Saturday Evening Mail, Volume 3, Number 33, Terre Haute, Vigo County, 15 February 1873 — Page 2

WHY* p.

W 'Iff *f 1HY C. C. II ASK IKS, Well, this wai one

When last 1 went on a spree.

Well, »ow, you're ready "eye-openers"

Mixed

drink* in the mernlng—how much'11 matie? 7o Well, one after breakfast, to settle It down And six with the"roosters" I met about town— They stan' treat In tnrn, so I get somethin'back, Bnt that Isn't counted, on t'other tack— A horse and a buggy, three fourths of a day, ,, A bottle for quenching my thirst on the way, Eight boys at the club house all wanted to smoke, And I didn't throw high, so patd for theJuke— Cigars at ihe club cost a quarter, you know— Two bottles of "Heldslck" before I could go, By this time my head was a bias! like fun, My horse took a notion he wanted to

The road wasn't smooth, but then I didn't care, Till tbp fust thing I knew I was out in the air, And I fell to the ground, while the buiHiywenton And leii me to bleed and get sober alone. A good suit qf clothing was mined that day,

Tno »r proper was long, olrcular shelf or desk, behind which stood tall bottles Libelled Bourbon, Old Rye. Sherry, Gin and Bitters, ranged in orderly Vows above, on a cedar pedestal, repo«ed a largo wild-c.it, killed and atutlVd by Seth himsolf.

Ot the dozen or more scouts,gamblers, trappers and sutlers gathered there, we are particularly interested in two only Colonel Ringeur and Antoine Vezan, Tho colonel -is a horse-dealer and the keeper of a notorious firo-bank he 1 was over six feet iu height, burly and muscular, perfectly and savagely reckless w^ien angored, and a terror to his enemies. Antolue, also a gambling jockey, was scarcely five feet seven inches In height, round-shouldered and weak In the arms, but, as all admitted, "some with le rifle."

Kingeur as attired in his usual costume—hNck velvet trowsers, slit from tho knee downward, and, after the Mexican fashion, studded with round silver buttons stout mocisins and beaded buckskin shirt, that fully exnosed a brawny, hairy chest and neck bis long, black hair "was covored by a wide-brimmed sombrero, and in his gay belt were a pair of Colt's revolvers And a Bowie.

Vexan's dress was similar, with the exception of the head covering, which consisted of a fox's skin sewn into a skull-cap, the head protruding orer Antoliursdull, black eyes.

What you take, won eolonet and Ver.in slapped Ringouron the back. The usual, thank you, Tony. Bourbon—four Augers—Scth!'

So, mon eotonel, it is that you hare entered two horses for se raoe eh Antoine referred to the Grand Yearly Valley R&co that was to take place in three days, where thousands of dollars annually changed hauds and rows innumerable ha

Wall, yes, I've two on hand. There's Jack—you know him woll enough—by Ripraps out of 8lren then I've anew bit I don't mind laying a few bags on— Bessie, she's called. Her stock is nelthes prime nor fimcy, but I'm laying thai she'll give your Etoiie two lengths and beat her

There was a taunting ring in his voice as he said this, aud he winked knowingly to the bystaoders, who, as a matter of course, followed the example of the facetious soldier.

Doue, mon colonet You give Etoiie two lengths and beat her with Bessie Done! How much?* 'Wall. Tony, be patient don't get riled. Now, gentlemen, are there any more ef ye that want to take odd on my mare?'

No answer being given to this question, Ringeur resumed: Are you afraid of five thousand, Tonv?'

tfo, Jio. Five thousand It la, mow coloncL Yon give Etoiie two full lengths and beat her 7Ve* bum and ho entered the wager in his book at once.

What's the reason you don't back the old favorite. Jack, kerne) queried one of the trappers, and all drew closes to bear Ringeur's reply, for in all previous races Jack had won every stake, and was thought to be the fastest animil on the l'acl tic slope, 'Wall, I have mv reasons, snd mean to keep them butt give you my word of honor that Jack will, bar accidents, ike «s good, if not better, time this year than he aid last,'

45 00

For mending the buggy I've promised to pay, Th« time that I lost isn't much to be sure The bill of tho surgeon I had to endure. So take it all round, I've concluded to

If a "cold water straight" ism't cheap

The headaches and pains that a spree takes you through Don't certainly pay when thev cost 92 00

Shot on the Home-

Stretch. &

For miles around, as far as "the eye could reach in ene direction, lay undulating prairie, green with rank, tall, swaying grasses or gray with the barren, bitter sage, where the coyote yelped and gambolled and the shy prairiehen crouched and chuckled» Behind loomod up the blue-brown outlines of the rugged Coast Mountains, the dan-ger-fraught barrier to the El Dorado of the gold-seekerH, while far off was a pack of scurrying, barking wolves, mislly engaged in picking clean the bones of fallen buttalo.

Stith Walkor's runcho stood on the banks of IUttler's Cr«iek, a narrow rapid stioam of liuipid, icy water whose origin lay high up among tho rocky hills. Its low banks of glittering gravel w^ro densely fringeil with underbri an 1 v.irious sorts heavy tlm bur—cotton and redwood trees— inanv species ot prickly berry-bushes and "tangling, creeping vinos. The rancbo was roughly built ot green, hewn logs, dovetailed together at the corners, tho interstices being tilled with the limy, gummy mud scraped from the llps'oi tho mineral springs closo at hand. Insido wore two compartments, termed respectively "the bunk" and "tht liar." Split cedar logs, laid side by sldff, composed the floor, and light entered through a small, unglazod window in various parts of the room were seven clumsy tools and two rickety tables covored with packs of cards, empty glasses and dlci-boxes. The walls wore adorned with sundry rifles, revolvers, gaudy pictures of questionable morality and festoons ot Brobdignngian shells bought from the Indians, who hud gathored them on thePaciflc shore•.

Redlips rides Jack, as usual?' asked Vesan, anxiously.

reason—It

much.

cost me too

Now pal down the figures ana we How mu«h it all curoe to—In money, yon know— The moral and physical cost will not show-

She doesn't do anything of the sort, Tony, Redlips 1s for Bessie this year." The colonel referred to a Digger-In-dian girl whom be. had bred up to use as a jockey, and who waa considered the best and most expert rider for a hundred iniles around.

Vezan hit his lip and frowned, snap^ ped his finers and muttered a curse.

But," Antoiae began, eagerly,

thought she was to ride Jack

1 60

5 00

1 00

2 00

7 00

No Redlips is uoing to put the new mare through, sure and Ringeur smiled complacently and sauntered out of the bar.

No sooner had he disappeared than a handsome but dissipated looking entered and saluted the company with a careless 'How air ye?' then drunk at a single swallow over three-fourths of a tumbler of Bourbon

throwejr." and card sharper, and also the lover of Redlips, before mentioned. A half hour or so ot general conversation passed, in which all took a share, when Antoine motioned significantly to Tauter and bade the company goodday.

A moment later,Tuater tossed offthe remainder of his whisky,and also left the rancbe. Awaiting him outside was the Frenchman, who looked about him suspiciously, and asked,

J£h, mon ami Charles, is it that you laid much on the race?'

Wall, Tony, I don't mind telling you I've backed Etoiie, and hedged some hundreds on Jack. I jedge that's about the thing

You are going to seo la belleSouvage, is it not so, Charles?'

Yes, I reckon so she'll be down at the stables. I guess." Antoine was silent for a few minutes, and apparently absorbed in a knotty problem of great importance, judging from the many and varied expressions that came and went on his mobile features.

Yon wanted to see me about—

Yes, yes! One second, and you shall learn what I want. You have heard of ze colonel's new mare, Bessie?'

Yes, and she is a puzzler to me, and more besides. The Kernel seems to be backing her hoavlly, aud he's not a man to lose money if ho can help it. I'm afraid of.the critter myself— she's been kept too dark and Ringeur's moves are rather deceptive sometimes. Do you know anything about her, Tony

What after the conversation between the two worthies produced will be learned* further on but as they parted' Antoine shook Charlie heartily by the hand, and whispered, 'If la belle Souvage will do this, two thousand shall find its way into your pockets you uuderstand To which he responded, 'All right, Tony anything for a squaro pile. Keep still as a Comanche on the trail ,and I'll see what can be done. But the gal's a catamount when she gets a notion into her bead and if her mindjis set on the uiare's success, it will bo hard to inauage. Why, as much as she loves me, I can't get a word out of her about Bessie, and she'll neither say lay nor don't lay. The job is worth the money.'

Hidden from view among the dense brush by the creek-side, about three hours after Tauter and Vezan had parted, stood two persons, conversing in low but rapid toues. Ono was an Indian girl about seventeen years of age. She was small in stature, but superbly

Kead

roportioned, from her well-poised down to the slender feet encased In tbe daintiest braided moccasins. Her hair was long, thlok and black, her face oval and her features regular and handsome. At the present moment her large dark eves were aflame with excitement, and the pouting crimson lips downdrawn at the corners, as in pleading, angry sorrow. Sho was clad in a soft, gay tunio of fawnskin, and short leggings, ornamented with shells, beads and stained horse-hair, and every motion, every gesture, showed how litho and supple was her girlish form. The othor was Charlie Tauter, who seemed to be angrily expostulating with his companion his argurneJts and entreaties, however, were too thickly Interspersed with oaths to bear repetition. The following portions of his conversation you may render as spicy as you please

But, Redlips, my gal, I'll lose a pile if you refuse.'

Oh, Charley, Redlips.would do anything for you but this. Don't ask her to betray the man who baa been her friend ever since she was a motherless papoose.'

Who is your best friend he roughly demanded. Winding his bare arms around his neck, and kissing him passionately, she replied—and a love-smile brightened ner saddened face—'You, my brave Redlips' only love.'

Then why can't yon obey your bost friend's command, eh?' She waa silent. ,***

Thrusting her from him with a fierce imprecation. Tauter exclaimed, 'RedHps, understand this now, if yow don't do what I've told you, you need never speak to mo again if you do I'll shoot you.'

Fawneve staggered against a cotton tree and'sobbed convulsively as she murmured,

4Oh,Charlie,

Redlips would

die for you gladly, but she cannot turu traitor to—' «Redlips, my little gal, forgive me!' cried Charlie, and throwing his arms about her waist, he toyed caressingly with her hair, and kissed her until her head dropped back on his sboulder, snd her heavy wet lashes trembled on her cheek.

And then he spoke to her tenderly and lovingly ana ere long she whispered in faint, tremulous tones,

Wall, Redlips, to-morrow Is the race.'

Eead,

«niiiitiR off a fr*sh quid, snd

4neat.

On the

new-comer Antoine looked with a degree of interest that plainly grow stronger every minute, and finally he advanced toward him and requested him to imbibe another glass of whisky, a proposition to which a hasty asseut ^gg given*

The new-comer's name was Charlie Tauter. By profession he was a

plas

tering the old one on rafter overhead, Ringenr resumed in an abrupt, peremptory manner.

Gal, look me in the eyes no flinchincr1 Redlips clowly lifted her face and

VVhat pile your boss, Charlie Tauter, laid altogether?' rj,

Redlips does nut know.'

You lie. Has he laid on Bessie? H»vs jou N en blabbing of what she can do*?' and his voice grew hard and stern.

He has not laid a picayune on Bessie. Redlips' totigun has been silent. He has laid on Jack and E'oiie.'

4Ob,

No.'

44monte

Redlips shook in every limb, and grasped the post to steady'herself. Noticing her agitation, tbe colonel added, in a kindlier manner:

Don't be scared, gal! Bessie will do the thing if you obey orders.'

Manitou, help your slave moaned the distracted girl, as her master strode down the yard, and throwing her arms around Bessie's arching neck, she sobbed hysterically.

The racing ground was a scene of indescribablo confusion and uproarious excitement thousands of interested spectators crowded and surged together on every side, for the Grand Valley race came alwavs all those in any way interested in betting, jockeyship, or •free fights," and tb« race never tailed to give ample satistaction to those desiring to indulge in any, or all. of the three. White men, Chinamen, Indians, half-breeds, trappers, scouts, brokers, gamblers—every, one was on haud lor either one purpose or another. The judge's stand was occupied by three bronzed and bearded trappers, whose reputations for jockeyship, bravery and fairness were proverbial. Gathered in groups near the stand were the several owner* of the horses and the more favored of tbeir friends. Oi course, the colonel was there, encompassed by bis friends, some of whom were vainly seeking to penetrate his reasons for preferring the strange mare to the old and tried favorite, Jack. Antoine Vez in was standing a few yards away, earnestly advising his jockey to guard against 'le colonel's Bessie,' and every few minutes consulting his bet-ting-book.

The trade was oval in Bhape, and every foot around its circling length of three miles was crowded with anxious spectators, impatiently awaiting the opening of the race. Suddenly a terrific and far-reaching roar heralded the advent of tho horses, and the noise became deafen intf as Et«ile appeared in sight—a dun mare, bestrode by a diminutive jockey dressed in buff and black. Follow in* Etoiie came six other racers, prancing, capricoiing, and champing playfully at their bits last of all appeared Bessie, with Redlips in the tiny saddle. Iler dress consisted of tight but flexible leggings, and a short jacket of blue silk, slashed with crimson her braided hair lay gathored in a lustrous knot behind her ears, and was securely fastened by narrow crimson ribbons. •Tiger lor Redlips!' was yelled up and down the long lines of admiring lookers-on, and tho girl rose in her stirrups and kissed her hand, which trembled like a leaf, while her sparkling eyes were filled with a strange, firoy l'.gbt.

Stepping to Bessie's side, Ringeur handed Redlips a flask of brandy,which she oagerlv drank from, and then returned with a short 'Thanks.'

Lean over, my beauty,' and she bent'ber head on Bessie's neck.

Be careful, Redlips! Ride to orders —to orders! First mile, hold in let slip some on tho last half of tho second, then pile home like a shot! That's all.' And Ringeur patted the mare's neck and flanks, who whinnied, pawed the ground and playfully kicked in recognition of the caresses.

For the next hour nothing was accomplished but tho laying of wagers, great or small. Ringeur and Vezm mutually agreed to increase the previous bet of five thousand dollars to eight thousand, and the colonel 'accepted'various other challengers desirous of betting against Bossic. Tbe crowd generally, however, seemed to be afraid of the strange mare, though Bessie was heavily backed by several veteran jockeys on account of ner rider,

4Whang

4Wbang!'and-

4Red

lips is a snako—she will obey.' We must now proceed to Col. Ringeur's stables, where at various times have been stabled the fasteet pacers, trotters and rnnners in tbe Western country. Redlips stood leaning against the bitching post, polishing a pair of Urge Mexioan spars Ringeur waa sitting astride of the corn-chopper, with his Keen eyes fixed searchingly on the fkoe of his girl Jockey.

fItollo

She bent her head and robbed more energetically on the glittering rowels.

Now, you know the mare's tricks as well as you koow your own yon know what she can do, and what she can t. She can beat any horse or mare In the stable, and she can't stand being fretted on tbe moatb. Ba careful on this

oint never mind how she throws her don't tauten on tbe bit. If yon do, sue'll break her pace and lose tbe race. Yon must come in at least two lengths and a half ahead, and I'll give you one fourth of mv winnings.'

Redlips bent low her face, as though to breath on a grease stain, bat at tbe same time her lips quivered piteouslv, and the dusky pink on her fall cheeks gave place to a sickly paleness.

Jack led the van from the start, Etoiie was a nose's length behind him, and Bessie a foil length behind Etoiie. For the first mile these relstlve positions remained unehanged at the first half of tbe second, Etoiie was neck and neck with Jack, while Bessie bad fallen behind nearly another length the last half of tbe second mile saw Etoiie a half length In advance of Jade, and Bessie's nose almost touching Etoile's bind quarters. At this momentous instant Ringeur sprang from tbe stand Into tbe course, and rested bis right band on the butt of his long navy revolver. All eyes, however, wire riveted on tbe racers, and his action excited t.o comment, except, indeed, that Charlie Taute.* wbo stood close by, turned rather pale and edged nearer to the watchful colonel.

In tbs first half of the third mile, Etoiie led, with Besale's nose at

saddle-girtb, snd Jaek a lull length behind. Suddenly, Bessie shook her bead viciously, sprang sideways, and nearly stumbled. A frightful imprecation burst from Ringeur's psle lips, snd be exclaimed. In husky, grating tones:

Jedges, look there! That gal has balked my mare! Don't you see her sawing on the off rein Curs3 ber! Curse ber!'

Drawing his revolver, Ringeur crooked his left arm as a rest, and levelled it at Redlips heart. By this time the horses were on the home-it retch— Etoiie and Jack neck snd neck, Bessie a length and a half in the rear.

ahl good!' Rising, he Was

about to leave, when, turning quickly, he said, in suspicious tones,

4Gal,

I've

beard that tbe Frencher and Charlie had a long confab together the other day. l)o you know what they were talking about?'

Humph You're such a liar when that boy is concerned, that I never know what to believe or disbelieve. 'Fore I go, I'll run over the orders again, so that you won't forget. First and foremost, Bessie must come in bv at least two lengths and a half. Don let that loave vour head for an Instant. Now, ts to the was and means. Of course, you know it's a threa-uiile heat hold in on the first mile and a half of tlie second give her bead en the last of the second then, in spurs and whip, give her her own way, and if you have to kill her, land her home number one. Now, mind you, gal, she can-do it if you help her. If you lose this byar, I'll shoot you on the stand

Whang!' and a cry of horror rang out on tbe air as Redlips threw up ber arms, screamed faintly, and tumbled out of the saddle to the ground. All this took place in far less time than I can recount it.

Freed lrom ber rider, Bessie sprang forward like lightning, passed Jack and Etoiie, ran under the wires thtee lengths In advance of them all, and whinnied as she rubbed her pink nose on the colonel's shirt.

The scene of confusion that immediately ensued was appalling. Hurling aside a Chinaman standing in front of hicn, Tauter, blind with rage, fired twice at Ringeur, and missed both times, whereupon the colonel cried. 'Now, Tauter, you've had your shots hold on a while, and I'll give you a square fight to-morrow. 1 want this other affair settled first.' No sooner had Ringeur fired than be was surrounded by his friends, who in accordance with Western custom, were bound to prevent him from being arrested or lynched. Turning to the judges, who had remained calmly stoical and apparently heedless of all that passed, the colonel exclaimed,

4Now,j

udges, hand over the stakes.

You saw the gal trying to break my mare's pace, and ye beard me tell her 'fore she started to ride ro orders and pile in on the home-stretcb. She's been bribed, snd I can prove it. But I want the stakes, then I'll back Bessie with my whole pile—eighty thousand Mexican dollars—against any horse in the country, and give any horse or mare full three lengths.'

Comparative silence reigned for a few minutes after this speech, andthe judges held a hurried and whispered consultation, after which tbe spokesman rose and said:

Wall. Kernel, after some scrtmmagin we're decided this byar race to be a draw. We intended to consider the point as to whether the race shall go on again to-morrow There's no doubt the Injun played a foul hand, and deserved what sho got, and we -kinder think your mare would have easilv won, but until we've bad time to talk over all the points, we'll retain the stakes. Is that satisfactory

Yes. yes,' cried some. 'No, no,' protested and innumerable click-click-Ings eounded ominously threatening. Pushing aside his friends, Ringeur drew and cocked both his revolvers and said, coolly,

Now, look here, gentlemeu, there's been shooting enough done for one day. The next who cocks a shooter near me is a de «d man. unless he's quicker on the pull than Colonel Ringeur. And if there's anyone here disputes my words and considers himself a good shot, let him step out, and I'll shoot him right here on tho course at one pace or a hundred. I can't do any more.'

Here Ringeur was "tapped on the shoulder by the county sheriff, who said iu persuasive tones. 'Kernel, I'm sorry, but you air my prisoner.' ^... 'l am, am I?'

Wall, kernel, you know I can't force you to come along, but if you'll step down to tho court house, we can have this thing squared up in no time, and to-morrow you'll be all right.'

4Good

I' and the eight hordes were

wheeled about an I trotted fiftv yards farther down beyo »d the stand.

tbe eager racers speri

toward the wire, and two—Etoilu and Jack—were even past its boundary, when a fresh signal sent all back to their places for a fresh start. These preliminaries were repeated several limes, and fully an hour was consumed before they all started fairly together. It was a thrilling sight to see the'm fly along, neck and neck, for a few moments, then begin to scatter. Tbe

reatest inUrsst was centred in Jack. and Bessie, and to these we shall pay undivided attention, promising that, at the outset, Colonel Ringeur had clambered up on tbe stand beside the judges, whence he could take In tho whole course at a glance.

her

enough,Sam I'll comedown

in an hour or so.' And motioning to his friends. Ringeur proceeded toward Seth's ranche to end the day in drunk en debanchery.

After firing at Ringeur, Tauter had leaped over the railing and run toward Redlips, whose pale lips parted in a sad smilo. Pressing one hand on ber side where the hot scarlet blood leaped forth at every breath, phe had tUrown the other around her lover's neck and murmured.

Charlie, Redlips has loved too well. She goes to Manitou. Kiss her, Charlie kiss her until she dies.'

Little more is necessary to complete' our tale. Colonel' Ringeur was 'honorably discharged' by a jury composed of his friends, and afterward received stakes of tbe Grand Valley race. Antoine Vezan and Charlie Tauter decamped in company the day after tbe race—the one to avoid paying his

4debts

4the

Dig

ger gal who had never lost one race out of fifty.'

Whang!' and those obstructing the course crept hurriedly under the barriers, while the wires under which the racers were to pv*s were drawn from the judges' stand to a post opposite.

ot honor,' tho other to escape

being shot at bv an unerring marksman. Poor Redlips was buried out in tho woods, and a rudo cross was erected at the head ot her grave, on which were the words,

4Rcdlips—shot

on tbe

home-stretch.' Peace be with her soul! poor girl! Sho loved not wisely, but too well.

On Top of a Chimney.

A THRILLING SKETCH

As I was leaving the yard one evening to trudge back to tbe bits of rooms we were forced to put up with since I came to London in order to get better wages, I was called into the office by the foreman.

What's your present job, Lindsay?' he asked, and I told him.

Humph! that can stand over for a day or two, can't it Stubbs has fallen ill .gain, and you must take bis place.'

I didn't care to be shifted before I'd finished what I was about, but a journeyman bricklayer, with a wift and children looking tobim for bread, cannot afford to be too particular, and so I held my tongue.

4You

I suppose I never ought to have followed tbe trade, for though I'd gained myself a good character as a steady workman, I had never been able to overcome a horror at being perched at any great height. In the country, where tbe buildings were low, I managed well enongh, out in this great city there were roofs on which I could not stand without this dread oppressing me, nor look down without leeling as though something below wss tempting me to fling myself over and end at once the miserable sensation which no effort of mine oould shake oC

This huge chimney the foreman had ordered me to finish was reckoned one of the highest and beet built shafts In London. We were all proud of the job, which bad been earned on so far without a single mishap but I had earnestly been hoping that I might not be sent to it, ana It wasn't till the workmen had got almost to the top that I began to breathe a bit more freely, and trust that it would be finished without

any

help of

Once at home, with the youngsters' merry prattle in my ears, I forgot my uneasy feeling about the morrow's job but the moment I dosed off to sleep it came back upon me in a hideous dreain. I thought 1 was tailing down, down! and just ss the crash of my body striking the earth seemed inevitable, I woke up with a start to find myself bathed in a cold perspiration and trembling In every limb.

No more settled sleep visited my pillow that night, aud It was a relief when the booming of the clocks dispelled my frightful vision, snd warned me tbat it was time to face a reality.

Tbe morning was bitterly cold and boisterous scarcely a soul was to be seen in the deserted streets at that early hour, and the dull thud, thud of my footsteps sounded mournfully in the stillness reigning around. Ai last the great chimney loomed in|slght, and, gasing up at its immense height, 1 shivered at tbe thought of being on lop of it, and forced to look down on the sickening depth below.

If It had not been for the name of the tbing I should have gone back but the thought ot Bessie and the children spurred me on so buttoning my jacket tightly around me, I began to ascend the staging. In my journey upward I passed many costly curtained windows, and remember thinking, rather enviously, how nice it must be to be rich and sheltered on such a morning flrom the biting cold in a warmly furnished bed-room.

Some lellows wouldn't mind the least bit if they were perched on the top of St. Paul's on the coldest of mornings, provided vou supplied them well with beer, but I wasn't overstrong limbed, any more than I could pretend to be strong-minded so what to them was nothing, to me was almost death itself.

Tbe higher I went the more Inteuse the fingers became quite numbed by tbe hoar frost that was clinging to the sides and spokes of the ladders. After a while I stood on tbe few boards fcrm ing the stage on tbe summit of tbe shaft,and,giving one glance downward, my blood turned colder than it was already as I realized the immense depth to the yard beneath.

Giving myself a shake to get rid of the dizzy sensation that came over me, and unlooking from the pulley the tub of mortar which my mate, waiting bolow, had sent up at once began my solitary work.

I had been hard at it for more than an hour, and was getting a bit more reconciled to my position, cheering myself as I whistlea and worked, with the thought tbat each brick I laid was bringing me nearer to a finish, when all at once a fiercer and colder blast than before came shrieking .-.nd tearing around the chimney. It was nearly overthrown, and in the endeavor to recover myself, I tilted tho boird of mortar lrom off the edge of the shaft on to mv frail standing place.

In a second, to my intense horror, I felt tbe boards and all that were on them gliding away with me from the chimney, aud in a few moments I should have been lying a mangled corpse below, if I bad not succeeded in flinging my arm over and into the hollow ot tho shaft, where, as the scaffold and its load of brick crushed downward, 1 was left banging, with certain death awaiting me the moment I loosened my hold.

My first impulse was to throw my other hand over and draw my body up so that I could lie partially across ti.e top ol the shatt. In this I was successful, and continued to balance mysvlf, half in the chimney and half out.

There for some time I could only cling with frenzied desperation, praying earnestly to be saved from the horrible death threatening me but at last I summoned courage to peer cautiously over the ouside of the shaft.

Not a bit of scaffolding remained within many yards ol me—and that but the poles, with a fevf boards dangling to them—and there was nothing to break my lall should I quit my bold.

Shudderinglv I drew my head over the shaft, for there tbe darkness hid my danger, while to gaze on tbe scene without brought the old feeling of being dragged down back to me in full force.

Then I began to think of the wife and little ones whom I had left snug in bed, and bitter tears came into my eyes as I wondered how they would live if I were taken from thetn. The thought brought me back to more sel id I kept long with this fierce wind begirting me Is

fish ones, and I kept asking myself: 'Must I die? How long can I bold on

there no hope? Will no one, seeing how I am placed, strive to rescue me?" Again I turned my eyes downward. In the court-yard of tbe brewery and in the street below people were fast collecting windows were being thrown open, and women and children, shrieking and sobbing, were gazing from them at Die. The crowd below thickened, running hither and thither. A large kite fluttered nearer and nearer. How I tried to steady myself with one hand, that I might grasp the cord with tbe other as soon as it was within reach, comes vividly before me now. But it never did come within reacVi, a gust of the breeze carrying it far away, and dashing it to the ground.

An hour passed, and though still clinging to the brickwork, it was almost unconsciously, for cold and fear bad so worked upon me that I became quite dazed, aud the chimneys, the people, the confused noise from the streets, and my own perilous position, seemed to be jumbled together in a tanitle which I could not put straight While in this half-sensibles»afel heard a voice shout my name. But it had to be repeated twice before I could rouse myself sufficiently to heed what riv was said.

must go to Coot's brewery to

morrow morning and finish tbst chimney,' the foreman told me. He gave me a few more directions besides, and then went bis way. while I went mine, not very well pleased at tbe prospect before me.

mine.

Bill, B.ll Lindsay! cb-'er up, mste! help is coming!" were tho words which rumbled up the shaft.

After this there was a pause for some minutes, nnd scarce able to control my excitement, I tried to think bow this help would come. Then there was a warning shouted to me to Keep my head back, followed by a wblzzing, hissing noise, and looking within the shaft, I saw a bright shower of golden sparks lighting up the well-like holo, and knew that a rocket had been fired.

But It struck tbe brick work in iu asoent, and failed to reach me, so tbat once more I was left to wait and hope nntil the yoice again shouted for me to keep clear. A moment after a fiery tail ot smirks shot upward far above me, ana an earnest

44Tbank

Ood!'

came from my heart as I grasped a thin cord tbat fell by my side as tbe rocket descended.

By this communication a stouter and stronger rope waa sent me. But my danger was not over, for in my weakened and numbed state it was a

peril

ous slide down it. At first I could scarcely brace my nerves up sufficiently to lsunch myself over tbe brickwork, and my head torning dizzy, for a

moment I thought myself gone but conquering the feeling by a

great effort

I slowly descended until about halt the distance was accomplished. Then tbe horrible fear seized me, "What it the rope should break, or not be securely fastened and dreading

each second tbst my fear would be: fulfilled, in feverish haste I slid on. When within a few yards from the bottom, overtasked nature would bear the strain no longer, and loosening my bold, I dropped into the arms ot those who had been breathlesslv watching my descent.

Other hands than mine finished the shaft in calmer weather, and on a more securely fastened scaffold and I, well cared for by the best of little wives, soon got over the shock of my accident, but, as I go to and fro to my work, and look up to the huge chimney, I often recall with a shudder the hour when I clung to its summit, counting the moments, each one of which seemed to bring me nearer to dreadful death.

IN the Ukraine (Russia) the worn en court more generally than the men. When a young woman falls in love' with a man she is not the least ashamed to goto bis lather's house and reveal her passion in the most tender and. pathetic manner, and to promise the most submissive obedience if he will: accept her a wife. Should the insensible man pretend any excuse, she tells him she is resolved never to go out ot the house till he gives his cousent, and accordingly, taking up her remains there. Ifhe still obstinately refuses her, his case becomes exceedingly distressing. The church is commonly on her side, and to turn her out would provoke her kindred to revenge her honor, so that be has no method left but to betake himself of flight till he is otherwise disposed of.

1HE

SATURDAY EVENING

MAIL,

S -ij

1 I

For the Year 1873.

REGULAR KATEN.

The SATURDAY EVENING MAIL, nu Independent Weekly Newspaper, will be, mailed to subscribe!* at TWO DOLLARS aSi Year ONE DOLLAR for (Six Mouths, and FIFTY CENTS for Three Mouths, and to Clubs at the following rates: Three Copies, One Year Five

44 44

1en

Twenty

44 44 44

15 001

25 00

With One Copy extra to the getter up of a Club of Ten. or more. Mail and office

Subscriptions will, invaria

bly, be discontinued at expiratiou of time paid for. °*'h

CLUBBING WITH OTHER PERIODICALS. We are enabled to offer extraordinary Inducements in the way or clubbing with other periodicals. We will furnish the

SATUR

DAY EVENING MAIL, PRICE 12.00 PER., YEAR, with any of the periodicals enumerated below at greatly reduced rates. These periodicals will be sent dircct from the offices of publication. Here is the list:

SEMI-WEEKLY.

The Mall and Demi-Weekly N, Y. Trtbnne, price, &.00 *4 00

WEEKLY PAPERS.

Mail aud the Indianapolis Jonr•ml, price 2.00 0® The Mail and the Indianapolis Sentlnel, price 12.00 8 00 The Mall and the K. If. Trlbnne, price jfioo W The Mail and the I a a is

IVewfc, price 81.50 2 5 The Mall and the Toledo Blndc, price $2.00 00 The Mall and the X. Y. World, price 8 00 The Mail and the W. Y. Nun, price 11.00

250

The Mail aud tho Prairie Farmer, price 12.00 8 00 The Mail and the Western Rural, price 82.50 8 00:. Tne Mail and the

Chicago Advance,

price 18.00 4 00 The Mall and the Chicago Interior, jpricc K.50 8 50 The Mail and the Chicago Republlcan. price 81.50 2 5,' The Mall and Appleton's Journal, price 84.00 4 50 The Mail and the Rural Sew Yorkcr. price 83.00 8 0 Tbe Mail and Hearth and Home, price 83.00 8 75 The Mail and the Melliodlut, price 82.60 8 00 The Mall and Every ttaturday, price 85.00 5 The Mall and Harpcr'a Weekly, price 84.00 0 00': The Mail and Hitrper'a Basar, price 84.00 8 00

MONTHLIES.

The Mall and Peterson'a IVagacine price 8^.00 13 GO The Mall and the American Agrirnltnrlst. price 81.50 2 50. Tho Mall and l»«more*t'a Monthly, price 83,00.1 year 8 CO The Mall and Godey'sLady'aBook, price 88.00 4 00 The Mall and the North Western

Farmer, price 81.60 50 The Mall and the Little Corporal,

price 81.50 8 00». The Mail and the Little Chief, price 3 75 writ*. 2 26 The Mail and the Little Slower, price 75cents

2S-

The Mall And ftcrlbner's Monthly, price, 84.TO- 50" The Mall and tbe Atlantic Month* ly. price 84.00 4 60b The Mall and Onr Tonne Folk*, f: price 82.00 8 00 The Mall and Old and Hfw, price W. 4 60The Mall and Overland Monthly, price, 81.00 66 The Mail and Harper's Ma«ailne, price 81.00 6 00, The Mall and Yonnar Folk* Rn rnl 2 30

A MPLENDID CHAffCE. We will send The Mall and Drmormil'w: Monthly, which is 83 for one year, to any porson who pay* us 83.50.

Demokest'h Mokthly stands unrivaled as a family magazine. Its choice literature, its superior music, its large amount of valuable Information and artistic llluRtratlonfv give it a just claim to its well-earned title, "the Model Magazine of America."

CLUBBIITO WITH COITWTY PAPERS We have made arrangements to furnish tbe Mail with the following Newspapers, published in the neighborhood of TerreHaute, at very low rates. Here is the list: The Mall and SuUivan Union 83 00 The Mail and Rockvftte Newt 8 00 The Mail and Brazil Miner... 8 00 The Mall and Bowling Green Archive*.... 8 00 The Mall and MarthaU Herald 8 00 Tbe Mall and Hoosier Slate 8 00 The Mail and Newport Transcript- —. 8 00 The Mail and Aurora Borealis 8 00

Persons getting op clubs for the Mail,and desiring to obtain subscriptions for other periodicals on our list at tbe same time, will, be famished a list of the prices at which such subscriptions can be taken separately by us, npor application to this office.

AddreM, P. S. WB8T7AL&. Terre-Hante, Indians.