5 MCCLURE'S MAGAZINE VOLUME FOURTEEN Son 1900 Cornell üniversity Library BOUGHT WITH THE INCOME FROM THE SAGE ENDOWMENT FUND THE GIFT OF Henry W. Sage 1891 24.9.995 9755-2 2 2 Datu Due LIBRLIBR ANNEX THIS VOLUME IS TO BE USED IN ROOM 031 ONLY AUG 16 1997 NOV 1 3 1997 CAT.NO, 23233 PRINTED IN U.S.A. CORNELL UNIVERSITY LIBRARY 3 1924 065 815 924 1 MCCLURE'S MAGAZINE ILLUSTRATED PUBLISHED MONTHLY Volume XIV. NOVEMBER, 1899, to APRIL, 1900 om? S. S. McCLURE CO. NEW YORK AND LONDON 1900 AP 2 N 548++ COPYRIGUIT, 1840, BY S. S. JIOCLIRE CO. COPYRIGHT, 1000, BY S. S. MOCLURE CO. 1 - - CONTENTS OF MCCLURE'S MAGAZINE. VOLUME XIV. NOVEMBER, 1899, TO APRIL, 1900. PAGE ALAMO, THE-MARCH 6, 1836. A POEM. SUSAN BUELL HALE. Ilustrated... 469 AMERICAN INVASION OF CHINA, THE. William BARCLAY PARSONS. Illustrated.... 499 ANTARCTIC ICE, TWO THOUSAND MILES IN THE. DR. FREDERICK A. Cook. Ilustrated........ 3 ARCTIC DAY AND NIGHT, AN. WALTER WELLMAN. Ilustrated...... 5.55 ARCTIC, THE, PEARY'S LATEST WORK IN. LIEUT. R. E. PEARY AND H. L. BRIDGMAN. Illustrated. 235 BLACKFOOT, THE REVOLT OF THE. W. A. FRASER. Ilustrated........... 88 BLACK FRIDAY- SEPTEMBER 24, 1869. FROM THE STANDPOINT OF THE SECRETARY OF THE TREASURY UNDER GRANT'S FIRST ADMINISTRATION. GEORGE S. BOUTWELL. Illustrated........... 30 BLAINE AND CONKLING AND THE REPUBLICAN CONVENTION OF 1880. GEORGE S. BOUTWELL. 281 BOYHOOD DREAMS, MY. A SKETCH AND A POEM. MARK TWAIN. Illustrated... 286 CHINA, THE AMERICAN INVASION OF. William BARCLAY PARSONS. Mlustrated... 499 CHINESE EASTERN RAILWAY, THE. ALEXANDER Hume Ford. Illustrated...... 68 COLONIES OF THE GREAT POWERS, A FEW FACTS ABOUT THE. ALLEYNE IRELAND. Ilustrated. 334 “CONSTELLATION,” THE, IN THE WAR WITH FRANCE. REV. C. T. BRADY. Ilustrated...... 272 CORONATION, THE. A POEM. ELIZABETH W. MAINWARING. Ilustrated ........ 156 “CYRANO,” THE AUTHOR OF--EDMOND ROSTAND, CLEVELAND MOFFETT. Mustrated............ 437 DECATUR AND THE “ PHILADELPHIA." The Rev. CYRUS TOWNSEND BRADY. Illustrated ............ 62 “DESTROYER," THE VOYAGE OF THE, FROM NEW YORK TO BRAZIL. CAPTAIN JOSHUA SLOCUM. Illustrated ...... 145 EARTH, THE INSIDE OF THE PROFESSOR MILNE'S CONCLUSIONS. CLEVELAND MOFFETT. Illustrated. 363 EDITORIAL NOTES.... 387, 579 ELISABETH, THE VISIT OF MARY TO. LUKE I., 39-55. Ilustrated..... 106 ERMACK," THE ICE-BREAKER. A SHIP THAT MAY REACH THE POLE. EARL MAYO. Ilustrated.. 537 FICTION: SHORT STORIES. AS IT FELL OUT. TIGHE HOPKINS. l!lustrated.. 1:27 BLIZZARD, THE, AT IMOGENE. FRANK B. TRACY. Mustrated.. 263 BICKS, FRANK II. SPEARMAN. Illustrated... 117 CAPTAIN, THE, OF TIIE ** APHRODITE." ELMORE ELLIOTT PEAKE. Illustratil. CHILD'S, A, LETTERS TO HER HUSBAND, HELEN WATTERSON MOODY. Mustratenl.. INFATUATION, THIE, OF ACKERLY. W. A. FRASER. llustrated... IN FRONT OF TIIE STAMPEDE. ALVAN MILTON KERR. Mustrated... 311 LICK, TIIE, OF THE NORTHERN MAIL. ALVAN MILTON KERR.... 230 MANUFACTURER, A, OF HISTORY. CHARLES WARREN. Illustrated MASTER-KEY, TIE, OF NEWGATE. TIGHE IOPKINS. Ilustrated.. 329 MILLION-DOLLAR FREIGIIT TRAIN, TIIE. FRANK II. SPEARMAX. Illustrated.. 380 MONSIEUR BEALCAIRE. Booth TARKINGTON, Illustrated. 138, 217 MONSIEUR BIBI'S BOOM-BOOM. II. J. W. DAM. OLD STORY, AX, IL ARRUT 1. NASH, Ilustrated 235 PLANTERS, THE. SHAN F. BU'LLOCK. Iuxtrated.. PROGRESS. SARAN BANYWELL ELLIOTT. Mlustrated., REAPERS, THE. SIAX F. BU'ILOCK. Illustrated.. 113 SANKEY'S DOUBLE-IIEADER. FRANK II. SPEARMAN. * TALE, A, OF A TUB." Tigne IIOPKINS, Illustrated. 520 339 81 19 40 iv CONTENTS. PAGE 183 309 414 FICTION : SHORT STORIES. THEIR SECOND MARRIAGE. MARY STEWART CITTING, Mustrated... TOM TAIL-ROPE'S EXPLOIT. Phil MORE. Nlustrated. TRIP, A, DEFERRED. M. GRACE Pope. Nustrated WHEN THE LIGHT FAILED. GEORGE RENO...... WHISTLING DICK'S (HRISTMAS STOCKING. O. HENRY. Illus ited. WINNING, THE, OF THE TRANS-CONTINENTAL. William McLEOD RAINE. WITHIN AX ACE OF THE END OF THE WORLD. ROBERT BARR. Mustrated 461 138 573 545 GETTING CAPTAIN CAMERON. A TRUE STORY OF THE SECRET SERVICE. RAY STANNARD BAKER. Illustrated............ 241 GOLD, THE SEARCH FOR. A Poem. CY WARMAN... 580 GRANT'S, GENERAL, ADMINISTRATION GEORGE S. BOUTWELL 355 “HEART'S-EASE, THE HERB CALLED." A SKETCH. WILLIAM ALLEN White....... 38 HEAT, HOTTEST, AND ELECTRICAL FURNACES. Sturgis B. RAND. Nustrated 213 HUXLEY'S, PROFESSOR, START IN LIFE. LEONARD HUXLEY. Ilustrated 564 ICE-BREAKER “EMARCK," THE. A SHIP THAT MAY REACH THE POLE. EARL MAYO. Illustrated. 537 IRVING, SIR HENRY. His Own CAREER ON THE STAGE AND HIS OPINION OF THE STAGE AS A PRO- FESSION. H. J. W. Dam. Mustrated...... 47 JOHNSON, ANDREW, THE IMPEACHMENT OF. FROM THE STANDPOINT OF ONE OF THE MAN- AGERS OF THE IMPEACHMENT TRIAL. GEORGE S. BOUTWELL. Illustrated..... 171 KING, THE. A POEM. RUDYARD KIPLING...... 80 KLONDIKE, BUILDING A RAILROAD INTO THE. CY WARMAN. Nustrated . 419 LABOR, SONG OF THE MUSE OF, A POEM. EDWIN MARKHAM. Ilustrated..... 123 LAURENS, COLONEL JOHN, THE DEVOTED AND HEROIC PATRIOTISM OF. JAMES BARNES. Nlustrated............ 109 LIFE, THE, OF THE MASTER. The Rev. John WATSON, D.D. EDITOR'S INTRODUCTION.--PROLOGUE-TAE INEVITABLE CHRIST. Ilustrated 101 (HILDHOOD AND YOU'TH. Ilustrated.. 199 JOIN THE BAPTIST.-THE BAPTISM AND TEMPTATION OF JESI'S. Mustrated .... 295 THE CALLING OF THE DISCIPLES. ---THE BEGINNING OF JESI'S' MINISTRY. Illustrated... 391 JES('S' MINISTRY AT (APERXALM.--HIS REJECTION BY NAZARETH. Mustrated 487 MCDERMOTT, TILLERMAN, THE ADVENTURE OF. RAY STANNARD BAKER. Illustrated............ 153 MAMMOTH, THE TRUTH ABOUT THE. FREDERIC A. LUCAS. Illustrated... 349 MAN-SONG, A. A POEM. William R. LIGHTON. 580 MAN, THE, FOR THE HOUR. THE DEVOTED AND HEROIC PATRIOTISM OF COLONEL JOHN LAURENS. JAMES BARNES. Illustrated...... 109 MARY, THE VISIT OF, TO ELISABETH. LUKE I., 39-55. Illustrated.... 106 NORTH POLE, THE RACE FOR THE. WALTER WELLMAN. Nustrated..... 318 PAYING CONCERN, A. A TRUE STORY OF AMERICAN FACTORY LIFE. GERTRUDE Roscoe, Ilustrated. 189 PEARY'S LATEST WORK IN THE ARCTIC. LIEUT. R. E. PEARY AND H. L. BRIDGMAN. Illustrated. 235 · PHILADELPHIA," DECATUR AND THE. THE Rev. CYRUS TOWNSEND BRADY. Mustrated .......... 62 PLANETS, HOW THEY ARE WEIGHED. PROFESSOR SIMON NEWCOMB 290 POLE, SLEDGING TOWARD THE. WALTER WELLMAN. Ilustrated.... 405 RACE, THE, FOR THE NORTH POLE. WALTER WELLMAN. Illustrated.......... 318 ROSTAND, EDMOND, THE AUTHOR OF “CYRANO." CLEVELAND MOFFETT. Nustrated. 437 SLEDGING TOWARD THE POLE. WALTER WELLMAN. Ilustrated....... 405 SONG OF THE MUSE OF LABOR. A POEM. EDWIN MARKHAM. Ilustrated..... 123 TILLERMAN MCDERMOTT, THE ADVENTURE OF. RAY STANNARD BAKER. Illustrated... ..... 153 WHEAT, THE MOVEMENT OF RAY STANNARD BAKER. Illustrated....... 124 WOOD, GENERAL LEONARD. A CHARACTER SKETCH. RAY STANNARD BAKER. Illustrated.......... 368 SIR HENRY IRVING. kowymiar A new portrait, here published for the first time. Copy- right, 1899, by E. W. Histed, 42 Baker Street, London, England. (See page 47.) McClURE'S MAGAZINE. . Vol. XIV. NOVEMBER, 1899. No. 1. TWO THOUSAND MILES IN THE ANTARCTIC ICE. BY DR. FREDERICK A. COOK, Surgeon of the Belgian Antarctic Expedition. ADVEN- MEN'S FIRST EXPERIENCE OF A SOUTII POLE WINTER. TURES OF TIIE LATEST ANTARCTIC EXPLORERS. ILLUSTRATED FROM PHOTOGRAPHS TAKEN BY THE AUTHOR. OR the origin of the Belgian sary to make a forced overland journey, or Antarctic Expedition we are a retreat homeward on the ice, we should indebted to the energetic have found our equipment inadequate. The efforts of Lieutenant Adrien object of the expedition was never clearly de Gerlache. By soliciting defined. In a general way we sailed on a private subscriptions and voyage for scientific research and explora- finally by securing the aid tion in Antarctic seas. The details of our of the Belgian Government, itinerary and the particulars of our route De Gerlache succeeded in were to be decided by the circumstances collecting the sixty thou- encountered. sand dollars which were The members of the expedition were from barely sufficient to fit out the enterprise. many lands. Although they all spoke lan- The vessel selected for the mission was the guages foreign to my own, as a body they Norwegian sealer “ Patria," which was re- proved most charming companions. The offi- christened “ Belgica.” She is a strong ves cers of the ship were: Commandant, Adrien sel, of about 250 tons, built some ten years de Gerlache of Belgium; captain, George ago. She was not strengthened or altered Lecointe of Belgium; mate, Roald Amundsen on the plan of Nansen's vessel, the “ Fram," of Norway. The members of the scientific as has been so often stated. Nevertheless, staff were: Department of zoology and bot- she proved herself a craft of extraordinary any, Emile Racovitza; department of ocean- endurance, withstanding the thumps of rocks, ography, meteorology, and geology, Henryk iceberg collisions, and pressure in the pack- Arctowski of Poland; department of terres- ice in a manner perfectly marvelous. Owing trial magnetism, Emile Danco of Belgium ; to a scarcity of funds, the equipment of the department of medicine and anthropology, ship and the outfit for polar exploration were Frederick A. Cook of the United States. somewhat imperfect. If we had been com- The sailors were bright fellows, with a fair pelled to stay longer or if it had been neces- education, taken from Norway and Belgium. Editor's Note.-In the Antarctic expedition of which he here tells the story, Dr. Cook was the surgeon and ethnologist. In company with the other members of the scientific staff, he parted from the “ Belgica" last spring, in South America. Their work had finished with the observations made about Cape Horn, on their return; and as it was necessary to dock the ship for examination and repairs before carrying her on to Belgium, imposing a detention of several months, they left her and came on ahead. Even at this writing, the Belgica" has not reached home, but is expected to arrive abont October 20th. The voyage in the “ Belgica " was not Dr. Cook's first experience in polar exploration. He went with the first Peary expedition to North Greenland in 1891–92 ; he weut in the schooner yacht “ Zeta" for a summer trip to West Greenland in 1803 ; and he was in charge of the "Miranda" expedition in 1894. Copyright, 1899, by the S. S. MCCLURE Co. All rights reserved. 4 TIVO THOUSAND MILES IN THE ANTARCTIC ICE. Altogether we numbered nineteen when leav- to Alexander Island, we attempted to enter ing Punta Arenas-seven officers, housed in the main body of the pack-ice westward. the cozy little cabins, and twelve marines, On the longitude covered by the drift of housed in the forecastle. Thus divided, we the “ Belgica” no explorer before us had were two happy families, and as such we ever entered the main body of the pack-ice. tried to extract from the frozen south polar The previous work of exploration there had surroundings such rare comforts as regions been confined to the outer fringe of the drift of perennial snows afford. along the edge of the pack. The pioneer The Belgica” left Antwerp at the end of this work, as of much that is polar, was of August, 1897. She steamed and sailed Captain James Cook. In 1774, he searched down the Atlantic to Madeira, then across the pack edge for an open road poleward, to Rio de Janeiro, and on the one down to Monte- hundred and sev- video, and into enth meridian he the Strait of Ma- penetrated south- gellan to Punta ward to somewhat Arenas. After below the seven- spending some ty-first parallel. time in the Fue- In 1821, Captain gian Channels and Bellingshausen, a among the Cape Russian explorer, Horn Indian following in the tribes, we took wake of Cook, our departure skirted the ice from the known limits, and dis- world at Staten covered an iso- Island on January lated island which 13, 1898. We he named Peter sighted the South Island. Further Shetland Islands eastward, Bel- a week later, lingshausen also where, in a vio- discovered what lent tempest, we seemed to him to lost by an acci- be part of a large dental fall over- country. This board the young was named Alex- and faithful Nor- ander Land. wegian sailor Eleven years Wencke. We later, Captain next crossed the Biscoe, a British ever - foggy and sealer, passing ever-tempestuous from the west waters of Brans- DR. FREDERICK A. COOK IN HIS ANTARCTIC COSTUME. eastward, some- field Strait, and From a photograph. Copyright, 1899, by Frederick A. Cook. what north of the on the afternoon ice limits, dis- of the 23d of January, 1898, came in sight covered, as he thought, a series of islands, of the outer fringe of a new land, the Palmer fronting a high country. The country he Archipelago. Entering this, we discovered named Graham Land; the largest island, a new highway, which in size compares Adelaide Island; and the group, Biscoe Is- favorably with Magellan Strait. To the east lands. The existence of these islands is, how- of this strait, we charted about 500 miles ever, doubtful, as the “ Belgica” sailed of a land which had never before been seen over the region where they are charted, and by human eyes—part of a great continental did not encounter them. In 1839, Lieu- mass which probably surrounds the South tenant Walker, commanding the schooner Pole. It is buried even in midsummer under “Flying Fish,” a New York pilot boat form- a ponderous weight of perennial ice. Pass- ing a part of the United States South Sea ing out of the strait, we entered the South Exploring Expedition, under Admiral Wilkes, Pacific, and after skirting the western border pushed along the ice and into a bay to the of Graham Land to Adelaide Island and then seventieth parallel of south latitude. Walker TWO THOUSAND MILES IN THE ANTARCTIC ICE. 5 LIEUTENANT ADRIEN DE GERLACHE, COMMANDER OF THE DR. COOK AS HE LOOKED AT THE CLOSE OF THE ANT- BELGIAN ANTARCTIC EXPEDITION, AT THE CLOSE OF ARCTIC WINTER. THE ANTARCTIC WINTER. From a photograph taken by Captain Lecointe on the “Bel. From a photograph taken by Dr. Cook, immediately after the gica," after the long night. ('opyright, 1899, by Frederick long night. Copyright, 1899, by Frederick A. Cook. A. Cook. saw here a “ barrier” and “ appearance of we should be carried with the moving drift land.” But the “land” does not exist, for against one of a number of small islands. we drifted over the spot, and found there a But a change in the direction of the wind on sea about 1,000 feet deep. the following morning so separated the ice Our acquaintance with the south polar pack- that we were able to force our way out into ice dates from February 13, 1898, and ends the open sea westward. with our escape on March 14, 1899. We After the first experience of the ensnaring first encountered it off the eastern border of powers of the drift ice we did not easily put Graham Land, before crossing the polar cir- ourselves in a position to be again entangled. cle. Here it was broken into small pieces, The season for a campaign to the far south mixed with many glacial fragments and was past, but M. de Gerlache thought it in- studded by innumerable icebergs. While cumbent upon himself to make as strong an trying to keep the coast in view, we steamed effort as possible to push into the main body among a number of streams of small frag- of the pack and beat the “ farthest south " ments of drift-ice. An on-shore swell forced of other explorers. The entire scientific the ice together, and we were hopelessly staff were opposed to this effort, because it held for the night of the 13th. To the east was thought to be too late in the season. of us were the high peaks and limitless gla- No direct opposition, however, was offered ciers of Graham Land. The country was when the “ Belgica” was headed southward. visible for only short periods and in patches, She was forced into the pack and out again, for a high fog hung constantly over the land, time after time, making after each rebuff a leaving only an opening here and there. To new effort farther westward. On February the west, the sky was fairly clear. A dark 28th we were forced to take to the ice that smoky zone near the horizon indicated the the ship might better ride out a howling limits of the ice and an open sea beyond. storm. Hundreds of icebergs were on the horizon. These were of a size and type quite similar NIGHT AND STORM IN THE ICE-FLOE. to those of the Arctic Sea. The entire mass -icebergs, sea-ice, and the ship-rose and I can imagine nothing more desperate than fell with the gigantic heave of the South a storm on the edge of the pack. At best Pacific, and for a time it seemed as though it is a cold, dull, and gloomy region, with a 6 TWO THOUSAND MILES IN THE ANTARCTIC ICE. BRANSVELD STA. STATEN 1. LIMIT EXTREME 60 OF ICE minimummand g6 SOUTH SHETLAND.CO is. BELGILA STREC GRAMAMS ANTARCTIC CinCCC BISCOL LAND SUMMER 105 201 ALEXANDRA OR high humidity and constant drizzly fogs. forbidding blackness of the north and the Clear weather is here a rare exception. more cheerful, but less hospitable, whiteness Storm with rain, sleet, and snow is the nor- of the south. With icebergs on every side, mal weather condition throughout the entire always in our course, coming as suddenly year. During the day of the 28th we were out of the thickening darkness as if dropped unable to get a glimpse of the sun, and were from the skies, it was not wise or prudent either to move out of, or to rest in, 70 65 our position. To be more friendly with the ice, or to rid ourselves 55 entirely of its companionship, was plainly our duty. We decided to seek the harboring CAPE HORN influence of the pack, as an experi- ment, to ride out the increasing fury of the tempest. The “Belgica was headed southward, and quickly plowed through the trembling icy seas. But the noise and commotion which came to a climax every time 65 she rose to the crest of a great swell logo were terrible. The wind beat through the rigging like the blasts out of a blow-pipe, the quivering masts swept the sky with the regularity of the 70 pendulum, the entire ship was cov- ered with a sheet of ice. As the eye dropped over the side of the ship the sea glittered with the bright- 75 ness of a winter sky. This bright- ness of the sea, with the sooty blackness of the heavens over it, formed a weird contrast, never to be forgotten. Here and there were sparkling, semi-luminous pieces of ice GICA" IN HER ANTARCTIC VOYAGE. which sprang from the darkness with meteoric swiftness, and were again in consequence in doubt as to our as quickly lost in the gathering actual position. There was some- blackness behind us. These frag- thing about the sea and sky which 851 ments increased in number and in promised a night of unusual ter- size as we pressed poleward ; but rors. The wind came in a steady the “Belgica" would strike and torrent from the east, and with it push them aside as a broom removes came alternate squalls of rain, and dust. SOUTH • POLE sleet, and snow. Hour after hour it blew harder, and before night it HOWLING WINDS AND SCREAMING ICE. brought with it a heavy sea studded with moving mountains of blackness. The After a short but very exciting time, the “Belgica” ran westerly before it almost pieces of ice became more numerous and of under bare poles, and edged closer and closer larger dimensions, and the bergs were so toward the fragments of ice to the south, closely grouped that further progress seemed where the sea was easier. The sky to the impossible. The sea rolled more and more, north and east was smoky and wavy, as if a in long, easy swells, as we passed through number of huge fires were there sending out the ice. This eased the ship, and made mat- gusts of smoke. On the southern sky there ters more comforting to the sufferers from was a bright, pearly zone. This was an ice sea-sickness. I must hasten to confess that blink, a reflection of the ice beyond our hori- about one-half of us were thus afflicted at zon upon the particles of watery vapor sus- this time. Still, we tried to be cheerful. I pended in the air. As night came upon us cannot imagine any scene more despairing, it became necessary to choose between the though, than the “ Belgica ” as she pushed home LIMIT.. OF VIO PETER ISTO USUAL DRIFT 66 A MAP SHOWING THE COURSE OF THE BEL- TWO THOUSAND MILES IN THE ANTARCTIC ICE. 7 AT THE EDGE OF THE PACK, SHOWING NEW OR PAN-CAKE ICE IN THE FOREGROUND. From a photograph. Copyright, 1899, by Frederick A. Cook. into the pack during this black night. The at any moment and going to the bottom of noise was maddening. Every swell that drove the sea, we were, to say the least, uncom- against the ship brought with it tons of ice, fortable. When we had entered sufficiently which was thrown against her ribs with a into the body of the pack, and were snugly thundering crash. The wind howled as it surrounded by closely packed ice-floes, the rushed past us, and came with a force that sea subsided, and here the overworked ship made us grasp the rails to keep from being rested for the night. thrown into the churning seas. The good old ship kept up a con- stant scream of complaints as she struck piece after piece of the masses of ice. Occasion- ally we would try to talk, but the deafening noises of the storm, the squeaking strains of the ship, and the thumping of the ice made every effort at speech inaudible. With our stomachs dis- satisfied, and our minds raised to a fever-heat of ex- citement, and with BELGICA a prospect of striking an iceberg From a photograph. Copyright, 1899, by Frederick A. Cook. THE PUSHING POLEWARD. A ROYAL PENGUIN IS SHOWN IN THE FOREGROUND. 8 TWO THOUSAND MILES IN THE ANTARCTIC ICE. was echoed from berg to berg. Seals, lazily sun- ning themselves, came to the edge of the floe to see the human in- truders. Mean- while the ship was forced on in a wild way into the ice. Now she was run upon the floes to break them; again she was pushed be- tween to force them aside ; but always she fighting an uneven battle against the huge masses of ice. A FAMILY OF PENGUINS. After two days In the morning the wind of this ice-ram- changed to the northeast, ming, we found and the ice separated, leav- that we had passed ing long open leads of through about water. These leads offered ninety miles of a tempting highway pole- ice. We were ward, and De Gerlache was now made to real- not long in deciding the ize that further course. With a fair wind progress was im- pressing the sails and with possible. The ice steam, we pushed to the was too closely south. The navigation was packed; and the not easy; still it was less floes were here difficult at this time than it heavier: it was usually is in an Antarctic no longer possible pack. The pans were small to break them or -from fifty to 100 yards to push them aside. in diameter and about four We were so closely feet thick. They were sep- hugged, indeed, arated by quantities of pul- that movement in verized fragments and new any direction was ice. impossible. To the A PENGUIN'S TRACKS. south there were AN EXCITING TIME AMONG From photographs. Copyright, 1899, by Frederick several lakes visi- THE ICEBERGS. ble from the Evenly scattered about in the icy expanse crow's-nest, and to the northwest there were numerous icebergs: usually about 200 were also spaces of open water; but after could be counted from the crow's-nest. The various efforts we found ourselves unable navigating officer remained at the masthead, to reach these. On the 4th of March, we and directed the course of the ship. It was were forced to admit our inability to ex- exciting navigation. The sky in the north tricate ourselves. Our position at this was lined with heavy, lead-colored clouds; in time was latitude 71° 22', longitude 84° 55' the south there was the ever-bright ice ink. -about 300 miles across the polar circle Petrels in large number and in great variety and about 1,100 miles from the geograph- hovered about us, as if to ask our business ical pole. The nearest land was the still un- in their domains. Penguins walked about on known Alexander Island, about 300 miles the ice, uttering squeaky noises that re- eastward. A. Cook. TWO THOUSAND MILES IN THE ANTARCTIC ICE. 9 A PART OF GRAHAM LAND. we per day. IN THE DRIFT. We were now firmly fixed in a moving sea of ice, with no land and noth- ing stable on the horizon to warn us of our movements. Even the bergs, huge, moun- tainous masses, though appar ently fixed and immovable, sailed as we did, and with the same apparent ease. The as- tronomical po- sitions which From a photograph. Copyright, 1899, by Frederick A. ('ook. obtained from the sun and from the stars indicated human beings then to be found in the entire to us that we drifted from five to forty miles circumpolar region at the bottom of the It is a strange sensation to know globe. that, blown with the winds, you are moving Resigned to our fate, we tried to make the rapidly over an unknown sea, and yet see best of our hard lot. To be caught in the ice nothing to indicate a movement. We passed is, after all, the luck which polar explorers no fixed point, and could see no pieces of must expect. Our first duty was to pre- ice stir; everything was quiet. The entire pare for our stay through the coming night. horizon drifted with us. We were part of an The summer days of midnight suns were past. endless frozen sea. The ship and her cargo of The premonitory darkness of the long night men were compelled to rest thus, on a huge was falling upon us with marvelous rapidity, cake of ice, for nearly thirteen months. In for on this latitude the sun dips below the this time we drifted about 2,000 miles. We southern skies at midnight late in January. drifted in a zigzag course, but generally This dip increases and sweeps more and more west--never knowing our destination, and of the horizon every day until early in May, always conscious that we were the only when the sun sets and remains below the horizon for seventy-one days. When we first skirted the pack- ice in February there were a few hours of bright twilight at midnight. The darkness then was not sufficient to pre- vent navigation throughout the night; but now it was really dark for eight hours. The temperature, too, was falling rapidly. We had been led to believe by the experi- ences of previous Antarctic explorers that the tempera- ture, compared with the Arc- tic, would be more moderate; but in this we were disap- pointed. An icy wind came From a photograph. Copyright, 1899, by Frederick A. Cook. from the south, brushing the WEDDELL SEA LEOPARDS. 10 TWO THOUSAND MILES IN THE ANTARCTIC ICE. warm, moist air seaward and replacing it on the southwestern skies. We were drifting by a sharp, frigid atmosphere. The tem- rapidly to the southwest-from one unknown perature fell to ten degrees below zero, sea to another still more unknown. “Per- then to twenty, and later it descended to haps we are on the way to the South Pole,” thirty, forty, and finally forty-five below. was an every-day suggestion. The months of March and April were, in many respects, the happiest months of the STUDYING STRANGE SEAS. year. Everything at this time was new to us. We found interest in the weird cries of Our first and most important work in the the penguins, we found pleasure and recre- pack was to study the strange sea over which ation in hunting seals, and we prided our we drifted. This necessitated observations selves on our ability to wing petrels for speci- not only of the sea-ice and icebergs and the mens. Everything about the new life and scant life about us, on the ice and in the the strange white world around us was fas- water, but also of the composition of the cinating. The weather at this time was oc- water, its depth, the temperatures at vari- ous depths, and the material of the sea-bottom. It necessitated also a careful study of the atmosphere. The heads of the various scientific departments and their assistants were kept busy for a part of the time making these studies. The sailors, in addition to assisting with the scientific work, were kept well engaged by the ordinary routine work of the ship and the work of embanking the vessel with snow to protect her from the expected cold of the coming winter-long night. By the 1st of May our ship was snugly finished for her winter im- prisonment. A roof had been placed over the deck casionally clear amidships, and and always very under it were an cold, which was anvil and a fire not the case dur- for the use of ing the greater the engineer in part of the year. making the nec- The pieces of ice essary iron- gathered into work. The groups, and cabins were re- united to form arranged to offer larger fields. The the greatest pos- entire pack, one sible amount of endless expanse heat, light, and of apparently freedom from motionless, but humidity. A still constantly From photographs. Copyright, 1899, by Frederick A. ('ook. floor was placed moving, ice, was over the engine- full of interest to us. The sun presented room, and on it a small stove to heat the a curious face in its rise and descent; and officers' quarters. The galley was placed the color effects, though not gorgeous, between decks next to the forecastle, into were attractive for simplicity of shades. which could go the superfluous heat. Double The moon, too, had a distorted face as it doors and double windows were made every- came out of the frosty mist resting over the where, and all possible openings where heat pack. The stars shone out of the heavy might escape were closed. Exteriorly, the blue like huge gems. At this season the sides of the ship were banked by snow blocks, Aurora Australis displayed most its rare glory the decks were blanketed by the constantly THE BREAKING OF THE ICE. A NEW LEAD. HUMMOCKS. TWO THOUSAND MILES IN THE ANTARCTIC ICE. . THE MIDNIGHT SUN : CHRISTMAS, 1898. THE BELGICA REMAINED FROZEN TIGHT IN THE ICE AS SHOWN, AND NEVER MOVING, EXCEPT AS SHE MOVED WITH THE WHOLE ICE-FIELD, FROM MARCH 4, ) TO FEBRUARY 14, 1899. From a photograph. Copyright, 1899, by Frederick A. Cook, falling snow, and over it all the snow-charged about two miles in diameter, was do winds drifted, making a neat and perfect everywhere hy pyramidal and dome-sha embankment. Our Antarctic home, then, miniature mountains, which rose above was under a huge snow-bank, on a field of surface from two to twenty feet. These ice which drifted with the winds over the technically called “ hummocks.” Aro „unknown Antarctic seas. the hummocks and along the edge of It was my delight to ascend to the mast- floe penguins and seals rested sheltered f head and from the crow's-nest view our hori- the wind. Near the ship and about the zon day after day. The general aspect of houses the snow was thrown up in g our view changed very little. Some new banks, dotted by black spots represen cracks formed in the ice, and old ones closed. sledges, snow-shoes, sleighs, and general Some of the icebergs occasionally turned a lit- plements. As we emerged from the li tle, showing a different face, but no marked hole on the port side which was our only e alteration was ever visible in the general a narrow path led out about 100 yards topography of the pack. Moving about as circular hole through the ice. Over this we were, there always seemed to be a possi- had erected a large tripod, from which bility of finding a speck of land, a rock, or suspended the instruments for sounding something new in our path; but this never fishing and recording deep-sea temperatu happened. We saw no land during the en- About midway between this and the ship, tire drift. Appearances of land were re- erected a box-shaped hut for nautical ob ported every few days, but always proved de- vations. About 100 yards from the st ceptions. They were only illuminated clouds. of the ship, Mr. Danco erected a curio Along the edge of the field in which we were shaped box for magnetic observations, frozen were large ridges or pressure lines, a little distance beyond, upon a conven where the contact and pressure against neigh- hummock, were placed the meteorolog boring fields raised fragments of ice above instruments. About 200 yards off the the surface. These ridges were from one bow, a small house had been placed to to five yards in height. The field, usually ture the electricity from the Aurora A 12 TIO THOUSAND MILES IN THE ANTARCTIC ICE. hand pro- tralis. Efforts were made to keep a path and almost constant twilight which gladdened to each of these houses, but the work gen- our hearts on first entering the pack quickly erally proved futile. The quantity of drift shortened to a gloomy grayness. This gray- snow was always so great that it buried ness then gave way to a soul-despairing dark- every path and every irregularity in the ves- ness, broken only at noon by a feeble yellow sel's vicinity. haze on the northern sky. I can think of It was at no time possible to leave the nothing more disheartening, more destruc- ship without snow-shoes of some sort. The tive to human ambition, than this dense, un- little exercise on the ice which freedom from broken blackness of the long polar night. duties permitted was taken on the Norwegian In the Arctic it has some redeeming features. snow-shoe, the ski. For mere pleasure jour. There the white invader has the Eskimo to as- neys these proved in every way superior to sist and teach and to amuse him. The weather the Canadian rackets and other patterns; but there is clear and cold; and in the regions where it became necessary to pull sledges about Greenland, where I have been engaged, or travel over rough paths, the other kinds there is land-real solid land, not the mere were better. We made several long jour- mockery of it, like the shifting pack that neys to neighboring icebergs. Sometimes was about us here. With land on these journeys we met with serious ob- longed journeys are always possible, but what structions and detentions. It was not found were we to do on a moving sea of ice ? practicable to carry food, extra clothing, or On the day following the actual disappear- camping equipment, and yet often the need ance of the sun, the wind changed to the of these became very great. The ice sepa- south, the temperature fell to twelve degrees rating would leave large zones of water be- below zero, and, as was always the case in a tween us and the next field, thus cutting off southerly wind, the weather offered promise our retreat, and leaving us to spend hours of clearing. At noon an image of the sun appeared in the north. This was a distorted form of the sun, raised above the horizon by a refraction in the dense, ice-laden at- mosphere close to the sea line. But though it was only an imitation of the sun, it gave us a real joy, a pleasure indescribable. A VISIT TO AN ICEBERG. MEMBERS OF THE BELGIAN EXPEDITION MAKING DEEP-SEA SOUNDINGS On the 18th, during the few hours of midday twi- light, we made an excur- sion to a neighboring berg to view the last signs of the parting day. It was IN THE ANTARCTIC. a weird mission. I shall From a photograph. Copyright, 1899, by Frederick A. (ook. always remember the pe- culiar impression it pro- of meditation upon the prospect of starva- duced upon me. When we started almost tion and of death by freezing. all the party were outside, standing about in groups of three or four, discussing the A 1,700-HOUR NIGHT. prospect of the long winter night and the short glory of the scene about. A thing The sun set on May 16th, to remain below sadder by far than the fleeing sun was the the horizon for 1,700 long hours. The cold sickness of our companion Lieutenant Danco, whiteness of our surroundings then assumed which was emphasized to us now by his ab- a colder blackness. For more than a month sence from all the groups, his sickness con- we had seen almost nothing of the real sun. fining him to the ship. We knew at this Storm after storm kept the sky constantly time that he would never again see a sun- veiled by a frozen smoky vapor. The bright rise, and we felt that perhaps others might -- 1 -- TO THOUSAND MILES IN THE ANTARCTIC ICE. 13 Captain Lecointe. Mr. Racovitza, Naturalist. 66 Mr. Arctowski, Oceanographer. Lieutenant de Gerlache, Commander of the Expedition. THE MIDSUMMER CHRISTMAS DINNER ON BOARD THE BELGICA,” DECEMBER 25, 1898. From a photograph. Copyright, 1899, by Frederick A. C'ook. follow him. Who would be there to greet the water whales were spouting jets of the returning sun? was often asked. breath. The pack, with the strange play of If I remember correctly, my companions deflected light upon it, the subdued high on the excursion were De Gerlache and lights, the softened shadows, the little speck Amundsen. Slowly and lazily we skated over of human and wild life and our good ship the rough surface of the snow to the north- buried under its snows, should have been in- ward. We had not gone far before we dis- teresting to us; but we were interested only covered that the ice was cracking and large in the sky and in the northern portion of it. leads were cutting off our retreat. We A few moments before noon the cream-col- mounted hummocks of unusual height, and ored zone in the north brightened to an there awaited the imitation of the rising of orange hue, and precisely at noon a half of the sun. Where the ice broke it separated, the form of the sun ascended above the ice. leaving a lane of black sea, from which oozed It was a distorted, dull semicircle of gold, a steamlike vapor-in reality a cloud of small heatless, rayless, and sad. It sank again in icy crystals that fell on the neighboring ice- a few moments, leaving almost no color and fields. The countless miniature mountains, nothing cheerful to remember through the or hummocks, which covered the white fields seventy-one long days of darkness which fol- had their northern faces brightened by a lowed. We returned to the ship, and dur- pale yellow light and their southern faces ing the afternoon laid out the plans for our shadowed by a dull blue. This gave a little midwinter occupation. light to the usual lifeless gray of the ice We could do some fishing during the night, fields. Along the fresh leads there were a but no sounding. Very little, indeed, was few penguins and an occasional seal, and in done outside except the work of bringing in 14 TWO THOUSAND MILES IN THE ANTARCTIC ICE. ski. Canadian Snowshoes. CAMPING ON THE PACK. coctions for the weary stomach. We strained the truth to introduce stories of home and of flowery future prospects, to infuse a new cheer; but it all failed mis- erably. We were under the spell of the black Antarctic night, and, like the world which it dark- ens, we were cold, cheerless, and inac- tive. Here is the outline From a photograph. Copyright, 1899, by Frederick A. Cook. of a day's life on the “ Belgica." Rise at snow to melt for water and digging a path 7.30 A.M.; coffee at 8; 9 to 10, open-air or a hole by which to get out. Each of us exercise; 10 to 12, scientific work, such as had planned a work of some magnitude to com- the regular meteorologic, magnetic, or labo- plete before sunrise. De Gerlache started ratory tasks, for the officers; and for the to rewrite the ship's log. Lecointe began marines, bringing in snow, melting snow for to complete the details of the summer's water, replenishing the ship's stores, re- hydrographic work. Racovitza, in addition pairing the ship, building new quarters, to regular laboratory work, was to plan the making new instruments, and doing any- outlines of a new book on the geographical thing which pertains to the regular work of distribution of life. Arctowski had in mind the expedition; 12 to 2 P.M., dinner and a dozen scientific problems to elucidate. rest or recreation; 2 to 4, official work ; Amundsen entered into a copartnership with 4 to 4.30, coffee; 4.30 to 6, official work me to make new and more perfect traveling (regular work during this period was sus- equipment; and in addition to this, I had the pended for the greater part of the night); 6 anthropological work of the past summer to to 7, supper; 7 to 10, card-playing, music, place into workable order and a book on mending, and, on moonlight nights, excur- Antarctic exploration. Thus we had placed sions. At 10 o'clock we went to sleep. before us the outline for industrious occupa- PHYSICAL DEPRESSION. tion; but we did little of it. As the dark- ness increased, our energy faded. We be Up to this time our health had been fairly came indifferent, and found it difficult to good. Excepting a few light attacks of concentrate our minds or fix our efforts to any one plan of action. The work planned was partly ac- complished, but it was done after the return of the sun. The regular routine of our work was tiresome in the extreme; not because it was difficult of execu- tion or required great physical ex- ertion, but because it was monoto- nous. Day after day, week after week, and month after month, we rose at the same hour, ate the same things, talked on the same subjects, made a show at doing the same work, and looked out upon the same unbroken icy wilderness. We tried hard to introduce new SLED-SAILING OVER THE PACK-ICE. topics for thought and new con- From a photograph. Copyright, 1899, by Frederick A. Cook. complaint. Thematism and neuralgia and some unim- was feeble, but its beats were not increased Wortant traumatic injuries, there had been no until other dangerous symptoms appeared. thoroughly disgusted with canned foods. We unreliable throughout the night. The men- all tried the meat of the penguins, but to the tal symptoms were not so noticeable. The majority its flavor was too " fishy." We entered the long night somewhat underfed, not because there was a TWO THOUSAND MILES IN THE ANTARCTIC ICE. 15 , and scarcity of food, but because of our unconquerable dislike for such as we had. It is possible to support life for seven or eight months upon a diet of canned foods; but after this period there is something in the human sys- tem that makes it refuse to utilize the elements of nutrition contained in tins. Against such food even for a short period the stomach protests; confined to it for a long period, it sim- ply refuses to exercise its functions. Articles that in the canning retain a natural appearance usually remain, especially if cooked a little, friendly to the palate. This is particularly true of meat retaining hard fibers, such as ham, bacon, dried meats, and corned beef. It is also true of fruits preserved in juices; and vegetables, such as peas, corn, tomatoes; and of dried things. Unfortunately this class of foods formed a very small part of our store. We were weighted down with the supposed finer delicacies of the Belgian, French, and Norwegian markets. We had laboratory mix- tures, in neat cans, and combined in such a manner as to make them look tempting-hashes under various catching men were names, sausage stuffs in deceptive forms, incapable meat and fish balls said to contain cream, and of concen- mysterious soups ; and we had all the latest tration, inventions in condensed foods. But one and and unable all they proved failures as a steady diet. to continue The stomach demands things with a natural prolonged fiber, or some tough, gritty substance. At thought. this time, as a relief, we would have taken One sailor HAULING AND MELTING SNOW, SHOWING kindly to something containing pebbles or was forced sand. How we longed to use our teeth! to the The long darkness, the isolation, the tinned verge of From a photograph. Copyright, 1899, by foods, the continued low temperature, with insanity, Frederick A. Cook. increasing storms and a high humidity, finally but he re- reduced our systems to what we will call po- covered with the returning sun. lar anæmia. We became pale, with a kind of The first to feel the effects of polar anæmia greenish hue; our secretions were more or seriously was our lamented friend and com- less suppressed. The stomach and all the panion, Lieutenant Danco. With the de- organs were sluggish, and refused to work. scent of the sun began the beginning of his Most dangerous of all were the cardiac and end. On the short journeys which we took cerebral symptoms. The heart acted as if it during the few moments of noonday twilight had lost its regulating influence. Its action Danco complained of shortness of breath. HOW THE WATER SUPPLY OF THE BELGICA WAS REPLENISHED. 16 TWO THOUSAND MILES IN THE ANTARCTIC ICE. Indeed, we all had some difficulty of respira- lanic clouds, the Southern Cross, and other tion upon the slightest exercise, but Danco groups give it a charm of its own. The would frequently stand still and gasp for moon paid us its regular visits, and was breath. For this he came under medical always hailed with joy. By moonlight we care early in May, but in spite of every effort were able to do some traveling, and by it, he rapidly sank, and died on June 5th. His occasionally, we were able to capture a pen- death and burial are scenes too sad for my guin, which was always a happy addition to pen. My ink is not black enough to paint our larder. One of the seemingly impossible them. accomplishments of the practical jokers was The dayless nights passed slowly, while the construction of an artificial star. There the general spirit of the men sank lower and existed some rivalry between two depart- lower, until midnight on June 21st. The sad ments. For both it was necessary to have death of Danco and the increasing debility an observation of two fixed stars to deter- of every one reduced hope and cheerfulness mine our position. Owing to the constant to the minimum. To combat this we now cloud of snow which hung on the horizon, it took to a forced diet of fresh meat. For- was difficult, and generally impossible, to tunately, we had on hand quite a supply of see a star low down. An artificial star was penguins and seals, stored in the banks of accordingly made by fixing a lantern on a snow. We sawed the frozen meat into steaks, post, and the post was placed far enough and fried them in oleomargarine. The men from the ship to be invisible. The observer improved so rapidly on this diet that, though did not discover that his star was a hoax for they objected to its fishy taste, they volun- several days. The Aurora Australis was in tarily ate it to the exclusion of almost every- evidence on nearly every night of April, thing else. Penguin and seal steaks, when May, July, and August. It was never so bril- once you have trained your nose to forget liantly luminous or so fantastic in figure as the odor and educated your palate to the dire the Aurora Borealis. The usual form was needs of your system, are not bad. But to that of an arc, without motion, resting low eat them is a matter of education under on the southwestern sky. Above and below pressure. The flavor is unlike anything that it were ragged cloud-like fragments, which I had tasted before. Imagine beef steeped changed in form and brilliancy every few in codliver oil for several months and then seconds. The color was faintly yellow, and fried in train oil, and you will have an idea the light emitted was never sufficient to be of our most prized relishes. visibly thrown on to the surface snows. At noon on the 1st of July, there was a bright lemon-colored zone over the northern NEW LIFE IN THE FIRST SUNSHINE. horizon, and from under it the wind came in gusts, with charges of snow so blinding that The sun in rising appeared above the hori- outside work or recreation was impossible. zon by refraction before actual sunrise. For On the 4th of July, M. de Gerlache, with three weeks the northern sky had been so characteristic thoughtfulness, sent the stars light at noon that had we not known when and stripes to the masthead in honor of the to expect the sun we might have awaited its day of American independence. For dinner that day we had an unusual menu, and we crowned our feast with appropriate toasts. Holidays and the like were the only excuse we had for an unusual time, and we took occasion to find as many of them as our fad- ing memories retained. Birthdays, national feasts, and holidays of various nations, and even church days were chosen as excuses to punctuate time by dinners and wine. Through the night there was nothing very remarkable connected with the celestial changes. Stars were visible at noon and at night in varying brilliancy and number, ac- cording to the amount of humidity in the at- mosphere. There are not in the southern hemisphere the numerous fascinating nebulæ seen in the northern skies; but the Magel- From a photograph. Copyright, 1899, by Frederick A. Cook. 1 AN UNFRIENDLY SEAL. TWO THOUSAND MILES IN THE ANTARCTIC ICE. 17 every day. dull ball of fire rolled along the icy larder was one of the sports of this time. sun did not rise to view until the 25th. Its animation. Groups of men were sounding, are was pale, its light feeble, and its heat others dredging the sea bottom, and still On the 23d and 24th of of the new fissure, and to get these for our a imperceptible. and Weak and sickly as the old others placing the ship in order for the com- ing campaign. The regular ob- servations were prosecuted with unusual vigor. Everybody, act- ing under the new stimulation of the sun, worked with a surprising will and ambition. In November December there was con- siderable change in the pack. The influence of the sun at noon was sufficient to re- duce the great amount of drift snow to a depth CUTTING A CANAL THROUGH THE ICE TO RE- of less than two LEASE THE “BELGICA" FROM HER ELEVEN feet. The hum- AND A HALF MONTHS' IMPRISONMENT. mocks lost their soft, downy By constant work, day and night, for five weeks the canal was completed and the ship faces, and stood steamed out; but only to be caught in the pack out in hard, ir- again, two days later, and held fast for yet an- regular masses. other month. From a photograph. Copyright, New fissures ap- 1899, by Frederick A. Cook. peared in vari- father of life seemed, he started within us ous places, making the general dimension renewed fountains of joy. The daylight at of the ice-fields smaller. The field in which midday increased from a few minutes to we were imbedded, however, retained its hours, until finally, on the 16th of Novem- original size. It was irregular in form, ber, all darkness disappeared, and the long with a general diameter of two miles. This nightless polar day began. The early part was somewhat greater than the average of this period was the coldest season of the size of the fields about us. Between the year, the temperature ranging steadily from fields, around the icebergs, and particularly 30 to 40 degrees below zero. During the around our field, there were lakes and lanes night of September 8th, the thermometer of water which would permit some naviga- registered 45.5 degrees below zero. This tion. If we had been free, we might have proved to be our minimum temperature. forced a few miles daily to some new region. Although men came in with frozen feet and We had made preparations for a summer hands and noses, they all agreed that the voyage of exploration to the outer part of coldest weather was by far the most agree- the Palmer Archipelago, and then to the able. Weddell seas. As week after week of the The ice now separated, leaving large open short season passed we abandoned this ambi- leads of water. În these finback and bottle- tion and sought for some means to extri- nose whales gamboled about, but we saw cate ourselves. The end of November was nothing of the much-prized right, or black, the time fixed upon to leave the pack, but whales. Seals and penguins, too, came out November and December passed without 18 TWO THOUSAND MILES IN THE ANTARCTIC ICE. offering us the slightest hope of escape. we kept the saws and axes and shovels and The Christmas dinner and the New Year's explosives going throughout day and night Day wines raised our longings for freedom for five long weeks. On the 14th of Febru- to a fever heat. The ship was firmly held at ary, we steamed out through the canal- about 2,000 feet from the shore line. The free, and with the consciousness that we had ice between her and the edge was five feet won our release by our own hard efforts. thick in its feeblest places, and in some Our freedom, however, did not last long. places it was twenty-five feet. How could we In two days we advanced forty miles north- escape ? ward, but then we came to a position in Many had faith in tonite, an explosive of the pack edge where all efforts failed. We the gun-cotton class, of which we had a great were held here for one month with the black abundance. Tonite was said to be more sky indicating an open sea before us. We powerful than dynamite, but our previous were preparing to fit up our second winter experiments with it had been total failures. quarters for another year's drift, when a In low temperatures it would simply make a gentle southerly wind forced us out beyond cheerful bonfire without exploding. After the line of icebergs, where the ice spread, these experiments the engineer threatened and we quickly steamed into the open South to use it as fuel to get up steam. When the Pacific. It was March 14th. The season for temperature had risen to five degrees below further exploration during this season was zero, the explosive redeemed its reputation. closed. Our provisions were almost con- It would explode; but it simply burrowed sumed, and the general aim of our expedition circular holes through the ice, which were of was fulfilled. The nearest port was Punta no service in releasing the ship. Arenas, and we set a course for it. Seeing that dark surfaces absorbed a We left the pack from longitude 103° west, greater amount of heat than the even white- and latitude 70° 45' south. We had thus ness of the snow, I suggested cutting two drifted from about 80° to 103° of longitude grooves through the snow to the water line. and between 70° and 72° of latitude. In My idea in doing this was to flood the grooves March and April we drifted westerly to longi- with water, or throw ashes and some other tude 92° 25”, where we were on April 25th. dark substance into them, and so increase From May to October, we drifted back again the power of the sun to deepen them. In to a place near our starting-point. From No- this manner the ice would be weakened in a vember to the time we left the ice, we drifted line with the ship, and it was hoped that it rapidly westward. The winter drift then is would eventually break in the way of least eastward, the summer drift is westward, and resistance. We did not begin this experi- this is also the direction of the prevailing ment until the early part of January, when winds. Our farthest south was on March the sun was already on the decline. One of 31st, latitude 71° 36' 5", longitude 87° 33' the grooves was finished, but the temperature 30". It would not at any time have been was so low that the sun of midday was not possible to push farther poleward in our sufficient to melt the fresh ice formed un- position. The various soundings which we der the feeble sun of midnight. took prove the existence of a sea where there I next suggested the sawing of a canal was previously thought to be land. Through large enough to permit a passage of the ship these soundings also we have discovered a to the water's edge. This at first seemed submarine bank comparable to the bank off utterly impossible. The distance was 2,400 the coast of Newfoundland. The excellent feet. To do the work the entire force, in- series of magnetic observations by M. Le- cluding officers, numbered but sixteen men, cointe indicate the magnetic pole to be We had no implements except six ordinary about 200 miles east of its present assigned ice saws, which were too short. The canal position. The hourly meteorological observa- was begun not with faith that it would ever tions, under the direction of M. Arctowski, be completed, but with an idea of keeping are of priceless value to students of weather. the men busy enough to prevent their worry- The painstaking zoological work by M. Raco- ing about our hopeless position. Once the vitza, and the numerous other observations project was commenced, everybody from the and studies of Antarctic life and phenomena, cook to the highest officer did his duty at the are of a like value. As an American, I can labor. We were strict equals at this time, with due modesty say that the work of this, all working as day laborers-some with saws, the Belgian Antarctic Expedition, will form others with pick-axes and shovels. Divided the stepping-stone to future Antarctic ex- into three groups, working eight hours each, ploration. - THE PLANTERS See BY SHAN F BULLOCK ILZZIE DOLAN N was in bad “People must ate, an' praties must grow, humor; an' people must work. There's for ye. and so, “True," said Hughy again. “True for more than once that morning, Hughy Fitch ye, Peter." and Peter Jarmin had told each other across * Ivery time I turn me spade an' clout a the narrow strip of ground that lay between sod over the eye o' one o' them boy-os," furrow and another. She looked Peter continued, and looked at one of the sour, they thought, nipped, withered; her seed-cuts lying on the ridge below him, tongue had an edge that morning; her eye “there's another mouthful on the way to was vicious, her manner shrewish. the pot come next winter--if so be the divil What ailed her ? Hughy and Peter won- doesn't set his cloots on the bit o' conacre dered. Was she in trouble? Was the work an’ scatter the blight over it.” too much for her ? asked Hughy of Peter, at Hughy straightened his long back, rested last, and resting on his spade glanced over his big hands on his spade-head and his breast his shoulder at Lizzie, as, bending low, she on his hands, looked slowly across the fields, went dropping seed-cuts here and there over glanced over his shoulder at Lizzie, and went the long strip of manured potato ground. on with his delving. Her skirt was bunched up about her waist; “I know," said he. “ Ye talk like a a sackcloth apron (a praskeen, so called) bulg- schoolmaster, Peter. An' would it be the ing with seed-cuts swung against her knees; ould boy himself you'd be blamin', now, for she wore an old and tattered jacket, heavy that east wind that's blowin' razors at us hobnailed boots, a quilted petticoat, and a through the hedge ?” man's peaked cap; her hair was in wisps, “I'd be thinkin' so,” came across the her face was wind-chapped, her wrists and ridge. hands showed raw-red; she looked pinched, An' himself, too, keeps the winter an' Hughy thought, hungry, cheerless. the hunger as long as he can, an' keeps the "I wonder, now, ” said he, turning again spring back, an' hides the sun away some- to his furrow, “if it's that'd be ailin' her ?” where behind the clouds ? Would ye think “What?" asked Peter, and hung for a that, Peter ?” moment on his spade-shaft. “ What?” “I'd not be denyin' it," answered the asked he. “Why, that the work'd be too much for "Aw, yis," drawled Hughy; "aw, yis. her," answered Hughy, and broke a sod An' you'd be of opinion, mebbe, that he had across the ridge. “It's hard on the back, a hand in keepin' women out drudgin' in a an' it's wearisome; an' sure, the weather's field on a day that's fit to blow holes in a ojus bitter." snipe--eh, Peter ?” Peter sniffed disdainfully, spat on his hands, “Ah, there ye are again wi' your gos- and drove hard with his foot. He was a small soon's talk!” He was a small soon's talk!” Peter straightened himself, man of about thirty-five, dark, wiry, ugly; and shot out an arm. “ What the blazes about as much like his fellow-planter as a worse off is she, I ax ye again, nor you an' potato is like a turnip. me ? Hasn't she clothes an' victuals? Does “Och,” said he, " quit wi’ ye. Hard on all the wind come flutterin' at her skirts, the back, indeed! I wonder what her back d'ye imagine ? Answer me, will ye, Hughy was made for ? Hard on the back, indeed,” Fitch ?” Peter went on, with a sniff ; “an' a power “She's a woman,” answered Hughy. ful soft job it'll be drivin' this danged spade ' Aw, a woman, ” sniffed Peter. “A through stiff lea from sunrise to sunset. woman! Sure, I forgot. An' you're a man. Aw, yis, indeed." I was forgettin' that too. Mebbe you'd “It's true, Peter,” said Hughy. “I change places, Hughy?' widn't deny it." Naw," answered Hughy. “It's not “It's not to be denied,” answered Peter. that. I was just pityin' the crature.” wary Peter. I 20 THE PLANTERS. your affair. mean her eyes. * It's you." ye.” “I know," said Peter. “Well, that's foot and a scornful toss of her head. “'Twas For mewell, I dunno. God Peter, indeed!” She turned to go. Well, knows I often pity meself. Ye pity the cra- I'm obliged to ye for the walk you've given ture, Hughy; an' so do I. But between her- me; an' the taste o’your foolery." self an' me there's about as much to choose “But, Lizzie,” Hughy began, with won- as between one furrow an'another. Jist as derment big on his great red face; “ I didn't much.” Hughy did not answer. The two worked “Ah, be quiet wi' ye,” snapped Peter on for a while; then said Peter: over his shoulder; “ be quiet an’ light your Suppose ye ax her, Hughy, what'd be wits instead o' your pipe. .. Aisy, Liz- troublin' her?” zie; aisy, ye girl, ye. Now don't go; don't.” “I'd I'd be fearin', Peter. Mebbe she'd Peter's wheedling availed nothing. Slowly take it ill." Lizzie walked on, head back, eyes fixed “ Phat, man! She wouldn't ate ye.” straight before her; nor stopped even when “Naw," said Hughy, and looked back at a heavy foot came hurrying after and a heavy Lizzie. ó. That's true, sure enough.” He hand was laid on her shoulder. put his hand to the lee side of his mouth, and “Let me go, Peter Jarmin," cried she. made as if to shout; hesitated; raised his “How dare ye, sir!” She wheeled about. hand again, and called—“Hoi-i-i, Liz- “Aw, it's you, is it ?” she said, dropping zie!” With one hand on her hip and the other 'Ay,” answered Hughy. “ It's me. holding up the end of her bulging praskeen, What, in glory, ails ye, Lizzie? Woman Lizzie stood gazing dolefully across Emo bog; dear, you're full o’ whimsies this mornin'. but at sound of Hughy's call she turned and come back. Come back, or, faith, I'll shake faced up the ridge. “ Well ?" said she. ““ What is it?" Why didn't ye keep me when I was “Come here an' give us some of your there ?” crack," shouted Hughy. "Keep ye? Why-didn't I ask ye to “Och, g’luck!” answered Lizzie, and come? Why-didn't I want ye to stay?" stooped. “ Crack, indeed!”. "Ay ? Sure, I thought it was Peter." “Come on wi' ye,” persisted Hughy. 'Twas meself.” Hughy took her by the “We're powerful lonesome up here. Och, arm. Back ye come. don't be so stubborn, woman dear. Amn't I as well where I am ?” said That's right,” said Hughy, drawing forth Lizzie, with a smile on her lips. his pipe, as Lizzie turned and came tramping 'Naw. Back ye come.” over the grass towards him. Sakes alive, “ Ye think three'll be better company nor woman, you're as hard to bring from the two ?” work as an ass from a carrot-bed!” “I think nothin'-only back ye come.' Peter chuckled over his spade-head. Liz Hughy stood Lizzie in front of Peter; zie stopped. spilled the contents of her praskeen upon the ‘Aw, I'll be thankin’ ye, Hughy Fitch,” grass; brought an empty sack across from said she. “Is it for the remark ye called the hedge, and spread it behind her. “Now rest yourself,” said he, and sat Hughy reddened; scratched his ear; moved him down on the edge of a ridge, “an' no his feet. more o' your capers.” Lizzie sat down upon • Och, now,” said he; och, now. the sack, gathered up her knees, and clasped Sure, there was no harm. Ah, no- them with both hands. Sure, that was no “Ah, quit wi'ye,” Peter brokein. “Sure, way to be treatin' us,” Hughy continued ; you've as made palaver as if you'd hit her in “no way at all. You'd think- Tell me, An' how's yourself, Lizzie, ma- Lizzie, ha' we offended ye? Because—" chree?” Peter went on, with a nod and a He stopped. “ Because smirk. “How's the world usin' ye, now, said Peter with a chuckle. this raw morning ?” * Because- “Ye called me?” said Lizzie, looking Ah, quit your nonsense, Hughy,” Lizzie straight across Peter's shoulder at Hughy. cried from the sack. “Offended me? Naw. “Ah, I did,” answered Hughy in his drawl- It's not that it's not that at all.” ing way. "'Twas Peter there put it in me “Ay?” said Hughy and Peter in a breath. head. Says he-" “Ay?? “I know," said Lizzie, with a tap of her “Naw, it's not that,” Lizzie went on, me ?" the eye. " Just so, -- -- -- "'AH, THERE YE ARE AGAIN WI' YOUR GOSSOON'S TALK !'” 22 THE PLANTERS. Well, we ojus!” with her eyes on the long blackness of a or no spring. Aw, yis," cried Lizzie, and newly planted ridge; “it's just iverything. glanced at Hughy as he sat leaning forward I feel this mornin' as if me grave was and looking hard at her beneath his hat open.' brim. ' Ay ?” Peter laid his spade along the “ Well,” said Peter in his sage way, ridge, and sat down upon it. ' mebbe it'd be as well to wait an' see.” were sayin' ye didn't look yourself this Lizzie tossed her head. mornin', Lizzie. Yis, we were.' “Ah, it's aisy to talk," said she peev- “I can't return the compliment, Peter ishly; “mighty aisy! What do the two o' Jarmin,” returned Lizzie;" for you're just ye know about things? If ye wanted to go the same as ye always are just as ugly, to Ameriky the morrow ye could buy your an'— Niver mind. Mebbe if I'm not tickets an' start. But-aw, I wish to God meself,” said she, glancing at Hughy, “ I'm I could go the morrow," cried Lizzie. “I not without reason. But, sure Aw,!' wish it wi' all me heart. I'm sick o' this cried she suddenly, and looked here and there, hand-to-mouth, dog-in-the-pot kind o’life. "did the Lord iver make a worse day nor Look at the ould mother an' meself over yon- this? It's woeful. Look at the cowld, der, all be ourselves, niver knowin' where gray, hungry appearance there's everywhere! the bit's to come from, or the rag for our Look at the fields, as dead as the road; an' backs, or how long the roof'll be over us. the bare hedges, an' the starvin' trees! An' It's a dog's life, I say, a dog's. Women! that wind,” shivered the girl inside her Ah, God help the poor women, say I,” cried tattered jacket; “sure, it's-och, it's Lizzie, and wiped a bitter tear from her cheek. For a while the two men sat looking, now Peter looked at his boots, and found never at Lizzie, now across the cowering hills, now a word to say. He was beginning to pity up at the pitiless sky. It was truth, thought the girl, he found. What she said was true they; never had they seen a sorrier day, enough. Still- never seen old Ireland more nakedly God She's as cross as the divil," cried Lizzie. forsaken. “She's always naggin' at me. She made the “You'd think,” Lizzie went on presently, breakfast choke in me throat this mornin' that niver again could the sun shine or the wi’ her tonguin'. I do me best,” cried the sky show its face. Sure, it's woeful. It's girl; “I do me best. But-aw, I wish to worse nor frost an' snow; it's worse nor the God I could get away somewhere. I do- floods. Ugh!” shivered the girlagain; “it's I do.” miserable. I could just die.” Hughy sat rubbing a crumb of tobacco The men sat staring at her. She was in between his palms, his knife sticking out be- an odious queer humor that morning, they tween thumb and forefinger, his pipe head thought; like a sick child she was, with her downward in his mouth. His heart was sore peevishness and her humors. for the poor girl. He wished he could help the “ Yis, it's bad, I allow," said Peter, look- “ crature." He liked her well. He minded ing round. “Still, there's niver a bad but when he used to sit before the fire with Liz- there's a worse behind it.' zie at his side. He looked at her; met her “Worse ?” cried Lizzie, throwing out a eyes; reddened; looked down; after a while hand. “Worse, ye say? An’ how? Would stole another glance, and found her on her we be worse if we were flat in our graves ? feet and gathering the scattered potato- Look at us here, like snipes in a ditch, shiver- sets into her praskeen. He rose. in' an' famished. Look at the sky. Och, “Aisy," he said, and crossed the ridge. dear Lord, will the spring niver come-will Aisy, till I help ye, Lizzie." He stooped; it niver come again!” and as he did so Peter knelt over and “It will, Lizzie, agra," answered Peter; gathered a double handful of the cuts. “surely it will. All of a suddint it'll take “ Aisy, Lizzie," said Peter; " aisy, ye girl, us, one o' these days, just like a smack from ye.' a blackthorn; an' then where'll your misery But already Lizzie had turned away. an' your graves be, wi' yourself friskin'in “I'm thankful to ye both,” said she over the sunshine like a nine-days' lamb ?” her shoulder; but sure there's no need to “Ah, quit your blether, Peter Jarmin,” trouble ye, and what's there can wait till answered Lizzie. “You an' your friskin'! I'm comin' back." 'Deed, ay. A lot o' friskin' poor me'll get; Peter squatted on his heels; Hughy rested an' a sight better off I'll be, anyway, spring hands on knees, and stood staring after her. Lley saw her reach the fire which burned close to the hedge; saw her sit down on a her.”. pile of turf and begin slicing potatoes into seed-cuts: then they looked at each other, “ mebbe ye do, Peter." and without a word turned to their spades. A while passed, then said Peter: SHAN F. BULLOCK. 23 “I'm thinkin' I know now what'd be ailin' ** Ay,” answered Hughy in his slow way; And after that, till dinner-time had come, no word passed between the planters. 66 THEY SAW HER REACH THE FIRE WHICH BURNED CLOSE TO THE HEDGE." PART II 0481 “Is it?" answered Lizzie, without look- ing up. “I'm obliged to ye.” no clock in the Hughy knitted his brow; pocketed his sky the day,” hands; let his weight rest on this foot, now Peter said, on that. looking up as if in search of the sun; “ but “ But, You're comin' over, Lizzie ?” be the feel o' things it must be dinner-time. he asked. Come away, Hughy," said he, and set off “Naw, Hughy. I'm not." towards the fire. “Eh ? You're not ? An' what, ?' Hughy threw his spade into a furrow, and, Words failed Hughy. with his hands clasped behind his back, slowly “I'm goin' over the bog to see Anne followed Peter. Presently he turned ; looked Daly,” Lizzie went on. “I promised her, at Lizzie; grunted and turned; turned again this mornin', I'd go an' take a bite wi' her." and muttered; without more ado began re Aw,” said Hughy, “ I see. Then, that tracing his steps. bein' so We'd be powerful glad o' your “It's the divil's work for a woman,” he company, Lizzie,” he went on, and looked mumbled as he went; then, coming closer to wistfully at her; “if only you'd come. ” Lizzie, raised his voice. “ I'm thankful to ye, Hughy. Still-a "It's dinner-time," said he; “there or promise is a promise. thereabouts." “ Aw, I know, I know. I wouldn't have 24 THE PLANTERS. ye- Aw, not at all.” Hughy half turned. slapped his leg vigorously and raised his Aw, not at all,” said he ; still head. Ay, still ..." said Lizzie. And fling “ Yis,” said he, half aloud. “Be the ing a laugh over her shoulder, off she went king, I'll do it! Ye wouldn't be havin' a across the ridges. pack o' cards in your pocket, Hughy ?” he Hughy bent his head, slowly crossed the asked through the smoke. field, and came to the lane hedge. There, “ Divil a one," came back. in its shelter, a fire of peat burned brightly, ' Ay. Would ye be havin' a couple o' and beside it sat Peter Jarmin, legs out- ha’pence, then, about ye? Ye would.” Pe- stretched, back against the half-filled potato ter rose. "Well, then, I'll play ye a game sack, and a piece of rye bread in his hand. o' pitch an' toss on the lane. I'm off me A bottle of cold tea stood warming by his sleep.' foot; his hat was tilted back; already the "All right," answered Hughy. He rose, fire had drawn the blueness from his face. yawned, looked across the bog towards the He looked comfortable, did Peter, and his cabin of Fat Anne. “ All right,” said he, lips went smacking with a mighty relish over and followed Peter. “ Divil a hair I care if the plain dryness of his dinner. I do." Hughy rounded the fire; lifted his coat The two went a little way up the field, and off the ditch, took from one pocket a little through a gap into the lane that runs through bottle of milk, and from the other a piece Emo down towards Thrasna River; there, in of soda bread knotted inside a red handker- the driest spot they could find, set a stone chief; threw his coat round his shoulders, as a spud, drew out their coins, and began kicked a couple of turf together, and, with their game. Peter looked flushed, somewhat the fire between him and Peter, sat down. excited. Hughy pitched and tossed with He untied the handkerchief, pulled out a zest, if with less than his usual skill. In clasp-knife, slit his bread in half, stood a silence, almost in excitement, the partners piece in the ashes against the sole of his played their boy's game between the piping boot, and on the point of his knife held the hedges. After half an hour every farthing other towards the fire to toast. His face was of Hughy's tobacco-money-some threepence sober, thoughtful. Now and then he turned sterling-was jingling in Peter's pocket, and his head in the direction that Lizzie had gone; sport was over. once or twice he caught the glint of Peter's “Well, divil take me luck!” said Hughy, black eyes through the peat smoke; but no and turned towards the gate. word spoke he, and it was not till he had "Aw, divil take it, indeed," answered started on his second piece of toast that the Peter with a grin; “an' divil keep me mine! sound of Peter's voice came to him across Well, come away, Hughy, me son; there's the flap of the fire. work to do. But-but," he went on, and “ Where was she off to ?” looked up and down the potato field,“where's “ To Fat Anne's.” Lizzie ? Sure, I-sure, she should be back “I know,” said Peter, and for the rest of be this. Well, no matter, she'll come in the meal, but for the whistling of the wind time.” And soberly the two tramped back in the hedge, the smacking of lips, and the to their spades. gurgle that came at intervals from the bot Half an hour went, and brought no Lizzie. tle necks, silence reigned. For the twentieth time Peter looked anxiously Peter finished first; buttoned his coat round towards Rhamus Hill, and wondered what was his shoulders, lit his pipe, leant back luxu- keeping the girl. Had anything happened riously against the potato sack, folded his to her ? he asked himself.' 'Twas time she arms, closed his eyes. But sleep he could was back. He was weary waiting. He'd not. Dang it, what ailed him ? He sat up- go and fetch her. He'd-Hughy's arm shot right, and looked across the fire. There, flat out, and marked a figure which moved slowly on his back, lay Hughy-wide awake as a in the gloom that lay folded about the roots hunted fox. 'Twas mighty curious, thought of Rhamus Hill. Peter; mighty curious. What ailed the both “Stay where ye are, Peter,” said he. of them ? He relit his pipe, leant against “There she is.” the potato sack, and began to think-to think Peter grunted, pulled his hat down, and hard and solemnly, even, to all appearance, under its brim watched Lizzie wind through as Hughy, his partner, was thinking. He the heather and over the turf banks; saw her knitted his brow, pursed his lips, cocked his jump the drain that bounds the bog, enter knowing eye at the blaze; after a while, the potato field, leisurely top the ridges. SHAN T. BULLOCK. 2 - ing? Ay, it is Look at her head back, and he mouth open. Now Peter turns, and glowers at the ground; wheels round again, anc says another word or two; gets an- other laugh from Lizzie, and bangs his hat on the grass; turns, and . It was time to be minding his own business, thought Hughy. The afternoor wore on. Each at his furrow, the planters wrought steadily, and one to the other spoke never a word Sometimes Peter muttered fiercely below his breath or growled vicious ly as his struck a stone Often enougl Hughy stole; quick glance at hi partner's face, an 'WELL, WE WERE SAYIN' YE DIDN'T LOOK YOURSELF THIS MORNIN', LIZZIE.'” wondered to se how black it wa For a minute or two he watched her swaying and how fierce. Now and then a laug here and there among the manure-heaps; swirled up the ridges on the wings of th then, suddenly, let fall his spade and settled wind; and Hughy turned to see Lizzie holdin his hat firmly on his crown. her sides; and Peter swore between hi “I'm mindful to say a word to her,” said teeth. At last—two hours, maybe, havin he. “I have somethin' to say. Aw, gone since dinner-time-Lizzie passed on he I'll be back in a jiffy,” he broke off, and with way to the fire, and at sight of her steppin a wave of his hand set out toward Lizzie. along, nose in the air and a grin on her face Now Hughy Fitch was a simple fellow, Peter snatched the halter from his tongu big-hearted and trusting, and, moreover, was and cried fiercely: Peter Jarmin's friend; still it must be said “The jade!” And again: “The hussy! that he watched his partner go swinging over Ay?” said Hughy, without raising h the grass toward Lizzie with no very friendly eyes. eyes. What, in glory, was the man after ? “ Look at her prancin' along. Look he asked himself. Somehow he was not trust- the grin on her. The hussy!” cried Pete ing Peter. Look at him there, now, stand- again. “ The jade!” Hughy kept silen ing before Lizzie, and him as impudent-look- Lizzie sat down by the fire, and began warn ing as a cattle-jobber. What, in the king's ing her hands. Fiercely Peter wielded h name, was he saying ? See how Lizzie was spade; fiercely, in a little while, did he speal staring at him. There again! Out goes She's a fool! She laughed at me, scorno Peter's hand; up goes his voice; out goes me. I'm not an ould man,'' cried P t'other hand. Whisht! Is that Lizzie laugh- ter all suddenly; “ I'm not ugly. I'm his spade REBY MUTT . “Ay?" 26 THE PLANTERS. · Sure, good a man, any day, as you, Hughy Fitch. “ Play fair!” cried he, tense and shrill. Yis, I am!” “What d’ye mean, ye whelp, ye? Who Sure, nobody's denyin' it,” answered didn't play fair ? Didn't I ax ye if ye had Hughy. cards, an' ye hadn't ? Didn't I toss ye out Naw, I know. But-aw, I know all there on the lane, an' didn't I win ? Hadn't about it. Says she: “Why, I could cut a I it in me mind that if I won I'd ax her to better man nor you, Peter, out of Hughy marry me, and if I didn't win I'd-I'd-? yonder, an' him niver to know.' Could she, who played ye false, Fitch ?” growled Pe- be jabers!” shouted Peter. “Why, I've ter, and pushed his face closer to Hughy's. more brains to spare in me skull than'd make “Who played ye false ?" a magistrate o' ye. Ye hear that, Hughy Hughy drew back, and silently stood look- Fitch ?" ing at his partner. “I hear,” said Hughy, smiling down at Say the word again,” growled Peter. his spade. “I hear ye. “Who did ye say played ye false ?” “What has bulk or good looks to do wi' “I take back the word, Peter,” answered it?” Peter went on. “ 'Twasn't her face Hughy. “I–I was hasty. I said too or her size made me say what I did. Naw! much.” He paused, looked at his boots, 'Twas-aw, dang me if I know what tempted slowly raised his eyes. “ All the same, Pe- me to make such a gomeril o' meself! The ter, 'twould ha' been a friend's act to ha' fool I was—the fool!” Hughy kept silence. asked me, seein' how I was thinkin', if I had Peter turned a sod or two, then broke out if I had e'er a word to say." afresh. “ To laugh at me, an' call me a Peter laughed sardonically, turned, and fool! The jade-the hussy! But wait. Aw, lifted his spade. wait till herself an' the ould mother comes “Aw, 'deed I might,” he said. on the parish, an' I have the laugh at her! I might.” It's then she'll mind the day I offered meself " "Twould ha' done ye no harm,” Hughy to her here in Emo townland. Aw, ay! An’ went on, then paused and looked at his spade. I'll mind it too. Yis, sir; yis, sir!" “ But, sure, ,” he mused, “it's much the Slowly Hughy rose to his full height ; same, after all. Sure, she refused ye.” slowly looked round at Peter. “ Hech!” grunted Peter. “I see,” said he. “ That was it?" He “An' that bein' so," said Hughy, the whistled softly. “I see,” he said again. glad light of inspiration sweeping dazzlingly “Oh, just so. through his brain and flashing in his eyes ; “The little fool,” Peter continued. “Her “ that bein' so, sure things are much as they to refuse a good house, an' three cows' place, were, an' there's nothin' to hinder me- an' a man that was worth- Phat!” cried He stopped short, looked at Lizzie, turned Peter in utter disgust. “The wee fool.” and gripped his spade. “Aw, just so," said Hughy had been looking hard at Peter; he, with a wag of his head. Aw, just so." now he put a foot on the ridge, and leant Aw, 'deed ay,” laughed Peter. “An' towards him. God help the man, say I, that has to face "I say, Jarmin,” said he, “ this'll be a the world wi' the wits of'a goose!" mean kind o' trick you're after playin'?" “What?” snapped Peter. Hughy turned to his furrow, and fell a-pon- Why didn't ye tell me what ye were dering. He must take stock of things, he after ?” Hughy went on. “Ye knew I told himself. Peter had done no harm, and used to be courtin' the girl; ye knew I was was out of the way. He liked the girl; keen to do somethin’; ye knew I meant to pitied her, too; wanted to do the crature a do somethin' good turn. Yes. She'd make a good, strong, “ Knew!” cried Peter. “Knew! An' healthy, willing wife; she'd keep the loneli- suppose I did, Hughy Fitch ?" ness from him, and keep the hearthstone “ Then why did ye go slinkin' off an' not bright and warm. Would she have him ? tell me a word ?” Aw, to be sure. He minded the time, long “What's that to you? Dang ye, what's ago, he was ready to give her the word. Ay, that to you ?” he did. The word was ready, but somehow Why didn't ye play fair ?” Hughy per- he didn't say it. He was afraid. He was sisted, his body bent towards Peter, his head unsettled. Somehow the word wasn't said. lowered, his eyes dully glowing. And now ? Was he more settled now-less Peter's face flared crimson; as if stung by afraid ? Ah, things weren't so bad; and a whiplash, his lean figure quivered. sure, they might mend. He'd work hard ; SHAN F. BULLOCK. 27 How could he ask her, with Peter sitting there blink- ing and grinning at him like a mad monkey ? Sure, it was time enough. He'd speak to her inside half an hour. Yes; danged but he would! The half-hour went; an hour went; the end of the second hour saw Hughy still pondering and wav- ering ; the third brought dusk and quitting time, and to Hughy the de- termination (fixed and steady) to give Lizzie the word on his way home. He hid his spade in a furrow; put on his coat, lit his pipe; with his elbow on the gate, stood waiting for Lizzie to come. He won- dered how he'd start, what she'd say; he wondered how much longer she would be in “HE CAUGHT THE GLINT OF PETER'S BLACK EYES THROUGH THE PEAT SMOKE.” takin' off her pras- keen. . What, Lizzie'd do her share. There was the bit what! Where was she going? He put hands o' land, the cow, the goat, the ducks and to mouth and shouted: chickens; there was a decent house; and “Họi-i, Lizzie! Hoi-i-i, Lizzie!” sure, God was good, anyway. Dear, dear, The girl, as she walked from the fire, turned the strange way things turned out! Not a her head. Aren't ye comin' home ?” notion did he have, when he left home that shouted Hughy. morning, of giving the word to the girl — “Naw," answered Lizzie, and walked on. not a notion. And now? Well, no matter. Where—where are ye goin', then ?” Maybe 'twas all for the best. Suppose he “G’luck!” went, then and there, and asked her ? He Hughy stood dumfounded. Peter came looked at Lizzie, at Peter, at the hills; rubbed up, passed through the gateway, laughed in his chin, looked again at Lizzie, worked a that sarcastic manner of his; went up the while, pondered a while, started to go, came lane towards Emo House. back, started again, came back again; at For a while Hughy stood looking after last decided to put off the asking till tea- Lizzie; then, suddenly, went hurrying in her time had come with a good opportunity. steps over the potato field, across the bot- Tea-time came, and still Hughy wavered. toms, along the heathery turf banks of Emo Sure, there was no hurry. How could he bog. He felt hurt, vexed, fearful that the say a word to the girl, and she drinking out girl might be bent on something reckless; it of the same can with himself and Peter ? was with much relief, if with a slight stab SVT 28 THE PLANTERS. of disappointment, that he saw her bend “Aw, to be sure. Why, woman alive, head and enter the smoke-wreathed portals it's gone supper-time; it's nine o'clock if of Ảnne Daly's cottage. He stopped; in it's a second.” the shelter of a hedge stood pondering the “I know. How long'd it be, now, since position. Should he follow her? No. Anne yourself said good-by to the supper-pot, had a tongue; James a knowing way with Hughy Fitch ?' him. Should he make for home, and keep “Aw, a good while, Lizzie; it'd be a good his word for the morning ? No. He was while." tired keeping it; he'd wait for the girl. On “A matter of a day an'a night, mebbe ?” a ditch he sat him down, and fell to humor “Och, not at all. Woman alive, a day ing dull time with an occasional thought, an an' a night!” odd stave of a song, a whiff now and then of We were thinkin' in Fat Anne's," said precious tobacco. He felt hungry, tired, Lizzie quietly, “that mebbe ye'd be cowld cold. At intervals, he heard the sound of yonder on the ditch." Lizzie's laughter, of Anne's skirls, of James's " Aw," said Hughy, and missed a step; hollow roar; presently came the clink of “aw! An' did ye see me? Did ye, now? spoons and the rattle of tea-cups. Ugh, he Sure--sure. Och, Lizzie, I was sore to see felt odious shivery, powerful empty. He ye goin' off like that. Sure, I thought it tightened his belt, buttoned his coat; moved strange. An'-an' I had a word to say to further away from the sounds of revelry. ye.” Hughy sidled across the road towards An hour passed. Ah, he was starving. Was Lizzie. “I- I wanted to-to Hughy she never coming ? He rose again, climbed sidled back again. “What was this Peter Rhamus Hill, scrambled across the old castle Jarmin was sayin' to ye ?” he asked in a wall; with his eyes steadily fixed on the path little while. “He seemed ojus put out about up which Lizzie must come, stood patiently somethin'; ay, he did." waiting. Ah, she was powerful slow in com . Is that so ?” ing. Ah, he was starving, chilled-Whisht! Ay. He looked as black as the divil. There she was. Hurroo ! He slunk from He swore powerful. He called ye-och, all the ruins, crouched across the fields, struck the names in the world.” the main road not far from Stonegate; there “An' ye listened to him!” stood waiting in the black shade of the hedge. “ Listen ? An' what else could I do ? Soon came the quick patter of Lizzie's Wasn't I joyed to see him like that, an' to step; out stepped Hughy upon the road, and hear him?" Hughy turned on the road. turned to meet her. Hands deep in his “Be the Lord, I nearly took him be the pockets, and voice vexing the night with a throat when he said what he'd been at. The tuneless stave from “ Norah Creina,” aim- little black crow!” Hughy walked on a lessly (so he affected it) he went sauntering yard or two, then went shuffling across the along; presently met Lizzie, passed her with road. “But sure sure it's all the same a gruff Good-night," then wheeled about, now. Sure it's just the same as if he'd caught her up, and peered round into her niver said a word to ye, Lizzie.” face. “Is that so ?” said Lizzie. Why,” said he, and slapped his leg; Ay; it's just the same. Be the powers ! “dang me, if it isn't herself! Well, well.” but ye served him right. But ye paid him Without a word Lizzie walked on. “Now, out in fine style.” Hughy laughed, slapped who'd ha' thought it," Hughy continued, his knee, edged still closer to Lizzie. “What, shortening his stride; “ who'd ha’ thought in glory, anyway, did ye say to him ?” this was goin' to happen to me? Here was Nothin', Hughy Fitch, I haven't said I just foolin' along, singing to meself an' before, maybe; an' nothin' I wouldn't say settlin' me supper, when some one passes. again to another if I wanted to." Good-night,' says I, like that, and walks “Ay? Aw, just so. Nothin' ye haven't on; then stops as if somethin' hit me; hur- said before; nothin' ye wouldn't say to an- ries back, an' there--there was Lizzie her- other ? Ay.” Hughy took to his own side self. Well now; well now." Lizzie moved of the way; hung his head, went slouching as far away from Hughy as the width of the along, hands in his pockets and eyes on the road permitted. “ An'an' how is it,” dust. “Aw, just so," he muttered. . “Ay, asked Hughy, in a while, “ that ye'd be indeed.” these parts at this time o' night ? Sure, I The two passed Lacken Lough, went up thought ye were at home hours ago. Lacken Brae; slowly tramped between the Did ye?” came across the road. hedges, poplars, naked apple-trees. Not a SHAN F. BULLOCK. 29 ye used " word fell from either; not a soul did they “ Aw, curse me for a fool, that can't get a meet; not a light blinked in a cottage; not word out of me! I'm-I'm- See here, a sound but the bitter whistling of the Lizzie, have pity on one. Can't ye say a wind in the hedges vexed their ears. The word to help one ?” night was dark; gloomy and low, the sky Lizzie looked slyly up at this big, slow went rushing past; naked and forlorn, the Hughy, and her eyes were gleaming. wind-swept fields stretched away right and “Say a word, Hughy ? Arrah, what could left of the weary road. Lizzie shivered, sighed I say?" softly, glanced towards Hughy. “Och!” “Tell me you'll och, ye know what I moaned she. ' Aw, dear!” Hughy turned mean.” his head, and went sidling towards Lizzie. "Is it anything about-Peter, Hughy?” Lizzie dropped her eyes, and went sidling Aw, Peter! Dang his black carcass ! towards Hughy. They touched elbows about “Is it anything about yourself, then, the middle of the road. Hughy?” “You're lonesome, Lizzie ?” asked Hughy, “Ay, it is. About meself an' you, Liz- in a little while. zie." “ Aw, no-no--sure, it's nothin'.” Somethin', mebbe, about the ould days,' But ye are. I know it. Haven't I Lizzie went on, and slyly watched Hughy be- seen ye all day long? Didn't I hear ye neath the peak of her cap, when sighin' not a minute ago? I say, Lizzie, what to-to -?" is it?" “Yis, yis," cried Hughy. 'Go on, Liz- “It's nothin', nothin'," answered Lizzie, zie." almost in a sob. Aw, it's nothin'.” “When ye used to sit wi' your toes in “But it is somethin',” persisted Hughy. the ashes, an' throw sheep's eyes at me, an' “ I know it is. Niver before did I see ye in glower at the ould mother, God help her, such a humor. God knows, I'd do anything an’- to-to Och, woman dear, !” “ Yis, yis,” cried Hughy. “That's it, Hughy's fountain of speech dried suddenly. Lizzie." His throat was parched; his heart was thump “ An' ye used to—aw, say it?” ing. He bowed his head, rubbed his chin, “Ah, do, Lizzie. For God's sake do, walked on by Lizzie's side in solemn ponder- woman! ing. How was he to get out the word ? he “ Ye used to-to-sit wi’ your arm round asked himself over and over again. How was me, an'-an' kiss me at the dure, an'. he to start ? Once more Lizzie sighed and Like a man, Hugby turned on the road and murmured, “Och, och!” Hughy glanced took Lizzie to his heart. at her. “Aw, yis, Lizzie,” said he; "aw, yis “Lizzie,” said he. “I say, Lizzie." Aw, woman dear-aw, woman dear! At “Well, Hughy?” last, at last! An' ye'll have me, Lizzie ? “Would ye-were ye in earnest, the day, Say it, woman, say it!” about Ameriky ? Were ye, now?'' Lizzie raised her eyes. “In earnest ? Aw, God knows I was. “Sure, it looks like it,” said she; then, “An' why were ye? Woman dear, didn't with a little cry, threw her arms round big ye know-don't ye know- Hughy's neck. “Aw, Hughy!” cried she. The word would not come, and below his “ Aw, Hughy! Aw, the weary day it's breath Hughy cursed his impotent tongue. been—the long, weary day! An' nowman' What ailed him? He felt flummoxed, strange, now- Aw, Hughy, me son!” queer entirely. And the hedges sang, and the trees moaned “Aw,” cried he presently; "aw, don't soothingly, and old earth spun merrily be- ye know, Lizzie ? Don't ye know ?” neath the feet of these two, standing there “ What? What, Hughy ?” in their eternal youth with their eternal “Why, that-that-” Hughy stopped. story. how can I BLACK FRIDAY_SEPTEMBER 24, 1869. FROM THE STANDPOINT OF THE SECRETARY OF THE TREASURY UNDER GRANT'S FIRST ADMINISTRATION. BY GEORGE S. BOUTWELL. Editor's Note.-In 1869, when Jay Gould, James Fisk, Jr., and their associates effected the partial "corner" in gold that ended so disastrously in the panic of Black Friday, no gold money was in general circulation. The paper money of the time was practically irredeemable in gold, and consequently so depreciated that gold bore in relation to it a constant premium. Foreign settlements had still to be made largely in gold; customs duties, under a special provision of law, were payable only in gold; and there were other occasional and exceptional uses for it. Banks, therefore, kept a certain amount of gold always on hand for the accommodation of their customers, and sold it to them over the counter, at the market price, as if it were so much flour or calico. The Government also kept a certain amount of gold on hand, in compliance with requirements of the law regarding the redemption of government bonds, which were payable only in gold. These two-the gold reserve of the banks and the gold reserve of the Treasury-were substantially the only supplies. Mr. Gould and his associates sought to effect their corner" by the simple method of buying up all the gold in the market. They so far suc- ceeded that of all but the gold in the l'nited States Treasury they got practical control ; and they thought they had so arranged matters that no gold from the Treasury would get into the market during the critical period of their operations. But in this they were disappointed; for just at the moment when they could least cope with it, Secretary Boutwell issued his historic order for the purchase of $4,000,000 of governinent bonds, and a like amonnt of gold from the Treasury immediately became available to the general commercial public. The whole enterprise collapsed in a moment. Some of the managers of it lost heavily; but not all, for at the close they were far from faithful to ench other, and some saved themselves, and one or two even realized a profit. S O much time has passed since which gold might be advanced from time to September 24, 1869, that time, and out of which advance large sums there may be a large public of money might be realized by those who which may become interested were holders of gold. Upon that theory Jay in a review of the events of Gould and James Fisk, Jr., who were the the spring and summer of leaders and organizers of the combination, that year which culminated with their associates, made large purchases in Wall Street, New York, of gold at prices varying from thirty to in the transactions and ex- thirty-five per cent. premium. At the close periences of the day known of the month of April, the price of gold, not as “Black Friday. ' then, as far as known, under the influence When the Forty-first Congress assembled of any speculative movement, was at a pre- in December of that year, the House of Rep- mium of about thirty-four per cent. The resentatives directed the Committee on Bank- indications were that, during the months of ing and Currency" to investigate the causes May and June, the parties interested in the that led to the unusual and extraordinary combination made large purchases. By the fluctuations of gold in the city of New York, 20th of May the price had reached a pre- from the 21st to the 27th of September, mium of forty-four per cent. From that 1869.” The committee made a report which time onward, until the last of July, the pre- was printed under date of March 1, 1870, mium diminished, and at that date the rate and which may be found in a volume entitled was thirty-six per cent. “Garfield's Report on the Gold Panic Inves When I entered the Treasury Department tigation." From that report it appears that in March, there had not been sales of gold certain persons in the city of New York en- nor purchases of bonds by the Treasury De- tered into an arrangement, or understanding, partment as a policy, and but few transac- or combination, as early as the month of tions on either side had been made by my April, 1869, for the purpose of forcing the predecessors in office. As early as the 12th price of gold artificially to a rate far beyond day of May I commenced the purchase of what might be called the natural price. The bonds for the sinking fund and for the re- committee, of which General Garfield was duction of the interest-bearing public debt. chairman, characterized the combination as The total purchases during the year 1869 a conspiracy. Technically and in a legal amounted to something more than $88,000,- point of view the parties concerned could 000, for which there was paid in currency not be treated properly as conspirators. It $102,000,000 and a margin over. At that does not appear that they contemplated the time, the customs receipts were in gold ex- violation of any law, but only a policy by clusively, and the purchase of bonds could - -- THE HON. GEORGE S. BOUTWELL, From a photograph. Copyright, 1896, by Purdy, of Boston. 32 BLACK FRIDAY-SEPTEMBER 24, 1869. only be made by a sale of gold or by a direct these views, it happened that I announced purchase of bonds to be paid for in gold. my purpose to purchase bonds in May, 1869, Suggestions were made by bankers and others without conference either with the cabinet in the city of New York, and perhaps else- or with the President. When the announce- where, that the purchase of bonds should be ment was made, there was a slight advance made in gold. This suggestion was not ac- in bonds, and the President jocosely said to ceptable to me, and upon the ground that me that he had suffered in consequence of the sale of gold would be limited to those my not having allowed him to know that I who had bonds, or who could procure bonds, was about to make purchases, inasmuch as for the payment of gold. From the 29th of he had sold some bonds, needing the pro- April, when the first sale of gold was made, ceeds, at the rate previous to the announce- until the 31st day of December, the sales ment of the policy of the Treasury Depart- amounted to something more than $53,000,- ment. In order that the business interests 000, and the proceeds to something over of the country might not be influenced by an $70,000,000. The difference in the amount apprehension that changes might take place realized from the sale of gold and the amount in the policy of the Department, I announced paid for bonds purchased was met by the at the beginning of each month the sales of excess of receipts over the expenditures of gold and the purchases of bonds that were the Government during that period. to be made during the coming month. Those As having some connection, and perhaps announcements were sent out on the evening an important connection, with what is to be of Sunday, either the last Sunday of the clos- said hereafter touching General Grant's ac- ing month or the first Sunday of the opening tion in the days of September, when the month. The despatches were written by my- speculation was going on, I think it proper self Sunday evening, and sent to the Assis- to make a statement of my relations to the tant Treasurer at New York. A copy was President. I had declined the office of Sec- given to the agent of the Associated Press, retary of the Treasury, and on the morning that the public might be informed in the of my nomination to the Senate I wrote a morning of the policy for the ensuing month, letter to Mr. Washburne, through whom the and that there should be no opportunity for invitation of the President that I should ac- speculation by persons who might obtain in- cept the office was made, requesting him and formation in advance of the general public. urging him to say to the President that I was Unhappily, this policy was made the basis of unwilling to accept the place. My nomina- the proceedings in New York which culmi- tion was sent to the Senate and confirmed, nated in “ Black Friday.” The parties in- and as there seemed to be no alternative for terested—I do not call them conspirators- me, I entered upon the duties of the office. assumed that for thirty days the policy of the Due in part to these circumstances, as I think, Department as to the sale of gold and the the President accepted the idea that the man- purchase of bonds would remain unchanged, agement of the Treasury Department was in and on that basis they proceeded to make my hands, and from first to last, during the arrangements for the advance in gold. Not four years that I was in his cabinet, all his satisfied with that policy, which was de- acts and his conversation proceeded upon signed to save the business community from that idea. Moreover, he was influenced by a unnecessary apprehensions, an attempt was military view that an officer who was charged made to induce me to make an announcement with the conduct of a business, or of an un- for two or three months. Such suggestions dertaking, should be left free to act, that were made in letters that I received from he should be made responsible, and that, in interested parties in the city of New York. case of failure, the consequences should rest Speculation in gold was not all on one side. upon him. It happened, and as a plan on There were speculators who were anxious to my part, that neither the President nor the break down the price of gold, and between cabinet was made responsible for what was the lines I could read the condition of the done in the Treasury Department. Hence it respective parties from whom I received let- was that I never presented to the cabinet but ters. Under date of September 23d, I re- two questions. One of these was of no con- ceived a letter from a prominent house in siderable consequence. The other related to New York in which the writer said: “I am the political effect that might follow a loan actuated to again portray to you the state that I contemplated making upon certain of financial affairs as they now exist in this terms in the year 1872, when the Presiden- city. The speculative advance in gold has tial contest was pending. In the line of brought legitimate business almost to a GEORGE S. BOUTWELL. 33 - - standstill, owing to the apprehension of a Treasury to suspend the sale of gold during corner, which from appearances may appear the month of September, for which there at any moment." was no foundation whatever. Indeed, up to It did not follow that the writer of the let- the 22d of September, when I introduced the ter was “short on gold,” as the phrase is. subject of the price of gold to the President, I had, however, in my possession at that time the President had neither said nor done any- a list of persons in New York who were sup- thing, except to write a letter from New posed to be contestants, some for an advance York City under date of September 12, 1869, in gold and others for a fall. The writer of in the following words: the letter was among those whose names had been given to me as speculators for a fall in NEW YORK City, September 12, 1869. gold. In this connection I may say that it Dear Sir: I leave here for western Pennsylvania was no part of my policy to regulate affairs to-morrow morning, and will not reach Washington be- in Wall Street or State Street or Lombard before making my arrangements for starting that you fore the middle or last of next week. Had I known Street. Until it became apparent that the would be in this city early this week, I would have re- operations in New York were affecting largely mained to meet you. I am satisfied that on your ar- and seriously the business interests of the rival you will be met by the bulls and bears of Wall country, and until it became apparent that to sell gold, or pay the November interest in advance, Street, and probably by merchants, too, to induce you the Treasury receipts were diminished by the on the one side, and to hold fast on the other. The panic that had taken possession of the pub- fact is, a desperate struggle is now taking place, and lic, I refrained from any interference with each party wants the Government to help them out. I those who were engaged either in forcing expect, to put you on your guard. write this letter to advise you of what I think you may up or forcing down the price of gold. I think, from the lights before me, I would move on Under date of the 24th day of September, without change until the present struggle is over. If I received a letter from my special and trusted you want to write me this week, my address will be correspondent in the city of New York in experience with the factions, at all events, if they give Washington, Pennsylvania. I would like to hear your which I find this statement: “ This has been you time to write. No doubt you will have a better the most dreadful day I have ever seen in chance to judge than I, for I have avoided general dis- this city. While gold was jumping from cussion on the subject. Yours truly, forty-three to sixty-one the excitement was U. S. GRANT. painful. Old, conservative merchants looked Hon. GEORGE S. BOUTWELL, aghast, nobody was in their offices, and the Secretary of Treasury. agony depicted on the faces of men who crowded the streets made one feel as if Get At a meeting, which was accidental, as far tysburg had been lost and that the rebels as the President was concerned, on board one were marching down Broadway. Friends of of Fisk and Gould's Fall River steamers, when the Administration openly stated that the he was on his way to Boston, in June of that President or yourself must have given these year, to attend the Peace Jubilee, an attempt men to feel you would not interfere with was made to commit General Grant to the them or they would never dare to rush gold policy of holding gold. I was present on up so rapidly. In truth, many parties of the trip with the President. What happened real responsibility and friends of the Gov- on the boat may be best given in the lan- ernment openly declared that somebody in guage of Mr. Fisk and Mr. Gould. Mr. Fisk, Washington must be in this combination.” in his testimony before the committee, said: The last sentence in this quotation unfolds “On our passage over to Boston with Gen- the policy which had guided Gould and Fisk eral Grant, we endeavored to ascertain what and their associates from April to the cul- his position in regard to the finances was. mination of their undertaking, the 24th day We went down to supper about nine o'clock, of September. As far as I know, the effort intending while we were there to have this had been directed chiefly to the support of a thing pretty thoroughly talked up, and, if false theory that the President was opposed possible, to relieve him from any idea of put- to the sale of gold, especially during the ting the price of gold down.” autumn months, when a large amount of Mr. Gould's account before the committee currency is required, or in those days was was as follows: supposed to be required, for “ the moving, At this supper the question came up as it was called, of the produce of the West about the state of the country, the crops, to the sea coast for shipment to Europe. prospects ahead, etc. The President was a They even went so far as to allege that the listener; the other gentlemen were discuss- President had ordered the Secretary of the ing. Some were in favor of Boutwell's selling 34 BLACK FRIDAY-SEPTEMBER 24, 1869. gold, and some were opposed to it. After part in the events which culminated in Black they had all interchanged their views, some Friday. one asked the President what his view was. An attempt was made to strengthen the He remarked that he thought there was a impression that it was the purpose of the certain amount of fictitiousness about the President to prevent the sale of gold through prosperity of the country, and that the bub- an article prepared by Mr. Corbin, probably ble might as well be tapped in one way as under the direction of Mr. Gould and others, another. . . . We supposed from that con- which appeared finally, with some alterations versation that the President was a contrac- and omissions, in the New York “ Times” tionist. His remark struck across us like a of the 25th of August. It appears to have wet blanket.” been the purpose of the parties interested to The error of Fisk and Gould and their as- mislead the “ Times” as to the authorship sociates, from the beginning to the end of of the article, and they secured the agency the contest, was in the supposition that the of Mr. James McHenry, a prominent English President was taking any part in the opera- capitalist, who called at the “ Times” office, tions of the Treasury concerning the price of and presented the article to Mr. Bigelow, the gold. If he expressed any opinions outside editor, as the opinion of a person in the inti- in conversation, there were no acts on his mate confidence of the President. The arti- part in harmony.with or in antagonism to the cle was put in type and double leaded. When views he entertained. As a matter of fact, so prepared, suspicions were aroused, and the with the exception of the letter from the financial editor, Mr. Norvell, made very im- city of New York, he had no conference or portant corrections, taking care to omit sen- correspondence with me up to the 22d day tences and paragraphs that contained explicit of September, when I called upon him, and statements as to the purposes of the Presi- gave him a statement of the price of gold in dent. Some of the phrases omitted were in the city of New York, and of the nature and these words: “ It may be that further pur- character of the combination that existed chases of bonds will be made directly with there, as far as it was understood by me. gold.” “As gold accumulates, the less would Their policy was directed to two points: first, be the premium upon it. High prices for to influence the President, if possible, to in- gold before the sale of our products would terfere in a way to advance the price of cause lower prices of gold after the sale of gold; and, second, to satisfy their adherents products.” and opponents that the President either had Among the statements made which were so interfered or would so interfere. preserved in the article as printed finally Even Fisk and Gould may at a period of were these: “ The President evidently in- time have rested in the belief that the Presi- tends to pay off the 5-20s as rapidly as he dent either had interfered or that he would may in gold”; “So far as current move- interfere. Their confidence was in Mr. A. R. ments of the Treasury are concerned, until Corbin, a brother-in-law of the President, crops are moved it is not likely Treasury who, under the influence of various consid- gold will be sold for currency to be locked erations, which appear to have been personal up.” and pecuniary to a very large extent, lent Following the appearance of this article, himself to the task of influencing the Presi- I received a letter from Mr. Gould, dated dent. As a matter of fact, his attempts the 30th of August, in which this sentence were very feeble and misdirected and of no appears: “If the New York ‘Timescor- consequence whatever. Indeed, such is my rectly reflects your financial policy during opinion of the President, and such my belief the next three or four months; namely, to as to his opinion concerning Mr. Corbin, that unloose the currency balance at the Treasury nothing which Mr. Corbin did say, or could or keep it at the lowest possible figure, and have said, did have or could have had the also to refrain during the same period from least influence upon the President's opinion selling or putting gold on the market, thus or conduct. It is, however, also true that preventing a depression of the premium at Fisk and Gould employed Corbin and gave a season of the year when the bulk of our him consideration in their undertakings out agricultural products have to be marketed, of which he realized some money. I received then I think the country peculiarly fortunate information also, which may not have been in having a financial head who can take a true, that they suggested to him that he broad view of the situation, and who realizes might become president of the Tenth Na- the importance of settling the large balance tional Bank, which had a very conspicuous of debt against us by the export of our agri- GEORGE S. BOUTWELL. 35 cultural and mining products instead of bonds three competent clerks after the close of and gold." business on the 22d of September. The Of my reply to that letter, the committee clerks received commissions as bank exam- say: “ The brief and formal reply of the iners, and were instructed to go to New Secretary gave Gould no clew to the purpose York that night and to take possession of the of the Government." Tenth National Bank, at the opening of busi- Under date of September 20th, I received ness in the morning, and to give directions a letter from Gould to which I made no re- that the habit of certifying checks in excess ply. Aside from the topics to which he di- of the balances due must be suspended. It rected my attention in the letter, it is the was my expectation that the enforcement of unavoidable inference from the context as a that rule would, or might, end the specula- whole that Gould had then no faith in the tion, inasmuch as the purchasers of gold statements given to the public that the would be unable to meet their obligations, President was in any manner pledged to in- and therefore it would be out of their power terfere and prevent the sale of gold. The to create them. This expectation was not following extracts from the letter of Sep- realized. Whether the certification went on tember 20th are a full exposition of his pol- at the Tenth National Bank in defiance of icy and of the means on which he relied to the order, or whether other banks were so advance the price of gold during the month connected with the speculation that checks of September: were certified elsewhere, was not known to me. “On the subject of the price of gold and its effect I called upon the President after business upon the producing interests of the West, permit me to say that during the months of September of the past on the 23d of September, and made a state- two years the price has averaged about forty-five. ment of the condition of the gold market in Gold must range this year at about that premium to the city of New York, as far as it had been enable the export of the surplus crops of wheat and communicated to me during the day. I then corn. We have to compete with the grain-producing said that a sale of gold should be made for countries bordering on the Black and Mediterranean seas, and it requires a premium of over forty per cent. the purpose of breaking the market and end- on gold to equalize our high-priced labor and long rail ing the excitement. He asked me what sum transportation to the seaboard." I proposed to sell. I said: “Three million “My theory is to let gold go to a price that we can export our surplus products to pay our foreign debts, dollars will be sufficient to break the com- and the moment we turn the balance of trade in our bination." favor gold will decline from natural causes. In my He said in reply: “I think you had better judgment, the Government cannot afford to sell gold make it $5,000,000.” during the next three months while the crops are being Without assenting to his proposition or marketed, and if such a policy were announced, it would immediately cause a high export of breadstuffs and an dissenting from it, I returned to the Depart- active fall trade. ment, and sent an order for the sale of $4,- "P.S. In addition to the above, if gold were put 000,000 of gold the next day. The order upon the market, government bonds would decline to at least fifteen, leaving the purchases made by the was to the Assistant Treasurer in these Government in the past few months open to criticism words: “Sell $4,000,000 gold to-morrow, as showing a loss." and buy $4,000,000 bonds. The message was not in cipher, and there was no attempt As early as the 20th of September, I had to keep it secret. It was duplicated, and evidence satisfactory to me that the Tenth sent by each of the rival telegraph lines to National Bank in the city of New York was a New York. Within the space of fifteen party to the speculation in gold, and that its minutes after the receipt of the despatch, assistance was rendered largely through the the price of gold fell from 160 to 133, and certification of checks drawn by the brokers, in the language of one of the witnesses, and largely in excess of the balances due “half of Wall Street was involved in ruin." them upon the books of the bank when the For the moment, the condition of Wall certifications were made. It appeared from Street and the Gold Exchange seemed to the evidence submitted that these certifica- justify the statement of the person whose tions of checks in excess of the balances due language has just been quoted. As a mat- to brokers amounted to about $18,000,000 ter of fact, however, many of the people in- on the 22d and 23d of September, when the volved recovered from the panic, and were speculation was at its height. able to meet their obligations. Some were For the purpose of arresting that process gainers, probably, by the proceedings of the and checking the speculation in gold, I de- month of September, and some were losers. tained the comptroller of the currency and As I have already said, I had no purpose to 36 BLACK FRIDAY-SEPTEMBER 24, 1869. help anybody or to hurt anybody, and I inter- would affect their interests unfavorably, and fered in Wall Street only when the operations I received a letter, dated after business hours that were going on there involved innocent on the 24th, in which the writer said: “ It parties who were engaged in legitimate busi- is not impossible that, in view of the large- ness, and also imposed upon the Government ness of the amount of gold to be sold to-mor- a sacrifice in the loss of revenue. row, there may be a combination to procure Following the downfall of the combination, it at a low price, and you will therefore ex- there appeared in the newspapers statements cuse the suggestion that, as the effect of and imputations which reflected upon the your intervention has already been realized, President and his family as to their relations it might be well to protect the Government to the gold operations. All these statements by making it known that you will reject all were without foundation. Mr. Corbin's con- acceptable bids.” nection was established beyond controversy, These extracts from letters received pre- but the evidence which established his rela- vious to and during the crisis may lead to tions to the parties engaged in the gold the conclusion that it is not safe to trust to speculation was also conclusive as to the persons engaged in large business and com- fact that the President had no connection mercial transactions as guides for the ad- with it, and that he was not in any way in- ministration of the Government in financial terested in any policy calculated to advance matters. Indeed, one may go still further, the interests of the combination. and say that it is not safe to trust the guid- The apprehensions that were entertained ance of the Government in financial affairs on the evening of the 24th and on the 25th to men whose life business it has been to of September as to the extent of the disas- convert information into gold. ter to business and to individuals engaged in The most unpleasant incident of the gold gold speculation were not realized in full. speculation of 1869 was the fact that General My special correspondent in New York said Butterfield, the Assistant Treasurer in the in a letter dated September 25th: “ Many city of New York, was so far involved as to of the houses hurt and reported failed yester- lead the President to ask for his resignation. day are likely to recover.” Again he said: That request did not arise from any evidence “The demoralization in the street was never that General Butterfield was in any way con- equaled, and it must take several days at cerned in the movement, or combination, least before matters get fairly straightened. which led to the advance in gold. Indeed, There is a wholesome dread against making the evidence was conclusive to the contrary. any obligations. Smith, Gould, and Martin This fact, however, did appear---that during are just reported as paying in full.” the period of the excitement he had made In a letter dated September 27th, at 6.30 some purchases and sales of gold and bonds. P.M., the Assistant Treasurer at New York The suspicions that existed in the city of wrote me: “From the best evidence to be New York as to his connection with the gold gathered in the excitement here, it is safe movement were largely exaggerations of to infer that the Gold Exchange Bank will the actual facts. There was no evidence suffer losses to the extent of its capital and which impeached his official or personal in- surplus at least, and perhaps more.” To tegrity in business. His resignation was the contrary of that prediction, it is to be requested upon the ground that it was es- said that the Gold Exchange Bank was able sential to the proper administration of the to meet all its obligations. office that the person holding the important In a letter written by Mr. Grinnell, then place of Assistant Treasurer in the city of Collector of the Port of New York, under New York should not be engaged in business date of September 24th, after the announce- transactions which might give rise to the ment of the sale of gold had been made, I conjecture that he had advantages over find this statement: “Had you not have others in consequence of his connection with taken the course which you did, I believe a' the Government. large proportion of our most reliable mer It ought to be said that Mr. Gould, in his chants and bankers would have been obliged testimony before the committee, which was to suspend before three o'clock to-day, as given at great length and with singular clear- confidence was entirely gone and the panic ness of statement, denied expressly the ex- was becoming universal. stence of any combination. fine, he Following the break in the price of gold, claimed, what may have been the truth, and there were persons who became apprehen- upon the whole probably was the truth, that sive that the rate would fall to a point which it was no part of his purpose to carry the GEORGE S. BOUTWELL. 37 go out." price of gold above forty or forty-five per committee, I say to you that there is no man cent. premium. He attributed the exces- in this country who wants to come before sive and rapid advance of the price of gold you as bad as Jim Fisk, Jr. I have thirty to the persons who had sold short and who, or forty thousand wives and children to feed becoming alarmed, attempted to cover their with the money disbursed from our office. sales by making purchases, and by bidding We have no money to pay them, and I know upon each other carried the price from what has brought them to this condition." about 140 to 160. Another extract from Fisk's testimony The same statement was made by Mr. Fisk gives a graphic view of his condition when as to the cause of the excessive rise in the the crash came: “I went down to the neigh- price of gold. He said: “It went up to borhood of Wall Street Friday morning. sixty, for the reason that there were in that when I got back to our office you can im- market a hundred men short of gold. There agine I was in no enviable state of mind, and were banking houses which had stood for the moment I got up street that afternoon I fifty years, and who did not know but what started right round to old Corbin's to rake they were ruined. They rushed into the him out. I went into the room, and sent market to cover their shorts. I think it word that Mr. Fisk wanted to see him in the went from forty-five to sixty without the pur- dining-room. I was too mad to say anything chase of more than $600,000 or $700,000 of civil, and when he came into the room, said gold. It went there in consequence of the I, ‘Do you know what you have done here, frightened bear interests. There was a feel- you and your people ?' He began to wring ing that there was no gold in the market and his hands, and ‘Oh,' he says, “ this is a hor- that the Government would not let any gold rible position. Are you ruined ?' I said I didn't know whether I was or not; and I At the time of the gold panic, Gould and asked him again if he knew what had hap- Fisk were interested in the business of rail- pened. He had been crying, and said he way transportation from the West to the had just heard; that he had been sure every- seaboard, and Mr. Fisk made a statement thing was all right; but that something had which sets forth the theory on which he and occurred entirely different from what he had Gould professed to act. Fisk said: “The anticipated. Said I, “That don't amount to whole movement was based upon a desire on anything. We know that gold ought not to our part to employ our men and work our be at thirty-one, and that it would not be power getting surplus crops moved East and but for such performances as you have had receiving for ourselves that portion of the this last week; you know well it would transportation properly belonging to our not if you had not failed. I knew that road. That was the beginning of the move- somebody had run a saw right into us, and ment, and the further operations were based said I, “This whole thing has turned upon the promise of what Corbin said the out just as I told you it would.' I considered Government would do." the whole party a pack of cowards ; and I From the testimony of Jay Gould and expected that, when we came to clear our James Fisk, Jr., as it appears in the printed hands, they would sock it right into us. I report, we are able to comprehend the char- said to him, ' I don't know whether you have acteristics of the two men. Gould was cool lied or not, and I don't know what ought to and collected from beginning to end, with be done with you.' no indication in his statements that the “He was on the other side of the table, events of the 24th of September had in any weeping and wailing, and I was gnashing my particular disturbed him in temper or nerve teeth. Now,' he says, you must quiet or confidence in his ability to meet the exi- yourself.' I told him I didn't want to be gencies of the situation. On the other hand, quiet; I had no desire to ever be quiet again. the testimony of Fisk indicated the absence He says, “ But, my dear sir, you will lose of the qualities ascribed to Gould, and dur- your reason.' Says I, 'Speyers has already ing his examination he failed to maintain lost his reason; reason has gone out of every- even ordinary equanimity of temper. He in- body but me. terfered with the proceedings, and delivered this address to the committee: “I must state My part and my interest in the events of that I must ask you gentlemen to summon Black Friday came to an end with an effort witnesses whose names I shall give you. My to ascertain the authorship of an anonymous men are starving. When the newspapers communication, written in red ink, that I re- told you we were keeping away from this ceived the 6th day of October. It was post- 6 38 “ THE HERB CALLED HEART'S-EASE." marked at New York, the 5th of October, he entertained the opinion, which rested upon 1869. A facsimile of the communication satisfactory business grounds, that an ad- is shown on this page. An attempt was vance in the price of gold would stimulate made through the police and the secret ser- the sale of Western products, increase the vice system to trace the authorship of the business of transportation over the railways, superscription. The attempt was ineffec- and aid us in the payment of liabilities abroad. tual. If the price of gold had not been advanced It appears in the review that Mr. Gould beyond a premium of forty or perhaps forty- You will It gold does not sell at iso within is days. I am a ruined man. be the cause of my run.! Your life will be in danger! Wilkes Boolk FACSIMILE OF THE ANONYMOUS NOTE RECEIVED BY SECRETARY BOUTWELL OCTOBER 6, 1869. originated the scheme of advancing the price five per cent., all these results might have of gold and that Mr. Fisk was his principal been realized, and without detriment to the coadjutor. It also appears that Mr. Fisk public, while Mr. Gould and his associates entered into the arrangement upon the basis would have realized large profits. When the of friendship for Mr. Gould, and not in con- price had advanced to forty or forty-five per sequence of an opinion on his part that the cent., Mr. Gould or his associates made calls scheme was a wise one. Mr. Gould had two upon those who were under contracts to de- main purposes in view: first, the profit that liver gold to make the margins good or else he might realize from an advance in gold; to produce the gold. These demands cre- and, second, the advantage that might ac- ated a panic, and the parties who had agreed crue to the railroad with which he was con- to deliver gold entered the market, and bid- nected through an increase of its business ding against each other, they carried the in the transportation of products from the price beyond the point that Mr. Gould had West. As set forth in Mr. Gould's letter, contemplated. 66 THE HERB CALLED HEART'S-EASE.” BY WILLIAM ALLEN WHITE, Author of "The Court of Boyville." Did you hear him? I dare say that boy lives a merrier life and wears more of the herb called heart's-ease in his bosom than he that is clad in silk and velvet.-From the Observations of " Mr. Great Heart." was dusk in Boyville. The hay-stacks they wormed: over barrels and boys at a game of hide-and- boxes they wiggled: they huddled under the seek filled the air with their sunflowers and the horse-weeds. It was a calls : royal game, but as the moon rose it merged Bushel of wheat, and a into pull-away. That game flourished for a Bushel of rye- while and transformed itself by an almost All 't ain't ready imperceptible evolution into a series of Holler aye. All in ten feet of my base is caught : all eyes open.” moon's silver had marked itself upon the races down the dusty road. But when the Or grass, the boys were lying prone on a hay- "One-two-three for me." cock behind the royal castle. They chat- Or tered idly, and the murmur of their talk “ All 's out 's in free." rose on the just-felt breeze that greets the rising moon, like the ripple of waters. But Among the trees they scampered: into the chatter was only a seeming. For in EDITOR'S NOTE.-This sympathetic sketch of boy life forms the epilogue to "The Court of Boyville," the collection of Mr. White's Boyville stories that has just been published by the Doubleday and McClure ('o. “THE HERB CALLED HEART'S-EASE." 39 truth the boys were absorbing the glory of soul was listening to the far-away music the moonlight. And the undertones of their from the breakers of the restless rising sea being were sounding in unison with the gen- of ambition, and the rush of life and action, tle music of the hour. Their souls-fresher that were flooding into the distant rim of from God than are the souls of men-were his consciousness. The music charmed him. aquiver with joy, and their lips babbled to Tears came to his eyes, he knew not why. hide their ecstasies. In Boyville it is a But we, whom this mighty tide has carried shameful thing to flaunt the secrets of the away from that bourne whereon the boy's heart. As the night deepened, and the shy feet strayed so happily—we know why the stars peeped at the bold moon, the boys let far-seeing angels gave him tears. their prattle ebb into silence. Long they A dog in some distant farm-yard was bay- lay looking upward-with the impulse in ing at the moon. A whining screech-owl their souls that prompted the eternal ques- sent a faint shudder of superstitious fear tion that Adam left unanswered, that David over the boy. For a long time he sat on cried in passion across his harp, that the the fence, absorbing the night sounds—the wise-men of the world have left locked in cluck of the frogs, the burring of the mystery—the question of the Whence, the crickets, the hum of the water on the mill- Why, and the Whither. dam far down the valley, and the occasional call of some human voice, ringing like a As the moon climbed high into the arc of golden bell in the hush of the night. It the heavens, the company upon the hay- was after nine, and the boy was deep in his cock dispersed, one by one, till a solitary trackless revery. A woman called, boy remained. “Win-nee, Win-nee, oh, Winnie.” After he had gazed at the moon a while a The spell upon him was almost too delicious thrill of sheer madness set him to tumbling, to break; but he roused himself to reply,- head over heels, upon the fresh hay. Life “Yessum. All right." was full of gladness for him, and his throat Then the mother's voice continued : Now cramped with a delicious longing for he wash your feet, Winnie, and wipe 'em dry; knew not what. He wondered vaguely if it don't come to bed with dirty feet.” were not something new and unimaginably Slowly the boy climbed to the earth. He good to eat. It was the nearest he could shuffled through the dewy grass, but his come to a defining of the longing. Of feet were still too dirty. He stood in the course no one can define it. It is that which tub of water by the pump, rubbing one foot quickens the blood of all young creatures with the other, and his eyes turned moon- the rosebud, the meadow-lark, the dragon- ward. The thrall of the night caught him fly, the colt, the boy, and the maiden, bid- again. In a hazy stupor he sat on the ding them glorify God with the show and kitchen step drying his feet. When he got the example of their comeliness. The boy up, Piggy Pennington gazed for a moment rose from the hay and skipped under the at a star-a pale star which hovered timidly trees, over the fantastic figures of the moon- over the chimney of the home which shel- spun carpet. He waved his arms, and there tered his Heart's Desire. With the lunacy came to his throat a simple song, which he upon him, he flung to the star a bashful chanted croakingly, lest some one should kiss. Then he grinned foolishly and came hear him and laugh. He stopped, and sitting to himself with a grunt, as he ran up-stairs on a fence, looked at a great white cloud to his room. He was ashamed to face the that was mounting the western sky. His south breeze that fanned his bed. PROGRESS by SARAH BARNWELLELLIOTT M “Motions and means, on drugs. It had all looked very cheerful and With old poetic feeling." prosperous at first; and Mr. Long had liked it, for he necessarily posed as the great man R. SAM LONG stood in the of “ Longville.” Presently the post-office doorway of his shop, with and the doctor's office caused Longville to a troubled look on his become the lounging place for the surround- face: a lengthening, line- ing country, and a negro blacksmith building drawing look that was a a shed to cover his anvil, it became, as if by ridiculous misfit, for his magic, a swarming-place for negroes. After face had been planned and prepared for the this, a traveling-man suggested that a shop lines of laughter and kindly friendliness; his for general merchandise was needed, and voice had a ring of hospitality all through why did not Mr. Sam Long build and keep it, and his laugh made one think of spare- one ? ribs and sweet potatoes and “midnight But all these changes had come about so 'possums" and Christmas turkeys --not to naturally, the sequence had been so logical, speak of hot apple-toddies by a big wood fire, that it took some time for the Longs to see and of other things on the shady front piazza. what had happened. From the very first, There was not a commercial line about Mr. the old people had bemoaned themselves for Long, and the shop background seemed to be the lost peace and quiet of their days, and as unsuited to him as the look of trouble on because of the dirt and hideousness that his face. “Things have changed,” he said were encroaching on the old household. But, to himself impatiently, and rubbed his chin. then, they were old. After a while, however, After a moment, he drove his hands down Mr. Sam Long's wife began to be troubled into his pockets, and took a turn up and about many things, and, later, Mr. Long him- down the empty shop; then coming back to self. And now, as he stood in his shop door, his stand in the doorway, he sighed pro- waiting for his friend, Mr. Hicks, who was foundly. coming to advise with him concerning his Of course, when the war was ended and financial condition, he remembered that all the negroes were freed, there had been a these changes had begun just ten years ago. change. But that was not what had caused Ten years ago this very month the engi- Mr. Long's trouble; his difficulties had be- neers who were surveying the line had come, gun much later, when a railway had worked and had made his house their headquarters. its way through the country, skirting the They had stayed with him a month; then had old farm and putting a station at the fence gone away leaving him feeling that the whole corner. He had been paid what he thought South was making tremendous strides; that a good price for the land where the station a grand new era of prosperity was dawning; and, later, the post-office had been built, that progress, with an enormous capital P, and felt quite rich when a young physician was pushing and pulling every creature in came, and buying another slip of the “ big the poor, old, belated South into a financial field," built a small shop, where he dispensed paradise. And he remembered, too, that 40 SARAH BARNWELL ELLIOTT. 41 а he had never thought of the South as being pointed Mr. Hicks to another. “ I'm afraid poor or old or belated until that time. I'm ruined, Abe; but I can't agree to it till “My gracious!” he sighed, “ I wish we'd somebody proves it.” Then he tipped his stayed poor and old and belated. Progress!” chair back against the counter, and put a and there was enough scorn in his voice, as fresh piece of tobacco into his mouth; and he said this last word, to have withered that Mr. Hicks, tilting his chair back against the relentless blessing to its very root. side of the door, so that he faced his friend, He sighed again as treated himself to the he looked up and same luxury. down the horrid little “I thought this thoroughfare, where railroad was going to pigs were wandering, make me rich,” Mr. and where old tins Long went on, and and papers and dusty it did look so at weeds filled all the first; but I've been crooked turns and odd getting poorer and a butments. This poorer ever since it very thoroughfare came. I've just been had been a part of counting up, and it's his best field. He had been just ten years plowed it many since those fellows time, and had picked came, buying up land good cotton off it, and laying off the too. And just over road. They stayed a yonder, where the month, and when post-office now stood, they went away they the fence had run, left me thinking that and blackberries and the whole South was wild white morning- going to enter on the glories had grown all millennium. That's over it, and golden- what I thought.' rod in every corner. “I did too,” the And the children lawyer agreed. used to go there And that was the and fill their lit- first time," Mr. Long tle buckets with continued, with berries and note of indignation their hands with creeping into his flowers. How voice, “ that I ever peaceful and heard the South green it had called poor or old been! And he or belated. Why, sighed again. they made me feel Then down fifty years behind the road he saw time and that I'd his friend com- have to canter to ing, jogging And, my MR. SAM LONG STOOD IN THE DOORWAY OF HIS SHOP, along on a rough gracious! I've been WITH A TROUBLED LOOK ON HIS FACE.” country horse. cantering ever since, “Progress ain't till now I'm foun- helped Abe Hicks much neither,” he said to dered, and am further behind than ever I was himself, and his greeting of his friend was before. I wish they'd never come.' without spirit. “Well, I don't know about that,” Mr. Lawyer Hicks hitched his horse to the Hicks demurred. “A railroad is bound to rack in front of the shop, and mounted the be a gain to a country.” one step to the door. “I used to think so,” Mr. Long admitted; “What is it, Sam ?” he asked. “ but now I can't see why. We'd always “Everything,” Mr. Long answered, as he had enough to live on and enough to wear, dropped into a hide-bottomed chair and and what more does a Christian want ?” a catch up. 42 PROGRESS “Well, there's trade things. Sometimes we felt like we was be- Mr. Long held up his hand. “Don't men- witched, we or the money, one. Now there tion that," he said. was that young Dr. Jinkins. Just as soon “And newspapers,” Mr. Hicks went on, as I opened this store, he said, “Mr. Long, HL BROWN 1897 “I'M AFRAID I'M RUINED, ABE; BUT I CAN'T AGREE TO IT TILL SOMEBODY PROVES IT." “and a knowledge of what the world's it'll be better for both of us if I move into a-doing.” your store, for then the people who come to “Maybe; but we didn't want any of that. buy my things will see yours; and the people We didn't know about it, and ruin's a mighty who come to buy your things 'll see mine. high price to pay for newspapers. But I'm There's nothing like concentration.' And it not to blame, please God," and Mr. Long looked so, Abe? Well, sir, he rented out sighed. “I didn't go out hunting for any his little shop, and I didn't charge him any- of these things. They came and shoved 'em thing for coming into mine, because it didn't on me, and called 'em progress. Jerusha! cost me anything. But, Abe, when that fel- I hate that word so I wish there wasn't a Plow slipped off leaving his debts unpaid, it in the alphabet." seemed a big loss, and to save me I couldn't The lawyer smiled. “ You're a born see where I'd lost. He didn't come for farmer, Sam, ” he said. Then more ear- meals to our house 'cept when I took him nestly, “But I don't see how you lost, Sam. there, and he didn't owe for any dry goods, How was it?" for he sent to town for such as that. All “I can't say rightly myself,” Mr. Long he owed for was for hams and potatoes and answered with a puzzled look. “I can't add fire-wood and things that came off the farm it up to save my life; but I'll tell you the and didn't cost me nothing; but yet I seemed best I can. Me and Betsy thought we were to lose a heap by that fellow. Betsy ’llowed losing because everybody stopped with us as it was the confidence I'd lost.” they passed by, and because we had to buy “Maybe it was the confidence," Mr. Hicks so many things we'd never bought before, said thoughtfully; “ but it strikes me he was like canned things, and cloth, and poor cloth a mighty sharp rascal.” at that, Betsy not having time, because of “Well, it did look mean," Mr. Long ad- the people, to spin or to weave. So we took mitted,“ mean enough to make me feel sorry the advice of a traveling fellow, and turned for him; but the actual money loss wasn't the old home into a boarding-house, and I much. I've often given away lots more than opened this store. But, I tell you, Abe, he owed for, and it never seemed to count." there's some funny things about keeping a Maybe,” Mr. Hicks said again, “but store or a boarding-house, some right funny you weren't trying to make money then, SARAH BARNWELL ELLIOTT. 43 Sam. You know we never tried to make no “ Well, then, when I found that I was los- money till this railroad came; all the time ing on every blessed thing and raised my before that we just lived along comfortable prices, why, bless my soul, didn't the whole and easy, and nothing seemed to count much. country turn against me? Yes, sir, they But just you try to make things pay, and did! Said there was no competition, and so every blessed feeling and person and thing I was squeezing 'em, and in a way stealing looks different, and in no time you feel poor from 'em. My gracious! and I being ruined enough to beg." -plumb ruined. I swear it, Abe; come look Mr. Long sat silent for a moment. That at my books.” sounds like the truth,” he said at last; “ I'll Down the long, narrow shop the two men think about that.' walked, to the high desk at the end, where “Well, how else did you lose ?” Mr. the books were—thumbed, greasy, dog-eared Hicks went on. books, kept after the simplest fashion, for “Why, Betsy,” Mr. Long resumed sadly - Mr. Long knew nothing of book-keeping. “ Betsy felt like things ought to be heaps For some time Mr. Hicks worked diligently, nicer, and heaps more of it, when folks were unraveling the cramped figures, crossing paying board; and of course we couldn't out the bad debts, listening to explanations charge old neighbors, and between us, Abe, of leakage, of generous weight and measure, just as many of them stopped in for meals of out-and-out gifts, of failure to collect, as boarders, and of course Betsy gave all and, long before his task was finished, realiz- alike. She couldn't have a poor table for ing the disastrous results that must follow old friends, and a good table for strangers, his summing up. just because they paid; of course not. Then “It's bad," he said at last, "very bad. my being always in the shop and the boys You haven't treated people in a business-like over at the station, the farm sorter got away way, Sam.” from us. But Simon's learned to telegraph, Business-like ?” Mr. Long repeated and Jimmy's learned right smart about the slowly, looking at his friend wistfully. “I express business, and they don't like to plow any more. It is right hard work, Abe.” * But it's honest, healthy, happy work, Sam." “Yes,” Mr. Long rejoined sadly, " and God knows I'd give a heap to be back to the old times. I used to like to plow along with daddy. The fresh earth used to smell so good, and I used to be so tired when the day was done." There was a few moments' silence, as if some dream of straight furrows and corn- shuckings and the like had fallen on the two men, until at last Mr. Long broke the spell with: “ Bad accounts, Abe, accounts I can't realize a cent on, they're the worst of all. The people haven't got anything even if I'd sell them out; and I couldn't do that, you know--not old friends. Then the truck business lost me a heap; and coal oil, too, I've lost a lot on that. The fellow who sold it to me told me I'd have to charge for wash and evaporation. He was right kind about that; but all the same, charging for evaporation didn't seem honest to me. Charging for what couldn't be seen, or felt, and for what nothing got the good of 'ceppen don't know about that; but I've tried to be your nose, and then 'twas bad”—laughing honest and friendly, and to do as I'd be done a little. “I sure don't feel like laughing, by; I have tried that." Abe, but that did seem funny, too funny to Of course,” Mr. Hicks answered gen- charge for, and so I lost.” tly, “ everybody knows you're honest and “Well, Sam, and then ?" friendly, Sam.” F 66 MR. LONG LEANED HIS HEAD DOWN ON THE HIGH DESK." 44 PROGRESS. “Yes," Mr. Long struck in, his voice do. They'll fret themselves to death if you scaling high and thin with despair; “yes, clean your gun in the wrong end of the always friendly, and yet when I had to raise house or track up a floor, but when it comes my prices to cover handling; when I tried to a great big thing that knocks a man all to collect promptly to save myself, the folks to flinders, they'll not turn a hair. I'm a I've known all my life won't speak to me and lawyer, you know, and have lots of experi- have taken all their trade to the next sta- ence with ruin.” tion.” “Betsy'll bear up," Mr. Long moaned, Mr. Hicks shook his head. “I know," "she's prepared; but my mother, oh, my he said, “ and it all looks, and is, mighty mother! She's so old,” and again Mr. Long's unjust; but people are head dropped on his like that. And being arms, that were friendly, and doing as crossed on the high you'd be done by, desk. takes a heap of capi- Mr. Hicks walked tal; and, Sam, that down to the shop door, ain't what they call and stood looking out. business." Presently a young fel- Mr. Long leaned his low came from the head down on the high telegraph office, and he desk. “What'll I do, called him. Come Abe ?” he asked. here, Simon," he said: “Sell.” and when the boy had Then a silence fell, reached his side, he so tense, so all-per- went on, “I want you vading, so heavy with to keep the shop this little, every-day, a while; I want your cross-roads tragedy, father to go over to that a rat gnawing in the house with me.' the wall seemed to cry Then he took Mr. ruin, and the oil that Long out of the back dripped from the oil- door and across the pump into a tin cup fields to the old home- seemed to ring a knell. stead. It was a Mr. Hicks could not 18,8 friendly looking old bear it long, and he house, low and ramb- slapped his friend on ling, the oldest part tho back. being of logs, and with ” he cried, no beauty but its Your land friendliness, and Mr. is good, rich land, and MOTHER." Hicks found himself in prime condition. looking away from the Maybe you can sell for enough to pay the old house, as he had looked away from the mortgage and your debts, too, and have a face of his friend. The two men entered little over." slowly, Mr. Long's step dragging. He had “Sell the old place ?" Mr. Long said, had one last hope that his friend would be raising his head and looking about him in a able to help him to some solution of his diffi- dazed way. “Sell the old place? What'll culties, and over in the shop this hope had my mother do--and Betsy ? Oh, Abe, it'll died. kill 'em!” and the face he turned toward Mrs. Long met them in the hall, and went his friend was drawn and aged and changed. with them into the empty dining-room, where All the ruddiness had faded from it, and the the table was laid for supper and where round cheeks hung down in flabby creases. places were arranged for many more than Mr. Hicks did not like the sight, and turned the family. For some time now these places away. “It's pretty bad,” he acknowledged had been unused, but Mrs. Long had hoped huskily, looking down the length of the shop, that, when once their old friends had re- “pretty bad; but I'll tell you, Sam,” his alized that the shop at the next station was voice growing firmer, “ that when it comes charging the same prices as the prices to to trouble, women bear up better than we which her husband had advanced, they would 62 “ Bear up, old man, “ bear up: 66 SARAH BARNWELL ELLIOTT. 45 ܙܙ bring their trade back to Longville, and pros- died, but she didn't, and she's there now. perity would come with them. But this after- And living out of the way like that, we've noon, as she looked from the window and saw tried to keep all the troubles from her, and the two men coming across the field, she now," looking at his wife and possessing realized that it had been folly to arrange himself once more of her work-hardened these extra places. “I knew we'd have to hand, “ and now, Betsy ?” sell, Sam,” she said at once, slipping her “Now we'll have to go and tell her,” hand into her husband's, “though I did hope Betsy answered. “I can't save you this, that Abe could show us a way out.” Her Sam. She's your own mother, and she'd voice trembled a little, and the hand that take it hard, and rightly, if you didn't go to held her husband's was very cold, but the her yourself. And Abe must come, too, for eyes that looked up into the lawyer's eyes the respect of the thing. She'd think that were steady and dry. we mistrusted her if we treated her like she The lawyer shook his head. “No,” he couldn't bear it as well as we bear it. No, said, “ I'm most as broke up about it as we must all go and make it plain to her, Sam is; but there's nothing to do but to though I don't reckon you'll surprise her as sell." much as you think you will, for Sam ain't “Everything ?” and Mrs. Long's voice much of a hand for keeping things outer his had grown quiet. face. Come on; the longer you look at bad The lawyer nodded. Then after a mo- things, the bigger they grows. Come on.” ment's silence he asked, “How much does After several turnings and following of the mother know ?” piazzas, they entered a large, low room, ceiled Mr. Long almost wrung his hands. “We've with unpainted wood and lighted by four tried to keep it all from her, me and Betsy. windows. A piece of rag carpet was before She's never liked the new ways, so she took the big fireplace; on the mantel-piece there the old weaving-room, at the far end of the were some old-fashioned china ornaments and house, and she moved in there, she and brass candlesticks; a large bedstead occu- daddy. I thought she'd move out when he pied one corner, and all other wall-space was filled with frames for weaving and wheels for spinning. A quilting frame was in the middle of the room, balanced on the backs of chairs, and an old woman, small and spare and straight, dressed in a homespun frock, with great silver- rimmed spectacles over her still bright eyes, was quilting a patchwork quilt. She stopped working as her daughter- in-law entered, followed by the two men, and busied herself placing chairs for her visitors. It was an unusual influx, but she evinced no surprise. “We've come with some bad news, mother,” Mrs. Sam Long began just as soon as she had seated herself, “ some very bad news. The old woman looked from one to the other, then fastening her eyes on Mr. Hicks, she said: “ If it'd been death, you'd have brought a preacher; as you've brought a lawyer, it must be money." Mr. Hicks looked at Mr. Sam Long, and both men nodded; then Mr. Hicks answered, “Yes, ma'am, Aunt Nancy, it's money." "Well." she said, “ go on." So the story was gone over carefully from the very beginning all the reasons “NOW WE'LL HAVE TO AND TELL HER,' BETSY for loss, down to the fact that custom of ANSWERED." all kinds had been transferred to the GO PROGRESS. next station. There Sam Long and his wife away back here; but Sam's my child, and a paused; their words failed them before the mother's got eyes and ears in her heart as enormous fact of the necessary sale. The well as in her head. I scuffled through the old mother had listened quietly, and when war, and a scuffle like that don't leave folks they ceased speaking, she once more fastened without some experience; and my experience her eyes on the lawyer. “ Is there any is that changes is mighty bad, or mighty mortgage ?” she asked. good, one. If you're getting along with 1 voorkant hoteluri H-LBROWN 1898 HER TREMULOUS, WRINKLED HAND SMOOTHED TENDERLY THE GRAY HEAD OF HER ‘BOY.'” Mr. Hicks nodded. enough to eat and enough to cover you and Any credit ?' good health, then don't go out hunting for a Mr. Hicks shook his head. change, for it's mighty apt to be a bad one. “My husband mortgaged this place once, For even the faithful God Almighty promises she said slowly; " just after the war, for only enough.' enough to start on when the niggers went; Mr. Sam Long looked up quickly. “I but we had good credit then, and by the didn't go out hunting for no change, mam- time Sam was married it was all cleared my,” he interrupted reproachfully. off. Now it's different." No, boy, you didn't,” the old mother Again Mr. Hicks nodded. answered. “The changes come and hunted A mortgage and no credit means ruin.” for us, but we took to 'em too quick. If She took off her spectacles. Perhaps she we'd sold the corner of the big field, then did not wish to see too clearly the faces be- have left a broad road 'twixt us and that fore her; perhaps she was afraid of dimmed corner, and have put up a high fence--ten glasses that would need to be wiped. No- rails and a rider—'twixt us and that road, body spoke. Her son sat with his hands we'd have lost land, but we'd have done clasped and his head drooped on his breast. better." His wife watched him with eyes full of care, Mr. Hicks nodded. “You're right," he and Mr. Hicks, standing with one hand resting said. on the quilting-frame, was studying the toes “But these is hindsights,” the old woman of his big, dusty boots. “We're ruined,” went on quickly, as if not to take too much the old woman repeated. But,” she went credit, “ and we all know the old saying about on, “ I've been expecting it. I've been shut hindsights and foresights. Sam couldn't see, SIR HENRY IRVING. 47 went on, nor Betsy couldn't see, and both done their arms around his mother and his head on her best. And anyhow, it's the new times has breast; his wife was sobbing quietly where done it. It takes new people to fight new she sat, and Mr. Hicks was looking stead- times.' fastly on the face of the old woman turned Then rising, she went to a large chest up so bravely to meet his own, while her that stood in a corner, and unlocked it with tremulous, wrinkled hand smoothed tenderly a key which she took from her bosom. The the gray head of her“ boy.” group she had left watched her curiously " You'll do it, Abe ? You'll manage it as, stooping over the chest, she laid one after all ?” another on the floor, quilts, and weaves of “God bless you, Aunt Nancy," he stam- cloth, both cotton and wool, and hanks of mered. “I'd sell myself to help you; but yarn. I'll do better than that”-his voice gaining “I've been making and saving, too,” she in steadiness, -—“I'll stave off this sale till and I've laid all this by. It'll Sam gets that house built; then we'll take clothe us for a long time, Betsy. And I've you all to my place till the sale is over and sold a good deal in all these years, and I've your things is moved. That's what I'll do, got a little money;” and drawing from the Aunt Nancy. And Sam,” looking down ten- depths of the chest an old deer-skin wallet, derly on his friend, “ all will come out right. she returned to her seat, and quickly emptied And it ain't your fault, old man; it's all these the contents of the wallet into her lap. new ways that's creeping in. And soon your “There's not enough to save the place,” old friends'll be mighty sorry for the way she said, “but there's enough to buy in some they've done you, and, Sam, you must for- things to start us off fresh. I've got a piece give 'em, for they don't know no more about of land—my daddy gave it to me ten miles business than you do.” back in the hills, and we can go there. It's There was a moment's pause; then Mr. never been cleared, and a log-house is easy Hicks added, while he lifted his eyes to the built where there's timber. And things go window and looked out over the woods and so cruel cheap at a sale, Abe, that maybe fields he knew so well: “I reckon things is this money'll buy us back a yoke o' steers, bound to progress, bound to; but what you and a little bedding and furniture, and things say, Aunt Nancy,” he went on sadly, “ is for cooking, and maybe a cow. But you'll true; it takes new people to fight new times. know what to buy, Abe; you'll know,” crowd- Maybe we'll see the good of all these changes ing the money back into the wallet and thrust- some day, and maybe-God help us--maybe ing it into Mr. Hicks's hands, "you'll know; the next generation will forget old times and and maybe, Abe,” her voice breaking a little old ways, and be knowing enough and hard at last, "maybe you'll let us come to your enough to wrestle with this progress!” house while the sale is going on? “Maybe," Mr. Sam Long echoed, “may- Mr. Long was down on his knees with his be, and God help us!” SIR HENRY IRVING. HIS OWN CAREER ON THE STAGE AND HIS OPINION OF THE STAGE AS A PROFESSION.-BASED ON CONVERSATIONS. By H. J. W. DAM. THERE THERE is a rapid, heavy tread along the man that has ever occupied the foremost corridor leading to the reception-room place in a jealous profession. All profes- of the famous Lyceum Theater, London. It sions are jealous. The Power that shaped stops, and a deep, peculiar voice gives some the universe made human nature slow to ad- order which illustrates the discipline and mire and quick to condemn. And perhaps the attention to detail which are there ever the better part of the result of Sir Henry in force. Then the steps resume, and some- Irving's life of effort is the outspoken affec- body enters. Tall, gaunt, wearing a soft tion which, everywhere and on all occasions, felt hat and a cut-away coat, there stands be- reveals itself at the mention of his name. fore you the best-loved and kindest-hearted “Well ?” he says, smiling grimly, for he 48 SIR HENRY IRVING. He says is not very fond of talking about himself. “That I should seek, therefore, to join But yet he is willing, as he always has been the City Elocution Class, an association of willing, to give the benefit of his experience young men with histrionic failings, was con- to those of his profession who may desire it. sequently wholly natural. My entry among And so, as the conversation proceeds, he them as a mere boy appeared to create some unfolds the panorama of his life--one that surprise. A lifelong friend, who was a reveals at every point an invincible natural member of this society at that time, has tendency, an unchanging tenacity of pur- been good enough to describe me as a nice pose, which has overcome all obstacles, sub- boy, tall for his age, in a black cloth suit jective and objective, in a way that is as with a wide turned-over collar. agreeable to examine as it is surprising to that I had black curling hair, which is cer- observe. The story of his career throws a tain, and intelligent eyes, which, I trust, clear and penetrating light on many of the was equally true; also that my first recita- most vexing personal equations in ambition tion, in its intensity, rather astonished the and in art. class. At all events, we got on very well “I presume my anthropological friends,” together--the class and -and such little he says, “ would say I loved the stage before plays as “Delicate Ground,' 'The Silent I ever saw a theater; for my ruling passion, Woman,''Who Speaks First,' Boots at the as a youngster, was recitation. I loved to Swan,' scenes from Shakespeare, and other recite. The ballad of Chevy Chase was my plays which we gave at the Sussex Hall in favorite. The amount of energy and in- Leadenhall Street were labors of unalloyed terest I put into these recitations would have pleasure. been of great value, no doubt, if diverted “ The first theater I ever visited was Sad- into the lines of agricultural achievement- lers Wells, and the play was ‘Hamlet,' acted but agriculture did not fire my imagination by Phelps. The theater, the stage, the mov- to any promising degree. This love of reci- ing pictures, the whole mass of strange im- tation--of dramatic expression, if you choose pressions affected me. I have never forgot- - continued when I was taken to London at ten it, and never shall. It took me a long the age of ten. My parents were then liv- time to assimilate, to digest them. Even ing there, and they placed me in Dr. Pinche's now, as I look back to it, that first visit to school in George Yard, Lombard Street. the theater was one of the memorable ex- We always remember best what impresses us periences of my life. most deeply, and my most marked impres “I think it was already then my ambition sions of that school are the entertainments to become an actor. That experience crys- at which the pupils, on state occasions, tallized it, intensified it, augmented it very offered Latin verses and English classics to forcibly. I prepared more diligently than highly receptive audiences composed of their ever for the only future that I longed for. families and friends. English classics did There was an old actor at Sadlers Wells, not, however, quite satisfy me. I wanted, William Hoskins, who liked me and believed on one occasion, to recite “The Uncle,' a in me sufficiently to give me lessons. These long, weird, and morbid poem which seemed were from eight to nine in the morning, be- to me altogether admirable. The dear old fore the arena of commerce and the move- doctor looked at me over his spectacles with ment of great markets claimed my personal rather an amused expression, and suggested attention. At nineteen I left Thacker and something of a milder and more political char- Spink's; went to Sunderland, armed with a acter, which I believe answered very well. letter from Hoskins to the manager of the “I was two years and a half at this school, Lyceum Theater there, and made my first and then began to earn my living at the house appearance in a small part in Richelieu,' in of Thacker, Spink, and Company, East In- 1856. This was my first appearance as a dian agents. I was with this firm for a few professional. I had played once with the years, during which my body was visibly class in the Soho Theater in 'The Honey- present in their business, though my mind, moon.' That great event, my entry into a during business hours, was usually to be real theater with real costumes, real foot- found in the plays of Shakespeare, or now lights, and real dressing-rooms, was too re- and then at Sadlers Wells Theater (for 1 markable to be lightly passed over. It was went to the theater very little), or in one of the first hill-top surmounted. Art is all hill- those air castles which are nowhere so ad- tops. The only difficulty is that they grow mirably builded as upon an uncongenial office ever higher and more insurmountable the desk. farther one proceeds. SIR HENRY IRVING. 49 SIR HENRY IRVINGFROM THE PAINTING BY MORTIMER MEMPES. This portrait was finished only a few weeks ago, and is especially well liked by Sir Henry himself, “ All went well at the Sunderland open- tial destinies of the part of Cleomenes were ing; but on one occasion, later on, I had a on that occasion entrusted to myself. I prostrating attack of stage fright. I man- made my entrance finely, and they waited for aged, without any preparation, to create a my speech. Unfortunately it had gone. It sensation in the company.” Sir Henry smiles had gone from me as absolutely as if it had as he looks backward to that time.“ The never existed. My tongue was paralyzed, play was ' The Winter's Tale.' The poten- and horror invaded me. With a tremen- 50 SIR HENRY IRVING. dous effort I cried out fiercely: Come to the ally and financially, tends to the common market-place, and I will tell you further!' benefit of all concerned. This is why I have Then I dashed into the wings. You must always desired and sought a closer coher- understand that the line was a pure im- ence, a more compact organization, for the promptu, had nothing to do with the play, as common benefit of all connected with the the characters had nothing to do with any drama. It is one of the things which I hope market-place. In fact, I might call this my the future will bring forth.” first gag.' When order was restored, the Resuming his autobiographical strain, Sir play resumed ; but I was trying to sink Henry says: through the floor of my dressing-room." So far as I remember, I was even at This was the beginning of the long period that time deemed most happily cast in those of Sir Henry Irving's work as a provincial characters which were eccentric and extrava- actor. It is a story which will some day be gant. These perhaps offered the best outlet told in all its minute and significant details. for my desire to make a strong impression; He summarizes it, however. perhaps a tendency to overdo. They also “For the next nine years, he says, offered more return than 'straight parts' “ from 1857 to 1866, with the exception of for the pains I took in some cases in getting three months in London at the Princess's them up: I mean the invention and elabora- Theater, I was in the provinces, playing all tion of details. My villains were always suc- conceivable kinds of parts, and somebody has cessful rôles. I had to do whatever offered, kindly taken the trouble to establish their and even played women's parts sometimes in number-428. At the end of that time my pantomime and burlesque. salary was three pounds ten shillings (about "It was in Edinburgh that I first met Toole, seventeen dollars and a half) per week, but I then a well-known comedian, whose friend- believe this was the usual rate of progress. ship has been one of the sunniest pleasures It was fairly characteristic of the time. of a lifetime. In Liverpool, I met my friend “The money made by the actor will always Charles Wyndham. We were both engaged be regulated by the money made by the the- by Henderson, at the same salary, I was told, ater. Everything, therefore, which tends and at the same time. to elevate and popularize the drama, artistic “You will understand, however," he con- tinues, " that my ten years' probation in the country, which I look upon as of the great- est importance, was perhaps the potential cause of any later acting success. Every ambitious man has two fields of conquest: the one without, the struggle for life, the competition for the highest honors in the arena where all men meet on equal terms; the other, within himself. We often put a false value on ourselves—the basis of that self-confidence which is vitally necessary. But this false value must in the course of time be tempered, chastened, transformed into a true valuation through increased knowledge of ourselves, increased knowledge of the world and the view that the world takes of us. Those who complain of lack of recogni- tion, who sit sighing for the time to arrive when the world will come to their views of themselves, will sigh unavailingly. Mahomet must go to the mountain. “There were hardships as well as pleas- ures in those days. Too many, perhaps, to recount. Christmas once found me, for in- stance, without money or proper clothing. My underclothing was summer underclothing, “PICKWICK.” and it had been so often to the laundress From a copyrighted photograph by the London Stereo- that it was very summery indeed. I was scopic Co. invited by an old actor friend, Joe Robins, SIR HENRY IRVING AS JINGLE IN SIR HENRY IRVING. 51 to eat my Christmas dinner with his family. Joe had formerly been a hosier in a large way of business, and abandoned socks for the buskin. When I arrived at his lodgings, he led me, to my surprise, to a room up- stairs, and muttered some- thing inarticulate, in an em- barrassed way, which I could not make out. Then going to a well-stocked wardrobe, he took out a warm suit of flannel. “Here, old fellow, is a Christmas- box; you must put the things on at once. I did so, and when we joined the family party, I was warm not only in body, but in spirit. Such kindnesses as this do more for those who have begun to fear and falter than any- thing else. By that time I had lost a great many illusions, both as regarded my profession and myself. But I never thought of leaving it. I loved it. I loved it,” he repeats. “The way of art is so long, the hardships are so many, the obstacles are so great, that the man SIR HENRY IRVING AS MATHIAS IN THE BELLS." who will succeed must have From a copyrighted photograph by the London Stereoscopic Co. this love to sustain him. The love of art is like a religion; like the faith most other advice in this world, it is easy to of the fanatic or the zealot. Vanity, the belief give, but difficult to follow. I am inclined to in one's self, does well enough for the earlier believe that, particularly in art, a man must years. It is a beneficent provision of Provi- dream of doing great things, must aim at dence to carry us for a certain distance on the impossible highest, must achieve the a career which, had we full knowledge be- goal in his imagination before he can achieve forehand of its difficulties, we would never it as a fact. Still I would not suggest it as have the courage to attempt. But this a general rule. It might make the dreamers vanity, this belief in one's self, must sooner more idle. And there are no laws for human or later give way. Then the love of art, the nature. Every individual and his life out- fixed habits of hope and of effort, must come come represent a special problem which he to the rescue. If they do not come, the alone can solve. worker fails. This is why the history of art “It was at Liverpool that the prospect be- shows so many who have called themselves gan to brighten. London, the Mecca of the and so few whom the world has been gra- English provincial actor, loomed large as a ciously inclined to number among the chosen. possibility. Dion Boucicault offered me a “ In those days," he pursues, reflectively, London engagement in 1866. In that year I “I was very much of a dreamer, a com- made my London début at the St. James's The- parative idler. Executively speaking, I was ater, as Doricourt in The Belle's Stratagem,' lazy. This gave me the text of my address with excellent success. Then came Bouci- to the Harvard students, which was: 'Do. cault's own play, 'Hunted Down,' in which Don't dream.' It is a nice question. Like as the wicked husband I scored another dis- 66 52 SIR HENRY IRVING. tinct success, and I made that little unmis- leged to be appreciated now for twenty- takable stir the delight of which every actor one years. You will recall the incomparable knows. I was talked about in London, but manner in which she played Beatrice, l'ortia, gained no immediate benefit from this. I Queen Katharine, Imogen, Ophelia, and a played with Toole at the Gaiety, played in host of other parts.” melodrama at the Queen's and at Drury It would have been most interesting, in- Lane, went to Paris with Sothern for five deed most valuable as a record, to hear from weeks, and played Abel Murcot in Our Sir Henry's lips his side of a story of which American Cousin.' Then came the opening the other side is very much better known- of the Vaudeville by Montague, James, and the story of the crisis of his career, the story Thorne, who in- of the Irving and cluded me in anti-Irving war their company. of the seventies. My dreaming It was the period ended struggle of the with The Two man who had Roses,' played gained a foot- at the Vaude- hold in London ville. This to maintain change may his position ; have been due the struggle to public rec- that occurs in ognition; it may the life of al- have been re- most every art- newed belief in ist of great myself ; at all force who is led events, from to attempt to that time on- aller existing ward till now I conditions; the have worked ever - recurring hard, and it is struggle be- work, executive tween the new work, that has ideas and the brought me old, of one man whatever I may against the fixed have won. prejudices of his “I went from time. Just such the Vaudeville a contest once to the Lyceum. drove Mrs. Sid- Mr. Bateman dons into pro- engaged me, vincial retire- and after two or ment for seven three failures years, until she The Bells' could become took the town. SIR HENRY IRVING AS CARDINAL WOLSEY IN “HENRY VIII." strong enough Other successes From a photograph by W. and D. Downey, London. in her art to re- followed, and turn and dom- the Lyceum Theater began to be one of the inate. This crisis of Irving's career came centers of theatrical interest with the public. with his impersonation of Macbeth, Othello, This continued until the death of Mr. Bate- and Richard the Third, in 1875, 1876, 1877, man, and later, nearly twenty-one years ago, respectively. His genius and force as an I took over the lease of the theater from actor had brought him to the highest the- Mrs. Bateman, so that I have been playing atrical position in London, and had won him at the Lyceum twenty-eight years. Sub- support for the Lyceum enterprise. In these sequent events you know ; especially how I parts he departed widely from tradition and had the good fortune to engage Miss Ellen gave entirely new interpretations of the Terry, with whom I had previously played characters. The public divided into two Petruchio to her Katharine at the Queen's fierce parties. Theater, and with whom I have been privi Probably no public man has ever aroused SIR HENRY IRVING. 53 It was more friendship of the warmest kind than he, topic of fervid discussion at dinner parties through his lifelong sympathy with and gen- and in drawing-rooms. It was the one so- erosity toward the members of his profession.cial topic of the time. All the thoughtful He has lent and given away thousands and world was either Irving or anti-Irving, and thousands. Naturally, his friends did not from London the dispute spread into the desert him at this time: they were staunch country. If Irving had been a different man and outspoken ; and they were strongly he would have laughed in his sleeve and reinforced by the large and equally ardent profited by the attention he had aroused. body of those who were simply his admirers. But he always was, and still is, extremely The anti-Irving party was made up of a sensitive to anything of this kind. class of critics, a period of Shakespearian great trial for scholars, and him. It made others who held him work harder with increasing than ever, but bitterness to it annoyed, em- the old school of barrassed, and acting instead harassed him of the new one, to a degree. which, they de- After Macbeth, clared, Irving he put on Othel- was audaciously lo. Othello was trying to force never one of down their his best parts. throats. To It is a type illustrate the of man non- difference : Mac- intellectual, beth had always brawny, and ani- been played in a mal, which is the way that empha- reverse of Iry- sized only one ing's own per- side of the char- sonality. More- acter, the sol- over, because of dier. The psy- the controver- chological side, sies then raging, the elaborate he was very ner- study of the vous on the first mind, of the na- night, and the ture of a man performance who committed was not a good a great crime one. It was a and who was triumph for the haunted by re- anti - Irvingites, morse and the and the fiat went terrors of con SIR HENRY IRVING AS THOMAS A BECKET IN TENNYSON'S DRAMA forth on their science, was BECKET." ” side that as new, and for From a photograph by H. H. Hay-Cameron. Othello Irving daring to bring had failed. One it forward Irving was abused with a harsh- of the great dailies, the second in importance ness and malignity that now seem incredible. in the United Kingdom, published a sweeping, The poetic, metaphysical glamour in which annihilating leader, harsh to a degree, joy- Irving enshrouded the character, the old fully announcing that Irving as a Shake- school would not endure, spearian actor was dead; it hoped that they This clashing of views between the old had seen the last of the presumption of a school and the new began really when Irv- man who was trying to teach his betters, ing first played Hamlet. The production of when it was his duty, so to speak, to sit at Macbeth brought the two parties into bitter their feet and learn. conflict. It at once became the occasion of But after Othello came Richard the Third, a fierce battle in newspaper columns and the which on the first night swept everything be- 66 54 SIR HENRY IRVING. fore it, demolishing the opposition forever. atrical prints which is the finest in England, Irving was as perfectly suited to the sardonic, and a gathering of theatrical souvenirs which incisive Richard, in look and manner, as is noted, represent the gratification of his he had been unsuited to Othello. From the personal tastes. Always hospitable and al- very first speech of the first act the house, ways fond of the society of his friends, he friend and foe alike, were helplessly with has entertained liberally. Always the artist him. He was on his mettle; he felt all his and never the grasping man of business, he power, and he held his auditors in an iron has raised the salaries of actors to their pres- grip. The excitement increased throughout ent high standard and made the salary list the act, the whole packed theater feeling that of the Lyceum, in its way, partly a record Irving had won. The roar began with the of past kindnesses to himself. He founded curtain bell; the house rose and screamed with Toole and Wyndham the Actors’ Asso- itself hoarse with congratulation, and when ciation, and in all directions used his surplus the excited crowd streamed out into the cor- time and energy for the benefit of his art as ridors, arguing and gesticulating, everybody well as himself. knew that the long battle was over, that Concerning the future of the stage and its Irving was supreme, and that London had at social possibilities he has much to say which last placed him at the unquestioned head of is of great value, so great that it merits an- his profession. other place and time. “ The stage will be The later years and later work of the actor- the great teacher of the future,” he says, manager of the Lyceum are familiar to the “but playwrights should remember that to reader; how he has been the mainstay of the teach is not its purpose ; only its privilege. Lyceum Theater for nearly twenty-eight As education advances, the drama must neces- years, reaching during his twenty-one years' sarily become more thoughtful, but it should management a standard never before ob- not become less dramatic. Any philosophical tained by any London manager. This stand- or social theorem may be impressed by it, ard caused a vast and exceptional expendi- but it is only the ebb and flow of strong ture, impossible to have been maintained by human feeling which will make the work any theater in Europe without a handsome acceptable and impressive." subsidy, and it is an open secret that the As you go outward by corridor and pas- large sums of money which Irving has earned sage the famous playhouse seems, as ever, away from the Lyceum have gone back to to have an atmosphere of its own, the im- the theater in the Strand for its mainte- press of a peculiar personality. This may be your own imagination or it may be the With the accumulation of money came no way in which, through so many years, Irving desire to expend it in the usual channels of has molded it in all ways to his will. Histor- ostentation. Sir Henry's late modest home ically it will never be forgotten. More rad- in Grafton Street remained the same for ical and lasting changes affecting the evolu- twenty years, but his surplus capital has tion of the drama have taken place within invariably gone by one way or another into these walls than within any others of this the service of his art. A collection of the- century. nance. Amats Truckith a ki A CHILD'S LETTERS TO HER HUSBAND. BY HELEN WATTERSON MOODY, Author of "The Unquiet Sex," etc. T WENTY years ago and more, a No. 1. motherless little girl found herself shut away for a long My dear Husband : It is very inconvenient summer's lifetime from the not to be acquainted with the person you are books out of which chiefly writing to, especially if it is your husband. arose her occupation by day But I happened to think to-day that I must and her dreams by night. have a husband somewhere that I should She was a solitary and rather know when I grew up, and so as I thought dreary child, who had lived you might like to know about me, I am writ- along in the elderly fashion ing to tell you. My name is Elizabeth. I of those about her, turning was not named for the Virgin Queen (I hope over and over in her active little brain the you know about her), because she died be- problems of mature minds and knowing ab- fore I was born. My father's name is Lind- solutely nothing of the spontaneous and sey, and he is an architect. An architect objective life of the healthfully surrounded is a man that puts architeckture in houses. child. Greek and Roman is the best. Some people It was during the summer of her eleventh have architeckture and don't know it. My year that the letters to her husband were mother is dead. She had only me. If she written, as to a playmate out of sight, in the had lived, she would have had more. I live sheer hunger of her heart for human com- in New York, but I have been sent out to panionship and love. Not many years ago Uncle Bowen's to stay all summer, because they were found, tied up in a package by he has no books that I can read, and because themselves at the bottom of an unused trunk, I read too much and hurt my eyes. He is and a very few of them are now offered here not my real Uncle Bowen, but I call him for the first time to the sight of other eyes that. 'Aunt Cornelia is his daughter. She than her own. is a widow, but she does not look like one. 56 A CHILD'S LETTERS TO HER HUSBAND. Uncle Bowen is a Presbatterian minister. His But I wish I knew your name, so I could books are all about heaven and sermons. He know what to call you, and whether you are is fat and has a red face, and his eyes are a nice boy or not. Do you love fairy stories small and twinkly, and he has the kindest best of all? I do, and that is why I can't spectacles. His head is bald and purple on read any, I suppose. It seems that as soon top, because he always wipes his pen on it. as you like anything, you can't do it because He says he got into the habit of it when he it's wrong. I've often noticed this. I learn had so much hair that the purple ink didn't the chatachism every day, and have got as far show, and now he can't stop because he is as what do we pray for in the fifth petition. used to it, and that is the way it always is But I don't see much use in my learning it, with bad habits. Aunt Cornelia is my fairy because I never hear grown-up people talking godmother, but she don't know it. I do love it together. Do you? I will write again beautiful ladies that speak soft and low, and some time. wear rings on their fingers and little gold Your loving wife, chains around their necks and lace collars ELIZABETH. all the time, don't you? I hate ugly peo- No. 2. ple, and big boys that are clumsy and smell of horses and shuffle their feet. I do hope My dear Husband : I think I ought to know you are not like that, for I shall not love you your name, but as I don't, I shall give you at all, no matter if you are my husband. a name, and that is Prince Cherrival. It is my favorite name. I don't suppose you are a real prince, though I wish you were. I have read a beautiful story about Prince Cherrival. He was a fairy, you know, and there are pictures of him. So if you look like him, I know just how you look. You have long curls, which maybe you don't like, and trousers that look as if you hadn't any on. But there is no help for it if you are a prince. They always wear that kind. Then you have a cape fastened on one shoulder, and a cap with a long feather in it, and you carry your sword in your hand very valliantly, only when you kneel and kiss my hand you must lay your sword at my feet. I wish you were really here, so you could be my fairy prince now. For you must know that this country is enchanted, though it looks like Uncle Bowen's yard. It is surrounded by an enormously high wall with pointed slats on top, and there are very large forests of lilacs and rose-bushes scattered over the face of nature, while two winding paths lead to the enchanted castle that stands in the mid- dle. One path goes to the front door and one to the side door. People come up the front walk when they come to see Uncle Bowen about religion, and up the side one when they just drop in. So you can always tell. There is also a very large willow tree, which is en- chanted. It was once a giant of tremendous stature, who was turned into a tree because he wanted always to be near the grave of his dear princess whom he loved tenderly, and they thought a willow tree would look bet- ter there than any other kind. This is true, because he tells me about it himself, when I climb up the ladder which he has let them put against his breast, and I lean close to PRINCE CHERRIVAL. HELEN WATTERSON MOODY. 57 him to hear, for he whispers softly as he very wicked. I cannot write any more now, drops his long green branches about us. as I have to go to a little girls' meeting at In this enchanted castle Aunt Cornelia is the the chapel, which is not what I would like, beautiful princess. You would know she was but we should all strive to set a good ex- the princess as soon as you looked at her. ample. She has soft yellow hair which hangs in long From your wife, curls, and her eyes are blue, and her cheeks ELIZABETH. are very pink. She has the tiniest slippers. No. 3. I have hunted for the glass one, but I have not found it yet. She cannot be Cinderella, My dear Prince Cherrival: I have been though, for her clothes are always beautiful, very bad. I suppose you will not love me "A BOAT ON A RIVER FULL OF POND-LILIES," like the proud sisters. I love her so that I any more, as Aunt Cornelia says no one loves almost want to cry when she lets me hold bad children. I shall be sorry for this if you her hand and sit close to her. I never loved don't, but of course I shall not mind it so anybody so much, for I never knew any lady much as I would if anybody ever had loved that was so beautiful. She lets me do things me very much. I suppose my papa loves for her, which makes me very happy. I hold me. He pats my hair sometimes, and kisses her curling-stick and brushes, when she does me, and then, oh, I love him so, and I could her hair, and bring her drinks of water, and love him more if he had time to let me. But take her letters to post when it is too warm mostly there is only Martha to love. Martha for her to go out. And sometimes, but not is my nurse, who takes care of me when I often, she lets me wear the gold watch that am in the city. She says she has taken care my Uncle Joshua gave her. From which you of me since I was a little baby, and fed me, will see how good she is. Uncle Bowen is and taught me to walk, and that I ought to the ogre. I tried to make him the fairy be very grateful to her for it. I am. How prince, but he wouldn't act like one, so I sad it would be if I had never learned to had to turn him into an ogre, as that was all walk. But I wish she would not buy me there was left. But he isn't really an ogre, such funny old dresses. Sometimes I act you know, so I have made him a good ogre, very bad when she puts them on me. which you don't often see. Most ogres are stamp and cry because I hate them, they I 58 A CHILD'S LETTERS TO HER HUSBAND. are so ugly. And then Martha always tells is sorry for me. So I said, “ Please, Uncle papa, and he looks so unhappy that I cry Bowen, will you tell me who is punishing me louder than ever, and he says, “I am sure now, God or Aunt Cornelia, because I don't I don't know what to do with her, Martha.” know.” And he laughed a little, but he Martha says any little girl should be glad said very gently and low too, as if he was enough to have such nice, whole, clean afraid Aunt Cornelia would hear him, “My clothes, but I'm not glad at all. I'm mad, dear little girl, I don't think there is much mad, mad. I'm mad now, just writing about God in the stomach-ache, do you ?” And it to you. You will buy me pretty dresses I am sure I would rather think it was Aunt when I am your grown-up wife, won't you ? Cornelia, but oh, I wish she wasn't so pretty, And I am glad now I do not know any other then I wouldn't have to love her so. I was little girls. They would laugh at my crooked, just going to tell Uncle Bowen about that crazy clothes. But I get very lonesome, and when Aunt Cornelia opened the door and I am glad Miss Mead, who comes to our house came in. When she saw Uncle Bowen, she in the city every day to teach me, let me said very crossly, “Father, I must ask you learn to read. Only I read too much and not to interfere with my management of my hurt my eyes, so I can only read my bible niece." But Uncle Bowen looked up at her and chatachism now, and they do not know I oh, so different from the way he usually looks, write letters to you. I wish I knew where and he said with his minister voice,“ Daugh- you are, so I could send them to you. I like ter, this little child has asked me to help her to write to you. And I should love dearly soul find God, and you must leave us alone to get a letter from you. But of course you together.” Aunt Cornelia turned and went cannot write to a wife you do not know. out of the room without saying a word, but her Your loving wife, feet on the stairs sounded worse than swear- ELIZABETH. ing. Then Uncle Bowen gave me some drops No. 4. and went away, but I kissed his hand and cried in the pillow, only the tears didn't hurt me. Dear Prince Cherrival: I did not write to From your wife, you for all this long time, because Aunt Cor- ELIZABETH. nelia and God have been punishing me, and I No. 5. must be very bad indeed, it has taken them so long to get me all punished up. Aunt Dear Husband : Next door to us lives a Cornelia told me not to eat any green apples, very funny lady. Her name is Mrs. Trum- because if I did, I would be sick. So I até bell, and she always calls her husband Trum- some to see if Aunt Cornelia told me the bell without any mister. She has eight truth, because sometimes she doesn't. I children. She has gray and black hair, and suppose you don't always have to tell the looks cross, but she isn't though. I used to truth when you grow up, only when you're be so afraid of her I hid in the lilac bush small and don't always know what the sure when she came to see Aunt Bowen. She is truth is. This is so you can find out. But very tall and thin. One day she came to the Aunt Cornelia did tell me the truth, and I hedge, and called me. I was going to hide in said so to her. For my stomach ached harder he lilac, but she asked me quick if I didn't and harder, till I could not bear it any longer. want some nice, hot griddle-cakes with maple When I told Aunt Bowen, she was very sorry syrup on them, and I said I did. So I went for me and wanted to give me some medi- over there, and she was baking griddle-cakes cine; but Aunt Cornelia sa 1 No, I must go right in the middle of the forenoon for her to bed for being so disobediant, and take my children. I did not know any of them, to punishment without complaining, and that play with them, until then. We sat at the God was very angry with me because I had table, and she baked cakes for us as fast as disobeyed him by eating the apples. But I we could eat them, and she let us put the did not understand why God should punish syrup on them ourselves. I like my syrup me for eating things he never told me not poured on crinkle cronkle, but she said she Besides, Aunt Cornelia was punishing liked hers best in puddles. She makes grid- me anyway. By and by, Uncle Bowen came dle-cakes for us nearly every morning, or into the room when he knew Aunt Cornelia ginger-bread and milk, and we can have all was out in the summer-house, with his pur- we want. She says she thinks children ought ple hair standing up straight. I suppose to eat or sleep most of the time, and she Aunt Cornelia had told him he mustn't in- doesn't let her children have many books to terfere, which he seems to do every time he read, but I think she respects me because I 안 ​THEODORE DE MONTMORRENCY TRUMBELL, MAY 17, 1856." 60 A CHILD'S LETTERS TO HER HUSBAND. have read so many that I hurt my eyes. But belong to us, all the cities, and the houses, then I belong to the minister. She isn't the and the things in them. And the boats on same kind of Christian that we are, though the oceans and rivers, and all the trains of she has to go to Uncle Bowen's church or cars, and the horses and carriages, and all the Episcople, because there isn't any other we would have to do would be to get up in kind in town. She doesn't like the Episco- the morning and choose a place and go there. ple very well, I guess. She says she isn't In England, or India, or the United States much of a kneeler. Her knees are too thin. of America. And in all the streets of the And she always carries cotton wool in her cities would be shops and shops full of all pocket. And when Uncle Bowen begins to manner of beautiful things, with the win- say anything in his sermon that isn't her kind dows full of cakes and candies and fruits, of religion, she says “ Ahem!” very loud, and nuts and ice-cream, which we could go and takes out two large pieces of cotton and in and eat without paying a cent for. So puts them in her ears. This makes every- we shouldn't need to be bothered with money, body smile. I asked her one day which one only the banks would be full of golden sequins, of her children she could spare best, if one if we wanted to go in and get some. And of them had to die, and she looked at me when we were tired or night came, we would very cross for a minute, and then said in a pick out the most beautiful house in a gar- funny voice, “ Humph, I guess I could spare den full of flowers, and with plenty of books, Trumbell as well as any of them.” I think all fairy tales, which my eyes would be well that was funny-don't you?-because she had enough to read; and in there we would go eight children and only one husband. But and sleep in a big soft bed, until another day perhaps she was thinking of marrying again. came, and then there would be another city, The other day old Mrs. Salter asked me, when or a boat on a river full of pond-lilies, and she came here and everybody had gone away, gold and silver fish, and the tide always run- whether I supposed Aunt Cornelia thought of ning swiftly one way, and at night the moon marrying again, and I said, “Yes’m I do.” would always shine as bright as day, because But when she asked me why I supposed so, this would be an enchanted world, and every- I wouldn't tell her. I thought she ought to thing in it would stay just as it was, with know. I didn't see any harm in saying what ice-cream that never melted, and you never I did, but it seems there is harm in saying had to have your nails cut, and nobody was things you think, because Mrs. Salter told more than eleven years. Now it is your turn some people that Aunt Cornelia was going to tell about it next. Please tell soon to to marry the young doctor, for I said so. Your loving wife. And Aunt Cornelia cried, and Aunt Bowen told me how unladylike it was to gossip; but No. 7. Uncle Bowen laughed a little, because I told him that I didn't even know about the doc My dear Husband : It is very hard to be tor and I only said I thought Aunt Cornelia always doing things because you think of was thinking about marrying again because them, and then they are wrong, and you have tadies always did. He asked me how I knew, to be punished. I have been, and this time and I said I knew I should. And so I should, even Uncle Bowen thinks I did wrong. And if you were to die right now or any time. so I must be almost as bad as the -it is a Ladies have to be happy, even if their hus- word I mustn't say, but you know who I mean. bands are dead. And a dead husband isn't But I guess Uncle Bowen thought it was the a nice thing to keep thinking about, so you worst, because it had the bible in it. I will think about another one. tell you about it. There are lots of families Your loving wife, of children in this town, and nearly all of ELIZABETH. them have a brother or sister that is dead, No. 6. and in Heaven, and sometimes two. This is because last year there was a scarlet fever Dear Prince Cherrival : Let us play a fairy eppidemic in this town, and most everybody's story which I have thought up. Play you children died. All but the Trumbells. None were a real prince, but you are of course, of them did, and they are very sorry. Be- and I am a real princess. And pretend all cause when the other boys and girls talk the people in the world were dead. Every about their dead brothers and sisters in single person but just us two. Then, I'll Heaven they have none there to talk about. play that God forgot about us, if you will. So when they told me about it, I showed them Then all the world and everything in it would how to have one. And they got me the big HELEN WATTERSON MOODY. 61 family bible where all the births and deaths had a very great happiness in store for me, are, and I wrote in the births, right under and what do you suppose it was ? A new Mary Trumbell's name, Theodore de Mont- step-mother. He did not call her that, but morrency Trumbell, May 17, 1856. Then in I know what she is, and she need not think the deaths I wrote his name, died January 9, to deceive me. And Martha has written to 1861, aged eight years, seven months, and me to tell me the cruel blow. She says her three days. That was their dead brother, heart bleeds for me, and so does mine. I and when they told about him and the other know what step-mothers are. I have read boys and girls said it wasn't so, they showed too many stories about them. They always them the bible. But when Mrs. Trumbell beat and cruelly ill-treat the dear children found it out, she was very angry with us all, they pretend to love. I shall write and tell and me more than the others, because I was my father so, and he need not expect any- the thinker of it. Of course I was sorry, thing else of his step-wife. He says she and I told her so. But when I shut me up will love me, but he never had a step-mother, in my room and cried, George Trumbell felt and he never read many stories about them. so bad he came under my window and wrote So how can he know ? Martha says she is a bad word on the gravel walk with a stick. sure he is being sadly deceived, and so am I, He had to do it that way, because he had but I think I shall die soon, I could not stand promised his mother he would never, never such abuse. I hope I will, and I will look swear. But he spelled it wrong like this very sad and peaceful, as I lie on my little DALM, and it looked so funny I had to laugh, bed, and when my father and she look at and that made me feel better. Besides it me, and know they have done it, I hope they wasn't really swearing at all. I hope you will feel bad enough to pay them back, and won't swear, because it is very wrong. I their bitter tears will drop on my still, white shall never love you if you do. face, and I will be an angel in Heaven, and Your loving wife, will be glad that I am dead and they are ELIZABETH. sorry. Martha is coming to take me home No. 8. soon, but I would rather die—if I don't die before that. And so perhaps I shall never My dear Husband : Oh, I wish I had you write to you again, but you will know why, now, because my heart is broken with agony and pity me, and think of me sometimes, and and I don't know what to do, except to die, the Trumbells all say that they will, and per- and I am going to try to very hard indeed. haps it won't be so bad after all. But I Yesterday I had a letter from my papa. It know it will. was very loving, but oh, he told me that he From your sorrowful wife for the last time. (6 NOT MANY YEARS AGO THEY WERE FOUND." DECATUR IND TIIE - PHILADELPHIA." BY THE REV. ('YRUS TOWNSEND BRADY, Author of " For Love of Country," " For the Freedom of the Sea," etc. HE most romantic and brilliant the boldest. He had been but five years in figure in the naval annals of the naval service, to which he traditionally our country is Stephen De- belonged, as his father had been a nayal officer catur. Born in 1779, while during the Revolution and his brother and this country was in the other relatives were in the service with him, throes of the Revolution, his when he was sent to Tripoli, at the age of ancestry French and Irish, twenty-four, as one of Preble’s “schoolboy always a brilliant combina- captains.” tion, he early set the pace The frigate “ Philadelphia," thirty-eight, for daring and courage, and one of the best of her class, had been block- consistently kept up to his ading the harbor of Tripoli in the fall of own mark until the end. Most of our other 1803. She was under the command of Will- naval heroes gained their immortality by a iam Bainbridge, an officer of great profes- single fight. Decatur's name is associated, sional skill and high merit, who subsequently during three wars, with a half dozen exploits distinguished himself in the War of 1812, in and encounters of the greatest brilliancy, the old “ Constitution,” by his capture of any one of which would give him eternal the frigate “ Java.” One morning while fame. But the deed which has most endeared chasing a cruiser or blockade-runner hard him to his countrymen and all who love the in shore, the" Philadelphia” ran upon an un- brave is that exploit which Lord Nelson, than known and uncharted reef. Her guns were whom there could be no better judge, called thrown overboard, she was otherwise light- “the most bold and daring act of the age” ened, and every effort was made to force her —the cutting out of the “ Philadelphia.” off; but she finally bilged, and unable in that This occurred in the year 1804, in the war condition to make any resistance, was cap- with the Barbary pirates. tured by a swarm of Tripolitan gunboats. It is to the eternal glory of America that In spite of the efforts which had been made the United States, then a young, weak, strug- by Bainbridge to render the “ Philadelphia" gling country, should have been the first unseaworthy, the Tripolitans, being unham- among civilized powers to put down the pered by any American vessels of war, for frightful depredations of those brutal pirates none were present, succeeded in hauling her with an iron hand. The nascent navy fol- off the rocks, patching her up, and taking lowed Scipio's famous maxim, and carried the her into the harbor of Tripoli , where she war into Africa, prosecuting it there with was anchored under the guns of the pasha's such vigor and success that, when the con- castle. Her guns had been recovered, and flict was over, the ships of our country sailed replaced in her ports. The addition of this the Mediterranean untroubled by these ruth- heavy frigate to the other defences of the less corsairs; while merchant vessels of other place rendered it impossible for the small countries pursued their way before these American squadron to attack with any de- licensed blackmailers in fear and trembling, gree of success. It might be said that the unless protected by ignoble tribute, until our whole war depended, for the present, at any example of resistance was followed. The rate, upon the “ Philadelphia. war not only resulted in the protection of Decatur conceived the idea of cutting her the merchant marine, but it proved the nur- out, and applied to Commodore Preble for sery of the navy as well, and in it were laid the privilege of doing so. The notion seems those foundations of skill and ability which to have occurred to several other officers were so costly to Great Britain and so use- independently about the same time, one of ful to our country in later days. The his- whom was Stewart, and probably to Preble tory of the little war fairly bristles with himself as well; but careful investigation in- glorious achievements, but Decatur's was clines me to believe in the priority of Deca- DECATUR AND THE 63 PHILADELPHIA.” SHE (THE PHILADELPHIA'] FINALLY BILGED, AND UNABLE TO MAKE ANY RESISTANCE, WAS CAP- TURED BY A SWARM OF TRIPOLITAN CUNBOATS." tur's conception. At any rate, his offer was—and the after one the smaller, both car- accepted, and arrangements were at once rying fore and aft sails. She was also pro- made to carry it out. vided with sweeps, or enormous oars, used A little ketch called the “Mastico” had in fair or calm weather. She had been built been captured recently by the “ Enterprise,” by the French, and used as a bomb vessel in at that time under the command of Decatur Egypt, where she was captured by the Eng- himself. She was a vessel of about fifty tons lish at the battle of Aboukir and by them burthen, peculiar to the Mediterranean, with presented to the Tripolitans-a Greek gift, two masts, the forward one set well amid- as it afterward turned out! When she was ships-leaving a long, clear space forward, captured by Decatur, she had just left the upon which bombs were frequently mounted harbor with a lot of female slaves on board, 64 DECATUR AND THE “ PHILADELPHIA.” a present to the Sultan of Turkey. When and the two ships determinedly made for the she returned, she carried quite a different harbor once more, to carry out their aston- crew. She was a small and miserable vessel, ishing purpose. After getting as near as but the best that could be had. she dared for fear of discovering her char- As soon as he had received his orders from acter to the enemy, the “Siren” hove to, Preble, to whose wise planning their success about two miles from the harbor mouth, and was largely due, Decatur mustered his crew the “ Intrepid ” went on alone. Before she on the “Enterprise," explained the hazard- parted from the “Siren," however, Midship- ouz nature of the venture, and called for vol- man Anderson and eight men were sent unteers. Every officer and man at once aboard of her by Stewart to supplement the clamored to be taken. From the “Enter- crew. It had been arranged that the attack prise” Lieutenants James Lawrence, Joseph of the ketch should be supported by the Bainbridge, Jonathan Thorn, Surgeon L. “Siren's” boats; but delay occurring, De- Heerman, and Midshipman Thomas Macdon- catur decided not to wait for them, remark- ough (late of the “ Philadelphia,” and escap- ing to his officers, “ The fewer the number, ng capture through being on detached ser- the greater the honor!” It was still early vice when she was lost), with sixty-two of evening, and with beating hearts the men on the more active men of the crew, were the brig watched the little ketch speed into chosen. To these were added Midshipmen the harbor toward the “ Philadelphia.” Izard, Rowe, Charles Morris, Lewis, and Da The frigate lay swinging to the wind under vis from the Constitution,” and a Sicilian the guns of the pasha's castle and protected pilot named Salvator Catalino. Charles Stew- on every side by land batteries and forts that art, who commanded the war brig“ Siren,” mounted over 115 heavy guns, besides num- and who as Decatur's superior officer was berless smaller pieces, and were manned by nominally in command of the whole expedi- 25,000 soldiers. On either side, reaching tion, though the details and the execution toward the entrance of the harbor like the of the matter were left entirely to Decatur, horns of a wide crescent, were arranged three was ordered to accompany the ketch, now smart cruisers, two large galleys, and nine- renamed (appropriately) the “ Intrepid.” teen gunboats. The group of vessels looked One hour after receiving notice, the like an open mouth, at the back of which was “ Siren " and the “ Intrepid” left Syracuse, the “Philadelphia.” Into these jaws of death Italy, on the 3d of February, 1804, and six Decatur boldly carried the “Intrepid.” The days after, late in the afternoon, appeared breeze being still fresh, though dying, drags off the mouth of the harbor of Tripoli. The composed of buckets, spare spars, and canvas wind was rising, and the sea broke over were cast astern, to diminish the speed of the the bar off the mouth of the harbor with vessel and keep her from coming on too rap- such force that Midshipman Morris and the idly, for any attempt to take in sail would pilot, who had been sent in one of the cut- have excited suspicion. ters to reconnoiter, reported that it would The evening was balmy and pleasant, the be difficult to get in with safety and impos- moon in that tropic land had flooded the sible to get out; so the two vessels reluc- heavens with mystic light, bathing the mina- tantly decided to wait for better weather. rets and towers of the sleeping town upon It came on to blow tremendously almost im- the shores with silver splendor. Lights twin- mediately thereafter, and for six days the kled here and there in the white-walled city, two little boats beat up against an awful and the “Philadelphia” herself was bril- storm. The situation on the ketch was most liantly illuminated by long rows of battle lan- critical. No provision had been made for terns. Her foremast had been cut away in the so extended a stay. There were no places in effort to get her off the reef, her topmasts which the men could adequately shelter them- were housed, and the lower yards lay athwart selves from the fury of the storm; the cap- ship on the bulwarks. The lower rigging tain and three lieutenants occupied the small was set up, however; and as it was afterward cabin, the midshipmen and marines slept upon learned, all her guns were shotted. A heavy a small platform, the sailors on the water and crew, probably 350 men, was on board. provision casks. The salt bacon, their only What must have been the sensations of provision, spoiled, and as the ship was in the men in that little ketch as they glided fested with vermin from her previous oc- along? To what were they going? De- cupants, their situation was as uncomfort- struction-victory-what would be the end able as it was precarious. of it? By Decatur's orders, the men had After six days of labor the gale abated, concealed themselves by lying flat upon the DECATUR AND THE PILOT AFT TO CON THE SHIP, AND AN OLD BATTLE-SCARRED VETERAN AT THE WHEEL." DECATUR AND THE “PHILADELPHIA." 67 resistance, in which upwards of twenty Tri- After a few lusty strokes with the oars, which politans were killed, those remaining on the carried them a little distance away, the men upper deck jumped overboard, where many stopped rowing, and gave three hearty Amer- of them were killed by Anderson and his boat ican cheers. They had waited until success crew or were drowned. Others concealed was achieved, and then, though still in the themselves below to meet a worse fate later. midst of danger, gave tongue to their emo- A similar scene was enacted upon the tions, a significant action ! gun-deck, by Lawrence, Bainbridge, Macdon At the same moment the startled Tripoli- ough, and others, during and following the tans awoke to life. The minutes of stupor with action above. Only the watchword, in the which they had witnessed the attack, hardly darkness and excitement, had prevented sev- comprehending it, gave place to energy. The eral of the Americans from attacking each rolling of the drums upon the shore mingled other. In ten minutes the ship was cap- with the wild shouts and cries of the excited tured. Not an American had been wounded. soldiery. Lights appeared upon the parapets, Decatur would have given half his life to and immediately the roar of a heavy gun, have brought her out, and many naval officers which sent a shell over the ketch, broke the have believed that he could have done so. silence. As if this had been a signal, every It would have been a matter of extreme diffi- battery and every vessel in the harbor awoke culty in face of the dangers, especially as to action, and commenced a furious cannon- there was not a yard crossed nor a sail bent; ade. Solid shot, shells, canister, and grape and as he had received positive orders not to shrieked and screamed in the air about the attempt it, he had to obey. The ketch had devoted “Intrepid," casting up beautiful been filled with combustibles, and they were jets-d'eau upon the surface of the bay, which immediately passed on board. The crew had the flames from the burning “ Philadelphia" been divided into several different parties, rendered as light as day. The Americans hav- and each body of men, under the direction of ing cheered to their hearts' content, bent to an officer, had been carefully instructed just their oars, and speedily fled from the harbor. what was to be done. With remarkable The spectacle they were leaving was one speed and order each little group at once of awe-inspiring magnificence. The frigate, proceeded to its appointed station, and speed- from her long cruise in the tropic latitude, ily arranging the inflammable matter, applied was as dry as paper, and burned like tinder. the torch. So rapidly was this done that those The flames ran up the lofty spars in lambent charged with the duty of starting the fires be- columns, and clustered about the broad tops low were almost cut off from escape by the in rosy capitals of wavering and mysterious flames and smoke from the fire above. beauty. As the fire spread, the guns of her In less than thirty minutes the ship was on battery became heated, and in sullen succes- fire in every direction, and the Americans had sion they poured forth their messengers of regained the ketch. Decatur was the last man death upon the harbor and upon the affrighted to leave the “ Philadelphia.” The bow fast town upon which the starboard broadside and the grapnels on the “ Intrepid ” were at bore. It was a death song and a last salute, once cut, the sweeps manned, and instant for, as the eager watchers gazed in melan- endeavor was made to get clear. For some choly triumph upon the results of their own unaccountable reason, however, the ketch destructive handiwork, with an explosion clung to the frigate. Broad sheets of flame which seemed to rend the heavens and surface came rushing out from the latter's ports and the sky with fire, she blew up. A moment played over the deck of the “Intrepid." of silence supervened; it was broken by the The situation was serious. It was the most roar of the batteries resuming the cannonade. critical moment of the enterprise. All the Strange to say, the “ Intrepid” passed powder on the “Intrepid," in default of a through the fusillade unharmed, one man magazine, was stored upon the deck, cov- being slightly wounded, and a grapeshot ered only by a tarpaulin, over which the passing through a sail. The moon had set, flames were roaring. In another moment and the eager watchers on the Siren they would be blown up. They retained finally lost track of the “Intrepid” in the their presence of mind, however, and soon darkness. Their burning anxiety as to her discovered that the stern fast had not been fate was not relieved until a boat dashed Decatur and others sprang upon avogside, and a manly figure clad in a sailor's the taffrail in the midst of the flames, and rough jacket and grimed with smoke sprang as no axes were at hand, hacked it away with on board, triumphantly announcing their safe their swords. The “Intrepid” was clear. arrival. It was Decatur ! BRIDGE OVER THE USSURI RIVER ON THE RAILROAD RUNNING NORTH FROY VLADIVOSTOK. THE CHINESE EASTERN RAILWAY. RUSSIA'S CONQUEST IN CHINA.-TIIE IMPORTANT AID RENDERED BY AMERICAN TOOLS AND MACHINERY. BY ALEXANDER HUME FORD. w B w w THE FLAG OF THE CHINESE EASTERN RAILWAY, Y= statement; but from observations I my- YELLOW, W = WHITE, B = BLUE, AND R = RED. self made on a journey during the past summer over uncompleted portions of the 公​鐵 ​line, and from information given me by na persons perfectly familiar with the work, I feel that it is more than justified. The Russian Government will then be in easy communication with the whole breadth of the Russian dominion, a reach of nearly 8,000 miles, or more than twice the dis- tance from Boston to San Francisco; and across an empire which ten years ago the most imperative despatches could not traverse in less than half a year, loaded trains will be making the journey in ten days. ITHIN a year at most the great Trans-Si- THE PROGRESS OF THE TRANS-SIBERIAN berian Railway will RAILWAY. have been com- pleted, and trains The Russian Government began to medi- will be running over tate a railroad connecting the western with the entire line from St. Petersburg to Vladi- the eastern boundary as early as 1860, but vostok and Port Arthur on the Pacific. To with so little definiteness that seven years the general public this may seem a bold later, in 1867, it sold Alaska to the United W THE CHINESE EASTERN RAILWAY. 69 States for $7,- 000,000, because it was felt that Russian America must forever re- main too far away. If this sale had not been made, we might to-day be anticipating the carly completion of a Russian rail- road, not to Vladi- vostok, 4,500 miles from our nearest seaport, but to Fort Wran- gell, almost at our own doors on HAULING HEAVY MATERIAL FOR THE CONSTRUCTION OF THE CHINESE EASTERN RAIL- Puget Sound; WAY OUT OF PORT ARTHUR. while England The load is drawn along the rails by a line of coolies pulling by a rope at either side of the would turn her track. The ruins shown on the hill to the right are those of the old Yamen palace, now used as a ever-watchful barracks for the Cossack soldiers. From a photograph by the author. eyes from Russia at the gate of Herat to Russia within a day's tion may be said to have begun on May 30, march of Vancouver. Indeed, nearly thirty 1891, when the present Emperor, then Czaro- years passed before the enterprise took really vitch, on his way around the world visited positive form. The work of actual construc- Vladivostok and drove the first spike. At live RUSSIAN CONVICTS AT WORK CLEARING TIMBER AND BUILDING A RAILROAD EMBANKMENT ON THE NIKOLSKOY SECTION OF THE TRANS-SIBERIAN RAILWAY. 70 THE CHINESE EASTERN RAILWAY. ULUDA THE HARLOR OF VLADIVOSTOK, LOOKING TOWARD THE GOLDEN HORN. first, 1905 was named by the engineers as the barges with construction material for work time of the completion of the road; but up from that end are beginning to arrive at to 1895 the work progressed slowly, and Stretinsk, the head of navigation on the finally it was said that the line could not Amur, and now to be the terminus of the be opened before 1907 at the earliest. Then Trans-Siberian Railway, strictly so called. came the Japanese-Chinese war, and the con- As originally projected, the road was to cessions from China to Russia as a reward have been continued along the Amur, which for the latter's friendliness to China through- is here the boundary line between Russia and out that difficulty, especially the concession of Manchuria, to the Pacific. In fact, it had an outlet for the Trans-Siberian line through been surveyed 1,600 miles from Stretinsk to Manchuria, to the saving of 700 miles of dis- Khabarovka, the terminus of the Ussuri tance over going along the border of that Railroad, running north from Vladivostok and province; and thereupon the work began to already built. But all intention to utilize be prosecuted with a zeal and energy beyond this northern route was abandoned more than anything in all the previous annals of rail- two years ago, when Russia first began to road building. By the beginning of the spring absorb Manchuria. At Stretinsk, govern- of this year (1899) the line had been completed ment steamers take up the journey and ply to Lake Baikal, nearly 4,000 miles from up and down the river during the open sea- St. Petersburg, where immense iron steam son, so that even by next spring, when the barges, similar to the ferry-boats used at railroad will be completed to Stretinsk, St. Detroit, but larger, take the trains across Petersburg will be in direct full communica- the lake, a distance of forty miles. tion by rail and boat with Vladivostok and Work was then commenced on the last sec- the Pacific provinces. In fact, the Trans- tion of the road toward the Amur River. Siberian road is even now considered practi- For one-third of the 600 miles from Lake cally completed, and the $150,000,000 thus Baikal to Stretinsk, on the Amur, tracks are far appropriated to pay the cost of con- already laid; for another third the work is structing it will, in all probability, suffice to well under way, while from the Pacific coast finish the work. THE CHINESE EASTERN RAILIVAY. 71 VLADIVOSTOK, THE RUSSIAN PORT ON THE PACIFIC ORIGINALLY CHOSEN AS THE PRINCIPAL EASTERN TERMINUS OF THE TRANS-SIBERIAN RAILWAY, GOVERNMENT NAVAL DRY DOCK AT VLADIVOSTOK. 72 THE CHINESE EASTERN RAILWAY. BUILDING IRON BARGES AT IMAN FOR TRANSPORTING RAILROAD MATERIAL BY THE USSURI, AMUR, AND SUNGARI RIVERS TO CHULANCHEN, MANCHURIA. rapid construc- tion. In 1896, a year after peace had been declared between China and Japan, Russia entered into a contract with China to build a railroad through the Chinese prov- ince of Man- churia, guaran- teeing that the president of the line should be a Chinaman, and that at the end of eighty years the entire owner- ship of it should pass to the Chi- IMAN IN 1898—THE SITE OF IMAN BEFORE THE RECENT ADVENT OF THE RAILWAY nese Government upon payment. Then, in the spring of 1898, Russia leased Port Arthur and the THE PRESENT CENTER OF INTEREST IN THE FAR EAST. entire Liao-tung peninsula from China, thus securing a Pacific port that is free from ice The center of interest in the Far East now through the entire year, which her own port is not the Trans-Siberian line proper, but of Vladivostok is not. And as soon as Port the Chinese Eastern Railway, that shortened Arthur was acquired, it was decided to make way by which, through the complacency of that the main terminus of the Chinese East- China, the Trans-Siberian line is to find its ern (and consequently of the Trans-Siberian) chief outlet to the Pacific. No railroad has road, instead of ice-bound Vladivostok. had such a remarkable history as this Chi The Chinese Eastern Railway runs through nese Eastern; and no railroad has been built the richest section of all Asia, and covers, under such seemingly insurmountable difficul- like a hand, the whole 400,000 square miles ties. And yet it holds the world's record for of territory comprised in Manchuria. It WAS A COMPLETE WILDERNESS. THE CHINESE EASTERN RAILWAY. 73 begins at Kidalova, in Siberia, fifty-three structed southeastward to Girin; and an- miles east of Chita, where it leaves the other, farther south, is about completed Trans-Siberian road and runs southeast in a southwestward to Newchwang. And the straight line 600 miles to Harbin. There, latter branch-to the final triumph of Rus- 500 miles from Vladivostok, it crosses the sian diplomacy and the perfection of Rus- Sungari River, and what is now really the sian dominance in China-is to be pushed main line turns almost due south, and con- on, when the road will connect with Pekin, tinues on 650 miles to Port Arthur, while the capital of China. A year and a half southeastward from Harbin runs the line, ago the very locations of the various lines or branch, to Vladivostok. From the main of the Chinese Eastern were in doubt; to- line, south of Harbin, a branch will be con- day the road is all but completed. Through BREAKING GROUND FOR THE TRANS-SIBERIAN RAILWAY AT KHABAROVKA, ON THE AMUR. Khabarovka is the terminus of the railway running north from Vladivostok, and is situated at the mouth of the Ussuri River, By the Amur River it connects with the main line of the Trans-Siberian Railway at Stretinsk. 74 THE CHINESE EASTERN RAIL WAY. To finance this undertaking, the expense of which no man's brain could compute beforehand, the Russo-Chinese Bank was organized, with headquarters at St. Peters- burg. It now has branches in every city of the Far East, and honors all requisitions of the rail- way officials for however large a sum. The engineers have orders to build the road, and draw money as it is needed. RUSSIAN REGARD FOR CHINESE SENSIBILITIES. While practically the Chinese Eastern Railway is altogether a Rus- sian enterprise and the final sec- tion of the Trans-Siberian Railway itself, the greatest care is taken to keep the two companies outward- ly, at least, separate and distinct. Thus the docks at Vladivostok, built at enormous cost, were originally the terminus of the Trans-Siberian Railway; but now they have become practically the property of the Chinese Eastern Railway. We have already seen how, under the original compact between China TIS FIRST ENGINE RUN FROM PORT ARTHUR-IT IS AN AMERI- CAN ENGINE. Up beside the headlight stands Mr. Sergey Friede, the American engineer through whose efforts the Russian Government was induced to purchase large quantities of Ameri- can tools and machinery to be used in the construction and equipment of the Chinese Eastern Railway. From a photograph by the author. the great wheat-growing valleys of central and southern Manchuria, the engineers had an easy way prepared for them. From Kidalova to Tsitsikar, how- ever, the country is re- peatedly crossed by rugged mountain chains. But for this inhospitable and al- most insurmountable sec- tion, trains would be run- ning through from St. Petersburg to Port Arthur before next Christmas. AN AMERICAN HAND-CAR IN SERVICE ON THE CHINESE EASTERN RAILWAY. During the summer of 1899, when there were still a good many pieces of unfinished track, the hand-car was the only available means of getting up and down the line. From a photograph by the author. TIE CHINESE EASTERN RAIL WAY. A CONVICT CAMP ON THE TRANS-SIBERIAN RAILWAY. The convicts are about to march to their work under the charge of Cossack guards. Convict labor was used very largely in the construction of the Trans-Siberian line proper ; but it has been used very little, if at all, on the Chinese Eastern. and Russia, the president of the Chinese guard its lines have been compelled to adopt Eastern is always to be a Chinaman. It has a uniform which, like the flag, is part Rus- throughout its own separate officers and sian and part Manchurian, and they are no management. It has a flag of its own, half longer even known as Cossacks, but as the Chinese, half Russian; and the Cossacks who Manchurian Ochana (guards). RUSSIAN CONVICTS AT WORK CONSTRUCTING THE ROAD-BED IN WINTER. 76 THE CHINESE EASTERN RAILWAY. vinced that, if the matter were properly man- aged, a market for American railway machin- ery and materials could be found in eastern Siberia and Manchuria. Being thoroughly conversant with affairs in north- ern Asia, and also familiar with the Russian lan- guage, he de- A GROUP OF MANCHURIAN STONE-CUTTERS. cided to try to The native stone-cutters, when the American steam rock-drills were at work, thought the machines effect such a re- must be operated by evil spirits, and in their terror refused to work beside them and struck. lation in those localities himself. THE INTEREST OF THE UNITED STATES IN In the spring of 1897, therefore, he set out THE CHINESE EASTERN RAILWAY. for Vladivostok. On arriving there, how- ever, he found that the engineers would not The Chinese Eastern Railway has a pecu- listen to what they regarded as his fabulous liar and special interest for America. If it tales of American supremacy in the manu- is building with a rapidity never before ap- facture of tools and machinery, and the chief proached in railroad construction, the fact engineer was off in the wilds of Manchuria, is largely due to American ingenuity, trust- somewhere on the Sungari River. The coun- worthiness, and energy, for the tools, ma- try was at that time unexplored by any chinery, and materials with which the work white man, and engineers were setting out is done are largely of American production; for the Sungari River to find and survey a and the promptitude and skill with which route through Manchuria to the Siberian these have been supplied, despite the great frontier. There were no means of following distance separating the United States and them, so Mr. Friede determined to go to Manchuria, are not the least of the many Newchwang and proceed northward in the wonders that have marked the whole enter- hope of meeting them. On reaching New- prise. Naturally, we did not secure so emi- chwang, he fitted out a cavalcade at his own nent a part in the work without effort on expense, and then set off with his compass our own part; and the story of how our ability to serve them was first brought con- vincingly to the attention of the builders of the line is nothing less than roman- tic. As the Trans- Siberian line drew nearer to the Pa- cific, Mr. Ser- gey Friede, a member of the Engineers' Club of New York City, became con- GROUP OF KOREAN COOLIE WORKMEN. THE CHINESE EASTERN RAILWAY. 777 ST. PETERSBURG R E BOLOGO R S Moscow VIATKA PERM S 1 A N P M E E UFA SAMARA CHELIABISK OMSX MUR KRASNOYARSK LAKEBAIKAL NISHRI UDINSK STRETINSKO CHITA CIRKUTSA TISSOYACA BLACOVESCHENSK HABAROVKA KIDALOVA TSITSIKAR HARBIN NIKOLSKOY CASPIAN SEA CIRIN H I N E SE VLADIVOSTOK E M PIR MUKDEN E NEWCHWANGI PEKIN PORTARTHUR KOREA A MAP OF THE TRANS-SIBERIAN AND CHINESE EASTERN RAILWAYS, SHOWING THE ENTIRE LINE FROM ST. PETERSBURG TO PORT ARTHUR, WHERE THE LINE IS BROKEN, THE CONSTRUCTION IS STILL MORE OR LESS INCOMPLETE. KRASNOVARSK a R S S E P 1 RE LAKE BAIKAL CHITA STRETINSK IRRUTSR NEREINSA ASSOVALA AIGUN KHABARO Novo SURURNAITVI H TSITSIRAR R USSUR! IMAN M N G 0 L HARBIN CHULANCHEN WINCU VLADIVOSTO CIRAN R.R. COMPLETED. 1000. R.R. IN COURSE' or CONSTRUCTION. •••••• ORIGINAL SURVEY ABANDONED UPON THE BUILD- ING OF THE MANCHURIAN R.R. MUKDCN NEWEMWANG KINCHOW SMAN-HAI-KWAN PERIN OURO GENSAN STATUTC MILES WIENTSIN PORT ARTHUR I-NAI WEE CHORUS: and instruments, to cross section of country never before entered by a white man. The greatest and strangest difficulties were encountered. Al- though Mr. Friede car- ried a passport vised by the Viceroy him- self in Pekin, a for- midable-looking docu- ment of brilliant red, fully three feet long, he found the local offi- cials extremely suspi- cious and fearful of him; and often in the villages and towns he came to it was diffi- cult to get accommo- dations for himself and his party Properly speaking, there were no roads, was driving the wagon, and it was soon re- only rude, uncertain trails. As a rule, it covered. was little use to ask for information about In spite of all obstacles and hardships, the the way. Occasionally, if a proper bargain party got through, and one day, at a point was struck, some marvelous adventurer who near the Sungari, a body of Russian engi- had actually traveled twenty miles from neers, intent on their surveying instruments, home would hazard some uncertain direc were astonished at hearing some one call out tions as far as to the next village. In the in excellent Russian, “Is this Engineer Iu- latter part of the journey there arose much gowitch's surveying party ?” They were anxiety regarding highwaymen, who were re- dumfounded at the sight of a stranger, and ported to abound and operate rather boldly a white man, emerging from the forest, and in those parts. And once, when his cash could not believe that Mr. Friede had crossed wagon got away from him, Mr. Friede the country they were about to penetrate. thought he had really fallen into their hands; A friendship was at once struck up, and the but the thief proved to be the man who engineers proved more than willing to listen A MAP OF THE CHINESE EASTERN RAILWAY AND THE CONNECTING PARTS OF THE TRANS-SIBERIAN RAILWAY, 78 THE CHINESE EASTERN RAILWAY. to arguments in favor of machinery and nothing more than watching the drills pick- railway supplies that could reach them in ing away at the rocks, firmly believing that weeks instead of months. Mr. Friede soon they work solely by the power of the white after began his homeward trip, to inform man's “ devil.” American manufacturers that Siberia and To round out the store of our own pros- Manchuria were open to them. perity in this great enterprise, the repre- sentatives sent around the world this past AMERICAN TOOLS INAUGURATE A NEW ERA summer by Chief Engineer Iugowitch to find the best market for material, after spending IN ORIENTAL RAILROAD BUILDING. several months in America, officially reported With the arrival of the first invoice of that of the millions yet to be used to com- American tools a new era began in railway plete the Chinese Eastern Railway, more construction in the Far East. It was found than seventy-five per cent. can be spent to that the American pickaxes, hammers, and the best advantage in the United States. shovels were of better quality than those of Moreover, this last summer a contract for all European make, and were capable of heavier the bridges still to be placed was given to an work. New orders for American material American firm, and they have now crossed on a larger scale were given, and before the the ocean, and are on their way in sections close of navigation in November, 1898, overland to their various destinations in Sibe- American rails, locomotives, hand-cars, and ria and Manchuria. even cross-ties were delivered in central Man From now on most of the material will go churia, while at Vladivostok and Port Arthur to Port Arthur after trans-shipment at Naga- supplies from America were arriving by the saki; but sometimes a whole cargo of tools ship-load. It was realized that America could sails direct from New York, via the Suez not only deliver better goods at a lower Canal. With the approaching completion of price than European countries, but deliver the road, the Russians are encouraging the them in half the time. England, Belgium, establishment of a direct steamship line be- and Germany were practically driven from the tween San Francisco and the ports of Vladi- field in the first round. Orders were placed vostok and Port Arthur, for with the road not only for construction tools and material, completed a rich country of 10,000,000 pop- but for American locomotives and equipment. ulation, to start with, will be brought nearer All winter long belated material was sent our entire Western country than England or from point to point over the ice on sledges, Germany. It is but about 6,000 miles from and early this spring the great final super- Portland to Port Arthur by water, and nearly human effort to complete the road com- twice as far from competing Europe by rail. menced. Now, thoroughly equipped with American tools and every labor-saving de- A RECENT JOURNEY OVER THE NEW ROAD. vice, the advance was rapid; but the Ameri- canizing process caused one difficulty, the When I arrived at Port Arthur in the sum- first of its kind ever known in Siberia or mer of 1899 the first train was just about Manchuria-a strike. Tens of thousands of to run for a short distance on the section coolies were at work along the line of road between that city and Harbin. Everywhere this spring when the American rock drill on the wharves and along the line of the was introduced by Mr. Friede. The Manchus railway were piled mountains of construction dropped their chisels, ceased chipping rock, material, each piece bearing the stamp of and watched the drills thumping away hour some American firm, and on each pile sat after hour, apparently without motive power, cross-legged a Cossack guard, musket in drilling deep into the rock; they saw dyna- hand. He had been there for months past; mite used, a sheet of flame burst forth and he will remain until the last bit of material the rock fly in great fragments-then they is used. struck. Such performances were against all And what changes have taken place in their traditions, and nothing could induce Port Arthur during the few months of Rus- them to return to work. Even the Russian sian occupation! Many Americans are famil- laborers caught the contagion, and joined the iar with Western towns that spring up in a strike. The entire line was locked up and night, as it were; but to see a city of stone inactive for three days. However, the Cos- constructed before your eyes is an unusual sacks did not go out with the strikers, and an sight. All day long an army of coolies, adjustment was finally made, and the coolies thousands strong, marches from over the returned to their labors. Now they enjoy hill made historical by the Japs climbing THE CHINESE EASTERN RAILWAY. 79 over it to enter Port Arthur during the war. touches. In addition to the 20,000 coolies Each half-stripped man carries two small at work building fortifications and filling in open baskets suspended from either end of low ground where massive stone piers are a pole which he bears on his shoulders. Na- being constructed, there is another army of ture has prepared the little rocks with which 20,000 stationed here --Cossacks, encamped the baskets are laden-the hills are literally in the various walled barracks that a year ago composed of them--and they are used to fill were Mandarin palaces. And in the harbor in the low ground behind the breakwaters are a score of warships; and there are always which are being constructed day and night a few hundred sailors ashore for a spree. by this line of two miles of humanity. Each It was in June of this year that I traveled jostling the man in front of him and the one on the first locomotive to turn wheels on the behind, they can be seen marching over the completed section of the Port Arthur branch of the trans-continental railroad. Every- where were great changes. It was an Ameri- can locomotive, as were the rails and cross- ties over wh it ran, while on every piece of construction material lying about was to be seen the trade-mark of some en- terprising Yankee. In the cab, too, with the engineer was the American who had brought this marvel to pass. Mr. Friede was again in Manchuria, an honored passenger on the first train to start from the southern terminus of the longest railroad in the world. We had started out for Chulanchen, orig- inally the central meeting-point of all the trans-continental systems; but upon arrival there we discovered that the city had been abolished several months previously. The extremely low water in the Sungari River last summer a year ago prevented the larger mountain eternally. In the crevasses of steamers from making their way to Chulan- these hills, made by summer rain, these chen. So the engineers decided to take the coolies are also building their villages-of city to the steamboats; and machine-shops, either flint rocks, picked up everywhere, or round-houses, offices, banks, and residences sun-dried mud bricks of native manufacture. were moved thirty miles down the river to The square, one-storied houses rise up on the deep water, and the new location christened sides of the ravines in terraces, the roof of Harbin. It is not to be found on any printed one serving as the veranda of the one above, map, yet Harbin is destined to become the or as the roadway for a village street. And Chicago of northern Asia. Already it is a in all this mass of humanity a woman's face city of magnificent offices and dwellings, to is never seen. Even in the homes of the say nothing of broad avenues lit by electri- officials of the railway the sight of a woman's city by night, and patrolled during the day face is rare; indeed, so rare that among all by American steam rollers, crushing rock and the 20,000 workers and as many soldiers in building asphalted roads. A Yankee-im- Port Arthur, it is doubtful if there are two- ported ice plant is now being erected, and score women. everywhere about the railroad is seen the evi- Everything gives first place to commercial dence of American commercial supremacy. progress: there is not a temple of any kind The trip down the Sungari and Amur rivers in the city; the Chinese joss houses have again revealed the wonderful revolutionizing been turned into offices for the employees of methods of Russia's mighty hand. Two the Chinese Eastern Railway and the Russo- years ago the trip was possible only by Chi- Chinese Bank; and the pretty little Greek nese junks, and weeks were consumed, while church, lately built, stood dull and unlighted now palace steamers run regularly for nearly during the gay Eastertide (the first Easter- 2,000 miles to Khabarovka, where direct rail- tide, by the way, ever celebrated in this road communication with Vladivostok is main- thousand-year-old town), because the engi- tained the year round. At Nikolskoy, sixty neer could not spare any of his 20,000 work- miles north of Vladivostok, where the Chinese men from the railroad, to put on the finishing Eastern Railroad to Harbin makes connec- MR. SERGEY FRIEDE. 80 THE KING. tion, a sleeping village has suddenly grown a population that may yet redeem her with- into a town, and this summer it was officially ered hopes. Šo near is the completion of advanced to the station of “city” with full the railroad that connects her with Europe, privileges. that rates for passenger travel have already The word Vladivostok signifies in Russian been established. They will be extremely “The Glad Far East,” but, alas! I found that low-$102 from St. Petersburg to the Pacific, its glory had departed. Three years ago first-class fare, with third-class fare much the government at St. Petersburg was ap- , less. At present the fare by rail and camel, propriating millions upon millions for the or troika,, is advertised as $160 for the improvement of the port. A granite pier entire distance from ocean to ocean. One nearly a mile long was constructed. Im- of the possibilities of the closing days of the mense floating dry-docks have just been com- Paris Exposition next year is a half-Cossack, pleted at an enormous outlay; and last winter half-gendarme guard, who will call out at colossal ice-breakers kept a channel to the the railway station, “ This way for trains port free from ice, so that Vladivostok for from Paris to Port Arthur”-a distance bor- the first time in her history was not shut off dering on 10,000 miles, through France, from the outside world during the coldest Germany, across European Russia via Mos- months. Speculations in real estate reached cow and the road now building to l'erm, fever heat. Then came the acquisition of where the great trans-Siberian road may be Port Arthur, and in a twinkling, officially, said to really commence. One change of Vladivostok was deserted. Side-tracked, cars would probably be necessary, for the she became a secondary port, a mere mili- Russian and trans-Siberian roads have a tary outpost. The fleet sailed away to oc- gauge of five feet, which is, with one excep- cupy Port Arthur, the railway offices were tion, the widest in the world. But for this, removed to Chulanchen, and are now located it will be a ride straight through-and a ride at Harbin. The supremacy of Vladivostok of what novelty and wonder in landscape and has vanished, but around her is springing up products and people! THE KING. By RUDYARD KIPLING, Author of "The Seven Seas," "Stalky & Co.," etc. first among ALL we have of freedom-all we use or know- This our fathers bought for us, long and long ago; Ancient Right unnoticed as the breath we draw- Leave to live by no man's leave, underneath the Law. Lance and torch and tumult, steel and gray-goose wing Wrenched it, inch and ell and all, slowly from the King; Till our fathers 'stablished, after bloody years, How our King is one with us, his peers. So they bought us freedom-not at little cost- Wherefore must we watch the King, lest our gain be lost. Over all things certain, this is sure indeed, Suffer not the old King: for we know the breed! Give no ear to bondsmen bidding us endure, Whining, “He is weak and far:" crying, “ Time shall cure." (Time himself is witness, till the battle joins Deeper strikes the rottenness in the people's loins.) Give no heed to bondsmen masking war with peace. Suffer not the old King here or overseas; They that beg us barter-wait his yielding mood Pledge the years we hold in trust-pawn our brother's blood. MONSIEUR BIBI'S BOOM-BOOM. 81 Howso' great their clamor, whatso’er their claim, Suffer not the old King under any name! Here is naught unproven-here is naught to learn. It is written what shall fall, if the King return. He shall mark our goings; question whence we came; Set his guards about us, all in Freedom's name. He shall take his tribute, toll of all our ware. He shall change our gold for arms-arms we may not bear. He shall break his Judges, if they cross his word: He shall rule above the Law, calling on the Lord. He shall heed our whispers, for the night shall bring Watchers 'neath our window lest we mock the King. Hate and all division; hosts of hurrying spies; Money poured in secret, carrion-breeding flies. Strangers of his council, hirelings of his pay, These shall deal our Justice: sell-deny-delay. We shall drink dishonor, we shall eat abuse For the Land we look to-for the Tongue we use. We shall take our station, dirt beneath his feet, While his hired captains jeer us in the street. Cruel in the shadow, crafty in the sun, Far beyond his borders shall his teaching run. Sloven, sullen, savage, secret, uncontrolled- Laying on a new land evil of the old ; Long-forgotten bondage, dwarfing heart and brain- All our fathers died to loose he shall bind again. Here is nought at venture, random nor untrue Swings the wheel full-circle, brims the cup anew. Here is nought unproven, here is nothing hid: Step for step and word for word-so the old Kings did ! Step by step and word by word : who is ruled may read. Suffer not the old Kings—for we know the breed AŬ the right they promise-all the wrong they bring. Stewards of the Judgment, suffer not this King ! Copyright, 1899, by Rudyard Kipling. MONSIEUR BIBI'S BOOM-BOOM. By H. J. W. DAM. 團 ​I HE sun burned hot on the Chan- broad, short, and very stout Alsatian, nel. It was a warm morning with a big, waxed mustache like the third in June. The yachts at an- Napoleon's, and large, projecting, melan- chor off St. Milicent's-on- choly eyes like a pug dog's. He was im- Sea were like snowy carvings maculately dressed in a black frock coat, an set in green and dancing dia- expansive white waistcoat which increased monds. his abdominal rotundity, and a Piccadilly Monsieur Bibi stepped from the perfect scarf with a diamond pin. He wore other dining-room of his perfect new hotel upon things too, of course; but these do not the cool green lawn, where the breakfast matter. tables were set under the blue and white He frowned at a fly which had placed it- striped awning. Monsieur Bibi was a self on a menu without the cook's order. 82 MONSIEUR BIBI'S BOOM-BOOM. The fly flew. Monsieur Bibi pounced upon a able to take care of herself under any and breakfast roll which had not been properly all circumstances, and her decision of char- browned on top, and gave it to a waiter. acter showed even in such trifles as opening He seized the waiter's white necktie, which and shutting her purse, ordering her break- was a sixteenth of an inch off the center, fast, and nodding in acknowledgment of and centered it. “ Eh? Vot I pay you for? Monsieur Bibi's salutation. Eh?” said he, rebuking. “De manager of de Queen's Crescent Then Monsieur Bibi, alone, sighed heavily, Hotel in London writes me dat she is a a deep-drawn, fat man's sigh. He had sunk “'owling swell-incognita,'” he whispered. all his fortune in this perfect hotel, which “Russian," he added, under his breath. had just been opened. His running expenses It shortly appeared, in fact, that “the were very heavy, and the public did not lady of the ground-floor right” was a very come. It had been open for a week, had great mystery indeed. She wrote and re- been well advertised, and there were only ceived no letters, and saw no one but her three guests. Ruin stared him in the face. maid; but she sent and received telegrams He came sadly over to our table. in sheaves. They kept the porters and wait- “Vot I need is a great advertisement, a ers constantly on the run. Monsieur Bibi's sensation, a boom-boom. Dat is de Ameri- curiosity was great, but it was baffled. A can word, is it not?” few of the telegrams were in French and in We explained that the word “boom” in cipher; the rest in Russian. Monsieur Bibi, America, being highly valued, was used only to relieve his mind, gave us periodical bul- once at a time. letins concerning her. “Truly!” said he. “I ’ave 'ad de idea “Wot you t’ink?” he said. She wants dat it was 'boom-boom,' from de big drum.” to drive, and will drive noting but a coach Then he sighed again, and looked sadly out and four. And didn't she drive dem! Mon to sea. We were sorry for him, for Mon- Dieu !” sieur Bibi, though a genius at making out a The next day it was: “Vot you t’ink? bill, was a man of feelings and a cook of She tells me to order her a private mass at eminence, which means an artist of soul. de Catholic church, and pays a hundred And at that exact moment Monsieur Bibi's pounds. Mon Dieu! I vould have got it up boom-boom stepped out through the French in de hotel for half.” windows of the dining-room, and sat down On Friday morning, when the London pa- at her table under the awning. She was pers arrived, Monsieur Bibi's close-cut, coarse destined to give him an enormous advertise- black hair stood straight on end with amaze- ment, focus the eyes of all the fashionable ment. He read in the “Telegraph”: world on his hotel, and bring warships, of- ficials, and diplomatists galore to St. Mili- SENSATION IN ST. PETERSBURG. cent's. But Monsieur Bibi did not know this. So he merely bowed profoundly to the caused in the court circle ten days ago by the sudden It has just leaked out that a great sensation was lady-his hand upon his heart and a look of and mysterious disappearance of Princess Wanda Sou- professional admiration in his pug-dog eyes varoff. This beautiful girl, a reigning belle, was be- -and majestically summoned her waiter. trothed to the Grand Duke Stanislas, who is some Though registered at the hotel as Mrs. twenty-three years her senior. The marriage was ar- Craven of Paris,” she looked like an unmar- miral Prince Souvaroff, and is specially favored by ranged, it is said, on political lines, by her father, Ad- ried girl of twenty. She was tall, slender, the Czar, who will make Admiral Souvaroff the head of and well formed, with wonderful Titian red the Marine. At the ball given by the Grand Duke in hair, parted on the left side. This, with honor of the betrothal, Princess Wanda disappeared, leaving absolutely no trace of her whereabouts. Report her large black eyes, gave her a strange and has it that a love story is behind the mystery, and this fascinating personality. She was simply gains currency from the fact that a handsome young dressed in a white serge skirt and pale blue Polish officer, a captain in the Imperial Guard, has ob- silk blouse. Her belt was of white satin, tained leave of absence, and has also disappeared. His and was fastened by a large buckle of what name is Ladislas Borowski, and his family is the richest in Poland. seemed at first sight to be imitation dia- monds. An errant sunbeam caught them, “Holy Saint Dominique,” gasped Mon- however, and the sparkling flash revealed sieur Bibi. “ It is de Princesse Wanda. that they were real stones, and very costly. My boom-boom was under my nose, and I The most singular thing about her, however, did not smell it." was her manner. This was cool, careless, As he stood there transfigured, the lady and imperial. She seemed to be perfectly of the ground-floor right walked out to MONSIEUR BIBI'S BOOM-BOOM. 83 -« Heaven him. Monsieur,” she said, “I leave by love with a woman on a steamer. But La- the Celt’to-morrow for South Africa. You dislas was handsome, and the woman on the will have a special steamer to take me to steamer is not critical as a rule. Southampton ready at the pier at ten o'clock As the “Swift” approached the jetty to-morrow morning.” their two faces were a study. Their eyes Monsieur Bibi's heart turned cold. His were full of love, joy, and tears. He sprang great opportunity had come only to vanish over the rail, seized the princess, and kissed like a mocking will-o'-the-wisp. He said her passionately, cheeks, eyes, and mouth. faintly, “ Oui, madame.” She went away, Tell it not in Gath, but she threw her arms and he staggered to a garden chair, and around his neck and kissed him no less. mopped his bald-topped brow with a red-fig- These Russians love, in some respects, as ured silk handkerchief. people ought to love, and high-born St. “Angelic Saint Dominique! It is too ex- Petersburg girls are generally held to be ceedingly cruel. It is anguishing.” But in- more impulsive than logical. stead of weeping, his face soon set itself in “Lofe rules de court, de camp, de grove,” firm determination. He rose like the great said Monsieur Bibi, with happy eyes and ra- man that he was to the strategic demand. diant face. “ De boom-boom is beginning. Fifteen minutes later he was in the cabin of He shall have fifteen, sixteen, and bath." a long, narrow, black excursion steamer, The meeting was really touching. Prin- the “Swift.” He was saying excitedly to cess Wanda, somewhat calmer, laughed, the captain, “ You onderstand? I pay you cried, and laughed by turns. She was ra- twenty-five pounds to Southampton. Dat is diantly happy. The young man was pale de agreement. Bot I pay you feefty pounds with joy. if you miss de liner. Dat is between you “ How beautiful is de outpouring of pure an' me.” first lofe,” said Monsieur Bibi. “ You are the one to give the orders,” bless dem! Dey must vait two veeks more, said the captain. fifty guineas per each." You can crack you cylinder-head, snap The lovers sat hand in hand on deck all you crank-shaft, bust you b’iler; I don't the way back to St. Milicent's. When they care wot you do, bot don't catch de liner,” arrived there, Monsieur Bibi filled fifteen, said Monsieur Bibi wildly. sixteen, and bath, his largest and most ex- “I won't,” said the captain. He thought pensive rooms. She whispered that the Monsieur Bibi was mad, but the bank-notes rooms must be dressed with fresh flowers were perfectly sane. daily, like hers. At half-past one next day, when the ' How exquisite is de floral symbolism off “Swift," bearing the princess, her lug- our highest and tenderest feelings! Von gage, and Bibi, ran into Southampton, the guinea per room per daily,” said Monsieur « Celt” was represented by a faded track Bibi. No flowers were too good for Ladislas. of foam upon the waters and a column of But now it appeared that the nesting doves smoke on the horizon. A tall, dark, hand- were in a terrible plight. They could not some young man sat, dejected, on the jetty. get married. A registrar's license required Monsieur Bibi was the first to see him. a two weeks' residence. A special license “Ah!” said he in beatific calm, “my they could not obtain, not being members of boom-boom has not departed. It is proba- the English Church. The Greek Church au- blement de pride of de Borowskis.” thorities in London had refused all Wanda's Princess Wanda, who was in a state of petitions to marry her and Ladislas because blank despair over missing the steamer, gave they suspected something wrong, and Wanda a scream of joy on seeing her lover. She dared not reveal herself. Monsieur Bibi, sprang to her feet, her eyes dilated and her consulted, gave his best opinion as in favor face radiant. “Ladislas, Ladislas," she of two weeks' residence and marriage by cried. Ladislas did not answer, because he registrar. was several hundred yards away, and did not * But we shall be found, arrested, sepa- hear her. She waved her sun-shade wildly, rated," said Wanda. and called his name again. Then love or “ An Englishman's 'ouse is my castle, sound or the swift-flying steamer impressed said Monsieur Bibi. “Dis house is licensed him, and he saw. He sprang to his feet, to me for dancing, music, and honeymoons. cried out something in unintelligible joy, and I am efen a job master," he added proudly. waved a brown bag frantically. There is This was not very clear, but it gave Wanda nothing so ridiculous as a man on a wharf in some courage. They concluded to wait. 84 MONSIEUR BIBI'S BOOM-BOOM. The next day, a tall, stalwart, jolly-look “ An ambassador. Heavens! My poor hotel ing fellow, in a brown wideawake hat and will be honored,” he said. He chuckled, tweeds, arrived. He had a curling black rubbed his waistcoat, then sang an opera mustache and a pink necktie, and spoke phrase in a spasm of joy. “My hotel will Berlin German. Monsieur Bibi's experienced be famous !” Then he commenced to caper eyes examined him. and bob about the room in an inconceivable “ He is a Russian spy,” he said. On manner. He could not contain himself. He de track of de lofers. Votever I charge him, was dancing a breakdown. Eugene, the he will charge de bureau double." head waiter, came in, and stared curiously “I want a room,” said the man. at him like a scientist upon seeing a familiar • De Russian secret service is de admira- bug in a new and strange aspect. tion of de vorld,” said Monsieur Bibi. “De “Go vay,” said Monsieur Bibi. “I am baby boom-boom has begun to take its nour- under de storm and stress of strong emo- ishment. He shall have sixty-one, sixty-two, tion.” Eugene went. and bath.” “De Russian Ambassador shall have de The spy knew his business. He shadowed whole top floor left, completely enclosed, vit the lovers, and set the wires humming to fine view of de sea. If he don't sleep vit his London and St. Petersburg. wife, vich isn't likely, she shall have de Monsieur Bibi knew his business. He was whole top floor right, completely enclosed, also a man of gallant sentiments. He went vit fine view of de sea!” to the lovers. He found them sitting in the They came. The Russian Ambassador was soft calm of the June twilight, drinking in a grave man with gray side-whiskers. His the beauty of the night and the exquisite wife was a handsome, majestic woman, per- presence of each other. fectly dressed. They saw Wanda. They de- There were tears in his sad, puggy eyes. clined to see Ladislas. There were more “ The gracious lady will pardon me, but you consultations. should be warned.” These went on from day to night. Love “ Warned?" and political ambition were at deadly odds. “It is a Russian spy; sixty-one, sixty- Wanda had insulted the Grand Duke, an- two, and bath,” he added mechanically. gered the Czar, injured her father, and made A spy here? In this hotel?” things very unpleasant for her uncle the “ Pardon me. Your story is known. It Ambassador. But Wanda was immovable. is even in de English newspapers. Dey She would marry Ladislas or nobody. She print not’ing until everybody knows it. It hated the Grand Duke's teeth. She also is de custom of de country.” hated the Grand Duke. She would run away “Good heavens! Help us! What shall again, and never marry anybody as long as we do?” she lived if Ladislas went with her. “ You vant a solicitor. De best in Lon The lovers were now separated. Ladislas don, vit his clerk." roamed the corridors gnawing his mustache “ Then get them. Quick. Telegraph.” in fear and gloom. Their fever vented itself He did so. “Poor babies!” said he. in ardent epistles and heavy bribes. Mon- “ It shall never be said dat lovers have not sieur Bibi was postmaster. Both his heart a friend in Bibi. De solicitor shall have and his pocket were full. forty-two, forty-three, and bath. His clerk “I vould really like to be Postmaster shall have forty-four, forty-five, and bath. Cheneral and make all de stamps myself," Solicitors' clerks don't take baths, but he said he. “Vouldn't I make pretty ones,' might risk it down here if it was all paid he added, winking at the lift. for." The time was now ripe, and as it could do The solicitor and his clerk arrived that no harm, Monsieur Bibi told the newspa- evening. They went to Wanda's sitting- Pers. They used their blackest type, and room, and talked long and earnestly. Finally sighed for American headlines. “ The Miss- Wanda came out excitedly. ing Russian Princess at the Hotel Savarin, “I want the Russian Ambassador. He is St. Milicent's," was Monsieur Bibi's stipu- lation. This was faithfully fulfilled. It ap- Monsieur Bibi bowed, and ordered the Rus- peared in all. The public now found the sian Ambassador by telegraph as calmly as hotel, and began to come. The correspond- if he had been serving Russian Ambassador ents came first. au vin blanc on the carte du jour. Then he “ Information only to dose who gtop here," went to his office, intoxicated with delight. said Bibi. my uncle.' MONSIEUR BIBI'S BOOM-BOOM. 85 The “ Telegraph, "“Morning Post," and Monsieur Bibi appeared. “Daily Mail” concluded to stop. The officer wanted information. “ De. English press is an honor to de “I haf no information." vorld. No oder correspondents spend half “ It will be paid for.” so much money. Twenty-one and bath, “I take no pay. All I know is at de ser- twenty-two and bath, twenty-three and bath vice of my guests. and a private table," was the order. “Give me a room," said the officer. Things now remained at a standstill for “De intelligence of dese young foreign four-and-twenty entire hours. Something officers is wonderful; England should take then happened, however, which completely warning; thirty-seven, thirty-eight, and changed the face of the situation. It was bath,” said Bibi. ten o'clock in the morning. Monsieur Bibi “Now," said the officer, “the Admiral was in his office. “Boom,” went a heavy wants to see you." gun from the fort at the mouth of the har “I am here," said Bibi. bor. “You must come on board." “ Boom, boom,” went two more heavy “ Pardon! Have pity,” said Bibi. His guns in succession. sad eyes threatened to fall upon his cheek. Condemn dose target missers,” said Bibi. “De sea makes me ill; so ill; it is incredi- “ Dey'll break all my vindows.”' He went ble. I nefer make bot von voyage. It was to the window, and saw something start- across de Channel. I shall nevaire make an- ling. oder. I shall never see my native France Boom, boom, boom,” went the guns. again." The fort was wrapped in a cloud of white “ But the Admiral wants to see you." smoke, through which flashed periodical “I am here, I am not going away. It is an flashes of lightning, while thundering guns excellent hotel. My second cook is a Russian. woke all the echoes of the bay. I stake my family honor on his cromeskis." A tremendous, magnificent white battle “ I will tell the Admiral," said the officer. ship, with foreign lines, was entering the “I am a father myself. I feel for him. harbor. She was flying a foreign flag, an He shall have fifty-five, fifty-six, fifty-seven, admiral's pennant, and another signal which and fifty-eight, meals in his apartments,' was peculiar. said Bibi. “ Monsieur Bibi! Save me,” cried Wan “ The Grand Duke is with him." da, running into the office. “ Vich Grand Duke?” “ Save you? Vit my own life! Who is “ Stanislas.” de peril?” screamed Bibi. “ Vat? De oder lofer? He has come "My father. They are saluting his ship." too? Vive la Russe! De divine right of “Vot? Dat ship stops here?” kings shall be respected. De Royal Suite!” “ Yes!" he shouted. “ Ready at vonce! Fill de ' A Russian battleship in front off my sideboard vit champagne. Fill everyting hotel? Holy Saint Dominique!” He sprang vit champagne.” to his desk, pounced like a tiger on a tele The Admiral and the Grand Duke came graph form, and wrote quickly. Then he ashore in a launch. Both were in uniform. rang the electric bell continuously. “At The Admiral was a short, stout man, with vonce,” he said. “Don't lose a moments.” an eagle eye and an eagle nose. He went “What have you done?” said Wanda. straight into the hotel, stopped at the office, novice? Do I know not’ing of and said: “Mrs. Craven of Paris.” my business? Russian officers ? Should I “What name, please?” not order the two hundred dozen of cham “ Admiral Souvaroff.” pagne?” asked he. “Ah! I forgot. I He was shown to Princess Wanda's sit- beg deeply your highness's pardon. You ting-room. It was empty. In a moment shall be saved, mademoiselle. On the honor she entered, very elegantly dressed, very of Bibi." haughty and very cold. They looked at each Grandly, majestically, and enormously the other without speaking; the father bursting great battleship“ Holoet,” the finest vessel with rage, the daughter keen-witted and de- in the Russian navy, steamed to her position fiant. like a floating fort, and came to anchor. Princess Wanda had much strength of A boat put off, an officer landed at the character, but she was also very soft of pier, and came to the hotel. heart just then and very deeply in love. If “I wish to see the manager.” Souvaroff had approached her in tenderness, “ Am I 86 MONSIEUR BIBI'S BOOM-BOOM. " Now.” something might have been done. But he Her father was unapproachable in his rage. did not. He was an iron man, accustomed The Grand Duke drank ducally. At intervals to instant obedience. He had owned serfs. he would go upstairs and kick the spy. “So you, my daughter, are here with this Most frantic of all was Ladislas. Wanda scoundrel?" had left him no message. The sight of the She said nothing. She looked at him Grand Duke made him furious, and he took steadily. sundry draughts of brandy, which made him “ You are going on board my ship.” more so. Finally, about four in the after- “ Can you take me?” noon, he went out on the lawn and took a “Yes. The English authorities will as- seat at the table next to the Grand Duke's. sist.” Every table was occupied by Russian officers. “Very well. When do I go?” The champagne corks popped like volunteer shooting in a sham battle. All the officers “ Toni,' ” she said, calling to her maid, pricked up their ears awaiting the scene. “pack my luggage.' Monsieur Bibi knew that the sparks would The Admiral sat down fuming. Princess fly, and they did. The two men glared at Wanda went into the room adjoining to as- each other. sist the maid. Gimme a bott tchampagne,” snapped The packing took some time. He grew the Grand Duke. more and more impatient. Finally, after “Gimme a bott tchampagne," said Ladis- twenty minutes, he walked into the room las, undaunted. The Grand Duke poured angrily. The maid was still packing. out a full glass and rose to throw it in the “ Where is your mistress?” face of his rival. He stumbled, however, “I don't know." and spilt it on the equerry. He began to “ What!” pour out another. As a matter of fact nobody knew. “ Do you dare?” cried Ladislas. The Russian navy nearly lost a highly es “ Fool,” said the Grand Duke contemptu- teemed officer. Admiral Souvaroff was so ously. This is translating very freely. angry that he nearly blew up. The one thing They spoke Russian. missing in the human machine is a safety “ You are my superior officer.” valve. To some men it would be worth a “I waive that.” million. “ You are a prince of the blood royal.” The Grand Duke was a big, lumbering “I waive that." giant, who showed all his teeth when he “Then we fight,” hissed Ladislas, hotly. talked. He had a clean-shaven chin, a dark At five to-morrow morning. Gimme a mustache, and very bushy side-whiskers. bott tchampagne.” Left by the Admiral in the hotel garden, he Ladislas went to his room, and locked the sat down with his equerry at one of the door. He walked to and fro in misery, tables on the lawn. thinking of Wanda, trying to imagine where “Gimme a bott tchampagne,” he growled. she was, and vainly hoping for a message. This was at half-past eleven. There came a knock at the door. “Gimme a bott tchampagne,” he re “Who is it?" peated. This at ten minutes to twelve. “ Bibi.” “Gimme a bott tchampagne," he snarled. Ladislas opened. This at ten past the hour. “Dere is a telegram coming for you, but “He vould make a good clock," said you must not get it. You must go away.' Monsieur Bibi. “He don't know much Eng “I cannot; I have to fight a duel.” lish, bot vot he knows is useful." “Fight all de duels you please, but don't he said to the head waiter: “Take six cases get dat telegram. of champagne to de second floor service. “I will not go.” And hereafter don't close de cellar at night Not for the Princess?” till de ship goes avay. “ What? You know where she is?” Wanda had disappeared for the second Monsieur Bibi winked his left pug-dog eye. time. Not a trace of her destination could It was convincing. Ladislas went. be found. It was learned that she had gone out by the side door, and had walked alone The Admiral and the Ambassador had put to the railway station carrying only a small their heads together and hit upon the right dressing-bag. She took a single ticket for thing to do. They telegraphed the Minister Dover. Everybody was aghast. of War at St. Petersburg to stop Ladislas's Then MONSIEUR BIBI'S BOOM-BOOM. 87 leave and order his immediate return. He pulled himself together. He looked curi- must obey instantly or be court-martialed ously up in the air. for desertion. At six o'clock that evening “Vat you shooting at?" the answering telegram arrived. It was Ladislas had confused him. He thought sent to his room. He had gone out. Where for the moment that it was a shooting party. was he? He could not be found. The tele “I cannot shoot at you.' gram was laid on the porter's desk in the But I can shoot at you.” hall. The Admiral and the Ambassador That is your right. posted themselves in the smoking-room. Say you vill not marry Wanda." Every few moments one of them would steal “I will not." out and peer over the bannisters at the tele “Oh! You vill not marry Wanda. Den gram lying on the center of the desk. They I don't shoot." were to be the proof of its receipt in per “I will marry Wanda." son. Then the watcher would steal back to “ Vot you mean? You vill and you vill his companion and say, “Not yet,” and they not. Foolishness.' would each drink a liqueur glass of vodka. “ You don't understand. You said to They stole out several times. It was always me: 'Say you will not marry Wanda.' still there. So was the fresh glass of vodka said ‘I will not.' That is to say, I said I on the return to the room. will not say so. Then you thought I meant “If dey wait till he gets dat telegram," yes, consenting to your desire. On the con- said Monsieur Bibi,“ dey vill be under my trary, however, whether I live or die- smoking-room sofa." Bibi had seen the He stopped. The Grand Duke, lulled by direction of their telegram: “To the Minis- the sequence of sibilant verbs, was falling ter of War.” He said to the waiter: "Dat sound asleep and swaying to and fro. His is very special vodka, made by Mister Vodka pistol was still cocked, and pointed directly himself, vit his own fair hands. Charge at the right toe of a prince of the blood half a crown a glass.' royal. Clearly this could not go on. Ladislas did not fail to keep his appoint "Time," said the “Morning Post." ment next morning. The equerry went to His Highness, and The duel was fought at five, in a secluded took away the pistol. “Gimme a bott tcham- field, filled with young wheat and red pop- pagne," "murmured His Highness feebly, and pies, about ten minutes' walk from the hotel. then, leaning on the equerry, fell sound Ladislas was pale and resolute. The Grand asleep. Duke was imperially drunk. He could not The party separated. have hit a tram-car, sitting, at five paces. The Grand Duke slept all day. He dined Monsieur Bibi had marshaled the corre- with the Admiral and the Ambassador. It spondents in a column of fours. He was im- was nine o'clock in the evening. maculately dressed in black, with black tie. The spy came tearing down the road from He had once been cook to a duelist. The the pier at full speed. “Come! Quick! I men were placed at thirty-one yards rise. have found them.' This was the suggestion of the “Daily Tele They rose, and followed him rapidly. The graph," who gravely said that was the rule Grand Duke and the spy took long, rapid in England! The seconds were the equerry strides, the Ambassador trotted, and the Ad- and a Russian officer. The wavering and miral, whose legs were shortest, had to eccentric motion of the Grand Duke's arm canter. The spy led them for a short dis- after he got his pistol cocked was calculated tance out upon the pier. See,” he said, to make onlookers nervous. Monsieur Bibi and pointed to a large brass telescope, wished he had a tree. He had never cared mounted on a tripod, which was used by the for trees, but he had a fancy just then for a public for observing the heavens at a penny large, thick oak. He took a strategic posi- per observation. The spy seized the instru- tion behind the correspondents, who were ment, turned it downward from the sky and cool. The “ Morning Post” said it was like along the cliffs. In a moment it pointed at Atbara. a cottage, boldly facing the sea, about half The equerry gave the word. One-two a mile away. The ground-floor windows of --three--fire." Ladislas could not shoot this cottage were brilliantly lighted, so brill- at a prince of the blood royal. He raised iantly that they caught the unaided eye. his right arm to its full length, and fired in “ A penny each,” cried the man. the air. The Grand Duke, the Ambassador, and the The Grand Duke started at the noise, and Admiral, excited and eager, bumped their 88 THE REVOLT OF THE BLACKFOOT. heads in trying to get three eyes behind one cross stood out solemnly. There was a eyepiece. This was impossible. Precedence Greek priest and an assistant priest in full ruled. canonicals. The priest stood in front of the “ Who? Vich? Vere?” snapped the altar, and before him knelt, with bowed Grand Duke impatiently. He was sweeping heads, the handsome lover and his beautiful the whole coast with the glass, and finally love. The assistant priest stood on the left. located a gas lamp about ten feet distant. Monsieur Bibi, in immaculate evening dress, “Ah,” said he; then he swore. The spy stood on the right. The priest's hands were again pointed the glass at the cottage, and raised. The Admiral was looking through the three looked by turns through the long the glass. half-mile of calm, still darkness. “Forever and ever, world without end—” The glowing lights were in the drawing- said the priest in the room. . room, which throughout nearly its whole ex “A penny each," said the man on the tent was commanded by the glass. It was pier. a strange sensation to the observers. The Admiral turned away, his back to his Through the powerful telescope they were friends, and looked out on the sea. brought so near to the mute and moving Rage, pride, a father's love, and the power- personages that it seemed they could almost ful influence of religion upon a superstitious touch them. They seemed to be present, Russian mind struggled in conflict within to hear the words that were being said, him. “Ouf!” he said, with the angry, though half a mile of night lay between. convulsive movement of a proud man who And the picture was a beautiful one. has been beaten and in whom the better feel- The influence of Wanda, Ladislas, and his ings are striving for the mastery. He family had sufficed in St. Petersburg to turned again to the glass. soften the heart of the church. The Greek “ A penny each,” said the man. Church authorities in London had come to “In the name of the Father, and of the the rescue. The drawing-room of Wanda's Son—" said the priest. hiding-place had been transformed into a The Admiral gave a deep sigh, submitted temporary chapel. A large table had been to the inevitable, and turned to his friends. dressed as an improvised altar. Many can “ Amen,” said he, removing his hat. dles lighted the room with a golden glow, The Grand Duke and the Ambassador in which the figure of the Christ upon the bowed gravely, with uncovered heads. The Revolt of the Blackfoot By W.A.FRASER Author of “The Eye of a God," " The Ballygunge Cup,” and other stories. AS S a thing of evil one day he had ceased Felix Gabrou was to be of their number. complete; never had there been such a He was not long with delicately adjusted piece of mechanism for the Protestants the working of unrighteousness. There had teacher at Winnipeg. been other criminals before his time, but none When the land, and of them so perfectly constructed as Felix. the living, and the time Two sects of the house of God had cast him are ripe, and the seed of out. When he was Father Gabrou the Roman iniquity is blown that way, there will be Church had groaned at the iniquity of the much to relate which is not of the or- man who had desecrated her robes. Then dained. W. A. FRASER. 89 The Land was the mastless sea of rolling Master, the King of Evil, who also was hov- plain where the crystal Bow warms its ering near, just without the circle of the in- waters, chilled by its snow baptism up in fluence of the cross. the Cascades; and the Living were the chil Crowfoot's horse was sent on that dread dren of “ Crowfoot,” he that was father to journey with him: a chief could not walk. the Blackfoot for two-score winters; and His tomahawk, his moccasins, his fire-bag, the Time was the fullness of forty moons, with the stone pipe and tobacco, were placed counting from the burial of the dead chief where he could get them. A great wooden on the high hill where gleamed the white cross cross was put at the dead chief's head by his in the sombre light of the setting sun; and friend, Father Lacombe; a gaunt, white- the seed of iniquity which was blown there at armed link between the God of the Heavens the time of the fullness of forty moons was and the earth-covered pagan. And with a Felix Gabrou. No man may serve two mas- warrior to watch the silent mound at the top ters; and the excellence of Felix's wicked- of the hill began the time of the forty moons; ness was that he had never tried; unswerv- and at the end came Felix Gabrou. ingly he followed the father of sin. Because It was Felix's Master, he who knows of of this which follows was the time of forty all things that may be put wrong, that cast moons. his influence about Felix and drew him to 'No one is great in all my tribe,” spoke the chance, as one magnet draws its affinity. Crowfoot to the minor chiefs who sat silent It had been said in Felix's country that in his tepee; silent and with bowed heads, there were three great liars in all that land: for the Great Spirit had whispered through Armand, that was Felix's brother, was one, the flapping doorway, and under the edge of and Felix himself was the other two. So the buffalo-skin sides, that a lodge had been perfect had the Master made the man that made ready for the greatest of all Indians when he spoke Running Bear held up his in the Happy Hunting Ground. hand, so-straight in line with his oval chin There was no dissenting voice. When and fierce, hooked nose, and sped it forward Crowfoot spoke the tongue was not forked; the length of his sweeping arm. That was the words were words of truth. There is that Felix's speech was straight talk and not no one great,” he said, simply; “ but some lies. Only little Singing Bird, she who was one must guide my children until he who is in the lodge of Iron Head, spread two fin- to be great rises from among you. Morning gers like unto the tongue of a serpent, and Sun, who was a great warrior, is old, and darted her small brown hand out like the many among you would not sit in silence graceful strike of a copperhead; and that was when he spoke words of wisdom, but would that Felix spoke with a forked tongue. also speak; therefore it is not good that he With Felix came two carts, their wooden should take the great medal of silver which axles sending out high, wavering notes of our pale-face Mother has sent us from across protest against the heavy load of goods that the water. Iron Head, he who has sat much were heaped up in the square box-frames at Crowfoot's feet, will be to you a father above them. And Felix's tale of the carts for a little until forty moons have passed. and the goods was as a chapter of Genesis ; At the fullness of that time one will come for the two men lying out on the rose- who will bear words of wisdom and of whom sprinkled prairie, away to the south, could you will ask who shall be father to the great utter never a word; they were dead-dead Blackfoot people.” of the torn holes in their breasts where the Just at the last-just when the Great bullets from Felix's rifle had swirled through. Spirit had bent his head over Crowfoot until Like the black eagle of Pallas that comes the cold breath smote upon his cheek-Father down from the far north coast, and passes Lacombe, to whom Crowfoot had been as a over the land of the Blackfoot when the Great brother, came silently into the dying chief's Spirit is angry, was Felix, with his cruel, mer- tepee, and holding the cross before the ciless face. The Great Spirit had sent the fast-glazing eyes, asked, “Do you believe, goods he brought, he said, sent them to his brother?" The lips moved. He be- children, the loved Blackfoot. lieves!” cried the priest, exultantly. Now the faith of a Blackfoot is bought at “He has gone to the Happy Hunting so much per head; and the gauge of his Ground-to the Great Father, the Great Christian belief is the value thereof in worldly Spirit,” muttered the silent watchers, the goods. Whether he confess to man, or con- minor chiefs. fess not at all, is of small moment so long as “Each to his own belief,” sneered Felix's the tobacco he receives in exchange for his 90 THE REVOLT OF THE BLACKFOOT. spiritual support is of a strong quality and guns and their knives will say it; and the goodly quantity. So Felix's converts were lies will choke in the throats of the pale faces, as the sprouts of sage, for all that he brought choke with their own blood.” he gave in gifts to the tribe. He came as a “It is good," said Felix; and his thin, priest—as Father Felix. The gifts he gave dark lip curled even as the lip of a hyena were as bread cast upon the waters, for the curls. influence he obtained was out of all propor “Last night,” continued the Blackfoot tion to the offering—the offering that was warrior, “I put yonder on the hill many so easily come by, too: only yards of red cloth on a bush two dead men lying out on the of wolf willow; and then the crisp, dry plain, their drawn spirit which is with Crowfoot faces set heavenward, and only came to me in my dreams, the pitying stars to see them. and said : Buffalo Horn shall It was in vain that the other be chief.' priest-he who was in the fold That was the beginning of -proclaimed that Felix was an the evil, the evil which had outcast from the church; that sprung from the silent brood- he was no priest. The Black- ing of Felix's demoniac mind. foot listened, and smoked, and And all the time Singing Bird then went to Felix for advice, was saying that the priest's spiritual and otherwise. For heart was bad, that he spoke had he not come at the fullness with a forked tongue, and that of forty moons, as their dead evil would come to her people, father, Saponaxitaw, whom the Blackfoot, because of him. the pale faces called Crowfoot, She was of Iron Head's lodge, had told them he would, ere though not his daughter, for he started on his long journey he was black and gnarled like to the Happy Hunting Ground an old buffalo bull, and she was from the place up on the hill fair, and the golden hair which there? And, also, had not Wie- clustered in masses about her sah-kie-chack, the Great Spirit, head shrouded a face sweet as beat his mighty drums the “AS A THING OF a wild rose. It was said she night Felix came among them? GABROU WAS COMPLETE.” had come back to Iron Head's The agent, Braund, had called tepee, a little, golden-headed it thunder; but that was because the pale faces mite, after one of the fierce Blackfoot raids; knew not And Eagle Bird, the medicine- that she had been stolen and her parents man, had taken his medicine-bag and lain out killed. But no one knew. on the plain, close to the foot of the hill Also was Paul Braund, the agent, saying upon which Crowfoot had mounted his dead that Felix was “a bad lot”; and that his horse and galloped away to the Great Spirit, Indians were getting out of hand. Down at and there Eagle Bird had seen in a dream the ration house, where the bullocks were Crowfoot pass the pipe to this stranger, this slaughtered twice a week and the meat Felix, and was that not enough? Nor did it served out to the Indians, there was always matter that Iron Head, he that reigned as trouble now. They crowded around the issuer chief, scowled when Felix spoke to him- of rations like famished wolves, and almost spoke to him in his own tongue-but smoked as fierce. “Small wonder,” thought Braund, on as though he had not heard Father Felix. “in a way, for what is three pounds of meat And when the power of Felix had grown a twice a week to an Indian who can finish a little, the Evil One whispered to him to make small antelope at a sitting? His three Buffalo Horn chief. And the medicine-man pounds goes at a single meal, and then he is said to Felix, make Buffalo Horn chief. a famished beast until next ration day.” So Felix spoke to the giant Blackfoot : But it had been going on for a long time, Brother, you shall be chief ; but if the and there had never been any trouble till foolish liars of whites say it is not good, what now. Ever since the treaty had been made will then be ?” in '77 till now—the time of the fullness of “I will be chief,” said the big, fierce war- forty moons and the coming of Felix-had rior, “and all the braves who are saying these fierce children been quiet. The big that Iron Head is a squaw will then say that silver medal which had come to Crowfoot I, Buffalo Horn, am the chief. And their from the Queen was lying in a drawer up at EVIL FELIX W. A. FRASER. 91 the agency, for there was no settled chief. where hide the Crees; and our lodges were The Queen's agent had said that Running ever full of the meat which was as the biting Horse should be head of the Blackfoot nation, of ripe berries; and before each winter we but, by virtue of Crowfoot's wish, Iron Head's made new tepees, because the hides of the lodge was where the old men gathered for buffalo were as leaves from a tree. And now counsel. we are as children within a tepee - we cannot When the air is full of evil even the sky go from here; neither is there anything to becomes red ; and at the time of the treaty slay. Only one thing is there to slay-the payment the little boy that was Scraping pale faces. And to us, who are warriors, Hide's only son became ill. Scraping Hide the pale-face Mother doles out of meat and was a bad Indian ; now he became a morose flour so little that we must become as old demon. “ It is the pale faces who have women for want of the strength which we come down here for the treaty payment that get not. See!” and he held in his hand his have cast upon him the evil eye,” he said. three days' ration of beef. “I have saved “Behold, he was well, and now he is wearing this because it is not worth the eating. My away toward the Happy Hunting Ground. If little boy, Whispering Wind, could eat this he dies, others will die.” And he ground at one time. Are we, who are warriors, to sharp the big buffalo knife, with its brass- live like this?' studded, wooden handle. Buffalo Horn's words fanned the fierce fires “Is it not so, ” he asked Felix, “that the which were smoldering in the breasts of the evil eye has done this?” young bucks, and their dark, hawk-like faces “It is," answered the priest, for his soul lighted up with the old-time savagery as they laughed at the prospect of sin. thought of the days when murder was a pas- And while the child was battling for life time and the buffalo lay dead before their and the knife was kept sharp for the mad speeding arrows like countless mounds of vengeance, the treaty money was days over- sand. The child that was ill of the evil eye due. From the North Camp the braves rode was always sinking lower and lower, and the down to the South Camp, for they were di- knife was now sharp as the point of a stag's vided into two villages, ten miles apart, and horn. In Scraping Hide's savage heart the asked if the Queen Mother had sent the big hatred of the pale faces who had brought box of one-dollar bills there, for of a surety this on him was growing deeper and deeper. each one was waiting for his portion. To His little boy, Sound-in-the-Water, whom each one of them, man, 'woman, or child, he had never even touched in anger, was were five one-dollar bills due; and for the suffering like a wounded buffalo calf, the minor chiefs should there have been fifteen of those crisp notes; and twenty-five for the head chiefs. Never before had their White Mother kept them wait- ing a single day. In many things had the pale faces broken faith with them, and now “FAR INTO THE NIGHT SCRAPING HIDE SAT." the treaty money was not. Who but Felix could have thought fierce heat of fever burning him up as the to send Buffalo Horn to make a speech to dry grass is scorched in a prairie fire. the Indians then? Like an evil spirit looked The mover of evil, Felix, was ever busy Buffalo Horn as he rocked his gaunt body sowing the seeds of discord. “Foolish back and forth in the fitful moonlight and liars!” said Buffalo Horn, when Paul talked to his people. Braund spoke to him and told him that the “Who asked the pale faces to come here treaty money would be there in a day or and take our land? Once the buffalo were two. as the flies that swarm in the spruce forests The traders had come down from Calgary 92 THE REVOLT OF THE BLACKFOOT. with loads of goods; and they would take agent, Paul Braund, heard the cry, and ran back most of the treaty money. They, too, forward quickly. Usually the gift of a lit- were waiting for the payments. To divert tle money would have been salve to the the Indians from their grievance for one wound, but the quarter which he put in brief day at least, Paul Braund gave prizes Whispering Wind's little brown hand was for horse races, and the traders clubbed to- snatched away by Buffalo Horn, as he gether and supplied tea and sugar for a tea reached down from the back of his pony, dance. But even this in the end all went and thrown far out on the prairie with a Felix's way, for Buffalo Horn's pony, Yel- contemptuous swing of his mighty arm. low Coat, won the chief races. Had not That night Scraping Hide's child died. Eagle Bird, the medicine-man, had a dream The father's heart, bad at all times, was as that Crowfoot's spirit would ride Buffalo the poison in the little bag at the base of Horn's pony and win the race? the rattlesnake's hooked tooth-it poisoned That night some of the traders went away; the hot blood that surged through it till his some ammunition and a saddle had been brain was on fire. There was an ominous stolen from one of them, and the Indians lull in all things the next day. The dead were getting so restless that they feared child, Sound-in-the-Water, was buried; and for their goods and their lives. The three the half-crazed father placed a little tra- mounted police from Gleichen had been in vois close to the tiny, rounded mound: this was that the field mice might draw the wee spirit away to the Happy Hunting Ground. The tepee in which Sound-in-the-Water had died was razed to the ground. All day, and far into the night, Scraping Hide sat with head be- tween his knees, huddled up like a dog, beside the grave. Then he rose and strode from the gloom of the on-coming night, out into the flickering lights of the tepees and small log huts in which lived the Blackfoot; strode on until he came to the lodge where lived Felix. Sound-in-the-Water has gone, brother,” he said; and his savage face was horrible to look upon- horrible with the fierce vulture look upon it, and yet with a world of misery in the deep-cut furrows traversing the bronze surface. “Two days since I asked the dog of a giver of meat for a piece to make the drink for Sound-in-the-Water, and he refused it; and now Sound-in-the-Water is dead." Felix knew this was a lie, the fancy of a passion- crazed mind, but he said never a word. TO-NIGHT THE BLACKFOOT WILL RISE,' SAID too, will go with Sound-in-the-Water, for he SINGING BIRD." will be strange there in the Happy Hunting Ground; but the dog who would not give the the crowd at the races that day, and their meat-just a little piece--will send his scalp horses had been jostled and knocked about by me to make glad the heart of Sound-in- considerably. Young braves were constantly the-Water. My little brave shall play with it, running into them, seemingly by accident, and at the sun dance there he shall wear it." but hot words followed once or twice. In Scraping Hide has a strong heart,” said the general mêlée one of the constables' Felix. “Drink this, brother," and he poured horses had stepped on the foot of Buffalo a cup of tea for the Indian. Horn's little boy, Whispering Wind. The Then together they drank tea like unto the 66 “I, W. A. FRASER. 93 “IN A BIG POT SOMEBODY WAS BREWING MORE OF THE MEDICATED TEA.” essence of Sheol; for into the devil's brew foot. I have seen, brothers; and all who Felix had poured two bottles of Pain Killer; are braves, all who are children of Crow- and it spread its hot embrace about the hearts foot, will follow Buffalo Horn.” of the two men and crept into their brain. “ To-night the Blackfoot will rise," said The devil's brew, and the devil's agent, and Singing Bird to Paul Braund, when he came a mad Blackfoot; and in the morning the back to the agency from the pursuit of issuer of rations, Drake Skane, lay dead Scraping Hide. To-night they will rise, with a knife-cut through his heart; and his with Buffalo Horn at their head; and Crow- scalp was away up there among the sand- foot will appear on his horse-the white hills where Scraping Hide skulked. Of the horse the braves know so well-and ride be- murderer there was no doubt, for the slayer side Buffalo Horn.” had strode through the camp shouting, “I “That is their medicine-talk, Singing killed the dog of a meat-giver. He kept the Bird. Crowfoot is dead, and will ride no meat from Sound-in-the-Water, and now the more. They may rise, though I doubt it, coyotes shall feast upon him.” for they are ripe for any recklessness. All Nor that day did the treaty money arrive. it needs is for some one to run in about ten And all day Paul Braund and his assistant, and gallons of H. B. rum to turn this reservation the three police constables and their sergeant, into pandemonium.” stalked Scraping Hide. Felix that day told “ Crowfoot will ride with the braves to- the Blackfoot of his dream—the dream that night, White Chief," answered Singing Bird, had come to him in the night. “My broth- confidently; "and you who are but a hand- ers, brothers by my mother, Felix, who is of ful will be as leaves before the wind; when your blood, has spoken with Crowfoot. Last the tempest has swept by, you will be scat- night he sat in my lodge as I slept, and tered even as the leaves. The agency is spoke. And his speech was that when the strong, and you and the police and the other Blackfoot rode in war-paint to slay the fork- white chief, Whitley, must remain there, and tongued pale faces, there would Crowfoot protect the white women and children. If ride at their head. At the fullness of forty you listen to the voice of Singing Bird, per- moons was I called here by Saponaxitaw haps this great evil will pass. For she will [Crowfoot), to see whether Buffalo Horn was speak to Crowfoot, and he will hear." worthy to be chief to the mighty Black Then Singing Bird did a strange thing, for 94 THE REVOLT OF THE BLACKFOOT. she had always been as shy as one of the Government meant to recognize him by that. fast-fleeing antelope. She came close up to If it comes to the worst, I may be able to keep Paul, and said, with a world of shame-faced them from harming her by draping her like pleading in her great, wondering eyes, “ Will a figure of liberty, or justice, or something. the 0-go-ma, the big white chief, kiss Sing- All I ask is, when I rush for her, if I do, ing Bird once, for Singing Bird may fly away follow me close up, and cover the warriors to the Happy Hunting Ground before the with your carbines. We'll probably all get 0-go-ma sees her again?” Then, with our throats cut over it,” he concluded, and he bowed head, she passed quickly back over chuckled softly as though it were a huge the trail to the South Camp. joke. “She's on to their game, whatever it is," As he ceased speaking, the trail suddenly said Paul Braund later on to the sergeant, dipped down into the crater-like formation “and has some scheme for stopping the which marked the top of the sand-hills lying outbreak, She has told me that it is all the between the agency and the South Camp. work of that half-breed, Felix, and, clever “Whir! whir!” one after another went as he is--and he's as clever as a wolverine -- a flock of prairie-chicken, startled by their I believe that her woman's wit will beat him sudden advent. “Sounded mighty like the out." twang of a bow-string,” exclaimed the ser- “ It would be too bad if he should do her geant. “I half expected to feel something any harm, sir," said the sergeant, “ for hot go scorching through my gizzard.' he will stop at nothing-he's bad clean Then they rode in silence for a time through.” through the dungeon-like gloom, the hoofs “Well, we'll leave Whitley and two con- of their broncos sinking into the yielding stables here to guard the house, and you sand with a soft, unpleasant sound. Sud- and the other constable and myself will ride denly, and without a moment's warning, down close to the camp as soon as it is dark, there was the sharp crack of a rifle on their to help out Singing Bird if we can. It's a right, and a demoniac “ Hi! Hi!Hi! pretty tall order, three of us against a thou- He-e-e-!” and then all was still again---still sand fighting Blackfoot; but we can't sit as a graveyard, save for the mad plunging here and let her risk her life to save our of the policeman's mount. “Forward! bacon. That fellow, Felix, is after her, too, Trot!” sternly ejaculated the sergeant, in- and I gave it to him pretty straight once stinctively taking command. “That’s Scrap- that he'd have to stop bothering her, or I'd ing Hide,” he explained, in a low voice, as fire him from the reservation; I guess that's they sped out of the gloom and started half the trouble with him now. I'll send down the other slope toward the lights of Stoney Jack up to Gleichen with a telegram the Indian camp flickering away in the dis- to Regina for help. I hate to do it, for the tance. “We've no time to fool with him outbreak’ll kick up no end of a row in the now. He'll do for to-morrow--if we're alive. papers; but I guess it has come to that But Jack's got it in the neck, for the bullet's now.' chipped a piece right out of his mane,” he When the night had settled down thick added as he drew his hand back from his over the whispering grass, the three men horse's neck covered with warm blood. rode silently down the soft sand trail toward They could hear the banging of tom-toms, the Indian camp. The moon will top the hill and the lights twinkled like stars as the about eight o'clock," said Braund, as they warriors passed in and out of the tepees, rode along, “and we can reconnoiter them the flap over the opening as it was thrown pretty well and see what they're doing be- back showing the light, and darkening up fore that. I've got a little scheme of my own again as it was closed. “They're like bees here,” he added, as he patted a round, fat bun- swarming," said Braund; "and Felix and dle, slung to the horn of his cowboy saddle. Buffalo Horn have got them pretty well What is it?” worked up, I guess. I hope they haven't got Well, you know the strong feeling these hold of any liquor, though; they'll get it bucks have about the Union Jack-you re- before morning if they break out, for they'll member that half the trouble about a chief swoop down on Gleichen like hungry wolves." now is because the Government people down Just as the trail took a sharp dip down at Regina wrapped the old flag about the into the hollow where stood the Government wrong Indian during the big fair. It hap- Industrial School, at a word from the ser- pened to be one of the head chiefs who geant, they pulled up. “We'll leave the claims the succession, and he thought the horses here in charge of Constable Flynn. W. A. FRASER. 95 0. We'd never get near them mounted without “ It might save a lot of bloodshed if I being discovered. If you hear any shooting were to put a bullet through him before he down there, Flynn, come straight along the commences,' ” whispered back the agent; trail with the horses as fast as you know “but if the Indians didn't scalp me the Gov- how. If anybody tries to stop you, ride over ernment would, so I suppose I'd better wait them.” a bit and see how the thing shapes.” They were about half a mile from the The moon rose from behind the hill on the camp. As they worked their way carefully top of which lay the dead chief, Crowfoot. along, avoiding the trail, they could see that The huge wooden cross, cut clear and black, pandemonium reigned. The braves were hav- outlined against the silver background of the ing a war dance; and in a big pot over an open slow-rising moon. Braund nudged the ser- fire somebody was geant. “That's an brewing more of omen of hope,” he the medicated tea. whispered. But That'll put them even as he spoke, on the job quicker another dark mass than rum would,” took shape against said Braund. the light. It was a "That yellow-faced mounted warrior. breed, Felix, “There's some bought up all the more mischief pre- Pain Killer, Ja- paring up there,” maica ginger, Co- whispered the ser- logne water, and geant close to everything else that Braund's ear. had alcohol in it, They were a lit- that the traders tle too far away to brought down here hear what Buffalo to the treaty. He'll Horn had been say- have it all in that ing, but now he big pot with the tea, raised his voice in and tobacco, and wild excitement as perhaps a little gun- he drew up his tow- powder, and they'll ering form, quiver- all be crazy, staring ing with passion, mad by the time and pointed with he's got his work outstretched arm ready for their toward the figure “THE WHITE MOTHER PROTECTS HER BLACKFOOT doing." silhouetted against DAUGHTER The flat which the moonlit sky. skirted the Bow River took a big turn in Like the bellowing of a bull came his strident close to the camp on the south side, and was voice on the silent air, for the warriors were covered with a thick growth of red and gray still as an army of dead, gazing with awe- willow. They worked their way down in stricken countenances toward the spectral among this scrub growth and along until figure. “ Has not Buffalo Horn spoken the they were within a hundred feet of the cen- truth? Did not Buffalo Horn say that Crow- ter of commotion, Buffalo Horn's tepee. foot would ride at the head of his loved chil- “ They'll never discover us here,” said the dren-ride with his braves to victory when sergeant; "they're too busy with their in- they rose to slay the pale faces who have fernal pow-wow.'' stolen their country—the pale faces with "They're going to make a move to-night, ” forked tongues who have filled our ears with said Braund. See, all their ponies are lies and our stomachs with the food of babes; corralled close to the tepees." who have driven our buffalo from this land, Then there was a mighty rumbling and the land of the Blackfoot, to the south, banging of the tom-toms, and a crier darted in where live only white men-driven them into and out among the lodges, calling the braves corrals and kept them from our knives? to the square in front of Buffalo Horn's Once they were like this," and he took a lodge. “Buffalo Horn is going to give them handful of sand and threw it into the air ; a stump speech,” whispered the sergeant. “they filled the whole land, the land of the 96 THE REVOLT OF THE BLACKFOOT. Blackfoot, and the Blackfoot were as the Mother has not spoken to us with a forked grass of the prairie; but now the buffalo are tongue. Some pale faces have come among gone, and our people are here like whipped us who had forked tongues, but are there children, to be filled with lies instead of meat none among the Blackfoot who tell lies-are by the false pale faces. Buffalo Horn has fin- there no bad among our own people? The ished. Crowfoot has spoken through Buffalo treaty money will come to-morrow. I, your Horn, and to-night you follow Saponaxitaw. chief, Iron Head, tell you this. The pale See, there he comes! The Great Spirit has faces are as the sands of the plain, and if you sent him to lead his children." ride against them in war the tepees of the As he ceased speaking, a great awe fell Blackfoot will be empty; and the wives and over the assembled warriors. The awful the children will weep for the husbands and tragedy that was about to be enacted spread fathers who have gone to the Happy Hunt- its influence even over the two men lying flat ing Ground. That is not Saponaxitaw,” he against the sloping bank, just without the said, pointing with outstretched arm toward circle of light of the big camp-fire. With a the silent figure sitting on the white horse. circling sweep like the first rising of a bliz- But, even as he spoke, with a mad rush zard, they could see a painted warrior on a the white horse galloped toward him, and white horse gliding through the moonlight. the battle-axe was swung aloft, and the “What infernal tricking is this !” ex- death-song of Crowfoot sounded in their claimed Braund. That is Crowfoot's horse ears. -but he was killed when Crowfoot died, and Two seconds more and Iron Head would there never was another horse like him on pay for his fealty with his life. The ser- the reservation. And the Indians-- Look!” geant raised his carbine, but he was too late. he exclaimed, pointing, a new horror creep- A small figure glided out into the light of ing into his eyes. “It's Crowfoot himself, or the camp-fire; something gleamed in the his ghost. That's Crowfoot's battle-axe, uncertain light; there was a sharp crack as and his chapps, and his eagle feather head- from a small sporting rifle, and the rider of dress—" He broke off short, and they the white horse fell in a crushed heap at lay there and watched with their hearts in the very feet of Iron Head. Then the small their mouths for the result of this awful ap- figure stood up and faced the warriors. It pearance. was Singing Bird. Her gentle voice sounded Then the white horse was stopped in his clear as a bell.“ Brothers, this is not Crow- mad gallop, and horse and rider remained foot. A spirit cannot die.' silent as a statue, just back on the trail. It “Come, it's our turn," exclaimed Braund, was Buffalo Horn's voice that broke the still- tugging at the bundle in his hands as he ness--the awful stillness. “Saponaxitaw rushed across the open. It unrolled just as has come. Will the braves now follow he reached the side of Singing Bird; with a Buffalo Horn, who has spoken with a straight sweep of his arm a drapery was wrapped tongue?” about her-it was the Union Jack. "The “ It is a lie!” rang out a voice as clear White Mother protects her Blackfoot daugh- and loud as Buffalo Horn's own; and Iron ter," he said. “ Have patience, brothers, Head strode forth from his lodge, and stood and see if Singing Bird has not spoken proudly erect in his chief's robes. true.” There was a moment of petrified astonish It was Singing Bird who spoke: “If this ment-no one moved, no one spoke; only is Crowfoot, then shall Singing Bird die. Iron Head, striding with kingly dignity to- See!” and with a wrench of her arm she ward Buffalo Horn, who was in front of the turned the figure over on its back. No need multitude of warriors. “ It is a lie, broth- to ask who it was. There was only one such ers!” continued Iron Head. “The White evil face. It was Felix Gabrou-dead. MCCLURE'S MAGAZINE. . VOL. XIV. DECEMBER, 1899. No. 2. THE LIFE OF THE MASTER. BY THE REVEREND JOHN WATSON, D.D., Author of "The Mind of the Master," ** Beside the Bonnie Brier Bush," etc. EDITOR'S INTRODUCTION. In this number of the Magazine we begin the publication of “The Life of the Master,” by the Reverend John Watson. The decision to undertake such a work was made soon after MCCLURE'S MAGAZINE became an assured success. The editors, feeling that they had a great and intelligent constituency looking to them for the best thought on all sub- jects, realized that they could not neglect the domain of religion. They realized, further, that the time was ripe for a life of Christ that should combine high scholarship with pro- found faith ; that should present the divine story so vividly that its holy characters would live and move before the minds of the readers. The undertaking was entered upon with a reverent determination to spare neither themselves nor their resources. Their first endeavor was to find a writer for the life they had in mind. It was a long and serious search. It ended in the selection of the Reverend John Watson, familiar to every household in two continents as "Ian Maclaren." Although Dr. Watson is known to many Americans simply as the author of “Beside the Bonnie Brier Bush" and other exquisite tales of Scottish life and character, the great work of his life has been that of a Christian clergyman. In a time when religious books no longer occupy the attention of readers as formerly, Dr. Watson's “Mind of the Master," "The Cure of Souls,” and “The Upper Room” have been widely read. Over twenty years of experience in this work of the ministry have demonstrated to him the full sufficiency of the Chris- tian scheme in satisfying the needs of the human life. So that it seemed to the editors of MCCLURE'S MAGAZINE that Dr. Watson combined in an almost ideal way the spiritual insight, experience, literary ability, and scholarship which the work demanded. When they approached him on the subject, they found that for many years he had cherished the desire to write just such a life of the Master as they had in mind ; so it was not difficult to persuade him to undertake the work for MCCLURE'S MAGAZINE. The text of the full “Life” is now in hand. It is a work deeply reverential in feel- ing, noble in sympathy, and pregnant in meaning. It has been prepared with the full knowledge of a scholar, but its scholarship is never obtrusive. Dr. Watson's method is to take the vital and human results of learning and to use them in enriching and illuminating the narrative. Thus the holy story remains simple indeed under Dr. Watson's treatment, though it is enhanced by the new light of scholarship. He enters into no controversy over questions of dogma, but dwells instead upon the great ethical teachings which Christ gave to the world and by which human society and governments have been changed. Dr. Wat- son's Life of the Master” is a work which will help men; it will show them anew what that life has done for the world ; it will help them to realize, if they have never realized EDITOR'S NOTE.-The picture on the opposite page represents THE VISION OF THE SHEPHERDS. “The glory of the Lord shone round about them ; and they were sore afraid. "-LUKE ii. 9. Copyright, 1899, by the S. S. MCCLURE CO. All rights reserved. ; 100 THE LIFE OF THE LASTER. it before, that the best in their lives, and in the lives of the men and women whom they know, has its origin in the teachings of the Gentle Galilean ; it will show them with clearer vision that no philosophy, no religion, no science has offered the world anything that will replace the teachings of that life. After Dr. Watson had been engaged to write “The Life of the Master,” the next im- portant problem for the editors of the Magazine was to find a scheme of illustration worthy of the work a series of beautiful pictures, reverent and yet full of the reality of life in the Palestine of to-day, which is scarcely changed from that of the time of Christ: pic- tures which would impart the feeling of intimacy that comes to one when gazing upon the scenes of the Gospel story. It will be readily understood that the artist who proposed to recall and revive these scenes with this degree of faithfulness, had, not only a difficult task before him, but one that called for more diverse faculties than the merely artistic. To give pictures that had artistic and ideal beauty, truth of color, reason, and senti- ment, as well as of environment; that kept close to the facts of the narrative, only avoid- ing too evidently realistic details that might mar the romantic interpretation; and to give historical and picturesque unity to the whole series of pictures, man was needed who was at once a great artist and a thorough Bible scholar. With Corwin Knapp Linson the editors felt that here was a case where the circumstances and the man fitted in an ex- traordinary manner. Of wholesome, sturdy mind and imagination, added to a singularly rare artistic feeling, Mr. Linson worked his way up alone and unaided till he saved enough money to spend some years in that center of art, Paris, whence he had come back to America a thoroughly trained artist, having lost in France none of his own particular home inspiration and feeling. He was at the age when a man puts into his work the best of himself, all his youthful enthusiasm and the first bloom of strenuous virility. He felt the poetical charm as well as the moral beauty of the New Testament; he had been brought up on the Bible, and knew it intimately. He threw himself heart and soul into the work, spending the major part of the last three years in Palestine. All of Mr. Linson's compositions were thought out and many were painted on the ground itself ; the framework of and the studies for the others were made there. The compositions were reasoned out fully, viewed from every point, before the real work was begun. Often they were made over again, changed in detail, or altogether rejected, and the pictures themselves were sometimes painted two or three times over. There are reasons for every manner of arrangement, for every character of treatment of tone and color. There is nothing done thoughtlessly, nothing at haphazard. The greatest charm of Palestine and its people is the charm of color. The editors felt that such a scheme of illustration should be presented in all its beauty as well as in all its completeness, although this involved the extremely difficult problem of using col- ored pictures in a magazine for the first time on a large scale. After a thorough study of all processes of color reproduction and their results, the one known as the three-color process was selected. Some of its results in the past have been extraordinarily fine, but until now it has never been attempted on a large scale. Pioneers in this field, as in others, the editors determined, if possible, to reproduce these pictures of the life of Christ so that they would give absolutely the charm, brilliancy, softness, and variety of color that Mr. Linson's originals have. To carry out the plan which, they felt, must, whatever their efforts, be an experiment, they went to the house that stands to-day in a class apart and at the head of all firms that do color reproductions. This is the house of Angerer and Göschl of Vienna. The question of additional expense entailed by the plates being made abroad and by a house maintaining a staff of the most skilful and best trained, and, therefore, highest paid artist workmen in their line in the world, was never considered. The results will speak for themselves in the pages of the Magazine. Besides the pictures re- produced in color, there will be many black-and-white reproductions, making in all upward of 200 pictures, presented in chronological order. Along with portrayals of incidents in the life of Christ, there will be pictures of the most important places, scenes, and types of people in the Palestine of to-day. In addition, there will be a series of maps, based on the latest knowledge, and showing the localities mentioned in the Gospels, and many of them giving in a pictorial way the appearance and character of the country. THE EDITOR. THE LIFE OF THE MASTER. BY THE REVEREND JOHN WATSON, D.D. PROLOGUE.— TIE INEVITABLE CHRIST. , a few there are who have defied the law can never be blotted from the pages of hu- of oblivion ; whose leaf has not faded, and man history. In their lives the sap of the whose names cannot be forgotten. Their race flowered and bore fruit, which has been achievements rise like Alps above the plain gathered and stored for all generations. of human labor; their services remain the These mighties belong to no country or cen- permanent heritage of the race. We are tury; they are citizens of the world, and wiser and stronger and holier and gladder their fame is ageless. because such men have lived and worked. Their immortality is undeniable and honor- One opened the kingdom of letters with his able, but yet it is, after all, secondary and impersonal. We venerate them, not for what they were, but for what they did. They are the benefactors of all men, they are not the friends. Apart from their work, they had (Corwin Klingon > Nazaresh. 1898 NAZARETH-A VIEW FROM THE WEST, HIGH UP ON THE HILL, LOOKING EASTWARD. poems; another asked for us the deepest not passed the frontiers of their town; and questions of the soul in his dialogues; a if the work be divorced from the man, in him third discovered a new world, and doubled we would have but the slenderest interest. our dwelling-place; a fourth expounded the We have not spoken with them, nor looked secret of the physical universe, and arranged into their faces, nor had fellowship with them the stars on a map; a fifth cleansed away the as with our nearest, and so to deny their ex- corruption of the church, and restored her istence or assert their unworthiness were not strength; and a sixth, the greatest of all, to rifle the treasures of our soul. We bow showed unto the world righteousness, and before these great ones because they have wrote the Ten Words on our conscience. lived, and are a strength to our humanity, The names of Homer and Socrates, of Co- but we do not love them. 102 THE LIFE OF THE MASTER. One Man has immortality of the first order, and they would fall into despair. Without who does not live in books or works, but has Jesus risen from the dead and stainless in His eternal home in the heart of His disci- His perfection, some would hardly care to ples. It was fitting that a monument in live ; and for Jesus, who left this world al- stone should be raised to Columbus to re- most nineteen centuries ago, more men and mind his fellow-countrymen of his genius, women would die than for any other cause his perseverance, his courage, his triumph, on earth, and they would be the best blood but no one as yet has been capable of pro- of the race. posing a statue to Jesus Christ. It were an What circumstances lent their help to this impossible stupidity, it were an actual blas- Man? What part did He take in face of the phemy. And why? Because He is not dis- world? What means did He use to win this tant, but present, more real than those we authority? Three years or less was the meas- see and touch, to whom an innumerable mul- ure of Jesus' public career from the day titude bow their souls morning and evening the Baptist declared Him the Lamb of God every day. If they could be convinced, spoken of by ancient prophecy to the day which is impossible, that Jesus had never when He was offered on the Cross as the lived according to the Gospels, or that if we Passover according to the prophets. He blew aside the imagination of His friends, was born of a nation which had been scat- He was a self-deceived enthusiast, then the tered and peeled--without a king, without faith and hope of millions would be eclipsed, liberty, without a voice; a nation suspected, discredited, hated. The son of a peasant mother, He was a carpenter by trade, and a poor man all His days: as soon as He became known to His people He was per- secuted, and in the end condemned to death as a blasphemer. He lived all His days in an obscure province of the Roman Empire, about the size of the Principality of Wales or the State of New Jersey, and was careful not to pass beyond its borders. During his ministry He never wrote a word, and He left no book behind Him: He had no office, no standing, no sword. Yet no sooner was He born than wise men from the East came to worship Him, and Herod at His own door sent soldiers to murder Him. His own family was divided over Him-His mother, with some fears and doubts, clinging to Him, His brothers refusing to believe in Him. When he had preached for the first time in the syna- gogue of Nazareth, where He had lived from infancy and every one knew Him, His neighbors were first amazed at His grace, and then in a sudden fury would have flung Him down a precipice. The Council of the nation was divided about Him, certain leaning to His side, and others declaring that no prophet could come out of Galilee; and the people were torn in twain, so many holding that Jesus was a good man, so many that He was a deceiver. If a family was divided in those days, you might be sure Jesus was the cause; and if two people argued in a heat at the corner of a street, the contention would be Jesus. A Roman judge con- demned Him, but not before his own wife had interceded for Him; if Roman soldiers 799 A narrou sireet in Nazareth. THE REV. JOHN WATSON. 103 fariki KLINSON NAZARET nailed Him to the Cross, a Roman officer bore witness to His righteousness; and if the thief crucified on one side insulted Jesus, the thief on the other side believed in Him. None could be neutral, none could disregard Him: there was a division of the people concerning Jesus. This controversy would doubtless be laid to rest by His death, and only fill a foot- note in the history of the Jewish people --Jesus of Nazareth, a local agitator and heretic, crucified under Pontius Pilate, about 33. Nothing could be more un- likely than that this commotion in a petty province should affect pagan society, and a Galilean prophet arouse the Roman Em- pire. The attitude of Rome to all religions The Brow (F THE AIL was consistent and characteristic—a policy WHEREON THEIR CITI WA Dunn of cynical contempt and worldly oppor- 2.OKE. 4.29 tunism. As the ruler of the world, she gave hospitable welcome to foreign deities in the capital, and honored them in a Pan- were reduced to despair, and were compelled theon. The most opposite cults flourished to persecute Jesus in the person of His apos- side by side in one family, and we would have tles. Within a century the Nazarene had said that one religion more would have made rent the Empire in twain, and put all the little difference. As it happened, however, gods to open shame. the faith of Jesus was so virile and assured, Nor was it enough for this exacting per- so insistent and aggressive, that it came as sonality that His presence threw the multi- a living torch into society, and set every tude into confusion and changed the market- man on fire as friend or foe. Roman magis- place into a battle-ground. He invaded the trates, accustomed to compromise, and schools, and gave a new task to philosophy. anxious at any cost to keep good order, For a while it was enough for the disciples 104 THE LIFE OF THE MASTER. SO of Jesus to believe in Him; by and by they Jesus' name; no peace could last a month began to speculate about Him. It was a unless it had His blessing. matter of intellectual necessity to ask who It may seem that in our century we have He was, and with that question was added a thrown off this dominion of Jesus and are new science, the most subtle, the most ma- able to forget Him, but it is only an affec- jestic, the most daring of all the departments tation of indifference. Never were there so of ordered knowledge. Theology began her many lives of Jesus written; never so much work when the ancient learning was dying; attention given to His actual words; never she opened a new means of culture when the such anxiety to send forth His Gospel. Were former was exhausted. Never had the hu- a parchment discovered in an Egyptian mound man intellect faced six inches square so mysterious a containing fifty problem as the Per- words which were son of Christ, never certainly spoken has there been a by Jesus, this ut- controversy terance would keen and so ab- count more than sorbing. all the books which Once this Man had been published had established since the first cen- Himself in history, tury. If a veri- He became a per- table picture of the manent factor-a Lord could be un- disturbing force earthed from a never to be evaded, catacomb, and the ever to be reckoned world could see with. As a rock with its own eyes standing out from what like He was, the midst of a it would not mat- stream, upon ter that its colors Jesus has the cur- were faded and rent of human life that it was roughly and thought beat drawn; that pic- and been broken ture would have at from the first cen- once a solitary turies to the nine- place amid the teenth. The great treasures of art. movement of the A vast number of Gui<.1998 Middle Ages was persons are inter- the Crusades, and ested in the ques- there the chivalry LOOKING TOWARD AIN KARIM, THE REPUTED BIRTHPLACE tion of evolution, of the West flung simply because it itself on the East, may affect the for the most romantic end — to recover position of Jesus, and they would accept it the tomb of Jesus from the Saracen. The at once were they convinced that the new Reformation opened the modern age, and principle had a rightful place for the Master. while many causes fed its strength, the deep- While we are silent we are also nervously est was the relation of the human soul to conscious of Jesus; at a hint of His appear- Jesus. No wars have been so fierce or re- ance we do Him homage. lentless as the wars of religion, which have If one desired to realize how this Jew- drenched so many lands in blood, and with- His words, His life, His spirit-has been out Jesus of Nazareth they had never been woven into the warp and woof of life, let known. As He moves down the paths of the him imagine the effect of Jesus' influence re- West, kings and peoples seize their swords; moved as by a stroke and the pattern which Jesus confounds politics and commerce; He remains. One would then see a city dotted lights the fires of persecution and fierce de- with empty places, which are covered neither bate; He makes inquisitors and martyrs; no by grass nor flowers, where once had stood ruler could make a plan without counting in churches, orphanages, asylums, and hospi- Jesus; no treaty could stand unless it had tals. The whole machinery of charity and SO OF JOHN THE BAPTIST. - THE REV. JOHN WATSON. 105 philanthropy would have disappeared to- case the pupil does not know his Teacher ; gether with every monument to pity. Libra- and the most violent attacks on Christianity ries would remain, but they would be robbed have only been possible because they have of those noble classics of many tongues which been made under the toleration of Jesus. owe their genius and charm to the Master. There is no place where one could live with There might still be galleries, but without his family in peace and pursue the highest Raphael, Michelangelo, Fra Angelico, Da ends of life unless Jesus had been there be- Vinci, from whom their subjects and their fore; and if the spirit of Jesus were with- inspiration had been taken. Music, in her drawn, modern civilization would in three most searching and solemn notes, would be generations return to the morality of pagan- no longer heard in that place; and if law be ism. If any one should have the heart to administered, it would be stripped of its ma- criticise the Gospel of Jesus, he will find jesty and life. Exchanges would be open, that the best person he knows is pursuing but the Sermon on the Jesus' ideal; and if Mount would no longer any one had the audac- restrain the madness ity to deny that Jesus of competition and the ver lived, he would injustice of the strong; next moment touch the and there would be Master, living now, prisons, as in the pagan in one of His disciples. days, places now for It is the life of this punishment only, not Man we shall now study, for remedy. The city and after a plan which would still be there, will not compete with with only a few build- biographies which have ings wanting, but they been written by would be the monu- learned persons and ments to kindness, to are in our hands. We mercy, to hope, to God. shall not endeavor to It would be a city de- compass every detail spiritualized, from of the Master's life 1617 which the visible glory from Bethlehem to Cal- of religion had de- vary, nor shall we parted. weary any reader with And still one has not questions of order- appreciated the con- for indeed the chronol- tinual and pervasive ogy and harmony of influence of Jesus in “He would have a look of wondering the Gospels are past present-day life. It is thought, a little wild, it may be, a little finding out by ordi- more subtle and con- scornful, the instinctive premonition of a nary folk. It will be as- vincing than can be future great mission." sumed that in the four proved by any building Gospels we have suffi- or book: it is an atmosphere into which we ciently accurate accounts of how Jesus car- have been born and which we breathe-of ried Himself to His fellow-men, and what He which we are unconscious, and which we did on certain occasions before their eyes, may allow ourselves sometimes to deny. The and what befell Him at their hands. And home of which we are part has been created various incidents will be selected and grouped by Christ, and its arrangements are instinct into chapters, each complete in itself, and with His Spirit. Whatever is pure and mer- each affording a facet of the whole. We do ciful and spiritual and unselfish in social life, not dare to promise that after he has read flows from His influence, and the very mo- the last page of the “Life of the Master” tives which regulate our best deeds, and to the reader will be wiser on a site or a which we appeal in another man, have been date, but we dare to hope that he will implanted by the unseen hand of the Master. have a clearer vision of the august Figure The most beautiful type of character, that who invites the judgment of each man's con- of humility and tenderness, has been reared science, who lays His hand on each man's in the school of Jesus, although in many a heart. (To be continued.) Ciklingen THE BOY JOHN. THE VISIT OF MARY TO ELISABETH. A ND Mary arose in those days, and went into the hill country with haste, into a city of Juda; And entered into the house of Zacharias, and salu- ted Elisabeth. And it came to pass, that, when Elisabeth heard the salutation of Mary, the babe leaped in her womb; and Elisabeth was filled with the Holy Ghost : And she spake out with a loud voice, and said, Blessed art thou among women, and blessed is the fruit of thy womb. And whence is this to me, that the mother of my Lord should come to me? For, lo, as soon as the voice of thy salutation sounded in mine ears, the babe leaped in my womb for joy. And blessed is she that believed: for there shall be a perfor- mance of those things which were told her from the Lord. And Mary said, My soul doth magnify the Lord, And my spirit hath rejoiced in God my Saviour. For he hath regarded the low estate of his handmaiden : for, behold, from henceforth all generations shall call me blessed. For he that is mighty hath done to me great things; and holy is his name. And his mercy is on them that fear him from generation to generation. He hath showed strength with his arm; he hath scattered the proud in the imagination of their hearts. He hath put down the mighty from their seats, and exalted them of low degree. He hath filled the hungry with good things; and the rich he hath sent empty away. He hath holpen his servant Israel, in remembrance of his mercy; As he spake to our fathers, to Abraham, and to his seed for LUKE 1: 39-55. As in so many other instances, the identity of " a city of Juda” cannot be fixed; but the identification is of no consequence in this case, for “the hill country,” being all of similar character, the details would have been the same. The text says “ entered into the house of Zacharias, and saluted Elisabeth.” I have not literally rendered " into the house" as being inside the door, since in the East one is in the house if inside the portal of the outer court; and both for the verisimilitude and the beauty of the picture, I have placed the meeting in one of those gardens peculiar to the Jewish householder, just at the threshold of the house itself. Zacharias, still dumb, is not less in complete understanding of the significance of the visit.-Note of the Artist. ; ever. HE CALLED ON FRANKLIN, AND RECEIVED THE NECESSARY RECOGNITION." THE MAN FOR THE HOUR. BY JAMES BARNES, Author of " Naval Actions of the War of 1812," " Yankee Ships and Yankee Sailors," etc. THE DEVOTED AND HEROIC PATRIOTISM OF COLONEL JOHN LAURENS. ILLUSTRATED BY HOWARD PYLE. HE darkest period of the Ameri- and the preaching of the Tories was listened can Revolution, not even ex- to in many places without remonstrance. cepting the disastrous days Above this sea of trouble rose supreme that followed the hasty re- the figure of the great Commander-in-Chief. treat from Long Island, the Undeterred by obstacles, he refused to be withdrawal of the American cast down by the seeming hopelessness of army from New York, and situations. But Washington at last saw that the cruel winter marching matters had reached a crisis, and perceived through New Jersey, was but one way out of the difficulty, but one that which followed the sixth hope for the continuing of the struggle. It year of the war. The bravest is a strange thing to relate—but we know hearts and the strongest minds were waver- it now-to those about him he felt that he ing, dissatisfaction and mutiny were in the could not disclose all his plans. Trusted ranks, disappointment oppressed many of the generals had failed and betrayed him. His leaders, and chaos ruled in the departments suspicion of Charles Lee, who then found that had to do the financiering of the nation. plenty of defenders, has since proved to have There was no money to meet the pay-rolls, been well founded, and even men whose names and no credit upon which to purchase sup- may be found writ on the scroll of patriots plies; the citizens were tiring of the war, were wavering. It is not the set purpose of 110 THE MAN FOR THE HOUR. the historian to be an iconoclast and to de- triots, and the latter were compelled to fight stroy the popular idols. At the same time it their own countrymen almost as often as they is but truth to tell that not a few even of the faced the red-coated British. Almost every- well-beloved, honest, and trustworthy hard where the invading arms had gained. But old fighters now regarded further fighting as one town of importance on the sea-coast re- useless. In some cases they had kept their mained to the Americans-- Boston: that the opinions to themselves, and we have but dis- English had evacuated long before. A writer covered their wavering from the fact that who dwelt in the middle of things, who was they had begun already to seek positions with in touch with all sides of the question, and the British, whose power they felt must in- who was also an eye-witness and a recorder evitably supersede the apparently hopeless of the story that is to follow, writes thus: government of Congress. Just as the year “The main army under General Washing- 1780 ended, Washington wrote as follows: ton, reduced by detachments to the Southern States, was badly clothed, irregularly pro- Disappointed of the second division of French visioned, and without pay; the magazines troops, but more especially in the expected naval supe- riority, which was the pivot upon which everything were empty, the treasury exhausted, and the turned, we have been compelled to spend an inactive public credit of no avail.” campaign, after the flattering prospect at the opening of it, and vigorous struggles to make it a decisive one most trusted, Washington drew up a memo- Calling a convention of the officers he on our part. rial, a faithful and minute representation of In January, 1781, he wrote the following the extremity and need, and placed it before letter to Meshech Ware, President of New Congress. Congress had listened before, but Hampshire: had done nothing. Now Washington had his last suggestion to make. The aggravated calamities and distresses that have Benjamin Franklin was then representing resulted (to the soldiers) from the total want of pay the United States at the French court. His for nearly twelve months, the want of clothing at a severe season, and not unfrequently the want of pro- humble, plebeian figure, his kindly manner, visions, are beyond description. .. I give it de- and his democratic bearing had endeared him cidedly as my opinion, that it is vain to think an army to the hearts of the French people, then can be kept together much longer under such a vari- ety of sufferings as ours has experienced, and that eager for revolution, mad with the words unless some immediate and spirited measures Fraternity and Equality, and waiting for a adopted to furnish at least three months' pay to the chance to prove that under popular phrases troops in money, which will be of some value to them, and patriotic catch-words may lurk disorder and at the same time ways and means are devised to and destruction. clothe and feed them better (more regularly, I mean), But Benjamin Franklin, than they have been, the worst that can befall us although he had accomplished much, was not may be expected. a courtier; nor, with all his wisdom and firm- ness, was he a clever politician. France, The heart of the nation was not beating at since her first expedition of the previous full tide; it needed an infusion of new blood year, had been doing little or nothing to help to fill its arteries and make the movement the country that he represented. potent. General Lincoln, who had been in Now, Washington saw that help in this command in the South, had made a brave de- crisis could come from France alone. Not fense of the important city of Charleston. only her continued good will, but more of For months he had combated the efforts of her ships and men were needed; and let us Sir Henry Clinton and Admiral Arbuthnot to be fair and say, as a few said then (and peo- dislodge him or force him to surrender; but ple have forgotten it since), France was to hemmed in at all points, and having been save America. But how could she be stirred for weeks without resources, his discouraged to further action ? rank and file depleted by constant fighting On July 10th (or 12th) in 1780, the French and disease, he was compelled at last to sue fleet under Admiral de Terney, that had con- for capitulation; and out of the trenches his voyed the troops of King Louis who were in ragged, hungry soldiers marched, laid down command of the Count de Rochambeau, had their arms, and gave themselves up as pris- arrived at Rhode Island. Two months had oners of war. General Gates had been de- passed before Washington met the leaders of feated at Camden. Recruiting had ceased the French allies at Hartford, on the 18th of entirely, and it was becoming difficult to September. Before three months had gone hold the remnants of the army together. by, de Terney had died at Newport, and his Throughout the Southern States the bands place had been taken by Admiral Destouches. of Tories almost equalled those of the pa The French troops, who were orderly and are THE GOOD, AGEN DOCTOR, THE APPEARANCE OF WHOSE ROTUND FIGURE ON THE STREETS WAS THE SIGNAL FOR THE PARISIANS TO DOFF THEIR HATS," 112 THE MAN FOR THE HOU'R. well drilled, had proved a great addition to Southerner, Colonel John Laurens, son of that our forces, but as yet they had accomplished Henry Laurens who had been imprisoned in little; and the fleet, although formidable in the Tower of London after he had been cap- frigates and ships of the line, had refused tured by the British on his way to Holland, COUNT DE GRASSE, WHO COMMANDED THE FRENCH FLEET OFF THE MOUTH OF THE CHESAPEAKE PREVIOUS TO THE SURRENDER OF CORNWALLIS AT YORKTOWN. combat with the British squadron, had been the year before; and who was at that moment blockaded in port, and, except for one or two under sentence of death for high treason, expeditions, had been of small use. Yet their and only kept from the block by the clamor presence, which was due entirely to the solici- of the British public conscience and fear of tations of Lafayette, made during his flying retaliation. But more of this hereafter—to visit to the French court for that purpose, proceed with the story: Young John Laurens did much to sustain the drooping spirits of was born in Charleston, in the year 1755. the Continental troops. Rochambeau was He was thus at this juncture but twenty-six now with Washington, and probably shared years of age. According to the custom that with most of those about him in the belief was then followed by the wealthy residents that the cause was in extremis. Something of America, he had been sent to Europe to must be done to induce France to come once be educated, and he had studied at the schools more to the assistance of her distant ally. of Paris, Geneva, and London. At the out- On Washington's personal staff was a young break of the War of the Revolution he had THE MAN FOR THE HOUR. 113 been a student of law at the Temple. He working his way by neutral vessels to had followed closely the growing discord aris- Charleston. ing between the colonies and the mother Almost immediately, he joined the staff of country, and when he perceived that a con- General Washington, where he was made COLONEL JOHN LAURENS, SPECIAL MINISTER TO THE COURT OF FRANCE. flict was imminent, he begged his father's welcome as one of the family. He had ever permission to return and offer his services displayed courage and coolness, had been to his country. But Henry Laurens was one wounded in the battle of Germantown, and of those who persisted for a long time in the had been promoted for gallant conduct-a belief that affairs would reach an amicable promotion assuredly deserved, and upon which adjustment, and he forbade his son leaving General Washington himself congratulated England. But the clouds grew darker, and him. But how did this young soldier take the younger man saw plainly that resort to it? On the 6th of November, 1778, he the sword would soon be made. Coke and wrote the following letter, addressed to the Littleton tempted him no longer, and he President of Congress; it breathes the spirit turned his attention to Vauban and Folard; of the man: industriously he studied the art of war, and shortly after the shots fired at Lexington had Colonel Laurens expresses his gratitude for the echoed through England, he stole away to fer on him by the resolutions passed the day before, unexpected honor which Congress were pleased to con- France, and succeeded, after a struggle, in and the high satisfaction it would have afforded him, 114 THE MAN FOR THE HOUR. could he have accepted it without injuring the rights It was a year before, that the young min- of the officers in the line of the army, and doing an ister's own father had set sail on the similar evident injustice to his colleagues in the family of the Commander-in-Chief ; that, having been a spectator of mission to Holland; but the elder Laurens, the convulsions occasioned in the army by disputes of as we have stated, had been captured, the rank, he held the tranquillity of it too dear to be in- vessel that was conveying him having been strumental in disturbing it, and therefore entreated taken by an English frigate on the high Congress to suppress the resolve of yesterday, ordering him a commission of lieutenant-colonel, and to accept seas. He had endeavored to hide his pur- his sincere thanks for the intended honor. pose by throwing away his papers, but, unfor- tunately, they had not been properly weighted, Nevertheless, may it be recorded, his pro- and were picked up on the surface of the motion was sustained. In a position of ac- water. Thus all was disclosed, and in con- tive command he had served in the campaigns sequence the elder Laurens was at that mo- in the South, and in May of 1779 was wounded ment in danger of losing his life. for the second time, in the skirmish with the Probably, had the English known of the British mounted forces at Tullifinny. As soon sailing of the “ Alliance,” they would have as he was able, he rejoined the army, and took made strenuous efforts to intercept her. But part in the unsuccessful attack on Savannah as she was the fastest frigate afloat in those in October. From thence he went to Charles- days, she would, no doubt, have given a good ton, and joined forces with General Lincoln account of herself. She was prepared to in its heroic defense. After the capitulation, fight also. But fair winds favored her, she he was soon exchanged, and under special saw no hostile sail, and after the remarkably orders of the Commander-in-Chief he once short voyage of twenty days, she arrived at more joined the latter's staff. L'Orient. Laurens was a born courtier. He had pol Without pausing two hours, Colonel Lau- ished manners, a figure that would grace the rens set out on the road to Paris. It hap- company of kings, and, moreover, he spoke pened that the Maréchal de Castries, the French like a born Parisian. He was so French Minister of Marine, was then on a handsome that his presence and his bearing visit to the seaports, and Laurens met him possessed a dominating power, made stronger at the Hennebont. The young American's by his unconsciousness and his fearless self- manner and address won for him at once a reliance. He had been named the “ all-ac- place in the minister's estimation, for the complished.” But besides all this outward, latter ordered relays of horses and did every- physical attraction, he had a heart of ster- thing to help him forward. He did not stop ling honesty and worth, a singleness of pur- even for a night, but whirled along the roads pose, a devotion to the cause that had been until, on the 3d of March, just as day was proved, and a great reverence and love for breaking, he entered the gates of Paris. At his commander. Had he not fought a duel once he called on Franklin, and rece ved the with Charles Lee, one of Washington's tra- necessary recognition. It might not be un- ducers, and badly wounded him ? fair to state that it was somewhat grudgingly When it was settled that a special minister given. Beyond all doubt the good Doctor should be sent to the Court of King Louis, looked upon Laurens's presence as a reflec- to solicit the aid that alone could turn the tion upon his own ability. Presenting his tide, John Laurens was chosen to represent memorial and credentials, Laurens was gra- his country in her need. He was chosen by ciously received at court. But to be pre- Washington himself, for Congress had rele- sented and to obtain influence in royal circles gated to the Commander-in-Chief that power. are two different things. Although he had The young officer modestly demurred, and made ready with great care for the presenta- proposed that Alexander Hamilton should be tion of the reasons for his visit, and was pre- sent instead, as being better qualified for a pared to prove the reciprocal interests of mission of such importance. But Washing- America and France, he perceived at the ton would hear nothing of it. So, armed outset that there was opposition. In all his with his credentials, this young man, truly efforts to reach the throne direct with his the hope of the nation, set sail from Boston application, and to plead his cause to the on the 9th of February, 1781, in the frigate highest power, he was thwarted. The “ Alliance,” under the command of that fine Count de Vergennes, Minister of Foreign old sailor, Commodore John Barry. With Relations, was an old hand at the game of him went Major William Jackson of Phila- diplomacy, and one of the objects of a dip- delphia, who had been appointed his secre- lomat is not to commit himself unnecessarily, tary and was his bosom friend. and to take every advantage of another dip- A AT THE SAME TIME HE EXTENDED TOWARD KING LOUIS THE PRECIOUS MEMORIAL," 116 THE MAN FOR THE HOUR. lomat’s position, if aught can be gained signal for the Parisians to doff their hats, thereby. was against any sudden or hasty action, and Every day from the 6th of March to the when Laurens sent him a message stating 2d of May, Laurens sought to gain the all-im- that he intended to go over the head of the portant recognition of his claims. He called French Ministry and apply to the king direct, on the French Minister, and the latter was Franklin objected. Such things were un- busy; he called again, and he was sur- heard-of in courts! It might prejudice the rounded by people upon other important mis- royal mind, it might jeopardize the cause sions; or he found him at some court func- itself; but Laurens was determined. The tion, with powdered ladies in silks and satins king, he felt assured, was not hostile to present, and from that atmosphere of friv- either his mission or his country, despite the olity and light intrigue he could not stir him attitude of the ministers. With his secre- to listen to weighty questions. At other tary, he sat up late into the night preparing times an audience was denied; “ the Minister a paper that embraced a luminous statement could not be seen.” Prolific the excuses, of the facts, and in which the deductions generously polite were the reasons, deter- from them were clearly proved. Etiquette mined was the opposition. would have to stand aside when on the mor- Now, in all this world there is no such gall- row the King held his afternoon reception at ing thing as to be forced to deal with people Versailles. who will not hear. “ There are none so Early in the morning, with the important deaf,” the old saying hath it. One day, paper in the bosom of his embroidered coat, after fruitless efforts to bring matters to a Laurens, accompanied by his secretary, pre- settlement, Laurens returned to his apart- sented his name at the door of the audience ments, and the conviction that had grown chamber of the Count de Vergennes. Ac- upon him of late framed itself definitely in cording to agreement, Dr. Franklin was wait- his mind. Franklin had counseled patience; ing; he was sitting and listening, with his etiquette demanded waiting. But underlying benevolent smile, to the polite words of the everything the young minister perceived the minister under whose influence, it must be reason. By delaying the aid for which Amer- confessed, the worthy old gentleman had been ica was waiting, exhausted and impatient, so moved to patience and inaction. As Colo- panting for relief, France would serve her nel Laurens entered the apartment, Frank- own ends best. The longer America could lin and the Count rose, the latter all suavity struggle unaided, the more men and ships and politeness. Franklin opened his snuff- England had to send before she would give box, and appeared somewhat nervous. It up struggling, and the weaker both nations was the first time that Laurens had found a would become. France would profit by their chance to plead his cause in the way he wished weakness: at the right time she would be to, and he opened fire without preamble. He ready to step in and make them both sub- began to present his facts, and urged pas- servient to her will. sionately the necessity of compliance with his The good, aged Doctor, the appearance of views. Count de Vergennes listened smiling whose rotund figure on the streets was the and unmoved. At last, as the young Ameri- THE DEATH OF COLONEL JOHN LAURENS. THE MAN FOR THE HOUR. 117 can was finishing a sentence in which he rather memorial will be presented to his Majesty in gave way to the bitter feelings that filled person. He drew himself erect. “I have his bosom, the Count raised his hand, and in- the honor to salute you respectfully.” Again terrupted. He threw himself into an arm- he bowed at the door, and motioning for Ma- chair, and his smile was sarcastic as he began jor Jackson to follow him, he left the room. to speak. “Colonel Laurens,” said he,“ you Once outside, where they were unobserved, are so recently from the headquarters of the the youthful side of the young minister was American army, you forget that you are shown. Turning quickly, he caught his sec- no longer delivering the orders of the Com- retary by the arm. “What do you think of mander-in-Chief, but that you are addressing that ?” he asked. “I spoke as my feelings the minister of a monarch who has every dis- dictated, and those words were from my position to favor your country. heart. What do you imagine will come of Laurens, who had seated himself, rose at this interview ?” once. He controlled himself with difficulty. The Major, a young man also, was forced After striding across the room, he turned. to smile. “In my wildest imagination,” he “Favor, sir! The respect that I owe to my returned, “ I could never have thought that country will not admit the term. Say that it would have thus terminated.” the aid is mutual, and I will cheerfully sub “No matter," answered Laurens almost scribe to the obligation. But as the last grimly. “Let us go to the inn and dress argument I shall use with your Excellency- for court, where the act must finish.” the sword which I now wear in the defense of Laurens proved himself in this interview France as well as my own country I may be the true son of his father, and a man of just compelled within a short time to draw against the spirit and nobility that the father him- France as a British subject, unless the suc- self, under extraordinary circumstances, a cor I solicit is immediately accorded.” short time before, had declared him to be. There was no threat in this, no meaning- One of the elder Laurens's friends had ap- less application of words; it was the plain proached him in his prison cell, and told him statement of a plain fact. If America and that he had been instructed to say that he, England had become united at that time, Laurens, would be pardoned if he would write Americans would have been Americans no a note to Lord North and express sorrow longer; they would have been subjects of for what he had done. “Pardon!” exclaimed his Majesty King George, and mayhap loyal Laurens indignantly. “I have done nothing subjects they would have proved themselves to have required a pardon, and I will never in fighting the hereditary enemy of Great subscribe to my own infamy and to the dis- Britain, who was then fighting most of Eu- honor of my children.” Shortly after this, rope. Never had Laurens placed his request when his son had arrived in Paris, and it was upon the ground of false sentiment. He had known in London that his mission in France been honest always, and he was honest then. was most important, the father was coun- He bore no love for France; he was there, seled that he would be given his liberty if but to plead for something that would vouch- he would write to his son and advise him to safe the safety of his own country. leave the country. It was some minutes before the Count de “My son is of age,” he replied to this Vergennes recovered his smiling mask. The suggestion," and has a will of his own. If force of the remark and the remonstrance I should write to him in the terms you re- had been keenly felt by the first diplomat of quest, it would have no effect; he would only Europe; but at last he collected his wits, and conclude that confinement and persuasion had pointing to Franklin, who had said nothing, softened me. I know him to be a man of he spoke quickly. honor. He loves me dearly, and would lay Here is good Monsieur Franklin, who is down his life to save mine; but I am sure he very well contented with us," he said. would not sacrifice his honor to save my life, No one,” replied Colonel Laurens, bow- and I applaud him." ing, respects that venerable gentleman Having now determined to stake all upon more than I do; but to repeat your Excel- his proposed visit to court, young Laurens lency's observation, I am so recently from considered nothing too trivial in preparing the headquarters of the American army,' for what was ahead of him. Little things that many circumstances of the highest in- count for a great deal at court, appearances terest are familiar to me that are yet un- go a great way where royal favor is solic- known to this worthy gentleman. I must ited, and John Laurens dressed for the event now inform your Excellency that my next of the afternoon with scrupulous care. The 118 THE MAN FOR THE HOUR. bright costume set off his well-built figure, his action had occasioned the least flutter or and the way in which he dressed and pow- comment, and joined the foreign ministers. dered his own hair had already quite set a As soon as the ceremony was over, the min- fashion in the place where fashions were set ister drove back with his secretary to the for the world. Already the ladies had termed inn at Paris. As they went through Passy, him “the handsome American." But he only where Good Richard lived, Major Jackson smiled at all this, as he smiled at his friend broke the silence. Jackson's admiring comments as they looked “Do you not think,” he said, “ that we each other over before they started for the had better stop here at Dr. Franklin's house palace. and inform him of the success of your en- The French court was then in mourning deavors ? for the Empress Queen, Maria Theresa, the “No," returned Laurens gravely. “I Queen's mother, and in deference to this wish to see no one until I learn the results every one who appeared in the royal presence of this day's proceedings." wore upon his arm a little band of crape and Changing his brilliant uniform for the mod- a knot of the same upon his sword hilt. When est habit of a citizen, he went out on a long Laurens and the Major entered the audience walk in the streets, and did not return until chamber, they found gathered there all the late at night. The next morning Jackson wit and beauty of the capital. Dandies in and he were at breakfast when a note was silk small-clothes and jeweled buckles, with handed them. Out in the hall a liveried their powdered hair carefully curled and tied lackey was waiting for an answer. Without with widths of ribbon, moved about from a sign of excitement Laurens broke the seal, group to group, orders and decorations spar- and then with a triumphant smile he tossed kling on their breasts; and the ladies with the missive across the table to his friend. their high head-dresses and panniered gowns “Jackson," he said, “we have cut the courtesied and coquetted. Gordian knot! If we were alone, I might “The special minister of the United States give a cheer that would be heard across the of America,” announced the gentleman-in- Channel." waiting, and Laurens stepped forward in his The secretary eagerly read the note. It turn. The King was standing in the center ran as follows: “M. Necker presents his of a semicircle, and the Queen was beside compliments to Colonel Laurens, and re- him. Old Count Maurepas was on his right, quests the honor of an interview at twelve and on his left the Count de Vergennes. Lau- o'clock." rens bowed low before his Majesty, and then, “ Here is something indeed," went on the instead of passing on and taking his position young minister, with pleasure in his voice. among the foreign ministers, he advanced to “Come, let us dress, and pay our respects to within half a pace of the royal presence and Madame Necker." bowed again. At the same time he extended The lackey disappeared with the answer, toward King Louis the precious memorial. and an hour later Colonel Laurens and Major It was an innovation of the forms of court, Jackson were announced in the drawing-room and was so unexpected that the King for an of M. Necker, at that time Director-General instant was taken aback. He stood there of Finance and one of the most important perplexed, as if not knowing what to do. figures in French politics. There were sev- But Marie Antoinette was looking at the eral ladies present, and among them one soon handsome figure before her. Laurens was destined to be world-renowned- Madame de not at a loss. No embarrassment showed in Staël. She was then a little girl but thirteen his features, no awkwardness in his gestures, years of age. After some moments of light and gracefully he dropped upon one knee, and conversation, M. Necker called Colonel Lau- extended the paper to the Queen. She put rens to one side. He wore an odd expression forth her hand, took it, and gave it to the on his face, admiration and interest were King. He held it for a moment, and passed mingled; but the young minister was grave. it across the Count de Vergennes to the Mar “Monsieur," he said, “I have the honor quis de Segur, the Minister of War, who to inform you, by instructions from his Maj- gravely put it in his pocket. The Count de esty, that the loan which you solicit in your Vergennes could scarce conceal his feeling of memorial of yesterday is accorded. The fif- deep chagrin. The whispering had stopped teen hundred thousand livres which you re- among the titled crowd; every one wore a quest may be sent to Major Jackson at Am- look of great amazement and surprise. Lau- sterdam, for the purchase of military stores, rens rose, bowed again, as if unconscious that will be forwarded from Brussels; and any THE MAN FOR THE HOUR. 119 other accommodation connected with my de- of circumstances just related, the rank and partment will be cheerfully granted." title of maréchal de France was conferred “ This gives me most sincere gratification upon the general-in-chief of the combined and deep pleasure,” was Colonel Laurens's armies of America and France.” reply. My thanks to his Majesty and to It has been denied that Washington ever you for your kind offices." held such a commission; but certainly the When the two young men were alone again French leaders of the day granted that it in the streets, they grasped each other by the was so, and the author of this article, after hand. “This day,” said Laurens, “is the devoting considerable study to this point, greatest in my life; and I thank God, who is thinks it may well be conceded that he tem- watching over our beloved country. porarily held that rank. The next day the favor of an interview was Laurens soon left French soil. His work requested by the Maréchal de Castries, who, was done. It was indeed a happy ending of after congratulating Laurens upon the suc- the most important mission that America has cess of his mission, added: “I am directed ever sent to a European court before or since, by his Majesty to inform you that the Count and yet the hero of this incident is almost un- de Grasse, who is now at Brest with twenty- known to the casual reader of American his- five ships of the line, bound to the West In- tory. In the rush of events at home, and in dies, will , conformably to the request in your the number of prominent persons who held memorial of yesterday, rendezvous on the higher commissions, the young minister's American coast at the time General Wash- name has been almost forgotten. But in a ington shall point out. The howitzers that letter that Major Jackson wrote to a friend you want cannot be furnished from the ma- of his (a letter, by the way, wonderful for rine arsenal, as we have none of that caliber, its quiet self-erasure), occur the following but Major Jackson will be able to procure words: “Thus was this most important nego- them in Holland. The frigate ‘Resolute' tiation, which was cer ly the hinge on will carry you to America, with such part which the success of the Revolution then of the money as you may wish to take with turned, brought to a happy close, by the you. Any other facility within my depart- wisdom and decision of a youth who had not ment will be accorded.” then attained his twenty-eighth year, but Although the delight felt at these words whose matured mind and heroic spirit ad- was almost overwhelming, Laurens replied mitted no other rule of official conduct than in his quiet and dignified manner, stating his the honor and interest of his beloved coun- gratitude and pleasure. As soon as possible try." he left the assembly, for there was much Before Laurens left, he designated the work to do. points of coöperation, and appointed a ren- Before Laurens left Paris he had one more dezvous for the French fleet on the American interview with the Count de Vergennes, who coast. He then quietly set sail and returned was, of course, entirely too important to be to America, where once more he took up the ignored in making the final arrangements. duties of a humble aid-de-camp on the Gen- And of this interview George Washington eral's staff. He asked for no sign of ap- Custis, the adopted son of Washington, says: proval, he craved no honors. But Washing- “A difficulty arose between him (Laurens] ton's admiration for him had deepened; he and the French minister as to the command of loved him as his own son. the combined army of America. Our heroic But now let us look at what had been going Laurens said: 'Our chief must command; it on in the meantime with the American army. is our cause, and the battle is on our soil.' They were waiting for Laurens. In that won- *C'est impossible !' exclaimed the French- derful and thrillingly interesting journal kept man. * By the etiquette of the French ser- by Surgeon James Thacher, which covers the vice, the Count de Rochambeau, being an old entire period of the Revolutionary War, we lieutenant-general, can only be commanded find the following entry, made in the field by the king in person or a maréchal de under the date of July 15, 1781: France.' Then,' exclaimed Laurens, ' make General orders are now issued for the army to pre- our Washington a maréchal de France.' It pare for a movement at a moment's notice. The real was done. A friend of mine heard Washing- object of the allied armies, the present campaign, has ton spoken of as “Monsieur le Maréchal’ at become a subject of much speculation. Ostensibly the siege of Yorktown. Our beloved Wash- an investment of the city of New York is in contem- plation-preparations in all quarters for some months ington never coveted or dired rank or title; past indicate this to be the object of our combined but it is beyond a doubt that, from the force operations. The capture of this place would be a de- THE MAN FOR THE HOUR. cis.vu stroke, and from the moment such event takes sorties were repulsed, and in all the fighting place the English must renounce all hopes of subju- gating the United States. But New York is well for young Colonel Laurens was foremost. Upon tified, both by land and water, and garrisoned by the one occasion, at the head of a few score of best troops of Great Britain. The success of a siege riflemen who had rushed an outlying English must depend entirely on the arrival and coöperation intrenchment, he had saved the life of the of a superior French fleet. officer commanding it, and, taking him pris- Part of the army was in New Jersey, and oner, brought him back to the American lines part encamped on the west shore of the Hud- on his own horse. The officer had been son. Every one thought that Washington's wounded, and Laurens gave up his own bed next point of attack would be New York; that and tent to him, and nursed him as a brother. he would make a grand effort to dislodge the Truly “ the bravest are the tenderest.” British; and if this failed, no one could then When my Lord Cornwallis found out that tell what would happen. All the movements there was no chance of his being relieved or seemed to point in this direction; boats had of escaping, he made it known that he would been gathered on the Jersey shore, spies had accept terms of capitulation, and Laurens was accurately reported the doings of the British, appointed by Washington as commissioner to and their fleet was held in New York Harbor treat with the English general. Rochambeau in anticipation of the expected assault of the appointed the Viscount de Noailles to repre- Americans. But again those closest to the sent him. In this capacity the two rode out General knew nothing of his real intentions. between the lines, and met Colonel Ross, the Rumors had come from the South that roads aid-de-camp of Lord Cornwallis, who had had been prepared in Virginia, and reconnois- been chosen by him to undertake the nego- sance and surveys had been made in many tiations. Seated under a tree near the cele- different directions; but for what purpose, brated Moore House, they held their first again no one could ascertain. All at once conference, and the American terms for sur- the army received orders, and horse and foot render were submitted in writing. Colonel and artillery were hurried southward. Then Ross read them over without comment until it was seen why all this preparation had been he came to one sentence ; then he stopped. made, and why it was so necessary for mat- “ This is a harsh article," he said bitterly. ters to be kept secret. “ Which article ?” asked Colonel Laurens. Under the date of the 31st of this same “The troops shall march out with colors month, Thacher makes this entry: cased and drums beating a British or German march,'” read the British colonel. Colonel Laurens has arrived at headquarters on his way from Boston to Philadelphia. This gentleman sioner with some sang froid, “it is a harsh Yes, sir," replied the American commis- is the son of Mr. Henry Laurens, our ambassador to Holland, who is now confined in the Tower of Lon- article." don. We have the pleasing information that he has “Then, Colonel Laurens, if that is your brought with him from France a large sum of specie opinion, why is it here ?” for the United States. He reports that the different powers of continental Europe are friendly to the cause “Your question, Colonel Ross, compels an in which we are engaged. observation which I would have suppressed,” Our situation reminds me of some theatrical exhibi- returned Laurens. “You seem to forget, tion where the interest and expectations of the spec- sir, that I was a capitulant at Charleston, tators are continually increasing, and where curiosity is where General Lincoln, after a brave defense wrought to the highest point. Our destination has been for some time a matter of perplexing doubt and of six weeks in open trenches, by a very uncertainty. Bets have run high on one side that we inconsiderable garrison, against the British were to occupy the ground marked out on the Jersey army and fleet under Sir Henry Clinton and shore, to aid in the siege of New York; and on the Admiral Arbuthnot, when your lines of ap, other, that we are stealing a march on the enemy, and are actually destined to Virginia, in pursuit of the proach were within pistol-shot of our field army under Lord Cornwallis, works, was refused any other terms for his gallant garrison than marching out with col- Now my Lord Cornwallis, with 7,000 men, ors cased and drums not beating a British or was in ignorance of all this. Before he knew German march.” it, the whole American army was at his front, “But," rejoined Colonel Ross,“ my Lord and at the same time the great fleet of Count Cornwallis did not command at Charleston.” de Grasse appeared off the capes of the Chesa “There, sir,” said Colonel Laurens, “ you peake, and the English general was trapped extort another declaration: it is not the in- in Yorktown. dividual that is here considered, it is the na- There was some fighting as a matter of tion. This remains an article or I cease to course. Many assaults were planned and be a commissioner.” THE MAN FOR THE HOUR. 121 unteer. A few days later, when the British garri- stipulates the conditions of the surrender of the con- son marched forth and the proud grenadiers stable, who becomes our prisoner, while Mr. Laurens, of Old England laid down their muskets be- the father, remains confined in the Tower as a pris- oner to the captured constable. Congress had pro- tween the drawn-up lines of the American posed that Mr. Laurens should be received in exchange and French armies, the colors were cased for General Burgoyne, but the proposal was rejected and the drums were playing a British march, by the British Government. After Cornwallis was and the tune that had been chosen for the change for Mr. Laurens. captured, however, he was readily received in ex- occasion was known as “ The World Turned Upside Down''! Close to General Washington, when he re- Young Laurens did not rest idle. True, ceived General O'Hara, whom Cornwallis had he must have known the great value of his deputed to represent him in the closing scene in releasing his father from confinement must services, and that he had been instrumental of the surrender, stood a tall young officer with an upright figure and handsome face. have caused him the greatest joy. But in It was the young man who had brought all the extreme South there was still fighting this about; but he was there as an aid-de- to be done, and not long after these events camp simply, and he did his duty like any the Secretary of War received the following missive : other who humbly wore his country's uni- form. Dear Sir: I am writing you from a sick-bed, but I The following afternoon the general orders have just heard that General Greene has ordered a de- began with this recording paragraph: tachment to intercept a party of the British. I shall ask the command, and, if refused, I shall go as a vol- HEADQUARTERS NEAR YORK, I am, sir, October 20, 1781. Your obedient servant, JOHN LAURENS. The General congratulates the army upon the glori- ous event of yesterday. The generous proofs which his Most Christian Majesty has given of his attach General Greene, who was most anxious for ment to the cause of America must force conviction in the young officer's recovery, would have de- the minds of the most deceived among the enemy clined the request of Colonel Laurens, but relatively to the decisive good consequences of the alliance, and inspire every citizen of these States with the latter's determination to go as a volun- sentiments of the most unutterable gratitude. His teer decided the General to grant it. Owing fleet, the most numerous and powerful that ever ap- to delay and accident, part of the troops de- peared in these seas, commanded by an admiral whose tached to the support of the division did not fortune and talents insure great events; an army of the most admirable composition, both in officers and men, reach the field in time to prevent an attack are the pledges of his friendship to the United States, by a very superior force. Laurens arrived and their coöperation has secured us the present sig- in the midst of the battle. He saw that the nal success. British advance must be stopped, and he hur- ried to save the left wing from destruction. When the watchmen in the Philadelphia Although so weak that he could hardly sit streets shouted the well-known midnight hail, his horse, he called for a charge, and led his “Twelve o'clock and all's well, and Corn- men against the bristling line. Slashing and wallis is taken!” they sounded the death- cutting they went through. But a musket knell of the British power in America. The ball had found its mark. Mortally wounded, country had received its infusion of new John Laurens fell; fell bravely, face to the blood, the heart was beating strongly. The foe. nation was gathering strength. Thus died this young soldier who had saved To complete the account of this episode in his country and had asked for no other reward Laurens's heroic career, let me again quote than to serve her further. The Assistant from Thacher's journal. Under the date of Secretary of War at that time, who had 19th of October, speaking of Cornwallis's granted his request for active service, wrote being taken prisoner, he says: of him: “ Colonel Laurens had exhibited such Connected with this transaction there is a concurs and splendid talents as would have secured proofs of devoted patriotism, heroic valor, rence of circumstances so peculiar and remarkable that I cannot omit to notice them in this place. Mr. for him the first honors of his country, as Henry Laurens, who was deputed by Congress as our they impressed the deepest regret for his ambassador to Holland, was captured and carried into loss and the heart-felt tribute of gratitude England, and closely and most rigorously confined in to his memory.” the Tower of London. Lord Cornwallis sustains the His name and his deeds office of Constable to the Tower; of course Mr. Lau- should live. Indeed, of a truth, he was the rens is his prisoner. Thę son, Colonel John Laurens, . man for the hour! DRAWN BY FRANK V. DU MOND. THE MUSE OF LABOR. “I am Unselfish Service, I am Song."-See poem on opposite page. SONG OF THE MUSE OF LABOR. By EDWIN MARKHAM, Author of “The Man with the Hoe" and other poems. And I saw a new heaven and a new earth.-St. John. I COME, O heroes, to the world gone wrong : I bring the hope of nations, and I bear The warm first rush of rapture in my song, The faint first light of morning on my hair. I look upon the ages from a tower ; I am the Muse of the Fraternal State ; No hand can hold me from my crowning hour; My song is Freedom and my step is Fate. The toilers go on broken at the heart; They send the spell of beauty on all lands ; But what avail ? the builders have no part- No share in all the glory of their hands. I have descended from Alcyone ; I am the Muse of Labor and of Mirth ; I come to break the chain of infamy That Greed's blind hammers forge about the Earth. I have descended from the Hidden Place, To make dumb spirits speak and dead feet start : I feel the wind of battles in my face, I hear the song of nations in my heart. I stand in Him, the Hero of the Cross, To hurl down traitors that misspend His bread; I touch the star of mystery and loss To shake the kingdoms of the living dead. I wear the flower of Christus for a crown ; I weigh the stars and give to each a name; And through the hushed Eternity bend down To strengthen gods and keep their souls from blame. I come to overthrow the ancient wrong, To let the joy of nations rise again : I am Unselfish Service, I am Song, I am the Hope that feeds the hearts of men. I am the Vision in the world-eclipse, And where I pass the feet of Beauty burn; And when I set the bugle to my lips, The youth of work-worn races will return. I am Religion, and the church I build Stands on the sacred flesh with passion packed ; In me the ancient gospels are fulfilled- In me the symbol rises into Fact. I am the maker of the People's bread, I bear the little burdens of the day ; Yet in the Mystery of Song I tread The endless heavens and show the stars their way. THRESHING WHEAT. A SCENE NEAR BEATRICE, NEBRASKA. The large blow-pipe in the background carries off the chaff; it can be pointed in any direction that is desired. ch THE MOVEMENT OF WHEAT. BY RAY STANNARD BAKER, THE SOURCES AND VOLUME OF PRODUCTION.- THE MACHINERY AND METHODS OF DISTRIBUTION.—THE RAPIDITY OF CONSUMPTION. NE has only to watch for a few weeks, as I have been watching, the amazingly intricate operations of the machine which deposits each morning its supply of bread where that bread is to be eaten, never a loaf too much, but sometimes many loaves too few, to feel the mighty reality of the problem of food dis- tribution. There are at present about 517,000,000 bread-eaters in the world, nearly eight times the popu- lation of the United States. An increase equal to two Londons is yearly swelling the enormous figures, the additions coming partly from births in the more ad- vanced countries and partly from the training of the consumers of rice, rye, and the like into a preference for wheat foods. The deductions of years have shown that each bread-eater-man, woman, and child—will consume a barrel of flour (four and one-half bushels of wheat) every year. The French, the English, and the Americans eat more than the average; the Russians and the Germans eat less. On the basis of this aver- age, the bread-eating world requires more than 2,300,- 000,000 bushels of wheat every twelve months to sup- THE MOVEMENT OF WHEAT. 125 ply its table with bread. If the wheat fields of how very closely the consumer treads upon the world produce as much as this, then there the heels of the producer, and how impera- is plenty and prosperity the world over; if the tive is the necessity of distributing the crop production is less, there is suffering and star- -grown perhaps half a world away from the vation. Few people realize how closely the centers of consumption--as soon as it is crop is consumed each year. According to the shaken from the threshers in a million fields, statistician of the United States Department in order that every white man shall have his of Agriculture, the world's total production of loaf, and have it before his last supply has wheat in 1897 was 2,226,745,000 bushels— run out. not enough by millions of bushels to supply Great Britain eats her entire wheat crop the world's food demand and furnish seed for in about thirteen weeks, and then she must the crops of another year. Consequently, be supplied immediately with the products countries of the earth where the crop was of Minnesota or Central Russia or India, or light were visited by want and high prices, else she must suffer. If the United King- in India the need even touching the point of dom could be completely blockaded, say by famine. During the following year, 1898, the ships of allied Europe, her population the crop was enormous, reaching a total pro- would probably be totally extinguished by duction reported as 2,879,924,000 bushels, starvation within three months. The like is but this is probably an over-estimate; and true of every country in Western Europe, as a consequence, there was plenty of food although in some of them actual starvation in nearly every part of the world, with a could be much longer averted. This imme- pronounced return of prosperity in the agri- diate requirement of the densely settled por- cultural regions of the United States. tions of the earth for a constant supply of Last year Sir William Crookes, the dis- bread overrides all laws and diplomatic and tinguished president of the British Asso- political considerations; it disregards cus- ciation for the Advancement of Science, toms duties and the boundaries of nations; considering the proportion between wheat and it is the foundation of the world's money production and wheat consumption, ventured systems; for wheat must move, that men may to name the year 1931 as a date when the have bread. world's bread-eaters would cry for more wheat than the world's farmers could pro- DIRECTION AND FORCE OF THE WHEAT TIDES. duce. There is good reason to believe, as Mr. Edward Atkinson has pointed out, that Generally speaking, the vast tides of wheat Sir William has vastly underestimated the set to the east and north-from the emigrant wheat-growing possibilities of the earth, at farmers on the edge of civilization to the least of the United States. Yet the statistics cities of the old countries; from America, from which such prophecies are drawn show Chili, and Argentine to Europe. There are HARVESTING IN DAKOTA, ON A FARM OF 10,000 ACRES, 8,000 ACRES OF WHICH ARE UNDER CULTIVATION. 126 THE MOVEMENT OF VIEAT. MILWAUKEE AINT PAUL ILY United States, India, Australia, and Argentine. If an open con- flict between the United States and Europe should ever come, the American might go far toward winning his victory by a mere stoppage of the tide of food ; he could almost starve his enemy into submission. Five countries of Europe produce more wheat than they can use-Russia, Hun- gary, Servia, Bulgaria, and Rou- mania; but their surplus would be sufficient to supply only the needs of Holland, Belgium, Scandinavia, and little Switzerland, leaving un- satisfied the vast populations of Great Britain, Germany, Austria, Italy, and France. It is, there- fore, no wonder that the question of food supply is constantly before the parliaments of Europe, and to a degree which the self-sufficient American, who produces enough of almost every commodity to supply his needs, cannot under- stand. It is no wonder that the British Government is discussing thö feasibility of building national granaries and storing vast quan- tities of wheat against the emer- gencies of war or famine. Yet North America is by no means the largest producer of wheat, although the day may not A SQUAD OF WHEAT SAMPLERS AT WORK. be far distant when it will take I'rom photographic documents furnished by the Northwestern Miller." first rank. In 1898, American farmers grew over 758,000,000 lesser tides to the west and south, as from bushels, or more than one-quarter of the California to China, from Russia and India world's production ; but Europe produced to England, from the United States to Brazil; 1,548,881,000 bushels, or more than one- but they are insignificant compared with the half the world's production. Asia (mostly vast main tide from west to east. A few India and Turkey) came next, with 421,000,- years may make great changes in these tides. 000 bushels. These three continents are The rice-eating Chinaman has tasted the food the great wheat-producers. South America of the white man, and he finds it good. He grows only 72,000,000 bushels, less by some could consume the present world's crop and 6,000,000 bushels than the production of the still go hungry. Siberia, opened by the Rus- single State of Minnesota; Africa grows only sian railroad, may yet be one of the greatest 44,000,000 bushels; while Australia, which wheat-producing countries. Australia has has been so much heralded as a source of been farmed only around its fringes. wheat, comes last of all, with only about When a European thinks of food, he thinks 35,000,000 bushels, or about the production in terms of wheat. He is the greatest of of the State of Wisconsin, which is far from bread-eaters; where an American eats meat being first in the list of American States. and potatoes, he eats meat and bread. Yet in the best of years Europe never produces THE GREATEST OF ALL WHEAT TRADERS. enough, even including the crops from the vast fields of Russia, to supply her own needs. The American, with his enormous surplus She is therefore absolutely dependent on the of wheat for exportation, has become, nat- THE MOVEMENT OF IHEAT. 127 urally, the greatest of all traders. He is knows that the Frenchman eats more bread practically the manager and dictator of the than the Englishman, and the Englishman world's wheat movement. He is eminently more than the American; and while there is practical, clear-headed, and far-sighted; and wheat in the bins of Manitoba or Buffalo he wherever I saw him-in Chicago, Minneapo- will not allow the poorest bakeshop in London lis, New York, Duluth, Buffalo, Detroit, or to go without bread to sell. So vast are his Toledo-he was always astonishing, he came dealings that thousands have become units to so near to the realization of the cosmopolite. him; when he sells“ 10 wheat,” he means Every morning he knows the conditions of 10,000 bushels, not ten bushels. He knows the weather in Chili and the progress of just where in all the world wheat will be threshing in India. The United States Gov- scarce, and he prepares over night to turn all ernment hangs at his elbow a map showing his elevators, railroads, canals, and steamskip the rising storm in Montana, which may re- lines to satisfying the demand. He may not duce by two per cent. the crops of northern know a harvesting machine from a gangplow, Minnesota. His special newspapers inform this trader of wheat; but his eye is always on him as to prices in Mark Lane, London; in the thin, wavering ratio line between popula- the Produce Exchange, New York; on the tion and production; he is always facing world- Board of Trade, Chicago; in the Chamber of wide starvation, and always averting it by Commerce, Minneapolis. The railroad com- his splendidly organized business machinery. panies quote him daily rates for shipments Indeed, there is no more impressive spec- to Rio Janeiro, Hamburg, and Hong Kong. tacle in the whole scheme of human life than His State government weighs his wheat as it the almost frantic energy and haste of the arrives from the fields, and decides definitely men of the wheat pits, of the railroad and as to its grade. He knows intimately how steamship lines, and of the mills, each fight- many bushels of wheat there are each morning ing tooth and nail for his own personal gain, at the great terminal elevator points the world and yet serving all unconsciously the mighty over, how much is afloat in steamships, how world purpose of feeding the city from the much is being rushed across the continents in surplus of the distant field. cars. His bank stands ready to advance him A few estimates as to this year's crop- money at the low- est rates of inter- est to the full value of the slips of paper which record his ele- vator holdings. He knows the per- sonal traits and the needs of half the races of the earth. He knows, for instance, just when the China- man can be per- suaded to buy his cheap flours in- stead of rice. He knows that Germany will use his bran for mak- ing molasses cakes. He knows that the Finns will sometimes eat his wheat, though grown 4,000 miles away, in prefer- ence to the flour Nen shovel the wheat ly land in to the path of a traveling steam-shovel, which carries it to a line of of Russia. He traveling buckets; and these, in turn, take it up into the elevator. UNLOADING WHEAT FROM THE HOLD OF A LAKE STEAMER. 128 THE MOVEMENT OF WHEAT. the crop of 1899-will give some idea of the plus varies from time to time, being small- wheat business of the American: est in the summer just before the new crop For feeding his 74,000,000 inhab- comes in ; but it is always large. It is the itants for one year, at 4; bush- mighty trade buffer which prevents the run- els each, he will need :. . 345,000,000 bushels ning of “ corners” and preserves the equilib- For seeding his wheat farms of rium of price and movement. Let a Leiter 47,000,000 acres, at 1} bushels to the acre, he will need .. 70,500,000 bushels. try to control all the wheat in the country, and the canny trader permits him to dip deep Total requirement for one year . 415,500,000 bushels. into the surplus, and he suddenly finds him- self so loaded down with wheat the very ex- He will get from the crop of 1899 some- istence of which he hardly realized, that he thing over 600,000,000 bushels of wheat, loses millions in trying to save himself by and that will leave him approximately 200,- selling out. 000,000 bushels to send abroad to his hun- gry brethren of other na- THE MARCH OF THE HARVESTERS. tions. More than a third of this he will grind, and ex- Hardly less impressive than the port in the form of flour; eastward flow of the wheat is the the remainder he will send northward march of the harvesters. as wheat. And in addition This begins at the bottom of the to this great exportation world, in Novem- and the incident handling ber, with the har- and conveyance, there is the vests of Peru and interior distribution of the southern tip wheat and flour in the of Africa. Then United States, the move- comes Burma in ment from the December; in fields in the West January, Austra- to the populous lia and Argentine; centers of the in February and East, which is an March, the East immense business Indies and Upper in itself, exceed- Egypt ; in April, ing in volume the the wheat belts entire domestic of Asia Minor, food movement of Persia, and India, all the countries and, on our own of Europe. continent, Mexi- In spite of the co. It is not until eagerness of the May that the har- American trader vesters touch the and his great United States; in shipments, he that month they never sells down reach Florida and below a certain huge sur- Texas, and, in foreign coun- plus. On the 1st of July, tries, Japan and northern 1899, for instance, what Africa. With June, the wheat har- is called the “ visible vest in the United States begins in supply" of grain in ele- earnest, and from that time until the vators at such terminal GRAIN ELEVATOR AT BUFFALO. 1st of September, when the last har- points as Duluth, Minne- vester has passed northward out of apolis, and Chicago, together with the wheat the Red River Valley, there is not an hour in transport on ships and cars, amounted to of daylight when the click of the reapers about 74,000,000 bushels. The invisible cannot be heard. July and August are supply in the farmers' hands and in country the harvest months of northern civilization. elevators on the same date has been roughly In the United States, the harvest-time suc- estimated at 70,000,000 bushels, making a cession has developed its own typical har- total of 144,000,000 bushels on hand at the vester. He appears with the ripening of beginning of harvest this year. The sur- crops in Oklahoma, ragged, unkempt, and LOGUS HIVECER THE MOVEMENT OF WHEAT. 129 Lletus, UNLOADING AT THE WATSON ELEVATOR, BUFFALO. can make a year's wages in two months. By the time he reaches the Dakotas, he is one of an army of more than 50,000 men, penniless, but ready to do a man's full work many of whom have been drawn from St. for double wages. As soon as the Oklahoma Paul, Chicago, and even farther east, tempted grain is safely in shock, he marches north- by low railroad fares, large wages, and boun- ward. Somewhere in Nebraska or Kansas tiful board. In September, the harvester, he acquires a blanket, possibly a black tin now no longer penniless, disappears from the tea-pail, and a little money. He is then knowledge of men; where he goes no one known as a “wheat stiff,” or sometimes as can say; but with another June he will be a “blanket stiff.” If he is industrious, he found waiting in Oklahoma ready for the 130 THE MOVEMENT OF WHEAT. ripening of wheat. And he is the first, and is likely to be sold. He also has on his desk not the least interesting, of the movers of daily prices and a general advisory letter wheat. from his commission men. He is even be- ginning to study the government crop re- THE SHIFTING OF THE CENTER OF PRODUC- ports and to watch the crop probabilities of Russia and Argentine as an indication of the TION. trend of prices. A prominent commission Another one of the great movements per- man of Detroit told me that large numbers taining to wheat is the change of location in of farmers in Michigan, which has the oldest the center of wheat production. Only six and best of agricultural colleges, had put in States east of the Mississippi had a larger telephones, so that they could keep more wheat acreage in 1897 than they had at the closely in touch with the city markets and time of the eleventh census in 1890. On be ready at a moment's notice to take ad- the other hand, every State west of the Mis- vantage of any advance in price. In Dakota, sissippi, with the single exception of Mis- some of the bonanza farmers have special souri, showed a considerable increase; and telegraph lines running into their houses. the production of wheat on the Pacific Coast All this recently developed business acumen had made a phenomenal advance, constitut- on the part of the farmer is increasing mar- ing in itself in 1897 thirteen and three-tenths velously the rapidity and efficiency of the per cent. of the total production of the coun- distribution. Only a few years ago the rail- try. Thus the center of American wheat road elevator buyer was the only man who production, like the center of population, is could quote prices, and the farmers, know- advancing rapidly westward. ing that they were at his mercy, were sus- The wheat grown in the United States is picious and slow. Now the more advanced of two general kinds. One is the old-fash- of them know the reigning prices in Liver- ioned plump-kernel winter wheat, grown pool from day to day almost as soon as the through all the Central and Southern States; most sophisticated city trader. and the other is the hard spring wheat-the “Scotch Fife” and the “* Blue Stem” of HOW THE FARMER DISPOSES OF HIS WHEAT. Minnesota and the two Dakotas-for many purposes the best wheat grown in the world The primary movement of wheat is the and the kind that has made the fame of Min- natural flow to the local flour-mill, where it neapolis flour. During this season, the prod- is ground to feed the farmer's family, and uct of the hard, or spring, wheat sections of toward the granary, where it is stored up for the country will amount to upward of 240,- seed. The proportion of wheat thus actually 000,000 bushels, about two-fifths of the en- retained and consumed in the country where tire production of the United States. Of this, it is grown is astonishingly large. Accord- Minnesota and the two Dakotas alone will ing to the statistician of the Department of produce nearly 200,000,000 bushels. Minne- Agriculture, half of the crops of Ohio, Iowa, sota is the greatest of all the wheat States. Virginia, California, and Oklahoma are eaten Last year her wheat fields covered nearly where they are grown. Minnesota and Michi- 5,000,000 acres, and she grew upward of 78,- gan farmers consume a third of their wheat. 000,000 bushels-more than twice the entire Pennsylvania eats over 18,000,000 bushels production of the continent of Australia, and out of the 26,000,000 bushels produced. In more than that of Great Britain and Ireland. some of the States-among them, all of New The American farmer, and particularly the England, South Carolina, Mississippi, and Northwestern wheat farmer, who plows and Montana-not so much as a kernel gets away reaps and threshes by machinery without so from the county where it is grown. In all much as touching his product with his hands, the United States, about 276,000,000 bushels is becoming preeminently a man of business. of the crop of 675,000,000 bushels for 1898 The Government has supplied colleges for were consumed immediately at home. educating him, and it sends him regular bul When the farmer has amply provided for letins containing the results of long-continued himself, he begins to think of selling his sur- experiments conducted by the Department of plus--which in 1898, for the whole United Agriculture. He is a wide reader, some- States, amounted to the enormous total of times a thinker, and always a politician. 400,000,000 bushels. Of this, something less Every morning during the days of harvest than half is consumed in the cities of the he receives the reports of the board of trade United States, and something more than half or the chamber of commerce where his wheat is exported to foreign countries, either as THE MOVEMENT OF WHEAT. 131 wheat or as flour. The wheat crop of the the prolific Northwest, where large num- average year is, therefore, divided into three bers of farmers are cultivating from 3,CCO more or less equal parts, the first being con- to 10,000 acres of wheat a year, where sumed by the farmer and his immediate neigh- the various farm buildings are connected bors of the smaller towns and villages, the by telephone, where the plowing is done by second going to supply the concentrated complicated machinery, where the farmer masses of population in the great cities, and owns from two to ten threshing-machines, the third being exported as wheat or flour to from twenty to fifty reapers, and hundreds feed the foreigner. These are most impor- of cattle and horses, the sale of a crop be- LUS HALCHE 66 GRAIN SCOOPERS GOING TO WORK IN BUFFALO HARBOR. tant factors in the general economy of the comes a large business transaction. I met a nations, for the longer the producer can pre- Dakota farmer of the bonanza type who had serve intact the present relation between the two large elevators, one at each end of his wheat consumed at home and that exported, 3,000 acres of wheat. Here the grain was the greater will the country become, the stored as fast as it came from the threshers, larger the number of farmers' sons who will and freight cars could be run on the special be educated in the agricultural colleges, and side-tracks which had been provided by the the larger the number of farmers' daughters railroad company, and the wheat shipped at who will play upon pianos. a moment's notice. This farmer expected a There are three general methods by which crop of 50,000 bushels from his land. At the wheat farmer disposes of his crop. In sixty cents a bushel, the net price he ex- 132 THE MOVEMENT OF WHEAT. pected to receive, his income from his crop These elevators are distributed along nearly for the year would be about $30,000. Some every railroad line touching Minneapolis, and of the great farmers even keep special agents they form a network of business enterprise in the chamber of commerce at Minneapolis covering five States. Every part of every or on the board of trade at Duluth. These system vibrates in instant sympathy with the agents watch their opportunity, and sell por- controlling head at Minneapolis, and deals tions of the crop from time to time for future are made with a rapidity fairly dizzying to the delivery, as the reigning price attracts them. outsider. The manager of a local house may Of course, this wholesale method of doing buy a thousand bushels in a day. The cen- business is only possible among the bonanza tral office at Minneapolis is immediately in- But there is a considerable class formed of the amount by telegraph, and of somewhat less extensive wheat-growers within an hour every bushel is sold on the who have of late years formed close business floor of the Chamber of Commerce. Indeed, relations with commission men at such ter- so rapid and successful is this system of crop minal points as Chicago, Duluth, Minneapolis, movement, that of the wheat of 1898 less St. Louis, and Toledo. They order cars them- than thirty per cent., according to statistics selves, and ship their grain direct, thereby of the Department of Agriculture, was left avoiding the middleman charge of the local on hand on March 1, 1899. In other words, dealer, and get a price remarkably close to more than two-thirds of a year's crop had the city quotations. Some of these farmers actually been disposed of within a half year. even go so far as to sell on the board for Perhaps no one thing so simplifies and future delivery. facilitates the movement of wheat as the present rigid system of inspection and grad- ing. In former times a load of grain must THE LOCAL ELEVATOR MAX. needs be carefully examined by every pros- But the great mass of smaller farmers, espe- pective purchaser, were he miller or commis- cially throughout the winter-wheat States, sion man; and if this buyer sold again, a sec- still sell in the old-fashioned way; to the lo- ond examination became necessary, with its cal elevator man or buyer. They keep them- attendant disagreement as to quality. The selves so thoroughly informed, however, as business of wheat-buying, indeed, was full to the reigning prices in the great marts and of time-consuming details, and in the end the probabilities as to rise or fall, that the neither party to a trade was likely to be sat- commissions of the local dealer have been isfied. As a consequence, the State govern- scaled to the lowest notch. Indeed, in this ment, or, in some primary markets, the local day of many railroads, if the small wheat- chamber of commerce, stepped in, and as- grower is dissatisfied with local prices, he sumed charge of the whole system of grad- can combine with his neighbors -a not infre- ing and inspection; and now no portion of quent occurrence--and ship directly by car- the great wheat business moves with more load lots to some city commission man, who ease and efficiency, a degree of care and is only too willing to buy his grain at the accuracy simply amazing to the outsider be- highest possible price. So fierce is the com- ing constantly maintained. petition among the wheat-buyers that at some centers, most notably Minneapolis, vast A TYPICAL SYSTEM OF GRADING. systems of elevators have sprung up, each controlled by a powerful central house at the Minneapolis is the greatest primary wheat terminal point. There are no fewer than market in the world, and it is here that the thirty-six elevator companies in Minneapo- system may be seen to its best advantage. lis, controlling 1,862 country elevators with During the crop year ended August 31, 1898, a combined capacity of nearly 50,000,000 Minneapolis received upward of 75,000,000 bushels of wheat. A single company controls bushels of wheat, besides vast stores of other 115 country elevators having a capacity of grain. It will be seen that so slight a mis- 4,750,000 bushels of wheat. And the head take in inspection or grading as the equiva- of this company is also the head of other lent of one cent a bushel on the wheat would companies there, having lines of elevators mean the improper distribution of $750,000 in Minnesota and the Dakotas with a com- in money in a single year. The Minnesota bined storage capacity of nearly 10,000,000 system of inspection is under the supervision bushels. He also has lines of elevators in of the State Railroad and Warehouse Commis- Nebraska and Kansas. He is said to be the sion, which meets in St. Paul every August largest individual wheat-dealer in the world. for the purpose of establishing grades for THE MOVEMENT OF WHEAT. 133 the ensuing year. Notices are published, car, thrust a brass plunger deep into the and the grain men of the State are invited wheat, bring up a sample here and there, fill to attend and make suggestions for changes a bag, label it with the number and initials or improvements in the system. Last win- of the car, and pass on with the inspector. ter the number of grades was fixed at eigh. It is swift work, of necessity, for the sam- teen. The first (and it is the pride of Min- ples must be in at the opening of the Cham- nesota) was No. 1 Hard Spring Wheat; and ber of Commerce, where, set out in little tin the second, No. 1 Northern Spring Wheat. pans, each bearing the grade tag of the State Here are the descriptions of these two inspector, they form the basis of the day's grades: trading. Of such wheat as now comes into the market an inspector can inspect and No. 1 Hard Spring Wheat.-No. 1 hard spring wheat must be sound, bright, and well cleaned, and must be grade thirty or forty cars an hour; but eight composed mostly of hard Scotch Fife, and weigh not or ten years ago he could inspect and grade less than fifty-eight pounds to the measured bushel. from sixty to ninety cars in an hour, the No. 1 Northern Spring Wheat.-- No. 1 northern wheat at that time being much cleaner, ow- spring wheat must be sound and well cleaned, and must be composed of the hard and soft varieties of spring ing to its coming from newer and less weedy wheat. fields, and to more careful threshing. In about half the cars the inspector must now The deputy inspector and his men are out sift and weigh samples of the grain to see early in the morning. The cars from the how many pounds to the bushel it must be wheat fields have been shunted to their docked for dirt and oats. The highest grade special sidings in each of the yards. One of Minnesota wheat is very rare and pre- man goes ahead, recording the numbers and cious, and happy is the farmer who ships it. initials of the cars, and examining the seals Of 995 cars of new wheat marketed in Min- to see that no one has tampered with them. neapolis during August, 1899, only five cars A second man breaks the seals and opens the graded No. 1 Hard, while 296 were set down doors, and then comes the deputy himself, as No. 1 Northern, 387 as No. 2 Northern, the wheat expert. He is quick and keen, 156 as No. 3 Northern, 62 were rejected, long schooled in observing the minute differ- and 89 were marked“ no grade.” The last ences which mark the wheat from different two classes are sold by the commission men parts of the country. I saw one grizzly old for what they will bring, and the wheat may inspector who had become so expert that, later be dried, scoured or cleaned of dirt by according to humorous report, he could tell the elevator men, so that it will come up to what county in the West a car of wheat came grade specifications. from merely by sniffing a pinch of the grain. After an inspector has finished his work, the The inspector looks sharply for threshers' cars are resealed with a State seal, to await dust, oats, cockle; and he examines the ker- the disposition of the purchaser. Everything nels keenly to see if they are shrunken or is done promptly and in a thoroughly busi- burnt ; and then he smells for smut. He ness-like manner, and the wheat is rarely de- even plunges a hollow brass tube into the layed more than a day in the cars in which it heap to make sure that some cunning ship- arrives. The State keeps complete records per has not put in a layer or plug” of and samples of every car inspected until the poorer grade wheat at the bottom of the car. wheat has passed entirely out of the market, Usually he is able to decide on the grade of so that should any dispute arise, it could be a carload almost as soon as he sees the instantly and amicably settled. It sometimes wheat; but sometimes he is compelled to happens that the commission man believes take out a pioch here and there, and then that the wheat is entitled to a higher grade weigh it in a little brass kettle, to make sure than the inspector has given it. If so, he that it comes strictly within the lawful may appeal from the inspector's decision to specifications. He is an absolutely impar- a State board which is especially appointed to tial judge. He records only the number and hear his complaint. If the grade is changed initials of the car. He never knows who is after a second examination, the State bears the shipper. I heard of one deputy who in- the expense of the inspection ; if not, it is spected his own brother's wheat for six borne by the objecting commission man. It months without knowing whose it was. may be said to the credit of these inspectors, The official inspector is accompanied by a that during the crop year ended August 31, number of active young men of the sampling 1898, out of 220,777 cars inspected, only bureau, which represents the great elevator 16,104 were held for reinspection, and in and commission houses. They climb into the only half of these was the grade changed. 134 THE MOVEMENT OF WHEAT. asseg US (GREAT BRITAIN 96,703,006. BRITISH N AMERICA $9528,843. S.AMERICA HONG GERMANY $5.426,622 KONG 9.673,6143 14,030,34. ANNUAL RECEIPTS $177,363,030 $$$ DIAGRAM SHOWING THE ANNUAL RECEIPTS OF THE UNITED STATES FROM FOREIGN COUNTRIES FOR WHEAT. The State charges a small fee for its ser- the outside public, and often unjustly judged vices as inspector-twenty cents a car on account of its abuses. It has played of and later it steps in and officially weighs all late years an immensely important part in the wheat as it is distributed into the eleva- making the movement of wheat swift and For the crop year ended August 31, certain, and in permitting the middleman to 1898, the total expense to the State was do business on a very narrow, but still profit- $191,681, nearly covered by fees. able, margin. The selling of futures grew out of actual necessity. Early in the sixties, before the THE WHEAT TRADERS AND THEIR METHODS. railroads had reached out into the West, the elevator men of Red Wing, Minnesota, then About ten o'clock in the morning, the wheat a great wheat market, were compelled to buy traders of the great primary markets like the farmer's wheat in quantities in the fall, Chicago, Minneapolis, Duluth, St. Louis, and store it all winter, and float it down the Mis- Toledo gather on 'change. The samples sissippi in the spring. They bought without from hundreds of cars are ready on the the slightest idea of what the price would be tables, each with its tag telling the name of when they came to sell, and the fluctuations the commission man, the grade and dockage, of war times were wide and frequent. As and the number of the car. Big dials and a consequence, the Red Wing traders were blackboards distributed about the room tell compelled to buy very low from the farmers, the story of the price fluctuations in the to avoid any possibility of loss when they market at Chicago, and usually in the markets came to sell, and their profits were quite of several other cities, including, of course, likely to be enormous. This condition of the the local market. The elevator men, the grain trade, with the resultant dissatisfaction millers or their buyers, and the commission among the farmers, was the direct cause of men swarm about the tables, buying as many the practice of selling for the future. The carloads as they may have orders for. In date of the first transaction is not known, Minneapolis, a very large proportion of the but it was in the winter of 1868-69 that wheat is bought in for the millers; in Chicago the system was first generally used. The and other cities it is bought for storing wheat was sold for delivery in May. It was against a rise in price or for immediate a simple business transaction, a man selling shipment. The seller makes a notation of wheat which he had actually in his pos- each sale on his “sold” card, and the session, to be delivered to the buyer at a buyer enters his purchase on his “ bought” future time. From this primitive and per- card. fectly wholesome form, the practice, how- So far, the trading is as simple as the ever, finally developed into such refinements selling of a calico dress by sample - I have of pure speculation that now immense sales, grain to sell, and you buy it. But the most for “ future” delivery, are made by men important feature of the wheat exchange is who don't possess, and don't expect to pos- not this buying and selling of cash wheat. sess, a grain of actual wheat, to men who It is rather the trading in futures, a branch have no desire or expectation of ever get- of the wheat business little understood by ting any. THE MOVEMENT OF WHEAT. 135 675.000000 UNITED STATES RUSSIA BUSHELS 403,000000 FRANCE INDIA BUSHELS 73,000,000 360.000.000 BUSHELS 256.000.000 BUSHELS ERMAMY 120.000.000 BUSHERS GREAT BRITAIN COMPARATIVE WHEAT PRODUCTION OF THE DIFFERENT COUNTRIES. THE MAMMOTH ELEVATORS. low figure--the entire work of unloading, storing, and reloading rarely adding more Having been sold on the trading board of than one cent to the price of a bushel of the terminal market, the wheat is stored in wheat. elevators, each grade by itself, and elevator receipts are issued to the owners. These re- TRANSPORTATION TO THE SEABOARD. ceipts play an important part in every wheat transaction. They are accepted by banks as The transportation of the wheat from the security for loans to nearly the full value in West to the seaboard is a business of almost money of the wheat they represent. Both inconceivable magnitude. It means millions the State and the local chambers of com- of dollars a year to railroad and ship owners, merce watch the elevators with critical eyes, and during the rush season of the late fall, so for it is upon the absolute trustworthiness of great is the demand for transportation, that these receipts that the trade bases its money shippers find difficulty in obtaining enough transactions. cars and vessels. Most of the wheat of the The four great wheat elevator centers are Northwest goes by way of the lakes, through Minneapolis, Duluth, Chicago, and Buffalo. the Sault de Sainte Marie Canal, to Buffalo, I visited some of the elevators in the last- where it is shipped by rail or canal to New named city--elevators that have a storage ca- York, Boston, Baltimore, and Philadelphia. pacity of from 100,000 to 2,500,000 bushels, Few there are who appreciate the magnitude some of them built of steel, operated by elec- of the lake shipping interests, which have tricity from Niagara Falls, protected from fire been developed to a considerable extent by by pneumatic water systems, and having com- the transportation of wheat. Duluth-Supe- plete machinery for cleaning, drying, and rior is the second port in the United States scouring the wheat, when that is necessary. in point of tonnage, being exceeded only by The elevators are provided with so-called New York. The Sault de Sainte Marie Canal " legs," long spouts, containing moving passes two and a half times as much tonnage bucket-belts, which are lowered into the in eight months as the Suez Canal passes in hold of a grain-laden vessel. Here the a full year. Lake shipping furnishes, more- wheat is shoveled by grimy workmen, toil- over, the cheapest transportation in the world, ing in a cloud of dust, into the pathway of the rate being approximately three-quarters huge steam shovels, which, in turn, draw the of a mill per ton per mile. Some of the yellow load it looks from above like so much greater lake vessels carry enormous cargoes sand-to the ends of the “ legs,'' where the —up to 250,000 bushels of wheat in a single buckets seize it, and carry it upward into the load. Without comparisons it is difficult to elevator, and distribute it among the various form any conception of the immensity of a bins. A cargo of 180,000 bushels can thus cargo of this size. In Duluth, 700 bushels are be unloaded in a few hours, while legs on the estimated as a carload. At that rate, a cargo other side of the elevator will reload it into of 252,000 bushels, which has actually been cars, six at a time in five minutes, or in an transported from Duluth to Buffalo, would hour fill a canal-boat. The cost of all these fill 360 cars, or nine trains of forty cars operations has been reduced to a ridiculously each. At fifteen bushels to the acre, this 136 THE MOVEMENT OF WHEAT. cargo would represent the yield of 16,800 about 80,000,000 bushels, or 18,000,000 acres of land. In many localities, a farm of barrels, of which will be in the form of flour. 160 acres is looked upon as a large one. It Last year was the greatest in the history of would take 105 such farms to raise enough the country for flour exports, every civilized wheat to furnish this one cargo. nation on the face of the earth and many No better tribute could be paid to the uncivilized nations having bought flour at magnificent transportation machinery of the the American mill. The average price of country than a simple statement of the freight a bushel of wheat exported in the fiscal year rates on grain to foreign ports. A bushel of ended in 1899 was 74.77 cents, and the price wheat, or an equivalent amount of flour, can per bushel for the wheat exported in the form be shipped from Minneapolis to almost any of flour was 87.67 cents, calculating that point in Western Europe for about twenty four and one-half bushels of wheat are used cents. This includes no fewer than three in the production of a barrel of flour. This reshipments—at Duluth, Buffalo, and New adds 12.9 cents to the amount of money re- York. It is a curious and significant fact ceived for each bushel of wheat sent abroad for the economists to explain, that it costs in this form, thus bringing to American in- almost as much to transport a bushel of dustry over $10,000,000 in one year as a wheat from the Dakota fields to Duluth as compensation for the enterprise which trans- it does to send the same wheat from Duluth formed the 80,000,000 bushels of grain into through to Liverpool. A similar condition the 18,000,000 barrels of flour exported. apparently exists in England. A recent In this connection Western millers com- writer in the “ Bankers' Magazine” of Lon- plain much of the present treaty agreements don says that shippers in America can move of the United States with certain foreign grain from Duluth to Liverpool for less than powers, which permit the entrance of Ameri- the English railroads charge for carrying it can wheat at a much lower proportionate from Liverpool to Leicester. The same tariff than American flour, thereby encour- writer, in comparing Old World methods of aging the shipment of the raw wheat and wheat-dealing with New, pays a splendid trib- its manufacture abroad in competition with ute to the genius of the American trader. American mills. In Brazil, for instance, He says: wheat is admitted free, whereas there is a duty of fifty cents a barrel on flour. In Aus- The cost of growing wheat is only one factor in the tria, flour pays $1.61 a barrel and wheat only problem which the Americans are solving so success- fully--of how the New World is to feed the Old. No 19.5 cents a bushel; in France, flour is $1.88 less important are the railroads with which the West- and wheat 36.8 cents; while in Russia, wheat ern States are now gridironed, the rolling stock, beside is admitted free, and flour pays a duty of 83.8 which our own is quite out of date, and the ubiquitous cents. The millers feel that the United agencies that exist for collecting grain, grading it, and hurrying it through to the seaboard in train-loads of States should seek by reciprocity treaties to 300 or 400 tons each. The financing of the crop re- secure the introduction of flour and wheat into quires a most extensive ramification of local bankers all foreign countries on a basis of equal- and grain brokers, who have all to be “bright men" if they mean to fulfill their first duty as Americans and ity. "get on top." The elevator companies, who store But in spite of all discrimination, the for- grain at the railroad centers, whence it can be shipped eign sale of American flour is increasing east at an hour's notice, are indispensable wheels in enormously-from about 4,000,000 barrels the machine. Even the speculators in the wheat pit,” in 1875 to over 10,000,000 barrels in 1885, who buy and sell “futures,” have their legitimate use. Their dealings create a free market for grain such as and 18,000,000 barrels in the present year. exists nowhere else. Through them millions of bushels American flour is shipped 5,000 miles to com- can be bought or sold any morning. Orders which pete with Russian flour in Germany; and, might take days to execute at Liverpool or Mark Lane are the work of a moment in Chicago. In the case of more wonderful still, Western millers are a foreign purchase, the grain can be on the way to the actually selling their cheaper grades of flour port of shipment the same night. So on all the way in China te compete with the native-grown through, in every branch of the wheat business, from rice. The exportation of flour to Hong Kong growing it to making markets for it, the American is will exceed 1,000,000 barrels in the year facile princeps. He handles millions of bushels where European dealers seldom get beyond thousands, and his 1899, while in 1889 the number was only methods are proportionately massive. 378,634 barrels. The flour shipped to Hong Kong is distributed largely in China. Con- THE FOREIGN CONSUMERS. siderable quantities also are shipped direct to Japan and the Philippines. In ten years This year the United States will export our flour trade in Japan has increased eleven- about 200,000,000 bushels of its wheat crop, fold, while in all Asia it has risen from 418,- THE MOVEMENT OF WHEAT. 137 353 barrels in 1889 to about 1,750,000 in of the wheat-raiser, and a reduction of his 1899. In South America the growth has profits means a sluggish movement of wheat; been less rapid. Germany took 500,000 bar- but I can barely touch upon it here. It is rels in 1899 compared with only 13,000 bar- exceedingly difficult to arrive at the exact rels in 1889. Holland has become one of cost of producing grain; there are, indeed, our very best customers, but does not com- as many estimates as there are investigators. pare with Great Britain, which has nearly But the Wisconsin State Bureau of Labor and doubled her imports since 1889, so that she Industrial Statistics speaks on the subject in now buys of us more than 10,000,000 bar- its latest biennial report with much more rels a year, or considerably more than half than ordinary authority. Its calculations of our entire exportations. The English are are based on more than 7,000 inquiries and fond of our flour. They buy the best grades, schedules, and its investigations have cov- and they know the best brands. The flour ered a period of three years. The conclusion is exported in 280 and 140 pound sacks. It reached is that it costs the farmer, including goes in free of duty, and so the prices in every expense, even interest, investment, and England range remarkably close to the prices deteriorations in buildings and machinery, in America. During the fiscal year ended fifty-four cents a bushel to raise wheat. last June, Great Britain paid us nearly $100,- During the last six years the average price 000,000 out of our total receipts of $177,- of wheat in the local markets was sixty-one 000,000 for flour and wheat exported to for- cents a bushel, which would give the farmer eign countries. Germany came next, then a clear profit of seven cents a bushel, to say Canada, and then South America-chiefly nothing of the by-products of the crop, the Brazil. In former years New York had the value of which is estimated at seven cents a lion's share of the wheat export business; but bushel. In other words, quoting the report, latterly Boston, Baltimore, Philadelphia, New “ the average profit or surplus as computed Orleans, and Galveston have been large ex- from the results of all returns ranged from porters. For the fiscal year 1899, New five to twelve per cent. on the capital in- York took only 28.8 per cent., while New vested or used.”' Orleans and Galveston had 16.9 per cent. However, the average yield of wheat per each, Boston 12, Baltimore 9.4 (against 15 acre is gradually creeping up. In 1890 it per cent. in 1898), and Philadelphia had 6 was only 11.1 bushels to the acre, in 1895 per cent., the remainder being scattered be- it was 13.7 bushels, while in 1898 it had tween Montreal, Portland, Norfolk, and New- reached 15.3 bushels. By the use of ma- port News. chinery, combined with cheaper rates of transportation for supplies, the farmer can THE PROFIT OF THE FARMER. produce a larger yield more cheaply than ever before, so that, although the farm prices Now, from all this vast production and for wheat do not average higher from year to distribution what is the result in profit and year, the farmer's profits are larger. The prosperity to the American farmer? This amount of money which the American farmer is, of course, a most important question, for receives for his wheat crop will reach the the volume of the wheat business rises and enormous average of nearly $400,000,000 a falls in direct proportion to the prosperity year. WHISTLING DICK'S CHRISTMAS STOCKING. By O. HENRY. at the faintly glowing colors until, at last, he turned to them his broad back, as if convinced IT was with much caution that Whistling that legal interference was not needed, and Dick slid back the door of the box car, the sunrise might proceed unchecked. So for Article 5716, City Ordinances, authorized he turned his face to the rice bags, and (perhaps unconstitutionally) arrest on suspi- drawing a flat flask from an inside pocket, cion, and he was familiar of old with this or- he placed it to his lips and regarded the dinance. So, before climbing out, he sur- firmament. veyed the field with all the care of a good Whistling Dick, professional tramp, pos- general. sessed a half friendly acquaintance with this He saw no change since his last visit to officer. They both loved music. Still, he did this big, alms-giving, long-suffering city of not care, under the present circumstances, the South, the cold-weather paradise of the to renew the acquaintance. There is a dif- tramps. The levee where his freight car stood ference between meeting a policeman upon a was pimpled with dark bulks of merchandise. lonely street corner and whistling a few op- The breeze reeked with the well-remem- eratic airs with him, and being caught by him bered, sickening smell of the old tarpaulins crawling out of a freight car. that covered bales and barrels. The dun waited, as even a New Orleans policeman river slipped along among the shipping with must move on some time—perhaps it is a an oily gurgle. Far down toward Chalmette retributive law of nature-and before long he could see the great bend in the stream “Big Fritz” majestically disappeared be- outlined by the row of electric lights. Across tween the trains of cars. the river Algiers lay, a long, irregular blot, Whistling Dick waited as long as his made darker by the dawn which lightened judgment advised, and then slid swiftly to the sky beyond. An industrious tug or two, the ground. Assuming as far as possible coming for some early sailing-ship, gave a the air of an honest laborer who seeks his few appalling toots, that seemed to be the daily toil, he moved across the network of signal for breaking day. The Italian luggers railway lines, with the intention of making were creeping nearer their landing, laden his way by quiet Girod Street to a certain with early vegetables and shellfish. A vague bench in La Fayette Square, where, accord- roar, subterranean in quality, from dray ing to appointment, he hoped to rejoin a pal wheels and street cars, began to make itself known as “Slick,” this adventurous pilgrim heard and felt; and the ferryboats, the Mary having preceded him by one day, in a cattle Anns of water craft, stirred sullenly to their car into which a loose slat had enticed him. menial morning tasks. As Whistling Dick picked his way where Whistling Dick's red head popped suddenly night still lingered among the big, reeking, back into the car. A sight too imposing musty warehouses, he gave way to the habit and magnificent for his gaze had been added that had won for him his title. Subdued, to the scene. A vast, incomparable police- yet clear, with each note as true and liquid man rounded a pile of rice sacks and stood as a bobolink's, his whistle tinkled about the within twenty yards of the car. The daily dim, cold mountains of brick like drops of miracle of the dawn, now being performed rain falling into a hidden pool. He followed above Algiers, received the flattering atten- an air, but it swam mistily into a swirling tion of this specimen of municipal official current of improvisation. You could cull splendor. He gazed with unbiased dignity out the trill of mountain brooks, the staccato 138 WHISTLING DICK'S CHRISTMAS STOCKING. 139 me ?" of green rushes shivering above chilly la "Is dat straight, or a game you givin’ goons, the pipe of sleepy birds. Rounding a corner, the whistler collided “It's der pest tip you efer had. I gif it with a mountain of blue and brass. to you pecause I pelief you are not so bad as "So," observed the mountain calmly, “you der rest. Und pecause you gan vistle Die are alreaty pack. Und dere vill not pe frost Freischutz' bezzer dan I myself gan. Don't before two veeks yet! Und you haf forgot- run against any more bolicemans aroundt ten how to vistle. Dere was a valse note in der corners, but go avay vrom town a few dot last bar.” tays. Goot-pye.” "Watcher know about it?" said Whistling So Madame Orléans had at last grown Dick, with tentative familiarity ; "you wit weary of the strange and ruffled brood that yer little Cherman-band nixcumrous chunes. came yearly to nestle beneath her charitable Watcher know about music? Pick yer ears, pinions. and listen agin. Here's de way I whistled After the big policeman had departed, it-see?” Whistling Dick stood for an irresolute min- He puckered his lips, but the big police- ute, feeling all the outraged indignation of man held up his hand. a delinquent tenant who is ordered to vacate "Shtop," he said, “und learn der right his premises. He had pictured to himself a way. Und learn also dot a rolling shtone day of dreamful ease when he should have gan't vistle for a cent." joined his pal ; a day of lounging on the Big Fritz's heavy mustache rounded into wharf, munching the bananas and cocoanuts a circle, and from its depths came a sound scattered in unloading the fruit steamers ; deep and mellow as that from a flute. He and then a feast along the free-lunch coun- repeated a few bars of the air the tramp had ters from which the easy-going owners were been whistling. The rendition was cold, but too good-natured or too generous to drive correct, and he emphasized the note he had him away, and afterward a pipe in one of taken exception to. the little flowery parks and a snooze in some “Dot p is p natural, und not p vlat. Py shady corner of the wharf. But here was a der vay, you petter pe glad I meet you. stern order to exile, and one that he knew Von hour later, und I vould haf to put you must be obeyed. So, with a wary eye open in a gage to vistle mit der chail pirds. Der for the gleam of brass buttons, he began his orders are to bull all der pums afder sun- retreat toward a rural refuge. A few days rise." in the country need not necessarily prove To which ?” disastrous. Beyond the possibility of a slight 'To bull der pums-eferybody mitout fis- nip of frost, there was no formidable evil to ible means. Dirty days is der price, or fif- be looked for. teen tollars." However, it was with a depressed spirit that Whistling Dick passed the old French market on his chosen route down the river. For safety's sake, he still presented to the world his portrayal of the part of the worthy artisan on his way to labor. A stall- keeper in the market, unde- ceived, hailed him by the generic name of his ilk, and Jack" halted, taken by surprise. The vender, melted by this proof of his own acuteness, bestowed a foot Mayor Frankfurter and half a loaf, and thus the problem of break- fast was solved. " He repeated a few bars of the air the tramp had When the been whistling." streets, from to- BLACK of Sohp 140 WHISTLING DICK'S CHRISTMAS STOCKING. pographical reasons, began to shun the a credulous and ancient fisherman, whom he river bank, the exile mounted to the top of charmed with song and story, so that he dined the levee, and on its well-trodden path pur- like an admiral, and then like a philosopher sued his way. The suburban eye regarded annihilated the worst three hours of the day him with cold suspicion. Individuals re- by a nap under the trees. flected the stern spirit of the city's heart When he awoke and again continued his less edict. He missed the seclusion of the hegira, a frosty sparkle in the air had suc- crowded town and the safety he could always ceeded the drowsy warmth of the day, and find in the multitude. as this portent of a chilly night translated At Chalmette, six miles upon his desul- itself to the brain of Sir Peregrine, he length- tory way, there suddenly menaced him a vast ened his stride and bethought him of shelter. and bewildering industry. A new port was He traveled a road that faithfully followed being established ; the dock was being built, the convolutions of the levee, running along compresses were going up; picks and shovels its base, but whither he knew not. Bushes and barrows struck at him like serpents from and rank grass crowded it to the wheel ruts, every side. An arrogant foreman bore down and out of this ambuscade the pests of the upon him, estimating his muscles with the lowlands swarmed after him, humming a keen, eye of a recruiting sergeant. Brown men vicious soprano. And as the night grew and black men all about him were toiling nearer, although colder, the whine of the away. He fled in terror. mosquitos became a greedy, petulant snarl By noon he had reached the country of the that shut out all other sounds. To his plantations, the great, sad, silent levels bor- right, against the heavens, he saw a green dering the mighty river. He overlooked light moving, and, accompanying it, the fields of sugar-cane so vast that their far- masts and funnels of a big incoming steamer, thest limits melted into the sky. The sugar- moving as upon a screen at a magic-lantern making season was well advanced, and the show. And there were mysterious marshes cutters were at work; the wagons creaked at his left, out of which came queer gurgling drearily after them; the negro teamsters in- cries and a choked croaking. The whistling spired the mules to greater speed with mel- vagrant struck up a merry warble to offset low and sonorous imprecations. Dark green these melancholy influences, and it is likely groves, blurred by the blue of distance, showed that never before, since Pan himself jigged where the plantation houses stood. The tall it on his reeds, had such sounds been heard chimneys of the sugar-mills caught the eye in those depressing solitudes. miles distant, like lighthouses at sea. A distant clatter in the rear quickly de- At a certain point Whistling Dick's uner- veloped into the swift beat of horses' hoofs, ring nose caught the scent of frying fish. and Whistling Dick stepped aside into the Like a pointer to a quail, he made his way dew-wet grass to clear the track. Turn- down the levee side straight to the camp of ing his head, he saw approaching a fine team of stylish grays drawing a double surrey. A stout man with a white mustache occupied the front seat, giv- ing all his atten- tion to the rigid lines in his hands. Behind him sat a placid, middle-aged lady and a brilliant looking girl hardly arrived at young ladyhood. The lap- robe had slipped partly from the knees of the gen- tleman driving, and Whistling Dick "You'll stick right in this camp until we finish the job." saw two stout WHISTLING DICK'S CHRISTMAS STOCKING. 141 canvas bags between his feet-bags such as, Been shoppin' fer Chrismus, and de kid's lost while loafing in cities, he had seen warily one of her new socks w’ot she was goin' to transferred between express wagons and bank hold up Santy wid. De bloomin' little skee- doors. The remaining space in the vehicle zicks ! Wit her ‘Mer-ry Chris-mus !' W'ot was filled with parcels of various sizes and d’yer t’ink! Same as to say, 'Hello, Jack, shapes. how goes it ?' and as swell as Fift' Av'noo, As the surrey swept even with the side- and as easy as a blowout in Cincinnat.” tracked tramp, the bright-eyed girl, seized Whistling Dick folded the stocking care- by some merry, madcap impulse, leaned out fully, and stuffed it into his pocket. popiering VINTER “A black streak came crashing through the window-pane upon the table.” toward him with a sweet, dazzling smile, and It was nearly two hours later when he cried, “Mer-ry Christ-mas!” in a shrill, came upon signs of habitation. The build- plaintive treble. ings of an extensive plantation were brought Such a thing had not often happened to into view by a turn in the road. He easily Whistling Dick, and he felt handicapped in selected the planter's residence in a large devising the correct response. But lacking square building with two wings, with numer- time for reflection, he let his instinct decide, ous good-sized, well-lighted windows, and and snatching off his battered derby, he broad verandas running around its full ex- rapidly extended it at arm's length, and drew tent. It was set upon a smooth lawn, which it back with a continuous motion, and shouted was faintly lit by the far-reaching rays of a loud, but ceremonious, “ Ah, there!” after the lamps within. A noble grove surrounded the flying surrey. it, and old-fashioned shrubbery grew thickly The sudden movement of the girl had about the walks and fences. The quarters caused one of the parcels to become un- of the hands and the mill buildings were wrapped, and something limp and black fell situated at a distance in the rear. from it into the road. The tramp picked it The road was now enclosed on each side up, and found it to be a new black silk stock- by a fence, and presently, as Whistling Dick ing, long and fine and slender. It crunched drew nearer the houses, he suddenly stopped crisply, and yet with a luxurious softness, and sniffed the air. between his fingers. “If dere ain't a hobo stew cookin' some- “Ther bloomin' little skeezicks !” said where in dis immediate precinct,” he said to Whistling Dick, with a broad grin bisecting himself, “me nose has quit tellin' de trut'." his freckled face. “W'ot do yer think of dat, Without hesitation he climbed the fence now! Mer-ry Chris-mus! Sounded like a to windward. He found himself in an ap- cuckoo clock, dat's what she did. Dem guys parently disused lot, where piles of old bricks is swells, too, betcher life, an der old 'un were stacked, and rejected, decaying lumber. stacks dem sacks of dough down under his In a corner he saw the faint glow of a fire trotters like dey was common as dried apples. that had become little more than a bed of 142 WHISTLING DICK'S CHRISTMAS STOCKING. living coals, and he thought he could see acquired a record for working a larger num- some dim human forms sitting or lying about ber of successfully managed confidence games it. He drew nearer, and by the light of a than any of his acquaintances, and he had little blaze that suddenly flared up he saw not a day's work to be counted against him. plainly the fat figure of a ragged man in an It was rumored among his associates that old brown sweater and cap. he had saved a considerable amount of money. “Dat man,” said Whistling Dick to him- The four other men were fair specimens of self softly, “is a dead ringer for Boston the slinking, ill-clad, noisome genus who car- Harry. I'll try him wit de high sign.” ry their labels of "suspicious ” in plain view. He whistled one or two bars of a rag-time After the bottom of the large can had melody, and the air was immediately taken up, been scraped, and pipes lit at the coals, two and then quickly ended with a peculiar run. of the men called Boston aside and spake The first whistler walked confidently up to with him lowly and mysteriously. He nodded the fire. The fat man looked up, and spake decisively, and then said aloud to Whistling in a loud, asthmatic wheeze : Dick: “Gents, the unexpected, but welcome, ad “Listen, sonny, to some plain talky-talk. dition to our circle is Mr. Whistling Dick, an We five are on a lay. I've guaranteed you old friend of mine for whom I fully vouches. to be square, and you're to come in on the The waiter will lay another cover at once. profits equal with the boys, and you've got to Mr. W. D. will join us at supper, during help. Two hundred hands on this plantation which function he will enlighten us in re- are expecting to be paid a week's wages to- gard to the circumstances that give us the morrow morning. T'o-morrow's Christmas, pleasure of his company." and they want to lay off. Says the boss : “Chewin' de stuffin' out'n de dictionary, as ‘Work from five to nine in the morning to usual, Boston,” said Whistling Dick ; "but get a train load of sugar off, and I'll pay t'anks all de same for de invitashun. I guess every man cash down for the week, and a I finds meself here about de same way as day extra.' They say: ‘Hooray for the boss ! yous guys. A cop gimme de tip dis mornin'. It goes. He drives to Noo Orleans to-day, Yous workin' on dis farm ? ” and fetches back the cold dollars. Two A guest," said Boston sternly, “shouldn't thousand and seventy-four fifty is the amount. never insult his entertainers until he's filled I got the figures from a man who talks too up wid grub. "Taint good business sense. much, who got 'em from the book-keeper. Workin' —but I will restrain myself. We The boss of this plantation thinks he's going five-me, Deaf Pete, Blinky, Goggles, and to pay this wealth to the hands. He's got it Indiana Tom-got put onto this scheme of down wrong ; he's going to pay it to us. It's Noo Orleans to work visiting gentlemen going to stay in the leisure class, where it upon her dirty streets, and we hit the road belongs. Now, half of this haul goes to me, last evening just as the tender hues of twi- and the other half the rest of you may divide. light had flopped down upon the daisies and Why the difference? I represent brains. It's things. Blinky, pass the empty oyster-can my scheme. Here's the way we're going to at your left to the empty gentleman at your get it. There's some company at supper in the house, but they'll leave about nine. They've For the next ten minutes the gang of road- just happened in for an hour or so. If they sters paid their undivided attention to the don't go pretty soon, we'll work the scheme supper. In an old five-gallon kerosene can anyhow. We want all night to get away they had cooked a stew of potatoes, meat, good with the dollars. They're heavy. About and onions, which they partook of from nine o'clock Deaf Pete and Blinky'll go down smaller cans they had found scattered about the road about a quarter beyond the house, the vacant lot. and set fire to a big cane-field there that the Whistling Dick had known Boston Harry cutters haven't touched yet. The wind's just of old, and knew him to be one of the right to have it roaring in two minutes. The shrewdest and most successful of his brother- alarm'll be given, and every man Jack about hood. He looked like a prosperous stock- the place will be down there in ten minutes, drover or a solid merchant from some country fighting fire. That'll leave the money sacks village. He was stout and hale, with a ruddy, and the women alone in the house for us to always smoothly shaven face. His clothes handle. You've heard cane burn? Well, were strong and neat, and he gave special there's mighty few women can screech loud attention to the care of his decent-appearing enough to be heard above its crackling. The shoes. During the past ten years he had thing's dead safe. The only danger is in right.” WHISTLING DICK'S CHRISTMAS STOCKING. 143 Whistling Dick, . . . seated at the planter's table, feasting on viands his experience had never before included." being caught before we can get far enough thousand dollars I'm going to get will fix me away with the money. Now, if you for fair. I'm going to drop the road, and Boston," interrupted Whistling Dick, start a saloon in a little town I know about. rising to his feet, “ tanks for de grub yous I'm tired of being kicked around.” fellers has give me, but I'll be movin' on Boston Harry took from his pocket a now.” cheap silver watch, and held it near the fire. “What do you mean?” asked Boston, also “It's a quarter to nine,” he said. “Pete, rising. you and Blinky start. Go down the road Wy, you can count me outer dis deal. past the house, and fire the cane in a dozen You outer know dat. I'm on de bum all places. Then strike for the levee, and come right enough, but dat other t’ing don't go back on it, instead of the road, so you wont wit me. Burglary is no good. I'll say meet anybody. By the time you get back good-night and many tanks fer- the men will all be striking out for the fire, Whistling Dick had moved away a few and we'll break for the house and collar the steps as he spoke, but he stopped very sud- dollars. Everybody cough up what matches denly. Boston had covered him with a short he's got.” revolver of roomy caliber. The two surly tramps made a collection of “Take your seat,” said the tramp leader. all the matches in the party, Whistling Dick “I'd feel mighty proud of myself if I let you contributing his quota with propitiatory go and spoil the game. You'll stick right in alacrity, and then they departed in the dim this camp until we finish the job. The end starlight in the direction of the road. of that brick pile is your limit. You go two Of the three remaining vagrants, two, inches beyond that, and I'll have to shoot. Goggles and Indiana Tom, reclined lazily Better take it easy, now.” upon convenient lumber and regarded Whis- "It's my way of doin',” said Whistling tling Dick with undisguised disfavor. Boston, Dick. “Easy goes. You can depress de observing that the dissenting recruit was muzzle of dat twelve-incher, and run 'er back disposed to remain peaceably, relaxed a little on the trucks. I remains, as de newspape's in his vigilance. Whistling Dick arose pres- says, “in yer midst.'' ently and strolled leisurely up and down, All right,” said Boston, lowering his piece, keeping carefully within the territory as- as the other returned and took his seat again signed him. on a projecting plank in a pile of timber. Dis planter chap,” he said, pausing be- "Don't try to leave ; that's all. I wouldn't fore Boston Harry,"wot makes yer t’ink miss this chance even if I had to shoot an he's got de tin in de house wit' 'im?” old acquaintance to make it go. I don't “I'm advised of the facts in the case,” want to hurt anybody specially, but this said Boston. “He drove to Noo Orleans and 144 WHISTLING DICK'S CHRISTMAS STOCKING. got it, I say, to-day. Want to change your than difficult to turn back upon him his guns mind and come in?” of raillery and banter. It is true, the young “Naw, I was just askin'. Wot kind o' men attempted to storm his works repeat- team did de boss drive? ” edly, incited by the hope of gaining the ap- "Pair of grays." probation of their fair companions; but even “Double surrey?' when they sped a well-aimed shaft, the “Yep.” planter forced them to feel defeat by the “Women folks along?” tremendous discomfiting thunder of the “Wife and kid. Say, what morning paper laughter with which he accompanied his are you trying to pump news for?” retorts. At the head of the table, serene, “I was just conversin' to pass de time matronly, benevolent, reigned the mistress away. I guess dat team passed me in de of the house, placing here and there the road dis evenin'. Dat's all." right smile, the right word, the encouraging As Whistling Dick put his hands into his glance. pockets and continued his curtailed beat up The talk of the party was too desultory, and down by the fire, he felt the silk stock- too evanescent to follow, but at last they ing he had picked up in the road. came to the subject of the tramp nuisance, “Ther bloomin' little skeezicks !” he mut- one that had of late vexed the plantations tered, with a grin. for many miles around. The planter seized As he walked up and down he could see, the occasion to direct his good-natured fire through a sort of natural opening or lane of raillery at the mistress, accusing her of among the trees, the planter's residence some encouraging the plague. “They swarm up two hundred yards distant. The side of the and down the river every winter,” he said. house toward him exhibited spacious, well-“They overrun New Orleans, and we catch lighted windows through which a soft radi- the surplus, which is generally the worst ance streamed, illuminating the broad veranda part. And, a day or two ago, Madame and some extent of the lawn beneath. Nouveau Orléans, suddenly discovering that “What's that you said ?” asked Boston, she can't go shopping without brushing her sharply. skirts against great rows of the vagabonds “Oh, nuttin' 't all,” said Whistling Dick, sunning themselves on the banquettes, says to lounging carelessly, and kicking medita- the police : 'Catch 'em all, and the police tively at a little stone on the ground. catch a dozen or two, and the remaining three “ Just as easy,” continued the warbling or four thousand overflow up and down the vagrant softly to himself, “an' sociable an' levees, and Madame there"--pointing trag- swell an' sassy, wiť her ‘Mer-ry Chris-mus,' ically with the carving-knife at her-“feeds -wot d'yer t'ink, now !” them. They won't work; they defy my over- seers, and they make friends with my dogs ; Dinner, three hours late, was being served and you, Madame, feed them before my eyes, in the Bellemeade plantation dining-room. and intimidate me when I would interfere. The dining-room and all its appurtenances Tell us, please, how many to-day did you spoke of an old régime that was here con- thus incite to future laziness and depreda- tinued rather than suggested to the memory. tion?” The plate was rich to the extent that its age “Six, I think,” said Madame, with a re- and quaintness alone saved it from being flective smile ; “ but you know two of them showy; there were interesting names signed offered to work, for you heard them your- in the corners of the pictures on the walls.; self.” the viands were of the kind that bring a The planter's disconcerting laugh rang out shine into the eyes of gourmets. The service again. was swift, silent, lavish, as in the days 'Yes, at their own trades. And one was when the waiters were assets like the plate. an artificial-flower-maker, and the other was The names by which the planter's family and a glass-blower. Oh, they were looking for their visitors addressed one another were work! Not a hand would they consent to historic in the annals of two nations. Their lift to labor of any other kind.” manners and conversation had that most And another one,” continued the soft- difficult kind of ease--the kind that still hearted mistress, "used quite good language. preserves punctilio. The planter himself It was really extraordinary for one of his seemed to be the dynamo that generated the class. And he carried a watch. And had larger portion of the gayety and wit. The lived in Boston. I don't believe they are younger ones at the board found it more all bad. They have always seemed to me WHISTLING DICK'S CHRISTMAS STOCKING. 145 mas. to rather lack development. I always look a piece of yellowish paper. “Now for the upon them as children with whom wis- first interstellar message of the century," he dom has remained at a standstill while dirt cried; and nodding to the company, who had and whiskers have continued to grow. We crowded about him, he adjusted his glasses passed one this evening as we were driving with provoking deliberation, and examined it home who had a face as good as it was in- closely. When he finished, he had changed competent. He was whistling the inter- from the jolly host to the practical, decisive mezzo from 'Cavalleria,' and blowing the man of business. He immediately struck a spirit of Mascagni himself into it.” bell, and said to the silent-footed mulatto A bright-eyed young girl who sat at the man who responded : “Go and tell Mr. Wes- left of the mistress leaned over, and said in ley to get Reeves and Maurice and about a confidential undertone: ten stout hands they can rely upon, and come “I wonder, mamma, if that tramp we passed to the hall door at once. Tell him to have on the road found my stocking, and do you the men arm themselves, and bring plenty think he will hang it up to-night ? Now of ropes and plow lines. Tell him to hurry.” I can hang up but one. Do you know why I And then he read aloud from the paper these wanted a new pair of silk stockings when I words : have plenty ? 'Well, old Aunt Judy says, if TO THE GENT OF DE HOUS. you hang up two that have never been worn, Dere is 5 tuff hobose xcept meself in de vaken lot Santa Claus will fill one with good things, near de rode war de old brick piles is. Dey got me and Monsieur Pambé will place in the other stuck up wid a gun see and I takes dis means of comu- payment for all the words you have spoken nikaten 2 of der lads is gone down to set fire to de --good or bad-on the day before Christ- to turn de hoes on it de hole gang is goin to rob de cain field below de hous and when yous fellers goes That's why I've been unusually nice hous of de money yoo got to pay off wit say git a move and polite to every one to-day. Monsieur on ye gay de kid dropt dis sock in der rode tel her Pambé, you know, is a witch gentleman ; mery crismus de same as she told me. Ketch de bums down de rode first and den sen a relefe core to get me he out of soke yores truly The words of the young girl were inter- WHISTLEN DICK. rupted by a startling thing. Like the wraith of some burned-out shoot There was some quiet, but rapid, mancu- ing star, a black streak came crashing vering at Bellemeade during the ensuing half through the window-pane upon the table, hour, which ended in five disgusted and sul- where it shivered into fragments a dozen len tramps being captured, and locked se- pieces of crystal and china ware, and then curely in an outhouse pending the coming of glanced between the heads of the guests to the morning and retribution. For another the wall, imprinting therein a deep, round result, the visiting young gentlemen had se- indentation, at which, to-day, the visitor to cured the unqualified worship of the visiting Bellemeade marvels as he gazes upon it and young ladies by their distinguished and heroic listens to this tale as it is told. conduct. For still another, behold Whis- The women screamed in many keys, and tling Dick, the hero, seated at the planter's the men sprang to their feet, and would have table, feasting upon viands his experience had laid their hands upon their swords had not never before included, and waited upon by the verities of chronology forbidden. admiring femininity in shapes of such beauty The planter was the first to act; he sprang and “swellness ” that even his ever-full mouth to the intruding missile, and held it up to could scarcely prevent him from whistling. view. He was made to disclose in detail his adven- "By Jupiter !” he cried. “A meteoric ture with the evil gang of Boston Harry, and shower of hosiery! Has communication at how he cunningly wrote the note and wrapped last been established with Mars ?” it around the stone and placed it in the toe “I should say-ahem !—Venus," ventured of the stocking, and, watching his chance, a young gentleman visitor, looking hopefully sent it silently, with a wonderful centrifugal for approbation toward the unresponsive momentum, like a comet, at one of the big young lady visitors. lighted windows of the dining-room. The planter held at arm's length the un The planter vowed that the wanderer ceremonious visitor—a long, dangling, black should wander no more ; that his was a stocking. “She's loaded,” he announced. goodness and an honesty that should be re- As he spoke he reversed the stocking, warded, and that a debt of gratitude had holding it by the toe, and down from it been made that must be paid ; for had he not dropped a roundish stone, wrapped about by saved them from a doubtless imminent loss, 146 WHISTLING DICK'S CHRISTMAS STOCKING. and, maybe, a greater calamity ? He assured ominous sounds pierced the fearful hollow Whistling Dick that he might consider him- of his ear. self a charge upon the honor of Bellemeade ; The force of plantation workers, eager to that a position suited to his powers would be complete the shortened task allotted them, found for him at once, and hinted that the were all astir. The mighty din of the ogre way would be heartily smoothed for him to Labor shook the earth, and the poor tat- rise to as high places of emolument and tered and forever disguised Prince in Search trust as the plantation afforded. of his Fortune held tight to the window sill But now, they said, he must be weary, and even in the enchanted castle, and trembled. the immediate thing to consider was rest and Already from the bosom of the mill came sleep. So the mistress spoke to a servant, the thunder of rolling barrels of sugar, and and Whistling Dick was conducted to a room (prison-like sound) there was a great rattling in the wing of the house occupied by the of chains as the mules were harried with servants. To this room, in a few minutes, stimulant imprecations to their places by the was brought a portable tin bathtub filled wagon tongues. A little vicious "dummy” with water, which was placed on a piece of engine, with a train of flat cars in tow, oiled cloth upon the floor. Here the vagrant stewed and fumed on the plantation tap of was left to pass the night. the narrow-gauge railroad, and a toiling, By the light of a candle he examined the hurrying, hallooing stream of workers were A bed, with the covers neatly turned dimly seen in the half darkness loading the back, revealed snowy pillows and sheets. A train with the weekly output of sugar. Here worn, but clean, red carpet covered the floor. was a poem ; an epic-nay, a tragedy-with There was a dresser with a beveled mirror, Work! the curse of the world, for its theme. a washstand with a flowered bowl and pitch The December air was frosty, but the ers; the two or three chairs were softly up- sweat broke out upon Whistling Dick's face. holstered. A little table held books, papers, He thrust his head out of the window, and and a day-old cluster of roses in a jar. There looked down. Fifteen feet below him, against were towels on a rack and soap in a white the wall of the house, he could make out dish. that a border of flowers grew, and by that Whistling Dick set his candle on a chair, token he overhung a bed of soft earth. and placed his hat carefully under the table. Softly as a burglar goes, he clambered out After satisfying what we must suppose to upon the sill, lowered himself until he hung have been his curiosity by a sober scrutiny, by his hands alone, and then dropped safely. he removed his coat, folded it, and laid it No one seemed to be about upon this side of upon the floor, near the wall, as far as pos- the house. He dodged low, and skimmed sible from the unused bathtub. Taking his swiftly across the yard to the low fence. It coat for a pillow, he stretched himself luxu- was an easy matter to vault this, for a terror riously upon the carpet. urged him such as lifts the gazelle over the The tale of the historian is often disap- thorn bush when the lion pursues. A crush pointing ; and if the historian be a work- through the dew-drenched weeds on the man who has an eye for effect and propor- roadside, a clutching, slippery rush up the tion, he has temptations to inaccuracy. For grassy side of the levee to the footpath at results fail to adjust themselves logically, the summit, and-he was free! and evince the most profound indifference The east was blushing and brightening. toward artistic consequence. But here we The wind, himself a vagrant rover, saluted are at the mercy of facts, and the unities- his brother upon the cheek. Some wild whatever they may be-must be crushed be- geese, high above, gave cry. A rabbit neath an impotent conclusion. skipped along the path before him, free to When, on Christmas morning, the first turn to the right or to the left as his mood streaks of dawn broke above the marshes, should send him. The river slid past, and Whistling Dick awoke, and reached instinct- certainly no one could tell the ultimate abid- ively for his hat. Then he remembered that ing place of its waters. the skirts of Fortune had swept him into A small, ruffled, brown-breasted bird, sit- their folds on the night previous, and he ting upon a dogwood sapling, began a soft, went to the window and raised it, to let the throaty, tender little piping in praise of the fresh breath of the morning cool his brow dew which entices foolish worms from their and fix the yet dream-like memory of his holes ; but suddenly he stopped, and sat with good luck within his brain. his head turned sidewise, listening. As he stood there, certain dread and From the path along the levee there burst BUCKS. 147 forth a jubilant, stirring, buoyant, thrilling strange ; and the little brown bird sat with whistle, loud and keen and clear as the his head on one side until the sound died cleanest notes of the piccolo. The soaring away in the distance. sound rippled and trilled and arpeggioed as The little bird did not know that the part the songs of wild birds do not; but it had a of that strange warbling that he understood wild free grace that, in a way, reminded the was just what kept the warbler without his sma brown bird of something familiar, but breakfast that morning ; but he knew very exactly what he could not tell. There was well that the part he did not understand did in it the bird call, or reveille, that all birds not concern him, so he gave a little flutter know; but a great waste of lavish, unmean- of his wings and swooped down like a brown ing things that art had added and arranged, bullet upon a big fat worm that was wrig- besides, and that were quite puzzling and gling on the levee path. BUCKS. A STORY FROM THE TRAIN-DESPATCHER'S OFFICE. BY FRANK H. SPEARMAN. SEE a good deal of stuff in -of a transcontinental line now; and a very print about the engineer,” great swell. But no man from the West End said Callahan dejectedly. that calls on Bucks has to wait for an audi- What's the matter with the ence; though bigger men do. They talk of despatcher? What's the mat- him out there yet. Not of General Superin- ter with the man who tells tendent Bucks, which he came to be ; nor the engineer what to do- of General Manager Bucks. On the West and just what to do? How End he is just plain Bucks; but Bucks means to do it—and exactly how to a whole lot on the West End. do it? With the man who “He saved the company three hundred sits shut in by brick walls thousand dollars that night the Ogallala train and hung up in Chinese puzzles, his ear glued ran away,” mused Callahan. Callahan himself to a receiver, and his finger fast to a key, and is assistant superintendent now. his eye riveted on a train register? The man “Three hundred thousand dollars is a good who orders and annuls and stops, and starts deal of money, Callahan," I objected. everything within 500 miles of him, and holds “Figure it out yourself. To begin with, under his thumb more lives every minute than fifty passengers' lives—that's $5,000 apiece, most brigadiers do in a lifetime? For in- isn't it?” Callahan had a cold-blooded way of stance," asked Callahan, in his tired way, figuring a passenger's life from a company “what's the matter with Bucks?” standpoint. “It would have killed over fifty Now, I never knew Bucks myself. He left passengers if the runaway had ever struck the West End before I went on. Bucks is Fifty-nine. There wouldn't have been enough second vice-president—which means the boss of Fifty-nine left to make a decent funeral, 148 BUCKS. Then the equipment, at least $50,000. But coward shadow. It was a wretched day, and there was a whole lot more than the $300,000 the sun went down with the wind tuning in it for Bucks." into a gale, and all the boys in bad humor “How so?” except Bucks. Not that Bucks couldn't get “He told me once that if he hadn't saved mad; but it took more than a cyclone to start Fifty-nine that night, he would never have him. signed another order anywhere on any road; Number Fifty-nine, the California express, he'd have quit the service for good.” was late that night. All the way up the val- “Why? ley the wind caught her quartering. Really “Why? Because, after it was all over, he the marvel is that out there on the plains found out that his own mother was aboard such storms didn't blow our toy engines clear Fifty-nine. Didn't you ever hear that? Well, off the rails; but, for that matter, they might sir, it was Christmas Eve, and the year was as well have taken the rails, too, for none of 1884.” them went over sixty pounds. Fifty-nine was due at eleven o'clock ; it was half-past Christmas Eve everywhere but on the West twelve when she pulled in, on Callahan's trick. End, where it was just plain December 24th. But Bucks hung around the office until she “High winds will prevail for ensuing staggered up under the streaked moonlight, twenty-four hours. Station agents will use as frowsy a looking train as ever choked on extra care to secure cars on sidings; brake- alkali. men must take care not to get blown from There was always a crowd down at the moving trains.” station to meet Fifty-nine ; she was the big That's all Bucks said in his bulletins that arrival of the day at McCloud, even if she evening ; not a word about Christmas or didn't get in until eleven o'clock at night. Merry Christmas. In fact, if Christmas had She brought the mail and the express and come to McCloud that night they couldn't the landseekers and the traveling men and have held it twenty-four minutes, much less the strangers generally ; so the McCloud twenty-four hours; the wind was too high. livery men and hotel runners and promi- All the week, all the day, all the night it had nent citizens and prominent loafers and the blown-a December wird ; dry as an August city marshal usually came down to meet her. noon, bitter as powdered ice. It was in the But it was not so that night. The platform early days of our Western railroading, when was bare. Not even the hardy chief of po- we had only one fast train on the schedule- lice, who was town watch and city marshal the St. Louis-California express; and only one all combined, was there. fast engine on the division-101 ; and only The engineer swung out of his cab with one man on the whole West End-Bucks. the air of an abused man. His eyes were full Bucks was assistant superintendent and mas- of soda, his ears full of sand, his mustache ter mechanic and train master and chief de full of burs, and his whiskers full of tumble- spatcher and storekeeper--and a bully good weeds ; at least, he felt that way, as was fellow. There were some boys in the ser- plain to be seen. The conductor and the vice ; among them, Callahan. Callahan was brakemen climbed down sullenly, and the bag- seventeen, with hair like a sunset, and a mind gage-man shoved open his door, and slammed as quick as an air-brake. It was his first a trunk down on the platform without a pre- year at the key, and he had a night trick tense of sympathy. Then the outgoing crew under Bucks. climbed aboard, and in a hurry. The outgo- Callahan claims it blew so hard that night ing conductor ran down-stairs from the regis- that it blew some of the color out of his hair. ter, and pulled his cap down hard before he Sod houses had sprung up like dog towns in pushed ahead against the wind to give the the buffalo grass during the fall. But that engineer his copy of the orders as the new day homesteaders crept into dugouts and engine was coupled up. The fireman pulled smothered over buffalo-chip fires. Horses the canvas jealously around the cab end. The and cattle huddled into friendly pockets a brakeman ran hurriedly back to examine the little out of the worst of it, or froze mutely air connections, and gave his signal to the in pitiless fence corners on the divides. Sand conductor ; the conductor gave his to the en- drove gritting down from the Cheyenne Hills gineer. There were two short, choppy snorts like a storm of snow. Streets of the raw from 101, and Fifty-nine moved out stealth- prairie towns stared deserted at the sky. ily, evenly, resistlessly into the teeth of the Even cowboys kept their ranches, and night. In another minute, only her red through the gloom of noon the sun cast a lamps gleamed up the yard. One man still A STORY FROM THE TRAIN-DESPATCHER'S OFFICE. 149 on the platform watched them recede; it night.” And as for Merry Chri-well, that was Bucks. had no place on the West End anyhow. He came up to the despatcher's office and “D-i, D-i, D-i, D-i," came clicking into the sat down. Callahan wondered why he didn't room. Callahan wasn't asleep. Once he did go home and to bed ; but Callahan was too sleep over the key. When he told Bucks, good a railroad man to ask questions of a he made sure of his time; only he thought superior. Bucks might have stood on his Bucks ought to know. head on the stove, and it red-hot, without Bucks shook his head pretty hard that being pursued with inquiries from Callahan. time. "It's awful business, Jim. It's murder, If Bucks chose to sit up out there on the you know. It's the penitentiary, if they should frozen prairies, in a flimsy barn of a station, convict you. But it's worse than that. If and with the wind howling murder at twelve anything happened because you went to sleep o'clock past, and that on Chri—the twenty- over the key, you'd have them on your mind Bhoutation TURN THE BOYS LOOSE, ED.'” fourth of December, it was Bucks's own all your life, don't you know-forever. Men business. -and-and children. That's what I always “I kind of looked for my mother to-night," think about—the children. Maimed and said he, after Callahan got his orders out of scalded and burnt. Jim, if it ever happens the way for a minute. “Wrote she was again, quit despatching ; get into commer- coming out pretty soon for a little visit.” cial work ; mistakes don't cost life there ; “Where does your mother live ?” don't try to handle trains. If it ever hap- Chicago. I sent her transportation two pens with you, you'll kill yourself.” weeks ago. Reckon she thought she'd bet That was all he said ; it was enough. And ter stay home for Christmas. Back in God's no wonder Callahan loved him. country they have Christmas just about this The wind tore frantically around the sta- time of year. Watch out to-night, Jim. tion ; but everything else was so still. It I'm going home. It's a tough wind.” was one o'clock now, and not a soul about Callahan was making a meeting-point for but Callahan. D-i, D-i, J, clicked sharp and two freights when the door closed behind fast. “Twelve or fourteen cars passed here Bucks; he didn't even sing out “Good-—-just-now east-running a-a-a-" Calla- 150 BUCKS. han sprang up like a flash-listened. What ? he saw a man start for the station on the R-u-n-n-i-n-g a-w-a-y? dead run. He knew, too, by the tremendous It was the Jackson operator calling ; Cal- sweep of his legs that it was Ole Anderson, lahan jumped to the key. “What's that?” the night foreman, the man of all others he he asked quick as lightning could dash it. wanted. “ Twelve or fourteen cars coal passed here, “Ole," cried the despatcher, waving his fully forty miles an hour, headed east, driven arms frantically as the giant Swede leaped by the wi across the track and stood on the platform That was all J could send, for Ogallala below him, “go get Bucks. I've got a run- broke in. Ogallala is the station just west away train going against Fifty-nine. For of Jackson. And with Callahan's copper hair your life, Ole, run !” rising higher at every letter, this came from The big fellow was into the wind with the Ogallala : “Heavy gust caught twelve coal word. Bucks boarded four blocks away. cars on side track and sent them out on main Callahan, slamming down the window, took line and off down the grade." the key, and began calling Rowe. Rowe is They were already past Jackson, eight the first station east of Jackson; it was now miles, headed east, and running down hill. the first point at which the runaway freight Callahan's eyes turned like hares to the train- train could be headed. sheet. Fifty-nine, going west, was due that “R-0,R-0," he rattled. The operator must minute to leave Callendar. From Callendar have been sitting on the wire, for he an- to Griffin is a twenty-miles' run. There is a swered at once. As fast as Callahan's fingers station between, but there was no night op- could talk, he told Rowe the story and gave erator in those days. The runaway coal train him orders to get the night agent, who, he was then less than thirty miles west of Grif- knew, must be down to sell tickets for Fifty-. fin, coming down a forty-mile grade like a nine, and pile all the ties they could gather cannon-ball. If Fifty-nine could be stopped across the track to derail the runaway train. at Callendar, she could be laid by in five min- Then he began thumping for Kolar, the next utes, out of the way of the certain destruc- station east of Rowe, and the second ahead tion ahead of her on the main line. Calla- of the runaways. He pounded and he han seized the key, and began calling “Cn.” pounded, and when the man at Kolar an- He pounded until the call burnt into his fin- swered, Callahan could have sworn he had gers. It was an age before Callendar an- been asleep-just from the way he talked. swered ; then Callahan's order flew : "Hold Does it seem strange? There are many Fifty-nine. Answer quick.” strange things about a despatcher's senses. And Callendar answered : “Fifty-nine just "Send your night man to west switch-house pulling out of upper yard. Too late to stop track, and open for runaway train. Set her. What's the matter ?” brakes hard on your empties on siding, to Callahan ran to the window, and threw up spill runaways if possible. Do anything and the sash. The moon shone a bit through the everything to keep them from getting by storm of sand, but there was not a soul in you. Work quick.” sight. There were lights in the round-house, Behind Kolar's 0. K. came a frantic call a hundred yards across the track. Callahan from Rowe. “Runaways went by here like pulled a revolver from his pocket-every a streak. Knocked the ties into toothpicks. railroad man out there carried one those days Couldn't head them.” —and, covering one of the round-house win Callahan didn't wait to hear any more. dows, began firing. It was a risk. There He only wiped the sweat from his face. It was one chance, maybe, in a thousand of his seemed forever before Kolar spoke again. killing a night man. But there were a thou- Then it was to say : “Runaway went by here sand chances to one that a whole train-load before night man could get to switch and of men and women would be killed inside of open it.” thirty minutes if he couldn't get help. He Would Bucks never come? And if he did chose a window in the machinists' section, come, what on earth could stop the runaway where he knew no one usually went at night. train now? They were heading now into He poured bullets into the unlucky casement the worst grade on the West End. It aver- as fast as powder could carry them. Re ages one per cent. from Kolar to Griffin, and loading rapidly, he watched the round-house there we get down off the Cheyenne Hills door ; and, sure enough, almost at once, it with a long reverse curve, and drop into the was cautiously opened. Then he fired into cañon of the Blackwood with a three per the air --one, two, three, four, five, six-and cent. grade. Callahan, almost beside him- A STORY FROM THE TRAIN-DESPATCHER'S OFFICE. 151 self, threw open a north window to look for Bucks. Two men were flying down Main Street towards the station. He knew them; they were Ole and Bucks. But Bucks! Never before or since was seen on a street of McCloud such a figure as Bucks, in his trousers and slippers, and his night-shirt flying free as he sailed down the wind. In another instant he was bounding up the stairs. Calla han told him. “What have you done ?” he panted, throw- ing himself into the chair. Callahan told him. Bucks held his head in his hands while the boy talked. He turned to the sheet-asked quick for Fifty-nine. She's out of Callendar. I tried hard to stop her. I didn't lose a second ; she was gone." Barely an instant Bucks studied the sheet. Routed out of a sound sleep after an eight-hour trick, and on such a night, by such a message--the marvel was he could think at all, much less set a trap which should save Fifty-nine. In twenty WITH A PRY THAT BENT THE CLAWBAR THEY TORE AWAY THE minutes from the moment STUBBORN CONTACT, AND POINTED THE RAILS OVER THE PRECIPICE.” Bucks took the key the two trains would be together — could he To Opr.: save the passenger ? Callahan didn't be Ask Sheriff release his prisoners to save passenger lieve it. train. Go together to west switch-house track, open, and set it. Smash in section tool-house, get tools, go A few sharp, quick calls brought Griffin. to point of curve, cut the rails, and point them to We had one of the brightest lads on the whole send runaway train over the bluff into the river. division at Griffin.Callahan, listening, heard BUCKS. Gri fin answer. Bucks rattled a question. How the heart hangs on the faint, uncertain The words flew off his fingers like sparks, tick of a sounder when human lives hang on and another message crowded the wire be- it too ! hind it: Where are your section men ?” asked Bucks. To Agt. : Go to east switch, open, and set for passing track. "In bed at the section house." Flag Fifty-nine, and run her on siding. If can't get “Who's with you ?” Fifty-nine into the clear, ditch the runaways. “Night agent; sheriff with two cowboy BUCKS. prisoners waiting to take Fifty-nine." Before the last word came, Bucks was back They look old now. The ink is faded, and at him ; the paper is smoked with the fire of fifteen 152 BUCKS. winters and bleached with the sun of fifteen track-cutting than about logariühms. Side summers. But to this day they hang there by side and shoulder to shoulder the man in their walnut frames, the original orders, of the law and the men out of the law, the just as Bucks scratched them off. They rough riders and the railroad boy, pried and hang there in the despatcher's offices in the wrenched and clawed and struggled with new depot. But in their present fancy sur- the steel. While Harvey and Banks clawed soundings Bucks wouldn't know them. It at the spikes the cowboys wrestled with the was Harvey Reynolds who took them off the nuts on the bolts of the fish-plates. It was other end of the wire-a boy in a thousand a baffle. The nuts wouldn't twist, the spikes for that night and that minute. The in- stuck like piles, sweat covered the assailants, stant the words flashed into the room he Harvey went into a frenzy. “Boys, we must instructed the agent, grabbed an ax, and work faster,” he cried, tugging at the frosty dashed out into the waiting-room, where the spikes; but flesh and blood could do no more. sheriff, Ed Banks, sat with his prisoners, the “There they come--there's the runaway cowboys. train-I can hear it. I'm going to open the “Ed,” cried Harvey, “there's a runaway switch, anyhow,” Harvey shouted, starting train from Ogallala coming down the line in up the track. Save yourselves." the wind. If we can't trap it here, it'll Heedless of the warning, Banks struggled knock Fifty-nine into kindling wood. Turn with the plate-bolts in a silent fury. Sud- the boys loose, Ed, and save the passenger denly he sprang to his feet. “Give me the train. Boys, show the man and square your- maul !” selves right now. I don't know what you're Raising the heavy tool as if it had been a here for ; but I believe it's to save Fifty- tack-hammer, he landed heavily on the bolt nine. Will you help? nuts, and they flew one after another like The two men sprang to their feet ; Ed bullets over the bluff. The taller cowboy, Banks slipped the handcuffs off their wrists bending close on his knees, raised a yell. The in a trice. “Never mind the rest of it. plates had given way. Springing to the Save the passenger train first,” he roared. other rail, Banks stripped the bolts eren Everybody from Ogallala to Omaha knew Ed after the mad train had shot into the gorge Banks. above them. Then they drove the pick “Which way? How?” cried the cow- under the loosened steel, and with a pry that boys in a lather of excitement. bent the clawbar and a yell that reached Harvey Reynolds, beckoning as he ran, Harvey, trembling at the switch, they tore rushed out the door and up the track, his away the stubborn contact, and pointed the posse at his heels, all stumbling into the rails over the precipice. gale like lunatics. The shriek of a locomotive whistle cut the "Smash in the tool-house door," panted wind. Looking east, Harvey saw Fifty-nine's Harvey as they neared it. headlight. She was certainly pulling in on Ed Banks seized the ax from his hands, the siding. He still held the switch open and took command as naturally as Dewey to send the runaways into the trap which would. “Pick up that tie and ram her,” he Bucks had set, if the passenger train failed cried, pointing to the door. “All together to get into the clear ; but there was a min- -now." ute yet--a bare sixty seconds-and Harvey Harvey and the cowboys splintered the had no idea of dumping ten thousand dollars' stout panel in a twinkling, and Banks with worth of equipment into the river unless it a few clean strokes cut an opening; and the was absolutely necessary. cowboys, jumping together, ran in and began Suddenly, up went the safety signals from fishing for the tools in the dark. One of the east end. Banks and the cowboys, wait- them got hold of a wrench ; the other, a ing breathless, saw Harvey with a deter- pick. Harvey caught up a clawbar, and mined lurch close the main-line contact. Banks seized a spike-maul. In a bunch they In the next breath the coalers, with the ran for the point of the curve on the house sweep of the gale behind their frightful track. It lies there close to the verge of a velocity, smashed over the switch and on. In limestone bluff which looms up fifty feet a rattling whirl of ballast and a dizzy clatter above the river. of noise, and before the frightened crew of But it is one thing to order a contact Fifty-nine could see what was against them, opened, and another and very different thing they were gone ! to open it, at two in the morning on Decem I wasn't going to stop here to-night," ber 25th, by men who know no more about said the engineer, as he stood with the con- THE ADVENTURE OF TILLERMAN MCDERMOTT. 153 66 ductor, looking over Harvey's shoulder at the after it was straightened out by the inter- operator's desk a minute later. * We'd have vention of Bucks, who was the whole thing met them right in the cañon, Harvey.” then, they were given jobs lassoing sugar But Harvey was reporting to Bucks. Cal- barrels in the train service. One of them, lahan heard it coming : “Rails cut, but the tall fellow, is a passenger conductor on Fifty-nine safe. Runaways went by here the high line now. fully seventy miles an hour." It was three o'clock that morning--the It was easy after that. Griffin is at the twenty-fifth of December in small letters, on foot of the grade; from there on, the runa- the West End-before they got things de- way train had a hill to climb. Bucks had held cently straightened out: there was so much 250, the local passenger, side-tracked at to do-orders to make and reports to take. Davis, thirty miles farther east. Sped by Bucks, still on the key in his flowing robes the wind, the runaways passed Davis, though and tumbling hair, took them all. Then he not at half their highest speed. An instant turned the seat over to Callahan, and get- later, 250's engine was cut loose, and started ting up for the first time in two hours, after them like a scared collie. Three miles dropped into a chair close by. east of Davis they were overhauled by the The very first thing Callahan got was a light engine. The fireman, Donahue, crawled personal from Pat Francis, conductor of out of the cab window, along the foot-rail, Fifty-nine, at Ogallala. It was for Bucks : and down on the pilot; caught the ladder of “Your mother is aboard Fifty-nine. She the rear car, and running up, crept along to was carried by McCloud in the Denver sleeper. the leader and began setting brakes. Ten Sending her back to you on Sixty. Merry minutes later they were brought back in Christmas." triumph-to Davis. It came off the wire fast. Callahan, taking When the multitude of orders were out of it, didn't think Bucks heard ; but it's probable the way, Bucks wired Ed Banks to bring his he did. Callahan threw the clip over towards cowboys down to McCloud on Sixty. Sixty him with a laugh. “Look there, old man. was the east-bound passenger due at McCloud There's your mother coming, after all ycur at five-thirty A.M. It turned out that the kicking --carried by on Fifty-nine." cowboys had been arrested for lassoing a The big despatcher's head had sunk on the Norwegian homesteader who had cut their table, between his arms. Callahan sprang to wire. It was not a heinous offense, and his side ; Bucks had fainted. THE ADVENTURE OF TILLERMAN MCDERMOTT. BY RAY STANNARD BAKER. A TRUE STORY OF THE FIREMEN. (HEN the truck of 21 came out of legs, long of arms, and thick through the of her house, McDermott sat chest, where a man's strength lies. You with his legs braced, and would know him for a fireman from the turned the iron tiller. What puckered red scars on his face where he has with her ten ladders--one an been cut with falling glass. He is one of eighty-five-footer-her two the twelve men chosen from more than 2,000 line-guns, and her hand extinguisher, to say as members of the Exhibition Class, for lad- nothing of axes, ropes, lanterns, door-jim- der work, for net-jumping, and for other mies, smoke-hoods, jumping-nets, and all the feats of muscle and daring. other various armament of the fire-fighter, It was shortly after noon on St. Patrick's Truck 21 weighed something more than five Day when Truck 21 stopped in Forty-sixth and a half tons; but McDermott brought her Street near Fifth Avenue. There had been a around the sharp corners, among the frogs 3-3 alarm, and Martin had driven the big of the car crossings, as if she were a buck- blacks a mile through crowded streets in a few board. seconds more than four minutes. Above the McDermott is an Irishman, built as square hotel the smoke was already rising in huge, and solid as a post; not tall, but heavy; short slow-moving clouds. It was even creeping 154 THE ADVENTURE OF TILLERMAN MCDERMOTT. wa McGUIRE REACHED OUT... . 'HOLD ON, OLD MAN' HE SAID." from the tops of the upper windows, with here and there red streakings of fire. In the streets the police were pressing back the broken St. Patrick's parade, men were rush- ing in and out of the hotel entrance like bees at a hive, and over all rose the vast roar of voices. The marks yet remain in the pavement where Truck 21 stopped with set brakes. Martin threw his seat forward, and he and McGuire and the others sprang to the wind- lass of the extension ladder. Just then Beggin, the captain, saw a woman sitting perilously on the ledge of a sixth-story win- dow, eighty feet sheer above the stone fag- ging of the sidewalk. She was waving her A TRUE STORY OF THE FIRENEN. 155 hand and screaming, although the noises of arms stretching, indeed snapping; but he did the fire drowned out the sound of her voice. not lose his presence of mind. Grappling There was fire above her and smoke below, with his legs, he succeeded in getting another and the windows were giving out a peculiar foot-hold. A few rounds more, and he had ominous orange glow that told the grim reached the bottom, and there he hung wait- story of the destruction within. Beggin ing. Beneath him he could see the dense motioned to McDermott. Without waiting masses of men in the street, and above him to put on his scaling-belt, McDermott the white streams of water from the engines wrenched a scaling-ladder from the truck curving like bows and opening in spray at and ran to the building. Raising the ladder, the end where they cut into the rolling smoke. he drove the long steel hook through the And of all the sounds he heard, that of the glass of the second-story window. Then he fire rose in a vast volume above everything ran up like a cat, crooked one leg over the else. Blood from his cuts was trickling into sill, braced himself, drew up the ladder hand his eyes again, his arms were numb, and he over hand from beneath him, and plunged the was choking with smoke. hook through the third-story window; and In the meantime Beggin and his men had thus, like a great measuring-worm, the man lifted the extension ladder. It now swung and the ladder crept up the sheer brick and swayed eighty-five feet in the air. Seen wall. At the fifth floor the heavy glass of against the black walls it seemed a mere the window fell in fragments in McDermott's thread. And yet on the very top round, with face, cutting him deep over the eye and on his legs drawn up under him, sat McGuire. the hand. He drew his sleeve across his face Gently the ladder nodded toward the build- to wipe away the blood, and hooked the lad- ing. McGuire reached out and touched Mc- der over the sill of the window where the Dermott. “Hold on, old man,” he said. woman sat. Instantly she turned as if to Then, with infinite care, but swiftly, Mc- come down or else to jump. “Keep quiet,” Dermott stepped from the scaling-ladder to shouted McDermott; “I'll take care of you.” the extension ladder. It was with difficulty Mounting now until he could see in at this that he released the clasp of his right hand, sixth-story window, he saw the inner walls so benumbed had it grown. It was a moment all afire and the entire interior a raging fur- of awful uncertainty. If the frail ladders, nace. The woman on the sill was pale and one of which was loose at the bottom and scarcely conscious. She held in her lap a the other loose at the top, should be parted small, barking pet dog wrapped in a cloak. under the strain of the heavy burden, all three On her left wrist she carried a little leather would drop to their death seventy feet below. bag of jewels, and she clutched a purse firmly They were half down when they heard a faint in her hand. McDermott threw the dog and sound of barking above them. There in the the cloak inside the room. window stood the pet dog, begging as pite- “You must do just as I tell you,” he said. ously as a dog could. It was as much as a The woman turned on the sill, with both man's life was worth to venture upward feet out of the window, and leaned a little again ; but McGuire went. He took the outward. The crowd below held its breath. little dog under his arm, and brought him McDermott went a few steps down the lad- down. 'I couldn't see him burned,” he said der, grasping the sill with his right hand; the afterwards somewhat shamefacedly. woman slid out upon his left shoulder. She All this, from the moment Truck 21 stopped was heavy, nearly 170 pounds; the ladder, until McGuire reached the ground, had not unanchored at the bottom, swayed under the taken more than ten minutes. If they had weight of the two like a cotton string. For stayed one minute longer they would have been a moment McDermott paused before he let buried, truck and all, in the ruins of the hotel, go of the sill. Then of a sudden, from with- for the wall fell just as they reached safety. in the building, there was a terrific roar of McDermott showed me the scars on his falling walls, and smoke and fire gushed out- face and hand, and the ugly swelling on his ward from the windows above them. Mc- wrist where the tendons had “drawn." He Dermott let go, and stepped down one round. also showed me a little flat leather box con- His foot held a moment, and then the round taining a gold shield pendent from a gold bar. gave way with a snap, broken short off. In- The brief account of McDermott's deed on the stantly the ladder swung far out to one side, shield was as graphic as the Bible. I asked and McDermott hung there in mid-air by one him if he would do the same thing again if hand, six stories up, with a fainting woman he had the chance. on his shoulder. He felt the tendons of his “Of course,” he said; "it's business." F THE CORONATION. BY ELIZABETH W. MAINWARING. ON earth be peace, be peace,” the angels sang. “To men good-will," the last notes earthward rang. Long stood the shepherds lost in deep amaze, Fixing upon the Star their awe-struck gaze. Then one said: “Let us find Him; it were meet We lay our homage at this Saviour's feet." SY -- - -- - - - And each one ran in eager haste to bring His humble gift unto the new-born King. But one there was who went with footsteps slow- He had no gift, no offering to bestow, Though sore his longing, for too poor was he. But lo! with eyes downcast, he chanced to see A little tree which stood hard by the road, Near to the place o'er which that strange Star glowed. With sudden inspiration he bent down, Plucked its few leaves, and fashioned a rude crown. So, joyful, entered at the lowly door, And to the new-born King his tribute bore. From their rich store the Wise Men did unfold Their royal gifts of frankincense and gold ; And what their scanty store could best afford The reverent shepherds laid before their Lord. But out of all the offerings which were So heaped before Him-frankincense and myrrh, Trinkets, and ointments, and the yellow gold The Child's hands chose that clumsy wreath to hold. The mother laid it gently on His brow: “The Kings wear crowns,” she whispered; “ so must thou.” Again they crowned Him for the world to see- His second crowning was on Calvary. MONSIEUR BEAUCAIRE. . A STORY OF ENGLISH LIFE IN THE LAST CENTURY. By Booth TARKINGTON, Author of "The Gentleman from Indiana." PART I. I. impetus of his servants toward the English- man. SHE young Frenchman did very “It's murder, is it, you carrion ?” fin- well what he had planned to ished the Duke. do. His guess that the Duke M. Beaucaire lifted his shoulders in a mock would cheat proved good. shiver. “What words! No, no, no! No As the unshod half-dozen killing! A such word to a such host! No, figures that had been stand- no, not mur-r-der; only disgrace!" He ing noiseless in the entryway laughed a clear, light laugh with a rising in- stole softly into the shadows flection, seeming to launch himself upon an of the chamber he leaned adventurous quest for sympathy. across the table and smil “You little fiendish scullion!” spat out ingly plucked a card out of the Duke. the big Englishman's sleeve. “Tut, tut! But I forget. Monsieur has “Merci, M. le Duc!” he laughed, rising pursue his studies of deportment amongs' and stepping back from the table. his fellow-countrymen." The Englishman cried out, “ It means the “Do you dream a soul in Bath will take dirty work of silencing you with my bare your word that I—that I hands !” and came at him. “ That M. le Duc de Winterset had a card “Do not move,” said M. Beaucaire, so up his sleeve ?" sharply that the other paused. “Observe “You pitiful stroller, you stable-boy, born behind you." in a stable The Englishman turned, and saw what trap “Is it not an honor to be born where mon- he had blundered into; then stood transfixed, sieur must have been bred ?" impotent, alternately scarlet with rage and “You scurvy foot-boy, you greasy barber, white with the vital shame of discovery. M. you cutthroat groom- Beaucaire remarked, indicating the silent “ Overwhelm'!” The young man bowed figures by a polite wave of the hand, “Is it with imperturbable elation. “M. le Duc ap- not a compliment to monsieur that I procure point' me to all the office' of his househol'.” six large men to subdue him? They are quite “You mustachioed fool, there are not five devote' to me, and monsieur is alone. Could people of quality in Bath will speak to it be that he did not wish even his lackeys you- to know he play with the yo'ng Frenchman “No, monsieur, not on the parade; but who Meestaire Nash does not like in the pomp- how many come to play with me here? room? Monsieur is unfortunate to have come cause I will play always, night or day, for on foot and alone to my apartment.” what one will, for any long-and al-ways The Duke's mouth foamed over with cha- fair, monsieur." otic revilement. His captor smiled brightly, “You outrageous varlet! Every one knows and made a slight gesture, as one who brushes you came to England as the French Ambas- aside a boisterous insect. With the same sador's barber. What man of fashion will motion he quelled to stony quiet a resentful listen to you? Who will believe you?” EDITOR'S Note.-"Monsieur Beancaire" is an earlier story than "The Gentleman from Indiana," by which Mr. Tark- ington is already well known to our readers. We were so pleased with it, when he submitted it to us, that we asked to see other work of his, and he submitted "The Gentleman from Indiana," of which he was then writing the final chapters. It shou's the one'ial ens of Mr. Tarkington's ability that he could write two stories so equally strong and interesting, and yet go widely ifferent in scene and character, > Be- BOOTH TARKINGTON. 159 “All people, monsieur. Do you think I him las' year, after when he play' with Milor? have not calculate', that I shall make a fail- Tappin'ford at the chocolate-house- ure of my little enterprise ?" You dirty scandal-monger!” the Duke “ Bah!” burst out, “I'll- “ Will monsieur not reseat himself ?” M. “Monsieur, monsieur!” said the French- Beaucaire made a low bow. “So. We must man. “ It is a poor valor to insult a helpless not be too tire' for Lady Malbourne's rout. captor. Can he reply to his own victim ? Ha, ha! And you, Jean, Victor, and you But it is for you to think of what I say. “IT MEANS THE DIRTY WORK OF SILENCING YOU WITH MY BARE HANDS.'” others, retire; go in the hallway. Attend True, I am not reco'nize on the parade; that at the entrance, François. So; now we shall my frien's who come here do not present me talk. Monsieur, I wish you to think very to their ladies; that Meestaire Nash has re- cool. Then listen; I will be briefly. It is boff' me in the pomp-room; still, am I not that I am well known to be all entire' hones'. known for being hones' and fair in my play, Gamblist? Ah, yes; true and mos' profit- and will I not be belief', even I, when I lif' able; but fair, al-ways fair; every one say my voice and charge you aloud with what is that. Is it not so ? Think of it. And-is already w'isper'? Think of it! You are a there never a w'isper come to M. le Duc that noble, and there will be some hang-dogs who not all people belief him to play al-ways might not fall away from you. Only such hones'? Ha, ha! Did it almos' be said to would be lef' to you. Do you want it tol'? 160 MONSIEUR BEAUCAIRE. money ?” And you can keep out of France, monsieur ? I. You would be thrust from Lady Mal- I have lef' his service, but I have still the bourne's door five minutes after you entered ear of M. de Mirepoix, and he know' I never it." lie. Not a gentleman will play you when No, no, no!” you come to Paris." “Half the gentlemen in Bath have been The Englishman's white lip showed a row here to play. They would know you, wouldn't of scarlet dots upon it. “How much do you they, fool? You've had thousands out of want.?” he said. Bantison, Rakell, Guilford, and Townbrake. The room rang with the gay laughter of They would have you lashed by the grooms Beaucaire. “I hol' your note' for seven- as your ugly deserts are. You to speak to hunder' pound'. You can have them, mon- Lady Mary Carlisle! S'death! You! Also, sieur. Why does a such great man come to dolt, she would know you if you escaped the play M. Beaucaire ? Because no one else others. She stood within a yard of you when willin' to play M. le Duc--he cannot pay. Nash expelled you the pump-room." Ha, ha! So he come' to good Monsieur Beau M. Beaucaire flushed slightly. “You think caire. Money, ha, ha! What I want with I did not see?” he asked. “Do you dream that because Winterset His Grace of Winterset's features were introduces a low fellow he will be tolerated set awry to a sinister pattern. He sat glar- He sat glar- --that Bath will receive a barber ?” ing at his companion in a snarling silence. “I have the distinction to call monsieur's “ Money ? Pouf!” snapped the little attention,” replied the young man gayly, gambler. “No, no, no! It is that M. le “I have renounce that profession." Duc, impoverish', somewhat in a bad odor “Fool!” as he is, yet command the entrée any-where “I am now a man of honor!” --onless I- Ha, ha! Eh, monsieur ?!! “Faugh!” “Ha! You dare think to force me “A man of the parts,” continued the M. Beaucaire twirled the tip of his slender young Frenchman, “and of deportment; is mustache around the end of his white fore- it not so ? Have you seen me of a fluster, or finger. Then he said: “ Monsieur and me go- gross ever, or, what shall I say-bourgeois ? in' to Lady Malbourne's ball to-night-M. le Shall you be shame' for your guest' manner ? Duc and me!” No, no! And my appearance, is it of the The Englishman roared, “ Curse your im- people ? Clearly, no. Do I not compare in pudence!” taste of apparel with your yo'ng English- “Sit quiet. Oh, yes, that's all; we goin' man ? Ha, ha! To be hope'. Ha, ha! So together.” I am goin' talk with Lady Mary Carlisle." Bah!” The Duke made a savage bur- “Certain. I make all my little plan. 'Tis lesque. “Lady Mary Carlisle, may I as- all arrange'. He paused, and then said sume the honor of presenting the barber of quietly, You goin' present me to Lady the Marquis de Mirepoix ?' So, is it?” Mary Carlisle.” No, monsieur,'' smiled the young man. The other laughed in utter scorn. “Lady “Quite not so. You shall have nothing to Mary Carlisle, of all women alive, would be worry you, nothing in the worl'. I am goin' the first to prefer any one to a man of no to assassinate my poor mustachio-also re- birth, barber." move this horrible black peruke, and emerge “ 'Tis all arrange', have no fear; nobody in my own hair. Behol!” He swept the question monsieur's guest. You goin' take heavy, curled mass from his head as he spoke, me to-night and his hair, coiled under the great wig, fell “No!” to his shoulders, and sparkled yellow in the "Yes. And after-then I have the entrée. candle-light. He tossed his head to shake the Is it much I ask? This one little favor, and hair back from his cheeks. “ When it is I never w'isper, never breathe that-it is to dress', I am transform’; nobody can know say, I am always forever silent of monsieur's me; you shall observe. See how little I ask misfortrine." of you, how very little bit. No one shall “ You have the entrée!” sneered the other. reco'nize ‘M. Beaucaire' or Victor.' Ha, “Go to a lackeys' rout and dance with the ha! 'Tis all arrange'; you have nothing to kitchen maids. If I would, I could not pre- fear.” sent you to Bath society. I should have car- Curse you,' " said the Duke,“ do you tels from the fathers, brothers, and lovers think I'm going to be saddled with you of every wench and madam in the place, even wherever I go as long as you choose ?” * No!” 12 "M. BEAUCAIRE, WARY, ALERT, BRILLIANT, SEEMED TO TRANSFORM HIMSELF INTO A DOZEN FENCING-MASTERS," 162 MONSIEUR BEAUCAIRE. “A mistake. No. All I requi- all I beg of such ambition. I thought it was enough --is this one evening. 'Tis all shall be neces- to behol the opera without wishing to sing; sary. After, I shall not need monsieur." but no, England have teach' me I have those “Take heed to yourself—after!” vouch- vulgar desire'. Monsieur, I am goin' tell safed the Englishman between his teeth. you a secret: the ladies of your country are Conquered!” cried M. Beaucaire, and very diff'runt than ours. One may adore the clapped his hands gleefully. “Conquered demoiselle, one must worship the lady of Eng- for the night! Aha, it is riz’nable! I shall land. Our ladies have the--it is the beauty meet what you send-after. One cannot of youth; yours remain comely at thirty. hope too much of your patience. It is but Ours are flowers, yours are stars! See, I natural you should attemp' a little avenge- betray myself, I am so poor a patriot. And ment for the rascal trap I was such a wicked there is one among these stars—ah, yes, fellow as to set for you. I shall meet some there is one-the poor Frenchman has ob- strange frien's of yours after to-night; not so? serve' from his humble distance; even there I must try to be not too much frighten'.” he could bask in the glowing!” M. Beau- He looked at the Duke curiously. “You caire turned to the window, and looked out want to know why I create this tragedy, why into the night. He did not see the stars in I am so unkind as to entrap monsieur ?” the sky. When he turned again, he had half His Grace of Winterset replied with a chill forgotten his prisoner; other pictures were glance; a pulse in the nobleman's cheek before him. beat less relentlessly; his eye raged not so “Ah, what radiance!” he cried. “ Haute bitterly; the steady purple of his own color noblesse to her little finger-tips; gold-haired, was returning; his voice was less hoarse; he an angel of heaven, and yet a Diana of the was regaining his habit. “ 'Tis ever the chase! I see her fly by me on her great manner of the vulgar," he observed, “to horse one day; she touch' his mane with her wish to be seen with people of fashioñ." fingers. I buy that clipping from the groom. “Oh, no, no, no!" The Frenchman I have it here with my poor mother's picture. laughed. “ 'Tis not that. Am I not al- Ah, you! Oh, yes, you laugh! What do ready one of these “men of fashion'? I you know! 'Twas all I could get. But I lack only the reputation of birth. Monsieur have heard of the endeavorr of M. le Duc to is goin' supply that. Ha, ha! I shall be recoup his fortunes. This alliance shall fail. noble from to-night. “Victor’ the artis' It is not the way--that heritage shall be is condemn' to death; his throat shall be cut safe' from him! It is you and me, mon- with his own razor. • M. Beaucaire'~" sieur! You can laugh! The war is open', Here the young man sprang to his feet, and by me! There is one great step taken: caught up the black wig, clapped into it a until to-night there was nothing for you to dice-box from the table, and hurled it vio- ruin, to-morrow you have got a noble of lently through the open door. “M. Beau- France-your own protégé-to besiege and caire shall be choke' with his own dice-box. sack. And you are to lose, because you think Who is the Phenix to remain ? What ad- such ruin easy, and because you understand vantage have I not over other men of rank nothing-far less-of divinity. How could who are merely born to it? I may choose you know? You have not the fiber; the my own. No! Choose for me, monsieur. heart of a lady is a blank to you; you know Shall I be chevalier, comte, vicomte, mar- nothing of the vibration. There are some quis, what ? None. Out of compliment to words that were made only to tell of Lady monsieur can I wish to be anything he is not ? Mary, for her alone-bellissima, divine, glo- No, no! I shall be M. le Duc, M. le Duc rieuse! Ah, how I have watch' her! It is de-de Chateaurien. Ha, ha! You see ? sad to me when I see her surround' by your You are my confrère." yo'ng captains, your nobles, your rattles, M. Beaucaire trod a dainty step or two, your bucks-ha, ha!-and I mus' hol far waving his hand politely to the Duke, as aloof. It is sad for me-but oh, jus' to though in invitation to join in celebration of watch her and to wonder! Strange it is, his rank. The Englishman watched, his eye but I have almos' cried out with rapture at still and harsh, already gathering in crafti- a look I have see' her give another man, so ness. Beaucaire stopped suddenly. “But beautiful it was, so tender, so dazzling of the how I forget my age! I am twenty-three,” eyes and so mirthful of the lips. Ah, divine he said, with a sigh. “I rejoice too much coquetry! A look for another, ah-i-me! for to be of the quality. It has been too great many others; and even to you, one day, a for me, and I had always belief' myself free rose, while 1-1, monsieur, could not even BOOTH TARKINGTON. 163 be so blessed as to be the groun' beneath de Chateaurien handed Lady Mary Carlisle her little shoe! But to-night, monsieur- ha, down the steps, an achievement which had ha!-to-night, monsieur-monsieur, you and figured in the ambitions of seven other gen- me, two princes, M. le Duc de Winterset and tlemen during the evening. M. le Duc de Chateaurien. Ha, ha! You “Am I to be lef' in such unhappiness ?” see? We are goin' arm-in-arm to that ball, he said in a low voice. “That rose I have and I am goin' have one of those looks, 1! beg' for so long- And a rose! I! It is time. But ten min “Never!” said Lady Mary. ute', monsieur. I make my apology to keep Ah, I do not deserve it, I know so well! you waitin' so long while I go in the nex' But room and murder my poor mustachio and in Never!” ves' myself in white satin. Ha, ha! I shall be “ It is the greatness of my onworthiness very gran', monsieur. François, send Louis that alone can claim your charity; let your to me; Victor, to order two chairs for mon- kin' heart give this little red rose, this sieur and me; we are goin' out in the worl' great alms, to the poor beggar.” to-night." Never!” She was seated in the chair. “Ah, give II. the rose,” he whispered. Her beauty shone dazzlingly on him out of the dimness. THE chairmen swarmed in the street at “Never!” she flashed defiantly as she Lady Malbourne's door, where the joyous was closed in. “Never!” vulgar fought with muddled footmen and Ah!" tipsy link-boys for places of vantage whence “ Never!” to catch a glimpse of quality and of raiment The rose fell at his feet. at its utmost. Dawn was in the east, and “A rose lasts till morning," said a voice the guests were departing. Singly or in behind him. pairs, glittering in finery, they came minc Turning, M. de Chateaurien looked beam- ing down the steps, the ghost of the night's ingly upon the face of the Duke of Winter- smirk fading to jadedness as they sought the set. dark recesses of their chairs. From within 'Tis already the daylight,” he replied, sounded the twang of fiddles still swinging pointing to the east. “Monsieur, was it not manfully at it, and the windows were bright enough honor for you to han' out madame, with the light of many candles. When the the aunt of Lady Mary ? Lady Rellerton re- door was flung open to call the chair of Lady tain' much trace of beauty. 'Tis strange Mary Carlisle, there was an eager pressure you did not appear more happy." of the throng to see. The rose is of an unlucky color, I think,” A small, fair gentleman in white satin observed the Duke. came out upon the steps, turned and bowed The color of a blush, monsieur.' before a lady who appeared in the doorway, “Unlucky, I still maintain," said the other a lady whose royal loveliness was given to calmly. view for a moment in that glowing frame. The color of the veins of a Frenchman. The crowd sent up a hearty English cheer Ha, ha!” cried the young man. " What for the Beauty of Bath. price would be too high ? A rose is a rose ! The gentleman smiled upon them delight. A good-night, my brother, a good-night. I edly. What enchanting people!” he cried. wish you dreams of roses, red roses, only “Why did I not know, so I might have shout' beautiful red, red roses!” with them!” The lady noticed the people “Stay! Did you see the look she gave not at all; whereat, being pleased, the peo-' these street folk when they shouted for her ? ple cheered again. The gentleman offered And how are you higher than they, when she her his hand; she made a slow courtesy, knows ? As high as yonder horse-boy!” placed the tips of her fingers upon his own. “Red roses, my brother, only roses. I “I am honored, M. de Chateaurien,” she wish you dreams of red, red roses !” said. “No, no!” he cried earnestly. “Behol' a poor Frenchman whom emperors should III. envy.' Then reverently and with the pride of his gallant office vibrant in every line of 'Twas well agreed by the fashion of Bath his light figure, invested in white satin, and that M. le Duc de Chateaurien was a person very grand, as he had prophesied, M. le Duc of sensibility and haut ton ; that his retinue 164 MONSIEUR BEAUCAIRE. and equipage surpassed in elegance; that his while the bucks and beaux were won to ad- person was exquisite, his manner engaging. miration or envy. He was of prodigious In the company of gentlemen his ease was wealth: old Mr. Bicksit, who dared not for slightly tinged with graciousness (his single his fame's sake fail to have seen all things, FOR A MOMENT HE CUT THROUGH THE RING AND CLEARED A SPACE ABOUT HIM." equal in Bath being his Grace of Winterset); had visited Chateaurien under the present but it was remarked that when he bowed Duke's father, and descanted to the curious over a lady's hand, his air bespoke only a upon its grandeurs. The young noble had gay and tender reverence. one fault, he was so poor a gambler. He He was the idol of the dowagers within a cared nothing for the hazards of a die or the week after his appearance; matrons warmed turn of a card. Gayly admitting that he to him; young belles looked sweetly on him, had been born with no spirit of adventure in BOOTH TARKINGTON. 165 him, he was sure, he declared, that he failed brow with the back of his gloved hand of much happiness by his lack of taste in “ but not so scurvy as thou, thou swine of such matters. the gutter!” But he was not long wanting the occasion Two hours later, with perfect ease, he ran to prove his taste in the matter of handling Captain Rohrer through the left shoulder, a weapon. A certain led-captain, Rohrer after which he sent a basket of red roses to by name, notorious, amongst other things, for the Duke of Winterset. In a few days he bearing a dexterous and bloodthirsty blade, had another captain to fight. This was a came to Bath post-haste one night, and jostled ruffling buck who had the astounding indis- heartily against him in the pump-room on cretion to proclaim M. de Chateaurien an im- the following morning. M. de Chateaurien postor. There was no Chateaurien, he swore. bowed, and turned aside without offense, con- The Frenchman laughed in his face, and at tinuing a conversation with some gentlemen twilight of the same day pinked him care- near by. Captain Rohrer jostled against him fully through the right shoulder. It was a second time. M. de Chateaurien looked not that he could not put aside the insult to him in the eye, and apologized pleasantly for himself, he declared to Mr. Molyneux, his being so much in the way. Thereupon Rohrer second, and the few witnesses, as he handed procured an introduction to him, and made his wet sword to his lackey-one of his sta- some observations derogatory to the valor tion could not be insulted by a doubt of that and virtue of the French. There was cur- station-but he fought in the quarrel of his rent a curious piece of gossip of the French friend Winterset. This rascal had asserted court: a prince of the blood royal, grand- that M. le Duc had introduced an impostor. son of the late Regent and second in the line Could he overlook the insult to a friend, one of succession to the throne of France, had to whom he owed his kind reception in Bath? rebelled against the authority of Louis XV., Then, bending over his fallen adversary, he who had commanded him to marry the Prin- whispered: “Naughty man, tell your master cess Henriette, cousin to both of them. The find some better quarrel for the nex' he sen' princess was reported to be openly devoted agains' me." to the cousin who refused to accept her hand The conduct of M. de Chateaurien was at the bidding of the king; and, as rumor pronounced admirable. ran, the prince's caprice elected in prefer There was no surprise when the young for- ence the discipline of Vincennes, to which eigner fell naturally into the long train of retirement the furious king had consigned followers of the beautiful Lady Mary Car- him. The story was the staple gossip of lisle, nor was there great astonishment that all polite Europe; and Captain Rohrer, hav- he should obtain marked favor in her eyes, ing in his mind a purpose to make use of shown so plainly that my Lord Townbrake, it in leading up to a statement that should Sir Hugh Guilford, and the rich Squire Ban- be general to the damage of all French- tison, all of whom had followed her through women, and which a Frenchman might not three seasons, swore with rage, and his pass over as he might a jog of the elbow, Grace of Winterset stalked from her aunt's repeated it with garbled truths to make a house with black brows. scandal of a story that bore none on a plain Meeting the Duke there on the evening relation. after his second encounter, de Chateaurien He did not reach his deduction. M. de smiled upon him brilliantly." It was badly Chateaurien, breaking into his narrative, ad- done; oh, so badly,” he whispered. dressed him very quietly. ery quietly. “Monsieur,” he you afford to have me strip' of my mask by said, “none but swine deny the nobleness of any but yourself? You, who introduce me? that good and gentle lady, Mademoiselle la They will say there is some bad scandal that Princesse de Bourbon-Conti. Every French- I could force you to be my god-father. You man know' that her cousin is a bad rebel and mus' get the courage yourself.” ingrate, who had only honor and rispec' for “I told you a rose had a short life," was her, but was so wilful he could not let even the answer. the king say, “You shall marry here, you “Oh, those roses! 'Tis the very greates' shall marry there.' Messieurs,” the young reason to gather each day a fresh one.” man turned to the others,“ may I ask you He took a red bud from his breast for an in- to close aroun' in a circle for one moment ? stant, and touched it to his lips. It is clearly shown that the Duke of Orleans “M. de Chateaurien!” It was Lady is a scurvy fellow, but not ” he wheeled Mary's voice; she stood at a table where a about and touched Captain Rohrer on the vacant place had been left beside her. “M. - Can 166 MONSIEUR BEAUCAIRE. de Chateaurien, we have been waiting very “A very pretty figure," answered Lady long for you.' Mary, her eyes downcast. But does it not The Duke saw the look she did not know hint a notable experience in the making of she gave the Frenchman, and he lost counte- such speeches ?” nance for a moment. “ Tormentress! No. It prove' only the “We approach a climax, eh, monsieur ?" inspiration it is to know you.' said M. de Chateaurien. “We English ladies hear plenty of the like, sir; and we even grow brilliant enough IV. to detect the assurance that lies beneath the labored courtesies of our own gallants.” THERE fell a clear September night, when “Merci ! I should believe so!” ejaculated the moon was radiant over town and coun- M. de Chateaurien; but he smothered the try, over cobbled streets and winding roads. words upon his lips. From the fields the mists rose slowly, and Her eyes were not lifted. She went on: the air was mild and fragrant, while dis- “ We are taught to believe that true feeling tances were white and full of mystery. All comes faltering forth, M. le Duc, not glibly; of Bath that pretended to fashion or condi- smoothness betokens the adept in the art, tion was present that evening at a fête at the sir, rather than your true--your true" house of a country gentleman of the neigh- She was herself faltering; more, blushing borhood. When the stately junket was con- deeply, and halting to a full stop in terror cluded, it was the pleasure of M. de Cha- of a word. There was a silence. teaurien to form one of the escort of Lady “Your true lover,” he said huskily. When Mary's carriage for the return. As they he had said that word both trembled. She took the road, Sir Hugh Guilford and Mr. turned half away into the darkness of the Bantison, engaging in indistinct but vigorous coach. remonstrance with Mr. Molyneux over some “ I know what make you to doubt me, matter, fell fifty or more paces behind, where he said, faltering himself, though it was not they continued to ride, keeping up their argu- his art that prompted him. “They have tol' ment. Half a dozen other gallants rode in you the French do nothing al-ways but make advance, muttering among themselves, or love, is it not so ? Yes, you think I am like attended laxly upon Lady Mary's aunt on that. You think I am like that now!” the other side of the coach, while the happy She made no sign. Frenchman was permitted to ride close to “I suppose," he sighed, “I am unriz' na- that adorable window which framed the fair- ble: I would have the snow not so col—for est face in England. jus' me." He sang for her a little French song, a She did not answer. song of the voyageur who dreamed of home. “ Turn to me,” he said. The lady, listening, looking up at the bright The fragrance of the fields came to them, moon, felt a warm drop upon her cheek, and and from the distance the faint, clear note he saw the tears sparkling upon her lashes. of a hunting-horn. “Mademoiselle," he whispered then, “I, Turn to me.” too, have been a wanderer, but my dreams The lovely head was bent very low. Her were not of France; no, I do not dream of little gloved hand lay upon the narrow win- that home, of that dear country. It is of a dow ledge. He laid his own gently upon it. dearer country, a dream country--a country The two hands were shaking like twin leaves of gold and snow," he cried 'softly, looking in the breeze. Hers was not drawn away. at her white brow and the fair, lightly pow. After a pause, neither knew how long, he dered hair above it. “Gold and snow, and felt the warm fingers turn and clasp them- the blue sky of a lady's eyes!” selves tremulously about his own. At last “I had thought the ladies of France were she looked up bravely and met his eyes. The dark, sir." horn was wound again--nearer. “ Cruel! It is that she will not under “ All the cold was gone from the snows- stan’! Have I speak of the ladies of France ? long ago," she said. No, no, no! It is of the fairies' country: yes, "My beautiful!” he whispered; it was 'tis a province of heaven, mademoiselle. all he could say. “My beautiful!” Do I not renounce my allegiance to France ? she clutched his arm, startled. Oh, yes! I am subjec'--no, content--to be ''Ware the road!” A wild halloo sounded slave in the lan' of the blue sky, the gold, ahead. The horn wound loudly. “'Ware and the snow.” the road!” There sprang up out of the BOOTH TARKINGTON. 167 “ They night a flying thunder of hoof-beats. The “ The Duke!” laughed Guilford. gentlemen riding idly in front of the coach will not kill him, unless—be easy, dear scattered to the hedge-sides; and, with drawn madam, 'twill be explained. Gad's life!” swords flashing in the moon, a party of horse- he muttered to Molyneux, “'twere time the men charged down the highway, their cries varlet had his lashing! D’ye hear her ?” blasting the night. “Barber or no barber," answered Moly- “Barber! Kill the barber!" they screamed. neux, “ I wish I had warned him. He fights “ Barber! Kill the barber!” as few gentlemen could. 'S death, sir! Look Beaucaire had hardly time to draw his at that! 'Tis a shame!” sword when they were upon him. On foot, hatless, his white coat sadly rent “ À moi !” his voice rang out clearly as and gashed, flecked, too, with red, M. Beau- he rose in his stirrups. "A moi, François, caire, wary, alert, brilliant, seemed to trans- Louis, Berquin! À moi, François !” form himself into a dozen fencing-masters; The cavaliers came straight at him. He and though his skill appeared to be in deli- parried the thrust of the first, but the shock cacy and quickness, and his play was mostly of collision hurled his horse against the side with the point, sheer strength failed to beat of the coach. him down. The young man was laughing “Sacred swine!” he cried bitterly. “To like a child. endanger a lady, to make this brawl in a “ Believe me,” cried Molyneux, “ he's no lady's presence! Drive on!” he shouted. barber! No, and never was!” No!” cried Lady Mary. For a moment there was even a chance The Frenchman's assailants were masked, that M. Beaucaire might have the best of it. but they were not highwaymen. Barber! Two of his adversaries were prostrate, more Barber!” they shouted hoarsely, and closed than one was groaning, and the indomitable in on him in a circle. Frenchman had actually almost beat off the “See how he use his steel!” laughed M. ruffians, when, by a trick, he was overcome. Beaucaire, as his point passed through a One of them, dismounting, ran in suddenly tawdry waistcoat. For a moment he cut from behind, and seized his blade in a thick through the ring and cleared a space about leather gauntlet. Before Beaucaire could him, and Lady Mary saw his face shining in disengage the weapon, two others threw the moonlight. Canaille !” he hissed, as themselves from their horses and hurled him his horse sank beneath him; and, though to the earth. “ À moi ! À moi, François !” guarding his head from the rain of blows he cried as he went down, his sword in frag- from above, he managed to drag headlong ments, but his voice unbroken and clear. from his saddle the man who had hamstrung “ Shame!” muttered one or two of the the poor brute. The fellow came suddenly gentlemen about the coach. to the ground, and lay there. “ 'Twas dastardly to take him so," said “ Is it not a compliment,” said a heavy Molyneux. “Whatever his deservings, I'm voice, “ to bring six large men to subdue nigh of a mind to offer him a rescue in the monsieur ?" Duke's face." “Oh, you are there, my frien! In the “ Truss him up, lads," said the heavy rear a little in the rear, I think. Ha, ha!” voice. “Clear the way in front of the The Frenchman's play with his weapon was coach. There sit those whom we avenge a revelation of skill, the more extraordinary upon a presumptuous lackey. Now, Whiffen, as he held in his hand only a light dress you have a fair audience, lay on and baste sword. But the ring closed about him, and him.” his keen defense could not avail him for more Two men began to drag M. Beaucaire to- than a few moments. Lady Mary's outriders, ward a great oak by the roadside. Another the gallants of her escort, rode up close to took from his saddle a heavy whip with three the coach and encircled it, not interfering. thongs. Sir Hugh Guilford!” cried Lady Mary « À moi, François !” wildly,“ if you will not help him, give me There was borne on the breeze an answer your sword!” She would have leaped to -“Monseigneur! Monseigneur !” The cry the ground, but Sir Hugh held the door. grew louder suddenly. The clatter of hoofs “Sit quiet, madam,” he said to her; and, urged to an anguish of speed sounded on the to the man on the box, night. M. Beaucaire's servants had lagged “If he does, I'll kill him!” she said sorely behind, but they made up for it now. fiercely. “Ah, what cowards ! Will you Almost before the noise of their own steeds see the Duke murdered ?" they came riding down the moonlit aisle be- “ Drive on. 168 MONSIEUR BEAUCAIRE. tween the mists. Chosen men, these ser “It could not !” exclaimed François. vants of Beaucaire, and like a thunderbolt “No. And you did very well, my chil- they fell upon the astounded cavaliers. dren-"the young man smiled benevolently- Chateaurien ! Chateaurien!” they very well. And now,'' he continued, turn- shouted, and smote so swiftly that, through ing to Lady Mary and speaking in English, lack of time, they showed no proper judg- “ let me be asking of your gallants yonder ment and discriminated nothing between non- what make them to be in cabal with high- combatants and their master's foes. They waymen. One should come to a polite under- charged first into the group about M. Beau- standing with them, you think? Not so ?” caire, and broke and routed it utterly. Two He bowed, offering his hand to conduct her of them leaped to the young man's side, while to the coach, where Molyneux and his com- the other four, swerving, scarce losing the panions, having drawn Sir Hugh from under momentum of their onset, bore on upon the his horse, were engaged in reviving and re- gentlemen near the coach, who went down assuring Lady Rellerton, who had fainted. beneath the fierceness of the onslaught, curs- But Lady Mary stayed Beaucaire with a ges- ing manfully. ture, and the two stood where they were. “Our just deserts," said Mr. Molyneux, “Monseigneur!” she said, with a note of his mouth full of dust and philosophy. raillery in her voice, but raillery so tender Sir Hugh Guilford's horse fell with him, that he started with happiness. His move- being literally ridden over, and the baronet's ment brought him a hot spasm of pain, and leg was pinned under the saddle. In less he clapped his hand to a red stain on his than ten minutes from the first attack on M. waistcoat. Beaucaire, the attacking party had fled in “ You are hurt." disorder, and the patrician non-combatants, “ It is nothing,” smiled M. Beaucaire. choking with expletives, consumed with Then, that she might not see the stain spread- wrath, were prisoners, disarmed by the ing, he held his handkerchief over the spot. Frenchman's lackeys. “I am a little-but jus' a trifling-bruise'; Guilford's discomfiture had freed the doors 'tis all." of the coach; so it was that when M. Beau “ You shall ride in the coach," she whis- caire, struggling to rise, assisted by his ser- pered. “Will you be pleased, M. de Cha- vants, threw out one hand to balance himself, teaurien ?” he found it seized between two small, cold “Ah, my beautiful!” She seemed to palms, and he looked into two warm, dilating wave before him like a shining mist. “I eyes, that were doubly beautiful because of the wish that ride might las' for al-ways! Can fright and rage that found room in them too. you say that, mademoiselle ?" M. le Duc de Chateaurien sprang to his feet “Monseigneur," she cried in a passion of without the aid of his lackeys, and bowed low admiration, “I would what you would have before Lady Mary. be, should be. What do you not deserve ? “I make ten thousan'apology to be the You are the bravest man in the world!” cause of a such mêlée in mademoiselle's pres “Ha, ha! I am jus' a poor Frenchman." ence," he said; and then turning to François, “Would that a few Englishmen had shown he spoke in French :“Ah, thou scoundrel! themselves as poor' to-night. The vile A little, and it had been too late." cowards not to help you!” Then, suddenly François knelt in the dust before him. possessed by her anger, she swept away from “Pardon!” he said. “Monseigneur com- him to the coach. manded us to follow far in the rear, to re Sir Hugh, groaning loudly, was being as- main unobserved. The wind malignantly sisted into the vehicle. blew against monseigneur's voice." “My little poltroons," she said, “what “See what it might have cost, my chil- are you doing with your fellow-craven, Sir dren,” said his master, pointing to the ropes Hugh Guilford, there ?” with which they would have bound him and Madam,” replied Molyneux humbly, “Sir to the whip lying beside them. A shudder Hugh's leg is broken. Lady Rellerton gra- passed over the lackey's frame; the utter ciously permits him to be taken in." horror in his face echoed in the eyes of his “I do not permit it, sir! M. de Chateau- fellows. rien rides with us." “Oh, monseigneur!” François sprang “ But- back, and tossed his arms to heaven. “Sir! Leave the wretch to groan by the “ But it did not happen,” said M. Beau- roadside,” she cried fiercely," which plight caire. I would were that of all of you! But there BOOTH TARKINGTON. 169 will be a pretty ctory for the gossips to-mor You will bitterly repent it, madam. For row! And I could almost find pity for you your own sake I entreat- when I think of the wits when you return to “And I also," broke in M. Beaucaire. town. Fine gentlemen you; hardy bravoes, “ Permit me, mademoiselle; let him speak. by heaven! to leave one man to meet a troop “Then let him be brief,” said Lady Mary, of horse single-handed, while you huddle in “ for I am earnest to be quit of him. His shelter until you are overthrown and dis- explanation of an attack on my friend and on armed by servants! Oh, the wits! Heaven my carriage should be made to my brother." save you from the wits!” “ Alas that he was not here,” said the “ Madam." Duke, “ to aid me! Madam, was your car- “ Address me no more! M. de Chateau- riage threatened ? I have endeavored only to rien, Lady Rellerton and I will greatly esteem expunge a debt I owed to Bath and to avenge the honor of your company. Will you get an insult offered to yourself through- in ?” “Sir, sir, my patience will bear little She leaped into the coach, and was gath- more!" ering her skirts to make room for the French “ A thousan' apology,” said M. Beaucaire. man, when a heavy voice spoke from the “ You will listen, I only beg, Lady Mary." shadows of the tree by the wayside. She made an angry gesture of assent. “Lady Mary Carlisle will, no doubt, listen “Madam, I will be brief as I may. Two to a word of counsel on this point." months ago there came to Bath a French The Duke of Winterset rode out into the gambler calling himself Beaucaire, a desper- moonlight, composedly untying a mask from ate fellow with the cards or dice, and all the about his head. He had not shared the flight men of fashion went to play at his lodging, of his followers, but had retired into the where he won considerable sums. He was shade of the oak, whence he now made his small, wore a black wig and mustachio. He presence known with the utmost coolness. had the insolence to show himself everywhere Gracious heavens, 'tis Winterset!” ex- until the Master of Ceremonies rebuffed him claimed Lady Rellerton. in the pump-room, as you know, and after “ Turned highwayman and cutthroat," that he forbore his visits to the rooms. Mr. cried Lady Mary. Nash explained (and was confirmed, madam, “No, no," laughed M. Beaucaire, some- by indubitable information) that this Beau- what unsteadily, as he stood, swaying slightly, caire was a man of unspeakable, vile, low with one hand on the coach-door, the other birth, being, in fact, no other than a lackey pressed hard on his side," he only oversee'; of the French king's ambassador, Victor by he is jus' a little bashful, sometime'-he name, de Mirepoix's barber. Although his is a great man, but he don' want all the condition was known, the hideous impudence glory!” of the fellow did not desert him, and he re- Barber,” replied the Duke, “I must tell mained in Bath, where none would speak to you that I gladly descend to bandy words with him.” you; your monstrous impudence is a claim to “Is your farrago nigh done, sir?" rank I cannot ignore. But a lackey who has “A few moments, madam. One evening, himself followed by six other lackeys three weeks gone, I observed a very elegant Ha, ha! Has not M. le Duc been busy equipage draw up to my door, and the Duke all this evening to justify me? And I think of Chateaurien was announced. The young mine mus' be the bes' six. Ha, ha! You man's manners were worthy-according to think ?” the French acceptance—and 'twere idle to “M. de Chateaurien,” said Lady Mary, deny him the most monstrous assurance. He we are waiting for you.” declared himself a noble traveling for pleas- “Pardon," he replied," he has something ure. He had taken lodgings in Bath for a to say; maybe it is bes’ if mademoiselle hear season, he said, and called at once to pay his it now. respects to me. His tone was so candid (in “I wish to hear nothing from him--ever!” truth, I am the simplest of men, very easily Egad, madam,” cried the Duke, “ this gulled) and his stroke so bold that I did not saucy fellow has paid you the last insult. for one moment suspect him; and to my poign- He is so sure of you he does not fear you ant regret-though in the humblest spirit will believe the truth. When all is told, if I have shown myself eager to atone-that you do not agree he deserved the lashing we very evening I had the shame of presenting planned to him to yourself." “I'll hear no more!” “The shame, sir!” 170 MONSIEUR BEAUCAIRE. “Have patience, pray, madam. Ay, the “Is it so ?” cried the Duke. shame! You know what figure he hath cut I do not know-1-cannot-tell.” in Bath since that evening. All ran merrily One moment more. I begged these gen- with him until several days ago Captain Bad- tlemen to allow me to wipe out the insult I ger denounced him as an impostor, vowing had unhappily offered to Bath, but particu- that Chateaurien was nothing. larly to you. They agreed not to forestall “Pardon," interrupted M. Beaucaire. me or to interfere. I left Sir John Wimple- "Castle Nowhere would have been so much don's early, and arranged to give the sorry better. Why did you not make him say it rascal a lashing under your own eyes, a sat- that way, monsieur ?” isfaction due the lady into whose presence Lady Mary started; she was looking at he had dared to force himself.” the Duke, and her face was white. He con “Oh, nation of polish!” observed M. tinued : “ Poor Captain Badger was stabbed Beaucaire. that same day “And now, madam," said the Duke, “I “Most befitting poor Captain Badger,” will detain you not one second longer. I muttered Molyneux. plead the good purpose of my intentions, beg- “ And his adversary had the marvelous in- ging you to believe that the desire to avenge solence to declare that he fought in my quar- a hateful outrage, next to the wish to serve rel! This afternoon the wounded man sent you, forms the dearest motive in the heart for me, and imparted the most horrifying in- of Winterset." telligence. He had discovered a lackey whom “ Bravo!” cried Beaucaire softly. he had seen waiting upon Beaucaire in attend Lady Mary leaned toward him, a thriving ance at the door of this Chateaurien's lodg- terror in her eyes. “ It is false ?” she fal- ing. Beaucaire had disappeared the day be- tered. fore Chateaurien's arrival. Captain Badger “Monsieur should not have been born so looked closely at Chateaurien at their next high. He could have made little book'. " meeting, and identified him with the missing “ You mean it is false ?” she cried breath- Beaucaire beyond the faintest doubt. Over- lessly. come with indignation, he immediately pro “'Od’s blood, is she not convinced!” claimed the impostor. Out of regard for me, broke out Mr. Bantison. “Fellow, were he did not charge him with being Beaucaire; you not the ambassador's barber?” the poor soul was unwilling to put upon me “ It is all false ?” she whispered. the humiliation of having introduced a bar The mos' fine art, mademoiselle. How ber. But the secret weighed upon him till long you think it take M. de Winterset to he sent for me and put everything in my learn that speech after he write it out? It hands. I accepted the odium; I thought is a mix of what is true and the mos' chaste only of atonement. I went to Sir John Wim- art. Monsieur has become a man of letters. pledon's fête. I took poor Sir Hugh, there, Perhaps he may enjoy that more than the and those other gentlemen aside, and told wars. Ha, ha!” them my news. We narrowly observed this Mr. Bantison burst into a roar of laughter. man, and were shocked at our simplicity in “Do French gentlemen fight lackeys? Ho, not having discovered him before. These are ho, ho! A pretty country! We English do men of honor and cool judgment, madam. as was done to-night, have our servants beat Mr. Molyneux had acted for him in the affair them.” of Captain Badger, and was strongly preju “And attend ourselves," added M. Beau- diced in his favor; but Mr. Molyneux, Sir caire, looking at the Duke, “ somewhat in Hugh, Mr. Bantison, every one of them, in the background. But, pardon," he mocked, short, recognized him. In spite of his smooth “that remind' me. François, return to Mr. face and his light hair, the adventurer Beau- Bantison and these messieurs their weapons. caire was writ upon him amazing plain. Look “Will you answer a question ?” said Moly- at him, madam, if he will dare the inspec- neux mildly. tion. You saw this Beaucaire well the day “Oh, with pleasure, monsieur." of his expulsion from the rooms. Is not this Were you ever a barber?' he ?" No, monsieur,” laughed the young man. M. Beaucaire stepped close to her. Her Pah!” exclaimed Bantison. “Let me pale face twitched. question him. Now, fellow, a confession “Look!” he said. may save you from jail. Do you deny you Oh, oh!” she whispered with a dry are Beaucaire ?” throat, and fell back in the carriage. “Deny to a such judge!" 172 THE IMPEACHMENT OF ANDREW JOHNSON. the selection of a candidate for the Vice These extracts show the style of speech in Presidency was tendered to the supporters of which Mr. Johnson indulged, and they prove General Grant, and it was declined by more beyond question that in the winter of 1861 than one person. he had no sympathy with the Republican party of 1856 and 1860. These facts ex- JOHNSON'S POLITICAL OPINIONS AND plain, and in some measure they may palliate, the peculiarities of his career, which pro- SYMPATHIES. voked criticism and an adverse popular judg- Mr. Johnson never identified himself with ment when he came to the Presidency. Nor the Republican party; and neither in June, is there evidence within my knowledge that 1864, nor at any other period of his life, had he ever denied the right of secession. How- the Republican party a right to treat him as ever that may have been, he disapproved of an associate member. He was, in fact, what the exercise of the right at all stages of the he often proclaimed himself to be-a Jack- contest. sonian Democrat. He was a Southern Union In the Thirty-sixth Congress Mr. Johnson Democrat. He was an opponent, and a bit- proposed amendments to the Constitution ter opponent, of the project for the dissolu- which gave him consideration in the North. tion of the Union, and a vindictive enemy of By his proposition the Fugutive Slave Law those who threatened its destruction. was to be repealed, and in its place the re- His speeches in the Senate in the Thirty- spective States were to return fugitives or sixth and the Thirty-seventh Congress were to pay the value of those that might be re- read and much approved throughout the tained. North, and they prepared the way for the ac Slavery was to be abolished in the District ceptance of his nomination as a candidate of of Columbia with the consent of Maryland the Republican party in 1864. and upon payment of the full value of the Mr. Johnson was an earnest supporter of slaves emancipated. The Territories were to the Crittenden Compromise. That measure be divided between freedom and slavery. originated in the House of Representatives. His scheme contemplated other changes not It was defeated in the Senate by seven votes, connected necessarily with the system of and six votes of the seven came from the slavery. Of these I mention the election of South. The provisions of the bill were far President, Vice-President, senators, and away from the ideas of Republicans gener- judges of the Supreme Court by the people, ally, although the measure was sustained by coupled with a limitation of the terms of members of the party. By that scheme the the judges to twelve years. Fugitive Slave Law was made less offensive The Crittenden Resolution contained these in two particulars, but the United States was declarations of facts and policy : to pay for fugitives from slavery when 1. The present deplorable war has been ever a marshal failed to perform his duty. forced upon the country by the disunionists As an important limitation of the powers of of the Southern States. Congress, the abolition of slavery in the Dis 2. Congress has no purpose of conquest or trict of Columbia was to be dependent upon subjugation, nor purpose of overthrowing or the consent of the States of Maryland and interfering with the established rights of Virginia. those States. Mr. Johnson gave voice to his indignation Upon a motion to include disunionists of when he spoke of the Southern men whose the North under the first charge, Mr. Johnson votes contributed to the defeat of the Crit- voted in the negative with Sumner, Wilson, tenden Compromise. “Who, then,” said he, Wade, and other Republicans. “has brought these evils upon the country ? This brief survey of Mr. Johnson's Con- Whose fault was it ? Who is responsible for gressional career at the opening of the war it? With the help we had from the other may indicate the characteristics of his mind side of the chamber, if all those on this side in controversy and debate, and furnish means had been true to the Constitution and faith- for comprehending his actions in the troub- ful to their constituents, and had acted with lous period of his administration. fidelity to the country, the amendment of the Some conclusions are deducible from this Senator from New Hampshire could have survey. First of all it is to be said that he been voted down. Whose fault was it? Who never assumed to be a member of the Re- did it ? Southern traitors, as was said in the publican party. Next, I do not find evidence speech of the Senator from California. They which will justify the statement that he was did it. They wanted no compromise." a disbeliever in the right of a State to secede JOHNSON'S TRUST IN " THE OLD DEMOCRATIC PARTY.” 173 from the Union. It is manifest that he was February, 1865, and it must be accepted as not an advocate of the doctrine of political evidence, quite conclusive, that Mr. Johnson equality as it came to be taught by the was then opposed to the policy of the Re- leaders of the Republican party. When he publican party, whose honors he had accepted. became President, he was an opponent of In a party sense Mr. Johnson was not a Re- negro suffrage. publican : he was a Union Democrat. He This record, though not concealed, was not was opposed to the dissolution of the Union, understood by the members of the convention but not necessarily upon the ground that the that placed him in nomination for the second Union had a supreme right to exist in defi- office in the country. ance of what is called “State sovereignty.” This analysis prepares the way for an ex- This with the Republican party was a funda- tract from the testimony of Mr. Stanley mental principle. Under the influence of the Matthews, who was afterwards a justice of principles of the old Democratic party Mr. the Supreme Court, and who was examined Johnson advanced to the Vice-Presidency, and by the Judiciary Committee of the House of while under the influence of the same idea he Representatives when engaged in investigat- became President. ing the doings of the President previous to When the Republican party came to power, his impeachment. the State of Maryland, that portion of Vir- Mr. Johnson was appointed military gov- ginia now known as West Virginia, the State ernor of Tennessee the third day of March, of Kentucky, and the State of Missouri were 1862. Colonel Matthews was provost-marshal largely under the influence of sympathizers at Nashville, where Johnson resided during his with the eleven seceding States of the South. term as governor. In that term Matthews It was necessary in Maryland, Kentucky, and and Johnson became acquainted. Missouri to maintain the ascendency of the When Johnson was on his way to Washing- National Government by the exhibition of ton to take the oath of office, he stopped at physical force, and in some instances by its the Burnet House in Cincinnati. Matthews actual exercise. Mr. Lincoln's policy in re- called upon him. Matthews had been a Demo- gard to the question of slavery was con- crat until the troubles in Kansas. In the trolled, up to the month of July, 1862, by conversation at the Burnet House Mr. John- the purpose to conciliate Union slave-holders son made these remarks, after some personal in the States mentioned. Of his measures I matters had been disposed of. I quote from may refer to the proposition to transfer the the testimony of Judge Matthews : free negroes to Central America, for which “I inquired as to the state of public feel- an appropriation of $25,000 was made by ing on political matters in Tennessee at that Congress. Next, Congress passed an act for time. He remarked that very great changes the abolition of slavery in the District of had taken place since I had been there, that Columbia upon the payment of three hun- many of those who at first were the best dred dollars for each slave emancipated. Union men had turned to be the worst rebels, Without representing in his history or in and that many of those who had originally his person the slave-holding interests of the been the worst rebels were now the best South, Mr. Johnson was yet a Southern man Union men. I expressed surprise and re- with Union sentiments. The impression was gret at what he said in reference to the received therefrom that his influence would matter. be considerable in restraining, if not in con- “We were sitting near each other on the ciliating, slave-holders in what were called sofa. He then turned to me and said, “You the “ border States." These facts tended to and I were old Democrats.' I said, “Yes.' He his nomination for the Vice-Presidency. I then said, “I will tell you what it is, if the have no means for forming an opinion that is country is ever to be saved, it is to be done trustworthy as to the position of Mr. Lincoln through the old Democratic party.' in reference to the nomination of Mr. John- “I do not know whether I made any reply son. His nomination may justify the im- to that, or, if I did, what it was; and immedi- pression that the Republican party was in ately afterwards I took my leave." doubt as to its ability to reëlect Mr. Lincoln The larger part of this quotation is only in 1864. From the month of July, 1862, to important as leading up to the phrase that is the nomination in 1864, I had frequent inter- emphasized, and which may throw light upon views with Mr. Lincoln, and I can only say Mr. Johnson's policy and conduct when he that, during the period when the result of the came to the Presidency. election was a subject of thought, he gave This conversation occurred in the month of no intimation in the conversations that I had 174 THE IMPEACHMENT OF ANDREW JOHNSON. with him that the element of doubt as to the were further instructions given in the proc- result existed in his mind. lamation as to the duties of various officers From what has been said, the inference of the United States to aid Governor Holden, may be drawn that Mr. Johnson came to the who, by the same proclamation, was appointed Vice-Presidency in the absence of any con- “provisional governor of the State of North siderable degree of confidence on the part Carolina.” of the Republican party, although there were no manifestations of serious doubt as to AN INTERVIEW WITH PRESIDENT JOHNSON his fitness for the place, or as to his fidelity REGARDING HIS POLICY. to the principles of the party. Upon the publication of this proclamation JOHNSON'S FIRST RECONSTRUCTION MEASURES. I was so much disturbed that I proceeded at once to Washington, but without any definite The incidents of the inauguration of Mr. idea as to what could be done to arrest the Johnson in the Senate Chamber, and espe- step which seemed to me a dangerous step cially his speech on the occasion, which was towards the reorganization of the govern- directed, apparently, to the Diplomatic Corps, ment upon an unsound basis. At that time excited apprehensions in those who were I had had no conversation with Mr. Johnson, present, and the confidence of the country either before or after he came to the Presi- was diminished materially concerning his dency, upon any subject whatever. The in- qualifications for the office to which he had terview which I secured upon that visit was been elected. Without delay these appre- the sole personal interview that ever occurred hensions circulated widely, and they were between us. I called upon Senator Morrill deepened in the public mind by the assassi- of Vermont, and together we made a visit to nation of Mr. Lincoln and the elevation of Mr. the President. I spoke of the features of Johnson to the Presidency. the proclamation that seemed to me objec- The public confidence received a further tionable. He said that “the measure was serious shock by his proclamation of May 29, tentative” only, and that until the experi- 1865, for the organization of a State govern- ment had been tried no other proclamation ment in North Carolina. That proclamation would be issued. Upon that I said in sub- contained provisions in harmony with what stance that the Republican party might ac- has been set forth in this paper concerning cept the proclamation as an experiment, but the political principles of Mr. Johnson. First that it was contrary to the ideas of the party, of all, he limited the franchise to persons and that a continuance of the policy would “qualified as prescribed by the constitution work a disruption of the party. He assured and laws of the State of North Carolina in us that nothing further would be done until force immediately before the 20th day of the experiment had been tested. With that May, 1861, the date of the so-called Ordi- assurance we left the Executive Mansion. nance of Secession." This provision was a On the thirteenth day of June, 1865, a limitation of the suffrage, and it excluded similar proclamation was issued in reference necessarily the negro population of the State. to the State of Mississippi, and on the 17th It was also a recognition of the right of the of June, the 21st and 30th of June, and the State to reappear as a State in the Union. thirteenth day of July, corresponding proc- It was, indeed, an early assertion of the lamations were issued in reference to the phrase which afterwards became controlling States of Georgia, Texas, Alabama, South with many persons—“Once a State, always Carolina, and Florida. In each State a per- a State.” He further recognized the right son was named as provisional governor. This of the State to reappear as a State in the or- action led to a division of the party and to ganization and powers of the convention its subsequent reorganization against the which was to be called under the proclama- President's policy. tion. As to that he said: “The convention In his letter of acceptance of the nomi- when convened, or the legislature which may nation made by the Union Convention, Mr. be thereafter assembled, will prescribe the Johnson endorsed, without reserve, the plat- qualification of electors and the eligibility of form that had been adopted. The declara- persons to hold office under the constitution tions of the platform did not contain a and laws of the State, a power the people of reference to the reorganization of the gov- the several States composing the Union have ernment in the event of the success of the rightfully exercised from the origin of the Union arms. The declarations were enu- government to the present time." There merated in this order : the Union was to be JOHNSON'S SPEECHES AGAINST CONGRESS. 175 maintained ; the war was to be prosecuted this doctrine : The communities that have upon the basis of an unconditional surrender been in rebellion can be organized into States of the rebels ; and slavery, as the cause of only by the will of the loyal people expressed the war, was to be abolished. The added freely and in the absence of all coercion ; resolutions related to the services of the that States so organized can become States soldiers and sailors, and to the policy of of the American Union only when they shall Abraham Lincoln as President. It was fur- have applied for admission and their admis- ther declared that the public credit should sion shall have been authorized by the exist- be maintained, that there should be a vigor- ing National Government. A small number ous and just system of taxes, and that the of persons who were identified with the Re- people would view with “extreme jealousy,” publican party sustained the policy of Mr. and as enemies to the peace and independ- Johnson. Others were of the opinion that ence of the country, the efforts of any power the eleven States were out of their proper to obtain new footholds for monarchical relation to the Union, as was declared by government on this continent. Such being Mr. Lincoln in his last speech, and that they the character of the platform, it cannot be could become members of the American said that Mr. Johnson challenged its declara- Union only by the organized action of each, tions in the policy on which he entered for and the concurrent action of the existing the reorganization of the government. In National Government. The Government was Mr. Johnson's letter of acceptance he pre- reorganized without any distinct declaration served his relations to the Democrats by the upon the question whether the States that use of this phrase : “I cannot forego the had been in rebellion were to be treated as opportunity of saying to my old friends of enemy's territory, or as Territories accord- the Democratic party proper, with whom I ing to the usage of former times. The dif- have so long and pleasantly been associated, ference of opinion was a vital one with Mr. that the hour has come when that great Johnson. Whatever view may be taken of party can justly indicate its devotion to the his moral qualities, it is to be said that he Democratic policy in measures of expedi- was not deficient in intellectual ability, that ency." his courage passed far beyond the line of obstinacy, and that from first to last he was THE CONTROVERSY BETWEEN THE PRESIDENT prepared to resist the claims of the large majority of the Republican party. The issue AND CONGRESS. began with his proclamation of May, 1865, The controversy with Mr. Johnson had its and the contest continued to the end of his origin in the difference of opinion as to the term. The nature of the issue explains the nature of the government. That difference character and violence of his speeches, es- led him to the conclusion that the Rebellion pecially that of the twenty-second day of had not worked any change in the legal February, 1866, when he spoke of Congress relations of the seceding States to the Na- as a “ body hanging on the verge of the tional Government. His motto was this : Government." “Once a State, always a State," whatever In the many speeches which he delivered might be its conduct either of peace or of in his trip through the West, he made dis- war. There were, however, differences of tinct charges against Congress. He was opinion among those who adhered to the accompanied by Mr. Seward, General Grant, Republican party. Mr. Stevens, who was a Admiral Farragut, and some others. In a recognized, if not the recognized, leader of speech at Cleveland, Ohio, he said, among the Republican party, advocated the doc- other things, “I have called upon your trine that the eleven States were to be Congress, which has tried to break up the treated as enemy's territories, and to be Government.” Again, in the same speech, governed upon whatever system might be he said, “I tell you, my countrymen, that acceptable to the States that had remained although the powers of Thad Stevens and true to the Union. Mr. Sumner maintained his gang were by, they could not turn me the doctrine that the eleven States were Ter- from my purpose. There is no power that ritories, and that they were to be subject to can turn me, except you and the God who the general Government until Congress should put me into existence.” He charged, also, admit the several Territories as State or- that Congress had taken great pains to poi- ganizations. The fourth day of May, 1864, son their constituents against him. What I presented a series of resolutions in the had Congress done? Had they done any- House of Representatives, in which I asserted thing to restore the Union in those States ? 176 THE IMPEACHMENT OF ANDREW JOHNSON. gress.” No; on the contrary, they had done every- reorganize the Government by the assembling thing to prevent it." of a Congress in which the members from the In a speech made at St. Louis, Missouri, seceding States and the Democratic members September 8, 1866, Mr. Johnson discussed from the North might obtain control through the riot at New Orleans.* In that speech the aid of the Executive. He then said that he said, “If you will take up the riot in New he thought it necessary that some act should Orleans, and trace it back to its source, or be passed by which the power of the Presi- its immediate cause, you will find out who dent might be limited. Under his dictation, was responsible for the blood that was shed and after such consultation as seemed to be there. If you will take up the riot at New required, I drafted amendments to the Ap- Orleans and trace it back to the radical Con- propriation Bill for the Support of the Army gress, you will find that the riot at New Or- which contained the following provisions : leans was substantially planned.” After some The headquarters of the General of the Army further observations, he says: “Yes, you were fixed at Washington, where he was to will find that another Rebellion was com- remain unless transferred to duty elsewhere menced, having its origin in the radical Con- by his own consent or by the consent of the Senate. Next, was made a misdemeanor These extracts from Mr. Johnson's speeches for the President to transmit orders to any should be considered in connection with his officer of the army except through the Gen- proclamations of May, June, and July, 1865. eral of the Army. It was also made a misde- They are conclusive to this point : that he meanor for any officer to obey orders issued had determined to reconstruct the govern- in any other way than through the General ment upon the basis of the return of the of the Army, knowing that the same had been States that had been engaged in the Rebel- so issued. These provisions were taken by lion without the imposition of any conditions me to Mr. Stevens, the chairman of the Com- whatsoever, except such as he had imposed mittee on Appropriations. After some ex- upon them in his proclamations. In fine, that planation, the measure was accepted by the the government was to be reëstablished with- Committee and incorporated in the Army Ap- out the authority or even the assent of the propriation Bill. The bill was approved by Congress of the United States. In his proc- the President the second day of March, 1867. lamations he made provision for the framing His approval was accompanied by a protest of constitutions in the respective States, on his part that the provision was unconsti- their ratification by the people, excluding all tutional, and by the statement that he ap- · those who were not voters in April, 1861, and proved the bill only because it was necessary for the election of Senators and Representa- for the support of the army. tives to the Congress of the United States without the assent of the representatives of JOHNSON'S DIFFICULTIES WITH GRANT AND the existing States. THE ARMY. AN INTERVIEW WITH SECRETARY STANTON. At the time of my interview with Mr. Stan- ton, I was not informed fully as to the events When I arrived in Washington to attend that had transpired in the preceding months, the meeting of Congress at the December nor can I now say that everything which had session, 1866, I received a note from Mr. transpired of importance was then known to Stanton asking me to meet him at the War Mr. Stanton. The statement that I am now Office with as little delay as might be prac- to make was derived from conversations with ticable. When I called at the War Office, he General Grant. At a time previous to the beckoned me to retire to his private room, December session of 1866, the President said where he soon met me. He then said that to General Grant, “I may wish to send you he had been more disturbed by the condition on a mission to Mexico." General Grant re- of affairs in the preceding weeks and months plied, “It may not be convenient for me to than he had been at any time during the war. go to Mexico." Little, if anything, further He gave me to understand that orders had was said between the President and General been issued to the army of which neither he Grant. At a subsequent time General Grant nor General Grant had any knowledge. He was invited to a cabinet meeting. At that further gave me to understand also that he meeting Mr. Seward read a paper of instruc- apprehended an attempt by the President to tions to General Grant as Minister of some * This was a race riot, which occurred July 30, 1866, and degree to Mexico. The contents of the paper in which many negroes were killed.- Editor. did not impress General Grant very seriously, JOHNSON'S DIFFERENCE WITH GRANT. 177 for in the communication that he made to “What order do you refer to?” me he said that “the instructions came out In reply Emery said : very near where they went in.” At the end “Order No. 17 of the Series of 1867.” of the reading General Grant said, “You The order was produced and read by the recollect, Mr. President, I said it would not President, who said : be convenient for me to go to Mexico." Upon “This is not in conformity with the Con- that a conversation followed, when the Presi- stitution of the United States, that makes me dent became heated, and rising from his seat, commander-in-chief, or with the terms of and striking the table with some force, he your commission.” said, “Is there an officer of the army who General Emery said : will not obey my instructions ?” General “That is the order which you have ap- Grant took his hat in his hand, and said, “I proved and issued to the army for our gov- am an officer of the army, but I am a citizen ernment.” also ; and this is a civil service that you re The President then said : quire of me. I decline it.” He then left the “Am I to understand that the President of meeting. It happened also that previous to the United States cannot give an order ex- this conversation the President had ordered cept through the head of the army, or Gen- General Sherman, who was in command at eral Grant ?” Fort Leavenworth, to report at Washington. In the course of the conversation General General Sherman obeyed the order, came to Emery informed the President that eminent Washington, and had a conference with Gen- lawyers had been consulted, that he had con- eral Grant before he reported to the Presi- sulted Robert J. Walker, and that all of the dent. In that situation of affairs General lawyers consulted had expressed the opinion Sherman was sent to Mexico upon the mis- that the officers of the army were bound by sion which had been prepared for General the order whether the statute was constitu- Grant. tional or unconstitutional. The suggestion that Mr. Johnson contem When General Grant was before the Ju- plated the reorganization of the Government diciary Committee of the House of Repre- by the admission of the States that had been sentatives during the impeachment investi- in rebellion, and by the recognition of sena- gation, this question was put to him : tors and representatives that might be as “Have you at any time heard the Presi- signed from those States, received support dent make any remark in regard to the ad- from the testimony given by Major-General mission of members of Congress from rebel William H. Emery, and also from the testi- States in either House ?” mony of General Grant. In the latter part “I cannot say positively what I have heard of the year 1867 and the first part of the year him say. I have heard him say as much in 1868, General Emery was in command of the his public speeches as anywhere else. I have Department of Washington. When he en- heard him say twice in his speeches that if tered upon the command, he called upon the the North carried the election by members President. A conversation, apparently not enough to give them, with the Southern mem- very important, occurred between them, as bers, the majority, why should they not be to the military forces then in that depart- the Congress of the United States ? I have ment. In February, 1868, the President di- heard him say that several times." rected his secretary to ask General Emery to That answer was followed by this ques- call upon him as early as practicable. In obe- tion : dience to that request General Emery called “When you say the North, you mean the on the twenty-second day of February. The Democratic party of the North, or, in other President referred to the former conversa- words, the party advocating his policy ?' tion, and then inquired whether any changes General Grant replied : had been made, and especially within the re “I meant if the North carried enough cent days, in the military forces under Em- members in favor of the admission of the ery's command. In the course of the con- South. I did not hear him say that he would versation growing out of these requests for recognize them as the Congress, I merely information, General Emery referred to an heard him ask the question, 'Why would they order which had then been recently issued not be the Congress ?'” which embodied the provisions of the Act of At this point, and without further discus- March, 1867, in regard to the command of the sion of the purpose of Mr. Johnson in regard army and the transmission of orders. The to the reorganization of the Government, I President then said to Emery : think it may be stated without injustice to 178 THE IMPEACHMENT OF ANDREW JOHNSON. him, that while he was opposed to secession fourth day of the following December. The at the time the Confederate Government was majority of the Committee, consisting of organized, and thenceforward and always George S. Boutwell, Francis Thomas, Thomas without change of opinion, yet he was also Williams, William Lawrence, and John C. of opinion that the act of secession by the Churchill, reported a resolution providing for several States had not disturbed their legal the impeachment of the President of the relations to the National Government. Act- United States, in these words : "Resolved, ing upon that opinion, he proceeded to reor- that Andrew Johnson, President of the ganize the State governments, and with the United States, be impeached of high crimes purpose of securing the admission of their and misdemeanors." It will be observed that senators and representatives without seeking in the resolution for his impeachment he is or accepting the judgment of Congress upon described as “President of the United the questions involved in the proceeding. States," while in the resolution authorizing On one vital point he erred seriously and the inquiry into his conduct he is described fundamentally as to the authority of the as “Vice-President, discharging at present President in the matter. From the nature of the duties of the President of the United our government there could be no escape in States.” This question received very care- a legal point of view from the conclusion ful consideration by the Committee, and the that, whatever the relations were of the se- conclusion was reached that he was the ceding States to the General Government, the President of the United States, although he method of restoration was to be ascertained had been elected only to the office of Vice- and determined by Congress, and not by the President. As that question was not raised President acting as the chief executive au- at the trial by demurrer or motion, it may thority of the nation. In a legal and con- now be accepted as the established doctrine stitutional view, that act on his part, although that the Vice-President, when he enters upon resting upon opinions which he had long en- the duties of President, becomes President tertained, and which were entertained by of the United States. The extended report many others, must be treated as an act of that was made by the majority of the Com- usurpation. mittee was written by Mr. Williams. The summary, which was in the nature of charges, DIFFICULTY IN FRAMING THE CHARGES AGAINST was written by myself. That summary set forth twenty-eight specifications of miscon- JOHNSON. duct on the part of the President, many of The facts embodied in the charges on which, however, were abandoned when the which Mr. Johnson was impeached by the articles of impeachment were prepared in House and arraigned before the Senate were February, 1868. not open to doubt, but legal proof was want In the discussions of the Committee there ing in regard to the exact language of his were serious differences of opinion upon pro- speeches. The charges were in substance visions of law. The minority of the Com- these: That he had attacked the integrity and mittee, consisting of James F. Wilson, who the lawful authority of the Congress of the was Chairman of the Judiciary Committee, *United States in public speeches made in the Frederick E. Woodbridge, S. S. Marshall , and presence of the country. The second charge Charles A. Eldridge, maintained the doctrine was that he had attempted the removal of that a civil officer under the Constitution of Mr. Stanton from the office of Secretary of the United States was not liable to impeach- War, and that without the concurrence of ment except for the commission of an indict- the Senate he had so removed him, contrary able offense. This doctrine had very large to the Act of Congress known as the “Ten- support in the legal profession, resting on ure of Office Act." In the first investigation remarks found in Blackstone. On the other into the conduct of Andrew Johnson, he was hand, Chancellor Kent, in his Commentaries, described in the resolution as “Vice-Presi- had given support to the doctrine that a dent of the United States, discharging at civil officer was liable to impeachment who present the duties of President of the United misdemeaned himself in his office. The pro- States." The resolution was adopted by vision of the Constitution is in these words: the House of Representatives the seventh “The President, Vice-President, and all Civil day of March, 1867. A large amount of Officers of the United States shall be removed testimony was taken, and the report of the from office on impeachment for, and convic- Committee, in three parts, by the different tion of, treason, bribery, or other high crimes members, was submitted to the House the and misdemeanors." REMOVAL OF STANTON FROM THE WAR OFFICE. 179 The majority of the Judiciary Committee, 1867. Finally, as the most important aver- in the controversy which arose in the Com- ment of all, the President was charged with mittee and in the House of Representatives, an “attempt to prevent the execution of the maintained that the word misdemeanors act entitled 'An Act Regulating the Tenure was used in a political sense, and not in the of Certain Civil Offices,' passed March 2, sense in which it is used in the criminal law. 1867, by unlawfully devising and contriving In support of this view attention was called and attempting to devise and contrive means to the fact that the party convicted was by which he could prevent Edwin M. Stanton liable only to removal from office, and there- from forthwith resuming the functions of the fore that the object of the process of im- office of the Secretary for the Department peachment was the purification and preserva- of War, notwithstanding the refusal of the tion of the Civil Service. In the opinion of Senate to concur in the suspension thereto- the majority, it was the necessity of the sit- fore made by said Andrew Johnson of the uation that the power of impeachment should said Edwin M. Stanton from said office of extend to acts and offenses that were not Secretary for the Department of War.” In indictable by statute nor at common law. various forms of language these several The report of the Judiciary Committee, made charges were set forth in the different articles the twenty-fifth day of November, was re- of impeachment-eleven in all. The eleventh jected by the House of Representatives. article, which was prepared by Mr. Stevens, The attempt of the President to remove embodied the summary of all the charges Mr. Stanton from the office of Secretary for mentioned. It is to be observed that in the the Department of War revived the question eleventh article there is no allegation that of impeachment, and on Monday, the twenty- the President had committed an offense that fourth day of February, 1868, the House of was indictable under any statute of the United Representatives "resolved to impeach An- States or that would have been indictable in drew Johnson, President of the United States, common law. It may be assumed, I think, of high crimes and misdemeanors." The that for this country, at least, the question articles of impeachment were acted on by that was raised at the beginning and argued the House of Representatives the second day with great force, and by which possibly the of March, and on the fourth day of March House of Representatives may have been in- they were presented to the Senate through fluenced in the year 1867, has been settled Mr. Bingham, Chairman of the Managers, in accord with the report of the majority of who was designated for that duty. the Judiciary Committee. The House decided The articles were directed to the following that the President was impeachable for mis- points, namely : That the President, by his demeanors in office. With stronger reason speeches, had attempted “to set aside the it may be said that every other civil officer is rightful authority and powers of Congress;" bound to behave himself well in his office. that he had attempted “to bring into dis- He cannot do any act which impairs his grace, ridicule, hatred, contempt, and re- standing in the place which he holds, or which proach the Congress of the United States and may bring discredit upon the public, and the several branches thereof ;” and “that he especially he may not do any act in disregard had attempted to incite the odium and resent- of his oath to obey the laws and to support ment of all the good people of the United the Constitution of the country. The eleventh States against Congress and the laws by them article was the only article that was sub- duly and constitutionally enacted.” Further, mitted to a vote in the Senate. The question it was alleged that he had declared in speeches raised by that article was this in substance : that the "Thirty-ninth Congress of the United Is the President of the United States guilty States was not a Congress of the United in manner and form as set forth in this States authorized by the Constitution of the article ? On that question thirty-five Sena- United States to exercise legislative power tors voted that he was guilty, and nineteen in the same.” Senators voted that he was not guilty. Under A further charge, and on which greater the Constitution the President was found not reliance was placed, was set forth in these guilty of the offenses charged, but the ma- words : “That he had denied and intended to jority given may be accepted, and probably deny the power of the Thirty-ninth Congress will be accepted, as the judgment of the Sen- to propose amendments to the Constitution ate that the President of the United States of the United States." These articles were was liable to impeachment and removal from in substance the articles that had been re- office for acts and conduct that do not sub- jected by the House of Representatives in ject him to the process of indictment and 180 THE IMPEACHMENT OF ANDREW JOHNSON. trial in the criminal courts. At this point I War, etc., shall hold their offices for and express the opinion that something has been during the term of the President by whom gained, indeed that much has been gained, by they may have been appointed, and for one the decision of the House of Representatives, month thereafter, subject to their removal supported by the opinions of a large majority by and with the advice of the Senate.” The in the Senate. proviso contained exceptions to the body of the statute, by which all civil officers who held appointments by and with the advice THE PRESIDENT'S DEFENSE. and consent of the Senate were secure in The answer of the respondent, considered their places unless the Senate should assent in connection with the arguments that were to their removal. It was the object of the made by his counsel, sets forth the ground proviso to relieve an incoming President of upon which the Republican members of the secretaries who had been appointed by his Senate may have voted that the President predecessor. The construction of the pro- was not guilty of the two principal offenses viso, as given by Judge Curtis, was fatal to charged, viz. : that in his speeches he had de- the position taken by the managers. It was nounced and brought into contempt, inten- claimed by the managers that the sole object tionally, the Congress of the United States; of the proviso was the relief of an incoming and, second, that his attempted removal of President from the continuance of a secre- Edwin M. Stanton was a violation of the tary in office beyond thirty days after the Tenure of Office Act. In the President's commencement of his term, and that it had answer to article ten, which contained the no reference whatever to the right of the allegation that in his speech at St. Louis, in President to remove a secretary during his the year 1866, he had used certain language term. in derogation of the authority of the Con- gress of the United States, it was averred SOME IMPORTANT INCIDENTS OF THE TRIAL. that the extracts did not present his speech or address accurately. Further than that, There were incidents in the course of the it was claimed that the allegation under that proceedings that possess historical value. article was not “cognizable by the court as By the Constitution the Chief Justice of the a high misdemeanor in office.” Finally, it was Supreme Court is made the presiding officer claimed that proof should be made of the in the Senate when the President is put upon “actual” speech and address of the President trial on articles of impeachment. Chief on that occasion. The managers were not Justice Chase claimed that he was to be ad- able to meet the demand for proof in a tech- dressed as “Chief Justice.” That claim was nical sense. The speech was reported in the recognized by the counsel for the President ordinary way, and the proof was limited to and by some members of the Senate. The the good faith of the reporters and the gen- managers claimed that he was there as the eral accuracy of the printed report in the presiding officer, and not in his judicial ca- newspapers. In this situation as to the pacity. He was addressed by the managers charges and the answer, it is not difficult to and by some of the Senators as “ Mr. Presi- reach the conclusion that members of the dent." Senate had ground for the vote of not guilty There was a difference of opinion in the upon the several charges in regard to the Senate, and a difference between the man- speeches that were imputed to the President. agers and the counsel for the respondent, as Judge Curtis, in his opening argument, to the right of the presiding officer to rule furnished a technical answer to the article upon questions of law and evidence arising in which the President was charged with the in the course of the trial. Under the rule violation of the Tenure of Office Act, in his of the Senate as adopted, the rulings of the attempt to remove Mr. Stanton from the President were to stand unless a Senator office of Secretary of the Department of should ask for the judgment of the Senate. War. Judge Curtis gave to the proviso to Other instances occurred which do not that statute an interpretation corresponding possess historical value, but were incidents to the interpretation given to criminal stat- unusual in judicial proceedings. When the utes. Mr. Stanton was appointed to the Judiciary Committee of the House was enter- office in the first term of Mr. Lincoln's ad- ing upon the investigation of the conduct of ministration. The proviso of the statute President Johnson, General Butler expressed was in these words : “Provided, that the the opinion that upon the adoption of articles Secretaries of State, of the Treasury, of of impeachment by the House the President THE CHARGE THAT MONEY WAS USED TO SECURE ACQUITTAL. 181 would be suspended in his office until the person. The gentlemen who had given me verdict of the Senate. As this view was not their votes and support criticised my conduct accepted by the Committee, I made these re- with considerable freedom, and were by no marks in my opening speech to the House means reconciled by the statement which I after a review of the arguments for and made to them. Having reference to the against the proposition : nature of the contest and the condition of "I cannot doubt the soundness of the public sentiment, I thought it important that opinion that the President, even when im- the managers should avoid any controversy peached by the House, is entitled to his office before the public, especially as to a matter until he has been convicted by the Senate." of premiership in the conduct of the trial. It This view was accepted. seemed to be important that the entire force At the first meeting of the managers I was of the House of Representatives should be elected chairman by the votes of Mr. Stevens, directed to one object, the conviction of the James F. Wilson, Iowa. George S. Boutwell, Massachusetts. Gen. John A. Logan, Illinois. 1 (len. B. F. Butler, Massachusetts. Thaddeus Stevens, Pennsylvania. Thomas Williams, Viichigan. John A. Bingham, Ohio. THE MANAGERS OF THE IMPEACHMENT TRIAL OF ANDREW JOHNSON. THE MANAGERS WERE SPECIALLY APPOINTED FROM ITS OWN MEMBERS BY THE LOWER HOUSE OF CONGRESS, I General Logan, and General Butler. Mr. Bing- accused. Beyond this, Mr. Bingham and Mr. ham received the votes of Mr. Wilson and Mr. Wilson had been opposed to the impeachment Williams. Upon the announcement of the of Mr. Johnson when the attempt was first vote, Mr. Bingham made remarks indicating made in the House of Representatives. serious disappointment and a purpose to re- thought it important to combine the strength tire from the Board of Managers. I accepted that they represented in support of the pro- the election, and acted as chairman at the ceeding in which we were then engaged. If meeting. At the next meeting, and without Mr. Stevens had been in good health, he would consultation with my associates, I resigned have received my support and the support of the place and nominated Mr. Bingham. The General Butler and General Logan. At that nomination was not objected to, and Mr. Bing- time his health was much impaired, but his ham took the chair without comment by him- intellectual faculties were free from any cloud. self, nor was there any comment by any other Another incident occurred which does not 182 TIE TIPE ACHIEVT OF LIDREI JOHNSON. require explanation, and which may not be very important fact not then known to the open to any explanation. After the report of managers appeared afterwards in the reports the Judiciary Committee, and its rejection by of the Treasury Department, showing a very the House of Representatives, I was surprised large loss by the Government during the last to receive an invitation from the President to eighteen months of Mr. Johnson's administra- dine with him at what is known as a state tion. In that period the total receipts from dinner. I assumed that arrangements had been the duties on spirits amounted to $41,678,- made for a series of such dinners, and that 684.34. During the first eighteen months the invitations had been sent out by a clerk of General Grant's administration, when the upon a prearranged plan as to the order of rates of duties and taxation remained the invitations. When the matter had passed same, the total receipts of revenue from out of my mind, but before the day named for spirits amounted to $82,417,419.85, showing the dinner, I received a call on the floor of a difference of $40,738,735.51. It is not the House from Mr. Cooper, son-in-law of the easy to explain in full this money loss in one President and secretary in the Executive branch of the public service. Something may Mansion. He asked me if I had received an be attributed to the fact that persons ob- invitation to dine with the President. I said tained nominations for office by representa- I had. Next he said, “Have you answered tions to the President that they were his it ?” I said, “No, I have not.” That was friends and supporters, and would continue to followed by the further question, “Will you be so, under all circumstances. When their answer it ?” I said, “No, I shall not.” That nominations came to the Senate, they made ended the conversation. representations of an opposite character. After the decision in the Senate had been When they had received their appointments, made, the managers proceeded under the they very naturally allied themselves with order of the House to investigate the truth- the President's policy, inasmuch as they fulness of rumors that were afloat, that could not be easily removed except upon money and other valuable considerations had an initiative taken by him. This deficiency been used to secure the acquittal of the occurred in the States and districts in which President. That investigation established the money should have been collected and the fact that money had been in the posses- through the agents employed there. sion of persons who had been engaged in other words, no part of the deficiency ever efforts to secure the acquittal of the Presi- passed into the Treasury of the United dent. Those persons, with perhaps a single States. exception, were persons who had no official It is not improbable that a majority of the connection with the Government, and none of people now entertain the opinion that the ac- them were connected with the Government tion of the House of Representatives in the at Washington. As to most of them, it ap- attempt that was made to impeach President peared that they had no reasons, indeed no Johnson was an error. good cause, why they should have taken part It is not for me to engage in a discussion either for the conviction of the President or on that point. I end by the expression of in behalf of his acquittal. The sources from the opinion that the vote of the House and which funds were obtained did not appear, the vote of the Senate, by which the doc- nor was there evidence indicating the amounts trine was established that a civil officer is that had been used, nor the objects to which liable to impeachment for misdemeanor in the money had been applied. It should be office, is a gain to the public that is full com- said as to Senators, that there was no evi- pensation for the undertaking, and that these dence implicating them in the receipt of proceedings against Mr. Johnson were free money or other valuable consideration. One from any element or quality of injustice. In THEIR SECOND MARRIAGE. A STORY OF DOMESTIC LIFE. By Mary STEWART CUTTING, Author of " Fairy Gold " and other stories. HENRY, do you know what day Thurs- makes up the larger, waking half of a man's " in Thursday? The twenty-first.' a sub-existence. But this morning Mrs. War- “Yes, and what will the twenty-first be?” ing did not feel the chill depression that some- “Thursday." times stole over her as she saw him disappear; Oh, Henry!” Pretty Mrs. Waring her mind was too occupied with his words, looked tragically across the breakfast-table which, few and perfunctory as they might at her husband, or rather at the newspaper sound to the uninitiated, carried deepest that screened him completely from her view. meaning to her ears. Her ardent mind con- “Do put down that paper for a moment. I jured up the picture of the girl in bridal at- never get a chance to speak to you any more tire who had stood beside her lover on their in the morning, and I have to spend the marriage-day, and credited him with the same whole day alone. Do you really mean to say wealth of imagining and all the tender senti- that you don't know what the twenty-first ment connected with it. She fell into a de- is ?” lightful dream of the romantic past, from “The twenty-first?” Mr. Waring met which she was only aroused by the patter of his wife's gaze blankly as he hurriedly swal- little feet above and the reminder that she lowed his coffee, and then furtively observed was needed in the nursery. the hands of the watch that lay open on the Mrs. Waring had, unknown to her husband, table before him. What do you mean, set her mind for some months past on a cele- Doll ? Say it quickly, for I've got to go.” bration of her wedding anniversary, the ob- “ Henry, have you forgotten that it is the servance of which had lapsed, for one reason anniversary of our wedding ?” or another, for a couple of years; but she “Oh-oh!” said Mr. Waring, a light dawn- had said to herself firmly that Henry must ing on him, and a suspicious note of relief propose it, and not leave it all to her. If perceptible in his voice. He rose from his she had to plan it out as she had their mov- chair as he spoke. “Forgotten that? Why, ing into the country, or their trip to the sea- of course not; the day I was married to the shore last summer, or the Christmas party sweetest girl in the world! How lovely you for the babies--nay, if she even had to sug- did look, to be sure, and what a lucky fellow gest it to him, it would be valueless to her. I was to get you! Can you just help me on If he did not love her enough, if he did not with my overcoat, dear? The lining of this have her happiness enough at heart to think sleeve - Yes, I know you haven't had time of pleasing her without being reminded of it to mend it yet. Now, Doll, I would like to why, she would have no celebration. It stand here and kiss you all day, but the train was entirely against her resolution that she is whistling across the bridge. By, by, dear; had spoken of it this morning, but she knew take good care of yourself and the babies!” in her soul that he never would remember if His wife watched him fondly as he walked she did not, and she could only think that, down the path to the gate, strong, alert, and the date once recalled, the rest must follow. masculine, and waved her hand as he looked She herself thought of nothing else all day. back and took off his hat to her with a smile She told little Henry all about mamma's pretty before joining another man hurrying for the wedding "once upon a time," when mamma train. She could see him almost visibly shut wore a beautiful white dress with a long out the little cottage from his mind as he white veil, and walked up the aisle in church turned away from it, and set his shoulders when the organ played, and the chancel was squarely, as if to brace himself for entering full of roses and palms; and although the the strenuous whirl of business life that child only asked innocenti; if there were 181 THEIR SECOND MARRIAGE. any bears or lions there, her small nurse- seem to forget that I have any name. Oh, maid, Beesy, was deeply though respectfully if you knew how sick I get of always being interested, and Mrs. Waring could not help called Doll! Such a horrid, common-sound- being secretly conscious that, while appar- ing thing!” ently engaged with her infant audience, she “Why, Doll-" was in reality playing to the gallery. She “There it is again!” even got out her wedding jewels to hang “ Ethel, my dear girl, don't cry. If I had around baby Marjorie's neck, to provoke had the dimmest idea- I seem always fated Beesy's awestricken admiration. to do the wrong thing lately. Why can't It would have taken close study of the in- you tell me sometimes what you're driving fluences of the past year to determine why at ? If you don't want my mother and the this particular wedding anniversary should girls, just say so. I can send them word have assumed such prominence in young to-morrow, and Mrs. Waring's mind. Both she and her “If you do!” Mrs. Waring stood up husband had been surprised to find that, in tragically with one hand on her husband's face of all preconceived opinions, they had shoulder. “I wouldn't have such a thing not settled down into the cool, platonic friend- happen for worlds.” She gave a little gasp ship held up to them as the ultimate good of of horror at the thought. “ But, oh, Henry, all wedded pairs, but were still honestly and you nearly kill me sometimes! No, if you sincerely in love with each other. Yet, in don't know why this time, I shall not tell you spite of this fact, there had lately been a again.” She leaned her head against her certain strain. After all the first things are husband as if exhausted, and submitted to over—the first year, which is seldom the cru- be drawn down beside him once more. “You cial one in spite of its conventional aspect in never think of me any more.' that light; after the first boy, and the first “But I do think of you, sweetheart." girl, and the first venture at housekeeping He patted her head persuasively. “Lots in the suburbs—there comes a long course of times, when you don't know it. If you'd of secondary living that tugs with its chain only tell me what you want, dear. I'm such at character and sometimes pulls it sharply a bad guesser. And I know you really do from its stanchions. wish to see my mother and show her the Mrs. Waring greeted her husband that children." night with a countenance of soulful mean “ It's the fourth time she has sent word ing, and eyes that were uplifted to his in a that she was coming,” said his .wife pen- fervid solemnity that ought to have warned sively. She was already forecasting the plan any inan of peril ahead. She had a delight- of action to be pursued in making ready for ful sensation that their most commonplace the expected guests. utterances were fraught with repressed feel When you are a young housekeeper with ing, and when he finally said to her, after infants and only a nurse-maid beside the dinner, as they sat by the little wood-fire to- cook, a day's company means the revolution- gether, “I've a surprise for you, Doll,” her izing of the entire domestic machinery. In heart gave a joyous bound, and she felt how the city people carelessly come and go, and truly he had justified her thought of him. the household of the entertainer is put to "What is it, Henry ?” no special preparation for them, but it is an Mother and Aunt Eliza and Mary Ap- unwritten law in the country that before pleton and Nan are coming here to lunch the advent of the seldom guest “ to spend day after to-morrow, Thursday. Of course the day” the entire domicile must be swept I said you'd be delighted. It's all right, and garnished from top to bottom. isn't it?" As Ethel Waring rubbed and polished and "Coming on Thursday!” dusted she could but remember that she had “Yes. That isn't a washing day or a gone through the process of cleaning three cleaning day, is it?” times before for Henry's mother, who had "No." always hitherto disappointed her. She prided Mr. Waring looked confounded. herself on being really fond of her mother- “You've spoken so many times of their in-law, and his sister Nan had been her par- not coming out in the whole year we've lived ticular friend, but Aunt Eliza and Mary Ap- here, I thought you'd be glad, Doll.” pleton were the kind of people-well, the “ Henry, why do you never call me Ethel kind of people that belonged to her husband's any more? You used to say it was the most family, and they always saw everything around beautiful name in the world, and now you the house. She cleaned now for the fourth THEIR SECOND MARRIAGE. 185 time magnanimously. Since she had moved feeling somewhat of a glow of satisfaction into the country, and went to and from the through her sadness. But after Harry had city two or three times a week, it had seemed peeped out from the curtains some twenty odd to have her friends and relatives look times to see if grandmamma was coming, upon the half-hour's journey in train and and little Marjorie had fallen down and raised ferry-boat as a mighty undertaking, to be a large bump on her forehead, and the one- planned for weeks ahead; and although she o'clock train had come in, there was a cer- had been in her cottage over a year, she had tain change in the situation. The cook sent not yet become used to this point of view, up word should she put on the oysters, and and still expected people to come after they Mrs. Waring answered no, to wait until the had promised to. next train, although that did not arrive until There was something grimly sacrificial in two o'clock. She pretended that her guests her preparations now that upheld her in her had missed the earlier train, but in her soul disappointment; her husband could not re- she felt the cold chill of certainty that they member her pleasure, but she was working would not come. her fingers off for his people. Yes, she had As she sat eating her luncheon afterward nothing to look forward to but neglect-and in solitary state, and wishing that she knew the worst of it was that he would not even any of her neighbors well enough to ask them know that he was neglecting her. to join her, she received a belated telegram Perhaps, however, he did remember after from her husband : “Nan says party post- all. She watched every word and gesture poned; Aunt Eliza has headache.' She read of his up to the very morning of their anni- it, and cast it from her scornfully. versary. He was so happy and merry and And this was her wedding-day, passed in affectionate in his efforts to win her to smiles unnecessary work, futile preparation for peo- that she could hardly withstand the infectious- ple who didn't care a scrap for her! Oh, if ness of it. But she felt after his cheerful she had only been going in town that after- good-by as if the tragedy of her future years noon, as she had dreamed of doing, to have had begun. a little dinner with Henry at the Waldorf, There was, indeed, no time for the luxury or Sherry's, or the St. Denis even-and go of quiet wretchedness. The two children had to a play afterward—she didn't care where- to be bathed and put to bed for the morning and have just their own little happy foolish nap, which both she and Beesy prayed might time over it all! She had hardly been any- be a long one, so that the last clearing up where since little Marjorie was born. might be done, and the table set, and the She was surprised to have a caller in the salad-dressing made, and the cream whipped afternoon, a Mrs. Livermore. The visitor for the jelly, and she herself dressed and in was a large, stout woman with very blond the drawing-room before twelve o'clock. hair, who lived on the opposite corner. She There was the usual panic when the butcher was dressed in a magnificently florid style, was late with the chickens, and the discovery and sat in the little drawing-room a large was made that the greengrocer had not mass of purple cloth and fur and gleaming brought what was ordered, and the usual jet spangles, surmounted by curving plumes, hurried sending forth of Beesy to the village that quite dwarfed Mrs. Waring's slender at the last moment for the missing lettuce, elegance. She apologized profusely for not only to be told that “ there was none in having called before, as illness had prevented town this day”-a fact that smites the sub- her doing so, and sailed at once smoothly off urban housekeeper like a blow. But finally into a sea of medical terms, giving such an everything was ready, the table set to per- intimate and minute account of the many dis- fection, the drawing-room curtains drawn at eases that had ravaged her that poor Mrs. their most effective angle, the logs burning Waring paled. The one bright spot in her on the andirons, the chairs set most cozily, existence seemed to have been her husband, and the vase of crocuses with their long whom she described as the most untiring of green stalks showing through the clear glass, nurses. giving a lovely brightness to the room in “I really didn't know whether I'd find you their hint of approaching spring. The babies, at home this afternoon or not,” she said. sweet and fresh, in their whitest of frocks, “ Your nurse-girl, Beesy, told my cook that and hair curled in little damp rings, ran up this was the anniversary of your wedding. and down and prattled beside the charmingly Willie and I always used to go off somewhere dressed, pretty mother, who sat with her for a little treat, but since I've been such an embroidery in hand, and who could not help invalid I've had to stay at home. But he 1:6 THEIR SECOND VARRLIGE. never forgets. What do you think, Mrs. has left you in the morning; you look so long- Waring, every Saturday since our marriage, ingly, dear. I said to Mr. Morris just the fourteen years ago, he has brought me home other day, I do wish Mr. Waring would a box of flowers ! He always says, “Here look back just once at that sweet young wife are your roses, Baby'—that's his pet name of his.' Mr. Morris always turns at the cor- for me. I don't know what I'd do if Willie ner and waves his hand to me; perhaps you've wasn't so attentive.” seen him - dear fellow!” “Indeed," said Mrs. Waring. Mrs. Waring cooled suddenly toward this On her return to the nursery she took oc- too sympathetic visitor, who soon left, but casion to reprove Beesy for gossiping. Beesy the words had left a secret sting. Her voice was loud in extenuation. In a cottage one had a tragic sound when she told Beesy that is thrown in rather close companionship with she would order her meat henceforth from one's nurse-maid. Einstein, as Mrs. Morris said that his prices “Ah, I never said but two words to Ellen; were lower than O'Reilly's. but Mrs. Livermore--there's nothing she “Mrs. Morris, ma'am!” caroled Beesy. doesn't find out. And the way she and Mr. “Ah, ma'am, you wouldn't be after eatin' Livermore quar'ls!” the kind of stuff she does. It's not a roast “Why, she says he is so devoted to her,” of beef that does be going in at that house said Mrs. Waring incautiously. “He brings from one week's end to another-nothin' but her flowers every week.” She sighed as she little weenty scraps that wouldn't keep a dog thought of the husband who did not bring alive. Mr. Morris, poor man, he's that thin them once a year. and wake. Oh, 'tis she has all the money, “ Him! Ah, ma'am, Ellen says they fights and she keeps him that close! Ellen says like cat and dog, and 'twas only a week ago 'tis only a quart of milk goes to them for a-Monday the plates was flyin' that thick in five days, and nobbut one shovelful of coal the dinin’-room, Ellen she dassent put her allowed to be put on the furnace at a time, lead in at the door to take away the meat. and him with the cough that's tearing the Ellen says 'twould have curdled y'r blood heart out of him! Ellen says -" to hear 'em. The neighbors have complained That will do, Beesy," said Mrs. Waring of 'em in the court. He drinks terrible!” severely. The gossip of servants, the trivial “You must not tell me these things, conversation and fulsome pity of vulgar neigh- Leesy,” said Mrs. Waring with dignity. “I bors, was this all that was left to her ? do not wish to hear them. Come, Marjorie, She went downstairs again, and sat in the sweetest, play pat-a-cake with mamma--this drawing-room, inside of the window curtains, way, baby darling. Oh, Beesy, there's the and wept. The gathering dusk seemed to bell again!” prefigure the gloom that was to encompass This time it was a neighbor whom Mrs. her future years. If people only wouldn't Waring had met before and rather liked, a pity her she might be able to live; the chil- gentle, faded, sympathetic woman who had dren would love her at any rate. Six years admired the children. Mrs. Waring confided ago how happy she was, how dear his eyes some of the household perplexities to her, looked when he gave her that first married and they talked of the village markets and kiss! She could smell even now the fra- compared notes on prices, gradually reach- grance of the bride roses that she held. ing even more personal ground. Mrs. War- heard the patter of the children's feet over- ing finally divulged the fact that this was the head, and tried to wipe away the blinding anniversary of her wedding, and received her tears. guest's congratulations. A quick footstep on the walk outside star- “I had hoped to have celebrated the day tled her, and the gate slammed to with a loud in town,” she added impulsively, “but Mr. noise. Could it be possible? Her husband Waring's business arrangements have pre- was running up the piazza steps with some- vented.” thing white in his hand--an enormous bunch “ It must be a real disappointment to you,” of white roses. Another moment and he was commented her visitor feelingly. “I often by her side, beaming down at her. Oh, how think how lonely you must be, knowing so handsome he was ! few people. A man so seldom realizes what " How soon can you get on your things, a woman's life is! He goes oíf into the busy Doll ? I've tickets for the opera to-night- world every morning, little thinking of all “Romeo and Juliet'-Emma Eames and Jean she must endure throughout the day. I often de Reszke-does that suit you? watch you look after your husband when he “Oh, Henry!” THEIR SECOND MARRIAGE. 187 "'1 SUPPOSE I'LL JUST HAVE TO LOVE YOU AS YOU ARE!'" “I've brought some flowers, and we'll the last moment. We'll have a little supper make a lark of it. I've ordered a cab from after the opera, and take the one-ten out. the station to be here in twenty minutes, What do you say to that?” and we'll have to dress and get a bite, too, “Oh, Henry! I thought you had forgot- if we can. I wanted to come out earlier, ten, I thought—". But there was no time to but I wasn't certain about the tickets until talk. 188 THEIR SECOND MARRIAGE. Could she ever forget that delightful, be- together more than I have, you know that, wildering, hurried twenty minutes ? She Doll; and nobody could want to make you spent five of them in trimming over a hat, any happier than I do. What's the use of to the masculine creature's amazement, her picking the whole thing to pieces now and deft fingers pulling off bows and feathers and spoiling it all ?”. sticking them on again with lightning rapid “Henry Waring, you haven't answered ity. She ate a sandwich in the intervals of me. Did you remember that this was our dressing and giving directions to Beesy about wedding-day, or did you not ? Who was it the babies. told you to take me out to-night ?” When they finally whirled off in the stuffy “If you will not tell me these things your- little cab to the railway station they were self, Ethel--it's mean of you, dear; it puts like a couple of children in their happy aban- me at a disadvantage when you remember donment to the expected pleasure. and I don't. Heaven knows that I oughtn't The opera-had they ever gone to any to forget anything that would give pleasure opera before ? How inconceivably beautiful to you—that's true; but I'm not mean on pur- and brilliant the house, the lights, the gay pose, and you are. You know, But don't assemblage to the erstwhile dwellers of the let's quarrel to-night.” suburbs! Together they scanned the em “Quarrel!” Mrs. Waring lifted her head blazoned women in the boxes, and pointed indignantly. “As if I wanted to quarrel ! out to each other those whom they recog- Who was it told you, Henry ?” nized. And when Gounod's delicious music “ Well, Ethel, if you must know, Nan was stole into their hearts, and Mrs. Waring sat in the office to-day to say they couldn't come, with her bride roses in one hand, and the and she other tucked secretly into Henry's under “Nan -your sister Nan!” cover of her wrap, was ever any woman hap Like a flash Mrs. Waring saw it all. She pier? Had ever any girl a lover more de- knew Nan's impetuous, whole-souled way; voted or more bubbling over with fun ? but One of Henry's family! Life could Romeo and Juliet-what were they to a real have no further joy for her. married couple of to-day? Then the supper She looked at him furtively as he stood afterward with the gay throng at the Wal- beside her gazing ruefully out across the dorf-the reckless disregard of the midnight water. Were they quarreling--would they train-could there be dizzier heights of rev- get to throwing plates after a while ? His elry? attitude was ludicrously dejected. In spite It was when they stood outside on the of herself and the tears that had been ready ferry-boat coming home that Mrs. Waring to well up in her eyes the moment before, a spoke at last the thought that had lain near- sudden sense of the absurdity of it all came est her heart all the evening. They were over her, and she broke into a refreshingly out alone in front, the cold night wind blew unexpected peal of laughter. Her husband refreshingly, the dark water plashed around stared, and then laughed, too, in delighted them, and across its black expanse the col- relief. “Ah," she murmured, with her ored lights gleamed faintly from the New cheek against his coat sleeve, “I suppose Jersey shore. Mrs. Waring leaned a little I'll just have to love you as you are!” closer to her husband as they stood there in “If you only would, dear,” he assented the night and the darkness. humbly. “ Dear,” she murmured, “ I can't tell you The lights on the New Jersey shore shone how lovely the evening has been; but you brighter and brighter now, yellow and red know what has made it so to me, that has and green, casting their reflection on the been making me so very happy? The opera black lapping water below. The boat was and the supper would have been nothing with- nearing the dock. All unbidden with the out it. Darling, it's because you thought of last words had come a deep joy, a thrill from it all yourself.” heart to heart, wonderful in its illuminating A sudden tension in the arm on which she power. The warm silence that followed was leaned startled Mrs. Waring. She bent for- an instant benediction to unrecorded vows. ward to look up into her husband's face, with The chains clanked in the dock. As they a swift suspicion. stepped across the gangplank toward the “Henry ?" dark, waiting lines of cars beyond, he pressed “ Well, Doll.” her hand in his as he bent over her, and whis- “ Didn't you think of it yourself ?” pered in tender playfulness, “Shall we take “Nobody could have enjoyed our little fun the train for Washington or Philadelphia ?” A PAYING CONCERN. A TRUE STORY OF AMERICAN FACTORY LIFE. BY GERTRUDE ROSCOE. “THIRTY-FIVE cuts ahead of the room. Anywhere for all I care. You might How's that for No. 2 section ? I tell take them both over on No. 10. The slow you my weavers are hustlers. If it hadn't weavers seem to gravitate toward your end been for those two snails there in the cor- of the room naturally. You are always be- ner, I would have booked an even forty more hind the whole procession, and eight or ten than any other fixer in the mill. Confound cuts a week off your account wouldn't make their lazy bones ! I'll see their finish in a week much difference. I've got a couple of dandy or two, or my name isn't Miles Dent." weavers all ready to jump in as soon as “ Have you got any new method of making there's a vacancy on No. 2.” them tired, or is it the same old racket?” Delaney looked across the room to the two asked Delaney of No. 10 section, with a weavers under discussion, but said nothing, shade of sarcasm that was wasted on Dent. and Miles lapsed into silence. He knew “No, the regular system will do for a about how far it was safe to go with the while, I guess. Fan was sniveling all yes- fixer of No. 10. terday because she couldn't get the last round The two men stood by Dent's workbench, of cuts off in time to have them checked on in the great weaving shed of Blanton's mill, this week's pay-sheet, and all the weavers, as they held the conversation partly reported except Nell, miles ahead of her. You ought above, and seeing Miles apparently at leisure, to have seen the smart ones pretending to one of the girls who had incurred his dis- cry and wringing out their handkerchiefs. pleasure approached with a shuttle in her They were making it hot for her, I tell you." hand. It was greatly worn, and had been “Has it gone so far as that ?” irregularly whittled and sand-papered out of “Yes; and it will go further. There's all true proportions. It had evidently been no premium on lazy weavers here. Fan is splintering for a long time, and when a splin- about ready to give up. I've noticed that tered shuttle is driven through a warp by a they don't hang on long after they begin to power loom, it makes trouble of a serious weep. But Nell is tougher. She's capable kind for the weaver. of making me a pile of trouble; but she'll “ This shuttle turns in the warp, and I go just the same.' can't make it run at all. I've had half a “Where ?” questioned Delaney, quietly. dozen bad smashes with it. The other one 190 A PAYING ('ONCERN. is nearly as bad, and I ought to have a pair Miles turned suddenly toward the bench, of new shuttles. I haven't woven ten yards and brought the useless old shuttle down on that loom in two days. Will you come across the vise, breaking it in two. Then over and see how they work ?” he turned his back to the weaver with osten- The weaver manifested neither anger nor tatious rudeness; and making no attempt to impatience, but she spoke with a certain reply to Delaney's talk, she went wearily effort, as though she would get through with back to her looms. a very disagreeable piece of work that must Blanton's mill had been running behind for be done. The fixer took the shuttle, but several years. There had been long periods made no reply whatever, and after a minute of idleness for the help, longer periods of or two, Delaney spoke kindly, to relieve the short hours, and frequent reductions of pay. awkward pause. Nobody quite believed those stories of run- “ I'm away behind all of 'em again this ning at a loss and working half-time, just to week, Nellie; but we will carry a lot of cloth give the operatives a chance to live through over on the looms to begin next week with, the hard times, that were industriously cir- and we'll do better than some of these extra culated. The general impression seemed to smart fellows. Miles, here, has peeled every be that the owners and managers found that loom bare to make a big show.” these tactics best served their purpose of grinding the help down to the low- est notch of a living wage. It was better policy than to provoke strikes by sudden cut-downs when everything was running smooth- ly. After the mill had been closed for a few weeks, or for three or four months, the peo- ple would be glad to go to work at greatly reduced wages, and the general condition from the mana- ger's point of view was much better than it would have been after a strike and lockout and a bitter labor con- test covering the same period. There was no other large em- ploying industry W.CAHILL in the place, the business of which consisted largely in supplying the population gath- MILES TURNED SUDDENLY TOWARD THE BENCH, AND BROUGHT THE ered about the DOWN ACROSS THE VISE, BREAKING IT IN TWO." mill. Many of SHUTTLE A PAYING COVCERV. 191 - -- WV.CAHILI “FANNY WAS CRYING AGAIN, AND THE GIRLS ALL AROUND HER WERE HOOTING AND SCREAMING AND PRETENDING TO CRY.” the traders closed their shops after disposing had been closed for four months. New ma- of the perishable goods on hand, and the chinery had been put in, and extensive re- whole town fell into business lethargy when- pairs made, and then it was rumored that a ever work failed at Blanton's. All but the new agent had come from Connecticut, who saloons: these seemed to flourish perennially, announced his intention of making Blanton's whether the people had employment or not. a paying concern. In the fall and early winter of the year “There will be no more idleness and want before the time of which I write, the mill in Blantonville," he had said to the rector 192 A PAYING CONCERN. of St. John's, who called on him a few days a considerable shifting about among them. after his arrival. And the good man gave Many of the slower ones got discouraged, the news to his flock, and rejoiced with them and left voluntarily, or were discharged on that the long affliction of their enforced idle- some frivolous or trumped-up complaint. ness would be ended soon. The fixers carried on this work covertly at There was a ten per cent. reduction of first; but after a while, seeing that their wages when the mill started. Everybody superiors took no notice of it, they proceeded expected that, and was prepared for it. But with arrogance to weed out the objectionable none was prepared for the readjustment of weavers. prices on all piece-work as soon as the new This process had been going on for nearly patterns were set up. Nominally, the pay a year, and Dent of No. 2 section had only was the same by the yard, or thousand, or two weavers left who were not able to drive whatever the unit of value might be for the through the whole week without once stop- work; but as the new work was finer, more ping to take breath. These two, Fanny Mace complicated, and much slower in production, and Eleanor Barnes, were good weavers, doing it paid proportionately less to the operative, their work well and performing as much as the difference on some grades amounting to average weavers ever accomplish under nor- twenty-five and even thirty per cent. The mal conditions. But they could not keep the people were helpless, and had to make the pace set by Miles Dent's picked crew of men best of it. They had been out of work so and strong young women, who were foolishly long that nearly every family was heavily in using up five years of their lives in one to debt, and there was no other work to be had. “keep solid” with the ambitious fixer. They The hand of the new agent was soon felt had no homes, they had not yet gotten clear heavily in every department of the mill. of the debts contracted during the stopping “ Tighten up the gears! Tighten up the of the mill, and they steeled themselves reso- gears!” was his watchword. Bring the lutely to endure as best they could the petty teeth of the cogs together sharp; you are tyranny to which they were subjected. wasting power. You are putting a premium “Is your head any better to-day, Fanny ?” on laziness and incapacity.” And to some Eleanor stopped to inquire on her way back of those who felt the inexorable pressure he from her fruitless attempt to get a new shut- seemed to have the fiend's own invention tle from Miles. and insight in the selection and equipment “0, Nell, you don't know how awfully it of his human tools. aches, and the noise seems different-farther One of his first innovations had been the off somehow. Isn't it strange that I don't paying of the loom-fixers by the piece. The get hungry? I haven't been near the table great weaving-shed was divided crosswise since Sunday.” into a dozen or more sections, and a loom “ You ought to eat, whether you have an fixer had charge of each of these divisions. appetite or not. You'll be sick soon, if you His work was to keep the looms in repair, don't. Neither of us can afford to be sick, supply the weavers with new warps as they you know.” were needed, and look after all the petty “I'm sick now, and my work goes so badly details of their work. These men had for- that I never have a minute to rest. If Miles merly been paid fixed weekly wages; but it would only fix my looms, I know I could do was argued that if they received a certain as much as half of those he brags about. definite amount for each cut of fifty yards There's something the matter with every one woven on their sections, they would look of them, and he just won't do a thing that after their work more sharply, and the looms he can help. Have you got your new shut- would not be allowed to stand idle waiting tles yet ?' for repairs so frequently or so long. It is 'No, and he has broken one of the old with the practical working of this rule that ones. Miles is down on both of us, Fanny, and this true story has to do. I wish I could find something else to do." The fixers grumbled a good deal at first, “If he would only let me earn my usual and then set resolutely to work to use pay for a few weeks, I wouldn't care so the power placed in their hands to better much. It seems as though I never should their condition. A sharp rivalry soon de- get that back board bill paid. I can't even veloped among them, each trying to get the save a dollar from my last week's pay; and largest amount of cloth to his credit. As I could have had another cut off of each loom, some weavers are naturally stronger and if he hadn't been so hateful. I can't under- more efficient than others, there was soon stand it. I never did anything to injure Miles A PAYING CONCERN. 193 in my life, but I believe he hates the sight and wait for strength to lift it and go on up of me.” to her room. She bathed in the same way, Fanny had bound her aching head in a with frequent and long stops, drinking folded strip of wet cloth, and from under it eagerly of the cold water from time to time, her blue eyes with the dark circles beneath which seemed to revive her failing strength. them looked out with such hopeless, puzzled Robing herself for the night in clean, white appeal that Eleanor could find no words to things from her trunk, she crept into bed, reply. She hurried to her own looms, hardly and almost immediately sank into uncon- less out of repair and quite as difficult to sciousness. That night the boarders were manage as those of her alley-mate; but she kept awake by her raving in the delirium of was stronger than Fanny, and knew better brain fever, and in the morning the woman how to husband her strength. She found who kept the house entered her room in a fury plenty to do, and could not leave her work of indignation, and ordered her to get up and VOCAHILL THE WOMAN WHO KEPT THE HOUSE ENTERED HER ROOM IN A FURY OF INDIGNATION.” for an instant for the rest of the day. But pick up her things and find another board- a little later, she saw that Fanny was crying ing-place at once, for it had been reported again, and the girls all around her were hoot- to her that the sick girl was intoxicated. ing and screaming and pretending to cry, Fanny only muttered incoherently and picked evidently following the lead of Dent's wife, busily at the sheets with aimless hands. whose looms were in the same row. “Let the hussy be till she sleeps it off. I Fanny went that night to the crowded, can't beat any sense into her in that condi- noisy boarding-house that served her for a tion, but she'll have to pack as soon as she home, feeling that her work in the mill was can stagger out of the house,” was the final done. She had made a brave struggle for word of the landlady to the chamber girl, weeks and weeks, but the limit of her en- who was peering in at the door. durance was reached at last. As she carried When Eleanor saw that Fanny was absent her pitcher of water up the three long flights from her work, she was glad that her friend of stairs, she found it so heavy that she was bad concluded to take a much-needed rest. obliged to set it down on every third stair But in a little while the report that she was 194 A PAYING CONCERN. howling drunk, and had kept the whole board- from using the power in his hands to favor ing-house awake all night, was circulated one or injure another of the weavers whose through the room, to the uproarious amuse- looms were in his care. ment of those who had actively persecuted Eleanor found the agent in the overseer's This story alarmed Eleanor, and she office, and a large, thickset Englishman, with applied at once for leave to go out and see square jaws and cruel little gray eyes, carry- herself how it was with Fanny. The report ing an apron rolled in a towel under his arm. itself was sufficient proof that she must be The three were talking affably together. See- suffering at the boarding-house for need of ing her employer thus occupied, Eleanor attention and care. would have retreated, but he called sharply The overseer curtly refused her request, to know what she wanted. on the plea that her work would have to be “ Think you can run the self-feeders, do stopped, as there was no spare hand; and in you ?” he said, when she had preferred her the afternoon it was the same. Just before request. “Well, I've got a little bone to the speed went down at night, a heavy cast- pick with Delaney, and you may as well wait ing fell on her foot, bruising it so badly that a few minutes. Perhaps you will change she had to be carried home in one of the your mind about wanting to go to work on mill wagons, and it was two days before she No. 10.” could hobble about. At noon of the third The overseer seemed in great good spirits, day, disregarding the pain of her injured and there was nothing to do but stand aside foot, she returned to her work, going around and wait as he bade her, though she knew by Fanny's house, intending to see her be- there was something dreadful going to be fore entering the mill. She had worried in- done when the morose man was in this mood cessantly about Fanny, knowing what it was of politeness and pleasantry. Through the to be sick in a factory boarding-house. But glass door she saw Delaney coming, with his when she reached the corner of the block, head a little more erect than usual. He she saw that it was forever too late. The bowed to the agent, and stood silently be- undertaker's wagon stood before the door, fore the desk, looking quietly from the over- and his men were bringing out the cheap seer to the Englishman, who shifted the pine coffin that the town provided for its towel and apron to his other arm, as if to friendless and penniless dead. attract attention to these symbols of instant When Eleanor went down the alley to her preparation for work. looms, she had to pick her way around and How is it, Delaney, that you are so much over a perfect clutter of parts and pieces of behind the others with your work ?” began the looms that had been Fanny's. Miles was the agent, taking the overseer's work out of at work on them, and was evidently bent on his hands, to his no small chagrin. Every- doing a thorough job. He took them one by one knew that he had reduced the heads of one, pulled them to pieces, and seemed fairly departments to mere automatons, but there to make them over again; and a large, cheer- was usually some show before the help of ful girl, with many frizzes around her face, allowing them to do their own work. and very clean new waist and apron, took “This business is all cut and dried," said charge of those that he repaired as fast as Delaney, with a glance at the man with the they were in running order, leaving the rest apron. “You might as well give me my of the set idle till they were fixed. This girl time at once. I can fix looms, but I've never was very friendly with those who had abused yet done some of the work that seems to be Fanny, and Eleanor learned after a while that expected of the fixers here, and I don't in- Dent's wife was her sister. tend to do it. Where's the use of spinning This very thing had been repeated on the it out ?” section at least a dozen times within the “Very well; take this man down to No. 10, year, and what was the use of wearing out and put him in charge of the work. Your the remnant of her health and strength in bill will be ready as soon as you want it," the useless contest? Better leave at once, said the overseer, speaking with great dig. while she was able to work. So reasoned nity, and the two fixers went out into the Eleanor, watching the repairing of the pur- shed together. “Now, Barnes," said the posely neglected looms. But there was one overseer, with a disagreeable grin, “what thing more to be tried. Perhaps she could can I do for you?” get transferred to No. 10 section. Delaney “Nothing," said Eleanor quietly, “but was the only fixer in the room who had gone write me a bill of my time. Miles told me on in his usual way and absolutely refrained yesterday that a competent weaver was all A PAYING CONCERN. 19.5 W.CAILL * YOU CAN HAVE NO SUPPER HERE TO-NIGHT, MISS BARNES.'” ready to take my looms if I was dissatisfied When Eleanor entered the dining-room at with his work, and she is welcome to the job. her boarding-house that night, the landlady I shall be permanently lame if I try to work followed her closely. Waiting till she had any more with my foot in its present condi- laid her hand on her chair to draw it back tion. Delaney would have been a little easy from the table, the woman spoke in a loud, with me for a week or two, and I could have distinct voice: “You can have no supper worried along with it till it gets well. But here to-night, Miss Barnes, and I must ask I should have no chance with the man you you to vacate your room at once. I have have hired in his place." stopped your pay at the office, and it will do The overseer turned purple in the face at you no good to present your bill for payment this plain speaking, and fairly shouted a to-morrow. There's not half enough due you rough command for silence. “ If you think to pay my bill, and I shall keep your trunk this mill is a hospital or charitable institu- till you pay the balance. I will allow you one tion, you are greatly mistaken. Get out as change of clothing and your working aprons. soon as you can walk. I've no use for crip- We might as well attend to it now.' ples. I want able-bodied help, and there's Without a word Eleanor followed her out plenty of it waiting three deep around the of the room, where the people remaining, door any morning.' stricken dumb and silent at the first word of This speech was embroidered with oaths, the official voice of the landlady, now burst and more followed Eleanor out of the office, into indiscriminate gabble and laughter, min- till they were drowned by the noise of the gled with the clatter of knife and dish. looms, as she went back into the shed for This landlady had dramatic tastes, and in- her hat and shawl. Seeing her gather up variably worked up a little scene whenever things, the set that had tortured Fanny any opportunity offered, and her audience was began hooting and shrieking, and kept it up always appreciative. She preceded Eleanor till the door closed behind her. to her room, and watched the packing of the 196 A PAYING CONCERN. trunk, and also of the hand-satchel that Elea- were coming out from supper, and hurrying nor was to be permitted to take with her. by in a jostling crowd. Waiting till the Then she locked the trunk herself, and put space in front of the house was temporarily the key in her pocket. Holding the lamp clear, Eleanor took up her satchel, stepped in her hand, she stood aside for the girl to carefully down to the icy sidewalk, and pass out, intending to lock the door of the walked slowly away. room before she went away. Then for the first time Eleanor spoke. Two men paused on the steps of a business “I think I will dress my foot, if you have block to watch the crowd from the mill going no objection, Mrs. Haines. The bandage is by and exchange a few words at parting. too tight, and I can walk better if it is “ That's about the last of the hands. loosened.' There are only a few stragglers now, and we “Oh, very well, put out the light when can dodge them,” said one. “Look at that you are ready to go. I will come up later, face passing under the lamp. Did you ever and close the room.” see such a peculiar color ?" Left alone, Eleanor undressed the injured “Often, at the operating-table," replied foot, bathed it in arnica, and replaced the the other, who was a doctor; “ but it's rather bandage more comfortably. The afternoon's unusual on the street. That woman is suf- work had made the swelling much worse, and fering intense pain. It's lucky for us that the flesh was purple and ridged into the folds we can't see and hear all that is carried be- of the bandage; but the pain abated under hind these masks of faces." the treatment, and she found herself able to “ They've had a hard time for the last few walk down the stairs and out of the house years, but things promise to be better for quite steadily. Pausing on the doorstep, the hands now employed, as well as for the she turned the collar of her jacket up about rest of us. The mill has been running nearly her neck and drew on her mittens, for a fine ten months, and they tell me there are ad- snow was sifting down, and the wind drew vance orders for a year to come. The new in from the river in cold gusts. The people agent seems to have kept his word, and made from the boarding-houses along the street Blanton's a paying concern. “ 'LOOK AT THAT FACE PASSING UNDER THE LAMP. DID YOU EVER SEE SUCH A PECULIAR COLOR ?'” WACAHILL - McClURE'S MAGAZINE, . VOL. XIV. JANUARY, 1900. No. 3. A Bethlehem Shepherd's Reed Pipe. Coninklinson-98 THE LIFE OF THE MASTER. BY THE REVEREND JOHN WATSON, D.D., Author of "The Mind of the Master," " Beside the Bonnie Brier Bush,” etc. PART 1.-CHILDHOOD AND YOUTH. UNTO INTO vision a new force enters into life into his kingdom. Has it not happened that with the coming of a child, whether he a single year is lifted out of a century and a be born in a cottage or a palace. What im- day therein glorified, because on that day a presses a thoughtful person as he looks on poet, a painter, a conqueror, an apostle, has an infant is not its futility, but its possibility; been born? A child was born in a roadside not what it is, but what it is going to become. inn nineteen hundred years ago, and time One person has ever something of this imag- has been redated from that day. ination. As she looks on her babe's face, Unto those who had eyes to see and a his mother dwells on a hundred signs which, soul to understand, the Nativity was attended to her fondness, prophesy the coming great- by favorable omens in heaven above and on ness, and she treasures them up in her heart. the earth beneath. The story is told in St. She is shy, and guards these prophecies jeal- Luke's Gospel with a very delicate and lovely ously; it may be that they will be but spring touch, and the atmosphere is one of great blossoms to be scattered by the wind, but it joy and spiritual expectation. The coming may also be that they will set into the fruit of Jesus was heralded and celebrated by of autumn. Geography may yet be rear- songs which have passed into the praise of ranged, or history rewritten, or nations re- the Christian Church. They all sang who deemed, or the unseen revealed, by this little had to do with the Holy Child—the angels one when God's hand is on him and he comes who escorted Him from the heavenly places THE ANNUNCIATION TO MARY (opposite page).- closed only with shutters at night and on fête days. At And the angel said unto her, Fear not, Mary : for thou other times, when the shop-keeper is away, the only barrier hast found faror with God.-LUKE 1. 30. The Greek tradi. to entrance is a fish-net hung across the opening; and nothing tion represents the angel as appearing to Mary at the foun is stolen. The Bedouin from the open country comes into the tain in Nazareth, and I have endeavored to show this fountain town only to buy necessaries, or to sell. He saunters along, as it must have been in that day, reconstructing it from the scrutinizes closely what takes his fancy, bargains, haggling existing remains under the Greek church. Mary has brought for an hour over the fraction of a cent. It requires infinite her jar to fill, but, seeing the angel, draws back amid the patience to deal with these people when you are trying for branches of an overhanging fig tree, wondering, " troubled." a sketch. You can scarcely get one, except when you are in She wears the dress of Bethlehem, which is here used for the shelter of a shop, as I was when I sketched this picture. want of more exact knowledge as to what the actual cos. Their curiosity is extraordinary. I created a great excitement tume was ; it could not have been very different.-ARTIST'S once by standing still for five minutes in the market-place, NOTE. awaiting an opportunity to take a photograph. When I walked away, the square was packed with people: two men were fight- A NAZARETH STREET SCENE (page 200). — The streets ing because one had cuffed a boy who had obstructed his view ; of Nazareth are narrow and crooked (though most of them a policeman was inquiring into the matter ; and several citizens are paved), and slant to a wide gutter in the middle. The were hurrying down the various streets to see what was the shops are open to the street, as in all Oriental towns, being matter.- Artist's NOTE. Copyright, 1899, by the S. S. MCCLURE Co. All rights reserved. pataret 1598 - Conww KNARLINSON - 19,0 NAZARETH 202 THE LIFE OF THE MASTER. BETHLEHEM. The old The new 7 The Herodium Frambo Luoking lenards Hebron Shepherd a field Village of the Shepherds Bel Sabur. Pictorial map of Bethlchem and environs, showing the view southward from the road leading to Jerusalem. Road to Jerusalem and bore the message of the Divine good- will; Elizabeth, as she received her young kinswoman, and did honor to the mother of ground, and possibly divided into compart- her Lord; Zacharias, whose son was to run ments, and there the first comers had spread before His face clad in camel's hair and girt their beds and were resting in peace. The with a leather girdle; Simeon, who was to lowest space was filled with beasts-camels, hold the Infant Messiah in his arms and be oxen, horses, asses, as they could be ar- ready to die in peace; and chiefly the Blessed ranged--a mass of hungry, struggling, evil- Virgin, on whom the very crown of mother- smelling life. Into this rude stable came hood rested. The heavens shed forth their two people, a man and his wife, for whom no light on earth, and a star rested above Bethle- place could be found among the travelers. hem. Wise men from afar the ambassadors For the woman, in her hour of agony and of the great, and shepherds from the flocks need, some corner was made, whence the -the ambassadors of the poor, came and beasts had been driven, and there, beside the knelt ly this cradle, where the Hope of ages wearied beasts of burden, with none to at- had been fulfilled, and God Himself had en- tend her save this faithful man, the Virgin tered into human life. brought forth her child and laid Him in the Between the outer circumstances and the straw in the place where the beasts ate their inner spirit of an event there is a quickening food. No outcast of the highways or the contrast, so that a tyrant is born in a palace streets came into this world more humbly and dies upon a scaffold, so that a prophet than our Master. is born in a cottage and lives forever in a Ancient piety shrank as by a natural in- nation's heart; and there are two scenes of stinct from these ignoble and squalid circum- the Nativity. One is what appeared unto stances, and has given us a Nativity wherein every traveler who happened to rest that we all delight. The scene is shifted from night at Bethlehem and was an eye-witness that cheerless, inhospitable khan to some of the chief incident in human history. cave in the hillside near Bethlehem, which What he saw was a roadside inn of the East, a legend makes the birthplace of Jesus. It a place of four bare walls with the sky for is filled with soft, heavenly light, and the roof, where each traveler made his own pro- angels keep guard over the entrance. His vision and created his own comfort. One mother and Joseph kneel and worship the part was raised a foot or two above the Babe, round whose head the halo shines and FOUNTAIN SCENE AT NAZARETH (page 201).- At same to-day as on that first Christmas night. The paths evening the fountain of Nazareth is the meeting-point for from the open fields lead into a narrow lane which takes one most of the women of the place. They fill their jars, and through the small village of Beit Sahur (called "the village of gossip; occasional donkeys stop to drink; and until darkness the shepherds "); and thence, by winding, stony byways. up comes, there is a lively assemblage of color, and the ears are hill and down, meeting peasants with their donkeys, women filled with babble and badinage. It is a scene to watch to the carrying skins of water, shepherds and their flocks, one arrives end, the coming and going of women, their jars carefully bal- at the foot of the ridge of Bethlebem. Then comes a long anced, their arms swinging freely, their step rhythmic in its climb, either directly up the rough steep or around it, the lat. regularity, and all enveloped in the lilac and rose of the short ter preferable and more usual. The Church of the Nativity Oriental twilight.- Artist's Note. is at the eastern end of the town, and the shepherds had but to reach the top of the hill to arrive at the Place of the Cave, THE WAY UP TO BETHLEHEM (opposite page). -The in which lay the infant Christ. The whole journey would way up to the place of the Nativity is probably much the occupy a long half hour.- ARTIST'S Note, PLINSON 204 THE LIFE OF THE MASTER. A BETHLEHEM STREET the awe of the wicked, and the sym- pathy of the saints in Paradise, and the service of the mighty angels of God. On Him also would rest, the true aure- ole for His head, the Spirit of God and the love of His Heavenly Father. With the supreme good taste of Holy Scripture it is simply written, that the Child increased in stature and in wisdom, and in favor with God and man. It is enough that Jesus lived His first thirty years at home in Nazareth, since home gathers into it the five factors which influence nature when it is plastic and give it a per- manent shape. The first is that word which is of one blood with home, since none can think of home without at the same time saying mother. In the Bible, which is the standard record of human life, the mother has prepared the servants of God from whose face is the mirror of Heaven. The wise men open their coffers, and lay their treasures at the feet of the Child, the shepherds do homage with adoring faces, while some gentle animals in the back- ground represent the lower cre- ation at this shrine of holiness. Here indeed is a narrow space, but it is full of Heaven; here is lowliness, but no indignity; here is weakness, but also reverence. With the after-look the disciples of Jesus may prefer to see the inner glory of His Nativity rather than its outer circumstances; but no one would desire that these should have been different. He was to show unto His time and all ages that the greatest force in life is not position nor wealth, but char- acter, and that character is independent of all circumstances, so that goodness, cradled and reared in poverty, without advantages and without favor, persecuted and slain, is yet the most beautiful and triumphant power on earth. Before this infant, so inhos- pitably received of the world, lay the cruelty of Herod, and the narrow lot of Nazareth, and the homeless mission of Galilee, and the contempt of the great, and the shame of the Moses to Samuel, from David to the Bap- Cross. But that would be only the appear- tist, but among all women and mothers ance of things, not the heart. Around Him surely the most blessed is Mary. Christians also would gather the loyalty of faithful dis- may not all unite in paying almost divine ciples, and the love of women, and the praises honors to the Virgin, or in believing that she of little children, and the gratitude of the is a mediator with her Son, but surely in poor, and the reverence of holy souls, and every reverent mind she must have a solitary Street scene at Bethlehem. THE REVEREND JOHN WATSON. 205 place who brought Jesus into this world and door, and read constantly, wherein it is com- discharged to His infancy the tender offices manded that the Law of the Lord should be of motherhood; whom, as His mother, He taught unto the children in rising up and sit- cared for in the cottage of Nazareth, and ting down, in sitting in the house and walking whom Jesus committed on the cross to His by the way. Whether that humble household friend. And no one can read St. Luke's had any other portion of the Divine Law in Gospel without recognizing in the mother written form is doubtful, so that what the of Jesus the very ideal of womanhood. poorest child may have to-day was most likely After his mother the next most potent in- denied to the Master—the possession of a fluence in a lad's life is knowledge, which is Bible. There would be by this time as we Zoninklingon of the Virgin at Aid Karim. The Fountain gathered from wise men, from books, and gather from a law of Jesus the son of Gama- from places of learning. Nazareth was a liel, the high priest about A.D. 64-a school village too simple and rough to have many in such a village as Nazareth, where the instructors, but it were not just to forget young boys would be educated by a teacher, Joseph, to whose calm judgment and proved and the education would be in the Scriptures. charity, to whose discretion and faithfulness, Here day by day Jesus would commit to mem- the young child must have owed many les- ory portions of the Old Testament, and so sons of practical life, and that sense of pro- He gathered that treasure of Holy Scripture tection which, with Mary's faith, secured whence He drew arguments, defenses, prom- quietness of life. Before the consciousness ises, guidance in the days of His ministry. of the Divine Sonship had become clear in As we know, He had learned Aramaic, the Jesus' soul He had learned the excellence of dialect of Syria; as we are nearly certain, earthly fatherhood, and in the fond accent He understood Hebrew, which is to Aramaic with which Jesus pronounces Father there what Latin is to Italian; as we take for is a silent testimony to the character and granted, Jesus also spoke Greek, being an in- offices of Joseph. One judges a lad unfor- habitant of Galilee of the Gentiles; and, as tunate in our time who has been born into a is possible, He may have known something house where there is everything except books, of Latin, the language of government, the and would consider him happy who may live Master was not without the culture of varied in a small house if it be rich in books, for speech, although He never had the dubious each one will be a kingdom. For Jesus there privilege of attending the schools of the could be only one book, but it was the best Rabbis in Jerusalem, and was happily free -the Law and the Prophets. Certain por- from the cultus of Jewish theology. tions of Deuteronomy would be kept by the Among the factors which went to form the THE REVEREND JOHN WATSON. 207 character of the Master one must not forget snow, and made the boundary of the Holy or belittle labor, since for at least fifteen Land. years Jesus followed the trade of Joseph and As the Master wandered round the ridge wrought as a carpenter. One imagines Him of the cup in which Nazareth lay, with open fashioning the wood with much the same ear and understanding eye, He gathered that tools which are used in Nazareth this day, harvest of imagery with which He afterward taking care that the last touch of perfection delighted and instructed His disciples. There be not wanting, and casting away the labor He saw the sun rise in grayness over the val- of a day if it were faulty, carrying his fin- ley of the Jordan, and go down in red upon ished work to some rich man's house, asking the waters of the great sea; the mountain for His wage that He might relieve His torrent sweeping away the house built on mother's care, and leaving without it to come the sand, and the leaves tossed to and fro back some other day. So the Master of us as the wind blew where it listed; the sower all has set the wholesome example of labor to going forth to sow on his four kinds of soil, all His disciples; so He has made Himself and the husbandman pruning the vine that it one unto all generations with them who toil might bring forth more fruit; the mountain and sweat; so He has dignified and sanctified flowers fairer than Solomon in all his glory, honest work of every kind-from that of the and the birds for whom His Heavenly Father hand-laborer to that of the poet. They counted cared; the fox creeping home to its lair, and it a loss in His day that Jesus had not studied the vultures gathering to their prey. From in the schools of the Rabbis at Jerusalem; amongst the hills where the air was clear and we are thankful that instead He worked with sweet, from the simple home where Mary His hands at Nazareth, and that for His made an atmosphere of quiet, from the study Apostles He chose men whose nerves were of God's word, and from long meditations in calm and strong, whose minds were habitu- the evening and morning hours, Jesus came ated to the slow, persevering methods of toil. forth at the Divine call to declare the Father It was also, as we discover from His after- whose voice He had heard in a secret place, speech, a pure joy and a means of education and to establish the Kingdom which the to the Master that He spent His youth in a Prophets had imagined. highland village. Nazareth itself lies in a While the call of God is ever incalculable valley, but Jesus had only to climb the and secret, like the mystery of the winds, hillside, and the Holy Land and the very yet there is also a certain setting of circum- history of Israel was spread out before Him. stances, and the first in Jesus' case was His Beneath, as one looks southward, was the age. One year is not the same as another plain of Esdraelon, the site of many battles in the development of human life, but cer- and glorious deeds, and the mountains of tain are critical and dominant, dwarfing the Samaria. To the east Tabor rises from the years before, and swallowing up those to plain, richly wooded and perfect in its sym- come. The most influential cannot be ex- metry, whence Barak descended upon Sisera actly fixed, since it comes sooner to some with ten thousand after him, and where the and later to others; but when it does arrive, Rabbis thought the Temple ought to have neither can it be mistaken. Come this year been built. Carmel, where Elijah beat back when it may, at twelve or sixteen, it closes the forces of paganism, stood out from the the door on childhood and opens it on man- shore of the sea, which was another name hood. It was at the age of twelve, accord- for the West and whose shores were to see ing to Jewish law, that a child became a man, the triumphs of Jesus' Evangel. Northward and then it was that the slumbering instinct were the hills round the Sea of Galilee, and of the Eternal awoke in Jesus, and He real- distant Hermon, which was ever capped with ized Himself. THE FLIGHT (opposite page).- He took the young chilil And I have often seen the man riding, and the woman trudg- and his mother by night, and departeil. - MATTHEW ii. 14. In ing after, and carrying, not only a child, but some other the picture the family have just left Bethlehem, going south- burden as well.- ARTIST'S NOTE. ward. Joseph looks back for fear of pursuers ; for the same reason, he has left the highway, and is traveling down a dry AIN KARIM, THE REPUTED BIRTHPLACE OF JOHN water-way over nnfrequented paths." Tradition marks out THE BAPTIST (page 208).- The identification of this village the route which Joseph took into Egypt to have been by way as the birthplace of John the Baptist is by a tradition not of Hebron, (aza, and the desert, which, as the most direct more ancient than the time of the Crusaders. But one is well way, is very likely the true one." The authorities differ widely disposed to accept it as the real place, for nothing could as to the age of Jesus at the time of the Flight, their conjec- be more striking than its situation in the "hill country of tures ranging from two months to two years. But the better Juda, about an hour and a half's journey from Jerusalem. The opinion seems to be that He could have been no more than two valley which it overlooks is beautiful with its terraces of months old. A word as to the manner of travel in Palestine: vineyards. The fig and olive are also abundant, and there are I never saw a native woman, in riding, sit any other way than many fine gardens on the slopes. The water of the fountain astride the animal. I have often seen a woman thus riding, is so good that in summer people in Jerusalem have it carried and holding a little child; the man on foot, leading the wayin skins for their use.- ARTIST'S NOTE. = 210 THE LIFE OF THE MASTER. Another influence which tells on a youth- sunshine-the symbol and center of Jewish ful soul in the day of its second birth is his- religion--then the veil, which had been for tory. Through his boyhood the lad has lived years growing transparent, would fade away in the secluded valley where the familiar hills and disappear from before Jesus' eyes; and make a horizon, as in Nazareth, and the potty He would come to the spiritual realities be- affairs of the village are life-with only an hind the figures and prophecies of His people's occasional view of the land in its length and history. breadth and a faint echo of the larger life. In the awakening of youth perhaps the The little commune is to him the common-chief factor is a master. Within a restricted wealth and its heads his heroes. One day measure this service was rendered to Jesus he climbs the imprisoning hills, and passes by the doctors of the Temple when he was at out into the great world, where he finds him- the Feast. The feasts were not merely a self one in the procession of his nation, and round of religious ceremonies: they were also the past, studded with mighty deeds, bends a convention for religious discussion. What over him. It was a Jewish custom of wis- time the people did not give to Temple duties dom and felicity that in the year of eman- they devoted to theology. During the day cipation a lad should go up to keep the feast the doctors sat in council administering the at Jerusalem for his journey. Wheresoever law as the supreme tribunal of the nation, and he started, a journey through that land of then in the evening they met, in an outer sacred memories would be an education, and court of the Temple, any who chose to come his coming to the capital an inspiration. Be- and desired to learn. It was a democracy of tween Nazareth and Jerusalem Jesus, with learning and an open school for the people. Joseph and Mary, would pass through the With a mysterious future opening before Him fertile and lovely plains of Esdraelon, bril- and the sound of the Divine Voice in His soul, liant with flowers; and Shunem would recall Jesus found this fountain of knowledge, and Elisha, who in his gentleness and tolerance was so fascinated that He forgot everything followed Elijah, as Jesus followed the Bap- else and allowed His parents to start without tist; and He would see Gibeah, the birth- Him. It was not till evening that they found place of the first king of Israel, and very that He was not anywhere in the company, likely rest by the well of Jacob, whose spir- which straggled in groups on the homeward itual intensity gave a new name to His peo- way; and when they returned to Jerusalem, ple. Prophets, kings, and patriarchs would it was to see a strange sight. Their son, arise and accompany Him on His way, and whose quietness and lowliness were the de- the purpose of Jewish history, growing from light of his parents and the example of Naz- age to age, would become luminous. As the areth, was standing in the presence of the little company sung the Psalms of degrees chief doctors. Round the old men and the “I was glad when they said unto me, Let us youth a crowd had gathered, and as Mary go into the House of the Lord,” or “ If it came near she heard Jesus' voice. He was had not been the Lord who was on our side, asking questions and giving answers to ques- now may Israel say,” or “When the Lord tions with such insight and wisdom that the turned again the captivity of Zion”--the in- Rabbis were astonished. No one can read the extinguishable hope of the poets of Israel account without keen sympathy, and no one would take distinct shape in Jesus' mind. can refuse his imagination some liberty. Who And when at last the great city burst upon were these favored men to whom the honor His view, beautiful for situation, the joy of came of satisfying the awakening mind of the whole earth, and the immense Temple, Jesus, and what was the subject of their its massy white and gold glistening in the conversation ? Was old Hillel still living ? RACHEL'S TOMB (page 209).–And Rache died, and was JESUS LABORING AT HOME WITH JOSEPH AND buried in the way to Ephrath, which is Bethlthem. And MARY (opposite page).- And he went viouen with them, and Jacob set a pillar upon her grave; that is the pillar of came to Vazareth, and was subject unto them.- LUKE ii. 51, Rachel's grare unto this day.-GENESIS XXV. 19-20. This is I have imagined the carpenter-shop as on the vine-covered one of the few unquestioned historic sites in Palestine porch, or outer court, so common to Oriental houses. I have Jacob's pillar served to mark the spot until replaced by other seen these courts in Nazareth attached even to the smallest signs. It is now covered by the little Moslem dome. It is houses. The carpenter-shops are usually in the business on the highway from Jernsalem to Hebron, the highway streets, occupying little alcoves, sometimes no larger than six traveled by man from the earliest times in his journeyings by ten feet, and the workmen sit before their doors, often from Damascus and the North to Hebron and Egypt in the holding with their feet one end of the wood upon which they Sonth, and is about a twenty minutes' walk from Bethlehem. are working. But the use of benches is more common still, It is hard to believe that palms and forests once enriched the and I see no reason why it conld not have been as here shown. landscape, for now olive orchards alone relieve the hillsides. Tradition places the workshop of Joseph on the edge of the Rocks and stones abound, and, with the newly turned earth town, overlooking the valley and facing southward. As Naz- of the fields, color the bills with a play of gray, red, and areth, in all probability, has changed its position but little green. Along the road, groups of lader donkeys are driven since Christ's time, this point must have been, as now, far at a trot; and sometimes there is a train of camels in stately from the business center. The top of Mt. Tabor is seen over procession.-ARTIST's Note. the distant hills.--Artist's Note: CO NAT LINJEN 212 THE LIFE OF THE MASTER. a It was pleasant to think that this kindest and ye not that I must be about My Father's wisest of all Jewish Rabbis, of whose gracious business ?” What a sudden and convincing sayings some have found an echo in Jesus' light does Jesus' reply cast on the private words, had laid his hand on the Master's head conferences of Mary and her Child! How and blessed Him-another Simeon receiving this woman must have spoken of God, and the wisdom of God into his heart. Was Sham- of the religious life, and of the inward call, mai, the head of the harder school and Hil- and the loyalty of the soul, that Jesus was lel's opponent, in the Temple that day, and amazed that she did not see her teaching ful- did his sternness relax before the sweetness filled that day, and said, “ Wist ye not ?” and light of the With perfect young Christ? fitness Jesus It is almost cer- might have tain that Gama- asked to remain liel, so cool and in Jerusalem, judicious in in- and to sit at the tellect, and Ni- Rabbis' feet. codemus,so fair We had said and candid, that this would would be pres- have been His ent and have best prepara- their part. Are tion for the of- we to suppose fice of Prophet, that Jesus re- and we would ceived clear have been light and guid- short-sighted. ance in His For some Messianic ca- Saul, if you reer from the please-this Rabbis, or that might have their theology been best; for left any trace Him the atmos- on His think- phere ing? It is hard- studies of Jeru- ly necessary to salem would answer this have been question : one hindrance, sti- of Jesus' chief fling and con- faults in Jeru- tracting His salem was His soul. For Him independence Nazareth it was best that of Rabbinism. He should be Yet it remains NAZARETH FROM THE SOUTH secluded in Naz- a fact of much ACROSS TÆ VALLEY areth, and live interest that the awakening This view shows how the town is gradually slipping down the after a simple, of Jesus' intellectual life is hill. It formerly extended somewhat farther up the slope shoun humble fashion in the background ; but it nor begins to fill up the little valley to be dated not in Nazareth and to climb up the opposite, southern, slope.- ARTIST'S NOTE. till all things among the simple village were ready for folk, but among the Rabbis in the Temple. His work. Between the Messiah-conscious- Jesus' answer to His mother's reproof for ness now growing within Him and the duty of tarrying behind and causing her and Joseph respect to His earthly parents there could be delay and anxiety, and His submission-His no conflict in Jesus' soul or life, because His first recorded action-are both altogether growth was orderly and harmonious. For worthy, and struck the keynote of that life youth there may be many inspirations which which was to move before God and man like shall be the strength of after years; but the a perfect symphony. With astonishment full first discipline is obedience, and only he who of respect and affection, He appealed to His has learned to wait and submit shall be able mother whether she could not understand to achieve. Jesus heard the voice of God in His desire to learn the purposes of God, and the Temple, and He went down to Nazareth, His necessity to fulfil His Father's will: “Wist and was subject to His parents. (To be continued.) and а Complinson - - - 1 HOTTET HEAT AND ELECTRICAL FURNACES 1871 By STURGIS B. RAND ONLY the outermost mar- incredible chemical transformations. It is heat and the coldest cold and wonderful things in the world have been now remain unexplored by wrought. It made the diamond, the sapphire, the scientific investigator. and the ruby; it fashioned all of the most Professor Dewar of Eng- beautiful forms of crystals and spars; and it land has come within the ran the gold and silver of the earth in veins, mere step of forty or and tossed up mountains, and made hollows fifty degrees of the point for the seas. It is, in short, the tempera- which scientists name the ture at which worlds were born. “absolute zero,” a re More wonderful, if possible, than the mira- gion of death and nega- cles wrought by such heat is the fact that men tion, where the vibrations can now themselves produce it artificially; which we recognize as and not only produce, but confine and direct eat do not exist. At it, and make it do their daily service. One the same time, Moissan, asks himself, indeed, if this can really be; Acheson, Siemens, and it was under the impulse of some such in- Faure, and others are credulity that I lately made a visit to Niagara working with tempera- Falls, where the hottest furnaces in the world tures more than 7,000 are operated. Here clay is melted in vast degrees away, in a heat quantities to form aluminium, a metal as pre- So inconceivably in- cious a few years ago as gold. Here lime tense that it burns and and carbon, the most infusible of all the ele- vaporizes every known ments, are joined by intense heat in the curi- element. Under heat ous new compound, calcium carbide, a bit of of this degree which dropped in water decomposes almost steel and nickel explosively, producing the new illuminating and platinum, the gas, acetylene. Here also pure phosphorus most refractory of and the phosphates are made in large quan- metals, burn like tities; and here is made carborundum-gem- so much beeswax; crystals as hard as the diamond and as beauti- the best fire-brick ful as the ruby. Just now, too, an extensive known to furnace- plant is building for the manufacture of makers is con- graphite, such as is used in making lead-pen- sumed by it like cils, lubricants, electrical appliances, stove- lumps of rosin, leaving no trace behind. It blacking, and so on. Graphite has been mined works, in short, the most marvelous, the most from the earth for thousands of years; it is 214 HOTTEST HEAT AND ELECTRICAL FURNACES. pure carbon, first cousin to the diamond. far-seeing business men, and it may be ac- Ten years ago the possibility of its manufac- counted a distinct probability. What revo- ture would have been scouted as ridiculous; lution the achievement of it would work in and yet in these wonderful furnaces, which the diamond trade as now constituted and repeat so nearly the processes of creation, conducted no one can say. graphite is as easily made as soap. These marvelous new things in science and The Ida MR. E. G. ACHESON, ONE OF THE PIONEERS IN THE INVESTIGATION OF HIGH TEMPERATURES. marvel-workers at Niagara Falls have not invention have been made possible by the yet been able to make diamonds—in quanti- chaining of Niagara to the wheels of industry. ties. The distinguished French chemist Mois- A thousand horse-power from the mighty falls san has produced them in his laboratory fur- is conveyed as electricity over a copper wire, naces-small ones, it is true, but diamonds; changed into heat and light between the tips and one day they may be shipped in peck of carbon electrodes, and there works its boxes from the great furnaces at Niagara wonders. In principle the electrical furnace Falls. This is no mere dream; the commer- is identical with the electric light. It is cial manufacture of diamonds has already had scarcely twenty years since the first electrical the serious consideration of level-headed, furnaces of real practical utility were con- HOTTEST HEAT AND ELECTRICAL FURNACES. 215 structed; but if the electrical furnaces to-day hardness, hard enough, indeed, to scratch in operation at Niagara Falls alone were com- the sapphire--the next hardest thing to the bined into one, they would, as one scientist diamond-and I saw that such a material, speculates, make a glow so bright that it cheaply made, would have great value. could be seen distinctly from the moon-a “My first experiment in this new series hint for the astronomers who are seeking was of a kind that would have been denounced methods for communicating with the inhab- as absurd by any of the old-school book-chem- itants of Mars. One furnace has been built ists, and had I had a similar training, the in which an amount of heat energy equiva- probability is that I should not have made lent to 700 horse-power is produced in an such an investigation. But ‘fools rush in arc cavity not larger than an ordinary water where angels fear to tread,' and the experi- tumbler. ment was made." On reaching Niagara Falls, I called on Mr. This experiment of Mr. Acheson's, ex- E. G. Acheson, whose name stands with that tremely simple in execution, was the first act of Moissan as a pioneer in the investigation of in rolling the stone from the entrance to a high temperatures. Mr. Acheson is still a veritable Aladdin's cave, into which a multi- young man--not more than forty-three at tude of experimenters have passed in their most-and clean-cut, clear-eyed, and genial, search for nature's secrets; for while the with something of the studious air of a col- use of the electrical furnace in the reduction lege professor. He is preëminently a self- of metals—in the breaking down of nature's made man. At twenty-four he found a place compounds-was not new, its use for syn- in Edison's laboratory—“ Edison's college thetic chemistry—for the putting together, of inventions,” he calls it-and, at twenty- the building up, the formation of compounds five, he was one of the seven pioneers in elec was entirely new. It has enabled the tricity who (in 1881-82) introduced the incan- chemist not only to reproduce the compounds descent lamp in Europe. He installed the of nature, but to go farther and produce valu- first electric-light plants in the cities of able compounds that are wholly new and were Milan, Genoa, Venice, and Amsterdam, and heretofore unknown to man. Mr. Acheson during this time was one of Edison's repre- conjectured that carbon, if made to combine sentatives in Paris. with clay, would produce an extremely hard “I think the possibility of manufacturing substance; and that, having been combined genuine diamonds,” he said to me,“ has with the clay, if it should in the cooling sepa- dazzled more than one young experimenter. rate again from the clay, it would issue out My first efforts in this direction were made of the operation as diamond. He therefore in 1880. It was before we had command of mixed a little clay and coke dust together, the tremendous electric energy now furnished placed them in a crucible, inserted the ends by the modern dynamo, and when the highest of two electric-light carbons into the mixture, heat attainable for practical purposes was and connected the carbons with a dynamo. obtained by the oxy-hydrogen flame. Even The fierce heat generated at the points of this was at the service of only a few experi- the carbons fused the clay, and caused por- menters, and certainly not at mine. My first tions of the carbon to dissolve. After cool- experiments were made in what I might term ing, a careful examination was made of the the wet way’; that is, by the process of mass, and a few small purple crystals were chemical decomposition by means of an elec- found. They sparkled with something of the tric current. Very interesting results were brightness of diamonds, and were so hard obtained, which even now give promise of that they scratched glass. Mr. Acheson de- value; but the diamond did not materialize. cided at once that they could not be diamonds; “I did not take up the subject again until but he thought they might be rubies or the dynamo had attained high perfection and sapphires. A little later, though, when he I was able to procure currents of great power. had made similar crystals of a larger size, Calling in the aid of the 6,500 degrees Fah- he found that they were harder than rubies, renheit or more of temperature produced by even scratching the diamond itself. He these electric currents, I once more set my- showed them to a number of expert jewelers, self to the solution of the problem. I now chemists, and geologists. They had so much had, however, two distinct objects in view: the appearance of natural gems that many first, the making of a diamond; and, second, experts to whom they were submitted without the production of a hard substance for abra- explanation decided that they must certainly sive purposes. My experiments in 1880 had be of natural production. Even so eminent resulted in producing a substance of extreme an authority as Geikie, the Scotch geologist, 216 HOTTEST HEAT AND ELECTRICAL FURNACES. on being told, after he had examined them, loosely built brick walls gushed flames of pale that the crystals were manufactured in green and blue, rising upward, and burning America, responded testily : “ These Ameri- now high, now low, but without noise beyond cans! What won't they claim next? Why, a certain low humming. Within the furnace man, those crystals have been in the earth a -- which was oblong in shape, about the million years." height of a man, and sixteen feet long by six Mr. Acheson decided at first that his crys- wide—there was a channel, or core, of white- tals were a combination of carbon and alu- hot carbon in a nearly vaporized state. It minium, and gave them the name carborun- represented graphically in its seething ac- dum. He at once set to work to manufacture tivity what the burning surface of the sun them in large quantities for use in making might be--and it was almost as hot. Yet the abrasive wheels, whetstones, and sandpaper, heat was scarcely manifest a dozen feet from and for other purposes for which emery and the furnace, and but for the blue flames ris- corundum were formerly used. He soon ing from the cracks in the envelope, or wall, found by chemical analysis, however, that one might have laid his hand almost anywhere carborundum was not composed of carbon on the bricks without danger of burning it. and aluminium, but of carbon and silica, or In the best modern blast-furnaces, in which sand, and that he had, in fact, created a new the coal is supplied with special artificial substance; so far as human knowledge now draft to make it burn the more fiercely, the extends, no such combination occurs any- heat may reach 3,000 degrees Fahrenheit. where in nature. And it was made possible This is less than half of that produced in the only by the electrical furnace, with its power electrical furnace. In porcelain kilns, the pot- of producing heat of untold intensity. ters, after hours of firing, have been able to In order to get a clear understanding of produce a cumulative temperature of as much the actual workings of the electrical furnace, as 3,300 degrees Fahrenheit; and this, with I visited the plant where Mr. Acheson makes the oxy-hydrogen flame (in which hydrogen carborundum. The furnace-room is a great, gas is spurred to greater heat by an excess dingy brick building, open at the sides like of oxygen), is the very extreme of heat ob- a shed. It is located only a few hundred yards tainable by any artificial means except by the from the banks of the Niagara River and well electrical furnace. Thus the electrical fur- within the sound of the great falls. Just be- nace has fully doubled the practical possibili- low it, and nearer the city, stands the hand- ties in the artificial production of heat. some building of the Power Company, in Mr. Fitzgerald, the chemist of the Acheson which the mightiest dynamos in the world Company, pointed out to me a curious glassy whir ceaselessly, day and night, while the cavity in one of the half-dismantled furnaces. waters of Niagara churn in the water-wheel “Here the heat was only a fraction of that pits below. Heavy copper wires carrying a in the core,” he said. But still the fire- current of 2,200 volts lead from the power- brick-and they were the most refractory house to Mr. Acheson's furnaces, where the produced in this country-had been melted electrical energy is transformed into heat. down like butter. The floors under the fur- There are ten furnaces in all, built loosely nace were all made of fire-brick, and yet the of fire-brick, and fitted at each end with elec- brick had run together until they were one trical connections. And strange they look solid mass of glassy stone. “We once tried to one who is familiar with the ordinary fuel putting a fire-brick in the center of the core, furnace, for they have no chimneys, no doors, said Mr. Fitzgerald, “ just to test the heat. no drafts, no ash-pits, no blinding glow of Later, when we came to open the furnace, heat and light. The room in which they we couldn't find a vestige of it. The fire stand is comfortably cool. Each time a fur- had totally consumed it, actually driving it nace is charged it is built up anew; for the all off in vapor.” heat produced is so fierce that it frequently Indeed, so hot is the core that there is melts the bricks together, and new ones must really no accurate means of measuring its be supplied. There were furnaces in many temperature, although science has been en- stages of development. One had been in abled by various curious devices to form a full blast for nearly thirty hours, and a weird fairly correct estimate. The furnace has a sight it was. The top gave one the instant provoking way of burning up all of the ther- impression of the seamy side of a volcano. mometers and heat-measuring devices which The heaped coke was cracked in every direc- are applied to it. A number of years ago a tion, and from out of the crevices and de- clever German, named Segar, invented a series pressions and from between the joints of the of little cones composed of various infusible --- BLOWING OFF. "Not infrequently gas collects, forming a miniature mountain, with a crater at its summit, and blowing a magnificent fountain of flame, lava, and dense white vapor high into the air, and roaring all the while in a most terrifying manner." 218 HOTTEST HEAT AND ELECTRICAL FURNACES. earths like clay and feldspar. He so fashioned well-ascertained temperatures gives approxi- them that one in the series would melt at mately, at least, the temperature of the elec- 1,620 degrees Fahrenheit, another at 1,800 trical furnace. Some other methods are also degrees, and so on up. If the cones are employed. None are regarded as perfectly placed in a pottery kiln, the potter can tell exact; but they are near enough to have just what degree of temperature he has yielded some very interesting and valuable reached by the melting of the cones one statistics regarding the power of various after another. But in Mr. Acheson's elec- temperatures. For instance, it has been trical furnaces all the cones would burn up found that aluminium becomes a limpid liquid and disappear in two minutes. The method at from 4,050 to 4,320 degrees Fahrenheit, employed for, in some measure, coming at the and that lime melts at from 4,940 to 5,400 heat of the electrical furnace is this: a thin degrees, and magnesia at 4,680 degrees. HLOCIUS AITCHCOCK 1899 THE INTERIOR OF A FURNACE AS IT APPEARS AFTER THE CARBORUNDUM HAS BEEN TAKEN OUT. filament of platinum is heated red-hot-1,800 There are two kinds of electrical furnaces, degrees Fahrenheit—by a certain current of as there are two kinds of electric lights- electricity.. A delicate thermometer is set arc and incandescent. Moissan has used the three feet away, and the reading is taken. arc furnace in all of his experiments, but Then, by a stronger current, the filament is Mr. Acheson's furnaces follow rather the made white hot-3,400 degrees Fahrenheit principle of the incandescent lamp. “ The and the thermometer moved away until it incandescent light," said Mr. Fitzgerald, “is reads the same as it read before. Two points produced by the resistance of a platinum in a distance-scale are thus obtained as a wire or a carbon filament to the passage of basis of calculation. The thermometer is a current of electricity. Both light and heat then tried by an electrical furnace. To be are given off. In our furnace, the heat is kept at the same marking it must be placed produced by the resistance of a solid cylinder much further away than in either of the other of pulverized coke to the passage of a strong instances. A simple computation of the com- current of electricity. When the core becomes parative distances with relation to the two white hot, it causes the materials surround- HOTTEST HEAT AND ELECTRICAL FURNACES. 219 ing it to unite chemically, pro- ducing the carbo- rundum crystals.” The materials used are of the commonest-pure white sand, coke, sawdust, and salt. The sand and coke are mixed in the proportions of sixty to forty, the sawdust is added to keep the mix- ture loose and open, and the salt to assist the chemical combina- tion of the ingre- dients. The fur- nace is half filled with this mixture, and then the core of coke, twenty- one inches in di- ameter, is care- fully molded in place. This core is sixteen feet long, reaching the length of the fur- nace, and connect- ing at each end with an immense carbon terminal, consisting of no fewer than twenty- five rods of carbon, each four inches square and nearly three feet long. These terminals THE FURNACE-ROOM, WHERE CARBORUNDUM IS MADE,—"A GREAT, DINGY BRICK BUILDING, carry the current OPEN AT THE SIDES LIKE A SHED." into the core from huge insulated copper bars connected from Tesla produces immensely higher voltages above. When the core is complete, more of than this for laboratory experiments, but the carborundum mixture is shoveled in and there are few more powerful currents in use tramped down until the furnace is heaping full. in this country for practical purposes. Only Everything is now ready for the electric about 2,000 volts are required for executing current. The wires from the Niagara Falls criminals under the electric method employed power-plant come through an adjoining build- in New York; 400 volts will run a trolley-car. ing, where one is confronted, upon entering, It is hardly comfortable to know that a sin- with this suggestive sign: gle touch of one of the wires or switches in this room means almost certain death. Mr. Fitzgerald gave me a vivid demonstration of DANGER the terrific destructive force of the Niagara 2,200 Volts. Falls current. He showed me how the cir- cuit was broken. For ordinary currents, the 220 HOTTEST HEAT AND ELECTRICAL FURNACES. This current is, in- deed, too strong in voltage for the fur- naces, and it is cut down, by means of what were until re- cently the largest transformers in the world, to about 100 volts, or one-fourth the pressure used on the average trolley line. It is now, how- ever, a current of great intensity—7,500 am- pères, as compared with the one-half am- père used in an incan- descent lamp; and it requires eight square inches of copper and 400 square inches of carbon to carry it. Within the furnace, when the current is turned on, a thousand horse-power of energy is continuously trans- formed into heat. Think of it! Is it any wonder that the tem- perature goes up? And this is continued for thirty-six hours steadily, until 36,000 “horse-power hours” are used up and 7,000 pounds of the crystals have been formed. Remembering that 36,000 horse-power hours, when converted into heat, will raise 72,000 gallons of LUCIUS HITCHOUC water to the boiling point, or will bring TAKING OFF A CRUST OF THE FURNACE AT NIGHT. 350 tons of iron up to THAT YOU CANNOT LOOK AT IT WITHOUT HURTING THE EYES. a red heat, one can at breaking of a circuit simply means a twist of least have a sort of idea of the heat evolved the wrist and the opening of a brass switch. in a carborundum furnace. Here, however, the current is carried into a When the coke core glows white, chemi- huge iron tank full of salt water. The at- cal action begins in the mixture around it. tendant, pulling on a rope, lifts an iron plate The top of the furnace now slowly settles, from the tank. The moment it leaves the and cracks in long irregular fissures, send- water, there follow a rumbling crash like a ing out a pungent gas which, when lighted, thunder-clap, a blinding burst of flame, and burns lambent blue. This gas is carbon thick clouds of steam and spray. The sight monoxide, and during the process nearly six and sound of it make you feel delicate about tons of it are thrown off and wasted. It interfering with a 2,200-volt current. seems, indeed, a somewhat extravagant pro- THE LIGHT IS SO INTENSE HOTTEST HEAT AND ELECTRICAL FURNACES. 221 LUCTUS HITCHCOCK cess, for fifty-six pounds of gas are produced the diamond and even more indestructible, for every forty of carborundum. being less inflammable and wholly indissolu- “It is very distinctly a geological condi- ble in even the strongest acids. After being tion,” said Mr. Fitzgerald; “ crystals are taken out, the crystals are crushed to pow- not only formed exactly as they are in the der and combined in various forms conven- earth, but we have our own little earthquakes ient for the various uses for which it is and volcanoes.” Not infrequently gas col- designed. lects, forming a miniature mountain, with a I asked Mr. Acheson if he could make dia- crater at its summit, and blowing a magnifi- monds in his furnaces. “Possibly,” he an- cent fountain of flame, lava, and dense white swered,“ with certain modifications.” Dia- vapor high into the air, and roaring all the monds, as he explained, are formed by great while in a most terrifying manner. The heat and great pressure. The great heat is workmen call it “ blowing off.” now easily obtained, but science has not yet At the end of thirty-six hours the current learned nature's secret of great pressure. is cut off, and the furnace is allowed to cool, Moissan's method of making diamonds is to the workmen pulling down the brick as rap- dissolve coke dust in molten iron, using a idly as they dare. At the center of the fur- carbon crucible into which the electrodes are nace, surrounding the core, there remains a inserted. When the whole mass is fluid, the solid mass of carborundum as large in diam- crucible and its contents are suddenly dashed eter as a hogshead. Portions of this mass into cold water or melted lead. This instan- are sometimes found to be composed of pure, taneous cooling of the iron produces enor- beautifully crystalline graphite. This in mous pressure, so that the carbon is crystal- itself is a surprising and significant product, lized in the form of diamond. and it has opened the way directly to graph But whatever it may or may not yet be ite-making on a large scale. An important able to do in the matter of diamond-making, and interesting feature of the new graphite there can be no doubt that the possibilities industry is the utilization it has effected of of the electrical furnace are beyond all pres- a product from the coke regions of Penn- ent conjecture. With American inventors sylvania which was formerly absolute waste. busy in its further development, and with To return to carborundum: when the fur- electricity as cheap as the mighty power of nace has been cooled and the walls torn away, Niagara can make it, there is no telling what the core of carborundum is broken open, and new and wonderful products, now perhaps the beautiful purple and blue crystals are wholly unthought-of by the human race, it laid bare, still hot. The sand and the coke may become possible to manufacture, and have united in a compound nearly as hard as manufacture cheaply. THE INFATVATION OF ACKERLY W. A. FRASER A STORY OF LIFE IN INDIA. A CKERLY was an inspector of in Calcutta-she had been sent there. This police at Thayetmyo, in Bur- in itself was a mere bagatelle, the tuition ma. He was tall and square she received, as compared with the spirit and round-cheeked-a splen- that used her hands. It was only the knowl- did specimen; just the sort edge of perspective an Angelo might use for of man to throttle men who one of his masterpieces. needed it. Not an ounce Tall, broad-shouldered young men are fair- of sentiment in his gladiator head,” some one ish marks on the matrimonial rifle ranges; said. That was what they thought. In point and Ackerly had been brought down by about of fact, his great muscles were wrapped up as sweet a girl as any one could very well in sentiment. That was why Mystery held up wish for. That was before he went to Tha- her cloak and threw a shadow across his yetmyo, and it made the infatuation all the path. If the Gomez girl had been beautiful, more like a piece of the evil goddess Kali's or even pleasing, the thing that happened work. I have said that the Gomez's one might have been put down to the irresponsi- accomplishment was the violin; but she had bility of a full-blooded youthfulness; but the another. She could send that same subtle, Gomez was short and squat and broad-fea- magnetic influence that thrilled through the tured and black. She was “twelve annas vibrating strings of the sobbing violin out to in ” of Hindoo blood, and not an anna of it master the minds of animals. The first time had lost any of its darkness. There was Ackerly saw her was at her father's place. nothing to account for Ackerly's infatuation Old Gomez had asked him down to see Marie absolutely nothing except her playing. make a king cobra dance; that was the way That was the one thing she could do-play he put it. But, then, old Gomez had no soul the violin. When I say she could, I must for anything beyond the flesh-pots of a rich stop and think what a man who knew all son-in-law, and so knew nothing about the about those things once said: “It is not this terrible power that came from the talking woman who plays; some spirit comes and strings. A hamadryas is a king cobra; as uses her hands, that is all.” It was like vicious and as deadly as the capello, and as that, too. strong as a boa. But as Marie Gomez drew The violin, a gentle-walled Cremona, had the bow across the strings of her violin in been in the Gomez family since the time of wailing tones, the king cobra was like a slim, Pietro, Marie's great-grandfather, who played silken ribbon, for the spell of the spirit like an angel, tradition said. And all these numbed his vicious mind. years the spirit had lain asleep until Marie's “It's extraordinary," Ackerly thought, as fat hands had cried it into wakefulness. Of he sat and watched, and listened to the course she had learned the thing. A sister spirits in the violin calling to the king cobra. was married to an engineer in a rice-mill, And “ Boh," that was the cobra's name, and his money had been used freely to teach understood them too. When Marie ceased her the workmanship of the art, That was playing, he dropped full length on the hard- W. A. FRASER. 223 beaten ground, a servant threw a basket not know this; he didn't know anything; he down, and he glided in. As the Gomez raised only felt it; and thought it was the figure her eyes Ackerly looked into them. He with the broad, dark face at his side. And should not have done that, for the sighing the eyes, too; they filled up the picture. of the spirits in the music had gone into his Through them the other thing was speaking muscles and he was ready for the harm that to him; but again they were the eyes of the was to come. He tried to remember where figure, and that was all he really had that he had seen those eyes before; all at once it was tangible—the obese embodiment that came back to him—it was that black leopard felt warm against his side. he had faced in Chittagong once. The leopard Nobody, not even the Gomez, knew about had eyes like these. this, the only bit of truth there was in the After this there was no rest for Ackerly; whole thing. She thought it was for herself nor, for the matter of that, for his friends. the strong-limbed inspector of police came- Friends can't see a fine young fellow throw because he loved her. Had not her sister, himself to destruction—this is what they said who was also fat, married a sahib?-a sahib he was doing: though the Gomez was a good who drew six hundred rupees a month, more enough girl of her kind. All the same, any- even than the Government paid Ackerly . The thing but harm for both could scarcely come of Gomezes had always held their heads high it. He couldn't lift her up to walk where she'd since this commercial alliance; and the “ six get dizzy; she'd only tumble, and there'd be hundred a month” had gone with unvarying sorrow all over the place. That was the way regularity toward keeping up the position the friends figured it out, and they had many they fancied they held. good precedents on their side of the argu Marie knew that Ackerly's friends were ment. No white man had ever done it yet; kicking up a boberie about it, but that was the man had always been dragged down to because they were jealous; there were no the level of the other. The friends looked other Gomez girls to be had-she was the at it from a reasonable, fair-to-all point of last. When she tried to talk to Ackerly view. That was because the spirits in the about these things, he said, “Oh, hush! fiddle hadn't talked to them. Ackerly knew Get the fiddle.” It was that way: when that all they were saying was quite true; but she talked to him, he felt the degradation what had that to do with it? When they of his position; when she played, he forgot talked to him, he said they were right; he it. It was like the drunkard hurrying him- was no end of a fool, and the girl was as self under the influence of liquor to shut out black as his hat-the hat he wore in Eng- the barrenness of being sober. land. He admitted it all, and cursed the The king cobra was always about, too. whole Gomez family for a lot of “thugs.” “I believe that he is jealous," Ackerly once But when the spirits that were in the girl said to the Gomez girl. “ See the way he sent their voices down through the tamarind looks at me.” trees that stood thick between the two bunga “Oh, he won't harm you,” replied his lows, calling to him on the wailing violin, he companion; "he likes the music, that is all. rose, and went and sat where he could look If I tell him to go live in your bungalow, he into the eyes that made the cobra droop his will go.” head. “Devil's eyes” she had, the friends “Don't do that!” exclaimed Ackerly. said; but they haunted Ackerly day and “He'd strangle me, or else I should kill night. They weren't evil, he thought; but him." that they would work evil for him he knew, The squat figure laughed a little, and made just as surely as any of the others. a pass at the cobra with her fiddle bow. He And when he had come, the short, squat raised his head slightly, blew out his hood, figure would huddle itself close beside him; and then glided off among the silk leaves of and the music would talk to him of love and the plantain trees. “I'll send him to your rest; and the sighing of the violin was the bungalow to-morrow,” she said, “ to guard sighing of angels; and the sobbing, the cry- it, lest some other girl comes and steals you ing of wrecked hopes; and the full notes away from me.” were a godlike majesty; and the low, soft “If you do, I'll shoot him,” replied her plaint, the whispering of the winds in the companion, looking at her with a grave, de- gossamer leaves of the tamarind. It was termined face. the spirit of something he had not yet known She pulled the bow across the strings of speaking to his soul—the strong young soul the violin that lay upon her knees, and the that was fresh for impressions--but he did note cut through him like a knife. Yes, it 224 THE INFATUATION OF ACKERLY. was some one dying, that was the cry that and glided into a hole in the wall he had came up from the strings. “You see,” she already found. said, looking into his face with those strangely Ackerly thought of what the Gomez had lighted eyes, the leopard eyes, “ if you kill said about sending Boh there to keep his Boh, you kill me. heart true to her. “* There's no danger of You must not say such a silly thing as that,” he exclaimed angrily; "if any one that,” he answered angrily; “it's only a blacker or uglier than she turns up, there cobra, and should be killed. might be a chance." “No," she said, and the violin was wail You see, he used to score himself heavily ing again as the bow touched it tremblingly, when he was away from her, trying to break “if you kill him, I shall die. I can't tell you the infatuation, as a man reviles liquor when about it, but that is so." he is sober. Boh heard him, and spread his And then the violin wailed and moaned, hood in anger when he spoke of the Gomez and the cadences of the dirge rose and fell as being black and ugly. just like the wind sighing through the gaunt That mail Ackerly got a letter from the cassarina trees, with their harp boughs, which girl down by the sea the white one. There grew down on the salt-sea shore where Ack- was none of the weird music of the fiddle in erly's white girl lived. She let the hand it; nothing but plain trust and an under- that held the bow suddenly stop, and lie across current of love, only discernible by the little his wrist, as she said, “ And if anything were eddies it threw to the surface. It made him to happen you, it would be the same, too. I revile himself, but it helped nothing toward should die.” breaking the spell. As he sat on the veranda The hand scorched his wrist; and her voice, reading it, Boh came out, glided up on the which was only the continuation of the plaint ironwood rail which ran from post to post, that had come from the violin, seared his and, lying full length, looked at him ques- ears, and lay hot against his soul. It was tioningly. “ Curse the brute!” Ackerly an accursed thing this; even if she were to said, and threw his cheroot at the cobra's die, or the whole family were to die, he head. couldn't wreck everything--his own life, the Nice chum you've got,'' a cheery voice life of the girl who lived down where the cas-. laughed, as the owner came through the din- sarinas grew, and his mother's life. That ing-room. It was Green, the deputy com- was all so; but strong as these things were, missioner, who had come in the back way. they were not so strong as the other, the “The Gomez's pet,” he continued, nodding voices that spoke to him from the fat hands his head carelessly toward Boh as he pulled of the Gomez, and told him to come night a chair alongside of Ackerly. after night, and sit where the big black eyes The cobra glided down the post and dis- might look into his. appeared. “I've offended him," he added. “They say the beastly thing knows what you The next day Ackerly heard a soft rustle say to him. Can't understand why he should in the corner of his bedroom. It was Boh. have picked up English though; ‘chee-chee When the inspector saw him, he swore like a bat [half-caste patois] would be more in his proper soldier. That was because the sound line." of the violin was not in his ears, and he was “ Have a cheroot, Green?” said Ackerly, more or less in his right senses. He took holding his cigar-case toward the newcomer. his police sword down, exclaiming: “I'll “I've written to have you transferred to not stand your nonsense, anyway. It's bad some other place," continued the deputy enough to play the fool with a Portuguese jerkily as he lighted a cheroot. “If I could half-caste, but when it comes to keep- only find out where there's a good healthy ing a menagerie, it's too much of a good scourge of cholera on, I'd have you sent thing.” there,” he added, looking indulgently at the The cobra looked at him sleepily; he felt inspector. sure that nothing would happen him. Ack “Look here," exclaimed Ackerly, shift- erly took two steps toward him, then stopped. ing in his chair, “ you fellows are bothering “ Hang the thing!” he said; “ he's harm- your heads confoundedly about me. Leave less, and I suppose I've no right to kill him me alone. I'm all right.” -there'd be no end of a row over it. He's “So was Sanburn,” said Green, " and he just crept in out of the sun, I fancy." So shot himself at the finish." he put the sword up, and threw a guava at “Well," answered Ackerly, “when the the cobra. Boh dodged the little round fruit, order comes, I won't budge. I'm not a griffin “IT'S EXTRAORDINARY,' ACKERLY THOUGHT, AS HE . . . LISTENED TO THE SPIRITS IN THE VIOLIN CALLING TO THE KING COBRA." 226 THE INFATUATION OF ACKERLY. just out from home, to be ordered about the like. Neither can you bring me back again. country by a lot of paternal fellows who have That's because your logic is of the West, gone through the whole thing themselves, where you've got to get at the cubical con- and are sick of it." tents of the thing before you can do anything “What'll you do ?” asked his friend with it. You've got to measure it, and weigh laconically. it, and pound it up, and assay it-and then “I'll cut the force first; go into some- write out a sort of formula about the thing. thing else, where I'll have a little say in my But this other problem you can't understand, own affairs. I'd like to be my own master because it's of the East; but it's as simple for a minute, just to see how it feels." to these close-to-nature beings as your mathe- “You'll never be that if you stay here,” matical rot is to you. There, I have spoken. asserted Green decisively. Let's gallop down to the polo grounds, that's “Here, stop!” broke in the inspector. healthier. And also if I ride hard, perhaps “ I'm sick of the whole business-sick of I'll break my stupid neck, and it'll save you you fellows lecturing me as though I were meddlesome grannies a lot of worry." worth bothering about. Besides, Green" As they went out they saw Boh lying under and he reached over and laid his hand on his the veranda, his wicked eyes gleaming like friend's arm, and looked in his eyes with a two blood-streaked diamonds. “ Did the queer, tired look “it's no use; I can't help woman give him to you,” asked Green, nod- it. We may talk here and say it's a bad ding his head sideways toward the cobra, business, and I may kick myself good and “or did she send him here to keep your mind hard; and then when the spirit that's in that fixed on her ? You're the bird, and he's to woman finds me out again, and talks to me keep up the fascination, I suppose.”' through that violin or the black, gloomy "I don't know," answered Ackerly care- eyes, the whole thing is upset, and I don't lessly; "he turned up to-day, that's all I care what you or anybody thinks." know about it.” But it wasn't; he knew It was a long speech for Ackerly to make, the violin-player had sent him-he could for he wasn't a talking man. Also there feel it. was much in it to think over. So they both “He's really not a cobra at all,” remarked sat for a few minutes quite silent. At last the deputy. • In the books on snakes he the friend spoke, and in his words was much goes under another name. I forget what it unhewn wisdom. is : Devil,' for choice, I should say." “You're a fool, Ackerly,” he said, point They played polo, and nobody's neck was edly; “ but the saving grace of the thing is broken, not even Ackerly's. After dinner that you know it. If you didn't, it would take Green called at the policeman's bungalow to magic to save you. You may buck all you lug him off to the Club. “I must amuse this like, but if you simply don't lay violent hands strange animal,” he thought, as he went up on me while I'm busy with it, I'll pull you the steps, “until I break her hold on him.” out of the mire yet.” But Ackerly was gone. “He's over there,” Ackerly laughed incredulously. “You're muttered the deputy, nodding in the direction a good chap, Green, among your Burmese from which came dreamy, sensuous music. kranies (clerks] and your mud-coated vil- “I'll go and take part in that séance," he lagers, but when it comes to playing against told himself. “ If there are two of us, it the Gomez, she'll beat you out. You re- will split up the blessed thing, perhaps.” member the Hindoo fakir who came here one day and sent a boy up a string into the air, He found the inspector sitting beside the and we never saw him again ?” black Gomez. Of course she was playing to “Yes, I remember," said Green listlessly. him, just as she had been to the cobra that “Well, with all your codes of procedure, night. It made Green angry; his anger and your books on how to do this and how to silenced him. He said, “Good-evening, do that, you couldn't account for it, could sullenly, as he came up to them. Ackerly looked up good-naturedly, and * No," answered the deputy absent-mind- pointed to a big chair. “I suppose you edly, wondering what it had to do with the want me. I'll come with you in a minute. thing in hand. Sit down," he said. He nodded toward Ma- And you couldn't bring the boy back rie, and ejaculated, “Play!” for she had again? No, of course you couldn't. Neither stopped. can you tell anything about the power this As Marie played, the deputy's anger slipped woman uses to send me up a string, if you away from him. He tried to think of why you?” W. A. FRASER. 227 he had come; tried to remember why he was When she ceased playing, and there was angry. But the melody was of green fields only the squat, dark-faced figure bulging mis- and sunshine, and water splashing over the shapenly in the white muslin dress, he thought rocks, and of birds; and nothing else there of the unholiness of it all. Surely it was SHE LET THE HAND THAT HELD THE BOW SUDDENLY STOP, AND LIE ACROSS HIS WRIST, AS SHE SAID, 'AND IF ANYTHING WERE TO HAPPEN YOU, IT WOULD BE THE SAME, TOO. I SHOULD DIE.'” -nothing only love. It was the song of a something to undertake, the redemption of love-dream. He sat a long time watching his friend from this mystic spell. “Come the fa' hands caressing the spirit-voiced vio- along, old chap,” he said rudely, getting up lin, and wondering why he had been angry and putting his hand on Ackerly's shoulder; at all, why the thing was wrong. we promised to meet the colonel at the 228 THE INFATUATION OF ACKERLY. close to him, until the inspector be- gan to almost hate the sight of his face. “You're too friendly,” he said fretfully. “ I'm sure you're neglecting your villagers looking after me.” That was be- cause the influ- 101 ence wasn't good for his nerves and he was getting irritable. Green wasn't trying to cure him that way; he was only holding him in check until the coup d'état he had planned should come off. He had THEN ONE DAY JESS CAME." worked out the saving of Ackerly Club at ten o'clock, and you've forgotten all with his wife. “A woman is worth a dozen about it.” That was an impromptu lie, but men in a case of this kind,” he said to him- Green knew he'd never do penance for it. self. To her he said, “I want you to help The fair-haired boy beside him was worth a me a little. Ackerly is in a bad way; some- great deal more than that, if he could bring thing has got to be done pretty quick. If him back to his senses. they trap him with a marriage it will be too “Don't preach," commanded Ackerly, as late. I've written to have him transferred they swung along the hard road together. as far as they can send him. The corre- “You've seen what you've seen, and you're spondence is only just nicely under way as going to do something; but don't preach, yet, and I have received fourteen commu- it's no good.” nications from three different departments That was why Green said never a word for about the matter. And it appears that I days to his friend about the Gomez, but stuck have nearly ruined the man's character as “AS HE SAT ON THE VERANDA READING IT, BOR . . . GLIDED UP ON THE IRONWOOD RAIL . . . AND ... LOOKED AT HIM QUESTIONINGLY." W. A. FRASER. 229 an officer; also considerably damaged my own “I think not,” replied Green. “Looks as a man of sense, I think. They want me as though it's broken up.” to specify my charges against him. Has he He was right in a way. Ackerly had not been looting or taking bribes ? Is it drink? gone to the Gomez's since Jess came; but Has he been banging the natives about? Or it was not broken up, not by a great deal. is he simply inefficient ? One department The young fellow was only torturing his soul intimates that he is not supposed to take or- that he might be a man for three or four ders from me, and if he has been insubordi- days. He talked to Jess in the evening, and nate, it serves me right. At any rate, they then went to his own bungalow, and the sob- are not paying traveling allowance for offi- bing violin carried its tale of anguish to him cials from one end of Burma to the other, through the heavy Burmese night. When simply because somebody wishes somebody its plaint came to him, he went out, and lay else shifted, they say. One man who seems on the damp earth, and moaned in his bitter- to have got an inkling of what's in the wind ness of spirit, “Oh, God, kill me before --inkling! I thought I had put it as plain as I become utterly vile!” That was be- I dared-writes that the Government is not cause he knew that only a little longer a maternal institution, looking after hair- would the power of Jess keep him from the brained youngsters and keeping them out spell. of matrimonial entanglements. I should say Boh only knew what the violin cried: that they weren't; but they'd weed him out quick for three nights his mistress Marie had sat enough if he married the Gomez.' with hot, scorched eyes and low-drooped head. “Well, Jack,” said Mrs. Green, “you've The fourth night from the coming of Jess, got to send for the other one; that's the Ackerly and Green sat late on the veranda only way. She'll come quickly enough, too. of the latter's bungalow. Jess had gone to She loves this soft-headed youngster, and bed, and Green had kept his friend there long she has sense enough to lift him out of this into the night. “ Have you seen Boh about business." here lately?” asked Ackerly, trying to speak That was the coup d'êtat that Green was carelessly. “ He's cleared out from my holding Ackerly in check for. Ackerly was bungalow, and I was afraid that—that- leading a haunted life. Green stuck to him “The Gomez had whispered to him about with a feverish intentness. “I must hold Jess, eh?” continued Green, as Ackerly him till Jess comes," he thought.“ Jess” stumbled in his speech. was the girl. “No; but he's quite likely to come over On the other side, Boh had nested in the here from my bungalow. I wish you'd keep inspector's house; and often when he fancied an eye open for him, and if he bothers, club he was breaking away from the spell a little, him away." the devil eyes of the cobra would peer at him Then Ackerly thought of what Marie Gomez from some hole, and he could feel that the had said about sending Boh to prevent his , Gomez saw him, and was reproaching him. falling in love with any other girl. What if Of course he went many times over to the there was anything in that and Boh should other bungalow. Sometimes the violin called revenge his mistress on Jess? He was still to him down through the tamarinds, some- in this train of thought when he was startled times the dark eyes beckoned to him out of by Jack's wife gliding toward them with a the night. fright-blanched face.“ Jess!” she gasped. Then one day Jess came. She stopped “The cobra!” with the Greens, as had been arranged. They Ackerly knew; his thoughts had just been took Ackerly in hand with a proprietary right, of it. Quick, Green, your twelve-bore !" but with much diplomatic gentleness; that he ejaculated with subdued earnestness. was Mrs. Green's doing. The Gomez knew Green handed him his gun, and they hurried the other had come, and why. She talked to Jess's apartment. Ackerly knew exactly to her violin, and it wailed back; and the what he should find; he knew just what big gloomy eyes looked at Boh, and he too Boh would do. knew. It was all of the spirits that worked At the door he stopped. On the dressing- through the fat hands which caressed the table a lamp was burning, and by its light he strings of the throbbing violin. saw Boh's flat, arched head, with the wicked, “How is it going, Jack ?” Mrs. Green gleaming eyes, erect and motionless, not two asked her husband. “Does he go there feet from Jess's face; the body of the cobra now?” That was two or three days after was coiled up on her breast. Jess was awake; Jess had come. her eyes moved; but for that she was perfectly 230 THE LUCK OF THE NORTHERN MAIL. motionless. “ Don't be frightened, little Boh was stone dead, his ugly head shot to woman,” he said tenderly; “ I am going to pieces. shoot, but don't move." Green had never arranged for that act in Then without raising the gun--for he saw his coup d'êtat. Whether it was the death the evil in the cobra's eyes-he fired point of Boh or not, I am not prepared to say; but blank from his hip. The report was terrific the mystery and power had passed away from in the closed room, and the heavy pall of the the Gomez from that time. Marie didn't die sulphurous smoke shut out the sight of every- physically, as she had said she would, with the thing. He sprang forward, and his strong death of Boh; but the other, the greater, arm swept the girl, covers and all, from died. The spirits called no more to Ackerly the bed. There was really no hurry, for from the strings of her violin. THE LUCK OF THE NORTHERN MAIL. THE STORY OF A RUNAWAY BOY AND A RUNAWAY TRAIN. BY ALVAU MILTON KERR. S OILED, sunburned, and gray she said. “I reckon y'll enjoy things best with dust, he reluctantly en- that way." tered the gate leading to a “Oh, missus—" the boy began, a world small house not far from the of gratitude and eagerness in his voice, then railway. Poplars stood about suddenly fell to eating in wild, half-famished the humble structure, and fashion. The woman, mercifully, did not look back of it Oregon pines hung like a green at him, but continued her sewing. When the cloud on the lifted forehead of a mountain. wayfarer had finished, she placed the empty A gray-haired woman, bending over some dishes on a chair, and again seated herself. sewing, sat in a rocking-chair upon the porch “ Did you come through Borpee?” she in- of the house. The dusty youth approached quired, a smile hovering about her mouth. her timidly, his battered hat in hand. The “The town 'bout two miles back there?” woman started, looked up, and peered hard “Yes, that's Borpee.” at him over her glasses. “ We don't want “Yes, I come through it. I didn't stop any tramps 'round here," she said in dry, long," in a rueful tone. severe tones. The woman laughed. “I reckon you The boy hesitated, twisting and rolling up didn't,” she said. “ It's awful the way they his hat in embarrassment. “I'm not a tramp, treat-treat tramps up t' town. You see, missus. I'm a thief-that is, they charged the town board had a fuss with the railroad. me with stealin' money that I didn't steal, They passed an ordinance that the railroad an'-an' I'm tryin' to get away,” he stam- must stop all trains at Borpee, on account mered. “I ain't got a cent, an' I ain't had of the town havin' give 'em the right o' anything to eat since yisterday mornin'. I way. So the railroad men got up a scheme don't like to beg, but-but- to make the town sick of its bargain by bring- “ Mercy!” exclaimed the woman; “you in every tramp from the north that they can do look weak an' awfully petered out. Come get hold of an' dumpin' 'em out in Borpee. in here, and set down. Sometimes there's a hundred put off the train The youth approached, and sank down upon there at one time, folks say. The town folks the porch steps. try to make the tramps stay on the trains, “Come up an' set on a cheer," said the and they have a great time." woman, an' I'll get you somethin' t' eat." “I understan' now," said the youth. The boy stirred restlessly. “No, thank “That's why the trainmen was good to me yeh, I ain't-I ain't so very clean," he said; all the way from Portland an' then kicked I'd ruther set here." me off at the town. I tried t get back on, The woman's face softened as she turned but one of 'em kicked me in the face, an' I and entered the house. Presently she re- had to let go." turned, bringing several dishes of food. “I'll “Is that how you got that bruised place just set 'em before you here on the steps," on y'r cheek ?” THE LUCK OF THE NORTHERN MAIL. 231 66 66 • Yes,” and his soiled fingers clenched in- road, an' jugged me. The jail wasn't much voluntarily. account, though, and the second night I got “It's mean as as dirt,” said the woman out and made tracks for California. I've hotly. “What might y'r name be?” got this far. I want t' get down to Aunt "Saul Banks. The boys back in Painter Lucy's, but I don't know; I s'pose the sher- District used to call me Sorrel, 'cause my iff'll be there watchin' for me.” He ended hair's red.” with a note of hopelessness in his voice. “ 'Tain't so very red," said the woman “Did the folks at the ranch know about gently. Where's Painter District ?” y'r wantin' t' go to Sacramento ?” “Back in Wisconsin. It's a school dis “Sime did, an' mebbe some of the others trict in the country. It's most all woods did, too. I'm goin', anyhow. I've made up there.' A wistful look came into his eyes. my mind.” He rose stiffly to his feet. “I'm Y'r people live there?” much obliged to you, missus; I was mighty Not many now-on'y a uncle.” hungry.” He started toward the gate. “Where's y'r father an' mother live ?” “Wait jus' a minute," said the woman, “I ain't got any; they're dead.” hastily rising and entering the house. “Long ? Sorrel stood fidgeting. After a little time “Since I was five or six year old. They the good soul returned, in her hand some was-was burned in a big forest fire, back bread and butter and pickles and meat, tied up there." in a clean handkerchief. “ When the vittles “ In Wisconsin ?” are gone, you can have the handkerchief," “Yes. The woods got afire for miles an' she said in kindly voice, “ and here's a little miles an' miles 'round us. Mother an' pap money. It's all I got in the house jus' now, hid me in a hole in the bank of a creek, an' or I'd give you more. I hope they won't I was saved; but they—they burned. Pap's never find you. brother tuck me to raise, but after a while Sorrel's lips began to quiver. “I don't he treated me so bad I couldn't stay, an' I want the money,” he said huskily. “I run off. I guess I wasn't very good, ” and couldn't take that. But I'd like the vittles, Sorrell rolled his twisted hat back and forth for—for I was awful hungry.” on his ragged knee and looked away. She reached the money toward him. “But you didn't steal ?” queried the “You'd best take it; you'll need it,” she woman, looking at him over her glasses. said. A flush came into the youth's freckled, “No, I'm all right," he replied, and started dusty face. “No, on'y sometimes melons hastily toward the gate. There he turned, and or apples t' eat, jus’ for fun. Most boys do awkwardly took off his hat. “I'm much that, yeh know.' obliged. I'll tell Aunt Lucy how-how good “Yes, but you was charged with stealin' yeh was," he said. somethin' else, you said.” Good-by; take keer of yourself,” said Sorrell hesitated a moment. Yes, that the woman. was money,” he said. “I run off from Uncle “Good-by. I'll try to." Reuben's early this spring an' come West. I The woman turned toward the house wip- wanted to get to Aunt Lucy's-she's mother's ing her eyes with the corner of her gingham sister, an' lives down at Sacramento, in Cali- apron, while Sorrel trudged southward along fornia-an' so I got to St. Paul, an' beat my the track, a fugitive from the law, but hap- way over the railroad out into Washington pier than he had been for days. State. I had a awful hard time. I went t' Near sundown he came to a little box-like work on a wheat ranch up in the Palouse station in a narrow gulch, but there seemed country t' get money t' pay my way down to be no one in charge. “I reckon the the coast to Aunt Lucy's. There was a lot trains don't stop here,” he said wearily, and of men workin' on the ranch, an' one young after a moment's rest plodded onward. Twi- feller named Sime Saucer, 'bout my age an' light descended, purple and shadowy, and size. Him an' me run together all the time. slowly merged into darkness. He sat down, 'Bout two weeks ago, Mr. Young, the ranch and took some food from the handkerchief, man, was goin' t' pay the men off, an' brought and ate it; then stumbled onward again. a lot of money out from the bank—three or Presently an enormous red moon rolled up four hundred dollars, I guess. That night over a mountain-top, and dropped its wan somebody stole it. They suspected Sime an' light into the ghostly cañons. . “I must find me, an' Sime he lit out; but the sheriff nabbed a place where the trains stop,” he kept say- me, an' tuck me over to a town on the rail- ing to himself, and pushed onward. He 232 THE LUCK OF THE NORTHERN MAIL. crossed long trestles, hearing streams roar- willed that Sorrel should enter into a new ing far below; passed through cuts blasted and broader career. from the rocks, and heard the cries of night After a time Sorrel's busy thoughts fell birds and wild animals rise weirdly from the quiet, and he slept. Twice a brakeman passed cloud of pines on the mountain-sides. He his rough couch, wading through the yield- felt inexpressibly lonesome, save when at ing mass of crushed volcanic rock toward the long intervals trains thundered by, filling the caboose, but without dreaming that a human silent mountain gorges with a thousand clap- being lay almost under his feet. Hours ping echoes, and leaving the solemn hush more passed, and finally the tired fugitive awoke. deep and heavy than before. The stars were fading from the sky, and a At last he came to a strip of bench-land, curling film of rose was creeping up the east. a side-track, and long ricks of corded wood. The boy lifted his head a little, and glanced “Here's where trains wood up,” he said, around. They were still in the mountains ; with a sigh of satisfaction, and crept in be- but while he slept the train had made its way hind a rick and laid down to wait. He was out of one mountain district, had traversed dead tired, and despite all his efforts to beat the valley of the Rogue River, and was now back the numbing tide of sleep, its soft waves climbing into the Klamath Range. flowed over and engulfed him. Presently he hand rose the pine-covered shoulders and sat up with a thrill of fear and expectation; craggy elbows of the mountain-land, a heaped a train was drawing in on the siding. He and tumbled chaos of steeps and far-reach- cautiously drew himself up, and peered over ing heights, touched with the filmy flush of the top of the rick. The train was a long dawn. Sorrel could not say whether they one, a string of flat cars loaded with some- had entered California or were still in Ore- thing that looked like a mixture of sand, gon. He sighed, dropped his head back on gravel, and broken stone. At the forward its pillow of stone, and lapsed into a doze. end of the train panted a great 120-ton mogul A train overcomes the resistance of a engine, with the moonlight glinting softly on mountain much as a sailing-vessel overcomes her polished jacket; at the rear end was a a head wind on the sea. Both tack to right stubby caboose, its red and green lights and left, and force the very thing that op- gleaming. Sorrel could dimly make out that poses them to aid them to the desired achieve- the conductor was standing on the front steps ment. It was thus the great mogul engine of the caboose. The rear brakeman was scaled the range, following the track wher- going forward. ever it twisted, to right and left, doubling "Look out for hoboes, Jim," shouted the back and curving forward again, plunging conductor. “ If you see any of 'em trying through cañons and tunnels, curving around to get on, you just paralyze 'em!” jutting spurs, yet always steadily ascending Nevertheless, when Sorrel had noted the toward the summit and the clouds. conductor's withdrawal into the caboose, and When Sorrel awoke again, he saw a world had listened a moment to the men plugging of mountain-tops below him, heaped and the wood into the engine tender, he crept strangely beautiful in the yellow glory of round the end of the rick and up into one of the early morning. He partly turned his the flat cars. Sinking prone on his stomach, body, and, propping his chin in his hands, he hastily scraped back some of the earthy looked ahead. He could see the top of the conglomerate from along one of the side- cab and the smokestack of the mogul sway- boards of the car, rolled into the depression, ing softly. Evidently they had passed over and covered himself up as best he could with the summit, for the speed of the train was the broken stuff. After a little time the momentarily increasing. He wondered where mogul roared “off brakes," the couplings they were. Had be known, and could he clanked sharply, and the train jarred and have foreseen what lay before them, he would rumbled away through the echoing defiles. not have slipped his hand into the handker- Sorrel, lying snugly and, save for his face, chief and cautiously drawn forth a piece of quite covered by the crushed and mealy mat- meat and munched it, as he did, thinking ter, smiled and whispered, “ I'm all right. gratefully the while of its gray-haired giver. This must be a train of low-grade ore goin' The meat tasted sweet in his mouth. down t the reduction works in California, or “Wish I had a mother like her," he mum- somewhere else;" in which apprehension bled. “Wonder how Aunt Lucy looks? Sorrel did not err: the train would ultimately Hope she's good.” have borne him to Sacramento, had not fate The downward inclination of the track was stored up a very great disaster for it and very pronounced. For thirty miles ahead of THE LUCK OF THE NORTHERN MAIL. 233 the train there was a continuous fall, a tre- fear and horror he realized that he was alone mendous whip-lash of steel winding round the on the runaway train. Smoke was pouring mountain-sides, over streams, through tun- from the hole in the engine where the stack nels, down cañons, through abysses, until it had been torn off, a white and hissing plume fell at last across the waters of the Klamath, of steam spurted from the whistle-pipe, the and began to climb away to mount the base cars rocked and battered together, and all of snow-capped Shasta. Like some sort of went roaring headlong, entirely without con- jointed monster with mighty iron head, the trol. “I must git offen this thing," said long train went downward, roaring and sway- Sorrel, turning round and round. First ing and undulating continuously like a racing thing I know it'll jump the track an' go snake, as it followed the never-ceasing curves. down the mountain.' Sorrel munched at the meat contentedly. It With staring eyes he climbed over the side- was not half bad, this swimming without board, looking wildly for a place where he effort down the steeps of the swelling range. might jump clear of the ties. “It'll kill me Suddenly there came a pealing roar from sure if I jump among them rocks," he half the mogul, a wild shout for brakes! The whispered. “I better stay here." drawheads crashed together along the train, But a moment later he saw a long dump and involuntarily Sorrel jumped to his feet. of dirt and gravel, and dropping his body The train was rounding a shattered shoulder low over the sideboard, flung himself out- of the mountain, a point where the footing ward. With a swimming, awful sense he for the track had been blasted from the rock. went over and over through the air and On the left, a splintered wall of stone swept struck the yielding slope and shot downward. upward; on the right, the ground fell down- Bruised and half-conscious, he scrambled to ward, thick with pines and the strewn débris his feet among some bushes, fifty feet from of the blasting. Not fifty feet ahead of the the track. In his excitement he turned and engine Sorrel saw a huge wedge of stone made directly up the dump, digging his toes protruding from the shattered wall; with the in the shaly mass and gasping for breath. same look he saw the fireman leap out from In a few moments he was on the track, brush- the gangway of the mogul and turn in the ing the dirt from his mouth and eyes. air as he went downward among the trees. Some of them fellers must 'a' been killed The next instant, with a tearing crash, the back there,” he panted; then suddenly held smokestack, sand-chest, whistle, bell, and his breath and listened. He could still hear cab were swept from the top of the engine. the doomed train madly following the great Sorrel saw the engineer whirl backward in groove downward. As he turned about ex- the flying wreck of the cab, and caught a citedly, his mind in a maze of emotions and glimpse of something red gushing from the half-formed purposes, he saw the cuts and man's mouth. The next moment the boy fills and shining rails of a track on the moun- flung himself face downward on the crushed tain-side below him. Seemingly it was a stone in the car. He threw one frightened thousand feet below the ground where he glance upward as the protruding tongue of was standing. He looked puzzled. rock flashed above him; then turned his head, Oh, I see,” he panted; “ the track runs and saw the caboose meet it. With a splin- clean around the mountain's top and comes tering crash it sheared half-way through the out lower down. That same train will go sturdy car, flinging a brakeman into the air by down there in a few minutes. What's from the cupola and tearing the drawhead that down there on the bench? That's a and couplings apart as if they were cotton side-track an' a wood-yard. Why, there's strings. With a lurch the caboose whirled a passenger train comin' up the mountain!” half-way round, fell upon its side, and slid An invisible hand seemed to clutch Sorrel's down the rocky dump. The next moment heart and take it from him; his pulses seemed Sorrel lost sight of it as the train passed to stop. “That runaway train'll go plumb around the bend. through that passenger," he gasped. “It'll Quivering from head to foot, he got to his never leave a thing of 'em on the track.” feet and looked round him. On the right, The imperiled train was possibly two miles the mountain-side swept downward by gentle distant, but, seen through the clear moun- slopes and sharp plunges for seemingly the tain air, it looked to be much nearer. It distance of a half mile; on the left, it tow- was the Northern Mail, scheduled to meet ered upward beyond his vision. The train the train the mogul was pulling at the spur was rushing along a descending groove in on the mountain-side. The ore train would the mountain-side. With a cold thrill of reach the spur in time, but the hand whose 234 THE LUCK OF THE NORTHERN MAIL. function it had been to close the mogul's ground. Something was the matter with his throttle was lifeless now, and the brakeman side. He was dimly conscious of terrible who had expected to throw the switch was pain, but he could not stop. He must beat lying among the rocks with a gashed fore- the mogul to the switch. He was running head and a broken leg. a race with death. Sorrel stood still a moment, all unconscious Almost falling, he came down upon the of the sweet air in his nostrils, the glory of track. As he crossed it he heard the thunder morning on the mountain heights, and the of the runaway train. With a half-dozen vast panorama spreading away from his feet. mad bounds he was at the switch. The picture of the Northern Mail, curving tore at the lock in a kind of insanity. How and straightening, glinting and hiding and should he ever get it loose? Suddenly he reappearing, as it climbed toward the sum- snatched up a heavy stone, and delivering mit, enthralled him. A burning flight of blow upon blow, beat the lock to pieces. awful things swept through his mind. In Jerking out the pin, he threw the lever round, a few minutes the beauteous scene would pinned it again, and leaped back, all his fea- darken with unspeakable tragedy. The mon- tures wild and working. The next moment ster mogul would crash through the on-com- the train burst round a bend in a storm of ing train, and hurl everything into ruin. A noise. Some of the upper works of the huge hundred happy human beings would be rent engine were lying along the boiler-top, and and battered in the grind and crush, and rail she looked like some mighty animal rushing and rock would be reddened with blood. forward with ears laid back in rage. Sorrel Like one breaking from a horrible dream, drew farther away, bending almost double, Sorrel suddenly started, paused hesitatingly, his mouth white and puckered, his eyes star- then plunged down the gravelly slope into ing. With deafening roar the engine and the woods. His freckled face looked white, train rushed on to the spur. Nothing short his dust-rimmed eyes were wide and glowing. of a solid mountain-wall seemed capable of “If I can on'y git down to that spur in time stopping these unbridled bolts of force. The an' can git the switch open!” he was say- bunting-post at the end of the spur was ing, as he lunged through fallen tree-tops swept away like a reed, and the whole train, and over boulders and down shelving breaks. led by the great ram, went headlong down He seemed not far from the lower track when the sloping mountain-side. he stopped in consternation; he had all but Should Sorrel Banks live a thousand years rushed over the edge of a break which dropped he would not forget that spectacle. Trees sheer downward for apparently fifty feet. It leaped from their roots, great spurts of ore- looked as if he might step from the edge di- bearing stone shot into the air, about the rectly into the tops of the pines below. With mogul whirled a chaos of broken things, a a strange, whining cry he ran along the brink crackling thunder followed it. Sorrel bent of the precipice, looking wildly for some place forward, gaping, speechless. Down, down where he might descend. He wasted only a the train plunged, cutting through every- few seconds in the search; then flung him- thing, until, a quarter of a mile away, he self over the edge, and began hurriedly work- saw the mogul leap clear of the earth, and ing his way downward, clinging to vine and streaming fire from her open furnace-door, bramble and ledge as he went. In his heart turn once in the air; and then he heard her burned so hot a haste, the need of speed was fall with an appalling crash at the bottom of so great, the responsibility that lay upon him a cañon. A number of the cars leaped upon was so overwhelming, he could not be care- her, some rolled over sidewise near the brink. ful. Suddenly his feet slipped, his clinging Then silence fell. fingers jerked the vine-growth from the Sorrel, pale and laboring for breath, turned rocks, and he whirled backward into space. toward the track. The Northern Mail stood The unconscious cry which springs of mortal not 200 feet south of him. A dozen men terror had scarcely left his throat when he were running toward him. He turned round felt himself strike and a dizzying pain shoot and round; he seemed somewhere in a horri- through his frame. He grasped some ob- ble dream. The engineer of the Mail was ject, and turned himself; he was hanging in first to reach him. the fork of a tree! Instantly he pulled him “Tell us! What's going on here?” he self loose, and slipped rapidly to the ground. panted. Here he found the wood more open and the Sorrel stood bending forward, his hands railroad track in sight, and he ran forward clutching his side. His twisted mouth worked with all his might, stooping half-way to the dryly; his poor, soiled clothes were sadly PEARY'S LATEST WORK IN THE ARCTIC. 235 torn; his hands and face were streaked with “That boy lying there." blood. “Iturned her down the mountain," he Why, that's the young hobo that was whispered hoarsely. “ I s'pose that hanker- hid in the slack! I told Jim not to disturb cher with th' bread an' meat in it went down him." The conductors looked at each other. there, too. I didn't git through eatin'. “ He's a good one, said the Northern He turned his glazing eyes around at the Mail man. wondering men, put one of his hands to his The other nodded. “I guess I'll let 'em throat, and suddenly plunged forward upon all ride after this,” he said. his face. The blue-clad conductor pushed Hello, he's come to, ” said the sheriff, through the crowd, followed by the sheriff bending over Sorrel. “Young feller, are from Palouse. At the same moment a dusty you ready to go back and tell where the youth crept from his hiding-place on the for- money is ?” ward truck of the mail car and came up the Sorrel stared, running his blood-blotched track. The conductor and most of the others fingers through his tumbled hair. were panting. There was wild talk and ex Yeh needn't bother him," said a voice clamations. Sorrel lay limp and still. at the sheriff's elbow. “I got the money “I was hunting for that boy,” said the here, every cent of it. I'm takin' it back sheriff. “I've been down to Sacramento; to Mr. Young." couldn't find him, and was coming back.” Well, if it ain't Sime!” said Sorrel, a The conductor of the ore train, hatless, smile lighting his ashen face. white-faced, and with a dangling arm, burst “Yes, I found out they was after yeh, out from the trees, and came suddenly down Sorrel, so I brung th' money back. I didn't upon the track. want it nohow; I'd ruther work for it. I've “Hello, Andy,” cried the conductor of beat my way and rid on th' trucks ruther 'en the Northern Mail, “ what is this? Where's spend it. Here 'tis, sheriff.” your train ?" Investigation disclosed the fact that Sor- The pale fellow looked wildly about him. rel had a pair of broken ribs, but never was “Some one throwed the switch, then! I a prince cared for with greater tenderness. was trying to get here to do it. She's gone He completed his journey to Sacramento in down the mountain! I'm glad of that. I a Pullman sleeper, and found Aunt Lucy a expected t' find you all killed. A rock slipped “good mother.” To-day he holds an en- out of Twiller Head, and tore the top works viable position in the employ of the great of the engine off and wrecked the caboose. railway system in whose interest he displayed Several of the boys hurt-maybe killed; I such masterly courage that morning when he didn't wait to see. Who turned the switch ?” saved the Northern Mail. PEARY'S LATEST WORK IN THE ARCTIC. HIS OWN ACCOUNT OF HIS VISIT TO GREELY'S OLD CAMP. WITH AN INTRODUCTION BY HERBERT L. BRIDGMAN, Secretary of the Peary Arctic Club, in command of the auxiliary expedition of 1899. WHEN THEN Lieutenant Robert E. Peary em- explorers has been in carrying sufficient fuel Arctic regions, in July, 1898, it was with a long time on the last stages of the jour- the determination to remain in the far North ney. Lieutenant Peary believes that this until he reached the Pole. His plan of oper- difficulty may be overcome by establishing a ations, as explained by himself in an article base of supplies as far north as possible, and written on the eve of his departure and pub- from there sending out parties to cache food lished in MCCLURE'S MAGAZINE for March, at various points along the proposed line of 1899, was to establish a base as far north march, thus enabling the explorer, when the as possible, and thence make a persistent march proper begins, to travel lightly and march toward the Pole with dogs and sledges. quickly. In mere recital this plan seems The great difficulty hitherto encountered by comparatively easy; but how very far from 236 PEARY'S LATEST WORK IN THE ARCTIC. easy Lieutenant Peary is finding it in practical a base at Sherrard Osborne Fjord, as access execution may be in some measure gathered to that point was cut off by the ceaselessly from a review of his hardships last winter, in moving floes of Kane Basin. He determined, a trip to Fort Conger, General Greely's old instead, to establish his main depot of sup- camp, where he finally succeeded in estab- plies at Fort Conger, in Lady Franklin Sound, lishing a base. the headquarters of the English expedition The latest word from Peary, prior to the of 1875–76 and of the Greely expedition of return of the “ Diana” in September last, 1881-83. But the only possible way from was dated Etah, North Greenland, August Allman Bay to Fort Conger led along the ice 12, 1898; and on the next day, the “ Hope,” foot, crossing from headland to headland, the steamer which had taken him north, and winding around the exposed coasts-a turned her prow southward and homeward, road no man had ever traveled, and one of the “Windward,” to which he had trans- such character that traveling it was really ferred his flag and his forces, standing over an untried experiment in Arctic work. Peary northwesterly across Smith Sound toward realized the full difficulty of such a journey, the grim, red heights of Cape Sabine. The and he also realized that it would be much Peary Arctic Club, an association of fifteen, the harder from having to be made in the of whom President Morris K. Jesup, of the darkness of winter. New York Chamber of Commerce, is presi November and the early part of December, dent, and President Henry W. Cannon, of 1898, were spent in preparation, and on the Chase National Bank, is treasurer, had December 29th the start was made with eight pledged Peary, before his departure, that sledges, Peary expecting to reach Fort Con- they would “ stand behind ” him in his en- ger in five days of travel. But the obstacles terprise and supply the necessary coöpera- proved even greater than had been foreseen. tion and support in his great undertaking. On the first two days, the merciless blasts His original project, approved by the Ameri- sweeping out of Kennedy Channel rendered can Geographical Society, contemplated the progress almost impossible, and only a small sending out to him of an auxiliary steamer northing was made. The dry snow was like each summer, and in accordance with this sand, and over it the sledges could be moved plan, the steam-sealer “ Diana,” one of the only with the utmost difficulty, and for two best of the St. Johns (N. F.) fleet, was char- or three days failure seemed inevitable. Un- tered, laden with supplies and equipment, and daunted, the men pressed on, however. Along despatched on July 21, 1899, from Sydney, some of the headlands the masses of ice were Cape Breton, under the command of myself piled often to a height of seventy-five or a as the secretary of the Club, to reach Lieu- hundred feet, and it seemed as though the tenant Peary, if possible, deliver all the way was absolutely barred. Picks, shovels, ways and means " of which he stood in axes, and sometimes blasting powder were need, and bring home report of his fortune. used to open a passage through. The strain The “Diana" was altogether successful in told severely on both men and dogs. The her expedition. She reached Peary at Etah, strength of the latter became so much re- North Greenland, and delivered her stores; duced, that it finally became necessary to and then, on August 27th last, started on resort to the slow and laborious process of her return home, bringing with her full notes “double banking": that is, reducing the size of the work and experiences of the preceding of the sledge loads, and carrying first one part, twelve months. and then returning for the other. So slow When the “ Hope” and the “ Windward was the advance that the food supply became parted company, August 13, 1898, off the en- seriously impaired, and any other leader than trance to Foulke Fjord, 78° 18' N., the latter Peary, who never knows when he is beaten, was surrounded by moving floes, against which would certainly have ordered a retreat. she pluckily battered her way. One week Peary says, “ Just south of Cape De Fosse, later, and not more than sixty miles away, we ate the last of our biscuit; just north of she was finally beset and stopped-in Allman it, the last of our beans. At Cape John Bay, 250 miles south of Sherrard Osborne Barrow a dog was killed for food." Could Fjord, the point Peary had hoped to reach. anything be more simple, yet more expressive This did not prevent him from continuing in of heroism and endurance? his campaign northward, although it forced At last, in darkness, the party reached the him to adopt other methods than those he had last headland that lay between them and had in contemplation. He was compelled to Fort Conger, the goal they had so long been abandon entirely his first idea of establishing seeking. But the final march was a twenty- HIS OWN ACCOUNT OF HIS VISIT TO GREELY'S OLD CAMP. 237 KENNEDY CHANNEL ROBESON CHANNEL M / TH SOUND r80 160 FORT CONGER five hours' struggle, and more severe than idly, and April found him again following the any that had preceded it. For eighteen path to the far North. The work of trans- hours, in the thick darkness, the little com- porting provisions was resumed with all the pany, reduced to three Americans and two force at his command. Caches were made at Eskimos, groped and almost felt their way. Cape Louis Napoleon and Cape Lawrence, and The darkness was that of absolute midnight, supplies were pushed to the headlands still and only in the most indistinct outlines could farther north, as designated on the accompany- the forms of the land masses be distinguished. ing map. During one of the halts, in crossing At last, however, the faint outlines of the Rawlings Bay, Peary despatched one of the dilapidated building were discerned, and a natives to the “ Windward” with the note few minutes later the men, frozen and half- received four months later by the captain of famished, fairly fell through the doors which the auxiliary steamer, from a pole on the top no human being had entered since the Greely of Littleton Island, containing full instruc- party, sixteen years before, began that re- tions for the work of the summer. This note, treat which became a tragedy. brought nearly 200 miles by the faithful na- The goal had been won, but Peary paid tive, was lashed to the long bamboo, where dearly for it. A suspicious, “woodeny" it remained exposed to all kinds of weather feeling in the right foot, as he entered the for more than 120 days, whence it was taken historic house, gave the first intimation of in perfect condition by Captain Bartlett on trouble; and as the faint flicker of a lamp (a tin basin and a piece of a towel) made the chill darkness more LINCOLN visible, Peary found that both feet SEA were frosted,” as they say in the North, but frozen solid was the lit- eral truth. With a rare combina- tion of patience and skill, only the simplest means being at his com- mand, Surgeon Dedrick, who had faithfully borne his share of the ex- posure and hardships of the march, took the case in hand. After six weeks' prostration and confinement, Peary was permitted by the surgeon to carry out his resolve to return to the “ Windward." His feet had been saved, but seven of the toes were hopelessly affected, and the necessary amputation could safely be attempted only on the “Wind- ward," then 250 miles to the south- ward. On March 18th, wrapped in musk-ox skins, and lashed to a sledge, Peary started on his return. Fortunately, though the tempera- ture was from 60° to 70° below zero CAPE SABINE all the time, there was little or no wind, and the return journey was ETAK NOTE made in ten days and without ill effects. Still the agony suffered by Peary was almost beyond endur- PEARY'S ROUTE FROM ETAH TO FORT CONGER, SHOWING POINTS ance. At times the sledge was stopped and turned up on its side, ETAH.-Present winter quarters. in order that the pain-racked limbs of the patient might have a little C.-House, boat, 6 tons coal, 14 barrels FORT CONGER. - Nearly 14 tons of pro- dog food, 10 tons provisions. relief, which it was impracticable D.-Winter quarters of “ Windward.” musk-oxen kills in May, to give by loosening and removing his lashings. K.-Cape Beechey-northernmost point reached by Peary in this expe- Fortunately, Peary recovered rap- SCALE IN MILES were Z 4000 RE: EN LA The Route is indicated thus WHERE STORES ARE CACHED. I.-1,600 lbs. cached. J.-80 lbs. cached. B.--750 lbs. cached. visions, including the meat of 28 1899. E.-Boat and 700 lbs. cached. F.-500 lbs. cached. G.-1,200 lbs. cached. 1.-1.200 lbs. cached. dition. 238 PEARY'S LATEST WORK IN THE ARCTIC. the morning of August 5th. The pole was General (then Lieutenant) A. W. Greely re- brought to the United States by the “ Diana,” tained and brought home duplicates of all with the purpose ultimately of giving it to the papers. He left the comfortable and the Post-Office Department at Washington, well-stocked house at Fort Conger, to suffer as the most northern post-office in the world. subsequently the greatest hardships of Arc- Pushing on to Fort Conger for a second tic conditions in his camp at Cape Sabine, visit, Peary spent a busy and profitable month because he had been definitely ordered to in securing supplies of food, clothing, and abandon his station at Fort Conger not later other articles of service. At the same time than September 1, 1883, if no vessel arrived. he prosecuted with much success a hunt for He and his party started south in their steam musk-ox. When Fort Conger was finally left, launch and small boats on August 9, 1883. on May 26th, for the summer, nearly fourteen They were caught in the ice pack, and were tons of provisions, a considerable part of compelled to abandon their launch and effect which had been brought by Peary, were stored a landing. They did this on September 21st, there ready for future use. The meat of north of Cape Sabine, where they built a twenty-eight musk-oxen had been cached small stone hut and lived in dire distress until under and within the house, and everything rescued by the “ Thetis" and the “ Bear" about the place had been put in good order. in June, 1884. These records were all left Fort Conger will now become for the third time behind at Fort Conger; but copies of most, the center and headquarters of Arctic work. if not all, of them were brought away. Upon his second return from Fort Conger, Among the most interesting of the docu- Peary brought away the complete original ments brought home by us is Peary's own records of the two and a half years' life and account of what he found at Fort Conger. work of the Greely party during its occu- This has never before been published, and pancy of the post. With the records were was delivered to me for MCCLURE'S MAGAZINE also all the personal and private papers of by the explorer himself at his present head- the members of the Greely expedition, living quarters at Etah, North Greenland, just and dead, classified and sealed for return to after midnight of Sunday, August 27th last, their relatives and friends. All these, in an hour before the “Diana " bade him and the original packages, are now in a New his party farewell for at least another twelve York safe-deposit vault awaiting delivery. months. IN GREELY'S OLD CAMP AT FORT CONGER. By LIEUTENANT ROBERT E. PEARY, U. S. N. were ANYTHING connected with Fort Conger and blocked with boxes, empty and packed, and the ill-fated United States International trunks, cast-off clothing, and rubbish of vari- Polar Expedition of 1881-83 possesses espe- ous descriptions. In the kitchen, cans con- cial interest. When I first reached Fort taining remnants of tea, coffee, etc., Conger, at midnight of January 6th [1899], scattered about, with the rest of what had a foot or more of soft snow covered every- been their contents spilled on floor and table. thing, and the darkness made it impossible In the men's room, dishes remained on tables to see anything. A circuit of the building just as left after lunch or dinner on the day indicated that the house proper was appar- when the fort was deserted. Biscuits scat- ently intact, though the lean-tos were all tered in every direction, overturned cups, more or less dilapidated, the west one in etc., gave indications of a hasty departure. particular having been crushed in by snow or To my surprise, the biscuits, though tough, wind, so that we had difficulty in opening were not moldy or spoiled in any way. Every- the west door. I had feared all along that thing within seemed dry and in good condition. I might find the place unroofed. Articles of food which we needed at once, Once inside, a hasty tour, by the uncer- such as tea, coffee, biscuits, beans, molasses, tain light of our sledge stove (before I dis- were located without difficulty the next day. covered that my feet were frozen), showed Gradually the items in the Greely official the interior presenting a scene of the utmost list of subsistence stores left at the fort confusion. The floors of officers and men's were, with one or two exceptions, accounted rooms, kitchen, and vestibule were littered for by the Doctor and Henson. The 1,100 HIS OWN ACCOUNT OF HIS VISIT TO GREELY'S OLD CAMP. 239 odd pounds of bacon were never located. room, and after the first four days I had the Contrary to the impression given by the west door nailed up and the south one opened, above-mentioned report, practically no pro- giving entrance to our room only through visions were stored in the house, and less the men's room. This made a pronounced than half in the south and west lean-tos. improvement in the temperature. Provisions piled outside had originally been On leaving Conger, the 18th of February covered with tarpaulins, but these had long [1899], I fastened up the following notice in since been torn off by the wind. The most a conspicuous place: important items to me in the official list were the biscuits (some 17,000 pounds) and the tea NOTICE. and coffee. The two latter being in tins, I To Whom It May Concern: had no fears of; the former, being packed This station of Fort Conger, with all the property in barrels, I feared would be almost entirely and supplies in and about it, has been taken possession uneatable. I was agreeably disappointed, of by R. E. Peary, Civil Engineer, U. S. N., in behalf of therefore, to find the biscuits very largely in the United States Government, and it is hereby forbid- den to remove or destroy anything in or about said good condition. The first barrel opened was station. not moldy at all, but the biscuits on the out- R. E. PEARY. side were very strongly impregnated with the taste of wood. This barrel had been On my return to the fort, April 28, 1899, outside, and exposed to the summer sun. the bright sunshine revealed everything, The second barrel (from the south lean-to) and showed that, though the house had stood was perhaps one-fourth moldy and one-fourth its siege of over seventeen Arctic years won- tainted in taste, though not in appearance, derfully well, yet it had reached the point half being good. Of the various barrels where a very little longer time would leave opened during my two visits to the fort, it only a ruin. The tarred paper covering those from outside were found in better con- was everywhere cracked and torn, and in dition than those in the south lean-to. As many places carried away entirely; battens regards the other supplies, the beans, coffee, were missing; shutters were off; the guys molasses, cranberry sauce, damson plums, of the wind-vane were torn loose; and sec- peaches, corn meal, oat meal, hominy, soups, tions of the chimney-pipe were torn off. etc., were very good. Canned apples, onions, Later, as the snow disappeared under the and potatoes were eatable. A case of Eagle May sun, long cracks were disclosed through milk was as good as ever. Rhubarb, sauer- the roof and walls, the banking about the kraut, pickles, beef extract, condensed eggs, walls was shown to have settled away in va- beef, and pork were entirely impracticable. rious places, and the structure stood out a As noted above, all three of the lean-tos great airy barn. Had it not been for the were more or less dilapidated. The lower thick blanket of snow and the absence of layers of boxes and barrels in each were wind, our stay there in January and Feb- bedded in solid ice. This was especially the ruary would have been an all but impossible case in the north lean-to, where the speci- fight with the cold. mens were stored. It was evident that many When I left the fort to make my attempt of these were valueless. Boxes stored out- to reach the Greenland coast, the Doctor re- side, which we opened in the search for medi- mained behind, with one native, for the ex- cal stores, were found to have their contents press purpose of overhauling the provisions almost invariably frozen solid; and instru- and property at the station and discovering ments with iron and steel parts found outside how much of both were still serviceable. were badly corroded. On the other hand, After my return, every one took a hand in instruments, weapons, and tools, as well as this work. The south and west lean-tos bedding, found in the house, were in a per- were removed entirely, to give the sun ac- fect state of preservation. The contents of cess to the interior. Boxes from both within most of the trunks were in good condition and without the lean-tos were opened, and also, except in some cases where the con- their contents, when it proved practicable tents were moldy, mildewed, and frozen. to remove them, were carried into the house The return of the moon showed that the or spread in the sun to dry. When the con- instrument-shelter had been overturned; the tents were frozen solid, the top articles were magnetic observatory and transit-house both removed as soon as thawed sufficiently, and had suffered some damage; but the photo- thus gradually, removing a part from day to graphic-house was intact. During our winter day, the entire contents would be extracted. stay at Fort Conger, we lived in the officers' In this way the records and most of the 240 PEARY'S LATEST WORK IN THE ARCTIC. books and instruments were secured and I sheathed the old kitchen throughout inside, taken into the house. The more delicate in- packing the spaces overhead and in the outer struments, such as the chronograph, chro- wall with rags and old clothes; covered it nometers, aneroids, were to all appearances outside and lined it inside with tarred paper, completely ruined; and almost without excep- battened on; then lined it with blankets and tion, iron and steel articles or parts of instru- canvas, and fitted it with bunks. This room ments were deeply rusted. The large transit can be warmed thoroughly by the range with instruments, the magnetometer, the large re- a small amount of fuel-an important point flecting circle, one or two chronometers (all this last, for the fuel supply at Fort Conger but the first being found in the house), are is extremely limited, and consists only of apparently in good condition. broken boxes, barrels, and the like. On leav- The fine, penetrating drift of the winter ing the fort, May 23d [1899], all shutters and wind storms, insinuating itself into every doors were securely nailed up. crack and crevice, then in summer melting, I imagine that a classification as to rela- and with the drip from the snow resting on tive value of the Government property aban- the boxes and gradually percolating into doned at Fort Conger would be as follows: them, had, in the course of fifteen years, sat- 1. Original records of the expedition. 2. Sci- urated the entire contents. In the lean-tos, entific collections. 3. Scientific instruments. the water from the melting snow on the can- 4. Provisions and equipment. The first I re- vas roofs, as well as the drip from the roof turn; the second I fear has at present but of the main house, had run through, instead little value. I shall endeavor to send back of off, the canvas, saturating the boxes, and, next year all of the third that appears to be running down between them to where the serviceable. As to the fourth, I have ap- summer heat did not penetrate, formed ice, plied, as a matter of form, for permission which gradually bedded the lower boxes com- from the Secretary of War to make use of as pletely. In the north lean-to, most of the much of it as I may need. boxes and barrels containing specimens were I remember few more grim and desolate still immovable when I finally left the fort. scenes than the environs of Fort Conger as Another effort will be made next season to I took them in while being lashed on to my remove these. I imagine that the contents sledge, a helpless cripple, on the bitterly of all boxes will be more or less valueless. cold February morning when I left the fort The contents of tins, tanks, and water-tight to return to the “ Windward.” The dead- barrels will very likely be in good condition. white slopes of the hills lifting to the lifeless Had provisions, instruments, and specimens blue-black sky, the dead-white expanse of been stowed in the house, instead of in the harbor and bay reaching away to the ribbon lean-tos and outside, there would have been of pale, steely light past the black blot of little or no loss. Cape Lieber, where in ten days, if the weather In connection with the work of rescuing held clear, the sun would appear, are deeply the property, I had the transit and photog- graven on my memory. The unrelieved black- rapher's houses repaired and made tight; ness of the preceding six weeks, during which cleared the men's room of dirt and rubbishi I lay there on my back, accompany the scene put the bedding and clothing in the attic; as a nightmare. and removed the bunks, bathroom, and ob In May I gained another impression. The server's room, giving one large clear room. site of Fort Conger is, unquestionably, es- In this room I placed about half of my musk- pecially sheltered and protected. Not a ox meat, suspending the frozen quarters breath of most of the furious storms which from the ceiling. The remainder I put under sweep over the summit of the land descends the house. Provisions (excepting biscuits and to the sea level here, and the spring sun one or two minor items), together with cer- makes itself felt here sooner than anywhere tain other important items, such as firearms, else in the neighborhood. When we left, on ammunition, tools, and clothing, were stowed May 25th, the snow had already long since in the transit and photographer's houses, and melted off the roof, and was rapidly disap- the houses boarded up. This disposition was pearing from the ground about, while pools made to avoid the loss of the provisions by of water stood in every depression near the an accidental burning of the main house. house. Yet when we had passed from the The biscuit-casks were piled in two lots, and shelter of Distant Cape, the snow seemed covered with tarpaulin. To fit the station just as frosty and the wind of Robeson Chan- for the purposes of a base for my own work, nel almost as penetrating as in February. GETTING CAPTAIN CAMERON. AN ADVENTURE OF MAJOR J. S. BAKER OF THE SECRET SERVICE. BY RAY STANNARD BAKER. HE following story was told to “You are going with me," he drawled; me by my father, Major J. “I have ordered up the horses." Stannard Baker, who himself One thing a military man learns early in served in the Federal Secret his career-not to ask questions until there Service Bureau during the is a fair likelihood of having them answered Civil War. I repeat it here and I followed Traill's preparations in in substantially his own words. The names, silence. He selected three revolvers, and in several instances, are fictitious; but the twirled the chambers of each of them and incidents related are true in every particular. clicked the triggers to make sure that they were in good working order. Two of them he In the spring of 1862 I was comparatively loaded, thrust deftly into the holsters of his new in the work of the Secret Service. I belt, and buckled the leather flaps down over had joined the force at the request of my them; the third he slid into the slack of his cousin, Colonel L. C. Baker, the organizer cavalry boot. Then he rolled a blue army and chief of the Bureau, and he was anxious blanket inside of his poncho, and drew the that I become at once familiar with its work- bundle into wrinkled ridges with thongs of ings. Perhaps that is why he soon sent me leather. A certain silent swiftness and gen- out with Traill for a tutor. Traill was a tleness marked everything that Traill did. close-knit, swarthy-faced Virginian, with thin It was a dark night. We crossed the Long lips and a sharp nose of singularly delicate cut. On his left cheek there was a puckered white spot the size of a flattened Minié ball. Under excitement it sometimes twitched slightly and reddened-the only evi- dence of emotion that I ever knew him to show. Traill had made a reputation in the service. If there was a particularly desperate under- taking in hand, the Colonel had a way of calling off his force on his fingers, man by man, as if he felt un- certain which to send—and then al- ways sending Traill. He knew every by-path and ford and ravine in the Po- tomac valley, and he possessed an ap- titude, that fell only a little short of a passion, for slipping back and forth through the Confederate lines. In all my experience with him I never saw him frightened, nor even ruffled; and, to the best of my knowledge, he never was hungry nor tired-although I have seen him amazingly thirsty. I had been lounging in the wait- ing-room one night for upwards of an hour, when Traill came out of the Colonel's private office and closed the door gently behind him. " "YOU ARE GOING WITH ME,' HE DRAWLED." NU! cklu, 241 242 GETTING CAPTAIN CAMERON. Bridge at a sharp trot, and climbed the Vir- reckless daring had cost the life of Northern ginia hills. The road was soggy with moist soldiers sent out to trap him. Report added sand that slipped and clogged under the hoofs to his reputation for bravado by arming him of our horses-like riding in an oats bin, Traill always with a bowie-knife, which he had used said. For miles the road crooked through on several occasions with bloody effect. the pine woods, and, as we moved, the trees Beyond Alexandria, where we halted a mo- seemed to march up out of the darkness, ment while our horses plunged their noses present themselves like soldiers on parade, into a watering-trough, the country grew then wheel backwards again, and give place more desolate and forbidding. Many of the to other compa- plantation build- nies and battal- ings had been de- ions. The spring serted, and they air was heavy and loomed up black pungent with the and forlorn in the smell of moist darkness. Some- mold, and in the times a dog howled hollows almost from the negro sharp with the lin- quarters in the gering coolness of rear, and dismal winter. I had no echoes responded idea where we were from plantation to going. Traill gal- plantation as we loped steadily at passed. my side, saying The first incident nothing. He was of the night worth a man of few mentioning--and it words, although nearly cost the suc- by no means sul- cess of our expedi- len. tion-occurred just “I haven't after we tightened heard the nature our saddle-girths of our mission," I for the third time, said to him: I felt about midnight, as that the auspicious I judged. We knew moment for asking that the country questions had swarmed with Con- come. "I EDGED FURTHER UP ON THE PORCH." federate guerrillas, “We're going but it was never out to get Captain Cameron,” he answered the custom of the secret service to give shortly. them even the passing compliment of anx- I had heard much of Captain Cameron even iety. We had stopped at a cross-roads, during the short time I had been in Wash- and Traill had thrown his bridle-rein to me ington. He was a young Southern officer, while he went down on his knees and crept born of a well-known Virginia family. Early across the road, feeling for the wagon in the war he became a violent Confederate, tracks: he was not quite certain in the and, from his intimate knowledge of the darkness which road to take. In a moment country about Washington, he was assigned there came a voice so sudden and sharp to the work of spy and blockade-runner. that it seemed to split the darkness : “ Halt! He was related by ties of blood more or less Who comes there?” direct to half the aristocracy of Virginia Traill leaped to his saddle without a word. and Maryland, and when we went out after We drove the spurs into our horses' flanks, him, we found that he had as many holes as hugged close to their reeking necks, and a gopher. Ever since the opening of hostili- galloped up the road. We heard a sharp ties the authorities at Washington had sought command, then the sound of beating hoofs to effect his capture; but a year of the war behind us. A revolver shot rang out sharply had passed, and he was still spreading ter- in the night air, and we heard the wailing ror along the Potomac. His finger, so said cry of the bullet as it passed over our heads. common fame, was always crooked to the We were riding up a long hill. At the trigger of his pistol, and more than once his top, cut in silhouette against the sky, I saw w. 31..kan A TRUE STORY OF THE SECRET SERVICE. 243 66 As we our а the form of a horseman sitting statue-like at This is the place,” he said; “I have his post. We were evidently surrounded. found O'Dell's mark.” Before I could speak, Traill laid his hand on To this day I do not know the exact loca- my bridle-arm. tion of the plantation, but of this I am cer- “ Turn in here,” he said. tain: it was in Prince William County, not We swerved wildly to the right, into what far from the Potomac River. It took us up- seemed an impenetrable forest, and rode a wards of four hours of hard riding to reach it. hundred yards or more in imminent danger The gate was locked, but I wrenched loose of being brushed from our saddles by the two of the boards from the dilapidated fence, down-sweeping limbs of the trees. Then the and we rode up the long, winding lane, guid- horses came to an abrupt standstill, and we ing our horses to the grass at the edge of narrowly escaped pitching headlong into a the drive, that they might make no noise. deep ravine that yawned before us. It was a beautiful old place, even as we paused, we could hear the sound of hoofs in saw it, by dead of night. Great spreading the road, then the sudden fierce challenge trees covered the knoll on which it stood, of the vedette, then voices in conversation. and their branches, reaching out over the Traill grasped the nose of his horse, to pre- wide verandas, swept the gutter eaves. vent a tell-tale whinny. The building had every appearance of being A moment only we waited; then we scram- deserted—a great, black, silent block of un- bled down into the ravine, our horses sliding certain shadows. The blinds were drawn, after us, and and not a ray of made way light gleamed around the ve- anywhere from its dette, striking windows, or from the road again the negro quar- less than a mile ters, which we further to the could see dimly south. huddled together “ A narrow es- half hundred cape,” I com- yards to the rear. mented, as our There not horses' hoofs even a dog to again beat the bark, nor a sleep- steady music of ing negro to the gallop. waken and cry Traill laughed. out. " There was only “ The house is a handful of 'em vacant,” I said to or they would Traill, as we have given us a tossed our reins harder rub,” he over the pegs on said. the hitching-bar. Once more we “No, it isn't," hitched our sad- he answered with dle-girths, this some positiveness. time without dis- We stood under mounting for a syringa bush time was precious, that half hid the and rode in si- wide front door. lence for an hour n Sie, “ Have you got or more. At your pistols ?' length Traill drew “1 MUST SEARCH THIS HOUSE,' TRAIL DRAWLED." “Yes,” I said, rein near a high drawing one of arched gateway of the kind so familiar in the them from its holster and feeling for the ante-bellum South. Then he swung from his loads. saddle and knelt close to one of the ghostly Go round to the rear of the house. white columns, parted the weeds about its Take care to make no noise. You will find base, and struck a match. It lit up his face a wide back porch. Go up and stand on the for a single instant, and then went out. steps, near the back door, so that you can was 244 GETTING CAPTAIN CAMERON. cover all the windows. If any one tries to The woman's voice was wonderfully calm leave the building, shoot 'em. Traill said and clear, and I mentally decided that Traill it softly, almost gently. had made a mistake. Then I heard a sharp “ That man Cameron,” he cautioned, as whistle, the signal agreed upon, and I ran I was starting, " is a good deal of a fighter; around to the front door. he's quick on the trigger.” “ All quiet out there ?” asked Traill, I went to the rear. I remember I was speaking in a loud voice.“ Are the men all lame and moist from riding, and that my stationed ?” fingers clutched the revolver handle until my “Yes, sir; the sergeant has every win- wrist throbbed with pain. It was the hour dow covered.' of night when a man's blood doesn't run the As I said this, I fancied I saw the corners bravest, especially if he isn't sure what of the woman's mouth twitch just a little, odds he may have to meet, or whether a shot and she drew herself together as if she felt from a darkened window may not drop him the cold. She was past middle age, with the in his tracks. beauty of the South yet clear in her face, My sense of hearing was painfully acute. and a cold, fearless black eye. In spite of I distinctly heard the squeaking of Traill's her hurried toilet, she carried herself proudly, boots and the metallic tinkle of his spurs as as if accustomed to be obeyed. he mounted the front porch, and then the “I must search this house,” Traill drawled resonant echo of his summons on the iron gently. knocker. Like many Southern mansions, the “There is nothing here,” she answered; house was built with a wide hall running “you can search it if you care to." straight through from the front to the back As she threw open the door of the draw- door. For a moment I fancied I heard the ing-room she was as calm and dignified as cautious squeak of steps on the stairs within, if ushering a company of guests to some and then all was still again. I edged further grand dinner. up on the porch, that I might better command The house was much dismantled, but it a wide, shutterless window at the right of still showed traces of its former estate. the door. There is this terror in a dark There yet remained a few fine old paintings window: those within may see out, while on the walls, and the furniture—what was those without cannot see in; but you don't left of it—was of carved mahogany. Traill appreciate it until you imagine a desperate examined the desks and wall cases, and peered man inside, waiting to put a bullet through into the fireplace and up the chimney. From your jacket. the kitchen we stooped our way down a nar- There came a second and much louder row passage into the cellar. The woman led, knock on the front door. I knew that Traill holding a candle high, and I covered the rear, was using his pistol butt. The sound echoed revolver in hand. We found butter-tubs, and reëchoed through the big, silent build- apple-barrels, and wine-cases, long since ing. Presently I heard a shutter creak some- empty, but there was no trace of our where at the front of the house, and I set the quarry. hammer of my other revolver. A woman's “What is in here?” asked Traill, when voice spoke; I could not catch the words. we again reached the wide hall. “Never mind, come down here and open “That is the chapel; there is nothing in the door," I heard Traill reply. there that you want. Surely you will not There was another parley, and then the desecrate the chapel ?” shutter creaked again in closing. A mo “I'll see,” said Traill. ment later I saw through the glass of the As the woman threw open the door, I re- side-light the glimmer of a candle, with its member thinking how easy it would be for a sharp shadows creeping in huge angles along man hidden within to kill us both as we stood the ceiling of the hall. there with our arms down and the candle- Who is there?” asked a frightened, fem- light in our eyes. inine voice. It was the only room in the house that had I heard a chain jingle and the sliding of a not been dismantled-a high, somber room bar, and then voices in low conversation. with Gothic furnishings and all the fittings Traill was speaking: of a private chapel. Traill searched every “I tell you he's here, and I'm going to nook and corner. At the altar he paused, have him. He can't get away.” and poked his pistol under the embroidered “He is not here; I tell you he is not here. curtain. I saw the woman's face flame red You have come to the wrong place.” and then fade swiftly white again. Traill A TRUE STORY OF THE SECRET SERVICE. 245 WHEN I OPEN THE TRAP-DOOR, YOU THRUST THE CANDLE UP AS FAR AS YOU CAN.'” laughed softly. Hanging to the altar sides “Yes, he has," was the woman's response, in regular rows were twenty carbines. her voice still clear and steady: “ but, as the “ You can have them, said the woman girl says, he has gone away.' coldly. Traill paused in the upper hallway. I “I am here for Captain Cameron," was knew he was perplexed. Traill's response. “Do you mean to tell me that you are the The search went on uninterrupted. In only person in this house?” one of the upper rooms—the room occupied “The only white person, and this girl is by the mistress of the house—we found a the only negro—the others have all been terrified mulatto girl crouching and pray- stolen by your army,” and the fire of the ing. South blazed up in her eyes, and died away "Is Captain Cameron here?” Traill asked again as swiftly as it came. her suddenly, his face glaring close to hers. Just then I caught the outlines of a square She glanced at her mistress fearfully, trap-door in the high ceiling at the further Fo' de Lawd, he ain't yere. He done end of the hall. I touched Traill's shoulder, gone 'way las' week. Fo' de Lawd, I ain't and pointed it out. His eyes flashed, and I seen nothin' ob him saw the jagged white scar on his cheek twitch So he has been here," said Traill quietly. and color. 246 GETTING CAPTAIN CAMERON. - Do “How do you get up there ?” he asked, over, with our heads close to the ceiling. fixing his eyes on the woman's face. The woman's lips had dropped open, and “We don't get up,” she answered stead- there was such a look of horrified interest ily; “we haven't had the place open for in her face as I hope I may never see again. years." Traill handed me the candle. Traill turned to me. “Is your pistol ready?” he asked quietly. “ Get that table out of the bedroom." “That man is up here. He is probably awake I pulled it out, taking care to make no and ready for us. When I open the trap- noise, and placed it under the trap. Traill door, you thrust the candle up as far as you jumped up on it, but he could not reach the can. If he shoots me, you kill him.” ceiling. The wo- “What if there man had followed are other men us as if fasci- with him?" nated. She leaned Traillshrugged. against the wall, “Ready?” he and looked up, asked. with a sarcastic “Ready," I smile curling her answered. lips. Traill straight- you in- ened upward, and tend to go up threw back the there?" she trap-door. Both asked, and there of us rose through was a hint of the the opening to- sarcasm in her gether. As I voice. raised the candle, “Certainly," my hand grazed said Traill. the shaggy face “If Cameron of a man in Con- was in that attic, federate uniform, do you suppose who was leaning you would come almost over us. down alive? You By the stare of evidently have not his eyes, he had made the ac- just wakened quaintance of from heavy Captain Cam - sleep. eron.' Within a breath She spoke I was looking into steadily, but her a black hole with fingers were a gleaming rim knotted and around it. Traill twisted together, had no time to and I remember raise his pistol. I observing that the heard the click- nails were blue. click of a hammer I brought an- drawn sharply other table back. Traill bent smaller one—and LEFT THE WOMAN LEANING AGAINST THE WALL, forward, and placed it on top LOOKING UP.” grasped the handle of the first. of a bowie-knife “Jump up here," said Traill. “ Hand sheathed at the other man's belt. A flash up the candle.” of steel in the candle-light, a swift lunge of I climbed up beside him. I remember ob- the arm, and I felt the hot blood spatter in serving, with the minuteness of attention my face. The pistol rattled to the loose that comes with moments of great intensity, boards of the attic. With a sobbing in-draw- that Traill's cavalry spurs were scratching the ing of the breath, the man lurched forward, polish of the mahogany. We were now both quivered convulsively, and then lay quite standing on the narrow top table, stooping still. I saw the useless fingers loosen their a a WE MONSIEUR BEAUCAIRE. 247 clutch, and a little dark fountain playing “Yes,” he answered. about the knife-handle and spreading on the And then my knees gave way under me, white shirt-bosom. The blade had reached and I shook with the horror of my first kill- the heart. While this happened no one spoke. ing. I could not control the trembling of “Now we will get down,” said Traill al- my hand when I tried to wash away the most gently. blood. Traill looked at me. The woman leaned stiffly against the wall. “Never mind,” he said quietly,“ it could Her face was a ghastly blank, neither inter- not be helped; it was death to him or death est, nor fear, nor hatred in its lines. “ What to us. We took the only course.' have you done?” she whispered. Traill “ Was that woman Cameron's mother ?” glanced upward. On the dingy plastering, She said she wasn't.” near the gaping trap-door, a red spot was But she was ?" slowly widening. There was no outcry, no “Yes." Traill dabbled his hands in the confusion. “No use in staying here,” said water, in his peculiar deft way, but his face Traill. showed no emotion. We went down the stairway, and left the At noon we reached Washington. I fol- woman leaning against the wall, looking up. lowed Traill into the Colonel's private office, Ten miles we rode without saying a word, weary of body and wretched of soul. and then, just as the dawn was breaking “Well ?" questioned the Colonel. through the scrubby yellow pines, we drew “We got Captain Cameron," drawled rein on our gaunt and lather-gray horses. Traill. There was a little creek at the roadside, and More than ten years afterward, although we stooped to drink. I looked at Traill's I had seen more than one bloody battle-field face. It was studded with black blotches; later in the war, I woke up sometimes with so was his gray coat. “Am I bloody?” I the picture of that woman standing there asked. alone, looking up, still distinct in my mind. -- MONSIEUR BEAUCAIRE. A STORY OF ENGLISH LIFE IN THE LAST CENTURY. By Booth TARKINGTON, Author of “The Gentleman from Indiana." PART II. (Conclusion.) B. V. accurately as a nicely calculated sand-glass measures the hours. EAU NASH stood at the door The King of Bath was happy; wit, beauty, of the rooms, smiling blandly fashion—to speak more concretely: nobles, upon a dainty throng in the belles, gamesters, beaux, statesmen, and pink of its finery and gay poets-made fairyland (or opera bouffe, at furbelows. The great ex- leart) in his dominions. Play ran higher quisite bent his body con- and higher, and Mr. Nash's coffers filled up stantly in a series of con- with gold. To crown his pleasure, a prince summately adjusted bows: of the French blood, the young Comte de before a great dowager, Beaujolais, just arrived from Paris, had seeming to sweep the floor reached Bath at noon in state, accompanied in august deference; somewhat stately to by the Marquis de Mirepoix, the ambassador the young bucks; greeting the wits with of Louis XV. The Beau dearly prized the gracious friendliness and a twinkle of rail- society of the lofty, and the present visit lery; inclining with fatherly gallantry before was an honor to Bath: hence to the Master the beauties. The degree of his inclination of Ceremonies. And there would be some measured the altitude of the recipient as profitable hours with the cards and dice. So 248 MONSIEUR BEAUCAIRE. it was that the Beau smiled never more be- weight. The impertinent swore he'd be here nignly than on that bright evening. The by nine, did he ?" rooms rang with the silvery voices of women “He said so; and 'tis a rash dog, sir.” and delightful laughter; the fiddles went mer It is just nine now.” rily, and their melody chimed sweetly with “Send out to see if they have taken him." the joyance of his mood. Gladly.” The Beau beckoned an attend- The skill and brazen effrontery of the am- ant, and whispered in his ear. bassador's scoundrelly servant in passing Many of the crowd had edged up to the himself off as a man of condition formed the two gentlemen, with apparent carelessness, point of departure for every conversation. to overhear their conversation. Those who It was discovered that there were not three did overhear repeated it in covert asides, and persons present who had not suspected him this circulating undertone, confirming a vague from the first; and, by a singular paradox, rumor that Beaucaire would attempt the en- the most astute of all turned out to be old trance that night, lent a pleasurable color of Mr. Bicksit, the traveler who had visited excitement to the evening. The French Chateaurien; for he, according to report, prince, the ambassador, and their suites were had by a coup of diplomacy entrapped the im- announced. Polite as the assembly was, it postor into an admission that there was no was also curious, and there occurred a man- such place. However, like poor Captain Bad- nerly rush to see the newcomers. Lady ger, the worthy old man had held his peace Mary, already pale, grew whiter as the out of regard for the Duke of Winterset. throng closed around her; she looked up This nobleman, who had been heretofore pathetically at the Duke, who lost no time in secretly disliked, suspected of irregular extricating her from the pressure. devices at play, and never admired, had won “Wait here,” he said, “I will fetch you admiration and popularity by his remorse for a glass of negus, ” and disappeared. He his mistake, and by the modesty of his atti- had not thought to bring a chair, and she, tude in endeavoring to atone for it, without looking about with an increasing faintness presuming upon the privilege of his rank to and finding none, saw that she was standing laugh at the indignation of society; an ac- by the door of a small side-room. The crowd tion the more praiseworthy because his ex- swerved back for the passage of the legate of posure of the impostor entailed the disclosure France, and pressed upon her. She opened of his own culpability in having stood the vil- the door, and went in. lain's sponsor. To-night, the happy gentle The room was empty save for two gentle- man, with Lady Mary Carlisle upon his arm, men, who were quietly playing cards at a went grandly about the rooms, sowing and table. They looked up as she entered. They reaping a harvest of smiles. 'Twas said were M. Beaucaire and Mr. Molyneux. work would be begun at once to rebuild the She uttered a quick cry and leaned against Duke's country seat, while several ruined the wall, her hand to her breast. Beaucaire, Jews might be paid out of prison. People though white and weak, had brought her a gazing on the beauty and the stately, but chair before Molyneux could stir. modest, hero by her side, said they would “ Mademoiselle- make a noble pair. She had long been dis Do not touch me!” she said, with such tinguished by his attentions, and he had frozen abhorrence in her voice that he stopped come brilliantly out of the episode of the short. “Mr. Molyneux, you seek strange Frenchman, who had been his only real rival. company!” Wherever they went there arose a buzz of “Madam," replied Molyneux, bowing pleasing gossip and adulation. deeply, as much to Beaucaire as to herself, Mr. Nash, seeing them near him, ran for- “I am honored by the presence of both of ward with greetings. A word on the side you." passed between the nobleman and the ex . Oh, are you mad !” she exclaimed, con- quisite. temptuously. “I had news of the rascal to-night,” whis “ This gentleman has exalted me with his pered Nash. “He lay at a farm till yester- confidence, madam,” he replied. day, when he disappeared; his ruffians, too." “Will you add your ruin to the scandal “You have arranged ?” asked the Duke. of this fellow's presence here? How he “Fourteen bailiffs are watching without. obtained entrance- He could not get within gunshot. If they "Pardon, mademoiselle," interrupted Beau- clap eyes on him, they will hustle him to jail, caire. “Did I not say I should come ? M. and his cutthroats shall not avail him a hair's Molyneux was so obliging as to answer for BOOTH TARKINGTON. 249 LX “ You --- self from disgrace-and - your companion from jail. Let him slip out by some retired way, and you may give me your arm and we will enter the next room as if nothing had happened. Come, sir “Mademoiselle- Mr. Molyneux, I de- sire to hear nothing from your companion. Had I not seen you at cards with him I should have supposed him in attendance as your lackey. Do you desire to take advantage of my offer, sir ?' Mademoiselle, I could not tell you, on that night- may inform your high-born friend, Mr. Molyneux, that I heard everything he had to say; that my pride once had the pleas- ure of listening to his high-born confession!” Ah, it is gentle to taunt one with his birth, mademoiselle? Ah, no! There is a man in my country who say strange things of that—that a man is not his father, but himself." 99 may inform your friend, Mr. Moly- neux, that he had a chance to defend him- self against accusation; that he said all " That I did say all I could have strength to say. Mademoiselle, “TO-NIGHT, THE HAPPY GENTLEMAN, WITH LADY MARY CARLISLE UPON HIS you did not see (as it ARM, WENT GRANDLY ABOUT THE ROOMS." was right) that I had been stung by a big me to the fourteen frien's of M. de Winter- wasp. It was nothing, a scratch; but, made- set and Meestaire Nash.” moiselle, the sky went round and the moon “Do you not know," she turned vehemently dance' on the earth. I could not wish that upon Molyneux, “ that he will be removed big wasp to see he had stung me ; so I mus’ the moment I leave this room ? Do you wish only say what I can have strength for, and to be dragged out with him ? For your sake, stan' straight till he is gone. Beside', there sir, because I have always thought you a man are other rizzons. Ah, you mus' belief! M. of heart, I give you a chance to save your- Molyneux I sen' for and tell him all, because دکور "" You 250 MONSIEUR BEAUCAIRE. he show courtesy to the yo’ng Frenchman, arrived a week earlier, in which case he and and I can trus’ him. I trus’ you, mademoi- Bath would have been detected in a piece of selle-long ago and would have tol' you gross ignorance concerning the French no- ev'rything excep' jus' because—well, for the bility-making much of de Mirepoix's ex- romance, the fon. You belief? It is so barber. clearly so; you do belief, mademoiselle ?" “ 'Tis a lucky thing that fellow was got She did not even look at him. M. Beau- out of the way,” he ejaculated, under cover. caire lifted his hand appealingly toward her. “ Thank me for that,” answered Winter- “ Can there be no faith in-in-" he said set. timidly, and paused. An attendant begged the Beau's notice. She was silent, a statue, my Lady Disdain. The head bailiff sent word that Beaucaire “ If you had not belief' me to be an im- had long since entered the building by a side postor; if I had never said I was Chateaurien; door. It was supposed Mr. Nash had known if I had been jus' that Monsieur Beaucaire of of it, and the Frenchman was not arrested, the story they tol you, but never with the as Mr. Molyneux was in his company, and heart of a lackey, an hones' man, a man, the said he would be answerable for him. Con- man you knew, himself, could you-would sternation was so plain on Mr. Nash's trained you—" He was trying to speak firmly; yet face that the Duke leaned toward him anx- as he gazed upon her splendid beauty, he iously. choked slightly, and fumbled at his throat “ The villain's in, and Molyneux hath gone with unsteady fingers—“would you-have mad!” let me ride by your side in the autumn moon Mr. Bantison, who had been fiercely elbow- light?” ing his way toward them, joined heads with Her glance passed by him as it might have them. “You may well say he is in,” he ex- passed by a footman or a piece of furniture. claimed, “and if you want to know where, He was dressed magnificently, a multitude why in yonder card-room. I saw him through of orders glittering on his breast. Her eye the half-open door." took no knowledge of him. What's to be done ?” asked the Beau. “Mademoiselle-I have the honor to ask Send the bailiffs- you: If you had known this Beaucaire was hon Fie, fie! A file of bailiffs? The scan- es', though of peasant birth, would you- Involuntarily, icy as her controlled pres Then listen to me,' " said the Duke. ence was, she shuddered. “I'll pick out half a dozen gentlemen, ex- Beaucaire dropped into a chair with his plain the matter, and we'll put him in the head bent low and his arms outstretched on center of us and take him out to the bailiffs. the table; his eyes filled slowly in spite of 'Twill appear nothing. Do you remain here himself, and two tears rolled down the young and keep the attention of Beaujolais and man's cheeks. de Mirepoix. Come, Bantison, fetch Lord “An' live men are jus’-names !” said Townbrake and Harry Rakell yonder; I'll M. Beaucaire. get the others.' Mr. Molyneux," said Lady Mary, “in Three minutes later, his Grace of Winterset spite of your discourtesy in allowing a ser- flung wide the card-room door, and, after vant to address me, I give you a last chance his friends had entered, closed it. to leave this room undisgraced. Will you “Ah!” remarked M. Beaucaire quietly. give me your arm ?” 'Six more large men.” “Pardon me, madam," said Mr. Moly The Duke, seeing Lady Mary, started; but neux. the angry signs of her interview had not left In the outer room, Winterset, unable to her face, and reassured him. He offered his find Lady Mary, and supposing her to have hand to conduct her to the door. “May I joined Lady Rellerton, disposed of his negus, have the honor ?” and approached the two visitors to pay his “ If this is to be known, 'twill be better if respects to the young prince, whom he dis- I leave after; I should be observed if I went covered to be a stripling of seventeen, arro- now.” gant-looking, but pretty as a girl. Standing “As you will, madam,” he answered, not beside the Marquis de Mirepoix-a man of displeased. “And now, you impudent vil- quiet bearing-he was surrounded by a group lain," he began, turning to M. Beaucaire, of the great, among whom Mr. Nash natu- but to fall back astounded. "'Od's blood, rally counted himself. The Beau was felici- the dog hath murdered and robbed some tating himself that the foreigners had not royal prince!” He forgot Lady Mary's _” dal!” BOOTH TARKINGTON. 251 presence in his excitement. “Lay hands that evening we play. I would gladly fight on him!” he shouted. Tear those orders almos' any one in the worl'; but I did not from him!” wish to soil my hand with a- Molyneux threw himself between. One “ Stuff his lying mouth with his orders!” word, gentlemen," he cried, “one word be- shouted the Duke. fore you offer an outrage you will repent !" But Molyneux still held the gentlemen Or let M. de Winterset come alone,” back. One moment,” he cried. laughed M. Beaucaire. “M. de Winterset,” said Beaucaire,“ of Do you expect me to fight a cutthroat what are you afraid? You calculate well. barber, and with bare hands?” Beaucaire might have been belief'—an im- “I think one does not expec' monsieur postor that you yourself expose? Never ! to fight anybody. Would I fight you, you But I was not goin' reveal that secret. You think ? That was why I had my servants, have not absolve me of my promise. isht SHE UTTERED A QUICK CRY AND LEANED AGAINST THE WALL, HER HAND TO HER BREAST." 252 MONSIEUR BEAUCAIRE. “ Tell what you like," answered the Duke. M. de Mirepoix followed him, bowing as a “Tell all the wild lies you have time for. courtier, in deference; but M. Beaucaire You have five minutes to make up your mind took both his hands heartily. Molyneux to go quietly.” came after, and closed the door. Now you absolve me, then ? Ha, ha! “My warmest felicitations," said the Mar- Oh, yes! Mademoiselle,” he bowed to Lady quis. There is no longer need for your Mary, “ I have the honor to reques’ you leave incognito. the room. You shall miss no details if these “Thou best of masters!” said Beaucaire, fren’s of yours kill me, on the honor of a touching him fondly on the shoulder. “Í French gentleman.' know. Your courier came safely. And so “ A French what ?” laughed Bantison. I am forgiven! But I forget." He turned “Do you dare keep up the pretense ?” to the beauty-she was trembling. “Faires' cried Lord Townbrake. “Know, you villain of all the English fair," he said, as the gen- barber, that your master, the Marquis de tlemen bowed low to her deep courtesy, “I Mirepoix, is in the next room." beg the honor to presen' to Lady Mary Car- Molyneux heaved a great sigh of relief. lisle, M. le Comte de Beaujolais; M. de “Shall I-" He turned to M. Beaucaire. Mirepoix has already the honor. Lady Mary The young man laughed, and said: “Tell has been very kind to me, my frien's; you him come here at once.' mus' help me make my acknowledgment. “Impudent to the last !” cried Bantison, Mademoiselle and gentlemen, will you gran' as Molyneux hurried from the room. me the favor to detain you one instan'?” “Now you goin' to see M. Beaucaire's “Henri,” he turned to the young Beau- master,” said Beaucaire to Lady Mary. jolais, “I wish you had shared my masque “ 'Tis true what I say the other night. I - I have been so gay!” The surface of his cross from France in his suite ; my passport tone was merry, but there was an undercur- say as his barber. Then to pass the ennui rent weary-sad, to speak of what was the of exile, I come to Bath and play for what mood, not the manner. He made the effect one will. It pass the time. But when the of addressing every one present, but he people hear I have been a servant they come looked steadily at Lady Mary. Her eyes only secretly; and there is one of them-he were fixed upon him, and she trembled more has absolve' me of a promise not to speak- and more. of him I learn something he cannot wish to “I am a great actor, Henri," laughed be tol'. I make some trouble to learn this Beaucaire. These gentlemen are yet thing. Why I should do this? Well-that scarce convince' I am not a lackey! And I is my own rizzon. So I make this man help mus' tell you that I was jus' now to be ex- me in a masque, the unmasking it was, for pelled for having been a barber!” as there is no one to know me, I throw off “Oh, no!” the ambassador cried out. my black wig and become myself-and so I “He would not be content with me; he would am Chateaurien,' Castle Nowhere. Then wander over a strange country.' this man I use', this Winterset, he- “Ha, ha, my Mirepoix! And what is bet- I have great need to deny these accusa- ter, one evening I am oblige' to fight some tions ?” said the Duke. frien's of M. de Winterset there, and some “Nay,” said Lady Mary wearily. ladies and cavaliers look on, and they still Shall I tell you why I mus' be Victor' think me a servant. Oh, I am a great ac- and · Beaucaire' and 'Chateaurien,' and not tor! 'Tis true there is not a peasant in myself ?” France who would not have then known one To escape from the bailiffs for debts for 'born’; but they are wonderful, this Eng- razors and soap," gibed Lord Townbrake. lish people, holding by an idea once it is in “No, monsieur. In France I have got a their heads-a mos' worthy quality. But cousin who is a man with a very bad temper my good Molyneux here, he had speak to me at some times, and he will never enjoy his with courtesy, jus' because I am a man an' relatives to do what he does not wish -" jus' because he is al—ways kind. (I have He was interrupted by a loud murmur from learn' that his great-grandfather was a without. The door was flung open, and the Frenchman.) So I sen' to him and tell him young Count of Beaujolais bounded in and ev'rything, and he gain admittance for me threw his arms about the neck of M. Beau- here to-night to await my frien's. caire. “I was speaking to messieurs about my “Philippe!” he cried. “My brother, I cousin, who will meddle in the affairs of his have come to take you back with me.” relatives. Well, that gentleman, he make a BOOTH TARRINGTON. 253 HE BOWED VERY LOW, AS LADY MARY CARLISLE, THE BEAUTY OF BATH, PASSED SLOWLY OUT OF THE ROOM.” marriage for me with a good and accomplish' that he will get me put in Vincennes, so I lady—very noble and very beautiful-andami- mus’ run away quick till his anger is gone. able.” (The young count at his elbow started My good frien’ Mirepoix is jus' leaving for slightly at this, but immediately appeared to London; he take many risk' for my sake; wrap himself in a mantle of solemn thought.) his barber die before he start', so I travel “Unfortunately, when my cousin arrange' as that poor barber. But my cousin is a so, I was a dolt, a little blockhead; I swear man to be afraid of when he is angry, even to marry for myself and when I please, or in England, and I mus' not get my Mirepoix never if I like. That lady is all things charm- in trouble. I mus' not be discover' till my ing and gentle--and, in truth, she is—very cousin is ready to laugh about it all and make much attach' to me-why should I not say it a joke. There may be spies ; so I change it? I am so proud of it. She is very faith- my name again, and come to Bath to amuse my ful and forgiving and sweet; she would be retreat with a little gaming—I am always the same, I think, if I-were even a lackey. fond of that. But three days ago M. le But I? I was a dolt, a little unsensible brute; Marquis send me a courier to say that my I did not value such thing' then; I was too brother, who know where I had run away, yo'ng, las’ June. So I say to my cousin, “ No, is come from France to say that my cousin I make my own choosing!' 'Little fool,' he is appeased; he need me for his little answer, she is the one for you. Am I not theater, the play cannot go on. I do not wiser than you ?' And he was very angry, need to espouse mademoiselle. All shall be and, as he has influence in France, word come' forgiven if I return. My brother and M. 254 MONSIEUR BEAUCAIRE. de Mirepoix will meet me in Bath to felici “Castle Nowhere!” gasped Beau Nash, tate. falling back upon the burly prop of Mr. Ban- “There is one more thing to say, that is tison's shoulder. all. I have said I learn' a secret, and use “The Duke of Orleans will receive a it to make a man introduce me if I will not message from me within the hour!” tell. He has absolve' me of that promise. said Winterset, as he made his way to the My frien's, I had not the wish to ruin that door. His face was black with rage and man. I was not receive'; Meestaire Nash shame. had reboff me; I had no other way excep' “I tol' you that I would not soil my hand to use this fellow. So I say, “Take me to with you," answered the young man. “If Lady Malbourne's ball as “ Chateaurien.' you send a message no gentleman will bring I throw off my wig, and shave, and behol', it. Whoever shall bear it will receive a little I am M. le Duc de Castle Nowhere. Ha, beating from François.” ha! You see?” He stepped to Lady Mary's side. Her The young man's manner suddenly changed. head was bent low, her face averted. She He became haughty, menacing. He stretched seemed to breathe with difficulty, and leaned out his arm, and pointed at Winterset. “Now heavily upon a chair. “Monseigneur,” she I am no ‘Beaucaire,' messieurs. Iam a French faltered in a half whisper, “ can you-for- gentleman. The man who introduce' me at give me? It is a bitter--mistake I have the price of his honor, and then betray' me made. Forgive." to redeem it, is that coward, that card-cheat "Forgive?” he answered, and his voice there!" was as broken as hers; but he went on more Winterset went white to the lips. The firmly. “It is nothing-less than nothing. gentlemen who surrounded him fell away as There is--only jus' one-in the whole worl' from pestilence. “A French gentlemen!” who would not have treat' me the way that he sneered savagely, and yet fearfully: “I yoù treat me. It is to her that I am goin' don't know who you are. Hide behind as to make reparation. You know something, many toys and ribbons as you like ; l'll know Henri ?” He turned to his brother. “I the name of the man who dares bring such am not goin' back only because the king for- give' me. I am goin' to please him; I am “Sir!” cried de Mirepoix sharply, ad- goin' to espouse mademoiselle, our cousin. vancing a step towards him; but he checked My frien's, I ask your felicitations." himself quickly. He made a low bow of 'And the king does not compel him!” state, first to the young Frenchman, then to exclaimed young Henri. Lady Mary and the company. “Permit me, “ Henri, you want to fight me?” cried Lady Mary and gentlemen,” he said, “to his brother sharply. “Don' you think the assume the honor of presenting you to His King of France is a wiser man than I ?” Highness, Prince Louis-Philippe de Valois, He offered his hand to Lady Mary. Duke of Orleans, Duke of Chartres, Duke of "Mademoiselle is fatigue. Will she honor Nemours, Duke of Montpensier, First Prince me?” of the Blood Royal, First Peer of France, He walked with her to the door, her hand Lieutenant-General of French Infantry, fluttering faintly in his. From somewhere Governor of Dauphiné, Knight of the Golden about the garments of one of them a little Fleece, Grand Master of the Order of Nôtre cloud of faded rose-leaves fell, and lay strewn Dame, of Mount Carmel, and of St. Lazarus on the floor behind them. He opened the in Jerusalem; and cousin to His Most Catho- door, and the lights shone on a multitude of lic Majesty, Louis the Fifteenth, King of eager faces turned toward it. There was a France." great hum of voices, and, over all, the fiddles “ Those are a few of my brother's names,” wove a wandering air, a sweet French song whispered Henri of Beaujolais to Molyneux. of the voyageur. “Old Mirepoix has the long breath, but it He bowed very low, as, with fixed and take’ a strong man two days to say all of glistening eyes, Lady Mary Carlisle, the them. I can suppose this Winterset know' Beauty of Bath, passed slowly by him and now who bring the charge!” went out of the room. a charge.” AN OLD STORY XO BY HARRIET ANASH Author of "The Twenty-Dollar Bill ” and other stories. A NEW ENGLAND EPISODE. DOO " What on HL DROWN99 RS. GREELEY sank into the ing her eyes from one to the other of its oc- big rocker, and looked help- cupants in questioning wonder. lessly at her husband. “I'd earth's the matter ?” she inquired. rather anything else in the Mr. Greeley looked toward his wife, who, world would have hap- it appeared, was not loath to voice the diffi- pened,” she said. culty. “Matter enough, I should say,” she Mr. Greeley, leaning against the woodbox replied. “Here's your father been and en- in an attitude of self-defense, commenced to gaged Ruel West to come cobblin' next week, whistle drearily. It was one of Mrs. Greeley's and Emmeline is goin' to be here tailorin'. complaints that her better half never whistled “Well, what of it?” said the daughter, like other men-lightly and cheerily, when closing the door behind her. “The house skies were clear. But let a cloud of diffi- is large enough for both, isn't it?" culty shadow their domestic horizon, and he “Jest what I say,” put in her father never failed to add to her distractions by eagerly. whistling in a minor key. Mrs. Greeley silenced him with a contemp- “I don't see what we're goin' to do," she tuous glance. “That's just what it isn't,” continued anxiously, waiting for a reply. she declared with emphasis. “ Perhaps it's Mr. Greeley apparently had no suggestion not surprisin', Susie, that you don't under- to offer, but thrust his hands deeper into his stand; but a man of your father's age ought pockets and whistled on, the tune growing to show some sense. He knows as well as more mournful. I do that Ruel and Emmeline ain't spoke for It was a pleasant room. The autumn sun- twenty years. And here it is comin' cold shine lay in yellow patches on the painted weather and no place for either one of 'em floor. A small fire crackled in the great but right here in my kitchen,” Mrs. Greeley kitchen fireplace, and a fat dog of the nonde- finished in an aggrieved tone. Mr. Greeley script size and color that denote no particu- resumed his whistling. lar variety, but just dog in general, slumbered “But why don't they speak ?” asked on the braided rug. Mr. Greeley continued Susie, festooning the strings of apple be- to whistle. The sound penetrated to the neath the mantel. “I thought they were brain of the slumbering dog, who opened one relation or something." eye lazily, listened to the tune, and slum “Only by marriage,” replied Mrs. Greeley. bered again. Mrs. Greeley, finding she was “It's an old story and a long one. If you'd to get no response within, looked out of the had some mothers, Susie, you'd heard it window, as if expecting advice from that di- years ago. But I'm one that never calcu- rection. The bare branches of the maples lates to repeat gossip before my children. rose stiffly, deigning no downward glance at I never rightly settled in my own mind which the heaps of brown leaves that had so lately was to blame. It takes two to make a quar- deserted them. A motherly hen, that had rel anyhow. But it begun this way: When foolishly undertaken family cares late in the they was young, Ruel and Emmeline was en- season, scratched about the frosty yard, fol- gaged to be married.” lowed by her shivering brood. How interesting,” exclaimed Susie. “Is The door of the stairway opened, and that why they don't speak ?” a bright-faced girl of twenty entered, her “That's a part of it. They was all ready arms laden with strings of dried apple. Half- and had the day fixed, when all to once they way into the room she paused abruptly, turn- quarreled over some foolishness or other, 256 AN OLD STORY. and broke it off. Folks always thought they was layin' in his coffin, and the whole prop- might have made up again if Ruel's brother erty went to Ruel. By some legal quibble John hadn't come home jest then. He'd I never understood she didn't even get her been in California and got rich, and Emme- thirds." line was a handsome girl in those days." “It sounds like a story in a book," said Emmeline's a well-favored woman now Susie, dreamily. “Only they usually come for that matter," put in Mr. Greeley, who out pleasanter. But I don't see why Ruel had ceased whistling to listen intently. goes round cobbling if he's got property. She's had nothin' to wear away her good I always thought he was cut out for some- looks like the rest of us,” returned his wife, thing better.” her tart tone denoting that he was still out “ There's meaner trades 'n cobblin',' as- of favor. serted Mr. Greeley. “And as for the money, “Well," interposed Susie, impatiently. Ruel vowed he wouldn't have it. So there “Well, so the first anybody knew she and 'tis, accumulatin' and pilin' up. The Jedge John was gettin' married. 'Twas a great of Probate-old Jedge Pratt that was- knew surprise, and there was them that said she the family well, so he interested himself and married him for his money; but if she did she got trustees appointed. But your mother's got come up with, for in jest six months he wrong about Emmeline's thirds. She might have had 'em, but 'twas the whole or none with her. They said she 'n Ruel had some pretty stormy interviews. But they warn't either of 'em any hand to talk, so no- body knew much about it." ** Well," interrupted Mrs. Greeley impatiently, “this won't help us out of the scrape you've got us into. I'd put Emmeline off if I could, but the boys are sufferin' for their win- ter clothes, and it's next week or not at all." “ Jest what Ruel said,” replied Mr. Greeley stub- bornly. “And the boys need shoes jest as much as they do clothes." There was no way out of the dilemma but to let them come and make the best of it. Ruel West's bench was set up beneath the south windows of the Greeley kitchen on Tues- day morning, and a pair of stout shoes for little Noah were well under way when Emmeline appeared, carrying a large basket in which were her implements of trade. Neither was prepared for the meeting. Mrs. Greeley had thought best to let matters take their own course since they "SUSIE, EMMELINE'S SPOKE TO YOU THREE TIMES.'” were beyond her control . AN OLD STORY. 257 HiL BROWN 1899 TAKE THIS BACK TO THE GENTLEMAN, NOAH, SHE SAID SEVERELY." already. Ruel's thin face was the picture nice the sun comes in your south windows of consternation, and the wonderful story now the leaves are off.” She looked straight he was telling Noah and Tom came to an through poor Ruel as she spoke, and Ruel, abrupt end. But Emmeline was quite equal unable to resume the broken thread of his to the occasion. “Good-morning, Mrs. discourse, whispered to his disappointed audi- Greeley,” she said airily. “I don't know tors that he'd finish some other time, bestow- but I'm a little late, but I stopped to finish ing upon them by way of compensation a the button-holes in Squire Pettingill's coat. handful of butternuts from his pocket. I'm just overrun with work." Then as she The trying day opened, on the whole, more removed her bonnet and took possession of favorably than Mrs. Greeley had feared. one of the north windows, “ I'm always glad Ruel effaced himself as much as possible, to get here. It seems like visitin'. How speaking little, and whispering his answers 258 AN OLD STORY. for not only did the good man by an awkward blunder place Ruel and Emmeline side by side at dinner, but reassured by Emmeline's composure, he rushed into various conversational indiscre- tions, rallying Ruel on his bachelor existence, and assuring Emmeline that “second marriages sometimes turned out bet- ter than first ones.” Mrs. Greeley looked the indig- nation she could not utter, and Susie made strenuous efforts to turn the conver- sation into indifferent channels. Emmeline re- mained apparently undis- turbed; but Ruel blushed, and choked over the mouthful of bacon he was trying to swallow, finally crowning the series of mis- fortunes by overturning his cup of tea upon Emme- line's wrist and the sleeve and skirt of her new green dress. Scalding hot it was, for Mrs. Greeley prided herself that her tea never came to the table lukewarm. Emme- line, unheeding Ruel's stammered regrets and apologies, assured her “A HARD COUGH FROM THE WOODSHED STARTLED HER." anxious hostess that it was of no consequence, to the children's questions, while Emmeline, and, winding her handkerchief about the talking fluently on one subject and another, burn, proceeded with her dinner. Not so remained oblivious to his presence. Susie, Ruel-his appetite had vanished, and hot who had for her that unreasoning admiration biscuit, pie, and pudding remained untasted which a girl frequently bestows on a woman before him. twice her age, hovered near the cutting-table Dinner over, Ruel disappeared, followed in the intervals of household duties, and Mrs. by his host, who, conscious that he had in Greeley, her sleeves rolled up and hands some manner incurred the domestic displeas- white with flour, came frequently from the ure, had urgent business at his woodlot. pantry to make some communication—" while Emmeline returned to her work, self-pos- she thought of it.” sessed as ever, though a little less talkative. “I guess ’tain't goin' to be so bad as I She steadily declined all remedies for the in- thought, ” she whispered to Susie behind jured wrist, declaring, in reply to Mrs. the pantry door. “Emmeline seems to be Greeley's lamentations, that the burn was carryin' it off splendid. If only it wa’n’t slight and that, if the dress stained, she had for your father. Every minute he's in the plenty new at home with which to repair it. house I shall be scared of what he'll say It was two o'clock when Ruel stole quietly next.' into the kitchen and resumed work at his A fear not wholly un grounded, as it proved, bench. Susie and her mother, with their AN OLD STORY. 259 knitting, were established near Emmeline, you gazin' out them south windows in a The sun had gone around to the west, and daze.” Ruel's side of the room seemed a little lonely. Susie roused herself, blushing crimson. Susie stole furtive glances from Emmeline to Emmeline looked curiously at her, a vague Ruel. Emmeline's glossy braids bent over suspicion darting through her mind. her work, and her face, despite its forty At four o'clock, Tom and Noah, rushing years, looked young and fair. Ruel's clear- in from school, took possession of Ruel, de- cut profile showed plainly against the window. manding the conclusion of the story. A Susie decided that he had been fine-looking whispered conversation ensued. Presently in his youth. There was nothing about either Noah slipped across the room, and dropped a of them incompatible with a romance. Still small package in Emmeline’s lap. “Here's she was a little disappointed, for, according some liniment for your wrist," he said bash- to all her theories, the unfortunate episode fully, retreating behind his mother's chair. at dinner should have effected a reconcilia • Bless the child,” cried the surprised re- tion. In any tale of romance she had ever cipient. “Now wasn't that nice of him ? read Ruel would have knelt in remorse, and I s'pose he'll be hurt if I don't use it," she Emmeline should have forgiven him on the added in an aside to Susie, as she loosened spot. After all, Susie reflected, Ruel had the stopper. exhibited the remorse, even though he omitted “That's a thoughtful little boy," said his to kneel. She began reluctantly to admit mother proudly. “Where'd you get it, that her heroine had been at fault in not act- sonny ?” ing her part. How worn and discouraged Noah hung his head, and didn't want to Ruel looked-in sharp contrast to Emmeline's tell. Mrs. Greeley insisted. Mrs. Greeley insisted. Noah mumbled prosperous appearance. She wondered why something in a low tone. Speak right he wouldn't use that money. up,” demanded Mrs. Greeley. “ Susie,” interrupted her mother sharply, “Mr. West got it," interposed Tom. “He “Emmeline's spoke to you three times, and walked clear to the village after it." 60 SUSIE CONVEYED THE MESSAGE." 260 AN OLD STORY. Emmeline swiftly put the stopper back in was no hurry. It seemed nice in the twi- the bottle. “Take this back to the gentle- light. man, Noah,” she said severely. “ And Emmeline pleaded an engagement for the wait.” Taking her purse from her pocket, evening, and went away before supper, and she extracted therefrom two large coppers. Ruel soon followed, to Mrs. Greeley's relief. “This will pay him for the small amount I “ I'm all beat out,” she declared as the sound have used,” she added stiffly. of his footsteps died away. “A week of soap- Ruel pocketed the bottle silently. The two making wouldn't have tired me like to-day. coppers he impartially bestowed on Tom and Noah, who, finding their play-fellow dull com- pany, sought amuse- ment out of doors. Mrs. Greeley entered into a long story of her sister in Colorado, giving Emmeline an ex- cuse for silence. A strong odor of liniment pervaded the room. Susie felt disapproval mingle with her admira- tion for Emmeline. Ruel was conducting himself in every way as a hero should. Why should Emmeline scorn his advances? Thought with Susie was close akin to action. She rose, and deliberately moving her chair close to Ruel's bench, entered into a low-toned con- versation with him. The early dusk was falling, but the flash- ing fire lighted up the room, shining full upon the pink cheeks and curly brown hair by the cobbler's bench. Em- meline watched them from her shadowy cor- ner, the vague picion stirring again. Mrs. Greeley had left “'RUEL,' SHE SAID SOFTLY AT LAST, 'WON'T YOU PLEASE GO IN ?!” the room. “Oh, you must,'' Susie was saying eagerly. When Emmeline reached the Greeley “Why, it wouldn't seem like singing-school kitchen next morning, the cobbler's bench with any one else to teach. Do say you will, had disappeared. For a moment she con- Mr. West.” It was only a girl's innocent at- gratulated herself that the enemy was routed. tempt to set an embarrassed man at ease, but But the next instant Tom, rushing in from the to the older woman it sounded like coquetry. woodshed, left the door swinging. There, “Susie Greeley!” exclaimed the mother by the one small window, sat Ruel on his as she reëntered the room, “Why on earth bench, working busily, though with coat col- haven't you got the candles?” lar turned up and hands blue with cold. Noth- Susie replied that she thought there ing was said, but Emmeline fancied that Mrs. sus- 262 AN OLD STORY. door, “ if you're staying out there on my As for me, I never made a fool of myself for account, I want you to come straight in here but one woman, and I never will." to the fire; or else I shall bring my work out Emmeline hastily returned to her tub. The there and sit, too." place was bitterly cold, but she was thinking Ruel's thin lips shut together like a vise. of something else. “Ruel,” she said softly The man whom yesterday the lifting of her at last,“ won't you please go in ?” finger might have swayed, was beyond her He looked a moment at her downcast face. power to move to-day. Mrs. West might The set lips relaxed. “Yes,” he said, “I'll please herself, he answered politely; he was go in--on one condition." not coming in. To Susie's amazement, Em She waited. “There's all that money meline took her work and departed to the laying in the bank,” he said slowly. “If woodshed, where she settled herself on an you'll take it—the whole of it-as I wanted overturned washtub, near the door. you to twenty years ago. “ It seems there's a pair of them,” grum “Oh, no, not that,” she answered; " any- bled Mrs. Greeley, determining for the hun- thing but that!” dredth time that the present contretemps “ All right,” replied Ruel, bending with should never occur in her house again, while fresh energy to his work. Susie decided that romance in a story differed The wind wailed around the building, and widely from the quality found in real life. stole in through cracks about the window. Susie was beginning to taste the bitter fruit Emmeline rose at last. “Very well,” she which not infrequently falls to him who med- said in a hard voice. “ I'll take that money. dles with his neighbor's affairs; for a certain You may bring it to me in bank bills, and young man among the tenor singers had I'll put every dollar of it in the fire before chosen to resent her appearance with Ruel, your face. Maybe, that'll convince you at intimating that, if she preferred that old last that I didn't marry for the sake of it." curmudgeon, he would take himself out of “I'd like to know what you did marry the way with pleasure. To which Susie had for," put in Ruel stubbornly. responded promptly that she had no wish to Well, you can know,” she replied, in interfere with his pleasure. And John Por- the same hard voice. “I've been misjudged ter had walked away with a sarcastic remark by men, women, and children for twenty about Ruel's reputed wealth. Susie won- years, and for once I'll right myself at any dered if she was to repeat Emmeline's story. cost. There was all sorts of stories going " In the woodshed there reigned a stony-a long pause. Ruel put down his awl and silence, broken only by Ruel's cough. Em- waited. “I married John to show I didn't meline glanced at him occasionally, but his care,” concluded Emmeline. stern face gave no sign of yielding. Going “ The stories wa’n't true--" began Ruel in to press a seam, she noticed that Susie indignantly. looked strangely downcast, and her heart “I found out they wa'n't-afterwards. went out to the girl. “Can't you get him But it doesn't matter now. And you're quite to come in ?” asked Susie with a wistful welcome to stay here and freeze if you want touch of sympathy for the woman. to. I'm going.” “ I'm going to try again, dear,” Emme She had her hand on the latch when Ruel's line answered, giving up to Susie, with the voice sounded beside her. “Emmeline, answer, something left over from long ago he said, “ will you take half that money.". which she had not known she held. She hesitated. "Perhaps,” she said “Ruel," she said, going back to the wood- slowly, “if you would take the other half. shed, “I think you ought to come in for Couldn't we divide it ?” Susie's sake. She is worrying about you.” “I'll take the other half," agreed Ruel. Ruel, with a cough, didn't see why Susie “But-I wasn't thinking of dividing it." need trouble herself about him. In his opin Five minutes later Mrs. Greeley threw open ion she was far more likely to be worrying the woodshed door with a bang. about young John Porter, who seemed å have any more such carryin's on in my house, trifle off the hooks last night. she declared. “Emmeline, you come straight “Do you mean”—Emmeline forced her- in here out of the cold. And you, Ruel West, self to ask the question—" that Susie and do the same. And if you can't agree, you can John Porter- set right here by the fire and fight it out.” Ruel's laugh had a bitter note. " Oh, Ruel took the hand which Emmeline had Susie's a woman," he said. “ Most likely snatched away when the door opened. “We she'll throw him over for a few hasty words. were coming," he said with a hoarse laugh. THE BLIZZARD AT IMOGENE BY FRANK B TRACY A STORY OF THE DAKOTA PRAIRIES. The peo- MOGENE, the metropolis of the “second was at the end of the branch, and the mountain," had never before entered train which wearily brought its great load upon a winter with so much downright con- into the station every other night, started fidence, pride, and security. The valley back to Lambert (the point at which the was groaning with fullness. Imogene be- branch joined the main line) at daybreak the longed to the soil, and had never sought to next morning, with the same crew. The depart from it. There the town lay on the people declared such an arrangement was an top of the “second mountain"-fat, self-sat- outrage on the trainmen and the service a isfied, and vain. gross insult to the county that was making It is always difficult to make strangers un- Dick Webb rich. But no competition threat- derstand about the "mountain." Prairie ened ; and if the City, on the river, lies much lower that Imo- trainmen didn't gene. Fifty miles west of Prairie City, like that kind of there rises from the plain a quite abrupt work they could elevation. That is the first mountain," and quit, quoth Dick on its top is St. Charles, with its little Webb. stores, its big Roman Catholic church, ple at first were its half-breeds, and its Hotel de Log. glad enough, he There is plenty of timber about St. added, to get any Charles, and altogether it isn't a bad kind of trains, and place for those who insist on trees they would grum- and water in their scenery, although ble at the best. the common-sense Dakotan One night in knows that water isn't necessary January, there and that the best land is that were signs of a which isn't encumbered with storm. Some per- woods. Then, on west of St. sons regarded Charles, after a while you come them lightly, say- again to the prairie, and on ing that the day another elevation, the “second of blizzards had mountain," lies Imogene. gone by. Others The town was said to have were less light- been named after the daughter hearted, and looked of the superintendent of the abroad with some railroad which ran its“ accom- anxiety. One who modation trains" to the town felt especially three days a week-for Imogene "Johnny McGuire's dead!” fearful that night 263 264 THE BLIZZARD AT IMOGENE. was Helen Brewster. She was a brave, cool, in the early days; and seeing that the peo- and sagacious woman, whose experience on ple suffered from two classes of maladies- the frontier had made her the more hardy and lung diseases and malarial fevers-he had self-reliant. But the most courageous woman applied himself stubbornly in an attempt to cannot avoid a feeling of nervousness when master these. He had no competitor; he her husband has been called away from home was the town's sole dependence. and detained beyond his time. Howard Brew The signs proved only too true. In the ster was the cashier of the Imogene National night came the blizzard—the most violent, Bank, and he had often to go here and there fierce, and destructive storm known to the to aid in the establishment of new na- Northwest in a quarter of a century. It tional banks in various parts of the new blocked every car-wheel, destroyed scores of State. Helen had never lost heart in spite lives, and left a trail of suffering, misery, of the perils, trials, and miserable vexations and desolation throughout that vast region. and inconveniences of her life. At times There is no such thing as a “howling bliz- the visions of the dear old home in Pennsyl- zard.” The true blizzard does not howl. It vania, with its sweet memories, its restful roars, roars, and the sound is like that of a calm, and its environs of shady walks, broad not far-distant waterfall. Storms are fre- streams, and majestic hills, made the con- quent and familiar to the Northwest, but trast acute and painful ; but she never per- blizzards seldom come as often as once a mitted herself to dwell long in such visions, year—this was the blizzard of twenty-five for duty and love calmed her soul. Her years! The snow began falling thick and present uneasy feeling came partly from fast about midnight. The wind gradually the fact that her little four-year-old Rachel rose higher and stronger until a short time complained of a headache. This was unusual, before dawn ; then, with a sudden leap, it for the mother feared that the child might struck its gait and went with a rush and be falling ill. "And if she should be," mused sweep that swayed even the staunch build- Mrs. Brewster, “I don't know what I should ings of the town, and shook the little shacks do. I haven't the least confidence in Dr. out on the prairie as would a giant an urchin Phinney." of the street. Next morning, snow was found No one had much confidence in Dr. Phin- inside every house. It had driven through the ney. He was a very large man with a long openings in the outer, or storm, windows and beard, and a low voice which in some men was plastered upon the panes of the inner might have been reassuring, but in him was windows, shutting out whatever faint light exasperating. He had come to the county might have emerged from the dark sky. A mighty, sullen roar kept up during the whole day and almost all the next night. The people remained at their homes, doing nothing with a placidity that only long expe- rience can give. Some watched the storm, and the sight was a confusing kaleidoscope of images made by the snow-sweeping, writhing, tumbling, and piling up in the air. No man could front that blast for many rods and live. It threw snow into the face with blistering fury; the snow then melted under the heat of the face and next froze into ice under the contact of the cold air and the impact of the succeeding billows of snow. The effect was agony. The eyes were blinded, and all sense of direction was lost. Those who set out in the tempest and reached their destinations were guided by in- tuition, for reason and judgment had nothing upon which to work. The second morning dawned clear and bright. The wind had died away; the snow ceased, and the mercury fell from fifteen de- grees above to twenty below zero. No scene "She sat by her window, gazing." could be more brilliant, none more vivid, than THE BLIZZARD AT IMOGENE. 265 that of Dakota on the day after a blizzard. the proud and boastful town of Imogene The sun is dazzling in its brightness, the air was a community wild and frenzied with ter- is electric in tense crispness and vigor, while ror, cowed and stupefied with dread. A the varied shapes and grotesque figures of the scourge had fallen upon their children! On snow-mounds, with their spotless whiteness the heels of the destructive storm had come and great extent, leave an ineffaceable im- this plague. It was cerebro-spinal menin- pression on the mind. Hugh masses of snow gitis-a disease rarely. met with in this tower up to the second stories of the build- country as an epidemic. Dr. Phinney could ings, and drifts thirty feet high stretch along do nothing; at first he could not even tell the village streets for blocks. The people, the people what the disease was; and they though before all else practical and matter- could not summon help from a distance, or go of-fact, always seem reluctant to begin the for it themselves, because telegraph wires demolition of the fantastic structures that were mute, and railway tracks and prairie the storm has heaped up. But in a few hours roads were choked and absolutely impassable. the work of “digging out the town” is under The village seemed doomed. None could DIRUDI * At a small house she stopped." way, and the greatest merriment and jollity escape, and none could come to save. Brood- mark its progress. ing followed panic, and madness seemed but a On the evening of the second day after few steps removed. the storm began, the crowd at the American One illumining, sweet fact there was, how- Hotel was startled by the entrance of a boy ever, in the situation. At first it altogether whose face was white with fear and who ex- escaped the consciousness of the people, and claimed in an unnatural voice, "Johnny yet it was the justification of their lives. Maguire's dead!” If you had asked any one a few weeks before What !” they all cried, and started to what was the dominant sentiment of Imo- their feet, plying the terrified boy with gene, you would have received one reply, questions. Money. Now it was Love; and this meant But he could only say, “He died just a that it had always been love. The people were little while ago, and his folks are about now willing, eager, wild, to throw away all crazy. It's some terrible new disease—the the accumulations from years of toil and head turns back—and he suffered awful. self-denial, only to rescue their children. They think Doc don't know what it is, and And in the days that came, when this fact they say Jennie Rice has got it." at last dawned full upon their apprehensions Twenty-four hours later, in the place of out of their agony and bereavement, it for- 266 THE BLIZZARD AT IMOGENE. and ever left its soothing, divine impress upon Yes, I think so," said he slowly, his blue their souls. eyes opening wide with wonder. Day followed day with pitiless monotony. “Are you willing to try to take me and It was the same report that was given every Rachel on the sledge to Rock River to-mor- morning. One had died in this home, and a row ?” new case had developed in that. Storm suc The boy was for a moment speechless. ceeded storm with scarcely a day's interval, a Then he exclaimed, “Rock River! That is thing never experienced before ; and thus forty miles ! It would be impossible!” became more and more hopeless any attempt “Will you try it ?” The voice was calm to escape. To add to the horror of the situ- and almost stern, yet the boy felt in it a note ation, it was impossible to bury the dead. of pleading which he could not withstand. No spades would cut that frozen soil, even He looked at her face, and cried with impetu- after repeated trials to soften it by fire. And ous devotion, “I will stand by you to the end, so the coffins lay buried in the snow or were Mrs. Brewster. Yes, I will try.” placed in outhouses and grain-sheds. The “ Then be ready to start to-morrow at day- town depended for break.” And she fuel on coal hauled was gone. in by the railroad Eric Lova as on wood sank into a chair, brought in from trembling and St. Charles by alarmed. For the team. The store moment he won- this winter had been dered if brooding improvidently over her child's scant, and now be- danger might have gan to threaten affected Mrs. Brew- complete exhaus- ster's ind. He tion. Every day was resolved to brought the people keep his word with perceptibly nearer her, though, for, to the peril of death like most of his from freezing. countrymen, and all Helen Brewster's simple persons, he life had become one had not reached of intense agony. that pinnacle of She often thought supremacy where that if Rachel had gratitude is a dis- died when first carded notion. Two seized her own suf- years before, he had fering would have come with his par- “He stepped to the door and knocked." been less, for she ents from Green- was certain that the child must die in the end. land to join a colony. His father and mother, One evening, two weeks after the blizzard, becoming prostrated with river fever, had she sat by her window gazing far off across died, leaving the boy with nothing but his the vast prairie. It was a beautiful view, four dogs. He had drifted to Imogene, seek- and just then presented one of those rare ing employment, and his honest blue eye had winter sunsets which are unsurpassed for dig- caught the fancy of Howard Brewster. nity, sweetness, and rich coloring. But she It certainly was the recourse of despera- was wrapped in deep thought, and was tion—this proposal of Mrs. Brewster's. Few unconscious of the glories of the scene. men would have dared to think of it. If any Suddenly she rose and hurried out of the one had asked her why she thought of it, she house. At a small house in the same yard could not have replied rationally. But Rock with her own she stopped and knocked. The River had been her first Dakota home. There door was opened by a large, overgrown boy, Rachel was born, and there lived Dr. Young, who started when he saw Mrs. Brewster, and who had won the mother's confidence by his exclaimed, “Why, you here? Will you skill during the early life of the child. He come in, Mrs. Brewster?” might be able to save Rachel. Then, too, She walked in, but without sitting down perhaps her husband was there, for Rock asked, “Are the dogs all right ?” River was half-way on the branch railroad THE BLIZZARD AT IMOGENE. 267 from Lambert to Imogene, and the road from notony which seemed to contain no radiant there to Lambert, being comparatively free feature. But to Eric and Helen there was of deep cuts, was less subject to blockades of nothing of monotony in the ride. The simple, snow than between there and Imogene. true-hearted Dane was inspired and wrought The idea of using the dogs seemed to have up as men almost never are. Every foot of come to her as a direct inspiration. So the way he scanned keenly; he knew by the quickly had storm followed storm that no appearance of the snow and the lay of the hard crust had been formed on the snow, and land where to look for pitfalls, where there to drive across the prairie with horses would was no crust, and where rocks might lie. A be impossible, because the horses would break sharp turn by the dogs, a sudden fright to through the thin crust and hopelessly floun- himself or his team, a pull on the wrong rein der. The dogs, however, trained by long —any one of these might mean an over- service, could skim across the lightest sur- turned sledge and death. His mind, directed face, and might bear her and her child to a automatically toward his work, exercised a haven of safety. It was the last resource, double function. As he called to the fore- at any rate; and to save one life, even at the most pair of dogs a word of warning and risk of losing three, she seized upon it. half rose in his seat to survey the tract The town was as silent as the charnel-house just ahead, his thoughts were back in his it seemed to be when, next morning, the grandfather's house. He saw with filling sledge passed over the railroad crossing and eyes the grief-stricken face as the lone old turned south toward Rock River. On the out- man learned (for by this time he must cer- skirts of the town loomed up the residence of tainly have received the dread tidings) of the John Bennett, president of the State Bank, death of his children. Now Eric was recall- Mr. Brewster's rival and business enemy. ing the incidents of his early childhood, when Because of that enmity Helen, although a life was so sweet, when there was no talk of generous woman, felt for the man and his poverty, when he had never heard of Dakota, family a strong dislike. But the evening and when the thought of leaving home had before, she had learned that little Alice, Mrs. never come into his mind. Then suddenly Bennett's baby, had been seized with the epi- dreaming ceased, and as he turned sharply demic in its most malignant form, and the to look upon those whose lives were in his light burning brightly in the big house indi- hands, the tide of his emotions almost over- cated to her mind a terrible vigil. At sight of whelmed and unmanned him. it tears filled her eyes, and a wave of sympathy came upon her that buried all un- kind and uncharitable thoughts. There was no road. The only possible safe course lay in following the rail- road track; and swiftly past the telegraph poles whirled the sledge. Here and there the poles lay buried in the snow, and Eric, in making long cir- cuits to avoid the tangled wires, saw clearly enough the reason for the tele- graph's silence. Desperate and intrepid though it was, the journey had no dra- matic adjuncts to make it striking. Dull and leaden was the sky, and on all sides stretched the broad, flat prairie, its white surface complet- * He filled his great lungs, and out over the silent prairie rang the ing a picture of mo- high voice.” 268 THE BLIZZARD AT IMOGENE. FEED The dogs Two stations on the line of the railway the surface of the stream would be their were passed without a sign from Mrs. Brews- greatest peril. Eric had foreseen this, and ter. She did not seem to see them. The day the thought of it had all along lain heavy on was hourly growing more cold and threaten- his mind. When, finally, they came to the ing, and Eric realized that every moment of edge of the precipice, he stopped and looked daylight was indis- searchingly for a pensable. But he place where the de- also knew that the scent might be less journey could not be abrupt. But there completed without was no path ; nor a rest and food for the sign that any one dogs. He ventured had ever crossed the to suggest, a short stream. Eric looked time before noon, at Helen : she under- that they stop a few stood. moments at some must be trusted. farm-house. Helen The rein was given at first begged to go to them, and down on, but she soon saw they dashed merrily the wisdom of stop- toward the frozen, ping. snow-clad surface of Presently ap- the river. A mo- peared just ahead ment of intense sus- an odd, square house pense, and they were with a small addi- gliding over the tion at the rear. snow, which lay al- Eric drove quickly most as deep on the up to it, and hal- ice as on the prairie. looed, but there was The river was here no response. Giving quite broad, and, as " He saw some men carrying the body of the reins to Helen, the sledge sped gaily he stepped to the toward the opposite door and knocked. A little old man opened it, bank, joy and thanksgiving shone in the radi- and bowed in a deferential manner. Seeing ant faces of the two, and a song was rising Helen in the sledge, he made haste to beckon to Eric's lips. Then suddenly they came upon them in. As they entered, Eric turned to a stretch of ice swept bare of snow by Helen and whispered, “Mennonite.” It was, the wind; the sledge began to swing and in fact, the home of a member of the sect turn, and in another moment crashed vio- that left Germany for Russia many years ago lently against a rock that jutted out from that they might escape military service, to the bank, and the passengers were flung off which they were religiously opposed ; and violently. The dogs, frightened by the ac- then later, after the promise made to them cident and feeling their burden suddenly by one Czar and kept for a half-century had lightened, darted away up and over the 'been broken by another, had emigrated to bank. Helen almost swooned at the sight, Manitoba and the United States for the same but the stubborn Dane rose at once to his reason. The house consisted of one large feet and ran wildly up the bank in pursuit. room, and built right up to it was the stable When he reached the summit, the dogs were for horses and cattle. In it was a large far off, speeding like the wind. He could brick stove that served to cook the food and not catch them. He must call. He filled heat the room. To Helen it was not an his great lungs, and out over the silent prairie agreeable place, but the old man and his wife rang the high voice. The dogs heard and made them welcome, and the dogs got the recognized it, and stopped and turned. Again food and rest that they must have in order he called. And now they saw him and, leap- to finish the journey. ing forward, they ran back to him as quickly They were soon on their way again, and as they had fled, their eyes bearing that look now the face of the country began to change, of mingled love, fear of punishment, shame for they were approaching the stream of for misconduct, and pleading for pardon Rock River. It had to be crossed, and in the which is so human that it touches the heart. steep descent from the top of the bank to The way now left the railroad line and fol- a woman." THE BLIZZARD AT IMOGENE. 269 lowed a fringe of trees that skirted the bank Howard Brewster had reached Rock River of the stream. Ten miles directly ahead of the day before, on the first train that pushed them they saw the town of Rock River. The through from Lambert after the blizzard. wind was dying down, but the cold was be- Despite the cold, he was pacing back and coming keener and more penetrating, and forth on the station platform that day, his this soon began to tell seriously. The dogs, anxiety and nervous stress manifest in his brave and hardy fellows, pressed ahead face. His distress was all the more acute with all their might, but with slackened because to it were added remorse and self- speed. Occasionally one of them stumbled, accusation. He had delayed his departure and Eric would then shout a cheerful for home one day longer than was necessary. warning ; but fear was clutching at his Had he not done so, he would have reached heart. The child lay in Helen's arms not Imogene the day before the storm. When seeming to breathe. Indeed, the mother it came, he knew only too well what it meant, did not know whether Rachel was alive or and he took the first train, hoping that, if he dead. She herself was becoming terribly could not reach home, perhaps by getting cold. Her limbs were dead to all feeling ; nearer he might receive some tidings from even her anxiety and suspense, intense and home. That week's experience, as the train sharp an hour ago, were fast disappearing, plowed its slow way to Rock River, was the and in the reaction and relaxation she seemed most illumining of his life. He began to see to be losing her hold on life. the vanity and emptiness of his struggles for “ The stricken town was aroused by the ringing of bells and the shrieks of engines." 270 THE BLIZZARD AT IVOGENE. nat " The crew :. had worked all day and night." money, and the priceless worth of family and her. But he wasn't paying much attention home. Some of the transactions which he to the dogs, and the sledge upset, here in had conducted under stress of anger, greed, front of the hotel, and she was hurt. But or for the sake of defeating and discomfit- she will come to in a little while." ing Bennett, now seemed mean and most ig That night a railway president was sitting noble. And out of all these thoughts and in his elegant dining-room in St. Paul, enter- meditations grew, in some undefined way, a taining a party of gentlemen from the East, resolution for better and truer manhood. stockholders of the road. Telegrams by the In the latter part of the afternoon he left score kept pouring in upon him, but one of the station, and, wearied in mind and body these sounded a discordant note, and caused and sick at heart, returned to his hotel, to him to beg the party to excuse him for a wait and wait. A terrible fear and dread moment. The despatch was : hung over him. After a little while a shout, followed by the sound of hurrying Rock RIVER, February 2d. feet, came up to him from the street. terrible epidemic of meningitis ; children dying daily . Messenger just arrived here from Imogene reports Springing to the window, he saw some men No trains through since the blizzard. Only one phy- carrying the body of a woman into the hotel, sician there. I respectfully urge that you cannot af- while others supported a man who staggered ford to permit this line to be longer blocked. Ex- after the woman. He could not see their traordinary measures in the interest of humanity should be taken at once. faces, but a sudden chill struck his heart. It HOWARD BREWSTER, was soon gone, and, composed and peaceful, Cashier Imogene National Bank. he walked down the stairs and into the room where the woman lay. The crowd saw him “Cannot afford to permit this line to be enter, and was at once hushed into silence. longer blocked, eh?” sneered Dick Webb. Dr. Young, who was bending over the woman, Well, I can afford to do it if I want to." noticed the change, and turning, saw his old Another despatch confirmed Brewster's mes- friend gazing steadily into the deathly face. sage, and a reporter called to see him “about He mistook the look for despair, and grasp- that Imogene fever story.”. Then the presi- ing Brewster's hand, cried, “Cheer up, Brew- dent whistled softly to himself and said, ster! Your wife is safe. She was all but “Whew! So the papers have got on to it. frozen and falling asleep, when that young Well, I guess we'll have to do something. Dane realized it and took her in hand and Those people up there have been complain- rubbed and pounded her until he finally roused ing a good deal, and if it goes too far the THE BLIZZARD AT IMOGENE. 271 morrow. nurses. 62 66 M. and N. might push its line through from had broken and became useless, and the Madison. After all, maybe that country crew of one hundred men, who had worked banker is right.” And he at once sat down, all day and night, were nearly dead with cold and wrote two messages. One was addressed and exhaustion. Nothing but “direct orders to the general superintendent, saying : from R. R. W.” could have kept them up to such a terrible task. But the battle was won, You must open Imogene line to-morrow. Epidemic. and as the train stopped at the station, it was Take rotaries and all the men you need. Use utmost endeavor, and make a record. Have car for surgeons met by men and women whose emotion was ready at Lambert. so great they could not even cheer. R. R. W. As Mr. Brewster alighted from the train he took the chief surgeon by the arm, and The other was to the chief surgeon : said quietly, “Now, Doctor, let me take charge of this matter. Ainsworth, the agent, will Direct Johnson, with assistants and nurses, to board know in what houses your assistants better special at Lambert to-morrow for Imogene. Cerebro- spinal meningitis epidemic there. begin, and can guide them. I have a place R. R. W. for you.” Then, after whispering á few words to the agent, he conducted the chief surgeon Jones, the division superintendent at Lam- to a sled, and said to the driver, “ Jack, drive bert, received this message : us at once to Bennett's.” Where ?” exclaimed the astonished Take Rotary No. 6 off Joplin line and Rotary No. 3 driver. out of shop at Lovilla, and open up Imogene line to- Direct orders from R. R. W. Take as many "To Bennett's, I said ; and be quick about men as you need. Make up special for surgeons and it," answered Brewster. Wire results and progress. Have you heard how Bennett's Alice is HUDSON. this morning, Jack ?” he asked fearfully as they set off. The chief surgeon read his message care Mighty low last night, they said, but fully, and slapped his knee : “Send Johnson alive yet this morning,” was the reply. off on such a fine thing ? No, sir! I haven't Thank God,” fervently exclaimed Brew- run across an epidemic of meningitis for fif- ster. “We must save that child." teen years, and I want to try that new for “One of your special friends?" asked the mula. I'll go myself.” surgeon. The boys along the line were in the habit Yes," was the simple, but earnest reply, of saying, “R. R. W. never does anything un- and the driver, thinking Brewster must have less he sees something in it, and then he suddenly gone daft, turned to look for evi- does it up brown." At eight o'clock the dences of lunacy in his face. But in those next morning, two giant rotary snow-plows, eyes, turned so steadily and glowingly upon pushed by monster locomotives drawing a him, he saw not insanity, but love, joy, and special train, pulled out of Lambert for the peace. north. Among those who boarded the train The epidemic was now soon conquered. at Rock River was Howard Brewster. That The arrival of the train gave to the people day had for him a radiance such as no other courage and hope. The whole world to them day had. His wife had been restored to him was transformed and made anew. The as- after risking her life to save their child. sured manner of the physicians and nurses in That child, by some miracle, had passed the their work instilled confidence into the hearts crisis of the disease in the terrible ride, and of the patients, and faith is the world's great- now Dr. Young said that she ought to re- est curative agent. Almost all of those who cover. When Brewster learned the result were sick when the train came recovered ; of his message to the railroad president, he and among these was Bennett's child, al- determined to accompany the relief train to though at times her recovery seemed impos- Imogene. sible. It was just break of day the next morning The whole Northwest rang with praises of when the stricken town was aroused by the Helen Brewster, and her return to Imogene ringing of bells and the shrieks of engines. was a signal for such a welcome as would The astonished people rushed out into the seem more characteristic of the peoples cold morning air to see if one sense could of the Orient than of the apathetic dwellers possibly verify the other, and beheld what to in that cold clime. But she gently refused them seemed an angel from heaven! It had all gifts or tokens from them, deprecating her been a fearful journey. One of the rotaries own part in the terrible experience, and ex- THE “CONSTELLATION" IN THE WAR WITH FRANCE, 273 acter, of which he was the author, and let- was vigorously raised by Lord Stormont. ters and despatches still extant, bear out this Later, in the "St. James," a ship of twenty statement. The educational standard of the guns and 120 men, while carrying Mr. Thomas day was certainly not high, and he easily sur- Barclay, just appointed Consul-General to passed it. France, he beat off, after a desperate action, He made many voyages in distant seas, an English frigate of thirty-two guns. A and at one time was pressed in His Britan- bold, dashing, hard-fighting, thorough-going nic Majesty's ship “Prudent," sixty-four, sailor was Master Thomas Truxtun, Revolu- where, his ability attracting attention, he tionary privateersman. was offered a midshipman's warrant, but de In person he was short and stout, red-faced, clined it, and was shortly after released from and gray-eyed, but handsome and strong- the English service. In 1775, at the age of looking. To the day of his death he always twenty, he actually commanded a ship, the wore a quaint, old-fashioned naval wig. He “ Andrew Caldwell," in which, by his daring was quick-tempered with men, especially and address, he succeeded in bringing large when he had the gout, which, as he was a quantities of much-needed gunpowder into high liver, was not infrequently. At such the rebellious colonies. In the same year his times he was wont to make it somewhat un- ship, in which he had acquired a half owner- pleasant for his body servant, an old seamar ship (good, for a boy of that day), was cap- who had sailed with him for many years. tured, condemned, and sold, and he was made with women he was always courteous and a prisoner. Nothing daunted by this reverse charming, and seeing that he had thirteen of fortune, he finally escaped from surveil- daughters and only one son, it may be con- lance at St. Eustatius, and made his way to ceded that he had no lack of experience with Philadelphia. Early in 1776, he shipped as the ruling sex. In short, he was of that a lieutenant in the Congress," the first to quaint, old-fashioned, forgotten type of sea get to sea of a long line of bold privateers officers which vanished when the romantic which swept the waters for British ships, and beautiful sailing-ship of the past was and in the next war with that country, in supplanted by the prosaic, but intensely busi- 1812, nearly drove the merchant vessels of ness-like, iron pot of the day. He was a good the English from the Atlantic Ocean. churchman, too, and sleeps after his tempes- In 1777, he fitted out the privateer ship tuous life in Christ Church burying-ground “Independence," boldly dashed through the in Philadelphia-well, he earned his rest. British guard ships in Long Island Sound, out After the war he again engaged in the around Lord Howe's tremendous fleet, and merchant service, visiting at different times, made a brilliantly successful cruise, captur- in his own ships, all quarters of the globe, ing several ships, one larger and with more and becoming in time wealthy, substantial, guns and men aboard of her than his own. and respected. When the United States On this cruise the young privateersman had Navy was organized in 1794, under the stim- a rather unpleasant encounter with Captain ulus of the Algerine piratical depredations, John Paul Jones, with regard to his flying a he was made the last of the six captains for pennant in the presence of the latter's regu- the six new ships authorized by Congress. larly commissioned ship-of-war. The offend- In his case, the last certainly became the ing pennant was most properly hauled down, first. He was appointed to the new ship after a sharp correspondence, at the demand “ Constellation," thirty-eight, then building of Captain Jones, always a fighter for his at Baltimore, and superintended her building prerogatives and for everything else as well; and equipment. She was launched on Sep- but not until the peremptory request was tember 7, 1797, and is at present the oldest backed by one Richard Dale with two heavy ship on the United States Navy list, the frig- boat crews fully armed. While the incident ate United States," forty-four, which was speaks little for Truxtun's discretion, it says launched two months prior, having long since much for the pluck and courage of a boy to been destroyed. The Algerine difficulty hav- have dared to withstand even for a moment ing been temporarily adjusted, Congress, so great a captain as Paul Jones. smarting under the arrogant aggressions of The next year, in command of the“ Mars, " the French upon our ships and flag, in July, a larger and better ship, still gaily priva- 1798, abrogated all treaties and began a lit- teering, Truxtun emulated the examples of tle naval warfare on its own account; which Wickes and Conyngham and ravaged the is chiefly remembered for the exploits of the English Channel, sending so many prizes into “ Constellation" and for having given rise, Quiberon Bay that an international question a little time before the beginning of hostili- 274 THE “CONSTELLATION” IN THE WAR WITH FRANCE. ties, to Pinckney's famous saying, “ Millions Truxtun and the “ Constellation" would for defense, not one cent for tribute." not be denied, however. The yard-arms were About noon on Saturday, February 9, 1799, covered with canvas again, the men sent to while the “ Constellation," under easy can- quarters, and all preparations made for the vas, was cruising off the Island of St. Kitts, action. The other ship, after hoisting several a sail was sighted to the southward, where- different flags, but finding escape impossible, upon she squared away and headed for the finally set the French colors, ran off to the stranger. The wind was blowing fresh from southeast, and gallantly fired a lee gun as a the northeast, and all sail was at once crowded signal of readiness to engage. At three P.M., on the frigate in chase; reefs were shaken the “Constellation," having taken in her light out of the topsails by the eager topmen, the sails and stripped herself to fighting canvas, royals and topgallant sails set; the light stud- drew up on the Frenchman's weather quarter. ding sails on their slender booms were rapidly This was the first great action in which the extended far out beyond the broad yard-arms; United States Navy had ever borne a part. and the gallant ship, "taking a bone in her It was, in fact, the first great action in which teeth,' as the sailors say, tore through the Captain Traxtun had ever borne a part him- waves, and bore down upon the stranger at self. His other battles had been in smaller a tremendous pace, the water boiling and ships, and there had been about the service foaming about her cutwater, the spray fly- the little taint of gain which always attaches ing over her lee cathead, the waves rushing to the privateer, the soldier of fortune of madly along her smooth sides, and coming the ocean. Now he was the commander of a together again under her counter, making a perfectly appointed ship-of-war representing swirling wake in the deep blue of the toss- the dignity and power of the United States. ing sea. The spirit which had defied blockades, laughed The stranger bore up at once, hauling at odds, struggled with Paul Jones, was with aboard his port tacks, and showed no dis- him still, however, and he did not doubt the position to avoid the expected attack of the outcome of the combat. Neither did his Constellation.” The two ships were both men; and in silence they approached the very speedy and weatherly. The “ Constel- enemy. . lation was certainly the fastest vessel in When the “ Constellation" had drawn well the American navy then and for many years abreast her antagonist, at a distance of per- after, and the French ship had the reputa- haps thirty feet, the Frenchman hailed. Cap- tion of being one of the fastest ships in the tain Truxtun's answer was a terrific broad- navies of the world. They neared each side, which was at once returned. As the other rapidly, therefore. But the fresh shot of the enemy came crashing through breeze blew up into a sudden squall. The the“ Constellation,” one poor fellow flinched watchful Truxtun, who had noticed its ap- from his gun; seeing his mate literally dis- proach, however, was ready for it, though emboweled by a solid shot, he started to run he held on under all sail till the very last from his quarters. The man was at once breathless minute. Just before the blow shot dead by Lieutenant Sterret, commanding fell, the order was, “ In stun’s’ls, royals, the third division of guns. There was no and topgallants’ls; all hands reef tops’ls. more flinching in that battery; this was the The nimble crew executed the orders with kind of discipline that ruled on the ship. such dashing precision that, when the squall The French ship, which carried 100 more broke a few moments after, everything was men than the other, now immediately luffed snug alow and aloft, and the ship bore the up into the wind to board, firing fiercely the fury of the wind's attack unharmed, having while; but the “ Constellation ” drew ahead. lost not a foot of distance through shorten- Then Truxtun saw his chance; it was “ up ing sail before the emergency demanded it. helm and square away again.” He ran the As soon as the squall cleared away and the Constellation sharply down across the rain, which had hidden the ships from each bows of the enemy, and at short range poured other, had abated, the “ Constellation's” a raking broadside fairly into his face; then people found that the chase had not fared so ranging along the other (the starboard) side well as they. Less smartly handled, with a of the Frenchman, he finally took position off less capable crew, she had lost her maintop- the starboard bow, and for nearly an hour mast. The wreck had been cleared on her, deliberately poured in a withering fire. At her course changed, and with the wind now four o'clock, he drew ahead once more, on the quarter, she was heading in, hoping luffed up into the wind, and crossed the to make a harbor and escape the conflict. French ship's bow again, repeating the rak- 66 THE “CONSTELLATION” IN THE WAR WITH FRANCE. 275 ing, sailed along the larboard side firing as determined second. They and their plucky he went, took up a position on the larboard companions put a bold front on the matter, bow, and soon dismounted every gun on the and resolutely drove the Frenchmen, now main deck, leaving the enemy only the light grown mutinous, into the lower hold, where guns above with which to continue the fight: they were kept in check by a cannon loaded the French ship was as helpless as a chop- to the muzzle with grape and canister and ping-block. With masterly seamanship the pointed down the hatchway. Over the hatch- American had literally sailed around the de- way bags of heavy shot were suspended by voted Frenchman, destroying each battery lashings, which could easily be cut and the in succession, and raking him fore and aft shot dropped down upon the heads of an again and again. The doomed French ship attacking party below. Every small arm on now drew ahead again, and the “ Constella- the ship was loaded and placed conveniently tion” crossed astern of her, and took posi- at hand, and the hatch was closely guarded tion in preparation for another tremendous by three men armed to the teeth. The raking and pounding, when the Frenchman others cleared the wreck and made sail; reluctantly struck his flag. and after three days and two nights of the The prize was the splendid frigate “L'In- hardest labor and the greatest anxiety, dur- surgente," forty guns and 409 men. Cap- ing which every man of them remained con- tain Barreaut, her commander, made a noble tinuously on deck, the ship finally reached defense, and only struck his flag when he had St. Kitts, to the very great relief of Trux- not a single gun in the main battery which tun, who was already there. This exploit could be used and after seventy of his crew was scarcely less notable than had been the had been killed or wounded. The “ Con- battle itself. And such was the stern school stellation ” had two killed and only three of the American navy, and the subsequent wounded! The happy result of this brilliant wars have shown that it developed men. action between the two ships was due mainly to the seamanship of the American comman One year after the capture of “L'Insur- der and the gun practice of his men, though gente," the “ Constellation,” still under the “Constellation,” carrying long twenty- Truxtun’s command, was cruising on her old four-pounders on her main deck as against grounds to the southward of St. Kitts and “L'Insurgente's” long eighteen-pounders, about fifteen miles west of Basse Terre. Early had a decided advantage of the latter, on the morning of February 1, 1800, a sail Among the American officers in this engage- was sighted to the southward, standing to ment were two men afterward justly cele- the west. Thereupon the “ Constellation” brated in the War of 1812: Lieutenant John immediately made sail and bore down in pur- Rodgers and Midshipman David Porter. The suit of the stranger, which was soon seen to latter, who was stationed in the foretop, be a large and heavily armed ship-of-war, seeing at one period of the action that the evidently much stronger in force than the topmast had been seriously wounded and was Constellation” herself. Not in the least tottering and about to fall, and being unable disquieted by this open disparity in favor of to make any one hear him, took the re- the enemy, Truxtun made every effort to sponsibility of lowering the foretopsail yard close with her. The Frenchman apparently on his own motion, thus relieving the strain had no stomach for a fight, and made equally on the mast and preventing a mishap which determined efforts to get away. might have altered the fate of the battle. The wind was light and baffling, with fre- Rodgers and Porter were placed in charge quent intervals of calm, and the Americans of the prize. During the night a fierce gale could not get alongside, in spite of the most blew up, and in the morning the “ Constel- persistent efforts. For over twenty-four was nowhere to be seen by Rodgers, hours the pursuit continued with no result whose position was most critical. Thirteen whatever. Thirteen whatever. About two o'clock on the after- Americans all told were to guard 173 pris- noon of Sunday, February 2d, the breeze oners, on a leaking, shattered, dismasted freshened and steadied; and by setting every ship, wallowing in the trough of the sea, cloth of canvas, the swift-sailing“ Constella- the dead and dying still tossed about on her tion” at last began to draw up to the rather heaving decks. There were no handcuffs or deep-laden chase. As the breeze held and shackles aboard; the gratings which covered there was every prospect of soon overhaul- and secured the hatches had been thrown ing her, the men were sent to quarters and away. Rodgers was a man of splendid pro- every preparation made for the fight; the portions and great strength; Porter was a yards were slung with chains; topsail sheets, lation; 276 CONSTELLATION“ IN THE WAR WITH FRANCE. THE shrouds, and other rigging stoppered; pre- carelessness on the part of himself or his venter back stays reeved, boarding and splin- men. As they neared their huge, overpow- ter nettings triced up, the boats covered, ering antagonist, the necessity for making decks sanded, magazines opened, arms dis- every shot tell was as apparent to them as tributed, etc. to him. Again enjoining strict silence, the The battle was to be a night one, however, commodore regained the quarter-deck, and as it was eight o'clock in the evening before stepping to the lee side, for he had skilfully the two ships were within gunshot distance. held the weather gauge of his big enemy, he The candles in the battle lanterns were lighted, seized a large trumpet and prepared to hail and each frigate presented a brilliant picture her. to the other as the light streamed far out over At this moment a bright flash of light shot the tossing water. It was a bright moonlight out into the night from the black side of the night, and the ships were as visible as if it towering Frenchman, followed by the roar of were daytime. the discharge of a stern chaser beginning the Seeing that escape was hopeless, the action, in which all of the after guns of the Frenchmen apparently made up their minds Frenchman immediately participated. The to a desperate contest, and all hands, in- shot from the long eighteens and twelves, cluding a number of passengers, went to and the great bolts from the forty-two-pound quarters, cheering loudly, the sound of their carronades crashed into the American frig- voices coming faintly up the wind to the silent ate sweeping steadily forward. Men began “Constellation” sweeping toward them. to fall here and there on the “ Constella- Before the battle was joined the stout com- tion's" decks. decks. The wounded, groaning or modore, with his aides, descended to the gun- shrieking or stupefied with pain, were car- deck and passed through the ship. The men ried below to the surgeon and his mates in had been as exuberant as children, and had the cockpit, while the dead were hastily gone to the guns dancing and leaping; but as ranged along the deck on the unengaged they drew near the enemy, their exuberance side. No one made a sound, however, ex- subsided and joyousness gave way to a feel- cept the wounded, and even they endeavored ing of calm deliberation and high resolve to to stifle their groans and rise superior to repeat, if possible, the success of the year their anguish. But the punishment was ex- before. As he walked through the batteries, ceedingly severe, and it was almost more Truxtun emphatically charged his men not to than the men could bear to stand patiently fire a gun under pain of death until he gave receiving such an attack, though Truxtun the word; those who had been in the last bat- sent his aides forward again, sternly enforc- tle knew what that meant. He knew, as did ing his command to the men to withhold their other great American naval commanders, the fire until directed. There was no flinching, value of a close, well-delivered broadside at however, on this occasion; the officers kept the the right moment, and of that moment he men well in hand; but the situation was get- himself would be the judge. His instruc- ting desperate; breaths came harder, hearts tions were that the loading of the pieces was beat faster, the inaction was killing. Was to be as rapid as possible and the fire delib- that imperturbable captain never going to erate, and only delivered when it would be give the order to fire? Meanwhile, the frigate effective; not a single charge was to be was rapidly drawing nearer. Now the bow thrown away; the guns were to be loaded of the “* Constellation” lapped the larboard mainly with solid shot, with the addition of a quarter of the French ship. The moment was stand of grape now and then; and the ob- coming; it was at hand. Truxtun swung his ject of their attack was to be the hull of the ship up into the wind a little and away from enemy; no attention was to be paid by the the other, to bring the whole broadside to main battery to the spars or rigging. The bear; and then, leaping up on the taffrail and marines and small-arm men were to pay par- from thence into the mizzen shrouds, in plain ticular attention to the officers and crew of view of both ships' crews, and a target for the enemy. The officers were charged to a hundred rifles of the Frenchmen, he leaned allow no undue haste nor confusion among far out over the black water, and in his the men of the several divisions, and they deep, powerful voice gave the command to were cautioned to set the men an example fire-a noble and heroic figure! With wild of steadiness by their own cool and deter- cheers for their gallant captain, the men de- mined bearing. Like a prudent commander, livered the mighty broadside. Their own Commodore Truxtun wisely determined to ship reeled and trembled from the recoil of throw away no chance of success by any the discharge of the heavy battery, and the THE " 277 CONSTELLATION” IN THE WAR WITH FRANCE. "... FIRING AS HE WENT, TOOK UP A POSITION ON THE LARBOARD Bow." effect on the enemy was fearful. His cheer- the two ships, covered with smoke, fought ing stopped at once, and a moment of silence it out through the long hours of the night. broken by wild shrieks of pain and deep The men toiled and sweated at the guns, groans and curses supervened. cheering and cursing. The grime and soil of The conflict was soon resumed, however, the powder smoke covered their half-naked and shot answered shot, cheer met cheer as bodies; here and there a bloody bandage be- Venge the THEY DROVE THE FRENCHMEN, NOW GROWN MUTINOUS, INTO THE LOWER HOLD." THE “CONSTELLATION” IN THE WAR WITH FRANCE. 279 spoke a bleeding wound; dead men lay where man James Jarvis, a little reefer only thirteen they fell or were thrust hastily aside; the years old. The boy was worthy of his ship and once white decks grew slippery with blood captain. One of the older seamen in the top in spite of the sand poured upon them, as had warned him that the mast must certainly the raving, maddened crew continued the fall, and had advised him to abandon his post awful conflict. There was little opportunity while there was yet time. The lad heroically for maneuvering, and until midnight they refused, saying that they must remain at their maintained a yard-arm to yard-arm combat. stations, and if the mast went they would The fire of the Frenchman was directed mainly have to go with it. Before the crew, who at the spars and rigging of the “Constella- were working desperately, could secure it or tion," so that an unusually large part of her save it, it crashed over the side and carried crew were employed in splicing rope and reev- with it to instant death little Jarvis and all ing new gear as fast as the old was shot away. the men with him in the top except one. The Nevertheless, the remainder of the crew action of young Jarvis was as great an act served their artillery so rapidly and brilliantly of individual heroism as was ever recorded that many of the guns became so heated as on the sea. Taken in connection with his to be useless, until men crawled out of the extreme youth, it is even more remarkable ports, in the face of the open fire of the en- than the more famous devotion of young emy, and dipping up buckets of water cooled Casabianca on the “ Orient” at the battle them off. of the Nile. About one bell in the mid watch (half after Taking advantage of the delay and confu- twelve), Truxtun succeeded in ranging ahead sion thus caused, the surrendered French and taking position on the bow of the French ship made sail and slowly faded away in the ship, and finally succeeded in silencing com- blackness of the night. By the time the pletely her fire, which had grown more and wreck had been cleared, she was lost to more feeble as the long hours wore away. sight, and in the morning could nowhere be After five hours of most desperate struggle, seen. She turned up at Curaçao a few days the stranger was defeated. Indeed, twice later, in a sinking condition. The“ Constel- during the night she had struck her colors; lation " ran for Jamaica, to repair damages but her action being unknown on the “Con- and refit. The French ship proved to be the stellation,” the combat had continued. There frigate “ La Vengeance,” of fifty-two guns, was no doubt of the matter now, however; throwing 1,115 pounds of shot, as against the she was not only defeated, but silenced. The “Constellation's” fifty guns, throwing only last shot of the battle came from the “ Con- 826 pounds of shot! The difference in favor of stellation.' “La Vengeance" over the “ Constellation" The moon had set now for some time, and, was about the same as the difference in favor save for the lights on the ships, the sea was of the “Constellation "over “L'Insurgente,” in total darkness. The shining stars in the but in spite of that the “ Constellation” had quiet heavens above them looked down upon proved the victor. a scene of desolation and horror. Forty of Truxtun received a medal from Congress, the “ Constellation's” men were dead or a magnificent piece of plate valued at 600 wounded out of her crew of 310; and there guineas ($3,000) from Lloyds in England, were no less than 160 casualties out of a swords, prize money, and other rewards. crew of 330 on the decks of the hapless Little Jarvis was not forgotten, as the fol- Frenchman-a fearful proportion! The rig- lowing resolution of Congress will show: ging and spars of the latter were more or less intact, but her hull was fearfully wrecked. Resolved, That the conduct of James Jarvis, a mid- She had received nearly 200 solid shot therein, shipman in said frigate, who gloriously preferred cer- and she was almost in a sinking condition; of the highest praise, and that the loss of so promising tain death to an abandonment of his post, is deserving her decks resembled a slaughter pen. an officer is a subject of national regret. As the smoke drifted away the “ Constella- tion" was headed for the stranger, to range That is certainly honor enough for any one alongside and take possession, when it was boy or man, and I believe he is the cnly youth discovered that every shroud and stay sup- so distinguished by Congress. porting the “ Constellation's" mainmast had “L'Insurgente" had been taken into the been carried away, and the mast, which had service of the United States, and one sum- been badly wounded under the top, was totter- mer morning in 1799 she sailed away into ing with the swaying of the ship. The men in the ocean under command of Captain Patrick the top were under the command of Midship- Fletcher, and never came back again. No “IN PLAIN VIEW OF BOTH SHIPS' CREWS, AND A TARGET FOR A HUNDRED RIFLES OF THE FRENCHMEN, HE ... GAVE THE COMMAND TO FIRE." BLAINE AND CONKLING AND THE CONVENTION OF 1880. 281 tidings of her end after she left the Capes lation" still flies the American flag, and hun- of Virginia were ever received, and her fate dreds of future admirals (and some who are is one of the untold secrets of the teeming not and never will be admirals, including the sea. writer) learned their seamanship upon her Six months after her action with the “Con- when she was the practice ship of the Naval stellation," the unfortunate “Vengeance" Academy; playing at war upon those decks was captured, after another desperate battle, which had resounded with the roar of the in which she lost over a hundred men killed guns in those half-forgotten days when she and wounded, by the British thirty-eight-gun so successfully fought the enemies of her frigate“ Seine." In both instances she was country under the command of brave old beaten by an inferior force. The“ Constel- Truxtun and his gallant men. BLAINE AND CONKLING AND THE REPUBLICAN CONVENTION OF 1880. BY GEORGE S. BOUTWELL. THE NHE controversy between Mr. Blaine and Mr. Blaine, and on the thirtieth day of April, Mr. Conkling on the floor of the House Mr. Blaine read from his seat in the House a of Representatives in the Thirty-ninth Con- letter from General Fry addressed to him- gress was fraught with serious consequences self. Thus Mr. Blaine endorsed the contents to the contestants, and it may have changed of the letter. the fortunes of the Republican party. In that letter General Fry made three spe- Mr. Conkling was a member of the Thirty- cific charges against Mr. Conkling, but he seventh Congress, but he was defeated as a made no answer to the arraignment that candidate for the Thirty-eighth. He was re- Mr. Conkling had made of him and of his turned for the Thirty-ninth Congress. Dur- office. Thus he avoided the issue that Mr. ing the term of the Thirty-eighth Congress Conkling had raised. His charges were he was commissioned by the Department of these : War as Judge-Advocate, and assigned for 1. That Mr. Conkling had received a fee duty to the prosecution of Major Haddock for the prosecution of Major Haddock, and and the trial of certain soldiers known as that the same had been received improperly, “bounty jumpers.” That duty he performed. if not illegally. When the army bill was before the House 2. That in the discharge of his duties he in April, 1866, Mr. Conkling moved to strike had not acted in good faith, and that he had out the section which made an appropria- been zealous in preventing the prosecution tion for the support of the Provost-Marshal- of deserters at Utica. General. General Grant, then in command 3. That he had notified the War Depart- of the army, had given an opinion, in a let- ment that the Provost-Marshal in Western ter dated March 19, 1866, that that office in New York needed legal advice, and that the War Department was an unnecessary thereupon he received an appointment. office. Mr. Conkling supported his motion The fourth charge was an inference, and in a speech in which he said : “My objection it fell with the allegation. to this section is that it creates an unneces Upon the reading of the letter a debate sary office for an undeserving public servant; arose which fell below any recognized stan- it fastens, as an incubus upon the country, a dard of Congressional controversy and which hateful instrument of war, which deserves rendered a reconciliation impossible. no place in a free government in a time of At that time my relations to Mr. Conkling peace." were not intimate, and I am now puzzled Thus Mr. Conkling not only assailed the when I ask myself the question : “Why did office, he assailed the officer, and in a man- Mr. Conkling invite my opinion as to his fur- ner calculated to kindle resentment, espe- ther action in the matter ?” That he did, cially in an officer of high rank. General however ; and I advised him to ask for a com- James B. Fry was Provost-Marshal-General. mittee. A committee of five was appointed, He was able to command the friendship of three Republicans and two Democrats. 282 BLAINE AND CONKLING AND THE CONVENTION OF 1880. excuse. Shellabarger was chairman, and Mr. Windom man ; my brother John is. If any Sherman was a member. is to be nominated, he is the man. The report was a unanimous report. The I did not then question, nor do I now committee criticised the practice of reading question, the sincerity of the statement that letters in the House which reflected upon Mr. Blaine then made. My acquaintance the House, or upon the acts or speeches of with Mr. Blaine began with our election to any member. the Thirty-eighth Congress, and it continued At considerable length of statement and on terms of reserved friendship to the end remarks, the committee exonerated Mr.Conk- of his life. That reserve was not due to ling from each and every of the charges, any defect in his character of which I had and with emphasis the proceedings on the knowledge, nor to the statements concern- part of General Fry were condemned. The ing him that were made by others, but to most important of the resolutions reported an opinion that he was not a person whose by the committee was in these words : candidacy I was willing to espouse in advance of his nomination. I ought to say that in Resolved, That all the statements contained in the my intercourse with Mr. Blaine he was frank letter of General James B. Fry to Hon. James G. Blaine, and free from dissimulation. a member of this House, bearing date the 27th of April, A.D. 1866, and which was read in this House the 30th I was on terms of intimacy with Mr. Conk- day of April, A.D. 1866, in so far as such statements ling from the disastrous April, 1866, to the impute to the Hon. Roscoe Conkling, a member of this end of his life. Hence it was that I ventured House, any criminal, illegal, unpatriotic, or otherwise improper conduct, or motives, either as to the matter upon an experiment which a less well-as- of his procuring himself to be employed by the Govern- sured friend would have avoided. I assumed ment of the United States in the prosecution of mili- that Mr. Blaine would close the controversy tary offenses in the State of New York, in the man- at the first opportunity. It may be said of agement of such prosecutions, in taking compensation Mr. Blaine that, while he had great facility therefor, or in any other charge, are wholly without foundation truth, and for their publication there were, for getting into difficulties, he had also a in the judgment of this House, no facts connected with strong desire to get out of diff culties, and said prosecutions furnishing either a palliative or an great capaci'y for the accomplishment of his purposes in that direction. On a time, and years previous to 1880, I The controversy thus opened came to an put the matter before Mr. Conkling, briefly, end only with Mr. Conkling's death. It is upon personal grounds, and upon public not known to me that Mr. Conkling and Mr. grounds in a party sense. He received the Blaine were unfriendly previous to the en- suggestion without any manifestation of counter of April, 1866. That they could feeling, and with great candor he said : have lived on terms of intimacy, or even of “That attack was made without any provo- ordinary friendship, is not probable. Yet it cation by me as against Mr. Blaine, and when may not be easy to assign a reason for such I was suffering more from other causes than an estrangement unless it may be found in I ever suffered at any other time, and I shall the word incompatibility. My relations with never overlook it." Mr. Blaine were friendly, reserved, and as to General Grant's strength was so over- his aspirations for the Presidency, it was well mastering in 1868 and 1872 that the con- understood by him that I could not be counted troversy between Blaine and Conkling was among his original supporters. of no importance to the Republican party. Only on one occasion was the subject ever The disappearance of the political influence mentioned. About two weeks before the Re- of General Grant in 1876 revived the con- publican Convention of 1884, I met Mr. Blaine troversy within the Republican party, and in Lafayette Square. He beckoned me to a made the nomination of either Blaine or seat on a bench. He opened the conversa- Conkling an impossibility. Its evil influence tion by saying that he was glad to have some extended to the election, and it put in jeop- votes in the convention, but that he did not ardy the success of General Hayes. At the wish for the nomination. He expressed a end, Mr. Conkling did not accept the judg- wish to defeat the nomination of President ment of the Electoral Commission as a just Arthur, and he then said the ticket should judgment, and he declined to vote for its be General Sherman and Robert Lincoln. affirmation. Most assuredly the nomination of that I urged Mr. Conkling to sustain the action ticket would have been followed by an elec- of the Commission, and upon the ground tion. To me General Sherman had one an- that we had taken full responsibility when swer to the suggestion : "I am not a states- we agreed to the reference and that there CONRLING'S ATTITUDE TOWARD BLAINE IN 1884. 283 was then no alternative open to us. I did with him upon Mr. William K. Vanderbilt. not attempt to solve the problem of the Mr. Vanderbilt was absent when we called. election of 1876 either upon ethical or Upon his return, the election was the topic political grounds. The evidence was more of conversation. Mr. Vanderbilt said that conclusive than satisfactory that there had he voted for Garfield in 1880, but that he been wrong-doing in New York, in Oregon, had not voted for Blaine. Mr. Conkling ex- in New Orleans, and not unlikely in many pressed his regret that Mr. Blaine had come other places. As a measure of peace, when so near a success, and he attributed it to ascertained justice had become an impossi- the fact that he had not anticipated the sup- bility, I was ready to accept the report of port which had been given to Blaine by the the Commission, whether it gave the Presi- Democratic party. dency to General Hayes or to Mr. Tilden. On a time in the conversation Mr. Conk- The circumstances were such that success. ling said : “Mr. Vanderbilt, why did you before the Commission did not promise any sell Maud S.?” advantage to the successful party. Mr. Vanderbilt proceeded to give reasons. For the moment, I pass by the Convention He had received letters from strangers of 1880 and the events of the following inquiring about her pedigree, care, age, year. In the year 1884 Mr. Conkling was treatment, etc., which he could not answer in the practice of his profession and enjoy- without more labor than he was willing to ing therefrom larger emoluments, through a perform. As a final reason, he said : “When series of years, than were ever enjoyed by I drive up Broadway, people do not say, any other member of the American bar. He "There goes Vanderbilt,' but they say, 'There once said to me: “My father would denounce goes Maud S.'” me if he knew what charges I am making." When General Grant was on his journey That conjecture may have been well founded, around the world I wrote him a letter occa- for the father would not have been the out- sionally, and occasionally I received a letter come of the period in which the son was in reply. In two of my letters I mentioned living. The father was an austere country as a fact what I then thought to be the judge, largely destitute of the rich equip- truth, that there was a very considerable ment for the profession for which the son public opinion in favor of his nomination for was distinguished. After the year 1881, President in 1880, and that upon his return when Mr. Conkling gave himself wholly to to the country some definite action on his the profession, Mr. Justice Miller made this part might be required. Upon a recent remark to me: “For the discussion of the examination of his letters, I find that they law and the facts of a case Mr. Conkling are free from any reference to the Presi- is the best lawyer who comes into our dency. If Mr. Conkling, General Logan, Mr. court.” Cameron, and myself came to be considered If this estimate was trustworthy, then Mr. the special representatives of General Grant Conkling's misgivings as to his charges may at the Chicago Convention of 1880, the cir- have been groundless. If a rich man, whose cumstance was not due to any designation property is in peril, whose liberty is assailed, by him prior to the Galena letter, of which or whose reputation is threatened, will seek I am to speak and which was written while the advice and aid of the leading advocate the Convention was in session, and when the of the city, state, or country, shall not the contest between the contending parties was compensation be commensurate with the far advanced. stake that has been set up ? Is it to be Our title was derived from the constant measured by the per diem time pay of ordi- support that we had given to him through nary men ? many years and from his constant friendship Whatever may have been Mr. Conkling's for us through the same many years. We pecuniary interests or professional engage- were of the opinion then, and in that belief ments in the year 1884, he found time to we never faltered, that the nomination and take a quiet part in the contest of that election of General Grant were the best se- year, and to contribute to Mr. Blaine's curity that could be had for the peace and defeat. prosperity of the country. That opinion In the month of November, and after the was supported by an expressed public senti- election, I had occasion to pass a Sunday in ment in the conventions of New York, Penn- New York. It happened, and by accident, sylvania, and Illinois, and in other parts of that I met Mr. Conkling on Fifth Avenue. the country there were evidences of a dis- After the formalities, he invited me to call position in the body of the people to support 284 BLAINE AND CONKLING AND THE CONVENTION OF 1880. General Grant in numbers far in excess of equaled analysis of General Grant's character the strength of the Republican party. and career, presented in a most attractive The mass of the people were not disturbed form. An extract may be tolerated from a by the thought that General Grant might speech that can be read with interest even become President a third time. They did by those who are ignorant of the doings, or not accept the absurd notion that experi- it may be, by those who have no knowledge of ence, successful experience, disqualified a the existence, of the convention : man for further service. Nor did that apprehension influence any considerable Standing on the highest eminence of human distinc- number of the leaders. They demanded a tion, modest, firm, simple, and self-poised, having filled transfer of power into new hands. This, high-born and the titled, but the poor and the lowly, in all lands with his renown, he has seen not only the unquestionably, was their right, and as a the uttermost ends of the earth, rise and uncover be- majority of the convention, as the conven- fore him. tion was constituted finally, they were able to assert and to maintain their supremacy. Mr. Conkling was the recognized leader of It is too late for complaints, and com- the three hundred and six who constituted plaints were vain when the causes were the compact body of the supporters of Gen- transpiring, but there were delegates who eral Grant. appeared in the convention as the opponents Suggestions were made that the substitu- of General Grant who had been elected upon tion of Mr. Conkling's name for General the understanding that they were his friends. Grant's name would give the nomination to Upon this fact I hang a single observation. Mr. Conkling, and there was a moment of time If there is a trust in human affairs that when General Garfield anticipated or appre- should be treated as a sacred trust it is to hended such a result. There was, however, be found in the duty that arises from the never a moment of time when such a result acceptance of a representative office in mat- was possible. The three hundred and six ters of government. When a public opinion would never have consented to the use of any has been formed, either in regard to men or name in place of General Grant's name unless to measures, whoever undertakes to repre- that name were first withdrawn by his au- sent that opinion should do so in good faith. thority. To this rule there were many exceptions A firmer obstacle even would have been in the Republican Convention of 1880, and found in Mr. Conkling's sturdy refusal to al- it was no slight evidence of devotion to the low the use of his name under such circum- party and to the country when General Grant stances. Among the friends of General Grant and Mr. Conkling entered actively into the the thought of such a proceeding was never contest after the fortunes of the party had entertained, although the suggestion was been prostrated, apparently, by the disaster made, but without authority, probably, from in the State of Maine. those charged with the management of the Of the many incidents of the convention organizations engaged in the struggle. no one is more worthy of notice than the After many years had passed, and when the speech of Mr. Conkling when he placed Gen- proceedings of the convention were well-nigh eral Grant in nomination. Whatever he said forgotten, Mr. John Russell Young printed a that was in support of his cause, affirma- letter in which he made the charge that tively, was of the highest order of dramatic Conkling, Cameron, Boutwell, and Lincoln had eloquence. When he dealt with his oppo- concealed the contents of a letter from Gen- nents, his speech was not advanced in quality eral Grant in which he directed them as his and its influence was diminished. His refer- representatives to withdraw his name from ence in his opening sentence to his asso- the convention. Mr. Young was in error in ciates who had deserted General Grant : “In two particulars. Lincoln was not named in obedience to instructions which I should the letter. General Logan was the fourth never dare to disregard,” was tolerated even person to whom the letter was addressed. by his enemies ; but his allusion to Mr. Blaine Young brought the letter from Galena, in these words : “without patronage, with- where Grant then was, and he claims that the out emissaries, without committees, without letter was addressed to himself. General bureaus, without telegraph wires running Frederick D. Grant, who was then at Chi- from his house to this convention, or run- cago, claims that the letter was addressed to ning from his house anywhere,” intensified him, and that, after reading it, he handed it the opposition to General Grant. to Mr. Conkling. In many particulars his speech is an un As late as the first half of the year 1897, DID GRANT ASK TO HAVE HIS NAME WITHDRAWN? 285 Mr. Conkling's papers had not been examined with such evidence as I can command, for the purpose carefully. The contents of the letter are im- of showing the character of the letter. I wish to obtain from you such a statement as you are portant, and for the present the evidence is willing to make, with the understanding that whenever circumstantial ; but to me it is conclusive the case shall be presented to the public your letter against Mr. Young's statement that Conkling, may be used. Cameron, Logan, and Boutwell were directed Aside from actual evidence tending to show that Young's statement is erroneous, I cannot believe that by General Grant to withdraw his name from General Grant would have recognized as a friend either the convention. I cannot now say that I read one of the persons named, if his explicit instructions the letter, but of its receipt and the contents for the withdrawal of his name had been made by him I had full knowledge, and I referred to it in and disregarded by them. these words in letter to my daughter dated Yours very truly, GEO, S. BOUTWELL, May 31, 1880: Grant sent for Young to visit him at Galena. Young 25 EAST 620 STREET, returned to-day, and says that Grant directed him to say NEW YORK, May 30, 1897. to Cameron, Logan, Conkling, and Boutwell that he My dear Senator: I received yesterday your letter should be satisfied with whatever they may do. of May 28th, in which you asked me what I remember about a letter which my father, General Grant, wrote Without any special recollection upon the to his four leading friends during the session of the point, the conclusion of reason is that my Republican National Convention at Chicago in 1880. With reference to this matter my recollection is, letter was written from a conversation with that Mr. John Russell Young, who had been visiting Young, and before I had knowledge of the father in Galena, brought from him a large sealed en- contents of Grant's letter. I may add, how- velope, which he delivered to me at my home in Chi- ever, that his letter produced no change in my read the letter contained therein, and then see that it cago, with directions from my father that I should opinion as to our authority and duty in regard was received safely by his four friends, Senators to Grant's candidacy. My mind never de- Conkling, Boutwell, Cameron, and Logan. parted for a moment from the idea that we The substance of General Grant's letter was, that were free, entirely free, to continue the con- didates had grown to be so bitter, that it might become the personal feelings of partisans of the leading can- test in behalf of General Grant upon our own advisable for the good of the Republican party to select judgment. as their candidate some one whose name had not yet Upon the views and facts already pre- been prominently before the convention, and that he sented, and with even greater certainty upon interest in the convention, that it would be quite satis- the correspondence with General Frederick D. factory to him if they would confer with those who Grant, I submit as the necessary conclusion of represented the interests of Mr. Blaine and decided to the whole matter that the letter of General have both his name and Mr. Blaine's withdrawn from Grant of May, 1880, did not contain any before the convention. specific instructions, and especially that it did Senator Conkling—I do not know what disposition he I delivered in person this letter from my father, to not contain instructions for the withdrawal of made of it. his name from the convention; in fine, that With highest regards, my dear Senator, for your the further conduct of the contest was left to family and yourself, believe me, as ever, the discretion and judgment of the four men Faithfully yours, whom he had recognized as his representa- FREDERICK D. GRANT, tives. I annex the correspondence with General Following the visit of General Grant and Mr. Conkling to Mentor in the autumn of Frederick D. Grant: 1880, I was informed by Mr. Conkling that Boston, MASS., May 28, 1897. he had not been alone one minute with Gen- CoL. FRED. D. GRANT, NEW YORK, N. Y. eral Garfield, intending by that care-taking Dear Sir: You will of course recall the fact that to avoid the suggestion that his visit was John Russell Young, some months ago, made a public designed to afford an opportunity for any Galena to Chicago, during the session of the Republican personal or party arrangement. Further, it Convention of 1880, a letter from General Grant in was the wish of General Grant, as it was his which he gave specific directions to Conkling, Cameron, wish, that the effort which they were then and Boutwell to withdraw his name as a candidate from making should be treated as a service due the convention. spondence with A. R. Conkling, and also with yourself, in to the party and to the country, and that regard to the contents of the letter written by General General Garfield should be left free from Grant. Mr. A. R. Conkling sent me a copy of a portion any obligation to them whatsoever. of a letter which, as he advised me, he had received from After the election and after Mr. Blaine you. A copy of that extract I herewith enclose. As became Secretary of State, he volunteered one of the friends of General Grant and as one of the persons to whom bad faith was imputed by Mr. Young, to speak of the situation of the party in it is my purpose to place the matter before the public New York and of Mr. Conkling's standing in 286 MY BOYHOOD DREAMS. the State. Among other things, he said that From Mr. Jewell I received the following Mr. Conkling was the only man who had had statement as coming from the President : three elections to the Senate, and that Mr. When the New York nominations were sent Conkling and his friends would be considered to the Senate, the President was forthwith fairly in the appointments that might be in the receipt of letters and despatches in made in that State. protest, coupled with the suggestion that When, in a conversation with Conkling, I everything had been surrendered to Conkling. mentioned Blaine's remark, he said, “Do you Without delay and without consultation with believe one word of that?” any one, the President nominated Judge I said, “Yes, I believe Mr. Blaine." Robertson to the office of Collector of New He said with emphasis, “I don't.” York. Further, the President said, as re- Subsequent events strengthened Mr. Conk- ported by Mr. Jewell , Mr. Blaine heard of ling in his opinion, but those events did not the nomination, and he came in very pale change my opinion of Mr. Blaine's integrity and much astonished. of purpose in the conversations of which I From Mr. Blaine I received the specific have spoken. statement that he had no knowledge of the My knowledge of the events, not important nomination of Judge Robertson until it had in themselves, but which seem to have the been made. relation of a prelude to the great tragedy, These statements are reconcilable with was derived from three persons, Mr. Conk- each other, and they place the responsibility ling, Mr. Blaine, and Mr. Marshall Jewell. for the sudden and fatal rupture of the rela- At the request of the President, Mr. Conk- tions between Mr. Conkling and the Presi- ling called upon him the Sunday preceding dent upon the President. Mr. Conkling could the day of catastrophe. The President gave not fail to regard the nomination of Robert- Mr. Conkling the names of persons that he son as a wilful and premeditated violation of was considering favorably for certain places. the pledge given at the Sunday conference. To several of these Mr. Conkling made ob- It was, however, only an instance of General jections, and in some cases other persons Garfield's impulsive and unreasoning sub- were named. As Mr. Conkling was leaving mission to an expression of public opinion, he said, “Mr. President, what do you pro- without waiting for evidence of the nature pose about the collectorship of New York ?” and value of that opinion. That weakness The President said, “We will leave that for had been observed by his associates in the another time.” These statements I received House of Representatives, and on that weak- from Mr. Conkling. ness his administration was wrecked. MY BOYHOOD DREAMS. BY MARK TWAIN, Author of “Following the Eqnator, ," "The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn," " Pudd'nbead Wilson," etc. THE dreams of my boyhood ? No, they of these there is but a triling number— in have not been realized. For all who fact, only thirty-eight millions—who can un- are old, there is something infinitely pathetic derstand why a person should have an am- about the subject which you have chosen, bition to belong to the French army; and for in no gray-head's case can it suggest any why, belonging to it, he should be proud of but one thing--disappointment. Disappoint- that; and why, having got down that far, ment is its own reason for its pain: the qual- he should want to go on down, down, down ity or dignity of the hope that failed is a till he struck bottom and got on the General matter aside. The dreamer's valuation of Staff; and why, being stripped of his livery, the thing lost--not another man's-is the or set free and reinvested with his self-respect only standard to measure it by, and his grief by any other quick and thorough process, let for it makes it large and great and fine, and it be what it might, he should wish to return is worthy of our reverence in all cases. We to his strange serfage. But no matter: the should carefully remember that. There are estimate put upon these things by the fifteen sixteen hundred million people in the world. hundred and sixty millions is no proper meas- MARK TWAIN. 287 MARK TWAIN-A RECENT PHOTOGRAPH BY H. W. BARNET, LONDON, HITHERTO UNPUBLISHED. ure of their value: the proper measure, the Howells, Hay, Aldrich, Matthews, Stock- just measure, is that which is put upon them ton, Cable, Remus—how their young hopes by Dreyfus, and is cipherable merely uport and ambitions come flooding back to my the littleness or the vastness of the disap- memory now, out of the vague far past, the pointment which their loss cost him. beautiful past, the lamented past! I re- There you have it: the measure of the member it so well—that night we met to- magnitude of a dream-failure is the measure gether-it was in Boston, and Mr. Fields was of the disappointment the failure cost the there, and Mr. Osgood, and Ralph Keeler, dreamer; the value, in others' eyes, of the and Boyle O'Reilly, lost to us now these many thing lost, has nothing to do with the mat- years—and under the seal of confidence re- ter. With this straightening-out and classi- vealed to each other what our boyhood dreams fication of the dreamer's position to help us, had been: dreams which had not as yet been perhaps we can put ourselves in his place blighted, but over which was stealing the and respect his dream-Dreyfus's, and the gray of the night that was to come-a night dreams our friends have cherished and re- which we prophetically felt, and this feeling veal to us. Some that I call to mind, some oppressed us and made us sad. I remember that have been revealed to me, are curious that Howells's voice broke twice, and it was enough; but we may not smile at them, for only with great difficulty that he was able they were precious to the dreamers, and to go on; in the end he wept. For he had their failure has left scars which give them hoped to be an auctioneer. He told of his dignity and pathos. With this theme in my early struggles to climb to his goal, and how mind, dear heads that were brown when they at last he attained to within a single step of and mine were young together rise old and the coveted summit. But there misfortune white before me now, beseeching me to speak after misfortune assailed him, and he went for them, and most lovingly will I do it. down, and down, and down, until now at last, 288 MY BOYHOOD DREAMS. now. weary and disheartened, he had for the pres- ciled and give it up, but not able yet to bear ent given up the struggle and become editor the thought; for it had been his hope to be of the “Atlantic Monthly.' This was in a horse-doctor. He, also, climbed high, but, 1830. Seventy years are gone since, and like the others, fell; then fell again, and yet where now is his dream ? It will never be again, and again and again. And now at fulfilled. And it is best so; he is no longer last he can fall no further. He is old now, fitted for the position; no one would take he has ceased to struggle, and is only a poet. him now; even if he got it, he would not be No one would risk a horse with him now. able to do himself credit in it, on account of His dream is over. his deliberateness of speech and lack of Has any boyhood dream ever been ful- trained professional vivacity; he would be filled ? I must doubt it. Look at Brander put on real estate, and would have the pain Matthews. He wanted to be a cowboy. of seeing younger and abler men intrusted What is he to-day ? Nothing but a pro- with the furniture and other such goods- fessor in a university. Will he ever be a goods which draw a mixed and intellectually cowboy? It is hardly conceivable. low order of customers, who must be be Look at Stockton. What was Stockton's guiled of their bids by a vulgar and specialized young dream ? He hoped to be a bar- humor and sparkle, accompanied with antics. keeper. See where he has landed. But it is not the thing lost that counts, Is it better with Cable? What was Ca- but only the disappointment the loss brings to ble's young dream? To be ring-master in the dreamer that had coveted that thing and the circus, and swell around and crack the had set his heart of hearts upon it, and when whip. What is he to-day? Nothing but a we remember this, a great wave of sorrow theologian and novelist. for Howells rises in our breasts, and we wish And Uncle Remus—what was his young for his sake that his fate could have been dream? To be a buccaneer. Look at him different. At that time Hay's boyhood dream was Ah, the dreams of our youth, how beauti- not yet past hope of realization, but it was ful they are, and how perishable! The ruins fading, dimming, wasting away, and the of these might-have-beens, how pathetic! wind of a growing apprehension was blowing The heart-secrets that were revealed that cold over the perishing summer of his life. night now so long vanished, how they touch In the pride of his young ambition he had me as I give them voice! Those sweet priva- aspired to be a steamboat mate; and in fancy cies, how they endeared us to each other! saw himself dominating a forecastle some We were under oath never to tell any of day on the Mississippi and dictating terms these things, and I have always kept that to roustabouts in high and wounding tones. oath inviolate when speaking with persons I look back now, from this far distance of whom I thought not worthy to hear them. seventy years, and note with sorrow the Oh, our lost Youth God keep its memory stages of that dream's destruction. Hay's green in our hearts ! for Age is upon us, history is but Howells's, with differences of with the indignity of its infirmities, and detail. Hay climbed high toward his ideal; Death beckons ! when success seemed almost sure, his foot upon the very gang-plank, his eye upon the capstan, misfortune came and his fall began. Down-down-down-ever down: Private TO THE ABOVE OLD PEOPLE. Secretary to the President; Colonel in the field; Chargé d'Affaires in Paris; Chargé d'Affaires in Vienna; Poet; Editor of the Sleep! for the Sun that scores another Day “Tribune"; Biographer of Lincoln; Am- Against the Tale allotted You to stay, bassador to England; and now at last there Reminding You, is Risen, and now he lies - Secretary of State, Head of Foreign Serves Notice--ah, ignore it while You may! Affairs. And he has fallen like Lucifer, never to rise again. And his dream where the chill Wind blew, and those who stood now is his dream ? Gone down in blood and before tears with the dream of the auctioneer. The Tavern murmured, “ Having drunk his And the young dream of Aldrich-where Score, is that? I remember yet how he sat there Why tarries He with empty Cup ? Behold, that night fondling it, petting it; seeing it The Wine of Youth once poured, is poured recede and ever recede; trying to be recon- no more, MARK TWAIN. 289 “Come, leave the Cup, and on the Winter's Our ivory Teeth, confessing to the Lust Snow Of masticating, once, now own Disgust Your Summer Garment of Enjoyment throw: Of Clay-plug'd Cavities-full soon Your Tide of Life is ebbing fast, and it, Snags Exhausted once, for You no more shall Are emptied, and our Mouths are filled with flow.” Dust. our While yet the Phantom of false Youth was Our Gums forsake the Teeth and tender mine, grow, I heard a Voice from out the Darkness And fat, like over-ripened Figs--we know whine, The Sign--the Riggs Disease is ours, and “O Youth, 0 whither gone? Return, And bathe my Age in thy reviving Wine.” Must list this Sorrow, add another Woe; we In this subduing Draught of tender green Our Lungs begin to fail and soon we Cough, And kindly Absinth, with its wimpling Sheen And chilly Streaks play up our Backs, and Of dusky half-lights, let me drown off The haunting Pathos of the Might-Have Our fever'd Foreheads drips an icy Sweat- Been. We scoffed before, but now we may not scoff. For every nickeled Joy, marred and brief, Some for the Bunions that afflict us prate We pay some day its Weight in golden Grief Of Plasters unsurpassable, and hate Mined from our Hearts. Ah, murmur not To cut a Corn-ah cut, and let the Plaster From this one-sided Bargain dream of no Relief! Nor murmur if the Solace come too late. go, The Joy of Life, that streaming through Some for the Honors of Old Age, and some their Veins Long for its Respite from the Hum Tumultuous swept, falls slack--and wanes And Clash of sordid Strife-0 Fools, The Glory in the Eye-and one by one The Past should teach them what's to Life's Pleasures perish and make place fo Come : Pains. Lo, for the Honors, cold Neglect instead! Whether one hide in some secluded Nook For Respite, disputatious Heirs a Bed Whether at Liverpool or Sandy Hook --- Of Thorns for them will furnish. Go, 'Tis one. Old Age will search him out Seek not Here for Peace, but Yonder-with and He- the Dead. He-He-when ready will know where to look. For whether Zal and Rustam heed this Sign, And even smitten thus, will not repine, From Cradle unto Grave I keep a House Let Zal and Rustam shuffle as they may, Of Entertainment where may drowse The Fine once levied they must Cash the Bacilli and kindred Germs-or feed-or Fine. lreed Their festering Species in a deep Carouse. O Voices of the Long Ago that were so dear! Fall’n Silent, now, for many a Mould'ring Think-in this battered Caravanserai, Whose Portals open stand all Night and Day, O whither are ye flown ? Come back, How Microbe after Microbe with his Pomp And break my Heart, but bless my grieving Arrives unasked, and comes to stay. ear. Year, 290 HOW THE PLANETS ARE WEIGHED. Some happy Day my Voice will Silent fall, So let me grateful drain the Magic Bowl And answer not when some that love it That medicines hurt Minds and on the Soul call : The Healing of its Peace doth lay--if then Be glad for Me when this you note—and Death claim me-Welcome be his Dole! think MARK TWAIN. I've found the Voices lost, beyond the Pall. SANNA, SWEDEN, September 15th. Private.- If you don't know what Riggs's Disease of the Teeth is, the dentist will tell you. I've had it and it is more than interesting. S. L. C. EDITORIAL Note. Fearing that there might be some mistake, we submitted a proof of this article to the (American) gentlemen named in it, and asked them to correct any errors of detail that might have crept in among the facts. They reply with some asperity that errors cannot creep in among facts where there are no facts for them to creep in among ; and that none are discoverable in this article, but only baseless aberrations of a disordered mind. They have no recollection of any such night in Boston, nor elsewhere ; and in their opinion there was never any such night. They have met Mr. Twain, but have had the prudence not to intrust any privacies to him-particularly under oath ; and they think they now see that this prudence was justified, since he has been untrustworthy enough to even betray privacies which had no existence. Further, they think it a strange thing that Mr. Twain, who was never invited to meddle with anybody's boyhood dreams but his own, has been so gratuitously anxious to see that other people's are placed before the world that he has quite lost his head in his zeal and forgotten to make any mention of his own at all. Provided we insert this explanation, they are willing to let his article pass; otherwise they must require its suppression, in the interest of truth. P. S.-These replies having left us in some perplexity, and also in some fear lest they might distress Mr. Twain if published without his privity, we judged it but fair to submit them to him and give him an opportunity to defend himself. But he does not seem to be troubled, or even aware that he is in a delicate situation. He merely says: “Do not worry about those former young people. They can write good literature, but when it comes to speaking the truth, they have not had my training.-MARK TWAIN.” The last sentence seems obscure, and liable to an unfortunate construction. It plainly needs refashioning, but we cannot take the responsibility of doing it.-EDITOR. HOW THE PLANETS ARE WEIGHED. BY PROFESSOR SIMON NEWCOMB. OU ask me how the planets are much as the earth does the ham. So what weighed ? I reply, on the the butcher really does is to find how much same principle by which a or how strongly the ham attracts the earth, butcher weighs a ham in his and he calls that pull the weight of the ham. spring balance. When he On the same principle, the astronomer finds picks the ham up, he feels a the weight of a body by finding how strong pull of the ham toward the is its attractive pull on some other body. earth. When he hangs it on In applying this principle to the heavenly the hook, this pull is trans- bodies, you meet at once a difficulty that looks ferred from his hand to the insurmountable. You cannot get up to the spring of the balarice. The heavenly bodies to do your weighing; how stronger the pull , the farther the spring is then will you measure their pull? I must pulled down. What he reads on the scale is begin the answer to this question by explain- the strength of the pull. You know that ing a nice point in exact science. Astrono- this pull is simply the attraction of the earth mers distinguish between the weight of a on the ham. But, by a universal law of body and its mass. The weight of objects force, the ham attracts the earth exactly as is not the same all over the world; a thing HOIV THE PLANETS ARE WEIGHED. 291 which weighs thirty pounds in New York, exquisite construction it is found that such would weigh an ounce more than thirty pounds a globe does exert a minute attraction on in a spring balance in Greenland, and nearly small bodies around it, and that this attrac- an ounce less at the equator. This is be- tion is a little more than the ten-millionth cause the earth is not a perfect sphere, but part of that of the earth. This shows that a little flattened. Thus weight varies with the specific gravity of the lead is a little the place. If a ham weighing thirty pounds greater than that of the average of the were taken up to the moon and weighed whole earth. All the minute calculations there, the pull would only be five pounds, made, it is found that the earth, in order to because the moon is so much smaller and attract with the force it does, must be about lighter than the earth. But there would be five and one-half times as heavy as its bulk of just as much ham on the moon as on the water, or perhaps a little more. Different ex- earth. There would be another weight of perimenters find different results; the best be- the ham for the planet Mars, and yet another tween 5.5 and 5.6, so that 5.5 is, perhaps, as on the sun, where it would weigh some 800 near the number as we can now get. This is pounds. Hence, the astronomer does not much more than the average specific gravity of speak of the weight of a planet, because the materials which compose that part of the that would depend on the place where it was earth which we can reach by digging mines. weighed; but he speaks of the mass of the The difference arises from the fact that, at planet, which means how much planet there the depth of many miles, the matter compos- is, no matter where you might weigh it. ing the earth is compressed into a smaller At the same time, we might, without any space by the enormous weight of the por- inexactness, agree that the mass of a heav- tions lying above it. Thus, at the depth of enly body should be fixed by the weight it 1,000 miles, the pressure on every cubic inch would have at some place agreed upon, say is more than 2,000 tons, a weight which New York. As we could not even imagine would greatly condense the hardest metal. a planet at New York, because it may be We come now to the planets. I have said larger than the earth itself, what we are to that the mass or weight of a heavenly body imagine is this : Suppose the planet could is determined by its attraction on some other be divided into a million million million equal body. There are two ways in which the at- parts, and one of these parts brought to New traction of a planet may be measured. One York and weighed. We could easily find its is by its attraction on the planets next to it. weight in pounds or tons. Then, multiply If these bodies did not attract each other at this weight by a million million million, and all, but only moved under the influence of we shall have a weight of the planet. This the sun, they would move in orbits having would be what the astronomers might take the form of ellipses. They are found to as the mass of the planet. move very nearly in such orbits, only the With these explanations, let us see how the actual path deviates from an ellipse, now in weight of the earth is found. The principle one direction and then in another, and it we apply is that round bodies of the same slowly changes its position from year to specific gravity attract small objects on their year. These deviations are due to the pull surface with a force proportional to the diam- of the other planets, and by measuring the eter of the attracting body. For example, deviations, we can determine the amount of a body two feet in diameter attracts twice the pull, and hence the mass of the planet. as strongly as one of a foot, one of three feet The reader will readily understand that the three times as strongly, and so on. Now, mathematical processes necessary to get a our earth is about 40,000,000 feet in diam- result in this way must be very delicate and eter: that is, 10,000,000 times 4 feet. It complicated. A much simpler method can follows that if we made a little model of the be used in the case of those planets which earth four feet in diameter, having the aver- have satellites revolving round them, because age specific gravity of the earth, it would the attraction of the planet can be deter- attract a particle with one ten-millionth part mined by the motions of the satellite. The of the attraction of the earth. The attrac- first law of motion teaches us that a body in tion of such a model has actually been meas- motion, if acted on by no force, will move ured. Since we do not know the average in a straight line. Hence, if we see a body specific gravity of the earth—that being, in moving in a curve, we know that it is acted fact, what we want to find out-we take a on by a force in the direction toward which globe of lead, four feet in diameter, let us the motion curves. A familiar example is suppose. By means of a balance of the most that of a stone thrown from the hand. If 292 HOW THE PLANETS ARE WEIGHED. the stone were not attracted by the earth, it concluded that the mass of the sun is 330,- would go on forever in the line of throw, and 000 times that of the earth; that it would leave the earth entirely. But under the take this number of earths to make a body attraction of the earth, it is drawn down and as heavy as the sun. down, as it travels onward, until finally it I give this calculation to illustrate the reaches the ground. The faster the stone is principle; it must not be supposed that the thrown, of course, the farther it will go, and astronomer proceeds exactly in this way and the greater will be the sweep of the curve has only this simple calculation to make. In of its path. If it were a cannon-ball, the the case of the moon and earth, the motion first part of the curve would be nearly a and distance of the former vary in conse- right line. If we could fire a cannon-ball quence of the attraction of the sun, so that horizontally from the top of a high mountain their actual distance apart is a changing with a velocity of five miles a second, and if quantity. So what the astronomer actually it were not resisted by the air, the curvature does is to find the attraction of the earth by of the path would be equal to that of the sur- observing the length of a pendulum which face of our earth, and so the ball would never beats seconds in various latitudes. Then, by reach the earth, but would revolve round it very delicate mathematical processes, he can like a little satellite in an orbit of its own. find with great exactness what would be the Could this be done, the astronomer would be time of revolution of a small satellite at any able, knowing the velocity of the ball, to given distance from the earth, and thus can calculate the attraction of the earth. The get the earth-quotient. moon is a satellite, moving like such a ball, But, as I have already pointed out, we and an observer on Mars would be able, by must, in the case of the planets, find the measuring the orbit of the moon, to deter- quotient in question by means of the satel- mine the attraction of the earth as well as lites; and it happens, fortunately, that the we determine it by actually observing the motions of these bodies are much less changed motion of falling bodies around us. by the attraction of the sun than is the mo- Thus it is that when the planet, like Mars tion of the moon. Thus, when we make the or Jupiter, has satellites revolving round it, computation for the outer satellite of Mars, astronomers on the earth can observe the we find the quotient to be 3093500 that of attraction of the planet on its satellites and the sun-quotient. Hence we conclude that thus determine its mass. The rule for doing the mass of Mars is 37930 that of the this is very simple. The cube of the distance sun. By the corresponding quotient, the between the planet and satellite is divided mass of Jupiter is found to be about yo'na by the square of the time of revolution of the that of the sun, Saturn 56'oy, Uranus 12100, satellite. The quotient is a number which is Neptune 1977. proportional to the mass of the planet. The I have set forth only the great principle rule applies to the motion of the moon round on which the astronomer has proceeded for the earth and of the planets round the sun. the purpose in question. The law of gravi- If we divide the cube of the earth's distance tation is at the bottom of all his work. The from the sun, say 93,000,000 miles, by the effects of this law require mathematical proc- square of 3654, the days in a year, we shall esses which it has taken two hundred years get a certain quotient. Let us call this to bring to their present state, and which number the sun-quotient. Then, if we di- are still far from perfect. The measurement vide the cube of the moon's distance from of the distance of a satellite is not a job to the earth by the square of its time of revo- be done in an evening; it requires patient lution, we shall get another quotient, which labor extending through months and years, we may call the earth-quotient. The sun- and then is not as exact as the astronomer quotient will come out about 330,000 times would wish. He does the best he can, and as large as the earth-quotient. Hence it is must be satisfied with that. PAINTED BY C. K. LINSON. THE TEMPTATION. And he was there in the wilderness forty days tempted of Satan ; and was with the wild beasts.—Mark, i. 13. MCCLURE'S MAGAZINE, VOL. XIV. FEBRUARY, 1900. No. 1. VIEW FROM NAZARETH LOOKING WESTWARD TOWARD CARMEL AND THE MEDITERRANEAN. M. Carmel. Haifa, Acre. THE LIFE OF THE MASTER. BY THE REVEREND JOHN WATSON, D.D., Author of The Mind of the Master, “Beside the Bonnie Brier Bushi," etc. PART II.-JOHN TIIE BAPTIST. -THE BAPTISM AND TEMPTATION OF JESUS. were true to say that Jesus appeared guessed His birth-the child of a village without expectation, since none knew maiden, or His position-a workman of Naz- whence He would come; it were also true to areth; but every pious Jew was persuaded say that He came with expectation, since He would appear, and had seen His signs. a nation waited for Him. None could have For eight centuries heralds had been going THE TEMPTATION (opposite page).-It was not my pur the beasts that snarl at Him, but dare not approach. The pose to present the traditional Temptation, nor to follow lit bare, red hills are losing the last of the day at their tips; erally the story of the visits of the Spirit of Evil as a visible but Jesus is just winning His battle, and, perhaps, to-morrow being. Jesus is in the wilderness. He is nearing the end of He will go down from the desert solitude, to reveal to His first His forty days' fast, and. wan and worn out, He is absorbed disciples that which will bind their souls irrevocably to the in His meditations, heeding neither the descent of night, nor Messiah.--ARTIST's Note. Copyright, 1900, by the S. S. MCCLURE Co. All rights reserved. PAINTED BY C. K. LINSON. THE CALLING OF FOUR DISCIPLES. NAZARETH FROM THE EAST. Nazareth lies on the edge of a broad hollow, climbing the high hill to the northwest. Since the time of Christ it has had a varied history. It has felt the hand in turn of the Mohammedans, the Crusaders, the Mohamme- dans again, and again the Crusaders, and then yet again the Mohammedans, with whom it now remains, being in possession of the Turks. In 1620 came the Franciscan monks, and to-day the faith of Islam is acknowledged by less than one-quarter of the popula- tion, and not a Jew is to be seen there. For all this ap- parent change and movement, Nazareth has remained the obscure, retired place of the Gospels. It is not easy to reach, and does not offer much worth struggling for when reached. It is capable of fine gardens, in the bottom of the basin, where are real shade, green grass, fig and olive groves-delicious refuge from the heat of the day. Elsewhere are glare and unrest. From the outside, the town looks attracti ve in its white dress with edging of green, but within it is dirty, unsanitary, prim- itive. But Jesns could have had a most happy childhood here. No matter what the town was, He had the hills, the great sky over His head, and His world spread out before Him until both world and sky merged into one impalpable distance. Nearly all of Palestine, with its familiar history, would be under His eye. The life of Greece and Rome was within sight, and from His van- tage point what could He not see to incite His mind to activity along the lines of all human thought of that day? He, a highlander, went to the low country to live as a man; but what memories He must always have car- ried with Him of those dreamy heights of His childhood, The lower picture represents A WOMAN OF NAZA- RETH. The Nazareth women have the usual native grace of carriage from their habit of carrying burdens on their heads. They are good-natured, amiable, all that is kindly; but I could never call them lovely as to feature.- ARTIST'S NOTE. THE CALLING OF FOUR DISCIPLES (opposite page). - And straightway he called them: and they lert their father Zebedee in the ship with the hired servants, and went after him.-MARK, I. 16-20. For about two months Jesus had been alone, in retirement, His disciples having left Him to go back to their affairs. But now, John the Baptist being imprisoned, He must begin His active labors, and needs His disciples. Pass- ing along the shore of the lake, at the plain of Gennesa- reth, He sees Peter and Andrew fishing. He calls to them ; they follow. A little further on, in a boat with Zebedee, their father, he finds James and John. They, too, follow at once; and this readiness to leave all, family and business, at the call of the Master, indicates if not a previous understanding (which is probable), then a present realizing of His need of them, and the mag. netism of a powerful personality.-Artist's Note. 298 THE LIFE OF THE MASTER. before Him and making a pathway in the heaven, so the prophet is raised above other faith of the Hebrew Church. As often as teachers of religion because, while they may their hearts sickened at the failure of human have knowledge and devotion, he has the goodness, the Prophets beheld in the future divine fire. No voice of man can call a the ideal figure of the Messiah; as often as prophet, no machinery can make him fit. they were reënforced by the spectacle of The Spirit of God descends upon and sets conspicuous virtue, they imagined its unre- him apart; a prophet he must be now, and, vealed perfection. When the heritage of in spite of all hindrances, a prophet he will God was spoiled and laid waste, they saw the be. He is himself helpless in this matter, Messiah gird His sword upon His thigh; and and his fellow-men are also helpless. A when the sun shone on Israel, it was the prophet is an unanswerable evidence of the promise of the coming glory. From gener- sovereignty of God, and this is the meaning ation to generation the most spiritual and of the story of John. He was promised unto heroic patriots ever granted to a people fed his parents when they had despaired of chil- the imagination of their brethren with the dren, and his father was stricken dumb be- coming of a holy King and the establishment cause he believed not the word. He was of a universal kingdom. named according to the angelic intimation, This noble succession seemed to cease, and and the mouth of Zacharias was opened that the voice of the prophet was no longer heard he might call him John. Before he was in the land; but the Messianic hope still lived born he did homage to his mighty Kinsman, in the national heart, and found new forms of before whose face he was to run. Signs and expression. When some despaired of God's wonders attended the child, and marked him commonwealth, and others saw nothing for off from the herd of men as one on whom it but to die sword in hand, unknown writers the hand of the Eternal was surely resting. hid themselves behind great names of the His father was one of the lower order of past-saints, prophets, sages--and poured priests, and John was born into a quiet, con- out their souls, some in pessimistic satires, ventional home; his birth provided for his some in apocalyptic imaginations. The au- future, and he could have served in his turn thor of Ecclesiastes bewails the weariness at the Temple. But there is no caging an of human life and the corruption of society eagle nor compelling him into ordinary ways, with a bitterness of regret which is an un- and while still a lad, John forsook his father's conscious cry for Christ, and the author of house and hid himself in the wilderness of Daniel declares in a cryptogram the fall of Judea. There was in him an instinct of his foreign tyrannies and the victory of the Son vocation, which made a commonplace environ- of man. A nation, beaten and crushed by ment impossible for him, which drove him overwhelming force, yet unconquerable in forth into a wider sphere. So early did this spirit and immovable in faith, had an in- prophet hear the Divine voice, so early was ward conviction, begotten by the word of the he separated from his fellows. When art Prophets and born of the hostility of circum- represents the Baptist a man old before his stances, that the promise given to the fathers time, austere, careworn, wasted, as in the must be near fulfilment. The people began fresco of Angelico, the figure is true and to look for the sudden redness in the east, commanding; when he stands out a lad in and the forerunner of the dawn was John the freshness of youth, strong, fresh, enthu- Baptist. siastic, as in the John Baptist of del Sarto, John Baptist was a commanding personal- one has the necessary complement of the ity, who could not be ignored in his own day other picture. or any other, for he was distinguished from The Baptist was also the subject of a com- other men first of all by his calling. As the plete prophetical training, for when he came poet differs from other men of letters be- forth and witnessed unto his generation he cause, while they may have ability and cul- was the result of three forces, and the first ture, he has the fire which cometh from was asceticism. It is not needful that every JESUS IN THE SYNAGOGUE AT NAZARETH (opposite of the covenant," at which time the spiritual responsibility of page).— This day is thix Scripture fulfilled in your ears. And his parents for him ceases. He then may wear the phylacteries, wondered at the gracious words which proceeded out of and with great joy is vested with the cissith, which he musi Both the tallith and the cissith, never thereafter be without. The phylacteries are worn every shown in the picture, and the mysticism enshrouding their use, time the Jews say their prayers on week days, in the synagogue have grown out of the simple verse in DEUT. xxii. 12: Thou or at home. The tallith is worn over these at morning prayers xhalt make thee fringes upon the four quarters of thy resture, and only at morning prayers, except on Atonement Day, when icherewith thou coverest Thyself. The rallith is the cloth worn it is worn also at evening prayers. Any Jew might be asked over the head during prayer: the cissith is the small fringed to comment on the sacred writings. He stood while reading garment of the same device, for the back and for the front of from the scroll. Then, after handing it back to him whose the body. When a Jewish boy arrives at the age of thirteen duty it was to care for it, he would seat himself to teach.- (or if he has lost his father, at twelve), he becomes a “man Artist's Note. all his mouth. LUKE IV. 21-22. CORWIN איפואי PAINTED BY C. K. LINSON, JESUS IN THE SYNAGOGUE AT NAZARETH. 300 THE LIFE OF THE MASTER. servant of God should be an ascetic, and for politics, that it be ready for the possession some work this discipline would be a hin- of the Messiah. By an instinct of his office drance; but in every age some are called to John chose his solitude in the wilderness of the last sacrifices. For the brief awful min- Judea, whose awful desolation of barren hills istry of the Baptist, the breaking up of the and waterless valleys stretches along the val- iron soil for Jesus, he only was sufficient who ley of the Dead Sea and thrusts itself to within had been cut a few miles of off from all Jerusalem. human ties and His library had denied in his retreat himself all law- was chiefly to ful ease. Clad be found with- in the coarsest in his own of garments, soul and in the eating the picture of that meanest of forsaken des- foods, devoted ert, but he was to poverty and not without his chastity, this teacher of the man was a fig- ancient time. ure and sign of If he was to be religious in- the real Elijah tensity. Be- in his coming hind the cam- and office, le els' hair and was to be the the locusts' echo of the food, and the two Isaiahs in wasted face, his thought and the strong, and preaching fierce words, As the former was un- took up the quenchable de- Lord's contro- sire-to obtain versy against the Kingdom His people and of God for him- rated Jerusa- self and his Asynagogue lem soundly nation. For Jerusalem for her hollow this end he refused the priesthood, and aban- ritualism and doned his home and lived as a hermit, and elaborate hy- preached repentance in the wilderness of pocrisy, which Judea, and watched for the Messiah as they made“ many who watch for the morning. prayers, .” but her hands were “full of blood," John was also formed by solitude, and could so the Baptist laid his indictment against his not have been the prophet we know nor have generation for their vain show of religion and shaken Jerusalem with terror had he spent their hardness of heart. From that heroic his early days amid the gossip of the village witness of the eighth century John learned his and the little affairs of his home. His ear self-abnegation, his single-heartedness, his must be trained to catch the first sound of spiritual patriotism, and his unshaken cour- Jesus' feet, and the babei of earth's mixed age. From the second Isaiah, the most Evan- noises must be hushed into stillness. Amid gelical of the whole succession, John received the coming and going of priests at their a more gracious and yet more effective mes- empty ritual, and the gabble of Pharisees at sage, for it is evident that John knew not their theology, he had been deaf to the high- only the beginning of the Book of Isaiah, est things. His heart must be cleansed from but also its fifty-third chapter. After a day the likeness of other faces, however dear and of sad reflection on the ungodliness of his good, that from its clear, unpossessed sur- people and of righteous indignation he would face the countenance of the Messiah might sit down, and in the fading light, when the one day look at him. His mind must be fierce glare of the day was over, content emptied of present-day religion and earthly himself with the thought of the Servant of one THE REVEREND JOHN WATSON. 301 God on whom the Lord would lay the ini- Any day and, for that matter, any hour the quities of Israel, and who would be led as a romance of faith might culminate, and the lamb to the slaughter. As he meditated Hope of Israel appear. Every morning the with softening heart on the Holy Victim and hermit would rise and leave his home hewn the Lord's mercy, then the bare and stony out of the rock, which tradition gives him land would change before his eyes, and, be- for a dwelling-place, to wait for the break- hold, green grass and fountains of water, ing of the day, since the rising of the sun and the promise regarding the Kingdom of might be the shining of His face, and he A Jerusalem 72 IN A JERUSALEM SYNAGOGUE. The synagogue dates from the captivity. In the absence of their Temple, it greic to be the custom of the Jews to assemble in small com- panies to worship. The first synagogues were but square rooms, plain, with flat roofs. The Holy of Holies was reduced to a niche in the wall in which was kept the roll of the Lau, behind a curtain. There was a raised platform in the center for the elders; and a high desk between this and the curtained niche, for the reader's use. The rest of the space was taken up by seats. These are still the main features of the synagogues in Palestine. The women are shut off by wooden lattice-work from the rest of the congregation.-ARTIST'S NOTE. God was fulfilled : “ The wilderness and the would lie down with sad reluctance, and solitary place shall be glad for them, and hardly dare to sleep lest the darkness be the the desert shall rejoice and blossom like the shadow of his Lord. Was the Christ already rose.” in the land, hidden and unknown, or would He The meeting of Jesus and John, and the come from afar with sudden glory? Would recognition of the Messiah by His forerun- He show Himself by infallible signs, so that ner, is one of the picturesque situations in all men should be compelled to own Him, or the Gospel history, and it is perfect in its would He appear secretly, putting all men to spontaneity. As the Baptist brooded in the the test by His presence, and already, before wilderness over the prophecies of the ancient He was recognized, doing the part of a hus- time, and as he declared unto the multitude bandman, with His fan separating the wheat with strong conviction that the “ kingdom from the chaff ? It is certain that the Bap- of God” was at hand, the one passion of his tist had been saved from one vain delusion life rose to white heat, and his eager heart by his study of Isaiah: he did not expect the was eaten up with expectation. The atmos- Imperial Messiah of the gross Jewish imag- phere of the day was charged with the sense ination, but as little was he prepared to rec- of the Messiah, and the lonely prophet strained ognize his Lord, before whom he had run, and his ears to catch the first sound of His feet. whose voice he had been among the crowd Leontes Sarepta R NOWa3H iw и M E D I T E R R A N E A N TYRES DanbºCaesarea Philippi E White Cape S E A L.Merom Giscala ACRE6 MT HATTIN Cape Carmel Chorazin Bethsaida Julius mat Bethsala SEA OF GALILEE Magdale Gergesa Tiberias Gamal ochiä R. Yarim SANT Nazareth MT TABOR 5 Gadara Abila ) CARM Nain Dorap Esdrelon Bethshean; 105. SHARON . PLAIN OF ESDRAELON CAESAREA MT GILED Jenin Pothan! 0 M SAMARIA Gerasa. PLATA Shechem avačoes WELL MTEBAL Sychar Apollonia Rive Jabbon Gilbal Antipatris Libona MT GILEAD JOPPA Slulah Lydda Ephraim pBethel Beeroth Jericho Emmaus JERUSALEM Bethany Bethlehem ASCALON Suvepi THE PALESTINE OF CHRIST Gedors PUM Eélon 1 The VISOKI 77437-575-M0738 32624(! GAZA Hebrono SHOWING THE PLACES MENTIONED AND THE ROUTES FOLLOWED IN HIS JOURNEYS. Ain Jaftir Masadao Beer-sheba SCALE OF MILES 10 15 20 The absolutely authenticated Route from Jerusalem to Nazareth. Redrawn by J. Hart. There is nothing definite about the exact route of these various journeyings of Christ, but the routes so indicated are over the old bighways of travel which have hardly changed to this date. MAP OF THE PALESTINE OF CHRIST, MADE EXPRESSLY FOR MCCLURE'S MAGAZINE BY MR. G. W. ARMSTRONG, CARTOGRAPHER OF THE PALESTINE EXPLORATION FUND. - - THE REVEREND JOHN WATSON. 303 who heard his message of repentance and submitted to the sacrament of peni- tence. Yet it was in these circumstances that the Baptist one day iden- tified Jesus of Nazareth as the Christ, and knew that his work had not been in vain. It may be suggested, with some reason, that John had surely known for years the birth and calling of Jesus, and ought not to have waited as in a mystery. Was he not the kinsman of Jesus ? and had not a tender confidence passed between Elizabeth his mother and Mary the mother of Jesus ? When John separated himself from his home and his peo- ple, and gave himself in his youth to be the herald of the Messiah, and Jesus declared to His mother that He had come to do the work of His Father in heaven, would not other confidences pass between the holy women, and Elizabeth rejoice that as she had done homage to Mary her son was prepar- ing the way for Jesus ? As we weave this romance of the Holy Family we set it in the light of after- wards, and forget how the most sacred and vivid spiri- tual experiences fade and lose their meaning that He was the Lamb of God, he proved at even with saintly souls, so that Jesus once once his own fine spiritual perception and the gently chided His mother because she forgot inherent glory of Jesus. As he lived alone the mystery of His annunciation and nativity, in the wilderness and studied the outlines of saying, “Wist ye not ?” And John had evi- the Messiah's likeness in the mirror of Isaiah, dently learned nothing of his august Kinsman it had grown real and living before his eyes, from Elizabeth, for he once declared unto the and the very face was printed on his soul. Pharisees, “I knew Him not.” One day that which he had imagined flashed The Baptist had never, so far as we know, on him in all its spiritual loveliness, and the seen Jesus before, and it was a gain, and not Baptist did the Messiah instant homage. a loss, that he did not know the Messiah after When the day of His discovering to Israel the flesh, for in that moment of revelation he had fully come, just as in a lower world birds knew Him, with the vision of the soul, after know the seasons of their coming and going, the spirit. When John was arrested by the Jesus, moved by the infallible instinct of the visible holiness of Jesus, and identified Him Messiahship, left His home, where from child- as the Christ on whose head rested the mys- hood to manhood He had done the will of tical Dove, and afterwards declared boldly God in quietness; took His way by the road CORSO 1858 NE TYPE OF MAN-NAZARETH. A STUDY FROM LIFE. 304 THE LIFE OF THE MASTER. mall which crosses the plain of Jezreel and fol- back with pious horror. Unto the Baptist, lows the mountains of Samaria and Judea, the Savonarola of his day, came the ignorant and came at last to the place where John was people, sordid and greedy through the strug- baptizing in the Jordan. It could not have gle for life; the publicans swollen with the been by chance gains of oppres- that the prophet sion; the rough chose this font soldiers, who for the sacra- wrought their ment of peni- unchecked will tence, for it was on the helpless; sanctioned by the miserable ancient history, women, who full of instruc- were the open tion and inspira- ulcer of society; tion. Here, as and even the the Catholic his- Pharisees, shak- torian of the en out of their Master points pride for a space. out, the children A great wave of of Israel crossed religious emo- with Joshua into tion had swept the promised this mixed mass land, and here of evil-doers to Elijah, the pio- the feet of the neer of proph- prophet and the ecy, smote the laver of the Jor- waters with his dan. What had mantle. To-day brought Him the ford is called who was holy, the “ Place of harmless, and Passage,' and undefiled ? Noth- the western bank ing less than the is green, and sacred waters of covered with wil- the Jordan could lows and tam- avail for this arisks. Whole A NAZARETH HOME OF TO-DAY. mass of rascal- flocks of wood- dom and hypoc- By good fortune, I was permitted to make the study for this picture when the pigeons find here room was in its ordinary state-not set in special order for the stranger. The risy. What could a home. So here raised stonework is a feature of every Syrian house. It is the place set apart any water do for for the family bedroom ; the donkey, chickens, and, perhaps, goats occupying are all the signs the ground. It is the only sign of the elevation of the human above the brute. Him or His of the great af It seems to be a distinguishing trait of the so-called half-civilized peoples, that whiteness ? For fair of regenera- they maintain the brotherhood of the animal kingdom, with the erclusion of dogs. The roll of matting in the corner is the bed. “Take up thy bed and walk," the hands, tion — the pure is not so difficult an injunction in the East as with us. The mother is picking themselves sin- water, the pas- orer the wheat for the grinding. The grain is stored in the box-like structure on ful, which the right, which is made of baked mud and straw; and it is drawn out from the sage from old plugged holes at the bottom. These granaries rary in size, sometimes being plunged publi- things to new, nearly as high as the room. The houses are often damp, always dirty, blackened cans and harlots with the daily smoke from the little fires, nerer of a sweet saror. A rariety of and the gentle garments, the donkey's bedding, cooking utensils, regetables, implements, ashes, into the flowing white dove, water-jars, and skins littered the earthen floor, while amongst it all half a dozen water, to touch chickens scratched and scrambled. Only the platform in the corner (lit by a which is the windou that was ever being darkened by the spiders) offered acceptable accom- the holiness of symbol of the modation.- ARTIST'S NOTE. Jesus was an im- Holy Ghost. possible sacri- It was most fitting, like everything else in lege, and the dismay of the Baptist was so Jesus' life, that where sinful men had gath- manifest that Jesus could only ask him to ered in contrition and were waiting for God's suffer His desire. kingdom, the Anointed of God should ap When Jesus gave His reason to His ser- pear; but when Jesus not only was a hearer vant and declared that His baptism would of the new Gospel, but also desired to have fulfil“ all righteousness," it was in the very the sinner's baptism, one is not astonished sound a striking utterance; but it is not that the Baptist was staggered and shrank quite clear on first sight what the Master in- CORKNARLSON NAZARET THE REVEREND JOHN WATSON. 305 of GILEAD DAN SA GALILEE ABACOALA XTRATI NAIN 1. SDRAEL.ON THE WIELON men crvy WAS UNT AZAJRITY THE WEST. DRAWN BY MR. LINSON ON THE SPOT. tended. It is no explana- tion to read righteousness in a strictly legal sense, and to see in the bap- tism another illustration of the Master's respectful re- gard for the laws of His national religion, since this lustration of penitence was not an ancient regulation of Judaism, and had no binding force; it was a voluntary rite and not a universal commandment. Still less is it to be suggested that Jesus had any moral need for such a cleansing because He had sinned in thought or deed, for it was His whiteness against their blackness which moved the Baptist to his indignant refusal. Nor could the baptism of the Jordan be a ceremony introducing Jesus to His Messianic PICTORIAL MAP OF NAZARETH AND ITS ENVIRONS TOWARDS office, since the greater could not be blessed of the lesser, the servant instal his Lord. It was not indeed possible that Jesus could gain Him. He was to dine at publicans' tables, by this rite of humility, but it is possible that and live in their houses; to talk at well-sides He could give; and as Jesus submits to the with disreputable women, and to have harlots waters of the Jordan in the company of sin- following Him into respectable houses; to ners, we see an act of utter self-surrender be classed with illiterate folk and despised and a public acceptance of His calling. It provincials; to be cast out of the Church as was a deliberate emptying of Himself and a heretic, and to be counted a blasphemer. the first step to the Cross. He was to be mixed up with the dregs of the What Jesus desired was to forget His per- people, and it was to be suggested that He fect purity and Divine dignity, which were was Himself no better than the worst. The their own evidence and protection, and to waters of His baptism were ever to be on His plunge into the very depths of ordinary sin- head, so that the Pharisees standing on their ning, sorrowful human life in His pity and high bank could condemn Him, and the mis- sympathy, in His power and grace, that He erable below would claim Him. He would might lift the burden, which would be on His be condemned that He might save, and stoop- shoulders, but could be no part of Himself. ing He would conquer. Between the hand- According to the excusable idea of the Bap- ful of righteous and the mass of sinners He tist, his Lord should have gathered His white cast in His lot with the sinner; so He lost garments around Him with fastidious care the righteous, who needed no Saviour, and and stood alone on the bank, while at His He found the sinners, who did. Baptized feet the waters were stained with the sin of into shame and suffering that day by John's poor struggling humanity; but according to austere hands, our Master was also baptized the heart of Jesus, He must descend into the unto power and glory, and the drops of Jor- midst of the river till in the end what neither dan water glistening in the sun were the the water of the Jordan nor any other could diadems of an eternal crown. do would be accomplished by His lifelong When we read in the Gospels that after Passion and His death. This baptism was a Jesus was baptized of John He was led into sacrament of the Messianic love-a pledge the wilderness to be tempted, the order of of utter devotion to His fellow-men, a sym- events is not merely temporal; it is also spir- bol of identification with Humanity. itual. If any one be moved to dedicate him- It might seem at the time a mere mistake self without reserve to the cause of God and and a vain sacrifice, but now one can see the service of his fellow-men, it is an act of that no act could more fitly open the mission immense significance, and it must needs be of Jesus, and none could be a surer prophecy followed by a retreat. It had not been fit- of its final success. He was not to take ting that as soon as Jesus had come up from His way through pleasant circumstances and the Jordan, with the water still on His head, among good people with reverence and ad- He should begin to preach the Kingdom. He miration and honor and applause waiting on would have been without any plan of work THE REVEREND JOHN WATSON. 307 VIEW OF BETHLEHEM FROM A GARDEN. The town is situated on the eastern limit of a ridge that lies east and rest, about a mile long. This ridge overlooks a deep valley on the south, and another one on the north, and commands a view that reaches to the hills of Moab, orer the Judean wilderness, Jericho, and the Dead Sea. The peculiarly shaped hill in the middle distance is the so-called Frank Mountain, the burial place of Herod the Great, the upper part of the hill being artificial. Mt. Nebo is seen from Bethlehem as a slight prominence on the Moab horizon. The ancient Bethle- hem probably was not nearly as large as the modern town. Il suffered much with every other sacred place during Crusading times, being destroyed and rebuilt again and again. Some writers have inaccurately mentioned the " Jews of Bethlehem.” As a matter of fact, Jers do not now exist here any more than at Nazareth. Bethlehem is almost entirely Christian in population, of the different sects of the Latin and Eastern churches; there are less than two hundred Moslems in eight thousand inhabitants. The town has Latin and Greek monas- teries and hospices, boys' and girls' schools, and a number of churches, and there are also an English school for girls and a German Protestant school for both seres.- ARTIST'S NOTE. the words which come from the mouth of created Pharisaism and devastated the re- God—to fulfill spiritual ends; not to live for ligious life of Israel. What was represented the senses, but for the soul. as a loyal acceptance of one of the most Jesus' next temptation shifted the field gracious of the Divine promises Jesus de- from the body to the soul, and had a fair clared to be sheer blasphemy, and a straining show of religion, as the last had of reason. of the Divine patience unto the breaking. Is not the very heart of religion faith in God, With this new rebuff to the Evil One, Jesus a faith so unreserved and unquestioning, so added to His abnegation a humility of faith trustful and loving, that it will leave the per- which was never to fail till from the tragic son absolutely in the hands of God ? Ought height of the Cross, where God's will had not such faith to vindicate itself at a trial, placed Him, into the depths of the grave, and put God to the test by some daring act whither He was willing to go, He committed of confidence ? Suppose that Jesus should His soul to His Father, and His Father did cast Himself from the highest point of the not put Him to confusion. Father's House in face of all the people, and Once more at this time Satan tried the allow God to bear Him up on angels' wings Master, and now it is neither through His -would not this be a fitting evidence of His body, nor His soul, but through His work he faith on the threshold of the Master's public makes his attempt. From a high mountain career ? Apparently it was an appeal to the Tempter shows unto this young Man all Jesus' filial spirit; really it was an invitation the kingdoms of the world of which in the to spiritual pride and unholy presumption seclusion of Nazareth Jesus may have heard, upon the favor of God—the very sin which and their glory, which He could not have by its arrogance and self-complacency had imagined. This is the world -not that world 308 THE LIFE OF THE MASTER. of sin, and shame, and sorrow, and pain, in would be averted! How swiftly and how its immense pathos, which God loved and smoothly the Kingdom of God might come! Jesus was to save; but that world of luxury, Had Jesus only been more careful about the and pageantry, and cruelty, and unbelief, in Sabbath rules, had He only been silent on its proud insolence, which would flout God certain occasions, had He only paid some and crucify Jesus. With the same outlook heed to prejudices, had He kept at a dis- the Master saw His task and His hindrance, tance from sinners! A few compromises, a and in this meeting was begotten the Temp- handful of incense on the altar of the world, tation. How altogether noble was the task! and neither He nor any of His disciples need Was the hindrance inevitable ? If Jesus have suffered. His Church has not turned would only do one act of homage to the a deaf ear to this insidious advice, or been prince of this world, then he would lay all disinclined to take an evil road to a good those kingdoms at Jesus' feet, who then end. She has gratefully received tainted might do His will without suffering or oppo- gold, and therewith established missions; she sition. One imagines that Jesus may have has made alliances with kings, and trafficked been tempted again and again after this with her own freedom; she has condescended fashion in His life-to come to terms with to cunning and violence to advance her sphere the world, and the more quickly accomplish of influence. These things have the servants His work. Suppose that by courteous con- done, but not the Master. Where the choice cession the world, in its priests and Phari- was to hold the world from His Father on sees and rulers, could be disarmed and con- condition of the Cross, or to receive a show ciliated, would it be wrong, and would it not of power from Satan on condition of an act be worth the making? What enmity and of homage, Jesus made a swift, final de- bloodshed, what martyrdoms and controver- cision. And Satan, thrice defeated, de- sies, what sins against light and goodness, parted for a season. (To be continued.) BETHLEHEM FROM MAR ELIAS, IN WINTER. Snow in southern Palestine is a rare enough sight to be remarkable. In all my experience, I saw it but once-for a short week. I seized the opportunity to make studies, from which this picture of Bethlehem at Christmas time was painted. It is a view of the village from the ridge of Mar Elias, half way between Jerusalem and Bethlehem, from the top of which both toens can be seen three miles away on either side. It shows the road winding southward, the vineyard terraces with light snow, the olive trees, and Bethlehem in the distance in a sunlit space.-ARTIST'S NOTE. COW KNAP LIASONL1898 TOM TAIL-ROPE'S EXPLOIT. A STORY OF MINING LIFE. BY PHIL MORE. H the mysteries of the mines mountain, and across Tularosa valley, as quite overcomes me when- soon as the transmission rope grips them. ever I sits down to think of Daggert, our superintender, says it is a them, as I often does, or caution, and I says so too, whenever I watches standing up either, for that them. He's the head man out here in New matter. Our mines is the Mexico. Came from Pennsylvania, same as kind where all of the cars I did. I looks after the ropes, and he looks are moved in and out by after the whole thing; and between us the ropes -miles of them, count- Alama Gorda Tunnel and Mining Company has ing them all up, inside and a good thing of it, staying at home back outside; and when a car of East and drawing their dividends regular coal starts from a breast and finally stops like. at the tip-up alongside of the railroad, it's Our office is at the tip-up. To get back been pulled and yanked around so that some- and forth between the mines and office there times it runs off the track from sheer ex- is two routes--in a car in the air, or on the haustion; and then some one hooks another ground, walking. I prefers to ride, and so rope onto it, and it's hauled along over does Daggert, especially when he's in a the ties till it jumps on again for peace' hurry to rip some one up the back for what sake. he's done or hasn't done, like it says in the And the ropes is just as bad as the cars. prayer-book, and he's most always in a hurry. Seems like there is a grudge between them; I usually takes the car following his. and if a rope gets slack, along comes a trip panionship is a nice thing under some con- of cars, and runs over it, and cuts it in two ditions, and there are some when it isn't. or gets it all tangled up. So it takes me When he's in good humor, we rides together. most of my time keeping the ropes up, and And that ain't oftener than once a month, they looks after the cars. around pay-days. I often wonders that the ropes and cars The Alama Gorda Tunnel is a regular gas- don't get lost somewhere inside after they house, too, which accounts for some of Dag- have left daylight behind, and never show up gert's unpleasant moods. When the ropes again; but they don't, for I often sits by hauls a trip of cars through a door that ought the track at the tunnel entrance watching to have been opened and wasn't, there's a them and the two ropes running over the regular generator set going inside in the pulleys, and about every ten or fifteen min- breasteses, and he curses me and my ropes utes I sees a splice or so coming out that till he finds some one more directly respon- went in that long ago, and them moving all sible. You see smashing a door on the in- the time in the dark, and the darkest kind take or return checks ventilation till it's re- of dark that is known to man's eyes—the paired, which don't take long; but the gas kind that you can see, but can't penetrate. is always ready, and new doors ain't. We Then, sometimes, when everything is going has a big fan and engine to draw good air good, I watches the cable tram, or, to put it in, and bad air, gas, and dust out; but they in good catalogue style, the aërial rope rail- don't give us any trouble. It's mostly men's way. You see, after we has got through carelessness—and then we has an explosion, -yanking the cars into the mines and out like enough, and maybe a fire, and some one again, we hangs them up on a big steel ca- is burned that hadn't ought to be, and the ble, and runs them on it through the air to one that ought to be gets the run. the tip-up, pretty near two miles away, along Daggert is a good superintender, though, side of the railroad, as I said before. They're and looks after the men close; but they do helpless enough then, swinging around; but forget once in a while, and then,“ Where's away they goes, up hill and down, over a Tom ?” For you see I looks after the pipe- 310 TOM TAIL-ROPE'S EXPLOIT. I lines that carries water to all the breasteses, • Five." too. I sees the number, automatically, I might I'm afraid to go to bed till the night shift's say. It's painted on the tower we just out, because if I does, l’m most sure to be passed on the dead run. called, and it ain't pleasant to ride over the Six.” rope tram in the dark with Daggert and a That's another one. Tularosa valley's car full of company men. We has to do right ahead. The next tower stands like a this, as all of us lives at the tip-up end of sentinel at its edge. The outstretched arms the line, being the only place we can live; supporting the cable are in relief against and at " all-over” time every day there's a the sky. From it the ropes dips into space, regular excursion of men coming home on disappearing from sight below the crest. the rope, a hundred feet in the air. As we climb the cable, the valley opens. The day that I performed my exploit, as The far bank unfolds foot by foot until I sees Daggert calls it, though I don't, I didn't the bottom, like an abyss, below us, with the start out with the intention of doing any- slender-looking ropes spanning: thing more than I ordinarily does, such as We passes the tower, and takes the nine- splicing ropes, repairing electric signal lines teen hundred feet dip. Down, down, we and bells, or putting some of the telephones goes, hanging above the depths like birds- in order. I was working at a pocket trans- like eagles. It's a great span at a great mitter up-stairs in my shop, over the com- height. A loaded car as it passes drops a pany's office, while Daggert was laying some chunk of coal. It falls over the edge with a one out cold down-stairs, as I could plainly clang, and I peers over the edge of mine and tell by the words that came up through the watches its flight downward. I holds my floor, when his voice stops sudden; I lifts breath. My! It's a long ways down. We up my head and listens. starts up the ascent. Daggert has a firm Some one is at the door talking, talking grip on the frame-work, and is looking side- fast and excited. ways into the valley. For the time he has “ Tom-where's Tom ?” Daggert yells, forgotten everything but the terrible height. stamping to the stairs in a hurry. As the earth approaches, he relaxes his tense I expected it. “Here," I hollers back, grasp, and so does I. Tom,” he asks sud- and goes down two steps at a time. den, is there any water in number four “Come on," he says, without waiting for level, west ?” me, and starts for the tip-up trestle on a run. I follows, and reaches the top out of That question answers mine-there's been breath, and dodges cars and swallows dust an explosion, and Alama Gorda Tunnel is afire. to keep up to him. The first empty that the car carries us swiftly up and over the comes along he jumps into, and I after him. mountain, and we sees the entrance to the It runs to the cable tram, the gripman hooks workings and the power-houses and build- us on, and with a jerk we slams off into the ings on the down slope. Groups of men are air. Ahead of us is the long perspective of moving around, and more men coming out ropes, cars, and towers, roasting in the scin- from the tunnel. Work is at a standstill, tillating landscape, disappearing out there in with steam flying in the air, and smoke as- the midair toward the mountains. Daggert cending from the stacks. Daggert's face stands in the front end, looking that way and sets. It's been a bad one when the men all working his hands nervously. Thundera comes out. Two mine stretchers, and men tion!” he growls. carrying them, tells part of the tale. I looks ahead, too; but all I can see is a “How many burned ?” Daggert asks of string of loads swinging toward us, and an- the first man he meets. other string of empties, which we are fol “ Four; two of them seriously.” This lowing. Then it occurs to me that we're from the miner, who is too excited to know going too slow to suit him. Speed's the one that his lamp's still burning. object to Daggert when he is in a hurry. The “ Are they out ?” more of it the better. I looks at the ground “ All that can get out.” passing rapidly away beneath us, and knows Daggert eyes him sternly. “What do we are going a good gait, plenty fast enough you mean ?” for safety, with him tramping around and They says as I come out that number keeping the car swinging like she would jump four lift's closed up, and the men on it are off the rope and drop us to the hard-baked behind the fire." earth, “ Where's Weir ?” “Yes.” TOM TAIL-ROPE'S EXPLOIT. 311 HASNVASO DOWN, DOWN, WE GOES, HANGING ABOVE THE DEPTHS LIKE BIRDS." “ Inside." off my belt and lights it. It glows like a Daggert's eyes encounters mine, and he fire-bug, and lights up the car and a square strides to a car and gets into it. It is on patch of roof above us. We have gone 500 the rope. The engineer is watching us back yards, perhaps, when the fire sends out a there in the power-house, and I presses to- messenger to meet us. It comes in a cloud gether the two signal wires running over our of dust, an oppressive concussion, and the car heads, and we disappears in the black en- goes on clanging through choking air. I looks trance of Alama Gorda. We has to sit down at the halo of coal particles around my lamp. in the bottom of the car to keep from strik “Not a bad one, says Daggert, through ing against the roof, and I takes my Davy the noise and dirt. 312 TOM TAIL-ROPE'S EXPLOIT. The car stops, too, about this time, and men smothered, for I feels and tastes the jerks back and forth as if asking a question. stuff I'm breathing, and it's rank-takes you That's the engineer's way of asking if we in the legs, sudden-like, when it gets you; are still in it and alive, and I reaches up and that's the acid and the oxide mixed, Weir bells him that we are, and on we goes again. says—and after that we says nothing and It's a mad rush through the dark, with breathes as little as we can. If we could have more noises than we can hear at once; and stopped breathing altogether, we'd a-been lights appears ahead when we go around a better off. Even our Davys blinks hard. curve. Daggert cries, “ Stop! ” Daggert coughs, and looks at us. No re- Daggert ?” some one asks. It's Weir, treat in his eyes. So thinking my lungs as the foreman. “Don't go any farther. The good as his, I fills them with the mixture damp's driven us back to here." that sieves through the wet bandana. “ How far ahead is number four lift?" At the branch opposite number four lift Daggert asks, climbing out. I bells the engineer to stop. I also tells him Two hundred yards. The fire's in num- with the wires that he's to hold the car ber seven breast, under a gob. Everything there. We could never get back alive now inside of us is choked up. without it. Number four opens on our right, “Burning much?”. a square block of black cut out of the coal. “Yes. Wet your handkerchief and tie it Daggert leads, holding his lamp waist high. over your face, and come in the counter. I being in the rear, tries mine to see where You can see it through an old wall that's it will burn the best; no difference, high blown out." low, that I can see. Weir's the only one in Alama Gorda that You'd never believe the noise our feet be- tells Daggert what to do. We waits there gins to make once we enters the lift. They as quiet as the mine itself, and watches their throb, throb, throb in my ears as they goes lights disappear. In about two minutes they along the road, and there's a clinking ring comes back, coughing and choking. goes with their steps. I never feels my “They can't be alive," Daggert says when neck so big nor my heart so strong. I'm he can speak. all pulse, but the worst is at my windpipe and “I think they are. I've been following temples. It doesn't beat; it clangs like an the air-currents since the explosion, and they anvil under a hammer along with my foot- are in good air. They are safe for four or steps. Then along comes another noise to five hours." Weir speaks with conviction. pound into my ears. I realize instantly that “Got a tracing ?” it's the fire I hears. It's roaring and moan- Weir pulls one out of his pocket, and un- ing fit to make you tremble. folds it. I holds my lamp to show light on Daggert stops, and holds his lamp up. He it and see for myself, too. too. “There," Weir has heard it, too, and is trying for gas. says, with his pencil showing where, as it And he finds it. His light burns diin, and moves around the labyrinth of workings, “is the gas “ caps” the flame and fills the in- where she was lit, and the air is now mov- side of the gauze with its blue blaze. What ing—" and the pencil seems to wander aim- a compound we are breathing! And what lessly over the cloth in showing the present a generator we are in! What ain't one kind course of the air. of gas is another kind, just as dangerous, Daggert is a man of quick decision. “I and all kills in their own ways, given the must get nearer the fire and see for myself," chance. One is taking its turn now. The Weir, you and Tom come with other kind one of them-may take next You men stop here. We'll ride in op- turn, and we'll be blowed out on the main posite lift four, enter the lift, and return as road and into the car perhaps. we go. If in five minutes after the rope stops There's the fire. We comes on it while it doesn't start back, one of you-you, Sandy climbing up a heap of fallen rock, and sits -start outside for help, and you others start down on top of the pile and looks at it in in for us. We'll need help.” And he climbs helpless wonder, too exhausted to stand up. into the car. And it continues to spoil what little air We wets our handkerchiefs while he is reaches it, and passes the poorer article on talking, big red bandanas, and ties them to us. We gasps there like fishes. It's over our mouths and noses. This makes the right in the road at the entrance to a breast, damp less noxious. I gives the signal, after which it clogs up effectually, as it does the a preliminary cautionary one, and the car heading. There's a pile of rock on it bigger moves ahead. Well, I thinks, here's three than what's under us, and the “ blowers” he says. me. TOM TAIL-ROPE'S EXPLOIT. 313 feeding it roars loud and low, and stops, and blue zenith. Its blue is deep and unknown, roars again in a different key. Its flames and I fears to look upon it. I dreads what are blue, and shoots up and dies down, but it hides. I encounters something suspended through the interstices the mass is incandes- in this heaven, and dimly recognizes Weir, cent. It is no regular conflagration. It's prone. I crawls over him, and forgets all a blast furnace underground, going slow on about him lying there. This same eternity account of bad air, and its dull glow sheds is closing down upon him. He grasps my an evil-looking glare on us. leg as I passes, and it closes down upon me. Daggert sits there ten seconds, trying the It crushes me into the dirt between the rails. air, and then gives a nod. He's seen enough. Weir crawls over me. I grasps him. The It's a retreat now. sky and stars are crowding nearer. One When I tries to move my legs, I finds that shoots up from the horizon, and bursts over- they're heavier than they was and don't be- head with a crash, filling the heavens with long to me. Leastwise I can't move them, flames. Its breath is hot, and licks down but crawls down on my hands and drags them close to us. We lie there in the intense dark- after me, the same as Daggert and Weir's ness that succeeds, three suffocated, singed a-doing. And thus we goes down the lift men, without motion. I hears a shout: called number four, with the bells of eter- “Hurry up, boys; here they are." nity ringing in our ears and eternity itself looming up ahead, vast and incomprehensible. “How do you feel, Tom ?” Blue stars shoots from its blue horizon to its “Oh, first rate." HY SAVISON WHAT TAKES ME, THOUGH, IS THE WOMEN THREE OF THEM IS GOING ON AWFUL." . 314 TOM TAIL-ROPE'S EXPLOIT. I looks around. I am just aware that I will keep a large force busy several weeks feels at all. Alama Gorda's sun is shining to put it out, because all of the rock and down on us, and we are surrounded by anx- coal must be loaded out to quench it. You ious, inquiring faces. I tries to sit up, and see we has all got beyond the point, in our finds that I do not feel so good as I thought. experience at Alama Gorda, of trying to ex- My head throbs, and every joint and muscle tinguish a mine fire like a house fire, by is sore. “ Close call, Tom,” Daggert says. squirting water on it. It simply won't do; He's lying near me. His hands and neck no matter now why. That's a plain state- are bound in cotton. And then I discovers ment. And what about the men in the mean- that I'm tied up, too. “Where's Weir ?” while ? Daggert asks this, and looks us all I asks. in the eyes. That's a poser for him and for “ Here." us, too, and the women outside waiting. Sure enough; and they have him swaddled. There were ten men in there before the “ Did she go off ?” fire,” he says, quiet like, “ and there's ten Just as we reached you,” Allen, the fire- men in there now. They may be dead- boss, answers. “We got there just in time. smothered-but the chances are that they're Lucky you was down with the damp, or you'd alive. Before the sun sets they will be dead all have been burned." He holds out his if something ain't done. What's the best hands. “It barely touched us--scorched." thing to do? Is there anything we can do I feels and smarts like a chicken getting in time to save them ?” his pin-feathers singed, but the excitement There's a deep silence. One, two, three in the air sets me quivering. The women of minutes passes, and I shoves my hands in Tularosa are there, and them that has their my coat pockets, and goes to the window men safe are trying to comfort the few that and looks up across the hills above Alama has their husbands in the tunnel. Gorda Tunnel. "Boys,” Daggert says, sitting up," there's There's a derrick standing there, outlined ten men in there as good as we are. against the afternoon sky. “It's a cau- “Goodness alive, that's so!” I hollers, tion," I thinks to myself; and stops thinking and stands right up. My neck and hands right there. “Daggert," I says, turning smart, and my head rolls independent on my around, and letting out each word slow and shoulders, but I comes up fast, and feels careful, and trying to keep the quiver out ready for anything. of my voice, “ the bore-hole's on number Weir struggles to his feet, and feels of his four lift." head. Being bald-headed, he has a couple “ Bore-hole ?” he says, as if it hadn't of red spots on top that hurts, and one of given him enough trouble driving it. the men steps up with a can of carron-oil, “Yes, an eighteen-inch one for a pump and pours a little on them and a good deal column--to pump water up through from down his neck. the new slope and Wilkinson's dip.” “That's enough,” he says, wiping it out “Tom's got it,” Weir shouts, jumping of his whiskers. up. Daggert looks at us both, perplexed. Daggert starts for the office, calling out “ Tom's hit the only means at our command. the names of those he wants to see. Mine He means to go down through the bore-hole being one, I follows. There's a good deal and hoist the men up through it, don't you, of talking going on among the groups of Tom ?” men, women, and children, and the tram I nods. men stands on the trestle looking down at Daggert appears to be turning the idea us with curiosity. What takes me, though, over in his mind, and looks me hard in the is the women. I never could stand to see eyes, and me looking at him just as hard. them cry, and three of them is going on Then he heaves a long breath, and says, awful. “ Come on; we'll try it.” “It's a caution,” Daggert says, on the The derrick, built up there before the hole office porch, same as he always does when was driven and used to drive it, stands wait- he is worried or pleased. ing for us. Every one of us looks up at it We all goes in and shuts the door, and the as we passes out. Daggert and Weir leads, crowd outside moves up close, and looks in talking earnestly; we follows; and the crowd at the windows. They knows there is a de- watches us, wondering, and then starts after cision to be made for or against the impris- us. oned men. We finds everything as the drillers last left Daggert starts out by saying that the fire it, with the windlass, rope, and sheave they TOM TAIL-ROPE'S EXPLOIT. 315 had used for pulling the bit. These I in- blackness closes around me. I hears a deep spects carefully. Then I goes into the shed sigh from the crowd as I disappears. built under the derrick, and looks at the It's tight on all sides. Even the air I hole. It shows the projection of a huge breathe seems cramped. I descends stead- iron pipe which had been driven through the ily, and feels the smooth rock rubbing against soil to the rock strata as a casing. I holds my body. Down-down-down-slowly, a my hand over this, and feels the air draw- patch of light leading my sight and showing ing down. Daggert orders the rope reeved the bit-marks in the sandstone. through the sheave at the top of the derrick, Weir's words of command to the men at the “I PULLS THE DOOR OPEN, AND STANDS LOOKING DOWN AT THE GROUP SEATED THERE, OUTLINED AGAINST THE LIVID FIRE." choosing four men to man the crab. I rigs crab. His voice comes to me muffled and up a sling, and fastens it to the rope when hollow, but I understands what he says. This it comes dangling down, and am more con- reassures me somewhat, for as I descends far- fused by the scrutiny of the peoples than by ther into the hole a nervous feeling comes the task before me. over me. I imagines all sorts of probable and “It's a little over 300 feet down,' Weir improbable things; and then the dreads cease, says in my ear; “317, exact, to the vein. and I feels my legs hanging free, and my I'll listen at the top. If you shout I can body drops into the heading, and I stands hear you. Are you ready ?" on the gangway floor of number four lift, “ Yes." west, back of the fire. The sling hangs above the pipe. I runs I draws a long breath-I am down. I my arms through it, and hangs full length, looks up, and sees a small disk of daylight arms and legs free. My lamp I hooks in my far above. That's the top of the hole. I belt in front. “Lower away,” I says, and slips my arms out of the sling, and unfastens my feet, body, head, enters the hole, and its my lamp from my belt. The dull, dead silence 316 TOM TAIL-ROPE'S EXPLOIT. Bless me, of the mine is about me. I peers around in Darkness be over me, the darkness, and sees nothing. I have My rest a stone; Yet in my drtams I'd be walked past this exact spot before. Now, Nearer, my God, to Thee, it seems, I have entered a strange mine. Nearer to Thee !" The air is good, with but a slight current. Yonder is the fire-I faces toward it. The A shiver runs down my back. I pulls the men, I reasons, will be away from it. I door open, and stands looking down at the turns and starts toward the faces of the group seated there, outlined against the livid breasteses. I follows the track, and notes fire further on. There's a shout, and then every branch turning off from it. a scramble toward me. I hears a sound ahead, and holds up my * Tom! Tom! Bliss me, it's Tom Tail- lamp. A mule team stands there, hooked rope,” Duggan, the foremost, cries in his to a trip of loaded cars, where the driver Irish brogue. “It's a first-class prayer- had left them when the explosion took place. meeting ye've interrupted, me b'y." They cocks their ears, and turns their heads “Du, du,” Reese puffs, staring hard. as I walks past them and the cars. Here's The others crowds up close. panic, I thinks, picking up a whip and lamp “Ye've come in time to save me from em- dropped by the driver and his “ patcher.” barrassment,” Duggan continues, jovially. And here's two that were not accounted “It was me next turn, and nary a hair did for. “It's a caution,” I says aloud, look- I know phat to say. Where did ye come ing around. “Where be they now?' from, Tom ?” My eyes are getting used to the dark, and “ Down the bore-hole.” the rays from my Davy lights up more on “ Down the bore-hole ? but that account, but I sees no indication of the ye're famous. And do ye return by the men. So I keeps on up the heading. Once same route ?” in a while I stops to listen, and when the “After you have gone up ahead of me.” hollow echoes of my own footsteps dies away, "Do ye hear him, fellows ?” Duggan profound silence succeeds. At the face of shouts, looking around. “He's come down the gangway I takes a look around. The the bore-hole, and up it we go! Well, it's tools are lying just where the miners dropped better than toastin' our shins at the fire be- them-two picks, a shovel, a twist-drill, and yant." a powder cartridge. “Is it true what you're sayin', Thomas ?” "He's been going to fire a hole," I thinks, Wilkinson, the gangway-man, asks seriously. backing away from the paper sausage," and “Just as I says it, Wilkinson,” I answers. when she went off, he just drops and runs. “Come and see.” I wishes I knew which way, and I'd run They follows through the door and up the after him;" and I does, unbeknowingly, for road to the bore-hole, where I stops by the I starts straight back toward the fire, passes dangling rope. the cars and mules, and peeps up the bore “God bless you, lad,” Wilkinson ejacu- hole once more. lates, grasping my hands. “I told them an “It ain't likely they're gone down the hour sin' that nothing but the Almighty could rock slope,” I says, facing toward it and the save us, and asked them to prepare to meet electric hoist at the top. “Too wet down Him. I've faced death before, but never there. I'll have a look at the fire first, any- till now looked him in the eye; and after bid- how, and then go through the breasteses. din' my wife and bairns farewell and com- As near as I can reckon, it ain't more than mending them to His care, through His inter- 300 yards to number seven chamber. On ference I'll see them again. Who's first ?” my way there I comes to a wrecked door. “You,” Duggan answers for us. “My, she ripped it when she went off," I “I'm the oldest,” he says simply. “Show exclaims; " and some one's closed it again me how, Thomas." after it was blowed open.” This appears I slips myself into the sling and out again, strange. “Maybe and then helps him adjust it across his broad My mouth drops open, and I'm rigid, lis- shoulders. tening. Some one is singing. I recognizes “Draw yessel in, Wilkinson,''Duggan sug- “Bethany.” They starts out, more voices gests. “It's the smallest shaft ye iver rode than one, on the second verse: up. Hist away, Tom. How de ye start ?” I bears my weight on the slack rope. The 'Though like the wanderer, signal is quickly answered by its taking Wil- Daylight all gone, kinson up and out of our sight. TOM TAIL-ROPE'S EXPLOIT. 317 same. “Do ye moind that now," says Duggan, and tell her we're all right. Up ye go like standing under and looking up. “I never a swallow to its nest. Ah, but it's great!” gave a Welsher credit for knowin' enough turning to me with a bread grin of approval for that. There's Irish blood in Tom, when Gildea's hob-nails disappears. “It's a Reese.” great day for Alama Gorda this, and a greater “Not a drop, not a drop,” Reese asserts wan for ye, Tom. Whin we came to that stoutly. conclusion, we s'arched the lift to find out “ Then he must be a bard,” with a broad how many had drawn the lucky number, and grin. “It's all right, Tom. I'll say no then marched in a procession to the foire. more against the Welsh, so help me. I've Wilkinson, ould experience, said there'd be heard them sing and pray this night, and in no more explosions. There'd been three, me own foolish heart I wished I could. I two light wans after the first, which was to wonder can I go up it?” the quane's taste. Because, said he, the “You're the last but one, Duggan," I damp from the fire kapes the gas from that answers. “I'm last." We made oursel's comfortable and “All right," he says cheerfully. “And waited; nary a hair do I know what for, but to-morrow Daggert and Weir'll have us the we waited. Faith, our frien’s are workin' up other side of the fire, loadin' it out. How's there,” grasping the rope as it comes clump- the air over beyant, Tom ?” ing down. “Listen to that now. They're “ Bad. It draws that way. We was in cheerin'. We was in cheerin'. Hurry now, Bainbridge, so I can there a couple of hours ago. get up and cheer wid them. Look at him; “What did I tell ye? I heard ye, and he takes to the rope like a sailor. Ah, but says to mesel', ‘Not yet, Duggan; they're it's great! And thus Duggan talks them after ye.'” all into the rope and up the bore-hole, and “We thought it was some of his foolish- finally himself. “I'll be waitin' for ye above, ness,” Reese says apologetically; “maybe he Tom,” he then says, slipping the sling over was right.” his broad shoulders; and giving a parting “Av course, I was. Here, Reese, yer kick at me with his feet, he too disappears. wind's bad. Hook him in, Tom." A muffled, unintelligible sound comes down Reese enters the sling, and as he disappears from him, and then silence. Duggan calls out a-laughing, “Good-by. That's all there is to it, except that after Don't get stuck, moind, and kape us down I got up the hole there was a great fuss here to smother. He's a good old sowl, made, the men and women crowding around Tom. Him an’ Wilkinson's all that kep'us me that close that I was glad when Daggert from goin' where we'd niver got out. I was comes pushing through, actually smiling, for climbin' over the foire and bein' done and says, Come, Tom; Weir and I are wid it, but Reese says to wait, and I waited. going inside again. If you're able, I'd like Gildea, here, drops and runs, and foinds me to have you come with us.” an' Wilkinson an’ Reese in the gangway, hav He'd like to have me come, when he don't in' a discusshion over our chances for escape generally consider your feelings when he or rescue, an’ we come to the conclusion that wants you to do anything or go anywhere; there was nothin' for, an' everythin' against, and I, feeling more used up by that than by us. Let the b'y go up next, Tom. His the noise and cheering, follows him through mom's waitin' for him above. Here, Gildea, the crowd. 66 SABA sos SSSSisss BAGS FORT MCKINLEY. finest deeds of human cour- rounded was not encouraging. THE RACE FOR THE NORTII POLE. BY WALTER WELLMAN. A CHAPTER OF RECENT PERSONAL EXPERIENCE IN THE ARCTIC. HE Wellman Polar Expedition and in a week met the pack-ice at the sev- of 1898-9 was characterized enty-seventh parallel of latitude. Our first by one of the most remark- onslaught upon the frigid bulwarks with able tragedies and one of the which the well-nigh impregnable Pole is sur- We found age ever recorded. The hero no opening, but did soon discover that our who did this rare deed lives bunkers were running low of coal, and so in the little town of Tromso, Norway, and it we steamed back to Norway for reinforce- was at this far northern port that the mem- ments. Then north again, and soon we were bers of the expedition, four Americans and once more struggling with the pack-ice. A five Norwegians, assembled in June, 1898. week of ramming, shoving, crowding, shiver- On the 26th day of that month we sailed in ing through leads and openings, forcing them the expedition steamer “Frithjof," a stanch often where they did not exist, varied by fre- ship specially built for hard work in heavy quent fogs in which it was necessary to lie ice. At Archangel, Russia, we took on board to because we could not see a ship's length eighty-three draught dogs which Alexander ahead, brought us at last near the shores of Trontheim, of Tobolsk, had procured for us Franz Josef Land. Happy indeed were we all in sub-Arctic Siberia, among the Ostiaks, when, on July 27th, we first beheld the glacier- who live near the mouth of the River Ob. A capped mountains of this remote region. To two-thousand-mile journey across mountains, our imaginations it presented itself as a para- tundras, steppes, and rivers had the faithful dise of opportunity. Next day, with anxious Trontheim brought his pack, assisted by hearts, we anchored at Cape Flora, which for others and a caravan of reindeer. three years had been the headquarters of the From Archangel we steamed northward Jackson-Harmsworth (English) expedition. through the White Sea to the Arctic Ocean, Here it was that Nansen and Jackson had BIDDING FAREWELL TO THE SHIP IN LATITUDE 80.05 NORTH. 319 had their dramatic meeting two years before push our ship northward through a strait, La chance encounter which doubtless saved and later tried to steam round the southeast- the lives of Nansen and his faithful comrade, ern islands where the Austro-Hungarian ship Lieutenant Johansen. Here, too, we had “ Tegetthoff” was lost in 1874, and thus to hoped for another meeting. When last heard the north. But finding the way everywhere from, Andrée's balloon was drifting in this blocked with heavy ice, we finally decided to direction from Spitzbergen, and as he knew establish our headquarters at Cape Teget- of the existence at this point of a good house thoff, Hall Island, latitude 80.05; and there amply stocked with provisions, it was not im- we set up our little hut, and landed our possible he had been able to make his way stores, equipment, and dogs. hither the previous autumn. Grievous was This was the last of July. In three days our disappointment when we saw the doors the ship sailed for Norway, and we were left and windows of Jackson's house all boarded alone for at least a year in the wilderness of and barred, for we realized that thus ended ice. We were the only human inhabitants all reasonable expectation that the brave of that vast region, and our nearest neighbors Swedes were to be seen again among the were Russians and Samoyedes in Nova Zembla, living. 500 miles to the southward. A month or two From Cape Flora we vainly endeavored to of working weather remained before the win- i kluleski leit SUDDENLY THEY WERE SURROUNDED BY FIVE OR SIX BIG BULLS, ROARING IN THEIR ANGER.” 320 THE RACE FOR THE NORTH POLE. ter should come down upon us, and we lost no winter of 1895-6 in a little hut or cave. Our time in setting our column in motion. Two men at once set to work to establish a post. days after the ship left us, a party under the The first thing was to build a hut. For this command of the meteorologist, Mr. E. B. Bald- work they had better tools than Nansen and win, of the United States Weather Bureau, set his comrade, but no better materials--only out to establish an outpost farther north, the such as the country afforded. They gathered farther the better. They started with sledges, rocks and piled up the rough walls of a house. two small boats, dogs, and provisions, travers- Two pieces of drift-wood, brought from Si- ing a solid sheet of comparatively smooth ice berian rivers by current and tide, formed upon bay and strait. The outlook was prom- the ridge-pole. The dried skins of walrus ising. But conditions often change with sur- which were killed in the bay served for a prising rapidity in the Arctic, and in less roof. A chimney was built at one side, and than forty-eight hours this party found the upon a hearth of flat rocks small bits of apparently sound dried drift-wood and safe ice and hunks of breaking up un- walrus blubber der their feet and were burned, not drifting rapidly for purposes of out to sea in heating, but to strong off-shore boil the coffee and winds. They had soup and fry the to leap from one savory steaks of floating floe to polar bear. Tons another, now and of walrus meat then hurriedly were cut in small launching their squares out of small boats, only the huge car- to pull them up casses of fifteen again as quickly of the sea-horses, as possible to and stored away save them from in an ice-house being crushed in (good refrigera- the ice. Nothing tor) for the sus- but desperate, tenance of the even heroic, work forty dogs during enabled them to the long winter. escape with their A ton of con- lives and outfit densed food for and reach the human use solid land. Along accumulated the shore, over From a photograph by L. Szacinski, taken in June, 1898, before the here, most of it rough stones departure of the Wellman Expedition. designed for the and precipitous sledging parties glacier-débris, now moving a part of their the next spring. With blocks of snow and loads short distances by boat in open water, ice the men built huge walls around the hut, again taking to the ice-covered mountain- to afford some protection from the winter's - side for a hazardous journey over fissures storms, making the camp look very much in. and crevasses, they struggled for fully a deed like a fort ; and so they named it for month. Then the on-coming winter and the McKinley. broken, drifting ice which filled the channel In getting our supplies our men had some before them compelled a halt for good. lively adventures hunting walrus in the bay This was at Cape Heller, a little south of near Fort McKinley. As a rule the walrus the eighty-first parallel of latitude. Only is a harmless brute. His attentions to the hu- once had human feet trod these shores, and man beings who invade his realm are usually that was a quarter of a century before, when confined to swimming about the boat for Payer, the discoverer of Franz Josef Land, half an hour or longer, alternately diving passed near by on a sledge trip. A few miles and coming to the surface again. Wh" to the westward, on the other side of the ever his ugly head appears above the water, sound, Nansen and Johansen had spent the curiosity and good-nature are seen bulging was WALTER WELLMAN. A FIGHT WITH ENRAGED WALRUSES. 321 from his little round eyes. He acts as if with the oars, and sent the boat flying so that this visitation of human beings, with their the enemy might not all be able to board at boat and oars and things, was a sort of circus the same instant. Paul Bjoervig, who knows got up for his special amusement. But wound walrus as well as he knows his own children, a cow or calf, and you may have a different told Mr. Baldwin, who had the one gun in story to tell. That is what our men did one the party, when and where to shoot, that day. They shot a mother walrus that had a not an instant or a bullet might be wasted; calf under her flippers, and they were trying and he, good shot, quick as a cat, emptied their best to secure the two carcasses before the chamber of his Winchester with telling they should sink in the bay. Suddenly they effect. Bull after bull retreated with a bali were surrounded by five or six big bulls, in his eye, the only spot worth hitting in a roaring and snorting in their anger at this walrus, for his skin is an armor-plate of MR. WELLMAN AFTER THIRTEEN MONTHS IN THE ARCTIC. murderous attack upon their tribe. One gristle and blubber four inches in thickness. bull walrus, with his weight of from twelve The bay was red with blood, the waters were hundred to fifteen hundred pounds, which lashed into foam, and the bellowing of the he is able to throw half out of water, and bulls filled the air with a horrid din. They with his huge tusks, a foot and a half in came finally faster than Mr. Baldwin could length, which may rip the boat and cap- take care of them. Then Bernt and Paul rose size it, is a dangerous foe when you are up, each with an oar in his hands, and beat out in a craft only fifteen feet long. But the beasts over the head. Every time one here were half a dozen, all ferociously angry, of the ugly snouts rose by the side of the and all making for the one small boat in boat, with the wicked tusks gleaming white, which our three men sat. The lives of those there was an oar to meet it, or perchance a men depended upon the manner in which they leaden ball. For fully a quarter of an hour met the onslaught. Fortunately they were the battle raged, and then, to the great experienced walrus-hunters, and not a man relief of our weary men, the enemy sud- of them lost his nerve. Bernt Bentzen, he denly withdrew, one by one, leaving two of of the mighty shoulders, gave a few strokes their number floating lifeless upon the bay. 322 THE RACE FOR THE NORTH POLE. Late in October, pursuant to his instruc- summer for twenty years, and with the Well- tions, Mr. Baldwin prepared to return to man expedition of 1894 and other parties Harmsworth House, our headquarters at Cape had earned reputation as a daring, faithful Tegetthoff. He called for two volunteers to ice-pilot. Bentzen had already passed three remain at the outpost during the winter to years in the white north as a member of Dr. care for the dogs and guard the stores and Nansen's crew on the “ Fram.” equipment. All the men offered themselves. On the last day of October, Mr. Baldwin Paul Bjoervig and Bernt Bentzen were chosen, and his three men arrived at headquarters, whereat Emil and Olaf Ellefsen and Daniel and the seven of us settled down for the winter Johansen were grievously disappointed. As in a little canvas-covered, decagonal house for Bjoervig and Bentzen, they were de- about fifteen feet in diameter. Our beds lighted. Neighbors and comrades at home, were reindeer-skin sleeping-bags spread out adventurous spirits both, this chance of spend- upon the floor. Our dining table was the ing an Arctic winter together in a snug little top of a biscuit box, and our dishes a plate hut, well stocked with things to eat and plenty and mug for each man. Plenty of good food of tobacco to smoke, was to them the realiza- we had, including American flapjacks and tion of a dream. Nor was their ardor the out- oatmeal every morning, and fresh bear-meat growth of any callow inexperience. Bjoer- in stews or steaks every evening. Finally vig had been in the Arctic almost every the darkness came on and many storms and the great cold. For 126 days and nights the sun was below the horizon. Throughout December it was just possible to distinguish midday from mid- night. Our hut was drifted over with snow. Seen from the outside, there were just two things about it which indicated a human habitation-a diminutive black stove-pipe protruding from the apex of the rounded, snow-heape roof, and a black, yawning hole in ** the front yard." Through this hole we crawled like foxes to their burrow, in order to make our way through two sheds, or storehouses, and four doors to the living-room within. How cheery were the sparks flying from that bit of a stove- pipe through the long night! And right comfortable were we in our lair, though at times the tiny stove in the center of it THAT INSTANT A ROUGH HUMAN FIGURE EMERGED FROM THE MOUTH OF A TUN had to struggle NEL LEADING DOWN INTO THE SNOW-BANK." against a zero tem- BEGINNING THE SLEDGE JOURNEY NORTHWARD. 323 Sabatiche 1993 66 AS I TOOK MY PLACE AT THE HEAD OF THE GRAVE .. THE MEN STOOD ROUND WITH BARED HEADS." perature at the outer edges of the apart- after. Above all, the sledge journeys were ment. to be prepared for. The much-dreaded Arctic night passed To make ready for a sledge trip seems a quickly. If any one suffered in spirits, he simple thing, but it is like organizing an army managed to conceal his misfortune. There corps for campaigns far from base in an was plenty to do. We had both work and enemy's country. Day or night the leader sport. Many bears fell before our rifles. In of the expedition had but one thought, one the bright moonlight it was fine to strap on dream, and that was to arrange the count- a pair of ski and take a run over the crisp less details for the field work with the snow or coast down the glaciers on the moun- fewest possible mistakes and the greatest tain slopes near by. The scientific work possible number of things that made for demanded attention-meteorology, observa- strength and security. A thousand pictu- tions in magnetism, studies of the brilliant resque or interesting incidents of this win- aurora borealis. There was the housekeep- ter in the darkness were almost forgotten ing to be attended to, and the dogs to look in the concentration of mind and effort upon 324 THE RACE FOR THE NORTH POLE. the arrangements for the sleigh trips. One snowshoes were of no avail. Upon our feet journey was to be made to Fort McKinley we had finsko, or moccasins of reindeer skin; and beyond, straight northward, as far as we and though these are the best of all foot- could go before diminution of supplies and wear for Arctic use, their soles are so slip- advancing summer commanded return. This pery that, traveling such a road as ours, one was “the dash for the North Pole” which was lucky if he did not fall sprawling oftener formed one part of our general expedition- than once in ten minutes. Still, we made ary plan. The other journey, subsequently progress. And though we had set out in the successfully carried out, compassed the sec- midst of the Arctic winter, fully a month ond part of our general plan, which was to earlier than the earliest sledging start hith- explore the then unknown eastern part of erto made in high latitudes (that of Dr. Nan- the Franz Josef Land archipelago. sen from the “Fram"), and though we had all Acutely did we realize that, if we were to sorts of weather, from blinding snowstorms beat all records in our approach to the Pole to drifting blizzards, the sun finally showed and have our chance actually to reach it in his smiling face above the horizon, the hours case we found unusually favorable conditions, of light lengthened, and we struggled pa- we must get up right early in the Arctic tiently on. morning. The records of the past had been Fort McKinley was our first goal. There established by trips from bases much farther we were to take on more sledges and dogs, north. Thus Lockwood and Brainard, of the and increase our load of provisions. How Greely party, who had carried the stars and had our men there passed the winter of their stripes to 83.24, had set out from head- exile ? Was all well with them ? These were quarters at 81.40. Dr. Nansen and Lieu- important questions, for upon the dogs and tenant Johansen, who had reached 86.14, stores at the outpost we depended for an had started from the " Fram” at 84.04. To increase of our sledging strength in the eclipse the latter achievement, we should have race against time and distance to the North. to travel 440 miles. But this much at least The plan was to send Bjoervig and Bentzen we all believed we should do, barring acci- back to headquarters, and in the early dent, if only we could get an early start. days of March to set out with four teams Consequently, on the morning of February and sledges, and my present party, toward 18th, while I was standing in the hut for a the Pole. last flash-light photograph, one of my Nor Bjoervig and Bentzen had been promised wegians stuck his head in at the door and that we would raise their siege in February, called out : “Everything is ready, sir.” and eager were we all to keep our word. “ And so am I.” The storms delayed us, and at one or two Saying good-by to my American comrades, camps the wind blew so hard that pitching not quite sure that I should ever see them our tent was out of the question, and we had again, I went out, and took my place at the to be content with pegging down its corners head of the little caravan. Each of the three and crawling under-any place to escape the Norwegians had a sledge and team of dogs in fury of the icy blasts. When better weather charge. A snowstorm was raging, but we came, we made hard marches, and on the were ready to start, and could not stop for afternoon of the 27th we had the satisfaction a little storm. I led the way, “ tracking” of seeing the ridge behind the Fort loom up for the dogs as best I could in the semi- in the white distance. darkness and snow-laden air. The sun had Soon the dogs at the Fort set up a shout not yet risen, but in the middle of the day of welcome to their approaching brethren, was near enough to the horizon to give us a and the latter, just to show what they could gray, hazy dawn-light. The snow was soft, do when they had a personal object in view, and we sank into it to the ankles and often started off at a rapid run, dragging sledges, to the knees. Underneath there were fre- men, and all after them, although hitherto quent ridges and protuberances of rough ice they had crawled at a snail's pace and had to trip the weary feet. A strange experience made progress at all only when helped by it was, this stumbling along like drunken men their drivers. At the foot of the hill the in the gloom, unable much of the time to see men stopped and held the excited teams, that far enough ahead to make course by land- I might walk on before and be the first to mark, and compelled, therefore, to pick our greet the two exiles. But aside from an way with compass constantly in hand. Where overturned boat, half-buried in the snow, a it was smooth enough we used Norwegian ski collection of empty biscuit and provision tins, with advantage, but in the rougher spots and a group of dogs chained to the top of a LIVING TWO MONTHS ALONE BESIDE A DEAD COMPANION, 325 80° bank of ice, I could see nothing whatever ing. The mother dog licked Bjoervig's hand, indicating a human habitation. and growled at me. Now we went down “The hut is just before you, sir, right be- upon our hands and knees, and crawled hind the dogs," said Emil Ellefsen. through an opening in the rock wall of the There is not an atom of superstition in my hut. A bearskin was hung there for a door. mental composition. I never had a presenti- Once inside, I tried to stand erect, and ment or anything of that sort. But it is the bumped my head against the ice with which plain truth that, as I picked my way up the the ceiling was covered. It was so dark in rough snow-bank and through an there I could see nothing, and array of shaggy dogs all howl- Bjoervig led me to a seat. ing and leaping and straining at NORTH POLE Sit down, sir, sit down and their leashes, I knew something rest yourself, and I'll have the had gone wrong at the hut. coffee ready in a moment.” That instant a rough human At one side of the hut, in a figure emerged from the mouth niche in the rocky wall, a bit of of a tunnel leading down into the fire was smoldering. Bjoervig snow-bank. The man held a rifle put on a few pieces of dried drift- in his hand. He was wood and a big hunk dressed in furs. His of walrus blubber, face was as black as and the flames burst a stoker's. FRANZ JOSEF, out. Very cheerful “ Bjoervig, how L'ANDI and bright the fire are you?” looked, but not a par- “I am well, sir, ticle of heat did we but-but poor Bent- get from it. What zen is dead.” was not used in boil- We stood silent ing the coffee went for a moment, hands up the chimney. grasped, and looking Three feet from the into one another's INOVA flames the rocks were eyes. A tear trickled CZEMBLA white with a thick down upon Bjoer- coat of frost, and all vig's black cheek and the walls and the roof froze there. Then glittered like a bed his countrymen came of diamonds. It was up, and when he told a strange little den, them the news, and to me it seemed FROM50: these simple-hearted colder than out of fellows were as dumb NORWAY doors. The brilliant as I had been. It fire was but mockery. RUSSIA was Bjoervig who did Fairly well illumined the talking. We ARCHANGEL was the end of the only listened and 30° 40° hut where we sat, 50° watched him, being but beyond was but dimly conscious MAP SHOWING THE ROUTE OF THE WELLMAN EXPE- gloomy recess from of the true nature OF 1898-99, FROM TROMSÖ, NORWAY, TO which the light of of the tragedy within the flames was cut the shadow of which off by a pier of rocks we stood. Bjoervig talked and laughed and which served as a support for the roof. cried by turns. But he did not forget his There was no window. hospitality. “Come in, sir, come in and Bjoervig told me about Bentzen. The poor have some hot coffee. You must be tired fellow had been taken ill early in November. from your journey. All through that month and December he had He dived down into the mouth of the tun- been unable to get out of the house, and nel, pulling me after him. First we entered most of the time he lay in his bag. Occa- a little cavern where a mother dog lay nurs- sionally he was delirious. Death came the ing a hairy, squeaking brood. Hardy puppies day after New Year's. Paul paused, and for these, opening their eyes and gulping milk in lack of something else to say I asked him a temperature seventy degrees below freez- where he had buried the body. 2709 a DITION FRANZ JOSEF LAND AND RETURN. 326 THE RACE FOR THE NORTH POLE. “ I have not buried him, sir," was the re- or two. See what an appetite I have.' And ply. “He lies in there,” pointing to the he got up and boiled some coffee and cooked dark end of the hut. some bacon, and sat here eating and laugh- Why did you not bury him, Paul ?” ing, just to cheer me up, and then he fell “Because, sir, I promised him I wouldn't." over in a faint. I dragged him to his bag, I shall never forget that moment. At and—and he's there yet." first the words did not appear to me to mean “ And how did you happen to promise him very much-only that a dead man had not not to bury him ?” been buried. Gradually the full proportions “Oh, he was low-spirited one day, and he of the tragedy dawned upon my conscious- called to me. "Say, Paul, I'm not going to ness. This man with the black face who was die up here, but if I do, old fellow, promise cutting up walrus meat and feeding the fire me you won't try to bury me out in the snow.' had been compelled to pass two months of 'i'll promise you that on one condition, Bernt,' the Arctic night in this cavern with no other said I, ' and that is that, in case I die first, companion than the body of his friend. I and my chances are just as good as yours, lit a little oil-lamp-a bicycle lamp it was- you'll not bury me, either.' Bernt smilingly and made my way into the dark end of the agreed, and so we made our bargain. He hut. On the floor at my feet lay a one-man was silent for a few minutes, and then he sleeping-bag, empty, with a blanket tumbled looked over at me and said : “ Paul, I don't over it, and showing signs of occupancy the want the bears and foxes to get me.'” night before. Just beyond, within arm's " And what could induce you to go through reach, lay a similar bag. This one was such an experience again, Paul ?” asked occupied. The flap at the top had been Olaf. pulled carefully over the face of the sleeper “Well, if it's money you're talking about, within. Bag and contents were frozen as there isn't enough in the Bank of England. hard as a rock. There, side by side, the But if I had to do it over as a matter of duty, quick and the dead had slept for eight weeks. why, I'd just do it, that's all.” As I looked at this weird scene amid the My heart went out to this brave fellow who shadows under the scintillating roof of hoar- had kept his promise through such an unpre- frost, and thought of the long days that were cedented ordeal. I felt as if it were my duty as nights and the long nights that were no to say something to him, to give some ex- darker than the days, and of the ordeal it is pression to the homage that was deep in my for any one of us when compelled at home soul. But I could not put my thoughts into to sit even for a single night with com- words, and so I took his hand in mine there panions in a brilliantly lighted apartment by before his comrades, and said nothing. And the side of a dead friend, and of this living one after another we all shook his hand, with- man who had for months lain there abso- out speaking, and we felt rather queer, and lutely alone by the dead, I marveled that the silence was becoming painful, when Paul Bjoervig was still sane. Bjoervig himself spoke up: Just then the men came in from giving the “ The coffee is ready, sir." dogs their supper, and I heard Bjoervig talk After supper we brought in our sleeping- ing to them. He had not known what was bags and spread them on the floor, crawled the matter with Bentzen. In his delirium in, and were soon asleep. During the night the sick man had talked of his home and wife I chanced to get awake, and looking out of in Norway, of the green hills there, of Dr. the corner of the bag I saw Bjoervig sitting Nansen and Captain Sverdrup and the cruise by the niche in the wall, now and then put- of the“ Fram”; at times he was once more ting a piece of blubber on the fire, smoking in the ward-room of that famous ship ; again his little pipe, and his eyes fixed on the he was after bear or walrus with Bjoervig flames. He did not sleep any that night, and the boys in our little Lapp boat ; now and the next night I gave him morphine. he was on a sledge trip to the Pole with Next day we found a spot by the side of Mr. Wellman.” a big rock where the wind had scooped out “ That was the hardest of all for me,” said a pocket. In it we laid the body of Bernt Bjoervig,“ when poor Bentzen was out of Bentzen. We built a cairn of rocks over his head and I couldn't do anything for him. it, taking care to make the wall thick and Once he caught me crying, though I tried heavy. As I took my place at the head of not to let him see, and he brightened up the grave to speak a few words of tribute to and said: “Paul, what's the matter with the bravery and faithfulness of the dead you? I'm all right. I'll be well in a week man, who had met his fate and was now to G A SERIOUS CATASTROPHE AT 82 NORTH LATITUDE. 327 find eternal rest in the Arctic which he so getting lighter and more easily handled. The well loved, the men stood round with bared dogs were better trained and much more ser- heads and two or three of our dogs nestled viceable than at the beginning of the journey. against the black grave set in the all-white Better still, ahead of us, glistening in the sun, landscape. The mercury fell to forty-four we could plainly see the outlines of islands below zero that day, and a strong wind was hitherto unexplored and unknown. Eager in- blowing from off the mountain. The weather deed were we to get to them, and beyond was too bitter to work outdoors, and so we them out upon the great Arctic Sea, to 84°, kept in shelter. Missing Bjoervig and feel- 87°, 88°, -and even ninety did not seem ing a little anxious about him, I went out wholly impossible in case we were willing to to the grave, and found him there, hard at take a little risk about ever getting back again. work. He had put up a neat cross and But pride goeth before a fall. On this very marked it, “B. Bentzen-Dod 2/1, '99.” morning which marked the end of the Arctic For hours he kept at his self-appointed task, night and the dawn of the brighter day, a patiently chinking up all the little interstices little accident happened. It was a trivial between the rocks which covered the grave, thing in itself, tremendous in its conse- “Because I want to make sure the bears and quences. My sledge, carrying 500 pounds foxes don't get him," he said. of weight, had stuck in a rough place. As Though only a sailorman, Paul Bjoervig usual, I called to the dogs and threw my has a great love for poetry. There are few weight into the harness. A lunge forward, good bits of verse in the Scandinavian lan- and down into a little crack in the ice-a guages with which he is not familiar. He tiny little crack such as we had crossed every has an extraordinary memory, too, and he day by the scores-went my right leg. The told us that in his long vigil through those momentum threw me forward upon my face, two dark and dreadful months he had calmed and my shin-bone received the full force of and comforted himself by reciting aloud, over the thrust. At first I thought the leg was and over, all the poetry he could remember. broken in two or three places, so great was He did not admit, but nevertheless we all be- the pain. For a few moments I felt faint. lieved, that but for this solace of poesy, this But when I had picked myself up and found vent for an overwrought consciousness, we that I had nothing worse than a bruise and should have found upon our arrival at Fort sprain, I counted myself very lucky, and went McKinley one dead man and one mad one. on my way as contented as if nothing had hap- We took Paul with us when, on March 7th, pened. Next morning of course I was sore we set out on our northern sledge journey. and lame, and the prudent thing would have It was a hard life, this sledge-traveling in been to stop for a week or ten days and get the far north. For eleven successive days all right again. But I kept going, the leg we had continuous temperatures ranging from getting worse and worse, and I suppose I forty to forty-eight below zero. The winds should have been rash enough to go so far were worse than the cold. One needs all his that I never could have gotten back had not vitality, all his endurance and resolution, to something else happened. Fortunately, this work with might and main in the rough ice other thing did happen, and it came down throughout the day and then sleep at night upon us like a thief in the night, in the shape in a frost-filled bag, which in an hour or two of an ice-pressure which acted just like an becomes puddly and soggy from the thawing earthquake under our camp and destroyed produced by the heat of the body. But for sledges, dogs, stores, and instruments in the myself, I felt better day by day, hardier, bet- twinkling of an eye, and came within an ell ter able to cope with the work and the ex- of getting all of us. posure. It was glorious thus to feel one's It is easy to fight. It is glorious to strug- strength, to fear nothing in the way of hard- gle. The hardest thing in the world to do ship or exertion, to carry a consciousness of is to surrender. But there was just one superiority to all the obstacles which nature course left open for us, and that was a re- had placed in our path. I was never happier treat to headquarters as speedily as possible. than in these hard days. By heroic work, rapid progress was made; March 20th had come, and we were near- and though delayed by a three days' storm ing the eighty-second parallel on the east at Fort McKinley, we arrived at Harmsworth coast of Crown Prince Rudolph Land. From House on April 9th, and to at least one of this on we should have plenty of light, and our party the little hovel seemed a palace. everything was going well. We had made After a fortnight's rest, the Norwegians the expected rate of travel. Our loads were took to the field again, in charge of Mr. Bald- 328 THE RACE FOR THE NORTH POLE. Track of CAPELLA win, the meteorologist. Up to this time the a land of continental dimensions to the east- eastward frontiers of the archipelago were ward. Dr. Nansen had in part disproved unknown, and their extent was a moot ques- this conjecture; we disproved it wholly, and tion among geographers. As a result of Mr. completed the map of that region with Baldwin's trip the map is complete. Upon approximate accuracy. the new lands found by my party in the ex- where Frederick Jackson thought he saw treme north, upon those found by Mr. Bald- from a distance two islands, named Brady win in the east, and also upon a number of and Royal Societies, we found nine islands. islands surveyed the following July in our From April 9th to July 27th was a long steamer, we had the pleasure of placing the and dreary wait, especially for the man who names of a few American scientists and was compelled to lie all the time upon the public men who had in one way or another floor and who could get out-doors only when displayed a friendly interest in the expedi- on rare good days he was carried out to bask tion. Another important part of our work in the sunshine while lying upon the roof of was the correction of the maps made by the storehouse. But everything save the Payer and Jackson. The former had ex- universe itself comes to an end, and one tended Wilczek Land much too far north, bright, happy morning the good steamer and was unaware of the separate existence “Capella," chartered by my brother Arthur, of Whitney Island. Running far northward steamed up to Harmsworth House. In a few from Wilczek Land, Payer thought he saw an hours we were aboard, reading letters from enormous glacier-Dove glacier-indicating home, and on the way thither ourselves. 52 56 60 62 64 66 CROWN PRINCE RUDOLF LAND Cape Arthur Wellman John Hay I. JesupI. Tom Johnson I. Ben Cable I. QUE EN Cape Rath 600) VICTORIA HVIDTLAND Hoenlohe I., SEA KARL ALEXANDER LAND Kohus FRITHZOF ***** NONSEN LAND NANSEN'S HUTO Ezz.Rainer :1. Hoffmani. Becker I. Cape John Waisha WHITNEY Kuhnl. Kane GRAHAM BELL Cape Olney LAND! Pierpont. Morgan 81' ZICHY LAND Cape Leite Strait Lamont MARKHAM SP WILCZEK / Helen LAND Gould Bay MCKINLEY Wiener Neustadt Hayes Trieste Treel. Dawesi MeNultat Cape OK Greely HALL I. Orel L. a. Hochstetter Ids. 100 THOOKER MCCLINTOCK Koldewey I. SALM 1. roer MAN SPORT HOUSE OH Lutke I. ODO Wilczek I. 54 36 58 60 62 64 .... Track of Steamer "Capella,"1899, which brought back the Expedition. << Track of Sledge Journeys of the Wellman Expedition, 1898-'99. * The Northernmost Poini Reached by the Expedition. / 565 Miles from the Pole) THE NEW MAP OF FRANZ JOSEF LAND, PREPARED BY WALTER WELLMAN FROM THE DATA AND OBSERVATIONS SECURED BY THE WELLMAN EXPEDITION, THIS MAP CORRECTS AND EXTENDS ALL EARLIER MAPS. . THE MASTER-KEY OF NEWGATE. BY TIGHE HOPKINS, Author of "For Freedom," etc. THE STORY OF AN ENGLISH PRISONER AND HIS GUARD. Newgate Prison. EDITOR'S NOTE.—This is the first of a very remarkable series of stories by Mr. Tighe Hopkins, presenting with verisimilitude and with sympathy, yet without sentimentality, some aspects of English prison life. While the stories are drawn from real life, they have all the dramatic and picturesque interest of the pure romance. They get at the human impulses—the good and the bad—the mastering desires, and the ideas of the men who pend years within prison walls, and depict a life that is full of thrilling incidents and of the most elemental types of human character. They also have that remarkable quality of presenting prison life from the point of view of prison officials, as well as of convicts. While they have the successive interest of being one and all about prison life, yet each story is complete in itself. A LL London sounded the name He stood within the danger of the gallows; of Dr. Ashmole. A man so evading the gallows, he could not, if con- gifted, and so daring; what victed, escape a sentence of penal servitude; would become of him? In and conviction seemed to him a certainty. a week, half of what was At thirty-five years of age-successfui, known of him was in the handsome, envied, and admired-he had sunk newspapers, and the to this sordid pass. Acquitted even, what other half was the table- were his hereafter ? So fastidious and vain talk of the clubs. Him- he was, he had already in resolve broken self invisible, he focussed the gaze of the with his world, though there were women town. No one could get speech of him, and who, were he doubly and trebly dishonored, whispers returned upon the whisperer; for would have broken with theirs to have him Dr. Ashmole, in his cell in Newgate, was to friend again. With his solicitor he was “at home” only to his solicitor. He had cool, precise, and calculating; but his grati- been committed for trial, bail refused; and, tude for the care with which his case was in the quiet of the prison, he sat upon the being elaborated was not unmingled with con- croup of ugly expectation. His solicitor ex- tempt. The day came when the solicitor cepted, he was the only person in London said the case was complete, and he need who doubted that the jury would acquit him. trouble his client no further; and Ashmole, 329 330 THE MASTER-KEY OF NEWGATE. left alone, dwelt for a time in the darkest tions of some intimacy. Alone with him in places of the human spirit. that uncanny solitude-the pair being iso- The silence of the prison began to be ap- lated utterly, locked and walled in within a palling. Ashmole had read of life in prison, few yards of the ceaseless marts of London but this did not tally with the books. He -the old man felt a more human interest in knew that, as an unconvicted prisoner, he his prisoner than he would have done in cir- would not be associated with felons; that he cumstances nearer to the normal. He did would have no task to perform, and that, his jailer's offices with a tact, and even with while restrained by the lock, his time would a kind of softness, hinted at this and that be principally his own. But was there no for dinner, rapped often to know if Ashmole life around him ? He had read of a host of needed him, and made him understand that warders perpetually coming and going; of he was ready for a call at any hour. the turning out of prisoners for inspection; It was September, and very sultry; he of periods of exercise in crowded yards; of showed Ashmole how to keep his cell as cool summonses to chapel; of the ceaseless clash- as possible, and insisted on having him out ing of doors; of the turning of keys in locks for exercise three or four times in the day. --all that monotonous, dull, unvaried bustle There are two deep well-like yards in New- which is the outward life of prison. But gate, one of which, leading directly into the here were no sights nor sounds like these. gallows-shed (a fact, however, which no pris- The only human footfall Ashmole ever heard oner would have cognizance of), is the usual was that of the man who tended him, and place of exercise for prisoners under sen- this man's was the only human face he saw. tence of death. Here, for the reason that It was upon inquiry of him that Ashmole the sun scarcely touched it, Catlin most often learned how extraordinary was the situation he brought his prisoner; in this also showing a lay in. He was the last prisoner in Newgate. kindly feeling, for the old fellow himself The Newgate of this date had passed out loved to bask in the rays. Ashmole gave of the category of prisons; a place of exe- him rarely a thought. cution, as it is to-day, but otherwise no more Old Catlin had paced this yard with men than a horrid shell, teeming with horrid mem- who would enter it again only on their path ories. The old castle at Holloway, the jail to the scaffold, but who had gossiped with set apart for persons awaiting trial, was him of things cheerful or indifferent, had being patched anew, and the rest of it was even passed a joke. Ashmole, for whom no full to the gates; so Ashmole, rejected of doom had sounded, who had life's incalcula- Holloway, went into the shades of Newgate, ble chances still to dally with, was dark, and one live prisoner among the ghosts of count- fierce-eyed, and heavy-worded. Yet, despite less dead ones. He and his warder were a few days' beard, black as his glossy hair, alone in Newgate. he kept a fine appearance. If the eyes were The warder was an old man, Catlin by a little too close set in the oval face, the name, enfeebled by years of exposure in the outline of the profile was almost perfect; quarries of a convict prison, and expecting and he was as graceful in action as in form. without eagerness the pension which had be- He wore the frock coat in which he had been come his due. The service, he told Ashmole, arrested, fastidiously buttoned. had taken too much out of him; he was, His mind had begun to dwell almost inces- moreover, a widower and childless, and when santly upon one fact, that Catlin and he were his release came he hardly knew where he alone in Newgate. Brooding over this, he should go. The prison was patrolled at night grew curious to know more of his surround- by a second warder, who relieved Catlin at ings; and one day he asked if there were no ten o'clock. Of this other man Ashmole saw other place of exercise than the sunless well- nothing. He had brought breakfast to him yard. " Catlin, eager for the sun, took him on the morning after his arrival; and Ash- into a more open place, a square yard beyond mole, offended by his manner, had refused which could be seen one of the boundary to be served by him again. He told Catlin walls of the prison. From this spot Ash- he would wait for his first meal until ten, mole was able to estimate precisely the enor- when the old man himself came on duty; and mous strength of Newgate; but he perceived, thereafter he saw the second warder once also, that its dimensions were by no means so and once only. great as he had supposed. He remembered The strange position they shared-a posi- the wonderful escape of Jack Sheppard, and tion without parallel in Newgate's history--- asked a question about it; but Catlin, reti- brought Ashmole and his keeper into rela- cent on all dangerous topics, said merely that THE STORY OF AN ENGLISH PRISONER AND HIS GUARD. 331 Sheppard's dungeon had been destroyed years which kept the gallows out of sight. In ago. The stillness that might be felt was as the well-yard on the other side, he had absolute here as in every other spot within passed again and again the voice not hav- the prison; and very strange it was, under ing reached him yet--the door which sealed that golden sky, and so near to men, to hear the shed. This vision of the gallows was no single sound. But to Ashmole the oppres- his warning. sion of it was less than it had been; or rather, While Catlin led his prisoner up the stairs the silence of the empty prison had a new that evening to the cell on the first landing, meaning for him. Suppose a thing should hap- which he had fitted for him in the afternoon pen there—the hour well found ? What voice as an ease from the heat below, Ashmole would reach the world—which sent no voice measured his distance step by step. Two into the prison ? feet from the landing, he caught the warder At first, he tried an argument of sophis- around the waist, and swung him down. Cat- try. An old man, childless and poor, is of lin fell with a crash, but not a groan escaped little use to society; and this old man had him. Ashmole peered down at him quietly. scarcely any zest of life, and would doubt- The lantern, not extinguished, was turned less leave it with very scant regret. But upon the face; and Ashmole waited till the he put that argument behind him, realizing skin had whitened. Then he went down to that he cared no jot for Catlin's fate. He the foot of the stairs, and bent over the saw himself, past and to come, in a flash. His body. Concussion of the brain," he said. brilliant, gross, and selfish life had reached “The old man has had a bad fall.” Safe at on a sudden its worst and highest crisis; and last, it amused him that he could carry out his in his extremity-for he never swerved from part of murderer with so little feeling. Cat- the conviction that the jury would condemn lin lay in a heap, as if he had pitched head- him-his mind accepted murder readily as long from the landing. He was cold already. the easiest way to freedom. With the gal Ashmole stooped over him again, and took lows threatening him, the mere animal seek- off his belt. To the steel chain suspended ing escape became the monster, willing and from it were attached the keys of Newgate. eager to inflict the death it would avoid. Then, with the keys in one hand and the dead He settled that point quite coolly with him- man's lantern in the other, he stepped from self, and then considered only how best to the ward into the first yard. It struck seven do it. Remembering his own strength, for from the great clock of St. Paul's. his sensualism was merely of the fancy, and During fifteen days that intermittent voice he was always finely nerved, he took a plea- of the cathedral clock had been the only sig- sure in considering himself not too great a nal which had reached him from the outer match for Catlin, who, if a veteran, was a world. It had grown a torment to him (there stout one. The old man had told him how are few pains in prison equal to the striking he had throttled a convict who had attacked of a clock at the quarter; fifteen minutes him with a pickax. gone from the sentence which may be for A skeptic in word, Ashmole was a man life!); but now, as he stood and listened to who lived much in his subjective self; who the beats, his heart throbbed wildly with a saw things that the eye is not aware of, and sense of joy: the clock awoke him from the heard things spoken which do not enter by tomb, and called him to a new existence. the ear. For good or evil, he had been It was a delicious night; a star or two guided all his life from a scene invisible, and twinkling down upon the prison; and Ash- at a crisis he waited always for the sign. mole, a few paces from the huddled heap at Sometimes it was an instantaneous quicken- the stair's foot, was utterly content. ing of the eye; sometimes it was a hand He had three hours of perfect safety, but which impelled him this way or that. his plan was to escape at eight, when the Turning his plan over in mind, his glance streets immediately around the prison would was caught by the shed in the corner of be quiet. Setting the lantern inside the door the yard. He had passed it twenty times of the ward, he walked from the well-yard without observing it. His mind fastened on to the one he had but just quitted in Catlin's it for a day. He asked Catlin, knowing what company. The drab-colored execution-shed his answer would be. Catlin lied consider- looked immense in the surrounding blackness; ately: it was a lumber shed, he replied. and the murderer crossed over to where it “You are mistaken,” said Ashmole. "The stood, and examined it curiously. He could gallows is in there; I have seen it plainly." see that a wide shutter was let into it at one It was, in effect, the shelter of boards side, just beneath the sloping roof; and he 332 THE MASTER-KEY OF NEWGATE. imagined that this would be thrown open For a moment he stood motionless as a when a man was to be hanged, for the bene- statue, then began again to struggle madly fit of the sheriff and the officers of the jail. with the door. He wrenched at the key as He wondered how many men Catlin had helped a panther at the bars of a cage, beat with to lead pinioned into the shed. The timbers his hands upon the door, and dashed himself of justice were invisible behind the shutter, against it; till at last, witless under stress and Ashmole turned from the shed and paced of horror, a scream broke from him which to and fro in the yard, swinging the keys at ended in a wail, and he sank upon the floor the end of the chain. The quarter and the in an agony of suffocation. His hour of half struck from St. Paul's; in thirty minutes freedom chimed from the cathedral, but he he would walk quietly out of Newgate. did not hear. The cry with which hope, yield- He surveyed his dress, which was neat ing the ghost, had fled from him, reverberated enough-nothing there to betray him; and through the prison, and died unanswered. he thought how difficult it must be for an es Had it found response, and had the prison caping convict to fly in the livery of prison. been forced at that moment, the murderer, A quarter to eight; freedom in fifteen crouched against the door, would have seemed, He went leisurely back in the dark like Catlin, to be the victim of a crime; for to where he had left the lantern, threw the he lay just as Catlin lay, and in the same flame for an instant upon the huddle of white guise of death. The prostration which clothes on the mat, and set forth. He had succeeds to the paroxysm of terror had over- barely twenty yards to go, and he was pretty taken him. How long he lay against the clear as to the path. door, inert and sweating coldly, he did not Here was a door which was locked; he re- know; but his extremity of peril was such membered standing at it, while Catlin fumbled that instinct dared not slumber, and once with his keys, on the day that he was brought more he was bidden from within to take into Newgate. It yielded to the second key action of some sort. that Ashmole tried, and he knew that he was He crawled from the entrance-room, trail- now very near the prison gate. Unbutton- ing the lantern with him, and reaching the ing his coat, he hid the lantern underneath corridor he rose up feebly, and tried to nerve it, allowing himself just a glimmer. his will again. His teeth were chattering, One other short passage, and he stood in and from head to foot he trembled and shook the small square entrance-room, with the with cold. He had lost count of time; but gate of Newgate facing him. He took his he knew that it was barely eight when he keys up softly, and crossed the room on tip- started from the ward, and he listened fear- toe. Footsteps were half audible in the old fully for the next admonition of the clock. Bailey, and Ashmole turned the lantern down It came, striking three-quarters. until the light dwindled to a pencil-point. He Three-quarters from what? After eight- selected a key at random, and as he thrust it after nine ? Had he more than an hour left, into the lock, it gave to his hand. He held or but a single quarter? He felt the approach it there a moment with a pricking pulse, re- of another of those transports of mad, uncon- volving his future as they say a drowning trollable fear, and dug his nails into his flesh man revolves his past; then drew it towards to prevent himself from screaming again. him. Twice and three times he pulled, and The hour began to strike: One-two- at the fourth essay he put his strength into three-0, the pause that followed Nine ! the tug; but the door held. Good: it was Ashmole clung to the wall, his head fallen double-locked; there was a second key to find. forward; gasping, choking. But the stroke He felt above and beneath the central lock, of death-ten-was stayed; it was but nine until he touched a tiny hole an inch or two o'clock; and with that certainty came back to the left. A tremor seized him, but he the exquisite rush of life. He arose from ran his hand again over the keys. There out of the sepulcher. One whole hour was was no key upon the chain which would match enough to reshape a universe. that pigmy lock; and with a gasp which After that ecstasy of anguish, his strength milked the breath out of his lungs, Ashmole of body was now indeed small; but the hurri- recoiled from the door, defeated. The first cane had swept the inmost places of his mind, quickening sense of terror revealed a situa- and left it clear. The night might yet be his. tion lost beyond retrieve. Behind him the He found the warder's room, and searched murdered warder, and the gate of Newgate it desperately; but the master-key, if it lay immovable in front. He had flung open for there, refused the light. Had it, perchance, himself the shutters of the gallows. detached itself from the rest in some way THE STORY OF AN ENGLISH PRISONER AND HIS GUARD. 333 when Catlin fell? Ashmole's heart was not in an instant into the street; but the man in so high now that he could think without a him, newly quickened by suffering, gathered shudder of the spot where he had let out life the cry into his wretched heart. He went and let the ghostly in, but he did not dare forward, and held the light up at the door. to spare himself that final scrutiny. Catlin lay there, but not quite as Ashmole With the lantern in his hand, he set out had abandoned him. He had come back to to return to the ward. The black prison some feeble pulse of life, but his eyes were seemed more than ever dream-like in its closed, and his face ashen and cold. With stillness; his footfall frightened him, and the seconds of his own life rushing past, he crept stealthily along the wall. Ashmole stood beside his victim, till what He began to face himself with the thought was better in him gained the mastery, and that complete escape was now at best a pros- pity for the other rose above his own pas- pect quite equivocal. Failing to accomplish sionate longing to escape. With this, his flight, did any way remain of screening him- surgeon's science, the desire to win back the self from complicity in Catlin's murder ? life he had so nearly ended, took sudden pos- Yes! Yes! The voice that had lured him session of him. He thrust his hand into the to the act awoke again, whispering him he warder's tunic, and distinguished an infini- need not die for Catlin. Escape from that tesimal throbbing of the heart. Yes, but doom--why, what simpler ? Ashmole car- that was not all his hand discovered. Just ried upon him no mark of murder; his hands over the warder's heart lay the master-key, were bloodless, his clothes were whole. This and Ashmole quivered as he touched it. An was the first point. The second was, that impulse to see and handle the passport to his cell on the upper landing stood open; salvation overbore him, and he drew it out. and there was no key in the door; it would It was the key beyond a doubt, and as he lock if he closed it sharply behind him. He beheld it shining in his hand, Ashmole felt had but to enter, fasten himself in, un- all his finer purposes turning into water. dress and go to bed; he could be released There was still time for flight; he was sure only from without. The third point, which that now at last he held the easy means; was not less in his favor, was that Catlin and Catlin scarcely lived: the ward already when discovered would present the appear- smelled of death. Then once again his inner ance of having fallen from the head of the ear drew in the labor of the old man's heart, stairs. Locked in his cell, nothing but sur- treading feebly to the infinite; and letting mise could connect Ashmole with the deed: fall the key, he took the almost lifeless head suspicion there might be, proof there could upon his knees, and gazed into the face, be none. And now, for the last time, to over which the mask of death-so terrible, the quest of the master-key. Since nine he so beautiful-was even then beginning to had lost but a quarter of an hour. be molded. It held him fascinated. He The ward opened from one end of the long laid his hand gently again upon the heart; well-yard, and Ashmole quaked and his feet its beats responded fainter than before, and were heavy as be passed into the yard again. Ashmole felt his own heart ebbing with it. He remembered how coolly he had looked What ransom would he pay could he be lying upon his work two hours before. But for there in Catlin's place! the instinct of preservation which goaded The key shone in the lantern's light where him, he would still have hung back. He it had fallen at the murderer's foot, but he crept on, forcing himself to think only how never looked at it; his eyes did not move the minutes were running out, and that sal- from Catlin. A legion of black thoughts vation lay in a little key, which might be came about him-avengers of the spirit of hidden just inside the ward. He got quite a wasted life--and he sat quiet, stroking close to the door, an uncertain sense of dan- Catlin's face, and let the stings assail him. ger to come impeding him and yet thrusting Less with his lips than with his heart, he him onward; and then, at a pace or two tried to pray for Catlin. The clock called from the threshold, he was caught, as it him once and once again, but it sounded very were, by the feet and stood stock still. far away; its summons could not be for him. The sound issued from the ward. It was In the warm night an infinite coldness came so faint that it dissolved almost before it upon the ward; and after the cold, the reached his ear, but it was human. The dark. murderer in Ashmole whispered him of noth Footsteps drew near, and the second ing but the key, the key which must be almost warder, entering to relieve his friend, found within reach, the key which would pass him a dead man sleeping on a dead man's knees. 70,000,000 $ 2.000.000 $ 470,000,000. VALUE PER ANNUM OF THE IMPORTS OF ENGLAND, FRANCE AND GERMANY FROM THEIR RESPECTIVE COLONIES. GREAT A FEW FACTS ABOUT THE COLONIES OF THE POWERS. BY ALLEYNE IRELAND, Author of " Tropical Colonization." A Area. 813,000 LTHOUGH the United Kingdom pared with these, the colonies of the United of Great Britain and Ireland States cover an area of 125,000 square miles, -referred to throughout this and have a population of 9,000,000. The article as England, for the details are: sake of brevity-is not the Population, oldest of the colonial powers, Puerto Rico Hawaii 6,640 square miles. 117,000 3,668 being outclassed in that re- Philippines 115,000 8,000,000 spect by Spain, France, Hol- land, and Portugal, her colo A most interesting point in connection nies are to-day by far the with the colonies of the European powers is most important, both in re- whether they are a source of profit or of loss gard to their extent and population, whilst to the sovereign state. This may be looked the commerce of the British colonies is at in two ways: first, whether they are di- greater in volume than that of all the col- rectly a source of profit or loss, or, in other onies of all other powers put together. words, whether they pay revenue into the If we include India, the colonies of Eng- treasury of the sovereign state or are a cause land cover an area of 9,000,000 square miles; of actual expense to the mother country; and if to this we add the area of British pro- second, whether the home country succeeds tectorates and spheres of influence, the total in securing such a proportion of trade from area subject to British rule is 11,000,000 her colonies as to amount to a real national square miles. The smaller area, that of the advantage. colonies and India alone, supports a popula In regard to this point we may compare tion of 367,000,000; the larger area about the colonies of England, France, and Ger- 420,000,000, or, roughly speaking, six times many. The British colonies receive nothing the population of the United States. As a from the imperial treasury and contribute colonial power France comes next to Eng- nothing to it. This does not, of course, im- land, but at a great distance behind. The ply that under special circumstances, such French colonies, including Algeria, Tunis, as those created by the disastrous hurricane and all protectorates and spheres of influ- in the West Indies last year, no financial aid ence, have an area of 3,500,000 square miles is given by England to her colonies, but and a population of 53,000,000. Next comes merely that each colony raises its own rev- Germany, whose colonies and protectorates enue without depending on England in any have an area of 1,000,000 square miles and way. Both Germany and France, however, a population of 11,000,000. The Dutch col- pay out annually large sums of money for onies have an area of 800,000 square miles the administrative expenses of their colonies, and a population of 33,000,000. As com- scarcely any of which are self-supporting. 334 A FEW FACTS ABOUT THE COLONIES OF THE GREAT POWERS. 335 $ 400,000,000. $ 68,000,000. $ 2,000,000 INDIA pleta VALUE PER ANNUM OF THE EXPORTS OF ENGLAND, FRANCE AND GERMANY TO THEIR RESPECTIVE COLONIES France pays yearly about $14,000,000, and her colonies goods to the value of $70,000,- Germany about $5,000,000. It has been 000, her total imports being valued at about stated that, although England's colonies are $750,000,000. That is to say, she received not a source of direct expense to the mother less than one-tenth of her imports from her country, they are so indirectly, for it is the colonies. Germany received, in 1896, im- possession of colonies which necessitates such ports from her colonies to the value of enormous expenditures for the British Navy. $2,000,000, her total imports being worth This is a mistaken $1,000,000,000. idea. Even if Eng- That is, she received land owned no colo- about one-five-hun- nies, she would still dredth part of her have to keep her imports from her navy at its present colonies. strength, for two rea- AUSTRALIA Turning now to ex- sons—because it is ports, we find that in her first line of de ENGLAND 1897 England export- fense, and because ed British and Irish prod- her carrying trade, uce to the total value of which forms about sixty $1,170,000,000, of which per cent. of the carrying $400,000,000 worth went trade of the world, must to the British colonies- be protected. $ 14,000,000 roughly, one-third of her It is seen, then, that total exports. In 1896, so far from colonies being FRANCE the value of exports of a source of direct rev- French merchandise enue to the sovereign amounted to $680,000,- state, they are in the case 000, of which $68,000,- of both France and Ger- 000, or one-tenth, went many a source of great to the French colonies. expense. $5,000,000 Germany exported, in But what of trade ? 1896, home merchandise Does not the possession GERMANY to the value of $700,000,- of colonies imply a very 000, of which $2,000,000 important commercial COST OF COLONIES worth, or one-three-hun- development in which dred and fiftieth part, went PER ANNUM the mother country to the German colonies. reaps great profit? If we consider these Here again we will compare France, Germany, figures for a moment, we shall perceive sev- and England. First, in regard to imports eral curious facts. England exported to the from colonies. In 1897, England imported British colonies goods to a value six times as from her colonies goods to the value of $470,- great as that of the exports from France and 000,000, her total imports from all countries, Germany to their respective colonies; and including her colonies, being valued at $2,- she also imported from her colonies six 250,000,000. In other words, she received times more goods than France and Germany more than one-fifth of her imports from her put together imported from their colonies. own colonies. In 1896, France imported from Now, both France and Germany strive to 336 A FEW FACTS ABOUT THE COLONIES OF THE GREAT POWERS. an secure a monopoly of the trade of their own child in England's non-tropical colonies sends colonies by erecting formidable tariffs against annually to England about $23.18 worth of the goods of other nations. England, on the goods, whilst each man, woman, and child in other hand, throws the tropical colonies open the trade of her sends only $0.66 colonies to the whole worth. Similarly in world, and any one regard to exports of can thus compete British goods. Each with her for the person in the non- trade of her own pos- tropical colonies sessions ; yet it is consumes $12.32 seen that England se- worth of British cures immense goods, whilst each trade with her colo- ENGLISH person in the tropi- nies. This is not cal colonies con- because the colonies sumes only $0.71 are under the British worth. In other flag (since there is words, taking im- POP. 420.000.000 no preferential treat- AREA 11.000.000 SQ.M. ports and exports to- ment of British goods gether, it pays Eng- in the British colo- land better that one nies), but because child should be born she is highly efficient in Canada than that commercially. Eng- twenty-five children land's commercial should be born in efficiency is well Ceylon. FRENCH shown by the follow- Let me put this in AREA 3.500.000 SQ.M. POP. 53.000.000 ing table: yet another way. Population. Exports. Taking Victoria in Australia as England 40,000,000 $1,170,000,000 GERMAN United States 70,000,000 a typical non-tropical colony, 1,210,000,000 France. 39,000,000 680,000,000 and comparing it with the aver- Germany 53,000,000 700,000,000 age of twelve tropical colonies Roughly speaking, England -British Guiana, Mauritius, produces for export a little AREA 1.000.000 SQ.M. Trinidad, Jamaica, Barbados, less than twice as much per POP. 11.000.000 St. Kitts-Nevis, Antigua, Gre- head of her population as nada, St. Lucia, St. Vincent, the United States, France, Montserrat, and Dominica -- or Germany. we get the following results, But to return to colonies. the figures being based on Colonies may be divided into DUTCH the average returns of ten two great classes, tropical years : Victoria, the non- AREA 800.000 SQ.M. and non-tropical. The dif- tropical colony, exports POP. 33,000,000 ference between tropical and yearly per head of her pop- non-tropical colonies from ulation goods to the value the commercial standpoint is U.S. of $70, whilst the tropical most striking. During the colonies export only $25.80 five-year period, 1893-1897, worth per head of their England imported from her AREA 125.000 SQ.M. population. non-tropical colonies annu- POP. 9,000.000 But the tropical colonies ally goods to the value of themselves vary very $230,000,000, and from TERRITORIAL AREA AND POPULATION greatly in their produc- her tropical colonies OF THE COLONIES OF SEVERAL NATIONS tive efficiency, as meas- goods to the value of ured by their exports, $239,000,000. What this means will be seen some exporting as much as $45 per head, when it is remembered that the population of whilst others export only $13 per head, an- the non-tropical colonies during the five nually. This wide difference is easily ex- years was about 9,500,000, whilst that of the plained. The value of exports from these tropical colonies was 346,500,000. To put colonies is regulated by the efficiency of it in another way: each man, woman, and their labor supply-a good labor supply A FEW FACTS ABOUT THE COLONIES OF THE GREAT POWERS. 337 $ 23.18 $0.661 means big exports, a poor labor supply small he does not work. Where there is a pres- exports. In regard to their labor supply, we sure of population, things are different. Take can-divide tropical colonies into three classes: Barbados as an example. There every inch 1. Those in which imported contract labor is of soil is occupied. There are no forests in used. 2. Those in which there is such a which the negro can build his hut, and no dense population that the natives must ei- spare lands on which he can cul- ther work or starve. 3. Those in which there tivate his patch of corn or plan- is no pressure of population and in which im- tains. And there are about ported contract labor is 1,200 souls to the square mile. not used. Under these circumstances it is In order to compare the easy to understand that there is productive efficiency of a moderately good labor supply. these three classes of colo- Lastly, there are the col- nies, I select three of each onies employing imported class: Mauritius, British contract labor. Their Guiana, and Trinidad, which high productive efficiency employ imported contract is due to the presence of labor; Barbados, Antigua, a large body of laborers and 'Grenada, 'in which VALUE PER CAPITA OF THE YEARLY who are under contract to there is a pressure of pop- EXPORTS OF BRITISH NON-TROPE work five days a week and ulation; and St. Vincent, CAL AND TROPICAL COLONIES seven hours a day for five Montserrat, and Dominica, TO THE MOTHER COUNTRY. years. in which there is no pres- I may close this article sure of population and in which there is no with a very brief description of the manner imported contract labor. If I take the av- in which the system of imported contract erage value of the annual exports of these labor is worked in the British colonies. I colonies during the ten-year period 1882- select British Guiana as an example. The 1891, I get the following results: The colo- laborers are recruited in India by voluntary nies of the first class export yearly $45.51 enlistment. The agent of British Guiana worth of goods per head of their population; resides in Calcutta, and sends out recruiting the colonies of the second class, $26.40 agents who make known to the people the worth; and the colonies of the third terms offered by the British Guiana class, only $11.66 worth. planters. Those men and women It is not difficult to understand why who express their willingness to go this should be so. In the colonies to the colony are called before a where there is no magistrate, and the terms of pressure of popu- the contract are read over lation, there is no to them in their own lan- need for the na- guage. If any wish to with- tives to work, for draw at the last they can supply all moment, they are their wants from allowed to do so, the bounty of na- and are then sent ture. The forest back to their furnishes them homes at the ex- with excellent pense of the Brit- material for a ish Guiana gov- house and food in VALUE PER CAPITA OF BRITISH PRODUCT ernment. Those abundance, whilst CONSUMED YEARLY BY HER NON-TROPICAL who sign the con- a little desultory AND TROPICAL COLONIES . tract are then put labor will soon on board a sailing- establish a small garden which will grow a few vessel for the voyage. Each vessel carrying bananas or plantains to be sold in the near- laborers is provided with a medical man, who est town, thus supplying what little money has to see that all the regulations in regard is necessary for clothing. Under these cir- to sanitation and food are observed during cumstances the ordinary dweller in the tropics the passage. The laborers get the passage is content to live. His wants are few and free of cost, as also food and clothing. Those simple, and he can gratify them without the who wish to carry young children with them wages which the white man offers him. So are allowed to do so. $1237 T 30.71 338 A FEW FACTS ABOUT THE COLONIES OF THE GREAT POI’ERS. ***C $1166 On arrival in British Guiana, the laborers provision, 38,000 immigrants returned to In- are allotted to the different estates. The dia during the past twenty-five years, carry- terms of the contract are as follows: The ing with them money and jewelry to the value laborer contracts to reside on the estate and of about-$2,800,000. to work five days a week for seven hours a The interests of the contract laborers are day for five years, at the end of which time under the care of a special department of he becomes absolutely free to go where he the government--the Immigration Depart- pleases. The planter contracts to supply ment. All employees of this department each laborer with a well-built, well-venti- must pass examinations in the native dia- lated house, with a good water-supply. He lects of the immigrants. Inspectors from must also provide on his estate a hospital for this department visit the estates frequently, the use of sick laborers, and must employ a and examine the pay-lists in order to see if medical man to visit the estate at least once the laborers are getting their fair wages. every forty-eight hours and examine and pre- These officers also hear and investigate any scribe for all laborers presenting themselves. complaints that may be made to them, and He must also build a school on his estate for if it is necessary, they may issue all process the education of the children of the laborers. of law free to the laborers. All the above are provided free of cost to the The Immigration Department can always laborers. In addition to this, he must pay enforce any demands it may make, for if a each man not less than twenty-four cents a planter refuses to remedy any defect in his day and each arrangements, woman not less COLONIES EMPLOY THOSE IN WHICH WITH NO PRESSURE or declines to than sixteen ING IMPORTED CON- THERE IS A PRESS OF POPULATION AND perform any cents a day. TRACT LABOR. URE OF POPULA NO IMPORTED CON- act suggested When it is re- TION. TRACT LABOR. by the Immi- membered gration Agent that the ordi- General, that nary laborer $2640 official has the $45.51 can buy all the power to re- food he can eat fuse further for eight cents PRODUCTIVE EFFICIENCY OF THREE CLASSES supplies of la- a day, the OF TROPICAL COLONIES-PER CAPITA VALUE borers, and wages seem may also take very fair. As OF EXPORTS PER ANNUM. away from the a matter of estate what la- fact, the laborers save considerable sums of borers it has. As this would mean ruin to money, and frequently after their term of in- the planter, he cannot disregard the orders denture is over they set up small shops on the he gets from the Immigration Department. estates, and eventually in many cases become Should any planter be convicted of an offense prosperous citizens. It should be noted that against a laborer, the Immigration Depart- the planters are not allowed to sell goods of any ment demands his dismissal from the estate, kind to their laborers, under a very heavy pen- and warns all other estates that if they em- alty. In 1897, there were 4,444 East Indian ploy him they will not be furnished with any depositors in the British Guiana Government more laborers. As no punishment of any kind Savings Bank, with a total sum of $413,351 can be inflicted on a laborer except by the le- to their credit. At the end of the five years' gal authorities of the colony, it will be readily contract the laborer becomes free and can- perceived that the lot of the indentured not be engaged under contract again, a pro- ſaborer in British Guiana is not a hard one. vision intended to protect the immigrant from Of course there are systems of indentured any influence which might be brought to bear labor which, when not under proper govern- on him to forgo his rights to entire freedom ment supervision, give rise to great abuses, after his contract is out. If an immigrant but this need not necessarily be so, and if remains five years in the colony after his in- the United States finds it expedient to sanc- denture expires, even though he does no work tion the employment of imported contract during that time, he becomes entitled to a labor in its new possessions, it will undoubt- free grant of land from the government. Un- edly establish the system on lines similar to til quite recently, he was entitled to a passage those adopted in the British colonies, which back to India on paying one-half of the ac- insure strict government control and high tual cost of transport. Under this latter protection for the interests of the laborers. THE CAPTAIN OF THE “APHRODITE.” BY ELMORE ELLIOTT PEAKE. A STORY OF THE GEORGIA COAST. ONE hour after midnight a yaw!, rigged with self, at the same time washing the face and a - eight dark figures, moved slowly and silently latter neither moved nor spoke. He quietly out of the har- tossed the bor of Bruns- drenched ci- wick, Georgia. garette over Not a word his shoulder was spoken or into the water, scarcely a drew a gleam- movement ing revolver made until one from his pock- of the figures, et, and laid it leaning lazily across his against the knees ; after side of the which he took boat, with his out a fresh ci- knees drawn garette and up in front, leisurely deliberately lighted it. lit a cigarette. The big man at The yellow his side again flame of the chuckled. match momen- “What's tarily revealed the use of a young, re- sneakin' out fined face, of the harbor touched with at midnight, daring and are fearlessness. goin' to run Then all was fireworks?” dark again. demanded the “ Heave that skipper, in a young fool voice of impo- overboard if tent passion. he makes another break “When I bargained to haul like that, and pinch the you two fellows out o' this coal off that coffin- fever-hole and land you safe tack!” angrily com- and sound in Savannah, I manded a coarse, sup- thought you had some respect pressed voice from the “A COUPLE OF STOUT SAILORS SEIZED for my rights. When every tiller in the stern. HIM AND QUICKLY ENCIRCLED HIS railroad train was tied up out A heavy man that sat WRISTS WITH A PAIR OF COLD IRONS." o' Brunswick, and you found next to the “young out that every cow-path into fool,” and seemed not amenable to the skip- Savannah was shot-gun quarantined, you was per's orders, merely chuckled. None of the glad enough to have me take you. others made any move either, while the young “You are getting your price," answered smoker calmly puffed away. Thereupon the the young man, in a low, musical voice, and skipper dipped up a quart cup of salt water one could have wagered, from the tone, that and deftly quenched the glowing coal him- he was smiling. if you 339 340 THE CAPTAIN OF THE “APHRODITE.” “My price didn't cover gettin' hauled up “ Is it often as rough ?” asked the other, with a shot across my bows from a revenoo significantly. cutter and landed in a pesthouse for ten days, * Not often," growled the skipper. for runnin' in fever refugees,” growled the “ Is it ever as rough ?” he demanded, skipper. with distinct suspicion now. "Not refugees, Daggett," said the other The skipper was silent a moment, and then pleasantly. “Refugee implies haste and fright. he answered, with something like a grin in We leave Brunswick at the command of our his tones: “Seein' as you seem to know so chief, quietly and decorously, in the 'Pedro much about it, Mr. Hutchinson, I don't mind No. 2.' But that is a much more reasonable, tellin' you that it ain't.” a much more gentlemanly, protest than you Which means that we've been blown out made before, with that quart cup. If this to sea ?” cigarette jeopardizes our safety, or yours, I “ We ain't been blowed in to land." will forego the pleasure, though I am dead All night long they tossed on the troubled for a smoke.” bosom of the deep, wet and chilled. If a “Well, it does,” said Daggett, gruff but watery grave stared them in the face, no mollified. The next moment the cigarette one was unkind enough to speak of the fact. disappeared in the dark water with a faint, The wind fell about four o'clock, and when instantaneous hiss. the day broke, bright and clear, they were The boat crept along under the light night surrounded by a hummocky desert of water, breeze, taking what is known as the inland” with no land in sight. But less than five course, which lies between the low, marshy miles away lay a long white hull, glistening mainland on the left, and the long, narrow in the sunlight like a shaft of polished steel. “sea-islands” on the right, beyond which A long trail of smoke lay behind it. All eyes lies the broad Atlantic. After about an hour were turned in that direction, and then Dag- it grew darker, the wind freshened, and a gett ordered the sail hoisted again, that they misty rain began to powder the boat and its might be more easily seen. occupants. The skipper, who seemed still “She'll see us soon enough, though, I in a savage mood, uttered a low, vehement guess,” he grumbled. “For if my eyes curse at this turn of the weather, and then hain't as useless as two bungholes in one end returned to his dogged silence. The thick- of a bar'l, that's the revenoo cutter. Still ening gloom soon blotted out the low head- I don't know what in tar she's doin' out lands by which he was steering; the wind here, when she's supposed to be guardin' continued to strengthen until the water was Savannah agen fever refugees. She sees sharply slapping the yawl's broad sides; and us already," he added. “She's puttin in less than twenty minutes they were driving about.” furiously along through pitchy blackness, “Revenue cutter or no revenue cutter,” their sail reduced to a mere ribbon. said Hutchinson, “ not a word about Bruns- “A bottle of ink would be lucidity itself wick, or back they'll dump us into this mud- compared with this, Markley," said the young scow. We are working down the coast from fellow to the heavy man next to him. Savannah, fishing. Remember that." “I don't see how he steers," returned “A likely enough yarn, too,” said Dag- Markley, who had not chuckled for some gett, with an ironical grin. We got so time. much tackle with us. “I don't do it with my eyes,” said Dag “We threw it overboard to lighten the gett, with a touch of rough pride. boat,” retorted Hutchinson. For half an hour there was silence again, As the stranger bore swiftly and grace- at the end of which time the waves, on which fully down upon them, it soon became ap- the boat was dancing like a nutshell, had parent, in spite of Daggett's reference to perceptibly increased in violence. So much his eyes, that she was not the revenue cut- water was shipped that one man had to bail ter. She had the appearance, rather, of a continuously. private yacht; and when she came to a stop “I didn't suppose it ever got as rough as within ten yards of them, this opinion was this on these shallow sounds," observed the further strengthened by the trimness and young passenger, as an extra heavy wave completeness everywhere in evidence. After drenched him to the skin. a short parley between Hutchinson and a uni- “ There's lots of things that some people formed officer who leaned over the polished never supposes," commented Daggett, un- brass rail-in which Hutchinson accounted graciously. for their predicament so adroitly that Mark- A STORY OF THE GEORGIA COAST. 341 ley winked at Daggett-permission was given breakfast, which I am in hopes they will. them to come aboard. Mr. Mate," turning to the officer with a hu- Hutchinson, the first man up, was barely morous grin, “if it is not asking too much over the rail when, to his amazement, a of a host, would you kindly explain the drift couple of stout sailors seized him and quickly of these hospitalities ?” encircled his wrists with a pair of cold irons. “I don't think they need much explana- tion," answered the mate. “If they do, the captain will make it.” He led the way below at once, into a warm, richly fur- nished saloon, the luxuriousness of which did more, ap- parently, to awe Daggett and his rough crew than the irons on their wrists, which they wore with considerable equanimity, if not familiarity. "Send the captain in, then,” said Hut- chinson, dropping into a comfortable chair. “The captain is not up yet,” quietly answered the mate, who was a grave man of forty or thereabouts. “Don't disturb him on our account then," said Hutchin- son, with mock hu- mility. “But after he has breakfasted - and smoked-I should like the favor of a short interview. That reminds me that our cook on the yawl got up rather “' MAYBE YOU ARE NOT MY COUSIN, AFTER ALL ?'” late this morning, too, and he was just The rest of the party, as they ascended one skinning our quail when we received your by one, met with a similar reception. For invitation to come aboard.” a moment even Hutchinson's presence of “You will be fed shortly,” said the mate, mind failed him; then, catching sight of obstinately refusing to smile, though every- Markley's woebegone face, he burst into body else was in a broad grin. a ringing laugh. At breakfast the handcuffs were removed Cheer up, old man!” he said. “Our from the prisoners, and their office was taken throats are safe, I guess, unless they should up by five natty sailors, armed with carbines. attempt to choke us with a double-sized After the meal, which was ridiculously sump- MULT 342 THE CAPTAIN OF THE " APHRODITE.” tuous for prisoners and to which everybody presence; then, gaining possession of him- did ample justice, especially Daggett's men, self immediately, he passed them with an open, they returned to the saloon, where they re- half-mischievous smile, looking them squarely sumed their irons and were left alone. Hut- in the eyes. One little woman in an exquisite chinson, who suspected that the arrest might yachting costume so far forgot herself as to not be entirely unjust, sharply questioned give him back a coquettish glance. Daggett; but the old man most solemnly de At the captain's room, the mate threw open clared that it was a “cussed, high-handed, the polished walnut door, stood aside while piratin' outrage" on innocent men. Hutchinson entered, and then shut himself In about an hour the mate appeared again, outside. At a little roller-top desk sat a well- and announced that the captain would see built, fresh-faced, independent-looking young the leader, whoever he was. woman of probably twenty-two, with a most “That's either you or I, Daggett,” said glorious head of dark auburn hair. Over her Hutchinson, drolly. shirt-waist she wore a tight-fitting jacket of “You go,” said Daggett, a little uneasily. navy blue, of which material her skirt was also “ You got the gift o' gab in a higher degree made. A cap denoting her rank in gold letters than me.” lay on the top of the desk. For a moment Hutchinson arose, and followed the mate she made a pretense of writing, though Hut- out. In the main saloon, through which chinson saw well enough that her steady blue they passed, sat half a dozen stylish young eyes were slightly dilated with excitement. women-society girls beyond a doubt-and “I beg your pardon," he began, “but I as many young men. From their curious, am looking for the captain. Or, rather, he expectant faces, they had evidently been is looking- awaiting the prisoner's appearance; and a “ Lam the captain,” interrupted the young little ripple of excitement swept over them at woman haughtily, as if rebuking his easy his gentlemanly and refined aspect. Hutchin- manner. son flushed momentarily at their unexpected The tone nettled him. Without attempt- ing to hide the indignation that kindled in his eyes, he looked at her gravely and steadily, until she stirred uneasily in her chair, and, to hide her embarrassment, pressed back the hair from her brow with a hand very small and white. “What have you to say ?" she asked, forced at last to speak first. Her voice was considerably gentler. “Nothing," answered he, with dignity. “I am not in the habit of responding to such a contemptuous tone as you have just seen fit to If your excuse for it was these," holding aloft his irons, “I would call your attention to the fact that they were put there un- lawfully and by force, presumably at your order." Her soft, beautiful eyes filled with surprise, and an added color that might have been the blood of shame crept into her cheeks. “I cannot discuss a point of etiquette with you,” she said politely, but with a proper reserve. “I don't ask that,” he returned. "I merely insist on the courtesy HE DISCOVERED, FURTHER, THAT SHE WAS CAPTAIN IN FACT AS due me from a woman of your evi- WELL AS IN NAME." dent breeding." use. Lords A STORY OF THE GEORGIA COAST. 343 Again she looked at him with curious, puz- aminer.' I saw him off at the station when Her humiliation was so evident he came East, ostensibly to visit you. 1, that he pressed the question no further. perhaps, am the only man who knew that “Would you be kind enough to tell me he, from certain reports he had received, re- what you intend to do with us ?” he asked. garded you as a coquette; and that his in- “ I intend to deliver you to the police at tention, in spite of your uncle's kind invita- Savannah," she said, without flinching. tion to come on to Newport, was to stop off “On what charge ?” at New York, and secure a position on a paper “Don't you know ?” she asked, earnestly, there-which intention he carried out. He looking with something like pain into his was almost immediately sent South to handle clear, ingenuous eyes. Perhaps the depravity the yellow-fever epidemic at Brunswick." that she fancied lurked behind that innocent Miss Powers at first flushed scarlet, but veil shocked her sensitive woman's nature. when he finished she was pale. “ Believe “No more than the man in the moon," me,” said she, in a voice trembling with in- he declared. dignation, “ that I was no party to my uncle's She lifted a telegram from her desk. invitation to Bartley Hutchinson. And at Two days ago, at Cumberland Island, a the very hour when he was to arrive at our tender and some hunting and fishing traps home in Newport I was a hundred miles were stolen from this yacht. This telegram away, in this yacht. But I do not see how is from the chief of police at Fernandina. this concerns you,'' said she, catching her- Your boat and goods undoubtedly stolen by self. “However much I may admire Mr. Seaweed Daggett and gang. They own sloop Hutchinson's bravery in exposing himself to “Pedro” and yawl “ Pedro No. 2.” Have fever, if he would make public such a story gone back to Georgia waters, out of my jur- as that, about his own cousin, I cannot im- isdiction. Run them down if you can. If agine him a man who is very choice about they resist, shoot them. Well-dressed young his associates. I cannot see how this story crook, stranger to us, offered some of your clears you." goods for sale here. Is probably with gang “Only this-I am Bartley Hutchinson," now.'” She folded the telegram, and looked said he, laughing. at Hutchinson for an answer. “It is impossible!” she exclaimed, After a moment's thought he asked quietly: stiffening. I call you ?” “No-simply strange,” he said, enjoying “My name is Virginia Powers," she an- her discomfiture. swered. “ Then why are you with this band of At the answer he started so perceptibly thieves—for thieves I am confident they are. that she asked curiously: “Is there any. And why-oh, why did you lie about Savan- thing strange about it?" nah?” she asked reproachfully, blushing for “No," said he; “but, Miss Powers, I him. should like to ask you if I look like a 'well “ Before I tell you wouldn't it be a little dressed young crook'?” He looked her so more--cousinly, say, to remove these ?” he boldly and confidently in the eyes that she asked, holding up his manacled hands. drew back a little with maidenly reserve as She lifted a key from the desk, and in- she answered: serted it in the lock of one of the bracelets. “You don't look like a liar, either; yet “But maybe you are not my cousin, after you told my mate you left Savannah yesterday all?” said she, pausing prudently, but half- morning in that yawl, when I know, by my ashamed of her doubts. own eyes, that it lay at Fernandina at eight “I should be sorry to think not,” said he; o'clock yesterday morning.' and she, flushing a little, set him free. Hutchinson flushed, yet not exactly like a Briefly, he told her that he and his fellow- guilty man. After studying the carpet a correspondent had been ordered home by their moment or possibly the toe of the fair superiors, on the almost complete depopula- captain's little tan shoe-he said: “Miss tion of Brunswick by flight from the fever. Powers, this is a strange coincidence. I He explained the necessity of leaving clan- know your uncle, Jonathan West. I have destinely, in order to escape detention at the heard something of his unwillingness for you first line of quarantine, and pointed out the to go cruising around in a yacht, in this in- superiority of the water route over any dependent manner. I am well acquainted other. with your cousin, Bartley Hutchinson. “I knew Daggett's unsavory reputation,” worked with him on the San Francisco Ex- he concluded, " and haven't a doubt that he What may I 344 THE CAPTAIN OF THE “ APHRODITE." Aren't you stole your tender. But it was Daggett or “I-1-they found it out,” she faltered. nobody to take us out." No one would have suspected such weak- “Then you may be inoculated with yellow- ness in her, though, when, her cheek as cool fever germs now,” said she, with wide-open and white as the petal of a lily, she intro- eyes. duced Hutchinson to the party, without men- “ Yes." tioning their cousinship, as they had agreed. afraid ?” All day she stood more or less on her dig- “Aren't you?” he asked. nity with him, while he quietly studied her “I nursed papa until he died with the and abided his time. He feared once-when small-pox,” said she, simply. And Bartley, she ordered scrubbed a portion of the deck as he gazed musingly at her modestly averted that seemed scarcely to need it—that she was eyes and the sweet, firm lips, wondered if he mannish. But when a young sailor smashed had made such a brilliant move, after all, his finger under the holystone, and she, in- when he stoppped short of Newport. stantly forgetting her rank, gave a little cry “ But I forget that you fled from me," of sympathy and wrapped the wounded mem- said she, with sudden reserve. “I shall land ber in her own handkerchief, with her own you at Savannah as soon as possible, but we hands, he took it all back. have to go to Port Royal first. Two of our He discovered, further, that she was cap- party go North by rail from there. It won't tain in fact as well as in name. The mate take much longer,” she added, with much clearly respected her seamanship, and cheer- dignity. fully looked to her for orders. Bartley se- You also forget that you fled from me,” cretly held him in contempt for this, but that said Bartley, smiling. was nothing against Virginia. That she was “You are a man,” said she, as though that a little puffed up with her nautical knowledge ended it. There was no excuse for you.” was undeniable; but she carried it off in such “Why ?” he asked, amused. a pretty way-being a woman-that Markley Because if you didn't-if you didn't like did little else all day but breathe foolish, me, you could have left me. old-bachelor remarks about her into Bart- “ And if you didn't like me, couldn't you ley's ear. have left ?” he asked. The wind, which had veered around sharply My own home--and you a guest ?" she to the northeast about ten o'clock, strength- asked, arching her smooth, glossy brows in ened all day long. By four o'clock it was surprise. “No I can never forgive you blowing furiously, and the “ Aphrodite," for that,” she added, tragically. whose course held her squarely in the trough “This is ridiculous, Cousin Virginia,” said of the sea, rose and fell under the foam- he. “I had never seen you then, not even crested ridges of water like a porpoise at your picture. I didn't know whether you play. Every square inch of her deck and were tall or short, blonde or brune. I came upper works had been wet thrice over by South simply as the result of a foolish desire the flying salt spray, which cut the flesh like to get into a fever camp, more than to escape whip-lashes. The sailors, in their oilskins you. I am vastly sorry now that I did it, I and sou’westers, fighting their way forward can tell you.” in the teeth of the gale, streamed with water. “I accept your apology, of course," said Below, everything was snug and warm. Virginia demurely, quietly overlooking his The motion, though, was too violent for the little compliment. “But you mustn't ex- comfort of most of the guests. Captain pect me to treat you just as I should have Powers sat apart from them, with the mate, done, otherwise-not yet.” She paused, in her own room, from which she could see while Bartley, fearful of hurting her pride, what went on outside. She was a little pale repressed a smile. “I don't know how to from the tension, but perfectly composed. introduce you here,” said she in perplexity. The mate, however, was decidedly nervous- “Your being my cousin, and coming with at least so Bartley Hutchinson decided as he these dreadful men, is nothing. But they entered the room. some of them-know something about that “Miss Powers, far be it from me to inter- -other thing." fere with the handling of this yacht," said “ Are you a woman who would make such he,“ but Daggett, who was born and raised a story public about your own cousin ?” he in these waters, says this is their annual Gulf demanded severely, and she, in her perturba- storm, and that it will continue until twelve tion, did not see that he was only mimicking or one o'clock to-night, by which time the her. wind may attain a velocity of eighty miles an BARTLEY HAD JUST TAKEN HOLD OF VIRGINIA'S HAND TO HELP HER DOWN, WHEN HE FOUND HIMSELF LOOKING INTO THE MUZZLE OF DAGGETT'S HEAVY REVOLVER.” 346 APHRODITE." THE CAPTAIN OF THE “I 66 > hour. If all goes well, we'll be safe at Port get wet ?” he asked finally, in a low tone Royal long before that; but in this heavy sea that Daggett could not overhear. the derangement of machinery or steering “Some one has to stay here--he does not gear is more than a possibility. Daggett understand the signals to the engine-room," suggests that you steer for shore, which will said she, in the same guarded tone. give you the wind over your quarter and couldn't be content inside, anyway,” she ease the boat. You can then make Port added, less stiffly. “Why are you here?” Royal by the inland course." Bartley nodded toward Daggett's big bulk. “ And get aground in those shallows ?” “I have decided to go North from Port asked the mate, sarcastically. Royal,” he added after a moment. “You “ Daggett says he can put you into the will have to take your prisoners to Savan- inland course without difficulty, and take nah, though, to deliver them to the Georgia you through it,”' continued Bartley, without authorities. I don't know when we shall vouchsafing the mate a glance, “and, thief meet again, and I may not see you alone that he is, I believe him.” again, here on the yacht. I should like to The captain hesitated, and after some talk know that I am forgiven before I go. We asked of the mate:“What do you think, Mr. are cousins, you know.” He spoke gravely Kennedy ?” enough, though there was a whimsical twinkle “I think that if we always counted on a in his eyes. shaft breaking, we should never put to sea “You are making fun of me,” said she, at all." with sober prettiness. “Brave talk, Mr. Kennedy," said Hutchin And I should like you to say that you son sharply,“ but if a shaft does break, how are sorry you ran away from me,” he con- many of these helpless lives will you agree tinued, not heeding her complaint," as I say to save? Miss Powers, I most earnestly pro- now I am sorry that I ran away from you." test against any foolhardiness in this matter. “Do you suppose I would wait to see a You have no right to risk either your own man who boasts that no woman ever yet life or those of your guests in order to show stirred his pulse ?” she asked, indignantly. your courage or the seaworthiness of your He laughed softly, for that had been his craft. Certainly you have no excuse for re- idle boast, but only asked: “Do you suppose maining out here, forty miles from shore, I would cross a continent to see a woman in a blow that is likely to reach a fatal who boasts that no man has ever been in her velocity." presence over fifteen minutes without mak- “ Put about!” said Virginia to the mate. ing something of a fool of himself ?” After he had left to execute her order, she She flushed a little, and then laughed mus- said to Bartley: He thinks you are a cow- ingly. “Was that the reason ?” she asked, in ard." a softer tone, coyly turning her eyes up to his. "I know he's one,” said Bartley stoutly. “ No other,” said he. I can never make “He's afraid to be prudent." And he turned my boast again,” he added, subtly. on his heel. Take care that I can't make mine,' Six miles from shore, where the mud from returned warningly, turning her head to the shallow bottom began to discolor the glance out on to the tumultuous bosom of water, Daggett, after being unironed, took the enraged deep. After a moment she the wheel. Darkness had already set in, and went on in a subdued tone: “Cousin Bart- the rain was falling in driving sheets. Re- ley, if you are jesting with me, there is some- luctant as Hutchinson was to leave his cozy thing sacrilegious in it at this moment, when quarters, where he and Markley were smoking God is displaying His awful majesty in this and spinning yarns, he called for an oil-skin storm, yet holding us secure, as in the hol- and made his way to the wheel-house, after low of His hand.” She sank down upon the shoving his revolver in an outside pocket. seat, and pulled her wrap a little closer. Daggett's loyalty would bear watching. The act left her white, damp hand exposed, To his surprise, he found his cousin in the and Bartley laid his own upon it. wheel-house, wrapped to the throat, the Just to show that I am not jesting, Vir- heavy, moist coils of her hair glistening with ginia,” said he, seriously. drops of rain. She glanced at him inquir She let him have his way, and when, after ingly as he entered, but said nothing; and for a little, he slipped his fingers under the soft some time they stood in silence, listening to palm and gently tightened his hold, she gave the wild roar of the storm. him a little pressure in return. “ Is it necessary for you to stay here and Meanwhile Daggett was bending at the I " she . A STORY OF THE GEORGIA COAST. 347 wheel and straining his eyes out over the to the bottom; consequently, the terrors of black, watery waste. The occasional flashes a wreck at sea were not present. With of lightning, which simply blinded Bartley, it all, though, there was danger, and no were as welcome to him as beacon lights. time to be lost. Quickly, but coolly, the Finally, without warning, he threw the wheel boats were lowered; the passengers, with heavily to port; and just as the anxious cap- what light valuables they could readily pick tain sprang to her feet in alarm, he an- up, were handed down. The two large boats nounced, “ Inside!” in a tone that betrayed of the “ Aphrodite” were thus loaded, and considerable pride in the fact. vanished in the darkness. Then Daggett's The low island behind which they now crept yawl was brought alongside. Daggett and along at one-third speed effectually shielded four of his men, three of the" Aphrodite's" them from the mighty in-rolling billows of crew, and the mate, Bartley, and Virginia- the ocean; but the wind still roared over all that were left aboard-made ready to de- them like the hoarse bellowing of a thousand scend. Daggett, with a grotesque bow to angry sea-monsters, and the shallow water the captain, requested that his men be un- of the passage was whipped into a foam. ironed, in view of the possibility of their The rain had ceased to fall, and the sky was having yet to swim; and the captain ordered growing lighter. the mate to release them. The smugglers Their troubles seemed to be at an end, and at once tumbled down, followed by the sailors Virginia had just drawn a long breath of re- and the mate. Bartley had just taken hold lief, when a most terrific shock spread over the of Virginia's hand to help her down, when vessel, throwing both her and Bartley with he found himself looking into the muzzle of great violence against the wheel and Daggett. Daggett's heavy revolver. The mate and "Snappin' Turtle Roost!” cried Dag- gett, aghast, drop- ping the wheel and turning to them. “Daggett,” said Hutchinson quickly, his hand in his outside pocket and his eyes gleaming dangerous- ly, “if I thought this was intentional, I'd make a snapping tur- tle roost out of your skull.” “ I've been a-watchin' for it," protested Daggett. It ought to be more'n four feet above water at this tide, but this wind has drove the water in so it fooled me.” There was no time for dispensing jus- tice. The yacht was rapidly filling from the great hole in her bow. Still the water was scarcely deep enough, Daggett said, to more than wash her hurricane deck when she should have settled "TWENTY MINUTES LATER THEY WERE STEAMING BEFORE A BLAZING FIRE." The Ward restoration of the mammoth in the Museum of Natural History, University of Virginia, Charlottesville, Virginia. From a photograph by L. W Humphreys. THE TRUTH ABOUT THE MAMMOTH. BY FREDERIC A. LưCAS. EDITOR'S NOTE.--In the October number of MCCLURE'S MAGAZINE was published a short story, “The Killing of the Mammoth,” by “H. Tukeman," which, to the amazement of the editors, was taken by many read- ers not as fiction, but as a contribution to natural history. Ever since the appearance of that number of the magazine, the authorities of the Smithsonian Institution, in which the author had located the remains of the beast of his fancy, have been beset with visitors to see the stuffed mammoth, and our daily mail, as well as that of the Smithsonian Institution, has been filled with inquiries for more information and for requests to settle wagers as to whether it was a true story or not. The contribution in question was printed purely as fic- tion, with no idea of misleading the public, and was entitled a story in our table of contents. We doubt if any writer of realistic fiction ever had a more general and convincing proof of success. The very general inter- est that has been shown in the subject has convinced us that our readers would be glad to know the truth about the mammoth, and, accordingly, we have asked Mr. F. A. Lucas, of the National Museum, to prepare the follow- ing article. If the mammoth as Mr. Lucas knows him is less in size and belongs to an earlier date than the mammoth as Mr. Tukeman painted him, we believe our readers will find him no less interesting. AI BOUT three centuries ago, in 1696, a extinct elephant because of its extraordinary Russian, one Ludloff by name, de- bulk. Exactly the reverse of this is true, scribed some bones belonging to what the however, for the word came to have its pres- Tartars called a “ Mamantu”; later on, ent meaning because the original possessor Blumenbach pressed the common name into of the name was a huge animal. The Sibe- scientific use as “Mammut, and Cuvier rian peasants called the creature “Mamantu," gallicized this into “Mammouth," whence or "ground-dweller," because they believed by an easy transition we get our familiar it to be a gigantic mole, passing its life be- mammoth. We are so accustomed to use neath the ground and perishing when by any the word to describe anything of remarkable accident it saw the light. The reasoning size that it would be only natural to suppose that led to this belief was very simple and that the name Mammoth was given to the the logic very good; no one had ever seen 350 THE TRUTH ABOUT THE MAMMOTH. a live Mamantu, but there were plenty of its other elephants than the mammoth, and some bones lying at or near the surface; conse- that exceeded him in size ;* but even the quently, if the animal did not live above the largest cannot positively be asserted to have ground, it must dwell below. exceeded a height of thirteen feet, and it To-day, nearly every one knows that the is to be greatly doubted if any one of them mammoth was a sort of big, hairy elephant, could have tossed a twenty-five foot log over now extinct, and nearly every one has gen- his shoulder. Tusks offer convenient terms eral idea that it lived in the North. There of comparison, and those of an average fully is some uncertainty as to whether the mam- grown mammoth are from eight to ten feet moth was a mastodon, or the mastodon a in length; those of the famous St. Peters- mammoth, and there is a great deal of miscon- burg specimen and those of the huge speci- ception as to the size and abundance of this men in Chicago measuring respectively nine big beast. It may be said in passing that the feet, three inches, and nine feet, eight mastodon is only a second or third cousin of inches. So far as the writer is aware, the the mammoth, but that the existing elephant largest tusks actually measured are two from of Asia is a very near relative, certainly as Alaska, one twelve feet, ten inches long, near as a first cousin, possibly a very great weight unknown, reported by Mr. Jay Beach; grandson. Popularly, the mammoth is sup- and another eleven feet long, weighing 200 posed to have been a colossus somewhere pounds, noted by Mr. T. L. Brevig. Com- from twelve to twenty feet in height, beside pared with these we have the big tusk that whom modern elephants would seem insig- used to stand on Fulton Street, New York, nificant; but as “ trout lose much in dress- just an inch under nine feet long, and weigh- ing," so mammoths shrink in measuring, ing 184 pounds, or the largest shown at and while there were doubtless Jumbos Chicago in 1893, which was seven feet, six among them in the way of individuals of inches long, and weighed 176 pounds. exceptional magnitude, the majority were For our knowledge of the external appear- decidedly under Jumbo's size. The only ance of the mammoth we are indebted to the mounted mammoth skeleton in this country, more or less entire examples which have been that in the Chicago Academy of Sciences, found at various times in Siberia, but mainly is one of the largest, the thigh-bone measur- to the noted specimen found in 1799 near ing five feet, one inch in length, or a foot the Lena, embedded in the ice, where it had more than that of Jumbo; and as Jumbo been reposing, so geologists tell us, anywhere stood eleven feet high, the rule of three ap- from 10,000 to 50,000 years. How the crea- plied to this thigh-bone would give the living ture gradually thawed out of its icy tomb, animal a height of thirteen feet, eight inches. and the tusks were taken by the discoverer The height of this specimen is given as thir- and sold for ivory; how the dogs fed upon teen feet in its bones, with an estimate of the flesh in summer, while bears and wolves fourteen feet in its clothes; but as the skele- feasted upon it in winter; how the animal ton is obviously mounted altogether too high, was within an ace of being utterly lost to it is pretty safe to say that thirteen feet is science when, at the last moment, the muti- a good, fair allowance for the height of this lated remains were rescued by Mr. Adams, animal when alive. As for the majority of is an old story, often told and retold. Suf- mammoths, they would not average more fice it to say that, besides the bones, enough than nine or ten feet high. Sir Samuel Baker of the beast was preserved to tell us exactly tells us that he has seen plenty of wild Afri- what was the covering of this ancient ele- can elephants that would exceed Jumbo by phant, and to show that it was a creature a foot or more, and while this must be ac- adapted to withstand the northern cold and cepted with caution, since unfortunately he fitted for living on the branches of the birch neglected to put a tape line on them, yet Mr. and hemlock. Thomas Baines did measure a specimen twelve The exact birthplace of the mammoth is feet high. This, coupled with Sir Samuel's as uncertain as that of many other great statement, indicates that there is not so characters; but his earliest known resting- much difference between the mammoth and place is in the Cromer Forest Beds of Eng- the elephant as there might be. This ap- land, a country inhabited by him at a time plies to the mammoth par excellence, the when the German Ocean was dry land and species known scientifically as Elephas primi- genius, whose remains are found in many parts Elephas columii of the southern United States and Mexico. * Notably Elephas meridionalis of Southern Europe and of the Northern Hemisphere and occur abun- it is extremely probable that the Chicago skeleton belongs to this latter species, which ranged northwesterly almost to dantly in Siberia and Alaska. There were Alaska. REPRODUCTION OF A PAINTING OF THE MAMMOTH BY C. R. KNIGHT, MADE EXPRESSLY FOR MCCLURE'S MAGAZINE, AND PRESENTED BY THE EDITOR TO THE SMITHSONIAN INSTITUTION. 352 THE TRUTH ABOUT THE MAMMOTH. Great Britain part of a peninsula. Here his grew in oure regioun afore they were effem- remains are found to-day, while from the inat with lust and intemperance of mouth." depths of the North Sea the hardy trawlers More than this, these bones have been ven- have dredged hundreds, aye thousands, of erated in Greece and Rome as the remains mammoth teeth in company with soles and of pagan heroes, and later on worshipped as turbot. If, then, the mammoth originated in relics of Christian saints. Did not the church Western Europe, and not in that great grave- of Valencia possess an elephant tooth which yard of fossil elephants, northern India, east- did duty as that of St. Christopher, and, so ward he went spreading over all Europe north late as 1789, was not a thigh-bone, figuring of the Pyrenees and Alps, save only Scandi- as the arm-bone of a saint, carried in pro- navia, whose glaciers offered no attractions, cession through the streets in order to bring scattering his bones abundantly by the way- rain ? side to serve as marvels for future ages. Out of Europe eastward into Asia the Strange indeed have been some of the tales mammoth took his way, and having peopled to which these and other elephantine remains that vast region, took advantage of a land have given rise when they came to light in connection then existing between Asia and the good old days when knowledge of anat- North America and walked over into Alaska, omy was small and credulity was great. The in company with the forerunners of the bison least absurd theory concerning them was that and the ancestors of the mountain sheep and they were the bones of the elephants which Alaskan brown bear. Still eastward and Hannibal brought from Africa. Occasionally southward he went, until he came to the they were brought forward as irrefutable evi- Atlantic coast, the latitude of southern New York roughly marking the southern boundary of the broad domain over which the mam- moth roamed undis- turbed.* Not that of necessity all this vast area was occupied at one time; but this was the range of the mam- moth during Pleisto- cene time, for over all this region his bones and teeth are found in greater or less abun- dance and in varying conditions of preserva- tion. In regions like parts of Siberia and Alaska, where the bones are entombed in a wet and cold, often PARTS OF THE SKELETON OF A MAMMOTH THAT WERE FOUND IN 1897 IN THE icy, soil, the bones and tusks are almost as Now preserved in the museum at Ekaterinburg, Russia. The photograph was taken in the perfectly preserved as yard of one of the pensants who made the find, and it is he who appears in the picture. though they had been deposited but a score dences of the deluge; but usually they fig- of years ago, while remains so situated ured as the bones of giants, the most famous that they have been subjected to varying of them being known as Teutobochus, King conditions of dryness and moisture are al- of the Cimbri, a lusty warrior said to have ways in a fragmentary state. had a height of nineteen feet. Somewhat viously noted, several more or less entire smaller, but still of respectable height, four- carcasses of the mammoth have been dis- teen feet, was “Littell Johne" of Scotland, whereof Hector Boece wrote, concluding in distinction between and habitats of Elephas primigenius and * This must be taken as a very general statement, as the a moralizing tone, “ Be quilk (which) it ap- determined moreover, the two species overlap throngh a wide pears how extravegant and squaire pepill area of the West and Northwest. URAL MOUNTAINS. As pre- THE TRUTH ABOUT THE MAMMOTH. 353 THE MAMMOTH IN THE ROYAL MUSEUM OF NATURAL HISTORY AT ST. PETERSBURG, This is the specimen found entire on the banks of the Lena River, Siberia. Although it is believed to have lain embedded in the ice from 10,000 to 50,000 years, some of the skin still adheres to the skull. covered in Siberia, only to be lost; and while detachments, and were swept out to sea. But no entire animal has so far been found in all we can safely say is that long ages ago the Alaska, some day one may yet come to light. last one perished off the face of the earth. That there is some possibility of this is shown Strange it is, too, that these mighty beasts, by the discovery, recorded by Mr. Dall, of whose bulk was ample to protect them the partial skeleton of a mammoth in the against four-footed foes and whose woolly bank of the Yukon with some of the fat still coat was proof against the cold, should have present, and although this had been partially utterly vanished. They ranged from England converted into adipocere, it was fresh enough eastward to New York, almost around the to be used by the natives for greasing, not world; from the Alps to the Arctic Ocean; their boots, but their boats. And up to the and in such numbers that to-day their tusks present time this is the nearest approach to are articles of commerce and fossil ivory finding a live mammoth in Alaska; and a has its price current as well as wheat. That small piece of fat, obtained by Mr. Dall, is many were swept out to sea by the flooded the nearest the United States National Mu- rivers of Siberia is certain, for some of the seum has come to securing a stuffed mam- low islands off the coast are said to be formed moth. of sand, ice, and bones of the mammoth, and As to why the mammoth became extinct, thence, for hundreds of years, have come the we know absolutely nothing, although vari- tusks which are sold in the market beside ous theories, some much more ingenious than those of the African and Indian elephants. plausible, have been advanced to account for That man was contemporary with the mam- their extermination--they perished of starva- moth in Southern Europe is fairly certain, tion; they were overtaken by floods on their for not only are the remains of the mammoth supposed migrations and drowned in detach- and man's flint weapons found together, but ments; they fell through the ice, equally in in a few instances some primeval Landseer 354 THE TRUTH ABOUT THE MAMMOTH. graved on slate, ivory, or reindeer antler a gart restoration was made, he rose to the sketchy outline of the beast, somewhat im- emergency, and made a sketch. This was pressionistic perhaps, but still, like the work taken ashore, together with a copy of the of a true artist, preserving the salient fea- cut of the skeleton that was laboriously made tures. We see the curved tusks, the snaky by an Innuit sprawled out at full length on trunk, and the shaggy coat that we know the deck. Now the Innuits, as Mr. Town- belonged to the mammoth, and we may feel send tells us, are great gadabouts, making assured that if early man did not conquer the long sledge journeys in winter and equally clumsy creature with fire and flint, he yet long trips by boat in summer, while each gazed upon him from the safe vantage point season they hold a regular fair on Kotzebue of some lofty tree or inaccessible rock, and Sound, where a thousand or two natives then went home to tell his wife and neighbors gather to barter and gossip. On these jour- how the animal escaped because his bow neys and at these gatherings the sketches missed fire. That man and mammoth lived were no doubt passed about, copied, and re- together in North America is uncertain; so copied, until a large number of Innuits had far there is no evidence to show that they become well acquainted with the appearance did, although the absence of such evidence of the mammoth, a knowledge that naturally is no proof that they did not. That any live they were well-pleased to display to any white mammoth has for centuries been seen on the visitors. Also, like the Celt, the Alaskan Alaskan tundras is utterly improbable, and native delights to give a “soft answer,” on Mr. C. H. Townsend seems to rest the and is always ready to furnish the kind of responsibility of having, though quite un- information desired. Thus in due time the intentionally, introduced the Alaskan Live newspaper man learned that the Alaskans Mammoth into the columns of the daily press. could make pictures of the mammoth, and It befell in this wise: Among the varied du- that they had some knowledge of its size and ties of our revenue marine is that of patrol- habits; so with inference and logic quite as ling and exploring the shores of arctic Alaska good as that of the Tungusian peasant, the and the waters of the adjoining sea, and it is reporter came to the conclusion that some- not so many years ago that the cutter“ Cor- where in the frozen wilderness the last sur- win," if memory serves aright, held the rec- vivor of the mammoths must still be at large. ord of farthest north on the Pacific side. And so, starting on the Pacific coast, the On one of these northern trips, to the Kotze- Live Mammoth story wandered from paper bue Sound region, famous for the abundance to paper, until it had spread throughout the of its deposits of mammoth bones,* the“ Cor- length and breadth of the United States, win ” carried Mr. Townsend, then naturalist when it was captured by Mr. Tukeman, to the United States Fish Commission. At who, with much artistic color and some Cape Prince of Wales some natives came on realistic touches, transferred it to MCCLURE'S board bringing a few bones and tusks of the MAGAZINE, and-unfortunately for the offi- mammoth, and upon being questioned as to cials thereof—to the Smithsonian Institu- whether or not any of the animals to which tion. they pertained were living, promptly replied And now, once for all, it may be said that that all were dead, inquiring in turn if the there is no mounted mammoth to awe the vis- white men had ever seen any and if they itor to the national collections; and yet there knew how these animals, so vastly larger seems no good and conclusive reason why than a reindeer, looked. there should not be. True, there are no live Fortunately, or unfortunately, there was mammoths to be had at any price; neither are on board a text-book of geology containing their carcasses to be had on demand; still the well-known cut of the St. Petersburg there is good reason to believe that a much mammoth, and this was brought forth, greatly smaller sum than that said to have been paid to the edification of the natives, who were by Mr. Conradi for the mammoth which is delighted at recognizing the curved tusks not in the Smithsonian Institution, would and the bones they knew so well. Next the place one there. It probably could not be natives wished to know what the outside of done in one year; it might not be possible the creature looked like, and as Mr. Town- in five years; but should any man of means send had been at Ward's establishment in wish to secure enduring fame by showing the Rochester when the first copy of the Stutt- world the mammoth as it stood in life, a hundred centuries ago, before the dawn of * Elephant Point, at the mouth of the Buckland River, is even tradition, he could probably accomplish so named from the numbers of mammoth bones which have the result by the expenditure of a far less accumulated there. GENERAL GRANT'S ADMINISTRATION. 355 sum than it would cost to participate in an first to despatch an expedition to seek a international yacht race. Who will be the frozen mammoth ? PRIMITIVE PICTURE OF A MAMMOTH ENGRAVED ON A FRAGMENT OF MAMMOTH'S TUSK. The picture is so well done that one must believe that the artist, a cave-dweller in Southern France, had seen the animal, if he did not make the drawing from real life. The original engraving, which is about three times the size of the reproduction, is in the Museum d'Histoire Naturelle, Paris. GENERAL GRANT'S ADMINISTRATION. FROM THE STANDPOINT OF A MEMBER OF HIS CABINET. BY GEORGE S. BOUTWELL. MAY say with some degree of and our conversations were directed quite truth that my acquaintance constantly to General Grant, to his services, with General Grant antedates his career, and his prospects for the future. our meeting by nearly three Upon my return to Washington, and in the years. In the early summer first five minutes of my interview with Presi- of 1862 I received an appoint- dent Lincoln, he said: "What did you hear ment from President Lincoln about General Grant's habits ?” I said as a member of a military once : “I did not hear the subject men- commission constituted for tioned." the purpose of auditing the claims that had arisen in the ON A COMMISSION WITH CHARLES A. DANA. Department of Missouri, then under the com- mand of General Frémont. The sessions of Charles A. Dana, who afterward was As- the commission were held at Cairo, Illinois, sistant Secretary of War, was the chairman which place had been the headquarters of of the commission. We were called to ex- General Grant during the preceding winter. amine about sixteen hundred claims due to In the intervening time General Grant had Frémont's operations in the States of Mis- become the hero of the war by the capture souri, Kentucky, Illinois, Ohio, and Indiana. of Forts Henry and Donelson, and by his let. The investigations diminished my respect for ter of February 16th to General Buckner, in Frémont as a business man. There were no which he demanded “an immediate and un- indications of wrong-doing, but there was conditional surrender” of the Confederate much evidence of lack of system in plan and forces. In after years I received from Gen- of care in execution. eral Grant the statement that the peculiar Upon the death of General Frémont, the and emphatic character of that letter was preparation of a memoir was exacted of me by due to his knowledge of General Buckner, the American Academy of Arts and Sciences, gained from their fellowship at West Point. of which he was an honorary member. The Our quarters were with General Strong, who researches which I then made led my mind to was in command, and who had come from two important conclusions. His expeditions Cairo, Egypt, to serve as a Llunteer in the over the Rocky Mountains are free from cause army of the United States. Our thoughts for criticism, on the one hand, and they give 356 GENERAL GRANT'S ADMINISTRATION. evidence of the possession of talents of a high best friend upon his return after an absence order. His care of his men, his negotiations of twenty years in foreign parts. General with the Indians by which he secured peace Grant's name was not mentioned at our in- for the most part, and his contests with them terview, and it has been a satisfaction to when his efforts for peace were ineffectual, me to notice the absence of words of dis- and, finally, his position in the controversy paragement of General Grant in Mr. Dana's over the command of our forces in California, Memoirs." including his trial by court-martial and his The greatness of General Grant in war, in resignation from the army, are acts and pro- civil affairs, and in personal qualities which ceedings worthy of high praise. In singular at once excite our admiration and deserve and disagreeable contrast is the fact that he our commendation, was not fully appreciated failed to attain marked success in any other by the generation to which he belonged, nor public undertaking. can it be appreciated by the generations that My work at Cairo and my association with can know of him only as his life and char- Mr. Dana gave me a high opinion of his in- acter may appear upon the written record. tegrity and of his capacity in business affairs, He had weaknesses, and of some of them I may the consequences of which were felt in Gen- speak ; but they do not qualify in any essen- eral Grant's administration. When the selec- tial manner his claim to greatness in the tion of a Collector of Customs at the port of particulars named. He was not fortunate in New York was under consideration, I advised the circumstances incident to the organiza- the appointment of Mr. Dana. The merchants tion of his cabinet. The appointment of Mr. and others in the city had commended Moses Washburne as Secretary of State for the H. Grinnell. Beyond this fact, I found that brief period of one or two weeks was not a the President did not look with favor upon wise opening of the administration, if the Mr. Dana. He had been in the South during arrangement was designed, and was a mis- the war as the representative of the War De- fortune, if the brief term was due to events partment, and in some way his doings or his not anticipated. The selection of Mr. Fish reports had displeased General Grant. With compensated, and more than compensated, the authority of the President, I offered Mr. for the errors which preceded his appoint- Dana the place of Chief Appraiser. That ment. The country can never expect an office he declined, and when he obtained the administration of the affairs of the Depart- control of “The Sun,” which he did not then ment of State more worthy of approval and own, he attacked General Grant in a manner eulogy than the administration of Mr. Fish. not justified by any accepted code of personal Apparently we were then on the verge of or political warfare. That conduct separated war with Great Britain, and demands were me from Mr. Dana, and there was no renewal made in very responsible quarters which of- of our acquaintance, except for one interview, fered no alternative but war. The treaty of which took place after the death of General 1871, which was the outcome of Mr. Fish's Grant. diplomacy, reëstablished our relations of On a time there appeared an editorial in friendship with Great Britain, and the treaty “The Sun” upon the degeneracy of leader- was then accepted as a step in the direction ship in the Republican party, and a compari- of general peace. son was instituted between the men of the In the month of February, 1869, I received then present time and the men of the Civil an invitation from General Grant to call upon War. My name appeared among those who him on an evening named and at an hour had led in the better days of the Republican specified. At the interview General Grant party. The article led me to write a personal asked me to take the office of Secretary of letter to Mr. Dana, in which I congratulated the Interior. As reasons for declining the him on his ability to recognize either good- place, I said that my duties and position in ness or greatness in the men of “the Grant the House were agreeable to me and that dynasty," as it had been called. In return, I my services there might be as valuable to received from Mr. Dana a letter marked by the Administration as my services in the expressions of kindness such as I might not cabinet. General Grant then said that he have anticipated from my best friend. He intended to give a place to Massachusetts, urged me to advise him of my coming to New and it might be the Secretary of the Interior York, when he would call upon me. or the Attorney-Generalship. He then asked When I was in New York, I called at the for my advice as to persons, and said that if office of “The Sun," where I was received he named an Attorney-General from Massa- by Mr. Dana as he might have received his chusetts, he had in mind Governor Clifford, FROM THE STANDPOINT OF A MEMBER OF HIS CABINET. 357 whom he had met. Governor Clifford was his nomination, or when I knew that it was my personal friend, he had been the Attorney- to be made, I met him in Washington and General of the State during my term as Gov- assured him of my disposition to give my ernor, he was a gentleman of great urbanity support to his administration. On two oc- of manner, a well-equipped lawyer, and as an casions when I was in New York I made calls advocate he had secured and maintained a of civility upon him, but, as he made no rec- good standing in the profession and through ognition in return, my efforts in that direc- many years. He had come into the Repub- tion came to an end. lican party from the Webster wing of the At a dinner given by merchants and bank- Whig party. To me he was a conservative, ers in the early part of September, 1869, at and I was apprehensive that his views upon which I was a guest, Mr. Stewart made a questions arising, or that might arise, from speech in which he criticised my administra- our plan of reconstruction might not be in tion of the Treasury. In the canvass of harmony with the policy of the party. Upon 1872 the rumor went abroad that Mr. Stew- this ground, which I stated to General Grant, art had given $25,000 to the Greeley cam- I advised against his appointment. I named paign fund. In the month of October of Judge Hoar for Attorney-General and Gov- that year, the twenty-eighth day, perhaps, I ernor Claflin for the Interior Department. spoke at the Cooper Union. Upon my arri- I wrote the full address of Judge Hoar upon val in New York, I received a call from a a card, which I gave to General Grant. Judge friend who came with a message from Mr. Hoar was nominated and confirmed. Stewart. Mr. Stewart would not be at the meeting, although except for the false A. T. STEWART'S RELATIONS WITH GRANT. rumor in regard to his subscription to the Greeley fund, he should have taken pleasure At the same time, Alexander T. Stewart, in being present. As General Grant was to of New York, was nominated and confirmed be elected, his attendance at the meeting as Secretary of the Treasury. It was soon might be treated by the public as an at- discovered that Mr. Stewart, being an im- tempt to curry favor with General Grant and porter, was ineligible to the office. Mr. the incoming Administration. Conkling said there were nine statutes in As I was passing to the hall, a paper was A more effectual bar was in the placed in my hands by a person who gave no reason on which the statutes rested, namely, other means of recognizing his presence. that no man should be put in a situation to be When I reached the hall and opened the a judge in his own cause. The President paper, I found that it was a summons to ap- made a vain effort to secure legislation for pear as defendant in an action brought by a the removal of the bar. Next, Judge Hilton, man named Galvin, who claimed damages in then Mr. Stewart's attorney, submitted a deed the sum of $3,000,000. At the close of the of trust by which Mr. Stewart relinquished meeting and when the fact became known, his interest in the business during his term one gentleman said to me: “I do not see how of office. The President submitted that paper you could have spoken after such a sum- to Chief Justice Cartter of the Supreme Court mons." of the District of Columbia. The Chief Jus I said in reply : “If the suit had been for tice gave a brief, adverse, oral opinion, and $3,000 only, it might have given me some in language not quotable upon a printed page. uneasiness, as a recovery would have in- We have no means of forming an opinion volved payment. A judgment of $3,000,000 of Mr. Stewart's capacity for administrative implies impossibility of payment.” work, and I do not indulge in any conjec I had no knowledge of Galvin, but his let- tures. His nomination was acceptable to the ters of advice were found on the files of the leading business interests of the country, and Treasury. Even after the suit, I did not ex- in the city of New York it was supported amine them for the purpose of forming an generally. He was a successful man of busi- opinion of their value or want of value. ness and an accumulator of wealth, and at Galvin alleged in his declaration that he had that time General Grant placed a high esti- furnished the financial policy that I had mate upon the presence of talents by which adopted, that it had benefited the country men acquire wealth. to the amount of $300,000,000 and more, and Following these events, there were early that a claim of $3,000,000 was a moderate indications that Mr. Stewart's interest in the claim. Under the statute, the Department of President had been diminished, and gradually Justice assumed the defense. The case lin- he took on a dislike to me. When I knew of gered, Galvin died, and the case followed. his way. 358 GENERAL GRANT'S ADMINISTRATION. At the election of 1872, I voted at Groton say that President Grant was attached to in the morning, and in the afternoon I went Judge Hoar, and, as far as I know, his at- to New York, to find that General Grant had tachment never underwent any abatement. been reëlected by a sufficient majority. On Whatever bond there may be in the smoking the morning of the next day, I left the hotel habit, it was formed without delay at the with time for a call upon General Dix, who beginning of their acquaintance. While had been elected Governor, and for a call General Grant was not a teller of stories, he upon Thurlow Weed. General Dix was not enjoyed listening to good ones, and of these at home. Notwithstanding the criticisms Judge Hoar had a large stock, and always of Thurlow Weed as a manager of political at command. General Grant enjoyed the affairs in the State of New York and in the society of intellectual men, and Judge Hoar country, I had reasons for regarding him was far up in that class. General Grant had with favor, although I had never favored regrets for the retirement of Judge Hoar the aspirations of Mr. Seward, his chief. from his cabinet, and for the circumstances When I was organizing the Internal Revenue which led to his retirement. His appoint- Office in 1862-3, Mr. Weed gave me infor- ment of Judge Hoar upon the Joint High mation in regard to candidates for office in Commission and the nomination of Judge the State of New York, including their rela- Hoar to a seat upon the bench of the Su- tions to the factions that existed-usually preme Court may be accepted as evidence of Seward and anti-Seward-and with as much General Grant's continuing friendship, and fairness as he could have commanded if he of his disposition to recognize it, notwith- had had no relation to either faction. standing the break in official relations. As I had time remaining at the end of my Judge Hoar's professional life had been call upon Mr. Weed, and as I had in mind passed in Massachusetts, and he had no per- Mr. Stewart's message at the Cooper Union sonal acquaintance with the lawyers of the meeting, I drove to his down-town store, circuit from which Justices Strong and Brad- where I found him. He received me with ley were appointed. Strong and Bradley cordiality, but in respect to his health he were at the head of the profession in the seemed to be already a doomed man. He States of New Jersey and Pennsylvania, and was anxious chiefly to give me an opportunity in truth there was no debate as to the fitness to comprehend the nature and magnitude of of their appointment. Judge Hoar was not his business. As I was about to leave, he responsible for their appointment, and I am took hold of my coat button and said: “When of the opinion that the nominations would you see the President, you give my love to have been made even against his advice, him, and say to him that I am for him and that which assuredly was not so given. Judge I always have been for him." Still holding me Strong, as Chief Justice of the Supreme by the button, he said : “Who buys the car- Court of Pennsylvania, had sustained the pets for the Treasury ?” constitutionality of the Legal Tender act, I said : “Mr. Saville is the chief clerk, and and it was understood that Bradley was of he buys the carpets." the same opinion. As the President and Mr. Stewart said: “Tell him to come to cabinet were of a like opinion, it may be said me; I will sell him carpets as cheap as any- that there could have been no “packing” of body." the Supreme Court except by the exclusion When I repeated Mr. Stewart's message of the two most prominent lawyers in the to the President he made no reply, and he circuit and the appointment of men whose gave no indication that he was hearing what opinions upon a vital question were not in I was saying. harmony with the opinion of the persons making the appointment. GRANT AND ATTORNEY-GENERAL HOAR. As to myself, I had never accepted the original decision as sound law under the The public has been invited to accept sev- Constitution, nor as a wise public policy, if eral errors in regard to Judge Hoar's rela- there had been no constitution. By the de- tions to President Grant, the appointment cision the government was shorn of a part to the bench of the Supreme Court of Jus- of its financial means of defense in an tices Bradley and Strong, by whose votes exigency. When the Supreme Court had the first decision of the court in the Legal reached a conclusion, Chief Justice Chase Tender cases was overruled, and the circum- called upon me and informed me of that fact, stances which led to the retirement of Judge about two weeks in advance of the delivery Hoar from the cabinet. First of all I may of the opinion. He gave as a reason his CHASE'S OPINION OF THE LEGAL-TENDER DECISION. 359 apprehension of serious financial difficulties upon by the President at the outset, and he due to a demand for gold by the creditor class. had overruled it or set it aside. In my in- Not sharing in that apprehension, I said : terview with Mr. Washburne the Sunday be- “The business men are all debtors as well as fore my nomination, I had said to him that creditors, and they cannot engage in a strug- Judge Hoar and I were not only from the gle over gold payments, and the small class same State, but that we were residents of of creditors who are not also debtors will the same county, and within twenty miles not venture upon a policy in which they of each other. Moreover, any public dis- must suffer ultimately.” The decision did satisfaction which had existed at the begin- not cause a ripple in the finances of the ning had disappeared. In the meantime the country. President had become attached to Judge Pursuing the conversation, I asked the Hoar. Nor is there any justifying founda- Chief Justice where he found authority in tion for the conjecture that a vacancy was the Constitution for the issue of non-legal- created for the purpose of giving a place tender currency. He answered in the power in the cabinet to another person, or to an- to borrow money and in the power given to other section of the country. General Grant's Congress to provide for the“ general wel- attachment to his friends was near to a fare of the United States.” I then said, weakness, and the suggestion that he sacri- having in mind the opinion in the case of ficed Judge Hoar to the low purpose of giv- MacCulloch and Maryland, in which the court ing a place to some other person is far away held that where a power was given to Con- from any true view of his character. gress, its exercise was a matter of discretion Judge Hoar had had no administrative unless a limitation could be found in the experience on the political side of the gov- Constitution : “Where do you find a limita- ernment, an- he underestimated the claims, tion to the power to borrow money by any and he undervalued the rights, of members means that to Congress may appear wise ?” of Congress. As individuals the members The Chief Justice was unable to specify a of Congress are of the government, and in limitation, and the question remains unan- a final test the two Houses may become the swered to this day. government. More than clsewhere the seat When the case of Hepburn and Griswold of power is in the Senate, and the Senate was overruled in the Legal Tender cases, the and Senators are careful to exact a recog- Chief Justice was very much disturbed, and nition of their rights. They claim, what with the exhibition of considerable feeling, from the beginning they have enjoyed, the he said : “Why did you consent to the ap- right to be heard by the President and the pointment of judges to overrule me ?” I heads of department in regard to appoint- assured him that there was no personal feel- ments in their respective States. They do ing on the part of the President, and that not claim to speak authoritatively, but as as to my own unimportant part in the busi- members of the government having a right ness, he had known from the time of our to advise, and under a certain responsibility interview in regard to the former action of to the people for what may be done. the court that I entertained the opinion that It was claimed by Senators that the At- the decision operated as a limitation of the torney-General seemed not to admit their constitutional powers of Congress and that right to speak in regard to appointments, its full and final recognition might prove and that appointments were made of which injurious to the country whenever all its they had no knowledge, and of which neither resources should be required. At the time they nor their constituents could approve. of the reversal, the Chief Justice did not These differences reached a crisis when Sena- conceal his dissatisfaction with his life and tors (I use the word in the plural) notified labors on the bench, and at the interview the President that they should not visit the last mentioned he said that he should be Department of Justice while Judge Hoar was glad to exchange positions with me, if it Attorney-General. Thus was a disagreeable were possible to make the exchange. alternative presented to the President, and Various reasons have been assigned for a first impression would lead to the conclu- the step which was taken by President Grant sion that he ought to have sustained the in asking Judge Hoar to retire from the Attorney-General. Assuming that the com- cabinet. Some have assumed that the Presi- plaints were well founded, it followed that dent was no longer willing to tolerate the the Attorney-General was denying to Sena- presence of two members from the same tors the consideration which the President State. That consideration had been passed himself was recognizing daily. 360 GENERAL GRANT'S ADMINISTRATION. REMINISCENCES OF CHARLES SUMNER. mittee on the Freedmen's Bureau, and Mr. Eliot was chairman of the Committee of the Mr. Sumner's removal from the chairman- House. A report was made in each House, ship of the Committee on Foreign Relations and each bill contained not less than twenty was due to the fact that a time came when sections. Each House passed its own bill. he did not recognize the President, and when A committee of conference was appointed. he declined to have any intercourse with Its report was rejected. I was appointed a the Secretary of State outside of official member of the second committee. business. Such a condition of affairs is I examined the bills, and I marked out always a hindrance in the way of good gov- every section that was not essential to the ernment, and it may become an obstacle to working of the measure. Four sections re- success. Good government can be secured mained. I then added a section which pro- only through conferences with those who are vided for the lease and ultimate sale of the responsible, by conciliation, and not infre- confiscated lands to the freedmen and refu- quently by concessions to the holders of ad- gees. President Johnson's restoration of verse opinions. The time came when such those lands made that section non-operative. a condition was no longer possible between The committee, upon the motion of General Mr. Sumner and the Secretary of State. Schenck, transferred the jurisdiction of the The President and his cabinet were in ac- Bureau from the Treasury to the War De- cord in regard to the controversy with Great partment. The bill was accepted by the Britain as to the Alabama Claims. Mr. Sum- committee, and passed by the two Houses. ner advocated a more exacting policy. Mr. When within a few days I was in the Sen- Motley appeared to be following Mr. Sumner's ate Chamber, Mr. Sumner came to me, and lead, and the opposition to Mr. Sumner ex- said in substance : "The Freedmen's Bureau tended to Mr. Motley. It had happened that Bill as it passed is of no value. I have spent the President had taken on a prejudice to six months upon the bill, and my work has Mr. Motley at their first interview. This I gone for nothing. You and General Schenck learned when I said something to the Presi- cannot pretend to know as much as I know dent in the line of conciliation. The Presi- about the measure.” dent said : “Such was my impression of Mot With some feeling, which was not justifi- ley when I saw him that I should have able, I said : “I have not spent six hours withheld his appointment if I had not made upon the measure, but after what you have a promise to Sumner.” My acquaintance said I will say that the fifth section is of with Mr. Motley began in the year 1849, when more value than all the sections which you we were members of the Massachusetts have written.” I did not wait for a reply. House of Representatives, and I had a high The subject was not again mentioned ; our regard for him, although it had been charged friendly relations were not disturbed, and it that I had had some part in driving him from is to Mr. Sumner's credit on the score of politics into literature. toleration that he passed over my rough re- When we consider the natures and the marks, even though he had given some rea- training of the two men, it is not easy to son for a retort. imagine agreeable coöperation in public af My next difference with Mr. Sumner was a fairs by Mr. Sumner and General Grant. Mr. more serious difference, but it passed with- Sumner never believed in General Grant's out any break in our relations. He had not fitness for the office of President, and General acquired the church-going habit, or he had Grant did not recognize in Mr. Sumner a renounced it, and my church-going was spas- wise and safe leader in the business of gov- modic rather than systematic. Thus it be- ernment. General Grant's notion of Mr. came possible and agreeable for me to spend Sumner, on one side of his character, may be some small portion of each Sunday in his inferred from his answer when, being asked rooms. The controversy over Mr. Motley and if he had heard Mr. Sumner converse, he his removal from the post of minister to Great said: “No, but I have heard him lecture.” Britain excited Mr. Sumner to a point far As I am to speak of Mr. Sumner in our beyond any excitement to which he yielded, personal relations, which for thirteen years arising from his own troubles or from the before his death were intimate, I shall use misfortunes of the country. To him it was some words of preface. Never on more than the topic of conversation at all times and in two occasions did we have differences that all places. That habit I accepted at his caused any feeling on either side. Mr. Sum- house with as much complacency as I could ner was chairman in the Senate of the Com- command. Indeed, I was not much disturbed SUWNER'S QUARREL WITH GRANT. 361 by what he said to me in private, and cer- public session. He seemed to regard the tainly not by what he said in his own house, suggestion with favor, but the speech was where I went from choice, and without any not made. obligation to remain resting upon me. In For many years Mr. Sumner had been all his conversations he made General Grant borne down under the resolutions of censure responsible for the removal of Motley, ac- passed by the State of Massachusetts in dis- companied, usually, with language of censure approval of his position in regard to the and condemnation. On two occasions that return of Confederate flags. That resolu- were in a measure public, one of which was tion was rescinded at the winter session of a dinner given to me by Mr. Franklin Haven, 1874. The act brought to Mr. Sumner the a personal friend of twenty years' standing, highest degree of satisfaction that it was he insisted upon holding the Motley incident possible for him to realize. Above all things as the topic of conversation. On one of else of a public nature, he cherished the these occasions, and in excitement, he turned good name of the commonwealth, and for to me and said : “Boutwell, you ought to himself there was nothing more precious have resigned when Motley was removed." than her approval. The blow was unex- I said only in reply : “I am the custodian pected, its weight was great, and its weight of my own duty." was never lessened until it was wholly re- This was the only personal remark that I moved. The rescinding resolutions came to ever made to Mr. Sumner in connection with me the Saturday next preceding the Wed- the removal of Motley. The removal was nesday when Mr. Sumner died. I was then the only reasonable solution of the difficulty in ill health, so ill that my attendance at the in which Motley was involved ; but I sympa Senate did not exceed one half of each day's thized with him in the disaster which had session through many weeks. Mr. Sumner overtaken him, and I was not disposed to called upon me to inquire, and anxious to discuss the subject. The incident at the din- know, whether I could attend the session of ner led me to make a resolution. I called Monday and present the resolutions. I gave upon Mr. Sumner, and without accepting a him the best assurance that my condition seat, I said : “Senator, if you ever mention permitted. When the resolutions had been General Grant's name in my presence, I will presented, and when I was leaving the cham- never again cross your threshold.” ber, Mr. Sumner came to me, and, putting Without the delay of a half minute he his arm over my shoulder, he walked with me said : “Agreed." into the lobby, where, after many thanks by There the matter ended, and the promise him, and with good wishes for my health, we was kept. In 1872, and not many days be- parted, without a thought by me that he had fore he left for Europe, he said: “I want not before him many years of rugged life. to ask you a question about General Grant.” For several years previous to 1874, Mr. Sum- I said : You know that that is a forbid- ner had been accustomed to speak of himself den topic." as an old man, and on more than one occasion * Yes, but I am not going to speak con- he spoke of life as a burden. To these ut- troversially.” terances I gave but little heed. I said : “Say on.” The chief assurance for any considerable He said: “What do you think of Grant's well-doing in the world is to be found in good election ?” purposes and in fixedness of purpose when a Í said: "I think he will be elected." purpose has been formed. These character- He held up his hands, and in a tone of istics were Mr. Sumner's possessions, but in grief said : You and Wilson are the only him they were subject to very important ones who tell me that he has any chance." limitations as powers in practical affairs. Upon his return from Europe it was ap- He did not exhibit respect or deference for parent that his feelings in regard to the the opinions of others even when the parties Republican party, and especially in regard were upon a plane of equality, as is the usual to General Grant, had undergone a great situation in legislative bodies. He could not change. Our conversations concerning Gen- concede small points for the sake of a great eral Grant were resumed free from all restric- result. Hence it was that measures in which tions and without any disturbance of feeling he had an interest took on a form at the end on my part. Not many months before his that was not agreeable to him. Hence it is death Mr. Sumner made a speech in executive that he has left only one piece of legislation session that was conciliatory and just in a that is distinctly the work of his hand. marked degree. I urged him to repeat it in When the bill was under consideration which 66 362 GENERAL GRANT'S ADMINISTRATION. denied to colored persons the privilege of office, of whom nothing could then be said, naturalization in the United States, he secured not more than three or four men had gained an amendment by which the exclusion was in standing by their elevation to the Presi- limited to the Mongolian race. His declara- dency, beyond the fact that their names were tion as to the status of the States that had upon the roll. The exceptions were, first of been in rebellion was not far away from the all, Lincoln, who had gained most. Then policy that was adopted finally, but he did Jackson, who had gained something-indeed, not accept as wise and necessary measures a good deal by his defense of the Union when the amendments to the Constitution which compared with what he might have lost by were designed to make that policy permanent. neglect of duty in the days of nullification. Indeed, it was his opinion, at one period of Washington had gained much by demonstrat- the controversy over the question of negro ing his capacity for civil affairs, by the legacy suffrage, that a legislative declaration would of his farewell address, and by the shaping be sufficient. The field of his success is to of the new government under the Constitu- be found in the argumentative power that he tion in a manner calculated to strengthen possessed and in its use for the overthrow of the quality of perpetuity. At the end, I slavery. Of the anti-slavery advocates who claimed that the other occupants of the Presi- entered the Senate previous to the opening dential office had not gained appreciably by of the war, he was the best equipped in learn- their promotion. ing, and his influence in the country was not In two important particulars, Samuel surpassed by the influence of any one of his Adams and Charles Sumner are parallel associates. In his knowledge of diplomacy, characters in American history. Mr. Adams he had the first rank in the Senate for the was a leader in the contest that the colonies larger part of his career. His influence in carried on against Great Britain. Our legal the Senate was measured, however, by his standing in the controversy with the mother influence in the country. His speeches, es- country has never elsewhere been presented pecially in the period of national controversy, as forcibly and logically as it was stated by were addressed to the country. He relied Mr. Adams in his letters to the royal gover- upon authorities and precedents. His powers nors in the name of the Massachusetts House as a debater were limited, and it followed of Representatives, between the years 1764 inevitably that in purely parliamentary con- and 1775. When the contest of words and of tests he was not a match for such masters as arms was over he was not only not an aid in Fessenden and Conkling, who in learning were the organization of the new government, but his inferiors. he was an obstacle to its success. My means for information are so limited cepted the Constitution with hesitation and that I do not express an opinion upon the under constraint. After the overthrow of question whether Mr. Sumner's ambitions in slavery and the ratification of the Thirteenth public life were or were not gratified. On Amendment to the Constitution, Mr. Sumner one or two occasions he let fall remarks gave no wise aid to the work of reconstruct- which indicated a willingness to be trans- ing the government upon the basis of the new ferred to the Department of State. Major conditions that had been created by the war Ben : Perley Poore had received the impression and by the abolition of slavery. As every that there was a time when Mr. Sumner guarantee for freedom contains some ele- looked to the Presidency as a possibility. At ment of enslavement over or against some an accidental meeting with Major Poore, he who are not within the guarantee, men some- said to me: “I have dined with Sumner, and times hesitate as to the wisdom of accepting he gave me an account of the conversation guarantees of rights in one direction which he had with you this morning, in which you work a limitation of rights or privileges in consoled him for not gaining the Presidency.” other directions. The Constitution of the I recalled the conversation. It was a United States, while it gave power to the body Sunday-morning talk, and there was no special of States and guaranteed security to each, purpose on my part, however my remarks yet deprived the individual States of many may have been received by Mr. Sumner. He of the privileges and powers that they had spoke of the opportunity furnished to Mr. enjoyed as colonies. Every amendment to Jefferson for the exposition of his views in the Constitution, from the first to the last, his first inaugural address. I then proceeded has limited the application of the doctrine to say that, omitting the incumbent of the of home rule in the government. He ac- THE INSIDE OF THE EARTH. BY CLEVELAND MOFFETT. PROFESSOR MILNE'S OBSERVATIONS AND CONCLUSIONS AS TO THE INTERIOR OF OUR PLANET. IT T was at the Shide Observatory, Isle of ple; the thicker the crust the slower the loss Wight, in Professor Milne's study, book- of heat. With several hundred miles of lined, paper-strewn, fragrant with odors of crust you might get almost no cooling.” Japan. On a shelf at one side an electric “ But the law of regular increase in tem- watch ticked patiently (perhaps the only elec- perature ?” tric watch in the world), its long forefinger “One degree Fahrenheit for every fifty- sending off hourly signals to the instruments one feet you go down ? I know. But that outside, as it does all day long and all night law applies only a certain distance. Figure long, year after year. For hours now I had it out for yourself. One mile down gives been listening for the automatic bell-call to an increase of 100 degrees, ten miles down announce some earthquake in Iceland or South 1,000 degrees, thirty miles down 3,000 de- America or off the tortured coast of New- grees--that's about the highest temperature foundland, but the bell kept silent. No news we know anything about. It's the temper- through the earth this day of Borneo's crust ature of the oxy-hydrogen flame. Platinum caving in or of the West Pacific bottom shift- melts there, wrought iron melts there, gold ing. The old ground of seismology was pretty evaporates there; all our surface rocks would well talked over by now; melt there. Go down so we shifted to new forty miles, and you get ground-to that region J A a temperature of 4,000 which lies under all degrees; go down fifty ground-the interior of B miles, and you get 5,000 the earth. Was there degrees; and so on until anything to say about at a depth of 1,000 it? Could anything be miles you might expect known about it? С to reach a temperature The Professor smiled. of 100,000 degrees- “ We know it's hot,” which is absurd. It is a he said. generally accepted view “How hot?” that the earth's temper- “ Perhaps as hot as ature decreases more the sun, when you get S and more slowly as you well inside. You know go deeper and deeper it was flung off from into it, and, after a cer- the sun, since which DIAGRAM SHOWING THE COURSES OF tain point, say 200 miles, time it has been con- QUAKE TREMORS. the rate of increase is densing and cooling.” An earthquake occurs at J. The first tremors travel hardly appreciable." “And how long has from J to S, C, B, A, through the earth. Later waves “And beyond that the cooling taken? travel on the surface from A, B, C, to S. point you come to a “Lord Kelvin says great molten sea ?” twenty million years, but geologists and “On the contrary, you leave a small molten paleontologists ask for at least a hundred sea behind you, and come to a great rigid million." core." “And you think it may have kept its orig I stared at this.“ To a great rigid core ?” inal heat all these years ?” “Yes; my experiments and those of others “Why not? We find molten lava to-day in recording earthquake tremors indicate that inside rocks that have been cooling fifty years our earth is at least twice as rigid as steel. on a volcano's side. It's the same princi- For instance, seismic waves through the body EARTH- 363 364 THE INSIDE OF THE EARTH. of the world starting, say, from Japan, reach interior is a freely moving liquid, and dem- the Isle of Wight in sixteen minutes, which onstrate apparently that the earth-orange, is nearly twice as fast as they would come under its peel of crust, is a mass very much the same distance through solid steel. The more rigid than the crust itself.” greater the rigidity, you know, the faster “Yet extremely hot ?” the rate of wave transmission.” Of course." “Do these seismic waves travel through “So hot that everything melts ?” the earth in straight lines, or do they follow “So hot that everything would melt if it around its surface ?" could. And everything does melt in a cer- “I am inclined to think that they radiate tain limited region, a sort of viscous layer, from their point of origin in all directions pasty in its upper parts and solid down through our earth and over its surface. I below.” will show you some seismograms that lead to “Why not molten all the way down ?” this conclusion, and also throw light on the “Because of the pressure above. At a condition of the earth's interior.” depth of 200 miles this would amount to The Professor produced a book pasted full about 600 tons to the square inch, probably of seismogram tapes, each bearing its straight enough to squeeze the molten rock and metal blank line, broken into loops and jagged back into a solid state. At any rate, a depth points where the earthquake tremors had set must soon be reached where the pressure is the needle swinging. It has been explained great enough to effect that result. You in a previous article* how the quiverings know the general law: that heat expands and swayings of these seismic pendulums are and cold contracts. Well, there are strong registered photographically on moving bands reasons for believing that most metals and of paper. rocks can be prevented from melting under “Now,” continued the Professor, “here heat if you prevent them from expanding. is a seismogram from the South Indian Ocean Or, if you have a quantity of molten metal which shows what I may call seismic echoes; which has already expanded in melting, you but before going into that let me tell you can bring it back to the solid state by great that waves through our earth reach Shide pressure, just as you can solidify liquid air by eighteen minutes after they leave Borneo, putting it under great pressure. The interior which is not very much in excess of the time of the earth—the ball of the orange urder- required for similar waves to travel from the neath the peel—though potentially liquid, is West Indies, though Borneo is more than actually solid and extremely dense. It would 2,000 miles farther away. And the reason immediately become liquid if the pressure of this is that the Borneo waves come through were removed. It is hot enough to become the earth at a greater depth than the West In- liquid, but by the laws of matter cannot do so dian waves, and therefore travel more quickly, without expanding, and it cannot expand so which leads to the conclusion that the earth long as it is squeezed down under the great becomes more elastic as you approach the weight upon it. You must understand that center. From such observations as are at our the earth, originally liquid, became solid disposal Dr. C. G. Knott infers that the elas- under two influences: it began to solidify at ticity which governs the propagation of a the surface by cooling, the crust growing certain class of vibrations increases at the thicker and thicker; and it began to solidify rate of 1.2 per cent. for each mile of descent. at the center by pressure, the core growing It is difficult to explain this greater speed of larger and larger. This double phenomenon transmission on any other theory. We al- of solidifying continued until a solid outer ways find that seismic waves from points on shell and a solid inner core came close to- the globe nearly opposite us travel much gether in what may be called the critical faster than any other waves, simply because region of the earth, a region that feeds lava they pass nearer to the earth's center or re- to volcanoes.” gion of maximum rigidity. On the other Professor Milne went on to consider what hand, we find that waves from points on our takes place in this critical region, this sub- own side of the globe travel to us more slowly, terranean and intermittently collapsing bat- since they come along shallow chords in a tlefield, where pressure and heat are ever less rigid region. These phenomena, invari- fighting with changing fortune to make solid ably noted at all our seismic observatories, liquid and liquid solid. As the crust cools it entirely upset the old theory that the earth's shrinks into countless wrinkles, just as an John Milne, Observer of Earthquakes," by Cleveland orange withers, these wrinkles being moun- Moffett, MCCLURE'S MAGAZINE for May, 1898. tain ranges and deep-cut valleys; for a con- 366 THE INSIDE OF THE EARTH. of interest in itself, is insignificant compared page 363], and here is the Shide observatory to the seismic pulsations we are considering." at S. Now let us suppose an earthquake in Coming back now to our book of seismo- Japan at J. Then the first seismic record will grams, Professor Milne pointed out a further come to us on a path that is nearly straight, indication that the earth's interior is more deep through the line of densest and most rigid than its surface. rigid medium, J S. But other seismic waves “ If you look clearly at these tapes,” he go forth from J by many paths, as J A, J B, said, “ you will be struck by a repetition of JC; and these, reaching the surface succes- the same figure or pattern in the needle trac- sively, may be carried along after emergence ings. The seismograms of nearly all impor- on the surface at a slower rate of transmission PRECURSOR S---> ECHO E S. SS' 6.27:32 6.48:37 7.29:47 : 7.58:54 7.32:48 P. M. SEISMOGRAM OF THE EARTHQUAKE OF JUNE 29, 1898, IN THE SOUTH INDIAN OCEAN, AS RECORDED AT THE ISLE OF WIGHT. 1 2 3 5 6 7 8 9 10 1.1' 2' 3' 4' 5 6 7 8' 9' 10 ENLARGEMENT OF PARTS OF THE ABOVE, SHOWING HOW THE ECHOES 1', 2, 3', ETC., TRAVELING OVER THE SURFACE, RESEMBLE IN SHAPE THE VIBRATIONS 1, 2, 3, ETC., WHICH TRAVELED THROUGH THE EARTH. tant earthquakes contain such repetitions, or, and come to S one after another, each in its as I styled them just now, seismic echoes. turn affecting the instruments. These are the For several minutes the pendulum will oscil- precursors of the initial movement or shock late through a certain number of loops and of the earthquake, the main portion of which zigzags, recording, as it were, an earthquake travels from the place of origin to the observ- signature--and many earthquakes carry withing station as surface undulations. Following them what might be called the post-mark of the shock are the echoes, reverberations, or their origin--and then presently it will re- earthquake followers, but whence these peat the very same loops and zigzags on a rhythmical repetitions are reflected we do not smaller scale, a miniature copy. And often know. We cannot say that there is music there will follow one or two more repetitions, within our world, but perhaps, in consequence the record running off finally so far in dimin- of surgings at its point of origin, as an earth- uendo that a magnifying glass is needed to quake dies, music-like groupings of vibra- show the resemblance between the last tiny tions are recorded at stations distant from autograph and the original. Now I think we the point of origin.' have here several seismic records of the same “Do all seismic disturbances originate, disturbance, these having traveled through I asked, “ in what you call the earth's criti- the earth to different stations by different cal region ?” paths. I will show you what I mean by a dia “By no means. Earthquakes are dis- gram. Here is the earth (see diagram on tinctly of two kinds. There are those due THE EARTH'S CENTER A HOT, SOLID BALL. 367 to collapse in the critical region, which cause for centuries, but so soon as water filters the surface of our earth to heave and throb into one of them from the earth above or gets deeply; and there are those which originate into it by capillary action from the ocean by fracture due to excessive bending of the alongside, conditions are reached which cul- crust. These latter, which comprise at least minate in explosions of steam, and the ordi- ninety-five per cent. of the earthquakes felt, nary phenomena of violent convulsions and merely cause an elastic shiver, and are never eruptions as we know them in volcanoes." propagated to great distances.” Then it does not follow that all the vol- “Are there none that start at the center canoes in a certain region are fed from the of the earth or near the center ?” same molten sea ?” “None that we have detected. Were “Not at all, although there might be sev- there any such, it is evident that they would eral vents to one steam-driven lava lake. reach all our seismic stations at precisely We have an example in the Hawaiian Islands the same or nearly the same moment, hav- of two volcanoes close together, Kilauea and ing equal distances to travel; but that has Mauna Loa, the former on the flanks of the never happened. There are always marked latter; yet the lava column in Kilauea stands differences in time for a given lot of seis- 10,000 feet lower than it stands in Mauna mograms, corresponding to the varying dis- Loa. Here, plainly, each volcano is fed from tances of our twenty-five stations from the its individual reservoir of lava, with no com- point of disturbance. It is by comparing these munication between the two, and each one different seismograms that we get the pre- represents a distinct pocket of liquid formed cise location of any particular earthquake." in the earth's crust by release of pressure." “Then you conclude that the interior of the Passing down now below the region of earth below the critical region is in a state of earthquakes and volcano pools, we talked rest; is just a silent, solid ball intensely hot. about the steadily increasing density of the Does it glow with the heat red or white ?" inner ball and the significance of this. The “ It can't show a glow so long as it is cov- conclusions drawn from seismogram records ered up by a layer of gross material that does are supported by calculations and deductions not transmit light; but had we the means of of geologists and astronomers, the general seeing into the earth's interior at the time opinion being that the earth's whole mass has when any readjustment took place in the aspecific gravityof about 5.5 against a specific critical region, its luminosity might flicker, gravity in the crust of 2.5; in other words, and although we cannot see through a brick that the earth as we know it is like a can- wall, it is not impossible that a something non-ball covered with wood or leather, the accompanying the phenomena of light on one outer part being light and flimsy compared side of the same may be rendered evident on to what is within. Furthermore, it is cal- the other." culated that the earth's central core must “Would it show a glow if the crust were have a specific gravity of at least 10 to bring stripped off ?" the average up to 5.5. I asked Professor "Undoubtedly; only if the crust were Milne for the explanation of this. stripped off, it would cease to be a silent, “There are two ways,” he said, “ of ac- solid ball. It would become a ball spread over counting for the great density and weight of with an ocean of molten fires. You see, if the the earth's central core. If we assume that crust were stripped off, the pressure would be it is made up of elements as we have them relieved that keeps the inner ball solid, and on the surface and in the same proportions, what had been potentially liquid would at once we must conclude that these elements are so become really liquid—to a depth where the packed together at the center that a given weight of liquid ocean would give sufficient bulk of surface earth weighs only one-fourth pressure to maintain the solid state. Then as much as the same bulk of center earth. would begin again the process of surface. But since solids as we know them are only cooling and crust-wrinkling, and gradually very slightly compressible, the idea that the there would form another earth like our pres- density at the center of the earth is due to ent one, only smaller by the thickness of the mere packing of the components together old shell. You must know that we get our has to be abandoned. Pressure has some volcanoes through the buckling of the outer effect in increasing the density of solids, but crust. In the shrinking of the earth's surface comparatively little. A more reasonable hy- as it cools, there is a tendency to create cav- pothesis is that the earth's core has great ernous spaces in the crust above some criti- weight and density because the densest and cal region. These spaces may remain quiet heaviest elements arranged themselves there 368 GENERAL LEONARD WOOD. in the planet's earliest period of formation. elements of the crust are very rare in the It is a rational assumption that when the earth central core. And if we could imagine was liquid, metals with great specific gravity, people living there, we should probably find like platinum (21), gold (19), silver (10), lead them making wedding-rings out of alumi- (11), iron (7), sank below such lighter ele- nium, and building barns with gold alloy. By ments as silicon (2.4), aluminium (2.5), so- the way, you may not know what an enormous dium (.97), carbon (3.3), and others which quantity of aluminium there is on the earth's form the chief constituents of our surface crust. It is by far the most abundant of all rocks, clays, and sands. This arrangement our metals, since it is the basis of all our corresponds with what the spectroscope shows earth and clay. In an ordinary brick there to exist in other heavenly bodies—that is, is over a pound of pure aluminium, and in heavier layers toward the center—and corre- every workman's back yard there is enough sponds with what geologists have actually of it to build a battleship. It is merely a found to be true of our earth so far as their question of getting it out cheaply. researches go. The black basalt rocks in “Is it likely," I asked, “ that the various Utah and Nevada, for instance, are among metals and elements in the earth's interior the heaviest we have, and are known to have are arranged evenly in layers as you go down been thrown up from a great depth.” according to specific gravity ?” “Then,” said I,“ there may be great de “No; there is probably only a general ten- posits of the heavier metals at the earth's dency toward such an arrangement, for we center ?” must assume that there were internal dis- “That is the view of many scientists, and turbances, just as there were disturbances in there is nothing improbable in it. We should the crust. Besides, there is no more likelihood account then for the comparative scarcity of that all the metals and elements are distinctly gold, platinum, and the more precious metals themselves at the earth's center than at the on the surface by assuming that the light surface. They must be blended together in a crust contains only such occasional deposits great number of alloys and chemical unions." of them as have leaked up somehow out of Here our talk turned to more general con- their proper lower layer, to be precipitated siderations regarding the constitution of the in the rock-scum of the surface. By the earth, considerations of the highest interest, same reasoning, it is likely that the lighter but into which I cannot go now. GENERAL LEONARD WOOD. A CHARACTER SKETCH. By RAY STANNARD BAKER. O one who has seen General filth, its starvation, its utter prostration, and Leonard Wood at his work in made of it in four months' time a clean, Santiago the popular esti- healthy, orderly city. Another soldier might mate of the man seems curi- have been chosen who could have preserved ously inadequate. His fame order as well as did General Wood, a lawyer in the United States has might have reorganized the judicial system, rested almost wholly on what and a physician reëstablished the hospitals; he has accomplished in the but it would not have been easy to find an- material rehabilitation of a other man with the varied mental equipment war-worn and turbulent prov- and the requisite physical endurance to serve ince, and yet this work reveals in a tropical country as lawmaker, judge, and only one side of General Wood's character, governor all in one; to build roads and sewers; and in no wise explains the extraordinary to establish hospitals; to organize a school personal ascendancy which he has attained system and devise a scheme of finance; to deal in eastern Cuba. There are not many men amicably with a powerful church influence, in this or in any other country who could have and yet to remain in spite of such autoc- gone into the Santiago of August, 1898, with racy, the most popular man in the province. its thousands of dead and dying, its reeking Yet one cannot stay long in Cuba without A CHARACTER SKETCH. 369 being convinced that it was not so much Wood who has won their confidence more what General Wood did in Santiago as what fully, perhaps, than any other American. he was. He stood for Americanism. For It sometimes happens that a man of extra- years the Cubans had been looking to the ordinary activity stands in the shadow of his great nation of the North for succor in their own achievements. In a measure that is what struggle. They had at last been rescued, General Wood has been doing, so far as his and the Spaniards had been driven from the own countrymen are concerned. He is known island. Their ideal of the bravery, the hon- in America mainly for the roads he has built, esty, the power, the wisdom of the American but in Santiago he is respected for the man was high. He must be everything that the he is. Those who know him best-and it is Spanish oppressor was not. And here they fortunate for the country that some of them had General Wood, the American. He was are in high places-know that it is the im- calm, firm, simple, accessible to poor as well mense personal force of the man, the rare as to rich. He was direct and absolutely ability to win the absolute confidence of truthful in what he said. He had none of the every one with whom he comes in contact, airs of the Spanish governors-a sturdy man that has won him his successes and has so per- in a khaki suit, who went everywhere, saw sistently suggested his name for still higher everything, and could be neither flattered, places. nor cajoled, nor deceived; a man who quelled General Wood comes early to his fame. He riots with his riding-whip. That was the is now only thirty-nine years old. Eighteen American they knew. months ago he was unknown outside of the To this day the visitor at Santiago won- limited circle of his personal acquaintance. ders at the apathy of the Cubans over the At the beginning of May, 1898, he was an army marvelous improvements in their city-its surgeon with the rank of captain. Two months beautiful pavements, its clean alleys, its en- later he was commanding a brigade at San larged water system, and its reorganized Juan, and his name was known in every hamlet hospitals. These things make an acute im- in the United States. Before the year was out pression on the cleanly American; but the he had risen to the rank of major-general, and average Cuban, who has never known any- he held what was then one of the most im- thing but dirt and disease, simply does not portant foreign commands in the gift of the understand such conditions. He himself government. Because of this quick pro- never suffers from yellow fever-then why motion he has been called a man of oppor- all this fuss about quarantine, this fumigat- tunity ; but he is rather the man always ing and burning--thousands of dollars of ready for the opportunity. Within eight Cuban money spent to protect the foreigner months after he received his army commis- from disease? “Yes, the pavements are sion, back in the middle '80's, he had earned good," a Cuban said to me grudgingly; a Congressional medal for gallant and haz- but most of our people are just as well off ardous service, and he was then only a con- without them. The asphalt hurts their tract surgeon, green from the schools. And heels.” it was not mere chance that made him colo- Some day, indeed, the splendid rock roads nel of the Rough Riders and led his regiment which General Wood has been driving east first of all the troops into the jungle at Las and west and north and south, through jun- Guasimas. gles and over mountains, will earn their ap There is a glitter of brilliancy about such preciation; but to-day, when the four-wheeled sudden rises in fortune that frequently blinds wagon is unknown, when the burro-train is a careless public to the generations of high the accepted means of carrying freight, the breeding and the unremitting self-develop- average Cuban cannot see the utility of such ment and self-preparation which have made improvements, except as a means of provid- such a career a possibility. General Wood's ing work for the unemployed. He is merely success dates back to the “Mayflower "; for vaguely jealous, feeling somehow that the he is a direct descendant of Susanna White, American is repairing Cuba so that it will be whose son, Peregrine White, was the first habitable for himself. These really wonderful white child born in New England. Nine years public works, prosecuted in spite of many after the coming of the “Mayflower,” the first difficulties, have made General Wood famous of the Wood family, William Wood, landed wherever English is spoken ; but they have in Massachusetts, and there, within a day's not added appreciably to his glory among the journey from Plymouth Rock, the family has Cubans. It is Wood the man and the Amer- grown and developed, although General Wood ican whom they love and respect; and it is himself was born at Winchester, New Hamp- 370 GENERAL LEONARD WOOD. shire (October 9, 1860), where his parents fine clean countenance.” “At that time," temporarily resided. His mother, who is still Dr. Brackett told me further, “Wood gave living, comes of the old Massachusetts fami- one the impression of being shy and back- lies Hager, Cutler, and Nixon. His immedi- ward, just as any country boy might be on ate ancestors were nearly all farmers, of the coming to the city to college. He seemed stiff, stern stock that wrung a hard living self-distrustful, for he had not learned his from the rocky farms of Wayland, Sudbury, own strength ; but it was self-distrust in and Weston. His father was Dr. Charles assertion rather than in action. He talked Jewett Wood, a man of brilliant attainments, then as he does to-day, in a low, steady voice, sturdy individuality, great physical energy, saying very little, but that little always direct and, although strangely taciturn, a man who and frank.” attracted and won the confidence of every Dr. E. H. Bradford, who was superinten- one he met. For years he drove by day and dent of the Boston City Hospital while Wood night over the hills between Buzzard's Bay was there as an intern, says of him : “He and Cape Cod, following the rigorous, under- was one of the most satisfactory assistants paid practice of a country doctor, and many I ever had—if not the most satisfactory. He are the little homes of the fisher folk where was indefatigable in his work, and when he he called and forgot to leave his bill. The was told to do a thing, he could be counted old Wood homestead at Barlow Landing, in upon absolutely to do it, and do it immediately. Pocasset, where the boy Leonard lived be. And he knew how to hold his tongue." tween the years of six and eighteen, has During his last year in the medical school now been swept away to make room for a his shyness wore off somewhat-although to summer cottage. It stood only a stone's this day he gives a marked impression of re- throw from the waters of Buzzard's Bay- serve, if not of diffidence-and he became a plain little two-story house sided with immensely popular among those who knew shingles and looking out at the old wharf him. It was not the homage paid to a bril- where generations of Barlows have tied their liant student, although Wood was always vessels. near the top of his class ; but it came to It was young Wood's first ambition to him because he was Wood-a broad-minded, follow the sea; the longing for adventure cool-headed, generous, unpretentious fellow. burned in his blood and drove him into al- One of his classmates told me that Wood was most recklessly venturesome voyages down more sought after than any other intern, the coast. A little later he was planning for notwithstanding a bold directness of speech a voyage in the Arctic; and he even went so (when he spoke at all) that never minced an far as to pack his clothing, ready for in- opinion of things or of men. This directness stant departure. During the winter he at- remains with him. He has the rare gift of tended the district school, where he fared looking a man in the eye, telling him a dis- only moderately in his studies, but won a agreeable truth, and being better friends reputation for strength and daring. An old with him afterwards than he was before. He schoolmate describes him as a square-built, made it a rule throughout his course to keep stocky boy, with blue eyes and hair like himself in perfect physical trim. He ran and caulking-tow. He was shy, sensitive, and walked hundreds of miles a month, and he silent; and persevering rather than ready. boxed in the amphitheater of the hospital For three years he attended an old-fashioned until his muscles were like steel. academy at Middleboro. He was fond of the At twenty-four, Wood began the practice languages and of history; mathematics did of medicine in a little office in Staniford not appeal to him. His reading was mostly Street, Boston, where the people were poor of books of travel, history, and adventure, and pay was slow. There he spent nearly a with an occasional novel. year in a bitter struggle to get a start. After the death of his father, in August, By the aid of dispensary work and tutoring, 1880, Wood entered the Harvard Medical he managed to pay expenses ; but that was School. He was almost without means; but all. The old longing for greater activity- by earning what he could in tutoring and with the fever of the seaman and fighter in his the money from a hard-won scholarship he blood-again took possession of him, and in managed to pay his way, and came out third April, 1885, he packed his satchel, and with- in his class at the examination for admission out informing any of his friends, he went to the city hospital. Dr. E. G. Brackett, of to New York to take an examination for ad- Boston, who was a classmate of his at the mission as a surgeon in the army. To his Medical School, describes him as "a boy of surprise, he passed second in a competitive A CHARACTER SKETCH. 371 class of fifty-nine ; and there being no va- remarkable for its hardships and the extra- cancies, he accepted a contract position, ordinary endurance and fortitude of the men which he held until he was commissioned, who took part in it as this chase for Geronimo January 5, 1886. His first service was on and his Apaches among the cactus and chap- an assignment for two days at Fort Warren, arral of their own burning hills. Of thirty Massachusetts. picked frontiersmen who started out, only fourteen lasted to the end, and only two of IN PURSUIT OF GERONIMO. these were officers-Lawton and Wood. But they brought in Geronimo. The spirit of In June, 1885, he was ordered to Arizona. the wildest of all the Indian tribes had been He determined even before he left Boston broken by the relentless determination of a that, if an opportunity should ever present handful of white men. At another time Wood itself, he would enter the active branch of was detailed with a force of twenty-seven the service. He did not then know how Indian scouts to follow a straggling minor soon his desire in this regard was to be trail. All they carried with them was little gratified. On the night of July 4, 1885, sacks of coffee and salt. There were only six he arrived at Fort Muachuca, in Arizona. tin cups in the party. But they killed and There he met Captain H. W. Lawton of the ate deer, and these, with prickly pears and Fourth Cavalry, now Major-General Lawton. roots that the Indians dug, sufficed them for Lawton had been at Harvard, and the two at food. As for water, they found it when they once became friends. Lawton was leaving could, on those parched hills. And Wood at four o'clock the next morning on what slept and ate and marched with the Indians ; was to become one of the most famous of managed them, too, as he has since managed Indian campaigns—the pursuit of Geronimo, the Cubans; and so severe was the expedition and Wood was ordered to report to him for that two of these hardy scouts died from the duty. There was only one unassigned horse effects of it, after they returned. Once, sleep- in the troop-a vicious, unreliable animal - ing half-clad on the ground, Wood was stung and Wood knew next to nothing of riding. by a tarantula, and yet marched on foot, The instant he was mounted, the horse rushed though suffering exquisitely, for two days, into some heavy trees, to the damage of the when finally he fell delirious. At another young surgeon's clothing, but the rider never time, arriving at a stockaded ranch, he That day he rode thirty miles, bought a large steer, and such was the hun- through some of the roughest country in ger of the party that the twenty-eight men Arizona, in the heat and dust of midsummer, ate the animal to the bones in two meals. and for five days afterward he was in the "In this remarkable pursuit," writes Gen- saddle eighteen hours a day. It was what eral Miles, in his report," he (Captain Law- a cavalryman calls“ healing in the saddle,” ton, with his command) pursued them from and a man who can do it and live to ride one range of mountains to another, over the any further has the mettle of a soldier in highest peaks, often 9,000 and 10,000 feet him. From July, 1885, until March, 1887, above the level of the sea and frequently in the young surgeon was almost continuously the depths of the cañons, where the heat in in the field, chasing Apaches through Ari- July and August was of tropical intensity. zona, New Mexico, and 400 miles into old A portion of the command leading on the Mexico. Before he had been commissioned trail were without rations for five days, three three months, and even then he was not a line days being the longest continuous period. officer, he was assigned to command all the in- They subsisted on two or three deer killed by fantry of the expedition, and sometimes the the scouts and mule meat without salt. These Indian scouts. But that was the way of the men made marches where it was impossible man-he went up by sheer personal force. to move cavalry or pack-trains ; but their la- It was Wood's opinion that a well-trained borious and painful efforts were crippled by white man could endure more than any In- the miserable shoes made at and furnished by dian, and he set about deliberately to prove the military prison at Fort Leavenworth. The it. Governor Theodore Roosevelt, who knows worthless material fell to pieces in three or him as well, perhaps, as any one, recently said four days' marching. The troops suffered of him: “No soldier could outwalk him, could somewhat from fever, but fortunately they live with greater indifference on hard and were very strong men and endured their hard- scanty fare, could endure hardship better, or ships with commendable fortitude. When on do better without sleep." the Yaqui River and in the district of Moc- Perhaps there never was an expedition so tezuma, the hostile camp was surprised and let go. 372 GENERAL LEONARD WOOD. attacked by Captain Lawton's command. The While the trip did not result in the capture of Indians escaped among the rocks, but their the missing Apaches, it served as stern train- entire property, with the exception of what ing for the service of later years. In spite they could carry, was captured, including all of the hardships of these expeditions, to a their horses. They scattered in every direc- man of General Wood's magnificent physique, tion; but whenever this occurred the troops love of adventure, and intense activity they followed the trail of a single Indian until they were full of the keenest enjoyment. To this came together again. ... I enclose herewith day he cannot speak of his frontier campaign- the report of Assistant Surgeon Leonard ing without a note of regret in his voice. Wood, who accompanied Lawton's command “There is no life like it,” I once heard him from the beginning to the end. He not only say. fulfilled the duties of his profession in his In the spring of 1887, Wood went to Los skillful attention to disabled officers and sol- Angeles, the headquarters of the department diers, but at times performed satisfactorily of Arizona, as one of the staff surgeons--a the duties of a line officer, and, during the reward for his service in Mexico—and here whole extraordinary march, by his example he found a new opportunity awaiting him of physical endurance, greatly encouraged which should prove his unusual capacity in others, having voluntarily made many of the another line, that of his profession. Gen- longest and most difficult marches on foot.” eral Miles had been thrown from his horse, After Geronimo, finding himself cornered, and his leg had been badly broken. The had consented to go back and surrender to surgeons who examined him feared the General Miles, Lawton's party and the Apaches probability of amputation or permanent dis- marched northward, it being the understand- ability-a catastrophe which would close ing that there should be a truce between his career in the army. Then the General them. Wood and two officers were detailed sent for Wood. No man would feel the to march with Geronimo's warriors as hos- responsibility of deciding the fate of his tages, and this they did for several days, sleep- commanding officer more keenly than Wood ; ing and eating with the murderous Apaches, but young as he was, and knowing the judg- often miles away from their companions. In ment of the senior surgeons, he gave the his report of the campaign, Captain Lawton opinion that the leg could be saved. Miles said: “I desire to invite the attention of the unhesitatingly placed himself in the hands department commander to Assistant Surgeon of the young surgeon, and the leg was saved, Leonard Wood, the only officer who has been so that the commanding general of the armies with me through the whole campaign. His of America walks to-day without a limp. courage, energy, and loyal support during the A year later, in 1888, Wood was serving whole time, his encouraging example to the with the Tenth Cavalry in the Kid outbreak command when work was the hardest and in New Mexico, and later he was engaged in prospects darkest, his thorough confidence the exacting and difficult work of the helio- and belief in the final success of the expedi- graphic survey of Arizona, in which General tion, and his untiring efforts to make it so, Miles was then deeply engrossed. There have placed me under obligations so great are probably few men in the army who that I cannot express them.” know every valley and mountain of that The young surgeon had improved his first rugged wilderness better than does General opportunity. He was recommended to Con- Wood. gress for a medal of honor, and he received After this service, there was a year at it-ten years later. But the people of the Fort McDowell, and then a return to Cali- Southwest who had lived next to the Apaches fornia, where, in 1889, he met Louise A. and knew better of what they were rid gave Condet Smith, a niece of U. S. Justice Field, a three weeks' celebration at Albuquerque in whom he married a year later, at Washington. honor of the men who had brought Geronimo It was during his service at the California to terms. Before these festivities were well posts, and at Fort McPherson, near Atlanta, over, General Miles despatched Wood, with Georgia, that he became an expert foot-ball eight picked men, into Mexico, to run down player. Foot-ball appealed to him strongly a band of Indians that had escaped the first as furnishing the strenuously active element expedition. At one time in this remarkable of his life which had dropped out of it when expedition, which covered more than 2,000 he quit the Indian service of the Southwest. miles of the wildest regions of Mexico, Wood The team of which he was captain Fort and his men traveled for forty-seven days McPherson lost only one game in two years. without seeing a human habitation or a trail. He continued to play foot-ball actively until A CHARACTER SKETCH. 373 MAJOR-GENERAL LEONARD WOOD, THE NEW GOVERNOR OF CUBA. On December 13, 1899, General Wood was promoted from the office of governor of the provinces of Santiago and Puerto Principe to the command of the entire military division of Cuba, and to the office of military governor of the whole island. At the time of his promotion he was in this country on a brief official visit, and the above portrait is from a photograph by Miss Ben-Yusuf, taken especially for McCLURE'S MAGAZINE, the morning General Wood sailed on his return to Cuba, December 16th. he was past thirty-seven years old, a few before a mirror, quietly took four stitches in months before the outbreak of the Spanish the wound, afterwards dressing it properly. war. An incident of a game played at Fort To an army surgeon, Washington is a McPherson throws a light on the sterner side place full of the possibilities of honor, but of his character. He came home one after- also a place of much hard work. He must noon with a deep cut over one eye. It was attend as medical adviser all active and re- bleeding profusely; but he calmly changed his tired officers of the army and their families ; clothes, and went to his office, where he laid he is official physician to the Secretary of out his surgical instruments, and, standing War, and he shares with a navy surgeon the 374 GENERAL LEONARD WOOD. responsibility of attending the President. ORGANIZING THE ROUGH RIDERS. General Wood was ordered to duty in Wash- ington in September, 1895, and it was not In the spring of 1898 came the talk of long before he became a frequent visitor to war with Spain. Both Wood and Roosevelt President Cleveland and his family. And were fired at once with the prospect. Wood's here in the White House, as on the plains, keenest ambition had always been to get into he won friends. the line of the army and see active service. He was a tried and experienced soldier, a WOOD'S FIRST MEETING WITH ROOSEVELT. man of acknowledged judgment and personal force. The President believed in him and in When the administration changed and Roosevelt; they were, indeed, his personal President McKinley came into power, Dr. friends. He called them the “war party," Bates of the navy was, until his death, attend- and when Wood came in of a morning he ing surgeon at the White House. One night would ask, “Have you and Theodore declared in the fall of 1897, Wood received a summons war yet?” It was inevitable that they from the President, and from that time for- should go into the fight. They first planned ward he was the regular medical adviser to to raise regiments in their respective States, Mr. and Mrs. McKinley, as he was already Roosevelt in New York and Wood in Mass- attendant on General Alger, the Secretary of achusetts. This, however, was likely to be War. It was about this time that he met attended by much red tape and not a little Theodore Roosevelt, then Assistant Secre- delay—things that neither of the men could tary of the Navy. They were guests at din- brook. It was perfectly natural, therefore, ner of the Lowndes family, and they walked that they should seize upon the idea of a home together in the evening. Their friend- regiment such as the Rough Riders--an idea ship was instant. Both were men of ex- suggested by Senator Warren. Wood had traordinary vitality and activity. Both loved himself been a rough rider; he knew inti- hunting and fishing, sailing, and all the mately every phase of the service, and he felt vigorous out-door sports which do so much that it was the dash and boldness of attack toward making good men. Both knew the of an Indian campaign that would avail most wild West; both were born with the blood in the jungles of Cuba. Roosevelt was offered of fighters hot within them. In each of the colonelcy, with authority to recruit such them was bred the best of American tradi- a regiment, but declined it, and said that tions--for Roosevelt had come from the he would accept the lieutenant-colonelcy if ancient Dutch stock of Manhattan and Wood Wood was appointed colonel. The Secretary was from the oldest blood of New England. of War approved, and Wood was commis- And, more than anything else, both were sioned to raise the regiment. General Alger, men of high ideals and splendid ambitions. indeed, gave Wood a desk in the corner of his Straightway the two young Americans, not office. "Now don't let me hear from you so famous then as they were soon to be, were again," he said, "until your regiment is tramping together in the country, each walk- raised." ing at a gait to outdo the other and each It is not necessary here to repeat the fa- pretending that he was doing nothing at all miliar story of the Rough Riders. Within unusual. They also ran foot races, and dur- twenty-one days from the time permission ing the winter, on many a blustery afternoon, was given to begin the recruiting, the famous they went to the hills in their sweaters and regiment was ready to march. And not the coasted on Norwegian ski. Occasionally they least of the task which confronted Wood and persuaded Senator Lodge, of Massachusetts, Roosevelt was the selection of 1,200 rough or some army officer to go with them ; but riders from 23,000 applicants, from every there were not many men who could stand part of the Union. Never before had there the pace they set. On pleasant Sunday after- been such a record in military organization. noons they would walk out Georgetown way In the battle of Las Guasimas Wood was with their children. In these excursions, the same steady, low-voiced man that he was they led in scaling steep hills, crossing log in the drawing-rooms of Washington, abso- bridges, exploring ravines, and climbing trees. lutely fearless in a hail of bullets, now calling Sometimes the children pretended to be sol- up a nervous captain and asking him to re- diers tracking Indians, and sometimes to be peat his orders, now walking along the line, the Indians who were tracked-all of which up and down, where every soldier was hugging was not only a jolly pastime, but a vigorous the ground, and now calmly cautioning his training in fearlessness and endurance. men : Don't swear, men ; shoot.” A lieu- A CHARACTER SKETCH. 375 tenant of the Rough Riders said to me: “If was black with buzzards. Of government there was any prevailing spirit of courage and police there were none, or of courts or in that march from Daiquiri and in the battle schools. The jails were choked with pris- that followed, that spirit and inspiration was oners, the hospitals were full, and, to cap Colonel Leonard Wood." the sum of woe, yellow fever was raging. No officer," writes Governor Roosevelt, There were a thousand difficult problems, ever showed more ceaseless energy in pro- and every problem was acute. In the ab- viding for his soldiers, in reconnoitering, in sence of any laws or precedents, the gov- overseeing, personally, all the countless de- ernor must answer every one of countless tails of life in camp, in patrolling the trenches clamorers and decide unnumbered questions. at night, in seeing by personal inspection It was the first time that an American had that the outposts were doing their duty, in been delegated to reconstruct a captured attending personally to all the thousand and foreign city, and yet General Wood was not one things to which a commander should flurried for a moment, nor did he hesitate or attend, and to which only those commanders waver. Here, as never before, he had need of marked and exceptional mental and bodily for steadiness, judgment, force; but even in vigor are able to attend." those trying early days he never seemed to General Wood told me that he felt from use more than half of his strength, nor to the first the pressing necessity of haste in exert half of his rightful authority. When conquering the Spaniards. “It was a race he moved, men and things moved irresistibly between malaria and the constitution of our before him-because they must. And the men," he said, and that was the principle on governor himself worked night and day, be- which the rush of the army was made. It is cause he could. He gathered up the first the accepted opinion that the extraordinary hundred men he met in the streets and set attack at Las Guasimas, of which the Span- them to work in spite of themselves ; he iards said, “They tried to catch us with opened stations to feed the starving; he their hands," had more to do with demoraliz- impressed every suitable vehicle in the city ing the enemy and making possible the sub- to carry away the filth ; he started a police sequent victories than any other one thing. force, established a yellow fever hospital ; The Rough Riders paid dearly for their vic- he put down the looters and robbers with an tories ; of 500 men who landed at Daiquiri iron hand, and he started the doctors on a one hundred and forty-two were killed or house-to-house visitation to relieve the sick. wounded. And while he worked, a black cloud of smoke rose for days above the city to the eastward, GOVERNOR OF SANTIAGO. where thousands of dead were being piled and burned because there were not helpers Two months from the day on which Wood to bury them fast enough. Sitting personally received his commission as colonel of the as the judge of a summary court, he cleared Rough Riders he was appointed a brigadier- the jails ; he made the laws, and then he general of volunteers (July 8, 1898), and executed them. When the butchers charged eleven days later he was governor of the city too much for their meat, he called them to- of Santiago. His appointment as governor gether and talked with them, and directly came naturally to him ; he was the man of all the price went down seventy-five per cent. others who had made an extraordinary record It was the same with the bakers. He heard in the field, and he was one of the few men innumerable private complaints ; his palace who were as vigorous, physically, at the end was crowded from daylight to dark with men of that terrible tropical campaign as at the be- and women in all stages of misery waiting ginning. He went at the task of rehabilitat- for the governor to relieve them. ing the stricken city with cool judgment, un A little later, when his territory of com- conquerable energy, and a real joy of the task. mand had been extended from the mere city Santiago was thronged with starving and of Santiago to the entire province, he or- destitute people ; it was agitated by the dis- ganized a supreme court, established a school banding Spanish army, and surrounded with- system, devised new methods of taxation, for- out by undisciplined hordes of Cubans. There bade bull-fighting and cocking mains, and were 15,000 sick in a population of 50,000, worked a hundred other wonders. Up to the and people were dying at the rate of 200 a first of January, 1899, he had paid all the ex- day. The streets were knee-deep in mud penses of his government out of the ordinary and filth, and thousands of dead animals fes- revenues that he had collected and had ac- tered in the areaways, so that the air above tually saved $227,000. This sum he appro- 376 GENERAL LEONARD WOOD. priated for public improvements, and under his actly like the other men of the party, in a direct supervision, there were constructed brown khaki suit. He wore a peaked cavalry five miles of asphalt pavement, fifteen miles hat and buff leather riding-leggings and of country pike, and six miles of macadam ; spurs. His only distinguishing mark was the and 200 miles of country road were opened up. star on his shoulder, the insignia of a briga- A quarter of a mile of macadam pavement dier-general, and that was too high up for which the Spaniards had laid along the water any of the little Cubans to see. front a year before had cost $180,000 ; Guantanamo is a typical east Cuban town Wood's engineers paved a large proportion of some 10,000 inhabitants. On this Sunday of the city's streets with asphalt, five miles morning it was swimming in clay mud, and in all, for less than $175,000. wore an indescribable air of apathy and dis- General Wood's methods of dealing with heartenment. The faces at the doors were affairs were as characteristic as they were tired and lusterless, and even the clinking of suggestive. Early one morning he wanted the spurred heels of the Americans on the to see the chief engineer of the water-works, narrow flag walks failed to arouse any marked and he sent a polite note requesting an imme- interest. Perhaps they didn't know that it diate visit. The chief engineer was a Span- was the governor who passed. In a big, bare, iard and deliberate. He didn't come. Wood dilapidated room with barred windows a con- sent a more urgent request ; still no engi- ference was held with the mayor and the city neer. Then he sent a corporal's guard, and council. The mayor was a small, dry, brown brought the engineer in his pajamas. After old man, very smugly clad in a black suit. that, officials came when they were sent for. In his curl-brim straw hat he wore the General Wood's government of the Cu- colored cockade of a Cuban general—the bans was a curious admixture of old town- only bit of color about him-and he carried meeting republicanism with absolute autoc- a curious tortoise-shell cane, on which he racy; it was the wise autocrat standing leaned with both hands. He sat next the behind and guiding the deliberations of the American governor, and, oddly enough, ex- town meeting. In every town that he visited actly beneath a picture of Admiral Dewey, he called the chief men together, told them and solemnly watched each speaker. The city what he wanted to do, and frankly asked council was made up very like an American their advice. He gave them to understand village board-of the apothecary, the wheel- that they would be held accountable for the wright, the doctor, and so on ; but the mem- men whom they should recommend to office, bers varied in color from the pure olive of and then he trusted them absolutely. He the Spaniard to the shiny black of the full- never used his authority for the sake of blooded negro. using it, as the Spaniards loved to do; and The governor rose and greeted each man when a town was reorganized, the citizens as he came in with serious politeness, for felt responsible for the new officials as beings politeness is the bread of existence to the of their own election, and they warmed to Cuban. After they were all seated and the the American governor because he had given conference had begun, in walked that typical them their first real taste of representative Cuban institution, the agitating editor. He government. came with an indescribable bustle of impor- I never shall forget a visit I made with tance and opposition, a dramatic effect unat- General Wood and his staff to Guantanamo. tainable by any Anglo-Saxon. His note-book The Governor of Santiago has a passion for and pencil were clearly in evidence, and he appearing unexpectedly in out-of-the-way spurned the chair which was offered him. places in order to see the machinery of his The dry old mayor looked at him with a government in its every-day work. If there solemn lack of interest ; the American gover- happens to be a particularly heavy rain nor saw him not at all. The chief of the storm, with impassable roads, the governor rural guard was also there, a big, handsome may confidently be expected. It was rain- fellow, as straight and lithe as a bamboo ing torrents when we visited Guantanamo, pole. A pistol tipped up the skirts of his and it was Sunday morning. A little group coat. He wore black patent-leather leggings, of Cubans stood on the wharf at Caimanera silver spurs, and a white linen uniform with and watched the Americans come up from black stripings, which set him off with jaunty the launch. When a Spanish governor consequence. arrived there were always flags and music At first the talk (through an interpreter) and crowds ; but the American governor -- was of money. They had not yet received what a wonder he was ! He was clad ex- their allowance from the customs fund, and GENERAL WOOD AS A FOOT-BALL PLAYER. The picture shows General Wood in the uniform of the Olympic Foot-ball Team of San Francisco, of which he was a member during his service in California. Later, in 1893 and 1894, he was a famous guard and half-buck and the captain of a team at Fort McPherson, near Atlanta, Georgia. During the two years of his captaincy his team lost but one game. 378 GENERAL LEONARD WOOD. General Wood explained why it was delayed. rial to take with him. He arrived at Santiago The apothecary then reported that they had on July 9th, with his plan of campaign clearly decided to build a fine yellow-fever hospital marked out. The next day every American of stone ; but General Wood advised a wooden in Santiago was on his way to the mountains structure, with a wide veranda, and he ex- whether he wanted to go or not. Indeed, plained with the ready knowledge of a skilled the entire American garrison left in the city physician how difficult it was to disinfect a consisted of just six soldiers, and they were stone building. The grave old mayor nodded all sick in the hospital. Yet so much con- his head ; the American governor was wise. fidence did General Wood place in his Cuban “Tell them,” said General Wood, “that they guards, that he felt not the slightest fear of should get together and build a good school- trouble. Santiago was given such a clean- house. They would have the honor of con- ing as no other city, perhaps, ever had. The structing the first one in Cuba." streets were sprinkled with corrosive subli- But the mayor and council were silent mate, chlorate of lime was sprayed even un- school-houses did not interest them. They der the tiles of the roofs, infected furniture discussed the new water-works system, on and buildings were ruthlessly burned, and the which the Americans were spending $100,- whole city was washed as if it were a toy 000; and they wanted a stable for the horses town. Three months later, when I stepped of the rural guard, a subject which the gov- on the wharf at Santiago, the first smell that ernor referred to the local American com- greeted my nostrils was that of chlorate of mandant for investigation. lime, and the yellow flags were still flying. “Tell them,” said General Wood,“ that I The measures were the measures of a strong haven't heard any complaints from here," at man, and there was grumbling among those which compliment the council nodded in deep who were removed from their business; but appreciation, and the mayor even smiled. six days after Wood landed, the epidemic They wish to thank you," said the inter- was conquered-a victory as remarkable in preter, for the interest which you take in its way for the governor-surgeon as that of the town,” and then it was the governor's Las Guasimas. turn to bow graciously. The immediate busi General Wood's home is at The Guao, the ness being now completed, the governor shook country seat formerly occupied by the British hands all around, addressing those about him Consul, Ramsden. It is a large and airy, readily in Spanish. And with this the con- though unpretentious, building with a tall ference ended. thatched roof. The view from amidst the When General Wood left Santiago for his tropical verdure of the grounds in front, first visit to the United States, in the spring across the bay of Santiago and to the mag- of 1899, all Santiago came down to see him nificent blue mountains beyond, is one to be off and cheered him lustily. They presented long remembered. It was here that Mrs. him with a diploma of regard, a beautiful Wood and her two boys, one seven and one hand-work scroll written in Spanish----" The a baby two years old, spent last winter. People of the city of Santiago de Cuba to Since then General Wood has had with him General Leonard Wood. The great- Major J. E. Runcie, his legal adviser and est of all your successes is to have won the friend, and part of the time Lieutenant confidence and esteem of a people in trouble.” Hanna of his personal staff. He lives very He went North in the heat of the year for simply, usually riding into town, a distance rest and relief, and to his astonishment and of a mile, with a single orderly. He is out acute discomfort the country tried to receive early in the morning, and often reaches the him as a returned hero. He was feasted palace at eight o'clock, and that after having and interviewed and called upon for ad- visited the jail or the market or some one dresses, and his alma mater, Harvard Univer- of half a dozen hospitals and homes in which sity, made him the lion of her commence- he takes especial interest. His office is in a ment and conferred upon him the degree of little bare room at the back of the palace, Doctor of Laws. But he had hardly begun facing San Tomas Street. Over him two to rest when news came that Santiago was American flags are draped. Two huge paint- down again with yellow fever and that the ings of Spanish subjects linger to represent American soldiers were dying like sheep. a régime that is past, and a portrait of Gov- Without a moment's delay or a thought of ernor Roosevelt represents the new. It is the danger involved, Wood set sail for Cuba, typical of the rule of the Spaniards, that but not before he had purchased a ton of cor- these old paintings, together with all the rosive sublimate and other disinfecting mate- others in the palace, were once beauti- . A CHARACTER SKETCH. 379 fully framed in gilt and gold; but some bronzed from serving in the tropics. He covetous official, needing money, disposed of rarely smiles, and ordinarily has very little the frames and left the bare canvases to to say, and that in a low, even voice; and ornament the walls. Swinging shutters lead yet, when in the mood, he tells a story with into General Wood's office, and more than great spirit and with a certain fine direct- once I saw wan-looking Cuban women push- ness. He enjoys keenly a quiet social gath- ing through them with their children. Wood ering; but a function in which he must surrounds himself with Cubans, and trusts appear as the guest of honor is an undis- them absolutely-perhaps that is why they guised terror to him. He dresses always, all trust him. His private secretary, through whether in khaki or in army blue, with trim whom go all his official despatches and neatness, and he makes a strikingly powerful reports, is a Cuban who was once secre- figure in the saddle. tary to General Gomez, and many of the At thirty-nine General Wood is in the prime clerks in the palace are Cubans. He gives, of a vigorous manhood and at the beginning also, great credit for his successes to his of a notable career. If he remains in the staff, and especially to Lieut. E. C. Brooks army-and his ambitions are all military- and Lieut. M. E. Hanna, who have been with he has twenty-five years of active service him from the first. still before him. His countrymen may rest Personally, General Wood gives the im- assured that whatever may be the task to pression of being a large man, although he which he is assigned, whether the governor- lacks at least an inch of being six feet tall. ship of a foreign people or the command of He is what an athlete would call “well put a great army, that task will be performed up”—powerful of shoulders and arms, with with the fidelity and distinction becoming a a large head and short neck. He stoops tried American soldier. [Since the foregoing slightly, and steps with a long, swift stride, article was made ready for the press, Gen- rolling somewhat, seamanlike, in his walk. eral Wood has been appointed by the Presi- His face is one of great strength-large dent to be governor of the whole island of featured, calm, studious, and now lean and Cuba.-EDITOR.] Lieut. R. L. Hamilton. J. Curtis Gilmore. Lieut, M. E. Hanna. Capt. W. S. Scott. Lieut. E. C. Brooks. General Wood. GENERAL WOOD, AS GOVERNOR OF SANTIAGO, AND HIS OFFICIAL STAFF, " Bartholomew stuck to his levers like a man." 609 THE MILLION DOLLAR FREIGHT TRAIN. BY FRANK H. SPEARMAN, Author of "Bucks" and other stories. THE STORY OF A YOUNG ENGINEER ON HIS FIRST RUN. IT was the second month of the strike, and it, boys,” said he nervously. “ What you'd not a pound of freight had been moved. better do is to turn it over to the Columbian Things did look smoky on the West End. The Pacific." General Superintendent happened to be with Our contracting freight agent on the Coast us when the news came. “You can't handle at that time was a fellow so erratic that he THE STORY OF A YOUNG ENGINEER ON HIS FIRST RUN. 381 was nicknamed “ Crazy-horse.” Right in fashion--the strike might be well accounted the midst of the strike Crazy-horse wired beaten. that he had secured a big silk shipment for Stewart, the leader of the local contin- New York. We were paralyzed. We had gent, together with his followers, got after no engineers, no firemen, and no motive me at once. “ You don't show much sense, power to speak of. The strikers were Reed,” said he. “ You fellows here are pounding our men, wrecking our trains, and breaking your necks to get things moving, giving us the worst of it generally; that and when this strike's over, if our boys ask is, when we couldn't give it to them. Why for your discharge, they'll get it. This road the fellow displayed his activity at that par- can't run without our engineers. We're ticular juncture still remains a mystery. going to beat you. If you dare try to move Perhaps he had a grudge against the road; this silk, we'll have your scalp when it's over. if so, he took an artful revenge. Everybody You'll never get your silk to Zanesville, I'll on the system with ordinary railroad sense promise you that. And if you ditch it and knew that our struggle was to keep clean make a million-dollar loss, you'll get let out of freight business until we got rid of our anyway, my buck.” strike. Anything valuable or perishable was “I'm here to obey orders, Stewart," said especially unwelcome. But the stuff was 1. What was the use of more? I felt un- docked, and loaded, and consigned in our comfortable; but we had determined to move care before we knew it. After that, a re- the silk; there was no more to be said. fusal to carry it would be like hoisting the When I went over to the round-house and white flag; and that is something which told Neighbor the decision, he said never a never yet flew over the West End. word; but he looked a great deal. Neigh- “ Turn it over to the Columbian,” said the bor's task was to supply the motive power. General Superintendent; but the General Su- All that we had, uncrippled, was in the pas- - perintendent was not looked up to on our senger service, because passengers should be division. He hadn't enough sand. Our head taken care of first of all. In order to win was a fighter, and he gave tone to every man a strike, you must have public opinion on under him. "No," he thundered, bringing your side. down his fist. “Not in a thousand years. Nevertheless, Neighbor,” said I, after We'll move it ourselves. Wire Montgomery we had talked a while, we must move the (the General Manager] that we will take care silk also.” of it. And wire him to fire Crazy-horse Neighbor studied; then he roared at his and to do it right off.” And before the silk foreman. “Send Bartholomew Mullen here." was turned over to us Crazy-horse was look- He spoke with a decision that made me think ing for another job. It is the only case on the business was done. I had never hap- record where a freight hustler was discharged pened, it is true, to hear of Bartholomew for getting business. Mullen in the department of motive power; There were twelve carloads; it was in- but the impression the name gave me was of sured for $85,000 a car; you can figure how a monstrous fellow, big as Neighbor, or old far the title is wrong, but you never can man Sankey, or Dad Hamilton. “I'll put estimate the worry the stuff gave us. It Bartholomew ahead of it," said Neighbor looked as big as twelve million dollars' worth. tightly. In fact, one scrub car-tink, with the glory I saw a boy walk into the office. Mr. of the West End at heart, had a fight over Garten said you wanted me, sir,” said he, the amount with a skeptical hostler. He addressing the Master Mechanic. maintained that the actual money value was “I do, Bartholomew," responded Neigh- a hundred and twenty millions; but I give bor. you the figures just as they went over the The figure in my mind's eye shrunk in a wire, and they are right. twinkling. Then it occurred to me that it What bothered us most was that the must be this boy's father who was wanted. strikers had the tip almost as soon as we “You have been begging for a chance to had it. Having friends on every road in the take out an engine, Bartholomew," began country, they knew as much about our busi- Neighbor coldly; and I knew it was on. ness as we ourselves. The minute it was “Yes, sir.” announced that we should move the silk, they * You want to get killed, Bartholomew." were after us. It was a defiance; a last Bartholomew smiled as if the idea was not one. If we could move freight--for we altogether displeasing. were already moving passengers after a “How would you like to go pilot to-mor- 382 THE MILLION-DOLLAR FREIGHT TRAIN, chance." row for McCurdy ? You to take the 44 and sides. From the minute the silk got into run as first Seventy-eight. McCurdy will the McCloud yards, we posted double guards run as second Seventy-eight.” around. About twelve o'clock that night “I know I could run an engine all right,” we held a council of war, which ended in our ventured Bartholomew, as if Neighbor were running the train into the out freight-house. the only one taking the chances in giving The result was that by morning we had a him an engine. “I know the track from new train made up. It consisted of fourteen here to Zanesville. I helped McNeff fire one refrigerator cars loaded with oranges which week." had come in mysteriously the night before. “ Then go home, and go to bed; and be It was announced that the silk would be over here at six o'clock to-morrow morning. held for the present and the oranges rushed And sleep sound, for it may be your last through at once. Bright and early the re- frigerator train was run down to the ice- It was plain that the Master Mechanic houses, and twenty men were put to work hated to do it: it was simply sheer neces- icing the oranges. At seven o'clock, McCurdy sity. “He's a wiper,” mused Neighbor as pulled in the local passenger with engine 105. Bartholomew walked springily away. “I Our plan was to cancel the local and run him took him in here sweeping two years ago. right out with the oranges. When he got He ought to be firing now, but the union held in, he reported that the 105 had sprung a him back; that's why he don't like them. He tire; this threw us out entirely. There was knows more about an engine now than half a hurried conference in the round-house. the lodge. They'd better have let him in," What can you do ?” asked the Super- said the Master Mechanic grimly. “He may intendent in desperation. be the means of breaking their backs yet. “There's only one thing I can do. Put If I give him an engine and he runs it, I'll Bartholomew Mullen on it with the 44, and never take him off, union or no union, strike put McCurdy to bed for Number Two to- or no strike." night,” responded Neighbor. “How old is that boy?” I asked. We were running first in first out; but we Eighteen; and never a kith or a kin that took care always to have somebody for One I know of. Bartholomew Mullen," mused and Two who at least knew an injector from Neighbor, as the slight figure moved across an air-pump. the flat, “ big name small boy. Well, Bar It was eight o'clock. I looked into the tholomew, you'll know something more by locomotive stalls. The first—the only--man to-morrow night about running an engine, in sight was Bartholomew Mullen. He was or a whole lot less: that's as it happens. very busy polishing the 44. He had good If he gets killed, it's your fault, Reed.” steam on her, and the old tub was wheezing He meant that I was calling on him for away as if she had the asthma. The 44 was men when he couldn't supply them. old; she was homely; she was rickety; but “I heard once,” he went on, about a Bartholomew Mullen wiped her battered nose fellow named Bartholomew being mixed up as deferentially as if she had been a spick- in a massacree. But I take it he must have span, spider-driver, tail-truck mail-racer. been an older man than our Bartholomew-- She wasn't much--the 44. But in those nor his other name wasn't Mullen, neither. days Bartholomew wasn't much: and the 44 I disremember just what it was; but it wasn't was Bartholomew's. Mullen." “How is she steaming, Bartholomew ?" “Well, don't say I want to get the boy I sang out; he was right in the middle of killed, Neighbor,” I protested. “ I've got her. “ I've got her. Looking up, he fingered his waste mod- plenty to answer for. "I'm here to run trains estly and blushed through a dab of crude -when there are any to run; that's murder petroleum over his eye. “Hundred and enough for me. You needn't send Bartholo- thirty pounds, sir. She's a terrible free mew out on my account.” steamer, the old 44. I'm all ready to run Give him a. slow schedule, and I'll give her out.” him orders to jump early; that's all we can “ Who's marked up to fire for you, Bar- do. If the strikers don't ditch him, he'll tholomew ?” get through somehow.” Bartholomew Mullen looked at me frater- It stuck in my crop—the idea of put- nally. “Neighbor couldn't give me anybody ting that boy on a pilot engine to take all but a wiper, sir,” said Bartholomew, in a sort the dangers ahead of that particular train; of a wouldn't-that-kill-you tone. but I had a good deal else to think of be The unconscious arrogance of the boy quite THE STORY OF A YOUNG ENGINEER ON HIS FIRST RUN. 383 013 BRAN: “ There stood Bartholomeu." knocked me: so soon had honors changed his point of view. Last night a de- spised wiper; at daybreak, an engineer; and “Then run her down to the oranges, Bar- his nose in the air at the idea of taking on tholomew, and couple on, and we'll order a wiper for fireman. And all so innocent. ourselves out. See ?” “Would you object, Bartholomew," I The 44 looked like a baby-carriage when suggested gently, “ to a train-master for wegot her in front of the refrigerators. How- fireman ?” ever, after the necessary preliminaries, we “I don't-think so, sir." gave a very sporty toot, and pulled out. In a Thank you; because I am going down to few minutes we were sailing down the valley. Zanesville this morning myself, and I thought For fifty miles we bobbed along with our I'd ride with you. Is it all right?” cargo of iced silk as easy as old shoes; for “Oh, yes, sir—if Neighbor doesn't care." I need hardly explain that we had packed I smiled: he didn't know whom Neighbor the silk into the refrigerators to confuse took orders from; but he thought, evidently, the strikers. The great risk was that they not from me. would try to ditch us. 384 THE MILLION DOLLAR FREIGHT TRAIN. I was watching the track as a mouse would But losing her balance, the 44 kicked her a cat, looking every minute for trouble. We heels into the air like lightning, and shot with cleared the gumbo cut west of the Beaver a frightened wheeze plump into the creek, at a pretty good clip, in order to make the dragging her engineer with her. grade on the other side. The bridge there The head car stopped on the brink. Run- is hidden in summer by a grove of hack- ning across the track, I looked for Bartholo- berries. I had just pulled open to cool her a mew. He wasn't there; I knew he must bit when I noticed how high the back-water have gone down with his engine. Throwing was on each side of the track. Suddenly I off my gloves, I dived, just as I stood, close felt the fill going soft under the drivers; felt to the tender, which hung half submerged. I the 44 wobble and slew. Bartholomew shut am a good bit of a fish under water, but no off hard, and threw the air as I sprang to self-respecting fish would be caught in that the window. The peaceful little creek ahead yellow mud. I realized, too, the instant I looked as angry as the Platte in April water, struck the water, that I should have dived on and the bottoms were a lake. the upstream side. The current took me Somewhere up the valley there had been away whirling; when I came up for air, I a cloudburst, for overhead the sun was was fifty feet below the pier. I scrambled bright. The Beaver was roaring over its out, feeling it was all up with Bartholomew; banks, and the bridge was out. Bartholo- but to my amazement, as I shook my eyes mew screamed for brakes; it looked as if we open the train crew were running forward, were against it—and hard. A soft track to and there stood Bartholomew on the track stop on; a torrent of storm-water ahead, and above me, looking at the refrigerators. ten hundred thousand dollars' worth of silk When I got to him, he explained how he was behind, not to mention equipment. dragged under and had to tear the sleeves I yelled at Bartholomew, and motioned for out of his blouse under water to get free. him to jump; my conscience is clear on that The surprise is how little fuss men make point. The 44 was stumbling along, trying about such things when they are busy. It like a drunken man to hang to the rotten took only five minutes for the conductor to track. hunt up a coil of wire and a sounder for me, “Bartholomew!” I yelled; but he was and by the time he got forward with it, Bar- head out and looking back at his train while tholomew was half-way up a telegraph pole he jerked frantically at the air-lever. I un- to help me cut in on a live wire. Fast as I derstood: the air wouldn't work; it never could, I rigged a pony, and began calling the will on those old tubs when you need it. The McCloud despatcher. It was rocky sending, sweat pushed out on me. I was thinking of but after no end of pounding, I got him and how much the silk would bring us after the gave orders for the wrecking gang, and for bath in the Beaver. Bartholomew stuck to one more of Neighbor's rapidly decreasing his levers like a man in a signal-tower, but supply of locomotives. every second brought us closer to open water. Bartholomew, sitting on a strip of fence Watching him intent only on saving his first which still rose above water, looked forlorn. train-heedless of his life I was actually To lose in the Beaver the first engine he ever ashamed to jump. While I hesitated he handled was tough, and he was evidently somehow got the brakes to set; the old 44 speculating on his chances of ever getting bucked like a bronco. another. If there weren't tears in his eyes, It wasn't too soon. She checked her train there was storm-water certainly. But after nobly at the last, but I saw nothing could the relief engine had pulled what was left of keep her from the drink. I gave Bartholo- us back six miles to a siding, I made it my mew a terrific slap, and again I yelled; then first business to explain to Neighbor, who turning to the gangway, I dropped into the was nearly beside himself, that Bartholomew soft mud on my side: the 44 hung low, and not only was not at fault, but that by his it was easy lighting. nerve he had actually saved the train. Bartholomew sprang from his seat a second “I'll tell you, Neighbor,” I suggested, later; but his blouse caught in the teeth of when we got straightened around. the quadrant. He stooped quick as thought, us the 109 to go ahead as pilot, and run her and peeled the thing over his head. Then around the river division with Foley and he was caught fast by the wristbands, and the 216." the ponies of the 44 tipped over the broken “What'll you do with Number Six ?” abutment. Pull as he would he couldn't get growled Neighbor. Six was the local pas- free. The pilot dipped into the torrent slowly. senger west. * Give THE STORY OF A YOUNG ENGINEER ON HIS FIRST RUN. 385 “ Annul it west of McCloud,” said I in- caught by Foley, who was chasing him out stantly. “We've got this silk on our hands of pure caprice. now, and I'd move it if it tied up every pas I saw the boy holding the throttle at a senger train on the division. If we can get half and fingering the air anxiously as we the stuff through, it will practically beat the jumped over the frogs; but the roughest strike. If we fail, it will beat the com- riding on track so far beats the ties as a pany." cushion, that when the 109 suddenly stuck By the time we had backed to Newhall her paws through an open switch we bounced Junction, Neighbor had made up his mind my against the roof of the cab like foot-balls. way. Mullen and I climbed into the 109, I grabbed a brace with one hand, and with and Foley, with the 216, and none too good a the other reached instinctively across to Bar- grace, coupled on to the silk, and flying red tholomew's side to seize the throttle. signals, we started again for Zanesville over as I tried to shut him off, he jerked it wide the river division. open in spite of me, and turned with light- Foley was always full of mischief. He ning in his eye. “No!” he cried, and his had a better engine than ours, and he took great satisfaction the rest of the afternoon in crowding us. Every mile of the way he was on our heels. I was throwing the coal, and have reason to re- member. It was after dark when we reached the Beverly Hill, and we took it at a lively pace. The strikers were not on our minds then; it was Foley who bothered. When the long parallel steel lines of the upper yards spread before us, flashing under the arc lights, we were away above yard speed. Running a locomotive into one of those big yards is like shoot- ing a rapid in a canoe. There is a bewildering maze of tracks, lighted by red and green lamps, which must be watched the closest to keep out of trouble. The hazards are multiplied the minute you pass the throat, and a yard wreck is a dreadful tan- gle; it makes everybody from road- master to flag- man furious, and not even Bartholomew wanted to face an inquiry on a yard wreck. On the other столетом hand, he couldn't af ford to be Away we went across the yard." 109 386 THE MILLION-DOLLAR FREIGHT TRAIN. voice rang hard. The 109 took the tremen- and ran back. He had stopped just where dous shove at her back, and leaped like a we should have stood if I had shut off. frightened horse. Away we went across Bartholomew ran to the switch to examine the yard, through the cinders, and over the it. The contact light (green) still burned ties; my teeth have never been the same like a false beacon, and lucky it did, for it since. I don't belong on an engine, anyway, showed that the switch had been tampered and since then I have kept off. At the with and exonerated Bartholomew Mullen moment, I was convinced that the strain had completely. The attempt of the strikers to been too much, that Bartholomew was stark spill the silk in the yards had only made the crazy. He sat clinging like a lobster to his reputation of a new engineer. Thirty min- levers and bouncing clear to the roof. utes later, the million-dollar train was turned But his strategy was dawning on me; in over to the East End to wrestle with, and we fact, he was pounding it into me. Even the breathed, all of us, a good bit easier. shock and scare of leaving the track and Bartholomew Mullen, now a passenger run- tearing up the yard had not driven from ner who ranks with Kennedy and Jack Moore Bartholomew's noddle the most important and Foley and George Sinclair himself, got feature of our situation, which was, above a personal letter from the General Manager everything, to keep out of the way of the silk complimenting him on his pretty wit; and he train. was good enough to say nothing whatever I felt every moment more mortified at my about mine. attempt to shut him off. . I had done the We registered that night and went to sup- trick of the woman who grabs the reins. It per together: Foley, Jackson, Bartholomew, was even better to tear up the yard than to and I. Afterwards we dropped into the de- stop for Foley to smash into and scatter the spatcher's office. Something was coming silk over the coal chutes. Bartholomew's from McCloud, but the operator to save his decision was one of the traits which make life couldn't catch it. I listened a minute; the runner: instant perception coupled to it was Neighbor. Now, Neighbor isn't great instant resolve. The ordinary dub thinks on despatching trains. He can make himself what he should have done to avoid disaster understood over the poles, but his sending is after it is all over; Bartholomew thought like a boy's sawing wood--sort of uneven. before. However, though I am not much on running On we bumped, across frogs, through yards, I claim to be able to take the wildest switches, over splits, and into target rods, ball that was ever thrown along the wire, when-and this is the miracle of it all-the and the chair was tendered me at once to 109 got her forefeet on a split switch, made catch Neighbor's extraordinary passes at the a contact, and after a slew or two, like a McCloud key. They came something like bogged horse, she swung up sweet on the this: rails again, tender and all. Bartholomew " To Opr. Tell Massacree"—that was shut off with an under cut that brought us the word that stuck them all, and I could per- up stuttering, and nailed her feet with the ceive that Neighbor was talking emphatically. air right where she stood. We had left He had apparently forgotten Bartholomew's the track and plowed a hundred feet across last name, and was trying to connect with the yards and jumped on to another track. the one he had “ disremembered” the night It is the only time I ever heard of its happen- before. “Tell Massacree,” repeated Neigh- ing anywhere, but I was on the engine with bor, “that he is al-1-1 right. Tell hi-m I Bartholomew Mullen when it was done. give him double mileage for to-day all the Foley choked his train the instant he saw way through. And to-morrow he gets the our hind lights bobbing. We climbed down, 109 to keep.-NEIGHB-B-OR." Messi EDITORIAL NOTES. THE S. S. MCCLURE COMPANY BOOK relations with the great authors of both con- for so many years in pleasant and trusted DEPARTMENT. tinents, we may rightfully hope to number as many of them among the contributors to ONE of the first results of the success and the book department as we have had among . ZINE was the publication in book form of even constant readers of the Magazine hardly works which had appeared as serials in the realize what a large and distinguished circle Magazine, or which had come to us naturally these contributors form. In it are included through our relations with authors. Such such present or recent leaders of thought was the demand for our“ Life of Napoleon,” and molders of events as Gladstone, Henry which appeared in the fourth and fifth vol- Drummond, Herbert Spencer, Tyndall, Hux- umes of the Magazine (1894 and 1895), that ley, Charles A. Dana, Secretary Hay, Theo- we found it necessary to issue it in book dore Roosevelt, Henry Cabot Lodge, General form, and up to date fully 100,000 copies Miles, Lieutenant Peary, Captain Mahan, have been sold. The “Life of Napoleon” Archibald Forbes, Archdeacon Farrar, Sir was followed in 1897 by our “ Early Life of Robert Ball, Professor Simon Newcomb, and Abraham Lincoln." Henry M. Stanley. And in it are included also Two years ago a separate corporation, such masters of literature as Robert Louis known as the Doubleday and McClure Com- Stevenson, Rudyard Kipling, Thomas Hardy, pany, was organized, in order to handle Mark Twain, J. M. Barrie, Ian Maclaren, books which were coming to us through the Bret Harte, Anthony Hope, W. D. Howells, Magazine. Believing that this will prove James Whitcomb Riley, Frank R. Stockton, more advantageous to authors and to our- Joel Chandler Harris, Octave Thanet, Conan selves, these books will in the future be Doyle, A. T. Quiller-Couch (“Q”), Sarah handled directly by the S. S. McClure Com- Orne Jewett, Elizabeth Stuart Phelps, Stanley pany. By this arrangement a closer connec- J. Weyman, William E. Henley, Robert Barr, tion between the editing and publishing of the Hamlin Garland, and Clark Russell. Magazine and the books can be maintained, While counting on the enlargement of and thus we shall be able to render our pa- these noted connections, it will also be a trons a service far more extensive and varied constant policy for the book department, than we could otherwise hope to render. as it has been for the Magazine, to extend We shall endeavor in our book publications, every encouragement to new and unknown as we always have, to cover the entire field writers. Indeed, not a few of the best of wholesome and intelligent human interest. known authors of to-day were comparatively In extending our list we shall adhere to two unknown when we first published their work; principles : No book will be published that and their work was taken, not because of we do not believe to be a real contribution the name of the writer, but because of the to human knowledge and human life; the quality of the work itself. That will con- form of the books thus scrupulously chosen, tinue to be the primary standard of ac- will be the very best of which the printer's ceptability. Work that shows the requisite art and skill are now capable. Thus, we interest and significance will be cordially shall aim to have a list that in both matter welcomed, and the endeavor will be to make and beauty of presentation will have the the way easy for any new writer who gives highest distinction and the widest and most promise of supplying such work. enduring interest. The character of literature that we have THE MCCLURE ENCYCLOPÆDIA. published during the past thirteen years through McClure's Syndicate and MCCLURE'S The largest new enterprise of the S. S. MAGAZINE is the best index of what our read- McClure Company will be the McClure En- ers may expect from us in the future. In cyclopædia-a household library of learning that time we have published much of the best based upon the same ideas that have given work of Robert Louis Stevenson, Rudyard special character to the Magazine. That is Kipling, and Anthony Hope. Having been to say, the information which it offers will 388 EDITORIAL NOTES. be of the highest authority and the utmost number, speak for themselves, asking our timeliness, presented in the most interesting readers to consider that MCCLURE'S MAGA- and readable fashion. The scholars of two ZINE, selling at the popular price of ten continents are already being enlisted in the cents, presents to its readers, with this issue preparation of this work. And through the of color illustrations of the “Life of the connections thus forming we expect to secure Master,” the most important achievement in also a large number of important books in the magazine world which the past twenty- science, biography, history, and other fields. five years have witnessed. It is the first time In short, in developing our book-publish- absolute reproductions of pictorial originals ing business we shall follow confidently the are given in any magazine. The French, same conviction that prompted and guided who have led the world in the matter of art us in founding and developing MCCLURE'S —the English and the Germans, as well as MAGAZINE. That conviction is that really ourselves in America-have had in the past good matter makes the most interesting some reproductions in many colors, the best reading, if it is presented in good English of which were beyond the reach of anybody and published in attractive form. The suc- but the rich. But even these reproductions cess of the Magazine seems to prove that the do not compare with those now appearing in conviction is a just one. At all events we MCCLURE'S MAGAZINE. For here no en- shall follow it in our future publishing enter- graver has touched the plates, but the prises, with the fullest confidence that the purely mechanical process of three colors public will show the same appreciation of has been guided by thoroughly trained and our endeavors to do things that are really artistic hands. This is, indeed, the first in themselves worth doing. wholly satisfactory example of that process which has been perfecting slowly during the last decade. GENEROUS APPROVAL FOR “ THE LIFE As a sample of the appreciation shown for OF THE MASTER.” the first installment of these pictures, we quote from the Chicago “Times-Herald”: We are deeply appreciative of the con- There is no doubt that illustrations made after a study stantly growing friendship accorded to the of the Holy Land as it exists to-day will give a very Magazine, a striking proof of which we have perfect conception of what it was in the time of Christ. just had. Only a brief introductory chapter Rightly has the East been named “the unchangeable.” of Dr. Watson's “ Life of the Master” ap- restless activity and the spirit of change, the Orient is While the West is forging ahead and seething with peared in the December number of the Maga- building and thinking as it did 2,000 years ago, and is zine, the beginning of the Life proper being still cooling its water in porous bottles. And Mr. Lin- reserved for the January number. Yet no son has found hints for his costumes and types of faces sooner was this preliminary installment pub- Christ. He has made use of his observation in this that have lingered on in Palestine from the time of lished than we began to receive a tide of first installment in the beautiful color plate, “The Visit letters commending the work. It was im- of Mary to Elizabeth," and in the study of the head of mediately recognized as an achievement in the boy John. magazine editing of the widest significance, speak, the one which will open the eyes of many who From the day of its first issue, MCCLURE'S speak, the one which will open the eyes of many who MAGAZINE has never lacked for hearty ap- son's genius, is the colored plate entitled The Vision proval of its larger features. But to nothing of the Shepherds." It is a sublime poem in form and else that we have offered has there been so dictum, “ Beauty is Truth.” For the first and last effect color, the best possible illustration of Keats's famous immediate and enthusia tic response as to produced on the mind is its extraordinarily convincing Dr. Watson's reverent, humane “Life of the quality. You feel that the artist must have had an Master,” with its unequalled illustrations by apocalyptic vision or an inspiration. “If it ever was Mr. Linson. One subscriber writes, “ I feel at all,” you say, “so it must have been.” The shep- herds are sitting upon the ground, gazing upward at a that your readers owe you a debt of grati- giant splendor-diffusing wing that stretches across the tude for giving to them such reading matter stars. All the idea of power, glory, mystery, awe-in- as this, and I wish personally to express spiring wisdom, shine from that passing wing. So a many thanks for this magnificent publica- great cloud wing, shot through with light, might wave . tion.” And this feeling is repeated, in one would have depicted an angel entire or would have form and another, in letters from hundreds filled the heavens with angels . But Mr. Linson leaves of others. to the imagination the splendor of a being who over- We will let the eight full-page color pic- has the conception of the difference between mortal awes us when we do not even look upon his face. Never tures by Mr. Linson in the January number, beings and the powers of light been more luminously and the five color pictures in the present depicted. Tissot has hardly come up to this mark. NA THE TESTIMONY OF JOHN THE BAPTIST. - - CANA (KEFR-KENNA) FROM THE ROAD TO NAZARETH. 1 THE REVEREND JOHN WATSON. 393 would have considered it bare justice to the the minds of her sons, and taught them that new enterprise. As it was, the Master moved the chief good in life is not high places in among John's hearers unrecognized and un- this world, but in the Kingdom of the Mes- obtrusive, so that to the eye He did not sug- siah. When a man has been so trained, his gest the Messiah about to inaugurate the final ears are open to the faintest sound of the religion, but rather a private person in search spiritual world; and at the rumor of the Bap- of a friend. And this was what Jesus was tist this Galilean went to hear him. Salome really doing, and was always to be doing, as handed her son over to John, and he prepared He moved with men in the ways of life and him for Jesus. Already this fine nature was modestly joined Himself to group after group. longing for the Master and ready to bid Him A WEDDING PARTY—NAZARETH. “I saw, this afternoon, a wedding party, a group of some thirty men preceded by a drummer, and followed by a smaller contingent of women. An interval of fifty yards separated the two groups, the women chanting to the beating of a tambour- ine, and the whole company moved down the street, gay in color, joyous as Bacchantes. As their chanting and rhythmic poum-poum became fainter in the distance, it left upon the mind an impression of quaintnec3, a flavor of something distinctive and strange, as of a memory of some procession of ancient days."—FROM THE Artist's JOURNAL, NOVEMBER 27, 1898. Among the ill-assorted crowd, which had welcome. Jesus in Nazareth, John in Beth- been collected, partly by a fashionable ex- saida, they had nearer ties than age, and citement, partly by genuine religious feeling, blood, and common station; they were one was a young fisherman from the Lake of in soul. It required but the accident of a Galilee, to whom had been given the supreme meeting, and the chief service of the Bap- advantage of a mother of the same stock as tist rendered to Salome's son was the last. Mary-for indeed Salome was the Virgin's “Behold," the Prophet said to some of his sister, and John was therefore Jesus' near disciples as Jesus passed,“ there is He whose kinsman. This mother was of the noble Jew- Divine purity and sacrifice will save a world,” ish type, and her soul was inspired by the and the young Galilean left the Prophet and devout imagination of the Prophets, so that followed Jesus for ever. she had created a spiritual horizon before “ Master, where dwellest Thou?” were 396 THE LIFE OF THE MASTER. actions. It came therefore slowly, surely, Among the children this little maid would quietly, as each man was inwardly changed be especially dear, as being of His own peo- into the Divine likeness. And Jesus believed ple, and between her and Jesus there would that the best means of accomplishing this spring up an intimacy, so that to Him she change was the influence of a person. What would turn in the little joys and sorrows of all the doctrines and all the rules in the her life; and when her chief joy came, this world cannot do, may be attained effectually bride would most of all desire that Jesus, and unconsciously by a friendship. In the who seemed to her the very perfection of company of a friend who lives with God and holiness and wisdom, should be at her wed- brings God near to the soul one is ashamed ding and give His blessing. of himself, and aspires after better things. Before that day arrived, the change had He slips his past, and puts on a new shape; come in Jesus' life, and He had gone out he catches his friend's spiritual accent and from Nazareth, and been baptized into His attitude; he begins to think with him, and Messianic work. Behind Him lay for ever ends by acting like him. Jesus proposes to the little home, and the simple toil of the save His disciples by giving a new character workshop, and the pleasant leisure hours, to the soul, and this He would convey by and the fellowship of the family circle. Be- uniting His disciples and Himself in a last- fore Him now were lonely nights of vigil, ing and spiritual private friendship. and repeated temptations of the Evil One, and days of exhausting spiritual labor, and As soon as Jesus had collected His six conflicts of hot debate, and woeful persecu- friends, the beginning of the world-wide so- ciety, He could not be long hid, for now He had claimed to be a Master, and must take a Master's place before the people. And Jesus made His entrance into life as the Christ, not in the Temple, nor in a synagogue, nor at a funeral, nor in a sick-room, but at a mar- riage feast. It seems that the mother of Jesus and His family had removed from Nazareth to Cana about the time that He left His home and went to be baptized of John, and that a mar- riage was to take place in the circle. As the Virgin carried herself on the occasion with the anxiety and authority of a near relative, either the bride or bridegroom must have been of her family. The choice will therefore lie between the son or the daugh- ter of one of Jesus' elder brethren; and since we read that He was formally bidden to the marriage, and the marriage feast was held in the bridegroom's house, we may safely con- clude that the bridegroom was the stranger, and the bride of His family. Between the bride and Jesus there would have been a close and pleasant tie in Nazareth since her infancy. It was not in His manhood and public life that the Master first learned to love children and became their friend. Be- tween the children of Nazareth and the gentle Carpenter there must have been much plea- Kilkinson sant traffic, as they loitered by His door and STROLLING PLATES watched Him at work, yet never so busy but STROLLING MUSICIANS. that He could fling them some gay, gracious word, or wandered with Him on the hillside The early strolling musicians of Palestine were mendicant Bedouins of the country. The at even-tide, where He would show unto His two modern ones shown here came from Africa, young playmates the wonderful beauty of and were entertaining the citizens of Bethlehem the flowers and of all His Father's works. when I saw them.-ARTIST'S NOTE. THE REVEREND JOHN WATSON. 397 tions. Already He had tasted the Messianic ened to fail; and if it should seem to any one life in the Jordan and the wilderness. His peo- that this would matter little to temperate ple knew that He had gone to be a Teacher; folk, he has missed the inwardness of the in- He only knew what that meant. It was not cident. Two families would be put to shame to be expected that at the beginning of His on a high day in their life because they had enterprise Jesus should turn aside from great bidden their guests and had failed in hospi- affairs to attend a village wedding; it was tality, the bride's almost as much as the hardly fitting that the Messiah should intro- bridegroom's. Their marriage would be com- duce Himself and His disciples to the people mon talk in Cana for years, and to them a on so simple and joyous an occasion. No shame for life. The Virgin, with her moth- one guiding himself by conventional rules, erly sympathy and quick understanding of no ordinary man, had dared. It was alto- narrow circumstances, takes in the situation, gether characteristic of the Master to leave and turns to her Son. He had ever been her the Jordan and arrange this journey so as resort in every little strait of those years, to be present at His friend's wedding, and and He had never failed to bring her help. altogether characteristic of His mission that She could hardly have imagined what He this should be its revelation. When the Mes- would do, but she had learned to believe that siah comes forth from the shadow, it is at a any matter might be left with Him. Calling marriage feast. Him aside, His mother told Him so that none It is likely that He had been despaired of; but John heard, “They have no wine." it is certain that His band of disciples could His answer was kindly and respectful, how- ever it may sound in our ears, which have lost the beautiful accent in woman”; but it marked a certain change in the relation between Jesus and His mother. Hitherto He had been a private person, with no obli- gations save to her—ready to hear her ad- vice, willing to give way to her, concerned only that she should have comfort, satisfied if she were satisfied. Now He was the Anointed of God, with the charge of a high work laid on Him, for which He must make the last sacrifices, to which He must give all His time, in which He could take no direc- tions save from God. Unto the last hour of His life would the Master love and cherish His mother; but with the great affair of His calling she must not meddle. Unto her had come that hour of mixed pain and pride to a mother, when her son goes out on his own course and when even she must be second to his life work. She must now stand aside and watch Him in silence, while He did what she did not understand, and went beyond the care she would have bestowed upon Him. Her faith was sometimes to fail in the days to come, but at Cana she was calm and con- fident. Mary turned unto the servants, “ Whatsoever He saith unto you do it.” Jesus was soon to do greater wonders in raising the dead; but when He turned the water into wine, we have an altogether de- lightful opening to the public life of Jesus. It was an act perfectly becoming the circum- not have been anticipated-who were now stances, because it was so thoughtful, so invited on very short notice and it was too genial, so courteous, so overflowing, con- late now to reinforce the feast. There was ceived to crown this marriage with dignity enough of bread, but the wine for that hum- and joy. As in the other extreme of human ble home was harder to obtain, and it threat experience, He would come to a funeral and 398 THE LIFE OF THE MASTER. THE VOICE OF ONE CRYING IN THE WILDERNESS. The roice of one crying in the wilderness.-LUKE iii. 4. In calling out in the wilderness, the voice of John could not have been spent on the winds. There are shepherds, solitary comers and goers, or groups of wayfarers, at nearly all hours. These, hearing, could communicate with others, who would flock to him until finally he would have a gathering. But John was impelled by the Spirit to cry out his message, many hearers or few, wandering over these desolate wastes, and in his journeyings covering a great territory. And he came into all the country about Jordan.-LUKE iji. 3. - 'The wilderness" is a term embracing a large part of the country. From the Dead Sea to almost the very border of Jerusalem, this desolation stretches itself in successive rounded hills, deep, savage chasms, rolling land. Its fruit is stones, its foliage scrub brush, its inhabitants the fierce hyena. In some places enough herbage is found in winter to pasture flocks cf goats, but elsewhere it is a very desert of rock. This particular view is that of the wilderness looking down to the Jordan valley and the Dead Sea from the height of Scopus, near Jerusalem.-Artist's Note. share the sorrow, and intervene with His Once He grew suddenly angry: it was when word of power, and give a son back to his meddlesome disciples would have kept little widowed mother. For He was to be in every children at a distance. If coarse-minded situation that which was needful and that men tried to put a guilty woman to shame which is fitting, so that from Cana to Cal- in His presence, He would not lift His eyes vary one is lost in admiration at the sweet till they had departed. If a fallen woman reasonableness of the Master's life. If Jesus washed His feet with her tears, He detected once used a term of bitter contempt, and her penitence, and sent her into peace. If called a man “ that fox,” it was Herod An- He dined at a Pharisee's house, He gently tipas, the most contemptible creature in the ridiculed the scramble for seats; if He went Gospels. Once He broke out into invective into a publican's, it was to set at liberty the so scathing that we read it with trembling soul of His host. When the Galileans wished unto this day: it was against the opprobrium to make Him a king, He hid Himself; when of religion in all ages--the Pharisees who the Judæans wanted to crucify Him, He professed instead of doing, and proselytized yielded Himself. When an honest scribe instead of saving. Once Jesus turned on a asked a plain question, He satisfied him; faithful friend, and called him a devil : it when certain tried to trick Him about Cæsar's was when Simon Peter advised Jesus to play penny, He put a fool's cap on them. Take the coward and avoid the Cross. Once he Jesus where you will, He is ever beyond criti- rebuked His beloved John: it was when the cism. He never confuses either men or cir- hot-tempered disciple would have called down cumstances, never spares a knave or a hypo- fire upon a Samaritan village for discourtesy. crite, never hurts a penitent or a good THE REVEREND JOHN WATSON. 399 man. Whether He denounces or approves, man life. Nothing Divine was foreign to agrees or refuses, your reason says, Well Him, nor anything human. Jesus stands done." aside in His gravity from a world that was Jesus came from the awful solitude of the crying, “What shall we eat and what shall wilderness and the temptation of the Evil we drink, and wherewithal shall we be One. He threw Himself into the joy of a clothed ?” He also stands in His sympathy marriage feast, and would delight to speak apart from the Baptist with his raiment of of Himself afterwards as a Bridegroom. He camel's hair and leathern girdle. He only spent nightz in prayer on the mountain side, has never come short and never exceeded; THE BAPTISM, And Jesus, when he was baptized, went up straightway out of the water ; and, lo, the heavens were opened unto him, and he saw the Spirit of God descending like a dove.-Mart. iii. 16. Three places in particular are indicated where John might have baptized. St. John, who alone of the gospel writers mentions a place, calls it " Bethabara beyond Jordan ;” and further on he records that Jesus “ went away again beyond Jordan into the place where John at first baptized." The place shown in the picture is the traditional spot near Jericho. But according to Stanley, “the indications of the narrative point to a locality further north than the scene which the tradition of the churches-influenced, doubtless, by the convenience of a spot near Jernsalem-has selected." No one knows just the location of this Bethabara, but it is placed far north, near Bethshean. On the river banks were congregated those sent from Jerusalem, the curious from Jericho, the peasant, the soldier, the devotee ever ready to follow any new religious movement. Just such a gathering would be seen to-day, save that the soldier would be a Turk, and not a Roman. I have imagined John as suddenly realizing that this is the man for whom he, with many other souls as ardent, has been seeking, and breathlessly parting the reeds to better take in the scene.- ARTIST'S NOTE. and by day would enter into the games of He only has compassed the length and breadth the children. Every day He denied Himself, and depth and height of life, who being poor and homeless, and He feasted also “Saw life steadily and saw it whole,” with publicans and sinners. His meat and His drink were to found the kingdom of God, and in His presence and at His word the and unto that end He died upon the Cross, water of life, in all its vessels of love and but He was not indifferent to the flowers of labor, culture and religion, has turned into the field; or the glory of the sky, or the wine. springing of the seed, or the birds of the air. Jesus was chiefly intent on the salva During his public life Jesus visited many tion of the soul with its vast possibilities and districts within His fixed boundary of the opportunities, but He entered kindly into the Holy Land, from the banks of the Jordan, labors, joys, humor, sorrows of ordinary hu- where He made His first disciples among 400 THE LIFE OF THE MASTER. OLD JERICHO The river Jordan. NEW JERICHO Mouth of the Jordan. เ DEAD SEA Mountains of ABRIM. MOAB MTS N4 Wadyel Kelt: 3 ROAD TO JERUSALEM THE WILDERNESS OF JUDEA. A pictorial map drawn from the ridge overlooking the road from Jericho to Jerusalem and whence, directly east, are in full view the stony hills and gullies of the Wilderness, the plain of Jericho, and the upper end of the Dead Sea. pious Jews, to the coasts of Tyre and Sidon, Among the chief cities of the world, Jeru- where He was amazed at the faith of a Ca- salem had (and still has) a place beyond par- naanite woman; from Sychar, where He gave allel. She was chosen in the first flush of a Samaritan to drink of the water of life, to Hebrew nationalism, and established by the Cæsarea Philippi, where St. Peter made his founder of the royal dynasty, round whose classical confession. His name will, how- person gathered a perennial fascination, and ever, be associated with four places only: whose name, under the hand of each new the village where He was born; that other prophet, blossoms afresh into magnificent where He spent His private life; the town predictions. Jerusalem stood on the site of which He made His own by word and mira- an ancient fortress, and was beautiful for cle; and the city which crucified Him; but, situation, being girt about with hills, and of among the four, one has a final preëminence. striking elevation. Austere, strong, com- In His own day it was one of the many ironies manding, massive, it became this city to be of His lot to be called a Nazarene, and to the capital of the Hebrew people and the have it flung in His face that no good thing shrine of the Hebrew faith. Here the throne could come out of Nazareth; while, in fact, of David was established, and from Sion went He was born in the home of David, and the forth the Law. Here also in due time was people of Nazareth disowned Him with rude built the Temple of Jehovah, and the ark violence. In later days it has been one of the came to rest. Unto this place, from the glories of His fame that, while He selected ends of the land and of the world, came the Capernaum for its candor and kindliness, and pious Jew to worship God in His House on made it His residence, and while He never the great festivals, going up with a song, entered Jerusalem except of necessity, and his children and his kinsfolk with him. Jerusalem gave Him nothing but a cross, it away in some foreign land, the exiled Jew is not to the heap of ruins by the Galilean poured out his heart in unequalled threnodies, lake, the very doubtful site of Jesus' own wherein he thirsted for God as the hart for city, that the multitude of pilgrims make the water brooks, and envied the bird which their way, but to the Mount of Olives, and to made its nest under the eaves of God's House. the Church of the Sepulcher. The Jew carried Jerusalem not simply in his THE REVEREND JOHN WATSON. 401 RIVER JORDAN MOUNT QUARANTANJA Wilderness of Bethaven. Zemwam multe ingan siTE OF OLD JERICHOS MOUNT QUARANTANIA AND THE VALLEY OF THE JORDAN. A pictorial map drawn from the site of old Jericho, showing Mount Quarantania honeycombed with hermit cells, and the Jordan between its rugged benches. These benches are barren, but the river-banks proper are rich in vegetation. memory or in his loyalty, but in his heart, cision issued. As soon as Jesus assumed the till this city grew into the very hope and position of a Rabbi, He came within the prov- ideal of God's kingdom, so that St. Paul ince of Jerusalem, and sooner or later must compared the state of grace unto the new be judged by the authorities of the Jewish Jerusalem, and St. John saw the Holy City Church. coming down from Heaven as a bride adorned Jesus began His ministry in Galilee, and for her husband. seems at once to have won the good-will of The dispersion of the Jews and the loss the people, so that He paid His first visit to of national independence did not reduce, but Jerusalem as a Prophet with some reputa- rather reënforced, Jerusalem, giving her a tion, and it appeared as if He might have the stronger and more pious hold on her chil- provinces behind Him. This matters little dren. More than ever she became the cen- in any country, and in that land it mattered ter of union for a people politically broken nothing ; it was only at the best a success and persecuted, more than ever an authori- of estimation. Galilee did herself honor by tative guide in the growing perplexities and her reception of Jesus, and one can under- difficulties of their life. Here, as in a cit- stand her ready appreciation. The atmos- adel, was preserved safe from harm the pure phere in that northern province was simple, creed; here was held forth the example of unaffected, liberal; the atmosphere of Jeru- divine worship; here the supreme court of salem was conventional, narrow, artificial. thought and conduct sat. If any one stepped It were wrong to conclude that Galilee had forth from private life, and presumed to never produced great men, for she also had teach, to Jerusalem he must come for ap- her prophets and heroes; or that Galilee proval; from Jerusalem he could neither es- was rude and uncivilized, for that province cape nor hide. If he went into the wilder- was saturated with Gentile civilization; but ness, there would her agents find and question there is no doubt that in Jesus' day the him; if he kept himself to Galilee, there native Galilean was considered unlearned ac- would her spies dog him. He might go to cording to the standard of culture in Jeru- distant cities of the Gentiles; but his case salem, and that his very accent was an of- would be reported to Jerusalem, and a de- fense in the capital. He was but a poor 402 THE LIFE OF THE MASTER. ally in a conflict with the central Power- Zacharias, the father of Jesus' forerunner, quick to respond, quick also to desist, full of and there were liars and charlatans among the sympathy, but easily cowed; a man whose Prophets; but on the whole and as a class the enthusiastic hosanna would die away into a Priests were a hindrance and burden to Israel, timid quaver before the fierce, strident cry from Aaron, who taught the people to wor- of the Jew of Jerusalem, “Crucify Him, ship the golden calf, to Caiaphas, who led his crucify Him!” Against the sullen and mas- nation to the great crime of history; and on sive strength of Jerusalem the bright spirit the whole and as a class the Prophets were a and kindly devotion of Galilee would dash strength and inspiration, from Moses, who itself in vain. It is difficult to imagine any gave to Israel the moral code, unto John one from the provinces conciliating Jeru- Baptist, who prepared them for Jesus. Un- salem; but when one came from Nazareth, a fortunately there can be as little question by-word for Philistinism, and came not with who, to appearance, won. The Priest was the theology of the schools, but with a fresh established, endowed, honored, obeyed; the and winsome Evangel which had in it the Prophet was solitary, feared, persecuted; breath of the wind and the fragrance of the the Priest had every advantage of prejudice flowers, it was not difficult to prophesy his and custom; the Prophet had only the secret fate. respect of the reason and conscience. It If any one could have awaited the judg- was easy to satisfy the Priest-follow the ment of Jerusalem with confidence, it was ritual and you may do as you please ; the Jesus, for here the light of ancient faith had Prophet demanded holiness. The Priest burned most clearly, and Jesus was the very taught that you belonged to an exclusive glory preached by the Prophets. If Isaiah nation—the favorite of God, but the Prophet alone had not made the scholars of Israel would on occasion suggest that Nineveh was ready for the Master, then it would seem as as dear to God. So the Prophet was de- if neither prophecy nor scholarship were of feated and slain, and the Priest rejoiced any use. From the eighth century the best in his insolence at Jerusalem. And Jesus minds of a nation were being trained to re- was a Prophet in whom the inter:ity and cognize the likeness of the Messiah, and yet spirituality of all the Prophets, frı n Elijah the most famous and honored could not dis- to the Baptist, had been gathered up and tinguish it from that of a heretic and a crimi- glorified. nal when He stood before them. It is, be The collision between Jesus and Jerusalem yond measure, distressing-so sad an irony was inevitable from the beginning, and, as on all human study; it is almost incredible it happened, it came on Jesus' first official so immense a stupidity. One must, however, visit to the capital. As a lad at a critical remember, in order to appreciate the situa- period of His life He had visited the Temple, tion, that from that very date on to Jesus' and there He had been inspired by the teach- day there had been two schools of religious ing of the Rabbis. Now He saw things with thought in Jerusalem with very different larger, deeper eyes. Unto Jesus the Tem- tendencies and effects. One was ritual and ple of Jerusalem was the visible symbol of dogmatic, which laid the emphasis on sac- His Father's House, although there was ever rifices and observance, on nationalism and before His eyes that House not made with customs, so that one who kept the Temple hands, eternal and spiritual in the Heavenly rites and made many prayers and hated the Places; and the honor and purity of the Tem- Gentiles was a good Jew. The other was ple were dear to the Master. To Jesus as a moral and spiritual, laying stress on the Prophet the dangers of an elaborate ritual character of the heart, on the conduct of must have been very present, and to Him as life, on the knowledge of God, so that he a Man the barbarity of the sacrifices must who loved mercy and did justly and walked have been a keen offense. Conceive what humbly with God was the true son of Israel. must have been the horror and disgust of The Priest was the type of the one party, this tender and delicate Soul as He witnessed although, owing to circumstances, the Phari- that carnival of butchery—the streaming al- see was its defender in Jesus' day; the tars, the stench of carnage, the gory priests, Prophet was the forefront of the other, and the gutters running blood. It was charac- between the two there had been a long and teristic of Jesus, however, that He let this irreconcilable feud, which indeed has ex- savagery of worship pass, as it had been tended to all lands and all ages. Among the without doubt to pious souls of the past a Priests there were some brave and good men, material picture of the hideousness of sin from Phinehas, who executed judgment, to and the duty of surrender to God, as at least 404 THE LIFE OF THE MASTER. fore which this herd of hucksters trembled rashly, since they were not indifferent to the and cowered, and supported by the good-will favor of the people ; and the influence of of the people, He drove far the cattle and up- John Baptist had to be reckoned with. set the money tables, using a whip of small The Prophets had been a power—very dis- cords, and declaring that they had turned turbing to Priests—and they had secured a House of Prayer into a den of thieves. one advantage at least for real religion- If one should look at this action from a that a Prophet must be heard. It would be worldly point of view, it can hardly be called madness to silence Jesus at once; He was, an auspicious opening to Jesus' prophetical at least, a candidate for the prophetship, career in Jerusalem. His conduct was un- and even such an iconoclastic action as the guarded and uncompromising, showing little cleansing of the Temple was sanctioned by sense either of the awfulness of Jerusalem prophetical usage. People were already or of the obscurity of Galilee. By one stroke quoting from the Psalms in His favor, and He offended the Priests, whose interests were He had Himself used certain words of Jere- bound up with the Temple merchandise, and miah in a very bold fashion. Let Him rather the Pharisees, who stood by the customs of be put to a conventional and unobjectionable the past. What would this daring young test: and so the rulers came to the Master, Prophet do next? Who would be safe? If representing with smooth courtesy and plausi- the hucksters were cast out to-day, it would ble words, that as He did the Prophet's work be the turn of the Priests with their empty He would show them the Prophet's sign. It sacrifices to-morrow, and the Scribes with was not that they doubted or wished to criti- their empty doctrines the day after. If we, cize Him, but they had a responsibility in on the other hand, regard the cleansing of this matter of religion, and the sign was to the Temple from a spiritual standpoint, then be simply for their satisfaction and His con- it was grand and a good omen of Jesus' pro- firmation. Jesus replied with one of His phetical work. One had arisen who revived characteristic riddles, which He used to the ancient spirit of Isaiah, and who dared baffle dishonest people and to stimulate His to attack the abuses of religion before the disciples' thought. Destroy this Temple-by eyes of all the people. Nor was He a her- which He evidently intended the worn-out mit like the Baptist, or a mere iconoclast, system of sacrifices and forms—and in three for He was one who rejoiced in everything days—a proverbial figure for a short time- human, and wrought miracles of mercy. His I will raise it up; by which He meant that gentleness was to the weak, His anger against He would create a new and nobler religion. the strong; and if He was eaten up with He would, in fact, replace the Church of zeal, it was the zeal of God's House. Judaism by the world-wide church, His new The cleansing of the Temple declared Jesus mystical Body. His critics could make noth- to be on the side of the Prophets and against ing of His answer at the time, but they the Priests; and on that visit the authorities stored it away, in all its audacity and per- marked the Master as a turbulent and dan- plexity, and some two years later it served gerous demagogue, whom they must watch the rulers' purpose, for by this very answer, and might have to suppress. It was not twisted to their own meaning by perjured their policy to show their hand or to act witnesses, the Master's life was sworn away. (To be continued.) SLEDGING TOWARD THE POLE. BY WALTER WELLMAN, Commander of the Wellman Arctic Expedition of 1898–1899. AN EXTRAORDINARY ARCTIC DISASTER.-SLEDGING AS A MEANS OF REACHING THE POLE.-NIGHT IN AN ARCTIC CAMP. A N extraordinary disaster* was with such force that the edges of the blocks that which overtook my were ground to fragments and the débris was sledging party in Franz Josef pushed up into a quivering ridge. Ten feet Land last March. We had away lay a dog with his head cut clean off covered about 140 of the 700 by a similar opening and closing of the ice statute miles which lay be- upon which he had been sleeping. How the tween our winter quarters animal had managed to get caught in the and the very top of our earth. Then, on trap we could not imagine; but there he was, March 20th, I fell into a crack in the ice and as neatly beheaded as if an executioner had hurt my right leg. It appeared to be a trivial done the job. The remaining dogs were injury, and so I kept going; but as a matter howling dolefully. Some of our sledges, of fact, it was fatal to the hope of reaching with their precious stores, were already top- the Pole or even of beating the record; and as pling into the waters where the ice had up- the leg grew worse and worse, there was the heaved underneath them. Under our feet greatest danger that we should go on till at and all around us the ice was shaking and least one of us could never return. But fate breaking-here pushing up, there sinking interposed with what at the moment seemed a down-and the violently agitated sea was most cruel hand to save us from worse things spouting through the openings. We were beyond. March 22d was a day of storm from caught in an ice-quake. the northeast, and we could not make the For a few moments, oddly enough, we did dogs face the blast. By evening the wind had not fully realize our danger. To none of us died away, but as the nights were still pretty was an ice-pressure a new thing, and famil- dark, we crept into our sleeping-bags at six iarity had doubtless bred in us, if not con- o'clock, with orders for breakfast at three tempt for the ice-king, certainly a somewhat in the morning and an early start. At mid- superfluous confidence in ourselves. But night we were roused by the ominous sound when, a few moments later, the very pieces of ice crashing against ice, accompanied by of ice upon which we stood reared up and a slight jarring of the frozen crust which lay assumed angles of from thirty to forty-five between us and the sea. In an instant all degrees; when our entire camp started re- five of us were outside the tent. We could volving as if it were in a maelstrom; when see nothing. The storm had blown up again, we saw our tent, sleeping-bags, and cooking- and the air was filled with drifting snow. kit threatened with destruction by a rushing Two men were detailed to make a reconnais- mass of sludge and water, we knew that sance, the others creeping back into the tent whatever was to be done must be done right out of the blast. But in two or three sec- quickly. There was no panic. There was not onds there came another movement of the the slightest sign that any one of us was even ice; another low, sullen, rumbling sound. excited. We cut the harnesses of such dogs A crack had opened directly under our as we could get at, that they might save sleeping bags, and in its black depths we themselves. In the very nick of time three could hear the waters rushing and seething. of us sprang out upon the floe which held the Running out of the tent into the darkness, tent, tilted though it was with one edge one of us stepped into an opening, wetting down in the boiling sea and the other up in his foot, and no sooner had he withdrawn his the air; and after a sharp struggle, we suc- leg than the crack closed like a vise, and ceeded in rescuing the precious sleeping- bags, the cooking-outfit, and the tent itself. *See MCCLURE'S MAGAZINE for February, 1900, for Mr. Wellman's account of his expedition up to the time of this Obviously it was imperative that we run disaster.-EDITOR. away from this convulsed spot as quickly as 406 SLEDGING TOWARD THE POLE. possible. But whither should we go? In cued sledges, moved them farther on, and, as the darkness and storm it was impossible to soon as we felt quite secure, stopped and see anything around us but the shaking, put up the tent, to escape the force of the quaking ice-blocks. I asked Paul and Emil wind. While cook was preparing coffee and to go hunt a sound floe, if such a thing re- oatmeal we made an inventory of our losses. mained in the Arctic seas, upon which we One-third of our dogs and all of our dog-food could take refuge. They instantly set out, were missing; also 300 or 400 pounds of scrambling over the rolling, shaking slabs, bacon and condensed food; bags of reserve and as they disappeared in the gloom I said clothing and footwear; all our ski and our to myself: “Well, that's the last I shall canvas canoe; and, worst of all, our basket ever see of those boys." Yet I was not of instruments. The Polar dash was at an much concerned about it. For some reason, end. It would be almost like suicide to which I never expect to understand, I was go on. unable to get up more than a sort of indif When the light returned and the storm ferent interest in what was going on. The had abated, we walked back to the place most acute sensation I had was in a thought where our camp had been. A strange scene of how much more pleasant it would be back lay before us. Where our tent had been in the snug bag, and whether it was really pitched there were now masses of pressed- worth while to stay out in this bitter wind up ice, rising in places thirty feet above the trying to save things. level of the sea. The solid crystal sheet, , In a few moments Paul and Emil returned from eight to fifteen feet in thickness, had with word that twenty or thirty rods away been shattered into a million fragments, they had found a floe which appeared to be turned bottom up, block packed on block; sound and safe. Then, for the first time, and in between the elevations were pockets we all began to feel as if there was some- of débris—the powdered, pulverized detritus thing worth hurrying for. Laying hold of produced by these titanic forces. Now all was a sledge, we hastened with it over the quak- still and calm, and where the sea had rushed ing pieces and across a chasm in which the up and formed little pools in the sludge, new water was running like a mill-race, to a ice was forming in the thirty-degrees-below- place of safety upon the large floe beyond. zero temperature, and all was shining bril- Three trips there and back we made, each liantly in the morning sun. Not a trace of time finding the chasm considerably wider sledge, or dog, or canoe, or ski, or anything than before. It was all we could do to get whatsoever that had been ours, was to be the third sledge over, and when we attempted seen in the wreck. Had the strongest ship to return for the fourth there was before us that was ever built been caught in this con- a river-a mad-rushing, ice-strewn current. vulsion, it would have been ground into The spot where our camp had stood, and kindling wood and the kindling wood into where but a few moments before we had all powder. been at the work of rescue, was in a volcanic Now we could plainly see the cause of state of eruption. Masses of ice were gush- the disaster, hitherto inexplicable. ing up into the air like flames. The brittle pitched our camp about half a mile from an blocks were crushing, grinding, snarling, bit- enormous iceberg, fragment of a glacier, ing at one another. The sea was rushing that had drifted here perhaps years before wildly through and over the débris. From and grounded. It was about as big as a mod- within this swirling maelstrom of ice and ern New York or Chicago “sky-scraper,” ris- water came the doleful howling of a number ing forty feet above the surface of the water, of dogs whose fastenings we had been unable with its feet upon the earth perhaps 150 feet to cut. We stood at the margin of the up- below. There it stood, like a mountain, now heaval and listened. The volume of cry from only a hundred yards away. The storm that the dogs became fainter and fainter. Soon blew up while we slept had started the whole it dwindled to the moan of a single dog. A field of ice into motion. It had driven the ice second more, and there was no sound to be down upon the great berg just as the sawyer heard save the cracking, crunching of the moves his board against the saw, or as you ice, the swishing, hissing of the waters. As may push a piece of cardboard against a fixed I stood there in the storm by the wreck of a knife. And our camp had been right in the great hope I noticed how strangely like the line of the cut! roar of a fierce conflagration were the mut It was all plain enough. The mountainous terings of this polar paroxysm. berg had sawed the ice-sheet, and into the Without a word we turned back to our res- channel thus formed-here, as elsewhere, SAWED IN TWO BY AN ICEBERG. 407 nature will have no vacuum-the pressure of stroyed was the very spot where it had been billions of tons, coming from rear, right, pitched. All other spots for miles and miles left, had jammed, rolled, revolved, uplifted, were just as they had been. Start an ant down-thrust, crunched, crushed, powdered crawling across a newspaper. Take a pair the fragments of floes in a death struggle of shears, shut your eyes, make one random for mere place to exist. All along that clip, and cut the insect in two. We were coast, as far as we could see this bright the ant creeping across the surface of this morning, the one spot-the one little rood great ice-sheet, and that is what chance did out of all these millions of acres—where our for us—the one out of millions that saved at camp could have been pitched only to be de- least one human life. Wil leigla 131 “ON MARCH 20TH, I FELL INTO A CRACK IN THE ICE AND HURT MY RIGHT LEG." 408 SLEDGING TOWARD THE POLE. statute miles of the Pole; and if he had had THE ONLY WAY TO REACH THE POLE. a supply depot in north Franz Josef Land to It is only by sledging that any one now return to, so that he could prudently have proposes to reach the North Pole. The old remained longer in the field, he might have idea of an open polar sea and the navigation made the ninetieth degree. W.RE CAUGHT IN AN ICE-QUAKE. of the very top of our earth in a ship is aban To march from an outpost in any of those doned. After Andrée's disastrous attempt far northern lands to the Pole and back is a to find a royal aëronautic road to the Pole, very large order; but there are men of ex- no one else is likely to try that method. The perience who still think it can be done. How plan of all modern Pole-seekers is to get as difficult the task is only those who have ac- far north as possible with a ship, establish tually attempted it can know. The popular headquarters upon the land, and thence make idea is that the feat may be performed if one a dash for the Pole and back again with dog- will only give enough time to it; that he sledges. Nansen varied this plan by leaving should push one depot of supplies out beyond his ship when she had drifted farther north another, advancing step by step, through than man had ever been before, within 415 a chain of such stations, till the Pole be THE GROUND STILL TO BE TRAVELED IN REACHING THE POLE. 409 We reached. This would all be very well if we ney out from the land and back again. It had the land to work upon. If we had land makes no difference whether the base used running to the Pole from lower latitudes, say be North Greenland, Franz Josef Land, or the eightieth parallel, attainment of that ob- a ship that has drifted into the inner polar jective of man's adventurous ambitions would sea-it is necessarily“ a dash for the Pole," be a simple matter. But we haven't. So and nothing but a dash. It is, practically, far as we know, there remains between the a campaign of 100 or 115 days, beginning in most northerly land and the Pole about 500 the midst of the Arctic winter and ending at miles of sea. It is possible to travel over the commencing of summer. The man who the ice which covers this sea, rough and can get his base established just right; who shifting as it is; but it is useless to establish can so organize his party and so arrange his depots there, for the odds are a hundred to weights and his motive power as to be able one they can never be found again. Return- to cover an average of ten miles a day, and ing from his attempt to reach the Pole, Dr. who can manage to avert all serious acci- Nansen made no effort to find the “ Fram," dents, has the Pole within his grasp. because she was drifting to and fro, though Ten miles a day, a mile an hour, seems at no time could she have been more than very little. But try it once, if you want to 150 miles from him, and the probabilities are know how difficult it is. Our party was as that on his southern journey he passed within well organized as any party could be. thirty or forty miles of her. had the best of everything, and not too much The season of the year during which one of it. Simplicity is the first essential of a can travel over the ice-sheet is limited. The successful sledge trip. Yet work as hard winter months are too dark, and the summer as we could, we made an average of only six months-oddly enough-are too warm. The miles a day, about the same as Nansen and best season is from about the 1st of March Johansen had made. Of course our loads to the end of May-say a hundred days in were heaviest these days, for we were carry- all. Before March, the sun is far below the ing four months' supplies. Each of the five horizon, and the gloom too dense. After of us had a sledge and a team of dogs. Much May, the snow is too soft and sticky, and of the road was very rough. The previous the ice too much broken up. It is true that fall, before the ice had frozen solidly, north- some traveling might be done in October and east winds, driving down against the land, early November, after the snow has hardened had smashed the floes into a forest of hum- again, and this suggests the plan of using mocks and ridges. Between these elevations the 100 days of spring for reaching the Pole, there were pockets of deep snow. Winding and the autumn for returning to headquar- in and out, up and down, over and through ters. But it must be remembered that, after these obstacles, we made our painful way by once leaving the land and taking to the sea- dint of much lifting, shoving, pulling, and ice, no game can be had; everything the an incessant shouting at the poor dogs. travelers eat, and the fuel for melting ice and cooking food, must be carried with them. BEHAVIOR OF THE DOGS ON AN ARCTIC The more they carry the slower they must JOURNEY. travel. Two pounds a day is the minimum ration per man, of the most approved mod Without dogs one can do nothing on a ern “condensed” food. This means 200 sledge trip. Reindeer have been suggested, pounds per man for a journey of 100 days, but they are not equal to dogs in rough ice. to say nothing of weight of sledges, instru- Horses or ponies have been tried, but with ments, tent, fuel, sleeping-bags, and pack- indifferent results. On a smooth road they ing. With the help of dogs this much may are, of course, superior to dogs, but amid be carried, and the period of absence from hummocks and pockets they are of little land may be extended to 125 or even 140 avail. Besides, if we had a smooth road, days, though at first the loads will be very the Pole would have been discovered long heavy. If, however, a party sets out upon ago. One great advantage in the use of a journey of nine months' duration, nearly dogs is their ability to endure anything in 600 pounds per man would represent the the way of cold. Fifty below zero has no minimum load simply of food for men alone terrors for them. I remember one camp we and excluding all other things, among them made. It was in February, shortly after the sustenance of the dogs, -clearly an im- our start, and before the sun had risen. A possible burden. storm came down upon us from off the gla- So there is nothing for it but a quick jour- ciers of the near-by land. We were upon 410 SLEDGING TOWARD THE POLE. the soup. a level, snowless stretch of ice, and the has to be melted for him, he smokes no to- wind fairly blew us off our feet. Only bybacco. Best of all, if he gets hurt, or be- bracing to leeward with a ski-stick could one comes ill or exhausted, you don't have to stand at all. The dogs were determined to drag him on the sledge or turn back. You run with the wind, and it was almost more convert him into fresh meat for the sur- than we could do to keep them anywhere vivors. That is the economy of dog-sledging near the course. Much of the time we had in these dashes for the Pole. Your four- to drag dogs, sledges, and all, with the icy legged comrade drags fifty or sixty pounds wind blowing the breath out of our bodies. of load, and he carries twenty-five or thirty The storm increased in fury, and as it was pounds of meat“ on the hoof.” But kill- absolutely impossible to camp on this smooth, ing these faithful fellows who have worked bare ice, we looked eagerly for some hum- in harness by your side, who lick the hand mocks or ridges where we might make the that is about to smite them, and look up into tent-pegs hold, or at least bury them in the the murderer's eyes with true dog trustful- snow so that they would not be blown miles ness, was the bitterest of all the bitter things away the moment we let go of them. we had to do. We killed only half a dozen, At last we found some small hummocks, using a rifle, and did the job off a little way and stopped to make camp. Usually this is from camp, behind a hummock, in a sneak- the most pleasant of tasks. One takes keen ing sort of way, as if we were ashamed of delight in preparing for the night, and heav- it, as we were. enly it seems to crawl in out of the wind, and Good boys, those dogs. I became very fond to hear the lamp sing as it boils the coffee and of my team, rogues though they were, some But this was a most bitter camp- of them. Dogs name themselves, and mine making. It seemed impossible to do any- bore the cognomens of “The Deacon," "The thing. The air was so filled with snow that Dandy,” “The Assassin” (the latter had killed we could barely see one another. only half a dozen of his brethren the previous “Make the dogs snug first,” I said, " or winter), “The Lady,” “The Fox,“The they'll perish." Judge," and "The Sport." "The Assassin” So we scooped out a sort of trench, and was the leader, and a noble draft dog he was. buried the dogs in the snow, and then tried He pulled just like a mule. His only fault to rig up some sort of shelter for ourselves. was that he wanted to be at the head of the It was not easy. No tent could stand in that whole procession all the time. If put behind blast, and so we fastened down the ends of another sledge, he would not “ track," but the canvas, crawled under, boiled some coffee, cut cross-lots at every turn of the trail. He and spread the sleeping-bags. A few hours broke two sledges in this way in the rough later the violence of the storm was moder- ice, to say nothing of some of my good reso- ated, and I looked out to see how things were lutions. I tried to discipline him by putting coming on. There were the dogs, lying on him back among the team; but he felt the top of the snow, as happy as they could be, disgrace, and wouldn't pull at all, so I had though a stiff wind was still blowing and the to make him leader again. With all their temperature was about thirty-five degrees mean tricks, I loved these dogs. You see, below zero. In trying to make these dogs I had to work right alongside them, with a comfortable I had frozen my nose and my harness over my shoulders. On good ice the cheeks, and some of the men had suffered dogs would pull the load, but whenever the similar trifling frost nips. So after this we sledge stuck in a rough place or a pocket of permitted the dogs to hunt their own shel- deep snow-and this was once in three or ter. It was never too cold for them. Some- five minutes—I had to keep it going, or start times on breaking camp in the morning we it, if it stopped. The dogs would pull only had to dig them out of snow-drifts; but once when they felt motion behind them. They a dog has shaken himself vigorously, straight- had a shy way, too, of watching me out of ened out his cramped legs, quarreled with the corners of their eyes, and when the sledge one or two of his neighbors, and wagged his dragged a little hard and they saw I was not tail a few times at his master, he is ready pulling, they stopped short, as much as to for business. say: “How do you expect to get along if A Siberian dog will pull only a quarter as you don't do your share of the pulling ?" much as a man can pull, and he needs about But I fooled them by pretending to be work- a pound of food per day, or half as much as ing very hard when actually I was not mov- the man. But he requires no sleeping-bag ing ten pounds. At every stop they got or tent, no extra clothing and boots, no water even with me by twisting themselves up into THE NEED OF TACT IN MANAGING THE DOGS. 411 knots, tangling their trace lines in the most discouraged too, and didn't work half so hopeless way, and then lying down to rest well. Brace up and sing to them, and call while I, with frost-nipped fingers and such them “old boy,” and put a jolly ring in your patience as I could command, straightened voice, and they would pull their legs off for things out. you. All but “ The Fox”—he was a born But there were compensations for all these shirker. He used to go lame all of a sudden, annoyances in the fine way the beasts worked. so that he couldn't pull; and at first I sympa- TELE . WINDING IN AND OUT, UP AND DOWN, OVER AND THROUGH OBSTACLES, WE MADE OUR PAINFUL WAY BY DINT OF MUCH LIFTING, SHOVING, PULLING." It was not necessary to beat them, and whip- thized a good deal with him ana called him pet ping or beating was not allowed on this trip. names. Then I discovered that he was sham- It was wonderful what we could do with these ming and that a gentle touch with the end dogs by talking cheerily to them. They of my ski-stick served to cure his lameness didn't know what we said to them, but they in a jiffy. But the habit of going lame were as keen to scent the tone in which we when he became tired he never got over, said it as they were to smell a bear or a, and for months he tried two or three times seal. When we were blue and talked snap- a day to deceive us, always with the same pishly or petulantly to them, they became result. 412 SLEDGING TOWARD THE POLE. THE ARCTIC TRAVELER'S GREATEST HARD- purpose of turning them inside out that they SHIP. may the better dry during the night, and that we may take out the senne grass or hay Of course we had our fair share of suffer- which we have worn in them to absorb the ing on this sledge journey. The cold is not moisture and keep the feet dry. The art of the worst—that is, directly: so far as ac- keeping warm feet is to keep dry feet, and tually feeling cold was concerned, we had no three or four pairs of woolen stockings and trouble, and a few frost-bites didn't count. a nicely packed bunch of this hay work to a Hardest to endure was the indirect effect of the charm. Whatever else we got in this excur- cold, coupled with the absence of a fire to dry sion, we did not get cold feet. Scattered out things. The camping hour arrives. You have to freeze, the hay can be shaken entirely free been working hard all day, pulling and tug- of frost next morning, and so will be fairly dry ging, in a temperature ranging from twenty- to put on again. But what a job it is to turn five to forty-five degrees below zero, and these frozen moccasins night and morning perhaps with a nice cool wind blowing from with our frost-nipped, tender fingers! More the north. Outside you are a mass of than once have I seen a big, brave fellow frost, and inside your skin is wet with per- shedding tears and swearing together while spiration. Be careful in pitching the tent at this job-it hurt so. that you do not leave your mittens off more We start kicking our way into the sleep- than a few seconds, or you will not only ing-bag. It is frosty, icy, hard in there, freeze your fingers, but find the mittens and it takes a lot of kicking and shoving to frozen so hard you can't get them on again. straighten it out and work our way well The best way is to put them inside your down in. By the time this is done supper is jacket till you want them. When the tent ready, and this brings in the only glorious is pitched, one man goes to cut fresh ice-ice, hour of the day. Hot soup, hot coffee, bis- that is, at the top of the hummocks, fifteen cuit, a piece of cheese; bacon, sometimes or eighteen feet above the sea-and break raw, sometimes boiled in the soup; oatmeal it up fine for melting over the petroleum-gas porridge; a nice chunk of butter, hard as lamp. This is the only way to get water, a rock, but it tastes good in the coffee; and and it is not an easy way, for the ice is a big drink of ice-water, when we are lucky almost as hard as a rock. Another man enough to have any water left over. If feeds the hungry dogs their meager rations there isn't any left over we go thirsty, as of frozen meat. Poor beasts, it is a small we can't afford to use more oil. We sit up bit, and is swallowed at a single gulp, and in the bag like birdlings in a nest, and eat then nothing more than snow for them to this supper with voracious appetites, and eat till the next night. It makes one very with mittens on our fingers. The steam is sad to see the hungry fellows sitting about converted into frost, and the white particles watching with wide eyes their busy masters, fall all over us; but we don't mind that as and wagging their tails in expectancy of a long as there is anything to eat. The sad- crumb or two. But it is a hard life for both dest moment is when everything is gone and man and beast, and rations must be strictly the ration exhausted. adhered to, no matter how many good dogs Then a pipe for consolation-a pipe, and go to sleep in the snow with empty stomachs. the pleasant task of writing up one's journal They'll jump into their work all right in the in a temperature of seventy degrees or more morning, just the same. below freezing. There was once a time when Two men get the big sleeping-bag off the I didn't believe it possible for a man to write sledge and carry it into the tent. There two or three hundred words in half an hour they try to unroll it. Half an hour of tug- in such cold, with bare hands; but now I ging, yanking, pounding is needed to accom- know it can be done, and, what is more sur- plish this feat, so fast is it frozen from the prising, the man can actually read what he moisture of the previous night's use. When has written. it is spread flat in the snow, we begin getting The next thing is to push one's self all the in. Preliminary to this we beat and scrape way down into the now fairly well thawed- some of the snow and frost off one another's out sleeping-bag ; pull up the flap and but- clothing, but it is impossible to get it all off. ton it tight, and get snuggled for the night. The remainder goes into the bag with us. All this is easier said than done. The pre- We don't take off any clothing, not even our dominant idea of comfort in a sleeping-bag moccasins or our hats. Yes, we do take off prevailing among my Norwegian comrades our rein-skin shoes, but it is only for the was to slide down somewhere near the bottom COMFORTS AND DISCOMFORTS OF A SLEEPING-BAG. 413 klight 66 SUPPER IS READY, AND THIS BRINGS IN THE ONLY GLORIOUS HOUR OF THE DAY." and telescope themselves together; but I athletic feat, but it had its advantage in had always to have a smell of fresh air, no that it helped one to warm up. The effort matter how cold it was. There were four to turn about-face usually started perspira- of us in one bag, and none of us was small, tion, though the jacket I wore was so stiff and we had to lie“ spoon-fashion.” When with frost that on first getting into bed it one turned over, all had to turn. As we were was difficult to bend the arms. We always packed in like Smyrna figs in a box, and as wore our mittens in bed, at least during the I occupied one edge of the bag, where the first part of the night, when we were strug- cover-lid was drawn down over me as tight gling to get our blankets straightened out. as a drum-head, it sometimes took me a quar- These were like pieces of sheet-metal to start ter of an hour to turn over. It was quite an with; but the heat of our bodies and the per- 414 A TRIP DEFERRED. sistent bending and breaking of them finally fellows were snoring like threshing-machines, licked them into shape. Surprising, this body trolley-cars, boiler-shops, and batteries of heat of a vigorous man! In the course of artillery. Then, generally without much loss a couple of hours it thawed most of our of time, I suppose I joined in the chorus. clothing into wet compresses, made the All these and countless other annoyances blankets limp and soggy, and even softened are small matters when once you get accus- parts of the sleeping bag itself. Something tomed to them and as long as one is in like a hundred minutes after buttoning the full possession of his health and strength. flaps down over our heads we found ourselves But I cannot conscientiously recommend lying with pools of water under our bodies, an Arctic tent as a hospital, nor a dog- while frost still adhered to our trousers. By sledge in rough ice and bad weather as an this time two or three of my Norwegian bed- ambulance. · A TRIP DEFERRED. BY M. GRACE POPE. A STORY OF RURAL LIFE. DUNNO ez I ought to marry you this happier ef he jest knew I'd gone, ye see. spring, Ephraim. I dunno ez i ought. Sides," she added, with the consciousness We could wait until fall jest ez well. I hed that her father's wish was echoed by her rather 'twould be in fall.” own desires, “I'd always set such store by “Surely, Millie, ye wouldn't keep me wait- goin' to New York myself. I want so much in' fer ye all summer. The house is all ready to go.' an' waitin' fer ye. I jest finished buildin' a " "Twould take a lot to go, Millie.” new wing to it. The apple blossoms is all “I've saved some, though,” she answered. out now; an' the place lookin' its puttiest. “I kin lay by enough 'fore August, an' then "Tain't clothes, is it, Millie? 'Cause if ’tis, we could be married when I come back, what ye hev on is good enough, if ye ask my Ephraim.” jedgment." The revelation of the one cherished dream Millie shook her head slowly. 'Tisn't of her life, even to her lover, had been no clothes," she said. easy task for the girl. Her voice had in it “Yer father's bin dead two months now," a helpless little trembling note, and there Ephraim said. His voice took on a softer were tears in the eyes she kept so persist- tone. “We'd be married quiet like.” ently fixed on the lap of her simple black gown. “No; it ain't account o’ father exactly,” Well, now; jest don't ye worry about Millie assured him. thet, Millie. What's the matter with us “ Then what is it? Tell me, Millie." goin' to New York together ?” The girl's blue eyes had a far-away look “Oh, Ephraim! Will ye, though ? Will in them. She made no reply. ye take me ? A bridal tour, do ye mean ?” “Tell me, Millie.” His tone was more Millie did not hide her eyes now. They positive now. were lifted to the young man's face, look- A deeper pink flushed the young girl's ing like two big shining sapphires under the face. She was laying little creases in her fringe of the fair brown lashes. handkerchief, seemingly to gain courage. “Well, not exactly thet, ye know, Millie. At last she spoke. Ye see, ez I jest finished the wing to the “I dunno ez I like to tell you, Ephraim; house, I can't go now. But we kin go in but ye see, 'fore father died, he was always the fall, an' nothin' to hinder.” sayin' he wanted me to take a trip to New Millie was eager to make the visit at once. York. He was born there, ye know; an'he They talked for some time; but the man was said he was a-goin' to take ev'ry one o' his persistent, the girl's nature gentle and yield- children there, an' he took Joe an’ Sister ing, as her sweet face showed. She loved Mary, an' then he died 'fore he hed time to him; and he had his way. take me. An' I can't forgit thet 'twas his wish. I feel somehow ez though he'd be “I'm goin' to take a trip to New York in A TRIP DEFERRED. 416 the fall," Mrs. Ephraim Shuttles told the was there a whole week. He thought some- good women of the neighborhood, with a thin' uncommon must ha' ben goin' on there thrill of very pardonable pride, when they thet week, there was such crowds o' people. called to pay their respects after her instal- But he didn't find out.” “WILL YE TAKE ME? A BRIDAL TOUR, DO YE MEAN?'” lation as mistress of the house with the new “Deak’n Craft's first wife's sister was wing, on what was known as the Old Hill Farm. there wonst when she was a gal, an’ she's The information caused quite a little flurry ben a-takin' on airs over it ever sence,” old of excitement in the neighborhood. Ephraim Mrs. Moffitt informed Millie; and when Mrs. was looked upon as a thrifty farmer, and Shuttles was not present, the subject of the Millie acquired a kind of prestige as the wife prospective trip gave quite an impetus to the of a man who could afford a journey to New summer conversation. York. It proved to be a bad year for the crops. “I ain't never ben there myself,” Mrs. Heavy rains fell just before harvest, and Pritchett told her, “but I've à cousin who the long golden-green stalks of the wheat 416 A TRIP DEFERRED. were beaten to earth like a defeated army. going took stronger and stronger hold upon Worms destroyed a great quantity of fruit. her. Had she dwelt less upon it in the past, Millie could not go to New York that year. she might have talked it over with the neigh- Some other time, when the money could be bors; but that was something her woman's more easily spared, she should go. pride forbade. For her life, it seemed she And Millie was hopeful. But Mrs. Pritch- could not hit upon a reasonable excuse for ett, who enjoyed the reputation of “ always not going, and in her sensitiveness she fancied speakin' her mind,” shook her head in con- that there were sneers when, in reality, the versation with Sister Beckett. “Mark my kind hearts around her felt only pity. Her words, Mis’ Shuttles ain't no more like to go lack of “grit” gave rise to a slight feeling to New York 'n I am this blessed minnit.' of contempt among some of the women who In the spring, Millie's baby came, a lovely were cast in heroic mold, as was Mrs. Pritch- little creature like a white April blossom, ett; but they loved gentle Millie far too well and, alas! almost as fragile. For two years to make ill-natured remarks at her expense. the child lived; then they made for it a tiny One winter Millie began to droop, quite mound in the Valley Cemetery, and some- suddenly it seemed to Ephraim, but to others thing out of the mother's life went, too; the change in her had been a gradual one. although another, a happy, healthy, rollick “I just ain't strong. That is all,” she ing boy, was lying in the lost baby's cradle. told them; but the doctor who was called in The years went by. Two girls came to looked grave when he left the house. the house among the apple blossoms; and Your wife needs rest and change,” were more and more into futurity retreated the his parting words to Ephraim as he drove mother's visit to the metropolis. Even away, and the husband thought of the trip when the children were old enough to be he had promised his wife before their mar- left, it seemed as though the promised visit riage. was as far away as ever. Farm machinery “How'd ye like to go to New York now, had to be purchased, fences repaired, a ten- Millie ?” he asked, sitting on the bed and, acre meadow bought for a cow pasture. looking at her tenderly; for the physician's Crops were poor frequently; and some- face had alarmed him even more than his times a field adjoining the hill farm could words. be bought advantageously. More pasture The light of a great joy was in the wife's land meant more milk in the dairy; more face. "I am so glad ye thought of it, Eph- acres to cultivate meant a greater number of raim,” she said. “ It seems ez though if hired men to cook for. Millie's confident, father knew, he might ha' thought hard o' “I am goin' to New York next year,' me all these years fer not goin'. When I'm changed to, “ Mebbe I will go." stronger, I'll go. I've thought about it so Mrs. Pritchett gave it as her opinion that much.” “Mis' Shuttles 'll be an angel 'fore she ever There was no reproach in her tones; but hez a chance to go anywheres. An angel the man said brokenly: “I didn't know ye 'ud make no call on Ephraim Shuttles's cared so much about it, Millie. I didn't pockets." know." Still Millie often spoke of it at home as a But the realization of that one supreme settled fact, until one day she timidly sug- hope had come into Millie's life too late. gested that her long-deferred visit be made She grew no stronger. The older daughter the following autumn. had slept for years beside the tiny first-born Ephraim's look plainly indicated disap- in the valley; but the other, a bright-faced, proval. “Lawsy me, Millie!” he said, “ are bonny maiden of fourteen, was her mother's ye still a-harpin' on New York? Why, you faithful nurse and companion. an' me are gettin' to be old folks now. I One day, as Millie lay white and wan among guess if ye've got on all these years 'thout her pillows, there came a letter from her son, goin' to New York, ther ain't no powerful who was working in a distant city. It con- hurry in the matter ez I kin see.” tained a check for one hundred dollars for “I've always meant to go, Ephraim,” Mil- his mother's trip to New York. The tears lie reminded him very meekly; but he made welled up in Millie's eyes, and ran slowly a gesture of impatience and left her. The down her cheeks. subject was not mentioned between them “Why, mother, you aren't a bit glad!” again. her daughter said in surprise. “ We've al- However, when she was deprived of the ways planned it, and we thought you'd be satisfaction of talking about it, the hope of so glad. You see, brother an' me always A TRIP DEFERRED. 417 my YOUR WIFE NEEDS REST AND CHANGE,' WERE HIS PARTING WORDS TO EPHRAIM." talked it over, an' he said he was goin' to asked. “Here are my savings. These will give you the money to go. You remember help out brother's. We want you to go the time his colt died, how bad he felt ? everywhere and spend lots. I'm goin' my- He was goin' to let you go with the money self when I'm grown up. he got for his colt. He's been savin' ever Millie could not speak. since he went away. But it takes so long. The young girl laid the coins in a little I've saved mine, too; an' you never guessed.” pyramid on the bright patchwork quilt of She ran from the room, and quickly reap- the bed, first the dollars, then half-dollars, peared shaking a small tin box triumphantly then twenty-five-cent pieces, and lastly nickels above her head as she approached the bed. and dimes. “Who says I haven't helped, too ?” she “Here's what I got fer my canary bird, 418 A TRIP DEFERRED. here's the dollar I got at the County Fairchild, ye needn't hev done that. Yer pa'll fer my bread, here's fer the wild strawberries send me ez soon ez I'm a little stronger.”' I sold last year to the Boston people “I don't believe father'll ever give you Thus the girl counted over her precious the money, mother,” she said with convic- savings, and the mother thought of the baby tion. voice that but a few years ago was number The childish frankness was like a stab to ing her small pink toes : the mother; but she only said very quietly: “ Yer father didn't know how I felt about “This pig went to market, it. Men see things different, I guess.' This pig staid at home; This pig had plenty to eat, Two days afterward Millie died. This pig had none." “Well, Mr. Shuttles,” Mrs. Pritchett re- marked to the widower a few days after the The smile on the mother's face was a sad funeral, “no one kin say ez ye didn't give Mis' Shuttles a han'some buryin'. Ye spared “You'll have just lots, won't you, moth- nothin'. But if yer wife could ha' hed her wish, don't ye think she'd 'a' took a plainer A faint flush dyed Millie's cheek. Why, coffin an' thet trip to New York ?” one. er ?” "WHY, MOTHER, YOU AREN'T A BIT GLAD!' HER DAUGHTER SAID IN SURPRISE.” -- John Hislop Assistant Chief Engineer. E. C. Hawkins, Chief Engineer. THE THREE HEROES WHO MADE THE ROAD." M. J. Heney, Contraotor. 66 BUILDING A RAILROAD INTO THE KLONDIKE. BY CY WARMAN, Author of "Tales of an Engineer, " " The Story of the Railway," etc. A JOURNEY OVER THE NEW WHITE PASS AND YUKON LINE AND THE TRUE STORY OF THE ROAD'S CONSTRUCTION. N an unguarded moment Close ized a company, and made Mr. S. H. Graves, Brothers of London came of their Chicago office, president. into possession of an invisi Graves was building a big reservoir in Colo- ble piece of property known rado. E. C. Hawkins was his chief engineer, as a franchise. Some enter- and John Hislop was Hawkins's assistant. Now prising gentlemen had ac- the president of this imaginary railroad, that quired the right to build a had not even been surveyed, did as bold a railroad in Alaska ; but being unable to raise thing as his London associates had done. He the necessary funds, they sold this right to ordered Hawkins and Hislop to Alaska to build the London firm. The money went by way a railroad from the head of Lynn Canal across of a loan. If the borrowers failed to build the steep, rough range to Lake Bennett. the road, or to begin to build it within a There were no side cañons, there was no room given time, the English capitalists were to to swing for the heavy grade and the summit. have the privilege of taking over the fran- In building a prairie road you cut across lots, chise and constructing the line. The bor- to save mileage. On a mountain, you strive rowers failed, and the lenders concluded to to increase your mileage, in order to get over build the road themselves. An interesting the hill. At one place on the Yukon River, fact, a thing almost unheard of in the history we steamed for two hours and a half, and of American railways, is that these men, way gained a mile. I figured that the steamboat across the continent and beyond the broad At- company's six steamers would burn a thou- lantic, came to this conclusion without ever sand dollars' worth of wood a week, steaming having seen the country or having a repre- round the bend, and suggested cutting a way sentative look the ground over. They organ- for the river through the narrow neck of land. 420 BUILDING A RAILROAD INTO THE KLONDIRE. “Yes," said the captain, “and make another became soft, and he was forced to take off his White Horse Rapids. These twelve miles of snowshoes. Presently he came to an open loops and bends make it possible to do the gulch, or narrow valley, that swept down to trip at all.” And so it is with a mountain the river from the south. Turning into this railway-you must have mileage. cañon, he came, late in the afternoon of the By May, 1898, a start had been made in lo- second day, within sight of the smoke at Log cating the road. It was to begin at Skag- Cabin, and rejoiced that food and rest were way, at the head of Lynn Canal. But now at hand. At dusk, when within a few miles nearly every ship that came up through the of the police station, the path-finder came to canal from the outside world brought discour- another river, cold, swift, wide, and deep. aging news to the locating engineers. Those That night he passed in a cold, drizzling rain. who wanted the enterprise to fail spoke first, The next morning, far up stream, he found a and then others echoed their prediction that shoal where he could wade the river, and late the road would never be built. But the path- at night, on the third day, he reached the finders worked on patiently, faithfully, as a Northwest Mounted Police post at the head man paints for the sake of seeing his picture, of Middle Lake. yet with no hope of a sale. Rumors of war At another time Hislop and Heney became reached England, and the English capitalists snowbound on the summit of White Pass. shook their heads. The United States de- They were somewhat separated, when Heney clared war with Spain, and London ordered found their camp-cook freezing in the snow. the work of road-making in America to stop. He wanted to help the man, but the man Dewey smashed the Spanish fleet one Sunday wanted to die. Heney kicked him, cursed morning at Manila. Spanish ships, guns, him, and dragged him along the trail. “You men, all sunk in a sea of smoke and a heaven fool, you're not fit to die-you're not fit to of flame! It was awful, but it was grand. live. Stand up, or I'll disfigure you so your England applauded, and the applause ran friends won't know you over there, over round the earth. The Anglo-Saxon heart there." beat wildly. The London capitalists cabled. Now, when Hislop chanced to hear the to America to build the line in Alaska. The Irishman talking in this way, he guessed that path-finders rejoiced, and went to work with Heney had gone crazy. Hurrying through a will. Heney, the contractor, who always the storm, he soon found his friend patiently walked erect, took on a Chilkoot slant, and dragging the half-dead cook down the trail. actually leaned back, glad to know that the After much hard work they succeeded in sav- road would be completed, for whatever he ing the man's life, much against the man's did he did with his whole heart. will. The work of the locating engineer was The day the engineers unloaded in Alaska not easy. The snow was still heavy on the land began to “boom.” Every man who had shadowed side of the hills. At many points a lot along the Skagway River wanted ten the face of the mountain was so steep that times its value, because railway corporations they had to resort to ropes and often to are supposed to be heartless and soulless, and triangulation. It was a long time between to have nothing but money. Moreover, you Easter and wild flowers in the Alaskan hills. can rob a railway company, as a Turk kills a Upon one occasion, Hislop set out with a Christian, and lose no sleep over the matter. pair of snowshoes and a sandwich to explore The youthful municipality of Skagway, a mythical pass that lay over Atlin way. whose future depended upon the railroad, After climbing over rocks, snow, and glaciers threw any amount of bother in the way of for hours, he gained the summit, only to find the path-finders. The trailers and packers, it some hundreds of feet higher than White whose business would go when the railway Pass. Going down the north slope, the en- came; the Chilkooters, and highwaymen with gineer began to look for the “broad open lots to unload, all labored early and late to valley” that was said to go with this "Warm hinder and hurt the enterprise. Pass," as it was called. In a little while he After much anxiety a franchise was secured found himself on the banks of the Otter from the town of Skagway for a right of River, broad and swift. All night he traveled way along the bluff on the east side of the down this stream, hoping to strike the Daw- town. The right of way, however, was not son Trail. Often the river swept through cleared for the railway builders, and after cliffs, and the traveler was forced to climb waiting some time, the representative of the over steep bluffs. The underbrush grew company asked for right of way through dense and tangled. The snow down the river Broadway, one of the principal streets of A FIGHT FOR RIGHT OF WAY THROUGH SKAGWAY. 421 the place. A very stormy mass-meeting was the road runs along the low river-bank held on the evening of June 14th, when it was through a dense forest of small timber. decided to grant the railway temporary use Near the forks of the Skagway River it of the street until the way along the bluff leaves the river, and begins to climb the could be cleared, and by the town turned side of the mountain. Following the east over to the company. Although a majority fork, it swings far to the east, to the foot of of the people at the mass-meeting favored Warm Pass, then back to the west branch the granting of the right of way, a noisy of the river, climbing up over the shoulder 1.750 miles from Dawson te St. Michael, by steamboat. 3.113 miles from SL Michael Lo San Francisco. DAWSON a Andrea Stewart River pelly River Lewis FORT SELKIRK نت Teslin River CLOSELEICH White Horse Rapids LAKE TESLIN CARIBOU LAKE BENNETT SKAGWAY TELEGRAPH CREEK EDMONTON ROUTE. 60 days from Edmonton, on Can. Pac. R.R. Lo Lake Teslin. PACIFIC WRANGELL OCEAN Suri GOLD FIELDS WHITE PASS & YUKON RY..COMPLETED TO BE COMPLETED JUNE 1900 SURVEYED OLD TELEGRAPH ROUTE.1023 miles from Ashcroll,on Can.Pac.R.R. to Lake Teslin. :: : : WRANGELL TO VICTORIA, 750 miles. VICTORIA TO SKAGWAY, 1000 miles. SEATTLE TO SKAGWAY, 1.080 miles. SAN FRANCISCO TO SKAGWAY, L750 miles. MAP OF THE WHITE PASS AND YUKON RAILWAY, SHOWING THE PART ALREADY COMPLETED, THE PART NOW UNDER CONSTRUCTION, AND THE PART SURVEYED FOR FUTURE CONSTRUCTION. minority objected, and declared that they of a rugged mountain. This is Rocky Point, would prevent the company, if need be, by where the road was so hard to locate. Some- force, from building in Broadway. It was times, in order to gain a distance of a few three o'clock in the morning when the meet- hundred feet, the men were obliged to climb ing adjourned. Most of the participants for hours over, or around, high, almost per- slept late, and when they awoke they saw a pendicular cliffs, and then slide down to the railway along Broadway, a little locomotive line again. A little further along, they were chu-chuing forward and back, and men with obliged to put in a switchback; but this is firearms hanging on their hips tramping the only temporary. The cañon can be bridged a ties. The town failed ever to make good its few hundred feet below. agreement to provide right of way along the When the building began in earnest, the bluff; but the company afterwards purchased company found it easy to engage good, land there from the individual owners and strong, sober men as common laborers at laid track, so that it now has two lines thirty cents an hour. "They were not the through the town. All passenger trains still ordinary railroad laborers, and spent very run up through Broadway. little money for drink," said the locating engi- For the first few miles out of Skagway, neer. “Many of them were college graduates. 422 BUILDING A RAILROAD INTO THE KLONDIKE. - Upon one occasion the company surgeon, There, briefly, is the Atlin "boom" and having an operation to perform, sent out on the cause of it. the grade for assistance. A skilled physi- cian was found among the graders. He came Following the stampede of the graders in, assisted the surgeon, and then took up came an order through the Northwest his pick again.” Mounted Police, notifying the path-finders Midsummer saw a thousand men working that the road for the present must end at the on the road. They would blow down the side international boundary line. It was not until of a mountain, fill the trail, or wagon-road, October that permission was finally secured at the bottom of the gulch, climb down, clear for the construction of the line into Canada. the trail, and then climb back up the steep On the fifth of that month, they broke ground cliff to the grade again. It was slow work in British Columbia, Captain Cartright and and expensive ; but thousands of pilgrims Judge Dugas officiating for the Dominion. were passing over the road at the bottom of Winter set in almost immediately. Early in the cañon every day. It must be kept open. November the lakes froze over. As the snow Even the railway people wanted the travel to got deeper, and the wind from the north blew continue over White Pass, for rivals were more constantly and with greater force, the already building an aërial tramway over Chil- work of construction became more difficult. koot Pass to compete with the railroad. During the latter part of November, the A band of men working in a mining region weather was very stormy and the thermom- are like a herd of range steers feeding in a eter often thirty degrees below zero. Yet narrow field. They are due to stampede at whenever the men could work sheltered from any moment. Every time a travel-stained the wind, they did not complain of the cold ; prospector came down the trail, the graders but this could not always be. Frequently for would question him eagerly, and if he told a days at a time a gang of men would be able rosy tale, a half dozen, a score, or fifty men to accomplish nothing. The ground that they might be missing at the work next morning. succeeded in clearing of snow in one day's On the 5th of August, Hislop and Heney labor they found had again drifted full over went up over the summit, down Lake Ben- night, and another day would be spent in nett, around by Little Windy Arm, and back by doing the same thing over again. Finally Too-chi lake and river. In thirty-four hours the grade was completed to the summit- they made eighty miles of mountain, lake, part of it on snow-and the bridging was be- and river. At Log Cabin, coming back, they gun. The snow would be shovelled off the met hundreds of their graders, many of them grade and track laid to a bridge opening; carrying their shovels (worth $16 each then) then the construction of the bridge would away with them. The men began to ask go on until track could be laid over it and on eagerly where the “new diggin's” were. to the next opening, and so on. It was slow When Hislop and Heney declared that they work, but the men kept steadily at it. At had only been out reconnoitering, that they the bridge below the tunnel, when the winds had seen no new diggings, nor even heard of were blowing fiercely and the snow drifting, any, the men hooted, yelled, and hurried on, the men experienced a great deal of diffi- without the slightest notion of their destina- culty. In one instance, after the sills were tion. At Lake Bennett, they found men with in place and the posts and caps all framed boats and scows to rent or to sell, and full of and ready to be raised, the men spent one the story of the late “strike” and the wonder- whole day putting up a single bent; and the ful richness of the Atlin district. And on day following they succeeded in raising only they went. Hundreds were already there- two bents ; and this with all the men at work hundreds homeless, houseless, foodless, sit- that could be employed, and a steam hoister ting on the shore watching the army crossing to raise the timbers. The men became numb over the beautiful blue-green lake ; and they with cold, and the snow drifted so that it laughed, and said, “See the poor fools come.” was almost impossible to see. Often they Five hundred and sixty men stampeded from could not see across an opening forty feet in the White Pass grade alone. When we stop width, and the loudest shout could not be to consider the other hundreds, as helpless, heard. A post would be swung up and got who rushed into this tentless country, veri- almost ready to be dropped in place, and then table tramps, without a dollar or a doughnut, it a gust of wind would sway it out of line and is easy to understand how so many men came out of reach of the men. But by perseve- to want, and curse the country, good country rance, they finally succeeded, and the bridges though it be, and wondrous fair to look upon. were all in place. The track was laid to the THE FIRST LABOR STRIKE. 423 summit on the 16th of February, and the Saratoga chips. But the packer hated the first passenger train, with a load of excur- road-maker. The railway would ruin the sionists, went from Skagway to the summit country, he declared. Still the work went of White Pass on the 20th day of February, on. The boom of the blast and the smell of 1899. powder smote che ear and nose of the packer, At last, in considerably less than a year, the trailer, and the toll-man. Sometimes this twenty-mile hill had been climbed. It they were blasting rock ; sometimes they had been a big job. At one time, during the thought they were blasting rock, but after construction, all the company's buildings, hours, days perhaps, would find that it was offices, furniture, and field notes were de- only ice. Finding no “bottom,” they built stroyed by fire. It had cost a lot of money, the road on ice, in places, ballasting it with a few limbs, and many lives. Robert Bry- snow, and ran trains over it all winter with- done-Jack, a very promising young engineer, out an accident. who had been elected by the stockholders to represent their interests, and whose heart On the 1st of December the hours of labor, and soul were in the accomplishment of the which during the summer had been eleven or work, was stricken down with spinal menin- more per day, were cut down to nine, and gitis, and after a very short illness, expired. the rate of wages was raised from thirty The first intimation that his wife, who resided cents to thirty-five cents per hour. This in Vancouver, had of even his illness was in continued until the first of March, when the the news that his body had been brought into time was again extended to ten hours, at port on the steamer “Rosalie.” thirty cents per hour. The men objected to Hugh Foy, an old and experienced railroad this, and asked for a reconsideration. The builder, had been general superintendent of company refused to reconsider; and the men, construction from the beginning of the work. encouraged by a few professional strikers, His health was not the best. Mr. Heney had packers, Chilkooters, and short-sighted shop- urged him to take a rest in a milder climate, keepers, concluded to strike. In three days, but he refused to do so. At the feast on the 1,200 men dropped their picks and shovels, summit, on the 20th of February, he was one passed under the paymaster's window, re- of the happiest and busiest of men. A few ceived their time-checks, and joined the vast days later a heavy snow storm came on, and army of unemployed. two engines were snowed in between the A passing glance at this strike, away off summit and glacier. He was out all night yonder in Alaska, is worth while. Here with them, caught cold and pneumonia, and were a thousand or more men, sober, indus- died on the 28th of February, the day on trious, intelligent-wonderfully so for day- which he had arranged to begin his vacation, laborers--following a lot of "wreckers" his body being carried to Seattle by the who had no more interest in their welfare “Rosalie” on the very trip on which he had than Satan or the Sultan has ; who were arranged to sail as a passenger. It is war, indeed using them to the purely selfish end this conquering of a wild, new country. It that the congestion of freight and passen- costs something. But it is necessary. gers at Skagway might continue and the Here, now, we come to the passing of the outrageous rates for transporting across the trail-the terrible Dead Horse Trail, that had range be undisturbed. Incredible as it may claimed so many dumb beasts. The first ten appear, the strikers looked upon these con- miles had already gone with the building of fidence-men who were leading them out of the toll-road-ten miles of toll-road that employment into idleness and anarchy as earned its enterprising owner ten thousand their friends, and upon their former employ- dollars during the time it took to build the ers as their enemies. A subscription paper railroad. Along this awful trail now lay the was immediately circulated in the supposed dried husks of horses so close together that interest of the strikers, and those who wanted you could walk for many rods stepping from their friendship, or rather their money, sub- one hide to another. Marking the progress scribed liberally, writing their names boldly of the road-makers on the mountain-side, the in big letters. Many of these professed crafty packers had pounded the poor horses friends attended the daily meetings held by over the cruel trail, literally driving them to the strikers and encouraged them, that their death. Most of the animals perished, how- names might be remembered when the men ever, at the hands of the heartless Chee- returned to work. A minister gave his chawkos, the gold-mad "tender-feet," who meeting-house to the men to meet and sleep believed that a horse could live and work on in, and was looked upon by some of the rail- BUILDING A RAILROAD INTO THE KLONDIKE. 424 way officials as a disturbing factor, but he his voice was shaky. The doctor, who mani- seems to have been the one unselfish friend festly believes in the heroic treatment of the men had. desperate diseases, clubbed his rifle, and By the end of a week, many of the men smote the impertinent rioter, felling him to had spent what money they had. To the the ground, and breaking his gun-stock at amazement of the townspeople and the cha- the same time. The mob fled. The wounded grin of the strikers, the railroad company man, whose name was White, was carried made no effort to end the strike. The com- into the shop. Now the doctor took off his pany argued that it had had no hand in bring- coat, dressed the man's wound, and turned ing the strike about; and, moreover, it was him over to the tardy United States marshal. money saved to the company if the men re- The following day White had a hearing, and mained idle through the month of March. got six months at Sitka in which to think it The company would not have closed down over. That ended the strike. The men began and thrown a thousand men out of work in a trailing out to the grade, but only a few were far-off corner of the earth ; but since the reëmployed. The weather was bad, and the men had seen fit to quit of their own motion, men could not earn thirty cents, or half of the company was not at all put out. it, in an hour ; so the company concluded to By the 13th of March the strikers had go slowly until the snow left the hills. reached that period in the natural progress The company was now running trains to of a strike when a meeting may easily be the summit, and making money, and yet was turned to a mob and law-abiding citizens be charging just half what the toll had been over converted into red-mouthed, howling anarch- the toll-road-half what the packer had paid ists. They were in session all day, and again for the privilege of passing along the planked at night. Some one made a fiery speech ; trail. By the 1st of June, 1899, a full force the smoldering embers of discontent were of men were at work. On the 20th, they be- fanned into flame, and the assemblage swept gan laying track beyond the summit. They into the street, crying, "To the shops, to put down three miles of steel that day. Two the shops!” Now the real purpose of the shifts working twelve hours each were now leaders was only to go to the shops, terrorize employed, for there was no night in Alaska. the few employees still at work, and force Not a lamp nor a lantern was used. Early them to join the strikers. But a mob knows on the morning of July 6th, a river steamer no law, and listens to no reason. The more that had come up the Yukon landed 200 pas- reckless of the crowd (who always take the sengers at Bennett. Across the front of a lead upon such occasions) understood that tent they saw a sign : "The White Pass & the shops were to be wrecked and burned. Yukon Route. R. R. Ticket Office.” Many Hundreds of the men would have no part in rushed in to buy tickets, but there was no this business, but followed out of curiosity, railroad-not a rail nor a tie to be se and so, unwittingly, encouraged the real “We'll take care of you,” said the ticket rioters. agent, blandly. "The train leaves at 2 P.M. On the way to the shops, at the upper end sharp." of the town, the men were met by their “Where'bouts does it start frum?” asked friend, the minister, who tried to persuade a man in a broad white hat. them to return. He held them only for a “It will leave from this depot at 2 P.M." few moments ; but long enough for Mr. His With that the agent ceased to be a source lop to telephone to Heney, who was at the of information. He gave his individual at- shops. The resourceful Irishman ran a loco- tention to the stamping of tickets, the count- motive outdoors, and then fixed headlights ing of money, and the weighing of “dust." all about so as to illuminate every avenue When they had all bought tickets, the leading from the town to the shops. When pilgrims sat and listened to the ceaseless the mob came into the glare of the light, ring of the steel spike-mauls on the steel they hesitated. Heney called to them to rails. Many went out to see the men at retreat, but they would not. They advanced work. The end of the track had been two again. Heney, backed by Dr. Whiting, the miles out when they landed. It was nearer fighting chief surgeon of the company, and now. Some of the prospective passengers a handful of faithful employees--some with wanted to help the workmen, so eager were guns, some with clubs, but many with noth- they to continue their journey, for many ing but their naked hands with which to de- had “dust” that was spoiling to be spent ; fend themselves against the howling mob— more had “dust” to get, and longed to reach halted the leader. The leader told Heney Seattle. More than one was singing, softly : OVER THE NEW LINE ON A LOCOMOTIVE. 425 “Oh, cable this message along the track : 300 tons more. A thousand tons to be The Prod's out West, but he's coming back ; carried forty miles at $40 a ton! Yes, Put plenty of veal for one on the rack, Trolla lala, la la la, la la." Dawson was dead and buried. The multitude that was to use and consume all this truck Finally, amid the wildest enthusiasm, the was staying, loyally, on the Klondike to keep last spike was driven, and the first through the grave green. Skagway, two years old, passenger train pulled out on schedule time. has two daily papers. The proprietor of one July 20, 1897, the first pack train had has a green lawn and a lawn-mower. The crossed the range from the head of Lynn $10,000 toll-road man has a fine vegetable Canal. July 20, 1898, the first locomo- garden. Sweet-peas and pink geraniums are tive was run on the White Pass and Yukon abloom about his door. At the best café line. February 20, 1899, the first passen- in camp, founded by the late “Sapolio" ger train was run to the summit of White Smythe, we had ham and eggs and a cup of Pass, and the first through passenger train good coffee for twenty-five cents. From on July 6, 1899, only a little over a year my window at the Fifth Avenue ($2.50, from the commencement of the work of American plan) I could look out upon that building the road. beautiful waterway, miscalled a canal, and When it was seen that the road would be see ships of all sorts and sizes coming and completed, those who had predicted its fail- going, coming and going. A big freighter ure began to prophesy that it would never was coming in; an excursion boat was blow- earn operating expenses. As a matter of ing “good-by,” bound for Sitka. 'Twas a fact, the twenty miles from Skagway to the busy town for a two-year-old. top of the hill earned enough to pay the And here is the train that is to take us cost of the expensive extension to Bennett over the hill along the new trail-a smart- paid operating expenses, and left a balance. looking, compound Baldwin locomotive, a The first $130,000 earned after the line was combination express, mail, and baggage car, completed to Lake Bennett showed a net three day coaches, and an open observation profit of $100,000 over operating expenses. car in the rear. The seats are all taken as It cost in the neighborhood of $25,000 to we enter the train. The open car is rull, run the road during the month of August, the and upon all the steps people are sitting, first full month after the completion of the and standing on the platform, eager for line. The gross earnings that month were the first glimpse of the gorgeous Alaskan about $200,000. Not a bad month's work scenery. for a forty-mile road, and all for the trans Leaving the town, we sweep through a portation of a few sight-seers, and the flow- groove in the forest. On the left are the ers for Dawson's grave. ruins of a turkey ranch, established in the "boom” days, and down the mountain side WHAT WILL HE DO WITH IT ?” to the right plunges Reid Falls. Glancing again to the left, we see the beginning of Now that the daring capitalist has built the once famous Dead Horse Trail, and this railway over White Pass, what will he leaving the river, we swing up along the do with it? Atlin is a myth, Dawson is dead, foot of the range. At the next curve we and the whole “Klondike boom busted.” get a glimpse of a great glacier, and now Men had been saying such things for months. as we pass through deep cuts at Rocky But when we stepped ashore at Skagway, Point, the man who laid out the line shows early in August, 1899, to my amazement the us that we are traveling along an old river- place was full of people, busy, happy. Piles bed, crossing and recrossing it as we climb of freight were upon the wharves ; steamers the hill. The break in the rock formation were constantly coming and going ; yard is plainly visible when once you have been engines were puffing about the sheds or taught to look for it. Yes, one time the screaming along the bluffs. The streets river ran along just where the road runs and hotels were full of people-miners, pil- now, while the river is now hundreds of grims, tourists, and pleasure-seekers. Cap- feet, aye, a thousand feet below us. As tain Hovey's black troopers were building a the engine lifts us higher and higher, we white city at the edge of the town. Seven can see the great ice fields below Skagway hundred tons of freight lay at the wharf and beyond Dyea, and across the cañon waiting to be transported over the range, white rivers are slipping down the mountain. and our steamer, the “Rosalie,” that had They are not flat rivers, nor perpendicular refused freight at Vancouver, would leave falls, but swiftly sliding streams that in the 66 426 BUILDING A RAILROAD INTO THE KLONDIKE. distance look like broad bands of silver wind-swept shore of Bennett Lake. In some- reaching down from the glaciers to the thing less than four hours we have crossed gorge. the range that used to cost the early pilgrims A sudden turn throws the train out along as many weary days. And now they are a shelf of the range. “Look! look !" some building on-on to Caribou Crossing, and on one calls, and everybody looks back, and to the foot of White Horse Rapids, to the there is a scarcely audible “0-0-0-0," for heart of the recently discovered copper fields, just below us lies the whole town of Skag- and seventy miles farther on the way to the way, and beyond, but in full view, the harbor Klondike. Next summer, when this gap is with all its shipping, and still farther the closed, the traveler bound for Dawson can billow mountains capped with eternal ice. enter a train at Chicago, Washington, or That one glimpse is worth the price of a trip Montreal, change to a steamer whenever he to Alaska. But you get it twice, as a matter strikes the Pacific, back to rail at Skagway, of fact, and so save money by going. When and to a river steamer at White Horse, that we stop at the switchback, a river of good will put him ashore at Dawson, without the size is rushing beneath our train and plung- slightest inconvenience, in less than nine days ing on down the steep, narrow gorge to for the entire journey, if he figures his con- lose itself and its song in the broad Pacific. nections carefully. From Chicago to Seattle, Now, at the request of the superintendent, three sleeps ; Seattle to Skagway, three who goes along with us, I must go forward sleeps ; Skagway to White Horse, half a and ride the engine for a while. "I want you day; White Horse to Dawson, two sleeps. to roast Westinghouse, or Baldwins, or some- Total, eight and one-half days. body, for the idiotic way they have of dis And be sure this time will be shortened tributing air-levers and cocks in a cab," was from year to year. For many people will go the way McGee, the driver, greeted me. I this way. There will be competition, with a promise to do so, and when he has given shortening of the time, on overland trains. me two pieces of clean white waste with There will be better boats on the Sound, do- which to grip the hot, and sometimes oily, ing the trip in a little over two days, in two pipes, we visit, and I hang out of the fire- or three years from now. But within that man's window and drink in the grandeur of time the railroad will in all probability be ex- the wild scene, and listen to the music of the tended to the mouth of the Klondike. It is stack, and to the cry of the whistle that goes 450 miles from White Horse to Dawson. At singing up the side cañons and echoing back places the road would be expensive, but miles from the far-off hills. As we approach the and miles of track could be laid along the summit, I watch eagerly for the head-waters level shore of the Yukon, and there is timber of the Skagway, that flows south for sixteen for ties from the mere clearing of the right miles to the Pacific Ocean, and the beginning of way. It would cost less to keep this 450 of the Yukon, that flows north for 1,600 miles of road open in winter than it costs to miles, or more, to find the sea. But I never keep a like amount of track clear in Dakota knew, and know not now. All at once we or Colorado. The snow lies on the level at were at the summit. A few moments later an average depth of two feet. A hundred we were gliding down the other side, with a and forty feet fell at the switchback on the river that was a lake every little while flow- Great Northern last winter. As there is little ing under our window, but flowing to the or no wind, there will be no drifting. It is north. the drift that causes the trouble. To be sure, At Log Cabin we meet the Northwest the men who made the White Pass Railroad Mounted Police. They are the customs did not make the country; but they have officers here, but the most obliging, gentle- helped the traveler and the shipper over a manly customs officers you will find in many bad place in the trail. It is wicked to mar years' travel. But they gained the undying the beauties of nature, but now that the face hatred of the stampeders, packers, and of the cliff has been broken, it would be a “ boomers," who came in the “boom” days handsome thing for the company to send a with wounded, maimed, and sore-backed man with a chisel to Rocky Point and have horses. These were compelled to turn back him grave on the face of the wall three big or stop until the poor dumb animals were fit capital “H's," that would stand for all time for the trail. A long blast of the whistle, for the three heroes who made the road : and we slow, and stop at Bennett, on the Hawkins, Hislop, and Heney. AS IT FELL OUT. By TIGHE HOPKINS, Author of "The Master-key of Newgate," " For Freedom," etc. THE STORY OF A STRANGE RESCUE FROM PRISON. V.R. S fail! UPPOSE the plot should Beatrioe did not answer, but put another fail ?” said Beatrice, question to him: whose lip trembled. “What am I to think of all that you have “If it should fail ?" just said ? Am I to consider that you have returned Centlivre. —that you have made a confession to me?” “But,” he added imme. “I have confessed nothing-except this, diately, “it will not that I have wronged both you and him." “ You tried to induce me to marry you,” “If it should ?" she insisted. said Beatrice, “knowing that I was pledged “Then,” answered the other, “ I will give to him. I answered you as I should have myself up to justice.” done, and you said that I had not seen the Beatrice gazed at the ring which Noriac last of you. Then, immediately almost, came had given her, the ring she had insisted on his arrest and trial. Those who knew him his placing there the day that he was tried, best knew his innocence from the first. The convicted, and sentenced as a forger. day he was convicted you disappeared. That “ Alas!” she replied, “ that would not was four years ago; and you return to me aid us. It would not help Noriac and me.” now with this most strange proposal." intense as was the emotion she displayed, “Which, apparently, you reject.” her tone to Centlivre was cold, and her gray “No," answered Beatrice. eyes shot darts at him, now of distrust and it.” now of half contempt. He sat handsome and “And will face the dangers ?” quiet before her, in her room in the hotel in “Do I care for dangers ? Give him to London. There was a coldness in his tone also, me again!” but something of deference went with it. “I am here to risk myself for that,” said “Shall we then go no further ?” he asked. Centlivre, as calmly as ever. “I spoke of Copyright, 1900, by Tighe Hopkins. All rights reserved. “I accept 427 THE STORY OF A STRANGE RESCUE FROM PRISON. 429 spent. The train was late; it might be im- the first check she had received, and, slight possible to obtain admission to the prison as it was, it fretted her. that evening, but Beatrice's heart was on “None, of course, except the rules of the fire. A carriage was ordered for her, and place,” Centlivre answered. “You hold the in ten minutes the two horses were begin- Home Secretary's order, and will be admitted ning the long and steep ascent from the to-morrow.” townlet in the hollow to the heights of Trent They dined alone, in the dull little coffee- land. Up, up, and up; the white road cury- room, no other guests in the hotel; a hot ing about the stony hill; glimpses of the re- night of July, without a dew. Centlivre's treating sea, and at one bend a momentary courtesy—he had ceased to speak to her vision, far out in the bay, of a yacht at of love--could revive nothing between anchor. It sent the blood flying to her them. cheeks; it gave her a thrill of fear and of “You are tired,” he said at last. “Go delight. Who else had seen, and had any to bed, and think of to-morrow." one suspected it ? Was it visible from the He wondered at his own restraint; for prison towers ? No; it had been shown her Beatrice, four years a stranger to him, was as a signal of hope. A few minutes later still the woman of his life, and he knew how she saw a man in the uniform of the prison he held her now. But he knew also that her coming down the hill, and recognized the heart was three miles away from him, up on warder in her pay. She was alarmed again, the rock-ribbed hill of Trentland, and that for when the warder observed Beatrice he she was scarcely conscious of his presence. touched his cap, and motioned the driver to · Yes, I am going to bed,” she said; stop. He was a well-countenanced, fresh- “ and even without an apology for my dull- colored fellow, but his manner with Beatrice ness. Do you think he will be here to-mor- was mysterious, as befitting a receiver of un- row?" lawful moneys. His communication amounted “To-morrow ? No; that is impossible!” only to this, that she would not be admitted said Centlivre. “He has not had your sig- to the prison that evening; the prisoners, nal.” he said, were already locked in for the night. “ He will have it to-morrow. Might he “Is he expecting me?” asked Beatrice not be here to-morrow night?” in a low tone. Centlivre pushed away his coffee-cup. “To-morrow, Miss," replied the warder. “Yes, yes," said Beatrice; “I will be Not knowing how far the man was in her patient. To-morrow night would be im- lover's confidence, she hesitated to say more. possible. But I have lived four years on Then she asked, “Is all well ?” The warder patience." smiled, and made a sign in the affirmative. “ Add a few hours only,” said Centlivre. She told him at what place she was staying, She was in the garden at sunrise the next and added, as low as before: “My brother morning, dressed as she would go to him. is with me, but—but we do not wish it Her visit was for midday. She wandered known. I shall go alone to-morrow." The away along the beach, sat for hours under warder, frugal of words, showed a sympa- the shelter of a rock, her eyes fixed upon thetic face as he bowed to her. Then, turn- the yacht; then stole up the empty cliff, ing this way and that, he said: “I should passing a cottage here and there. In one be going, Miss. We're watched up here." of these cottages she procured some milk They were, in fact, within a short distance and bread, dallied long over the meal, and of the prison, for Beatrice had driven nearly then mounted again, till she came upon the three miles. The man's warning made her high-road, and the prison guards patrolling wish she had not stayed so long with him; it. She walked up to the prison, her face she remembered having heard that in these pale beneath the veil; presented her order, great convict establishments the warders are and was admitted. overlooked almost as closely as the prisoners, How well she remembered the dark, strong and, had any one observed it, their meeting place—which struck cold on that brilliant must appear suspicious. She gave him a morning; how hateful it was to her; and quick good-evening, afraid even to smile her how passionately she prayed in heart that gratitude, and bade the driver take her back. she might enter its gates no more. She had “You were too late, as I feared," said to wait under the high archway facing the Centlivre. prison chapel, while the gate warder sent in “Do you think there would be any reason her card and order. She had visited the for not admitting me?” she asked. It was prison so often-punctual to the day as- 430 AS IT FELL OUT. signed her by the Home Office—that many were stamped all over with the sign of the of the warders were known to her by sight, black arrow, his coarse boots were stained and by such of them as had met her within with the dust of the quarries which he had the walls that delicious face and admirable hastily brushed from them. But Noriac car- form were unforgotten. They were always ried well the garb of his ignominy, and his respectful, and not always, I think, with an thin face, with eyes blazing in deep sockets, eye to gain; though every one knew that the had lost little of the beauty which had helped smallest service to her in Noriac's interest to win him a devoted mistress. would be worth a week's pay to him. “Ah! and let me look at you, my Bice,” Beatrice was bidden (as a visitor whom he said; for you come in a new guise to- the prison was pleased to honor) to the office day!” It was true. For the first time of the deputy governor, who informed her since she had visited him in prison she was that the prisoner's conduct was beyond re- wearing colors, and in her bosom a guelder- proach, that his health appeared to be excel- rose of good news. It was the signal. lent, and that he complained of nothing. Noriac's voice, as he proclaimed his rec- Then came the ordeal her heart panted for ognition of it, rang more clearly, and Bea- and shrank from. trice had not failed to note the change. She was led to the visiting-room, a place Yes,” she said; “ but there is a reason of torture composed of two cages divided by for it to-day. We have heard something- a narrow passage; one cage for the visitor you know what." and the other for the prisoner; while the The mute warder, sitting at the end of the warder in the passage sits and listens. gangway, listened, but cared little. The As often as Beatrice had been passed into friends of prisoners were always hearing that forbidding place her spirit had been something good for them, and prisoners were quenched in her; and waiting for Noriac, always expecting their release. While the her face against the bars of the cage, she strict rules of the interview were not in- had tried vainly to remember the little things fringed, the warder on duty kept a blank she had treasured up to tell him, or had face and said nothing. What is Centlivre thought how they might jar upon his ear-- to do in it, Bice ?” asked Noriac. echoes of the sweet world of liberty which In a way, both knew that a plunge was to he was secluded from. But on this day she be taken; and so far each understood the was possessed and all but mastered by emo- other. Both knew also what the plunge was tions quite unique. The sufferings of four to be. But Beatrice could not tell how much years were, perhaps, on the very point of lay in Noriac's power, and Noriac, as yet, passing from them both; they would pass if could not see an inch beyond the prison walls. -if-within the next few hours Noriac could In the letters she had contrived to smuggle work a miracle. But of this she could, of in to him, she had been almost as guarded as course, learn nothing from his own lips; his she was compelled to be in speaking, with face, his air, the tones of his voice would the warder's ears cocked between them. solely guide her. A lock grated at one end Puzzling her brain a moment, she said: of the room, and at the moment that a “It is Centlivre who is to procure your warder entered and took his seat in the release, dear. You know what-what influ- passage, a man in the dress of a convict ence he has.” appeared at the grille opposite to Beatrice. A dry cough from the chair in the gang- His eyes leapt out at her, and hers at him way: Beatrice started, dreading lest a sylla- as she plucked off her veil. ble too much should betray her. The warder “ Beautiful, have you come to me again ?” was thinking only what fools they were; he he said, and the breath caught in his throat, had known prisoners in for ten and fifteen and his eyes with the livid rings around them years who always went away from an inter- strained at her through the bars. They view of this sort sure that they would be could not touch each other's hands; their released in a week. But a light broke in on hands had not touched for four years. Noriac. He had guessed before, but was “ Tell me how you are, my love!” she not certain, what Centlivre's part was to be. answered. “Come as close to me as you “Are you sure, love, that he is honest can. Let me look at you!” with us ?” he asked. He stood erect; and the smile he always “I believe that he is true in this. You had for her, well or ill, lighted his drawn know, I had not seen him since the trial. features. His head was shaved to the skull, He came suddenly the other day, said he was his close-fitting jacket and knickerbockers sure that he could free you-he knows who THE STORY OF A STRANGE RESCUE FROM PRISON. 431 did it, I am certain, but I asked nothing and white face and rigid frame before he sent that he would not spare himself.” for the assistant surgeon. The assistant was “If he will do what I believe he can do, " a new hand in Trentland, but not new to the answered Noriac, “I am certain I shall ob- service; he had joined recently from another tain my freedom--at once.” prison. “ Who is the man ?” he said, Beatrice held herself in, though she felt there were 1,300 convicts in the prison. at that moment that she had him to her “Name of Noriac, sir. Seven years for breast again; for Noriac had told her all. forgery." He was ready. He had given the answer “Who was on duty in the ward last to her signal. night?” The night warder, relieved but Interviews are limited to half an hour, an hour before, was fetched out of bed. even for prisoners in the first class; and as After a glance at the face in the ham- Noriac was going back to his cell, with her mock, the doctor had stripped off the cloth- eyes in his heart, and the perfume of her fill- ing, and thrown open the shirt. The lower ing all his senses, Beatrice was out in the sun limbs were cold, but the chest and abdomen again, dreamy with happiness, and thoughts were slightly warm to the touch. There was of heaven posting after and before her. She no respiration, and the pulse at the wrist had forgotten Centlivre, waiting for her in and other parts had ceased. The stetho- the garden of the hotel, and for an instant scope carried not a tick from the heart. she was chilled again as he came to meet The doctor turned to the night warder. her. But Centlivre would have gone very “This man is dead,” he said. “ Was there willingly into Noriac's cell for the look on any sound from his cell in the night ?” her face before she raised her eyes to him. No, sir." “You have succeeded,” he said kindly. “Had he made any complaint ?” “I have seen him," said Beatrice. “Not that I heard of, sir." Yes; but that is not all.” Did you see him in his hammock during In her heart Beatrice was sure that Cent- the night ?” livre-at his own high risk--was guarding “I threw the light in on him several times, her lover's case and hers, and she put a hard sir. I saw him turn in his hammock twice, hand upon her dread of him. and after that he seemed to be asleep.' “I believe it is safe,” she said, seeking The cell was searched, but it yielded noth- a kind accent. “I believe it is safe. At ing contraband, and the body showed no trace least, he understands, and he is ready for of external violence. The governor was the effort. I made him think that-that summoned. At the end of half an hour the you meant to do your utmost.” body had stiffened and cooled throughout, “Yes, and he said and the heart was absolutely pulseless. “ He said that if you did that, he would “Not much doubt about that, I suppose?” be free immediately. said the governor. “Good!” Centlivre answered. “We have “I'm afraid not,” said the young doctor. now to reckon only with the accidents.” “What do you put it down to ?” But it seems to me,” said Beatrice, As far as I can see, sir, an ordinary case “that, even with everything arranged between of syncope. Failure of the heart's action us, the accidents are scarcely to be escaped." during sleep. He has been dead only a very “There is only one that troubles me,” said short time.” Centlivre,“ and I will tell it to you when we “ You've made the tests?” said the gov- know the worst. By the way, did you learn ernor. that the doctor has left the prison to-day?” “Yes, I've not omitted those, sir," said “No. How do you know that ?” the doctor dryly; “ but here is one other." We quarreled in a friendly way over the He took a match from his pocket, struck last copy of the Times’ at the bookstall. it, and held the flame over the uncovered He was starting on a three days' holiday.” heart. The skin changed color, and there When the prison was rung up at six o'clock was a smell of burning, but the body did not the next morning, one man was missing from shrink. “H’m! Better fix the inquest for the muster. His cell was entered, and C. 27 four this afternoon,” said the governor. -entered on the books as John Edward No The warder who had taken Beatrice to the riac—was discovered cold between the sheets visiting-room on the previous day volun- of his hammock. The sleep of death is teered the information that he believed the feigned in prison once or twice in a cen- lady was - still at the station hotel, and a tury, and the warder looked closely at the message was sent down the hill. 432 AS IT FELL OUT. The dead man was carried out in his ham- plained the examination he had made in or- mock, and made ready for the jury. His der to satisfy himself of the reality of death. cell was swept and garnished for another The prisoner had not been dead, in all prob- tenant, and his effects—a packet of letters ability, more than a quarter of an hour at from Beatrice-were placed under seal in the time his cell was first entered. Asked the office. Preparations for the inquest whether the deceased's history in Trentland were completed in the swift, silent way they afforded any clew to the suddenness of his do things in prison. The day's mill-round, death, the assistant surgeon replied that he on the works, in the shops, in the work- himself had but just joined the staff of that rooms, in the cells, was unbroken; it was prison, and that nothing had occurred to passed about that C. 27 had “ kicked the bring the prisoner Noriac under his notice. bucket,” but that was all. In parties large He had, however, made every possible in- and small the dumb convicts were marshaled quiry since the morning, and, so far as he and driven hither and thither as usual; could learn, the deceased had not been under searched on parade, fed in their cells, and medical treatment a single day in Trentland. turned out again in the afternoon: one party The foreman of the jury asked why the was one man short; that made the sole dif- principal medical officer did not appear. ference in the day's drama. The governor stated that he was on special The coroner for the district was summoned leave of absence for a day or two, the gen- by wire from the sea-town seven miles dis- eral health of the prison being exceptionally tant, and the twelve jurors were gathered in good. He had been telegraphed for, but the from the hill. The case seemed desperately governor was unable to say whether he would bare of interest. It was quite evidently not arrive that evening. a prison scandal ; there was neither testi A juror who, up to this point, had been mony nor suspicion of cruelty or neglect, silent, put the question whether the medical and the several witnesses were plainly speak- officer had ever known a case in which a ing all they knew. prisoner had feigned death as a means of The governor stated that the prisoner had escaping from prison. The doctor replied, been in his charge three years and a quar- with a smile, that his experience of escapes ter, having come to Trentland from the local and attempted escapes had not included a prison in London, where, according to cus- case of that kind. A prisoner who should tom, he had passed the first nine months of succeed in imitating death so exactly as to his sentence. The prisoner had never been deceive the eye, hand, and ear of an expert in trouble with any of the officers, he was would run the extremest risk of being buried never put to severe labor, he had never com- alive. However, added the doctor, with an- plained to the governor that he was over- other smile, the jury would have an oppor- worked, nor, so far as the governor was tunity of seeing the body for themselves. aware, had he ever had a day's illness in What, in the medical officer's opinion, was Trentland. He was in the first class, and the exact and immediate cause of death ? had all the privileges which first-class pris The deceased, answered the doctor, had un- oners enjoyed. Only the previous day he questionably died a natural death, the cause had been permitted to receive a visit from being failure of the action of the heart dur- a lady, and this had seemed to put him in ing sleep. very good heart. A juror asked whether the The jury were then taken to view the lady were present and would give evidence. body, which had been placed in a shell in The governor replied that the lady had a room adjoining the hospital. Noriac, his been communicated with at the station hotel. eyes closed, lay cold, stark, and livid, in the She was in a state of prostration, and quite attitude in which he had been extended. unable to appear. The lady had, however, The jury stayed but a few moments—it was stated voluntarily that, having seen the de- a most uninteresting case--and returned to ceased so recently, in good health and spirits, their own room. * Your verdict, gentle- she laid no charge whatever against the au- men ?” asked the coroner. thorities of the prison, and would accept the The chief warder begged leave to inter- verdict of the jury. She desired that the vene for a moment. The officer who had body be handed over to her, a request which locked the deceased prisoner into his cell the governor was empowered to accede to. on the previous evening had just informed The assistant medical officer stated the cir- him that he wished to make a statement. cumstances in which he had been called to This man was put forward, and said that the prisoner's cell that morning, and ex- as he was locking in the men of his ward the THE STORY OF A STRANGE RESCUE FROM PRISON. 433 night before, the prisoner Noriac had called The warder was sent for, and gave a pretty him into his cell, and told him he had been close account of the conversation. He had scheming to escape from prison. The pris- been present, he said, at very many inter- oner went on to say, continued the warder, views between prisoners and their visitors, that he had worked out such a plan as had and the visitor would often try to cheer the never before been attempted, and that he prisoner by speaking of his chances of re- had been on the point of carrying it into ex- lease. Nothing had passed at the interview ecution, confident it would succeed, but that which was contrary to the rules of the prison, he had all at once abandoned it, having re- and he had not noticed any particular elation ceived a warning that very day that he would in the prisoner. The doctor, questioned die during the night. The court suddenly again, said that alleged premonitions of death pulled itself together, and for the first time were not matters which medical jurisprud- in the progress of the inquiry showed a touch ence was able as yet to take cognizance of. of interest. The coroner asked whether this The interest of the court had now com- were all the prisoner had said. That was pletely passed, and the jury were not five all, answered the warder. minutes over their verdict of, “ Death from Had the witness not reported the state- natural causes, in accordance with the medi- ment to the governor or the chief warder ? cal testimony.” A rider was added to the N-no (a little hesitatingly), he had said noth- effect that the warder who had received the ing about it. last statement of the deceased should have How was that? Well, he was aware that reported it on the spot, in order that the he had failed in his duty in not having made prisoner might have been placed at once the report, but he had not attached the least under special and close surveillance. importance to what the prisoner said. Since Immediately after the inquest the gov- the visit he had received in the morning, the ernor ordered the shell to be closed, and the prisoner had been excited in an unusual way. chief warder was instructed as to its de- He was generally very quiet, but after this livery. visit he had seemed upset,“ in rather a lively fashion,' and had laughed and talked to him Beatrice had lived the day out in her own self over his work in the afternoon. The room, behind a locked door. At dusk she witness, in short, had fancied that the visit appeared in the garden, when Centlivre at had made him a little light-headed, for he once went down to her. Her agitation was had laughed again while speaking of his plan extreme, her face was colorless, and she to escape, and even when he said that he spoke through chattering teeth. expected to die that night. He thought it “ H-have we failed ?" she said. likely that he should have made a report on A brief report of the inquest and verdict the subject in a day or two-he certainly had already been placed in her hands. should have done so had the prisoner ever “Why think so ?” Centlivre answered. repeated his statement --but the deceased “Has it not gone step for step exactly as had always borne such a good character in we willed it ?' the prison that the witness had felt unwill But she held, crushed in her hand, the ver- ing to bring him into trouble. dict of the coroner's jury, and the words The latter part of the warder's evidence looked terrible upon paper. had turned the edge of the jury's interest See,” she said, holding it out. in him. A sensation which promised well say that he is dead, that he died from nat- had evaporated. But the other witnesses ural causes. Those must have been the doc- were put through their facings again, that tor's own words; they may be true, they the situation might be made to yield its best. may be true. They must all have seen him The governor admitted that the prisoners —could he deceive them so ?” were sometimes a little unbalanced after the Centlivre was well aware of this element visit of a relative or friend; but the effects, of real doubt, though it weighed little with as he had observed them, were for the most him. “You forget,” he said, “ that we have part slight and unimportant. Prisoners did been dealing with people very poorly skilled occasionally, but very rarely, announce an in- in such a case as this—a coroner's jury in tention to escape. They were then always an out-of-the-way place, a doctor's assistant, placed under special watch. He suggested who, as I have heard this afternoon, has only that the warder should be called who had just joined the staff. If the signs were such been present at the interview between the as I believe them to have been, a mistake deceased and the lady. was easy. And their very hurry has played "They 434 AS IT FELL OUT. into our hands. The inquiry might have been “Oh, no; he's better." delayed a day, two days, or even three, and The ‘ Duke'?' then indeed we should have had to fear. Had Noriac's the man,” said the assistant they waited for their principal doctor, who surgeon. must have known Noriac closely, our danger Noriac? What's wrong with him ?" would have been trebled. Quiet yourself; “ Well, he died early this morning.” expect the best; we shall have him in our Astonishment and an enormous incredulity hands within the hour." overspread the ugly, intelligent countenance He had not finished speaking, indeed, when of Mackellar. there was borne into the garden a sound of “Noriac !” he said slowly, and with wheels moving slowly; and every spring that dreadful emphasis. “ Who killed him ?” fed the heart of Beatrice was dried in her The assistant explained very briefly, and as the wheels ceased at the yard of the with some nervousness. Like most others hotel. “Courage!” said Centlivre gently. in the prison, he was already afraid of his The moment had come. Beatrice clung chief; a good and excellent man, but terri- weakly to his arm. “Wait here,” he said, ble in the discharge of his duty. “ or return to your room. In a few minutes “Let me see him. Where have you got you will hear from me.” the body?” said Mackellar. “I will wait here,” said Beatrice. ' It was sent out this evening." He left her, and hurried to the yard. Two Sent out! Sent out this evening! Who warders of the prison, one of whom carried in heaven sent it out ?” a lantern, were standing beside a cart, in Governor's orders," replied the assis- which lay the most unambiguous object in tant. the world--a coffin. And who is medical officer of this “I am acting for Miss Beatrice Balfe," prison ?" clamored Mackellar. said Centlivre. “She has a sitting-room An unpleasant pause followed. engaged in the hotel, where the coffin will “Now, sit down,” continued Mackellar, remain for the night. Can you assist me, not so roughly; “ sit down and tell me more or shall I get help from the hotel ? of this. Let me have every detail.” The warders and the driver of the cart “May I ask what your suspicions are ?" were willing, and the four men lifted the said the young man. coffin quietly into the hotel. It was placed, “Yes, you may-in good time,” returned under Centlivre's directions, on a low couch the elder. “Now, let me have it." in their sitting-room. Dismissing the men, The assistant related as much as the reader with a fee, Centlivre waited till he heard the knows of what had happened in the prison cart moving out of the yard; then he made since the discovery of Noriac's death. fast the door of the room, and, taking a chisel “ Ah-h-h!” murmured Mackellar, at the from his pocket, he began with all speed to close. “And by whom was the body prize the coffin open. claimed ?" By the lady who came here yesterday- At this precise hour, one Mackellar, chief Miss Balfe, I think the name is. medical officer of Trentland prison, recalled “ To be sure! To be sure! Well, my by telegram for he knew not what, was being able young friend, here is my opinion: this driven briskly up the hill. Mackellar was a is either the very finest ‘plant'I have ever man of five-and-forty, with a prodigious ap- known, or the beautiful Miss Balfe is about petite for work and a passion for finding out to bury her sweetheart alive! Now you things. The loss of two days and a half from know what Tom Mackellar thinks. Under- a three days' holiday had not even caused a stand," he went on, “ you may have been pain in his temper. The governor, he was right, and I may be wrong. Listen, how- informed, had gone for his evening stroll, so ever, and Mackellar proceeded to speak he despatched a message to his own sub- curiously to his assistant. ordinate, who answered it in person. The young man sat not a little distressed. “Now, my young friend," said Mackellar, “Still,” observed Mackellar, “we shall “ what's the matter ? Anything wrong give you the benefit of the doubt. Men have with the boarders ? Have you physicked died in sleep from natural causes before now. one out of the wrong bottle ?” It may have been that you sent away a true “No; but one of them has taken himself corpse. Only, you perceive-I, knowing a off without my help." little more of the case than you could know, Not old Free-and-Easy'?” had I been in your place to-day, should not THE STORY OF A STRANGE RESCUE FROM PRISON. 435 have allowed an inquest in the afternoon, lar pelted down to the hotel. “ You took a and dismissed my man in a shell before sup- coffin in here from the prison this evening, per-time. Your tests--you are young at our didn't you ?” trade, and we are speaking within four walls “Yes, doctor; sent down after the in- were quite insufficient. The signs might quest.” have deceived you, and might have deceived “The lady in who claimed it?” me, thirty or even forty minutes after death, “Ill in bed, sir. You'll find her brother so-called. But if my surmise is correct, upstairs." there would have been something different “ Thank you; just show me up.” I don't say something that a glance would have detected-an hour or two later, and The lid of the shell, scarcely nailed, gave most certainly by four in the afternoon. to a touch of the chisel; and Centlivre raised Yet you made no second examination. How- it, and looked in. There had been no post- ever, there goes the governor. Follow me, mortem, the only accident he had feared. my young Christian friend; together we will The sheet stripped from the body, he sur- put the fear of the Lord into the governor veyed it critically. There is a part of the of Trentland." circle of life, lying just between spirit and Major D'Avity, the governor, was a per- matter, which remains a puzzle without a son to be dreaded equally with Dr. Mackel- key. The links of the chain that connect lar; a governor who ruled his prison with a the two are few and short, but science has breath; and Mackellar was the only man no name for them, because it has no knowl- upon the staff that would confront him. The edge of them. What list of vital functions governor sat and heard it all, making a point of is veiled under these abysses of incertitude, not letting his cigar go out. It was his prin- we cannot tell. ciple never to be taken by surprise. "I'm Centlivre was astonished first at the aspect sorry you weren't here,” he said, when Mac- of the face, which, in fact, had undergone a kellar had finished; “ but I saw the body my- change. It had taken on the crystal purity self, and, as you know, it takes a pretty old of death, the first or second day of death, hand at malingering to get round me. “We will drop the suggestion of malin- “Before decay's effacing fingers gering,” said Mackellar. “I don't insist on Have swept the lines where beauty lingers." that. It may have been a plot, a 'fake' on the man's part, or it may not have been. It looked so like the sleep unfeigned that But, don't you see, if the thing were invol- with Beatrice trembling for his word in untary as far as Noriac was concerned-a the garden-he was half-afraid to seek a view which I haven't had time to explain to proof. The body was still throughout, from our young friend here-we may still be re- head to foot. Conquering his unwillingness, sponsible for burying a live man." Centlivre laid his hand on Noriac's arm, and “I must repeat, said the governor, compressed the flesh gently between his finger “that, having seen the body twice, I cannot and thumb. In a dead body, if any part of take your point of view. The man was dead. the surface be compressed, the skin will re- If he were not dead, if it were a plot-if we main flat and inelastic. Noriac's retained have sent him out alive, I am not at all sure its elasticity, returning to shape immedi- (speaking between ourselves) that we have ately. The skin was cold, but Centlivre's any power left to us. We have sent away a hand was warmer than usual. He dipped it со ose, let us say; we go down to the sta- in water, dried it, and tried again. The skin tion hotel, suspecting we have made a mis- seemed warmer now. He laid his ear against take, and we find the corpse at table d'hôte. the heart, and thought it moved. His stetho- Upon my soul, I don't know what our rights scope was at his hand, and he applied it; the over him would be--for his name, with the beats of the heart were faint, but quite dis- date of his death, is chalked on the coffin we tinct. sent him out in; and we have in our books From the window of the sitting-room there the verdict of the coroner's jury that he died were steps leading into the garden, and Cent- this morning from natural causes." livre passed behind the blind, threw up the “As plain as day," said Mackellar. "Sorry sash softly, and called. Beatrice was sit- I troubled you, sir. Sorry I wanted that ting motionless at the foot of the steps. holiday. Good-night, sir!” and he left his He has done it!” whispered Centlivre. junior to make his own adieus. An inarticulate response came up to him. Pulling his pony out of the stable, Mackel “There is only my part now," said he. 436 AS IT FELL OUT. “Let everything be ready. Is the boat “You are free, Noriac,” said Centlivre. close ?" * You have escaped from prison. I am Cent- "Yes.” livre. Don't you remember now ?” “ Send it out to the yacht at once. Let Then Noriac saw himself in the crude the men tell the captain you are coming, and coffin, and remembered. return here immediately. It may be an hour “Beatrice is waiting," continued Cent- yet, but I think it will be much less. You livre. “If you are strong enough, it is had better—but no; I have time for that time to prepare. We are not very far from myself." the prison. You are to leave here-with He stepped into the garden, and walked Beatrice-to-night-at once. Come, No- round to the front of the hotel, and into the riac!” landlady's room. “We shall be leaving by He was awake now, and knew it all. the first train in the morning,” he said, “Help me, Centlivre! Help me!” he “and I may as well settle our account to- said. Let me go to Beatrice.” night. My sister has gone to bed, but she Everything was in readiness, to the suit has asked me to thank you for her. We did of his own clothes which Beatrice had kept not expect to tax your kindness in this way, and brought away with her. The mental but we shall not forget it.” strain of the resuscitation having passed, In his room again, he turned once more Centlivre realized that their situation in the to Noriac. The idea of a possible pursuit hotel, scarcely three miles from the prison, from the prison had not presented itself to held innumerable dangers. But he was now him, but escape during the night seemed seconded by Noriac, who, weak as he was, imperative, and Noriac still lay entranced. began hastily to dress. When he had fin- Centlivre knew, however, that time was now ished, Centlivre had heated a bowl of soup the only thing in question. The face had for him over a spirit lamp. already lost its muscular rigidity, and the The preparations had taken but a few min- trunk and limbs showed a certain relaxation. utes. Centlivre lowered all the lights in The life was struggling back into the veins. the room, and, pushing aside the blind, he The limbs twitched a little, and the chest be- drew up the window. She is there!” he gan to heave. Centlivre chafed the feet and said. the palms of the hands, but they were as The two men looked in one another's eyes cold as before. He had laid on an opium a moment, and Noriac held out his hand. plaster, and from a case in his chest he took “ Thank you, Noriac; thank you!” said a small battery, and sent a slight current Centlivre, as he took it. through the limbs. The muscles quivered, and And Noriac stepped out into the arms of the movements of the chest grew stronger, Beatrice. A minute later, Centlivre walked but the eyes remained closed. In a few min- back to the window. “Good-by!” he whis- utes the body became warm throughout, the pered. “I am going.” But the lovers did vibrations of the heart were visible, and the not hear him. pulse throbbed at the wrist. Centlivre laid his hands hard upon the eyes. This the room ?” said Dr. Mackellar. “ Wake!” he said. “Wake! It is Bea- “ Thank you; I'll introduce myself." trice who calls you.” Noriac's eyes opened, His tap on the door was not answered, and and he rose half-up in the coffin. he turned the handle and went in. The room “ Take this,” said Centlivre, and he held was in perfect order, and showed nothing a little warm milk to Noriac's lips, chafing unusual, except a coffin, which stood upon his spine gently. the floor. The coffin was closed, but a chisel “ Beatrice is not here,” said Noriac. It lay upon the lid. Dr. Mackellar crossed the was not she who called me, but I heard her room, took up the chisel, and examined it. name.” His voice was weak, and he spoke “Of course,” he said. like a man in a dream. He thrust it under the lid of the coffin, ‘She will be here immediately-when you which opened quite easily. Replacing the are ready for her." lid, he put the chisel in his pocket and walked “Yes," said Noriac ; but it was clear that out again. “Dr. Mackellar,” said he to he did not comprehend. “When I am ready himself, “I am inclined to think it will be a for her." long while before you want another holiday.” ; 438 THE AUTHOR OF “ CYRANO." a I was by a voice which cries. "Rogue ! Did I not gerac, Act I. triumph than the English stage had seen for mired his work. Then, just as I was going, an even century. Here are some facts: To he said: 'I should like to write something begin with, a run in Paris of 400 perform- for you. I think I have a good idea.' Now, ances and Coquelin see how completely I scarcely started in the had come under his rôle; an amazing suc- spell, for at once I said cess in America, with that whatever he would ten rival companies write for me, on what- playing to packed ever subject, at what- houses in spite of bad ever time, I would ac- translations (all but cept without question one); Germans delight- or reservation, and put ed with Ludwig Fulda's on the stage at my own exquisite version; Span- theater: rather a re- iards wild over their markable pledge, seeing version; ten perform- that our acquaintance ances in St. Petersburg, dated from about ten which is counted minutes back ; but I memorable thing in Rus- meant exactly what I sia; Norway and Sweden said. playing “Cyrano"; “Some weeks later Denmark playing “Cy- he came to me with his rano”; half-forgotten subject, and went over little countries down it in detail. Servia way playing Montfleury, interrupted in playing his bagpipe pleased, and he went Cyrano” in queer away. A month later forbid you for one month !"-Cyrano de Ber- tongues like the Croa- he came back, and told tian; and critics for once me he had changed his led meekly by the noses mind and chosen an- after “Cyrano, the venerable autocrat other subject. There should be two men in “Uncle Sarcey (since deceased) heading love with a woman one handsome, the other the procession. Only one judgment, then, homely. The handsome man was stupid, the from public and press in all countries rated homely man extremely clever. These two civilized—“Cyrano " is a masterpiece. should become friends, and the love-making And hear what “ Cyrano” himself has to go on as you know. I was delighted, and say in this matter, the flesh-and-blood realiza- marveled that no dramatist had ever hit upon tion of Rostand's ideal, the elder Coquelin, that theme. A few nights later he came into one who knows the stage and its traditions my loge, and read me the duel verses. Ah, in and out-a veteran of the Comédie Fran- but that made an impression on me! What çaise, actor-manager at present in his own words, I said to myself, what action in every theater, the Porte St. Martin, the strongest line! I can hear him yet declaiming it. figure of a man on the stage of France to “A little later he read me the famous day. Here is the little narrative of personal lines where Cyrano introduces the cadets. experience that I got from him one morning I told him he would do a masterpiece if in his pleasant Paris home overlooking Napo- he kept on this way, and he did keep on. leon's arch: Little by little, scene by scene, he brought “ It was in the fall of 1894, I think, that me the play as it grew, until finally I had it I met Rostand first. I chanced to be at the all. In the summer he withdrew to the coun- house of Madame Sarah Bernhardt one day try, at Boissy St.-Léger, where most of the while Rostand was reading to her his ‘Prin- writing was done, and where I went down cesse Lointaine,' produced later at the Re- often to pass the night and hear how things naissance. I was present only as a friend, were going. Here was genius in full oper- but was greatly struck by the beauty of the ation, the real thing and no mistake. He lines and the high artistic quality of the worked furiously, without restriction or author's rendering. Bernhardt was stirred moderation; he could work in no other way. to tears, in fact was ill in bed for two days Sometimes it was a delight to watch him afterwards from the emotion. cherishing and smoothing his verses as a “ After the reading I was presented to fond gardener who waters the flowers he Rostand, and told him how sincerely I ad- loves and gives them sun. Again he wrought A TALK WITH COQUELIN ABOUT ROSTAND. 439 out his lines in torture, like a spirit driven tic perception surpassing any one. Yet he did through hell with rest forbidden. There are it smoothly, with few words, the company out- men, you know, like Sardou, who can rise doing themselves under him, like musicians every day at a certain hygienic hour, work led by a great conductor. We were in re- so long, and refuse to work any longer. hearsal about two months and a half, with Rostand is not of that kind. some sixty repetitions, and during that time “Another thing I soon observed was this, I never knew Rostand to be in doubt before that the critical power in him is perhaps as any dramatic tangle or to make an error in remarkable as the creative power. He knows judgment. " Roxane (to Cyrano, in praise of Christian's letters to her-written, uithout her knowledge, by Cyrano himself]: 'In this art of expressing love he is a master!'"-Cyrano de Bergerac, Act III. with unerring judgment when a thing is good “On one point I was much troubled. It and when it is bad. He judges his work ex- seemed to me that ' Cyrano ' was too long; actly as if some one else had written it, and twenty-five hundred lines went beyond all you may be sure when he pronounces a thing precedent. Even “Ruy Blas' is several good, though it be his own, he makes no hundred lines shorter than that, and Ruy mistake. Blas 'plays from eight o'clock to midnight. “When 'Cyrano' went into rehearsal my 'I'm afraid it's too long,' I would say to wonder grew again, for here was a novice in Rostand. * We must cut something out.' stage-craft handling a hundred people with-Well, what shall it be?' he would say. out effort, solving difficult dramatic problems “I don't know,' I would answer, “but we as they arose by flashes of intuition, and must surely make it shorter.' Then Rostand withal showing an understanding of tech- would laugh, and agree to cut out whatever nique, a sureness in his effects, that not even I decided could be spared. And though I Sardou could surpass, and a delicacy of artis- spent hours over the lines searching for weak A TALK WITH ROSTAND IN HIS OWN HOME. 441 “La Samaritaine.' All kinds of people come, a wealthy family, and his own earnings have, those who never go to church, women who of course, been large. have done wrong, priests, children, old men. It is of interest sometimes to recall little And as they listen to the simple story, they things that strike one, on first meeting a are moved to the heart, they weep, they person of importance. In the case of Ros- pray. I am sure that play does more good tand, I noticed that he came into the room in the world than many sermons.” walking stiff and straight, with a certain After these glimpses of Rostand at second dapper dignity, and that his hands were ex- hand, let us come now to the real man (since tremely white, with rings on the fingers, a we may be so fortunate), and judge of him fine sapphire among them. Then I saw that for ourselves; talk with him, too, in his own he was small and slender, very pale, and delightful hôtel in the Rue Alphonse de Neu- quite bald for a man of twenty-nine; also ville, not three minutes' walk from Bern- that he wore a reddish, bristling mustache, hardt's bijou of a home. and the Legion of Honor ribbon in his coat. The house forms an arc behind the point in his right eye was a single staring glass of two streets where another house stands, that fixed you rather coldly, and added to the two built in harmony, with happiest his general impassiveness. You felt that result. Within are wide staircases and high here was a man to keep his reserve until he ceilings, and the eye travels freely from saw reason for leaving it and make sure a room to room between columns and draped person was worth talking to before he said arches and wide glass doors. On the walls much. This self-withholding attitude is, no are tapestries and somber paintings, under doubt, part of the armor he has learned to foot soft rugs and polished wood, while the wear since his great success came; for a spacious halls and salons are furnished with whole city, and that Paris, has flung itself at pieces to delight a collector. Here, then, his head, with women pursuing him and men is fame met with fortune, youth with genius, pursuing him, and all sorts of people lying and into the bargain, I am told, this most in wait for him on all sorts of pretexts, the favored man has a lovely and accomplished only certainty being that they will waste his wife. As for the money, Rostand comes of time. Lately, people have taken to calling "De Guiche [to Roxane): Will you accept my hand und pass them in rerieur (As Roxane appears at the top of the bank, the prikes disappear, lovered in salute, and a cheer goes up).”-Cyrano de Bergerac, Act IT. HOW “CYRANO” WAS WRITTEN. 443 run. And in the whole time he made no own accord, both during rehearsals and after, speech, nor ever came before the curtain, he makes many slight modifications as he though the audience cheered and shouted for sees room for improvement, and is his own full twenty minutes after the première, call- severest critic. ing repeatedly for the author, until M. Coque “On one point I stand firm,” he said to lin had to tell them he had left the theater, me, “I will have no line or situation in though he was actually in hiding under the any play of mine that is not wholly my stage at the time. own. If one of my company were to give He is unwearying in attendance at re- me a splendid climax, just what I was hearsals, and first, last, and always domi- seeking, I would not use it; for if I did, I nates the situation. Even Bernhardt bows should no longer be the master, and that I to his authority. He listens willingly to sug- must be." gestions from the actors (though these are Not only does he give the actors detailed rarely made), but never allows the slightest directions for their rôles, for tone and ges- change without his full approval. Of his ture and facial expression, but he actually Cyrano : . They have exchanged rings within the quarter of the hour.' "De Guiche : Who hare !! (He turns and sees Roxane and Christian.)"-Cyrano de Bergerac, Act III. THE AUTHOR OF “CYRANO." does the thing for them, acts the rôle out alone was as unsatisfactory as tragedy alone as he wants it done, and changes from part or melodrama alone. What I wanted to study to part with astonishing ease. Bernhardt and depict was life. So I wrote a play forth- says he is a finished actor, and Rostand told with, ‘La Princesse Lointaine,' which was me himself that it would delight him to act delicate and sad and tender--in fact, as far on occasions in his own plays were not the as possible from light comedy-and I let the usage against it. critics reprove me as they pleased (although “ As it is,” he said, “I do act them all it often hurt). Yes, I knew what I was many times over and through every rôle. doing. And then I wrote Cyrano,' which, When I have written a scene, 1 rehearse it to I suppose, has a little of everything in it, myself. I swing my arms and stamp about, like the world about us." declaiming the lines in different ways, with I asked M. Rostand if he had in mind any cutting out and putting in, until they come moral effect in writing Cyrano." Was right from my lips to my ear, until they fit there any lesson of courage and chivalry he and feel comfortable, like a well-made coat. had wished to teach ? Then I try them on my wife or my friends.' “Only indirectly,” he said. “I have “Have you any idea how long it took you never been attracted to purpose plays or to write Cyrano'?” problem plays. If you build a work on some “I gave only a few months to the actual theme of passing interest, say a question of writing, but years to perfecting the concep- marriage law or divorce procedure, it is evi- tion. Then I wrote it skipping about from dent your work loses its reason for existence act to act, a bit here and a bit there, with- so soon as this question is settled. There- out any order or system. Besides that, while fore, I choose rather themes made from the I was writing Cyrano,' I was working at old eternal motives that guide our lives, for intervals on other things. You see, I always these are neither new nor old, but always have two or three plays ripening in my head the same and always diverting. The chief at the same time. business of a playwright, I take it, is to en- Rostand certainly talks modestly enough tertain his public. If he does not entertain about what he has done. No doubt he knows them, he will try in vain to teach them. his own value, but he seems to take it as “Yet I recognize the responsibility of a something outside of himself, for which he dramatist, especially one who wields great deserves no especial credit. And one feels power by reason of success. Whether he that he has known his power all along. He intend it or not, it is certain that his plays does not regard “Cyrano " as so much bet- do teach and influence many people for good ter than “ La Samaritaine" or the “ Prin- or ill. I hope I shall always keep to the cesse Lointaine.” In fact, he will tell you purpose that has so far guided me, of set- frankly of merits that did not get their due ting forth the fine and worthy in life rather in the very first piece he ever wrote for the than the despicable, the clean and beautiful stage. "I was just out of college,” he rather than the ugly, the noble and inspiring said, “ and one day I showed M. Jules Clare- rather than the perverted. In a broad sense, tie, of the Comédie Française, a one-act Cyrano' was intended as a lesson; that is, comedy I had done. He urged me to sub- a stirring of sympathy for loyalty and chiv- mit it formally, and said he was sure it would alry and courage, just as L'Aiglon' (the be accepted. I was delighted, of course, play on which M. Rostand was at this time and submitted it; but the little play was re- engaged] will, I hope, bring a national thrill jected, partly, I believe, because I entrusted for unsullied patriotism and love of coun- the reading to an actor instead of doing it try.” myself. Do you ever feel that your creations are “Well, M. Claretie stood by me anyhow, real, even while you are writing them ?” and told me to go ahead with a three-act “Not to the same extent as when I see comedy and submit it as soon as I could. So them on the stage; but many times I have I wrote · Les Romanesques,' and it was ac- felt most keenly the emotions of my charac- cepted with special honor at the Comédie ters. I have suffered and rejoiced with them Française; and the first thing I knew, Sarcey to the crowding out of actual things in my was proclaiming me the modern Regnard, own life. I was an impossible person to live and I found myself booked to write light with while I was doing the pages of Cyrano's comedy all my life. But I had no intention of death, there in the fifth act, and I don't know accepting any such narrow mission. Comedy that any real happening ever stirred me so was well enough, but I realized that comedy deeply as the writing of that second act in 446 DESTROYER" THE VOYAGE OF THE THE CREW OF THE DESTROYER." From a photograph taken on board ship at Pernambuco, by Floscnlode Magalhães. The second man standing on the left is “Quiet John." Next to him, in the dark jacket, is " William"; and next to “William," sitting, is “Wild Goose." Between and bchind “ William " and “Wild Goose " stands the cook, while at the extreme right stands “ Big Alec." would explode and destroy anything afloat. dangerous beyond words. It was estimated Even Ericsson's former invention, the fierce that the concussion from her exploding pro- “Monitor,” could not have withstood this jectile, even within 200 feet of a ship, would awful engine of war ; the advantage for paralyze every one on board; closer contact the “Destroyer” being, obviously, in the would blow all to atoms. tremendous explosion of her projectile The success of the “ Destroyer" expedi- under a ship's bottom, the most vulnerable tion began in the first step taken at New point. York, where she fitted out; for to make She was fitted with compound engines, and sure of a wide report of what was coming at her best could steam about eighteen knots and of what a drubbing the rebels might ex- an hour. That, however, was many years pect when she should arrive, great secrecy before she entered on this expedition. Ex- was enjoined on all hands and all around. I periments had been made with the great myself found admittance to the innermost cannon, which proved that it could throw a parts of the Rock of Gibraltar less difficult projectile through two steel torpedo nets; to obtain, when I tried to gain it some time and although the vessel now steamed consid- later, than entrance into the “Destroyer erably less than eighteen knots when looking before I was regularly embarked. A crew for trouble, nothing could withstand her when of thirteen manned her when ready for sea- she “ got there." There was a ring of ter- even that would argue bad for Mello, it was ror in every report concerning what the “ De- thought, if it did not prove fatal to our- stroyer” could do. But terrible as she was selves. The sailors were picked men; and, reputed to be, I found, when I saw her, that to disclose without reserve the great experi- all had not been told; she looked wicked and ence of my own life, I sailed in command. 448 DESTROYER" THE VOYAGE OF THE Being a man of a peaceful turn of mind The propeller, at this point, was discon- myself, no fighting was expected of me, ex- nected, the first dive our ship made into a cept that which would begin at Sandy Hook, wave giving us a hint that we should require namely, a feeble combat with the elements. all our steam for the pumps. The Fighting Captain was to take charge We skirted the coast in a smooth sea with when we should near the coast of Brazil. the land close aboard as far as Winter Quar- There would be no call on his prowess, it ter Shoal, whence we headed away direct for was thought, before reaching that point. the Gulf Stream. The wind, from the north- However, he took the “ Destroyer” on pre- west, was only at a moderate gale, and the liminary spins around the harbor before sail- sea remained smooth till the crew could look ing, and in mere playful humor knocked down about and prepare for battle. But for all à pier with her prow at the Erie Basin. our joy of fine weather, we looked to our But didn't the splinters fly! I thought of danger signals, to have ready the flags for the poor pirates on the coast of Brazil, and the day and Caston lights for the night. pitied them in advance should the “ De- Nothing was left undone that we could do stroyer come upon them in arms. to meet, if only in a feeble way, the emer- The crew came on board the day before gency we saw clearly coming. the “ Destroyer” sailed, and proceeded at A distance of 220 miles was run in twenty- once in the most off-hand manner to take in eight hours. Then the wind veered to north- a cargo of dynamite. A stouter heart than east, and a gale ensued. The ship rolled mine would have engaged in prayer. On down low in the water, taking clean cuts December 7, 1893, all being ready, we through the waves, that rose high. The weighed anchor at six o'clock in the morn- steam-pumps were kept hard at work, for ing from Robins Reef, stowed all, and pro- the vessel was now making water freely. A ceeded to sea in tow of the “ Santuit” of calamity had overtaken her. One of the Boston. sponsons put on at New York, the starboard Our mishaps began early; the sailors were one, was already water-logged, and her top brought to the beak with crowbar and sledge- seams now began to open. All hands pumped hammer off Sandy Hook to readjust a thimble and bailed to keep her afloat, but the water in the tow-line. Some free language went gained on us steadily, and by midnight it out, at the time, I remember, for the artisan washed the fires and put them out. With who made the defective thing; but this, as consternation we saw the steam-pumps stand we learned after, should have been aimed at still. What could we do in the midst of the the learned man ashore who designed it. gale? We must get steam up again, or else All hands springing to it, a pile of combustible stuff was built up in the furnace above the reach of the water. Rounds of fat pork and hard bread and oil and the ship's furni- ture were thrown on top of that, and after what seemed a long time, a roaring blaze that defied difficulties sent steam fly- ing through the pipes to help us with its giant strength. Danger signals were shown through the night. The "Santuit'' re- sponded promptly to them all, and towed the “Destroyer " with great care, at times easing up entirely or heading up to OF THESE AWE-INSPIRING WEAPONS THE SAILORS MADE DUE NOTE.” the sea with no more go down? 450 THE VOYAGE OF THE “ DESTROYER" was CILI OT MEXICO PLTRTO RICO CANTO DUMINCO IARTINIQU SERNANDO DE NORONILA NAMBUCO BAHLA a 66 MAP SHOWING THE COURSE OF THE YORK TO BAHIA. once more and a short respite for the and headed to the sea, that we might free crew. our ship of water and plug up leaks, which December 11th and 12th were days of in- we searched for now as keenly as one would cessant care, anxiety, and toil. But the sea look for precious gems. Later in the day became more regular as we proceeded south- the sea went down, for the tropical storm ward, nearing the short. A region of the fresh supply of trade winds; and NORTH coal and water the expectation was then pro- of fine weather in NEW YORK cured, under AMERICA the trade winds some difficulties, now lent us hope, from the "San- and noenergy was tuit." Also some spared to reach carbolic acid was them. It was only obtained to wash to drink deep of a severe wound. disappointment Assistant Engi- when we got neer Hamilton, an there, however. oldish man, be- The sea became, coming exhaust- SOUTH indeed, less irreg- ed in the storm, ular, but it still fell backward ran high, and AMERICA down the engine- broke over the hatch, receiving “Destroyer" as fearful gash over a sunken DESTROYER" FROM NEW across his bald ledge of rocks. pate which had The water in to be herring- the hold was kept bone stitched. down generally to a depth of from one to The wound having been dressed, Hamilton three feet. Occasionally a rolling suck was was made easy and stowed away till further gained, and in our joy of it we cried, “ Free comforts could be given him. Then one bilge. Once our spirits rose to a point of Thomas Brennan, a stoker, who had com- humor, when“ Big Alec of Salem," one of plained of cold roast turkey and chicken for the crew, after we had been working for his dinner during the storm, and had shown hours with not a word from anybody, looked frequent signs of mutiny, refusing to mind down into the dismal hold at the men bailing the fires as directed by Hamilton, his watch below, and yelled, “I can see their feet, officer, jumped upon the old man before any Captain. I can see their feet!” And sure one could interfere, and bit him in the face enough, we could all see their feet, but only like a wild beast. I don't remember to as she rolled. Some hours before that the have seen a more revolting act of cruelty lowest point was at their hips. And so from one human being toward another. while she leaked and we bailed and pumped Brennan's case was attended to later on. for life, great waves still washed over her, On December 15th, before noon, the “ De- and she plunged often under the seas like a stroyer" entered Mona Passage with a dis- great duck fond of diving. Everything was abled rudder, a heavy cross sea off the wind- wet. There was not a dry place in the entire ward cape of Santo Domingo having swept ship. We were literally sailing under the over her delicate stern. Later in the day sea, and she came out of the storm on De- she fetched the lee of Puerto Rico, to re- cember 13th decked from the top of her ceive from the “Santuit” more coal and smokestack to the bottom-most life-line in water and to repair the rudder. This being sargasso. All along the man-ropes fore and done, she headed on a course direct for Mar- aft hung in clusters these flowers of the tinique, where machine shops and bºiler- sea, a rare and beautiful sight. makers might be found. December 14th came in with a gale and If the trade winds were strong off the cross sea. The fires were threatened by islands, they were fierce inside of the Carib- water again up to the bars. Pumping and bean Sea. The waves were sharp and spite- bailing went on together all night. The ful here where time out of mind we had Santuit," upon our signal, slowed down, all seen smooth water. Wet to the bone 452 THE VOYAGE OF THE “DESTROYER" 4 P.M., the “Destroyer" cast anchor-in a of a dock in Fort de France bay, and as leaky condition. Here, as had been antici- close to a machine shop as she could come; pated, we fell in with the Brazilian cruiser and here she did well to remain till January “America." The stoker, Brennan - the biter 5, 1894. ALL NIGHT LONG THIS BAG WAS KEPT CONSTANTLY AT WORK AS FAST AS IT COULD BE FILLED, HOISTED, AND EMPTIED BY FOUR PAIRS OF STRONG ARMS." and kicker--was transferred to that ship, The old year was escorted out and the new where his mutinous disposition could be re- one ushered in by our sailors in a glorifica- strained. Instead of cold roast turkey and tion ashore becoming the importance of the chicken, to which he had so objected, he occasion. William, one of the crew, now had a bread-and-water ration for a few carried to a hospital before morning, “Quiet days, “ with not too much bread in it.” John,” the fireman, having snipped off a The “ Destroyer" now hauled alongside piece of his liver with a jack-knife in an was 454 THE VOYAGE OF THE “DESTROYER” ties of water. This stood conspicuously in first a cargo of powder to be taken in for the main hatch, and was the first thing to the fleet at Bahia, which had preceded us catch the keen eye of Admiral Duarte, the and had burned all their own powder salut- commandant. “ Bomba de madeira,” he ing the Admiral. heing the Admiral. The dear old ** Destroyer” shouted; “bomba de madeira com navio de had in dynamite enough to make a noise; but guerra !” (“A wooden pump on a ship of Gonçalves, the Admiral, wanted thunder of war!”) the old-fashioned sort, and so we filled her Duarte was not warm for Peixoto, and he chock-a-block with the stuff to make it. did well to say no more about my wooden The submarine gun was now stowed all over pump. As it was, Peixoto shipped him off with barrels of powder, and was not get- next day to a station up the Amazon, and he at-able the rest of the voyage. But Mello lost his fine job. But what to do with the didn't know that! Powder was stowed all “Destroyer" even his successor didn't know. about, three barrels of it in the captain's “Wild Goose,” the engineer, who knew what room and a fourth behind the stove in the he was talking about, hinted that she might cook's galley. That it didn't all blow up is be rigged up as a saw-mill, “ the fly-wheel to why I am here to-day thinking of my sins. be driven by water from the Captain's great Being now equipped with all powder and pump. I could always count on “Wild no guns, the “ Destroyer” sailed from Per- Goose.” nambuco for Bahia February 9, 1894, accom- However, the new owners, our Brazilian panied by a torpedo-boat called the “ Mox- friends, favored a trial trip to see first if oto,” which had been brought to Brazil on she would float a second time outside of a the deck of the Santuit." Both were in harbor; and if so, to find out how fast she tow of a coasting-tug, and the “Destroyer ” could steam. The conditions of the weather used her own steam to drive her pumps. were now in our favor at last. The “ De- She arrived at her destination February 13th, stroyer,” going out with naval inspectors with the head out of her condenser and with and admirals on board, all in fine feather and six inches of water over the engine-room starch, headed at once into a head sea and floor. A sail constantly wet hung between was instantly at her old trick of diving under the furnace and the cargo of powder to pre- the waves. “Go slow, go slow," they all vent an explosion. cried at once, go slow.” That suited her Everything was funereally quiet at Bahia exactly, for above half of her tubes were al- when we arrived. Indeed, the further we ready plugged, and she could go just as slow got away from stirring New York, the less as one could wish. But with her plowing it looked like war in Brazil. But the Ad- along, the inspectors were casting wistful miral and his officers, leaving a stiff game of glances toward land soon enough. When cards on shore, came down in a barge, with she turned back for port, before the sea and a band of music, and stopped to look the a current that was also in her favor, she “ Destroyer” over, for they had not yet came in like a train of cars. She was a suc- made her out. They mistook her at first cess during this trial trip. But the great for the long-expected money-ship which was cannon which the Count was to have fired to follow the loyal fleet-and pay the bills. during this trip did not go off. The gun- The large iron tank in which our crew lived ner's mate hauled the projectile carefully fulfilling in size their expectations of the out of the cannon with watch-tackles. chest out of which they would all get rich, But it didn't matter: the new inspector they called her a handsome ship, saying many and the commanding general at Pernambuco pretty things concerning her lines. But contracted with us all to go against Mello, when, to their great disappointment, they who was then in the “ Aquidaban” farther saw coming out of the tank sea-begrimed down the coast, and knock the barnacles off tars instead of bank-notes, and, worse still, him, the Count hoping still to get the gun beheld barrels of gunpowder hoisted out, fired off. The agreement was, I remember, they said, “ Naố mais” (“We give it up”), that Mr. Peixoto should pay us, besides good and her fine lines could no longer be seen. wages, $60,000 prize money for every rebel It is with sorrow that I relate the story vessel destroyed. My own share of prize of the last days of the “ Destroyer.” Gon- money was to have been $20,000 for every- çalves in a passionate heat proposed to dig a thing destroyed, big or little. We would hole in the bank as a sort of dock, and put have commenced on the little ones, to be her in it, under the pretext of repairs. She sure. wanted a patch over a leak at the moment; But before destroying rebels there was but his true purpose was to bury the ship, A STORY OF SNOW--BUCKING ON THE FRONTIER. 457 Tom spluttered: “ Hang it, don't bother me might notice, under the receding catalpas, any more about that name! If you can't read the little girl waving a parasol or a hand- it, make it Sankey, and be done with it." kerchief at the outgoing train. That is, at They took Tom at his word. They actually Conductor Sankey; for she was his daughter, did make it Sankey; and that's how our old- Neeta Sankey. Her mother was Spanish, est conductor came to bear the name of the and died when Neeta was a wee bit. Neeta famous singer. And more I may tell you: and the Limited were Sankey's whole world. good name as it was-and is—the Sioux never When Georgie Sinclair began pulling the disgraced it. Limited, running west opposite Foley, he I suppose every old traveler on the system struck up a great friendship with Sankey. knew Sankey. He was not only always ready Sankey, though he was hard to start, was to answer questions; but, what is more, ready full of early-day stories. Georgie, it seemed, to answer the same question twice. It is had the faculty of getting him to talk; per- that which makes conductors gray-headed haps because when he was pulling Sankey's and spoils their chances for heaven-answer- train he made extraordinary efforts to keep ing the same questions over and over again. on time: time was a hobby with Sankey. Children were apt to be startled a bit at Foley said he was so careful of it that he let first sight of Sankey, he was so dark. But his watch stop when he was off duty just to Sankey had a very quiet smile, that always save time. Sankey loved to breast the winds made them friends after the first trip through and the floods and the snows, and if he could the sleepers, and they sometimes ran about get home pretty near on schedule, with every- asking for him after he had left the train. body else late, he was happy; and in respect Of late years--and this hurts a bit--these of that, as Sankey used to say, Georgie Sin- very same children, grown ever so much clair could come nearer gratifying Sankey's bigger, and riding again to or from Califor- ambition than any engine-runner we had. nia or Japan or Australia, will ask, when Even the firemen used to observe that the they reach the West End, about the Indian young engineer, always neat, looked still conductor. But the conductors who now neater on the days when he took out Sankey's run the overland trains pause at the ques- train. tion, checking over the date limits on the By and by there was an introduction under margins of the coupon tickets, and handing the catalpas. After that it was noticed that the envelopes back, look at the children, and Georgie began wearing gloves on the engine say quietly, “He isn't running any more." -- not kid gloves, but yellow dogskin; and black silk shirts- he bought them in Denver. If you have ever gone over our line to the Then-such an odd way engineers have of mountains or to the coast, you may remem- paying compliments—when Georgie pulled ber at McCloud, where they change engines into town on Number Two, if it was Sankey's and set the diner in or out, the pretty little train, the big sky-scraper would give a short, green park to the east of the depot, with a hoarse scream, a most peculiar note, just as row of catalpa trees along the platform line. it drew past Sankey's house, which stood on It looks like a glass of spring water. If it the brow of the hill west of the yards. Thus happened to be Sankey's run and a regular Neeta would know that Number Two and her West End day, sunny and delightful, you father, and naturally Mr. Sinclair, were in would be sure to see standing under the ca- again, and all safe and sound. talpas a shy, dark-skinned girl of fourteen or When the railway trainmen held their di- fifteen years, silently watching the prepara- vision fair at McCloud there was a lantern tions for the departure of the Overland. And to be voted to the most popular conductor- after the new engine had been backed champ- a gold-plated lantern with a green curtain ing down, and harnessed to its long string in the globe. Cal Stewart and Ben Doton, of vestibuled sleepers; after the air-hose who were very swell conductors and great had been connected and examined; after the rivals, were the favorites, and had tht town engineer had swung out of his cab, filled his divided over their chances for winning it. cups, and swung in again; after the fireman But at the last moment Georgie Sinclair and his helper had disposed of their slice-bar stepped up to the booth and cast a storm of and shovel and given the tender a final votes for old man Sankey. Doton's friends sprinkle, and after the conductor had walked and Stewart's laughed at first; but Sankey's leisurely forward, compared time with the votes kept pouring in amazingly. The two engineer, and cried, “All Abo-o-o-ard!” favorites got frightened; they pooled their then, as your coach moved slowly ahead, you issues by throwing Stewart's vote to Doton. A STORY OF SNOW-BUCKING ON THE FRONTIER. 459 thing on the last cast of the dice, but we engines, two of them in the back motion, were in the state of mind which precedes a fires white and throats bursting, steamed desperate venture. It was talked over an wildly into the cañon. Six hundred feet from hour, and orders were finally given by the the first cut, Sinclair's whistle signalled again. superintendent to rig up the double-header Burns and Cameron and Kennedy answered; and get against the snow with it. and then, literally turning the monster ram All that day and most of the night Neigh- loose against the dazzling mountain, the crews bor worked twenty men on Sankey's device. settled themselves for the shock. By Sunday morning it was in such shape that At such a moment there is nothing to be we began to take heart. “If she don't get done. If anything goes wrong, eternity is through, she'll sure get back again, and too close to consider. There came a muffled that's what most of 'em don't do," growled drumming on the steam-chests; a stagger Neighbor, as he and Sankey showed the new and a terrific impact; and then the recoil, ram to the engineers. like the stroke of a trip-hammer. The snow They had taken the 566, George Sinclair's shot into the air fifty feet, and the wind car- engine, for one head, and Burns's, the 497, ried a cloud of fleecy confusion over the ram for the other. Behind these were Kennedy, and out of the cut. The cabs were buried with the 314, and Cameron, with the 296. in white, and the great steel frames of the The engines were set in pairs, headed each engines sprung like knitting-needles under way, and buckled up like pack mules. Over the frightful force of the blow. Pausing the pilots and stacks of the head engines rose for hardly a breath, they began the signal- the tremendous plows, which were to tackle ing again; then backed up and up and up the worst drifts ever recorded, before or the line; and again the massive machines since, on the West End. The ram was de- were hurled screaming into the cut. “We're signed to work both ways. Under the coal, getting there, Georgie," cried Sankey when each tender was loaded with pig-iron. the rolling and lurching had stopped. The beleaguered passengers on Number No one else could tell a thing about it, for One, side-tracked in the yards, eagerly it was snow and snow and snow; above and watched the preparations Sankey was making behind and ahead and beneath. Sinclair to clear the line. Every amateur on the train coughed the flakes out of his eyes and nose had his camera out taking pictures of the and mouth like a baffled collie. He looked ram. The town, gathered in a single great doubtful of the claim until the mist had blown mob, looked silently on, and listened to the clear and the quivering monsters were again frosty notes of the sky-scrapers as they went recalled for a dash. Then it was plain that through their preliminary maneuvers. Just Sankey's instinct was right; they were gain- as the final word was given by Sankey, con- ing. ductor in charge, the sun burst through the Again they went in, lifting a very avalanche fleecy clouds, and a wild cheer followed the over the stacks, packing the banks of the ram out of the western yard: it was looked cut with walls hard as ice. Again, as the on as a sign of good luck to see the sun again. drivers stuck, they raced in a frenzy, and Little Neeta, up on the hill, must have into the shriek of the wind went the un- seen them as they pulled out. Surely she earthly scrape of the overloaded safeties. heard the choppy ice-bitten screech of the Slowly and sullenly the machines were backed 566; for that was never forgotten, whether again. “She's doing the work, Georgie," the service was special or regular. Besides, cried Sankey. For that kind of a cut she's the head cab of the ram carried this time as good as a rotary. Look everything over not only Georgie Sinclair, but her father as now while I go back and see how the boys well. Sankey could handle a slice-bar as are standing it. Then we'll give her one well as a punch, and rode on the head engine, more, and give it the hardest kind." where, if anywhere, the big chances would And they did give her one more; and an- come. What Sankey was not capable of in other. Men at Santiago put up no stouter the train service we never knew, because he fight than these men made that Sunday morn- rose superior to every emergency that ever ing in the cañon of the Blackwood. Once confronted him. they went in, and twice. And the second Bucking snow is principally brute force; time the bumping drummed more deeply; there is very little coaxing. West of the the drivers held, pushed, panted, and gained bluffs there was a volley of sharp tooting, against the white wall; heaved and stumbled like code signals between a fleet of cruisers, ahead; and with a yell from Sinclair and and in just a minute the four ponderous Sankey and the fireman, the double-header 460 SANKEY'S DOUBLE-HEADER. shot her nose into the clear over the Black- the alarm through the whistle to the poor wood gorge. As engine after engine flew fellows in the blind pockets behind. But the past the divided walls each cab took up the track was at the worst. Where there was cry: it was the wildest crowd that ever no snow there were “ whiskers; oil itself danced to victory. Through they went and couldn't have been worse to stop on. It half-way across the bridge before they could . was the old and deadly peril of fighting check their monster catapult. Then at a blockades from both ends on a single track. half full they shot it back again at the cut, The great rams of steel and fire had done for it worked as well one way as the other. their work, and with their common enemy "The thing is done,” declared Sankey, overcome, they dashed at each other like when they got into position up the line for a madmen across the Blackwood gorge. final shoot to clean out the eastern cut and The fireman at the first cry shot out the get head for a dash across the bridge and side. Sankey yelled at Sinclair to jump. into the west end of the cañon, where there But George shook his head: he never would lay another mountain of snow to split. jump. Without hesitating, Sankey picked “Look the machines over pretty close, boys,” him from the levers in his arms, planted a said he to the engineers. "If nothing's sure foot, and hurled him like a coal shovel sprung, we'll take a full head across the through the gangway far out into the gorge. gorge-the bridge will carry anything-and The other cabs were already empty. But buck the west cut. Then after we get Num- the instant's delay in front cost Sankey his ber One through this afternoon, Neighbor life. Before he himself could jump the can put his baby cabs in here and keep 'em rotary crashed into the 566. They reared chasing all night. But it's done snowing, But it's done snowing,” like mountain lions, pitched sideways and fell he added, looking at the leaden sky. headlong into the creek, fifty feet. Sankey He had the plans all figured out for the went under them. He could have saved him- master mechanic, the shrewd, kindly old self; he chose to save George. There wasn't man. I think, myself, there's no man on time to do both; he had to choose, and to earth like a good Indian; and, for that mat- choose instantly. Did he, maybe, think in ter, none like a bad one. Sankey knew by that flash of Neeta and of whom she needed a military instinct just what had to be done most--of a young and a stalwart protector and how to do it. If he had lived, he was rather than an old and a failing one? I do to have been assistant superintendent. That not know; I know only what he did. Every was the word that leaked from headquarters one who jumped got clear. Sinclair lit in afterwards. And with a volley of jokes ten feet of snow, and they pulled him out between the cabs and a laughing and yell- with a rope: he wasn't scratched. Even ing between toots, down went Sankey's the bridge was not badly strained. Number double-header again into the Blackwood One pulled over it next day. gorge. Sankey was right; there was no more At the same moment, by an awful mis- snow; not even enough to cover the dead understanding of orders, down came the big engines that lay on the rocks. But the line rotary from the west end with a dozen cars of was open: the fight was won. coal behind. Mile after mile it had wormed There never was a funeral in McCloud like east toward Sankey's ram, and it now bur- Sankey's. George Sinclair and Neeta followed rowed through the western cut of the Black- first, and of the mourners there were as many wood, crashed through the drift Sankey was as there were spectators. Every engine on aiming for, and whirled out into the open, the division carried black for thirty days. dead against him, at forty miles an hour. Sankey's contrivance for fighting snow has Each train, in order to make the grade and never yet been beaten on the high line. It the blockade against it, was straining the is perilous to go against a drift behind it: cylinders. something has to give. But it gets there, Through the swirling snow that half hid as Sankey got there always; and in time of the bridge and interposed between the rush- blockade and desperation on the West End ing plows Sinclair saw them coming. He they still send out Sankey's double-header; yelled. Sankey saw them a fraction of a though Sankey, as the conductors tell the second later, and while Sinclair struggled children, traveling east or traveling west- with the throttle and the air, Sankey gave Sankey isn't running any more. WHEN THE LIGHT FAILED. BY GEORGE RENO. AN ADVENTURE IN A KENTUCKY CAVE. M 207 HAT are you going to do with handed to the guide, and we filed out of the those bedroom lamps at this door, through the yard, and across a meadow time in the morning ?” toward the foot of a low hill less than a quar- The question was addressed ter of a mile distant. to the night clerk of a small We crossed the field of waving blue grass hotel in the little country and stood before a rough wooden door that town of Glasgow, Kentucky. barred the entrance to what seemed to be He had just taken down two a cellar dug out of the hillside. The door hand-lamps from the rack and swung open on rusty hinges, and we entered, passed one over the counter leaving the hot sun and its flaring light be- to me. hind us. Well, this is a funny old hole in “We are going to take a short stroll the wall,” commented Mr. Barnes, as we through the cave,” replied the clerk, “if proceeded to light our lamps and accustom that Pole ever gets around.” our eyes to the darkness ahead; but before What kind of a cave is it?” he could express his opinion at greater length “Oh, just a common, every-day Kentucky a bat flew squarely into his face, causing him cave. This gentleman,'' alluding to me,“ is to drop his lamp, which fell to the stone floor fond of tramping through caves, so I've sent with a crash. Say, what kind of a place over for Clav, the guide, to come and show, have I got into anyhow?” he continued. us the way. “I feel as if I were going to take the third “Say, what's the matter with counting Pythian degree. Shall I go back after an- me in on this picnic ? I can't see my man other lamp or try to see by yours ?” till five o'clock this evening, and I feel like “I'll hold mine to one side,” replied the taking a day off anyway, that is, if I'm not clerk. “You can keep right behind me. intruding. My name's Barnes-no, not of We can get along very well with three lights." New York, Cincinnati.” Whereupon Mr. So we started ahead in single file. The Barnes handed me the card of a well-known guide's lard-oil lantern did not illuminate a boot and shoe house of the latter city. very large area, but he kept some fifteen or “It will be no intrusion so far as I am con- twenty feet ahead, and it seemed sufficient cerned; the more the merrier. Our friend, for his wants. The passage that we were the clerk, will provide you with a lamp." following ran back into the hillside, seeming “Certainly, come around to the rack, and to ascend a little for the first half mile; and select one yourself, Mr. Barnes, while I run then after climbing down a short declivity, out to the kitchen and pick up a little lunch. we entered upon a part much higher, wider, Walking through caves gives one a strong and more interesting. With a sharp turn to appetite,” saying which, the thoughtful and the left, we commenced a descent, gradual accommodating clerk-Fred-disappeared. in the main, but becoming quite steep in In the meantime Mr. Barnes busied himself places; and so we continued on for probably picking out a lamp with a handle large enough two miles. to let two of his fingers through the glass “This is grand!” exclaimed Barnes, as ring. He was a big man, but like most men he stopped a moment to look around and of large girth, he was jolly and good-natured. catch his breath. We had been walking At that moment the door opened, and a heavy- pretty fast; the delightfully cool, pure air browed, rugged-looking fellow entered with seemed to invite exercise, and we enjoyed a rather rickety lantern under his arm. it. “I wonder how it all came to be!" “Where is the gentleman who wants to go “ God made it,” remarked our guide in a through the caves ?” he asked. serious monotone. At that juncture Fred returned with a Yes," replied Barnes, with a slight start, bundle done up in a pillow slip, which he “you're right." 461 462 WHEN THE LIGHT FAILED. There is something strangely and truly utes before the child could be located and awe-inspiring about a cave that pertains to brought back to its distracted mother. no other formation, either natural or arti “ This place would fool a phonograph, ficial, that I have ever beheld. No tomb wouldn't it?” remarked Barnes. Then en- or grand cathedral, not even St. Peter's or sued a moment's silence, broken by the full, the interior of the Pyramids, will induce such strong voice of the guide, who suddenly strange emotions as come to most minds when struck into the melodious harmony of“ Sweet following these picturesque labyrinths that Spirit, Hear My Prayer.” It was a rich, turn and twist, rise and fall, through the vast deep barytone, well modulated, and the effect solitudes of a world below the surface of the produced by the returning echoes was mar- earth. This was not a particularly beautiful velous and entrancing. He had evidently cave; in fact, it was greatly inferior, both sung here before, and had studied the pos- in dimensions and ornamentation, to either sibilities of judicious or special phrasing. Mammoth or Diamond Cave or to the Luray Quickly following the last note would come, Cavern of Virginia; but they are all beauti- out of some one of the shorter passages, a ful and grand to any one who has a grain of clear, sharp repetition of that and the two imagination in his soul. notes preceding, followed an instant later The boys of Glasgow make frequent holi- by the same three notes echoed from another day and Saturday excursions into this cave, side; then, after a long pause, came two usually following a well-known trail that notes, faint indeed, but distinctly audible. leads about four miles back to what is called “Wonderful!” exclaimed Barnes; and it the Dining Hall. Half the boys of the town was. can pilot you to this rendezvous and out again “Are we obliged to go back by the route to the entrance in the meadow. Our guide we came, or is there another ?” I asked. was a well-digger by trade, but was sup “There is another," replied Fred. “It posed to be more familiar with the caves of is rougher in places, but rather more inter- this neighborhood than any one else. He was esting. I have been over it only once or leading us now toward the Dining Hall. twice, and can't say that I remember it ac- “Here we are, gentlemen," he remarked curately, but I guess Clav does.” presently, as we came out upon a little land Clav nodded assent. ing and saw, only a few feet below us, quite “Is it a longer way out?" inquired Barnes. an imposing chamber, probably eighty feet in “ About the same," said the guide. diameter and almost circular in form. From “Good; we'll go back that way, if there's the ceiling, some thirty feet above, a huge no objection." piece of limestone, twenty feet across and There was none, and soon we were started perhaps three feet in thickness, had fallen to on the return trip. We left the Dining Hall, the floor, and formed a natural table, upon not by the steps by which we had descended, the edge of which we seated ourselves and but by way of a passage that made a sharp proceeded to spread out the lunch. turn to the left and went down for quite a Say,” exclaimed Barnes, “ I'm glad I little distance, ascending again about a mile came. farther on to the main level of the cave. We were none of us sorry at that moment. Single file we trailed our way, occasionally As we ate we commented upon the large crossing small pools and slippery mud, the number of passages which seemed to open Pole with his rickety lantern leading. I fol- off this one central chamber. We could lowed, while the clerk, with Barnes in tow, count eight in all, but some of them merely brought up the rear. The latter was greatly enclosed delta-like spaces and ran one into the interested in some grotesque formations that other. The main way of entrance and exit in the dim and uncertain light of our lamps was evidently by the landing in front of us resembled all manner of ghosts and goblins. down which we had come. The clerk related “This would be a nice place to be left alone the story of a little child that, unnoticed, in the dark, wouldn't it?” said he. followed some explorers as they strolled away me the creeps to think of it.” from a party that were eating lunch at this “We'll be through with the muddy part spot, and soon getting left behind in total presently,” remarked Fred, " and out of the darkness began to cry. The cries were dis- cave in less than an hour.' tinctly heard by all in the Dining Hall, but “Oh, I'm in no hurry to get out. I like seemed to come out of every passage at once. it. So long as I catch Cummings at five Such was the confusion occasioned by these o'clock it doesn't matter to me.” many echoes, that it was nearly fifteen min The path now became quite dry and “ Gives WHEN THE LIGHT FAILED. 463 smooth. The guide had gotten some dis “Don't you know the path back to where tance ahead, and I hurried along a little to we ate our lunch, Fred?” asked the guide. catch up with him. Barnes and Fred took I am sorry to say that I do not,' replied it more easily behind. It required some the clerk. “I' was busy holding the light effort to overtake the Pole, who was swing- so that two could see by it, and I took no ing along at a good five-mile gait. “What's note of the turns we made. We should by your hurry?" I asked, as I drew nearer to this time be over half-way out, but there is him. He did not answer. Then I noticed nothing here that looks familiar to me." that he was peering sharply into every pas That hope was gone. What next? After sage we came to; he did not hesitate, and a suggestive whistle, Barnes exclaimed: he quickened the pace a little more. I fol- “Well, this is a pretty kettle of fish, isn't lowed on in silence for a moment, wondering it?" what could occasion his haste, when sud In despair I turned to the guide, and es- denly he paused, turned half toward me, as sayed to speak reassuringly. “ Clav, will though to speak, and then darted on again, you take your lantern once more, and try to this time almost at a trot. find your way back to the Dining Hall ?” “Look here, we are leaving the other fel- “I'll try, ” he said, rising slowly, “ but lows away behind," I called. it's no use.' No response; he did not even glance back, “ It is," I exclaimed angrily. “We can't but instead darted on faster than ever. An sit here sucking our thumbs while our oil intuition of something wrong came to me. burns away.” In a minute more I made a dash forward, “That's just it,” he groaned. “Our oil and caught him by the shoulder. Turning is more than half used up now. When it's him sharply around, I let the light fall full gone- on his face. One glance at it was enough. “Well, set to work then, quick. We'll He was as pale as death, with fright depicted all help you." in every lineament of his countenance. With uncertain and trembling gait, over- “What is the matter with you ?” I asked. come by fear of the awful disaster that “I have lost the way out,” he replied, threatened us, the Pole started to double with a ghastly smile. back on the trail in the direction from which “ Then let us go back, and return by the we had come. We followed, straining our way we came." eyes to discover some formation that we That's what I've been trying to do for could recognize as having been passed be- some time.” fore. The first hundred yards was easy “ You mean that you don't know the way enough; then we came to three openings al- back to the Dining Hall!” most side by side. Out of which of them “ I mean that I don't know anything; that we had emerged no one of us could even for the last ten minutes I've been lost-abso- guess. The floor of each was hard and dry lutely lost. Do you know what that means ? as flint; not a landmark was visible that Hunger-darkness-death.” could aid us. The man sank on the stone floor, com “Heaven help me," moaned the Pole, “I pletely overcome. It took me a moment to don't know which of these paths to take.” realize, even faintly, the seriousness of our “Well, choose one of them, and be quick situation. Besides, I had hopes that the about it," I ordered. A strange feeling of clerk might be able to help us out in some hardness was gradually creeping over me. way. As he and Barnes approached, the lat- I blamed not only myself, but every one else, ter called, “Hello, there! What are you fel- for being in this predicament. It is said lows trying to dolose us?" that misery loves company, but this present “I think we have succeeded,” I replied, misfortune in which we were all involved with as much calmness as I could muster. brought to me no feeling of brotherly com- “Eh, what's the matter ?” passion. As each moment sped by, my too The matter is that our guide here has vivid imagination was painting for me the lost his bearings, and doesn't know his way horrors of death from starvation, with can- out of the cave." I was watching Fred's nibalism, perhaps, and all in an awful dark- face; it had suddenly paled. ness which must come in a few hours if we “ You don't say !” said Barnes, cheerfully. did not find our way out. It was this, I sup- “Let's go back and start over again.” pose, that had unnerved the Pole. Poor fel- “ That's what he says he's been trying to low, he trudged on hopelessly, looking on all do for some time-find the way back.” sides for something to guide him aright. I 464 WHEN THE LIGHT FAILED. was close behind, hurrying him at every step. direction, I never knew. He kept on; that We plunged blindly into the first or right- was all I asked. Suddenly we burst into a hand opening, as no one had the slightest kind of miniature dining hall and halted. It idea from which one we had really emerged. was a small chamber, about thirty feet The passages seldom maintained an even across, and from it opened off four or five width or height of ceiling for more than a tunnel-like passages, most of them rather hundred yards, and were constantly turning, low and narrow. twisting, and dividing into branches which • This looks a little like a dining hall,” would confuse any one not a frequent trav- said Barnes. eler through them. We did not follow this “ More like a crypt," I growled. path for more than a quarter of a mile be * I guess you're right. Here's a piece of fore it ended in a solid wall of stone. A marble for the dining table, but it's shaped huge section of the roof or strata above had just like a coffin.” at some time dropped down, completely A block of stone about seven feet long had blocking up the way. dropped down from above, and did strangely There was nothing left to do but make our resemble a coffin. way back, which we did as quickly as possi “It's not quite wide enough for me, but ble. No comments were made on our fail- if hollowed out,” continued Barnes, “it ure. It was all guess-work. No one knew could be made to fit our Polish friend here.' anything except that we were lost and that The guide took the remark seriously, and our oil was rapidly burning away. Well, shrinking away from the grewsome block here we are again; now which way ?” I with a groan, started into the largest tunnel asked. on the opposite side. “I think this may be the way,” said the “Come along,” I called. “We're losing Pole timidly. time. It is half-past two; every minute of “Good! Let's push along then at once," this light is a chance of life.” and we turned into the left-hand passage. And again we resumed our search for the Anawful spirit of drive-drive-drive seemed way out. I kept close to the guide. His to be coming over me. I was possessed of anxiety to cover ground rapidly accorded a burning desire to forge ahead in almost with my frame of mind. The pace was a any direction; one was as good as another, killing one for Barnes, but somehow my stock so long as we did not know the right one. of pity seemed to be at a very low ebb. The pace we were keeping up was a pretty Faithful Fred, however, remained close by, hot one, and soon commenced to tell on and encouraged him with many a word of Barnes. “Say, look here; ain't you fellows hope. We were now descending gradually, going it pretty fast ?” he puffed. and soon came to several wet places in the “Not half as fast as I should like to go,” trail, but could discover no signs of foot- I replied. prints in the thin yellow clay over which we Well, I'm not as thin and wiry as you, hurried. Stooping to examine the wet earth and this gait kind of winds me.” at the bottom of a little hollow I caught a “You had no business to get so fat," I glimpse of Clav's face in the sickly glare of retorted unfeelingly. his light. It reminded me of a death mask “That may be too. Well, I'll do the best of one of the old Hungarian martyrs which I I can.” And with a sigh he put on more had seen in the British Museum. The fellow steam, and forged up to us. Fred kept just had aged twenty years in the last hour. ahead of him, and thoughtfully held the light Fred and Barnes caught up with us. so that he could get the full benefit of it. “Do you find anything?" asked the clerk. Through this second passage we swung “Nothing," I replied, and again we hur- along at what would be called a running walk, ried on. straining our eyes for some familiar point There were many turns, many different that would tell us we were on the right road. paths; all looked equally promising or equally But we sought in vain. All stalactites looked hopeless. It was getting dry under foot alike to us. The path was becoming rougher, again, and Clav fairly flew over the smooth, it was often up hill and down; and branching hard road. Occasionally he would glance passages were opening in different directions up and ahead. oftener if anything, than before. To plunge “Does it look at all familiar ?" I asked. blindly into the larger or more promising one “I can't say," he replied, “but we're was all that we could do. Whether the Pole, coming to another chamber.” who was in the lead, had any notion of the Our pace was now quickened to a run. A WHEN THE LIGHT FAILED. 465 It gave moment more, and we had entered one of by contrast. The walking was more diffi- those grotto rooms from which passages cult. Often I could hear poor Barnes slip radiate. The Pole stopped near the center and groan. of the place, gazed at the floor an instant, Suddenly, while stooping in a vain effort and with an agonzied cry of despair fell upon to discover some familiar sign, a welcome his face, dashing his lantern into a shapeless sound broke upon my ears. It was running mass. At his feet was the coffin-like rock. water to the left of us. A wall lay between, We had completed a circle, and returned to but in a moment I had found an opening the same fatal spot. I glanced at my watch. through it and stood beside the little stream, It was three o'clock. We had wasted half not more than three feet across. an hour of precious light. For a minute I me a new hope, because, I argued, this rivu- felt bewildered, paralyzed. The Pole lay let must find an exit somewhere, and with it upon his breast, breathing heavily. we would find our escape. The others said “ Hello, there; where are you?” nothing, but seemed to share my views, and “Here,” and in came Barnes, panting for down the little waterway we sped, turning, breath, with Fred and his light just behind. twisting, doubling back, but always, it seemed “What's the matter with the guide ?” he to me, going nearer to daylight. Alas for asked. human hopes! In less than ten minutes the “ He has lost his nerve,”' I replied, point- delusive brook sank out of sight beneath a ing to the rock. “We have made three great ledge of rock, and could be heard miles, and returned to the same place.” tumbling in an underground cascade, which “ That thing seems to be our hoodoo,'' re- sent back only hollow echoes in response to marked the clerk, with an effort to smile. my half-smothered cry of anguish and de- “Well, it makes a good seat,” said Barnes, spair. Then the others came up. Somehow philosophically, and he sank down upon it. I they did not seem to feel the disappointment glanced at my lamp. There was not an inch so keenly as į did; perhaps they had placed of oil left in it. Fred's was in a similar con- less faith in the elusive stream. I sank down dition. The fever came over me again to on my knees, and took a deep draught of the hurry on. “What are we thinking of ? cool, pure water, and succeeded in pulling Every minute of delay helps to seal our doom. myself together. I presume my face told Come on-you, there—Clav! Get up and a story. “I'm sorry for you, friend,” said come on!” Barnes. He did not move. I pushed him with my “Sympathy 's of no use. Let's get out foot. “ If you don't want to be left, get on of this,” I replied, as I rose to my feet and your feet at once.” started on. Fred looked at me reproach- Slowly he rose to his elbow. “I can't, fully. My remark was certainly heartless I won't take the lead any further." and uncalled-for, but somehow I seemed un- “ Then follow. It makes little difference able to avoid a savage resentment toward who leads so long as we go on.” Barnes for being fat and keeping back the There was a mute appeal in Barnes's face clerk, who faithfully held his lamp over his for more time to rest, but I'm afraid he head and frequently waited for the suffering found no sympathy in mine. We were soon boot and shoe man to get his breath. again in motion, I in the lead, the Pole just Once more we were running wild, as it behind me, and the others as before. We were. There was now no clew, no theory, dashed into the first opening. For quite a nothing to guide us. One instinct alone half hour we traveled along in silence. It drove us onward--the awful thought that, was all guess-work, of course, but I tried to when the last drop of oil was burned and we keep to one general direction. Whether it were left in total darkness, all search for an was leading toward an opening or into the outlet must be abandoned, because it would bowels of the Eastern Mountains I had not be impossible to go ahead without falling the slightest idea. Again we struck the low, down some dreadful pit or abyss. damp section. Occasionally I paused, much Again the character of the surroundings to the relief of Barnes; but could find no changed; rifts and breaks in the walls and footprints in the mud. The character of the roadway became frequent and dangerous. surrounding formations was changing; the Barnes complained bitterly. Fred encour- country, if it could be so called, was getting aged and helped him all he could. The Pole rougher. We were coming upon more and said nothing; he seemed to have ceased even larger chambers; the walls were damp and to think. Some kind of seismic disturbance darker in color; our lights seemed dimmer appeared to have broken into the usually uni- WHEN THE LIGHT FAILED. 467 squarely in the face, he replied: “You must, there'll be a girl up there in Cincinnati who and the others—but not me." will feel awful bad.” “ What do you mean?” We will come back to you, Barnes, “I mean simply that I have gone my limit whether we ever get out or not.” -I can walk no further. But that need not “Of course you will. Now just give me detain you.” a good grip of your hand, and then hustle “Yes, but it will! We can't carry you!” along lively.” I cried. It was the saddest parting I have ever ex- “You need not-just leave me here, that's perienced. Not a soul present had the slight- all." est notion that we should ever meet again in “ Don't be a fool; we can't leave you this world anyway. Those few moments had here." made comparative strangers brothers. There “ You can leave me here, and you will,” was an earnest hand-pressure -a lingering he said resolutely. “I have been a burden grip-a few hard, deep-drawn breaths, and to you almost from the first. Nature didn't we filed slowly away, while poor Barnes cut me out for a runner, and my wind is lighted a cigar and calmly leaned up against gone; I'm played out. But I will not hold the stone column to await the bitter end. the rest of you back a moment more, so just Once away, we hurried along like guilty give me a grip of your hand, old fellow, and shadows in the gloom. Some minutes later hustle along." I glanced back; the glowing end of his cigar Theị came the biggest lump in my throat still marked the spot where rested one of the that I had ever known. All of my ugly and bravest men I ever met. With heavy, hope- impatient replies of the past few hours came less hearts we hurried on-hurried as fast as back with a rush of shame and remorse. I we could, with the ceiling now so low that could remember them all; the very cavern we were compelled to more than stoop. Paus- seemed to echo them in whispers about my ing a moment, we held a grewsome consulta- ears. Barnes,” I said slowly, as soon as tion. Without knowing why, I wanted to. I could command speech,“ do you know keep on; it was idiotic, I confessed to my- what it means to leave you here alone ?” self and to the others, and yet it seemed “Yes; it means a kind of lonesome and that on I must go. disagreeable death. I've got a little gun “To go on you will have to crawl,” said that would make the matter much easier, Fred, “and I'ñ afraid that you'll only have but I left it in my grip in the hotel. But to crawl back again.” that's all right; don't you worry about me. The Pole had no opinion to express, but You look out for yourself and the others appeared to possess an unwarranted faith in while you've got a little light left." me. I simply had to go, and went--the Pole But I could not move. I was riveted to still following me. Fred remained behind. the spot by the man's sublime unselfish “I think that we are still within call of ness. Come, now, I beg of you, go,” he Barnes,” he said, “ and if you are obliged urged. to return again, as I believe you will be, my No; I won't without you,” and I set the voice will tell you the way back.” lamp on the floor. He picked it up, and And so another courageous soul was left handed it to me. to make his peace with the great unknown. Yes, you will, now, just to oblige me. For a little while, by stooping low, the Pole Besides," he continued," the game is not and I managed to shuffle along on our feet, up yet. You have still nearly a half hour and then came the necessity of absolutely of oil left, and if you hurry, who knows ? crawling. There was barely two and a half Many things have come to pass in a half feet of space from top to bottom, and no Cheer up, old boy. While there's side walls could be seen on either hand. life there's hope, you know," and he patied Both floor and ceiling were comparatively me encouragingly on the shoulder. But the even; only a few scattered pieces of lime- half-crazy desire for escape that had im- stone impeded the way, and these we easily pelled me onward in a wild rush now all van- pushed to one side. I said “ we,” but I was ished. This man's sublime heroism enthralled alone now. The Pole too had stopped. Still, and calmed me. Fred spoke never a word, he was only a few yards behind me, and I but there were tears in his eyes. crawled on, pushing the lamp ahead of me “Come,” said Barnes, “ if you don't go over the smooth floor of the cave. The light, on and find the way out of this sepulcher, small as it was, held so close to my eyes you can never come back after me, and then seemed to pain them, then to partially blind And when on San Jacinto's plain We met the treacherous foe, That cry rang like the bugle's breath, Our watchword at the gates of death, “Remember the Alamo !” They charged with us that glorious day, Our lost ones of the Alamo; Unseen on wings of death to ride, Once more they swept the battle's tide, From Monterey to Mexico. From Brazos unto Trinity, So long as waters flow, While Colorado's ruddy tide Sweeps cnward to the ocean wide, Each murmurs “Alamo !” So long as o'er our prairies vast The soft Gulf breezes blow, So long the cottonwood shall wave Its banner o'er the true and brave, And murmur “Alamo !” So long as in a Texan's heart The ruddy life-drops glow, So long as honor more than life We cherish in the world's great strife, Shall live the Alamo ! BY SHAN F. BULLO СК TIREAPERS Oh, ay. AT the foot of Emo Hill, between it Judy's head toward Rhamus Hill, who and Rhamus, was a piece of re- knows but one of us might reap more than claimed bog-land, some four or five acres in t’other, an' then- all, sown that year with wheat. It was a There was no need for Anne to finish the kindly field, the best in those parts, and for remark. Judy understood perfectly. She long enough its crop had been the envy of the knew well what Anne meant and how Anne country-side: now it lay in the sunshine, tan- was thinking; but, thought Judy, with a gled, rank, scarce worth the gathering. In tightening of her thin lips and a hardening places it stood tall as a rake; here it lay flat of her pinched face, please God, it wasn't and sodden; weeds and thistles sprang abun- herself would do less than Anne Daly that dantly; and, as James Daly remarked, if you blessed day. No. “May be one of us would climbed a stalk you wouldn't find in a month of do more than t'other,” said she. Sundays as much grain as would feed a spar- She knew the word. But wait, thought Judy, row. and plunged her hook into the wheat; maybe Still, straw makes good thatch, said Mike 'twas another word would be on Anne's Brady, and women made cheap labor, and tongue before nightfall. Just wait! And what the Almighty sends we'd better take; scrunch went Judy's hook through the golden so, one morning, a week of sunshine hav- wheat. ing done wonders in the way of ripening If Judy did not do more than Anne in the and drying, over the heather came Anne the first hour or two of that first morning of the wife of James, and Judy the wife of Mike, reaping, assuredly that was not Anne Daly's with their sickles on their shoulders, and fault. A child could see she was holding her- bent their backs to the reaping. self back, though it might have needed one The arrangement was this: each woman as clever as Anne herself to see how much was to reap half the field, payment to be Judy was striving her hardest. And clearly made by the full-sized stook; and that there she did see it, did Anne Daly, and smiled might be no inequality in the conditions of pityingly at the seeing. “ The poor cra- work, it was further agreed between them- ture," said Anne within herself, and glanced selves at the instance of Mike the know- at Judy as from right to left she came cut- ing, be it said—that each should take alter- ting fiercely across her land; “the poor de- nate lands (these being the long ridges on ludhered crature. Sure, if I only tried, it's two which the crop stood), Anne all the odd lands, sheaves to her one I'd reap. An' here's her Judy all the even, the one remaining at the strivin' wi' me, her with as much strength finish, if there were one, to be divided be- in her bones as a sick goat! Still, she's tween them. a neighbor—an' her company's better nor Furthermore, said Anne, and tucked up lonesomeness-an' God knows, anyway, I her skirt, “It'd be wise, mebbe, for the pity the donny crature. Ah, I do,' said two of us to do our own tyin' an' stook- Anne, and leisurely, with that finished ease in'. Who knows,” said Anne, looking over which comes of ample strength and skill, Copyright, 1900, by Shan F. Bullock. All rights reserved. 1 474 THE REAPERS. I gathered a sheaf within its band, bound, and Or is there anything I'd be able to do for cast it from her knee. “Ah, I do. Tell me, ye?” Judy,” she said aloud; “ did iver ye see the Judy looked round. Ye can do nothin',' like how things alter with the weather ? said she; “an' there's nothin' ailin' me. Sure, it's wonderful. Here, last week or wouldn't have ye" Judy paused, wiped so, were we wi’ the hearts washed out of her brow with her hand, went on reaping. us, an' the sky above as gloomy-lookin' as a “Finish the word,” said Anne, still with hearse at a funeral; an' now”—Anne stood her face towards Judy and her hands on her upright, rested hands on hips, and slowly fed knees; “woman, dear, speak out. . Is it her eyes on the sun-bright country-side- afeerd you'd be ?" “now you'd think aʼmost there hadn't been Afraid! Round flashed Judy.“ Afeerd!” a drop of rain since Noah's ark. Ah, no. cried she. “An' of what, may I ax? Is it It's powerful deceivin', so it is. Sure, the of you of you, Anne Daly? Arrah, don't sun can do what it likes with iverything. think it! What about ye ? I say. What Ay, it can. An' the different kind o’ feel about ye? Am n't I as good as you-ay, that comes over oneself—a new kind o' feel, an' better—any day? You an' your airs like as if you'd slipped bang out of a sick- and your condescension!” bed, a--a--" Anne paused, sighed content Anne rose to her full height, and arms edly, bent to work. “Aw, I dunno what it straight down and her face slowly changing, is,” said she; “I dunno; but it's powerful stood looking upon Judy. pleasant, anyway. Ay, it is,” said Anne; Keep your pity,” said Judy, shrilly and then, Judy not responding, swifty made haste bitterly; "keep your pity for them that to regain the sheaf or two she had lost in want it. I'm as good as you, Anne Daly, – the minutes of her sky-gazing, as good a woman,'' cried Judy, pointing her For a while the women worked in silence, hook ; as good a worker, an' as good a slowly and laboriously cutting their way up reaper. Ye hear me,” shrilled Judy; " for the tangled lands—Judy never pausing, never all your boastin'-as good a reaper." looking up even, going doggedly on; Anne Just a breath Anne stood searching Judy's taking things leisurely, looking here and there face; then, quickly, her head went back and as she stood twisting a band, following the she laughed merrily. progress of a cart along the road or of the Aw, Lord sees,” said she; “ Lord sees! Master across the fields, sometimes humming Listen to that now. Childer, dear. “I'm as a tune or lilting an air, ever and again watch- good as you,' says she; ‘as good a woman,' ing Judy from the corner of her eye and smil- says Judy, an' as good a reaper.' That's ing at the foolishness of the body. To think the word, is it, an' that's the mystery. Ah, of her striving like that, thought Anne; and, to be sure. She took a step forward. what was worse, sulking as she strove. Not “Tell me, Judy Brady, are ye meanin' this, a word had passed her lips for a whole hour. or is it only a piece o' your foolery ?” Her face was hard as the door-post, her lips “ Foolery an' me are bad friends, Anne tight together as tuppence in a rag. What Daly," answered Judy; “ an' what I don't ailed the woman at all ? Odious sudden the mean I don't say." change had come over her. She had been “Don't ye, faith ?” said Anne. “ I'm civil enough coming across the bog. Noth- obliged to ye for the knowledge. Sure one ing Anne knew of had come to give her offense lives an' learns, as the sayin' is. But look - nothing, except the word or two, spoken in ye here, Judy agra ; there's things in this pure goodwill and just as a matter of cau- world that's worth the provin'. If you're tion, she had said a while ago about the bind- as good a woman as meself, then I'm sorry ing and stooking. Yet, here was the woman to be alive-an' that's all I'll say about that. striving and sulking, and never raising her But about the reapin'"-Anne raised her head. Was she sick or vexed ? Was the hook, spat on its handle, and twirled it- work too much for her or the sun too hot? “I'd like to try ye." She stooped, hook Ah, what in glory ailed the body ? thought poised, her eyes on Judy. “Are ye ready, Anne; then turned and spoke. Mrs. Brady ?” said she. " Judy; I say, Judy. "What in sorrow's What could Judy do? In her heart she name ails ye?” Judy never answered. “Are knew herself to be a fool; knew, too, that ye frettin', or sick, or what ?" Anne went only heartbreak and weariness might come on, hands on knees and eyes on Judy. “Is of her foolishness. Still--still- the work troublin' ye ?" Still no word. “I'm ready,” said Judy. “ Is there anything I've done to ye, then ? And the sickles flashed. Den ANNE THE FINEST SPECIMEN OF WOMANKIND IN ALL FERMANAGH." 476 THE REAPERS. Oh, not at all. That was not Anne Daly's way. Quick and sure was the word with her. No need to let work and the sun set her blood boiling; no need to keep from see- ing things as she twisted the bands, or to be deaf to all the sounds of work and life that II came flowing over the hills; no need to make work a toil, or to feel lonesome, or to let song and laughter lie dead in her throat. No, no. Quick and sure was the word, heart IT was a boast with James Daly, usu- merry, body not weary, face to work and her Bunn whisky had his tongue in behind. “Aw, poor Judy; poor little Judy thrall, that Anne, his wife, was the finest Brady!” specimen of womankind in all Fermanagh; Ah, poor little Judy Brady, indeed. Hers the best favored and the most gifted, as was a hard fate that day. Already had she good with tongue as with head, and better gathered bitter fruit of her foolishness. She with her hands than with either. That this was far behind, and that even whilst the day was James's real opinion, we may take as gos- was not yet at the full. Each time she came pel; that it was Anne's own opinion is easy to the edge of her land and looked-timor- of belief; that it must have been yours also, ously, anxiously-along the furrow, it seemed had you chanced to see her that first day of that in five minutes Anne had gone perches the Emo harvesting, is not to be doubted. for her yard, reaped three sheaves for her She made a fine figure of a woman, did one. She looked back along the sheaf-strewn Anne; big, robust, comely, round and rosy stubble-such a little way it was; she looked of cheek, bright and clear of eye, arm strong over the wheat towards the field-head-such and shapely, neck full and firm; a woman of a weary way it was. Doggedly, feverishly parts, character, substance, sharp of tongue, she cut across the land, doggedly and still quick in thought and action; a better man, more feverishly cut back; then, sheaf on said James, her husband, in turf-bog or knee and hook on shoulder, stole a look-a meadow, than half the whiskers of the coun- halting, bodeful look-at- Oh, she was try-side. miles away! She'd never catch her, not Perhaps, that morning, if one adopts if she worked night and day. It was kill- James's marital and glorified system of reck- ing, heart-rending. She would be disgraced. oning, she was worth more than half; for She felt weak, thirsty, tired. The sun was was she not on her mettle and braced for like fire upon her back-her narrow little worthy deeds ? She meant things—to make back; and upon her head-her feeb the sheaves fly, to do work noise of which head, with its withered face and hungry eyes should ring about the country-side, setting and scanty twist of hair below the old rush folk wondering round many a hearth. Her hat. Her hands were sore, feet bruised. reputation was at stake. Little, chicken- Thump, thump, went something in her fore- hearted Judy Brady had challenged her. head. Every bone in her body ached and She! Oh, by the powers, but she'd show cried; she was smoking hot. Ah, but the her; and not her only, but all the others, the hours dragged. Ah, but the sun was cruel. knowing ones of the townland, who spoke Ah, but the crop was heavy, tangled, and jealous word that her best days were past. contrary. Ah, but it was hot. Ah, but she Past? She'd show them. Why, she felt was tired and hungry! strong as a tree. What if the sun were hot, Rest? No; she must not. Give up ? and the wheat tangled, and the thistles big No; not if she were dying. Oh, she'd get as blackthorns; what of these, thought Anne; quicker. She was out of practice, had fallen and arms bare, bodice-neck open, skirt tucked upon a heavy patch. In an hour or two she high, and sunbonnet tied loosely about her would be hardened to work and the sun. If chin, from left to right and right to left only she could hurry for a while; only catch went tumbling the wheat like rushes. The up a yard or two on Anne by dinner-time. harder the work the greater the glory; the Where-where was she now ? Ah, she was hotter the sun the better the day. Come farther away than ever! Never could she down, said Anne in the pride of her strength; catch her-never. “Ah,” cried Judy, and and down came the wheat like rushes. turning looked piteously towards home, And there was no hurry, no unseemly flurry. “will dinner time niver, niver come!” 478 THE REAPERS. ing; sank into a chair to find breath, then to beat Judy Brady at the reaping. “Is it, rose to prepare dinner. Only a basket of then ?” cried Judy within herself. “Oh, potatoes it was, standing over a tub in the by the king, but I'll show her!” And her middle of the floor, flanked with a saucer of blood surging with the potency of tea and salt and a noggin of buttermilk; poor fare potatoes, Judy stooped to the showing. enough—but, ah, so hot, so satisfying, so The afternoon wore on, heavy with au- eagerly relished by Judy and her flock of tumnal heat and the burden of the drowsy tattered children. See them there in the hours. The whole country seemed asleep smoke and the gloom, such a number, and all in the big eye of the sun, with only a child so busy; not a head turning to the sunlight, playing in it or a dog barking at the sky. not an eye moving from the basket, not a You could almost feel the quietude, just as word passing all the time of the feast. you could almost see the shimmering heat. What! All gone? Nothing more? Ah, The fields seemed deserted. Here and there yes. Now see Judy, sitting like a queen; in you looked, from hill to hill, across the bog, this hand a slice of bread and dripping, in away towards the mountain; then, quite sud- that a bowl of strong black tea. Now Judy denly, heard the carts clanking back from is happy; now luxury reigns in the house of the meadows, heard voices in the haggard, the Bradys. You see them ? Judy there heard presently the sound of a woman sing- by the hearth, the children ringing her chair, ing at her work, and saw two figures move each taking sup and bite, one by one round aslant on edge of the wheat far down in the all the flock. You see them, and you see misty valley. So there was life in old Emo Judy? Is she not happy ? Happy-ay, as after all. the Queen on her throne, for just that five Well might Anne Daly go singing through minutes of tea and luxury. Her brow is that drowsy afternoon. Good luck and good smooth, her eye contented. She is flushed, humor were hers that day. Work went almost radiant. No thought of work now, easily. The weather was kindly. She felt or of the tyrant sun, or of Anne the fear- vigorous and cheerful. Thought ran pleas- some. For just five minutes she is living, antly. There was so much to think about: her blood running, heart warm. that letter from Patsey in the States, for in- All gone. She puts down the bowl, sighs stance, which at dinner-time she had found as she looks towards the door, leans back awaiting her on the dresser, enclosing a and closes her eyes. Gradually her head falls money order and a beautiful portrait of forward; the voices of the children come Patsey himself in his grand policeman's uni- dreamily from the fields; her breathing quick- form; that new dress of hers, which through ens.- Just a minute of sweet sleep; then a dinner-time she had sat admiring, with the sudden start, a leap from her chair, and beads and the braid on it, and it fitting her Judy is once more facing life and the sun. like a glove; the many things the money Hurriedly she toiled across the hill, came might buy, the many jealous looks the dress to the wheat field, and at once set to work. would bring. She gloried in that blessed For a perch or two before her the crop stood day. See how much she had reaped since straight and light. The sun had gone under morning; as much as two women might do a passing cloud. She felt fresher, stronger; in the time, as much as Judy would do from glad of heart, too, at thought of being back sunrise to sunset. before Anne, and gaining ground at every Ah, poor Judy, thought Anne, and shook stroke. Yes; surely she was gaining now. her head; the poor deluded crature. There Every sheaf was another to the good. If she was, toiling away, moiling and striving, only something-sickness, sleep, anything - looking up every now and again with angry, would keep Anne away for another half hour, jealous eyes. It's no use, Judy agra, no all would be well. If only--if only -- And use at all; you haven't the strength or the there was Anne, flaunting along through the knack. Just watch a minute till you see heather! how I do it. Listen to the crisp cut I have No matter, said Judy. She felt able now, with a hook. Listen to the soft rustle of thank God, to hold her own with any one. the wheat as it falls before me. See how Let Anne come. Who cared for Anne Daly ? easily I'm taking things, as fresh as a lark, See her stepping up the stubble, head back, as merry as a sandpiper; and listen, Judy, arms swinging ; see her now, leisurely roll- to the song I'm singing through this blessed ing up her sleeves, tucking up her skirt, pre- day. tending to take everything so easily, just as Well, indeed, might Anne lift up her voice though it were the easiest thing in the world in singing; and well might Judy, at sound 480 THE REAPERS. GR ABOUT ten o'clock that night o'ye. nodding;, “Will I be comin' to you or you to me?' Judy blanched a little; then looked her bravest. “It's--it's as ye like, Anne Daly,” she said; and at sound of the halting words and at sight of Judy's face, Anne laughed again and turned away, and turned again and spoke. “Judy Brady, what in glory's name ails ye, or what romancin' is this I'll be hearin' ? Are ye cranky ?” III “I want none o' your questionin', Fat Anne." “I want none o' your impidence, Yellow Judy," retorted Anne; an' at this mortial minute I'm wishful for none o' your com- Judy slipped out of pany. I'm sick o' ye, Judy,” said Anne, bed, dressed quietly, crept noiselessly down with a wave of her arm; an' I'm 'shamed to the kitchen, there drank some tea from Woman alive, what have I done to a porringer that had been standing in the ye, or what's come over ye all in a day ? hot ashes on the hearth, laced on her boots, Just because I spoke a sensible word to ye threw a shawl about head and shoulders, and, this mornin'! Ah, go to your reapin', an' munching a piece of bread, stepped softly do somethin' that'll be a credit to ye. I'll out into the moonlight. not hear ye,” cried Anne, spreading a hand Leaving the boreen, Judy turned along the against Judy's protests; “ an' I'll not quar- Bunn road, walking swiftly in its middle rel wi' ye; an' i'll strive no more wi' ye. through the gray dust, went up the slope Go your ways, Judy Brady, an' ask the Lord toward Lackan, turned at Stonegate down to give ye sense the Clackan road, and at foot of the hill At sound of shrill whistling behind her, turned again along the lane which bends Anne paused, looked round, and saw a boy round into Emo bog. Along this she went, come slowly through the heather, carrying her shawl loose on her shoulders, for the a basket and a small tin can. night was warm, and her eyes roaming ner- “Sure," said she, “it's Johnny comin' wi' vously here and there; presently, turned her the tay, an' I'm dyin' for want of it.” She back on the turf-banks, struck through the threw down her hook, walked yard along potato fields, and came soon to the narrow the stubble, halted, and turned again to Judy. plank that stretched across a ditch from the “Listen, Judy,” she said; “ quit your bog to the wheat field. capers, an' come and have a sup. There's Timidly, her arms balancing up and down enough an' to spare, an' you're welcome.” and eyes bent on her halting feet, Judy “Not if I was dyin' for it,” answered crossed the plank, hurried over the stubble, Judy, defiantly; “not if me tongue was and came to the patch of wheat that still parched would I taste your tay, Anne Daly." waited the sickle at head of her first land. Then she slowly went down the furrow, and A goodly patch it was, offering maybe a mat- came to her stubble, and bent low, and went ter of three hours' work, and showing to a on with her reaping. Very hungry she was straw how much, through a twelve hours' and tired, sore racked in mind and body; but day, Anne Daly was a better reaper than still was her spirit untamed and her will un- Judy Brady; a goodly patch to which Judy broken. “I'll beat her yet,” she muttered. had come from her bed for a while of diver- “I'll not give in. No, never.” Steadily sion under the moon. she worked on; then, quite suddenly, stood Just a minute she stood looking at the upright, looked towards Thrasna River, and long row of stooks on her left, at the shorter softly laughed. “Ho, ho,” she laughed. row behind her, at the gleaming plot before “Ho, ho!" her; just a glance she threw at the moon, Judy had an idea. the hills, the shining walls of Emo above in Then the sun fell; the shadows died upon the trees; just a moment stood mumbling a the hills; in the valleys the mists began to prayer; then flung down her shawl, pulled creep, and down from the west stole old her sickle from a stook, and set to work. Night in his cloak, with gifts of peace and It was the first time that Judy had worked rest and sweet sleep in his hands. by moonlight, and she found the task not A STORY OF THE IRISH FIELDS. 481 easy. The light was wonderfully soft and slowly across the field on her left was the bright; but it seemed rather to lie on things figure of a man. A man? Or was it a and embellish them than to make them stand ghost ? Again Judy crouched, crouched low, out naked and clear as in the broad shine of and, like one fascinated, watched the figure the sun. It was like working by candle-light, come nearer, make the gap at head of the Judy thought. She was afraid to cut boldly; field, and turn toward her along Anne's land. now she filled her hook to overflowing, and Who was it? What was going to happen? now gathered but a straw or two into her And then, from behind a stook, stepped out hand. Then the shadows troubled her. She the battered figure of Mike her husband. seemed always to be working in her own Ah, the blessed relief! Like heaven itself light, just as though she were at home in was that sight of his face. But what had the kitchen, she thought, with her back to brought him ? How did he know? Judy the candle. And they were so black, too, rose; and seeing her, Mike halted, head for- were these shadows, and mocked her move- ward and his chin in his hand. ments so solemnly, and dogged her steps so “Aw, you're there," said he; then slowly grimly; ah, sure, thought Judy, what with came forward. “Tell me, Judy Brady, what the light and the dark it's woeful entirely. in glory's name brings ye here?” Mike But more than all this did the unearthly stopped, looked at the scattered sheaves, loneliness trouble her. It was all so quiet, then at the narrow plot of wheat, then at so big and empty, so bright and strange; the hook in Judy's hand. “Why--why, it's from herself away up to the big sky, and mad ye are. Reapin' be moonlight-all be away all round everywhere, was just one yourself! Why, it's mad ye are," repeated great well of silence and strangeness, with Mike, and stepping close to Judy took her by only her one self awake and striving in it, the shoulder. “Here, come away home to and only the creatures of dogs here and your bed,” he said roughly; " come away.” there to keep her company. Ah, if it hadn't Judy twisted from Mike's clutch, looked been for the dogs, thought Judy, she must him boldly in the face, and answered de- have snatched her shawl long ago and run. fiantly. If only some one would shout somewhere; if “I'll not,” she said; “not a foot. I can only a cart would go clanking along the road; do as I like, I suppose ? An' what brings if she could only see a light, or could think you here, may I ax? Can't a woman come that a friend was near her, things would not out for an hour without bein' followed like be so bad. But there was no one, nothing a child ?” - nothing but her one self bending there in Never before had Judy spoken to Mike in the big, empty world. She dared not look such fashion. He was taken aback; forgot up, dared hardly think. The sound of her to assert himself; stood looking at his feet heart beating in her ear was, at times, like and wondering if he were asleep or awake. the call of terror. There were times, odd “I'm not goin' home; not a foot till I'm moments and minutes, when it needed but a ready to go. I'll stop till mornin' if I like. cloud to darken the moon, or so much as a Where's the childer ?” asked Judy of a sud- mouse to stir in the wheat, to send her shiv- den. “Where are they, I say?" ering to her knees, jabbering to the saints Mike looked towards Rhamus Hill. with her face in her hands. “They're yonder,” said he, with a nod; But nothing happened, nothing. Steadily, “yonder at home.” serenely, the moon held her course across At home?” cried Judy. “Yonder be the heavens; far and wide the land lay sleep- themselves ? Ah, the cratures! Suppose ing in the soft magic of her light; and there, the house goes on fire ? Suppose some one in all the glory of the night, went plodding comes an' kills them? Ah, l'll go home,” that weird little figure of a Judy, groping cried Judy, making for her shawl. and stumbling, muttering and praying, cow This was just what Mike wanted her to ering in sight of such beauty and splendor do; but, man-like, he had to say so, and with from she knew not what. the word Judy stopped and turned. She had been at work maybe an hour, "No, I'll not, ” she said; “not a foot. when suddenly it was borne in upon her that It's yourself that'll go, Mike Brady. Away something was nearing her. At once she wi' ye, I tell ye. Don't waste one min- crouched, trembling and stricken; presently ute. Suppose the goat got at them, or the found courage to rise a little and timorously pig- to look around her. There was no one on Mike had almost found himself. He the stubble, nothing on the hills; but coming snorted. 482 THE REAPERS. without ye. say?" “Ah, quit your foolery, Judy. Have wit. self, thought Mike; then pulled out his pipe, Didn't I latch the dure after me ? Isn't the sat down on a sheaf, and with eyes steady fire raked ? What'd ail them this night on the hedge before him began to smoke. more'n another? Are ye comin' home, I Not a thought had he, or an eye, for the say?" asked Mike again. “I'll not go matchless beauty of the night; not a thought, Not a wink o'sleep could I except one of mingled wonder and disgust, get after I heard ye let fall the latch an' for his wife toiling there behind him, not a missed ye from the bed. Are ye comin', I thought of sympathy or admiration. She was a fool, he said; an unknowable fool. With her hook Judy pointed at the plot of He would have stared at you (and Judy, too, wheat. “Naw; I'm not--not till that's fin- be it said) had you hinted that sleep might ished.' come the sooner did he seek Anne's hook and Mike stood rubbing his chin and looking reap a sheaf or two. Stolidly he sat there, sideways at Judy. He could not understand blinking at the hedge; presently rose, yawned her. What had come to her ? he asked him- heavily, and stretched himself; then pulled self. What, in the king's name, had come some sheaves together, lay down upon them, to her ? and with his face to the stars went to sleep. “I know,” he said at last. “I see.' But Judy wrought on. The night had no He looked at the wheat patch. * It'll take terrors for her now, now that Mike had come. ye mebbe two hours yet?” Judy did not She felt brave and strong; the shadows, and answer. “When it's done,” Mike kept on, the loneliness, and the strange light, troubled you'll be level with Anne ?" her no longer; twice as fast she could work, " That's so.' now that Mike had come. If only the chil- • I see.' Now I see." Mike smiled know- dren were safe, she felt gladder than the ingly. An' what better'll ye be then nor world to see his face. She hoped his sleep ye are now ?” said Mike, cocking his wise was sound. She hoped the damp might not head. Judy kept silent. Ah, woman dear, find his bones. Listen! There were the come home wi' ye, an' quit your foolishness. cocks crowing above in Emo, crowing for What'll people say? What'll Anne do but twelve o'clock and morning. Morning ? laugh at ye?'' But what matter now, thought Judy, now “Will she ?” muttered Judy, with a smile. that Mike had come? Another hour or so * Ah, will she, indeed!” and she was done was level with Anne. “Ay, will she. An' what better'll ye be Ah, but that would be great. Think of in the end for all your slavery? Wait.” Anne's look in the morning; think of the Stepping aside, Mike ran an eye from head joy of seeing her face. Who'd boast then ? to foot over Judy's land. Why, it's fool- Who'd have the laugh then? thought Judy, ery,” he said, coming back; “fair foolery. and smiling to herself went swiftly on. You'll not be two shillin's richer for it all. Finished at last. It was great, thought Two shillin's,” cried Mike, and shot out an Judy, and standing back ran her eyes over arm. “Why, it's shameful. Two shillin's ! the long row of stooks; it was prime. Now Two shillin's!” who'd boast? To see Anne's face in the Then said Judy: “Ah, whisht. Ye know morning, to hear her remarks! And not nothin'. It's not the money; it's not that. a word of explanation would Judy give; oh, Ah, whisht,” said Judy, walking to her patch. not one. Quite calmly she would take her Ye know nothin'." hook, bend back, and just as if nothing had “ An' you're not comin'?” happened, start fair on a new land. “I'm goin' to finish,” and scrunch went Start fair? A new land ? A new land ? Ah, yes. But Judy's hook through the wheat. what about afterwards the long day, the Mike turned away in wonderment and dis- weary striving, the same toil and dread maybe gust. 'Twas pitiful, he thought, and looked through half the night—what about all that ? at the moon. All for two shillings! Ah, thought Judy, and stood looking at the stooks the foolishness o' women, the contrariness o' with joyless eyes. 'Twould be bitter; she'd them. And to think of himself, too, moider- never be able to bear it; she'd Eh? in' there like a fool in the middle of the What ? night, missing sleep and rest, and him hun Suppose, thought Judy-taken, as she said, gry as a trooper. And all because o' women with a sudden notion-suppose she worked and their whims! Ach! Should he go home ? on for another hour, just to get a start of No; sorrow a foot. What was the good, if Anne? Her triumph then would be the com- he couldn't sleep? No; he'd wait for her- pleter, her work for the day made easier. A STORY OF THE IRISH FIELDS. 483 ܙܙ She felt not a bit tired or hungry; a couple alone, Judy. Dang it, I am awake.” Mike of hours' sleep was all she needed; the chil- sat upright, rubbed his eyes, blinked a while, dren were surely safe; Mike was sound and looked at his boots, then at the stubble, then fast; there was nothing to hinder her, noth- raised his eyes and saw Judy standing beside ing. And to think of Anne's face! She saw him, with the big moon shining over her head. “STILL STOOPING, JUDY LOOKED ROUND AT HER, BUT SAID NOTHING." it now, there before her, all big and red and “And is this where I am still ?” said he, angry. Yes, she'd do it; and the next min- twisting round on his knees. ute Judy was reaping again as if for dear life Stiffly and slowly he rose, rubbed his eyes on the next land. again, and stretched wearily; then, with a More than an hour she wrought; then, growl and a shiver, thrust hands in pockets, sleep and weariness at length mastering her, and, by way of the turf-banks and the hills, flung down her hook, threw her shawl over set off homeward with Judy at his heels. her head, crossed and shook Mike awake. And as they went, a miserable couple trudg- “All right,” he snapped. “Leave me ing below the stars over the moonlit fields, 484 THE REAPERS. their own shuffling steps in the rushes and Aisy,” said she; “aisy wi' ye for one the grass made the only sound that broke the minute, Mrs. Brady, ma'am. Sure I'm mor- quiet of the night. “Aw, but it's cowld,” tial obliged for all you've done for me, but shivered Mike. “Will we niver get home? I'll not be troublin' ye to do any more.” Will we niver, niver get home?” Still stooping, Judy looked round at her, “Ah, to be sure we will,” said Judy, at but said nothing. last; “ to be sure we will. Man alive, aren't “ Aw, ye needn't be starin' at me,” Anne we at the dure ?" went on, in that easy, matter-of-fact way she had-a way which seemed, that morning, It was between three and four o'clock that the very voice of her strength and freshness; morning of the new September day when Judy “sure it's not meself's to blame. If so be got to bed; by six o'clock she was up again people are neighborly enough to come doin' and busy preparing breakfast; by seven had me work for me, I'm not the one to grumble. started Mike for work, had taken her Indian- Aw, no.” meal porridge and tea and bread, and was Judy straightened herself. hurrying once more for the wheat field. “If “I'm bad at riddles, Mrs. Daly,” said she, I can only be there before her,” she panted. and steadily met Anne's eyes. “I must be before her--I must." “Are ye, then?” came back. “Riddles, Breathlessly she sped over the hill, across ye say ? Troth, an' it's yourself's the riddle the bog, up the stubble; and there at top of this mornin', Mrs. Brady, dear; for if ye the field, her back to a stook, and her eyes can't see you're standin' on the third land on the scattered sheaves, sat Anne Daly. an' grippin' a handful o' wheat that be right Judy stopped, hand on heart and her face belongs to me, then you're a bigger fool than haggard. "Ah, I'm late," she gasped; “I didn't Haggard to the lips and scarcely breathing, see her face- Still, what odds, anyway? Judy stood looking before her. The third Sure it's all the same.” A moment she wav- land? Anne's land! This was what she ered, standing there among the stooks, lips had done? This was the result of all her tight and her eyes hard on the crown of striving? “Ah, but it's cruel!” thought Anne's sunbonnet; then set her face, stepped Judy; then, the tears big in her eyes, and out bravely, and coming to the new land, her face quivering piteously, turned and found her hook and prepared for work. plodded through the sheaves - Anne's sheaves “Sure, it's all the same," she said, and reaped by herself that morning to the top with her back to Anne, stood rolling up her of the fourth land. sleeves; “if I didn't see her, sure I can But Anne followed and caught her arm. guess how she looked. Aw, it's a sore day “Judy,” said she. “ I say, Judy. Listen for her, so it is, a sore day. Think of her to me, woman. Och, quit your foolery. sittin' there glowerin' at me! Ah, but it's Come back, I say. Sure I wouldn't be takin? ' great! What'll she say, I wonder; what'll your work from ye for the world. Come back, she do ? Ah, but it's great,” said Judy, I say. An' listen to me. I'm sorry for what and spat on her hand, and twirled her hook, happened yisterday. Sure I meant nothin' at and stooped to cut the first band. all. Come back wi' ye, Judy; come back." It was just then that Anne rose and spoke. And Judy went. ye look." THE END - — SITE OF BETHSAIDA, ON THE LAKE OF GALILEE. MCCLURE'S MAGAZINE. VOL. XIV. APRIL, 1900. No. 6. TYPE OF GIRL OF TIBERIAS. It is easy to see liere the origin of the costume of certain nuns. The head-dress is probably identical in fashion with that worn by women of Galilee in Christ's day.- Artist's Note. TIIE LIFE OF TIIE MASTER. BY THE REVEREND JOHN WATSON, D.D., Author of "The Mind of the Master," "Beside the Bonnie Brier Bush," etc. ILLUSTRATED FROM PAINTINGS AND DRAWINGS BY CORWIN KNAPP LINSON. PART IV.-JESUS' MINISTRY AT CAPERNAUM.—HIS REJECTION BY NAZARETH. IN N the beginning of the first century two nor fashion, but depended for a modest pros- towns stood on the western edge of the perity on its fishing industry, its custom- Sea of Galilee, and only a short distance house, and its situation on the caravan road apart, which were a visible and striking con- between Damascus and the coast. It was a trast. One was Tiberias, the political cap- busy little commercial town in the shadow ital of the province of Galilee and the resi- of glittering, brazen Tiberias. Its citizens dence of Herod Antipas, its tetrarch, whose worked hard for their bread, and saw the magnificent palace was reflected on the bosom great folk pass in their glory to and from of the lake and whose licentious court scan- the local capital. There is no mention of dalized the district. The other was Caper- the place in Old Testament history; and if naum, a town which had neither distinction Josephus gives it a place in his pages, it is Copyright, 1900, by the S. S. MCCLURE Co. All rights reserved. 488 THE LIFE OF THE MASTER. only because he was carried there after an all the disciples of the Master must carry accident. Yet to-day, save for a medical mis- within their imagination the map of Galilee sion, the miserable village of Tiberias is neg- forever associated with Jesus, and this map lected, while learned persons dispute keenly has been created not by travelers, but by the site of Capernaum, and travelers are love. It matters not how prosperous or thankful that amid the ruins of Tell Hum the famous a town may have been; if Jesus did remains of a synagogue can still be found. not honor it with His presence, it will have Some devout Christians will not visit Pal- no place in this sacred geography. It is noth- estine because the glory of the land has de- ing that a village was small and obscure; if A DOOR-YARD IN NAZARETH.* parted under the Turkish blight and the the Master wrought His mighty works there, profanity of modern improvements. This or found a disciple, or received a kindness, Galilee, barren and deserted, is far removed its name is written in imperishable letters. from the smiling land, with its crowded vil- And this map, which is rather a picture lages, through which Jesus moved in His and a home than a plan, has for its heart pity and grace. Others have a pious inter- and center not Tiberias, but Capernaum, since est in seeing the lake which Jesus so often Tiberias was only the city of Herod Antipas, crossed, and treading the great roads along while Capernaum was Jesus' own city. which He went on His journeys. Whether It is usually a man's lot to live in various they have ever seen the Holy Land or not, places, but there will be one which is his * This is a typical door yard, or court, in the poorer quarter choice and to which his heart is given. Jesus of Nazareth. On the right is a native bread over. The bread was born in Bethlehem; He was educated in is baked in small cakes, in a covereri earthen vessel placed in a bed of hot ashes. The oven itself is built of mud and straw, Nazareth ; He was crucified in Jerusalem; plastered over with clay, which dries hard. The fuel need is in none of those arrangements had He any ber beet is the pungent odor of burning manure, a constant voice. For three years or so He could ar- irritation to the nostrils; achoking atmosphere erhaling from the numerous out-door ovens in which the bread is baked. It range His life as He pleased, and His first permeates the fourth the stones of the streets absorb it, act of freedom, on the threshold of His JOURNAL. great career, was to fix upon the sphere of 490 THE LIFE OF THE MASTER. of Galilee was by far the loveliest spot in the ventionalities, and less fettered by preju- Holy Land, so that the Rabbis had a saying, dices; they were more open and enthusias- “ The land has seven seas, but Gennesaret tic; they were nearer the heart of things. God made for Himself.” Twelve miles long When Jesus began His ministry in Galilee, and rather more than seven at its widest, He laid His hand on the living pulse of the shaped like a lyre, and broken as to its shores nation and, by anticipation, of the world. into many curves and little headlands, with As some center was needed from which blue water and white sand, the Lake of Gali- the Master could go out on His missionary lee lay amid its sloping green hills a vision journeys, Jesus chose the village of Caper- of peace and beauty. On the eastern side naum, and there He was more or less resi- the ground rose in billows of green cut by dent during His Galilean ministry. Round ravines into the wilderness, where Jesus went this town, whose very site is doubtful, for solitude and where he spent so many gathers an affectionate interest, and so many hours of intimate communion with God. Be- were the incidents that happened here that tween the hills and the lake on the western one can reconstruct his Capernaum from the side lay the Plain of Gennesaret, than which Gospels, till its streets be familiar ground there was no more fertile spot in the world. and we know its houses at sight. Here is In this garden, watered by mountain streams the modest little synagogue which the Ro- and rich in volcanic soil, nature, Josephus man officer in command of the local garrison declares, had outdone herself, casting aside built as a mark of respect for the Jewish re- for once her limitations of place and reason ligion-whose excellency he had discovered and reveling in the very license of production, beneath its crust of fanatical bigotry-and for the walnut, the palm, the olive, and the as a testimony of his own faith in God-to vine grew side by side, and for ten months whose knowledge he had come through the out of the twelve fruit could be found in Hebrew Scriptures. Yonder are the quar- Gennesaret. All Galilee was, in those happy ters where his servant was lying sick, and days, a land of streams and fountains, of whence he sent the message which won so woods and flowers, and the very heart thereof high approval from Jesus. It was in this was the Lake of Tiberias. While the desert synagogue that Jesus cast out a devil one of Judea, with its arid sands, suggested the Sabbath, and, later on, delivered His great austerity of life, the valleys of Galilee, smil- discourse on Everlasting Life. Upon the ing with corn, were a parable of the glad- outskirts stood the opprobrium of Caper- ness of life. It was fitting that the Baptist naum and the object of undying Jewish hate should thunder repentance amid a scene of a Roman custom-house. Here any day you desolation; it was fitting that Jesus should might see Levi receiving taxes from those proclaim the excellent grace of the Kingdom who journeyed along the way by the Sea; of Heaven with a background of beauty. and there, within stone's throw, is his pri- Galilee had this further attraction for the vate house, where one day he assembled his Master, that it was not only blessed by na- friends together, all fellow-outcasts from ture, but also crowded with people. Some society, and entertained Jesus at a feast in fifteen towns lay on the shores of the lake, celebration of his new life. If we go to the prosperous and stirring with life, making an other end of Capernaum, where live the mag- almost continuous line of human homes. The nates of the little community, we are still in lake was never without the sails of a fishing- the Gospels, for that is the house of Jairus, boat or the glitter of a royal galley. Along the ruler of the synagogue, where Jesus her great west road, called the Way by the raised a little maid from death and filled the Sea, came caravans from Damascus to Greece; house with gladness; and on the other side down her south road went droves of camels of the street is the imposing residence of to Egypt, and her innumerable byways were Simon the Pharisee, where Jesus was treated crowded with many feet in that most popu- with such cold courtesy and Mary Magdalene lous of provinces. The stir of the Gentile entered into peace. This again is only a world was felt in Galilee; her own life was street of poor homes, but yet it is memora- bright and strenuous. If the Galileans had ble and cannot be passed by, for it was here a provincial accent, like a Western man in that four faithful souls lifted the roof of a New York, or a Lancashire man in London, house and laid their sick friend at Jesus' and if they were ignorant of the refinements feet; and, next door, that the woman lived of theological culture in which Jerusalem de- who touched the hem of Jesus' garment and lighted, they were quicker and keener than was healed. Near to the shore is the dwell- the Judeans. They were less held by con- ing of Simon Peter, where Jesus was a guest, THE REVEREND JOHN WATSON. 191 and at whose door the sick of Capernaum of God have been brought nearer human were gathered one evening for His blessing; hearts than they were brought in this and here is the very place where the people favored place. And it was not true to stood while Jesus preached from a boat say that Jesus labored in vain, for from moored a little distance from the shore. this place and neighborhood He drew His Upon that lake Jesus walked, and Peter went apostles; and here He found some of his to meet Him; through one of its sudden, most loyal friends. It remains, however, dangerous storms Jesus lay asleep in the undeniable and most lamentable that the boat; from its waters came the miraculous desire of Jesus' heart was not fulfilled, VILLAGE OF THE SHEPHERDS NEAR BETHLEHEM. Standing on the edge of eastern Bethlehem, we see what is known as the shepherds' village, the traditional place where lived the shepherds who “ were keeping watch " the night on which Christ was born. It is now a very small hamlet of farmers, or peasantry, and beyond are the fields, where also Ruth gleaned, the desolate wilderness, and in the distance the "wall of Moab."--ARTIST'S NOTE. draught of fishes, and on its shore the Mas- and that He bade farewell to the towns of ter showed Himself after the Resurrection. the Lake with a sense of disappointment and Never in the history of religion has any a confession of failure. Galilee had given place had such privileges as Capernaum. the Master a cordial hearing, and surrounded For two years the Master lived among its Him with enthusiasm, and afforded Him apos- people, homely and accessible, easy to be tles, but Galilee as a whole had not believed intreated and friendly with all. They could in Him, nor cast in its lot with His kingdom; hear Him in the synagogue or in the open only a few had heard the Divine call and air; they could speak with Him on the street obeyed; the rest had been as the shallow or in his lodgings. There was no kind of soil, wherein the seed springs up quickly, mighty work He did not perform in Caper- and then as quickly withers away. So it naum; there was no sorrow He did not com- came to pass that Galilee rejected Jesus, passionate. Never could the power and love through fickleness, as Jerusalem was to 492 THE LIFE OF THE MASTER. crucify Him through bigotry, and the guilt and awfulness of the hills have begotten rev- of Galilee was the greater. As Jesus thought erence for the past, and their separation and of the day of salvation given unto the cities exclusion have deepened loyalty and faithful of the Lake and of their foolishness, He lifted affection. With every mile which brings up His voice in sorrow and indignation : him nearer that village and removes him “Woe unto thee, Chorazin! woe unto thee, from the great city, he throws off the new Bethsaida!” And then, as He looked on the habits of his last years and resumes his city He had made His own by His choice and youth. He counts the distance which still by His labor bathed in the light of the set- remains, and imagines the turn of the road ting sun, His voice takes a deeper note: which shall give him the early sight of the “And thou, Capernaum, which art exalted loved spot. No doubt he will view his na- unto heaven, shalt be brought down to hell: tive place with the eyes of one who has seen for if the mighty works which have been done the world, and his sense of proportion will in thee, had been done in Sodom, it would have changed; nor could he again settle have remained until this day. But I say down within his former narrow circumstances unto you, that it shall be more tolerable for and forsake the larger life. At the same the land of Sodom in the day of judgment, time his heart will be full of gratitude and than for thee." respect for his humble home: the church When one who has been brought up in an among the trees, the school where his mind obscure country village, and has made his was awakened, the fields in which he played. first success in the greater world, returns to He hopes that he is remembered, and that his native place, it is an occasion to its in- his fellow-townsmen have some pride in his habitants, and to himself it is a moment of achievements. At least he has not forgot- deep emotion. Busy with many affairs, his ten them, and his fondest desire is to give heart has ever fondly turned to the scene of them some tokens of his loyal affection. his early days. Hindered time after time, Between the outgoing of Jesus from Naz- his heart leaps when he can at last revisit areth, when He went to the baptism of John, his home. This strong attachment and and His home-coming, when He returned to secret yearning are characteristic above all Nazareth from Capernaum, there were, pos- others of a highlander, in whom the grandeur sibly, only a few months in time, but there BETHSAIDA 5 W SEA OF NORTHERN MOUTH OF THE JORDAN. GALILEE CAPERNAUM AUM 4 ROM TIBERIAS PICTORIAL MAP OF THE NORTHERN END OF THE SEA OF GALILEE, FROM THE HILLS BEHIND CAPERNAUM. Bethsaida, near the northern mouth of the Jordan, occupies a charmingly picturesque situation in the hollow of a little bay, with good harborage and a fine beach. From Capernaum to Bethsaida an old Roman road leads across many little spring-fed streams, and through fertile gardens watered by ancient aqueducts.-Artist's Note. THE REVEREND JOHN WATSON. 493 was an incalculable difference in life. He left with the recent conviction of the Mes- siahship, and He returned with the open wit- ness of God to His call. He left with the sense of latent power, He returned with the sanction of mighty works. The spiritual impulses and heavenly dreams of youth-the blossoms of spring—had come to fruit, and His mysterious aloofness, as of one living here in disguise, had been vindicated. At the quiet hour of noon when He rested from labor, or in the evening as He wandered on the hillside above the village, He had imag- ined the outer world and the work before Him. Now He came down from the glory of the capital, and up from the stir of Caper- naum, having laid His hand to God's work, and not having been put to confusion. It was not possible that He could be elated, for from the day of His baptism to the day of His crucifixion He was the lowliest in all the land; nor could He be free from a certain sad anticipation, who already knew that He would be rejected by the rulers of His peo- ple. Still it was with a just sense of His new position that He revisited the scenes of His youth, and the one desire in His heart was to confer that blessing with which He Notwithstanding the lamentable scene in was charged, and which had already made the synagogue, we may believe that on the glad Capernaum. Friday evening, as Jesus came up the village HEAD OF A GALILEE BEDOUIN. A STUDY FROM LIFE. GERGESENES. TIBERIAS. SOUTHERN MOUTH OF THT, JORDAN beyond these hills. Baths of Tuberose N MAGPALA. and land of GENNESARET PICTORIAL MAP OF THE SOUTHERN END OF THE SEA OF GALILEE, FROM THE LAND OF GENNESARET. Besides Magdala and Tiberias, the map shows, on the farther side of the sea, the city of the Gergesenes. The coast from Tiberias and Magdala northward to Bethsaida and the northeast shore was in Christ's time a Syrian bay of Naples, alive with fishing boats, Roman galleys, and trading vessels of every kind.-Artist's NOTE. 494 THE LIFE OF THE MASTER. THE LAND OF GENNESARET. In the foreground is the Roman rond, cut in the solid rock, and leading over toward Bethsaida. As one looks southward from this road, the plain of Gennesaret is seen in its entirety; and the hilly coast of the Sea of Galilee, beyond, stretches out rugged almost to Tiberias. tion of the synagogue in a village like Naz- areth, and its nearest parallel may be found in that land which has copied so much from the Jewish church and into whose charac- ter so much of the Jewish strength has been woven. As the traveler passes through some The LAND GERNESARET rural parish in Scotland, he will notice in street, His fellow-townsmen regarded His some sheltered place, facing the sun, a clump return with kindly interest. It has to be of buildings which are withered with age and accepted as a regrettable fact that the per- have a certain simple dignity. They are the plexity of dull minds, which cannot appreci- kirk and the manse, the school and school- ate spiritual genius near at hand, hindered master's house, with God's acre round the His own family from believing on Him, and kirk, and this is the heart and brain of the that religious bigotry, in the end, turned the parish. It is here that the people have hearts of his fellow-citizens against Him. But learned all they know of this world and the it is not credible that Jesus could have lived next; here that they are bound by their free- for thirty years in Nazareth, going out and dom and the graves of their fathers to the in among His fellow-men, even with all the generations which are gone, by their chil- reserves of those days, without being marked dren and the Resurrection of the Lord to the and loved. If in His youth He worked no generations to come; here that they have miracles, He had the heart to sympathize been made intelligent men and sturdy pa- with suffering; and if He preached no dis- triots and believing Christians; here that course, He must have dropped sayings which they realize their unity, and their duties, and were treasured in some pious hearts. Nor their fellowship as part of a religious and is it possible that of all in Nazareth, how- political commonwealth. The Jewish syna- ever uncouth and unspiritual the little town gogue was not picturesque, but this was the may have been, none anticipated His great- service it also rendered to its community. ness. Even in Nazareth there must have Under its shadow the children were taught been a few discerning souls-His teacher of to read and to know their one literature, the the synagogue, a fellow-scholar brighter than Sacred Writings. Within it, on Sabbath, his class, some aged saint with whom He had old and young met to worship the God of conversed on spiritual things, a friend of late Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob. It kept in their years, like the young man of Galilee—who remembrance the glorious history of Israel, were not astonished when the news of His and sustained them against the misfortunes appearances in Capernaum reached the high- of the present. The elders of the synagogue land town, and who went that memorable were the magistrates of the district, and ex- Sabbath morning to the synagogue with a pulsion from this place was expatriation from high hope. the nation. Into this place gathered the life It is not possible to exaggerate the posi- of the people, and the synagogue was the THE REVEREND JOHN WATSON. 495 strength and expression of the Jewish com- by what may be described as a creed, begin- mon life. ning with the noble words, “Hear, O Israel: The synagogue of Nazareth would be a the Lord our God is one Lord. And thou plain and homely building standing north and shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy south, with, likely, three doors, and, it might heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy be, three aisles. The men and women would might.” The prayers followed, which some sit apart, the most distinguished in front, one led from the front of the chest wherein while the younger and poorer were behind; lay the Law, and the congregation responded. so that in Nazareth Jesus first saw from his A section of the Law was then read the obscure place the unholy scramble for“ chief whole reading of the Pentateuch was com- seats.” Nothing could be simpler than the pleted in three years—and then a portion fittings of the synagogue: a platform and from the Prophets, which the reader could reading-desk for the reader, and a chest for choose where he pleased. After the read- the Sacred Writings. The service opened ing, some one gave an address in which the LINGEN HEALING THE WITHERED HAND. And he entered again into the synagogue ; and there was a man there which had a withered hand. And they watched him, whether he would heal him on the sabbath day; that they might accuse him. And he saith unto them, Is it law- ful to do good on the sabbath days, or to do evil ? to save life, or to kill ? But they held their peace.—MARK, iii. 1-4. This was in the Roman-built synagogue at Capernaum, of which not a trace now exists above ground. Upon the so-called site of Caper- naum there is a walled-in space kept by some Italian monks. One or two little buildings, scrupulously neat in appearance, a well-cultivated garden, with fruit trees, vegetables, and flowers—these are the sole features of the place. But underneath all this appearance of deep, undisturbed soil lie the remains of the famous "White Synagogue," originally hidden for fear of governmental confiscation. At least so I was told ; not a fragment was to be seen anywhere. The monks expect soon to uncover the remains again, for the walled-in land is now their own.-FROM THE ARTIST's Journal. 496 THE LIFE OF THE MASTER. Scripture read was explained and applied, village synagogue of Nazareth, Jesus de- and the benediction was pronounced by a clared that it had come. Here was laid priest. Over the synagogue an officer called down long before in inspired vision the pro- the “ Ruler" presided, and another, who is gramme of His own religion, which was to described as the “Minister," had charge of be for the poor and the sad, and the sinner, the Scriptures. The whole constitution of the and the simple, and the hopeless, all the peo- synagogue was an admirable illustration of ple who were crippled and ill-used and cast a strong and free democracy, where there down and helpless in this world's fight. were officers to secure order and administer Various happy circumstances conspired to justice, and yet every member of the com- commend the address of Jesus, and for the monwealth had his share in the public ser- moment to win the suffrages of His audience. vice and a regulated liberty of utterance. In spite of spiritual stupidity and Pharisaic With this place Jesus had many sacred pedantry, it did count for something that the associations, and He could not that Sabbath Prophets had been read in the synagogues morning enter it without a tender heart. In and that the people were familiar with their His childhood He had been taken here by His Messianic conception. The soil might be mother and Joseph; in His youth He had shallow and unclean, but some seed had been heard in this place those Prophets which had dropped in and was bound to appear above so affected His mind. As He came to full ground. Every Jew had also been grounded manhood He would seek here for that deeper in the character of God; and however the meaning which was as yet hidden from the fair proportions had been clouded over by people and was only beginning to break on racial.and theological prejudice, yet he be- Him. One may reasonably believe that as lieved in the “Lord God merciful and gra- Jesus used to listen to the commonplace and cious.” Between this God and this kingdom weary exposition He would imagine that of mercy there was a convincing and inspir- happy day when a preacher, after the type ing correspondence, so that if any Kingdom of the ancient prophets, should appear in of God was going to be established on earth their midst and make known unto the con- it would be after this fashion. Besides, this gregation the mind of God, and no doubt the new state had already given in that very impulse was strong within Him to declare synagogue a pledge of its success, and that the thoughts which were burning in His was in its appeal to the needs of men. Its heart. He restrained Himself and remained constituents and subjects are already there silent; and now he was to speak that day in that poor family hiding themselves in the in the synagogue of his childhood and of his back of the synagogue, in that widow who mother-not as any villager might if he has just lost the husband of her youth, in pleased, but with the reputation of a Prophet; that lad whom Satan torments, in the sight- so that as soon as He had read the second less eyes of that old man, in the vacant face lesson “ the eyes of all were fastened upon of that girl, in the droop of that head which tells of dreary failure. And the Prophets' As He could read where and what He words are already confirmed and almost re- pleased from the Prophets, Jesus selected alized by the personality of the Speaker, the description of the Messiah and His work Who, sitting there before them in His grace from the book of Isaiah: “The Spirit of the and purity, speaks as a king from his throne. Lord is upon me, because he hath anointed A sudden wave of spiritual emotion swept me to preach the gospel to the poor; he over the congregation, and carried them hath sent me to heal the broken-hearted, to away in a joyful enthusiasm. They turned preach deliverance to the captives, and re- one to another demanding and receiving con- covering of sight to the blind, to set at lib- sent, and from every part of the synagogue erty them that are bruised, to preach the broke forth cries of thankfulness and ad- acceptable year of the Lord.” miration. Nazareth bare open witness to This was the beautiful and heavenly hope the gracious words Jesus spake; it was His which had visited the Prophets: that amid brief moment of acceptance in the village of the kingdoms which stood in brute force and His youth. merciless violence, in pride and iniquity, one Then, as the shallow water of an inland should arise in God's time whose glory should lake is suddenly lashed into a storm by a be Humility and Pity, Holiness and Peace. gust of wind from some ravine, the scene For centuries this idea had been only a within the synagogue changed from rejoic- dream, and men had begun to conclude that ing to hatred. The people of Nazareth had it was too good to be true; and now, in the been so moved by the spiritual effect of Jesus Him.” 498 THE LIFE OF THE MASTER. weakling; but it may also mean that famili- confined even to Jesus, but rested gladly on arity with greatness has blunted the sense believing Gentiles. Elijah was a fiercely of admiration, and that which is a wonder Jewish prophet, and yet he was sent to the unto many is in the minds of those who are widow of Sarepta, though there were many nearest to it a very common thing. An in- widows in Israel. Elisha was his son in the numerable multitude of the wisest of our succession, and yet it was Naaman the Syrian race would have given their treasures to have he healed, though there were many lepers seen Jesus for an hour and had converse in Israel. What Jesus might have done with Him; but He lived thirty years in Naz- in Nazareth they could not imagine; but areth, and declared to his fellow-townsmen notwithstanding that brief paroxysm of the richness of the Messianic hope, and the devotion, their attitude was one of criti- end of it was, they said, “Is not this a car- cism and unbelief; and while Jesus would penter's son?" save distant peoples of whom they had The synagogue which, a short while ago, never heard, for Nazareth He could do had echoed with cries of appreciation was nothing. filled with contempt and suspicion, and, amid It was then that the evil spirit of this tur- the confused murmurs that floated up to Him, bulent village burst into uncontrollable and Jesus caught another complaint. Nazareth senseless fury. They surrounded Him be- had heard of the mighty works He had fore the chest of the Scriptures wherein lay wrought in Capernaum on His first Sabbath the prophecy of His coming; they hustled there, and it was natural that they should Him from the synagogue where he had have expected to see like wonders in their preached His Evangel; they dragged Him town. What He did for this strange place through the town which had seen His holy Jesus was bound to do for His own folk, not youth; they brought Him to a rocky height of grace, but of duty. Yet the day was pass- from which He had often looked down in ing, and no sick one had been healed; and past years; and then, had it depended on the they laid the blame on Jesus, understanding men of Nazareth, the career of Jesus had not that the hindrance was not in Him, but there ended. But once again His august in them. They imagined that because they personality asserted itself, and the rabble, were of Nazareth they had a right to His which had done homage to His grace, fell miracles; but He must remind them that back before His awful majesty. Jesus passed they were only wrought in an atmosphere of through their midst, and departed, and this faith, and that the Divine mercy was not was His farewell to Nazareth. (To be continued.) BEDOUIN TENT SCENE AT THE RUINS OF GERGESA. A SKETCH FROM LIFE. 500 THE AMERICAN INVASION OF CHINA. By the term “ China" we may mean the ure and 400,000,000; although, from my Empire proper, consisting of the eighteen own observation, I believe such an estimate provinces, or we may mean the Empire with to be a decided overstatement. This esti- the dependencies of Manchuria, Mongolia, mate, however, can be very materially re- and Tibet. The Empire without its depen- duced, and yet leave a population far greater dencies covers about 1,600,000 square miles than that of the American continents. Here an area half as large as that of the United we have, then, a country as large as our own, States. With its dependencies, it covers over with a population which, as usually given, is 4,000,000 square miles, an area greater than five times as great; and it and parts of Africa either the continent of Europe or the whole are about the only considerable portions of of the United States including Alaska. Its the world remaining to be opened up to what greatest dimension, north and south, reaches we call “civilization. from the latitude of Quebec, through Peking, The Chinese nation is the oldest on earth. which lies due west from Philadelphia; Shang. It has existed as a sovereign power for four hai, corresponding with Savannah; Canton, thousand years or more. It has had a well- the same as Cuba, to the island of Hai-nan, or established literature and has possessed an the latitude of Vera Cruz and Yucatan. It, intimate acquaintance with art and science therefore, embraces every variety of climate, for thirty centuries. It is a country that from the northern extreme of the temperate has always, so far as history goes, had a to the tropical. The population of the Em- complex organization, and rightfully boasts pire is variously estimated at from 350,000,- of being the inventor of printing, of gun- 000 to 500,000,000, with the best authority powder, of silk manufacture, and of a variety pointing somewhere between the former fig- of other things to which we point as evidences RECEIVING THE AMERICAN SURVEYING PARTY. From a photograph taken just after luncheon in the courtyard of a farmhouse. It shows the regular daily guard which was necessary to protect the prospectors from the curious crorod, with the commanding military officials in the center. THE PRESENT STATE OF AMERICAN TRADE IN CHINA. 501 of European development. Its commerce, final destination. In this act their national- both internal and foreign, was already such ity is lost; for the returns of the shipping as to have astounded Marco Polo in his fa- nation classes them as exports to Hong- mous travels during the thirteenth century. kong, while China, of course, treats them The people are frugal, patient, hard-working, as imports from that place. The import and law-abiding. They are by instinct trad- returns of the Imperial Maritime Customs ers, and they have what few other Orientals show that nearly one-half of the foreign possess, a high sense of commercial honor. commerce entering China comes from Hong- Although the kong. Thence great mass of many writers fall them is poor, yet into errors, either there is a wealthy by taking the di- class, and there rect trade be- exists, even in tween China and the interior, a any other coun- demand for much try as limited to more than the the reported fig- mere necessaries ures, or by class- of life. ing Hongkong Now what have under the head of the United States Great Britain and done in the past Colonies. The in this great conclusions country, how do reached in these they stand there ways are griev- to-day, what can ously wrong. Al- they do and what though foreign should they do in goods are tran- the future? shipped from These are the con- Hongkong to Ja- siderations that pan, the Philip- most concern us. pine Islands, To answer the Siam, and other first two of these parts of the Ori- questions, there The party was preceded by two men, carrying placards which notified the ent, yet at least people that the American engineers were approaching; that they were to be are two sources treated hospitably, and not to be obstructed; and that if there was any interfer. three-quarters of of statistics ence, the guilty persons would be punished. all (of American which we can goods, probably examine-the returns of the United States a higher proportion) received there find and of the Imperial Chinese Maritime Cus- their final ‘market in China ; so to deter- toms. The latter is a bureau of the Chinese mine approximately the exports from the government, but is under the dictatorial United States, or from any other country, control of an Englishman, Sir Robert Hart, to China, the only way is to add to the di- who has made it his life's work, and to whose rect exports three-quarters of the shipments efforts the present satisfactory condition of to Hongkong. And to determine the rela- China's foreign commerce and encouraging tive standing of the trade of several nations, future outlook are largely due. Unfortu- we should deduct the Hongkong trade from nately, both of these sources are rendered China's total as shown by the returns of the valueless for exact deductions, because of Imperial Maritime Customs, and then com- Hongkong. This, as is well known, is a Brit- pare the reported direct imports or exports. ish colony, and one of the few places on the This last calculation will not yield the actual globe where actual free trade exists. Being amount of trade by about one-half, but it a British colony, enjoying free trade, and will show with fair closeness the percentage possessing a magnificent harbor, it has be- of trade secured and the rate of increase. I come a great depot, or warehouse, where have in this manner obtained the figures for goods of which the destination, either in the year 1893, the period just previous to China or anywhere else in the Orient, is not the Japanese war; those for 1883 and 1873, definitely fixed, are shipped in the first in- respectively the tenth and the twentieth year stance, and thence rebilled to the point of preceding 1893; and those for 1898, the fifth THE ADVANCE GUARD. 502 THE AMERICAN INVASION OF CHINA. year following, which is the last year for figures for the year 1899 indicate that, when which the complete returns are published; the same are completed, American trade will and used them as the data for the following be seen to have materially augmented its diagram. It shows the import trade of China rate of increase, and to have passed that of with the leading commercial powers, exclu- India and to be close on to that sive of Hongkong, con- GREAT BRITAIN of Japan. In two years more, gregating the countries if the same rate is maintained, of the Continent of Eu- it will have outstripped the rope as one. * ..._JAPAN latter, and then Great Britain INDIA will be our sole competitor for UNITED STATES first place. But along what lines have ..CONTINENT OF EUROPE these increases been made? Do they represent only a greater out-turning of raw material- the direct products of the soil- 1873 1893 1898 or of manufactured articles, From this diagram we see, at a glance, the carrying with them the results of Amer- comparatively insignificant position held by ican ingenuity and American labor, a form ..... 1883 A TOWN GATE. All cities and most villages are walled. The gate in the background is all but hidden by the crowd studying the strange sight of a com- pany of foreigners. American exports in 1873, with a steady of export trade always the most desir- and uniform increase to 1893, and an extra- able ? ordinary rise since then. Partially complete Taking the full list, there were, according * For those who wish to inspect the actual figures, they are here given, in Haikwan taels, which had a value of $1.54 in 1873, $1.32 in 1883, $1.01 in 1893, and $0.70 in 1898. DIRECT EXPORTS TO CHINA. 1873 1883 1893 1898 Total, except Hongkong 44,202,000 45,863,000 72,435,922 116,737,079 Great Britain 20,991,000 16,930,000 28,156,077 31,962,474 India 16,709,000 17,154,000 16,739,588 19,135,546 Japan.. 3,207,000 3,738,000 7,852,068 22,581,812 Continent of Europe 662,000 2,385,000 5,920,863 10,852,073 United States. 244,000 2,708,000 5,443,569 17,163, 312 504 THE AMERICAN INVASION OF CHINA. preferential duties to none, special privi- $5,200,000 worth of our cottons alone en- leges only as compelled by the stress of tered the port of Tientsin, and $2,300,000 force in Manchuria and Shan-tung, and ex- worth entered the port of New-chwang in tends a freedom of welcome to all. It is addition. The latteramount was for consump- true that nations occupying Chinese terri- tion in Manchuria, Chinese and Russian. It tory make so far no invidious distinction be- is interesting to note that the whole import tween their own and other people; but it trade (including exports through Hongkong) must be remembered that their tenure is from Russia, Siberia, and Russian Manchuria only nominal, and while the title to these to the whole of the Chinese Empire amounted lands remains vested in China it would be to less than the American imports of two difficult, in the face of existing treaties, to grades of cotton goods at New-chwang alone. impose discriminating rules. Let Russia, When, therefore, Russia seized Lower Man- however, become legally, as she is vir- churia, the country most interested next to tually, possessed of Manchuria; let her trans- China, whose territory was being despoiled, Siberian railway be completed, and let her and Japan, who was being robbed of her claim openly as her own, not only Manchuria, fruits of victory, was the United States. but also the metropolitan province of Chi-li, Foreign trade in China to-day is confined and is it to be supposed for one moment that exclusively to twenty-seven treaty ports lo- the present freedom and equality of trade cated along the coast and up the Yangtze that China offers will be maintained ? If River. When goods are shipped to China, any one believes this, let him talk with those they are re-sold by the foreign houses resi- in China who direct the course of Muscovite dent in these treaty ports to Chinese mer- affairs. These officials, when in a confiden- chants, and by them in turn are retailed in tial mood, will explain that the trans-Siberian the interior. So far, therefore, as the for- railway is a government enterprise, and that eigner directly is concerned, his trade is con- it is much more important for Russia to give fined simply to the outer edge of the country; low and special rates to Russian cotton and to him the interior is a terra incognita. The other manufactures which the government is success of a foreign invasion depends, not on fostering at home than to look for a profit these treaty ports, not on the purchase of from the operation of the railway. And yet goods along the outer edge of the country, Manchuria and the northeastern part of China but on the possibility of reaching directly are to-day the best market for American that great mass of population which lies far goods. During the year 1898 no less than away from the sea, out of reach of exist- A CROWD OF NATIVES MARVELING AT THE STRANGERS. LIFE AND TRADE IN THE INTERIOR OF CHINA. 505 ing means of transportation, and practically to indicate a modern instance, was able to buried in the interior If they cannot be got furnish me with a native letter of credit on at, or if, when reached, they cannot and will local banks in unexplored Hu-nan, can hardly not trade, then it is not worth while to con- be denied the right to call itself civilized. In sider any general forward movement. the interior—in those parts where no outside In the course of my journey in the inte- influence has ever reached—we found cities rior of China, I went through the province of whose walls, by their size, their crenelated Hu-peh, which the Yangtze-kiang traverses; parapets, and their keeps and watch-towers, the province of Kwang-tung, lying along the suggested medieval Germany rather than China Sea, and, between these two, the prov- Cathay. Many of the houses are of masonry, ince of Hu-nan, which practically had not with decorated tile roofs, and elaborately been traversed before by white men. Here carved details. The streets are paved with evidently was virgin soil, and its condition stone. The shops display in their windows can, therefore, be taken as a criterion of articles of every form, of every make. The what the Chinaman is when unaffected by streams are crossed by arched bridges un- foreign influences. Even here I found that, surpassed in their graceful outline and good although the foreigner's foot might never proportions. The farmer lives in a group of before have trodden the streets of the cities, farm buildings inclosed by a compound wall his goods were already exposed for sale in the whole exceeding in picturesqueness any the shop windows. bit in Normandy or Derbyshire. The rich In thinking of the Chinese, especially those mandarin dresses himself in summer in bro- in the interior, we are wont to consider them caded silk, and in winter in sable furs. He as uncivilized; and so they are, if measured is waited on by a retinue of well-trained scrupulously by our peculiar standards. But, servants, and will invite the stranger to a on the other hand, we are not civilized accord- dinner at night composed of ten or fifteen ing to the standards that they have set for courses, entertaining him with a courtesy themselves, founded on an experience of and intricacy of etiquette that Mayfair itself four thousand years. With all its differ- cannot excel. So far, therefore, the civili- ences from ourselves, a nation that has used zation of the interior is a real thing. That printing for over eight centuries; that has the Chinaman allows his handsome buildings produced the works of art that China has to fall into disrepair ; that his narrow city produced; that possesses a literature ante- streets reek with foul odors; that the pig dating that of Rome or Athens; and which, has equal rights with the owner of the pretty A CROWD OF NATIVES MARVELING AT THE STRANGERS. 506 THE AMERICAN INVASION OF CHINA. A TYPICAL SCENE ON THE BEAUTIFUL SIANG-KIANG RIVER. The innumerable junks sa il in ladened with American and other foreign manufactured articles, and bring outward rice, tea, silks, opium, and other Chinese products. farmhouse; and that the pièce de résistance at to kill the anticipated broadening movement; the dinner is sharks' fins instead of terrapin but he left the electric-light plant, showing -these are merely differences in details; that it is impossible to stop the foreign inva- and if they are faults, as we consider them sion, and that the Chinese themselves, even to be, they will naturally be corrected as at the very heart center of anti-foreignism, soon as the Chinaman, with his quick wit, are ready to turn from the old to the new. perceives his errors, when the opportunity In the shop windows at Chang-sha there to study Occidental standards comes to him are displayed for sale articles with American, following the construction of railways. English, French, German, Japanese, and other Chang-sha, the capital of Hu-nan, is one brands. One shop, I noticed, displayed a of the most interesting cities in the whole good assortment of American canned fruits Empire, as marking the very highest devel- and vegetables, while at another we replen- opment of Chinese exclusiveness. It is its ished our larder with a stock of Munich beer. . boast, or rather was its boast before the And this is the condition of affairs, not in arrival of my party, thạt no foreigner has Shanghai or Amoy, open ports, but in the ever been within its walls-a boast true in most exclusively Chinese section in the whole theory rather than in actuality, because even Empire. That the Chinaman will buy, that before our entrance two or three foreigners he will adopt foreign ways, there is no ques- had succeeded in penetrating into the city. tion; and he is just as ready to make the But they did it surreptitiously, whereas the greater changes in his life that must result American “advance guard” entered in formal from the introduction of railways as to buy state in order to be publicly received by the a few more pieces of cotton or a few more governor. The previous governor, a member tons of steel. of the Emperor's reform party, had founded In my journey through the interior I found schools, where science, history, and subjects a strong desire to learn, and to learn intelli- other than the writings of Confucius were gently, what a railroad was. And, curiously taught, and had established an electric plant, enough, when objections were made against operated of course by the natives, by which it, they were of the same nature as those the streets were nightly lighted. Following that were urged in England when railways the recent coup d'état, this governor had been were first projected thereas, for example, deposed, and a conservative appointed in his that the coolies, who now carry goods and place, who closed the schools and endeavored produce over the little highways on their THE UNDEVELOPED RESOURCES OF CHINA. 507 backs, 100 pounds at a load, or the boatmen affected by the competition of Japan, Ceylon, who own a slow-moving junk requiring pos- and India, where more favorable transporta- sibly two months to go from Hankow to tion facilities have given advantages. Both Chang-sha, 300 miles, with a cargo of Ameri- tea and silk, however, are staple articles, with can kerosene, would be ruined by the new or- no chance of substitutes being found, and the der of things. When it was explained to world's demand for both is steadily increas- them that similar fears had been found in ing. The possibility of enlarging the output other countries to be groundless, and that of silk is great; for there are in northern railways gave increased employment at higher Kwang-tung alone large areas of land ca- A CHINESE SAW-MILL, All timber is still sawed by hand in China, and this scene is typical of the primitive methods that everywhere prera il there. wages by developing unknown means of trade, pable of producing mulberry that are lying the local merchants, almost without excep- idle at present because there are no trans- tion, urged my speedy return. portation facilities. But in order to buy more, the Chinaman The idea we have of the interior of China must be able to sell more; for no matter as over-peopled, and with every square foot what his inclination may be, unless he has of land under cultivation, is entirely without something to give in return, he cannot trade. foundation, except possibly in certain por- The exports from China have been expanding tions of the great loess plain in the north. gradually, and in step with the imports. In There is a great amount of land, capable 1888 they were 92,401,067 taels; had in- producing crops of various kinds and of sup- creased to 116,632,311 taels in 1893, and porting a population, that to-day lies fallow had further advanced to 159,037,149 taels and untilled. Given the means of sending in 1898. The two great items of Chinese their produce to the sea and so to the for- export, constituting in value nearly sixty per eigner, the people of the interior will see to cent. of the whole, are silk and tea. The out- it that the produce is ready. put of silk is increasing steadily, especially Then there are vast mineral resources that in the manufactured form. The amount of are practically untouched. China, with coal- tea exported, however, is not on the increase, fields exceeding in quantity those of Europe, being about the same that it was ten years imported last year no less than 730,606 ago, the tea trade having been adversely tons of coal, valued at $3,696,434. With 508 THE AMERICAN INVASION OF CHINA. NG : YANG TSE TSE; MUANG HANC CHOU, Yo-CHOV CHANC SHA PING-HSIANG SIANG HENCCHOUC YUNGCHOU SHAOCHOU AMOY FORMOSA I. SAM SHU! KIANC CXO MAP SHOWING THE PROJECTED ROUTE OF THE AMERICAN RAILWAY AS Yellow friendly in the desire to pro- Sea tect rather than despoil her NANKING territory, and because, in the second place, other nations have been willing to see ours HANKOW utgang come forward when they would have objected most strenu- ously to the same advancement on the part of one of their own number. The men who guide our national affairs and foreign commerce should al- East China ways see to it that China's con- Sea fidence is not abused. But as FUCHOU for the friendliness of other nations toward us in relation to China, so soon as the pres- sure of American trade begins to be felt by them, efforts will be made to thwart it if pos- CANTON sible; and to-day all the ma- China Sea chinery of commerce, in the HONGKONG way of banks, transportation companies, cable lines, and other forms, is in their hands. When the meeting of the SURVEYED BY MR. PARSONS'S EXPEDITION. American and European inva- sions takes place, unless we railways to bring the output of the mines to have an organization, a base and rallying market, there will not only be no importing, point, a tangible something besides mere thus permitting at least that amount to be labels on boxes or bales as representing expended for other foreign goods, but there American force, the struggle will be a hard should be a large export of coal to Hong- one, for the native is apt to judge his associ- kong for foreign shipping, and to other ates by the outward visible signs, and with a Oriental countries for local consumption. natural tendency to deal with the strongest. In addition to the coal, there are beds of In this respect commerce in the Far East copper, iron, lead, and silver that, to-day stands, and will stand for a long time, on a untouched, are only awaiting the screech of different footing from that of commerce in the locomotive whistle. Europe. In short, the resources, both agricultural In order to be thoroughly successful, to ex- and mineral, are at hand to permit a foreign pand our trade far beyond its present boun- commerce to be carried on-to pay the cost daries, we should make a careful and intelli- of building of railways and to provide sus- gent study of the Chinaman in his tastes and tenance for a commercial invasion. And habits. If we wish to sell him goods, we now, is the American invasion likely to be must make them of a form and kind that will received in a friendly spirit ? The best please him and not necessarily ourselves. evidence that it will be so received is the This is a fact too frequently overlooked by awarding of the Hankow-Canton railway both the English and ourselves, but one of concession to an American syndicate. This which the German, who may be our real road will be the backbone of China's railway competitor in the end, takes advantage. system, since it will connect the metropoli- For example, at the present moment, if a tan district in the north, through Hankow, careful study were made of Chinese designs, the commercial metropolis of the interior, the market for American printed goods could with Canton and Hongkong, the gateways to be largely broadened. It is not for our peo- the south, and will pass through the richest ple to say that our designs are prettier; the section of the Empire. Chinaman prefers his own, and he will not The position of the United States in China buy any other. The United States Minister is peculiarly advantageous, because, in the to China, talking upon this subject, gave me first place, China regards our country as a striking instance of foolish American ob- AMERICANS MUST STUDY CHINESE TASTES AND DESIRES. 509 stinacy. The representative of a large con- article he may be about to make; then, with cern manufacturing a staple article in hard- a sort of drawing-knife pare it down to the ware, let us say screws, had been working exact shape required, re-temper it, grind hard to secure an order for his screws, which it to an edge, and fix it in a rough wooden he knew were better than the German arti- handle. This work is done by a man at a cle then supplying the demand. At last he wage of about ten cents a day, and this is obtained a trial order, amounting to $5,000, the competition that our manufacturer must which he cabled out; but it was given with meet. In spite of the difference in cost of the condition that the screws be wrapped in labor he can do so, because his tools are a peculiar manner, say in blue paper, accord- machine-made, and are better; but he must ing to the form in which the native mer- waste no money on unnecessary finish. chant had been accustomed to buy them. As an example, the case of lamps is di- Was the order filled ? Not at all. The com- rectly to the point. The Chinaman fairly pany cabled back that their goods were revels in illumination; he hates the dark, always wrapped in brown paper and that no and everywhere, even in the smallest coun- change could be made. The order then went try towns wholly removed from foreign in- THE BUND AT WU-CHANG. This is a fine specimen of Chinese engineering construction. The heavy masonry terraces are necessary to protect the shore from the eneroachments of the Yangtze-Kiang River at the annual rise, which is apt to be very great. In the foreground are mat-shed huts, in which poor Chinese live at the time of low rater. to Germany. To the American concern an fluence, it is possible to buy Standard oil or order for $5,000 was of small moment, per- its competitors in the Chinese market, the haps; but they overlooked entirely the fact Russian and Sumatra brands. The importa- that this was the thin edge of the wedge, tion of illuminating oils is increasing tremen- opening a, trade that could be developed dously. In 1892 it was 17,370,600 gallons, into tremendous proportions. and in 1898 it was 44,324,344 gallons. But A study must also be made of the grade what of the lamps in which this oil is burned ? and quality of the article shipped. It is no In 1892 the United States sent to China lamps use to send to China, to be sold in the in- to the value of $10,813, and in 1898 to the terior, tools, for instance, of the same high value of $4,690. That is to say, lamps are finish and quality that our mechanics exact one of the few articles which show a de- in their own. A Chinaman's tools are hand- crease. While the consumption of oil had made, of rough finish, and low cost. In the increased more than two and one-half times, interior cities one sees a tool-maker take a the importation of American lamps had de- piece of steel, draw all the temper, hammer creased in almost the same ratio. This was it approximately to the shape of the knife not due to the manufacture of lamps in China, or axe, chisel or razor, or whatever other but to the German and Japanese manufac- Lucien CK IN FRONT OF THE STAMPEDE. BY ALVAH MILTON KERR, Author of "The Luck of the Northern Mail," and other stories. A STORY OF TIIE FRONTIER RAILROAD AND THE PLAINS. AS S claim-adjuster in the department of account, or from some sort of affinity, we lost, over, and short freight, I was, became fast friends. Of course, and quite for the most part, " on the wing,” knocking naturally, an ex-despatcher like myself and about over all divisions and branches of the an old engineer like Perth could hardly escape road, at the head or tail of problems involv- feeling an interest in each other; besides, ing the company's money or the want of it. Perth was a man of good intellect and emi- Old Perth, round-house foreman at Wandon, nently worthy of cultivation. I rarely passed had helped me in fixing the responsibility of through Wandon without going over to the a shortage in the freighting of engine oil round-house and shops to see him. from an Eastern firm, and perhaps on that Sitting one day in his little office, which 514 IN FRONT OF THE STAMPEDE. usually climb into the cab and mount the der. Black Calf, however, had given Holme fireman's seat, and ring the bell while I run the slip, and was making a long détour to the engine into the house. When Lyon the south and east to strike us at the division wasn't looking, I remember I used to let station; but all were ignorant of this. Re- her hold the throttle as we went down to ports had come in that Long Blanket, with a the round-house switch. She could always band of warriors, had been seen in the low do almost anything with me. foot-hills north of the track, some twenty “Well, one September morning a report miles west of us, and Pope was preparing to came from the front that the men on con- swing his force against them, when word struction had been having a warm time with came that his men were needed at the front, the redskins and wanted help. Three troops eighty miles west. of the Third Cavalry were in camp on the “The superintendent of construction, who creek a mile or so from Ludder, and a mes was at the front, had sent the message. It senger was sent all speed to notify them. came by wire, early in the morning, and Old Fort Chandler lay off to the southwest within the hour Pope was at the station with of us about fifteen miles, and the blueshirts his troops. The horses and luggage were had been brought near the track in order hurriedly loaded into box-cars, most of the that they might strike quickly, for disturbing boys boarded other box-cars, while two flat rumors had been coming in for some weeks cars were thrown into the center of the of a general uprising of the savages. Major train, each bearing a mounted howitzer and Holme had gone west from Fort Chandler in a staked breastwork of railroad iron and a search of Black Calf and his band, leaving complement of soldiers. Engine 40 was the troops at the fort reduced to a small brought out, and hooked on ahead. Her fire- number—three companies, under the com- man being sick, I was ordered to go with mand of Captain Pope, having been detached Lyon and fire the engine. That met my wish to guard the railroad and settlement at Lud- precisely, for I was anxious to begin firing; besides, there was the enticing vision of a battle at the front. I was young then. It wouldn't entice me now. “Nearly every one in the strag- gling village of Ludder came out to see us off. Lyon's wife, with the twins and an anxious face, was there ; and while Lyon was oiling round, Katie climbed up into the cab and slipped a revolver under the cushion of the fireman's seat. “It's father's; you may need it, Joe,' she said, and laughed over her shoulder to me as she jumped to the ground from the gangway. grinned and blushed, little realizing how and where I should next meet this madcap maid. “ About nine o'clock we rolled out of the station, with a crowd of women and children and eight or ten men cheering us, and began swinging away toward the west. The track was new and in poor shape for fast running; but Lyon let the 40 have her head, his dark eyes glistening as he watched the rails ahead. The country swept away to US BUT COCK north and south in scarcely per- ceptible swells—an ocean of fading grass, yellow-green and dreamy in BED OF THE SHALLOW STREAM AND AWAY FROM TOWN." the tender heat. Vast masses of I 26 A MOMENT LATER SHE WAS LEADING WHITE BESS DOWN THE 516 IN FRONT OF THE STAMPEDE. LUCIUS Hitchcoer 66 KATIE KEPT THE LEAD. HER HAIR WAS BLOWN BACK, AND HER FACE LOOKED SMALL AND WHITE.” did a remarkable thing. He suddenly jumped on her side, 200 feet away. Twenty odd In- up into the cab of the 53, the engine with dians were killed or maimed by this master- steam on, and yelled to the men to open the stroke. The rest scattered in all directions, doors before her. As the doors swung back but presently returned, fearful, though furi- he jerked the throttle wide open and leaped ous. However, they kept at a safe distance off. Ti engine swept the savages out of from the front of the building after that. the doorway, plowed through the mass of “ The men began to hope then that the bucks before the building, shot across the bloodthirsty wretches might be beaten off +urn-table and main track, and rolled over for a time, at least during daylight. But A STORY OF THE FRONTIER RAILROAD AND THE PLAINS. 517 when night should come, what then? The “To Katie the strong light and broad building would certainly be burned by the openness of the prairie were terrible. She Indians, and the lives of all the whites be looked back across her shoulder to the town, lost in massacre! If there were only some hearing yells and the crack of rifles and the means of getting word to the fort, or to noise of fighting. She rode straight south, Pope and his men. Katie heard this, and selecting the lowest ground, and intending five minutes later disappeared. to turn southwest toward the fort when at a * Presently a boy in the ash-pit cried that safe distance. She had progressed perhaps some one was halloing through the drain-pipe. a mile, when, looking back, she saw a party A man bent down and listened, then called of Indians on horseback shoot out from the Mrs. Lyon. “Katie's in there,' he said, edge of the town, ranging a little west to breathlessly. Mrs. Lyon sprang down in the south. The girl's ruddy cheeks whitened, pit, and with white face knelt at the end of and her brown fingers clutched the rein ner- the drain. “I'm going to the fort,' came vously. “We've got to outrun them, Bess,' a shrill, but far-away voice. “I'm going to she cried; 'we've got to do it!' wade down the creek to the house. I'll hide “The lithe, white mare, with her light bur- along under the bank. I'm going to take den, went like an antelope, breathing softly, White Bess, and see if I can't get help.' and taking the ground with a long, sweep- “Mrs. Lyon screamed for Katie to come ing, steady lope. The girl pulled on the bit back, but the voice that came through the a little. “Let them do their fast running drain only said, 'Good-by, ma; don't worry first,' she said, looking back through her fly- about me. There isn't an Indian pony on the ing hair; ‘we'll set the pace at the end.' plains that can catch White Bess. Tell Mr. “The tough Indian ponies, urged by quirt Laner I'll bring the soldiers. Good-by, ma.' and many a pealing yell, followed her like ex- Mrs. Lyon wrung her hands and implored, cited hounds, but kept to the west of her in but no answer came back. Katie had slipped their course. Clearly the Indians purposed into the creek from the mouth of the drain getting between the girl and the fort before and had started on her dangerous mission. attempting to run her down. The racers “For 300 feet or more she crept on her were probably four miles out from Isudder hands and knees close along under the bank; when Katie realized the intention of the then, getting somewhat out of the range of painted fiends. She at once turned the mare view, hurried in crouching posture on down straight toward the fort, and bending low the creek to their little home. Stooping low over the animal's neck, urged her with a and keeping behind a fence, she reached the series of startling screams. The Indians, stable. Slipping a bridle on the white mare, seeing the move, put their horses to top and strapping a folded blanket on the ani- speed, and riding across the inside of the mal's back, she turned her into the pasture. angle made by Katie's course, sought to cut The animal went at once to the creek to her off. drink, and Katie again crept along the fence But White Bess ran like a deer, and the and escaped from sight under the bank. A Indians crossed her course an eighth of a mile moment later she was leading White Bess to the rear. They fired no shots and ceased down the bed of the shallow stream and yelling, evidently not wishing to frighten or away from the town. When the village lay press the girl until they could get the advan- a half-mile or more behind her, she led the tage of position. They now pointed their mare out through a clump of cottonwoods course slightly to the south, plainly hoping on to dry ground and mounted. The big to allay the girl's fears and gradually drive soft eyes of the animal were shining with her northwest and away from the fort. Evi- eagerness; the fine September air tasted dently they felt that a straight race after nice, and the wide yellowish floor of the plain the fleet mare would end in their defeat. invited her feet. Katie leaned forward, and “In spite of her intention, Katie drew patted the horse's arched neck. “We must gradually toward the west in trying to keep bring the soldiers, Bessie,' she said implor- away from her pursuers. She must have ingly. “Don't fall, and don't ever give up been twelve miles from Ludder, and White if they chase us. Mommy and little Dan and Bess was wet and breathing hard, when she Jimmy may never see the light of morning if struck the buffalo herd, the eastern end of we fail.' The mare blinked her big eyes and that living lake which we had seen from the chewed impatiently at the bit; the girl drew train when repairing the track. in a long, tremulous breath, cried out sharply, “ It was a terrible blow to Katie's hopes, and they shot away across the plain. for she saw that she could not reach the fort 526 A MANUFACTURER OF HISTORY. seat in anticipation of its glorious future. and most thoughtful men, business men as Then, on account of various engineering diffi- well as farmers. After some time in Erona culties, the railroad officials decided to run he began to understand that“ Free Silver" their line some distance to the north; and was hardly a financial or political question this change left Erona with the little station at all there. It was a religion. Every one of Wawa, twenty miles away, as its nearest believed in it. Even Bothwait's paper, the railroad connection. There was no town at “Erona Star," which was Republican, was Wawa, and there never would be; for the in favor of it. country was desolate and unfertile. The One of the first tasks set to Ropes was to nearest town to Erona was Boscober, thirty write a burning “ sixteen to one" editorial. miles off to the west. There was nothing to He had not protested; and he was far too bring any one to Erona itself, except during well trained a newspaper man not to be capa- the sessions of the court, and they occurred ble of writing a most able article in opposi- only twice a year, in the spring and in the tion to his own beliefs. So he composed an late fall. So the “ boom” burst, and the unimpeachable and fiery editorial that would town rapidly grew shiftless in appearance have done credit to Senator Stewart himself. and discouraged in spirit. But, as an Eastern Democrat, it rather dis- William Rawdon Ropes, known by the gusted him. And he had gone on for six townspeople of Erona generally as “ Blue- years writing silver editorials, sick at heart. eyed Billy” Ropes, had been a reporter in Sometimes Ropes wondered why he did not New York upon a well-known newspaper of pull up stakes and leave the disagreeable large circulation. But although he was able task. Then he would look at his bank ac- and original in his methods, there was in him a count, and decide to remain; although his streak of weakness, almost of laziness, which poverty did not make the taunts flung at him prevented him from ever being a man to for his Eastern connections any easier to overcome obstacles. And so after several bear. But it is true, also, that, as often as years of faithful service, he had tired of the he considered breaking away from his sur- hurry and worry, of the dirt, of the foreign- roundings and returning to New York, the born, of the competition--of New York, in great, limitless West” fever would seize fact. In November, 1890, he had sent in upon him; and a distaste, almost a fear, of his resignation, received the pay due to him, being thrown again into the crowded metro- and departed for the West. politan struggle would come over him. He had wandered from one place to another, The year 1896 arrived, bringing with it a gradually changing his point of view as he culmination of the feelings of unrest and bit- went, gradually realizing that New York was terness of the Western farmers in the region not the United States, and thereby becoming of Erona, and of their sense of a gross in- himself more of an American. But he had justice in the existing condition of affairs. found nothing permanent to do. The West Ropes had been so long away from New York seemed filled with unemployed. His money that he had almost forgotten the character- melted away; and in exact proportion his istic attitude of the East --disregard for con- ambition decreased. One day he drifted into ditions outside itself. And so he was amazed the town of Erona. And there he stuck. at the utter ignorance shown by Eastern His newspaper experience made him an in- newspapers of the real facts in the political valuable addition to the town; and he soon situation. They treated the silver question became a combination of reporter and editor as dead. Above all, they failed to under- on the “ Erona Battle-Cry”; “ general util- stand that the issue which was soon to be ity man,” he called himself. made was not merely financial; but was a so- For six years Ropes had been at work, and cial and a sectional one, which had been grad- now he was homesick. He had gone from ually shaping itself through years of growth, New York a Democrat. The “ Erona Bat- and of which “ Free Silver” was the mere tle-Cry” was a Democratic paper; but Ropes battle-cry. hardly recognized his own Democracy in it. So heated was the feeling in Erona in June, When he had left New York, like all East- 1896, that Eastern newspapers, owing to erners he knew in a dim kind of way that their gold tendencies, were not allowed in there was in the West a free-silver ques- the town. The few men who still subscribed tion. But the East believed that free silver to New York papers discontinued their sub- was a wild notion of some few cranks and scriptions. Even the weekly religious papers politicians. Instead, Ropes found that it and monthly magazines were dropped and put was the sober conviction of many of the best upon the Erona Index Expurgatorius. “Coin's A STORY OF NEWSPAPER AND POLITICAL LIFE. 527 Financial School” became the Bible, house Ropes paused, and screwed his mouth up hold library, and newspaper in one, in each with a skeptical air. “Well,” he said de- home. Strangers who alighted from west- liberately, tapping his desk with his finger- bound trains at Wawa Station were warned nails, you won't get any accurate account not to bring into the town any obnoxious of things as they really happened. You'll “Eastern sheets.” In some way or other, never know from that whether the silver mail matter directed to citizens of Erona and men were treated fairly or not. It's my containing gold documents never reached its opinion those gold men mean to carry that destination. Eastern drummers found it wiser convention by fraud, if they can't do it in to avoid any topic even remotely connected any other way. And if this is going to be with the currency question; and also to pay done, we people out here want to know it, and to receive pay in silver dollars without don't we?” comment on their weight or other disagree Arkway's reply was more emphatic than able qualities. At the same time, Ropes explicit. found that a distinct coldness toward him as We don't want any faked-up press de- an Easterner was becoming prevalent; and spatches written by men in the employ of the constant flings made at him were in- Wall Street. Now, how are we going to tensely disagreeable. At first he was angry. get a straight story of that convention un- Then he became desperately homesick for his less we send a man there? What I propose native city. is this: You notify the Press Association that The Republican convention met at St. Louis we don't want their stuff about the conven- and adopted a gold platform. That same tion, and that we won't take it. Then send day the “Erona Star” formally repudiated some man on there who'll write you every the convention and William McKinley; and a night a decent, unfaked story. I don't truce was declared between its editor, Both- know," he continued, “how much the old wait, and his former consistently bitter enemy, sheet can stand. We did a pretty good busi- Arkway, the editor of the “ Battle-Cry.” ness last year, and can afford to throw the Soon afterward news came of the great prep- cash around a little. Doesn't it strike you aration that was being made in the East to it would boom the paper a great deal in the carry the Democratic convention also for gold. county if we could have a special ?” And then one night, as Ropes sat in his lit Arkway whistled. “Ropes," he said, tle office waiting drearily for the forms to “ you've got a great head on you, even if be made up, and longing for his old home you are an Easterner; but I don't quite see and his old work, thoroughly embittered by where the cash is coming from to send a what he had undergone during the past six man to Chicago, unless- years, an idea came to him. It was so great “ Yes ?” said Ropes. an idea, so audacious, so full of possibilities, “Unless I could get Bothwait to have the that he sat up in his chair with a jerk and 'Star' join in and divvy on the expense. I breathed hard. He saw the means of ob- believe Bothwait would do it, too. He's hot taining revenge upon a whole community for against Bill McKinley now. I'll talk it over the mental strain under which it had placed with him. And we'll send you, Ropes, if we him for so long. The room was close, and send any man. You're just the man, of smelt of printer's ink and damp paper. He course. You know all those New Yorkers, felt that he needed air and open space; and and you'll hit them off to life. It's a good he went out under the starlight into the long, scheme, a mighty good scheme." straight, wide street which wandered off in the darkness over the prairie to the horizon. Bothwait coincided with Arkway's opinion of the idea. Arrangements were made to With the whole scheme, fair or unfair, exclude all Press Association matter regard- mean or otherwise, plotted out in his mind, ing the convention from the columns of both Ropes entered Arkway's office the next morn- papers; and due announcement was made that ing. “Arkway,” he said, “how are you the citizens of Erona and of Wawa County going to do the Chicago convention ?” would have the unusual privilege of reading Do it like anything,” said Arkway. “ unbiased accounts of the Chicago conven- How are you going to have it written tion from the pen of our esteemed compa- up ?” said Ropes. “Going to depend on triot, William Rawdon Ropes.” the Press Association report, are you?” This news was a partial recompense to the “I suppose so," said Arkway; “ what people of the locality for their great dis- else can we do ?” appointment over the fact that no delegate A STORY OF NEWSPAPER AND POLITICAL LIFE. 531 chusetts, was being surrounded by delegates tax and State-banks planks in the platform.” from the Southern States wishing to shake Then he went on to describe the attempt of hands and regretting that they could not the convention to throw down the National vote for him. Committee candidate for temporary chair- Amid intense excitement, Harrity, as chair- man, the exciting debate, wonderful speeches man of the National Committee, called the by William C. Whitney and Waller, and finally convention to order at 12.53. The first fight the very close vote which, he wrote, seated was started by the presentation of Hill's David B. Hill as temporary chairman by a name for temporary chairman; and the ex- majority of only two-453 to 451. Then he pected outbreak came very soon, when ex- gave an account of a frenzied attempt to re- Governor Waller, stern and pugnacious, took consider the vote and of the gain of one vote the platform. “Will you turn down David by the gold men on the reconsideration. He B. Hill ?” he cried. “We will," shrieked pictured the retirement of the beaten silver the delegates. Waller stopped, then raising leaders, pale and anxious, from the conven- himself and glaring at his audience, he said tion at its adjournment. Then, just as a slowly and with concentrated bitterness: sop at the end of his despatch, he stated “ Turn down Hill, and I'll tell you what we'll that the above vote probably did not repre- We will fight you, fight you here and sent a gold majority, because several silver elsewhere for your indignities and insults.” men had undoubtedly voted for Hill rather Hisses arose from all around, the delegates than begin the convention in so revolution- jumped from their seats, and Ropes thought ary a manner as by overturning all previous that violence would follow. precedent. “The most likely man now to Then Thomas of Colorado, “ the tall Pine be nominated for the Presidency is William of the Rockies," spoke calmly and power- E. Russell of Massachusetts. The silver can- fully; and after him others spoke eloquently didate will be either William J. Bryan, who for the silver side. Colonel Fellows of New voted for the Populist candidate in 1892, or York followed, with his grizzled hair, and his Teller." benevolent yet austere face looking like that on an old Roman coin. For once, his art and It was not until five o'clock in the after- his pathos were in vain. By a vote of 556 to noon of Wednesday that the real excitement 349 Hill was unseated, and the opposing can- began, when the Committee on Credentials didate, the courteous Senator Daniel, looking recommended, by a vote of twenty-seven like a second Edwin Booth, was led to the sixteen, the unseating of enough of the gold chair by Senator Jones, and the formal ap- delegates from Nebraska and Michigan to pointing of committees began. throw the votes of those States for silver and to procure the necessary two-thirds ma- That night, Ropes began to prepare to jority. The uproar increased as the dusk throw his second bombshell into the peace- came on and the electric lights shone out. ful and hopeful town of Erona. While he Cries of " vote, vote,' rose from every- was seated in the convention that day a tele- where. gram had been brought to him. It read: When the vote was finished, and the result "Send us something encouraging. People showed for the first time the strength of the of Erona alarmed at silver treachery.” He silver forces, 558 to 368, the silver tumult had laughed aloud in pure joy, and crumpled began in earnest. Standards were wrenched the telegram into his pocket as he thought from their places. Hats, flags, newspapers, of the despatch which he would send that handkerchiefs, chairs, flew round in the air. evening. Then the newly seated Nebraska delegation, This was the account that Ropes wrote to headed by Bryan, marched in. Senator White satisfy the guileless people of Erona in their was elected permanent chairman, and the desire for good news. Beginning with a cor- disorder ceased only when the convention rect description of the convention hall and adjourned late in the night. the gathering of the clans, he continued: Before Ropes sat down at the telegraph “It is evident that the sympathies of the desk to prepare his daily despatch, he took vast audience are entirely with the gold men. a telegram out of his pocket which he had No silver leaders received any applause. The received that day from the president of the gold delegations from Nebraska and Michi- Erona Silver Club. “ Citizens of Erona will gan have been greeted with cheers by their subscribe two hundred dollars to save the fellow-delegates. It looks as if the South- country from ruin and to keep delegates from ern silver men were to be pacified by income being bought by gold bugs. Notify Jones.” 536 A MANUFACTURER OF HISTORY. 12.40 eastern express, they could obtain the gram had come to him to tell him that Erona daily papers from some of the big and de- had discovered the deception. He had writ- spised cities. But their loyalty to the silver ten an elaborate and exciting account of the cause even in time of trouble overcame their nominations of the evening before, transpos- curiosity to ascertain the full extent of its ing names in an ingeniously astonishing man- defeat, if that knowledge had to be gained ner and attaching descriptions of the actual from the “gold-bug press. And no man of scenes of enthusiasm to imaginary speeches Erona showed his face that day at Wawa nominating prominent gold men. That was Station when the express came by. No one easy. The question then presented itself to happened to ride over again from Boscober, him, whom should he nominate for Presi- the nearest town, thirty miles away. And dent? He thought of William E. Russell of so it happened that Ropes's scheme worked Massachusetts, but that would not be suffi- even more successfully than he had consid- ciently distasteful to Erona. Finally he con- ered possible, for he had hardly expected cluded that the most obnoxious name would that he could carry on the deception to the be that of William C. Whitney of New York. end. Thereupon he wrote a glowing account of Whitney's nomination on the seventeenth Friday, July 10th, when the convention ballot by a vote of 602 to 144 for Teller; 90 met, nothing remained to be done except the for Bland; 48 for Boies; and 36 for Bryan. voting. Harrity of Pennsylvania put in nom- Then for an ingenious, mocking, finishing ination Robert B. Pattison of that State, so touch he inserted one truthful fact into his that those gold men who did not choose to web of lies, and described the unanimous remain silent could have some candidate for nomination for Vice-President, as a sort of whom to vote. Then the balloting began. consolation prize for the free-silverites, of There was hardly enough doubt in the minds an Eastern silverite, Arthur Sewall of Maine. of most of those present to make the contest When he signed his name to the end of this exciting. Even the Bland men had lost hope. telegram, he gave a sigh. His fun was Besides, the visitors and the delegates them- over. But what a glorious revenge it had selves were completely worn out by the hys- been! It was almost worth the six years' terical scenes through which they had passed experience through which he had gone. It of late. The first ballot showed Bryan, 119; was also worth the cost of the telegrams and Bland, 235; Boies, 85; Pattison, 95,-and on of his hotel bills; for Ropes was not so mean each successive ballot Bryan gained, Bland in spirit as to make his employers pay for held his own, and Boies lost, until on the fifth his fun. He had paid out of his own pocket ballot, when the States began to break away for every word of every telegram which he from Bland, Bryan's nomination was made. had sent and for all his expenses at Chicago. This was about three o'clock in the after: The result was the almost total disappearance noon. The cheering was loud and long, but of his six years' small savings. But that was there was a lack of earnestness and hearti- of no consequence at all. ness. Any applause sounded mild after the His telegram announcing the nomination wild scenes of the previous morning; and, of the ticket of “Whitney and Sewall" did after all, the victory was almost too easy. not cause the sensation in Erona which Ropes Most of the gold leaders had left the conven- had hoped for, because the people were tion by the fifth ballot, and while the cheer- now prepared for and callous to the worst of ing was going on they were far away at their bad news. They received it sullenly and al- hotels packing up and making ready to leave most silently; and they remained in this the city, saddened and filled with ill forebod- temper throughout the morning, and up to ings for the future of the party and of the the hour of three o'clock. country. After dinner the delegates returned The inhabitants of Erona will probably to the convention hall in a half-interested never forget the hour of three o'clock on the way, and without enthusiasm, and for no afternoon of Saturday, July 11, 1896; for at particular reason that was given by any one, that hour Jake McCulloch jerked up a pair nominated Arthur Sewall of Maine for Vice- of foam-covered, exhausted horses in front President. of the “ Erona Battle-Cry” office, and yelled and shrieked like a madman. It was some Ropes sat long at his desk before he could time before any one could gather any mean- make up his mind just what kind of a climax ing from the disjointed words and oaths that he should compose for his astounding feat of flew wildly from him. Then somebody caught historical fiction. To his amazement, no tele- “ Bryan "_" President ”—“Ropes.” THE ICE-BREAKER “ERMACK." 537 A minute later, the whole population had on the New York Limited, never again to learned the news; and a raving mob stormed visit the unhealthy town of Erona or the through the absolutely empty room in the great and limitless West. boarding-house formerly occupied by“ Blue A week later the editors of the “ Erona eyed Billy” Ropes, late of the “Erona Bat- Battle-Cry" and the “Erona Star" re- tle-Cry,” and now fervently consigned by the ceived by mail a bill for“ salary for services passionate desires of every man in Erona performed at Chicago, July 1st to July 10th,” to a very undesirable and subterranean receipted in full, and attached thereto were locality. receipted hotel and telegraph bills and a slip And at that very moment, ten minutes past of paper with these words on it: “I trust three on the afternoon of July 11th, William my efforts to give you plenty of excite- Rawdon Ropes was hastening toward the East ment' were satisfactory." THE ICE-BREAKER ERMACK.' ” BY EARL MAYO. A SHIP THAT MAY YET NAVIGATE TO THE POLE. > " What BELIEVE that the future of with a vessel strong enough to cut her way Arctic and Antarctic explora- through any ice in existence." tion, including the discovery “But is it possible to construct such a of the Poles, will depend ship?" mainly upon the use of pow The Admiral smiled. " You are now on erful ice-breaking vessels." board such a ship,” he said. “At least, you This opinion was uttered are on board a ship that has gone through by Vice-Admiral Makaroff, of ice as thick, I believe, as any that lies be- the Russian Imperial Navy, tween us and the North Pole. The Ermack as we sat together in the has cut her way through the thickest ice of cabin of the only vessel of the Spitzbergen region, ice that may have this sort in existence to-day-a ship that has been frozen long before you and I were born. penetrated already a distance of 200 miles She is by all odds the strongest ship in ex- into the eternal ice of the Arctic. Admiral istence." As he said this the Admiral ap- Makaroff spoke as a practical man, giving proached a small model of the “Ermack" utterance to a statement that he has proved that stood beneath a glass case at one end of by observation and experience. He has done his cabin, and raised it by placing his fore- more than navigate the Polar ice. For fingers beneath bow and stern. thirty-five years he has been in active service would you say of a ship that could be lifted as an officer of the Russian Navy, and he has thus without breaking in the middle ?” he written important scientific books. When queried. such a man suggests a new plan of Polar “ Marvelous !” exploration, he is likely to have excellent “It might be done with the “ Ermack.' reasons for so doing. I expressed a desire No other ship could endure such a strain. to hear the reasons. What would you say of propellers that could “It is very simple,” said Admiral Makaroff, be brought up short against the most for- who is a true Russian as to the patriarchal midable obstruction without breaking, al- length of his beard and in his excellent com- though the full power of the engines was urg- mand of English. “Dr. Nansen proved the ing them on?” utility of building a ship strong enough to "Impossible!” resist the ice and of permitting it to be car “ It has been done with the ‘ Ermack.' I ried along by the drifting ice current. My tell you this simply to show you that the ship suggestion looks merely to the adoption of that would navigate the regions of perpetual offensive tactics in place of this defensive cold must be not only strong, but symmetri- plan. Instead of a ship which can only with-cally strong-unbreakable in every part. It stand the ice, I would attack the Polar waste is impossible to make a ship too strong to 540 ERMACK." THE ICE-BREAKER THE ERMACK" MAKING A CHARGE. The ship's bow is here raised, by the pressure of the ice, nine feet above the usual water-line. were disabled and she lay helpless in the by sea. For it must not be supposed that grip of the ice, she would suffer no serious the study and skill and money that have been inconvenience. The enormous and steadily expended to make the “ Ermack” what she increasing pressure would crumple in the is, were intended primarily to aid the cause steel sides of an ordinary ship, or at best of Arctic exploration. If she succeeds in would rack her so that she would certainly reaching the North Pole, that achievement spring a leak. But the sloping walls of the will be merely an aside to a career of purely “Ermack” are fifteen times as strong as commercial usefulness. the sides of the ordinary vessel; moreover, Russia has the longest coast-line of any by reason of their slope, as the ice presses country in the world. But the greater part of harder and harder upon them, the ship sim- this coast lies along the Arctic Ocean, and ply rises, as does a glass ball if you compress there is only one month in the year when ships it between thumb and finger, until at length can have a reasonable assurance of reaching she rests secure upon the surface of the ice. the Northern ports, a number of which are of Newcastle-upon-Tyne, the scene of many the first importance. For the other eleven- inventions from Stephenson's first locomotive twelfths of the year they are closed by the to Parsons's recent Turbinia,” was the ice, which attains a thickness of from eight birthplace of the mighty ice-breaker. Here, to ten feet and is sometimes heaped into in the great shipbuilding establishment of hummocks twenty feet in height. Even in which Sir G. W. Armstrong is the head, she the Baltic, the port that is the commer- was gradually wrought out, and when given cial gateway to the capital is closed for five to the waves received the name of “Er- months of every year by the intense cold. mack” after the Cossack warrior who con- It converts the surface of the Gulf of Fin- quered Siberia, and whose feat she was in- land and a good portion of the larger sea tended to repeat in a more peaceful manner into an expanse of solid ice that sometimes CUTTING THROUGH ICE THIRTY FEET THICK AND MORE. 541 THE ERMACK” TAKING AN ARCTIC ICE PACK. In the foreground is an Arctic lake-a lake not of salt water, but of melted ice and snow. extends 200 miles from land. If a ship is to approach the frozen Baltic port. The caught in this ice, it means either a delay ice was encountered at a distance of 160 that destroys her profits for the season, or, miles from Kronstadt. At first the “Er- more probably, her destruction. mack” went through it readily enough. Her When the Russian government began to fore propeller sucked the water from beneath give serious attention to the enlargement of the ice, which broke as soon as her bow be- Russian commerce, it deputed Admiral Maka- gan to rise upon it, and she was able to main- roff to make a careful study of the subject tain a speed of from four to six knots an and plan an ice-breaker capable of opening hour. But as the more shallow and fresher the way to the Kara Sea, which receives the portions of the Gulf of Finland were ap- important Siberian rivers Obi and Yenisei, proached, the task became more difficult. and which is closed by ice during eleven Here the ice, being packed to a thickness of months of the year. Admiral Makaroff, in several feet, offered a very great resistance. the course of his investigation, came to The “ Ermack” did not fail to break this America and went up to the Straits of Mac- ice also, but her progress was slow. Some- kinac, and there studied carefully the ice- times, when she charged the field at full breakers that have been in use on the Great speed, she would advance no more than half Lakes for the past twelve years. The “ Er- a length before she was brought to a stand- mack” is the result of this investigation; still, and then it was necessary to go back and she is constructed on the same general and charge again. In other places the wind principle as the American ice-breakers. had broken the ice earlier in the season, and The “Ermack” was completed in Feb- piled it in huge windrows, sometimes extend- ruary of last year. She at once set out for ing six feet above the surface of the water Kronstadt at a season when it would have and twenty-seven feet below. These ice- been ridiculous for any other boat to attempt banks consisted of separate blocks froin two 542 THE ICE-BREAKER " ERMACK." to three feet thick, frozen together into one office being to portray the ship in the actual mass. Against them the “Ermack" charged operation of breaking her way through the with every engine at full pressure. Usually heavy ice of the North. The expedition was they gave way at the first onslaught, and also fully equipped for a scientific study of with a tremendous crunching and grinding ice in all its forms. and groaning the stout ship plowed through Although the expedition was undertaken, walls almost as high as her own sides, leav- not for the purpose of reaching a high lati- ing behind her an agitated wake of bobbing tude, but to test the ship under the sever- pieces broken to dimensions of a foot or less est conditions, the story of the voyage, as by her powerful screws. narrated to me by Admiral Makaroff, with At Kronstadt it had been rumored that a the aid of the ship's log, is highly interest- great ship was approaching, crushing the ing. The first thing discovered was that the ice beneath her. But the inhabitants shook forward screw, which had done such excel- their heads. Such a thing was unheard-of, lent service in the Baltic, was a positive hin- impossible. They had come to look upon the drance when the enormous thickness of the ice as an irrefragable barrier. Nevertheless, Arctic ice was encountered. Accordingly, one day the smoke from the “ Ermack's” the ice-breaker returned to port, and un- funnels disclosed undeniably that she was shipped this propeller before proceeding on approaching, and the entire population of her journey. She reëntered the ice to the Kronstadt turned out to welcome their mid- northwest of Spitzbergen on August 6th, winter visitor with cheers and jubilation. and in eight hours she traveled thirty miles The “Ermack” steamed up to the landing, to the northward along a zigzag course, her propellers crushing and crunching the through ice of constantly increasing thick- ice. She turned to port and then to star- ness. Then she was halted for three days, board, moved backward as well as forward, while a minute inspection was made to learn treading out a path for herself in every di- whether she had sustained any injury from rection. the encounter. It was found that her sides At that time a number of steamers were had acquired a brilliant polish from constant imprisoned in the Baltic, and the “Ermack” contact with the ice. A few bent plates proceeded to their rescue. She went first gave evidence of the need of local strength- to Revel, and from there conducted thirteen ening to resist the enormous pressure of the ice-bound steamers to port. One of these ice-field, but the ship had come through the was leaking badly at the time of the rescue. ordeal practically unharmed. Her screws But her bow was run into the stern of the were now set in motion again, and in eleven “Ermack," which is cut away for the special hours she advanced thirty miles farther. purpose of allowing this to be done; and the At this point it was found that the ice was disabled vessel was thus conducted safely to frozen solidly to a thickness of fourteen port. Altogether, the “Ermack” helped feet. In spite of its tremendous resisting forty-one steamers through the ice during power, the “Ermack” was still able to the brief remainder of the winter season. make her way forward. The progress was She had saved to commerce already more very slow, as it was necessary to charge the than the cost of her construction, and had ice repeatedly before it would give way. At demonstrated beyond any doubt her commer- one time four hours were consumed in mak- cial utility. ing an advance of two miles. The greatest But in the judgment of her commander, bar to progress was not the depth of the ice, there was still another world for the “ Er- although the strength of a solid stratum of mack” to conquer. She had broken ice of fourteen feet is, of course, enormous. А one season's freezing in the Baltic; could she greater difficulty was the pressure of the force her way through the ice that had been moving ice-field, which increased with every freezing for years in the farther North ? mile of the advance. The Ermack" stood This was the point that Admiral Makaroff set up stanchly under this pressure, but Admiral out to settle at the beginning of last August. Makaroff decided that progress would be The “ Ermack” carried on this occasion a easier at a point farther east. Accordingly, number of scientists-a geologist, a botan- turning to the south, he cut his way slowly ist, and a chemist—as well as a painter, who out of the encircling field and skirted its was to reproduce on canvas, as accurately as southern boundary to a point near the Seven possible, the glories of the Polar Zone. On Islands, where he again turned northward. board was also a photographer with a full During this part of the journey the “Er- equipment of kinematograph apparatus, his mack” encountered ice hummocks piled up WITHIN AN ACE OF THE END OF THE WORLD being some account of the fearful disaster which overtook the inhabitants of this earth through scientific miscalculation in the year 1904 By ROBERT BARR Author of "The Actress of the Château," ** The Gift of Abner Grice," " Jennie Baxter, Journalist," etc. THE SCIENTISTS SENSATION leged afterward that his investigations were well on the way to their final success at the HE beginning of the end was time Sir William spoke. probably the address deliv All records being lost in the series of ter- ered by Sir William Crookes rible conflagrations which took place in to the British Association at 1904, it is now impossible to give any ac- Bristol, on September 7, curate statement regarding Sir William 1898, although Herbert Bon- Crookes's remarkable paper; but it is known sel, the young American experimenter, al- that his assertions attracted much attention ROBERT BARR. 547 T young Ameri- A STRIKING AFTER-DINNER SPEECH ply on various forms of nitrogen, or on arti- cles of which nitrogen is a constituent. The HE Marquis of Surrey, before free nitrogen of the air has been changed to introducing the guest of the fixed nitrogen by means of electricity, and evening, said that, as they the other components of the food placed on were all doubtless aware, this the board have been extracted from various was not a social, but a com- soils by the same means. The champagne mercial dinner. It was the and the burgundy are the product of the intention, before the company separated, to laboratory, and not of the wine-press, the invite sub- soi] used in scriptions to their composi- a corporation tion having which would been exported have a larger from the vine- capitalization bearing re- than any lim- gions of ited liability France. More concern that than a year had ever be- ago, Sir Wil- fore been liam Crookes floated. The announced what the ni- canat his right trogen free in would explain the air might the discover- do for the ies he had people of this made and the world. At the inventions he time I read his had patented, remarks I was which this engaged in the newly formed experiments that have now corporation been completed. I trem- would exploit. bled, fearing I was about Thus intro- to be forestalled; but up duced, Her- to this moment, so far as bert Bonsel I know, there has been rose to his feet made no effort to put his and said: theories into practical use. “Gentle- Sir William seemed to think it would men, I was be sufficient to use the nitrates ex- pleased to tracted from the atmosphere for the pur- hear you ad- pose of fertilizing the ground. But this mit that you always appeared to me a most roundabout liked the din- method. Why should we wait on slow- ner which was footed nature? If science is capable of spread before wringing one constituent of our food from us to - night. THE FIRST INTIMATION... OF IM- the air, why should it shrink from extract- I confess that PENDING DOOM WAS FROM THE ing the others from earth or water? In I never tasted PASSAGE OF A GREAT WESTERN other words, why leave a job half finished ? a better meal, BLAZING FIERCELY.” I knew of no reason; and, luckily, I suc- but most of ceeded in convincing our noble host that all my life I have been poor, and therefore I food products may be speedily compounded am not so capable of passing an opinion on in the laboratory, without waiting the prog- a banquet as any other here, having always ress of the tardy seasons. It is proposed, been accustomed to plain fare. I have, therefore, that a company be formed with a therefore, to announce to you that all the capital so large that it can control practi- viands you have tasted and all the liquors cally all the water-power available in the you have consumed were prepared by me in world. We will extract from earth, air, and my laboratory. You have been dining sim- water whatever we need, compound the prod- TRAIN 554 WITHIN AN ACE OF THE END OF THE WORLD. steamed down the bay. My great-grand- steam whistle, rousing the echoes of the father describes the scene as somber in the hills on either side of the noble stream. In- extreme. The Statue of Liberty seemed to stantly, on the veranda of the flag-covered be all of the handiwork of man that remained house, was seen the glimmer of a white sum- intact. Brooklyn Bridge was not entirely mer dress, then of another and another and consumed, and the collapsed remains hung another, until eight were counted. from two pillars of fused stone, the ragged ends of the structure which once formed the roadway dragging in the water. The city itself presented a remarkable appearance. **72AND FINALLY film for best It was one conglomerate mass of gray-toned, semi-opaque glass, giving some indication of HE events that followed belong the intense heat that had been evolved in rather to the region of ro- its destruction. The outlines of its principal mance than to a staid, sober thoroughfares were still faintly indicated, narrative of fact like the pres- although the melting buildings had flowed ent; indeed, the theme has into the streets like lava, partly obliterating been a favorite one with poets them. Here and there a dome of glass and novelists, whose pens would have been showed where an abnormally high structure more able than mine to do justice to this in- once stood, and thus the contour of the city ternational idyl. America and England were bore a weird resemblance to its former self indeed joined, as the American Ambassador --the likeness that the grim outlines of a had predicted at the Guildhall, though at the corpse over which a sheet has been thrown time his words were spoken he had little idea might bear to a living mán. All along the of the nature and complete accord of that shore lay the gaunt skeletons of half-fused union. While it cannot be denied that the steamships. The young men passed this dis- unprecedented disaster which obliterated hu- mal calcined graveyard in deep silence, keep- man life in 1904 seemed to be a calamity, yet ing straight up the broad Hudson. No sign it is possible to trace the design of a benefi- of life greeted them until they neared Pough- cent providence in this wholesale destruction. keepsie, when they saw, flying above a house The race which now inhabits the earth is one situated on the top of a hill, that brilliant that includes no savages and no war lords. fluttering flag, the Stars and Stripes. Some- Armies are unknown and unthought of. how its very motion in the wind gave prom- There is no battleship on the face of the ise that the vital spark had not been alto- waters. It is doubtful if universal peace gether extinguished in America. The great could have been brought to the world short sadness which had oppressed the voyagers of the annihilation of the jealous, cantanker- was lifted, and they burst forth into cheer ous, quarrelsome peoples who inhabited it after cheer. One of the young men rushed previous to 1904. The Lord destroyed hu- into the chart-room, and brought out the manity once by flood, and again by fire; but Union Jack, which was quickly hauled up to whether the race, as it enlarges, will deteri- the mast-head, and the reverend captain orate after its second extinguishment, as it pulled the cord that, for the first time dur- appears to have done after its first, must ing the voyage, let loose the roar of the remain for the future to determine. 558 AN ARCTIC DAY AND NIGHT. We built an observatory of “ Arctic mar- water was walking barefooted in the snow ble,” too, and in it sheltered our thermo- to and from the place of disrobing. One graph and other meteorological instruments, day in early December, I had been hard at as well as the magnetic instruments, with work for an hour or two testing the trac- which during the winter we made some inter- tion of various sledges, pulling a 200-pound esting studies of the influence of the aurora load up the hill and through the deep snow. borealis upon the magnetic needle. We have Perspiring at every pore, it occurred to me automatic thermograph and barograph rec- to make a test of whether or not it was pos- ords of the temperature and air pressure dur-sible to take cold up there. Though attired ing every minute of our year's sojourn in only in ordinary clothing, such as one wears Franz Josef Land. at home in mild winter weather, I sat down In this house we passed a very comfort in the snow for thirty minutes by the watch, able winter. Our stove was a small one, and woolly dogs came and climbed all over only fifteen inches in diameter, and it never me in excess of affection. The temperature burned more than fifty pounds of coal in a was nearly thirty below, and though it did day; but we sank it through the floor to grow a bit chilly before the half hour was lower the fire-box, and so got all the heat out up, no “cold” was taken. In order to inure of it that was possible. True, the temper- myself to cold, I always washed face and ature often sank below zero in our living hands in snow before breakfast, no matter apartment, and frost formed not only upon how great the cold, and have often washed the ceiling, but upon the walls against which my feet in the same way, out-doors, in low we reclined with our backs as we sat each temperatures. It is refreshing, but in amus- in his own corner." But in such a life ing himself this way one must look sharp or men speedily accustom themselves to slight he may get a frost-nip-our pampered feet inconveniences of that sort. Indeed, fami- are so sensitive to cold. liarity breeds contempt of cold. At home Wool is far and away the best fabric for we used to think it cold out of doors if the Arctic wear. Even wool will gather mois- temperature dropped much below the freez- ture, but it is infinitely better than fur. ing point, and heavy overcoats and warm Wool permits the moisture of the body to gloves were in order, while Americans think pass through the fabric and congeal outside, they cannot endure a temperature lower than where it can be brushed or shaken off, while sixty-five degrees in their houses. But up furs retain it within. Two, three, or more here at Cape Tegetthoff we habitually wrote thicknesses of wool are better than one of letters, sewed at our clothing, played cards, equal weight. I used to wear two pairs of read books, and ate our meals in tempera- woolen mittens; the outer pair were stiff tures hovering about the freezing point, and with frost, while the inner pair were nearly never suspected that it was cold. When the dry and quite warm. But one had to be temperature outside was no lower than fifteen careful what he did with his mittens, when or twenty minus, and not much wind blow- he took them off, for in a few moments they ing, we let the fire go out after supper in would freeze so stiff that it was torture to put order to save coal. them on again. Of course, one needs plenty We had our regular baths, too, even in the of clothing, but wool is the thing. Upon coldest weather. As one of the few rules of our dash northward, in temperatures from the house was “no bathing indoors," on ac- ten to forty-eight below zero, I wore no furs count of the condensation of moisture, the except a pair of reindeer-skin moccasins upon bather took his tub of warm water out into my feet. But within these moccasins I had the storehouse, stripped to the skin, and en- from three to five pairs of thick woolen joyed himself, even though the temperature stockings; and outside the stockings was out there was usually from fifteen to twenty- loose dry grass, to absorb the moisture. I five below. This we did without taking cold. never once had cold feet, and even after I In fact, such a thing as a cold the writer had met with an accident which practically has never had in the Arctic regions, though stopped all circulation of the blood below he has bathed in the open sea, diving from the knee in my injured leg, I suffered no an iceberg, where a seal was disporting him- frost-bites. Upon my body I wore four suits self curious to know what manner of animal of woolen underclothing, and a jacket out- the amphibious stranger was. I once took side. In this attire I was warmer than my a bath in a natural bath-tub formed of ice, Norwegian companions in big, cumbersome walls and floor, and rather enjoyed it, though “kooletahs" of reindeer-skin. I did not stay in long. Worse than the cold It is not always cold in the Arctic regions. 560 AN ARCTIC DAY AND NIGHT. ܕܙ glacier about a mile and a half in extent, we his feet. As there appeared to be no pros- found ourselves upon lower and very rough pect of getting away before morning, the and broken ice. It was almost as if we were problem which confronted us was how we upon a stretch of rocky country that had were to get a little sleep. It was solved in been split into fragments by an earthquake. a novel manner. Each of us had brought Fissures and cracks ran in every direction, along a“ kooletah,” a big, sack-like coat of and we had to be exceedingly careful in our reindeer-skin, and so we took off our boots movements. The dogs did not at all like this and lay down upon the ice with our backs to sort of traveling, with its imminent risk of the wind and our heads pointed in opposite tumbling at any moment down a crevasse a directions. Then we telescoped ourselves to- hundred or two hundred feet deep, and it gether as far as we could, each running his was interesting to note how, amid these sur- feet under the other's coat. My comrade's roundings, they appeared to place implicit toes were in the small of my back, while trust in their masters. Ordinarily they like mine were snug and comfortable on his ab- to pick the road themselves, rushing along domen. Lapping the skirts of our coats, pell-mell, pulling their drivers after them. and pulling the hoods over our faces, we But here they would not budge a foot unless were quite comfortable so far as the cold one of us led the way. They followed us was concerned. The chief trouble was the with confidence, though not without watch- hardness of the ice, and the numbness and ing our steps with the most alert eyes. Up cramps in the legs and hips due thereto. to this time the beasts had been doing à But despite all drawbacks we managed to good deal of skylarking and fighting, but get both rest and sleep. To help us out, now they were as sober as judges. They the dogs came and snuggled up as close to did just what we told them to do, too, some- us as they could get, and though it was thing new in our experience, and here for scarcely fair of them to persist in shoving the first time we were able to teach them to their noses up under our hoods and kissing obey the good American“ Whoa!” There- our faces, we could not well object so long tofore we had been compelled always to em- as they helped to keep us warm. ploy the Samoyede synonym, “Sass!” In August, after our advance party had At length, while leading the team through gone, we tried to use our small boats in for- a suspicious bit of broken ice, I suddenly warding more provisions toward the north. dropped straight down in the snow to my But the sea beat heavily upon the beach arm-pits, and had the unpleasant feeling that nearly all the time, and we had to watch for there was nothing but air under my feet. I chances to launch our tiny craft. On one had fallen through a snow-bridge, and was occasion Olaf and Daniel, with Dr. Hofma, sustained by my outstretched arms. Some- started across Nordenskiold Bay in a small where down below I could hear a dislodged wooden rowboat, towing a canvas scow heav- piece of ice striking and echoing on its way ily laden with stores. The bay was compar- to the depths. Fainter and fainter the atively smooth when they started; but a echoes came, and then ceased altogether. storm blew up with incredible suddenness, For all I know, that piece of ice is dropping and kicked up such a heavy sea that the to this day. The interesting question with waves were soon rolling over the gunwales me at that particular moment was whether of both boats and threatening to swamp or not the crumbling bridge of snow would them. With quick decision the Norwegian support my weight till my companion could boatmen turned and ran with the wind to- manage to get me out of the danger of tak- ward an ice-floe near by, and, reaching it, ing a drop too much myself. tied up the scow, leaving Dr. Hofma in Shortly afterward a storm blew up, and as charge, and made for the shore to unload the air was filled with flying snow, making it their own cargo. In a quarter of an hour impossible to see a sledge-length ahead, it Dr. Hofma found himself in a most danger- was simple suicide to go on. If we did not ous situation. His ice-floe was rearing and fall down a crevasse, we should be in danger plunging in the waves, and the canvas scow of losing our way and falling over the edge was liable to go down at any moment. Surf of the glacier into the sea. So we made the was beating over him and his goods, and the best sort of camp we could, and managed half-dozen dogs which had been left with to boil a little coffee over our petroleum him were howling in terror. Worse than lamp. But how the wind did whistle and the all, he was drifting straight toward a glacier- snow fly down the surface of that glacier! face from fifty to seventy feet perpendicular, It was as much as one could do to stand on against which the sea was beating with ter- 562 AN ARCTIC DAY AND NIGHT. one moment it looked as if the boats were afraid of you.' Then he proceeded in dig- surely caught and destroyed between two nified fashion on his way, turning neither lo heavy floes crashing together; but by a dex- the right nor the left, and hastening not his terous movement the boatmen slipped through gait-a line of conduct altogether becoming a narrow channel and into safe water. For- to one of the lords of the isles. But when tunately, the beach there was shelving sand, Ursus was reënforced by a half-dozen, and for the shoal prevented the heavy ice coming then a dozen and a half of his comrades, and close inshore and formed a protecting pier the whole pack gathered round the bear, three or four rods out. The boats could not yelping and dancing and showing their teeth, get-quite in either, and the only way in which but never quite getting hold of him, the we could unload them was by wading out in bear concluded that, after all, he might the surf and carrying things in, piece by have a serious job on his hands. But he piece. At first plunge these ice-water baths made a fatal mistake in his tactics. If he are not so very pleasant; but the plunge had simply run away, as fast and as far as once taken, one doesn't mind them at all. his great legs could have carried him, he During the winter we had many auroral would have been quite safe, for dogs alone displays of great beauty, and one in particu- cannot kill a full-grown bear, even if it is lar on December 8th. It was a perfect speci- fifty to one. Instead, he showed fight at men of the true corona aurora, a form not once, and tried to reach the tormentor near- often seen. From near the horizon at all est him. First a savage lunge this way, now points of the compass great white and colored the other, the frothing mouth wide open, dis- streams of light shot toward the zenith, and playing tusks which needed only one chance there mingled their rays in a common center. to plant death in the vitals of the toughest It was just as if all the steam power of the dog that ever stood on four legs. But the world had been multiplied a million-fold, all of pesky beasts were always just out of his it turned to the generation of electricity, and reach. A dog can run faster than a bear, all this voltaic energy were poured through and move about more agilely, and that is the the lenses of vast search-lights placed in sum total of his superiority. At each on- every city, town, and village the world round; slaught the bear made a break in the circle and then, at a preconcerted signal by tele- about him, as the dogs had no wish to come graph, all were set playing and dancing upon in contact with those terrible incisors; but the very apex of the heavens. a fire in the rear always caused him to wheel One night we had an auroral display and round, and thus the circle closed up again. an alarm of bear together; and beautiful as The war-dance continued till the poor bear was the celestial skirt dance, candor compels was beside himself with rage and fatigue. me to admit that it was in the bear that the Now the swirling, yelping mass had reached most general and keenest interest was dis- the base of the sharp incline that led up to played. Take it all in all, I think we had the basalt mountain peak. Up its steep, icy more fun out of bears than anything else surface the bear now attempted to escape during our day and night up near the Pole. his pursuers. With prodigious strength he Forty-seven, altogether, fell before our rifles, crept rapidly upward, but the dogs were con- and the amount of sport involved in this stantly at his side. They were in front of slaughter would almost make a book of itself. him, behind him, all around him; and though For the day the sun disappeared for a little some of them lost their footing and slipped matter of eighteen weeks-October 19th- to the bottom of the glacier, others took I find this record in my journal: their places, and the luckless brute found “ The loss of the sun to-day was compen- no peace. sated for by a most extraordinary bear-hunt. "Suddenly the bear's huge paws slipped Dr. Nansen said his Siberian dogs would not their grip, and down he came-a veritable attack bears: we wish Dr. Nansen could avalanche of flesh and fur, that roared as it have been with us to-day to see our pack of rolled. Fully 250 feet he slid, most of the twenty loose dogs pursue and attack the big way at an angle of forty degrees, and by the white fellow who came shuffling leisurely time he struck the nearly level plateau he over the hill. As usual, Ursus, our black had an impetus which carried him rolling, bear-dog, was the first to approach the en- bounding, ricochetting among the rocks, emy. Bruin simply looked at him in a half- plowing through the snow, fully a hundred conscious, half-indifferent sort of way, as feet farther. His course lay directly over much as to say: 'You're the biggest fox the spot where we stood waiting for him, I've seen in Franz Josef Land, but I am not and we politely and rather hastily stood aside PROFESSOR HUXLEY'S START IN LIFE. 565 frigate, H.M.S. “Rattlesnake,” with nothing miles over sea is the smallest part of the difficulty and but his scanty pay and the Admiralty's promise expense of getting anything to people living inland ; as of early promotion for assistant surgeons their meaning was good, but their discretion small. who should distinguish themselves in scientific But the obtuseness of English in general about any- research. Returning to England at the end thing out of the immediate circle of their own experi- of 1850, he found that while his already ence is something wonderful. I had heard here and there fractional accounts of published memoirs had brought him into the your doings from Eliza K. and my mother--not of the front rank of naturalists, a parsimonious most cheery description—and therefore I was right administration forbade him the means of glad to get your letter, which, though it tells of sorrow publishing the bulk of his researches. and misfortune enough and to spare, yet shows me that the brave woman's heart you always had, my dearest Lizzie, is still yours, and that you have always had the Elected a Fellow of the Royal Society in warm love of those immediately around you, and now, 1851 at the age of twenty-six, and awarded as the doctor's letter tells us, you have one more the Royal Medal in the following year, Huxley source of joy and happiness, and this new joy must efface the bitterness—I do not say the memory, know- was greatly encouraged in his resolution to ing how impossible that would be of your great loss." adopt the scientific career in which his whole God knows, my dear sister, I could feel for you. It being was wrapped up. But from 1851 to was as if I could see again a shadow of the great sor- 1854 his efforts to obtain a professorship row that fell upon us all years ago. at Toronto, at Aberdeen, at Cork, at King's than I am already, but if the christening be not all Nothing can bind me more closely to your children College, London, were all unavailing, and in over, you must let me be godfather; and though I his despair he was .sometimes tempted to fear I am too much of a heretic to promise to bring abandon his scientific aspirations, in which him up a good son of the church-yet should ever the lay all his hopes of intellectual satisfaction, Ahnung (though I don't tell that to anybody but position which you prophesy, and of which I have an and take up physic or brewing or store- Nettie), be mine, he shall (if you will trust him to me) keeping in Australia. be cared for as few sons are. As things stand, I am A long letter to his eldest sister, Mrs. talking half nonsense, but I mean it--and you know of old, for good and for evil, my tenacity of purpose. Scott, then settled in Tennessee, gives a Now, as to my own affairs--I am not married. good idea of his hopes and aims immediately Prudently, at any rate, but whether wisely or foolishly after his return to England. I am not quite sure yet, Nettie and I resolved to have nothing to do with matrimony for the present. 41 NORTH BANK, REGENT'S PARK, In truth, though our marriage was my great wish on November 21, 1850. many accounts, yet I feared to bring upon her the con- My dearest Lizzie.--We have been at home now pened to me within the next few years. We had a sequences that might have occurred had anything hap- nearly three weeks, and I have been a free man again sad parting enough, and as is usually the case with me, twelve days. Her Majesty's ships have been paid off on the 9th of this month. Properly speaking, indeed, time, instead of alleviating, renders more disagreeable we have been at home longer, for we touched at Ply- hate the incessant struggle and toil to cut one an- our separation. I have a woman's element in me. I mouth and trod English ground and saw English green other's throat among us men, and I long to be able to fields on the 23d of October, but we were allowed to meet with some one in whom I can place implicit con- remain only twenty-four hours, and to my great disgust fidence, whose judgment I can respect, and yet who were ordered round to Chatham to be paid off. The ill- will not laugh at my most foolish weaknesses and in luck which had made our voyage homeward so long (we sailed from Sydney on the 28 of May) pursued us in the whose love I can forget all care. All these conditions Channel, and we did not reach Chatham until the 2d of I have fulfilled in Nettie. With a strong natural in- November ; and what do you think was one of the first telligence, and knowledge enough to understand and things I did when we reached Plymouth ? Wrote to sympathize with my aims, with the firmness of a man, Eliza K. asking news of a certain naughty sister of when necessary, she combines the gentleness of a very mine, from whom I had never heard a word since we she loves me well, as well as I love her, and you know woman and the honest simplicity of a child, and then had been away—and if perchance there should be any I love but few-in the real meaning of the word, per- letter, begging her to forward it immediately to Chat, haps, but two-she and you. And now she is away, ham. And so, when at length we got there, I found and you are away. The worst of it is I have no ambi- your kind long letter had been in England some six or tion, except as means to an end, and that end is the seven months; but hearing of the likelihood of our re- turn, they had very judiciously not sent it to me. possession of a sufficient income to marry upon. I Your letter, my poor Lizzie, justifies many a heart- assure you I would not give two straws for all the A worker I must al- ache I have had when thinking over your lot, knowing, honors and titles in the world. as I well do, what emigrant life is in climates less ways be—it is my nature—but if I had £400 a year I trying than that in which you live. I have seen a good shall ever do. It would be glorious to be a voice would never let my name appear to anything I did or deal of bush life in Australia, and it enables me fully working in secret and free from all those personal to sympathize with and enter into every particular you motives that have actuated the best. But, unfor- tell me—from the baking and boiling and pigs squeal- ing, down to that ferocious landshark Mrs. Gunther, of tunately, one is not a vox et præterea nihil, but with a whose class Australia will furnish fine specimens. Had considerable corporality attached which requires feed- I been at home, too, I could have enlightened the good ing, and so, while my inner man is continually indulging folks as to the means of carriage in the colonies, and in these anchorite reflections, the outer is sedulously could have told them that the two or twenty thousand * The death of her little daughter Jessie. 568 PROFESSOR HUXLEY'S START IN LIFE. with my altogether without fruit. I have read a good deal and efforts of veterans in science. The Royal I have written a good deal. I have made some valuable Medal, which he just missed in 1851, he friends, and have found my work more highly estimated than I had ventured to hope. I must tell you some- received in 1852. On November 7, 1851, thing, because it will please you, even if you think me he writes as follows : vain for doing so. I was talking to Professor Owen yesterday, and said I have at last tasted what it is to mir that I imagined I had to thank him in great measure fellows-to take my place in that society for which for the honor of the F.R.S. “No,” he said, “ you have nature has fitted me, and whether the draught has been nothing to thank but the goodness of your own work.” a poison which has heated my veins or true nectar from For about ten minutes I felt rather proud of that the gods, life-giving, I know not, but I can no longer speech, and shall keep it by me whenever I feel inclined rest where I once could have rested. If I could find to think myself a fool, and that I have a most mistaken within myself that mere personal ambition, the desire notion of my own capacities. The only use of honors of fame, present or posthumous, had anything to do is as an antidote to such fits of the “ blue devils.” Of with this restlessness, I would root it out. But in those one thing, however, which is by no means so agreeable, moments of self-questioning, when one does not lie even my opportunities for seeing the scientific world in Eng- to oneself, I feel that I can say it is not so—that the land force upon me every day a stronger and stronger real pleasure, the true sphere, lies in the feeling of conviction. It is that there is no chance of living by self-development-in the sense of power and of grow- science. I have been loth to believe it, but it is so. ing oneness with the great spirit of abstract truth. There are not more than four or five offices in London Do you understand this? I know you do ; our old which a zoölogist or comparative anatomist can hold oneness of feeling will not desert us here. and live by. Owen, who has a European reputation, To-day a most unexpected occurrence came to my second only to that of Cuvier, gets as Hunterian Pro- knowledge. I must tell you that the Queen places at fessor £300 a year! which is less than the salary of the disposal of the Royal Society once a year a valuable many a bank clerk. My friend Forbes, who is a highly gold medal to be given to the author of the best paper distinguished and a very able man, gets the same from upon either a physical, chemical, or anatomical or physi- his office of Paleontologist to the Geological Survey of ological subject. One of these branches of science is Great Britain. Now, these are first-rate men, men chosen by the Royal Society for each year, and there- who have been at work for years laboriously toiling up- fore for any given subject-say anatomy and physi- ward-men whose abilities, had they turned them into ology-it becomes a triennial prize, and is given to the the many channels of money-making, must have made best memoir in the “Transactions” for three years. large fortunes. But the beauty of Nature and the pur It happens that the Royal Medal, as it is called, is suit of Truth allured them into a nobler life-and this this year given in anatomy and physiology. I had no is the result. . . In literature a man may write for idea that I had the least chance of getting it, and made magazines and reviews, and so support himself ; but no effort to do so. But I heard this morning from a not so in science. I could get anything I write into member of the Council that the award was made yester- any of the journals or any of the Transactions, but I day, and that I was within an ace of getting it. New- know no means of thereby earning five shillings. A port,* a man of high standing in the scientific world, man who chooses a life of science chooses not a life of and myself were the two between whom the choice poverty, but, so far as I can see, a life of nothing, and rested, and eventually it was given to him, on account the art of living upon nothing at all has yet to be dis- of his having a greater bulk of matter in his papers, so covered. You will naturally think, then, “Why per- evenly did the balance swing. Had I only had the least severe in so hopeless a course ?” At present I cannot idea that I should be selected they should have had help myself. For my own credit, for the sake of grati- enough and to spare from me. However, I do not fying those who have hitherto helped me on-nay, for grudge Newport his medal ; he is a good and a worthy the sake of truth and science itself, I must work out competitor, old enough to be my father, and has long fairly and fully complete what I have begun. And had a high reputation. Except for its practical value when that is done, I will courageously and cheerfully as a means of getting a position I care little enough for turn my back upon all my old aspirations. The world the medal. What I do care for is the justification is wide, and there is everywhere room for honesty of which the being marked in this position gives to the purpose and earnest endeavor. Had I failed in attain- course I have taken. Obstinate and self-willed as I ing my wishes from an overweening self-confidence, am .. there are times when grave doubts over- had I found that the obstacles after all lay within my- shadow my mind, and then such testimony as this re- self, I should have bitterly despised myself, and, worst stores my self-confidence. of all, I should have felt that you had just ground of To let you know the full force of what I have been complaint. saying, I must tell you that this “Royal Medal” is So far as the acknowledgment of the value of what what such men as Owen and Faraday are glad to get, I have done is concerned, I have succeeded beyond my and is indeed one of the highest honors in Eng- expectations, and if I have failed on the other side of land. the question, I cannot blame myself. It is the world's To-day I had the great pleasure of meeting my old fault and not mine. friend Sir John Richardson (to whom I was mainly in- debted for my appointment in the “Rattlesnake"). Since A few months more, and he was able to taken a hand in joining in search of Franklin (which I left England he has married a third wife, and has report another and still more unexpected was more dreadful ?) like an old hero as he is, but not testimony to the value of his work—another a feather of him is altered, and he is as gray, as really encouragement to persevere in the difficult kind, and as seemingly abrupt and grim, as ever he was. Such a fine old polar bear ! pursuit of a scientific life. He found him- self treated as an equal by men of estab- lished reputation, and the first-fruits of his In spite of all, a fatality seemed to dog work ranked on a level with the maturer * He was distinguished as a physiologist. PROFESSOR HUXLEY'S START IN LIFE. 569 his efforts ; nevertheless he writes at the which always haunts me, I put very little faith in end of this year : them. Their praise makes me sneer inwardly God forgive me if I do them any great wrong. I feel and know that all the rewards and Among my scientific friends the monition I get on honors in the world will ever be worthless for me as all sides is that of Dante's great ancestor to him- soon as they are obtained. I know that always, as A te sequi la tua stella. now, they will make me more sad than joyful. I know If this were from personal friends only, I should disre- that nothing that could be done would give me the pure gard it; but it comes from men to whose approbation and heartfelt joy and peace of mind that your love has it would be foolish affectation to deny the highest given me, and please God shall give for many a long value. I find myself treated on a footing of equality year to come, and yet my demon says work ! work ! you (“my proud self,” as you may suppose, would not put shall not even love unless you work. up with any other) by men whose names and works Not blinded by any vanity, then, I hope have been long before the world. My opinions are but viewing this stroke of fortune as respects its public treated with a respect altogether unaccountable to me, this medal as the turning-point of my life, as the finger- estimation only, I think I must look upon the award of and what I have done is quoted as having full authority. Without canvassing a soul or making use of any in- post teaching me as clearly as anything can what is For what- fluence, I have been elected into the Royal Society at the true career that lies open before me. a time when that election is more difficult than it has ever may be my own private estimation of it, there can ever been in the history of the Society. Without my be no doubt as to the general feeling about this thing, knowledge I was within an ace of getting the Royal and in case of my candidature for any office it would Society medal this year, and if I go on I shall very seen by my last letter, it only strengthens and confirms have the very greatest weight. And as you will have probably get it next time. the conclusion I had come to. Bid me God-speed then .. it is all I want to labor cheerfully. In 1852 he was not only to receive this coveted honor, but also to be elected upon Earlier in 1852, when standing for Toronto, the Royal Society Council. He writes to he describes how Colonel Sabine, then secre- his future wife : tary of the Royal Society, dissuaded him November 13, 1852. from the project, saying that a brilliant pros- Going last week to the Royal Society's library for a pect lay before him in England if he would book, and like the boy in church thinkin' o' naughten," only wait. when I went in, Weld, the Assistant Secretary, said, "Well, I congratulate you.” I confess I did not see at "Make up your mind to get something fairly within that moment what any mortal man had to congratulate your reach, and you will have us all with you." "Profes- me about. I had a deuced bad cold with rheumatism sor Owen again offers to do anything in his power for in my head, it was a beastly November day and I was me ; Professor Forbes will move heaven and earth for very grumpy, so I inquired in a state of mild surprise me if he can; Gray, Bell, and all the leading men are, what might be the matter. Whereupon I learnt that the I know, similarly inclined. Fate says wait, and you Medal had been conferred at the meeting of the Council shall reach the goal which from a child you have set on the day before. I was very pleased and before yourself. On the other hand, a small voice like I thought you would be so too, and I thought moreover conscience speaks of one who is wasting youth and life that it was a fine lever to help us on, and if I could away for your sake. have sent a letter to you immediately I should have sat down and have written one to you on the spot. As Other friends, who, while recognizing his it is, I have waited for official confirmation and a con- venient season. general capacities, were not scientific, and And now shall I be very naughty and make had no direct appreciation of his superlative a confession ? The thing that a fortnight ago (before powers in science, thought he was following I got it) I thought so much of, I give you my word I à course which would never allow him to do not care a pin for. I am sick of it and ashamed of having thought so much of it, and the congratula- marry, and urged him to give up this unequal tions I get give me a sort of internal sardonic grin. battle with fate, and emigrate to Australia. I think this has come about partly because I did not Of this he writes on August 5, 1852, to Miss get the official confirmation of what I had heard for some Heathorn : days, and with my habit of facing the ill side of things I came to the conclusion that Weld had made a mis I must make up my mind to it if nothing turns up. take, and I went in thought through the whole enor. However, I look upon such a life as would await me in mous mortification of having to explain to those to Australia with great misgiving. A life spent in a whom I had mentioned it that it was quite a mistake. routine employment, with no excitement and no occu- I found that all this when I came look at it was by no pation for the higher powers of the intellect, with its means so dreadful as it seemed-quite bearable in great aspirations stifled and all the great problems of short-and then I laughed at myself and have cared existence set hopelessly in the background, offers to nothing about the whole concern ever since. In truth me a prospect that would be utterly intolerable but I do not think that I am in the proper sense for your love. Sometimes I am half mad with of the word ambitious. I have an enormous longing the notion of bringing all my powers in a surer struggle after the highest and best in all shapes-a longing for a livelihood. Sometimes I am equally wild at which haunts me and is the demon which ever impels thinking of the long, weary while that has passed since me to work, and will let me have no rest unless I am we met. There are times when I cannot bear to think doing his behests. The honors of men I value so far of leaving my present pursuits, when I feel I should be as they are evidences of power, but with the cynical guilty of a piece of cowardly desertion from my duty mistrust of their judgment and my own worthiness, in doing it, and there come intervals when I would give 570 PROFESSOR HUXLEY'S START IN LIFE. truth and science and all hopes to be folded in your change at all, the change must be total and complete. arms.... I know which course is right, but I I will not attempt my own profession. I should only never know which I may follow; help me for be led astray to think and to work as of old, and sigh there is only one course in which there is either hope continually for my old dear and intoxicating pursuits. or peace for me. I wish I understood brewing, and I would make a pro- position to come and help your father. You may These repeated disappointments deepened smile, but I am as serious as ever I was in my life. the fits of depression which constantly as- January 2, 1852. sailed him. He was torn by two opposing thoughts. Was it just, was it right, to The distance between them made it doubly demand so great a sacrifice from the woman difficult to keep in touch with one another, who had entrusted her future to the uncer- when the post took from four and a half to tain chances of his fortunes ? Could he ask five or even six months to reach England her to go on offering up the best years of from Australia. The answer to a letter her life to aspirations of his which were would come when the matter in question was possibly chimerical, or perhaps merely self- long done with. The assurance that he was ishness in disguise, which ought to yield to doing right at one moment seemed inade- more imperative duties? Why not clip the quate when circumstances had altered and wings of Pegasus, and descend to the sober, hope sunk lower. It was all too easy to everyday jog-trot after plain bread and suspect that she did not understand his aims, cheese like other plain people? Time after his thirst for action, nor the fact that he time he almost made up his mind to throw was no longer free to do as he liked, whether science to the winds ; to emigrate and to stay in the navy, to go into practice, or establish a practice in Sydney ; to try even follow his own pursuits and pleasure. Yet squatting or storekeeping. And yet he it made him despair to be so hedged in by knew only too well that with his temperament circumstances. With all his efforts, he seemed no life would bring him the remotest ap- as though he had done nothing but earn the proach to lasting happiness and satisfaction reputation of being a very promising young except one that gave scope to his intellectual man. How much easier to continue the passion. To yield to the immediate pressure struggle if he could but have seen her face of circumstances was perhaps ignoble, was to face, and read her thoughts as to whether even more probably a surer road to the loss he were right or wrong in the course he was of happiness for himself and for his wife pursuing. He appeals to her faith that he is than the repeated and painful sacrifices of choosing the nobler path in pursuing knowl- the present. With all this, however, and the edge, than in turning aside to the temptation more when assured of her entire confidence of throwing it up for the sake of their in his judgment, he could not but feel a sense speedier union. Still she was right in claim- of remorse that she willingly accepted the ing a share in his work; but for her his life sacrifice, and feared that she might have done would have been wasted. so rather to gratify his wishes than because The clouds gathered very thickly about him reason approved it as the right course to when in April, 1852, his mother died, while follow. his father was hopelessly ill. “Belief and Here is another typical extract from his happiness,” he writes, “seem to be beyond correspondence. Hearing that the professor- the reach of thinking men in these days, but ship at Toronto is likely to go to a relative courage and silence are left.” Again the of a Canadian minister, he writes : clouds lifted, for in October he received Miss Heathorn's "noble and self-sacrificing letter, I think of all my dreams and aspirations, and of the which has given me more comfort than any- path which I know lies before me if I can only bide my time, and it seems a sin and a shameful thing to allow thing for a long while," the keynote of which my resolve to be turned ; and then comes the mocking was that a man should pursue those things suspicion, is this fine abstract duty of yours anything for which he is most fitted, let them be what but a subtlety of your own selfishness ? Have you not they will. He now felt free to tell the vicis- other more imperative duties? You may fancy whether my life is a very happy one situdes of thought and will he had passed thus spent without even the satisfaction of the sense through this twelvemonth, and how the idea of right-doing. I must come to some resolution about of giving up all had affected him. Fanning* the other night about the possibility of finding spectre of a wasted life has passed before some employment of a profitable kind in Australia, store me a vision of that servant who hid his keeping, squatting, or the like. As I told him, any talent in a napkin and buried it.” change in my mode of life must be total. If I am to Early in 1853 he writes how much he was * Miss Heathorn's brother-in-law. cheered by his sister's advice and encourage- “ The