Evening Star Newspaper, June 25, 1898, Page 20

WILB- BEAST IAGE LEAVES rremt his NeresraK Y¥- MURRAY GRAYDON THE MYSTERY OF THE OUDH JUNGLE. a (Copyright, 1898, by Willlam Murray Graydon.) Capt. Algernon Medhurst mutter2d some- thing under his breath as he saw through a rift in the dense tropical forest that the ruby red sun was on the point of kissing the crest of a distant range cf hills. Then he lean-@ back in the saddle, mopped the perspiration from his brow and said petu- lantly to his traveling companion: “Only an hour yet till darkness, and Fai- sabad sixteen miles away. We must put up for the night presently, worse luck.” “It can’t be helped,” replizd Matthew Quin, in a philosophical tone. “The heat Was against us, and we slept too long at noon, not to speak of the time we wasted trying to get a shot at that leopard. We can’t push on, you think?” “Not in ,his beastly jungle. Th> path is too uncertain,” the captain answered, short- ly. “Our fellows are giving a mess dinner tonight, and I wanted particularly to be there.” ¢ “They'll have to do without you,” said Quin. “I suppose we must make th> best of the situation. Any villages near at hand No; but there's a dak bungalow a couple of miles ahead,” was the reply, “if it’s not gone to ruins since I saw it a month ago. It had no caretaker then; the last man was 2aten by a tiger.” “The government has probably filled the Place by this time,” suggested Quin; “and anyway a dak bungalow is better than a bed under the sky.” The captain did not respond, and the two urged their jad>d°horses on in silence. A lean, mud-colored dog, with a head sui gestive of a bloodhound, trotted languidly alongside. A few yards in the rear, mount- ed on a wiry pony, followed a keen-faced, half-naked Hindoo of uncertain age. This was Golab Singh, a shikaree who had been in Quin’s employ for the past six weeks. It was the clos> of a sultry day in the dry season, and the locality was a vast and lonely jungle in the district of Oudh, which forms part of the northwest provinces of India. That morning Captain Medhurs: who was returning from a furlough to his military duties at Faisabad, had met and Joined company with Quin at thevillage of Gonda, since the destination of both was th? same. For three months Karl Ham- Tach’s indefatigable agent had been trap- ping wild beasts and serpents in the hills behind Gonda, and now he was on the way to Faisabad to arrange for transportation down country by rail. The caravan of boxes and cages, in charge of the faithful Carruthers, was to follow in th> course of a few days. The uns2en sun drooped lower and lower, the s ws deepened on the narro' grass-grown bridl> track, and in the fast nesses of the sratted jungle to right and left the brooding calm began to change to the unrest of the coming night. In the di tance prowling animals, roused from eleep, faintly gave cry. Near?r to the highway a breeze stirred the foliage and strange rus- ting sounds were heard in the thickets. At last, when the brief period of twilight was nearly over, a welcome sight loomed several hu-dred yards ahead—a low, thatch- ed buiding & by the edge of the €. It was the dak burgalow, a type of ny erected by the government in lonely districts for th> protection of travelers. They are comfortably furnished, and each is in charge of a native caretaker, who re- ceives a trifling wage for his solitary work ‘There's our hotel.” said Capt. Medhurst. “Inviting place, eh? As he spoke, the dog pricked up its ears, led ftom head vo tail and uttered a ping growl. Does he scent some animal?’ asked Quin, feeling for hi: Not a bit of it, “He smells a Hindoc @ bloodhound for tracking nigge @ strain of that breeding in him. We'll find a caretaker yonder. “You are right.” Quin answered. somebody moving by the. door. That's a fine dog. and a valuable one. You may wel! say that, “Rip has given me timely warning of dan- ger more than once, and I wouldn't part with him for his weight in gold. But it is @ false alarm this time.” He quieted the hound by a few words. and a moment later the little party pulled up before the dak bungalow. Sure enough the caretaker was in waiting—a bent, gr: bearded old man, yet with eyes like hawk’s and a s:rong face that age had not dimmed. He salaamed to the Englishme: shrank almo: imperceptibly from their in quisitive glances, and assured them in flov language that nothing was lacking for their comfort. Would they graciously be pleased to enter? Your name?” questioned Capt. Medhurst. Ram Das, sahib.”” ‘Well, we shan’t need you, Ram Das. My companion has a servant who will look after our wants. If the beds are ready, that is enough You can go. Stay, here Is a rupee for you.” The caretaker’s left hand was partly concealed in the folds of his tunic, and he picked up the coin with the right, mean- while darting a swift look at Golab Singh. who was too intent on climbing out of the saddle to pay heed to his low-caste country- man. Then the old Hindoo salaamed again and vanished around the corner of the bungalow, no doubt bound for his own lit- tle hut In the rear. Golab Singh glanced after him in time to see only a pair of lean, brown legs. “A fine-looking man, the caretaker,” said Quin. as he dismounted. “Rather out of the common,’ the captain. “Fallen in caste, I supp But these fellows are invariably a nuisance, was the repl and I don’t care to have him about. He'll make himself scarce till morning, and then come whining for ees when we are ready to start. “Yes, sahib.” Take the horses to the stable yonde! then see that the beds are clean, pare supper.”* Accustomed to exercise control, Capt. Medhurst had taken upon himseif that day the command of Quin’s servant. The latter led away the horses, and the En- glishmen entered the bungalow, finding it in good order. They took possession of the inner room, which contained a couple of beds, a table with a lamp and three easy chairs. The outer room was furnished @ little less comfortably. A hearty supper, washed down with a bottle of excellent wine, put the captain in better spirits, and made Quin feel con- tent with himself and the world. The ta- ble cleared, they drew their chairs close to the warmth of the lamp and lighted their pipes. In the outer room, the door of which was open, Golab Singh squatted drowsily on a rug. Kip was sleeping at his master's feet, pricking up his ears now and then to listen to the sounds that came Atfully from the dark, surrounding jungle. Captain Medhurst tried to carry on a con- versation, but with poor results. Quin was absorbed in the columns of a Lucknow pa- ber, ten weeks old or more, which some passing traveler had thoughtfully left be- hind him in the bungalow. Golab Singh! subject in which I always took a deep in- terest. I have studied the history of the great mutnly and read everything apper- taining to Nana Sahib. The chances strongly favor the supposition that he is alive today.” “Nonsense!” cried the captain. Nana Sahib was thirty-eight years old at the time of the mutiny; he would be nearly seventy if he was living now. After the operations in Oudh, in 1858, he mysteriously disap- peared. It was,rumored that he had fied to Nepaul, and“thence to Asia; but with- out doubt he died in the jungie and was buried by his followers.” “I believe he is living,” Quin said, calmly, nd in India.” “Then you will believe anything,” the captain cried, sharply, banging the table ur case th his “My dear fellow has net a leg to stand on. been dead for thirty “The nana lives today! The words, ringing low and clear, came froin the lips of Golab Singh. He had en- tered the room and stood confronting the Englishman, his face as immobile as ever, save for a lustrous sparkle of the ¢ “You impertinent rascal! How dare you interfere in our discussion?” Captain Med- hurst cried, angrily “I spoke but the truth, sahib,” was the stolid reply. “The nana still “How do you know it, fool “Who should know better, sahibs? It was I who informed the authorities of Lucknow An excited “Ah?” betrayed Quin’s inter- The captain laughed mockingly. saw and recognized the nana in the even Wecks ago,” continued Go- but he must have taken warn- aped from the city before the closed. tainly he was not the rch was conducted. vengeance. So I also well disguised. And later I ice, Quin Sahib. began the captain. interrupted Quin. “How could known the nana, Golab Singh?” were when there Moreov left Lu entered your ser xf all the rot— Wait! you have he added. eel Ww in his employ at Bithoor, his palace near Cawnpore, just before the mu- tiny,” the Hindoo replied. “I was twenty years old then; I am fifty now.” Have you seen him since—until eleven weeks ago at Lucknow?” “Not until then.” “How could you be sure of his identity?” v his face, his voice; they could ceive me. And I will tell you what A Bent, Gray-Bearded Old Man. is not commonly known, sahibs. During the mutiny the Nana lost the httle finger of his left hand. It was missing from “By Jove, here’s a queer thing!" he ex- claimed, suddent: What is it?” asked the captain. “About Nana Sahib, the fiend of Cawn- pore.” “You had not heard of the matter be- fore?” I have bee: “Not a word. civilization for three months. “Well, it’s all rot—nothing but a cunniifi ” went on the captain, laughing. “It sounds plausible,” said Quin. “A na. tive gave information that he had seen and recognized Nana Sahib in the city of Luck- now. Great excitement ensued. The gates were closed and a house to house search was made, but the rebel leader was not found.” “Naturally. Either the informant was @runk or he hoped to earn a few rupees. But why are you disposed to attach any credit to the story?” “I will tell you,” replied Quin. “It is a cut off from this man I saw. By the head of Brahma, I swear it was the Nana himself. I must have been mad to betray him to the En- glish. He will not rest until he has sought revenge.” Gate if he was the Nana,” eaid juin. “Do you believe this ridiculous story?” cried Capt. Medhurst. “It bears the stamp of truth.” “The stamp of fabrication, you mean. If I had been the chief magistrate of Luck- now I would not have left this lying rascal off so easily. Golab Singh wisely kept his temper under ccntrol, but he would hear no more. His dark eyes flashed as he stalked haughtily tack to his place in the outer room. The Englishmen continued the discussion for another hour, the one insisting that Nana Sahib had died years before, the other holding out for the opposite theo: Then, with a decided coolness between them, they 1 | —_ be THE EVENING STAR, SATURDAY, JUNE 25, 1898-24 PAGES. ———— went to bed. The lamp was allowed to burn dimly. Capt. Medhurst was soon in deep slum- ber, but Quin, who had been strongly im- pressed by the Hindoo’s narrative, lay awake for a long tire. Finally, when he ‘was on the point of dozing off, he was fully awakened by a sound close by. Rip, stand- ing by the table with bristling fur and pricked-up ears, was uttering deep and continuous growls. ie Quin sprang out of bed, forgetting in his haste that hfs revolvér Was under his pil- low. He seized the lamp in one hand, and hurled the door of the outer room—which was half open—back on its hinges, A startling sight met his gaze. Golab Singh lay gasping for breath on his sleeping mat, and by the opposite wall crouched the old caretaker. He held a knife in his right hand, and lifted it menacingly as he pre- pafed to fly at the intruder. At the same moment he exposed his left hand, and be- trayed an ominous fact. The littie finger was missing. The shock of the discovery, combined with the knowledge that he was unarmed, staggered Quin for an instant. He leapt aside barely in time to avoid a fatal thrust, and then, in his turn, he sprang pluckily at his assailant. But a savage bark, si- multaneous with a shout, warned the care- taker to be off. He jerked open the door leading from the bungalow, and slammed it ‘behind him as he vanished in the darkness. Yelping furiously, Rip bounded to the spot and sniffed the crack. Behind the dog came Capt. Medhurst, his hair dishev- eled, and a pistol in each hand. “What does it mean?” he cried. “Murder! Quin answered. He put down the lamp—he had been holding it all the while—and bent over Golab Sinbh, from whose chest a red stream was flowing. ‘Is he dead,” gasped the captain. “Quite dead,” was the hoarse reply. “He has just breathed his last—he was stabbed to the heart.” - “By whom?” ‘By Nana Sahib’ “In heaven’s name, man, what do you mean?” “Just what I said,” exclaimed Quin. “The ttle finger of the caretaker’s left hand | was missing.” For a second the two men stared hard at each other. The dog snarled and scratched at the door. “I can’t believe it; it’s too incredulous!” ered the captain. “The caretaker was here?—you saw that his finger was gone?” Yes, distinctly!” “It—it may be true. At all events we t pursue the as: “It would be usele sald Quin. “He has fled to the thick of the jungle aad the is Gark. Let the government under- the work. It will be worth their . for the man is surely the Nana.” n't argue with you,” said the cap- - “You may be right; it looks a lttle ut way, ladmit. But certainly, the mur- must be caught. or fellow, his premonition was well inded!’” Quin said, bitterly, as he gazed at the dead body of ‘his servant. “Heaven grant that | ma} avenge him!” * the captain blurted ex- did idea—{ should have We will take the as- id of Rip. No bloodhound has He will follow the trail to ler sce the end, no matter where it leads.” “But the darkne: “We will overcome that obstacle. Yon- der on the sheif is a lanterr ered tor a moment. The sug- sd to him, the chances rable. The hope of cap- 2hib, the merciless leader of yoy mutiny, filled him with enthusi- asm. ‘Ihe sight of the hound snarling and sniffing ut the door decided him. “i'm with you,” he said. ‘Let us be off.” The lantern s ready for use. Captain Medhurst took possesston of it and lighted the wick. Armed with loaded revolvers, the men opened the outer door and passed poor into the mght, leaving the corpse c Golab Singh to solitude. “We should have some articles w the assassin to show the dog,” “It is not necesssary,” He was right. At once, with his to the ground, Rip picked up the sc “Chase him! Run him down his master. Giving tongue lustily, the swerved to the left and plunged 1 Jungle. The Englishmen followed @ best they could. Guided by the uncertai§ light of ‘the lantern, they floundered trough spear grass and undergrowth, leapt over open spaces, fought their way on ami tan- gied timber and matted vegetatio: This continued for half an hour, and I that time Rip was considerably ahead off them. They could hear him braying furio§sly in the distance. “He Is close to his prey,” cried tie cap- tain. “The assassin ts an old man, {nd we have gained on him.” < At a more reckless rate of spee4 they pushed on. ‘Then Rip's savage !rurking turned suddenly to low yelps, atl the sound, strange to say, appeared t- come from a fixed point. What does it mean?” asked Quin . “I don't know,” Captain Medhui plied. “From his whining 1 jud@ hound is in some trouble.” Perhaps he has lost the scent.” hat is the most likely thing. The men pressed on ‘rapidly, dgiwing nearer and nearer to where the dck was uttering plaintive cries. Soon they$ were close upon the spot, as yet unable fo ac- count for the mystery. They profeeded with caution, holding their weaponsgready for use as they pushed through a dense thicket of grass. “Rip! Rip!” called the captain. They heard the hound answer, asiit he ‘was beneath their very feet. The next in- stant, with a sharp cry, Captain Meghurst flung up his arms and disappeared: The dull crash that followed extinguished the lantern, and Quin was unable to sve his danger or to draw back in time. He’ step- ped into empty space, clutched vainly at some flimsy substance, and dropped heavi- ly upon his companion, As they struggled to rise, Rip darted at them and licked their faces with delight. “Where are we?” exclaimed Quin, when both had discovered that they were unhurt. The question was easily answered. ‘They had fallen into a square pit about nine feet deep and fifteen feet in length. Overhead, in the artfully arranged covering of reeds and grass, they saw the stars through the hole they had broken. Looking further in the dim light they found they had narrow- ly escaped a hideous death, for here and there the floor of earth was studded with sharp-pointed stakes. “We are in a tiger trap built by native hunters,” declared Captain Madhurst, “Yes, that’s it. The assassin must ‘have known of it, and he crept to the very edge, hoping that first the hound and then our- selves would tumble in and be pierced on the stakes.” “It's a good thing we broke through at the edge,” said the captain, “else the ras- cal’s expectations might have been realized. “We'll get the fellow yet, cunnffig as he is. Come, let me mount on your shoulders. We'll soon be free to continue the chase.” But the experiment proved a failure. Quin, supported by the captaip, tried to climb out. The top of the pit instantly crumbled, and both men fell er with a loose earth. They them- selves vigorously as they rose. They were about to make a second at- t re- 3 the tempt when a startling sound close by chilled their blood.with porror. They heard @ tremendous roar, then stealthy footsteps ang a sniffing nofse. 4 “Tt is P tiger!* gasped Quin. “Heaven ne ea th bi eB hoped to trap. “Yes, the brute fhe natives ho Doubtless it is a ooo ‘Jt he would only chase the assassin!” “He is more sire of us,” the captain said, hoarsely. “We are lost, unless we can kill it with ovr réevélvers.” “If it leaps,” Hes Quin, “it may be impaled oF the e8."" ey did not pel though the situa- tion was truly htful. The tiger was as wary as it was buhgry. It showed its massive head and'fiery’eyes at the opening for an instant, Wut ¥pnished before the Englishmen could-level- thelr weapons with sure aim; otherwise ties dared not fire. Then the great brute ‘prowled for a time about the three €over cunningly keeping'to tHe firm earth. It ut- tered fretful, blood-curdling growls, which increased in frequency and rage. The men shifted their positions constantly, crouch- ing under the side where they detected the soft footfalls, so that the tiger, if it should resolve to spring, would land beyond them. “This 1s getting tiresome,” said Quin. “How: will it end?” “In our making a meal for the brute.” the captain answered, gloomily. “I don't see much hope. Ah, if it would only show itself long enough: “Look out!” shouted Quin. As he spoke two-thirds of the reed flor- ing of the pit came rattling down upon the Englishmen, and under the impression that the tiger was following they darted in panic to the opposite side. Looking back they saw a terrible sight. The beast had evidently demolished the roof with a stroke of its paw, and now, on the edge of the pit, the king of the jungle was crouching for a spring. It was a mag- nificent, gigantic creature. Its eyes shone like balls of fire, and its long tail switched nervously. It roared again and again, drowning the shrill outcry of the dog, who had unt!l this moment been silent from sheer terror. “He's coming!’ cried Quin. “aim for the head!” yelled the captain. “Don’t miss Together the men fired, and the instant the reports rang out they dashed to the far end of the pit. And the next moment they realized, with keen emotions of grati- tude and joy, that they were safe. " For the tiger, hit in the head with two balls as it sprang, fell short of its intended leap. It landed fairly on the stout, long-pointed stakes, one piercing its neck, while two more penetrated deep into its body. A gur- gling roar, a brief convulsive struggle, and the great animal yielded its life. Hurrah!" cried the captain. ‘Karl Hamrach would have got a big price for that fellow,” Quin remarked, sad- dy. They examined the dead tiger briefly, and then, by the aid of the captain’s shoulders, Quin managed to scramble out of the pit: Hie gave a hand to his companion, who fol- lowed 40 the upper earth after he had toss- ed the hound up. In spite of their terrible and unnerving experience, they gamely re- solved to continue the pursuit of the mur- derer. And Rip, as quick to forget the recent peril, took up the trail with his old- time keenness. The lantern, which had not been injured, furnished light. For two hours men and dog—the latter always considerably in the lead—pressed untiringly through the jungle, each mo- ment expecting to come up with their prey. But the pink dawn had broken when Rip, baying loud and clear, was overtaken on the brink of a deep gorge through which a a torrent boiled and dashed at headlong speed over jagged bolders. And the first glance brought disappointment to the Eng- lishmen, for they saw that the mysterious Hindoo had escaped thelr vengeance. The explanation was at hand. A circular rut in the trunk of a tree showed where, until ver ys, a swinging cable bridge had be But' now, on the sheer and rocky wall acfoss the dizzy chasm, the vine cables dangle@190;feet from their hold above, within ten yards of the river's dash- sides of the pit, 3 ed!” Quin eXclatmed, angrily. the bridge parted On this side.” “And the assassip?” — “He escaped with his'Jife. He was prob- ably nearly across; when—" “You are quite might, so far as concerns the cables breaking» with the man’s weight,” said Captain Medhurst, “but he certainly perished, either by falling into the raging waters, or: from being hurled with great force against the opposite cliff. And on reflections'f cat't believe that the fellow was Nana Sahib! He probably mur- dered Golab Singh, so that he might steal in and rob us with impunity. The missing finger is merely a coincidence. “The man was ‘Naha’ Sahib,” Quin re- plied; “and I am convinced that he es- caped with his life—that the cables did not part until he was nearly over the bridg It is a pity we have no means of crossing. “I shall stick to my theory,” declared the captain. “And I to mine,” Quin doggedly asserted. There the matter rested. The baffled trackers, dog and men, trudged wearily back to the dak-bungaiow, reaching it in the middle of the morning. ' At the pit they found the native hunters who had dug it, delighted with their prize. A few rupees induced them to come to the bungalow and bury the Hindoo servant, and when that sad ceremony was over’ the Englishmen went on their way to Faisabad. ° At that place Quin made a full statement to a magistrate, and ultimately the crown “See, took the affair up and sifted it. The de- cision arrived at Was, as many readers will remember, that the evidence too flimsy to reverse the long-existed bellef in Nana Sahib’s death, thirty years before. Of the caretaker nothing was known, except that he had recently applied for and received the position. But Quin saw no reason to alter his opinion. He still believes that Golab Singh's murderer was the notorious and execrated fiend of the mutiny, and when- ever his vocation takes him to India he keeps close and constant watch for an el- derly Hindoo with a mutilated left hand. IN THE CHURCHES The directors of the Central Union Mis- sion have received notice from the man- agement of the Washington City Bible So- ciety that the directors of the latter at a recent meeting unanimously voted to do- nate as many New Testaments as may be necessary to supply the soldiers at Camp Alger. The country home of St. Ann's Infant Asylum, near Berwyn, Md., was formally opened Tuesday morning last with high mass at 10 o'clock. The congregation of St. Cyprian’s Church will have their annual picnic at Eureka Park, Anacostia, Wednesday of next week. The eigtth international convention of the Baptist Young People’s Union of Amer- ica will be held in Buffalo, N. Y., July 14 to 17, 1898. The attendance from all’parts of this ccuntry and from Canada promises to be large and representative, and it is expected will run up into the thousands. An attractive program has been arranged, and it is the aim of the management to make this convention the best in the his- tory of the union. The names of many men of national reputation are on the pro- gram, among them Rev. W. H. P. Faunce, D. D., of New York, formerly a pastor in this city; Rev. Drs. A. S. Gumbart of Bos- ton, L. O. Dawson of Alabama, R. P. John- son of Missouri, uel C. Barnes of Pitts- burg, Pa.; J. W. Weddell cf lowa, W. L. Pickard of Ohio, W. Hi Geistwet of Ili- nols, H. C. and funy F. 8. Dobbins of Pennsylvania and \y others: Prof. E. B. Pollard of the Columbian University will conduct-a series of Bible studies, as will aléo Re¥. Rush Rhees, D. D., of Newton Ce s ss., and others. The keyword of jonvention, around which all the or will revolve, will be “Fellowship.” feature of the conven- tion will be a mak ae ges several hun- dred voices, now trained for the occasion. T. The hall in whieh meet is the —— < and is “adapted for’tl urpose. It has a seating capacity of! abdut 7,000 and is lo- cated in the immediate vicinity of a num- ber of large churches, -which will be util- ized for the state rallied; the workers’ con- ferences and other meetings. The railroads generally have made a rate of one fare for the round trip. A number of attractive side trips have been arranged, including Niagara Falls, Toronto, Chautauqua, Wat- kins Glen and other places, The dclega- tions from this District and from Mary- land, as well as others from further south, will go over the Baltimore and Ohio and Lehigh Valley railroads, leaving Washing- ton on the morring of July 12 and spending Wednesday, the 13th, at Niagara Falls. An attractive return trip has also been arranged by way of Albany and New York i conventfon” will e 74th Regiment, and including a trip down the Hi a eS sone in eo Bad ss D. L. loody, the noted evangelist, who has been selected to conduct Y« Men’s g Association work among t! various “From every quarter I am recelving letters ! copalian from efficient Christian workers offering their services, and there is an opening for many more. But before sending workers to the front it is necessary to have funds to meet the necessary expenses incurred. May we not count on the Christian church to wag the opportunities afforded by the outh of war?’ This afternoon at 8 o'clock there will commence at Wheeling, W. Va., the bien- nial convention of the Fourth General Dis- trict Epworth Leagué, comprising the con- ferences of Baltimore, Philadelphia, central Pennsylvania, Pittsburg, Erie and West Virginia. The session will continue until the 20th instant, inclusive. The opening service will be one of consecration. The evening will be given over to addresses of welcome, to reports and to business. The Sunday morning sermon (tomorrow) to the delegates will be delivered by Rev. Dr. George Edward Reed, president of Dickinson College, Pa., and the evening evangelistic sermon by Rev. Dr. Don 8. Colt of Allegheny, Pa. During the same evening Rev. Dr. S. Schill of Chicago will Geliver his lecture on the “Aristocracy of Youth.” The singing will be in charge of Prof. J. M. Black, a well-known leader and song writer. The convention will meet in Ep- worth Park, a beautiful island on which part of the city of Wheeling is built and overlooking the Ohio river. Here a tent capable of accommodating 2,500 persons has been erected. The grounds are easy of access from any part of the city. The smaller gatherings and all overtiow meet- ings will be held in nearby churches. Mr. H. O. Hine of Washington, D. C., is cor- responding secretary of the organization. The other officers are: President A. M. Schoyer, Pittsburg, Pa.; treasurer, Roland E. Remley; Junior League superintendent, duiss Ida L. Martin. A new department of work which has been created in Bethany Church, Balti- more, has already attracted much atten- tion in this city and elsewhere, and it is probable that the example set by the pas- tor of the church, Rev. Harry D. Mitchell, will be generaily followed. ‘The organiza- tion is known as the Boys’ Social Club, and is original with and under the direction of the pastor. There are now between forty and tifty members, and the roll is constant- ly growing. The club meets every Satur- day night and answer to the roll call with @ verse of Scripture. The members take up some interesting exercises, varied with each meeting. On a recent occasion they debat- ed the question whether or not Cuba should be annexed to the United States. Considerable surprise has been expressed in various church circles here that differ- erces of opinion which have arisen among the members of the Evangelical Alliance heve caused Rev. Dr. Josiah Strong, who has been secretary of the organization for a numter of years past, to tender his resignation, and that it has been accepted, to take effect August 1. Dr. Strong addressed an immense mass meeting at the Metropolitan M. E. Church in this city some weeks ago, in which he pointed out that it was the duty of church members to use their best endeavors for the advancement of the cause of good gov- ernment, he being tirmly convinced, he said, that unless they did so it would not be more than twenty-five years before the na- ticnal and state governments would be in the hands of the foes of religion. As u result of the delivery of this ad- dress arrangements have been made for holding a mass meeting of active church workers early in the fall and organizing for a campaign such as above indicated. It is not believed that the resignation of Dr. Strong from the alliance will cause any change in the local arrangements. The causes leading up to Dr. Strong’s resignation, as stated by one who is well informed on the subject, are that: “In the fall of 1886 the alliance, which had existed for nearly half a century, but had not ac- ccmplished a vast amount of reform in church methods, began to feel that some further work in the United States should be undertaken, and Dr. Strong was elected secretary, Mr. William E. Dodge being president. Dr. Strong is an ardent believer in the mission of the church to society and in the way of instituticnal work and what ts generally known as ‘applied Chris- tianity,’ and he began to adapt the opera- ticns of the alliance to work along this lin his has gone along for twelve years. But there has all along been an under- current of dissatisfaction among the older members of the alliance, who favored the methods of the first half of the century, when the institutional church was un- known. The crisis came when Dr. Strong published a series of booklets on the duty of the church to the community, and the making of arrangements by Dr. Strong to have these booklets distributed by young people mounted on bicyles. Such_fin-de- siecle methods were too much for the con- servative members of the alliance. “A league will be formed, with Dr. Strong at the head, for the purpose of giving him aid in disseminating his views on ‘good government’ and kindred subjects.” Rev. Dr. W. E. Parson and Rev. George Brodthage have returned from Cumber- land, Md., where they went to take part in the golden jubilee of the Lutheran Church in that city. One cf the most interesting events of the ccming triennial convention of the Protest- ant Episcopal Church, in this city, will be the consecration of a bishop for Brazil. The minister who is to be thus honored is Rev. Lucien Lee Kinsolving, a native of Virginia and a graduate of the University of Char- lottesville. He is a brother of the present bishop of Texas. Dr. Kinsolving’s title will be bishop of Rio Grande de Sol. The Epis- is the only Protestant Church having missionaries in South Brazil. Pres- byterians were engaged there some years ago, but abandoned their efforts and turn- ed their station over to the Episcopalians. Information received by prominent mem- bers of the Christian Scientists’ Society here is that the organization shows a won- derful ability to increase in numbers_ and to obtain funds for the erection of new and sumptuous places of worship. The Second Church, New York, is to erect a place of wership at a cost of $125,000. It is to be located on the west side of Central Park, in one of the most expensive neighborhoods of the city. One man, who claims to have .een healed by Christian science, gave $50,- ov toward the project. Two others gave $10,000 each. ———e THE BEES AND THE TREES. A Territory Mystery That is Puzzling at Least One Man. From the Galveston News. Away backgin the ‘0s there was @ Shawnee Indian village on the South Cana- dian river about eighty-five miies west of South McAlester, but the old village has long since disappeared. On the spot where the young Shwanee buck sung his kiowala to his dusky maiden and courted his best girl by the light of the full moon, only an occasional rock hearth and a few graves are left to indicate the former hunting ground of the red man. Near the old village site now lives a white man. Just on the border of this man’s farm is a spot which seems to have been the thickest settled part of the Shaw- nee village, and here is a grove of black oak trees. In this grove are two very large post oak trees, One in the south and one in the north end of the grove. In the grove can be heard most any day the buz- zing of a swarm of bees so plainly that the noise has fooled many old bee hunters, but all their search has never revealed a single bee. Now comes the most peculiar part of this most peculiar tale. The large post oak tree standing at the north end of the grove is the curiosity of the bunch, for not long ago a young man hearing of the bees went to the spot and proceeded to look carefully up each tree in the grove until he came to the north oak. He was in two feet of this tree looking up when he heard a@ nose just like a carpenter at work nail- ing on boards and the noise seemed to come from the tree. He went around it several times trying to locate the hammer- ing, but it still seemed to come from the tree, the hammering continued until he happened to touch the tree with his hand, when it suddenly stopped. The man then went away amased. A day or so after this man had occasion to again pass that way. He slipped up to the tree and listened for the hammering, and sure enough it was as plain as ever. He touched the tree with the end of his finger and as before the noise stopped at once. This man and sev- eral others have tried touching the tree several times since with the same results. They say that the humm: of bees and the curious hammering can heard any day, but no one has been able to explain the mysteries of this enchanted grove. ‘The lau lant grows in Arabia and See eee 7 cating tie seeds: - she BMives of ere the plant grows dry these seeds eit cauven the sobereer persone eet area the boisterous excitement of @ madman for about an hour. At the of thrs time exhaustion sets in, and the excitea falls asleep, to wake after several jours with no recollection ADVERTISED LETTERS. The following is a list of advertise¢. letters re- meint urday, June 25, 1898, To obtain any of these letters otters, If not called for within two (2) weeks call for “Advertised Le the be sent to the Dead Letter Office. Lab Adams, Mande Miss Adams, Mary O D Adams, Victoria Miss Ailman, Annie W Allen, Marion Miss Allison, Agnes Miss Alsop, ‘Nellie Mra Susan E Miss Lucy © Miss Austin, Mary L Miss Baine, Lou Mra Mary 8 Mrs Baxton, Mabelo Miss Bell, Fanney Miss Bennett, Annie Miss Birehett, Sarah Mi Bochme, Kate A Mrs Bold lary T Miss Bonaredes, M Mre Booker, Susie A Miss Bowden, Bertie Mre Boyd, Girtie Mrs Brent, Cora Mrs Brooks, Mary F Mrs Brown, Fanny Miss Brown, Frances A Miss Brown, Isabel Mra Brown, J B Mrs Brown, Jennie Miss Brown, Maggie Miss Brown, Mandie Miss Brown, Margaret Miss Brown, Mary Miss Brown, Rosa Miss Brown, Sally Miss Burgan, Alice Miss Burgess, Mary M Miss Burton, Joe Miss Butler, Adu Miss Butler, Caroline Mrs Butler, Florence Miss Byrd, Mima B Mra Calling, Mary Miss Carmelick, WV Mrs Carter, Huldah Mrs Carter, Florence Miss Caxsel, Nettle Mre aman, Jane Miss ase, CS Mre rke, Jane Mrs Clary, A J Mrs Clemons, ‘Tess Miss Clifford, Mi le Miss Cole, Emma Cole, Bettie W Mrs Cole, Lillie Miss Collins, Nettie Miss Gombe, Tey Mise Conway, Mrs Cooper, Maggie Miss Cortland, Coston, M J Mrs Crammer, Bessie Miss Crump, Florence Miss Daly, ¢ T Mrs Daniels, Francis Miss ‘Annie Mrs Josephine Miss Dawfon, Maymie Mre Day, Isabella Mra Diggs, Modora Mrs Donaldson, Laura Miss Dorsey, Lizele Mrs Dorsey, Mamie Miss Douglas, Fannie Miss Douglas. Mary Miss Duke, Mary 1 attes "Jente Miss Miss Di . Daley Alice Miss Alice Miss . Besse Miss 8, Mattie Miss uns, Wellington C mer, Lizzie Mra Flynn, Blanch Miss Fob Furgeson, Hellen Mrs Gallagher, Jno Mrs Gant, Alice Miss Lizzie Mrs . Helen Mrs Gatewood, the Givens, Florence Mrs Gibson, Bertie Miss Goodman, Bertie Miss. Gordon, Mars Mrs el, Edith Miss Dora Miss fxs Greene, Annie F Miss Greenly, Mary Mrs Griggs. Daisy V Mrs Grouy, Mary Mise Gross. Matilda Mrs Harkins, Mamie Harrison, Alice Mrs Hart, Kate Miss Hawkins, Martha Mrs Hawkins, Mary Mrs Hays, Annie M Hidalgo, Lila Miss Hill, Elizabeth Miss Honies, Bettie Miss Homes, Mary Mrs Hoopes, WH Mrs (2) Hersey, Elizabeth Lee Liss Howard, M Mrs Hoymer,Margaret E Miss Wii Humber: - AS Mrs Williams Hunter. i Mrs Wilson, A) Ivey, Mary M Miss Wilson, Bul Tne Carrie Mrs v : Irene Miss Laura Mise alin Mrs (2) Jomes. Lenves ins, Harr AH Mrs Johnson, Elizabeth B Johnsen! Elma Miss Johnson! Miss. Jobusten, Miss Jok: ston, Ethel G Miss amie Miss Lora Lée Miss nolll Larbandy Mrs Miss jet A Mrs BS’ LIST. Jones, in the Washington (D. C.) Post-office Sat- applicant should they will ry Mrs Jones, Mary Jones, Minnie Mrs Jones, Rachel A Mrs Jones, Terena Mins Jordon, Lulie Miss Joy, Bessie Miss Julius, Clara, Miss Kelley, Mary A Miss Kelley omia Kenny, Ida B Miss Keys, Jet nette E Mrs Kimberlain, LE Mre Kingston, . Bessie Miss Lee, Alice Mrs Lee, Katie Miss Leeston, Lewis, Martha Mre jeder Miss Lounge, ED Mra MeClai M J Mies McPherson, Annie Miss Mare, Anna Mre Molton, May Miss Moore, 0) Mosher, live Durant Mrs A E Miss Mott, Annie Mra Marphy, Murphy. Neal, wton, Mrs O'Donnel Jeni json, Hattie B Mra Florence Miss Hattie Mrs M Mrs Mamie Davis 1, O Mrs Oliver, Sarah Miss O'Neil, 1 Dollie Mise Page, ‘Annie Mice », Annie Miss Page, Lucy Miss Parce, Sarah Mrs Parke P W Mre Piffres, Blanch Miss Plager! SV Mre Pollard, Hattie Miss Pollock, F Mrs Potts, to obert Mrs Powell, Susie Mins Redd, Ik Yeallor Miss Rich, Lizzie Mra Ridding, Saml Mrs Reed, ZZ Mre Rhodes, Helen Miss Richi Richards, Richman, ond, Kate L Mrs Mary L Miss Frankie Miss Rogers, LB Miss Rose: Ruet ‘Al Ruger, ¥ Ruilmen, St. Clair, Mrs By 1 < M r, nL Taylor, ¥ ‘Thomas, ze, J B Miss » Mattie Mrs inte C Geo H Mrs Jobn Thomas Emma Mise . Evangeline © Hattie Mrs Mrs Mrs a Miss Ruth Miss Sallig Miss ; Sarah L Miss , Wm Mrs , Laura Besste 3 iss © Mrs Minnie Miss J Mrs larriet Mrs Taylor, Maggie Mrs Taylor, Mary Mrs AMD ‘Thomas, ‘arah Mrs Dera Mise Edith L Miss . Lizzie Mins Lucy Miss Bertha B Mrs , James Mrs Lilley Mrs Thoupron, Louise Miss Thompson) Martha Mrs Thompson, Mary Mise Thompson, May Miss Thompson, Nellie Miss Th Tie . Ml Tilden, LW Mrs Tinsley, Sallie Mrs Miss ces Mre Marie A Mrs Mrs Whitae: Dashiell Ww bite | ae as White si nna Miss h Mis Jones: Fannte Mrs relia Ms $e Tia hnie Mrs fous, Tildy Mrs : : Joues! Martha Mrs oo GENTLEM LIST. Abrogi, Uh D Alger. F ‘apt. Hammond, Guilert Anderson, Frank © Manni — rnold. ED 1s Avonbime, B Hauscs moet Harman, Willie Harris, Geo J Hartigg, Jno J Hasting, Geo W Hawkes, 4 ik jedberg, “Alfred Held, Wm Berryman, Robt Henderson, R Burnley lerbert, Henry Bouseon, Willie Herring, hay = Brady, Wm T Hickey,” Win Bragg, Heury Hill, Hen} Breen, W_A Hocking, Henry Rrennon, Tom Molland, DT Brothers, 0 C jr Hodges,’ Johnny Brown, D Holmes, DC Brow Holmes, David H Brown, a Holmes, Frederick Brown, W Hooper, C A Burge, Willie D Howe,Daniel_ Waite Hon Briesen, Wm Hues, Jno Clay Bute, James H Birét, Frank W Campbell, Geo Cannon, Albert D Cannon, James ce Hunter, Moses i Rey Huston, Jackson, LR E Jasper, MM Jenifer, John Carney, T'S Jennings, Wilson H Carne, 'Wm 8 Dr Jeroett, DO Carahadon, Earle + Tinkend, Wm Carry, A Johyson, G F Carson, Steve zaiocn, es Carter, R B johnson, H Cather, T H Johnson, John Chambers, Smiley N Hon Jeboson, LV Clagett, J Lee D Johnson, Tomia Clayton, Richard jehpstone, KE B Glotworthy, Jas qollier, Harvey Clover, HK ord, Janes Gluver, Henry » Benj F Cochran, B Keilor Cohen, Ben oe Coleman, John Renee, Bimanuel ‘Connell, Jobn Hon Kelly, Peul 1 erney, Kimball, Kimball; Knudsen. Wr Elias § James Thos A Korte, Ernst Kreutzer, » Karl Krotzenger, Vi Tagen, Mh Vt Latron! Lee. Geo P i & Free e Ly ° ges f 4 L i | E pra a if ee > ico. Guiseppe ree J) Mra i te ‘4 > —__—_— Poundstone, A M ton ‘Thomas, J Prosser, HK Thomas, Witie 4b, Abraham B Randall, 1G 5 Randy, James F Turner, WB Reader, “Henry Turoer, J 1 Reese, WH Urimer, Dick Rehbach, F Vinston, Jessie Robinson, Edgar Varna, George J Roseborot . Andrew Rusecil, . Harry Ryan, Win Walsh, Petrick Richardson, Raymond A Washington, Wa Saunde Wass, T J Sef Watterson, RI Site Wheeden, "Dante Simms, Willis Whitney,” Robt Smeltzer, J Riley wh Haywou! Mr aw Smith, Frank Mrs mith, Jo Williams, Charles Walking, Wo Souls, Williams, JR Hon Sprague, F A Willson, ‘Armond Stanton, ZF Wilson, Ty Story, JH Mr and Mrs Wilson, Walter R Starr, Charles E Witman, Hawood Sundstram, B Wood, Geo A Tasker, Robt Wright, Harry Taylor, Edwand Wyman, ¢ E Taytor, N jr Young, a Thomas, Dolph Xeung, William B MISCELLANEOUS LIST. American Drama ¢ indent Odd Fede American Loan ai " Ledge, No. 14 curity Co Manager of the Americ American News Assoc Co ered tion Bicycle Boat Co, Bicycle Gum Co, Dept toon Brandt Automatic © Brown “Pow Co Nati Catarrh Powder ¥ Gapltel Carriage Co Shem ratholic Bicycle Club, The Dene FB rim Centralia Leves Co Childs Museom Th ireene Nervura Co Gato's Drug Store Hotonkins Specific Co International News Co STATION A. List of letters remaining in this office to dage a ee Gi NTs LisT. uchon Lee, John Owens, Edward ud v e Ins Oo Weekly Telegram Pub Gg Barham, George Miller, J.C STATION B. < LADIES’ LIST. nt, M Mise Pordy, Mae Mi King, Cecelia Miss Skinuer, Mira Mies GENTS’ LIST. McKenzie, Edwin Thompsob, Geo: Rodgers, WR Dupsie sd Pw — A GREAT WAR DISASTER, Explosion Near Memphis in Which 1,500 Soldiers Lost Their Lives, From the Memphis Scimitar. The wreck of the steamer Switana, which eccurred on April 27, 1865, and which sent @ shudder over the entire length and breadth of this land, has been recalled by the action of the Mississippi river, on whose broad bosom the catastrophe took place, and in whose cold embrace hundreds of soldiers went down to rise no more. The Sultana was a very large Mississipp! river packet, which was engaged by the United States government as soon as the civil wer was ended to convey federal troops fronf the far south to their homes, The steamer took on a large number of trocps at Vicksburg, and took on several other smaller detachments on the : way up. When she arrived here on April 26 she had 2,200 federal soldiers aboard. The boat lay in this port for several hours ischarging a cargo of molasses, and start- e up the river early on the morning of the th. She had proceeded about six miles. being opposite Hen and Chicken Island. when, without any warning whatever, her boilers burst, her hog chairs parted, and the shattered wreck caught fire. As many 2s 1,500 soldiers were killed or drowned us & result of the accident, and for four days dozens of floaters were Captured every hour or 50. Many bodies were recovered near the scene of the wreck, and these were buried at Mound City. At that time the people in this vicinity cared precious little for Yankee soldiers, though they gave them a decent burial. No tombstones were erect- ed, however, and the graves were not kept green. When the Sultana’s victims were buried at Mound City the impromptu graveyard in which their last sleep was to be s lept was far from the river's bank, but the Missis- sippl. seemingly with a ficndish desire to claim the bones of these victims for her waters to ripple over, as they have rippled over for years the bones of other v tims of the same catastrophe, has gradually worn away the ground until now she Sweeps by the graveyard with a steady, sullen murmur, and bones and ghasti skulls look down on the water from where they lie, a few feet away One skeleton which has be the river brings to mind a occurred just after the war A horse thief had be expored by ynching which t Mound n operating in t vicinity fer some time, and the peo banded together to capture him. He was @ tall, dashing sort ef a fellow, who wore h-topped ooots. One the hands of the vigi- ee, and a short t nfter- ed a wind jig at the end which was attached to one es near i e place where the 8: victims en buried. After the been choked ovt of him, and after sundr holes iamd been pumped into him by rifle balls, he was cut dewn and chucked into rough box, and in a few minutes he w ; burial. The horse thief had be ugh to grow long and tall, d him io rest for m yea uncomfortable position, for ad rather a short box in which and they doubled up his | so that all of him could be stowed aw the box. - of the skeletons washed out by the is doubied up in a rude box. A por- tion of the boots which the skeicton’s owr er wore can be seen, and they are high- heeled and high-topy This must be the horse thief. His skull was lying exposed a few days ago, and may be there yet. Rare Canine Intellig: From the St. Lovis Republic. A striking instance of the intelligence of a dog was demonstrated Sunday night in Maplewood, at the residence of Col. W. 8. Moore, local agent of the Miami Powder Company. The incident has set all Maple- Wocd to talking. ° A St. Bernard"pawed on the door of Mr. Mccre's residence and whined and growled in such a strange manner that the people in the house concluded to investigate. They had observed that his face betokened a look of distress rather than fierceness, Colonel Moore and others started out to follow the deg. As soon as the St. Bernard perceived that he was being at least partially understood his whole attitude changed and he frisked about in a joyful mnner. He watched the colonel and his party carefully 40 see that they were following him, and led the way to a neighboring house about half a mile distant. When this place was reached his motives were at once understood. There, wedged tight between the bars of a porch iailing, was a small pug dog, that, in his struggle to secure his liberty, had twisted himself in sucha position that he was rapidly choking to death The St. Bernard stood by and watched with interest the efforts of the party to extricate the unfortunate pug from his perilous position. This was only accom- plished by breaking the bars of the railing. As soon as the pug was freed the St. Ber- nard manifested his appreciation by jump- ing on the shoulders of Colonel Moore and licking his hands ir gratification. Then he tretted complacently from the place and Was soon lost to view. No one in the vicinity had ever seen the St. Bernard before, but all expressed ad- miration for the rare canine intelligence that he displayed. eae ee es Thirty Languages at a Conference. From Tit-Bits. Thirty Janguages were heard at the poly- glot conference given last January by all the pupils of the propaganda at Rome in honor of the sixtieth anniversary of the Pope's first mass. The proceedings were* opened by an English priest, who read an address in Italian explaining that a poly- glot conference formerly took place every year at the propaganda during the octave of Epiphany, and that it had been thought advisuble to revive the ceremony during the present year. Reoftations were then given in Hebrew, baer Syriac, Arabic, Coptic, Armenian, Chinese, Hindustani, Persian, Turkish, Zulu ce. Pupil—That is wher people have malaria so long that they don’t mind it any more,