Evening Star Newspaper, March 19, 1892, Page 7

THE EVENING STAR: WASHINGTON. D. C. SATURDAY. MARCH 19, 1892—SIXTEEN PAGES. THE PENDRAGONS, CHAPTER I. HAT DO YOU SUP- pose has happened now? By thunder! What do you suppose can have happened? Eh? By the mischief! Humph! What do you think?” It was thus that old John Pendragon snorted and raved when once we were within the seeurity of my pri- vate office. Ihad kept him waiting several minutes, and during the delay the accumulated Passions and other emotions of a day had been struggling for utterance. I shall never forget the picture he presented —a tall, broad- shouldered man. heavy and sturdy as an oak, florid complexion and half-gray hair; his shaven face set in hard, determined line been partly traced there by cha’ 1 Partly by close application to work for many Years; he sat with his hands gripping the army of the chair into which he had thrown himself and glared at me from under shaggy eyebrows. “Well, Penn, I said quiet! my old friend's explosiveness never bored ax thing that otber p le would com & se- Fions, “what is it” Has your cook struc! “Humph!” he snorted. “I should say not. Hang the cook! Won't vou take mo seriously? Listen: Jim wants to get married With thie the lawyer banged himself against the back of hie chair and looked at meas if he expected me to throw up my hands or faint or exclaim against fate, or something of the sort, and wher. I simply looked as sympathetic asIcoult and cautiously remarked, “Well be worked himself into 4 paroxysm of excit ment ‘WellY” he exclaimed. “It isnot at all well, sir! Confound it, do youunderstand me! Jim, Jim, I tell you! my boy Jim has set bis thun- dering mind on getting married. Now what do you think of that, eh? Good old Pendragon! How hard be made it for his friends at times! What could I say? Here was an episode in his career that appealed to him with infinite force, and to me it could ouly seem as a very natural, probably com- mendable, episode in the career of his son. What had I todo with it? The quesiion was irritating. and the impulse was strong to dis- miss the affair as one that concerned me not at all; but the long intimacy with Pendragon, the memory of his never-failing, never-faltering loyalty to his friends, happily restrained the impatient utterance that sprung to the edges of y lips. From his point of view he was in trouble; it was my part asa friend to counsel with him patientiy. and to the best of my abi Ididso. If I had not I should not now take the pleasure I do in relating the romance that came to pass: for, yielding to his imperions temper. I heard the facts of an interesting sit- tation and socame in the way of learning of subsequent events, although one or two links im the chain of circumstances were supplied at ‘a time long after the chief end of the story bad become kuown to everybody. % “So, my friend,” I said, smothering my im- i ‘it has come to that, hasit? Well. married once, you know. iod biexs the d claimed; “‘but, as you well know, it was not until kad fought my way unaided toa position in the world where my ability to support a family decently was unquestioned. I knew where I stood. Ihad money in the bank. I had good clients, you amon und your un- sympathetic topkno of was Jim's ag Twas grubbing away like sin ina country law Office. 1 was giad to be able to meet my board bill and wear store clothes, and if it hadn't been that you feliows in business are Lound to get into litigation I'd have been grubbing still, i gues. No matter, that's past and well done, too, if I can figure my bank balance correc It pleased the old man immensely that for a week after Jim had expressed a desire to be married the young man stuck diligently to his books, made out the routine papers and dis- essed minor cases with clients with as much industry as if romance were not postible to his nature. Not a word had been said about mat- Timeny, and things went on, therefore, as usual until one da : hours, otd alled young Jim into the Private office and said: ~-James”—it was always James when formal business was at hand and always Jim when the father was either xffectionate or irritated. “James, you have been now more than two years out of college and during that time you have done pretty well in this business, You might have done a heap sight better in college if your idiotic father hadn t given you so much money tospend. However. you got your sheep- skin and you know my rentimenis ou that mat- ter. You haven'tdone half badly here and I've made up my mind to promote you. Under- stand, James, you are at liberty to withdraw now and become anything you choose. Do you want to be an actor?” “No, governor,” replied Jim, “I can't act.” “I thouzht so when I saw your tomfoolery in the amateur performance last winter. Want to be a literary man, or an artist, or an amateur photographer?” “No, governor, Iwant to be a lawyer.” od on your head! I always believed someliow or other in your horse aense. Now, listen, James—this is the last place where the roads’ divide; there aint any more turns. ‘ou're likea nun who has served her novitiate. From this day you either remain in the world, rk in my olfice, if you hke, or you become alawyer. Yon choose to take the veil, eh? All night. Youarea lawyer. You've been ad- mitted to the bar. Now, I make you my part- ner, the first, and, God grant, the only one I shail ever associate with. Sit’ still, you young No thanks! You've earned your n't suppose, do you, that a're going to become an equal partner all at Not much. When your talent and ex- c g as much to the business as ‘ou share even, and not till then. Tl show you how youcan get on.” Thereupon old Pendragon went into an ex- planation of au elaborate plan whereby Jim, if he should prove xble and taithtul, would in- crease his annual income from a very modest beginning to an amount that would serve hand- somely for any reasonable man. Old John took while saying nothing of matrimony, to 's8 it upon Jim's mind that it would’ be WY years at the best before he could reason- ably think of taking a wife. And James Pen- dragon, son of his father, held his peace and bided his time, all the while determined to out- wit the old gentleman at the earliest opportu- nity. “And, by the way, Jim,” said old John when all the arrangements had been concluded, “iu your partial capacity of office manager I'sug- gest that vou improve the clerical force. 1 can't look after them in detail, but there certainly some careless people in our employ. ‘That typewriter, for instauce, made me spend a solid hour correcting er errors inthe tran- scription of a complaint the other day. ‘That's only an instance, mind, und if you can im- prove the service of the olfice go uhead and do i” Jim left the office that afternoon deeply im- pressed with the change in his relation to busi- ness and life in general. Far into the night lay awake thinking, giving a considerable sl of attention to the immediate needs of the Wa Street office and a good deal more to methods and schemes that might accelerate his own Progress and conduce to the desired develop- ment of the romance that glowed in bis Leart. All this made him unusually grave the next . ‘The energy with which he went about bis work wus not infrequently nullitied by a blank pause in which he found himself reflecting ly upon his individual affairs. After several recurrences of these pauses be decided that this would never do and he set him-eif resolutely to the affairs of the office. He would settle the matter of the careless typewriter at once and accordingly he summoned the young lady to him. He fully intended to give her a week's notice, but before she had reached is private room it occurred to him that he ought first to provide a competent successor aud then dis- miss the present incumbent with « week's e: thus instantly improving the service: and is thought was followed by another of such .tous importance that when the young cpened tue door he said with a fice that 1 smiles: “don't be uneasy on that account, I'm not wholly a bear and [hope to see you get on splendidly.” Mixs Jones winked back her threatened tears, and bending her head low over the keyboard proceeded to rattle off several letters with com- mendable rapidity, not infrequently pausing while Mr. Pendragon collected his ideas for a new fentence. When the task was done the old lawyer looked over the work, found it freefrom serious error, and was impelled to encourage Miss Jones by expressing his satisfaction; but he did not act on the impulse. Miss Jones had retired to the main office, and old John thought how unwise it would be for him to en- courage her when the permanency of her em- ployment really depended upon his son, “She'll probably go, like the rest of 'em,at the end of a week,” said old Jobn to himself, and after that he thought no more about the matter. CHAPT In. Another week began, however, and Miss Jones had not been dismissed. ‘The sngacious oilice boy eyed her sharply during the morning until she was summoned to “take” letters for young Pendragon. ‘Then he remarked to his confidant: “I was waitin’ all t'rough Sat'day fer Jim to send me up to de school to get a newgirl. But he forgot fe “Why, what's the matter with Jonesy!" in- quired the ambitious clerk. “Nothing that I know of,” replied the boy, ut wot ailed all de others, I'd like to know? Oh, Jonesy'li have to go, you hear ine talk!” Another week slipped ‘by, and, to the boy's unutterable astouishment, Miss Jones did not receive her dismissal. It worried him a good deal to see his reputation as a prophet endan- gered, but he admitted that it would give him great relief if he could but feel certain that he would not again have to face the young women &t the school. It occurred to tie setior part- ner, too, that an unusual period had elapsed since he had to familiarize himeeif with the appearance and methods of a new type- wri “Getting on well, Miss Jones?” he asked sud- denly one day during the third wees of her employment. she replied, looking up in “Well, don’t you know whether you are or not?” thundered old John. Jones smiled roguishly. She bad learned something about the harmlessness of Pen- dragon senior’s bark. “I think you should know more about that e first thing about i torted John sharply. “Can't you see that my Son runs this office so far as routine details go? He employed you and he’s got to be satisfied. T've no fault to find, not abit, and I don’t want toalarm you, Miss Jones, but my son Ji is—at—exceedingly particular. When yousuit him you can say you re doing well.” “dir. James has not found any fault with me yet, sir.” said Miss Jones, blushing like a rose and looking down at her hands. “Glad of it,” commented John, and forth- with they resumed work. Miss Jones had been w about a month whi days that carry ith the Pendragons n there came one of those irritability in the atmosphere. Everybody in the office, excepting possibly Miss Jones, was affected by it. it hap- pened, us ii ulways docs on such days, that there was a vast amount of important work on hand. the id clerk direc: his wrath at the office boy, young Pendragon spoke sharpl: to the ambitious under clerk, old Jolin storaied in and cut of bis room, thundering at every- body, and in the absence of the partners the clerks aad students complained to each other and growling was general. Miss Jones was silent through the sterm, copying away for dear lie upon along series of verbose docn- meuts that were Wanted in a hurry. Her lips were tightly set together, Ler pretty brows were coutr: in the intensity of her exer- tion and the keys rattled like a miniature spinning mull. Preseutly old John stamped out of his roon he demanged ot that answer ready?” roughly. Miss Jones’ cheek pal in the world could not 1 within an hour iater. ‘No, sir.” she responded in a low voice, keeping hard at her work. Hump!” growled the lawyer discontent- edly as he stamped back and slammed his door. The best operator ve fiuished the task And by Sam Hill. ain't I still grabbing for you? Tused to be glad to get a #5 retaining fee many’s the time I've undertaken a case with no fee at all—and now. if you ant Jobn Pendragon you're sure to come up with a check for $5,000. Haven't I earned iy right to command that kindof a fee? Lord Harry! I remember when a poor, unfortunate felio: nted to sue bis employer for $3, his Week's wages. He'd been helping dig a cellar \d the underpinning was on the spot ready to be putin. I just went to work and laid an at- tachment on the underpinning, by thunder, and got a settlement quicker'n seat! That's lawing for you, bab, hub!” and old Pendragon ‘went off into a tempest of laughter at the remi- niscence. It had done him good thus to recall his struggles and he was in a much better frame of mind to listen to reason than when he came in. After a moment he continued with « subdued earnestness that was almost pathet ‘Now, Jim, you see, is only twenty-four. I've iven lim a college education and done every- ing else I could to fit him properly for mak- ing the battle in better shape than I did. You muy say that I've got enough to provide tor him, but [teil you, old man, it wouldn't be fair to Jim, ignorant little chap. to set him up in the world without any idea of the value of a dollar, and that's saying nothing of Jim's chil- dren. Thunder and Mars, man, I haven't got enough to provice ail posterity with a comfort- able living, much as I'd like to. No. sir! my boy's got to learn to fight his own way, and that’s why I put him at the bottom of the lad- der in my own office. When I was his age I barred sentiment. I went to my attic room con- tent to know that! could pay a dollar a week for the rent of it, I shut that thing wecall heart against all snares, and kept it shut until ‘Iwas ready to consider something else besides struggle and money. I hoped Jim would do ‘the same, and he won't, What am I to do with bim?" = ‘It’s hard to say,” I responded: “I don't know the circumstances. Your son has always impressed me as a sterling fellow, level headed nd not prone to foolishness To be plain, whom doeshe want to marry?” That's just it,” said Pendragon; “I don't know her. I believe her name is Ingalls. From ‘what Jim says I judge ber to be one of these lain girls, you know, nice and orna- mental, but bound to break if you happen to Wook at "em accuientally. Her folks have got justenough m to enable them to poke their heads above the crowd, and no: enough todo any more. They've given the girl all the frills of high life; shes accomplished, she can play the piano, sing from the opera, paint Foses and make lace filigrees for the back of your chair. I presume she reads Browning, and she could probably parley vous with Frenchman; but put up « loaf of bread, wash 1 dishes. trundle babies round the block or do anything else useful’ I guess not! I wouldn't seriously mind, you know, if she was either im- mensely rich Or desperately poor. In either ease one generation would be provided for, aud better, in my estimation, under the later cir- curmstance. So my dear old friend rattled on, getting calmer every moment, seeming to find a grate- fal relief in unburdening himself to # listener; but no quiet suggestions, no plea in behait of Bis son's young life and its promise of happi- ness and success, would avail to shake the de- termination which he had sought rry office to clinch, to oppose by every material means at Méecommand this mhcrings of his son. “Idon't want to meet the girl.” he said. “I know enough. Jim may marry her and hustle for himself. If he'll wait patiently for atime be ean select for himself, and may mature judg- ment be the counsellor to his affections!” ‘There was really nothing to oppose to this. It was sensible, even kindly, and Jim would better take advantage of his father's genuinely affectionate interest in his welfare. 1 was old enough to see that the fancy of twent; might be but a passing shadow, better to pass away now than remain a life-long blight upon a career. That was the frame of mind im which old Pendragon left me, and yet, as I thought of Jim, a chip of the old block if ever there was ‘one, I dreaded to learn of the outcome of the difference between father and son. That oat- come I did learn and I will narrate it in the order of its occurrence rather than in the order im which the facts were brought to my| Bnowledge. CHAPTER IL For « full week after the conversation noted above John Pendragon and his son James con- tinued to meet daily im the lawyer's Wall street office and to perform their respective shares of the work arising from the old man’s Incra- tive practice. James was not a partner in the Dusiness. He held there actually the situation of a clerk, and according to his father’s theory he would have to taxe hix chance for advance- ment under the same conditions that wou. imposed upon the dozen or so other clerk: the office. But. as his friends well knew, John was by no means the stern Spartan to be: he fairly idolized his if he made any mistakes in briuging yp those errors should be laid to ity and not at all to parental | ;. Whatever Joha Pendragon throught Tlative to Sim Pendragun you might rest as- sured incentive was noble and affec- Sounte and ss vise as posable in view of the Pough-cut lewyer's disposition. i beg your pardon, Miss Hastings; I find I do not need you just’ now,” and Miss Hastings retired to resume ber novel, much pleased at the circumstance. All the rest of the day Jim worked furiously. but that he was half conscious is new thought was shown by the amused smilg that tlickered across bis face every few minutes. He left the office a little earlier than usual and | went to one of the several “schovis” of type- writing that tlourish in New York, institatious where young women learn to be operators and pay for their tuition out of tHe wages they receive for an unknown time after they have secured employment. Young Pendragon asked many questions about the cost of learning to use the machine, the time required to acquire proficiency and ‘the like, aud vetore he lett he sad made a provisional arrangement for a special pupil, who was to be favor manner of careful Progress might be as rapid as possibie. Then he went home with a Lounding hea: A half hour passed with various de of the mental stor: Miss Jones suddenty sto at the Cocument that st read the long, ¢ or lour as copyin involved sentence befo: ? hile of ihe case; then sb y read x certain 6 tiou in the eomp nd hex hands trembled that the leaves rattled. Could it be that either of the Vendragons had made’ an error? ‘That a word had been inserted that absolutely uullitied the mfent and effect of the agree: ment? What should she do? Was it her busi- Ness to question the correctness of her cm- ployer s iangunge? a day? tical sentence, took her resolution quick earried the document into John Pendragon's room. The oid lawyer looked up from his desk, where he was in a deep discussion with a client. “Got that ready?” he asked sharply 2. sir,” replied Miss Jones; und it seemed and that amused smile never lett his face. In the evening he went directly to a preten- tions-looking house up town. ‘The elaborate mgraving upon the doorplate reduced tu plain English type was TNGALLS. . Miss Ingalls was at home—Jim knew she would be—and between them there ensued an interview which proved to be of the utmost importance to the young man and without 'y might have been impossible. Just what the conversation was need not be ; in fact I could not repeat the phrases if I would; but it doesn’t matter, as the results are the only things that concern us. Jim exme down the late in the eyening, a smile still upon hi little more det and determined, perhaps, than before, but yet a suile, and his step was as firm and his pace as rapid as before. During the next several weeks there were as many different typewriters employed in the Pendragons’ office. None of them suceceded in suiting the captious fancy of the younger partner, but not one left hi ent be- fore he had secured an opportunity for her elsewhere. With each change there ensued brief communications between the mistress of the “school” and young Pendragon, a wonder- ful boy in the latter's oflice acting as the bearer of dispatehes. The frequency of these errands disturbed the sereaity of this boy's reflecti but he could make nothing out of then. “I don t see wot's got into Jim,” he confided to his next superior.s minorclerk whodreamed that some day he would read law; “all de girls up tode school an’ de woman wot runs it is gittin’ onter me. W'en dey sees me come in with a note from Jim dey grin an’ seems to be askin’ ‘who next?” It makes me blusb, it does, an’ [ don't like it. ‘The office boy was not the only one who ob- served and commented upon the frequent changes at the writing machine. “say, Jim,” exclaimed old John Pendragon bursting into his son's room one morning, “if this procession is going to keep up much | wish you'd catalogue ‘em or stick ta; or something of that kind so that I what to call"em. Why not number the girls, Jeh? Blessed if I didn't come near mistaking your latest for a client Young Pendragon leaned back in his chair just after the manner of his father when se- rious matters were under discussion and re- plied gravely: “It must be something of a nuisance, gov- ernor. I feel it myself and for that very reason [ am anxious to get a typewriter who can be de- pended on to stay, one who will be perfectly satisfactory. We'll hit it very soon, I think. I have « young lady in view whose services can be obtained before long, and I am pretty sure she will suit.” oe dou t know what's been the matter with all the others, but you have to see their work more | than I'do, so I s'pose you know. Meantime, | what's this one’s name?” *-Jones. | “Must pose? All right. I'l goand get | sequainted with Miss Jones, and as soon as we begin to understand each other and know each other by sight, we will make our bow to Miss | Smith and say good-bye to Miss Jones, eh?” Jim smiled, but made no reply, and bis father returned to bis own room. {he young lady in question was sitting patiently by his desk where he had left her, her fingers resting lightly on the keyboard of her machine. It was as if she re afraid of losing valuable time by any delay the movement of her hands. “Are you familiar with the terminology of law, Miss Jones?” inquired old Pendragon solemnly. Miss Jones almost gasped. It was her first interview with thie stern, big-voiced man, and e was questions Sonversation eith Jism, “Well, Miss Jones,” he exclaimed, cheerily, to her as if her voice came from somewhere on the other side of the world. “Well, winat is it?” fore sie could go on. “I am so afraid, Mr. Pendragon,” fluttered Mise Jones, “that thero is n° mistake ioe that ——" “Mistake ! Old John’s voice was a terrify ing roar. “Mistake!! good gracious, young woman, what do you mean? what do you know about law? what—what—here, let me see the thing,” ‘trembling from head to foot and utterly un- able to speak Miss Jones laid down the doen. ment and poiuted to the suspicious word. ‘The lawyer growled inarticulately as he studied the “Thunder and guns!” he exclaimed sud- denly; “who the—what—how—ngh!” and he seized a pencil and drew a heavy line through the fatal word. “Hurry up, now,” he added ns harshly as before, and Miss Jones withdrew, leaving him in a state of continual explosion, from which came strange remarks about Sam Hill, Lord Harry, thunder and other terrible things. When she resumed her work her. a tation was so great that she could hardly strike the keys, and thouzh that wore away after a few moments she could not make up her mind whether she lad done right or not in call: Mr. Pendragon’s attention to the error. The copying completed she took the documents to the old lawyer, who received them without a word, and at the close of that trying day Miss Jones was still in doubt concerning the wisdom of her course. Next day John summoned Jim into his pres- e “James,” said he with a hesitancy unusual with him, “howdo you like Miss Jones? I mean how does she get on?” James had with difficulty supprossed a start of surprise, but he answered gravely, “I find her a Very satisfactory operator.” “Ah!” continued Jobu, much relieved, “I'm glad to hear it. She's certainly a very extra ordinary young woman. and I hope we shall be able to keep her. She really performed a very valuable little service yesterday in detceting an error in our answer. So different from. tho operator. Most of ‘em work right on, i down letters with no more idea of the meaning than as if ‘twas Greek. And, I say, Jamer, I wouldn't havespoken of itsocarnestly, but I was in atantram ail day yesterday, aud I'm afraid Thurt her feelings.” Of course I shall tell her that I appreciate her cleverness, but I thought you might tell her that I'm no such a confounded curmudgeon as Tam.” Young Pendragon smiied, and replied that be would try to see that the young Indy should not be unduly disturbed, and as he left the room he nearly burst out laughing. He pre- served his gravity, however, and when he had reached his desk’ he pressed a button that brought the sapient oflice boy before him. sk Miss Jones to step in, please,” said Sim. A moment later Miss Jones’ entered, and after she had closed the door, this extraordinary dia- logue ensued: Young Pendragon—‘‘Lucy, the—” Miss Jones, (startled)—“Oh! ob! mustn't! Young Pendragon—“I know, but I couldn't help it this time. Keep your distance, but e governor is all cut up because he arshly to you yesterday. He's going to apologize, but he wants me to say that he "San Jonee—“Ob pologize! iiss Jones—“Ob, don’t let him a] What shall I to him?” een ee Fong matter. in't say anything. Now, Miss Jo: make three feat of this cor pining nee Old Jobn made bis amends to the iter, awkardly but honestly, and he was not a little surprised and embarrassed when Miss Jones stammered something and began to cry, “There, there!” he exclaimed, “you mustn't feel so aboutit. It'll happen again likelier than not, and next time you won't mind it. Con- found it. go and talk to my son about it.” command Miss Jones obeyed dutifully, but not immediately. She clattered away at her machine all day long. and the keys nd ing to verbiage seemed to be singing love sougs to her. No; sho attended strictls to busi- ness in the office and did not talk to Jim about til he called upon her during you sot no eyos? Bat it don’t amonnt to any- ee How do you know?" inquired the clerk,who had an ill-disgnised t for the wisdom and perception of his junior associate. ‘anse he's engaged to agirl named Ingalls. I used to take bokays of flowers to her from him every day he got paid off. Ain't had that Job for miore'n a month and I'm glad of it. Pr’aps they're. married now Jim's a partner. Now it so happened that the elder Pendragon overheard the office boy's last remarks and the result was a summons for Jim. “James,” he said, with awfal gravity, “you remember my views regarding your getting married?” “I do, sir,” replied Jim, with corresponding solemnity. “Weil?” cried the old man after a pause. I've nothing more to say on that subject just at present, governor,” said Jim, smiling, and that ended the conversation for the mo- ment. Old John was puzzled. irritated at his son's Teticence and veli-possession. “Is the young scamp trying to outwit me someway?” he thought. ‘Then he called the young man in again. “James,” he said, “are you married?” At this Jim laughed heartily. “On my word, governor,” he replied sober- ing, “I am not married. ‘All right, all right,” returned Jobn trying to conceal his relief under a show of temper, “ee that you don't make a foolof yourself.” CHAPTER Iv. Young men should be exceedingly discreet in conducting their love affairs, especially when there is astern parent in the way apd the ne- cessities of business keep all three parties in the same office. Matters had drifted along as usual for perhaps a week, when young Pen- dragon so far forgot discretion as to caress Miss Jones’ curly head gently as she sat at his side “taking” dictation, and as luck would have it, ol Pendragon entered the room just at thai moment. Whatever the senior partner came to say is unknown to the narrator; what he did say, ina tone as cold and level asa sheet of ice, was: “James, I want to see you a moment.” He shut the door softly and walked slowly to his own room. Jim and the typewriter looked blankly at each other » moment. Then Jim rose and said: “Come, Lacy; we must face the music, and 's just as weil now as later.” So they went together to old Pendragon’s Private office. The senior partner scowled angrily at Miss Jones. james,” he said, “asked to see you, not Jones. I was going to tell you to find a new typewriter at once. \ “I expected that that would be your com- mand, sir, and if you insist, I will discharge Mis hat, however, will make no difference in my relations to her. We are en- gaged to be married.” 'Wha—wha— Nonsense!” roared old John. Then, ina tone of exceeding bitterness: “So you've thought to trick your father, have you? Tried to get me interested in your sweethenrt. have you, by introducing her into my office, 60 that she might make # fool of me! Ob, Jim! I didn’t think you'd do that! “And I haven't done that,” said Jim. “I never had seen Miss Jones before she came to this office as an employ: The old lawyer's eyes bulged in astonished incredulity, “Isn't your name Ingalls?” he , ad sing the t; paweiiere eure ‘9, sir,” she replied, scared half to death. “What is it, thene” acy Jones, sir.” “The fact is, governor,” have an id dri i said Jim, “I did dea of gotting Miss Ingallsto learh the machine and come in here under an as- sumed name, but when I suggested it to le she scorned the idea of taking up euch menis eceupation for any purpose. herself brought about my disillusion in that di and we have not met since. You wer: Leaving that my fancy there was fol In this instance I know better, but [have intended to be rash. Lucy and I are not disposed to get married after an acquaintance of two months, but we do iove each other, and ir wre continue to we shall get married some “Please, Mr. Pendragon,” added Lucy. that gentleman could tind no words to” himself, “I am very sorry if T have offe you. didn’t mean to; help it!” Old John grunted. ‘an you make bread?” he demanded jeu. I—Jim—I just couldn't #, indeed,” answered Lucy. brighten- L'can do everything needful about a I was brought up to at home, where I did ail the work, and Ilearned the typewriter Just because —because I hadn't any home left to-do the work in. John grunted again, this time rather gentiy Incy had hidden her face against Jim's shoulder to conceal her tears, and Jim locked first tenderly at her and then with aq fastness at his father. hunderation!” roured the latter, after a what am I to do for an expert type- ‘ou're married?” replied Lucy, raising her head smiling through her tears, “you can have me if you want me! As long as Jim doesn t make very much money we intend to work right along here together, and I would want to work where he is always.’ Don't you see?" ‘There is surely no néed of detailing this scenc further. Of course old John Pendragon be- haved properly, and when the murringe took pluce there was ' not lacking a certain piece of paper with bis name at the bottom that testified beiter than anything else could how harmless was the old man’s bark and how true his heart. “i would never have supposed the governor Would be 4o liberal.” said Jim Pendragon to me when ho was relating his share in the incident that made up his romance. ——— e+ ____ A MARINE PARADOX. Great Ships Foundered by Gales Through Which Small Boats Live. From the St. Nicholas. Many of you have stood on the beach at the seaside and watched the seas rolling in heavy breakers after a storm, curling and crashing into volumes of foam and broken water, with such force as to send them sweeping up almost to your feet. It is through such waves that men who follow the sea must at times pass in reaching the shore; but not through one or twoon @ smooth, quick-shelving beach, but through thirty or forty, porhaps, covering a mile of treachorous shoals, and at places surg- ing between jagged reefs and huge boulders. With intense interest we read of dreadful shipwrecks almost every week. The survivors tell how the big ship labored and struggled through monster billows and shrieking wind, under black flying clouds and amid streaks of lightning. until, mastless anc less, she Iny exhausted in the trough of the sea, and passively received the crashing deluge of merciless waves until she sank. They tell how they, poor, puny human be- ings, clung to helm and pumps till the great ship's struggles were over and it became evi- dent that she could carry them no longer; then how they bastily threw cask of water and a few provisions into some remaining bout and at a favorable moment launched upon the angry waters in a craft so frail that it seemed if all om board were doomed to instant destruction. Here comes the strangest part of their nar- tative. Read all such accounts carefully and you will find that in nearly every case where uch a little boat is safely launched from an abandoned ship it floats and drifts for days and even weeks on tie open ocean, living through the dreadful tempest which wrecked the big ship, sailing buoyantly through calmer seas, and finally bringing the survivors within sight of other ships or lands. jagged help- ‘That Hat Again. He—“How happy I shall be sitting beside you. toni a Nears Ho—“Yos, so mach happier than if I sat be- bind you.” BICYCLES, OLD AND NEW. How They Have Improved Since The Days of the Velocipede. A WHEEL MADE Ix 1806 THAT COULD ONLY BE ‘USED IN RIDING DOWN HILL—IT WAS NOT UNTIL 1855 THAT MICHAUX CONCEIVED THE IDEA OF CRANKS AND PEDALS. From the New York Sun. (TRE BICYCLE HAD ITS ORIGIN IX Europe. In 1855 a carriage repairer of Paris, named Michaux, conceived the idea, and after sundry experiments he fitted rude cranks and pedals to the front wheel of a nobby horse, improvised the velocipede, and put - tion before the public. Shortly after } experiments. Pierre Lallement of Paris con- A RELIC oF 1806, coived the idea of a better equipment of pedals and cranks. This inventor, after numerous trials, was successful in attaching more pract:- cal cranks and pedals to the velocipede, and to him is given the credit of the invention of the bicycl His machine did not take well in England. In fact, until the Americans became interested, At received no attention whatever. Lalle- ment’s velocipe a much more finished article than Michaux's and, excepting the heavy wooden wheels and ponderous iron fit- tings, was similar in design, though ungeared, to the rear driving safety of today. Lalie- ment’s wheel first appeared in 1868. This was some eight years after Michaux's attempt to introduce his idea. Both worked inde- pendently upon their ideas and, although fol- lowing the same lines, were doing so uncon- scious of one another's work. allement came to America in 1864, but at that time did not succeed in inducing capital ists to push his invention, When he returned to England in 1866 Michaux had added a brake and several minor improvements to his away his meecaine all he has to do is to Barr— um." This joke was related in Mr. Witty's Presence. ‘These «arly machines retailed for €100 and $125. They were very cambersome affairs, Qniy a fow of ‘ope of Bos- ai Latiement "s is the first locipede ever constructed. One revolution of the treadle makes three revo- lutions of the wheel. This wheel is well con structed of strong wood, with stecl tires. ‘The front wheel is slightly larger than the rear one. The machine weighs about 125 pounde. ‘The Manhattan Bicycle Club have one of the early racing machines in their possession. Th wheel is constructed on much the same lines the regular road wheels. The attempts to lighten the weight of the machine were snocca ful by about ten pounds. The racing wheel weighs over ninety pounds. L. M. Bullard of Yonkers bas in his posses- sion @wheel made in 1869. It is constructed THE LATEST THING IN BICYCLES. upon the same lines as the Manhattan Bicycle UNDER WATER, FUNCTION OF THE PRESS. The Experience of a Diver—Cutting Out «| The Successful Newspaper Must Promote the ‘Shark’s Heart. Public Welfare. From the Providence Journal. From the New York Sun. “I've seen many atime when I'd rather beun-| The publication of a newspaper ina free der water than on shore. I used to feel that | country governed by public opinion and pos- way sometimes. Mr. Edward H. Littlefield, « | sessing the priceless advantage of a free pros of Block Island, but now keeper of a fish | isa business which stands by itself, and is pe- market on Fountain street, sixty-six yeare old, | culiar among business and industrial enters made this remark in astory he was telling on | prises. It is pursued, of course, for the pur- Friday afternoon. He was a diver for twenty- | pose of pecuniary profit, and *o far it diffors four years, in all spent forty years under the | notatall from all other manufacturing enter- water or upon it, and has tackled wrecks from | prises. The men who put their money and Lake Superior to Niagara Falls and from Maine | their ability into it it with = to Port Royal. He estimates the numbor of bodies he has with his own hands pulled out of sunken vessels at 100 and that he has walke? outand around forty to fifty vessels lying in water varying in depth from 15 to 168 feet. He nearly lost his life ten years ago while getti the cargo out of the schooner the east of Narragansett Pier, that time preferred to stay above water. “My first experience,” said he, “was in Sea- gonnet river, in 1859, hunting for Capt. Ben Tallman’sson Jerome. It was in the month of August, and Jerome Tallman had been in the water eleven days. They'd dragged for him, but couldn't find him. I was shipman for Capt Charles Herbort, the wrecker, then, but one day the regular diver took sick, and as they had an agreement giving Capt. Herbert €500 if he found the body in three days and £300 if he did not, with the idea of working at it all the time, Iwas picked out to godown. It was right off Gould's island, and I went down at 30 o'clock in the morning. I wasn't used to it, so I took sick about 9:30 o'clock, but I got some old Cognac brandy to drink and went back about il. The first thing I saw when I got down the second time was a swarm of blue Tish. I went ——- them and then came a lot of dog fish. These dog fish are tough things, for they have two «purs on the back near the tail, and they wind around ® mai legs and spur him. They smashed against and any number of them spurred my lege « 800d deal as roosters use their spurs, so that I atlast got out my knife and went to cutting my way through. You know dog fish will feed onadog fish that is dead, so I ripped them open all around me as they went along with the tide, and the others ate the injured ones. I must have killed fifty or sixty of them, all two ar three feet long. {ter I got through them I felt something Whirl me round. I could tell it wasn't the cur- rent, so Tlooked around to see what it was. There was a big shark off to my lett lool ¥, * cotton fact SzeePt in the inatas banking house, etheyare mfluenced and fase conceptions as to ossibi ites of @ newrnn, a Some peopie imagine that if they have a seifi object in politics, » hobby in social reform,e theory in religion or an undertaking in busi h they are eager to promote and Propagate, the first great necessity for them ts to start a newspaper as an organ. If they cam get their views in print and give them currency inanewspaper under their absolu they think that they can p further indirectly their 0} cuntary interests. Many journals and many other are staried on this npt tablishment ie a practical proof and substantial, acknowlodgment of the pendence of suck considerations and limitations in the really Weil-rooted and successful nowspapers con: ducted on business principles, and with @ larger and truer comprehension of their publle obligations, The people who want only to grind their own axes in a newspaper ate forced to start newspapers of their own, for they find by experienc Private uses vioticals: and their es- conceptions of the fur It as for the pub Rewspaper should be fou as @ business enterprise, pecuniary pront as its p succensful nd conducted the | urpese of ject. No really 1d has ever beem Fun on any other principle so far ae concern the main motive of its publication, It is lished primarily to make mones employed m it expended in its py ness or literary, and purely editorial at intellectual, isexercised for a pecuain ward; and without such remuneration it could Club's racer. The first bicycle race ever run wheel and in 1867 sbowed the wame at tue ex- osition. From that year on the velocipede ecame very popular in England. During the time that both Michaux and Lal- lement were improving their models in England in America was won on the machine in his pos- session on March 20, 1869. gf Was very popular in the days when wheels were in use, but the weight of me. I'd have given a city to be out of his way, but, says J, if 1 go up he'll bite me in two, and +0 I decided to stay there. I felt just as if my helmet wes rising up. I suppose it was my hair. Weil, Mr. Shark looked at me awhile, not be obtained any more than a picture of @ Excat artist oF the book of a great author cam had for nothi: Instead of debasing the newspaper this pur- their chief aim seemed to be the addition of machines soon discouraged the sport. pose of securing material profit is dhen be goes round me twice anda half, and : small improvements, with an utter disregard of lessoning the weight, &c. The machine ‘omparison of the 1892 sefety with the original bicycles shows great improvement. From the velocipedes the ordinary or high wheel came into use, then the tricycle, after which the safety and tandem safety came out. These ite elovation and to the p ite function; a conser broadening influence. on of ut lie themselves are made partners im the Prise, and the newspaper is made more seuni- tive 'to its obli Its intereate then I got my knife out again. He turns on one side and I could have put a barrel in his mouth casy. Iknew what was coming, 60 I He dashed for me, and as be came I stepped one side, shut my eyes and slashed A RACING WELL IN 1568. nich is credited with being the constructed, ia a very ernde af: ks awa enriosite. ¢ wheel of tod. provement. in Witty and now mparisous with itand show the most marked im- of 215 Will was in 1869 the lar; sin this country. troduced the wheel in this ntion was drawn to the bicycle through + hine brought over in 169 by the well- known acrobats, the Hanion brothers—William, George und Thomas. Through their peran: interest himscit in their wheel he con- J to tnke hold of it, He secured patente e Hunton model and began the manufac ture of the bicycie. He soon learned t James Ca:roll of New Haven bad previons taken ont patents 0: bieyele. Mr. Witt 1 with the latter. and learned that ¢ Peris had bad a model of a « very practical: but, lack- ing fands during his sojourn in this countr; been anable toyprsh his model. Mr. Car- Whad furnished the money. and had the wheel patented on November 20. 1866. This was some three years previous to the issnance of ir. Witty's patent, & anufucturing of his whec! Eby avenue, gest manufactur Witty virtually in ntry. His at- upon Mr. C: learned in 1869. ig the exelusiv to manufacture Dicycles in thix con Witty purchased the rights of Mr. 5.000 and Mr. Lallement's for $13,000, makin: tho total purchase price £18,000, fumerous but futile attempts had been made to introduce the bievele in this country rly in the sixties, but it remained for Mr. Witty to introduce the wheel «uccessfull purchase from Messrs. Carroll and Lailement of their rights included a two-wheeled ve! ede, embodying guarding arms and treadle: Immediately upon making hix purchase he arted to manufacture the wheels, Upon put- ting the first consignment upon the market the idea struck the popular favor and he re: ily found purchasers. At the onteet of hi venture he was unable to supply the de- mand for wheels and cleared in profits $1,000 day. While at tho height of his success he was confronted with an additional obstacle. He was informed that there existed in Newark, N. J., a velocipede of the same character which he was turning out. This machine he also purchased, paying $1,090. Altogether, his efforts to obtain the exclusive te. This ‘THE FIRST RATCHET MACHINE. privilege to manufacture the wheel cost him a pretty sum, but his earnings were enormous, and he considered that he could easily expend cousiderable money to secure the entire right of manufacturing, as his returns a fortune. After his purchase of the Newark wheel the fact was developed that the machine was minus treadles, as will be noticed from the illastea- tion. This fact was unknown to Mr. Witty at the time of his purchase, “This wheel “was made in 1806. The only way to manage the affair was to use the feet as « means of locos tion. Upon anincline ® person who ¢ould maintain his equilibrium was all right, but upon a level stretch there was no means of keeping the machine in as previously described. two Inter wheels have been gradually supplant- ing both the ordinary and the tricycle, so that today they are used but very litile. The latest addition to the line of bicycles now in general nse is the Rudge triplet. ‘There is only one of these wheels now in existence: it is owned by Wiiliam F. Murphy of the New York Athletic Club. “Mr. Marphy calculates on having three of the fastest riders in this country try for records on the machine this year. Mensrs, L. W. Beasly, jr, D. Moorchoase and W. F. Murphy have tied the wheel in Prospect Park and bave been able to cover the mile easily under two minutes and seconds. the president of the League of American Wheelmen, was an advocate of the je when it was constructed upon the ci. Hie raced on ono of these the ste«l model in this c From that date on tie machines have gradual improved until today they are perfect in every Lhese old wheels which are now in ‘nce are valued as relics of the early days of yeling. LITERARY MEN AS HUSBANDS. Many of Them Enjoyed Very Little Domestic Bliss. From the Writer. ‘The great Dante was married to @ notorious scold, and when he was in exile he had no de- sire to see her, although sho was the mother of his six children. Shwkespeare lost the sympathies of the world Anne Hathaway, a woman eight years his senior, who was coarag and ignorant. It is told of Lord Bacon that he enjoyed but tle domestic bliss and “loved not to be with lis partner.” Milton was not great in the character of hus- Jband and father. We read of him that his first ife was disgusted with his gloomy house, and oon rin away from him, and his daughters were left to grow up utterly neglected. Of the great artist, Domenichino, it is told hat he married a ody of igh birth and great Leauty-who was such a Virago that it is be- he potsoned him, Montaigne, when a widower, said ho would ry again, “though it were to wisdom Meliere was married to a wife who made him able and Rousseau lived a most wretched with his wife, who was low and illiterate. d discord in a noble wile,” ison sold himself to a cross-grained ‘Id countess, who made him pay dearly for all pe gave him. wele, Sterne, Churchill, Coleridge, Byron y were all married unhappily, and id Dickens have been known by all as indifferent husbands, , thus speaks of his wife, Her affection for me has gi her a carn for books; her passion wiil increase hb our days, for itis uot my youth nor my yeron that she lover but my reputation and my glory of which she is enamored. an 1 ir Walter Raleigh married a beautiful ightecn years his junior. and she adored with increasing ardor to the very last. Dr. Johnson's wife was old enough to be his mot but “he continued to be under the illusions of the wedding day until she died the age of sixty-four,” he being only forty- three, Buffon told his friend that his wife had a great influence over his composition. “Tam always refreshed and aided by her advice. ir Walter Scott was a geniusof the very first order. He succeeded in every department of letters, but his greatest happiness was in hi . "He married her after « short acqnaint- ance and it was a genuine love match, lasting until the day of her death. Moc! wife wus one of the noblest creatnr and he never tired of singing her praises. : Shelley's first marriage was unfortunate, but his second was a model of happiness. Wordsworth made a love match and wasa lover through life. ‘The wife of Christopher North had more in- fluence over him thau any other person in the world, and her death was his greatest of mis- Ciena th t ‘French poet, martine, the grea! ‘ren was pily married and received great ald frou the wife in all his undertakin; It would be impossible anywhere to find more domestic felicity than among the groat circle of our modern men and women of let- tera. Mr. and Mrs. 8. C. Hall, the two Brown- ings, the two Howitts, Tennyson and his wife, Charles Kingsley, Baron Bunson and his wife and many others less noted might be men- tioned, while the Englishmen of i other fields have the same fortune. Beaconsfield married a lively young widow, who made him perfectly happy, and he never lost an occasion of singing her praises. Dr. Arnold of Rugby is cited as having an almost ideal home-life, and also the late Dean Stanley. All the world inows how happy the Gladstones aro in their family circle, andeo it is with many otl rominence in with the knife. I caught him in his life, for I cuthis heart right in two. I opened my eyes and found him lying on the bottom fifty or sixty feet off. the blood rising from him in bubbles. I went up to him and then something happened to me, I don’t know what. I suppose {iunted, for I came to with my body leaning against the shark's, down there on the bottom. Well, I hadn't given any signal to my tender, so he had kept up the air supply, but pretty quick I telt tuem pull three times to ask me if 4 was nll right. ‘They said the blood all came up to the top in bubbles before it mixed with the water. Why, that shark's liver—I cut halt of it out—couldn't have been gotintoa barrel.” “But, after all, I had my greatestexperiences in the two years before the war. The time I went down 168 feet, the deepest I ever got, in 1860. A vessel went down east north- east of Point Judith, and the captain's wifeand daughter were drowned. I went down after them. They talk tome now of .going down 500 or 600 feet, but I don't believe it, After the first 100 feet the pumps w ome esse nthall same, for its prosperity depends on its fd to the public welfare and the couseqient p. lar support it receives. It inustearn © lar confidence and respect by Its own interests are involved in itecalichtened comprehension of the necds and the seutimenw of society. It is not for itself alo mankind: not its own Ject for the criticism of al pie. Hence, by the very necessity of its exist 484 prosperous business enterprise, » nr paper is forced to adopt principles and metheds Which partake of the character of the Lighess and purest statesmanship and have a distinctly altruistic quality. It cannot take @ narrow and selfish view. It must survey all society aud subordinate personal considerations to the gene eral welfare. It ism statue carved out by man, but which takes on life and individuality of its dominates ite author. It is an institution which may never die, while be te & mortal whose span vf life is short, He be- comes insignificant as co man with air except inside his helmet. that it will circulate around bis body. it only reaches his helmet his clothes begin to cling to him, and his pores flow out ail tie water in his body. Itis @ terrible sensation. Now, I got down to this vessel and started to descend into the companionway. At the first step I began to feel numb all over. It was the pressure of the weter above me, and as i'd been toid about it I went back on the deck of the sunken vessel and climbed into the rat- lines. I hadn't gone up more than three steps before I telt better. Then I wi back aD. You can continue this right straight along and go deeper each time. When I felt numb again 1 went upot deck and climbed onto the rail. I was all right in a minute and then it into the companionway again. All this time the Vessel was waving from side to side with the syeli under the wai ‘Now, it's quetr, but¢here's something about bodies under water. Did you know that if you Went into the cabin of « vessel where one was that it would start toward you, almost as if it were alive? It is that that makes the shock so terrible. You can't avoid them. They come as if they wanted to be taken Well, the captain's wife and daughter were in the state- room at the foot of the stairs, and I had to open the door. I took some blocks and braced my whole weight against the door. I weighed 200 pounds, and the suit weighed 265 more. I knew there'd be a terrible shock, so I got all ready. The door gave way at last, and broke into kindling wood like a flash. The concus- sion of the water flung the bodies toward me hke lightning. I siut my eyes, and, reaching out to grab the bodies, caught ‘the woman's as she flew toward me. I'signailed, and was taken up. Then I went down to hunt for the little girl. I found she had come out when her mother did.and floated under the cabin table. Why, that table was set just as when the vessel sunk, and there was food on the plates at that very’ time. Iwas pulled up with the little "Pausing, the old diver began to laugh, and when asked what it wasabout be said it was the air pump. In former times the pumping bad been by hand, but now it was by steam. He preferred steam, for it kept up # regular sup- ply of air. When it was done by band, if a diver wanted more air they were liable to he alone has builded it up. Without nance of the popular confidence and favor i® languishes and It is for the people toway whether it shall be vigorous aud enduring oF feeble and ephemeral; and thetr decision is rem- dered in accordance with the vigor and enoy, the wisdom, honesty, with which it defends their interests aad maim tains the principle that command thelr reapect, ‘end not It isa representative elected by frage; and it must serve all the be conducted on the pri all real art; it mast get si of ite effort to attain ond. Art for art's sake is amotto ap) journalism. As a business lished for ‘money making it otherwise in To the great honor of our cessful newspapers it can be said that they are conducted with # sagacious and con« scientious regard for their public obligations. They do not forget their representative char- acter, but hold themselves as servants of the office and no formal bonds for the faithful per- formance of their F pe duties, but they are bound by a sense of obligation which is often- times religious in its elevation. Their func- tion has a sacerdotal character, and their yous of fidelity must be made to God end uot to men. Why He Got Up. hicago Letter to Omaha Bee. Congressman Kem, who bas been bere with the visiting Congressmen, had an amusing ad- venture in a Madison street car. ‘The car was fuli and at ® certain corner a woman got in who, owing to the amplitude of ber propor- tions, bad some difficulty in crowding through the door. She finally stationed herself right im front of the Nebraska Congressman, He got up. “Sit down,” said the woman impressively; “eit right down. Don’ trouble yourself, I beg of you, I can just as well stand myself. I— ‘Bui,” expostulated the Hon. Kem, “but, pump too fast, and if he signalled this was so they very likely sent it down too slowly. He told of a trick he once played on a water pipe boss who went down to inspect the pipes on the bettom of Torouto bay. The fellow was a tyrannical Englishman and was hated by all ies ‘anon. Gus Gay shan She Sess one seaner! wpter a workman remarked that he'd like to situt off the air for while. Mr. Littlefield said that was wicked, but asked the workmen to light their pipesand smokenear the pump, sa ing that would do as well as shutting off theair. They didn’t all sco why, but they did it. A pump sucks up everything in the air at its orifice, and very shortly it wascarrying down tobaeco smoke by the cubic foot. Two tainutes T insist ‘upon your sitting down,” she ex: claimed hoarsely. “I have seen too much of this thing of women driving men out of their seats. I don't believe in it. If you—— “Mr. Kem had become desperate. ‘The con- ductor was nowhere in sight. “Madam,” he “for God's sake will you elapsed tnd then the boss gave three wild puso be taken up. He arrived at the sur- face very sick and frightened out of his wits, The first thing he was asked was if the pum] hadn't got afire. Mr. Littlefield he gucees it had, and ordered @ man to the bearings. men went into fits behind his would never go down after that. thought he had had an attack of +e —__ GRIEF THAT TORE HER HEART. A Beal American Girl Tells About Mer Friend’s “Lovely” Death. From the New York Recorder. out of the way? I didn't offer you my seat, have just passed my corner and I waat te a : teen lovely hacks and a lovely hearse, all trimmed with lovely plumes, that nodded the ead winds just lovely.” ‘She wiped away a falling tear and “I went in the house with a great givings. I wasafraidI shonld be for Julia was one of the best friends I I ' vl th ge i t Hy i F E & i & 1 Ere : &i fe i rf 4 f F i i iff I } i i t i os Hg i F { £ i i i i i a £ E ft i L i i 72 5 > 5 f if E i 8 f i Hi