HomeMy WebLinkAboutThe Advocate, 1887-11-03, Page 6Alone in 1.0111d01,1.
I don't know what we'll do, Jim ; the raindi
coming fast.
I haVen't get 110 n.loney, and it's twelve o'clock
and past,
.Lot's sit down in deorway, the hrst as we can
see,
Vo 1ceatnums abyebe get ,t0 eln94? tho" if tb° " "PP" "
gm, Come a little defier, Jill), You'XI3 Y°4ngc0t•
d'ye see,
And the rain won't get so near you if you shelter
behind ; -
But the matches in that earner, lad, and then
they won't get wet,
There might be soine cove:1'00mo along as wants
to buy one yet
Does the rain come nigh you there, Jim? It
doesn't? That'a all right.
I wish we bad a crustof bread to eat this cold,
wet night ;
dou't care much About myself, but 1 must keep
you alive,
And If I can go without at ten, you can't at only.
AVO.
D'ye see that star up there, jim, a -shining in the
sky ?
I Wonder wind the people does as lives up there
SO high,
D'ye think our mother went up there to live
inside a star'?
I wish we could go too, lad, btit it looks so far,
l'm afraid we'll not get there, Jim ; but there, we
scarcely know.1
Tom, what lived Seven Dials, died not very
long ago,
And he said, wben he was dying, that he saw a
place all light,
And heard 'em singing, and saw folks all dressed
In snowy white.
Do you feel the cold a deal, Jim? yourbands are
3ust like lead,
And stiff—why Jim 1 poor littleJim—ah, whati—
heisn't dead 7
Oh. Jim, it can't be --nay, he's gone—Jim's seen
his last wet day,
And his soul's gone flying upward to the star-
light fax away.
—The Quiver.
The Sad Fate of Counting Nick.
Have you ever beard the terrible tale
Of Nicholas Perkins Poppingale
• Who counted himself to death 7
He began by counting railroad tics,
And then he fell to counting flies,
I'm sure it isn't any surprise
That he finally lost his breath.
A promising boy was little Nick,
But the counting fever made him sick;
Pve hoard of it before.
Wheu he took a step he counted that,
He counted the purring of the eat,
And counted the inches measured flat
Of everything be saw.
•
When be tried to play he had to stop,
For he couldn't keep up the count, and hop
As fast as other boys.
It's hard to ran and count your strides,
And count the other boys' besides;
And counting the pickets on sleigh -rides
Robs sleighing of its joys.
At every meanie counted each bite,
Which sadly impaired his appetite,
And made him very thin.
He counted each cry the baby gave,
When he went to sail, be counted each wave,
He counted tke snores of his brother Dave
And the hairs on his grandma's chin.
•
It's a pitiful tale and yet it's true;
And that counting boy was always blue,
I never saw him smile.
It's all very well to count your casli;
But counting the winks of a friend's eyelash
Or the nuinber of bites in a plate of hash
Is really not worth while,
SIR HUGH'S LOVES.
—..----
Fluff did not wait for his answer; she
chattered on very much at her ease.
"Mother and Fern only think I am tak-
ing a walk, but I always meant to come
and see grandpapa on my birthday. I
should think he ought to be very glad • to
see me; and if he is not," here her lip
quivered a little, " I should tell him he is
very naughty to live in this beautiful house
while poor mother is so poor, and goes out
teaching." But, as she spoke, the door
had opened softly, and a tall grey-haired
man, with a thin erect figure, walked slowly
into the room, leaning on Erie's arm, while
Percy followed him.
Fluff gave a little exclamation at the
sight of the two young men, and then ran
towards Mr. Huntingdon, her broad.
brimmedhat falling on her neck, and her
dark eyes all aglow with excitement.
"1 have come to see you, grandpapa,"
she said, holding out her hand with the
air of a little princess ; and then, as he did
not fake it, she, continued rather piteously,
" please, dear grandpapa, don't be angry
with me, for I have come all this way of
my own accord, and I am so tired and
hungry."
If a thunderbolt had fallen in the midst
of that stately room it could not have
created a greater sensation.
Erie flushed and looked uncomfortable, a
dark frown crossed her brother's face ; Mr.
Huntingdon's was inscrutable as usual,
only a grey tint seemed to spread over his.
features, and there was a slight trembling
in the hand that held Erie's arm.
Fluff looked from one to the other, and
then she touc e coaxingly.
"Do ask gr n pap e kind to me,
Mr. Erie," she pleaded. " is always
cross, but youhave been BO good and
Fern." But a stern voice interrup
her.
"Do you know this child, Erle? she
seems to recognize you."
"Yes, sir,' stammered Erie, losing
color now as f t as he had gained it ; his
embarrass e. n wssened by the look
on Percy' face. 1 have s ier when I
have been, with Percy. She a lorence
Trafford, Mrs.. Trafford's younges hila,
and I expect`svhat she% says is quite
and that shilisie come of her own accor
though I have n'bt-Wea how she found h
way here,"
" How should you, MrTirci, etnrned
Fluff, nestling up to her favorite, " when I
never told you a word about it, or any of
them either ? why, bless me, the stupidest
of all those stupid owls in the Zoological
Gardens, that we laughed at so vouch, knew
more about it than you did. Oh, you need
not frown, Percy, you do not come half so
often to see poor mother as Mr. Erie (lobe,
and he is far kinder to Fern,"
" I think you had better hold your
tongue, Fluff," replied her brother ; but he
evidently enjoyed the sight of Erie's ais
comfatnre. " I don't see why you are to
be troubled with this sort bf scone,"ho cent'
tinned, addressing Mr. Huntingdon, who.
was eyeing Fluff gloomily all this thaw.
" If you with it I will ring :for Roger to
- take her h e "
No, no, let her be for a menial*" he
replied, quickly ; and Fluff who had looked
terrified at Perey'sprhpogition, came closer
and rubbed her otitis delightedly against
his coatsleeve.
" That's right, grandpapa, / have not
spoken to you yet, have 1? and X have so
Mach to gay, I was that little baby you
knew whom mother carried through the
snow that night. " Yee," as Mr. Hunting.
ami shuddered, " I hearether tell Fern
ell abolat it One night wheu they thought I
was Fielepp—only „I got sleepy and lost half ;
but I said to myself, 1 I shall go and tell
grandpapa that poor mother is very miser-
able and unhappy, and that he meat come
and take Care of her.' "
" t here. there, You haVe said Yonr leeson
very prettily," observed Mr. Huntingdon
with a sneer, " Children are apt parrots ;"
but Erle saw that his sneer was forced, and
that he sat down like gan old man, and he
said, earnestly :
'Oh, sir, do not think so badly of your
daughter. She has not sent the child on
this errand. I -would stake my life on
"And how: long have you taken upon
yourself to defend pay daughter, Mrs.
Trafford ?" asked his uncle ooldly. Erie
almost repented of his generous impluse
when he heard that hard relentless VOiCe.
They had not noticed their visitor, and
Raby, at the other end of the great room,
lost much of what was passing, he was so
absorbed with hie own bitter disappoint-
ment. As Erie was silent a moment, Mr.
Huntingdon repeated his question.
" Since he knew I had apretty eid"
er,
replied Peroy, carelessly.
Erie turned round and their eyes met,
but Percy's fell before that glance of utter
contempt; M. Huntingdon intercepted
the look between the young men.
I was not speaking to you Percy," he
observed, curtly ; " I should have thought
it was your place to take your mother's
part, but you choose to be silent. Well, it
18 00 affair of mine. Erie, will you be good
enough to answer me a question or two,
and then I will trouble you toeend the child
home. How often have you visited at my
daughter's house ?"
" I can hardly answer that queetion, sir;
I have been several times."
"Did Percy take you ?"
In the first instance, yes; but I have
been there alone too," for Erie's truthful
nature scorned subterfuge. The crisis he
had dreaded had conae on him at last; but
Percy should not see that he was afraid.
He might be weak and vacillating, but he
was a gentleman, and a lie was abhorrent
to him. Percy's innuendo might work
deadly mischief, but all the same he would
not shelter himself behind a falsehood.
Mr. }Little gdon's hard look involuntarily
softened. This show of manliness on his
nephew's part pleased him.
" Of course you went there knowing that
I should disapprove of such visits. Tell
me, is this Fern of whom my grandson
speaks so very attraotive ?" '
" She ie very pretty."
"That is all I want to know. Now will
you order the carriage to take the ohild
home? No, stop, I think Rodger had bet-
ter fetch it cab. But at this point Fluff
began to ory.
"Oh, I am so tired and hungry," she
sobbed," "and all those dreadful bones in
my legs, and the crier not come yet. What
is the good of a grandpapa if he has
no cakes and things, and on my birthday
tooP'
Mr. Huntingdon smiled grimly.
"Very well, order the child somerefreeh-
ment, Erie. After all she is but a starved
bit of a thing; see she has what children
like best. Percy, come with me a moment, I
want to speak to you."
"Oh, thank you, grandpapa" exclaimed
Fluff, cheering up at this; and as the door
closed on Mr. Huntingdon, Erie knelt down
by the child, and wiped the tears from the
tired dirty little face that had brought such
trouble to him.
And the heart of Fluff was glad within
her, for they brought her fruit and
cakes and sweet wine on it gold salver,7so
that she feasted like a king's daughter, or
like the Princees Dove herself; and Erie
sat by and watched her all the time, though
he looked rather grave and unhappy, Fluff
thought.
Both of them were rather startled when
Mr. Ferrers groped his way towards them.
He had been hidden by the curtain, and
Erie had not noticed him.
"Mr. Erle, if you will allow me, I shoeld
like to take the child home."
"01 courge," rousing himself,' and look-
ing a little bewildered, "we were both to
have gone this evening. I had ordered the
brougham, but I am afraid now that I must
ask you to excuse me. There are circum-
stances—and," here Erie paused and bit his
lip.
There is no need for you to go," returned
Raby, gorrowfully ;" the bird has flown.
This child," putting his hand lightly on
Fluff's curly head, "told me before
you came in that Crystal had gone to
America --she started this morning."
"To America?" exclaimed Erie, in an
incredulous Voice.
"Yes, but she has tolame no particulars.
It is hard, very hard, is it not? I find one
does not get used to disappointment. It is
a heavy blow to my faith. I thought
that to aght we should certainly have
Berry, Mr. Ferrers, I
could have come with
int indee
you."
"You cotild not I will take the
child home, and talk ak*kind friends
who have sheltered Crysta , leinst I shall
hear about her and know her eiupve-
Ments." '
"1 think I hear the cab, M. Ferrero,
ff
uis
1 not wa e oor little thing,"
ed Baby, lifting he• as he spoke.
tinted contentedly her head
n his broad sho r. Erie
as Roger guided m to the
longed to accorapa them.
ent he turned th a
e's slow footstep used
' look at this," an he
g, a half hooj of
era all I wish f
nor is none of, he
6. You and I
it perfectly'
it
Be-
lies a rig to
treati her
me toinorrow
4t on her
le lips could
Flu.a
droppe
watched t
cab. How
The next m
start, as his u
beside him.
Erle," he Said,
held out a costly
diamonds. '1 I have
Percy. His sense of
finest, but he is useful t
need not heat ourbelves
less disougsion. MSS Se
expect this ring. You
very shabbily, Erle. e
and tell me you have
" And if I refuse ?" Erie's
hardly frame the question„
Mr. Rimtingdon smiled ir.
"1 de not think you wil t duet', Eilett
Yon are the much a gentlem n to treat a
woman badly. All the We is saying
you and Miss Selby are en gea. You She is angry with Percy aoneetittes ; but
canharaly alltwe a girl to be t4ked about." thee he deserves it ; and she will not take
But if /1ftefor another Stataniered any pletientei lint all she thinks about is to
Erle.
1' Tut, tilts boy, yonwIll
yoW 1R.110Y," returne4 Mr. 1uptiugdon,
impatiently. "Most young men have half -
a -dozen flirtations before they settle down,
pIrsoutpi,pb jots ea n1 yn ei sdi Mrs.
rtahffittr a/ of tprriottIllye
future. If you infringe this rule it will bo
at your OW11 risk ;" and then he continued
more cernestly-41 Erie, I am determined
you shall not disappoint me. You aro my
adopted son, and, I trust, my future heir.
have a right to count On your obedience.
COMO to me to -morrow, and tell me you
and Miss Selby are engaged, and all will be
Well between us." Then, preseing his
shoulder gently, and in a voice no one had
heard since his daughter' g loss—" I am an
old man, and my life has not been a happy
one. Do not let nie feel that you have
appointed me too,"
0 HA.PTE It XXVIII,
IC I WANT MU so."
No shade has come between
' Why life has run;
Like some long childish dream
The and the sun;
But now the stream has reached
A dare deop 504,
,Is waiting thee,
And sorrowAhn and crowned,
Ada/aide Anne _Proctor.
Fluff woke up before they reaehed their
destination, very much refreshed by her
brief nap. When the cab stepped
before the side door of Mrs. Wat-
kins', and she caught sight of
Fern standing on the threshold, as though
she had been waiting there some time, she
gave a little cry, and literally jumped into
her sister's arms.
"Oh, Fluff, Fluff I what does this
mean ?" exclaimed poor Fern, who had
passed a most miserable afternoon, picturing
Fluff being borne in a policeman's arras to
the nea'reSt hospital; but Fluff silenced her
by an embrace so vehement that it nearly
produced strangulation.
" It is all right, Fern, so don't scold Me.
Grandpapa was not so very angry—at least,
only just at first; but he sent me in the
beautifullest supper, suoli nice things on a
big gold plate—really gold you know, like
Princess Dove's; and Mr. Erie was there,
and Percy—and oh 1 I forgot the poor
man in the dab, who is blind—quite blind,
but he is very nice toe."
"Will you let me explain about your
little sister, Miss Trafford," said Raby in
his pleasant voice; and Fern, turning in
some surprise, saw a very tall man in
clerical dress standing beside her, as she
afterwards expressed it to her mother,
"with the very nicest face she had ever
seen." "1 do not know if you have ever
heard my name; I am Mr. Ferrers, and
your .friend Miss Davenport, as she calls
herself, is my sister's cousin."
" Oh yes, I know," and Fern's voice grew
pitiful all at once; "and you have come
Just as Crystal has hat ; did Florence
tell you? Oh, I am so sorry, so very
sorry."
"Yes, the child told me; but there is
much that I want to ask you. May I come
? the cab will wait for me." And then,
as Fern guided him up the narrow stair-
case, she told him that her mother was out
—an evening class had detained her; and
she had been thankful that this had.been
the case, ,and that she should have been
spared the anxiety about Fluff. Mrs. Wat-
kins' boy was scouring the neighborhood,
making inquiries of every one he met; and
she had made up her mind to send for her
mother when the cab drove up.
"And she really found her way to Bel -
grave House," asked Fern, in a voice
between laughing ana crying; "oh, what
will mother say," and she listened with
eagerness to Mr. Ferrers account of how the
child had accosted him, and of her meeting
with Mr. Huntingdon.
Baby himself had been much Mystified
—he had known nothing of his host's past
history; he had thought that the child was
only paying an impromptu visit until she
mentioned her name. Erie had told him
that Mrs. Trafford was Mr. Huntingdon's
daughter, and that he had never seen her
since her marriage. This clue guided him
to the meaning of the sternness in Mr.
Huntingdon's voice; but he had hardly
understood in what way Erie was impli-
cated, or why the child should receive BO
little notice from her brother. When
Raby had finished his account, which
was annotated in a rambling and
far from lucid manner by Fluff, Fern
sent the child away to change her frock
and make heraelf tidy, and whispered in
her; ear that she might stay with Mrs. Wat-
kins for a little; and when Fluff had left
them she began to speak of Crystal, and
to answer the many questions he put to
her without stint or reserve; she even told
that Crystal had left them on account of
Percy's mad infatuation.
" It was very wrong of Percy to take
advantage of her unprotected situation, and
I ein sure she went to put a stop to it, and
bemuse it tve.s so awkward for us. Crystal
is not like other girls—she does not care for
admiration people turn round and look
after her m the street because she is
so beautiful, but she never seems to
notice it."
"No; you are right," he returned, With
evident emotion. As Vern spoke, it scene
rose to his memory—a fresh young voice
i
behind his chair seemed to whisper n his
ear, Oh king, live for ever!" and there
she stood, his dark -eyed Esther in her girl -
i 1 loveliness, her white neck and arms'
gle ing through lace, a ruby pendant on
the s or round threat, the small head
looking so queenly with its coils of smooth
bleak hair; and he had turned coldly from
her, and she never knew that his was the
son] of a lover. "No; you are right,"
he answered, gently; "she was as
guileless and innocent as it child."
Fern looked et him wistfully ; all her
heart seemed to go Out to this sad, noble -
looking man. Qrystal had not said too
nitich in his praise; but he looked older
than She had imagined—for pain and the
knowledge of his Ahern and wasted powers
had aged him, and there was certainly no
youth in ea
id, Ot
Oh,"
eagerly,
for Sho longed
to say something that woulfl comfort him,
"1 think sometimes that there is no one ao
geed ite Crystal—we have allgroWn to loVe
her so. She hes such high-spirited, tro,uble.
Seine pupilS ; hut she is so patient with
them. When they, are fill she nurses them,.
and gin') has More influence Over them than
the mother ; and she is always SO kind and
theughtful, and 00000 ever sees her cress.
do little kindnessee for people; and
Ooil get over tlibtigh ,1 Be 'unhappy that She hail
7,471,17.,. 4'44,47, ,777,4
grown quite thin frOm fretting, Abe tliee not
to let us Bee it."
" Has BIM told yon °IVO hernelf?" be
,asked, in a very levy voice, .
" Yes, and it is that that makes her BO
unhappy. Oh, she tolcl me all about it, and
I thought she would neyer, never stop cry-
ing—it preys upon her mind, and her
remorse will not let her be happy ; she
seems to dread even forgiveness.. I go
back to him when I imam blighted his life,
and darkened his day?' oh! you ehoula
have heard the despair in her voice when
she said that, Mr. /Perron," and here
Fern's sweet tones trembled. " Mother
and I sometimes think it will kill her in
time, unless she has help and comfort,"
" Do not fear, Miss Trafford, she shall
have both soon; it will not be long before I
find her.11
" But she is in Anaerica—at least eheis on
her way there."
" There are other steamers than the one
in which she has crossed," returned Itaby,
with a smile. " I suppose she means to
write to you?"
" Oh yes, she will write from every place
—she has promised me long letters, and of
°mine Mrs. Norton will hear from Miss
aar. Fre
mPei°rn;rds?u
°ycill really
mean 10 follow her,
M
Yes, tothe world's end if it be necessary.
I have a strong will, and even blindness
will not hinder me. Tell me how
did she seem last night ; did she leave
cheerfully?"
"Well, no, Crystal puzzlecl us last night:"
returned Fern, quickly; she went out to
bid good-bye to her pupils, and Percy way-
laid her as usual, but she got rid of him
somehow but she was out a long time, and
she would not give us any reason; but
when she came back her eyes were swollen,
and she had a dreadful headache, and
yet she said Percy had nothing to do
with it."
A sudden, wild idea flashed into Raby's
mind, "Now was she dressed, Miss
Trafford—I mean what colored gown did
she wear?"
Fern seemed surprised at the question.
"Oh, her old brown gown—she was all in
brown, I think ; " but she did not under.
stand why Mr. Ferrers seemed Ficestre,ngely
agitated at her answer.
"Tho tall young lady in brown, who
seemed tg notice you wanted help ;" he
remembered the words of Miss Merriman.
Good Heavens ! it must have been she; it
must have been her little hand that guided
him so gently; oh, his miserable blindness.
Of course she had seen this Percy Trafford,
and he had told her all about the guestthey
expected, and she had come to the station
just to -see him once again.
But he would not speak of this to Fern;
his darling's secret should be kept by him;
he would hide these sweet proofs of herlove
and devotion in his own breast. Fern
wondered why the miserable harassed look
left his face. He looked quite young—a
different man—as he bade her good-bye;
his shoulders were no longer stooping, his
head was erect.
" Good-bye, Miss Trafford," he said. "1
shall come and see you and your mother
again before I leave. I shall go back to
Sandycliffe next week, and set my house in
order, and talk to my sister. I do not doubt
for a moment that she will offer to accom-
pany me. I shall not oorae back until I
bring Crystal with me." And Fern quite
believed him.
There were restless sleepers that night in
Belgrave House. Baby was revolving his
plans and wondering what Margaret would
say; and on the other side of the wall Erle
tossed wakeful and wretched, knowing that
his fate was sealed, and that Evelyn Selby
and not Fern Trafford was to be his future
wife. And now, as he lay in the darkness,
he told himself thatin spite of her goodness
and beauty he could never love her as he
loved Fern. He knew at the moment he
asked her to marry him, and when she
put her hand in his and told
him frankly that he had long won her
heart.
"You are too much a gentleman to treat
a woman badly," Mr. Huntingdon had said
to him well knowing the softness of Erie's
bnaltatulyre?; and yet, was he not treating Fern
He had thought over it all until his head
was dikzy;• but his conscience had told
him that his sin against Fern had been
light in comparison with that against
Evelyn,. What were those few even-
ings in Beulah Place compared to
the hours ,he had passed in LVelyn'e
scIeicetYhL
He been in Lady Ma tro.vers train
for months ; he had suffered her to treat
him as h son of the house. He had ridden
with Evelyn in the Row: she had bean his
favorite partner in the ballroom. When
they had gone to the opera, Erie had been
their escort. It was perfectly true,•as Mr.
Huntingdon said, that she had a right to
expect an offer from him; their names had
long been coupled together, and Erie's
weakness and love of pretty faces had
drawn the net round him. And there were
other considerations that moved him—his
dread of poverty; the luxurious habits
that had become a second nature; and,
above all, reluctance to disappoint the old
man who, in his own way) had been good to
him. Erle knew that in spite of his hard-
ness and severity his uncle dung to him as
the Benjamin of his old age.
No, he could not help himself, he thought,
bitterly. And yet how dreary the prospect
seemed. He had given up the first young
love of his life; and now the barren
splendors of 13elgrave House seemed to
oppress him—the walls closed round him
like the avallg of a prison.
And yet other Men Would envy him, and
wonder at his leek. Evelyn had many
admirers—many a one nobly born and
nobly gifted would grudge him his prize ;
though he knew, 'and hated himself for
the knowledge, that they envied him in
vain.
Erle found it cliflionit to play hie part
well ; but his youngfiatteee was too unsus-
pecting in her happiness to OM at her
lover's secret trouble. His slight gravity
spoke well for him, ehe thought ; Most likely
a greater sense of tile responsibility
silence.
oppressed him. She was too touch in love
herself to notice how often he relapsed into
Every ono thought him a most devoted
lover; he was always at his post—always
ready to escort them to picture galleries
and flower shows, Or to stand Sentinel at
the batik Of Lady Maltravers' box: Eris
ithele'S generosity enabled him to load his
betrothed With gifts. Evelyn used to remon-
strata with hire for hielavfshness, not
knowing that 4r. Huntingdon ltd Prompted
the gift.
" Of Puree I love you to bring mo
things," the would say, looking up in his
face with her clear candid eyes ; " but
indeed, dear Erbe, 1 do not need so many
proofs of your affection,"
" I feel es though I should never' do
enough for you, Eva," he answered, hur-
riedly ; you must not refuse to let me give
you things. I are always thinking hoty
am to please you ;" and as he clasped the
diamond bracelet on the slender wrist, he
suddenly remembered what a pretty hand
Fern had, so white and dimpled, and e
vivid longing came over him, turning him
Pearly sick with pain, to pee that sweet
face again, end to hear from those frank
beautiful lips that she was glad to
see him ; but he never yielded to the temp-
tation.
On ,the contrary, he had pit all such
visits out of his power; for he had Written
to Mrs. Trafford within a few days of hie
engagement, telling her that his uncle had
interdicted them, and that he dare not risk
his displeasure, deeply as he regretted such
a break in their intercourse ; and he, told,
her that he and Miss Selby were engaged
and would probably be married in the
autumn; and then he sent his kind remem-
brances to her daughter.
Mrs. Trafford thought it a very manly
and straightforward letter. He had not
acted go very badly after all, she thought ;
her father's strong will had evidently
coerced him, and she knew how strong that
will could be. He had meant no harm; he
had only said pleasant things because it.
was his nature to say them; if only it had
not gone very deep with Fern.
" I have had a letter from Mr. Erie, ray.
darling," she said, quietly, as she noticed,
that the girl had turned a little paler, as
though she had recognized the handwriting;
but she had not spoken, only bent lower over
her work,
'To be continued.)
Lively Canadian ROMS.
An English paper gives the following
account of an occurrence 'mentioned in our
special cables: On Wednesday afternoon
an extraordinary scene occurred at WOol-
wich. Between 30 and 40 Canadian horses
arrived at the T Pier, Royal Arsenal, in
the steamship Thorndale, from Montreal,
to be broken in for Military purposes.
They had been a fortnight on board in
stable fittings, and the scene on arrival at -
the arsenal being evidently different to any-
thing they had previously experienced they
became frightened and uncontrollable.
Forty horse artillerymen had been Sent
down from the barracks for the purpose of
leading them to the remount establishment,
Woolwich Common, but they could do.
nothing with them. One of the animals.
jumped overboard from the vessel and
alighted on the pier, causing a panic to
seize the whole herd. The infuriated
animals broke. loose and galloped about
the arsenal in the wildest manner. They
were ultimately driven to the main gates,
where they were stopped. Another at-
tempt was made to capture them ; but
they kicked and resisted with all their
strength, and the attempt had to be aban-
doned. Passing through the arsenal gates
the horses rushed into the streets, where it
was feared they would create a general
peril°. With some determination and
presence of mind, the artillerymen made
an attempt, which happily succeeded, to
turn the affrighted animals into the road
leading towards the barracks, and thus
confined them to one thoroughfare, limit-
ing the terror of the foot passengers to the
one street. On reaching Woolwich com-
mon (a square mile of grass land) they
were allowed to gallop, and they gradually
tamed down. A sufficient force of artillery-
men turned out, and they were ultimately
Bemired and taken to the Remount, from
whence they will in the course of a few
weeks be turned out perfectly docile and.
tractable.
Good Cause for Alarm.
Occasionally the servant has really
reason to find fault. A man appeared at
an intelligence office the other day and
engaged a girl for general housework.
"Have you any children ?" asked the
maid before she closed the bargain.
" Only a few," he replied, and she took
this to mean Iwo or three. She arrived at
the house just at breakfast time the next
morning and was surprised to see nine
little ones filing into the dining-roorn.
Are there any more ?" she gasped.
" Well, yea," answered the proud father,
" there are the twins, who cannot walk
yet, and the baby." The girl did not stop
to unpack her trunk.
Disestablishment in wales.
Church disestablishment in Wales is -
foreseen by many of the strong friends of
the Establishment. Bishop Brumby told
the Churoh conference a few days ago that
he could see the wave of disestablishment
coming nearer and nearer to the shore, and
he added, "11 the Church has maintained
her hold on only 25 per centof the popu-
lation she has no claim to 75 per centof
the endowments." This sentiment was
not applauded.
Mr. sainoson concluded to Go.
"11 I were to tell you,
Miss Smith," ho.
said, in a low, earnest tone, "that I am.
about to start on a hong journey, even.
across the sea, and that it may be months,
and possibly years, eke I return, Whet
would you flay?"
If the girl droopea it wasn't perceptible.
"1 *Mild Say, Mr. Sampson," she replied,.
Ta, ta."—Harper's Bazar.
Good Fishing.
:
i:”ve just returned from a fishing emir=
sion in the Adirenclacks. I had a lovely
time
" YOU had good luck, than ?"
" Oh My, yee. 1 daught a Chicago
millionaire 1" ---,Life,.
Nice for Manitoba:
Mr, John Gunn, who lute a stock and,
dairy farad near Goner Station has frac.
needed in growing Wild rice, the seed' Of.
which was taken up from Ontario.
'Stone do not know that a tablespoonful
of baking soda in a quart of boiling water,
thrown into the sink and loft to run out, is
51 disinfeetant ; and the same put into
pork barrel and therenghly washed renfid
it will bleat's° it and 'Make it he sweet as
when new.