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i Essaidiaig the conference with Prince ?abrieTs represenfatiTes, he had but kittie to say.- The escaped murderer siaturalbj refused to surrender and was 4? ?31 appearances quite firmly estab Bsbed ir. power once more.*" Lorry's ax ?j hope was that the reversal of f eel in? ir- Dawsbergen might work ruin for tat prince. He was carrying affairs "wi A a high hand, dealing vengeful ??ows to the friends of his half brother ??'i ?.mo3uraging a lawlessness that, sooner or later, must prove his undoing. Sis representatives at the conference .were an arrogant law defying set of anea who laughed scornfully at every proposal made by the Graustarkians. *We told them that if he were not veered to oar authorities inside of sixty days we would declare war and go down and tal:e him," concluded the .American. "Two monthsf cried Yetive. "I don't linderstand.'' **There was method in that ultima? tum. Axphain, of course, will set up a howl but we can forestall any ac? tion the Princess Tolga may under .take. Naturally one might suspect thai we should declare war at once, inasmuch as he must be taken sooner ?OT later, but here is the point: Before two ino atas have elapsed the better element of Dawsbergen will be so dis &2sizl with the new dose of Gabriel -Shat ii will do anything to avert a war os his account We have led them to tt?ieve ? iiat Axphain will lend moral if not physical support to our cause. ! Xxive them two months in which to get j over this tremendous hysteria ..and ! they'll find their senses. Gabriel isn't ! ?worth it, you see, and down in their fceaxts they know it They really loved young Dantan, who seems to be a ?devil of a good fellow. I'll wager my iiead that in six weeks they'll be wish? ing he were back on the throne again. And just to think of it, Yetive, dear, y GS were off. there in the very heart of Axphain risking everything!" he cried, Spiner the moisture from his brow Is just eleven days since I left J&ft&weiss, and I have had a lovely |?nrney/! 'she said, with one of her irare siniles. He shook his head grave? ly, and she resolved in her heart never him another such cause for i ind in the meantime, Mr. Grenfall .TV. you rre blaming me and hat : all that for being the real \ cause of your wife's escapade," said Beverly -Calhoun plaintively. "I'm awfully sorry. But you must remem? ber one thing, sir-I did not put her op to this ridiculous trip. She did it ?af'her own free will and accord. Be gj&DS, I am the one who met thfe lion and.almost got devoured, not Yetive, ?f you please." "Pli punish you by turning you over to old Count Marlanx, the commander of the army in Graustark," said Lor? ry laughingly. "He's a terrible o^re, j ftrorse than any lion." -"Heaven pity you. Beverly, if you fall into his clutches!" cried Yetive. "He has had five wives and survives to look for a sixtn. You see how terrible it would be." "rm not afraid of him," boasted Bev? erly; but there came a time when she JBaought of those words with a shudder. "By the way. Yetive, I have had ?ward from Harry Anguish. He and the. countess will ieave Paris this week, the baby's willing, and will be In Edelweiss soon. You don't know how ft relieves me to know that Harry will be with us :-.t this time." Yetive's eyes answered his enthusi? asm. Bol h had a warm and grateful memory of the loyal service which the young American had rendered his friend when they had first come to Graustsrk in quest of the princess, and both had a great regard for his wife, the Countess Dagmar, who as Yetiv?'s lady in waiting had been through all the perils of those exciting ?days with them. As they drew near the gates of Edel? weiss a 1-trge body of horsemen ro?e tor?h to moot them. The afternoon was wei] on the way to night, and the air of the valiey was cool and refresh . ravs 0f tjje june sim> Y.- s at last," murmured Bev ??r*y, ce aglow. "The heart of ? - . E>o you know that I have ag up on my grammar? I j the meaning of the word and it seems so^appropri is gray, hoary, o?d; 'stark' Old and strong, isn't it. rides the oldest and stron l all Gra istark - the Iron arlanx," said Yetive, look tug down the road. "See; the strange ?Cray Baan in front there is our greatest general, ov.r rrafrirst fighter, our most heai*tless \.*ar;ior. Does he look flke the eagle or the hawk'.'" A moment later the parties met, and the newcomers swung into line with the escort Two men roce up to the carriage and saluted. One was Count Marlanx, the other Colonel Quinnox of the royal guard. The count lean and gray as a wolf, revealed rows of huge White teeth in his perfunctory smile o? welcome, while young Quinnox's face fairly beamed with honest joy. Iii the post that he held he was but follow i -? g in "the footsteps of his fore?V.?h?'rs. ??wc history began in Graustark a mox had been in char ero of the eas CHAPTER XILL ?JT^ETERLY gasped. The count* jl?cj stared blankly at the n< guard. Yetive flushed deep bit her lip in hopeless chagi -azSL dropped her eyes. A pretty tu j&a?eecL the play had taken! Not a wc "was uttered for a full half minute; i the guilty witnesses ven aire foi iS&xzL their retreat Baldos stood t =aad Impassive, holding the curta ?skte. At last the shadow of a sm .?rest into the face of the princess, b laer tones were fuil of deep humili "Tarben she spoke. ""We crave permission to retire, yo 2ughaess." she said, and there was v Saous appeal in her eyes. "I pray f< -aliveness for this indiscretion and ii galore you to be lenient with two m: <erable creatures who love you so w< ^2sat they forget their dignity." < *T -am amazed and shocked," was ? jS&at Beverly could say. "You may g $rat return to me within an hour. -xcill then hear what you have to say.' Slowly, even humbly, the ruler < ^Sranstark and her cousin passed b ?neath the upraised arm of the ne ?jguard. He opened a door on the opp :s!te side cf the room, and they wei out to all appearance thoroughly cres .fallen. The steady features of tl - sgnard did not relax for the- fraction < ?a -s&csnd, but bis heart was thumpii ?d?sgracefuUy. **?oxne here, Baldos," commande ^Beverly, a bit pale, but recovering h< -wits with admirable promptness. "Th ate a. matter which I shall dispose .privately. It is to go no further, ye - \ care to understand." ***Ye&, your highness." "You may go now. Colonel Quinno -wifl explain everything," she said hu O?edly. She was eager to be rid of his Jks he turned away she observed :3atint but peculiar smile at the come ?a? his mouth. "Xome here, sir I" she exclaimed hoi 3F- He paused, his face as somber a -o owl's. "What .do you mean b ^toughing like that?" she demanded. H -esnght the fierce note in, her voice, bu 3E*ve it the proper interpretation. '.^?t^iing, your highness ?' he salt sa. deep surprise "You must be mis taken. ? am sure that I could not hav -Saujghed in the presence of ? princess. "tit must have been a-a shadow ^?fcerC she retracted, somewhat s tai t$ed by his rejoinder. "Very well, then Yere are dismissed." . As he was about to open the doo: l?uxmgh which be had entered the roon -~-?? swung wide and Count Marian: - -^xode in. Baldos paused irresolute!;! .and then proceeded on his v?ay with -osotpaying the slightest attention to tb* ^gojrrmander of the army. Mariam ?am? to an amazed stop, and his fa? finshed with resentment ~Halt sir!" he exclaimed harshly, ".?tm't you know enough to salute me Raidos turned instantly, his figure ^s?ccaightenicg like a nash. His eyes aaet-?hose of the Iron Count and did no1 "waver, although his face went white Tw?th passion. ""And who are you, sir?' he asked in <*bM, steely tones. The count almost ^seeled. ""Yoursuperior officer! Thtt should be ??High ?for you!"* he half hissed, with vdeedly levelness. '^Otu then I see no reason why I aBbouia noi salute you, sir;" said Baldos, Tv?th one of his rare smiles. He salut .efll his superor officer a shade too elab? orately and turned away. Marlanx's ^yes glistened. .Stop! Have I said you could go, 52ir? I have a bit of advice to" ."My command to go comes from *3?cnr superior, sir," said Baldos, with .2t?ta?i??r blandness. *"^Be patient general," cried Beverly, Sa deep distress. "He does not know -*cy better. I will stand sponsor foi tiara ~ And Baldos went away with a cSght step, his blood singing, his devil ao^y-care h?ait satisfied. The look in 3ter eyes was very sustaining. As he Jfea the castle he said aloud to bim -362' wiri au easy disregard of the con ; sequences: orWell. it seems that I am to be asso .<saled with "the devil as well as with ?ag^ls. Heavens! June is a. glorious moafh," ^ow, you proi^sed you'd be nice to 35dm, General Marlanx," cried Beverly <fae instant Baldos was out of the rc??n. "^?J??'s new at this sort of thing, 3pou know, and, besides, you didn't ad? dress Wti very politely for an utter .-azranger." "The I:.- >.'; at deg!" snarled Mar.anx. ??s self control returning slowly. "He isLall be taught weil and thoroughly, aever fear. :,; ?ss Calho m. There is a ?roy"ta> such recruits as lit-, and "Sfcey never forget what they have , Seamed." -Oh, please don'; be harsh with Stirn," she pleaded. The smile cf the Iroa Count was not at all reassuring. ~*l know he will be sorry for what he /&as done, and you" "I am quite sure he will be sorry," "* -s&iiS. he, with a most agreeable bow in :3Babmisslen to her appeal "Do you tract to sec Mr. Lorry?" she ^Lskpl quickly. *i will send for him. -genera i." She was at tte doer, impa to be with the banished culprits. 'J'3Jj business with Mr. Lorry can ?cait,** Sa? begari, with a smiie meant to ; be mviting, but which did not im; her at ail pleasantly. "Well, anyway, I'll tell him y here," she said, her hand on the knob. "Will you wait here? Gooc And then she was racing off thr the long halls and up broad stair< toward the boudoir of the prin There Is BO telling how long the rt count remained in the anteroom, the excited Beverly forgot to tell ry that he was there. There were half a dozen peopl the room when Beverly entered ei ly. She was panting with exciten Of al! the rooms in the grim old a the boudoir of the princess was most famously attractive. It was : ly her home, the exquisite abiding j; ! of an exquisite creature. To loung j her divans, to loll in the chairs ! glide through her priceless rugs, ! the acme of indolent pleasure. . | were they who enjoyed the priviL j of "little heaven," as Harry Ang had (ihristened it on one memor night long before the princess Mrs. Grenfall Lorry. "Now, how do you feel?" cried j flushed American girl, pausing in door to point an impressive finge: the princess, who was lying back i huge chair, the picture of distress annoyance. ! *T shall never be able to look 1 I man in the face again," came dolef from Yetive's humbled lips. Dagi j was all smiles and in the fittest humors. She was the kind of cul] who loves the punishment because the crime. "Wasn't it ridiculous, and wasn' just too lovely?" she cried. "It was extremely theatrical," agr Beverly, seating herself on the arm Yetive's chair and throwing a wa arm around her neck. "Have you heard about it?" she demanded nal ly, turning to tae others, who unqr. tionably had had a jumbled account the performance. "You got just what you deserve said Lorry, who was immens amused. "I wonder what your august va; bond thinks of his princess and 3 ladies in hicling?" mused Harry i goish. The Count and Countess H font were smiling in spite of the : sault upon the dignity of the court "I'd give anything to know what really thinks," said the real prince "Oh. Beverly, wasn't it Awful? A how he marched us out of that roon "I thought it was great" said Bi erly. her eyes glowing. "'Wasn't splendid? And isn't he good loo ing?" "He is good looking, I imagine. B I am no judge, dear. It was utter impossible for me to look at his face lamented the princess. "What are you going to do with us asked Dagmar penitently. "You are to spend the remainder < your life in a dungeon, with Baidos i guard," decided Miss Calhoun. "Beverly, dear, that man is no ord nary person," said the princess quii positively. "Of course he isn't He's a tall, dar mystery." "I observed him as he crossed the te: race this morning," said Lorry. "He' a striking sort of chap, and I'll bet m head he's not what he claims to be." "He claims to be a fugitive, you mus remember," said Beverly in his d( fense. "I mean that he is no common mah factor, or whatever it may be. Wh and what do you suppose he is? I cor fess that I'm interested in the fellow and he looks as though one might lik him without half trying. Why haven' you dug up his past history, Beverly You are so keen about him." "He positively refuses to let me dig,' explained Beverly. "I tried, you know but he-he-well, he squelched me." "Well, after all is said and done, h caught us peeping today, and I an filled with shame," said the princess *Tt doesn't matter who he ls, he mus* certainly have a most unflattering opin ion as to what we are." v "And be Ls sure to know us soonei or later," said the young countess, mo mentarily serious. "Oh. if it ever comes to that I shall be in a splendid position to explain it all to him," said Beverly. "Don't yo? see, I'll have to do a lot of explaining myself?" ^ ''Baron Dangloss!" announced the guard of the upper hall, throwing open the door for the doughty little chief of police. "Your hitrl r ess sont for me?" asked he, advanch . ifter the formal saluta? tion. The princess exhibited genuine amazement "I did. Daron Dangloss, but you must have come with the wings of an eagle, lt is really nwt more than three minutes since I gave the order to Colo? nel Quiunox.*' The baron smiled mys? teriously, but volunteered no'solutiou. Tlie truth is, he was <-::terjug the cas? tle doors as th?^messenger left them, but be was much i?,o fond of effect to fpo!) a good situation hy explanations. It was a long two miles fo his office in the Tower. "Something has just hap? pened that impels me to ask a few questions concerning Baldos, the new guard.? I "May 1 first ask what bas happen < *d?" Dangloss was at a loss for the j meaning- of the general smil j went around. "It is quite personal and of n< sequence. What do you know of My curiosity Is aroused. No-* quiet, Beverly. You are as ea^ know as the rest of us." "Well, your highness, I may a; ! confess that the man is a puzzle 1 j "What are you going to do.with u \ He comes here a vagabond, but he j tainly does not act like one. He ad that he is being hunted, but take one into his confidence. For tba cannot be blamed." "Have you any reason to sus i who he is?" asked Lorry. "My instructions were to ref from questioning him," compla ! Dangloss, with a pathetic look at i original plotters. "Still, I have n j investigations along other lines." ? ' "And who is he?" cried Bev eagerly. "I don't know," was the disappc ing answer. "We are confronted t queer set of circumstances. Doubt you al! know that young Prince I tan is flying from the wrath of his 1 brother, our lamented friend Gabi He is supposed to be in our hills T a half starved body of followers, j seems impossible that he could h reached our northern boundaries w out our outposts catching a glimps? him at some time. The trouble is t his face is unknown to most of u? among the others. I have been go on the presumption that Baldos is reality Prince Dantan, but last ni the belief received a severe shock." "Yes?" came from several eager Ii] "My men who are watching i Dawsbergeh frontier came in 1 night and reported that Dantan t been seen by mountaineers no la than Sunday, three days ago. Th< mountaineers were in sympathy w him and refused to tell whlthe*? went We only know that he was the southern part of Graustark tb: days ago. Oar new guard speaks ma languages, but he has never been hea tc use that of Dawsbergen. That f? in itself is not surprising, for, of ? things, he would avoid his mott tongue. Dantan is part English birth and wholly so by cultivation, that he evidently finds a mate in tl Baldos." 'Then he realty isn't Prince Da tan?" cried Beverly, as though a ch( ished ideal had been shattered. "Not if we are to believe the tal from the south. Here is another coi plication, however. There is, as y( know, Count Halfont, and perhaps s of you, for that matter, a pretender .the throne of Axphain, the fugith Prince Frederic. He is described i young, good looking, a scholar and tl next thing to a pauper." "Baldos a mere pretender!" erie Beverly in distress. "Xever!" "At any rate, he is not what he pr? tends to be," said the baron, with wise smile. "Then you think he may be Princ Frederic?" asked Lorry, deeply inte ested. "I ant inclined to think so, althoug another complication has arisen. Ma it please your highness, I am in a amazingly tangled state of mind," ac mitted the baron, passing bis ham over his brow. "Do you mean that another mysteri j ons prince has come to life?" askei I Yetive, her eyes sparkling with inter?s i in the revelations. "Early this morning a dispatch cam? to me from the Grand Duke Michael o Dapp-Thorberg, a duchy in west en Europe, Informing me that the duke': eldest son had fled from home and ii known to have come to the far east possibly to Graustark." "Great Scott!" exclaimed Anguish "It never rains but it hails, so here's hail to the princes three." "We are the Mecca for runaway roy alty, it seems," said Count Halfont. "Go on with the story, Baron Dan? gloss." cried the princess. "It ls like a book." "A description of the young man ac? companies the offer of a large reward for information that may lead to his return home for reconciliation, and" here the baron paused dramatically. "And what?" interjected Beverly, who could not waii. "The description lits om- friend Bal? dos perfectly!" "You don't mean It?" exclaimed Lor? ry. "Then he may be any one of th?' thivo you have mentioned?" J "Let me tell you what the grand I duke's secretary says. I ha v.- the of? ficial notice, but left it i:: my (tesfe Tia* runaway son of the grand duke is called Christobal. Ile is twenty-seven years of age, sr-'-aks English fluently, j b.-.it!es French and our owe languag j It s-'c-as i*:::t la? attended ..a K; . ;L J college with Prince Dantan ai:;! :. - ! of our own young men who are ... i England, Six weeks ago lie dis jed from his father's home. At * ! ? * * ; same time a dozen wild and ven!;.: -nr> ... ? j retainers left the grand duchy. The ? party was seen in Vienna a week later, j and the young duke boldly announced j that he was off to the east to help his friend Dantan in the fight for his ! throne. Going on the theory that Bal? dos is this same Christobal we have only to provide a reason for his pre? ferring the wilds to the comforts of our cities. In the first place, he knows there ls a large reward for his appre? hension and he fears our police. In the second place, he does, not care to direct the attention of Prince Danton's foes to himself. He missed Dantan In the hills and doubtless was lost for weeks, but the true reason for his flight is made plain in the story that was print? ed recently in Paris and Berlin news? papers. According to them, Christobal rebelled against his father's right to select a wife for him. The grand duke had chosen a noble and wealthy bride, and the son had.selected a beautiful girl from the lower walks of life. Fa? ther and son quarreled and neither would give an "inch. Christobal would not marry his father's choice, and the grand duke would not sanction his union with the fair plebeian." Here Beverly exclaimed proudly: "He doesn't look like the sort of man who could be bullied into marrying anybody if he didn't want to." "And he strikes me as the sort who would many any one he set his heart upon having," addet' the princess, with a taunting glance at Miss Calhoun. "Umph!" sniffed Beverly defiantly. The baron went on with his narrative, exhibiting signs of excitement "To lend color to the matter, Christo . hal's sweetheart the daughter of a game warden, was murdered the night before her lover fled. I know nothing of the circumstances attending the crime, but it is my undersfcmding that Christobal is not suspected. It is pos? sible that he is ignorant even now of the girl's fate." "Well, by the gods, we have a good? ly lot of heroes about us!" exclaimed Lorry. "Br?t after all," ventured the Count? ess Halfont "Baldos may be none of these men." "Good heavens, Aunt Yvonne, don't suggest anything so distressing," said Yetive. "He must be one of them." "I suggest a speedy way of deter? mining the matter," *said Anguish. "Let us send for Baldos and ask him point blank who he is. I think it is up to him to clear away the mystery." "No!" cried Beverly, starting to her feet "It seems to be the only way," said Lorry. "But I promised him that no ques? tions should be asked," said Beverly, almost tearfully, but quite resolutely. "Didn't I, Yet-your highness?" "Alas, yes!" said the princess, with a pathetic smile of resignation, but with loyalty in the clasp of her hand [70 BIS COKTUT?ED.] XIHRTY KILLED AND FORTY IN? JURED OX ROCK ISLAND ROAD. Two Fast Mail Trains Collide in Kan? sas and the Passengers Slaughtered -Four Coaches Burned and It May Never Be Known How Many Per? ished. Topeka, Kas., Jan. 2.-The west? bound passenger train and an east j bound train on the Rock Island rail? road collided between Holland and j Alta-Vista this morning. According to the official report 30 persons were killed and 40 injured. Ten bodies have been recovered from the smoker, nine being Mexican la? borers. The bagagge car raising the smoker's roof and lodging on the oc? cupants crushed them. Four cars were burned. Both trams were fast mails. Train No. 29 left Chicago Tuesday morning en route for El Paso. No. 30 was due ?in Chicago at 11.30 tonight. -- I - - i UNFOLDING OF THE PLAN TO I FORCE ANNEXATION. Bankers in Cuba Who Are Controlled by American Financiers Threaten to r.cfuse All Loans on Crops, There? by Causing Finaucial Disaster, if American Troops Are Withdrawn. .Havana, Cuba, Jan. 3.-The possi? bility of the withdrawal of the Uni? ted States troops from Cuba at no far distant date, has alarmed the bank? ers throughout the island. The bank? ers have j;ist issued an announce? ment that in the event of the with? drawal of Uncle Sam's protection they will refuse to make loans on crops. They say Amei'can troops are rec essary to insure political and indus- j trial stability and the safety of such | securities and they will not take any risk. It is believed that the evacua? tion of the island by the American army will result in wholesale starva? tion and tho ruin of hundreds of per- j sons. RUSSIA'S DICTATOR KILLED. Prefect of Police Assassinated in St. Petersburg by a Young Man. St. Petersburg, Jan. Z.-Major Gen? eral Von DeLauntz, thc prefect of po ]]<??? and the political dictator since the dissolution ?>t the douma, was killed today at the Institute <>f JVNP< rimcntal Medicine by young mun. j The pref? ci was in his carriage nt tho I u", I ii,. h;,s ion?' been hated by the tor- j r<? ris ts. Mis powers were enormous ! . .-.(] Searches and arrests were made i . .. ],:< command, newspapers sup-j ..,,.,.> rr?. .. ?*..->n? Reported, i COTTON" EXCHANGE FRAUDS. Livingston and Jordan Ask That the New York Coton Exchange Be Out? lawed. Washington, Jan. 2.-Col. Living? ston and Harrie Jordan late this aft? ernoon filed their charges against the Xew York cotton exchange and asked the postmaster general to issue a fraud order. There are eight counts in the charges and along with them are submitted a number of exhibits. A striking one of these is the official market report of the Xew York cot? ton exchange issued Dec. 28, "notice*' day. The price quoted on future con? tracts calling for delivery the same day was 9.02, while the price of spot cotton was 10.65, a disparity of 163 points, a difference of $8.15 per bale. Discussing this Col. Linvingston said to this correspondent: "If McFadden or any other cotton operator had bought cotton on that date, at 9.02 and could have secured the actual cotton he could have sold it in the spot market and made a pro? fit on the 114.000 bales traded in on the exchange that day of $11,411,000. He did not buy because he knew ev? erybody else knew there was no cot? ton to be had. If the Xew York cot? ton exchange operated on the same plan as the stock exchange or the corn exchange, and I am informed that such is their character, they must keep on hand for actual deliv? ery the cotton traded in just as does the broker who sells railroad or other stocks. I do not know that such is their character and I have been una? ble to find out, but if it is true, they must keep commercial salable cotton on hand to meet their contracts." Harrie Jordan says if he had fifty or a hundred thousand dollars to em? ploy the legal counsel he would put the Xew York cotton exchange com? pletely out of business if its charter is the same as those of the stock ex changes.-The State. Assistant Attorney General Goodin Will Probe the Matter to the Bot? tom by Hearing Testimony From Both Sides, and Postmaster General Will Act On His Recommendation. Washington, Jan. 3.-Postmaster General Cortelyou today turned over to the legal officials of thc postoffice department the charges of fraud against the Xew York cotton ex? change. Assistant Attorney General Goodin for the postoffice department will conduct the investigation immediate? ly with a view of determining wh'eth . er the use of the mails should he withdrawn. Representatives of r1-...- exchange will be requested to appear before Judge Goodin and after this testi? mony, and that of the complainants, the cotton growers, both of whom have the privilege of representation : by attorneys, have been taken, Judge ; Goodin will make his recommendation j on the matter to Mr. Cortelyou. ! After this, if such a motion is jus? tified in the mind of the postmaster I general, a fraud order will be signed by that official and executed. Persons or corporations named in such an order may not receive mail addressed to them. All mail ad? dressed to them is intercepted by the local postmaster, subject to the postal department's order. Should the fraud order be withdrawn at any time the accumulated mail will be turned over to the addressees. AX EXGLISH PAPER CRITICISES THE PRESIDENT SEVERELY. There Has Been an Astonishing Change in Feeling of EngLsh Peo? ple Toward the President-Accused of Uncertainty, Want of Veracity or Incapacity for Coherent Thought.. London,. Jan. 2.-An astonishing change in feeling toward President Roosevelt on the part of Englishmen is making itself evident in signs not to be mistaken. When he first enter? ed the White House the English pa? pers regarded him as one of the fore? most figures of the world. The lead? ing journals refused to print anything reflecting even slightly on the presi? dent. A short time ago some English pa? pers ridiculed his spelling reforms, while others expressed indignation. More recently numerous direct criti? cisms have been printed, culminating in a long article in the Morning Post, headed. "Is Roosevelt's Influence De? clining?" An affirmative answer to the article is given in an outspoken manner, saying: "President Roosevelt talks in hasty and exaggerated language, turning this way and that, which may or may not argue a certain incapacity for consecutive thought, put that is apt t lead men tn doubt either his sin? cerity or veracity." The writer, who is anonymous, says he thinks Roosevelt is sincere, yet . >n<.' meets high charactered Ameri? cans who are persuaded that Roose? velt has lied to them. .When the cold winds dry and crock thc skin a box of salve can save much, discomfort. In buying salve look for the name on the hex to avoid any imitation, and be sure you get the original Dewitt's Witch Hazel HERE AND THERE. The White House officials have been busy the past few days return? ing presents sent to the president by strangers. Only presents sent by per? sonal friends were accepted. Among the gifts returned was a Christmas tree and a box of decorations for the Roosevelt children. The Ellis Island officials estimate that at the present rate of increase, there will be 1,283,415 immigrants next year. Te figures for 1906 will be 1,050,000 people, against 859.010 in 1905, an increase of over 22 per cent. All the railroad troubles are not in the south. Passengers on a New York Central train who spent 18 hours between Xew York and Buffalo, with nothing to eat, have laid their trou? bles before the railroad commission of the State. The prosperity of the year seems to have struck even the fraternity of thieves in Xew York. It is estimated that the various sorts of thefts in that city in 12 months will total not less than $1,000,000-and that doesn't include Wall street, either. After March 4, next, Xew York will have three members of the cabinet Secretary of ?tate Root, Secretary of the Treasury Cortelyou and Secretary cf Commerce and Labor ( Strauss, while Ohio will have two members in Secretary of War Taft and Secretary of the Interior Garfield-a majority of the members from two middle States. The drift toward centraliza? tion appears to be well nigh comph te in so far as the cabinet is concerned at least. ; --- -- >*i The Harriman Railroad System. The results from the operation of' this huge machine are sufficiently well known. The gross income of the .sys? tem for the last year rose $170,000, 000. This is a larger gross income than that of any other railroad sys? tem in the world, the Pennsylvania alone excepted. The dividend dis? bursements for the year are at the rate of about $28,000;000 net-that-is, actual disbursements to the public This, again, is a larger annual dis? tribution than that of any other cor? poration, the steel corporation alone excepted. All this is a strange change from the old water-logged Union Pacific of 10 or 15 years ago, which staggered along,, wantonly loaded with debt [and fictitious carita?, to the crash 'of j '93.- The change-the remaking and ^rebuilding, I iii ?uk it fair to'say-has J been Mr. Ha rrj man's persona* work. " j Of that there can be no question. He went into the Union Pacific as one of several widely divided groups. In not more than year he was very ac? tively In command, and yet a little later, absolutely. In the beginning Wall street referred to the Union Pa? cific as the Kuhn-Loeb road; today it is very distinctly the Harriman sys? tem.-Review of Reviews. E. H. Hangman's Interest in Boys. Mr. Harriman is interested in boys. That is his chief fad. It is his pride that he is president of the -largest club in the world That is the Boys' Club, at the corner of Tompkins Square and Tenth street, Xew York city. Here is a big building, nve or 1 six stories in height, with gymnasia, baths, playrooms, reading rooms, 30 or 40 separate club rooms. Here in the course of the year 8,000 or 10,000 East Side boys have fun. They are not taught. It is not a church, it is not a school, it is not a reformatory, it is not a movement for the ethical culture of the East Side. It is sim? ply a big place where the boys may enjoy themselves. Incidentally they do learn a great deal; they are taught a great deal. But it is Tom Sawyer fashion, who defined work as play that you didn't want to do. Here, for all ages, from little chaps just able to toddle up to big chaps ready to marry and have homes, there is a chance to find most any kind of wholesome amusement and sport. They have their football teams, baseball teams, camera clubs, natural history clubs, debating clubs. They give a Gilbert and Sullivan ra once a year, no one taking part but the boys; and the performances are said to be capital. They have an orchestra of their own, they have two j drum corps, and they have a brass band. Mr. Harriman is. and has been for years, i resident ol* this club. Its his? tor:, dales back 30 years and more, and Mr. Harriman's association with it dares from the beginning. Here, as a. young man of eight and twenty, he undertook the work with a com? pany of other young men, largely Yale men. and he lias held to it ever since.-Review of Reviews. A Belfast laborer. 100 years old, who was treated at tin- hospital the <>th<-r day, told the doctor that "it was Iiis first Mack eye/' He will really have to harry vp if he wants another.-London Globe. The Colorado State Federation of bor is agitating for a direct vote