Historical Newspapers of South Carolina

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MdlffiliMs * OB, THE?? ifilM for tie MralsM MM BY LEON LEWIS. CHAPTER X. AT RATTLESNAKE RANCH. Let Tis now take a long step forward and see what was doing in Montana. At about 8 o'clock on a fine summer morning, Col. Harvey Whipsaw, of Rattlesnake Ranch, sat in an easy chair on Dis front veranda, engaged in looking over a somewhat bulky mail of letters 4nd newspapers, which had just been brought him from the nearest postoffice by a trusted factotum. "It's strange," he muttered, "that I do pot hear from Hiram Skidder. Can he have failed to Ret my letter? Or have I failed to' allow sufficient time for it to teach him?" A troubled look crept into his countenance as he continued his task. The appearace of the Colonel was as ftriking as his name, he being one of those hardy, clean-limbed pioneers who ?re seen nowhere in greater perfection than in the Rockies. 1 He was" not only a renowned Indianfighter and scout, with an excellent Record, but he was also a high-toned and cultured gentlemen, despite his plaia manners and his still more primitive uray of living. He had even been more renowned as a magistrate than as an officer of the army, and this fact will attest that he was highly Intelligent and many-sided. ; "I asked him to telegraph me the moment my letter reached him," added the Colonel, gaining his feet and beginning to walk to and fro on the veranda, "and he- must have heard from me some days lince. My arrangements to get his telegram are certainly perfect Why don't be answer? At this rate, I shall not get bold of those mines on any terms. What can be done?" ' A clatter of hoofs suddenly falling opon his hearing from the adjacent trail, he turned his gaze in that direction. "At last!" he could not help ejaculating. "There is my answer now." He hardly stirred or drew a Ions breath until the horseman had ridden up to the ranch, drawing rein. ' "A telegram for you. Colonel," announced the messenger, with the air of one who believes he is the bearer of very gratifying?intelligence. "I hope it will respond to your wishes." "A thousand thanks, Tommy," replied *V?A ?nloc{vA UiU UIIUUCI, ICkOltlllK U1D U1W1IO Won't voa come In and have a lemonade or something?" "No, thank you, Colonel," was the re ply; "I expect to tarry an hour with my brother on Golden Creek, and need not bother you." 1 And, with a polite movement of his bat the messenger rode away at the aama pace by which he had come. "And now to know my fate," muttered the Colonel, after turning the telegram over two or three time3 in his bands. "I wonder if I am destined to fet hold of those Musselshell millions? a any case, I am bound to make a good light for them." Breaking the seal, he began reading the somewhat lengthy communication with a look of surprise which deepened .rapidly to amazement. "It's not from Hiram Skidder at all," lie .ejaculated. "It's from Perry Wyfcan&n , He looked deeply puzzled. ' "And who on earth can jferry wynans be?" he demanded. "The name sounds familiar. Let me see?ah! I have itl He's that clever young clerk from Chicago who passed a couple of days with tis three years ago. Well, well here's the end of my dream. This Perry Wynans, it seems, is the owner of those wild lands, and is on his way out here to take possession." He read the telegram again, and gradually the shade lifted from his features. "How true it is," he resumed, "that there's no great loss without a gain. If I am'disappointed about the mines, I t. none the less have the hope of soon possessing an excellent neighbor, and one whose presence will be a sort of indemnity for all the annoyance Jerry Skidder has caused me. Yes, yes, I remember the young stranger now distinctly. He seemed to me at the time to be no common man." Another clatter of hoofs arose at this moment, and there was a ring about It which at once fixed the Colonel's attentlon. "tieno:" ne ejacuiaiea, guiuwriuK up his letters and papers and stepping into the house with them. "That man rides *s if for dear life. From the direction of the mines, too. Can It be that Sam Gad* dler or any of his devils would dare come here to make an attack upon me?" Snatching a fine double-barreled rifle from the wall, he stood it Just within the door of his sitting-room, and then stepped out upon the lawn, giving his whole attention to the approaching horseman, who had now appeared to his View, about a hundred rods distant. "Thunder! What can impel the man?" exclaimed the ColoneL "And who can he be?" The Colonel's ranch was situated near the mouth of a branch of thp Musselshell, and was one of the finest in Montana. It comprised the whole peninsula between the two rivers, and consisted partly of bottom lands and partly of those benches" which are esteemed so highly fnr rpRirianrpa. The Colonel's abode was one of those dwellings of squared logs which are so admirable in any climate for either summer or winter, they bring as well adapted to keeping out the cold of one season as the beat of the other. It was reached readily only from the aide of the tributary, across which had been inrown a rustic Dria?e strong #nough to support any weight likeiy to be placei upon It. Over this bridge at a furious pace came the stranger, his eyes fixed intently upon Colonel Whipsaw, and in a few moments more had drawn rein besfOe him. "Am I right?" asked tbe newcomer hurriedly. "Is this Colonel Whipsaw's?" "It is, sir." "Are you the Colonel?" "I am." "Then I can do no less,"continued the tranger, slipping to the ground, "than * appeal to you for assistance. As you oap T h.avfi hnxfilv ?sr>n.n<>ri wit,h mv liffi * Xrom Sam Gaddler and'a number of bis J [men, who have made an attempt to murder me!" "Why?" asked the Colonel. "Because I have been spying out what they are doing at the mines," explained the stranger. "My name is Baker? Charlev Baker. I am a mining expert %v profession, and wa: sent out here by the real owner of the Musselshell mines, a man named Perry Wynans " "Exactly," interrupted the Colonel, with a start. -Come into the house, Mr. Baker. I'll send your horse to the stable." Placing a metallic whistle to his lips, flthe Colonel blew two or three peculiar notes, and then motioned the fugitive to enter. "Many thanks, Colonel," said Baker, "bat I must warn you that you will get toto trouble if you champion my cause. Sam Gaddler is very bitter against mo, and swears that he will kill me!" "Never mind that," returned Col. Whinsaw. with another graceful wave of the band. "Will Gaddler pursue you?" "I cannot doubt it" "That's a good reason, then, for accepting the shelter of my house. Walk in." The Colonel's factotum had now made his appearance, a bright-eyed, herculean youns man of one and twenty, and the Colonel proceeded to gfvo hTm a few rapid orders in a tone too guardod to reach even the newcomer's hearing. "And nut this horse in the stall nest to mine," Ned, added the ColoneL "Leave them both saddled and bridled." Ned nodded obediently, and hastened away with the horse, while the Colonel led the way into the dwelling. "I have Just received a telegram from Mr. Wynans," be said, motioning his guest to a chair, "and I recall him well as a young man who passed a coaplo of days with me several years ago. As you will see by this message, he is now at no great distance on his way toua." Baker glanced at the telegram, a sigh of relief escaping him "I am glad he has taken this stand," he declared. . "I haye been wishing all tbe~mornlng I could get a line "to him. The truth Is, this man Gaddler is one of the worst miscreants I have ever encountered. He has been robbing Mr. Wynans for months and years, and is now taking out of the two mines about six thousand dollars every day. He has discovered that I have been in the neighborhood ever since last Wednesday, and has reached a very clear conception of r~ A nrAK/1 V?A bliU pUI lA^I i Ui illjr vi3iu ah a nuiu, uu is aware that I am In possession of all his nefarious secrets, and he swears that I shall never return to Perry Wynans to tell what I know." "I see your clothes are badly torn, Mr. Baker," said the Colonel. "Are you seriously hurt?" "Ho, sir, thanks tg the speed of my horse," replied Bahor. "As my assailants were a dozen to one, I would have stood no chance at all if 1 had not been well mounted. Ah!" He raised his hand warningly, listening with an air of keen interest "There they are," he remarked as a confused clatter of hoofs resounded from a distance. "The villain has mustered his forces anew and is coming here to kill me." "You just siu where you are for the present. Mr. Baker," enjoined the Colonel, quietly, slipping a revolver into his right hip pocket "I'll take a look at these people, and see what is their business In this quarter." Seizing an ax which stood behind his writing-desk, the Colonel sauntered out in the direction of the bridge wo have mentioned, with the air of a man who is proceeding to his timber. CHAPTER XI. THE FIGHT THAT SUCCEEDED. Tho approaching horsemen camo on so rapidly that they encountered the Colonel as soon as he had crossed the little bridge leading to his dwelling. At their head rode Sam Gadder, the suitor of Daisy Skidder, and the superintendent of the mining operations which had been carried on in Perry's name by her father. He not only realized the description Daisy had given of him, in her conversation with her father, but he was even more formidable than one would have been led to suppose from her remarks, his height being six feet two, and his shoulders and chest being unusually massive. "Ah, there you are, Co'onel!" he cried, without the least salutation or preliminary. "Have you seen anything of a horseman who came this way rather rapidly only a few moments ago?" "Here's the tracks of the fellow now, Sam," suddenly spoke up one of the men by whom Gaddler was accompanied, pointing them out "You see that they lead directly over the bridge to the Colonel's dwelling." "Sure enough," exclaimed Qaddler, his face beaming with delight. "We are on the rignt track, It seema." Turning to Colonel Whlpsaw, he continued: "You see, therefore, Colonel Whlpsaw, that it will not b3 of the least use for you to deny that you have seen the man In question." "Have I made any attempt at denial?" returned the Colonel, quietly enough, although there was a steely gleam in his eyes that might have served hts questioners as a warning. "To be sure?no, you haven't," Gaddler avowed frankly. fcThen you mean to say that you have seen him?* "I do?" "Where Is he?" "He Js Just now under the shelter of my roof." "Out of my path, then," enjoined Gaddler. "You cannot keep us parley* ing here while the rascal escapes. We must have him!" " fou won't have him till you have told , r> e what he has done," remarked the Cclo id, as quietly as before. "What do you want of him?" "Want? We propose to kill him!" "What for?" "Because he has been sent out here from Chicago to interfere with me," declared Gaddler, with the air of finding it a serious task to restrain his impatience. "In a word, he's a sneaking, meddling spy." "He's nothing of the sort," affirmed the Colonel. "Lie is an honorable man, who was sent out here by another honorable man, to learn what you are doing with a valuable property to which you and Jerry Skidder do not have the slightest claim! I may add that ho has found out all he desires to know, and that he and his employer will soon put an end to the lawless career you and your intended father-in-law have been running in this region!" Sam Gaddler sat glaring at the Colonel as if at a loss to find words in which to express his anger. "So you daro to champion this man, do you?" he at length demanded. "I do, sir, and I must now ask you to vacate these premises, they being mine. You'll advance another step in this direction at your peril!" The reader can readily imagine what sort of a tumult was occasioned by this unexpected resistance. rrioH rma "Ride him down!" shouted another. "Get off this bridge, all of you," commanded the Colonel, retreating quietly across It, as he brandished his axe warniugly. "Not a step more " "Oh, we^shan^fworry about you, Colo nel," interrupted Gaddler, putting spurs to his horse. "We'll not only have our man but we'll take you with him, if, necessary, and have you both as makeweights irom the same limb!" "Hold!" shouted the Colonel, flourishing his axe again.' "You cannot cross this bridge!" "And why can't we?" asked Gaddler "Because it has been keyed and braced In such a way that one blow from this axe will suffice to tumble it into the river," explained Whipsaw. "If you take another step, therefore " "Head him off, Gilly," interrupted Sam Gaddler, addressing one of his followers, with a significant gesture. Too late! The blow from the Coloneljs axe .d?H 1 V. ..TW scended at the very Instant he reaches the Inner end of the bridge, and In that same Instant the whole structure went down with a tremendous crash into the deep and narrow gorge beneath it. The yells and denunciations that arose from the Colonel's assailants can be imagined. A couple of horses were killed and two or three limbs were broken, in addition to which every man was obliged to struggle out of the stream as he could, and the cries and threats with which this task was accomplished made up a scene resembling pandemonium. The Colonel did not wait, however, to note the results of the measure he had taken, but beat a rapid retreat to his residence, shutting himself" In. "Well, Mr. Baker," he announced, "the rascals having begun a war, I have given them a touch some of them will doubtless remember, tumbling them Into the river. That bridge, you see, was built In the early days, when redskins and road agents were about equally dangerous, and it was so constructed by the original occupant of these premises that It could be instantly demolished without losing a single timber, they being all fastened together. He took it down repeatedly, but thfs is the first time I have had occasion to do sa * "Of course they win be furious," returned thermlng expert, seizing his rifle. "Doubtless." admitted tho Colonel, as he also armed himself. "But I have scored a first advantage by letting down that bridge and wo will score others before they drive us from the peninsula." By the time the couple had made all snug around them, Sam Gaddler and several of his chosen spirits struggled up the bank, and took their way cautiously toward the house, at length gaining the shelter of a lai-ge pile of wood Detween It and the river. "And now to give It to them hot and heavy," muttered the leader of the as sailants. "If we don't kill them both, it will bo because there is no virtue In bullets." We need not linger upon the details of the fight that succeeded. Thanks to the shelter both parties had secured, not the least injury was accomplished during the first half hour, except that every window, with most of the sashes, had been broken out of the Colonel's dwelling. "This will never do," at length growlei Sam Gaddler. "We must set the houso afire, whatever the cost or risk. Can you manage it, Dakin?" "I can at least try, sir." . The ruffian tried so well, taking advantage of certain shelters and angles afforded him, that it was not long before [he had kindled two fires at the side of the dwelling and one on its roof. "That will do the business, Cap," ho reported, as he returned to the shelter of the wood-pile, despite the bullets that were sent after him. uWe can shoot them if they come out to extinguish the fire, and if they dont come out they'll be jroasted!" The situation had, indeed, become a bad one for the gallant defender^ "The house is sure to go," remarked tne uojoucj, aner listening a moment to the roar of the flames "What a pity that 1 have got you Into this trouble!" was Baker's answer. "Nevermind that," said the Colonel. "Another house can be readily built If we make our escape, and these chaps can all be sent to prison for a good long term when we once get hold of them. I think now is a good moment to give them the slip and go the stable. With a start of a few moments we may be able to sccure our horses, which are saddled and bridled, and so matco our escape across the river." The attempt was duly made, tho couple slipping out by a side door, and they had the good fortune to reach the stable before tho assailants caught sight of them. "They see us," exclaimed Baker, as the cries of the enemy announced th? fact. "We must be lively!" Fortunately there was a side door to tho stable, and no time was lost by the /?rmr\1n in availlnff t.hftmaolvpq of door to mako a bee-line for the river at full gallop, heedless of the instant pursuit and the shower of bullets by which their flight was accompanied. "Of course there Is a chance against us while we are crossing the stream," exclaimed the Colonel, as he led the way into the water. "Keep close to me, Baker. There is a sort of ford here, il we don't miss It. These horses have often practiced this swim? and will make us no trouble." He dodged involuntarily as a numbei of balls whistled past the couple, some of them dangerously near, but the start, had been well taken, and the fugitive* were out of the river before their assailants had reached the opposite bank. "We might dispute their passage,* said the Colonel, "and could certainly reduce their number before they reach this bank, but the odds and risks are too ereat for us to make a stand hera. II will be better for us to resort to guerrilla tactics, making a stand only when everything is in our favor." "Set fire to that shanty," Sam Gaddlei was heard shouting, with a gesture toward the stable, "and be quick about it I want to run the pair down during the next twenty minutes," he added, in a 1a...AW +r\w-k/\ nAAvAcainrr nnfl of Ilia fQTTnr. iUWUl l/UUU, auuiojoiug uuv; V* ?11U ?<VT V* ites, "in order that I may go to Custer tc Intercept a couple who are coming to the Musselshell. Bo lively now, all of you, and I shall soon be able to start upon my proposed journey." A hearty response was given him, and In another minute his ruffians had crossed the stream and were galloping furiously after Colonel Whipsaw and Baker, who had dashed away with the air of 'mon who know that they are menaced by a terrible peril. CHAPTER XTT. INTO EVIL HAND?. By tne time Elfie Tower and Pern Wynans, accompanied by the motherlj Mrs. Rankle, were well out of Chicago their souls had become joined In the ten derest respect and affection. "How odd It seems, Mr. Wynans," th? former could not help saying, "for me tc be froing on such a long Journey witfc you!" "iiut not so odd as pleasant?for ma at least," was the reply. "I hope thai the journey upon which we have entered will last as long as we live." Elfie's face grew more Intense In Its coloring, a glad, tender light appearing in her souiiui eyes "I hope so, too," she said, simply. The silence which succeeded was sc full of happiness that it lasted manj minutes, during whi(Jti tho train con tinued to roll onward. "And all this time we forget that Jerry Skidder is on this same train with us," at length murmured Elfie. "And also his daughter," suggested Mrs Rankle. "Xot to speak of Iliram Skidder and his two hopefuls," romarked Perry, witb a smilo of content How very little we care for them." "Perhaps the two brothers will make up their differences before the night is ended," pursued Elfic. "I dare say they are in a good way to unite all theii forces against us " "In any case, we need not give them a thought," said Perry. Fortunately they are not in the same car with us, and il they were we could remain in tho stateroom. " He reflected a few moments Intently, and then resumed: "I told you about Colonel Whipsaw, didn't I?how kind he was to me during 7*% -fcvtfV 1' ' 'K- TV:'pvv my visit to the Musselshell, although T didn't give him any very definite idea of my business in that quarter' "Well, I must send the Colonel a few lines by telegraph before our arrival, and it will be well to also tell our mining expert, Charlie Baker, that we shall soon be with him. Charley is one of my old schoolmates, with whom I have always remained more or less closely associated, and I am sure you will be pleased to make his personal acquaintance." We need not linger upon their journey to St. Paul, nor upon the longer one be tween St. Paul and their destination. Let it suffice to say that the lovers and Mrs. Rankle remained the most of the time In the seclusion of their own stateroom, and they did not so much as catch a glimpse of the Skidders during the whole trip Westward. At about l o'clock In the morning on t.V\A fnnrt.li Hav after leaving r.hi^acrv the little party alighted from the train at Custer. "It's an awkward hour for one's arrival," remarked Perry, with a glance at the covered sky,, as he drew.Elfie's arm within his own on reaching the ground; "and there is a still more awkward ride before us. I wonder If there will be a hack in waiting at snch an unseasonable hour?" "Carriage, sir?" said a man, who came hurrying up to the couple, with a dullburning lantern. "Yes," replied Perry; "where Is It?" "Yonder, sir." The man not only pointed out the vehicle but led the way toward it "That will answer," said Perry, after a glance at the carriage. "This way, Mrs. Rankle." He hastened to assist his companions into the vehicle, and then sprang in lightly himself, shutting the door. "Where to, sir?" asked the driver. "I'll tell you that later, after we have crossed the river," answered Perry. "Shall.we be able to ferry across at this hour of the night?" "Certainly, or at any other hour, so long as you are willing to pay well for the service." "Drive on, then,* ordered Perry. "Our first step is to cross the Yellowstone at the junction." The driver looked the party over a moment, with an air or suppressed jubilance and excitement, and then mounted briskly to his box and drove away into the darkness, concealing his lantern beneath him. "It's not far to the river, I supposo?" queried Perry, after a brief silence. "No, sir; a mere step." The "step" proved to be a long one, but at length the carriage was driven upon a low pier, and from the pier cautiously assisted into ono of those small, shaky ferry boats which are still so commonly in use on Western rivers. "That's all," said the driver; "there's no one else coming." The ferry boat proceeded to get under way, and hardly a word was spoken until it had disembarked its passengers upon the opposite side of the river. "Is it not strange that wo saw nothing of the Skidders?" asked Mrs. Raukle. "Rather," replied Perry. "I can only suppose that they have gone on to Billings, because we talked of going there. In good truth, that would have been almost as handy for us, as far as the mines n.r? p.oncp.rnp.d. hut, mv oblective Doint is the county seat, where I propose to place those deeds on record." "Where to, sir?" asked the driver airain, appearing at the side of the carriage. Perry reflected a moment. "Your horses are fresh?" he then asked. "Yes, sir; rea'Jy for anything." "You do not care how far you go, I dare say?" "Certainly not. so lonsc as you are ready to pay me liberally." "Then take the road to Musselshell, and do not let the grass grow under your feet for the next two hours." All right, sir." fTO BE CONTINUED.] TEMPERANCE. A SENSIBLE WILL. The will of a woman who diei lately contains the following: "I Jorsive my serv.int all his debts, and it at the end of Ave years he has drunk no intoxicating liquors ns a beverage, the sum of one thousand dollars." This, like tho prohibition titlo deed, is a good way to plnce additional restraint upon tho drink evil.?Tdtaperanco Banner. SOUND ON THE DBINK QUESTION. Mr. T. V. Po.wdejly being asked how far the nearest saloon should be from a school house, replied "About five hundred miles would be a reasonable, distance aceor.iing to my way of thinking." When Mr. PowJerly was at the head of tho Knights of Labor ho took occasion to say. ''The firmest link in the chain of oppression is tho ono I forgn when I di own manhood and reason in drink." Mr. PoWderly is evidently sound on tho drink question. Taat all workmen are of his opinion cannot be possible, since tho newspapers report that tho saloons "did thn most phenomenal business they ever knew" during a day of rioting in Chicago in connection with the recent railway union strike. The workiugman has no worse enemies than saloons and strikes.?New York Obsarvor. IT LEADS TO HUIN. A liquor dealer in the town of Avr. Scotland. has a particular brand of whisk)*, which Ho wisnod to aaveruse. une any xue circus was coming to town, and to .add interest to its performances and advertise his whisky he offered a prize for the best answer to the question, why this particular brand of whisky resembled a certain bridgo across tho* waters of tho Ayr. Tho show came, and the answers to the liquor seller's question wero handed in to be examined, and tho successful competitor was atiuouncorl. He proved to be a poor boy, who, perhaps, know from experience what he was speaking of, and his answer to theliquorsellnr's question, why liis particular brand oi whisky was liko the bridge, was as follows: "Because it leads to the poorhouse. the lunatic asylum andtha cemetery."' DESIRABLE 10 HEyOIBE ABSTINENCE* It is interesting and encouraging to noto that, upon economic grounds, the employers of labor, in increasing numbers, aro flndine it desirable to require abstinence from intoxicants on the pan of those whom they employ, at least while on duty. A civil engineer, who is much interested in tho temperance reform, calls our attention to the following extract from specifications for an Improved Sewer System in Provi.ienco, R. I. "(67) Tho contractor shall not furnish, nor allow other? to furnish, spiritous liquors to tho workmen in his employ, or to any person or persons on or about the lino of the work. This provision is understood as prohibiting entirely the uso of ardent spirits na oKftvn n Wft hall flVArv QVir?h nrnr?Hr?fil protest against the uso of intoxicants as foreshadowing the bettor tinin coming when injurious social drinking usiges will bo abolished altogether.?Tbo Temperance Advocate. ' A HOSPITAI. WITHOUT MQUOE. The London Temperanco Hospital recently celebrated its twentieth anniversary. At first many looked upon the idea of a hospital without alcohol as a verita'ik era.'.} of ;i few fanatics, but now the mudical journals admit tho success and also the importance of tho experiment. And this experiment ought to be much better known to medical men than it is, for it gives a serious blow to a still fashionable dootrinc regarding tho necessity of alcohol in tho treatment of disease. This hospital has eighty-six beds, and last year year 1030 patientsworo accommodated. In the out-patient department 5101 now cases were dealt with, while tho new accident and emergency cases amounted to -l'JCD. Tho surgeon, Dr. Collins, who came from Sc. Bartholomew's, and who has been in tho hospital now for flvo years, declares that, though not an abstainer himself, tho 2000 cases, 1000 of them operations, tnat'havo passed through his hands havo suffered nothing from the non-administration of alcohol. ?The Christian Work. MODISH MODELS. ? 1 DESIGNS EVOLVED FOB THE AUTUMNAL CAMPAIGN; All About Bridesmaids?A Wedding Where There Were Twelve?Hats _ to Suit the Most Capricious Taste Are Shown. "T" T ERE are some extracts (all relatingto bridesmaids) from j | aocounte of recent London (T beddings. The eight bridesmaids who attended Miss Peel were all attired in white satin dresses, the bodices being trimmed with cream pointed gnipure; shoulder capes of emerald green velvet, and large velvet picture hats, adorned with black feathers. The four bridesmaids at the Trethewy-Wood wedding wore pretty yellow bengaline dresses, with blaok colors, the colors of the Hampshire Regiment, and black hats, trimmed with yellow flowers, and they carried yellow bouquets, tied with the regimental colors. The bridegroom to each gave a gold chain, from which FALL MIL was suspended a heart-shaped locket set in diamonds. At the marriage of the Hon. Rosa Hood, the six bridesmaids wore pure white broche dresses, trimmed with moire, and in their pretty white chip hats were" roses, to correspond with the lovely bouquets of white roses which they carried. At the Dickson-Knocken wedding there were five bridesmaids, attired alike in white muslin dresses, made up over white satin. Their picturesque hats of black tulle were trimmed with roses, and they carried bouquets of roaes and white parasols, gifts from the bridegroom. At the marriage of Lady Esther Gove to W. F. D. Smith, M. P., says London Truth, the bridesmaids, twelve in number, included seven small children, some of whom were , tiny scraps whose behavior amused one immensely. They grew so tired , of standing still, those babies. And , you should have seen how they admired their wedding garments. They stroked their ribbons, petted their frocks and closely examined the white roses they carried, as though scientifically tracing the cause of their perfume. Not old enough to have experienced the solace there lies in standing on one leg, they varied the monotony of standing on both by lifting their feet and gazing with great interest at their pretty shoes. "We mustn't talk," whispered one to the other, as though inviting her to a breach of the command. A dear little fat finger went up to a pair of rosy lips in reply. I never saw such a sweet little company of restless, fluttering, white-clad baby bridesmaids .before. One of them was the twoyear-old stepsister of the bride. Her mother looked very well in gold and white brocade. The bride's dress was most particularly pretty and becoming. One would think that all possible variations on the hackneyed theme of white satin and orange blossoms had long since been exhausted, but evidently there are brains still full of fresh ideas on even the stalest subjects. The lovely ivory-tinted satin of which Lady Esther Smith's dress con- t sisted was trimmed with exquisite, al- < most priceless, point d'Alencon old 1 family lace, and was hemmed with < sprays of orange blossoms. The i bodice was filled with chiffon and < trimmed with lace, and the sleeves? an important feature in the architecture of a dress?were arranged in alternate puffs of satin and frills of lace. The bride wore a comb of orange blossoms under her tulle veil. Her bouquet was a perfectly glorioue one, and Bhed fragrance for yards around it.T She looked very nervous, and her color kept coming and going, but it was a sweet face that looked through the wedding veil. BUTTONS EVERYWHERE. Her button gown was a great success. She was conscious of this after wearing it for the first time. Such an amount of attention she had never before received. It was an imported | frock and it carried just sixteen dozen j buttons. They were very small but- | tons of glistening gilt and they shone : upon her dre6s like cords of gold. The skirt of this French costumc I was made of fine white broadcloth, ' with an unusual amouut of fulness at I the back. On the right side of the JI skirt a narrow punel of helitrope vcl- t vet appeared to be caught to the ^ broadcloth by a row of gilt buttons, I which stretched from waist line to n hem. The bottom of the skirt was fin ished by a Dana or tn veuves meuming with another line of gilt buttons. The bodice was heliotrope chiffon over 1 silk and shirred to a yoke of white broadcloth outlined with very small gilt buttons. The chiffon at the waist j line tucked in to a corselet of helio- b trope velvet bordered with buttons. o The draped sleeve was of white chif- g: fon over heliotrope silk. The puff p was most graceful. Below the elbow \ c< the chiffon was drawn over a tight- j a 3 fitting cuff -which seemed held together by a row of buttons. DAINTY STRAW HATS. Some of the new straw hats have crowns of one color and brims of another, like purple and green or red and blue. Some have rough effects made by straws of different color woven in, but with so much trimming as is placed on them and the facings of shirred tulle or Italian crape one sees very little of the hat itself. One hat where the rough straw was made of green and white strands,had a mass 01 trimming consisting or green moire ribbon of the exact silvery green of the under side of poplar leaves. There was besides a gTape vine, with its creamy white tufts of blossoms, its tendrils and finally two bunches of green grapes of different sizes. This was placed artistically on the top of the hat, and just under the bent part of the brim was a small cluster of ripe grapes and the faded leaves. The whole hat was really poetic. PBETCT DRESS TBUDCNO. Narrow black velvet ribbon overlaid with ecru vine lace is a pretty dress LINEEY. trimming. Cream lace is used as well on serge and sacking dresses as on satin. Velvet overlaid with ecra insertion is common on crepon dresses, green being the color used in one effective model. Suits made with tabs and buttons have the mock buttonholes outlined with soutache. White embroidery and black satin ribbons are the trimmings used on a dark bine crepon. Silken muslin crepe lisse, mouseline de sole, figured laoe, spangled tulle and Liberty satin are some of the gauzy fabrics found as trimmings on the latest imported designs. Black silk muslin and jet are by far the most desirable accessories for black and white silks. THE NEW STILE 8H0BT COAT. The new style short coat is made of electric blue cloth, braided down the front. The coat is double-breasted, and has a large collar of the /ur and an edging down one side and the cufia \. 1 md muff of the same fur. Another ] :oat, which is to become very popular ;his fall, is a loose ulster, aiso for t Irivingj made of dark cloth and hav- { ng a painted collarette of seal and ? loop cuffs of the same. "Would Work Nothing But Miracles. ^ ( r?1 ?'<=* a Tramp? "Madame, I'm not a tramp, si 'm a niagieiau. I don't want food, h mt being a very charitablc man my- si ell' uud seeing liow kind you must be, will show you a neat little transfer- 0 aation scene." H Widow Jonrts?"Well?" r Tramp?"You bring me a plate oi j( onp and I'll turn it into a raan.fl 'rath. * g General Rule lor Diets. The general rulo for all diets should ~ 2 an abundance of sweet fruits, fresh j] r driecl, green vegetables?those ? rowing above ground receiving the roferencc?a small proportion of the tj ureais, brown bread, milk, eggs, and little meat. ?Rochester Post Express. w ^ . A WINTER DREAM. "When the bore brown beeches writhe and wafl, Wrenched by the north wind's grasp; "When the willow trees wax stiff and pale In the chill of his crystal clasp ; And the long night hastes with its desolate dark O'er the wind-worn grasses gray and stark | And each cold star cnt3 the wintry sky l| Like the point of a polnard drawn on high-*I list to the blacklog'0 smouldering crack And memory softly strays On the dead year's track, And my thoughts flit back To dream of the summer days. Oh, I know a brook 'neath the green bay trees wnere tne uues rise ana sins Where the cows come down through the cypress knees With their clanking bells to drink. I would I could sccut the lily buds now That float on the stream 'neath the rich bay bough; I would I could hear the cowbells clang, Straying up the lane where the blackberries hang; I can close my eyes and almost view Each mellow bell that sway31 And the luscious hue Of the blackberries, too, As I dream of the summer days. X Jong to lie on my back in the grass, Bliss-crowned In every sense; I long for a breath of the sassafras That fringes the zigzag fence, Or to see the swift-winged hawk soar by, With a half-formed wish In my heart to fly; Or to sit in the shade where the pine boughs swing And list to the song that the redbtrds sing? Oh,these are the thoughts that come and come In fancy's tangled maze, With the log cock's drum And the wild bees' hum, As I dream of the summer days.1 ?3. 3L Peck, in Boston Transcript. PTTTT A?n PATN7T I JLJ. JL JUL XXXI XJ X VX1! J-t Error beareth her own scourge.?Pack. Come West and blow ap with the country.?Chicago Dispatch. The lawyer who worked like a horse was engaged in drawing a conveyance. ?Boston Bulletin. ' Even the most successful attempt to bear the wheat market must go against the grain.?Buffalo Courier. "Truly," said Witticus, whenhe saw ox tail soup and tongue on the free lunch counter, "extremes meat."? Life. When a farmer comes to town with a young colt following an old mare, he is proud of it as a woman is of a baby. ?Atchison Globe. George Gould says that yachts are like women. He doesn't mean Ameri? il li I l.?.l _ can women, ior mey can u u? u?u?b Philadelphia Times. 99 Van Qoille?"Do you know, I hav^K a perfect passion for poetry 1" MlsJH Beacon?"Unrequited, isn't it?"?H Kate Field's Washington. S Cholly?"They say the crops araH needing rain awfully." Fweddy?H "Why don't they spwinkle them withH the hose I"?Chicago Tribune. ra Tramp?"Madam, I was not alwaysH thus." Madam?"No. It was yoxu^B other arm you had in a sling thi^H morning."?Pearson's Weekly. Tommy's Father (sternly)?"WhafH were you fighting that bad boy for^B Tommy?" Tommv?"To keep froxrflj gittin' licked."?Detroit Free Presa^^B Now doth the slant-eyed heathen rage, The war his feelings harts, And hence he mangles in his wrath M The white man's Sunday shirts. HI ?Indianapolis Journal. "Mamma is thinking of baying tfl| dog." "Really I What kind?" "Oh^B she's not particular as long as matches the carpets."?Boston Bad<^| Jilson says that since the introduc-^H tion of shoemaking machinery the old^H HmA fiisfiinlea of St. Crispin have hac^H to come down a peg or two.? Courier. , H| Fiipps?"So Smallpay has left th<^H Way up House, eh? Landlord And i^H necessary to raise the price of board Plopps?"No; Smallpay did."?Bof-^H falo Courier. 9fl Mr. Oldhi?"Miss Sweetly, are yot^H in admirer of old brass?" Miss Sweet^H |y?"Well, er?I have only though^H 3f you as a valued friend."?Chicagt^B [nter-Ocean. She?"You are awfully young to bJH jailed Colonel." He?"Well, I hava^B been in eighteen engagement?, anc^H ;he girl and I fought in every one. !few York News. HI First Fair Bather? "They say there'^B i man-eating shark close to the shore. Second Fair Bather?"Weli, let hiu^nfl ilone; he'll soon starve to death here.'^Hj ?New York Press. "What a beautiful bouquet! Is ntended for me or for my sister?'^H Orderly?"The Lieutenant told me land it to the prettier of the two."?H9 riiegende Blaetter. Artist (with enthusiasm)?"Th^^J ines of beauty are always curves. jittle Girl (amazed)?"I guess yot^H lever saw a man on a bicycle, diflB <ou?"?Good News. Edith?"Only think! Charley calle^JB ue a dream! Wasn't that nice? WonSBE ler what put that idea into his head laud?"Dreams are so ridiculous^^H rouknow."?Boston Transcript. RBI Eufant Terrible?Emma (six year^^H ild, in presence of her three growflfl isters)?"Mr. Assessor, why do yo^^f all every day? Do you intend t^H aarry one of us?"?Fliegende Blaet^Mfl 9 When a man's wife comes in an^^H ees him, razor in hand and his fao^^H 11 lather, and asks him, "Are yo^Hj having?" it is a provoking thing fo^|H T>? xulHn im 10 answer, "jo, jl hi uiau&iiig tove."?Sittings. $fBfl "Well, Mary, what did you thinflEE f the pictures at the academy ?" mm, there was a picture there calle^^f Two Dogs after Landseer,' but ^H| )oked at it for nearly half an hou^^H nd I couldn't see no Landseer. "-^?9 pare Moments. "I presume you funny men aim cnl with questions of the hoar, ou not?" "Oh, yes, I calculate tha^HB acre have been written no less tha^^H ve thousand jokes about the youn^^H ian who does not know when it ^Hj^E mo for him to go home."?Indiaz^^B polls Journal 999