The Abbeville press and banner. (Abbeville, S.C.) 1869-1924, May 21, 1902, Image 6

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JEAN tCornuasT. Kouut < CHAPTER XII. (Continued.) The ball* of tragedy are so often built on tbe pillars of farce. And the wheels In those grinding mills are fashioned from such spider films of fineness. And they walked up the promenade?that strange group ? as though nothing had happened to mar the sunshine In any of their lives, uttering earelesa words in the thousand and on* Items of small-talk, no mighty earthquake, no fearful fire from heaven to change the face of nature, because two souls were struggling between pride and love. Beatrice was waiting for her sister. 8be was standing on the piazu talking with Gregory Bensonhuret. and there was the old stern expression upon her face as when first Alecia Bade known to her the failure of her pleading with Palmar Earle's counsel. strangely hard look to be upon tbe face of a girl, scorn and pride and indignation burning within. She was mot smiling as Beatrice usually dM smile for the man beside her. Her ?yea were lifted to his. snd she was peaking very slowly and with evident effort, as though the topic of their conversation were roue cruel thing, hard to comprehend. She recognised instantly her sister's companions, but gave no sign, standing perfectly stin and proud and calm. I with her immovable face turned to I Gregory Bensouhurst. and her slender Agere erect and graceful. "Beatrice,'*' aald Aleeia, panting beside ber. "while (be others passed on to tbe dining-room, "are you ready. <learr* "Tea." said Beatrice, quietly. "But let me warn yon. Aleeia, that you will 'meet In there tbe man wbom I hope joa hate as earnestly as I. Palmer Karle came orer in tbe Banjo with Mr. Priestly this afternoon. He came to aee his beloved counsel, on some business, of courae. and took tbe opportunity of an outing. I sincerely regret that the Banjo, with ber usual Intelligence, did not sink, knowing that he waa sailing in ber." "Well," said Aleeia. Indifferently. "I shall not let Mr. Baric or bis counsel affect my harness. Bee. nor my appetite. Let ua go in." "Bot there Is more that I have leaned." said Beatrice, intensely, her eyes upon ber sister's calm face. MI think that yon know It already Alecla. Mr. Bensonhorst told me. Tbey shall learn It. too, presently." "What do yon mean. Bee?" There vaa an earnest gravity in Alec la's voice that betrayed ber fear. "Jferer mind," said Beatrice, slowly end very distinctly. "I shall hare tbe pleasure of speaking the truth for once. Mrs. Graham, as I have so long feoped. Did 1 not tell yon if ever tbe time came I would tell jonn winthrop tbe truth? Ton shall not prevent me la this, Aleeia. Mr. Bensontarst is a man ss well as this grand mogul counsel, and he does not tell mm I am unjust" "I think," Gregory Bensonhurst said, gravely, "that it may do John Wlnthrop good to hear the truth from Mlas Beatrice's point of view. Mrs. Graham. He is a thoroughly honor his man, hnt he overstrains his code f Justice sometimes, fearing that his fcsart shall make him -weak. 1 have learned to know him pretty well during these paat two years, and that is the only flaw that 1 discover in him. Bs is s very noble man save for that" "A man's nobility is proved in small , thing* as in great Mr. Bensonhurst!" cried Beatrice swiftly, with waking anger In her great dark eyes and round her quivering mouth. "There can bs na? true nobility where there Is no heart r "Then yon shall prove him. Bee." ? ian?s- At? HM1 AHCM, 0HKU7, IU)(piU| UUC UUUU oftly within her lifter's arm. "They will believe that we fear to face them nnless we go in at once.'* "They shall shortly learn that I do not,'* said Beatrice, as she turned with her sister and friend and entered the room. And that evening, with her usual Impetuosity. Beatrice Field, alert for an opportunity to face Palmer Earle and his counsel with her truth, came vpon them in apparent unconsciousness as they loitered on the pier with their cigars before joining the ladies on the piaasa. Beatrice had heen promenading with Gregory Benaonhurst, hut giving him no chance of ottering the words so sear bis nean, too mucc eicueu vy tbe truth made known to her that ?venjng, and aa abe saw that the two men were about returning to tbe bote! Abe slipped ber band from ber companion^ arm and walked deliberately down tbe plank to meet tbem. No one observed them save young Benaonhurst. for most of the guests were on tbe plana facing tbe pavilion or on the sanda or along tbe promenade. This one girl came upon tbem almost a stranger, but utterly disre gardfnl of the fact in her desire for justification of Graham's memory. Both lifted their hats as she paused before tbem. "Mr. Earle," she said, in ber low. Steady, distinct voice, ber eyes black with her angry spirit, "and you. also. Mr. Wlnthrop. I have waited very patiently for this moment. I may be to you scarcely upon speaking acquaint il.. lita?ld<.i> *lw. AfllTt JJKi L ULItf IHUBC juouur* lUC means. That Mr. Wiothrop will be able to corroborate, I think. I have stot much to say to you. and you will pardon me If I detain you for a moment. "Three 'years ago." she said, her ?7cs meeting levelly now the cold eyes of Palmer Earle, now the answering flashing eyes of his counsel, "my sister. Mrs. Graham, went to you to plead for leniency toward her husband. You, Mr. Earle, with your conscience touched by her words, suggested that some coscession be made. But your counsel,'* how her eyes corned the tall, commanding mau. with bis haughty face never flinching from her gaxe, "deemed It bat a toolhmBr i' fTHROP'S DEFEAT. ! 3L Novel KATE LUDLUM., ' J XXU'I Sour, 1W. j ^ isb prompting of heart weakness! He would press to the utmost the man < toaebed by misfortune, never by dk- , honor!" Very low and steady her voice, but bow It cut tbe soft airs floating In ; from the quiet sea? With one slim \ hand she seemed to push aside any i detaining thought, and continued her ( denunciation. "Mr. Wlnthrop judged?so be said? from his standpoint of justice and honor! Wait! Was It honorable?was it manlike?I do not ask If It were kind, for the heart Is to have nothing to do with this?but was It simplest justice that the man holding tbe claim of money against this other man should turn a deaf ear to the yielding of even an Inch In his arrogance and pride? Does that man wbo was so Immovable that day?i specs to you, Mr. Earle!?never think of how he wanted in justice to tbe man who placed bis own life In the balance to save yours? Oh, you start, do you. and wonder bow 1, a woman, can set ( myself In Judgment against you! I ; have waited very patiently for this moment to come, wben 1 might face you both with tie truth of your action that day*! The world justified , your course, and claimed that you demanded but your rights! What would that same world say should It discover, as I have discovered, tbe nobility of tbe man you pushed down to his death?" "Pardon me," said Palmer Earle. coldly, "but you do not look at this matter In Ita true light. Miss Field! One could scarcely expect that you would, however, aa you are Mrs. Graham's sister!" "What could a woman like yonraelf know of business claims?" added John Wlnthrop. "Ob, year cried Beatrice, In her bitterly distinct undertone, that swift gesture of the sweeping hand. "That la what you aay. in your own ignorance! Listen to me but for one moment and then Judge, not from a woman's standpoint, bet as men-both of jon! Do jon not know, Mr. Earle, is this great Justice of yours, that bat for my sister's has band and his great nobility of soul yon would not stand here facing me to-night? Do yon not know?or were yon too occupied with your weighing of business balances?to discover who it was saved you from the water that nigbt when your yacht went to pieces out therer Her passionate hand touched for one Instant the direction of the point where the struggle occurred. "You offered a reward for the man who acted so nobly that night, but could discover nothing definite enough to satisfy you In placing the reward, and so you let slip the bravery that still places you among men to sit in judgment on them! Only a man as noble and proud as Harold Graham would have withheld the knowledge that might have given him claim upon your leniency! But would he accept it from the hand that wonld so carelessly and arrogantly push him down? Nor She langhed shortly and scornfully and flashed her great black eyes upon them standing motionless before her. track speechless by the truth at last "Harold Graham was the man who saved your life that night. Mr. Earle? the man who died six months later, through your hardness ? yours and that of yonr counsel! And what reward did you grant to him?" John Wlnthrop roused himself from the stupor that seemed to have touched him at the full knowledge of his hard justice. He also made a movement as though pushing down some obstacle to his pride. "You are mistaken. Miss Field," he said, coldly. "If it were Mr. Graham, as you say, there were those present who would not have kept silent, especially at such a time." "Would they not?" she cried. "But there are those who are governed by friendship at times, Mr. Winthrop. even in your world. If you have the daring to doubt my word, ask any of the men who were present that night. I have this from tha lips of one of them myself. You find it somewhat too bitter to accept, do you not? Indeed, I wonder that the truth does not strike you dead. I wonder that you can face me and not blush for cruelty to a woman as true and pure as you are hard and unjust and cruel in your arrogance and pride. Were it I, 1 think, like Judas. 1 could not endure conscience." rainier tune stopped ner as uut* -was turning proudly away. Even bis cold lieart was stirred by her revelation. Had not Harold Graham been clawed bis friend until tbe day of bis misfortune? 8bould be not bave been governed by tbat end tbe knowledge of bis perfect uprightness?never a stain upon tbe proud name equal witb bis own? Would be not bave placed himself in a better Ugbt with the world, so doing? There was no man dared breathe a word against him. but might they not feel that be bad been unnecessarily harsh? "Miss Field!" he said. He would not speak until be could commaud bis voice before this slip of a girl, with her scornful eyes and voice, but be rniwt exonerate himself from blame. She paused, turning her flashing eyes upon him in the darkening purple falling upon tbe world of night, lighted oniy by the amber stars m tbe tended heaven. "It this be true, as you say?and I t* f ?/v? ittnnil In U O UUL UUIIUl 11?l UiUM UUI Oliiuu IU fuc-li a light with you aud .Mrs. Urabam as now I fear is tbe case. Had your Bister or her husband made known this truth to me that day. 1 would bave paid tbe debt I owed Harold Urabam by free gift of his debt, and Mr. Winthrou would have given rue his perfect acquiescence. It placed me in a hard light most unjustly." The girl Suns out her hands, ns though she would set them from her ns Tar as the world would admit, were it in her power, and a quiver struck btr own face. "18 It possible. after hearing the Tuth, that Mr. E&rle can speak of Iniustice to himself?" she asked. "Was it not from the height of honor that Harold Graham scorned to win your lustiee by the acknowledgement of pour infinitely greater deut to him? ton wrong my sister's husband even In that, Mr. Earle?you and your counsel." John Winthrop'R voice struck like Ice upon her passionate words. "You are a woman," he said, coldly, "Miss Field. It is your heart that speaks now, not your judgment" "Though you grant a woman no ludgment," cried the girl, passionately, with her beautiful face flushed In the darkening shadows, "yet sometimes the truth strikes from a woman's hands to cut even your pride, you men, Mr. Winthrop, to defeat youT' She turned swiftly from them and went back along the plank walk to her waiting friend, a sob struggling with her pride, her banda trembling with excitement and anger. CHAPTER XVII. A PBOCD WOSCAS'S AV8WZB. "Mr*. Graham." Alec la wa? alone in the pavilion on the following morning, watching the early lights upon the ocean ere the breakfast-bell summoned the guests from their rooms. She was an early riser, and enjoyed the freshness of the morning ere she was called to asBume her quiet pride for her friends. The voice utteriug her name startled her, although she instantly recognized it In the first moment of surprise Bhe turned her exquisite eyes upon the speaker, with a flush deepening In her cheeks. Then a slow smile of perfect indifference parted her lips. "Mr. Wlnthrop ventures out early," she said. The old spirit of rebellion, mingled with that subtle power that held him apart from hatred of this woman, brought this strange quiver to hl? face like the flash and fading of some far-off lightning gleam. His eyes smouldered fire Into her cool, steady eyes lifted to his. But he would not be daunted by this one woman when be had lived his life apart from the power of a woman's face and voice. He did not offer to be seated, but stood beside her very still and proud, but with a stern determination upon his face that forced from her a feeling of respect for his magnificent self-command, even set apart from him as she was In her memory of hit harshness. "Perhaps Mrs. Graham will find It difficult to hear or believe what I have to say," he said, after a moment of utter silence, save for the seething of the surf upon the sands and the sharp screaming of a gull swooping just over the surface of the water. "As I told you that day. I try always to be just I advised my client as I believed from my heart was right I might have urged upon him the easier course of yielding to your wish, for it was my desire to do so. but I deemed It unfair to the man whom I was serving. It is always easier to grant happiness to others, unbelieving as Mrs. Graham may be of this from me; but I felt that I must not yield to you. You know the result There is no need of going over that old difficult ground, that contains only sadness for us both." "For you?" queried Alecla, smiling coldly. "Is it possible that sadness also sometimes touches Mr. Winthrop?" "I cannot expect kind words from you." said John Winthrop. patiently, though his bands were clenched. "Ton believe me beyond the pale of feeling. Mrs. Ornham. I will not attempt to argue that point with you; it would only be painful to both of us " "Not to me." interrupted Alecla again, in her steady, cold voice, ber eyes upon the glimmering sails along the ocean before them. "Mr. Win throp can cause roe no more pain than be gave me three years ago. He no longer has influence in my life, I assure him." Still very quiet and proud the tall figure stood beside her. with the clenched bands and stern face and burning eyes. He was looking down upon her; sbe was watching the distant ships, and her slim hands were lightly lying, clasped, in her lap. (To be contlrued.) Kuril Chicago. A Chicago despatch, dated May 2d, said that Mr. Stone, "a wealthy real estate owner." had been choked and robbed by thieves the previous evening while feeding his cow in his barn on Michigan avenue. That Is not a defamatory story, and may be true, and if so. it throws a very interesting light on Chicago life. An enviable measure of plain living must be considered to have been preserved in a city of nearly two million inhabitants where wealthy citizens go out in the evening to feed tbeir cows In their barns. The chance of being robbed may be less in New York, but to offset that It should be recorded that in New York the chance of having a cow to feed has been almost wholly eliminated.? E. S. Martin, in Harper's Weekly. IIor*Mhof( For Kent. An English turf man tells me that the London Corporation pays rent for a piece of ground In horseshoes. It seems that about the middle of the thirteenth century one Walter le Brun, a farrier in the Strand, obtained a piece of laud in the parish of St. Clements on which to build a forge, for which be agreed to pay the parish aunually six horseshoes. The shoes were paid into the exchequer every year. I'pou his death the land wag granted to the Lord Mayor and citizens of London, who continue to pay the rtnt in the original way. t?ld? Light* on Llfr. The average man is an economist wlieu he has to buy anything for his wife. Many a man who knows his own mind lias a somewhat limited acquaintance. The man who hates another has an iuirrowinz erudre acainst himself. Cry to-morrow if you must, but laugh to-day. The rnni whose education Is fioirhed helps to swell the undertaker's bank balance.?Chicago New?. k .. t^Good Roads.' HainleDMCt. j TIIK object of maintenance it to keep the roads In such a state that vehicles of all do* | scriptions always find theni in the best jHtssible condition for travel. It Ik ne<t-s*ary, then, that It be directed in a way to remove at evtry turn every obstacle or sonrce of resistance \o traffic, and to prevent or correct, at the beginning, all the impairments to which roads are liable. This result can be obtained only by means of a constant watchfulness, and by the organization of resources constantly at hand in material and workmanship. The secret of the excellent roads of Europe is, first, good construction; second, toe consiam. nyMriuam, uuU skilful method employed in the maintenance of roads. On these roads a force of skilled men Is continually employed, making repairs, and any defect, however slight. Is immediately repaired. It is not considered that the necessity for continual repairs is an evidence of poor woikmanshlp in the original con struction, but rather that an earnest effort is being made to keep the roadways In perfect condition. This prompt and constant repairing explains the suj>erior condition of the roadways of Europe. The men who have these repairs in charge are skilled in this line of work, and hold their positions because they are thus qualified. Politics has nothing to do with them, as It has In this country. These men are removed for cause only. It takes years to educate men in the art of road building and the proper method to be employed in making repairs. Generally in this country cities and towns pay for edu eating tbe men in charge of their roads, and then politics removes them, but time will make this matter right. It will certainly be made right when people and that it is the only way to have good roads. The trained road builder is just as necessary at the trained doctor, manufacturer or educator. Take, for instance, the method employed in making repairs on dirt and gravel roads with a road machine. In a great many towns you will find tbe road officials, once a year at least, at work with this machine, taking the worn out material which tbe water has washed from the road into the gotten and putting it back in tbe centre of the road. This is wrong, because this material is worn oat. It Is soft nH it i? riiftntrreeable. It is dnsty. and when wet makes mud. which holds the water, thus injuring the road. It Is as necessary to keep a road clean aa anything else. It lengthens the life of a road, and it should not be covered with this worn, loose, worthless dirt, whatever the road may be. Tbe proper maintenance of roads Is everything. In nine cases out of ten, in traveling through the different town* deep ruts may be found both where the horses and wheels travel, and quite often In good natural road material. There is no need for this If a proper system of maintenance Is employed, and these roads can be maintained for a small sum of money, if promptly and properly attended to and with some diligence. For Instance, if depressions are filled and not allowed to develop into deep ruts, it will not only be mors comfortable to the traveler, but the water would not be held, but would run off the surface of the road. Stand ing water is a detriment to any road. The very best constructed road will ? <n nliuxMi nnloug It 111 IfPOf POD 8UUU J^U IV |/ivvv? .. ? a? stantiy in repair, just the same as a building. How Pracnu U Blocked. Probably the greatest obstacle to the improvement of the country roads in tbe State of Ohio at tbe present time is tbe antiquuted law now in force requiring all road work to be done under tbe supervision of some person wbo must be elected from among tbe vottrs of tbe road district, without any regard to bis fitness, experience or qualifications for the work. No matter how good a road builder a non-resident may be, or bow useful bis knowledge may be to tbe roads, tbe law does not permit bim to touch them or to allow the public to avail itself of bis skill. If perchance he be a resident and voter and be elected to tbe position of roud supervisor, he cannot use bis skill in tbe construction of roads unless he consents to do it without compensation, as tbe 8tnte prevents bim from receiving one cent more than tbe common uiuurer. Under tbe present law there is no possible chance for a skilled road builder t any road building to do. and the**. it> no inducement for a man to prepare himself for the vocation A bill originating with the Portage County Good Roads Association bus just been Introduced into the Legislature by C. F. Suse, of Hudson, repealing tbe law, and putting tbe selection of road supervisors into tbe bauds of tbe township trustees. It gives tbe trustees practically the same powers in respect to road supervisions that boards of education huve in the employment of teachers for the school*. They can employ tbe best skill they can tind, and pay such wages as they feel justified in. They cau remove thorn whenever they think tbe good cf tbe service demands it. rri* ' Kill if nuiii fl lflW. 1V&11 1U1B Ulll, II u cpeu up tbc Deeded opportuuity for I road builders. A man call prepare hlni- j self for thin work wltli some prospect I of gettiug road buildiog to do. Trus- I tpi's would sooD tiud themselves slipplied with applicauts qualitied to do this work. The principles of good road bulldiux are well established, aud sini! pie. but they caunot tx.? ignored or neglected without disaster to the roads. II. M. DEM1NG. Secretary. Portage County Good Koads AssociutiOD. Rhode* yuotrd TenujKB. in suite nf tbo vast numbers who haw read "In Memorial!)." how many I have recalled a passage which Cecil j Ithodcs iua}' or may not have had consciously in mind when he said as lie* lay living: ""So little done, so much to do." In the "In Memuriam*' we tind: "So many worlds. ?o much to do. So little duue, such tilings to be" IHE GREAT DESTROYER SOME STARTLING FACTS ABOUT THE VICE OF INTEMPERANCE. Foeou To Arm*?"Poor Tom"?The Llqnoi InUrNti Apparently Deeply Concerned For the Comfort of Hard-Working Clerk*?A Hint to Crnel Employers. To arm*! against oar nation's foe. The cause ot wretchedness and woe; The author of the orphan's cry; The source of woman's misery. To arms! the friends of temperance cry; With courase to the conflict fly. Say, shall tfie foe destroy our land? Or shall we join the temperance band? To arms! though wealth and power unite ? - - 1- -i inough strong me struggle??uarp l.i? fight; The victory's mire, the curs? shall cea*e; And tcmpcrancc crown the land wiib peace. To arms! the scabbard's thrown asid;; We'll fight till victory's on cur side: And "temperance" shall employ out breath? Until our lips are closed in death. ?English Temperance Hymn Bcok Poor Tea's A-Cold. One of the most intensely dramatic scenes pictured by Shakespeare in "King I Lear" is that in which be describes the distracted king and the fugitive Prince Edgar (trooping their way in the dark* ness, while over their defenseless heads bursts the pitiless storm. The tempest is the king's mind surpasses that raging in the sky. but in the case of ?dg*r there is only a feigning of madness and extreme distress. Is the modern clcrk in much the same plight, socially and economically as that of "Poor Tom?" According to the Liquor Trades' Review be in, the editor using the following language to set forth bis lot: "The slaving clerk wields his wear; pen six long, joyless days, and yearn* for the right to be a nun, with all a man's natural privileges, one day ont of the week. The poor clerk labors all day long and when evening falls, staggers homeward, exhausted ana faint." This is a serious statement, but coming from such a source we suepect that it is overdone for some ulterior purpose, and indeed, this soon appears. The editor is incensed at the action of Justice Hendricluen for delivering a charze to the Grand Army of Atlantic City asking for the enforcement of the Sunday closing law, and it is obviously to his purpose to paint in as vivid colors at possible tbe need of a wide open Sunday tor the benefit of the clerk. To quote again: "If on the Sabbath day he is denied tbe right to momentarily forget that he ia a beast of burden and that day ia made well-nigh as joyless as its fellows, more will be done to recruit the ranks of an?'Ar than all Ik* vanorinn of Most or the hysterical chatterings of Goldman could accomplish. If tbe rich win ponder upon this Sunday question but a little, they will be astonished to find that thev are vitally and directly concerned in it. Tea, indeed, tbe rich are concerned, but granting for the moment that tbe average employer ia so cruel a? to aenJ hi* clerk home at night staggering from exhaustion (which be would indignantly deny), the proper remedy ia not to make tbe public resort more enticing and therefore expensive to the clerk, but to make his wonting hours less a terror and more a pleasure to him, thus leaving him in the mood for a rationally kept Sabbath. Tbo louder ia the wrtiera lament, the weaker is his case. He fees no otner fate for "Poor Tom"'than that of the race horse which is first urged to utmost speed and then sponged off preparatory for another "heat. We forget, no, not for a moment. that the Sabbath was made lor pan, but so also were the week days. oSg<cring from exhaustion naturally leads to staggering from another cause, while th? Golden Rule in force six days in th; week, leaves heart and brain receptive for the higher truths and joys appropriate tj tbe seventh day.?Union Signal. Whst tbe Llqaor Man Says. The saloon wants Sunday, wants by law what it has already Mixed contrary tj law. The reason on which the demand is baaed ia more insolent even than th? demand itself. Stripped to the bone it itands as follows: Says the liquor man: We don't believe in any provision of law that restrains our business, more particularly the Sunday law. We have persistently evaded and violated the law, an 1 intend to do so in the future. We will he perjurers and bribers if necessary. We will pay blackmail if necessary. We will elect a corrupt city government if necessary. We will degrade our business to the level of immoral resorts if necessar . We will stop at nothing, for we intend at any cost to sell drinks on Sunday. Now, if you don't want to be demoralized by unenforced law. and if you want to get rid of the vile Raines law hotels, and if you want an honest government in the city of New York, and if you want to make us good, pious, law-abiding citizens. give us Sunday by law. And to thia proposition the whole people of the great State of New York are expected to bow.? Alfred Manicrre, in New York Journal. No Middle Ground For Physicians. The middle-of-the-road physicians win talk emphatically about the vice of inebriety ;.nd the food value of alcohol, anJ who expre** great fear of extravagant statements on thin subject, are fulling out of the ranks in the forward movement oi Brii'nrn Th#?r*? m nn miHHlp crrnunri ron* cernir.g inebriety and alcohol; it is physical disease, and alcohol cannot be food and a poison at the same time. Theories of vice in inebriety and the food value of alcohol utterly fail to explain th? obscure phenomena of inebriety, but rathet deepen the mystery und make the meat.of treatment more uncertain. The assumption that the moderate use of alcohol, as in the "canteen," promotes sobriety and hoirith, comes from profound ignorance and inability to correctly interpret the facts. The subject is greater than any theories or studies of means or methods of cure, and beyond the fact oi di.-case of inebriety and the poison oi akobol stretches a wide field yet to b? explored.?JournaI of Inebriety. Expert Opinion on Beer Drinking. Dr. Binz, professor in Bonn, Germany, avs: "Flooding the stomach and brain with beer, as is the case among the studying youth, the regular drinking especially between meals and in the morning, tbe continual sipping daily and hourly as is the custom among the majority ol the lower and middle class in Gerj many, is. in my estimation, from th?? standpoint of health, social economy and intellectually a national evil." A CrainrT of Agitation. The modern tcmperance agitation ma, be t<aid to hare begun in England about a century ago, but it wad in tin* country I that the movement firet made great I headway, and its influence on American | society hrw leen far more general aud more |??werful than on any other. Efll rhjrilcal F.flVct*. l"nque*tionabJy, one of the Htrongent in* fluentfH in bringing about the greater temperance in tiie u.?e of alcohol which no*v prevail* *<? noticeably among intelligent people ban _ been the spread of j knowledge as to the evil physical effccts of it* abuse. A ( on<l Law. The Heal tnu:ii> ipal local option bill hat C.v*ed the lower house of the Ohio Icgisiture by the large vote of MJ to 16. Ah iril'in.iilv drawn it required but 25 |*t rent. of the registered voters to petition for an election, but the house amended it by making it 40 jier cent. Thin in I not xo l.ivorabte an .it tirst, but it u bet* | ter than the prc>ent law. Christian Abstainer*. Abstinence from intoxicating drink has become she tent-lung of the religious euni* m.inions in which are included the majority of American Christian believers, and in mime cf them il is enforced by dnwtio discitiimc. THE SABBATH SCHOOL' INTERNATIONAL LESSON COMMENTS FOR MAY 25. Subject: Panl at Antloeh In PUIdla. Acta *111.. 4 3-J12?Golden Toxt, AcU sill.. 38 ?Memory Vemi, 40, 47?Commentary d the Day'* L*uob. Outline of Paul's sermon. I. Past hi?tory?God preparing for the Messiah. Vs. 17-22. (1) J>rael chosen and delivered from Egypt- ?. 17. (2) Forty years in the wilderness. V. 18. (3) The promised land given. V. 19. (4) Israel unccr judge*. V. 20. (5) Under kings. V. 21.* (6) The kingdom under David from whom the Messiah was to spring. V. 22. II. The Messiah brought forth. (1) God's promise kept. V. 23. (2) Heralded by John according as their Scriptures (Isa. 40: 3, 4; Mai. 3: 1) * t *? n. nr /??\ u;. had loretoia. vs. .'i, m. i?j u? . tion and death a fulfilment of prophecy. Vs. 27-29. (4) He was raised from the dead. This is proved by many witnesses (v. 31), and by the fulfilment of the Scripture*. Vs. 32-37. HI. The closing appeal. (1) Through faith in Christ forgiveness of ins is preached. Va. 38, 39. (2) A warning is given. Vs. 40, 41. 43. "Was broken up." When the peoi pie were dismissed. This does not mean that it was broken up by violence or disorder. "Many of the Jews." Probably a majority rejected the sermon, bat still many received the message favorably. "Proselytes." Gentiles who had embraced the Jewish religion. "Followed." Walked with them as tney were leaving the synagogue. "Persuaded." Urged- entreated. "To continue," etc. A good impression had been nude, they were earnest seeKers after truth, and it was important that they should continue to believe and obey it and be saved by it. 44. "The next Sabbath." The evangeliata attended the synagogue on the "sabbath day" bccause that was the day on which the Jews worshiped. The day Paul and Barnabas observed as the sabbath was the day on which Christ rose from the dead, called the Lord's day. This day has been observed by the church as the Christian sabbath ever since the resurrection morning. "Almost the whole city/' The interest most have been intense. The people were stirred, excited, carious. 45. "Jews?filled with envy." With "jealousy," indignation, wrath. 1. To them it seemed an attack upon the very foundation of their religion. They felt that if their interpretations gave way, re< ligion itself would fall. 2. It destroyed their hopes at to the future of their nation, 3. Their own influence and power would be thrown into the background. 4. It would degrade them, as they believed, to have the G?ntiles declared as equals. "Con tradicting." upposea lae aocinnc uw Jesus was the Messiah, and that He would be humble, lowly, despised and pat tc death. "Blaspheming. Either revilini Jesus M an imposter and a malefactor, 01 declaring Him to have been in league witl Satan. There is nothing more awful thai Jewish fury and execration of the name o| Jesus of J?azareth when thoroughly roused 46. "Spake out boldly" (R. V.) Thej did not permit their own passions to be come inflamed, neither did tney revile theii assailants, bat they very plainly told then that they would torn to tne Gentiles. The] told the Jews that by their own actioni they had pronounced their own sentence and bad condemned themselves as untfor thy of everlasting life. "Was necessary.' It was so designed and commanded. Th< apostles always offered salvation to tlx Jews first. "Thrust it from you." (R. V.J They rejected and spurned tne offer of sal vation. "Judge yourselves unworthy.' This does not mean that they considered themselves unworthy, but they condemnet themselves by their actions. "Everlastinj life." Eternal life is not solely a future but a present possession, commenced ii this life to be perpetuated in the life U come. "The Gentiles." The heathen. W< hall offer the cospel to them because the] will accept it. 47. "The Lord commanded." The com mand which the apostle quote* is fron Isaiah 49: 6, which ahowa that from th< prophetic time* the reception of the Gen tile* wan made manifest in the coanaela o God. "I have *et." The prophet an nouncea that the Mcaaiah whom God prom iced to ?end would be the Savior of th< Gentiles as well aa the Jews; that ail na tions would be called to share in the bleu ings of His kingdom. The passage is quote< to show that in turning now to the faeathei they were merely carrying out the plan o God as revealed in the Old Testament "For salvation." Deliverance from th< penalty, pollution and power of sin, espe cially as completely realized in a futur state of boline** and happiness. The ver; name "Jesus" announces the design of Hi mission; He came to save His people fron their sins. 48. "Gentiles?were glad." The doctrim of the Jews had been that salvation wa confined to themselves. The Gentiles no* rejoiced that from the Jews themselve they heard a different doctrine which wa proved from the pages of Hebrew prophecy that this gospel was promised to tbem o old. "Glorified," etc. Honored it as i message from God. The expression con reys the idea of praise on account of it, an< of reverence for the message. "As wen ordained," etc. Should be rendered, "dis posed to eternal life." A* many as wer< so inclined committed themselves by faitl to Christ. There is not the least plausibil ity in the notion that Luke in this simpl< history ii referring to any eternal decre< - - - a?4 1 l:r_ predestinating inesc men in cvniMi mc. 49. "All the region." This rapid esten ion of the gospel wc mint attribute ii come measure to the zeal of the recent con vert*. Paul and Barnabas also may hav< visited personally some of the nearest places. 50. "The devout woman." (R. V.) Prob ably Gentile women who had become Jew ish proselytes, and could be easily in fluencod against the new religion. "O honorable estate" (R. V.) This evidentlj refers to their rank, as being the wives o the "chief men" of the city. The Jewi urged the women to use their influenci with their husbands against the mission aries. "Chief men." The magistrate* those in authority. "Out of their coasts.' Out of their province. 51. "Shook off," etc. Following the di rection of Christ in Matt. 10: 14. By thii they in effect said, Ye are worse than thi heathen, even your very land is accursed and we shake off its dust a* a testimony that we offered you salvation and you re jected it and persecuted us. Jews travel ing in heathen countries wiped their feel when they camc to the borders of theii own land, lest the unhallowed grounc should defile the sacred foil of Israel ''Iconium." A city about sixty miles south ca?tt of Antioch in Lycaonia. 52. "Filled with joy." Even in the midsl ! of persecution they rejoiced and were ex ceedinz dad. Kaiser'* Court Policy Criticised. Emperor William is bitter.'r criticise* In German aristocratic circles because un j jtitled business men constituted the ma ! Jorit.v of hi* guest* during bin recent ex i rurmon in the North S*a. and newopa I tars all over Germany with aristocrats j Je.mi :igs have begun a regular editoria : campaign against the new policy ic cour life. Pollrrmia't Ctnrai Wins s 1'lmcc. A poiicerr an. o'io .lone# of Leed*. ha j been informed by the official* of the Rnya j A'.-ademy, at London, that his painting entitled "Summer.'' will be hung at th< forthcoming exhibition. The picture rcji ! resen;* a moorland scene. with sheep Jones Inn sent in pictures iur r, uu. heretofore, they have been rejected. ChlnrMt Catholic to He CtDonlKd. The claim for the beatific.ition of thi Chinese Catholic convert, Joseph Khang has been before the Congregation of Kites at Home. un<ler the presidency of tin l'ope. I; apjirovcd, Khat:g will be th( lirst Chinaman to be tan~nizcj. World's Biggest Lock. ' Rotterdam is building the biggest exca j cated Jock in the world. It covers ar urea of 150 acres, with a fourteen-fool depth of water. It will be dredged ou! later to twenty-live feet. 1 ?????? GOD'S MESSAGE TO MAN , PREGNANT THOUGHTS FROM THE WORLD'S GREATEST PROPHETS. Poem: My Tuk?R?(r(t at Sot FSndlag the Nerret of God Xeedleea BorrowTo the Chrtstlaa Ho li Sometime* lllddcu?God M a Silent PrcMnce. \ To love some one more dearly ev'rr day, To help a wand'ring child to find hi* way# To jionder o'er a noble thought, and pray. And (mile when evening falla. To follow truth aa blind men long for light. To do my beat from dawn of day till night. To keep my heart fit for His holy nglit, And answer when He call*. i ?Maude Louise Kay, in Harper's Magazine. Tb? Hidden km of God. Two girls, an they walked home one night from work, were engaged in earnest talk. A stranger who stood on th* sidewalk near them saw the play of anxious feeling on their faces aa they stopped a moment beneath a street lamp's aim light. Suddenly one was heard to say U> the other. "Yet, bat why has no one ever seen God?"?that wu all, just a fragment-word throbbing with pain and regret, and they vanished again in the night. How like humanity that was! Like children, they pause now and then in th? darkness of life, lift their weary facet to the pale lights glaring along the wav, and, peering into baffled evet, cry, "Why can we not see our Godr' It waa Philip's old question, you remember, "Show us to* Father." and all of us are now and then in Philip's claas, for it is large. Moat I move on to the end with n? tery ahead and uncertainty around, unabl* to lift even a little corner of life's misty veil, or get the one clear word that would make all plain? Must I be forever doing ? an/1 knnvin* an littl*. sure of God to-day and doubting Him to-morrow* Is Mis* Scbreiner'a legend of "The Hunter" completely true, and miut I, like him, follow the vast white bird of Truth through the valley of Negation and Pain, only at last. when withered and old, to catch one little feather from his wingst la it so? And many, as they ponder itp grow aad and wan and hopeleas. Yet it is a needless sorrow, this regret at not finding the secret of God. Thia vagueness and uncertaint> that men think i peculiar to spiritual things is everywhere. not local to religion, but universal in all : things. If it does not bother the merchaafc , at trade, why should it trouble the Chria| tian at prayer? Exact knowledge of anything is lmpo* j Bible. What draws the apple earthward, what is electricitv, what is mind or con* | science or will, how are soul and body united? We cannot tell; we see thee* things through a glass darkly. We know [ tome of their uses and operations, but raifc . where they begin, and exactly what thrv ! are, we cannot know. "There it enough I i >> ?: J T : <?;? . A# , mymcry, iaiu uiuukuo, ? ?? ' dom, to give one a lifetime'* study." All our complaining is the old hnm? . try for greater assurance, and its explanation ia as vnnoui as its cause. In part, it ' is due to the fact that man ia man and God ia God, that we are shareholders in ' two worlds?the visible and earthly and the spiritual and eternal. Destined for C 1 vast future, and only able as yet to know ' and possess a very small part, mystery it 1 the result. For mystery, aa Dr. Clark says, * "ia the halfway house between isnormnce | and knowledge?the twilight of the intellect." It is very good for us oa the whole, 5 for it awakens the mind, stirs our imagi: nation, and incites to effort and progrsi. I Yet, good as it is, it disturbs many weak xouls, and fills them with Shelley's regret that | "Life, like a dome of many-colored glais, 1 Stains the fair radiance of eternity." ' Even to the Christian sometimes God ' seems hidden. In spite of the promise ' that the pure in heart shall see God, nev' ertheless they often think they do not * see Him, and, aa far as their own mental * peace is concerned, the fancy might aa well be fact. But when God seems far off to ' the Christian, is it not, in fact, because 1 He is so near: He is so blended with man's 1 nature, He so penetrates and fills the * chambers of thought, flows through the * channels of feeling and rises through all I the springs of will, is so thoroughly identi* ' tied with all man's best and highest lift, that, while be seeks His marvelous appeal* nnce without, God, as a silent presence, is * filling the chambers of the soul. i God was very near to some people ia i the Bible, and they knew it not. May He I not be eoually near you, and you be ignorant of that nearness? i The two who walked with the Kisen^One - toward Emmaus, though they looked no u> t His face and heard His voice, did not f recognize the Matter until later, when He stood in their midst. Perhaps your heart l also has burned within you m He bet talked with you by the way, and you have B mistaken God-given emotions, heaven-seat l thoughts, and eternal hopes and longings, r for influences purely natural. a To the wicked. God is hidden in a sense I different and more awful still. Jesus devoted one whole parable to the illustration I of this fact. The prodigal was lost in * i far country when he had taken all be1 . j could get, followed the wild voices of pa*I vion, and spent bis aH on self-gratification. s I And selfishness always drives us so far . front God that God seems almost non, existent. But when the prodigal awakened . ! to the fact that the highest happiness lie* j in the service, not of self, but of one whq " loves us best, then his father drew near ! him again, and let him feel bis tender embrace once more. In many cases God to-day seems bidden, * I and spiritual realities vaguely unreal be1 ! cause of life's attrition, its wear and tear, j its metallic custom and deadening care, ? the rub of duty and the chub of iangling * interests. We do not reject God nowadays, we simply let Him alone; and it if not long before a neglccted God become# * a God far off. unfeatured and dim. and life's fair visions and dreams of purity fail f to nerve and sustain. r I>et us not charge God with our inf | firinitv and offense, nor think Him dis? lant and loveless when we are carele** and f I cold. The dus: of neglect dims the finest * j mirror, and the loftiest mountain fails to ; | awe when we turn our backs upoa it.? ' j Sunday-School Times. Avoid Temptation. I What ttc arc taught to seek or ahun in > prayer we should equally pursue or avoid . iu action. Wry earnestly, therefore, f should we avoid temptation, seeking to walk guardedly in the path of obedience. We are not to enter the thicket in search t of the lion. Th:* lion may cross our path, F o;* leap upon us from the thicket, but we I have nothing to do with hunting him. He that meetetn with him, even though he winneth the day. will tind it a stern struggle. Let the Christian pray that he ma/ I he spared the encounter. Our Saviour, ? who had experience of * what temptation meant, thu* earnestly admonished His diari|Ms: "Pray ;kat ye enter not into tempLitioa."?burgeon. J ? lelf?L*rt. Thir.k a* little as possible about any c J good in yourself. Turn your eyes reso1 | lately from any view of your requirements, t your influence, your plan*, your success, ' jour following. Above all. speak as I little possible about yourself. The : nf our sflf-iove make* I UIUIUIU.kVN... -- j ?p?*ech about ourselves like the putting of g ) it lighttd torch to the dry wood which j has oeen lawi ia frder tor burning. Xoth* ; I ing bat duty rh?fi*d open our hp* upon thia j (tun^erou* theme, except >t be in humble ? I tonlwion of our ftn/ulne** before God.? a ; ltisiiou Wiiuuforct. Chlrifo the Winriirat Clly. ) The annual renort o: the Meteorological t Bureau *ho\.> triat Chicago continues to j lead all the other citie* of the I'nited I State* an a wind producer. The city blew 145.193 mile* of wind in 19"1 That C'ht > ... lit IB* ?,.U? n, ?.1IW| ln a , i catfo can i?.<? * itj.ic.j hhk> w. ? j single year without >ho?iiift the shghteat ; strain ami without u?inu up the reserve, prove* once nx>re the wonderful ntndes j the city i? making in every direction. In . > all probability the country doe? not rei ' alize th?* JJ'1 meaning of the Jart that a t community who?c name n?>t on the t i map in IA'1 should be able to blow H.rv . 1S3 mi!e? of wind la 1901 without turning ? hair