Marshall County Independent, Volume 5, Number 33, Plymouth, Marshall County, 28 July 1899 — Page 6

CHAPTER I. "A lady to see you, sir. She asked for your uncle, sir, but I told her he was out of town, and then she said you'd do, sir." "It was a great condescension on her part. Smiles. What might be her age, do you think. Smiles? "Her age. sir?" "Yes; I really don't feel inclined to be bothered by seeing anybody. I'm in beastly temper this morning ask the office boy if I'm not. So would any man be if he was tied to a London office In August and such an August as this! I'm pretty comfortable just at thi3 minute, without my coat and waistcoat. If I see the lady, I shall have to put them on. Query Is the lady worth the trouble? That's what I want to ascertain." "Well. sir. she's young very young, as you might say. sir." "And what's she like to look at. Smiles?" "Well, sir, I can't say she's much to look at. No. I can't go a3 far as that." Eaid Smiles, rather ruefully, scratching the top of Lis bald head. "She's rather shabby, sir. Not gcsd-looking." "Well, perhaps she'll improve when hf:3 old enough to know better. I suppose I must see her. You show her In, Smiles, in exactly five minutes from now neither more nor less. Do you hear? The lady's plainness is forgiven on the score of youth and inexperience. I'll see her in five minutes." "Yes. sir." Left to himself. Mr. Martineau stretched his Ion? legs, and sighed, with his face turned to the ceiling. "It's a jiretty dear price to pay for a Junior partnership," he said; "to ue in London this hot weather, while the old gentleman is enjoying himself in the land o' cakes; but I suppose, cfter all, I am a lucky dog, and musn't quarrel with my bread and butter." Here he rose, and stretched an unwilling arm toward his waistcoat. "September will soon be here." he reflected more cheerfully, "and then hey for Clarisdale and L3dy Mildred!" Punctually at the expiration of the five m!nutes Smiles opened the door.

THE LADY CLIENT WAS OFFENDED. SHE TOOK UP HER UMBRELLA

AND and ushered in the lady client. She was received by a young man of stern, business-like aspect. Irreproachably attired, who bowed with gravity and politeness, while his rather cold gray eyes Inspected the little figure before him with a swift scrutiny. His eye3 were deeply eet beneath overhanging brows, which gave rather a repellant look to the fact a look that would convince a ke?n observer that he wa3 a man who kept his own secrets. His fair mustache was not long, but thick; his hair was also fair, and he was slightly bald above the forehead. His complexion was fair and clear, his nose straight and well-formed; his air was that of a thorough man of the world, with every now and then a suggestion of boredom. He bad no outward characteristic that would Justify one In putting him down a3 an attractive man, yet the impression made by Mr. Martineau at first sight was nearly always favorable; he conveyed the idea of being a cultivated man, and was almost invariably an agreeable companion. A faint smile of amusement hoverd

about his lips as his eyes rested upon the lady client. She was small a3 well as young might be described. In fact, as petite. She was undeniably shabby. Her hat might have cost a shilling, and was trimmed with a plain bow of ribbon. Her dress was of cheap dark-colored cotton, and considerably the worse for wear. Her gloves were cotton, too; but her collar was as white as snow, and her skin as fresh and clear a3 If Bhe had never been within reach of London smoke. At ahe raised a pair of large, dark eyes to those of the Junior partner a eudden change swept over his face a fleeting expression, filch as a .man might wear to whom. In the midst of comfort and luxury, came a disagreeable reminder of the existence of poverty and want. The next moment he was ofTering her a seat and Inquiring politely in what way he could serve her. The lady client sat down. Mr. Martineau's own seat was placed so that his back was to the light; It suited him better to observe than to ba observed. His visitor compressed her pretty lips In a strong effort to be solemn, and demandedr "Are you Mr. Martineau?" "I am entirety at your service."

"Mr. Leroy is away?" "In Scotland." 1 ' "I am very sorry for that," she said earnestly. "So am I. If It gives you Inconvenience," asserted Mr. Martineau; "but I am his partner can't I do something for you? I will endeavor to compensate for lack of capacity by extra diligence." "You must know," she sal'd after another short pause, during which she seemed to be making up her mind, "it Is a very difficult task that I have to set you. 1 want you to tell me who I am!" "Ah really," returned the young melancholy nod of the head, "really, you know, I'm afraid I can't oblige you there!" "Did you ever hear of anything so ridiculous?" she said, laughing. "Have you ever thought how remarkably queer you would feel if you didn't know who you were?" "I'm afraid I've never thought of such a thing." he admitted, almost with reluctance. "It seems rather lilie a nightmare, doesn't it?" "That's exactly what it is like," she said; "only a nightmare which lasts for years is exceptionally trying. I feel as if I should like to wake up now! I thought that Mr. Leroy might be able to wake me." There was a touch of rueful melancholy la the last words. "If ycu won't consider my curiosity Impertinent," said Mr. Martineau, with infinite solemnity, "may I ask In what manner you thought he would set about it?" "He made my father's will." explained the lady client, "and I thought he might in consequence be able to tell me my father's name." "I admit the extreme probability of your theory," returned the young man; "but forgive my obtuseness if you are sure of your father's identity, why should you hesitate about your own?" 'Oh, you don't understand at all!" she exclaimed with conviction. "The affair is by no means so simple as all

that. I wonder" she put her head on one side and looked wistfully at him ROSK "I wonder if I might tell you all about it?" "Smiles was a fool when he said she was nothing to look at," inwardiy commented Mr. Martineau. "I never saw such a pretty mouth in my life: oud he added: "I shall be only too grateful if you will so far honor me." "It will take some time," she said, doubtfully; "and suppose, after all, I have troubled you for nothing?" "How could that be?" "Well," she answered, blushing and laughing, "it is best to be quite frank. Iii tell you what I mean. I have been saving up money for a long time for this purpose, and supposing, when I have done my story, you find that to do what I want you to do will cost more money than I have to spend, will you tell me so, please? I know so little about the law, and so form." "Certainly I will tell you; but If you merely want a will searched for, I can assure you " "I keep on telling you that you don't understand!" she cried, impatiently. "Let me tell you all about it." "I am all attention; but, before you commence, would it greatly inconvenience you to tell me who you at present Imagine yourself to be, cr, if you have, no Ideas upon the subject, under what title do you choose at present to bo known?" "Yes." she rejoined, "1 will tell you what I am called Marguerite Lilbourne; but whether that Is my real name or not I cannot tell you. I do not think It Is?" "Why not?" ho asked, with a sudden start. "I will tell you I am Just going to begin." "Thanks. All I have to suggest is that you begin at the beginning, and that you don't attempt to tell me more than one thing at a time. I know you will excuse me, but even ladies are mortal, and have their besetting sins. among which is usually the total in ability to tell a story. Try to prove yourself an exception to the rule." The lady client was offended. She took up her .umbrella and rose "I am a novice In the art of narra tlon." she said, with a haughtiness which he did not expect from her, "and I might Irritate your high strung nerves. I had better wish you good

fpüj1' Hi

morning, and will only trouble you

to tell me when you expect Mr. Ijtrvr

home." CHAPTER II. The young man was delighted with this little ebullition. He was now absolutely resolved not to part with, her until he was obliged. "I am an unlucky fellow to be misunderstood," he replied. "I meant to convey to you a delicate hint that the longer you talked the more I should be pleased, but you turned my meaning upside down. Do forgive me and sit down again! I shall be quite disappointed if you go," he went on, a3 she hesitated. "You surely won't make it such a serious matter? I was half in Joke, and thought you appreciated the humor of the situation." "I was very silly to take offense.' said the lady client with decision. "Now I will sit down and tell you all about it; but really I thought you felt me an Infliction. It Is very warm, you know." "It Is; but this old office keeps pretty cool. It la dark and low." He rose and lowered the Venetian blind, then resumed his seat with an attitude of deep attention. "Now, Miss Lilbourne." "Ah, I wish I were certain that it is 'Miss!' she lamented. "That is one of the tbing3 that I don't know!" He raised eyes to hers with another strange, furtive look. "Oh," he said, "you do not even know whether you are married or single?" "Not the least in the world!" she said, shaking her head and laughing. "The plot thickens," said Mr. Martineau. "Please proceed to explain." "The first place that I can remember," said Marguerite Lilbourne, "is a French convent. It wa3 very happy there. The nun3 made much of me; the sun used always to shine at least, I cannot remember any wet days but one. They called me always Bebe or La Petite I never knew any other name. "They taught me to read and write, but I do not remember once writing my name. No letters ever reached me; childlike. I expected none. I knew of no world beyond the convent ate3. There were no children there except me. I never wondered how I came there It wa3 home it had always been so. I believe they told me that I was an orphan, but for me the word ha-d no meaning I had no desire for a father and mother, because, in my experience, there were no such things. (To be continued.) SERIOUS HINTS ON DRESS. With Some Flippant Comments by a Huston Man. We have received a little pamphlet which we hope has been distributed widely among our readers, observes the Boston Journal. The careful study of it may put an end to dcubts that have embittered households and poisoned the wells of domestic happiness. This little book we dislike the term "booklet" tells in simple language how to dress your coachman, groom, butler, doorman and page. Thus, for instance, the coachman should wear six buttons on his coat two on the back at waist and two at the bottom of the skirt. He should also have flaps on his pockets. Otherwise he might be mistaken for the groom, who has no flaps on the pock ets and has five buttons in front and six behind. Three buttons should al ways match the metal trimmings on the harness. Ardent Bryanites will, of course, use silver. The hat must be silk. There is no alternative. Slouch hats are no longer worn by the coachman of our more ex elusive citizens, and the more fastidi ous insist that the hat should be a new one, not a cast-off dicer of the master. The coachman, when cn duty, should smoke only cigars. They should cost at least at the rate of three for quarter. Green raize cloth aprons should match your billiard table. Crest buttons, worn by your servants, should be ducal. There are several dukes in England, so there may be a variety in the device. By paying attention to these details and the advice as to other matters giv en by this pamphlet, you will be obliged to be more scrupulous as to your own dress, for it is a sad sight when the groom is mistaken for the master. NEW USE FOR TOY BALLOONS. The Increasing risk of collisions at sea, with all their terrible consequences, stimulates the interest that would In any circumstances be aroused by a rational proposal for reducing the danger of death by drowning. A Frenchman, M. Charle3 Janet, has recently carried out experiments at Beauvais with the object of proving that by means of India rubber "bal loons," as children call them, which may be carried in a very small com pass and rapidly filled with air In time of danger, a person who knows noth Ing of swimming can keep afloat in the roughest water. Nothing could be more simple than the apparatus, and it cau be put into a box no larger than a lady's purse. It consists of a yard or so of whipcord. to which are attached four "balloons" rolled up, and what Is noeessary for blowing them out and keeping them afterward air-tight. The "balloons" should be filled to only about half of their full extent, so that they may offer sufficient resistance to the waves. This resistance Is very remarkable, considering the lightness of the material. M. Janet's children havinx fastened the apparatus Just described to the upper part of the body. Jumped into water thrown into violent commotion by the opening of sluice-gates, and although they were hurled Into the. eddies and drawn under by the force of the current, their disappearance was only momentary, whereas strong swimmers in the same circumstances would have run the risk of drowning. YVIIIUtii Hired Kami. There are l.r.OO persons upon the German emperor's list of employes, including 350 women servants, who are engaged In looking after the twentytwo royal palaces and castles that belong to the crown.

I

Story

of a Society of American Citizens.

(Special Correspondence.) Rock Island, 111., July 23. This city was greatly disturbed re cently as a result of an Associated Press dispatch to the effect that the headquarters of Modern Woodmen of America was about to be removed to Peoria, The officers of the socie ty were prompt in denying the rumor, and Rock Island people have resumed their wonted contentment. This Is one of the happiest spots in the Mlsslslppl valley, and Its people have Just pride In several institutions ol wide renown located here, among them the one referred to. When you take into consideration the fact that the Modern Woodmen have a membership of about 423,000 you get an idea of what kind of a headquarters Is required to keep the mammoth machinery in action and good order. The Woodmen Is one of those societies which in their luxuriance are peculiar to American soil and which have attained monumental proportions since 18C8, when the parent society was born. These societies are called fraternal beneficiary societies, or simply "fraternals." They are unique in that, using many of the forms of the ancient pagan mysteries in their wealth of paraphernalia, dramatic ritualism and symbolism, they find their ethical Inspiration in the Christian declaration of the "fatherhood of God and the brotherhood of man;" and they combine, with the practical exemplification of this declaration, what is in fact, if not in name, a huge life Insurance business. They are the giant opponents of the monster life insurance corporations of New York and London, commonly called the "old liners," and are these later years making rapid inroads In the ranks of the policy-holders of these companies. However, the "fraternals" do not call it life insurance. They call it "fraternal protection." They do not Issue life policies, but "benefit certificates." All of which aptly Illustrates the difference 'twlxt tweedledum and tweedledee. But it 13 in the fraternal societies adoption of pagan ritualistic symbolism, ceremonials and legends to Illustrate certain lessons; It is in their purely Christian teachings and practices, and in their hair-splitting dis tinctions between the terms "fraternal protection" and "insurance," "benefit certificate" and "policy," that they suggest elemental incongruities, which to the student of the history of ancient and modern secret societies, affords an interesting field for study. For instance, Modern Woodmen of America, claiming to be "truly American." with an "original American ritual," takes some of its ritualistic rites from ancient Rome. The chief officer of the society is called Head Consul, a purely Roman title. Only the working tools of the Woodmen the ax, beetle and wedge are original to the r.ociety; all the rest are adaptations of ancient rites of heathen Rome, and the symbolism of a society that was popular in England in 17C0 the Ancient Order of the Golden Fleece. That the author of the original Woodman ritual did not attain greater originality is inexcusable. He did not lack the subject, but apparently was content to rest after selecting the novel working tools which, if skillfully used, might have given Woodcraft a ritual original and thoroughly American In all truth. By common consent the most reliable authorities agree that the genesis of practically all modern secret societies is in the venerable speculative craft which succeeded the ancient English operative Masons. The symbolism of the operative Masons of the sixttenth century was largely secured from the workingmen's guilds of the middle ages, but speculative seventeenth century Masonry adopted several of the more prominent characteristics of the powerful religious and

11EAD CLERK HA WES.

mm

Plain mystic organizations of that period. Thus in the Masonry of today are rtrvivals of rites pecular to the most noted of ancient heathen mysteries those practiced at Memphis, which revolved about Serapis, Isis and Osiris, and which taught the lesson of "regeneration through death." Evidences also of the influences of the Mithraic, Adonaic, Cabiric, Eleusinian and Druidic mysteries are easily discoverable. The teachings of the Kabbalists, Pythagoreans, earlier Rosicrucians and Druses also left a marked impress upon Masonic ritualism, which preserved the noblest and best of all, and which, "when undefiled, taught purity, immortality and the existence of an everliving and true God." To the Masonic craft, therefore, is due the preservation of all the secret rites, the mystic lore, the dramatic legends and the varied and elaborate symbolic cere monials, designed to teach the master craftsman and wide-eyed and trembling novitiate many valuable lessons Within the past year Modern Wood men of America has erected a head office building in this city, which when entirely complete will have cost not less than $130,000. At thd present time the expenditure has been $112,00U. The first camp of Woodmen was organized on January 5th, 18S3, at Lyons, Clinton county, Iowa, with 21 members. At the present time there are 6,800 camps, with a total of 423,000 members, who carry fraternal protection (or insurance) to the amount of nearly $800,000,000. They have paid out in round numbers since date of organization $13,000,000 in death benefits. They are paying out at the present time about $3,000,000 per year for the same purpose. In 1S98 they paid out a total of $2,760,600 in settlement of death claims. At the present time they are gaining in membership at an average rate of over 14,000 per month. At the present rate of growth they will have one million members within the next four years. The cost of insuranca is phenomenally low and has been for sixteen years. During the years 1S97 and 1898 the cost of carrying $1,000 at the average age of 36 years was only $4.30 per member per annum. The society is very popular with the people and its public gatherings are record breakers. At

HEAD OFFICE BUILDING, MODERN WOO DM BN OF AMERICA.

the Omaha exposition in September, '98, 52,000 people attended on Woodman day. The society has a large number of what are called picnic associations, the largest of these is the Southwestern Missouri Log Rolling association. Its 1S9S meeting, at Sedalia, was attended by over 40,000 people. The next largest is Northern Illinois and Southern Wisconsin Picnic association. On June 1st it met at Beloit, Wis., and 35,000 people attended. This society Is select in the character of Its

mm.

risks and excludes all those engaged in hazardous occupations, and selects the most healthful territory in the United States, excluding all large cities with crowded populations. The bulk of its membership is in the rural districts. It is stated that no other secret society has enrolled as many farmers in its membership as has the Modern Woodmen of America. Being strong with the people, the society naturally attracts to its membership the public HEAD CONSUL leaders. Wm. J. Bryan, before he even went to congress, was an enthusiastic Woodman and assisted in the institution of its local camps in Nebraska. Webstt Davis, assistant secretary of the interior, is a leading member of the society. In Illinois Congressmen Rodenberg, Graff, Prince, Jett and Reeves are members. Over fifty members of the senate and house last session of Illinois legislature were Woodmen. The Woodmen society ha3 a representative form of government, has county, state and national conventions, and is at all times under the complete control of its members, so much so as the republic itself. At present the society's largest states are Illinois with 100,000 members; Iowa, 53,000; Kansas,4 1,000; Wisconsin. 3S.O0O; Missouri, 37.000: Nebraska, 37,000; Minnesota, 33,000; Michigan, 20,000. Other states in our jurisdiction are Washington, Oregon, Idaho, Wyoming, Montana, North and South Dakota, Indiana, Ohio, Pennsylvania, West Virginia. California, Colorado, Connecticut, Delaware, Maine, Maryland, Massachusetts, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New York, Oklahoma, Rhode Island, Vermont and Indian Territory. The last biennial national convention of the society was held in Kansas City June 6-10, and was attended on the big day, Thursday, 8th Inst., by over 50,000 members of the society. There would have been a much larger attendancs but for the wet weather. The next biennial head cjmp (or national convention) will be ncl-l in St. Paul, Minn., June 1st, 1901. Delegates will be in attendance from thirty-three states, and it is expected 'bat over 650,000 members will be represented there. The officers of the society as elect d at the June session in Kansas City are: Head Consul, W. A. Nortlnott. Greenville, 111.; Head Clerk. C. W. Hauet, Rock Island, 111.; board of director?. H. I). Smith, Mankato, Minn.; A. R. Talbot, Lincoln, Neb.; M. Quac'.tcnimsh, Dundee, 111.; J. N. Reece, Springfield, 111.; E. E. Murphy, Leaven worth, Kan. J. W. White of Ruck Fall. 111., i general attorney. He was a member of the board of directors, but mm appointed general attorney to succeed Hon. J. G. Johnson of Poabod, Kan., and E. E. Murphy, of Leavenworth, Kan., took Mr. White's place on the board. Major Hawes has been bead clerk of the society since 1S90. Mr. Northcott has been head consul for the same period. J. F. EG AN. A DlfTerrncc. "Never mind," said Aguinaldo; "Napoleon met his Waterloo." "Yes," answered the Filipino leader; "he met It. He wasn't chased up and down several mountain ranges by it, as I have been." Washington Star.

HER IMPUDENCE.

Make the RaMneM Woman Ancry Every Time She Rintmbfii It. There is a Manhattan business woman who is pretty angry and the more nhe thinks the more angry she is, ays the New York Times. She was coming home from business the oCüer evening when a cudden shower came up. Sh would not have liked to be caught in it umbnrllaless. Probabiy it would not have done her any serious damage, for she was wearing a business gown, which was made to stand all kinds of weather. Still, as she happened to have her umbrella with her, she was very glad and she felt very well satisfied with herself for her perNORTIICOTT. spicucity in taking it that day. Suddenly she was roused from her meditations by a woman handsomely dressed sitting beside her in the car. "Do you have far to walk after you leave the car?" asked the woman. "No," said the business woman, "only a block or two." Then there was silence for a few minutes and she was conscious of a feeling of surprise that the woman in the silk gown should have been interested in what she was going to do. Then the stranger spoke again. "Would you mind lending me your umbrella?" she asked. "Why, what would I do?" said the business woman, still more surprised than anything else. NY thing more was said, but since then the wrath of the business woman has been constantly growing at what she considers the unmitigated impudence of the woman in the silk gown. SPARROW HUNTING. Men Make It a Ilulnes In Kent County, Mi hig an. Sparrow hunting has become so profitable in Kent county that men have now gone into the business that heretofore was conducted only by boys, says the Grand Rapids Democrat. One of the most persistent hunters is Chas. H. Sarow, of Walker township, who on May 13 drew in bounty from the county $S.50, and on May 16. $18.50. Another sparrow exterminator is Fred E MeBride, who. on May 13. drew $S.50 in bounties, and more recently $14. But the gamiest sparrow hunter of all is Ernest Cutler of this city, who follows the trail the year around. Last year the county paid $275 to Cutler in sparrow bounty. Just so soon as the sun goes down Cutler appears, just before 5 o'clock at the cashier's window in the clerk's office with his order from the county clerk. During the legislative session of 1SS5 the state authorized a bounty of 2 cents per head upon all "birds known as the common English sparrow," which are considered a detriment to the country. A few years ago several western 6tates placed a bounty on hawks and wolves. Immediately the mountaineers began raising hawks and wolves. It was a thrifty business, as the bounty paid was $1 per head for hawks and $S per head for wolves. In this state at present there is a bounty of $3 per head on wolves, but the woods are so devoid of the shy animals that no one cares to hunt for the bountv. The Chinaman's Iiifturanr. A childlike faith in the arithmetic confounds all "the logic of the schools. This waj. the experience (if a Pittsburg life-insurance aent who wrote a policy on the life of a Chinaman the first ever written for a man of that race in Pittsburg. How the Insurance man did it he alone knows. The Chinaman had no very clear idea. He only understood that If he paid the premiums promptly he would be entitled to five thousand dollars at some future time. He began bothering the agent for the money after a couple of weeks had passed, and the agent tried to explain to him that he would have to die before any one could get it. Then the Chinaman fell down a cellurway on Grant street and was badly hurt. His friends tried to attend t- him without calling in a devtor. When they did call In one, two days later, the doctor was angry. "Why didn't you call mo sooner?" he asked. "This man Is half dead now." Next day the injured man's brother was at the insurance office with a claim for twentyfive hundred dollar?. "You're not entitled to anything on this." said the Insurance man, "until the man is dead." "Doctor say him half dead." answered the brother. "Why ho no get half?" Pittsburg News. Vegetables are like fresh clr Indispensable for our health; they cool and purify th Mood and add a necessary acid to It.

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