Saturday Evening Mail, Volume 12, Number 18, Terre Haute, Vigo County, 29 October 1881 — Page 6

Hunter's

V4£

THE \1A 1L

A PAPER FOR THE PEOPLE.

THE

3

Bride:

WON AT LAST.

A Taleof Thrilling Adventure ?air,.&ordet,chod

BY J. P. HTELLB.

CHAPTER VII. MY8TKRIOU8 SOUNDS.

Shortly alter Dan Houce had left him on guarcl at the entrance of the newlydiscovered continuation of the cave. Ab Willis was suddenly startled by the loud rattling of many feet over the loose stones and, in almost the same instant, rough hands were laid upon him, and his gun was rudely wrested from his grasp. A single glance revealed who it was he bad to contend against. He was surrounded by uietnbera of the identical party that had arrested him on the *ame spot not many hours before. Knowing that be had nothing of good to expect, he drew his tomahawk, and slashed right and left, in hopes of being ablo to cut them loose, and hold them at bay till his bis friend should return to hisassistance.

This be was unable to do, for the number was too great, and each man was too fully resolved. As a consequence, he wasHOOQ bound and gagged, not, however, until he had inflicted deep wounds on several of hi* assailants.

Having Ab Willis once more in their power, the W3ttlers. beaded, as on a former occasion, by Col. Muniford, burned him away, for they had no wish to await the return of Dan Houce.

The route taKen was a new and strange one to the prisoner. They turned from tne main cavo into a narrow avenue close at hand, the entrance to which he bad not before seen. At first he WHS at a loss to tell why ho had not seen it, but noon the explanation came, for, on making the passage, the jwirty halted, and, raising upon edge a very thin slab of atone, titu-1 it into the entrance and so perfect WH»* the tit that Ab felt .sure it hud been tlioi before, and had causod Dan and himself to pass tbe point without suspecting the true state of affairs.

Having carefully closed the entrance, the party hurried on with their prisoner through a long succession of narrow pasctagei anil large rooms, aud finally halted at a point far distant from that at which the arrest hail been made. Here thdy hold a short consultation aside, which resulted in the prisoner being left undor strong guard, still bound and gagged, while the others or the party continued on their way along the course of the •cave.

After the lapse of hours, perhaps—the party returned, bringing in addition to their number in the persons of the Rev. Mr. Kilgotvand Miss Mattle Collins, to say nothing of sevoral other members of the settlement.

A pans**. She -Unified a negative by shaking In hind,-but r»»:«iainod silent. Then," eon tinned Col. Mumfonl, in a harsher tone, "I have one more proposition to make. Yon see that this follow is now wholly in our power, and you know that his remit conduct has rendered him deserving of death. Sentence of dt*ath has already

1v«mi

pronounced

against him t, even a*: this late hour, you have it iii ^nr power to avort the penalty. Stau up, like a brave, and nutnaiiQ girl, and respond to the marriage oereuionv with' Mr. Kilgore, and Ab Willis, bad as lie is, shall go free. Are you ready?"

She seemed to hesitate,' but a negative signal from Ab soon decided her, and shoHignitiod that

M1H

was uot.

"Then, by all tin1 powers," thundered the Colonel "we shall see how long you' two dove* will cast glance* and signals Against my. will. To the rock with film!"

In obedience to this command, Ab Willis was seiaed by the guard, securely bound, hand and fbot. dragged across the «utve, an placed in a sitting posture against the wall. Some thirty feet above his head wan a bench in the rocks, upon the briuk of which, *Bd almost ready to topple overplay, or rather balauced, a detached stone of several tons* weight. "The handsplkee!" abonted the Colonel, and at once several men were upon the bench with levers under the side of the ston#, causing to sway to and fro, aa If starting at each effort, to leap from its position and crush the helpless prisoner to atoms*. "Hold a moment cried Col. Mumford, "thecercmony shall now proceed."

At this, the Rev." Mr. Kllgvre took his station at the aids of the now trembling Mattie and Cot. Mumford, acting the part of magistral«\ time the

r,

usual marriaueoartt'iiony. The minister from the responded prompt' MattieVi tiute for

husband?"

A wavering look toward the prison*-: was met by a firm shake of his head, and she promptly responded, -No.'* Col, Muuiford at once ordered the levers to be applied, and, in obedience to their Influence, the great stone was soon rocking to and fro, appearing jnst ready to tumble over at every sway. "The right

word will

•aid the

late at any moment before the stone fails." So often as he could catch her glance, Ab Willis shook his head. She remained silent, and the work at the levers went on vigorously.

At last the Jinallift seemed to be given, for the stone poised for a moment upon the very brin k. Mattie covered her eyes with her bands, and waited to bear the dreadful crash. It came, but not from the source counted upon. The stone toppled back, and the men at the levers were nerving themselves to give it the final send, when there came bounding and rolling through the cave a crash and a roar which shook the rocks from top bottom, causing several small pieces of

., Doiiom, causing aeverai su»u v*

,rom aboTe

My God, aa earthquake!" cried the Rev. Mr. Kilgore "we shall be buried alive. Out of this with all possible speed!"

The words were scarcely uttered ere there began a regular stampede for the mouth of the cave.. Mattie was borne along in the arms of hat friends, aud Ab wa, fcfl

On reaching his cave and bis family, Dan Houce found the latter most decidedly demoralized. They had made a startling discovery—the cave was haunted, and no mistake. The discovery had been made in this wise: T» while away the tediousnees of the time during his father's absence, Dan Houce, the younger, bad concluded to go on an exploring expedition further into the cave.

CHAPTER

to sHiiicuicni. the strange murmuring could be disOu seeing Muttie, Ab made an attempt tinctly heard, and, what was most relo rise to his foet. but was rudely thrust markable, it seems to issue from the down by the shoulder ut the hands of face of tho solid rocks, just as the young the guard. Mattie iw his condition at Houce had stated. But tho old hunter aglaiu-a, and pale, though not trembling revealed manv a ghostly mystery —for the ladies or these days were made in his time—was no believer in things 1 ,.i.. if I. rt Art Krt & .. 1 nl A till tu ifli tB0

—for in© jnune* 01 ujuw uuyn wwv time—was no ueuevui iu »uu of sterner stuff—she looked on in tho supernatural—so, slowly, and with calmness of de^mir, aimnly waving her composure of one used to such work, u»N.i u. hut niit nf.tnmntinir nAdfltur hnro and fhArn in niiA«ii hand in recognition, but not attempting to speak. Ab could not speak, of course, for no was gagged, so for some minutes after tho return of the party silence reigned-mpreii 10. Finally, it was brokon hv Col. Muniford, who, addressing Mattie, said: "Now, Mattie Collins, the time when somothing shall be done has arrived. You have tr'.fle with me long enough. There is tnu unworthy wretch npon whom you have foolishly and childishly plaootl your arfcrLious, or upon whom you Imagine you htve placed them. Look as a aenslbfv* wonan should, and ask yourself i:" you have not been doing a very Inconsistent thing?" 8ho cast Htx-rowful lo',ns directed, but was silent so the Colonel went on "Come, now, show yourself a girl worthy of Virginia, by standing up boldly, unci complying with iny request right here in the nraseiK'o of this miserable vagabond. It will s^rve as a usoful lesson to him, «in-l may restrain him from ever again attempting to look so far above his j^ition.

Having said and arrangod all this, Dan hurried from the cave, and proceeded by the nearest cute to the mouth of the other cave—the one in which Ab Willis had so strangely disappeared. Pausing at the entrance, be was trying to decide what was best next to be done, when, all of a sudden, a dull, rumbling sound reached bis quick ear, as if coming froni far beneath the earth. A moment's attention, and there was vi-

usual marri«ge^n*'iu»ny. The minister from the to mtb «»f the cave in the most up. responded pnun^Kly. of course, but when livetv meaner imaginable, fairly fling- The MtttlttSi tinto for response Came she tiui hither and

save him yet,**

Colons wtii

not be too

given

This was too much for the already un- Bill Blizzard ef I ain't a gettin' tired of -.rung netwesof young Honoe, so he riskin'mv neck a gettin'you out'n fool beat a rapid retreat, and Kept it up with scrapes. You couldn't do no good ef ye

great spirit until safely in the maternal presence. Of course the hopeful youth was not long in relating his startling experieL—, ana the result was a unanimous decision to the effect that the cave was haunted. And from that moment until the return of Dan all hands were sorely oppressed with fear—fear to remain in the cave because of the haunts, and fear to leave it because of tneIndians.

Dan listened to the story in thought ful silence until it was through, then having refreshed himself, he took up hi1 gun and struck out toward the haunted region, closely followed by his son, armed to the teeth with the old horsepistol.

VIII.

AN INDIAN ON TRAIL.

On reaching tho end of the cavo—that point at which the mysterious sounds lad been heard—all appeared to be as silent.aa the tomb, so they proceeded to wait fora recurrence of the phenomenon. In a little while it came, sure enough

VI 'ill -r -r I tl© went peering here and thero in quest of a solution. Ero long he was rewarded with the discovery of a small fissure in tho rocks, and the fact that by placing his oar to said fissure the sounds were to be heard in more volume than from other positions. Following the fissure along he finally came to where it widened sufficiently to receive a man's arm, and, looking down into it at this point, "innl

sounds were qnite

a dim light

he could plainly mako out

below. Here also the .. distinct in fact,

coming from

re upc_

they took upon themselves the exact

semblance or human voices, and were so full that occasional words could be made out. "Now, boy," said Dan, "if you listen right sharp into that crack o' the rock, von may hear your ghosts purty plain, 'rrv hit." "Yes, I hear 'em," said tho youth, "and now I know what it is—it's no ghosts at all—but it's somebody but how .in thunder do you reckou they got down through that little crack o' the rock "Never mind that," returned the hunter: "enough for you to know that it's somebody and no ghosts. You're not afraid now, are you "Fraid! no. not by a long shot." "Theiv I've got somethin' for you to do. Tim's a lot devilment ajijoin' on down there, or I'm mortal mistaken, ('an you ges* nt. how long an hour and a half is "Rath*-think I enh to a t-y, te," replied tho v«Hingsier. "Then I'ma-goin'out, and wantyou to stay hero jest about an hour an a half. When the time's up you must turn your old hoss-pistol loose right down inter the crack o' the rock, and then arter that you can go back and stay with our folks till furder orders. Here's a candle, aud, to help you about guessing at the time, I'll make a mark on hit here with some gunpowder. Now, when It barns down to this 'ere mark, you turn loose the old pistol and travel."

m\ iirc a*»

ivpoaniiK tne nient there came tnJui scrambling by, and wait n»see if anything turned

ludicronslv ejected

TURBB HAUTE SATURDAY EVUNTNG MAIL

unknown branch was readily found, for all had been too badly frightened to think of closing its entrance and, on passing on, our brave old hunter came at length upon Ab W^ill is, aitting below the balanced rock, still bound and gagged, as the reader left him. A few clip® with Dan's hunting-knife set him free, and, without an interchan many words, the two passed rapidly to the outer world, knowing that the villagers would speedily return to invest! gate matters when they learned that no earthquake had been felt outside.

Their conjectures were correct, and they were not a moment too fleet, for, looking back from the top of a hill not far away, they saw a delegation of vil lagers hastening toward the cave. whether or net, on their return, they were enabled to arrive at any reasonable conclusion with reference to what had

them fright, deponent fails tosay ut the reader will not be at a serious loss when he takes into consideration young Houce's horse-pistol, and the arrangement that was entered into between that brave youth and his sire less than two hours before. The less will he be at a loss if he was ever present when a gun was fired off inside a large cave. There is nothing else like it on tneearth or under it, so far as is known to mortality. All the thunders ever heard by one man, boiled down into a compact batch, would scarcely be a faint representation of what it is. From rock to rock, and angle to angle, tho vibrations roll back and forth for several seconds, causing, as it seems, the very earth to shake beneath one's feet.

He hud gone along distance bad reached to end of the cave, and had seated himself to rest, preparatory to returning, when lol the stillness of the mistaken, the nests broke up for all place became suddenly broken by strange time to come. I've no idea what they 11 sounds issuing apparently from the try to do iiext, but of one thing 1*11 jest rocks. He gave oar a reasonable length bet my bottom dollar—they won't take of time. Tho sou»ds were not unlike that ar gal back to that cave agin, certhe murmur of human voices as coming tain." from a great distance. He searched to "Idon't think they will," replied Ab, mane sure that he was at the end of the "but somehow I must find out what they cave, but no possible outlet developed are aiming to do. You go on to the famitself. The Bouuds continued at short ily cave aloue, and I will steal back tointervals, and, finally, a burst of an- ward the settlement and try to watch gelic music reaehed his ear from the them." rocks. __ "No, you don't," said Dan, "for I'm

went. By what you say, I take it as how

goiu' bit blind 'thout any

plans fixt. The only way is jist to wait till the right time comes, and then we may expect to do somethin', but not till then." "I know, but "No buts in the case. Dan Houce knows what he's about, and ef you don't want bis services any longer, jest ro on as you propose. Ef you do want 'em, say not another wora, but let us hurry to our hidin' place, and try an' git a little rest, for they ain't no tellin' how soon we may need more nor we can get."

Lead on then, Dan, and I will follow," said Ab and they picked their way through the thick woods toward the cave in which Dan's family was concealod

The sun was yet a short distance above the horizon "when our woodsmen reached the vicinity of their cave and, since there had been so much stirring about there of late, they deemed it prudent to lie around till after nightfall before venturing in.

Choosing a position on elevated ground, that commanded not only a viow of the little thicket surrounding the mouth of the cave, but a considerable Scope of country beside, they concealed themselves to await tho .plea§|ipfe of the sun.

They had not waited long till Dan Houce's watchful eye discovered an In dian lurking about in the woods, apparently trying to follow some trail—most likely, from the course taken, he was endeavoring to back-track the trail made by Dan, as ho left the cave not long before. "Tha's somethin' wrong with that feller," said Dan "he's arter no good, an' I'm confounded 'fraid, from the way he works along, that he'll find the hole. It'd be a mortal sight better for him efhe wouldn't, for, ef he does.tha'll be anoth er Injin less in this country, sure, for he mustn't/ spread any news about whar my family is stowed away. I know as how I've not many friends in this settlement now—not enough to le mortally in want of any visitors from among 'em, I don't think."

Whilo Dan was speaking, the Indian worked up to the vory edge of the cave thicket, but, seeming, to lose the trail there, he made a circuit as if trying to find it again at some other point. That circuit brought him quite near to where the hunters lay in concealment, acd was carrying him beyond, when Dan wbls peretl: "Whv, Ab, I know that chap it's old Buckeye, an'he's a particular friend of mine. He's often Btayed at my cabin, and 1'vo doue him many a kindness afore now." "Then let u* hail him at once." replied Ab "bo may be able to give us some useful information. More than likely that is why be is seeking you he want-* to befriend you in some way or other." "Mont be," said Dan, "but jist lay low now, for Ingin is mighty onsartin. When he goes into that holler yander, I'll slip around and get in before him, and see what he got to say for himself. Ef he's in for war, I'll be ready for him if for peace, why it'll be all right. You keep a layin' low till dark, and, ef I don come back then, go on inter the CHV€Um

By this time the Indian bad gone into the thkkly-wooded ravine mentioned by Dan, and disappeared,so the old hunter crept softly away.

CBACTER

AN

ment a«•«««„., vUOi, the forest, and vet there was no J)an dence to the effect that the aonnds were Houce, nor did the Indian make his aprapidly growing louder. Louder and peeranee any more after entering tneralouder thev grew, until a constant roar vino. .. poured out of the cave, hurrying him ^h a view to obeying orders, Ab into the decision that there was no time Willis went tn the mouth of the cave to be lost. Near at hand v. a tree that, hut hereanewand nn though t-oftrouble having fallen In leaf-time, made what printed iMlf-bo had no candle with the Western people would style a brush- W fh to llubt himself in. To go without heap. Into this Dan plunged, a la frog .oe was in.p—sible so the only thing in a pond, and almost at toe same ni"- to be ttone_ ws*s to conceal himself hard

to utb »f the cave in the iHf» »t~ ,, iivwv Iiwnner imaginable, fairly fling- The moon soon after, in all its itur the i'*.»«Htone* hither and yon with splendor, llgbifng u» woods into a bril

vnn

was silent. hix (net,' in his efforts at accelerative liancv almost i^ioaiing day, and render "You can still ssve him." saWi the Hxoui*tlon. Following him quick! Colonel, fiercely. lti**p»ml in tint at. ram#am(her—it was the ReT. Mr.

from the opening. Not paused they on passing into open daylight., but away over the ridgea they went, stringing to their homes as if the* thought every huge rock of the cave was rolling after them in hot pursuit.

UNWKICOMK VIsrroR

The sun went down, but Dan Houce came not. Darkness fell like a pall over

with SDlend

So *f*n as the coast was clear, 'Dan

ing startling!v t-onspicuotw any number Kif- of strangely-shaped shadows. The owls, n, screamed, and then own cleverness, as they the moon first rises a um faraway, and several themselves wolves howled fitfully up among the moment distant hills hot, excepting these, si-

Isnce reigned supreme. It was a lonesome kind of night to be out alone in the woods bat there was no help for It, apparently, for Dan Houce had evidently readied the cave before Us friend, and passed in without a

ao won mv was aw, mu thought to the effect that his friend was crawled from his tree-top, lighted his unprovided with the means of striking a candle and hnrried into the cam. The light.

The beat thing that could be done under the circumstances, was to do the best he could and that, as he verily believed was to tramp out further into the forest and seek a suitable camping-place for the night. Such was his resolve and he was about to put it into execution when the snap of a dry twig, as if under the tread of some heavy object, attracted his attention, and caused a revelation of the fact that two persons were moving up directly toward the mouth of the cave. At first he supposed it to be Dan Houce and old Buckeye but, as they drew nearer, he became convinced that Dan was not there, and that both the parties were Indians. One of them was bearing some heavy object upon his shoulder, bnt what it was Ab could not make out from his position.

Without halting when they reached the edge of the thicket surrounding the mouth of the cave, or without observing any particular caution, they plungea in,"and were soon out of sight and hearing.

Ab could not see the mouth of thecave from the place of his concealment but ho knew from the sounds, and the silence succeeding, that the Indians had gone in.

In about ten minutes the Indians returned front the cave, and walked off into the forest in the way they had come, but without the heavy object that he had seen them carrying into the thicket.

Very soon after, and while Ab was worrying bis brain in the endeavor to form some hypothesis relative to what he had seen, there reached his ears another sound—a rustling noise among the leaves only a short distance from him.

Turning his head In that direction, Ab saw, not one Indian, aor two Indians, but at least one dozen Indiaus, all cautiously creeping up toward the mouth of the cave. It toos them a long time to work their way up, for they seemed to be in great dread but they finally reached the entrance to the cave, and, as he bad every reason to believe, a portion of them passed in.

Their stay within was brief, however —only of a few minutes' duration—aud then they came tramping out of the thicket, without the oaution which they had observed on entering, and one of them carried with him the heavy object which the first mysterious visitors bad left behind.

Ab was beginning to consider that he was passing through a night fraught with marvels, aud to wonder whether or not he was awake, or whether it was not all an uneasy aream, when there was another footstep close at hand, and then another dark object, about the size of a man, was to be seen approachiug not approaching the mouth of the cave, as the others had done, but coming directly toward the spot where Ab lay concealed. It was a man, as he could now plainly make out and he lifted the frizzed of his rifle, and felt to make sure that the priming was all right. But he bad no use for the priming on that occasion, for soon the light of the moon revealed the portly fortn of no other than Dan Houce. "Wal, we may go in now the fuss is all over for to-night," said Dan. as he approached.

But we have had Indiaus here tonight two squads of them just gone," said Ab. "I know all that." said Dan, "for I've bin right here all the time saw the red rascals, and all their doin's besides I got here afore you did, and saw you come." "You don't say so! But what does it all mean?" "Wall, I can tell ye. You see I jumped ole Buckeye out tbar In the woods, and had a talk with him. Ho was mortal friendly, and told me lots o' things 'bout what was goin' on at the settlement, and, 'inong other things, bo said old Mumford had offered a stunnin' pile o' monev to anyone who'd fetch me in dead or alive said he'd bin a looking for me my tboug fur from the settlement. "All this was mighty clever in old Buckeyo, and I told him so, but, somehow or other, thar was something 'bout his way that I didn't exactly like. He seemed a little too anxious to find out wbar onr hidin' place was. I didn't let on, though, so at last ho come right squar out and ax'd me whar I put up, so as he could keep the Iugins 'way from 'bout them ax much as possible. That made me think that he was a playiti' spy but I pretended not tor think so, aud told him mv folks war hid in the forks of Owl creek, 'bout ten miles from here, you know. He said if he happened up that way he' hunt us outj and I told him he must be sure to do it. And bo we separated, and I started off like I's a

foin'round

to Owl creek, sure 'nough. When got here it was a gittfn' dark so afore venwas right, for I didn't know what ole Buckeye mout trv to do. Purty soon you come along, and then the Inglns they begun to come. "The first two Ingins as come war not a lookin' for. us, but they come ter set a wolf-trap in the mouth the cave. I s'pose they'd seen our sign tbar in the day. an' took bit for a wolf or bar sign, ami they come in the night with thar trap so as no other Ingins 'ud see 'em, and steal hit. The other mess o' Ingins war a lookin' for us, sure an' ole Buckeye, the old scoundrel, was a leadin' 'em. I s'pose he'd tola his crowd 'bout seeiu' me, and back-trackin' me to the thicket, and that some on 'em happen'd to know about thecave, and so they came, a thinkin' to nab melnliit. When

they got here, and found the wolf-trap a settin", they concluded as how they war mistaken, for nobody .'ud be atrappln' for wolves in a cave wbar a feller was a livin' with his family so they made the best on hit they could by stealln' the trap, an* cuttin' dirt for some other neck o' tne woods. It's all aafe now, for a day or so, anyway, so let's go in and rest.

The two Inglng what sot the trap will come in the mornln', find as how it's bin stole, take the trail, thinkin' to git hit back, and so we'll be all left to our-

And, aa they turned to go in, Dan, to the surprise of his companion, burst forth in a most merry langh—so merry that it was with great difficulty that be could smother it down to within aafe bounds. Not seeing anything to laugh at, and feeling in anything bat a happy mood. Ab inquired the cause in a somewhat crusty manner. ••Oh, notbin'," said Dan. "I can't help lattghin* when I think what a tar* nation muss they'll be among them In gins over that 'ere trap. But let 'em muss the steaiin' n* that trap's made it all right with W "All rigbt,'' responded Alx

resting-place

ing going on, and a strange voice seemed to Be miugiing in the conversation. Coming up, who should they find in the midst of the Houces but Jack Shaw, a lad in the employ of Col. Mumford.

Of course an explanation had to be made at once, which showed that young Dan, had been disobeying orders that, instead of stopping with the family, in obedience to command, after firing an earthquake from his horse pistol, he had gone out of the cave and treated himself to a short stroll lu the woods. While on that stroll he had fallen in with young Shaw, who, by the way, was one of his

Sin

rticular cronies in days past and as was not a decidedly bright boy, he could see no reason why he should not be his particular crony still. There could be no impropriety in taking an old chum home with him, he thought and, so he extended the invitation, which invitation Shaw cheerfully accepted, and that was how there came to be such an unusual flow of spirits and a strange voice in the cave.

Few occurrences could have given tho hunters more real displeasure than did this, for they felt confident that the whole thing was working in obedience to one of Col. Mumford's cunninglylaid plans. True, young

Shaw professed

all manner of friendship and sympathy, and said divers hard things of Col. Mumrord. vowing that he had quitted his employ, and so on but it had littleeffoct, unless, indeed, it was to augment suspicion—the birds last in the nest were too old to be caught with chaff. But they said nothing to evince what they thought on the other hand, they affected to be delighted with the company, and to consider themselves highly honored by the visit.

The talk" went on cheerfully for some time, in the course of which many questions were asked about matters at the settlement, and many clear evasions on the part of Shaw, noted, when that individual arose to his feet, stretched his arms aloft, yawned, aud said: "Think it's 'bout bed-time so, Dan, ef you'll light me out, I'll trot over homo." "What!" broke In Dan the older, "you ain't a thinking of a'goin' home

'°:.noCy«. In,uStbe..g0i„V*:L! "No! Why, I can't hear of such a thing 1 All the wav through the woode to-night! and I think, as apt as not, it's rainiu' blue blazes most by this time, for 'twas a cloudiu' up thick when we come in." "Oh, 'taiu't fur, an' I kin make bit. The folks whar'I am a staylu' '11 be oneasy 'bout me I'd better go." "Never fear 'bout the oneasy they know very well you're able to take care o' yerself. Why, it wouldn't be a bit friendly for you not ter stay one night with us, when we've jest moved Inter a new house. Come, set down we won't let yer go to-night, sure an' certain."

That last sentence was spoken with something of firmness in its tone, at which tho youngster's resolution seemed to be slightly shaken. Ab

pressure to stay with thehi ull morning, and young Dan, who was more sincere than the others, so far as his feelings were concerned, fairly exhausted himself in eloquent appeals. As a result, ho reluctantly consented to stay, resumed his seat, and the chat went round again.

While Shaw and young Houce, and other members of tho family, were closely engagodln an animated exchange of words, the two hunters, without attracting attention, managed to hold a conversation aside. An understanding was arrived at, and joining the company they were soou taking part in the talk. Various subjects were brought up, and tho aud wonders of caves in general, and of this one in particular. ''I tell you," said Ab Willis, this is one of the most remarkable caves in the world. There is a room not far from here in which hundreds of great rocks hang down, just liue white icicles, and there is a rock vino running around the wall full of rock grapes. It looks somuch like it that you couldn't tell any better if It wasn't white." "Possible!" said Shaw. "Why, I'd like mortal well to see it." "Very well," said Ab. "It's but a short distance suppose we all take a walk out there."

Shaw was ready in an instant so was young Dan, but old Dan excused himself on the score of old bones and fatigue.

An extra candle was lighted, and tho three were soon off lu search of Ab's wonderful room. But, by some mistake or other, they failed to find. Ab supposed he must have forgotten exactly where it was located and young Dan, who wished to be oonsidered as smart as anybody, declared that be had been to it many a* time, and that it was on another branch oi the cave. So they concluded to return, promising to take another look for It In tho morning.

Nothing unusual seemed to have taken place among tho Houces during their absence. All were seated quietly around, and old Dan had taken his moccasins off, preparatory to retiring for the night. Noting this, Ab turned to young Shaw, and remarked: "I see the folks are fixing for bed, and I reckon you are sleepy. Suppose you and I are*expected to room together tonight my sleeping place is a little deeper in thecave so, if you have no objections, we will go ana turn in."

Houce

a

All right! The English language has no expression upon which leas reliance is to be placed than "all right," It te used every day, and on almost every occasion* and in nine cases out in ten, nearly, the things which are so readily and thoughtlessly proclaimed to be "all are all right wrong. This was one misrepresented cases so our ere led to think, on Bearing their

in the cave, for there

wmanunnsdal amount of lively talk-

Houoe the

peaking, :ion immediately in

While Ab was older, took a posit front of, and very near to, Houce the younger. At mention of rooming, and a sleeping place deeper in the cave the eyes of tnat young man grew snddenly large, his face displayed wonder in every lineament, and his mouth flew open to give vent to some feeling expression, all of which was nipped in the bud by Houoe the older treading heavily upon hiatoes.

Shaw waa ready for bed, and Ab led the way to his sleeping apartment. Some two or three hundred feet around an acqgle of the eave they fouid a bed of straw, and turned in together.

Morning came, as they supposed, from the fact that they bad got their rieep out and they arose, struck a light, and went, as Ab expressed it. to see if Mrs.

had breakfast ready. Of course,

it was a mere dry remark, for their meals were as much ready at one time as another, for there could be no cooking done in thecave they could have no lire, on account or the smoke. But, for all this, Mrs. Houce did not have breakfast ready, so fat as they were enabled to know for neither sbe, nor Dan, nor any other member or the Houce family was to be seen. In short, tbey were all gone— every-trace of them had disappeared— and Ab Willis and Jack Shaw found themselves the side occupants of the

care. TC BE OOjrrilftTBD 2CEXT WKEK

KIDNEY DISEASE CURED. CHRIIITIA JTSBTJRO, VA„ 1881. Suffering from kidney disease, from which I could get no relief either from medicine or the prominent phyaiciana or oar country. I tried Brown'* Iron Bitters, vrhich cared me completely. A -MM of mine recovering from scarlet fever, bad no appetite ana did not ee»m to be able to eat at all gave him Iron Bitten with the bappieet reeulia.

MIS. LYDIA E. PINKHAMJ

OF LYNN, MASS.

DiscorsitXB or

LYDIA E. PINKHAM'S VEGETABLE COMPOUND.

Th^Positlv^Curo

For all Female Complaints.

This preparation, tm tta name clgnUlM, ooudsta ot Vegetable Propertie* that are harmless to the moat delIcafci Invalid. Upon

OM

trial the merit* of this Com-

poood will b* reeoffnlacd, as reltof immediate and when its mete continued, tn ninety-nine earn in a has. dred, a permanent cure l*eff«ctod,as thousands will t«wUfy. On account of Its proren merits, it is to-day recommended and prescribed by the beet physicians in the country.

It will ore entirely the worst form of falling of the nteru, teneorrhoea, Irregular and painful Menstruation, all Orarian Troubios, Inflammation and Ulceration, Flooding*, all Displacements and the consequent spinal weakness, and Is especially adapted tQ the Change of lite. Itwfildissolre end expel tumo from the nterastn an earlr stage of development. The tendency to cancerous humors there is cheeked very ipeedily by its use.

In fact It has proved to be the greatest and best remedy that has ever boon dlaeovered. It permeates every portion of the system, and gives new life and vigor. It removes faintness, flatulency, destroys all craving for stimulants, anil rolievcs weakness of the stomach

It cures Bloating, Headaches, Nervous Prostration, general Debility, Sfecpleasneas, Depression anil Indigestion. That feeling of bearing down, causing pain, weight and backache, Is always permanently cuivd by Reuse. It willat all times, andundomll c:iru:crtances, act in harmony with the law that governs ths female sy^em. 70r Kidney Complaints of either sex this compound Is unsurpassed. Lydia E. Pinkham's Vegetable Compound ts preparsd at CSS and 835 Western Avenue, Lynn, Mass. Price 91.0ft. Six bottles for gi.00. Sent by mail in the form of pills, also in tho form of Losonges, on raeelpt of price, per box, for either. Mrs. PINKHAtf freely answer»aU letters of Inquiry. Send tor pamphlet. Address

SB Jhove Mention thit paptr.

Wo family should be without LYDIA E. F1NKHAM* UVKR PILLS. They cure Constipation, Torpidity Of the Liver. tS cents per bo*

tJOHN

Joined in the

D. PARK A SON,

Wholesale Airent*. Cincinnati. (Ohio.

1'KK OKU AT

ITNFAII.IKO

M'KIKIC

KOKift

LIVER

(omplaints.

THE SYMPTOMS OF LlVfcll COMPLAINT are unoaslneas and pain in the sitlo, sometimes ]n in In the shoulder, and IN mistaken for rheumatism, tho stomach l»«ffeclod with IOHN of appetite ami siekiuws bowola, In general, costive, Hom«tlmesaiterimUiig with fax the neat! in troubled wltli ruiln, ivnd iluli, heavy seiiHntioii: considerable toys of moinory, with imlnful seiiHHtlon of having left undone something whieh ought to have been done often complaining of weaknesn, debility and low spirits. Homctlmes many of tho above symptoms attend tho disease, and nt other timon very few of them but the Liver is generally the organ most involved. REGULATE THE LIVKU, AND I'REVKN'T bysyopsla, Constipation, Jaundice, Fill Ions*

Attacks, Chills and Fever, Headadlie, Colie, Depression of Hplrits, it* 8our Stomaeh, Hearthum, Plies, etc. 8co that you get the Genuine in while wrapper, with red Z, prepared only by J. H. Zeilln A Co. Hold by all Druggist s.

KIDNEY-WORT

THE GREAT CURE

roa

I pare it. fl sets

N

I

RHEUMATISM

Aa it is for oil diseases of tho KIDNEY8f LIVKR AND BOWELS. It oleonses the system of tho acrid poison that causes 'the drtadful suffering whloh only tho victims of Rheumatism can realize.

THOUSANDS OF CASES

of the wont forms of this terrible disessw hove been qnlokly relieved. In a nhort time

PERFECTLY CURED.

KIDNEY WORT

fcselM4wesderftetsueeeea,snd an immense •els lnerery part of the Country. In hundreds of eaees it has (rared where all olse had fkiled. It is mild, bat efficient, CERTAIX in ITa ACTIOS, bnt harmless in all oases. tarlteleMees, 8tre«*tfceas and New tills to all the important oriens of the body. The natnml action of the Kidneys is restored. Tta*

liver

is oloaneed of all disease, and th.

Bowels novo freely and healthfully- In this way the wont illsissrs are eradicated flrom

isttkMteea prored by thousands that

KIDNEY-WORT

IfatteaMteftetoal remedy tor eieansin* the sf tilli seoretion*. It should be need in erssy household ac a

1 SPRING MEDICINE. I Alwm ontee KUOUROBM, CON8TIPA. TXOIT, vnB8 and all TdfAXJB Diseases. bpdiplaVrrT«|tiisM«F*ni in tin cabs, tm» packs** of wfclch meJtee JquarU

I Also la

I

Ike eoweaJeac* ef

medicine.

LI«aU

Term, rery Ceneemtrated

for

tho** who cannot readily

pre-

wlik «nuil efidtwnin eUkerform.

OR ITOfTOCB DRftGOBT. PRICE, ei.OO

WELL*, BICHAB1M09 A Co., Prop*-, milrepaid.) ecauwroa,tt.

KIDNEY-WORT

OTICE.

THE

EMrrdge Hrwini: Haebloe Has been changed to Fisk's Htone Pump Building, No. 117

Sooth Third *tre«t, lx_l

wrmn

Ohio and

Walnat, *id«.

It is Warranted.

It to the moat complete, dcwlrable machine aver ottered to the public. jj?ing the latest, It has the advantage of havfctg very desirable and new improve-

"lioiT't bay until yoa see It Harry Metaeker, late solicitor fur the Wtiite. wll.' be glad to see hia old customers. omce, 117 HoTith Third street, *«^nd door not lb o\ Fonts, Hunter A Co* Livery tiinble.

W.

H. FISK, Agent.

"if w# 1 ,JV rf a