Evening Star Newspaper, March 6, 1897, Page 21

TWO TRUE STORIES Which Go to Show That Justice is Sometimes Blind. a AN INNOCENT MAN IN PRISON Ex-Governor McKinney Tells How He Got There and Was Pardoned. AN UNDUTIFUL SON —___+—__—. Written for The Evening Star. A rt time ago ex-Gov. Philip W. Me- Ki of Virginia was entertaining a crowd friends and admirers who had of z around him on the hotel ve- ran ckingham Court House. After relating a number of interesting Stories of distinguished men and incidents € from hard fought political battles in which he had p “ipated, a lull occurred in the conyers. », and a grizzled old fellow who had been silently following question: “Phil, don’t you reckon they’s a hull lot of people in the pentencherry that’s inner- cent of what's charged agin’ ‘em?” “No, Tom, I really do not think such Is the «: replied the ex-governor. “Of course, it is possible to become the victim ef crcumstances and go to prison and serve out a term, while the real perpe- trator of the crime is enjoying life and listening, asked the liberty; but such occurrences are rare. Howrver, I recall an instance during my term of office as governor of Virginia, which clearly proves that the Innocent are sometimes punished.” An Innocent Prisoner. He then told the following story: “One Cay I was sitting under the shade of the trees in the grounds of the gov- ernor’s mansion at Richmond reading the papers, and trying to keep cool. Near me there were several convicts from the peni- tentiary, under » guard, and to whom had been assigned the duty of keeping the grounds clean, and the flowers and shrub- bery neatly trimmed. Among them I no- ticed an old negro. with hair nearly white, and honest, though sorrowful face. I had fi ntly seen him in the grounds, and had been struck with the kindly man- ner in which he would do the bidding of my little daughter and her child friends (who in fine weather were generally play- ing out of doors). There was nothing sug- gestive of the criminal either in his ap- pearance or demeanor; and the strange incongruny of his prison stripes and hum- ble, polite manner forced Itself upon ma In obedience to a desire to know some- thing of the history of this venerable look- ing old negro I called him to my side and said to him: ‘Old man, you have a good, honest face to be wearing stripes. You look like the old time nezroes before the war. What have you done” ‘The old fellow seemed amazed that I should speak to him or feel any interest in him; but soon recovering his equanimity he toi? me his story. He said that he had been convicted of horse stealing and that the eviderce and circumstances pointed to him so cverwhelmingly as the criminal that the fury were forced to find a verdict of ‘guilty.’ Yet be said he was entirely innocent of the crime. His Ambitious Daughter. “He was a blacksmith by trade, and kad succeeded. by industry and thrift, in ac- cumulating enough to insure against want is old age. The best white people in the hborhood were his friends and patrons. He had a daughter upon whom he had red all of his affecticns. She was a} sprightly, handsome girl, and had succeed- ed in obtaining the rudiments of an Eng- lish education. She was ambitious and de- sired to go to a city school, that she might ome better educated and equipped for a of life. White people encouraged in this laudable purpose, and their etforts secured from the old man a nt consent to the gratification of her ». She was sent to Washington, and ained there long encugh to complete ation. In due course of time she home, and in a very short time after a dudish mulatto appeared and ounced his intention of marrying her. The oid man didn’t like his looks, and pro- tested vigorously. but to no purpose, and they were duly married. ber J Beginning of Trouble. “This was the beginning of the old man’s trouble. The husband proved to be thrift- less 1 well fied to live upon the 3 of his father-tn-law. The old man rated with him, and offered to as- he would go to work and try to pro- vide tor himself. This the young man agreed to do. and the old negro secured for him a mail route, provided horses and a vehi young man started to work ntly in goo? fa All went for a good long time. and then the in- of the began to reas- . The bors ere neglected and look poor and spiritless. The ve- of repairs, and the beginning to look pretty man again remonstrated, son-in-law promised to do a hat time the young in driving a splendid high-step- he very picture of good bree his hortly orse. < and careful attention. He stated tha he bad traded the horse that he had been driving for this one, and had given $40 besides. The man, not suspecting an} mg. accepted his statement as rded the new horse as jusily property. The next day the sherif® © old man’s shop and desired to see his horses, and he was politely con- ed to the When the sheriff saw the new horse he tnquired, ‘Whose horse is this? and the old negro naturally re- i, ‘He belongs to me’ (believing, as he did, that his own horse had been traded for him). Upon this statement the sheriff errested him and took him to jail. He was fed and hiess with amaze- could not con ve why he, an indusjrious man. should be ar- of so heinous a crime as horse He was dazed and stunned by ite friends cid not desert him, but 1 Bim to speak out and clear himself of the ugly charge, but he still seemed to be in a dazed condition, and said nothin to exonerate himself. About this time his daughter visited him, and begged and plead with | to Keep quiet. She argued that his white friends would not permit him to be pur in cor eration of his pre- viousiy character. She said that if her hu: the real criminal, was punish- ed tha it would forev en r ruin the prospects of he ile i that he had solemzuly promised to do better if he wasn't caught this time. The sim ninded old man be- lieved her. and he also argued with him- self to the effect that his race was about run, anyway; that he was old. and had in great measure outlived his days of useful- i that he would sacrifice his re- ars by golng to the penitentiary, vessary, to shield his child and her baby. He followed up this resolution, re- fused to speak and was duly sent to the penitentiary. Pardoned at Last. “I was satisfied the old negro had told me the truth. I did not belteve him suffi- ciently artful to concoct such a story, and ecting upon this belief I caused my secre- tary to write out his statement and for- ward it to the offictals of the court in which he had been convicted, with the request that I should be informed {f possible as to Wether the statement was true or not. I receive] a prompt reply to the effect that, according to their best information, they believed every word contained in the state- ment to be true. I immediately presented the old man with a full pardon, and 1 never performed a more agreeable duty.” This ended the ex-covernor’s story, and the grizzled old chap sald “I'li be durned.” The Wrong Men Pinched. A newspaper man then remarked: “It's not every time that the right man gets pinched. “A short time ago I was talking In a hotel lobby In Richmond with an official from Montgomery county, who said that a merchant at Radford had been losing from bis store large quantities of gvods, and their disappsarance was of the most mys- terlous character. The local authorities were baffled in all their efforts to trace the goods or discover the thieves. “This state of affairs continued until one morning itamediately after a robbery two strange negroes were seen on the streets, each wearing a suit of clothes stolen the night previously from this much-burglar- ized store. The negroes were duly arrested and imprisoned. When questioned as to how they came into possession of the clothes they said that thsy had been tramping, and came into town the night before very late. They saw a light in a building and some men moving around inside, and they ap- proached with the hope that they might be given food. The men in the house upon their application for food expressed their regret that they could not feed them, but they could and did give each of them a nice new suit of clothes. The negroes were very grateful and thought they had struck a job lot of amateur philanthropists. “Of course, this story was not believed, and they were sent to the penitentiary, and they are there to this day. “Subsequent events, however, indicate that the negroes told the truth as to their possession of the clothes, and that they are guiltless of crime. It seems that the mer- chant who had been so adroitly robbed had a son who had fallen in with two very un- scru ulous scoundrels and became their willi: g tool and confederate in many shady transactions. Finally, he was induced to lend a hand ir. the robbery of his father. This he did by admitting them to the store at late hours in the night, and also help- ing to take away the stolen wares. The goods thus obtained were secreted in an unused building in a remote part of the town, and surreptitiously disposed of to ‘moonshiners’ from the neighboring moun- tains, and to small country dealers. “Continued success made them bolder and less cautious, and this led to their detec- tion and capture. “They are now out of jail under a heavy bail bond awaiting their trial, and the in- dications are that they will shortly wear stripes Just here the gong sounded and the crowd went to supper. ee — EVERY TRADE HAS ITS DISEASE. Curious Results of Continued Occupa- tion on Men Who Work. From the Pall Mall Gazette. It is well known that there are a num- ber of dangerous trades which give rise to serious diseases; but, as a matter of fact, almost every occupation has some ailment peculiar to itself. A doctor can always tell if his patient is a baker, for instance, by the state of his teeth. The flour dust collects on the teeth, becomes acid, and gives rise to a special kind of decay. Bakers, owing to their irregular life, sleeping in the day and working at night, and because of the hot air and dust, are great victims to consumption. Black- smiths, strong as they are, very often suffer from paralysis of the whole right side from the continuous shcck of hammer- ing, and their eyes become weak from the glare of the fire. Athletes, strange to say, do not, as a rule, enjoy long life. Pro- fessional boxers, wrestlers, gymnasts, cy- clists, are short lived, and suffer from enlargement of the heart and diseases of the lungs. Boiler-makers get deaf from the continual loud notse. Brewers and brewers’ drivers drink beer in such large quantities that they ruin their livers and generally die young. Bricklayers and plas- terers are very healthy, and they are said to resemble asses in never dying. Butchers are very strong and healthy, but they suf- fer in health through eating little pieces of raw meat. Cabmen are noted for “nip- ping.” and they endure the natural conse- quences. The cctd, also, affecie their faces to such a degree that the muscles of the face are frequently paralyzed. Carpenters and cabiret-makers are afflicted with vari- cose veins in the legs, and the action of the shoulder in sawing and planing produces a diseased condition of the large artery that runs from the heart to the arm, so that there is not a carpenter living, a doctor says, in whom a curious notse may not be heard by applying the ear to that blood vessel. Hardly a single china scourer lives to old age without becoming asth- matic. Clergyman’s sore throat is, of course, well known. It is said by some to result from having the mouth open so frequently, the air going in that way and «drying the throat. Others say it is caused by the clerical collar. And others, still, say It resu from the fact that the clergy- man preaches from a pulpit and has to bend his head downward; for barristers, who talk quite as much, do not suffer as much as clergymen, being on the same level as their hearers. e Miners, from working in the dark, be- come very irritable; their eyes get weak, and their lungs become quite black—miners’ lung. Cooks, particularly male cooks work- ing in hotels, clubs and restaurants, get gout from continually tasting rich food; and both male and female cooks get vari- cose veins and flat foot from long standing, as well as the well-known ache of the face from the heat and dirt. Coopers have a lump on the knee, which is really a little bag of fluid put there by nature to protect the knee from the injurious effects of pressing it against the barrel. Divers’ hearts become distended from holding their breath. Domestic servants are remarkable for suffering from typhoid fever, housemaids are frequently afflicted with poverty of blood from drinkirg tea and running up- stairs. Dressmakers’ long hours and con- finement result in consumption very often, but more often in indigestion, poverty of blood and impaired eyesight. The fumes of nitric acid make goldsmiths’ eyes sore, and they get cramps in their fingers from ~atching small screws. Nearly all the man beings who suffer from that awful glanders, are grooms. bber workers have very bad head- aches and great mental depression. Paint- ers are poisoned by the lead they use so much, and all their muscles, but es- pecially the wrist muscles, become very weak. Photographers get poisoned py cyanide of potassium. The dust that en- ters the lungs of potters when they are sifting clay interferes so much with their breathing that “potters’ asthma” is a well- known disease. Compositors get cracks and fissures in their lips and small tumors in their mouths from the habit of putting | type in the mouth, and consumption at- tacks them frequently because of the stoop- ing posture and the confined and sedentary life. Politicians are the greatest sufferers of all, the constant dram-drinking giving them indigestion, Jaundice and nervous diseases, killing them at an earlier age than members of any other profession. Sailors, very singularly, suffer greatly from consumption, owing to the cold and damp and the bad air of the forecastle. Sales- men and saleswomen in shops have a lot of standing, which gives them varicose veins and pains in the feet; cloth scourers, who inhale benzine and turpentine, suffer much from headache, lassitude and ner- vousness. Shoemakers get their chest pressed in by the last, lose thetr appetite and strength, and have headaches. Stone- cutters’ eyes are often Injured by the flying stone. Tea-tasters, although they only take the tea {nto the mouth and do not swallow it, become so nervous that they can follow thelr employment for only a period of eight or ten years. The sedentary life of law- THE EVENING STAR, SATURDAY, MARCH 6, 1897-24 PAGES. yers, artists, students and literary men gives rise to gout, which is said to ktll more wise men than fools; dyspepsia, which made Carlyle’s life such a torture, and apoplexy, which carries off hosts of great men. e+ Modern Improvements. From the New York Weekly. Fire Insurance Agent—“I fear I must charge you extra rates. You burn kerosene oil here, I see? Mr. Suburb—“Yes; but we run no extra risk—no extra risk at all. The kitchen is separate from the house, and there is a skylight in the roof big enough for the servant girl and the cook stove to sail through without hurting anything.” —_———-+e-+— An Optimin: From the Indianapolis Journal. The palsied old man sat by the fire, his head shaking from side to side in the man- ner peculfar to his complaint. “It must be awful to be afflicted that way.” said the sympathetic young man. “Oh,” said the old gentleman, “I find it right handy in the summer when I want to look at a two-ring circus.” ——ae Use. From the Philadelphia Press, He—"I wish you would let me be your valentine.” She—“I wish you were my valentine.” He—“Darling!” She—“Because I could then send you off to some one.” ———— - ee Sadie—“Does young Giltedge ever bibe too freely?” Florrie—‘Perhaps not, but I saw him last night trying to light his cigarette from en incandescent lamp."—Philadelphia Press. PERSONAL PARAGRAPHS ‘Tom Cooper will follow the circuit again this season under the skillful training of “Mother” Webb, who managed him last year. Though various reports have been in circulation, it is understood that he will ride the same wheel this season as last. Fred Lougkead, the Canadian champion, is out in California getting into fine con- dition. Paced by a triplet he recently rode a third of a mile in the good time of 0:34 2-5. Teddy Hale appears to be a back num- ber to American riders, an opinion enter- tained by the English racers before he entered the Madison Square race. While his record is phenomenal in that race he has not been able to do anything since. Asa Windle will handle Bald this year. He performed the same duties two years ago, but last year in changing his mount Bald was obliged to get Stockbridge, who was in this city with him during the ctr- cult meet. Earl Kiser will be on the cycle path this year with Stackpole as his trainer. Kiser is now at Dayton, training m the gym and practicing on the home trainer. Owen Ziegler at a recent meet in San Francisco rode a half mile, paced by a triplet, in 0:43 1-5, which shows that he is getting in trim. According to the reports Cincinnati will have a six-day cycle race at the Music Hall of that city, starting next week or the week after. Arthur Gardiner states that he will put in three weeks of hard work at Hot Springs before going to California. It is understood that George Gideon will be chairman of the racing board of the League of American Wheelmen for the coming year. He will not continue in the position unless a salary be affixed to the office, and this will undoubtedly be done. George N. Adams, the former champion of the south, who was Schade’s most for- midable competitor, has joined the ranks of the professionals. Little Michael, who went over to Lon- don to settle a lawsuit, made a flying trip to Paris, where he had interviews with many manufacturers and track directors, looking toward the securing of a lucrativ? Position. The Philadelphia wheelmen are looking toward the appointment of a managing committee of 200 members to take charge of the races of the '97 league ineet, which will be held in that city. A number of subcommittees will be appointed later. While $7,000 has already been promised, it is expected that fully $30,000 will be re- quired to defray the expenses. Louis Gimm, the holder of the American twenty-four-hour track record, who re- cently defeated Teddy Hale in a 100-mile match race at Cleveland, rode a wheel geared to 80. The whe:l used by Hale was geared to 91. Eddy Bald will ride the sam2 wheel as last year. He expects to leave in a few days for California, where he will endeavor to get in condition. Owen Kimble is a rider whose services are much sought after just at present by a number of manufacturers. He is looked upon as the ceming rider for ihis season. Walter Sanger will ride this year, but Pas not decided upon nis mount. He hes received several offers, but is waiting for something more tempting before signing. Within the next week or so there will be a general exodus of racing men to Cali- fornia, where they will remain until the opening of the cirzuit season, improving their condition in the balmy air of the coast, which permits outdoor racing al- most the entire year. Wess Reedy will train Arthur Gardiner this season. Upon the statement of the trainer, Gardiner has received six fiatter- ing offers from as many manufacturers to ride their wheels this 2oming season. Tom Butler has a two-year contract with a manufacturer, which does not expire until November. There are several cycie concerns after this spe2dy rider, though there are no hopes of getting him unless his present employer decides to discontinue his racing team. George Bovee, who is now on the coast, and Macfarland, the California crack, are said to be the neuclus of a new racing team that will be put out this year by a promi- nent cycle concern. I. W. Boothroyd is given the credit of being the firs: man to render practical the sitgle tube tire He was an Englishman, ard as early as 1990 invented the tire, for which he failed to take out a patent. “Choppy” Warburton, the successful Erglish trainer, and the father of James Warburton, who was in this city recently as a member of Kd. Plummer’s string of English racers, has a French youth by the name of Champion, who bids fair to be a@ crack rider. Only a short while ago Champion rode fifty kilometers, equal to thirty-one miles and 1331-3 yards, in 1:08:11 which is a record. The invention of the pneumatic tire was discovered partly through an accident by J. B. Dunlop, then a Belfast merchant, but now a millionaire and head of a corporation named after him. In endeavoring to place air cushions on the wheels of his son's bi- cycle to deaden the noise he struck a scheme which has since made him inde- pendently rich. Chairman Gideon of the racing board of the League of American Wheelmen is in favor of imposing a tax of $3 per year on all professionals to help pay the expenses of the racing board. Little Michael, the Welsh wonder, whose phenomenal riding in this country is well known, is credited with saying that Ameri- can riders are inferior to French riders. Just what he means is hard to say, for in the matter of short and middle distances the American riders are far superior to the French. The profits of the racing board of the league for last year were considerably over $2,000, The receipts were $8,543.44, while the expenses were $5,951.63. The greatest expense was for stationery and printing, which amounted to $1,626.86, while $1,287.50 was expended for a stenographer and clerk. Only $50 was expended for legal fee. James Stariey, the English manufacturer, who at one time had a monopoly in the sale of Psycho wheels in this city, has a monument erected to his honor at Coven- try, England, in recognition of his inven- tion of the tricycle, and various cther ininor things that go to make the modern bicycle of today. One of the marked characteristics of the bicycle of today is the evolution of the tire. The first pneumatics manufactured were exceedingly heavy and clumsy looking. ‘The tire in use today weighs less than cne- half as much as the tire of five years ago. Tom Eck, the manager of John 8. John- son, has announced that he Is desirous of matching him against Eddie Bald, the con- Test to take place in California as soon as the two men get in condition. The match will be the best two out of a one-mile race unpaced, one-mile race each man with his own pacemakers, and a one-mile race start- ing from opposite sides of the track. An attempt has been made to arrange a match race between Little Michael, the kid champion, “Choppy? Warburton’s pro- tege, but as the kid is only elghteen years of age his trainer did not think him to be fit to meet Michael for some time. Rice, who finished second in the six-day Tace at-Madison Square Garden, was of- fered $i) a night to ride a mile on the in- door board track at Wilkesbarre. He re- fused, asking $75 for the performance. He finally got $80 a night for riding. Tom Linton, who holds the world’s hour record, is now at his home in England. He ran across Little Michael while the latter was in London. The two appeared to be friendly enough, in spite of the harsh talk regarding each other that has been pub- shed. It will be remembered that Linton came to this country with Ed. Plummer solely to make a match race with Michael, but in this he was unsuccessful. While in this city Linton stated that he firmly be- ieee that Michael was afraid to meet im. There are said to be fully 2,000 profes- sional racing men in this country. Of this number it is doubtful if more than 100 of them would join the League of American Wheelmen if permitted to do so. Even a smaller per cent were members of the league when they held an amateur status. In the big six days’ race which closed at Chicago there were more than 300 offi- clals required to properly carry on the race. Out of this number there were 120 scorers. A. G. Batchelder, Fred Gerlach and Henry W. Robinson are mentioned as can- didates for the chairmanship of the league racing board, under a salary, in the event the incumbent declines to serve another term. Samuel M. Warns, whose wheel, picture and trophies have been on exhibition here, is the mileage champion of Maryland, cov- ering last season 19,350 miles. He is a book- keeper in a big dry goods and notion house, working eight hours a day, and made his big mileage by riding night and day. From August 25 to September 22, thirty days, he rode 3,642 miles, and from July 20 to September 27, sixty days, he rode 6,942 miles. He made 106 centuries during the year, his best showing being twenty-eight in one month. He also mace four double centuries and one triple century. Dave Shafer, the well-known trainer, has gone to California to make arrangements to organize a big team for Morgan & Wright. ‘The challenge issued by Si tle Michael has been abee| The challenge embraces a races for one mile, five es and for an hour, to be opened at 'Sacksonville, Fla. In a twenty-five-kilometeri race, equal to fifteen miles and 941°2-3 ¥ards, recently held at Paris, Lartigue, a French rider, won in the fast timeof 31.11 1-5, which beats Tom Lainton’s record of 31.13 8-5. FOR WOMEN: ‘CYCLISTS jtarbuch to Lit- by the latter. tries of match Arecent mishap to adady While out walk- ing with her husband #s a fair illustration of the recklessness of some drivers. The lady and gentleman were: crossing the street, when a vehicle, driven by a drunken man, rau her down before her husband could save her. The driver whipped up the horse and drove rapidly away, while the lady was carried to her home, badly injured, her condition being regarded as critical. In the same week two other wo- men were knocked down and injured by reckless drivers. As in the first case, one driver escaped, and as he 1s not identified, there is only a poor chance of his arrest, In the other case the driver was arrested, and in the Police Court Judge Kimball im- posed a fine of $20. Fewer pedestrians are hurt by reckless Griving than bicycle riders, for the fact that the Jaw gives the pedestrian the right of way. With the bicyelist it is different. Mounted on his wheel, he is regarded as a vehicle, and as such comes under the laws. Without exaggeration fully one-half of tne large number of accidents, which are la- beled by the po''ce collisions, between cyclists and vel.cies are caused by the drivers of vehicles. There have been many accidents that could have been avoided had the driver exercised some discretion and turned his horse in the right way. In the event of a collision the driver knows thut his horse or wagon will not suffer near as much a3 the bicycle rider, who is nothing more than a pedestrian mounted on a frail machine. The number of collisions appear to be larger with the female riders than with the male, end it Is perhaps advisable to bring this matter up while the general public is expressing disapproval of reckless driving. A drunken man is not a fit person to have charge of a horse and wagon. in an in- toxicated condition he does not know what he is doing at the time, though afterw: he may realize it. Such a person on th seat of a biggy or wagon makes riding not only dangerous for bicyclists, but for pedes- trians and the drivers cf other vehicles. The police will arrest a drunken man cn the street and lock him up at the station house until sober, but no effort is ever made to arrest a man who is drunk and driving a vehicle, unless the liquor has had such an effect as to cause him to fail asleep. The right position to pedal is to use the ball of the fcot. There are some female riders who cannot understand this. The appearance of some of the young lady riders is spolled by the manner in which they pedal. The shoe is prominently dis- played, and the position of the foot is Plainly visible. A graceful motion is al- ways preferable to an ungraceful one, yet from the manner in which some young ladies pedal a wheel it seems as though nature had intended them to he flat-footed. They vse the instep for the work the ball of the foot is intended to perform. The result is they get less powen in the push ing, tire the body more, .and,. worse than all look badly. The only reason that can be assigned fur using the, 4nstep is that the heel acts as a block and prevents the foot from slipping off the peda! If the ball of the fuot is used and the proper weight kep on the pedal there fs no danger of a lady foot slipping. It 1s gratifying to note that a majority of the female cyclists not only use the ball of the foot,-but thave acquired the ankle motion. Of course, a woman rider cannot be ex- pected to be.as familiar with the various parts of a machine as.an employe of a cycle store, but there-are..many things about the wheel she ought to know. How many who kncw the size of the wheels they use? How many spokes are there in the front wheel? How: many in the rear What make is your machine, and. what kind of tires do. you riée, single or double tube, and whose make? There is a big dif- ference in repairing punetures in a single and double tube, and in the latter make there are different ways of reaching the in- ner tube to suppress a leakage of alr. What ts the width of the tread? The tread is that part of the machine, measured at the main sprocket, from outside to outside of the crank shafts. What are the sprock- ets, and what are the crank pins? What is the wheel base? Is yours a double-bar or a single-bar drop frame? Why is it called a drop frame? How many parts of the bi- cycle can you enumerate? There are any number of other simple questions regarding the wheel that can be asked and which few ladies can answe There is nothing that adds so much to the pleasure of a ride as a good saddle. It is only after one has had considerable trouble to secure a suitable seat that the comfort and advantages of a good saddle are appreciated. The selection of a sad- dle is largely experimental. What = mi prove to be a good one for some may Le the reverse for others. There are many ladies in the city who use a man’s saddle. The woman's saddle is noticeable by being much broader and shorter. The manufac- turers long discovered the need of making a division, and now, since the main a cessions to the cycling ranks this season are expected to be through the increase of the wheel among the fair sex, the atted- tion of the saddle manufacturers has been engaged in turning out a product suitable to the demand. HE BOUGHT FIVERS. It is Probable That His Wife Wilt Have to Wait for Her Sealskin. From the New York Journal. said Mrs. Loyeydovey, looking up from the woman's page, “I have just read an account of a man who gave up smoking 25c. cigars and was able, in con- sequence, to buy his wife the handsomest sealskin to be had. It was frightfully interesting.” “Was it?” inquired Mr. Loveydovey,laztly, opening one eye. “In what way was it interesting?” “Oh (petulantly), don’t be so stupid! It esting because she—er—got the “That so?” yawned Mr. Loveydovey. And he closed his eye again. “Dearte!’”’ ejaculated Mrs. Loveydovey, in another minute or two. “Now, I know you're not asleep. Listen to me. You smoke 25c. clgars, don’t you?” “Oh, yes, sometime: “Frequently, don’t you? “Well, yes, frequently.” “Then, just think!” said Mrs. Lovey- dovey, blithely, “if you gave up smoking them you could buy me a sealskin.” “I'm afraid not, my dear.” “Oh, nonsense. How many do you smoke a day?” 1. 98 “Sometimes one, sorfetintes two, some- times three, sometimes -fouric It depends.” “Four a day!’ said Mra; Loveydovey, conclusively. ‘“Phink of ith That is $1 a day. Why, in less than a year you would have saved over $3.{: That would buy me a beauty. Now, dearie, I want you to start in right away,’ and” “The fact is, my deag,” interrupted Mr. Loveydovey, opening bnthohis eyes this time—‘I—”" di: ‘You can’t argue it ostt with me, Mr. L.” erhaps not. Butas kywas going to say, the only time I ever smoke 25c. cigars is—— I He bit off the end of 4 chive perfecto as he spoke—“when they ase-given to me.’ Worse Than Wodden Nutmegs. From the London Pottery Ghzette., It has recently been discovered that there is in Birmingham, in the very center of Christian England, a factory where idols are made for heathen nations! Many at- tempts have been made to obtain admis- sion to the factory, but a strict watch is kept upon cutsiders anxious to pry into the secret chambers where the heathen gods are made, and journalists especially are prevented from entering the works. A few facts were, however, to be gleaned concern- ing this extraordinary industry. Idols of all kinds are turned out, representing the gods of all heathen nations, from Tokio to Tim- buctoo. The export trade to heathen coun- tries is a fairly large one, although more gods are sent out to foreign dealers in curios tn the bazaars of Cairo, Damascus, Colombo, etc., for sale to unsuspecting travelers anxious to take home some me mentos of thelr stay abroad. SOME CYCLE CHAT In response to an inquiry of a cycling subscriber, the following tabulated route to New York is given. Perhaps the best information that can be furnished is to give the itinerary of the relay ride of the Miles Cycle Infantry, then the Washington MMili- tary Cyclists, which was made December 1, 1895, The distance is a half mile short of 250 miles, embracing the shortest distance consistent with good roads. The schedule called for the completion of the ride in twenty-three hours. There were ien relays in the order named. The schedule is as follows: City. Distance. | Time. Washington to Columbia....28% mil 3 hours Columbia to Baltimore. My 2 Baltimore to Air. try 2 Bel Air to I ce. 20 2 16% 2 ington. ... 17 1% ington to Philadelphia .28% 2 = Philadeiphia_to Treaton. 32 has ‘Trenton te New Br 3 New Brunswick to 8 Total +++ -249%4 miles It might be added that the condition of the road around Havre de Grace was any- thing but favorable to bicycle riding. There were some who laughed at the Proposition of Nilsson, the skater, when in this city, to race Joe Donohue, at the track at the Ice Palace, starting on opposite sides of the track. It appeared to be some- thing unheard of, but in Paris the idea has been introduced of starting two men in a cycle race at opposite sides of the track. There {s no distance given to the race, and it may culminate after three or four laps. Generally, however, the men continue rid- ing until one competitor overtakes the other, whereupon he is declared the win- ner. Gischer, the fast Belgian rider, was defeated in a race of this kind, some time ago, by Bardeu, the English rider. It may seem still more strange to learn that this style of racing, while it originated in this country, bids fair to become popular on the continent. There was a time when the public would gaze with open-mouth astonishment at what now appear to be simple feats. The days of the old ordinary, when bicycling was regarded as a luxury, and when many persons refrained from riding on account of the danger, proved to ve regular bon- anzas for the trick riders. The advent of the safety was a death-blow to the profes- sion. Most of the daring iricks that ap- plied to the old upright could not be per- formed on the small-wheeled bicycle. As a result the followers of the profession were obliged to invent new tricks, distinctive of the safety, which took some time to mas- ter. This gave rise to the general belief that ithe use of the smaller machine pre- vented hazardous trick riding and athletic feats, but it did not take long before the illusions of the publ ‘ safety is far better adapted for trick rid- ing, and a greater number of much more difficult and daring feats can be accoin- plished on it than were ever dreamed of in the days of the old upright. On the smooth streets of the city one may at any time see young riders practicing ditlicult things. One of the reasons why bells are cracked ard put out of order in a comparatively short time is the great amount of knock- ing they receive. There are few that wil stand many hard knocks. As a rule, the bell is fastened on the outside of the han- dle bar and near the t , for the con- venience of the rider, who can sound the gong without taking his hand from the grip. In this position every time the wheel falls or is let rest against anything hard it 1s generally the bell side of the handle bar which {s turned in. The con- stant knocking has a result, and the bell scon loses its tone and loudness. This dif- ficulty can easily be remedied. Turn the bell around and let it come on the inside of the handle bar. The protection will be great. Perhaps the best plan would be to remove the bell from the left outside, where it is generally carried, to the right inside, provided you have no brake on your wheel. In this position the bell can be rung by 9 simple downward pressure of the thumb. The street car companies in some cities assert that they are suffering serious loss of revenue on account of the bicycle. They say that thousands usc a wheel daily go- ing to and from their place of business and that this represents in each case a loss of eight cents and a fraction. One of the signs that the use of the bicycle affects patronage of the street cars 1s that on a rainy day on all of the trips the cars con- tain more passengers than on a clear day. Fred H. Clark of Clear Lake, Wis., is sornething of a rival to Fred Owen of this city in the Ine of invention. Mr. Clark is now at work upon a brake that is a serles of rollers which clutch the tires. He is working to reduce to a minimum the friction produced by the application of the ordinary brake on the tire. The so- lution of this problem wiil also mean less wear on the tire. Mr. Clark has also now pending patents for the substitution of a cable for the chain. He completed a model some time ago of a bicycle constructed on his ideas, and in a test with an ordinary wheel his invention ran two and one-half minutes, while the other wheel ran only one and one-half minutes, the conditions for both being the same. Mr. Clark has also invented an automatic brake and coaster. Speaking of brakes recalls an invention recently placed upon the market. The only part visible 1s the shoe, which fits the tire of the front wheel between the forks. It is operated by simply turning the right grip of the handle bar. A series of coils run through the handle bar and down through the head of the wheel. Immedi- ately above the break is a heavy spring in the interior of the frame. By turning the grip a pressure is brought to bear all the way down to the spring, which, yielding to the pressure, strikes the plunger and forces the shoe or brake against the tire, acting at this point exactly like an ordi- nary brake. There are some cyclists who seem to pre- fer a bicycle so constructed that the front wheel will be about half or perhaps lesa than the diameter of the rear wheel. Whe supposition is that with a smaller front wheel there will be less weight to the ma- chine, and that it would be much easier riding. Those who are acquainted with the mechanics of bicycle construction do not favor such a discrepancy in the size of the two wheels. The friction would be ir creased at the axle of the small wheel, fo: the simple reason that with the same driv- ing power it would have to make more revolutions than a larger wheel. There are other reasons given in the mechanical con- struction which would not be understood if placed in a few words, and which would take too much space if explaincd in de- tail. The one great objection to the old Star wheel, the upright that had the large wheel in the rear and the small wheel in front, was that the little wheel was al- ways digging in the earth, especially when riding through a sandy stretch. Bearing out these statements the report comes from across the ocean that a well- knowa English cycle concern had decided to discontinue the use of two even-sized Wheels, and will start in using a thi: inch front wheel and a twenty-eight back Wheel, instead of using two twenty-elght- inch wheels. The manufacturers claim that their experience has shown them many disadvantages of equal size wheels for roadsters. Among the disadvantages they claim are more vibration, less steady steer- ing, a certain digging tendency of the front wheel, and last, it slips on wet roads. There is one thing, however, more sirain will be placed on the crown. With a larger front wheel, the raising of the handle bars for upright riding looks less unsightly than the same neight of the handie bar on a twenty-eight-inch wheel. Well Named. From the Chicago Post. The boy was endeavoring to make one or two things clear to his father. “You see,” he said, “it’s just this way: Every time Willie Jones gets into a fight he gets licked, but he goes around telling every one that he licked the other fellow, and so he gets the reputation of being a pretty good fighter.” The old gentleman nodded tc show that he understood. “And that’s why we call him ‘General Weyler,’” added the boy. Another Celebrity. Frem the Cleveland Leader. “Do you see that young woman over there? Her picture is now being published in all the magazines and other periodicals in the country.” “Indeed? Who ts she? The daughter of some man who has become prominent in politics? Or a celebrated actress? Or has she written a successful story, or—" “No. She is the Tight Fit Corset Com- pany'’s model.” THIS NEW SHIRT WAIST, No. 6999, to Every One. letters in the word it appears in “Patterns"—verbs, pronouns, adj: tives, nouns, adverbs, plurals allowed. "W. spelled as one i legitimate English words gount._ Fraper nouns, pre; res, sufiires, obsolete ant Toreign words do not count. ‘Work it out as follows: Pat, Pen, Pons, Reap, Set, eto, Our Offer—We cach for the next five; $5 each for the next ten, and @1 each for the hext twenty-five. That Is to say, we will divide among forty-three con- testants the ag- ate sum of OO, according io merit. Don’t you think you could be One of the forty-three? TRY IT. Our Purpose—The above rewards for mental efforts are given free and without consideration for the purpose of attracting attention to, and increasing the circulation of MODES, by May Mane ton, the most popular, up-to-date Fash- fon Magazine tm the world. Its 36 replete with beautiful filustrations the latest styles in Indies’, misses’ and children’s garments, make Ita real neo- esaity in every household; the Designs and Fashion Hints, being by May: Stone ton render it Invaluable as an absolutely reliable Fashion Guide. Our Conditions—You must send with Your list of words 25 centa (stampa or Silver) for a Three Months’ Trial Sub- scription to MODES. Our Aim—The refer you to any Mercantile Agency. Address MODES FASHION MAGAZINE, HE SILENCED THE COURT. And Even Chipped Out the Judge When He Was Fined for Contempt. From the Detroit Free Press. “Being something of an expert,” said the colonel at the club the other evening, “I went to Colorado shortly after the war to testify in a case where a frien] of mine was trying to defend his rights in an im- preved quartz crusher. I found him at a cross between a hotel and boarding house where there were a number of congenial spirits and where the nightly amusement was a private game of draw. I sat in and was somewhat surprised that the judge be- | fore whom my friend’s case was to come up the next day not only played, but acted as basker. I had a fair run of luck, while the judge invariably held those tantalizing hands that are too big to lay down and not big enough to win on. “When it came to cashing in mine was the last stack of chips to be presented, and the judge was just $0 shy. I laughingly tossed a blue chip to him, told him to place his private mark on it, and that he could redeem it upon presentation My friend kicked me under the table, but I didn’t look upon the venture as half bad, even if 1 lost. “The very next day I got mixed up with the lawyer on the other side, and told him in rather a direct way that he was ras- cally enough to want me to perjure myself. The judge rebuked me, and I was rash enough to tell him that in the east the judges had sand enough to proteet a wit- ness when he was being abused. dn less time than I can tell you I was finad $0 for contempt. Reaching from the wirness | chair up behind the pulpit-like arrange- j ment at which he sat, I placed the blue check on the judge’s knee and at the same time disclaimed any disrespect toward the court. He promptly remitted the fine, but put the check in his pocket. My friend won the case.” ——_ee. APACHES AND COYOTES. Some Reasons for the India tien of Their Kinship. From Sports Afield. Of all the thousand and one ramifications of the different animals, wild or tame. none has stronger claim to intelligence, and few, if any, greater genius and appli- cation when placed where nature demands those traits to assert themselves, than the much-despised coyote which roams the plains and mountains, hunted and hated by all other living animals and human beings. Some months ago. while discuss- ing the habits, customs and traditions of the Chirlachua Apaches with their white chief, Capt. Jeffords, who still lives in a lonely mountain home in Arizona (his band, the Royal Chiriachuas, being prisoners at Fort Sill, where they were taken by Gen. Miles in 1886), I made some such statement as the above, when he related the fact that the Apaches, so far from disliking the coyotes, look upon them as their kin. Their tradition teaches them that, far back in their early history, the Evil Spirit, being angry at some of their people, turned them into coyotes. Today this is firmly be- lieved by this tribe of Apaches, and for one of them to kill a coyote would bring ruin on the rest of the tribe. Thus the coyote is not considered an intruder, but is a wel- come visitor in the Chiriachua Indian's camp. “I do not wonder at the Indians’ belief in their kinship,” said their white chief. “They possess many similar characterts- ules, and in some of the habits peculiar to each there exists a great rescemblanoe. “For instance: Let either a band of Apaches or coyotes be taken by surprise, Tradi- $300.00 in Cash A 25c. Pattern FREE ATTERNS 2” Use each letter as desired, but not more times than ut having different meanings, count Use any standard dictionary. All Our Extra Inducement—Every person sending 25 cents and a Ist of 15 words or more will, Im addition to three months’ subscription, recelve by return mall, a pattern of this stylish sbirt waist, No. 6999, (illustrated above), in any size from 32 to 44 Inches bust measure. t monthty circulation of MODES exceeds 100,000. We alm to make tt 200,000, This contest will close April 15th next, #0 the names of successful spellers can be published tn the June issue of Mopxs, Mailed May 5th, but SEND IN YOUR LIST AT ONCE. For our responsibility we Dept. 553 21 130 White St., New York. and they will scatter instantly, disappear- ing in a most mysterious manner. Not only in this secretiveness and caution is their resemblance traceable, but in many other habits, one of the most interestiag of which is the manner in which both rid themselves uf vermin, which is as curious as it is clever. “In Arizona the heat and dearth of water naturally breed vermin. Not oniy are ani- mals tortured with these pests, but hu- manity, particularly the Indian, whose habits are conducive to such a condition, are not exempt. I have frequently known them to walk from forty to sixty mules for a bath, not from an inburn desire for cleanin but from the necessity of rid- ding themselves of these pests. The coy- cte resorts to a similar method. On a moonlight night one may see them in bands trotting toward a river, each carry ing a stiff wing or tail feather from some jarge fowl in its mouth. On reaching the river they plunge in and swim out to the deepest water, until the end of the nose, with the dry feather held between the teeth, is alone visible. The vermin then, in pref nee to drowning, take vefuge upon the dry feather, upon which Master Coyote coolly drops his load of living freight into the water, and, shaking him- self, walks off with clear conscience, and, one can almost imagine, a smile lurk- ing on his cunning face. And little wonder, for clever cnough he ts. The Apache does not carry a feather in his mouth, but he uses his hair for the same purpose, allow- ing it to float on top of the water urftil the vermin have ali left the body, when he swims to shore and literally plasters his hair with wet clay until the pests are smothered. Sometimes the clay is left on for two or three days before it is washed off. There are numerous other instances in which there exists a similarity between the Apache and the coyote, which appar- ently gives strong ground for the Apaches’ tradition.’ —so-— Australian Theaters. From the Chicago News. ‘The best theaters in Australia are usually built on English plans, but are managed more like American playhouses. Th» prices charged are much less than tiios2 cheer- fully paid in England. Dress circle seats cr “stalls,"which bring $2.50 in London, will not sell for more than $1.25 in Melbourne or Sydney. It is no use asking more. In- dependent Australisns will not pay it. Australian “gods” are perhaps a little less rewdy than English ones, but ihe bet- | ter-dressed portion of the audi2nce ts ob- | jectionably talkative, frequently chatting loudly right through a performance, when the drama played is serious and pre- sumably demands thought. Evening dress, always seen in English theaters, is rarely worn by Australian playgoers, except cn “first” occasions and on Saturday nights, when colonial society usually turns out in force. The Ausiraiian audience is, as a rule, cordial and demon- | strative. Seldom asked to decide on the | merits of an entirely new play. it 2 with enthusiasm thcse productions whicif | come to it already stamped with the hals- mark of English or American approval. Fees are unheard of in Australian thet ters, and managers never make use of the “claqueur.”. Hissing and hooting are umm known, and a spirit of good-natured tob erance prevails. From the Philadelphia Press. Proprietor—“Smith, elther we'll have te stop printing an accident insurance coupon in the Bazoo, or you'll have to be a little gentler with the spring poets.” Editor—“Why, what's the matter?” Proprietor—“That last fellow you threw down stairs carried one of our coupons, and he’s just filed his claim for damages.” & DROP-LIGHT. From Life.