*few Orleans Ttnrts-Dcmoerati
Arizona's most noted bucker was
reared on Jack Mitchell’s ranch in
lxmeeome valley, net many miles from
Prescott. . ._.
In the main, he was a handsome
fceast, stood sixteen hands flush, ana
weighed 1.400 pouhd* But bis head
was bowed like a barrel stave, and set
with small misshapen eyes, that glared
with a devilish lignt. !
The colt took a great fancy to Mit
chell’s daughter Nell. It soon lea™?} j
to follow her about a* a dog, a^d would
come on a run for a lump of y i
bite of bread when she whistled. N 11
broke him in so gradually andi by sue j
gentle means that by the,end of lu»
third year she could saddle and ri
Black Wolf anywhere. :
But on her going away to school M
chell thought it was abouV “d care !
the profits of his money and care. |
There were any number of standing ,
offers ranging up as high as $300. Mat |
tors stood undecided until one day a
Prescott swell chanced to stop at the ;
ranch He offered f400 spot cash, and
the deal was closed, with it e un
standing that the horse was toJy de
livered as soon as properly g~ttl‘
Sone" morning MltcbeU told oneot
' his stock hands to “throw a sadd.e
upon Black Wolf and ,tVp’
Vnt dreaming of any trouble with a
pet colt, the young fellow went about
his task with whistle and a0®*- 1
baldly had he touched the saddle be
Black Wolf sent bjm sPrawll“5
^g^Bugh the air, to the astonishment of
^^Kfn°Vthe regular “broncho buster"
jBBHaued but aft m* a short struggle he
HH thrown and nearly killed No cin
BSm on the place dared make the tna.
■Hack Mitchell was as mad as a hoin
RS gem around for the best riders m
wBM eountrv. and promised to give $o->
Mm ™y man that would conquer the
IKri? But one and all .hey were ;
^Finally Bill Zant a Jerome team
r gter came along and bought Black
L Wolf for a “wheeler.” He said he,
k RtKsse d the lccoed fool could notdo ,
much dauiaee in a twenty-mule team ]
And to the surprise of everybody. I
fe^lack Wolf took willingly to harness. (
?- WL gix months he was the stoutest pull- ,
pH in the Vavapi county. Rut no on j
|fV;Hide Bill could do a thing with him.
|§§Hv:is worth any other mans life to
his stall. |
|Hmo time during the following sum- j
Bi» -Broncho Charley” came ovtr
■Ht California. He had cone- ived the
IHH of going on the road with a wild
K show. His plan was to torm his
s Mpe in.l give the first perfonnam '
H^Fprescott. . . !
About over the ranges he skirmish,d.
■Kicking up riders, ropers and rifle shot*.
H&, a dozen or so of .polledtorses
W that the owners were glad toberld°f
" nt anv price. Then, engaging a few j
wild steers, and striking a bar*amp?'lb 1
some Httalapal braves. Broncho C har
ley rented a flat on the edge of the
town and set the flay. , .
Moreover, he placed $10° in the bank. ,
nnd advertised far and wide that it was
to be paid to anyone bringing in a
horse which could not be ridden by
either himself or his men.
But hardly had the mountain breezes
begun to flutter the handbills along
Montezuma street before a friend came |
and whispered something in the show-,
man’s ear. Without stopping for any- j
thine else Charley mounted a horse
and spared not spur nor quirt until he
drew rein at Bill Zant’s camp. With
tittle ceremony Charley said that he,
'ZllZd of 6la<k wolf, and that he,
[ wanted him for the wild west* show.
' -Well ’* said Bill, “seeing as how I
ain’t a-uslng him just now. guess it s
all right. But you don’t want to let
him kill anybody,”
Black Wo’.f was led forth ready for,
th“Now. fork him and TO jerk off the ;
blind.” said Bill. j
Charley did manage to catch hotn
stirrups.‘but that is all he remembered
until Bill picked him up bruised and ,
bleeding from a corner of c°rral.
“Thirk he'll do,” asked Bill with a
gr!.Yesf1guess so. But for heaven’s
take don’t say a word about tins; it >
would spoil everything.”
And Broncho Cnarley, with fa.len
crest, led he horse to Prescott by aj
HQufcdabout trail. , . _ ,
•" First thing uext morning Charley had
another lot of handbills printed saying
that, aside from his first offer, he would
give $-50 to any person who ’would sue- !
cessfully ride a certain horse belonging
to his outfit. . , .. „ I
_ __1 nen«m for tflft i
r many me uiuc iu"'-'* --- --- - . i
opening of the great fete. The third j
and last day was set for the broncho i
riding. By an hour past noon the grand
stand was packed to suffocation: e>en
the roof lent its pi*ny aid in seating the
crowds, while the fence fot 100 yards j
each side budded with boys.
At last, in alt the glory of buckskin, L
long hair and six-shooters. Broncho .
Charlev rode into the inclosure and an
Inounced that the first contest would be
for the $100 prize. ‘ Now, ’ he said, J
“bring on your buckers."
They were led in one at a time,
icpvote Dan, Buckskin Hellion and
■lack Cany on Paint, that showed five ;
Jett of daylight under his feet every
time he left the ground, and a dozen
other*—all big. ugly brutes. Not a
horse among them that was not old I
at the business, and on to all the tricks
of the range. Bakers Terror was
brought iu last. He stood like a lamb
—as easy to saddle as an old gentle
horse. Broncho Charley was eager to
Phow his skill. Now was his time to
gain cheap glory.
He mounted. Terror stood without
moving a muscle until all was ready..
when suddenly he sprang high in the
air. Then he followed with three tre
mendous jumps to the right, and at the
left turn flung Charley, long hair, buck- j
skin and six-shooters in one confused J
heap over the flve-bar fence.
And It looked for a while as if this
horse would win the prize for his own.
er, but he gave up after flinging two of
the best men, in the outfit.*
And now. after an intermission, the
humbled showman rod? out and pro
nounced the second contest:
“Anybody that can ride the horse
^ Fm about to bring into the ring will be
given a check for $250. which is on de
posit in the Cactusr bank. Mind you. he
must be ridden with a free saddle—
rolls and bucking straps are barred.
Now come on. you crack riders, and try
your skill; here comes the horse."
At this everybody looked toward
the entrance to see Bill Zat\t leading
Black Wolf into the ring. Uft went a
wild shout. At once fell the ttppes of
all the local riders, while tho:
distant parts of the territory _
and turned pale when the crowd
shouting, “Hurrah for Bill Zant’s
rolf!" Tco well they knew what
pant.
[while It seemed as if no i
»ere goinglto appear. Finally I
Mexican and 1# BT^t; th» ^*ylM
king of aoutw” Al '10aa co*?^.y t'„
the Mexican frew »™l mgint, the CM
Ifornian and Doc Bright last.,
B'acl \Hlf suspected something
when the cinches were tightened, but he
merely smiled of his master’s hand
and went tS nibbling grass.
The Mexican felt of his spurs. Then,
catching thq horn in Doth haQds, he
sprang lightly into the saddle. Bill
jerked off the blind and jumped out
of the way.
just a moment the horse glanced
about him — just a moment quivered
from h$ad to foot; then, dropping his
head between his forefeet, he shot up
ward like a rocket, and. with marvelous
agility, wheeled end for end in midair.
Hardly had he landed before he was
ofT again, this time wheeling in the
opposite direction and shaking himself
like a wet dog to Icosen the hold of the
raking spurs. One more jump, and
the Mexican was flung whirling to the
ground, where he lay until some of his
companions carried him unconscious
out of the ring.
Catching the horse, Bill*called to the
Californian to take his medicine. The
young fellow hesitated. Then remem
,boring that the honor of his State
must he upheld, he drew up his belt a
hole, tossed his hat to a friend and
bounded into the saddle like a cat.
But, alas! Two of those fearful side
sweeps pitched California’s honor
headlong into a heap of sand. And
California’s honor narrowly escaped a
broken neck.
Wildly the Arizona faction cheered
over this defeat. Their man only was
left, and he might possibly win the
day. He was fresh, while the horse
must certainly be the worse after
bucking two rounds.
And now, as the Territory’s pride
walked into the ring, the assembled
hundreds went beside themselves v.ith
joy. But Doc was not overconfident.
The easy defeat of the other contest
ants unnerved him, for he knew them
to be no ordinary riders. Worse than
all, he was handicapped by a wide re
putation. In his heart he wished he
naa siayea at uumee.
But it was too late to back out now.
So. taking a swallow of water, he
llung away his hat and went to the
middle of the ring, where Black Wolf,
though blindfolded, was pawing the
earth and snorting fiercely.
Taking a running start, he bounced
into the saddle. “Let him go,” and
Doc dug the spurs deep.
With a bellow Black Wolf jumped
once forward to get a start, then left
the ground a full stx feet and whirled
before he came down. Now he
plunged to the right, now to the left;
then forward, then backward, up and
down, around and around, until Doc’s
nose and ears were running blood.
Another jump and the grip of his spurs
was shaken loose. Desperately he
clung to the horn, but in vain. He
lost both stirrups.
At last Doc could stand it no longer.
Calling to mind an old trick, he caught
the horn with both hands and jumped
clear of everything. He struck on his
feet and fell from exhaustion.
“Radies and gentlemen.” said Bron
cho Charlie, when the uproar had
somewhat abated, “the money is yet
my own. Is there any other person
that would like to make a trial for it?
If *o, let him come forward without
delay.”
A hush fell upon the audience.
Would any one be so foolhardy as to
back that devil after the best riders
had fallen?
Presently there was a stir at the
far end of the grand stand, moving
aside to let some one pass. All eyes
turned eagerly that way to see
bright-eyed, rosy-cheeked girl step
step down from the tiers of seats. She
was attended by a middle aged man.
"Who is it? Who is it?” whispered
hundreds at once, and hundreds more
answered: "Why, that’s Nellie Mitch
ell and her father. They live in Lone
some valley.”
Broncho Charley dismounted quick
ly and came forward. “Good even
ing," he said, raising his hat politely
to Nell and her father. "Is there any
thing I can do for you?”
“Why,” answered Nell, with many
blushes. “I have come to ride that
horse.”
"What?” exclaimed Charley, starting
back in astonishment. “Ride that
horse? I could not think of letting
you do such a thing; why, you would
be killed.”
“No. I don't think I would. Just let
me try him.”
“Yes, give her a trial,” spoke up
Mitchell. “She knows what she is
about."
By this time the crowd was crazy
with curiosity to know what was up.
But when they saw Bill coming with
the side-saddle exclamations of indig
nation, wonder,' protest and approval
swept over the vast throng.
Again Broncho Charley urged the
danger, protested and pleaded. But
when he saw* that Mitchell remained
firm he gave in and walked away, con
cluding that both the man and his
daughter must be locoed.
With a deal of coaxing and whist
ling Black Wolf was caught again. Blit
his anger was thoroughly roused. He
looked wildly bauot him, pawed the
ground and reared.
It was at least'a quarter of an hour
before Bill could pacify him sufficiently
to get Nell's saddle cinched in place.
And now, as the horse was led, snort-1
ing and plunging, to the center of the
ring, Nell and her father came for
ward.
Scarcely a person in the audience
moved a muscle as Nell begpn talking
in soothing tones to the horse; every
one feared to draw a long breath when
she took a lump of sugar from her pock
et and called: "Come, now-, Wolfy, poor
boy; come and get your sugar.”
The horse stood a moment watching
her Intently. His ears moved uneasily.
He recognized that voice—knew* his
young mistress With a glad neigh, he
walked up ar.d whinnied his thanks as
he took the lump from her hand..
"Poor old horse.” she said, patting
his muzzle, while he rubbed his head
against her; "did they treat you mean?
Nowr. come, let's take a walk.”
So saying Nell threw the reins over
his neck and went over to the fence,
while the great brute came trotting
along, first on one side and then on the
other, as though he were a little dog. j
Mounting to the top rail, Nell called:
"Come, Wolfy; come up here like a
good horse and let me take a ride.” j
Up pranced Black Wolf, but with thjJ
wrong side to the fence. “Ah, now#
she said, slapping him. "have you fr#.
gotten?” Instantly the obedient a^
mal wheeled about and Nell quiolEly
seated herself in the saddle. r
Then with a "Go on. old fellow,” the
horsp bowed his neck and cantered gay
ly up in front of the grand stand amid
the wildest enthusiasm and cries of
"Arizona is ahead yet! Hurrah for
Lonesome Valley!” and everybody took
up the cry: Three .cheers for Lone
some Valley!” .
\ Promptly Broncho Charley rode to
the front. His head was, uncovered
T i
an I he had a white envelope In hU
hafd. , ^
The confusion ceased. Then, turn
•inl to Nell, he said simply: “Miss
Mmche!l, let me -congratulate you on
d#ng what the best horseman In the
\Ast have failed to do. Please accept
tjfc check; you have won it fairly and
you rlvn^y deserve it.”
“And nc%. Miss Nellie,” spoke out
Bill Zant. liming forward, "I have a
word I warn to say Just here. I ain’t
much on liking prttty speeches or
anything of\hat sort, but I want to tell
you that when Jack Mitchell sold this
horse to me he made a big mistake.
And I’m just naturally going to undo
the mistake right here. Miss Nellie,
I make you a present of the horse—
Black Wolf Is yours.”
And as Ne’.l rode out through the
gate the Mexican waved his hand feebly
from the blanket w’here he lay—“Bra
vo, Senorita! Bravo!”
-o
Dsgrading Callegj Degrees.
Rocky Mountain News.
The mater of college degrees was con
sidered by the National Teachers’ Asso
ciation. and a protest made against the
looseness with which such distinctions are
granted. Colleges are so numerous now
aday?, and their graduates are so many
that their degree has ceased to possess the
significance It once did. The trouble
comes from a host of Institutions that arc
called colleges, but which do not rank
above a good high school. These insti
tutions grant the same degrees as do "iale
and Harvard. Williams and Amherst, and
yet the difference In their standards of
scholorship is as pronounced as that be
tween a kindergarten and a high school.
It Is therefore fast coming to be a fact
that a degree means nothing, and Is no
guarantee of scholarship or literary at
tainments. When a graduate claims to
be a B. A. or writes LL. D. after his name
the first inquiry Is: Whit institution gave
It? If it comes from an institution of
well established reputation, the standing
of the graduate is accepted. If it come
from an Institution which does not rank
above an academy in Its educational stand
ard. the possessor of the degree has to es
tablish his ablltty before the average col
lege man believes he Is worthy of the dis
f tlnction conferred.
1 The chief complaint was made In regard
to professional schools, which turn out
lawyers, doctors and dentists by the hun
dred, to many of which are run on the
commercial principle-short courses, cheap
Instructors and many .graduates. These
schools turn out professional men with de
grees who have no literary or scientific
training, and who do not even know the
English language. No wonder the number
of “shysters'’ and “quacks’* is Increhslng.
| No wonder the public Is losing respect for
men who claim to be educated, and who
make a parade of an illuminated diploma
and a high sounding degree, neither of
which i? a guarantee of attainment.
New York, and we believe a few other
States, have statutes hiring on this sub
ject. and compel a college to maintain cer
tain standards of scholorshlp befort it can
grant degrees. With professional schools,
however, there is too much looseness In
all States. It would be well if our nation
al educators would frame a uniform stat
ute regarding the evil complained of and
secure its enactment by the various State
legislatures.
-o
an outrage on major bludsoe
THAT CALLED LOUDLY FOR
VENGEANCE.
“I understand, colonel,” remarked
| the inquiring tourist from the North,
| addressing a prominent son of the
i Dark and Bloody Ground, “that there
rs said to be a raving maniac running
at large in the forests in this vicinity.”
“Well, suh.” replied Colonel Cork
right, "a dastahdly scoudrel of a trav
eling hypnotizuh came along and gave
an exhibition in the cou’t house night
befo’ last, and in the cou’se of the eve
ning he hypnotized Major Bludsoe, one
; of our most influential citizens, and
while he had him unduh his control
made the majuh drink a glass af
| watuh, suh, telling him that it was
; twenty-year-old Bou’bon ■whisky. The
I diabolical dose had such an awful
effect upon the victim—a good deal
' like hydrophobia, only a heap wo'se—
1 that the hypnotizuh became frighten
ed at what he had done and fled to
the woods, leaving the majuh going
from one paroxysm to anothuh.
"It took two doctuhs all the rest of
the night and half the next day to
resto’ the majuh to a clear unduhstand
ing of the infuhbal outrage which had
been puhpetrated on him, and when
he came to himself at last he drew his
revolvah and plunged into the woods,
swearing by the ghost of the illus
trious Henry Clay that he would neith
er eat nor sleep till he had avenged
the wrong. And I judge, suh, that the
repo t you have heard about a maniac
in the woods was stahted by some 1
stranguh who had caught a glimpse of j
the majuh.”—New York Journal.
AWKWARDLY PUT.
“Do you ride the wheel, Miss Pas
say ?”
“No. Why do you ask?”
"I wanted to be sure before I inquired
whv it is that all the homely girls
ride ?’’—Cleveland Plain-Dealer.
--o
EASILY DONE.
She—What a beautiful name you
have, Mr; Montrose.
He—Yoti like it. my lady. Take it.—
Detroit Free Press.
New Illustrated Magazine.
Mortimer Stame’s had no idea he was
so fond of Nellie Wane until he dis
; covered how much John Durden loved
her, too. If there is one thing more
than another that makes a man re
solved to win a girl, is the knowledge
that another fellow wants her also,
i In a midnight confab over hot grog,
when the heart yearns for sympathy
and the tongue grows loquacious
i staid Jack Durden confessed to his pal
| Staines his passion for Nellie Wane
declared that she was the sweetest and
prettiest little creature in the world,
and that he meant to go in for her
tooth and nail.
His confidant—a handsome young
guardsman—listened to this revelation
with disgusted amazement, the stu
dious barrister being the last man on
earth he ever suspected of falling in
love
Each saw in the other a formidable
rival, and each mentally swore ‘war to
the knife.” They had been invited to
i a grand ball at Squire Wane’s country
house in Norfolk to dance in the New
Year, and they both accepted, each
mentally resolving while there to try
his fate.
Arriving at the- hall, the typical,
old-fashioned country house, Durden
had the presence of mind to spring
first off the dog cart, and bounded up
the steps with the pleasing conviction
that he had scored off his enemy again.
He avoided the smoking room, into
which his rival was ushered, and turn
ed down the passage to the morning
room, where he felt sure.of finding the
ladies. His perspicacity was reward
ed by a warm greeting from his hostess
and Nellie, the latter clearly showing
her joy at seeing mm again.
He profited so well by the oppor
tunity that by the time the squire en
tered with the dashing guardsman for
some tea the astute lawyer had kissed
Nellie’s hand twice* had clasped it in
his own full five minutes, and had
wrung a promise from her to meet
him in the conservatory in an hour’s
time. It was just 5 o’clock, and as
dinner was fixed for 7 they could have
one delicious hour all to themselves.
“By the by, Jack,” said the squire,
turning to Durden, who wras helping
the ladies serve tea, “we’re so full up
to-night that I shall be obliged to put
you in the Elizabethan chamber. It is
rarely I honor a guest with even a
i sight of the historical old room, but
i you are such a quiet, reliable fellow,
I who won't be up to any larks, that I
shan’t mind you sleeping in it for once.
Run up with me now, and I’ll show it
to you.”
Delighted’ with the lucky circum
| stance which would enable him to dress
at 6 o’clock, Durden followed his host
with alacrity, possessed himself of his
bag from the hall, and set it down with
a sigh of relief on a chair in the bed
room allotted to his use. He looked
around as the squire lighted the can
dles on the dressing table. It was a
long low, rambling room, wainscoted
from floor to ceiling, full of antiquated
spindle-legged furniture and quaintly
carved, high-backed chairs.
“Magnificent, isn't it?” said the
squire, who was very proud of the old
fashioned room, with Its historical as
sociations. “But, gad, how freezing it
is, though; I can’t stand this cold; I
must send some one to light the fire
and bring you some not waici.
see, there are no bells.1’
“By no means! pray do not trouble,”
protested Durden, anxious to get rid of
his host and begin dressing; “I can’t
bear a fire in my bedroom, and I really
shan’t need any hot water, for 1 m
thoroughly Spartan in my habits and
inured to cold.”
“Then I’ll make myself scarce, as
I’ve a lot to see to,” said the squire,
turning his back and going off. With
intense satisfaction the preoccupied
lover heard the door close on his host’s
retracing footsteps, and proceeded at
once to make an elaborate toilet to meet
his lady love.
The chimes from the stable tower
by tolled out 6 o’clock as the young
man surveyed himself fn the mirror be
fore him. He felt highly gratified at
the reflection therein; his new dress
suit fitted to perfection, and the little
bit of padding to broaden the shoulders
was certainly a great improvement
Only a little color was wanting to com
plete the effect, so thrusting in his
waistcoat a pale blue silk hankerchief,
he bent forward, vigorously blew out
the candles and made for the door.
****••
The last boom of the big clock on the
landing had died away when a graceful
form in gossamer white gayly tripped
down the wide staircase and entered
t A MILITARY TERM. *
“A FLANK M OVEMEXT.”
the conservatory. She was thinking
very tenderly of the quiet young bar
rister, witk hia soft, dark eyes and rich,
low voice, and the chimes of the quar
ter past the hour fell unheeded on her
ear. He certainly loved'her very much;
she thought he did ages ago, although
he spoke to her so rarely and paid her
but little attention, and to-night • • •
The drawing-room clock rang out a
duob!e chime, $6:30, into a frown as
she paced the tiled floor with impatient
footsteps, regretting she had come so
punctually to the rendezvous. She tried
to keep calm, and waited on. But in
vain, for the three-quarters struck, and
still she was alone. When the chimes
pealed out again the white-robed maid
en mournfully counted seven; her heart
sank, and her indignation rose. He
had implored her to meet him, and then
had forgotten all about it! What a
horrible slight!
Slowly she wound her way to the
drawing-room, feeling terribly hurt at
her lover’s tardiness in joining her, and
resolved to give him the cold shoulder
for the rest of the evening. The sound
of the gongs assembled the party to
dinner, and Nellie was utterly mystified
and perplexed on finding, that Jack had
not even made his appearance at
table.
Never had a meal seemed longer and
more tedious, but the end came at last,
and then all w'as hurry and bustle.
Dances began early in the country, and
guests arrive punctually. No one but
the disappointed Nellie had yet missed
the young barrister, and her pride and
anger forbade her making any inquir
ies. She felt a great deal too hurt to
say a word about him to anyone. One
by one the carriages rolled# up the drive
and deposited their occupants at the
door; and the musicians got through
the greater part of the programme. As
the evening wore on Nellie's resentment
changed to anxiety on overhearing her
ratner maxing inquiries iur uuiucu.
I Her anxiety became positive fear on
j learning that he was nowhere to be
found, and that no one had seen him.
It had been arranged to have the
good old-fashioned Sir Roger De Cov
erley as midnight drew near, so that
everyone present—young and old
should dance the New Year in together.
Colonel Hawtree—a near neighbor—
had instituted himself master of cere
monies, and was beating up recruits for
the dance from the smoking and billiard
rooms, mercilessly hunting out several
unwilling couples from cozy corners in
the conservatory, who evidently pre
ferred to see in. *tfie New' Year after
their ow'n fashion. He urgently called
for Durden, and agreed with the squire
and some young men who w’ere also
asking after the absentee to go to the
Elizabthan chamber in search of the
truant. They* jokingly declared that
clever men were notoriously absent
minded; and that Durden, instead of
getting into his evening suit must have
crept to bed, and was probably deep in
the arms of Morpheus.
But what a different discovery wait
ed them on entering the bedroom! The
bed had not been disturbed, but the
w'hole apartment was in the wildest
disorder—tables and chairs overturned
and thrown about the floor, while on
everything was blood. The onlookers
stood silent and aw’e-struck, sick with
horror at the thought of the furious
assault on the occupant of the lonely
chamber, for it was perfectly clear to
all that poor Durden had made a vio
lent and desperate struggle for life, but
had fallen victim to « foul butchery.
At every step round the blood
stained room they were prepared to
come across a still more ghastly sight
—the remains of Durden. They peer
ed into every nook and corner, flung
apart the doors of the old fashioned
wardrobe, opened wide the cupboards,
but nothing was to be found.
Where was the body?
The squire strenuously denied tne
existence of a trap door or secret hid
ing place, and urged his guests to leave
the room just as they had found it,
for the detectives from Norwich to try
to find a clew to the mystery.
Durden had ever been a great favor
ite of the squire's, and the old man was
completely upset by the horror of the
evedt. With Colonel Hawtree’s aid he
crept out of the polluted chamber into
his own sanctum further down the cor
ridor, and sank into a low chair by the
fire. How bitterly he regretted put
ting the young man into that distant
room, so far from other members of
the house, for not the most agonizing
cry could pierce those thick walls!
“How horrible it all is!” moaned the
equire. “Oughtn't everyone to be sent
away, Hawtree Fancy dancing and
music with that ghastly thing over
head.”
“Oh, no, certainly not, squire. All
must go on as If nothing had happen- j
ed. No one must suspect anything has
occurred until we have taken counsel j
with the detectives. We must make
up some story to the ladies to account j
for Durden’s disappearance; Miss Nel
lie appeared very anxious about him.
But we must conceal the discovery
we’ve made, for most probably the j
murderer is in our midst, and even I
( now may be dancing with one of our
own daughters!” Colonel Hawtree]
epoke in a brisk, cheerful tone, and i
proceeded to jot down some notes at a
writing table.
Meanwhile the squire was lament
ing his favorite and wringing his hands
in impotent despair of arriving at any
thing like a solution of the problem
as to who and where was the perpetra
tor of the bloody deed and where hid
den the remains of the victim.
“Did you notice the windows, Haw
tree? Had they been opened?” he
tremulously inquired.
“The tapestry curtains covering the
windows have not a fold disarranged,"
decisively replied the cotonel la dia
REPARTM^^j
Mrs. Hogan—Ah, Mrs. Murphy, an’ it’s meself as would be ashamed ter have
me husband come home from th’ wake in th condition yours did last
noight.
Mrs. Murphy—Sure an’ it's little ye have to say, fer it's your Mike as couldn’t
git home at all, at all. _ _
tinct and deliberate tones, a a if ad
dressing a court and jury. “Also, the
windows are too high up and too nar
row to allow of anything being passed
through them. Neither can the chim
ney be the hiding place for the body,
for it is quite unobstructed; the faint
glimmer of light above can clearly be
perceived. No, rest assured, squire,
that no ordinary mortal hands have—”
“Oh, for God's sake, don’t worry’ me
with your confounded theories! I see
what you’re driving at,” interrupted
his host with acerbity. “But go and
lock up the door of that room, and
warn those young men and your scat
ter-brained son not to breathe a word
of it to the wo fen or we shall have
a terrible to-do."
The colonel roee'^L do his friend s
• bidding, and re-enterf^the fatal cham
ber with a business-like air.
“Instead of standing there gaping
like a lot of fools, yob boys.” he said
sternly, “rack your brains to discover
some motive for the mArder. It is cer
tainly not theft, for tnerc is the poor
fellow’s watch, and a handful of goUl
and silver right in front of the dress
ing table. Does anyone of you know
anything against Durden? Had he
enemies, bitter, implacable enemies?
Was he a nihilist in disguise or a mem
ber of the Italian Mala \ ita society .
or was the crime committed to satis*^
some private revenge?”
_J_A
DUrOen was an aii-iuuuvi “ •
low.” spoke up one of the group, "and
as open as the day. There was noth
ing underhand or secret about him,
none of the evil plotting of conspiia
tors and all that rot I guess its some
thing to do with a girl—jealousy,
rivals and all that sort of thing.
“Ay, jealousy,” rejoined the colonel,
“that’s the most probable, for love,
they say, is as strong as death, and
jealousy as cruel as the grave.
“There, you've just hit it," excfaim
ed a well known voice they never
thought to hear again. And Durden,
himself, alive and well, stood in the
doorway.
“It’s this infernal room that’s as
cold and cruel as the grave!"
This sudden release from the weight
or horror and suspense caused a com
plete revulsion in the minds of all
present, and their wrought-up feelings
found vent in uproarious exclamations
of surprise. Eager to spread the glad
news that the supposed victim was
still in the flesh. Will Hawtree burst
into the squire’s room in boisterous
excitement.
“Oh, squire, we’ve been jolly fools,
all of us! Here’s a rare joke! Old
Jack’s alive and kicking and all the
murderous traces were only from his
bleeding nose. He says he blew out ;
the lights and couldn't find the door! '
Just imagine, and couldn’t And a match
either! His eyes are all bunged up and
his nose as big as two. You never saw
such a rum sight, and he’s swearing
and cursing something awful. Do j
come and hear him.
The squire’s delight and joy at this 1
unexpected revelation knew no hounds, j
He started up instantly and entered j
the bed room in time to bear Durden |
give vent to bis grievances in a high- j
pitched tone of long-smothered wrath, i
"Look here, now. Just look at the
traces of my agony, and imagine how I j
fretted and fumed in this confounded
vault of a room, unable to see a thing '
or to And my way out of it!” He
spoke rapidly, pointing to he disorder
of the room, and gating with savage
eyes around it
"f'couldn't for the life of me find the
door, couldn’t even recollect id Iwhat
direction it lay. It has been one Vild,
ferocious game of blind man’s bluffibe
tween me and this confounded fuiVi
ture, which seemed to be all danciag
around and hitting out right and lefi
I was ready for an* appointment at
o’clock, and the dearest girl In the!
world waiting for me, while I raged j
and kicked in a desperate conflict with ,
darkness, furniture and despair for
three mortal hours! After banging my
head against the mantel-piece and
knocking it on every bit of caning in ,
the room, I jammed my nose right
bang against this bracket, and the
blood poured out, as you can perceive.
Not a ray of >*ht anywhere! Not -
the faintest c^nk guiding me to door ;
or window! *11 impenetrable, hellish
across the knob of that confounded
door, how presentable was I! Shirt
front saturated, head aching, nose
Smarting. stiff with cold and faint with
hunger I crept into some other man’s
room near to batho my face and re
cover a little. It's a duced hard thing,
laugh as yau may, for all my chance is
gone now, all hope of happiness fled.’*i
And tho unfortunate Durden flung him
self disconsolately into an armchair.
The young men indulged in lou<
merriment, and even the squire coul<
not forbear a smile at the rage ant
despair of this victim of candles am
match box.
“Come now. Jack,” iio said conso
lingly, patting him on thd^back. “Chee
up, my boy; all’s well that \j}dsi\yell
there’s no great harm done—ex<W>
to my furniture. Have something^*
drink and then go and explain it
to Nellie, who has not smiled once this
evening, and was crying her eyes out
about you*—”
Tho dickens she was!" Joyfully ex
claimed the young man, forgetting all
his woes. “Then Stains hasn’t bow
led me out after all! Hurrah Hur
rah!”
'
'' ■'ra,:/:,! - mm
f ■ 1 i:
K'l.-sip, til" P>!io*
III' nfioiH <! .1 il.' ly ^H|||
identity into one coll^^Bf
‘‘Standard Uil ( <>n^|
States leather CnmpaH
Sugar Raflning < ompra
Lead Company, United SI
Company, American TobacJ
American Spirits Manofan
pany, American Cotton Oi
N< \v 'tni'k. < li <-ar." <*> H.ty
( 'itnpar:v . i. .•.! • tt ’
“To this amount of capital^* .p:
must he adi •! •»>*> various sum*
!•*'tit- <1 by bonds of tb«• aU*ve "^J
nit s, together with the appreolatioi^B
value of gome of the storks- tftanda^P
Oil alone representing nearly four time?
its nominal fncp value—which, together
will bring the total value of capital In
terested to double the above total, of
in round figures, to $1,000,000,000.
“The guiding spirit In this mammoth
combination is said to be the Standard
Oil Company."
-o-- ■ —
A SEVERE STORM.
I’olnt I’lrimant t liltol My •» DcUrurth*
Down I'onr of Halo umi llall.
Special to the Rcgiitttf.
Point Pleasant, W. Va., July 24.—An
electrical storm of great severity, ac
companied by a gale of wind and heavy
rain and hail, broke over the town
yesterday afternoon, and after a lull
of some hours, resumed about eleven
o’clock at night. In the afternoon a
man named Alex. Allen was struck
by lightning, but the shock was not
fatal, and speedy medical attention ha*
placed him in a fair way towards re
covery. The telephone sendee was dis
organized, and an el«*ctrklan looking
after the lighting of the town was
seriously Inconvenienced. 'I he wind at
night was teri*fl<. The wharfboat was
severely handled and the bank of the
river In the vicinity strewui wdtli
wreckage. A fifty foot chimney stack
at the furniture factory was demol
ished, and the streets and park pre
sented the appearance of having been
mowed down, so many of the tree*
being either uprooted or bereft of their
limbs and foliage, in the upper part
of town hailstones fell which were as
large as marbles. Considerable dam
age was done to the crops and gar
dens. The weather still remain*
threatening.
-o—‘
ATTACKtD bY A SNAKE.
A loans Woman s Ui*»*r»*l)l» F.spnA.
l«ncn Wfctto Picking Berrien Nnar »*rl.^
stls.
Special to the Register. ’
Marietta. O.. July 24.—^Ti!l« pick
ing blackberries a few miles below i
Lthl* city. Miss Lizzie Fox wa* attacked
l v a large snake, which coiled Irscu A
about her lega and fought vklouwjNa
w*r cries for aid brought aaalitaMjHj
; wi after a desperate struggle the ret^H
ti% .was forced to loose it* bold msm
*TwT<illed. It meoBnred five feet
lenmh ffjsg Fox is suffering sever^i
fr'iBpen-ous rhf.cn.
^Ll’KNSI'.'N KXAMINKRg.
ip* R(-Ki->r. MSr-T
v A»Nl),- . J :■
J J. A Uraham and»fejg^;
»rpointed
<x. Kwig*- -Ju, »/“f ? v?
rC*’
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