HomeMy WebLinkAboutExeter Times, 1902-8-7, Page 3CTOR JAC
By ST. GEORGE ?MORN,
is.uthot of °Poeta jack's Wifee" °Captain Tenn" l'Befon Steep °Mire
Pauline of New 'York," "Miss Caprice' tA
The pasha excuees himself and
*walks away, but Jaele notices that he
Epeak s a low word to Mercedes as he
1:)asses, and that lovely woman sbrugs
her shoulaers in a very Frenehy fash-
ion.
It is Tack's desire to learn where
the American Indian are stopping, so
he puts the question to Madame 'Sop-
hie, who replies that they have the
beet rooms at the Fonda Peninsular,
near the centre of •the city, where its
life le daily seen In the grand plaza
'mown as the Puerta, del Sol.
Mercedes is plainly uneasY. She
looks eaten upon Cousin Larry, who
;stands sucking hie cane, and saying
tittle beyond " bah Jove !" and evi-
dentler the Spanish beauty seems to
think he is some new beast an exhible
tion. Truth to tell, La -Tress face is
extraordinarily shapea, land shows a
lack of human qualities, more resem-
bling the head of a fox, from which
season Jack Judges that he possesses
ome of the ,atanning of that animal.
As he is Mercedes' cav.aller, he must
obey her wishes, besides, he can see
Avis again, .and what he has to say
to her will keep, as it is better suited
to the privacy of an hotel parlour
than the publicity of the museo.
The girl is watching him. She has
never once taken her eyes off his face
since he mentioned ais tull name, and
there is an eager, wistful Iodic in those
blue orbs, as though she longs to ask
something and dares not.
Doctor Jack rather enjoys the fact
that he has assumed a new importance
In her eyes, but he has no desire to
play upon the subject, for there are
grave inernories connected with it,
thoughts that stir up every emotion
within him, and take him back to
acenes in the past that he often wishes
he could forget.
The senorita no doubt desires to
find her friends. I must say good -
day," he says, speaking to all, but at
1VIa4lame Sophie, and that worthy'
dame replies quickly "We shal/ not call It good -by. You
will drop in, and see us again, Doc-
tor Jack? I am quite proud of be-
ing a countrywoman of yours after
seeing your gallant action to -day. The
Fonda Peninsular, remember."
Jack looks toward Avis, who mur-
murs something to the effect that she
too will be glad to see him. He knows
It now that she has /earned his name,
though what ,magic there may have
been in that does not yet appear.
With what see= to be more cere-
mony than is necepaary. be bids eac}i.
one good -by, shaking hands with Ma -
dans Sophie first, then Cousin Larry,
and last of all Avis herself.
This is the Opportunity he has look-
ed for. The others are laughing be-
cause a fat man has become wedged
in between two fia.nks of the crowd,
and looks pitifully around as if for
assistance. Only the dazzling eyes of
Mercedes Gonzales see Doctor Jack
press the fair girl's hand, and behd-
ing over say something in a low tone
that causes Bar face to light up and
a glad leo% appear in her eyes.
"1 shall call upon you this evening
at eight, Miss Avis. I have scene -
thing to tell you, something for your
eara alone, connected with one I knew
and loved—your brother, Aleck. Shall
I be welcome ?"
And looking frankly, fearlessly, in-
to hIsees she replies " yes."
Then they separate, each party re-
suming the tour of the gallery in dlt-
trent directions. Mercedes is quick to
note a, change in her attendant cava-
lier. He had been witty and full of
life before this meeting, and now he
has become preoccupied in znind, so
that several times he answers some
sally -vaguely, as though his thoughts.
were far away.
This piques the Spanish beauty at
once. There is nothing what will of-
fend a woman quicker than to see that
for Doctor Jack before, but now a
her attractive powers have been over-
shadowed by a rival.
She may not have cared a great deal
great burning passion eats into her
soul. She loves—the spontaneous
growth of this plant in the heart of a
Southern woman of the Latta races is
not uncommon. Their passions are
deep and sudden, though far from be-
ing as lasting as the slower flower
growing in more temperate zones.
This bold American has won her ad-
miration to begin with. He has brav-
ed death In the arena tea her smile.
Yes, there are other causes why he
should belong to her, and she Is not true
daughter of Spain if she site cranny
down and allows him to be taken from
her by WS girl frorh over the Sea.
Deep down in her heart there Is a
tumult raging. It beats like a tem-
pest upon the shore, surging high at
times, and yet above are fair pities,.
smiles, and a placid countenance. You
can trust the intelligent girl of the
nineteenth century to hide her emo-
tions. She does not go abcbut with
her heart on her sleeve, to show how
It has been riddled by the numerous
flirtatio,ns of the past.
At last they meet Don Carlos and
the senora,, jack eatchem a eignin-
cant glance, Which theformer ex-
changes with Mercedes, and once more
the suspielea flashes into his twain
that the old Spaniard may not be the
warm friend he hat believed up to
Mereedee complains of being wearY,
00 they page out and enter the car-
riage, Which soot: leavethem at the
residence of the Sleaniard. -TAW is
quite a fine house on the Del Prado,
where they find every comfort,
The day is declining, and Doetox
jack isMolted te dine With them,
Which he ean hardly reetise to do. 73e-
Sides4 he has a great,:euriosity to fish;
that line of erAterles conneetee
with the past. Why was Mercedes
disguisedas a Catalan peasant girl in
the flower mart on ti.ie Rambla, at
Barcelona, ? Why did she tell him
she Would be at the bull -fight in Mad-
rid ? How came she to assume the
character of Sister Agatha, a nun from
the cloister of San Pedro, the Bene-
dictine church at Gerona? What was
there in common between, this won-
derfully beautiful woman and the
Turkish pasha?
All those questions can be answered,
but it may require tinte and patience
te unravel the skein in its tangled up
condition. ..At any rate It gives zest
to his existence, whioh, up to teas
period in his career, has been 'prosaic
enough with regard to love affairs.
Mercedes and Don Carlos find a
chance 'fo have a quiet -talk, while the
Senora ehtertains Doctor Jack,' who
has antiOuneed that he will dine with
them,' but raust leave the house by
l'ullt-past seven. He will come again,
and stay longer, but an important en-
gagement demands his attention at
eeght,
When Mercedes and the old Spaniard
meet in the small music -room, her
black eyes are full of easolution. The
other laughs and pats her on the head
as a father might—he is her uncle,
and has the right. •
" How do you SUCC d, Child ?" he
asks.
" nivery-thing was going along beau-
tifully until we met a tail girl with a
fetch—well, I am not foal enough to
say .sbe is ugly, but certainly her looks
are poor besi'cle myself. I know not
where he ever met her before, but he
loves her.' I'am sure of it. I could see
it In his looks, try to disguise them
as he would. Why, at times he seemed
as though he would eat her?'
Poor Doctor Jack, is this your won-
derful acting, when a• pair of black
eyes can so easily fathom the secret
of your heart ? Don Carlos frowns.
'What an interest he takes in Jack's
love affairs. It is surely -worth some-
thing to have a friend like that.
" Carissima if what you say Is true
It will give us trouble. What was the
girl like ?"
"Rather tall, queenly head, blue
ee es, stylish appearance. She was
with a stout senora, and a enonkey
man."
"I saw them at the museo, and ad-
mired the girl. She was what Doctor
Jack would call a 'stunner.' So you
imagine he is very much in love with
her ?"
"I know it. Where are your eyes ?
They were given to me to use. Be-
sides, the pasha. himself was struck.
Ile had met her before, and I think
from his manner he would give her
weight in gold for this Senorita Avis
could. he find her in tbe slave -mart of
Constantinople."
Ion Carlos smiles and nods, placing
eine finger on the side of his nose.
" Ah 1 you give me an idea, girl,
which we may yet And oceasion te"
work up if other things fall. If the
pasha is struck, we can make use of
him, perhaps. About Doctor Jeck—you
think he is going to see this girl ?"
"1 know it. I heard him say so."
It is easy to put some one on his
track and find out, if you wish."
Her Castilian face darkens. The
white teeth press together, and Merce-
des' gives a laugh that is not so agree-
able as usual.
"It is just as easy to prevent his
keeping his appointment, uncle," she
breathes, softly.
"You mean to charm him ?"
She Shrugs her pretty shoulders and
tau ts.
Vae a it is 'not easy for one to con-
fess the truth. I shall try the power
of music and my blandishments, but
I fear me they will fail. He is the
%nen to keep an engagement. On niy
aart.I, too, have made a vow. Doctor
Jack must net leave this house at
eight. He is in the spider's web—to
escape now may mean ruin."
She is intensely agitated, but the
marl does not scene to ;share her alarm.
is not In love with Doetor Jack,
and that makes all the difference in
the world.
" Bravely said, child. I admire your
rluck, but, caramba, we must not let
him see our hand yet. If he insists
upon goirlg we cannot forcibly detain
him." he muses.
"You forget—the cigare 1 As a last
resort, if he insists upon going after
niusic and dinner have failed in turn,
aeu have the drugged cigar. It 'will
make him sleepy and—well, he will
disappoint the American girl at eight
sharp," with a thrill of triumph in her
voice as she pictures the hour passing
with Avis waiting in vain.
"A bright idea, giri. I have that
cigar up In my loom, and will get
"Be careful," she whispers as he
1110V OS away.
"01! what ?"
"That you do not make a Mess of
it and smoke the wrong cigar.",
"Have rue fear of
While this side play has beep, going
on in the music -room, Deetor jack
and the senora have chatted in the
Spanlab drawing -room over a number
of things, for he manages to tempor-
arily tear hie mind away from A.vie,
and laugh with the good dame, wile le
genial 'company or any one, and
areusea Meek with her broken English.
By and by they Speak of curiosities,
and she tells him of a: relic which has
been handed dawn for centtiries In her
family. She has it M her, rem along
with, her tetada and crucifix, and will
get It So she goe . and jaek is lett
temporarily alone for the gra time
mince he was itttruded Upon by Don
Carlos while atelite morning ablutione.
it is an ormertualty he has been
lOakirig for theme, two hours beck. Hele
dozai times he has remembered the
paper thrust bite ef� iaj tte
One iinkheien 6.0 lei) Pite ed h Ugh
the crowd just outaide the Pavillon in
the Plaza del Toros. Of oouree it will
not amount to anything, lie 10 Paul ece
that, but es ouriesitY ei not donfined
to ahe gefitVit eleg tne, he halt a da-
itire to Nee What it is, and in order to
hleVe a minute alone, has encouraged
the senora iti the lauelable ambition to
show hien her Woadertul legaey.
Hardly is her form, lost be view than
the American, fishes In hie pocket for
the paper, It is not to be found where
he expected. Then he suddenly re-
members that It was in a vest pocket
he thrust it, awl the fishing goo on
ELMO%
Ah 1 victory ! here it is, and /14IW for
some silly gush from a young da.meere
heart. With a smile Doctor Jack
smoothes out tee crernpled sheet and
cave) his eyes upon it.
The characters are in Spanish, write
ten with a lead pencil, and evidently
in ahurry, as if time pressed with the
scribe. In spite of these defects there
is something even in the chirography
that tells Jack the writer is a woman.
Holding kt to the light of the window
he reads:
"The American senor is in terrible
ciarger from an unseen source. More
I dare not say. Trust no one save
your oceintrymen, and leave SPeen as
soon as .possible."
There is no signature. Whoever title
Aetna may be, she has not dared
acknowledge her identity. You see,
Doctor Jack still insints that the writer
Is ,of the feminine epic.
A singular idea strikes him. He has
Just been looking at an elegant vol-
atile of Cervantes' work with the
seaora, and noticed an inscription
written in the front of it. He picks
Don Quixote up, and opens the book
to where he reads :
"‘To my Uncle Don Carlos,
With much love
" Mercedes."
Now he has what he wants, and
ing the note beside the inscription,
he compares the two *with calm de-
liberation, makes allowance for the
studied work on one and the hurry
visible with the other, and then de-
cides positively that the same hand
paned both.
This stirs up the waters of the Si-
loam pool again, and renders the
situation more muddy and complicated
than before. He has believed that if
there Is a deep and mysterious game
being played Mercedes is ire it—hls
Barcelona adventures tell his so—
hence how comes it that she sends
him warning? Can it be that after
witnessing his feat in the arena she
has compassion on him, and desires to
undo her uhare in the conspiracy?
The note must have been writtea on
the sly while the last bull was en-
gaged. Doctor Jack remembers that
she seemed to be doing something—he
thought searching in her SPaalsh reti-
aule for bon -bons.
Another thought comes to him, and
causes a eralle. This note was writ-
ten before' Mercedes set eyes on the
bright American girl, and perhaps she
would not carry the same project out
now. Circumstances alter cases, you
know.
Doctor Sack has finished his scrutiny,
and imagined bait a dozen 'different
tbecries, when the ruetle of a dress
catches his ear. Is it the senoia re-
turned? He looks up, and finds Mer-
cedes herself standing in the .door-
way.
The expression on her face tells him
that she hes been standing there for a
full minute, and hence understands
his action; but ever 'cool, he is in no
hurty, deliberately folding the note,
and replacing it in his pocket.
It is on Jack's tongue to speak, to
ask for an explanation of the strange
warning, but he gets no further, for
a bustling sound comes, and the
senora enters the room, proudly hold-
ing in her hand the relic of antiquity
that has been handed down from
generation to generation in her family
Steele bundreds of years.
Jack pretends to show great interest
In the matter, but in reality cares lesS
for the spezinecn of early* days than
for a piece of the Sphinx that a curio-
sity hunter once cauticusly showed
him, and which the vandal assured
him solemnly, had been chipped from
the nose of that 'giant figure by his
own hands.
No opportunity is given him for a.
rrivate interview with Mercedes dur-
ing the remainder of the evening, oo
for tbe present those mysteries which
he longs to have solved must remaihi
eecrets beyond his reach.
Mercedes is asked to sing, so they
adjourn to the music -room. This is a
cosy apartment with a leaning toward
Oriental luxury, I -oft divans for loung-
ing, and draperies that hide the walls.
There are many musical instruments
here, from a piano and harp down to
a guitar and native mandolin. Mer-
cedes is wise eneugh to leave the form-
er alone. It is hardly in harmony With
its surnmeidings, 'which are decidedly
Moorish in colors and hangings.
Seating herself at the harp, she
strikes a few sweet chords that en-
chant Jack. Then in a low voice she
elegies. Jack has heard Patti and. all
the lesser lights of the operalec stage
time and again—he loves music, too,
and Is a little inclined that way—but
never in all his life as a rover has he
listened to such sounds as fall from
the lips of this Spitaisie beauty, never
leas he seen so lovely a minstrel.
The volume of melody is at times
like a mighty rushing river, and again
as if it were a laughing,gurgling
brooklet, clear and grand. The theme
is the old story of love, always new,
and as Jack listens he feels the strang-
est sensations creep over him, as
though he were slowly but surelybeing
elle rine&
Truly, worse things might befall a
man than to be loved by thie wonder-
ful evornan, he thinks, as he gazes up-
on her lovely face, magnificently form-
ed arms, and sees the, dreamy passion
halt velleti In her black eees.
Thle wi1I utterer do. Unless he keepa
on his gutted he may forget himself',
and be drawn into an entangling al-
liance with a foreign country, which,
as a trite American, believieg in pure
leffersonian• priheiples, he le agerse to
doing, so he sets himself to we:totting,
and, elneough thoroughly enjoying the
music, does, not let ite tweet power
civerceme hirn agaire
(Po iJe (JOntinUed.)
*0.010.4ksitok.,*0_
OR FARIVIRS
.
$essonable and PrOBIA 0
Wets for the Busy Tillers
et the Soil,
ii.10,44**ii.:****'',*°•*0**.)0414(.0%1E•9.44
bTOT A GAME 010 01-1A.NCE.
The occupation of farming ie pew-,
gued upon lines of scientifie princi-
ples, more and more from year to
year. The manner of conducting an
ordinary feria is in marked contrast
to that of titter years ago.. Men
have been, and are educated in the
art of , fanning so that desired re -
milts aro obtained with a greater de-
gree of certainty. Farming is not
a game of chance that any person
eari follow from sheer luck. To
achieve 5 UCCOS$ ill fanning, ability,
Prudence and industry must charac-
terize the successful farmer as the
same requisites must characterize
the successful man engaged in any
other business. There are men who
fail to make any business pay, while
others get rich in the sarae occupa-
tions whore these failed. Few fann-
ers become neillionaires, in fact,
comparatively few millionaires have
honestly acquired their possessions.
The means by which a largo major-
ity' of in.= become nalilionaires ie of
a questionable nature. A million.
dollars honestly acquired is a large
fortune. But, in this age of pure
commercialism a million dollars as
it is too often "taken ill," is not
eoesidered a massive fortune. Why
should the standard of the man be
measured by the dollar, anyway?
. But, taking the average of all oc-
cupations, we a,sseinee that there are
fewer bankrupts in farming than in
any other calling. Few make great
fortunes, but thousands live comfort-
ably on a smaller investment of cap-
ital on the farm than would give
them. the same independence and cora-
fort in any other business. The
mere „accumulation of money is not
the highest meastere of success in
this life. The .man who has made a
happy and comfortable home for
those who are:dependent upon him,
and who has 'been a useful man in
the community may not have laid
up a great fortune for his children,
but if he has made them .good citi-
zens, he bas done far more service
for his country than many a mil-
lionaire.
Luck hue little to do with farm-
ing. At times one man may seem
to have a series' of misfortunes from
which -his neighbor escapes, but in
nearly all cases, neglect somewhere
may be traced as the cause of "bad
luck." The man who thinks as vrell
as Works, grows hi ability to ac-
complish. To him that hath shall
be given—the good bdok says—it is
given to him that hath, because he
.will know how til_use it.
that Oa ro tunas in dollars and cents
Will More than It:et/1y the outlay; Till EITIRP1 ON FIRM NO
V.AIRY NOTES.
To get all of the butter, the creana
ilaUst he unifermlY flPdneCi,
When. millc 30 an item, it will pay
to feed some grass dailye
No food product costs so much la-
bor and food as butter.
It is very important, to Supply the
'dairy cow With Palatable too'de.
(Jews that are good producers of
rich milk must be good coneuMere.
In order to sethre rich milk Start
with a 4011 Cow, and feed her rich
foods. . •
It is w good Plan not to give liee.t."
in foods to cows for two weeks be-
fore they are expected to calve.
One adVanta.ge of winter dairying
over euramer is in having the great-
er partof the season's Make of but-
ter to sell when the price is highest.
If the' churzi is too full the churn -
lag will be a failure, 'simply' because
there is not roma enough for the
cream to get proper motto. It is
not enough for the. cream to slide
around the churn in -a smooth and
gentle manner. It mast fall with
a. chug and thug, enough to enable
the fat globles to come close en-
ough to each other to unite and
form butter granules. A desire to
save the extra work that woulel
come frona two churnings, is fre-
quently responsible for poor results;
the extra quart of cream over and
above the proper amount, in the
churn can easily thoke the machine
sufficiently to bring' out the work
sufficiently to string out the work
to a wearisome length; two quick,
easy churnings are better than one
long one. A churn half full will do
better and quicker work than one
two-thirds full. The time will be
shorter, the butter will come better
and the buttermilk will show less
butterfat, when the churn is not
overloaded.
SHADE FOR DAIRY COWS.
No more common mistake is made
by amateur dairymen than that of
allowing cows to run in pasture dur-
ing the summer without any shade
whatever. Who has not noticed -
that horses under average conditions
will do a fair day's work and thrive
fully as well as others -that are run-
ning in pasture idle during the hot
summer season? We believe that
aniruals are more affected by the
heat when standing still than when
moving about, and yet ordinary cows
have not the instinct to keep ou the
move in order to experience a little
more bodily comfort.
During the hottest part of the
season cows will seldom be seen
chewing their cud in midday 'unless
some sort of shade is afforded them.
This is unnatural, and it stands to
reason that animals that are experi-
encing this bodily discomfort can-
not yield pronta.ble returns. It is
not an uncommon thing to see cows
in a treeless pasture where but little
labor would allow them to have ac-
cess to good shade daily. Where it
is not possible to utilize ehade trees,
it will generally prove profttable to
turn them into the darkened stable.
So much the better if a little gieen
food can be supplied at this time,
but even if animals are given noth-
ing whatever to eat tvhile confined
in tlie stable they will generally do
better than where they are allowed
to run out during the entire day.
The turning of the animals into a
darkened stable also affords an ex-
cellent means of combating the dis-
turbing effects of stable ties. These
are a great nuisance and interfere
seriously with the milk flow.
In case it is too much trouble to
turn animals into the _stable and if
shade trees are not available it will
prove profitable to construct an in-
expensive shade. A cheap shanty
roof on six or. eight standards will
afford a muck needed protection. The
very fact that animals always seek
out such places as will afford any
shade whatever is an indication that
they have a natural craving for it
during the hot weath,er, and if this
is supplied by some inexpensive
means there can be no doubt but
leleft'TEWASH.
There is more vietue in the white-
wash for the poultry house than
most people are willing to credit.
There are two ways to apply white-
wash to a. poultry house. One is
with a brush, and the other With a
spray pump. These pumps are ob-
tainable alrnost anywhere now, and
are the best implements for putting
on whitewash. The sides and ceil-
ing of the poultry house sh.ould be
given an application of whitewash.
The roosts and nestboxes should not
be neglected. The whitewash should
be o,f the consistency of thick cream,
and it will be found a good plan
to put some kerosene in each pailful.
Mites can be killed and lice will not
survive where a frequent and thor-
ough application of whitewash is
given. One can put on eoine old
slip of a gaxment, an old hat, and
with spray pump can, in a few Min-
utes, have a good application of
whitewath that will make everything
sweet and clean. What falls on the
floor will make a good floor itself
when mixed with the herd dirt or
coal ashes, or of whatever material
the floor is made. Make free use of
whitewash from now on during the
active season of lice and mites, and
see hotv few of them will be found
at, the close of the season. The
fight against W31111111must be per-
sistent and continuous. One appli-
cation will be good as far as it
goes, but it is inadequate.
To Immo to yeti thee Dr.
Chase's Ointment ISS certain
and absolute ours for each
and every form of itchina',
bleedlegand protrudingpiles,
he manufacturers have guaranteed it. Beate&
timenialo in the daily Drees and ask Tour neigh -
bars whatthey think of it. You can uso it and
get your nioney back if not cured. 60c a box, at
di dealers or EMMA tiSON,33.11TES 8C• CO, Taranto,
chaees Olattment
WASHING THE TIG -.ER.
A Cossack, ignorant of the lerenoh
language and equally ignorant of
fear, NV ftS recently hired at Moscow
by the lion -tamer Peron to clean the
cages of his wild beasts. Their un-
derstanding, or misunderstanding I
was arranged by means of gestures
and dunib show, and Pezon thouglet
that the man thoroughly understood
what he had to do. The next morn-
ing the Tartar began his new duties
by entering with bucket, sponge,
and broom, not the oage of a tame
beast; as his master had 'clone, but
of a oplendid untamed tiger, which
lay asleep on the floor. The fierce
animal awoke 'and fixed its eyes
upon the man, who calmly Proceeded
to wet his large sponge, and, un-
terrided, to rub down the tiger as
if it had been a horse or a clog ;
while the tiger, apparently delight-
ed by the applicatioei of cold water,
rolled over on its back. stretched
out its paws, and purring, offered
every part of its body to the Cos-
sack, who washed it as complacently
as a mother bathes her infant. Then.
he .left the oage, and would he re-
peated the hezerdous experiment
upon another savage beast from the
'desert had not Pezoxt drawn him off
with difficulty.
BALPOVB, hN COIERCArD
$HIP OP STATE,
Ca.leinet Cleangee Have Little Ef
feet on Business or Poll-
ts.
It is impossibli:to withhold juet
at the present moment some expres-
sion of admiration of the Wencierful
solidity of British institutions, The
Loudon Speetator describes exactly
the situation whon it says:
"Almost in silence, without a jar,
with no uprgar in Parliament, ancl
no Popular demonstration, the com-
et:land of that huge bark, the Bei-
tieli Empire,. hae been trateferrecl
from one hand to another. The
SITIO moves on undisturbed. The
crew are all at their stations; there
is no sign of alarm, no thought that
the cours,e should be altered, . the
speed decreased, or the destination
changed: It is a marvelous testi-
mony to the order which rein e 011
board, arid all the More $b because
the captaen who has dieappeaxed was
no more than a Ogurehead."
PBRSONALITY DOZSN'T COUNT.
Nothing' could be more impressive
than the circumstances of Lord Sal-
isbury's retirement as Prime Min-
ister,' and demonstrated how little
personality counts in the operation
of the greatest machine for human
government which the world has
known,. The Spectator's metaphor
is much truer than the short sighted
view taken by the Saturday Review
when it says:
"The declaration of peace with the
illness of -the Xing seem to have ex-
hausted the nation's capacity IF
emotion. NotliinF else ca.n explain
the indilterenee With which the mo-
mentous changee of tlici last Week
have been received by the public.
•"Now that the war is over and the
coronation has not come off, eyelet
can it matter who is the Prime Min-
ister or Chancellor of the Ex-
chequer/. This is apparently the
people's mood. It is childish en-
ough, no doubt, and is particularly
conspicuous amongst the business
section of the community.
LITTLE EFFECT ON BUSINESS.
"The news that the Xing had un-
dergone an operation sent funds
down three-quarters per cent. The
announcement that the Marquis of
Salisbury lia.d retired as Prime Min-
ister and that Sir Michael Hicks -
Beach would do likewise as Chancel-
lor of the Exchequer in a few weeks
was actually followed by a rise in
the commercial barometer, as if
some incubus had been removed. Yet,
of course, the sovereign had noth-
ing to do with the government,
while the Prime Minister and the
Chancellor of the Exchequer 1111 two
1 of the most important posts in the
ministry."
The fact is simply that, especially
in times of peace, the coming or go-
ing of any man is the nearest trifle
in effect on the welfare of the Bri-
tish Empire. No changes, save
those indicated by the people them-
selves, are of any moment. It fol-
lows, therefore, that the discussion.
of the reorganization of the minis-
try, which is now proceeding, is of
i little more than personal interest to
ethe individuals concerned, and their
•friends.
The public at large certainly is in-
terested, but there IR not a single
political principle involved and pop-
ular feeling is confined to curiosity
in regard to the gratification of in-
dividual ambitions. The lack of
agreement on almost every point on
the question of the reconstruction of
the cabinet is pretty good proof of
the unreliability of all these rumors.
CHAMBERLAIN AND I3ALFOUR.
It is, necessary to repeat what has
been clearly set forth in the des-
patches heretofore—that there is not
the slightest friction between Mr.
Chamberlain and Prime Minister Bal-
four. The closest personal friend-
ship has long existed between these
two men, whose dissimilarities of
temperament and methods seem to
form a strong basis of mutual sym-
pathy and attraction.
--ie—
THROUGH THE EARTH.
Another modification of wireless
telegraphy has been invented by
Messrs, J. T. Armstrong and Axel
Oiling, its peculiarity consisting in
the use of the earth instead of the
air as a medium for the electric cur-
rent. This method hue been oba•is-
tened the Amon system. Not only
are telegraphic signals transmitted
through the ground, but sounds are
conveyed as over a telephone circuit.
The entire apparatus', too, is so
light that a bey of ten might carry
it, anel so simple that a child of five
cau operate it. It is so cheap that
anyone 'with the most modest of in-
comes could own a complete tele-
graph and telephone °unit, and en-
joy conversation with friends in the
country when he felt so disposed.
By simply driving tvvo steel pegs in-
to the ground the operators establish
a ourrent over which it is pcssible
two twenty
mionveis.
reseup to s. distance of
11
An Old and Highly Respected Resident Cured of Kidney Disease and Liver
Troubles by Or. Chase's Kidney -Liver Pills.
gr. John Wilson, a retired carpenter Who has lived in Welland, Ont., for 80 years writes :—"Sonee
years ago I was attacked with kidney trouble, and I became so run deem and emaciated that my entire ap-
pearance was suggestive of pbysleal decline. As time went on the complaint grew worse and beearne com-
plicated with liver trouble. I had bad pains across the back arid up the opintel column, bad spells with
my heart, pain under the right shoulder, bilious headache about half the time, indigestion, fever and rest -
'tearless at night and depression of spirite.
At times I Was itcapacitated for work, and had spent priebably one hundred dollars it different medi-
cines with tee perceivable reseilte. Doctors,' advice proved Ukelele* of no avail.
"Finally on the advice of a friend X began taking Dr. Chase's Xidney-LiVer Pills, and in a short thne
the bad syniptoms began to gradually disappear, and by the time 1 hied USW fiere or stx boxes I Was enjoy-
ing better health than I had in many years, all of which is due to the virtues of Dr. Chase's 1Cidney-Idver
Pn17.Since my recovry T hale) attaleed others to profit, by my experience. Soule have done so and are well,
while others did not arid have succurnbed to this dreadtal disease. I am a living witness to the vahne of
this great medicine, and I ani ftill of enthusiasm in imparting the good news to others who are afflicted aa
1 was.''
• Dr. Chaf'e'li KitiingYakver Pill*, one pahl* doge, g$ terns a box. At *4 dealer.' o 04bnamAliona Ditto! 46
Toronto t •
Many Thengel
the Niucts of
An order has beep Obtained t
troduce electric lighting into
wick.
Paisley town council are zciw
grumblieg- over the expereees Of dee-
'titan one.
According to the Most recent data
there axe 150 deor fOrests in Scot-
land.
elle sheriff has closed Strathavea
old churchyard against more intee-
meats.
Two hundi•ed tops of timber Were
exported from Port Glasgow last
month.
Dileittee herpes to have a visit of
the Duke of Argyll at the Gaelic
Mod in Septeinber,
Dundee has beeu selling its gas too
cheap, and the accounts wou't square
by about 47,000.
The now St, Enoch station, Glas-
gow, will be completed, or nearlY
so, by the end of this year.
A very large trade has been done
this year in Aberdeen-Augus cattle
for the United States.
The funds for the Gordon. High,-
landets' Memorial Institute at Ab-
erdeen now amount to
Bathgate Curling vOflub ha a g‘ivon
z5 5s. towards the eapenses Of thee
Canadian curling tour. •
Dundee D,04lies find affieult to'
got alcing without a town clerk who
Das happened to be knightad. '-
The Minto Cup for rout -marching
and field -firing was won at Mallony
by the Innerleithen Volunteers.
A monument in honor of the '79th
Cameron Highlanders stands in
front of the Railway station at In-
verness.
Crieff bas the distinction of hav-
ing a woman who daily "tolls the
knell of parting clay" on the old
town bell.
Mr. McDougall, who erected tbo
fatal grand stand at lbrox Park,
Glasgow, has been indicted for man-
slaughter.
The 'death is announced at Shan-
ghai of David Buchanan, a Dunbar -
ton, man, the manager of the Shan-
ghai 'leg Boat Company.
At Port Glasgow a young man
named Samuel McPherson is charg-
ed with murdering an ice cream
dealer by stabbing.
Col. Hughes Mallet, late command-
ing officer of the Seaforth High-
landers, has presented a Free State
flag to Dingwall.
A pike has been caught in Cawdor
water, the first ever caught in
Nairn. Some of the folk are won-
dering how it got there.
The city of Glasgow owns an is-
land on the West Coast. It is call-
ed the Island of Shane, and is one
of the Inner Hebrides.
Edinburgh has an old woman who
has spent in prison 88 years of her
60 years' lifetime. She has gone
back to do some more time.
One of the three organs promised
by Mr. Andrew Carnegie to churches
in Dunfermline has just been install-
ed. It was made in Germany.
Three stone cross slabs bearing
old Celtic sculpture bave been found
beneath the flooring of the old par-
ish church at Fortingall, Perthshire.
D. Thomson, manager of larkeal-
dy 'Building Society, pleaded guilty
on June 0 to embezzling £15,220,
and was remitted to the High Cotu't
for sentence.
At a meeting of the Inverness U.
F. Presbytery, Rev. Dr. Black re-
ferred in terms of high approval to
the character of the British array in
South Africa.
St. Andrew's proposes to resusci-
tate the designation of Lord Pro-
vost, which belongs to the city, but
which previous Lore Provosts have
allowed to fall into abeyance.
A: Dunfermline bailie was so muck
overjoyed at the peace news that he
not only discharged the prisoners he
was to have tried, but entertained
them to dinner.
Speaking at Leith on. the 1.0tb.
ult., Mr. Reir Hardie, M. P., stated
that next election would see uo few-
er than 50 candidates at the polls
in the interest of labor,
THE PRINCE'S REASON.
A few years hence the little prince,
who figures in the following story
from the London Express will hoax
of the Nilo and Trafalgar and the
great victories won by the British
merchant seamen, tend 'Will know
that to be a sailor requiresoikill and
heroism; but just new his view pi
this noble profession—and of his
royal father as well—is refreshingly
natural and boyish.
Not long ago the Prince of Wales
went unexpectedly into the royal
nursery, and found his little son
busily engaged drawing on a bit of
scrap paper the picture of a ship.
"Well, Riddle," said the prince,
quite proud of his son's creditable
performance, "I'm very pleased to
see that you aro fond •of ships and
sailors. 1 am a sailor, You know."
"Yes, daddy," cried Prince Ecl.
ward, excitedly, "and 1 wanlb to be
a sailor, too, when I'm grown. up!"
"Ah," said the Prinee of Wales,
Sinning, "gold you. Want to be a sail-
or, do you? Because daddy's a
sailor, 1 suppose'?"
"Not becatise Of that, I think,"
said the young prince, thoughtfully;
"beta:Ise I don't like doing my les -
Sons always, and you needn't be
devor to be a. Sallee, need you, clad-
dy?"
Strangeo—"Are there many gossips
in this Village ?" rostmaster--"Well
the last census givit us a PoPylatirn
UV Seven hundreik,'4