J
OOPYRtOHT BY AMERICAN PRIM ASSOCIATION. I8S
CHAPTER XXVII.
Uncle Ben had started out bravely
enough, but after he had traveled a mile
or so be fonnd himself growing faint
- and weak. He was not only an old uy,
bnt the exciting scenes through whTch
he bad passed in the last few hoars, to
gether with the physical pain he bad
endured, were quite sufficient to tax bis
strength to the utmost. He fought
against the feeling until at length the
rocks and trees seemed to be whirling
round and round and the frozen high
way to be sliding from under bis feet,
and then he dropped to the eaith and
gasped:
"O Lawd, doan' let it cum jest yitt
Give de ole man strength 'nuff to reach
dem Yankees, an den yo' kin take him
away! X dun can't stop yere, O Lawdt
I'ze got to keep trabblin till I finds Mars
Custer an tells him dat Miss Sunshine
wants him I"
After a rest of three or four minutes
he rose up and moved on. He slipped
and staggered as he advanced, but he
t shut his teeth bard and would not yield
to the weakness seeking to p,ull him
down. Two events happened tb brace
bim up and restore a portion of his
strength. He had gone a distance of
about two miles and was just passing
the cabin of a "poor white" which had
been deserted for the last month when
Mrs. Baxter suddenly appeared. She
had traveled two miles toward the Yan
kee lines after leaving Best Haven in
stead of going the other way, but it was
to strike a pass leading over the range
into the Shenandoah. She had been
waiting there in hopes to hear from Ike,
who had told her that he would return
for his revenge. Uncle Ben was no
doubt possessed of the information she
longed for, and though realizing his
feelings toward her she made bold to
step out and accost him.
'What, yo' yere!" shouted the old
man at the top of his voice as soon as he
set eyes on her. "Fo' de Lawd, wom
an, but if I eber git hands on yo' I'll
kill yo' fur shore!"
"Had Ike cum when yo' left the
place?" she asked, pretending not to no
tice his outburst of anger, but at the
same time preserving a respectful dis
tance between them.
"Yo' ole cat! Yo' ole she debbil!"
be exclaimed as he rushed at her. " Yo'
am de one who brung all dis trubble
to Miss Sunshine, an I'll broke ebery
bone in yo'r body!"
She retreated before him and held up
her band as a caution to him to listen.
The soldiers and guerrillas had begun
firing on the camp. The distance was
two miles or more, but the morning
wind was blowing from tbe south, and
the reports of the muskets came plainly
to their ears. Both realized at once
what was going on. The woman
laughed as she observed:
"Ike '8 goin to. git 'em fur shore! Ike
will be an ossifer now and ride the best
critter in the company. Beckon yo'
must 'a' bin bidin out when Ike got
thar, or yo' wouldn't be yere now. He
was goin to burn yo' nn alive."
The reports of the guns told Uncle
Ben that the two men in camp bad been
attacked, and that be had not a mo
ment to waste with the woman. All his
et-rancyt-ti anil nwnlntmn hart Nitnrnul' -
and without heeding her words he start
ed off at a stout' pac,e. She felt certain
of his mission, and she was determined
to detain him if possible. Mrs. Baxter
was not omy a reariess woman unuer
all circumstances, but. in such a crisis
as this she was desperate. If Uncle Ben
brought help, all that had been gained
would be lost, and Ike might be killed
or captured with the rest of the gang.
She stepped aside to let the old slave
pass and then followed at his heels,
threatening; taunting and commanding
by turns and almost daring to lay hands
on him. If she had been armed with
knife or pistol, she would have attacked
bim at once. As she was - not she con
tinned to follow him in hopes of en
countering some one on tbe highway.
If a white man, and she cried out to
him that the black had dared to raise
bis hand against her, Uncle Ben would
be seized, if not shot down in his tracks.
: Aggravated and annoyed by the pain
of the blows inflicted by Ike Baxter,
maddened by the woman's words and
her continued presence and rendered
desperate by the danger of the general
situation, it was no wonder the old man
suddenly turned at bay with the glare
of a hunted wolf in bis eyes. She was
too close to him to escape. Springing
forward, he seized her by tbe shoulders,
lifted her from the ground, and with
a mighty effort he flung her clear of the
road. At that point the ground sloped
sharply away toward a ravine, and as
the woman struck the earth with stun-'
ning force she rolled over and over un
til she finally brought np against a bush
CO feet away.
"De Lawd furgive me, but I couldn't
dun help it!" groaned Uncle Ben as he
continued his way. - "Dey'a arter Miss
Sunshine, an dey's arter me, an dej 'a
arter Mars Kenton, an de good ole mis
sus am lyin dead in de house, an what's
gwine to becum of us all I danno!"
With eyes fastened on the pathway,
with teeth bard shut, with words ol
prayer rising to bis lips and a constant
struggle against the feeling of despair
seeking a lodgmeat in his heart, the
faithful old, slave pressed on, mile
after mile, and suddenly found himself
confronted by a party of horsemen in
blue uniforms. Tbe goal had been won,
and as he realized it up went went his
arms, and he sank down on the icy road.
"Buna way darky, but he isn't pur
sued that I can see," observed the cap
tain of the troop as he ordered a halt.
. "Some of you men liven him np with
a sip of whisky."
A sergeant dismounted and put a
.flask to Uncle Ben's lips and forced
some of the contents down his throat.
In a couple of minutes the old man sat
up and looked around.
"Were you running away?" asked
the captain as be rode closer.
"Whar whar's Mars Custer?", gasp
ed Uncle Ben in reply.
"General Custer?. Oh, he's some
miles away. Did you want to see him?"
"Miss Sunshine dun wants him, sah
wants him to cum quick! . De gorril
las an de sojers am np dar tryin to burn
de house an kill eberybodyl"
Uncle Ben was so overcome that it
took 10 minutes to get his story straight.
The troopers numbered only about half
a company and had been sent out to in
tercept a Confederate mail courier who
was expected to enter that valley
through Hempstead's gap, three miles
away. The captain wrote a note and
Bunt it nff tn thn FedeTal lines bv cou
rier, but could do no more in the matter.
Uncle Ben was given some rations to
make a breakfast -of, provided with a
blanket . by a kind hearted trooper and
instructed to wait for the force which
would be sure to come- np within two
or three hours.
Let us anticipate their coming. : As
tbe fusillade bad drawn no repJy from
the fort, the enemy at length concluded
Jhat tt &mtirf had been,, disabled.
They also realized that the sounds of
battle might reach Federal ears and
bring up a force to the rescue, and it
was therefore decided to advance npon
tbe camp without further loss of time.
As Bray ton had predicted, they formed
on the open ground to the south. The
entire force formed in. two lines for
a charge, and as a movement or two
showed that they were about ready to
advance Steve quietly remarked:
"1 dunno whar Jeff Davis bought this
yere carbine, but it was a mighty cute
trick in him. She's good for seven shots'
as fast as I kin pull trigger, and that
means that sumbody's goin to git hurt.
Yo' un hold yq'r buckshot' till they git
on this side of that bush. How yo' feel
in, Yank?"
"All right." "
"Of co'se yo' ar'. Yo' ar' lookin jest
as natural as an ole hat! Yere they
cum!" ...
With a chorus of yells that would
have done credit to a war party of Paw
nees, the enemy broke cover and ad
vanced at a run. They were hardly in
the open before Steve began blazing
away. His fire was fast and deadly,
but it did not check them. It was only
when Kenton, who was coolly waiting
for them to pass the bush, let fly both
barrels into them at just the right range
for buckshot to do its best that the
charge was broken, and every man on
bis feet sought safety in precipitate re
treat. "That is awful!" whispered Kenton
as the smoke blew away and gave them
a clear sight of the ground.
"Lands, but we uns hev licked the
hull southern confedetacyl" answered
Steve.
At first sight it seemed as if half the
charging foice had been wiped out,
but after a moment some. .of those who
had fallen began to creep away to the
shelter of the rocks and bushes. They
were allowed to do this without moles
tation. Five remained there in plain
sight, however, and not one of them
would ever stand on his feet again.
There was no further movement for half
an hour.' The besiegers realized that
they were not strong enough to carry
that fort, even though it held only two
Holding the fort.
defenders, and they resorted to strategy.
A flag of truce finally appeared, and the
soldier who bore it was permitted to
approach within 30 feet of the rocks.
There he halted and said , that 10 more
men had come up; that Ike Baxter bad.
been sent off to the Confederate lines
for artillery and more soldiers; that the
men then surrounding them had become
so desperate that unless tbe twain sur
rendered within 10 minutes a squad
would be detailed to go and burn Best
Haven and wreak revenge- oh Marian
Percy. . . ---'.- '- '
It was a threat intended to strike
Royal Kenton, a heavy blow, and it suc
ceeded. As he.heard the words and re
alized their import his face grew white
as.snow, and he whispered to Steve that
the terms rftuet'bavomplied'Awthl
" "Don't you believe it! wag the blunt
reply.-:' 'It's simply a. game to rattle us.
Don't yo' remember that Uncle Ben was
to' start out tbe fust thing this mawnin
to find the Yankees? . He un'fl had time,
and it's likely they are on the way. The
gal is southern and loyal, and even
though saui qf -these chaps ar' guerrillas
they dasn't go that fur." .
"But suppose'fhey dared to?" pieadetf
Kenton. '' "
"Then they'd do it arter they had cut
us to pieces, the.8a.me as befo'. Look at
them dead folks out thar. t'ye reckon
they'll spare ' us ' arter that? Hark!
Whoopee! By the livin jingo, but the
Yanks hev showed-jre'at last.!"', -' ?-;-';
CHAPTER XXVIII.
The courier dispatctred by the crfptain
of the Federal troop reached the lines
in due time and handed the message to
General Custer, whose brigade wa in
winter quarters, but scouring and recon
noitering almost daily An order bad
been issued by the general in command
of the army in the valley outlawing all
Confedeiate irregulars and directing
special attention to Mosby's band.
Within half an hour after receiving
the courier Custer dispatched two com
panies of the Sixth Michigan cavalry,
with instructions to push forward at a
gallop, and SO minutes later he fol
lowed them with the First and Fifth
regiments and a battery of artillery.
The flying column found bld: UncTe Ben
patiently waiting by the roadside and
stopped long enough to bear his story.
He gave them the lay of the camp oc
cupied by Kenton and Bray ton and was
left behind to wait for the main column.
Perhaps the besieging force was in
earnest in making the statement which
fell from the lips of the flag of truce
man as an alternative. They had suf
fered too severely to try another chat ge
up the narrow way, and the fusillade
maintained for hours bad been lead
thrown away. Ike Baxter had indeed
been sent away for re-enforcementsand
a piece of . artillery, and the guerrilla
portion of tbe force was thirsting for're
venge and rife for the most desperate
deed. The girl bad defied them, and
her lover had killed two or three of
their number, and somebody must' be
made to suffer.
The sergeant in command of the squad
of Confederate cavalry had no control
over the guerrillas, but when, asthey
waited to hear from the men behind
the rocks, he heard them planning
to wreak their vengeance on Best Ha
ven, he did all in his power to dissuade
them. .They seemed to abandon the
idea, but under pretense of "having a
talk" four or five of them slipped away
and started for the house. They were
within 20 rods of it and bad already di
vided up the wicked work to be swiftly
accomplished When fhe flying squadron
turned a bend in the highway and was
upon them. They turned to flee, but
half a dozen revolvers cracked, and they
were dead men as the last set of fours
jumped over tbeir bodies lyiDg on the
highway. Not a trooper slackened his
rein or a horse broke his gallop.
, "Halt! Dismount! Fourth men bold
horses! Deploy to the left! Forward
and fire at will!"
It was a complete surprise to. the Con
federates, who had collected in a body
to bear what answer might be made to
the message sent in. They made a show
of defense, but after a fight of five min
utes, during which they lost 10 or 12
men, they threw down their arms and
surrendered. This event was known in
the camp almost as soon as outside of it,
and the cheers which Steve Brayton ut
tered as he perched himself on tbe rocks
were plainly heard as far as Best Haven.
"Yank, old boy, we uns is on the top
limb now," chuckled Steve as be leaped
down and shook Kenton's hand. "Bein
as I've got sorter used to the sight of
Yankee uniforms, I reckon I'll drop over
thar and tell 'em about: yo' and see
what's goin to be done." - ,
. "But tell them of Miss Percy first"
replied Kenton, whose anxiety was far
greater than he had dared betray to his
comrade.
The prisoners were conducted to the
highway and surrounded ' by a guard,
and then the senior captain accompanied
Bray ton back to the camp. .They were
not long in - deciding what-, should be
done with Kentqn. They would remove
him to Rest Haven,, temporarily at
least, and the prisoners would - be held
there until the main column came up.
A rude fitter was soon constructed, and
Kenton was placed thereon and borne
way. r -
A feeling of dumb despair crept over
Marian Percy as she entered the heuse
alter Uncle Ben's departure and looked
upon henjdead. The event was not en
tirely unexpected, and yet it was a great
shock to'her, surrounded as it was by
such trying circumstances. The mother
dead, Mrs. Baxter gone, her lover
wounded ,and besieged by bloodthirsty
men. Uncle Ben gone after help, an al
most certain knowledge" that the worst'
-was yet to cjome what .wonder that the
girl was strcken and. helpless? The re
port of every musket reached her .ears,
The report of every, muskets-reached, her.
and now and then as tbe firing died:
away a little her heart stood' still at ibe.
thought that Ke.nton and "bis comrade-
had been captured by those who thirsted"'
for their lives. She'could only weep aird"
pray as the houj dagge'diaway. 'Sojfe'"
came, to her orijywben she b.eari4fbV''
clatter of iron hoofs.-pn the frozea. road .
and looked onfcto. behold, the -two comT"
panfes of Federal cavalry sweeping up-
the highway tthe rescue. ' Uncle- Bern
had been in time, and she murmured,
"God: bless biifYf' as She realfz&ff what 1
it meant. Thejdead gaexrlfllak lry in "
plain sight as tjxq troopers puSned on, "
and she shuddered as .she "realized what '
might have', been.... T4ie dead were for
gotteV for a moment io her anxiety for .
the. living. There had been no firing for
the last 10 mitfutes.;' Had the camp been
Captured? Had'belp' come too late? She:
stoodin the fijfe'd door and held' herself
on be feet "whife she listened. A sud
den, crash of musketry told ber what she
was yearning to" knowv The Federal
trooperS- had' attacked, and they were
strong enough to beat off or annihilate
the besiegers.' " Half an hour later she
was crying1 arrd sdbfetng and saying to:
the men who- bore the litter.: -.
"Carefully now! Bring him rigbt.inv
Ltbs,Way! I am so glad! - I was afraid
that he was dead! -';-'
Tbe. prisbners'were "tfonffhed in ; the'-
hbarn;. Of thw enftre' force- not one had.
escaped except IKe-'- Baxter, ;and that.,
only -because .'he was absent. There were
a dozen or more dead' men to bury, and
after .'awhile a detail was sent back to.
perform the work. -A dozen dead,' but
no wpunded. tIfycjn were in the valley
tnai.wmter, you wujl recau me Diuer
ness existing" between the " irregulars, ?
who-.&ere practically "bushwhackers and
grrerfrilias, and the Federal cavalry." No
prisjers. were, taken on either;side. If
a Federal elachiifiiit was c,utoff, never"
a mfen returned "fo'his lines: ' If A cou-'
'riexwas capturedlie was"' shot in- his-
tracks orliniigto the limb of aToadside
tree. There'was'noitiiore mercy shown -otf
the other side. .!Ehe'capture-.-of-, an ,.
armed man in citizen's -dress or. half
uniform tneanttb'at.-toe bad only 15 min
utes, to live ".atr.tbe. -furthest.. If, he;
claimed to-belpngts. JJosljy.'s. band, he
courted deaththe sooner.'" Mh who fell
in afigbt went' down to Be bifrfed there
Ouster with his troopers'' found Uncle
Ben. eagerly .aWaiting" them. ' -The old
man was'jven'ai'-'seatf iri; ah ambulance,
and, withi A ' a'f e,wrflinutes--the -general
haclheaftl fits stcfry. 'The orderwas'giv
en to pusb' 'dh atrasf aster pace; abd the
command reached Best Haven.- just as
the prisoners'- had been placed under
gaqrd.i -A . surgeon.-, accompanied, the
cofomtv-and while-, he was busy dressing
Keo ton's wounds General Custer waS
holding an interview with' Marian Per-
cy. The result ot this was an order that
the dead woman and the wounded man
should be rtaken.; . back to the- Federal
lines the, ne-for -bursal,- the '.Other for
proper medical treatment. Whatever1
Marten wished to take laway-would be
tranpoit4d ?gr,;beri ahd'ihela'ce .would ;
be abandoned. -" " ""'
Stye.. Brayton had comei out'of . the"
affair at greaflr l-jiff o'thanybe had ever.
hop&t to1 fie. 1 'A Iftfdugft) frankly! a5.
knoifiedgig .ljdmself an. escaped pris
oner And(nQWt qga-incaptufed by the' en-
emijs of fiis cadse, every Federal who
understood bow he had fortified? the
canfp and defended it to savei wounded
andalic9st helpless fellow Confederate
insisted erf taking him by -the hand and
tendering him hearty congratulations.
Even General Custer himself did ndt
-.wirjjboltf a word, ol praise arter, learn
ing' from Marian and Kenton of Bray--tOn's
bravery and self sacrifice. .
'?.Waal, gineral, I dunno about -4all
this," replied Steve; with a good deal pf
emfcarrassmnet. ."Beckon 1 was the
means of gittin that Yank into the" Con
federate service, and now it looks aS if J
I was tbe means of gittin him out and
myself along with him.' - We uns- hev
been driv opter the southern army by
that font up at-the camp, and if yo' nns
don't tajie.keer Saf us reckon we uns.r
will hev to bant a cave sum whar and
hide awy till the. war is over."
The ' p&cjrinu.p had been 'accom
plished, and therdead woman was about,
to be carried ootpf tbe house when the
burial party 'was1' driven in by a strong
force of Ccta federates.' Ike Baxter had
galloped jntohe'fTohfederate lines, only
five or six ties a way. -with information
that speedily toft two companies of cav
alry do wnhe Aoa(usf a Te-enforcement.
One of : jtfo'wistSa'ptain Wyle's, and
he smiledtimly as he recalled the cir
cumstances of -his -last ride over , .this
highway; f ' -" -i ' .': ' ;
Ike Baxter bad come into camp on a
previous occasion to report that Kenton
and Brayton were biding out near Best
Haven, and that he had been nearly
killed by Uncle Ben while trying to fol
low him to the hiding place of tbe fugi
tives, f- Captain Wyle would wash his
hands pf. the , affair,, bat a detachment
was sent away with orders to hunt down
and bring ia the prisoners. Steve Bray
ton might be brought in, but he very
well knew that Kenton would not be,
whetber found wounded and helpless or
not. After the detachment had accom
plished its work be wonld seek a meet
ing with Marian Percy, bat not before.
She could not hold him responsible for
tbe action of others. :
Aa -the Confederates came down tbe
road in pursuit of tbe burial party Cus
ter ordered forward three or four com
panies, and the pursuers became in turn
the pursued. But not for long. .A heavy
force of troopers in gray, were coming
np, and even a child could bave, told
what that look, on General Custer's face
portrayed. For long weeks he had tried
to biing on a cavalry fight. - The hour
had come! ' , -'-
CHAPTER XI. '
It is within an hour of sunset on a
winter's day. An inch of snow covers
the earth like a royal carpet, and dark
and ragged clouds drive fast across a
cold blue sky. . , .
In front of Rest Haven, looking to
the south, the hills recede and leave an
almost level plain'on which there is no
.greater obstruction than an occasional
tree or bush. A creek which has its
birthplace in tbe mountains meanders
across this plain, but divides it about
equally. Tbe plain is large enough for..
5,000 cavalry to maneuver on, and
.aj.ong its edges are a. dozen spots on
which field artillery can be posted ad
vantageously. .. Attention, now, for you are going tp
witness one of the grandest sights in
war a cavalry fight! Only a few of the
Confederates have appeared in 'sight,
but Custer has guessed the situation and
is preparing for it. While he is issuing
orders and the squadrons are moving
and the artillery galloping into position,
one of his aids is hurrying bp the move
tqjibandon the house. Wrapped in her
bedding instead of1 a shroud, the dead'
woman is borne to an ambulance by
troopers with uncovered heads and rev
erent thien 'troopers who w.ill be shout
ing 'like devils and wear5.the looks of
madmen half an bonr hence. Marian
gqes with her dead, Boyal Kenton into
an, ambulance by himself:' The vehicles
take the. road for the Federal lines.
.-. ."You are a noncombatant and had
better go with him, " the officer said to
Steve Braytcn- as Kenton was ready to-
go-" - , - .
- H'FScuse me.ifur differ in with yp',".
replied Steve, ;"but if it won't do no
ijertick'Ier barm I'll stay, and se"o"ifhT3
iiiss over with. It's goin to be aTrght
smart scrimmage, 1 take' it, and as it'll
probably be tbe last font I 11 see. 1 11
florter- hang:'afound: Thar's that ole
nigger, ;thongHdon't leave him." -.
r..: Unele Ben stood in the. midst of the
bustle with bundles and packages ip bis
arms and at his feet. He was told to
get into ' the vehicle with Kenton, and
next moment six horses Were galloping
a gun pyer the spot where he had stood.
,. Look to the south. The Confederates
are debouching from the highway and
deploying on the plain. Their hearts
vere filled with rejoicing as they behold
the'force of. Federals opposed. - They,
':too, have longed for a battle in which
the infantry should bave np. part, and
the oft ' expressed wish is about to be
gratified. :'!' " -
. There is no ' advantage reposition.
Two thousand Federals, 2,000 Confed
erates, and each: has a battery number-
v- "7 ' --'" '- -:'.'-
'"The artillery galloping into position.
ing six pieces. Custer's guns? could,
reaeh the gray" horsemen- as tbey.deploy,.
but every piece is silent. A cba-rge-by
half his command across that snow cov
ered plain would have swept the field at
first and crushed, the Confederate .back
into- the narrow highway to become a
panic .stricken mob. No charge was or
dered,. The man whose name was to be
come a household' word before the end'
of the war and whose life was to be
spared on 20 fields of ""battle that it
might' go out with the shoots of Indian
demons ringing in his ears sat his. horse
and' watched and waited. He had come,
fo the brigade of stalwart Michigan
deirs a few months previously fresh from
West Point..' He had been called a boy,,
and men and officers had taken np pains
to conceal their sarcasm and distrust..'
ITwp or three times he had led them in a'
dash there, but little fighting resulted.
He would - test- them now,; and they,
shoiild weigh him in the balance.
Boom-!- Boom!, Boom! .The.Confed-.
erate battery is the first to open .fire, and
it is promptly j-esponded. to. .The very
first missile is' a percussion'shell," and it
drives its way into the house so lately'
occupied by the' living ' and the dead,
and in. its explosion--brings wreck' and
ruin. ; Twelve guns are belching tbeir
death missiles across the -open space
when a sudden cry rises to the lips of a
thousand men. From tbe western edge
of the plain," Where the pines grow'
thick,' a,-, .woman . suddenly appears to
iView. i .She is bare headed, and her hair
is. flying about her shoulders: She bas
peither' shawl' nor cloak, and her dres's-'
is r,aggedVtid torn. -"She "has a stick in
ner hand, and she waves it as if it were
a s wold in the hand of a man and starts
.at a wild 'run for the --eas'ter-fedgfr of'
the plain, right" across the front of the
lines drawn up in battle' array. 'The cry
of astonishment which, greeted her ap
pearance becomes a shout of warning,
but she does not heed it., En.yeloped by
the smoke of their.guns, the artillerists
do not see her. Their hearing deadened
by the loud reports," they do not eatch
the shouts uttered ;by Federal and Con
federate alike. Bound shot and shell go
whizzing and Ehrieking over tbe snow,
and men waiting for battle shudder at
the woman's danger. - - '- .
"Who's that? Halt! Halt! . He can
never do it! ' He's sure to be killedl"
So, Cried 500 Federals aS Steve Bray
ton, mounted on the berse. of, a trooper,
he had been asked to hold for a moment, .
dashed straight ont,intp, theplajn' to
head the woman off '! He knew ber the
moment she stepped' out of the" woods'.
Uncle Ben bad told him rf the meeting
with Mrs. Baxter oh "the blgh way.' He
Bad flung her down tue'bank with tre
mendous force, and as he canae ..back'
over the road with Quster'p men "be ex
pected to- find her lying" there deacf;
Nothing was to be seen of her, however,
and his mind was greatly relieved. In
her fall, as-was afterward known, .the.
woman's head struck a stone,. and .the
skull was fractured." " When" she strug
gled tip she was no longer sane. : She
had been wandering . through the forest
for hours before 6he appeared on the
battlefield, bnt she encountered no .one
and found no shelter.
. u (To be Continued.) . "
-.. Beyond Even Zola, i ..;
Zola .has found one piece of realism
beyond his powers. : He was asked why
he did not describe London and anr
swered that the channel was a gulf that
separated France and England morally
as well as materially. "No," he says,
"I really think that I can do nothing
4eep with Fun" -
' QVTKV BABKf
- QaieSabe who know is a phrase in
very common use among the Spaniards,
nd helps over'many, many difficulties. , It
is expressive. What the weather may be
the coming winter, who knows? It. niay
be" Snowy, wet, ' stormy, cold, freezing, and
-full of sickness and pain, who knows?
Some of us today, hale and hearty, may
lie on beds of torture, or hobble about on
crutches, who knows? Before the autumn
merges into winter many may have symp
toms of approaching trouble, of the old
rheumatism coming on, or of. first attacks
begun; who knows? That's a con undrunii
But there is 6he thing everybody knows,
the best thing to do is to be ready for. the
weather coming and to take hold of what
is Everbodv knows what is best. With
St. Jacobs Oil in the- house, everybody
knows they have a sure cure for rheuma
tism, acute or chronic. It is likewist
known that in any stage of it, the great
remedy does its work of cure perfectly, II
we suifer, we need not ask who knows,
when it is so well known what is best.
Great Gifts to Education.
M. Eiilogious Georgieff, the founder
of the Sofia University, who died 're
cently, bequeathed 2,9000,000 francs to
tbe Bulgarian .government tobeappHed
to the country's needs; ' 6,000,000 francs
for a technical school to be established
at Sofia and large sums for other pub
lic institutions.
HOMB products and puke food.
All Eastern Syrup, so-called, usually very
ligtat colored and of heavy bo'dy, Is made from
f'lucose. "Tea -Garden LtripQ"- is made irom
ugar Cane and is sfrictly pure. It is for 'sale
bv first-class trroceVs, in cans-.'only. Manufac
tured by the Pacific Coast Sykcp Co. All gen
uine '-'Tea Garden Dripi" have the manniac
turer's'name lithographed on every can. ,
I A Fair Inference.
When the continual and unreason
able attacks upon the? courts are con
sidered, orderly people are apt to. take
a.ljberty'with the poet. and make his
couplet read:. "No rouges e'er ' saw the
baiter draw, with gop(d opinion of tbe
law." Stockton Independent.
i'jEMS OF INTEREST,
. Omnibusses were introduced in New
York city in 1830.
The first copper eent was coined in
:New Haven, Conn.y in 1687.
Plants grow more between 4 anct -6 a.
m. than at any otbeif time of day." ; -
. Of 73 historic kings of Scotland 61
are said to have died in battle or to
.h'ave been: murdered. ,; .,,.. -
,The .fermaq.;'dinperor. declared;-1n a
recent speech, that tjis grandfather was
a chosen Instrument of heaven". " ' '
. An outlaw; three ...roopnehiners ;- and
two other.men were-ariested at the $un-
nelton camp meetittg at Kingwood.v.W
Va. " -
Jt is estimated that tbe lumber cut of
the,Miramichi. and tributaries, Canada,
will this season amount, to. 112,000,000
feet.. . ;. ,
An.pstrieh lives about 30 years,, and.
tne average annual- yieia 01 . a Di.ra in
captivity is-from one to four pounds 6i
plumes. , .,. ; . , .
' Caesar did not-, say "Ettu, Brute.','
Eye" ' witnesses of the assissnation de
posed-that he died fighting,, but silent
like ar-wolf. : :;- ' , ' :
; Nearly every man,, woman and Child
' iri"Egyp"t is a smoker of cigarettes, and
a pipe is hardly ever seen in the mouth
of a .native. .; ..'
- Tjie largest winged insect in the
world is the Atlas moth of Central Bra
.zih.v. its wings extend, 14 'inches from
tip to tip-. ' '
; r. Otte.of the severest penalties to which
criminals in Holland were in ancient
times condemned . was to be deprived of
the'ose of "salt. " -' '
r .J A' strong micrbscippe shows the single
iairs'of the head to ' be like coarse.
Pfou'nef -rasps, but witb teeth extremejy
I -i, .1 - ' 1 J ' " - ' .' -
lrregowir ana.jaggea.' -,- .
GreStj Britain, and ; Ireland-'- contain
380 ; banks', the most - Important ' being-
tbe ijank of Enlgand, which has a cao
itat of f 73,000,000. - .
The Coliseum at Rome was built by
Vespasian' t6 ' accommodate ' 100,000
spectators; "It- covers ;'fiv and a-half
acres' arid was 120i feet.hig-h;; .,.-.
1 The oyster: is one of' tbe -strongest
creatures on earth. The far.ee -required
to. open an oyster is more than nine
hundred -times ifis weight.- -- ;v -.
While asleep in the woods, a sawyer'
of Hivans-siUe. In4.,;.wasf..bitten,.pn the
chin -by, :.a .spider. .He died of. the
effects of. the bite. some days later:
' "After fortv.vears-of hard, daneerous.
"and"expensive missionary work' there.
are va Japan today about 110,000 native
Christians, in a population of 42,000,
000. . ' - -; ..
AttenSpts'have ben made t6'pfodtree-
spider si-Ik; bat have failed,-he' 'fer6
cipus hat'ure of ' these" inSeets riot pern-:
mitting -them-to-live together in .com''
'rndhftieS;- ': .-.-' ''f.-'- , ;.-.. ;.
r,: - -f - . - - ' -
'.It'is otnputed that all of the houses
pin ''Ebndd'n "and New "Stork eould be
built rpr;thie' lava ;throwri out by Vesuvius-
since the first'- recorded eruption in
A. D; 79. - .
' : : n' m; '..: n :, : j - .
Try Schilling's Best tea and bakjng. powder.
, . . .Paper Underwear"Tested.
:- During the war between'. Japan and
China the Chinese soldiers wore un
derclohting made, of. 'paper.. Experi
ments made with ' these-' gooVls in the
Prussian army proved unsatisfactory, as
they were found to. Jast only- two"r
three days.
ADVICE TO WOMEN:
Ton cannot bave nerve trouble, and.,
keep your ' health. Zjn - ninety-nine
cases out of 'a hundred the womb, the
ovariest and the blad
de are-affected. They
axe" not vital organs,'
hence they give .-put
soonest.' . '
Mrs. ' tgr'dia"
E. Pihkham's
Vegetable '
pound,'by
uilding up
the' nerves and
restoring woman's or
ganism to Its natural
state, i- e 1 i e v e s ' all
these troublesome,
uterine symptpip.: In
confirmation of this we, by permlsstorjQ
refer ti:the following women, all of
whom speak from experience : Miss .
Celia Hppu, 1913 Sharswood St., "
;Phl ladeiph4a,' PLj Miss : Gbacb Col
IX) bd, 1434 ikteeii'. Ave., Cincinnati,"
O.; Mas.. Nbwei,i,, 50 Ryerson St., .
Brooklyn, JSt Y, ;. .MKp. Isabel, Oberq
220 Jhestiu.t Stf, WoWrn, Mass. ; Mbs.;
A.-! ,CotB,.New. Epieile, K.. x, and '
many thers, t , j . j. . ? .
Womea sufifering from any form of fe
male weakness are invited to promptly
communicate with. Mrs. Pinkhain at
Lynn, Mass. '".
- . You can talk freely to a woman when
it is revolting; to relate your, private
ilia to a man ...
Boa Caa yrap. Tama Good. Vm I
la t ol br mrg't. f
MJ&LJf ' -ft
HIS EMPTY SLEEVE.
How Cot. Bradford I.oet Bis Arm
An Unusual Occurrence,
" If Sir Edward Bradford had given no
other service to his country than those
which during the past few years he has
so brilliantly performed" as bead of the'
metropolitan police: -force, . be would
have -, well earned the honor .'that his
sovereign has just bestowed upon him.
and which rr.ay be regard,! as her per
sonal testimony to the extraordinary
sagacity with which the arrangements
for the safety of the public during the
Queen's day were conceived, and the
literally perfect manner In which they
were carried but." " . "
' Colonel Sir Edward Ridley Colbor'ne
-Bradford Is 61 years of age, and had a
very distinguished-career lnvtbe army
before he was appointed to the office
he now fills so worthily. So far back
as 1853, when "John Company" still
swayed the destinies of the Indian
peninsula, he joined the Madras army.
He became lieutenant two years later.
In 1857 he served with the Fourteenth
Light Dragoons' during the Persian
campaigns, receiving the medal. Later
on, in 1858 and 1S59-, he took part, as
an officer of Mayne's Horse; in the op
erations condnctediby General Michel
against the celebrated Chief Tantla
Topee, and shared. the perils and glories
of many a hard-fought battle. He be
came a major In 1873, lieutenant colo
nel in 1879 and colonel In 1888. At the
thne of the. last jubilee he was secre
tary In the political and secret depart
ment of the Indian 6ffice. ' ;
Wben, In 1890, the' post of. commis
sioner of metropolitan police fell . va
cant, and was offered- to Sir Edward
Bradford, who In t85 had been pro:
moted from C. S. I.- to.K. C. S, I., there
were many who expressed dissent from
ihe' policy of again placing -.the civil
guardians of law and. order, under a
military man. But that no ibetter choice
could have been made is evidenced by
Sir Edward's career frf fiis present post.
, Many of those who saw him on
Queen's day doubtless wondered how
U'is.left sleeve came to be empty. Years
ago, while still an officer in India, Sir
Edward . Bradford .-was a very keen
sportsman, with a strong liking for
ttikt most dangerous.; Qf all pastimes
tiger shooting. One day, while engaged
in. this hazardous diversion, he fired at
a tiger, which, only wounded, .dharged
upon him, and bore him to the ground.
. "Never losing his presence of mind for
a moment, the intrepid-hunter, with a
view'.to preventing the infuriated ani
my' "from attacking his headH thrust
within., his jaws his left arm. The tiger
simply gnawed it off, but the life of the
v-oor nimrod- was saved by- his com
rades, who arrived in time to shoot the
creature before it had time to inflict
any -more serious injury upon Sir Ed
ward. "When the late Duke of Clarence
visited India Sir Edward Bradford was
among, those specially selected to ac
company him. From 1880 to 1893 he
was an aide-de-camp to the Queen.
. London. Telegraph.
' "Lamps and Their Value.
Eveii young eyes suffer by the use,
for 'reading or working, of flickering
gas, says -the Woman's Home Compan
ion.. The lampflame is steady, soft in
color and grateful to the eyes. Former
ly the clumsy student lamp,, .was the
only really -reliable .one - for reading,
but the "lamp craze" has evolved a mul
titude, of patent burners, ail -of . them
reasonable .in Drice Bor 'a" couple of
dollars one can buy an' excellent lamp,'"
complete with green ' porcelain shade;
for' three or four dollars a really hand-'
some one may be had. Whatever the
quality, in" shape the reading . damp,
should be low, with a good, broad base
so that It stands securely. . -. .
" There; is no one article, in the house, .
excepting perhaps, good peas, tnat can
give as much solid comfort' as lamps
for reading and. working by: Every
grown member oi" the 'family should
possess one'. , There sh'OuM be one-'of
extra Iigh'tmg power on'-the" children's:
study table,: the- library "and- -sitting--roo'm
table's. '- - -.. , -
- We all' th jvitbout- many, things that,
would add: to- OUE-. icpmfprt .in. life, not
-because we are...o.blige to do .so,, but
from lack of knowledge or thought. ."It
is not wise to .coddg. oneself, to search
for new wants, 'to make new tiet'essi-
ties whlcn ancnor us to one place De
cause we'lea'hnb-'t "Be coJrifortable -else-'
'where.: "'But a personal-larrtp is a sen
's Ible. luxury of '-indulgence,-and the
sootier it-beoomes a:ne.cessit,y :the bet--ier
i' our- prospect of. continued - gopd
eyesight,; .net-, to mentionj the, .splendid
revenue ot. comfort enjoyed, through" all
the evenings,, .of .pur life.. '
' '" ' Another Chainless. ."';: .
-One of-the 'latest chainless gears -differs
from all previous: Inventions o the
'same type tn the respect that it is. not.
driven by f a, rotating j-pd an beveled
gear, but the. power is tra'psmitted to
thedrjv.ing gear by two eccentrics, being-worked
by a gear'co'n''tdMed";m''a
small case above tfee bottom ' brrfctet."
The pedal motion Is rotary, similar to.
4rhab:of an ordinary chain driven ma
Chine. The necessary cogs -composing
the gear kre' all rtitt on; ball-bfearings.
and: are 'protected from -dust and dirt -by.
beiiig Inclosed -in a small case- w-hicji- is
easily removaplei;.- Abe. rame..ls. ellip
tical In shape, two, ejuptjcal fubes.. run
ning fr.Qm.,the.topB,and' bottom p? tlie
Lhead, and is thus minus the '.top' bar.
and", suitable for riders' of both" sexes.'1
The width of 'the 'bottom' bra'ckWr ' Is
tirree and one half inches, ana- the driv
ing wheel is-easily detached by loosen
lag the screwed sleeve on the eccentric
and the nuts on the wheel spindle.
A "Won't-Slip Tire. "" "" '
A tire has beeh p4aced upon, the mar
ket for which ft is claimed that ft will
not slip under aay condition of surf aw,"'
such as wet car rails,, asphalt; concrete',
plank or macadam road. The makers
even guarantee that.. it. ,will .not , slip,
when ridden on Ice. in, addition comes
Jhe claim, that it can be ridden with
much ease on rough roads, and that the
teetn, or projections, wmcn appear on
tbe thread of the tire, 'form a cushion
for the tire:-' It is also' claimed that the
tire Is- very fast-- over, smooth surfaces,
it gives an'alr space, between sthegpry..
face and the tire and obviates suction
yiat. It is 90 per cent, puncture proof,
oh account of having rubber teeth that
it throws but- little mad, as the teeth
have a tendency; tor- release; rlbe mHd,
when the tire -leaves .the.;surface over
which it passes. .. .. .. fcv .
Blind Rat Led by Comrade's. -
A man employed at the sewage farm
at Batchwottli lii-' Hertfordshire-'! as
serts that quite recently, when working
oh, his. farm, he. has often seen an oldH
blind rat carrying a piece of stick In
Its mouth, with two other ybutoger rats
leading It about with one end of the
stick also in their mouths.
' One thing In favor of the 12-year-old
boy: he is easier to suppress than his
spoiled sister.
If a busy and bothered man laughs
at a joke, It Is the supreme test that It
Is a good one. : i
Ho man likes to be told that he Is
looking old, but It Ls a regular Jot ; .
Important. Recent Discovery.
' The Smithsonian Institution bas re
ceived a collection which is of import
ance to the archaeologist- - It is known
as. the Seton-Karr contribution, having
been discovered by this Englishman in
Somaliland, on the eastern coast of Af
rica. The implements were purchased
from the discoverer by the Smithsonian
Institution. '. There ace about 50 pieces
in the collection, made of flint, of qur
tide, and rapging in size from an inch or
so in length to half a foot, some
weighing several pounds. The objects
are supposed' to be spear heads, battle
axes and wedges, truncheons, blud
geons or whatever they may be termed.
: The discoverer hack this to say on the
subject of Jhis find, .and the locality
vhere the objects were unearthed:
' "Certain.' landmarks as to' the four
rivers mentioned irf Genesis' led me
.think that the Garden of Eden, if it
ever existed, may Have been here, and
that these very tools- had been made
and used by Adam, wind his numerous
descendants. At any rate,; my discov
eries in Egypt and omaliland. lead me
to the idea that man's original home,
,or the place where he was gradually
evolved, must have been in Africa, or
-at least, in a trppical land, where
clothes were unnecessary and food plen
tiful to hand."
WARS'- UP.
Ves, weke np to the danger which threatens
you if your kidneys and bladder are inactive or
wenk. Don't you know that if you iail to impel
them to action, Brights disease or diabetes
awaits you? Use Hostetttr's Stomach Bitters
wijhout delay. It has a most beneficial effect
upon the kidneys .when sluggish, and upon the
bowels, liver, stomach and nervous system.
One of the visitors to the Tennessee
Centennial was a Rutherford county
map, 84 years old, who, until his trip
to the Nashviire 'exposition, had.never
been on a railroad train.
AN OPEN LETTER- TO MOTHERS.
We are asserting' in the courts our right to the
exclusive use of the word " CASTOR1A," and
" PI TCHER'S CASTORIA," as our Trade Mark.
I, Dr. Samuel Pitcher, of Hyannis, Massachusetts,
was the originator of " PITCHER'S CASTORIA,"
the same that has borne and does now bear the
fac simile signature of CHAS. H. FLETCHER on
every wrapper. This is the original " PITCHER'S
CASTOklA " which has been used in the'homes
of the mothers of America for over thirty 'years.
Look Carefully at the wrapper and see that it is
ihe kind you have always bought, and has the
signature of CHAS. H, FLETCHER on the
wrapper. No one has authority from me to use
my name except The Centaur Company of which
Chas. H. Fletcher is President. .
March 8, 1&97. SAMUEL PITCHER, M.D.
The relatives of Joe Sullivan," who
died' in Oakland, -Cak, and was seven
feet-eight inches in height, have put a
guard over his grave, fearing th,at a
showman will steal his body.
SlOO UWAe, sioo.
The .readers of this paper will be pleased to
learn that there is at least one dreaded disease
that stiencehas been able, to enre in all its stages
and that is catarrh. Hall's Catarrh Cure is the
only. positive curesow known to the medical
fraternity. Catarrh being a constitutional dis
ease, requires a constitutional treatment. Hall's
Catarrh Cure is taken iutfrnally, acting directly
upon the blood and ntiloous surfaces of the sys
tem, thereby destroying the foundation of the
disease, and giving tlie patient strength by
building up the constitution nd assisting
nature in doing is work. The proprietors have
so much faith in its curative powers, trrttt they
offer One Hundred Collars forany case that it
fails to cure. Send for list of testimonials,
Address, F. J: CHENEY, & Co., Toledo, O.
Sold by druggists, lac.
Hall's Family Pills are the best.
One of th.e. most curious results of
the' jnvestigations made by doctors in
the JJpssian jails is'the' statement that,
each group of criminals has .its. own
peculiar color of the'eye.. '.
,- Pico's. Cure for Consumption' has saved
hie large doctor bills. C: ' T,.' -'Baker, 4228
Hegeiit &q., Fbiladelph'a, J?a., Dec.8, J95.
t .. v ' '' " ' - ' ' - .
-. Diamonds have .been discovered-, hi
rare, instances, in the meteoric stones
which have fallen to the earth."' '-: '' '
!CiKvl Leading F
s , .r7r
ft? ?
rill1!
Hercules 'Special y-'
(2 actnal" borseiiower) .
HriceK only , $185.
American
Company
Cor.
Get your supplie's'of us'at'cut' rates.
Larfte stock and low prices. : -. ;... i
Goods guaranteed.. .
. WooM'nllarle.i Co.,.Dft6f .DejoJ, Portland.
A Garf Load of Gofd
. '' V
"It you dumped a
cart-load of gold at my
'feet 'It Twould not brinty
such joy and gladness
into my life." So writes
a prominent man after
using- the method of
self-treatment that has.
-restored so many men
who had been wrecked
bv excesses, over-work
.. ; or evil habits of youth.
a uttie dook tnat
makes' it all plain may be had without charge
by writing . THE ERIE MEDICAL CO.,
i ..... 65 Niagara St., Buffalo, N. Y."
No C O. D. scheme : no patent medicines
just the book under plain letter seal. "
r At... naval vrrvmuA
w Mrs. We5low18 Soothutq Sitkup skould alwayi b 5
used for children teething. It soothe tb child, soft-
ena tne vnnu, mily u pmm, enwrwwacouc,
aal.
riJ
the keM remedr foraivrluBa.
hetOm. ltlilhabMtsf aUT
Xwaatri
DTI
i mm
freeV
I TO ALL!
Vmen
Quick'
The sooner you begin to
use Schilling's Best tea and
baking powder, the better youf
opportunity to get : some of
that $2000.00. r':"
And " the more you win. enTV
joy your" cake and eating.' -: - '
A Schillimr ft Company'" "
San Krancisco -
SOS
A Confederate Roll of Honor. .
An effdrt is being made to compile,
"a roll of honor" for the Confederates
Museum, in Richmond, Va., of all the -soldiers
and sailors who served t'he-Gorf -
federate cause, with a verified Tepor't'-.of ;
the various commands to which." tbey.
were attached during the four years, pf
the War. Survivors and friends of tHbae
living or dead are appealed to to make
up the record. "- . ' ... '.. C" ... .
1 -A floral curiosity is.pn exhibition in
.the Temple - Gardens, London. , It.is a."
$5,000 orchid from "Venezuela. It baa
a white flower which in shape resem
bles a sea-gull with outspread wings.'- -:-
.... -,..t .
Cardinal Richelieu bated children
and loved cats; when he died his" favor '
ite Angora pet refused to eat and soon
perished. ' v
y' ' '
i .' Habdel, the composer, used, when,.
traveling, to order dinner for three, or
if hungry; for Ave, in either London or -
Paris. - . -,-
Electricity
Is Life'--'
The -Cause ol
all disease is the
... . . -
waste of energy..
the organs of
the body have
not sufficient vi- .
tality to keep up'
their natural ac
tion. ' They re
quire aid. Elec
tricity gives it .
through the prop
ter use of . .
DR. SANDESTS ELECTRIC BELT
This belt fills the nerves with electrical enenry
which quickly goes to the assistance of the
weaker functions, renews the life in them, and
they are enabled to throw off disease. I-t is'
simple cure and never fails. Dr, A. T. Sanden,
famous as a physician and .udent of scfence
and medicine for thirt years, has published
book. "Three Clase.i of Men," upon the cause
o: wi akne:-s and disease and Its cure bv elec
tricity. It is worth Sl.iwo to anv man, "and is
sent free, closely e iled, to ariV address or can
be had at the office. Call or address
SANDEN ELECTRIC BELT CO.
Zo3 West Washington St., Portland, Or.
Please mention thti Paper.
Vegetable, Grass
and Flower
Bulbs and Roses.
Fruit and Shade
Trees. Spray Pumps J Bee Supplies
Fertilizers Catalogs Free J j
BUELL LAMBERSON, Portland.
TrPTI7I!E and Pir.KS cured : no pay un
II' til cured: send for book.. l)iis. jVI anspikld' '
A Porterfikld, 838 Market St.. San Francisco. ;
X. 1". X. c.
". 44, '97.
w
HEN writing to advertisers, please
mention tUis paper. '
$EED$
Buy Yqur Furs
DIRECT FROM THE MANUFACTURERS
This Handsome Cape represented by this cut, a combination of
Electric Seal and- Astrachan, with twelves- tails, reguluriy sold at' -f20t
will .be sold during this month for 15. .Our stock of Alaska
Seal' (raw. and manufactured) Furs, is now complete.'-Tl e ladies'
from-alt'pats.of tiie conntr-.are -requested to send far prices -and
catalogues. Highest price paid for all kinds of raw furs.
''ar ranaracturr.
MW1U, 143 Third St., l'ortliuid,
Or.
BOWER
FOR...
PROFIT
.. Power that will save jou money and
make you money. Hercules Engines
are the cheapest power known. Burn
Gasoliue or Distillate Oil;, np smoke,
fire., or dirt For pumping, running
.dairy or farm machinery, they have no
"equal. Automatic.. in action,, perfectly
safe and reliable.
... Send for. illustrated catalog. .'
Hercules Gas
, ( Engine Works
" Bay St., San Francisco, Cal.
EVERYTHING FOR THB
PRINTER.. - , r .
. We lead and originate
. fashions in....'
TYPE
Second -and Stark Sts. ;.
....PORTLAND, OREGON
... Portland,' Oregon .' :
A. p. AMSTONO,ii.B.,Prin..J. A. Whsco, Sec'y
THE BUSY WORLD OF BUSINESS
fires profitable employment to hv.ndrede.of oar (ridaetes, uii
will io tbouiandi more. Send for oar eatilogue,
IerB what aud how we teach. Verilj,
A BUSINESS EDUCATION PAYS .
BAD STOMACH
DYS PKPT1CCRO
will cure you of Dye-
pepsia. Indigestion,
and stomach troubles
oi all kinds. Price. $1. On receipt of same we
will deliver It at your nearest express office free
oi charge. ...
....FRANK NAU....
Portland Hotel Pharmacy, dh.ti sun
Sixth and Morrison street. r-OHILABU, OH.
BASE BILL GOODS WiX?
We carry the most complete line of Gymnasium
and Athletic Goods on the Coast. .
SUITS AND UNIFORMS MADE TO ORDER.
. Send for Our Athletic Catalogue. ,
Will a finck co.(
t)l.SOVarkt St., Iw risMUs, CsO.