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JANET LEE In the Shadow of the G allows, BY DAVID LOWRY. CHAPTER VIII?Continued. Whereupon nil listened attentively as he read from a book quoted every nourin the day by a people sorely perplexed, ictims to doubt and gross superstitions. In a time of the greatest perplexity ever experienced by a sober-living, law-abiding community, horrible stories of witchcraft circulated. Nowhere was there so much fear and trembling as in Salem?nowhere is Massachusetts was there such dread and apprehension as in Salem, where John Lee's voice pleaded for light and wiser counsel, and the peace and goodwill that comes of understanding. His oice was tremulous at times as he read I and commented upon the words of consolation forming the very fountain of Christianity. The 6weet" charity illustrated moved his wife and daughter deeply. Tbe fervor of his spirit communicated itself to them, and when he closed the book, Baying, "Let us pray," even Ann Bigger was subdued as she knelt. At the time I write of?1692?when New England was convulsed with the delusion of witchcraft, there was a pond, known as Wilkins' Pond, near one of the hills familiar to the people of Salem. Wills', Solomon, Smith's, Afferd (or Cherry), and Bald Hills were localities i known to young and old. One of them was afterward known as Witch Hill. Several persons convicted of witchcraft were condemned and mounted the scaffold on Witch Hill in the presence of a great multitude. Wills' Hill was a locality avoided after . sunset. Stories related with bated breath by certain gossips who fanned the blaze of excitement narrating their own and neighbors' experiences, rendered WillB' Hill a very undesirable locality after nightfall. Wilkins' Pond speedily acquired an evil reputation from the same cause. ! In the days when the early inhabitants of Salem were compelled touefend themselves from the Indiana, a stout frame structure termed a lookout was erected on the side of Wills' Hill opposite the town. This structure, fallen into disuse ?nd decay, was now dreaded as much as though it were the abode of the evil one. Stories were told of strange sights witnessed between the old hut and Wilkina' Pond. Some there were who proposed burning the hut, but no one had the courage to nnf thia fprrihlft resolve. It stood unharmed until the events I am relating caused the people to destroy it. They realized then that the hut was an evidence of their terrible superstition. The olrl lookout had two openings, one sear each end. It was built on a little ridge, or bench, forming an easy and natural path, but for all that, neither man nor woman nor animal approached it. Only the night birds and bats found 6helter in it. The events that succeeded the incidents related are so closely connected with the old hut on Wills' Hill that I have been thus particular in describing a locality which became the subject of much speculation and proved all potent in shaping the views of the superstitions. CHAPTER IX. ON WILL'S HILL. The same evening that Arthur Proctor made his hurried visit to the house of John Lee, and a little while after' her father concluded family worship, Janet Lee emerged stealthily from her father's house and walked away swiftly in the darknesB. She walked directly to Will's l Hill. At times she paused and listened intently to assure herself that 6he was not followed. At last she reached the old hut; but, spite of her precautions, one followed her whose keen vision and cunning excelled his courage so far that, when he realized that he stood on the summit of Will's Hill, a cold sweat broke out on his face and hands. "If it were not for Ann Bigger," said Ezra Easty to himself A cricket chirping caused him to bound. He trembled and shook and peered about him. T mitfht have known better than to have followed Janet to this witches' revel. None but those who deal with witches come here, and if I return safe Beyer will I invite the anger of the witches again." His teeth were chattering aB he peered about him. "She came this way, but where has she gone?" The cricket chirped again and the spy trembled in mortal fear. "If I go back to Ann Bigger as I came I'll never hear the end of it. She will never have done laughing at me foi Abat, whirling, struck his cheek, and Ezra Easty fell prone on the earth, where he lay with his face on the ground. As he lay thus a figure stole cautiously from one end of the but. As Janet Lee stood motionless, listening to the beating of her heart, Bbe heard a sound like a footfall. She disappeared in the hut again as another figure approached the other end of the hut. Janet stood irresolutely at the entrance, pressing a hand over hex heart to still its throbbing. Gathering courage, she moved slowly along the outside of the hut, until her hand came in contact with another hand. Recoiling, she darted into the hut again. At the same time the newcomer retreated to the other end of the but. Then Ezra Easty found his voice as he grasped the newcomer, exclaiming: "I have yon now, Miss Janet! "What . brings you to Will's Hill at this hour with cake and milk, when you Bhould be at bome? Come with me." The figure resisted, theie was a b.^f truggle, and Ezra Easty grasped the^f with cne hand, and rubbed an ear with the other. The blow he received on the side of the head stunned him. Then be felt something on hi? arm; he felt it with bis lingers carefully, held it up, and it fluttered in the air. "This will tell who brings cake and aailk to "Wills ?1111/ ne said, as be cast a terrified look about him. Then he shivered; an a^ony of terror overpowered him; he felt aB though he were sinking to the earth. But he rallied, and with Hoarse cry for "Help!" fped homeward *8 fast as his lees could carry him. He was running for his life when he Stumbled against a man who was walking quietly alone the read. "What! Tliief! Kobber! Stand back!" "I am no robber, sir. I am but a poor apprentice, Bir. i wouiu not narm "'lis the voice of Ezra Easty." "And this is Master Ellis." Where are your feet carrying you 60 fast?" 'Tie a long Btory. I mast not stop. I must go home at once." "At least you can tell me where you have been?" "I come from the devil's own field? from Will's Hill?but nothing! not all the money in Salem could tempt me to go there again." "Ave?and pray what were yon doing on Will's HiJl?" "Well, if you must know, 'twas Ann Bigger made me go to watch our Janet." "Do not trifle witn me. If you lie to me, Ezra Easty, you know it will not mend matters." "I am not lyiug. I came straight from Will's Hill." "And what Baw you there?" "I saw nothing, only I know I followed our Janet there. Yes, I'll bwear-it." \ "This is a grave charge, Ezra.' "Aye, is it?bat here's what will prove it true." He held tip a lcerchief. GileB Ellis felt it carefully, then returned it. "I took that from her before she got away." "A fine story. How could a girl run away from a lail as strong as you?" "There were more than Janet there. A dozen witches, I'll swear, tossed me to and fro, then struck me a blow that felled me to the ground. But I must hasten home." "Stavl I command you to stand where you are. I will have a word with the Marshal on this before you go to John Lee's again* If it is true -n "I am ready to make oath to it," said Ezra. "Very well," said Giles Ellis, "then come with me first." As they walked on side by side, Giles Ellis smiled wickedly. His innermost thought was: "All things work to my advantage." CHAPTER X. THE THUNDERBOLT. John Lee laid aside his book and looked at his wife, who was knitting beside the fire. Ann Bigger was folding a large patch for a quilt, apparently oblivious to all the world but the piece of clqth she held in her hands. The family were up later than usual. It seemed as if the members of this family of late deferred their lying down till the last minute. "We may as well to bed," said John Lee, at last, sighing wearily. "Where is Ezra? Is he abed? It is time we were all abed," he added, glancing at the clock. "Where is Janet?" "Here, father," Janet answered, entering at that moment. She was trembling, i but her father did not observe her. Neither did he notice her voice, which was tremulous. Had he looked closely at his daughter he could not have failed *to observe evidences of extraordinary excitement. That he did not remark thia was evidence to her of the load of care which oppressed him, as he retired with a heavier step than usual. Mistress Lee followed him, first charging- Janet to obey her father promptly, as the night was wearing on. "In a little while, mother?I will not be long," answered Janet. Ann Bigger looked askance at her, and Janet looked squarely in the servant's face. Then Ann Bigger made a pretense of bustling about. Janet sat down and Via* Vion^a in >iAr Ion At lftst Ann Bigger, seeiDg Janet sitting motionleEB, with a great flourishing of her skirts left the room. Still Janet sat thinking. Five, ten minntes elapsed. Then Junet rose, walked Boftly past the window two or three times, then lifting the light placed it where il could be Been plainly from the outside. Presently a light tap came at the door. Janet cpened it and her lover entered. "I have been waiting this half hour 01 more." "Nav, you but think so." "Are they all abed?" "Ezra is not in." "I thought I stumbled again6t him a while ago. I was not mistaken. Janet, I like him not." "Nor does any like him?unless it be Ann Bigger, who makes him fetch anc carry for her. What news, Arthur? Bee it in your face, It is bad news." Her lover smiled faintly. "I hear so much that is like the raving of madmen that I will not burden yot with it, even if I had taxed my memorj with it, which I did not. 'Tis even saic some one of this family has been seer noDv IVillrina' Pnnd and Rome One COIDC near Will's Hill, where Btrange sights anc sounds have terrified many." "Aye, such as lowing or cows, barkinc of dogs and bleating of sheep," saic Janet, scornfully. "Is it Abigail Will, iams and Ann Putnam who tell these sto nes"? It ij as jtfkely as anything suci children can 6ay Or invent." "I would think less if the children eai<? it." "Well, well. Their talk is at least better than the prattle of the poor babe, lit tie Mary Lewis, who is but three yeare old and held in jail as a witness against her own mother. Have our people los' their senses, Arthur Proctor, that suet things can be?" "They have lost their hearts as well,' said her lover gloomily. "They seem tc have turned to stone." The lovers were so deeply absorbec that they took no notice of the face that looked at tbem through the window. "Who of us is accused, Arthur, or who is at the bottom of these 6tories concerning us?" "If my tongue is tied," Arthur Procto: answered, "it is because I would noi knowingly do any man injustice." "That is enough. It is Giles Ellis yoxi suspect." Arthur Proctor bowed. Janet answered, "If it is really Giles be has great innuence wuu me trates." "And may do you mischief." The door latch was lifted at that instant, ana ?;zra Jsasty entered, foIToweJ by the Marshal of Salem. '"Did I not tell you we would find eomi one with her?" The apprectice pointed to Arthur Proc- t tor. Proctor advanced threateningly. "How dare you!" But Ezra, shieldec by the Marshal, saucily replied: "I dare more than that, as I can prove easily." But Arthur pushed the Marshal aside, and boxed the apprentice's ears soundly. "The noise brought John Lee into th? room, followed by Dorothea and Anr Bigger, who stood in the doorway. "What is the meaning of this violence at this hour, Samuel Hobbs?" "Ask Arthur Proctor. I bat came between him and your apprentice." "I'll have him cited, Ezra whined. "Janet," said her father, "what doea Arthur Proctor want here at this hour?" Janet faced her father courageously. "He came because I asked him to bring such rumors as he can gather concerning us." "What did I tell you?" The apprentice turned to the Marshal. "Is she not bold?" "Peace," said John Lee sternly. "I'll not be silent and let the mistress say me and Ann Bigger steal yoor cake and meat!" Dorothea Lee, advancing iroai the door, suddenly interposed now. "What a trifle to make a talk about, John, as if a few cakes were worth all this ado." "Tb?re is something in this I will fathom ere I go to bed. John Lee spoke resolutely. Then fixing his eyeB upon his apprentice he asked him: "Who Btole the bread and milk, Ezra Easty? Answer me. * 'Twas your own daughter Janet there, as Ann Bigger will prove. She saw her take them, and I followed her." "And where did you follow her, and when?" "To Will's Hill, within this hour; 6ince we had service." "What proof have you of this?" "When I told her to come home with me, and caught hold of her, she ran away, leaving this in my hand." The apprentice held up a kerchief in his hand. Dorothea Lee suppressed an exclamation as she looked ath&r daughter. Janet in ner turn cast a terrinea looHupon her mother, who was the first to break the overpowering silence which followed the apprentice's bold speech. "Stay, John," she began, but suddenly Janet darted between the Marshal and Ezra, and snatching the kerchief from him. exclaimed: "Babbler! what if it is mine?" Dorothea Lee placed a hand over her heart as the voice of the Marshal rang in her eais: "Janet Lee. I must take you into custody until you d sprove the charge of witchcraft!" Arthur Proctor raised a hand as thoucb be would strike the Marshal, then let it fall at his side, while John Lee involuntarily raised his eyes to heaven, and hie wife fainted dead away. CHATTER XI. THE PUB8E. There was a goodly number in the Globe Inn. The inn waB freshened opit looked smarter. It was remarked thai Daniel Meade was never as cheerfnl 01 even tempered as he was in the past. Bnt people 6aid it was not much wonder. The fate that had overtaken his son, and under his father's roof, was sufficient to cast a shadow over Daniel Meade's life. There were times when he eave rein tc merriment, but, somenow, the frequent ere 01 me inn lined mm less in inese moods than when he was 6ober. Grizzle Meade was the geniuB of the inn. It was Grizzle who smartened it ap, and was assiduous in her attentions to the customers. The Globe Inn, from a dull and despondent place, suddenly became the most popular resort near 01 in Salom. There was a cheerful fire, and half a dozen customers sitting around it, when Arthur Proctor, who rarely visited the inn, entered it one evening. Grizzle Meaue was waiting upon the customers. The landlord was looking out of the window. Giles Ellis was talking in low tones to a man whose face was strange to Proctor. Giles was in the shadow of the great chimney, where he commanded c view of all in the room. He affected not to perceive Proctor, who sat down in the full light of the fire, and called for some wine. It was Grizzle Meade's hand that served him. A sailor Bitting near him, after turning to look at the newcomer, faced his companion again, slapped s hand upon his thigh, and, as if pursuing the theme discussed, said: "Mayhap you can tell me something. Since I've come ashore, I'm all at sea. 1 hear so much chaff, I've lost my reckoning; and I don't see any comp'ass to go by. What with those tales of witches, wny, 11 s ten limes worse iuuu any jurut I ever heard in the fo'csle." The sailor drank, looked into his measure, then observing the uncertainty in hi9 companion's face continued: "Don't be alarmed! I'll bring trouble to no man. But I've heard my father, who fought the Indians, Bay this John Lee is a goodish sort of man. Now, I've been abroad these four years, where the bone and gristle of a man tells. How? Why, how then but when a man stands by hie mates in a pinch, and my father told me John Lee was a man to stand by his mates ond thin TVa Tir>? lilrino I tujwitgu ** ** " * " O for the other sort, but since I've been here these three days I've found a ship's crew of milk-and-water fellows that scarcely speak above their breath. More?there's enough to man a boat?all speaking in whispers and nodding?making faces, as if they had fed on something that soured on their stomachs. Tell me, mate, why is it that never a man opens his mouth to answer me when I aek, 'What's this proof against John Lee?' or, 'Has no one a word for John Lee?' I say, mate, must a man's wife?child of hie bone?all hang and nobody dare say a word. I'd best get back to my ship lest somebody takes hold of me." "John Lee is not without friends," said Arthur Proctor, quietly, without looking at the sailor. The sailor whirled around quickly. "Because they choose to go about quietly, they are none the less true. They feel for him in his trouble, and will not see his wife and daughter hang until it is proved bevond a peradventure that they are guilty.'* "Why, now, you are the plainest spoken man I have heard Bince I came ashore. Landlord, a jorum for the man that dares answer a civil question without mincing his words." [TO EE CONTINUED.! POPULAR SCIENCE. Eft. An alloy of gold and aluminum has recently been made. The earth at the equator moves at the rate of a mile in 3.6 seconds, four-tenths of a second slower tli-n the velocity of a cannon ball. A French firm is introducing a new printing paper prepared with citrate of silver, which is said to possess many excellent qualities. Among new antiseptics from coal-lar derivatives are pyoktanin, methyl violet, the most antiseptic of the aniline colors, lysol, and retinol. In speaking of the solidification of a body by cooling, Professor Dewnr says that water can be made to become solid by the evaporation of a quarter of its XPfiirrVif Investigations of rain drops lead to the conclusion that some of the large drops must be more or less hollow, as they fail when Btriking to wet the whole surface inclosed within the drop. More dogs go mad in cold weather than in hot, as shown by statistics. Canada and all Northern countries show a large amount of oases, while in India and Africa the disease is exceptional. Lighthouses are classified by orders depending on the height and diameter of the illuminating apparatus. There are four orders, the first three being used for sea or coast lights, and the fourth for harbor purposes. Scientific men now declare that eating before sleeping is of great benefit, and that a bowl of bread and milk, or ;i saucer of oatmeal before retiring will in a short time result in an increase iu weight, strength, and general tone. The results of experiments oil hasteninrr t'no rrorminntinn nf Sped sllOW that camphor and oxygenated water appear to be the most energetic excitants, uot only as regaids the acceleration of germination,but as affecting the vigor of the plants. Fatigue caused by brain work, says Professor Mosso, of TuriD, acts as a poison which affects all the organs, especially the muscular system. The blood of dogs fatigued by long racing, when injected into other dogs, makes them exhibit all the symptoms of fatigue. On the subject of the swaying of lofty chimneys it is declared to be absurd to hold that a chimney, say 400 feet high, , would sway sixteen inches. The slightest vibration is felt when on a tall chimney and inches is thought to be about the extreme amount of swaying that takes place. A report recently published in Holland proposes to close the Zuyder Z'_?c by means of a dam that shad be constructed from the mainland, on eaca side of the Island of Wieringen. The idea is to drain this area, which will then be exceedingly valuable fur agricultural purposes. Tribes living on an island near the Philippines take the hand or fooc of the person whom they salute aud gently rub their faces with it, while the Philippines use a most ridiculous and startling attitude?first, bending their bodies very low to the earth, they plac<! their hands on their cheeks and at the same time raise one foot in the air. Ambition orten plays tne wrestler's trick of raising a man up merely to fling him down. INDEPENDENCE DAY. THE WONDERFUL STORY OP THE "DECLARATION." How, When and Where The Famous Document Which Made a Nation Free Was Promulgated ? - rnnrillinn "iwo arfcocui/ wuutov HE citizens of Virginia and North Car . . i oliDa in a series of S v. resolutions (adopted i \. by the first-named at a convention held in Williamsburg on ?Wmi May 15,1775,and by the latter at Mecklenburg, four days , !\te?lim.?yfT-ur lated the ideas which had begun to take root all over the colonies?American rights could only be secured by a severance of the relations of the colonies and Great Britain. This belief, writes Edward Bun nell Phelps, was of no Hasty origin, nor was it by any means unanimous. Though the colonies had been declared in a state of rebellion, there were many ?if not, indeed, a majority?who hoped, and hoping, believed, that mat <2%'Z-^ Facsimiles of Signature ters might yet be amicably adjusted and the former peaceful relations restored. But every hour the breach widened and nniriTiieta loorrA^fiillv same to see kUU UW4WU IWMI * v^? V ?... J ? that they could no longer hope for anything from English rule. The second Continental Congress had assembled in the Pennsylvania State House, or Independence Hall, as the building has been known since the signing of the Declaration of Independence on May 10, 1775, in accordance with the recommendation of its predecessor. Peyton Randolph was re-clected President, but was soon called back to Virginia to preside over the Assembly. Thomas Jefferson was returned in his stead, and John Hancock was chosen President of Congress. At this session of Congress, as well as at the fall session, the question of independence had not been seriously mooted, though its advocates were many and fearless. Congress had so far chiefly confined its work to adopting defensive measures. It Ay HOUSE IN WHICH JEFFERSON* WROTE THE DECLARATION. But whtn the Congress of 1776 convened, in Independence Hall, the status of the trouble with the mother country had materially changed. War was now in active progress; the colonists had been proscribed as rebels; further sub? hnaitatinri wftPfi USelfiSS. ULllSOJVSU UU<A .. ? General Washington, then in command of the Continental Army, wrote (in Kay): "A reconciliation with Great Britain is impossible. When I took command of the army I abhorred the idea of independence, but I am now fully satisfied that nothing else will save us." The issue was squarely met in Congress on June 7, when Richard Henry Lee, of Virginia, introduced these resolutions: Resolved, That the-:e United States Colonies are. and oughtto be, tree and independent States; that they are absolved fro.n all allegiance to the British Crown, and that all political connection between them aud the State of Great Britain is, and ought to be, totally dissolved. Resolved, That it is expedient forthwith to take the most effectual measures for forming foreign alliances. Resolved, That a plan of confederation be prepared and transmitted to the respective colonies for their consideration and approbation. There was ho uncertainty about these resolutions; they went straight to the mark. Massachusetts, Rhodo Island, Connecticut, New Hampshire, Virginia, North Carolina and Maryland bad direct ly instructed their representatives to vote for independence: the delegates from the other colonies?Delaware, Georgia, South Carolina, New York, Pennsylvania and New Jersey?had been given no instructions on tbe subject and Wb.e free to act. The instructed dele- ! gates had no option but to vote for the i resolution; their uninstructed brethren ' knew not what to do. The matter went i over until the next day, when Congress j < went into a Committee of the Whole and, i in secret session, discussed it. The more < conservative delegates hesitated at voting < for so revolutionary a measure; to favor ] its passage meant to array one's self in f opeo and individual rebellion against the < Crown. In fact, so well was this fact ? known, that the names of the mover and i seconder of the resolutions were omitted t from the journal of Congress. The leaders who had only admitted the ne- 1 cessity for a separation, after careful de- c liberation, eloquently defended Mr. Lee's 1 declaration. It was finally resolved to t defer action until July, but, that no time t might be lost in case of their adoption, s it was decided to appoint a committee ] to frame a declaration of independence c on the basis of the first resolution. i On the 11th this committee was ap- \ pointed, its members being Thomas 1 Jefferson, of Virginia; John Adams, of 1 hs / Z>, ^c/iyrgL rX0 -fray 5wdfjs5 -..^f ISou %%L> mh & is Attached to the Deelai Massachusetts; Benjamin Franklin, of Pennsylvania; Roger Sherman, of Con- j necticut, and Robert R. Livingston, of | New York. Mr. Lee would, doubtless, , have been made a member of this com- ( mittee, but he was called away from i Philadelphia soon after introducing his j resolutions. Just how, when and where the committee prepared its draft of the Declaration will probably never be known. The honor of being the birthplace of the charter of American liberty has been assigued at least to three or four houses in Philadelphia, and authorities have never fully determined which was the proper claimant. For many years it was supposed that Jefferson prepared the dratt in the four-story brick house at the Houthwest corner of Market and Seventh streets, where he boarded with a Mrs. Clyraer. A signboard embellished with a representation of Franklin sitting at a desk, and the inscription, "The Birthplace of Liberty/' long hung on the Market street side of this building, which is represented in the accompanying illustration. Mrs. Clymer afterward asserted that her house was the scene of the committee's labors, and it is reported that Dr. Mease wrote to Jefferson and secured his confirmation of her story. On the other hand, equally good authorities relate that Jefferson told Daniel Webster and George Ticknor, i while they were visiting him at Monti- j cello, in 1824, that he drew up the : Declaration in a house on the north side j of Chestnut street, between Third and | Fourth streets?just where situated he | did not know. He was positive it was ( not a corner house. This would exclude , Mrs. Clymer's house, a9 well as the Indian Queen Inn, on the corner of South ( nnrl Market streets, often pointed i out as the place. Heiskell's Tavern, on Fourth street, was for a time supposed to have been the right house, but that, too, has been since excluded. And so the question of the place is an open one, though Watson, in his Annals, asserts that the general opinion was that the Declaration was drawn by Jefferson in the front room of the second story at the south end of the Indian Queen Inn. As regards the author of the document there is no dispute. It i9 universally admitted that this honor belcngs to Jefferson. The desk on which he is supposed to have done the work is preserved in the State Department building at Washing ton, as is the original draft with its occasional corrcctious and interlineations. , Ludicrous illustrations representing the < commitiee at work upon the Declaration, with a then unknown American flag at the window of the room and a crowd < about them, are published in some histoiiee. As a matter of fact the commit- ; tee, doubtless, met alone and quietly and deliberately attended to the grave task imposed upon them. Though the deliberations of Congress upon the subject had been secret, the public was well aware of what was going on, and as the day for a vote upon the resolutions of Mr. Lee approached the greatest interest in the result was manifested. It was, of course, known that a bare majority of the States had instructed their delegates to vote for independence and the mere passage of the resolutions was assured. But nothing short of absolute unanimity on co important a measure would suffice. The step had been thoroughly canvassed in the interim between the appointment at the committee to draft the Declaration ind the announcement of its report. The lommittee first reported to Congress as a Committee on the Whole, on June 28. Mr. Harrison, of Virginia, the great grandfather of President Harrison, oc* titnia/4 nUnin A /Inmn nn/7 T^nnnlrlin zu^icu iuo V'uau* xxuauio out. i iauauu mggested certain changcs and the draft ivas thoroughly discussed and somewhat imended by the Congress. On July 1 the vote on Mr. Lee's resoution?which was practically the Dejlaration of Iadependence?was to have )een taken. The question went over unil the following day, however, and all ;he colonies but New York voted for the idoption of the resolutions. At first Pennsylvania and Delaware were divided >n the issue, but afterward cast their jnanimous votes in its favor. Ajb can veil be imagined, the debate on the Declaration was most deliberate. In a etter written in 1819 Jefferson made the r?b rifcr*? Y/IC& drrU//^^ 'ation of independence issertion, rpon the strength of notes that ae took at the eventful time, that the deDate occupied the greater part of the sessions of July 2, 3 and 4. Several clauses jf the original draft were struck out bj Congress, notably the sections denouncing the slave trade and taking King ANNOUNCING THE NEWS. George to task for permitting its continuation and the one that bitterly arraigned that monarch for his multifold infringements of American rights. On the 4th of July the Declaration, having been canvassed section by section and clause by clause, was ratified by Congress as amended. Some say that President Hancock alone signed the original draft; others, that all the fifty-eight delegates except John Dickinson, of Pennsylvania, appended their names. Jefferson is credited with Che statement that, after it had been idopted by the unanimous vote of all the States, John Hancock, as President, signed it, and the following morning it was shown to each member of Congress is he entered the hall, aad then and thus received his signature without formal arder of Congress. Bs that as it may, J -rr-no nrPIlirftf?. ftlld bV an engrusseu tupj 1 August 2 every member of Congress, except Dickinson, who had been retired, had signed it. There is no little conflict among historians regarding th^ method of the announcement to the people of the adoption of the Declaration. One time-honored old story tells us what as soon as the draft was adopted the ?!cl bell in tbe tower of Independence Ha'i was joyfully rung for some little time and that the bell thus fulfilled the command of its motto upon its cracked surface: "Proclaim liberty throughout all the land, unto all the inhabitants thereof." This story is pronounced a sheer fable, pleasant though it is. AgaiD, it is said that Colonel John Nuod read th'- contents of the Declara don to the waiting throng in Chestnnft rtreet from the window of Independence SSlI.' The authenticity of this assertion 19 is questioned too. That its contents were widely circulated in some way or ?ther, and that very soon after its adop(ion, there Li no doubt, for widespread rejoicing promptly followed. An inci- HI dent of this rejoicing was the razing of Hg sk A , -'I INDEPENDENCE HALL, PHILADELPHIA. < the leaden statue of George in. in Bowling Green, New York. The Declaration was formerly proclaimed to the Continental Army, July 9, so that, certainly, no later than this its tenor was publicly known. The best authorities declare that it was not printed, though, until January, 1777. Congress was then in session at Baltimore, and one JIary Katherine Goddard, who mauaged her brother's business for him, had the enterprise to publish the document. Since then it has probably been republished in.--, more languages and' has had a wider reading than any State document in the world's history. Hancock's boldly writtten name is now almost entirely effaced from the Declaration of Independence. It can be seen by the aid of a strong glass, but is so illegible that a stranger to the document * * -3 *4.2 1J 1 or tne style oi nanuwilling wuuiu uirv , difficulty in reading the name correctly Other oames attached to the document have faded out entirely, and can no more be read than if they- had never been written. Of the sixty or more names >' -which were written, not more than tea , can now be read, and they have faded to / a pale, sickly color. As to the others, there are faint traces of writing, but nothing in the form of a signature can be distinguished sufficiently to enable any ' one to read them. Some are only partially obliterated, and by supplying missingJ characters any one familiar with the document can make out the name which should be there, but no longer is, except in a very indistinct way. During recent years the priceless document has been jealously guarded in the library of the Department of State, and precautions taken to prevent any further injury. It is now between two large plates of French glass, enclosed in hardwood case, all of which' is hermetically sealed so as to keep out air and dust. No atmosphere or other influence can now reach the precious document, which in. <ia do/>ont rsaiwct frtr thft BUUVVlUg a uvwuv ?. opinions ol mankind, proclaimed the reasons for the separation." The handsome wooden casu ii? which the Declara- . tion is kept is in an upright position, fas- ' tened to a latticed partition, with two doois in front, opening outward. The doors open only far enough to view the document and exclude the light, except such as is admitted by reflection. This is done out of abundance of caution, for it is doubtful if sunlight could affect it in its present condition, yet the present custodians are determined to spare no pains to prevent further damage. A City In Two Hemispheres. in one respect at least Quito,the capi? tal of Ecuador, is the mo3t unique city j in the world. It is situated in both the j northern and the southern hemispheres, a distinction claimed by no other place of importance on the globe. At Quito , thA mm rises and sets at six o'clock the i year around. You may forget to wind 1 your watch while you are visiting the Ecuadorean capital, but you need not / hunt np a regulator?set it when the sua rises or sets and you will be sure to be right. Old Sol makes no mistakes. In one part of the city the summer season does battle with old winter, who is just across the street. The seasons, as far as / names are conccrned, change almost instantly; but, as the temperature is re- J markably even, these curious points are . seldom thought of or commented on by/ the 50,000 people who make Quito their home. / How Treasures Are Guarded. Electricity guards many or tne treasures of the Metropolitan Museum of Art in New York. In the room containing the Moses Lazarus collection of miniatures, paiuted porcelain and other rich and valuable objects of art there are wires running underneath the lid of each case. If anybody tried to lift the cover or disturb it in any way a bell would ring in General Di Cesnola's office, and also give warning on the ground floor by ringing a big gong. There is a similar arrangement in use with other valuable cases.?New York Advertiser. Utcle Sam's Aunaal Celebration. "Union forever, 'rab, boyi., 'rah I1' - ' ?. . . ui- .. .. . i