Ligonier Banner., Volume 32, Number 38, Ligonier, Noble County, 23 December 1897 — Page 3

RAR YL :,: < A I . E - £ ACLEW BY WIRE £ s 1 s > 3 % -Or, An Interrupted Current. § - BYHOWARDM.YOST. -~ & %"' ‘Copyright; 1896, by J. B. Lippincott Co. . § . 4%'&”&“!3&%‘%&%‘&%?MM‘M’.FM‘. } * = CHAPTER X.—CONTINUED, ; - 1 went on expressing amazement, until I discovered that Sonntag did not seem to hear me, so intent was he over ‘the words the voice had uttered. _ “Pshaw! what’s the use bothering over that, Mr. Sonntag ?” Isaid. “There isn’t much sense to be made out of it, anayhow>: = = X “Yes, there is, too. It is' conversation, and not a mere jumble of words,” the old lawyer said, with an air of triumph. “Just hear what I make out of itnow.” e : F .~ Divided up, the following was Sonntag’s versionr . & - First Party—“ Never will you have my consent under existing circumstances. “You have broken faith with me in every wayi ‘\{"hy was the property removed ~from the original-place?” .~ . Second Party—“Te 'bring you to time > = ' s First Party—“ What did you do with it 2 . P | _Second Party—*“Safely hid, where yicu can never find it unless you talk wisdom. I shall go for it this very night and take it away, and not one dollar will you ever—" | . e . “There, that’s a pretty ‘sensible talk, I take it,” said my lawyer, when he had finished. e . 7 “Oh, well,” perhaps it is sensible .enough, hut what good will it do you, now that you have'made a conversation ~out of it?” I remarked, in some im~patience, for Sonntag’s satisfaction seemed to be out of all proportion to the importance of a few chance remarks caught in some mysterious: fashion from a telephone wire. : e The old lawyer smiled in a kind of pitying way, and-regarded-me with a ‘whimsical expression. . ¢ “Who knows?”’!|l went on, gayly; ®¢‘perhaps my arrival in Nelsonville may be the cause of a complete revolution in matters regarding the telephéile. ¥ must send for an electrical expert and have him investigate the mystery. -Already there are visions of an immense fortune floating through my head.” “Suppose we go to the old schoolhouse from which the stones used in the two doorways were evidently taken,” Sonntag suggested, bneaki}]g in upon my imaginings. ; : G “What possible difference can it make if the stones were taken from there?” I remarked. “Thajt wwill not tell us why the job was done.” . X . “Well, it would be pleasant for you to meet an old friend. Horace Jackson’s

hunting lodge is quite near the schoolhouse. Perhaps we may find him at his place,” my lawyer said, insinuatfnplye . | s 7 “Yes, L know. The fellow Hunter, the agent _at Sidington, told me Jackson comres Up here occasionally to hunt and fish. “But as for Jackson being a friend of mine, heaven save me from such friends!” - i S ey

' Noting Sonntag’s surprise .at my words, I explained the reason of my outburst—how Ja¢kson had.of late changed his opinion of my innocence, and- how Florence had made a compact with him, and the cdertainty he seemed to feel that she would be compelled to redeem hér promise. o : | The lawyer was all attention now, keeping his sharp eyes constantly on my ‘face, while I poured out my opinion of Jackson and his underhand methods. I was a lover, and Jackson a sort of-rival,; so naturally my remarks were somewhat streager, perhaps, than neeessary. g P

“Why did you call the station-agent Hunter?” asked Sonntag. = =

“Because he told ‘me that was. his name,” I replied. = E ¢lndeed! What'could he have told . you that for; I wonder? His name is not Hunter; it’s Skinner.” “It is? Well, that’s odd. Why should he wish to conceal lis real name from t me?”? a 4 “H’m! can’t say, I'm sure,” replied Sonntag, dryly. “But I am delighted beyond measure to hear what you have told me concerning Jackson,” he exclaimed, with more enthusiasra than he had ever displayed. “Oh, indeed! It does not delight me; the bare suspicion has been enough for me to endure. : I do not know that I would care very much for a seeming - proof of guilt to be found against me. - You do actually seem pleased,” I remarked with disgust. : “Pleased is not the word. I am more than pleased.* What you have told me is a most important bit of news,” Sonn-tag-said, taking up his hat: ; - “Why is it important, and to whom ?” I asked.;. - , : . “Very important to me, but more to yourself.” = - S 2 /. ¥Noj;! stay and explain,” I called to him as he went out the door; “what " do you mean?”’ i “Haven’t a moment’s time. Must go. - I mean that most prabably the cloud which has enveloped your name will be lifted shortly. Do not cut into the cellar to-day. Wait until to-morrow.” Say;hg_this, my lawyer departed. - ; % CHAPTER XI. I stood for some time gazing at the door through which Mr. Sonntag had gone. _Amazement held possession of me. A thousand and one questions whirled through my head.| - 2 But my lawyer had departed. I finally strode to the window in the hope of finding him within hailing distance. + He was far down the Twineburgh road, too far tocall him. ~ . o -1 saw him pull up his horse and lean forward and. address a man who had approached him from the opposite di“wgetlon. . - : The convgrsation lasted but a minute, and then horseman and pedestrian each ~ ‘went on their several ways. - When the pedestrian drew nearer I saw it wes Hunter, the station agent &% - Bidingtan, or, as Sonntag had informed me, Skinner. - It seemed very 'cdd that he should have assumed another name. ‘Then my eye caught the glimpse of a - horsesvoman - coming down the road from the direction of the Morley residenee. It needed but that glimpse to ~ tell me that it was Florence. She was ~coming toward the house, perhaps t 6 R s farias was aasenih

Wken the fellow came up to Florence, I was surprised to see him stop and engage her in a cofversation which lasted some minutes and appeared to be rather earnest, judging by the way Florence leaned down toward him. ! Finally the young woman turned her horse’s head and galloped back in the direction she had come: ; - The station agent watched her retreating form, then slowly began to retrace his steps. He had gone but a short distance when he stopped and looked toward my house, thén again turned and came back:s | I watched him from behind the curtains. -As he approached near 1 saw his clothing was wet and bedraggled, which plainly showed that he had been out in the recent shower. f £ He came up to the house in a hesitatii:g way, glancing all around furtively, and was about to pass up into the yard, when 1 [leaned from the window and hailed hxm : : : ~ “Halloo, there! what’s up? What do you want?” I demanded. : Glancing up at me with his stupid stare, he spoke. “When you want to send anything away by freight, have it at the station before nine o’clock in the morning,” he said, in the deliberating way ofone who is ¢ompelled to manufacture a speech on the spur of the moment. o “Is that all you wish to say to me? You did not come all the way from Sid< ington to tell me that?” 1 inquired, caustically, : *Why, n?),” he began, glancing all around, as though seeking for his words in the surrounding-objects. *II —II thought perhaps you didn’t know—that—that—a—are you having a good time?” i i : “A most enjoyable time indeed,” I exclaimed, enthusiastically, if somewhat sarcastically. “Just such a time as I needed—restful, quiet, and, perfect peace.” Just a trace of a smile scemed to flit across his face at my words. ' . “Oh! then there is nothing the matter with the place?” he asked, curiously. ) - 1 was considerably surprised at‘this question. “I should say not. {What should be the matter with it?” I asked. “Bome folks say it's kind o’ queer like. Some say dead people use the house at nights for meetings,” he replied, sinking his voice down low, and glancing around nervously. e “Is that so? Well, let: them. As long as the dead ones don’t disturb me, I am sure I have no objeetion. What part of the house are the spirits supposed to frequent?” I asked, a thought of the walled cellar coming to me. The fellow. seemed a trifle flustered, I thought, by my sudden question. He

Y< " ¢ 5 X T A Y A - D PR R 4 : L'\-\-‘ b ‘, : L . L : T e iy ' R S feiae : . e Lt Guiiey ey BOYNRE L R TN VRN : j L NG e R i . "A/ e e | B R 4 A B A S I — : - AR 1 ~el N ; (Eriae st -'.137&, : _A ,‘;‘-. :“L 3‘:‘ y” *Desperate villain?” she repeated. ' ‘gave vent to a mnervous laugh, and at |the same time darted a sharp glance 'at me, which, momentary as it was, 'nevertheless was so different from his " usual half-wondering stare that I was impressed by it. | S | “Oh, I dan’t know what part of the ' hcuse is used by the spirits. =~ How sheuld I know?” i ' There had been something irritating to me in the fellow, and, as there was a hint of insolence in his last words, I gave way to my impatience, “See here; you have given me some strange hints about my house,” I began sternly; ‘“now, then, you’ll please explain more fully what you mean, Mr. Hunter, or perhaps, I should say, "Mr. Skinner.” L b I do not know what impelled me to add the name which Sonntag said was the correct one, but the effect on the fellow startled me considerably. His eyes grew staring, and-a terrified, hunted expression came over his face. Glancing furtively around and drawing back a step or two, his hand went to his hip-pocket. As the glint of a shining object caught my eye, I drew suddenly back to one side of the window, and the next instant a pistol report sounded out. I stood still a moment, dumfounded by the attack, then dropped on my hands and knees and crept past the window to the table, in the drawer of which I had placed my pistol. Hastily grasping the weapon and noting that it was ready for use, I arose and approached the window, holding the pistol before me in readiness. - i .

“T'wolcan play at your game, Mr. —” But I got no further. The man was nowhere to be seen. : v I hastened from the house and ran around,‘ searching for him, but no trace. could Idiscover. He had vanished completely. - His sudden disappearance puzzled me. ' ! 1 soon gave up the search, put the pistol in my pocket, and started briskly up the road toward the Morley place. If the station agent was such a desperate fellow as to draw and shoot ata word, what could Florence have to do with him? ; It was strange that Somntag should know tfie fellow’s right name and not know the danger attendant on calling him by it. My lawyer had seemed sur-. prised when I stated that the fellow had told me his name was Hunter. In all p‘rpbtability Sonntag had addressed him by 'the name of Skinner many times, and the fellow had not resented i, or the lawyer would have mentioned the fact. Why, then, should he resent ol htnvioht name? 0 ”wf»i%

'Perhaps Florence could tell me something about Mr. Hunter, or Skinner. At least it was right I should warn her against him. : ‘ With these thoughts flitting across my mind, 1 soon arrived at the Morley home, and, entering the gate, went up the long graveled walk. Before an opportunity was allowed meé to ascend the steps leading to the piazza,myname was called. R

*“Why, Mr. Conway!” . It was Florence who called, and who on my turning toward her got out of a hammock. She was still dressed in her riding-habit, and as I approached I noticed her horse tied to a post nearby. . “Are you going riding again?” 1 asked.” “In that case, pardon my in-* trusion.” Ot ;

“Papa and 1 usually ride at ' this time. I am waiting for him,” she said, with a touch of surprise; for I had spoken in rather formal tones. : “Then I will defer my errand. Some other time will answer just as well, perhaps. ' Will you kindly tell me when I may have the pledsure of seeing you?” “What. is _it, Nelson? What can be the matter?” she asked, her ' brown eyes staring in astonishment. “Will you not speak now ?” Sy : “Why, I can certainly. Itis.not very important, perhaps. . I wish to ask you what you know about the station agent at Sidington. I have seen you talking with him on several oecasions. What can one like you have to talk about with such a desperate villain!” s fala Florence’s face turned:white. “Desperate villain?” she repeated, in a fearsome whisper. **Why/Nelsan!” Then I told of my tecent talk with the scoundrel and his dastardly attempt to shoot me. | Florence hearkened, with hands :clasped across her bosom, her: eyes staring in terrified amazement. ““Oh, do not be alarmed,” I added. “Hs did not Hit me. A missis as goodasa mile, you know.” i But sbe still stood gazing at me, doubt and fear upon her face. too dumfounded to speak. Finally.she burst into tears, and, in a most pathetic way, held out her hands appealingly to me. - Stirred' to the heart’s core by her -grief, I caught the dear form in my arms. Wondering what could be the cause of the sudden and overwhelming expression of sorrow, and heartily ashamed of myself for having addressed her in cold, formal tones, I sought with many endearing terms to console her. What is it, my love, that so distresses you? Tell me about it. You do not know how happy it. would make me to be allowed to share your troubles.” ~ “I am troubled, Nelson, deeply troubled,” she replied, raising her tearstained face. “There are so many inexplicable things going on about me, g¢o much-mystery, such forebodings of dreadful happenings, in my heart, that if it were not for your love existence would be miserys And mow your own dear life is threatened, and all my fault, too. I cannot understand it atall. Why should anyone want to kill you? Oh, Nelson!”" ) = ‘ _ She laid her head against me, and I gently stroked the soft trésses which fell back behind her ear in such beautiful waves. For afew moments I could not answer. Her words startled me beyond expressinon. What,in God’sname. was there about. this back-country place? Had its uncanny mysteries evea entered my darling’s sweet life to taint its happiness? _ “Do not give way to an unreasonable terror, dear heart,”’. I Afinally said. “What possible harm can-reach you?” “It is not for myself that I am fearful, and I suppose it.is unreasonable; but think, Nelson, if-he had shot you!” .She shuddered, and then with an effort became calmer. S

“Do not worry about me. Be sure I ‘ am able to take care of myself; and ‘ forewarned is forea?e'd. What else is there? Telllme. You know you may count on my help and'sympathy.” “Yes, yes, I know that, Nelson. And I do need your help. It seems as though I were walking blindfolded on the edge 1 of a precipice.” The loved forms nestled closer to me. It made me foolishly happy to hold her in my armsand know they were as a haven of refuge to her. , / i | “Then, too,” Florence went omn, “I am so worried about father.” “So you said yesterday. Have you any reason to be?” “Maybe not; at least I know of none, except that he is so changed of late. But a woman’s instinct often divines ‘causes for worry when none are perceptible.” 8 ; . ‘“You cannot mean that he is changed toward you?” , “Oh, no, no! Not in his love for me. Indeed, there seems to be an augmented tenderness toward me. And it makes me fcel as though, somehow, 1 ;s&s ‘partly the cause of the trouble.. ¥, I know there is something worrying: poor father. He is even changing in appearance, and is becoming so haggard. There is some secret sorrow he is enduring. I spoke to him about it only the other day.” : “What answer did he give you?” 1 asked. . & “Just laughed, and said I was giftec with a vivid imagination.” . “There, you see, it’ must. be only business wotry. If it were anything regarding yourself, he would not make Heht ot it o Florence was partly comforted by my assurance. She glanced up intc my face and smiled. But the troubled and perplexed look came back when she answered: Sy ‘ ‘“Perhaps it is as you say. Butl cannot get it out of my head that Mr. Jack'son is somehow connected with it all.” - “Jackson? How could he affect your father’s life so seriously ?” I exclaimed. “I do not know. He used to come .here frequently untillately. And after every visit father seemed to be s troubled and worried.” e [TO BE CONTINUED.] : A Youthful Financier. : Effie’s Brother—Do. you love my sister Effie? - Effie’s Steady Company—Why, Willie, ‘that is a queer question. Why do you ‘want to know? et i ’ Effie’s Brother—She said last night she would give a ten pound note to know; and I'd like to scoop it in.—Tit. Wk o . i ““fh ~ Willing to Treat. *f ' f

n . hE T ADDRESS TO DEMOCRATS. 8 ———— T An Urgent Appeal for Strong and : United Action. ; State Committee Chairman Parks M. Martin, of lindiana, Roasts Republicans and Encour~ L .. ages Democrats. | The following address, which has been issued by Parks M. Martin, chairman of the state eentral committee, to the democracy of Indiana, will prove interesting and inspiring reading for democrats all over the country. “A little more than a year ago [the most remarkable presidential campaign in the history of the. United States terminated in the success of the republican candidates. This was the first presidential campaign in 5 great many years in which the issues were squarely joined between the consolidated money power of the country, and the people. On the one hand were the enormous a]nd practically inexhaustible _resources of the moneyed interests of the United States and Europe, embracing .the natioqal banks, whose power had been buiit up by federal legislation, the great manufacturers, who had become strong and rich under more than three decades of extreme protection, the railway and other corporations, 'the varied monopolies, trusts and combines of capital which had been built. up by a long course of governmental favoritism and class legislation, the bongholders and money-lenders of two continents, the great army of speculators, jobbers and schemers of high and low degree who are interested’ in restaring. a policy of lavish appropriations and reckless expenditure and all those who Lad reaped profits or hoped to do so through the prostitution of the functicns of government to their.service. From these sources a cor-. ruptian fund was gathered of such magnitude that, althcugh a golden stream was poured into every debatable state and congressional district in the United States during the dampaign, an enormous unexpected balance x‘emained’if the hands of the republican national cdmmittee aftersthe election. = Venal Newsnapers. /- “This gigantic combjinaticn of wealth and power was able to enlist in its service every venal newspaper .in. the United States, whatever its pagt political -professions;’ every orator who was willing to} sell his eloquence to monopoly for a price;: every huckstering politician; every expert in election fraud; every trained manipulator of boodle throughout the republic. Against this sinister combination the historic dem-" ocratic party went to the country with a candidate for the presidency whose purity of character, breadth of patriotism, power of eloquence and devotion to the interests of the people marked him as their natural leader in a contest with the hosts of monopoly, and with a declaration of principles which stirred the public conscience as it had not been stirred for generations. The democratic party relied solely upon the merit of its standard-bearer and the justice of its cause. It fought the campaign through with an empty treasury and a crippled press and with many of its state and local organizations honeycombésd with treachery. A more heroic political battle against overwhelming odds has never been waged .in this’ or any other :country and the six million and a half of the popular votes and the 176 electoral votes expressed a great moral victory the magnitude of which is becoming more apparent every day. ‘“The principles for which the democrat'c party contended' in 1896 were then strong enough to have carried the country overwhelmingly if the agencies cf coercion and -corruption could have been eliminated from the contest. These principles have been growing stronger day by day and there is no question that they are accepted now by a great majerity of the American people. The republican party returned to | power last March under pledges to reestablish the equilibrium between national revenue ana expen\iiture, to devise a safe and stable monetary system, and to restore prosperity to the masses of the people. Neigher et these pledges has been kept. ‘ S\ J The Tariffi Measure. ) ‘“The first important official act of President McKinley was to convene congress in extraordinary session for the purppse of enacting a tariff law, the ostensible objects of which were to produce a revival of business throughout the country and to proyvide sufficient revenue to carry on the government, but whose real purpose was to .enable the trusts to reimburse themselves for their contributions to“the corruption fund of 1896 by legafized spoliation of the people. This iniquitous law is accomplishing its real purpose. The sugar itrust, the beef trust, and all the other great combinations which were allowed to dictate its terms are already realizing enormous profits from its operation. . In order to swell theiill-gotten gains of these predatory combinations, the public revenues have been sacrificed and the cost of living has been increased to the people. The public debt statement issued December 1 shows that the excess 0f expenditures over.receipts during the first five months of the present fiscal year was $46,101,494, an average of over $9,000,000 per month or at the rate of about $110,000,000 per year. ““This appalling deficit measures the complete failure of the Dingley law as arevenue producer and . will compel congress at an early day either to authorize another bond issue or to levy additional taxes or to reduce _expg,nditures. Republican administrations never reduce expenditures. So that after nine months of republican rule the country finds itself face to face with new taxes or another issue of bonds or both. There has been no marked increase in the number of workingmen employed and no general advance of wages to compensate for the augmented cost of living, and the Dingley bill already stands condemned before the country as the most flagrant and oppressive abuse of the taxing power of the government which has ever been perpetrated. T

Commission’s Failure.

*“The failure of the commission sent to Europe by President McKinley to secure an agreement with England, France and Germany for international bimetallism forces the republican party to grapple with the greatest problem which has ever confronted it. One of three policies must be adopted: (1) The single gold standard must be definitely established, or (2) bimetallism at the old ratio must be restored by independent national action, or (3) the present illogical, chaotic, dangerous and utterly inadequate currency system must be perpetuated. The adoption of the first alternative involving the change of all the outstanding interest-bearing securities of the government from coin to gold obligations,.the virtual retirement of the greenbacks and treasury notes and the concession of practically absolute control of the circulating medium to the national banks is urged upon congress by the administra- | tion. ' The execution of this programme would be a colossal crime against the people, and while it would rivet the chains of financial slavery upon them and efiormeously swéll the tribute they are now compelled to pay to the money power, it would cause such 'a wave of popular indignation as would sweep the republican organization out of existence. The second policy to which the democratic party stands pledged, and which|presents the only practical solution - of the currency question, will not, of course, be considered by the party in power. The only alternative, therefore, to . the adoption of the administration programme is the do-nothing policy, which would involve a confession of utter impotence on the part of the republican party and would render its overthrow at the next general election as certain, if not as complete, as if the policy just proclaimed by President McKinley were to be carried out. Jlnspiration for Democrats. “The political situation is full of inspiration and encouragement to democrats everywhere, and at the same time it suggests to them unceasing vigilance. The republican party has not only failed to solve the currency question; it has not only failed to restore prosperity to the people; it has not only failed to negotiate an agreement for l'pternatlpnal' bimetallism, but it has. in other ways violated its pledges to the coungtry. Its attitude with relation to Cuba .8-contrary to the explicit promise of the Bt. L?‘?uls platform and is in the last degree | ndemocratic, unrepublican, unpatriotic and un-American. The voice of humanity, the natural sympathy which every ‘true American feels for a neighboring people p&ruggung to throw off the yoke of savage despotism, and every consideration of enlitgxtened self-interest demand the recognition’ of Cuban independence, a step which the administration, for some mys_terious reason, refuses to take. The utter bad faith which the administration has ‘shown as to the snforommens o] he iv service law, a measure placed upon the 3 fug _books by republivan pAI t”& ~"x’{",,%ry@» “ ')';',.: "':".f;.*"'d kL bl""-"’ ol ’ra .{ ~‘ e e e

the country. Whatever differences of opinion may exist as to this law, all good citizens will agree that so long as it is a.law it should be faithfully and impartially enforced. Its perversion by the appointeesof President McKinley to the service of partisan greed is a distinct violation not only of the pledges of his party, but also of his personal pledges to'the country. At present the law is enforced only when a democrat can thereby be deprived of official preferment, and it is. evaded or violated as often as a republican can be thereby retained in or provided with a public’position. A party which deliberately vioiates every day a law of the United States is dangerous to our peace and safety, and approaches very nearly to the state of lawlessness and anarchy which it has sometimes charged upon itsdpponents. " A Bankrupicy Lav. . ‘““The only measure of generalimportance which the republican leaders now promise the country is the enactment of a bankruptey law—a law ‘presumably which will enable creditors to enforce into bankruptcy debptors whose inabil_i;y to pay i 3 due to republican tariff and currency systems—a fitting sequel to the protective tariff enacted last summer. The issues to be passed upon by the country at the congressional electioris of 1898 are the same which were presented in 1896, accentuated and emphasized by the. record of the republican party since its return-to power. Let the democracy’ of Indiana rally /their forces, close up their ranks and march shoulder to shoulder in the contest for the principles of. Jefferson and Jackson and Bryan., Men who fcormerly acted with the democratic party, but who in 1896 withheld their support, are, in every voting precinct in the state, back in the ranks. They are disgusted with the record and policies of the republican administration, and are ready and anxious to follow once more the good old flag of ‘democracy. We welcome them back. With united and determined efforts the state can be handsomely redeemed next year, the election of a democcratic United States senator assured and a- largely increased democratic representation in the popular branch of congress returned. The deémgceratic state committee appeals to and invites every citizen of Indiana, whatever his last political affiitations, who believes in' these principles to cooperate earnestly from this time until the polls close next November in the endeavor to secure their triumph. . . ] ‘“l'he district conventions for the selection of members of the state central committee will be held in the various congressional districts on Tuesday, January 11, 1898. The members of the new committee then chosen will meet at Indianapolis on Tuesday, January I§, for organization. i ) “PARKS M. MARTIN, ‘“Chairman Democratic State Committee. i “S. L. WALLACE, £ e **Secretary.”’ Odd Women. - . Lovers. and admirers of the fair sex —and who is not comprised within that classification ?—would find a book that might very well be written about women remarkable for some physical or mental peculiarities unusually interesting. As a sample of the curious stories that might be collected, let the reader mark and digest the following: There was Mrs. Dorothy Collier, whose death . 3 . | . - . is recorded in the public journals for 1764.. She. was jthe largest woman of her time, weighing upward of 30 stone, and~yet “was very active,” ds we are assured. Her coffin was two yards two inches in length, a yard and four inches brodd, and two feet six inches deep, which proves that Mrs. Collier’s husbandcould have had no reason to complain ,ow’ the score of quantity. Then we. have Mrs. Sarah Rawlins, who married at 19 years of age, and lived with her 'husband 27 years, during which period she had 14 children, * Her second husband she also lived with' 27 years, and the number of her children, ‘grandchildren and-great-grandchildren at her decease was no less than 329, “of whom,” says the chronicler, in 1761, “182 are now living,” and a fery respectable progeny, too.—N. Y. Ledger.

Toad-Lore.

Many legends ‘have been connected with these weird, unsightly Ilittle creatures and their habits and manners are curiously interesting. ~The Thibetans, according to Abbe Huc, tell of a toad that dwells in the midst of a mountain range, and unless he is propitiated by travelers flings ice and avalanches down on those who pass in the valleys. Toads have no teeth and are disfigured by ugly warts which give out an acrid but not poisonous juice. The motions of their tongues in catching unwary insects are as quick as lightning, and theyieat nothing that is not in motion except their own skins, which, when they cast off, they roll up and swallow. The old magicians-used them freely in various ways and German peasants still have a way of “erucifying” toads which must be caught on Easter before sunrise; they then bury them until Whit Sunday and wear the bones in'a small bag about the neck as a charm which makes the possessor always win in games of chance.—Detroit Free Press. AR

A Social Row in Bath, 1769, A fashionable concert was being given at DBath, and the hall was crammed, when a bevy of fair and noble ladies unexpectedly arrived. The manager ordered a bench to be set for their accommodation in front of the first row of seats. The occupants of the latter were not unnaturally displeased, and ‘vigorously protested, but without effect. From words they came to blows, and the eclipsed beauties fell tooth and nail on the intruders. A pitched battle ensued, at the end of which the field was thickly strewn with tropkies of the figh t—tatters of torn laces, ribbonsand tippets, and other female finery. Ata later hour detachments of the combatants were observed readjusting their attire, and recruiting their strength in adjoining chemists’ and pastrycooks’ shops.—Notes and Questions. ~ ‘ ! Mistook Him- for a King. A famous naval architect was the guest of a prince of the German imperial family, and, when out walking with his host, observed that the side of the path he:occupied was smoother and easier than that upon which the latter was walking. - Thinking it to be only ordinary politeness, he changed from the left to the right side. Then he noticed that the notables whom they met saluted the prince with profound respect, but started at him as if they were very much surprised and wondered who he was. In‘a short time the prince said: “Did you observe that, after you changed to my right side the ‘people 'wwvhom we met looked at you in great surprise ?”—odds and Ends. | National Characterization. A German and a Frenchman sat op‘posite each other at table-d’hote in a ‘certain hotel in'Switzerland. “You are a Frenchman, I suppose?” inquired .the German at the commencement of the meal. *“Yés.” was the reply, “but how do you manage to find that out?” “Because you eat so much bread,” said the German, There was a long pause. When the dinner was over the Frenchman, in turn, questioned his vis-a-vis, “You are a German, I presume?”’ “Te be suré; but tell mvzg how you dry retort-—London Figara, =~ =

THE SUNDAY SCHOOL. . Ihternatlonufl Lés;nn for December : 206, IQDT—Rey'ie;y. i " [Arranged from Peloubet’'s Notes.] - GOLDEN TEXT.—God so .loved the world, that He gave His only begoptenSo;g that whosoever believeth in. Him shoul ;u:& perish, but have ever}asting»li(fe.-*—Jo‘l:nl' GENERAL REVIEW. .« It wvill be well to note the progress of the new kingdom from-the very beginning, learning the chief facts and marked eras of growth., .~~~ - The new kingdom'began with ~the birth of Christ. G - We note Chirst’s preparatory work, the planting of the seed, _t}ie preparation of leaders, the exhibit of the Gospel in word and deed, the perfect example, the atonement, the fulfillment of prophecies, the resurrection, 120 disciples, all that are known at first. . Then ,Jesus raturns again by the Holy Spirit, and begins the naw work as a seed long planted springs from the ground and bursts into. leaves .and flowers. . e v Three thousand are converted in a single:.day. The numbers grow. . et When the church is well established at Jerusalem the disciples are seattered abroad, the nenv religion spreads everywhere. It reaches the centers of civilization. everywhere and becomes. firmly established. e g Persecution increases both numbers and power. e ‘ We may note the more prominent landmagks in this early history of the Christianchurch. (1) On Thursday, May 18, A< 'D. 30, occurred Christ’s ascension, succeeding which the “disciples continued in a ten days’ prayer meeting. On the last day, Pentecost, the Holy Spirit was, given. ‘lt was at this time that the 3,000 were added'to the church. (2) Stephen, the first Christian martyr, laid ‘down his life for the faith, and the persecution of the period scatiered the disciples abroad, thus carrying the Gospel,into Samaria and neighboring regions. (2) Paul was converted in the year 37, and made ‘the apostle to the Gentiles: (4) Antioch became a new religious center. (5) Paul ‘makes his first foreign missionary journey (A, D. 45-48). (6) The conference at Jerusalem (A. D. 50), when was settled the very grave question between the Jewish and Gentile Christians, whether the latter must not submit to the Jewish ceremonial law; ‘this beihg&micably settled, the two lines of development were, united into 6ne. (7) Foreign missions are extended by I’aul’s second and third journeys, and the Gospel is .preached in Greece. (8) Paul goes to Rome, but as a priséner, and there preaches (A. D. 58-63). Jerusalem is destroyed seven years later, and thus the- old dispensation is brought to a close and the new is fully launched. The main facts being well grounded in the memory, there are certain lessons which should be learned from the history as a whole. LT ) 1. We see slow beginnings, but rapid growth when the hour ecomes. 2. We see the'need of the Holy Spirit, 3. We se% the methods by which the Gospel prevails, TR | 4. We see God’s marvelous guiding Providence, jever changing defeat into victory. : . o : 5. We learn several lessons about foreign missions and their effect on the home church. ety L

6. We see the resultand the erown.

| OPTIONAL LESSON. 1 /God’s Love in the Gift of His Son—--1 John 4:9-186. ' GOLDEN TEXT.—God so loved the] world, that He gave Hisonly begotten Son, | that whosoever believeth in Him should | ;1(1); perish, but have everlasting lifé.—John ‘ Introduction.—“ Love” is the keyword | in the passage we are about to study. | Whatever elsé we may see in the coming | of the Son of God into the world, we | must miss the main point if we discern | not in it the wonderful love of God. | : ANALYSIS. | 1. The Love of Ged. Ver. 9, 10. .: 2. Divine Indwelling. Ver. 11-13. { 3. Christian Testimony to God’s Love. | Ver. 14-16. - o : REFERENCES. | (Ver. 9) The love of God—John 3:16. | Only begotten-—John 1:14,18. Might live | through him—s:ll." Y - (10) Propitiation—2:2. - He loved 'us:a ~—ver. 19. : 1 (11) Ought also to love one another— | John 15:12. L | (12) No man hath seen God—Exod. | 33:20. His love is perfected in us—| Do Ds - { (13) Given us of His S%irit——3:24. - (14) Have seen ang 8o testify—l:l-3. | To be the Saviour—Matt. 1:21. ' (15) Whosoever shall confess—Rom. | 10:9. | , . | - (16) God is love—ver. 8. ‘ 5 1 ‘An Indian Tradition. 1 Among the Caddos and some cther | Indian tribes in Oklahoma, there is. a’ tradition that there was once a tribe. | of #annibal Indians. The other Indians | were not averse to being killed or even % tortured, since they did those things | ‘themselves, but they strongly objected } to being .eaten. The cannibals wouldi not change their diet, however, so the | other tribes icombined against them. ‘ At a time agreed upon, the cannibal village was surrounded, and every me_m-'t ber of the tribe was destroyed, not even | a babe was spared. This severe tfeat-! ment was effectual, and no one has| since heard of a cannibal Indian.— Golden Days.- el s E ODDITIES OF FASHION. The newst style in Russian blouses is fo trim them with a large turndown col--lar and revers in one, forming part of the oblong epaulette generally made in velvet, contrasting with the goads, bordered with fur or fine bx_-a»if‘ding-_. b A very dressy muff is made of black satin with two or three frills at each -end bordered by narrow sable:’ Muffs ‘of black velvet have flounces at each end and are ornamented with a splashing bow of pink satin ribbon at one side with a pink rose entwined. ~ | A beautiful lace dress lately seen had ~double rows of chinchilla fur bordering the top flounce of the skirt,a narrow line of the same fur Erde‘rifig' the decolletege fasteped with a lace scarf and 8 bunch of violets. -~ . . b . A fine white net veil spotted withblack chenille is popular just now and a very fine net powdered with pin spots of chenille is also worn. Thereis quitea “E*f“‘fl“'"mmmmtg:

. DISHONEST FINANCE. / Republican Method of Dealing wifl eA T A TPensioners, x Republiedn cowardice was never mere plainly exhibited than in {ae recent ac-tign-of the house on pensions. Commissioner Evans had appeared be< fore the subcoramittee having in charge the pension apj-ropriation bill prepared at the extra session and had shown clearly the necessity of increasing the original appropriation at least $10,000,~ 000 in order to avoid the unpleasant party embarrassment of facing a heavy ' deficit in' the pension account at the close of the fiscal year. He told the committee of the bigmonthly deficit piling up on him, ard unblushingly revealed his methods of. decei\jing the country and imposing a hardship upon the pensiopers by holding out the certificates that were due last June. @ntil the following month in order that the deficit might not appeur - in the reports made at the close of tke first fiscal year. - “That is only.ene of several hides," was the calm remark of Representative Belden, a republican member of. the subcommittee, whe thereby confessed" that his party was in the habit of 'uggling with figures in t€e manner deseribed by- Cbmmissioner Evans. - . Despite the representation of the approximately true condition and prespects of the pension account, the subcommittee refused to increase the ap- - propriation to within anything like the required: amount, and the party will have to assume the respounsibility foran emergency deficiency bill on this account at the close of the Fifty-fifth congress. - ' _“The.democrats face the issue with a courage and consistency that should put the republicans to shame and show the country who are the real friends of the honest and deserving pensioners. ‘When the bill was reported back to the . house the democtats moved to increase the appropriation to $150,000,000. The motion was lost on a strict party vote. The amendment was not proposed be--cause the democrats approve the present fraudulent administration of the: pension office, but in strict aceord with: democratie principles of government which can find no better form of expression than “pay as you go.” - \ ‘The democratic party is not opposed! to the pension system. On the contrary, the system has found its warmest supporters among democrats. : It is the abuse of the system to which the demoecratic party is opposed. Every effort of the party has been to make the pension lists “a roll of honor.”. For that reason democratic legislation an<d administration have strenuously endeavored to purge the rolls and place them on a strict basigof merit. The amount involved has- never concerned democrats, so long as it was known that fraud was not being perpetrated. Democrats have never asked for’retrenchment that interfered with the relief of any -veteran who was disabled in the ‘service and who néeds the assistance cf the government. All that is demanded by them is the abandonment of a policy which degrades the standard of patriotism and manhood in this country, which encourages a spirit of mendicancy and a - disposition to defraud the government.- It is poor politics as well as fraudulent administration for the republicans to pursue the pension coursemarkeéd out in congress.—St. Louis Republic. . . '

THE PENSION QUESTION. Hofi the Republicans Will Reduce 2 ‘ Expenses. ! o O 8 It is somewhat remarkable that the efforts now making in the house of congress .to reduce pension appropriations have behind them the republican lead-. ers, while the-democrats are advocating liberality in conmnection “with this matter.. The republicans-have always professed ‘great affection for the old soldiers, contending ever that, in their opinion, the country could not do too ‘much for the brave men who had risked everything, even their lives, in its defense. They have maintained, also, that the democra'tshave no*regard for the veterans of the war and are not disposed to treat them with justice orfair+ ness. And now, in congress, the republicans are arraying themselves against. a large appropriation for pensions. while the democrats-are oppasing re--duction. . Probably. this is, however, only an--other illustration of the force of necesssity, which is traditionally superior ta: law-and, of course, to rule. The repub--licans are confronted with a condition:. as disting®ished from a theory. Theyare under the necessity of reducing the: expenditures, and- they must begim somewhere. They have begun, logicai--Iy, at the beginning, forthe pension appropriztions bills were the first. of the expense measures-to be introduced. Guwe of the features of the treasury condition is a hole in the groend, and the ru publicans expect-the pensioners to cortribute, some of them, toward filling it up. Of course; the democrats are not seriously concerned, from the pauty point of view, at least? about' this Inn'e in the ground; and it is even.puossihle that they would prefer to see it stay where it isandasitis. Therepubliears made such a- time about the Wilzon ileficit that the democratsnaturally firda good deal of pleasure in watching them in .the enjoyment of one of their own making. - . T - e ' " As'to the pension matter, thereis one thing that the public will eordiaily subscribe to, and that is that the soldiers ‘ought to be treatéd generously by the government. There is no doubt, more--over, that a vast deal of the present: outlayfor this purpose eould be saved if the favors of the government were ‘withheld from those who were not entitled ;to pensions, The pension list‘ought te bea roll of honor.—Binghamton (N. Y.) Leader. e i

. ——Reed, like Caesar, is ambitious. He has desired to be president for many years. He is conscious that he was eheated out of the nomination to which ‘he was by merit entitled on account ef the wholesale purchase by meney and promises of patronage employed by ike political syndicate directed by Mark Hanna. Mr. Reed can have, under the circumstanees, no conscientious scru_ples about throwing obstruetions in the- - of the McKinley second term ‘boom. . Evidence is already coming fo the surface that the speaker is taking ‘time by the forelock with ene handand ‘putting bent pins on the ehair whereon sits thev-adml with the oihess ; —Kansas City Times. . .. 1 —.xfi’