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Beanclampe's Double OB THE PRIMS DONNA.' A Story of Mystery, Love and Devotion. BY DAVID LOWRY. CHAPTER II.?(Continued.) At first Livingston thought Simmons had made a mistake?there mast be another house with a similar passageway. The men he saw were well dressed. They were young. He remarked their youthful appearance, then the clean-cut faces arrested his attention. They looked like a lot of young clerks. Then it occurred to him that this lot of neatly dressed young fellows had faces sharper and keener than fifty or sixty average Americans ought to muster. In one or two instances the loudness of dress was noteworthy, otherwise the average taste was unexceptional; certainly there was nothing to challenge attention. Livingston stood looking at the player nearest him. Apparantly no one deemed him worthy of a srlance. One or two looked at Simmons indifferently as he passed through the room and addressed a neatly dressed man who stood within a box-like enclosure. Simmons leaned towards the proprietor of the establishment, and talked with him in low tones. The conversation was very brief. unree minuses possioiy were contumed, then Livingston preceded his companion through the dark passage, tnd once more they were on the broad Pavement Simmons was the first to peak. "Our man was there. II we had been a little quicker?or if I had met you five minutes earlier, we would have had him." "This is B^auchampe now?you are positive -Simmons?" "You can make up your own mind. If the man that got into the row, and hit the usher in the theater while you were looking on was your friend Beauchampe, then the same man changed his hat and coat in Black Steve's place, and the same man that changed his hat and coat in Steve's place came right here. The proprietor knows him as well as he knows me?better. He is wearing the hat he got at Steve's?and the coat I've made sure of that. But there's other proofs." Simmons' deliberate tones produced an unexpected effect upon Livingston, who halted suddenly and caught his companion's arm', saying, "Simmons, I'd rather lose a thousand dollars?and I never had five hundred to call my own at one time?yes. if I had ten thousand this minute, I'd rather lose it than have this proved " Simmons stood looking down on him, -He thought quickly. There was something Livingstone bad not revealed; some powerful motive back of tbe reason he bad given Simmons for probing the matter. "All right," said Simmons. "Just a9 you say. We'll drop it right here. I'm orry on your account, Mr. Livingston, and I'm sorry for his relatives, ii be ha9 any.* He was looking straight into Living ton's eyes. "Thank heaveni he has no relativesno near relatives. At least, I never heard him refer to them. But it ii barely possible be may have some relatives, too. I was not thinking of them." Simmons' brow cleared on the instant. "Glad to hear you say it. I was beginning to think he had a sister or a cou9jnv" f "Pooh!" exclaimed Livingston. "There is no love?no sentiment in this business. I've told you everything." "Then we will go right ahead. Whatever is proved will make no difference now, except that it will satisfy us. And to begin, your friend showed Dicky? that's the proprietor or tne pool-room? his right thumb, and the knuckles of hi9 hand. He told him the whole story, same as he told Stone. You see, he don't care how many of them knows it. He takes pride in it. Hi9 knuckles were skinned on the jamb of the door the second time he struck at the usher. Then, in wrenching his left hand out of the handcuffs?he said he hadn't time to. do it neat?when ho struck the policeman he bruised the side of his thumb. He showed it to Dicky and and laughed. He told Dicky, too, how he fooled them when he ran across the street between the wagons. One was a heavy express wagon. He dodged under it, caught hold of the ring?you've noticed how the wagons turn in their own length?curled his legs up, and held on until there was a square or more between him and the theater. Then he let go. That explains what be didn't tell Bteve?how his coat got so dirty. " Livingston's face was a study as he stood looking at Simmons. J UU ?? oimmous giuseu 1110 uiuuw muii) auu looked at Livingston with a quiet composure that exasperated Livingston, whose disgust was too great for words as he pictured Beaochampe curling his legs up, clutching with strained clasp the ironwork under the wagon. It was such an experiment as only a hardened rogue would resort to. The action in itself was incredible. That Beauchampe would relate it and gloat -over it gleefully was past belief. "Is that all?" "No," said Simmons. "It's about as bad as I thought it at first. Your friend has done time." "Wbat!".exclaimed Livingston, sharply. "Beauchampe a convict!" "There can't be any mistake about that," said Simmons, with rare deliberation. "None whatever. I suspected it all along. Most of the tricks that surprises people and throws them off the scent is learned in prison.""Such as slipping one's hands out of handcuffs, eh? They give each prisoner a pair, Simmons?" "They might as well. . A man who is thrown onto himself, if he has any life In him, is bound to work it out some way.. They practice all sorts of things to 'get even' with the world when they get oat." "And where did he servo time?did Dicky tell you that?" "That was my chief errand, I may ay. Dicky's record can't b*> questioned. Its public record. He Just pastes the sentences in a little book?he's got thirteen years without a break. Just a fad of Dicky's." "But you have not told me where Beauohatnpe served?what State?and when." . "Right here in New York?nearly three years, when he tells you and other people he was abroad studying. No trouble proving that. Dicky says hundreds will prove it any time I want it Sone. Dicky isn't at all disobliging about a matter of public record. Livingston lifted both hands, then dropped them to his side with a gesture that was more eloquent than words. Then he drew a lopg breath. When he poke again,it was *?n a low voice. . . '-i. . . .,. 5. i "That is the worst thing I ever beard ?the last thing I would have believed. I can't realize it now." He stared bard at Simmons, then at the pavement. "I suppose we'll go to his lodgings now ?I think that will bo best. Or," Simmons paused and seemed to be turning something over in his mind, "if you profer it you can go alone.' He might take It into his head to go there. The only thing that would prevent him would be " "I comprehend," said Livingston. "You think he wouldn't care to have mo drop In on him just now.". "That's it, preciaely," said Simmons, briskly. "But It's the only thing I see for you to do. Go there, and if you can't find him, manage some way?some sure way?to warn him to keep out of the road for awhile?till he hears from you. And you can make a 'personal' for him ?that's the idea." "Where wHl I find you in half an hour or so?" Simmons mentioned a well-known popular resort. Livingston still stood, hesitating. At last he blurted out, with a half-apologetic air, and in tones that appealed strongly to his companion: "Spite of everything, Simmons, I've not lost faith In lteauchampeyet Don't think it is a weakness; I simply can't give him up yet There's something more in this? and there's a terribje?a horrjblejnis* take somewhere: j 2now you'ir thfnk Its weakness?but I can't help it" "I don't think anything of the sort? that's all right. I don't want to shake your faith in your friend more than I can help. Help him all yon can?and I'll help you all I can. I'll wait till I hear from you." "In three-quarters of an hour, at most," said Livingston, as he strode away. Simmons turned about, shook his bead gravely, and walked in the opposite direction. CHAPTER IH. "LIKE AS ANGEL OF Lienor." Livingston walked rapidly three squares, was so fortunate as to catch a car at the corner, and eight minutes later was talking to the old man who had charge of the building in which Beauchampe had located himself upon bis return from Italy. "Mr. Beauchampe does not lodge here, sir." "But," Interposed Livingston, hastily, yet mindful of what was due his elder, "I have a distinct recollection that Mr. Beauchampe lodged in his studio. That was scarcely six months ago. I respect your discretion the more so, sir, because I am a warm friend ot Mr. Beauchampe. He would be glad to see me now above all times, and if you will tell him I am here " "I cannot tell him when he is not in the house, sir," the old man replied, civilly. "That is all right*" Livingston said, impatiently. MI understand all about it. But I was with him early in the evening, so if you just say to Mr. Beauchampe that Mr. Livingston is here " ?T Pttnnnt. sneak t.n him wher he is not here." "Come, now?he has given yon orders to admit no one." "No, sJr. He has not. Mr. Beauchamp? does not lodge here." "Not lodge here!" exclaimed Livingston. "When did he change his lodgings?" "I do not remember. It must be about four or five months. Yes?all of that." "Can you tell me where I can find him?" . , . "I can direct you to his lodgings, sir. I know very well, sir. You aro his friend. I believe. At least, I have heard him speaking of you?he has shown me j your writing in the Record, sir " "Yes, yes," said Livingston: "pardon me, but I must see Mr. Beauchampe as soon as possible." The old gentleman was at special pains, lest the visitor and friend might possibly make a mistake. At least eight precious minutes were lost before Llvlnston was on his way to Rpaii^hamna'slodjrincs. and a ffood ouar tcr of an hour expired before be found them. Beauchampe's lodgings were in the last place Livingston would have looked for his friend. They were far removed from the thoroughfares made brisk by pedestrians. The houses were shabby, many of them falling into decay. Domesticity prevailed, but the odor was not always agreeable. He experienced relief upon noting the surroundings when ho rang the bell, where he was assured he would find the artist He had erred twice, but the proprietor of a musty little apothecary shop came to his relief, and pointed out the way for him. The house did not look as bad as its neighbors. The blinds were in good repair, and the owner had repainted it within tnree or four years. What possessed Beauchampe to hide himself among those little, faded-out 6hops and dingy dwellings? They were enough to give Livingston the horrors. The door opened suddenly, and an elderly female, with her neck muffled in a towel and wearing a faded wrapper, looked at the caller curiously. "When the visitor made his errand known, the elderly female looked slantingly on the floor, and without answering a word, walked up the stairs facing aim. Livingston chaffed Inwardly. Wis che woman dumb? At the end of a period that exhausted his patience, now well tried, she descended the stairs, and said: "You cau go up now." Then the mysterious elderly female entered a door opening on the short hall, and Livingston realized that ne had a listener?the .elderly female was on guard. At any other time Livingston would have smiled; now he had serious business on hand. At the head of the stairway he discovered a door ajar. Pushing it open, with a resolve to face the worst, whatever it might be, Livingston strode into the rnnm trrookmir V?ia fHonrl When he was fairly in the room, speech died on his lips. Instead of meeting a well-known face, he found himself star Jng stupidly at a young lady. The young lady naa laid aside her work. In her haste a basket was overturned, and a cascade of colors in worsted tumbled toward him. He stooped, lifted the basket and replaced It on the table. The action gave hini time to regain his self-possession. The young lady said, "Thank you" in an ordinary tone, and stood waiting his pleasure. "Was this a wife, Livingston asked himself. At all events he must be doublv discreet now. How to broach the 3ubject?or would be give her any inkling of his real errand. Livingston's experience as a reporter in days not so far distant, was worth something in the emergency. He concluded he would let matters 'drift,' and trust to chance. He said the right thing: "I thought I would find Mr. Beauchampe here, or I would not have Intruded. " "I thought he sent a message with you?" Surprise gave a new charm to her face. It was a very bright face, more than pretty. Livingston thought she was beautiful. "Has anything happened to him, Mr. Livingston?* She advanced to him quickly, and searched his face in a quick, startled way that perplexed the visitor. -I heard him say he was going to hear Vittoria with you?it was impossible for me to go with htm so early in the week. I was sure he was at the theater." Livingston's mind was made up before jho concluded. He resolved to lie. If the truth had to be told, Beauchampa aimself should tell It He would not. "It was planned to go to the theater. Out " What was it that deterred him? Her clear eyes seemed to bo reading his soul. She did not move a finger; she simply looked In his eyes, waiting untii lie answered. Livingston coughed. He could not lie to this woman. To do so would be sacrilege. He essayed speech again, this time more successfully. "We were at the theater, but at the end of the first act, which was very short, we came out, were separated in the crowd at the entrance, and Mr. Beauchampe has not shown up since." L<ivingswm oegan airwy, intending iu finish with a laugh, but an exclamation from the young lady changed the current of his thouehts. "Leslie! Something has happened? something very serious. I feel it?I am ?ure of it" She clasped her hands and paced the floor twice, then faced her visito:. It was plain that she was strivinc to nnn. trol herself. "That was hours ago, Mr. Livingston; have you come direct from the theater?" Livingston stammered something about time consumed looking for Beauchampe, then said, forcing a smite: "1 dare say we are giving ourselves a world of uneasiness for no cause. He will be here doubtless in a little while.? Her searching eyes were riveted upon his again. She laid a hand tfghtly on his arm, so lightly he scarcely felt it, yet he trem? bled at the touch. "Mr. Livingston, you are keeping something back from me. How can you? Who has a better right to know than his sister? We two are all alone." Her manner more than her words convicted him. Yet he could not summon sufficient courace to tell her all. All? She should never know the truth now, if ho could prevent It "I will not deceive you, Miss Beauchampe. I came here hoping to find Ur rrn*? 1 o ?\/\oo{KIa yUUI UIUUlCli jjurroroij * w io yxjja iuiv he is enjoying himself at this moment with some friend?a student companion, a foreigner, or brother American." "That is not like Leslie at all," said Miss Beauchampe. "He is incapable of such rudeness, fie would have returned to you in company with this friend firsl of all. No, no! I know something has happened to Leslie. Why, see! it i* long-after eleven. The theater must t>o closed I know something has happened, because? Here a flood of tears checked her Bpeech. When she controlled, herself sufficiently fo resume speech sue added: "I was going to say I dread something terrible, because my brother has never been out after ninfe o'clock since I camo to the city?not once. He was so particular in this respect?he Is the very best brother in the world, Mr. Livingston?that he cautioned me when he went out not to be uneasy if he should be out till twelve." As she uttered this rapidly between blinding tears, Livingston experienced a sickening sensation. Could it be possible that a wretch such as Beauchampe ? Ka it Of tv* mnn a* ^Jormt/orioc ttrnra U1UOU LTOj 11 UlUiUiVUO UlOVUTVllVd TVVAVf any guide, existed. He could not, would not, believe It The longer he looked upon this beautiful girl in tears, the stronger his faith In his friend grew. No man living in or breathing the same atmosphere that this girl breathed could be guilty of the crimes laid at Beauchampe's door. "Miss Beauchampe," he said, In a tone designed to reassure her, "I will not deny there is something unusual in this matter, but it is possible something has prevented your brother from returning to me or coming home." "You cannot; it is impo.-sible for you or any one to comprehend the half I feel. We are all the world to each other. If anything should happen Leslie, I think it would kill me, Mr. Livingston. I have no doubt it would bo the same with him if anything happened me." She was walking across the floor rapIdly now, sobbing convulsively. Livingston was inexpressibly shocked and erieved. All his sympathies were aroused. But, man-like, he stood dumb. He could not choose words; worda seemed such paltry things in the presence of the'glrl's grief. "Miss Beauchampe, will you listen to me one moment?just a moment" She turned her swimming eyes upon him, ciencning her lnceriwinea nn?erj resolutely. "Just a moment I will give you m] solemn promise that I shall not close my eyes until I learn what has become ol your brother. We were firm?I hope true?friends. Rest assured, all thai can be thought of will be done?that is, providing your fears are verified. I am, fortunately, in a position that will en able me to do much in an emergency. My connection with the press and t large acquaintance in police circles wil help me. Rely upon me." Miss Beai.champe reached out a hand, bowing her beautiful head, like and yel wholly unlike her brother's. Livingston pressed her hand fervently, walked to the door, turned, looked at the silent figure standing there motionless in the middle of the room, a picture that time has not effaced from his memory to this day, then softly closed the door behind him and hastened away. CHAPTER IV. THE MURDER, ex **** A+ TU ~rveu; Dliumuus giauu>u uy av Uir* Ingston, and laid the paper be was readIng aside. "He is not at home." "So be is married, then?" Livingston sat down beside him and explained the position of affairs just as he found them. Simmons was surprised. He was prepared to hear that Bean* champe bad a wife?a number of wives ?but the sister Livingston described puzzled him. He began to doubt for the tirst time. Possibly what they both saw and beard were not facts after all. Possibly Livingston's extraordinary faith in his friend was well grounded At all events it was now stronger than ever. "What do you propose next?" said Livingston. "I am at tne end of my resources?that is, I will be when I make the rounds of the nowspaper offices, or can get word to my friends?men I can rely upon in a case of this kind. Simmons rose, buttoned his coat and said his course was mapped out. xlyv wno *?/>?/?? t a r> 11 n nn*-? narfoin liu wua ivaiu/ iu v?n vw UUMU friends in police circles; in the morninq he would communicate with the head ol the detective force, and Inside of twelve Lours, possibly Tess time, they would "get at the truth of this business." He spoka in the tone of a man who did not know what failure meant. "You know just where to reach me at any time, Mr. Livingston, and all the world knows where the Rccord office is. I'll leavo word there for you if I want you." "Before we separate, I want a 'stiffened of some sort, Simmons. This thing has been trying on me. Besides, it's past my lunch-time. What will you have?" "No 'stiffener' for me. I never drink anything stronger than milk. Milk's good enough for me." Livingston made himself a strong glas9 of whjsky and water, with plenty of sug ar, nibbled a cracker with it, and then they separated at the door, each going his own way. Livingston availed himself of a cab, while Simmons entered the first car passing. He called at three newspaper offices; [ In one he found his man in, in the others be left notes that answered all purposes. It was after two when he entered the office of the RccordThe managing editor hailed him. "Hello, Livingston! Thought you were off?" "I am off." "I see you are. Why is it that newspaper men when they get a day off invariably haDg around newspaper offices?" *i mignt asii way uues tue uiauugm* editor voluntarily perform tho duties of night editor." v "Well, the fact is, I was at the opera. You'll allow a managing editor to look in his own office one night in three years ?that is not counting election nights and extra occasions. The truth Is, Baird is out of sorts?I've packed him off home. Everything Is smooth as butter here. By the way, going to be about a few minutes? If you are, there's a murder you might look over. Another mystery. Three murders in one day, or twenty-four hours?same thing?is doing pretty well. Just skim over it, and see that tho head is all right. Sparks is out looking up a matter of his own?playing night editor, city editor and a little of everything this morning. Lots of fun." The managing editor was perspiring, but Livingston did not smile. He was ot in a smiling mood. "You'll find the proof on Black's table there?or it ought to be there. Come tc think of it, I did change the head. You'll find the head on a separate slip." Livingston removed his hat, as he lifted the proof. Directly his pencil was out. "The proof-reader hasn't seen this," he said. "No?he'll run over it after you." "Why"?Livingston turned to the managing editor, "you did not tell me Major Dabney was killed!" "Not Major Dabney! J. S. Dabney? U <0 o Kah f t.Kfl T A 133 ULlOl C Jl 10 1JU V4U UUU UUUUH wuv> ?# S. But can it be possible it is the J. S.?w "It must be," said Livingston. "There is no other J. S. Dabney." "Sure? That's inexcusable stupidity on Black's part He ouent to know where Major Dabney lives. The best Item?a sensation lying there and nobody know it! This is the Labney, Livingston? We must be sure." "I know both the numbers as well as 1 know this office, Mr. Ward. This is the man who has helped to make and unmake Mayors and Postmasters. And you did not know it?" "I've got plenty of time left to say all that is necessary, but Black's days in this office are numbered. A man who does not know the difference between an influential politician and a grain merchant, manufacturer, or grocer, has no business fooling around a nowspaper." The managing editor turned away with a wrathful countenance, and Livingston read the account of the murder, correcting the errors carefully. Directly the manager was at his elbow again. "See here, Livingston. Do you mind dashing off something describing the sort of a man the Major was. On second thought, I won't devote more than a paragraph to the murder now?I may again. Time enough. You can do the sort of thing I want?and I'll relieve you oi this. Yours will be introductory? understand?" So Livingston, who was at home in his subject, wrote out swiftly the "sort of thing" that fitted the Rcci>rd. He described a rich?a very rich man. Men accounted wealthy were pleased tc get a nod from him. Men who were anxious to make money courted his so ciety; men who had sons to provide for. and who knew that a hint from Major Dabney was as Rood as a petition signed by a thousand merchants, consulted Major Dabney's pleasure, looking not to heaven but to the American's Mecca, Washington, for their sure reward. The political structure (in a local senso) was a thing of clay in the Major's hands. Self-interest and the golden rule that always-^eoited In his friends' pofikfits when it did not begin ana* ena" fri hfe own, was tbe Major's sole guide. A polit'cal venture that promised no profit to himself possessed no interest for him. There were such campaigns, in which great principles were involved, spite of all the Major and his colaborers could do to prevent it, brt when the canvass was at its hottest, Majoi Dabnoy was either fishing in foreign waters, absorbing the atmosphere of Florida for the benefit of his health, or sulking in his tent. As for the social, and especially the mc~al structure, they were built and maintained in auother way, without the Major's aid. I TO OE COJfTISUltD.J Locusts Held Up a Train. A swarm of seventeen-year locusts took possession of a Long Branch train near Avenel, N. J., a few mornings ago, and for a time there was 3very prospect of the passengers having to abandon the coaches and let the locusts retain them. The train which experienced this unusual trouble was No. 98/ of the Pennsylvania Railroad. It left Jersev City at 10 o'clock. The warm weather tempted hundreds to visit the coast towns, and the train was heavily loaded. The heat had caused almost every window to be opened, and when the train crane to Avenel tke passengers leaned out to look at the hundreds of thousands of the losusts on the ground and in the air. They would have been satisfied with this, but the locusts were not. Before the passengers were aware what was happening, the pests had swarmed up the sides of the cars, and through the windows and doors inside. Women screamed, and stood on the seats with their skirts drawn up, so as to avoid Immediate contaot with the crawling objects. They soon had to let go their skirts and pay undivided attention to keeping the locusts from their hats and taoes. The more timid at fknf passengers siuncu iui uuun, uu?. i? >u?. moment the car started. Thu rush of wind seemed to disconcert the pests. Those on the outsides of the cars dropped off. and those inside clung closely to the seats or floors, and were soon thrown out of the windows by the train hands who started the oars. Selling Football Players. The 3ale season for professional football Slayers has just commenced in Eusjlan 1. ut it is not expected that the business will be very brisk. It is perh?.ps necessaryto explain that the English Football League,in order to prevent unscrupulous clubs from clandestinely bribing famous players to tiffBert to them, instituted a system by which do man can be transferred from one club to another except by paying according to a specified scale Ea:h clu.i puts a price against every one of its men and these lists are published yearly. This year, for instance. the celebrated Prastou North End Club will not part with Jimmy Ross under $500. but his brother. Jack Ross, may b'j hai for $100. Newton Heath wants S250 each for two of its leading men, and so on. Some ot these clubs are lithe better ttiaa trading companies. The Everton Club, waich is typical of the whole, had au income last year of nearly $50,000 and will commence next season with a balance in hand of nearlj' $10,000. Fined for Starving His Wife to Denth. Isaac Hanks, an aged miser, charged with having caused the death of his wife by denying. her sufficient food, has been found guilty by a jury in Salem, N. Y., where he was taken for trial. A recommendation to mercy aocompanied the verdict, and the offender, who is said to be worth more than $70,000, was let off on a fine of $1000 and costs. . .. ' # FIRECRACKERS. tfO "GLORIOUS FOURTH" IS COMPLETE WITHOUT THE31. 'i '**? ??? Hott and "Where That Delight of , the Small Boy Is Made? ; A Visit to a Chinese Cracker Shop. "T" "T" f HAT visions are conjured \ J\ / np by the mere name of ! Y V firecracker? Flags flying, ffroteacpie processions, small boys with smoke blackened faces and blistered fingers that mamma is tenderly binding, with intermittent scoldings?that is the sort of a thing the firecrackers bring to mind, for is it not an adjnnct to the glorious Fourth which no patriotio young American would be without on that happy day? Niter, the principal ingredient of gunpowder, has always been found in great quantities in China, and the ancient records of that country prove that gunpowder was there manufactured at a time when Europe was a howling wilderness except in the little corner where Bome sat on her seven hills ere she had become the mighty empress of the world. Fire works were the earliest form in which gunpowder was used, as oddly enough, its entertaining qualities were discovTHE FIRECRACKEB IDOL. ered before its destructive powers. The showers of sparks that fall from rnnlrp.tq h a<7A Rnarkled in Chinese skies from time immemorial. The firecracker is said to be the earliest form of explosive, and was not so much intended 'or hoys to use in sport as for an artiolc of heathen worship. In the mountains of Western China there is supposed to be a giant devil of a brilliant red, at the sight of whom men grow faint with fear. A man who lived about 3000 years ago by the name of Leedien found that the banging of firecrackers would frighten him away, hence Leedien ie the god of firecrackers. All the red firecrackers are intended to be used to frighten away the red devil, while the green and yellow ones are offerings to Leedien. From the simple little firecracker was gradually evolved the destructive cannon, which was used by the Chinese ip their war with the Mongols in A. D. 1232. It was introduced into Europe about 1540. Thus we owe to the Chinese the invention of the most useful article of warfare in the world. The most interesting sights of Canton are the tea factories and the fire cracker factories, and the most interesting of the two are the firecracker factories. These establishments can hardly be called factories, if we use the word Sjthe sense of making by machinery, f all of the work is accomplished by hand, and they are, therefore, called by the English residents of that country "firecracker go-downs." On approaching the building one is npt greeted with the usual roar of furnaces and the many and one noises that go to make up the din of a factory, but it is anything but a quiet place. At a distance it sounded like the riot of a furious mob compared with the quiet about Canton, though Canton seemed noisy enough. tor a mile around the .factory the thousands of inhabitants are all employed in making firecrackers. As soon as the children are old enough to be anything but babies they begin to work, and as soon as their mothers have finished the housework they turn their hands to making firecrackers; but there is no confusion, for no one knows how to do but a very small part of the immense amount of work rennimil in fnvnincr nnt. millions of these little explosives. One man, fur instance, make# fuses, another cuts them in length and another sorts them in sizes; one man makes the INTERIOR OF FACTORY. paper, another rolls the crackers, while his neighbor fills the ends with clay. The paper man would not do i the clay man's work, any more than j the fusemaker would do the sorter's I work, and every little firecracker be- I fore it reaches America has in its construction passed through over sixty different pairs of hands. The go-down \ is divided into a dozen long sheds, J with blue tiled roois; the laborers sit j on little stools at long bench-like tables. As soon as one man finishes his part of the work he passes it on to his neighbor, the latter follbwing his example when he has done his share, and thus it starts at one end of the table as a little paper and a fuse and comes out at the other end a finished firecracker. The next room I Visited was devoted to braiding and wrapping the crackers, and the next to packing them for shipment. They are packed in boxes much resembling the common tea box and i contain thirty packages. A box in this country brings $1.25, and after duty and shipment haye been paid it. v:**u ,y' " is a wonder any profit is made at alL The two proprietors of this establishment, which, by the way, is called the "yat shing," showed me into the room where the designer of labels sat at work. He wts an old man, with bamboo-bonnd spectacles, and sat at a desk drawing flowers, gnomes and ~11 I UJLttgUUa 1U ttll LiitJ ^iUlCOtjUCUCDO Ui | Chinese art. I had some of the characters on the labels translated. There were three large characters in the center, and they conveyed the nsefnl information of "thousand, blazing, halL" What does it mean? It is a word picture and endeavors to convey the idea that their goods are of such a superior quality that they are likened unto a large hall or palace blazing with splendor. This is as good an explanation as can be given. If you can catch the idea you have the principle of the Chinese language, but until you do you will never be able to leara the language of the celestial empire. After the designer and engravers have done their work the blocks go to the printing room, where they are printed with hand presses, but such presses. If you would take old Ben Franklin's press, break it to pieces and prop it up with rope and bamboo, you would have a fair sample of a Chinese press. They are clumsy, rickety-looking things, and look as if a breath of air would blow them over, yet it is wonderful what an amount of work can be done with them in a day; besides the Chinese do not want machinery. Human labor is cheap for there is so much of it, therefore anything that will lesson labor is a curse to the country. A mandarin wno mxrouuceu a hiik uiucumu mmuujr by doing so starved to death four hundred families. We can better understand the large population of this country when we learn that the province of Nganhwui in China contains 34,168,200, while Kiang Su contains 38,843,500, altogether making 72,011,700. Just think of it, two States in China contain over 7,000,000 more people than the whole United States. As paper forms such an important part of the firecracker you can imagine the making of it must be a large industry in Canton, and so it is. However, the paper mills are anything but imposing structure* They are low, square buildings, with dirty, whiteI washed sides, the only pretty thing about them being the large, doubletiled roofs with turned up corners. There are no more than 100 workmen in each mill, for paper being made more easily than firecrackers it does not need as many laborers. They are also men born to the profession, men whose children will grow up to be paper makers after them. Every morning of their lives they wake up with the one endless routine before them and they eat and sleep, too, in the great paper mill. The paper is made irom xne oars 01 me noon cjjou tret?, which is known in Amcrica under the equally incomprehensible name of "aralia paphyrifeca," ground up with lime and then baked in a kiln. When this is done the mass is hammered out in the form of long rolls and then cut ap into slices, jast as the confectioner behind the great glass window cuts up his long and yielding twist of molasses candy for the amusement of a crowd of boys outside and the benefit of those who come in and buy. _ - . . r-i i - i*1 | ^ ^ ^ ^ . \Wk DESIGMyq LABELS. These pieces are put into a curious little mortar and pounded together again with a little hammer that comes very near being worked by machinery, just as near as anything could in China, where there are so many hands ready to work lor a miserable allowance of rice. At last these slices are made into a mass again, and this time it comes out as soft as dough, which is placed in a large pot of water till it is completely dissolved, then with something very like a sieve they lift water from this pot, allowing it to run back again through the bottom, which is a fine net of bamboo thread, and there is always a thin white sediment left in the bottom of the sieve. Suddenly throwing the sieve upside down on the floor they dislodge the sediment, folio in a thin white film. A I thousand of these are left to lie one upon the other, then the whole is taken out in the sun to dry, and thus it becomes paper. The process is always the same all over China, but the ingredients differ in almost every factory. The common ingredients are bamboo, cotton, the tow of silk, bark and the leaves of many plants, the hair and even the intestines of animals. If you take the inner piece of brown paper on the wrapping of a pack of firecrackers and hold it to the light you will be able to see some of the ingradients used in making paper. It is an easy thing to distinguish the firecrackers made in America from those of Chinese make. In the first place, the American crackers are never small. They are rarely smaller than four and a half inches in length and have short cord fuses, while, on the other hand, the Chinese kind have paper fuses, are braided into packs i and have gilt labels. A fireworks firm ! in Chicago once tried to make small i firecrackers by machinery, but after : several fruitless attempts gave it up with a loss of several thousand dol-1 lars. They could reproduce a pack of firecrackers after the Chinese patx Koinrr fljaf It?Ill, IUC wwuwiy ?v would not explode. This is mainly i because no machine can be manufac- : tured to roll the firecrackers and take ! the place of the gentle pressure done with the human hand. They invariably roll them too tight and thereby render them useless. The large American firecrackers al- i ways have a notice printed on their side, "Do not hold in the hand after lighting." Only an American boy would be guilty of such a reckless thing. In China as soon as a child ' :igaM . . lights a cracker he leaves it and does j not ran back and piok it np to see if: the fuse is bnrned oat. Bat in Ameri-j ca it is not so. The glorioas Foarthj comes bat once a year, and the small boy in his endeavor to have a goodf time rashes aboat and does some of %, i i ?"a ^ mi m ! ^ j PACKING FIBECBACKEBS. ?' ?1 the most venturesome tilings. . If he; would follow the Chinese example the oculists and surgeons would not do such a thriving business the day following the celebration of independence. _ Celebrating Independence Day. Of the day on which our independence was declared John Adams said: "It ought to be commemorated as the day of deliverance by solemn acts of devotion to God Almighty. Ifc^ ought to be celebrated with pomp and parade, with shows, games, bporta, guns, bells, bonfires and illuminations, from one end of this continent to the other, from this time forward forevermnrfl." These words, says Julia Ward Howe, B show how comprehensive was the view B which the old statesman took of a na- H tion's holiday. He desired that all H classes and all ages should participate I in the joy expressed The time which has elapsed since his memorable utter- H | ance has brought nothing to diminish H this joy. It has, however, brought into being a new society for which H "pomp and parade, bells, guns and. H bonfires" are less available for good fl than pleasures of a more elevatedl fl character. We now desire a celebra- fl tion which shall speak less to the B bodily senses and more to the inner' H sense. This is because the historic de-j H velopment of the raoe goes ever for ward. fl Abijah'-i Fourth of July, Abljah Stooe strolled off alone 9| While yet the morn was hazy; H The neighbors' boys made suoh a noise, 99 They almost drove him crazy. H "I love my country well," said he, M "But think it Is a sin, sir, To spoil July's sweet jubilee S By making such a din, sir 1" H So, in a nook beside a brook, S Serenely sound asleep, sir, Km ADJjnn lay toe liveiong aay, em Curled in a little heap, sir; on While in the town the brass-bands brayafl* H And cannon boomed like thunder, > H Until a very small boy made [H A most tremendous blunder, Bfl For, just at dark, he dropped a spark H Where sparks are very worst, sir; 99 A blinding flash?a frightful crash? B r:"jn A powder-keg bad hurst, sir! M Abijah found but scattered shreds Hj When he returned to town, sir, IB And people standing on their heads 9| Where they had just come down, sir! H ?St. Nicholas. b| So Daj for the Sisters. H "Mercy me! what is that noise?" H cried old Mrs. Bensal, as a huge Hj cracker exploded beneath her window. IS "I don't know," said the innocent H| son and heir, who was responsible for the explosion, "unless it was sister Mary's bang you heard." H A Pinwheel Suggestion. ? "Well, "Walter," said Walter*# grandmother, after the fireworks had Hj all been set off, "how did yon enjoy pB the pin wheels?" 5M "They was awful nice," said Walter. HH "They looked just like a soda water ^B fountain on fire." gj He Knew Hl9 Business. Wm A man was one day making a trip 09 H| the "flyer" of a Wyoming railroad. BB Passage on these trains is never taken ^B except for jourueys of considerable Bp length; walking is as easy and much ^B safer for 6hort distanced. On this occasion the movement was even morj deliberate than usual and the passen- HS ger called the conductor to Ids seat^B and said: flB ' Isn't this motion pretty slow?" BB "Well, we ain't flying, I admit." ' _ -1- ?i-~i. iv. H ".May JL &B& Vtlinb us buo uuuuiC) then?" H "Certainly. We found a fine two-^H year-old steer stuck in a trestle back Ml here before you got on, and stopped and helped it out. You know the rules BH of the road are in such cases that theH| animal belongs to the company." HI "But I don't see why that shouldH| make you run so slow." "Why, we're taking that steer toHB headquarters; got it tied behind, and^B it ain't used to leadin' and don't walk^Bj up very well. I'm doin' all I can? got the brakemau prodding it up withHQ an umbrel', and an ear of corn tied to^H the end of the bell rope. If you think^H I'm going to start up and go howlin'^H along and yank the horns off as good^H a steer as there is in this State, why, you're mistaken, that's all!"?Boston^^fl Post. H The Hygiene ol Laughter. It has been aptly said that there ia^Bj not the remotest corner of the inletHH of the minute blood vessels of the hu- aH man body that does not feed some|n| wavelet from the convulsions occa- BB sioned by good, hearty laughter. The^H lite principle 01 tne cenirai man uap shaken to its innermost depths, send- IH ing new tides of life aad strength to^^J the surface, thus materially tending^H to insure good health to the persons^^H who indulge therein. The blood moves^JH rapidly, and conveys a different iin-^^B pression to all the organs of the body, HH as it visits them on that particular^^H mystic journey when the man laughing, from what it does at other^wj times. For this reason every good,^^| hearty laugh, in whioh a person in-^^H dulges, tends to lengthen his life, con-^^l veying as it doe9 new and distinct^^H stimulus to the vital forces.?Bruok-^^K lyn Times. The dining-room of the Campania, the Cunard steamer, is 100 by sixty-^H| four feet, aad seats 439 persons. HB