Saturday Evening Mail, Volume 2, Number 40, Terre Haute, Vigo County, 30 March 1872 — Page 6

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A VOICE FROM THE SCHOOL.

BT THIKD OEADK.

"With Spirit weary and warn, With aching, throbbing i.ead, & A teacher sat at closeof nchool,

And these are the words »he said:

"Oh! to be a slave In the land of the barb'rons Turk, Where woman ban never a soul to save,

If this is christian work!

"Teach, teach, teach, Teach against guile ano sin. No backward glance on a happier past,

No sigh for what 'might have been.'

•'Teach, teach, teach. From raoru to quiet even— Time, and thought, and brain, and soul.

For a pittance grudgingly given!

"No rest in a life of weary toll! No hope! hu*h! a ch- ery voice rings clear •Faithfully work hopefully work

You are moulding the 'Country's future here.!'"

The pale brow flashed, the thin Up curled— 'Two* less a smile than sneer— "What! mould the future, give faithful toll,

For four hundreo dollars a year?"

[From the Atlantic Monthly.]

HowSantaClausCame

V1

to Simpson's Bar.

A NEW CALIFORNIA STORY IN THE OLI) VEIN.

BY BIIKT HARTE.

been raining in the valley of

Sacramento. The North Fork had overflowed its banks, and Rattlesnake reek was impassable. Tbo few bowlders that bad marked the summer lord at Simpson's crossing were obliterated by a vast sheet of water stretching to the foot-hills.

The up stage was stop­

ped ut Granger's tbo last mail had been abandoned in the tules, the rider swimming for his lite. "An area," remarked theSierra Avalanche, withpensive local pride, ''as large us the State of Massachusetts is now under water."

Nor was the weather any better in the foot-hills. The mud lay deep on the mountain road wagons that neither physical force nor moral objurgation could movo from the evil ways into which they had fallon, encumbered the track, and the way to Simpson's Bar was indicated by broken-down teams and hard swearing. And larther on, cut oir and inaccessible rained upon and bedraggled, smitten by bigh winds and threatened by high water, Simpson's bar on the eve ol Christmas day, HS62, clung like a swallow's nest to the rocky entablature and splintered capitals ol table mountain, and shook in the blast.

As nikshtshut down on tho settlement few lights gleamed through the mist from the windows of cabins on either aide of the highway, now crossed and gullied by lawless streams and swept by marauding winds. Happily, most or tho population weru gathered at Thompson's store clustered around a red-liot stove, at which they silently spat in some accepted sense of social communion that perhaps rendered conversation unnecessary. Indeed, most methods of diversion had long smew been exhausted on Simpson's Bar high water had suspended the regular occupations on gulcn and a consequent lack of-inoney ami wliinky had taken the test front most illegitimate recreation. Even Mr. II mi.ni was fain to leavo the Hirwith llity dollars in his jxu'kei—the only amount actually realized ol tbe large sums won by him in the successful exercise of his arduous profession. "El" 1 was asked," ho remarked somewhat later—"ev I was asked to p'int out a purly little village where a retired sport as didn't care for money could exercise iiimselt, frequent and lively, I'd

say

silence

Simpson's liar but

for a young man with a i.ir^e family depending on his exertions,it don't pay." As Mr. llarnlifi's family consisted mainly of teinale adults, this remark is quoted rather to show tho breadth ot his huuior than tbo exact extent of his responsibilities.

Howbeit, the unconscious objects of this satire sat that evening in the lis lens apathy liegotten of idleness and lack of excitement, liven the sudden splashing ol hoofa beiore the door did not arouse them. Dick i)ullu alone paused in the act of scraping out his pipe, and lifted his head, but no other one of tho group indicated any interest in, or recognition of, tbe man who entered.

It was a figure familiar enough to tbe company, and known in Simpson's Har as "The Old Man." A man of perhaps llfty ve.*rs grizzled and scant of hair but still fresh and yotiMilul ol complexion. A face full of ready but not very powerful sympathy, with a chameleonlike aptitude for taking oil the shade and color of contiguous moods and feelings. lie had evlue tly Just left souie hilarious companions, and did not at first notice the gravity of the group, but clapped the shoulder of the uearost man |ocularly,and threw himself into a vaoant chair. ••Jest heard the best thing out, boys I Ye know Smlloy, over yar—Jim Siulley—funniest man ou the Birt Well, Jim was jest telling the richest yarn about "Smiley's a fool," Interrupted a gloom vole®. "A particular skunk," add.d another, ia sepulchral accents.

A

followed the positive state­

ments. The old man glanced quickly around the group. Then his

face

invited the whole Bar to bis bouse to expose her infidelity. On arriving the partyi found tbe sny, petite creature

Ses,

ls

Ti» teach, teach, teach, Through th* hour* of Hunay light TU think, think, think.

Par into tiw quiet night

uietly engaged In her household duand retired abashod and discomfited. But the sensitive woman did not easily recover from the shock of this extraordinary outrage, it was with difficulty she 'regained her equanimity sufficiently to release her lover from tbe closet in which he was concealed and escape with him. She left a boy of three years tooomfort her bereaved husband. Tne Old Man's present wife had been his opok. She was large,loyal,and aggressive.

Before he could reply Joe Dlinmlck suggested, with great directness, that it was the '"Old Man's bouse that, invoking the Divine Power, it the case were bis own he would invite whom he pleased, even if in so doing he imperiled his salvation. The powers ol evil, he further remarked, should contend against him vainly. All tuis delivered with a terseness and vigor lost in this necessary translation. "In course. Certingly. Thet's it," said the Old Man with a sympathetic frown. Thar's no trouble about thet. It's my own house built every stick of it myself. Don't be afeard o' her, boys. She may cut up a trifle rough— ez witnuiin do—but she'll come round." Secretly the old man trusted to the exaltation of liquor and the power of courageous example to sustain hiui in such an emergency.

As yet Dick Bullen, the oracle and leader of Simpson's bar, had not spoken. He now took his pipe from his lips. "Old Man how's that yer Johnny gettin' on Seems to me he didn't look so peart last time I seed bim on the blutr heavin' rocks at Chinamen. Didn't seem to take much interest in it. Thar was a gang of 'em past yer yesterday—drownded out up the river—and I kinder thought o' Johnny, and how he'd miss 'em! May be, now, we'd be in the way il be was sick?".

The father, evidently touched not only by this pathetic picture of Johnny's deprivation, but by the considerate delicacy of the speaker, hastened to assure him that Johnny was better, and that a "little fun might 'liven bim up." Whereupon Dick arose, shook himself, and saying "I'm ready. Lead tbe way, Old Man here goes," himself led the way with a leap and ^characteristic howl and darted out into the night. As he passed through the outer room he caught up a blazing brand from the hearth. The action was repeated by the rest of the party, closely following and elbowing each other, and before the astonished proprieto of Thompson's grocery was aware of the intention of his guests, the room was deserted.

The night was pitchy dark. In the firstgust of wind their temporary torches were extinguished, and only the red brands, dancing and flitting in the gloom like drunken will-o'-the-wisps, indicated their whereabouts. Their way led up

Pine-Tree

slowly

changed. That's so," he said reflectively, after a pause "certingly a sort of a skunk and suthin of a fool. In course." He

was

silent for a moment

as in painful contemplation of the unsa vermes* and tolly of the unpopular Smiley. "Dismal weather, ain't it?" he added, now Ailly embarked on the current of prevailing sentiment. •'Mighty rough papers on the boys, «nd no show for money this season. And to n.orrow's Christinas."

There was a movement among the men at thlaannounceuient but whether of satisfaction or disgust was not plain. •'Yea." continued the man in the lugubrious toue he bad wlthiu tbe last few momenta unconsciously adopted—"yea, Christmas and to-night's Christmas Kve. Ye see, boys. I kinder thought— that la, I sorter had an idee Jest passin' like, yon know, that may be you'd ail like to come over to my house tonight and have a sort ot tear 'round. But I suppose, now, you wouldn't? Dont feel like it, may be?" be added, with anxious sympathy, peering into the faces of his companions.

Well.I dont know,"responded Tons Klynn with some cheerfulness. "Perwe may. But how aboat your wife, Old Man What does she say to it?"

The Old Man hesitated. His conjugal experience had not been a happy on*, and tbe fact was known to Simpson's Bar. His first wife a delicate.

canon, at the head of

which a broad, low, bark-thatched cabin burrowed in the mountain-side. It was the home of the Old Man, and the entrance to the tunnel in which he worked when he worked at all. Here the crowd paused for a moment, out of delicate deference to their host, who came up panting in the rear.

P'r'aps ye'd better hold on a second ont yer, whilst I go in and see that things is all right," said the Old Man with an indifference be was far from feeling. The sugaestion was graciously accepted, the door opened and closed on the host, Mid the crowd, leaning their backs against tbe wall and cowering under tbe eaves, waited and listened.

For a low moments there was no sound but the dripping of water from the eaves, and the stir and rustle of the wrestling boughs above them. Then tbe men became uneasy, and whispered suggestion and suspicion passed from the one to the other. "Reckon she's caved in his head the first lick "Decoyed him infertile tunnel and barred hiin up, likely." "Got hiin down and sittin' on him." "Prob'ly b'ilin' suthin' to heave on us stand clear the door, bovs!" For just then the latch clicked, the door slowly opened, and a voice said "Come in out of the wet."

The voice was neither that of the Old Man nor of his wife. It was the voice of a small boy, its weak treble broken bv that preternatural hoarseness which only vagabondage and premature self-assertion can give. It was the face of a small boy that looked up at theirs—a face that might have been pretty and even refined hut that it was darkened by evil knowledge from within and dirt and hard experience from without.

Ho had a blavket around his shoulders, and had evidently just risen from his bed. "Come in," he repeated, "and don't make no noise. The Old Man's In there talking to mar," he continued, pointing to an adjacent room which seemed to be a kitchen, from which the Old Man's voice came in depreciating accents. "Let me be," he adaed querulously to Dick Bullen,who had caught him up, blanket and all, and was affecting to toss him into the fire—"let go o' me, you old fool, do you near?"

Thus adjured, Dick Bullen lowered Johnny to the ground with a smothered laugh, while th« men, entering quietlv, ranged themselves around a long table of rough boards which occupied the center of tbe room. Johnny then gravely proceeded to a cupboard and and brought out several articles which he deposited on the'table. "Thar's whisky. And crackers. And red herons, and cheese." He took a bite of the latter on his way to the table. "And sugar." He scooped up a mouthful en route with a small and very dirty hand. "And terbacker. Thar's dried appils too ou the the shelf, but I don't admire 'em. Appils issweilin'. Thar," he concluded, "now wade in, and don't be afeerd. I don't mind the old woman. She don't b'long to me. S'long."

He had stepped to the threshold ot a small room, scarcely larger than a closet, partitioned off from the main apartment, and holding in its dim recess a a small bed. He stood there a moment looking at tbe company, his bare feet peeping from the blanket, and nodded

Hello, Johnny! You ain't going to in again, are ye?" said Dick. Yes, I are," responded Johnny, decidedly.

Why, wot's up, old fellow I'm sick." How sick I've got a fevler. And chiblains. And roomatla," returned Johnny, and vanished within. After a moment's pause be added in the dark, apparently from under the bed-clothes, "And biles."

There was an embarrassing silence. The men looked at each other, and at the fir*. Even with the appetising banquet before them, it seemed as if they might again fell into the despondency of Thompson's grocery, when lbs voice of tbe Old Man, incautiously lifted, came depreciatingly from the kitchen.

Certingly I Thet's so. In oourse they la. A gang o* lasy drunken loafers, and thet ar Dick Bnllen's the ornarlest ef all. Didn't bev no more «a6e

than to come 'round yar, with sickness in tbe bouse and no provlaion. Thet'a what I said •Bullen,' se* I, it's crasy drunk yon are, or a fool,' se* I, 'to think o» auch a thing. Stapiea,' se* I, 'be yon a man. Staples, and 'spect to raise h—11 under my roof, and invalids lyin round?' But they would oome— they would come—they would. Thet's wat you must 'spect o' such trash as lays round the Bar."

A burst of laughter from tbe men followed this uufortunate exposure. Whether it was overheard in tbe kitchen, or whether the Old Man's iratecompanion had Just then exhausted all other modes of expressing her contemptuous indignation, I cannot say but aback door was suddenly slammed with great violence. A moment later and the Old Man reappeared, haply unconscious of the late hilarious outburst, and smiled blandly. "The old woman thought she'd just run over to Mrs. McFadden's for a sociable call," he explained, with jaunty indifference, as he took a seat at the board.

Oddly enough, it needed this untoward incideut to relieve the embarrassment that was beginning to be felt by the party, and their natural audacity returned with their host. I do not propose to record convivialities of that evening. The inquisitive reader will accept the statement that the conversation was characterized by the same intellectual exaltation, the same cautious reverence, the same fastidious delicacy, the same rhetorical precision, and the same logical and coherent discourse somewhat later in the evening, which distinguish similar gatherings of the masculine sex in more civilized localities and under more favorable auspices. No glasses wero broken in the absence ot any no liquor was uselessly spilt on the floor or'table in the scarcity of the article.

It was nearly midnight when the festivities were interrupted. "Hush," said Dick Bullen, holding up his hand. It was the querulous voice of Johnny from his adjacent closet: "O dad

The Old Man arose hurriedly and disappeared in the closet. Presently he reappeared. "His rheumatiz is coming on ag'in bad," he explained, "and be wants rubbin'." he lifted the demijohn of whiskey from the table and shook it. It was empty. Diek Bullen put down his tin cup with an embarrassed laugh. So did the others. The Old man examined their contents and said, hopefully, "I reckon that's enough. He don't need much. You hold on all o' you, for a spell, and I'll be back and vanished in the closet with an old flannel shirt and the whisky. The door closed but imperfectly, and the following dialogue was distinctly audible

Now, sonsy, whar does she ache worst Sometimes over yar and sometimes under yer out it's most powerful from yer to yer. Rub yer dad."

A silence seemed to indicate a brisk rubbing. Then Johnny Hevin' a good time out yer, dad?"

Yes, sonny." To-morrer's Chrismiss—ain't it?" Yes, sonny. How does she feel now

Better. Rub a little turder down. Wot's Chrissmiss, any way Wot's it all about?"

O, it's a day." This exhaustive definition was apparently satisfactory,for there was a silent interval ot rubbing. Presently Johnny again: "Mar sez that everywhere else but yer everybody gives things to everybody Chrismiss, and then she jist waded inter you. She sez thar's a man thev call Sandy Claws, not a white man you know,but a kind of Chinemin, conies down the chimbley night aloro Chrismiss and gives things to children —boys like me. Puts 'em in their butes! Thet's what she tried to play upon me. Easy now, pop, whar are you cubhin' to—thet's a mile from the place. She jist made that up, didn't she, joss to aggrewate mo and you? Don't rub thar Why, dad

lERKJi-HAl/TE SAT1J ROAY^KVENING MAIL. MARCH 30. .87-2.

In the great quiet that seemed to have fallen upon the house, the sigh of the near pines and the drip of leaves without were very distinct. Johnny's voice, too was lowered as he went on: "Don't you take on, now, fur I'm getting all riirht last. Wot's the boys doin' out thar?"

The Old Man partly opened the door and peered through. His guests were sitting there sociably enough, and there wore a lew silver coins and a lean buckskin purse on the table. "Bettin' on suthin'—some little game or 'nuther. They're all right," he replied to Johnny, and recommenced his rubbing.

I'd like to take a hand and win some money," said Johnnyy reflectively, alter a pause.

The Old Man glibly repeated what was evidently a familiar formula, that ii Johnny would wait until lie struck it rich in the tunnel he'd have lots of money, etc., etc.

Yes," said Johnny, "but you don't. And whether you strike it or I win it, it's about all the same. It's all luck. But it's mighty cur'o's about Chrismiss —ain't it Why do they call it Chrismiss?"

Perhaps from some instinctive deference to the overhearing of his quests or from some vague sense of incongruity, the old man's reply was so low as to be inaudible beyond the room.

Yes," said Johnny, withsomeslight abatement of interest, "I've heerd o' bim afore. Thar, that'll do, dad. I don't ache near so bad as I did. Now wmp me up tight in this yere blanket. So. Now," he added in a muffled whisper, "sit down yer by me till I go asleep." To assure himself of obedience, he disengaged one hand from the blanket, and, grasping his father's sleeve, again composed himself to rest.

For some moments tbe Old Man waited patiently. Then tbe un won *ed stillness of the house excited his curiosity, and without moving from the bed, he cautiously opened the door with bis disengaged hand, and looked into the main room. To his infinite surprise it was dark and deserted. But even then a smouldering log on the hearth broke, and by tbe upsprimring blaze he saw the figure of Dick Bullen sitting by the dying embers.

Hello 1"

Dick started, rone, and came somewhat unsteadily toward bim. Wehre are the boys said tbe Old Man.

Gone up the canon on a little parear. They're coming back for me in a minnit. I'm waitin" round for them. What are you starin' at, Old Man he added with a forced laugh "do yon think I'm drunk

The Old Man might have pardoned the supposition for Dick's eyes were hnmid and his fece Unshed. He loitered, and lounged back to the chimney yawned, shook himself, buttoned np his ooat and laughed. "Liquor ain't so plenty an that, Old Man. Now don't

San

get up," he oonttnned, as tbe Old made a movement to release bis sleeve from Johnny's band. "Don't yon mind manners. Sit Jest whar yon be Pm going in a jiffy. Thar, that's them now?*

There was a low tap at the door. Dick Ballon opened it quickly, nodded

"Good night" to bis host and disappeared. The Old Man would have followed him but tor the- hand that still unoonsciously grasped his sleeve. He couid have easily disengaged it it waa small, weak, and emaciated. But perhaps because it was small, weak, and emaciated be changed his mind, and drawing his chair closer to the bed, rested his head upon it. In this defenseless attitude the potency of his earlier potations surprised him. The room flickered and faded before bis eves, reappearod, faded again, went out, and left him—asleep.

Meantime Dick Bullen, closing the door, confronted his companions. Are vou ready?" said Staples. "Readv,,rsaid Dick "what's the time?" "Past *12," was the reply "can you make it ?—it's nigh on filty miles, the sound trip hither and yon." "I reckon," returned Dick, shortly "whar's tbe mare?" "Bill and Jack's holdin' her at the crossin'." Let 'em hold on a minit longvr," said Dick.

He turned and re-eutered the house softly. By the light of the guttering candle and dying fire he saw that the door of the little room was open. He stepped toward it on tiptoe and looked in. The Old Man had fallen back in his chair, snoring, his helpless feet thrust out in a line with his collapsed shoulders, and his bat pulled over his eyes. Beside him, on a narrow wooden bedstead, lay Johnny, muffled tightly in a blanket that hid all save a strip of forehead and a few curls damp with perspiration. Dick Bullen made a step forward, hesitated, and glanced over his shoulder into the deserted room. Everything was quiet. With a sudden resolution be parted his huge moustaches with both hands and stooped over the sleeping boy. But even as be did so, a mischievous blast, lying in wait, swooped down the chimney, rekindled tbe hearth, and lit up tbe room with a shameless glow from which Dick fled in bashful terror.

His companions were already waiting for bim at the crossing. Two of them were struggling in the darkness with some strange, misshapen bulk, which, as Dick came nearer, took the semblance of a great yellow horse.

It was the mare. She was not a pretty picture. From her Roman nose to her rising haunches, from her arched spine hidden by the stiff machillas ot a Mexican saddle to her thick, straight, bony legs, there was not a line of equine grace. In her bait-blind but wholly vicious white eyes, in her protruding under lip, in her monstrous color, there was nothing but ugliness and vice.

Now, then," said Staples, "stand cl'ar of her heels, boys, and up with you. Don't miss your first holt of her mane, and mind ye get your off stirrup quick. Ready!"

There was a leap, a scrambling struggle, a bound, a wild retreat of the crowd, a circle of flying hoofs, two springiess leaps that jarred the earth, a rapid piay and jingle of spurs, a plunge, and then the voice of Dick somewhere in the darkness—" Ail right!''

Don't take the lower road back onless you're^iard pushed for time Don't hold her in down hill! We'll be at tbe ford at 6. G'lang! Hoopa! Mula! Go!"

A splash, a spark struck from the ledge in the road, a clatter in the r^cky cut beyond, and Dick was gone.

Sing, O Muse, tbe ride of Richard Bullen! Sing, O Muse ot chivalrous men! the sacred quest, the doughty deeds, the battery of low churls, the fearsome ride and grewsome perils ot the liower of Simpson's Bar! Alack! she is dainty, this Muse! She will have none of this bucking brute and swaggering, ragged rider, and I must fain follow him in prose, afoot!

It was one o'clock, and 5?et he had only gained Rattlesnake hill. For in that time Jovitn had rehearsed to him all her iinp'-rlectioiis and practiced all her yjces. Thrice hud she siumbled. Twice had hhe thrown up her Roman nose in a straight line with her reins, and, resisting bit and spur, struck out madly across the country. Twice had roared, and rearing, fallen backward and twice had the Hgile Dick, unharmed, regained his seat before she found her vicious feet again. And a mile beyond them, at the foot of a long hill, was Rattlesnake creek. Dink knew that here was the crucial test of his ability to perform his enterprise, set his teeth grimly, put his knees well into her flanks, and changed his defensive tactics to brisk aggression. Bullied and maddened, Jovila began the descent ot the hill. Here the artful Richard pretended to hold her in with ostentatious objurgation and wellfeigned cries of alarm. It is unnecessary to add that Jovita instantly ran away. Nor need I state the tiuie made in the descent it is written in the chronicles of Simpson's Bar. Enough that in another moment, as it seemed to Dick, she was splashing on the overflowed oanks of Rattlesnake creek. As Dick expected, the momentum she had acquired carried her beyond the point ot balking, and holding bcr well together for a mighty leap, they dashed into the middle of tbe swiftly flowing current. A few moments of kicking, wading, and swimming, and Dirk drew a long breath on the opposite bank.

The road from Rattlesnake creek to Red mountain was tolerably level. Either the plunge in Rattlesnake creek had dampened ner baleful fire, or the art which led to it had shown her the superior wickedness of her rider, for Jovila no longer wasted her surplus energy in wanton conceits. Once she bucked, but it was from force of habit once she shied, but it WHS from a new, freshly-painted meeting-house at tbe crossing of the country road. Hollows, ditches, gravelly deposits, patches of lreshly springing grasses flew from beneath her rattling hoofo. She began to smell unpleasantly, once or twice she coughed slightly, out there was no abatement of her strength or speed. By two o'clock he bad passed tied mountain and begun tbe descent to tbe plain. Ten minutes-later tbe driver of tbe fest Pioneer coach was overtaken and passed by "a man on a Pinto hosft,"—an event sufficiently notable for remark. At half-past two Dick rose in bis stirrups with a great shout. Stars were glittering through the cleuds. and beyond him, oot on tbe plain, rose two spires, a flag staff and a straggling line ol black objects. Dick Jinicled his spurs and swung his riata. Jovita bounded forward, and in another moment they swept into Tuttleville and .rew up before tbe wooden pUzza of "Tbe Hotel of all Nations."

What transpired that night at TutUeville is not strictly apart of this record. Briefly I may state, however, that after Jovila had been handed over to a sleepy ostler, whom she bad once kicked Into nnpleasaut consciousness, Dick sallied ont with the barkeeper for a tour of tbe sleeping town. Lights still

(Ing

Reamed from a few saloons ana gsmbbouses but, avoiding then*, tbey stopped before several closed shops, ana oy persistent tapping and judicious ontcry roused tbe proprietors from their beds, and msde them unbar the doom of their ongasiDes and expose their warea. Sometimes they wsremet

by curses, bnt ottener by interest and some concern in their needs, and the interview was invariably concluded by a drink. It was three o'clock before this pleasantry was given over, and with a small water-proof bag of India rubber strapped on his shoulders, Dick returned to the hotel. But here he was waylaid by Beauty,—Beauty opulent in charms, affluent in dress, persuasive in speech and Spanish in accent In vain she repeated the inyitation in "Excelsior," happily scorned by all Alpine-climbing youth, and rejected by this child of the Sierras,—a rejection softened in this instance Dy a laugh and his last gold coin. Aud then he sprang to the saddle and dashed down the lonely street and out into the lonelier plain, where, presently the lights, the black line of houses, the spires and the flag-staff sank into the earth bebind him again and were lost in tbe distance.

The storm had cleared away, the air was brisk and cold, the outlines of adjacent land-marks were distinct, but it was half-past four before Dick reached the meeting-house and tbe crossing of the country road. To avoid the rising grade, be had taken a longer and more circuitous road, in whose viscid mud Jovita sank fetlock deep at every bound. It was a poor preparation for a steady ascent of five miles more and Jovita gathering ber legs uuder her, took it with ber usual blind, unreasoning fury, and, a half hour later, reached the long level that led to Rattlesnake creek. Another half hour would bring him to the creek. He threw tbe reins lightly upon the neck of the mare, chirruped to her, and began to sing. Suddeuly Jovita skied with a bound that would have unseated a less practiced rider. Hanging to her rein was a figure that had leaped from the bank, and at tbe same time from the road before ber arose a shadowy horse and rider. "Throw up your hands," commanded this second apparition, with an oath.

Dick felt the mare tremble, quiver, and apparently sink under him. He knew what it meant, and was prepared.

Stand aside. Jack Simpson. I know you, you d—d thief. Let me pass, or—"

Ho did not finish the sentence. Jovita rose straight in the air with a terrific bound, throwing the figure from her bit with a single shake of her vicious head and charged with deadly malevolence dowu on the impediment before her. An eath, a pistol-shot, horse and highwayman rolled over in the road and the next moment Jovita was a hundred yards away. But the good right arm of her rider, shattered by a bullet, dropped helplessly by her side.

Without slackening his speel he shifted the reins to bis left haud. But a few moments later he was obliged to halt and tighten the saddle-girths that had slipped in tbe onset. This, in his crippled condition, took some time. He had no fear of pursuit, but looking up he saw that the Eastern stars were already paling, and that the distant peaks had lost their ghostly whiteness, and now stood out blackly against a lighter sky. Day was upon bim. Then completely absorbed in a single idea, he forgot tbe pain of his wound, and mounting again, dashed on toward Rattlesnake creeit. But now Jovita'8 breath came broken by gasps. Dick reeled in his saddle, and brighter grew the sky*

Ride, Richard run, Jovita linger O day For the last few miles there was a roaring in his ears. Was it exhaustion irom loss of blood, or what? He was dazed and giddy as h»* swept down the hill, and did not recognize his surroundings. Had he takeu the wrong road, or was this Rattlesnake creek.

It was. But the brawling creek he had swum a few hours before had risen, more than double its volume, and now tolled a swift and resistless river between him and Rattlesnake hill. For the first time that night Richard's heart sank within liim. The river, the mountain, the quickening East swam before his eyes. He shut them to recover his self-control. In that brief interval, by some fantastic mental process, the little room at Simpson's Bar and the figures of the sleeping father and son rose upon him. He opened his eyes wildly, cast off his coat', pistol, boots and saddle, bound his precious pack tightly to bis shoulders, grasped the bare flanks of Jovita with his bared knees, and with a shout dashed into tho yellow water. A cry rose from the opposite bank as the heads of a man and horse struggled for a few moments against the battling current, and then were swept away amid uprooted trees and whirling drift-wood.,

The Old Man started and woke. The fire ou the hearth was dead, the candle in the outer room flickered in its socket, and somebody was rapping at*the dopr. He opened it, but fell back with a cry before the dripping, half naked figure that reeled against the door-post. "Dick?"

Hush Is he awake yet?" No,—but Dick ^*VJS Dry up, you old fool! Get me some whisky quick!" The Old Man flew and returned with—an empty bottle! Dick would have sworn, but his strength was not equal to the occasion. He staggered, caught at the handle of the door, and motioned to tbe Old Man. "Thar's suthin' in my pack yer for Johnny. Take it off. I can't."

Tbe Old Man unstrapped tbe pack and laid it before tbe exhausted man. Open it, quick!"

He did so with trembling fingers. It contained only a few poor toys,—cheap and barbaric enough, goodness knows, but bright with piunt and tinsel. One of them was broken another, I fear.

but bright with of them was bron.cu uuuo, a was irretrievably ruined by water and on the third—ah me! there was a cruel spot. "It don't look like much, that's a fact," said Dick, ruefully. "But its the best we could do. Take 'em, Old Man, and put 'era in bis stocking, and tell him—tell him, you know—hold me, Old Man—," The Old Man caught at his sinking figure. "Tell him," said Dick, with a weak little laugh—"tell him Sandy Claus has come."

And even so, bedraggled, ragged, unshaven, and unshorn, with one arm hanging helplessly at his side, Santa Claus came to Simpson's Bar, and fell fainting on the first threshold. The Christmas dawn came slowly afcer, touching the remoter peaks with the rosy warmth of ineffable love. And it looked so tenderly on Simpson's Bar that tbe whole mountain, as if caught in a generous action, blushed to the

RI

MM or THB Tn»*».—Tbe man who was "open to oonvlctlon" has been considerably "shut np" ever sinoe.

Tbe man wbo couldn't "shot bis eyes to tbe fact" has bad them closed for bim—aod they have turned black.

The man who insisted on "unbosoming himself" has lost heart ever since. The man who lately took a "new Issss of life" la beginning to find fault with the repairing cUass.

4T

THE HOUSEHOLD.

HOOSIBR'S CAKH.—One pint sour cream, one teaspoon soda, half teaspoon cream tartar, one pound white sugar, flour to make a thick batter drop from teaspoon.

POUND GINGER BREAD.—{excellent)— One cup butter, one cup sugar, three eggs, one cup of molasses, one teaspoon giuger, and half one of cloves. Half teaspoon sod^, three cups flour.

VIRGINIA APPIIBCAKJE.—'Take one cup of bread dough put one and a half cup of sugar iuto it, roll it about an inch thick, put it in a long pan then slice good baking apples thin, and put smoothlv over the dough sprinkle sugar, butter and cinnamon over and bake. This is very nice indeed, and much used in Virginia for a tea cake as it is a general favorite. NSV

TKXAS CCP CAKB.—TWO ettp'S Sughr, one cup cream, half cup cold water, three and a half cups of flour, bait a cup of butter, six eggs, yolks and whites beaten separately, one teaspoon essence of vanilla bake in tins—cups are best. This is a light, delicious cake, and curtain of being good, if properly made.

All these receipts are reliable: try them.

SPRING CLKANING.—Simple salt and water cleans and preserves matting more effectually thau any other method.

Tepid tea cleans grained wood. Oil-cloth should be brightened, after .: washing with soap and water, with skim-milk.

Salt and water washing preserves bedsteads from being infected by vormin also matreses.

Kerosene oil is the best furniture oil It cleanses, adds a fine polish, and preserves from the ravages ot insects.

To get rid ot moths and roaches from closets and bureau drawers, sprinkle powdered borax over and around the shelves, and cover with clean paper.

PUDDINGS AND PIKS NOT UNHEALTHY.—There is probably a great deal of truth in the following extract, which we make Irom Dr. Hall's Journal of Health "Tbe universal error as to the unliealtbfulness of pies, puddings, and pastries, taking it for granted that they are well made and properly cooked,"has arisen from tho simplo fact that after we have made a full meal of other "•. things, tbe stomach is oppressed by them) and, if the process is repeated,, becomes eventually dyspeptic that is,, had not the power to work up the food,: because it has been worked to death already. It would be quite as philosophical to say that if a man has become' very tired by ploughing all dav, and afterward, by chopping wood, has .v "worked himself out,'' it was very unhealthy to chop."

A SIMPLE CUSTARD.—Throw into a" pint of new milk part of the very thin' rind of a lemon, a little cinnamon stick, and two ounces of loaf sugar let them simmer till the milk is nicely flavored, thon strain, and turn into it the thoioughly beaten yolks of four ogsrs mix together, and then pour the custard intoll jug set this over the fire in a pan of boiling water, and keep the custard stirred gently, but without ceasing, till it begins to thicken then move the spoon rathor more quickly, making it always touch the bottom of the jug, until the mlxtnre is brought to the point of boiling, when it must be instantly taken from the tiro, or it will curdle in a moment. Keep stirring it till nearly cold, then add some brandy and a few drops of essence of almonds. This makes a small quantity ef custard, but enough for a floating ialaml cake, or to till eight custard glasses.

FACTS FOR TIIE SINGLE. A French philosopher has lately brought to light some curious social statistics compiled from the records of eleven years in France, Belgium and: Holland relative to the longevity of-: married and single men, which fur-s nish fresh prools of the danger of living. It appears tnat married men between the ages of twenty-live and thirty years aro far more apt to live than unmarried men, the ratio of deaths being, in their favor, as four to ten and a hall in every thousand persons. Here is a powerful argument for early marriages if the law of self-preserva-tion becomes their advocate but a^i little further development of the records shows fiat at tho same age widow-, ers die at the rate of twenty-two in every thousand, being twice as perishable as their unmarried brethren. When the age advances to between thirty and thirty flve years the case is reversed. Married men die at the rate of eleven and single men only five In every thousand, the latter recovering the ground lost in the previous semidecade. Unfortunate widowers, however, are still at a disadvantage, dying at the rate of nineteen in every thousand. These fignres open a wide field for drawing inferences and moral ios-*, sons. Evidently dangers hedge about tbe lifeef man. but the chief and most! apparent warning conveyed by the facts of tbe case is a necessity of a man's carefully preserving the life of a wife, it be has one, since her loss increases by about fourfold the imminence of an end to his own career.—[Hartford Courant.

THE Boston Bulletin has the following valuable mortuary list: "Methuselah died of liver complaint. Lot's wife of salt rheum. Absalom fell a wig-time to hairysipelas. Gollah died of the stone. Hainan of dropsy, Nebuchadnezzar of too tntiub vegetable diet, leaving Mrs. N., a grass widow. John Bunyan, troubled by corns, took hisfe pill grimly, and progressed. Desdemonia also took a pill ow. Samson was killed by a pillar too. Montgolfier was? (s)pillea out of a balloon. Julius Ceesar was (s)killed in war. John Rogers died of an overdone steak. Romeo died of heart disease. Gov. Hoffman dyed his moustache. Artemus Ward was joked to death. Napoleon the great was crushed by a rock. Napoleon tbe less fell from a Sedan. Montezuma died of taking arrow-root. Louis XVI. died under an amputation (of tbe head.) Old Parr died of aparalysis. Joe Miller died of a lisht tumor. Red Jacket died of whooping cough. Tecuniseh of scalp disease.'

EUROPEAN JEWS.—Tbe ambitious piro-, Ject so long discussed, of the return ofiA this peculiar people to Palestine, seems• to be assuming tangible shape In Germany, and a small knot of rabbis in Frankfort have become very active in the distribution of printed matter, throughout Europe to the end of leading the scattered children of Israel back to Palestine, where a Jewish kingdom shall be again established. Journals friendly to Judaism declare toat influential moneyed men in the olL imperial capital—the headquarters of German Jews—havp given it their open and substantial support. It may be doubted, however, wnether the lay sons of Israel will be willing to leave their thriving business relations among the Gentiles in order to realise or aid in carrying oat a scheme so chimerical.