Newspaper Page Text
MMHMMflflHiBHHHI
w
? .
s ww m-
B-
"TO CARE FOR HIM WHO HAS BORNE THE BATTLE, AND FOR HIS WIDOW AND ORPHANS
ESTABL1SHED4S77-NEW" SERIES.
WASHETGTOff, D. 0., THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 14, 1889.
VOL. VHI-KO. 28-WHOLE $0. S92.
IMS YlfffllA.
The BUb Fall to Fortify Arlington.
"VHiGBSIA HOSPITALITY.
Lee Dislikes to Abandon His
Mansion.
DBASE OF ELISWO1
Capiusrin
the City
jandria.
of Alex-
BY COL. AIJJEBT G. BRACKETT, 3D TJ. S. CAY.
HE invasion of Vir
ginia in May, 1861,
was one of the most
important events
that ever occurred in
the United Slates, or,
for that matter, in
America, as it was
the beginuing of the
end of slavery. The
people of the Old
Dominion liad an
idea that the soldiers
of the Union would
not dare invade their
sacred soil, and some
few companies of local
militia were consider
ed sufficient to protect
the State against all
enemies. In this they
were wonderfully mistaken, and enough
volunteers and Regulars Laving reached
Washington to insure success, the troops
were made ready for the attempt. There
had been a good deal of secresy connected
with, the whole matter, but the President
and his Cabinet having decided wbatwas
best, the orders were issued after dark on
the 23d of May.
, Brig.-Gen. J. K. F. Mansfield was in charge
of the whole force, acting under the imme
diate orders of Brevet Lieut.-Gen. "Winfield
Scott, who was then the Commanding Gen
eral of the United States Army.
It was a lovely, clear and beautiful night,
and the invading army was sent forward in
three divisions -one by boats to Alexandria,
an&tier across the Long Bridge to Arling
ton, and still another across the Aqueduct
Badge.
There were three troops of cavalry, being
one for each of the columns. Maj. Stone
lasn commanded the first, which went to
Alexandria; myself the second, which pro
ceeded by way of the Long Bridge, while
PSrst Lieut. Charles H. Tompkins had charge
of the third, goiug by way of the Aqueduct
Bridge all of these companies belonging to
the 2d (now called the 5th) U- S. Cav. The
wfeele force Bumbered about 8,000 men,
which at that time was considered a very
respectable body of troops.
AK IMPOSING SCESTE.
The sceee at night was quite imposing,
and the soldiers seemed delighted with the
idea of moving forward, as they had been
lield some time in and near the Capital
City. There was not much talk, and the
whole movement was conducted without
ranch noise or confusion. Gen. Mansfield
was a very capable officer, having first served
in the Engineers, and afterward as Colonel
and Inspector-General until the 14th of May,
1661, when he was appointed Brigadier
General in the Regular Army. He died
about a year and a half after tbis event, of
wounds received at the battle of Antietam.
"We had started from our encampment at
"Washington without making much prepara
tion for the morrow, and as the hours passed
became quite hungry. In this condition I
met Maj. Stoneman and asked him what he
had in the way of eatables.
" Nothing," said he; "but I can give you
one of those cigars we got in Havana,"
where bat a short time before we had been
together. As anything was acceptable at
that tame, I took it, and found on lighting
it that it appeased my appetite at once.
"I hope we will get through with this job
all right," said Maj. Stoneman, "as, after
we cross, I am going to Alexandria."
"Yes. I believe they cannot stop us with
anything they have, though there is always
some danger of an ambush," I replied.
"I know that," said the Major; "but we
have a war vessel supporting ns, and her
gans are always ready. The Pawnee is
only a short distance down the river, and
can bombard Alexandria if it becomes nec
essary to do so."
"While this conversation was going on the
soldiers were marching past, and the glint
of their bayonets could be seen away on
along the Long Bridge until lost in the ob
scurity beyond.
There had been some movement on the
part of the Secessionists toward establishing
a battery of heavy guns on Arlington Hights,
winch, would command the President's
House, as it was supposed, and Gen. Robert
E. Lee had been seen, with others, laying
out, as it was believed, the enemy's batter
ies. There was no doubt something of this
kind was discovered, which led to the occu
pation of the Virginia shore by the Union
troops. There is evidence of this fact read
ily obtainable.
THE EEBELS FAILED TO FORTIFY ARLING
TON. Gen. Lee could not bear the idea of giving
tip Arlington, and began to make prepara
tions for its defense. Some heavy sice
guns could have done a great deal of dam
age to the city of "Washington and George
town, and some of the newspapers in Rick
mond could never stop reminding the
Confederate leaders that they had neglected
fortifying Arlington Hights until it was too
late. This reflection was exceedingly morti
fying to them, and led to many reproaches
subsequently.
.We now see no reason why the high
ground should not have been fortified, and
the Confederate troops brought nearer to
"Washington, but it was not done; the ene
my overlooking one of the greatest advan
tages they had at the beginning of the war,
and one they were unable to regain during
the struggle.
The passage across the Potomac was made
so quietly that no one on the Virginia side
was disturbed near the Long Bridge, except
ing some men belonging to Capt. Ball's cav
alry company, who were taken prisoners,
with their horses. They were greatly as
tonished when they saw the Union soldiers,
and many of the peoile when day dawned
thought their last hour had come. There
had been a great deal of talk from first to
last, and it was the firm conviction of many
of the Virginians that the United States
soldiers would not dare to invade their ter
ritory. They had been so informed by many
of their leading men, and believed them im
plicitly. There was a good deal of talk
about their constitutional rights, and the
old-time bosh in regard to State sovereignty ;
but here it was practically demonstrated
that the State of Virginia had been invaded
by Union men in arms.
There were several men crossed over that
night who afterward became famous in the
civil war, and who earned a high place in
the history of our country. This was a new
experience, and our people had many things
to learn as to the rights and powers of the
General Government. Men began to realize
that we had entered upon a gigantic strug
gle for the existence of the Union.
CROSSING THE POTOMAC.
According to a memorandum made at the
time the following troops crossed by the
Aqueduct Bridge, viz: Staff, Capt. "Wood
commanding (afterward Colonel of the 11th
U. S. Inf.) ; Engineers "Woodbury, Blunt and
Houston; 48 pioneers of the 14th N. Y.
(Brooklyn regiment), Col. "Wood; 69th N.Y.,
Col. Michael Corcorau, with 250 unarmed
workmen to work on the fortifications ; 5th
N. Y., Col. Schwartzwalder; 2Stb N. Y., Col.
Burns: Co. B,2d U. S. Cav., and one section
of artillery. By the Long Bridge: Staff,
CoL Heintzelman commanding; Engineers
Alexander, Prime and Roberts; 12th N. Y.,
Col. Butterfield; 25th If. Y., Col. Bryan; 7th
N. Y.,Col. Lefiferts; three New Jersey regi-
H 11
TTm
Avenging Ellsworth.
mentSj nnder Brig.-Gen. Runyon; Co,
2d Cav., and one section of artillery.
By
steamer : The 1st N. Y. Fire Zouaves, Col.
Ellsworth, which landed at the wharves
at Alexandria under the guns of the U. S.
gunboat Pawnee, Capt. S. C. .Rowan, after
ward Vice-Admiral. The 1st Mich, and
pioneers, under Col. "Willcox, with Co. E, 2d
U. S. Cav., and one section of artillcy, also
crossed at the Long Bridge, and marched to
Alexandria along the turnpike road. Eleven
regiments of infantry, three troops of cav
alry and one full battery of artillery.
Maj.-Gen. Charles "W. Sandford, of theNew
York militia, accompanied the invading
forces, and upon reaching the Virginia side
assumed command, by direction of Gen.
Scott
"When daylight appeared we were all, as
may be supposed, pretty hungry. The sol
diers themselves had something in their
haversacks, but the officers had very little
indeed, and had it not been for a kind-hearted
citizen I would have fared badly enough.
This man, after first getting over his terror
and surprise at seeing us, invited two or
three of us in to take breakfast with his
family. He was a thorough Secessionist,
but took care not to air his views too con
spicuously on this occasion. He could
scarcely realize that the Union men were in
possession of every thing, and felt very much
cast down in consequence ; but he behaved
like a gentleman, and gave us such infor
mation as we desired, apparently -keeping
back nothing. "We enjoyed the breakfast
thoroughly, and were under many obliga
tions for it. Moving about during the whole
night gives a person a very good appetite, as
I well know, and the Virginian had plenty
on his table.
In his report to Gen. Scott, Gen. Sandford
says: "The company of the 2dU. S. Cav.,
under the command of Capt. Brackett, be
ing insufficient to perform the extended
guard and picket, duty which devolved npon
it, and being desirous to extend the patrols
which Capt. Brackett had sent forward, I
authorized bini to direct the Lieutenant
commanding Co. G, 2d U. S. Cav., to report
his command for duty with Capt Brackett,
who was thereby enabled to direct more ex
tended and efficient patrols and pickets, by
which I now think the whole of the central
division of the country in front of the line is
occupied."
THE CAPTURE OF ALEXANDRIA.
The troops moving toward Alexandria
both, by land and water reached that place
about the same time. The commander of
the Pawnee was already making negotia
tions for the surrender of the town, when
a detachment of her crew bearing a flag
of truce hastened to the shore in boats,
leaped eagerly npon the wharf just before
the Zouaves reached it, and were fired upon
by the enemy, who immediately retreated.
mssxmttJirirw-s 1U1I- irfVl Mill! If i).'l "21
m m&li nxim M,WSK
FTM
Col. Ellsworth, with his men, marched to the
center of the city and took possession of it in
the name of the United States. Col. "Willcox
marched through different Btreets to the
railroad station, where he took a good deal
of rolling-slock, and captured a company of
Virginia cavalry nnder Capt Ball. Pive
hundred Virginia soldiers, under command
of Col. George H. Terrett, retreated as the
Union troops came up.
A Confederate flag was still flying on a
hotel in the city, called the Marshall House,
and Col. Ellsworth hastened to pull it down.
"When descending from an upper staircase
with it he was shot by the proprietor of the
house, named Jackson, who was waiting for
him in a dark passage with a double-barrel
gun loaded with buckshot. Col. Ellsworth
fell dead instantly, and his assassin was im
mediately killed by Private Francis E. Brow
nell, of Co. A of the Zouaves, who, with six
others, had accompanied the Colonel to the
roof of the house.
Col. Ellsworth's body was taken to"Washing
ton, and the funeral services were performed
in the East Room of the Executive Marision,
with the President as chief mourner. Thence
it was taken to New York and buried at
Mechanicsville. Col. Ellsworth was quite a
young man, who had won a good deal of
praise as a tactfeian while in command of
the Chicago Zouaves. He went from Chicago
to New York city, where he became Colonel
of the New York Eire Zouaves, or 11th N.Y.
He was a man of most exemplary habits, and
one who had the faculty of making many
sincere and lasting friends. His death was
lamented throughout the Union.
THE WHITE FOLKS HAD DEPARTED.
"When we reached the Arlington House we
found that place deserted, so far as concerned
white people, Gen. Lee's family having gone
away some two weeks before. Nothing was
interfered with, and the servants were left
to attend to their own affairs. In the house
were several pictures painted by Mr. George
"WashingtonParke Custis, which possessed no
great merit. The house itself bas a most
imposing portico, with comparatively little
room inside. There were several negroes
living in the houses in rear and back in the
woods, who manifested no little surprise at
the turn things had taken, and remained
close at home, not knowing as yet muck
about the Northern soldiers. Gen. Sandford
made a judicious distribution of the troops,
and commenced building fortifications at
once.
The weather was very pleasant, and our
bivouacs in the open air were all that could
be desired. "We were now safe and sound on
the soil of Virginia, much to the chagrin of
the people, who had delayed fortifying their
ground until it was too late. Our Engineer
officers had things in readiness, and pushed
their work as well as they were able, occupy
ing the most eligible positions and pressing
their work forward as if they expected the
Confederates to make their appearance in
force before they were able to accomplish
what they had commenced doing.
President Lincoln was very much pleased
at the result of the occupation, but was
much pained at the death of Col. Ellsworth,
who was a great favorite of his. Ellsworth
had studied law in his office, and had ac
companied him from Springfield, 111., when
he came on to be inaugurated.
THE AltarY HAVERSACK.
BY KATE BUOWNI.KE SHEEWOOD.
Last night I dreamed the shouts enmo back
"What have you in your haversack? "
" I'm hungry, Comrade, as can be,
Have you some hardtack left for me?"
"It looks as though we boys at last
Muot keen our forty days of fast! "
I wakened, and my thoughts went back,
To rummage through my haversack.
A weary march, a hopeless fight,
A sad retreat at dead of night,
And then we all at dawn of day
Lay down like cattle by the way;
The pangd of hunger and of thirst
"Were rending us like things accursed;
A comrade shouted at my back,
"Come, open up your haversack."
Each spread his treasures at his feet,
In lieu of something there to eat:
A story-book, a Testament,
A housewife by his mother sent;
And one a picture fair to tee,
A baby on its mother's knee;
And so sweet scenes of home came back,
Around the empty haversack.
A comrade broke into a song,
,Twas"Home,SweetIIome,"andsoon a throng
Had gathered round us where we sat,
Of home an J homelelighta to chat;
Of tables laid with royal fare.
And served with woman's loving care.
"Zip, zip! " a volley swept our track.
And each man grabbed his haversack.
A stricken comrade strove to rise,
The film of death was in his eyes,
" My haversack take there's some bread,
A letter home," was all he said.
We caught him ere lie sank to rest,
We crossed his hands above his breast,
His mother's picture, some hardtack,
"We found within his haversack.
We broke the bread, and as I live
It seemed the Lord was there to give,
The morsels were so magnified
By love of him who just had died ;
Whose spirit lingered round us there.
To solace us in our dispair;
And fling a ray of splendor back
To rest on memory's haversack.
O glad am I for dream that brings
So many half-forgotten things,
The comradeship that closer grows
When sorrow darkest shadow throws;
The comradeship that until death
Is breathed with every soldier's breath ;
That shares its crust in joy, or wrack,
Frpm that old armj' haversack.
A Savory Dish.
Borne (ffa.) Tribune.'
Talk o' turkey, breast so white ;
Goose baked brown an' sarved up rite ;
Smokehouse ham, an' likes o' that,
Streak o' lean an' streajc o' fat;
Juicy backbone, steak on toas',
Mutton chops which sum' likes moa'
Sakesl they ain't a 'simnion blossom
To a good old Georgy possum 1
i
The Fish of the Pacific Ocean.
Portland Oregonian.'
- The Pacific Ocean abounds in nearly all of
tho favorite varieties of deep-sea food fish,
which await man's cnterpriso to bo mado
profitable. Deep-sea fish resort to what is
technically known as banks for their food,
which aro to them what pastures are to herbi
vorous animals. It is from these banks that
tho fish aro obtained. The only fishing banks
yet discovered south of Puget Sound aro lo
cated 45 miles southwest of Yaquiua Bay. The
official report of 1888, as made by the officers
of tho United States Fish Commission Steamer
Albatross, shows these banks to bo 60 miles
long, by about 30 miles iu width, the avorago
depth being about 58 fathoms,
The Yaquiua Bay Deep-Sea Fishing Co. has
been organized with a capital of $250,000, with
a special view to shipping halibut East over the
Oregon Pacific Railroad,
the c; c. c. .
-.. w
Monthly Meetings of the Club of Curious
Characters.
A WEIED GATHERING.
Thrilling Stories of Life Ro
mances. A MUHDER MYSTERY.
Tracking Down a Bloody
Crime.
BY LIEUT. MASON A. SHUFELDT, TJ. 8, N.
ICOPYBIGHT, 1SS9.
DARK, a dingy and
' almost a deserted
street. A wefc and
glistening pavement,
thafcin its uneven and
broken way reflected
back the flickering
lights of unsteady
lamps, and echoed
with a sort of hostile
souud the footsteps of
every passer-by. An
unfrequented by-way of a great city. A
by-way with rows of houses on either side,
some of brick or stone, supporting, in a
friendly sort of fashion, others of mnch
more ancient build ; others, whose shutters
seemed forever closed, and whose door-bells
long since had rnsted in their sockets.
Here and there a rickety railing. Here and
there a lighted window, but rarely, indeed,
the sound of a human voice. A long row,
too, of leafless trees, moaning in nnison to
a sharp November gale. A. peculiar street
in contrast to the bustle and roar of a mighty
town. A more peculiar street in the gloom
of a late November night, with a dripping,
drizzling rain, and unsteady puffs of a win
try wind.
Far up, near the top floor of one of the
most tumble-down of these buildings, a
shutter was suddenly opened, and the glare
of light that followed, showed the head and
shoulders of a man protruding. He wore a
long, scraggling beard, that even the short J
time he surveyed the lowering sky overhead
or the gloomy street beneath, soon glistened
with the light-falling Tain. His head was
decorated with a red-flannel cap, and his
face furrowed with deep and many wrink
les.
fe-
"Gracious," he mujSed, "a nasty night;
a mean and nasty nfgat!" and slammed to
the blinds again.
Not a sound, not a single incident of any
kind broke the monotony or the silence of
this queer thorougbfare for another hour.
Then came the rattle of a night-cart to
awake its echoes for a moment more, then
all again was deadly still. Gloomy night
settling down in earnest and the drip of
rain falling faster from every overhanging
cornice and from the bare branches of every
naked tree. Suddenly comes tho quick
footsteps of a man; as suddenly bis figure
halts under one of the flaring lights; as rap
idly, too, he unbottons the breast of his
long coat and drags out a huge open-faced
silver watch.
"It is," he said, "exactly half-past eleven
o'clock;" and looked up at the lamp a mo
ment, as if waiting for an objection or an
observation on its part. A strikingly-sallow
countenance was his; every line a de
termined one; every bristling hair of a white
stubby mustache an energetic one. But
odd in dress, and restless in look and excla
mation. -
"It is exactly half-past eleven o'clock; I
am not late," he repeated as he replaced his
watch and hurried on again. On arriving
at the stoop of a most dilapidated-looking
structure, he quickly ascended the slops and
stood feeling for a koy, before a door orna
mented with an enormous brass knob, and
having two small circular windows cut in
it. Through these shone a dim and uncer
tain light that barely made visible three
letters painted in black beneath them; let
ters that the rain and snows of many years
had about obliterated: "C. C. C."
The man with the sallow face inserted the
key, turned it, and shut the door quickly
behind him. He was in the hallway of the
" Club of Curious Characters."
Blow ye winds outside ! Patter away the
coldish rain! Shales and wet the useless
shutters and moan once more amidst the
naked trees! Blow' and shake, or bloom
and bless; for in all the wide city none care
less for the freaks of Nature thau do the odd
members of this secluded club," so absorbed
are they in the odder fancies of their own.
They number only 10, and their meetings
are but monthly. But these 10 represent
every class aud caste of human society.
Every odd experience, every strange adven
ture, every faucy nursed, every lash of for
tune, had driven them4from all the quarters
of the earth to gather here together.
The man with the sallow face stepped
briskly to an ancient hatrack the only
piece of furniture "ma long, uncarpeted
hall and hung up his hat and coat. On his
left was an open door, through which came
the dull glow of a .grate lire. Rubbing his
hands nervously, out in the other, he stepped
noiselessly in, muttering, "Good! Good!
Excellent! Some one of tis has shown
sense practical sense to-night." The huge
figure of a man, who had been holding his
great hands before the fireplace, turned
slowly to the newcomer.
"Count," he growled " Connt P. D., Es
quire, why why the devil do you disturb
us this way? disturb us with your infernal
noise and bustle, with your confusion, your
energy, y our nervpusness,ypur constant "
"I do. not think." (here interposed a weak
voice from a dim corner) "that the Count
has disturbed us not us, surely; for he has
iiik
not me, nor has he our good friend Serge,
who is soundly sleeping on the sofa. I
really believe in energy, in activity, in ner
vousness; it reminds me that that" (here
his voice grew weaker still) " the world is
not, as yet, entirely dead, and once in a
while a long, long while the breath of its
existence reaches even our useless lives."
"Bah!" said the huge man "bah! I
say," resting his head on his hands and glar
ing at the logs. The man with the sallow
face said nothing. But he walked to the
fire, turned his back to it, and folded his
hands behind him. Presently he did break
the silence.
"Nance," he remarked, "how many are
there of us here to-night, and what have
we for supper? "
"Eight, so far," answered the man with
the weak voice ; " eight, I believe, counting
myself and Serge here, who is at present in
sensible of his own presence and cannot
count for himself."
"Where are they all?"
This question was partly answered by
the entrance of two men, arm in arm, of the
most remarkable possible personal contrast.
One carried a large lamp, which he gently
placed upon a little table in the middle of
the room ; the other held in his hand an im
mense green handkerchief, with which he
continually wiped his face and the backs of
bis nervous hands. The former character
was the more (fcriking of the two. He was
hardly five feet tall, aud probably over 60
')
" Three Letters Painted in Black."
years of age. He carried a huge hump upon
his back, into whicb his large head seemed
buried. Great masses of yellowish-white
hair fell over his shoulders and left its stain
upon his coat and linen. His faee was
burned to a deep brown and furrowed with
myriad wrinkles. He kept running his
wrinkled hands through his dirty-yellow
beardj while glancing sharply around Mm
every instant.
"Awake! awake! ye relics of the past!"
he almost shrieked, as the dim light half
illumined the gloomy room. " Why wait ye
here, ye ancient bundles of senseless bones?
Get up! get up ! More particularly," he ad
ded with a grin, " when supper is nearly
ready."
" You are mad, and have been, let me see,
these 20 years," said the man with the sal
low face, gently stroking his chin and look
ing steadily at tho humpback " have been
these 20 years."
"Mad?" shrieked back the man with the
hump "mad? because I believe in the ex
istence of ten thousand souls floating here
about us? Because I am a lover of the un
natural a student of the future; because I
am a theorist, a a "
" Bah! " said the huge man before the fire;
"bah! I say."
The man with the hump ceased shouting;
he8Cowled about him, and combed his beard
again with his restless hands.
But the other, who had entered the room
with him, laid his hand upon his shoulder
and gazed long at the working, angry face.
" Cease ! " he said, in a hollow voice, " and
give ns peace if there can be peace before
we die."
Tall, very tall, with a thin but military
figure, tho last comer stood before tho little
tablo, resting one white hand upon it. But
toned to tho chin in a" black single-breasted
coat, and wearing a soldier's stock for a collar,
every lino of his figure bespoke his training.
Tho light of tho lamp fell full upon his face.
bucn a iaco! ucatluy white, with dark, deep
set eyes, made inoro prominent by overhanging
brows. A sharp, thin face, with an aquiliuo
noso quite hooked, and across the right cheek,
from ear to lip, a livid crimson scar.
Silence fell upon them all, till the person
known as Sorgo aroused himself and sat up on
the ond of tho littlo sofa upon which ho had
been sleeping.
"I want some grub," he growled.
No ono said anything.
Serge stretched his arms and shook himself.
"Ain'b this a meetiug onco a month and
aiu't there chow thrown in? Ain't it, I say?"
No ono answered him, but silently in tho
doorway appeared a slight and boyish figure,
who in an almost feminine voice seemed to
answer for him.
"Supper is ready, and they have carried
him in."
No ono asked who "him" was or why they
had carried "him" in, but ono by ono they got
up and walked down tho unlit hall to another
room at tho rear of tho building. Abruptly
tho gloomy scouo was changed. Hero was a
long tablo ablaze with lights and splendid
service. Soft easy-chairs wero at each placo,
and tho cover sparkled with costly silverware.
Tho rarest of Midsummer flowers gavo scent to
each breath, and tho vintages of tho world
seemed scattered about. A dozen black serv
ants, dressed in tho costumes of somo Eastern
realm, stood about, while from behiud a heavily
embroidered curtain camo the soft notes of
dreamy music. The walls wero draped in red ;
tho curtains, tho carpet, oven tho covering to
tho tablo and upholstered chairs, all wero bril
liant red. On every sido of tho crimson walls
wore hung large portraits of many men. Thoir
frames wero draped in black, whilo under each
was suspended a label marked in letters of red
tho word "Dead." Each momboras ho entered
took his seat and drew his chair toward the
tablo. Tho man with tho sallow face sat oppo
site the ono thoy all addressed as " Colonel "
tho person with tho scar across his cheek.
Sergo and the huge ono, who had monopolized
tho fire, sat sido by side. The ono with the
weak voice, who in tho glare of so many lights
seemed weaker still in voico and carriago, sat
opposite tho mau with tho hump upon his
back and mass of yellowish hair. At the two
ends of the table, facing ouo another, sat two
persons, the most marked as yet of tho mem
bers of this Club of Curious Characters. The
ono who had so oddly announced supper was
- , . mmsmm
h irttBinh'Kf.r.ijrszjnii4Ji-Ji ivi i s -
fem ? in every other characteristic as well
as ' :o.
J vino in fignro, in face, in delicacy of
compiuiion, and oven in hair, which fell in
wavy, golden masses upon his shoulders. He
was dressed in tho hight of the fashion of tho
period. His slender fingers were covered with
brilliant rings, and in tho buttonhole of his
coat was thrust, negligently, a half-blown rose.
His smile and ho seemed constantly smiling
displayed his faultless teeth, and these, with a
lofty brow and glistening eye, gavo to his
whole countenance an expression of candor,
truth aud simple innocence.
Yet of all tho members of this queer circle,
he was tho most revengeful and most un
scrupulous. His experiences tho most Teck
less and tho most thrilling. At tho tablo ho
had a habit of locking his fingers together,
then- examining slowly, ono by ouo, his collec
tion of rings. This habit alone kept hissteady
eyes for a moment from his opposite neighbor.
This latter person occupied the seat at the head
of tho table.
Ho was a man of enormous frame, with a
puffy, dissipated face, and huge white mus
tache. His eyes were sharp, but deeply sunken,
and he was absolutely bald. He rested his
powerful arms upon tho table, and held his
clinched fists underneath his chin. As each
member took his scat ho glanced from ono to
the other, in an angry way, as if ready for the
slightest provocation. Nono having arisen,
this strange person turned slowly to tho two
Lascars, who stood behind him, and said, sav
agely :
"Lift me up! "
With difficulty thoy raised him to a stand
ing position. Both his lower limb3 were para
lyzed. Ho was supported by tho blacks ou
either side, aud rested with both his hands
spread out upon the crimson tablecloth.
"Gentlemen," ho said, in a harsh voice, "it
is my duty to inform you that two of our mem
bers aro absent this evening. One Stopsffaski
is traveling in Eastern Siberia. The other,
Dr. Kliuiki, believes himself dead, and is com
muning with the spirits of tho departed in his
study. No persuasion can make him under
stand that this monthly meeting was an earthly
one, so ho simply would not come. Nothing of
importance has occurred since tho last meetiug
of this society. Tho finances are in excellent
condition, and there seems no desiro on the
part of any member to increase our number.
Your usual monthly repast is spread before
you. Tho usual custom of the recital of somo
personal exporieuce, as by lougusage established
by this society, will bo adhered to on this as
on former occasions. As it is my prerogative to
so nominate, I name for this evening tho Connt
the Count P. D. Let ns for the present,
however, forget the World and the Devil and
bow down to tho Deity of Flesh."
"Put me down!"
Tho Lascars lowered him in his chair.
s a s
"I hold in my hand here," said the Connt,
"a roll of yellow manuscript. Yellow by rea
son of many years, and yet more yellow, I as
sume to say, by the story of tho strange secret
its folds contain. It is the odd history of a
human beiug tho tragic story of a woman I
once met, and know, aud pitied, in the course
of my now discarded professional career. I
call to the attention of tho club that tho manu
script is voluminous, that it is written in
Italian ; but more particularly still, that it is
hound about by this woman's bracelet a slen
der hoop of gold, representing a peculiar ser
pent with flattened head and snarkling sap
phire eyes. Upon this woman's trinket hangs
all tho tragedy of my story."
Hero the Count slipped from the Toll tho
bracelet that embraced it and laid the latter
gently upon tho tablo. Ho looked about as he
unrolled the manuscript, Tbesupperlj3d long
finished. The air of the oom was filled with
smoko. Beside each plate stood many colored
glasses. All conversation had ceased. The
Lascars alone moved silently hero and there
to fill an empty glass or to light a fresh cigaret.
Perfect silouco and attention, which was the
strictest rule, was observed by every member
of tho Club of Curious Characters.
"I have divided," continued tho Count,
"tho story of this manuscript into four parte,
I name them consecutively
"The Doctor's Part,'
" ' The Detective's Part,'
"'Madame'sPart'
"And 'Her Part.'
" These aro tho four links of the bracelet that
rest beforo me upon tho table. These, riveted
ono to another, make up tho story of the odd
est romance I over met. Thus I read from
the original manuscript of each."
THE DOCTOB'S PAET.
Snow in tho flying clouds; snow in the
wintry wind. Snow on tho roofs of lofty
houses; snow ou tho tops of lowly hovels.
Snow in tho vast avenues of tho vaster city;
snow in the byways of tho wrecks of man.
Suow, in one, by the crush and roar of many
wheels, by tho tramp of countless feet, to be
trampled out of all semblanco to its purity.
Snow, iu the other, to pile in silent falls heap
npon heap, to build walls upon tbo glass faces
of uncertain lamps, or to hang in threatening
sheets from every slanting roof. Here, there,
everywhere in tho fiaro of light, iu the gloomy
alley, in dazzling street, these white flakes
como tumbling, crossing, mingling, yet always
gently falling, to build a spotless drift or to melt
in sorrow for its loneliness into an aimless
tear. Thou comes tho rising wind. It is tho
master of the snow. It shakes it from tho
naked branches of bending trees; it lifts it iu
scurrying masses from tho roofs of Iouoly
houses; it piles it in odd drifts in odder cor-
wMwm
'tv,wii&mz
lYtffA
"Awake, Ye Relics of tile Past!"
nors; it gives no Test or poaco after so long and
so gentlo fall. From out each dusky corner,
from out each dusky alley, from out each
broader street it bursts upon the broad and
busy thoroughfares of tho great city. Then
the parks ! How it moans amougst tlieirlcAfloss
trcc3 and whistles about tho vacant seats. Over
tho tops of stately buildings whistling, moan
ing, crying then rejoicing. For hero are tho
loug, dark wharves; tho countless spars of a
myriad ships. Sing hero if you will tho re
quiem of sailors' souls, but tho dark hull be
neath feels now no fear. Hor havon mado, she
mocks in stately safety her ancient enomy.
Down tho snow-clad alloy of a silent street,
far apart from tho busy thoroughfares of the
city, comes tho crouching fooJstep3 of a man.
Ho is wrapped to tho throat iu a gre'at-coatand
has pulled down ahont his ears an old fur cap.
He stop3 in front of a littlo snow-clad stoop,
and climbs up its shaky stops. Ou tho door is
a brass plato, having engraved upon it in let
ters of black the name Dr. Sylvester." Tho
man shakes tbo snow from his coat and cap be
foro ho opens the door, to find himself iu a
narrow hallway, quite dark, bnt with light
enough from an adjoining room for him to seo
tho pegs in tho walls on oithor sido to hang his
coat and cap.
It is Dr. Sylvester himself. Dr. Sylvester is
well knowB in this suburb of the city as a
IB $ ' 4lv& J93 11,-5
genoron3 and kindly-hearted man; as ever
ready to offer good advice, and ava re care
to the many poor and oppressed by wImb ha
was surrounded. A tall man, with a sharp,
aquiline face, hut gentle, sympathetic aye; a
nervous man, who moved with a noiseless step
and sppke in a voico little above a gentle whis
per. In the cosy little room he entered,
which was his office and bed-rcora combined,
there was crackling aud burning an open fire,
and drawn up before it a somewhat woraoat,
but comfortable, great arm-chair. A lamp
burned cheerily upon a little table half cover
ed with oldish books. The carpet was badly
worn in many places, and tho paper stained
with age here and there. Tho air of thft room
was filled, too, with smell of toasting bread;
but withal a cosy room from such a night out
side. "Ah!" said the Doctor softly to himself,
" this is comfort," as ho took off his boots, and
slipping his feet into a pair of aBeient carpet
slippers, stretched himself in the old chair be
fore the fire. Folding his hands behind his
head, ho threw himself back and gave up to
reverie. With the sense of comfort end of rest
wandered away bis thoughts as others wander
in such moments. He was a poor man very
poor and living amidst tho poor. If rich,
would he havo tasted more of human happi
ness? He doubted that; he strongly doubted
that. He might have bad a larger house,, and
been surrounded with all the luxuries of ear
modern civilization, but they would havo been,
companions to moro worries and anxieties. Ho
might have married. Ah ! here was another
train of thought. Ho Temembored a pretty,
girlish face; how many years 3go was that? A
pretty, girlish face, with blue and honest eyes.
He remembered the slight hand upon hia
shoulder and the soft whisper in hia willing
(
"Lift Me Up."
ear. He remembered standing in hk student
gown upon the hillside, fresh with the breath,
of Spring, and gazing with dewy eyes and faster
beating hears, the long row of slowly-tramping
people toward the village church. How many
years ago was that ? From the bare twig of
memory to tho budding leaf of recent thought
flits now his half-drowsy recollections. Sud
denly he rouses himself and sits upright in hia
chair.
"Susan," he cries; "Susan, have you my
tea."
"Yes, sir!" in broad Anglo-Irish. "Yes,
Doctor, and this half hour awaiting ye."
And stoat Susan bustles in with a little tray
with sujQ&auir cup and a-heap of battered' toaaL
Susan always bustles. She bustles with tho
Doctor's fttrly dinner ; she bustles in sweep
ing the- threadbare carpet; she bustles with
settiug things to rights," and generally in her
bustling way makes tbo little homo of tho
Doctor as light and cheery as hor own good
heart can wish. These two aro old companions
in their homely way, and much bound to oae
another by longassociation. They always have
their evening chat while he drinks his tea and
eats his toast. They havo again this evening,
with Susan resting one red elbow upon the
shaky mantel-shelf and the other arm akimbo,
listening and interjecting now and then her
own opiniun or eauatic comment.
" Well, well, Susan," said the Doeser, "it is
time for you to get your sleep. Good-night and
good rest to you always."
" Good-night, sir," Susan answered, as sha
bnstlcd about for the tray and cup, and bust
ling out, closed the door behind her.
Left aloue, the Doctor stretches himself
wearily, yawns, then goes to the mantel and
takes up a long-stemmed pipe that must have
been old when tho Doctor was young himself,
aad slowly proceeds to fill it from a rude stone
jar upon the shelf. Then he lights it with a
puff or two and sinks back asain into the old
arm-chair.
How tho wind howls outside ! Haw the fly
ing snow patters against the trembling peaea!
How fast tbo scurrying clouds chase eae tha
other across the black vault overhead !
Listen ! The Doctor takes his half-smoked
pipe from between his lips.
Listen onco again 1 Tho Doctor sits upright
in his chair before the smoldering fire.
Yes, he is certain now of the sound of carriage
wheels half smothered in tho snow, and they
are coming down his lonely street.
He is certain, too, they have stopped in front
his door, for in a moment ho hears the heavy
crunch of steps upon his stoop and the sharp
jingle of his offiee bell.
The Doctor was a cool man and a brave one.
He calmly turned up his lamp, laid down hisr
pipe, and stepped into tho little hall. Then ho
turned the knob and ptfrtly opened the door.
In camo rushing a blast of icy wind sad a guqjfa.
of fleecy suow, but on tha stoop ha saw stand
ing the figure of a man well wrapped ia heavy
clothes, holding tho rail with oae hand and
with the other deep thrust in his pocket.
" Is it that the Dr. Sylvester lives here?"
"Ho does. I am ho," answered the Doctor.
" I come this way to yoo," said the stranger,
because of much distress, ily friend ha3
much hurt himself in accident very serious.
Thoy tell me to como to you, as you are good
and very skillful. Will you come with me?"
"How has ho been hurt?" queried the Doc
tor.
"Ho is shot himself in
riedly answered the stranger,
with mo?"
"Yes," said Dr. Sylvester;
accident " hur
"Wlllyeueome "will yec eome
in?"
" No, no ; I havo tho carriage waiting, and
have much snow upon me. I will wait in tho
carriage."
It took but a moment for tho Daetor te pre
pare himself for the journey, and to bike from
a little closet iu his room hia box of sargieal
instruments. He closed tho door behind him,
turned his night-key slipped it into his pocket
and took his seat behind tbo stranger. In a
moment tho carriage started. To his dying
day Dr. Sylvester waver could coaneet the
streets it traveled, the corners it so sharply
turned, or in what part of tho city it fa&Hy
stopped. Only once during tho long, eetd xido
he spoko to tho stranger.
" la yoor frieud seriously hurt?
"Much serious,," said tho latter.
The Doctor had already recognized the for
eign acceut and speech of his companion. They
stood i u front of a lofty and apparently -deserted
building.
"Follow with me, if you please," whispered
tho stranger, and led the way up a ereeky,
narrow flight of steps, where all was inky dark
ness and gloom.
Stumbling here, and feeling again with cau
tious foot, the good Doctor managed to ascend
tho first flight, aud found himself upoa a nar
row lauding.
"It is the further up," said his companion,
as he took tho Doctor's hand and began again,
tbo ascent. As they approached the tp of tho
third stairway the Doctor saw the glimmer of
a light burning in the hallway.
"Aro wo there?" he panted.
"It is the floor, ' said tho stranger.
Ho took the little lamp from its shelf against
i i':iu tun
MM P f&
lid 0 ft)
S
ir..iiiSw..3
kSiBii-'5 &ssb ,iawEJi-i fe-tj- Tfc-w&tsKjl&s.. -k
'meimia-nAsHtM,' Jaj&atasfe&gSfi c
-tj J3Atw
.'rftfxntr?-il&j!sTitr tyiffi.Taatf
