Ligonier Banner., Volume 32, Number 39, Ligonier, Noble County, 30 December 1897 — Page 3

§€WMW:’MM@"!’W&\’W&Y&W&W&‘r’fi'th'c‘rg : : § o :;; ~ : P B £ ACLEW BY WIRE : ,‘é- Or, An Interrupted Céqrent. = "% - BYHOWARD M. YOST. | % Copyright, 1396. by J 'B,vLipplncotl Co. R RN AR AR RN RN ) » CHAPTER XI.—CONTINUED.

- Being satisfied in ‘my own mind that the differemce between Mr. Morley and Jatkson had arisen over business affairs, I sought to lead Florence away from a subject which seemed to cause her disfvesse. . - i Wi

. *“And what can you tell me about the . station agent at Sidington?” T asked. . .“Oh, Nelson! how puzzled lam over what you have told me! You say he ‘tried to shoot you?’ : -, “Yes; but do not agitate yourself wver that. He did not hit me, you know,” I answered. L ; . “But why should he want to shoot' you?® she ex¢laimed. | "/ = ' “That is as much a mystery to me as ~ to you: Who is:the fellow, anyhow? ‘ Where did he come from? His real name, I undersfand, is Skinner.” I . ' “Yes, 'that [is. his, real hame,” was . Tloréseesaaswer. | - - “Why’ what reason could he have had _ for telling me his name was Hunter? Tell me whag you know about him, my dear” T dén;mnde,d‘, for I thought she “really appeared somewhat reluctant to © wive me the desired ; information. “Florence, who is he?” e : . “He-is a detective,” she answered. “A detective! He! What is he doing' aboug llfel'e ?” I asked, in ustonish-‘ L mment. g i

“Promise me you will ngt breathe a % 2 : . Sy Jiiye word,” Florence said, earnestly, holding up her forefinger in emphasis. | ‘T promise’ solemnly.” P <“And-promise you will not think me a very foolish girl?” : . e = fNever!” ' :

“Well, then, after the bank robbery I used to read all the papers to ascertain if the robbers had been discovered. The time went by, and you, poor boy, were still under the-cruel suspicion. Why, Nelson, nearly all of your old friends believe you had a.-hand in the affaire 1 - : ‘

. =Oh, I know that!” 1T ‘answered, gloomily.. “And I was foolish .to give up the trust andlove and confidence of the-only true friend I seemed to havé at that time,” kissing the faithful girl’s forehead. - | -

“Indeed you were foolish, and cruel, $OO, Fldrgnee murmured. “Six months went by,'and you went to KEurope, Nothing was discovered regarding the robbery‘{}and,‘ what was 'worse, nothing seemted to be done in the matter. Every one seémed-to havé forgotten all ‘about .itl except that you were the 'guilty ‘one; that was‘not forgotten. Oh, Nelspn, I felt so sorry for you! I knew how: honorable you were, and how heary your heart must have been. So I made up my mind to do something myvself.” = a 0 :

- “You!? : e ““Yes. Tt w¥s foolish, T krgow, but I could not restiuntil I determined to try and jelear you.” ! :

S Bera fe\s‘ mpm_erits my l}eal‘t was too full forf.‘speeéh. "“A‘nd‘w’*hut did you do?” 1 asked, gently. L

4T did not want father to know, so T asked Mr. Jacksori to send the best detective he knew of to me. Mr. Jackson seemed }\‘éry kindly -disposed toward you at that— time; _l,le.,d_id as.lrequested, and asked me no questions about my intenfiops ~ ° - £ . “So you hired a detective to trace the robbers?? . = : ficy :

3 “Y.jes_,: . " . % $ ({ .: - “And that fellow Skinner—is he the onedy L - . Sl

“Yes. I suppose it was a foolish thing to do, for nothing seems to have come of it, although Mr. Skinner keeps telling me he is on the right track now, and willsoon have them.” - “Foolish, was it? Oh, my darling!” T exclaimed, as T caught her hands in mine and gazed down into the sweet face. I eould say-no more then, choked as I was by my emotion. The noble, true-hearted girl! Impelled by her love ‘for me and her absolute faith in my integrity, undertaking algne to establish my innocence, while all the world remained indifferent! I saw the nobleness, the willingness to make sz(lfrifice for her [love, back of it all, and tears came into my eyes and a great thankfulness into my heart. What a for“tunate fellow I was, after all, fo be pérmitted to-inspire such devotion! = - _ “But if Skinner is in your employ and therefore working in my interest, why ishould he endeavor to shoot me?” I finally remarked. W e © “Oh, Nelson, I don’t know. I cannot understand it,” she replied, as deeply perplexed as I was: T “How does it happen that he is station agent at Sidington? Why does he remain here at all?” . “Father procured the position for ‘him "at my request. The detective said it.was the best place to watch the robbers from, for absolute secrecy was hecessary, and no one would suspect the station agent ata retired place like Sidingt&i of being a detective. Of course I did not tell father that the man for whom I desired the position was a detective.” - o -

‘I made no reply to her last words. In- ¢ deed, I cbuld not. 'My mind was in a Singhipl g : ' ;

“It is all so mysterious, and now your dearilife is threatened!” Florence exclaimed, the tears again coming to her eyes and falling down her cheeks. -

While again endeavoring to calm her the sound of approaching footsteps reached us. '

| CHAPTER XII. M¥. Morley came down the path from the house. At first he did not see us, ‘and Florence called, which caused him . to turn and approach. As hedrew near his glance rested on me. Then he scanned his daughter’s face anxiously. " His face grew white, and a drawn ex- _ pression came over it; he tottered in his walk, and seemed to keep upright by an effort of will, - “Child, why have you tears in your eyes?” he asked, in low, husky tones. Txf;en, without pausing for answer, he ~ went on: H‘Retire into the house, daughter. I wish to speak to Mr. Conway. C_hafi'ge your habit if you wish. I do not think I will be able to ride with you this morning.” : Vi _ “Oh, father, you are ill!” Florence " exclaimed, in deep concern. “What is it? Do come with me into the house and let me do something for you.” In

a loving way which was all her own she drew his arm through hers. . The parent glancéd down at the beautiful upturned face with solicitous love shining upon it, and his face lost some of its haggardness, He smiled and replied: “I mfl not ill, Florence; only a trifle worried. Doasl requested, please.’] ] ,‘ Ty , In cbedience she slowly withdrew, sending back to me an appealing glance, . . ] - When she had gone I turned my gaze upon' the father. There was no wender that Tlorence had expressed concern for her parent.” Even.the moméntary glimpse I had caught of him on the morning after my arrival showed me a change. And now that a closer inspeetion was possible, the difference between the Mr. Morley, of a year ago and the man now standing before me was startlingly apparent. He certainly looked like a sick man. ‘ “You had better sit down, sir,” I said, in commiseration for his weakness.

Mr. Morley sank down upon a rustic seat and I reniained standing before him, awaiting his w'ord.s: with emotions alternating between hope and fear. _#T—l have lost ‘%6mcx‘vhzit- of late - business reverses,” he murmured. Then, suddénly fi'.\:iyng his eyes on my {face in a searching glance, he said: “My danghter was weeping. What was the reason? What did you say to her to cause her tears? 7 . C | “It was her own tender heart that caused her to weep,” I replied, after a pause, during which I considered what answer I should make. I'or it.did not seem right to add any fresh trouble to the already overburdened man: = , e regarded me with a questioning look, and I added: “She was sorry, sir, that my innocence has not been estabJished. This was partly the cause for her [tears. I am deeply . grateful for her tender sympathy.” - 7

"~ “Qh!” " The hard lines of his face relaxed; he drew a long breath. “She thinks very highly of you, Conway.”’ * “Your words givé me -the keenest pleasure, Mr. Morley, and. offer me an opportunity to lay before you a subJeet which may prove unpleasant,” 1 said, eagerly. - Mr. Morley 'started; then a tremor ran over him. What was the matter Y\'i%l the man thatihe seemed to take alarm, 'fwst at my presence and now at my words? If he was so bound up in his daughter “that he was fearful of having-her leave himh, even to.marry the man she loved, there seemed small hope of obtaining his consent. , ~ In the fear that I should lose my love, after all, I pourerfi out my carnest words. ; ‘ . ) “Mr. Morley, I want Florence to be my wife. There is no use mincing matters; the simple fact is, I must have her, She.loves me, and my love for her is part of life itself. Will you not give your consent?” : . To my disappointment he dodged the question altogether n : “Why ar¢ you here?” he asked, *Here?”. - ! - “Yes. Why did jyou come to Nelsonville 27 ' ) : “To find rest an?fl quiet and peace; to escape people’s cruel tongues,” I ex-

. \ | ‘ - k 7 AN \\ , ™ : ."’L-\\\\}“{u*\fi‘\!‘flk\;\ ; ‘ - TR | r ii \ \ ‘\W"\\‘.‘ \\u:\\‘\\\\ - I’ L \ "T S Pi ) S N frit [ AR H TR 2 t If \\ \\\\\,*\"\\"l\\\%&'&\&‘\‘\\\\\\\\'\" . S \k‘a“-‘m‘;‘xs\\*xs\\“;..!@(\@ : LI AR IR | *,”‘ L ‘l \u\ | O N ' TS v 0 : : { 4 S : <R _ ‘‘ Give me yoi’m oath betore God.” | o claimed impatiently. “I give you my word of honor, lir,” I went on, thinking I divined what his thought was, “I knew nothing o; your living in Nelsonville. No idea |was farther from my mind than' that I should meet Florence here. But I cgnnot help telling you how my meetinz- her has lightened the burden of the past year, how her love makes my life appear bright before me, and shine even through the cloud which still rests upon my honor. You, of course, ean *\'ithhold your consent, but, I tell youlopenly, I shall in that case do my utmest to persuade her to marry me against your wish.” : I was startled by my boldness in speaking as I did, but the words were out,and I woul(; not have recalled them if T could.’ |

“Florence wauld not marry without my consent,” I\lr, Morley remarked, with the trace of a smile.

' “Ah, sir, I know that weéll. We can wait until my innocence is proved. But it would be most cruel to us both should you withhold ,yj*our consent.”” ,

“¥You are stij]l sanguine, then, of your innocence being established?” _ “Most assuredly, sir.” ; ‘Why an anxious look should appear on his face I icould not tell then. I know the many sudden changes of expression which came ¢ver him during the conversation ecaused me considerable surprise at the time. e

© “I—l have n#)t kept track of that affair,” he began feebly, “having been fully occupiediwith my own concerns. Have—er—have there been any new developments, any discoveries upon which you base your hope?” 3 v “An innocent man cannot be made to suffer forever, according to-all laws of truth and justice. I firmly believe my name will be cleared, perhaps sooner than expected.” ! “Then your hopes are based on mere sentiment, and not on any discovery bearing on the case?” Mr. Morley asked. “Mostly on the idea that truth will eventually prevail,” I replied, epigrammatically. = i : . o

“A most unstable anchordge nowa’days, Facts and proofs are what the practical world demands. So, then, you ask me to rescind my request made of you a year ago, notwithstanding the fact that the conditions remain the - same. You have broken your promise to me; how then am I to know that your protestations of love for my daughter are sincere?” | ' I stared at the man in'astonishment, for his words were delivered in a cold, matter-of-fact manner, and, if there had been anyll reason for it, I should -have thought there was a triumphant ring in the tones of his voice. =

Tre idea that Horace Jicnson hall actuully succeeded in persuading the fa: ther that I wj's' the guilty one in referenc¢ to the bank robbery flashed across my mind! = I knew, too, that, deep and sincere -as Florence's love was for me, she would never be my wife against her father’s wish.

- In bitterness of heart I broke outin a volume of words, urged on to earnestness by the fear that my darling would be lost to-me:

“Good God, sir! You love your daughrter; you.dove. er tenderly. Your devotion to her has been:a synonym of fatherly love; everyone has spokén of it that knew ydu.__ Then how in heaven’s name can you {endanger her happiness in life by persuading her to marry a man she cannotlove—one whom she detests, the very sight of whom is abhorrent to her? O, sir, she is young and has a-lifetime of happiness or miis“ery before her, whichever you may chogse to make it. You are—pardon me for saying it—you are a breaking man.” Mr. Morley sprang from his seat at thesewwords, and stocd .erect, confronting me with a glare of angry resentment in hiseyes. Butlwenton. Nothing could have stopped me then. “It is true, sir; the signs-of ill-health are upon you. That was one cause, the change in ‘you, which brought the tears to your daughter's eyes jus% now.” .+ lis haughty manner subsided, went down suddenly. Hesank upon theseat, covering his face in his hands, and groaned. | - I could not help pitying him, neither could I resist taking advantage of this change. | “I ¢ntreat you, sir, to ask Florence .to- speak out to you from her heart. Af she exhibjts the slightest compuneciion at the ’filqught of being my wife, I solemnly promise never to intrude on your notice again—to withdraw from yvour life and hers as completely as though ‘I had never lived. Think, Mr. Morley, if anything should happen to you—" |

. “Happen to me!” he broke in, with hoarse tones.: KO P 3

“Why, yes; people die, yougknow, sometimes suddenly,” I faltered, too much astonished at the terrified look which came ‘over his face to choose my words. |But my. amazement (‘hangr,"e!(‘l to alarm at the effect of the last remark. | - .

» Mr. Morley’s face became ghastly; his under jaw dropped, and his hands worked convulsively. IHis lips moved, too, but no sound came from them.

Thoroughly frightened, I stood and watched him, then started with the intention of summoning aid. But he detained me by & gesture. Finally, after a painful struggle, speech came to him. “How did you know that?” he gasped, in tones so low that I was compelled to bend down over him to -catch the words. “How could you know—the thought—the feeling—the conviction of a sudden death—has been constantly with me of late?—Oh, God! It is coming, It know it—coming socn, that sudden death!” 2P

- “No, no, Mr. Morley,” I answered, briskly. “Cheer up, sir. I was only supposing a case. You will not die, sir. You are a siek man, and that is the cause of your gloomy premonitions, depend upon it. -Allow me to help you into the house. Go to bed, dand we’ll have a doctor at you as quickly as possible. You’ll be all right again soon.” The fact is, I really thought the man was dyirg, and, in the fear of that, my words were rather extravagant. He did not seem to notice them, however, but sat there &vith his head drooped on his bosom. I shook him gently by the arm, and he raised his eyes. Yielding to my uplifting- motion, he staggered to his feet. Slowly we moved toward the house, the broken man leaning his whole weight on me. Not a word was uttered by either of us until we reached the steps leading up to the piazza. There he drew back, and I hastily placed my arm behind him, from the fear that he was about to sink down. He did not, however, and, as I soon found, he had paused simply to speak before entering the house, He gazedinto my face long and earnestly, and such an appealing look was in his eyes that I was stirred to deepest compassion. ‘ : “Swear to God that she shall always ‘respect my memory; that she may never hear anything to cause her to change in- her' love for me,” he said, brokenly, and in the manner of one in a dream. ‘“Promise this,” he demanded, fiercely.- ’ ' . {“Do you refer to Florence?” T asked, thinking that his mind was wandering.’

“Yes, yéS.-”', v ) ) “Why, you know how deep and true is her affection for you, Mr. Morley.” . “And always shall be!” he exclaimed.

“There can be no doubt of it, I am sure. Nothing . could change her. Come, let me help youin.” .

“Not yet. Swear that she shall never bear anything to make her change,” he again demanded, ‘“whatever happens. Swear it! Give me your oath before God!” {

Thinking to humor him in his wealkness, and yet strongly impressed by his terrible earnestness, I raised my hand and made the desired oath. e

Mr. Morley drew a long breath and then again spoke, in firmer tones. : ~ “I believe you will keep this promise, if you did not the other,” he said. “T will keep it, if it is at all possible,” I answered, earnestly. g “It is for her good.” “For Florence’s?” . . “Yes, for Florence’s good.” ; “Depend on me, sir. This promise will be kept faithfully.” “Then, Conway, marry my daughter —my beloved daughter—my treasure! Maryy her soon, immediately! ‘Now help me in. I think I feel better.”

[TO BE CONTINUED.]}

i An Easy Problem, B “Would you,” he said, after they had been sitting there in the dark for a long, long time, “be angry with me if I were to kiss you?” She was silent for a moment. Then, in tones the mean~ ing of which was mot to be mistaken, she replied: “Why doj you suppose I turned down the light an hour and a half ago?” And yethe wondered, poor fool, how other young men| who hatt started far in the rear were able to’ pass him in the race of life.—Cleveland leader, o ;’ . e o . Tacttul. : “It’s always poliey to laugh at a poor joke,” says the Manayunk Philosopher, ‘__“lf you don’t, the man who tells it may | give it to you over again, thinking you | have missed the point.”—Philadelphis

THE LATEST FASHIONS.

What the Debutants Wears at Her

First: Ball.

Dainty Handmade Underwear—Capes of Velours and Velvet Are Popular —How to Arrange the Hair in the Newest Mode.

Merry Christmas! The long lockedr for day is here, and all are busy singing out the good wishes, and receiving and sending gifts. Yet, by and by comes, a lull, and we sit down for a few minutes’

. - B Vr,, iy' @ ) | A ) ‘ o= ;//", ) \ ; ;M 3457 | : - %4 & ';'7/ i ¢ ! NEJ = . -3 L{ e SS= 34| HO%&E N\ §§§ ,“,2- 12‘ i "‘ o, (=) /‘2-,__’%;l i) EBy /el SR 2 . SV e BT I=E==F E‘JM“% X 2 EE @ s“l‘W“‘"‘l‘ = g =ofe e g i ==7o é:fi"“‘m”% )_%f —=% SIS = e, Sl Bt :u{i Sy =" - =" b= == S/ A S kit == N ; . 5/ { ,": 9 ‘ll 3 : %*f =1 : =4 == ‘ = =/ o T - =R : A'NEW CAPE. . quiet before the Christmas dinner time comes. The old folks wander back to thoughts of other years, and their jolly Christmas dances; but the young girl dreams of her first ball, and the attention. she will receive, and her pretty gowns., On the gown her thoughts linger longest, for the debutante’s ball gown this year is truly a bewitching affair.

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In the first place, it is white, with not a touch of color to relieve its purity. For one girl it has been made with an undérskirt of white silk, well flounced; over that a skirt of white mousseline; and last an' overskirt of white net. Nothing softer or more girlish can be imagined than this triple thickness of dainty white stuffs. | , The bodice is simple, round baby waist of white silk with net fulled over it. The neck is square, with two narsrew flounces of net across both front and back. The sleeves are fashioned of large bows of the tulle, and a soft beit of white satin encircles the waist. ~

Underwear is so dainty and fluffy and beautiful that it'wil serve in many instances for a Christmas gift. Nor will the recipient of the gift be in any wise disappointed, especially if it consist of one of those new combination garments of mull, trimmed with lace and baby ribbons, that sell for the small amount of $2O each.

Daintiness is the keynote of underclothing. Lace is the most fashionable

{ \:‘, \ I (AR B e \. SRV " i S, y Liias S¥ Y ’§§'«. 7 IR, /) ’- LSRR &i‘z;«@ ) \2\ : ) A :hé?e gkl s AN v \ /Mf §' A 2&7@&2 \ ?/‘ss‘/\//& ;,: : ~J A \76:‘ Dy R \//é?"" : b = 3 SN ‘/ / oty oo \\2 3‘-‘\ / . ; "b'fl\.f“ \\\”/y' 73 \»\:»,i, A s 4 D ’ HANDMADE UNDERCLOTHING. trimming',‘ and no embx‘bidery is used except it be done by hand. And as the ¥French hand embreidery is very expensive, New York girls are beginning to embroider their own garments. Among {he fashionable set a club has lagen formed for that very purpose, and the girls meet once a week and embroider all forenoon; they then take tea and so wind up a very jolly time. To return to our subject: Chemise eontinue in favor. They have square

necks, from which a fall of lace drops quite to the waist, while at the bottom several full flounces are also added. Night dresses, too, have square necks, although they, of cotirse, are quite high, and are made with short empire waists. Knickers are short and wider than ever.

-The very newest thing in underwear is the short, bolero corset cover, tied with handkerchief ends in front. Itis a very common sense article, if one will consider the practical side of it, because it must not extend to the-waist, and therefore does away 'with all unnecessary thickness there, while the handkerchief ends with which the garment is fastened add a little extra fullness across the bust, is gratefully received by the woman of slim proportions. ! “The pompadour more than ever continues to be worn, both for day and evening. To secure the proper effect a false roll is generally used, made of 'stii’féne'(l haircloth, and'long enough to extend almost around the head. These rolls may be bought at the shops for about 15 cents each.

To arrange it properly, the hair should be parted from the ecrown down 1o the ears. Around the face it should pe arranged in'soft waves, to prevent that hard look which the pompadour is so apt to give, and then turned back over the fhlse roll. T?e entire hair should then be drawn @s high on the crown of the head as possibk{, tied, and puiled away from the string to give ita soft look. After the hair is arranged as high as possible on-the head, in a round knot. At first thought this arrangement of the hair would seem to interfere with the set of the hat, but the pompadour is intended for use mereIy with hats that are worn far back on the head, and the round knot fits right into the crown. | For evening a ring of brilliants or ribbon is carried around the knot, with loops or a jeweled aigrette at the side. Prince of Wales plumes are much used, but they seem hardly appropriate for a yvoung girl. In fact, for her there is nothing quite so charming as twisted ribbon loops, made by running satin ribbon over thick, round wire. It is hard to get any new facts about

gowns or coats, because everyone has been too busy with the thought of Christmas gifts. A few noveltiecs, however, have appeared. Capes are becoining longer, and many of those for street wear are made double, with a

BN 70 R o - e T a @ V : (- . = Ty s (P~ 588 . :»‘3 w et T G < e o g SRy . L 2% RS ( //“‘4,‘ 7 \ .‘ N 707 NN n .f.fi%{ 1 R | . POPULAR COIFFURES. | shorter shoulder cape. Even when not }double, the capes are braided to give them a double effect. - ' For theater wear the smart wraps are’ of velvet or velours. The latter material is much warmer than velvet, but it must be carefully chosen and made up to secure a good effect. Many have round, embroidered yokes, and linings of quilted satin, They are made with flaring collars, lined with some soft material, or small ostrich tips. Very effective are the new capes fitted in to the figure at the back; and hanging loosely in front. Such a cape is of dove-gray velours, box-plaited about a ‘ round yoke that is entirely covered with soft white lace. Overceach shoulder is ‘an additienal flounce of lace, falling in front in a jabot to the bottom of the cape. The fronts.and the high ccllar are edged with sable, and the lptter is lined with white silk and white lace.. At the throat are stiff, outspreading loops of white mousseline de soie, clasped with cut steel buckles. . THF: LATEST. . What Delayed Her. Mrs. Darley—Yqu are so late. You should have been here two hours ago. I got so tired waiting for you. g Mrs. Mcßride—l'm very sorry, dear, but I came as soon as ever Icould. You see, Jack gave me his coat to sew a button on this morning; before hé went to the office, “ o ' Mrs. Darley—l see! Were the letiers so interesting as that ?—-Huhmmfe- ;

- THE CURRENCY BILL Republican Double Dealing with the - People. e - A press dispateh of December 16 says that Secretary Gage, in explaining the bill he presented to the committee on banking and currency, said: lor ‘““The objects I kave in mind in the series of provisions offered by me are four in number: Bl ey ! ‘l. To commit the country more thoroughly to the gold standard; remove, so far as possible, doubts and -fears on that point, and thus stréngthen the credit of the United States, both at home and abroad. : *2. To strengthen the treasury in relation to its demand liabilities, in which are‘included greenbacks, treasury notes, and the incidental sebligations - to maintain on a parity, through interchangeability -with gold, so far as may be necessary, the present large volume of silver certificates and silver dollars. ~ s )

“3. To do this in such a way as. not to contract the volume of circulation in the hands of the pecple. ' ) “4"To take an initial step toward a system of bank note issues without the conditional deposit of public bonds as security therefor.” - :

- We are further informed that the committee has reported the bill as thus prepared, practically” without change. It will be noticed that. Mr. Gage says it is the purpose 6f the bill 10 “commit the country the more thoroughly to the gold standard.” :

There is no doupt but that tens of thousands of republicans voted for Mr. McKinley believing that he was. at heart opposed to the gold standard and favorable to bimetallism. And now at the first opportunity his secretary of the treasury proposes to “commit the country the more .thoroughly to the gold standard;” and a republican committee in accord with the McKinley administration approves of and reports such 4 bill. S o 5 o

All hypoerisy is thrown . off! In power, there .is no longer any necessity for practicing further deception, and, the country is to he driven harder and harder upon the shoals of-adversi-ty. The péople, bonded to the money dealers by taxation and other onerous obligations for untold milions of public and private indebtedness, are to be placed “more thoroughly than ever upon the gold standard.” . ] What will the republicans who believe in bimetallism and an American poiicy think of this administration which théy assisted in voting into power? Assisted because they believed Mr. McKinley at heart was a bimetallist? " They are men of honor and cannot afford to follow the Mec¢Kinley administration. - They are men of strong convictions, and should be prompt in repudiating the leaders who have sold out their party to the money power. * Each ‘step the republican party has made on the gold standard.when before.the people has-been ‘taken by a flagrant attempt to deceive the people: For years they protested that the gold standard was the farthest from their intention, .and Mr. McKinley himself arraigned Mr. Cleveland for- unjust prejudice and diserimination against silver. Those who know of the trait of the demagogue in a class of politicians. and the designs of the money-power knew what was to 'be expeeted and pleaded with the patriotic republicans to go with the Chicago convention, that had taken up the cause of Lineoln and "Jackson and Jefferson against despots whose purpose, or the natural consequence of whose action is, to enslave the American people. o

The time has now arrived when the men of the spirit of Lincoln are banding together to save their country from “white slavery;” tosave themselves and their children from being sold into bondage; and there is no time to be lost in throwing partisanship to the winds, as their forefathers -did in 1836 and in 1860. A nation is-in peril! The cause of freedom is at stake!: - .

The collection of taxes under the gold standard to pay interest upon the municipal, county;--sehool, state and national bonds held by the money changers—men of Mr. Gage's class—means the perpetual servitude of the people. It means that they are delivered into bondage! It means, should they approve of Mr. Gage’s proposition, that they have placed manacles upon their own limbs! L ; ‘ W. H. HARVEY. COST OF SILVER BULLION. A Puerile Attack by a Goldbugz Sophist. : ‘ Edward Atkinson declares that the silver issue is dead and then straightway sends out a 20-page pamphlet to 40 newspapers in 40 states for the purpose of helping to killiit again. Heimagines that he has dealt it a terrific blow, in demonstrating (to his own satisfaction) that two of .the best silver mines in the world have been able to preduce silver at a cost of from 25 to 45 cents an ounce. He does not attempt to.give the cost of production by the multitude of other and less profitable mines in the world. In fact he says:’ “There is no method of determining what are ‘the cenditions in other minmes in this country,” and again: “It is impaossible for a private person to get the data necessary to -the solution of this problem; either in regard to the great mines of Mexico, South America or any other silver producing country, except New South Wales.” e ; R

He acknowledges that he knows nothing of the thousands of sources of silver production, except of two mines, one in,the United States and one in New South Wales. lis evident intention is to start the cry of low cost of producing silver_bullion. He is more than willing that this sophistry should be used as a bludgeon in the hands of the gold standard men. Not a word does he say about the silver mines that are closed because the price of silver is below the cost of production; not a word about the mines that bankrupted themselves producing silver at a great loss in hopes that the price would improve. : s

His estimate is worth about as much as would be an estimate on the average cost of raising wheat based on the largest acre yield in a state. The average yield per acre of corn last year was 28.2 bushels. Yet a man in Illinois this last season raised 166 bushels on an acre. Figured on the latter yield, the cost per bushel of raising corn would have been very small, and every farmer could have made a profit on ten-cent corn. But the absurdity of both estimates is apparent. S vl But, after all, the cost of producing a thing has no bearing whatever on its market value. This is regulated entirely by the quantity obtainable and by-its use. We call this principle “the law of supply and demand.” It really makes no difference whether silver costs 25 cents an ounce or nothing. Its value will depend on its quantity and use. - Mr. Atkinson seems to be figuring outthat silver is cheaper than 25 years.ago hecause it can be produced at less cost.

Apply the same rule to gol&? go'd ean’ be preduced at a less cost than it couldbe 25 years ago, and. according to the reascningz of Mr. Atkinson, showld be worth less in the prodicts of the world. Tfat gold is more valuablethan ever. - ~ That the cost of production does ot regulate price is shown by many arti cles of commerce.” Ambergris is gvery valuable substance, single lumps of 'i¥ being-sold for fortunes. Yet it is largelv a find. 1t is valuable as it is scarce. If it were priced according to its cost it would sell for about nothing. The writings of some men have a high market value simply because there-is ademand for them that exhausts the supply. And that is all theze is to the silver. question. Allow it its legitimate use and the demand will exhaust the supply. Pass.alaw prohibiting any certain newspaper from using the mails and see whether you cannot legislate value: out of anything. Yom have not leszened the cost of producing the newspaper, but you have interfered with its useé and lessened-the value of it as a property. - ) r o This latest attack on silver by Mr. Atkinson is puerile. It is all based on the assumed Tessened cost of Droducing silver. Tis argument applies equally as well to gold as tosilver. . If the low price of silver were.due ta the low-eost of production. then: the value of gold would have fallen in the same proportion, dug to low cost of producing gold, and both metals would still be_near their old par of sixteen to one. -That silver has fallen in valueand gold. risen proves the fallacy of Mr. Atkinsen's argument. . - 2 ;. 'H.F. THURSTON,

- SOME POINTED QUESTIONS. . 'Fn_\c,ts for the Cenfemplntlon of Hon- . .. est. Voters. - & Question—What is the chief object of the advocates of the free and unlimited coinage of silver? - ° - : Answer—Their chief object is to"increase the circulating medium of the country. . Q.—How would free coirage increaSe the circulating medium? S - A.—All the available silver in the country would be cpined into dollars. . Q.—Would this benefit all the people, and why?" - . ) "~ A.—A large volume of circulating me-. dium always leads to an era of-higher prices -for the: products of labor, and - therefore stimulates production. = % Q.—Why do rising prices stimulate production? L - - A.—Because by investing money during an era of rising prices the capitalist: is certain to realize profits. On a fallirg market, the very opposite is the result. 1~ . Q.—What causes an era of falling prices? ) . i .~ A—The contraction of the currency by making the gold the sole basis of values—the gold standard. - Q.—How long has this country been ‘on a gold basis?_ . - A.—Practically since the paficsfig‘e of - ‘the demonetization of silver in 1873. . Q—Have .prices of the products of labor been falling since that time? -A.—Yes, when viewed from the av‘erage -of prices. At.times certain produefs have, owing to foreign cause, rewived for a short time. only to settle back .to a decline as soon as the cause disappeared. <1 S Q.—What has been the average fall of prices?. . A.—About 50 per cent. ~ Q.—What per cent. of the people’s money of redemption was destroyed by the act of 1873? . : ~'A—Just one-half. - | <" Q.—So that by cutting off one-half of the I'9(’{9l;l})tion"money the prices of laborers’ . products have suffered a like cut?” : ' A.—=Precisely, a gradual fall in priceshas been the logical sequence of cut‘ting off the supply of redemption money. L T e ‘ Q.—Since the remonetization of silver’ would benefit the producing classes, what classes are benefited by the single gold standard? - ' - A.—The" dealers.in money—the medium by which products are exchanged. - Low prices always benefit the holders of money. Of 50,000 bankers in tha United States less than 1.000 of them: favor the remonetization of silver. The rise in the prices of labor means a decline in the purchasing poser of money. No American producer ezn with reason subscribe to the single gold standard. :

COMMENTS OF THE PRESS.

——No wonder Hanna is threatened with heart failure. Who, with his obligations to the country, would not palpitate every time he thought of the Dingley deficit?>—St. Louis Republie:

——Mr..Hanna continues to look-the Chio legislature over every now and then with the air of a anan who susrpects the possibility of finding a few toadstools among the mushrcoms.— Washington Star. ——The lepublican congress has agreed “not to disturb the Dingley bill.’” Certainly not! - 'The problem is to find some way of preventing the Dingley bill from disturbing the republican congress.—N. Y. World.

+ ——“We must teach the farmer to. think,” declares one of the officials of the. agricultural department. He will be performing a greater service to the present administration if he. will but -impart to the farmer the ari of forgetting.—N. Y. Journal. . ——Dingley denies the deficit. Heargues that if $56,000,000 of the revenue collected under the Wilson bill were credited to the receiptsof the Dingley bill there would be no $46,000,000 def-icit.-Simple, isn’t it? Just alittle trans‘fer of figures, and, presto, the deficit is wiped out! Which reminds. us of the saying that figures never lie, but liars ‘willsometimes figure.—Utica Observer. ——The cut in wagesof New England cotton factory employes is not pretended to be due to foreign competition or tariff. It is a permanent reduction made as a New Year’s gift to the workingmen who were simple enough to believe that voting for McKinley would make them meore prosperous. The same thing happened in many industries after the passage of the McKinley tariff.— Kansas City Times. ° - ——The appearance of an- American firm in foreign competition is disquieting._ It is a symptom, and not the ;. that our much-protécted manufam ers have outgrown the home market and must look to, tofesg: markets to absorb theirfprodq'nt:. = enewmgg Dingleyism is the American manufaeturer, who will be forced to run his mills on half time if he cannof have free aceess to foreign markets,—Chisas goChrenidla . . e