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_ ? xioet tnssioon ST i. B. IAU8BUBT. When the shadows of the evening Bhnt the Uw ?ky from our eight. Let us light the lustrous beacons, Let them glaum along the night. They will scatter clouds and darkness, Lighting well the pilgrim's way. That In walking none may stumble, Bat shall walk In perfect day. Light yonr lamps, my brother, Bgbt them, On the lofty tower strong, Purify the Inner chambers 01 the heart with light and song, -REFRAIN. Light the beacon?, raise the banner, Let them gleam and float in air That the world in outer darkness May return and worship there. BiJUvE CENTEB, N. Y. 5*"*-'.' Ti mK GDBBEB V ' L r' An Exciting Story of tho War - of 1812. BY JOHN K. MUSICK. cfv CHAPTER X.?(Continued). r. *[The youthful commander Bent a Email party under Simon to reconnoiter. particularly cautioning them not to fire a shot, unless it was done in Belf-defense. They returned in an hour and reported that the Biitish 'were lying idle in theii eamp, as if they were awaiting some event to transpire before making a more. Nothing more had been seen or heard of the spies. The day wore away without a single hostile demonstration. In the afternoon Captain Alton paid a I visit to the wounded 6ea captain. Ula eaw him approaching and came to meet him. "How is he, Ola?" the lover asked, seizing her hands in his. "He is conscious, bnt very weak," she answered. "Does he seem cheerful?" "Yes. The doctor 6ays he is far more cheerful tban one could expect, owing to hiB we2k state." "Does the doctor still have hope?" "I fenr not much." Tears cnme into her beautiful eyes as she answered this question. After a moment's silence she Baid: "He wants to be taken home to his own room, and urge6 so Etrongly that the doctor has consented to his removal, providing you think it 6afe." "I think it would be safe as far as the nemy is concerned. Your house stands cacK oenma tne nui ana was cot toucnea Efe'rv - by their shot," returned Griffith. "Let's | >' go in and see him." The old sea captain was very weak, but bis mind was perfectly clear." He asked the young commander to take a seat by bis side and give him a full account of j the present condition of their defense. , Griffith did so, not even omitting to tell [ him of tbe spies in their camp, and the | efforts made to spike their gun6. When be come to mention tbe two sailors as being connected with the attempt, th* old Mit was aronsed and said: No, no, lad; you are on tbe wrong tack, i I believe. Yer off yer reckonin' sure, fur I It sailor wouldn't do that way. When the j gunner laked the man-o'-war fore and aft I it warnt because he hated her captain or j crew; it war jist because thar was a princi. [ pie in the thing. He's all right; ye ll find | them both true salts yit." j "There i6 a deep mystery about them, Captain Gatrell, which I can not understand." "It will all be very simple when ye do ssderstand it; but, Griffith, I've got my death wound. My life is bound to be short. I ain't live over a week at moBt, and I want to be taken to my house, in icy own room, with you and Ola about me. : Can't I be taken there?" Captain Alton consulted with the physician, who said there was no reason to apprehend any danger from the wound, provided he* was removed carefully. Griffith thought they would be in no danger of shells from the 6hip, for the manof-war would hardly venture within range of the long gun again, and they could very properly take the invalid to his own nouee, and consequently he 1>as carried there on a litter and placed Oft his bed. Captain Alton remained as locg as he dared, and hastened back io his headquarters, promising to return late that evening, when everything had been made snug for the night. The fog still rolled in in great masses from the ocean, the sky was thickly over? cast with clouds, and the night promised to be ns dark as the last bad been. Captain Alton husied himself at his head quarters until everything he could think of /had been completed. He had a email ?uard of three or four detailed to watch /Ahe mansion house of the old sea captain, ^ and doubled the guard at the guns. Eveiy precaution possible was taken to rsske tha fort secure from invasion by the British spies. The young commander knew that the spies were 6brewd and exj&jr< pert in their business. It might be only the two deserters after all, yet he deemed it best to take every possible precaution. He had not visited the prisoners, but he beard that they were 6ilent, refusing to Bonvcrse with any one. When be th.ew his cloak about his fSf. shoulders and sallied forth to pay his promised visit to the great stone mansion on the hill, he found a fine mist falling. I It could hardly be called rain, and vet it was enough to 600n dampen oce'6 clothes. The night was intensely dark. The foglike mist, which had wrapped hill, valley, grove and town, wa6 so dense that one ; ... could not even see a lantern or lamp any great distance. But tie Captain knew the way so well that he crossed the small foot bridge at the bottom of the hill and nscended to the old familiar mansion without any trouble. Ula was waiting on tne wood piazza for him. He saw her before he reached the house leaning against one ot the large columns which supported the xoof of the porch. To his inquiries as to how her fatner was, she answered: "He is sleeping now. Mrs. Hatchet is watching with him and the doctor said he must not be disturbed under any circxmstanees. Let us go to the parlor." He followed her. She lighted several candles in the chandelier, which gave a yellow light in the room. Seated side by side on the settee, the lovers proceeucu In an earnest manner 10 discuss their tryinp situation. "Do you think the British are gone, Griffith?" the poor girl asked, fixing hei < tyes on her lover. "Xo, Ol.i, they are not gone. I think there is no doubt of us having more trouble with them; and yet as we mastered them in our last encounter they will hardly dare an open assault again." "What do you think they will do?" she eked. TViqv hata cnma ctrnforrr Viv trhi/?>i I . I? I ? t. ? ^ J they lope to take us, yet I hardly think the British can lay a scheme so deep and neat that Yankee cunning can not see through it." "Have you no idea what strategic plans they have on foot?" '1 tnmfc laBt mgnt tney attempt en to pike our cannon." "I heard that you arrested the deserters of the Xenophon on the same charge." "I did." "Have you any proof?" "There was strong circumstantial evidence pointing toward them, yet we had ? ? n Ivu puomve pruui. "I saw the man called Burnett. He is # tall, fine. noble-lookine man. Griffith. I cannot "believe lilm a bad inau. Co does not look like a spy." "He has a fine appearance, dearest Ola; but looks are deceiving. I c an not trust him while he ie?ts under those terrible suspicions." "But he did you good service, did be not^in driving awav the -man-of-war'/" fcfc:'--: "1:66,60 aia .B E6cije! Arn<wd do Hie country good service, Hndyetlie attempted to betray it m the end." "Oh, "Griffith, how I wish we were ftt Seace again!" sobbed the unfortunate ila, burying her face in her hands. He drew her to hiin, pressed a ki6sujioji her pale cheek, and said: "Do nor Kespalr, "Ceftrest CTia, "but tear in mind that it is darkest just befoie dawn. Feace will come again. These dark cloud6 will roll away, and the 6uc, ehining bright and clear upon the hills, will indicate peace and happiness." "But it may come too late for ue to enjoy it." "Too late, dearest Ola, let ue hope sot " At tins moment, wnue tne lovers -wero locked in each other'6 embrace, and while. V?fXD UJlUg l KJ IAAW *Vfl4D VI the poor frightened girl, a dark, sinister face appeared at the w indow and a pair of basilisk eyes gleamed npon them. They saw not the face. Had they done so their peace of mind would have been destroyed and their darkest suspicions aroused. It was visible but a moment, j and then withdrew into the darkness beI yond. The lovers 6at conversing on themes j more pleasant than the dark present, j Captain Alton sought to lead his betrothed from this dark hour to a bright future. But time wore on, and when he glanced at his watch and noted how late the hour be said: "I must go now, Olo; my time is up and I will have to return "to duty. Be cheerful, dearest, for all will yet come out right." "Will you not come in and see father before you co?" "He is asleep and we had better not disturb him." "We will not awake him, but I know vou want to gaze a moment at him aR he lies to pale and death-like on the bed. He seems to me, Griffith, notwithstanding all we have heard.tobemy father; yet can it be Le told that story in a jest?" "So, no, Ola, it is true. He would not J jest about as serioUB a matter a6 that. I But let us ro to his room, I will glance at him but "for a moment, and then must go." As they left the apartment the same sinister face appeared at the window. This time it pressed quite close to the pane, and a fiendish smile was upon it. The window w.is shoved up and the head of a bold, daring man thrust in. For a moment it glaied after the lovers and dis? appeared. CHAPTER XI. AN ADVENTUBE IN THE DABE. Griffith Alton left the house of the wounded sea captain and started down the slight descent toward tho foot bridge i which led across the ravine to the village. Some tall ornamental trees were growing along the si^ee of the path, and these in addition to the very dense fog and stailess night made it so dark that Captain Alton wa6 forced to grope his way before he had gone a dozen pace6 from liiD ^ia^bu. He had bis sword in bis band witb whicb be was feeling bis way, thrusting it out against the trees on his right and st the same time feeling with his left hand. He wfis about half way down the hill when his hand brushed the hair of some one. Supposing it to be a sentry, he Baid: "Helloa, sir; wbo are you, and what are you doing here?" There was no answer, but the next moment the muzzle of a pistol was thrust into his face, and he heard a click and saw a flash. "Fool! What do you mean?" The powder had, evidently become damp, and the weapon failed to go off. Instinctively comprehending that he was in danger, the Captain sprang aside and threw his sword up to ward oft a blow. "Take this, then!" hisfed a voice. And the next moment there was a clash of steel against steel, as a heavy blade came in contact with his own, causing the sparks to fly in showers. "Who are you? If it's this you want you can nave*your share of it," cried Captain Alton, swinging his sword about his head and slashing right and left. Clash ?clash?clash?steel meet steel, and suecessive showers of sparks rolled from their blades. Captain Alton coma nave Knieu ms antagonist, but supposing him to be some overzealous young oflicer, he was only desirous of punishing bim. The man soon found nimself hard pressed, and hurling the pistol into the faco of tbe young commander with force enough to 6tun him, wheeled about and ran off into | the darkness. "Confound the rascal," said the Cnpj tain, staggering for a moment under the force of the blow, "I wish I had him." He was stunned but for a moment, and then set off in the direction the fellow had taken. He was guided by the sound of footsteps scrambling along over the rough, uneven ground. The stony enrtn was covered with 6mall cedars and ornamental trees, which hindered the fugitive's flight. Griffith snatched a pistol from his belt, intending to fire a 6hot after the retreat1?A - JS A! _ ing man, oui a secuuu reuciuuu uccmeu him cot to do so. A 6hot so near the house inipht injure the sleeping patient and needlessly alarm Ola, besides, he had no doubt that the man wno was flying before him was none other than one of his own overzealous sentries. "I -will overtake the scoundrel at any rate and punish him for this imprudence," the young officer thought. He r.:n as rapidly aB he- could, but the fugitive was equally as fleet as himself. He did not gain on him, in fact he wat; rather losing ground, when hie fool 6lipped on n wet 6tone and he fell heavily upon the ground. The commander of the fort was not injured by the fall and was on his feet in a moment. The 6harp report of a muskot down close to the embankment rang out on the air. Griffith hurried up to where the shot had been tired and found several of the villagers already hastening there. "What is the matter?" asked the Captain. "A feller come rnnnin' long here, knocked me down an' run over nie like blazes, jumped the works and skipped. I shot at him, but I swar I don't believe 1 techfcd hair or hide o' him," said the sentry. "Which way did he go?" asked the officer, with no little anxiety. "Right off into the woods. He's a Britisher, yer bet." "Our pickets may catch him," said the Captain, climbing upon the breastworks. He did not consider that his pickets were all inexperienced men and were liable to let the spy through. Their stupidity alone could have allowed him to gain admission. Home one had a lantern with them, and by the dim light it gave the Captain saw a dark form leap from the top of the parapet into the darkness. Captain Alton fired bis pistol at the fugitive, but owing to the intense darkuess he missed. The footsteps of the retreating man could be heard tlying through the woods. He was half-inclined to fire a second eiioi ni xiim, win realizing iue useiessm'sb of the act he put up his pistol. "Come on, come on. half a do/en oi you," he c.ied, excitedly. "We will not allow them to ( scape. Let us follow and overhaul them; tlurj are hut two." Six or seven cilzens, armed with muskets and bayonets, sprang over the parapet with Liui and started through the woods. The ground was uneven, tbe trees thick, the hillside rocky, and thj night no dark tiiat .t was impossible for tbem to more tban grope their way. "Halt!" a voice suddenly called. A click, a flash, a report, und tbe whistling of a Lu let clo-e to his bead, warned Griffith that they were advancing upon the nervous, txcited pickets. They came to a halt, and Griffith cried: 1 -iHop tiring; we are ffiends." wny aianTje say eoT" Baifl tee picket, "Yon gave us no chance." ""What's the matter? what was thai si I Jtin' back there about?" asked the guard as they advanced. Griffith explained that there had beer some of the enemy in their lines and the) fired at them as they ran out, and asked: "Did any one pass you?" "No," the picket answered, "no un's passed us; no un could go past us." "They did; they come through youi lines into our works," said Captain Alton. "Griff, where are you?" called a voice in his rear, and the nest moment Jaci Hatchet came up, panting and wiping the eraniration from his face. Jack, wlmt ere you ao:ng nerer the Captnin asked. "Oh, I heered the ehootin', an comr >nt to see what was the matter; an' I kep an comin' till I found ye." "But you had no orders to follow me?" "No. nor I didn't want any, Griff. El re war in danger, that was all I wanted to know, an' I jest put in to help ye out." "Well, Jack, I 6hall not reprove you, for your motive is evidently a good one; out it does not express very good discipline on our part to have soldiers acting jvithout orders." "Oh, ding it, Griff! I ain't agoin' to try o understand anything 'bout discipline. Fact is, I don't keer a straw. When :hnr's needed a Bledge-hammer blow, ieet count on old Jack, that'6 all." "come on?we will scour the woods, iaik as it is, and try and discover some )f these spies." "All rignt, Griff; I'll go with ye wher? sver ye say, but it seems to me like look* in* fur a needle in a haystack to-night." Griffith Alton cautioned all to be quiet, ieployed them in the woods and made a forward movement. Thero was little hope x this intense d.irkness of finding the spies in the woods. It wouid be but s bare possibility if they came on them al ill. If the British intended making a nighl attack, which he believed they did tot, tTicv trnnlfl in nil nrolinbilitv meet theil advancing lines. The Americans possessed an advantage over the enemy ic being thoroughly acquainted with ever) foot of the ground. They were foemea not to be despised. American riflemen have always provec a match for regulars, and in the singula] warfare in the woods, where 60 much depends on accuracy of aim and so little military tactics, they are their superior, The citizen soldiers of Manoa had bad their mettle tested, and were not lacking in confidence in themselves. For several hundred yards they had cautiously advanced in the woods, when suddenly there came three distinct raps, sounding verj much like some one striking a cartridge oox. The Americans came to a halt. "Can it be possible we have come oa the British pickets?" Captain Altof asked himcelf. Not a word was spoken and a dead gilenoc reigned over the^roods, It was common tor pickets to rap on their cartridge boxes instead of hailing an advanceing foe. A moment's silence and then came three loud raps, and a voice cried: "Who goes there?" Beyond a doubt they had stumbled on the British pickets, though the land forces were on the west of the_ fort and they were on the nortn side, mis picket bad been thrown oat by the marines from the man-of-war. "Here is a mystery," the young commander thought. "This mast be eeei into at once. I wish I knew how man} they were. We will investigate it anj wav." He tvas quick to think and equal!} as quick to act. The words had scarcely escaped the officer bailing them, when Griffith answered: "It is friends." "Have you succeeded?" was next asked "What on earth does he mean?" th< Captain askod himself, but, determined now to play a bold part, he answered: "No, not yet." "They've got a strong guard all round their works, buve they?" Griffith, holding a cocked pistol ii one Land and a sword in th6 other, wai slowly advancing toward the Englishman His mind was acting with licrhtning. like rapidity, and he concluded beyond ? doubt that this wns o?jly a party, either o the laud forces or marines from; th< Xenophon, sent out to accomplish som< object, which, beyond a doubt, was t< spike the guns. "What aid yo como back for till y< done it?" the JJriton asked. "I had to," he answered, blindly. "Was it you who iired those shots?" "Thej- were at us." "You have roused the guards by you blundering, and the job has not been don Vfit - M ? ? The man who was addressing Griffitl was evidently an officer. The youiif c tplain now resolved on a bold plan?i f lan which was both bold and desperate t might result in his losing his life, bn it promised 6UCCoes in ferreting out thi mystery. "Are they there?" asked the voice. "Who?" he asked. "The deserters Burnett and DaweG, the British officer of marines asked. "Yes; we think there can be no doub of it," the American officer answered. "Then Cap'n Monteith was right Well, won't they swing- at the yard-arii when we get 'em? It| was Burnett whe did that execution to our ship." "Then Burnett is not a tiaitor or spy, thought Captain Alton. "We wer wrong." The American was trying to discove how many men the officer of marines ha< with him, but was wholly unable to di that. He heard him occasionally speal to some one, but it was in an undertone and he could gain no information frou what he said. He at last came up to the officer. Tw< or thiee dark forms were standing about him, but the officer was one pace to th< front. "What are you gcing to do now?" the marine asked. "Come this way a moment." The officer took one step forward and then his suspicions being moused, he started back, saying: "There's something wnmg here." "Surrender!" and Griffith seized him bj the nrm and laid the muzzle of his pistol against the Btiton's temple. "Ho, here!" shouted the officer. "Hold! Another word and you are t dead manl" Eut the mischief was alrealy done. There wus a rush of footsteps beforo and behind. A marine thrust the muzzle oJ a gun at the side of Griffith, but he quickly whirled the officer around so thai the contents of the musket entered hia heart, and he fell dead to the earth. "Held on! Hold on. thar, l y tarnation," roared Jack Hatchet, coming forward with terrible strides. The flash oi the gun had paitiullv ligh'ed the scene. Jack and one or two others leveled thei; pieces and fired, but owing to tl e darkness tbeir shots failed to be effective. The flash of their guus, however, sufficiently broke the gloom which enveloped tlieiu to nnow item i" see four or five Uritish marines. Tbe Americans charged with ycl.s, clubbing tbeir guns. Tbe marines fired tbeir muskets and for a few moments stood with lhotl biycnetK. Bui in the contest in tbe dark, tbu impotuous Americans bid the advnntsige. <..'ne or two of tlio British were knocked .town, iu)(I (irimtu wounded imot er vim hin suord. All, however, not away. The sound of their retreat iiif; footslepn alone broke the silence which had fallen upon the Kcene uflor tlie luief contlict. "They're f"ono," sa?d koiuo one. "Yen, eouHiirn their jiietuiiH it'k jest fillers the way." roared Jack Hatchet. "'Jhey iillcrH Hkip out jest when a fellei gitK hiK hand iu. (Mi, 1 wish they'd jest stay, Groat Ji hOKiplml! whv d dn't it jest laHt a uiiuuit longer so that I could u caned up a little!" "linen, Jack," said the young commander, "thin in do time to boast of what we would do. >Vo mum follow them." _ ""That jest 6Uite me exactly,* said Jacl "Which way are tbey gone?" "Down toward the coast around th ) bay. The vessel is just off the island." "Well, I'm ready to follow them aboar i the darned British man o' war." < The undaunted little baud of American set off through the wood, to meet dang? and adventures of which they nevf dreamed. CHAPTER XII. OLA CAPTURED. i Ola Gatrell remained in the room wit : the wounded sea captain, gazing for a Ion i time on his heaving chest and difficu! breathing. It was quite apparent thi i Captain Gatrell was growing very weal Removing him to his own room and be bad so exhausted him that he was scarci ly able to speak. Ulfl, Willi ail ItlU ICUUCl ojuipoiuji U1 loving daughter, bung about the bed < ! the dying man and tears trickled down hi "Don't cry, honey," Bald the warm-hear ed Mrs. Hatchet. "We've all got to d: some time; yer father'8 jest agoin' a fe day6 afore the otherB, tbat'B all." "But, Mre. Hatchet, it is 6ad to thin that he, who had but a few days left at bes should be snatched away in this mannershould die such a violent death " Poor Ola broke down and sobbed. Tl wounded man woke in time to hear h< 1 last words. He sat up in bed and in feeble voice called: "Ola, Ola, my dear child, come here!" She dried her tears and stood by h bedside. "You have been weeping," tl wounded sailor said, trying to smile, bi a twinge of pain in las 6ide drove tl smile away. "I will not weep if it annoys you, father she said, sitting down by his bedside. He gently drew her face toward hin ! and, kissing her as he was wont to c when she was an infant, 6aid: "My child?my dear child! for, thoug there is no blood relation between us, ' will still call you my dear child." E ; was so weak he was forced to stop ai rest, though his feeble arm was still aboi | herjieck. ( "U0 Dot try to iaiK, lamer, bub buh "you are too weak, and your strength hi 1 been taxed too much already." I "I will not talk more than if) good f< , me, my dear child," he said, pausing t breath. "You are my child?my ovi J child?are you not. Ola?" he asked, h eyes growing unnaturally bright, i "Of course I nm, father; no one won! r pretend to 6ay I was not," she answerer j His mind 6eemed to wander, and for moment the sea captain muttered son ( unintelligible sentences. , "I knew you would not deny being n ( child," he finally said. "That ship?th; wreck?that storm, Ola?and also aftt I had been told that my own wife at ! child had perished. It was my own chi I rescued from the wreck. It was n j own wife I found dead and disfigured c the wreck. Poor Ola?my own litt darling?I must soon go and lea' ; you " | ""Oh, father, don't talk soi won't y< j try and sleep agaiD?" "Sleep, child? 1 will soon sleep, will be the last long 6leep?that 6le< mat Knows QO waning. J. am ueum I port, my sails are shortened, Ola, ai I soon I'll cast anchor in the haven of ree But yon won't be alone." j "Ion are talking too mnch, f..thc Ton must talk no more. I'o please 1 . quiet." i "Never fear, child; I kuow when to L i to," the sailor answered. "Don't be u ' ens.v about me, for thi6 old stonn-tossi hulk is going into the dry-dock, bnt y< 1 will not be alone. He loves yon, det I and he will never forsake you. "He is n i ture's true noblemnn. Never did sh sail under fairer colors." "No, father, I have no fear6 of beii , left alone or reglec'ed. Now go to sleep l He laid his hr.nd lovingly upon h 1 face, patted her cheek, and tnnk in 6lumber. Mrs. Hatchet, who had stood in tl background while the futher and daug ter were convening, now motioned Ola i come away. r She removed the hand which st . rested upon her head and rcse witho waking him. i "I will go to my room, Mrs. Hatchet i -V. ? j djuc eih\A. A6 sue wai crossing the ha \i she hea j the report of a gun or pistol toward tl ; earthworks on the southeast. Her he.n bounding with fear, 6he hastened out i the piazza in front of the house. / was intense darkness, but she could he a rush of footsteps down toward the li; of earthworks. A few moments later she caught t! i faint gleam of a lantern and another sh e was heard. "What is it?another fight?" aski ! Mrs. Hatchet, hastening out upon tl ; piazza. s "I do not know. Did it wako father . ehe asked. I "Xo." 6 "Please look in and see if he eti sleeps." [TO Bg COKTINPED.J BABY'S STORIES. The tiaby sits on the table there, With a pen in her dimpled hand, And she reads the funny crooked lines, ^ , As if she could understand. She is "writing a'tory same as mamma,* And she laughs in baby glee; f If I could read what the baby writes? j What would the story be? 3 How the oldest doll was naughty and cros And left her work undone, And would not study her lesson-book, c' But wasted her time in fun, And would not mind her little mamma, r But was naughty as she could be; t How she went to walk one day on the beac] ! And was drowned in the deep blue sea. 1 How Kitty came to mamma's housa From nobody-knows-where; I And the baby made her a little bed I In the very best rocking cliair. So sad a story as this, indeed, I think you have never heard; [ That Kitty, though all were kind to ter? She killed the baby bird! How a baby chicken fell one day ' Into a little pool; And they put him into the dolly's becl, And wrapped him in cctton-wool; > And went on a rocking-horse to town [ I To bring him the doctor quick, I tit.-AI 3 i;++iA ?V 11U UitLer JJUWUCIS auu nmc I'li.o, I For the chicken was very sick. How there was oace a little nest Up in a tall green tree; j A little straw round like a cup, 1 Just big enough for threeThree little darling baby birds In a cosey little heap; And the wind rocked the cradle up ai dowu, And rocked the babies to sleep, i i How an angel came one night next door Straight down out or the sky; And went straight back and all the folks Heard something cry, and cry; | And 'twas a baby, sure enough, i She wore a long white dress; 1 And brought a baby-basket down, And they called her littlo Bess. These are the stories the baby writes^ At least I fancy so? As over and over tho blotted page Her hurrying fingers go. , Bbo sells them to mamma when they': done. And what doss she get? you say. A thousand kisses, a heartful of lovo? And that is the best of pay I i ?M. F. Butts, in Wide Awakt, .... . t 1 - ABOUT AMBER. d A VALUA BLE SUBSTANCE WHICB IS GROWING SCARCE. i> !1 Amber in Ancicnt Romance and It Commerce?The U6es to "Which Moderns Have Applied It ?Where Obtained, t . j? ' Amber has so long been identified witi Lt the luxury of perfect enjoyment behind e i. pipe or cigar that is not pleasant to b< 4.u? 1? u ICIUtUUt'U UiUU IUU aupjJIJ lO giuuuau j diminishing, and unless new deposits arc found it will eventually be exhausted. Familiar as most peoplff are with th( 37 subs tan cc, few realize as they touch tc their lips the pretty bit of color that it if a product of nature dating so far back iD the ages that no record of its origin is ati K- ' ? [6 id AMEER HUNTERS AT WORK. 3t tainable. For all we know to the contrary.it was contemporaneous with Adam jg and Eve. The prophet Ezekiel speaks of a great cloud with a fire infolding it and ?i a brightness about it of the color of or amber. The classic writers of old comn pared it with the yellow tresses of the 19 celestial divinities. Id Sophocles sang of amber as "the cond. gealed tear drops of the birds that a mourned the death of Meleager." As 10 tradition hath it, "the sisters of Meleager wept unceasingly after his death, until ^ Diana changed them into guinea hens, TOflrn frnnefarwi^ flip iclanfl nf .T "v.v -id Leros." A still older fable, coeval with Id Hesiod himself (who Hved about 735 B. iy C., and wrote an account of the birth of j? the world and the origin of the gods), ve relates how Phaethon paid the penalty of hie drive across the heavens in the chariot )Q of the sun, Zeus having killed him with a flash of lightning and hurled hinrdowD It into the River Eridanus. His sisters,the 5P Heliadse, daughters of Helios (the sun), ^ who had yoked the horses to the chariot, t bewailed the death of their brother 60 tjjttsrly that the jgods, in compassion, sr. changed them into poplar trees that be "ehed tears of amber." In later times the Eridanus was supposed to be th? *y same as the River Po, because ambei Qj was found on the banks. Hence the Electrides insula, or "amber islands," are placed at its moutb. a- The philosophers showed themselves ip scarcely less imaginative than the poets. With them amber was a liquid produced V>i7 fho wm nf the spttintT sun. or an ex I " "J ?J- O i gr cretion of the ocean thrown up by its to "waves in the spring, or the gum of certain trees growing on some of tbe inac36 cessible islands in the Adriatic, which k* exuded from their branches with tht 0 rising of the dog star. Thale3, the first ill to observe its electrical properties, was at so struck with its power of attracting other substances that lie did not hesitate to endow .the amber with the possession rfl of a soul. Absurd as were the deducJe tions, they constitute the germ of the irt modern science of electricity, which to takes its name from elektron, the Greek ill word for amber. aT Pliuy arrived much nearer the truth ne than any of his predecessors when he alhe leged it to be a resinous juice oozing ot from old pines aud lira aDd discharged into the sea, where, taking lodgment, it was gradually hardened by the influenco of heat or cold or the action of the sun. The origin of amber has also been a matter of dispute among naturalists, some describing it as an animal substance reill eembling beeswax secreted by nn ant inhabiting pine forests, others maintaining I i i?:i 1 it to ue a iusbii uuucrui ui uuicuuuiiau origiu: but, according to the recent researches of Goppert, amber is nothing more than indurated resin derived from various trees of the gum family, which resin is found in a similar condition in all zones, becausc its usual original depositories, namely, beds of brown coal, have been formed almost everywhere under similar circumstances. si? COFFINS OF ANCIENT INSECTS. , A convincing proof that amber was once fluid is afforded by the fact that insects, leaves, drops of clcar water or portions of metal, sand and other articles are sometimes found inclosed in it. Occasionally the insects are entire and in a fine state of preservation, but frequently their detached legs and wings indicate a hard struggle to escape from the viscid mass. Bees_ wnsns annts tnidpro and beetles have been observed in specimens, and because they were imbedded years ago in the soft tree gum they are in demand by collectois and by college muscums; there thfi inclosures are subjects of careful study by naturalists. The discovery of such a piece of amber is a bit of good fortune, for unusual value is attached to the unlucky prisoner. Very beautiful specimens containing insects ages old may be seen in the establishment of an amber expert and merchant in New York City. If he takes the fancy he will lead you into a queer looking little workshop. The walls look as if they were aftlctcd with an eruption of carving tools. Odd looking lathes and polishing machines, racks and cabiuets full ot the raw and half completed material, are all around you. Pulling r? out a nest of drawers he will show you a great quantity of dull looking, irregularly 9haped lumps, and explain that no product is more variable in price. One lot may be purchased for ?1 a pound, ; while another, that appears to the un 1 jiracticed eye not a whit more valuable, n:ay be worth $50. ^ The amber is found in different sizes, varjing from that of a nut to, a man's hand. A piece weighing one pound might be worth $50, but a piece weighing twelve or thirteen pounds would be thought cheap at $5000. In the time of the Romans Nero used an amber dripkinz cup, and an amber dish represented the countenance and history of Alexander. The historian Gibbon tells us that among the Greeks the material was so greatly appreciated that the amphitheatres were adorned with either silver, gold or amber. In modern times amber is chiefly obtained on sea coasts after storms, when it is either picked up on the bench or armorh^ after hv men urViri -wftllr iln t.o their necks in the waves, with long poles to which nets are attached; or it is gathered from precipitous cliffs by men in boats, who go armed with poles and iron hooks, and loosen fragments of rocks in exploring them. The latter methods are not without danger to the amber seekers. Amber occurs in beds in Greenland, Prussia, Prance and Switzerland, but tho greater portion of it comes from the southern coasts of the Baltic Sea, where it is thrown up between Koenigsberg and Memel. It is also obtained by mining at a distance of 200 feet or more from the sea, and has been met with in gravel beds near London. 'Not many years ago specimens were found on Cape Sable, in Maryland. In 1844 the amber gathering on the shores of the Baltic was more abundant than ever before known at the same epbt.< In the village of Kahlberg alone, where the product was ' 'farmed," it is estimated that twenty thousand thalers' worth of amber was picked up in the course of a few weeks. It is supposed that this in-, creased quantity resulted from the violent storms that prevailed on the coasts of the Baltie--dwing the--preceding- winter,-by which the treasure was thrown up from the bottom of the sea. One of the largest pieces of amber at present known - AL- 1 ?l: J. _A. :Am jo in iue ruyai uuuiut'i* nt ocruu, its weight being about eighteen pounds. AUTISTIC "WOEK ET AMBfflt. It is a mistake to suppose that amoer is only used to tip pipes or give additional glory to a choice cigar, for, being full of electricity, the smaller fragment are made into beads and worn by many people as_a j>reven{jv? of sore throat and croup. Children find relief in chewing upon the polished surface while cutting teeth. The Chinese wear bracelets made of amber, and use large quantities of it in the construction of idols. Amber is designated as clear, cloudy or milky. The eastern nations prefer the milky variety, but Americans as a rule choose the cloudy variety because it is less easily imitated by gum copal. The material is worked with a chisel and turning wheel, the former having a razorlike edge, and the most beautiful objects are produced. Among the collections of an artist, which he preserves as evidence of the kind of apprenticeship he passed through, is an amber skull. It is less than three-quarters of an inch high, but the bones and articulations are distinctly marked. A magnifying glas3 is necessary to enjoy the marvelous detail 1 of the carving. Another specimen is a holder, with a hollow head of a monk for the cigar, the old recluse laughing; but you can only j see tbe wrinkles in his face through a glass. There are still other representaI +> /-<no in <irt fVi?t toi!1 via in nerfection IllV/iiO AU ut V ?u?>? " --- A with the most famous ttatues, and yet there may not be half an inch of substance on which to carve the lines. Take it all in all, amber in its historj and results constitutes one of the most interesting studies in natural history, and to see the deft workman evolve fiom the crude mass forms of beauty on which the eye loves to linger is a luxury that is enjoyable by every devotee of high art.? Brooklyn Citizen. Easy for llie Judges. Geoffrey (to rejected candidate foi honors at the dog show)?"Never raind. Smut! We'll have a dog show that shal I be all cats except you, and then you'l j have it all your own way!"?Jvd'je. An Ugly Bit of Property. In the gallery of the United States Circuit Court i9 a pile of oak ticbers that look strong euough to batter down 1 -* * J * 1 !1J! .O T mnn UlC Dlggesi OUI1U11JH m IIIC witv. ujiu6 apart they suggest nothing formidable to the mind, but when they are put together properly they make a gallows that is eighteen feet high and has a history. The gallows is the property of the United States Government. On it were hanged Ilicks the pirate, and Gordon the slaver. It has not been used in years and the possibility of its being called into service again is unlikely. But it is carefully preserved iu order, probably, that no man may be eacoaraged to commit a capital crime on Government territory became there is no gallows ready on which to bane him.?New York Sun. A ^ee ?f Dwarfed The accompanying cut is that of Olof Krarer, one of a race of dwarfs living at Angmagsalik, on the coast of ^ Greenland. There are only 500 of them, and whatever their origin, they have no racial peculiarities to identify them with the Esquimaux. They look like Danes. <c^gSiH!y^ ,*~Wr ; i ' - i " '$Wt. MI6S OLOF KRAREB. *\ The colony is slowly growing smaller, and will probably disappear within ao- j other century. Seventeen years ago some Icelandic sailors were wrecked at Angmagsalik and given kindly reception. After re cuperating they decided to make an attempt to rsach home overland and by meane of thu ocean ice floes, They urged their hosts to leave the desolate valley and accompany them. One only resolved to easay the venture. He got together his -w ife, his fcwo sona, hia daughter, his dogs and sleds, and started - * * ? ill? x !LU with tne sanor strangers. alter kitiuw Bufferings the band succecded in reach- ,.Ning Iceland, but the climato of that bleak / island proved too mild for tHfe G&enland \ I exile and his family,' and all dud save the girl, who was then fifteen years of ~ age. She was adopted by some char- ' * itable people,, who educated her, gave her the name Olof Krarer, and took her with them when they immigrated to Manitoba. Miss Krarer recently lectured before & > churoh society at Chicago^n the subject V of her native land, airi fteatad a genuine surprise. Bhe is forty inch?f,tall and weighs 140 pounds. Her Engn|h is exa?d arnantinn?Aa^innnt UCUCUt) mvu WUV ?y p- ? utter the "sh" sound. A Curious Indian Yehiele. The "tcrnga" is theprevaSin^ style of cart used over the road front^flpila to! Kalka, India. The road is veryliard to travel, having aiTasoent ot nearly 5000 Teet in the fifty-eight miles of distance between the cities. It has two wheels, is drawn by two horses and can carry four persons. The harnessing of the horses is one oI the ' THE TOHGA. J i '1 most uniqtie features. ' They carry padded saddles and across these rests an iron bar. The pole of the cart rests on this, being fastened by clumsy iron bolts. The whole arrangement i9 clumsy, but it is claimed to be well adapted to bang- j ing over rocky ipads. . c There is a constant Whizzing wound gorges and cutting the edges of precipiees. A modern wagon would be entirely unserviceable, as the roads in India have a peculiar jolting gffecc on' wagons which our bolted and iron conveyances could not withstand. The fun an experienced Indian traveler will get out of a ride in a tonga is something remarkable. An ordinary being - ,v| would be so shaken vp he couldn't digest . < anything for a week, but one of tho Indian travelers will enjoy the jumping about of the curious little wagon as % sailor enjoy? the heaving of his ship. * ?| Belie Factories. The Neapolitan police have unaartheA ' another establishment for the wholesale manufacture of "classic antiquities"? coins, medals, vases and statuea. Some of these counterfeits have an appearance of superannuation apt to deceive even 3 connoisseurs, and are, indeed, perfect fac-similes of specially characteristic* models?lobsided coins and slightly , ^ damaged sculptures. It will not be long before some specialist will try bis hand on Indian relics.?New York Voice, . , Now that the French people are # having their attention called to the us63 of hypnotism as a detector of crime . < the people of Muncie, Ind., are experiencing its value as a motive power in religious revivals. The veteran evangelist, Mrs. Maria Woodworth, has apparently dispensed with hysterics, short spasms, and the frothing at the mouth, which, when accompanied by an eoileDtic fit, gave sure tokens o; salvation. Mrs. "Wood-worth allows hez converts to'lapse into a comatose state "for sixty hours at a stretch.." when they visit heaveD or the other place, just as suits them. As a matter of fact, they have seen everything, spoken to the spirits of the just made perfect, and recognized lots of American citizensreputed good in the flesh?who are en^ joying the blessings of a warm climate. Hypnotism that can transport a Christian at will to Dives or Lazarus from a town in Indiana has gone far beyond the limits laid down in Paris. Gen. Francis A. Walker, in the Forum, makes an interesting argument i biiawt +1iof: r/iftt fckxv mnn linra ity for great leadership in practical affairs, and that men -w ho have this capacity are likely to win, by the help of or in spite of conditions and opportunities. There are men everywhere who can satisfactorily do the work of subordinates, but those that can do the work of leaders are everywhere very few. fVn Mofrimnnlal Office "Wrfl. here 19 a photograph of the lady whom I have described to you." "But, my dear sir. according to this picture the lady is much older than you gave me any reason to believe." 4'Oh, I assure you that is a very old photograph."?Fliegende Bluet~ Ur. ' Hunter?"Did you realize anything on that $500 you put into the Cataract Mine?" Wyckes?"Yes; I realized what a chump I was."?Brooklyn. Life. There are only six large citi& in this country that do not own the local water works. -' daH