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The kinc 1 ^chon] A NOVEL OF AMERICAN LIF ^ BY MAURICE CopyriSb1* 1Bf/ CHAPTER VII. CONTINUED. Fairfax turned about, and -with folded arms stood apart, scarcely thinking, but wrapped in a mood that tilled the air about him with confused and indefinable apprehensions. He was not aware that Pauline had oome near until she spoke, and then he started perceptibly (to himself, if not to her), and looked down at her as if from a great distance. We must remember that he had not slept during the night; this might, to a degree, account for the unnatural slowness with which he responded to the fresh, almost enthusiastic, manner of the girl, as she began to speak of the sunglories that shimmered over the lonely marshes of the Eigolets. Meantime, Lieutenant Ballanohe was informing Mr. Vernon of the probability that a British fleet was at hand to co-operate with hostile Indians in the effort to devastate the whole country from Pensaoola to New Orleans, and that in the latter city " ?~ "/innnsfll and vuerti WHO UCCU Ul .r .uw - ~ ? patriotic effort. "Things are in a bad condition," he said, "and we need the the work of men like you, Mr. Vernon, to bring order out of confusion, and to urge the citizens to a proper view of duty. At present, the most deplorable indifference as to the outcome of affairs prevails in New Orleans; nobody Beems to realize our dreadful danger." "The government seems to me most to blame," remarked Mr. Vernon. "Instead of building fortifications and fitting out such vessels as can be had for defenco, it is spending most of its time anil money searching for imaginary robbers and impossible pirates." "It is true that our defences are of no value, but you are wrong in thinking that our outlaws are imaginary. I have just been up Pearl River and to Honey Island, where robbers are more numerous than honest citizens. It is not of theBe, however, that we 1 ' ~ " 1 ? *- 4-TX own fUtiTT n#eu co cpeait; uau ?? mcj me, ?uS; are less dangerous than those citizens, ostensibly respectable and worthy, who use tbeir apparent social superiority as a cloak to hide the villanies they encourage." Ballanche spoke with an earnestness amounting almost to vehemence, and by the half closing of hi& eyes and a certain immobility of all his features, his face took on an intensely resolute expression. Mr. Vernon looked calmly at him, as if by a sort of masterful scrutiny he could read his inmost thoughts and draw from them a more comprehensive meaning than the speaker liimaelf realized in them. Presently he said: "You may be right, lieutenant; but, for my part, I see many sides to the question. New Orleans and Louisiana owe very little to any government, save that which they themselves ropresent. Understand, nevertheless, that I am for allegiance to the government at Washington, or at whatever other place the United States councils meet, and that I am for h rigorous defense of'New Orleans against auy British force that may come; but I should advise careful speaking when it comes to characterizing our citizens as encouragers of villainies." "But perhaps, sir, you do not know the condition of things in New Orleans." "Lieutenant, I do know. How could I help knowing? I knew before you were born; I have knew ever since; I know now." Ballanche made a slight, quick ? t ??.1 ol uiuvcuicut uuu ouuiCiuiii^ iiao ckLk or mo?t invisible flush leaped iuto his olive-brown cheeks. Mr. Vernon's voice had been so deep and powerful and his attitude so suggestive of virile or leonine superiority that the young man had felt a shock, which for the moment confused him. "What reliable word have you that a British fleet is near here?" Mr. Vernon continued, his manner changing to one of mere inquiry. "None. The activity of the Indians and the presence of foreign emissaries among the tribes seem to indicate, however, that a strong movement is to be made." "And what did you succeed in doing toward suppressing the Pearl River robbers?" Mr. Vernon presently asked. "Of coarse, I did nothing?nothing eootna iir><a?ihln in thfl mnt.ter ftfc nrfiR eat?but I found out a good deal nbout them, and have been thinking over a plan by which it might be possible to servo both them and the country." "That would be a singular achievement, I should say." "Yes, at first thought it would appear so; but I believe it can be done." Mr. Vernon stood waiting for the lieutenant to explain; but he did not urge him to proceed even by a look. "If amnesty were tendered to all of the outlaws who should join our military forces and do service for the country, I believe the most of them would accept the offer in good faith. At all events, I am going to lay the matter before the governor." "\f ? Vnrnnn rn it il a r\/\ ramorlr stood in tho at'itude of a respectful listener whose inind had run ahead ol what his companion had been saying; and when Lieutenant Ballancue looked into his strange, deep eyes, [ they woro quite inscrutable! f "What do you think of the plan?" I the young man inquired. "It is not V worth tryiug?"' ft "It may be; but what do you know 1 of Iho feeling among the freebooters I themseves on the subject?" B "I have some reason to believe that most of them would be glad to quit the life of outlaws. If the leaders i-an bi B reached the thing cau be accomplished, I am almost sure." ^ft "Who are tho leaders?" Hi "It i? not easy to find out. Of coursc Lnlitte lias all tho Baratarian Diratew I . King of Honey Island, I have lonnd out to my satisfaction that there is one above him in command of, the great Pearl Kiver and inland organization; and that one lives in New Orleans, directing the proceedings from his safe position in the midst of the highest sooiety of the city." "And who is he?" "I think that I know, but I cannot yet breathe his name in th.s connection; it would create a wila scene, I can assure you, sir." Mr. Vernon folded his arms high upon his broad chest and appeared to lift himself until he showed taller than even the tall oreole. "If you begin to stir up records in New Orleans," he remarked, "you will soon have a heavy load on your hands. My own opinion is that nothing will be gained by any negotiations with piratas. The oountry can fight ix_ 1??11." 1U? UmilCB ITllrUUUt killiiu "At all events, I shall make my report to the governor, and he may do as he shall see fit." "Are you sure that the governor himself is entirely clear of entanglement with the powerful alliance of freebooters?" Again the eyes of the lieutenant became sharp and searching as he scanned Mr. Vernon's massive face, and said: "Do you suspect him?" "Humph!" with a shrug, was the only answer Mr. Vernon gave. It was as if the ejaculation were meant to toss Ballanche aside. A half-hour later the young officer took his leave. "Au revoir!" he called from tha gig as his ciew pulled away toward the I schooner. His farewell comprehended the whole group on the Water-Bird's deck; and yet he was looking straight at Pauline. Fairfax noticed this, but seeing him going farther and farther away, while Pauline seemed quite content to stay where she was, the artist smiled very complacently. Mr. Vernon ordered the vessel put under sail at once, speaking to his men with an intonation that suggested impatience or great haste. The most careless observer could have seen that something in the conversation between him and Lieutenant Ballanche had stimulated him; but whether with anger or some other ! passion no one would havo determined from his appearance or actions. Up through the Rigolets the little vessel went, with a fair breeze, and in as golden sunlight as ever drove away a fog. The channel, a broad and beautiful river connecting Lake Borgne with Lake Pontchartrain, flashed line * - !- o-u 81iver ueiween lib yiuoojr niaiou meadows, over which the herons and wild geese, the pelicans and the plovers flew back and forth like shuttles through the warp of the dreamy weather. Here and there, scattered from distance to distance, picturesque clumps of live-oaks were set against the almost violet sky like orchards on a prairie. CHAPTER VIII. CHATEAU D'OR AND COLONEL LORING. Mr. Vernon's house in New Orleans, was, perhaps, the most pretentious residence place in the city. Built of gray brick, it stood well back from the ? mirloi s\f a!/1 4roao Tto I > atlCCt, 1U lliC lUJiiOU ui v*vi uwoi avw broad verandas and high hipped dormer-windows, showing but duskily forth through the foliage, which almost hid the balconies and oriels botween, were solid and heavy. The whole structure was massive and ; solemn-looking, giving the general imprelsiou of exclusiveness and lofty i loneliness. i The grounds were large and everywhere showed that neither money nor care had been grudgingly spent to add beauty and comfort to the place, i From base to roof, the house suggested in every angle and curve the wealth, pride and taste of its owner; but it "also suggested more; the peculiar civilization grown out of the old Louisiana colonial life and out of the otrange vicissitudes an a exigencies of the development of New Orleans spoke through the architecture and surroundings, There ware flowers everywhere, especially rc33s and cactuses, making the dusky r/lr flash with colors ?blended perfumes coming and going with the wind-pnleas and all around and above the soft, satin rustle of leaves. Mr. Vernon had named his placo Chateau d'Or. He liked the name, he said, because a vessel that brought him good luck had borne it; but he never told what the good luck was or what had become of the vessel. It seemed to delight him no little when he was able to excite curiosity on this subject, only to leave it altogether unsatisfied. The name, in accordance with a custom still lingering in the Creole country, was set in large letters over '.he gate, and still higher up was the sketch of a ship under full sail. Tho Vernon household was well > knowa to almost everybody in the oity; that is, the place and the family flame were familiar to the ears and arraa r?f thp. npnnle! hilt there were v;v" " ?- r?t?> comparatively few persons who had i gained anything like a "visiting acquaintance" with the family. The r circle of Mrs. Vernon's friends was, however, as select as it was small; and as for Pauline, she had but recently ventured into society without the formalities of a set debut. Mr. Ver' non himself was, without being wbat ; we evil a public man, a leader of the people. His influence was as powerful as it was general, and it was exerted without eiFort aud, apparently, without ambition on his part. His ; long residence in Louisiana, bis peri soual force and bis gre?t wealth had , i combiued to give luiu this hold upon i tho paoplo from highest to lowest, and yet no oue could say that he was i easily approached. He took no pubj lie part in the affairs of tho Stale or , I the citv; but his influence was alwavs : I - v . ' I songlit when matters or grave lmpor. tance demanded the use of specially sonnd judgment, or when the more unmanageable element of the people j had to be perfectly controlled. He j seemed to possess the confidence of all the races and clans of men in the? city and, by some power, was able to command them. When Mrs. Vernon and Pauline found themselves once more in Chateau d'Or they were as happy as it is ever possible for a mother and her daughter to be. Their stay at Bay Saint Louis had (although they were probably not aware of it) been a powerful tonic and invigorator. Pauline went about the house and grounds singing like a happy bird, her face radiant, her step light and her heart brimming with half-formed dreams. There was nothing in all her circle of vision to shade or to mar the golden promise that tilled it like the soft splendor of springtime. She knew nothing of life's evils?not even the plethora so often attending unlimited access to the luxuries of wealth had ever come to her?and the abounding good in her experience only urged her into a rich development, a radiant blooming, so to call it, which made her beauty of face and of form come out life the blowing of a rose. The city was very gay when the Vernons came back to it, and Pauline i found herself caught in the whirl like a butterfly in a June breeze. There was the theatre, there was the balls, the receptions, the excursions to the country-seats of wealthy planters ? nothing was wanting that would keep lier spirits at full blood; and there was the Hbrary at Chateau d'Or, where the romances that she loved so dearly filled many a mahogany shelf. Both Fairfax and Lieutenant Ballanche had called frequently within the first month, and she had seen them often at the theatres atd at balls and receptions giveu by her friends. They had been very attentive and very interesting, eacji in his way bringing to her receptive mim\ fascinating impressions and obscure, haunting visions of a great world of experience lying quite outside of her horizon. The young men were so different in personal appearance, in address, in habit of thought, in temper and in everything that goes to build and project individual character, that one served as a foil to emphasize the other at almost 6very point. 'y'wfQ Pauline, while she had had every advantage that wealth could bring to her within the narrow and isolated circle ol environment, was sun no more than a provincial girl; and her limitations, though they probably enhanced to a degree her attractiveness, restricted her vision and compressed her understanding in some measure. A society girl of to-day, eeeing on6 like Pauline, would call her strangely unsophisticated; still she was not less delighted than most ladies would have been when her mother announced that it was her purpose to "give a party," as the phrase goes, limiting the invitations mostly to young people. When the evening came, with the grounds and the stately house brilliantly lighted, the whole interior wreathed and festooned with flowers and the servants all assigned to duty, it. would have been hard to decide which was the more radiantly hannv. Mrs. Vernon or Paulino. All the windows and doors wero open, so that the gentle May wind3 crepfe through to stir the rich curtains and to make the candles in the many-armed candelsticks wave their silvery flames. Some of these caudles were made of myrtle-wax, taken from the wild berries, after a local custom of the time, and as they burned they sent out a faint, exquisitely pleasant perfume, at once mild and sweet. The rather sombre mansion was transformed by lights and flowers into something like a gorgeous palace; even the heuvy. black-mahogany furniture caught a gleam and a glow. Pauline hugged her mother, under the impulse of a swift joy, when the time approached for the guests to begin arriving. "Isn't it all beautiful I" she exclaimed, almost strangling Mrs. Vernon with her snowy, plump arms. "And I'm so happy! See how the pictures come out, and how the statuary gives effect to everything! And - ' 1 lU _ t ? IQ6 stairway?uuw i>uo icdiuuuo vi dowers and moss have changed it! I wonder who will be the first guest to come!" 'Mercy, child! Do yon wish to kill your poor mother? See how yon are spoiling my lace and disarranging my hair! I shall not be presentable!" I (TO EE CONTINUED.) Katarnl Gas Utilized by Tramp*. Two years ago a well was drilled on the Hays farm in search of oil. The well was put down by some Eastern company. Situated in a secluded place alrmg a little creek, very few peoplo ever knew that the well had been drilled. What was found in the well will never be known, for, as soon as was completed, it was immediately filled up with rock and dirt. Lately, however, gas has begun to issue from the well, and now it comes forth in considerable quantities. It is not far from a little station on the Santa Pe Railroad, and this winter the tramps have taken possession of the place. They have piled rocks around the well aud turned a part of an oil stove over it, on which they cook. They have put up a shanty, and in the centre of the room their stove heated it with natural gas. The advantage of natural gas has made the place a favorite rendezvous for tramps for miles around, aed they have quite a colouy there.?Topeka (Kan.) State Journal. The Coat Didn't Fit. In the days when Johannesburg was a iniuiug camp, so the tale goes, Oom Paul on one occasion was riding through iu a very ordinary suit of clothes. He unsaddled by a wagon belonging to a German, who, not recognizing him, began to hold forth on the reforms he would make if he were ruler of tho State. Suddenly Mr. Kruger took off his coat, and, holding it toward the German, who was a little man, said: "Friend, put it on." "But,"replied the latter, "it is too big." "Just so," said tho President with a grim smile. "I'm Paul Kriiger, and it is not too big for me." - fCHINAANDT :* Markers and Gustc The area of China Is 4.218,401 English square miles. Of this territory nnlv 1.330.841 miles belong to China proper, the remainder being' the dependencies of Manchuria, Mongolia, Thibet, Jungaria and Hast Turkestaa. Notwithstanding the relatively small size of China proper, it contains the bulk of the population, having 386,000,000 inhabitants out of a. total population of the Kingdom of 402,080,000. The present Emperor of China belongs to the Manchu dynasty, which overthrew the native dynasty of Ming in the year 1044. As the late Emperor died suddenly, he did not designate a successor, ns is the custom in China, where there exists no law of hereditary succession. This is one/ of the causes of the trouble in China,owing to the fact that the Empress Dowager was able to obtain ascendency over the young Emperor, so that on September 22, 1S98, an imperial edict was Issued announcing that the Emperor had resigned power to the Empress Dowager, who has since retained the direction of affairs and by *her dislike of foreigners has done mujib to foment the troubles ana lias made it easy ivr i the Boxer movement to gain headway, | even if she- is not directly responsible for the attack, as has been suggested by those who have an intimate knowledge of Chinese affairs. On January 24, l'JOO, it was declared by decree that the son of Prince Tuan should succeed the present Emperor. This Is generally regarded as equivalent to Ivwang Su's deposition. The lively interest which Prince Tuan is taking in the attacks of foreigners is easily accounted for by his son's right to the throne. The government of the State is based upon the government' of ther^amily. The supreme direction, of fb^^Bmpire is vested in the'privy cbundj oi&grand council. The tdmini8tMt?^jCSnder I the direction.'JofeHifclihiet comprising four member*; Manchu and two of Ch esides two assistants from' thSsSteat college, wlio have to see that^g^g Is done conniont, eaeh^^^^ch is prealdh^^v^r by a Manchu . and a Chinese^ \tPhe *'' ' A CHTXHfeE DONKEY CART IN PEKIN. boards are: 1, for civil appointments; 2, for revenues; 3. for rites and ceremonies; 4, for military affairs; 5, for public works; 0, criminal jurisdiction; 7, admiralty b&ard. Independent of the government, and theoretically above the central administration, is the Board of Public Censors, whichV consists of forty or fifty members under two presidents. They are privileged to present any remonstrance to tU*. nhil nno, nf tlium mllSt" I IUC OU V VJ1 C'J^U, aim vuv v/*. iuv?u be present, at the raee'tings of each ?. f the Government boards. Each of the eighteen provinces is governed by a governor-general, who' is responsible to the Emperor for the entire administration, political, judicial, military and physical. He is assisted by a council and other officials. Each province is subdivided Into apartments, ruled by prefects, and each department Into districts, each under a separate ruler. Each towu and village also has its governing body, and among the various rulers there is a regular gradation in rantc, eacn being responsiDie to ms immediate superior. Political office In the general administration of the Empire is less sought after than the position of viceroy or governor in the provinces, where there are opportunities of acquiring wealth. The number of foreigners resident in the open ports of China was 13.421 at the end of 1S98, British subjects predominating. About a half of the total number of foreigners reside at Shanghai. Three religions are acknowledged by ' TEA TllEADING,'' THE OBJECT B tlio Chinese as indigenous and formally adopted: Confucianism, Buddhism and Taoism. The Emperor Is considered the High Priest of the Empire and can alone, with his immediate representatives and ministers, perforin the great religious ceremonies. Confucianism is the State relipion. With the exception of the practice of ancestral worship, which is everywhere observed throughout the Empire, and was fully commended by .Confucius, i HECHINESEI >ms of the people. ^ Confucianism has little outward ceremonial. The study and contemplation and attempted performances of the moral precepts of the ancients constitute the duties of a Confucianist. Buddhism and Taoism present ii gorgeous and elaborate, ritual in China. The bulk of the people are Buddhists. There are about thirty million Mahommedans, one million Roman Catholics and fifty thousand Protestants. Most of the aboriginal hill tribes are I still nature worshipers. Pekin Is at once interesting, despic V ' w^-V' 1 TEA. CLEANI able, superlatively beautiful, disgustingly filthy, and, in short, a city of contradictions. Originally a Tartar encampment, begun by the hordes fiat swarmed to the eastern part of China, Pekin soon'became a fortified city of much 8treugti). Here the Tartar rulers lived, surrounded by their Mancliu followers?fearing the white man's usurpation far less than the numerical preponderance of the Chinese. So, in order to protect themselves from unexpected aBsault, they constructed a huge wall around their city?for China is a land of walls?and for a time lived in tolerable security. Gradually, however, the Chinese, realizing to some extent their power, began a rival city adjoining the Tartar fortress. They, too, built a wall, and, as the Tartars did, whenever a workman died, his body was entombed within the wall. In this manner, it is estimated, that one million human -beings found their last resting places in the walls surrounding Pekin. While the Chinese city is of much interest, both from a sociological and architectural viewpoint, yet the Tartar city' is the more important, for within it$ precincts is the "Forbidden," or Purple City, where lives. Kwang Su, the unfortunately progressive monarch of- the Chinese. The Forbidden City is a city of night, for there the denizens of the palace of the Son of Heaven awaken and begin their life. WORKING GIRLS GOING HOME. (Tlie motiv* power is n siDfile coolie.) Little is known of the Forbidden City, for within the memory of man not half a dozen whites have entered it. All that is known is that it eon tains the palaces of the Emperor, and what is perhaps more interesting, the I EING TO DISLODGE THE STEMS. famous coal liill. This immense heap of coal was accumulated for use in case the city was beseiged. The hill is several hundred feet high and contains hundreds of thousands of tons of coal. Whenever the Emperor was about to leave the Forbidden City for some religious or State function, the legations of the foreign nations have been notified, so that no unholy eye might i rest upon the puuy form and baliow ! face of Kwang Su. The entire route to be traversed was curtained ofT and thousands of ooldlers line the so-called streets, so thut no Peeping Tom could ply his trade. But despite all such precautions the well-known Oriental propensity for money, exceptionally strong in the Chinese, enabled foreigners to see Kwang Su at close range. They beheld a shrinking, slight figure, dressed plainly and utterly eclipsed by the gorgeous apparel of his retinue. The rest of Pekin is very much like all Chinese cities?picturesquely confusing and terribly dirty. Streets run in the most bizarre fashion, totally oblivious of their beginning and end, aimlessly wandering from bad to worse, fringed on both sides by hovels and palaces in confusion. Dogs and pigs meander about, Jostle equally offensive beggacs ahd unkempt children; stuffy litters, suspended on long bamboo poles and carried by coolies, make life a burden; odora, concentru d be' I < \ . & . ' so-rn fi-i.yy NO PROCESS. * yond the power of descriptive writing to portray, overwhelm the nostrils; the effluvia of ages of non-sanitation, drawn heavenward by the torpid sun, spreads disease; the chatter of a thousand gutteral Mongols wMl Cffi nese is intermingled with tJflHBjjlifcof the dogs, the squeallu^ti^Kt^g?, the screaming of the cIw^rI tSe mm \ p 'f 'A A * V ? ? -m. t - t* I 'f . ji8iy , CHINBSE riNGER NAILS. loud cries of the coolies?such is PeUio. Of course, there are parts in the outlying hills where the rich mandarins and merchants live, whore true Oriental luxury can be found. There, magnificent palace-like dwellings dot the landscape, surrounded by idyllic gardens. The art and Imagination of the Chinese architect have found full scope for his talent, and as a result these habitations are a credit,externally and Internally?all save tlie sanitation, of which the Chinese are in blissful Ignorance. Yet the wealthy Chinese has luxury, even though a coolie takes the place of an electric fan to cool his fevered brow. Taken all in all, China and the Chinese make an interesting study from any viewpoint, but it is wrong to underestimate their brain power in such study, for they are far more advanced than is generally conceded. Let China be civilized, and the world will witness as great a metamorphosis as that which so astonished the world when Japan emerged from her chrysalis of Middle Age conservatism and proviu ciausm. The nobles in China, both male nnd female, cultivate extremely long nails on the thumb and all the fingers except the one nearest the thumb. Sixteen inches is considered a good length, but those who manage to attain the length of seventeen or eighteen are regarded with envious admiration. Probably the idea of the impossibility of doing any work with such long nails upon the lingers may have given them the fashionable reputation. Among the Siamese silver cases are worn upon the fingers to protect the long nails. Although in bygone times European SOTFFL'llE OF A 1'EKIN WOMAN. 1 Indies used to dress tlicit' hair in wonderful and elaborate ways, nowadays it is worn much more simply coiftrd. I i j ^ In China, however?that dark, mysj terious land which is the world's cent tre of interest to-day?women still dress their hair in the most elaborate and fantastic manner. The Pekin ladies glue their hair into imitations of the magpie or jay bird# np n^A mUli ?A?oAAua flnnroffli V* I'iiC 11 Ul^u W 1 111 guigvvutj UV M V?-T ^ and bunches, loops and tassels ol^ pearls pendant from a great gold bar,. X which forms the "hairpin." The blue-black locks are parted In S curious zigzags, and the ornaments arej- -<j balanced from the hairpin on each "J side of the head.?Scientific American.. | "DON COYOTt," OF THE PLAINS.'! 1 The American Wild Dos ' an Interest* lng: Animal. One of the interesting and typical 1 animals of the Far West is the Aiaeri-r 1| can wild dog, lowland wolf or coyote/ J -Canis latrans, It being known undetf 1 these and other titles. While a very! *3 common animal, It Is rarely well :J figured in the books, and is made t<* J look more foxlike than wolfish, saya Professor C. F. Holder in the Sclen-j Jjj tific American. The accompanying 11-4 vfj lustration gives a correct Idea of a' VS young male two-thirds grown. In J| general appearance it resembles typical wolf, the fur being a dull yel- *|l lowish gray, with dark, even blacky *|jl clouded spots; beneath it is'sometimes.. . j reddish and white. While the i coyote hunts singly in. 3| towns or villages, he runs in packs la j the open, and it is here that he dem onstrates bis skill and cunning. A! ; friend of mine observed a pack of coyotes on the edge of the?fl?tert manipulating a }ack rabbit^wey W&bfrLT noroRS the country in a line.,Boon Ang a bare, aen formed*4|j?twopailHPM lei lines about 200 fee^Apllrt Tlia? ' I was a regular plan of acaoji'and nori??" jfit the coyotes seemed ovejpeiclted, but . When the bare was aftarted thay;: . wheeled into columns like spielers, tiHfc leading coyote running a^M'topSHL' bis speed. After a few JMfcpnts flV dropped to the rear and a'^e?h cdf*?r ote toil*.-the lead, and tbmjjeas kept up until the hare was nm (Smn. Thefahase was a silent one. Thfi? method recalls flie wild dogs of Australia, or dingo. *IThe e?yote is virtually a wild dogand breeds with the domestic dog, ttpd dogs will often refuse ?to .injure Jme female coyote. Huxley contends jfthat there is no material deference1 of a eh cr, arid a cross 1 n a ^-< Mk^ and an Eskimo dog produces a very fair coyote as far as appearances go. Seven or eight years ago Southern. ? and Central California abounded in coyotes, and the^'State Legislature passed an anti-efcyote act, putting a ' m h o nnnnate bead or Bcalp. I had Ihe toinerl?y^p oppose th!s, but time has shown*t#e fallacy of killing all the coyotes, pad the act was repealed^ My argu^jfaltwas that as the coyote- . waa$be tfniy dBfemy of the jack rabbit aMMround snnin-pl his destruction by wS^isale ^pould result in a vast in- ' .'r| crea?^oi|.rabblte and squirrels. The- 'J Jack- JgWt, a famous girdler of sad an all-around enemy i toSBrnfttculturist. without a redeem- S3 IngflRcture, is the natural food of the coywl, which does not disdain the ground* squirrel. The coyote Is also a snake eater, even attacking the rattle.BMj%; in a word, he is a valuable- ^ sJRrenger and an animal to be preser^d. Don Coyote ^an be tamed., and I knewLof one instance where a herder that was apparently as tameSyrnboUc Characters in Cliinete. - -i Man Is represented by a straight up- right stroke and two legs, a mountain by three peaks, a tree by strokes, rep resenting orancn&s, truns, auu roots, a forest by trees, a field by a square divided into four parts, the sun by a circle and dot in the centre. A door by a picture of a double gate. An ar- 'J row piercing a target becomes the symbol for the middle. Two cash with strings through the centre aptly J signify union. A mouth in a door means to listen. A woman wjth a j broom expresses the Chinese idea a wife. One woman under one rcof^i means peace, two women undi-r one roof means a quarrel, while one woman between two men, as can easily be guessed, is a symbol of anger. Lightning Explode* a Gun. The vicinity of Williamsport. Md.r was visited by the severest thunderstorm of the summer. Lightning1 struck in several places and cut some queer pranks. The tollgate house on the pike, a half mile from this place, was struck by a holt which followed the chimney down through the house, striking a loaded gun standing in the corner at the head of the bed in which Elmer Palmer, the tollgate keeper and his wife were asleep. The gun exploded with a terrific report, and was shattered irio fragments. Mr. ami Mrs. Palmer escaped unhurt.?Baltimore American. A lock of Lincoln'* Jlnir. Mrs. C. I>. Harmon, of Kmporia. Kan., is said to l?c tlio possessor of n lock of Abraham Lincoln's hair, which was cut from his hair just before lie dieil. The lock was given by Mrs. Lincoln to Ikt sister, and in turn by the sister to Mrs. llarman, whose husband was an associate of the martyred President when both were young lawyers in Illinois. The lock is h>ug and straight and black, iritli a gray hair here and there. It takes a pretty good meutal digestion to swallow flattery. .mwDip mi -' r j EY ISLAND u F. DURING THE WAR OF 1812. fWW : THOMPSON. 1 bj?Itobert Bonner'b Bon?. J under liis thumb. But, although the I mysterious f'ierre Ramean is called