Ligonier Banner., Volume 32, Number 31, Ligonier, Noble County, 4 November 1897 — Page 3

A CLEW BY WIRE O, Anklntes_'rupte‘d Current. . BYHOWARD M. YOST, Copyright, 1896, by J. B. Lippincott Co.

s CHAPTER 111. - . - What could it mean! My head swam, my breath came in gasps, the cold perspiration broke out on my forehead and rolled down my face. For a few momenst I stood with every, muscle paralyzed. Then I sank down upon the ledge and covered my face with my bhands. ¢t . ; i :

~ The porter, who had just come into the vault in answer to my summons, approached me. A **What’s the matter, Mr. Conway? Are you sick?” he asked.,, | His _question pag‘tially aroused me. “Lall the Pre’sident and the treasurer, Mason. Quick! Tell them to come into the vault,” I managed to gasp. | *“Why—why—wHat can be the matter?” the porterexclaimed.- © = | 1 sprang to my feet and confronted him. I cannot tell what exfression was on my face, but he slowly edged away from me. e r

*“Good God, man! don’t stop to question! Go, quick!”. He went out i_mmé—diately ‘at my vehement appeal, and soon the president and the treasur%'r came bustling in. e i " “What’s up, Conway ?” the presiden%t,

Mr; Perry, asked. *“Why, man alive, ~ how whitg'syou are!” he added, looking ; searchingly at me. .° | i j . *Oh, isir, what shall I do?” hardﬁy knowing ih my consternation what'l was saying. “It’s gone! all gone!” | i “What’s-all gone? Your wits? " ATe - you sick?” Mr. Perry asked. ° r“Herel the treasurer uttered an ex“clamation and pointed toward the.reserve vault. Mr. Perry craned his fle;(%k and glanced inside. ' Then he turned quiekly to'me, and his face was as white ~ as his shirt bosom. . . | “Why; ‘God Almighty, Conway, where’s all your currency ?” he asked, in hoarse tones. * s “I don’t know, sir. Ileft—"l began, (but the president cuf me short. | “Is it that that’s gone? Yeou mean stolen? How could it be? Who couid -have entered the vault? You did not forget, to lock up yesterday, did youp” . he asked, witf™errible earnestness. 1. “No, indeed,” I answered. “The vault was locked at usual. .I set tﬁe timepiece for half past eighfft I expected to be on hand and gef things i’n‘ s‘li:z:l'fj'e ¥or the examining committee.”} “And ‘you have just discovered the Joss 2 -\ # # ' ? | *“Yes, str. I went ouly M town lajst evening. ‘:ind returned but a few mih-’

utes ago.”” B [~ 7 |4 “So then the lock was unprotected by the timepiece a whole houy before the bookkeepers arrived,” Mr. Perry said, wit_h a most piercing glance thrown ﬁt I s i

“Jackson promised me he would be hére in my place,” T faltered.} | “Jackson! What has he tb do with ‘the vanlt? He doesn’t know. the combination, does he?” | <o . *No,-sir. It x\mfls only to have an em* ploye. in the room/-after the timepiege had run .down: that I asked bim to {;e present.” o ‘ S “Call Jackson,” Mr, Ferry requested of the-treasurer. ' | L - While ‘that gentleman was gone on his errand, Mr. }’eri;y. and 1 mnde(a, ‘hasty search througlh the other compartments. We fpund some of them Fn disorder, and, judging from appearances, many bonds ‘missing. i The president was coripletely overwhelmed by this new discovery. %e stood gazing at me with a Jook of the greatest anguish on his white,” drawn

face. e ‘ : : = *Oh, Mr. Perry,” I cried, “as God hears me, I know nothing about this. Oh, believe me, I am innocent.” - , “No one has accused you, Conway, s£o far,” he replied, seriously, and with significance. e g “You cannot think T had anything }o do with it,” I went on. “You know I have never betrayed any trust which I have held in this banl." S “My God! I don’t know what to think. I can’t think. You never told an.yoile the combination?” the president suddenly asked. S o . “Oh, no, no; I havenever breathec\da figure of it to a living soul;” I answered, edrhestly. - ' S e “Who besides yourself knows haow to open the vault?” .. L “The bond teller and the receivinég teller,” Lreplied.” - - | . ‘ *“And they are away on their vacatieng, are they mot?” | = - “Yes, sir,” I faltered, for I divined.the meaning .of his questions. - ¢ Here the treasurer returned, followed by Jackson. “Were you here this morning at the time you promised Mr. Conwway you would be?”: the president asked Jaeksdont, ¢ | - o Jackson glanced around in surprise at the group, he saw inside the vault. “It was amw impossibility for me to ful-fil-'my promise,” he answered. “A;n aunt of mine over in Camden who has been. ill for some time died last even-

ing, and, as I'am her sole relative.and heir to what gittle she possessed, I was - ¢ompelled to o over to Camden last - night. I'expected to return in time to keep my word with Mr. Conway. But I was unahble to complete the arrangements for the funeral and some other minor matfers relating to the will until this morning, and I had only just arrived at the bank when Mr. Smithson (the treasurer)” informéd me you wished to see me.” - - Then he added, in deep concern: “I sincerely hope the inability to keep my promise -has not been the cause of any trouble? |.. ] < ; “Well, whatever trouble there may be, the blame certainly cannot be attached to you; Mr, Jackson, under the circumstances you have mentioned. You may return to your work,” Mr. Per- - Ty said, after a long pause. . *I intended to ask leave of absence for a few days,” Jackson began, in a ’hesitating manner. “But-if anything has happened which would prevent your granting it—"" . . *No.no, nothing hag happened which wbduld keep’you here. Your request is granted. Every consideration must give way to death,” Mr. .Perry responded. = W e e .» Jackson thanked the president in his quiet and courteous way and left the Mgt S poldihe sngestsd. 3"? Figs o detsm il Ao *gr%xwm

the troubled and perplexed state the loss of the money hadilunged him into. . ol *“ls there any cash in tl*e vault?” he asked. = . “Yes, sir. All the gold and silver and the receipts-.of yesterday seem to, bé here,” I replied. ‘ ! ' ‘ “Well, get, your money out to the’ windows as:quickly as y(#u can, Conway, then come to my room. Mr. Smithson, call the police, and siend messen--gers to the trustees for an immediate meeting. God, what a report to give them!” | : ’ : ‘With a heavy heart and a feeling that I was treading on the verge of a precipice I obeyed his behest, Then I went to his office, f e s Before the door leading!ont into the wvestibule one of the special police of the.bank was standing. _'/ : ' I.smiled bitterly, as I recognized the fact that steps had a!read#y been taken to; prevent my leaving the bank. ~ Mr. Perry was walking hhe floor; he motioned to me to be seateﬁ. “The trustees will -wish to interview you,” he said, significantly. { : “Well let ¢ . They’ll get nothing out of me,” I'mied-, dogé‘ed'ly.; . The president paused in his walk and. ‘threw a searching glance at me. “I would advise you not tg incriminate vourself, Conway, befo‘re% you are ac‘cused,” he said, coldly. [, o - 'I started to my feet. *‘f‘l mean just 'what I say, Mr. Perry. EI understand the. position I am in. Why, sir, even you, who have been my Best friend—l can see, even you, whom|l have never given the least cause to dff)'ubt my hon_esty, suspeet mei” .’ il E There was such a’ lookajcame into his face, such a sad look, that it quite unmanhed me, ( “Nelson,” he began, “Idon’t wish to doubt you. I have alswajys considered you omne of my safe men'.T' But do you not see, my boy, what is/against you? You are the youngest ma:rJ that hasever held such an important ptf)sition as you hold in this bank. There was considerable opposition to giving you the place’ onaccount of your youth. 'But linsisted . 7 . i N | il : A A 14 =y L‘ 1 .\| rl ‘b‘.;;': @’ e eDI e eo S S Wit At {ol oy : .[‘ ::tj;" (&R Lo | — 6y A |t~ ““You donot answer.” h?. qinqlly said. on, your advancement unh pledged my official word thav you {Would prove faithful to the trust. I had such confidence in you that I didnot even consider it necessary to puf you on your guard by telling you thi§ at the time.” “There was no necessi'fgy,‘sir, to put me on my guard. My dutfies wouid not have been performed any petier or more Lonestly ana faithfully bad I known this.. I thank you for 3{olll_' kinduess, however.” . o Stung by his implied doubt of me. and knowing my übsol{lte innocence and how 1 had given my best efforts in the discbarge of my: duties, I had straightened up proudiy. : My grandfather before he died had written on the fly-leaf of a primer of Pl‘il’_lei “Be strong in advcrsity; that stamps the man!” I did hot realize the full meaning of the wonds then. But “they came to me now in full force. “I am sorry I gave w#ay so. It'was a foolish fear. I am innocent of any ~wrong, aud I am confident that my in‘nocerice witl be proved some time. Until it is, I will try to bea\{:?he suspicion as patiently as possible,” I said, calmly. - Here some members of the examining ' committee came hurriedl%' in. “Whatis “this I hear?” “How did it happen?” “Whom do you suspect??” These were some of the eXc}amation}E that reached my ear as they crowded around the president. W ; One by one the trusteei camein. One of the last to arrive was Mr. Morley, but he passed on to the committee room without noticing me. ;m 1t I thought of Florence, ‘pndlwondered what she would think voﬂ it all. After my- happiness of the evening before, to be crushed under such a blow of fate was most eruel. Butl resfﬂg‘ed not.to be crushed. There came to\m‘e a kind of exhilaration of spirit in) making this resolve, and when, after ‘thile, I was summoned before the trustees, it nérved me for the ordeal thrjugh which I knew I must pass. ey . After telling all T knex?i, which I did in as concise a manner as possible, a deluge of questions was hurled at me, ‘nearly every-one of the 1??3 or 20 maembers of the board taking a hand in the cross-examination. [ : !

“You say you were out of town last night and did not return until.a féw minutes before ten this morning?” asked oue of the vice pres?dents. ~ “Yes, sir,” I answered. | | . “You have not stated| where you were, and ‘how you spent the time,” the man continued. “Perhaps the remaining trustees share with me a natural curiosity to know this?” I hesitated in giving answer, noticing’ which my questioner glanced around triumphantly, as though he bad scored a point against me. |- A ~ “You do not answer,” he finally said. *‘Of course you need not if your answer will eriminate yourself.” : - “It is not the fear of criminating myself that causes me to. hesitate in my | answer,” I'replied, castinﬁf an appealing glance in the-direction of Mr. Morley. That gentleman turned his eyes toward me, and I thought there was rather a pleased expression ab(rut them. He smiled gravely and bowed his head. “I spent the evening a? Mr. Morley’s place in Fairlawn;” I qu‘,ietly said, intel,‘zreﬁng that gentleman’s inclination of his head as permission to tell. ' "My answer created sscmét surprise, and |. all eyes were turned upon Mr. Morley. Such were that gentleman’s position | and standing that the mere fact that I had vigited at his house produced a change in the manner of questioning me. The questions were couched in ‘more respectful terms. T __ “And where did you go from Mr. Mor- | ley’s place?” the examiner wenton. - | - “To the Fairlawn hotel,” I replied, . |

“You did not immediately return to thecity? . L :

*No, sir, for the reason that I could not. There was no train until the morning.” . : ; - *And you were on that train?”

- “I gvas on that train, and arrived in town at a quarter before ten,” I'calmly replied. 3 Teu

“You may be compelled to prove that,” continued the vice president, significantly. an '

“Very well, sir; I c¢an dosowhenever it is necessary.” : Here Mr. Morley, who had been only a listener until now, spoke infhis grave, dignified manner, and the deferential way the trustees heparkened to his words was an indication of the high regard in which he was held. j

“We are wasting time,” he said. “This method of procedure is futile. I will say that Mr. Conway was & guest at my house last evening. How he spent the time after he left my place I caanot say. DBut® he was on the train this morning, as he said, for I usually take the same train in coming to town, and Isaw him.” 5 e

. Mr. Morley only stated the cold Tact, but nevertheless that he should speak at all in my defense seemed to me a good omen. . ° I was soonjasked to retire. AsJ went out into the presideni’s room, three or four fellows went in. I knew they were detectives. :

There is no need to teli of the examinations I was compelled to submit to by these same detectives, and Low they tried all their art, wheedling, threatening, bullying, to get me to confess to a crime I knew nothing of. Fomw all their trouble they got nothing from me but tbe tristh. . 4 2

. When the trustees’ meeting broke up, the president came out to me. . - “Nelson, if you are guilty, and wish to escape the consequences, now is the time to flee'the country. The trustees have, decided not to bave you arrested just yet,” be said, with a smile. ’ “They are very kind, sir. But I wish to be arrested. Nothing would please me better thanto stand trial,” I replied, ‘defiantly. e Mr. Morley came through the room as I spoke, and at my loud tqone he threw a glance at me. Whether it indicated disgust | at what he might consider bravado; or commendation at my daring to take a firm stand on my innocence, I could not say. * “You may go home- for the rest of the day, Conway,” said the president, without looking at me. ‘Come to my office in the morning. Don’t go into the bankFoom. | .

I wenti out. unmolested, and slowly walked toward my boarding place. Way should this horrible shadow have fallen, ‘Dblotting out the bright promising sun'shine of my young life? Was it a dream, .and would I wale to find it all unreal? Ah, no! The newsboys on the street were already calling: “All about the’ bank robbery!” and selling their papers rapidly. God help me, it was no dream.

CHAPTER IV.

_All that night I walked the floor, cudgeling my brains over the- affair, but could arrive at' no satisfuctory solution. It seemed impossible that the vault should have been opened, and the curreney, the'bulk of which would more than fill~a bushel basket, abstracted. The fact remained, however, that it was gone. s ;

. On my way down to the bank the following morning, I bought some newspapers, and eagerly read all the accounts. Every paper, without actually stating the facts in so many words, gave out strong hints that I was somehow connected with the affair. T noticed, also, that passers-by looked around after me. Many men with whom I bad a bowing acquaintance turned their heads and pretended mnot to see sme. I realized in great bitterneéss of spirit that X was already a marked man, suspected, and therefore shunned.

It is a lamentable fact that often a suspicion of a man runs through the general public without any just reason. The current in sdch an event is overwhelming, and it is useless to try to stem it, as I soon reaiized. When I entered thelobby on my way to Mr: Perry’s private office, I was favored.by having the cutrious glances of my former associates thrown at me, but only one of -them extended to me a salutation. That one was Horace Jackson, and he smiled as he bowed. ~ [TO BE CONTINUED.] i

A SPIDER FIGHT. : In Whieh the Combatants Fought Like Small Demons. : I once had a spider pet of a kind the books enabled me to identify. He was a fine, big fellow. I caugh% nim in the garden, carried him home, and for nearly two months he and I took a close interest in each otlger,‘w‘ he for the flies I introduced to him, and I for the amusement he introduced to me. I kept him in a milliner’s box, letting him out when I visited him, specially delighiting myself and allowing him to drop from one hand by his fine-spun thread, and then either catching him in the other or gently compelling him to climb back again by apparently eating his own ladder. Do

One day I captured another spider of the same species. I kept him for a few days in a separate box, and then, with the kindly idea of companionship, I introduced him to “Tiger.” 1 have seen dogs fight; I have seen chanticleer fight and slay his man; I have seen rams fight till, with his skull crushed in, one lay dead at the foot of the other; I have séen men fight; I have seen women fight—at least they once were women—till they bécame a confusion of blood and hair and shredded garments; but the fullest sense I ever realized of mad, murderous passion let ungovernably loose, centered in one destroying aim and summoning every physical energy to its devilish service, I realized when those two spiders rushed to mortal combat. I stood din boyish terror at their tangled legs dropped off, tora by mutual rage; and as, with vicious dexterity, they struckijeach other with their poisoned fangs, using for their own destruction the weapdns and appliances with which nature has provided them for the capture and slaughter of their .prey, I visibly turned pale. i “Tiger” was the victor; but even while with brutal wrath, all mangled as he was, he bit and spurned his dead and limbless foe, he was seized with sl{mptoms 1 took to be paralytic, and in a minute or two I helped him to his death. And this fearless gladiator wus afraid of, I remember,-a: g never would tackle a big blue bot&lg fly. What 1

THE LATEST FASHIONS.

What the Well-Groomed Girl of Greater New York Wears.

Ideas for Cheap downs—Snggestiona . and Practical Hints Regarding . the Reproduction of French Costumes.

~ The dressmaker was in. Would she see me? In one minute, after she had disposed of her troublesome customer. My errand? I had a number of pictures of French gowns, and I wished . . . R 57 ‘,‘\.’,’9‘ i‘ ’ \’~ = @ N TR Y 8 A “ [ 37 SO ] i // < v, y WG / e " . \ e ‘ I & ) : K 251\ ) I \ /'/ ] < - Nyl ) ‘ ; IR p3r f 4&\ . ; ’ Onmoaeey v A I 5 Lz 3 L: 3 zw ' -~ : ‘, g"’@"-“" " 4 N J&‘L " A FRENCH MODEL; : w 0 learn from her how they could be made up inexpensively for the American girl. : ' The first picture showed a gown of mixed silk material, in blue and gray,

S g RN \’”u : " o , ~ e é) L v &.Q ; "t.\ - \ FE . _ Y £ KR, — e PN A Y 5/4 . ST VSV g =/ A e X 6 \.\—;& \ z i @ o)) )— / g i N e Yoo AR ¢\ R TR B = G 4 Pehg) > . -’ G 73— S 5 W 24 e ) ) { AR 2 1 Fly = L{ég& N B NN S s AR é ) QJ\@ {i i“\XN . . EX =N SR/ AT AW N - / » 2D = | ‘.3,\.‘\\-.\l;«s' A —_—__ = 2 A o ;.,};‘\‘c 3 2 . =3 QN //;//' I { \X,W ' = - Y A R G W i / =y . . %>//) [l } ‘ g""‘\(\"'""-.} : : ‘ % =l == // /]{ | Ag‘ \\Q\\‘ I = ! =AI e A &of'éé\\k\ﬁs\:.\ =3 = , ~p;,-l!.§‘j A\ R = = £et nllné“ 3 ,"' =i =| P s W ' 5 = B b XR v AT = o & ~—/l e e. NEE— =S B ~ : I T, Zu z' o : A CHILD'S CLOAK. A

trimmed with flounces of blue silk and sable fur. It was one of the prettiest in the entire importation, but, of course, far beyond the ' means of the average person. - !

She examined the picture./ *That,” she said, “might be made up in vicuna cloth of a browfi-and white mixture. The flounces abput, the bottom should be of browa satin, and sleeves and hip pieces be trimmed with the same. These brown ruffies might all be faced.with cream white satin, and a jabot of ecream white lace should finish the side of the bodice. i 5 o

“By the way, I have here a delightful gown that could be inexpensively made up, -and yet has a ¢harming air. ° “As you see, the material’ in this gown is brown basket cheviot.: The skirt is gored, and plain save for three milliner’s folds of the dress material about the bottom, with an inch space between. These folds give it a tailormade air that is very attractive. The waist is of the plain, stretched pattern; that is, with ng seams save those under the arms. Two straps of the material are stitched down the front and two dcwn the back, those in front being finished with groups of plain brown buttons. The sleeves are leg-o’-mutton,

NG . AN 1 (A i (N AEN 7 g : N 3’; s >4 e {:‘ i 4 : O > _'.;{"‘l_‘\'3:"} ; 7] \;'/y“' e ﬁfmﬁf:;’iﬂ;\ U \,'i\w 4 ',“ :,:‘ \[_ o N .?( TR R Y AR ) e """""‘r i a@ R e ‘\' &S /' : s ;uﬂ.»})m \” %f{‘ » ‘ “‘o‘.:“ a“»':-.}:"“l‘iﬂ" ] .‘""-,;f!; .';:-‘3.), : 4ﬁ\>'\\\‘ S . i e . [T RS R @< W7w RYZE! .':. o] ; }/‘gg‘?b"\‘&" =1 N T [ N PSR | L - - :‘:'l ;.'},‘:‘\l""{':?;_‘.‘?}-{5 2 0 "-':h‘\:\.‘.‘ ".\'. (3 pboaN ) SR RO T B oy x LTR ﬁ“‘S._‘!'f’(:\ P“‘\‘) S e ’;_!’\.‘3 ‘f‘b"“ e ! : " THE BLUE AND GRAY. : and finished. with 'a milliner’s fold, matching that which edges the bodieel’ ‘ - A French model. Blue velvet is the material used. Bands of black passementerie trim it, forming two panels ou the sides of the skirt, and tracing their way about the bottom in a pattern somewhat resembling the Greek key. Bloused bodice, with a simulated bolero of passementerie. Shoulder straps of the same, falling over scant flounces of velvet. Band of passementerie about the elbow, another about the wrist.. High crush collar of velvet. Giim e ~ “Let the American girl who is dainty of coloring,” said my dressmaker, *“make this gown of light gray cheviot. (ngidentally, let me say, it will be a

delightful gown for a bride. But to return to materials, let her use black mohair passementerie for the trimming, putting beneath it bands of corn-col-ored silk. The girdle and collar should also be of silk.” ‘ 4

A smart gown is of purple cheviot. That color, by the way, is to be fashionable still another season. The skirt is paneled on the sides with bands of the material overlapping and cut in scallops toward the front. These scallops are all lined with silk of a lighter shade' of purple. The Russian blouse has hip pieces made 6f the same-scallops similarly lined, and bands of the same trimming fall over the leg-o’-mutton sleeves. . :

Neckwear is always more or less of a problem, but the well-groomed girl seems to have solved it, with her endless collars and ties. ;

Of course, they are merely for dayand out-of-door wear. For the house soft ruches and collarettes still hold. The Gladstone stock, worn with a tie as near like that of the Grand Old Man as possible, is popular with the up-to-date girl. Another favorite is"a plain standing collar—one that laps in‘front —with' a large cravat in black or white satin. Such a tie is worn with a searf pin. This pin, however; is not worn through the upper fold, but fastens one of the long ends to the gown. Be particular about this point. It .shows whether or not you are one of the “#irls-who-know.” b

In direct contrast to this tie is another favorite of the chic girl. It, also, is worn with a plain standing collar, and “consists of the tiniest of bows 6f plain satin or plaid silk. The latter.is preferred. . ‘ ,

Four-in-hands are also worn, but the gown they accompany should be one of the new tailor models, opening at the neck in small revers, just'enough to reveal the tie. o

Lawn ties, with big bow and ends under the chin, are worn with more elaborate dresses; they should never accompdny the Alpine hat. And as that is the favorite headgear of the well-groomed girl, they are not often seen qpo’n the avenues of New York.

~Although children’s styles have followed the example in sleeves set by mother’s-gowns, width across the shoulders is still essential for the little tots. Fluffiness and beauty still hold supreme, to make the little darlings appear, if possible, even prettier than they are. A little tot from Loondon is bewitching in her coat, although it is very sim- “\ ‘P& '\"'RF-‘(‘.-; B Ao, Y 2 N : A- U | N¥» A : . @' ; m - TS ¢ =z, B= - LI TP i‘g =S S AVA—- < A ‘»w —_—j" - A\ " B O ANE /’L" . ) “ =\‘\\\‘-? i/ b loh 4% § ‘e . ¢ SN 7’, te \ v 7 ) el [ : < : -‘ ;—;s’h “\ ’\/%T\ . ' FASHIONS IN NECKWEAR.

ple and comfortable. The undergarment is of a fancy cream serge, and is ‘made to fit smoothly about the shoulders with a short empire waist. From there, however, it hangs with plenty of fullness. - -

Over this garment is worn a long cape, entirely- concealing the arms, of white lamb’s wool cloth. It is quité piain,-save for a deep, turn-over collar. Baby also wears a white Tam-o’-Shan-ter, trimmed with swan’s down, white tips, and rosettes of ribbon. For an elder child isia delightful little cloak of cardinal serge, cut in Mother Hubbard shape,.and finished with embroidered flounces of white silk. The sleeves are tight, but have full caps overhanging. 2 A dainty little dress-up coat for a child of about the same age is of white basket cheviot, and has a long, narrow yoke formed of bands of white guipure ‘and silk. Hanging frorh each stripe of guipure, both front and back, is a long loop and end of white ribbon, those in the center being longer:than the ribbens hanging from the end stripes of guipure. : A soft white felt hat, with broad brim, and trimming of ostrich tips and ribbons, is worn with it.. : THE LATEST. Chinese Justice for Pirates. ¢ They make short work of pirates in China. In July last a vessel in charge of Chung Kwei, the son of a wealthy merchant at Singapore, while on its way to Canton was seized and run aground by pirates and®Mooted of its full cargo of silks and money. The Canton authorities immediately sent a gunboat down the river, and the pirates, 20 in number, were captured. They were taken in triumph to San Ling, near Canton, and were condemmed by a military tribunal and beheaded in the courge of a few hours.—N. Y, Sun, . Financial Activity. ; - “Do you think prosperity has come tostay ?” e e “My wife evidently does; she has begun to go through my pockets aguia.{"

ATTGELD ON SILVER.

Ex-Governor Speaks to Illinois Newspaper Men. :

A Vigorous Appeal for the White Metal—Gold Standard Movement : . Condemned—Money Power g Arraigned. - S

At a convention of Illinois newspaper men at Chicago, Friday, October 22, exGov. Altgeldspoke in response to a special invitation upon the silver question. He said: “ : :

“I have been keeping out of politics. . I have been under the weather for some timé and have my hands full, in eommen with the majority of the people, trying to keep the sheriff out of the yard and the wolr from the door, for the times keep getting harder, and the people are finding - harder scratching every day. But while lam not active in politics I am anxious.to.do all I can for the welfare of my country and to secure the presence of good meéen at the founts of government. My heart-is always with the work of lifting up the toiling masses. = 4 - -

“I am anxious to see politics prevail which will bring healthful prosperity, promote the . permanent happiness of the . people and perpetuate republican institutions. Mén are wantetd at the helm of government who will stand firmly for‘thése essentials to the welfare of the nation. R o . Country and City Editors. ““You are one of two classes of néewspaper men. The country editor is.a division sep--arated from thecity editor. Youw are men who can write -articles about men apd measures rand then go out on. the street and look your fellow men in the ‘faces. Your comments are careful and reliable and you have the confidence of your readers to an extent unapproached by the ed~ itors /of the cities. 5cS P * “The great city dailies are run by corporations. Working on them "are two classes—one composed of the reportersand writers, who do the work of the papers, who see the actual conditions, understand them clearly, ancl ~are generally on the side of the people.| The other class s the management, 'which defines: the policy, gives instructions las to how news is to be presented and comments written. The management is looked|upon with suspicion by the peo¢ple—it is an irpésponsible management, sometimes c¢orrupt, almost always heartless and is intangible. It .cannot be reached by criticism or rebuke. s ‘““The democratic'editors who are of the first of these classes stood nearly as a u?xit by the democreatic platform of 1896. The stand you have taken is being vindicated to-day by the conscience and advanced thought of the /American people. The democratic principles set forth in"the Chicago-platform are more thoroughly indorsed turoughout|the courtry to-day than 8. year ago. A few months ago the great state of Pennsyh‘;ania, always. regarded by democrats as a hopeless state, firmly held by corporations and trusts, witne&sed a state democratic convention that indorsed’ the Chicago platform. - It refused to allow a man on the central committée who was lukewarm on that ptatform, and it took the extraprdinary step of removing Mr, Harrity. from :the committee. . -He was not hostile, bx%t the convention wanted a’man’who. was i{positive and -net negative, . |

“A few monthﬁ ago the democrats of Massachusetts at!tHeir convention adopt< ed the platform of 1896. They also were not satisfied wit}}‘ men who were simply regular, ‘ but they! insisted on having men who were dead earnest.in their silver views, and they ousted every man from the state committee who was regarded as weak in support of bimetallism. One of the victims was Congressman Fitzgerald. " The work of selecting| committeemen. was ; assigned [to George Fred Williams, and he chose sihcere men. 4 ) .oo#

Thinkers with Him.

““The' conscience of the time, the independent thinking of the time; are all on our side.- The progressive, advanced thinker is more emphatically on our side than ever, = Arrayed against wus are the influential, wealthy newspapers, the -pictorial periodicals, and every influence that money can buy. The club loungers are against us, but the men who honestly toil at every day affairs are-coming our way. i i . “Men who corrupt legislatures are against us. Down east there are some prominent democrats opposed to us—among them the former governor of a great state{ These are the men who are ccrrupting the legislatures of the srt}tes. , The people are rising against them. The episode at Springfield last winter, and the profound sensation it created are earnest of .this fact.

“There is brightening of the prospects for an international agreement on .the money question. It is true the commissioners'who were sent by the United States administration to Europe to negotiate for a bimetallic agreement were handicapped by second instructions from President - McKinley. But the commissioners found France eager, ready and willing to help the cause of silver and welcome an-inter-national bimetallic agreement. . They foundEngland eager to help silver.. The aggres< sive leaders of the English cabinet are bimetallists. The English government will recommend the increased use of silver money in amounts from $lO to $25. The Bank of England is willing to have its reserve in -silver. The Indian government is anxious/to throw open its mints to the coinage of silver. S : : ‘‘lndia, France and the United States could use all the silver that one great producing country could supply. They are ripe to begin the coinage of'silver. The closing of the mints in.lndia has brought about a condition of affairs that language cannot describe. Industries are paralyzed,; and the poverty of the people beggars-.all deseription. . It has been brought forecibly to our knowledge by this year’s faminé. This condition calls for the opening of the mints: } . Silver in England. .

““Silver is entering’ British politics. The question of bimetallism is. shortly to be the most bitterly contested issue in British politics. In Manchester they have already had a, great public meeting, which called on the government to use all possible efforts to bring'abotit bimetallism. The banking interests and the money power will oppose it.. But the miners and the factory men and the workers are being forced the other way. Labor organizations are beginnihg to take an interest in thé silver question, and they hkave drawn in the manufacturers. In a few years England will come out squarely and aggressively for silver. ) “The gold standard movement in the United States has been a corrupting movement. It-sneaked into power originally. Last year it spent $40,000,000 in-debauching the American people, electing McKinley and maintaining the yellow metal. , Much of this money was raised in Europe, and the remainder was extorted from American bankers and merchants. But the money power passed high water mark. Never again can Mark Hanna, or 1.000 Mark. Hannas, raise such a corruption fund. We will have «a long fight to overcome this corrupting influence. It needed 20 years to establish the| gold standard, and it will take time to abolish it. But we have bright- augury of ultimate victory in the fact that last year there were 6,000,000 Amer--ican men who could not be bought or debauched, and who voted their principles. Business a Little Better. “Things are looking a little better now in - the-business world, but no people can prosper long<on accidents. Politics determine the prosperity and happiness of the people. If the nation’s policy is molded for the many we have a happy people. If it is molded for the few, we have misery among the people. So we must look to policies and those are at our hand to grasp. “A little better times are here, and I have'not heard that wages are being raised. The times will soon grow worse than ever,_ The same forces will be at work for the next eight or ten years that have concen~trated wealth, and this process is now going on more rapidly than ever. The figures in the near future are going to be astounding if a check f; not put to it. The sugar trust is gettin%mout_ of this year’s tariff schedule $17,000,000 more than last year. It does not want an honest congress. The other monopolies do not want honest legislation. s S T “But the money forces are working their n destruction. They are repeating his-’ tory. The growth of tyranny has always been from dominance to aggressiveness, then to offense, then to insolence and from that to selt—de;:ruetiqn. * The trusts and .corporations are moving along this line, ‘We will drive this corporation government. Ut the earthe .. 00 ~_“A time is caming that wﬂtnw&nq,op, g:rtuntty to American youth. There will | be openings for grand careers such as have not been achieved in many decades. MatS ﬁ;mg;’«‘ e 4 »;:?u o ~,,*,

~_ SILVER AND-GOLD. Some Facts About Production and . i‘Values. - . £t . The annual report of the director of the mint, which has just been submitted.to the.secretary of the treasury, shows that of the silver bullion purchased,under the Sherman silver law of 1890 115,438,461 fine ounces remained in the treasury at the:beginning of the presernit fiscal year, July 1. - <. This bullion cost $104,336,312. If coined it would make 149,261,928 silver dollars and the gain or seigniorage to the government would be $44,925,616. If it were sold at the present market price it would fetch only $66,377,114 and the government would lose $37,959,198. Yet thére are those who would have the government sell this bullion at the market price, which would be still further depressed by offering so large 2 mass for sale. - T t

~ The difference to the government resulting from sale instead of coinage would: be at least $83,000,000. Seeing that this bullion is now being made into coin at the rate of more than $20,000.008 a year without harm to anyone, it would seem to be foolish in the extreme to sell the bullion at such amr enormous loss. The government is not likely to have money *“to burn” at such a rate verv soon. . . e

~~ The whole quantity of silver bullion purchasefl under the Sherman law was 168,674,682.53 fine “ounces. The total -cost was $155,931,002.25, giving an average.cost of 92.44 cents per ounce. Of the whole ~quantity purchased 353.172.636 rounces had. been eoined into 68,748.477 silver dollars down to the end of the last fiscal year, and the seigniorage or profit to the government was $17,216.322. The bullion still uncoined is represented in circulation’ by Sherman notes of face value ‘equal to the cost of the bullion. At last year's rate of coinage this bnltion ‘will all be coinéd in a little more than seven-years and Sherman notes will ‘be a thing of the past except in cabinets and as pocket keeps. ) ‘The press synopsis of Director Preston’s' report does not give the produetion of gold from our mints during the last fiscal year, but it shows that in the criginal deposits_at our mints during ‘that year was domestic gold bullion 1o the value of $60,618,239, This does not necessarily “mean bullion produced from our mines during the year. but ‘there is not much doubt that our output is mow at that rate. . )

The largestyield in the history of the country was $65,000,000 in the calendar vear 1853, when the California output as at its maximum. In each of tha vears 1852 and 1854 the output was $BO.000,600, During the 23 years from 172 to 1895,-inclusive, the average yield of our mines was only $36,116,000 annuaily and the largest output in that period was $51.200,000 in 1878. . . | . lf[he' director - estimates the |world's product of gold for the ealendar year 1896 at $204,396,600 and.of silver, coining value, = $215,242700;. commercial value, $109,406,800. - The gold product was the largest on record. .The avorld’s record was broken, in fact, in 1593 when the output was $157.287,600. and since then thefe has been a rapid increase. - The increase last year over the Yyear before was not great, but there ;s every’ prospect that the current year will witness another large increase. not only from the new Yukon fields. but from our western states. The -South African fields, however. do not seein to be increasing their output to the extent expected, though they are keepinz their.contribution well up to the front. Considering that the average yield of the world’s mines-was less than $lOO.000,000 a yearfrom 1881 t 6 1885 the present output is most gratifying. -

- Fhe. coinage .value of the world's output of silver was less last year than the vear before, when it was $226.000.000, and less even than the year before that. avhen it wis $216,892,000., But it is still enormously greater than it ever was until ter‘x{vears ago. An average of $100,000,000 a year was never reached uvntil the period of 1876 to ISSO, nor was an average of $50,000,000 ever réached until the period 1866 to ISB7O. During the first ten years of the century the average was about $36,200,000 a' year. but from 1821 to 1830 it was only a littie more than $19,000,000. - . ' * During all that time, however. the wverld was producing fully three times as much silver as gold, coining vaiue, As ‘a matter of fact, according to the best - information obtainabie. “the world's output of both gold and silver was comparatively very small for centuries before the great discovery of gold in California and people had scme reason to complain that the volume of metallic money did®not keep pace witlh the world’s commercial needs. which increased enormously as the settline of this western hemisphere progressed. ‘But now the output of both metglsisso great that we would not have muci need for paper currency if we woud malce use of both metals the world over. —~Chicago Chronicle. : ot

. OPINIONS AND POINTERS.: —__lf ‘the nation’s prosperity realiy depends upon Mr. Hanna's eleciion. then the nation must be in a preuy bad way.—Chicago Chronicle. , — Financier J. Plerpout Morzan will get. $6,000,000 for Successfully engineering the Union Pacific deal.. And ‘that’s just one item of the expense 1o the people caused by electing a slush fund president.—St. Louis Republic. ~———Jt -is stated that President Mc: Kinley is already engaged in the prejaration -of his next message. There is prébabl‘;v no truth in this. Atthistime Mark Hanna‘is really too busy to devote the attention to the subjeet that it will require.—Peoria Herald. . - ——No matter what administfation made, the bargain, it is the duty of the present administration to stop the steai of $20,000,000 by the Pacific railroad reorganization syndicate. It is right to repudiate criminal agreements at auy stage of the transaction. This is good law as well as good morals—N. Y. Worl - g g AR e ~ ———The prin_&&ple ‘and -operation cf tariff taxation is understood @ both abroad and at home and is equally condemned by the foreign producer and the American consumer. -Only by the repeal of existing laws and the enact-ment-of others more nearly on a rév‘enue basis can the pending intersa-: tional conflict of the tariffs be ayersed and the people as 4 whole receive that widespread benefit which must cofne from world-wide competition. That & e %ﬂ‘%@’%~» N