EVERY YEAR.
IFEKL 'Us growing collier
Kvery yenr.
Auil my nonrt, nlnsl prows older
Kvery year.
I can win no ucw nIToctlou;
I have only recollection.
Deeper sorrow ntitl dejection
Every year.
Of the Iovcb anil Borrows blended
Kvery year.
Of the Joys of friendship ended
Every year.
Of the ties that still might hind mo
Until Time and Death resigned ma
My Infirmities remind me
Every year.
Ah! how sad to look before us
Every year.
When the clouds grow darker o'er us,
Kvery year.
A hen we see the blossoms faded,
That to bloom we might have aided,
And Immortal garlands braided,
Every year.
To the pnst go more dead faces
Every year.
As the loved leave vacant places
Every year.
.Everywhere the sad eyes meet us,
In the evening's dusk they greet us,
And to come to them entreat us
Every year.
Tea, the shores of life arc shifting
Every year.
And we are seaward drifting
Every year.
Old pleasures, clinging, frot us,
The living more forget us.
There are fewer to recret us
Every year.
But the truer life draws nlguor
Every yenr.
And Its morning star climbs hlghel
Every year.
Earth's hold on ns grows slighter,
And the heavy burden lighter
And the dawn Immortal brighter
Every year.
THEM
mm
, EPEATBD robberies of the stage
coach which made a weekly trip
"from Flagstaff to Pittmnn Valley,
Ari., finally aroused the ranchmen and
small storekeepers along the line to the
determination that something must be
done to put a stop to the holdups by the
desperate highwaymen. So bold had the
robbers become that not infrequently pas
ta anything of ft man," mused Agent Wll-
lard, ns he tenderly took the little one in
his arms and placed her In his owu com
fortable bed In the roar of the express
olllce. But he had other things to think
of, and after kissing the sleeping baby
hurried about his work of gettlug ready
for his trip.
In the morning he was up bright and
"all tiiesk in youu'x."
earlyv had little Helen tucked away snug
ly inside the conch, and was off for his
station, twenty-five miles distant, near
the Francisco range of mountains.
"Good luck to you, Wlllard," was
shouted after him by the ranchmen who
had gathered about to bid him success
in his search for the daring highwaymen.
Nothing out of the usual hnppened dur
ing the greater pnrt of his journey, and
he was fast beginning to think that his
trip would be made without Incident
when he neared the lonely spot nt which
almost all of the robberies had taken
place. Standing his Winchester by his
side and plncing his revolvers in his
lap, he slowed up and peered cautiously
on either side. Suddenly, as be turned
a bend in the narrow pass, n figure loom
ed up in the center of the road and shouted:
"Hands up!"
In an instant the agent' had caught up
his revolvers, but before he could pull
the trigger the highwayman fired, and
the plucky agent rolled from his seat n
desperately wounded man. Before ad
vancing a step the robber fired again,
killing one of the lead horses. lie then
deep snow except the hoofprints of fcn
elk or stag.
"Don't see how we can make n move
without a trail to work on," said the
sheriff. "Might ns well give It up."
But this did not suit Wesley Hawkins,
an old mountain trapper.
"These elk hoofprints are n mystery
to me," he snld. "I know positively that
there are no elk this high up In the moun
tains now and haven't been for golu' on
three year. They nre all In the vnlley
below, and for one I think we ought to
follow this trail."
"Mebbe you're right," snld the sheriff,
who set off on the elk trail, followed by
his posse. Two hours of quick walking
brought them to a cavernous-like open
ing, around which were seen Innumerable
human footprints. Cautiously they bent
to their hands nnd knees mid began to
crawl In at the mouth of the caveru. In a
few niouieuts they heard voices and came
to a small, stout door, which stood partly
ajar. The poorly furnished "room they
peered Into was ablaze with the light of
a huge log lire, nml seated in the middle
of the fioor was little Helen Grace Mor
ris gazing in rapt wonder nt the big
Christmas tree laden with articles which
the highwayman had nt various times se
cured in his forays on the express coach.
"All these things is your n. little one,"
tld the rough-vlsaged robber n tears
ole down his coarse, weather-beaten
.ace. "You are my Christmas present,
an' nil them things Is your'n. I've taken
many a chance for my life to get 'em, but
1 never will do It again for your sake,
for I've got sometbln' to live for, nu' I'll
raise you like a lndy."
The highwayman then knelt on the
ground lloor of the cavern and prayed
that he might be forgiven as he stroked
the golden curls of his little companioti,
on which his tears glistened like dew.
"Sh sh boys." said the sheriff as he
slowly backed out of the cavern. "Come
on, don't make n uohe; we ain't seen
him do nothin'. He'll never rob another
coach, for she's made a man of him, and
he got the best Christmas gift Santa
Clans ever had in his big storehouse.''
Agent Wlllard recovered and five years
ago came to Chicago and is the owner of
a small hay and feed store in Belden
avenue. Chicago Tribune.
Yulctldc Amenities.
Miss Antique My stocking was so full
they couldn t get anything more in it.
Miss Pert You poor thing! And was
that all you got V American Humorist,
Holiday Troubles.
"What do you intend to get your bus
band for a Christmas gift?
wwk :r auroral-? to. a ina ... ?, i'1,iw,iHJ,fl t a . mi 1 1 1 rn r-wvea' iin.r it i u iiiii i miu i n 1 n 1 111:1 11 1 1 1 1 tx 1 1 rzrue i.uai 11
in ,uie 1
scngers were shot down before? they had
even offered the slightest resistance.
Something must be done, aud.G. Frank
Wlllard, the agent at Flagstajff, finally
made up his mind to drive the coach on
Its next trip. He announced his Inten
tion to his assistant and told, the new
driver that he could lay off a trip.
"I will find out who are killing our pas
scngers anu robbing the company on
almost every trip," said Wlllard, the
night before his departure, to a group of
ranchmen who had come down the moun
tains to purchase trinkets and proven'
der for the Christmas days. Every ef
fort had been made to apprehend the
stage robbers without success. Not even
n trail In the deep snow could be discov
ered. Footprints of a man or men with
In a radius of twenty feet of the robbed
coach were all that was ever seen. They
could be traced nowhere. Only the sin
gle print of nn elk's hoof couldfbe found,
and elks, as a rule, do not rob stage
coaches. It was a mystery, but Agent
Willnrd was determined to unravel it.
When the Incoming coach from Vo!un
teer Springs got into Flagstaff to trans
for its freight to Willard's care it was
found that he had intrusted to him a
most precious burden wrapped snugly In
warm, soft blankets. Opening the bun
dle a pair of big blue eyes, shaded by
clusters of golden curls, gazed at him In
babyish wonder.
A note pinned to the blanket near the
throat of the little one stated that the
baby was named Helen Grace Morris and
that she was sent to her fnther at Pltt-
jnan Valley as n Ohrjstmas gift from her
(mother, who was too poor In health and
jpuree to make the trip.
1 "Xiu'jr a precious present If her father
quickly strode toHOTa'c hYW&
1 .. niMf. jilfitvrta iiikI 'm ' r
wounueu man, tntvhrm'utiaci"tne attit;
and began rifling the 'olUMalileri small
box, containing the money deUlned for
the i'ittmnn Val!ey office, was all that
was secured. As the robber backed out
of the coach his eye cangbt sight of the
little bundle of blankets on the seat.
Stooping down he pulled aside the cover
ing, and was startled by hearing a wee
little voice say:
"Is you my papa? I'm his Chrlstmus
glf ; mamma sent me."
"You bet I'm your papa, and I take you
as the most precious Christmas gift mor
tal man ever got."
Fondly clasping the cooing baby h his
big brawny arras, he leaped from the
coach, cut loose the dead horse and Its
living companion, and then lashed the
remalnlug pair Into a run in the direction
of Pittmnn Valley. A moment later, as
he stood In the middle of the pass, he
gave a shrill whistle, and from a clump
or pine trees on the side of the road
emerged a tall and powerful elk. Without
hesitation the stately animal moved
quickly to the side of the robber, who
hastily tied on Its back the box of money.
and then, still hugging the precious bun
dle, he leaped on the elk's back and was
soon lost to sight In the valley below.
The clattering of the maddened coach
horses as they dashed Into the little town
of Plttman aroused Its citizens, who soon
learned from tho wounded agent, who
had recovered consciousness, what hap
pened. A posse was at once formed, and
with the sheriff in the lend set out for
the scene of the robbery and attempted
murder. Arriving there they were non
plused at falling to find any trail la the ,
portlert's.rrdfawt
cago Itecord.
!rihind whether to
dinner sot, new
ng room clock." Chi-
' Discovered.
"Papa," said little Pctie, "does Krlss
Kringle bring little boys toys ahead of
Christmas?"
,'.'0' my son" P""1 fo father.
"Why do you ask?"
"I was a wonderln' what them new
toys was I found away back In the loft
behind tho trunks."
Puzzle.
Find the stocking that Willie hung up.
Discouraging,
Mr. Fanglo (to Johnny Cumso) Well.
Johnny, nre you praying for many Christ
mas presents this year? Johnny No. I
ain't. I didn't get half what I prayed for
last year, Puck.
HERE'S A BRAND-NEW STATE.
Itcpubltc of tho Acre, tho Latent Gov
criiient In Houth America.
Probably tlioro nre not nmuy pcoplo
who lmvo hounl of tho republic of tho
Aero. It Ih n lirniul-uuw Htnto which
bus nrlseu hi South America. In tho hist
few wcvlcfi. It owes Its origin to the
fact that it large part of the Interior of
South America la a iio-iiiaii'H.laud, some
parts claimed by two and oven three of
tho republics, which havo no clearly
defined limits.
A ceituln UodKgurz Aries Impp lud
iilotignml determined to take advantage
of this state of affairs. He was an ad
venturer who bud seen- much of the
world, having been successively a bank
employo In Spain, a theatrical malinger
In tho United States, a clerk of works
In Paris, and a broker In the Argentine
Itcpuulle. While In Buenos Ayres ho
made the aeiiuiilntauco of tho gentle
men who are now his Ministers of
state.
Rodriguez Aries proclaimed n vast
territory bordering on Brazil and
Bolivia ns the Republic of the Acre, ho
culled from the river of that name, a
tributary of the Amazon, which Hows
through It. The territory has an extent
of some UOO.OUO square miles and an
estimated population of 50,000. It was
claimed by both Brazil and Bolivia, but
that did not matter to Rodriguez Aries.
He established his capital nt a small
village called Antliiiitirl, unpointed his
Ministers, and was ready for business.
He calculates on raising revenue from
a royalty on the rubber gathered In his
territory, which depends principally
on tliut staple for Its commerce.
Rodriguez Aries Is an intelligent,
wideawake man. nppniently about 50
years of age. Ills face Is of a decided
Spanish cast, with kindly looking eyes,
which beam on you through n pair of
gold-rimmed spectacles. From his np
pearance one might take blm for n pro
fessional man a lawyer or a doctor.
Whether the new Republic of Acre
will take a permanent place among tho
family of nations remains to be seen.
It mny be noted that there are prosper
ous states in existence today which
have arizen In the same manner ns the
Republic of Acre, among these may bo ,
mentioned the Transvaal and the Or
ange Free State In South Africa, which
were also established by adventurers
In a uo-inan's-hind, nnd are now of
sufficient Importance to mnkc no small
noise In the world.
The region of the Acre Is one of the
hottest uud most hi a thf ul In South
America. It Is also one of the richest
In rubber, which grows wild In tho
woods In great abundance, anil thoso powor , tllL, go,,,,,,,, nmj Tv'c
DERVISH POWER BROKa
ICmuIIhIi Arm (lulu a Dl.d
lliupli In tho 8oii;Jn,i. .
mo uoieat or the Dervish fi
tiio Houdnn and tho kllllmr
I .1 iri...im . ... "
iciiuor, iviiuuia ADiiuiiah, will tS
no tnu urst intimation that Ore
aln Is simultaneously waging tv
In Africa. The war In tho Sou
gun over tnreo years ago, whoj
Kitciicner led a strong Anglo u,
rorco down 1110 Nile to Khnrloul
unidunnuii in September, 1
round tho Dervishes In foreo
tacked them. Tho Araba foug
Hie fanatical fury that has ov
actorizod them and In solid mas
vanced to the inuzzolH of the
artillery and nulck-llrlng pieces.
siaugnior was tcrrllic. Over 10,
them perished on the Held of hntl
the remnant under the Khalifa!
good their retreat. Hlnco th
Dervishes have been reorganize
the struggle that they knew
follow and the British, too, in
ureiy wny niniio necessary prl
tlons. I, lues of railroad were ex
bridges built and a government
ized In the region so long terroi-1
the Khalifa and his predei-iHs
Ma lull.
The battlo in which the Kbnll
Ished was fought Nov. '!!, near!
a town south of Khartoum. Th
lull advance was led by (leu.
Wlngate. commanding the Anglo:
tlnn forces. The Dervishes fough!
bornly and were mowed duy
masses by the machine gout
Khalifa, with many of bis len.le
with his face to the enemy an
those of the Dervishes that rei;
surrendered.
This effectually breaks the 1)1
K II A I.I y A AIlDt'I.I.Air.
engaged In the rubber trade can gen
orally calculate on making their for
tiinesin fouror live years If theyesenpo
the malarial fevers and other d sen-ei
which dog the steps of he white man
In these lntltudes.
The territory of the Acre, or 11 portion
of It, was granted not long ago to an
American syndicate by the government
of Bolivia, which had a very doubtful
title to It. The syndicate was to build
a railway nnd make other Improve
ments, but the project never came to
anything, owing partly to the disputed
ownership of the hind, which led to
litigation, nnd finally resulted In the
proclamation of Independence nireuily
referred to.
SMALL BOY IS A DRAYMEN.
1'otinKCnt TcnniHtcr In ChlcnKO Horning
Money by Hln KutcrprlHC.
Chicago has perhaps the youngest
drayman In the United States. If not In
the world. He is little Jimmy 'fully,
the son of J. J. Tully. a plumber living
at 5121 Dearborn street, and he Is a
trifle more thnn 8 years old. Aliout a
year ago little "Jimmy" conceived the
Idea of earning a little spending money
In some other way than by selling news
papers, said to his father:
"Papa, I want you to make me n
dray; just like the ones men have, and
JAMRS TUr.I.V.
will take some money I have saved
nnd buy me a 'burro,' nnd then I can
do draylng."
Mr. Tully set to work nnd during the
odd hours last winter constructed a
wagon for Jimmy. Then the boy bought
hla "burro" nnd was ready for business.
A license was secured and a few
months ngo he hauled his first load.
which was an eighth of n cord of wood.
Since then Jimmy has. done all sorts
of work with his miniature truck, from
hauling a trunk to taking a bundle of
laundry to "Ah Sin's." He hitches and
unhitches without any assistance, and
has started a bank account with money'
earned by his "dray." Chicago News,
Public Money to Hun Pawnshops.
In Germany the capital for carrying
on tho pawnshops by the 'municipal
authorities Is derived either from tlie
city treasury or tho city Havings bank
which is usually operated In connection
with the shops. Tho articles offered In
pawn aro valued by sworn appraisers.
Success shows off a ninn's good quali
ties and tho luck of It his defects.
civilization the loug-lost prov
Hgypt.
The Khalifa was the successor
false prophet, the Mahdl, who, 1
overthrew the Egyptian power 11
Soudan. He was the chief lleuti
of the Mahdl who took part I
storming of Khartoum, when C
Oordon fell. After the Mahdl's
the Khalifa Abdullah succeeded
Abdullah was .1 man without 1
It was he who gave the order o
ciuarter" nt the storming of Kha
and who subsequently authorize
wholesale massacre of women an
dren. Without any reason but his
whim ho caused the death 0
sands of people. He was as lie
ns ho was cruel, and his passln
distinct gain to the future of cl
tlon In northern Africa.
Angli'ic Tor Ano'ior,
There nre many extraordinary
of calnltiL' a livelihood priutlceul
New York, but the queerest of all
occupation of dingglng for losi an
At least six sloops and scnoone
engaged almost exclusively I
trade, and the anch r lui iters i
fumll.'nr with the ground w h re a:
are likely to be found In the bay
livers along the coast, and even
open sea, as the fisherman Is wl
......(,. I........ nf Ht(. llfiMf 111
nuts of the sen.
The method puisued In fish
. . . I.. A ..I. Mill
.1 ... I nil,, ...i.tiltr 1 10
ulomr the bottom, and the vesse
Hoard eagerly inert ior a
the "bite" generally results in a
tt. - - 1 n.w.l.lKU fl O 11
. v ik n twtllllrl
KII1I1 II l: 11 111 11 L J tk V
cents is now uiu ,iuviui r
that Is Just one cent under tlie 1
nrliw. fnn now anchors. A big 1
.in wi.ii.li fi OOO or (1.000 pounds
the anchor fisherman nitiBoi a
in-oflt on his haul of from ?-'" '
nut more oiten mo nm."
w..le-lis from 1.000 to 2,000 p
Kvci tlioloss. thero Is said to be
profit In the business, even in urn
m im il "Knur Hlmev.
... a 1 t tniiim U II
Windsor Castle. In accordance
niwiinnr niiMiiiin. u inv o - - -
...i.w ii a Hit
. ,-...1.. i,wi On a
Kumlnv nil olUCUr imu ui
L'lUHU Ul HJU owi -
prise, demanded the line.
cj. ,,nn nrn collSKiereu "
ncA Hinv nro considerate enu
keep their oplnlons to ui--
i. k. n in una u
v nn r n l in i v iiiii w --
A 1. V V W w
oyea.