THE AUCKLAND EVENING STAR, SATURDAY, SEPTEMBER 10, 1887.

[SUP^LEMIft^,

Ruby's Reward.

„J JIBS OBOBCiIB SHELDON.

. ( , The Forsaken Bride," *iutbor T , nip's Triumph," " That •'Brownies •»•' ■ -r Powdy,- etc.

CHAPTER XXX.

A >* EAVESDROPPER. m „ pause, during which Mrs bad been considering the'young sentence, she pursued, in •-;,irpd tone: BXvery^bof you, Ruby, to wish •veins of all these pleasant things. totleprl\ t0 a fashionable resort this Icati^ andwearesefctledSo SrteWy»^f ghf lspoMbwiU beashaHieto^tojive I «S,rt&' and meant to abide • DOl-f But Mrs Gordon would not give up *^*«. then, too, think that you would iSI Sy leave me alone in my S?|?'SS thought you were more :!0 o At.fhani that, when you are all I '^tS ove" And the artful widow SSS!Se in her black-bordered hand- HSt^Ruby, for she believed that J emotion was genuine; she could not r -• Aw wholly depraved. fe h oS/Vto leave you Estelle," she ■ •/ ° T told you that I would go anywhere *& -iZ. Let us go to Redville," she '*_,?* Animation. " I know that Mr SSi be delighted to Sfet audi is beautiful there among :: ( v Ivnlace. I should die of loneliness SSSmuredMrsGordon^hysteri- Sy and still entrenched behind her not," Ruby hastened A«v "There are plenty of visitors in Itrewntomakeit lively, and besides Mr Rubles has a line span of horses and J e&Twvhgc, and we could drive as W o liked, while the expense would be far less than ab almost any resort. '•And could you be persuaded to place Yourself under such 'obligations' ior a. Lrely nominal price?'" queried Mrs Gorton, sarcastically, and with an angry intonation, which betrayed that her grief lad not been so very overwhelming, i Euby flushed at having her own words Wed back at her in this fashion, but she [replied, quietly: . I "Mr and Mrs Ruggles are dear friends. They have proved themselves true friends, _od I can trust them. I do not feel that I should be incurring an obligation to go tofom" t, , .„ „ _ r i "Well, /can never go to Redville, Mrs Gordon asserted, decidedly. 1 "Where will you go then, Estelle ? | "ioiok/e. I shall remain where I am," 'the woman returned, in a sullen tone. I"Everything has been arranged for the 'summer, and it would not be honourable to [change now." t "Do you consider that you made an tamable arrangement when you planned jto come here, or that Mr Carpenter had jiononrable intentions when he opened his toe to us.--' Ruby questioned. j Mra Gordon flushed. crimson ab this M, bat she made no reply, and Ruby ptiiraed: I "Idonot wish to appear unkind, and in iMßsittae, Estellß, but I-feel-that you ._!. fiean dealing very unfairly by me. ja„ say that you have only my interest at {heart, but you surely do not believe that it ■would be for my interest to ruin my future thappm^saf-' [ "Nonsense! Nobody can be happy who lis poor; and, Ruby,- you shall never marry Jthafc pauper, Walter Richardson !" Mrs iGordon burst oub excitedly. "You shall jnever disgrace yourself nor me by commit wsucbra rash act"

I '"I am trying to be patient with you, ptelle," Ruby responded, with an effort atself-control afc this outburst; " but I find |it very hard to listen to such unjust and un jMnrteous epithets. I am pledged to Mr [Richardson, and I shall marry him when the proper time comes. lam nearly twenty jJ-earsofage,and old enough to judge for jiayself in so important a matter, and I shall m tamely submit to any attempt at com |Pnlsion or interference on the part of any m And now, once for all, I tell you that '"ball not remain in this house after this !*«. While I do stay, I will nofc see ;Mmnnd Carpenter; if he calls by your in j«ion, I shall avoid him ; and from bins r?our J™'avail myself of nobhing save whab C™-y necessary for healbh and com v\ ' BhaU S°fco Redville the first of next ■m, or as soon as I can hear from Mrs «es, with you if you will go, wibhoub P " yon persist in remaining here. This Q' I™-'™; and, as it is getting late, H? epy°" uPloi*ger- Good-night, ! "Good^nfeht," responded Mrs Gordon, ■Wrffi tone> her young sister Ca 1?" 6 tbe room; bl-t she sabup .or another hour trying to plan some way jwboh she could still achieve her own Em» Was determined that Ruby S;,T er many Walter Richardson, if : M« could prevent it. :i»£7 to ?a^ that Edmund Carpenter ;K flu Cal, 1f» e!t corning to invite Cl li mf *° visit a PO^t of interest m S tw^V but Bhe knew well B aT-1 a by would refuse *> go, PSft 7tt tha-\ she a mi^hb befcray i^ttofim i he vSpmfc of tha P^ious i^tot-Sn„ llttle. shoPPmg mr her, in hsfr^bS?™ 1^interview !**st™f'- shq related what had PfT us r e»in?. and the "ThaTbfS? aml fierce with anger. ■*« yet»y K B Cr°S a Bmv Path once too i-toßuby QoSS* I,? ld nofc believe umld really stoop to "ib/w ar beneafch her." "**>." Mra B PeCU,iar ideas regarding AitioL^jeturned. "Money :*"**» are mn l f l ess nameand a noble 0 7 d e b te,her than unlimited ; :C dse JEtnfcartedand «cd. Jg. m her idn tfl_ Sf ddenly disoover tfiKHa*-*'*"*l --ft&Bsr^."-*. p"tv' "1 do no^ 0 o v manage ifc.•• 5 theremUi=t be some ionof^ uASu^ £ *^ive "p 4cmusi«S?HA « T RedY-lle. said Mrs Renter. sCfe;'Mi ßß % 83g of her shaped l-»lE ***fl.i_» _ ls nofc easily S. "earned to my mortitical

"Play the invalid, then, and keep her with you. She surely would nob leave you if you were ill; it would be a question of 'duty,' you know."

During the next day or two Edmund Carp.nter seb himself diligently to work to ascertain what "Walter's plans were. He found what we already know : Chat he was only in the city temporarily ; that he was engaged upon a contract at Chester, and would leave Philadelphia the first of the coming week, and this explained why Ruby had also decided to leave on Monday for Redville.

He did not present himself once during the interval at Forestvale, but he watched and played the spy upon the lovers, and waited his opportunity to spring some trap upon them that should ruin their happiness lor ever.

The last nighb of Walfcer'ssbay he followed him as he went to pay his final visit to his betrothed.

Beaching bis estate he hitched his horse to a tree in a secluded spot outside the grounds, and then stole softly up to the house, like a thief, hoping to overhear some thing that would help him in his scheme. He was not disappointed j for, as he drew near, he heard voices upon the verandah. He knew instinctively to whom they belonged, and creeping softly nearer upon the velvet turf he stationed himself behind some vines which grew over one end of the piazza, and where lie could easily overhear all that passed between Walter and Ruby. The night was sultry ; the sky was heavy with clouds, making it very dark, while low and frequent mutterings in the west told of an approaching thunderstorm. "Estelle has not beon well to-day," Ruby was saying, just as the eavesdropper settled himself into position. " I hope she is not going to be ill, for just as soon as I receive a reply to my letter, I shall go to Redville."

"Haven't you heard from Mr Ruggles yet ?" Walter asked. "No; I cannot understand it, for there has been ample time." "Then you have not been able to per suade Mrs Gordon to go with you." " No, she does not appear to want to, though I am going to make one last attempt to induce her to accompany me." " 1 wish you were going to-morrow," Walter said, gravely ; " I shall feel far safer about you wheu I know you are with our good friend, though it will take you so far from me ; but I shall try to be patient until the time arrives for my vacation, when I shall come to you." The listener behind the vines ground his teeth as he overheard this plan, and men tally vowed that Wailter at least should not spend any portion of that summer at Red ville.

"Have you renewed your engagement with Mr Sampson, Ruby ." Walter asked, after quite a pause. " Yes, virtually ; he told me I could have the position if I wished it, and I told him I thought I should. But, Walter, Ido not believe I can stay with Estelle after what has happened." " What will you do, dear ?" " I do nob know ; I have been thinking very seriously about it. I presume she will want me and will feel very much disturbed if Igo elsewhere; but aside from other con siderations I would far rather be entirely independent." " You will find it hard to go among strangers." "I presume it would be a little hard at first; but I will not stay with Estelle if she persists in bringing me in contact with'.Mv Carpenter as often as she has done," Ruby said, with a decision that made that gentle man's etirs tingle. •.-•"Ruby, how-much-do you suppose it would dost for you and me to live comfort, ably in a little home of our ;own ?" Walter asked, in an eager tone. " I do not know much aboub such things," the young girl answered, hiding her face upon his shoulder, with a sudden thrill, " though, during the little while that we lived in street after Robert's failure, I managed tho household expenses, and he was surprised to find how small they were. Of course he attended to the rent, coal bills, and such things,and I kept account of the groceries, provisions, and so forth." " Let us reckon ifc a little, clear," Walter proceeded. "Rent for us would nofc pro bably amount to more than three hundred dollars a year—that is unless we are ambi tious for style. Call coal fifty. Now, how much for groceries and provisions ?" " I believe that my accounts used to foot up about forty or forty-rive dollars a month —that included tho servants' wages; but, of course, there were four of us to feed." " And you think it would not cost two of us nearly so much," said Walter, smiling. " Oh, my darling, you understand that I long to make you my wife and shield you from all unpleasantness, such as you have been experiencing of late; and yet I hesi tate because of my limited means. I should never forgive myself if misfortune should overtake us and you should be a sufferer thereby. Could we live comfortably on a thousand a year, dear ?" " Yes, indeed, I should think so," Ruby answered.

" I am to have a thousand dollars next year, and an interest—small, of course—in the business besides, and if—oh, Ruby, dare I ask you to trust yourself to me ? Ifc will be very different, I know, from the kind of life to which you have been accustomed, but if you were quite sure it would not be unwise, I believe we could be very happy." "I know we could, Walter, and I am willing to try and help you manage the thousand to the best advantage, if you wish," Ruby answered, cheerfully and reso lutely. " Darling, you are very brave, and we will think it over carefully before we decide. I should insist upon keeping a little maid, for I could not bear the thought of these dear hands doing rough, hard work."

The young man gathered them in his, and bending his head, touched them softly with his lips. " But the little maid must eat, and drink, and have some place to sleep, not to speak ot what she could waste," said Ruby, with an eye for economy. " We must have her all the same," per sisted her lover. " I should not dare to claim you otherwise. I hope lam not very selfish in proposing this; but something seems to tell me thab there is no other way to relieve you of the persecutions to which you have been subjected. But, hark! hear that crash ! And it is beginning to rain. We are going to have a heavy shower, and I must get back to the city forthwith," and the young man arose as he spoke. "You cannot go in the rain, Walter," Ruby said, anxiously. "I am afraid I ought. If the shower should be a long one, I might not get home until very late, and I have to. leave on the early train to-morrow morning."

" I cannot let you go in the rain," Ruby persisted. "I am sure that Mrs Coxon can get you a bed, and then you can go in town as early as you choose in the morning. Come, I will ask her, and if she is agreeable we will chat alittle while longer in herroom," and the young girl gently drew him along the verandah towards the housekeeper's sit ting-room.

CHAPTFR XXXI.

AN ACCIDENT.

A window opened from Mrs Coxon's room upon the verandah, and Ruby, unfastening a blind and putting her head inside, saw the woman seated afc her table, darning stockings. - "Mrs Coxon, have you a spare bed to night?" she asked, as fche housekeeper looked up at the intrusion. " Yes, half a dozen. Who wants one ?" she replied, suspending her darning opera

tions, and glancing up over the rim of her spectacles.

"A benighted and weather-bound traveller, who is also a favourite of yours, I believe."

"I have bub one favourite, and that is Mr Walter ; if he wants a bed he's welcome to the best in the house," Mrs Coxon re turned. "All, I see," she added, as Walter bent his tall form and looked in upon her, "you've been caught in the shower. Come in, you reckless young folks, out of the rain, or you'll catch your death of c»ld."

She arose, and unfastened the door for them, and her face was all aglow wibh pleasure and hospitality, as she shook hands with Walter.

"I am afraid ib will make you trouble, if I stay," he said. " Nob a bib of it; ib does my old eyes good to Bee you, and I'd be glad to be troubled in the same way oftener."

" You were always kind to me, Mrs Coxon," returned the young man, "and I hope some time 1 shall be able to make ib up to you." " I'll tell you how," retorted the house keeper, with a twinkle in her eye, as she glanced from one to the other, with a wise look, "when you two got married, let me come and keep house for you." Walter laughed heartily, while Ruby blushed to the hue of her name.

" I should like nothing better, I'm sure," said the young man, " bub you know wo are both as poor as church mice, and can't afford such a luxury as that."

"Poor as church mice, indeed," sniffed the woman, indignantly, " you've no busi ness to be poor, let me toll you. If the truth was known, I believe you'd have plenty ; folks may say what they've a mind to, but if I didn't sign a will for Mr Ralph Carpenter, I should like to know what kind of a document it was."

" Well, Mrs Coxon," returned Walter, good-naturedly, seeing that she was gettni excited over the topic, "it doesn't do any good to keep agitating that question; since there was no will forthcoming, Aye must take it for granted that there was none."

" It's granting too much altogether, .and, mark my. word, the time, will come when the cat will get out of the bag. But sit down, young folks, and make yourselves at home, while I go and air the sheets and get your room ready." " Where are you going to put me, Mrs Coxon ? Almost anywhere will do," said Walter, not liking to make trouble.

"I guess 'almost anywhere '.won't do," she retorted. " You'll have your own room, of course. No other would seem like home to you." And she bustled away, while the lovers sat down to enjoy another chat until she should return.

They were of course unconscious that they had been followed, and that Edmund Car penter had crept upon the verandah, and close under the still open window, intent upon learning more of their plans. He was boiling with rage over Mrs Coxon's plain speaking regarding his father's will, and began to feel that she might be a dangerous person to have about the liouse. He had always felt very secure regarding the will until npw ; but if his housekeeper was as suspicious as she ap peared to be, there was no knowing to what lengths she might carry her interest for Walter, and he began to grow uneasy, and to wish that the document was destroyed, and beyond all danger of discovery.

He remained nearly an hour beneath the window learning all that was possible of the lovers' plans, and when at length Walter's room was ready, and he took leave of Ruby, knowing he would not see her in the morn ing because of being obliged to go away so early, Edmund Carpenter stole away in tho darkness and storm, maturing a plan to ruin the young man. The storm continued throughout tho night, but the morning broke as clear and tranquil as if no cloud had ever obscured the sky. Walter arose with the dawn, and stole quietly from the house, in order not to disturb anyone, and made his way as rapidly as possible back to the city, where he partook of an early breakfast, after which he took the six-o'clock train for Chester, where he was superintending the erection of a handsome edifice.

As he alighted and turned to leave the station he saw an elderly woman just getting out of the Southern Express. She was tall and commanding in figure, with bright, pleasant black eyes, and rather massive features, yet upon the whole very attractive, while her forehead was crowned with clustering masses of snow-white hair, which gave her a very venerable appear ance. She was richly, though not showily, clad, and she moved with an air of dignity and pride. She stopped as she stepped from the car, and appeared to be looking for some one.

Afc this moment a heavily-loaded baggage truck came thundering along. The plat form was a little on the down grade just at that point, which gave a sudden impetus to tho truck, and the woman, seeing it, stepped back against the car to be farther away from it and out of danger.

But whether the man who had charge of it was careless, or something in the for mation of the platform sent the truck out of line, no one was ever able to tell; but it suddenly veered to the right, and beforo Walter, who instantly saw the danger, could spring forward to render assistance, it had run directly into the noble-looking stranger and pinned her close against the car.

"What are you thinking of?" Walter shouted to the truck-man, as he dashed to the rescue, and, exerting all his strength, pushed the heavily laden vehicle to one side, and released the sufferer from her perilous and painful situation. The woman had not cried oub or made a si*»n bhat she was hurb, but her face was as wnite as the hair clustering about her temples, and as she was freed from the crushing weight that had been forced against her, one arm dropped broken and helpless at her side, and the other hand, from which the glove had been torn, was badly bruised and bleeding. " You are seriously hurt I fear, madam," Walter said, as he stooped to recover her travelling-bag, which she had dropped. " What can I do for you ?" Before replying she lifted her keen eyes and searched his face. Evidently she was satisfied that he was trustworthy, for she said :

"If you will kindly assist me to the ladies' room I will thank you."

She spoke composedly, but her very lips were white now, and Walter could see that it was only by a mighty effort of her will that she concealed the agony sho was suffering. "Certainly," he said, and supporting her by the arm, for she was unable to take his, he led her into the ladies' room and seated her in a chair.

" You are very kind," she murmured : " and now have you a sharp knife?" " Yes, madam." And he drew it quickly from his pocket and opened it. " Please cut off my gloves," she said; " my hands aro swelling rapidly, and they are painful." Walter knelt before her and, taking the hand that he had noticed was bleeding, quickly cut the glove away, revealing more painly the livid and mangled flesh and bruises beneath.

Be then turned to the other arm, which still hung limp and helpless at her side. "Lift it into my lap. It is broken, I fear, for I have no power over it; bufc the glove must come off immediately." the woman said, as he hesitated to touch it. He did as she commanded, bub the sight that met his eyes when he had removed the glove nejirly unmanned him ; for the bones of the wrist were broken and almost pro

trading through the ilesh, while he was sure tliere was still another break farther up. I

Bufc she was very brave and self-possessed, thanking him for his aid, and she even smiled upon him as he lifted his own pale face to hers, saying :

" Lob me go for a surgeon." " No, nob yet," she replied ; "I must get home first. I expected my carriage to be hero to meet me, but 1 saw nothing of my coachman and fear my telegram was not received. If you will get me a public con veyance and help me into ifc, I will trouble you no further." '* Have you baggage?" Walter inquired, springing to his feefc to execute her com mission, and thinking sho was the bravest lady he had ever scon. ** Yes, and I shall need it, too. You will find my cheques iii the pocket of my travel lino'-bag." He found them and darted from the room.

He secured a carriage, and then assisted the man in transfeir'ng the baggage to ifc, noting that fche trunks were marked " Mrs M. E.° Howland," and that they had come from St. Louis.

This accomplished, he returned to the waiting-room for the injured woman, whom he assisted to the coach, where he made her as comfortable as it was possible to do, and then asked her address.

"Number 6—avenue," she told him, and would have thanked him for his kindness, but he quickly closed the carriage door, and springing upon the box with the driver, told him to get her home wibh all possible despatch. Arriving at No. 6—avenue, Mrs Howland appeared somewhat surprised when Walter again presented himself at the door to assist her to alight. But she looked grati fied boo, in spite of her pain, which was every moment increasing. Very gently he helped her into the house, which, a single glance was sufficient to tell him, was a most luxurious one, and where in less than three minutes she had as many servants about her, eager to give her the care and assistance she so much needed.

Her first order was for her coachman to go for a surgeon, and then she calmly gave directions for certain remedies to bo brought and applied to relieve lier until he should arrive, and was so brave and cheerful, in spite of her helplessness, that Walter was tilled wifch admiration for her.

He helped the driver get the trucks into the house, paid and dismissed him, and then went to ask if there was anything more that he could do.

" Yes, my young friend ; tell me your name, that I may know to whom I am in debted for so much kindness," Mrs How land answered, while she studied his fine face earnestly.

"My name is Richardson — Walter Richardson," the young man replied. " Walter Richardson !"■ she repeated in a peculiar tone. " Where do you live ?" "In Philadelphia usually ; but just at present I am engaged upon a building con tract in this place." " Where do your parents reside ?" " I have none ; I was born in New York city, where bofch my father and mother died. But, madam, pray do nob let me trouble you with my affairs while you are suffering so. I had befcter leave you now," Walter concluded, seeing how very ill she suddenly seemed to have grown. "Yes," she returned, leaning wearily back in her chair, while her face was ghastly white, though her eyes were fastened with a look of eager inquiry upon his face, " yes, go now, bufc promise that you will come to se) me again soon : I must see you again, for—for yon have been very kind." " 1 will come," Walter promised, and then went away, just as the surgeon came bustling in, and repaired to his place of business.

Bub all day long, and for several days, his thoughts wore with that grand woman who had displayed so much, nerve and courage at a time when almost anyone else would have been prostrated by the painful ordeal through whioh sho had pass-d.

{TobeConliif A

A Put up Job.

We lefb Memphis by steamer at about eight o'clock in the evening, and among the deck passengers I noticed a couple, man and wife, who gazed around as if they had never seen a steamboat before. They had an old coffee sack with some clothing in it, but no other baggage. They moved about in a timid way, and both seemed much afraid of the water.

Tho boat had not gone five miles down the river, and the large number of passen gers had not yet settled down, when there was an unearthly shriek, followed by the cry of " Man overboard !" The boat was stopped and her wheels backed, and after two or three minutes it was learned that one of the couple 1 have mentioned—the husband — had fallen overboard. The woman " took on " in the wildest manner, crying and moaning and wringing her hands, and when asked how it happened, she replied— "He just dun fell over—fell over—fell over !" By that time it was useless to think of lowering a boat. There was a swift current running! and as the man had not cried out there could bo no doubt of his being drowned. Everyone pitied the woman, of course, and when somebody took off his hat and dropped a five-dollar bill into it, it was a "go " all around.. A hundred dollars Were raised for her in fifteen minutes, and she went ashore at the first landing made by the boat, lugging the bag of clothes with her. I went down as far as Hernando, Mississippi, and stopped off there for two days, taking a second steamer down on the third night from the above occurrence. When I went down to the levee I saw a couple with an old sack between 'em who reminded mo of the pair on the boat, and I also saw them come aboard. The resem blance astonished me, but it had to go for a coincidence. The steamer pulled out about 10 o clock, and had not been under weigh half an hour when there was a loud shriek, followed by the cry of " Man overboard !" It was a repetition of what I have related before, ex cept that some of the passengers had gone to bed, and the shake-purse didn't count up over 40 dollars. The hat was passed to me, but I declined to chip. The "recent and grief-stricken widow " left the boat at the first landing, and I went to bed with the feeling that curious coincidences were mighty thick on the Mississippi River. I left the boat at Helena, made a three days' stay, and was ready to take another boat on the down trip, when I ran across that self-samo couple ab the levee, waiting for the same boat. After some minutes spent in solemn reflection I walked up to them and said to the man : " Come, now, this is a square deal, and J. give nothing away. I've seen you drowned twice, and I've seen this ' widow ' go £ishore with a breaking heart, fche same number of times. Tell me how you play it, and I'll give you a ' V. "Let's see the money. I handed it over, and he stowed it away in his pocket and then replied:- -"l've got on a rubber life-preserver under my clothes, as you see, and I gener ally make shore within a couple £ miles. Stranger, don't give it away. We are poor but honest people." ~, I solemnly aigreed that I wouldn t, but I think they rather mistrusted me, for they waited over to catch, a boat next night.— M. Quad in the " Detroit Free Press."

We believe that if every one would use American Co.'s Hop Bitters freely there would ho much leas sickne=s and misery in the world, and So arc fast finding thi» out whole families keeping well at a trifling cost by Its use We advise all to try it. Head.

Insanity in Paris.

The increase of insanity in Paris and its suburbs is exciting a great deal of com ment, the more so as it has been observed that the sufferers from this reigning mania are chiefly to be found in literary, financial and political circles. Life ab the French capital is as a maelstrom, whether in the chambers, on the Bourse, among fche jour nals or afc the clubs, that engulfs thousands every year in its hidden depths. A few weeks since Adolph Racot, a well-known political writer belonging to fche staff of " Le Figaro," was at the Theatre Francais, when between the acts he suddenly began to talk afc random about political subjects. He was eventually taken to fche Asylum of St. Anne,where after a period of raving mad ness ho expired peacefully. Keen observers note also a vein of political mania in Paris just afc present. The wildest; utterances are common among apparently intellectual people, and war excitement would un doubtedly increase the number of cases of madness similar to that of which M. Racofc was a victim. In club life the gambling is very high, and when a player has had a turn of luck and is unable to meet his debts, he generally prefers death to dis honour. In speculative circles it is the samo story of tho steel wearing out the scabbard, and the mania is not confined to the male sex, as half a dozen women who escaped from the burning Opora Comique have since lost their senses in brooding over the horrors of the scene. Ib would appear as if an arctic douche was necessary to bring the Parisians to a state of mental equilibrium.

Queer Reminiscences of the Good Old Times

The Queen's Jubilee is almost coincident with the introduction of railroads in the United Kingdom. In those good old times, when the sfcagecoach was fche general medium for journeying, the travellers were often treated to adventures that were not duly recorded in the way-books kept by the guard in the samo basket that carried his horn. About the time of the Queen's accession the West End of London was infested with gangs of garotters, who for a long time pursued their avocation with impunity. There was then, however, a great; improvement in the safety of travel as compared with the jubilee days of George the Third. Then bhe Prince Re gent and the Duke of York, when young men, .were stopped by highwaymen in the vicinity of Hyde Park and relieved of their watches and money with all the courtesy of a Dick Turpin or a Claude Duvall. The dangers of town travel were, however, far less in those days than a journey to the country, which was looked upon as a risky expedition. The nobility and gentry were accustomed, we are told, to make their long journeys in ponderous family carriages, drawn by four horses. These vehicles would be laden at the top with an army of trunks and boxes, while perhaps six or seven persons would be stowed within. The danger of famine on the road was averted by a travelling larder and plenty of usquebaugh ; black cherry brandy, cinnamon water, sack, port, or strong beer, was in store. Protection would be afforded to the convoy by a basket hilted sword, an old blunderbuss, and a bag of bullets and a great horn of gun powder. Solitary travellers on horseback or by post wero exposed to peri's not only on the road, but at the inns where they put up for the night. It -was reputed that some of these roadside inns were kept by highwaymen themselves or by accomplices, and the traveller had to be very careful about the character of the Boniface under whose roof he took.shelter. How vividly do these reminiscences ciall to mind the vast changes that have been effected in the mode of travel since the Queen ascended to tho. English throne.

BLOWN UP.

A Carload of Dynamite Struck by Lightning.

A carload of dynamite was received at Streator, 111., on July 21, to be used for blasting purposes in the mines of the Chicago, Wilmington, and Vermilion Coal Company. The explosive was stored in a powder-house, whore there was also over 10,000 pounds of blasting powder. About 2 o'clock a thunder-storm passed over this section, and while tho storm was at its worst the town was suddenly roused to activity by a tremendous explosion. Many houses were shattered to pieces, and when the terrified inmates reached the streets it was learned that lightning had struck the powder-house. The enormous quantity of explosives stored therehad utterly destroyed the place, and when the people arrived they found, where an evening previous had stood a sub stantial building, an excavation about sixty feet long, forty feet wide, and twenty feet deep. In this huge trench there lay a pile of broken and smoking flooring timbers and scantling. Blazing pieces of wood fell all around on the houses in the vicinity,and many of these were set on fire. In all, about 100 houses were wrecked ; but, singular to say, only one fatality occurred, although half a dozen wounded are so seriously in jured that their recovery is doubtful. The only person killed outright was ah unknown tramp, who was asleep in a car near by. John Rollinson, who lived about 500 yards away from the powder-house, was asleep when the explosion occurred. The liouse reeled and fell, and Rollinson is believed to have been fatally hurt. Not a window in the city is left un cracked.and very few escaped being dashed to atoms. The guests at the Plumb House were terribly startled by the explosion, and rushed about the hotel in a panic-stricken way until assured by the manager that there was no danger. For miles around houses were cracked and swayed as if moved by an earthquake shock, and even at Ottawa, 16 miles off, the shock was dis tinctly felt and caused considerable alarm. It is regarded as most astonishing that the accident was attended by such a small loss of life. Had it taken place during the day, several hundred people would certainly have been killed or injured. Streator has a population of about 13,000, is located at the junction of three rail roads, and is a considerable business

centre.

The Gladstone Family.

Mrs Gladstone has four sons and three daughters. The eldest son, William Henry Gladstone, was born in 1840 ; he is married to a daughter of Lord Blantyre. The second is the Vicar of Hawarden, Stephen Edward Gladstone, who was lasb year mar ried to a Liverpool lady. The third, Henry Neville Gladstone, is resident in Calcutta ; and the fourth is Herbert Gladstone, born in 1854, M.P. for a division of Leeds, and distinguished in political life. The eldest daughter, Agnes, was married in 1875 to Mr Wickham, head-master of Wellihg-on College: the second is married to the Rev. Henry Drew; the youngest, Helen, is principal of the well-known Ladies' College at Newnham, near Cam bridge.—London "Queen."

Marriage in Arizona.

"Do you ' ;e this woman whose hand you're sqn'.'o/.m' to be your lawful wife in flush times an' skimp !*■*

" I reckon that's the size of it, squire." " Do you take this man you've jined fists with to be your pard through thick and thin? "Well,you'reabout right foronee,old man." "All right then. Kiss in court, a-A I reckon you're married about as tight as the law kin jine you. I guess four lnts'll do, Bill, if I don't have to kiss the. bride. If I do, it's six bits extra."

SPIRITUALISM EXPOSED.

After a Three Years' Investigation it is

Branded a Fraud.

Modern spiritualism, with all its alleged attendant phenomena, has probably re ceived its death-blow at the hands of the Seybert Commission. For over three years investigation has been in progress, and notwithstanding all that was developed at seances held with all the best mediumistic ability available during that time, not one test has been accomplished that was not easily explained by members of the com mission and the fraud practised detected. After the mediums failed in their attempts, Magician Kellar was called in, and he per formed all that the mediums had done and in better shape. The prestidigitator dis claimed any ability as a spiritualistic medium, and plainly showed that the spirits had nothing to do with his marvellous tricks. The remarkable work of the com mission was the idea of the late Henry Sey bert, who was one of Philadelphia's wealthy citizens. Years ago he was an ardent in-* vestigator into all manner of spiritual phenomena, and finally became a convert to the new creed. Mediumistic charlatans found him an easy and profitable prey. Mr Seyberb died early in 1884. Shortly before his death he presented to the Uni versity of Pennsylvania the sum of §60,000 to found a chair of philosophy, but imposed as a condition of acceptance that the Uni versity should appoint a commission to investigate the system of modern spiritual ism. The trust was assured, and the following were appointed : Horace Howard Pupness, Professor William Pepper, Or. Joseph Leidy, Robert Ellis Thompson, Professor George A. Koenig, Rev. George S. Fullerton, Colonel Email Sellers, Dr. James W. White, Dr. Calvin B. Knew, and Dr. S. Weir Mitchell.

Mediums from all parts of the country were invited to make displays of their powers. Those who accepted were hand somely paid for their sorvices, Slade re ceiving $300 a seance. Materialising, rap ping, slate-writing, and physical mediums were all privately examined to see if he could repeat. Among the professionals tested were: Miss S. E. Patterson, Fred. Briggs, Mrs Margaret Fox Kane, Henry Shade, Mrs Maud E. Lord, Pierre L. 0. A. Keeler, Dr. Rothermel, Mr Powell, Mrs M. B. Thayer, Mrs Best, Mr Copeland, Mrs Wells, f)r James Y. Mansfield, R. W. Flint, Mrs Dr. Eleanor Martin, and Mrs Eliza A. Martin. Not one of them succeeded in doing an*, thing of a remarkable nature or without fraud. Relative to messages on slates from the spirits, the commission de clared that in every case trickery and leger demain had been practised. Spirit-rappings were produced by methods an amateur juggler would blush to adopt. The com mission denounces spiritualism as a melan choly spectacle of gross fraud.—Philadel phia correspondent of the " Cincinabti In quirer."

The Spanish Passion for Dancing.

I presume that those who have travelled in Spain hardly realise how thoroughly that country is given to the worship of _t. Vitus. Says arecent writer :—" The dance demon seizes on Spaniards at all times and under all circumstances —in the streets, on the public squares, under the porches of stately mansions. A peripatetic musician comes along, strumming his guitar, and in an in stant the maid servants throw aside their brooms, the workmen set down the pitchers they are carrying to tho fountain, the muleteers leavo their mules, the- in keeper forgets your dinner, and all spring forward, arms akimbo and eyes sparkling. Their feet just touch the ground, they bal ance in unison with the music, and dance with their souls as well as with their bodies.

" Let a tourist visit Toledo and put up at the ancient hostelry De Lino, and let a guitar player station himself under the great sombre archway that Don Quixote himself would not have passed without a foreboding of evil. He will see with his own eyes how the natural order of things will be disarranged and everything thrown into confusion. A fandango will begin in the court, the kitchen and the street, and amid such a hubbub that he will think he has taken leave of his senses.

" One day at St. Sebastian the regiment passed by with a band at its head. A fandango was played. " Even the children who had been in dustriously engaged in making dirt pies pricked up their ears, caught each other by the waists, and tried to go through the steps. Their nurses joined in snapping their fingers. The passers-by came to the assistance of the nurses. The soldiers themselves couldn't stand the temptation, bufc fell out of the ranks and mingled in the dance."—Chicago " Tribune."

Torturing a Blackfoot.

The man was tied to a tree, after which they heated an old barrel of a gun until it became red hot, with which they burned him on the legs, thighs, neck, cheeks, and belly. They then commenced cutting the flesh from about the nails, which they pulled out, and next separated the fingers from the hand, joint by joint. During the performance of these cruelties tho wretched captive never winced, and instead of suing for mercy, he added fresh stimu lants to their barbarous ingenuity by the most irritating reproaches, part of which our interpreter translated as fol lows :—"My heart is strong. You do nofc hurt me. You can't hurt me. You are fools. You do nofc know how to torture. Try ifc again. I don't feel any pain yet. We torture our relations a great deal better, because we make them cry out like children. You are not brave ; you have small hearts, and you are always afraid to fight." Then, addressing himself to one in particular, he said : —" It was by my arrO'V you lost your eye," upon which the flathead darted at him, and with a knife in a moment scooped out one of his eyes, at the same time cutting the bridge of his nose nearly in two. This did nofc stop him; with the remaining eye he looked sternly at another, and said, "I killed your brother, and scalped your old fool of a father." The warrior bo whom this was addressed instantly sprang at him and separated the scalp from his head. He was then about plung in°" a knife into his heart, until he was tofd by a chief to desist. The raw skull, bloody socket, and mutilated nose now pre sented a horrible appearance, but by no means changed the tone of defiance. "It was I," said he to the chief, "that made your wife a prisoner last fall; we put out her eyes; we tore out her tongue ; we treated her like a dog. Forty of our young warriors—" The chieftain became incensed the moment his wife's name was mentioned ; he seized his gun, and, beforo the last sen tence was ended, a ball from it passed through the brave fellow's heart, and ter minated his frightful sufferings.—" Massa- I cres of the Mountain."

A Tilt Between Bonaparte and His Attendant Physician.

While Napoleon I. was on the Island of St. Helena he was attended by a Dr. Warden of the English Navy. This repre sentative of the healing art on that distant coast was not fond oi the Emperor, and it is said that the antipathy was mutual. " How many sick people have you killed in your time, Doctor ?" asked Napoleon one day in his blunt fashion.

*- Not near as many as you have sent wel ones to heaven," was the pat reply.

HUMOROUS.

EVERY diva must tak*_ her chants. Who serves us through fire and water ?•»* The cook. When is a boat like _• heap of snow ?— When ifc is a-driffc. To get up a dinner of great variety, cooks should be allowed a wide range. What is it that goes fast to" wreck and ruin, yet does nothing but good ?—A life beat. A photographer is sometimes like a conun drum. Of course we mean when he's a poser. A big proboscis is indicative of in telligence. In other words, the bigger ib is the more a man nose.

The poet who wrote, " Man wants bub little here below," should try again. Man wants all he can get. We read that man was originally made upright, bub nowadays a great many men seem to be mado up wrong. " I think I catch your drift," as the man remarked when the avalanche fell from the eaves far above him.

Speaking ot the " manufacture of rings," said a young lady," can anyone tell me who made the welkin ring ?" When you see a counterfeit coin on tho pavement, always pick it up. You are liable to arrest if you try to/pass it. A man never realises how little his word is worth till he receives a black eye and attempts to explain how he came by it. Society is composed of two great classes —those who have more appetite than dinner, and those who have more dinner than ap petite.

There is a man in this town so economical that he stops his clock when he goes to bed to save the wear and tear of the machinery. A little baby is an easy thing to love; but a big baby is a hard thing to love, says a veteran observer, especially if you have married her..

" Mr High water, how is it I find no cream on your milk ?" Milkman :-• Well, mum, I expect the cows are holding it back for strawberry time."

An improved form of challenge to a duel is the following Quaker note : — "If thou wilt eat twelveunripeapplesjustbefore retiring at night, I will do the same, and we will see who survives."

" Oh, dear !" sighed Mrs P. with the tooth ache. " Why can't people be born with out teeth ?" "If you will reflect a moment, my dear," replied Mr P., " you will be con vinced that such is the fact."

Faith is sometimes represented by the figure of a drenched female clinging to a sea washed rock ; but a better personification would be a bald-headed man buying a bottle of patent hair-restorer.

There are some quaint and pithy epistles on record. Quin, when offended by Rich, went away in resentment and wrote : "I am at Bath." The answer was a laconic, though not quite so civil: " Stay there."

Doctor Carter, fche great shot, says : —. "Hifc an orange in the c-jnfcre and it will vanish from sight." People often notice that the orange vanishes pretty suddenly from sight when attacked on the circum ference by a small boy.

Pompous Young Lawyer (to prisoner): "As you have no counsel the court has deputed me to defend you." Prisoner: "Am dat so?" Young Lawyer: "Yes." Prisoner (to judge): " Den I pleads guilty, yo' honah, an' frows myse'f on de mercy ob de court."

" Waiter, I'll take my hat," said a gentleman at a ball one evening, as he was about going home. *' What kind of a hat is it, sir?" "A brand-new one; I bought ib this morning." " Well, sir," said the waiter, " all fche good hats have been gone these two hours."

Husband.—"My dear, that is a long motto you are working." " Wife : "Yes, John." He reads on it:

While the lamp holds out to burn

The vilest sinner may return. "Is ifc to be hung in the vestibule of the church, my dear?" "No, John, I'll hang it on the chandelier in the hall."

Had Learned Another Way.

One winter evening, not many years ago, at Doylestown, Perm., three young lawyers were seated at a table in the law library room playing cards. One of them had re cently been admitted to practise law, and during the evening he frequently used the expression, "It is me." The incorrectness of the phrase grated upon the ears of the other two lawyers, and at last one said: "Joseph, don't you know' you are fre quently saying, ' It is me,' when you are well aware you should say, ' It is I?'' He replied, " Jacob, I know I should say, 'It is I,' but I --ay ifc incorrectly from habit;"

Jacob said, "I think I can aid you in saying it correctly if you will only com mit; to memory the rhyme, 'It is I, said the spider to the fly.'" "Well, that would aid me, I admit," said Joseph, "if I had not committed another rhyme when a boy."

Inquired Jficob, " Well, what was that." Joseph said, " 'It is me, said the spider to the flea.' "

The Art of Boot-Polishing.

A St. Louis cobbler contributes this: " One-half of the repairing of shoe uppers that come to me is made necessary by the excessive use of blacking. The ordinaiy blacking compounds are injurious to leather, even when used sparingly, and when the leather is dosed tho effect must be disastrous. Shoes would wear much longer if the blacking were applied better. In St. Louis the excessive use of blacking grows out of the excessive dust. After a thick coating of blacking and a good polish have been put on shoes, it is nothing un usual to have it spoiled by dust in walking a block. In such cases, ten chances to one the wearer will daub on a lot more black ing, giving the leather an unnecessary layer of it. All this can be avoided by the use of a moist sponge, which dampens the blacking already on the leather and does not make necessary another application. With the sponge several ' shines' can be got out of a single application of blacking, and afc the same time dust will be wiped off and the leather generally cleansed effectively."

Result of Idleness.

There is as much danger in hurfcing fche brain by idleness as by overwork. Accord ing to a writer in " Faith and Work," Dr. Farquharson argues that intellectual power is lessened by the listlessness in which the well-to-do classes generally spend their lives. Under such conditions the brain generally loses its health, .and although equal to the demands of a routine existence, is unable to withstand the strain of sudden emergency. So, when a load of work is unexpectedly thrown on it in its unpre pared state, the worst consequences of what may be called overwork show themselves. Similarly, a man accustomed to sedentary pursuits is likely to be physically injured by taking suddenly too violent exercise. As to the amount of mental work that) may safely be done, Dr. Farquharson says : " So long as a brain-worker is able to sleep well, and to take a fair proportion of out door exercise, ib may safely be said that it is nob necessary to impose any special limits on the actual number of hours which he de votes to his labours. But when what is generally known as worry ,steps in to com plicate matters, when cares connected with family arrangements, or with those numer ous personal details which we can seldom escape, intervene, or when the daily occu pation of life is in itself a fertile source of anxiety, then we find one or other of thes* three safeguards broken down,"