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HomeMy WebLinkAboutExeter Advocate, 1906-5-24, Page 6�3rrt'4r?�+�f�E�%E�h'if �ft�f F�E�#�E+�}3�'#3�E�'3�k��'�CE'��f+.3�f3�t�E•� KAI WAN • A TALE OP SOUTHERLY CHINA. L-H:(4-o-0:i+0+A+o+ni-foi-o+0+0+A+x(i-o+):(4-o+nO.o+A-+-04+' ' CHAPTER X. Lord Hackett was hardly the man to show signs of alarm when there existed n reason for such su a condition of affairs, o and knowing this fact, Larry felt certain a new twist had been given to the con- spiracy—that the coming of this yellow hotel servant had brought additional cease of anxiety. There flashed through his mind what he had just been saying at the time the fellow hove in sight, and the argument he had been pressing upon the attention of his new and valued ally. That Count Petoskey was in the deal to a large extent he saw no reason to doubt. "Courage! race the music, my boy, and don't forget you are all she has to lean upon now that she's a widow,' was the way he buoyed up his spirits as Plympton drew near. Thus in a measure he buckled on his armor, and girded himself for the fray. There is a deal of common sense in. thus preparing for bad news. ' When Lord Rackett came .up, the frown upon his usually genial face was so strongly defined that it would have frightened the average pagan into spasms. He was shaking his head doubtfully. "The deuce take it; your croaking about that sly Russian must have affected me, my dear boy, for, I seem to see a fully armed Zulu crouching behind every in- nocent bush ; even the most common- place incident begins to loom up in the most alarming manner; and if I am so fortunate as to get any sleep to -night, surely there will be phantoms to wrestle with, every one of them having a bristly gray, spiked mustache, such as the count wears," was the dolorous wail to which he gave vent as he reached Larry. - "You have reasons for reproaching me—you have heard something that arouses your fears in spite of your de- sire to laugh them off ?" "Ah, Larry, to the happy role of phil- osopher you add that of a seer, a pro- phet,open o ail thoughts lets are an to whomP g book. I confess to the soft impeach- ment. What that yellow garcon told me gives me concern." "About Avis?" "No one else." "Well, let me share your uneasiness. Two heads may be better than one, if :Nene e airy puzzle to be solved." "Good! This, then, is how the case stands. The heathen Chinee went up and knocked seven distenot times upon the door of her room before trying to see if it was locked, and upon discover- ing it to be fast he came below to re- port at the desk. "Then the gentleman in charge, re- membering he had come on duty just before I made inquiries, began to hustle about. He now sends word that upon hunting up the other booking clerk whom he relieved he learned that Mrs. Evans is not in the house at present." • Larry gritted his teeth and stifled a groan. "lust what I anticipated --my worst fears are on the mint of coming to pass," and half under his breath the little man uttered a most ferocious threat as to how he would handle the Russian bear if the latter had, a finger ;n this pie. Could Count Petoskey have heard the threat he must have dropped down on his marrow bones instanter, to plead for mercy, such was the terrifying aspect of the speaker.. "It may be all right," began milord. "But it isn't—the hand of the plotter is seen back of it. Think for a minute, what would take Avis out after dark in such a city as this, and knowing as she does that the enemies of her husband are on the alert. It's a put-up job, depend on that. and it settles Pelosicey's hash when I land on him." Had the affair been less serious, Plympton might have been inclined to smile at the idea of this Tittle feather- weight throwing his castor into the ring in defiance of such an nnlnonist as the big Mission; but perhaps he had learned through experience not to des- pise the day of small things, for even a hornet may be able to enforce respect. "I have an idea, my dear boy." ,, "Then letushave,- it,for 5 sake, since just at this Iieaven' minute that seems to be the very stock of which I am decidedly short." "The only place we might secure in- formation is with the man who knows— the booking clerk who is off duty." Larry nodded; he was endeavoring to whip his faculties into line, so that when the time camehe might make proper nee of such gifts as nature had gener- ously bestowed upon him. At least, he was quick to recognize the worth of the suggestion advanced by this comrade, and ready to second whatever he proposed. "Then let us look that man up with- out a moment's delay, and find ant what he has to say about this singular matter," continued the Englishman, resolutely. Larry waved his hand, the gesture e signified that he was quite satisfied with the pointed suggestion, and de- sired Lord Rackett to lend the assault en the don of the booking cleric. A pointer at the desk told them where to go, and presently they were kneeling at a door, beyond which an irritable voice bade the disturbers of his rest to enter. Thus they swooped down upon the weary knight of the pen and the dia- mond shirt -stud, who was a fair sample of his class ;6. found tinder every sun on earth, He saw them coming, and starfett up i• nt with some tittle aston shtrt� and con- cern, his curious gaze g anein g from the racy countentince of milord to the paCu P ittlr; tttr of Kennedy, which,. in it- y, halt,WitiM earewed into a savage frown, t�. was . enough to give a Man a fleeting suspicion that he had a mild -touch a.f delirium tremens, for Larry was . no beauty, and his singularly moulded head reminded oneirresistibly of an ape'se's It was a holdup, pure and simple. The -booking clerk loses much of his swagger and importance when off duty. This party proved to be docile enough, at any rate, and realizing that those who had thus swooped down upon him must have some very good reason for this anxiety, he set about answering their questions as well as his knowledge of the facts would allow. With two eagerly at work pumping him he had soon related all he knew. it was not a great deal, after all Several facts were brought out, but they were really no nearer an explana- tion than before, since the mystery re- mained just as dark as ever. Larry knew immediate action was the order of the hour; if harm had descend- ed upon Avis they could not reach her side any 'too rapidly. He. asked his questions with this idea in view, seeking to lay hold of enough clues to follow the case out. In this peculiar affair his genius shone forth so remarkably that it could not be mistaken, and Lord Beckett, recognizing it, was quite content for the time being to play second Siddle, believing that his hour would come when other qualities. were essential. Larry's judgment was quick and keen; he did not stop to simply reason mat- ters to their legitimate conclusion, but jumped there with an abounding faith regarding the truth of his hazard that, was more than half•,the battle. Not a single thing. came out in this cross-questioning of the hotel man that contradicted the conclusion to which he had jumped at the start. This was to the effect that Petoskey, the Russian schemer, was at the bot - tone of the whole game. CHAPTER XL Having strengthened their belief through this interview with the • clerk, Larry and his big friend were at the parting of the ways, where plans and consultations must give place to action. The little man was fully aroused. He strengthened his resolution by en- deavoring to imagine what a hurricane Dr. Jack would prove could he have been present to take up the business. They were not foolish enough to be- lieve such an affair could be undertaken without more or less danger. Hence it became a matter of some moment with them that they should go armed, since no man could say what resistance might be met during their adventure. For one, Larry had had bitter exper- ience with Chinese mobs, and believed an enraged Celestial almost as danger- ous as a Malay "running amuck" with his murderous kriss. A quick inventory taken on the spot. •disclosed the fact that both were fairly well supplied with weapons. When Larry remembered the shrieking mob that awoke the echoes in the street Kai ai Wang's domicile, he was secretly of the opinion that should they be unfortunate enough to encounter such a crowd in the course of their hunt, a few Galling guns, more or less, would not come in amiss. According to the clerk's narrative, Avis had left the hotel at Shamien just as darkness was settling over the great city. A Chinaman had brought her a note. Of course it must be the old story over again—a clever imitation perhaps of Larry's old chirography, begging her to come to ltim at once, that he had dis- covered wonderful news concerning one in whom her deepest interests were cen-` tred. Such a trap could not fail of suc- cess, with Avis occupying the condition of anxious. suspense Larry knew her to be in. What then ? They must find the vehicle in which. she had gone away, and by bribes or threats induce the man to take them to the same place. I•Iere thedeclared clerk he couldhelp ite P them, since he had had curiosity enough to notice particularly what happened after Mrs. Evans left the hotel door. He accompanied them to the street, and no sooner reached that thorough- fare than he uttered a cry of pleasure and pointed out a native cab driver as the party with whom Avis and the coolie messenger had gone. Which was quite enough for Larry, who, with the big Englishman at his heels, descended upon the fellow very much as a hurricane sweeps over the southern seas. The fellow might have arranged a. Tine deletion if given lime, but being taken by surprise, he became ilustrated. Perhaps he had reasons for remaining a sphinx; but, whatever these were, they did not hold good when Confronted with two very determined foreigners who de- Mended on pain of instantdeath in n case of refusal, that he take 'them to where he had Tett the lady. Whether fear or greed influenced him, the man readily agreed to' oblige thSm. A Chinese Jehu would promise to take one to the infernal regions with cheer- ful alacrity if asked; and should he be given full license in the matter the chances are he would not fall far short of reaching the suburbs of Hades, if sttoi. a place exists on earth. terry was grimly pleased, but, being cautious by nature, would not allow hltnsclt to indulge in too sanguine hopes, lest they be doomed to disap- pointment. He put, tittle trust in the Chinese char- nater, perhikeps heenuse i{ai Wang WW1 the only man of that, (build wile 'hid consideration still his qualities were of so sterling a nature that he balanced thee. 4ocounte of many. delinquent$. It was very natelt .the same with Plympton, who. entertained a feeling r f scorn end contempt for the natives •f the: Flowery Kingdom, having had some experience during the Japanese war that appeared to have utterly disgusted him with the abilities of the Chinese is soldiers, Apparently, then, it behooved John, to walk a..pretty straight line If he hoped to satisfy his present critical patrons, Lord Rackett was probably better -ac- customed etter-ac- customed. to dealing with this peculiar class of fellows than Larry, and his tac- tics were of a decided : nature which might bring about success; It was the old story of reward or pun- ishment—he was abundantly able to bring about either, and there could t'e no evasion --if the fellow did what he was told, his pockets would later on be crammed full of taels until he WAS as rich as he had ever imagined while in an opium dream; on the other hand, did he swerve one jot from the truth and play then false, the vengeance of the gods and of English law would descend upon him long before the fall festival of ICuanti Dame about. Knowing the Chinese mind as well as he did, Lord Rackett was pretty confi- dent the fellow would give them faith- ful service so long as they could hold Igen in hand; once he fell under Rue -sten influence the game would be up. • ,•. Of course, they speedily plunged into the Chinese quarter, and Larry felt something of a chill pass through his little figure as he speculated as to whe- ther or not the vagaries of fortune would bring him once more in contact with the inflamed mob that shouted for his blood. The prospect was far from alluring. Still, a man can die but once, and as he possessed true valor, he did not be- lieve he could shuffle off this mortal coil in any better cause than that of gentle, woman; for the sake of his charm- ing cousin the brave little warrior stood ready to meet any and all sacrifices to which he might be called. Plympton kept a brid"ht lookout, and supplemented this caution with sundry digs in the back of the wretched rehu, to whom he muttered wonis in the ori- ginal Chinese. Perhaps he desired to constantly keep dangling before the fellow's mind the consequences dependent upon his action, and to exhort him to carry out his promises to the letter. Being quite familiar wilt all parts of Canton, Lord Rackett speedily realized where their course was apt to land them. In all Chinese cities bordering upon a river, fully one-fourth of the popula- tion live upon the water—to them the stream furnishes both food and sepul- chre; the darkest of tragedies are con- stantly taking place among this floating g people, who hardly seem amenable to the law that governsthose dwelling. ashore. Larry was more , than a little worried when his companion announced that they were heading directly for this quar- ter. Awful fancies began to dart through his brain, and he felt almost sick at the - thought of such things happening to his sweet relative, Bitterly he inveighed the Russian schemer, who would not even allow the taking of human life to stand in the way of bringing his gigantic scheme to a successful termination. And Lord Rackett's blood seemed to. boil in almost the same fashion. How easily we forget; it had not been many years back when Larry's righteous indignation was aroused against this same Plympton because, forsooth, .he had kidnapped Dr. Jack's wife in pretty much the same fashion. However, it was love that urged him upon such a mad, headlong course, and men can forgive more easily when such a motive is the cause rather than the desire for gain. Lord Rackett saw into these things better than Larry, and he found occa- sion to put the matter before his des. pendent companion in such a way as ea arouse his hopes anew. The precious papers were the supreme desire of the Russian; he cared not the snap of his fingers for the lives of Dr. Jack and his lovely wife if he could only lay hands on the documents .-o they might be destroyed, and leave his company, backed by the power of the Dowager Empress, the only one in the field. This being the case, the abduction of Avis was not intended to work her personal injury, since such a thing would effectually block his game, but to bring about the delivery oT the papers. Larry knew his cousin well, end he declared they might despair of ever forcing her to give up the last legacy left to her by a loving husband. While Lord. Rackett did not doubt in the least the truth of hisr wo ds with th re- lationtor i o f he end n {tablei •i — s zt and he had occasion to remember it, though the recollection only brought a blush ef shame to his cheeks -still he knew there were ways whereby even the most stub- born native may be conquered. "Depend upon it they will endeavor to reach her through her husband," lee said. "But----bas—rove—he is dead 1" gasped Larry, slow to grasp the point. "You have said so—you even believe so; but we lack the most positive evi- dence. Besides, even if this be the truth, and brave Dr. .tack has crossed the Styx with the grim boatman .Charon,, that little tact would never dismay such a bright mind as this Count Petoskey. Why, he would deliberately deceive Avis by declaring they held her husband in chains ---that if she handed the papers over would w d be rel as e ed while it she refused his blood must be on her head."' Larry groaned; He saw the situation now and: re- alized, as never before,what an awful lever nn unscrupulous mind may make of divine love: "So you see,„ concluder) miiprd, grimly, "unless we force his hand, this. ecoundrek may be in a, position to call the game.” carry could only grind his teeth and more fervently clutch his weapon, mien tally praying Heaven would be tory good to them for Lite sake of the woman who was in peril. Tvieanwhilc bort nn Omit maintained: a. careful watch upon their course and kept tip his ccitnmunfcalion with the man upon whom they were placing so rr►uoh commended hlmself to his respectful dependence, He believed that such vigilance paid. Larry was arroused front the seeming lethargy into which, his ruminations and worries had thrown him by the sudden stopping of the old vehicle, "Here we are," said Lord. Beckett, quickly, as he sought the open air, and when Larry followed at his heels he found him in deepconversation with their conductor, (To be continued). CHINESE POTEBS( CIT'(. Icor Nine Hundred Years It has Manu- factured Earthenware. For at Least 900 years the town Ching- techen, in China, has been devoted to the making of pottery. Walter Clenntll, a British Consul, describes the place. He says that everything in Chingtechen be- longs to the porcelain and earthenware industry, The houses are for the most par r part built u Itof fragments of fireclay that were at one time part either of old kilns or of the flreolay covers in which the porcelain is stacked during firing, The river bank is for miles covered with a deep stratum at broken chinaware and chips of fireclay, and the greater part of the town and several square miles of the sourrounding country are built over or composed of a similar deposit, Chingtechen is unlike anything else in China. The forms, the color, the ma, terials used in the buildings, 'the at- mosphere are reminiscent of the poorer parts of a olvilized industrial centre. There are 104 large pottery kilns in towns. The greater part are in use only. for a short season in the summer, Dur- ing this busy season the population of Chingtechen rises to about 400,000 souls, but of this total nearly half are laborers draws from a wide area of country, who came for the season, live in rows of barrack -like sheds, and do not bring their families with them. Visitors to Chingtechen pass along street after street where every shop Is ocoupied by men, women and children all engaged in the designing, moulding, painting or distributing of pottery. Pollens' sheds, where the clay Is mixed and moulded on the wheel, are innum- erable. The river bank is• crowded for three miles by junks either landing ma- terial and fuel or shipping the finished product. SENTENCE SERMONS. Many mistake fluidity of mind for faith. You cannot help this world by hid- ing from it. You lift no one up by looking down your nose. When a man is puffed up he is easily blown away. Love's sacrifices are life's most satis- fyinguries. luxuries. man with money to burn seldom gets up any steam. The rambling preacher seldom hits the green pastures. Heaven is not far , from 'him who smiles in cloudy weather. People do not push ahead by patting ,themselves on the back. ` Even the Almighty cannot use people) who are born petrified. Making wealth common will not make the ideal commonwealth. Sin's crown is so constructed that it soon becomes Satan's collar. The liar does not become a moral ath- lete by his mental gymnastics. It will take men and women of iron will to bring in the golden age. As soon as a man is satisfled with himself the angels begin to be sorry for him. It's a poor kind of faith that never feels its need of °`a father until it gets dark. it's thewabbly man who complains that the platform is not broad enough for him. The man who only sees with half an eye always thinks the world is wait- ing' fos v Whenr hiyou : seeiews. a man who puts all his religion in a safety deposit you may know he. hasn't )41any a man castsany. his eyes up to hea- ven that the world may forget that his hands are in its -pockets. A funeral sermon nua,y be a good ora- tion, but it -does not count for much as a prophecy unless history indorses it. You can fatten a dear sweet sister into a saint on an amount of religious angel food that wouldn't suffice to keep a full grown man from swearing. THE WRONG TIDE. "'There is a tide in the affairs of men which taken at its flood lends on to for- tune,'" quoted the moralizer. "True," rejoined tete demoralizer, "but a lot of men are left stranded high and dry every year because they picked out the wrong tide." NNW One CM ang Mika The season's first cold may be slight—may yield g to early treatment, but the next cold will hang on longer ; it will be more troublesome, too. U n - necessary to take chances on that second one. Scott's Emulsion is a preventive as well as a cure. Take $OOTT'S EJUULSIO)1 'when colds abound and you'll have no cold. Take it when the cold is contracted and it checks inflamma- tion, heals the membranes of the throat and longs and drives the cold out. Send for free sittsple. SCOTT & BtI`i(P•NE, Chemists TorontoOnt. r toe. {rad 01.00 . OP I Alldrugrt$i. PURITY ;MEANS HEALTH 1 That's why you should use CEYLON GREEN TEA Instead of the adulterated teas of Japan. Load Packets only. 40o, 500 and no per ib. At all emeriti IIIGIIIiST AWARD ST. LOUIS, 1904. PID TRANSIT Is a question that appeals to all in these busy times. To the Business Man, the Professional Man, or the Workingman — it is a question of vital importance. As an ever ready and economical means of quick locomotion, THE BICYCLE HAS NO COMPETITOR whether tor business, exercise or recreation. A Cushion Frame Bicycle fitted with Hygienic handle Liars —Morrow Coaster Brake, and Rainy Day Mud Guards, is an Ideal Mount. It induces those to ride who never rode before, and those who ride to ride the more. CLEVELAND, SILVER RIBBON MASSEY, PERFECT, BRANTFORD. Made in Cushion or Rigid frame Models. CANADA CYCLE AND MOTOR COMPANY, Limited, "Makers of the Worlds Best Bicycles." GENERAL OFFICE AND WORKS - - TORONTO JUNCTION. +++++++++++4++++++44++ I. Farm AboutFa •1, PASTURING RAPE. Rape furnishes fine pasture for horses, cattle, sheep and swine, also fowls, writes Prof. Thomas Shaw. But some care is necessary in grazing it down with cattle or sheep, lest bloating should result. Many valuable sheep have thus been lost and in some instances cattle. They eat ravenously of the plant, as tbey become very fond of it, and where taken thus freely on an empty stoma -eta gas is generated to such an extent that soon the animal dies from suffocation if not promptly relieved. But with hors- es and swine no such danger is present, and probably for the' reason that the stomach of these animals is not sufllci- ently large to take the food in quanti- ties sufficient to produce the result re- ferred to. The conditions that favor bloat are, much succulence in the rape, dampness on the plants from dew or rain, and feeding upon the rape, while the stom- ach is empty. I have noticed that the tendency to produce bloat in rape is much greater in the damp climate ot Ontario than in the drier climate of the upper Mississippi basin. But the danger is sometimes present in the latter area as well as in the former. The danger is also greater where the rape plants are immature and especially when the lack of maturity is considsr- ablec 'When sheep are turned in to graze upon half-grown rape, the danger of loss is much greater than when the rape is well -grown and has a Targe amount of stalk. The danger is consid- erably greater when the rape plants are wet. '. When sheep and cattle are turned in to graze on rape, the' following cauti rn should be observed. They should not be allowed to go into the rape while hungry at any time. This is especia true when the grazing first begins. The plan sometimes adopted is to feed the some sIs on to radP a food and then turn them into therape field and leave them em there day and night: A second method is to turn into the rape for a short time and then remove the animals, leaving them in the rape pasture for a longer season every day until they have become accustomed to the rape. This plan is safer foe cattle than the other, but under some condi- tions it may not be necessary, as when other food is growing along with tate rape. RAPE IN MIXTURES. Wen rape is sown in grain fields strong with the grain and pastured in autumn, sometime' after the grain lies 1 eon removed, the grass, and it may be woods and other grain growing up in the field, furnish a variety of food along with the rape. Because of this the dang- er from bloat is very much reduced. The, same is true of rape grown in mixtures. In some instances it is sown along with corn, or sorghum or millet, to provide grazing, and when thus grown the hazard is reduced just in pi`e- perli.on as tide other fods- are present. 11 should be remembered, however, that trader sonde conditions the element of hazard may still be present; even when the rape plants grow among other food. Partieularly is this trite in seasone when the food is very succulent. A grass pasture at hand is an excel- lent aid to a rape pasture, even though the grass should have lost amuck ot its succulence. This is apt to be the case le the early autumn, which is the sear son when rape is mare commonly ready for being turned in upon. Usually the , .plan is best that turns Cheep onto rape when it IS Well grown, The rape provides mare'food when graz- ed down under these conditions than when grazed earlier, and then again after it has grown up more or less. It is probable, however, that swine will do better on rape when turned in some- what earlier, They prefer rape leaves green and succulent. Sheep fatten bet- ter on rape that has produced much of stem. But rape should not be grazed by any kind of stock when young, or the plants may be destroyed. Grain is sometimes fed to sheep and cattle when grazing on rape, but in other instances none is given. The grain fed in the early morning will likely les- sen the hazard from bloat, and It will probably pay to feed it under some conditions, but sheep will fatten nicely en well -grown rape under ordinary ccnditions without grain. Swine should have some additional grain food. The owners of pedigreed sheep should be careful as to how they graze them upon rape. If loss should occur, it is heavy because of the value of the sheep. But they may be fed on rape cut and carted to theme without any hazard, as the amount fed may be controlled. FACTS ABOUT SPRAYING. The problem is to accomplish the most thorough work at the smallest cost in the shortest time. The factors are. the Wien doing the work, the teams trans- porting the material and the tools to work with. The item of labor is placed Past, because in a commercial orchard, that item is far the largest cost aid means should be taken to make labor most effective. The work dictates its needs.' First, all mixtures should be made quickly, easily and with the least labor. The spray material making then needs water under uressure and means for deliver- ing the completed mixture by gravity, an elevated tank filled with water sup- ply,' steam coils and drawroff valvese a store room for materials, scales and supplies convenient to the tank. Such a spray house I built at one end of my wagon F.hod, providing en oblong tank holding 450 gallons and divided into three equal compartments each having its own steam coil and draw -off valve, says Mr. S. H. Derby. At the upper level of the mixing tank, is another platform on which stand a bar- rel containing a stock solution of blue- sione one pound to a alto-, and a Erne me slaking tank, and also a barrel in which to dilute the bluestone. Making bordeaux then is simply talc- ing. so many gallons stock blue:tone and putting into diluting barrel and el- low3t to fill with water, straining the needed lime into tank compartment and allowing water to run in until it reaches a certain mark; then dump the dilute bluestone over into the dilute lime; then ter a moment using a large plunger to thoroughly mix, the poison is put In and also thoroughly mixed. When ready to use, simply drive the spray wagon alongside, put a large brass strainer, 30 meshes to the inch, on the spray wagon tank, open a valve to which is attached js a 1% -inch hose and draw into spray wagon tank. WATER COWS S OCT CN, The best practice is to let cows get to the water as •often as they like. This IS not always practicable in winter, but they should be watered at least twice a day. If the water is warm, that is, heated so that the chill is taken off, they will be glad to drink twice daily, every during the coldest of weather. There ie no question as to the value of wurnt water for dairy cows. The animals drink more, the production of milk it not Checked by the animal being corn pelted to drink ice water, and the relent at the pail is much greater titan whet heating of water is neglected. Too ninny . men *ha run into deli don't even gttempt to iy'atvi out.