HomeMy WebLinkAboutThe Brussels Post, 1894-4-6, Page 2CHAPTER VIII.
Oliver wondered if the Frenchman had
nom( to kill hien. There was no time to
cry out or to move in self-defence. 1f Pe
;f eetautl came to murder, ire was prepared
to do it quiekly : up in the valley of h
Aroublesctne lie had boon aaUad a good
shot.A vagrant ray of ounohino filtered
en between the slats of the closed blind,
xeseiug on a faded spot on the carpet.
Oliver idly watched it while thoughts of
hie peat, the present, the woman who had
Bust written him, went through 1110 mind
.swifter than ever electricity carried e. mew
mage.
A lamp lit and bright, a flash, a crash,
land darkness. Oliveret fingers tightened
;nn the arm of his chair, his lips quivered.
,11Ie moaned to be gazing down the nnfatho•
. stable depths of eternity. The 'sins of his
past came and leered at him; the awful, un-
onewered question of the centuries, of all
recorded tune, haunted him : " And
Afterwards?"
He had heard that madmen quailed at
bravery, were deterred front evil purpose
by quiet common sellae: 00 he looked
steadily at his visitor. What a dreadful
creature he heel become ! Nor was 10 liquor
alone that had crazed his brain. There is
a drug so easy of purchase, so pleasing of
.effect at first, that insensibly it steels away
reason, caution, decently. On rho hairy
hand of the Frenchman were tiny red dots;
and similar dots tattooed all his body. He
had not learned to tako morphine in the
convenient capsules,snd hie d.sipation was
attended by atiny pain like the prick of
conscience. He was terribly pale,with the
glazed pallor of a corpse, his eyes weirdly
bright, his hair,a few months ago untouch-
ed by time, streaked with gray. Of all sad
drift on the shores of time a human wreak
like this is the most dreadful.
" You are surprised to nee me," De
'f-i,estaud said, calmly, but his long thin
fingers trembled, showing the agitation he
strove to repress.
" 1 should be glad to assist you in any
may," Oliver answered, his veioe strangely
hoarse, the words coming with difSnulty.
"I think you can," said the other,slowly,
"for you seam to have influence with her
and that old she -dragon, her aunt. I know
all about that night, your visit down the
railroad. 1 know 1 have a son, and for his
sake I want you to help me."
"What am' do ? Surely you musthave
a lawyer of your own. I would not under-
take your case for any consideration."
" Do not bo too hasty, Mr. Oliver.
I do not require your services
in any legal capacity, but, as you say in
this country in your labor difficulties, as an
arbitrator. lhly nephew in France is dead,
and my father writes one to come home and
bring my wife and child."
"She will never consent," Oliver said
hastily, "Her aunt would not let her go."
"I think a husband has some rights, 1,1r.
Oliver. You see I am very temperate in
the matter, thought 1 have cause for anger.
Now, my son has a future; my father will
make him his heir, for my brother is rich,
and, besides, none of us are long•lived. I
shall not last long; you see I have failed
very fast, I want to go back to my own
country and live the few days left, and I-
1— want you to help me.' He broke down
in a womanish we y and tools out his hand-
kerchief. Oliver had felt contempt before,
it turned to pity now for the ehambline
creature so wretched in his mental degrada-
tion. "I am willing to forgive her the dis-
grace she has brought upon me," he sobbed,
•'even that application for divorce. My
father will overlook the fact that I married
cut of my station,—beneath me; though
never before would he notice my marriage.
a in the
bhe difference The child Itas
made all h
world and I haven't oven been allowed to
see him. It is a crime to treat a father so.
:Even an American court must recognize my
rights."
" I have no confidence that; you would
treat your wife decently if she came back.
It world be an unwise experiment." Oliver
said, coldly.
"But I give you my word I will. She
can have that awful aunt with her always.
I will not say three words to either of them.
She can have her own house in Paris, or
live with my father: only ask that my
child shall be brought back to me and my
father shall be his guardian. You see your-
self I am fair and generous in the matter.
There is a great difference between the heir
of the De Restaud millions, one of the finest
names in France (I know I ani not a worthy
representative of the family,monsiour),and
the child of a divorced woman in that
frightful Maine town, where they go to
sewing-soeietieador one ploaeure and to
prayer -meetings all the week. You know
a divorce trial seldom comps out with a
good name,—not without reproach. tjon'
eider it well, and write Mian Patten what I
say. Truly 1 think my wet() liar a groat
Minty for you," to door. " Ala
Oliver rase and opened the
de l ctatand, I will write you my decision.
I really mast ash yon not to prolong this
interview. There is a limit to my forbear-
ance."
De Hasten('„ bowed mockingly. I simll
look for your answer soon. Perhaps the
doctor also could influence Mrs, de Restaud.
I esteem the doctor : he is au honest man,
and has been good to my son.”
With a polite bow the Frenchmen disap•
peered, and Oliver event back to hie desk.
What should he do . what could he do ?
Do Restaurl would carry out his threat
there was no 1100111 of that. And, after all,
would it not be batter for his wife to re -
tam ?
etitin? If the family in France would tare
for her and the child they would be safe ;
and most women would loop termed. to
such a bright future. Tl she refused to
tome, a trial, the publicity of a courtroom,
the nowepapers, a life-long something to be
whispered aboot her by some one who had
heard, How explain that daring delve
acroea 000ntry ? viewed in the cold light of
reason it eves a foolish thing ; and he,
Craig Oliver, must go on the witness•
stand and be questioned. A lawyer is a
poor witueso, and he would bo. A man
of his egedoingsunh aromantic, silly action.
Then that story to the conductor. The other
side would find him, of course, and perhaps
a passenger who had seen hlinny's farewell.
The whole thing was inexplainable. Than
his own past, the life of a wifeless ratan of
the world,—how would the jury of hard
working men view that? They had families
and uo temptations, and he was rirt• and
had enemies. It was social and political
death for Lim, and lie knew it ashe sat
there, yet he did not write.
A week later Doctor John came in. Thera
was no need of telling him : he had met Do
Restaud, and had oome to see what Oliver
would do.
"I have not written her," said Oliver,
awkwardly, "except a little note thanking
her for her letter, I shall not Write what
he wanted."
"I have, though," seed Doctor John,
' both to Mrs. Minny and her aunt. The
Frenchman cannot trouble thorn long, and
after a year or so Mrs. Minny will be a
Parisian. All I know of Paris said life
there is from novels. Gad, I think if they
are true Mrs. Minny will be quite at home
in France. She likes things different, you
know."
I should be a coward to advise her in
this matter," Dried Oliver. " I shall have
nothing to do with it."
However, after an hour's talk with his
sensible old friend he changed ais mind and
wrote a severely formal letter to Mrs. de
Restaud, advising her to return to her hus-
band. Her answer was a piteous appeal.
What did he mean ? After all that had
happened, did he 'think she should trust
herself with a man who every one said was
crazy. Dootor John read and shook. his
head. "She won't come," rte said ; "but
you keep on writing, for the Frenchman
means what he says. I see him often as he
comes to my office. She need notsay three
words to him, and her aunb can be with her
always till she'ts safe at his father's.
This was duly written, but the answers
both from Miss Patten and her niece wore
unsatisfactory until a few days before the
time set by De Restaud. Oliver, madden-
ed by her disregard of his warning, for
he learned De itestaud had his lawyer
engaged and the case would be pre-
sented, telegraphed her, "Are you coming
or not? I bog you will come at once. We
cannot face the consequences." use u
areas.'
Ho felt
like a coward, but what else could lie do ?
Fight with a madman in a court -room ? it
was horrible. The answer came promptly
from Mrs. de Restaud : she would start at
oaoe.
Oliver took the telegram and went to find
Do Restaud. The suit
hill done h e part r divorce
there
stopped. P
was no need for further anxiety. He drove,
to Doctor John's office, but the doctor was
up in the mountains attending a case, and
would not be back for a day or two. He
knew where De Restaud lived,—a furnish-
ed house he had hired for a fow months,—
and he drove there. After some delay,
Annette, more corpulent than ever, opened
the door in response to his ring. She seem-
ed worried and timorous in her manner,
and looked at him blankly as he asked Mor
in Englieli if Monsieur was at home. Then
Oliver remembered, and tried in imperfect
French. She brightened up.
"No, monsieur,' she said eagerly, "he
is seldom here ; and Louis is always away.
TSF B]bETSS LS POS',
At the pollee station Oliver
could •learn nothing ; De Rostaud had
y+, nn from a
-Oliver it d seri tion of
the object of hie march to a a ee ire
went home. In the early morning the man
carne to hes henna, He had nob found De
Rostaud, bub had learned and told such a
story of depravity and vice that Oliver's
half•formed purpose became an insbane
decision, detective said 000ll
" lenses," the da Y,
when agent gits clown he's apt to be a
eight lower then jest a borned tough ; and,
as I can learn, thio pertikler one has se
out to see just how quick lee kin fling awity
what little life he's got left in him, wa' how
low he kin gib wdoin' ib ; an' this ain'b
harf I've learned."
"It is enough," Oliver said, briefly, es he
paid and dismissed him. Phan he hastily
ate breakfast, left directions for his clerks,
and took the train for the East. He had write
ten Mrs. do Restaud whet road to Dome to
Chicago, for he might wish to telegraph her
there and he reckoned there was yet time to
meet her before she took tram for Denver.
He would tell Miss Patton the whole story
and send her and her niece back.
He would advise them to go direotto Paris.
Annette's advice was good. He was Dare•
loss never to have thought of it before.
Oliver shuddered at the prospect of the
case in court. He would have to endure it
if De Restaud would not listen to row
son. Perhaps he could keep it out of the
papers, But he knew in lits heart not : he
was well hated. "All for the Troublesome
little lady," he sighed. "A pretty mess I
got myself fate, assisting distressed dam.
eels. And yet what man situated as I was
that night would have done otherwise?"
In the depot in Chicago a pretty 'young
woman was frantically searching for a par-
ticular baggage•man. She had on a neat
blue gown, a seal -skin jacket, and a jaunty
hat set over her curls. She was so sweetly
pretty that several iron•liearted train -
employees were moved to interest and gym.
pathy.
"He was quite short and fat," she said,
anxiously, and Skye really seemed to like
him, and he slid he world take the very
best care of him"
"What is the matter, Mrs. /slimly?" said
a voice just behind her.
"Oh, Mr. Oliver 1" she cried, delighted-
ly, giving him both her hands. 'How
glad I am to see you 1 1 have been so wor-
ried 1 I hate travelling ! I can't find the
mat who has my dog. Oh, there he is 1"
A fat baggage•nnan carte along the plat-
form at that moment, dragging a discorso•
late mass of wool tied by a disproportion-
ately large rope.
" Oh, thank you ever so much 1" /finny
beamed on him, hnggiing the dog in her
arms. Isn't he nice? Ho knows every-
thing."
"A sight," said the man, pleasantly,
"and wasn't no particular trouble."
au we were having auoh a lovely bine. I
l
to go back to iim, Yen know I thought
hew sorry you l be when I (lied o n broken
ant t'a nness and 'oe'd acme to
see me in my coffin, The Troublesome
little lady would be Troublesome no more,
but still and quiet es you'd lilts eor to ba,
and ofd and e0rrowful, for one clay of my
old life with hint would take all the young•
nose out of me. Perhaps your 0onecience
Would hurt you a little because you had
driven me back; for I would not have oono
but for you, The thought that your kind -
nese to me would injure your good name
made me miserable. I)r, John wrote how
your political prospects world bo ruined,—
politioal prospeste is right, is it not 1—and
you couldn't bo governor 01' anything,"
"Minny, say no more, oiled Oliver, his
office trembling, " my dear little.girl, It
breaks my heart Dootor John was gruel
to write such nonsense ; he Was too eager
to serve me, I don't want office ; and I
would face the elender of the world to
spare you a moment's pain.".
She trembled so at his words he stopped
in the midst of a sentence, reproaching him-
self for his lack of self•control. They were
silent a few moments; then alio said, with
Iter old smile,—
"Now we've made up,—haven't we?--
and you aro just as nice as you were that
night,. so please may my dog. run a little on
the snow ?"
Of course," he said, and let free the
small animal, who darted after birds, bark-
ing joyously. Among the discomforts of
having an erratic mistress were long con-
finement in cold dark oars and aurrepttoious
jouroeyings under shawls and in baskets : so
in these latter days of sudden journeys and
imprisonment Skye had grown. to prize
his Moura of freedom. Perhaps in hie
heart, though, he willingly endured nights
in the baggage -car for the joy of being rid
of that rod -faced black•eyed something
who slept so much and whom he must never
waken with a happy bark or jump. How
many times o0 account of that red-faced
thing who cried had his darling's aunt
scouted hint out of doors with a broom,
saying, " Scat, you dog ! there, you've
waked the baby again." Now, his dear
mistress was litre her old self, and he, Syke,
though he never would tell, had seen Miss
Hannah and that baby slinking away from
the house in Maine like criminals, and he
had never noticed their departure by one
small bark, for fear they might return.
ver far yenr0, to can't help being fully boouuae I don't
baro
evidently bought immunity meet 1 Tile SoYeile• haled Knife,
f b len
sr tae he eyed with
hunger and longing the handsome pookot•
knife which his uncle was just replacing in
his pocket, "ain'tthat stunning? Wouldn't
I like to have one lilts it, though? Quite a
difference." And as lie spoke the words of
comparison, he drew from his pocket his
mitoh.abused, nicked, single -bladed knife,
which had been a Ohristmas present to him
only a few menthe ago.
" I (Mould nay there is quite a difference."
responded Hurry, with a sniff towards
Jack's knife. "Maybe when you got to los
AS old as uncle Raymond, Jack, you, con
have enols a knife as thou ourself.
" You'd bettor believe I will," was Jack's
putitive assurance,
"Yee," said mole Raymond, who had
been quietly rubbing the blade with his
silk handkerchief, and apparently" not
noticing whet the boys were saying. antl
you can get it in the same way I got mine,
if you choose."
Why, how was that ?" asked both boys
in concert.
Well, I don't mind telling you. It
was on the principle that quality is better
than quantity. Look there, Jack, your
knife ie almoeb as large as mine,"
The boys looked perplexed, as though
they did not understand their uncle Ray
mood's remark. Seeing their looks, he pro-
ceeded to explain.
" Yon see," said Ito, "ib was this way
when I was a boy. For a long time I
thought the m0o0 desirable thing in a poc-
ketknife was size, and when I eaw a boy at and heart, which brings into play tho high-
er faculties of the nature, such as sympathy,
benevolence, faith, courage, self-deniai and
virtue, each of which is a blade in itself,
giving employment and enjoyment when
the possession and gratification of mere
wealth utterly fails tosatisfy."—[New York
Observer,
,Stolt ab heart , llvot gate 0 p Whew 1 " said Jack
d 6 t and
heart l! i mea )
my wife is not fit to bring up a child. How 1 like the farm better. I am alone always,
did she act with you ? Was that right end always. Monsieur is so bad, too,—oh,
proper oven in an Amoricau young fy, dreadful I ever, Louis is afraid of him."
eh ?"
"I fail to see anything in the conduct of 1 Oliver hesitated. The poor soul was even
Mrs. de Restaud that would not stand, nefriendly, she was so lonely, Perhaps she
most searching investigation." said Olfm. r.
"Your own case would not be so clear; a
1 ware you an American jury is always d n
the aide of a woman it she is good and has
been wronged."
"You are on a very high horse, Mr.
Oliver. Perhaps I can assist you to dis-
mount. My wife's lawyer writes me she
will sue tor a divorce. Very woli,so shall I
myself."
"Really Mr. de Restaud, this is none of
my affair," cried Oliver, impatiently. "I
refuse to listen to you any longer."
"You will, monsieur, because it shall be
your affair."
"How?"
"I shall name you the co-respondent.
Your drive with my wife that night will
have no romanoe for a jury of aober-
minded citizens. Do not be too hasty.
I have letened to conversation at a club
political hero, and I have heard you desire
office some time, to be governor of the
State. The scandal which you cannot
anemic will hurt your ohanoos, oh ? I find
the world eager to hear such things,
the newspapers of the opposition most anx-
ious to publish ugly stories of an opponent.
You have made many enemies hi your pro.
feseion : this will be their opportunity,"
"You are an infernal scoundrel I" said
Oliver, white to the lips. " If you were
anythieg but a morphine wreck I would
throw you out of my otfioe."
" I do net desire to quarrel. I am a oink
man,—much weaker than I thought." De
lteotaud paused and wiped 1110 wet fore.
head, breathing heavily, "Theo has been
a task. You know the consequence, : you
persuade my wife to come beak to me,
with the aunt if she desire, but my child,
and go to France, or I bring suit for divorce
add the custody of my child and tell all the
facts."
"Itis utter folly," cried Oliver. " What
can 1 do? I have no lnfiuonoo over your
wife; I hardly know her; and the aunt
Will neverermit her 10 return."
"The old is strict; site ie proud, ton well, for the- mad Frenohma had been t "NOW, please don't be email," her pretty
and a young woman who had been through jfaniliar figura bi the night, world of Den. mouth quivered end her oyes filled, "jttet salute to the red ensign,
was not bad hearted.
"Do you think it would bo right for
madam to return 1" he asked, slowly re-
calling each word from an i mperfoct memory.
He repeated it, es she did uotconprohend;
then her manner ohenged.
" Oh, Monsieur," she riled, in horror,
"novor, never 1 Ho has said he will kill
her. He walks all night sometimes, and
raves about Mor, and looks so dreadfuh
Louis said be did nob like Madame, but
for fhe general's sake, she must keep away
from Monsieur. There would be a crime)
and the De Restauds are 30 proud. 1 think
Monsieur is quite mad now ; end be is so
thin ; he eats nothing, and some nights
there are two sten to hold him, he sees auoh
things, I did not like Madame, she was
not a French lady, but I wish my worst
enemy no such fate as to he here."
"You knew," said Oliver, "theta was a
baby, a little boy?"
"Yea, monsieur, and I am thankful.
Madame may have a good heart : she loved
the little dog. I think she would do right
to go to France,—to the general ; he is a
grand man, and now there is no ono of the
name ; little Alphonse in Paris le dead,
and his beautifnl mother is dying of grief,
they write us." '
Oliver eloped a dollar in the woman's
fat hand. "You are a good soul," ho said,
kindly, "I trust name day you will be
back in France and have a farm of your
owe."
" Here is my trunk -check," Minny said,
giving it to Oliver, "and my satchel is
somewhere: in that corner, 1 set it down ;
it's a wonder I did not lose it. 01, what a
time Inc'had I Now where shall we go?"
"To find Miss Patten," smiled Oliver,
taking the satchel and umbrella, while she
followed carrying the dog, and the small
audience of trainmen looked after her in
open approval."
"To lend Miss Patton, of course."
"011, goodness ! 1 wish we could 1"
giggledMrs. Minny,
' What?" cried Oliver.
"It's her turn, Mr. Utive.', She has run
away.
"Not with you? You are not alone?"
"Why, of course. Who was there? I
think it mean of you to look cross, when I
came to keep your name outof my troubles
because the doctor wrote it would ruin all
your political prospects. You helped me
once, and I am coming back to a man I—I
hate,—yes, I do, —and am afraid of, so no
a word a
bout
you." She look-
ed
say
one w
Y
d at him with
triumphant virtue so satis-
fied
P
fiad and sweet he hung his head, the words
of reproach dying on his lips.
"Well, there's the baby and nurse -girl,"
he said, hopefully.
" Why, no," she laughed. "Didn't Ito
you ? Aunt Hannah stole the baby. She
ran away herself this time. Oh,' do hire
ono of those cunning Dabs, and we'll go for
a drive, and I'll tell you all about it.'
"Theolts, monsieur,—and the bosutilnl
poultry I had such comforb with in the
moilntaine; it was better there,"
He hoard the holes rattle behind him as
be wont to the waiting merino. The poor
soul was almost a prisoner from her hare,
What should he do'1 Mrs. Minn}, had
Muted, and he could not roach hoe by
telegraph. He told the driver to go to
the different gambling -horses, and. at each
ono he got out and searched for the French-
man. He was not gambling, the dealers
told him, all knowing Do Redland only too
APRIL 0, 189,1-
it
89,t
it all around, said: "Very good, very geed;
My boy, provided you aro going to plate a
business .+f cutting kiodliage or brueltWOoI
00 skinning doer ; but none of thee() !hinge
Mho very inttolt skill. It la better to bo a
mat of many toots than of one, and 1 poo•
mise you that every now tent of whieb yon
l,arnthe pam0 and use 80 ae to handle lb
with caro and 01ti11 I will get for yore"
"After t hat I went to work learniot
something oleo besides whittling. I learn-
ed to bore, drill, eaw, file and do half a
dozen other thinge, and when the timeoame.
for fulfilling the promise, my grandfather,
who had recently made a trip to the oily,
handed too ont this beaubiful knife with its
complete sot of tools."
"And I can't do anything bot whittle
with mine 1" said Jack, looking ruefully at
Ids big one -bladed "toad stabber,' au
Harry called It ; " while you tau do a dozen
things with yours."
"And don't forget, boys, there ie as
auoh difference in mesas there is inknives,".
said Unolo Raymond. " A boy may geb
the idea that money can take the place of
character and culture ; but it shows he
doesn't know the difference between a single
bladed knife and one with a set of tools."
"Well," said Jack, speaking half to
himself, and as though his mind was felly
made up on the snbjoet. " I tell you what ;
I moan to be a eeven.bladed knife, and
Frank Brown may be a one -bladed knife if
he chooses. I don't believe there is so much
in money after all."
" Not half so much in the way of con-
tributing to one's happiness," said Uncle
Raymond, by way of a parting remark,
" as there is to that cultivation of mind
"I am very hungry," said Mrs. Minny
as the carriage turned back to the city,
" and as my dog is hungry 100, it would he
a good idea for you to take us to a private
room in seine restaurant, where we can
feed Skye on the carpet when the waiter is
out."
Tluare was nothing to do, of course, but
to accede to this denmised: The very fact
that she was hungry appealed to Oliver's
generous heart. He thought, however, as
they went up the stairs to a 000ey private
supper-room,this wouldsoundunploasantly
to a jury. He could even fancy the actor•
ney for the prosecution's question, "Did
you, Mr. Oliver, think this proceeding a
proper ono?Does societycousider it discreet
for an unmarried man to take a young
married Indy to such a piers in the absence
of her husband?" etc. Still, Mrs. 1tlinny
enjoyed everything so much, Oliver forgot
his fears, and wee merry enough in his
way. The dog, gorged with food, showed
oft his most amusing tricks, which Mrs.
Hinny admitted he never would do before
when strangers were present.
"I think he is really getting fond of
you," she said tenderly.
Oliver, aware of the silliness of it, but
pleased at that trustful glance, said he
hoped so.
He left Mrs. Minny at a hotel, register-
ing her name and ordering a good room for
her, than with almost a sense of relief
walked to another hotel, a long distance
away. He hoped the spy might be follow.
in :once
or twice be
looked
behind but
S
1 a tele•
thein seemed no one. At his Roto
gram awaited him. It was from a clerk in
his office :
"Dr. Achoro telegraphed from Pueblo
to you in Denver, ' Hons. de Rostaud died
this morning at the insane asylum. Fun•
eral in Denver.' I telegraphed him you
wore in Chicago."
A second telegram was brought Oliver
just as he was going to', bed : it was from
Doctor John :
"Toll Mrs, de Pasteur'. They need not
come on—too Wafer funeral. Was uncon-
scious. Left no message. Glad you aro
with them.
Jottx Aarioxx."
Death had released the suit for
divorce : it would never be brought,
and the vengeance of a crazed brain
was over. With a quick boat of
his heart Oliver realized Mrs. Minny was
free at last: perhaps she could learn to
care for him some day,—with a swift re•
pulsion as ho thought of the deed far across
the plains. Yet for Daae death had boon
kind to the living, and who was there to
mourn Henri de Restaud? His mother
flied in his boyhood, his father drove him
from France, his wife hated and feared
him, his child would never see his face,
and his servants ware only kept by lavish
payments. So men may make a mockery
of living, a shame of days, may be blots on
Oda fair earth, useless in a uaoful world,
may cause but pain and sadness, and go
into eternity more friendlies, more wretch•
el in their ealf•infliotod degradation, than
the outcast dog slinking through the
alleys of a city.
(TO DE C0\T15UeD.)
"The hansoms would be too cold, Mts.
Minny. We will take this carriage," he
said, calling one ; and she, very well pleas-
ed, got in with the dog while he deposited
her luggage on the front seat.
"You see," she said, loaning baok on the
oushioned seat as the carriage left the noisy
stone pavement and talking was possible,
"Aunt Hannah got it into her heed that
I did not love Francois—the baby—
enough. He really did seem to fuse the
moment I took him ; and Aunt Hannah
knows so many rules for bringing up ohil-
dren that I was nowhere with my own
child. Old maids do, you know. Then bo
got to look more like Hon—Monsieur de
itestaud every day ; and that was a trial.
Aunt Hannah said he was just fretty, Int
I thought him de Restauly. I suppose I
am awfully wicked, but I was glad Aunt
Hannah wanted him. Then there was--"
Mrs. Minny hesitated and looped away ; a
faint blush colored her rotund cheek,—" a
redheaded young man who took me riding,
--horsebaok•riding. I am sure thele is no
harm in that. A homely young man; she
added, seeing the shadow on Oliver'o face,
"not nioo at all ; but ono must have some
friends. And then one morning when she
was making the bed Aunt Hannah found
your letter under the pillow,—your first
ono; not the ugly ones telling ma it was
my duty to come back to my husband.
Funny business letters tlioae, not like you
or that lovely ride we had. I was deeper.
ate at having to come back : so maybe I
was mean to Aunt Hannah. One day she
and the baby and its clothes disappeared,
and she lofts note tolling me that' was not
to search for her, for she was going to put
Frankie—that's What she calls him—in safe
keeping."
I am sure there was no harm in that
latter," he said, stiffly.
"Oh, she wouldn't read it ; I couldn't got
her to ; and, just to tease because she said
my behavior was scandalous, I kissed the
tetter and hid it away."
Well, this is a nice affaiu," said Oliver,
smiling a little because Mrs. Minny was so
gayly happy. " I don't see what we are
going to do. I thought your aunt would
be with you so I hurried en to prevent your
coming, It would not 1i0 safe. Your
—Mr. do Rostaud has grown worse,—I
think is losing hie mind. I oamo to send
you to Franco, to the ell general, whore
probably bliss Patton has gone. Now you
are alone. De itestaud has e spy following
tee, I am sure ; ha had in Denver, and --
Oliver could not say his womb sttspioion0.
school with m knits larger than mine,
envied trim and din not rest satisfied until
1 had in some way traded for that knife.
Than I was satisfied for a little while, until
I saw a larger one, when I wanted to got
that ; and so kept on until I became the
proud owner of the largest knife in the
whole neighborhood—an immense hunting
knife. which was almost too heavy for my
pocket."
Ho, ho I" laughedJack, "that reminds
me of what father said about Mr. Brown
buying land. He first owned a small farm,
then bought a larger one, then another ad-
joining that, another adjoining that, endso
kept on buying farm after term until ho
owned more land than any other man in
the country, butetill he was not satisfied."
" No ; nor do I suppose I should have
been with my pocketknife, Ifsome one had
told me that in another town there was a
pocketknife as large as is butcher's cleaver,
I should have wanted to go straight and
trade for that."
" Aud," broic° in Harry, " they say Mr.
Brown is going to leave all his land to
Fran!!. Prank was bragging to the boys the
other day about what a fine time he would
have. Fre pooh-poohed ab the idea of his
having to study hard at acltool. What need
would he have for so much education, when
he was going to be rich ? Ho guessed he
wouldn't have to earn his living by teaching
school or keeping books, or anything of that,
sort. I'd like to be as rich as Frank will
be."
" It's the same mistake," said uncle Ray
mond with a quiet smile. " Quantity can
never take the plaoe of quality, The man
who looks upon his time and opportunities
as mere tools with which he can carve out
success in a given time, that 10, getting
ahead of his follows, makes the name was.
take I did about the pocketknife."
" That isn't belling us, uncle Raymond,"
sugaested Jack, " how you came to get the
seven -bladed knife. You've forgotten your
story."
I'm coming to that," said uncle Ray-
mond, "as fast as I can. Now you nee that
the largest blade in my knife is not more
than a fourth as large as Tack's, yeb it is
plenty large euongh for all my uses. There
is no use in carrying around a lot of metal
fn one's pocket merely for the sake of hav-
ing a larger knife than any one else. Now
that's a
good deal like Mr. Brown's land
and a groat ileal like some acus miners.
For the sake of having more wealth than
somebody else, they load themselves with
riohes far beyond their wants or uses, and
it does nothing but wear them out. There
is just about aa much real glory in it as
there 10 in lugging around the biggest knife
in the school, when one a fourth as large
would whittle just as well. The time is
coming when a man will bens much asham'
ed to overload himself with wealth while
many of his fellow creatures suffer with
want as ho ought to be to overload his
stomach with food for which he had neither
appetite nor digestten."
'But you're not telling us how yon got
the knife," insisted Jack, who had been
looking straight at his uncle during all this
conversation, and wondering if ib had
anything to do with the way he had been
heard to openly express. himself that he
wished to he as rich some day as Frank
Brown.
"Yes, I am Homing to that," said uncle
Raymond. "Now here is another blade,"
he continued, opening a slender, polished
pert of the knife not much bigger than a
darning needle, "that isanut pick ; I often
Glad it very handy."
"Why!" exclaimed Jack, "I thought n
knife was intended to out, and not to eat
note with. "
"Some people make the same mistake,"
said uncle Raymond, "in reference to elle- into thevvaley."
cess in life. They think it means just one' Nobody answered him. All talk,• dills•
tiling—goating rich—and they narrow it cult enough before on account of the ruah-
down to that; but my knife, you sae, means ing wind, note ceased, and in silence we
"It will bo brought out in the ma, this
nl00 little ride and everything," ohirped
Mos, Meny, "like the chops and tomato
sande in Dickens, and everybody will think
me dreadful." a ea{d
You are vary thoughtleee, he ,
ddldly.
On a Hand -Car.
A correspondent of Forest and Stream
went up the Oroya Railroad in the Andes,
a wonderful piece of railway engineering.
The sharp ascent began at noon, over
terraces, through tunnels drilled in the solid
rock, and over brides spanning awful
chasms. At three o'clock they reached
their destination, some ten thousand feet
above the level of the sea. After a subs-
tantial dinner, which the mountain air
rendered doubly acceptable, the party
began making preparations for the descent,
which was to be accomplished in a hand-
car by the force of gravity alone.
The hand -car had boon brought up. with
us on the train, and when the men came to
put it together it wee discovered that the
iastoninga of two of the wheels were broken.
After a hurried consultation, as it was
growing late, some telegraph wire was.
found, and the broken portions were tied
together. The morin charge of the descent
hoped OM would answer, they said.
And if it dosau't?" I asked. Tluey
shrugged their shoulders.
I looked askance at my co npanion0, but
they stood by in silence. Probably, like
myself, they world willingly have seconded
a proposition to return by the regular train,
but wore too proud to make it,
Without a word we took our seats on the
car. Silently one of the employes opened a
bag and took ant three revolvers, handing
one to each of his compauiona. They cook-
ed these weapons in a :natter -of -fact way
and planed them between their feet.
"This car is used by the paymaster," one
of them thoughtfully explained, "and it
isn't uncommon for desperadoes to throw
it off the track. I got a tumble and a
ballet myself not so very
long ago."
Again I looked at my
companions. It was per-
haps owing to the altitude
that they seemed to exhibit,
BRITISH SHIPS:AT RIO
atea
quiet fief, Creative Work; Was bone 00
itrltlsh Protection.
A London despatch says :— eater all
thab has been heard of the energy diepray.
ed by the American admiral at Rio and the
supposed reluctance of the British naval
force at that port to render adequate as.
sistanco to our mereenbite fleet the testi-
mony of Col. Howard Vincent i0 most wel-
come. As an eye-Witne00 ho declares what'
Hor Majesty's chips have been able to do
and have done. Naval officers have con-
ducted mail steamers to a safe anchorage,
have escorted passengers embarking and
disembarking, and have afforded British
negate: (and there have been hardly any
others) proteotton fron the fire of either
sire, althaueh the nature and destination
thereof wore often a subjaat of legitimate
suspicion. Asan instance, Colonel Howard
Vincent mentions that Admiral de Mello
threatened to stop the royal mail steamer
Themes, on board which were he wife and
hitnself,bocansecertainpa:c ongers, behaved
to be sailors going to man a Government
steamer, were not allowed to be arrested.
Captain Lang intimated at once that this
would not be allowed, celled his command
to gtiartoro, and directed Captain Ilicke,
of the Thames, to steam out very slowly
directly under the stern of the Agotdaban,
Bettor counsels prevailed upon the flag•
ship, and the groan flag was lowered in
taie
the preliminary symptom
of mountain sickness. As
for myself my heart was
in my mouth ; but it did
not trouble me long, for
of a sudden the brakes
were taken off, and with
a spring, the oar shot for.
ward, apparently leaving
at the point of departure
my entire internal eaono-
e4 my.
Down we rushed with ever increasin
speed, the oar swaying from side to side, on
ono hand the mountain wall, on the othera
drop of perhaps a thousand feet, through
tunnels of midnight darkness, round sharp
curves where the broketsvltels fairlyereak.
ed with the strain.
The starless night closed in around us.
It wes now simply a question of chance as
we plunged into the darkness.
"We ought to have started sooner," mut•
tared one of the men; "a stick or a stone, or
even a dog on the track, would throw us
more than cutting. Here, far fpotanee, in a
little gimlet ; I found it very' handy last
winter when I wanted to screw on my
sltates for the first time. This blade is an
awl. I used it the other day !e prepare
the way for driving a serol wlbhoub split'
ting a piece of board, and Fiore is a screw•
driver with which I drove 11 home. You
see, I can amuse myself or make myself
useful wibh my knife, even where whittling
is forbidden by Jaok of a stick of the right
sort, or the libber the ehaVings make. Now
that is one of the differences between the
man whose chief aim in life is getting rich,
and the man whose chief aim in life to to be
useful and to get knowledge by wbioli he
may bo of serves to himaolf and others.
Stop the first man from the one thing of
getting moony, awl he has nothing with
which to employ himself, but the other mean
has a much wider and higher range of on.
joymont. Do you begin to see the differ.
eoeo now between Frank Brown, without
an education, and with all his father's
money, and Jack Somers, with te knowledge
of history and literature and science turd
medicine or law or some outer useful pro-
fesaion, but having to earn what, mousy he
needs?"
.lack nodded his heat, "I emppos° you
moan to nay, Uncle Raymond," he suggest-
ed " that Frank Brown would only bo a
one•bladed knife, no matter bow largo the
blade was, while Jack Somers would have
just as many different blades me ho had use.
ful accomplishments, and when one failed
him, hecould try another."
"Exactly," said Uncle Raymond. "Now
T finish tellingh Igot th
watched the sparks fly from the wheels,
Thoughts of armed outlaws and of broken
fastenings kept running through my mind,
and the journey seemed ahnost endless.
At teat the Maiden twists around the
sharp ourves ceased. We were in the val.
ley. Presently a big light buret upon its.
"Down brakes!" cried one of the men.
The station was before us. Thank God
A Lucky Player.
Two travellers in the express from Parts
to Nice got into convoreation.
" Going to Nice ?"
" Yes."
"Also to Monte Garlo?"
"Oh, yes 1 I go there every year."
" Yon play there 000asionally, no
doubt ?"
"Certainly; ones In the morning and
ono in the evening—twice a day regular.
ly_"
"And yet Pose now and then ?"
" Never."
"How is thab possible? Do yott mill
tolling mo how you manage it?"
"Teat is very ehnple; I play the violin."
—(Le Figaro.
Tho frock neat first made its appoaranoo
in England in WO, in the reign of Honey
Vali.
'Numerous Gorman works, both prose
and poetry, have been translated into
Hindnetan0o, the translator being one
Numocokld, who a aged sixtyfive, and, who
Mae already translated over thirty German
must are t day you law a works, roman0110, hietorfos end poetry, the
huffs, One I way showingrfa my redo ootr been the most popular with his
hunting' knife to my grandfather, who, P y g P P
after he had turned it over and looked at o0untrymon