Grand Rapids Herald-Review Newspaper, June 19, 1897, Page 6

3 CAPTURE DON PEDRO. HEN we. went west in search of gold, we stopped at Golden Gulch and staked out our claim, In a month’s time we got things to running all right, and were congratulating our- selves that the west was not so “wild and woolly” as it is represented, when something happened that threw the camp into great excitement. One night, Mr, Rogers, whose claim was next to ours, had a fine horse sto- Jen from him. Confusion reigned! A thief in camp! Who could it be? body was above suspicion, of Horse-stealing in the west is shed by death, but no trace of the thief could be found. And so, a week passed. Then, one morning there arrived in camp a man dressed in a rich Mexican suit, with his sombrero pulled over his eyes and @ gaudy silk handkerchief tied around his neck almost concealing his face. We could only see that he had small eyes and a black mustache. He was of slight build and not tall. He “put up” at Jerry Griffin’s “ho- tel,” which was also postoffice, rum- shop and general house-furnishing store at the Gulch, and gave his name as Don Pedro Gomalez. The miners looked with suspicion on this man from the first, and when, two nights later, Jack Allen was robbed of a bag of “dust,” and Don Pedro “turned up missing,” they were quick to denounce him as the thief. Allen and Williams at once organ- ized a posse of men to search the mountains for the Mexican. Father ‘was one of the party. In vain I asked him to let me go. No, it was out of the question—I was too young, and as they might be gone all day I must stay at home and watch the claim. Mother had gone to Westend, the nearest town, with a neighbor’s wife, the day before, So I would be alone in the cabin, k Allen found what he said was l up the mountain, so the proces- sion started after the thief. I was ina very bad humor when I thought what a bore it would be to stay on the claim all alone all day. I longed to have a chance to carry the new rifle that fath- er had given me, with all a boy’s eager- ness to “shoot something.” The day passed slowly and I was glad when darkness came and the moon rose from behind a distant clump of bowlders. I went to the window and looked out. How still everything was! How bright the moon- light gleamed on the rocks! I began to wonder whether the men had cap- tured Don Pedro, and how long they would be gone. Suddenly a happy thought struck me—‘I’ll play cowboy all to myself!” I muttered, and running up the ladder to the loft I opened my trunk and took from it the buckskin suit that I wore to the masquerade last winter, and put it on. In my belt I stuck two rusty re- volvers that I found on the floor, and ‘then descended to the room below. I “THROW UP YOUR HANDS!” put on my father’s big felt hat, stuck the biggest carving knife in my belt with the pistols, grabbed my rifie and began to parade up and down the room. When I had kept this up for a little while, I happened to look at the door and there I beheld a man who was watching me with a smile on his face. I gave a start, in which joy and terror were equally combined, for the man was of slight build and had black eyes and a black mustache! I was sure that it was Don Pedro, although he wore the ordinary citizen’s dress. I deter- mined then and there to capture him. Levelling my rifle at the man’s head, I cried: “Throw up your hands, stranger! Don’t move, on your life!” “Eh?” said my Don Pedro. “Why I “Hold ’em up!” I repeated savagely, and my visitor obeyed me. “Now, walk in!” I said, still keeping him covered. “And sit down on that stool!” “With pleasure,” said my captive; “but, my dear young man, are you not making a mistake? My name is Don—” “Ah!” I cried triumphantly. “You admit it, although you are very cool about it—and I admire you for it. We western men like true grit!” I am almost sure my captive chuck- led at this. “But wait,” I went on, delighted at the sensation I would make when the men returned; “wait till the others get ‘where! Don Pedro, do you see that tree -out there? Watch it, for there you’ll sswing!” My prisoner paled. “Look here, young fellow!” he said, still keeping his arms elevated, “you present a decidely warlike appearance in that rig, and your actions are de- cidedly unpleasant. Don’t you think you had better let the joke drop?” I was cimoct ietting the rifle drop. for it was very heavy, but I answered that Golden Gulch miners did not con- sider horse-stealing a joke, and gently reminded him that the rifle was loaded. My arms were beginning to ache. Suppose the boys should not come back that night, what should I do? Just then I heard the clatter of horses’ hoofs on the hard rocky road. Nearer and nearer came the sounds, and then the whole party swept down the moun- tain and drew rein in front of the cabin, “Father! Jack! “T’ve caught him! mercy of my rifle!” “Who?” came the answer from with- out. “Why, Don Pedro Gomalez, the horse-thief!” I said, as my father and Jack Allen entered the cabin; “and there he is!” I lowered my rifle and looked at my audience with a beaming face. Father and Jack looked at each other, then at me in my warlike costume, then at my prisoner and then—they burst out laughing! “Well, I'll be pinched!” cried Jack, between laughs and roars. “Look at the togs the kid’s got on!” “Kid!” I yelled indignantly. “Is this my reward for the terrible ordeal I have just gone through?” I ran from the cabin in a towering rage to the rest of the party outside, and saw a man bound on a horse and guarded by Dick and Mr. Rogers. “Get on to de kid in war clothes!” cried Dick. “Dick!” I gasped, pointing to the man on the horse. “Is that Don Pedro Gomalez?” “That’s what he calls himself,” said Dick, “although his real name is plain Jim Haddon, horse-thief and general robber. We caught him half way across the mountain on Mr. Rogers’ horse. We found Jack’s gold dust on him, and he confessed both crimes.” “Dick,” I cried, “if that is Don Pedro who is the man I’ve been holding at the end of my rifle all evening?” “First I heard of it,” said Dick, and I dragged him into the cabin. By this time my Don Pedro had ex- plained that his. name was Donald Smith and that he was sent to the Gulch by a large San Francisco mining company to inspect and, perhaps, to buy some claims. He had arrived that evening, and finding the place deserted had ventured into the first cabin he found open, to be pounced upon by me. You may imagine my feelings! Sup- pose Mr. Smith should repeat some of my big western talk—the boys would never quit guying me. But he did not give me away, for which I thank him with all my heart. He only gave me a wink and asked me if, being a backwoodsman, I had ever heard of Davy Crockett’s advice? He said it was “Be sure you’re right— then go ahead!” and I think it’s good advice, don’t you? Several miners sold out their claims to the company that Mr. Smith repre- sented, and father finally did the same, for which I was glad, for I have never felt comfortable after the night I cap- tured Don Pedro. SCARING WOLVES BY YELLING The Young Man’s Fierce Yells Were Effective. While on his way to Craig and when about ten miles from town John W. Lowell, Jr., had an unpleasant experi- ence with three gray wolves which ought to be sufficient for one day, says the Craig, Colo., Courier. Mr. Lowell noticed the wolves in the distance, but paid no attention to them until after he had traveled about a mile, when his horse became nneasy. Looking back Mr. Lowell beheld a sight which, as he says, caused nis hat to raise not a trifle—three large gray wolves about 200 yards distant were charging after him at a speed which would soon bring them up with him. There was not a moment to spare, and the young man hardly knew what to do. He was unarmed, and the snow was so deep that it was impossible for his horse to run from the ferocious beasts with any degree of success. Mr. Lowell quickly decided that he had but one chance, and that was to attempt to bluff. Wheeling his horse around, facing the wolves, he applied the quirt, and at every jump of his steed he let forth a yell that would have put any Comanche to shame. For a moment the bluff seemed a failure, for the wolves continued to approach and the distance between the horse- man and the shaggy creatures lessened to about 50 yards when the turn in af- fairs occurred. Finally, after a few more plunges in the snow by the horse and numerous yells from the thoroughly frightened young man the wolves suddenly turned and ran in an opposite direction. Mr. Lowell followed his lead with renewed vigor and more whoops, and if any one in the lower country should see three badly scared wolves running westward it may be depended upon that they are the identical ones which threatened the safety of the son of our state auditor. Dick!” I shouted, He’s in here at the How It Was Arranged. These pleasant affairs with her maj- esty are easily arranged by friends at court. The Marlborough fortunes were made, as we all know, by Lady Beres- ford and her husband. They formed the house of Vanderbilt. They are fond of the young duke and duchess. The Prince of Wales is fond of the Beresfords. My lord calls him “Wales” and slaps him patronizingly on the shoulder. The duke and duchess want to be honored. The hint is given to my lord, who jollies Wales into suggest- ing to his royal mother a dinner to Charlie and Consuelo. It is a Jubilee year—probably the gueen’s last Jubilee. John H. Davis is talking about sending her a fine present. Everything harmon- | izes, and the invitation is extended. 'SCTENTIFIC POINTERS. CURRENT NOTES OF DISCOV- ERY AND INVENTION. Making Bricks from Sand—Tree Grows in a Tomb—A Balloon Life Boat Has Lately Jement. Been Invented — Testing Bricks from Sand. Y a new process, bricks are to be made from sand. The materials, which are mainly powdered stone and sand, are held to- gether by a prepar- ation which acts as a bond during tke annealing process, which is conducted ander a very high temperature. Vari- ous advantages are claimed for these new bricks. They are much stronger, having a crushing strength of as high as forty-five thousand pounds to the square inch, a cost of about three-fifths of ordinary brick, much less time re- quired in their manufacture, and a great reduction in the quantity of fuel needed in their burning. With these advantages, there are likely to be brick yards springing up wherever there is a demand for first class building ma- terials that can be furnished at a rea- sonable price. Brick and stone houses are by many persons liked better than wood; but brick and stone are more expensive, and, therefore, out of the reach of the many who would prefer them. If sand.can be made into bricks a great building problem is solved in a manner eminently satisfactory. prepared and put into moulds, which give a casting one inch square. The ends of this casting are so arrasged that they fit into sockets, the attach- ments being fixed to gearing and screws by means of which the pull is made. Time and strength have much to do with the breakage. The power is sup- plied gradually, and at the rate of 400 pounds per minute. The pull or weight is applied by a wheel, which runs along the weighing beam, and is connected to a small slide running along an upper beam, which is fixed. The scale of weights on this beam shows the amount of power which is brought to bear, One of the features of this machine is the smoothness and ease with which it is controlled. The weight can be shift- ed without any perceptible jar of the machinery. Aluminum in the Arts. The use of aluminum in the arts dces not grow in proportion to the reduction in the cost of the material. A few years ago the price of the metal was from $10 to $15 a pounds. It is now sold at from 31 to 32 cents a pound. At that price it is now cheaper than copper or brass for the same purpose, because for a given strength the weight is much less. The consumption of these metals in 1896 was: Copper,156,000 tons; brass, 60,000 tons; aluminum, 650 tons. The producers of aluminum in order to make a market for the metal have been obliged to discover nearly all of its uses, invent methods of handling it, and build the works for turning out the finished product. Thus far it has nearly displaced nickel in the arts, and it bids fair to eventually displace brass for most purposes, except where ex- posed to a heat of over 300 degrees. It is largely used for cooking utensils, and keeps bright. It is used in iabor- SSS Balloon Lifeboats. An ingenious combination of balloon and lifeboat has been invented. It promises to rob shipwrecks of the fu- ture of their terrors. The buoyancy of a balloon, it is believed, will render a boat even in the most severe storms absolutely unsinkable. The balloon lifeboats have been tested in the pres- ence of naval experts with very grati- tying results. It was found that a boat, even when filled with water to the gun- wales, was prevented by the immense lifting power of the balloon from either sinking or upsetting. It requires much less buoyancy to support a body than is commonly sup- posed. A quart of air, or about as much as a tomato can will hold, is sufficient to keep a heavy body above the surface of the water. A small bal- loon will,therefore, be powerful enough to float a boat easily, no matter how crowded or waterlogged she may be. The new balloon lifeboat :3 con- structed with cylinders filled with com- pressed air. These are carried in com- partments of the lifeboat, and are used to inflate the balloon. The balloon is harnessed by cords to the boat, and joined to the air tanks by flexible con- nections. This makes it possible to inflate the balloon from the boat at an instant’s notice. The supply of air is, therefore, always available, no matter what may be the condition of other parts of the ship. One of the most important advan- tages urged for the new boat is that with the balloon connection sails or oars will not be necessary. The bal- loon will obviously act as a great sail, and this motive power will be strong enough, no matter how overcrowded the boat may be. Still another advan- tage is the fact that the balloon will act as a great signal, and will be plain- ly visible for many miles, Wells as Barometers. Facts were presented at a recent meeting of the Science club of the uni- versity of Wisconsin which tend to show that the surface of the ground water in a well is much more respon- sive to atmospheric changes than is the barometer; and in stormy weather, according to Prof. F. H. King, “the movements of the water surface are so complex and so short a period that a rapidly moving chronograph is re- quired to separate them.” So, too, the rate of discharge of water from springs changes very greatly with va- tiations in the pressure of the atmos- phere. These facts suggest the scien- tific reasons for the use, which has sometimes been made in popular wea- ther lore, of springs and wells in pre- licting storms. Testing Cement. The Boston School of Technology is becoming noted for its valuable re- searches in the line of testing the ten- sile strength of various articles. One of the latest tests is that of cement, which is performed by a machine con- structed expressly for this purpose. The zement which undergoes the test is atories, and for the handles of surgical instruments, not only for its lightness, but because it is not affected by the an- tiseptics used. It is coming rapidly in- to use for bicycle parts. Dentists use it for plates for false teeth, and it has been used to replace a broken jaw. One of its latest uses is for litho- graphic plates instead of stones, cheap- ening the process. In electrical appar- atus it is useful on account of its non- magnetic quality. In Europe it is be- ing used to reduce the weight of mili- tary accouterments, canteens, buttons, belt plates and the like being made ot it. The anticipated output in 1898 is 2,000 tons, and in 1900, 10,000 tons. Tree Grows from a Tomb. The little parish of Kempsey is une of the most picturesque in England. It is situated on the banks of the Severn, about four miles from Worcester. Its proudest feature is the little church which has been standing nobody knows how long, but which was carefully re- stored in 1865. Its second lease of life, therefore, dates back earlier than the birth of many a venerated sanctuary. In this church there is a monument, built of solid stone and curiously carved, erected to the memory of Sir Edmund Wylde, who died in 1620, at the age of 82. The recumbent figure of the knight lies under a stone canopy, supported by two small fluted pillars. His hands are folded on his breast, p with his sword between them, and his helmet is by his side. The inscription above him tells that “he was solemn- ly here interred with great lamenta- tion,” also that he was “thought wor- thy the honour to be High Sheriff of this county.” Many years ago the village school- children used to sit on benckes in the chancel and play with horse chestnuts. One day a nut fell in a crevice behind the tomb and chanced to strike soil fertile enough to cause it to sprout. Year by year it has grown, until now it is a full grown tree, casting its shade over the form of the stone knight. The mystery of its living and thriy- ing have never been solved. . FOR BOYS AND GIRLS. SOME GOOD STORIES FOR OUR JUNIOR READERS. A Novel Experience with a Piece of Ordnance—Dare to Do Right; Dare to Be True—Aunt Mary's Message—The Capybara. Piccola. OOR, sweet Piccola! Did you hear What happened to Piccola, children dear? 'Tis seldom Fortune such favor grants As fell to this little maid of France. "Twas. Christmas time, and her parents poor ‘a Could hardly drive the wolf from the door, Striving with poverty’s patient pain Only to live till summer again. No gift for Piccola! sad were they When dawned the morning of Christ- mas day; Their little darling no joy might stir; St. preacles nothing would bring to her. But Piccola never doubted at all ‘hat something beautiful must befall Every child upon Christmas day, And so she slept till the dawn was gray. And full of faith, when at last she woke, She stole to her shoe as the morning broke Such sounis of gladness filled all the air, ‘Twas plain St. Nicholas had been there. in rushed Piccola, sweet, half wild— Never was seen such a joyful child— “See what the good saint brought!” she cried, And map thes and father must peep in- side. Now such a story I never heard! There was a little shivering bird! A sparrow that in at the window flew, ffad crept into Piccola’s tiny shoe! “How good poor Piccola must have een !"” She cried as happy as any queen, While ‘the starving sparrow she fed and warmed, And danced with rapture, she was so charmed. Children, this story I tell to you, Of Pic Sweet and her bird, is true. In the f: hey say, Still do they live to this very day. —Celia Thaxter. Dare to Do Right; Dare to Be True. Dear Boys and Girls: Some of you, I know, like to read, perhaps better than to play, but youth is the play- time of life, so you do not want to spend too much time out of school in reading. Keep out in the open air as much as you can so as to grow strong and muscular. What, girls grow strong and muscular!- Yes, I think girls should play out of doors as well as their brothers and so have strength to accomplish much good bye and bye. Of course you will let your mother know what you read so that she can decide if it will be what is good for you. Never read anything that you would not be willing to show to her. If you are just a little bit ashamed to have her see the book or paper you may be sure it is not safe to read it, I presume some of you boys have read becks written by J. T. Trow- bridge. He is getting to be quite an elderly gentleman, with white hair, but he still writes stories to please the boys. He has a pleasant home in Ar- linrgton, Mass., and has a wife and two pretty daughters who make the boys and girls and every one who calls very happy by their kindness. The grammar school class chose him for their favorite author last year, and he wrote this verse for a class motto: “Encounter every ill, Foes great and small; With courage and good will And conquer all.” This is a good motto for us all. is it aot? Yours ever, Aunt Mary. The Capybarac The capyvxra, which is shown in the accompanying iliustration, is about the largest of all the rodents. The only species which has yet been observel measures three feet in length, and a foot and a half in height. This animal possesses a massive body, a large head, skert and rounded ears, moderately long legs, semi-webbed toes, and rough, scanty hair, which is generally of a brown color. It lives gregariously, on the banks of lakes and rivers, feeds on grass, and hollows out burrows to sleep in. At the appeparance of dan- ger they plunge into the water, in which they are perfectly at home. Carnivorous animals, such as jaguars, cougars, etc., destroy them in great numbers. They are also hunted by man for the sake of their flesh, which is said to be very good. This rodent is of a very docile disposition, and be- comes quite tame if taken’ young, It is very numerous in Guiana, and most of the tributaries of the Amazon. A Novel Experiment. The most curious experiment ever made with a piece of ordnance was at Portsmouth, England, says Invention. ‘A stage. was erected in the harbor within the tide miark;,on this an Arm- strong gun of the 110 pound pattern was mounted. The gun was then Joaded and carefully aimed at a tar- get—all this, of course, during the time of low tide. A few hours later, when the gun and target were both covered with water to a depth of six feet, the gun was fired by means of electricity. We said “aimed at a tar- get,” but the facts were that there were two targets, but only one was directed for this special experiment, the other being the hull of an old ves- sel, the Griper, which lay directly be- hind the target and in range of the ball. The target itself was placed only twenty-five feet from the muzzle of the gun. It was composed of oak beams and planks, and was twenty- one inches thick. In order to make the old Griper invulnerable a sheet of boiler plates three inches thick was riveted to the water logged hull, in direct range with the course the ball was expected to take if not deflected by the water. On all of these—the oaken target, the boiler plates and the old vessel hull— the effect of the shot from the sub- merged gun was really startling. The wooden target was pierced through and through, the boiler target iron was broken into pieces and driven into its “backing,” the ball passing right on through both sides of the vessel, mak- ing ‘a huge hole, through which the water pcured in torrents. Taken al- together the experiment was an entire success, demonstrating, as it did, the feasibility of placing submerged guns in harbors in time of war and doing great damage to vessels which an en- emy might dispatch to such points for the purpose of shelling cities. His’ “Little Feller.” How the thought of the little ones at home, and the joys their presence brings helps to sweeten many a toil worn life, is effectively told in the fol- lowing story which we copy from the Watchman: I was opening a barrel of apples when the big, dust covered and. nec- essarily untidy man came back with the empty ash barrel, I picked up an apple and held it out toward him, saying as I did so: “Won’t you have an apple?” He took it eagerly, saying, as he did 0: n “Thank ye, sir; I’ve a little feller at home who'll be tickled to death to git it. I most always find something or other in the ash barrels to carry home to ’im at night, but it ain’t often I git anything equal to this big apple. I tell ye the little feller’s eyes will shine when he sees it.” I don’t know how many times that day my thoughts were of that big, rough handed fellow, with that apple put away so carefully in his pocket for that “little feller.” Whet evening came I thought of the “little feller” who was on the lookout for the big, dust covered father, with the calloused and soiled hands. These “littie fellers” glorify and beautify many a home in which pover- ty abides. But human affections can sweetly and patiently endure toil and Tags and poverty when there is a “lit- tle feller” to meet and greet the father when the long day is done. Windmill Turned Into a Chapel. A picturesquely-situated old wind- mill, which stands on the highest point of Reigate death, in the county of Sur- rey, England, is now known as_ the chapel of St. Cross. After the ancient mill had stood empty for many years it was turned to a good and useful pur- pose, and has for the last sixteen years been used as a chapel of ease to the parish church of Relgate. The interior of the mill is no bare room with sim- ply a few chairs and a reading-desk, but has been converted into a perfect little chapel; the walls are artistically decorated, and the altar is furnished with candles and vases,-and covered with an embroidered frontal. A full choral service, with surpliced choir, is held here every Sunday, and is chiefly attended by the cottagers living upon the Heath. The chapel seats between thirty and forty people and the first service was held in it on the 14th of September, 1880. An Ideal Citizen. The ideal citizen is the man who believes that all men are brothers, and that the nation is merely an extension of his family, to be loved, respected, and cared for accordingly. Such a man attends personally to all civic duties with which he deems himself charged. Those which are within his own con- trol he would no more trust to his in- feriors than he would leave the edu- tion of his children to kitchen sery- ants. The public demands upon his time, thought and money come upon him suddenly, and often they find him ill prepared; but he nerves himself to the inevitable, knowing that in the village, state and nation any mistake or neglect upon his part must impose a penalty, sooner or later, upon those whom he loves.—John Habberton. Ages of Trees. Some German scientists have recent- ly furnished information in regard to the ages of trees. They assign to the, pine tree 500 to 700 years as the max- imus, 425 years to the silver fir, 275 years to the larch, 245 years to the red beech, 210 years to the aspen, 200 to the birch, 170 to the ash, 145 to the elder, and 130 to the elm. Steamer on the Jordan. “Jordan am a hard road to trabble” is no longer true, a steamboat having recently been placed on the river,which makes the trip from Jericho to Tibe- rias in five hours. —~r-