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About The Sunday Oregonian. (Portland, Ore.) 1881-current | View Entire Issue (Aug. 13, 1905)
THE SUNDAY OREGONIAN, PORTLAND, AUGUST 13, 1905. 46 Historical Letter From WilliamH.Seward HIS VIEWS ON THE SLAVERY QUESTION IN 1845, BEFORE PUBLIC SENTIMENT HAD BEEN CYSTALIZED A & U A & & AN .OLD letter bearing the postmark of Auburn, N. T., and addressed to B. W. Goodwin, Pcnnvllle, Tompkins County. N. Y., is now in the possession of Mr. R. LeBarre Goodwin, a noted artist, briefly sojourning in Port land. The letter bears date of May 22, 1S45, and is from the pen of Hon. William H. Seward. It was -written at a time when the antirslavery sentiment of the country had begun to crystallize Into or ganic form for abolition., Tho chief Is sues of that day as between the "Whigs and Democrats, however, were those of slavery extension and the annexation of Texas. The Whigs opposed annexation because it was thought to be an act of in justice to Mexico, and would provoke an unnecessary war; and for the further reason that the prime object of annexa tion was for the purpose of slavery ex tension. The Abolitionists, who arose from the ranks of the Wrlg party un der tho leadership of William Lloyd Gar rison, Wendell Phillips and others, made themselves felt in the party movements of the day. AlJout that time another element came to the surface, and was known as the American party, with James G. BIrney as Its head. The objects of this new polit ical factor were tho restriction of for eign immigration, opposition to Roman Catholicism, and strictly for American rule. "America for Americans," was the slogan of that new party. It, too, was recruited chiefly from the ranks of the Whig party, but many of its adherents were from the Democratic party also. The attempt to co-operate with the Abolition ists proved futile; and after a vicissltu dinous career of ten years, the Amorlcan party went to the wall in 1854. Theso evidences of the disintegration of the Whig party were apparently unperoolvcd at that time (1815) by the rank and file of the Whics. While Mr. Seward was a zealous oppo nent of slavery, ho was apprehensive of the attitude of the South. He foresaw the possibilities of -an "irrepressible con flict," was desirous to avert any attempt to disrupt tho Union, and was hopeful that the integrity of tho Whig party might also be preserved. He thought that the Abolitionists were too precipitate and un methodical; but he favored gradual and compensated emancipation. He opposed the position of tho American party, be cause It favored the annexation of Texas as an "American Idea," Irrespective of the position of Mexico or of slavery exten sion. Mr. Goodwin, to whom this remarkable old letter was written, was the editor of on Abolition Journal, and was a co-adjutor The Sunday Oregonian's Selected Fiction (Copyright by the S. S. McCluro Company HAT is it, Giuseppe," said I, holiday American or holiday Italian?" Giuseppe's fruit stand was -situated at the principal corner of the suburb where I make my home a New Jersey village, about an. hour's ride from New York and as I passed the establishment regu larly on my way to and from tho city, I had come to have some acquaintance with its proprietor. He was a broad Bhouldered, athletic young Italian, rather, taller than the average of his race and with a trifle more than his share of the national Jauntiness of bearing. In busi ness he was truly diligent. Early morn ing and late evening found him at his post, and he was an adept at such prac tices as turning the best side of fruit outward or pushing the bottom of baskets Surreptitiously upward. "What is it, Giuseppe," said I. "holi day American or holiday Italian?" Giuseppe smiled, slightly embarrassed, I thought. "Italian," he answered. His speech, a cross of native idiom and Amer ican slang, was invariably brief. How ever, as if some further explanation were proper, he added, "Blrt'day." "Ah," said I, "birthday of the King or vjtho Queen perhaps?" "No, signor," replied Giuseppe. "Blrt flay of friend to me." He regarded me for a moment out of tho corner of his eye. "BIrt'day of lady friend," he added, gently. This was manifestly an occasion for congratulations, and I extended them promptly. But Giuseppe's gaze had grown distant, and when he returned to me again to receive the coin due him for tho fruit I had selected, I saw his brow was troubled. "World ver hard, dis world," Jit said, and sighed deeply. The course of Giuseppe's love was evi dently obstructed. I hesitated, and while I did so, his need of a confidant came strongly upon him, and he beckoned mo around to the end of the stand, away irom passersby. "I show you," ho said. What ho showed me came from the breast pocket of his corduroy coat, along with various fruit invoices and soiled let ters with Italian stamps on them. It was an ordinary tintype in a pink paper cover on which was printed the address tf a photographer in Naples. Giuseppe laid it open proudly, disclosing the like ness of one of those maidens of round face and trim figure who bloom so plenti fully in Southern Italy. My expression of such opinions had the effect of further loosening his tongue, and ho told his story. They had played together, boy and girl, in the Neapolitan village where they were born, though she. it appeared, was of a station somewhat above his own. When she was left an orphan an uncle had taken1 charge of her and of her little property. Here Glu seppe's brow grew black. He, a peasant's son, had found small favor with the guar dian. "He say, 'I want a da mon'!" he hissed He! A man what you call oh. I not know. He all time after da mon'. hlda da mon , swlpa da mon' oft everrabod'l" "A miser?" I suggested. "YeB," said Giuseppe, "Miser sure. But more like what you call oh, snake! pig'" He squared his shoulders and blew out a long breath. "Ah, well, Rosa say. 'Go slow.' I go slow. I keepa cool ver cool. I choke down. I not maka da scrap. But by by I go back den ah!" His pantomime garroted the wicked uncle into conclusive subjection. However, for the present, the wicked prospered. Rosa had refused to leave, but she had secretly promised to wait. Glu seppe had come away to the land of gold to earn the money which would give him the right to demand Tier. So long as she had written to him regularly he had work ed on bravely, but for several months there had been no letters. He knew not what to believe, he had not yet enough money to go back, he was despairing; though today, with his flags and flowers, he had made an effort to observe the merry custom of his village, where the young folk make holiday together as the "birthday of each comes round. He put the picture away with another sigh, "Sure, signor, ver hard world, dls world," he said, and would have said more had not he noticed a possible customer hesl tating before tho fruit- At this sight his melancholy fell suddenly from his face and his face lit up with the affable smile of commerce. . Here, then, was a romance, and though -lt.fifTnfrfl .built on '&Sfiwha&-4a!iT'AxitiAAj WTMJAM II. of Thurlow Weed, Horace Greeley and Gerrett Smith, and bosldes, was a warm friend of Hon. William H. Seward. This much in explanation of the subject re ferred to in the letter hore given: IiCttcr of W. II. Seward. AUBURN', Kay 22. lS5.--My Dear Sir: After receiving your letter of the ICth Inrt. I was obliged to so away, attending several The Picture lines, and its effect was slightly marred by the ease with which Giuseppe's thoughts had returned to his business. I found, in It compensation for over-ripe bananas, and I reflected as I passed on that il '.should be pleased to hear xnoro of it. But the next chapter was several weeks delayed. In our occasional conver sations Giuseppo did not alludo to the subject. I fancied that during this timo it was rather in his singing than In speech that be expressed his feelings. As the even ings grew colder he used to warm himself by pacing back and forth before his stand, and at such times he often sang his native songs. One of these, more from Its frequent repetition than its character, seemed to me to be telling the tale of his hopes. It was a common enough song, pallid and sentimental according to our mock ing taste, but of the sort in favor among Italian youth. It may be hoard along the 7t- Cecils 's '6 7 SEWARD. successive court?, and have not until now been sufficiently at leisure to acknowledge that favor. I pray you to dismiss from your mind all concern about tbe petty mischief that aome native American Journals tried to work out or tbc publications you made concerning me. Even If the mischief had taken effect, I should have found (wtriclent exca for you In the seaS for the cauae of Liberty and the personal kindness toward myself by which you were prompted. But. fortunately, that glorious and the Pineapples quays at Naples, and the barbers' ap prentices in the little New York shops hum it softly to themselves as they sit and wait for customers through the dull afternoons. So matters stood as I took my way homo one evening about 11 o'clock, car rying in my hand a book which I had bought that day in town. It was one of the first of a class of publications now more frequently seen those which give descriptions of picturesque phases of life. Illustrated with snap-shot photographs of actual scenes. This one was called "The Foreign Quarters of New York," and as I approached Giuseppe's corner, and saw him leaning rather listlessly against tho fruit-stand, it occurred to me that among the clotures were scvoral taken In the districts where Italians predominate, and that height be Interested In them. His attention was, indeed, courteous, but he turned the pages, after all, with only a mild pleasure which did nothing A t f FACSIMILE OF A FABT OF f- 2f.cJL -a-Cir cau advances, fast enough to rescue Its ad vocates, even, from tho consequences of their own Impetuosity: and my course In, I trust, ao consistent and so persevering that I am not likely to Kilter by any misapprehensions. If there be a fault with the leaders of the third party. It Is their impatience and Im petuosity which cannot always abide the de lay, and caution, without which no great en terprise can oucoeed. It leads them to pro pose extreme measures from which the public mind, half Informed and but partially Imbued with the spirit of liberty, therefore recolta. I do not deny that they do good. Even In temperate seal will produce conviction very often, and It certainly stimulates the cold and phlegmatic, whose Interests suffer by reason of the Indifference. Fully acknowledging the Im portancethe paramount Importance of the great question of emancipation. It seems to me that I am capable of promoting it chiefly by appealing to three less excitable classes who shrink from bold laitruetlone. and by laboring In every way to remove the land marks of slavery by practicable political means. In doing this I shall necessarily ex pose myself to the censure of the more Im patient as being too slow, and to that of those who are Indifferent or hostile a being too rad ical. But these censurea are of no Importance to the public. The great point Is to preserve harmony and mutual respect among those who advocate the- same cause, in manner and In temper so widely different. My snw of the Importance of this harmony prevents my assuaging or accusing- those who act more Im petuously. If they will not exhibit the same charity toward me. It Is the common cause that suffers. I write in the hurry of a return to iitndles, after a long absence, briefly, of course But I shall always bo glad to hear of you and from you. and shall communicate freely with you at all timet". With beet wishes for your prosperity and the health and happiness of your family. I remain, very sincerely your constant and grateful friend. WILLIAM H. SEWARD. E. W. Good xla. Esq. William Henry Seward stands In the foreground of American history as one of the mist distinguished statesmen. His type is peculiarly distinctive As a per sonality ho has no prototype for compari son. His methods of thought and action were unlike those of his compeers. Ho was, essentially, a leader; and up to the time when ho became Lincoln's Secretary of State, he had always stood In the fore front of party movements and councils. His career was eventful and replete with memorable Incidents, tho very nature of which lent great distinction. From early manhood until the closing years of his life he figured a3 a conspicuous factor In pub lic affairs. As a politician he was alert. tactful and resourceful. As a statesman ho was farscclng, astute and conserva tlve. He was adept in diplomacy, and. abovo all, patriotic and progressive. His marked ability and his eminent services entitle him to rank as one of our greatest National characters. BY H. A. CROWELL to prepare mo for tho excitement with which he suddenly effervesced. It was one of the last pictures In the book a full-page photogravure which changed his mood. When he came to this Giuseppe suddenly held the book closer to his eyes, then at arm's length, then under the full glare of the gas. A moment later ho closed It with a bang, placed It under his arm. and, holding It firmly with his elbow, began In great hasto to turn out the lights and put up the shutters. "Now, Giuseppo." I expostulated, "would you mind telling mo what has happened? Or do you always close in this sudden.wayT' "No, signor," he answered, shortly. "Found Rosa." This was Interesting, but hardly explanatory. One gas burner was still lighted, and under it ho opened the book again and pointed to the picture which had so affected him. It was called "A Scene in the Italian Quarter." and showed a typical tenement street of New s 1 S r- tjCL .eN- If r WTT.TUX H. SEWARD'S LETTER, York. In the foreground was a tangle of push carts, their owners turning their faces curiously toward tho observer and shielding their eyes from the glare of the sunlight. Beyond them a broad archway opened through & row of battered .puna Ings, and abovo It a dozen windows showed. At one of these, three or four stories above tho street, stood a young glrL her face and figure fairly distinct. To this figure Giuseppo pointed. "Rosa!" said he and turned? out the last light. I was Inclined to be incredulous. Why should Rosa, supposed to bo In a village of Southern Italy, appear In an unauthor ized photograph on the Island of Man hattan? Tho girl In the picture, too. seemed to me a different person from the maiden of the tintype. The latter was round-faced and bright-eyed; this one seemed worn and thin, with the dull. staring eyes which speak of tho pain and dejection of the city's depths. Had not Giuseppe mistaken one Neapolitan, girl for another? Still, he might possibly be right. Among the Italians, strong in love, fierce in hatred, greedy for gain. stranger things had happened than this that a girl should be transported ana ill treated till her eyes grew big. I remem bered that when I had glanced at the Il lustrations upon first buying the book this face had looked out upon mo with a tragic distinction. " But Giuseppe had mo by tho arm. I go to New York." said he. "Will the signor make for me a favor? Como, too, along? Come, speaka for me da langawaltch da United States." This "was more than I had counted on. and I made some effort to temporize. "To New York tonight?" eald I. "What would you do? Sleep over It make sure. You can do nothing tonight." "Do notting?" Inquired Giuseppo sweetly but with steely eyes. "You fink do not ting? I seo Rosa in da book, and do notting? I tell you, I bust hell, but I get Rosa. Right off, sharp." He stroked his mustache softly. "Come, den, and speaka for mo da United State's." Such faith was Inmresslve. Besides. I began to think that this Invitation was not one to be lightly declined. Giuseppe was evidently going to do something probably something dramatic. Already his story as ho seemed to divine had taken hold on my imagination; here was a chanco to be present at what might prove to bo Its climax. I interposed but one more objection. Although the book Indicated In a general way the parts of the city In which the pictures had been taken, there was now ing In it to reveal tho exact localities. It seemed to mo that it might take a 16ng search to Identify the place. I ex plained this to him. Ho shrugged his shoulders with the air of a man whose patience Is at last ex hausted. "Come." said he. "I know place Seen him ten twenta flfta times. Arco what you call da Arch. Come." We started. "The Arch" was at that time one of New York's centers of violence and crime. A network of squalid alleys, stretching between two squalid streets, It had takon Its popular name from tho fact that It was entered at either side through an archway cut In tho solid wall of the houses. It was after midnight when we reached the New York side of the river and took our way through the silent streets afoot. Wo had gone not far when I was treated to a slight surprise We were passing a ccllarway from which the light shone up, when Giuseppe, catch Ing-my sleeve to signal me to wait, sud denly disappeared down the stairs. In a moment ho was up again, carrying a Jute bag containing something of considerable bulk.- "Alia right." he remarked cheerfully as he rejoined me. "Gotta dozen pine apple. Cheapo, place, down stair. Gooda place, open up all night, all day." He stopped and drew out one of the pineapples, turning' It from sido to side to exhibit It. "He alia right?" ho In quired. "Got ver cheap. Tlnk him sell. eh? Gooda place downstair." I confess that this commercialism grated on me. To see 'Giuseppe's enthu siasm for gain asserting Itself at a time when I was being sacrificed to his de clared chivalry was, to say the least. disappointing. "Giuseppe," said L, re proachfully, "did wo come on an errand 7 4 V " ST ' X connected with the fruit business or did we como for a girl?" He laughed shortly, restoring" the pine apple to its place and throwing the bag over his shoulder. "Oh, all right," he an swered. "Get girl too, by by. I needa da pineapple for da stand. Get dem and get Rosa same trip, sava da mon'? See?" Argument seemed useless, and we pro ceeded in silence till we came to our des tination. The street, which on a Summer night would have swarmed with a noisy crowd, had been cleared of pasaersby by the keen Autumn air. It was badly lighted, and the wind whistled In the shadowy corners. Just before us a single street lamp threw a glare across the way. and there loomed the Arch, a dark, ugly- blot in the row of houses. Giuseppe opened tho book and silently pointed to the picturei- Ho was undoubtedly right thus far. The photograph had been taken at short range, and the very cracks in the biacc ened wall repeated themselves before our eyes. The window at which the girl had stood was now closed and dark. Its broken panes stuffed with rags. It faced on the street, near the Arch, but the house to which it belonged apparently had Its en trance through some interior alley there was no doorway to bo seen. This pe culiarity, too, showed In the picture; there was no mistaking the place. Yet as I looked I hardly snared Giu seppe's faith. Granting that his interest cavo him sharp eyes, and tnat na nau made no mistake in seeing In the picture tho girl he sought, how many chances that sho had disappeared since tne dook had been written and published, and in I k- v,,-., nmhahin with siiph a shift- Ing tenantry? Or If she were there, now could he approach her at midnight In a district where a single outcry would call together upon the Instant an angry mob? But- he was placing the book in my hands with a great effect of politeness. "Pardon. Signor," he said, "but you sneaka in a doorway and watch. I go alone now. I tell you. If I get Rosa, you say notting. But If da cop catena me, you speaka do United btates. see; I said I saw. "Make out," he went on, "like you know mo. Make like you not care. Make like you Just happen by along. Speaka da United States- He lowerea his voice in a confidential way. "I tell you," said he, "I not afralda fight. I not afralda whole damda Arch. But I not ver well speaka da united States. Will you sneaka In da doorway, Signor?" This bold lover knew how vaiuame an Interested acquaintance may prove when an arrest is made In New York. The part for which I had been cast I accepted. I chose a doorway, secreted myself as well as I could, and watcnea. Giuseppo went on. At tno ioo. oi the lamp-post he carefully deposited the hair of pineapples; then he steppea out where the light fell full upon him. There ho squared hl3 shoulders, ad justed his necktie, cocked his hat on ono side of his head, folded his arms high on his breast and sang. And what should he sins but tne song ho had sung so many nights as ne tramped back and forth before tho fruit-stand. As the son? went on I began to think. though In tho uncertainty of the light I was hardly sure, that tho sash of the window was being slowly and noise lessly lowered. Then, as the stanza was concluded, there was suddenly no doubt that success had come. The fig ure of a woman was clearly to be seen at the window, and as Giuseppe struck into the refrain again his strenuous tenor was joined by a woman's voice; ono of those low-keyed voices which seem full of tho memory ot tears: Come, then, loved one, rend tbe veil about thee; I am worn with waiting. I must die without thee. Come, my love, for true an heaven above thee. I must ever love tnee ever win i ieve ine. It was perhaps tho desire for artistic effect, inherent In the Italian nature, that-held both the singers firmly in their Dlaces until tho refrain was fin ished. Whatever the reason, the last note was as well accented as the first- Then, as tho song was done, the figure disappeared from tho window, ana Giuseppe, not forgetting to gather up his bag of pineapples, rushed into tho shadows of tho Arch. I waited for the sound of tho fray. and I had not long to wait. In less than a mlnuto thero came from the alleys the most remarkable variety of noises which I have ever heard. Sounds of breaking glass, heavy blows, crashing of doors, shouts of mon, screams of women, all punctuated Dy many ana unique oaths in the Italian tongue. At length there camo a sound as If some heavy body had fallen down a flight if Btairs, then the stairs themselves seemed to como down, and a moment later the whole uproar was suddenly magnified, and a wild, shouting mob burst from the dark recesses out into tho open street. Well in the lead was Giuseppe, with ono arm around tho girl, and his bag of pineapples in the other hand. Italian women have hysterics, it seems, the same as those bred in a keener air. High abovo the shouts of the pursuers rang her cries, uttered in her native speech. "Oh, Giuseppe, save me, save me! Oh. Giuseppa. have you como at last? Will they beat me no moro? Oh, Giuseppe, is It over? Do not let them beat me- Save me! Save me!" And al ways. "Oh, Giuseppe! Oh, Giuseppe!" though she was not forgetting to go at very good speed. But Just as they swung fairly Into TheHeturn of Sherlock -Holmes CONTINUED FROM PAGE THIRTY-NINE his noose round the reptile's neck, ho drew it from Its horrid perch, and carrying It at arm's length, threw It Into the Iron safe, which he closed upon It. Such are the true facts of tho death of Dr. Grimesby Roylott. of Stoke Moran. It Is not necessary that I should prolong a narrative which has already run to too great a length, by telling how wo broke the sad news to the terrified girl, how we conveyed her by the morning train to the care of her good aunt at Harrow, ot how tho slow process of official Inquiry came to the conclusion that the doctor met his fate while Indiscreetly playing with a dangerous pet. The llttlo which I had yet to learn of the case was told me by Sherlock Holmes as we traveled back next day. "I had." said he, "come to an entirely erroneous conclusion, which shows, my dear Watson, how dangerous It always is to reason from insufficient data. The pres ence of the gypsies, and the use of the word band,' which was used by the poor girl, no doubt to explain the appearance which she had caught a hurried glimpse of by the light of her match, were sufficient to put me once upon an entirely wrong scent. I can only claim the merit that 1 instantly reconsidered my position when, however. It became clear to me that what ever danger threatened an occupant of the room could not come either from the win dow or the door. My attention was speedily drawn, as I have already re marked to you. to this ventilator, and to the bell-rope which hung down to the bed. The discovery that this was a dummy, and that the bed was clamped to tho floor. Instantly gave rise to the suspicion that the rope was there as a bridgo for something passing through the hole, and coming to tho bed. The Idea of a snake Instantly occurred to me, and when I coupled It with my knowl edge that the doctor was furnished with a supply of creatures from India I felt that I was probably on the right track. The Idea of using a form of poison which could not possibly be discovered by any chemical test was Just such a one as would occur to a clever and ruthless man who had an Eastern training. The rapid ity with which such a poison would take effect would also, from his point of view. bo an advantage. It would bo a sharp jtrfid Coroaer.1 indeed who wull distin tho roadway from the curve of their course from the Arch. Giuseppe turned like a flash, thrust the girl behind him. and. faced his pursuers. Two dark fig ures headed these, and from traditions of Italian character I looked for the gleam of knives. But if the man had knives they had no chance to use them. A bag containing- a dozen pineapples, swung by the arm of a man strong and thoroughly in earnest, makes a potent weapon. One of the dark figures went down to the pavement, the other stg gered to the curb and fell In the gutter, and both stayed where they struck. Surprised by this diversion, the mob hesitated for the barest Instant, and In that instant Giuseppe, with the br over his shoulder, and the girl, with her hysteria under comparative con trol, got around the corner and out of sight. The street had filled suddenly. The side walks were packed to the edges, ami shouting, gesticulating figures Jostled each other in the roadway. A half-dozen heads looked from each of a thousand windows. The tumult was tremendous. Mentally resigning tho office of spokes man in the language of the United States. I started in the opposite direction to that taken by Giuseppe. At first I went slow ly, not to attract attention. As soon as I got around a corner i walked much more rapidly, and as I approached the ferry I think I ran, being anxious to catch the at the ferry-house all was quiet. Giuseppo had perhaps gained an earlier Doat. or maybe ho crossed by another ierrj . nen I reached the fruitstand I found it padlocked and oulte as wn Hnrt left It. Congratulating myself on h.v. ing escaped the complications I had risked, I passed on home. Hung down "The Foreign Quarters of New York" and went to bed. When I approached the fruitstand tho next morning some fresh pineapples were prominently displayed, although thero was something In the way In which thev wero surrounded by smaller fruits that might havo led the wary to suspect in them an unusual number of bruises. Giu seppe leaned gracefully against his placa of business, his feet crossed, and was peeling a partially unavailable orango for his own refreshment. When he saw me he laid aside the or ange, rubbed his hand on his corduroy trousers and extended it toward mo cor dially. "I get dero all a right." he remarked. "Bote feet." "And Rosa?" I Inquired. "Is she safe?" "Sure." said Giuseppe. "No needa you speaka da United States. All over." Whereupon he resumed his orange and seemed to regard the whole matter as so entirely a thing of the past that it was only by some questioning that I learned the story. It was quickly told. After Giuseppo had left the Neapolitan village the girl's un cle had gradually gained complete con trol of all her little property. This done, he looked for the most profitable way of getting rid of her. and found it by turning her over to one of those pa drones who, every year. In spite of the law's watchfulness, manage to bring hun dreds of young Italian girls to New York, there to choose between degrading labor or a still darker fate. Alone and worse than friendless in the great city, shut off from every means of communication with the only soul from whom sho could expect aid, the girl, through starvation and blows and ever-changing wiles, had un relentingly fought the dally battle for her honor. Finally she had become a vir tual prisoner In tho Arch, condemned to the filthiest toll of the ragsorters, watched by day and night, hardly leaving the room from which she had looked when sho heard Giuseppe's song. That was the song for which sho had faithfully waited. It was their old signal, the song which he had sung many times under her window at home. When he had come away they had agreed that when It should be sung again her answer would be the fulfillment of his hope. Through all her trials she had listened for It. cheered, perhaps, by the thought that she. too, was in the land to which her lover had come. When at last sho had heard it sho was ready. "Alia right, now," said Giuseppe. In conclusion. "Rosa she not cry dls morn. Sho laugh sing feel fine." I Inquired about tho flight to tha ferry, of which I had seen only tho beginning. Had he met with any further difficulty? "No, signor," said ho mildly. "All ver dead easy. Skip round corner, jump streeta car; rido ten. twenta block up; ten, twenta block down, sneaka to boat." He assumed an expression of wisdom. "Greata town Now York. Get los ver" quick." "And whero is Rosa?" "Oh. down my house. Old lady keepa da house sho take care Rosa. Sure. I go to priest dls morn four, five clock. 1 speaka. Alia right two weeks come, 1 marry Rosa." AH over, Indeed. I regarded him admir ingly, but even while I admired, that un failing business instinct of his asserted itself once moro. His attention, wander ing from a subject so thoroughly disposed of. rested upon tho pineapples. He took up one and showed It to me. Its bruises had, indeed, been artfully con cealed. Said Giuseppe, turning It around slowly. "Bust him up bad last night, break In door, smasha ten, twenty men all with bag pineapple. Eh, well, good. I got him cheap. Not all so bad bust like dls one. I cover him up sell him. maybe." He tucked little lemons deftly about it again. "Gotta lose de mon sometimes," said he pensively. guish the two little dark punctures which would show where tho poison fangs had done their work. Then I thought of tho whistle. Of course ho must recall tha snake beforo tho morning light revealed it to the victim. He had trained It. prob ably by the use of the milk which wo saw, to return to him when summoned. He would put It through this ventilator at the hour that he thought best, with the certainty that it would crawl down the rope and land on the bed. It might or might not blto the occupant, perhaps she might escape every night for a week, but sooner or later Bhe must fall a victim. "I had come to theso conclusions bo- fore ever I had entered his room. An in spection of his chair showed me that he had been in the habit of standing on it. which, of course, would bo necessary la order that he should reach the ventilator. The sight of the safe, the saucer of milk and the loop of whipcord were enough to finally dispel any doubts which may havo remained. The metallic clang heard by Mis3 Stoner was obviously caused by her stepfather hastily closing the door of his safe upon Its terrible occupant- Having onco made up my mind, you know the steps which I took In order to put the matter to tho proof. I heard the creaturo hiss, as I have no doubt that you did also, and I instantly lit the light and attacked iU" "With tho result of driving it through tho ventilator." "And also with the result of causing It to turn upon Its master at the other side. Some of the blows of my cane came homo and roused its snaklsh temper, so that It flew upon the first person It saw. In this way I am. no doubt, indirectly respon sible for Dr. Grimesby Roylett's death, and I cannot say It Is likely to weigh, very heavily upon my conscience." (Copyright by Harper & Bros.) To Educate. Milwaukee Sentinel. "If I ever get rich." said the street car conductor, savagely, as he yanked tho bell rope, "I'm going to endow one of them big- colleges with a chair." "What kind of a chair?" asked the In terested passenger. "You kin search me fer a name, but It'll better the purpose of learnla wlnjmla tow $0 get off'o ft strcet-cari