Bloomington Telephone, Volume 11, Number 25, Bloomington, Monroe County, 28 October 1887 — Page 2

-

mAMMMMQ TO COUNT X FAIR ORATOBS BY W. TOML

for the county fair, the ambitions

his rival went a-flahinA with a flask fee

labeled "bait P

the sontanned sons uf toll my heart

with pleasure dotesr

their simple wars. said he, "and -venerate

their votes.

e before the people, but their eyes were

aUagog,

ined expectancy to see the thousand-dol

lar hog; fellow-countrymen, ho said, in accents

loud and. nul sY Seep, stentorian, mighty roar came from the Durham boll. Good men from Qeebnck County, and brothers one and all At this tiie champion donkey brayed from out liis neighboring stall:

then tho horse race was announced, the

people scattered wire, a sympathetic Jersey oow looked up at him and sighed.

left in solitude alone he staggered to the rail.

began to taste his coat and masticate its

tail. eized Ma tailless covering and from the stage he ran.

cquaxdered all his money on 'a three-card snonteman.

fate the luckless candidate had on that

next his rival at the polls bore all his votes away, want no man to govern us," each farmer

said, "I swow, Wboll let himself be allot up by any darned old cow P JPslrort ise Prw. .

HIS FIRST DRINK.

BT ABBES C. M'EEEYEB.

CHAPTEB L THE 1TEW HEAP OF THE HOUSE. Now, John, do be careful and tenember everything." -Yea, mother, I'll de it all right, ever fear just as well as father did when he if as here. Haven't I gone on tkree or four trips with him, and do 1 not tnov every inch of the way, and all the nsnd outs of going to market? Ill fee back by 5 o'clock or sooner." "Yoa are such a boy to send on so

a journey, sighed the mother, there's so many thing3 that might

Jkappea Oh, yes," langhed John, "oldDobbin ought walk down a steep bank, or I might meet a highwayman who would cob me of all my money. n And with "gee up to the lazy gray Isorse and a nod to his mother, John alcove oat of the barn lot, still smiling to himself over his mother's silly fears. 'She thinks I'm her little John still, and quite forgets that I'ra 16, and within m very few inches of six feet; bnt she's the dearest and best mother in the OTld. He looked back jost as he turned the fend in the road and saw in the bright moonlight his mother still standing by tbe-gate, looking after him. The blue calico dress and check apron, which awemed a part almost of the dear mafaronly figure, was then lost to view, -and John urged and scolded old Dobbin into a slow trot. "He's old for his years, sighed his mother, as she began clearing away 4he breakfast dishes, "but boys are boys, mod new things take their eye and sometimes evU things charm them in epite of all a mother's care, but I ought to be thankful that 1 have such a boy to fight my battles for me. It isn't -every widow that is so blest." la the meantime John waa jogging -along cityward, the old, one-horse spring wagon making as much noise as Jtalf a dozen wagons ought, not but wrhat John had given it plenty of grease, Irafc the old wagon as well as the horse had long since seen their beat days. Perhaps I ought to tell you who John was, and how he looked, bat I rather think IH let you find out for yourself, and the staid, manly name of John is a first-rate recommendation. John had a good start, he was ten miles on the way when the son crept wp over the hill-tops. "It's five miles further," mused John, ffti beginning to strike the fine country oi Walnut Hills. Myl ain't that onse on that hill a stunner ! I do . just wonder how folks feel that live like that," and John whistled softly and regarded his patched jeans pants and boots that barely held together, awfully, then he smiled his own cheery .mile and added : "Oh. I don't low they are much hapSfiiar than common people, and I rather aujoy the prospect of fight my way, Mly for dear mother's sake I wish 4kat father had left us in a little easier -circumstances; but I ought to be thankful for the dot of a home and old DobInn, here, though it costs a good deal more to keep him than he earns, but ttever mind, old fellow, the corn and the ejatn nave never failed yet and we'll not ipart company until they da Gee up !" But Dobbin was old and easily tired vmd only switched his long, gray tail in answer to the summons, and went, if possible, slower than before. If I had a switch you'd catch it," aaid John; "we must be in market in ae hour. My. what a stunner!" The last exclamation soto voce, was -Greeted toward a lady standing in the aperi gateway that led to the splendid 'jtiamion on the hill he had been ad'Siiring. The lady was gazing down the road after a rapidly disappearing car oge, and John and old Dobbin was quite beside her before she perceived

and clean they are! Want anything this morning, ma'am?" ''I believe I will take that largest chicken, and five dozen eggs, and five pounds of your mother's sweet butter, which, true enough, does hint of clover. Drive around to the back-door and cook will take them in; here is yonr money; what did you say was the price?" "Seventyrfive cents for the eggs, fifty for the chicken, and mother calculated her butter was worth forty cents. " "Very well, , that makes $3.25; here it is. Stop when you pass next time." "Thank you,ma'am, I will, "said Jbhn. Then he drove old Dobbin to the back door, gave the trim colored cook the lady's purchase and had turned about to retrace his way out of the elegant grounds, when he heard a eerie of shrieks and saw a carriage w hirl into the open gate-way tossing from side to side with every lunge of the horse, that was undoubtedly running away. Seated in the carriage was a very young girl. John had merely a glim pse of her white faoe, when he leaped from his wagon and ran forward to meet the maddened steed a pony whose long, shaggy mane tossed in the breeze. As he leaped in the direct way of the pony and carriage he was conscious of his own danger, as well as of the shrieks of the lacly on the vert.nda, evidently the mother of the young girl in the carriage. To seize the bits as the pony passed him, to cling to them tenaciously in spite of the brute's kicks andbifes, and finally to subdue him to something like quietness was only the work of a minute. "Leap out, miss," cried John. "This pony's not to be trusted; ho has a wicked gleam in his eyes. " "Oh, my darling I my own precious Lula are you really safe and unharmed ? Oh, you must never, never drive Firefly again," The pony, a strong, powerful little fellow, handsome as a clean-limbed, perfectly-proportioned animal could be, was now quiet, and betrayed no sign of his freakish temper except from his eyes, which looked, as J ohn said, wicked. John glanced at the young girl he had saved from a possible death, and thought her the prettiest lass he had ever beheld in spite of her pallor. She was about twelve or thirteen, a little, dark-eyed gypsy, and, as was easy to see, the pride and hope of that grand home. "I'm not harmed a mite, mamma, don't look so frightened. Firefly scared at a crow that flew over his head. I am glad papa was on the train and does not know. But who is this this boy, mamma?" John saw her dark eyes rest upon his threadbare and patched clothing, his immense, coarse, stogy boots, and he blushed, but the lady herself quickly exclaimed : "Oh, you kind, brave boy! how can I thank you? How can we ever repay you? Won't you accept a reward?" John blushed in indignant pride now, and the lady quickly added : "Just as you please, but you must jell your name and let me send your mother a little present, a mere trifle." "My name is John Strong, and 1 live back on the Miami, in the country not far from Clairville, a small village. Yes, you can send mother a present if you wish, but I did nothing more than any one might have done, and couldn't accept a reward for such a trifle." Lulu pursed up her pretty red lips and said with a slight scarcasra : "So saving my life is only a trifle." "Oh! no, Miss," stammered John, for the lady had gone in the house, "you know I never meant that, but Ah! is this yonr hostler coming?" "Yes. Jim, Firefly ran away with me, and this boy caught him." "He's a savage little fellow, Miss Lulu, and I do hope you'll never ride or drive him again," said the man as he led the pony off toward the stable. The lady now returned bearing a long parcel wrapped in paper. "Here it is, John. I am sorry you will accept nothing yourself, but give this to your mother with my love and praise for her big, brave boy." John blushed again, jumped in his own wagon, chirruped to old Dobbin to move along, and with a bashful bow drove out of the yard in the direction of Cincinnati. Now it was not in human nature, at least in boy nature, to resist peeping

into tnat bundle to discover its contents. Imagine his surprise vhen he found it to be a bottle of wine.

CHAPTER H.

. Market wagons and overgrown boys were no unusual sight, yet as John pulled up beside her, and inquired, '"Want any nice new country butter, r fresh eggs or poultry, dressed nice

Lough for a king?" The lady smiled,

regarded him with more than a

pausing glance. Something in the musical, yet manly tones attracted her, and the face under vthe old worn hat was worth looking at "I don't know, my boy," she replied,

lly, "but that we do, if they are r excellent."

Then she gathered up the long trail

of her handsome blue wrapper, and stepped around to the back part of the dragon. John was beside her at once, forgetting all about his worn suit and shabby boots, bent entirely upon disposing of his articles at a good price, Mid he brought them forth proudly. "Here's ten pounds of mother's but4mr, yellew as gold a real clover yellorma'wn, and smells of clover, too, sod a dozen prune chickens, dressed in mother's beet style. Bee, how phunp

ALONE IN THE CITY. "Of all funny present!" laughed John, "to send mother a bottle of wine. "Why, the lady must have imagined her to be an invalid. Won't mother laugh, oh, ho!" Ah, John, John, if some good angel had only whispered to you to fling it out in the river, to crack the frail glass against A stone. But no, innocent, simple, country lad that he was, he little imagined what might be hidden in a bottle of wine. The ride through Walnut Hills was most delightful, the grand residences, the lovely countrv hills, and white.

smooth pikes, the romantic drive around Eden Park, all noon were left behind, and the busy, bustling, dirty city was reached. John drove direct to his father's old stand and luckily found room for his wagon. In less than two hours he had disposed of all his produco at tip-top piiees, and then lie sought out and found the stable where for the sum of 10 cents he could leave old Dobbin to eat his hay and corn that John had brought with him. Leaving him contentedly crunching the corn, John started out to see the city, for to country eyes unaccustomed to such sights, the city holds much to charm, and it was a real delight to John to walk its paved streets, wander in its pretty parks, see the grand stores and the big fountain. It was noon before John would have believed it possible. Then he remembered that he was hungry ; he Btepped into a near bakery, bought some sandwiches, a few cakes, aud returned to Dobbin and his wagon to quietly eat his lunch. "This water is horrid stuff," said

John to a rough-looking fellow in a near wagon. Yes," said the man, "what's that you got in that bundle? Somethin' ain't it? Come, let's have a pull." "Oh," said John, "that is a bottle of wine a lady gave me for my mother. No, I couldn't give you any of that" "Wine?" Baid tho man, "that ain't no more than water, only it's better; w . ra i

come, aon ft toe siuv, wnats your

mother want of that? Let's havo a nrasped his mother's hand with a fright-

drink, anyhow. I feel real faint like ;

have been sick all day." John looked at the flushed face and wondered if the man was going to have a fever. "Oh, the wine don't matter, only the lady gave it to me for my mother, but I don't reckon mother would care if I

thought he was going to faint, he turned so ghastly white; she heard him whisper JJira." "Your name?" "James Smith." "What do you know about this caso this murder?" "I was present at the murder. " Silence as of the grave filled the large court-room now. John's face

flushed slightly, his eyes burned, he

Jul grip. She wondered what it all mei&t. Was John glad or sorry ? "You say you wore present at the time of the murder of Richard Ferris, Please state to the jury all you know about it." "I was with this boy," pointing to the prisoner, "all the afternoon, me and

gave you a little, seein's you vftnt it so L Joe Simpson. I got his wino bottle

M II 1 lA US Mil

"You'll need a corkscrew to open it;

got one ?"

"No." "Hello, there! Jim, you got a corkscrew? If you have, bring it along." "Hey? What? Yes, I've got a corkscrew, course. Oh, a bottle of winel Let me, I will open it for a drink." Pop went the cork. "It's prime," cried Jim, taking a long pull from the bottle, then, handing it to his companion, "try it, Joe." Joe also pronounced it prime, and passed it over to John. "Oh, no, I never drink anything stronger than coffee or tea. Pd rather not ; I don't think mother would like it." "So you're a boy tied to your mother's apron-string, are you?" laughed the man called Jim. "But wine is not bin stronger than water. Here, let's have another drink, I'm powerful dry." Two or three more drinks, then Jim stepped behind the wagon a moment and returned the bottle to John, aud much to his surprise, it was apparently full as ever. "Take a drink, lad, "said Joe, kindly. "Twon't hurt you a mite. Wine ain't nothin' more than water."

Ah, fatal, false words, and foolish,

credulous John. He lifted the flask to his lips and drank heartily, the first time in his life that spirits of any kind had passed his lips. 'Why, it's strong; much stronger than I supposed it was, but it tastes finit-rate." The men nudged each other and laughed, then took auother drink themselves, and John also took ona Then they were joined by two or three boon companions, and the wine bottle's contents were soon consumed, but alas, poor John had taken a fair share of it, and was drunk for the first time in his life; really and truly riotously drunk. The others were but little the worsa for their noontime sport and drinks, but were delighted to see poor, innocent, country John in such a condition, He willingly followed them out into the street, scarcely knowing whither they led. They lolled about in beer gardens until night; then they sought a vile gambling place, where, in a few minutes, John was fleeced of all his money. But that was not all, nor the worst, by far. There was a violent quarrel between two of his comrades and a fight. John, who always was anxious to take the part of any one oppressed, lent a hand, and the next thing he knew one of the men lay dead and bleeding at his feet. Yes, the poor fellow was really dead, killed by a knife thrust. The inmates of the vale place fit?d as if pursued by demons, and John, alone, almost sobered now, bent over the prostrate figure and tried to revive him. Thus he was found by tha police. Arrested for murder! he, John Strong, the best boy in his neighborhood, the pride and support of his widowed mother. Caught drunk in a low saloon and gambling hell with Ids victim at his feet ! The papers were full of it, and in a duzed fashion John tried to realize his horrible condition, his frightful peril. But who is this that comes in his low, dark cell and clasps him in her arms and calls him her darling, her own dear, wronged boy, her innocent John? Oh, mother arms, and mother voice! John is aroused at last, the old John, the good John, aroused and fully conscious of at least the last dreadful thing that has happened. He bows his tall form, and leaning his head upon her breast, he sobs: "Oh, mother, mother! Pear mother, to have you find me here and horrible thought and awful fact charged with murder. It's a wonder I don't?

fall dead at yonr feet. "

"Hush! wait till 1 get calmer, then tell me all about it" It was a long time before John could tell, or she could listen to hear "all about it." "But you didn't kill him ?" "No; I am certain of that. I had no knife, even a pocket-knife. I dimly remember of pulling one of the fellows off from the murdered man, and there was a flash of a knife, a cry, but I cannot tell who held the knife or drove it into the poor fellow's breast" "But we must prove that, John; we must find the real murderer." John shook hU head sadly and answered : "If we had money we might; but, alas I I fear I fear I am doomed."

that ho said was for his mother and

doctored it." "Explain your meaning about Moo

1 tored. "

"I put about a pint of good whisky in it, without the boy suspecting it " "Yes; well, proceed." "We, Joo Simpson, the boy, and I, and one or two others, went down to 's gambling rooms. The boy lost all his money there." "Did he get angry and fight about it?" "No, he had nothing to do with ttie fight, only he pulled Joe Simpson off from Dick Ferris, after Joe had struck him with a knife. " A wild commotion all through the room now, and the Judge Tapped sharply with his gavel. "Silence!" "Tli en Joe Simpson, and not John Strong, killed Richard Ferris?" "Yes," desperately. "Why have you been silent so long? Did you not know that this innocent boy might be hung instead of the real murderer?" "I never intended to let it go that fur. I hev been tryin' to get Joe to fly the country, but he's been too sick and he died last night, so I came up at once to confess all. Joe left a written statement besides. Here it is, and the witnesses ain't fur off." Free! the soft spring air never seemed so sweet to John, the country never looked so beautiful as when he rode back home behind old Dobbin aud beside his happy, thankful mother. H; had been in jail over six months before he was brought to triaL Oh! what a dreadful six months that had been. He had left home a gay, light hearted boy; he returred a grave, thoughtful man, with a seir upon his mind and heart time never could efface. "The neighbors wont be very friendly, I don't expect, " he said sadly. "Prison birds aifa't nuch liked, you know, mother. Shouldn't wonder but they'll all turn their aeads. "Oh. no master about the neighbors, when I have you sae." But John was mistaken. Every oldtimo face glowed with pleasure, for it had long since boon given up ithat the boy was more sinned against than sinning. That night before he sought hi3 humble couch he stood before his mother and in more serious tones than she had ever heard him utter, he said: "Mother, pet me as you will., love me as you do, and try to call me innocent and wronged, I was much to blame. I was drunk. How did I get drunk? "Why, I drank the wine myself, nobody caught me and poured it down my throat ; it was my own work, and I reaped a terrible harvest ; but mother, I learned a lesson that will last me a lifetime. I will never touch wine or strong drink again, so long as I live." "Oh my boy, my darling, mother knows you never will, you never could. " "1 never could after this, and I want to try to live to atone for what I have done, to make you always happy in the future."

CHAPTER ni.

TRIED AS BY FIRE. The court was full, crowded to suffocation almost, on the alert to catch every word of tho evidence and get one good look at the young murderer. "How handsome he is," said more than one, "and a more boy. That must be his mother by his side; how white she is, poor thing. So sad to have such dreadful children." The weary trial had dragged it slow, tedious way for three days, and the evidence against the young prisoner was Yery strong; every one felt that he would be convicted, when the Prose cuting Attorney arose and said hurriedly : "If the Court please, I have a new and very important witness." "Bring him forward."

John turned his haggard faoe, his great dark eves toward the man shuf

fling slowly foarcL kia mother

THE ANDES BARK-GATIIEBEBS.

Fifteen years later found that John had kept his word, and that he was on the broad road to fortune and fame, aud his decided prohibition principles and teachings helped him in papular favor, for he never forgot or feared to tell what came of only a bottle of wine.

Uood Penmanship, For business or counting-room writ-

mg mere can no more ue a standard

than for the stature and physiognomy

of those who write it. Even those who

have learned to write by practicing

from the same copies, and tinder the same teacher, and who, as schoolboys, have written essentially the mme hands,

wil! ultimately write styles differing as

widely as will their environments and varied standing in business and life,

although m each there may remain the

same relative degree oi excellence. Nevertheless, there are certain qualities

which must bo present in all good writ-

mg. it inus oe legioi e, written wun

facility, and graceful and harmonious in appearance. The less shade used in business writing the better. Shaded lines can be produced only by a special contraction of the muscles. Motion is thus retarded, and the muscular force exhausted; while in unshaded writing there is a uniform, easy-flowing motion of the pen. In order that there should be tho requisite strength cf line for clour, strong, legible writing, a pen of more than medium coarseness should be used. A person thus writing need have no fear of the writer's cramp. In several instances whore parties were afflicted with the cramp, an entire change to the forearm movement, and unshaded small writing, has wrought a speedy cure. T?o proent a pleasing appearance to the eye, writing must have uniformity in form, size, shape, slant, line, and flow of motion. One of the most fruitful sources of bad writing is carelessness. For persons who lack the power or skill to write legibly there might be some reasonable excuse, but for those possessing all the requisite skill and power to destroy legibility through sheer carelessness there can be no excuse ; good and characteristic forms cost no more to moke than do illegible or doubtful ones. Figures should bo small, unshaded, distinctive in tjioir character. A large proportion of errors in amounts results from failure to place figures accurately in their respective places, Pro. I, T,

Moke people are bowl Chan isx the sea.

drownod in tho

Ho the Natl v os of lVru Collect Cinchona and Tok It to Market. Neiv York Independent A writer describes the gathering of cinchona in iSouth America as follows: The party roam about until a sufficient iimber of trees are found in the vicin ity to make it practicable to settle down and establish a camp in a suitable place. A small house is built for sleeping-purposes and for covering the bark, that it may not be exposed to an occasional shower of rain. Tho party are now ten or twelve days' journey from the starting-point, and they claim the forests for many miles around, no ojher bark-gatherers being allowed in the neighborhood for the season. When the rude shed or house is completed the major dom divides the cascarilleroa and sends out little parties in different directions with sufficient food for a long absence. From each eminence the surrounding forests are scanned for a sight of the cinchona. Lxperience and observation have made it possible for the men to distinguish the tree at a great distance, not only from its greater height than surrounding forest trees, but from the lightgreen, smooth leaves, with here and there a yellow leaf. Speaking of the bark-gatherers in Peru, a traveler says that "standing on one side of a ravine, tho men count the cost of the opposite side, or they climb to the tops of loftiest trees and survey the country around for cinchona The men are judges of the proper age at which a tree may be deprived of its bark, und know the best trees for (his purpose. Having selected a tree, it is sometimes cut as near the ground as possible, and the bark taken off ; at other times the tree is made barkless while standing. Cutting is usually considered the better wav, that the stump may put forth more leaves and again grow up, while a barkless tree is sure to die. After felling, incisions are made through the trunk-bark, up fifteen or twenty inches in length by three or four inches broad, and the pieces are removed by a knife or other instrument. Sometimes the bark is not separated for three or four days after the cutting. When taken from the tree the pieces are placed in some spot exposed to the rays of the sun, and are laid in piles, one over another, to dry, while a weight of some kind holds the pile in place, the bark naturally inclining to roll while drying. The bark from the smaller branches is allowed to curl or become "quilled" as it dries. When dry the cascarillero loads the bark upon his own back, aud picks his way along; now on dizzy heights, then through pathless woods, or up and down the steep mountain-sides, until the distant camping-grounds are reached. A woodmau may be able to cut two quintals, 200 pounds, of bark per day, which will make about one quintal after drying and being made ready for tho market. The best bark is taken from the trunk, the second ality comes from the larger branches, and the least valuable is peeled from the small branches; but the different

kinds of bark usually get somewhat mixed in the packages. Before the rainy season commences, about the last of September or in October, the camp is broken up, and the whole parly start for the ten days' journey home. The mules carry the bark, three quintals being a lawful mule-load in the Andes, although in descending the steep eastern slope mules can lawfully carry but 150 pounds each. Carrier Pigeons in War. Steps have been taken in nearly all the European countries to establish military communication by means of carrier pigeons in time of war, England, France, Germany, Belgium, and Italy have definitely organized military carrior-pigeon services, and some have subsidized the private training-establishments with the right to use the pipeons in war. This method ot communicating originated in China, or, at least, in tho East, aud it was most likely in use by the ancient Arabians, William of Orange and Napoleon L used the messengers during their wars; but the greatest service was that rendered in 1&70 between Paris and Tours. During the siege of Paris 150,000 official dispatches and about 1,000,000 private communications, representing a money value of about $38,000, were convoyed by these pigeons. In this case ithe messages were reduced by microscopic photography so that a tiny piece of silk paper one and three-fourths inches long by one and one-fourth inches wide could contain 3,500 messages of twenty words each, or 70,000 words. The total dispatch thus arranged weighed at most less than onequarter of an ounce and was secured by a light thread to tho tailieathers of the pigeon. Upon arrival the dispatch was removed, enlarged by photography, and deciphered. Publio Service lieview Something About the Bicycle. "You might think that only the legs would be exercised by riding a wheel, but it is a fact that a beginner feels the effects first in the shoulders and back. The muscles of the trunk, particularly about the sides and abdomen, are also used a great deal. Although the action of the logs appears to be similar to their action in walking it is found hat six muscles in the calf not used at ill in walking are brought into play. You can work those museles by rising on your toes, but in walking they are not exercised. The speod attainable on ordinary roads in a ride of four or five hours, taking it comfortably and not trying to make a record, will average about eight miles an hour. It is a good horse that will keep up that gait Expert ridors con out-travel any horse that ever wore shoos in a twonty-four hour journey, but that, of course,, is a feat of endurance. For practical, reasonable travel the bicycle is superior to a horse on good roads, and is by no means a plaything or an athleto's r -par at us. It is a business and pleas o vehicle, nd ought to be so considered in the road laws," JL M 2TM in West ertt Newsman Have a high aim in life and do your best to reach it.

A CHEAT SW0K1) C0MbT.

Tho Fight of Tom Montvey Against Tlmw Pittsburgh Dispatch "One day I fell in with a young fel low, an American, who had beeo in Spain and had bested all the Spanish swordsmen of that day, said a sporting man to a reporter, describing an adventure in Mexico. "lie was going under the name of Tom Montvey, though that was not his proper cognomen, nnt a liner lookiog and more companion-, able young fellow you never saw. He spoke the Spanish, language like a na-; tive, and, made up in the costume of; the country, he readily passed for ai Mexican. "We became great friends, and h vrevailed upon me to take a trip wisb um through the country. I feumdj that in the little town 9 an I villager re mote from the capital tho feeling against an American was more bitter, and I would have fared badiy had it not been for Tom. We stopped ;;br a longtime in the city of Guanjauta, capitol of the State oi thut name. T&ere were many Spaniards and native Mexicans there who considered themselves master of the sword, and Tom soon had his hands full. I never saw man with such a sword arm. "Well, he conquered some of their best swordsmen, and the whole country was talking of his prowess. They, called him a devil, and many a gay Mexican youth would have given hid entire fortune to have been able to run a sword through his heart, for tha beautiful senoritas of Guanajuato were switten with Tom's handsome figure, and to tease their lovers it became fashionable for them to promise their hand as soon as the lover should succeed in wrestling a victory from Torn In this way it came about that almost every gay youth in the city cordially disliked Tom, and they hated n e because I was an American, and, if I do say it myself, could handle a sword about as well as some of them. Things were getting warm, and, to captlie climax, I found favor in the dark eyes of a rosy beauty, and two or threoellow skinned youngsters who had in vain sought her smiles, put up a job to shut out my light. "Torn got wind of the affair, and forewarned is forearmed. We were to attend a grand festival given by one of the nabobs of the State, whose residence and beautiful grounds were in the outskirts of the city. This was the occasion which was to be taken advantage of by four young greasers to forever settle my chances with the sweetest little Mexican girl I ever saw. Well, we wemt to the fete, and I was so taken up with the fascinating sonorit that J. forgot about the scheme on my life, bnt thanks to ever vigilant Tom, he was cognizant of every movu made by the enemy. Of course he was the great lion of the occasion, but as everybody thought he was a Mexicas. it wae all right "To make a. long story shcrt, the four conspirators set upon me m a little grove near the house. Tha moon was shining through tho branohes of the trees, and, save for the shadows it was light as day. I was taken by surprise, and never thought ot a sword but I hanged the first fellow $. pelt ia the jaw with my fist, and laid him out The others were making at me with drawn swords when Tom jumped ift and took up the fight. Tall: about sword play! I don't believe there waa ever another battle like it. Tota's cuts, thrusts, and parries were bo rapid that it looked as though he was using ft dozen swords. Not a word was spoken, and I stood there like a jay watchingthe fight. I suppose I should have come to my senses had Tom been getting the worst of it, but as it waa I never moved until three Mexicans were stretched on the grass. Tho fellow that I knocked down had disappeared. "That was a contest that was a contest Though it wasn't for a stake it would have cost us our lives had Tern lost As it was we made a dead sneak; out of he city that night and got back to ti e City 'of Mexico as fast as we ifould. I would never have been here if w3 had remained to see the result of the iigbt An Accominedating Bailroad A stranger made his appearance at the union depot and asked OiTicer Button how long before the Grarkl River Valley train would go out "In about; twenty minutes, was the reply. "Then I'll have time to got a drink, won't I? "You will." "That's good. I always prefer U travel on a stiff horn of whisky. He returned in five minutes;, wiping; his mouth on the back of his hand, and asked: "Has my train gone yet? "No, sir ; you still have fourteen min-y utes to spare." "That's good; I guess Til g d beck fora little brandy." When he again returned ho felt in; good spirits, and, ascertaining that; he still had six minutes to spare, he said : "Now, that's what I call liberal, and; I'll lay in one more drink. " The last one proved more than ho, could bear up under, and be was not seen again for three hours. Then hej came round with a wabble in his gaitj and an uncertain look in hit eyes and asked: "Shay, what time does that Gran River Valley train go out?" "In about four hours. "Fo' hours! Why, that'll give mi time to get drunk again; mo 3' 'comma datin' railroad I ever saw, oh ? "Yets" "Shay, I doan want to be mean.; Go'n tell 'er superintendent he needn't wait fur me any longer, 'cause t may de: lay others. He's a zheutlem in, he ie,. an' I'm ahentleman, I am, but whea m shentleman holds a train for me itoaT half a day I can't impose on him any; longer f Shay, do you ever cry when; you get shrunk ? I do, and it you've noi jeekshuns III cry now. No objections being made, he oried Middleburg (N. Y.) JounaL ; A Maine judge has decide 1 that it iq perfectly legal fer the members of church choir to whisper to oach othe during th service.