The URL can be used to link to this page

Home My WebLink AboutThe Brussels Post, 1909-6-17, Page 30 1 -0+0+n++ 19.0+?+A'P4+O G IN THE TEETH , OF THE GALE A man and e woman stood lean- ing idly against "the rough berries which shielded the stumbling way - fares from the rooks hundreds of cot below. Often in the and clays they had •stood in the same place, watching the sun fade away below the distant horizon, listening to the dull boom of the weves as they rushed impotently against the white cliff side or gazing at the screech- ing gulls as they circled resentfully Above their heads. The woman moved restlessly, and a stone dislodged by her foot went crashing and rumbling down to the . surf below. She shuddered and glanced; furtively at her compan- ion ; then her eyes -wandered hack to the sinking sun, and from that to the boiling seta and rested there. It secmed'as though she feared to look into the grey oyes of her com- panion, eyes now clouded and sombre, eyes that were also looking seawards, but not at the sea or the red glory of the sinking sun, but ..rather into the future,. the future which lay somewhere out there — beyond. He turned abruptly, and his eyes grew wistful as be glanced at the flushed face of his companion: "So •this is thy final answer, Honor?" His .voice shook; slightly as he realized what that answer would mean to him. "It has been my answer this many a day -aye, for two months gone. Hadst thou but used thine eyes and seen—" "What?" the man interrupted.. "A gilded popinjay, all lace and ruffles, scented and powdered like some great Court lady, or a mum-` mer from Storton fair 1 Nay, my eyes were made for man's work, not for noting a woman's fashions." "And is't a man's work to bully a maid ?" "Bullythee 1 None can say Dave Connor ever spoke harsh word to any maid, let alone to thee, Honor. I do but claim that love yo swore to give me long ago." "Love? Faith, that I never did—" "What? Bast so seen forgotten ? 'Twas under Farmer Walsh's great apple tree—thou wert but a maid and 1 a lad fresh from my first sea trip, with the tar of the ropes still clinging to my finger-tips." "A child scarce can tell its mind, 1 liked thee well enough; aye, and liking might have gone to love, but -he came." "Aye, he came, and old friends were cast aside; old vows forgot- ten. Summer's drawing to a close, lass, nights are cold, and wind is rising ready for t' storm -time. • When that time comes he'll ride away, then what of thee? Will he take thee wi' him as his wife? Oh. lass, lass! Beware of him and his fine talk. 'Tis not for such fine gen- try to marry wi' simple 'fisher -folk. All his talk o' love and the great world out yonder is but a stepping- stone to thy undoing l" "'Tis. false! Ile means true by me. Even if 'twere not so, who made thee my keeper 1" The girl- turned -on him angrily, but quailed before the smouldering passion in his eyes. • "Listen l Honor lass. Say what ye will, but we've been sweethearts, thou and I, ever since thou wert a child and I agreat gawk of a hobble-dehoy. Ye used to ride on my shoulders down to where the boats lay at anchor so as ye -could wave a last kiss to me as we made for the open sea—e" "Aye," she, interrupted, petu lantly, "and a gay ,fool I was to ride upon thy shoulders, or wave kisses to thee. The lasses teased me sore for it, saying I had won the way to Black Conor's heart," "And so ye did, lass, so ye did. Don't go for to break that heart. I'll work for ye, toil •for ye, and who knows, maybe I'll be able to give thee as fine trappings as your fine gallant,: aye, and with a -Clean er, truer love. Let me stay- by thy side and just watch the smile in thy eyes—that smile ye always had for Dave Connor, till he came." For a moment something of the old• feeling stirred in the girl's 'heart. She remembered, with a glow of pride, that she alone of all the girls who would gladly have wooed the dark-browed fisherman had. the power to calm his 'stormy moods and make " the stern mouth soften. "Really, Dave-----" she replied, softly,. "the smile . would stilt be there if thou wart only sensible." "Sensible!" Tho man's voice rang with the rage that was slowly growing, "Would it be sensible for me to shut my eyes to what's afoot? Would it be possible for mo to let slip the love that has made life Beaven, aye, and that without a fight? No, no, yo don't. know Bieck . Conn or --yet 1" She shrank back stili farther •at his words, The fear that hacl been growing in her heart for days past took firmer root, What if Connor" and "air Guy Tennant met? The one strong and resolute'in his hon- tri est love, the other effeminate and selfish, strong only in the supremo egotism that cicada hfin seem almost god -like to the inoxgerienced girl. g Her gaze travelled past tho angry Man at her side and wandered down the steep cliff path, and the blood rushed to her faro as she saw and reeognised the immaoulate figure slowly ascending; treading cautt- ously, pausing every now and again to flick the dust from his shoes, toying with his white cravat, or taking a mierescopio pinch of snuff from the bejewelled box he carried, Penner noticed the flushed face of his companion and, turning, fol- lowed her gaze, The keen face darkened with rage as he under- stood, "So 'tis here ye meet?" he cried, "Here where many a time yo swore troth to me !" - „Huth, Dave, hush 1 Would ye break my heart? Remember, I was but a girl--" "Aye, true, true. But. ye' re woman now, .and eld enough to dis- tinguish between the rich man's lies and the poor man's honest love, Curse the day he came among us simple folk, the *white-faced cur !" Hush, hush, he will hear 1" "Will he now?" Ile flung back his head and she air rang with his harsh -laughter, ""That'll he do, and what care I for him? Will he draw. that pretty toy hanging at his hip and clear his way to you? clenching his great fists till the sin- ews stood out like whipcord on the brown arms. "Faith; an' I wish he'd try I" Tennant carne slowly towards them. From afar off he had seen the man standing aft the girl's side, and head heard his harsh laugh. Callous man of the world that he as, he had abused himself round- ly for meddling with the affection of thea rustic beauty and drawing upon himself the hatred of this man. But, whatever his thoughts were, his tone was carelessness personi- fied as he approached them and greeted Connor. "Ah, ,Connor, my lad," he drawled'; ""'pon honor, on such a day as this I wonder you are not afloat with- the othet a !" "Aye, an''maybe ye counted on my being out with them. Bet I've Gofer fish to catch—ashore!" The other laughed languidly as he laid bis band familiarly on Hon- or's arm. Whatever he felt, it cer- tainly was not part of his scheme to let' his rival know'it. Besides, these fisher -folk, with their • un- couth manners and rough speech, were vastly amusing, and he had all in readiness for flight the mo- ment the danger became too threat- ening, "Well, come along, Honor, my girl," he lisped. "Do not you see we keep Mr.—er—Connor from his —or—fishing?" Without another glance at the angry fisherman, he drew the girl's arm through his and turned away, lightly humming a` gay ballad. "One moment, Sir Guy Ten nant! He paused and turned with up- lifted eyebrows. Connor strode for- ward, threateningly. Slowly. Ten- nant's hand slipped' down to the elegantly -chased sword -hilt, round which his fingers closed. Had the moment for flight arrived? "Well, my man. Come, out with it. 'Pon honor, but 'tis'hardly courteous to keep the er—lady waiting." "Look ye here,- fine sir. I'm a plain man, and I come of plain folk —aye, and rough.-11�iaybe I take a liberty in speaking thus. to so grand a gentleman -maybe not. But I be going, to give ye a bit o' good advice:" "Weil?"' Tennant bowed gravely, and his voice betrayed signs .of a carefully -studied weariness. . After all, the danger was not as yet im- minent. "'Tis just this. There's a boat leaves here shortly for •the main- land. I'd advise ye tc pack thy traps and get aboard her." "`Really?" Tennant's eyebrows. rose again in aggravating inquiry. "I don't quite understand you 1" "No; there be some that won't, and some that. can't, understand a plain word or two. No matter which ye be, I'll make it no clearer here.'' "In that case I'm afraid I can't accept your advice. I should be loath to leave—just yet." His eyes wandered to the girl's frightened face. "There is so much to interest one here." ""Aye, the wrecking of a woman's soul, the breaking of" a man's heart. Ye'd best take myadvioe—'twill be much safer." ""Thanks, But I shall.take nei- ther your advice nor the boat. Come, Honor !" They strolled away, the girl throwing a glauce of frightened en- treaty at the man who stood against tho frail barrier, white-faced, strug- gling hard to keep., himself in hand. That night a storm arose. •— •a storm long remembered along the coast with bitter grief, for the sea claimed its toll and many a humble home was 'darkened and made do - rotate; many a brave man never re- turned to those for whose sake he had gone down to the sea in the morning sunshine, Black Connor, beside himself with grief and rage, sat where they 1 had left him—where he had spent so many happy hours with the girl he loved, and whom be now grieved as lost to him for. ever. Through i e chaos that filled his mind with a thousand maddening memories, one thought stood out clear and Well defined, A thought which 1 ripped him, and which he nourish- ed and tended till it became a mad- ness—Revenge 1 Ile would wait for this coward, this thief in the night, and, dogging hien down with silent footsteps, would suddenly epring on him. Before he had time to draw hie sword or scream for ltolp, the strong fingers would be at his throat gripping, tighter and .tighter; then he would raise the limp body in hie arms and fling it far out from the edge of the cliff to the merciless rocks below, giving bark to the sea the cur it had brought into their lives to cause ruin to bgtlt, Ile laughed wildly as he pictured the end. And so be sat on into the night while the wind rose and the storm grew apace, mocking at his misery, But he paid no heed to it, The sea was his friend; its moods were nothing to the man born and reared by its side; the man whose cradle had been its bosom., Slowly he raised his head and look- ed out into the storm with eyes that saw nothing but his rival's white, despairing face. A blood -red mist siwam before his eyes; then sud- denly he sprang to his feet with a startled cry. Out there in the teeth of the gale he could dimly see a blank patch which heaved and tossed about at the mercy of the storm. As he watched, a bright light shot from the patch up into the black sky, curved over, and vanished; an- other followed. : With a cry no started running ; swiftly, madly, down the steep path to where the dim lights of the village shone far below. His private wrongs werefor- gotten, for out there, stripped of her canvas, her rudder gone, was a little lugger : struggling gallantly against her fate. His vengeance could wait. For the time being he thought of one thing only—the poor souls clinging to the shrouds pray- ing for the .help which, unless it came soon, would be too late. Connor plunged madly on through the darknesss, He dreamed no lon- ger. Once more he was the man with a man's work to do, a man's danger to face. There were lives to save, man' to tear from the an- gry sea, and give back to those who loved them. His duty layout therein the teeth' of the gale. And now he could see lights flitting, about from point to point on the little stone jetty. Voices reached him, carried by the howling wind- "Black Connor --duty ! Duty? Duty 1 Duty -Black Connor I they seemed to cry. Along the narrow jetty he tore, a cheer breaking from the crowd at he forced his way through their midst, "Out with the boat! Steadily, my lade 1 Who's here — Jim, George? No, Jake, lad, thou's got- ten a wife—newly a mother; ye can't come out to -night. Duty? Thy duty's to her. Come, lads volunteers! Johnstone! Good lad --take thy place. dome, hurry! Who'll sail wi' Black Connor? There be men to save?" His keen eye swept over the little group, and his face grew black as the storm itself as he saw Tennant standing in the background, with Honor clinging to his arm. Tho girl was looking out over the churn- ing water, a great fear growing in her eyes. The memory of his wrongs came flooding back to him again;. then .his lip curled with -a contemp- tuous .smile. Two steps he took and with folded arms looked straight into the shrinking eyes of the man he hated -the man whom he had decided to give a chance of proving his manhood. "You, sir!" he said, quietly. "Will ye volunteer? All here be willing, but some be old, others wed wi' little ones to think on. Come! There be lives to save out yonder. What matters thine, or mine,; as long as they be brought safe ashore?" The crowd followed his gaze. "Aye," they cried. "Get ye aboard, man. Thou talks pretty. Let folks see what thou can do," Tennant shrank back muttering, shielding himself behind the tremb ling girl. For a brief moment Co i• nor looked at them. Then, with a laugh, he sprang aboard the boat. "Then we'd go one short 1 Aye, 1 know, lads, but no wedded man sails wi' Black Connor on a night like this. Cast away there! Stead- ily 1 Good-bye all 1" "God speed thee, lad!" An old woman's prayer was carried on tha hided, as the boat heeled over„ righted herself, and raced off on its errand of mercy, while the little group huddled together, strained !their eyes and --waited, The boat, manned by strong and willing hands, ploughed its way through the seatowards the wreck, uow breasting a huge wave, new buried in the trough of the m.un- tainous sea. Connor, at the helm, shouted words of encouragement to his men, and, flinging bank his head, laughed at the wini and waves. "Come, my lads! Mer: y now! Courage -we, ll win home yob, . . "There she is! Steady then. Slack, my lads? Steady." "Now the rescuers could see the figures on the doomed lugger, some sneeling in an attitude of prayer. Others clung to the shrouds while at the helm the skipper stood at his post, waiting with; a British sea- nee's pluck for the end that saeni ed inevitable. "Down with the sail—out earn Now, back water, lads, for yo'ke lues. Ah 1" IF High on the crest of a gigantic w t a e littlebeat Waft lion f wave the o 0 ward. A rope was tbrown ants deftly caught, The boats crew bent straining to the oars; the rope became taut, and quickly one by One the shipwrecked were hoisted over ;the side of the lugger and taken in the strong arms of the rescuers, Not a moment toe soon, for the gallant little lugger had lost the unequal fight and was rapidly set• tling down. A mile away on the jetty the peo- ple strained their eyes for a first glimpse of the returning boat, la the middle of the little group 'a woman prayed for the safety of her only son—his father had gone out gaily on the same errand and on hist such a night, but though they had waited long and patiently he had not returned. That wee years ago, and new the boy-- She cant live in a sea like this —it was madness to go elate;, "They are in the hands of God —He rules the sea, the wind. If it be His will—the boat will live," an old fisherman replied. Honor beard the words, but they brought no comfort, When the boat raced lout, something in her heart had seemed to snap. She thought of the' man who had gone out without a murmur, to risk his life for others. She turned and saw by her side the man who had hidden behind her at the gall for volunteers. "There she is—look 1" "Where?" "There! Are ye blind, woman? See, coming up the harbor mouth wi' the wind dead again her. There she rides on the top o' the big wave yonder, Hurry, women; blankets and hot drinks for them they've torn from death this night I" The boat came nearer, though slowly. She was heavily laden and her sail was gone, but the rescuers pulled bravely; they were nearly home. And now the moon came struggling out and the watchers could see more plainly. "What's amiss?" the old fisher- man cried. "See—Connor's steer- ing wi' his left hand. Belike his right arm be broken. See—'tis hanging useless at his side. Steady, lad ! Look how he reels as the boat heels over. Only a few more strokes and ye're safe!" "There's my lad—my lad !" the 'widow screamed. "Jim—Jim—Jim —my lad !" The boat grounded against the jetty side. Connor stood at the helm, his right arm broken, while a thin stream of blood trickled from a wound beneath the brine -matted hair. Strong arms lifted the rescued out and led them gently to the oot- 'tages. The Drew jumped ashore, to be clasped in loving arms, but Conner still clutched the tiller and stared ahead. The old fisherman jumped into the boat, another fol- lowed. Gently they released the helm from his stiffening grasp, and with infinite tenderness lifted him ashore. "'Twas bravely done, lad! Why—" Without a word, released from the friendly hands, Connor reeled and fell with a crash on to the rough stones. With a feeling akin to physical sickness, Tennant turned to his companion, but she was gone from his side. In the moment that Con- nor fell her heart .had spoken, and with a cry she sprang to his side, pushing aside the men who would have prevented her. "Dave, Dave!" she cried; "oh, my love, my love! Speak to me, dear. 'Tis I—Honor." Black Connor slowly opened his eyes, and a faint smile played for a moment round the corners of the haggard mouth. "Honor, my—little lass 1" The tired head fell back on her shoulder. Har tumbled hair swept his brow as elle steeped and kissed him on the lips—and so she held him,—London Tit -Bits. RESCUED FROM LIVING TOMBt Buried by an Avalanche for Nearly Three Months. The case of the man Bcnsaja, who was dug out from under the ruins of Messina, alive and com- paratively well, after having been buried for fourteen days ve,hout food, has been many times paral- leled in regard to similar catastro- phes in the past. Indeed, in the case of the great bcio earthquake, an entire family of seven persons was rescued after having been in a like plight for eighteen days. Again, when St. Pierre l rro was destroyed by the erup- tien of Mont Pelee in May, leo_ a• negro was found alive three days after the catastrophe in a dungeon beneath the foundations of the town prison, having been buried during that period under a mass of incandescent volcanic dust, red-hot lava, and boiling mud. He was the sole survivor of 30,000 people, and his escape is probably the' most marvellous on record. In April, 1877, several living men were rescued from the flooded Tyno- wydd Mine, near Pontypridd, Wales, lifter ten days' 'entombment, But this ocourreneo: was quite thrown into the shade in, the early part of the year 1009, when no fewer than !thirteen miners were found alive in the Courrieres Colliery, in 'ranee, and ;this, althoughthree hole: weeks ,had elapsed between nnite A_ u SE BOUT THE HOUSE 1t . 1!V 0+9+4 SEASONABLE SALADS Pea Salad. -One can of small peas, drained; ons -fourth of a round cream cheese;' one dozen small piekles, one talesbpoonful of finely (hopped onions. `.the cheese and pinkies should be cut find. Add mayonnaise dressing. Will serve twelve. French' Salad. --Drain the liquor from half a can of peas, add one pint of finely out Celery, one cup- ful of blanched and broken Eng lish walnut meats, and one cupful• of tart oranges cut into small piec- es, Toss together lightly, garnish with tender white celery leaves, and mayonnaise. Set in a cool place until wanted. Orange Salad. — Cut seedless oranges in cubes and cover with the following salad dressing: Yolks of four eggs, one-half cupful sugar, one-quarter cupful butter, two tablespoonfuls of vinegar, pinch of mustard, pinch of cayenne pepper. Cream butter, sugar and eggs, add vinegar, steam in double boiler un- til the consistency of thick cream, When cold add whipped cream and pour over oranges. Add pecan or English walnut kernels. Cabbage and Pimento Salad. — Shave one medium sized head of cabbage, mix through a generous teaspoonful of salt, one small Can of pimentos (red peppers), cut in small pieces, mix with the cabbage, and then dress ,with saladdressing which has already been made from this recipe: Yolks of two eggs bea- ten, two tablespoonfuls of sugar, one-half tablespoonful of flour, one. teaspoonful of mustard, one-fourth teaspoonful of salt, and a dash of white pepper; stir all together with the eggs, then add one-half cupful of milk and one-fourth cupful of vinegar. Cook in double boiler till it thickens. If too thick when ready to use it may be thinned with cream, Kartoffel Salad.—Cut into small pieces, Julienne fashion, cold boiled potatoes, two cupfuls or more, and cover with the following dressing: Two tablespoonfuls of olive oil (or melted butter, if preferred), one of cider vinegar, one teaspoonful of onion juice, a saltspoonful of salt, and one of black pepper. Allow the potatoes to marinate in this for half an hour, placing directly on ice to chill. When ready to serve add three chopped hard boiled eggs, three small onions grated, ono tablespoonful of minced pickled beet, eight finely sliced olives, and two tablespoonfuls of minced par- sley. Thoroughly blend the ingredi- ents together, adding one cupful of mayonnaise dressing, to which has been added two ounces of cooked bologna sausage rubbed to a paste. Arrange in cup of crisp lettuce leaves, decorating with hearts of blanched celery and cubes of aspic jelly. THE LAUNDRY. To Remove Iron Rust.—Saturate spot with lemon juice and cover with salt. Let stand in the sun for several hours. Removing Grease. Mix equal parts of ether, ammonia, and al- cohol, rub into grease spot, and al- low it to evaporate. Apply with sponge. "No Boiling."—Do not boil clothes, it causes them to become yellow. Prepare a boiling hot suds, and pour over them. Wash through this by hand, rinse and blue, and they will be white and no steamed up house. To Sat Color.—A spoonfulofox- gall to a gallon of water will set the colors of almost any goods soaked in it previoue to washing. A strong tea of common hay will pre- serve the color of French linens. Vinegar in ringing water for pink cr green calicos will brighten them. Soda answers the same purpose for purple and ue. To RestoreblScorched Linen—Take two onions, peel and slice them, and extract juice by squeezing or pounding. Cut up half an ounce of white soap and two ounces of fuller's earth; mix with onion juice and half pint of vinegar. Boil this ,well and spread when cool over scorched part of linen and leave it dry, Afterward wash the linen. Satisfactory Washday. Shave a, bar of good white laundry soap into a basin of cold water and add a tablespoon of turpentine and two of ammonia. Boil until the soap is. entirely dissolved. Pour this into a boiler of cold water, stir thor- oughly, then place the soiled white linenwear in. Allow the water to boil until the clothes are clean,' the occurrence of the accident—the worst ie the history of coal mining and the appearance of the rescue party in the distant underground workings, where the sole survivors had taken refuge, There is on record, too, se well - authenticated case of a Swiss fancily having been buried liy en avalanche and dug out alive after nearly three months. But then their hut, Of stone slabs, held together, they had food in plenty, and air and some light filtered down to thein from Above, • Shake thoroughly in the suds, wring out, blue, and hang in the sunshine, Little or no rubbing is required. This is a quick, ineepenstve, and thorough method of (leaning white (helm and .on not i re the fob - vie rioSoiled diapers are easily eleaned in this manner. OUT OE 1)00I1,S, Repotting Plants. --In replanting house plants place first dirt in pan and put in hot oven for a few minutes. It will destroy all worms and slugs. Support for Vines. -An old um- brella frame painted green and fastened to a strong post will make an escollen.t support on which to grow a vine in the beck yard, Useful Window Box.— Should be made about four feet long. This is sectioned off, and contains pars- ley, chives, and other greens for garnishingads. summer dishes. A few large nasturtium plants beautify the box, and serve for trimming sa- l CLEANING CARPETS. Formula for Cleaner. --Take one bar of white soap and out in fine pieces, boil in one gallon of soft water fifteen minutes, then add four ounces of borax and eight ounces of soda, Stir well, and add four gailons of cold soft water with one-half pint of alcohol. It is then ready for use, Apply with a soft brush, and rub dry with soft cloth. Enough for One Carpet.—Alco- hol, eight ounces; borax, four ounces; washing •soda, four ounces; white soap, one cake. Cut soap in email pieces and dissolve in one gallon of hot water. add borax and soda and then four gallons more hot water ; then add the alcohol and allow to cool enough to use. Scrub with a brush, wash off with clean water; and allow to dry. Your ear - pet will look like new. This is enough for one large room. TWO RELISE'r+S. Cabbage Relish.—Ono medium head cabbage, two onions, two sweet peppers, ends removed, cut in food chopper and moisten with salad dressing. Tomato Relish.—One pecir of ripe tomatoes, pesied and chopped, and strained ; use only the pulp; two cupfuls of chopped onions, two cup- fuls of chopped celery, two cupfuls cf sugar, two cupfuls of white mus- tard seed, one cupful of salt, two teaspoonfuls of ground cloves, two teaspoonfuls of ground mace, t.wo teaspoonfuls of black pepper ground, four teaspoonfuls of cin- namon, eight red peppers; remove seeds and chop fine; three pints of vinegar. Mix all well together, put in airtight jars. Do nut cook it, but keep in a cool place. SHOOTING WHALES. Modern Whalers' Use a Cannon and an Explosive Harpoon. Whaling with modern methods in Alaskan waters is an exciting game, especially for those who are new to the business. The modern whaling steamer is a Little vessel almost round on the bottom, which enables it to be turned and managed with the great- est ease. Mounted at the bow is a small cannon that shoots a harpoon weighing more than 100 pounds and having an explosrta head, called the bomb. If the shot is good and the har- poon is planted squarely behind the fin, says the London World's Work, the bomb crashes into the lungs, killing instantly; if not, the struggle may last for several hours. After a whale has been killed the carcase is brought alongside the boat and inflated so that it will float. A long coil of rubber hose, one end of which is attached to a pump and the other to a hollow spear pointed tube of steel, with perforations along its entire length, is used for this purpose. The spear is thrust well down in- to the whale's side, the air pump started and the body slowly filled with air. When inflated enough to keep it afloat the tube is withdrawn, the incision plugged with oakum and the carcase cast off. A bony with a flag is attached to the body and it is then set adrift to be pick- ed up et the end of the day's hunt- ing. The whaling station is a group of buildings situated in a bay or cove near enough to the feeding grounds to allow the steamer to come in each night with the day's catch. The whales are anchored at a bouy in front of a long, inclined plat- form, upon which they are drawn, tail first, by means of a steam winch. The saying that every part of the pig but the squeal is nowof market value is also a fact with the whale. Not a particle of the animal is wasted. After the skeleton is strip- ped of :flesh it is disarticulated and the bones (hopped in pieces. The blubber is tried out for oil and the meat and bones are boiled for the swine purpose, Later the fleshis artificially dried and siftod, making a fine guano, nand the bones aro greened up for fertilizer. Even the blood is boiled and dried with the flesh, and the water in which the blubber has been tried out makes excellent glue. The fins and tail after being sliced into thin strips lira salted and barreled and shipped to Japan as an article of food.' THE WILD MAN OF MEXICO ONE Or THE QUEEREST 0 r lit/MAY I3aciCIi A S. Very Old Ilan, Clothed Only In Ilia Own White nab, Living Wild, Indiana from the leas Playas Riv- er headwaters, 120 miles from the Pawn of Tonala, on the Gulf of Mexico, reported at that village, re- cently that the wild man who has haunted the Montana Jabon trict for many years has again an,. peered. This mountain is in the •State of Tabasco, near' the Vera Cruz border, says the Mexican Mer akl The old man,. known by the na- tives es "el hombre de silvestre de nionte," has his abode near the ilio de las Playas, a stream at the foot of the Jabon Mountain, and a tri- butary to the'Tancochapa River. He is supposed to live in an old aban- ctoned mine, one which has not been worked for more than a cen- tury, according to older men of the district. It is said no other per- son has ventured within -,.e shaft in the last fifty or more years be- cause of the many sucperttitions oonneoted with the plane. Many natives and one American are said to have apprnkched the entrance during the last generation, but none has passed inside. Vampire bats and small animals inhabit this cave and many weird sounds come from its depths. The old man is known to have lived in the neighborhood for more than fifty years, and in that time is said not to have spoken with an- other living soul. He is thought to be Spanish because of the clear- ness of his skin. When seen re- cently by hunters his hair and beard were white and long and his body entirely covered with white hair. He is quite old—probably 90 years—as nearly as can be judged from the many stories told by those wbo claim to have seen him, The old man has been approached to within a distance of easy conversa- tion, but when addressed uttered a few incoherent sounds and ran into the woods. He is harmless and is said to have never shown fight when approached. The fact that he carries constantly a bow and ar- rows would indicate that he eats flesh and fowl as well as fruits and herbs. As for clothing, he wears absolutely nothing,at least when he has been seen his crooked old frame has ben draped in nothing except the long white hair which covers his body. 'Three years ago the old man was seen near this abandoned mine, but soon afterward all trace of him was lost till some days ago. This time he was seen by an old Indian, who was passing down Rio las Playas in a canoe. lie reports the wild man as being much more feeble than when last seen and his antics are of a wilder nature. Redid not run, as in former years, but instead frolicked about and laughed in a most hideous manner, making faces at the Indian and eonduoting"him- self generally in the way becoming a half-witted person. The old man is said to have never had a companion in this weird life, but he is supposed to have become demented when, more than sixty years ago, he returned to his home in a nearby village and,found his young wife murdered. The shook is supposed to have caused his mind to become unbalanced and he im- mediately segregated himself from the rest of mankind. He is not feared by the older Indians and Mexicans of this out-of-the-way dis- trict, but he has served as the bo- gey man who will get unruly chil- dren. .MIs name is much feared by the little ones in the neighborhood, and iu their minds he is capable of many terrible things. And, it is not strange to relate, the terrible long-haired wild roan never molests well behaved children. THE RELATIONSHIP. "You say, madam," said the be- spectacled lawyer to the woman in the witness -box, "that the defend - nut is a sort of relation of yours. Will you please explain what you mean by that—just bow you aro re- lated to the defendant?" The witness beamed upon the Court and replied :— "Well, it's just like this, first wife's cousin amid my second husband's first wife's aunt married brothers named Jones, and they wore cousins to my mother's.aunt. Then, again, his grandfathet on his mother's side and my d - father on my mother's side` second cousins, and his therm married my husband's step, after his father and niy ei _` died, and his brother Joe and my busband's brother Harry married twin sisters. I ain't never figgered out just bow close related we are, but I've always looked on 'im as v, sort of cousin," i13. "Quite so," answered the lawyer. "Your explanations are .perfectly satisfactory." DESPERATE, A. merry man who makes a joke Is said to be a joker, But if some fun 1 charier, to.poke Cite I be called a poker? t