Yorkville enquirer. [volume], November 24, 1897, Image 1

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ISSUED TWICE A WEEK-WEDNESDAY A3XT3D SATURDAY.
l. k grist & SONS, Publishers. } ft dfamilg ftorepaptr: cjfor tl,c irom?ti?n of fhc political, fociat, Jljriculturat, and ffommcirciat jfnteri>sts of the ?outb.
vm as" YORKVILLE, S. C., WEDNESDAY, NOVEMBER 24, 1897. NO. 94.
A CONFLICT (
BY RODRIGUEZ
Author of "An i
Copyright, 1897, by Q. P. Putnam's Sons
Synopsis of Previous Installments.
In order that new readers of The Enquirer
may begin with the following installment
ot this story, and understand it
just the same as though they had read it
all from the beginning, we here give a
synopsis of tbat portion of it wtiicn lias
already been published:
Chapter I.?Fifteen years before the
opening of the story John Lewis went to
live in a place willed Lee, in New Hampshire,
with a little girl 6 years old, Virginia,
the daughter of his deceased sister.
He had a son who had been left at school,
but ran away and shipped for China.
Five years after Lewis went to Lee a
family named Marvel also settled there.
Young Walter Marvel met and loved Virginia
Lewis. Alice Marvel, Walter's sister,
and Harry Lucas also met and were
reported to be in love with each other.
At the opening of the story a person purporting
to be the missing son of John
Lewis arrives at Lee. Walter Marvel
proposes for Virginia's hand to her uncle,
who refuses, telling him that his uncle,
whose name he bears, was a villain and a
convict. Young Marvel draws a pistol
and shoots at Lewis, but his aim is diverted
by Virginia. Soon after Lewis is
found dead in his room with two bullet
holes in his body. His death occurs simultaneously
with the arrival of the man
who claims to be his son.- II.?Mr.
Barnes, the celebrated detective, and Tom
Burrows, another detective, take up the
case, strongly suspecting Virginia as the
criminal. III.?They examine the
grounds about the house where the murder
is committed and find footprints of a
man and a woman, the woman's footprints
strengthening their suspicions of
Virginia. They also find two pistols, one
marked "Virginia Lewis," the other
marked "Alice Marvel." Virginia writes
a letter and goes away with it. Barnes,
disguised, follows her. IV.?Virginia
gives her letter to one Will Everly, who
posts it. Barnes keeps his eye on it, gets
possession of if. and thus learns the whereabouts
of Walter Marvel. V.?Virginia
.'ioitu A lir.o Marvel, wild hetniVS a kllOWl
edge of the murderer. VI.?John Lewis,
the supposed son of the murdered man,
produces envelopes addressed to him to
prove his identity. He excites suspicion
by leaving his room at midnight. VII.?
An autopsy is made of the dead man, and
Barnes arrives at Lee with young Mar\?l,
and an inquest is held, at which Alice
Marvel testifies that she tired one of the
shots that killed Lewis, and Virginia confesses
that she murdered her uncle, presumably
to shield the real murderer.
CHAPTER X.
VIRGINIA LEWIS TESTIFIES.
When Alice made the statement that
she had shot Mr. Lewis, all present for
a moment sat dumb with amazement
When they saw that she had fainted,
all were immediately possessed by the
desire to minister to her wants, the result
being, as is usual in such cases,
that the prostrate form of the young
woman was surrounded, and she was
deprived of all chance of fresh air. Fortunately
Dr. Snow was present, and,
calling upon Lucas to assist him, together
they bore her from the room,
permitting only a couple of women to
follow them.
The squire, utterly confounded at the
unexpected turn of events, scarcely
knew what to do next, and in order to
gain time declared a recess of ten minutes.
The jurymen started to leave their
scuts, but the squire requested that
w/-mM ?,nt /In on nt?d that thav
nuwu "V ? -"-J
would not converse about the case with
the other persons present. The crowd
fell to discussing the situation and a
huru of voices filled the room. Mr.
Barnes and Mr. Tupper arose and went
on the stand with the squire.
"Well, gentlemen," said the squire,
"this is a surprising affair. What shall
we do now?"
"Mr. Barnes," said the lawyer, "you
are mor; conversant with the case.
What is your opinion of Miss Marvel's
statement?"
"Gentlemen," said Y*\ Barnes, "it
is evident that Miss M..rvel really believes
that she killed Mr. Lewis. It is
plain to my mind, however, that wo
should be most careful in accepting such
a theory. In the first place I would call
attention to the evidence offered by Dr.
Snow. He tells us that he found two
wounds, one having passed through the
nightdress, and the other not. This simple
fact proves beyond doubt that the deceased
changed his clothing after receiving
the first wound. Therefore it is
manifestly clear that the shot which
Miss Marvel admits she fired at him
could not have proved fatal, for if so
we would be obliged to believe that the
other wound was made by the bullet
from the pistol of Lucas in order to account
for their being two wounds, but
these shots followed in such close succession
that there was not time for him
to have effected the change of clothing.
"There is, however, a bare possibility
that he had already received the first
wound and was in bed, when, attracted
by the dog, ho arose and went to the
window. In that case he might have
been killed by the ball from Miss Marvel's
weapon. Thus far, however, wo
have no evidence that would substantiate
a suspicion of this kind. Miss Car.owl
\T~ ITU??.A
PCUICA (UIU iUi. X-i * CA 1J ? UU1U UU> U
heard the repot t if a shot had been fired
earlier. Miss Carpenter heard shots at
9 o'clock, the time when Miss Marvel
discharged her weapon. There is, however,
more convincing evidence which
I can adduce to corroborate me in the
stand which I take. [ am in doubt
whether the wound which did not prove
fatal was made by Miss Marvel or not,
or whether by Lucas, either accidentally,
as ho claims to have fired, or with
design. But I am positive that neither
of the shots fired at that hour was the
one which destroyed tho life of the deceased.
"
" x ju allude to tho scrap of paper of
which you told me, do you not?" asked
Mr. Tupper.
"I do," replied Mr. Barnes. "But
let me explain to the coroner, so that he
may be convinced of the necessity of
continuing. 1 found upon the table in
tho parlor a sheet of paper upon which
was written, 'If I am dead in the morning,
my murderer is'?the sentence being
unfinished. This seems to provo
)F EVIDENCE.
$ OTTOLENGUI.
Irtist In Crime."
that Mr. Lewis recognized his first assailant
at least, and that, fearing death,
he meant to warn us as to the identity
of the person. True, the name does not
appear, but the words are sufficiently
significant. I presume there is no doubt
as to the writing?" Mr. Barnes handed
the paper to the squire, who examined
it closely and with great interest. After
a moment he replied:
"1 recognize this as the handwriting
of Mr. Lewis. I am perfectly familiar
with it, and there can be no doubt."
"The deduction then iss' If evident,"
continued Mr. Barnes. "Dr. Snow has
testified that death was instantaneous.
Consequently this writing refers to the
first assailant. Therefore, unless it can
be shown that he received a wound
prior to 9 o'clock Miss Marvel did not
inflict the fatal wound, if her shot
reacLed him at all. There is a break in
the plastered ceiling of the parlor,
showing the furrow of a bullet. That
was probably made by Miss Marvel or
by Lucas. We cannot determine which."
"Mr. Barnes," said the squire, "your
reasoning convinces me that whatever
may have been the girl's intent when
she fired her bullet did r.iov kill Mr.
Lewis. The worst that can be claimed
is that she is respousible for the lesser
wound, and, as you say, even that
would be difficult to prove. If you
take the sarue view, Mr. Tupper, we
will continue."
"I certainly agree with Mr. Barnes
in all his deductions," said Mr. Tupper.
"I am confident that we do not
yet know who fired the last shot. It
would help us if we could discover what
name was meant to complete that sen*
tence, and if you will now call Miss
Lewis, acting upon a suggestion from
Mr. Barnes, I hope to learn it"
The 6quire then announced that the
inquest would be continued, and immediately
all resumed their seats and
ceased talking.
"Gentlemen," said the squire, addressing
the jury, "Mr. Barnes, the detective
in this case, the district attorney
and myself are satisfied that a true
verdict cannot be rendered without
more evidence. Therefore, notwithstanding
the words uttered by the last
witness, we will proceed. I will merely
call your attention to the fact that,
though Miss Marvel admits that she
fired at Mr. Lewis, Dr. Snow testified
that he found two wounds. Miss Marvel
could not inflict two wounds by firing
one shot and cannot know herself
whether or not she has committed a
homicide. Call Virginia j-iewis." ,
Virginia entered and took the stand. |
Mr. Tupper conducted the examination.
"Miss Lewis," be began, "I believe
you are the only one save the deceased
who slept at the farm on the night when
your uncle died?"
"1 believe that is true."
"Did you bear any shot fired while
you were in the house?"
"I did not."
"Then you have no idea who killed
your uncle?"
"Any idea that I have would be no
proof and therefore is not worth consideration.
"
"Ob, you suspect some one, do you?"
"Any suspicious which I may have
would not be evidence."
"Were you in the house all the evening?"
"No, sir."
"At what time did you go out, and
when did you return?"
"I did not expect to bo questioned
and so made no note of the hours."
"Will you tell us where you went?"
".I will not, as that is my private
affair."
"No one's affairs are private when
murder has occurred. However, since
you refuse I will tell you where you
went. First, you met a man in the
summer house, and then you crossed the
river to meet another man." The lawyer
paused, waiting to note the effect of
his words, but Virginia remained imj
passive.
"I will go further uud tell you that
the first was Harry Lucas, and, more,
that you invited him to the meeting.
Since I have shown you how much I
know, you will doubtless see tho folly
of any attempt at concealment."
"Since you seem to be so well informed,
I cannot see why you appeal to
me at all."
"Wo do not claim to know everything.
Will you please tell us why you
asked Mr. Lucas to meet you?"
"I had a private commission to give
him."
"Do you refuse to give us any information
as to tho nuturo of this commission?"
?T do."
"Miss Lewis," said tho lawyer, "I
have intimated that we havo diseovcrI
riz-l (lio i^nntiK' (if flllp nf tllO I11P11 wllOIU
you met that night, and it is perhaps
as well to tell you that we also know
who the other was."
"You appear to have learned a great
deal," replied Virginia coldly.
"We have found out something, but
not all that we wish to know. You met
Mr. Lucas. Your conversation was
overheard, and we therefore know that
you sent for him to ask his aid. You
expected to meet Mr. Marvel." Mr.
Tupper spoke in his usual measured
tones, and both he and Mr. Barnes
watched Virginia closely, but even at
this name ?ho did not flinch. Mr.
Barnes wondered how she would act
when they would produce tho man himself.
Mr. Tupper continued:
"You had been notilicd that he would
await you in the woods across the
stream that night, and von were to determine
whctln r or not you would elope
with him. This you concluded not to
do. Therefore you feared that he
would become desperate, and you decided
to have his lrieud, Mr. Lucas, op
portunely meet him after you left him,
to see that he did no harm. Now will
you tell us what you feared he woulc
do?"
"I see that yon have managed to dis>
cover all that Miss Marvel knew. Will
not that suffice?"
"We wish to know why you were s<
fearful of leaving this young man tc
his own society."
"I believe such a thing as 'fear' if
unknown to me, so you are far from
the truth. No man is in an enviable
frame of mind when a woman rejects
him. Was it extraordinary, then, that J
should have wished his friend to joir
him at such a time?" She spoke witb
considerable feeling.
"No, Miss Lewis, your action undei
tho circumstances was very commendable.
But did you not have a deeper motive?
Did you not think that he might
become desperute enough to take life?"
"I admit that I did."
"Whose?your uncle's?"
"No, nol I thought he might commil
suicide; he is pa?sionute and impulsive.
1 thought that in a moment of despaii
he might raise his hand against himself.
He would never take another's life."
"He attempted to do so once before,
I believe?"
To this Virginia made no reply, but
her face assumed an expression of the
utmost contempt.
"Miss Lewis,"continued the lawyer,
"will you kiudly tell us about how long
you remained at the interview with Mr.
Marvel? I don't expect any exact reply.
Ail approximate one win ao.
"I cauuot tell very closely, though ]
kuow about when I reached the house
again. But I will not answer unless you
explain why you wish to know."
Mr. Tupper bad recognized at the
outset that Virginia was not to be
frightened into anything, and he determined
to deal with her openly.
"I will do so willingly," said he.
"We have found that you left the summer
house at or near 9 o'clock. Soon
after several shots were fired, one at
least at the deceased. We are not sure,
however, that eith.r of these killed
your uncle. Now, it you can give us
the time when you returned, it may be
the means of proving whether he was
alive or dead at that hour. These matters
of time often prove of inestimable
valuo."
"Very well. It was half past 10
when I reached my room."
"Thank you." It was his cue to conciliate
her as far as possible. "When
you went in, did you pass through the
parlor?"
"No, sir. I entered my apartment by
the door opening into the dining room."
Mr. Barnes believed that this was
true, for he had traced her footprints
from the steps of the piazza by the dining
room, and returning they reached
the same place, thus sue muse nave entered
tho bouse at that point, and naturally
passed through the dining room
to her own chamber. Resuming the examination,
Mr. Tupper asked:
"During the night did jou hear your
uncle moving about?"
"No, sir."
"Now let as come to the discovery ol
the crime. You will recall that when
the detectives accidentally disturbed
you in your room, the morning afte.1,
you admitted that you had already
found out that your uncle bad been
murdered. Thus you were the first to
do so. Is that a fact?"
"I believe so. At least it is true that
I knew of the death of my uncle at that
time."
"Exactly. You had gone into the
parlor, and you had found the body,
which you recognized as that of your
uncle, or I may say stepfather, before
the squire and tho others arrived?"
"Yes, sir."
"Did you take anything from the
room?"
"Yes, sir; I took a pistol."
"Where d;d you find this pistol?"
"On the floor."
"Why did you take it?"
"Because it is mine and has my
name on the stock, and because if found
by any one else it might have been unpleasantly
suggestive."
"T iiolin?o if. ulmivoft pvirlonce of liav
ing beta fired off, did it not?"
"That was another reasou why I was
anxious to havo it."
Virginia was causing profound ustonishmeut
by her udinissions. Even Mr.
Barnes himself was puzzled to underItaud
why she should acknowledge that
jhe had purloined the weapon to avoid
suspicion, when that very confession
would undoubtedly attract a closer investigation
into her connection with
the crime.
"Miss Lewis," said Mr. Tuppor,
"how came your pistol to be discharged?"
"I use it constantly, and therefore it
is quite possible that I fired at something
on Saturday."
"That is, the day before the murder?"
"Yes, sir."
"How did it happen to be out of your
possession on Sunday night?"
"I had it when I started out, but
changed my mind about taking it with
me, and as I passed through the parlor
I laid it on the mantel."
This answer suggested tbo possibility
that this was the pistol usod by Mr.
Lewis when ho fired at Lucas, as had
been testified by Miss Marvel. The next
question was:
"Now, if you please, will you explain
why, if you were so anxious to avoid
suspicion by hiding the pistol, you
should now bo so ready to tell the whole
story?"
"I never intended to conceal the fact
that the weapon was fouud by me where
it was, but I thought that if I offered it
in evidence myself I would avoid the
suspicion which might naturally enough
have been aroused had any other person
made the discovery."
Mr. Barnes knew this was not true
and that her first intention had been tc
destroy ull trace of the uso of the pistol,
as was plainly proved by her hav
ilig cleaned the burrel. He knew also
that she was at present following out
the plan which she had formed after she
had seen him pick up the cartridge cap
in her room, the first step in which had
been to replace tho empty shell by
, another. Her examination was conl
tinned.
I "Did you removo anything else from
the room where the corpso lay?"
"I did."
I This reply was a complete surprise to
Mr. Barnes. He knew that Mr. Tapper
> was alluding to the paper upon which,
> they thought, was written the name of
the murderer, and he was astonished to
j find that she appeared about to admit
i its possession. The next question was:
i "Will you kindly state what that
j was and why you took it?"
[ ' 'It was a medallion locket I took
i that also because it is mine."
! Mr. Barnes now understood why she
had admitted taking something, since
it was not the paper. He was nevor.
tbeless curious about this new point.
"Where did you find this locket?"
? ?1- ? -1 IT*, ril? mwAM
; UBKUU 1XLI. iuppw.
1 "I noticed that my nncle had his fist
tightly closed, as though holding something,
and, forcing it open, I removed
; the locket"
"Have you it with you?"
"Yes, sir." Taking it from her bosom,
she handed it to him. Mr. Tupper examined
it closely and opened it. Looking
at the portrait which it contained,
he asked:
; "Do you know whose likeness this
, is?"
"It is mine. It was taken when I
was quite a child."
> Mr. Tapper was about to pass the
trinket to the squire, when, as he closed
Virginia was thrown off her guard.
it, something attracted bis attention,
! and scrutinizing it more carefully he
dropped it into his pocket and asked:
"Miss Lewis, I think yon said that
this belongs to you?"
"Yes, sir, though I have not had it
for 6ome time."
| "Ahl How was that?"
"I had concluded that it was lost,
. but now I seo that my uncle must have
had it."
"How can you be sure that this is
( yours? Has it your name or any other
mark by which you would know it?"
"No; there is no name on it, but I
know that it is mine, for, as you see, it
is of a peculiar pattern. I have been
told that my mother had it made specially
for my picture, and it has been
in my possession, except lately, for as
, long as I can remember."
Mr. Tupper pondered a second, but
said no more on this sabject at that
, time. Nor did he purine the point
about the piece of paper directly, but
determined to approach that by another
method.
"Now, then, Miss Lewis, we will go
back to the meeting across the river, if
you please. Did you meet Mr. Marvel?
But stop?you have already admitted as
much. Tell us whether you left him on
the other side or whether he crossed
UVCI wnii yyju.
" We separated before I rowed baok to
the farm."
"Then you left him across the river?"
"Yes, sir."
"Did he say where he meant to go?"
"To Eppiug."
This seemed doubtful to Mr. Barnes
in the face of the fact that be had found
Marvel at Portsmouth, but then he remembered
that Joseph Harrison had testified
to meeting Marvel at Epping on
tne morning after the mu>der. Mr.
Tupper continued:
"Did he say where he would go after
that?"
"He did not lay out a route and furnish
me with a complete plan of his
movements for the future. He did,
however, mention that lie would return
to Eppiug, from which placo he hud
come that night."
"Do you think that lie proceeded to
that place immediately after leaving
you?"
Virginia was very cautious, now that
the subject involved information about
her lover.
"How should I bo able to reply definitely?"
said she.
"Do j'ou know, then, whether he
crossed the river and visited the house
after parting with you?"
"I should say not, as I took the boat."
"Do you mean to say that you did
not see him after you left him at the
maple tree?"
"I mean to say that I have not seen
him since then."
"Then, why should ho have crossed
the river?"
"What makes you think that he did
so?"
"I do not thimr; I know."
"You cannot huow unless you saw
him, and that is impossible."
"Mies T.fiwis. there was snow on the
ground, and not only do I know from
1 his footprints that he visited the farm,
but that he actually went to the very
1 door by which you had re-entered. Of
course I cannot know that he went in,
for unfortunately there is no snow with1
iu, as without."
Virginia was silent, and despite her
1 strong control of her features it was
! evident that she was troubled.
1 * Now, then," said the lawyer, con1
tiuui. g, "the question arises, Why did
1 Mr. Marvel visit your house at that
1 late hour? You say he did not see you.
Could it be that he sought your uncle,
' hoping to effect a reconciliation? I uu1
derstaud that the only obstacle to your
union was his opposition, was it not?"
"ThatMr. Marvel should havcsouglit
1 my uncle at that hour is preposterous.
: You say that bo did come to the house,
1 which I doubt, but even though he did
not succeed in seeing me, is it not moro
probable that it was his object to do
so?"
"II bo, how is it that he dfd not succeed?"
"I retired as soon as I reached home
and did not hear any one enter after
me. That is why I doubt your theory,
for lam a light sleeper."
Mr. Topper now executed a bold
move. Taking the paper which Mr.
Barnes had found in the parlor of the
farmhouse, be folded it so that only the
first half of the sentence could be read.
Approaching Virginia, he suddenly
hold it. nn hpfnrn hprpvns nntl finid:
"Did yon ever see this before?"
This was so unexpected that Virginia
was thrown off her guard. At the first
glance she smoti'ered un exclamation
and hurriedly put her hand to her
breast. Instantly, however, her agitation
passed, and she replied quite calmly
"No. Never."
"I believe yon, for had you done so
it would never have reached my hands.
Now please take it and examine it
closely."
She did so, and then eaid, "It looks
like my uncle's writing, and it would
seem that he tried to communicate to
us the name of his assailant."
"Precisely, and, more, he made another
attempt and?succeeded. Miss
Lewis, the second paper is in your possession."
"You axe mistaken," she replied
coldly.
"I am not. I say not only did you
take that paper, bnt you have it secreted
about yonr person at this very minute.
"
Virginia answered by a half scornful
smile. Mr. Barnes showed some little
excitement He was accustomed to deal
with wary criminals, but had never
met a woman so provokingly self possessed
as this one.
"Come, Miss Lewis," said Mr. Tapper,
"it is useless to deny what I say.
I set a trap for you deliberately, and
you were caught in spite of all your
strength of will. When I showed yon
that paper, I well knew yon had no idea
that it existed, and therefore my object
was to see what you would do, believ
ing that your first glanco would make
1 *. A? T
yUU ILllLlh. 1b ?us tu<J UkiiCi ao jl
expected, yon at once feared that yon
bad lost it and instinctively felt for it
in the bosom of yonr dress."
"Did I?" with a shrng of the shoulders.
Mr. Tnpper looked at her a moment
and then, with his eyes still intently
upon her, he said, "Call Walter Marvel."
TO BE CONTINUED.
ittiacfUanfous Starting.
ADDRESS TO COTTON GROWERS.
President Wilborn Calls For Delegates
to Meet In Atlanta.
President Wilborn, of the South
Carolina Farmers' Alliance, has, in
accordance with the suggestion of
the cotton convention which met in
Columbia recently, issued a call to
the cotton growers of the south. It
is as follows :
COLUMBIA, S. U., JNOV. iy, ioy/.
To the Cotton Growers of the South :
At a large and enthusiastic meeting
of the cotton growers of the state of
South Carolina, wherein all sections of
this state were represented, it was resolved
that every state in the south be
invited to send delegates to a convention
to be called to meet in Atlanta,
Ga., December 14, 1897. The purpose
of this convention is to organize the
cotton growers of the south, thereby
securiug unity of action in the marketing
and sale of this great staple,
also to devise ways and means by
which we may be able to break and
throw off the shackles of business
slavery that now binds us. With foreign
exchanges dictating the price, we
can only expect ruin and distress in
the future. We can achieve indepeudeuce
ouly by organization.
With a view of securing au exchange
of ideas and perfecting an organization
which it is hoped will result
in good, I have been instructed to
call a convention of delegates from all
the cotton growing states to meet in
Atlania, Ga., on the 14th of December,
1897.
All who are interested in this cause
are most earnestly requested to cooperate.
The governors of the cotton
growing states have been asked to select
delegates and all state organizations
interested in the prosperity of
the cotton growers are requested to
name and secure the attendance of
delegates at this general convention.
J. C. WlLBORN,
President South Carolina Cotton Growers'
Association.
President Wilboru has. in the following
letter, asking Governor Ellerbe
to seek the cooperation of all of the
southern governors:
Columbia, S. C., Nov. 19,1897.
His Excellency, W. H. Ellerbe, Governor
of South Carolina:
Dkar Sir?Will you kindly ask the
governors of the cottou growing states
to appoint delegates to the Cottou
Growers' convention which has been
called to meet in Atlanta, Ga., December
14, 1897 ?
The purpose of this convention is to
consider the marketing, sale and price
of cotton and to devise some plan, if
possible, by which the producers of
this great staple may receive a price
above the cost of production.
We realize that concert of action
among the farmers of the south is essentiul,
therefore I urge that earnest,
practical farmers be appointed from
each state. The representation we
would ask for is one for each congressional
district and two from each state
at large, to assemble in Atlanta, Ga.,
December 14, 1897. With the hope of
your kind cooperation, I am,
Most respectfully,
J. C. WlLBORN,
President South Carolina Cotton Growers'
Association.
Governor Ellerbe has already indicated
his intention of doing what he
could to help the cotton growers along
in their work.
BICYCLE LAW IN RUSSIA.
The Russian police take things very
seriously, and it was natural enough
that the bicycle should cause them
auxious thought. Fancy a militant
Nihilist scorching through the Nevski
Prospect, with his tool-bag full of dynamite
! It was after some horrid
dream like this, perhaps, that the chief
of police of St. Petersburg haltered the
silent steed with 17 "regulations."
The new rules say that no bicycler
shall perform in public until he or she
has been registered. No person can
be registered without passing "an examination
on the wheel" before one of
the seven cycling associations. Then
the wheel receives a number, which
must be attached to it in two places.
The rider must be always armed
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his photograph. He must carry a bell
and a lantern. When several persons
ride together, they must keep not less
than 14 feet apart?a rule which proves
that the Irish bull, as well as the
American bicycle, has been naturalized
in Russia. When turning a corner or
crossing a street the bicycle must be
ridden very slowly, with bell-ringing
accompaniment. In crowded streets
riders must alight and lead their wheels,
and they must do the same when horses
take fright. In certain parts of
the city bicycling is at no time permitted.
In other sections the police may
enjoin it temporarily. "Riding in the
city in a racing costume, without a
coat, or in such a costume as would
attract special attention, is prohibited."
The natural comment on all this is
that some of the restrictions are absurd,
and that, with or without laws,
^nnrtpqv unri common sense would in
WH,*VVJ
spire a gentleman to observe those of
the rules that are essential.
But there are others. Possibly Russia,
like America, has to reckon with
the problem of the hoodlum bicycler.
The "tough" who scorches in the city,
raids gardens and orchards in the
country, and in all places invades the
rights of decent people, because decency
is a reproach to him. What
shall be done with him ?
In St. Petersburg, perhaps, the police
seud him to Sibera. In Chicago
the wheelmen themselves have taken
bim in band, and gentlemen named by
the various cycling clubs have been
appointed special policemen, to cooperate
with the regular officers for
his suppression.
The Chicago method is more Democratic
than the St. Petersburg plan,
and it will yield quite as good results.
Once they perceive that the antics of
the hoodlum bicycler endanger the
standing of the sport, the gentlemen
riders of America will most emphatically
reform the rowdy.?Youth's
i Companion.
WILD FLIGHT FROM A BEAR.
Miss Jessie Lough ran, of Jersey
' City, who is visiting her aunt, Mrs.
James Davis, near this place, writes
a Woodford, Vt., correspondent, had
a lively adventure with a large black
bear this week. She is an enthusiastic
wheelwoman, and when she came i
from Jersey City she brought her bi
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five miles from her aunt's house, and
was returning home, when she heard
the sharp crack of a rifle. That is
nothing uuusual at this time of the i
year in Vermont, for the deer season
is now open, and there are many hunters
in the woods. Miss Loughrau
would probably not have paid more
than passing attention to the shot bad
she not heard immediately afterward
a heavy body crash through the undergrowth
skirting the roadside. She
turned around, and so doing, lost her
balance. To save herself from a fall
she dismounted.
Hardly had she left the wheel when
a large black bear burst out of the
woods in full view of her. It was
evident that the animal was wounded,
for it was snorting with rage, and
endeavored to lick its left shoulder.
Miss Loughran screamed, and made a
desperate attempt to remount her
wheel. Never before did her wheel
behave so disreputably. It wabbled
as it never wabbled before, and cavorted
with all the wickedness of an
unbridled bronco. At least, that is
what she thinks it did.
No sooner did the bear see Miss
Loughran than it gave a snort and
made a dash for her. Half frightened
to death, Miss Loughran made another
desperate attempt to mount her wheel, i
and this time was successful. Just as
her feet caught the pedals and the first i
burst of speed was acquired, the bear
shot up alongside of her, and with one
dart of his paw tore a jagged piece
out of the side of her fiappiug skirt. i
The wheelwoman looked down upon
the enraged bear, and wondered how
long the race would last. So long as
the bear did not get tangled up in the
wheels, and she ran against no obstruction,
she was reasonably sure of get- i
ting away from the animal. But fate
had not decreed that Miss Loughran
should escape absolutely unscratched.
The bear got over the ground with
surprising celerity. Once when rounding
a turn in the road the bear drew
so near the wheel again that it tore
another piece from Miss Loughran's i
skirt. The sharp claws even went
.innno. c/ifot/-.Vioft Mies T.nmrhran's
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leg. At that Miss Loughran screamed
at the top of her voice.
"It's a wonder I was not heard in
Woodford," she said afterward. "I
thought every minute was to be my
last."
Luckily for the young woman, the i
bear did not get mixed up in the
wheels of the bicycle. Not a mile
had been covered in the race with the ,
bear, yet Miss Loughran imagined
that she had gone at least half way to
the New York state line. The bear,
though panting hotly, was beginning
to gain steadily on her; the excitement
of the race was telling on her,
and she was rapidly losing both nerve
and strength. She began to pedal
with renewed vigor, but the spurt was ,
made too late. The bear was upon i
her. Both its forepawa fastened themselves
on the hind wheel of the bicycle.
The claws sank deep into the
tire, and wheel, rider and bear went
toppling over, a confused mass, in the
dusty highway.
When Miss Lough ran struggled to
her feet, she was covered with dust
and bleeding from a scratch in the
face. Turning about, she saw the bear
making desperate attempts to free itself
from the wheel. Then Miss
Loughran did what few city girls are
capable of doing. She climbed a tree.
She knew that it would be worse than
useless to run away, for it would not
be long before the bear would be free
and after her. How she ever got up
that tree, she will never be able to tell
lucidly. But after desperate struggles
and many sobs, she got as high as
the lower limb, over which she swung
herself. In her excitement, she forgot
that bears can climb trees. It was not
until she was perched there that this
thought came to her.
' ureal goouness : suppose mat uear
should climb this tree !" she cried.
The thought made her shudder.
Happily for her, this occurrence was
averted. Just as the bear bad succeeded
in getting itself untangled from
the wheel, a pack of bunting dogs ran
out into the road a short distance
above. The bear immediately turned
tail and fled into the woods on the
opposite side of the road, followed by
the dogs. A minute later two young
hunters came into view. Both were
running. When they saw the bicycle
they stopped.
"I wonder where that bear got this
wheel ?" said one of the hunters.
"If you please, it's mine," said Miss
Loughran.
The hunter looked around in astonishment.
"I thought I heard a voice, Harley,"
said he to bis companion.
Miss Loughran slid down the trunk
of the tree, rather the worse for her
experience, yet relieved to know that
her peril was past. It took few words
to tell her story. Beyond the fact
that the rear tire was badly punctured,
the wheel was not much injured.
Miss Loughran insisted upon trundling
the wheel herself to her aunt's
home, though she was accompanied
the greater part of the way by the
two young men, one of whom was
from New York, and the other from
Rutland, this state.
"I never expected to have such an
exciting time in quiet old Vermont,"
said Miss Loughran, "but then one
cannot always tell what is going to
bappen. nay omy regret is mat me
horrid bear was not killed."
HE COULD NOT SEE THE SIGNAL.
Clark Russell has, in a recent issue
of the New Illustrated Magazine, a
spirited account of Lord Nelson at the
Battle of Copenhagen. Although the
English ships met with a variety of
disasters, early in the fight, for three
of them had touched ground and one
bad been swept astern by a countercurrent,
yet Lord Nelson still kept his
signal to "bear down" flying defiantly.
About one in the afternoon Sir Hyde
Parker, commander-in-cbeif, hoisted
from his flag-ship the signal for the
action to cease. The signal-lieutenant
reported the signal to Nelson, who
seemed not to hear him. The lieutenant
waited for him to make a fresh
turn of the deck, and said :
"Shall I repeat it, my lord ?"
Nelson answered : "No, acknowledge
it," and asked in a minute, "Is
number 16 still hoisted?"
This number signified "for close action."
and the sailor who answered
"yes" was greatly surprised to hear
the little admiral say :
"Mind you keep it so!"
Tho 3tump of his right arm began
to show the strong agitation he was
under; whenever Lord Nelson was
worried, he worked his "fin," as the
sailors called it. Turning to Colonel
Strout he said in a quick, eager voice :
"Do you know what is shown on board
the commander-iu-chief ?
"No," said the colonel.
"Why, to leave off action !" exclaimed
Nelson. "To leave off action !" he
repeated. "Now shoot me if I do !"
Then turning to Captain Foley, he
remarked :
"You know, Foley, I have only one
eye. I haye a right to be blind sometimes."
Putting his glass to his blind
eye, he exclaimed: "I really do not
see the signal!"
He went on fighting, and the battle
of the Baltic became one of England's
most famous victories. A blind eye
that does not see defeat i9 belter than
two good eyes that fail to recognize
success.
f?~ Mr. Perkins, visiting bis wife's
relatives in Maine, says Life, attended
church one Suuday. The sermon was
long, and Perkins went to sleep. The
sermon came to an end at last, but
Perkins slept peacefully on. The deacons
began to take up the collection.
When the hat was passed to Perkins,
bis wife nudged him, and Perkins sat
up with a start. Gazing in a bewildered
manner at the extended hat and
then at the deacon, he shook his head
sleepily, and said, "That isn't my hat.
Mine had a blue lining."
Peanuts * j a Vegetable.?Pea
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vegetable. Remove the skins from
the meats and put one cupful into an
earthen baking dish. Pour over them
two pints of boiling water, cover the
dish with a plate and place it in a
moderately cool oven and bake from
four to five hours, or until the nuts
are tender. When the nuts are partly
cooked, season them with salt and stir
among them a teaspoonful of butter.
S&" It has been computed that the
death rate of the globe is #8 per minute,
97,790 per day, or 35,717,790 per
year. The birth rate is 70 per minute,
100,800 per day, or 36,817,200 per
year, reckoning the year to be 365J
days in length.