Semi-weekly Windham County reformer., September 06, 1901, Page 3, Image 3

About Semi-weekly Windham County reformer. (Brattleboro, Vt.) 1897-1901

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1 J
VOL.
THE REFORMERl BRATTLEBORO. VT.. FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER 6. 1901,
3
I BLACKSMITH'S STORY,
Bl, t1i Vital fllny Happen to a Strong
.l.lll Willi IIUIH .TaUBeiVB.
' i.r to tlio spring of 1898," he says, ' I
tv.isail riK' ;- sw,m mV uiS sledge as I
jwuiiKl ii tin-k hummer. Then I begun to
lie cut i f sorts. After every meal I had
,iu uii'l distress, uud I began to loss
Wti,-bt mul strength.
Oi:e il.iy a man came along to have his
j0r,e -lied, and I told him huw I felt. He
yid 1 oifht ' " tr-v ' u0 new wei''l;iuo named
(.,), uru .Solvent, discovered by Dr. David
k T-n (l".
'Weil. I nt a bottlo the next dav.
WVu 1 l'"'l "S,,1 ,ur,' bottles I could eat
i!h no trouble to follow. Then I picked
,.(iivstnnt;tli, ana nave Kept riint nloncr
witli'iKV work ever since. My stomach
aiidliv' r are all right, and a heart trouble
tlt u-cil to botlu-r mo with short breath
tli ii is ''cue too."
l,,iltli himI hard muscles nra not always
fi.mid t.i.L--i iber. Athletes are likely to be
iriiik in the stomacn, uver, kidneys and
lii-.irt. A man may lift COO pounds and
,'rM, ili ml the next minute. Look out for
vour digestion ami your general health,
, t vour strengiu tone care ot itself.
If voiir druggist is out of Calcura SoJ.
.i.t. snid 1.00 to Dr. David Kennedy.
K.i.n. dy j:..w. Kington, N. Y. ; express
j,rt;uiJ. nto tor tree sample bottle.
L -I ' . t J
SWEET
REVENGE
By
C&pt&ii? P. A AITCHEL.,
Author of "Chattanooga," "Chickamaaga," Ktc
Copyright, 18OT, by Harper & Brothers.
ItTM'T K"I"!"1"1-1"1"1 I 1 1 t"M-Mi 1 l-I-I-I-I-l-t t I I I H 1 1..M..M-H.mJ
1
R. J. PAINE
Proprietor of
Hollywood Hen Yards, Paine's Egg
Producer and Paine's Egg Preserver.
I HATTER X-C'O.NTISUKD.)
A dozen yards-fifty-a hundred. The
music of Ginger's banjo dies as sudden
ly ns the clnng of a bell on a passing
engine. Will one minute or five puss
before I am missed? A distant burst of
applause God bless the dear little
dancer! Before me Is nn open spnee,
then a dense clump of trees. If I can
reach that thicket I can make a oulck
digression, and this may throw my
pursuers off my track.
A confusion of yells, a bullet whis
tling by my car. I reach the wood and
push on through It, not daring to lose
distance by digression with an enemy
close behind me. My feet becoming
entangled In a vine, I stumble and fall.
A weight comes down on me, crushing
the breath out of me. It Is all over.
Pantiug, bleeding, white as a cliost.
I am led back to the guerrilla camp.
"Shoot him!" . 1
"Gimme a rope offen that pack mule!"
"Tie him on a critter an send hlra
down the mounting!"
A babel of brutal suggestions came
from the different members of the
band, sounding to me, 6tunned as I
was, like final random shots at the
slaughter of a "forlorn hope." Amid
the clamor I saw but one sight Helen
and Jack locked In each other's arms,
paralyzed with terror.
"Stand back, men!" cried the cap
tain, pushing bis way toward me
"Have yo' forgot the money?"
"Stand back!" roared Halllday. "lie
belongs to me an Tom Jaycoxl We
tuk hi ml"
The captain's authority, thus support
ed, saved me from Immediate death.
HOW to make Hern lay c.n
Abundance of Eggs and
how to preserve them until you
can obtain the Highest Prices.
Send for Booklet giving all the particulars,
Please write your name and address plainly and
er.cios: stamp. Address
R. J. PAINE, Mansfield. Mass.
S. F. PETTS & CO.
ESTABLISHED 1880.
WHOLESALE LIQUOR DEALERS.
BOSTON. MASS.
'.'37 Friend St. and 144 V 148 Canal St.
itcHalite Hoods For Family Use,
Per gal
Esi'Ort Old Miur Majh Bourbon,
Pen'.- old l!i'.-ervp.
Sherwood Pure live Mult,
Iefferon Club Bourbon,
Parkland Old Hourbon,
Pitt X X live and Bourbon,
IVtl! X live 'and Bourbon,
Pure torn Whi-kev,
Til re Hay Mow Whiskey,
Lawrence's Old Meilford Euro,
CaMwell's I'ortorleo Rum,
American Gin,
RveGln.
Ho! Gin.
5 Bottles California Wines (assorted)
California Wines, all kinds,
$5.no
ii.Ou
4.00
4.00
3.0C
2.30
2.00
1.
1.50
1.50
1.75
200
3.00
4.00
2.00
3.00
4.00
1.00
.00
,50
,00
OruuBl.ts Pure Alcohol. 2.'
Imported Port and Sherry Wine, $2.50, $3.50
soil S4.H0.
All goods carefully packed and shipped to
"w allure in any part or ew juigianu.
We make no charge for packages or packing
Send P. O. order, Registered letter or Ex
press Monet- order and vou will receive your
KioJ by return express. Price Lists sent
sent by mall on application. For reference
juui iucai oanK. w outs
Panting and bleeding, I am led back to
ine gucrrtiia camp.
The men who were crowding nround
me gave way, a cord was brought, and
my wrists and tinkles were securely
hnund. No one seemed to susneet that
Jack's dance bad anything to do with j "slit disk over a bush
pocket and, cocking It, moved toward
them with her eyes fixed upon them,
calm and steady. Whether It was that
they were cowed by the weapon or ad
mired this evidence of woman's pluck,
they opened a way. The captain, seiz
ing the opportunity, quickly took Jack
by the hand and led her after her
cousin. Once beyond the ring, he as
sisted the girls to mount, then, mount
ing himself, the three rodo away, fol
lowed by a cheer. As for me, I breath
ed one long sigh of relief.
"Well, Ginger," said Buck, "reckon
ef we uus air goin to git to Sparty to
morrer we'll have to travel all night"
"Is the nigger takln yo' to Sparty or
air yo' takln the nigger?" asked one
of the men.
"Dat nln't gwine to mak' no differ',"
said Ginger. "Mars Buck an I don
never had no trouble. Mars' Buck, he's
my mars' till I gits to de new oue."
Buck led his horse to the log and
mounted, giving me a significant look,
as much as to say, "I won't desert
you," then rode away, followed by Gin
ger, with the remark:
"Goodby, yo' fellers. Much 'bilged
fo' the good time."
The restraint of the girls' presence
being no longer felt, the men's behavior
changed In a twinkling. The captain's
absence left Pete Halllday, the worst
man In the gang, free to foment trou
ble, and he began to do so by sneering
at his chief for being brought, as ho
expressed It. 'under petticoat govern
ment. There appeared to be two fac
tions In the baud the one headed by
Halllday or Jayeox and the other by
Captain Rlngold. nalllday set about
Instigating the guerrillas, or, rather,
his adherents, to go after Helen and
Jack and bring them back for another
dance. To make matters worse, one
of the men found some applejack, and
It was not long before the gang were
half drunk. Meanwhile the captain
returned and received a hearty cursing
from Halllday and bis adherents. Sev
eral of them started to bring back the
girls, but Rlngold drew upon them and
threatened to shoot them unless they
returned. They staggered back, grum
bling, and the captain adroitly pro
posed another pull at the applejack.
This diverted them, and after tin Is ti In g
the liquor one after another sank Into
a drunken slumber.
It was midnight. Every member of
the band was asleep save the man who
was deputed to guard me. He was sit
ting on a piece of firewood, so placed
that he could watch lue ncross the
flame. I lay on my back looking up at
the stars and feathorlike clouds that
now and again floated ncross the great
blue dome, the only motion apparent
save the tree tops bending under nu oc
casional breeze. The fire flickered, the
guard nodded, and an owl in the dis
tance gave an occasional hoot.
I heard something stir In the under
brush. Glancing aside, I saw a small
It was the faco
gether and make a defense. I must
tell Ginger to get some ammunition,
But with a guurd looking straight ut
me it is no easy tusk to convoy an
order by signs, and thut to a stupid
negro. Catching sight of n small stone
beside me, I put out my hand, yawning
to conceal my Intention, let It fall on
the stone and soon had It between the
knuckle of ray thumb and the point of
my forefinger, as a boy holds a marble
Watching till the guard's head Is turn
ed, looking meaningly at (linger, I lire
the stone a short distance, hoping he
will understand the word "ammuni
tion." His face Is a blank; it is evi
dent that he does not know what I
mean, and there Is no prospect of his
getting It through his thick skull.
Ginger turned away, and I knew that
he- was speaking to his young master;
then Buck's white face showed Itself
inquiringly behind the negro's black
one. I looked meaningly at Buck and
repented the motion of firing. He
caught my meaning and, taking up a
gun, made a motion as If ramming a
cartridge, looking at me Inquiringly. I
Indicated that be wns right. He went
away anil after a lung atisonce came
back and held up four cartridges, two
In each hand. Then, putting down the
boxes, he held up three lingers, and I
knew that they had secured three guns.
He next held up four fingers of the
other hand, pointing to the sleeping
guerrillas, and I knew he proposed to
get one more gun.
Buck was a long while capturing the
fourth gun. One of the men awoke,
yawned, sat up and looked Into the
fire, yawned again, lay down and was
soon snoring. Then the guard got ur.
from where he wus sitting. There was
a slight sound In the bushes, and he
listeued attentively. Then he put sonu
wood on the tire and sat down again
He had scarcely seated himself before
Ginger held up the fourth gun. j
I moved slightly, showing my friends
by my manner that I was about to try
to get away. They appeared to under-
msmmm
mmmm
IP
it
RAILROADS.
CENTRAL VERMONT RAILWAY CO
Southern Division.
Corrected to June ill, 1901.
GOING SOUTH,
Trains leave Bratlleboro as follows:
MO a. m.. liaiiv for Snrlnirilfild anil New York.
' ! a. m., for Millers Falls, Palmer and New
London, Counectlng at Millers Kails with
Huston A Maine K. K at Palmer Willi Boston
1 Aioauv i; K-. at tcw lxnuon who . i , i.
, a ii. n. ii.
H.
lo a, in.. f,r Sttrlnir field nnil New York.
loila.m., fur Millers Kails, Palmer anil New
ModuD, connecting at Millers Kails for Jios-
'5 p. m., fur Sirln(ttleld and Sew York.
-Wl 1). 11... t:ir SurlntfllU1 nnil New York.
i:x ). in., for Snrlneileid and Sew York. Ballv.
II. in., fur Mlllpra Knlla Rnri fcfAtlons OR IMV-
IsIud r....-tnn & Maine K. R.. I'almcr and Sew
"iii'lun and New York via Norwich Line.
GOING NORTH.
Trains .'irrlvA nt Mmttlpl.nrn An follows .'
H ' " a. in., iniin New York via Norwich Line and
ve London also from Sprlnirflelif.
I', m , from Itoeton via Millers Tails and
ir New London.
-1.5.45 and 10.10 p. m., from New York and
siTitiirn, id. m.io runs naliy.
f- m., from New London.
r Sniiiii t to cnance without notice,
trains rim week days only except as noted.
E. S. I Hi: 1 V If T . B 1 ll.anl
W. LV MMINiJS. 3. A.. St. Albans.
JJOSTON AND MAINE R. R.
isaucetlrut and Pasanmnste Division
Summer arrangement, 1HII.
TRAINS BOUND SOUTH.
'''"HVik.ws Falls.
?n lr.utleliuro.
nth Vernon,
. Orei-nricltl.
in STll.giiei,,
a. m.
4.40
'5. IS
'.1 45
A.m.
S 20
40
p. IB. p. m
10
7.S5 ll
a. m. a. m.
l.sj
1.40
2(
2.SU
S.30
p. m. p. m
my flight, except that I bad taken ad
vantage of the relaxed vigilance to
make the attempt Having tied me,
they threw me to the ground, Halllday
giving me a parting kick; a man was
deputed to watch me, and the band, ac
customed to such episodes, left me to
turn again to what was far more Inter
esting to them.
CHAPTER XI.
STEALING TUB QUNS.
AQUELIXE once more became an
object of undivided Interest. The
men crowded about her, staring
at her, uttering exclamations of
admiration, vainly seeking a way to
do her honor. I'resently they cut sap
lings, out of which they constructed a
rude chair, decorating It with twigs,
and one 111 favored bandit, to whom
nature had Imparted a spark of art,
gathered wild flowers with which .to
put oo finishing touches. When the
seat was completed, the men looked
awkwardly at Jack, and the captain,
presenting the tips of bis fingers, led
ber to her Improvised throne. Helen.
who at the first sign that I wns to be
temporarily spared had recovered her
equanimity and had Infused some of
her restored courage Into Jack, saw at
once the ad .-antage of keeping up her
cousin's popularity. Seizing some of
the flowers, she wove them on a frame
work of green twigs Into a circular gar
land and Insisted on crowning the fa
vorite, not queen of May, for Slay had j
not vet come, but queen of a mouth far
more appropriate April.
Bv this time night had come on, a
roaring lire was lighted, and the guer
rillas, forming a ring of which Jack
wns the com. threw themselves on the
ground and listened to her chat, ber
songs, her stories, their fire lighted
faces standing out of the gloom la
grim contrast with her refined beauty.
The captain, vith his superior breed
ing, served as a link between ner anu
his men, keeping them In check and
timnl.itlncr their admiration oy ui
rurn. If Jack flagged for a moment be
tween her stories and ber songs, Helen
ma milck to suctrest new ones, and oc-
n casionally both were relieved by little
Buck, who would throw in some quaint
TRAINS ROUND NORTH.
Allows Tails S.32 s. 12.10, .1.0, T.O0,
l.e,ve r
o 1 n ,n
Arr i indwir 7.50, 1.05, S.M, 7.W), 1IJ; p.
TRAINS NORTH BOUND.
lirfield,
'ri-Hniicid.
'UU'l.,.ro.
' Falls,
4rr P,t,
a.m. a.m. n.m. p.m. pm
7 IS SIS 1J.3T 3 VI .!'
T-Mln-i 1ST 4 5i .J4
11 io sjs s.sn 'in.!
11.54 8.0U S.40 ll.os
a.m. a.m. p.m. p.m. p.m.
TRAINS SOUTH BOUND.
Wind. -j si. 7.24 a. m.. 12.10, 12.25,
m:c.i , n m.
:' Kails, 't&. '10, 12.J0, 1.17, S5I,
m, . ' r- m.
.-, ' '' l-ive Bellows F.ills 1.30 Arrive
fioro ;.;;. Leave Brnleloro S.IO. Ar
; m-tCei,! j.),,. ,4r (rtemieM s.40 a, m.
Ll ' KLi -J,iKf, Gen Fs cd Ticket Agt
Air
remark typical of that peculiar crea
ture, the American boy.
So long as the songs and stories last
ed there was nothing to precipitate
trouble, but the entertainment couio.
not go on all night, and I began to
dread the moment when the girls
should attempt to take their departure.
Tresently Helen in a firm voice said:
"Come, It's time for us to go."
Shouts of "No!" "A dance:" "A songr
im-eta-d the proposition, and the guer
rillas L?gan to form In groups to resist
an exit. Helen, selecting the noisiest
knot f men. drew a revolver from ber
of little Buck
Now, In the name of all the gods, will
those devoted friends never give over
risking their lives in these useless at
tempts? What Is to happen now? I
scowled an order to the boy to go
away, but he paid no attention to it.
Something came sliding along the
ground and lodged against me. The
guard heard It, started, cast a quick
glance at me, then about htm, but,
seeing nothing, relapsed Into his for
mer quietude. I felt for what had
struck me and clasped a Jackknlfe.
Meanwhile Buck disappeared, but,
soon appearing again In his place, held
up a carbine. He had doubtless stolen
It from one of the men who slept on
the edge of the circle about the fire.
Again be disappeared, and I watched
eagerly for bis return. The guard was
still awake, though nodding, but had
tie been more watchful bo would not
likely have discovered Buck, for the
nnderbrush, both where the boy ap
peared to me and where it skirted the
sleeping guerrillas, was so thick thit
In passing nround the camp he wis
comparatively safe from observatim.
Besides for most of the distance Btck
traversed In bis gun foray the gual's
back was toward him.
I watch the point where Buck's lead
appeared, expecting to see It aaln,
but In its stead presently see two fhite
points. Straining my eyes, I dcern
the whites of two eyes, then attack
face.
It Is Ginger. A white line fppears
direi-tly below the eyes, and he show
ing his teeth in a smile. He rJses his
ann, and. behold, another gun Again
a white line of teeth, and hefiuts the
weapm down. Five, 10, 15 minutes
elapse. Ginger holds his grottd. Has
he gone to sleep? No. Anther Ave
minutes, and he hold up anher gun.
Ah. I see. Little Buck. wjh catlike
tread. Is gathering in the arts. That's
well. He Is far better littel" for such
delieutc work than a stiff ol negro.
The little pantomime bepns to take
shnjie In my mind and brit anticipa
tions of more than a light fr my own
life. If I can escape ami Buck and
Ginger secure sufficient alns. It may
be possible for all our paly to get to-
Thc guard opened hfs eyes and (oofcee
cftrcfijhtut me.
stand and ggtlured up the guns. Burl
taking one and Ginger three, doing al
so silently that liti sound reached evet
me. I waited, watching the guard in
tently till he should nod. I hud no ex
pectiltJon of his going to sleep. 1 onl
Imped to free myself from my thong,
before he should discover my move
incut. He uodilcil, I moved. He open
cd his eyes. I snored. He uodded ngaiu
I L'lasped the knife. Thoughtful Buck
lie had opened the blade. Drawing ill
my knees, 1 cut the ropes that bourn
my ankles, then felt in my boot leg fo
the revolver. I was about to cock I
when I reinetnlieiid that the guurt
would hear the click. I thought '.
would conceal the sound by a sneeze
but a sneeze might Jisturb some of tl.i
band. The owl, which had for soni. '
time been silent, Looted. It usuall; j
gave thn-e hoots in luccessiou. I count!
ed -one, two and at the third cockev
my revolver. Through my half closet ,
lids I cast a glance ut the guard. III. I
eyes were shut. I looked signltlcantl, I
at Buck aud Ginger to show them tha I
I was ready, then motioned them ti
pi. Waiting long tuough for them til
put a few hundred yards between then!
and the camp aud noticing that thij
guard's eyes were ttill shut, I prepare!
to follow. j
Rising slow.ly and silently, keeping
my eyes fixed on the man by the fin:
raising my revolver and taking as goot'
an aim as possible with bound wrist.-l
I stood on my feet. One step back
ward, then another, a third, a fourth
a lifth, a sixth. I bad rout-lied th
bushes where Buck and Ginger ha
been concealed and was about to tak
one more step which would secure con
cealmeiit when the guard opened hi
eyes nnd looked straight at me.
Surprise was his last emotion, ui,
figure the Inst slgl:t he ever saw. ,
shot hint through the head and befor
the report had ceased to reverberot
was in the bushes.
ID'
CHATTER XII.
A DAYLIGHT ATTACK.
ESflTE the thickness of th
surrounding underbrush, "
made quick progress. Jumf
ing clean over bushes, dartin
around trees nnd under low limbs, afl
er running some 200 yards from tb
guerrilla camp l came to a compara
tively open space. Seeing a figure
standing within it and surmising It to
be one of my friends. I was ntxmt to
call when a woman's voice cried
"Halt:" I knew that I was covered by
a weapon and stopped short
"Are you"
"Yes, and you" ..''
"Helen. This way."
She darted away like a deer. I soon
overtook her, and together we ran per
haps half a mile, when she began to
climb an ascent leading to the base of
an overhanging cliff. I saw through
the gloom a large and a small figure
climbing Just ahead of us and knew
they were Ginger nnd Buck. Helen led
the way up to u recess In the cliff, nnd
I saw at once a position that we could
hold against a dozen men so long as we
had food anil ammunition.
"Hello!" It was Jack's cheery voice,
"Goody! Ain't I glad to get out o' the
wilderness!"
"I'm glad enough," I said ns soon as
I could get breath to speak, "but you
women"
There was no time for words. We
set about rolling a big stone into a gap
between two others, and us soon as it
was In position had a continuous
breastwork. The guerrillas were call
ing to each other In the woods below,
but they did not seem to know where
we were. I picked up one of the guns
Ginger had thrown down, Buck had
one in his hands. Ginger kept one, and
Helen seized the remaining one.
"Where do I come In?" chirped Jack.
"Here." I handed her the revolver,
In which there were five loaded cham
bers, and told her to hold on to It, as
she would doubtless need It. We all
took position behind our breastworks
ready to repel uu assault, at the same
time seeing to the condition of our
pieces. They were cavalry carbines,
all loaded and capped ready for use.
"Where are your horses?" I asked.
'Ticketed down there," Helen re
plied, pointing westward, "In a thicket
not far from the road."
"Have you anything to eat?"
She glanced at a parcel on the
ground. "I got that In a cabin. There's
some corn pone and pork."
"Barely enough for one meal. Any
water:"
"There's some water trickling be
tween the rocks back there."
"That pone and pork means a chance,
but it's n slim one."
Helen set her lips, Jack turned pale,
Ginger showed no emotion whatever,
while Buck remarked that he'd be
"darned if he didn't plunk one of 'em.
anyway." As for myself, I was aghast
ut the terrible fine that threatened
those who hnd so nobly and so bravely
risked all in my behalf.
"What brought you here?" I asked,
Impatiently, of Helen.
"When you were taken from oui
house I resolved to follow. Buck came
In just as I stinted, and insisted on
Joining me. We traced you to Colonel
Rutland's plantation"
"I see. It wns you I heard coming
in after I went up stairs."
"Ginger took the horses to the stable
nnd was returning to the house when
he saw two men climb a tree near your
window and enter your room. He
watched from a distance and saw
them bring you out, but he could not
tell whether they were taking you
away by force or assisting you to es
cape. Coming Into the house, he told
us what hud happened.
"Jack started to awaken Captain
Beaumont, but I stopped her. If you
bud been assisted to escape, this would
be fatal. Besides, from what Jack had
told me of the captain, 1 judged he
would huve his night's rest before
stsirtlng In pursuit. I told Jack I would
follow you myself, nnd she was wild
to come with me. Ginger had seen you
leave the plantation and knew the di
rection you had taken. We sent him
nnd Buck ahead, and they soon came
near enough to you to hear your horses'
hoof bents, then waited for us to come
up. Soon after we lost track of you.
but. hearing something come crashing
down the mountain"
"A stone."
"we followed the direction of the
sound. In the early morning Buck and
Ginger came upon you unexpectedly.
As soon as you had gone they rejoined
us. we shadowed you and yesterday
afternoon laid a plan for your escape."
"A wild, impracticable scheme. One
circumstance bus led to another, each
involving you more deeply. My God,
what a load of obligation! We can't
stay here. We'll starve. Buck, couldn't
you slip out in the darkness nnd find
help?"
"No. siree; I'm not goin out o' hynr.
I'm goin t' stny un tight with the rest."
"But you muy save ull our lives."
"Why don't you go, Mr. Brandy
stone?" "I ? I must stay with your sister and
cousin. Besides, I'm big and couldn't
get through as easily as you."
"Well, I ain't a-goin to sneak away
If I am little."
"Bucky," said Jack, "yo' needn't go.
I'll go myself."
"Yo' don' do nnffin like dat, Missy
Jack," cried Ginger. "Dem grillers
shoot yo'! Wha' mars' say ef I go back
on tell 'em de apple ob he eye go down
'mong grillers fo' to git shot? I gwine,
mars'," lie added to me.
But this time there was more call
ing among the men below, a streak of
light appeared In the east, and I did
not dare let any one attempt to evade
the enemy. Besides, I could now see
by the lay of the land that it would be
Impossible.
Something must have given the guer
rillas an Inkling of our whereabouts,
for as soon us it was light we could
see them standing, looking up ot our
position. I told every one to lie low.
hoping that some of the outlaws would
climb up fo investigate and we might
pick them off. For more than an hour
we remained concealed, only speaking
In whispers; then we saw the knot of
men lielow divide, three going to the
west, three to the east, while three be-
RELIGIOUS WORLD.
" CHRISTIAN ENDEAVOR.
Toplo For the Week DeKlnnlna; pt.
8 Comment bj- Ilev. S. II. Doyle.
Tone, Heavenly helpers. II Klnps vl, 15-17,
The Scriptural incident illustrating
the topic Is from the record of the
great expedition of BeiA'idad, king of
Syria, jjito the lund of Israel, during
which Occurred the famous siege of
Samaria in the time of Ellslia, the
prophet. The morning after the eu
eompassment of the city Elisha's serv
ant went out early to recounolter.
When he saw the greatness of the be
sieging host, ho was alarmed, and, hav
ing returned, said to his master, "How
shall we do?" Elisha replied, "Fear
not, for they that be with us are great
er than they that be with them." He
then prayed for the Lord to open his
servant's eyes, "and the Lord opened
the eyes of the young man, and he saw
and beheld the mountain was full of
horses and chariots of fire round about
Elisha." And, later on, at the sound of
this Invisible host, the Syrlnn fled, and
Israel was delivered. Thus Israel was
helped by heaven helpers.
1. Heavenly helpers are real; these
IS EPWOKTH LEAGUE.
Topic For the Week HeRlnnlna; Sifpr.
( "Heavenly Helpera" Text,
y II KIiik vl, 15-17. ",
"And ho saw, and, behold, the moun
tain full of horses nnd chariots of lire
round ubout Elisha."
We see but a smull part of what takes
place in this world. It Is not because
we have never traveled much or spend
much time in sleep that we see so little.
Much occurs directly before our eyes,
but wo are gazing on something else
and never behold It until some power
touches us und we look and see. Some
things can only be seen after long con
centration of attention. But, once seen,
these sights richly repay ull the ex
ertion aud wuiting. One cause why
life seems so dull and monotonous Is
that we look almost wholly on the
commonplace and rarely penetrate be
neath the surface and behold the fas
cinating play of powers which move
and mold life in all its Infinite varieties
of form.
We are closed In at many times by
forces which seem resistless and which
t,n,., n.- nnln..i.l.-lln We. n i-.i
hosts of God were real though invisi-, hc q
mo; r,iiKuu s servuiu uiu uoi nee tneiu, i . .
nor realize their presence, but Elisha
undoubtedly saw them by the eye of
faith. By faith he was conscious of
the presence of God's hosts, though he
had not sevn them, and what Elisha
saw by faith the young man was al
lowed to see by sight. The reality of
the spirit world cannot be doubted.
It is a doctrine of God's word. "The
angel of the Lord encampeth nround
about them that fear Him to deliver
them." Human experience corrobo
rates the testimony of Scripture. By
faith men have seen and been helped
by God's ministering angels. As they
have been, so may we be.
2. Heavenly angels are a necessity.
God's people are in constant conflict
with His enemies "the world, the flesh
and tlie devil." These enemies ure
shrewd and powerful; man alone could
not stand against them; he would ap
pear In contrast with them as Israel
appeared when compared with the
army of Syria. Hence arises the
neee&'jity of help from God from the
heavenly world. It should be our cus-
! torn to depend upon this help nnd not
upon our own strength In meeting the
temptations of life. Our enemies are
real; our weakness is great. Our need
of divine help Is imperative. Above
all should we look unto Jesus for grace
to help in time of need. He, above all
others, is the liest heaven helper.
3. Heavenly helpers help. Many so
called helps In life are not very help
ful. Some hinder and harm rather
than help. Not so the help that comes
from heaven. It actually helps. God's
"grace Is sufficient for us." We "can
do all things through Christ, who
strengthened us." The angels of God
do encamp around about us to deliver
us. Let us depend upon these divine
helps more and nion ourselves less.
"Ixx.ik ever to Jesus. He'll carry you
through."
THE PRAYER MEETING.
Have a Bible reading on the topic.
IllUI.E READINGS.
Gen. xlx. 1-3, 15-17, xxxll, 1, 2, 24-30
I Kings xlx, 1-8: II Kings xix, 32-3H
I's. xci. 11. 12; Dan. ill. 19-30; Math.
iv, 1-11; Acts xii, 1-11; Heb. I, 14.
ItlKht Conceptions of God.
Right conceptions of God, then, arc
only to be gained In the manner in
which God Himself has indicated and
made possible. But when they have
been formed the perplexing features
of His character aud government
mostly fall naturally into place and
find explanation. We see how He is
compelled to maintain the dignity of
His law because He loves us too much
to cxiHise us to the peril of it law
less life. Each of the different atti
tudes which He adopts toward us, as
our conditions shift. Is justified, and
we learn. If we are willing to learn, to
love and trust and obey Him. He who
has an Idea of God which Is repellent
may be sure that the trouble lies with
him, not with the truth about God.
C'ongregationalist.
Endarlnr Peace.
The peace which the world gives Is
not enduring. Disease of body or new
convictions of mind or a change In
worldly circumstances may and gen
erally does destroy it. But the peace
which Jesus gives nbldeth ever and
finds Its full position only In the life
to come. True, for loving and chasten
ing purposes God often suspends the
sensible enjoyment of this peace for a
time, but It is only that our languish
lug love may thereby be rekindled and
our communion with Him may become
more close nnd confidential. This peace
Is founded upon the conscious love of
God and is lasting as that love.
t'ulted 1'resbyteriau.
Alas, how shall we do?" Is our cry.
Well for us In such an hour if we have
some teacher of experience to pray for
the opening of our eyes nnd to greet
our fears with his faith. Happier still
if some of his insight Khali be granted
us and ns we look more intently at the
beleaguering hosts we see beyond them
the encompassing ranks of the chariots
aud horses of God.
How do these Invisible allies help
us? Most frequently their presence is
unknown to us by any physical sign.
Wo neither see their banners nor hear
their bugle calls. The rumble of their
chariot wheels and hoofbeats of their
horses do not sound along our hills.
We do not know when or where they
close their battle lines around our en
emies. Only in some rare moment of
vision we catch the sight of the moun
tain camp, and forever after the surety
of protecting guards abides with us.
We know as we never realized before
that "the angel of the Lord encamps
around them that fear Him and deliv
eretb them."
Our vision has not made the fact of
divine protection more certain, but has
increased our certainty of the fact.
We saw only a glimpse just for a mo
ment. Such eight Is not sufficient data
for a scientific conclusion. One In
stance cannot establish a general law
in the realm of material things, but
such a glance is all that is needed in
the realm of grace to give firm assur
ance for fulfil, and we conclude unerr
ingly from this one instant of revela
tion that we have had a momentary
flash of recognition of on eternal real
ity. We ask no surer basis of confi
dence. "They that be with us are
more than they that be 'with them."
Faith in God's protection casts out fear
of anything man can do to us. All
dread of Syrian captivity vanishes, and
with cool audacity we plan to capture
the host of the enemy. Without blood
shed or panic we lead them to the very
center of our own camp, feast them in
all our capital cities and send them
home unharmed and with all their
weapons of war. And. lo! we have con
quered, for "the bands of Syria come
no more into the land of Israel."
Elisha conquered with the weapons of
Christ and for allies had the divine
Father's legion of angels.
If all the forces of hell are closing
you round and It Is night, you still need
not fear. This Is nn opportunity such
as you never before met to learn of
God's heavenly helpers. Open your
eyes nnd see against the background
of mountains and midnight the chariots
and horses of fire. Your falntness shall
give way to faith.
Friendship of Cbrlit.
Any man, any soul, may have the
friendship or His words are without
meaning. His heart aches with pity
for our loneliness and for the poverty
that we misname riches, ne will listen
to what we have to tell Him; Ho will
take what we have to offer Him, how
ever simple the story, however humble
the fare, aud He will give to us the
heavenly food wherewith His earthly
life was sustained the meat that men
know not of. They who have set wide
the door of their being to Him have
caught from the presence of this di
vine guest their first hint of the possi
ble rapture of living; they have had in
the face of Christ their first true
glimpse of God. Lucy Larcom.
ran to climb toward our fortress. One
remained below, and as the light in
crcajed I saw it was the captain.
CONTINUED.!
mmim iui ink
i
Tuesday' $1.50 a Year
REFOB.
FRIDAY.
Christian Life.
The more heart one puts Into the
Christian life the easier it Is to live it.
Most of our difficulties in connection
with It arise from a half hearted prac
tice and enjoyment of It. He who can
sing when a burden is Imposed upon
him or can rise on faith's pinions when
things seem dark or can find content
when duties run against nature Is sure
to have a cheery, hopeful and blessed
experience of the Lord's favor and
service. Presbyterian.
To Short.
Life Is too short to nurse one's misery.
Hurry across the lowlands, that you
may spend more time on the mountain
fops. Phillips Brooks.
The Comfort.
Rov rmg ihmll we iro weeping loud.
For dear ones laid away 7
Hw Ion ro mcurmna; to the Stan
And crying all the dart
Cntil In deep sincerity
We lift our hearts shore
Arid sav, "Thy comfort on t. Lord.
Wc trust Thy heaiinc love!"
PhilaJelphis Ledger.
Onr Limitations.
The lesson of all true living In every
sphere Is to learn our own limitations.
It Is the first lesson In art to work
within the essential limitations of the
particular art. But In dealing with
other lives it Is perhaps the hardest of
all lessons to learn and submit to our
limitations. It Is the crowning grace
of faith when we are willing to submit
and leave these we love In the hands
of God, as we leave ourselves. Hugh
Black.
The Spiritual Life.
The spiritual life is a spirit led life.
It has new Impulses, new sensations,
new deeds. It Is a life which no lon
ger goes Its own way. It has surren
dered Its way to the spirit's belter way.
By submission to the spirit's direction
it escapes the dominion of the flesh.
The spiritual life is a life yielded fully
to the control of the mighty spirit of
Cod. Episcopal Recorder.
Mr Portion.
To count no cost In time or will.
To simply try my place to fill.
To do LecauK the act is ritrht.
To lire aa living in Uia sight.
To try each day Ilia will to know.
To tread th way his will may show.
To regulate each plan I make.
Each hope I build or hope I break.
To please tha heart which pleases ms
Through daily tireless ministry.
To lire lor Him who gars me life.
To strive for Uim who Buff red strife
And sacrifice through death tor me
Let this try Jij, soy portion be.
Christian Work.