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^I-ISSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSS ^o# oeo o* *o o* *o o* *o o* *o o* *o *o *o o* *o o* ..•o lo* *o THE HOUSE or I68TEN8. By Sir E?Artagan Isstens, Cadet of a Oreat House, Knight of the Royal Order of 1 Vassmark and One Time Embassador to the Court of Charles I of England. WADE INTO A ROMANCE BY THEODORE ROBERTS* Copyright, I89B, by American Press Association. o»o*o«o*o*o*o*o*o*o»o»o»o«o»o*o*o*o*o*o*o#o*o»o*o*oSo *o*o*o*o*o*o*o*o*o*o*o*o*o»o*o»o*o*o^o*o*o*o*o*o*o*o# Onr mother had hysterics before'she had dono with kissing me, bnt onr fa ther swore a big oath and rnshed ant CHAPTER I THE TALL ROBBER AT I88TRNB. For a few seconds I was totally at a Ian to know why I was sitting in the ditch with torn garments and bloody hands. Then I remembered the skir mish with the robbers, the hot chase and the stumble. That had al'i happened by starlight. It was bright morning now. The ditch in which I fonnd 'myself waa one my father's men bad finished digging a few days before to drain off the great swamp of Isstens. There was enough water in the bottom of it to make the seat of my riding breeches decidedly.damp and to completely cool my spleen. I crawled stiffly out into the grass, and there to my vast satis .faction fonnd my sword. I took it up, Wiped the innocent moistnre of dew from the blade and turned to my left toward the great honse of Isstens. It waa here in the same honse and eonrts that my ancestors bad lived since the very beginning of the kingdom of Wassmark. All the land, meadow and swamp, Wek aad forest, to the amonnt of ten square miles, had been given to one (flare the fastens by the first king of the eonntry. The word Isstens. a learned doctor once told me, stood in some crazy and forgotten language for aworder or swordsman. Clare the Isstens, with rock from his own quarries, built the honse, and from that day to this whereon I write his descendants have lived in it I brake through a shaggy hedge of fir •ad went np the wide avenue of beeches. Pgsring a great gate, all ribbed with mn and pierced with musket holes, I entered the courtyard. The main door of the house stood before me ten paces with three shields above it. The oldest and least skillfully exe cuted of these shields bore a long on wieldly sword and underneath strange lettsia and marks partly obliterated by rain and son. The next, which was larger than either of the others and only two centuries old, bore a coat of eight qnarterings with the old two handed •word for crest set up on my parents' wedding day. Its gold was hardly tar niahed, and its gules and azure biased bravely. It bore the arms of my moth er's family, the great D'Artagans of Normandy. Can yon wonder that Harry, my eld er brother, and I were aB proud as the vary devil But have given the slip to my story, telling all the arms and family history wtih too much of my native pride. Par dons I am not yet old enough to be modest Upon entering the dining hall I fonnd Barry, Viscount Isstens, in my father's great chair with his head •wathed in bandages. "Hello, Dartl" he cried, speaking as well as he conld through .the rags. "Half the household is out hunting for yon." I embraced him and sat down to a meat pie that invited me from the table. "Where have yon been, old hot hMdl" asked Harry. "I spent the night in the ditch and got out of it about 19 minutes ago," I answered, hunting about fora decanter. He langhed as loudly as he could considering his headgear. "Ton made a longer run than I did, and it is a pity yon did not catch your man. Fact is"—be sighed and robbed hU head—"one of the rascals clubbed me in the avenue." I am not a man to talk much when I am hnngry, but I paused with the wine glass half way to my lips and asked what the clubbing amounted to. 'Noth ing bnt a swollen head and a loose tooth," he answered. There was silence after that until 1 pushed my plate away and shoved back my chair. "We will go out and see the prisoner now she is down in the cellar," said my brother. I noticed my sword, and as I always like to have it in my room I put it under my arm, so that I might tsie it np with me after inspecting the captured robber. AB we went along Harry talked about the fight He told how oar father had run one of them through behind the stables how old Pierre had shot another he wounded one, and Pnl and Red Harding canght their leader.' "And the three you went after got away," he said. I grinned soberly at this. "Two of them are bagged sure enough, my Lord Harry," I answered. "The first is in the end of the great ditch, with a sword out to sleep with, and the second got in the way of a pistol ball at the end of the patch they are plowing up in the swamp." Harry clapped me on my mud stained back. "You old fire eating cadet 1" he cried, his gray eyes dancing. We felt very well satisfied with ourselves, for these robbers were one of the crnelest and boldest bands in the northern mountains, bnt when we arrived at thafc part of,the cellar in which the prisoner had been bound onr joy turned to chagrin. The man had gone—clean as a gray wolf out of a pit "Dart, this is a frightful mess we aae in," muttered the viscount, "for as sure as death he will have his whole tribe on us hot foot" "Perhaps he is still near," I ven tured. "Let ns hunt for him. I will stay here while you get yonr sword and pistols." He was used to being treated in this manner, and with a grunt sped off to arm himself. He had hardly left the oellar when the tallest man I ever saw leaped at me over a bundle of fagots. I gave way sharply, for a boy of 20 yaars is not as cool as a soldier of 20 fights. He ont at me with a club made from one of our own fagots. I ducked my head, slipped and sprawled forward between his legs, at the same time dropplng my rapier. The robber tried to spring away toward the passage lead ing to tUff courtyard, but I caught his ankle and held on. Down he came on top of me with all his weight Things looked very bad for the sprightly D'Artagan of Isstens. But as he stared at me as if not knowing what to do, Harry returned and smote him across the poll with the butt of a pistol. Giving vent to a bull-like roar, the tall, man arose, knocked Harry spinning with his fist and escaped into the courtyard. CHAPTER n. TOE NIGHT ATTACK. What a rumpus there was when Baron Isstens, the baroness and the sartaata returned aod found us shaken o* »o o* *o o* *o o* *o o* *0 o* to o* *o o* o* *o o* *o o# *o to order "boot and saddle." Thogaping menservants followed him, and Harry started np. "My boy, you cannot gol" cried onr beautiful mother, her face stained with blood from bis bruised lipa "I have to go, lady mother. Iam not hurt," he answered over his shoulder as he ran from the room. I buckled on my sword belt and clashed home my good blade. "You toot" she moaned. But there was a flash of pride in her eyes that we were both true sons. "I must, mother, to look after our gentlemen of title, to see that they come to no harm," I laughingly re plied. Then I bent (I went a little over six feet even at that age) and kissed the pale upturned face. In another minute I was climbing into the saddle and straightening my pistol holsters. Six of us clattered out and down the long avenue. The afternoon was well begun and the air was warm. We saw two of our men carrying a body out of the ditch. It was the robber I had run through on the previous night. We could see agleam of red sash and metal belt where another lay on the fresh turned furrows. Spreading out into the fields that bordered the road we beat every cover, bnt no giant mountaineer could we find. Harry, because of the heat, had pulled the bandages from his face, leav ing the blue lump on bis forehead and the swollen jaw exposed to view. When the'Snsk of evening and the chill mist from the swamp had over taken us—and not until then did my fa ther order a return—we wheeled silent ly on the wide road and cantered back toward the house of Isstens. "We will break np their nest, Dart, boy, as soon.as the crops are in," said my father, laying his band, on my knee as we swung along. "I only want the chance to charge into them, I answered, "but the peas ants Bay that they are many and well armed." "Yes, and every man of them has innocent blood on his handa and is an outlaw from his country, whatever land that may be, for they come from every where, but we are true subjects of onr king and. noblemen of Wassmark. I think if we call in the foresters we will break them." He put out his other hand and pressed Harry's shoulder. Little things like this meant much from the Baron Isstens. When we gained the courtyard, they were awaiting us anxiously with lan terns and candles. In the hall our mother unbuckled our sword belts. First her husband's, then Hurry's, then mine. It was queer to see her pull loose the great buckles and drag the clanging scabbards aside. She was smiling all the while with the joy of our return, and the father stood with a broad grin on his shaven lips: and his eyes follow ing every move she made. That night we had supper in the lit tle tapestried parlor oS the dining hdU. There were six of us around the table. My mother sat at the tea' urn (rather an nncommon piece of table plate in those days) and my father at the round of beef at the other end. Mistress Sarah Lyons, the widow of an English officer who bad been slain in Wassmark, and my mother's right band in all house keeping matters, sat beside Hnn-y, and opposite them scarred, old Lieutenant Red Harding and your humble cadet. Red Harding was a peasant by birth, bnt bad done such good service aB a soldier to the house of Isstens that he bad long ago been dubbed gentleman and treated as one. Though a raid from the mountain outlaws hung over us, we formed a merry party, the baron drawing ont Red Harding to tell stories of the woods and people, and the baroness saying all manner ol witty things. Mistress Lyons told us tales of England, from which we gathered that the people there are very strong and brave, eat as «oJ:h as Is good for them, drink lika Germans and go to church regularly. We could hear now and then a shout of langhter or a burst of song from the men in the outer balL Foresters and keepers, shepherds and plowmen had been called in to form a garrison. We did not tarry over the fire after supper, but retired to our chambers. Harry and I slept in a turret room that overlooked the rear walls and a wide field lying ready for the sowing of the grain. Bare and chill it looked under the white stars. We were tired and soro, but after throwing off our stiff skirted coats, in which it was our habit to sup, and putting aside our lace collars, we sprawled in the window seat and,gazed out Here and there glimmered the light of a cottage window. Unlike some laud holders, the Isstens gave their people cottages instead of huts and kind wordB instead of kicks. This was much to our advantage, as you will presently see. We had no light in the room, and Harry, who was three years my senior and bad been several times at Blaten burg, the king's city, began talking softly of a court ludy he had danced with. I thought this mighty fine, and listened with all my ears. He cam* to IFe sprawled in the window seat, a very touching part. He was saying, "She gave me a little strand of hat hair leaning from the coach window, and I kissed her hand three times and swore".—and at that moment we heard a hoiie that would main the starkest bm KMfe* "Mi» It w«l Tou9 roaring of pistols and muaketi and the tierce shouts of men. We took our swords from their scab bards and a pistol in each left hand and fled down the stairs. The men were arming and rushing forth to support the guards, and my father was tearing about in search of his new horse pistols. Upon entering the courtyard we found Red Harding and a handful of men at the grerft gate and a few stout foresters with boar spears, thrusting the enemy back from the top of the wall where it ia lowest "At them I" I shoated, and just then the baron passed me with his dags and two handed sword. We three opened fire on the black heads bobbing over the wall, and then turned to see how things were shaping. The noise of bellowing men and crashing guns was fearful. "I am glad we have a garrison,' said Harry, "and lots of half pikes and boar spears for the plowmen." I did not answer, for at that moment the great gate was smashed in and a body of burly ruffians plunged through. Without turning to look at them, Red Harding and his men cut and thrust at the onss trying to follow, so wrathfnlly that they gave way, and up went the oak again with a mighty grindstone anda keg of iron bolts to hold it Eight fellows had entered, however, and these fought with a dash and fierceness like mountain wolves at bay—with a very good chance for life, too, for our gar rison could not spare its numbers from the gates and walla Harry raised the family warcry: "The Long sword 1 The long sword 1" and followed by me and a half dozen old retainers rushed at them. There was no loading of pieces in that tussle. It was cut and thrust, dodge and strike, give and take, with hissing breath and muffled curses. I have never been more proud of my brother than I was then. Though pale of faoe, like a bookman, and more given to writing ballads than bouts with single sticks, he played his lithe rapier blade against their Bwords and pikes like white lightning. For awhile we stood abreast with our men on either side. The invaders marked our fine linen shirts and powdered hair and yelled: "Down with the fine gen tlemen I Down \4th the fat landhold ers!" By this hoping to win our peas ants. "And, thank Qod, they held the land I" cried an old herder. I got my point into a fellow, drop ping him so that the next conld get at me. By the saints, the man who took bis place was the giant of the cellar. He carried a rapier, and with it in his grip wore the air of a man of breeding. We worked back from the others, we two. He fenced like a master, but hap pily for me he bad been pricked slightly in the right shoulder. "I have the honor of crossing swords with D'Artagan, cadet of Isstens?" be asked. "The same,".I grunted, parrying a thrust in quarte. I backed slowly. He was certainly my master in skill. Presently I gained a little. "The chief of robbers. I believe?" I queried with fine ecorn. "Sir Cadet, you are very young and very proud," he said quietly. "I was once a very devil at counting quarter tugs and riding to hounds myself." I was filled with surprise at the tone of his voice more than at what he said, for any base born fool can lie about his breeding. My wrist was tiring when I saw with relief that the members of the at tacking party inside the walls were all killed or captured. "Pray surrender, sir your men are iown," I panted. He lowered the point of bis sword. "I surrender to as brave a gentleman, tir, as ever clapped band to hilt," and bowing like a dancing master he pre lented his rapier. Harry and his men came running toward us. "This is my prisoner," I cried through the clatter and din, "and the man that harms him answers the •word of the cadet." The men turned off to help at the gates, and Harry said. "Well done, brother," and followed them. "Where can I leave you 11 must back to the fight," I said hurriedly. "Though I am a man of honor, I beg yon to turn a key on me, for form's •ake," he replied. He seemed to take his capture cheer fully. We entered the house and I in troduced him to one of the larders and bolted the door on the outside. Half an hour later the enemy with drew, leaving the courtyard a ghastly place of blood, silent bodies and broken bill, and the soft dawn showing under the stars. The baron, covered with blood from wounds on his cheek and shoulder, came into the great hall, where our wounded lay moaning and the others rested. He doffed his hat and in his clear voice cried: "Men, I must thank you from my heart. You have stood tonight where the best trained troops in Europe would falter. May Qod give to all the king's peers as brave a following as he has to me and my house." He went through the door to the in ner rooms amid the loyal cheers of the garrison, and Harry and I turned to follow him. "Qod keep the viscount," cried a big plowman. "And the cadet," sounded a muffled voice from the larder. CHAPTER HI THE BOBBBI1 CAPTAIN'S DAUGHTER. In a few days things had taken on very much their old facea Five pris oners, being robbers and murderers, were hung, but out of Bight of the house. My prisoner, whom we called "the captain," was kept for ransom. So I told the men, but I doubt if 1 would have let him bang under any circumstances, for be fascinated me strangely. He was prisoned in my chamber and fed from our own table. We took him all manner of books, which he read with pleasure Harry, who was a wonderful scholar, far be yond anything I could hope for, used to argue with him over Homer and Cesar, and sometimes they wrote songa to gether. Then tbey would have me in to hear the songs, which, I must say, were very learned and not a little un-. common. The crops were put in and life went on in the cottages and fields, as well as in the house, very much as it had ba^ fore the great robber raid. One morning I was seated on a stone bench half way down the avenue of beecheB, dreaming of things which the oaptain's songs bad started in my brain, when on raising "my head I saw a lass tripping toward me up the road. She was robed in all manner of fine silks, like my mother on occasions, and had white gloves on her whiter arms Mbrry golden curls fell down from un der the great featherbd bat. "By the long sword, here comes that court lady after Harry," I muttered to myself, and straightway rose and bowed, band on heart in the latest mode She answered with a line courtesy. "Are yon the lord cadet of lestens. sir?" she Uhked, gazing fweetly. I could nuw that her face was wun ami her eyes red from weeping. "I urn the cadet the hoQM, ina dame, but without a title. Perhaps His my brother, the viscount, you would see?" I bowed low after each word. "Nay, sir, it is the brave cadet I bear he captured my father with his single sword, and took him into the house kindly, as became a gentleman," she said very softly, looking at me with wonderful eyes all the while. "What!" I cried. "Are you the rob bercaptain's daughter, madame?" And I fell to staring at her like a great frog. She flushed haughtily at that "I am Captain Castletree'a daughter —yea Does it offend your ears, my lord I was confuBed woefully. "Do you want to take him away, madame? He is very quiet and is helping my brother write verses," I gasped. The lady laughed merrily at my speech and faca "I would like to have him, Sir Cadet, but I do not want to spoil yonr broth er's rhymea" I recovered from my confusion. "Let us talk it over. You know ha is a prisoner of war." I said, bowing She answered with a fine courtesy. her to the seat. I thought to imprsn her with the greatness of the favor she asked, so continued, "The four other captives were hung." She flashed her eyes at me. "Because they were common scum," •he cried, "do you think tbey had no •ouls?" "I don't think they had, madame, foi they were the foulest rogues and mur derers under heaven. The captain ia a man of breeding and may not be a ras cal, after all. At any rate I have kept him safe, and we are fond of him now." Her eyes filled with teara "Ob, forgive me!" shecried. "Ihave sinned in speaking BO to you. May God bleas yon for your sparing hand." The tears sprang to my own eyea at words of her forgiveness. 'It was very little to do. It waa a pleasure," I stammered. Then, "MayI take you to your father, Mistress Cas tletree'i" She accepted my proffered hand, and together we went up the avenue and through the great gate of the house of Isstena CHAPTER IV. "DO TOD LOVE HER, VI8COONT?" Can you imagine the stir all through the house when I ushered in the cap1 tain's daughter, splendid -in her silks and sunny smiles? Out came my father and bowed like a gallant of 20. Ont came my mother and swept the floor with a grand courtesy. Mistress Lyons cried, "Bless her dear English facsl" and kissed her. Ah, thought I, Castletree is an Eng lish name, is it, and I gracefully pre sented Harry, who could not have come faster to meet the court lady whoa* hand he had kissed. I ran and released my prisoner, who came down and received that little1 form—silks and curls, great hat and all —into bis arms with a cry of joy. Ha told her bow kind we had all been to him—a foreign outlaw, a leader of rob bers—and we blushed and wished we had been 20 times kinder. Then the maiden was taken off under my mother's wing, and we men held counsel in the little dining pqrlor. "I am clear of the robbers," said the big captain, "and I swear"—he did in English—"that I would plow like a peasant sooner than return to them." "You area worthy gentleman, sir,' said the baron, "and how you came to mix and fight with such dogs I cannot see." "That—my reason for it is a closed page of my life," answered the Eng lishman. "Enough, my lord, that I was once happy in my own castle in Devon, with a sweet wife, honor and wealth, and now''— And he burst into tears. The sight of a strong man in the agony of weeping is ever a pain to me. When he recovered himself, my father offered him a position in the household, to make him and Mistress Caetletree of the family. My heart rose at that. The captain looked up proudly. "Can learn onr bread,, my lord? Is there work for me to do?" The baron, who was slightly the elder of the two, took his hand. "There is work, my friend, for a true gentleman with a true sword in the house of Isstens. Will you swear to be loyal to this family until this family or some member of it is disloyal to you?" "I swear it. on my honor," said the captain. I slipped out and getting his surren dered sword from my room returned and placed it in his handa "Not this sword," he said. "I will purchase a new one from the bouse of Isstens." And he broke the lithe blade across bis knee and handed me back the two piecea "It was not the sword I used in the service of my old king. Neither will I use it in the service of my new lord, the Baron Isstena" he said, amiling sadly. And thus the houBe of Isstens was increased, and life seemed to be mer rier and more worth the trouble inBide the gray old walla The captain knew a great deal about farming and even more about weapons and the drilling of men. Soon all the people on the estate, including old Red Harding, looked up to him with love and respect, and Bome of them whis pered that he had been a~~prince in his own country. Blithely, like red petals blowing from a bash, went the days through May and Jane. The brigands lay close in their mountain fastnesses, evidently crushed by our brave defense, the slaughter at the gates and the hanging of the captivea The peasants returned to their work, the foresters and keepers to the woods, the plowmen and sowers to the fields, and the young grain was green over the uplanda Captain Castletree was everywhere. For three days he tramped about in the forests with a squad of axmen marking the lumber to be cut for building and where the underbrush was to be cleared out for firewood. I wondered if be ever thought of the lestenB fagot he had tried so heartily to use over my head. There was a second ditch to be run through the swamp, and the captain marked the best course for it, and even helped ut the blasting out of rocks with his own bands. And yet a finer and prouder gentleman could not be found to Wassmark, s?h»r« ig said the Mo bility cannot bend to pick up their gloves should they happen to fall. It did not take me many weeks to discover that I was deeply in love with Mistress Castletree. Her other name was Marion, which both Harry and I thought very pretty. My brother made verses nhout it and read them tons on the south terrace. Sometimes my heart ached that I. too. cnuld not writo danc ing rhymes to bring smileB to her lipa I looked at Harry through a green light and said all manner of unpleasant thinga to him. and for answer he would only eye me and smile. One day I canght him by the shoul der—we were alone—and cried. "Do you love her, viscount?" At first I thought he was about to say "Nol" but his face changed and he cried: "Fie, fie, my dear cadet I And what if I do?" "Yes, poor cadet," I hissed. "Oh. but th« cadet hus a sword, and by all the devils it is not a?i one to get beyond!" With horror at my words I tnrned away. Quick as a flash he was at m.v shoulder. [CONTINUED.] Grain-0 Brings Belief. to the coffee drinker. Coffee drinking is a babit that is universally indulged in and almost as universally injurious. Have you tried Grain-0 It is almost like coffee but the effects are just the opposite. Coffee upsets the Btomach, ruins the digestion, effects the A Spoiled Child. 'Whataro you crying about limv, dearie?" asked the fond mother. "Is there something mamma's Bweetest wants?" "Yea" -V "What is it?" "I—I don't know I That'B what I'm crying about!"—Indianapolis Journal. To Oonaumptives. As an honeet remedy, Foley's Honey and Tar does not hold out false hopes in advanced stages, but truthfully claimB to give comfort and relief In tbe very worst cases, and in the early stages to effect a core.—Gregg & Ward. Tne maunnce mtn'N (MIMB. "He is the stupidest man—he never opens his mouth without putting his foot in it," said the young girl of tbe clerk who had taken her to tho nata toriuui. 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Tli'1 Denton residence property near the High Sob'-M building Is for reut. Inquire of l.-'f K. W.TlRltn.L. HOMESEEKERS' EXOTJR8ION8 V!a the B., O. R. & N. By., June 20, July 4 and 18, Aug. 1 and 15, Sept. 5 and 19, Oct. 3 and 17. On these dates round trip tickets, §inu oi«i 21 days will be sold at tbe rate of Fare, plus $2, to all points on this line in Iowa, Minnesota and South Da kota, north of and including Shell Rock and Abbott Grossing and to Waverly. Tickets at this rate will also be sold to a large number of citieB and towns in Northern, Western and Southern states. For further information call on 1!., C. R. & N. Agents or address J. MORTON, G. P. & T. A., 25w17 Cedar Rapids, la. Dixie Flyer to Florida DAILY TO ST. LOUIS ins niL it' TO TI1E heart and diBturbs tbe whole nervous system. Grain-O tones up the stomach, aids di gestion and strengthens the nerves. There is nothing but nourishment in Grain-O. It can be otherwise. 15 and 25c per package and connecting lines by way of Nashville, Chattanooga, I Atlanta I.oavos St. Louis every evenlut:, Is solid train to NashviUe, and carries a Through Sleeoing Car St. Louis to Jacksonville, Fla. Day Express also leaves St. Louis every morning ana carries a through sleeping car, St. Louis to Nashville and Chattanooga, connecting with through sleeping car to Augusta. Through coach St. Louis to Nashville, thus giving DOUBLE iDAILY SERVICE to Nashville, Chattanooga, Atlanta and Jackson ville, connecting all principal points in tliesouth east, such as Charleston, WiUmlngton, Aiken and Savannah for all points jU Florida. Tickets and full information concerning the above can be had of agents of the "CentraT'and connectlngllnes, 0. C. McGABTY, D. 1*. A., St Louis, Mo. A. n. HANSON, O. P. A. J. V. MKRIIY. A. O.l'A, Chicago, 50tf Dubuque. Iowa. R. W. TIRRILL Is Loaning Honey as cheap as any person or Corpor ation. a^HESNER Blacksmith Does a general line of blacksmith ing HORSESHOEING and PLOW WORK, All work done in first-class order and guaranteed. Prices reason able SHOP, WEST SIDE OFRIVER Near tb ige. Good Advice. When you want anything in the line of Furniture do not torget to write us or examine our stock and prices. We have no for shodih goods, but with forty years of experience can guarantee you honest goods at fair prices. Remem ber this and you vftll profit by it. F. Werkmeister, 3-91 Earlville. Iowa. A FREE PATTERN Sep tember 4th and 18th and October 2d Skene, Land Commisslonerl. C. K. It., at Chicago. llirnTI Home-seekers' Excursion tickets UILVII will also be sold from stations in Wr 11 Iowa east of and including Cedar •11(11! Falls, and from poiuts on tho Lyle IIIA/I* and Cedar Kaplds branches, June 20th. July 4th and isth, August 1st and irth, September 5 and 19th and Octobor 3d aud 17th to points on the Illinois (-eutral rail road to which the one way rate Is $7.00 or over in South Dakota. Minnesola and ID Lines of Railroarirt The IlRuois Central will also sell on the tirst and third Tuesdays In June, Julv. August Sep tember and Ootober Homeseekers' excursion tickets to points on foreign lines of railroads lu many of the Western, Southwestern and South* era states. For rates, routes, etc.. Inquire of your nearest ILLINOIS CENTKAL TICKET AGENT. 1 All Home-Seekers' Excursion Tickets are sold at a rate of 3 (yonr own selection) to every sab-1 scriber. Only 50 cents a year. MS CALL'S MAGAZINE A LAMES' MAGAZINE. ft bf"tMol colore* phte. Uin, fuBioai drusnuikinc ocononies fmcr wo^»household biou fiction, ete. Sub- S or, sead jc. for latest copy. agent* wutcd. Scad for IMM Strltah, Reliable, Simple, Up-to I date. Economical and Absotatelr Perfect-Fitting Paper Patterns.<p></p>MSCALL/TFFIKL a Pbazar* ATTERNS1 Allowance Patterns.) CWy '5 each—nou« higher. S TMLN'WBT •™T THE McCALL CO., 118-148 WMt Utk St., Mm Tark. trt/iffm/HmtfimmmiNWii Subscriptions receiveu ai tho Demo crat otiice. We will furnish McGall'B Magazine and The Democrat one year for $1.80. lltf ii/1^/ il/ U/ \^i 11/ \i/ m.d ictli, and from all points east of »nd including Wil liams ONE DAY T4ATEU than the dates named. The new "Southern Homeseekers" Guide de scribes in detail the agricultural advantages, the soil and products at all points south of tho Ohio ltlver on the lines of the above-mentioned roads. Por a copy address the undersigned. For Information concerning railroad land In the fertile Yazoo Valley of Mississippi address E. P. Lite the Pyramids Iowa to points west of Ackley, Inclusive, except points west of LeMars. Hoiueseekeiw* Exouraious to Point* on Other 1 ONE FARE PLUS $2.00 1 for the round trip. Tickets limited to 21 days for return. J. F. MERRY, A. G. P. A., 111. Cent. R. It.. tswil Dubuqut, iowa. The Pyramids are one ol the wonders of the world not for beauty or art in de sign, but simply because they have lasted so long. This lumbir stock ol ours is like the pyramids because of itslast'ng qual ities. The lumber we sell ou is the kind that give* Compl -te satisfaction. Stop in here before you start to do your build ing and see what we cr.n do for you in the way of sav ing you money and giving you vilue for every cent you spend with us. MM* Lute ft Shop In Masonic Blk, over C. O. D. Grocery ...You will Find. Ladies' and gentlemens' fine Summer Underwear, ladies' and gentlemens' fine Hosiery, Silk Mitts, Gloves, Handkerchiefs, Neckties, Corsets, Dress j-tays, Laces, Crochet and mending Cottons, Braid, Elastic Web and Cord, Hair Pins, Hair Nets, new styles Ladies' waist Sets and Waist Pins, Skirt Pins, Cy rano Watch Chain and Waist Pins, mounted Side and Pompa dour Combs, Belts, New styles Belt Buckles, Thread needles and Pins, Table Linen, Napkins, Towels and Toweling, Table Oil Cloth, Fancy, Plain and white Men's Unlaundried Shirts, Men's and Boys' fancy and working Shirts, Overalls and Sus penders. SILVERWARE —Knives, Forks and Spoons. NEW STYLES in fancy Glassware and Water Sets, Crockery, hinawarc, Granite and Tinware, Doll Cabs, Boys' Express Wagons and Velocipedes, Child's lancy Chairs, Rockers and Shoofly's. ORGANS and Sewing Machines and complete line of Musical Merchandise and all the latest and popular UP*to date Sheet Music- Would be pleased to have you come in, look our goods over, get acquainted and secure some of the baigains we have for you. We will always treat you well. Dealer in all kinds of Lumber, Doors, ash, Blinds, Etc, HARD and SOFT COAL. Yours respectfully, A W.W.MOORE. Moore's Dep't Store MANCHESTER UMBER CO.. Agents for ATLAS, PORTLAND and LOUISVILLE CEMENT Maquoketa LIME Stucco and Plastering Hair. Successor to G. W. Fairchild West Side of River. Attention G. A. R! THE NATIONAL ENCAMPMENT at PHILADELPHIA, PA., SEPT. 4-9, 1899, 18 oxpectod to be the largest ever held. The veterans and their families and all who desire to attend the encampment or to visit in the east should take advantage of the Extremely Low Rates to Philadelphia and Return Offered by the B. C. R. & N. Ry. Tickets will be Bold by all agents of this line on Sept. X, 2, and 8, for trains arriving in Chicago Sept. 4th. These tickets will be good returning until Sept. 13, and may bo extended until Sept. 30 upon payment of 50 cents ad ditional. Sid® Trip Tickets will be sold at Philadelphia, at low rates to Baltimore, Washington, Old Point Comfort, Atlantic City, Valley Forge, Gettysburg, and other interesting and historio cities. Special Attractions. The Grand Parade on Tuesday, Sept. 5th. A Great Naval Review on tho Delaware River, etc. THE PRESIDENT OP THE UNITED STATES, ADMIRAL DEWEY, OENERAL IIILES and many other distinguished statesmen and officers are to be present. The B., C. R. & N. Ry. will offer the best passenger service to the En campment. Solid trains of Pullman Sleepers and Coaches will be run through to Philadelphia on fast Schedules via the best eastern routes. Further announcements of time of Special Trains, etc., will be made later. Particulars regarding Rates, etc.. may be obtained from B., C. R. & N. agents or by addressing E. O. SOULE, G. A. P. D., J. MORTON, G. P. T. A., Cedar Rapids, Iowa. 31-5 .Cedar Rapids, Iowa. Artistic Tailoring! My Spring Suitings have arrived and those desiring styliBh and handsome suits should not fail to call and examine my stook. I have the latest patterns in overcoating and pants that will catch your aye at a glance. I also have a choice selection of fabric that I am mak ing up at a reasonable price and I would like to take your order at once. My high grade custom work speaks for itself. You get the latest style and fit and best of workmanship at A. L. Severteon, the artistic tailor. A. L.®Severtson, SPECIAL OFFER The New Werner Edition ol TIE ENCYCLOPEDIA BRITANNICA IN THIRTY SUPIItB OCTAVO VOLUill. "Give Your Boys a Chance" were the closing words of an address by Abraham Lincoln. He realized that parents are responsible, in a degree, for what their children become. If vou have children, study their individual tendencies and place the bast possible educational advantages before them. A way has been provided in the New Werner Edi tion of the Encyclopaedia Britan- J' nica, complete in thirty volumes. its articles which have been adopted by Yale, Harvard and Columbia colleges. This shows in what esteem it is held Iw the highest educators in the land. Just now you can secure Encyclopaedia Britannica for One Dollar Cash and the balance in small monthly payments. The entire Thirty Volumes with a Guide and an elegant Oak Book Case, will be delivered when the first payment is made. The complete set (Thirty Large Octavo Volumes): No. i—New Style Buckram Cloth, Marbled Edges, Extra Quality High Machine Finish Book Paper, (45.00 US moFnth tKA: °D# Thr* Dollw «»oo) p« No. 2—Half Morocco, Marbled Edges, Extra Quality High Machine Finish Book Paper, $60.00 mfnth^fiercafter' TW° DoUir8 Tallort The best thoughts on all subjects in the history of man are treasur ed there. A systematic study of this work is equal to any college course. Algebra, Anatomy, Arch itecture, Building, Electricity, Political Economy, are a few of *n(1 Thr## A reduction of Four No. 3—Sheep, Tan Color, Marbled Edges, Extra Quality High Machine Finish Book Paper, $7$.oa month1thereafter' DoU"* (,}'oo) 10% Dollars ($4-oo) per and Flv*Dollar*($5x10) per I* graotad by paying cash within days aftar the IWANOHgaTJE IOWA. TKli