The County paper., February 25, 1881, Image 2

About The County paper. (Oregon, Mo.) 1881-1883

Image provided by: State Historical Society of Missouri; Columbia, MO

                
IMIKAM AND MKMOltY.
I.
I.Ike a radiant clou J of morn;
Like dim music to a fane;
Like n rose without a thorn;
Like & fouoUIn without stain;
Like the moonlight's silver gleam;
Like an Imago In a stream,
Are the dreams of love.
Like sweet odors In the air,
Like ttio light la Deauty's cje;
Like the sky at evcnlcg ero
Its aerial colors die;
Like a solitary star,
Uurntng steadfastly afar,
Are the dreams of lore.
ti.
Like the mist upon a mountain ;
Like a shadow from a cloud;
Like the darkness o'er a fountain ;
Like a raalicn In her shroud;
Like a meteor's lonely light
Falling through the depths of night,
Are lovo's memories.
Like a dream from which wo waken
Tremulous with dark emotion;
Like a heart forever shaken
On the waves of sorrow's ocean;
Llko whispered words with dying breath;
Like klsies from the llpi of death,
Are love's memories.
lUUHrEI) AT LAST.
Ho to gono thont There was no
liopc! Ilia little cap, nml 6hoos, and
jacket, found oil the bank where ho had
laid them when ho went In to bathe
silly child 1 had boon enough to con
vince the mother that her missing boy
was lost to hor. Yet it was closo to
where tho river foil into tho sea, and
whero tho tido was strong how, then,
could she bono? Hut this latter nows,
the finding ol this half-decayed body of
n llttlo boy, which tho Under had boon
obliged to bury at onco this was too
plain to bd denied. Sho must (jive him
up.
Mrs. Boaufort closo 1 her doors and
sat down in hor splendid mansion to
mourn. Her servants carao and went
around her, but she would seo no ono
else. Her own kindred woro too far
away, across tho ocean in tho now world,
to como to hor; and sho had known thoso
of hor husband's pooplo only during tho
year that ho had been master of Beau
fort Manor.
Ho had boon separated from his
friends, a houseless wanderer, and they
had cared nothing for him, till old Mr.
Beaufort, tho baoholor lord of the
manor, dying, had, to their astonish
ment and indignation, lofttho groat for
tune which thoy had confidently ex
pected would bo divided between two
families nearest of kin, to scapegrace,
wandering Bernard Beaufort. It was
for this, then, that thoy had llattored
and petted tho eccentric, crossold man!
It was for this that thoy had lied to him
over and over, and vowed that they ex
pected nothing from 1dm, and wanted
nothing, andcamoto seo only him, not
tho manor. Thoy had borno his sar
donic grius, whon ho listened to their
falsehood, only that Bornard Boaufort,
whom thoy hardly acknowledged for a
rotation, and his American wifo, whom
thoy had never acknowledged at all,
nud their boy, should inherit Beaufort
'Manor and all tho old man's property,
except tho 100 apicco which ho had
mockingly bequeathed his two cousins
and their twclvo children, all told.
It was unboarabloi And all bocauso
'Bernard had had tho art to nnniohlsboy
riilllp; after tho old man. Hod tot
oach of his cousins a Philip her oldest?
But ho said Philip had given him no no
tico of tho naming, as thoy had; bad
asked no christening presont; and that
''ho, tho old man, hnd hoard tho child's
name only by accident. Thoreforo, it
must have been named frcm somo rccol
lection.
When tho now heir and his wifo camo
homo, tho rolations pocketed their
wrath so far as to visit them. It was
not worth while to shut themselves out
of tho placo booauso it was not to bo
theirs.
Mrs. Boaulort astonished her now rel
atives. Thoj expected to find a com
mon porson; thoy found a lady moro
highly brod and educated than them'
solvos. An elegant form, habited with
exquisite tasto; a classical face, purely
palo; rich, dark hair; bright, darkoyes;
admirably solf-posscsscd such was tho
lady thoy wont to crltlclso and potronlzo.
Scarcely had tho bereaved mother
mournod tor her son a month when a
lawyer's mlsslvo reached hor; and sho
awoko to tho fact that it was not only
her son who was lost, but tho heir of
Beaufort Manor. The relatives and
Tioirs had allowed hor to stay so long
out of regard to hor feelings, nnd be
causo thoy would rather she had pro
posed so go, and thoy woro sorry sho
had obliged them to romlnd hor that,
by tho lato Philip Boaufort's will, tho
property was to go to tho son of Bor
nurd, and in oaso ho died childless, to
bo dlvldod botwoen two cousins, tho
older having tho manor for lh, tho
oldest son' of tho youngor to Inhorit It
at his, death.
Tho childless widow roso up and went
out of tho sorrowful homo that had boon
hers but a year and a half. No sympa'
thy nor kindness woro offered hor now.
Thoy paid hor tho modorato provision
that had boon assurod bor and said
"good-bye," with no Invitation to re
main or visit thorn. Sho was no longer
nocossary to them, and thoy could ro-
scnt her postcoldnoss.
Eyon whon hor husband diod, six
months after tholr coming to tho prop
. crty, sho did not muoh sook tholr com'
. panlonshjp, though thoy thon redoubled
tlinlr nt.tnnilnn. nj tlinlr linnna In.
creased.
Bornard had boon an affootlonato but
'a dissipated husband; and if his wifo
grloved for him It was not as ono with
out hopo. Llttlo Philip, hor Idol, now
two years old, was left her, and sho
turned to him with all bor hoart.
And now ho was gono! Throo years
old, and so vcnlurcsomo! How had ho
eluded servants nnd mother and play
mates? Ho had dono so, In spito of
ovory caro. The river running past
their park had cntlcod him, and ho was
gono. Every effort had been made,
soarch, ndvortlsomonts.rowards offered,
but in vain; nnd tho finding of that llt
tlo body with I ho golden hair In curls
nbout tho faco had satisfied hor. A
curl had boon given tho mothor, nnd
putting it sldo by sido with one sho had
cut from Philip's head only a month bo
foro, thoy could not bo told apart.
Mrs. Beaufort did not return to
America, as (hoy had oxpectcd. She
could not loavo tho neighborhood whoro
her darling's body lay, and whoro his
Innocent soul had taken wing. Shut up
in tlds secluded liouso, which to her was
not a home, sho abandoned herself to
pricf. But after n rear wai past sho
was obliged to rouse herself. Hor health
was falling, and tho good vleai, ono of
her faithful friends, could no longer ro
Irain from reproof.
Mrs. Beaufort was not selfish, and sho
was not Irreligious. At tho call sho
lifted hor hoad, looked about tho world
oufsldo hor rotreat, aud saw work
enough to do. At that sight hor energy
awoko, and sho laid asldo llor lamenta
tions. But no ono could soo hor white,
sad faco without being convinced that
life had no charm for hor. ,
And so four yoars passed. Tho Beau-
forts of tho manor had taken no notice
of her; but somo of tho country families
still visltod her, and sho had many
friends. Har means woro small, but nil
tho poor blessed her; for her kind word
nud helping hand woro hotter than
gold.
No ono saw tho lonely night when
sho wept and kissed thoso locks of
goldon hair, and ga.3d attiio miulaturo
of hor boy's face.
Ono day tho widow had boon out on
an orrand of mercy, and was strolling
slowly homoward in tho solt, rich light
of a Juno sunset. Tho blossoming
hedges woro full of singing birds, tho
trees bont over, tho air was silent and
laden with sweet odors.
As sho wnlkod slowly alon; tho road
a strange gladness stirred In hor hoart;
for something pleasant had happened
that morning. Sho had met tho vicar
that afternoon In hor visiting not for
tho first timo, by any means, for Mr.
Vernon was kind to tho poor, and was
also a kind friend to thisboroavod lady.
But somotuing now had shown Itself in
his manner; or if not now, It was, at
least, shown In a decided manner that
seemed new.
Tho Bev. Mr. Vernon had married
oarly in life, and his wifo had lived but
a few year3. His best frionds thought
that tho loss said about tho latter tho
bettor. Tho gentleman had been drawn
Into tho marrlago at an ago when .he,
should havo been at his studios, and it
was a happy thing for him that tho
companloushlp had been brief. He had
not cared to repeat tho experiment.
Vith a largo circlo of admiring friends,
and quiet, well-kept house, ho snid to
himself that ho would bo foolish to
change And ho had not wished to
chango till now. His sympathy had
been aroused by tho sorrows of Iho
lovely Mrs. Beaufort, and his tender
ness by tho beauty of her character. But
not until within a fow weeks had he
known how deep that tondornoss nml
sympathy woro, nor how sweet It would
bo to havo that fair faco and form to
adorn his homo, and bo forovor in his
sight.
To-day, for tho first timo, tho truth
had broken out. It was but a word.
Seeing her look paler than usual, the
young clergyman had asked Impulsive
ly, "Aro you ill, Alice?"
It was tho first timo ho had called her
by that na'mo, and the color flashod
over his face as soon as tho words had
passed his lips. But his bright eyes
dwolton hor faco as ho oaw tho answer
ing blush, the swcot, sudden smile, tho
quick look up into his. oyes, thon tho
drooping glance.
"No, not ill," sho stammered, "I am
very woll."
Others camo noar, and both inter
rupted and rollovod thorn. Enough had
been said for that timo. But when thoy
parted Mr. Vornon look her hand in
gentlo clasp, and asked pormlsaion to
como to seo hor soon, and thanked hor
earnestly whon permission was accord
ed.
That was all, but it was onough to
ohaugo all tho world for his tondor
lonoly heart.
'How good ho Is to think of mo who
havo nothing, whon so many youngor
and riohor ladies would gladly havo had
this preference!"
"Thoro is a llttlo boy waiting to seo
you, ma'taj'' tho servant said when sho
ontercd tho cottage. "Ho has alottor
for you."
"Who Is ho?" Mrs. Boaufort asked,
"Hols a stranger, ma'am, and a pret
ty lad. I think ho Is a sailor liko, but a
gontloman's son."
You can sond him to mo," Mrs Boau
fort said.
Sho entered tho parlor, and In a fow
moments tho mosBcngor stood boforo
her. Sho merely glanced at him, scarce
ly moving, as ho gavo her tho noto,
and stood, cap in hand, boforo hor as
sho road.
It was written coarsoly by an Ignorant
porson, and tho namo signed was that
of a man-servant who had lived at tho
manor whon sho had boon ousted, a
ratainer of her husbands rollalves. It
was datod Caloutta, and marked "Im
portant."
"Madam; I think you would do woll
to adopt this boy as your son. Perhaps
you will llko him almost as woll. Ho is
a smart llttlo folfow, and has no bad
habits, and ho has no fnthor. I havo
known him Klnco ho was two years old.
If you want any.moro Information, ask
it of yours to command,
Jonx Sladk."
A slrango enough noto, presuming
nnd Inexplicable. Sho dropped it and
looked nt tho messenger, a straight,
well-formed boy, with slondor hands nnd
foot. His hair was light, and curled
loosely liko othor hair sho had seen
His largo violet oyes wcro llko othor oyes
sho had Been boforo, his mouth, tho
dlmplo in his chin, tho turn of tho
hoad
Sho gazod on him a moment, liko ono
in a tranco, then started.
"Heavens, boyl what Is your namo?"
sho cried Who nro you?"
"My namo Is Phil Phillips," ho an
swored, with a smile that went to tho
heart, with n voico that scthertremb
ling. "I don't know who I am. I was
picked up at sea when I was throo years
old."
"But this man, this John Slado, says
ho know you at that timo," sho exclaim
od, starting up. "And ho has been away
only n year."
"Yes," said tho boy looking with
wonder to seo tho lndy ho agitated, "ho
camo to seo mo in America, and took
mo to Calcutta with him, and ho has
been good to mo. He told mo that my
father was dead, but my mothor was
allvo, and thnt my namo was Phillip,
but would not toll mo what olso. Ho
said that you know who my mothoris.
I want to find my mother," tho boy ad
ded, tremulously. "I don't liko going
about tho world so."
What explanation could bo mado sho
know not. But with a mothor's Intui
tion sho know her long lost child. Sho
kissed and questioned him; sho listened
to a recital of all his recollections, and
with ovory word her nssuranco grow
stronger. His faint recollections of tho
groat houso, tho pony carriago, of many
a littlo incident which sho herself re
called all wcro confirmation strong as
proofs of Holy Writ.
Tho noxt morning Mr. Vornon called
to seo Mrs. Beaufort, ond boforo ho hnd
been with her fifteen minutes thoy wcro
engaged.
"Oh, my doarost, my most truo and
disinterested friend!" sho suddonly
broko forth, "I havo such nows to toll
you: I can keep it no longer. Say once
again that you lovo and chooso mo poor
aid nlono."
Sho leaned on his arm, and looked
beautiful, tearful eyes into his face.
"I chooso you so, my lovo," ho said,
"1 wont nothing with you."
Sho loaned a moment on his shoulder,
then gently dlsongagod herself from his
cmbraeo, and, going to tho door of an
inner room, opened it, and beckoned to
somo ono there.
A boy of seven or eight years of ago
ran to catch and kiss her hand. Sho
lod him to the vicar.
"It is my llttlo Philip como back from
the dead," she said, "and I ask you to
loavo tho vlcarago for tho manor."
No matter about proofs. Thoy were
not wanting, and thoy wcro convincing.
Tho Boaut'orts would own to nothing
thoy only gavo up and went out of tho
usurped Inheritance. But tho servant,
John Slado, charged tho proprietor with
having withhold from Mrs. Boaufort tho
advertisement which described tho child
that had been picked up at sea.
"Wo did not bolievo that it was the
child," thoy said, "and wo thought it
would only agitate Alico unnecessari
ly." It was a lamo excuso, but tho best
thoy had.
So Mrs. Boaulort went back to the
great house, proudly leading hor son,
and all the' peoplo bowed down to her
and congratulated hor, of course And
when tho clergyman, Mr. Vornon, loft
tho parsonago to marry hor, tuoio than
ono uoblo gentleman cursod his own
stupidity in not having fallen iu lovo
wilh tho widow whilo thoro was n
chanco.
The Tyranny of Buttons.
Among all tho possible arguments for
woman's natural inferiority to man tho
only ono having real lorco has never
bcon formulated; this Is hor mcok and
unquestioning submission to buttons.
Tho buttons of tho male habllimouts
aro always coming off, notably boforo
breakfast, whon tho average husbard is
about as amiablo as a boar with a sore
head. At this timo, If ho finds a button
looso, ho gives It a "yank," and then
looks about holplos3ly tor his victim,
tho first woman coming into his fiold of
vision. Ho hold stho button up boforo
hor, says it has "como" oft, and sho Is
expected to sow It on straightway. Gen
erally tho vlotim is his wifo; and though
tho baby may bo crying, and tho break
fast preparations In nocd ot supervision
whilo tho tyrant hlmsolf has nothing on
earth to do but mako his toilet, and has
moreover, sowing-materials right boforo
him on tho bureau or dressing-tablo,
ho nover rises to tho concoptlon of his
posslblo compoterico to supply his own
wants. Woman, In his oyos, is the pro
ordained supervisor ot buttons; and a
delicato consideration for hor rights and
prerogatives is his motlvo for rologating
tho task to hor; at least this Is tho way
ho apologizos, whon In a playful mood,
for his lack of doftness with tho neodUv
whloh, as a rulo. is wholly tho fault of.
tho women who had charge of his boy
hood. Thoy should havo taught him to
roplaoe tho buttons ho Is forovor wronoh
mg off with his rudo fingorlng. One or
two lessons about tho timo tho boy be
gins to go to school, a llttlo work-box
placod ln.hls room, coatalnlng noodlos,
thread, two or three kinds of buttons,
and an open-top thlmbjo, tlio only kind
that over should bo worn, and tho
problom Is solved for a llfotlmc; lor
whatever ono In accustomed to do from
childhood ono docs easily and dexter
ously. Woraon havo shown tholr ca
pacity for accomplishments nud attain
ments supposed to bo exclusively mas
culino. It is timo for a corresponding
display of ambition and adaptability on
tho part of men; and they cannot mako
a better beginning than by learning to
sow on their own buttons.
Rojnl People They Had Met.
Ourdctte in Darlington Hawkeyc.
"Ono timo," tho man on tho wood
box said, "I mot throo kings. I had
only two llttlo jacks and two queens
with mo, nnd I was compollcd to enter
tain thoso monnrchs at an oxponso of
S172 right on tho spot."
"I mot a count under somewhat sln.i
lar circumstances," said tho fat passcn
ger; ''it was at a royal assemblage;
Dom Pedro was there, and I had only a
few royal personages to set oil a wholo
cluster or plebeian ten-spots, and the
count alono cost mo $11."
"I was nt Bucking 'cm palace ono
night," remarked tho tall, thin passen
ger, "In Douvor. I bucked against tho
royal Bengal tiger until 3 o'clock In tho
morning, nnd ills majesty cost me ev
ery thine I had, oven down to tho boots
on my foot, so I went to my hotol in my
arctics."
"So much for Bucklug'cm," said tho
cross passenger.
"lou didn't know tho prints?" nuo-
ricd tho man ou tho wood-box.
"What prince?" asked tho tall, thin
passenger.
"Tho prints on tho cards," was tho
reply.
"No," said tho tall, thin passoncor.
but I know tho marquis against mo ev
ery timo."
"It isn't so exciting, but it Is much
cheaper, and safer," said tho sad pass
enger, "to sit down a', a beer tablo and
enjoy a llttlo dominoes with tho du
chess.''
"You havo met tho duchess frequently
then?" asked the cross passenger.
"Thousands of times," said tho sad
ono.
"I nover sit down at a euchro party."
romarked tho fat passenger, "without
tho countess."
"No indeed," they all murmured.
"Tho counters duko three games out
of fivo away from mo last night," said
tho passenger with tho sandy goatee.
"lnat was czard luck," remarked
tho sad passenger.
"That's what mado you rajah 'round
so when you camo In this morning,"
said tho man on tho "wood-box. "I
heard you mention tho shah, too."
"1 was mad," replied tho passenger
wilh the sultln' "
"The cool what?" inquired tho cross
passengor.
"Eastorn sultan," replied tho doss-
&
engcr with tho sandy, goateo.
And then tho fat passenger groaned
and said ho gavo up hopo for such a
man. And tho woman who talks bass
suddenly looked up from under her
blaok gloves aud wanted to know what
under tho sun thoy were talking about.
"Boyal peoplo wo havo mot." tlmldlv
said tho bashful passenger, who got in
at tho last station.
Tho woman who talks bass snarled
under her broath.
"You rile everybody vou moot." sho
said, and tho discussion wont out llko a
korosono lamp in a breezy railway.
A Yaluablo Coin.
An export coin dcalor says tho most
valuable modern coin is n Confederate
States sllvor dollar, which is valued at
81,000. Thero were only a fow of thoso
coins struck. Tho Conlodcrato Govern
ment had the dlos mado and a fow coins
wcro struck at tho Now Orloans Mint
for tho inspection of tho Confederate
officials. Thoy found, howovor, that
thoy had no silver, nnd no moro wero
coined. Joff Davis says ho had one of
theso coins on his person whon ho was
captured, but somo ono took possession
of it he does not know who. Possibly
it may bo in circulation yot as a genuine
coin of the United States. Oao sido of
tho coin was In faot mado witli a regu
lar dlo used in tho Now Orloans Mint to
strlko off United States silvor dollars.
Tho other sldo was specially devised tor
tho purpose Tho legend nsads: "Con
fedorato States of America." Thoro Is
a shield, with bars and soven stars, sur
mounted by a llborty cap. Tho shield
is inclosed by a wreath composed of cot
ton and sugar stalks.
In tho poljco court at Chicago, a wilo
thus ingeniously explained away serious
chargos of harsh treatment of her poor
husband. "Ono day whon sho was run
nlng aoross tho room, with a fork In her
hand, ho jumped In tbo way and struck
his wrist against tho fork, wrenching It
from her grip by tho prong, which ho
ran into his wrist. Then ho attempted
to strlko her, but sho held up a pan of
hot water between them, and ho spilled
It all over his head, Then ho got still
moro angry nt this accident, and started
to 'jump. at hor, but his head camo
against hor hand and ho foil down. Sho
took hold of his hair to ralso him up,
but It was so moistened by, tho hot wator
that it camo off. Thon sho Eaw It was
no uso to reason with him any longor,
and sho loft tho houso."
Thoy woro sitting sllontly by tho par
lor fire, Intontly watching tho hands of
tho olookas thoy slowly crawled around
to tho biggest striktng placo. Sudden
lysho saldi "Mr. Lordand, oan you
toll mo why you aro llko a oontury
plant?" Mr. L. norvously adjusted his
eyo glass, wiggled about in his chair
and stammered; Booauso I llvo for
for forever? "No, you duueo; its bo
eauso It takes you so long to loavo."
CHILDREN'S CORNER.,
MISS LOI.I.lPOl"S IIOUSEHKKlMNa.
WMe Awake.
Miss Lollipop thought she must help
To wash up the dishes and wipe oft the shelf,
To brush oil the table and sweep up the floor,
And clean off the stains from tho paint on tbo
door.
Sho put on her apron and pulled up htr
sleeve
Bho didn't want work that was only make
believe; "For muzzers who've dot Tittle chllleDS,"sald
the,
"Must havo ylttle housekeckers; dat'swhat
I'll be."
'Little Miss Lollipop went through tho room
Whisked tho dust high with tho edge of her
broom,
Drake the poor cup which sho dropped on her
floor,
Left tho. paint twenty times worse than be
fore. Spattered nnd splashed but O! how could I
chldo
The little heart swelling with sweet helpful
pride t
"For how would my niuzzer be able," said
she,
'To get fro her work If she didn't havo me!"
Dearer tho lovo In tho sunny bluo eyes,
Than the dust sho Is raising which fades as It
flics;
Dcttcr to mtcs the bctt cup on tho shelf,
Than chill the door heart which Is giving It
self.
Dear little Lollipop Wo aro like you,
Spoiling the work wo aro trying to do
Dut surely tho Father, wholovcsus, will hcod,
And take In his kindness the will for the doed I
AClilltl'M Victory.
nv c. n.
IIrper' ToanK Tocplc.
On tho rug boloro tho open firo sat
Pussio, her head against hor Aunt' kneo,
hor Skyo In hor arras a picture of con
tent. After n silenco of nt loast two
minutes sho drow along breath so long
that Aunt Kitty lnguhod, and asked hor
what tho matter was.
With a good deal of hositatton tho lit
tlo girl answorcd, in a very sad voico,
"Bccauso it is almost timo to go to
bed."
"Pussio, why don't you liko to go to
bed?"
"Bccauso bccauso I don't want to
say."
"Thon I will toll you why. Shall I,
dear?"
'Oh, auntie, you don't know. You
can not even guess why."
Aunt Kitty stooped over nnd whisper
ed somothlng, which had tho effect of
bringing Pussio on her feet, as sho ex
claimed, "Why! how dll you know?"
I onco was a llttlo girl mysolf,
Icar?"
"Oh yes, I know; but then you nover
folt as I fool about tho dark."
"Don't bo too suro of anything, llttlo
ono. Wnat woulit you say If I told you
that I found out your foar of tho dark
just bccauso I used to feel just as you
do now?"
Still Incredulous, Pit3slo shook hor
head saying. "But when did It go
away? You aro not afraid of anything
now?"
"Como horo, and I will toll you," nnd
taking tho child on her kneo, Aunt
Kathorino told hor 1 iltlo story of her
own lifo.
"When I was a child 1 was as timid
as a haro. I was vory shy; I did not
like strnngrrs, and I did not caro for
companions ot my own ago. I was per
fectly happy with my mothor and fathor
and my boloved dolls. Now you seo
you havo tho advantage of mo, for you
aro not shy, you aro fond of llttlo girls
and boys, and thon, too, you havo your
dogs nnd your pony Now I was so
afraid of a dog that tho sight of one, as
far off as I could seo him, filled mo with
such terror that I instinctively drew up
my small legs, and thon took to my
heels. I was so afraid of a worm that
I havo gono a wholo block out of tho
way to avoid passing ono. I am afraid,
Pussio. that I was a born coward, but
nothing was so absolutely awful to soo
as tho dark. A familiar room was bad
enough when unllghtod, but ono that
was unoccupied was to mo tho most
truly horrible placo that could bo con
ceived of. Tho windows; with tholr dis
tinctly defined sashes, woro enooftho
most frightful features to mo, and I ro-
member lying awnko at night and sco-
ing tho four or eight white squares in
tho darkness, nnd.trembling with foar
of what I did not know." And Miss4ProceS9lons of groat length and noisy
Kathorino hoard a llttlo murmur.
"Oh, Anntle, It always frightened mo
so! I am gladltlrightonedyouto." And
with a closor cuddlo sho says, "Ploaso,
goon." '
Onco my father spoke to mo about it,
reasoning with mo most lovingly and
tenderly, nover uttering one word m
ridicule or of rop roach, tolling mo tjht
no ono elso could holp mo in ovorcMn
lag tho dread of darkness, but thft I
inlght conquer it myself; I uscl to
wonder if I should evor fool as ho did
about it, aud bo as bravo as ho was im
ovory way,
"Somo littlo
whon I was about'
old an idea flashed
and I will toll you
"It was just :
six nnd soven o'clock, and at this season
of tho year, when I rondo up my mind
to oxploro tho whole houso In tho dartc.
Sir John Franklin and Dr. Kano (you
remember I was tolling you about them
only last night?) could not havo bad a
firmer conviction ot tho dangers they
woro braving than I had at. that mo
mont. Tho Dark was quito as unknown
a roglon to mo as tho north polo to
them, nnd tot thick with terrible rlBks
and perils; but having maOo up my
mind to dolt, tho possibility of retreat
did not ooour to mo, for I remember I
felt as it it wpro a sort of duty, a promise
to my fathor;' so I walkod oufof tha
room whoro nil tho family woro sitting
by tho lire-light, aud hogan to go up
I
timo passed nwt, and-
toven or clglfyoara-
though mvflbraln,
what r did. I
ibout this hour, lAlwcon
tho llrst.fllghUcf stairs in tho back part
of tho houso unltah'ted savo by a
ground-glass window, tnrough which
the hall, lamp throw a dim light. I had
mado up my mi.id to begin with tho
worst, and went steadily up, ono, two,
thrco, four flights nf stairs; tho last lod
to tho attic, divided into two rooms
tho outer ono finUiod but never oo
cnpled, tho inner one unfinished, nnd
oaoh lighted by n window in tho roof,
and communicating by a llttlo door, so
low Hint, small as I was, I could not
stand upright in passing through. In
utter darkutss I climbed tho stoop stairs,
closing tho door nt the foot, and nt last
found mysolf groping my way Into tho
Inner attic I had just described. Thon
on my hands and knees I crawled un
der tho oaves, broathless and trembling;
I left no cornor unoxplorod. I rcmom
bor golug back moro than onco to bo
suro that I had not 'shrinked.' In this
way I went into every room, crawling
under ovory bod, which was nu especial
horror to mo; I didn't know why do
you, Pussio?"
"Oh auutio, it is dreadful under tho
bods!"
"But what is it you aro afraid of? Aro
you afraid that somo ono is concealed
who will hurt; you?"
"No, indood; I don't know what It is,
but I always fool that something is hid
den thoro, auntio somothlng aw
ful."
"Woll, Pussio, so did I, and as I
crawled out from each bod I felt I had a
narrow escapc.oxpoct Ing tho noxt would
revcnl tho dreadful thing. And all this
timo tho windows seemed to grinnt mo;
but I thought of my l'nthor, and of his
telling mo that I could 'conquer If I
only tried,' and I wont on, dosing tho
door of overy room as I wont In, going
faithfully into ovory closot, nnd fooling
with my hands under overy pleco of
furniture which was not sot closo to tho
floor. It was such a long timo to met I
felt as if I had not scon my father and
mothor for hours; but at last I began to
fcol that I was near tho ond, nnd I recall
going bnck nnd exploring for tho second
timo tho unknown region undor tho last
bed, bccauso I folt in my heart that I
had not boon honest about it. I was
conscious thnt tho loft corner nearest
tho window had not been really Investi
gated. At last it was finishod, and I
can romomber how I felt whon I peu
cd tho door of the room whoro tho oth
ors woro laughing and talking, with
bright lights nnd tho firo I can ro mem
ber my bewildered fooling; as If waking
from sleop, and tho sonsation of having
boon saved from somothlng; and when
ray fathor put his hand out to mo and
drew mo to his side, asking whoro his
littlo girl had boon all tho timo, and I
cuddled up to him as you aro doing
now, dcario, I was so happy as I whis
pered back so softly that nono of tho
rest could hear. 'I have been ovory
whoro in tho dark, undor tho bods and
all.' 1 shall novor forgot tho look ho
gavo mo as ho drow mo closer to him,
and kissed mo, and whispering back,
"My bravo littlo glrlt" And whon by-aud-by
my mother's lovely oyes beamed
upon mo as sho stooped and kissed mo,
I folt qulto repaid for all my distress,
and, my darling, I never aftorwards
sufferod In tho samo way. Of, courso I
had littlo thrills and panics, but only
for n momont. 11 could always fond
thom away whon I thought of my fath
er's kls. If I had any courage, it is duo
to my dear father's-loving reasoning, to
his patlonco nnd his sympathy."
Both arms woro round Miss Kathar
ine's neck, nndi Pussio said, gently,
"Auntio, I will try." And sho aid try,
and did conquer-her foolish lears so
thoroughly that the dark has lost its
terrors for her, and a braver littlo girl
oan not bo found in the country.
IIOJ-H.
Somo poop!o imaglno that' tho world
was mado for men. All a mistako; it
was simply Intended for boys, to amuso
the'msolvcs in. Who onjbys life oxcept
tho boy, if wo oxcept nn occasional girl
or two? Nobody. Grown-up folks try
to. think thoy do, and somo renlly im
aglno thoy do, but thoy uro mistaken.
Mjm work themselves up into a fover of
excitement over an election. They hold
mass-mcotlngs and got up torch-Hght
roar,, but do thoy got any fun out of it?
Not a bit. It Is tho boys on tho outside
who do that. Thoy aro tho ones who
build tho bonfires on street corners,
and thoy, do a largo sharo of the hurrah
ing. Men in a possession movo along
as solomnly as though they wero going
to tholr own funeral, if such n thlcg
woro possible, but the boy who observes
thoin from tho curb-stone or who trots
along oloso to tho drum-major, is nil
animation nnd joy. Ho takes it all in,
land1 is tho freshost ono in tho party
whon tho tramp Is complotod, no mat
ter how long ho.is In passing a raultl
tudo of given points. No ono gots
such koon enjoyment out of a play as
the gallery god- And all olreusos In
tho country nro gotten up with nn eyo
stnglo to his speolal amusement. If
wo could bo a girl again wo would bo a
boy.
A. Pxlnccly Hoy.
In tho palaco of a small Gorman cap
ital a.Govman duohess, distinguished for
hor good sonao and kindness of heart,
was- colobrating hor birthday.
Tho court congratulations were over,
nnd the lady retired from tho secno of
festivity to, tho seclusion of hor private
roora Presently sho hoard light foot-
stops coming up tho stairs.
"Ahl" sho said, "thoro nro my two
littlo grandsons coming, to congratulate
xno."
'Two rosy lads, ton, nnd twolvo yoars
of, ago, pamo in, ono namod Albert,
tho other ErnostN They affectionately
greeted tho duchess, who gavo each of
thom tho customary present of ten louls
d'or (about $18) nnd rolatod to thom tho
following suggesllvo anecdote:
"Thco onco lived an Emporor in
omo who used to say that no ono
should go away sorrowing from nn in
terview with a prlnco. Ho was always
doing go&d and caring lor his people,
and when, ono evening atsuppor, ho ro
memborod that ho had not dononn'aot
of kindness to any ono during tho day,
ho oxclalmod, with regret and sorrow.
'My frionds, I havo lost a day,' My
childron, tako this omporor for your
model, and llvo in n prlncoly way llko
him."
Tho boys wont down tho stairs do
lighted. At tho palaco gato thoy mot
a poor woman, wrinkled and old, and
bowed down with troublo."
"Ah, my good young gontlomon,"
said sho, "bestow a triilo on an aged
creature. My cottngo is going to bo
sold for a debt, and I shall not havo nny
whoro to lay my head. My goat, tho
only meaus of support I have, has bcon
seized; pity an old woman and bo char
itable" Ernest assured hor that ho hadn't any
chango and passodon. Albort hesitated.
Ho thought a momont of her ploading
look nnd toars camo to his eyes. Tho
story of tho Roman Emperor camo into
his m'nd. Ho took from his purso tho
wholo of tho ten louls d'or nnd gavo
thom to tho woman. Turning away
with n heart light nnd satisfied, ho loft
tho old woman, wooplng for joy. Tho
boy was Prlnco Albert, ol England,
justly callod "Albort tho Good," and
aftorward tho husband of Queen Vic
toria." Ho Is nu Ass.
Wheeling Leader.
If humanity conllnuos ns gulllblo as
it has shown itself in tho Inst fow yoars,
wo shall advocato a now kind of school
prlmor in order thnt.pooplo may loam
in tholr childhood what you can't boat
Into somo of thom with a tripharamor,
even whon thoy aro old onough to go to
Congress.
Ono losson wo should advocato hav
ing fixod up In somothlng after this
stylo:
"What is thrco card monto?"
"It is n bad, bad game"
"Who plays thrco card monto?"
"Ono man who looks llko a farmer.
Ono man who looks liko a now-school
philosopher."
"Can two play this gamo?"
"Yes, my child. Even four can play
at this game"
"What does the fourth mnn do?"
"Ho gots loft, my child. Ho gots
badly left. Ho loses all his monoy.
Ho pulls his hair and uses wicked
words."
"Thon tho fourth man Is an ass for
playing."
"Ho is an ass."
New Uso for Saw-Dust.
Tho Zwtti&eroiausavs: Wo havo boon
shown a modol of a car whool consist
ing of an iron rim of sovon inches out
ward diamotor ono half inch thick, fit
ted with a well-proportioned hub tho
spaco between tho hub and rim filled
with plno saw-dust, pressed In so solldlv
thnt wo aro ready to bellovo tho asser
tion mat resting tuo Iron beams upon
boarlngs, a pressure equal to 23 tons
applied to tho hub failed to dovolop any
signs of woakness. Wo hesltato in
theso days of progress to- assort that
anything is impossible, and wo besln to
think that oven saw-dust possesses ele
ments of valuo hithorto- unsuspected,
ana that tne Uay may come when tho
filled irrounds adiaoont to saw-mills mav
bo seen to havo a groat value in the me
chanical dovelopmont and utlliiation of
tho now useless debris placed unon thnm
to got it out of tho way. Saw-dust car
wneois, snw-uust Mick, saw-dust fence
posts, railroad tlos, and oven saw-dust
window and door frames; walnscoatlng
and moldings, bggln to appear among
A Wood-Splitting Machine.
A novelty In mechanics is a wood
splitting maohlno. It acts exactly upon
tho gulllotino principle An enormous
axe, weighing, with its fixtures, 200
pounds, runs up and down betwoon two
uprights, and Is controlled bv a pair of
levers. As tho section of a log drops
irom tno buzz.saw, it roils down an In-
olino to the splitter. Hero a woikman
places it undor tho axo, which, doscond
ing, splits it with almost incredible oaso
and dispatch.. Tho toughost and knot
tiest "old sottors," whloh it would tako
a man a half a. week to split with an or
dinary axe, aro disposed of in a soeond.
ino rapiuity witu watch It, works may
bo imagined from tho faot that it can
split wood aa.fast as it can bo sawod in
tno mm. nuoos as muoh work in a
glvon time- as 20 men could accom
plish. Yfeero the LuinbA (Joes.
Ever? now settlor xiMm tho fortlln
prarles, says tho Northwestern Lumber
man, zaeauTonognoro njftled to tho vast
army of luuTbor consumed ono mom
now houso to bo built', ono moro barn,
one moro 40 noroof land to be fenced,
ono moro and perhaps a dozon corn
cribs noedod. But it moans moro; it
means an oxtonslon ot railroad linea
wh tho vast consumption of lumber
consequent thereupon, it means an ad
ditional ineontlvo to othor projected
sottlors to take farms near the first
condor; Id moans churches, school houses
and stores, sidowalks, pavodetrootaand
manufacturers, and it moans nowohan
nols ol enterprise constantly oponlng
whloh add to tho yearly inoroaslng de
mand for lumber. Theso explain what
booomes, of tho enormous amount of
lumber whloli the sawmills of tha
Northwest nio yearly grinding out.