r?
V
ivi
I?
V
FOREIGN GOSSIP.
Brazil graduated hor first fcmalo
physician a short time ago.
Austria now has 880 metcorolglcnl
stations, no less than nino being in
Vienna alono.
Tho jewelry trade in Birmingham,
England, affords occupation to over
fourteen thousand people.
Immense numbers of stoats and
weasels arc Imported into Now Zon
land, in order that they may destroy
the rabbits which are a pest in that
country.
It is sd that tho shores of Franco
are einlcinlit tho rato of seven foot a
century, and that in about twenty cent
uries tho French capital will becomo
entirely submerged.
The minister of mines in Victoria,
Australia, Mr. Gillies, has calculated
that Australian gold to tho valuo of
2,710,613 was mined last year, at an
expenso of 2,38o,GS0. Tho profit in
pA)ld mining is as small as tho profit
in other things.
' Tho English farmers havo turned
'against tho sparrows as a pest to agri
culture, and nro offering rewards for
their destruction. It is asserted that
these vicious birds causo a loss to agri
cultural England of more than forty
million dollars por year.
Tho managers of tho Shofileld (En
gland) free library havo adopted, in
the interest of the public health, the
plan of fumigating their books, after
they havo been out, for fifteen minutes
with carbolic acid at a temperature of
150 to 200 dog.
Regulations havo been established
in the colTco districts in Guatemala by
which farmers aro required to build
furnaces on their lauds, and, whenever
a signal is given to indicate tho dan
ger of frost, to light in them fires of
tu pitch or othor substance likely to
ifnake a great smoko and keop away
tho frost.
J Voni flm Vnntn Fnhptntn tn T?nmn
tho river-bed has yiolded a grout
quantity of tcrra-cotta busts, many
of which havo openings and show
within rude representations of tho
lungs, hoart, otc. They aro consid
ered dedicatory gifts In thanks for a
roturn to health, perhaps once placed
in atemplo of Apollo.
The Germans recently attompted a
"minor mobilization" oxporimont near
Motz. Tho railroad station-master re
ceived at ono o'clock an order to pro
paro coffee for 2,800 men at four
o'clock, and a dinner for tho samo
number at G:30. At ono o'clock 2,800
men came In, had their coffee, and took
tho train for another station, and at
0:30 the noxt 2,800 promptly appeared,
dined and went to tho noxt station,
where thoy had coffeo, aud both
parties roturncd to thoir quartors tho
f next morning. Tho attempt was high
ly successful.
The Empress Eugenie has expend
ed 100,000 on tho mausoleum at Fain
borough, Kent, England. Tho building
is constructed of Bath and Portland
atone, in tho French Renaissance stylo,
nnd It Is surmounted by a bronze
cupola, which is a conspicuous object
for miles around. Tho altar, a highly
ornate pioeo of work, is of Ciun
marble, and tho flooring is of red and
white Corsican marble. Thcro is a
white marblo altar in the crypt whore
tho fcvo oollhis are dopositod, above
which is a largo silver crucifix.
AMERICAN POTTERY.
Why It la Inferior to thn Doultung, Dres
den it lid (.olii'llu.
For somo renson which can not bo
satisfactorily explained, Amorlcan art
pottery does not possess that peculiar
mark of perfection which mako certain
brands of imported ware valuable. In
tho matter of chinawaro for use, tho
difference in tho decoration can not bo
discerned by tho ordinary observer, for
mind you we have somo very fino
decorated ware In this country; but to
tho knowing man tho defects of
American pottery is easily distin
guished. Factories in tho East have
imported clay and artisans from
Europe, and yot tho famous Doulton,
Derby, Gobelin and other ware could
not bo counterfeited so ns to deceive
tho educated. It can only bo said that
it was a lack of skill which mado tho
experiment a failure This has given
tho Dresden and other imported wares
thoir high values, for if something
inimltablo can bo mado it will natur
ally command a promlum. How
ovor, Amorican pottery is coming
to tho front in special lines where
theror Is originality. Tho great
defect Is and lias always been
in tho polishing or veneering, which is
eo porfect and (lawless in imported
goods. Amorican polish usually has
Haws and slight cracks in tho surfaco
which detracts from tho decoration
and displays its origin to tho connois
seur. You may not havo known what
it was whon you noticed it. Tako a
plat;, for instance, of Amorican make
nnd ceo if thoro aro not little breaks or
cracks on tho surface. This shows
that tho makers havo not mastered tho
art of polishing tho pottery. Hut per
flation in this art of decoration is only
noqulred after several generations of
W illful experiment, for no groat lot
tery hit mado its fame in a day or a
year. The oldest hold the most per
fect trMilu buorols. The mint skillful
ilooontUira In the world art tho Jap.
itneM) and Cliltttwrfj, with wlmiit thf art
hn Ihkiu uwidwl down from tftmerw
llu ( " mliuii for mtnturU. Him
ovi'i , l llto m& ai ttlix n Amrto W
MiiuU'tf ' UI ' "!"; l"' H
will uv lU U i i i' i II-
l)i)uil"!. I ! immI U'l lilt. a
J.m. 1 I.lt liul MIKl H1) I . , . . 1 1X1
J,, ..! ' ' V'Ulf
NEW YORK'S RODENTS.
How and Where the CountloM Million of
Gotham's Hats Live.
"Manhattan Island," said a native
who is an infallible authority on all
things, in Now (and old) York, "is in
habited by 100,000,000 creatures, most
ly rats." Rat baiting contests aro of
frcquont occurronco in all Eastern
cities. Harry Jennings, tho colobrnted
rat catcher and dog fancier of this
city, says that the Now York rat is tho
largest and strongest of tho spoclos
nnd tho best fighter. Ho snys that ho
could select fifty rats out of tho collars
Which ho visits dally that would givo
tho best dog in tho world a hard fight.
Ho thinks that the Scotch torrior is tho
best rat dog. Tho black and tan is
fully us quick but not so strong. Tho
Dachshund, a short-legged, ungainly
creature, is stronger than oithor nnd
slower. Their" strong jaws end tho
lifo of tho rat so easily that it robs tho
sport of its interest. Tho genuine
Gotham rodent has still a fow retiring
habits, and prefers secret haunts, llko
a hormlt, but ho certainly believes in
fearless publicity. You moot moro
rats in tho open streets of Now York
than you will find in London, or even
in Paris or Amsterdam, tho paradiso
of tho race.
Tho miles of rlversldo accommoda
tion in nnd around New York afford
luxurious board and lodging for our
nimblo fellow-cltlzons. Between tho
rock and soil, and tho plor piles tho rat
colony llourlsh and kcop up tho popu
lation. They intermarry just liko
other natives, and tho infusion of
foreign blood has helped to develop
tho raro Intellectual qualities of tho
Empire City rat. Each river and
canal boat that goes up tho country
in spring carries a fow adventurers
from Now York to brighten up tho rus
tics inWayback County. Each foreign
ship that anchors in tho North river
debarks a band of sturdy immigrants
from European ports, which, in turn,
aro supplied from the interior. Tho
Hanoverian rat is of noble, somo say of
royal lineage, and has had oven a
lion's share in populating our freo and
open country. Tho rat Is by choice a
vegetarian. Ho is not a teetotaler, or
at least ho insists on oxporimonts bo
foro ho decides. Watch near ono of
tho bonded stores whoro wines and
liquors aro landed. Soar around tho
malting houses In broworles and you
will see a sleek-coated, bright-oyed
tippler sally forth, reckless of danger,
as full as a keg and as happy as a
President. Ho shoots ahead for a fow
paces, stops dead, and lifts up his noso
to sniff tho breezo. Then you will seo
his sides swell out round, as if ho was
bursting with jollity. All of a sudden
ho careens over to tho loft, nnd only
after a severe mental effort does ho
squaro himself up for anothor trot
homewards. N. Y. Mail and Express.
.
HABITS OF OSTRICHES.
Glimpse of tho Orrut lllrds Kept In Cali
fornia for Their rimniiKu.
It is too bad to say any thing against
theso magnificent creatures, but thoir
big oyes and grinning look roveal an
ugly disposition. Thoy will strike with
thoir feet and tramplo whonover thoy
havo a chance. Contrary to my ex
pectations tho ostriches aro vory clean
in nppearanco, and tho feathers in their
natural stato aro beautiful and rich.
Thoy aro not packed down close to tho
body, but vory loose, so that tho wind
blows through thorn, fanning tho body
Und keeping it cool. This shows more
than any thing olso that thoy belong to
aliot climato. Tho chicks aro plucked
at soven months of ago and tho largo
birds every six months'.
Tho head, which Is wonderfully
small compared to tho great slzo of tho
body, Is very queer, consisting of hard
ly any thing oxcopt two big oyes and a
wide, deep bill, splitting tho head back
to tho neck. Tho top of tho head is
flat and of ton sunken; thore absolutely
seems to bo no room for brains. Aa
authority has placed the slzo of tho
brain to bo in proportion only of 1 to
1,600, while tho englo's Is 1 to 100 and
tho parrot's as 1 to 45. Notwithstand
ing thoir brainless heads thoy show
an intelligence that overthrows all
laws of phrenology. When hatching
thoir young they carefully break tho
thick shells of tho eggs, and show tho
greatest tondcrness and affection for
tho chicks.
Although viciously disposed thoy beg
for food most wlnnlngly. First thoy
toss thoir wings about, as if to drive
off flies. Thoy open thoir mouths and
follow you along tho fence, reaching
out their long necks. If you wait a
little to test thoir importunity thoy
will sit down and ralso thoir wings,
sway thoir bodies, and pound thoir
heads from side to side. Now reward
ono by throwing him a big orange and
ho will quickly gulp it down wholo.
While it is retained in tho neck, slowly
working down, ho will stretch his
mouth with another, and so on until
you can seo four or flvo bunches where
tho oranges nro working down his
neck at tho tnino time. Thoy drink
water in tho samo gulping mannor,
seizing it in big mouthfuls liko a solid
substance. Their chief food is alfalfa,
gl7on all tho yoar round, with corn
occasionally, in tho proportion of a
pound to each large bird. This grass
is cut frosh aud chopped with a re
volving knlfo. A bushel basketful
dally answers for two birds. It Is also
tho prinuljial food uod in Australia
and A friutt, but known undur a dllfur
unt imiro-vU., luoorn, wliloh WelMtur
fftvM m th only proper imnitt fur ll In
UiU oouwtry THU herb of th olovw,
i. w lv in lit UhIVmI tiiftitM, frwwa
tihj rtwia. mi4. being ffre) nil tllu
yul , lli uatrli In, b) foodtlltf ujHtll It.
Iltilx mm 1 tig ly. l.iMI'f C'wfl
SAMUEL OF POSEN.
Ion- the TlretcM Jewelry Peddler Disposei
of Ills Wares.
"Lot mo show you zomo" nizo collar
mttonz, sir," and a bristol-board card
vas thrust beforo tho eyes of a man
f ho sat in a restaurant sipping cafe au
lit. Tho speaker was a young man
vith a Hebraic cast of countenance nnd
ocullnr pronunciation of tho letter s.
fpon tho card in pink ink was tho cut
f a horseshoo, within tho circle of
vhlch was that of a dog. Tho words
'Let mo give you pointer" surrounded
ho horseshoo, on which, fastened at
egular intervals, wore a row of "snap"
ollar-buttons of "rolled gold," de
igned to provont tho bnnd of tho
iccktte from slipping up over tho col
ar. Ho plankod down upon tho tnblo
is ho spoko a trunk-shaped valise llko
i doctor's medicino chost, canvas cov
red. and with plate corners.
Tho man addressed said ho didn't
vant any, but the vendor opened h is
aliso and proceeded to exhibit othor
leslgns of collar buttons, only to ro-
ert back with a word of commenda
ion to tho "taking" card in his hand,
md then giving his wholo attention
o point out tho merits of his button.
The ono with a lover ho sold for fif tcon
ents, "a reduction from twenty cents,"
md tho other with tho snap for twon-y-llvo
cents. His victim asserted that
10 had no uso for any, but only to ro
oivo tho Information that his tie at
hat moment had crawled to tho upper
dgo of his collar. Investigation
iroved tho truth thereof, and a twonty
ivo cent button was disposed of on tho
pot.
"Hero Iz n blaln ivory; diz Iz of
')no, dat of celluloid, aud diz of
srockory," holding up to vlow tho
stock as ho spoko. "Horo iz zomo
nizo scarv pins," holding out a malteso
toss of red plush forming a back
ground nnd cushion for an array of
,)lns stuck In tho edge of a disk of
oluo silk In tho center of tho cross,
"only thlrty-flvo zents each."
A tray that llttod Into tho vallso con
tained an assortment of cuff buttons of
jfold, sholl, celluloid and pearl; "sop
rablo" and "lovor" sloovo buttons,
besides cuff links of various shapes.
hllo thoso woro bolng looked at tho
.ondor produced from his Inner coat
pocket a roll of white tissue papor.
"Diz lot of beautiful plnz nro worth 50
zents each," said he, softly, as ho ox
posed a half dozen bright shafted pins
with sparkling "Alaska" diamonds or
metal-coiled sorpentino heads.
"Can you read dat papor?" and ho
dipped a pair of oye-glasses ovor tho
ioso of tho person addressed, who
isked: "Who will buy such glasses
from one who is not a regular optl
iinn." ")h, I sell lotz to do young men whon
loy go to do ball or do party. It makez
lorn look dignified, llko do profozzor or
io dootairo. Seo dat nowzboy dare
io looks llko an ordlnalro nowzboy
md now ho lookz liko zomobody olz,"
ind ho clapped a pair of glasses upon
iho greasy noso of an opon-mouthod,
ankopt urchin, with a bundlo of news
oapors under his arm, staring in
speechless wonder at tho wares spread
jut before him.
"My ouztomorz aro do clorggz in do
storzo aud do oillzoz. I must work
jni'ly and late," ho continued, "and
svhen I zell onough I can mako a living.
I zupport a wife and two children.
Hero Iz zomothing which ovory zlnglo
aian zhood hafe. It cost but fifteon
3ontz, and a button can bo zown on zo
krowzorz In oggzactleo von zeckund."
And ho pulled forth a small squaro pa
per package which contalnod a dozen
juttons with sockets and a "neodlo,"
md Illustrated tho manner In which a
baoholor could "In von zeckund rivet
iomlzzlng button." Thou ho packed
up his mlnaturo trunk, and, touching
Ills hat, quickly withdrew. Detroit
Free Press.
ABOUT BORROWING.
An Evil l'ractlco Which Don Not Deserve
tint Least lOtiCDuruuitinont.
I read this inscription In a wagon
shop tho other day: "I neither bor
row nor lend tools." I don't know
whothor borrower and louder Is most
to bo pltiod. Tho man who lends runs
tho risk of losing tools, or having them
injured, or of wanting thorn during thoir
absence. But ho may get them back '
all right, especially If reputed to bo
cross and crabbed enough to resent an
Injury. But tho man who borrows
makes a certain loss of time, aud in
greater or less degree of self-respect,
and ho makes himself liable to lend in
return things moro valuable than ho
borrows. In Arkansas I staid ovor
night with a man who keeps a good
assortment of tools. In tho morning u
neighbor rode up and said: "There is
your augor; I was very busy and didn't
bring it back as soon as I meant to."
When tho borrower was gono I asked
how far ho lived from thoro, "A milo
and a quarter," was tho reply. In
borrowing nnd returning tho auger ho
had traveled flvo miles; it was an inch
augor, worth about sovonty-fivo cents.
Tho habltof borrowing naturally leads
to slackness in returning; good-natured
lenders often suffer borious inconven
ience. Every householder ought to
kuep au ahsortment of tools, farmers
iiltu a full assortment, and they ought
u be taught in youth how to uo thuin.
laws, augurs, bits, ohUuU, plnnuw,
hrtm or four uaoh, moakuy-wiunoh,
ImwMhaVtt, vluo, uta, iMight to b
wnxl by uvury rtmr. 'Hiuu h una
iuikv wi.l iiimiiI many Mux lu Ium
Hli.i'UuW lltl WIIUIll MMd tflHliUtf th
Mirk 4imm Hi Uio hup. If ln U lvl
tMMlt4 Um will Hi u4 liHMM IHttktf 1
, ii'l iiiaii) ixtutt'iiittUtM for lltw
..n.iiy HMi isi'i ' tl.iiitf la ii m i4tr
' A ) '"Milt.
BAR HARBOR.
A Wild, Weird Tale of Love
and Adventure.
B-ST AUOS LEE.
Published dt Special Akkaxqemext wi-rn
tuk Airrnon.
.Copyrtgktti, 1S7. by O. H. Dillingham Alt
Sight i Itfttnud.
' laughing heartily, they could not have,
told why, both dashed away, two inngulll
cent specimens of womanhood, noblo
hearted girls, fearless, frank and true.
Tho nil-observant Fairfax had noted, cau
Uou9ly, ono other fact that tho stouo
by which Natalie had mounted lay directly
against tho huge trunk of an enormous
willow-tree.
Oxford wis now nil eagerness to return
to the village Immediately.
"Walt," said Fairfax, putting out his
hand to restrain him and looking steadily in
the direction whence tho girls hud first ap
peared. They waitedperhaps ten minutes Fair
fax silent and thoughtful, revolving somo
schemo or other In his brain, but observant
all tho time: Dick, too, quiot, but chiefly
A" carriage was heard approaching. It
contulnt'd tho lovurs, Catharine nnd Dimltrl,
who seemed more oblivious than over to tho
surrounding world. Thoro horse was,
clearly, tho only one of tho party who had
his wits about, him. Being n sagacious and
dwdle beast, with a vision of oats In tho dis
Uflm, ho was directing himself homoward
with energetic steps.
After they had passed out of sight, Fair
fax then motioned to his friend to follow
him. Going over to tho stone from which
Natalie hud mounted, tho pair sat down.
"As I told you," began Fairfax, "I leave
to-night for Havre, or for Farls, via St.
Slalo; and I want you to leavo to-morrow
night at tho samo hour both of us ostensi
bly not to return. You will tell landlord
Biiudrny that you nro goingto Paris-understand?
I shall inform him, that I am going
to tako a steamer to America, to-morrow.
I want to crcato n.Jrm impression that we
havo gone cleared out, vamosed the
ranch, and nro hundreds of miles away
from this place.
" Now," continued ho, "ns to your occu
pation whllo here, my boy; first of all, let
mo rotall to you several important items of
interest, 1 havo noticed that twico already
tho Prineess has censci sketching just be
foro sunset; that tho wants follow nt
somo distance behind; iut sho dismounts,
waters that black charger and mounts froir
this stone on which we nro now sitting, nm
that your friend, Lydla, has boon with her
butonco."
" Now," said ho, speaking slowly to Im
press his llstenor, "my boy, I must nsk you
to tako observations in my place, to-morrow.
If thoy all ngrco with mine, I shall tako It
for granted that thoy indicate a regular oo
curronco of what I havo just told you. Sforo
ospoclaliy do you hear, friend I nm I anx
ious to learn whether Lydla will bo with hor
again. I must olllvcly lcaru that. You
got these points?
" I do," said Richard.
" Now, am that vnlet of yours keep a so
cret?" " Tho rack wouldn't oxtract it from him,
If ho makes up his mind to do so."
"Will ho falter; or havo any qualms of
conscience about tnlring part in a hazardous
schemo?"
"Ho'lljlo whatovcr I toll him."
"Very well, I want his nsslstnnco, too, in
this matter. I want you both to pack up;
say farewell; go to St, Malo; buy your
tlekots to V iris being exceedingly cautious
to keop in tho background, and, on no ac
count, mako known your names -send nil
your baggago through to that city; but get
off both of you nt Dot. I will nrrivo a few
moments later. "Wo will then hold u con
sultation together. Do you get tho Idea?"
"I do," replied tho nttentlvo and vory
much puzzled Oxford.
"Will you uet accordingly?"
"I will."
"Very well, t,hen, lot's join hnnds on It,
Meauwhllo I must ask you to wait longer
boforo I admit you to my secret."
"I see uud acquicseo," meekly said Dick.
Upon which they got into tho buggy and
silently drovo homo to tho Inn, each ono
occupied with his own peculiar thoughts.
CHAITEK VIII.
IV THIS KAII.S ME, KVKIIY THINO ELSE FAILS,
TOO I
At half-past nlno Fairfax was off and
away, having first taken Dick aside and
made that now completely docile, but mysti
lied individual, recite in ordor his various
duties for tho morrow. Oxford did this with
so much prociBion us to win commendation
from his f riond, who added :
"Now, whatovcr olso you may do, my boy,
I want you to make it ttMlncttu undtntood
that you havo gono away to Paris, to return
no more, forever' thl year, at least. You
observed how marked I was In my ndiwus to
all, giving out that I was going buck to
Amorica immediately I"
At midnight ho was in St. Malo, whoro ho
found awaiting him a tolegrum from Nob
bitt himself.
"Message only just received. Seo you
to-morrow on board 'Morun,' Havre, 10 a.m."
Fairfux smiled, and remarked:
II Pni.alttnf often BUCCCCds WhorO KClllUB
fails." , , , ,
At tho hour named ho stood on tho deck
of tho "Mornn," as h lay at anchor oft
Havre. Nebbitt, looktug us If ho hud just
stepped from a bandbox, cumo forwurd,
and with his prompt, clear-cut sentences,
begun tho conversation :
"Oood morning, l'uirfox. Luckily for
you.a moro whim of mine brought mo back,
and, had I followed it out entirely.I should
now have been in Southampton. I should
nover havo waited for any othor man but
you. Iobsorvo you're in a hurry; I'm ut
your service. What can I do for you I"
"Yes, I am In liasto. I want to seo you
privutoly" ,
"Lot us go Into tho tabln.then,' said Neb
bitt, leading the way Intoun elcgunt suloou,
whoro ho motioned Fairfax to a scat.
"Well, Mr. Nebbitt, it's Just this," said
Fairfax, and plunged directly In nuilt f ret,
Nebbitt listened with constantly Increas
ing wonder nnd attention.
Whon tho nurratlvo was closed with tho
concise remark: "That's tho wholo thing In
a nut-shull," ho burst forth with tho excla
mation: , . .
"Moet extraordinary thing I ever hoard
of in my life! Mako a sensation greater
than would tho uusluatUm of tho Ozur
or Vlcturw! Hut how did it nuccood, my
dtrnr fallow I" , .
" Huoi'tttxl I HuruM)dd wall that no ono
un Had tla aUgUUMki rfu"
"UumUll HjlUmdl'H 1 oun warcoly bo
lvt it I HuW a pluuky thing wwW
UHV - "
"Mian I Wtat did y m 01 Itf
JtK kt 1 MUd, uiwi J 0u 0MMI4M-It M "
j, ,. . . ttutftii Ut Mjr yw uu
pUMky! Ui'Mny ' '" I MmKh
l,u i. IIm U.Mi1 tltltttf I ' tH'lf.
I I h i.4b Im"I '
, . , . . . t J t ' '
(llW,i,. l i.kKr ii u ivui W"-
came you to know any thing about Itl It J
looks "
"Stop, ngaln, Mr. Nebbitt, l'vo been lying
to you. Nothing of tho kind has hap
pencil." Nebbltt's countenanco changed In an In
ftant, and his eyo had a dangerous gleam
Iu IU Hut ho wnlted quietly to learn tho
noxt movo of this enigmatic youth.
"It has no been dono yet, but by Hcavonsl
UAiH bol " Here Fairfax arose to hla
utmost height, his eye Hashing firo, his
nostrils itlluted aud his fist clenched
"And to-morrow, too I" At tho last words,
ho brought down his hand with such
violeneo upon tho tnblo that tho elegant
Nebbitt unconscious' started.
With a sarcastic smilo nnd a sneer curling
his Hp, ho sat silently regarding tho antics
of his hnlr-bralned visitor.
" Now," continued tho infatuated young
man, " I want you to help me. Without
you, it can not bo dono. With your help,
not only can it bo dono, but It will bo a
brilliant success. You yourself, a moment
since, averred that you considered It tho
mastor-stroke of tho ago."
" My dear follow, thoro is n vast differ
ence botweon n thing dono nnd a thing un
done You nro not in your snno mind, now,
boy. Do you know whut would bo tho con
sequence of fulluro in such un undertak
ing? It would kick up a deuce of a row;
and Imagine my own predicament besides."
Fairfax saw that ho had made a mistake,
and that his task, as far as tho intluoncing
of Nebbitt was concorncd, was much
grcutcr than ho had antieiputed. Ho had
no linpressiblo Dick to denl with. Ho must
talk with this man Intelligently, unenthusi
astically; renson with hint nnd present his
plans iii an open, logical maimer, stating
tho facts as thoy nppeured to him, and not
withholding tho chnncco of fniluro.
Coolly lighting a cigarette nnd leaning
lazily back, ho began In n slow, measured,
colorless tone to set forth tho cuso exactly
as it was. Cold-blooded facts woro what
his llstenor desired.
Fairfax gave him theso, nnd having, In
this way, thrown Nebbitt a little off his
guard, began yet without appearing so to
do to appeal to tho element of daro-dovil-try
and dash that ho knew was latent in
that man's nature Little by little ho
worked on tho latter, until, by nnd by, hia
now thoroughly-intcrestod nuditor slapped
his thigh with his hand, ejaculating:
"What a sensation it would crcato. Qndl
tho very originality and during of tho plat
ulmost tempts mo to try it."
Fairfax said nothing, but snt sUoutlj
smoking. Ho perceived ho had gained hi!
point,
Nebbitt roso and began pacing tho salooi
door in deep thought, every now and thci
emitting uu explosive laugh.
At last ho suddenly turned, camo toward!
Fairfax, put his bunds on tho lattorl
shouldors, nnd looked him straight lu th
eyo.
Whnt ho saw thoro Boomed to bo tha
cause of un limnodlnto decision on his part,
aud woll it might. That llrmly-closod
mouth nnd dauntless oyo, in which cnutlon
and daring were oquully conspicuous, be
tokened unswerving porsistonco.
"Fuirfux," suld Nebbitt "it shall bodonol
Your plan is excellent Exocuto It In ovory
detail us you gnvo it to me and success Is
cert Un. Omit out, aad tho chances of fnil
uro will outweigh thoso of success. As to
your two 'heavy villains,' you may sot your
mind at rest ubout them. I havo In my
crow two mon exnetly suited to tho require
ments of tho deed. Both uudorstand, and
ono iluently speaks, French. You cun rely
upon their rigid and feurloss execution of
any command you may seo fit to lay upon
them; and should any unexpected emer
gency urise, their judgment seldom fulls to
direct tliem nrlglit. 1 Know thoni from past
yenrs," said Nebbitt, with a faint smilo.
"As to your equipment and nil of that fol-
do-rol, givo my steward a list of what you
want, and ho will go to Paris and attend to
nil of that business. As to tho othor matter
of which you speak, Mr. Porto himself is
now In Purls. 1 cun, no doubt, securo you
his Uar Harbor cottngo for tho autumn,
You surely won't want It for a lonfjor
period?" said no, with a curious smilo.
"Wulta moment," ho continued, dlsnp
pouring for n short tlmo, nnd roturnlng
with two seumon, suurp, shrewd, daring'
lookinir follows,
"Mr. Fairfux, thoso nro Jack Longshoro
nnd Duvy Jones. My men, you aro to go
G3t- A-
"TIIE8B AltE JACK I.OSOSH01U3 ANU DAVIT
JONES."
with this gentleman nnd bo under his orders
ns long ns ho needs you. lie's got a vory
ticklish job for you nnd wants your pret-
tlest work. Uudorstand, no liquor, now."
" Ayol Aye! sir," returned both men, de
lighted ut the proa'icci oi something novel
and exciting,
" Now, nwuy with you both to pack your
Kriii-sacks."
A moment later appeared tho steward, to
whom Nebbitt also gavo tho sumo Instruc
tions.
Twenty minutes afterward tho entire par
ty of a1 venturers wus on board tho fust ox
iircxs to Purls.
Tho steward was so successful In execut
ing his commissions that in tho evening ho
was lujnln on bourd tho "Numovnu," which,
nt ten o'clock, hud weighed anchor nnd was
rapidly steaming out Into the chuunol.
Meanwhile Fuirfux and his two mot
found their limited tlmo burely sunlclont foi
fulnlllng tho many errands Ini'WBcd ujmn
each. Hut the trio arrived at tho station
just in season to board tho curs for Del,
with tho comfortable fooling thut ovory
thing hud been dono uu pluuiieu.
CHAPTrSU IX.
WVTIIIK AT TUK I IOOII,
Arrived at Dol, Fuirfux found Dick nnd
hUvHlflt In waiting 'i'liu party, divided
In tliwo NuttliMU, having upparMitly no
MMUMH-Uctt niu Willi Un oilier, Huunturml
kluwly down Dm iuikI, lowunl u rtMiduvou
uunvuttknU y m luuul.
ilkiutrd vtm xUvu lulrrojfuUl u to the
rtMUll Ut 10 tttVMtllirtkllUUM
"WU. Ui WwtftM wuh," m1 llwt tin) nnd
iMiuy ytMtb, ilr-uUtK kMHlf up lw lib)
ImlidMMm'ly iiruuuru .ml (Mid jfUVtU
tud Hkuviud, "l.ain lUt-lv M4i(4 , MUil
lUl; !. rnt III ill itjriutf llltt llitti U-
a All'- .. )'iil.& i i. lltw lii itMMl
lb-'ivtw A4' IMttt?i " Hmlmv
uuu yon btream, l u nn..moaj mo,
tho Icoberg's beginning a llttlo to thaw."
"Stop," said his listener, decisively, "tnts
Is no tlmo for nonsense. Hclato tho ovcnU
not your bcllofs."
Well, myTioy, sho loft at half-past six.
Darby und Joan, othcrwiso Dlmitri and
Catherine, lagged behind. Your friend
ngaln watered Medjl ut tho pool, nnd re
mounted from tho self same stone. I,ydia
kept her horso nnd, beforo thoy rodo off, X
hciird her promiso to como ngaln to-mor
row."
" Hm-m-m I" said Fairfax, rcfloctlvely,
"that young lady can easily bo disposed of.
I boHovo you chanced tho other day to men
tion tho fact that Lady Ulanche, now la
Purls, U hor mint, did you not I"
" Yes," roplled Dick, wondoringly.
Fuirfux took from hl3 vest pocket a tclo-
grnphic blank, on which was written tho
simple word, "Send. F."
" Now, my ruir ciiarmor, jiiss iiyuia,
think wo havo you out of tho way."
" Hocer," continued ho, calling tho vaiot.
"deliver this nt tho tolegraph oltlco, and
then hire a horso and buggy ut somo livery
stable Ho sure nnd securo a strong horso
nnd a buggy with a rubber apron for wot
weathor."
In ncrhnns half nn hour tho sound of ap
proaching wheels was honrd, nnd Kogcr
quickly unnounced himself. Finding tha
vehtclo suited for tho servlco which ho do
Blred to Imposo upon It, Fairfax callod tha
threo men together, saying:
"Go to somo inn for the night At eigne
o'clock to-morrow morning tako tho dii-
yrnce that leaves hore, und pnsscs X. cross
road only n snort iiisinnco irom ouruesu
nntlon. Hoger, you know tho way from
thoro to tho village nnd tho point boyond
whoro you went with Mr. Oxford yesterday
near where tho brook crosses tho road at
the pool. You uudorstand?"
"1 do sir," said liogor, Knowingly.
"Verv woll, then, you nil uudorstand. Put
all your bundles In tho carriugo und go off
for a good sleep."
Tho threo servants woro quickly cn thoir
way to tho vlllago, Hogor proving himsolt
perfectly tnvulnornblo when bombardod-
wlth questions uy mo two excueu anu curi
ous seamen.
Dick nnd Fairfax, mcanwlillo, woro on
their way to tho vlllngo of Y, thirty miles
distant At half-past three o'clock In tha
morning they were uppronchlng tho well
known town, nnd tho cast was boglnnlugto
show faint signs of light.
FalrJax urired to a rapid paeo tno horso
that quicklv carried them through tho slum
bering place. Ho made a briof pauso at tho
lim of Landlord naudrny. xnoyurovo iu
reetly toward tho appointed rendezvous near
tho fateful pool and led tho horso into tho)
midst of a neighboring grovo, whoro It was
quite evident no ono would struy, othorwls
than by tho merest ucctuouu
Turning to Dick, Fab-fax heaved a sigh,
with tho after remark:
"My friend, all is complete xtry Ottng.
Only tho Intervention of lleavon, now, can
dofent my plans."
Thon, for tho llrst time, Oxford's curi
osity as to tho schemes of hia friend wera
satisfied.
He had mado up his mind, whntovor might
bo their chnrncter, not to botray tho slight
est emotion on lenrning thorn ; nnd to do him
justice, outwardly ho ovlncod no sign of tha
dismay thut overwhelmed him as ho listened
to tho outrageous project of his mad f riond.
Although his heart Bank within him, hi
mado no remark at first Fairfax watched
him keenly, to observo tho effect of his own
words.
Finally, with n gravity whollj unwonted
and an impressive sorlousness, n.. tho mora
effective because unusual, Oxford turnod to
Fuirfux, and said :
" I promised to bo with you in whatever
you undertook. I will keep my word if you
Insist upon it It is not too luto,oven yot,fo
you to forego this unfortunate nffulr. I, my
self, think It unnecessary, oxtromoly Im
pructlcablo and dangerous, and, frankly,
lillotlo as woll as wicked."
Not a lino moved iu his henror's Impasslvt
countenance
That extraordinary individual hnd consid
ered tho cntiro matter in all its actual aud
possible relations and contingouclcs; had
becomo oxclted to un unnatural and ox
tromoly uurcusonublo pitch of mind, and
wns resolved thut nothing should dotor hlta
from his undortnklng.
Although somowhut startled at tho Bound
ndvlco and solemn words of tho hitherto
HghHicnrtod HIchard, und realizing, for
moment, tho folly of his prospective dood
und tho long list of misfortunes nnd ovil
that might follow in its train, ho Immediate
ly steeled himsolf nguinst tho weakness ot
tho moment, uud wus once moro the man ot
unswerving purposo und Iron will.
"This man, Dick, must bo won again. 1
nm fust losing my hold upon him and must
regain it und mako it stronger. No half
hearted work will sunico nt this lato date,'
wus his silent self-reasoulug.
Beginning In thut plauslhlo, seductive and
Irresistibly attractive mannor of his, ho
gradually ovorcumu Dick's conscientious:
scruples; dulled his cominon-sonso,appoalcd
to his udventurous spirit, and thus begun to
urouso his Hugging interest in tho matter.
Oxford, ioor follow I although roalizing.
thut his friend was about to embark upon a
vory crazy and cowardly enterprise, was
yot unublo to roslst tho extraordinary Influ
ence which this h trun go mun wielded ovor
him, and, step by stop, yiolded to tho mighty
will of tho latter; until, onco moro, Fairfax
had a most zeulous udvocato In HIchard.
About noon, with a lazy gnpo, Fuirfaxra
murked :
" Lot us go out and watch for those,
'heavy villains.' Thoy must bo near ut
hund."
Thore noon appeared threo strnngo men,
carolessly sauntering down tho road. Bo
completely hud thoy disguised thorn
solves that tho two wutchors woro uncer
tain ua to their Idontity. However, aa they
upprouched nearer, It wns not diflloult te
rocognlzo tho tones of each voice.
Tho urch-consplrator took tho two seamen
un Id o and enlightened them as to tho part
thoy were to play. Thoy appeared to ba
wlde-uwuke characters, cupablo of a hazard
ous feat of uuy kind. Thoy readily entered
Into tho spirit of tho occasion and consid
ered tho affair us a Jolly kind of a lark.
Mcunwhllo HIchard -who hud beon thor
oughly Instructed -In mysterious and melo
drama tie tones, wus Initiating his vulot Into
tho nature of tho duties which woro to full
upon him.
After somo tlmo spent In writing, Fairfax
examined tho vehicle aud found It in excel
lent condition. Tho hurnosv also Boomed
strong. Olio trace was a llttlo worn, uud,
with an extru tug, might givo wuy, A.
piece of stout cord quickly romodicd this
defect. Tho home upponrcd to havo entirely
recovered from hU long journey of tho
night boforo.
Uuo thing tho unxicus observer did not
llko. A Imuvy black irnnk of clouds wua
ruing In the Mouthwum it low, dilabiry
limn of vupor tlmtelnurlyliutokunod un u
proiuililug Nloriii. HUH, ho Umuuht It would
Miuitxily Intorfo'uwuh tho fultlllumiit nf W
uxpmHaUun mi 4 plan
He vhU 1 tni iwu nldo Io wuteh. II
I www tlirwt mm4 fuur, In nusv, uwuy In Ikn
iIMmiim, up Unt it Mrrlugu wiiiik.
IHg l UuMllllllMl llllHIU'l HImI (,UttMllll),'
l .. lWluU, III IMku pl VIMIUU!illfiirN
nibv. ssm iitJn i-viij nwi lw Ut lAvhind wm