Saturday Evening Mail, Volume 8, Number 27, Terre Haute, Vigo County, 29 December 1877 — Page 6

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THE MAIL

A PAPER FOR THE PEOPLE.

18 IT ANYBOD1"8 U8JNE889

Is it anybody's basinets li a gentleman should choose To waft upon a lady,

mt&ifli

If the lady don't refuse Or, to speak a little plainer, That the meaning all may knew, Is it anybody's buslnem 1/a lady has a bean? ,, la 1» anybody's business tVlten the gentleman does call, Or when he leaves the lady.

Or If he leaves at all Or Is it necessary That the curtain should be drawn, To Have from further trouble "•f,

The outside lookers-on

Is it anybody's business ana Hot the lady's, if her bean "*SJ Rides out with other ladies

And doesn't let her know & Is it anybody's business I BotMiegeuUeinait'slfshe Sbou cept another escort

Where he doesn't chance to be Is a person on the sidewalk, Whether grait or whether small, Is It anybody's business

Where that pen«en means to call Or, if yoa see a person As he's calling anywhere, Is itauy of your business

What his business maj be there?

The substance of our Hi inply stated, would Is it anybody's business

be this:

What another's business is Ifltis,or lilt Isn't, We would really like to know, For we're certain if It isnt.

There arc some who make It so.

SARATOGA.

—AN—

INDIAN TALK OF FRONTIER LIFE.

A TRUE STORY.

I" Haratoun was commenced In The Saturday Evening Mall, Vol. 8, No. 16, October 6th. Back nun bers can be had of newsdealers, or at this oftlce,or sent by mall for five cents each.]

CHAPTER XXV. THE PRISONER.

We have omitted to state that when the lunatic was brought In, no suitable place bad at first been found in which to confine him. After having been supplied with some cold food which he ravenously devoured, he was taken to one of the log out buildings, which was •mall and strong, having originally been used to protect fowls and the smaller domestic animals, from the foxes and wolves, that in the autumn, and at night had formerly much abounded in this vicinity. Jacob's hands were again secured behind him and he was ushered and fastened into this temporary place of confinement.

It was intended to send him away the next morning to some suitable asylum in the more thickly settled portions of the country. Confinement, whatever its consequences might be to the poor man himself, was now deemed to be absolutely indispensable to public safety. Meanwhile, he had proved to be far from passive and tractable except when Walcott was at haud to overawe him. Even his influence seemed to be limited to the period of bis immediate presence. It was only when he felt himself beneath the very eyes of this master that he was disposed to yield. Away from him, and out of his sight or even behind his back, be affected to sooff at his authority. Thus It was that Wulcott's preeenco was necessary in the making of the various dispositions we have mentioned.

The building in which Jacob was confined .was only about ten feet square, and was roughly constructed of logs. The door, after having been closed, was now strongly barricaded. Several circular openings five or six inches in diameter, and about as many feet above the ground, windows.

self than he began to grow frantic, and to rave in a manner unusually violent. Loud soliloquies, shouts, laughter, and even. it SntAll other, and formed a wild chorus of harsh and incoherent sounds, poured tumultously forth upon the stillness of the

%bkien

he

his

ng as tne little

stood at the door, and so Ion voice was heard outside of building, all within was still. After remaining there for some time bo returned toward the main house but no sooner was he out of hearing than the dissonant outcry was immediately renewed

But meanwhile, be concluded to wait. partly In ihe hope that the tired girl crush tbe hopes, and s« would become accustomed to the noise, such a being as Lucile? and so disregard it aud partly, that as the night grew on, the manlao would himself weary of excitement, aud gradually fell asleep*.

Very different was the scene where the young man stood, from that wblob, at the same moment, might have been observed at the tent near tbe Rook Spring. A bright light illuminated the interior, and shone out through the openings, upon the dark greeu'leavea of the surrounding forest, while tbe sound of a violin, and voice* mingling in merry conversation and in laughter, indicated the kind and degree of amusement which was there taking place.

In obtaining a view of tboae who were participants in this primitive festivity, we should witness a simplicity of manner, and a style and material of drww quite different, it may be safely asserted, from anything seen on tbe saute spot in our days.

It is not, however, 00r perpoee to enter upon a description of tbe personal appearance of those who composed the assemblage, for it would be quite irrelevant to our present purpose. We merely wish to state that tbe enjoyment was hearty—that tbe young ladles bad cheeks a* bright, forma as lithe and pleasing, and ey«e as son and bewitching, as can befbundat any modern fashionable soiree, notwithstanding some of them may have been our grandmothers* and their customs and costume* are now, alas! almost a century ool of date! But then they were neither old or onfashionable, and g*y*ty and habpinosg filled tbelr young hearts as fully aaflt exclusively as poMlbte. For the moment, tbey seemed to entertain no thought or sadneas or of misfortune but to give themselves up to the Innocent amusement* and pleasures of tbe hour.

SUll, amid tbe excitement of the dan* dng, and the sound of the music which regulated It, arntd the low hum of conversation, and «v#»ional burst of merry laughter c* ilJbe heard, now and

then, the strange shouts with which the maniac continued to beguile bis confinement. •What it? What eat* it be?' were questions which, after a while, began to be asked. One would soggest in reply that it might be a bear in the neighborinir brash* or som6 panther, disturbed in his prowling by the sight of such an unusual light as now shone in the tent. Another hinted it might te some drunken reveler at the csbin on the upper bank, or some 'Indian in the village, beside himself from the excessive use of •fire-water.'

4

Still there was no satisfactory solution. When occasionally some one would pause to listen, the noise was discovered to be prolonged, continuous, persistent. Something unnatural or supernatural seemed to Be in it so that to the timid, even amid that collection of young hearts and thoughtless beads, it was a source of uneasiness.

Floyd himself bad been anions the first to notice it, but from constitutional indifference, as well as from a knowledge that they were not far from a considerable collection of Indian habitations, he gave the subject but little thought.

In the course of the evening, however, as it still was beard without abatement, and as one continued uselessly to question another, so that a general observation was drawn to the unexplained circumstance, he determined to go up the slope and ascertain for himself the cause of so much outcry. He was, in addition, it must be confessed, a little interested to know bow the invalid was faring, and especially was he pleased at any pretext which might afford him an opportunity of seeing Mariou again. He was not yet aware that Walcott had returned.

He found the old colonel pacing the floor of the outward apartment alone. 'Good evening. Dick,' said the latter, as Floyd came in 'it is kind of you to come up to us in- our trouble, with all the amusement you have down at the tent. Walcott has got back, and he and Marion are doing what they can to keep the poor girl quiet. She raves much, I am told.' 'Pray, oolonel,' said Floyd, 'what is the noise I bear outside? It has been going on this hour, and we have been a little puzzled to make it out.' •That is the poor crazy creature they caught during the day and, as there was no other secure place in which to confine him, they plaoed him in an out building hard by but he seems to be very uneasy at the restraint put upoH him.'

Walcott, meanwhile, had returned to the house, and had again been, called into tbe inner room, where his mere

Fnfiuenceseemed

presence to exercise a soothing upon the invalid. .1^

CHAPTER XXVI.

OLD TIBS AND NEW FEELINGS. It is, perhaps, needless to saj, that what Marion had heard from tho lips of the sleeper during the absence of Wal cott, and during a momentary access of mental aberration to the sick girl, had only gone to confirm the suspicion she had conceived. It now occurred to her that it might be desirable that he should also learn something of what was pass ing in the mind of the sleeper. Especially, did she wish to observe the eflect which any communication of that nature would produce upon him. For this purpose she was not compelled to wait long for hardly had the young mm seated himself by tbe side of the couch, before Lucile began again to utter some incoherent words. In a short time, what she said became intelligible and thoughts and sentiments escaped from her fevered lips, which in a moment of full consciousness, she would sooner have died than have uttered.

While Walcott, therefore, in being a listener, expected to hear the mere disconnected tnoanings of pain and fever, what was his confusion and rurprise, to hear instead, the plain avowal of the love for him which the poor girl cher-

loom us many ished in her heart. It came upon him answered the purpose of so unexpectedly, and seemed to pour inaows. upon his mind such a flood of dazzling No sooner was tbe inmate left to him- light, that he felt like a prisoner suddenv. a 1 t••atiart/M-tari frnim a nnntrpnn to thfi ly transported from a dungeon to the open day. The effulgence was painlul

Loud soliloquies, shouts, laughter, and even, neieitstaggerea, oomuneu. JU» even screams followed close upon each intelligence smote him like a sword I II LItNOF BA HRIFFHF. an/1 OA ilffhtninff ILKFI thrust,"so bright and so lightning like bad it seemed in penetrating his soul.

Walcott weut out for the pur-

I LILT IV* «UV |IU1

He felt staggered, confused. Tbe

For tbe moment, he seemea unable to endure the intensity of it. He even turned pale, and felt weak and faint, as

of endeavoring to quiet the uproar, the tell talejblood forsook his cheek and carried a torch. The momeut fled to his heart. •Arthur! Arthur!' exclaimed Marion, starting up in alarm 'what has happened? what is the matter with you?' 'Nothing,' said he, 'at least—not much.

I believe I must be a little unwell myself. Fatigue, perhaps.' We have said that the effect of the disclosure upon Walcott was painful. It

Ho tried the effect of his presence and was so in the extreme. His own attach.i ii_ .ii am/1 ttiA anAittvtni* Ifc mlonfc MllBA ment, and tbe suffering it might cause him were as nothing, when counted lengtn, uiai ne coutu u» uuiuiuh cuoci.- mo "vy, -7---™ ual to prevent the annoyance, he gave against his plighted faith to Marion, up the attempt, regrettlag that some But now that the feelings, and possibly other disposition bad not been made, tbe permanent^ happiness of another and half inclined to try a change, as WAa*

absence several times and finding, at length, that he could do nothing effect

were conoerned,. the case had become different. How oould he, by adhering to his vow crush tbe hopes, and sear the heart of such a being as Lucile? It was a sense of suffering which, as be imsgined, must result from whatever course he might pursue, that most oppressed snd weighed upon him for tbe moment. Yet with this pang, sharp as it was, came also a balm.

The poison of tbe new hope, if poison it was. was still most sweet and tempting. Had be, at this period of bis life, thought as to whose love, of all others in the wide world, be would most bate coveted, hie choice would have fallen upon tne one whose actual love was thus, in the unconscious voice of sleep, tendered to him.

At that time however, he would listen to no more. Tbe utterance of sentiments in which he was so deeply concerned began to affect him with a sympathy too nainrul to be borne. Moreover by thus remaining, be seemed to be obtaining by indirection and espial, a knowledge which oould not well oorne to him openly. Suob an act would therefore be apparent treachery to the sleepef. He rose to to. •It |f better,* he said, 'that I should not remain any longer here, think. She is ignorant of what she te saying, and probably in her delirium, she baa from gratitude, mingled my name with others which she cherishes more nearly.*

Marion bad watched all In silence. ShSupow felt persuaded that Walcott, at fhelik had become dmply Interested In tbenwtof Locile and judging of the attractiuusfcisrhich might opera* upon him in that direction, she did not fibd It wry difficult to believe thai his admiration must be as strong as her own. The oonviction DM* gained upon bcr that, without knowing it* the fiseliac* of «cb other had got tobe gteatly cotraraed in theaflfcir. And what tben? Tbe plain truth—if such it

was—might

to her be a

little harsh, perhaps a litUejpatnfel. Had she beraslf been so incapabto of laspiring this young man with aay other feelings than those of fraternal esteem?

Meanwhile we have left unanswered the half embarntaaed and awkward re-

TERRE HAUTE S A TURD AY E\ E!N IJS MAIL.

mark of Walcott, as he aroae to departnot that Marion did not reply to it but that we have tw 11 mpelled to pause and record some of the thoughts which passed through her mind. 'Whether she raves or not. Arthur/ she bad calmly replied, 'you know that she baa desired that you should not be absent—at least not very far. Besides, do not go, for I shall want—I think I shall want some frank conversation with. you myself before long. I have beard and seen enough to make ne painfully anxious.'

The yonng roan paused—did not leave the room, but turning slowly to her he said: 'My dear and gentle Marion, whatever you have to ssy, you will find me as sincere and loyal as when our hands were first plighted ss sincere and truthful to you as when our earthly hopes were first by compact joined together.* 'I knew you would be so, Arthur,' she said, ber eyes filling with tears, as, taking a chair she sat down near bim. 'I knew it would be so, and therefore come to you above all others, first. I need hardly tell you now that the dear girl who suffers there loves you—loves you deeply. I found it out as you did—and— and if I must say it, I havo almost wished that ber love might be returned by vou.'

Ail this was said with much hesitation, and with many pauses and considerable embarrassment but still tbe frauk and generous girl was determined to say all. 'Marion,' be replied, 'you know that my faith is pledged to you and I do assure you that I have never willingly or consciously swerved from tho duty wbi such an obligation imposes upon me.' 'Duty, Arthur, is a cold word to use between ut and surely it should not have been felt as an obligation, nor should you have looked upon it as imposing any thing which your own feeliugs did not spontaneously dictate.' 'Aud what then?' he asked, in doubt what construction to put upon her words while he recollected with some confusion that his own language was calculated to unvail his sentiments too plainly. •What then?' said she. 'Why, you could never have been attached to me in good, downright earnest and you have been properly punished. You do not now deserve to be loved by such a one as Lucile. Perhaps you will also think that her regard will impose upon you some weighty and irksocne obligation?'

Insensibly, thus had the conversation taken such a turn as to seem as if they were discussing, not the relations between themselves, but a well understood attachment between the young man and Lucile. It was not without difficulty that he could contemplate himself transferred to this new position. He could scarcely believe his senses. He looked into the countenance of Marion, to discover whether her words covered an ill-timed jest, or a reproaching sarcasm. He did not find indications of either tbe one or the other.

It was true that tbe expression of her features was half playful, yet it was also half tearful. Whatever else she might feel, she certainly felt earnestness, fehe rejoiced in the generous action which she supposed herself to be doing and yet, womanlike, half regretted the sacrifice she made. Was another to gain and possess the confidence of the man to whom she had been so long bouud by so many ties? Ail the affections are jealous, tbe weakest as well as the strongest. 'But Marion,' replied he, after along pause, 'I will not permit you to make this change on my account. I am sure there may be some misconception in the whole business.' 'You shall promise me one thing,' said she, interrupting him: 'if she' (pointing to Lucile) 'does not love you, you shall marry me after all. What do you say to that?' she continued, half laughing through her tears. '1 promise you anything you ask, dear Marion,' replied the young man. appreciating with a heart full of emotion, all the high minded generosity there was in her act.

Does the reader think the whole circumstance unnatural and incredible? We affirm that the human heart is a profound mystery, uiaiio up in its outward developments, of soeming paradoxes and contradictions.

Aud yet, in this particular case, who can tell? May there not have been some new born emotion in Marion's heart, and rising like a summer morning upon tbe horizon of her intelligence, to bend its joyous light through all the recesses of her being? What music of a great joy yet unseen, may have been resounding in advance in the inmost chambers of her soul? Influences she knew not of may have guided her thoughts and determined her wishes, as guardlAn angels were once thought to guide the unconsoious footsteps of men.

But now the hour was waxing late. It was tlmo that some final dispositions for the night be made. The invalid, lor the moment, was sleeping quietly, all 11 noonscious of the momentous issues affecting her fate which had thu9 been disposed of.

Before leaving the room, Walcott, with modi feeling, raised tp his lipa the hand which Marion bad extended to him, In token of continued regard.

Am

be went

forth, therefore, his oountenanee was flushed, and hie mind disturbed with many conflicting emotions.

It will be recollected that for a great portion of the time taken up during tbe above interview, Floyd and Colonel Belden bad been engaged in conversation in tbeouter room.

In tho confusion which had ensued after the return'of Walcott with the ma niac in custody, he and Floyd bad not met. He was, therefore, taken completely bv surprise to find tbe latter there. Insoaivich that he stopped short, exclaiming almost unconsciously: •Major Floyd!' •Arthur Walcott!' replied the other, almost equally surprised on tbe instant although hejtnew bim to be in tbe bouae.

Af*.er a few moments' delay, however, Plovd cime frankly forward, extending bis band, and saying: 'I have to beg pardon for some old passages between us. I feel satisfied that I was entirely In the wrong, mid I trust that you will receive my regrets In all aiticerHy and good faith a« tbey are

^Ith *11 my heart, sir,' quickly replied Wtloott. 'And hereafter I hope we shall know each other better than to conceive mutual mtstekee eo euMy.'

During this brief colloquy Marion bad stood in tbe doorway, at first anatioua as to tbe lame, but afterward gratified beyond expression at tbe generous initiative taken by Floyd and when she saw tbe two young men shaking bands oardial ly together, ber blush of trepidation became one of bapptnem.

As soon aa tbe first civilities were named, Waloott begged to be excused for a tow momenta aa be wished to look a little to tbe situation of his prisoner. For this purpose be went ocu but be bad hardly moved from tbe door before he saw standing unexpectedly before bim tbedvtky form of Joe, who, it teems, waa just returning. •Eh, Joe. is that you?' said WalcoU as he distinguished him in tba daiknesa.

•Got him, cap'n,' laconically answered tbe savage. •Got what?' asked Walcott. •Medicine—core pretty squaw, now— right off— by'm by,' anawered tbe other. 'Let us see what it Is,' said Walcott, turning quickly back to tbe house.

The savage now exhibited to tbe inmates of tbe place aoollection of plants for which, it would seem, he bad been In search. •What good will these do, and bow are we to use them?' asked Colonel Belden, after a momenta' pause. 'Do good, eb? Cure Equaw, that all, said Joe, answering one of tbe questions. 'But how shall we use them, 1 ask?' repeated the colonel. •Bile 'em—make, what you call him, tea?' said the Indian 'take big drinkbe well in ntornin'.'

The directions, tben, were plain enough but who was to guarantee that tbe promised reaulta would ensue? How were tbey to know that the consequences, instead of being favorable, might not be dangerous or fatal? This wss the important queation.

vAnd

then the pre­

scription was recommended by a more than half savage—by one who bad but recent.y manifested a most hostile disposition toward one of the persons most deeply concerned in tbe result.

Tbe case was certainly critical. There was a well-grounded apprehension that the remedy migbi be worse than the disease on the other hand, as if to spur them on to some measures of relief,however desperate, the poor girl was hourly yielding to an unknown fever, more aad more violent in its symptoms.

Brigham, who was called in to be advised with, and who was supposed to be beet acquainted, not only with the temper and intentions of Joe, but with tbe character of Indian remedies, was decidedly opposed to running the hazard of trying tne supposed cure, notwithstanding tbe kind of voucher wtioh Catfoot had given him for Joe's uprightness of purpose.

Walcott himself, being free from suspicion,and half doubting the story about the Indian's late designs upon himself, was, on the other hand, inclined to try the effect of the decoction. His knowledge of the medicinal virtues of plants was not extensive, but, in the present case, it was sufficient to enable bim to feel very confident that none of those recommended were poisonous and he thought that, at the worst, they would be harmless. He bad likewise, much faith in the skill, with which the simple inhabitants of tbe woods applied the means of cure within their reach. He had often, in his own experience,had occasion to witness their boneficial effects. Moreover, he did not suppose it possible that any one could harbor an evil purpose against a person as innocent as Lucile. He reasoned of others, from what he felt himself.

In regard to the precise character and names of the plants produced, 110 one

Eotanist,

resent was sufficiently an herbalist, or to say much. Some of them were unfamiliar even to the eyea of Brigham.

After a brief discussion as to tbe course to be pursued, Colonel Belden asked: 'What if this medicine should kill the young lady, Joe? What should we do to you then?' 'Joe here, kill him, that all,' was the reply.

Tbere was something so confident in his manner that it had the effect of inspiring the others with a little hope, if not with a decided faith so that it was finally determined that the decoction should be prepared and administered.

Tbe task was, therefore, immediately set about, and it was not very long before, for good or for 111, the potion was in readiness and swallowed by the ina id

Much to the gratification of all, shortly afterward she became quiet and sank into a deep sleep.

Floyd now took his leave, promising to return the next morning after having seen his own party set out, as they intended to do, at an early hour, on their return to Schuyler's.

vM CHAPTER XXVIL THK IfUNATIO 8 E8CAP«. In a short time after Floyd's departure, all within and without Brigham's cabin became comparatively quiet. Tbe music from the distant tent could no longer be beard. Even the maniac had lapsed into silence and it was supposed that Dature and fatigue had at last surmounted tbe 'seven devils' by which he see me (3 to be possessed.

The small building where he was confined was, as we have said, detached from tbe main house, and stood quite alone. Its general character has been already mentioned. It may, however, be added that its roof was composed of thick ti MI bers, stretched across tbe top sufficiently near each other to allow a thatch of straw to be laid over all. It wits FUpposed that these stringers were too close together to enable a man to pass up between them. The whole erection, however, was low and a person could nearly reach tbe roof when standing beneath tbe lowest part.

In the arrangements made for the night, M'Carty and Joe (at his own desire) were to act as sentinels upon tbe place of confinement. It was not known what attempt at violence or escape might be made by Jacob in the darkness and it was therefore thought not unadvlsable to have a sufficient force st band.

Walcott himself, though now suflerloft much from fatigue, and his continued exertions and watchlngs, could not immediately compose his mind so as to get thst sleep and rest which he so much needed. Perhape the very excess of his fatigue served to keep alive bis excite^ ment, and make him wakeful. To quiet bis nerves, he even went forth Into the open ail', and strolled for awhile among the trees, inhaling tbe fresh atmosphere, and enjoying the wide spread silliness which prevailed. Tbe fragrant air, snd tbe repose of all naturo around bim, nerved at once to cool his blood, and to soothe his excited feelings.

After a time, he went back into the bouse, where be found everybody before him. He soon fell into a doze himself, and by degrees, became entirely lost in forgetfulnesa.

As the sight wore on, tbe two watchmen outside occupied themselves sometimes in such scanty discourse aa could ba maintained with a person of Joe'a tad tor* babita. In fact, whatever conversation took place between them was almoet entirely kept up by M'Carty, who waa as talkative as tbe other waa silent. Nevertheless, tbe lack of responses, like the lack of applause to an orator rendered his dhwui*® anaattafnotory to himself, and loaf periods of si-

to and fro, before tbe entrance to temporary jail tbey were set to Tbelr task, to all appearance, likely to be aneaity one, torjb« prisoner bad at length become quiet, mod bad fallen aaleep, as tbey thought, without making any serious effort to eecape, Tbey^bjan to congratulate

tbe guard.

tbemselves that iey should not bear of bim train till daylight should call forth hie h**tm and iii tutmed croak, ae it would awaken tbe muskal voices oi tbe blrdr.

Semetime after midnight, however, when everything was hushed in tbe moat profound stillness, tbe quick ear of the savage detected a low and peculiar eoond, coming from the place where the prisoner was oonfined. It was not like the noise of one moving about, or attempting to remove any obstacles, or testing tne strength of tbe fastenings. It was ratber a regular sound, like that of a saw, but more smooth and muffled, and without its harshness.

Joe immediately called the attention of his oompanion to the circumstance. Neither of them could tell from what tbe noise originated, or what it might import. Their observance of it did not seem to have any effect upon it. If Jacob was busy at any th'ng, he did nbt appear to care a rush whether they heard him or not. Meanwhile, tho sound gradually increased in rapidity and loudness. The two men moved hastily about the small building, as if securely to Invest it on all sides, and to be in a better situation to discover the cause of the disturbance. They went everywhere, and listened at all points, but to no purpose. Tbey well knew that Jacob oould, when left to himself, without much difficulty, relieve his bands and arms from the ligatures which bound them and it was not doubted that in the morning all his limbs would be as free as ever. His immense strength and insensibility to

Sarkness,

ain made any movement by bim in the all tbe more noticeable and dangerous.

At length, the Indian found a place where tbere was a considerable opening between the timbers, and where he oould hear what was going on within, more distinctly than at any other point. Here bee8tablished himself with aboriginal patience and determination, as it promised to be tbe most palpable place at which to solve the mystery of tbe unaccountable noise. Not only did be listen, but every moment or so he applied his eye,to tbe aperture in order to make any discovery which might be possible to tbe sense of sight.

After a few moments this vigilance was rewarded by bis noticing occasional sparks of fire emitted from a certain point within the building. The truth now flashed at once uponnis mind, and he conjectured rightly that Jacob was endeavoring to strike a ligbt by a well known method in use among tbe savages, that is to say, by friction.

Curious, however, to learn what oould be the object of it, the two men outside coutinued to listen and watch in silence. It was not more than a minute afterward, when, instead of occasional sparks, they saw a dull, blue flame rising from among some dry leaves upon the ground. Tbe light emitted from this, though at first but faint, soon increased sufficiently to enable them to observe all tbe movements of their prisoner. Their curiosity was meanwhile, in 110 respect diminished. What was to be the purposeof tbe midnight illumination they oould not conjecture. Besides the material for maintaining it was extremely limited in quantity. The blaze barely sufficed to make visible tbe sides of the small quadrangle, and aa tbe sticks and rubbish on which it fed would soon be exhausted, tbe purpose for which it had been kindled must be accomplished soon, if at all.

It was a curious spectacle which they witnessed. Tbe light from that faint fire of leaves striking upon the maniac's rim and uncouth features, from below, ike tbe footlights of a theater upon tbe oountenanee

of

a player, showed his

wild eyes glittering with cunning and ferocity, while a smile, half of fatuity and half of diabolical mischief was visible upon the lower portion or his face. He seemed like an untamed beast prowling in his lair, and watching an opportunity for making his escape or doing some act of violence.

Meanwhile the two men, whoso closely overlooked his proceedings, had not long to wait before they learned the meaning of all these preparations for no sooner had he procured fire enough to Ignite the end of'a small dry stick, than he raised it above his head like a torch, and in a twinkling, set fire to tbe straw thatch of the roof. The Indian uttered an emphatic 'ugh!' of astonishment, and rushed with all his speed toward tbe main cabin in order to waken Walcott, to get bis directions and assistance during the coming crisis. For this, instructions had been already given them. The latter was accordingly roused from a deep sleep into whion he bad fallen, by a rough sbake of ihe shoulder, when, looking up, be saw the swarthy face or Joe bending over him. lie sprang up at once. 1 'Come,' said Joe, 'come quick. Jake burn bouse.'

At that moment tbey heard the wild, hoarse laugh of the lunatic from without, pealing through tbe still night air, as loud as a trumpet, and as discordant snd startling as afire alarm. The two men rushed forth as speedily *s possible. They found the roof of the little building already in a full blaze. Inside of it, Jacob was apparently capering and shouting with might aud main, in a state 01 the highest glee at what be had done.

Not a moment was to be lost. It was evident that tbe poor wretch would soon be roasted alive where be was. They found M'Carty already hammering away at tbe fastenings or tbe door, humsnely determined to let tbe prisoner loose at all hazards. He was now joined in bis efforts by tbe others. Overhead the fire crackled and blazfd away with momentarily increasing heat and violence.

Tbe merriment of tbe Inmate continued unabated. As always happens under such circumstances, the very baste of the men to get tbe door open, retard ed tbelr movements. Tbey tore away tbe cross bars one after another, almoet in de»pair of being able to succeed In time.

They could see flakes of burning straw already falling from the roof within the building, and sometimes around or upou the dancing fiend, like a shower of shooting stars aronnr 1 tHen Lucifer.

Just at the instari v. tbey bad got tbe door partially cared away, and so suddenly that tbe art was entirely unsntlopated, tbe maniac made one furious bound at tbe opening, bursting It through with as much apparent ease as .bat with which a cannon ball breaks a window2asl} and overturning all who Mood In hia way, be rushed lortb, and with wild screams of laughter, disaplt» the daikiM*#.

Ail Uii* wa» don* in much less time tbtt it coulo be told in. Tbe three men who bad been utterly confounded or overset by this sudden sortie, which came upon ibem more like an explosion than tbe act of a human being, now looked at each other in astonishment. Walcott alone made a start aa If in pursolt, but Immediately recollected the uselessnem of such an attempt at that time, and stopped.

All this noise and uprcar had awakened tbe otber occupants of the larger cabin. Brigham now came forth followed by tbe old oolonel. and Marion herself Mood alarmed te thedoorway. The blaze of tbe burning thatch cart a bright rot .ligbt for along d'stance around, SMin U»e rusty trunks ot the forest tr« e«, or upon Uso green leavts ol their tope.

The scene was ooe tor an artist. Tbe

•Aivi'W

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rough and various forms and accoutrements of tbe men, tbe different expressions of astonishment, curiosity, or alarm, which might have been observed upon their countenances the pale and delicate face of Marion, as xhe stood in the portal of the rude log building, and in the wilderness, at night, and made visible by the lurid reflection of a burning roof, formed a group of objeots not often to be met with by the lover of the picturesque.

The view, however, was to bo brief for as the thatch was exceedingly dry, it burned with great rapidity, and was soon consumed, without even setting fire to the timbers upon which it rested.

As the flames died away, the whole scene faded into darkness. It seemed to have come and gone like a single flash from a magic lantern. The woods around again became vocal with the chirrup of toads and the cries of insects. All else was deep hush and solitude, except when occasionally the voice of the retreating lunatic could be heard in ita

cept when onally the voice of the

unearthly merriment, ringing from afar. When the nature of tbe disturbance, and the result of it bad become frilly known to all, and as soon as all danger of tbe fire communicating to tbe main building had passed away, most of those who had been aroused by it made arrangements for the second time that night, to retire.

M'Carty was secretly cursing fate, or bis own inefficiency and want of foresight and feeling an intense degree of chagrin that an escape for the second time, had now taken place while he was on the watch.

The Indian began to feel some return of his old superstitious ave of a being who played such terrible pranks. Walcott was simply annoyed. The labor of the last few days had been rendered unavailing, and must be done over again. He was the last one to retire. He saw that tbe slightly charred timbers of the burned root did not blaze up again, and that the fire had in fact effectually died out. He beard tbe voice of tbe wild man gradually lose itself in the distance, and tbe whole scene bccamo peaceful and undisturbed.

Fortunately, Lucile had slept on through all tlie uproar, and that as quietly as if nothing had occurred. The draught which sbenad swallowed must bavo been a potent one, or exhausted nature was avenging itself for too many hours of weariness and watching previously spent without sleep.

Whatever was tbe cause, her senses remained locked in profound unconsciousness through all the anxieties and disturbances a9 that night. [TO BK CONTINUED.]

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BROWNS

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The olcl reliable re* edy for all Tlirtfat and Lung Diseases, is a sclontiflc preparation, compounded from the formula of one of the most succcssful praeticlonors In tho western country. It h*s stood tho test for last twenty years, and will effect a cureafter all other Cough remodies have failed

Brown's,, Expectorant

Never falls to cure Consumption In the early stages by subduing tbe Irritation and in« flainatlon in the Bronchial tubes, and even in the last stages It relieves the cough, promotes easy expectoration, subdues pain and induce* refreshing sleep.^

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Instantly and permanently cure* 1I10 most violeutcouhh, and the first dose, if taken Just before going to bed, will insure a good night's sleep. iW! sMs

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Ii w&rr&ot£tf lo do All tbM II cltttrned for It* Hundreds of the most prominent citizens of our city have use

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Sold at wholesale In Terre Haute, by GULICK BEIUnV E. H. BINDLEY,* .. COOK & BELL.