Rensselaer Republican, Volume 19, Number 38, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 26 May 1887 — Page 2

A FARKWKLL MW. J. BKMDKMON. Farewell, farewell,, unbapp? earth. That can not aee ue two a* one; And farewell, sky of little worth. TUI thou const bring a brighter sun. And welcome, ocean 11 am thine;, ; Oh. touch mo with thy bitter wine; Give out, with wilder fancy's birth, . A wail of waves to anguish run; Oh I take me to thy crystal breast, And bear me hence a myriad miles, Till this year dieth in the west > And next year in the Orient smites; Sing to me, bring to mo fairer dreams Till some new sun in the heaven gleams; TUI then I know not peaceful rest, Vttmarred by passion's sleepless wiles. And farewell, maiden, loved teo well, I fear, I hope. I smile, I sigh; I hear my>pirit'.s final knell, I hear tlie joy-bells in the sky. Till spring again hath bared her feet Out of her Winter winding-sheet, Over the forest and over the fell, Through lov«des< countries, wander.

JOSIE’S TRIBULATIONS

Or, Siren of Trivet's Point. •Well, Gertie,” said Josie Fiske, despairingly. “I do not care what any one may say, I do not think that I should be blamed so" much. I was a belle in society and taught never to think of money. I dressed as did others of my station, and now that papa is dead, and there is-nothing left for ns, every one lays the blame at my door; my young companions who often expressed their undying affection for me—each-aud every one of them have left me to myself most cruelly; the business men to whom papa was under obligations, that 1 knew nothing of, glare nt me in the streets. Geordie Blaksley has turned against me, too, and now here is Aunt Patience’s letter saying that she “will give you a home, but will have nothing to do with that extravagant dirt, Josie.” I never flirted in my life, never hardly spoke to a man except Geordie. All the world has turned against me, and I wish that I were dead.” “I think that Aunt Patience’s letter is unkind myself," replied Gertie, the younger sister. “And IJo ihink that we might get along some way without my going to her, she is so very penurious.” “Gertie, you must go. I haven’t a cent left; one mouth will be to beg for than two. Go you must, and as I said a minute ago, I wish that I were dead.” Here the young girl who,when her face waa not swollen by weeping, was possessed of great beauty, burst into tears once more, and her sister, who was younger, plainer, ■nd far less excitable, drew her head down upon her own shoulder. “What shall I do?” thought Gertie. “This has been going on all through the night; she will worry herself sick, and my train starts at noon. How can 1 leave her without a friend, and penniless, and in debt" The sound of a heavy footfall upon the stairs which led to their attic roused Josephine from her pitiful sobbing once more. “Mrs. Thompson,” she exclaimed. “I do hope she will not ask me for money.” Gertie slipped her sister’s head from its place upon her shoulder to the hard pillow of their poverty-stricken couch, stepped across the room, and opened the door. “Be you Barker Fiske s gals?” This was the unexpected question which greeted them fronrthe unexpected apparition at the door. It was evidently a sun-burned sailor with the breath of old ocean still about him.

“We are,” replied Gertie, looking at him doubtfully. “Wai, I can't expect you to know me, as you’ve never seen me. lam Trivet, your father's brother.” “Uncle Trivet," cried Gertie, in relieved Tones. “Walk in, please.” “Don’t try that 'are on me—the uncle I mean. I’m Trivet, that an’nothin’more.” “You look very much like papa,” stammered Gertie, hardly knowing how to address her strange relative. “As much’s a crab’s like a codfish,” said the man who wished to be called Trivet, walking into the room and seating himself not far from Josephine. “In course you've beam about me, though your father was so gret a gentleman that I didn’t keer to associate with him. I come to to.wn a few days ago with a load of sponges an’ I’ve been up to Patience’s, and she tole me the hull mess—how she wouldn’t her the oldest one of ye. because she was such a wild, extravagant critter, Josephus, I think she oalledhw. . .. “Josephine,” corrected Gertie, gravely. “Wall, now, I felt kinder sorry for the gal. Is it you or the sick one?” “It is my sister,” replied Gertie. “Wai, as I said. I was sorry, an’ I tho’t I’d drop in an' tell her, es she wanted to go back with me on the sloop, an’ keep my cabin daytimes when I was out after sponges she could; but she might as well know where my cabin is. It's on the south bank of Hayti, an' she won't git a new gown in-six months, an’ no chance for flirtin’ witn%he fellows." “UnJle, may I go?” exclaimed Josie, sitting up quickly and wiping her swollen eyes. “Did you really say so? May I.' May I go, dear uncle?" “None of that. I tell you Trivet’s my name—*.s

“But it seems so.disrespeetful,” -returned Josie, who was not as easily awed as Gertrude. “You must call me Trivet, Josephus.” “Well, I will. then. Am I really to go?” “If you kin be ready to start in_an hour-” “All I have is a trunkful of clothing, and Gertie, you can go to Aunt Patience, and be sure to write to me every week.” “Ther' ain't no mail wher' I live.” The girls stared blankly at each other, and Trivet continued: “I comes to this port about once in three months with sponges. Yer'll hev to direct yer letters here.” «. The girls were silent for a moment, and then Josephineesrdaimed: “Well, that is better than no news. And «o everything is settled so quickly and so pleasantly. How cnn we ever thank you. dear uncle:” “Trivet," corrected their eccentric relative. taking a much-soiled red silk handkerchief from his pocket and wiping his face with it. Observant Gertrude thought that his eve§. were inclnded in the-movement, -"blit she conKFhet- be - certain,dakTas great tarpaulin hat completely shaded them'. There was but one more disagreeable tiling connected with their departure, and Gertie drew - *U«ntiou to that by mentioning the single name of “Mrs. Thompson.” “IseftTeT with yer landlady coinin' up," said J rive', brusquely. Two hours later the three were’Separated, Get tie being on board the train which bote her to the home of her maiden aunt, down in the valley of the Susquehanna, and Josie, whom her uncle persisted in ealling Josephus, being with Trivet on boaid a small sjoop Outward bound for the banks of Hayti, where near by were the water,s< in whicli-be (love for sponges and where, too, he brought tip-shells and corals from the bottom of the sea. In spile of her false friends- and recreant lover, Josie was the happier of the two gijis, for fate had doled out io her the lot Of all others best for her state of nr nJ and heart, ah utter change. \ She was entirely inexperienced in even the simplest home duties, 1 nt Trivet seemed to expect this and good-naturedly taught her the workings of the domestic economy of his bachelor cabin.

She grew interested in his work, too, as time went on, and she grew invaluable to him, her quick eye readily selecting the grades of the sponges which he had prepared for market. Her career as a society belle had taught her which shells were choicest and what branches of blood-red or of pure white coral were most valuable. From" toying with the white keys of her grand piano she now sorted shells nnd washed coral s.and at length, her false lover being forgotten, she began to send forth her merry voice in the songs she loved, until the wild shores echoed again, and she soon became known among the sparse English-speaking population of the island aS the “Siren of Trivet’s Point-.” And sirens are not wont to sing in vain. Trivet was Ix-ginnlng to dread to dive to the bottom of the sea, even in his diving bell,. as had been his custom, and at length he employed on, board sloop two men whosfe business it was to go to the de|ffbs of the sea in search of the masses of sponge and to cut them loose from the rocks to which they clung. One of-these divers was a fine-looking voting man, Harold Reasoner by name, a finished gentleman, as Josie found upon acquaintance, for nearly always now she went ont on the sloop with her uncle, who informed every one with whom be came in contact that he was “nowhere without Josephus.” The other was a Spanish-American, a young man, too, dark-browed and tine-ap-pearing. His name was Carlos Martine, and he had not been an hour on board the sloop before he fell head and ears in love with Josie.

And Jcjsie knew it, too, but she could see nothing pleasing in the piercing eyes nnd swarthy complexion of Carlos Martine, although she did find an attraction in the reserved and gentlemanly Harold Reasoner, who, although he treated Josie very politely, yet showed no signs of any especial liking for her. With Carlos Martine it was different. Every moment he could spare from his duties found him by her side with so much of meaning in his eyes that she felt almost frightened, and kept very close by Trivet. Still the man persisted in keeping near her.

One evening when the darkness had crept close down upon the waters, the little sloop being later than usual, Trivet complained of being ill and Josie attempted to remain in the little cabin. “No, no,” exclaimed Trivet. “I can’t feel safe a minute, Josephus, unless you keep a lookout for the light. NoHTmlnute; you must go on deck. ” “But, Trivet, I dislike to greatly.” “All a whim. Reasoner or Martine will take care of you as well as I could.” _ The two men were standing near, and Mr. Reasoner only bowed gravely, but Mr. Martine came forward with almost obsequious politeness and offered his services in anything which Miss Josie might command him. “I think, then, Mr. Reasoner,” said Josie, not appearing to notice his words, “if you will go forward with me I will keep a lookout for the light.” The livid look which came across the face of the Spaniard at thus’being ignored would have caused a sensation of fear to a stouter heart than Josie’s. She caughtup her wrap and walked hastily along, Harold Reasoner having some difficulty in keeping pace with her until they were out of Martine's hearing, when he said, noticing her frightened actions: “Are you afraid of Martine, Miss Fiske?” “I am, truly,” replied Josie, frankly. “And that was the reason, Mr. Reasoner, that I asked you for your escort. I would not have been afraid alone, if it had not been for him. ”

“You need have no fears,” returned Harold Reasoner, arranging a cushion for Josie to sit’ upon just where the best view of the darkened harbor was to be had. “Miss-Fiske,” he resumed after a pause, “pardon my curiosity, but is not this a strange life for an educated lady like yourself to lead?” “It is. certainly not the life I once expected to lead,” replied Josie. Yet lam happy here. I have found a contentment I never knew in the old life.” “It is almost the same with myself. It was not of necessity that I chose this peculiar mode of life, away from my friends, yet I thought of it with a repugnance too great to be described when I first contemplated it, but I too am happy.” “If. you.thought of it with repugnance, and it was not of necessity that you came here, why did you come?” questioned Josie, fearlessly. “Sometime I will tell you that, Miss Josie, if we get to be friends. I hope that we shall be.” A rush of emotion kept Josie from making any reply, and the supercilious voice -of silence. “You are so interested in your conversation that you have forgotten the light. See we are going into harbor without your assistance.” “You are right, Martine, upon my word,” replied Harold Reasoner, laughing pleasantly, ami, without speaking, Josie hurried back to Trivet’s side. After this she was often relieved from the Spaniard's society by the presence of Mr. Reasoner. who proved himself a very pleasing companion, yet Carlos 'Martine was not discouraged, and one morning' when Josie had remained at the cabin, sliwas surprised to see him coming up the sbell-T ordered walk toward the door. “tided morning. Miss Josie,” be began. “I did not go out on the sloop to-day. I preferred lather tofly to your side, and tell you of the love which ~ik consuming my being.” Josie was silent, as much from fear as anything and the Spaniard. entered, the cabin, and without invitation seated himself and continued: “Trivet.is aged. It is not long that he can attend to the stool'. Y hen we are married I will take it off his hands; and his latter davs can be davs of rest.”

‘Air. Maitine we shall never be mnrrietl. 1 am sure I never gave you reason to speak to t::e as yon have spoke ~ “You gave me every, encouragement uutil yo;:-- yes youfejl in love with Reasoner, a man who left behind llim rs sweetheart or a wife iu the States, who knows which it is?” “It is nothing to me, I shall itever marry you. that is certain.” -“Arnr-wtH,-or I ~wiH i utaknifeJOL the heartof the villain who Lasstolenyou from me.” Josie sank back in afirigtit, and toHeF great lelief the~voice of 'Tiivt t WiiS iieard eallinp to Martin? fnm odittle distance. ‘ AVe've got to her veTaftexMl.T "CoineAs .ini a 1 vnh .7” And Josie raised her hand anu pointing i o the door said: “G o. if ypu do uot wish me to tell him of your coaanlly threats.” Carlos Martine, his eyes still flaming withanger. lulled his hat down over his eyes and hissed as he left the cabin; I “Dare to tell Reasoner one word of this and his death shall be but the more cerThrough all that Jong day Josie went about her duties with a troubled mind, and it was not altogether the threats of her dastardly suitor which troubled her. It was the insinuation concerning Harold Reasoner. But at length the cloud upon her brow cleared away and she said to herself; “I do not believe it. My own intuitions tell me that it is false, and as for Martine's threats, he will find that Ido not care for them, for I shall tell Trivet to-night.” And that evening after the sloop, came

in she told her uncle the Btory, and he laughed aloud as he Inid liis rough hand upon her golden head. “He was mud. Reasoner is stronger’n him. any time. I can’t afford to lose Martine's help jest for-n tit o’temper. He's a clippin’ diver, but I’ll take care that he does not come pear you again.” ’ ’» i Josie said nothing more, and although Martine came no more to the cabin nor np- ' proached her when on board the sloop, she could not quite forget his angry words. Harold Reasoner had become her veritable shadow now, undone evening when they were walking together in the moonlight on the sands he said to her suddenly: “Josie. will'yOU be my wife?” “I will, Harold,”’replied Josie with the frankness which was characteristic with her. “Darling," he exclaimed, gathering her to him, “do you remember that I told yon once that it was not of necessity that 1 came here,.and that it was with repugnance that I at first thought of this life?” “I remember.’ “Well, Jose, darling, can yon bear it? ft was because a woman jilted rue that I came here." A choking,"suffocating sensation arose in Josie's breast! but after a mqment she crowded it down, for n thought of Geordie Blaksley came into her mind. “Can you forgive me for believing that I loved another woman?” whispered Harold. “I can, I think,” replied Josie with some difficulty, and then she,,whispered to him of the old days when she had been engaged to her old-time lover, and of the trouble from which Trivet had rescued her.

There was perfect faith between the lovers when they parted, and only once did the Spaniard's threats come to her mind, and that was after they ha t parted, and she thought of Harold's last words. “Martine and myself are going out early in the morning, along the reef, a new ground for us, and we must be there exactly at the hour when the tide is low, so do not be disappointed, darling, if you do not see me to-morrow.” The morning broke clear and bright, and Josie from her little window watched the tiny sloop until it was out of sight, her mind filled with happy thoughts, for Harold' had told her that he should return to the States, when she should be his bride, and she felt .that if Trivet would only accompany them she should be perfectly happy. She had 'heard from Gertie during the •past month, who was lately married to a man whom she thought perfection, and Harold had promised her to take her to her sister within the next three months. For that one bright day Josie sang her happy songs as she wandered along the shore, and they were joyous enough to verify her right to the title of the “Siren of Trivet's Point.” But toward evening the sky became cloudy, and even. Trivet became alarmed when .a thick, dark mist came creeping over the waters, and the night came on with a darkness in which not a star was visible.

“The boys are havin' a job on’t,” he said for the twentieth time, and by midnight Josie’s face had become as anxious asTiis o wn, but about that time there were sounds which told them that the little sloop was in the harbor, and after another time of waiting Carlos Martine came up to the cabin alone. “An’ so ye got the sloop in all right?” asked Trivet, in a relieved tone. “I did, but J cajne near being lost. We met with a steamer just as the fog came on, and Reasoner left on her for the States. He told me tb tell you that he was tired of the life here and should not return.” The words fell with a crushing weight upon Josie, but she made not a sound; while Trivet questioned Martine as to the number of sponges he had secured and concluded with: “Wai I’m sorry Reasoner’s left us —I mind now I paid him his: wages yesterday —but I'm better now than I was, an’ you an’ I kin go out with Martine again, Josephus, so the work’ll go right on. ’’ w Josie made no reply. Was Carlos Martine telling the truth, or did her jnurdered lover lie under the waters outside the coral reef? • There was au evil, exultant look in the eyes of Martine which confirmed her belief that. Carlos Martine had murdered Harold Reasoner. But she said nothing, and no suspicion seemed to cross Trivet’s mind, but her belief grew stronger until her thoughts were of nothing but an unspoken, yet almost insane desire for revenge. She had no proof that anything was wrong. Martine came and went with greater freedom than ever' before, andevery day Josie went out with Trivet to bis work, and often she shuddered as she caught her slender fingers tightening themselves upon her palm, and knew that in her heart she' wished that she might throttle Martine, even as she gazed at him. More than once she retreated to the little cabin and prayed to be delivered from the tempter, which whispered to her the desire to commit a murder. Not for a moment did she believe in her lover's falsity, and her silent trial became greater and greater every day. “Can it be?” she would whisper to herself, “that I am getting insane? That I really wish to stain my soul with the blood of a human being?” It was while her mind was in this state that they were busiest at work with their sponge fishing, and the deck was generally covered with the liver-like masses of sponge, and Josie was kept busy with the coral branches, and the many varieties of strombus which Carles Martine brought from among the rocks of the reef or from the bottom of the sea.

Trivet had nearly recovered from his illness, with the cxceptioirsbmetimes of u tit of vertigo, which unfitted him f rom going down in his diving bell. This duty had now fallen entirely .toe Carlos JMartine. Trivet 'taking charge of the force pump which supplied the diver with air. 1 ’tiring one of these-‘Submersions of M-iirline, when Josie was sifting among a mass of. rare-sea-weeds, of which she was makingji collection'so present to her sister, she hi a-d a peculiar souncTat the force , pump. and ttiming she saw Trivet lying upon-his tack the deck in a fainting fit. Cailos Martine was beneath the water,> •sml Josie'-knew that in~a brief moment n or-' he woifd die if she. did not spring to "his asßlstfthee. ' c,' ' ■ • ■ IL-re wa s I; er seco u J o for nel tempt at ion. It was short bptitAvawexeftrritt lie. “fcrt him die ‘ -Tet him die! Youruiicle needs you,” said tbd,tempter, within her breast. < “Oh, God!” she prayed. “Help me!'' And she was belt ed. 2 iSlie grasped the pump, and although her uncle's seemingly lifeless form lay before her. she sent down the life-giving air te the man she believed to have murdered her lover. In a moment he came up gasping for breath, and glancing at Trivet he comprehended what had happened and said to the girl who was Lending over her uncle: “He was unconscious and vou saved my life.” V - Keep away from me! Keep away from me!” the shrieked, her lips unsealed at last. “You murdered him. I know it. I know it." Over the face of Carlos Martine there came a crest-fallen look—it was a look of guilt and shame. “I did not,” he said, forced by some

emotion to tell the woman before him ths truth. “But I left him out on the reel that the tide might overtake him. Josephine Fiske, I love yon.” “And I bate you, murderer! murderer, murderer!” At this moment, all unattended, Trivet opened bis eyes and gasped: 1 “ What is the matter with Josephus?” Matter enough when the story was told him. Silently he' headed the sloop foi home, and the silence was unbroken until the harbor was in sight, and then 'privet exclaimed: “There is a steamer outside the reef.” “And a boat waiting for ns at the Point," cried Josie, and recognizing a familiar form she cried: “It is Harold! It is Harold! He is not dead!” Martine, who had sat morose and sullen, now brightened visibly, but it was an indescribable meeting between himself and Reasoner, who, however, made no charge to Trivet against him. ' ’ Carlos Martine disappeared and was never seen again by the three he would have injured. Josie Fiske and Harold Reasoner wera soon married, and with Trivet returned to their native land, where Josie was surprised to find Harold Reasoner a wealthy man. Gertie was a happy wife, and the two sisters dwelt near each oilier, nnd Unrol l sometimes tells the story of his rival, who envied him the possession of the “Siren of Trivet’s Point,” and Trivet laughs and confirms it;- but Josie remembers her own temptation and shudders.

The Lime-Kiln Club.

“If Brudder Coincidence Jackson am back dar’ by de stove I should like to sjieak a few words to him,” said Brother Gardner as the meeting opened. Coincidence ha 1 just taken off one shoe and sock to agitate his chillblains, but after a few hurried motions he came to the front and the President continued: “Brudder Coincidence, has anything happened to you lately?” “Yes, sah—l'se got religun.” “So I imderstan’. You’ve alnioas’ made up your mind to go fo’th ami preach, dey tell me ?” “Yes, sah. I’se jist waitin’ ’till I git some money ahead. ” “Brudder Coincidence, let me advise wid you. People often make mistnkesin sich things. Now, in the fust place, try yer religion an’ see if it stands de tests. “Has yer change of heart i ; esnlted in yer payin’ up any outlawed debts ? “Do you do any less poundin’ an' sw’arin’ when dat ole mule o’ your gits stalled in de mud? “Am yon firmly decided in your mind dat if you find a wallet in de road you will return it to de owner? “Kin you see your naybnr v grain his front doah, put up new curtains an’ sot out an iron hitcliin’ post widout.foolin' envious of his luck ? . . . “If you was gwine to trade mules wid Compromise Taylor, who libs Tongside of you, an' am nigh-sighted, would you conceal de fackt da* your beast am blind in one eye an’ has got twentyseven different spavins? . “If you am paid a quarter too much in makin’ change am you gwine to keep it, an’ if you git stuck wid a bogus quarter am you gwine to work it off on somebody else?

“Doan* be in a hurry, Brudder Coincidence, to believe an’ announce to de world dat you lias got religun. It ar de easiest thing in de world to git fooled on.“ AV ait an r test yerself. You may stan’ ebery test an’ come out pure gold, or you may fail on ebery one. , An’ in ease it turns out dat you has religun—de real religun—doair be in a sweat to go out an’ preach to your feller-men. De res’ of us ain’t in any nio’ danger dan we was befo’, an’ it will be a qneshun whether you can’t help de Lawd mo’ by stayin’ right at home an’ takin’ car’ of yer family while somebody else does"de preachin’. You kin naw sot down, Brudder Coincidence, an’ I trust you will turn dese remarks an’observasliuns obey in your mind an’ giv dem due reflexun. ” Detroit Dree Press.

“Old Zack’s Logic.”

Xo man in the country was more surprised than Gen. Zachary Taylor himself, when the W higs began to talk ol him as their candidate for the Presidency. He would not, at first, consent to stand, knowing his own disqualifications (or the office. He was ignorant of political questions, and cared so little for party politics that he had not vqted for forty years. But the battle of Buena Vista had put his name on every man’s lips, and the Whigs were determined to run a popular candidate. The unlettered, honest, simple-minded soldier was persuaded to “run,” and during the campaign every school-boy became familiar with Pale, Alto, liesaca de la Palma, Monterey and Buena Vista.

“Old Zack” took with the people, and they elected him with a large majority. Ahecifbtes of his firmness and simple habits impressed them with the beliei that he would make a serviceable chief executive. One of these stories was timt du rin g th e BI ack Hawk war,CjoL Taylor, while pursuing the Indians, came to Ilxick River, then considered the northwest boundary of Illinois. The volunteers declared they would not cross-the river, us they had enlisted to defend the State, and were not obliged to niarch into the Indian Territory. Orders came for Taylor Jo follow Black Hawk. The held a sort of town meeting on the prairie, .and invited Col. Taylor to attend. went, -havittg -prev-mnsly- orderetl the United States regulars to form in the rea'r of the _ meStnrgr~ After listening for some time to the volunteer's speeches, lie rose. “Men."hesaid, “the word has-been passed on to me from AVashington to foHow’’ Black Hawk, and to take you wffn me-as soldiers. J mean to .do botii. There are the flat-boats drawn up on the shore ; there are Uncle Sam’s men drawn up behind you on the prairie. ” In a few hours the volunteers were all across the river, ,in hot pursuit of the foe. They saw that it was useless to reply to a man who argued in such a forcible style. The people thought that a man who used that sort of logic was the one then needed to occupy the Presidential chair. — Youth ’3 Cornpa n ion. Heaven opened wide her ever-during gates, harmonious sound! on golden hinges turning.— Milton

OUR INDUSTRIES.

Among the Mills, Mines, and Furnaces —Points of Interest in the Labor Horizon. Notes Gathered from Workshops, Mines, Railroads, and Other Busy Places. The Chicago Strike and Lockout. In Chicago, the chief seat of trade disturbances in this country, a strike of the bricklayers has been answered by a lockout on the part of their employers. As immediate results not only are many thousands of workingmen threatened with loss of employment, but great business interests intimately associated with the city’s welfare are endangered. In its origin the quarrel was of comparatively small moment. The bricklayers demanded that payday be changed from Tuesday to Saturday, and that a slight advance be made in wages, threatening a general strike if their demands should not be complied with. Instead of yielding, the Master Builders’ Association responded with a circular ordering a complete suspension of work. It is estimated that by this combined movement of strike and lockout no fewer than 50,000 workingmen will be thrown out of employment. Moreover, as is usual in such cases, among the worst sufferers will be multitudes of families whose heads have not had the slightest share in originating the conflict. In behalf of the master builders the claim is made that this extreme measure of a lockout was taken in self-defense. The suspension of business operations in itie most favorable season of the year for btlilding will be accompanied by great losses, and for this reason the builders say they would not have resorted to a lockout except from the necessity of resisting arrogant dictation on the part of their employes. To the Bricklayers’ Association belong nearly all the bricklayers and masons of Chicago. It is a local guild that has no connection with either of the national organizations of labor. Strange workingmen are not admitted to the association, and the certificates of membership of other Idbor unions are not recognized. Resident masons and bricklayers, whether belonging to the organization or not, must pay into its treasury an initiation fee of $75 for the privilege of working at the high wages paid in Chicago. There are other rules of the association under which the master builders have chafed, and when the last demand was made upon them they determined upon resistance. This is the excuse given by the master builders of Chicago for a lockout which, if continued for the season, must be attended by the most serious consequences.

Knights ot Labor. The Xew Haven Knights will form a cooperative association to run a grocery store. A ladies’ assembly of Knights has just been organized in Wheeling. The Cincinnati Knights are to hold a grand picnic at Bailor Grove, June 20. John AY. Hayes, of the General Executive Board, has received $5,000 for the loss of an arm while employed by the Pennsylvania Railroad Company several years ago. The Holliday (.Pa.) Knights will shortly start a cooperative store with a capital of $15,000. Isaiah Tuppins, the colored man, was elected Mayor of Glennville, Ohio, by the Knights. Some bricklayers of Chesterton, Ind., have started a co-operative brick yard at Porter Station,wh'ch will employ 350 men when working full. The Chicago boot and shoe Knights have organized a co-oper-ative shopwith $25,000 capital. The no- - torious Mrs; Parsons is a member of Assembly No. 1724, Jersey City. The San Diego (California) Knights elected a full ticket at the recent election. District Assembly No. 41, of Baltimore, now includes the entire State of Maryland. A Mississippi assembly fines any member caught intoxicated, $2 for the first offense and $5 for the second, and for the third offense the penalty is expulsion. « Indiana’s Big Gas Tlooni. The discovery of natural gas in Indiana, at various and distant points with varying pressures, indicates a multiplicity of reservoirs that are but feebly connected with one another, if, indeed, they be connected at ail. The first well struck in Indiana has been giving, out 2,000,000 cubic feet per day, and since then two other wells have been bored in the- immediate vicinity, from which still greater volumes are obtained. AVell known as No. 2, which was struck on the 31st of November, has been flowing ever since at a rate of 6,000,000 cubic feet per dav. It is 916 feet 6 inches deep. AVeR No f 3 is 912 feet deep, and flows 7,000,000 cubic feet per day. Manufacturing enterprises will be transplanted to that locality as soon as possible. Influx of Foreign Labor. The extraordinary influx of foreign labor threatens in time to affect the rate of wages paid. The majority of the new-comers are seeking agricultural employment, and will in time become valuable consumers for our shop and mill products. The rush will continue for months to come, and it will be some time after the inducements disappear before the rush will be over. Skilled labor is anxious to escape from Europe ) and Great Britain as common or farm labor, and more or less correspondence is going on between the trades unions on both sides relative to opportunities here. Industrial and Labor Notes. A $1,001),066 company, composed largely of Philadelphians, is about introducing a incandescent light system at St. Louis. A'slbt>,t)oo tack and nail company is about business at East rSt. Louis, a $106,000 company has been organized for manufacturing hay-knives at East AVilton, Me., A Buffalo scale company has just booked a contract for sixteen 90,000? pound scales. The Cleveland ship-yards are overrun 'with boat orders. A Reading foniictpr instr MQivcpQ-Rn QTnpi* for tine very large cotton,presses. The first one to be made will weigh 150 tons. The Bethlehem Irian Company has 800 men on its payrolls. , , _ ', The steam engine manufacturing compantesthroughout the East are all .running., a full force of men, and the managers report flattering prospects. A new cottonmill is to be built at Holyoke, 344 feet long by 88 feet wup, wfiicli‘wHl have 30,- . 000 spindles. The weavers of‘Fall River, Mass., are about forming an organization similar to the Spinners’ Union. AV saving has been advanced 121 per cent. >t the Troy blanket-mills. A Manchester cottonmill company has just put in a 1,000-horse power engine. A new silk-mill has just been started in,Mansfield, Conn. Rail makers and the manufacturers of railway material generally are predicting an improving demand.for material, on account of the steady increase of earnings on the leading railroads. The improving commercial reports are also stimulating confidence, and leading to an enlargement of industrial operations. The reports of earnings of thirty-eight railroad companies

V • ! for the first quarter of the year show an increase of 21 per cent, over 1886. The Schuylkill region has 120 employing 30,500 miners, who mine 9,000.000 tons of coal and are paid $11,000,000 annually in wages. There are fifty-two collieries in, the Lehigh region, employing 13,0b0 miners, and in the Wyoming region there are 109 collieries, employing 39,000 workers who are paid $14,000,000. There are in all 281 collieries, employing 83,000 men, who earn $30,000,000 per year. General Francis A. Walker, in a recent article on the sources of business profits, holds that profits do not enter into the price of produce, and are hot obtained by de- ’ duction from the wages of labor. Iff an article on the “Socialists” he claims that no permanent unity can be maintained among the people who advocated socialistic views. Real estate matters are very active in St. Paul, the aggregate of dealings for the first four months of this year amounted to $22,000,000, as against $7,000,000 for the same time last year. The building permits so far this year call for an expenditure of $2,000,000, against $1,250,000 for the same time last year. ■ • The American .cheese manufacturers find their Scotch market leaving them. fc Last year’s imports at Glasgow were 3,642 tons, as against 7,201) tons in 1884. The cheese makers are told they must' manufacture more carefully and take more pains in shipping. The result of the active demand for satinets has been a large increase in the demand for shoddy suitable for such goods. The use of sirqddy and wool extract has increased during the last four years, owing to the competition and low price -of goods. The New York workingmen are nearly all busily employed, and since the Ist of May have won a good many small strikes involving questions of unionism and wages. There is an increased demand for machinists and mechanical labor of. all kinds in' the West and Northwest. Wages have been advanced in a good many shops. Building operations are still greatly delayed at Omaha, and contractors are put about. Workmen were sent for to Kansas City, but the Knights there were on guard. The St. Louis printers expect to secure i the nine-hour day after Sept. 1, and be- : lieve that it will be enforced geuera’ly by ! the International Union. The wages of lumbermen will likely be advanced during the coming season. The lumbermen are compactly organized, and are working in harmony. The brickmakers of Terre Haute, Ind., have decided to introduce molds into the union brick-yard that will leave upon each brick the union imprint. A new mill, to cost $275,0( 0, is to be built at’ Fall River, and will have 2(),offi) spindles, to be used for the manufacture of yarn for the hosiery trade. A $1,000,000 malleable iron works is to be erected at Nashville; a bridge wotks at Rome, and a rolling-mill at Florence, to cost $150,000. Tlie Somerset Iron Works, in Massachusetts, which cost $250,000, are offered for $80,600. The Union Labor party of New York will hold a State convention at ETmira, June 15. All of the 200 union brewers of San Francisco have been discharged.

BRIDGING THE MISSOURI.

The Iron Link Across the Missouri River at Sioux City at Last Supplied. [Sioux City special.] The long thlked-of bridge across the Missouri River, at Sioux City, is at last finally assured, and its immediate construction is practically settled. It is to be built by the Chicago and Northwestern Railway Company, and it will not cost the taxpayers of Sioux City a dollar. The contract has been made and signed, and the work is to be pushed forward to the speediest possible completion. It is confidently believed that the bridge will be completed witbin eighteen months. Representatives of the Sioux City Bridge Company were a few days ago invited to a conference in Chicago where an agreement for the transfer of the bridge franchise was entered into, mutually satisfactory to both parties, and the details under that agreement are now so well advanced that it is only a question of a few days until the negotiations shall have been fully completed. This involves a consummation greatly desired by this people, and the largest in its material significance toward the future of Sioux City of any sinile achievement in the histdry of the city. The Northwestern Railway Company is the most powerful corporation occupying the territory of this Northwest. In the territory north of the Platte and south of the Northern Pacificpt is king.; It has established and is extending lines radiating to the Missouri River on this side, and from the Missouri River on the other. The bridge means that the Northwestern Will focalize these great interests here—that it will make Sioux City its’ Missouri River hub.' This involves some change of policy on the part of the Northwestern Company, and under this change of policy it is happily foufid—happily for Sioux City, at least—that Sioux City’s territorial interests and the Northwestern’s territorial interests are twins; and so they have come together in tins bright May weather, in complete goodnature and temper, to say one to the other, Shake I And they shake. The bridge to Sioux City, with the support it has bick of it and for it, means the bridging of the only chasm that hds stood im the way of anybody’s confidence iu Sioux City. AVork' on the bridee is to begin" Justus quick as the plans of the bridge can be ap- : proved by the Secretary of AVar. The plans have'already been completed. They havq been examined and approved by t ,;e Missouri Pacific River CommisIt is expected to have the bridge, ready for running trains in the winter of 1888-89. Of course, there may be unexpected difficulty in getting-the piers in, which are of unusual depth, etc., but, while this is barely possible, it is improbable. It will be what is commonly . known.as. a high bridge—that is, a bridge without a draw, and so high as not to obstruct navigation. <Jt will embrace flir e spnn%' The cost is estimated at a round million dollars. ■ A prominent citizen expresses the opin-.. [ion that the move of the Northwestern Dompany in taking up the bridge building project means two bridges for Sioux City in a very short time. His idea is that the Northwestern people are working to reach the Pacific coast as soon as pcssible, and that the Union Pacific will now rush a line eastward to Sioux City, build another bridge, and connect with the Illinois Central and the Milwaukee, giving it direct and ample eastern outlet. William Stvyvesant Fish, of New York, has been elected President of the Illinois Central Raihoad, vice Dr. Janies C. Clark, resigned. ' T'. 1 ' HopgßOWeiis in Central New York a?e discouraged at the gloomy prospects. The crop piomises to prove almost a total failure.