Historical Newspapers of South Carolina

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iln The Story of a Tragic W Life Drama. BY E. M. DAVX, CHAPTER TX? Continued. i have already told you," she said, 'that Georgie had a severe attack of brair fever after her father's unhappy death two years ago. He was thrown from his horse?in the hunting held. She was present. She saw it. That will account to you for?for?you understand?the terrible shock to her nerves. My deal fenshand onlv recovered consciousness half an hour before he died. He wished then to alter his will. He feared that hie daughter?so beautiful, so charmingmight fall a prey to fortune-hunters. "To avoid all chance of this he left everything to me, conjuring me with his dying breath to hold it in trust for her? to devote my life to watch over and guard her. Her illness was terrible; the results lasted long. The physicians ordered constant change erf scene and the utmost quietude. I had promised?God helping me?to devote my life to her, and, ac> cording to my light, I have kept thatpromise faithfully. She leaned back in her chair, breathwifh ftnnftrent nam and difficulty, and pressing, as I bad Been her do before? her band tightly to her side. I regarded her with compassion. It seemed to me the task she bad undertaken was quite beyond her strength; the responsibility weighed too heavily on a mind that, perhaps, never very Btrong, had now become warped by a kind of religious mania, with which, I confess, I bad little sympathy. But I pitied the woman, and would nelp her if I could. "Mrs. Hargreave," I said, going close to her, "you must not allow this sense of responsibility to trouble you any longer, I am here to share it with you. By and by I will take it all on my own shoulders. "Would that day were come!" "It is nearer than you think, perhaps," he said, turning on me her weary, fadedlooking eyes. "Dr. Gascoigne tells me I am a dying woman. But, remember, not a word of this to my daughter " I felt awed?almost as though I were even then in the presence of death. I took her band, just touching it reverently with my lips. "Trust me. Command me. I will do all I can for you." I said with 6ome emotion. "I do. I will. I look upon it that the Almighty has sent you in answer to my prayers. Now leave me, Mr. Dudley; I need rest. But join us at luncheon; it is absolutely necessary that I should see all I can of you in the brief time left me. 1 I must assure myself by closest observa- j tion that I am resigning her father's ! treasure into worthy hands." And I went out from her presence ; more happy and confident than I had entered it?at the same time more puzzled, more amazed. CHAPTER VII. rmi doctob'b congbatuiations abe noi CORDULL. It was arranged that for the present 1 ihoold live at Glendale Honse, going foi ? few hours doily to Coaltown to attend < to my duties at the bank. It was also ! decided that the engagement between Miss Hargreave and myself chould be . kept secret.' I won't even tell Edna," said Georgie, that first afternoon of bliss, as my betrothed and I sat over the fire, Mrs. Hargreave having left us two alone. "No; I won't even give her a bint of it, "she continued, playing idly with the hand screen she held to shade her face. " Servants talk so, yon know, even the best oi them," What was there in the remark that sent sudden chill through me? I answered quickly: You told me you did not regard her a? a servant, that yon knew her to be a lady " "I make her a companion?a friend. She sleeps now in the little dressing* room next mine; nevertheless she is a servant She came to ns as one. She is paid the wages mother has been nsed tc pay my maid. Please touch that bell, distinctly, twice." I obeyed. The signal seemed understood, for almost immediately the dooi was opened and Edna entered, carrying t tea-tray. She started slightly on seeing me. Instinctively, I rose as she came toward us, and moved a small table close tc Georgie's side, whereon sho placed tht tray. "Mr. Dudley will pour out my tea Ton need not remain to-day," cried Georgie. * - I -iAl 4. * J AQU WUUUUt it wuiu, yut ivvxiiu^ toij sweet and grave, and not a little sad, th? girl turned to leave the room. I opened the door for her, bnt received neithei word nor look of thanks. "Are theee North-Country manners'] Do they rise and open doors for servant! in Coaltown?" asked Georgie, as I re turned to my seat. "I don't know," I answered, a little confused. "Bnt why did yon do it? "Was it because I tola yon I believe she is by birtb and education a lady?" she persisted. "Perhaps," I answered evasively. "Then don't do it again, please. Yon watched her in a way that would cause any girl to feel uncomfortable. Oh, Jack. Jack, what are you about now? Putting all that sugar in my tea? You may have * that yonrself, sir?I prefer mine without. Mother has many crazes, as no doubt you have discovered," she continued, taking the cup I poured out for her, without cream or BUgar, accorging to her directions. "One is. she thinks it a good sign when a man is fond of his tea. It is, according to her, a certain guarantee that he is sober, steady and respectable in all hie ways. In your cabe. the fact that von dislike smoking and abhor f-timulants has proved the surest road to her affections. " "But what reason nas sue tor one moment to suppose " "Why, didn't you tell her this yourseli duriug that long tete-a-tete you and she had together .here? Didn't you agree with ner in everything? I know why you did it, Jack. It was for my sake?because you love me." "No! Upon my soul, I had no intention of so deceiving her. There has been some mistake, which I must explain." "Too late now, sir! I do bo pity you, you poor, poor boy. No more nice tobacco and cigars. No more " "What the?I mean I wish you would not joke about it, Georgie. Surely, Mrs. Hargreave won't exact " She laughed in a way that somehow grated just a little on my senses. "She'll hold you to it to the last letter. You don't half know my stepmother. After giving her to understand yoo greed with all her crazes, you'll have tt agree now. You've pledged yourself. Do rou?regret it?" she asked, riBing, and Irawing herself up to her full height. I was by her side in a moment. "By heaven, no!" I cried, Beizlng both her hands, while I gazed into her e oh, chose unfathomable eyes, in whose dusky depths I longed to find?I know ?ot what. But I discovered nothing. The intense look vanished as quickly as It came, to be succeeded by one of fun tad merriment. "You're undoubtedly very handsome, Jack!" she exclaimed. "Am I?" I asked absently. "Why, of course you are! If you had aot been, would I ?" She said no more. Her hands were tlosely looked in mine. Our lips met. * - , The opening and quick shutting of the ioor behind me 6tartled both. Georgie pu6hed me from her. "It was Edna. How annoying!" she sried. "She saw?I'm sure she saw. Jack, if you ever dare do such a thing again I will not marry you. She'll tell %11 over the place what she has just leen." "Not she." "She will, I Bay. Servants always talk ind gossip." "I'm sure she won't. She is the very soul of honor," I asserted warmly. "Any one would suppose you knew her better than I do to hear you 6peak so conadently. I will not have our engagement known in a place like this, where people watch and pry and chatter. I'd rather ieny it?a thousand times! But come, et us forget this," she added, lightly, ind seating herself at the piano she poured out such a flood of melody that for the time all remembrance of the unfortunate contretemps wgb banished from <ny mind. At a late'hour (iat night i went to Dr. Gascoigne'sroom. He had returned. Ct vas more than a week since we had met, ind we Bettled down for a comfortable imoke. He placed the whisky bottle before me, *nd willing to forget for one night, at east, the future abnegation to -which I lad unconsciously bound myself, I poured rat probably rather more than my usual moderate allowance. We had had a very jood .dinner in No. 29, but, as may be supposed, there was nothing in the shape of wine. The Doctor and I had not oeen titting together long when out of thefullless of my heart I spoke. "Gascoigne," I said suddenly, "I *rant rou to be the first to congratulate me- It a a profound secret at present. I am sure you will keep it eo, but I am engaged to marry the handsomest and most charmnggirl in England. Wish me joy." "Has it already come to this? Haven't pou been rather precipitate, my friend?" ae asked, taking his pipe from bis mouth ind shaking out some of the ashes on a ;rav beside him. 'There's an old Scotch proverb, 'HapSy's the wooing th&? s a short time aoing.' We're very near Scotland, here, Doctor," I answered, laughing. "But Jome, you have not congratulated me " "ara mn sura the steD you are takinc will add to your happiness?" "My dear fellow, it seems to me I nevet knew the meaning of the word. HappiQessf I'm intoxicated with it. She is just the most adorable, bewitching, loveprovoking piece of womankind I ever encountered. I wish to God I could marry her to-morrow. I shall not have long to (rait, though," I added confidently. There was a pause. It was very irritating to me when I looked across to Gascoigne, to see him still trifling with ;he ashes fallen from his pipe, and apparently absorbed in contemplation of diem. "I wish you'd speak," I exclaimed, impatiently. He looked full at me. His face wa& jraver, paler, too, than usual. "I congratulate no one on such occasions," he laid, letting his words fall slowly. "In my mind, marriage, which has more than *- -uL Due attriDuie in cuimuuu wnu uoa?u, ? lembles it especially in this, that no human being can venture to predict what manner of life is likely to succeed it." Where was the old frank heartiness of look and manner?the geniality that fir6t attracted me to him? I saw before me a sold, stern face, from which all human feeling seemed to have departed. Sudienly he started, shivered, then all at snce appearing to rouse himself, he imiled. "I'm turning cynical," he said; "forgive me. And, don't misnnderstand me, Dudley, with all my heart I hope you may be happy." Even then I did not like his tone. "By the way, I have not yet thanked Jou for your share in bringing it about," said. "Thanked me?" "Yes. Mrs. Hargreave asked what you knew of me. She told me so. And the information you gave her led " "She'd better nave left that unsaid,* he muttered; then with a short, forced laugh, remarked aloud: "But there's nc trusting woman, Dudley. Above all, the ?the professedly religions." "I never trusted Mrs. Hargreave * I said, and paused. "No?" "Well, I'm getting over my first impressions, which were decidedly unfavorable." - "Isn't there a saying about first impressions being truest?" he asked, musmgly. Mine regarding Misa Hargreave? Georgie I began. "Oh, it's no use talking to a man in love," he interrupted. "You can't saj t've encouraged you in your hasty leap intAmiWmnnv .Ta^!1^ whatever comes ol it, .you can't ieproach me?that's some comfort! May yon be happy, my boy. Let's change the subject" Here, thought I, was a disappointed man, who could not bear to look on happiness through another man's eyes. I resented ootn Jtus words and manner. . felt that I should quarrel with him, or at least say something afterwards regrettable, if I remained; so, flinging my halfsmoked cigar into the grate, I got up, said good-night curtly, and left the room. chapter vih. "wait." Next day I attended to my duties at the bank, went to my lodging,, packed up ?11 my effects and returned to Wexham bj ft late afternoon train. The 'bus was waiting outside the station. I had mj luggage placed on it and set off to walk tc Glendale House. It was between six and seven o'clock? ? cold November evening?the fog bc dense you could not see three yardi ihead; bat the road was familiar to m? ftnd I walked along in buoyant spirits, sheered by the thought that every Btep 1?1 ?_ .v. ?1 bOUK. uie lioaicr tu iuc tuaiwiu^ ^ui nuvoc image was now never absent from mj mind. How many ages instead of hours It seemed since we had said"Good-night!' How would she gTeet me? There was nc dull sameness about this incomparable creature. ''Time could not wither, noi custom stale her infinite variety." And again I thought of her as my ideal Cleopatra! I walked faster and faster, and t>cgai inging low to myself on the solitary roac the first song she' had ever sang to me: Should he upraid, I'll own that he prevail. And slug he sweetly as the nightingale; Bay that he frown, I'll say his looks I view As morning rosea newly tipped with dew. As morning roses tipped "Mr. Dudley!" exclaimed an almost breathless voice beside me. I ceased singing and stood still. "Please walk on slowly: I wiBh to speak with you." It was Edna Lynton. I offered her my arm, but she declined. "May I ask you something?something that?I wish very much to know?" "Of oourse you may." "And you will not think it mere idle curiosity on my part? You will not misjudge " "I will answer to the best of my ability any question you may put. As to imputing to you an unworthy motive, I think you should know me a little better than to leur tuab. "How long have you known Miss Hargreave, Mr. Dudley?" An, low it was coming! I must take care. Georgie particularly wished that Edna should not be told our secret, and somehow I felt it would be extremely awkward to tell her myself. "Since last Saturday week. I believe my acquaintance with her began the same day as your own." This question, at any .rate, was e isily replied to. "Bnt she is?your coasin?" "No." "She is not related to you?" "Not in the very least. Has some one told you so?" % ' "Yes. But I have begun to doubt It, or would not have come here to meet you now. I came to tell you that?on Saturday?I entered the sitting-room to bring something I had forgotten, and saw?I Baw?you understand? "What do you mean? "Why do you 6peak of this?" I asked, making an insane attempt to laugh. "Because what I saw should not have been, unless " "Edna!" "Don't. Please don't make it more difi finrilt. for m?. Oh. the t)ain of it?the pain of it. I was about to Bay?when you Gtopped?that what I saw should not have been unless?unless there is more between you and Mi6sHargreavethan?" I kept silence.' For some seconds we walked on thus. I was in a false position. I could not defend myself without confessing the truth, and that I must not do. "Please answer me," at length she pleaded. "Do you wish to marry her?" "You are right?as you always are. It should not have been unless " "But you will not ask her yet? You would not?could not?be so rash! A few days' acquaintance only! She Is bo beautiful. I can imagine a man admiring her immensely. But yon must take time to make quite sure you love her and in r\t *ATir lrtTO, PrftmiBA D-UO AO ' n V* V*jij VA j v??? w ? _ you will take time?only promise you will take time!" And this from Edna Lynton, who, six yean before, had coldly, heartlessly, after encouraging my love, refused it I Women are indeed strange beings, whom we poor men strive in vain, sometimes, to understand. "Why do you exact this promise from me?" I asked, gently, and stood still. We had reached the lodge gates, as I saw by tne faint glimmer of the lamps above them. "Am I to believe that at last you care whether I am happy or miserable?" "Believe what yon like; but wait." And with her hand on mine, standing out there in the fog and darkness of that cold November night, I promised what she asked?that I would do nothing rashly, that I would take time to consider things, and wait. Her face I couldnot see, but her hand trembled, and I know she was strangely moved. We separated within the gates. There was a sob in her voice as she said good-night. I walked very slowly up the avenue after this. What did Bhe mean? Why should Bhe concern herself in my affairs? Was it possible she knew anything against-?No, no! That was entirely out of the question to be thought of. Georgie Hargreave was all the world to me?my love, my ideal, my incomparable queen! I almost wished this encounter mUVi Viad nnt taken t>lace. It revived a past which was best?far I best?forgotten. Even now, when I believed the old love not only dead bat supplanted, the mere sonnd of her voice, the touch of her hand, her apparently newly awakened interest in my welfare, brought back a host of old memories, of tender recollections, that But pshaw! Why waste time to writa of them? They all vanished like mists before the sun when I saw Georgie?when she came forward to meet me in th? splendor of her magnificent beauty. We were alone. I took her in my arms, and, giving myself over to the force of a passion that overwhelmed every other reeling, I swore to her I loved her as never woman had been loved. Some days went by. One evening on my return from town Georgie inquired archly, "You must be growing tired of being my lover. How much longer do you think you can play the part?a week?' "Till I become your husband, too, Georgie. I am afraid, however, that will scarcely bo?in a week," I answered, with a.sich. "I am not so sure of that," she said, with playful mock demureness. "But here comes mother. I will leave you for a few minutes together while she explains " Georgie disappeared beneath the portiere as her mother entered. nr nnvrrMTTTm 1 IX\J The Tljjer Shark. The tiger shark is considered equally as fierce, powerful, and as voracious as the leopard species, and is carefully avoided by the crews of sponging, tur? tling and fishing vessels. It is not nearly so handsome in outline as the leopard shark, and looks as rough as if it had been forged into shape under the blows of a steam trip-hammer. The size of its mouth and roughness of its form are the first features about it to attract the attention of strangers. But those who know something concerning it are chiefly at? tracted by the tiger-like stripes, which have given it the name it bears, and the indications of extraordinary strength in its deep, full body, powerful tail, and heavy fins. It is ia all probability the strongest member of its g6nus in Florida waters, and is swift enoueh to overtake a dolphin; yet it ha* the habit of lying in wait near beaches and swallowing thousands of little turtles, not larger than silver dollars. It is reported to attain a length varying from twenty-five to thirty feet, but the largest I ever saw measured only sixteen feet. It is rarely seen in the shallow bays on the western coasf, pre- i ferring to keep to the open waters of the Gulf of Mexico, where an abundance of food and a safe haven during a tempest may always be found. A tiger shark, captured on a hook on one of the Bahama Islands, actually pulled out by the roots a large cedar tree to which the hook was fastened by an inch rope, and dragged it about for an hour. The captors knowing that it could not pull the heavy load, which floated at right angles with the line of flight, for any great length of time, remained ashore and watched the infuriated sea tiger rush hither and thither and make frantic ef' ?Af /vf ifo Arnrr THpTT flftV lfe IUIL3 IU J1U Ui ? J J " acted like a maniac, biting at everything it met, from a bunch of seaweed to the true itself. At the end of an hour it showed signs of extreme exhaustion, and the men, thinking that an opportune time for capturing it, 9cized the rope and hauled the captive high up on the beach without much trouble.?New York Post. about two years ago the American Tobacco Company of New York was founded, and it Is now said to include all the leading cigarette and cigar factories in the East and several plug tobacco factories in the West, and to be gradually getting control of the entire tobacco business of the coun try. it nas recently aavancea me price'of cigarettes from $3.80 a thou sand to $4. It has devised a scheme for controlling the retailers by offering them a rebate of fifty cents a thousand, but the rebate for November and December is not to be paid until next April, and not then unless the retailer has "promoted the interests" of the company to its "satisfaction. " ^ It isn't the man who is at the top who always has the most sense. Remember that a balloon is sure to rise, but is nothing but a bag of gas after all. In Ireland all reporters are licensed to carry firearms, and the wily politician does not repudiate interviews without some apprehension. -.C, . . V \yj : JU'? r "libby prison" THRILLING EPISODES IN THE NOTED JAIL'S HISTORY. Escape of Colonel Rose and Companions? Burying a Bogus s Powder Keg?Drawing * v Lots For Life or Death. _^r IBBY PRISON x<3;J \ r"3v, }s 8U^ject of a Sraph,c article W ferA in the New York ky JHI $* __thc W/M "writer Buys; " The first building used in the Confederate capital as a militaay | prison was a : ? tobacco factory i on Main street, f between TwentyI % fifth and Twenty/ Jj sixth streets. General J. H. ; }^tZ7777'. " t "Winder, who was I I ju command at ' Richmond, 1 ing himself in need of additional quarters, took such prompt possession of the house of Libby & Son that the sign was left suspended on the northwest corner, and thus furnished the name by which the most famous Southern prison of the Civil War will always be known. The first consignment of Union 1 prisoners arrived in Richmond July 23, 1861, followed the next day by others, all of whom had been captured at the disastrous battle of Bull Run. These were confined in the Liggon building. Up to June 20, 1862, there were 18U0 men received into Libby. Th?y insluded most of the Fourth New Jersey and Eleventh Pennsylvania Regiments. Thomas E. Ro3e, colonel of tho Seventy-scverith Pennsylvania Volunteers, was captured at Chickamauga and arrived in Libby Prison October 1,1863. His firet thought on entering the gloomy DU11UJI1? was uu\> uu ww? iu lcl uui.> auu his fertile mind was continually at work forming schemes ot cscape. Major A. G. Hamilton, of a Kentucky cavalry regiment, shared his feelings, and it was not long before they agreed upon a plan. They began tunnelhne, and persevered in the face of discouragements that would have stopped almost any one else. A change of arrangements prevented their access to /the room by which the tunnel could be dug, and other obstacles were found to be absolutely insurmountable. The toilers-were at last forced to the belief that but one desperate hope remained?that was to tunnel underneath the vacant lot on the east so as to emerge on the other side of a fence seventy feet distant, into a shed at the rear of a vacant office of the Virginia Towing Company. Could this be done they could easily pass through the front into Dock street. The tunnelling of this passage was one of the most wonderful exploits of the war. After describing how the prisoners went to work at the tunnel, the writer continues: * "T- D^ i^~==r LIL'BY FniSOIT. All this time the officials of the prison were apprehensive of danger. While they knew nothing of the tunnel, they did know that if the thousand daring, restless men under them united in a concerted effort they could overcome tbe guard and have things for a time their own way. Confederates have told me that there were many times when this could have been done with little difficulty. The urgent calls for men in the army often reduced the guards of Libby to less than a score. A rush by the prisoners would have swept everything before them. > No one saw this danger more clearly than Major Turner. He expected that during some of the daring Unioa raid? around Richmond a dash would be mnde into the city and the prisoners released. He resorted to a clever and successful ruse to prevent any attempt from within. There was a veteran African known as "Uncle Harry" who wa? a frequent visitor to the Union prisoaers, and who, of course, was in full sympathy with them. One ni??ht, when matters looked unusually threatening, Major Turner and Adjutant Latouche ordered the aged darky to accompany them to the basement of the building. The major carried a lantern, the adjutant a keg,while the wondering "Uncle Harry" toted a pick and shovel. "Now dig," said Turner sternly, when the basement was reached. The negro obeyed, and soon a hole was excavated lm-oro onnnirli rnntftin the ke<T. which n, lhe adjutant had lowered to the ground. He carefully placed it in the hole, and "Uncle Harry" was told to cover it with dirt. Then a fu9e connecting with the keg was carefully led up to the office on the first floor. "Now, 'Uncle Harry,'" said Major Turner in his most awful tones, "wha* you have done and seen to-night must be kept a dead secret." "Yes, sah," replied the awed negro. "You understand that on the fir9t attempt of the Yankees to escape I shall touch off that fuse. The next thing Libby Prison and every one in it will be blown into kingdom come." "Oh, Lord! Yes, sab." "If you whisper a word of this to any one I saall have your ears cut off and you shot. Remember 1 Now you can go." * . The African shuffled off, and on the fir9t opportunity did the very thing Major Turner wanted him to do. He told the Union prisoners of what was certain to take place on the moment any move to escape was made. Dearly as our boys loved liberty, and much as they longed for it, they were not willing to incur the frightful certainty of being down to fragments. They prefened to .vait the slow process of exchange or the termination of the war. George W. Libby said to me: "I give you my word of honor that - y jj.... . ' . .... y that keg which 'Uncle Harry' covered < up and which was connected by fuse : with the office up stairs did not contain a grain of powder. It was filled with sand, and the whole thing was a little game of bluff on our part which accom- ' plished its purpose." I The most thrilling incident connected ' with Libby Prison took place* July 6, j 1863, about seven months before the attempt to escape. By order of General i "Winder the seventy-two captains confined there drew lots for two of their i number to be shot in retaliation for the 1 1 rifl?foJno W P Pnr^in onH I | BUUUblUX UL Vjdpiaiua TV A w*v*M % *>?. T. J. McGraw by General Burnside at i Sandusky, Ohio, during the preceding i May. Their offence wag that of recruiting in Kentucky for the Confederate army. Captain Turner assembled the Union prisoners in a room in the prison i j at noon. They were formed in a hollow square around a table and told what General Winder had ordered should be done. 1 "You may select one of your number to do the drawing/" said Captain Turner, "and the first two names taken from the box will indicate the couple that are to be shot." Captain Sawyer, of the First New Jer- i sey Cavalry, said: "I suggest that the duty be performed by one of our chaplains." The suggestion was accepted and the three Uuion chaplains were called down i from the upper story. The Rev. Mr. . Brown consented to perform the unwel- i not on/1 omill +V|? intanSA hltsh hfl stepped forward and drew out a slip of . paper. With trembling hands he un- < folded it and called out in a broken j voice: 'Henry Washington Sawyer, First ; New Jersey Cavalry." .1 ^tphswi BURYING A BOGUS POWDER KEG. Every eye. including those of the Confederate officers, was turned sympathizingly toward the officer, who was the coolest man in the room. "Well,1'he remarked with a smile, "it bad to be some one, and I can stand it as well as any of you." The second name was that of Captain 8 John Flinn, Fifty-fim Indiana. Cap- a tain > Flinn showed natural emotion and ^ was greatly depressed. The rest of the 1 party were dismissed, and the two I doomed men were taken to General ? Winder's office, where they were told < they might write to their friends. Cap tain Sawyer wrote to his family and read the letter aloud to a Confedercte officer. His voice was firm until he came to the last farewell to his wife and children. Then the brave man broke down, and begging the indulgence of those around him turned away his head and wept like a child. Flinn had no letters to write and asked for a priest. His request was granted. Then they were ordered to be kept in close confinement until the day fixed for execution. Fortunately, how ever, that day never came, in aue time they were exchanged and returned to their families. On Tuesday evening, February 9, 1864, everything being ready, Colonel Rose gathered his friends in the kitchen, softly took out the bricks, and waiting until the last man had descended, bade Colonel H. C. Hobart good-bye and fol- ] lowed the others. He paused at the | bottom until he heard the ladder drawn ( up and Che bricks replaced. This party ] numbered fifteen, the understanding be- { ing that the second fifteen should follow ( aa hour later, the piocesaion being kept ] up as long as possible. ( Colonel Rose was the first to enter the , tunnel, with Hamilton at his heels. . Through the long dark passage tbey j made their way, and in a few* minutes , emerged into the yard. The gate lead- , ing to the canal was open and the coast , clear. . DRAWING LOTS FOR LIFE OR DEATH. I At this juQcture an unexpected state of affaire threatened to overthrow everything. The secret had spread among the prisoners, and the prospect of es cape tbrew rnemmio ine wnaest excitement. They began a furious struggle to | enter the opening, and for a time fought like wild beasts. Fortunately the noise did not attract the guards, and something like order was finally obtained. One hundred and nine officers, including eleven colonels, seven majors, thirty-two captains and fifty-nine lieutenant?, passed through the tunnel and entered on the wild race for liberty. At roll call the next morning the Libby authorities learned the astounding truth. The fire place bad been so skilfully restored that for a time no one could tell how the escape had been brought about. The Richmond papers pronounced the whole thing "miraculous,'' and the wondering crowds flocked thither for several days. une oi ineir umber happened to remove a plank in the yard and the secret was revealed. A dog dropped into tbe tunnel, passed the whole length, and then it was made plain how the men had escaped. The very hour the escape was die / 1 - - v. ' ! *'-y <, ' . > >* covered a vigorous pursuit was set on foot. One fugitive only was recaptured within the city limits. Colonel Rose was- overtaken within sight of the Union lines and brought back to Libby. Major Hamilton was fortunate enough to rejoin his friends. Mr. Moran states that forty-eight were retaken. The correct number is sixty-six. Among those who got away were Colonel Streight and| several officers who were concealed for a I week by Miss Bettie Vanlew, a Union! sympathizer, who was afterwards made: Postmistress of Richmond by President ! Grant. When r.hfi hufi and crv had sub-' sided these officers stole forth and: safely reached the Union lines. j Noted Indian Trailers. The Yumas are noted trailers. They can follow the track of man or animal over a stony desert as fast as you can walk. It is a species of instinct likej that of the black trailers of Australia,! and no white man has ever been able to equal them in this art. There trailer: are always warned when there is an escape at the Yuma penitentiary. The territorial prison of Arizona stands onj the high bluff overlooking the Colorado and Gila Rivers. Existence within itf walls is as near an approach to future punishment as one can find on this earth. As escape is well nigh impossible it would be a mercy to permit the convicts to sleep in the open air in the jail yardj A. huge cage of iron might be constructed which would secure the prisoners in cells and yet permit circulation of air. Aa it is, the men are locked in their , ordinary prison. The result may be ' imagined. About-half the prisoners are Mexicans?desperate fellows who are in for horse stealing or murder. One of j nrtofloiAnolltr friaa tr% Hilfr! bUC9C UttaoiUUu>i4j VilVH ?v WWV| the results are usually such as to deter! others from following bis example.! There Is no way to escape from the! penitentiary except by following the I Southern Pacific Railroad or by striking! icross the desert, which surrounds Yuma; sn all sides. It is sure death to go west! into the Colorado desert; it is almost jqually sure destruction to venture north >r east into Arizona. The only hope is ?ward the south, where beyond the Mexican line a man may receive help from* scattered ranchers and miners, but} :he chances are ten to one that before j :hc border is reached the Indian trailers lave overtaken the fugitive. These fellows are the terror of the es- i japing convict, for they seldom content ;hemselves with capturing him alive. Phey seem possessed with the desire to: ihoot him from ambush. All their sav-| ige instincts are aroused by the chase,' md when they near the fugitive theyj livide into several parties and prepare i or the killing. Sometimes they tanta- j ize their victim by a pretended chase, J irging him to desperate efforts to es-; :ape the fate that is soon to.befall him. !, I he has a weapon the sport is ev^a bet-j er. as they draw his fire by various uses and then cripple him, so that his Lgony may be prolonged. It is shrewdly uspected that they sometimes torture a j rictim who shows more than usual spirit, j Chen when they hare slain him they; )ring back a bit of hair or some article j >f clothing to show that their work is! lone and their reward earned. The; ^ . . r* ' ' vV *; A YtTMA INDIAN TRAILER. , knowledge of this trait ia Tuma character does more to deter prisoner* Irom es- J jape that even the terror of the water- j less desert. Of all the men who have i started out from the penitentiary to reach j the Mexican border only one is known to j nave been successful. He was an American who had lived long in Arizona and was familiar with desert life. He had a ?un and shot birds on which he subsisted. Heavy rains balked the Indian trailers - 1 t . J md he gave them the slip, snu, ne nau | i narrow escape from starvation, as he t was found by a ranchman in old Mexico | gnawing the fresh rawhide with which i the gate of a corral had been mended. Be was a walking ghost, but uuder good treatment he recovered. He sent back word to some comrades in the prison; not to attempt to escape, as death was1 better than tne suffering he had e lured, ! ? Chicago Herald. ; The Dolphin is a Fast Swimmer. j The dolphin is said to be the fastest! swimmer in the seas. It has been ob-l served to dart through the water at a i rate computed to be much greater than: twenty miles an hour, and is often seen swimming round and round a vessel' which is sailing at highest speed. The rapidity with which insects travel is J astonishing. The common house-fly makes 600 strokes per second when in ! the act of ordinary flight, that numberj of strokes causing an advance movement > of twenty-five feet. Our best naturalists j say that this can be increased seven-fold St. Louis Republic. Accurate at All Times. 2s" Mr. Halliday?"Didn't I tefl you not to go skating?" Rollo?"I am not skating, father? am swimming!"?Puck. A "sabbath school INTERNATIONAL LKSSON FOB JANUARY 24. Lesson Test: "JBezelclah's PrayeE and Deliverance." Isaiah xxxvii.t 14-21; 88-38 - Golden Text: Psalm xxxiv., 17 ? Commentary. 14. "And Hezekiah received the letter, and spread it before the Lord." Just the right thing to do with all difficulties if you would have Deace (Ps. lv., 22,1 Pet v., 7, Phil, iv., I 6, 7; Mark vi., 80). The King of Assyria \ was besieging Jerusalem; blasphemous letters were sent from one of his generals to Hezekiah, and this is what Hezekiah did under these circumstance;. The first part of the leeson gives Hezekiah's prayer, and the last, the Lord's answer in word and deed. To understand fully read from chapter xxxvi., 1, and also the parallel accounts In il Kingg xviii., xiz; IlChrou. xzxii. 15. ''And Hezekiah prayed unto <he Lord, sayingIn TI Chron. Txril., 20, it is written ? that Isaiab. the prophet, joined him in this prayer. They did not know Hath, xviii., 19. bnt they acted as if they did. 16. "O Lord of hosts, God of Israel, that, ?lwellest between the cherubim, Thou art die God, even Thou alone of all the kingdoms of the earth; Thou bast made heaven and earth.'' The hosts of Assyria are against . v Him, so He appeals to the Lord of all hosts^ i (or He controlleth all heaven and on earth. 17. "Incline Thine ear, O Lord, and hear, open Thine eyes, O Lord, and see; and hear all the words of Sennacherib, which hath sent to reproach the living God." The first part of this verse is very like a pare of Daniel's prayer (Dan. ix., 18) and reminds us of oft-repeated petitions in Solomon's prayer /T TTi ! tit .*? 4A \ ?A. It naagb vuj., *o, ou, ew.-,/. xuo mav pars makes as thick of David's words concerning Goliab (I Sam. xvii, 26-45), and teaches us bow to look upon all enernke for Christ's sake and how to deal with them. 1 IS. "Of a truth, Lord, the Kings of Assyria have laid waste all the nations and their countries." Hezekiah calls attention to a part of the letter (versa 11) which he acknowledges to he true, and confesses that the Assyrians had much power over some nations, but that" was no reason why Israel should fall before them, for Israel had protection which no other nation had, though the Assyrians were ignorant of it. There is no occasion for any child of God ever to be afraid of anything or any one. 19. "And have cast their gods into the fire, for they were no gods." Idols of wood and stone which their own hands had made could never help them. We think it strange to se* ~ ' people put any reliance upon such vanities, but bow much better are those who rely upon silver or gold or the power or wisdom of man instead of upon the Creator of all things f 20. "Now,' therefore, O Lord our God, save us from his hand, that all the ! kingdoms of the earth may. know that Thou art the Lord, even Thou only." DeHverance is asked for that God may be glorified, and such prayer for such an mm is sure of an answer (John xiv^lS). God redeemed Israel and led them by His hand to make His , name known in the earth among all nations (II Sam. vii, 23; Ira. lxiii.,12,14). The great business of evefy believer is to manifest Je6us in these mortal bodies (I? Cor. iv., 11). -l. "Then Isaiah, the son of Amoz, sent unto Hezekiah, saying, Thus salth the Lord God of Israel, Whereas thou hast prayed to me," etc. Immediately the answer comes by the mouth cf God's servant Isaiah, for this prayer needed an immediate answer. 38. "Therefore thus 6aith the Lord con- ' cerning the King of Assyria, He shall not come into this city." Great is Jehovah. He doeth according to His will in the armies of heaven and among the inhabitants o" earth, and none can stay His hand (Dan. iv., 35). When He speaks, itis done. When He says, "Hitherto shalt thou come, but no farther," that settles it IPs. Z33dii- 9: Job xxxviii., - 1 ID34. "By the way that be came, by the same shall he return,and shall not come into ? v * this city, saiththe Lord."! All his labor ; . ' would oe for nothing and great. would be his loss. How much time and strength and , money is wasted in fighting against God. 35. "For I will defend this city to save it for Mine own sake and for My servant- < David's sake." Not for His people's sake, nor for the sake of the king or* the prophet; . but for His own sake and because of the covenant made with David (II. Ham. vii., 20r 21; Ezek. xxxvi., 22). See what He doer for every believer for His own and His- J Son's sake (Isa. xliif., 25; 1 John iL, li), and let "For Jesus's sake" be a great motto in cur live*. . 3 . 'Then the angel of the Lord went forth and smote in the camp of the Assyrians 185,000." Angels are ministering spirits who delight to ao His will. Two of them led Lot and his family out of Sodom; , one ministered tp Elijah in* the wilderness; one led Peter out of prison, while another . smote Herod; one found Paul on the ship : v, in the storm ont in the Mediterranean ana f comforted him; many ministering unto j Christ in the wilderness, one strengthened Him in Gethsemane, and legions were reaay to do His bidding. Be comforted, ob, be- ; liever, by the fact that holy angels continually minister to you (Seb. J., 14). 37. "So Sennacherib, King oX Assyria, departed and went and returned, and dwelt at Nineveh." Just as God had said (verse 34). A little spaco for repentance via * granted unto him, if perchance the mighty powor of the True God which he had seen might lead him to sevlc the God of Israel. . 38. "And it came to pass, as he was wop- ' shiped in the house of Nisroch his god. that his son smote him with the sword." Back to his idol?, utterly indifferent to the God of Israel, blind and deaf to the claim of his Creator, dead in tins, space for repentence not improved, he goes ' out suddenly to meet the God whose power he had felt but whom he knew riot. What = a fearful meeting! To know God is Life M Eternal; not to know Him is Eternal wt Death. The long suffering of God is one fl of the most wonderful things in the whole I Bible; tiow slow He is to let His wrath fall, I and how in every possible way He pleads p with men to repent! Read in Job xxxiiL, 14-30, how He seeks to deliver the tanner from the wrath to come; and notice especially verses 29, 30, "So all these things worketh God of times with man, to bring back the jtoul from the pit to be enlighteued with the light l livintr*? Notice also that the awfnl judgments recorded in Revelations as ytet to come upon men have for their end thatinen, may repent. In one we read of men on raarth being given a taste of the torments oMiell if' perchance they may turn to Goi andr escape eternal torment (Rev. ix., 30, 31; xya., 9, 11). We love to contemplate the lovp and long sulTering of God,but we must al&f remember, that "He that being often reproved harden-1 eth his neck shall suddenly be destroyed, and that without remedy."?Lesson Helper. the police department or Chicago twenty years ago must have been composed of a queer body of men. It now appears that of the thirty odd,' officers appointed at that time, and who were recently marked for retirement, but one knew his own age. All the rest now find that they are younger than they supposed themselves to be, and therefore entitled to a longer service on the force. Some of these men have risen from the . ranks to the offices of lieutenants, I captains, and inspectors, while others | travel a beat as regularly as they did a score of years ago. How tney nave existed for so many years without making so simple a discovery will puzzle the public at large. It may well be questioned if men of such dense ignorance are fit to act as guardians of the peace. Intelligence is gaining ground slowly but surely. A Michigan Judge has decided that common intelligence and such information as comes from reading newspapers does not unfit a man for jury duty. The Londou County Council has at last signed a contract for a tunnel under the Thames. It will cost about $6,000,000. L