Evening Star Newspaper, August 26, 1895, Page 11

THE EVENING STAR, MONDAY, AUGUST 26, 1895—TWELVE PAGES. 11 BY L FRARK BANN, ————————— (Copyright, 1806, by Irving Bachelor.) (Continues frem Saturday's Star.) IL—THE CRIME AT BENITA. He paused, 2s if expecting a reply. “I don w where Benita is, nor do I much care, provided It is accessible at all; but «ny confidence with which you may honor me, you may rest assured, will be closely guarded.” “I shail trust you. At present I need only outline the task I propose for you. If you incline to accept !t, I shall prepare full and complete Instructions, with suf- ficient ex tion to permit you to act in- teligently. To be brief, our firm is one of three which own and operate the diamond mines at Benita, on tke northwest coast of Africa. “We obtained possession of them some eighteen years ago, and they have repald us largely. But recently we have discov- ered a serious shortage in the amount of Fough stones mined, which cannot be laid to the preductiveness of the mines. In other words, there is a regular leakuge which we are unable to account for. The three owners aro Jadgren & Co. of Berlin, Worthington & Chalmers of London and ourselves. Each of us has a representa- tive at the mines. In our case it is my brother, Howard Forsythe, and naturally we each feel absolutely secure in the in- tegrity of cur agents. “It Is several years since we first sus- pected this lenkage, but no endeavors on our part have succeeded in locating the thief. Agents from the London and Paris detective forces have exhausted all their ; every channel through which the zit escape is carefully guarded— yet we are just where we were in the be- ginnin nd our losses go steadily on. t amount by this time to an enor- “There is a regular leakage which we are unable to account for.” mous sum. Now, while I believe my part- ners and my brother have used all avail: ble methods of discovering the criminal, I am still dissatisfied with the result, lately I have decided to send a discreet man to f atta on my own account, and any one save my a last endeavor ing to place this affair in f you feel able and willing to sion.” You are ible man, and will be is attempted.” May I ask a few ques- sir. re the diamonds ent?” fon, by William Thompson & Co. ed out to them 2d, less the lors in c the time the stones leave an account for them ac miss them is at t ing? nd each man ts the inclosu promontory ‘ond it is an ing sands. Ti touching at the port, and from our perfect survelilance of these we know no diam leave the sta- tion. renders it probable that the ns are still there, the thief pe haps awalting a favorable time to*send or carry them away. I think if we can dis- cover the “obber we can secure most if not stolen all of his hcoty, and this is one reason that makes me anxious to attempt the discov- ery. Now, my plan fs this, that you go out secretly, being known only to my brother, to whom ! will give you a letter of intro- duction. He will give you a position in the mines, where you will best be able to dis- cover 2 clic. I will pay you a liberal sal- ary during the investigation, and should you succeed in running your game down and recovering the jewels I will give you ten thoussnd dollars. Now, sir, what is your decision? “T will go. = “Can you leave by Monday’s steamer?” “Yes, sir.” “Very well. I will prepsre ample instruc- tion, and write fully concerning my plans tO my brother Howard, who alone will be in the secret. You must be very cautious and play your part with discretion. Call on me Saturday for your final interview. In the meantime,‘as you will have prepara- tions to make, you can consider your time your own. Good morning, Mr. Andrews."* I went away in a kind of dream, nor did I recover myself until I walked in upon Josephine and received her cheery greeting. “No gem of Renlin ean equal my Josephine.” Then I began to realize what It would be to leave her. “How queerly ou look, Jack,” she said; sr ; looking despair- ace, “I am gong wing more serious. to Africa—to the end of the rising and je the sweet at do you ew white and grave. mean? What hag happened I sat down beside her and told her the I told her that here w y to win fome and a f for her. I told her of all m I had despaired of winn now that a chance was given t fort I dared to tell m ik if she could walt a y until I could come back and how but now, 5 L The reply ke Josephine. She show- ed no shyness, nor silly embarrass- t she looked into my face with . truest eyes In the world, and put her hand in mine and said: “I will wait ti you come, Jack, be it one year or ten, and then, no matter whether you are rich or poor, I will be your wife, and we will fight the world together.” “My darling!” “But be very careful of yourself, Jack dear, and rememb2r how eagerly I shall wait for your coming, and above all do not forget that I am yours, no matter how much or how little you bring back with you. For if you are poor, I can help you to brave the world, s‘nce our love 1s better than riches; and by that time perhaps papa can spare me better from the store. Dear papa! Jack, if I give you myself, you must be a son to my father, and help me to make his old age comfortable and happy.” Was there ever a sweeter, more woman- ly speech than this? Was there ever a woman who surrendered herself so com- pletely to her lover and in so doing made herself a mi‘liion times more precious in his eyes? I had loved my darling before —now I worshiped her. At the very mo- ment I won her love I learned to realize its priceless value. She was in my arms, my kisses falling softly and reverently upon her lips, when a noise attracted my attention. M. Croneau was leaning over the counter a few steps away. I took my darling’s hand and led her up to him. M. Croneau,” “Jos I said, hine and ‘Yes, yes—I know, I know!” he inter- rupted, rather brusquely. “I am going away, sir, to—to—’ I paus- ed, struck by the thought that perhaps I ought not to confide to others the affairs of my employers. He regarded me with a slixht smile on his stern features. “Yes, also I know that. You spoke loud- ly, monsieur, and my study door was open.” “Oh,” I said, with a sigh of relief, for after all this was Josephine’s father—my father-in-law to be; “then you know all?” “si I wish you success. As to the ar- rangement you have made with my child, I must perforce be content. since her happi- ness is my sole desire. Monsieur Jack, you may not realize it, but no gem of Benita ean equal my Josephine—mine?” with a shrug. “Ah, well, I suppose it must be our Josep! now! ne cest pas, m’sier?” “You are more than kind, sir. I shall try to do my duty by her, and by you also, if you will permit me to regard you as my father. I have none of my own living, you know.” He took my hand and smiled, but I thought his answer a trifle evasive: “We shall see, Monsieur Jack. You have before you a journey first, remember. So it 1 he is Mr. Forsythe’s brother, and ser of the mines “So? I scarcely remember him now. Still, if you will be so kind, I will send my regards to him—a note, to recall olden times, .perhaps. Remind me of it, m’sler, before you go.” . . . . I shall pasg over my preparations for de- parture, my sad and tearful parting from my sweetheart, my last interview with Mr. Forsythe, and, in fact, my voyage to Be- nita, since nothing occurred therein to bear upon my story. the steamer puffed up to the little quay T got my first look at the rocky point cf land whereon the mines of Benita were located. There was one little clump of cocoa pelms about half a mile inland, and a few seattered shrubs here and there, but for the most part the promontory was one mass of gray rock, broken and shelvy, and Wearing an intensely dismal aspect. To- ward the ma’ nd there towered a row of bare cliffs, reaching high into the air, and seemingly impassable, so that the little colony was absolutely cut off from the rest ef the world. A short distance from the landing was a lerge inclosure, the walls formed mostly from the prevalent gray rocks, and en- ircling a huddie of unpainted wooden re somewhat discolored by the her. ‘uch was my first view of Renita, and you can guess that it conveyed no very rable sensation when I reflected that was to be my home for some time. few lixhtly-clad natives and perhaps a n rough-looking white men stood curi- our landing and watching ition of the stores the steam- ht. I was the only passenger t, and my landing was scon I turned to one of the white ed to be directed to Mr. How- The fellow scowled and surlily pointed thumb over his shoulder. I followed irection with my eyes, and saw a man a large boulder a few yards off. whittling something with a large fe, glancing now and then care- busy scene about the landing iked toward him, regarding him attentively as I approached. He wes a large, heavily bullt man, some- what inclined to corpulence, with a round, fat face, oothly shaven. His head was partially bald, and what hair he had was thin and bisck. His eyes, which met mine frankly and curiovsly as I came up, were his best feature, and reminded me of his brother, my employer. He merely nodded in return to my bow, end looked down at his whittling again. I followed his gaze, and saw he was aimless- ly cutting a bit of wood, with no attempt at form whatsoever. “Mr. Forsythe?” I asked. He nodded again. “My name, sir, What can I do for you?” His voice was pleisant enough, but wholly withcut interest or heartiness. I took out my wallet and extracted the letter from Mr. Forsythe, and then, as the note from M. Croneau lay next, I handed that also. He took his brother's letter slowly and thoughtfully, but when his eyes fell upon that from M. Croneau he uttered a little ejaculation of surprise, and tore it open. It was evidently short, for he soon pe- rused it, and then darting a swift glance at me, in which, to my surprise, there seemed little of good will, he tore the note to frag- ments and tossed them to the breeze. I instantly wished that I had opened that letter and mastered its contents, and then I reflected with some shame that it was written by Josephine’s father, and the de- tective had not as yet overcome my natur- al instincts as a gentleman. (Continued on Tuesday.) —— Geneva’s Great Fountain. From the Philadelphia Press. The fountain that the municipality of Ge- neva has recently established at the en- trance of the port of that city is certainly the largest fountain that exists upon the surface of the globe, since it is no less than 300 feet in height. It may be seen rom a great distance in clear weather, detaching itself like a great white sail, flapping through the effects of the wind. The city of Geneva possesses a most complete distribution of water under pres- sure, the motive power for which is ob- tained from an artificlal fall, established upon the Rhone at the point of the lake. The water for domestic purposes and for the running of certain motors fs raised to a height of 215 feet above the level of the Jake. For the distribution of motive force it is raised to a height of 460 feet. The reservoir is an open air one, and fs situ- ated upon the top of Bessingers, at a dis- tance of three miles from the turbine building. A very ingenious regulator, in- vented by Mr. Turrectini, assures the uni- formity of pressure in the piping. ‘Tha length of the first pipe line Is about forty miles and that of the second about » Stis h this latter that the foun- tain conduit is connected. The latter is set in play only on Sundays. It is sometimes set in operation also on week days, in the evening. I ead of a single jet of great height, several are then utilized that do not rise so high. Powerful electric light projectors, placed in a structure nearby, brightly illuminate them with their rays which transform them int> 2s fountain of the most beautiful place, +0+—____ A Model. From Puck. “Was your husband good to you during your long ilmess?” inquired the kind lady who was making a charity call. “Oh, indeed, ‘am!"" replied the poor woman; “as good as he could he—he was more like a friend than a husband.” WHERE SILVER RULES Political Talk in the Centennial State, COLORADO TIRED. OF POPULISM Free Coinage Men Hope to Gain Through the Old Parties. THE OFFICE HOLDERS ee Correspondence of The Evenlag Star. DENVER, Col., August 19, 1895. The power of the administration over tha mien who hold office under it is clearly 11- .Justrated in the attitude of the office hold- ers of Colorado. While every man and wo- man aside from these is outspoken for free silver, they are silent. In public you can’t get them to open their mouths, but talk quietly with them ir private, and they will tell you frankly they don’t think it will do to press free coinage row. That is as far as they go, usually, though some of them are willing to take up the side of the administration, and handle, somewhat gin- gerly, the weapons it has wielded with such effect in Kentucky, Iowa, «nd, indeed, pret- ty much everywhere that it has set in for @ really vigorous fight. It would be pretty hard to find an office holder in the state— especially if the office he holds is worth anything—who is not inclined to at least Keep quiet on the silver question. Prob- ably not one of them would think cf being anything but a free silver man if he were not an office holder, but as he is one, why that changes the situation so far as his ex- pression of sentiments goes, at least. Prob- ably there are a few whose free silver sen- timents are so pronounced that they are not willing to sacrifice their freedom of ex- pression to insure the compepsation at- tached to their offices, but they are few in number, meager in salary, and uncertain in their tenure of office. And while the in- fluence of the office holders in the matter of controlling the selection of delegates to the conventions or restraining the over- whelming free silver sentiment will be a cipher, their attitude and silence is in- teresting as showing the discipline which pervades the ranks of the office hoiders everywhere. A Hopeless Case. It must be admitted, however, that the silverites of Colorado, of whatever party, are hopeless as to 1896. They see that neith- er of the great parties will declare for free coinage. They admit that the control of the administration upon the party lead- ers is such as to make it improbable that the democratic convention will declare for free silver, while, of course, they don’t ex- pect it of the republicans. As to populism, thosa of the two old parties who voted for it in the past say they want no more of it, and the populists themselyes admit that they have no hope of the united silver support. Even if a fourth party, with free silver as its chief issue, were to be created, the silver people admit that it could do no more than merely take away enough elec- tors to throw the election into the House, where the republicans have an enormous majority. The most careful study of the conditions in the House fails to show how any cgmbination there could result in suc- cess for the candidate of a free silver par- ty, though this latter is the only fragment of hope to which thcy cling as to 1896. But nevertheless they are plucky, persistent and determired to fight until they do win. They are, et present, simply playing a “waiting game.” They propose to wait and see what the old parties do in their con- yentiors, and if they refuse anything sub- stantial to silver, then the silver men will put their heads together and see what they shall do, if anything. They admit that the chances seem to be that they may do nothing. They have no intention of sup- porting the populist ticket, and, as for the establishment of an out-and-out silver par- ty, they esem to have no definite plans, at present at least. Their only thought, at present, seems to be that they will never, never, give up the fight for free silver. But while they are fighters in sentiment, they seem to be without generals. No More Populism. There is one thing that can be said. how- ever, of the silver republicans and silver democrats of Colorado, and that is that they are not likely to again vote for or with a populist. They are thoroughiy cur- ed of that. “We have had our dose of populism ard want no more of it,” is the general remark of members of both the old parties. Even this is the reply when you ask them pointedly what they are go- ing to do in case the two old parties re- fuse to nominate a free silver man or enun- ciate free silver sentiments. Not even the prospect of such a condition can induce the average republican or democrat to in- dicate that he will ever be guilty of sup- porting the populist ticket. The antics of Gov. Waite have been too much for them, while they see in the course of the populist leaders in Congress that populism is in- clined to make silver merely a side issue and press onward toward the goal of abso- lute flat money of the cheapest and most unlimited variety. ‘We are for free silver, not merely because it will increase the cur- rency of the country, but because we think it Is entitled to the money rank in the cur- reucy of the world; the populists are for free silver simply because it is one step in the direction of what they ultimately hope to obtain, absolute fiat money,” said ene of the leading free silver men of the state. And I find this to be the sentiment amorg members of both the great parties every- where. No matter what may be the name or record of the populist candidate next time in the national contest, it seems quite apparent that he will not command any strength in Colorado outside of the little band who are populists from conviction. Obligations of Republicans, The attitude cf the Colorado republicans impresses me as peculiar. One frequently bears the assertion that the republican Farty is under great obligations to them. “See how many times the Colorado Sena- tors have saved the party from defeat in important matters in Congress,” they say. If you mildly suggest that this argument might be offered with reference to any other pair of republican Senators who have voted with their party on important party matters, you are met with the reply that Colorado's interests are not for protection as a doctrine, and that the republican party therefore is under special obligation to ils republican representatives in Con- gress for standing by the party in its strug- gies for this and other republican doctrines, and that tae people of Colorado are there- fore entitled to some recognition by the republicans of their demands in regard to silver. This condition of the republican mind in Colorado seems to indicate that the party cannot count with as much cer- tainty upon the support by the people cf the “centennial state” as in others which have had equal republican majorities. While there is no disposition on the part of the republicans to experiment with the populists again, there can be no doubt that they wouid, many of them, support any party of standing which should make free and unlimited coinage an essential feature of its platform, omitting the extremes which have characterized populism. The Unselfish Silver Men. Your average Colorado voter is a silverite from thorough conviction and on principle. At least, he thinks so, as to the latter, and makes haste to tell you so. “He—or she, since the voters are now of both scxes— recogrizes that the outside world looks upon the silver sentiment of Colorado as a purely selfish one, that would not exist if It were not for the presence of enormous quantities of silver in the state. So, in order to us- sure the world that this Is not true, the silver man or woman of this section nakes his platform so broad and its principles so deeply laid as to banish the idea, if pos- sible, that his fs a selfish or sectional view of the question. He rejects with scorn the suggestion of free coinage of American siiver only. Suggest to him that possibly the republicans might support a proposition for the free coinage of the product of American silver mines, and a high duty against foreign silver, and he looks at you with a mingled expression of indignation and surprise. “That would bring the propo- sition down to merely a selfish one,” he says. “We are fighting for free silver from prinelple, because it ought to be a joint and equal partner with gold, if not, indeed, the absolute standard of the world’s reas- = ure of values. No, no free American silver for us; it would lower us in the eyes of the country and the world, who would then Say that our demand for free silver is a Purely selfish one, and no more entitled to respect than the fiat money propositions of the populists.” 0. P. A. WILDCAT ON THE TRAIN Experience of Brakemen on a Freight Train in the Woods. —-__ Only the Shrill Engine Whistle Pre- vented the Animal From Making a Fatal Leap. From the Buffalo Express. Brakeman Ben Forling and Brokeman Denny Morlarity of the W. N. Y. & P. came into Buffalo yesterday with a tale that would make an ordinary man’s head swim. They had passed a night, or, more exactly, a part of a night, under auspices that, to say the least, would sow terror breast high in the hesrt of the sturdiest. They wer2 as limp as rags, and whea they found that their hair was not several degrees whiter than the virginal snow they were vastly astonished. And this is their story: They were brak- ing on a freight that came from Pittsburg over the Alleghany Valley and the W. N. Y. & P. The freight was a through one and due in Buffalo yesterday morning. Everything. went along in its usual way until the train passed Oil City. Then the fun began, if by any stretch of imagina- tion the experience has a humorous side. ‘There is a deep cut just this side of a small station called Eagle Rock. The road winds through the hills on each side there, and the engine puffs and snorts up a steep grade. Moriarity was in the rear of the train and Forling in the middle. The other brakeman was in the caboose. The country thereabouts is very rough, but it is not especially noted for its thick forests and wild animals, as are some of the other varts of Pennsylvania. How- ever, after the experience the brakemen had, they vote it nothing less than a howl- ing wildern2ss. As the huge engine dragged the long line of cars wearily up the grade, beneath the shadow of the hemlock-covered hills, the train entered the cut. The waning moon, yellow-red in the hot air of the night, Shone bright enough so that objects could be quite well distinguished. Just at the end of the cut, amid the rumble and roar of tha swift moving train. Forling heard a strange weird cry, followed by a long wail. He was seated on the middle car of tf train, facing the end. He xot up and turned around. He looked at the banks on each side wondering what could have caused the noise. Then the cry came again. Bracing himself against the air Forling walked toward where the noise came from, for it appeared to be on the car. Suddenly he stopved. Stopped and looked forward anxiously, his hands to his face. There was something on the car ahead. He took another step, then stopped as though he had seen a ghost. Forling de- clares now that had it been only a ghost he wouldn't have cared. But it was worse. ‘There was something very mundane about it. Crouched on the;neck of the car ahead the moonlight rerealed the form of an ani- mal. Its tall was lashing and eyes gleam- ing. Forling deciazes that in the uncertain light it appeared to.Be as big as a lion. It howled again. Then he knew. It was a wildcat. Forling stopped. Then he turned about as if to go to the rear of the car. The cat, which had evidently beeen stunned and dazed a bit by the shock of the fall on the car, was not very much awake. Still, half crouching, it followed. He could see it half creep along the:walk that topped the car. Forling begam.to be frightened. A fight with a wildcat is at no time a par- ticularly pleasing task, but on the top of a freight car at the dead of night the joy of the affair-was even less. He yelled to Moriarity. op- 3 “Dinny, for the love of God, look out! There's a wildcat on, the train,” ; Mosiaity did ngt’ seem to understand and walked toward him, leaning against the wind ack! you fool! go back! A wild- Meanwhile the snimal came nearer. It was within springing distance now, and Forling de- clares that its eyes gleamed like red balls of fire. As he realized the full import of the affair, he says, he grew nervous and weak. His knees trembled and lost their power. He looked straight at the cat. He was at a loss what to do. Moriarity now understood the terror of the occasion, for he ran for the end of the train. Forling’ felt like one already lost. His only hope lay in letting the people on the engine know of the trouble. ‘This was impossible. To apply the brakes would have been to break the train in two, which would be of no practical help. To jump from the car would be an exact equivalent to the traditional leap from the frying pan into the fire. He was near the end of one car, and he thought he would climb down between. Just as he was climbing over the edge the cat advanced to within a few feet. As his head was disappearing in the crevice his eyes caught those of the cat, and he de- clares he will never forget the sight to his dying day. The red eyeballs seemed to re- volvo like wheels of fire. They darted sparks at him, so he declares, and the sight made him dizzy and faint. He had just strength to hang on between the curs till he rested on the bumpers. The wild- cat came to the edge of the space and looked over. Forling thought he was go- ing to leap, and that he, trapped there, had no chance for an even fight—he was caught like a rat in a hole. But the ani- mal stopped. It put down a foreleg cau- tlously, but drew it back. It did not like the prospect of crawling down. The tension was awful. Forling felt his strength ooze from his finger tips. He never expected to come out alive. But, of a sudden, the cat jumped the small gulf that separated the cars. Now it was Moriari- ty’s turn. It came along spitting and snarling. Morlarity had seen Forling’s tactics, but he was upon the last car and the cat upon him before he knew it. His, he thought, was a desperate case. He could only crawl down at the end of the train and hang on by the steps. He, too, felt :ho terror of the situation, and he was unnerved. He declares that !f it had not been for a most lucky incident the would never have reached Buffalo save in a long pine box. But just as he was backing off the car the cat crouched. Just as he could see the little body prepare for a spring the huge engine gave a piercing whistle. This, Moriarity declares, saved his life. If the cat had reached him he would have jumped off the train. The whistle discon- certed the cat. It made a spring and land- ed near Moriarity’s head. With the in- stinct of self-preservation acting quicker than eny thought Moriarity struck with his right arm at the animal as it fell The blow took the cat, already scared by the whistle, unawares, and it fell with a frightened yowl to the ground. Morlarity, still weak, jumped to the top of the car and ran for the space where he had seen Forling diseprear. The man on the bump- ers was so weak that Morlarity had al- most to carry him to the top of the car. Both men solemnly! avow that that cat looke¢ fierce enougti to eat them both. If the cat was as.badly frightened as they were, its teeth are chattering yet. — A Fruit Soup. From the Chicago Timed-Herald. Fruit soups are more common abroad than here. Theyiare served cold, of course, and are a pleasant and easily prepared nov- elty for the company summer luncheon. Mrs. Rorer’s recipe’for cherry soup calls for one quart of sour cherries and one quart of cold water over the fire; when boiling add half a cup of sugar and press through a colander and return to the fire. Moisten one tablespoonful of arrowroot, add it to the boiling mixture, cook a mo- ment, add one tablespoonful lemon juice and turn out to cool. Serve cold in glasses with a little cracked ice. ———-+e+ —___ The Star Out of Town. THE EVENING STAR will be sent by mail to any address in the United “States or Canada for such period as may be desired at the rate of fifty cents per month. {But all such orders must be ac- companied by the money, or the paper cannot be sent, as no ac- counts are kept with mail subscrip- tions. MARTHA’S VINEYARD Washingtonians Summeriag on the Massachusetts Coast. CAPTURE OF A BIG SWORDFISH How the Fishermen of That Region Hunt the Monsters. DANGERS OF THE CHASE Correspondence of The Evening Star. MARTHA’S VINEYARD, Mass., August 22, 1895. Captain and Mrs. Newbold of Washington are visiting Colonel and Mrs. Carey, who are also entertaining their son, Lieutenant Ed. Carey, and his bride, just arrived from Fort Douglass, Utah. Mr. A. Zapphone of the accounts division of the weather bu- reau, With his wife, spent a day here this week. Colonel Geo. B. Davis, who was promoted to lieutenant colonel by the retirement of Colonel Winthrop, is summering here at the Pequot. The guests honored his pro- motion by decorating the table used by himself and family and special friends with flags, while over the table was suspended a@ large United States flag, with the salute “Hall to the colonel made of ivy leaves. On the table were large bouquets of scarlet nasturtiums, white petunias and blue bach- elors’ buttons, arranged in stripes of red, white and blue. As the colonel and his guests took their seats all the other guests, over a hundred in number, rose and sa- luted. A fine course dinner was served, and an immense cake, decorated with flags, was placed before Colonel Davis, which he divided among the company. Gev. Altgeld of Illinois, with his family, accompanied by E. R. Brainard and family of Chicago, was here this week, and made a number of good catches of fish. A Big Swordfish. Speaking of fish, the largest swordfish ever seen here was landed this week by Capt. Hiram Luce, an old Vineyard pilvt, who is now fishing with the schooner Het- tor. When hauled ashore and placed on the scales the fish’s weight was recorded at 750 pounds. The average weight of this species of fish is but 200 to 250 pounds. A number of yeers ago, Capt. Luce says, one of the same size was caught near Nan- tucket, while he never heard of one weigh- ing over 800 pounds. The captain's de- scription of the tussle with the monster, which measured 14 feet 2 inches from the tip of the sword to the end of the tail. Is exceedingly interesting. He says: At about 5 p.m. Tuesday we were making the Gay Head wharf, when the “big fish was sighted swimming at the surface only 300 yards from shore. The harpoon, the keg and coil of rope were immediately brought out, and the schooner made for the fish, who was apparently asleep, so they run alongside of him all right. The harpoon was plunged into his back and the rope thrown overboard. For half a minute the monster lay as if stunned, first making a deep dive, then starting away for the open sea with the speed of an arrow, the keg making the water fairly boil in its wake, but in the course of an hour, after going many miles, he tired, and a boat was sent alongside, when they lanced the big prize, and old swordy was hoisted aboard the schooner. The fish was harpoored by the mate, who hails from Gay Head, an old salt who has speared many a big whale in the arctic. The fish had been on exhibition here for several days and was then taken to New Bedford, where it will be on exhibition during the conclave week. Swordfishing is a risky business, and almost as danger- ous as the vocation of a freight brakeman. The modern swordfisherman is a whaleman to all intents and purposes, and a “crazy” swordfish is just as dangerous as an ugly whale. He has the very essence of deviltry bottled up in his slippery black body, and he swings his horn sword around with such vengeance that it is as wicked a weapon to face as a blade of steel. He dces not jab, but slashes with a twisting, saw- Ing motion, like a flail full of business. The Approved Boat. The most approved boat now used in swordfishing is the cat, though other craft are also employed, but a Cape Cod cat- boat, is, after all. as safe a craft as one can us2, especially when handled by men who have made a living by sailing them from boyhood. They are out in all kinds of weather, hammering the big waves cf the ocean or banging into the tide rips of the sound, and like the cat in the familiar song, they always come back. The iron that kills the swordfish, when properly di- rected, is a rod aftixed to a pole. At the end of the rod the barb—a piece of metal with lanyard—is ettached. When the iron is sent Into the fish a vank on the pole disergages it, the pole is with- drawn, and the barb with its line remains fast in the flesh of the fish. To this line is fastened a gaily-painted keg, which serves as a float to locate the fish as he swims away from his tormentors. The fish is allowed to tow the float, and the boat chases after bim to the end, while in kill- ing a-whale, the whaleboat is towed by the leviathan until the big creature is tired out and gives up his struggles to escape, and is eventually killed with the lance. The swordfish swims near the surface of the water when in pursuit of food. They eat fish, and are considered murderers among the finny tribes, but very seldom swallow their food without first killing. When in the midst of a school the sword does won- derful execution, lashing the wat2r into foam with a wide swinging sweep that would break a man’s back in a jiffy. There is not the slightest suggestion of a thrust in the motion, merely a series of lightning like sweeps, The swordfish is easily lo- cated b¥ the hoatmen, as he rolls along the surface. The curved back fin and tall furnish a mark that can be discerned a long distance. If there i3 sufficient wind the boat can be brought over the fish so as to throw the iron with a fair degree of certainty, but in a calm it is a case of watch and wait. Frequently the men go after the fish in a tender, if one is at hand, but as a rule they prefer to wait for wind, so that the fish when struck will not swim the float keg out of sight and carry away the xear. Stories About Swordfishes. Several weeks ago the fishing schooner Centennial of Gloucester ran into a fish off Gay Head, and the creature at once butted a thirty-foot seine boat in tow at the ves- sel’s stern. The boat was stove in and $1,000 worth of seine went adrift. About the same time a fisherman near Edgartown happened to be in a dory handy to a breaching fish. The dory was smashed, and, according to witnesses, the fishorman was hurled a distance of thirty feet by the concussion, He could not swim, and when his partner got to him with a boat hook there was no time to be lost, for the vic- tim of circumstances was sinking for the last time in 150 feet of deep blue sea. A fifteen-foot boat hook was required to haul him out of his predicament. Some years ago a whaleship was at New Bedford dock, discharging a cargo of oll casks. One of the casks could not be lifted from its po- sition near the keel. When it was pried away a wicked sword was found protruding through the ship’s bottom. It had cut a three-inch plank of oak, a two-inch hard pine piece of sheathing and entered the oak head of a cask and then broken off near the nose of the feliow who had so de- terminedly directed it. Many narrow escapes are told of by the Martha's Vineyard fishermen. A number of them have been injured by a sword sud- denly piercing the bottom of the boat in which they were seated. Skill is required to get a heavy swordfish into a small boat, particularly when much sea is running, and if a spark of life remains the job i still more difficult. The final quietus given with a whaleman’s spade, thrust into the gills, thus cutting the fish’s throat, and the loss of blood very soon puts an end to all struggles. The bight of a rope is then passed around the big fellow as he Mes alongside, the inboard ends being well secured. The loop or bight is seized by the men, and as it is passed around the body of the fish purchase is applied and he is hauled into the cockpit, the roll of the craft greatly assisting in the operation. The swordfish is worth 5 to 7 cents a pound to the boatmen, an and they certainly earn it. WwW. W. N. —_——_——_ CAN USE THE LASSO. & Woman Who Makes a Business of Selling Horses. From the Denver Republican. Miss Kitty C. Wilkins, the famous horse- woman of Idaho, has been in the city for & couple of weeks, making arrangements for a shipment of horses to the south from her ranch, fifty miles south of Boise City, at Mountain Home, on the Union Pacific railroad. Miss Wilkins is in many respects a most remarkable woman. For the past nine years she has been selling horses and mak- ing money out of the business where many others heve failed. Miss Wilkins is a tall blonde, with_close- ly cropped hair of a golden hue, and in dress and appearance she is not at all un- like many another woman to be met with on the street every day. She was ju: Bet- ting ready to leave tke city for C icago last evening, and while she was talking would step to the glass and affectionately fix her front and back hair, which but shortly before had seen the curling tron. She cerefully stowed away in her grip lit- tle white boxes, bits of chamois skin and a sponge, with a little hand glass. She was neatly attired in a blue wool travelins dress, with a light waisi, and there were bits of jewelry worn. She said: “Yes, with my fether and three brothers I have had charge of a horse ranch in Idaho for the past nine years. I do not attend the round-ups or the branding, but I have always sold the horses we have for sale each year, and have been very successful. It has been our good fortune to make money on our horses every year in spite of the depression that has come upon the tusiness. I go to points in Geor- gia and Florida and there dispose of the stock I have for sale, and am uniformly successful.” - “Can you lasso a horse?” “Certainly. I can and do ride over the ranges looking after our stock, and take @ great deal of pleasure in it. You see, we ralse cattle as well as horses, but I do not like cattle, and so have nothing to do with them. I used to ride the ranch a great denl more than I do now, but I like it as well as ever, only that I have not the time. The ranch house and surroundings of our mountain home are not unlike the typical ranch anywhere In the wesl, and many of our animals range on the govern- ment land, and are rounded up every year and branded.” “Do you travel alone?” “Always. I have never yet found any in- convenience in it, and never feel the want of a so-called protector. I am amply able to take care of myself.”” + ——-——+e-—_____ DIDN'T WANT ANY TALKING. Jim Duncen Preferred to Kill Hin Bears in Sitence. Frem the San Francisco Cali. “Bear?” said Mr. Ottinger. “Bear? why, I helped to kill a 1,146-pound grizaly just a week ago at Wawona. Old Jim Duncan, the slayer of ninety-four bears, and I went cut on horseback about ten miles from town after grouse. We walked five or six miles in the hottest weather, and after getting six grous+ and a hundred mosquitoes we thought of turning back. But I was so thirsty that I said, ‘Wait here in the clear- ing, Jim, till I go dcwn the canyon to get a drink.’ I went down about 200 feet and had to Me sprawling over some rocks in order to drink. I only took one swallow when two gunshots-rang out. Startled at the sound, I rose up and ran as well as my Weight would let me back to the clearing. Puffing and blowing, I leaned up against a tree and witnessed the strangest sight that I ever saw. A big pile of fur lay in a heap on the ground, and the old hunter was just about to jab his bowie-knife into It when the bundle rose up like a flash and let out a blow that sent Jim’s musket spinning fifty feet in the air. With that there was the most exciting fight that I ever saw. “The bear resred up again and Duncan barely dodzed its claws. But bruin caught his clothes at the neck and ripped them down to his bocts. I still leaned against the tree, too weary from my run and too surprised to go up and shoot the bear. I could see Duncan slip around and his feet got tangled in his torn clothes. He fell fighting, with the bear atop; but the bear's throat was cut from ear to ear. The old man extricated himself. and sliding on the carcass, called over to me through his nose, ‘Wall, my time hasn't come yet. Young man, I give you credit for a great deal of coolness for a greenhorn. I'm glad you didn't open your mouth in this fracas, so many of these fellows think they have to killing bar.’ ” = +e OLDEST GRADUATE OF YALE. Rev. Samuel Bisscll of Ohio, Now in His Ninety-Ninth Year. From the St. Louts Globe-Democrat. The oldest living graduate of Yale Col- lege is Rev. Samuel Bissell of Twinsburg, Ohio. Rev. Bissell is in his ninety-ninth year, but enjoys comparatively good health, and will doubtless reach the century mark. Although it Is more than three-score years since he graduated from that institution of learning, Rev. Bissell is still itz loyal friend, and delights to hear of the success of Yale students in sports or studies. Rev. Bissell was born in Middlefield, Maess., in 1707. He came with his father's family to Portage county in 1806. He at- terded school at intervals and helped his fether to make a home in the forests. In 1816, determining on a better education, he made his way on foot and alone to Yale College. There, with but a few dollars on which to ccmmence his college life, he ccmpleted the full course, with no aid save his own head and hands. He graduated with honor in 1823. Scon after returning to his home he took crerge of the Congregational Church at Twinsburg, and, except for a few years spent as pastor of other near-by charges, ‘Twinsburg has since been his home. He opened a private school there in 1826, which, growing rapidly, induced him within a few years to establish the Bissell Acad- emy of Twinsburg, a place of learning which in its time had a wide reputation. Men who became prominent judges, Sen- ators, governors and ministers are among those who received a part of their educa- tion at Bissell Academy. Rev. Bissell was @ great friend of the Indians. Hundreds were taught at the academy, and their board and lodging provided gratis. They came from all parts of the west to re- ceive at lezst a little of the white man’s learning. No one applied at the academy in vain. Whether boy or girl, for both sexes were taught, had money to pay the a, if an education were asked it was given. ’ But the enactment of a law in 1846 for a public school in Akron was the beginning of the end. This city was the pioneer in Ohio in securing a public school, and other towns soon followed its example. The at- tendance at the academies and private Schools decreased. The preacher and teacher became old, and Bissell Academy was closed many years ago. Near the old school building, however, is a pleasant home, and here Rey. Bissell, with no other companion than his aged wife, is spending nis well-earned rest. —s02 Swallowed by a Chicken. Fiom the St. Louis Globe-Demoerat. Recently J. E. Thurmond, a wealthy farmer, who Ives between Louisiana and Bowling Green, Mo., on removing the “sparkler” from his shirt bosom placed it for safekeeping on the mantel, but on seck- ing it a little while afterward the costly jewel had taken flight. No person had seen it, and diligent Inquiry failed to connect any cne with its sudden disappearance; but it finally occurred to Mr. Thurmond that perhaps a pet chicken, which had the entree to the house, was the thief, but how to connect it with the robbery other than by resorting to the ax blade was be- yond his reach. His decision was soon made up that the chicken should pay the penalty, and, like many others that have taken the same route to the fowls’ para- dise, off went the head. After a careful post mortem, to the astonishment of those present, on splitting open the gizzard the gem was found firmly encysted in that organ. ———_—--ee. A Well-Reguiated Town. From the Atlanta Constitution, “You have a fine town here,” said the visitor to the land boomer. “You're right, sir; an’ so healthy!” “Indeed? What's the death rate?” “None at all, sir. We won't let ‘em dle here. Soon as the fever, an’ ague, an’ measles, an’ rheumatism, an’ seven-year itch strikes ‘em we call a meetin’ o’ council an’ make ‘em move on!” A CHINESE MADSTONE. Said to Have Cured Hundreds Bitten by Venomous Creatures. From the St. Louls Republic. Ben R. Spradiey, an attache of the St. Louis Sanitarium, has one of the most cur- fous, and what he asserts to be one of the most useful and valuable articles. It is a Chinese snake stone, and there is said to, be but one other in the country. Indeed, the one in Mr. Spradiey’s possession Is but half a one, the original having been cut in two by Mr. Spradiey, and half of it given to a friend. The stone looks like a piece of oblong cannel coal, and is about one- eighth of an inch in thickness, three- eighths of an inch wide, and half an inch long. It is as light as a piece of cork, possesses a polished surface, and can be easily cut with a knife. It is not a stone, in the proper sense of the word, but is a manufactured article, and is porous. To cure snake bites or polsonous wounds ofa similar nature with the stone the wound must be scatified. Then the stone is applied to the wound. Each morning and eveatng it Is taken off and put into a glass of lukewarm water to remain a few mo- ments, until it discharges the polson it has absorbed. Then, after the wound has been washed in a strong solution of salt water, and again scarified, the stone, which in the meantime has been rubbed In warm ashes until dry, is again applied. If this treat- ment is Kept up for nine days, and the pa- tient abstains during that time from spir- ituous liguors, a cure is assured. a, I secured the stone,” sald Mr. Spradley, ‘from my father more than thirty years ago. He got it from James J. Parker, the man who made it. From 1874 to 1877 I was with the party which was putting through the Texas Pacific railroad, and during that time cured several of the party who were bitten by rattlers and other poisonous snakes. I have frequently loaned the stone to friends, and I cut the original in two, giving half of it to a particular friend of mine. I have not used the stone for some time, but am ready to give a test of its merits at any time” , Following “are some excerpts from a written history of the stone in the posses- sion of Mr. Spradley: “This remedy for the prevention of hy- drophobla and cure of the bites and stings of all poisonous reptiles and insects was obtaihed by my father, who was a sea captain, forty-five years ago, from an old schoolmate of his, who was also a captain of a ship, and engaged in the China trade. He also obtained full directions for making the same. He said the captain told him that he obtained it from a Chinese juggler, who frequently exhibited poisonous snakes, and would even allow them to bite him, for the gratification of his audience, and then apply a plece of the stone, without recelv- ing the least injury. The ‘sald captain, by paying the juggler liberally, and agreeing not to make any for sale in China, ob- tained the recipe for making. This remedy was applied by my father and mother to more than two hundred persons within a lapse of forty years, and never failed in a single instance to effect a cure.” Attached to this wriiten history, which is signed by James J. Parker, Cabin Point, Svrry coun’ , is a certificate of cures performed by means of the stone by Parker's mother, which is signed by twenty-six citizens of Cabin Point, the cer- tificate reading as follows: “We, the undersigned, citizens of Cabin Point, county of Surry, and state of Vir- ginia, do confidently ‘believe the snake stone In the possession of James J. Parker to be infallible as a preventive of hydro- phobia and a cure for all bites of a polson- ous character, we having known and heard of persons who were unquestionably bitten by mad dogs and poisorous reptiles who have visited this great remedy with never- failing success.” Of the twerty-six signers of the certifi- cate, Mr. Spradley says all are now dead, except one—a Mr. J. Deal, who lives in Pennsylvania. ——- +e+_____ Did Not Ask So Very Much. From the Chicazo Chronicle. Joseph Jefferson has a national reputa- tion, not only as an actor, but also as a story teller. The following exparience, which he related at the dinner of the Har- vard Association, is by no means the worst of yarns: “While acting Rip Van Winkle in one of the western cities I received a letter, in which the writer said he was so overcome by my acting that he was desi- rous of returning thanks. And he closed the letter by saying: ‘My name is Duncan, and I am the inventor of Duncan's spring beds. I would like to send as a token of my gratitude one of Duncan's spring beds to you for your family. I am entirely dis- interested in the matter, and all I shall ask you to do will be simply, when you wake up in the last act, to say you wouldn’t have felt so bad if you had deen sleeping on one of Duncan’s spring beds." ”* Take No Substitute. Gail Borden Eagle Bran lways stood FIRST in the estima- of the Amencan Pecple, No other is just as good.” Whatever we sell bears the stamp of thorough workmanship and perfect nish. ——PARLOR SUITE prices never were lower. The present showing is the largest and most varied we’ve ever made—and the values are the best that we’ve ever been able to offer. If you’re interested in Parlor Furniture the new arrivals will in- terest you very much. ‘There are Reception Room For $1 Sultes—consisting of ivan, arm chair and side chair—with bigh backs, French legs, spring seats, with fringed edges, apholstercd with silk tapestry—that offer good comparison with the $30 suites you ordinarily see. ‘The same suite, covered in silk damask or brocatelle, for $1.00 more. There are 5-plece overstuffed For $37 faster suttes covered tn toe atelle, and trimmed with plush—spring edges, ‘The price is introductory to the low prjces at which our new Parlor Furniture will be of- feted—$55 wouldo’t be too much for the same suite. A $07 suite, similar to above, that you te Ti say ta worth $5. it SOOOPS OSS POSES EP OTOSTOS I OOS An Up-to-date Necessity: For the Toilet and Bath. Pine Blossom Soap. Medicated, antiseptic, ggpolutely pare. Soothing and healing, it purifies and gives health and beauty to the skin, removing all irritating and humiliating disfgurements. Price 25 Cents, AT ALL DRUGGISTS. Foster Medicine Co., Baltimore, Md. 424128