HomeMy WebLinkAboutThe Exeter Advocate, 1894-5-23, Page 2THE SELECT. STORY Y TELLER
SHORT, DRIGIIT FICTION
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TEE 110AI) AGENT,
The warm afternoon sun look down
upon a scene of rugged grandeur. The
view is picturesque and awe-inspiring.
A rough, luxeveu, rocky road wines in a
semi -circle about the base of a Mountain,
Here, on the one side. a perpendicular
wall of rock loons up to an amazing
height ; on the other are hills, with here
and there a few scattering clumps of
dogwood, while the shrubby cacti are
growing in greater or lesser abundance.
A rumbling sound breaks the quietude,
and a moment later the lumbering over-
land stagecoach comes in sight. As the
driver cracks the long lash of the whip,
urging the horses to increased speed, the
vehicle sways to and fro in a manner
which must prove uncomfortable to its
passengers. Now it gives a greater lurch,
as it swings sharply to the right, around
a projection at the base of he huge
mountain, and an unlooked-for thing oc-
curs.
" halt !"
The peremptory command has an un-
mistakable ring of determination, and
the sight of half a dozen revolvers levelled
in .xis direction causes the surprised
driver to pull up his horses to a sudden
standstill.
Conscious that something usual has
happened, the passengers within the
• vehicle exchange alarmed glances. There
are two of them—both men—and they
are an oddly assorted pair ; one is a
• bronzed. and bearded fellow, whose looks,
speech and general makeup indicate that
he is a westerner, the other a refined and
dignified man, attired in the convention-
al • black of a clergyman. He is young.
and no doubt unused to his present sur-
roundings and mode of travel.
Understanding the hasty glance his
companion has shot him, a look of dis-
may and indignation flashes across the
clergyman's face and he makes a quick
movement with his right hand in the
direction of his hip pocket. With a
significantly imperative gesture the other
promptly checks the action.
"• 'Tain't no use, friend," he says
hastily but decidedly. " It's Danger -
field, the gentleman road-agint, an' he's
several too many fer us."
The words of caution have the desired
effect ; the look of anger on the face of
the clergyman immediately gives way to
one of surprise. The man who has spoken
notices the change and is unable to ac-
count for it. Whether the bandit's name
if familiar to him, or whether the men-
tion of the word " gentleman" gives him
assurance the plainsman is at a loss to
know.
He is about to make a further remark
but the door of the coach is flung open
with a bang, and an ugly -looking re-
volver is thrust through the aperture.
" Get down and out," orders the des-
perado, who holds the weapon in a voice
sternly authoritative, yet with little, if
any, western dialect discernible. "Hurry
along, parson. Be quick, and no harm
will come to you."
There is nothing to be gained by dis-
obeying, and the clergyman clambers out
of the coach, following upon the heels of
his fellow -passenger. As they reach the
ground the muzzle of a revolver is thrust
into the face of each, and Dangerfield's
command of "hands up" is obeyed with-
out a word.
Hastily relieving both passengers of
their weapons. Dangerfield secured the
minister's gold watch and chain, then
proceeds to search his clothing, prosecut-
ing the work with a thoroughness and
despatch which bespeaks his experience
in such matters. He is not long in dis-
covering that several packages are secure-
Iy sewn up within the lining of the
elergynan'e vest, and it is but the work
of another moment to ascertain that
they are packages of bank notes. How
the eyes of the robbers sparkle through
the 1n Iee in their masks as they behold
the precious pareols !
Meanwhile, the vietim of these indig-
nities has been contemplating the work
of the bandits without uttering a word.
"t no time has his countenance display-
ed the flush of alarm and anger one would
naturally expect to find depicted upon the
face of ono whn is being relieved of a for-
tune. A frown mantles his fine features,
but it amount, to little else than a look
of contempt.
" The money is not my property," he
says. addressing himself to the leader,
"It was entrusted to me for delivery to
its owixer. whose whereabouts I have been
seeking to discover."
" I think you have found him," returns
Daxxgr rfield, sententiously, and the re-
mark elicits a hearty langh •frogs the
other highwaymen,
" this instance might is right," the
clergyman responds, looking fixedly into
the robber's eyes, "Yet the heart -broken
mother:', who entrusted to inc the care of
that money, bidding mo to deliver it to
• her wayward boy, would hardly be satis-
fied with the transaction."
Dangerfield starts slightly, but ter:swers
earolessIy :
"Yeuhavedone what you could, so con-
sole yourself with that thought. As foil
the boy, no doubt he is a rich man by this
time, and does not need the money, We
make fortunes fast in the west."
" Ho I perceive," says the ether dryly,
:Dangerfield turns away with an inn.
patient movement. While thi . eon-
verstttiou lxas becu going on the remain-
ing paeseuger has anon standing by, gas -
lug upon the scene in open-mouthed
wonder. He is next searched, afte r which
the baggage of bath men is overhauled.
Nothing. however, is taken exeept a large
envelope tied about with red. tape which
Dangerfield finds in the clergymen's
sarehc1. Without stopping to examine
its eontexxts. he places it in the inner
pocket of his coat.
Apparently satisfied with the result of
their work, the bandits toss the firearm
belonging to their victims into the stag
and the leader orders the pair to clamser
in ; then the driver is commanded to "let
her go," and the cumbersome old vehicle
goes rumbling down the rough road, fol-
lowed by several harmless pistol shots.
"" They got but little booty uv inc.''
ventures the westerner, when the scene
of the robbery has faded away in the dis-
tance, ""hut it 'pears to me they hit you
nighty hard, eh?"
""Well," replies the clergyman, with
an air which does not exhibit much con-
cern, ""I do not mourn my loss, under the
circumstances, as much as I regret some
other matters."
He does not volunteer an explanation,
and the first speaker is disinclined to
question him, though greatly mystified
by his inexplicable conduct. To all ap-
pearances the minister has become deeply
interested in the beautiful landscape
without, and with an almost inaudible
""That gets me !" the other lapses into
silence.
Dangerfield and his comrades are not
long in mounting their horses and quit-
ting the scene of their latest depredation.
On and on they ride, now travelling at e
brisk pace through beautiful valleys
hemmed iu by massive walls of rock, now
making their way cautiously over danger-
ous mountain passes ; and on and on
until the sun has stuck from sight, and
its golden glory has faded from the west-
ern sky.
At last the party comes to a halt in the
very heart of a wild and desolate region.
A skilfully hidden aperture at the base
of a cliff leads to a subterranean cavern,
whither the men betake themselves, after
dismounting and turning their horses
loose in the valley below.
""'Well, boys," says Dangerfield, who
has been gloomy and silent throughout
the journey, ""let us have supper, for I am
as hungry as a bear ! Then we will at-
tend to business."
In a remarkably short space of time a
fire is lighted, and a few minutes later
the evening meal is prepared. It is a
meagre spread. but the hungry men eat
heartily and with evident relish.
Let us look at them a moment as they
sit about an improvised table in the
shadowy light of the declining fire.
Dangerfield is a young man, possessed of
a clean-shaven, pleasing countenance—
though one that bespeaks weakness of
character—well-built, and dressed in a
suit of some black material, which has
not seen much service. The others aro
not so neatly dressed, They are rough,
bearded fellows, whose speech and manner
sets them in decided contrast with their
leader ; it is easy to perceive that the lat-
ter is looked up to and admired by his
comrades, and is a prime favorite with
them.
The meal concluded, the plunder which
has so easily fallen into the hands of the
band is produced.. The packages of bills
are first given attention, surprise and de-
light beaming from every conntonanco asn
the money is counted. It is scarcely te
minutes before the work is finished, and
Dangerfield announces amid deathlike
silence :
""Two packages containing each one
hundred dollar bills, and two containing
one hundred. fifties apiece—thirty thous-
and dollars—nearly eight thousand each,
beside the watch and chain and the
western chap's effects !"
It would be difficult to relate with what
feelings of surprise and satisfaction the
men hear their leader's words, and with
what exclamations of exultation the
aunouut named is received by each.
""Now, men, listen to me," says Dan-
gerfield, when the first noisy congratula-
tions are over. "We've made enough
money to -day to enable us to live honest
lives. Suppose we break up camp and
turn respectable ?' 1, for one, ani tired of
this sort of thing, and want to get out of
it. 1Vhat say you all ?"
No one speaks for a few moments; then
,Take Hawkins slowly answers :
'" Well, cap'n, we'll think of it over
night. Ye see, we're. old hands, and ib's
hard to do what we know nothin.' about,
You're different from the rest; you have
friends back there in the east—a father
and a mother, perhaps, and came to us
because you were starved out, and were
ashamed to write to 'em. I saw the words
of that preacher chap touched ye. I'm
about right, I reckon ?"
Dangerfield answers with a nod—speech
seems impossible,
""All right—we won't hinder ye; leave
us if ye master; but we can't promise
anything in a hurry, can wve, boys ? Say
no snore just now, cap'n. Leave us to
think about it; end you'd bettor think,
too. Now, who's for a game of cards?"
Dangerfield says nothing further; but
he will neither play nor drink, and soon
stretches himself at full length upon a
blanket aur. sinks into a light, dream -
haunted sleep.
Some hours after he awakes with a
start ; his thoughts revert t to the events
of the day, He is unable to account for
the strange, indescribakr".e. feeling whieh
possesses him. What' did the clergy-
man's significant words and xna lxier
mean ?
""The paper'." he esol}tims, springing
to his feet as a sudden thought occurs to
him, "Why did I not think of thorn be-
fore ?"
The candles have burned to their sock-
ets and gone out, leaving the plane in
darkness, Dangerfield lights a fresh one
and sets it on. the table, `Then he takes
from his pocket the packet of papers
found in the minister's satchel, unties
the ribbon which secures it, and brings
to light several legal looking documents,
and a small envelope, securely sealed.
""Frank Dangerfielcl !" ho falters, read-
ing the name written in bold characters
upon the envelope. "Ani I dreaming or
have my senses forsaken me?"
He throws hiinself into a chair. and
hurriedly, bat with trembling hands,
breaks the seal and draws forth the con-
tents of the package—two sheets of note-
paper closely written, and blotted here
and there. One glance at the chirography
and the man recoils as if dealt a mortal
blow, clutching desperately at the table
before him. His face is deathly pale, his
breath comes in labored gasps, and his
eyes fill with tears as he reads the fol-
lowing :
" klv DEAR LOST SON, --I am told that
I ani about to die, but I than try to write
a letter to you in the hope that it may
some time be delivered into your hands.
Your sudden departure was a severe blow.
Your poor father survived it but a few
days. and I—I have waited for tidings of
you in vain. May you, my Boar boy.
never know the torture I have endured
during the past months ! Frank, how
could you bring such trouble upon us be-
cause a silly, frivolous girl proved false ?
We have loved you all your life, she had
but for an hour, yet you broke our hearts
for her sake. My boy, I tremble for one
who has shown himself so weak ; how can
you°withstand temptation ? But neither
reproaches nor grief will bring you to me,
and I must try to be strong.
" I want to say this : All the property
shall be yours ; I shall turn it into money
and leave it in the care of a distant rela-
tiuo who is about to be ordained a minis-
ter of the gospel. I sent for hint'and he is
here. I have asked him to find you if he
has to search the whole broad country
over, and place the money in your hands.
He has promised me, and a great burden
is lifted from my heart. My dear, my
only son, I cannot see to write more. You
will be alone in the world, but I commend
you to the keeping of God. May he comfort
and help you to be strong and do right.
A kiss and good -by.
"Your devoted and heart -broken
With a face which seems to have sud-
denly grown old, Dangerfield sits at the
table, gazing fixedly at the letter. His
mother dead—his kind, patient mother,
whose only fault was her over -kindness
for him ! He could not believe it. Oh,
to live the past over again !
For an hour he sits there ; then with a
look of sudden determination he rises to
his feet.
" I must leave here at once !" he says.
"It is not too late. I may redeem the
past. Mother, mother, your prayers
shall be answered !"
He glances about him. His companions
are sleeping soundly, oblivious of what
is transpiring. The sight seems to bring
to his thoughts another aspect of his mis-
fortune.
I have shared my fortune with them,"
hes mutters, " given them thousands
which rightfully were my own. Shall I
acquaint them with my story, furnishing
proof of its truth ? No—the money may
help them to lead honest lives in spite of
Jake's Swords. They have risked what
have risked, braved dangers as I have
braved them. We have shared the spoils
as we shared the clangers, equally. The
money is theirs."
The envelope addressed to him had fal-
len from his nerveless grasp to the floor
of rook beneath his feet. He gathers up
the letters and other documents without
further examination and hastily thrusts
them into his pocket. Then with an ex-
pression of unspeakable sadness upon his
face, he casts a last lingering look about
him, dons his hat and quits the cave.
The pure mountain air cools his aching
head and seems to revive his drooping
spirits, but his step is as the step of an
intoxicated man. With little difficulty
he finds his horse, and in a moment he
has adjusted the saddle and bridle ; then,
in the gray light that heralds the break of
day, he mounts the animal and turns his
face toward the land of the rising sun.
A] 1PISODE AT MISS FIi\ CHETT's.
The great school -room of Miss Fin-
chett's seminary was deserted save for a
solitary figure occupying a desk near one
of the long windows—that of a girl at-
tired in a blue serge dress. Her hair, of
a light golden brown, was brushed back
from her forehead, an.cl fell in a heavy
braid below her waist as she sat bonding
over a pile of manuscript which lay upon
the desk before her.
The hands of a great clock upon the
wall pointers to half -past four. It was a
half-holiday, but Amy Morrison had. been
busy at work in the school -room during
the greater part of it.
A bevy of gay girls were having a
merry time in the room she and Lucy
Milburn shared together. Lucy was re-
joicing in the receipt of a box of. home-
made goodies, and hacl invited a few kin-
dred spirits to join in the general festivi-
tins ; so her room -mate, although a "kin-
dred spirit" also, must needs seek, a quiet
place to continuo her work upon an essay
to be handed in the following morning.
General festivities and the tranquility
desirable for composition were incompat-
ible.
The young girl glanced at the clock
occasionally as her pen flew over the pa-
per. At last, as the hanris pointed to 5,
and the corners of the great room wore
h owning weird and shadowy in the fads
irxg daylight,' the essay was finished, the
last neatly copied sheet added to the pile,
and Amy, gathering up her writing ma-
terials, arose from the desk, She passed
down the empty room, through the corri-
dor outside and thence up several flights.
of stairs. At the door of her room she
paused, expoeting to find it fastened and
to hear sounds of gleeful merry -making ;
but all was quiet, and so, turning the
knob, she entered. Miss Milburn, sat by
the window in the fast gathering dusk,
her attitude betokening deepest dejection,
" Why, what is the matter ? 'Where
are the girls?" exclaimed Amy, standing
an imago of surprise upon the threshold.
and nearly dropping hor inkstand in her
wonder,
" Hush ! Don't talk so loud ! Come in
here ! Oh, Arny, what do you think 9
Miss Finchett came up just as we were
beginning, and the would cine in, and
there were the things all spread out, and
she said we were to put thorn away at
once, and that nothing of the kind must
ever go on here again while we were in
her seminary. The mean old thing !"
Lucy ended hor outburst with a stamp
of her small foot, and immediately re-
lapsed into the most profound melan-
choly.
A mysterious tap cane at the door
which Amy had just closed, and upon its
being opened two girls crept in on tiptoe,'
with warning fingers uplifted, and the
door being cautiously locked, all four
gathered in a group at the window, and
an eagerly whispered discussion ensued.
At the end of half an hour the two out-
siders departed on tiptoe as they had
come. As the gong sounded for tea,
Lucy Milburn, with cheeks aglow and
attitude transformed to gayest buoyancy,
whispered in her room -mate's ear as
arm -in -arm they descended the stairs to-
gether:
" Oh, Amy, what a lark it will be P'
CIIAPTRR 11.
At Miss Isabella Finchett's seminary
for young ladies, which bore a reputation
unsurpassed for regularity of routine and
strictest discipline, and which, according
to the catalogues, wits most ably presided
over by herself and a corps of competent
assistants, lights were ordered to be out
at 10 o'clock, and by 10:80 all inmates
were supposed to be safely wrapped in the
arms of Morpheus.
Passing strange, then, that at this ex-
act hour, -upon a certain night, there
should have boon heard the croaking of
sundry door's upon their hinges,' the cau-
tious emergings and whisperings of mys-
terious figures, which, flitting into the
unlighted gloom of the hall, seemed each
anxiously boat in one direction, and ar-
riving there, were received with a deep
silence and solemnity befitting a most
xnornentous occasion.
As the last invited guest tiptoed silent-
ly in the door was bolted, and a high bu-
reau of ancientrdato was lifted by four
stalwart girls and placed againstit. Upon
this the tallest climbed, and, as well as
she could in the total darkness, fastened
a black quilt above the transom and
draped its descending folds over every
crack and crevice of the entire doorway.
This accomplished, sundry candles, pur-
ohased for the occasion, were lighted,
and in the centre of the apartment, upon
the floor, was spread forth a feast which
would have delighted the eyes of an al-
derman. In addition to the "home-
made " goodies, which were of themselves
most delectable and all that could bo de-
sired, each guest had contributed to the
entertainment certain delicacies known
to be the favored choice, in the matter of
dainties, of some one other guest, and
this brilliant plan resulted in a banquet
such as had never before been laicl within
the walls of Miss Isabella Finchett's cern-
rnary. .
Alas that we must record so flagrant an
outrage upon the rules and regulations
as laid down in the catalogues issued by
this estimable lady ! And in addition,
after her own august presence and judi-
cial commands had nipped in the bud
the proposed revels of the afternoon pre-
vious !
" But this is all the better," said Lucy,
who acted as hostess, in view of contrib-
uting the largest share toward the
"c spread."
" It may bo all the worse," said Amy,
dnbiousdy, as she deposited in the centre
of the feast a candelabrum swiftly con-
structed from an empty hon -hon box.
" No unpleasant prognostications ! "
cried Jean Hamilton, scattering oranges
right and left as she poured themfrom. a
capacious bag.
"Fortune favors the brave!" quoted
Sibyl Patterson, who had established her-
self upon. the footboard of the bedstead,
every available space aroun.cl the "spread"
being occupied.
Sibyl was the beauty of the school.,
and, attired in a light blue wrapper from
beneath which one daintily slippored
foot swung to and fro as she gazed com-
placently down upon the scone of festiv-
ity, she was suggestive of Thetis presid-
ing over a feast of the Neroidos, though
the dignity of the suggestion was rather
lost sight of as the banquet opened by a
general distribution of pickles, sardines
and crackers, liberal supplies of which
were passed up to the goddess uy two of
the Nereides who sat upon the floor bo-
math her.
The revelry was at its height. Smoth-
ered convulsions of laughter, stage whis-
pers, cracking of nuts and or jokes, and
half -suppressed cries of " Hush-sh !" ac-
companied a consumptiou of edibles that
would have struck astonishment and ter-
ror to tho frugal souls of hies Isabella
Finchett and hor " corps of competent
assistants " could they have knowxx of it
But, alas, a day of reckoning is inevit-
able for the transgressor I Sibyl, boing
in solo possession of a silver fruit knife,
a cream cake was passed up to her for
dissection', the babel of tongues had
grown fast and furious and more Mean -
times, and the spirit of the revellers were
at a proportionate height, when above
the general din of the proceedings thorn
come suddenly upon the door an uncere
amnions knock. Down went the cake
from the hand of the goddess with a crash
upas the floor, and the panie which en-
siled baffles description. The remains of
the feast were swiftly hustled into the
darkest depths of a closet, candles were
extinguished, and in an attempt to drag
away the ancient bureau from before the
door it was overturned, and great was the
fall thereof.
It was a singular fact that throughout
all the confusion not one sound escaped
from the lips of the dozen or more girls,
and when the door was finally opened
and Miss Finchett's Argus -eyed monis
tress was descried, candle in hand, upon
the threshold, not a word was uttered ;
but as she lifted the candle and peered
into the darkness of the room a dozen
silent figures flitted past her into the
gloom of the corridor and were soon safely
looked within their own sanctums.
But poor Amy and Lucy were obliged
to stand their ground, and heard in silent
resignation the mandate which issued
from the lips of outraged authority to the
effect that on the following
morning they
would be expected to report within the
solemn precincts of Miss Finchett's pri-
vate apartments.
CIIAPTER IR.
.A. girl in a blue serge dress, with a long
braid of golden brown hair falling below
her waist, stood the next morning with
downcast eyes before the desk of the pre-
ceptress.
" I respect your motives; Amy, which
I believe worthy, but this is a case where
I must enforce obedience. Once more I
ask you to name to me all who were in
any way connected with the disgraceful
proceedings of which I have this morning
been apprised."
1' I cannot tell you, Miss Finchett,"
The voice was firm and unshaken, but
the oyes, so softly brown in color, so
gently beseeching, raised to the teacher's
face, seemed for a moment to carry con-
fusion into the camp of the enemy. Miss
Finchett's own eyes fell. A shadow of
something resembling a flush passed over
her withered features. Instantaneously,
so fast the mind travels, her thoughts
specs backward across the years. .A. gol-
den haze of memory was encircling the
face of a sweet child, that of a little sis-
ter long since gone from earth. Soft
brown eyes looked into hers. Almost she
felt the " touch of a vanished hand."
" I cannot tell you, hiss Finchett. It
would be so mean, so •disloyal ! I have
no wish to defy your authority, but I
cannot betray my friends. Do with me
as you will—let nee bear the punishment
of all, I am sure the girls will never dis-
obey you again—and this is a first offence.
Send me away, if you think best, but let
the others go."
There was a long pause. Amy did no
look at her teacher, but stood with down-
cast eyes, the color fluctuating in her
face, the sweet lips quivering. Her words
echoed within the gray walls of the stuffy
little room, with its neaps, its chart, its
blakkboards. They required an answer.
" Amy, look at me, child !" Could
that be Miss Finchett's voice, softened,
vibrating with a little thrill which in
some way, she knew not why, touched a
responsive chord within the girl's heart.
" You need not tell nue the names of the
young ladies. If you or they have done
wrong your own hearts will he your ac-
cusers. As you say, this is the first time
I have had cause to complain seriously of
any of you, and under the circumstances
I am willing to pass the matter over, feel-
ing confident that you will give me no
reason to regret my leniency. You are
too noble a girl. to do wrong wilfully.
Now;go to your room and tell Miss Mil-
burn that I wish to see her."
A great rush of feeling almost 'blinded
the girl's eyes for a moment. Unaccus-
tomed to leniency in the matter of mis-
doings, she stood as if in uncertainty,
then,. moved by a sud.cleu impulse, she
came around 'from before the dusk, and
leaning over, prossed a kiss upon the
teacher's lips. Then she fled from the
room and hastened to her own, divided
between a sleep contrition for her misde-
meanors and an overwhelming sense of
the liberty she had taken. Never before
had one of Miss Finchett's young ladies
entertained the vaguest dream of attempt-
ing to offer hor any suspicion of a caress.
Amy was sitting solemnly by the win-
dow of their room when Limey returned.
The oyes of the latter were red and swol-
len. She sat down silently beside the op-
posite window.
" Amy," she said after a moment, " I
promised Miss Finchett that I would
never disobey her again. Did yeti?"
" No," said Amy, " but I have made
that promise to Myself, and I shall keep
" So shall I, Amy."
And they did.
Wherry the Peanut Flourishes.
The boom for peanut flour has received
a sot -back. Neither man nor horse will
thrive on it in Germany, and its use by
Wilhelm's soldiers has been discontinu-
ed. There are only two places where
peanuts will continuo to flourish; and
those are among the American theater
gods and at the cercus.
In India there is about one Protestant
missionary to every 500,000 people,
TRANSATLANTIC DOINGS..
AIL ABOUND 'TIHE GLOBE.
Pointed Paragraphs Practically Put to.
Busy Beings to Obtain an Iutelligen
Idea of Foreign Facts.
Malta was shaken by an earthquake
Monday afternoon.
Many cattle have been drowned by the
floods in North Queensland.
The tenth Earl of Lindsay died at fife••
shire on Tuesday, aged 07.
Advices from Calcutta say there is no.
reason to fear a native uprising.
The Duchess Dowager Maximilian died)
at Munich, Bavaria, on Monday.
The commercial treaty between Austria.
and Russia has been formally signed.
It is rumored in London that Henry -
Irving, the actor, is to be knighted.
Cholera is officially declared to exist in,
seven Governments of southern Russia.
It is reported that a revolutionary out-,
break has taken place in Buenos Ayres,
Baron Vay do Vaja, President of the.
Hungarian House of Magnates, is dead.,
Prof. Henry Morley. LL,D., died Mon-.
7
da�1 yy ears. at Carisbrooke, Isle of Wight, aged.
Prince Bismarck's sciatica has grown
worse again, and his daily walks have had,
to be stopped.
Election riots continue at Bay de Verde,,. ,
Newfoundland, and the warship Cleopatra.
has boon ordered there.
M. Casimir-Perier, who aspires to be the.
next President of France, is rated at $10,-
000,000.
A Paris newspaper is organizing a cam -
petition of self -moving waggons, to take•
place June 1.
The insurgents of Rio Grande do Sul,
Brazil, have won a victory over the Gov-
ernment forces.
Leon Labb, the celebrated Surgeon and'
member of the French Senate, died at
Paris on Monday.
It is estimated that the impending strikes
of London cabmen will withdraw 7:o00..
cabs from service.
The Italian Chamber of Deputies Lass
granted the demands of the Government
in the military estimates.
Johnson, the well-known London
correspondent of The Paris Figaro, died'
suddenly in London Tuesday.
Gold continuos to flow into London.,
Business on the stock exchange last week.
was dull, but prices were firm.
The extradition of Charles Mauler, the. S`.
Paris anarchist from London, was ordered
Tuesday. Meunier will appeal.
Delegates representing 1,170,000 work-
men are in attendance at the Internation-
al Miners' Conference at Berlin.
It is estimated that the earthquake ire
South America destroyed 10,000 people..
Whole villages were wiped out.
The Russian Government has advised
the Pope of its intention to establish a
regular legation at the Vatican.
Mr. Gladstone's weakness as the result.
of a recent cold is increasing, and ho is.
constantly under the caro of a physician..
Herr Dowe: the Mannheim tailor who.
invented the bullet-proof jacket, is com-
ing to America as a variety show attrace.
tion.
Treatment with belladonna has so,
strengthened one of Mr. Gladstone's eyes
that he can read and write without diff:=
eulty.
In the French Chamber a bill has pass-
ed its second reading providing that the
execution of criminals shallhereafter be
private.
The police of St. Petersburg have re-
cently made wholesale captures of Nihil-
ists, 100 of them having been arrested in,
one batch.
Mgr. Satolli denies that there has been, •
any falling out between himself and Dr.
McGlinn. who has been restored to the
priesthood.
Several hundred persons have been ar-
rested in Russia charger. with being mem-
bers of a society known as the Friends of.
Political Liberty.
The German steamship companies have.
compromised with the British companies;
making steerage rates from Italian ports.:
to New York $20.
Mexican Government circles are greatly
excited over the discovery that $500,000•
worth of counterfeit Government stamps
are in circulation.
The steamship Lucania, on her latest
trip from Now York to Queenstown,
averaged 21,80 knots per hour, and steam
ed 524 miles in one day.
A. correspondent of The London Clxron
idle writes from Honolulu that affairs in
the Hawaiian Islands are' in "a terrible
condition of topsy-turvy."
A Berlin dentist in drawing a woman's,
tooth had his fingerbittexrby a convulsive
closing of her month. Ho died two days
later from blood poisoning.
Home Secretary Asquith has positively'
refused to order the release of Mrs. May
brick, who is serving a life sentence in
Woking prison for mllyder'ing her hus-
band.
A party of tourists who were imprison-
ed in the stalactite cave near Gratz,
Austria, by a rise of water, have been re- -
leased after being in the cavo over two
weeks.
David Hamilton, colored, who murder-
ed Mrs. Amrnelia Ahrens, was sentenced
at New York to die in the electric chair
in Sing Sing Prison in the week beginning
Juno 25,
Diplomatic relations between Brazil and
Portugal have been suspended because of
the conduct of the off:leers of the Porto-
g�eese warships in connection., with Da
G•ama's surrender.
It is ofreialiy announced that the Right
Hon. A. J. Mundella, president of the
Board of Trade, has resigned., as the re-.
suit of his connection with the New Zea-
laxla Loan Company affairs.•}}
The British Govoxnment has'issuod an i
order directing that Canadian cattle be
marked at the ports Of arrival:, . and that
they be isolated and killed at special ab
batons. Tho lungs of the cattle are to
be examined by special inspectors.
Soy
Natural Resentment.
" No," said Ethel, " I'm afraid I shall
never sea Harold again."
" Why ? Have you offended him 9"
" Yes; I was giving him a nice, si,t
torly talk, and sand that I was afraid he
was leading •axx airnlese exist:moe."
" Did he got angry ?" •
" Yes, You see he has the re nutation
of beingthe worst shot in the National.
Guard,"