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ISSUED TWICE A WEEK?WEDNESDAY A3NTD SATURDAY. l. m. grist & sons, Publishers, 1 % ^niiiilg Dfu'spajcr: 4t,r jpromotion of the jjjotitieal, Social, ^grirullurat, and {Commercial interests of the ?outh. { *s?StoPY, wre cj?^Pce' VOL.43. YORKVILLE, S. C., WEDNESDAY, SEPTEMBER 29,1897. K"0. 78. EXILED Tl BY WILLIAM MI Copyright, 1S97, by the Woolfall Publishing C Synopsis of Pf.vious Installments. In order that new readers ot' The En quirer may begin with the following in stalltnent ot this story, and understand i just the same as though they had read i all from the beginning, we here give j synopsis of that portion of it which ha already been published: Chapter I.?Vladimir Saradoff, a Rus sian being heir to the fortune of his neph ew, Maurice Hammond, an American, it case of his nephew's death, conspires t< have him sent to Russia in order to ge him in his power. II.?Hammond anc his friend Philip Dan vers arrive at St Petersburg, and Saradotf lays plans t( have them arrested as conspirators agains the government. Ill and IV.?Hammond at a review saves the life of Colo nel Jaroslav. Proceeding to Moscow they are arrested and sent to Siberia. Ot the way the boat on which they trave catches tire, and they, with two other couvicts, escape in a skiff. V, VI and VII.? Hammond and Dan vers pursue their waj with the two other prisoners, who attach an approaching wagon. Hammond anc Danvers defend an officer in the wagon A troop of Cossacks appears and recaptures all the prisoners. The otficer tells the Americans that they will probably b< shot, but in view of their services to hin he will do all he can for them. VIII, IX and X.?They are sentenced to be shot The sentence is commuted to imprisonment at Kara, but a riot in which thej are involved results in their being put tc . - - - ...J ..r I."..-.. vr vrT WOrK 111 lll? IIIIIIC3 Ml ivnin. ill, ^111 XIII and XIV.?At the mines Cap tail Darornan attempts to kiss Lora Melikotl and Hammond knocks him down. Daro' man orders him to be shot. Lora saves him and Daroman discovers that she is the daughter of Colonel Melikotl. Lon furnishes Hammond with tools and a plat: of escape. XV, XVI, XVII and XVII I.Hammond, Dan vers and Platotf escape and work their way up the river Kara reaching a cave to which Lora has directed them. XIX.?They start on theii journey to the Pacific coast. XX, XXI and XXII.?Platotf saves Nicholas Poussin from drowning, and he agrees to takt them in his sledge part way to Vladivostok, furnishing two of them with passes of two of his friends who had become sepa.. ?ed from him. Reaching a village while making a new start, they are detained, and, Platotf seizing the reins and whipping the horses, they escape. XXIII They leave Poussiti and his sledge and continue their journey on foot. XXIV and XXV.?Hammond, following a deer becomes separated from his companions and meets Captain Daroman, and, rejoin ing the others, they continue their journej and come in sight of Vladivostok. CHAPTER XXVI. TREACHERY. "Would it not be safer to hide in omo place until night," asked Maurice, "and approach the shore in the dark?" "" -- i'? I I-: ? ?? nnO "i\OW Ih IUU Utei tJJJJC) oaiu vap tain Daroman. "On such wet days the soldiers do not move about much, and the Cossacks along the coast, who are probably on the lookout for us, will relax their vigilance. We would have no better opportunity if we waited a week. We can easily reach the shore and conceal ourselves in the hills until night comes." 1 I agree with you," said Platoff with m<?i> warmth than he had yet shown. "This is our chauce. 0:i such a day escaped convicts are supposed to hide in some dry place instead of traveling in the rain. Captain Daroman, you keep about ten yards behind me, the boys half that distance in your rear. Tliuf the danger of discovery will be lessened." Platoff's advice was promptly heeded, and in that order they moved cautious ly down the hill. Before they reached the bottom the stormcJoud they had scon burst upon them in all its fury. The rain caiue down iu torients auc the wind h.'ew with groat force. This storm was undoubtedly a blessing in disguise. Whatever Cossacks were posted In the hill passes wort driven to shelter, and at one point Platoff and his companions actually crawled on bauds and- knees between tw< blazing campfircs not 50 feet apart. A cordon of troops was evidently stretch ed along the coast several miles north and 60uth of Vladivostok. The fugitives were moving cautious ly over tho lower slope of the foothilli through a pretty heavy forest wliei Platoff halted aud signaled his conipan ions to join him. Ho pointed through t break in the trees to a small house buili very tastily of stone, with fancy trim miugs. A veranda surrounded the firs floor, and all the shutters were tightly closed. The whole building was iucloset by a hedge of prickly thorn bushes. Captain Daromau scrutinized thi place closely. "This is a summer cottage belong ing to some Vladivostok merchant," h< 6aid, "some wealthy fellow who goes t< St. Petersburg for the winter and spend the summer here. The house is empr now, and the owner will probably no return until Mayor June. It is a fortu uato thing for us. We can take refugi here until an opportunity offers ti board some vessel." "But will it be safe?" asked Platoff " Yes," replied the captain. "No om will think of looking for us here. Sup pose you make a detour of the house and if you find no cause for alarm wi will effect an entrance at once." Platoff acted on this suggestion am returned with the report that all wa quiet in front. It was an easy matter to slip througl the hedge, and with almost equal fa -^_ /i n..^ 1 ?. \ ClJliy V/Upiaiu uaiuiiiau t'liieuti uiv oej lar by forcing one of the skylights, au< presently lie opened the bat k door tri uinphantly for his companions. A hasty examination showed that th building had been stripped of its furni ture, the owner, no doubt, being afraf to leave anything of value in it durin, the winter. Even the cellar was com pletely empty. But the house was dry, and, what wa of inoro importance, probably safe. 1 had two stories, with a small squar tower 011 top. Platoff found a small lad ) SIBERIA. JRRAY GRAYDON. :o. der, plainly made for the purpose, and with it he ascended to this tower. Twc ^ circular glass windows faced east and l south, and from this point of view he i could see the harbor and part of the * town, the latter more than a mile away. There are three or four ships in the [ harbor, "be announced to nis compani ions, " but I cannot make out their flags. > They are half a mile off the shore. The | waves are rolling high, und a heavy surf is breaking on the bench." ') . It was evident that nothing could be t done for the present, so they all return" ed to tho cellar, which Platoff regarded as tho safest place, and from where a J watch could be kept on the outside of 1 the house through tho grated skylights. All were suffering now for want of ] food. Nothing hud passed their lips : since the previous evening, and the I chances of procuring anything to eat were slim indeed. Captain Daroman made no attempt to conceal his feelings. He complained bitterly, speaking in despondent tones of the situation, and finally lapsed into a low spirited, apathetic condition. This made Platoff suspicions and uneasy. As soon as it grew dark he cautioned Maurice to keep an eye on the captuin, and then, pulling a heavy coat around him, he made his way out into the storm. He was absent for nearly three hours, causing the boys great uneasiness, and when he returned the tone in which he * greeted his companions showed that he ; had no favorable report to tnake. r "1 was np the coast a mile or more," I he said. "Cumpfires are visible every ' few rods, and sentries are posted at in| tervals. There are no boats in any i place, and even if there were they could > do us no good, for the wind is terrific ' and the surf is thundering on the [ beach. I can see the lights of half a . dozen vessels in the harbor." | '" Were you uear the town?" demanded Captain Daromau impatiently. J "Yes," replied Platoff, "I was with in a quarter of a mile of Vladivostok. 7 It is cordoned so completely by Cossacks that to puss through the lines is utterly hopeless. They are evidently expecting our arrival. It is impossible to obtain food, and the pangs of hunger must be homo. But we have good cause for hope rather than despair. In this pluce I feel confident that we are safe. By the close of another day I think that the storm will be over. We must endure our hunger until tomorrow night. Then if the i sea be calmer we will tear boards from the floor, make our way to the beach in i the darkness and try to reach one of the vessels in the harbor. I am confident we can do it. Until then be brave and courageous. " "Alas," exclaimed Captain Daroman i despairingly, "I am unable to swim! I 6hall be left behind at the mercy of the soldiers, and you?you will procure i your freedom.'' i "Not so," answered Platoff. "Don't ) despair. We shall find a way to take ) | you with ns. It will be unnecessary tc i swim if you are on a plank." Platoff's cheering words, however, had but little effect on the captain. He remained sullen and despondent, pacing the earthen floor in moody si1 leuee. I All slept some that night in spite ol the torments of hunge r, and, what wat | of chief importance, they retained theii strength. In the morning it was still raining, ) and tho wind in violent gusts seemed > to shake the house to its foundations. At noon the storm was still raging. Platoff went up stairs to visit the ) watch tower and returned with a grave , face. "Soldiers aro visible on the beach," ! he said. "The sea is very turbulent, and the vessc Is have sought the saft'i . sbeltir of the town harbor I fear uoth 5 ing can bo done tonight. We must trj i to get food in some way. Our strength . must be kept up or we will bo uuubh i to escape." t Most of that afternoon Platoff spent . in tho tower, and when twilight eauu t he announced his intention of goinf; ; out to seek food. 1 "The night will bo stormy," ho said, "and I can easily break through th< !) lines. I will try to find some liubita tiou and purchase provisions to last foi . a few days. By that time the storn 2 will surely be over." j Captain Damnum's views were not s consulted. lie was lying in a corner, up f pareutly fast asleep, with one of Pous t sin's big rugs drawn over his faded uni . form. 3 As soon as it was fully dark Platof a went up to the tower again to mark tin location of the campllres. He took Mau rice with him. Phil remained behind 0 sitting at tin; bottom of t ho cellar stair . way. From the south window of th< f tower a faint halo of light was visibh e hanging over Vladivostok, and fron the east window could be seen th< \ struggling camplires on the beach, s They remained for some time, listen iug to the patter of the rain overheat ti and the crash of the distant surf. "We must return," said Platolf. - don't like to be away from Daromai d long. That man may turn traitor at tlx lasr, moment. He has been in bad spir its for two days past. " e They reached the cellar, to find Phi - sound asleep on the bottom step. d "Poor boy, he is worn out," sait g Platolf, and, turning aside, he bent ove: i- the motionless ligure in the corner. With a cry that brought Maui ice in s stantly to his side he lifted the rug t Captain Damnum was gone 1 e "The vile traitni!" exclaimed Pla l- toff. "We are lost! Ilir has betrayed us What shall we do? The Cossacks may be here in an instant." Maurice staggered back against the wall pale and trembling. Phil, roused by the commotion, rubbed his eyes and sat up. ' "We must leave at once," cried Platoff. "There is but one chance?we must break through the lines into the town and try to reach the lauding wharf. Perhaps we may find a vessel there. Come; don't lose a second. Where are our things? My revolver is gone! I placed it here on the steps. Ah, I see. That traitorous wretch has carried ix. - XX 99 Ill uu. "Mine, too, is gone," cried Maurice. I "We aro defenseless." 1 Platoff ground his teeth with rage. I "Assure as there is a heaven above," 1 he hissed, "that hlnck hearted scoun1 drel shall atone for this with his life"? Crash! Crush 1 The heavy doors over1 head burst inward and thundered to the floor. A clash of arms was heard and a confused tramp of feet. Then the door 1 at the head of the cellar stairs was torn open, and a blazing torch shone on fierce, bearded faces, green uniforms 1 slashed with gold braid, and gleaming bayonets and sabers. "In the name of the czar, surrender!" - shouted the officer in command. Platoff dashed to the skylight, only to be confronted by a dozen rifle barrels from without. 1 Turning, with a hoarse cry that echoed from cellar to roof, he tore the knife ||f! "In the mime of the czar, surrender!" shouted the officer. from Phil's belt, which the traitor had failed to remove, uud hurled himself with fury on the foremost of the Cossacks as they swept impetuously dowu the uarrow flight of stairs, i The steel flushed in its descent and sank deep into uu outstretched arm, but before the brave Russian could withdraw the blade for unother stroke a blow from a rifle butt stretched him i senseless on the floor, and the troops swarmed unresisted into the cellar, i The boys were too dazed to think of defense. Overcome by the crushing weight of this terrible misfortune, they i witnessed Platoff's heroic charge, saw him full, stunned and bleeding, and then submitted without a word to the i rough usage of their captors, i Bound hand and foot, they were taken up stairs and placed on the floor. Tho doors and windows were opened, and a huge Are kindled in an open grate. The blaze shone on the triumphant faces at the Cossacks within and cast gray gleams on the guards- pacing outside in tbo rain. No need now for that long cordon of troops whose campi fires were blazing along six miles of > coast At oue stroke the campaign bad ended. The traitor Daroman was missiDg, and Maurice searched in vain for bis familiar coautenunce. The cause of bis treachery was only too plain. The adverse circumstances which confronted ! the fugitives, the want of food, the eni compassing soldiers, the wind lashed waters of the harbor that made escape impossible at present, his own ignorance of swimming?all these things 1 made him hopeless and despondent. Ho feured capture, and capture in such compauv would only make his ) punishment nie worse. Then the loop! hole of escape appeared. Ho would slip away, surrender himself to the first ' Russian officer he could find and dis, close the whereabouts of the three es caped convicts, on whose head a heavy price was set. Surely this service would r offset the misdemeanor that had made i him a fugitive from his own govern) ment. He would be pardoned, probably re6 stored to his rank and position. So he ) doubtless reasoned and so he acted. Tho ; mines of Kara yawned once more for Platoff and his comrades. J CHAPTER XXVIL AN OLI) FRIKND. r That night tho storm passed away i and tho sun rose on a perfect morning. The blue Pacific was still beating the t sandy coast with whitecappcd billows, it is truo, but the sky was clear and se rene, and the sun shone brightly on the - town and harbor of Vladivostok. What a frightful mockery all this f glorious beauty seemed to the three ? prisoners as they passed for a moment - through the cottage yard and entered . the closed carriage that had just arrived from the town. Their wan, haggard 3 faces, from which every vestige of hopi 3 had fled, seemed to draw sympathy J from oven tlio stem and pitiless Cos3 sacks. The commanding officer took his seat - in the carnage and gave the order to 1 start. He had deferred the departure until now, purposely, no doubt, that I his triumph might be seen of men, and i to add dignity to tho occasion tho car3 riago was surrounded on all four sides - by troops of mounted Cossacks. They rodo briskly out of the wooded 1 valley and turned down tho sandy beach, entering tho town by its main 1 thoroughfare?a long, narrow street, r lined for the most part with wooden houses of a peculiar construction. Tho sidewalks were filled with people, and Maurice looked with curiosity at tho odd types of character?the quoerly - dressed Russians, tho pigtailcd Chi1 nese and the dark featured Koreans. The triumphant procession?for so it was clearly regarded by the inhabitants ?continued on past tho government offices, the admiralty with its yellow doino and waving flag, the imposing, carved facade of the Naval club, and passing through the Chiueso buzaar and tho market place swept along the wharf, tantalizing tho wretched prisoners with a brief glimpso of tho shipping anchored in tho harbor?tho flags of all nations that fluttered in the morning breeze. Then a low, gloomy building came in view, frowning with can ion, pierced with embrasures, and tho carriago drew up before the fortress. A brief sigh escaped Platoff's lips. No one spoke, for strict silence had been enjoined. A nnlUov oomncrn vroa ofonrlinr? nr AUUbiJCl VU?A?U^W HUO OVUUll iUg vu one side of the massivo entrance?an imposing vehicle glistening with new paint and gilded trimmings. A dozen soldiers of huge stature were guarding it, and one of them seemed strangely familiar tc Maurice. Tho prisoners got out of the carriage before the gateway which was open tc receive them and marched slowly forward, each between two soldiers. Just at this time a commotion waE beard within, and a sentry on the steps sailed aloud: "The inspector is coming. Make room for his excellency." The officer in charge flushed with pride and straightened himself an inch or two. "Haiti" he cried sharply. "Right aboutl Forwardl Halt!" And tho prisoners, drawn up beside the.short flight of stone steps, awaited the arrival of the inspector. Maurice fixed his eyes on the arched doorway. Ho was curious to see this government official who had traveled across Siberia inspecting the czar'f prisons and penal settlements. A moment later he appeared?a tall, richly nnifnrmed ceutlemau. nreceded bv a young Coasack officer?and at sight oi that noble fuce, the wavy, yellow mustache and beard and clear blue eyes Maurice was thrilled by such a strong emotion that he staggered back and would have fallen but for the gourd's firm grasp on his arm. The dizziness passed off instantly, and he straightened up, trembling and flushed with excitement. His excellency halted on the topmost step for a parting word with the commandunt of the fortress, who followed him to the door. Then he came quickly down between: the presented arms of the sentries, and1 as his feet touched the bottom Muurice, with a supreme effort, tore from his guards and flung himself before the amazed official, crying loudly: "Colonel Jaroslav! Colonel Jaroslav! Help me, help me 1" All was wild excitement in an instant, and the daring lad was dragged roughly aside, struggling fiercely with his captors. "Help me!" ho cried with all his might. "You remember, Colonel Jaroslav?St. Petersburg?a year ago, in the ' ? T n??-/\<4 tT/Miw /Ivannorl trnn Bl?umc?"JL omvu JUUi 111V UAU^gcu JUM from the caunous?I had your card? all. For God's sake, help me 1 Let me speak a word?just a word"? Theu a burly Cossack clutched his throat, stifling his cry. Another struck him brutally on the mouth, and the officer smote him with the flat of his sword. Still struggling desperately, he was dragged up the steps, and in a few seconds more tho fortress doors would huve closed behind him. "Stop! Who is that man?" Colonel Jaroslav's voice roso sharply above the tumult. The officer hurried forward, rap in hand. "A convict, your excellency," be said, "one of those who escaped from Kara two mouths ago. Here are the other two. I captured them lust night north of the town." The inspector briefly scanned Phil and Platoff and turned toward Maurice, who stood white and trembling on the upper step, held by two soldiers. "Yes, I recognizo your faco," ho snid haughtily. "I deeply regret that we should meet again under these circumstances. Yet even the service you rendered me can hardly justify this demand. " "I ask but a brief interview," said Maurico eagerly. "For heaven's sake don't refuse me. You will change your mind when you have heard what I have to say." "I grant your request," said Colonel Jaroslav. "You shall hear from me again." Theu, turning toward the officer in charge of tho convicts, he demanded, "Can you procure me a report of this case before evening?" "Yes, your excellency; it can bo had from St. Petersburg by telegraph at once." "Very well. Send it to mo without delay." And, passing hurriedly through tho crowd, Colonel Jaroslav entered his carriage and drove away. Dizzy with joy Maurice followed his guards through the dark hall of the fortress and wus speedily locked in a whitewashed cell with a narrow grated window overhead. Ho was rather glad than otherwise that ho was separated from his companions. He wanted time to reflect, tc collect proofs of the story he must relate to Colonel Jafoslav, for on that interview rested his only hope, and that hopo was now a strong one. Ho was treated with some consideration. Food of good quality was brought to his cell, and ho was given a soft bed in place of the straw pallet that lay on the floor, but ho neither ato nor slept. Morning found him still wakeful and restless. Before the day was half over tbo welcomo summons oaruo from the jailer, and ho was conducted to a luxuriously furnished room on tho first floor of tho fortress, where Colonel Jaroslav was seated at a table glancing over some papers. The jailer withdrew, leaving them alone. "Yours is a strango case," were the colouol's first words. "I am puzzled at the outset. Sit dowu and let mo hear your story." It was half past 10 by a small clock on the tublo when Maurice began tc speak. When ho finished, tho hands pointed to noon. Ho related everything without reBorvo. commencing with hie . family history and the visit to Russia, | ending with tho perfidy of Captain Daroman and his recapture. Ho spoke, of . , course, in English, remembering that the colonel was familiar with the lanI gnage. i With rapt attention Colonel Jaroslav listened to every word, and at its con| elusion he roso and shook Maurice f warmly by the hand. i "My poor boy," he said with emo- ( , tion, "your story is true. You have ? been the victim of an infamoas crime, ( but your sufferings are now at an end. ? I You and your friend shall bo freed, I , promise you." "Thank God!" cried Maurice. "Oh, \ thank God!" And, bursting into tears, I he buried his face on the table. "It was a dastardly deed," resumed ! the colonel presently, 4 4and were it not } ! for the convincing proofs I could not , beliove Vladimir Saradoff capable of y j such a crime. But the evidence is so ? , plain that even the minister of the in- c ; terior cannot fail to be convinced. Ac- ( cording to the report of the case whioh ( , I have, you traveled directly from the 8 , frontier to Moscow, where you were 1 ' arrested, yet I can testify to seeing yon in St. Petersburg, and, what is . more, I can remember seeing Ivan, , Vladimir Saradoff's servant, sitting on the box of the sleigh. "That was the scoundrel who stole ( your papers and substituted the nihilist! ic books and the false passports. This report states two more important facts I wbioh go to strengthen your case. It . was Vladimir Saradoff himself who ' gave Count Paul Brosky, minister of the interior, the information that caused i your arrest, and it is also recorded here | that my card was found among your I effects when searched. But the most { damning evidence of all is yet to come. Do you know why your unole oommit, ted this infamous crime?" "No," said Maurice, "I do not, un i less he hated mo on my father's aocount." ( "It was partly that, no doubt," resumed the colonel, " but there was a stronger motive. Let me tell you what ! occurred after your arrest, and you will < , readily understand all. Late in April, < while you aud your friend were on your i way to Siberia under the names of Cun- s ningbam aud Burton, two badly decom- { . posed bodies were found in the Neva. On searching them at the morgue pass- j ports were found made out to Maurice , Hammond and Philip Dai vers. The pa- < pers announced that the boys had been ' accidentally drowned. Vladimir Sara- ? doff procured the government certificate j of death in your case and forwarded it' to America, making at the same time a , claim for your mother's fortune, which, . by her will, went to her brother in case < of your death. That claim was allowed j ?your guardian making no attempt to dispute it?and Vladimir Saradoff received your fortune. His crime was plotted with marvelous cunning, and had you arrived at this fortress one half hour later yesterday morning you ? would have gone back to Kara never 1 again to return. The workings of Prov- ' idence are truly wonderful." ( . Maurice's surprise at this story may 1 be readily imagined., His first thought was of Phil, and his friend was sent 1 for at Colonel Jaroslav'fr request, who considerately left the room and per- 1 mitted the boys to remain by them- < selves. t An hour later they were taken back < to their cells, for of course they were i not yet free, but in tho evening Colo- 1 nel Jaroslav returned aud sent for them. 1 "I have received telegraphic instructions from St. Petersburg," he said, i "You will return with mo at once, and 1 your case will be placed before the min- i ister. I regret to say that the man to 1 whom you owe so much, Paul Platoff, t the revolutionist, will also be sent back i to Russia to undergo solitary confinement in the castle of Schusselberg. Nicolas Poussin's share in your escape has been discovered. He is now under arrest and will be heavily fined, if in, deed ho suffers no worse penalty. The Cossnck officer, Captain Daroman, will derive no benefit from his treachery. General Melikoff, whoso daughter he insulted, directs that ho be stripped of his rank and sent into penal servitude at the island of Saghalien, somo miles north of Vladivostok. He is now confined in the fortress." "Poor Platoff! Can nothing be done for him?" exclaimed Maurice, bursting , into tears. "He saved our lives. He is the noblest man living. Ah, if you only knew what wo owe to him, Colonel ; Jaroslav. Can't you do anything for him?" "Nothing, I fear," said the colonel i sadly, for he was deeply moved by the boy's teure and pleadings. "It is im- . ; possible. Paul Platoff must go to the underground dungeons of Schusselberg. t i He deserves a better fate perhaps, but there is no hope for him." , i "Can we see him?" begged Maurice. ; , "Not at present," replied the colonel. , , "You will have plenty of opportunities ( i in the future. He will accompany us to St. Petersburg. The jailer, at my di- j i rection, told him what had occurred, so ho knows your good fortune. And t i now let mo advise you to obtain as j much rest as possible, for in three days t we start back across Siberia. Amur river is now open, and the journey wnich was so long and painful to you wo shall . accomplish in a few weeks. Of course , ; you aro still prisoners and will bo under military guard, but your treatment will be good. I shall see to that myIfiftlf." I The boys went back to their cells 1 scarcely able to realizo that their trou- ( , bles were nearly over. Maurice, in his 1 deep grief over the fate of Platoff, 1 scarcely tasted his supper. 1 He was unable to sleep and tossed for 1 hours on his bed. Near midnight he fell into a restless 1 i doze, from which he was roused by a dull, booming sound that seemed to 1 i shake tho walls of the cell. Then fol- ? ; lowed half a dozen sharp reports, and . as ho sprang to his feet in alarm a rush i of footsteps passed his cell, and a hoarse J : voice shouted: l, "Drop the boats, quick I He's swim- i i ming out into tho harbor." i TO BE CONTINUED. S iUiscctlancous grading. NEW VARIETY OF COTTON. The Plant Han No Limbs and the Seed S? For 9200 Per Bushel. The famous Jackson limbless cottc las assumed a national importanc Yesterday the United States secretai ?f agriculture telegraphed to Weathi ind Crop Official Marbury at th )lace, to go out to the Jackson fari ind make a thorough and exhaustii sxamination of the plant, and then r )ort to the government official i iVashington. Mr. Maroury at once weoi oui i be farm near the barracks, where tl vonderful cotton is growing, an hrough the kindness of Mr. Jacksoi vas enabled to go through the si teres of magnificent cotton. He spei juite a while at the place and looke >ver all the field. After making h lamination he was allowed to brie lome of the cotton to town with hii o include with his report. Mr. Marbury was enthusiastic ov? .he limbless cotton. He said that vas the finest crop of cotton be ha >ver seen. He said that some of tl jotton was so tall that it could hard! )e reached with an umbrella. Ti )lant is tb5ckly studded all the way u vith larg e boils, and the lowest est nate is that the six acres will yiei our bales to the acre. The weather official will make /ery full report on the condition ati he prospects of the cotton, and wi ;nter into its probable commerci; t'alue. He will give as full and cor qlete a report on the subject as coul )e desired, and when the report is file he government will then be in a pos ;ion to act as it may consider prope That the government officials ai wincing considerable interest in tl remarkable cotton is not a surpris [t is is an entirely new variety of cc ;on and is the best species that h; 3een grown in this country. The go jrnment will probably buy up larj quantities of the seed and distribu jbem among (.he agricultural class jo as to insure a wide distribution at i spread of the new variety. The seed retails at $200 per bush< ind the present owners of the six acr it Jackson's farm have been offer* RSJvOnn fnr the Droduct of the fiel r? a The cotton does not have a limb on tl stalk, and bas many advantages possessed by other varieties. Mr. Marbury will file his report i few days, and the government w probably take early action in order secure the seed that is now beit jrown.?Atlanta Constitution. MY CABIN BOY. When I was about 40 years of ag I took command of the ship Pete sham. We were bound to Liverpoc ind nothing unusual happened unl ,be eighth day out, when we ran fo )f a small iceberg. My cabin boy was named Ja( Withers. He was 14 years of age, at his was his first voyage. I fancied that he was the most stu >orn piece of humanity I had evi jome across. I made up my mir /hat he had never been properly go srned and had resolved to break hi n. I told him I'd curb his tempi jefore I'd done with him. In repl le told me I might kill him if I like One day, when it was very nei toon, I spoke to him, telling him i )ring up my quadrant. He was lool ng over the quarter rail, and I kne ie did not hear me. But the ne: ;ime I spoke I spoke sharply and inl nated that if he didn't move I wou lelp him. "I didn't hear you," he said in ? udependent tone. "No words," said I. "I suppose I can speak," he retor id, moving slowly toward the cor lanionway. His looks, words and the slow, car ess manner in which he moved fire ne in a moment. I grasped him 1 he collar. "Speak to me again like that at r'll flop vou within an ace of yoi ife," said I. "You can flog away," he answen is firm as a rock. And I did flog him. I caught i ;he end of a rope and beat him till rr irm fairly ached. But he new vinced. "How's that?" said I. "There's a little more life in me ye ifou'd better flog it out," was the r sly. And I beat him again. I beat hi ;ill he sank from my hand to the floo I sent one of the men for my qua< ant, but when it came and I had a< usted it for observation I found th; /he sun had already passed the mei lian and that I was too late. This added fuel to the fire of ir naduess, and seizing the lad by tl ;ollar I led him to the main hatchwa ind had the hatch taken off. I thru lim down and swore I would keep hi here till his stubbornness was broke About 9 o'clock I went to the hatcl vay and called to bim. But be r urued no answer. So I closed tl latch and went away. An hour afte vard I went again ; still no answer. I did not trouble bim again unt jext morning. After breakfast I wei o the hatchway and called to hii >nce more. I beard nothing from hie lor could I see bim. Yet the men tol ne tbey had heard him that vei norning. He seemed to be calling c hem for help. But he would not ai iwer me. I meant to break him ini t. "He'll beg before he'll starve," bought, and so determined to let hi itay there. The day passed away, and whe ivening came I begau to be startlei rle had beeD io the bold 36 hours, at 10 hours without food or driuk. J nust be too weak to cry out now. So at length I made up mind to f. uid see him. A little way forward law a space where Jack might easil have gone down, and to this point I crawled on my hands and knees. I z called out there, but could get no an- ~ swer. A short distance farther was a wide space, which I had entirely for' gotten, but which I now remembered had been left open on account of a m break in the flooring of the hold, which e* would let anything that might have *y been stored there rest directly on the thin planking of the ship. 13 I heard the splashing of water, and m thought I could detect a sound like the incoming of a tiny jet or stream. e* At first I could see nothing, but as it annn no T Knnomn nonrl a t K a /I i ?>? lirrVif ouuu ao x ucv/?iuc uocu iv tuc uiui u^uv I could distinguish the faint outlines t0 of the boy sitting on the broken floor, 16 with his feet stretched out against a cask. Qi "Jack, are you there?" x "Yes. Help me! For mercy's sake, 11 help me 1 Bring men and bring a latern. The ship has sprung a leak 1" 18 I waited to hear no more, but hur'8 ried on deck at once and soon returned m with a lantern and three men. Three of the timbers were worm eaten to the :r very heart, and one of the outer planks ^ had been broken and would have l(* burst in any moment the boy might 16 leave it?the boy whose feet were 'y braced against the plank before him. ,e I saw the plank must burst the molP ment the strain was removed from it, so I made the men brace themselves 'd against it before I lifted him up. Other men were called down, with planks, a etc., and after much difficulty we finall(* ly succeeded in stopping the leak and '] averting the danger. a' Jack Withers was carried to the caba" in in my own arms, and there he '*j managed to tell his story. He had sat with his feet braced for i" 24 hours with the water spurting all r* over him and drenching him to the re skin. His limbs were racked with ie pain, but he would not give up. e- I nursed him with my own hands? nursed him all through his delirium? &S and whan hie reason returned and he v* could sit up and talk I humbly asked Se his pardon for all the wrong I had te done him. He threw his arms around e? my neck and told me if I would be ld good to him he would never give cause of offense. He added as be sat up again : "I am not a coward. I could e? not be a dog." During nine years I have sailed in d* three different ships with the same 36 crew. Not a man could be hired to ot leave me save for an officer's berth. ?. And Jack Withers remained with me fjj 13 years.?London News. NO PRISONS IN ICELAND. 8 In Iceland there are no prisons, and the inhabitants are so honest in their habits that such defences to property as locks, bolts and bars are not require? ed ; nor are there any police in the isT' land. Yet its history for 1,000 years > records no more than two thefts. Of J these two cases, one was that of a naul tive, who was detected after stealing several sheep, but as be had done so to supply bis family, who were suffering ld from want of food, when he had broken bis arm, provisions were furnished b" to them and work was found for him BI" when able to do it, and meanwhile he ld was placed under medical care; but v" the stigma attached to his crime was m considered sufficient punishment. 8r The other theft was by a German, ^ who stole 17 sheep. But as he was in d* comfortable circumstances, and the ir robbery was malicious, the sentence *? passed upon him was that he should sell all his property, restore the value w of what he had stolen, and then leave ^ the country or be executed ; and he left at once. 'd But, though crime is rare in Iceland and its inhabitants are distinguished in for honesty and purity of morals, there is, of course, provision for the administration of justice, which consists, fc" first of all, in the sheriff's courts; next, a' by appeals to the court of three judges at Reykjavik, the capital; and, lastly, . id all crimiDai ana most civn casts, iu :d the supreme court at Copenhagen, the }y capital of Denmark, of which kingdom the island form9 a part. The island ld of Panaris (one of the Lipari group,) Jr is equally fortunate in having neither prisons nor lawyers, and being abso!<* solutely destitute of both paupers and criminals. v 'P "A School For Courting."?It is er sometimes said that the Christian Endeavor society is "a school of courting." A Methodist contemporary courageously replies to this charge: e" "What if it is?" There is nothing disgraceful about courting. People m have to marry. How can they marry T' unless they court? How can they court unless they have an opportunity ? Where can religious young people * learn the nobler elements of each other's character better than at church? Shall we drive our daughters and sisters to ball rooms, card parties, theatres to fiud husbauds?" And then the paper aforementioned ventures the 3 boast that while the Christian Enm deavor society was not originally intended to make matches, those it has made will rank higher than matches e" made in any worldly society. It is ie probably true that all sorts of motives carry young people to Christian En.j deavor meetings. But if the oppouents of all good works have no better criticism to pass upon the moveq ment than the captious remark that lj stands at the head of this paragraph, they would do well to hold their peace. J xt 17 r\ knA...AM ^ XI X. VU9C1 veil H8T Drunkenness is the parent of 0 most other vices. It quenches the salT utary power of reason, and makes us the sport of ragiug passion. VSF If your horse's back is sore, use !n pure cold water on it freely every time d- the saddle is removed. Try it, and your horses will thank you. WSf New Hampshire has a railroad jo law that turns over to the state all 1 profits over 10 per cent, earned by any ly road chartered by the state. "I * . . / ' i