The San Francisco Call. Newspaper, May 10, 1896, Page 19

THE SAN FRANCISCO CALL, SUNDAY, MAY 10, 1896. 19 RAMATIC in many of its details and fuil of human interest is the story of Judge Charles E. Huse, for whose release from the in- sane asylum at Highlands the most strenuous efforts have recently been made. His case has already attracted the attention of press and public, and if the contentions of the Judge's friends may bz relied upon (and the circumstances seem to indicate that their c'aims are not alto- gether without foundation in fact), then it | is in all probability true that a sane man, | whose mind sull brilliant, even after | long years of association with the de- mented, is being restrained of his liberty. | As a brief introduction to the particulars | which foliow let it be said that Judge | Charles E. Huse, at one time one of the | prominent attorneys of Southern Califor- 18 nia, was in 1880 committed from Santa Barbara County to the Napa Insane | Asylum. Ten years later he was dis- | charged, but immediately sent back to | Napa from San Francisco, and in 1894 sent to the branch asylum at Highlands, in San Bernardino County. The friends of Huse maintain that ene- mies conspired to send the attorney to the | asylum and to keep him confined asa | means to the success of a plot to obtain | vossession ‘of alarge estate, consisting of | 5000 acres of land to which Judge Huse held some title. Whether Judge Huse be sane or not, or whether or not his long confinement among people of shattered minds haseag length caused his own intellect to totter | on its throne, may not be said from direct knowledge; but there is something which can be said, with reference to this remark- able case, that lends to a portion of the story a life coloring that smacks of the olden, golden days, and that equals in its | glow and glory some of the best chapters of romance. There is sometaing in the story that strikes one as deeply as the Pythian legend. There are heroes in this land to-day as picturesque, as mnoble- minded, as self-sacrificing as the best of | those whose types adorn the most touch- ing eariier tales of Bret Harte. Gallardo—lawyer, miner, true-blue friend of Judge Huse—is a character for a splendid Western sketch. The indomitable spirit of ‘49 is in him, and he exemplifies an everlasting friendship when he practi- | cally declares to his revered old tutor: | “Enemies may rob you; but vou will neyer | want while there is treasure in Gallardo’s mines.” He does not merely say it—he | deeds half his wealth to the man in the asylum, and then proceeds to battle like a Trojan for his friend’s release. The pic- ture of Gailardo riding down from the Nevada hills to make a tight in the courts | jor Judge Huse—and for no object other than that of pure friendship—is one that | must excite admiration in every honest | breast. But the story is best told in these two chapters—one describing the coming of | *‘the friend in need”—the other, the sad | spectacle of a man vainly struggling for what he deems his God-given right; fight- ing, too, against great odds from behind | the bars which have so long imprisoned | bim. “ THE FRI IN NEED.” D Gallardo Rides From Nevada to Do Battle for Judge Huse. SANTA ANA, Car., May 8.—Few men | in the ordinary walks of life have excited | more genuine interest among those with whom they have come in contact than | F. F. Gallardo, the shrewd and picturesque Nevada miner, who rode astride his trusty steed all the way from Hawthorne, in the sagebrush State, to Southern California and inangurated proceedings to liberate his old friend, Charles E. Huse, from the | | aggressiveness, | enemies. Highlands Insane Asylum, in San Ber- nardino Courty. After an exciting con- testin Judge Otis’ court in that county Mr. Huse has been remanded to the insti- tution in which, it was set forth, he had peen unlawfully confined. But Gallardo, with the energy and determination which are so characteristic of him, has giyen notice of an appeal. and evidently intends to carry the case to the end of the means provided by law. 2 1t was during Mr. Gallardo’s visit to Santa Ana in quest of Or. G. W. Hollister, an old friend both of himself and Judge Huse, for the purpose of securing him as a witness in the action, through which it was hoped to restore the freedom from the asvlum of a sane man placed and re- tained there through conspiracy, that some of our people became acquainted with the curious character, whose life has been peculiarly balked with reverses and wiose natural keenness and wide cultiva- tion of mind are at once made apparent in conversation. The personal appearance of Gallardo is one of the most deceiving features of the man. Attired in a time-worn sombrero, through the brim of which a pencil is stuck for safe-keeping, with fringed and threadbare coat and vest, blue overalls, vy shoes, dark flanrel shirt and a mass of bandana handkerchief around bis taroat, his aspect inspires the conclusion isitor is a sheep-herder or per- haps a wandering old man without even as good a job. A bushy white beard covers his face, which 1s clearly of Spanish lineage and the entire hirsute condition evinces dim acquaintance with the barber. As soon as conversation is opened, how- ever, one is not left in doubt as to the abil and attainments of this uncouth lawyer, who refrains from the common equipments and practices of civilization either from choice or necessity. Polished legal phrases flow from him ina manner that is truly surprising; perfect command of the English language is always appa- rent, and the extraordinary precision with which he settles on dates of eventsin years far back is one of the most wonder- ful exhibitions of the mental training he has undergone. Years ago, in 1855, Mr. Gallardo com- menced the study of law under Judge Huse at Santa Barbara. He was then a young man of 21. Four years later he was admitted to the bar of the Superior Court of that county, and subsequently gained admission to ‘all the higher tribunalsof the land. He at once assumed consider- able prominence in his profession, his however, making many In the older reports of the Su- preme Court there are numerous records of his cases, in many of which his bristling shafts of attack are directed at Judges and other officers of authority. In 1883, after a career at law filled with conditions, successes, reverses, wealth and almost poverty, this strange man betook himself to Nevada and began the always fascinating search for preciousore. Three vears later his old friend and tutor, Judge Huse, was committed to the Napa asylum and there kept until about two years ago, when he was transferred to the new insti- tution at Highlands. At Napa Gallardo once secured hisrelease, but he was soon re- turned there. It is alleged that Mr. Huse's original incarceration at Napa, and his subsequent confinement after being re- leased, were made without the examina- tion required by law; that his absence from Santa Barbara County, in which he owned some twenty-two leagues of land, was thus enforced to permit of the undis- turbed working of a conspiracy to gain pos- session of his property, which plan was successfully carried out. These are the allegations made by Mr. Gallardo, who as- serts emphatically that Judge Huse is not now, nor was at the time of his original commitment, in the least insane. Holiister, after ten minutes’ conversation with him, also pronounced him of sound { mind. Whether Mr. Gallardo’'s assertions are true_or imagined, Judge Huse is to-day an impoverished man, nothing of the princely domain once in his name remain- ing except partof alotin Santa Barbara. His faithful friend and 'pugil, however, has never forgotten him, and half of the many mining claims in his possession are deeded to Mr. Huse. The long delay in commencing proceed- F. F. Gallardo as He Appeared on the St reets of San Bernardino. He Had Come All the Way From MNevada to Aid in Rescuing His Old Instructor From Con- finement in the Asylum, (Sketched by a “Call artist.”] STRrovg - Dr. ! \ k,,/ HT FOR FREEDOM. ings to liberate his friend was caused by ill health and consequent adverse financial circumstances. Three times has Mr. Gal- lardo been stricken with paralysis during Judge Huse's confinement, each attack disabling him for many months. The last of these strokes, as usual, was very severe, and it was less than a year ago that he re- covered from the effects of it. At last, blessed with reasonably good health, he mounted his bay horse, which transports him in all his travels, and, seated on a sack of straw, set out for the scene of his friend’s incarceration. The trip, as a matter of course, was an arduous one for a man_ over three-score years, but the in- | to bear him through without apvparent distress, or even fatigue. Wrapped in a long, dirty cloth Gallardo carries a roll of manuscript, the writing upon which is executed in an exceedingly small hand. When at leisure he A&ds thoughtfully to its contents with pen and ink. It may be his diary, it may be his history, it may contain information of rich statement of the case of Judge Huse. any rate it is his secret as far as his ac- quaintances in Santa Ana are concerned. ‘While nere Mr. Gallardo dropped some information which bas a more local inter- est than the now celebrated asylum case. He claims to hold a deed to the original haif interest of Maria Yorbade Burrnell, daughter of Theodocia Yorba, in the Rancho Santiago de Santa Ana, which covers a large portion of Orange County. This deed he claims to have acquired in 1867, and asserts that he has never waived any of his vested rights therein. The title to the ranch was not confirmed by the Su- | preme Court until 1884. Prior to that time a suit in partition of the estate was brought before Judge Morrison at Los Angeles, but Gallardo ‘refused to be a party to it, claiming that the Judge had no authority to pass upon matters relating to establishing titles to the land while the Supreme Court had not yet rendered its decision. Mr. Gallardo says he has no fears of the statute of limitation, which would have rendered his title void iong | & o, but expresses his determination to bring suit in the United State, Circuit Court at Carson, Nev., toobtain possession domitable attributes of his character served | mines, or it may be a carefuily prepared | At have discharged the man or paroled him into the hands of a stranger whom I'do not believe to be qualified to 100k after him or to have any legal right to assume the respousibility. f"hone San Francisco papers will give the outcome as much notice as they have the pro- ceedings up to date. Yours truly, M. B. CAMPBELL. Medical Director. 1t will be noted that the foregoing letter is dated April 7, while the following letter from Judge Huse, inclosed with Dr. Campbell’s letter, is dated April 1, show- ing that it was detained a week at the asylum; and the reader will also bear in mind that this letter from Judge Huse is in response to the newspaper articles to which my name was signed, which were sent to him to see if he would be able to identify me and would write to me, and also to see if he was fumiliar with the pres- ent state of National aifairs and had any interest in the political situation. Judge of my astonishment and delight when | read in his well-known hand what here follows, the manner of abbreviating my middle name being exactly the same as he had always adopted, the punctuation, capitals, etc., being given as written: SAN BERNARDINO, Cal., April 1, 1896, Joseph A. Johnson, San Francisco, Cal.—My ESTEEMED FRIEND: Day before yesterday (Mon- | duy Inst past) I received two Tiewspapers from | you, one oi which, the Towa (some one ook this newspaper irom me, and I do not recollect its heading), contained an article on Trusts, corporations, combines, &c., in which you conclusively demonstrated that the Pro- ducer has received, in diminished ratio, less and less during the past ten years; und the | Capitalist, during the same time, more and more, thus absorbing, like & huge sponge, the greater part of the proceeds of the producer's | Tabor; taking as the data for your calcuiation | the figures published in the United States Census returns. 5 No man can successfully assail the conelu- | sions “resulting from YOur prmises. The | whole article is logically sound and unanswer- able. It ought to be copied inlo other news- | papers all over the country, that the masses of | the people may be enlightened and made to ¢ and undersiand the true relations between Labor and Capital, and become enabled to adopt such legislative measures as to bridie the greed of Avurice and Usury, Trusts, Corpo- rations, Combines and other unscrupulous unions of wealth to the impoverishment of the | Producer, the Wage-earner, the Warp and Woof | of the Social Fabric. Otherwise, blood may flow | in torrents in this boasted land of Liberty. I thank you for sending me the newspaper con- taining your article. And now I want to_tell you how it occurred that I was forcibly seized and taken from your dwelling-house and carried back to Napa. I was at your house just one month, from the 24th day of March till the 24th of A You left San Francisco for a few days, &e. [Judge Huse.iLen gives in full the details, with dates, names of officers, etc., which need not be given here, particularly as' in my letter to Dr. Campbell, which appears below, all necessary reference made. At the close the Judge says:] “Make a Copy of this let- ter and send this letter back with your honest opinion annexed to it, stating whether you pril, 1887. g; itis in my usual style. Invoking for you the choicest blessings of our Heavenly Father, 1 am, as ever, your old friend, CHAs. E. HUsE. Having my own misgivings as to the animus of the asylum authorities, as indi- cated in the dispatches published in the newspapers and apparently confirmea by the long delay of & week in sending off think an insane man has writtenit, or whether | Judge Charles E. Huse as He Appeared . Asylum Nearly Si When He Was First Committed to the ixteen Years Ago. [From a photograph.] encountered perplexing difficulties which thwarted his purposes, and after a time I learned to my utter consternation thathe was in the Napa Asylum for the Insane. As he states in his letter which you have in- closed to me, after adetention of three months he was discharged from the ssylum and came atonce to my home here in San Francisco. We were both 11 need of money and he was greatly exercised because he could not at once raise a considerable sum on & portion of his property. In all other respects he was cheerful and ra- tional as ever, with only an octasional and momentary but utterly harmless hallucina- tion to indicate any lack of mental equilibrium whatever; and these infrequent manifesta- tions never occurred except wWhen some vexa- tious subject was under consideration. I am 7 | Wi e L the Left of His Friend Gallardo. |Sketched by a “Call” artist.] Scene in the Courtroom—Attorney Gallardo Examining Joseph A. Johnson—Judge Huse Is Seated at which he lays claim under his deed. ‘Whether this man is successful either in liberating _his old friend or acquiring pos- session of a tract of valuable land long since divided up into prosperous farming regions he at least has entertained those with whom he l.as come in contact in Southern California and earned the dis tinction of being the strangest character who has held their attention for many years. forget his quaint, unkempt appearance, his earnest and magnetic eloquence as he dis ses upon the subjects which now seem to be his sole ambitions, or his intelligent old countenance as it lights up with the fires of hope and determination, and un- less he succeeds in opening the title to the large ranch, to a portion of which he lays his antiquated claim, the acquainiances he has formed in Orange County will have no cause to recall his presence with any buta feeling of pleasure and interest. LinN L. SHAW. THE STRUGGLE FOR LIBERTY, Correspondence That Throws New Light on the Remarkable Huse Case. During the latter partof March, on learn- ing through the newspapers that Judge Huse had taken legal steps in the Superior Court of San Bernardino to secure his re- lease from the asylum, and having had no communication with him for nine years, and desiring 1o make a simple test of his present condition, I sent him in care of the Medical Director of the Southern Cali- fornia Asylum a copy of THE CALL con- taining one of my “letters from the peo- ple,” and also a copy of an Iowa news- paper which bad published one of my CarLr letters, and in response I receivea from Dr. Campbell a brief letter, in which he says under March 30: *‘The papers sent by you to Judge Huse will be given him. He is in the same condition as when received from Napa. The Judge is still quite enter- taining and bright in many ways, but is thoroughly insane.” On the 9th of April 1 received the following letter adaressed to me from the asylum at San Bernardino: Dear Sir: Iinclose a letter from Judge Huse to you. In my letter of March 30 to youl stafed that Gallardo would probably swear ont another writ to obtain the release of Judge Huse. This be has done. The case was on trial for three days, Gallardo and the Judge assuming [consuming?] a good deal of the time. It has been postponed until the 14th inst. Gallardo stated that he can get testi- mony from San Franeisco to show that Judge Huse was illegally committed and was not insane, and I think Gallardo named you one upon whom he could depend for such testimony. It is & very unfortunate stateof affairs that the Judee has not some near relatives at hand who could assume con- trol of this case and by some means prevent Gallardo from continuing his efforts to obtain the Judge’s release. I should be more than pleased to discharge or parole him in the care of his relatives, provided they would assume the burden. It has placed us in an unenviable light temporarily, but could not be avoided, &8 1t would have been criminal on my part to of the land, embracing some 5000 acres, to Few who have met him will ever | Judge Huse's letter to me, I wrote a little guarded note to him, as follows: sco, April 10, 1896. My Dear Hus y God knows how glad and grateful I am to hear from you once more in your old tucid and customary style of ex- ressing yourself. I have considered well all you have written and will do all you request. I have just written a long letter to Dr. M. B. Campbell and assured him that your letter to me *“‘clearly demonstrates that there are few | so-called sune men who are his (your) equals in sanity and clear intelligence,” and I have | aprealed to him to let you go free on parole under the care of faithiul Gallardo, and I am sure he will not refuse to do so. . But you have waited so long that youcan be patient a little ionger. If possible] would come to you on the next train. Excuse this little letter when my heart demands twenty pages in which to speak o you. As ever yours, J. A. JOHNSON. Here follows the letier to Dr. Campbell, under date of April 10: My Dear Sir: 1am indebted toyou for two courteous letters, giving me some details in regard to the case of Judge Charles E. Huse. In reply, I desire toimpress vou with my pro- found regard for him and my most earnest desire 10 serve him in the most devoted and unqualified manner possible, for 1 was more intimately associated with him in Ssnta Bar- bara from 1869 to 1876 than I have been before or since with any other man; and during all that long period a day seldom mssed, unless one or the other happened to Ee absent from the place, that we did not meet and in the most confidential and informal manner discuss ali matters of interest to either of us, from the affairs of the Nation to our own privete and domestic concerns; for T think men rarely meet who find themselves more congenial to each other, with more tastes, ambitions, hopes and aspirations in common than we always had, there being no clash that I can now recall in our views or sense of duty, exeept once in & minor political matter of a local and transient character, In all those years, Dr. Campbell, 1 found Judge Huse the most gentle, patient, generous, modest, faithtul, unselfish, public-spirited, seli-reliant, stable-minded and studious man I have ever known. Heseemeddeficient in only one quality whicl appears to be requisite in our asy to & complete, rounded and successful man, namely, a lack of seli-assertion and aggressiveness. His love of peace and dread of strife would have made him a moral coward but for an almost abnormal conscience, which never permitted him to falter for a moment in the discharge of any duty, however irksome or distasteful it might prove to be. His sense of honor, his unyielding integrity, his alert conscience and his chivalrous love of fair play made it impossible for him to shirk responsibility, resort to diplomacy or yield to the suggestions of policy, and with the aver- age man of mixed motives and pliant con- science he never got on well, was usually mis- understood and misinterpreted, and hence he never became popular with politicians and schemers. While a deeply spiritual and devout man, his broad and generous nature made him one of the most tolerant of men toward all faiths and aspirations whieh tend to make for righteousness and a pure life. Altrnism in- spirea and molded his character. - Such a man, thus imperfectly characterized, was Charles E. Huse as I knew him, loved him and honored him all those years from 1869 to 1876. On leaving Santa Barbara in 1876, it was understood and sgreed between us that the seperation should not be for long. He was 1o close up his affairs tnere, and we were to settle in Oakland. But as his broperty was in real estate and as dull times reduced prices and made sales difficult, he held on, and in the meantime he met with some reverses and unable to say just how he was sent back to the asylum, as I was away from home. On my re- turn I was told that he became violent, a po- liceman was called and he was taken away. I have little more to add. I kept up a cor- respondence with Dr. Dozier of Napa for sev- eral years as to the situation of Judge Huse, his reports being uniformly unfavorable, and the Jast one assured me that there was no hope of the Judge's recovery. I now own to you with sorrow and mortification that I did not continue my inquiries. His only daughter lives in Boston. She is able to care for her father and I cannotdoubt her willingness to do so. ButT will conclude by appealing to you to let Judge Huse go forth on parole, once more to enjoy his liberty under the care of his faithful iriend Gallardo, who may not have the means to provide for him, but who has what used to be considered of more worth than wealth, the rare quality of fidelity to a friend in dire misfortune. If you e right in feeling that you ought to retain him, it will not be long before you will have ample proof to justify you in recalling him to the asylum. His letter to me clearly demon- strated that there are few so-called sane men who are his equals in sanity and intelligence. Put aside sll technical questions as to how he was committed or why, and forget for the time that you are an honored officer of the State, and consider as & man how highly you prize your own liberty. Yours, very truly, JOSEPH ASBURY JOHNSON. While I do not charge the asvlum man- agement with intent to defeat Judge Huse in his great effort to secure the necessary proofs to show that he had large posses- sions in land, both in Santa Barbara and Ventura counties, to refute the ch:ief claim of the medical director, Dr. Campbell, that Huse was insane, because he had a fixed delusion that he had large landed vrop- erties; yet the following letter from Huse, written April 10, was not mailed from the asylum, where it lay in the custody Dr. Campbell until the 18th, eight days, while its contents will show that such de- lay worked a serious disadvantage to Huse, who expected an immediate answer. And 1 give the letter verbatim to show exactly the style and manner of the man, who now writes in reply to my brief letter to him: SAN BERNARDINO. Cal., April 10, 1896. J. A. Johnson—MY DEAR OLD FRIEND AND CHRISTIAN BROTHER: My matter of the “writ of habeas corpus,” tried for two days, has been adjourned till the 14th of this month. I need you here. Let nothing hinder you from coming. It is of the most vital impor- nce to me. m\'gu:oexpen!e! will be paid here, both for coming and returning to San Francisco. Please bring with you ‘“Mason’s History of Santa Berbara and Véntura.” Also & file of the Santa Barbara Press in the year when the trouble was concerning the big rancho. If vou can find it bring aiso that part of the Times, Boust’s paper. in which the squatter articles were published, and to which you fearlessly, manfully, nobly replied, whil r. By our minister. Your old. and fa heretofore, CHARLES E. HUSE. you cannotarrive here by the 14th, soon after that day as possible. I . 8. be here as must have your testimony. the 19th (Sunday) at 11 A. 3., having no knowledge of the existence of the letter, which was delivered at my house on Mon- day, the 20tn, and immediately remailed to me at San Bernardino, where I received it when it was impossible for me to supply the proofs named in the letter. This let- ter was put in evidence by me asa wit- ness after I had shown it to Dr. Campbell as a witness and asked him foran explana- tion, which was to the effect that he was away from the asylum for a day or two and he was sorry that it had beer delayed. He made a similar explanation as to the delay of six days in the mailing of the | first letter of April 1. On the morning of the 23d, at 10 o’clock, | I met Judge Huse at the Courthouse, and he at once recognized me in a very hearty manner. We were given an opportunity | to converse together on the steps of the Courthouse for three-quarters of an hou: and when called to the witness-stand, in response to a guestion by the court, I testi fied that had I closed my eves and made allowance for the loss of Judge Huse's | teeth, which gave nis words a muffled sound, I could not have recognized any difference in the Hus« of 1876 and 1896, so far as the tenor and substance of his talk were concerned; that he had greatly changed in appearance from an erect and alert man to a bent oid man, unkempt, ill dressed, and his manner wholly changed by the loss of his glasses, as he is ex- tremely near-sighted, not being able to distinguish a friend’s features two or three yards away. Tie trial lasted three davs, and I was called to the stand as a witness each day, my testimony mainly relating to Judge Huse's leading characteristics as a lawyer and asa man, and to his property inter- ests, including his contention with™ squat- ters and others who sought to dispossess him of his proverty, more particularly of the great rancho known as the ‘‘Los Prietos y Nujalayegua.”” In summing up the case and renderine a decision, which occupied an hour, Judge Otis stated that he had never experienced more difficulty in reaching a decision in any case, and in remanding Judge Huse to the asylum it was rather to secure for him the proper care which he needed on account of cer- tain barmless hallucinations and personal peculiarities and babits which might be the result of his continuous confinement for so many years and in constant associa- tion with inmates who are unquestionably insane. If it had been shown to the court durin, the trial that any competent person uloog ready to care for the petitioner (Huse) and render him such attention and ser- vice as it was certain, from the testimony adduced and not contradicted, he at times would be sure to need, there would be no valid objection to granting his petition to be released from further restraint. In giving the substance in brief of the deci- sion the local daily newspaper, the Times- Index, closes the report in these words: *‘At the same time Judge Otis stated that he had rarely seen, in court or elsewhere, stich a remarkable memory and evidences of strong mentality, and that few attor- neys' at the bar were able to conduct an examipation with more ability or to state a legal proposition more clearly.” 1in consultation with Judee Otis in his chambers, after the decision and the court had adjourned. he urged upon me the pro- priety of taking steps at once to secure the appointment of a suitable guardian for Judge Huse and assured me that there would then be no obstacle to prevent his release from the asylum. In several con- versations which I'had with Dr. Campbell, in charge of the asylum, he gave me un- qualified assurance that he would have no hesitation in releasing Judge Huse in the care of a guardian who could and would take proper care of him. It has been my privilege for many years to have pleasant relations with Judges of our State S preme Court, and desire to say here that I know of no one of them in twenty years who was or is the supe- rior, in judicial temper, legal attainments, mental balance, logical acumen, power and clearness of statement of Judge Otis of the Superior Court in San Bernardino, or who is held in higher esteem by the community in which he resides. 1 will close by saying thatin a private interview with Judge Huse, with no one in attendance, I became thoroughly satis- fied that he should not be discharged until he has a proper guardian to care for him; but Ido think he should be released as soon as possible in charge of such a guar- dian, and that it would be a crime to de- tain him when such guardian can be se- cured. JOSEPH ASBURY JOHNSON. MINNIE, A NEW JERSEY CAT. Trouble Made by Her Prejudice Against Singing and Loud Preaching, When Minnie was born no one in the housebold could see that she gave promise of being unlike other cats. Her mother was a tabby cat of graceful form and af- fectionate disposition, but not remarkable in any other way. Minnie was a tabby, too, and, like her mother, of small and narrow build. She soon developed a strong affection for the daughter of the tamily, a girl of 12 years, named Lucy. When Lucy was at home she and Minnie were constant companions. Minnie usually took regular open-air exercise, but she was sure to be by Lucy’s side when Lucy was ready for school and to accompany her as far as the garden gate. Then she would leap to the top of one of the gate posts and watch until her mis- tress got out of sight. When Lucy came home Minnie never failed to meet her at the street corner and accompany her back to the house, capering about her feet, or sometimes springing up to her shoulders. 1 cannot supply it C. E. HUSE. by any other witness. This letter was not mailed till the 18th, as before stated, and on the 17th 1 was served by the Shenff of San Francisco with a subpena to be in attendance on the Superior Court in San Bernardino on the 23d. I lefton the steamer Santa Rosa on Lucy had to do & great amount of prac- ticing at the piano, Minnie would sit upon a chair near by and blink witb apparent appreciation all through. the preliminary g}’nchee of scales and finger exercises. hen these were over and the etudes were begun she would arouse herself and climb to Lucy’s shoulder, where she would remain, occasionally rubbing her cold nose lovingly against Lucy’s cheek. As soon as the practicing of pieces began she would spring over to the top of the piano. and seat herself. At times, when the music especially appealed to her, she would ghde down to the keyboard and with one of her little forepaws strike two or three notes in successior and look up into Lucy’s face as if she would say, **You see, 1 can do it, too.” .Then she would resume her place on the piano cover and remain until the hours for practice were over. £ Thus the music lessons passed for many days, but on one eventful day Lucy began to sing. Minnie’s hairrose on end. She Jashed her tail from side to side, and in blind fury she chased round and round the piano top until she seemed to spin. Lucy stopped singing. Minnie quieted down and jumped into her lap for caresses and consolation. Presently Lucy resumed the singing. Then Minnie gave voice to_her feelings. She howled and wailed until the whole family —mother, auntie, grandmother and the boys—came to see what was the matter. Nobody ever tried to practice singing in Minnie’s presence again. Minnie was as good about the house as a watchdog, starting at a strange step or a noise, and a ring at the door bell would take her at once to the door, where she would stand and growl and spit until she was assured that all was right. One Sunday evening Lucy and her mother and aunt started for the Methodist church at the far end of the big New Jer- sey city where they live. Alter going a considerable distance they discovered that Minnie also was a member of the party. She often followed them about the streets near home, but as ste wds not wanted that night, they took pains to see that she was sent back. When she was out of sight they went on. They reached the church and took seats. The service bezan. Then, to the horror of the party, Minnie slowly walked forth from their pew, passed up the aisle and took a seat upon the altar rail facing the congrezation. She sat blink- ing at the people. The preacher arose and announced his text. Pretty soon he grew excited, shouted his words ol warning and pounded his desk in old-time Methodist style. Minnie, too, grew excited. She be- gan walking back and forth along the altar rail. As the prea more vigorous in his language and gestic: lations her tail swelled and she lashed it back and forth. Finally she burst forth with howls and wails which drowned the preacher’s voice. A deacon came to the rescue of the reacher and the service. How he secured Minnie and what he did with her Lucy does not know, for she was too frightened to look; but when she and her mother and aunt reached home after the service Min- nie met them at the corner as if nothing unusual had happened.—New York Sun. e e e e BOTANICAL CURIOSITY. IT Is A MostT UNUSUAL GROWTH oF A EucaLypTus TREE. About the most grotesque tree to be found in California is one growing on a ranch near Warm Springs. It isan or- dinary specimen of the eucalyptus variety and was planted about ten years ago along with a lot of others, it being the owner’s intention to make them serve as a wind- break. For some mysterious reason all died ex- cept one, and that has, as the farmers say, “all gone to stalk.’” At first this tree made a very slow growth, but did not at- Strange Growth of a Eucalyptus Tree Near Warm Springs. [From a sketch.] tract attention as anything unusual. It showed no disposition to be anything but a sapling. It gradually grew higher and higher and never put out branches except at the top. The tree is now nearly ninety feet high and all there is to it is a pole of a trunk with a bunch of sickly looking leaves at the tip end. It is much higher than trees of this species generally, and the straightness of the trunk is also remarkable. The bark of the tree is as it should be, and so is the wood. The conditions of the locality where the tree is planted seemed particu- larly adapted to it, so no reason can be given for its growing as it does. This tree can be seen for miles around, as it rears its bunch of leaves high above the level country. Itis of no earthly use and certainly cannot be considered an or- nament, but the owner of the ranch lets it grow as a curiosity, and says there is no telling what it will eventually turn into. — . —— DMuasical Item. The minister, Parson Downycouch, was atdinner with the Chaffie family. Johnnie spoke up and said “Can a church whistle?"” “Why do you ask, Johnnie?” asked the clerzyman Kindly. ‘‘Because pa owes $12 back pew rent, and he says ge is going to let the church whistle.” After the clergyman had taken his de- parture there was a vocal solo by Johnnie. Texas Siftings. NEW TO-DAY. ) From U.S.Journal of Medicine Prof. W. H. Peeke, who makes a specialty of Epilepsy, has without doubt treated and cur- E ed more cases than any living Physician; his success is astonishing. ‘We have heard of cases publishesa valuable work on who may send their P. O. and Express address, We advise anv one wishing a cure to address H.PEEKE, F.D., 4 St., New Yor® R DWAY’S PILLS, of 20 years’ standing he sends with a Purely vegetable, mild and reliable. Securs Com- plete digestion and absorption of the food, cause cured by him; He uI E large bote tle of bis absolute cure, free to any cafferers a healthy action of the Liver and render the Bowels natural in their opera: on without griping