Rensselaer Republican, Volume 23, Number 25, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 19 February 1891 — Page 6

THE MASTER OF THE MINE.

By Robert Buchanan

CHAPTER XX -< tn wtje ••I have nothing to forgive.” I replied. "You did me no wrong; b.t you ruined the happlneffiiof your nome, and vou have broken your father's heart” ••Hugh!” :; ••It is as well for you to hear It, Annie," I continued. "When your flight was discovered, your father bore it bravely, we thought; but it seemed he Lid the worst of his trouble from us, and pined in secret. It has been like a cankerworm gnawing at his heart; and now he is weak and feeble, like a weary, worn old man!" j I ceased, for Annie had turned away and was crying piteously. 1 went to I her, and took her hand. ••Annie." I said, "tell me the name of the man who has been the author of all this trouble, and I will ask no more.” She shook her head. "I cannot tell you, Hugh. Why shonld you wish to know? I tell you I am his wife.” —r s -—* •*lf you are his wife, where is the need of all this secrecy?" "There are reasons why he cannot' acknowledge me just now; therefore I made a solemn vow never to tell his name until be gives me permission. Is ft not enough for you to know that I have not disgraced you, and that I am happy ?” She certainly did not look happy. Her pale pained face, which was turned to mine, seemed tO give the lie to every word she spoke. "Will you tell them at home," she •aid, "that you found me well, and that they must not grieve; because tome day soon I shall come back to them?" • Where are you living now?" I asked.

••Close by here,'’ she replied quickly, and paused before a house in Craven street. Enteiing with a latchkey which she carried, she passed up a flight of stairs and entered a room. ••This is where I live, Hugh,” she •aid. ' '■ It was a change indeed from the Cornish kitchen in which she had lived Kt!' rbbm was one which I could imagine Madeline occupying. but which was singularly out of place when coupled with Annie! Having looked about me, I prepared to leave. “Where are you going, Hugh?” she asked, ‘home?’’ ••I don't know,” I answered. “Shall I see you again?” “That I don’t know. Since you say you are well cared for and happy, where is the use of troubling you 3 So re day. perhaps, when your sun begins to set. you’ll find your way back to those who loved you long before this villian crossed your path!” I opened the door, stepped across the threshold, and faced two strange men. A hand was laid upon my shoulder, and a voice add“Stop, young man! We want you for murder!” - . CHAPTER XXI THE INQEBT. For “Murder?” The very word paralyzed me; and I looked at the man in utter consternation. ‘-What do you mean?” I cried, recoiling. “Who are you?” “I’ll tell you all about that presently,” reolied the fellow coolly. “In the first place, are you going to make a shindy, or are you coming along quk i As he spoke, two policemen in uniform entered the room. He nodded to them: and, with the utmost sang froid felt in his pocket and drew out a pair of handcuffs. “Oh. Hugh!” cried Annie wildly. “What is it? What have you done?” Without answering her. I looked wildly at the men; then, acting on a mad impulse, and quite without reflection. I rushed to the door. In a moment the mtn th-ew themselves upon me, and there was a brief bit fierce struggle: bat my strength was of no avail, and 'n a couple of minutes 1 was overpowered jtpd handcuffed. The man in plain clothes, who had first add eased me, looked at me with a grim smile. •‘You're a bold chap,” he said; “but it's no use. You’d have done much better to ba v e come along quietly. Now lookee here. I've got to tell you that, whatever you say. from this moment forward, will be Used in evidence against you.”

•‘For God's sake, explain!” I an-! •wered. "A hat does it all mean? M ho is murdered ?’’ The man smiled ••-ord b.css us, how innocent we are! You’ll be telling 4 us next that your name ain’t Hugh Trelawney, late ove-seer of the St. Gurlott mine.” "Trolawney is my name, but—" ••Of course it is; and Trelawney is, the name of the man we want, the same on this here warrant. My duty is to apprehend you for the murder of Mr. Epnraim S. Johnson, the new •verserr who took your place." ‘•J'insor! murdered?” I cried. ‘'lt is impos - -—~~ ••Oh ..o, it ain’t.” returned the imperturab'e Official. "Decea-ed was found a. me foot of the cliffs, with his brains knocked out. and bearing ~bn his signs of violence: worse than •hats Le'd been stabbed with a knife; and, once more, you’re the party we want for having done the! job.” Utterly a:- a ed aud horrified, 1 stag, go ed aun *»•! Into a ch .ir. As for ▲m-A a seemed complete y petri. ■ fled. 1 rv.n s-e her white face now:] frozen. texriea* and aghast! , . J The*e was a pause of several minutu*. Cstlvln ••! his pri-oner. the officer . on quietly, and allowed me brwalhJmg Uwsa Gradually my ‘'•■aiu

cleared, and I became comparatively calm. ••I will go with vou.” I said, "but I am perfectly Innocent. Until this moment 1 never even heard of this horrible affair. ” . . .. ••Of course not ” returned the officer cheerfully. "That's what they *ll say, young man: and for the matter o’ that, every man’s innocent till the law proves him guilty." 7 , • •But 1 was not even there. I left St. Gurlott’s two days ago." "Exactly,” Wai the dry retort; “you hooked it the very night of the murder. The bod/, was found early on the morning of the 2lrd. and the warrant was issued yesterday.” , As he spoke, I seemed to feel_ net closing around me. At first the very accusation had seemed preposterous; now, I began to understand that my position was one of extreme peril. If Johnson had really been murdered, and on that night, as now seemed clear, 1 could not escape suspicion by a mere alibi. I remember* ed. with a thrill of horror, my last meeting with the murdered man, just before my departure; and my heart sank within me. I knew my own innocence— but who was guilty? As I ask* d myself the question. I looked again at Annie, who was still watching me intently; and in a moment, as if by an Inspiration. I thought of her father! Had John Pendragon, in a moment of mad-ne-s, taken the life of the man whom ho suspected of betraying his daughter? The thou.-ht was almost too horrible for belief—jet, alas! it was not unreasonable . • Now then, are you ready?” said the officer, placing his hand upon my shoulder. I rose quietly. As I did so, Annie sprang towards me with outstretched hands. 1 ? .-s-r'- = ••IL gh! dear Hugh! tell me you did not do it! I cannot—cannot believe that you areguiltv.” As I looked at her, all my spirit

darkened and h irdened against her. ••When the tme comes,” I said solemnly, “may you be as well able to answer for your deeds as 1 shall answer for mine. The trouble began with you. If murder has been jione, it is your doing also—remember that!” They were cruel wo ds, and afterwards I bitterly regretted them; bu t I was thinking of her father and remembered bow bitterly m ist be her blame, if, by any possiblit;, he had been d iven into crime am violence as a consequence of her conduct. Whether she understood me or not, I cannot tell; but, hiding her face in her hands, she sank on a couch, hysterically sobbing. . . z . What followed seemed more like an extraordinary dream than cruel waking reality! I was led from the house, placed in a cab, and driven away. That very afternoon I left Lbndon by train, and late that night w s handed over, handcuffed and h dpless, to the au horities of Falmouth Gaol. It is a truism, I the best consolation to be found by the unjustly accused is the consciousness of their own innocence—a consciousness whi, h Is 8 .1d to sweeten suffering, and lighten the weight of prison chains. My own expe ience is that innocence has no such effect on a man indicted for the foulest of hum <n crimes. My first night in gaol was, like many that followed it, a night of simple horror. Had I really been guilty, 1 could not have suffered a tithe of what I actually endured. To beg.n with, the whole affair was so horrible, so unexpected; it was like the solid earth opening under my feet to destroy me and swallow me up. By * strange killed on the very night of my de-; parture, and at a time when I was known to bear the greatest hostility towards him. Remembering all I had read of men unju t'y convicted and ! even executed on circums antial evidence. I thought with a shudder of how my very departure might be construed into evidence against me. - In the extremity of my position, one thought haunted me with tormenting cruelty. What would Madeline think, when she heard that 1 was accused of a crime so terrible, so cowardly? I could bear everything else, but the fear that her heart might be turned against me. My suspense did not last long. The very next day after my arrival at Faimauth jail, I was taken from the pr son and placed in a dog cart with a policeman by my side and another on the seat beside the driver. An inquest on the body of the murdered man was to take place that day at St. Gurlott’s, and of course my presence was necessary. |

how vividly I remember that drive! Snow had fallen in the night, and the skies were dark and sunless; the whole | prospect bitterly cold and desolate. : We followed the same road that 1 had pursued long years before in company with John Rudd. Then I was a onely boy; now I was a melancholy man. I wore a large ulster coat, the folds ■ of which covered the handcuffs on my wrist; but I fancied that every soul we passed knew the truth—that I was a criminal accused of murder. Talk about the consciousness of innocence! I could have wept for shame. What was a long day’s journey by John Rudd’s slow, old-fashioned wagon, with its innumerable stoppages for business, gossip or refreshment was a swift drive of five or six hours on this occasion. We started at six, in the morning and before mid-day were in flght of Gurloll’s. As we dashed through the village I saw several of the miners hanging about, but I carefully averted my eyes ■ from theirs. A little further on we ; passed the door of the cottage where 1 | so happily and so long, and. II saw with a sigh of relief that there was no sign of anyone about. We trotted on till we reached the gate of the avenue leading to Redruth House. Here, to my surprise, the horse was

pulled up. while one of the men jumped down and threw open the gate. We passed up the avenue at a slow trot, and on arriving in front of Redruth House found the front door wide open and a large number of people, both gentry and common folks, jing round the doorsteps the lawn, There was a murmur as I appeared. I looked round, but saw no face I knew. ••Now, then, get down,” said my companion, and lalighted. As I.did so some one pressed forward, and I met the honest eyes of John Rudd. The poor fellow thrust out his hand to sic e mine; tnen; finding that 1 was handcu led, he drew tue hand hastily back anil placed it on 11)y shi >aider, - ,■- ••Dawnt be downhearted, Master Hugh.” he cried. “The e be not a sawl in St. Gurlotl’s belie es ’ee killed ’un. So cheer up, lai; they'll soon set ’ee free.’ I thanked him. with tears standing in my eyes.- for his kindness to me. Then I was led into the house, and in a little while was facing the coroner in the great old fashioned dining hail, where the inquest was being held. I forget many of ihe details of that miserable day. Only one tning 1 vividly remember—the sight of the dead man’s body, stretched out lor inspection in the kitchen. Why I was taken to see it I do not know: but I felt that 1 was watched as 1 bent over it. Poor Johnson' I forgave him all the trouble he had ever caused me, seeing the blood-stained and disfigured mass which had once been his living self! As the inque it proceeded, I realized the full extent of my peril. Several of the men came forward (unwillingly enough. J am bound to say), and testified to my having quarrelled with Cue murdered man and knocked him down. '•Then tue young master, George Redruth, gave his. test mo iy—to the ettet 1h .d been dismissed from the oversee snip, and that I bore a violent grudge against the man who had sap-

planted me. Finally, it was proved that I had left st. Gurlott’s some time on the very night of the murder, which was not discovered until the following morning. Among the witnesses examined was my aunt, bh > looked overcomed with •grief, aud, on soeing ma, would have sprung to and embraced me hysterically had she not been withheld. Her husband it was shown, was ioo ill to attend; but at his e v.dence would have simply corroborated hers, his absence was deemed unimportant. All she had to say concerned merely my movements on the fatal night, and the Coroner elicited from her the fact that as late as n.ne in the evening I had been in the neighborhood of the mine. Vague and circumstan ial as all the evidence was.it was su.iic.ent to decide the jury against me. Dated and horified, I heard them bring in their verdict—a verdic.t of “Wilful murder aginst Hugh Trelawney," who was straightway committed lor trial at the next Assizes. CHAPTER XXII. MADELINE PROVES MY FRIEND. After the inquest was over. I was led intbZa small room fitted up as a library, still handcuffed and still attended by two policemen who had brought me over. They gave me refreshment—blscui s, which I did not touch, and a gltss of wine, which I drank off eagerly • Ever since my arrival at the house. I had been 1 >oking eagerly for some sign of Madeline Graham; but she had not appeared. While I sat apart,however, George Redruth entered the room, and after glancing at me with (I thought) a certain compassion, addressed me. . “This is a bad business,Trelawney,” he s dd. looking very pale and agitated. • I glanced at him, but made no reply. “Leltne tell you. however.” he continued. ‘that ugly as the evidence looks against you. I hope that you’ll succeed in proving your innocence at the the trial. I haven't much cause to jove you. and poor Johnson had still less; but upon my word, I believe yOu ncapable of such a crime as this.' i“ thank you, sir,” I replied, tremb'ing for I could have borne his anger or in difference better than his sympathy. ‘You at least do me that justice!’ (T be continued.)

THE FAIR SEX.

Mrs. Bennett Edwards, the authoress, has made a donation of $5,000 to Geu. Booth t • further his scheme for the regeneration of “Dark st England.” In 1866 the services of the fair sex were dispensed with in the Royal Academy of Music in England for various reasons known to the committee. But this is the woman’s cycle, and now, in the face of old traditions, Miss Kate Steel has been seeded professor of a aging in the royal and national institution. And fair woman has gained another victory to rejoice over. Frau Sophie Salvanius has written a treatise making a forcible appeal to German women to resist the tendency of woman’s education to treat girls ex« clusively as future housekeepers and mothers. The writer argues that this is an injustice, since no one thinks of educating boys simply to be future ho iseholders and lathers. She insists strongly that the modern system ofed--.ucat ng .' omen results in c amping Aomen's n iividuality and loweringt. e ideals oi i ie. Mr. Ormiston C. Lant, !n a recen' he .ire on ‘ The Women of the Day,” punted out the fact that there had been a waste of womanly examples of rare nooility and high intellv,. ,u J power for the want of some one to chronicle them, and. named as representative women worthy the highest p-iise possible to accoc 1 them Mr a . Jo-ephine Buder, Miss Florence Nightingale Mrs. Frances Willard and the late Mrs, Booth. ■

THE NEWS OF THE WEEK.

Burglars raided several houses in Louisville ob the night of the 12th. Five men were killed by a boiler exploa ion at Windsor, Mo,, on the 13th. North Dakota Legislature refuses to re* submit the prohibition amendment—now law. J. N. McCullough, Vice President of the Pennsylvania railroad system, died a Allegheny City, Pa., on the Btfe. - It is reported that a natural gas trust is being formed, and that the action of the gas company at Columbus, 0., recently in shutting off the supply on the plea that the wells were exhausted; was part of a scheme to extort higher prices from consumers. Mrs. Lilly Hampton, of Harrodsburg Ky., traced to Vincennes, and who attempted suicide rather than submit to arrest, died on the 9th. Mr. Wheeler, the companion of her flight, whom, jhe also attempted to shoot rather than be separated from him, has returned to his old home. The New York Herald reporters Friday asked the Democratic members of twenty’ seven State Legislatures how they stood as between Clevelands and Hill for 1892. The poll resulted; Cleveland. 1.515: Hili, 193 scattering, 276. The New York Leg s lature stood; Cleveland, 2; Hill, 31; doubtful, 47. The first annual convention of the United Iron Workers of America was opened in Columbus, 0., Tuesday morning, with fully three hundred delegates present, representing fifteen States of the Union, the special object of which is to make definite arrangements for the inauguration of the eight hour day on May 1,1891. A few days ago a resident of Morgan county gave a mortgage on five acres of land, for the sum of 110. The fee for recordino a mortgage is $1.25, while an attor* ney generally gets*! or $3 for drawing up tio papers in such cases. This is the smallest mortgage ever recorded on a piece of land in this county, and probably in the State.

Robert Bonner says that Maud S will be bred the coming season for the first time. She will never be driven against ber record again. Sunol will be given three trials next summer to break the world’s record of driver, that she can trot a mile in 2 :04, and a quarter of a mile in 29 seconds—a 1:56 gait. Last Thursday Miss Demmie Mennett, the daughter of a wealthy farmer living south of Findlay, 0., eloped with J. L. McClintock and went to Covington, Ky., where they were married. They returned home Sunday, but her parents refused to forgive her, and on the night of the 10th •he committed suicide by taking poison. Dispatches from the Connellsville coke region on the 9th,report the strike of coke“ workers and miners is general. All the plants have closed down, and the only employes still on duty are the pumpers and watchmen. Order prevails at all points and no trouble is apprehended, for the present at least. Over sixteen thousand men are idle. Several weeks ago a man named Williams advertised extensively through the papers of Pittsburg, Ta., for a farm. He received some thiee hundred replies, and in each case notified the seller that his particular farm in every way answered the purposes, but that it would be necessary to send car fare for the buyer or ageut to defray the expenses of a trip to inspect the property before purchasing He succeeded in getting several thousand dollars from his victims, and departed for pastures new.

FOREIGN. The state of Emperor William’s health Is exciting the most serious apprehension n the court circles in Berlin, but it is high treason to mention the subject. There is fear that the painful ear malady from which the Emperor suffers is threatening to become cancerous. Horrible reports of depredations by wolves have been received from Ssandu, Hungary. On Baron Wodierie's estate alone twenty peasantshave been devoured by the ravenous beasts. The government. authorities are organizing a party of hunt- I ers which will undertake the extermination of the wolves. | The Dominion Grange, withTepresenta* tives from all portions of Canada, met at London on the 13th. Worthy Master Clen«« 1 dening stated in his address that farming had net been a success during the year. Tae report of the agricultural committee set forth that wheat had be n raised at a disadvantage during the past few years, and farmers were commended to give stock raising and dairying their attention. The last clause of the report was as fol’ows: ‘•We are soiry to note that our American cousins have imposed such heavy duties under tbe McKinley bill on much of our produce, for the sale of whicb we have to chiefly goto their markets. Among these articles are horses, fat stock, barely, eggs, etc. We would also further say that we hope the time will come when the barriers of high tariffs shall be broken down and Uampled under foot, then there will be time for great rejoicing among farmers.” 1

THEY FIRED THE ORGAN.

▲ special dispatch from Bloomington 111., says; There is serious trouble in the little town of Heyworth, thirteen miles south. For some time the members of the Christian church have been considering the introduction of instrumental music in* to the choir service, and as a result the church has been divided into two factions, ▲ few days ago a ballot was taken, and by a small majority it was decided to buy an organ. An instrument was bought, and for the first time instrumental music wa> heard in the church. A number of the leading members bad already withdrawn, and the attendance at the services was light. Some time during Sunday night the church was broken open and the organ dragged into the street, where charred fragments of it were found Monday morning. The instrument had been stuffed full of straw, on which kerosene had been poured, and then sot on fire. Although a number of persons must have taken part in the affair, no clew to their identity has yet beea ebtalaed. ▲ largo reward has been , i

offered for the identi ficatlon of the despoil ers. 1

TRADE WITH VENEZUELA.

Reciprocity Proclamation to Be lisuod by the Preaident. A Washington special on the 12th says: It is understood that the President has ready for announcement a proclamation of reciprocity with Venezuela similar in terms to the agreemen t just reached with Brazil. This agreement has been reached by the exercise of the powers conferred by theleglslation ofthe last session of Congress and will take effect according to re* port, about the same time as the agreement with Brazil. The figures prepare* l for the State department have been under consideration for some time, and estimates have been made as carefully as thj imperfect figures procurable concerning the Venezuelan trade would permit as to the benefits to be obtained by both countries. While the commerce of Venezuela is not so large as that of Brazil, the United States have for several years enjoyed a much larger proportion of the importing business than any other nation dealing with the Venezuelans. The total exports of Venezuela in 1880 were a little more than 111,000,000, and their imports were about $9.001),000. Of this amount the Venezuelans took from us more than $2,000,000 in 1886, and in 1888 that country took from the United States products to the amount of $3,000,000. This included about $600,000 worth of bread* stuffs, principally wheat flour, aooutssoo,* 000 worth of cloths, $400,000 worth of man* ufactures of iron and steel, and more than $500,000 worth of provisions and dairy products. The latest figures procurable of our imports from Venezuela are those of 1888. In that year we imported a little more than $10,000,000 altogether, made up of about $28,000 worth of chemical and dye woods drugs and medicines; nearly $8,000,000 worth of coffee, about $200,000

worth of cocoa, $1,000,000 worth of hides and skins and SIOO,OOO worth of other articles. Theimports had increased from about $2,000,000 in 1870 to more than $6,000,C00 in 1880, and the increase from* 1880 to 1888 was about $4,000,000. While the United States sends more products to Venezuela than any other foreign nation, the import of the United Kingdom, France and Ger* many together are larger than those of the. United States, and the imports are, in extent, in the order respectively of the na* tions mentioned. The proclamation of the President would have been made a week or two ago, as i was expected the agreement of Venezuela to the propositions of the United States would be received by the last steamer The papers are on the way, however, an will arrive by the steamer due in New York on February 28, or thereabouts.

THE ILLINOIS SENATORSHIP.

At Springfield, on the morning of the 11th, the Republican steering committee presented a long list of names to the F. M. B. A. men from which to select one for joint support for the United States Senatorship. Among others, Cicero J. Lindley, president of tne F. M. B. A., and a number of prominent agricultural editors and men known to be iff sympathy with the farmer and labor movements. But FM. B. A men wore not to bo enticed from their determination to get a Senatorial candidate to their choice without assistance from either of tbe other parties. Representative Taubeneck, as spokesman of the F. M. B. A. members, said: “We have decided, gentlemen, that we cannot accept any Republican whom you present. It is useless to negotiate further.” The Republicans then decided to go into joint assembly and after twoor three votes changeoff candidates on the list presented to the F. M. B. A. When the joint assembly met the first three ballots were cast without change, but on the seventysseventh ballot the hundred Republican votes were cast for Cicero J. Lindley, president F. M. B. A., amid great excitement. The F. M. B. cast three votes for Steele and the Democrate 101 for Gen. Palmer. The Democrats were greatly elated at the lesult, and the Republicans oorrespondingry depressed.

AFRAID OF RECIPROCITY.

K " Canadian Liberals Fright»n the Conservative Element. A Montreal special on the 12th says: tVhat the Liberals call “a government raid on Canada’s manufacturers” came off in the meeting of rhe Merchants’ Associa* tion. The manufacturers are becoming very much alarmed at the unrestricted re ciprocitv policy of the Liberals, believing that if free trade between Canada and the United States is brought about the Cans adian manufacturers will be run out of business by,the competition from the other side. The meeting was held, therefore, to devise means to combat the Liberals. Tuere wore about twenty millionaires and busi ness men present. Resolutions were adopted condemning unrestricted reciprocity and approving of the government policy of reciprocity and protection to Canadian manufacturers. It is thought the manufacturers will subscribe a quarter of a million to the election fund. There are hints, too, that the Canadian Pacific and other railroad companies may be induced to contribute financially to the Tory party. With plenty of "boodle’’ the campaign will be made lively enough to auithe demands of the most exacting elec tor The "Grits” are credited with having •scooped” into their campaign net about 11,500,0 0 of American brewers and mmiu v speculators’ funds. The issue is plain y defined. The electorate should not require this stimulating agency to decide for them, but practical politicians believe in it more thhn in the eloquence of a dozen Gladstones. John Spellman, son of Edward Spellman, the wealthy Peoria distiller, was arrested in St. Paul on a charge of haying robbed the United States mails at Washington, 111. ■ *

Fortune-Telling by Short-hand.

I *“ • ’J This Interesting article was sent us recently by Prof. Moral, of St. Louis, who has been engaged to conduct our Special Class: Some reporters use Short-hand for “telling fortunes.” Make a mark never so simple >nd it will be sure to mean tomething in short-hand t This is true and has been tried hundreds of times. It la supposed yonr pencil is guided by fate, and the words written are indicative of what you will do, have or become. A school teacher once wrote “million.” A candidate for office wrote “Salt Creek,” and was sent up it soon afterwards! A lazy fellow wrote “shirk;” a student, “knowledge?” A school girl wrote “tall fellow,” and seemed satisfied! This sort of “for-tune-telling,” which may be indulged in st social gatherings, is often quite amusing. We knew a “smart Aleck” who, as soon as . Short-hand became popular, made pretense that he knew all about it. He managed to get pcs- ' • session of a letter written in characters, da'.m- . Ing that he received it from one of his shorthand correspondents. He would often astonish people who knew no better, by taking his pencil and jerking off a few crooked marks which ho would make believe meant “Kingdom of Heaven,” “Policy of the Administration,” “General George Washington,” etc. Once pretending to write the Scriptural passage, “Wisdom is justified of her children,” a reporter by chance was present. The marks produced by “Aleck,” it so happened, read as follows: “I am adunoe!” The smart young man. In this case, though he told a lie, had at least written the truth! Our Special Class.—We wish to add a few words to what Prof. Moran has written. The young folks who join our class will find there are many interesting "points” about Short-hand. It is a fascinating study, and so “handy” when learned, that of all the many short-hand writers we have met, riot one expressed the slightest regret on account of the time and expense required In mastering it. We are glad to say our Special Class promises to be a success In every way. When the course is completed, our students can not only “tell fortunes,” but also make them, by means of Short-hand. luese letsous will begin in this paper the first issue in March.

OUR SHORT-HAND COURSE.

2“ ' 7. : S .... -- It Is Well Spoken Of. Here are a few testimonials. Kames of writers will be given if requested. I cannot recommend it too highly. I find these lesson* entirely do away with the difficulty and discouragement which one encounters In trying to learn without a teacher. . I can now write very rapidly, and what 18 equally Important, read what is written. 1 learned entirely by mail, and at a trifling ex» pense. Prof. Moran’s plan of Instruction is •imply unparalleled—nothing could be better. The most effectual method extant of gaining a practical knowledge of Short-hand. The study grows more fascinating to me everyday. lam surprised that so much real help can be given for only two dollars. I am now learning Short-hand successfully at ■pare moments that would otherwise be wasted. My Interest in the work Increases constantly. Prof. Moran’s method is logical, concise and thorough. I learn as well by mall as in a class. I have tried both plans. I have become well acquainted with severs! of my classmates, although I have never seen them. Corresponding in Short-hand is a splendid idea. A practical course for only 12,00. Remit direct to tbe Editor. These .essous will begin in this paper the first issue in March.

SHORT-HAND AS A BUSINESS.

______________ X It pays to know Short-hand. Why? Because every office and business house of any Importance requires a stenographer. This is a letterwriting ago. The amount of postage bought proves this. The sale of stamps each day at the St. Louis postoffice amounts to over seven thousand dollars. Business men dictate their tetterrtowslrart-taandwriter, and copied on a type-writer before mailing. There are over two thousand stenographers employed in Chicago alone, and the demand is increasing. Any boy or girl of fifteen, who has some education, and good habits, can spell well, and write a plain hand, can easily find employment and make short-hand pay. Muy parents make the serious mistake of supposing that Shorthand cannot be successfully acquired by children. We know of girls only fourteen getting i-30 a month.. Prof. Moran of St. Louis, whom we have engaged to conduct onr Special Class, writes us that he is now teaching a boy, Jo Hoffman, who is only ten years old, but can already write eighty words a minute. Now that a course can be had for only two dollars, we certainly think that parents would do well to give their young sons and daughters a chance. The educational value of this study can scaroely be over-estimated. These lessons will begin in this paper the first issue in March.

THE SHORT-HAHD CLASS.

The plates which will be used tn prodnefng our forthcoming series of Short-hand lessons, were all engraved by hand, and are models of neatness and accuracy. Short-hand is not only a beautiful art, but Is at the same time a paying business. We feel justified in giving considerable space to this new subject, which tn the past few years has grown to be so Important. Our Special Class, each member of which will receive individual criticisms by mall from the author. Prof. Moran, oYers an extraordinary opportunity for getting a course of lessons for only 52.00, which would cost, ordinarily, not less than 120. rhe membership of this class will M limited. Bend your name at once if you wish to join. Remit by postal note, registered letter, or in any safe way. xuuoe .etsous will beg ■ in this paper he first issue in March.

Decorated Germans.

One of the first things that strikes i stranger in Berlin is the multitude ol orders seen everywhere. There is scarcely a public assemblage, and certainly not an official one, at which individuals may not be encountered whose breasts are fairly dazzling with the richness and variety of their decorations. Of course such a display adds to the picturesque quality of these gatherings, and nobody begrudges the heroes the pleasure they take in displaying the rewards of their br very. But there seems to be almost a super.abundance of orders, and the hand ol royally has been so lavish lately in their bestowal that they are very generally beginning to lose that attf iction of rarity that formerly made them m greatly desired.