Rensselaer Semi-Weekly Republican, Volume 35, Number 30, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 16 December 1902 — Page 2

The Iron-Worker’s Daughter

4 CHAPTER XIII. , Irene Atherton stood before the winVtow, looking out into the street in an Absent-minded manner. She was thinking of something of the first importance. | Her father's manner had changed so piuch in the last week that she had bejcome concerned for him. He was quiet, Irritable, moody, fitful. • He was observing her covertly. He was keeping somefching from her; they had never had a [secret come between them before. He had never mentioned Mr. Mayberry's name, or referred to him. But tie had said it was possible he had found la capitalist—"or, rather, the capitalist lhaa found me,” he said ironically, ( And when Irene inquired who the capitalist was, her father had answered abjruptly—“Gripp.” It was on the point of Irene's tongue jlo ask him what the paper contained that Sras passed between her rather and Maymerry, and taken back again, but she restrained herself. Some time she would her father into a confession. She Ornew he could not refuse, or. rather, that me would not withhold anything from her Wee she really importuned him. ' One thing she was resolved upon. It fwas her duty to discover what caused Ithe serious change in her father's conduct, and she was resolTed she would get w the truth. j A rap at the door startled her. When jshe hastily opened it, Mr. Gripp faced [ “Oh! Miss Atherton, I am compelled to Intrude on you a few moments —a matter [of business. J was at the mill, and at tyour father's instance called. He requested me to tell you to give me some •drawings you will find on the upper tahelf." ! “I will see." she said simply. ; She left him, and when alone resolved ko send him away as empty handed as pe came. ' “Why does my father send this man Se for his drawings? Or has he sent Anyhow, it may not be; easy finding . At least I will not try.” ten she re-entered the room where E> awaited her, she said, without a lance Of regret or explanation: f, Gripp, my father will have to give gou the drawings himself.” -. L“lt is of no moment—he will doubtless nd them in good time, Miss Atherton.” Then he spoke of the weather, of the fine opportunity presented for outdoor enjoyments and evening entertainments. “Would she like to witness the famous Actor then in the city? He had some •eats at his disposal, two of which he bad retained for Mr. Atherton and his daughter.” y Irene’s response chilled him. “Thanks. Mr. Gripp. I rarely attend the theater, but I will inform my father of your offer.” Mr. Gripp talked of the workmen at the mill —how they earned, hardly, all they received. Then the delights, the pleasure—of a life of ease were envied: but they were not for Mr. Gripp. Alas! no.' His lot was, plainly, to toil for some one else. He confessed, too, he loved an active life, but he could—O, yes, he could —appreciate the softening influences of • refining fireside. And then, not till then, Irene realized suddenly she was the object of Mr. Gripp’s spontaneous adoration. The realization made her sick at heart. Her aversion for Mr. Gripp was, if possible, increased. When he withdrew, bowing politely, and smiling in his most gracious manner, Irene sank suddenly into a seat. Was it possible her father knew this man was desirous of ingratiating himself into her good will? What horrible influence, what evil influence, was this that Mr. Gripp exercised over her father. She resolved to dismiss the subject from her mind. She would go out —anywhere. She would visit a neighbor—walk on the streets. No! she would read a favorite Author. She took down a book, and in doing so displaced a volume her father called to his aid frequently, a book of reference. The book fell upon the floor, and two papers fluttered out of it. Irene stooped and picked up book and papers. She was in the act of replacing the last when her eye fell on a single line: “First room, second floor, Xo. street.” Then she read the note. It was very brief. It was written to Mr. Daniel Atherton, informing him, seemingly by previous understanding, where and when the writer would meet him. I aay seemingly, because this note was strangely worded. It read thus: “Mr. Daniel Atherton: “Dear Sir—ln regard to matter discussed. would say you had best call at the house named. First room, second floor, Xo. street. Do not delay. Unless you are there this evening between six and seven, and everything fully understood, you will regret It. “JACKSOX GRIPr.” “There is a threat in this!” Irene exclaimed, mentally. “I see it now. This man has some secret power over my poor father.” She flung herself passionately upon s diair. The tears sprang to her eye*. She cried with bitter mortification. So this was the end of all her father's Inventions. After all his planning, his nights And days of reading: after all his hoping, his disappointments—this was the ;nd of it * Somebody sise had an invention. Or her father had unwittingly appropriated inventions others had patented in his process. There must be something serious to bring him a note like that. She read and reread it, and ns she reread it she hated Gripp with an intensity that frightened her. She said to herself. As she placed the note in the envelope it had slipped out off: “How wicked I am. I feel as if Ido ■ot want to live in the same city, ia the same world, with Mr. Gripp!” Then ahe debated with herself what she Would do. Would she place the note where it bad been, or elsewhere? Her woman'* wit cam* to her aid here. She pat the note on the shelf between two books, in such a manner as to lead her father to think it had dropped there. If It was missed, and inquiry made, a brief search would reveal it. If her father did •ot deem it of much Importance, he ,W0«ld ** to it.

BY HOWARD FORRESTER .

In the meantime, she would observe closely the relations existing between her father and this Mr. Gripp. As Irene Atherton pondered thus, a faint rap at the door attracted her attention. She opened it. “Does Mr. Atherton—Mr..Daniel Atherton—live here?” Irene looked down upon the small boy who was eyeing her auspiciously. “Yes. This is the place.” —— “Is he in?” “No. He will be home before long, though: la it anything particular?” “Well, I was to be sure and leave: thia for him. I guesa it’s all right.” He handed her a note somewhat reluctantly. “Yes. I will see my father gets It" The small away, turned, glanced back to observe if his movements were noted, then disappeared around a corner. “Another note. I wonder if it ia a mysterious note, like the one I read,” said Irene, thoughtfully, as ahe glanced at the superscription. “Mr. Daniel Atherton, personal.” She laid the note on the mantel where her father could not fail to see it when he returned, then prepared to go out, as she bethought herself of an errand she had forgotten. When khe was bonneted, ready for the street, she locked the door, and, placing the key in a place where her father would easily find it, left the house.

CHAPTER XIV. Irene availed herself of a street car, in which two men were talking loudly, and evidently for the purpose of impressing upon the listeners a sense of their importance. They were discussing the murder. One was a large, red-faced man, with bead-like eyes and a bulbous nose. He wore flashy clothes, and fumbled a large watch seal. His breath smelled of onions —the passengers next him turned aside. His comrade was a small, dark man, with a hooked nose, curling lips that seemed to be sneering at his nose, and to add to a sinister countenance he had a east in one eye. The first word the large man said arrested Irene’s attention.

"I wish I was as sure of a thousand dollars as we are of catching him.” “The chief says he can put his hand right on him.” “Yes, I know—he’s preparing a little surprise for him, that’s all.” “I was the third person there. 1 said' at once—any professional could see it at a glance—that there wasn’t any suicide.” The big man looked up and down the car. His gross look, his intense vulgarity. everything about him excited the profound aversion of Irene. The men sat opposite her. They prolonged the conversation evidently for her benefit. "A pretty hard place, Number .” Irene started. Where had she seen or rend of Number - street?” There was a brief silence, then the lesser of the two suddenly said: “I understand there are two or three people seen the murderer. ’Twon’t be hard to 'ldentify him? 1 “Xo! And it won’t be hard to hang him. The next man caught will stand a poor show. They've been too easy; now they’ve got to makc,an example.” Now, for the first time, “Number street” caused Irene to feel faint —sick at heart. That was the pfflfcc where a horrible murder or suicide was . committed. It was the place her father was requested to visit. Could it be possible his name could be connected in any way with the horrible occurrence? Irene could not remain in the car a moment longer. While the policemen were airing their office and pretensions, she quietly got off the car. Once mofe on the street, she scarcely knew which way to turn. The thoughts suggested by the remarks she had heard distressed her much more than she had thought any similar incident would affect her. She walked at random for a few minutes, to give herself time to collect her thoughts. As she was hastening rapidly on, looking neither to the right nor left, she encountered Mr. Mayberry. Mayberry attracted her attention by removing his hat. They met face to face. He had crossed the street, and was turning in the same direction, when he paused, hat in hand, and seemed to hesitate to walk on or turn in another direction. Irene felt the color flaming in her cheeks. A minute before she was very pale. Mayberry noted the change. “Miss Atherton!” “Mr. Mayberry!” 4 Bhe did not know whether to say more, or permit him to pass ahead of her, as he evidently resolved to do. He was quickening his steps when a low voice arrested him. “Mr. Mayberry, I have something to say to you.” He walked beside her respectfully. More than one passer-by looked admiringly at the handsome young couple; the man with the beariug of a spirited young man, iu high health, with a face inviting confidence; the woman with eyes like stars, and rosy cheeks, all too rare. “I will not detaip you a moment." “I am not in a hurry at all. Anything I can do—any way I may be able to serve you—command me.” “Will you tell me what waa in the paper yon gave my father, Mr. Mayberry?” He waa nonplused. The question wos so unexpected, he was not able to reply instantly. Then he Baid to himself that would never do. "It was a partial agreement your father and I arrived at. Miss Athertou.” “Of what nature?” She was very—very direct. How could he avoid telling her? He would- fib. But when he met her eyes, his resolve melted. She seemed to be looking through him. “If 1 speak at all, I’ll tell yon the troth. I’d rather not—indeed, you ought not to expect me to talk to you of the affair at all.” She paid no attention to the last portion of this spoech. Again came her question, sharp, ftect, almost imperative: “What WA« the agreement? Of couras yon would act tell me anything but the truth, Mr. Mayberry. Who made the agreement first?—who suggested it? What was it about? My lather the find offer, didn't her*

rrhla ia unfair, Mips Atherton.” “Then something happened—yon did not, coaid not, satisfy him—he waa unreasonable, and ao you voluntarily gave him back a paper that you thought—think now—la worth money, maybe a great deal of money to you.” * 4 My dear Miss Atherton,” exclaimed Mayberry, pausing suddenly on the Btreet, ing of the sort. That is, you have misconceived the matter altogether. You do your father—you do me—injustice.” “I am rejoiced to learn it.” “Upon my soul, you have.” “Then you will please explain, ao I can understand it” And so it happened that the demure little puss accomplished her object before' Mayberry suspected her tactics. She had purposely blundered, trusting to him to set her right He began at the beginning, and related the facta. IJe omitted all reference to Mr. Gripp. He fvas too manly to characterize Mr. Gripp’s conduct in that gentleman’s absence. That was a matter he hoped he would be able to do full justice to, with Mr. Gripp before him. “Now I know you have been candid with me,” said Irene slowly. She was blushing for her father—for herself. She somehow connected Mr. Gripp’s sudden friendship for her father and herself with thia business transaction. The patent process lny at the bottom. Irene’s face was now as pale as it was before she recognized him. He noticed the sudden change, and was concerned. “I am very—very much obliged to you, Mr. Mayberry. I wanted to know the truth. I hope you will excuse my curiosity. If you knew all, you would do so.”

“I do, I assure you I do. I think—pardon me, I am quite sure —I appreciate your feelings. But I have said so much, I must say more. You are—you have been—laboring under a false impression. I have lost nothing. How could 1? I have lost neither time nor money.” "You are quite sure you have not lost in any manner?” Again her eyes seemed to search his very soul. “I did make an appointment which I failed to keep." “I understand. You unfolded your plans, excited somebody’s hopes, and i.ow that person will regard you aa a visionary, a trifler, or worse maybe.” “No, no! You are wrong again.” “Then please set me right.” He was silent. What could he say, unless he told her the truth? This young lady was terribly direct —very earnest in her manner. “Well, you do not explain.” “I will. There is no other way to correct a false impression. I called upon a friend, a gentleman who will listen to my explanation, and whose relations with me will not be affected in the least.” “Who is this gentleman?” “Mr. Mead. I explained what your father claimed, and I was to have seen him and satisfied him concerning the details.” “Which you have not done.” He did not answer. He could not without reflecting upon her father. “I am very grateful to you, Mr. Mayberry, for your kindness and candor.” She stopped. He stopped also; he was sorry that the time had come when they must separate. He was beginning to think he ought to direct the conversation; he was preparing a speech suitable for the occasion, and timely, when, with a courtesy and q smite that he carried with him in memory the remainder of the day, she turned and left him as suddenly and unexpectedly as they had encountered each other.

CHAPTER XV. Mr. Mead was in his private office when a visitor was announced. He was seated in front of a handsome writing desk, made of native varied woods, whose beauty was preserved and heightened with oil and polish, and was in the act of opening a letter when his visitor entered. “Ah! I see you are prompt, Mr. Gripp.” “Punctuality is the soul you know the rest, Mr. Mead. I have brought papers with me which will enable you to understand at a glance what I have to offer you.” Mr. Mead waved his hand, and continued opening his letters, as he said: “By and by—when we are ready for that, Let us understand what-is proposed first.” “Eighty per cent of labor is saved, to begin with, and more than that much in time is saved by the process I spoke of, and the result is an iron equaling, if not superior to, the article you are now selling.” “You seem confident. For a sure-foot-ed man, Mr. Gripp, you are almost enthusiastic.” “If I am, I have an excuse—or, rather, the facts warrant the positive statements I have made. I come to offer you such inducements as will justify you in assuming the direction of a new mill for the feew process.” As Mr. Gripp carefully removed the wrapper from a thick roll, a clerk stood in the doorway. “A lady, Mr. Mead, wishes to see you.” “I will see her soon.” Mr. Gripp had almost, removed the wrapping paper. He now turned to Mr. Mead again. “These drawings are so clear, the explanations so simple, that a single glance must suffice to demonstrate to a man lfke you the extraordinary value of the process.” Mr. Mead rose, bent over the roll ns Mr. Gripp laid the paper aside, and both looked at the drawings as they were unrolled, expectantly. Suddeuly Mr. Grlpp's nose and lips curled; the sneer in his face was intensified as he crushed the drawings ruthles# ly in a mass, and twisted the paper over them. ' “Confound it—l beg your pardon. An absurd—a ridiculous—mistake. These, ns you perceived, are flowers, vases, what not—everything but the right thing.” “So I see." “I see now how the mistake was iuade.”‘ Again the clerk entered. “A gentleman to see you, who caunol wait, Mr. Mead.” “Show him in.” The door opened, and a quiet personage entered. He looked like a man who would submit to anything for peace. “Well, Mr. " The visitor interrupted him hastily. “I have called to speak to you concerning a workman—a puddler—a man named Atherton.” “He never worked for me, air.” “I us aware of that, Mr. Mead, bat 1

am Informing myself concerning Ms reff> utation—his antecedents.” “Why, now, there waa nothing at all in Atherton’s record that prevented u* from giving him work. It waa another matter—well, to be frank with yon, so far aa that affair is any gnide, I think Atherton acted as I would have done—as I or you might do to-morrow.” The visitor—-he .was a detective—looked disappointed. “Whoever sent you to me don’t understand the matter at all. Atherton has the reputation of a good workman, but he is a fellow with crotchets—is Impulsive, high-strung—but not a man for yon to lose time looking after-.” “I am glad to hear you say so, Mr. Mead. I have a train to make, and must ask you to excuse me for coming in oq you.” “Oh, that’s all right.” (To be continued.) -

Gifu Fishing in Japan.

“At Gifu we were entertained with one of the most curious sights I have ever wltnesdM,” said a St. Louis traveler In the Globe-Democrat. “Thia was the famous Gifu fishing, of which all travelers in Japan love to relate. We went with the natives In open boats, near midnight, in a mountain stream. At the prow waa a wire basket filled with flaming wood. One of the fishermen was near this. He held In his hands strings, to which were tied live birds, a species of duck. “The glare of the torch attracted the fish to the surface of the water. When one of the birds sighted a fish it would dive after it and usually succeeded In capturing and swallowing it. When a duck had swallowed several fish and its neck appeared fat with them the fishermen pulled it Into the boat. Then one of the men would destrously squeeze the duck’s neck so that It would vomit the fish, still alive, into a large basket. “The fish captured are a species of trout and are Considered a great delicacy. The Japs eat their fish boiled in a kind of soup, and half raw. We encountered this dish, also numerous other Japanese dishes, which we found far from savory. Americans, as a rule, do not take kindly to the native dishea of Japan. Nearly everywhere, however, it la possible to get what one Wants. In going Into a Japanese restaurant It Is customary to stop in the kitchen and select the viands one desires to have cooked for his meal.”

Perfumes and Health.

Pure violet essence is said to be especially suitable to nervous people, but It must be obtained from the flowers themselves, not from the chemical imitations. Chemically derived perfumes are Irritant, poisonous even, to persons of especially sensitive constitution. True flower scents are obtained In three ways—first by spreading fresh blossoms upon glass thickly smeared vflth pure grease, letting them stand in the sun, and as they wilt replacing them until the grease is as. fragrant as the flowers; second, by repeatedly infusing fresh petals in oil; and third, by infusing them in ether, which is then distilled to a dry solid, reports the Pictorial Magazine. As this solid sells for about S3OO an ounce, it is easy to understand why the ether process, though far away the best, Is not commonly used. But the scented grease and the essences made by steeping It in pure spirit are never cheap. After all the scent possible has been extracted from the grease it Is still fragrant enough to make the very finest perfumed soap. All the citrine scents, bergamot, nerol, orange flower water, are refreshing and in a degree stimulating If properly prepared. To make a lasting perfume some animal base la essential —musk, civet or ambergris.

Resources of Alaska.

More discovery of the riches ot Alaska has been accomplished this season than ever before. The latest discovery is large deposits of tin. It Is beginning to look as If this far-away and inhospitable region Is to prove an El Dorado. Many railroads are being projected through Its wilds in order to get at its immense wealth, says the Wlnloek Pilot. With Its furs, fish, timber, gold and other valuable minerals this region that was once thought to be next to valueless is coming to the front with great rapidity. Its resources are sure to add grhatly to the wealth of the -nation. Uncle Sam made a lucky venture when he bought the land of snow and Ice.

Poor Example!

“My hoy," says the successful man, “If you get along at all you must learn to stick to things. Everlastingly sticking to It wins In the end.” “Oh, I don’t know,” retorts the youth. “Look at the postage stamp. It sticks all right, but all it gets out of it is’ a smack across the face and a place In the waste basket.”—Baltimore American.

Without Benefit of Clergy.

He died In town this summer. During bis last lllnees his wife nursed him over the telephone from Newport; his doctor treated him by telegraph from Bar Harbor, and a letter, written from the top of the Alps by his clergyman, was read over him at the funeral. —Life.

Punishment for Papa.

“For heaven’s sake, stop, Elsie! How many times are you going to play that •Malden’s Prayer* to-day?” “Ma told me I must play It ten times because I haven’t practiced and ten times more because yon got home late from the club!”—Fllegende Blaetter.

Only Three Stops.

Farmer Stackpole—How many stops has that ’ere organ ye bought for your daughter got 7 Farmer Hawbuck (grimly)—Threebreakfast, dinner and supper.—Puck. Every year the fanners expect thirty bushels of wheat per acre, and get

TRUSTS AND TARIFF.

lilMiileat Roosevelt Sava Curb the Oae And Let the Other Alone. “Curb the evils of the trusts and let the tariff alone for the present,” is a fair summary of the President’s recommendations to Congress upon those subjects. “The question of the regulation of the trustiT’ Tie observes, “stands apart from the question of tariff revision.” The President docs not believe that the tariff should be the same yesterday, to-day, and forever. “Stability of economic poliey,”he remarks, “must always be the prime economic, need. This stability should not be fossilization.”- 1 The principle of protection is approved by the country. That principle needs to be reapplied at times to meet shifting business needs. But changes should be made with caution, without partisaushlp, and with au eye single to business Interests. “There must never be any change,” the President concludes, “which will jeopardize the standard of comfort of the American wage-worker.” The evils of trusts cannot be curbed by tinkering with the tariff. “The only relation of the tariff to big corporations,” as the President rightly says,“is that the tariff makes manufactures profitable. The tariff remedy would be simply to make manufactures unprofitable. To remove the tariff as a punitive measure against trusts would inevitably ruin the weaker competitors struggling against them.” To take the tariff off trust-made would, in fact, not weaken but strengthen the trusts, by destroying the Independent producers which the tariff enables to live.

Hence It is necessary to seek for remedies for trust evils elsewhere than in tariff changes. In laws that will compel publicity in corporation management the President sees the first and readiest means of abating trust evils. These evils he classes in general teyms as “monopolies, unjust discriminations, fraudulent overcapitalization.” Publicity would certainly fetop overcapitalization. It would greatly check discrimination. It would tend to prevent monopoly by preventing the practices by which monopoly is built up and maintained. The President believes that Congress has power, without a constitutional amendment, at least to euforce publicity upon all corporations doing an Interstate business. Nor would the enforcement of publicity Injure any one who ought not to be Injured. “Publicity,” as the President says, “can do no barm to the honest corporation. We need not be overtender about sparing the dishonest corporation.” “We can do nothing of good,” says the President, in defining liis attitude toward trusts, “in the way of regulating these corporations until we fix clearly in our minds that we are not attacking the corporations, but endeavoring to do away With ahy evil in them. We are not hostile to them. We are merely determined that they shall be so hatfdled as to subserve the public good. We draw the line against misconduct, not against wealth.” Such is the firm, resolute, progressive, and yet conservative spirit in which Theodore Roosevelt approaches jhe problem of the trusts. Such is the spirit in which he advises Congress to act. Such is the spirit iu which the Republican majority in Congress must act if the party is to deserve and preserve the confidence of the American people. For the spirit of Theodore ©oosevelt is the spirit of the American people.—Chicago Inter Ocean.

Early Steam Mill.

In “Anecdotes” published In London In 1822, is the following reference to an early use of steam for power: “In 1785 a flour company was originated In London, to grind com by force of steam instead of wind or water; and In consequence an Immense building, called the Albion Mills, was erected at the southeast corner of Blackfriars Bridge, of capacity sufficient to supply the greater part of London. The circumstance excited the jealousy of millers and others, aud, after the proprietors had received 1 numerous threatening letters, the establishment wai set on fire by some means in March, 1791, and burned to the ground, presenting the most rapid destruction by fire which had been seen. The loss to the proprietors aud the persevering Jealousy of persons concerned in the flour trade, led to the dissolution of the company, and the site of the mills was converted into dwellings, since called Albion Place.

Ancient Metallurgy.

A recently published report of a French savant shows that the Chaldeans and Babylonians were possessed of considerable metallurgical skill. A Babylonian statuette was found to consist of copper alloy containing 79.5 per cent of Copper, 1.25 per cent of tin and 0.8 per cent of iron. A statuette from Chaldea, estimated to be 2,200 yean old, was composed of nearly pure copper containing only a slight proportion of Iron, whereas another Chaldean statuette, some 400 years older, consist* ed mainly of an alloy of four parts of copper with one part of lead aud a trace of sulphur.

Easily Pleased.

The man In search of a coachman looked coldly at the voluble and eager young Frenchman before him, and ■hook his head. “I don’t wish another valet,” lie said. "I have one already; there would be nothing for you to da” “But, moqaieur," pleaded the young man. with outstretched hands, “If you could conceive how little it takes to occupy me!”

COMMERCIAL AND FINANCIAL

T Z T~| Weather-conditions bava H6V lori provided the only impor‘T-— 1 ~ i tant developments of the last week in the business world. Excessive rains in some sections, notably the Southwest, facilitated distribution of heavy footwear, overshoes and kindred lines, while seasonably lbw temperature at other points increased the movement of winter wearing apparel. These influences, together with a large Thanksgiving trade in food products, stimulated retail dealings very materially. Jobbing and wholesale trade is fully maintained, and manufacturing plants have orders far ahead, but In many cases the coke shortage retards operations. The loregoing is from the Weekly Trade Review of R. G. Dun & Co. It continues: Railway officials are making every effort to relieve the freight congestion, especially in the vicinity of Pittsburg, hut thus far there is little evidence of improvement. Gross earnings are fully maintained, for November thus far (exceeding last year’s by 6.3 per cent and those of 1900 by 16.4, while it Is expected that higher freight rates will offset the advances in wages, sustaining net earnings. Inquiries for pig iron become more nrgent as the scarcity grows more acute. Furnaces are added to the idle list when there is full occupation for every plant in the country, but the fuel shortage is not perceptibly improved. Coke commands high premiums, according to the needs of consumers, and iron is similarly held at an abnormal position by the insufficient supply. Even foreign pig Iron has not arrived at specified dates, while new orders have been placed abroad covering distant deliveries. It is clear that domestic needs will continue to exceed available supplies for many months to come. The pressure is less severe in the various finished lines, aside from structural steel and railway equipment. Many projected additions to mileage, improvements in terminals and increases in rolling stock insure activity at the shops for months to come. Machinery houses, boiler works and makers of heavy hardware are all far behind with orders, and practically every section of the iron and steel industry is entirely in control of sellers, prospective purchasers having to make all the concessions. Minor metals, on the other band, are generally weaker, tin being especially depressed. Silver bullion has fallen to much the lowest price on record, the intrinsic value of a silver dollar now being about 30 cents. Bradstreet’s Grain Figures. Bradstreet’s weekly report says: Corn exports aggregate 255,174 bushels, against 243,381 last week, 630,968 last year and 4,801,000 in 1000. For the fiscal year exports are 2,707,337 bushels, against 19,153,817 last season'and 74,G 81.561 in 1900.

TT; The week brought no LDIGdQO. changes of great impor- — tance in the general business outlook. The most favorable feature was the turn in the weather, which, coming just before the holiday season, seemed doubly seasonable. Merchants who had been complaining of dullness in lines of early winter merchandise, found trade somewhat improved. Holiday buying has begun, and the jobbers report orders containing a very satisfactory proportion of Christmas goods. The Northwest is doing a good business in all lines. The week brought the first authentic reports of damage to winter wheat by the Hessian fly, which had moderately stimulating effect upon prices, serving to hold the market steady. The local elevator companies have been able to take in wheat of late with the result that conditions here are slowly working back to normal. With an increase of 1,306,321 bushels this past week, Minneapolis houses are now carrying 7,064.905 bushels of wheat, of which 3,145,524 bushels is No. 1 northern. While this is very light for Minneapolis stocks at this date, it is a gratifying showing compared with that of n short time ago when there was scarcely a two weeks’ milling snpply 'f wheat in store.

THE MARKETS

Chicago—Cattle, common to prime, $4.40 to $0.50; hogs, shipping grades. $4.25 to $0.70; sheep, fair to choice, $2.00 to $3.75; wheat, No. 2 red, 72c to 73c; corn, No. 2,52 cto 54c; oats, No. 2,27 c to 20c; rye. No. 2,47 cto 48c; hay, timothy, $8.50 to $13.50; prairie, SO.OO to $12.50; butter, choice creamery, 24c to 28c; eggs, fresh, 20c to 21c; potatoes, 40c to 40c per bushel. Indianapolis—Cattle, shipping, $3.00 to $6.00; hogs, choice light, $4.00 to $6.15; sheep, common to prime, $2.50 to $3.50; wheat, No. 2,71 cto 72c; com, No. 2 white, 42c to 43c; oats, No. 2 white, 32c to 38c. 8t Louis—Cattle, $4.50 to $5.00; hogs, $3.60 to $0.25; sheep, $2.50 to $3.80; wheat, No. 2,07 cto 68c; com, No. 2, 42c to 44c; oats. No. 2,30 cto 31c; rye. No. 2,47 cto 48c. Cincinnati —Cattle, $4.50 to $5.50; hogs, $4-00 to $0.35; sheep, $2.00 to s£2s; wheat. No. 2,70 cto 77c; com, No. 2 mixed, 50c to 57c; oats, No. 2 mixed, 33c to 34c; rye, No. 2,52 cto 63c. Detroit —Cattle, $3.50 to $6.25; hogs, $3.00 U $5.00; sheep, $2.50 to $3.50; wheat, No. 2,78 cto 79c; com. No. 8 yellow, 50c to 51c; oats, No. 3 white, 83c to 84c; rye, No. 2,51 cto 62c. Milwaukee —Wheat, No. 2 northern, 78c to 74c; corn, No. 3,52 cto 53c; oats. No. 2 white, 82c to 33c; rye, No. 1,50 e to 62c; barley, No. 2,04 cto 65c; pork, mess, $15.10. Toledo—Wheat, No. 2 mixed, 70c to 77c; corn. No. 2 mixed, 42c to 43c; oats. No. 2 mixed, 31c to 32c; clover seed, prime, $6.80. Buffalo —Cattle, choice shipping steers, $4.50 to $6.50; bogs, fair to prime. $4.00 to $0.60; sheep, fair to choice. $8.25 to $3.75; lambs, common to choice, $4.00 to $5.40. New York —Cattle, $4.00 to $0.40; hogs, $3.00 to $6.10; sheep, $3.00 to $8.75; wheat. No. 2 red, 76c to 77c; corn. No. 2,63 cto 64c; oats. No. 2 white, 86c to 37c; batter, cfeamery, 25c to 28c; eggs, western, 24c to 27c.