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About Lincoln County leader. (Toledo, Lincoln County, Or.) 1893-1987 | View Entire Issue (March 18, 1897)
i .1 11 II "HI! Hi! All right! Now we sha'u't be long!" wild the gray parrot. I regret to say that tlie Ir repressible young man that brings the dally milk is the tutor of my parrot In the latest up-to-date slang of the day. I am an old sea captain at least, not Id, perhaps the word slipped out un a wares. I am on the right side of GO, anyhow; but being in receipt of a pen sion and a small private income to boot, I have cant anchor In my present abode In the expectation of weathering many a winter's storm yet. Being without a known relation In the world, I willingly fell in with the suggestion that I should pick up my moorings alongside my old friend and iin-ssmate, Cnpt. Trovers, late K. N., who. Iin vine left one nf on the west coast of Africa while capturing a slaver, was pensioned off at an even earlier age than myself, and now lived with his sister a most comfortable party, fat, fair, and 40, or thereabouts In the adjoining house to mine In the neighborhood of London. We had al ways got on well together, our tastes and dispositions were similar, and we had often met during our naval careers. His sister I had not previously been acquainted with, but, being in many respects like her brother, we were soon lirm friends. Capt. Travers and myself had each a favorite parrot his the common Afri can gray, with a red-tipped tail, and mine the purer variety, without a trace of color, but otherwise, similar. I had not loug settled down In my now (iiartors, and got everything ship shape, or what seemed so to me a very important difference, as I know to-day when, almost unconsciously at first, I began to feel what a lonely old bach elor I was and what a sot-off to all my other belongings the llgure of Miss Itaeliel Travers would be by my fire side. But Just here the course of my life began began to make Itself felt. Inherent shyness in the presence of the opposite sex had dogged, my footsteps from my earliest recollections. (Jive me a gale of wind In the bay of Biscay, a tornado in the tropics, or twenty hours' duly on deck, wet through to the skin, and C'apt. Mauley, late of the I. and (). service, will thank you for It, and consider life well worth living; but us dispensed of delicate attentions to the fair sex, Intensely as he inwardly admliTs their pretty ways, Capt. Man ley does not, no, he certainly does not, show up to advantage. Although fond of pets generally, I have an antipathy to cats, especially at night. 1 am not aware that our neigh lMirhood was particularly heneliclal in its aspect or oilier qualltlcatioiis to feline constitution, but I know Hint un til 1 was inhuman enough to start an air-gun cannonade on my numerous nocturnal visitors, 1 was frequently un able to get a respectable night's rest. One infernal bl.u k and white Tom do lled my liuest efforts. If average cats have nine lives, 1 am sure tills one must have had nineteen, and 1 began to won der what sort of uncanny being this was that had no objection to letting my bullets pass apparently through Its body without suffering any inconven ience. But alter all it must have been my bad marksmanship, for one after noon 1 saw my enemy quietly walking up the low fence that divided my back garden from t'apt. Travel's". The opportunity was too good to be lost, and quietly getting my airgmi I tiMk a steady aim ami lircd. There was no mistake this time, and without a sound poor puss dropped on to my Mow er bed as dead as the proverbial door nail., .My exultation, however, was of short duration, for to my horror and dismay, on proceeding to pick up his unfortu nate carcass und give it decent burial, 1 saw that my shot had passed right through the unlucky animal and killed my neighbor's parrot, which had been put out to sun Itself In a little summer. house that stood at the bottom of the garden. I was staggered at my position; I knew the parrot was a supreme favor ite with Miss Travers, and how 1 could ver explain, my carelessness I could . not Imagine. Suddenly a way out of my dilemma presented Itself to my mind, and I hastened to put It into execution. I knew that the Traverses were out, and would not bo back for some little time, so hurrying Indoors nud raking my own parrot from Its cage 1 carefully painted the end of Its tall with red Ink In Imitation of lis de ceased comrade, and finding no one was about 1 stepped lightly over the fence and substituted the living for the dead bird, which I burled, together with the oat. In my own garden knew that my parrot would not readily talk lieforu strangers, and I hoped that by the time It had got used to Its new surroundings it would have forgotten its former accomplishments; at any rate, I must risk It. Alas! "I'ueusy lies the bead that wears a crown," sang some poet, who, I expect, never wore anything harder than a nightcap, but, true as it may be, compared to the torture of my mind, now launched on a course of duplicity, It would be a bed of roses. It was toward the end of the follow ing week that I happened to be out In the garden and saw my old friend come stumping down the path of his own garden In his dot-and-carry-one style, and, seeing me on the fence, cried: "Holloa! Captain, you're (fulte a stranger! What's been up? Itachel has been talking about coming In to In quire about your health, as she was afraid something must he wrong." "Yes, I have been a bit poorly," said I. Oh, how easily the words slipped out, although I had been as right as nine pence why that particular sum should be endued with limie rectitude Ihuu lis fellows I have never been aide to dis cover tills by the way. "A bit of cold, perhaps," said Capt. Travers. "Well, come over the fence and have a dish of tea in the summer house, and Rachel shall come iu after ward and make you a good glass of something stiff for a nightcap." runotually at 5 o'clock I donned my sprucest attire, and with a smart flow er In my buttonhole gay dog that I was slipped over the fence. Miss Hacliel was there, looking as fresh as a spring cabbage with, the dew oil it, which I consider a very pretty slmiie, and she bade me welcome with one of her beaming smiles. There, too, was the unlucky parrot In its cage, and stand ing Just outside the summer house. I had noticed that It had been set our. to sun Itself as usual on all tine days, and as far as I could see nothing bad trans pired to make me think they had auy cause to suspect my Imposition. I purposely snt with my back 1o it, and avoided taking notice of it In any way whatever. ' Tea went off all right; my old friend was very cheery and Miss Rachel showed mo great attention. I could hear Polly rubbing her beak up aud t MF.AN THAT IS TO say yoit, sin. down the wires of the cage, and swing ing backwards and forwards lu iho metal ring. After the meal Capt. Travers went Indoors to get his supply of necessaries for the evening, and, turning to me, Miss Travers commented: "By-t lie-by, Cnpt. Mauley, how is your parrot? I have not seen It out in the garden lately." I felt my heart beating n bit faster, but with every semblance of outward calm 1 said: "No; the fact Is, It's not been at all well; In fact. It is dead." "Dead!" she exclaimed. "Well, 1 never. What did It die of?" "I really don t know," 1 replied. "It died quite suddenly about a week ago.' "I hope our Polly Isu't going to follow suit," she continued. "She has been very dull and quiet the last few davs, but seems a bit more lively this even ing. I don't think she lias spoken a word all the week." "Thank goodness!" I Inwardly ejacu luted. Things were beginning to look a bit awkward, and 1 cast about for sonuv thing to change the course of conver sation. I am not n quick thinker. however, and before I could collect my wits Miss Travers continued: Dear, dear, to think your poor Pol' ly's dead! Well, 1 tun sorry! I should be sorry to lose you, Polly, dear," she said, addressing the parrot. "But, real ly, Capt. Mauley." looking me straight In the face. "I can't make our Polly out. Sometimes I could almost believe she was a different bird. She hasn' once seemed pleased to see me all the week." I felt the blood rapidly rising to my cheeks and forehead, but I trusted to my tanned complexion for It not to show. I feebly replied: "Perhaps she' moulting." It was an unlucky slip. "Well, now I come to think," said Miss Travers, I noticed that Its tall looked much paler after Its bath the other morning and the water was quite red. It that a slgu of tuoultluK?" "Yes, I often used to notice It about my own parrot." "But I thought your bird had no red about It," she pursued. "Confound the woman's persistence," I thought, but I stammered; "I mean that is to say you see I've noticed It In all red parrots I have ever come across. They shouldn't be bathed at all; It Injures their constitution." "Oh! I thought you recommended It." t she said. j So I had, dozens of times. "Only for i the gray ones," I said, forming a con-j veulent distinction on the spur of ihuj moment. j Miss Travers didn't seem inclined to pursue the subject further, much to my satisfaction, and then there was a dead pause. j During the whole of our conversation the subject of It had not ceased to con tinue its antics In the wire sage.. Whether It was the sound of my voice 1 that caused it to be thus excited 1 do , not know, but at this opportunity it ; burst In with "Hi, hi!" I was getting desperate, and could think of nothing to change the subject; and yet if I didn't say something I was terribly afraid the parrot would. A bicycle bell sounded down the ; road. "Are you thinking of getting a bicy-; cle. Miss Travers?" I said. "No, certainly not," she replied; "how cau you ask such a question?" Another awful nause, during which mopped the perspiration from my brow. i "RaKa Rachel, I love you!" came In clear tones from behind my back. , The wretched bird had caught the ex act toue of my voice. "Cnpt. Mauley! Sir!" said Miss Trav-. rs, raising herself to her full live feet one aud one-half inches. "Did you ad- ress that remark to me, sir?" I had, however, utterly collapsed, nd. burying my head in my hands, I leaned down on the little round table. Whether the sight of the poor old ship in distress touched her tender heart, I don't know, but she added. In softer tones: This Is very unexpected, Cnpt. Man- ley." I could hold out no longer. "Miss Rachel," I cried, "I'm a thun-. dering old hypocrite. My parrot isn't dead at nil; there It Is In that cage; It's yours that's dead I shot It. I didn't mean to. Can you forgive me for all the lies I told you?" "All right! All right!" said the solemn oice of the parrot behind me. "It was Polly that made that remark Just now, not I. Believe me, she speaks the truth, if I don't. Rachel, I do real ly love you." I ventured to look up. Teurs were standing lu her eyes, and the expres sion on her face made me hope thut I did not look quite such n big booby in her eyes as I felt I did In my own. Moving nearer, I clasped her hand. and, as It was not withdrawn, I put one arm gently round her ample waist. "Now, we slin'u't be long," said the gray parrot. Tit-Bits. A Chinese New Year's. Chinatown of San Francisco was keeping holiday, and all was gaiety aud bustle. The narrow, picturesque streets were decorated with--brightly-colored Ion terns, while overhead above the roof tops, the yellow dragon-Hags floated against a blue California sky. It was a sunny day lu February; and die streets, were swurinlng with a mul titude of Chinese men, women and children nil arrayed lu their richest holiday attire. The children especially. with their bright faces and black eyes, and In their pretty costumes, formed a most pleasing and Interesting feature of Uils living Oriental picture. Everybody seemed to be happy and good-natured: and ever and anon, ns a group of friends met, they stopped and amid much ceremonious bowing ex changed the coiiqiiiinents of the season; for this festive occasion was nothing more nor less than the celebration of the Chinese New Year. The idea of celebrating New Year's Day In February tuny strike some of my readers as odd. But, since this has been the Chinese custom from time im memorial, nud Is older, by several thou sand years, than our acceptance of the first of January as the proper time, the Chinese, perhaps, are not far wrong lu supposing themselves to be at least us much lu the right ns ourselves. This question, however, was of no concern to this merry holiday throng. They were quite satisfied with the arrangement; aud, with the utmost belief In their own superiority, they felt at heurt an Inborn contempt common to all Chinese for "outside barbarians." This term em braces all nations not living within the acred boundaries of "The Flowery Kingdom," and includes the ' Inhabi tants of all the world; and these unfor tunate outsiders are broadly divided Into classes Eastern and Western bar barians. St. Nicholas. Male Indispensable in War. A Persian reglnw on the march la a strauge spectacle. Every three sol diers have a donkey, for there is neith er baggage train nor commissariat On this doukey is placed the worldly wealth of Its proprietors and their mus kets. Occasionally the Telled wife of a oldler bestrides the beast The hedgehog Is 10 Inches la lengta. TftAMPS OF SIBERIA. FUGITIVES FROM JUSTICE IN A BARREN LAND. Ma; Be Shot Down Without Compas sion Like Beaata, but They Have Their Revenge on a Helpless People Outgrowth of the Exile System. World's Worst Vagrants. The very worst tramps In the world are the outcome of the penal system of Siberia. They are the runaway con victs, and woe be tide the unfortun ate stranger who falls Into their bauds. The very wjfzrZZj; manner or tneir 'Jff'i&M' life causes them ' o . . Siberian runaway convict, 5? writes a corre spondent, docs not A"! so mucii seea per ieek per manent 1 i b ei'ty -d liuiu liis iiuru eu- convict tramp, forced labor as to obtain a momentary respite. Aud what a fearful freedom it Is! A never end lug struggle lu a murderous climate, with the tortures of hunger aud a con stant hiding from pursuit, to end In finally being caught, put Into irons and sent buck to the mines from which he has escaped. Such Is the career of the "bradiaga." Sometimes a whole life Is thus spent In tramping, being caught, brought back aud running away again, and so oil' until death lib erates the unfortunate one from the burden of life und society from a dan gerous pariah. To discourage these frequent at tempts at escape the government has granted the lawful privilege to any one of either capturing or shooting down the bradiaga on sight; and, in TRAMPS UNDER ARREST. fact, the Mongolian burin ts iu the Ir kutsk province make n regular busi ness of hunting them just as they do for the fur animals, as, nccordiug to their calculation, the clothes of these unfortunate wretches, however bad, are worth more than five kopecks (2V, cents), the price they obtain for the "American" squirrel. While crossing these buriat settlements the bradiaga Is afraid to reveal himself, even for ob taining food, and is Invariably forced through hunger to commit theft. Their mode of attack is simple. Trav elers are never molested In the day time. It Is only at night that these blackguards attempt their nefarious work.. The most dangerous hours are between 3 and ti a. in., when travelers who have been on the qui vive nil night somewhat relax their vigilance. A couple of the thieves are told off to cut the traces of the tnrautass. two more to seize nud bind the yemstchlk (accomplice or not), and three or four others ut the same monieut to climb over the back of the vehicle, and, fall ing suddenly In front of the hood, to dispatch the passengers with a blow from a heavy bludgeon. In Yeneselsk and Tolsilsk provinces there is a sort of understanding be tween the villagers and the runaways. The peasants not only do not hunt the bradiaga, but give them food and other necessaries. The tiunqw, on their side even when in superior numbers, never atack the Inhabitants except in cases where it is absolutely necessnry to In sure their own safety. Such mutual concessions arise not only from habit, but from mutual Interest. When on a dark night (for the tramps traverse villages only at night) a peas ant Is roused from his slumbers by a , loud knocking at the door and his ques- tion Is answered, "The unfortunate ones," he runs to Ills storeroom, and, getting food, throws It over the wall as quickly as possible, without, open A SIBERIAN PRISON. lng the gates or asking anyexplana tlon. The recipients thank him and as quickly withdraw. vue oi ine leaning characteristics of the bradiaga which distinguish them from other murderers and freebooters Is their complete Indifference and ab sence of Irritation and nasalnn mmjM'ik The 31 committing a deed of blood. But what astonishes one most Is the eombim' tlon of the most hardened crime wit! some religious uieus, anu also a en tain degree of humility, born of sevw discipline of hard labor of the mine. wiiicu produces a show of pity towani the victim they are destroying la most coiu-Diooueu manner. Mlufirt-iiTio anil l.n.1tn . uuu uiaiuasa IS On.. of the most unfortunate of beings-un' consciously turns their th mhts twar'f religion, lu justification of their crlm" tuey invananiy say, "we, poor ih .... .. i uers, but also most unfortunate, an' therefore God will forgive us all sins." Whenever they see a cross th always take off their caps and cnx. themselves. When a defenseless traveler Is m, by a baud of these desperadoes lie ; attacked and rubbed, and then he i killed for the purpose of preventing hi telling the police of the clrcumstaDn After the body has been stripped f its clothing it is hidden and the tranV mane tneniseives scarce. COUNTESS WALDERSEE. One American Woman Happily Wl ued to a foreign Aobleman, Few American women have heon successful iii their alliance wan toreinp uouiemeu as tlie uouutess Walder.l j who was Miss Mary Esther Lee, A J New York. The Countess' husband t the director of tlie (ionium nrniy-iJ the successor of Von Moltke, In fact' and the Countess herself is the pers al friend and adviser 'of the Gerinai' emperor and his wife. Her influence in imperial politics Is therefore as grea ns that of auy one person other tha'j:, f me jiiuperor niniseu. rjven liismarm helped himself out of power by bohi J hostile to the American woman ao. ; I her plans. The father of the Countt f was a New York grocer, who retired; I1 and left only a small fortune to liii! j widow. Mrs. Lee went to Stuttgart ti; , live tfinil piluciiite liep children. Tlimv . 1 she met and married a German Uiplo-", ; j mat, Baron Waechter, afterward am-, $ bnssador to France. Iu 1804 her daugli-! j ter, Mary Esther, married Trluce Fred ; I erlck of Schleswlg-IIolstein, who san ' j her' by accident in a hotel. The prince. 5 was immensely rich nnd 70. Miss Lee 3 was poor and 27. Oil the wedding triif to Palestine she persuaded him to makr,' J over to her his entire fortune. He did- i so and died six months later. Not lonr, afterward the widowed princess was married to Count Wnldersee, then 4 ; rising soldier. Prince William marriei a grand niece of Trinee Frederick, Aw gusta Victoria. That young woma was ungainly and awkward, but undej the spell of the fair nnd tactful Amen-' can she soon became one of the nw , polished women in Europe. The tui tlon given her by the Countess, andSv' quick results, charmed tlie prince,' I was soon to become "Emperor. Wlif William ascended to the throne, wbtf COUNTESS WAI.DERFBE. j-iiHuiu leu leu, uuu wueu me young lord was his own master, he heaped honor after houor on the WalderseaM The Countess Is now 50 years old. TH .' husband, in case of a German w: 1 would be the master of the Germ4 -army. t Tree Splits a Bock. A California laurel has split a larp bowlder Into three pieces. The tree k of the type common In many parts California, but there are several quetf things about it and its surroundlnpl The place where this one grows Is j most unusual one for its species, whiff naturally requires considerable moil ture. The fact of a tree being roote 1 In a barren rock is also unusual In C lfornia, on account of the long, dr summers, during which young eproff usually perish unless there Is consl erable moisture in the soil. The loc tlon of this botanical curiosity Is a ff hundred feet east of the trail to the W of Tamolnals. The cenerai nnnnnnttn of the tree Is unusual, and It Is undoiit edly very old. Tbe Danaer'Slarn Up. Storm!" . She You will surely find i ' so , you make a mistake while you" est. , lng with me to-day. My dearest enem? Is over there with my brother' cb Ml from Harvard. New York Times. A 1 I t 1 Y 7