Evening Star Newspaper, June 22, 1895, Page 15

THE EVENING STAR, SATURDAY, JUNE 22, 1895—TWENTY PAGES. . BULLOCK CARRIAGE. IN QUAINT MADEIRA Picturesque Sights in This Island, Where the Grape Flourishes. A VISIT T0 A LITTLE KNOWN REGION Sleds the Principal Vehicles, Al- though Snow is Lacking. UNDER PORTUGUESE RULE eer ee Written Exclusively for The Evening Star. T IS STRANGE that so little has been written about Ma- deira, or, to be more accurate, the Ma- detras, for there are two inhabited {stands and three uninhabit- ed rocks in the group. ‘The only large one of them all—that is, by comparison—and the only important one, is the island called Madeira. I found it @iMicnit to get a book that gave an ajle- quate account of this island, especially in regard to the peculiar features of life there, the customs the scenery, the sights of town and country. About fifty years ago John A. Dix, afterward the celebrated gen- eral, went there in a sailing vessel and wrote an account of his visit in a small volume, which is now rarely to be seen ex- cept in old libraries. Since then, so far as I can discover, only 2n occasional chapter or two in some traveler's book has been written on the subject, that is to say, in English. And yet there is ample material for a charming volume on Madeira. I need hardly tell any one that the Ma- Geiras are in the Atlantic ocean, nor that they are about opposite Charleston, South View in Fanchal. Carolina, though nearly 4,000 miles away from it and only about 550 from the west coast of Africa. The city of Funchal is the eapital of the group, and is on the southern coast of Madeira in latitvde 32 degrees, 37 5 seconds north. This island {s statute miles in length, and in its widest part about 14 miles. The character of its formation shows it to be the result of volcanic action, and it prcjects itself with steep sides from the ocean to a maximum height of 6,100 feet. At a Gistance the island is noted for its resemblance to a dense biue cloud resting the water. Its rocky character is lly concealed and softened by the abundant growth of vegetation, and as one approaches close to it the hills present a luxuriant and gay appearance. There are several legends connected with its early history, the most interesting of which is that Christopher Columbus used to visit it, and a few years ago the house was still standing in Funcha} where the great man was said to have stayed. The islands belong to Portugal, and the inhabi- tants are Portuguese, though the dark compiexions of some of the peasants gives reason to telieve there is a slight admix- ture of African blood in their veins. The trade of the town of Funchal is ma- terially assisted by the foreign winter resi- derts, who are generally people of means. ‘They are principally English, but there are — Russians, Germans and French among them. Very few Americans ever get so far as Madeira. We have regions somewhat simi- lar to it in the way of climate, such as Florida and southern Califernia, and our invalids do not have te undergo the dis- cemforts of a sea voyage to reach these places. The curative powers of the air in Madeira are well known, and more than one poor sufferer las gone there to die and has completely recovered his supposed lost health. The very first aspect of the island from the ship is soothing to one, and on landing one is at once pervaded by the quiet of the old streets and by the absence of nervousaess in the demeanor of the peo- ple. One feels that one is really in a bit of ome Portugal—iistless, good-natured Portu- gal. The buildings are of stucco, and nearly all of them are whitewashed. The dwell- ing houses are in general two stories high, plain and square, and have green shutters, behind which the black-eyed Portuguese girls sit fanring themselves and peeping out into the streets. Many of the houses have little balconies on the second story, and @ the evening the pzsser-by in the narrow streets may often hear above him the gay talk and laughter of Portuguese ladies and gentlemen. In Restfol Funehal. Funchal ts ‘n size a city, and is said to have, together -with its suburbs, a popula- ticn of 35,000. But the noises and the sights of a modern city are rot there. There is no hum er whistle of the factory, nor is the rattle of wheeled vehicles heard In the streets of that lazy old Portugucse place. The principal noises there are the conversations of the idlers, the jangling or the murmuring of church bells, the bark- ings of dogs and the echoing cries of men on foot driving their builocks harnessed to sieds over the smooth cobblestones. Who has not heard of the polished cobblestone streets of Madeira, and of the only vehicle there (except the hammock), the sled on wooden runners? More than half the streets are hills, an] are in many places so steep and slippery as to make walking slightly difficult. The native ladies do not lose the opportunity of adding the natural piquancy of the Portuguese feminine tou nure by carrying ‘all canes made of ebony. Three of the streets extend cut of the thickly s=ttled portion of the town far up the mountain side. They run, for most of the way, between high, white garden walls, which are frequently overhung with fo: ers, and also, during the season, with luscious bunches of grapes. In the town the scenes of the streets reproduce some of the features peculiar to Latin cities in southern Europe. There is the same crowd of funny little teddiing children, who talk rapidly and ulate with an air far beyond ra. Mingling with thoin and sharing their gay spirits is the same crowd of knowing, ssucy dogs—Latin dogs. But a feature distinctive of Madeira alone comes into the scene when we see the sled drivers—without coats, but with clean white shir riding throuzn the streets, hurling many good-natured yells at their bullock teams. ery visitor to Funchal must take a drive in a bullock carriage. As he is driven out of the town and is slowly drawn up the steep strect in the warm. still air, perhaps a guitar sounds over a wall and he sees the black hair and eyes of a Portuguese girl seated in a rustic house, which is raised so as to allow her to sersby from behind a. trel red with grape vines. If she be a peasant girl, her little brother will run out at the gasden gate and follow your sled with open hand, begging for a few reis, or rather a few thousand reis, for the currrency of Portugal deals in magnificent figures, which unfortunately do net often serve a more substantial pur- pose than to give a sound of weaith to what is but a bare sufficiency. Where the Villas Abound. There are few regions in the world where such beautiful natural views, and so many of them, are to be had as from the hills above Funchal. As one goes higher the scene changes continually—a new ravine, a new cliff, a distant mountain appears. Then there is always above one the cloud-capped peaks, and down below the little white city on the edge of the great, shining sea, from whence the faint cries of the streets barely reach the quiet of the hills above. Scattered through the city and the region above it are what the Portuguese call their quintas, that is, their villas, many of which are leased every year by wealthy foreigners who come to the island to pass the winter. In summer the more well-to-do of the Portuguese, who own quintas on the moun- tain, withdraw to them to enjoy a few months of country life and to escape from the heat of the town. The coolness of the atmosphere increases in proportion to the altitude reached, so that almost any tem- perature may be had on the island without much trouble. All classes of people tn Madeira are cleanly in their person and in their sur- roundings. The city of Funchal is kept clean, and the fastidious foreigner need fear no such discomfort from disagreeable smells as he sometimes experiences in oth- er Latin cities. This may be due to the efficiency of the city government, which consists of a bourd of seven aldermen and @ president, all of whom are elected by pop- ular vote. The governor of the islands is appointed by the crown, and resides in Funchal in a palace built like a military barrack, with turrets, and inclosing a large court-yard. We had the pleasure of meeting the governor and his wife and of enjoying their hospitality, which we were told was always extended to foreigners. The Famous Wines. A land where the people are pleasant, where the temperature is always that of our spring—(the thermometer rarely going below 60 degrees or above 76 degrees Fah- renheit, except on the mountains)—and where nature is always beautiful, is surely well worth a visit; but even with the men- tion of all these attractiors, Madeira is not yet done justice to. We must add to the list the famous and delicious wines that she produces. These are not the favorites that they were in former times, though the reason for this is bard to find. England for a long time used to smack her lips and sing songs to old Malmsey, but about fifty years ago believed that she had discovered the superiority of sherry to Malmsey, and the people of influence there started the fashion of drinking the former in prefer- ence to the latter. In America today Ma- deira is but little drunk, and the exporta- tion of the wine from the island to this country amounts to less than $20,000 worth annually. Probably three times as much as this was imported by us before the re- bellion. Vintage time on the island is from the middle of September to the middle of Octo- ber, and is the busiest and gayest time of the year. The peasants, when not hard at work among the heavily laden vines, are either singing, dancing or improvising doggerel poetry. The wine industry of Madeira at present zmounts to about 8,500 pipes annually, of vhich nearly 3,500 are exported. Before 1 when the oidium disease first at- tacked the grape vines, and for the next ten years kept them almost annihilated, the yearly harvest of wine used to amount to from 25,000 to 30,000 pipes. It was by the importation of American vines, which resist t dium disease, that the success- ful cultivation of the grape was resumed in Madeira. But the wine that is made there today is not to be depended on as perfectly Pure unless bought from a few merchants of unimpeachable reputation. Of the sights peculiar to Madeira there is one that deserves especial mention—that is the furious sleigh riding that is done there, notwithstanding the complete absence of snow and the perennial heat. The best Known course for these dry tobogganings is on the street which leads from the town up the mountain to a large white church with two towers, known as the Church of the Mount. One comes plunging down this street in a basket sled with two Por- tuguese literally flying alongside and guid- ing one’s sled by means of short ropes at- tached to the front of its runners. All the streets of Funchal are so com- pactly paved with the small cobblestones, Maderia Sleds. already spoken of, and the surfaces of these are worn so smooth that a sled glides over them almost as if on ice. Another mede of conveyance on the Island, used for climbing the hills, the hammock, is swung on a long pole, the ends of which are sup- ported on the shoulders of two men. This vehicle is popular with ladies and invalids. LIVINGSTON HUNT. ———.—— Her Husband's Whisky. From the Philadelphia Record. A pawnbroker meets with many curious experiences in his business, and the soli- tary West Philadelphia money lender is no exception to the rule. On Saturday a wo- man entered the office, on Lancaster ave- nue, with a basket which was found to contain sixteen pint and twenty-three half- pint bottles of whisky, which she wished to pawn. She said that her husband used to keep a k-easy, but on finding that hiz place was suspected nad closed busi- ness, and, instead of selling off his stock to customers, had started in to drink him- self to death. The woman objected to this, and, in order to place temptation out of his way, she had decided to pawn all that she could get out of the house. She was much disappointed when informed that she would have to take her stock to a bonded warehouse or police station if she wanted to keep her husband sober. ——— -+0e- The Deaf Man’ From an Exchange. Young Lady (at dinner to deaf old gent)— “Do you like bananas?” Old Gent—“What did you say?” Young Lady (shouting, with all general conversation stopped that guests might listen)—“Do you Itke bananas?” Old Gent—“No, my dear, I don’t like pajamas; the old-fashioned night shirt is good enough for me.” Views. |THE PAYMASTER'S MONEY —_—__-—____ WILLIAM H. WASSELL. —_—_.____ (Copsrighted, 1895, by William TH. Wassell.) It was pay day at Fort Barrenall, and the hearts of the soldiers and the various traders who had given them credit were consequently glad. The soldiers rejoiced because they w be able to pay their bills at the canteen and at the traders’ stores and thereby get more credit. So far as they were concerned, money was only @ means of barter for more credit; and if the traders were agreed the paymaster might dole out wampum, beads or hatchets in lieu of their $13 a month. A company was drawn up in front of the administration building, every man in his inspection clothes, white gloves and side arms. all neat, clean and soldierly, and al waiting for thelr money. The Chinese laundrymen stood near the doorway of the building, ready to col!ect their wash bills and to prove all disputed charges by slips of unintelligible Chinese characters. Near the Chinamen were the money lenders, the leeches who made soldiers loans at the rate of 400 per cent a yi also the illicit whisky sellers, with a long list of bilis against the veterans. bilis in which the cheapest adulterated whisky was put down at $1.50 the quart. “We'll run a game t’night,” said Private McPhee, “‘an’ it'll be dis way. Ev'ry man’ll up de cash fer his stack. See!” “Ye can bring me four more bottles as scen as I’ve paid me Dill,” said Sergt. Mur- phy to one of the whisky sellers from across the river. And the Chinamen were counting on a fresh order of smus;zled opium and hand- kerchiefs from San ifrancisco; the money lenders counted their gains In a way to make even a pawnbroxer blush; it was money, money, money all over the fron- tier post. Grasping hands !tched for sol- dier money; soldier hearts were mer over the prospect of thelr meager pay even the old guard house had a pay-day look about it, and snitfed suspiciously at the moneyed air and thought of the addi- tional inmates it would have on the follow- ing day. Suddenly Capt. Knight appeared in the dcorway of the administration building. “Company, atten-shun,” snapped the first sergeant, and as the men straightened themselves, the sergeant stood waiting for the captain’s order to march the company into the pay room. “Sergeant,” said the captain, company back to barracks.” That was all. With pockets as empty as their hearts were light the men returned to their quarters. “The paymaster has a lot of finals to go over,” ventured a corporal, “and he isn't ready for us yet.” An orderly came running from the office. “What d’ye think?” he gasped. “We're sure out of luck—th’ paymaster’s money is stolen.” “Stolen!” exclaimed twenty voices. “Yes, stolen,” repeated the orderly. “He got over there in the pay room, an’ his clerk got all ready t’ pay, an’ then they unlocked th’ fron box t’ stack up th’ stuff, an’, ‘Good Lord,’ says th’ clerk, ‘What's this?’ An’ they all crowded roun’ th’ clerk, an’ there in th’ iron box, instead of th’ silver an’ gold, was a big rock.” “We're sure out of luck.” sald an old soldier, “but I guess th’ gover’ment can stand ’t. We'll get 't all right nex’ pay day, sure.” But over in the pay room there was greater excitement. The silver-haired pay- master sat back in his chair, speechless at his loss. Fifteen thousand dollars ineart the savings of a lifetime to him—it meant more—it meapt the loss of government money, and even, if replaced, the loss would always be more or less of a blot cn bis honorable record. His clerk looked at the bowed head, and would have given his life without hesitation to save the reputa- tion of his chief. The commanding officer bustled about, an incarnated interrogation point. “When did you see the money?" he de- manded. ‘When did you see it last? Where did you carry the iron box? Who had the keys of the box? Where did you put the box when you stopped for the night at the half-way ranch? Who knows anything about it? Where is Mr. Crossing? Who stole the money?” Lieut. Crossing fad been sent to the rail- road with an escort of eight men to bring the paymaster to Barrenall. It was in the spring of the year, the roads were bad, and it had taken them two davs to make the eighty-mile trip. On the way the party had stopped over night at a ranch. The commanding officer and ut. Cross- in: ‘march the were closeted in the former's offi said the colonel, ‘Mr. do you kno sing,” about this affa ery little, wered the young man. “I saw the n ut in the box at the express office where we got it. It was in four canvas sacks, all sealed. I put the in the box myself, locked it and put in my pocket. The box was in the the pay er, his clerk and my night when we stopped at the ran he box was taken (a the Led rocin where the three of us slept. I puta sentinel in front of the house, and when we ate our meals it was in the room next to the bed room, and the box was in plain sight all the time. Except when we slept, sir, the box has been under our eyes since the money was put in it.” “And you carried the key?” colonel. “Yes, sir,” said Crossing. “That is all,’ concluded the colonel. Crossing left the oflice and walked toward his quarters. Suddenly he stopped and put his hand to his head. “Oh, no, no, no,” he said to himself. “It isn’t possible that the colonel suspects me. Ard yet he asked me if I had the key to the box.” Lieut. Crossing was a general favorite at Fort Barrenall. In s two years of ser- vice since leaving West Point he had con- ducted himself as a quiet, unassuming, modest gentleman. Officially, he was a model officer; socially, he was a courteous man of the world, with just a touch of the old school mannerism that endeared him to the ladies of the garrison, and a quiet, sympathetic nature that took with his brother oflicers. But alas for garrison popularity; hard to attain and easy to lose. As Crossing walk- ed to his quarters, he fancied that the few officers he passed were less cordial than usual in their greetings. And when he raised his cap to a number of ladies on the colonel’s porch, he thought he detected a lull in their conversation and some curious glances at himself. On the following day, Crossing’s fancies took a decided form. There was no doubt about it—his brother officers held aloof from him, and the ladies bowed, but no longer invited him on their porches. Sensi- tive by nature, the awful suspicion hung over poor Crossing like a great cloud. It was very, very hard to drop from his pin- nacle; it was harder still to be suspected. “Tom,” said he to his room mate—they were both young bachelors—“let me talk this thing over to you, and see if you can make anything out of it. Now, you have been in charge of a paymaster’s escort yourself, you know just how we traveled, just how we put up for the night at Har- low’s ranch. The box containing the money was not out of my sight except when I slept, and then a sentinel waiked in front of the house. The key of the box, you know what kind of a key it is, hard to duplicate, well, the key was in.my pocket. Now, you know, Tom, that the paymaster, his clerk and myself are rot to be considered in looking for the thief. You know that, Tom,” said Crossing, with a tremor in his voice, “even if the people in this post do seem to think differently.” “Don't worry about that,” said ihe rocm- mate. “You'll come out all right, old man, and you know you and I have been friends for six years now.” Crossing mutely thanked him and then continued. “The money must have been taker at night while we were asleep: it could not have been taken at any other time. The sentinel walked in front of che door, it would be hard for any one to enter without his knowledge. But, of course, I cannot look at the affair in a calm way, und that is why I am bothering you with it.” “Of course, you have learned all you can about your sentinels and the rest of your escort?” “Yes, that was the first thing I did. Two of the sentinels are men in their first enlist- ment, the other is an old soldier. They and all the rest of the escort are men of good character so far as their company com- manders know.” “Are you having all these men watched?” “Yes,” answered Crossing. “I have rea- soned it 5ut in this way. The money was taken by some man of the escort; but with $15,000 in his possession, that man will not want to be a thirteen-dollar-a-month sol- dier. At the first opportunity, he will de- sert; then I may catch him. But what then? It’s only a chance, He can easily asked the get some civillan_across the river to de- posit the money for him, and I can never clear myself unlegs F find the money. He can—oh, there are @ thousand and one chances that the thief will get away, and only one chance that J will catch him. My career is gone; I'm under a cloud, and that’s all there is about it. The great trouble is that I've‘always been too straight before this. If I were a drunken, disreput- able devil, doing, things every day that ought to dismiss me, from the service, it would be all right. In that case people would laugh and say it wasn’t half as bad as some things I had done. But, now, with a clean record, this cursed suspicion will damn me all my days," There was a silence for several minutes, and then Crossing spoke in a softer tone. “Do you know,.Tom,” said he, “that if this thing had to happen, it could not have happened at a better time. Winters made no reply. “Because, Tom,” continued Crossing, “it happened just in time to prevent hurting any one but myself. Of course, I don’t kuow that it would have hurt any one but myself, but still, I believe I had a chance, Tom. And if it had to happen, thank God it happened before it could hurt her.” There was nothing for Winters to say, and he wisely remained silent. “Have you seen her today, Tom?” asked Crossing, softly. ‘You know whom I mean —with this cloud over me I am not good enough to speak her name. But have you see1 her? Does she—oh, surely, she knows me better than that.” “Look here,” said Winters, “you are mak- ing this thing a thousand times worse than it really is. I cannot deny that there ure people in this garrison so low that they raise their slanderous fingers at you. But those gossiping slanderers are beneath the notice of self-respecting people, and if you won't walk around the post and see for yourself, I can assure you from personal knowledge that your friends are still the same warm- hearted, loyal gentlefolks that they were before this thing happened. My friends are your friends, old man, and I am proud to say it. They are people wno have geod, true blood in thelr veins and not the chilly ice water that takes the place of blood in some of them. I am glad that you are not putting on a brazen front ani stalk- Ing around as though nothing had happened —that wouldn’t be you, and I am glad you are not doing it. But every pang of sorrow that you have felt since this loss was dis- covered has had its answering tear in the eyes of a girl who can never think any wrong of you. Now, good night; I'm going to_turn in.” Farther up the line of officers’ quarters, in the more pretentious house occupied by the major of the regiment, in a tiny room, whose daintiness reflected its dainty owner, sat the major’s daughter. She was bending aver a desk on which lay a sheet of paper with eight names written on it. Opposite each name was a. letter—G for good, B for bad, I for indifferent, U for unknown. There were various other marks opposite the names, and to this sweetest of mystery solvers each mark was full of meaning— where her information came from, how she got it, or some past incident in the owner's career as a soldier. For the eight names were the names cf the men who had fermed the paymaster’s escort, and now the pretty head was hunt- ing for a clue to locate the robber. Once she started with the first name in her list and went over a childish dogzerel about the mouse that ran up the clock, and hy this unfailing test she arrived at thé name of the best and most trusted man of the escort. She closed her brown eyes and blindly jabbed her pencil at the paper, and sure enough, the pencil marked a black dot against a name that was marked with a U. This might be the man, she thought, but how could sh2 prove it? Why was she doing all this work, she wondered; and then the big eyes“drodped, and she put ber white hands over the tell-tale face that was reflected to her {rom a liny mirror on the desk. In dreamy wanderings, she went over many happy da many long walks and long talks, a dance or two in particu- lar, a ride when. the moon was adding its glory to her happiness, and in all the men- tal pictures one tall figure stood out pre- eminent. pane ‘No one shall ever, ¢ver know what I am doing,” thought She, ‘but the thought was only half satisfyini ‘There was a knock at her door, and, with trembling hands, she hastily concealed her slip of paper. At her arm) “Come,” en- tered the one maid that the major’s. ps allowed to his wife and daughters. Now, Mary, the maid, was the acknowledged belie of the post at eyery ball given by the soldiers, and to be a Soldier's belle is to re- ceive as much attention as the heart of woman can desire. Privates, corporals and sergeants, even the non-commissioned staff, danced constant attendance on Mary, the maid, and wooed her in many ways that were strange and sometimes a trifle rough, and to ali of them Mary said “No.” But her faithful adherence to the negative was as ing compared to her devotion to her major’s daughter. Body and soul, she waited on her, and the soldier ad- mirers had to be contented with the ma- jor’s cook whenever Mary, the maid, fancied she could be of any service to Miss Whyt- ing. As Mary entered the room her mistress gave a sudden start. Mary,” ‘she said, “I think you would do anything for me, and some day, perhaps, I may be able to.do something for you.” The maid’s eyes were sparkling with love for her young mistress. “I have heard that the soldiers are going to have a ball tonight, Mary,” continued the young girl. ‘Well, you can help me— that is, you can help papa—you know papa nxious to learn who stole the ymas- ter’s money, and I think he thinks it was @ soldier in the escort. Do you think you could find out anything about it, Mary? You know a woman can discover more than a man sometimes, and if you could help me—and papa—it would be a very great favor to me—and papa.” The maid's face was a study. Accus- tomed to her mistress’ calm and dignified manner of speaking, this confused and hesitating ech was an evidence of some trouble. What it was, Mary did not stop to consid was cnough for her to know that the being she worshiped wanted some- thing done. “Tell me the names of the men in the escort, Miss Helen, pleas. and if the thief’s at the ball tonight, I'l find him , if you could!” exclaimed the girl. “If you could, I'd be so happy—papa would, I mean.” i Late that night Miss Whyting was awak- ened b¥ a light knock at her door. It was the maid, in all her ball room finery. all right, Miss Helen,” she exclaim- think we've caught the man.” ‘What?’ asked the girl, not daring to be- Heve her awakening senses. “We ought to know pretty soon, but I think we've got him all right.” “But, Mary, tell me what you mean. How is he going to be caught? Who is go- ing to catch him?” “Well, it was this way, Miss Helen. He played right into my hands. At the ball tonight I was keeping all my dances for these escort men, because I wanted to draw them out. And I guess I succeeded. There is a man in F company na:.ed Has- kins. He danced with me twice, and—well, he has been coming around to the kitchen very often, you know, Miss Helen. After the second dance he wanted me to take a walk. I've never liked him, but he was one of the escort, and so J went with him. And what do you think, Miss Helen? Be- fore I knew what he was doing, he had said he was in love with me, and he was dying for me, and alot more nonsense. I was so mad I couldn't say anything, and then, all at once, he said ff I'd marry him he'd take me away from Fort Barrenall, and we'd live in style and have our own servants. He satd jie had lots of money, and all he wanted was me, and when he said about the money I just thought Id scream, Miss Hele! “I thought mighty quick, and then I sald: ‘Oh, you haven't got any money.’ “Yes, I have," sa e got plenty of it, and I'll show you some.’ “He was trying to put his arm around me all the time, and, well, I was sure I had the man who stole the paymaster’s money, and I wes thinking how we could catch m. "d like to see some of your money,’ says J. “All right,’ says he. “ ‘How much would you like to see? ° ‘Oh, about five thousand dollars,’ I told him. He looked at me, funny like, for a minute, and then he asked me if I would marry him if he would show me five thou- sand dollar: “You show me the money,’ said I, ‘and then it'll he time to talk.’ Then I wanted to go back to the ball, but he was excited, and I began to get afraid of him, Miss Helen. i “* Show me the money,’ I cried, push him away from me. “Will you wait in your kitchen half an hour afier the ball is over?’ he asked me. My heart nearly jumped out as I told him I would, for then I knew we had the thief. ‘All right,’ says he, and then we went back to the dance. I didn't want to be mixed up in it, Miss Helen, because, well— just because. So I wrote a noie to Capt. Knight, the officer of the day, and told him to have Haskins watched and followed tonight, and the paymaster’s money would be found. He doesn’t know who wrote the note, and—” Two shots rang out in the midnight alr, followed by a scream and a soldier oath. Mistress and maid ran to the window. They saw a lizht in an old deserted house just outside the post. In a few minutes they saw a litle procession moving toward the guard house. Quick steps were coming” up the board walk. Some one rapped sharp- ly at the colonel’s quarters next door. ve got the paymaster’s money and the they heard Capt. Knight say to the sleepy colonel. “It is that man Haskins of my compan;, sir, and he has confessed how he slipped into the room at the ranch.” Then the girl softly closed her window, and while tha tears of joy dimmed her pretty eyes, she forgot that she was the mistress and Mary the maid. She forgot everything except that suspicion no longer existed at Fort Barrenall. She forgot, and she took Mary, the maid, in her arms and hugged her and kissed her until the happy maid remembered their differences, and with a cry of ioy fled from tite room. Licut. Cressing walked up the ofticers’ line on the following morning, and politely declined six invitations to go up and sit on as many different porches. Past the col- onel’s quarters he walked, but when he came to the next house, the major’s, he turned in. Miss Whyting was swinging in her hammock on the porch. “Good morning,” said she, with a slim hand outstretched. “Why didn’t you come to_see me yesterday?’ She was ignoring even the thought that he had been under a cloud; and he saw something in her brown eyes that told him he would have to pay for his doubts of her. The band was playing for guard mounung; and every porch along the line had its occupants, all looking, not at the guard nor the adjutant’s military brace— which was the pride of the regiment—but straight at the girl and the man on the major’s porch. “There was no Mr. Crossing at this post yesterday,” began he. “Instead, there was said the girl, softly. “One does not like to feel that one’s friends can ever doubt.” Crossing looked at the girlish figure, so sweet and charming, and a great wave of feeling swept over him. But he realized that the girl was mistress of the situation. “There is no Mr. Cressing at this post today,” he began again. “Instead, the-e 1s only a poor devil who is nothing, who has nothing but his love and his hope for its success. “Oh, Helen,” he cried, “for- give me for ever thinking that_you were like the rest of these people. You, dear, are so good and so sweet—it wasn’t that I thought you would believe such a thing of me—it was only because I felt it would be wrong for me to come near you when I was under a cloud. I honor you too much for that, Helen. But now, I'm here with you, and I'm happy because I am at your side, and because the money has been found. I am happy; but oh, I want to be happier still. I want to be the happiest man in the world, Helen.” His voice dropped to a mere whisper, but there was a ring of joy in it. “Won't you make my happiness complete, Helen? Won't you let me tell every one that you believed in me all the time? Oh, Helen, I love you, I love you, I love you. When I heard that the paymaster’s money had been found, I felt great and strong, and able to do anything. Hut now, before you, dear, I am poor, and weak—weak except in my leve for you—for that is the greatest and the strongest thing in the world. Wiil you not be merciful in your power, dear? Can't you give me a word, a look A small hand was stretched out to him from the hammock, and very reverently he bent over and touched it with his lips. Their eyes met for a moment, but the girl quickly lowered hers, with a little, satis- fied laugh. “I would like to look over some of your late music, sweetheart,” said Crossing, with a queer look about the corners of his mouth. “It is in its usual place, girl. “Yes, but I want you to show it to me, sweetheart.” “But I am too comfortable to be moved.” sun js shining all over the world said Crossing. “But I wish it were night for a moment.” Some one was coming along the hall- way of the house, and a moment later Mary, the maid, appeared in the doorwa: What is it, Mary?” asked Miss Whyt- ing. “The major is asking for you, Miss Hel- en,” answered Mary, and then she went laughed the I suppose I will have to go in—for pa- a aiGroesine followed her. As he entered the door, he saw that he and Miss Whyting were alone in the hallway. Mary, the maid, had vanished. “Heaven bless that maid of yours, sweet- heart,” said he, taking a long stride to her side. ‘And, now,” he continued, using two detaining arms, “and now, my sweetheart, will you not tell me something before I “Heaven bless the maid—I'll tell you why some day—and heaven bless the paymas- ter’s money—and—and God bless you, d—d—dear.” ——__. CURIOUS HORSE BLOCKS. Relic of 2 Band of Desperndoes in a Small Missouri Town. Not long ago a Star writer had occasion to be in western Missouri. Just north of Kansas City, about twelve miles, is the little town of Parkville. It is built up on the two sides of a valley which opens against the broad Missouri, and the hamlet might contain perhaps fifty houses. Among other matters, however, it shelters a sem- inary of considerable local fame, which teaches both boys and girls the higher branches of an education, but with which just now we have nothing to do. The main street of the village runs along the bottom of the vailey at right angles with the Mis- seuri river. On each side of the street are the various village stores, perhaps a dozen in all, and, as the town does considerable trade with the farmers round about, the stores are what might be termed “good-sized.” To illustrate the slowness of the village of Parkville, and its culm acquiescence to a condition, once it be brought about, the following might be told: The Star writer was sitting in front of one of ghe stores, smoking a very bad cigar of local origin, and conversing with the merchant who had sold it. It was about 3 o'clock in the afternoon, and many of the country people were coming into town. A country girl of the region came cantering up on a bareback horse and slid off on what, now that The Star man’s attention was called to it, he noticed was a unique sort of horse block. It was nothing more nor less than an old rusty safe of considerable size. It had apparently lain there for years, and when examined disclosed a_ suspicious-looking hole in one side, clearly the work of ex- plosives, At this point the attention of the investigator from the east was called to two other safes, similarly exploded, and also lying on their sides in the street and doing duty as ho: blocks. “How about these safes?” asked The Star man of the Parkville merchant. “What story goes with them?” Nuthin’ mach of a story,” remarked the Parkville merchant Wanamaker, helping himself to a thoughtful chew of to- bacco. “Them safes have laid right thar where you-all see ‘em since '73. They wuz dragged out there and_bust- ed by Quantrell and Jess and Frank James and the Younger _ brothers, along with the rest of Quantrell’s gang. They come chargin’ down the street one day in June and tuk the town in about a minut and a half, and then went fur them safes. Money wuz mighty popular with Quantrell and the James boys, and they usually went arter all they heard of.” “How much did they get from the safes?” “I dunno how much they got from them on t’other sid2 of the street,” said the Park- ville man) “They hunted $3,800 out’n mine,” and here he pointed sadly at the safe near- est to him; the one on which the young rustic had just alighted. “Was that safe yougs?” was asked. Yes,” he answered. kep’ store then right whar I do now, and jest as I do now.” Why haven't you removed the safes?” “What's the use?” observed the Park- ville man, “They atn’t in nobody’s way, and they do fust-rate fur hoss-blocks. "Nuther thing, we ain’t got no carts nor tackle strong enough to move ‘em, nohow; so we jest let "em go as they lay, as they say in faro.”” —— The Development That is to Come. From the Fourth Estate. The use of the advertising advantages of a great newspaper Is really only in the be- ginning of its development. So far it has barely touched trade as compared with the extent to which it will be carried as busi- ness sagacity Jearns to appreciate its ad- vantages, unequaled by any and all other methods of inviting patronage for nearly every department of business. Kneessi, 425 7th St. J a ros Highest of all in Leavening Power.—Latest U.S. Gov't Report Royal Baking d Powder SPSHOSHOESOO SSS OISSSEPOOOSS 3Save 50c. On} ° sEvery Pair 3 Of OXFORD TIES buy. That’ . what our prices mean, compared with »s ioc Selling this year of any Detore, pesnee reece aame honest shoes 3$2--$2.50 $3. ——— Prices that are bringing us poet a sLadies’ Oxfords, the shoe buyers. TAN—all styles and In’ BLACK sizes. | Same ghoes sell up town for $2.50, $3 and ©7'$1.50 won't buy better Oxfords than here. Rut we would rather sell you a pair that we can recommend. ae ; OOO! > 630 Penn. Ave. N.W. Dov TOWN AMERICAN SHOE MEN. Jje21-400 Never Mind The Cash! you buy the furniture of it of the lowest cash 1 the time you want the bill. commodation to our patrons—without notes— without interest. A Promise To Pay And a little money weekly or monthly fur- nisbes your house—or any part of it. We hold the exclusive agency f fair prize Refrigerator—the thirty sizes to choose from—prices from to $50. We make and lay all carpets free you get the s—and still which to pay We give credit solely as an ac- of cost—no other house ever dreamed of doing such a thing—no charge for the waste—even —in matching figures. Solid Oak Bed Room Suite, $13. Plush or Tapestry Parior Suite, $22.50. Baby Carriages from $5 to $50. Brussls Carpets, 50 cents a yard. Ingrain Carpet, $5 cents a yard. 1,000 rolls of Best Mattings. We'll tack them down—free. Solid Oak Extension Table, $3.50. Woven Wire Springs, $1.75. 40-pound Hair Muttress, $7.00. Our marked prices will prove that there 1s nothing to be gained by paying cash. Get anything you need—pay for it while you are using it. GROGAN’S 819-821-823 TIH STREET NORTHWEST. je18-84d. 0 _.-- + Book of choice receij for waking FROZEN DELI | CACIES given away. “The Arctic” Ice Cream Freezer —is second only to the ‘White Moun- tain’’—freezes cream in 7 minutes. OF 3-at., $1.50; 4-qt., $1.75. “The Eddy” Refrigerator —needs no introduction to the citizens of Washington. The COLD DRY-AIR CIRCULATION and SLATE STONE SHELVES have made it famous shout America. More than 500,- 000 families use “The Eddy.” t7“The Eddy" will pay for itself in a short time in the amount of ice SAVED—$5.85 up, according to size. 3M.W.Beveridge, $1215 F St. and 1214 G St. - : POTTERY, PORCELAIN, GLASS, &c. je21- TSOSSES SSSA SAPS ES SSS SIOOOS PESIOSP OO PSS ODOT OSSES OOO OOD “Impeccant”’ Gas Stoves. Poorest kind of economy to buy a p Gas Store, De wasfes. We of the “Impeccant’ “acme of perfection, stand, flame. THE 1-BURN THE THE We che: sn't cook and * ake a_ specialty Gas Stoves—thi Haye high and double large, roomy top, ERS ARE BUT $1.35. 2-BURNERS ARE BUT $2.59. 3-BURNERS ARE BUT $3.75. have GAS STUVES from. 5vc the necessary Gas _ Cooking Utensils. Adjusters for waffle irons, patent broilers, flat fron heaters, dou: t $1.85 and Russi Iron ble line ovens Ovens for §: Wilmarth & Edmonston, Crockery, &c., 1205 Pa. Ave. Je21-34d TEerererrre ee eee i Caliiocdia C-L-A-R-E-T, $2 Dozen —Just for 10 days—as a sort of intro- duction offering—to let you get ac- quaited with our store. It’s the finest Claret that California “produces. Sold everywhere from $2.50 to $4 doz. For 10 Gays it’s $2 dozen HERE. ALIFORNIA WINE AND FRUIT Cc 1205 G STREET. Ferd. Schneider, Mgr. Letina aT These Telescope Cases ———are so much better than the ordinary SPECIAI cases which you see about town. Ours are all riveted—not sewed. Have wide straps, 8 COOL and ccmfortable as =; sandal—as soft and pliable as aj moccasin—as shapely ard nobby} as the finest $10 shce made~' contrived of the finest leather by. the Dest workmen—this is the great scl Wilson $3% Oxford, At 929 F St Je21-30a CORSETS. 222% We never have a spectal sale of Corsets **** unless we have something extra good to S32 offer. Here's a chance to make your #68. TID. Puy for a doliar’s worth of Corset, see¢ | Just bought 150 dozen see Extra Long Walst “J. ; & see B.” Corsets, made of | see fine- Italian’ cloth, in FS s¢** Tomorrow and Monday 6 Cc. cooe only . *see Made by the famous D."" Importers. OW ARD?” ses Two side steels, Never **** before sold under $1. Eroue, 1003 F St. 3357..ccm This Week We will shoe your with . a boy . For $1.25, Te 38, Te ts oe eh or number 5 Shoe. ad eo The Warren Shoe House, Geo. W. Rich, 919 F St. Je18-354 Gray Hair covery is faded hair to its natural color in 8 to Positively not a dye. Stops the hair from out, arrests dandraff and makes the nicest ames for the hair one can use. No NO ment. No stains. Price, $1. Trial — ee SOLE es . NW. » express prepaid, to any the country on receipt of price. 2-burner Gas Ranges, $13 Up —nlthough here are the 3-burners and the 4-burners at $20 and higher. Any of them will cook and bake without heating the house. Gas stoves, too—if you want them. The largest stock in the city i here. Gas Appliance Exchange, 1428 N. Y. Ave. 420-284 How’s Your Sketching Outfit? - It nay need replenishing, or perhaps you want a new one. In either cae, come in and let us :upply your wants. We have everything necessary. Colors, Brushes and Blocks for both off and water color, Easels, Stools, Umbrellas, etc., at prices which are Perhaps lower than you have been paying. Geo. F. Muth & Co., 4i8 7th St. N.W. Successors to Geo. Ryneal, jr. Jel5-244 Bargains In Long Hair Switches, 50. Formerly $5.00. 4-50. Formerly $6.50. 50. Formerly $10.50. $6. 7 First-cl: attendal Hair D: mhz Riticlass ‘attendance in ressing for keeping the hair S. HELLER’S, 720 7th Street N.W. For Iced Tea ‘There's none other like BURCHELL'S SPRING LEAF TEA. It’s absolutely Ee ee delicious flavor, , and 1-Ib. packages. Ww. BORCHEL! eb. 1325 F STREET. N. W. URC! . Je21-144 Jaconette Percales = At 124%. Hard to convey to you any idea of the exclusivencss of those patterns in Jaconette Percales at 12t%c. 3 yards will make a $1.50 Waist. Come—save money—make ‘em yourself out of our Percale. J.B. Nallle, scott" GOLD SEAL CHAMPAGNE. EXTRA andSPECIAL DRY. URBANA, N. Y. mi-s&w3m and are covered with canvas instead of linen. Yet ours are much less expensiv Were 50c. 14n. Cases. Now 35e. 1G-in. Case. Were G5e. 18-in. Cases. Were T5e. 20-1n, Cases. Were 90c. Yeur suit sent for, clean- ed and pressed nicely, and returned to you, for une dol- lar—for the next 90 days, to introduce our method of cleaning. Yon have beem ing $1.50 heretofore. 1068 Jeff. st., Georgetown. je21-12d <stand for the perfection in trunk mak- That $10 Trunk is an especially fine article for the money. inz. Pay $10 or $30, end the same “Leether Things,’ Lutz & Bro.. principles of trunk making are noti-e- 497 PENNA. AVE. able. Made to withstand any waage— faultlessly put together—and they'll last. “Get the best—the Concord Harness.” Je21-100. oe oe ese se FOR o ANY OF <== gy THE %e. COIN BOOKS. Includes Coin's “Financial Schoo “Financial Schosl Up-to-date”—"Tals of Two Nations” and “Honest Money.’ This is ‘a “cut” price—good till Tues- day only. eee Decker’s, 1111 F St. ,5iuucaie.*”* 1-20 ba,