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About The Oregon scout. (Union, Union County, Or.) 188?-1918 | View Entire Issue (Feb. 17, 1888)
I A SEASIDE FLIRTATION. With sorrow In her eyes of blue. With trembling bands she slowly penned It The little parting billet doux That eoascJence told her now should end It. Those tete-a-tetes olons the shore. Those cypsjlucs with fern filled basket, Must Join the dear delights of yoro And only Uro In memory's casket. There never was a heart like Jack's: lie told his passion iu his glances. She sealed her note with scented wax, But could not drown her dismal fancies. When Le should read his suit denied, So long the theme of Idle gazers, She pictured him a suicide, And shuddered at the thought of razorst At last she slept but not till dawn Mad blossomed through the ocean vapors Jock couml her missive with ayawr When he had the morning pajwre. He gave his beard n languid twirl And murmured as he sat n smoking Tear stained by Jove poor little firlt I thought she knew that I was jokii.g:" Samuel Minturn Peck In Century. TOM IIKMPKH'S ESCAPE. The wonderful providence that saved old Tom Hemper from tho vengeance ol the Comanche Indians fifteen, or sixteen years ago has been discussed in many a western fort and around many n hunter's amp lire. That his adventures were true in every particular can be vouched for by a dozen living persons today, though old Tom himself was wiped out a dozen .years ago. He was a scout, hunter nnd guide, and he took u party of amateur hunters nnd sportsmen from Santa Fe down the Canadian river into Texas and the land of the Comanches. The party numbered twenty-two men, some of them l)eing English tourists, and they were un disturbed for two weeks after getting down to what is called the great elbow of the Canadian. Then Indian signs became very fresh, nnd one morning old Tom started out on a scout. Two other old hunters with the party remained in camp. The Canadian runs alongside of a moun tain range for several hundred miles, and this range is broken with many small vnl Jeys and creeks. Tom went to tho east as lie left camp, keeping between tho foot hills and the river. Ho was on foot and ailert, but after a Talk of an hour he dis covered no signs, and had to conclude that tho Indians had approached from tho other direction. Just as he was on the point of burning back ho found a spring of ice cold water, nnd had to lie down on his stomach' to reach it and satisfy his thirst. Ho was drinking when something alighted on his linck. His ilrst thought was that it was 41 panther, but.next instant he saw the leggings of n red skin and knew that he was a prisoner. When pulled to his feet lie found himself in the presence of three Comanches, who wero out after game. His great surprio seemed to please them immensely, but they offered him no vio lence whatever. He was first disarmed, his hands then tied behind his back, and the Indians gave hl'ii to understand that ie was to accompany them to their village. "While there was no Indian war at that time, tho savages were hostile to any and -all white men who invaded their domain, .and old Tom swiftly realized that ho was in a bad scrape. Ho could speak and understood the Comnucho dialect with per feet ease, but this fact he kept to himself. As they moved away 0110 of his captors isnld: "Ho is an old hunter, and we shall have .a good time burning him. He is probably tho leader of tho party below." 'We went out after a deer nnd captured a white man," laughed the one addressed. "Keep your eyes on him, for he is evi dently ns brave as a bear and us strong as .a horse." The prisoner was conducted about three miles up tho river and a mile to tho cast, nt which point a Comanche villago was 'located. It was in a valley about three miles long and a mile wide, and contained -sixty or seventy lodges. Nearly nil tho warriors of tho village wero away watch ing the white party, but as soon as tho prisoner entered the village a messenger was dispatched to bring them iu. Before noon all had returned, and there was great rejoieing over tho capture of tho hunter. Tho head chief of tho tribe was expected at tho camp on the morrow, and it was decided not to do anything with tho (prisoner until his arrival. Tom was shoved into a lodge nnd three warriors placed on guard over him. Whilo they evidently feared him, they at tho same time wanted to keep him fresh and strong for tho "fun" next day, and they therefore gave him plenty to eat and drink nnd did not even tie his hands. Ho realized what was in store for him if he could not make his escape, but any nt tempt to take French leave with three warriors on guard would have been his death. Every flvo or six minutes one of them looked into tho lodge, and until a 3ato hour of tho night tho whole populaco were on tho move and helping to keep watch. All thoughts of attacking the party below were given up for the time lieing, nnd every one looked forward to a fine entertninment on the morrow. Tom '.heard the flenus discussing in what ways they should torture him. One of the guards said that he had seen a white man Smug up to a limb with a stick thrust through tho bones of his legs, as the farmer hangs up a slaughtered hog, and that ho lived for half a day. One1 wanted to skin him alive, another believed in a slow fire, and almost every one who camo up had a suggestion to make. It was con cluded that he would die game, and that tiis equal had not been captured for years. "Seeing there was no chance of escape just then," said Old Tom, "I made up my anind there was no use fretting over tho case, nnd I took things easy. I nto hear tily, nnd nbout 10 o'clock at night turned 5n and slept like a brick until nfter day light, I intended to tako advantage of tho very first opening, and I knew that would not come before I wns led out in tho morning. Where they set out to hnvo a regular holiday over a prisoner, running tho gaunthjt Is always tho first thing In order, and U afltre tho only opportunity to bolt." It was 9 clock next morning beforo tho big chief nnd his staff arrived, and nn hour later tho prisoner was brought out The warriors had arranged themselves in two lines, und were armed with clubs and switches. Old Tom was taken to tho head of tho lines, nnd a warrior who could speak a little English made him under stand that ho was to run to tho foot of tho lino and return, and that if ho ran fast nd strong he would bo set at lloerty on Ills return. This was all stuff, of course, Imt it is always given out to every pris oner to encourage him. The chief called out to tho men not to hit tho prisoner too hard, nnd all was ready for tho start. Tom intended to -wheel square about nnd ran for tho river. There was not ono chnnco in a thousand for him, hut ho pre ferred death by tho bullet to death by torturo. He was even bracing himself for his run when there wero shouts of alarm all around him, and he saw two Indian boys coming down tho valley on horse back, making signs as they came. Tom was hurried back to tho lodge, the village was all excitement, and in live minutct fifty warriors wero riding up the valley. Tom figured that some of his party were scouting around to learu his fate, and that they had come Into tho valley nnd had been seen by tho village sentinels. This, as was afterward ascertained, was tho cor rect supposition. Tho Indians did not return until 0 o'clock In the afternoon. At nbout 0 old Tom was brought out again, and this time ho was tied to a stake. For some re.isou the redskins hod decided to spare him the gauntlet. This was from no feeling of mercy, of course, but their long ride had probably tired them out. "There was no possible show for me to innko n break," said tho old man. "I was backed up to the stout Make, my hands nnd feet tied to it by strips of green hide, and then they were ready to begin busi ness. I saw them getting their knives and tomahawks ready to throw nt me, and in my desperntion nnd despair I railed out nt them, speaking tho ilrst words siuco my capture. I reviled nnd cursed them and dared them to do their worst, and while I was speaking tho sub-chief, who was the head of tho village nnd whose name was Spotted Horse, threw up his arms and fell back dead." Tho chief was no doubt predisposed to heart disease. He had been in tho saddle for six or seven hours, laboring under a keen excitement all the time, nnd it needed only the increased excitement brought on by tho hunter's denunciation to precipi tate tho fatal stroke. That tho Indians considered it an act of divine vengeance was plain in a moment. It wns scarcely known that he was dead before Tom was untied nnd conducted back to the lodge, and tho village at onco went into mourn ing. "It was two days beforo they buried him," said Tom, "and meanwhile I was well treated but closely guarded. On the third day I was taken out again. I had heard the reds discussing tho matter from all standpoints. Some contended that 1 was nn evil spirit, nnd if not permitted to depart would work them some terrible calamity, while others argued that I must bo burned and my ashis scattered to the winds to propitiate t3 ovil one. Those who held to the hitter opinion were in tho majority. I was lot. to bo tortured, but burned nil vs." He was tied to the same stake, and the fnggots heaped nround him, but just ns they were being lighted he broke out in Uerce raillery again. His words airected tho whole crowd, but he would no doubt have perished had not nature come to his aid. The hush which had fallen upon the village was broken by a fnr oil' roar, andn moment later a cyclone swept into the valley from the east like a raging lion. It came and was gone in sixty seconds, nnd a sad wreck was left behind. Every lodge was down nnd many of them carried away, whilo many of the people wero hurt, nnd two children killed outright by falling limbs and Hying debris. "I never saw Indians lose their heads us those chaps did," said old Tom. "I was left quite alone for the next quarter of an hour, while those who had escaped unhurt were running about in a childish way, It was just growing dusk when nn Indian pony was led up to the stake by tho head chief in person. I was cut loose by a warrior, lilted upon tho pony by two others, nnd told by the chief that I was nt liberty to go. I was too dazed to under stand, but they gave tho horso n slap and away we went. For tho next ten minutes I was no better than an idiot or u crazy mnn, but my senses llnally returned nnd I saw through it. They regarded me as an evil spirit nnd wanted to get rid of me. My rillo was strapped to tho saddlo, as was even' other article they had taken from me, nnd they had given mo one of their best horses. Inside of two hours 1 was back at our camp, but only to find tho party gone. They hail hecomo alarmed and moved about thirty miles up the stream, where I found them next day." Tom not only had the Comanche out lit to prove tho truth of what ho said, but the next year, when tho chiefs of the tribo held a powwow with n government com mission, tho entire story was told anew by tho Indians, and many inquiries were made as to what had become of tho white man's devil. New York Sun. Splendid Shooting In Austria. From a recent statistical report issued by the minister of apiculture, Austria still offers splendid shooting to JSlmrods There were killed last year throughout the empire 11,708 stags, 09,007 (leer, U.Ull chamois, S.ouG boars, 1,319,008 hares, U0,i)07 rabbits, -15.1 marmots, 12,704 wood cocks, 9, 1)111 hazel hens, 100,951 pheasants, 1,100,104 partridges, 8:J,(V.(7 quails, 48,l.r)0 snipe, 1,1 O.j wild geeso nnd 05,187 wild ducks. In addition, tho hunt after anl- , mals of prey was no less successful, thero having been killed d Dears, laa wolves, 27 lynxes, 25,242 foxes, 27,1100 polecats, 1,005 otters, 2,459 badgers, 970 eagles, 119.793 hawks and 1,150 owls. The El Dorado for hunters, however, is Dalmatia, where tho chase is open to nil, and no claims for damages, caused by game of any kind, nro demanded. When the Ionian islands wero in possession of tho British, many olllcers of tho garrison made hunting trips to tho coast of Dal matia. Their reports wero extravagant in tone as to tho beauty of that wild country, but tho accommodations wero so wretched and In some cases tho inhab Hants wero so repcllcut as to cnuso a gradual diminution in tho number of these dangerous hunting expeditious. San Francisco Chronicle. MyHterlm of Astrology. Now that Heron Allen and palmistry aro no longer mysteries, society is seeking for u new "fad." Several pioneers in tho movement to revive the mysterious have pitched upon strology nnd have dlscoV' cred a learned pundit iu tho person of n venerable English physician, who, al though not an advertised astrologer, Is said to bo nn udept in this science, which hns lcen practiced in J)r. Il.'s family for three genern'.isns. bevernl Wall street brokers aro In tho councils of this sage, who will venture no prophecy unless he knows tho exact date and place of, the subject's birth. Oiven the data, he will prophesy witu surprising commence, w W. Astor ai Grace Greenwood, the author, aro aaaong thoso who have made Jests of these physician astrologers. Xew York Graphic. To rromote Patriotism. We havo tor years advocated the play Ing of n national air, "Hull Columblu" or "The Star Spangled Manner," nt tho close of every muslral and uramntic entertain rnent given in tho United States. Such n movement would bo calculated to promote a feeling of patriotism among the people, especially, among the younger element of tho commun'ty. No concert or dramatic performance is given In Great Britain that is not closed with the singing or playing of the national anthem. Who will begin the movement hero In the United States) Musical Herald. JIIDXIGHT ON THE DOCKS. SHADOWS COME AND VANISH LIKE GHOSTS IN THE DARKNESS. riio lamely 1.1 fa of Dock 'Watchmen Mini the Queer Way of the llciiiarkuhle Characters Who rrequent the Hock After Dark. A sharp nor'westcr hnd driven tho wntch- men of tho North river docks to their stoves and shelter, while a pale moon illuminated tho desolate scene outside, deepening tho somlx-r shadows around. On tho pier nt tho foot of est Twenty-sixth street n nwrter approached tho wharf buildings, and peered in nt a window through which a light was shining. Iu the room, seated in tui arm chair, uniformed, his cap on his head, a lan tern close lesi(io him, was tho watchman. A sharp rap on tho door startled him, and instinctively ho seized tho lantern nnd camo out. As tho rcixirter withdrew tho watchman hold his lantern high up in the air and peered nround nt the mass of timber and rubbish, then closed tho door nnd returned to his ihelter. At nn adjoining wharf n canal kargo swayed gently on the waves. Attracted by a cheerful light which shono from its cabin window, tho reporter went toward it. Tho room was tastefully furnished with the ordi nary comforts of a clmmler. It was a suite of aiuirtmcnts gathered together in a space about uino feet square. A kettle boiled cheerily on tho small stovo in one corner, a mirror iu gilt frame hung from tho ceiling, marino chromos decorated the walls, little white curtains adorned tho windows, and a canary lluttorcd shout in a cage hanging iu the center of tho cabin. Tho reporter tapixxl on tho window, nnd a thin, lnnkv bov who was whittling liesido tho stove got up, thrust his nose against tho win- low pane, then climbing tho companion way raised tho hatch and appeared head and shoulders above tho cabin. A few inquiries ' vclopcd tho fact that the barge was named lary Jane, and that she carried lumter up the Erie canal. "Are vou all alono on IxKirdi" Ho replied with a slow hod Of tho head. "Aro you tho captain?'' "Naw, dad's gone ashoor," ho answered slowlv. Just then tho head of a woman ap peared Ixvsido tho boy und a whispered con ference ensued. "Aro you tho captain's wife, madaini" asked tho ivjwrter. "I reckon so,'" replied tho woman angrily, "but what do you want to know for? Suth in's wrong, I guess," and a pained expression passed over her face as sho looked with long ing eyes toward tho lights and tho city in the distance. In spito of assurances, her anxiety aroused by tho questions asked became greater. ow if sutluns wrong, why don't yo toll mo?'' she pleaded. "I know suthlu's tho mat ter. I'm sure on itl Why don't vo tell moi" "What is wrong?" asked tho reporter. "Well, yo seo my husband went nslioro this mornin' 'speeting to return at noon, nnd hu ain't back yet." It was usless to ask further questions; the woman was inconsolable, and refused to an swer any. Tho rexrtor withdrew, leaving tlij two figures outlined against the sky tho wifo looking nuxiously towurd tho city, tho boy watching tho lights on tho river, while the cabin within was desolate. On tho Wilson lino steamship docks a little man leaned lazily up against a jxist, pulling huge clouds of tobacco from n pijxi and gaz ing solemnly at tho boards. "Pretty quiet around here?" said tho re porter. "Ves. Somothm' liko a graveyard to night," replied tho man in a deep, sepulchral voice, his oyes still fixed on tho ground. "I was wntchin' tho rats scamporin' about there. H'm! Thoy'ro havin' a high old tuno to night; nono of tho men's workin' yo bee, nnd they're undisturled." A stout, muscular man clothed in pea- jacket and sou'wester, saunttTod slowly up and down tho dock, humming the "Girl I left lchiiid mo" in a gruir, unmusical voice. "Wuz that two IkjIIs, mate?" ho inquired of tho solemn individual. "Ono lxll," replied tho wntchman. "Good night for suicides i'' suggested tho reporter. "Yes, or oven a murder," continued tho watchman, gloomily. "There's been many on accident and much loss of life hnponed around hero night times." "Do you generally attempt a rescuo?" "Of eourso wo do. Who elso would if wo didn't? You seo wo'ro so used to it that wo understand all tho sounds and noises around hero. Wo can tell tho difference between n dash of tho wavo und tho splash of a suicido. Why, I could detect tho slightest footstep in any part of this dock. Do you hear that?" A low, plaintive sound liko tho moan of somo ono iu distress echoed noar by. "Now, that sounds liko a groan, but it ain't; it's tho wind. There, hear thut? That's tho side of snmo ship scratchin' nlongsido tho wharf. Somo timo ago a soloon keeper had trouble with his wifo. Ho took a duckin', and when wo fished him out ho thanked us, took n car and went homo. No ono was tho wiser 'cept ing ourselves. Pretty women-tramps, broken down bankers, lovers, bums, nil kinds, drops over tho side hero into tho river ut night, and wo generally flshos 'em out." "Don't you .report thoso cases to tho police)" "Wo ain't obliged to, 'causo wo ain't ofllcers of tho law. Then wo don't often seo a imliec inan above Fourteenth street. It's too quiet for 'em, I guess." Schooners and small craft wero anchored alongside the wharves, whilo lights shono from the cabin windows nnd their columns of smoke iourod from tho small chimneys on tho barges. Attracted by a light which hung from a short mast drifting about in tho wind tho reporter walked to tho end of a wharf nnd found a canal loat lying a few yards from the end. A solitary man paced tho dock endeavoring in every way to dodgo the cold wind. In reply to inquiries as to what was on bonrd tho man shouted in answer: "Nuthin. I'm light." "Going to start?" "Yen, in half an hour; waltln' for a steam tuc now." Two rough looking men wero walking alone In tho darkest iwrtion of tho road and talking in subdued voices, whon suddenly thoy dodged out of sight. Presently they emerged on the deserted uock oi a nargo. "Ill, thero, what d'yo want?" shouted ono, seeing tho reporter. "Nuthin, eh? Well, tako it and cit. then I" nt the same time fol lowing his mate ho disappeared nver tho sido of tho barge, apiarotitly Into tho river. A moment later and a rowboat glided out of tho slip with two men in it. Thoy rowed close to tno uocks auu stocrou wjvuru I rrlim. "Hlver pirates, I guess," whispered a watchman to tho reporter. Tho river craft with their many lights moving in all direc tions diminished in numoer, aim suonuu iw imnrttuivo overv moment. Dawn was breaking over tho glimmer of distant lights, and a gentle gray light stolo oyor tho entire scene till then so gloomy. Perfect .iiHiirm-i.lfTi.vl fnr n time, then tho sound of moving wugons and the sight of hurrying figures showed that night on tho docks had uassod. New York livening nun. CHINESE MONEY LENDING SYSTEM, The rian of a "Woo-cy" Slmrcs nnd Shareholders Henry Premium. Tho Chincso havo a way of borrowing and lending monoy under n system that they coll n Woo-ey, that allows its members toliorrow money in a stated sum nnd rejuiy it by in stallments. Any member of n Woo-ey who takes a share nnd does not wish to borrow himself obtains a good Interest on tho monoy he invests. The plan of n Woo-ey is as follows: Ah Sing wants to borrow $100 and repay it In Installments, so ho starts a Woo-ey j his Ilrst step is to Hnd twenty jiorsons who aro willing to take n 5 shore iu n M00 Woo-ey. Ah Sing is known as tho Woo-cy Tow, or head of tho Woo-ey; tho shareholders nro known as Woo-ey Chi, or children of tho Woo-ey. The Woo-ey lasts for twenty months; each Woo-ey Chi pays iu $5 to tho Woo-ey Tow, so that Ah Sing obtains his 3100. At tho end of tho mouth Ah Sing goes to eaeh of the shareholders nnd asks for bids for tho next loan; each memlwr writes his name nnd tho amount of interest hi is willing to jmy on n slip of paper. Every nietnlter has tho right of borrowing money onco during tho WHwy. After the bids aro nil received they aro luxmed and read and the money lent to the highest bidder. Wo will suppose that 2 per cent, is the highest bid. Ah Sing, who now pavs the Ilrst installment, lias to pay in tho full amount of $5, while the others deduct tho 2 er cent, and pay in $4.90. When the next installment falls duo thero nro two mcmlers who have to pay in tho full amount, nnd so the Woo-ey runs on. At tho end of llfteen or sixteen months tho Interest offered is often as high as 25 or !0 per cent., but as liftoen of tho members hnv. ixirrowed, and so havo to pay iu tho full amount of ,"). it is only tho four or llvo left who get the IxMietlt of tho heavy interest. Sometimes toward tho last of tho Wixvoy, when two or throe different ones wish to bor row, the rates offered nre often as high as 75 ix;r cent,, and iu ono instance that I know of, just lief ore the Cliini. e Nsw Yonr, 100 ixr cent was bid on a $5 Woo-oy. As thero wero three menilxrs that had not lxrrowod, tho hard up Celestial had only to pay tho heavy premium to two men. Sometimes t ho Woo-ov is as low as fifty cents n slinre, nnd l have known of Woo-oys as high as f."i0 n share. Those who iro Into a Y oo-oy as nn In vestment, and do not borrow themselves, generally get a largo interest for their money. San Francisco Cor. Chicago lleralil, i:ilu Wheeler "Wilcox nt Work. "I liko to 1x3 interrupted," said Ella Wheeler Wilcox, "and that is ono reason why I liko New York; there is no other place whero interruption cor.ies so cosuy. "No, I am not ono of tho poets who fly t nature. I don't moan any dlsresixx?t to nn turo; tho pathless forests nro very lino thin;" in themselves, but thoy don't inspire mo lik human beings, humnn thoughts nnd lnrua: doings. I want to bo among people and fee tho pulso of humanity throb. I enjoy havin my fellow creatures nbout me. I liko to hea tho teams rattle by iu tho street I liko t. stop work now and then and go out and wall down town, and seo tho world busy as it i busy hero in tho city every day. "I boliove I write best wltn peopio noon me in tho room. Of couso, I shouldn't wis! to feel that they wero dependent on mo foi ntertaininent, but I Hko tho atmosphere o: i social company, chatting nniong themselve: ind sneaking to mo now nnd thou. 1 car Join in tho talk nnd then go Ixick to jxjii am. aix.'r just as readily as It 1 were alono." "And you don't nnd the tnreau oi your thouchts broken or confused?" "If I stoi) half a dozen times 1 know that tho linos will run just as smoothly in tho end as if I had turned tho koy upon myself anil insisted on a lino frenzy in solitude. I mean it: I liko to bo interrupted. It is two month!. ago now that n poem camo to mo ntthothe atro ono night I had timo to writo a few verses only, aud since then 1 havo lxen on; of town, and I havo Ixsjn learning to cool. nnd I havo had other writing to do. It wiu. not until Sunday evening that I found time to finish Hint ixxmi. Thero wero ixxiplo here until 10:30, but when I was ablo to sit down at my writing table tho stanzas camo as fresh and as naturally as It tno tnougiu hadn't been interrupted for weeks in finding expression." Eliza Putnam Heaton in Buf falo News. The Immortal Texan. Sam Houston was not rondorod so cynical by his first unfortunate vonturo as to render him unfit for married life, ns his moro than fifty years of unalloyod happiness in that ro tation amply demonstrates. Ho not onlj married after Incoming a citizen of tho re public of Texas, but was a dovotod husbanc and a judicious father, dying in tho midst o. Ills fnmily in 1803. Ono of his sons inherite'' a considerable share of tho fathor's sturdi ncss nnd talents. To illustrate Houston's dovotion to hi' second nnd real wifo, tho following ineidoni was related to tho writer of this by nn ok' Washington lmbituo and journalist, who know him well during his sonntorshli-l&lft-M). Houston was know to Ixj intensely fond of amusements, but no friends could in duce him to attend tho theatre, circus or n public ball lieing rallied on his "Puritan ism" by Mr. Clay, tho old hero of San Ja cinto quietly replied: "lam not jxirsonally of opinion that thero Is anything wrong in those recreations; but my wifo is a deeply re ligious woman; she is mast strenuously op posed to tho theatre, otc., and though she has never oven hinted thnt sho would rather 1 "diould avoid such places, yet, knowing her sentiments, I think my foregoing so momen tary a pleasure but n small cross for mo to bear to insure her moro jxirfect happiness." Chattauooga Times. A Letter Carrier' "Walk. I havo often ix-cn asked to explain how a let ter carrier walks along, apparently with caso, nt a rapid gait over slipix.-ry ground, and runs up and down fey front steps, whilo other folks aro barely ablo to keep thoir footing whilo thoy creep along In rubbei-s or with a set of thoso steel prong nuisances fastened to their shoes. Tho carriers soon leurn to walk over slippery places without falling liecauso wo havo so much of it to do, und oxjxirieiico has taught us how wo should handle our Iwd ies and legs when on dangerous ground. When passing over sleety places wo don't walk erect, but bend forward, taking short steps and never lotting ono foot get far away from tho other. Then, when wo step, tho foot is put down solidly, all of it nt onco, on tho ground, with no hoel nnd too movement, which leads to slip und falls. It's not grace ful, this way of wulking, but It's safe, and 1 can iiss any ordinary jxxlestrlan on a slip pery day and bo iu no ilanger of falling, whilo ho is constantly slipping. Carrier in Globo-Democrat MUslmippI' Agricultural College. Tho farm of tho Mississippi Agricultural college not only iays expenses, but Is a source of revenue. What Is moro, tho land Is constantly improving. Tho farm was on old cotton plantation that hod Ixson devoted to raising ono crop so long that it had bc como practically unproductive. Ily adopt ing a system of rotation, keepinglalry cows, and plowing under green crops, tho land hnj lwcomo very productive. Chicago Time A GOOD COLLECTOR, HOW DON M. DICKINSON MADE A FIRM COME TO TIME. A Oooil Story Told fj n Western Con- KrrsKtnuii Getting Ono Hundred Cent on ttt Dollar Out of n Hnd Cao ot ltnnkruptry round Out. A western congressman tells tho following ntxnit Mr. Don M. Dickinson, of Michigan, the postmaster general. "Yes, I know Dickinson, of Michigan, very well. I havo lxxn In somo railroad cases ith him. Ho is chain lightning. Dickinson has made tho bulk of his fortune in tho prac tice of one legnl sixx;ialty. Hois tho best collector of bad debts on tho fnce of tho earth. Oh, no; I don't menu small debts. This is tho way of it: In the Ilrst place, thero Used to Ixj a gixxl many peopio with a Imd habit of failing every few years. Thoy al ways on ed largo sums of money to eastern merchants nnd capitalists, and did not mean to tviy a cent if they could help it. To this class Dickinson was nnd is a mortal terror. Thero is no device thnt the swindling debtor can adopt that Dickinson can not see through, and ho is ns sharp on the trail as tho lxst Parisian detective. 1 he mnn who can pay and won't is tho fellow Dickinson likes to get hold of. About ten years ago to illustrate what 1 mean thero were three big failures in Detroit. One firm had tho sympathy of everybody, but tho others were uncertain customers. Tho two doubtful concerns each owed over $250,000 to Now York and Boston people. I.1KK A 11 A 1) CASK. "Among other creditors was a New Kngland shoo manufacturer for a largo sum. This tlrm quietly retained Dickinson as their counsel, and tho largest other creditor did tho same tiling. 'Don't let them know I uiii in tho case.' mild ho as ho left his clients. Ho went homo. Tho ngent of tho New Kuglaud tlrm camo out to seo tho broken merchant I nm talking about Ho was a Clcrmuu Jew generally good responsible people, but when they are tnckv, look outl Tho usual tales were told of customers who could not come to timo, and all that. It really lxkod like a bad case, and tho lloston sluxt concern wns about to accept a settlement nt twenty cents on tho dollar. 'Don't go it for day or two, said Dickinson. "Just how ho wns going to get tho money out of tho Ismolitish customer ho did not know, but lie wns sure there had been somo swindling. It happened that In his house hold thero hnd been an extremely pretty Irish girl living as a domestic for many years. Sho wns faithful, neat, ami unusually intelligent, and tho household was very much attached to her. About a year Ix-foro this she had married a very industrious young countryman of licr own, who was a thrifty young boss drnyumn. That evening after dinner Dickinson learned that Maggie's hus band had broken his leg a week or two lx fore. lie went nround to see tho man. 'How did it happen, Pete?' hu asked. 'Well, yo see, sir, 1 was on a bit of a job that but, sir, tho man told me, sir, that 1 must not toll.' " 'Nonsense; you can toll mo, can't you?' said Dickinson; 'and why not tell Mr. Dick inson, Peter?' said tho Irishman's pretty wifo. So it camo nlxmt that two weeks before, Into at night, Peter had been dray ing goods from tho rear end of a store. A heavy box had slipped aud broke his leg. HAW TltllOUQII IT, " 'lint why did you say you must not tell?' said the lawyer. 'I'm sure 1 don't know, sir; Hint's what Mr. Katzenynnimer told mo, sir,' answered tho man. " 'Kut.onyammer; so you aro working for him, ehf asked Dickinson. Ho soon gotoutof tho Irishman all ho knew. 'I see it now,' said ho to himself as ho went home. The noxt morning Mr. K. was rather surprised to receive a call from tho great lawyer. Ho hnd not scut for him, and was somewhat a little uneasy. 'I nm tho attorney for Messrs. Blank, of lloston,' ho lxgan, very politely. 'They havo a claim against you of $17,977.hO. What do you intend doing about it, Mr. lCatzenyniunicr?' " 'Vy, 1 haf fallt, you know, Mr. Dickin son; I don't know how much I can ay on do dollar.' " 'You must pay this in full, or I will send you to tho ixmitentinry in less than u month,' said Dickinson, sternly. 'You havo been running your goods out of your store nt night, and sending them to Chicago uuctiou houses to Imj sold for whatever thoy would bring in cash, and you havo llllod up your books with false entries.' " 'Fader Abraham I' screamed tho othor, as white as ho could become. "How tit you lint all dis oud?' " 'It doesn't matter how I know it all, and if you don't settlo now, today, I will havo you arrested beforo to-morrow night. Vou aro watched; you can't get nwnyjso don't try It,' und with that Dickinson left It Imp elled that lie had dropixjd on to whnt tho man had been doing. How ho guessed it lie doesn't know himself. About 2 o'clock tho man came around to seo what terms ho could make. 'None, sir, except 100 cents on the dollar,' was tho only reply. In three dny tho claim was puid in full." Missouri Ho- publican. An Underground rormt. An underground forest was recently dis covered iu the metal mountains of Saxony, These mountains uro covered witli forests of lines and firs, iu which . thero aro a large number of oixm spnees serving as pastures for tho cattlo kept on them during tho summer. Many of these forest pastures aro Inundated iu full and remain under water until the rummer following. Tho result of thoso pe riodical inundations is tho formation of deep layers of txjut, which supply tho region with vuluablo heating mnterial. Along a puss through that forest region a railroad is now building ImHwccii tho cities of Annaburg and Schwarzeiiberg. In ono of tho jxMit pastures the navvies havo just laid open tho stems oi a primeval forest iu an advanced stage of the process of jxjtrifaction, or enrbonizntion. Tho stems are all of the ilr family, from fifteen to thirty inches' circuinfcronco on tho average, and imbedded in peat somo fifteen to twenty feet under tho surfneo. No reliable estimate of the ago of tho forest has yet been pub lished. Chleugo News. An Uufortmiuto Habit Drown It has been reported to mo, Robin son, that you said I am a man of uusavory reputation. ltoblnson (surprised) Why, I nover said anything of tho kind, Brown, irown I got tho information straight ltoblnson Well, I assure you, llrown, tlial I nover intended to say such a thing, and 11 I did, I attribute it to my unfortunate habit of thinking aloud. New York Hun. Servants In Germany, Tho servant girl question is not so much ol a problem In Uormaiiy as It is iu this coun try. The very pretty custom prevails then of decorating household servants for long and satisfactory service, Ono "union" hat within twelvo years docorated 400 servants. Something of a similar nature is done in England. Cloveland Lcauor, . . . DAUGhTERS OF EVE. Sarah Orno Jowctt has como into a snnf littlo fortune by the recent death of nn uncla Mr. and Airs. Komero expect to cntertalr largely this winter at tho handsome new Mexican legation In Washington. Tho Into Mmo. Boucicuult's property It Paris Is estimated to Ixj worth $12,000,000. She left $2,000,000 for tho founding of a hos pitnl. Mrs. Frances Hodgson Burnett, who is in Florence, Italy, for tho winter, has received $S,000 for her story "Sara Cremo" from an Kuglish magazine. Dorothy Whitney, tho naval secretaryTi Uaby daughter, has attained tho ago of ten mouths and celebrated tho occasion by cut ting her tenth tooth. Mmo, Cnndelaria, of San Antonio, Tex., it living in extremo poverty nt tho ago of 100. Sho is tho solo adult survivor of tho fumout Fort Alamo massacre. Mrs. Cleveland has been doing n good deal of Christinas shopping of late. It is said that she has spent much time in examining sido saddles and fishing tackle, 'Irs. Scott Siddons, years ngo, being warned that she was losing her "stag ilguro," discarded corsets und grew more shnixdy from that day forward, so they suy. Sarah Bernhardt sent her photograph to Mrs. Bernnrd-Beere, tho English nctrcss, in scrilxvl whh tho words: "Tho Princess Fedora Bernhardt to Princess Fedora Ber uard." Graco Matthews, daughter of Justlco fetnn loy Matthews, will sik-ihI tho winter at Princeton, N. J., keeping house for her brother, who is preparing to enter tho Pres byterian ministry, Margaret W. lighten writes to Tho Swiss Cross that her favorite pet is a lovely littlo grass snake of u milky green color, which is so tamo and cute that sho was nccustomod to let if, roam around tho liouso nt will, until on opbldiophobic member of the family begaa to object PLAYS AND ACTORS. "Natural Gas" is a big success in San Fran cisco. Julia Marlowowill soon start out on a tou of tho principal cities. Clara Morris hns decided to ceaso playing: for throe weeks, Ix-ginning Dec. 19. It is reported thnt Geraldino Uhnerwill shortly ixxxmio Mrs. Sir Arthur Sullivan. Kato Forsyth, having returned east, will sail for Europe immediately after tho holi days. Lester Wallack lias rheumatism so badly that ho has given up tho idea ot starring this season. Helen Bnncroft intends to go abroad in tha- spring. Sho will rest for tho remainder ot tho season. Fanny Davenport will susixmd hor tour for four weeks beforo opening the now Broad way theatre, Now i ork, Feb. 27. with bar-- dou's "La Tosca" Dion Boucicault and Thoodoro Moss aro at loggerheads over a canceled dato of tho for mer at tho Star theatre, Now York city. Mr. Boucicault will reorganize his company and rcsumo tho read Jan. !t. Modjeska will go to Poland noxt season. Sho may net thero and in Germany and Russia. Sho will bo seen for ouo week in this city beforo her dciwrture, at tho Opera house, in March, in a ohakesxireau reper toire. Jennio Ycnmnns is a nntlvo of Sidney, N. S. W., nnd has liecn on tho stngo since in fancy. Four of her songs in "Our Jennta were written by herself. Uthers were writ ten for her by Edward Harrigan, Barnoy Kugan, Harry Pepper and Williani Sweat, num. M. Coquolln, tho famous French actor, is. It seems, as modest ns ho is great. Somo ono said to liim on an occasion when ho was as signed to a minor rolo in n play, that it must seem odd for him not to piny the leading1 I (art "But I huvo tho leading part," said ho. "How is that? Aro you not cast for tb character ?" "Certainly. That is th leading part Whatever part I tako la al ways tho leading part" STRAY BITS. A Hartford coin collector has n cent pice of tho United States coinage of 1790, which i considered to bo worth nearly $500. Tho Detroit Journal says thut thero arei men in Michigan so mean and despicable that "their souls would rattle nround in n flea's car like a iea iu a bass drum." A year ngo Miss Clara Mooro, of Cincin nati, went to visit friends in Los Angeles, Cul. Sho had a few hundred dollnrs with, her, which sho invested iu southern Califor nia lauds, and in tho boom that followed she sold out her prottrty at a net gain ot $12.r.I000. Ono of tho cheapest and best modes ot destroying Insects iu jxit plants is to invert the pot und dip tho plants for a fow seconds in wuter wurmed to 1U0 degs. A German paper, referring to this plan, says that tha azalea will stand 1!M degs. without injury. Usually heat tho water pretty well, and pour in cool until 1!30 degs. is reached. -One of the peculiarities of tho natives ot South Africa is their aversion to tho uso ot wuter for external purposes during dry weather, es-chilly when thoy aro in perspi ration. Thoy avoid bathing except during heavy rains, when they tako ud vantage of tho opiKjrtuntty for purposes of bodily clean liness. Their reasons for so doing are that Iroquoiit ablutions debilitate the system and render it incapable of withstanding tho local climate and that very frequently baths or I olio wed by malarial fever or cutaneous, eruptions over the Joints. FURS FOR WINTER. Fur trimmed costumes aro in favor. Muffs aro larger and badger is a favorite trimming fur. Black lynx Is a good fur to trim a long seal garment with. Silver fox is n lieautiful but very delicate fur. It is nlwnys costly. Tho long seal sacquo, 43 or 43 inches la length, nover goes out of fashion. Cross fox furs aro very becoming, th brown Imrs or crossings on tho yellow haring a line effect Tho new seal sacqucs and paletots ar beautifully curved iu tho back seam to fit over the bustlo. Tho prettiest fur border for n black plush, wrap trimmed with fhio cut jet is black, fox, but it is not cheap. Stoles aud boas of bear or wolverine far with niuITs to mutch, uro affected by young ladles who dms in English styles. Tho seal set of boa and muff is a very popu lar purchase for a Christmas gift, but a hat, turban, or bonnet ought always to bo nddtL Tho long seal wraps of this season are un usually elegant, csixx-Ially whon triiMBsd. as many are, with Hussion sable, uuptiMk! otter, or tho finest grades of lynx.