J0CELI.V8 HOTEL.
ki, did not look mncli like an author.
least uot like the typical blue atockiug
. rfl iilwavi reading about. She was
t yerj fair and dolioate girl, of a little
mftra than twenty, with fluffy yellow
Mr down to Ler eyebrows, great, ap
white Lands of
deal o
"style." Bat she had
.it(n a noel -iu secret not even her
n". .-- u i i i
mother Knew ci u, muuu icoa uer lover.
!ri,a wis to be a surprise. She held it
i., h&nds now. fresh from the nub
liahers; for, strange tosay.it had teen
l.Mnt8d. oltbougu never in ber life be-
(ore had she offered any of her heart and
bruin to the harpies that rule modern
lioUf?ht. A dainty Summer idyl, with a
breezy rootto and tinted pages and doli
-i covers with the wealth of Jocelyn'i
nature lying between spicy dialogue,
dreamy reverie. Hashing wit, and the
back-ground dunned in with a masterly
hand- BUfl 1 neari mop an Bne
looked at the little volume, and a wild
rose crept into each cheek. How lov
ingly "the mither" would kiss her little
irl when she read this anonymous
prose-poem and recognized tbe band
that guided me pen lortue aimpiea
waxen one she had led iu babyhood,
Rnw proud Philip would be when he
knew sue had written a book and man
tm1 everything so cleverly and unex
pectedly with the aid of a doting uncle
iii the mystioul land of publishers. They
Iiad hardly dared dream of success, de
spite her arch playfulness, her sweet
guyety; she had always bad this twilight
breaming thread through the wool of
her sunrise-tinted nature. There were
many hours when she did not care for
excitement, when she liked to creep
sway by herself and sit and muse with
idla hands. She hardly knew, when
tome voice called her baok to wakeful
ness of what stun ner a reams nau Deon
made. This last year her soul had
blossomed into now beauty. Her princ9
had found her sleeping in the palace
and had kissed her silent lips. Hence
forth the dawns were amethyst above the
mystio hills; the tromulous sunsets wore
inch splendor of gold and crimson as
dazzled her woudoring eyes; there was a
languor in the ro3Cs, an abandon in the
bird's song, a hush in the noon-day, a
holiness in the starshine all the world
was new, strange and beautiful. And
yet there was an awe upon her, as if in
the midat of a car den of bloom and
scent, a hooded monk should glide forth
with his finger on his lips, and a skull in
his hand. She had never been so happy ;
she had never been so miserable, nor so
restless. Even i her mnsio failed her;
even her Ion? dreams could not satisfy
her now. She hardly knew what to do
with herself. Suddenly she thought she
would write a book, a simple, natural
little story. No one should ever see it.
It would be better than keeping a journal
journals were stilted and Bentimenal
things, but this would be something to
o'jkia her attention and banish her rest
estness. Often she did not care to read; she
would go over a chapter twenty times
and see nothing but a pair of dark eyes
looking at ber from the pages; sewing
vsi tm dull; rausio only roused the pas
su;! V'u mid rapture in her more
s : , j!) ; so siety palled upon her, it was
liu4 iiioruiug ale, stale and flat, after last
night's champagne. So, an hour here,
an hour there, she devoted to the little
desk in her room. At day-break when
the robins were riotous in the apple
boughs; at midnight when the stars be
gan to pale; in the afternoon when
mamma was dozing; rainy days when the
falliug music npon the roof made the
pen move faster in rythm. She had be
gun vagnely, but before she knew it she
had written out her own sweet story with
its touches of pathos and joyous care
lessness. Philip was her hero, of course. It was
so in u eii easier writing about him than
any other man men were very stupid at
the beat, all but Philip. And as she
wrote with lingering, loving fingers, her
heart tbrillod again with the surprise
and graciousness that love had brought
her a little while ago. Unconsciously
she recorded words and events and hap
penings, and over nil was the glamour of
youth's first changeless fancy. In everv
page the womanliness and childish
purity of her shone ont starry, and the
winsomeness of a fresh and unspoiled j
hut thoughtful and cultured nature. No
lovelier summer idyl had ever been
penned, with the strong background and
heavy shadows throwing into relief the
sunny brightness of her sketch. But
when it was done to the very last word,
when she had penned it, and touched it
up here and there, she felt the author's
insanity come upon her. She must be
printed. She never stopped to think of
the many strange, cold eyes that would
read the open pages of her heart, she
only longed to see it iu clear characters
between covers Had not Philip given
her this magnificent diamond for his be
trothal gift? And a diamond was a stone
that any one might buy onlv a cold
jewel that one might have for base
money. Supposing she gave Philip this
little book for her betrothal token?
Would he not prize it? Would he not be
prouu and pleased? Why, it was part
of herself it was herself, bis Jocelyn.
And so in her eager, impetuous way,
she had consulted no on a bnt this one
relative, a wealthy, cultured man, who
7 always willing to abet his little niece
m any scheme that amused her, and
though he bad expected nothing but
pretty school girl sentiment and gush, he
was none the less ready. "It can't possi
bly be worse than the majority of sum
Bier novelties," he said to himself,
erimly. He read the work with astonish
ment. The crisp, breezy, sparkling little
storj-.was a revelation to him and he had
Written a xcrv reatinMfnl Intffii" huk ta
tbe coming "distinguished authoress,"
o Jocelvn's amusement.
At
10V ftftor manv Aavm thin child
he. brain had come back to her
clothed ia the latest faBhioa. And then
Uew thought came to her; Philip was
t rich, and she had nothing but what
mamma gave her; if she were very suc
cessful, Philip should have it all. The
tome he was working so hard for now
should be theirs, and be need not look
pale and harassed. She was lost in
depths of this brilliant thought,
P00' little Jooelynt She had so lately
Joined the toiling ranks. What should
know of the struggle and despair, of
dreanw that must die, the hopes that
t perish, before the white, steep
onntftin.pk, were reached? How
lW.1u!9'n.lwhow,nan,iaJ wered
7-i .I t . , . 8na "'oppeu ue-
uooiu vi neveimore. now
know how pitifully few they were who
stood in the eternal sunshine, with eyes
uuuuvu uj pain, witu bleeding feet and
urosen ueartB? An I Fame is the Jugger
nant that has rolled ovur ennntlnsa lnvn.
crushing out youth and brightness and
joy from eager hearts forever. Bnt little
Jocelyn never dreamed of fame, she only
wanted to please and surprise her mother
auu rump.
That evening at her tall lover was on.
ing away she timidh banded him a little
volume, bound in white with edges of
gold. "I want you to read this, Philip,"
wu a uHcp ana Dcautuui oiush, "and
ten me wuat you think of it."
He took it from her, a little perplexed
at the scarlet checks, and the trembling
iiouub. uo is it Dyr un, anonymous
Just as well for the writer, doubtless
A bummer Idyl like all the rest of
them l suppose, wishy-washy diluted
sentiment; roses and stars and straw
berries, and muslin dresses. But I will
read it. my net. Luckily it won't tnka
long, it isn't voluminous. It seems to
have impressed you deeply Jocelyn,"
with growing perrloxity as he saw the
sweet lips tremble with mortification.
'if so, I shall find it worth readins:
your taste is perfect, my darling," fond
ly, as ne drew tne sum form to him
I will call to-morrow morninir with
the horses. It is a week since we have
uau a canier, ana tue lake road is gorge
ous now after the frosts. Good-night,
my Jocelyn my joy "and much more
I. . 1 . ... . . . .
that is irrelevant.
That afternoon she bad placed one of
the little books in ber mother's room.
and now, as she went up stairs slie
peeped in and smiled mischievously to
see the madre so absorbed as to be quite
unconscious of tier pretty daughter, un
til she stooped down and kissed her.
"Mamma, mea, is it nice?
"Nice!" severely. "If vou read it.
Jocelyn, you would not call it nice it
is exquisite, Hut it seems as if I had
read it all before, and yet I know I
never havo."
"Perhaps when you have finished it
will be clear to you," demurely. "But
kiss me good-night, mother mine, and
let me inform you you are losing your
beauty sleep."
Next morning she awoke smiling and
happy, and yet, with a chord of anxiety
jarring on her mood. But she would not
stop to think.
Kefore Bhe had finished dressing, tier
mother came into her room and folded
hor arms about her. "My little girl 1 my
baby, how proud mother is of you!"
with many kisses of maternal love and
pride.
After breakfast Jocelyn wandered
about half nervously. She could not
yet think calmly of her work, nor criti-
ciso it coldly, sue must wait until the
colors laid upon her summer picture
had begun to fado and, even then, would
not memory make it fair and beantifnl,
the picture other bauds bad painted for
ber, inspired by that immortal master,
love?"
Ah, here was Phillip now. She ran
down to the little breakfast-room with
her heart beating tumultously. But it
sank immediately. Phillip looked very
g.ave and stern, and he did not spring
to meet her. she had not thought the
loving eyes could wear so cold a regard,
and she felt suddenly numb and hope
less.
'Has anything happened, Phillip?
Have you had bad news?"
'All that has happened, Jocelyn, lias
been written out by your hand and
-riven to the world. I had thought you
ho reserved," bitterly. "I never dared
flitter myself that I held even one of the
keys to so pure and womanly a heart;
but you could unlock it and expose it to
every rough and vulgar eye that willed
to look. Jocelyn, bow could you so
abuse my confidence? How could you
sullv the silence and sweetness of a per
fect love? How could you drag a jeer
ing, aoornful mob into the white sanct
uary where , no unbeliever's foot bad
trodden before? I am terribly disap
pointed in you. I thought I understood
nil vnnr innocent soul, but this shame
less parade " he threw the little whito
and gold volume on the table with a
gesture more expressive man worus.
And Jocelyn. with a piteous look in
her large eyes, with whito stunned lips,
stood sileut. Tins man, her prince, who
had led her to the kingdom of the sun,
radiant with uuimagined glory with the
dark passionate eyes, and the eagor woo
ing lips; who had crowned her and
throned her, and who now stood before
her a relentloss judge! She saw the
gates of night shut out her kingdom of
sunshine, she saw herself a beggar,
ragged and houseless, whore she bad
1 a. nnpen! And then, without a
irnrd with onlv that long, spoeohless,
i,o,.io lnnk. she went swiftly from the
room.
She had meant to surprise him ah,
the crnelty, the mockery of it! Until
noon she sat in the little white room with
i,r head in her arms, too miserable to
think. And then she rose slowly and
slipped the diamond off her flnger.sealed
the little box that held it, and directed it
in a steaay naou. xucu ouo
wardrobe and drawer, and when the
luncheon bell rang at half past two, she
went down stairs quietly. Her mother
sat at the table alone, and Jocelyn went
and knelt down at ber side.
"Mamma, I have packed my trunk; I
am going to Uncle Gerald's on the seven
o'clock train to morrow morning. You
will not refuse me?" imploringly, and
then in a whisper, "Phillip-and I-we
have I have sent him him back his
ring. Mamma, I can go?"
"Yes, my darling. Mother's little
woman!" folding her in her arms with
infinite tenderness. She understood per
fectly this deor woman. And the mute
anguished heart of the girl broke into
sobs and tears on the loving breast.
And PhiUp. Like the rest of us he
realized, too late, tbe preciousness of his
-i,on he had lost it. For a
i I 1 rtM, .1,. nnana.i l,n
week he was proud ind bitter, but when
he found the ring upon his desk, he
awoke with a strange ache and fear at
his heart, and rushed to the bouse
tw had enshrined bis love, but it was
closed and deserted. He was well pnn-
iahed for hi. cruelty .
two. would ever no -sr -
blossomy little story? . And was it not
one more beautiful tie between them?
He had been a coward, a brute, to wound
that loving. ?rini.ng
He went to sew ioi.uu wu -
tain no iniormauou. ""-j - -
old friend, only knew vaguoly t! at she
bad gone abroad with her mother and
uncle. So be went back to hi work
moodily. Once in the year, in fever
of unrest and longing.be had gonuuoros
the ocean, but nowhere could he find
Jocelyn.
Her book had won a phenomenal suc
cess. I would be afraid to say how many
editions had been sold, and the press was
unanimous in words of praise. All the
critics were disarmed by the tender sim
plicity of the story. It was even called
the most perfect story that bad ever been
written by an American woman.
By and" by another book was ushered
out upon the tide of popular favor, "A
Dream of Fair Travel, stronger, more
powerful than the first. The work of a
woman, not a girl.
Three years passed, how slow, bow
fast, only eaoh heart can tell. Philip
had won the place he had toiled and
striven for. He was successful and very
wealthy now, but happiness and content
had gone from him. ao other bead bad
ever lain where the golden one had
rested; no other fair lips had ever touch
ed his own. He was lonely and sad, the
moro so that he wore a careless front to
the world.
Three years of sun and shadow in
foreign lands, and Jocelyn was home
again. This Jocelyn was calm and
stately, with no winning outbreaks of
girlish enthnfiasm,with no vague dream
and Runny reveries, and piuuaut co
quetries. The wild-rose blosm had g ne
from the delicate fuce, the "pallor o' the
pearl that's fit in a fair womnu" was
there instead. The lips auiilod less
often, the eves seldom flashed and dark
ened, and sparkled. Gravely sweet and
dignified, she bail grown into a roost
beautiful and craeious woman. Tho
bud had becomo a perfoct flower, foroe
bad brought the blossoming time too
soon, and nothing in God s world is so
rare as the bud be it of roses or of
womanhood.
rinlipcamo to her, "Jowlyn, are
three years of pain and remorse and
hungry longing atonement enough for a
moment's arrogant pride and senseless
anger?"
She grew very pale and half-turned
away, then she turned to him fully.
lie, too, bad changed. There were
many lines in the handsome faoe: the
dark eyes she loved so well burned with
a smouldering fire, restless and miser
able; there were many gray hairs in the
dark tresses. He had been harsh and
unkind, and he had wounded her cruelly,
but she had loved him, and when can
woman forget love?
"Jocelyn, the voice was very low, "I
do not ask you for your love, I am not fit
but I pray your forgiveness.
lie paused, but she did not speak
"I have loved no one but you in my
lifo it was because 1 loved you so
dearly, so jealousiy, that I resented what
I thought was a blemish nuou you
know better now. I have been punished
hardly for my mistuke. Have I atoned
vot?" .
She bold ont hor hand and he took it
iu bis own reverently, but ber face was
turned away from him.
He waited a long time, but she did not
speak.
"Then he said gently, "Uood-nye! lie
laid bis lips against the white wrist; the
pulse beat fiercely. He opened the door
with 03 heavy a heart as a man ever car
ried, and turned for one last look at the
cold womau who stood in the place of
bis sweet cirl love
bat was there in tho slight drooping
figure, in the fair averted face, that drew
him back with a wild bope, a despairing
eagerness.
"Jooelyn. look at me! be said sternly,
She lifted her head, proudly, but a
vivid rose-red flush crept across her face
ber eyes wero full of tears,
For a moment be stood breathless and
when bo spoke his voice was strained
and hoarse, despite his efforts.
"Jocelyn. do you love me still;
"Yes. oh ves!" she said with a great
sob, and he drew her to his heart with a
wordless thanksgiving,
AnolhiT B oken eck lured
About five months ago a teamster
named!John Collery attempted to drive
his team through a barn door, and in
doing so bad bis neck forcod down npon
bis breast until bis neck was broken
Polioo Surgeon Stambaugh made an ex
animation of the injared man, and found
that his seventh cervical vertebra was
fractured, and that the spinal cord had
been stretched out nearly two inches.
After his removal to his home, Collery
states that he was laid flat on his back,
with a sort of fence about his neck and
head, which kept him immovable for
over two months. Both the body of the
vertebra and tbe arching laminie were
discovered to be brokeu. and tho
operation of joining them together with
out pinching the spinal cord where it
bad Bugged betweon the ragged edges, as
descrilxid. is one of the most dimcuit
ever performed. For a mouth the patient
lay on nis uack, completely paraivzeu in
one-half of his body, and but little feel
ing in the other. If he moved in the
slightest degree during the first fort
night, be conld plainly feel the jagged
edges of the bone grate togeibor, and for
hours alter such an attempt ue was con
tent to lie on bis hard bed without at
tempting to move a mnsclo, for fear that
the spinal cord should be crushed, and
his existence ended in a twinkling.
The etrrightest position attainable was
required, and, to this end, Dr. Stam-
bunch was compelled to refuse bim a
mattress, forcing him to lie on a wide
nlank. Collerv says that before bis
eisht weeks of enforced nuietnesn were
ended, be thought the board was made of
adamant. The most dangerous time ex
perienced, lie says was one day when an
attendant told bim that a man whose
neck could stand breaking as his bad
was not born to be banged. His desire
tolangh was irsesistible, and the shaking
up his merriment gave him caused bis
fastenings to burst, and the fracture
came near breaking afresh. During tbe
first five weeks he did not move a foot
from bis first posture.
The paralysis bas now almost entirely
disappeared, and Dr. Stambaugh yester
day promised bim that ho would be able
to go to work within six months. The
average fatality in c aes of clearly
defined fracture of the spine is estimated
at 900 in 1000.
"There is always room at the top,"
said the hotel clerk with sardonio grin
as be sent the weary guest to the ninth
story.
sites ma at qcwm
"Yon are rigid, sir, in supposing
have just been diieharired from Han
Quenliu. I hear.l the captain of tbe boat
give you a nint as l came on board, and
be
has seen to m.mv of ns. going ia and
coming out, that he van Ml convicts as
gamblers tell cards by their backs. I
remember very woll, jiiat four years and
mno mouths ago to-day, ou my way to
the prison in company with sever J otb
ers, that a portly old gentleman, who
maybe bail a son of bis own about my
age, looked at me kindly and remarked
that it was loo bad to see such a good
looking young man going to San Qucn
tin. The captaiu glauced over to w here
I sat, with my irou bracelets tucked out
of sight, and with a laugh said he bail
'seen thousands of 'em just like me.'
Perhaps he was strotohing a little, but
that s the way of tho world. Everybody
likes to exaggerate.
"Do I feel sorry for what I'vo done?
No, sir; not a bit. I went across on a
seven years' sentence, and pnt in the
time faithfully. Thanks to the Good
win st, I'm a free man again, but I
don't ewe society a cent. Tbe old J udge
hod a groat deal to say about my youth,
good character, first offense, am 1 all that,
but I notice tho fellows with the influ
ential friends got off lighter than I did,
and didn't stay out their terms, eithor.
That' tho way it runs. Everything goes
by fuvor, and I dou't thiuk I am partic
ularly iudulted to society under tho cir
ontnitanucs. The dobt Is paid and that's
all tiiero is to it. Now let us begiu
again.
'Friends in tho city? No, sir; nono
worth talking about. I didn't become
a thief for nothing, and when caught,
had too much sonso to hand ever what I
had stolen to the legal shurks who bang
around tho criminal courts. Sooner or
later I knew the blow must fall, and was
preparod for it when it did come.
"You never saw such a man? Well,
I'm certainly no common thief. I
haven't asked for your money or your
sympathy, and am abundantly able to
tuke care of myself. No offense, sir;
but that's just how I feel. Now, tho boat
is near the dock and we'll say good by.
Will you shake bands? Yes; well, you're
a good follow, at all events, and I sup
pose, a poor devil of a "con. as tbey
call us over there.ought to feel grateful;
but that s not my style. 1 feel just as
good as anybody, aud ask no favors,
I'm going to put up at the biggost hotel
in town, and, if, as you say, you want to
hear from me further, shall be glad to
see you any time iu the afternoon. I
never was fond of early rising, and have
had bo much of it of late, that I propose
to make a change in that respect at
least."
The arrival of the boat here put an end
to the conversation, and the two men
shook bands and parted with an agree
ment to meet again in a day or two. At
their next meeting the ox-convict said:
"You are prompt, I boo, and I suppose
it is the proper thing to feel flattered by
the interest you take in my personal his
tory. I confoss your coming is a sur
prise. On leaving the boat I hardly
expected to see you again, notwithstand
ing our appointment. You know how
those things are. Poople got tired. But
now you are bore, be good enough to sit
down, and I'll ring for a bottle of wine.
What is your favorite brand, Mr. B.? I
have to laugh myself at the question,
considering the past five years, but 'the
old time comes over me,' and J fuel with
that in my band (daintily holding up a
check for $1000), that 'Bichard is him
self again.' or soon will be.
"Now to my story. Before coming to
California I was what you might call a
bright, sharp, intelligent boy. t atner
was in business, and after giving me a
prettv good education, started out for
myself. The old gentleman was in the
hardware line, and didu t think it sum
oiently bightoned to suit my ideas. His
ambition was to see me a banker or
speculator. 'Look at Brown,' ho usod
to say. or 'Jones, bmitn and Thompson.
They all had to 'hoe tlioir own row, and
see what fortunes they have made on
Wall street.' Woll, be was eternally
impressing upon my mind the vital neo-
essicy oi inaaing uiuuojr, wuuuui, Barmy
anything about being particular as to
the means by which it was to be made.
. . , 1 :.i 4 : ..
Of courso he didn t moan anything
wrong, amd was thinking only of busi
ness methods. In our own store, bow
ever, and at Clark & Ford's, where I
stopped a year. I found that 'business
methods' em brucod trickery, deceit and
falsehood. All manner of sharp practices
were resorted to without a thought of
dishonesty or dishonor. With such
toaohings and experiences I was thrown
into the whirl of financial bnsinoss in
New York, a mere boy in years. Our
house had a number of clerks, but the
senior of the firm was an old friend of
my father, and that caused me to bo
trusted and put forward more than
others of my own age. lor a while
everything went on beautifully. I won
golden opinions on all sides, and was
complimented and praised at a great
rate. I really began to think myself
quite a genius, and honestly thought I
could make a fortune in a very
short time by investing my
savings in a certain stock
operations on the street. What followed
is the old story. My own little pilo
went, and then a few hundreds belong
ing to the bank, which were put in with
perfoct confidence of being able to make
good at the proper time. Twice tbe old
gentleman came to my assistance, with
earnest paternal admonitions of greater
caution and circumspection. Then
came a discovery and threatened arrest,
but tbe matter was bushed up ana i
found myself on the way to Ban i ran
Cisco with a bundle of letters of recom
mendation. I can assure you, however,
it waa a bard thing to leave Wall street.
It seemed to me as if I were leaving
millions that conld be had by a lew suc
cessful turns.
"On arriving in this city I found busi
ness very different from what it was in
the East. Resolving to turn over a new
leaf, and avoid the vortex of specula
tion, I secured a good position with a'
mercantile firm, and set to work in earn-
ext. Here, too, 1 found Dusiness
methods didn t scruple at trines, and
mora than once felt disgusted at the mis
erable hypocrisy and petty frauds coun
tenanced and tolerated if not ad
vised and encouraged in mercantile pur
nils. I tell you. sir. this sort of thing
used to shake my honest intentions fear
fully; and I remember on one occasion,
after a peculiarly sharp transaction in
trade, when one of my employers, who
was serving on i'lry in the crimiual
comt. bexin btMxiiuiz about finding
hoodlum guilty of stealing a few dollurV
worm oi leather from warehouse on
the water front, that I quietly asked him
wuii'u was me worse oi tne two transac
tions the bov's or ours? He didn't ao
pear to know what to any at first, ut
laugniugiy replied : 'Oh, that s anotuer
thing entirely. Thuro's no law against
what we do.'
"Soon after I had got fairl settled.
and was congratulating myself ou laying
up a lew dollar in bank, there came a
big 'boom' in mining stocks. Every
thing was goiug up up 1 up 1 Every
body grew excited and was crazy to in
vest. The whole town was at fever boat.
My employers gave orders through a
broker occasionally. All the clerks
0xuly did the same thing, including
myself. I had an old schoolmate wbo
was superintendent of a rich mine iu
Virginia City. I told my employers
about it, and thoy gave mo money to go
up quietly and see bim and got 'points.
ne was enthusiastic about his mine. It
was a bonanza euro. Uo also promised
to 'post' me on other mines. On my re
turn I invested all the money I bad, on
the atreugth of his assurances, aud my
wealthy bosses put some thousands of
dollars in the same venture. It turned
out well, and we triod again. Buforo a
month had passed my chock would have
been honored for 10,000. Not a large
amount, you will say, but it was pretty
good for a olork ou a salary of 11500 a
year.
Well, my employers time and agaim
come to me for 'points,' and repeatedly
pressod mo to take tlioir nionoy and in
vest it for them. Even whon I got
afruid the markot would break, and re
solved to stop iu time, they made light
of my timidity and urged further in
vestments on their accouut. The result
ras that I became infatuated with the
thing. Day and night I thought of
nothing else. It bauuted me wherever I
went. I was on the street every hour, to
the utter neglect of everything else, and
tho firm mado no objection. On tho
contrary, they appeared to take a fierce
delight in spurring mo on. Why, evou
tho wife and daughters of ouo of my em
ployers, at whose bouse I was ao bon-
orod guest, begged and implored me to
take thoir money and buy whatever I
liked. They leit evorythiug to me. I
was at tbe topmost wave of sudden pros-
Sority petted, consulted and flattered,
o wonder I lost my hoad, and sought
Borne reliof from the frenzy that bad
taken possession of mo of me in fast life
and reckless dissipation. My associates
wore going it with a rush. They had
fast teams and faster women. Why not
I? They lived in luxurious apartments
on Kearny stroet, gave champagne sup
pers at the Mason Doreo, played faro at
Briggs' and squandered nionoy without
a thought of tho morrow. I was not
slow iu following their example. Life,
in those days, was a wild whirl of excite
ment. My employers knew all this. I
made no secret of it. They not only did
uot object, but eagorly sought my ele
gant quarters and enjoyed tho society of
my fast companions.
"Well, as you know, a chance came
over the stock business. A weak market
one day aud strong the uoxt, up ono day
and down tho next, but steadily growing
weaker. I could have quit with $0,
000 to my orod it, evon after the first
shock of the earthquake was felt. The
partnors iu the firm had made more than
three timos that amount. mm we
wanted more, and before I hail fairly
realized the extent of my lossos, I found
myself unable to koep up my margins,
What was I to do? Already my employ.
ers bad grown cold toward me for the
loss of their moqoy. I assured them of
my ability to oarry their stock, and did
so for some time. Tho coldness and in
treatment of those who had fawned upon
me, put bad thoughts in my head. In
plain words, I deliberately embezzled
the funds of tho firm to a considerable
amount. I saw. however, that a grand
crash was coming, and determined not
to be leu out in tue com. vv im wis
object in view, I stopped paying mar
gins, sold whatever I bad, and secretly
put away over iv thousand dollars for a
rainy day. Well, the storm burst, and
the firm got a terrible shaking up. An
examination of thoir books uooame
nooosBary to wind uo the business, and I
was found to be short in my aooounts as
well as in m atook operations. There
was no pity for ine then. I was arrested
and thrown into prison. Everybody gave
me the cold shoulder. The result you
know. I pleaded guilty, and his honor,
Judge B., sentenced me to seven years
in the Stato prison.
"San Quentin didn't prove to be a
very bad place, after all. I found more
kindness aud sympathy there in the
timo of disgrace and adversity than was
shown towards me by those who had
wined and dinod with me in days of
prosperity. Thero was no actual suffer
ing in my imprisonment, for I bad my
little nostogg laid away and took things
like a philosopher. Officers and all said
thev never saw such a contented fellow,
and" made it pleasant for me iu many
ways. iMy time boing up I loft the
prison just as I entered it, neithor hotter
nor worso. There is one thing, however,
I want to say right here. I feund, as a
goneral tule, that the poor devils in that
place were very much like myseu. inai
is. thev didn't do wrong for the love of
the thing, but couldn't resist temptation
and bad circumstances.
"Now you have my story, and I ain't
afraid of you 'giving me away,' to use a
Viilgar phrase, for not one of the old
firm is left in California. Besides, in
less than half an hour, without an acci
dent happens, I shall be on my wsy to
Arizona. So good-by, once more and
forever. I don't know why, but I wanted
to tell tbe story of my life, and now it is
off my mind i feel better.
'What! Yon live in Greenville, and
know the old folks? Let me look at you
again, for now your faoe seems like one
I've seen in a dream, and your voice
brings back tbe dear old times. My God!
Uncle John, I know you now, and I'm
ashamed to see yon ! ,
"There, don't aay any more, sir. I see
how it is. Mother knows all about it,
and you have come to lake me home.
But in this yon will be disappointed, for
I ahall never go back as a felon, to dis
grace those who love me in their old age.
I have pride enough left for that. But
you can tell them that when 1 have won
a fortune and an honest name in tbe new
country to which I am going, and where
my aname ia unknown, I will be only too
glad to return and. tee them once
again.".
Uncle John took the Eastern bound
train aloue for hi New England home,
but he bad learnod a lesson about loose
"business methods" which he will never,
forgot. As for tbe unfortunate nephew,
it only remains to be said that at last ao
counts he was doing wall in his now field
of labor, although still indulging his
posaiou for mining speculations. Now
however, it is the substance, not the
shadow the mines, and not the stocks
in which he s(eculatos.
Dining In Transit.
Another German triumph is tbe "trav
eling dinnors" in vogue on the line be
tween Cologne and Borlin. Between
these two points, a matter of ten hours'
journey, the train stops nowhere longer
than five minutes. To enable tho pas
sengers to refresh themselves en route,
therefore, the guard inquires before start
ing who will dine at Uanovor, and whon
the train arrives at that station waiters
deposit trays in tho carriages acoording
to the number indicated by slips stuck by
the guard on tbe windows of each com
partment. The traya are eloctroplate,
with a velveted support to rest them on
the knees, and contain a whole assort
ment of oovered electroplated dishes fit
ting into boles to koep thorn firm during
the oscillation of tho train. Removing
the lids the travoler finds a soup or bul
lion ia ono, a outlet with poas or
beans in anothor. a fine out of a joint
with two vegotablos in a third, aud some
stewed strawberries in a fonrtb. Add a
pint bottle of whitojwibe, and suoh oon-
venienoo as a napkin and a toothpick,
and the usual condiments and bread, and
evon the stingiost travoler cannot be
grudge the half crown which in asked
for this neat little entertainment. By
the time the train has arrivod at llaraio,
half an hour distant, the meal is over,
and tho traveler, bunding the tray out of
the window, throws himself baok with
satisfaction in the carriage to indulgo iu
an after-dinner nap, whilo the Courier
ing rushes on with the same admirable
speed as More to its destination. There
is no hnrry-scurry gobbling of food, as
ou the English railways, tbe meal is
comfortably and calmly eaten amid the
joyous talk of ourriaga friends, and tho
non-travoling ltriton experiences a per
manent admiration for Suto-hold rail
ways.! London Globe. ,
The Superintendent Explains.
A committee of stockholders whioh
waited upon the superintendent of a
California mine to ask him why in tbe
blazes the said mine hadn t panned out
anything but assessments, were gra
ciously received.invitod to bo soatod.and
tho official explained:
"Gentlemon, you are all aware of the
fact that we bad scarcoly begun work
when the mouth of our mine was block
aded by a land slide. That put us baok
a month."
They nodded in thoir remembrance.
"Then we had just got in shape to
take out 4000 tons of ore, worth $2000
per ton, when the mino caved in. You
recall it?"
Thoy did.
"Once more we bent ourselves to the .
burdon of reaping $500 for every $10 in
vested, whon the mine was flooded by a
subterranean river."
That was true also.
"Then we bad just got the water out
when we discovered that the mine was
located on another man's claim. We
had bim shot to prevent trouble, and
once mote we wore about to deolare a
score of 200 por oont., when the dead
man's heirs put iu an appearance.
There were three of them. We chased
one over the range, had another bung by
tbe vigilance committee, and I am happy
to inform you that I have four men out
aftor the other, and am every hour ex
pecting to hear that he has tumbled off a
cliff. Gentlemon, there is hope ahead
golden hope. Please come up and drink
with me; after whioh there will be an
other assessment of 10 per oent." f Wall
Street News.
The Deadhead.
"Why, you newspnper follow go
everywhere for nothing," remarked a
man to a reporter he met at a publio
gathering the other night; "it must be a
rogular picnic."
Yes, it is, unthinking friond. We do
go everywhere and have everything for
nothing. We go to a church festival
(for whioh we have done H worth of
advertising), gets plate of soup with
one oyBter, a cup of coffee and an nrgont
request to be sure and write it up all
for nothing.
We paronizo the regular places of
amusomsut pretty regularly (on tickets
bought by satisfactory interchange of
courtesioB with the management), for
nothing. -
We drop into a twonty-five oent lecture
for the benefit of the poor heathen (for
whioh we have done several dollars
worth of preliminary) for nothing.
Wo eat a thirty-five cent dinner at the
opening of a new dining hull (that it took
$2.25 worth of valuable space to call at
tention to) for nothing.
We rido $22 worth a year on a rail
road line whose time card at regular ad
vertising rates is worth $40 a year for
nothing.
We do all those things and more, and
go to all these and many other places
(for which privileges w invariably pay
roundly in advance) for nothing.
And when the last day comes to ns
and we depart to the better shore, our
beneficiaries, and perhaps our creditors,
will read our obituary and pick our
character to pieces and abuse us gen
erallyall for nothing. Cleveland
Voice.
Tbe Clergyman's Call.
A country rector called upon one of
his parishioners. One of the children
saw him coming and ran inw ine uouae
to tell bis mother. The little fellow
soon returned to the front and re
sumed his play. The clergyman in
quired:
"Js your moiner at nomer
"No. sir:" replied the child, "she is
out at present."
'Tell ber when she returns that I
called," said the clergyman.
"I did tell her," replied the little boy.
Yonkers Gazette.
The wsy things are going now the
enterprising railroad of the future will
advertise "Brand-new time UblO( every
morning."