "Oh. daddie, daddie! thank God. he's sent you to me." "Amn, lass amen; an' He's saved yo' for me." And when. ponn after. Aunt Betsy brought in the baby to them, their reconciliation was complete. A few days later Uncle Dave received a letter from his brother in America saying Dan's injuries were not so dangerous as at first reported, and that he was in a fair way to complete recovery. This cheered the little mother. She began to Improve so that, within a month, she was nursing her baby by the fireside at Hibden's Row. In the autumn Dan returned strong and well. When he presented himself at the cottage door, Hibden met him on the threshold and said: "Come in, ladcome in, an' welcome. There was a. blind old donkey lived here a year ago as refused yo' his daughter; yo' mun reckon him as dead an' gone, an' forget ' his hard wo:-ls. an the trouble he's caused yo'. Here's yer wife an baby well an' hearty; an' there's mi hand; an' if yo'll let bygones be bygones, an' always be kind to Janet for, God knows, she's nearly died for love o' yo' yo' 'II find no better friend nor Bob Hibden." Hilton Hill in Chamber's Journal.

A Get-MnrrieI-If-Yon-C:ui Club. Kach girl member must pay into the common fund a certain sum in proportion to her matrimonial chance, and the member who is last to be married will receive the entire amount. Now there is one member who is but sixteen and another whose age is an unknown quantity. As there are but ten members enrolled In the organization, she of the sixteen summers must pay just ten times as much as the lady whose age is unmentionable. We have positive evidence that two of the young ladies expect to be married in the next decade. Warren Tribune. Three of a Kind. Teacher "How many poles are there?" Pupil "Three North pole, south pole and barber pole." Hallo. THE BEST Your wife will Anticipating the demand, special arrangements to supply

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OUR FFERs

We will furnish the Famous SENTINEL SEWING MACHINE (No. 4) and the STATE SENTINEL for one year lor

jOZLk This Machine is fully warranted and money will be refunded 3, same as No. 4, except with two drawers instead of four, will SENTINEL one year :or $16.00.

POINTS OF SUPERIORITY. INDIANAPOLIS SENTINEL SEWING MHCHINE Has the latest design of bent woodwork, with skeleton drawer cases, made in both walnut and oak, highly finished and th most durable made. The Btand is rigid and strong, hating brace from over each nd of treadle rod to table, has a large balance whel with belt replacer, a very eaej motion of treadle. The head ia free of plate tensions, the machine is so eet that without any change of upper or lower tension yon can ew irom No. 40 to No. 150 thread, and by a Tery slight changa of disc tension on face plate, you can sew from the coarsest to the finest thread. It haB a self-eetting needle and loose pulley device on hand wheel for winding bobbins without running the machine. It is adjustable in all its bearinea and has less springs than any other eewing machine on the market. It ia the quickest to thread, being eelt-threading, except the eye of needle. It is the easiest machine in changing length of stitch, and is very fuiet and easy running.

Address all orders to THE SENTINEL, Indianapolis, Ind. P. S. This Machine is shipped direct from the manufactory to the purchaser, saving all Twiddle men's profits.

inx lue

M A

Seid everywhere made fcy

THE N.KJAIRBANK C0MPAWfeio.

DRAWIXG IP A HOROSCOPE. A Lecturer on Astrology Does This In Public Tri tli a Sff rfoptlron. With the aid of a stereopticon, which cast mystical figures on a white sheet, Mr. Garrett P. Serviss taught a large and attentive audience a great many interesting things about astrologers and astrology last night in the lecture hal! of the Long Island historical society, Brooklyn. Mr. Serviss is not an astrologer himself, but what he doesn't know about astrology wouldn't be enough to furnish material for an Eighth-ave. prophetess. He told his audience all about horoscopes and quadrants, and trine and sextile, and what the seventh house represents, and what is a good antidote for the condition of affairs when the sun and moon and Venus and Jupiter all g?t in the religious section of heaven and mix things up, which is perhaps what happened when Dr. Briggs was born. To bring his exposition home to the audience the speaker explained the horoscope of the day by means of a diagram of his own construction. The child born in Brooklyn on April 16, 1S94, was to have a mixed fate, unless the song of the spheres was sadly out of tune and the morning stars lied together. Jupiter being the sign, Leo was favorable, so the astrologer informed his audience, and the babe was to grow Into political success and also be prominent In the church. "McKane," suggested some In the audience. The sun being in the ninth house put an added religious streak into the individual, and the moon in the second house and Mercury in a favorite place indicated prospective riches, a love of study and a propensity for long journeys. Thus everything was lovely until Mars came in and proceeded to smash things. Mars is an evil sign, and in some wav got himself mixed up with the house of marriage, and also in opposition to the moon, and the result was a marriage with a rich but slovenly dame who was to make trouble. Then entered Saturn at an inopportune moment in semi-square to the moon, and a. lot of other signs and things combined in a conspiracy to reduce the unfortunate to penury, which was to have such an effect upon his mind that when the horoscope thrust riches upon him again he was to become a hopeless miser and die gold poor. From which It will be observed that condolences are due to the parents of yesterday. Then Mr. Serviss spoke about the horoscopes of celebrated men. He said in conclusion that the astrologers were entitled to this much credit, that in the dark ages, when learning had all but dud out, they preserved the noble science of astronomy from decay. X. Y. Sun. The World's Heer Production. The advocates of total abstinence from alcoholic liquors can hardly derive much encouragement from some figures published by a French paper on the world's production of beer. It appears that in the whole of Europe 3,03(5.000,000 gallons of beer are produced every year. Germany makes the largest quantity, and upholds its national reputation with l.051.6G4.000 gallons, of which 630,380,850 gallons are contributed by northern Germany, 337,167.400 gallons by Bavaria. S17.0Ö0 gallons by Wurtemberg, 5r,191.'0 gallons by the Duchy of Baden, and 16,703,000 by Alsace Lorraine. After Germany comes the United Kingdom, and then Austria follows with 302.025,000 gal MACHINE be in want of a hin THE SENTINEL has made your wants.

One Huffier, with Shirrer Plate, One Set of 4 Plate Ilemmera, One Binder, One Presser Foot. One Hemmer and Feller,

One Braider Foot, One Tucker, One Quilter, One Plate Gauge, One Slide for Braider, One Oil Can (with Oil), One Thread Cutter,

STANDS

lons. Bohemia alone is represented in this amount by nearly 110.0'tO.ooo gallons, and lower Austria (including Vienna), by more than 44,0r'0.vio gallon?. Tho people of Belgium consume gallons, of Denmark ."'. 432.WO gallons, and of Norway ."T.tiTo.o.to gallons. Next In order comes Uussia. with 4.42T.Ooj gallons. Switzerland with 2fi.loi.ono gallons, Spain with 22..".0.OOrt gallons. Italv with 3,02?.O00 gallon. Turkey with S.ov'.tno J gallons. Koumania witju 220. wo gallons, j Luxemburg with 2.0t',,n.)ii gallons. Servi I with 2.O4Ö.O0O gallon and Greece with 213'O0 gallon. It is curious to note that outside of Europe little leer is produced, except in the United States, where th manufacture was by the last statistics shown to be H2.209. Cm) gallons. Japan produces 4,Sr.5,(nV gallons. Australia 449,0'K) gallons and Algeria ."5 t.oOO gallons. How They U. MightThe story of the death struggle of the little column of Englishmen that L-'ben-gula's Matahele warriors swallowed up csn't be told too frequently. The following are the words of one of the savage officers who led in the attack: "I, 11achasha, induna of the Insuku raiment, tell you these things. We were 6."0 men against your thirty-four. They role into the track and linked their horses in a ring and commenced a heavy fire upon us, and our men fell fast and thick. We opened fire upon them and killed all their horses. Then thy took to cover behind their horses bodies and killed us just like grass. We tried to rush them. Twice we tried, but failed. After a time they did not fire so much, and we thought their ammunition was petting Fhort. Then, just as we were, preparing to rush again, they all stood up. They took off their hats and sang. We were so amazed to see men singing in tho face of death we knew not what to do. At last we rushed. You white men don't fight like men, but like devils. They shot us until the last catridge, and most of them shot themselves with that. But those who had none left just covered v.p their eyes and died without a sound. Child of a white man. your xeoT-le know how to fight and how to die. We killed sll the thirty-four. But thy killed us like grass." London Exchange. A WUo Hlrl. "There Is a species of the bird known as the woodpecker in the far West that has. an unusual amount of reasoning faculty," said Dr. Theodore Mayf.eM. "It is much tamer than tho species cf that bird found farther east and frequents the towns rather than the woodSj They make holes along the eaves of the dwellings, and in these holes they place acorns, not for the purpose of eating them, as I am told that the birds do not eat adorns at all. but for the purpose of devouring the grubs that germinate in tha acorns. During a trip to the coast I was interested In watching these birds and was tohl ly a number of people about the characteristics of which I speak. This indicates a continuous train of thought. 1-xtking forward to the time of the creation of the worm and its desirability as t food." St. Louis Republic. Vilnlity of Diaenae faerm. As an evidence of the phenomenal vitality of disease grms Dr. Koch of Germany and Drs. Ewart and Carpenter of England declare that the blood of animals and men dying of contagions may be dried and kept for years, and that they will then produce the class of infections to which they belong, this even after having been pulverized In a mortar and subjected to the lowest degree of natural and artificial cold. ON EARTH No. 4. if it is not as advertised. No. be furnished with the STATS

ATTACHMENTS Accompanying Each machine ARE AS FOLLOWS:

i l Attachments In bracket are all interchangeable into hub oa presaer hex. ; Pix Bobbin, Seven Needles, One Larce Screw Driver, One Small Screw Driver, One Wrench, One Instruction Book.

WARRANTY. Every Machine is fully warranted for five yeafa. Any part proving defective will be replaced free of charge, excepting need'.cs, bobbins and shuttles.