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THE' MOKNrSTG TIMES, SUNDAY, 3fc&RCH 14, 1897
JUUION IN THE WILD WOODS
The Story of a South
ern Swamp
By JOEL CHANDLER UAHItlS
(Copyright, 1897, by Joel Chandler Harris.)
. VI.
THE HUNT ENDS.
It will be seen Unit Air. Jim Stannous,
u his crude way, was a veiy shrewd
rcasoner. He didn't guess;" lie "reckon
ed;" audit cannot be denied that lie came
very near the truth, You will remember
that when we children play hide-the-bwitch
the one that hides it guides those who are
hunting for it by making certain lcmarks.
When they are near where the switch is
hid, the hider says: "I'ou burn; you are
alire," but when they get fuither away
from the hiding place the word is: "You
are cold; you are freezing." In hunting lor
Aaron, Mr. Jim. Simmons was burning, for
he had come very cloe to solving trie piob
lein that the fugitive had set for him.
Mr. Simmons was so sjre he was rightiu
his reasoning that he cheered hib dogs on
lustily and touched up his hone. George
GossettUd the same, and dogs, horses and
men went careering along the plantation
road to the river landing. The sun wa
now above the tree tops, and the chill aii
of the morning was beginning to surrender
to its influence. The course or the liver
was marked o jc in midair by a thin line or
blue mist that hung wavering above the
stream.
The dogs ran crying to the landing, ami
there they (-topped. One of the younger
bounds was for wading across; but Sound,
the leader, knew better than that- He Jan
down the river bank a hundred yards, ami
then cicrled back across the "field until
be reached a point some distance above the
landing Then lie returned, his keen nose
always to the ground. At the landing he
waited until Mr. Simmons came up, and
then he looked across the river and whined
eagerly.
Mr. Simmons seemed to be very lucky
that morning, for just as he and George
Gossett galloped to the landing a boatload
of field hands started across from the other
Side, old Uncle Andy conn ng with it to rowit
back. On the other side, too. Mr. Simmons
saw alad standing a trim figure dressed
in black and near her a negro boy was
holding a horse that she had evidently
ridden to the landing This was the lady
to whom l'ncle Andy sometimes referred as
Sdlly "Ward, and for whom he liad a sincere
affection. The river was not wide at the
landing, and the boatload of field Lands,
propelled by four muscular arms, was net
long in crossing. As the negroes jumped
i.shore Sound went among them and ex
amined each one with ids nose, but he re
turned tothe landingand lookedaerossand
whined. They saluted Mr. Simmons and
George Gossett politely, and then went on
their way. whistling, singing, and cracking
jokes and laughing loudly.
"Was a bateau missing from this side
this morning?" Mr. Simmons asked Uncle
Andy.
"Suh?"' Uncle Andy put his hand to
lus ear, affecting to be very anxious to
hear what Mr. Simmons had said.
The question was repeated; whereat
l'niit' Andy laughed loudly.
"You sho Is a witch fer guessin, sub'
How come you know 'bout deinissin' boat''"'
Mr. Simmons smiled under this flat terv
"1 thought maylK? a boat would be missing
from this side this morning," he saiL
"Uey sho wuz, suh; butl dunner how de
name er goodness you come ter know 'bout
It, kaze 1 wuz on de bank cross dar To
'twuz light, en 1 ain't see you on dis side.
Yes, suh! He loat wuz gone. Hey foun'
it "bout a mile down de river, en on
account er de shoals down dar, dey had
ter take it out'n de water en fetch it
back yer in de waggin. Yes. suh! dish
yer de vc'y boat.''
"AVhcre's the ford?' Mr. Simmons In
quired. "1 used to know, but I've for
gotten." "Right below yer, i-iib." replied Uncle
Andy. "You'll see de jwiff whar de stock
cross at. H'ar down stream, suh, twt-1
you haff way cross, den b'ar up. Ef
you do dat you won't git yo stirrup wet'
The ford was easily found, but the
crossing was not at all comfortable. In
fact. Uncle Andy had maliciously given
Mr. Simmons the wrong directions. The
two men lode Into the water, bore down
the stream, and their horses were soon
floundering In deep water. They soon
touched iKittom again, and in a few mo
ments they were safe on the opposite
nauk safe, but dripping wet, and in no very
pood humor. Mr. Simmons' dogs, obedient
to his call, followed his horseinto the water,
md swam acioss.
Sound lftinbered out, shook himself, and
nm.hack to the landing where the lady
was waiting for the lxiat to return. It
tad been Mr. Simmons' intention to pro
ceed at once dow-n the river to tlie point
vherc the boat had been found, and where
le was sure the dogs would pick up the
icent of the runaway; but he found that
She way was impossible for horses. He
must needs go to the landing and inquire
Ihe way.
Uncle Andy had just made the middle
rcat in the bateau more comfortable for
his mistrcsb by placing his coat, neatly
folded, on the hard plank, and Mrs. "Ward
was preparing to accept the old negro's
Invitation to "git abroad, mistiss," when
Mr. Simmons and George Go.-sctt rode up.
Both raicd their hats as the lady glanced
toward them. They were hardly in con
dition to present themselves, Mr. Simmons
explained, and then he inquired, with as
much politeness as he could command, how
to reach the place where the missing t-oat
had been found.
"The mining boit! "Why. I never heard
or it till now. "Was one or the bateaux
missing this morning?''
"Ycsum. "When de fishin' good en de
r.iggers put out der sethooks, day ain't
many mornin's In de week dat one er de
y.Hhcr er dcze boats ain't miosin'."
"I never heard or it lierore."
"No. mistiss. De boys "low you wouldn't
leer nohow. Dey runs dem over de shoals
en dar dey leaves urn."
"Hut both bateaux are hero."
"Yessum. Wo fetches um back 'roun'
ly de road in de waggin."
-Who carried the bateau over the shoals
thl morning?"'
"Me, iiid'm. Nobody ain't know nuttin'
't all 'bout It but de two Elliks, en when
dat ar gemmun dar ax me des now ir de
want 11 boat missin' fum 'roun' yer dis
mirnin'.hit sorter flung me back on myse'f.
I "low Yes, sub,' bur he sho flung me
liack on myse'f "
Uncle Andy began to chuckle so heartily
that his mistress asked htm what he was
laughing at, though she well knew.
"I hit myse'f on de funny bone, Mistiss,
cnwhfw dat's decase I bleedgVter laugh."
A-nSsis the lady laughed, and it was a
genial, merry, and musical laugh. Mr.
Simmons smiled, but so grimly that it
had the appearance or a threat.
"And so this is Mr. Simmons, the ramous
negro hunter?" said Mrs. Ward. "Well.
Mr Simmons. I'm glad to sec you. I've
long had something to say to you. When
ever you are sent for to catch one of my
negroes I want you to come straight to
the house on the hill yonder and set your
dogs on me. When one of my negroes goes
to the woods, you may know it's ray
fault."
"Trufe, too," remarked Uncle Andy,
under his breath, but loud enough for all
to hear.
"That may beso.ma'am," replied Mr.SIm-
mons;"bt!Uimcng ripnssel or niggers you'll
rin-J some bad uu.s. What little pleasure I
g"i.oiitoruii'5oubiiiesslsinteeiugand hear
ing tu. dogs run. Somebody's got to catch
tin ruraways.atid itmlght as well be me
as anybody.'
"Whs, certainly, Mr. Simmons. You
hae become celebrated. Your name Is
trumpeted about in all the counties around.
You ars belter known than a great many
or our vising joung politicians."
The lady's mai.ner was veiy gracious, but
there wa arietta of huuiur in her eye. Mr
Sim uons didn't know whether she was
laiighirgnl iumorpayinghi.il a compliment;
but he thought It would be sare to change
the subject.
"May l ask the old man there a few
questions';'' he inquired.
"Why, certainly,' Mrs. Ward responded.
"Cross-examine him to your heart's con
tent. Hut be careful alxint it, Mr. Simmons.
He's old and feeble, and his mind is not as
good as it used to be. 1 heard him telling
the house girl last night that he was losing
his senses.''
"He la wsy massy, mlslissl You know I
wuz des projlckin' wid dat gal. Hey ain't
na'er nigger in de conutiy got any mo'
sense dan what I got. You know dat
yo'sc'f."
"Was anybody with you in the bateau
when you went down the river this morn
ing?" "Yes, suh, dey wuz," replied Uncle Andy,
solemnly.
"Who was It?" t
"Well, suh "
"Don't get excited, now, Andrew," his
mistress interrupted. "Tell Mr. Simmons
the truth. You know your weakness."
If Uncle Andy's skin had been white or
'As for the swnmp, It hnd a great frolic tlint iiitriit. All tlie mys
teries, came out and danced."
even brown, Mr. Simmons would have seen
him blushing violently. He knew his mis
tress was making fun of him, but he was
not less embarrassed on that account. He
looked at Mrs. Ward and laughed
"Speak right out," said that lady.
"Who was with you in the bateau?"
"Little Essek, ma'm my gran'chil', I'm
bleedge ter have some un 'long fer ter l.ol'
de boat steady when I go ter look at my
set-book. Little Essek wuz de fust one
1 see, en I hollered at Mm."
"Did anybody cross from the other side
this morning?" asked Mr. Simmons.
"Not dat I knows un, less'n it wuz
Criddle's Jerry. He's got a wife at de
Atercrombie place. He fotch Marse Cud
dle's buggy to be worked on at our black
smlf shop, en he rid de mule home dis
mornin'. Little Essek had 'er down yer
'bout daylight waitin' fer Jerry, kaze he
say he got ter be home soon efnotbefo'."
Uncle Andy had an imagination. Jerry
had brought the buggy and had ridden the
mule home He also had a wife at the Ab
'ereiomblo place, but his mastei had given
him no "pass' to visit her, thinking it
might delay his return. For that reason
Jerry did not cross the river the night
before.
"And here we've been chasing Criddle's
Jerry all the morning,'' remarked George
Gossett to Mr. Simmons. "Pap wasright.''
"But what was the nigger doing at your
place?'' Mr. Simmons- was still arguing
the matter in his mind.
"Don't ask me," re.plied George Gossett.
"Dey ain't no countin' Ter a nigger, suh,"
remarked Uncle Andy, affably. "Dey ain't
no 'countin' fer 'em when dey ol' cz I .is,
much less when dey young en soople like
Criddle's Jerry."
Under the circumstances there was noth
ing for Mr. Simmons and young Gossett to
do but. to turn about and recros the river.
It was fortunate for them that a negro boy
was waiting to take Mrs. Ward's horse
across the river. They followed him into
the ford, and made the crossing without
difficulty. Then the two men held a council
of war. Uncle Andy had another name forit.
"I wish you'd look at um jugglln'," he
said to his mistress, as he helped her from
the bateau. v.
Goorge Gosett was wet, tired and dis
gusted, and he would no; hear to Mr. Sim
mons' proposition to "beat about the
bushes" In the hope that the dogs would
strike Aaron's trail. "We started wrong,"
he said. "Let's go home, and when we
try for the nigger again let's start right."
"Well, tell your rather I'll be back the
day after tomorrow if I don't catch his
nigger. I'm obliged to go home now and'
change my duds if I don't strike a trail.
It's a true saying that there's more mud
than water in the Oconee. I'll take a short
cut. I'll go up the river a mile or such
a matter and ride across to Dawson's old
mill road. That will take me home by
dinner time."
As it happened, Mr. Simmons didn't take
diuner at home that day, nor did he re
turn to Gossctt's at the time he appointed.
He called his dogs and turned his horse's
head up stream. He followed the course
of the river for a mile or more and then
bore away from it. TYhlle he was riding
along, lost in his reflections, he suddenly
heard Sound gi e tongue Tar ahead. That
sagacious dog had unexpectedly hit on
Aaron's trail, and he lost no time In
announcing the ract as loudljr as he
could. Mr. Simmons was very much sur
prise!. "If that blamed dog is fooling me this
time I'll feel like killing him," he remarked
tohlmsclf. Therestof the dogs joined in, and
they were all soon footing It merrily in the
direction of the big swamp.
The blue falcon, circling high in the air,
suddenly closed her wings and dropped
into the leafy boTsom of the swamp. This
Lwas the first messenger. That red Joker,
the Fox Squirrel, had heard the walling cry
or the hounds, and scampered down the big
pine. Hair-way down he mndeaflylngleap
Into the live oak, and then from tree to
tree he went running, scrambling, jumping.
But let him go never so fast, the blue
falcon was before him, and let the blue
falcon swoop never so swiftly, the mes
sage was before her. For the White
Grunter had ears. Ooft! he had heard the
same wailing sound when the houudb were
after him; but goofU that was before
he knew what his tusks were for. And
Rambler had ears. In fact, the Swamp
ltseir had ears, and for a few moments it
heldlts breath (asthesayingls) and listened.
Listened intently, and then quietly, cau
tiously, and serenely began to dispose of
Its forces. Near the big poplar Aaron had
a pile or stones. They had been selected
to fit his hand; they were not too large nor
too small; they were not too light nor too
heavy. This pile of stones was Aaron's
ammunition, and he took his stand by it-
The White Tig lose slowly fioin his bed
or mud, where he had been wallowing, and
shook hiiiiFeir. Then he scratched himself
by rubbing his side against a beech tree.
The Brindle Steer slowly diagged hinuelf
thiough the canes and tall glass, and came
to Aaron's tree, where he panted with
such a loud sigh that Rambler jumped
away.
"It is the track dogs," he said.
"Yes; I'm Forry," leplled Aaron. "Whei
the big bluck t'og comes stand aside and
leave him to me."
"Gowft! Notjf itstheonethatehewedmy
car," remarked the White Tig.
"Icame thisn.orningby the thundei wood
tree," said Aaioa. "Hide in the glass near
there, and when they pass, come charging
after.' '
Thenogscame nearer and nearer.and the
Swamp could hear Mr. Simmons cheering
them on. As for Mr. Simmons, he was
sure of one thing the dogs wcie trailing
either a wildcat or a runaway. lie had
never trained them not to follow the tcent
of a wildcat, and he now icgietted it, for
his keen ear, alive to differences that
would attract the attention of those who
had never made a study of the tempera
ment of dogs, detected a more ravage note
in their cry than he was nccoM.uiijed to
heai. Nor did his ear deceive him. Sound
was following the .'cent of Aaron, but his
companions were trailing Knmbler, who
accompanied Aaron, and this fact gave a
fiercertwanglo their cry.
When Aaron was going from Gossett's to
the river landing Itambler was not trotting
at his heels, but scenting ahead, sometimes
far to the right and at other times far to
tlie left. But in going from the river to
the swamp it was otherwise. Uambler had
to hold his head high to prevent Aaron's
heel from striking him on the under jaw.
His scent lay with that of the son or Ben
Ali.
For that reason Mr. Simmons was puzzled
by the peculiar cry of the dogs. He had
trained them not to follow the scent of
hares, coons aud foxes, aadif they were not
trailing a runaway, he knew, or thought he
know, that they must be chasing a wildcat.
Pluto, the crop-eared catch dog, galloped by
his blaster's horse. He was a fierce-looking
brute, but Mr. Sim noas knew that he would
be no match for a wildcat.
When the dogs entered the swamp Mr.
Simmons tried to follow, but he soon found
his way barred by the undergrowth, by the
trailing vines, the bending trees, the rank
canes. He must needs leave his horse or
lead It when he entered the swamp. He
chose to do neither, but sat In his saddle
and waited, Pluto waiting with him, ready
to go in when the word was given.
When the hounds entered the swamp
they were In full cry. They struggled
through the vines, the briers, and the cane.-!,
and splashed through the spreading arms
of the lagoon. Suddenly they ceased to
cry. Then Mr. Simmons heaul a strange
snarling and snapping, an ominous crash
ing, fierce snorllng and then howls and
screams of pain from his hounds.
"A cat, by jing!'' he exclaimed aloud.
Intent on saving his hounds if possible, he
gave Pluto the word, and thatsavage brute
plunged into the Swamp with gleaming red
and eager eyes.
Mr. Simmons never really knew what
happened to his hounds, but the Swamp
knew. When they splashed past the White
Pig that fierce guardian of the Swamp
sprang from his lairand rushed after them.
They tried hard to escape, but the hindmost
was caught. The White Pig ran by his side
for the space of three full seconds; then,
lowering his head he raised it again with
a toss sidewise, and the hound was done for
ripped from flank to backbone as neatly
as a butcher could have done It. Another
was caught on the horn of the red bteer
and flung sheer into the lagoon. Sound.the
leader, rcll Into the Rambler's jaws, and
some old scores were settled then and'
there.
Pluto came charging blindly in. He saw
the White Pig and made ror him, experience
telling him that a hog will run when a dog
is after it; but experience did him small
service here. The White Pig charged to
meet him, seeing which Pluto swerved to
one side, but he was- uot nimble enough.
With a downward swoop and an upward
sweep of his snout the White Pig caught
j Pluto under the shoulder with his tusk and
gave him a taste ofwarfare in the A wamn.
Another dog would have lert the field, but
Pluto had a temper He turned and rushed
at the White Pig, and the Swamp prepared
to witness a battle royal. But just then
there was a whizzing, zooning sound in the
air, a thud, and Pluto tumbled over and
fell in a heap-. Aaron liad -ended the cur's
career as suddenly as if he had been blown
to pieces by a cannon. There was one stone
missing rrom the ntorc of ammunition at
the foot or the big poplar.
Meanwhile Rambler was worrying Sound,
and the White Pig.iseeiug no other enemy
in sight, went running to the scene or that
fray. His onslaught was so furious that
Rambler thought it- good manners to get
out of Grunter's way. So he loosed his hold
on Sound and jumped aside. Sound was
Still able to do, some jumping on his own
account, and he turned tall and ran, just as
the White Pig was about to trample him
under foot. But he was not quick enough
to escape with a whole skin. The tusk of
the White Pig touched him on the hind leg,
and where it touched it tore.
Mr. Simmons had five dogswhen became
to the Swamp. Sound came out to him
after the morning's advcntuie, but had to
be carried home across the saddle bow.
Two days later another or the dogs went
limping home. Three dogs were lert in
the Swamp. Mr. Simmons blew his horn,
and called them for some time, and then he
slowly went home.
He had a great tale to tell when he got
there. Ills dogs hnd Jumped a wildcat at
the river, chased him to the Swamp, and
there they round a dea or wildcats. There
was a great fight, but three of the dogs
were killed, and the cats were so rierce
that it was as much as Mr. Simmons could
do to escape with his life. Indeed, ac
cording to his tale, the biggest cat followed
him to the edge or the Swamp. And he
told this moving tale bo often that he
really believed It, and felt that he was a
soit or hero. ' "
As for the Swnmp, It had a rare rrolic
that night. All the mysteries came forth
and danced, and the Willis-Whistlers piped
as t lie had never piped before, and old .Mr.
Bullfrog Joined in with his line bass voice.
And the next morning Mr. Thuzard, who
roosteil in the loblolly pine, called his sani
tary committee together, and soon thcic
wasnothiugleftorPluto aud his companions
to pester the Swamp.
(To be. Continued.)
TWO PLAIN TALES FROM
THE ARIZONA KICKER
. We arc the postmaster of this town,
and while occupying the exalted position
we propose to keep right on feeling that
we are more or less the United States.
The day after we took possession of tho
office we gave notice that it was beneath
the dignity of a postmaster to lick stamps
onto Iettets. Our predecessor had doiTe It
In order to curry favor with the public,
but we hnd no such object in view. We
promptly aud positively refund to lick , and
though we offended scores of citizens ror
the time being all of them eventually came
around to our way or thinking. It has
been three months since anyone requested
us to lick, but last Tuesday a stranger in
town named Baker entered the office and
bought a stamp and demanded that we
paste it to his letter. His manner was
very offensive, and after a few words
had been exchanged he announced that wo
must either lick the btamp or he would
lick us.
We passed out into the corridor, and he
tackled us and It took us Jmt five minutes
to make him holler. We did not lick him
as editor of the Kicker, mayor, tenator or
deputy United States marshal, but as i ost
master, and to maintain the dignity of
the United States, and after being i est o red
to consciousness he made us an ample
ai ology and admitted that we could have
taken no other course under the circum
stances. He was able to limp utof town
next day, and he departed for Pine Hill,
where the postmaster not only licks on all
the stamps, but has never dared send
a letter to the dead letter office for lack
of postage. If there is any other critter
hiAriKonavho thinkswe haven't made up
our mind on this mattei he will oblige us
by making an earlj call.'
A man named Finney, from New Mexico,
arrived In town the other day for the ex
press purpose of -hooting Col. Joe Williams
to satisfy an old grudge. He was passing
up and down the street and making inqui
ries, when he ran up against the Colonel,
and before he could get his gun out of its
holster he had a bullet in his shoulder
and a second through his hand and was
laid out. We were interviewing him yes
terday, and he had not yet recovered
from his surprise, although his wounds were
doiug nicely. He had lanned for a year
or more to come here aud pop the colonel.
He had traveled a distance of 4uO miles
Ills Wounds Are
and had thoiightlt all out a hundred times.
To bump up againsthis vietiuiand he knock
ed out in a breath was n leature he hadn't
provided for, and it will be three or four
days j'ct before his brain is clear on that
subject. Col. Joe doesn't know why the
man sought his life and he Isn't inter
ested enough to inquire. In this country
when a stranger walks up to you with his
hand tugging away at the butt of a re
volver it is considered good manners to
get the drop on him first and ask ques
tions afterward. Mr. Finney says he shall
start for home as soon as able and al'andon
his idea of killing the colonel. That is very
kind and sweet of him, and on behalf of
the community we return thanks.
Couldn't Persuade 31 r. Piatt.
Mrs. FredGrant persuaded Senator Culloin
to go to the President with her
and ask ror the appointment, of
her husband as amens-sailor to
Beilln from the State of Illinois instead
of from the State of New York, where he
has resided for several years, Sena tor Piatt
showed greater power of resistance than
Mr. Cullom, as he refused to .indorse
Col. Grant as a candidate. Mrs. Grant is
showing herself quite as energetic and In
fluential In politics as her sister, Aire.
Potter Palmer. Chicago News.
BETTING ON A BEAR
At Rawson Junction we found a man
with a big black bear in a cage on the
platform, ne explained that Bruin had
been taken in a trap three days before,and
that he was going tb take him down to
Silver City to sell him to a saloonkeeper
ror $50. While we were surveying the
captive an old man rode up on a cayuse,
rollowed by about the meanest-looking dog
ftversetininthcglorioiiBWest.TIiecaninewas
squint-eyed, bob-tailed, and poor In flesh,
and when rallied about the animal the old
man explained that, while his looks were
agin him, the dog was really a Tighter of
the first w-ater. He lounged up and took
a look at the bear and another look at his
owner and finally said:
"Mister, I reckon ye sorter brag on that
b'ar o' yours?"
Palm Avenue,
"There is no call to brag,"' was the re
ply. "I didn't know but you was braggin' and
bluffin' as to how he could right. If you
was I was going to say a few words."
"As to how?"
"As to that 'ere dog o' mine, I hev
never put him up ag'in a b'ar as jit, but
I think he could hold his own."
"You must be crazy!" exclaimed the
owner of the bear. "Why, he'd chaw
your dog up at one gulp!"
"Mebbe he would, stranger mebbe he
would, but somehow or t'other I can't
believe that he would. I've knowed that
dog fur three y'ars, and I don't believe
your b'ar could chaw him up."
"Well, It stands to reason that he could.
From the looks of him I should say that al
most any sort or dog could roll that dog
o' yourn over. He's ready to run now."
"Yes he looks that way," slowly ie
mnrked the old man, "but that's his de
celvln' p'ut. What's the value or yer
b'ar?"
"Fifty dollars."
"Wall, I've got fifty dollars in gold
whlclrsays he can'tchaw my dog up in no
one mi nit, nor five nor ten mlnits."
"What's that? You want to put your
dog agin my bear?'
"I do, stranger, and my money Is ready.
We'll turn "em loose on the platrorm, and
IT your b'ar chaws up my dog, the cash Is
yourn."
The owner of the benv didn't have but
$120, but he put up his Winchester for the
balance, and ns soon as the stakes were up
we got into the station and left the dog
and the bear man to arrange things. Some
or the slats to the cage were loosened, and
after a few minutes all was ready and the
two men joined usinside. Thcdogscratchcd
at the door and whined togetin.and altera
look about him the bear lert the cage and
started ror the canine.
"One gulp and yoimdog is gone!" shout
ed the bear man, but he wasn't out or the'
woods yet. The dog was off the platform
and up the trail In a flash, while the bear
followed at a slower gait. They had been
out or sight rive minutes when thebear man
suddenly exclaimed:
"Why why -that bear won't comeback!"
"No. 1 ret kon net," replied the old man.
"But but-!"
"Hut the bet was that he'd chaw up my
dog, and he hasn't done It."
The bear man looked up and down and
around, and the situation finally dawned
upon him and he. said to the old man:
"Stranger, did you ever strike a full
blown idiot before?"
"Yes, two or three."
Doing iXicely.
"And did you leave 'em dead broke and
far rrom home?"
"Oh, no. I alius felt borry fur em and
left 'em sunthin' fur railroad fare."
And he handed the bear man $10 or
the $20, took the rifle on his arm and rode
away down the trail without looking
back.
Prophecies; Which Failed.
There are a few famous prophecies which
failed utterly and became historical on that
account. Aristotle, for instance, said that
blavery would last forever, or until the
shuttle would weave ofitsown accord. This
Is a double mistake, for slavery is aliolishcd
and thanks to invention the shuttle may be
said to work of its own accord.
"Before fifty years are over all Europe
wilt be either republican or Cossack," proph
esied Napoleon I In the first decade of this
century. At the end of nearly a hundred
years Europe is no more republicaa than
ever and the Cossacks have no more power.
"The United States of Europe," was the
piedlction of all ardent democrats from
Victor Hugo to Carlo Cattanco, and Its
fulfillment was to take place at the down-
fall of the Napoleonic empire. It is twenty-
five years since then and the states of
Europe are more disunited than ever. Chi
cago News.
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An Ideal Existence
g in uinu ii wcuaiui ilia g
Southern California is known the world
over for its seml-ttopical climate, its sun
shine, and its remarkable variety of fruits
Hut to my mind its chief claim to regard is
that it has demonstrated the practical
benefits of the colony system, and has thus
established In a new land and under the
best conditions Ideal homes and an ideal
state of society the nearest approach in
th3 country to that perfect community
life which William Morris pictures In
'News From Nowhere.'' In no other part
T.os Angeles', Cal.
of the world Is there seen such a picture
as is unrolded before the eye or the tourist
who sets out rrom Los AngeleS.tho natural
center of the colony system of Southern
California. Within a radius or fifty miles
rrom this old Spanish-American head
quarters, one may visit a hundred colonies,
each presenting some distinct feature crm
terest, but all modeled on the same plan
the union of the best qualities of town and
country lire; the development of religious
and social associations; the cultivation of
the beautiful in landcape-gardcniiig and
floriculture; theperfectlonorthe community
idea which replaces the ugly fence with
the ornamental hedge and breaks wu
the caste line in social life., and the nm
lnation or mot or those vices that make
the large American city so dangerous a
pla.-e for the proper education of children.
A few or the dwellers in these, colo
nies are men or large wealth who have
been attracted by the climate and the
surroundings; a small fi action is made
up of those who only use their homes
as places of winter residence; bnt the great
majority are persons of moderate means
who have sought a home in these colonies
and are dependent for support uion the
product of their orange groves or vineyards.
The standard of education and refinement
is high, for nine-tenths of ihee colonUts
know Europe almost as wei! as this country,
and fully one-third Is made up of English,
Anglo-Indians and Australians, to whom
this free life in a climate that permits or
outdoor exercise every day in the year
uppealsevea more thanit does to the Amer
ican. Lest this praise should seem exagger
ated it may be well to glance at a few
features of these colonies before de
scribing in detail some of the tjpical set
tlements. In most of these Southern Cali
fornia colonies the sale of liquor is either
prohibited or restricted by very high license-
The result is an entile absence of corner
saloons. The Chinese are placed in one
district, and they are c ompelled (o maintain
cleanliness in their quarter. This saves
the colony town from the unslghtlj spec
tacle of Chinese wash-hous's on the main
streets, and it keeps tl.e Orientals strictly
apart fioin the rest of the community a
precaution that only thoc who knew tl.e
rapid spread of Chinese vices can properly
appreciate. Far more attention is paid
to churches and schools than in most East
em communities. Indeed, what is spent
on the school system of these colonies might
be called extravagance had it not been
demonstrated that every dollar invested
in good selicolhouses and superior teachers
brings ample icturns-in the best class of
settlers. All public buildings aie of the
best architectural designs, made of the
material that conforms most agreeably to
the sunoandings; the streets arc laid out
with double and tuple lows of trees that
make the main avenues long vistas of
leafy shade In 1 ot midsummer das". pri
vate hoir-es and grounds are In keeping,
with the streets, to that the eye is seldom
offended by anything grotesque or incon
gruous. This colony system owed its origin to a
party ot German mechanics or San Fran
cisco, who over twenty-rive years ago de
cided to attemptthe founding or a commu
nity In Southern California, which, while
leaving free play for individual tastes,
should hae the benefit of union of com
mercial interests. These Germans knew
little of country life, but several of their
number had had experience in wine making
in the old country. To them was intrusted
the purchase of land and its proper devel
opment. These meg bought a part of an
old Spanish ranchonear Los Angeles, which
was so overgrown with enctus that It was
worthless even Tor pasture or stock. They
paid a mere triNe for the land, but the
owner smiled over the bargain he bad
made. They then cleared the land, but the
canal and diverted water from the Los
Angeles River, divided the place into
twenty-acre tracts, with a tillage lot for
each tract, and planted the whole to the
best varieties of wine grapes. They called
the place Anaheim. None or the settlers
moved upon their land. For three years
they worked in the city, devoting them
selves to paying Tor the land and its im
provement. All the work on the vineyards
was done economically, and In the fourth
year, when the vines began to bear, hous'es
were built and each colonist began liter
ally to live under his own vine and fig
tree. So well did the managers execute
their trust that no colonist was dissatisfied,
and in thecntirelite of the colony no mort
gage was ever placed oa a vineyard. A
winery was built, and the product of the
vineyards was sold just as though it be
longed to one man. Thus every colonist
secured the full fruit of his labor and never
suffered from the rapacity of middle-man
or railroad agent.
For fifteen years the colony flourished,
andsuch was the content of these Teutonic
wine-growers that they never attempted
to "boom" their lands. In fact, they
set their faces against the hustling laud
agent, and it Is only in recent years that
more worldy dwellers have come In and
have supplanted many or the old vineyards
with fine orange groves. Yet, though
Anaheim today wears an old-rashioned
look as a legacy or its plain German
founders, few colonies in Cnliromia can
show a better record or continued pros-
perity in good seasons- and bad. Booms
have come to other colonies and collapses
of booms, but through all these Anaheim
has gone steadily on
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Riverside is perhaps the best known
colony in California, because It waa the
first to make a success of the navel or
seedless orange Its history is typical of
that of many other similar ventures.
Founded by Eastern people on a wind
swept mesa or natural terrace In the San
Bernardino valley, Its only claims to favor
were Its rich soil and its superb view of
the snow-covered mountains not fifty ndles
away. All the old settlers who were grow
ing wheat on the rich lands near by pre
dicted that the "teuderreet" would come
to grler; but these pioneer colonists were
not of the etufr to be daunted by obstacles.
They first planted almonds and raisin
grapes, but the almonds dropped from the
trees because the soil was too moist and
cold, and the grapes refused to be con
verted Into saleable raisins. So the greater
part of these orchards and vineyards were
rooted out and the seedless orange was
planted. It flourished in the dark, rich
soil, and boon the Ittverslde navel orange
commanded the best price in any Amer
ican market.
Thousands of acres were planted, mag
niricent streets were laid out, fine public
buildings erected. The main thorough
fare of the place Is Magnolia avenue, the
finest driveway in Southern California. A
triple row of magnolia, eucalyptus and fan
palms extendi clear through the center of
the drive. One drives for nine miles pass
ing on either side a continuous succession
of rine residences, each with its ornamental
garden and itssiiperb orange-grove stretch
ing back over the level valley, with foliage
as darkly green in January as in July.
Nothing can be more beautiful than these
groves when the orange trees are powdered
with snowy blossoms that freight the air
with their rich perfume, or when the golden
frujt hangs thick in their branches, giving
them the appearance of well trimmed
Christmas trees. And tho.-e who derive
large incomes rrom these beautiful oranga
groves have shown a civic pride that is
almost' without jiarallel in this country
They have proscribed everything that man
the beauty of their city or the proper de
velopment of their children. Their schools
are of the best; their churche.-. are well
sustained, and their society is based on
cult ire and refinement rather than oa ac
quired or inherited wealth.
Another colon y, barely ten years old,
which almost surpasses Riverside in beauty
of location anil rivals it in success in orange
culture is Redlands, in the shelter of tiie
lofty San Bernardino Mountains. Like
Riverside, it has been developed tor tho
best class of Eastern people, who are
determined to makeu an ideal community.
Poverty, vice, and suffering are unknown;
the place combines all the advantages
of city life In churches, schools, theaters,
lectures, and clubs, and all the benefits
of country life in driing, horseback riding,
bicycling, and other sports.
A uniquecoloay is Ontario, in the Pomona
Valley, forty miles from Los Angeles.
It was founded by the Chaffee brothers
and took its name front Ontario, Canada.
Education was the first thing considered
in Outario A tract was set apart for the
college and other lands were laid out
to be sold only for the maintenaaee
of the institution. The colony flourtsaed
from the outset- One feature Is EucHd
Avenue ot pepper and palm trees, seven
miles long, which runs froai the railrond
station clear to the base of the neighboring
mountains. Ji the traits of the original
colony are preserved, and every deed
of land contain the proviso that no saloon
or hotel barroom shall be eMabflshed.
One company In this colony sells la ad
only to settlers who agree to build boteea
when their lands are improved. TWs
company plants orange or lemon groves
or orchards of deciduous fruits ami takes
care of them until maturity. Theu the
owner builds his house and takes pos
session of his orchard.
I'oaiona, which is near Ontario, was
settled by Iowa people who liad tasted
colony life in that State and desired to
try it here under new conditions. 16
was in 1S77, when the grange movement;
was a popular fad, that 13.000 acres were
! ought by these Iowa settlers, and tho
new colony was named Pomona after tho
Goddess of Traits. The place has had a
steady and healthy growth and it is one
of the best types ot a colony founded oa
general fruit-growing. In fact, it, grows
more varieties of fruit than any locality
in the world. It has 7,000 acres in
oranges, and 4,000 acres in peaches, apri
cots, and prunes, and Its products range
from mangoes and guavas to dates and
pomelos, or grape fruit.
Los Angeles, as the natural center and
market for all these colonies, has become
the second city in importance in Cali
fornia. In 1SS0 it had only 11,000 In
habitants and the Spanish-American sloth
still clung to it. -By 1SSG It had 40,000,
and now it has 100,000 people, while
in the colonies, which are irtually su
burbs, there are 200.000 more. Built
on a score ot hills, It looks out on a series
ot rich valleys, dotted with colonies; to
the west on clear days the Pacific Ocean,
only twenty miles away give s back the sun
shine like a great sheet of glass: to the
east the eye may follow the rugged skyline
ot the coast range for one hundred miles.
The city has been made beautiful to please
the Eastern tourists, who come out every
wiuter by thousands to escape the ice and
snow. It is perhaps the only large city in
this country which can toast of open
water running in stone ditches inside the
sidewalks.
AH about it the country is like a 'gar
den. The San Gabriel "Valley for fifteen
miles Is a succession ot colonies. Pa.s
adena, the Indian name for Crown of
the Valley, deserves its titte for it has
no equal in beauty in this valley and
few rivals in the State- It boasts some
of the great show-places", rose gardens
with hundreds of v; rieties iu bleom,
and hedges of calla ldies that look at a
little distance like a great green ocean
breaker falling in foam. On Millionaire
Baldwin's Santa Anita ranch are a half
dozen colonies that have been developed
within ten years. Through all this garden
laud, redolent with the perfume ot mag
nolia and orange and jessamine, the
tounst may drive for hours, until the eye
is sated with the beauty of green and gold.
And everywhere he will see evidences
that woman has had an equal hand with
man in the making of these homes. He
will see delicate-looking women pruning
trees and vines and in tlie harvest sea
son the whole Tamily gathering oranges
or picking grapes. It is this wholesome
outdoor exercise, amid surroundings which
have nothing in them to coarsen the nature,
that gives the superb phyMnue of South
ern California women. And tlie children,
bred in these colonies, are good to look
upon ros-cheeked, stalwart, supple and
strong, the girls as free from all ailments
and as able to run or ride or climb a tree
as the boys.
It is to these colonies that Californli
must look for the new generation that
is to make her known in the world of lit
erature, art, and science, as she is known
today for her material conquests, her enor
mous addition to the world's wealth In
gold, silver, wheat, fruit, and wine. For
iu these colonies all the surroundings favor
the perfect development of the physical
man and woman, and the study of beauty,
the environment ot culture, which has no
taint of degeneracy, cannot fall to stimu
late the creative Imagination. So the next
century may owe some ot its best artwork
to the influence of California colony lire
GEORGE HAMLIN FITCH.
