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ISSUED SEMI-WEEKLY. i. m. oHisT's soirs, Publishers, j % J'amiln getiapager: 4or the promotion jf the fMtital, Social, ^primltural, and Ciimntei;tial Jntgrffts o]f the jjeople- ^j tkrms^-^oo^ye^h jk. ESTABLISIIED_I855^ YQRKYILLE, 8. C., WEDNESDAY, MARCH 25,1903. NO. 24. PR0FSSSI0 1 + + J By George Copyright, 1902, by F. M. Buckles & C CHAPTER XVII. Sj/ WAS a hero In the eyes I ot M,S8 Stetson and my master after the runaway. Mr. Goddard was not less profuse in his congratu^ lations and praise of me than the one I had saved from almost certain death. It pained me to see that his affection for her was genuine and yet not strong enough to induce him to give up his double life. I believe that If anything serious had happened to her he would have mourned for her as much as ever man did for woman. Nevertheless he continued to practice secretly a profession that would cause pain worse than death if she discovered it Realizing that matters were reaching a climax, I determined to make a bold stroke and try to induce my master to turn away from his evil ways. I had firm faith in him outside of his one weakness. If he was once confronted with his crimes and warned that an exposure would ruin him for life, he might relent There was a possibility of saving him from himself and from the doctor's induence. I had the power within me to do it I could face him and Dr. Squires with their crimes and threaten them with exposure If the latter did not immediately leave the place and the former promise to reform. It might prove a risky experiment to permit such a man to marry a sweet, pure woman like Miss Stetson, but there was the possibility of a mutually happy union, while there would be nothing but misery and unhapplness for both if my master was arrested and punished for his crimes. Choosing what I considered the lesser of two evils, I decided to make the experiment A sense of honor still kept me from approaching my master and telling him all that I knew. I had given him my word that I would never mention meeting him in any other guise than that or a gentleman, or, in otner woras, our accidental meeting as common bar- i glars was to be blotted from my mind < unless we were thrown together again under similar circumstances. 1 now determined to create those circumstances to suit my own purpose. Several days after this when I learned that be had an engagement at Dr Squires' in the evening I made preparations to follow bim again. This time 1 was posted so that I would not give him the opportunity to escape from me in the darkness. It was a fitful, moonlight night The i moon came up about 11 o'clock, but the clouds in the heavens partly shut j it from view. It cast wavering, van- < ishing shadows upon the calm earth which were exceedingly aggravating. | They were so deceptive in appearance , that I felt my task would be doubly < difficult. i My master left the house at the i usual time aud proceeded to walk lei- < surely toward the doctor's. I followed l?l- ""mo Hietonnn Tint mfllHnc nnv Li IUJ a l OVUiC UIOIUUVV, MVV ? special effort to keep him in view. 1 knew that he was not anticipating any i shadowing, and we both made our i way to the old mansion according to i our own notions. ] I hurried a little toward the end of I the walk to make sure that he entered < the house. I reached a vantage point I just in time to see the door open and I close behind him. Then 1 amused my* self the best way I could for several ' hours. 1 Shortly after midnight I roused my- 1 self to action. The time was approaching when I must prove my skill. The I house was all dark, and no signs came 1 from it to Indicate the presence of a 1 living soul anywhere around it. 1 It was a full hour before the door 1 opened. Then by the aid of the moon's white light I caught a glimpse of my < master and the doctor. They were consulting together In the shadow of the porch. 1 saw the latter point 1 down the road, but I could not under- 1 stand anything he said. A few moments later my master left him and glided rather than walked down the drive toward the highway*. 1 I waited for him, concealed In some 1 bushes near the gate. His manner was quick, nervous, energetic?so unlike his natural habits. The professional burglar was aroused In him?a second self which had been carefully cultivated and developed. We both moved down the highway cautiously, watching, listening and anticipating some unknown danger. I kept within ten yards of him, but always ready to increase the distance between us on the slightest sign from him that he Intended to double upon his tracks. I was familiar with his tactics this time sufficiently to enable me to be prepared for the most un- 1 expected movement. Never did a detective shadow a criminal with more intentness than I did my master that night. He led me a chase two miles down the road; then without apparent reason he struck ' across the fields to one of the side roads which ran parallel with the main highway. A mile down this brought him to a fork in the road formed by the meeting of an old, deserted lane. Into this he turned his silent footsteps. Five hundred yards down it a small, purling brook crossed the lane. It was too broad to jump over, but only a few feet deep. My master removed his shoes quick E. Walsh. !o., New York. . ly ana then plunged Into the cool water, but instead of crossing be waded a long distance down stream and then regained the same shore again. I understood his maneuver. It was to throw bloodhounds off the track and to confuse any detective who might try to trace him back to the doctor's nouse. I smiled at the trick and waited quietly for him to replace bis shoes. Then once more he started on his journey. This time he ceased to pursne a zigzag course, but made a bee line for a large house not a hundred yards from the brook. This I knew was the scene of his night's work. The house was a modern one and stood on a slight eminence overlooking the surrounding country. It was owned by an intimate friend of the Stetson . and Goddard families?Mr. Jalmson by name?and it occurred to me as being very peculiar that my master should attempt to rob it But what could not be expected of him after he hud looted the Stetson house, the very home of the one whom he loved? Could such baseness be ever overlooked? Could such a man be reformed? For a few moments my resolutions wavered, and I thought of returning folUmr all thnf T tnow tn Miss Stpt son and let ber decide the fate of the two men. But a moment later I found myself pursuing my game with renewed animation. He had actually entered the house through one of the basement windows. I waited a reasonable length of time before following him. Then when everything was quiet I climbed through tue window at the risk of my own life, for I realized that my form was silhouetted against the outside light, while my master might be hidden in the darkness inside. But I gained the interior of the basement without accident I searched around for an open door, and, finding it I walked catlike into a larger room. I knew that my master's first point would be the dining room, and I boldly climbed the stairs leading to it from the basement Once there I heard the slight rattle of silver and caught the ciuiek. flashing ray of his dark lantern. Then I concealed myself behind some curtains and waited. I decided that It would be better to let him finish bis job and then confront him with his booty In his bands. There would/then be no question of his intentions. He passed from the dining room Into the library and then moved silently upstairs. In spite of his soft steps and quiet motions I could occasionally catch a sound which Indicated to me where he was. If anybody had been awake, bis presence would have been detected. I kept myself pretty well concealed behind some curtain or portiere, for I dreaded lest at any moment he might flash the rays of his lantern In my direction and detect me. I was thus con sealed from view In a small alcove opening upon tbe upper ball wben I was startled by a peculiar noise. As a professional burglar myself I knew tbe alarming nature of tbat sound. It was tbe distinct click of a revolver. I peered through the curtains to determine what it meant As I did so there was another click, this time lower and less distinct. This was caused by tbe pressing of an electric button. Tbe next moment the whole bouse was brilliantly lighted. I stepped back into the alcove with trembling heart The inmates of the bouse had been aroused, and my master as well as myself was caught Through the filmy curtains I caught a rrllmnoo nf p rtflrk Rh&dOW flash ^liUi^UV V* through the hall toward the front stairs. I knew that it was my master and that he was making a bold dash for freedom. At almost the same moment I heard , a door open and a loud voice exclaim: "Stop or I'll shoot!" < I imagined that my master did not ] obey, for the next moment two pistol Bhots rang through the house, followed by the loud shuffling of feet and the j banging of doors. Had a tragedy been enacted within j sound of me or had my master es- j caped? I waited and listened, expectantly < and anxiously. The people of the house were evidently assembled in the | hall below. They were too frightened j to do much talking. Tl*n matters \ calmed down a little, and I caught j snatches of their conversation. "The basement window was opened," \ somebody 6aid. "He jumped out of that." 1 "Didn't you hit him, father?" asked a youthful voice which I recognized j as that of the seventeen-year-old son of Mr. Jaimson. "I don't know. Do you see any signs j of blood in the basement?" I They went down another flight of T knt?n mnHo n hnM i ouurs, UUU L HUUIU uu 1 c Uiuuv ?* ??I dash for liberty then had not the presence of some of the frightened serv- j ants in the upper hall prevented me. Half an hour later they returned up- | stairs. Fortunately for me no thought | of a search for another burglar entered their minds. Mr. Jaimson tried i to calm the servants and the ladies by i saying: "Now all go to bed again. There is 1 no more danger. He has left the house, and we are safer than ever. A burglar never enters a house the sec- < ond time." Gradually they separated and re- i turned to their bedrooms. Only the old man and his wife remained in the hall within my hearing. When everything was quiet again, he said: "Ellen, I recognized the burglar tonight beyond doubt." "Why, Edward, who was he?" his wife asked quickly. "You will hardly believe me, Ellen, when I tell you, but it Is true. I could not have been mistaken." Then he lowered his voice and said: "It was Charles Goddard!" "Impossible, Edward; Impossible! You were excited and could not see well!" "No. Ellen: there was no mistake. I faced him in the hall and conld have shot him dead. But the surprise at meeting him unnerved me. Then I merely tried to wound him and not to kill him when he rushed downstairs." Their bedroom door closed then, and I heard no more. But what more did I need? I saw the game was up. My master was recognized, and nothing but family friendship could ever induce Mr. Jalmson to hold his secret I waited In my concealed place for several hours.before daring to venture out Then as I saw daylight beginning to break-1 boldly left the alcove, walked downstairs with my shoes in my hand, unfastened one of the parlor windows and dropped out upon the soft grass. I did not stop to close the window, but hurried home in time to get in my room before the servants would be rising. CHAPTER XVIII. TRIED to catch a few hours of sleep that morning, but I had difficulty in losing con: JLi. sciousnes8. When I did forget myself in ^ " slumber for a brief time, unpleasant urea in a uisiurueu uic, and I awoke with a start It was still early In the morning when I dressed and knocked at my master's door. He was sleeping soundly, and 1 disliked to rouse him. But I was fearful lest he had been wounded the night before, and I could not leave the house on the mission I had In view until I had ascertained. I shoved his bedroom door open and entered (he never locked it at night) and asked him if he wished anything. "No, William; not yet" he replied In a sleepy voice. "I am very tired this morning and shall not get up until lunch time. Have a good lunch for me, and 1 will be ready." His face was pale, but not more so than usual after his night visits to Dr. Squires. ."There Is nothing wrong witn you this morning, I hope?" I ventured to remark. "No, William, except that I'm very weary and sleepy. Why do you ask?" He looked inquiringly at me, and 1 stammered: "Nothing, only you look pale. I thought maybe you were ill." "No, I'm not sick?merely tired. Leave me for a few hours." I closed the door softly, satisfied that he was unhurt After giving directions to the servants about an early lunch for my master I left the house and started on a brisk walk toward Dir. Jaimson's house. It was essential that I should have an Interview with him before be saw my master or talked to anybody about the previous night's robbery. He was at breakfast when I was ushered into the library. I Insisted upKim oIaha on/1 ImmoHtatolv UU DCCUig lllill U1VUV uuu tuimvM.w wj 9 urging the servant to report that mj business was very important Ten minutes later he appeared in the library. He was a man past middle age, stout of figure and stern of feature. I realized that he was a man not easily turned from any course which he considered just He bowed stiffly upon entering and said: "I haven't the pleasure of knowing you, I believe." I was dressed in a new suit of clothes, and 1 flattered myself that 1 would pass for a gentleman among: Btr angers. "No, sir, tut that is not necessary," I said briskly and with the air of one| of authority. "I have come to talkj with you about last night's robbery.** . Ha started visibly and then said smilingly: "Ah, I see! You're a detective!" I made no direct reply to this, but1 added: 4II think the robbers who have relently been terrorizing the neighborhood will soon be cornered." He smiled again and said: "Possibly. I know something about it that may lead to Important results." "I know that," I answered, "and that is why I have come thus early to see pou." "How do you know it?" he respondsd. "That Isn't the point. I not only know that you know a good deal about it, but I know exactly the Information that leads you to think you can expose the robbers." ' He looked inquisitively at me and then said frownlngly: "What Is It that 1 know or that you think I know?" I looked around the room as if I expected somebody might be listening. "We are alone," he said shortly. "You recognized the burglar last night before you shot at him,** I said Impressively. He gave a startled look at me and stammered: "Who told you?has my wife told anybody? she was the only one"? "Never mind that," I replied, waving my hands. "I know. That is sufIcient for mv oresent purpose." A look of suspicion entered his face, and, probably thinking that I was merely leading him on, he asked: "If you know so much about It, please tell me who it was I recognized." "Certainly. I'll whisper it in your iar." I drew near to him and said impressvely: p # "Ah, 1 see! You're a detectiveT' "IT was Charles Goddard whom yon recognized in your house last night and at whom you shot." The last expression of doubt left his face, and he could only add slowly: "Well, well, I dpn't understand how you found It out" The man was completely mystified, as I hoped he would be, and I continued with a smile on my own face: "Now, if you believe that I know what I'm doing we will enter into the details of my mission here this morning." "Go on. I'm ready for anything." "First then, what did you intend to do with this Information?" iir /1?'f moila nn m 1? mtnfT " hfl X uauii V UlttUW U|/ m m m j ,m MWJ said doubtfully, taking a seat In an easy chair near me. "Well, you either intended to inform the police or accuse Mr. Goddard of the crime to his own face." "Yes, one or the other, but most likely the latter. Mr. Goddard's father and I were great friends. I should bate to see his name stained with dishonor." "I thought as much," I replied, "and it is to prevent you from making a mistake that I have called this morning. I know more about this matter than you do." "Probably. You seem to know all that I do. Ifs wonderful how you knew It for I swear 1 never mentioned the matter to any one except my wife, and she's seen nobody but the servants." "But ther eyes may have recognized the man," I said suggestively. "That's true. I never thought of that Did some of my servants see him?" "Don't worry yourself," I Interrupted. "The person who saw him will not mention it further. I've fixed all that" "Well, well;. 19 early In the morning, and you seem to have arranged everything before I could decide upon the first step." "It's my business," I added. Then continuing I said In a low voice: "But Mr. Goddard Is not the only one concerned In these robberies. There Is another and '1 think a more dangerous neighbor who is implicated in the crimes. But he is too wary to be caught easily. He directs the whole matter, but leeps In the background. He must be caught at least and punished If Mr. Goddard Is to suffer. It would be a sin to let him escape and the leaser criminal Dunlshed." "Yes, yes, of course?by all means." "Then we must work together. I've laid a plan by which I can prove the guilt of this other party. If you will work with me and do as I tell you, we can face him with bis guilt In spite of all his skillfulness." j "Anything that you think best Propose your plan." "Well, first I want you to keep the matter strictly quiet and not mention to a living soul that you recognized the burglar last night * Let the detectives work on the case as usual, but warn your wife not to commit herself. Is she brave enough to do this?" "Yes; Ellen is only too ready to shield Mr. Goddard. I cannot convince her that I was correct in recog nizing him." I "So much the better. Let her continue to think so and pretend that you think you might mave been mistaken. Then next Tuesday night I shall ask you and another person who is more (interested in Mr. Goddard than yourself?Miss Stetson, in short?to accompany me to one of your neighbor's houses. He will be away that night, and I will show you some of the secrets of his little game that he conceals in his house. When he returns late at night, we can confront him with the crime. I shall then leave it with you and Miss Stetson as to what course to pursue. If we arrest the man, Mr. Goddard will have to be implicated; if we banish him from the place with the threat of exposure, we can shield Mr. Goddard and give him another chance. That, in short, is my plan. Will you co-operate with me?" "With pleasure. It's an admirable arrangement. I believe we ought to give Charles another opportunity. 1 can hardly find the heart to have him arrested." "Well, I leave that entirely to you nnri MIhs Stetson." "And Misa Stetson will agree with me." I said nothing In reply, but after giving a few more directions I withdrew, promising to call for him on the evening specified to conduct him to the house of his unknown neighbor. TO BE CONTINUED. The Real Thins, Johnny (who Is jealous of mamma)? Mamma likes me better than she does you! Evelyn (who enjoys teasing)?Why, no, Johnny. Of course she loves Betty and me best! Just think, she was our mother long before she was yours! Johnny (scornfully)?Hob! What of that? You are nothing, but a sample copy, anyway I And Betty's only a trial subscription! But I am the real thing! -Life. Ptetfltottwms* Reading. COTTON SUPPLY OF EUROPE. The Supremacy of This Country Will be Maintained. Col. Alfred B. Shepperson, of New York, well known as a statistical expert in cotton, discussing in last week's issue of the Manufacturers' Record the relation of this country to the cotton supply of Europe, says: "In England, Germany and France there is considerable discussion of the subject and some practical efforts have been made for the promotion of .the cultivation of cotton in the colonial dependencies of these countries. These efforts have been chiefly made by manufacturers and merchants, but have re. ceived the active encouragement and support of the respective governments. | "Since October, 1899, middling cotton . in-New York has not been as low as seven cents per pound, ranging from , 7 3-16 to 11 cents, and being actually quoted at 12 cents on January 28, 1901, , in sympathy with futures for January delivery, which were 123 cents on that day. During the two previous years, from September 1, 1897, to September 1, 1899, spot cotton was continually below seven cents in New York, except during , the first part of September, 1897. "European spinners having become - - - c somewhat accustomed to tne lower v v prices ruling for cotton in these two , years, it is not surprising that they should seek to establish new sources of i production in order to reduce the cost by increasing the supply. "Of the cotton consumed now by the mills of Great Brltian, Continental Eu; rope and the United States, about 80 per cent is the growth of this country. ; In the five years ending August 31, ? 1860, the average proportion was 84J per cent. The high prices resulting from our civil war and the disorganization of the agricultural interests of the south which continued for some years thereafter induced such an increase of cultivn ion in other countries that it was lii t until 1882 we furnished as much as 75 per cent, of the total con sumption of the mills of Europe and '< the United States. For the five years ending with 1890, we furnished within a fraction of 77 per cent.; in the five years ending with 1895 we had increased our proportion to 79$ per cent and for the five years ending with 1900 we had furnished to the mills of Europe and America 831-3 per cent, of their i, entire takings "of cotton. "We have now regained our absolute supremacy in the field of cotton productlon, and an impartial consideration of the entire situation fully justifies the belief that we will retain it inj definitely." , , j Dealing with our chief competitors In cotton production for the European markets, India and Egypt, Col. Shepperson, after analysis of crop figures, says: I "There is in India an abundance of I suitable land which could be added to ! the area now devoted to cotton, and while some extension of cotton cultivation may be expected it seems quite ' - - - - . - X j evident that the Increased production * ' will be fully absorbed by the growing ' requirements of the Indian cotton mills. The general uncertainty In regard to the rainfall and Its actual Insufficiency In many sections of India are serious drawbacks to any considerable Increase In cotton cultivation, especially when It Is considered that the average yield ' per acre Is only about 75 pounds of lint cotton of a quality and a market value , much lower than American cotton." He sketches the possibilities of the ^ cultivable portion of Egypt, and re- , garding recent engineering feats for Irrigation In that country says: "The chief purpose of the new Irrigation works was undoubtedly to safe- ^ guard the crops of the land already un- . der cultivation. There will be some ex- ^ tension of acreage, but this will be chiefly In upper Egypt, where the cot- 3 ton Is much Inferior to that of lower 0 Egypt and brings a considerably lower 8 price. THe best opinion is that the increase in acreage will be gradual, as it will depend upon the construction of canals to take the water of the new fields. Assuming, however, an increase in the acreage of 1,500,000 acres y and that cotton will get a third of it, ? or 500,000 acres, this would add about 1 250,000 bales to the present cotton yield 8 of Egypt. This would probably mark t the maximum of the Egyptian cotton & crop for some years to come, and it * wuold not be so large in the seasons when other crops promised a greater 8 profit." ^ Col. Shepperson gives a comprehensive survey of the cotton possibilities 0 of China, Turkestan, German East p Africa, Brazil, etc., and in conclusion v says: " "Except for a small Increase from 8 Egypt no greater contribution to the b cotton supply of Europe can be ex- p pected than at present. It is quite possible to grow cotton in many coun- h tries in which it is not now cultivated, b but whether it can be produced in n large quantities and at low cost and d as profitably as the other crops, which s If wnuJd renlAce lq a verv different matter. s' "There are vast possibilities for the f< extension of cotton cultivation in the Ci United States. According to the last ^ United States census there were in 1899 ^ in Louisiana, Texas, Arkansas, Indian Territory and Oklahoma 40,000,000 acres of improved land, of whijh 10 lid.OOC acres were devoted to cotton. New land is being constantly brought under cul- 41 tivation in each of these states and ter- w ritories and the soil is the most pro- e: ductive in the cotton belt. Tljese five ai states and territories have the requisite k area, soil and climate to enable them P to produce as much cotton as is now ol grown in the entire country. To my K mind it is only a question of time r< when this will be done. our 8' European friends should possess their i* souls in patience. The southern states a" of this great and progressive country is ivill stand between them and the cotton famine which their imaginations :ause them to think is Impending in ;he future. There will be cotton enough tor all and despite the united efforts >f Europe and the rest of mankind the absolute supremacy of this country in jotton production will be fully mainlined." MODERN MONTE CRISTO. Incidents In CareeV of Whltaker Wrljfht, British Promoter. Whitaker Wriirht. known in London is "Monte-Cristo" and managing di-ector of the London and Globe Filance corporation, limited, who has lust been imprisoned in Brooklyn, has lad a career as a financial plunger ind promoter that covered three consents, says the New York American. His name has been mentioned with that sf Cecil Rhodes, he has associated vith the nobility, dined with royalty ind lived like a multimillionaire. For several years he has been the nost prominent financial figure in Lonlon. He organized a score of corporaions capitalized at $111,775,000, boom:d them until their shares were away ibove par and in many instances paid luge dividends. All the concerns were ;losely allied, and when the parent loncern failed the others tumbled too. The loss to investors and stockholders amounted to more than $100,000,000, hough a few of those who went in eary and sold out before the final smash nade fortunes. The success of all of :he schemes depended on the personalty of Wright He had a manner so mnressive as to' be hvnnotic. and on :he witness stand a number of titled Londoners testified that their faith in lis executive ability was such that hey never made the slightest inquiry nto what he was.doing. Lord Duflferin, Lieutenant General he Hon. Somerset J. Gough-Calthrope, l*)rd Pelham-Clinton, groom in waiting :o the king, and a number of others lolding high social and official positions tided Wright in organizing his syndi:ates and stock companies and made arge investments in them. Lord Duf'erln, when the crash came, retired to lis country house and died of the disrrace brought upon him. The others lave been generally execrated for their ilindness and willful negligence hrough which thousands lost their inrestments, and the general crash folowing the fall of the London Globe finance corporation dragged down a icore of other firms and companies. Intimately associated in his schemes vim wn^ni wub me V/Uuiucbb ui mu.vick. Under Wright's advice she invested heavily in the shares of the lakeview company and Australian dining company. The shares, under he skillful manipulation of Wright, ose to an unprecedented value, and at he proper time the Countess of Warvick was advised to sell out her holdngs. She netted a profit of $800,000 on he venture. Immediately following ter sale of stock the shares began to umble and fell until they reached the K>ttom. -Prom that time she constanty aided Wright, and it is said that it vas she who Induced Lord Dufferin to nvest in the Globe Finance corporaion. At the reception held at her lome she introduced the promoter to he many members of the nobility who lecame investors and directors in his nany companies. Even the London Stock Exchange vlts had a fling at the promoter. 'When was Whitaker Wright?" they isked, to which the proper answer was, When he took a Duffer-ln." The story is also told of his prospectng days in America as illustrative of langers he had escaped, of how an Inlian squaw once saved his life after he lad given her a trlval present. He yas out prospecting one day and looked nto her tent. She Immediately told ilm the braves of her tribe were after lis scalp and hid him beneath some kins. Presently up came the redskins .nd asked if she had seen him. She tood at the door of her tent and said te had passed In a certain direction. Svery other white man in the nelghiorhood was murdered. / At Lea Park, Wright had one of the (andsomest estates In England. Six ears ago he began work upon it and stimated that the labor of transformng the park Into the paradise he deIred to create would take at least welve years. At times as many as 00 workmen have been engaged upon he work, cutting down hills and reulldlng them elsewhere, destroying roves In sections where they were not esired and setting out others in dlferent locations. A lake that had been n the estate for centuries did not lease Wright, and he filled it in, excaating another and larger lake nearer he house and (surrounding it with a rove of handsome trees which were rought from another section of the lace. Under the lake he constructed a glass ouse which could be entered from the uilding, and here in summer In a room lagniflcently furnished, many feet uner water and with thousands of trange fish poking their noses inquislively against the glass sides of the tructure, he spent many hours. Old juntains and statues from Italy were arried to Lea Park, and the work of uilding it into a fairy palace and garen first earned for him the title of Monte-Cristo." ' Deadliest op Rifles.?The essential jsts of the new army rifle, said to be le deadliest small arm in modern uioro finished reeentlv bv the tamining board at the United States rmory in Springfield, Mass. The weapon is a composite of the [rag-Jorgensen and Mauser, says the hiladelphia Press. Simplicity is one f the fundamental principles of the ew arm. The knife bayonet of the :rag-Jorgensen gun js replaced by a )d bayonet which slips into the gun:ock and can be pulled out and locked 1 i its socket in a twinkling. The veloci- i r of the Krag-Jorgensen ,1s 2,000 feet i second, and in the new rifle the speed ; i increased to 2,300 feet. i EASTER EGOS. They Date Back to Ancieat Times? How to Decorate Them. All the traditions connected with the . Easter egg, its decoration, cooking and eating, areK of course, decidedly old world, and yet there is some myth among the legends of the Inca Indians which tells of a. masric esnr and how it may be found in some mysterious spot, and of its wonderful power. Whether or not this is one of the superstitions of the far east which Manco Capac brought with him from the other side of the Pacific is altogether unknown, but certain it is that in Asia, Africa and Europe feasts were kept in most ancient times when the egg played a prominent part The Jews used eggs in their feast of the Passover long before the coming of Christ In Persia colored eggs are presented at the celebration of the solar New Tear's, an extremely ancient custom with this people. From Germany comes the singular connection of a rabbit with the Easter eggs. It is believed that this little ' animal steals into the house when all is quiet and hides a store of pretty eggs in most impossible places, giving the children, who must search for them, a great deal' of trouble and excitement in finding them. The house mother <prepares by procuring a quantity of eggs and colors them herself, by wrapping them in colored calicoes, some plain and some figured. To the country boy or girl of America Easter or "Paas," in .rural vernacular, resolves itself first and foremost into a contest to see who can accumulate the greatest store of eras. and. second ly, who can eat the most. For weeks before Easter the hens are the recipients of marked and unremitted attention. Their daily habits are closely scrutinized, and the "cut-cut-cut-cada-cut!" that announces a new contribution to the food supply of the country is the signal for a rush on the part of the children to obtain the coveted treasure. ' Each child has long before this selected a hiding place in the fragrant haymow, and thither in secrecy the lucky finder bears each new addition. Then when Easter morning dawns the hoarded contents are all brought forth, and proud indeed is the lucky boy or % girl whose "Paas" outnumbers his fellow's. Then the Easter breakfast! Boiled or fried, with Juicy, pinky ham, egg after egg disappears until "the wonder grows how one small" stomach can hold the wealth of eggs committed li.. A * iu iuj utir. ai ouiiuttjr wuuui ckwio Sunday in all the hamlets of the state the story of the resurrection, it is safe to say, will be overshadowed in many a small boy's mind by the more present question, "How many eggs did you have for 'Pass?'" In the simpler forms the eggs are swiftly colored in rainbow hues with aniline dyes, then daintily etched with a sharp pointed knife, or they are coated with metallic paints, or they are frosted with diamond dust. For decorating by whatever method the eggs are either hard boiled or the contents are blown out by means of a tiny hole at either end and the eggs are then finished with narrow ribbons for a hanging An exquisite greeting is this bit of nature's porcelain when transformed into a vase and filled with violets. The support for the vase is made of three pieces of bronzed wire, each three inches long, twisted together in ithe form of a tripod. To make a vase, carefully break off the smaller end of the shell. Leave the edges jagged and gild them heavily. Decorate the outer shell witn tiny sprigs of blue flowers In oil. A dainty bit of white and blue china Is the result. By tinting the shell a delicate yellow, gilding the jagged edges of the opening and then adding light designs in red and gold lines the vase is suggestive of royal Worchester. A great variety of vases can be made. They should In every case be filled with dainty spring flowers. Prior to the applications of paints to the shell it must be well washed, thoroughly dried and rubbed with benzine. After this treatment there Is no more difficulty in painting on eggshells than on paper. Prettily decorated egg a nesting in the fragrant depths of flowers or in a nest of fresh grass breathe of glad springtime. A quaint wooden shoe, gilded and supplied with white satin ribbon for carrying, may be filled with smilax, posies and eggs. A large straw hat with ribbon handles in pale and deep green lined with sweet grass is a dainty nest for colored eggs. Eggs decorated with comic faces are much appreciated by the children.? New York Tribune. A Feat of Memory.?Some light is thrown on the possibilities of memory culture by an interesting recital contained in the autobiography of Robert Houdin, the famous conjurer. He > * olon/u at aav a ohnn laugut Ilto OXJII iv 51MIIVV uv, w M? window and to jnemorize accurately, as in a brain picture, the window's contents. Then he would ask him to describe the contents, checking and correcting him as he went on. On one occasion Houdin was commanded to the Tullerle8 to give a performance before the French court. As he passed through an anteroom to the saloon he bade his son note the arrangement of the room and the contents of the bookcases. Then at the close of the entertainment Houdin astonished his audience by giving what he called a "second sight" test. Declaring his unfamiliarity with the Tuileries, Houdin, blindfolding his son, asked him to send his gaze through the wall of the room to the chamber beyond, to describe the arrangement of the chamber and to read the titles of the volumes on the shelves of the bookcases. ?Tbls feat the young lad accomplished, to the astonishment of the court.