Small Blaze The quiet of Monmouth was disturbed Saturday evening by an alarm of fire, but the blaze was extinguished before any ap preciable damage was done. The tire occurred at Mr. Wat tei berjrer's home and was caused by upsetting a lamp that had been sitting upon a sewing ma chine. The lamp was broken and the oil took tire an laught into some window curtains and set some rugs on tire. The curtains were torn down and the blaze extinguished with out other damage than that of the curtains and rugs. A Surprise The following clipping was sent us from Corvallis and Mon mouth residents will remember Mrs. Ireland as Mrs. Ruth Murphy, a former resident of this city: "One of the most enjoyable affairs of the week was the "sur prise" given Mr. and Mrs. William Ireland, married a few weeks ago, at their home on Sixth street, Friday evening, De cember 12. The Loyal Women's class and the Brotherhood class of the Christian church, to which Mr. and Mrs. Ireland bek.ng, were the "surprisers. " They entered into the spirit of "Make me a child again, just for to night," and enjoyed a genuinely good time by indulging in a num ber of old time games, followed by a generous supply of refresh ments. Mr. and Mrs. Ireland vVre formerly of Monmouth, having grown up there together, and have spent most of their lives at that place. Corvallis friends extend congratulations and best wishes to Mr. and Mrs. Ireland, and wish them many happy years to crow n their years of usefulness. " Another Old Soldier Gone Lewis S. Fuller was born in McCanicsburg, Pennsylvania, the 23 of March, 1848, and died in the Soldiers Home at Roseburg, Oregon, at the age of 65 years, 6 months and 27 days. September 26, 1869, Mr. Fuller was married to Sei.ith Smith, who survives him, and the union was blessed with eleven children; 3 sons and 8 daughters. One son and 6 daughters proceeded him in death. Mr. Fuller and his fam ily came to Oregon in 1898, lo cating near Monmouth, and later on moving to the city. He had been an invalid for a number of years and some time last Spring his condition became much worse and he then decided to go to the Soldiers Home in Roseburg, where he remained until his death. He leaves to mourn his departure, a loving wife, two sons, two daughters, one grand daughter and a great number of friends and neighbors, but they mourn not as those who have no hope. Funeral services were held from the Evangelical church Tuesday morning at 10:30 o'clock. Interment in the K. P. cemetery. W. A. Gueffroy officiating. Java's Fire Island. . One of the greatest wonders of Java, "'the fire island.'" a larp lake if lioilmjr imikI. is nearly two miles in circumference, and in the center immense columns of oft. hot mud nriv he seen continually rising and falling, like great hlae.k timbers thrust forth and then suddenly withdrawn by a giant's hand. Re sides the phenomena 'if the col umns, there are two gigantic bub bles near the western edge, which fill up like Inure balloons and ex plode nn an average three times per minute. I AroimJ Snake I Con iWl A Stagecoach Story By CLARISSA MACKIE The slime climbed tlio steep menu tutu road, the liliu k horses straluinn apiiiist the heavy loud of passengers. "W lino-up!" shouted Ike Willlains ns lie i;ulded the Irani around a sharp corner where Jutted a Krent split ruck. "Arc there any snakes around here?" asked a timid passenger. Ike Williams turned a ruddy face toward the passengers, and as his Hivht hrown i'.vi's met those of a plump little woman in the corner he winked slimiil cautly. The plump little woman looked very severe ami turned her eyes away. "es. sir; this is called snake corner, mid it's a funny thing that every lime I reach this particular rock every stranger ttlioard wants to know If there are snakes hereahoiirs." "Well, are I here any snakes?" de manded the thin woman sharply. "There are snakes sometimes, ma'am Once I was coming up from Cherry Brook with a load of folks, and Just as we reached snake corner one of the wininien screamed and fainted, and the others all hollered to bent the band Of course I stopped and looked to see what was the matter." "What was it';" demanded the pas sengers breathlessly. "Trash!'' sniffed lebliv Itowne. "If was a "hole passcl of black snakes a-siinniii',' themselves on the hli; rock. "I was some mistered, because I knew, all my passengers being wim men, I'd lime fnoilee between the wini nien and the snakes and the bosses here, who ain't pot no use for reptiles. "I'm a ipih-k thinkc", and" Mr. Williams paused and cast a suspicious plance anions! Ids passengers. "1 tlioii' lit somebody luffed." he said ag gressively. No one made reply llebby Uowne was staring through the op"ii doorway, and the little dark man appeared to bo asleep. The other six passengers were hang ing breathlessly on the words of the stage driver. "!o on!" they cried Impatiently. "What did you do then?" "1 cot down from my seat and. tak ing my whip. I went up to the rock and laid It on to them snakes till there wasn't one to tie seen. Then I clumh hack to the stage and drove on "The wlnimen nil cried with Joy over getting rid of the snakes, and when we reached the fop of the hill this one we're climbing now -I happened to look back, and what do you suppose t see?" Ike paused dramatically. "What did you see?" they asked In chorus. "Snakes!" said Ike. frownlnc at the recollection "About fifty hlacksnakes. assorted sizes, all liumpilii: themselves along the road, trying to catch up with me. I reckon they would have dumb up over the wheels and right into the stage if I hadn't done some iulck thinking. "I'm something of a render." pur sued Ike modestly, "and. beinir Inter ested in the critters. I'd read consider able about snakes. So I took my har monica out of my pocket and. petting out of the stupe. I went hack and plaved 'Yankee poodle' to them pur suing reptiles, and I'll be blamed If the hull lot didn't stand still like they was charmed, and then I played a inarch called 'The (('treat.' And you'll hardly believe me w hen I say that the hull regiment of blacksnakes' turned tall and humped themselves backdown the road "Whoa! Here you are! Willow House!" With the words Ike halted his homes with a flourish before the door of the little mountain Inn. With the single exception of Debby Bowne the occupants of the stage dis mounted at the Inn. While some of them were paying the driver, the foreigner leaned toward Hobby I'.owne. "Does he speak of a truth?" he In quired, nodding toward Ike Williams. Two red spots glowed In (lobby's cheeks. "The truth Is not In him!" she said emphatically. "Yon know lilm of a certainly, that he lies?" asked the man sharoly. "I was engaged to marrv him." said Debby with drv bitterness. "Whs?" repeated the man doubtfully. "Was." emphasized Debby. "until fifteen minutes ago." "Ah. with many thanks for the con fidence." smiled the stranger, bowing himself away with Ills heavy basket. .lust as the stage was about to re sume Its loonier with Miss IViwne as Its sole Iniict" that small person skip ped alertly down the steps and slam- miiptv vehicle, ride up to the " dcmniided Ilio I Ivliliv crisply. ii'.- with such "I'd 11 Iter Mot ,...(!.. . (I... V"" h . I of 'I'lCC Walk til! t 'llcr ;is yon i I s-tlll the 1 e stun '" !' I'l ' nil rcllll'lll ll t'i'io ,l (old IM.I.v tovne r lllnc sUt'N m-it'v from 't trtppCli MM'lV leaving Ip " sffirp nft'"" ''c" 'ii t'l she "s-iniionrcil l"'" HtK'tiinir t'.-IH Inn ! o. ih,.,. "I'U be blamed!" ejaculated Ik, shipping bis knee with one bin brow u hand "Well, what do you want?" ho prowled at the llltle lorelgner who was sending by the wheel looking up at him. Im p pardon, but I forgot to pay you for transportation and most enjoyable ride and agreeable story," said tho stranger politely. "Huh!" was Ike's reply. "And the little lady with the even of a dove, she has pone away?" asked the man. 'You mean Miss Debby Bowne?" grow led Ike ominously. The man nodded doubtfully. "The lady who suld she was engaged to you." "W as?" bristled Ike. "Is, you mean." "Beg pardon, but she said. 'Was en gaped till fifteen minutes ago.' Ah. monsieur Is most rude!" cried the stranger as he skipped back beyond rea. h of Ike's whip. "I.itt.e rat!" growled Ike, his face new sobered to grim anger as he turn ed the st,i ;c a out and returned down the mountain. When he passed snake coiner he smote the blin k horses so savagely that they ran all the way do'vn the mountain side, reipilrlug all of Mr Williams' strength and nerve to control them. Back In Whlppoorwlll lane Debby Hov ne was crying softly to herself over her ' token engagement to the bluff stage driver, and at Willow lull the Mule ioreigner uas preparing to eiili" lain the gnosis that evening with sundry i ooloriiig trl ks. The next afteni mm Ike Williams droe his Mage up t In mountain road. There was only one passenger Inside, and she w is strangely silent and unre sponsive. So ipilet was Debby Bowne that Ike began to believe that there was some truth In what the foreigner hnd hinted to him. Was his engagement to Debby a thing of the past? lie did not dare ask her for tear of the nswer. Debby Itowne worked In the post of. flee and rode home In the stage every afteruoi ii. It Is not surprising that she grew tired and annoyed at hearing li e's oft repeated snake stories, which, were calculated to Inspire strangers wllh dreadful fear. Only a short week ago she hail told Ike that If he ever repeated the black snake story in her hearing I heir en gagement would cease at once. Now he shot a glance from Ids merry brown eyes at the third linger of her left hand The garnet engagement ring was Kone. Their engagement was at an end. Now tuey were turning around snake, corner. ike was lost in gloomy meditation on the front scat when the olt horse shied violently. "Whoa!" si ted Ike. ami with a glance at snake risk he pulled tlu trembling horses to a standstill ami turned his head lo stare at the great fissured rock about which he had wm en so iiiany tales to scare the un wary traveler. ''oiled on the rock was mi Immense serpent, scaly and glistening, with Horrid head lifted and swaying gently to and fro, "Cood heavens!" breathed Ike through his set teeth. Debby leaned from a window and stared, terrilied. Then stepping Jauntily out of the mountain path, came the foreign pas senger of the ila before. He bowed politely to Ike. laid Ida hal against his heart when he saw , Debby and at the same. Instant ; glimpsed the snake oti the rock, j "Mon Dieu!" he squealed shrilly. ! "Kill It. monsieur!" j "Kill It yourself!" roared-Ike testily, I his muscled arm straining at the reins l as his horses plunged madly. "But has not monsieur a happy thought In this great emergency? It Is true these are not blacksiiakes. but"- he sh rugged Ids shoulders sug gestively. "'let out of the way!" shouted Ike angrily. "Berlin ps monsieur would play 'Yan kee Doodle' on his hnrmonlcon!" grin ned the amused lorelgner. "Thus could he soothe the frightened serpent, even as he did In the good story he related. A1'!" At that moment the black horses broke away and dragged the careening stage after them. Debby Bowne, white lipped and trembling, saw Ike Williams regain mastery of Ids team, turn them about and drive back to snake rock just in time tcTsee the foreign conjurer stuff ing the great serpent Into an odd look ing basket. "Ila! Monsieur Is the bruve run- mod tile door upon III "Ain't you culm! In lane HIi mo. IMiln '.' Ill lllslll.'IV. 'i todav." retime First Mational Bank Monmouth, Oregon Successor to Polk County Hank Paid Capital, . $30,000.00 Surplus & Undivided Profits, $13,000.00 J. li. V. IUrn.r.K, PivsitU-nt; Iua c. I'owki.L. Vico Pres. and Cashior; W. K. SMITH. Assistant Cashier. Transacts a General lUw.kliifs liusltwss DIRECTORS: 1. M SIMPSON, F. S. POWKU,. Wm. K 1 1 l K1,!, Sit., . 1!. V. llUTI.KK, IK A C. I'OWT.l,!,. i' a i h , the i lin: I- ifin Ii man iih he Ms iirch fastened the cover ; ot I lie tin-, e Hi. it coliial (he an ! clciit. halt Mapld ami entirely harm j less rcptl e hlch as one of the properties of bin performance. ; Ike Wbliaois piew redder and redder i as the I'leiichiiiaii di-appeared, and j Debby But ue sal silently wit hlii. wit ; ness of hi i 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 Dm 'laticliu- out o' Hi,, i in ner of Ids eye. he discerned Debby In the act of slip . plug the garnet ring back on Its ac , customed linger. j Yon coming over this evening. Ike?" j ; asked lb bin softlv. ' , "Ye- if von want me." he said ' I hoarsely. -tn course I want yon." said Debby Itotvne reiii v ! And I'ei.io hud pari of her reward i when i i 'v next time she rode In i the st. lire i ilmld passenger asked: j "Why do thev call this snake cor nor?" j "B i.-e i here ain't any snakes l here" -ei, Me I Ike. wllh il twinkle 111 Ids I'lr EKPLOffiEHT PROPOSITION Doccmbor 1. 1913. !To the I'M it or: Wo wish to ask ! ; your kind co operation in a move- j j me nt to connect our unemployed with a job. Tn fie are uiiduulit-1 eilly many residents of yotirj county who could use the servi- j ccs of a Rood hand this winter; and there-are many idle men in j P irtland and other cities in this state who would he glad to have a place. If you will ho kind enough to run this letter and attached in formation blank in a few issues 1 of your paper our plan will be called to the attention of those needing a hand. Any requests for labor made to our office will at once be taken up with those who are hunting for employment. Assuring you that your co operation will be greatly appre ciated, I am j Yours very truly, OSWALD WEST, Governor. OFFKK OF EMPLOYMENT. Name Address Nearest railroad station or steam bout landing.. Number of men or women needed Character of work offered Waes to be paid With or without board and lodKitiK How long services, if they prove satis factory, will likely be needed This blank to be filled out and mailed to the Governor's Office, Salem, Oregon, that it may be brought to the attention of those seeking employment. B. F. SWOPE, Attorney at Law and Notary Public. Home Phone: Oilicc, No. 1320, Resilience, No. 3712. Office in Cooper building, Independence, - Oregon Try Us For Job Work KvANoixii Ai. Cnrm'H W. A. GuKKi'itoY, Pastor. Moraine; service at II :tK o'clock Evening service at 7:.'i0 o'clock Sunday School at 10:iMi a. m. Y. I'. A. Mooting; at ti,:it) p. m. Prayer Meeting Wednesday evening. I'llHlSTIAN ClU'IU'li. II. V. JoNKH, Pastor. Morning Service at 1 1. 00 a. in Evening; Service at 7::!() p. m, Sunday School 10:00 a. m. Y. P. S. ('. E. Ii::i0 p. m. Prayer Mcctintf Wednesday H:00 p. m. HA1T1ST CIIUKCIL ti. A. Poi.t.AHD, Pa.htok Sunday School at 1u;(ki, a. m. Morning worship, 1 1 :(Hi a. m. Christian Union I'.ndeuvor, ti::i(l P. M, Evening worship, - 7:"U p. m. Prayermccting Wednesday, :.U P. M. Mail Departures and Arrivals Mail Arrives a Follows: 7:15 A. M., From Portland, Newbci(f and Corvallis train. H:f).ri A. M., Arrive from Salem and Portland. . 9:0) A. M From Airlie train 11 :15 A.M., ... . From Portland and Corvallis train. 1 1 :15 A. M., ...From Independence l:'J.r P. M., Frcm Hull is 2:W P. M., From Portland and Corvallis train. 2:10 P. M., ... From I'ldcpendence 5:35 P. M., Firm Airlie 7:H0 I'. M., From Portland, Newborn and Corvallis. ?::i() P. M., .. .From Independence Mail Dispatched as Follows: 6:35 A. M., To Salem (i:3.r) A. M., To Portland and ("orvallis. 7:15 A. M... To Airliu 8:55 A. M.i Portland and Corvtillis train. 8:55 A. M.,. To Independence 11:15 A. M To Dallas 1:25 P. M., To Portland and Corvallis train. 1:25 P. M To Independence 4:30 P. M., '. To Airlie 5:35 P. M., ... To Portland, Newburg and Corvallis. 7:15 P. M To Portland, Newberg and Corvallis. 7:15 P. M To Independence NOTICE OF FINAL SETTLEMENT Notice is hereby given that the under tiigned executor of the estate of Roena E. Meeker, deceased, has filed his final account in the County Court of the State of Oregon for Polk County, and that Monday the 29th day of December, 1913, at 10 A. M. thereof, at the Court room of said County Court in the City of Dallas, Oregon, has been appointed by said Court as the time and place for the hearing of objections to the said final account and the settlement thereof. Wii.lakd Miui Meeker, Executor of the estate of Hoena E. Meeker, deceased. B. F. Swope, Attorney, Dated and first published November 28th, 1913. 6t OVER 65 YEARS' EXPERIENCE Jrm Tradk Marks iw!li Designs fi f inn Copyrights Ac. Anyone flftnrllnff t nhh h mid rlnrtorlnMnn my quickly iiscerluln our opinion frue whether au Invmillon to prnrmhly pnunildhlo. (inimun1rn. tloimM.rlol.lr fionlldoniliil. HANDBOOK ont'ateuU out froe. Oldent fluency for seuriii pAtontn, I'ttt.enta taken tlironuti Muun & Co. reoel? tpecial notice, without o hit rye, lu the Scientific Jlr.teilcan. A handsomely llhintrntort wooklf. l.nriittnt olr cnliiLloii of any oioiitiilo toiirnul. Tarmi, 93 a yrmrt four nmntki, $L fluid by all TiewideAlem. WIUNN&Co.38""0"1""-New York Brauoh Offloa. ffitt F St WoBhlmnon, 11.0. t