Pittston Gazette

              * *fT? *'A v / PITTSTON, LUZERNE CO.,. PA., FRIDAY, MARC it 18, 1892. } OUleSi f'ewsnaneT in the Wyoming Valley A Weedy Local and Harnilv Journal I"-?.'".:."'" returned an.I the whiz of buileta bounded 1 UU ' »■+ 11 " \ " " 1 '■" "'■' * '•" CcC»Ti*ctD)_ ; turned to t they managed ter meek the driver turn out without forcin him ter do it. Tain't safe fer 'em teT fo . with the mail, 'cause they might get an army of soldiers from Fort Scott after "cm." about the settlers' beads. toxxw tne fumes or spirits. The walls were of rough, loose stone, with patches of ml clay visible; through gaps where the wall harl tumbled down, i The roof was of smooth stone, with here and there a crack, which had once been daubed with mud, but which was now open, admitting the light of day. Dan lit another match and made an attempt to light the lamp, but found j that the oil had all burned out. Having no more matches in his possession he I was compelled to continue his survey of the chamber by the dim light that came through the crevices overhead. For an hour ho continued his examination of the chamber. There was only one way of escape visible, and that was to dig his way out. He might, by many hours of ilie hardest toil, dig his way to I the outside. But what was he to work with? He had nothing but a small knife, and he realized how insignificant such a tool would !*D in the work before him. ready taken more than is good for you.* "If you have come here to give mo a temperance lecture you'd better go back and get some one else to do your work!" replied the woman in a sharp tone. '•That is all nonsense: I want vou. and you alone can do the work." "What do yon want me to do? have not told me yet." "I will tell you in good time." "You must tell me now." "I will if you insist." NOTED BY BILL NYE. pnrey. xua man who goes into w iscon: sin Rnd criticises Jndge Humphrey is* ajonerally arrested on suspicion and held Then the form of a man arose from the grass in fnDnt of the settlers, staggered a step or two and then went down. till they ftnd out what his record is. HE MAKES SOME SUPERIOR REMARKS ABOUT A SUPERIOR COUNTRY. It was at Hudson that we used to bet on the date when navigation would open in the spring. There were no  then. When the first boat whistled in the spring people left their business, and. sometimes broke off in the midst of an eloquent prayer—full of statistics aiu£ timely gossip and mere mention, new* summary, baseball news and household hints—in order to run down to the land- "Hit's soiu*sthin I don't understand," asserted Ft" Baker. ' "But yonder comes three more wagons. We'll see what they'll do with them." As he spoke he pointed to the north where three covered wagons were coming slowly down the road. "It's Ike Baker!" cried Simon Riggsby, as they hurried forward and gathered around the prostrate man. And so it proved. You Adrlce to Young Men Who Lead Double Strong arms bore the wounded man back to the inn. where he was laid upon a bed and everything possible done for him, but all saw that his wounds were mortal and that he could not last long. Lives on Small Salaries—Hudson Has a Home of Greatness—That Watermelon Patch of Price's. As the wagons drew near they frere approached by the cowboy** and turned from the road in the same manner as the stagecoach. "Go on." Is the Superior Country, ) March. J Duluth us a remarkable city. It is one of the few cities that hare grown rapidly for the past five years and yet keeps it up without any suspicion of reaction or even betraying tho odor of an effete and nnskun boom. Ten years ago she had 3.470 souls. Now she has, with her suburbs. 57.000 souls, and there are over a hundred real estate men besides. I Copyright. IW, by Edgar W. Nye. I Maddened at the sight of their dying oAmrade. who had risked and lost hia nw ror taora, the settlers were aoout to pursue the enemy, but tlioy were restrained by who saw plainly that such n i action would be just what the cftttleiaon would wish. "It is a soft snap with no risk to speak of," Suggs begun. "We haveeverything in our own hands and all jjSuTl hav« to do is to follow our instructing," and briefly he made known the plan that he and Mortimer Dill had formed to get ""Bold of «ome valuable property and a handsome cash legacy, the particulars of which are alroldy known to tht reader. "There won't be the slightest risk to run if the matter is pushed through at once," said Aaron Suggs in conclusion, "and you will have nothing to do bnt represent yourself to be the woman named in the will of James Mansfield which is now in our posseasio n." ing and see the frst boat come in. Messrs. (Joon & Piatt kept a grainC warehouse then on the landing, and  day in winter they made a bet on thet date when the first boat would come up' the river to Hudson, it consisted of a?* pair of fifteen dollar boots. One day inl early spring Zeph Piatt was alone in the warehouse, and he thought he would go up in the cupola and with his glass take a squint down the lake on the sly. Hef was a fat man, and when he got up tof the top of the stairs he found that he had, arrival there two or three minutesahead "That beats all," exclaimed HcoBaDe as the wagons passed far ont 0*1 l! prairie and continued their conr south without coining within it • of a mile of the inn. "Tliem C!? cattlemen air goin ter try ter kc body away till they starve us our UD the Inn. most rose to her lips, but it was only a jack rabbit that leaped from the grass and disappeared like a shadow across the prairie. Strong arms I tore the wounded, ma a bock ,vD tlio room; "put as Honest setters who has ter keep a watoh on their iwn interests we've decided ter told ye awhile till we oan verify yer story. You see ye might be a cowboy prowlin around ter see what we war at, so ye coold report it ter the cattlemen." The day wore on and the cattlemen itill remained in close watch upon th» loose. Then it was that the settler* began to understand the strange maneuvers of the foe. The cattlemen, finding that they could not capture the garrison without great loss, had resorted to strategy. It was plain npw that they were preparing fur a siege might be carried on for days—eren weeks shofild the case require it—until the besieged should be starved into submission. • to the vM of ••it's no uh'. l*Dvs," ho said with a gro in. "'Them devil* is ji t waitin in t'ue grass ter ambush u; if wo give 'em a chance. They air four tor our one, and it ain't no use tor come ter an ojDen fight 011 the prairie with "em." For nearly a quarter of a mile she crawled in a northwesterly direction; then turning to the left, she crept toward "It loots powerfully that way." af Irtned Riggsby. "But they can't go on .'orein people tor keep away from the jlace. lt'8 the mo4 outrag'ns business i ev»wi;iiessed.'' Although Dan would have f«lt a sens# of areater relief had lie been pennitted tCj jo hi» w|T, ho could do jnotluiig bat accept the situation with the liest grace possible. the spot where the horses had been l picketed. It required a half hour for I her to reaeh the little ravine where the horses were, so cautiously did she move. She wivs now confident that she had passed through the besiegers' hies sonie- !fD He drew forth his knife and began to dig into the clayey wall, but he soon gave tip in despair. It would require days, ho calculated, to reach the outside iii this way. He must try some other plan. He next examined the door and found that it was of heavy oak and prtv vided with a strong lock To attempt to break it would doubtless attract the attention of his captors, and even should he succeed in getting the door open without being discovered there was still another one to pass through, and this opened into tho cabin. Overcome with despair, he seated himself on oue of the empty boxes, a prey to the most gloomy reflections. The hours dragged slowly away, and it must have been past noon when he heard some one approaching. The next instant —iC aoor was uruocne.« «tnu me woiiutu he had seen iu the cabin entered th« room, bringing a lighted candle and a lunch of boiled beef and corn bread. Placing the candle and lunch upon a rough pine box at the youth's side, she and retraced her steps to the door, whore she paused and cut a half stupid low at the prisoner. Dan saw at a glance that the woman was intoxicated. She looked at him for a moment and then said: "Reckon you'd like to jjet out o' here, wouldn't you?" "I wouldn't objact in the least," replied Dan. "Well, I ain't going to let you out just yet," said the woman with a grin. "Then I'll have to stay, I guess," replied tho youth. The woman was silent a moment before she spoke. "Wouldn't try to make your escape from a lone woman, would you?" she asked. "Why should I wish to escape?" asked Dan. ■ The dying man who had lDeen unconscious when brought into the house soon revived sufficiently to speak to those gathered about him. But neither Riggsby mir his friends xrald guess how well the cattlemen had aid their plans. The means which they lad employed to keep those quartered at he inn from communicating with the rater world were both unique and darjig in their conception. The probability of passage Df travelers on the rSl had been well jonsiden'il by the catflemen before the liege had been commenced. They recoglized at once that to attempt to stop all travel as well as the passage of the mail-5oach would not only be difficult, but would be a hazardous undertaking, which might lead them into serious jrouble and bring down the United State* troops upon them before their evil detigns were accomplished. of his breath. Finally he secured it, however, and hastily running hiB binocular tube along the horizon he saw, just below Catfish bar. the dark smoke and gray steam of the first boat. It meant a pair of boots on him, or rather 011 Coon at his expense. He' turned slightly pale, then he started up * town to find Coon and hedge, which he ' did by paying him ten dollars. But he smiled when he thought how he had worked it. "()f course I would like to go on," he replied. "but If yon think proper to detain me I can't see how I'm going to help matters by objecting." CHAPTER IX. LOCKXD IN. "It's all over with me, boys," he said in a weak voice, speaking with great difficulty. "I—I—have done my best— but they war waitin fer ine in the grass—an I didn't see 'em till they war all about me—I gave 'em one shot, an then"— His voice died away in a whisper, and for several moments he lay as if alreadv dead. where, but she had seen no sign of them. The darkness had now grown more dense, and she realized as she saw tht thickening clouds gathering across the sky that it was a most favorable oppor- "What name will I take?" "You shall say yon are Sally Ann Riggsby, of Ringgold, Georgia!" 1 r reckon we'll toon thow utwhowe air!" Dan Riggsbjr's heart Rank within him he went down among the tangled vines heard the footsteps and exclamations the outlaws as they rushed upon him. "That's puttin the case in a nutshell.' langhed one of the outlaws. CHAPTER XIH. DAN RIOG8BY MAKES A DISCOVERT. "If yon will send some one to home von will find that I am the one I represent myself to be," went on the youth. "It wouldn't take long to ride over there." tunity for the work before her, As she drew near the spot where the horses were she conld see only a few paces in advance of her, and a sudden fear assailed her that the horses had been taken away, but a low whinny soon told her of her mistake. Crouching in the darkness behind the door Dan Riggsby had listened breathlessly to the conversation going on between the woman called Meg Frone and Aaron Suggs, bnt he had not been pre pared for the surprise that awaited him. He conld barely suppress a cry of astonishment as he heard the man pronounce his mother's name. What did it mean* Was it really his mother whom the two were plotting to defraud out of her rights? "We'll jist let yer know when we git through with ye," remarked the leader. Then turning to one of the men he added, "Dick, take the boy an put him in the wine cellar." The men standing about hiin with white faces brushed the tears from their eyes, while Mrs. Riggsby and Fanny,, kneeling by the bed. were weeping softly, each holding a hand of the dying man. But the boat did not succeed in getting ' up that day, nor for a week afterward. She struck ice at Catfish bar and had to It was Fanny's purpose to mount one of the horses, using the picket rope a" a bridle, and ride to the settlements to the north, where she would make known the condition of affairs at the inn and implore help. stop there, so that Zeph lost his ten dollars, to say nothing of the cigars and f sarsaparilla which he bought for those whose silence he so dearly prized. Byron J. Price, the president of the Wisconsin Press association, also lives at ' Hudson. He had for many years a £ checkered career as a horticulturist and . penologist. He tried to grow the water-, melon, and succeeded very well, but1 when the melona got ripe other hands  gathered them and other chins than his This order brought a latigh frotn the crowd. Presently he opened his eves and spoke again, but it was plain that his mind was wandering. "I reckon he won't find much old Rhine in thar," observed the one addressed as Dick, as he came forward to where Dan was standing. "Oome on, ray boy," he sifcled, as he led the youth to a door that opened in the back side of the house. Passing through the door, Dan was conducted through a dark corrulfff for some distance. when another door was opened, and he was ushered into a large room whose walls of clay and stone plainly indicated that it was situated underground.This was just what they wished to ivoid, and in order to carry out successfully ffifeir plans for wreaking vengeance jn the little garrison the following plan had been adopted: "I'm goin tor the settlement ter bring the lDoyB," he said, his voice seeming to grow stronger as he spoke. "They ain't goin ter keep me housed up hyar like a rat—they air not goin ter see me—Fll crawl through the grass an—thar they air!—but they ain't goin tor take me Everything else is in proportion. No flour was produced ten years ago. Now there are 684,000 barrels. Lumber was represented by 83.000.000 feet. Now it is 275,000.000. It to mo only a few years since this couiftry was perfectly wiid. Indians were more plenty than Scandinavians are now. It seems to me only a few years since I was arrested in Barron county for shooting an Indian out of season. LIGHTING THE OAS. Still using the greatest caution in all her movements, she now approached on# of the horses, which proved to lie the very one she wanted, a trim made black, which she had named Jet. As these thoughts came to him he re-' membered that the man had mentioned another name—that of Jamee Mansfield —which waa the name of his m iher's ancle. As Dan reflected ever these Two squads of men would be stationed it the road—one to the north and one south of the house. • Whenever a traveler approached he was to be met by the men stationed at the road, who were to inform him that thesmalliDox had broken out in the settlement and that the inn was being used as a pesthotise. No one would suspect but that the cattlemen were dimply a quarantine guard, and it would not be ft difficult matter to induce all travelers to give the inn a wide berth. and of It only required a few moments for her to arrange the long riata into a rude sort of bridle; then springing to the horse's back she turned his head to tho north and rode away.' alive" rtartling (acts he grew strangely bewfl- Sored. Could the man referred to he his mother's node? It must be bo, for, ts Dan remembered, he had com© west years before. Yet the whole matter was a puzzle. were bathed in their cold, sweet juice. This made Byron hot, as we say in ; America, and he worried over it and , came near backsliding at one time. He tried planting a bulldog in each hill, but t that only improved the quality of the melon and made them the more desirable to those whom he referred to in his paper He staggered to his feet just as the strong hand of one of his pursuers was laid npon his shoulder aqd a gruff voice ■aid in his ear: He threw up his hand as if to use a pistol, then sank down and in a few moments ho had breathed his last. For a loug time no sound broke the stillness save the low weeping of Mrs. Riggsby and Fanny and the moan of the night winds without. The roughly clad men stood silently alDout the bed, while the flickering light gleamed npon the tears that ran down their bearded faces. She had not traveled a hundred yards when she caught tho sound of footsteps in tho grass t«D her left. Theh tamo the sharp click-click of weapons and a gruff ▼oico demanded: Ten years ago Duluth bad six passen ger trains per day. Now she has 134. "Don't ye 'tempt to git away, er ye'll git blowed to worm feed!" Dan realiftid at onoe that he was in a mojjt desperate situation, and he saw the necetfity of bringing all his wits into service. "Who are you, and what do you mean by treating me in this manner?" he demanded. turning to confront his cap- "Sally Ann Riggsby, of Ringgold. Georgia," repeated the woman. "I think I can play my part—but will there be anyone there that might know this Mrs. Riggsby and get us into trouble?" Tho outlaw who had accompanied Dan to the apartment now took the candle he was carrying, and lighting a huge tin lamp that sat upon a rude table in the corner withdrew, shutting and locking the door behind him. Lots of people do not know that Duluth leads all other cities in the amount of her wheat receipts. If my memory is not at fault, she shows a footing of 32,- 782,624 bushels as against that of Minneapolis, viz.. 32,310,362; Chicago. 81.038,- 454. and so on down the list, i could give other figures with which i am thoroughly conversant, bnt-space forbids. "Who goes th«re?" as "fiends in human form." , One summer he said to himself: "1 will try it once more and see if I can get a good ripe watermelon for my own use, just this time. Just one melon that 1 ro9e myself. If I fail I will try it nc more forever." He knew pretty well who took his melons. They did not deny it. It was a gang of footpads from the high school, headed by Will Taylor v and Fagan Starr. They took the melons not maliciously, but because a cool, ripe melon in the dark of the moon bad been This glaring plan had been put into execution and had been a complete success. But not knowing what means were being employed to keep travelers from passing along the road, the settler* at the Traveler's Rest were greatly puzsled at what they had witnessed. '•Poor Ike," said Riggsby in a choking voice, "he risked his life for us, an—an lost it." and turning away he crossed the room and stood by the window, his form shaking with emotion. CHAPTER XII. THE VISITOR AT THE OJLBI.W "We shall see to that. If we get through with the matter at once there is bo chance of trouble." Glancing about the room. D«n raw only a few articles of the rudest furniture, with here and there some pieces of worn and cast off clothing scattered about the chamber. The robbers' cabin was situated upon the side of a high sluff, and it was into this that the room lad been hollowed out, Dan was fully jonvinced. "What am I to get for this work?' tors. "I reckon well eoon show ye who we air!" retorted the first speaker, palling the youth beck toward the cabin. "Jist come inside an we'll see what j&look like."  Without offering the slightest reactance Dan suffered himself to be led rack ' '  "An equal share—one-third of the proceeds."Mrs. Riggsby and Fanny were led away and the dead was left to those who were to prepare it for burial. I wish that the down easter could know the west as I know it. 1 wish the southerner could know the north as he should know it. and 1 wish the northerner could know the south as it would pay him to know it. Ignorance of the actual possibilities of this little republic of ours is no doubt keeping many a young man and many a rusty gold dollar back in the gloom and fungi of idleness. "If we could only git word ter the settlers ter the north uv us." said Ike Caker, "we'd soon teach these murderous rascals a lesson they'd not soon fergit." ' "And that will be?' "Mtarat seven thousand dollars if we succeed indisposing of the property." "That is a large sum." "You are right." "Is it all in property?" •'Maybe you ion't know who it is that's got you prisoner?" and there was a peculiar glitter in the woman's eye. "I don't care, just so I am released a soon as possible." answered Dan in u yareless maimer, 'lias your husband gone sway?" "Who said X had a husband?' "No one—I thought one of the men The sad and tragic ending of Iko Baker's heroic attempt to pads the enemy's lines fell like a pall over the little garrison. What the room had been used for the fouth could only surmise, but that it lad been made for tlid purpose of carryjig on some nefarious- business, such as jounterfeiting, he had not the slightest loubt. "But I don't know how the thing's tej be did," replied Riggsby in a troubled tone. "It would be as much as a man'f life wor worth ter atten.pt ter git out uv hyar with them devils watchin fei prescribed for them by their physician. to the cabin. He was conducted to the kisido of the building, followed by the outlaws. Who held their pistols in their hands ready for instant use. Dan kniMr that he was suspected of being a spy, and should he be unable to convince his captors of their mistake they would show him no mercy. These thoughts caused him to feel the greatest alarm, and be set his wits busily to iretk to answer the questions tha** he mew they would ask him. "Now, my young feller," said one of he outlaws, who appeared to be the leader, "I want ye ter explain what ye lir prowliu around hyar at this time o' light fed" Dan had been thinking rapidly, and he tad now decided on the course he would pursue. His plan was to first endeavor X) impress the outlaws that he believed item to be settlers who had come together to discuss the trouble that the Kttlemen were then making in that part if the country. If he could succeed in loing this he felt that a strong point in lis favor would be gained. "I haven't been prowling around," he answered with all the coolness he could jommand. "1 was sent on an errand by ny father—on business which ought to interest yon as well as all the settlers in this section." Already others had volunteered to make a similar attempt, but Simon Kiggsby, who had been elected leader of the settlers, thought it best to adopt some other method. Already one life had been sacrificed, and he realized that any further attempts to leave the inn might result in a similar calamity. "All but about five thousand dollars, which was left as a legacy to this Mrs. Riggsby's son." "Where is the money?" "In the bank at Fort Scott?" That year, however, Byron did not tell any one his scheme. He planted the melons in the middle of his popcorn patch. But he did not tell anybody. He did not even put it in the Clear Lake Herald, which has always been regarded us." might be"  "Then you'd better keep your thoughts to yourself," interrupted the woman. Dan remained silent. "You think the men's all away, do fan?" said the woman, "and maybe you'U try to escape?" "I have said nothing about it," answered Dan. "Well, I wouldn't advise you to try any tricks on me," and the weman laid tter hand upon a heavy pistol which was anly partly concealed in her bosom. "Yon needn't be alarmed," said Dan. "Remember. I didn't say the men were •11 gone." she said, a cunning light coming into her countenance. Then she hastily left the room, slnmming the door her. Dan tnaue no attempt trD eat the food that hud been brought. It was plain to Instead of saying, "Young man, go west," I would say, "Young man. find out more about the country you live in." Every day. old judges and merchants and divines and bakers are saying goodby to a bnsy life and a vain world. He readily understood why he had seen placed in confinement. It was ?lain that the robbers were not entirely tttisfied with his explanation of how he tame to be there, and they were determined to keep him iu their power till the daring robbery they had planned had teen put into execration. What would then be done with him? mis was the question that came to Dan. »using him to be filled with a feeling of rague fear aud uncertainty. For several moments Ike Baker wHiabsorbed in deep thought. Suddenly h€ lifted his head and spoke in a quick, determined tone. "Can we get hold of that?" "Yes; you. as Mrs. Sally Ann Riggsby, will have the power to obtain possession of the money." as the best medium of hushing up any- STEALING A WATERMELON. "Simon Riggsby," he said, "I ain't goiu.t3r stay housed np hyar like a rat an W-jjfJt fer them imps uv perdition tei starve us out. I'm goin ter the settlement in the north an bring some help!'' A conference was held by the men and it was decided to remain passive but on the alert till morning, when some cause of action would he decided upon. Meantime Fanny Riggsby had descended into the cellar and thrown herself npon the bed. which she had spread in the corner. The startling and tragic events of the past few hours had roused in her breast many- stronger and conflicting emotions. At times she would be oppressed with horror and a nameless fear would '.ako possession of her as she reflected upon the situation of all tho.'c garrisoned at the inn. Then her spirits wonld rise in rebellion against the ix-siegers. and she would feel a strong impulse to combat them in Mime manner as she thought of the heroic life they had taken that night. "if 1 were only a man." she rant tore C1 vehemently. "I'd"—- She stopped abruptly and clwrlred her hands together in mute despair. Suddeuw' some thought seemed lo strike her, and il.'.ng quickly from het hard The next instant the door vxm unlocked. When Dan Riggsby threw himself upon the blankets on theTloor of the underground chamber at the robbers cabin in the woods he had not intended to fall asleep, but that he did so we have already seen. He had been asleep several hours, when suddenly he awoke and sat up on the bed, staring vacantly about him. It was quite dark in the room, the lamp having burned out, but through a crevice in the rocky roof above a bright gleam of sunlight entered, showing the youth that it was daylight For one brief moment he sat there upou the lDed in a half bewildered manner, ns the startling events of the pa*t day came to him: then as a fnll realization of his situation dawned upon him he spring to his tent and hastily drew on what articles of apparel he liad removed. Scarcely had he finished his liasty jiilet when a key turned in the lock, the 'oor op'nofl and one of the robbers en«ered the rc-om. "But will there be no bond to be given?' "No; Mrs. Riggsby ha« fleeu appointed guardian witheut requirement of bond, and jreur oheek will be henered fer that amount." Young man, fit yourself to follow the grip and fill the place of a groat man. You oan do it, but you'd rather take at twenty th® leisure which weald be dus yon at fifty if you succeeded. Yoa want to retire from business before yoa hare had any business. Yon waat to lead a double life on eleven dollars per week. Yon are too apt to want to be a rooey on the money yon ought to pay your laundress and a debauchee on thirty-five dollars per month. Riggsby looked at the speaker in astonishment."Bat 111 bar* to W identified at tk« Mm. RisffsKr referred to to the will, won't D" "What! do ye mean ter say yer goin ter try ter meek yer way through the cattlemen's lines alone?" he asked. Should the robbers be successful in their attempt to rob the paymaster, then it was probable that they would return and release him; but should they meet with defeat and be closely preseod by the military, they might scatter and leave the country altogether without a thought of the one they had Lft confined in the solitary cabin in the woods. "Ws havs amoved fbr that. Mr. Dill, who is well known among the profession, will see that we have ilo trouble in that respect." "I'm goin jist as soon as it gits Clurk." was the reply. "If i meek my escape I'll meek my way home, git my hoss an ride ter the settlement." "But about the property? How i» that to be managed? We can't carry it away with us." Leave the home nest, uiy dear young man. Leave it more in sorrow tbau in anger. Study first the growing towns of the Union and then plunge in where yon like it liest. Dnluth is a good place. So are many others. Here 1 met a boy 1 knew in Wyoming, working than in the boiler shops for $3.50 per day. Now he makes thirty or forty dollars per day. "Hit's a dangerous undertakin," declared Riggsby, "an I ain't in favor of ye makiu rich a trip, but if ye go ye'l! find some of my hossc* picketed on the grass t&ont a half mile west of hvar whar we cut we grass fer hay." "That will havs to be sold as soon hs we can have the will admitted to probate," replied Suggs. his mind now that the woman had been left alone at the cabin. The men were doubtless making preparations for the night's work and might not return till the next morning. With no one but an intoxicated woman npon the premises. Dan realized that a most, favorable opportunity for making his escu]MD had presented itself, and he was determined to take advantage of it. Taking up the lighted candle he went to tho door and began to examine it. He cautiously turned the handle, and to liis utter asbmishment the (foor swung open. The woman had forgotten to lock it. Dan hastily closed it, being careful to make no sound..-wanted time to decide uiDon aome of action before he made any escape. That the wC mid not hesitate to use tho pi* tol she catvlr-d should she discover him trying to leave tiuj room Dan well knew, and it was his purpose UD proceed with While Dan was occupied with these glowing reflections the door was unlocked and reopened and a woman of perhaps forty years of age entered the room, bringing an armful blankets which she threw on the floor. "There's your bed, young fellow," she said in a piping voice. arrange it to nit yourself." With this she went out, locking the door behind her. '"But where is this Mrs. RiggsbyV" asked tl»C* woman. "It would make matters awkward if she should happen to come in upon us before the business was completed. Is she in Georgia?" "No; she has left there." "Then where is she?" "Then Til get one of 'em an ride home after my saddle an go froni thar ter the settlement." thing that yon could pick out. People » who wished to unbnrden their minds of * any great secret, with the assurance that it would go no further, used to print it ; in the Clear Lake Herald. Dnluth is especially proud of her beautiful school Imildings and her wonderful school facilities. Public schools are certainly superior in the west. They are more progressive. 1 never knew what progress in this line meant till I had a chance to compare the eastern and western public schools. Duluth tore down a *30 .000 school house not long ago in order to erect on the same ground a new one costing a quarter of a million dollars. And that is only on3 of her many handsome school houses. As soon as it was known among the men that Ike Baker was going to make the daring attempt to pase through the cattlemen's linee there were many others who offered to take his place or accompany him, but he insisted on going—and alone. "Who is yer father, an what is yer er•ent?" asked the outlaw. Wignnling for Dan to follow him he led th" way into the large outer room in which Dan had discovered th. outlaws r. — * thr "In Kansas." August came and the melons were ripe. Also Will Taylor, the head of the gang, was to go with his father to Marseilles for four years. Byron felt first - rate. He gloated over his melons, and decided to give one to Will as the train pulled out. He did so. It was a good melon, and as the juice ran up Will's 6leeve he looked reproachfully at Mr. Price. "My fattier is Simon Riggsby; he keeps die inn on the road several miles south of aere, and hesent me to warn the settlers that there was going to be serious trouble rith the cattlemen and for them to come » his house as soon as possible to see ivhat could be done." The outlaws exchanged significant fiances, while the leader looked search - tnglv at the youth. "How does it come, then, that ye air tfoot so far from home?" asked the leader,' tying Dan keenly. "I lost my horse in a fight with one of the cowboys who tried to whip me with bis cattle whip," truthfully replied Dan. "How did it happen, then, that ye lidn't go back an git another hoes before join on?" In a few brief words Dan rolated his couch she paceu tr» anCl down the riarrow chamber with a enorgpfi'i step. F " "How far from Fort Scott?" Dan took the blankets, and spreading them on the rocky floor threw himself thereon, determined to make the best of ths situation. For a long time he lay there, thinking owr flie startling events of the day and wondering what would be the outcome of all the strange adventures that were crowding upon him. At last, in spite of the harassing thoughts that beset him, he fell into a dreamless slumber. "Does she know of the death of her uncle and the property left herV" "No, and that Is just where the soft snap comes in. She is living in the country, and wight never hear of the basinet* if we should not tell her, and we'll not do that." "Thirty or forty miles." Dx several mini. eaely to and fro in the darkness, Strang* thoughts running riot through her brain "Something must be done," she said, half aloud, her breath coming in sharp drawn gasps. "I—I—am only a girl, bat I'll do it!" tea she walked conference ni-lit lieforo. A* ortr hero entered the room he saw »wo roue,', looking men sitting by a wide fireplace, in V~ich burned a bright log tre. At one end of the room the woman Dan had aeen the night before v. n.« hnmly mgaged in letting the table for bivuk- " 'Tain't no use ter git more 'an one uv us in the danger at a time, an if I don't git through some uv the rest uv ye car try it," he said with a laugh. That any attempt to leave the hous* would be attended by the greatest dangei all were fully aware, for the ehetnj would be keeping the closest watch upor the place, evidently anticipating som« move of that kind. ' But it makes a person feel uneasy to hare the interested parties so near where oar work is to be done." "You need have no fears, l*ot I should like for you to come with tne at once. I have a buggy with me. and we will drive directly to Scott." West Superior is the Brooklyn of Duluth, and a thriving city in which millions have beeu made within a few years. "Well, I've got the best of you this-, year," said Mr. Price as the train moved away. "I dou'tmind whispering in your ear, Will, that 1 planted them in the Iniddlo of the cornfield." Bbe stopped abruptly and listened. No sound came to her ears save the moving of the men on the floor above and the occasional note of some mocking fast The men by the fireplace nodded to the youth as he entered, and one of them ■aid: , Ashland is a very delightful city at the terminns of several roads, all of which liave yet other termini elsewhere. A railroad likes to liave several termini, so that if one should give out or be disabled trains could be run just the same. CHAPTER X. A SHOT IN THE DARK. bird, which popred its trill of variegated song upon the air of night. "They will not miss me," she said, stooping to pick np a shawl which she Jiad lDtown upon her bed. "Ill gd and if 1 fail— Poor Ike! 1 am no fletter than lnD—and he has just laid down Jus "Beckon well have ter ask ye ter stop with ns anothes day. 'Commodations tint extra, but well give ye the best we jot," with a low chnckle. "I'm not going to complain," answered Dan in a careless tone, for he had come to the conclusion that it was best to ac- As the day advanced it became more and more appareift that the cattlemen had commenced a siege upon the Utile garrison at the Travelers' Rest. This caused a feeling of uneasiness among the settlers, for well they knew that the desperate character of the enemy would lead them to adopt any method to obtain revenge for their loss and defeat on the night previous. But in spite of the danger that hf knew would attend his undertaking Ikf was resolved to carry his plan into effect, let the result be what it might. great caution. Arming with a heavy stone, which he took from iLe wall, he opened the door noiselessly and stole down the dark corridor or tunnel that led to the door that opened into the cabin. The next morning there was not left a watermelon in his vineyard so large a* a walnut. Years afterward it leaked out that the following telegram was received at Hudson the day before the calamity: "But I am alone here, and must wait till sou? one returns." * ■ . This country is a wealthy one. The sawdust town is sneered at by the iron town when the mills are idle, and then the sawdust town jeers the iron town when the mines are filled with water and when a great big dividend paying mine becomes a mighty cistern curbed up with assessments. As soon ns dusk began to settle over the prairie it vm ob?«Crved that the besiegers commenced to scatter out and draw nearer to the building, with the evident purpose of preventing any one from leaving the place. "Where are your brothers?" KaC Cl.AIRE, Aug. 15. Faffan Starr, Hudson: Price's melons in middleof cornfield. Mostly ripe now. For pood melons keep to the -right. Citrons on other side. cJOcoll.) Will Taylo». Mr. Price was greatly saddened fy this, and it was years before he could even look at a dish of preserves made of watermelon rinds without sobbing. Now he raises a few since Will Taylor is in Washington, and the only precaution he takes is tu put up a notice reading as follows: encounter with Bud Ropes; of the attempt of the latter to shoot him and of the accidental shooting of his adrersaiV. rhen he explained how the combat had been witnessed by the youth's father and • some other cattlemen, who had chased him into the timber, bent on vengeance, and how he had escaped them and started to the Marmaton settlement and finally arrived at the cabin in the woods, where he had been attracted by a light and approac h ed w to he captured by the Inmates. "I thought you were cattlemen at first," said Dan, in conclusion, "and I would have got away if I could, but now that I have discovered my mistake 1 ask yon to let me go, for I hope you are convinced that I am not a cowboy spying wound to sea what I car Ind out." * JifD for lis all" eept the sitnation with as good grace as _ -« m m . M As he drew near the door he heard the sound of a man's voice in the cabin beyond, and came to jua abrupt halt. He was about to retrace his steps to the room he had just left and give over his plan of escape for the time being, when he saw a gleam of daylight through a crack in the door, and decided to go forward and ascertain if possible just who was in the room. Approaching the door with the greatest caution, he peered through the crack in the boards. He saw the woman who had left him a short time before sitting by a table in the center of the room, evidently conversing with some one sitting opposite to her. Dan shifted his position and as he did so he saw a man sitting on the other side of the table—a low, She hastily threw the shawl over her send, and crossing the chamber she Halted by a narrow grouu.1 rtairway that led from the collar to the outside of the louse. After listening intently for a lew iuouieucs she stole cautiously up the rtairway and noiselesrly lifted the door. Thru sling her ho-vl through the opening ihe giatKcJ 4—i-'r the placc, but /jssible. "I would have preferred to to on to the Mannaton today," he continued, "but if you are determined to keep me here I suppose HI have to stay." "That's right," agreed the man, nodding his head as if to give emphasis to his words. "We'll haf to keep ye till termorrow morain at least; then if the captain is satisfied that ye ain't a cattle - . «11 "I 1 M This move served to impress the besieged with a fall knowledge of the danger that would accompany Ike's attempt Ui cacppe fr.D:n the building. There were full eixtv of the cattleman now in eight, and it wC** yrotmoie that they would soon be re-enforced by others. It is a healthful it0ion too. I got some more health here. I Jools now 187 years younger than my published portraits, and a roguish little twinkle may be seen in my eye. All day I go about singing merrily and skittish horses become unmanageable and run away and jump into the lake. As soon a9 mghl had wttled Ike Baker stole cautiously from the house, Dy-: throwing himself upon his bands and knees began to crawl slowly through the long grass. He knew that the enemy would be on the alert, and it would require the greatest caption and watchfulness on his part to enable him to pass the lints unobserved. "If we could only get word ter some more of the fet'ttlers," said Simon Riggsby, "we could hold our own." no one was in siylit. TIiti, crawling uian spy we'll let ye go." But there was the difficulty. It would be worse than useless to attempt to send ft roeaeenger from the place while such ft close watch was kept by the enemy. The provisions at the inn were only suffictent to last a f;»w days, and there was no chance of obtaining a new sujD plyT 'But could the siege be prolonged sufficiently to starve the garrison into submission? This was a question that was difficult to d«cide. Should it Income known by the settlers in thpt section that such ftsiego was going on they would instantly come to tl»e rescue of tlieir friends, but could the cattlemen pre tent the news from spreading, since there were sure to be travelers on the road? Besides, the mail from Fort Scott would be due in the evening. Would the besiegers dare to stop the United States mail as well as all travelers on the roal in order to carry the siege to a successful result? It was the opinion of the settlers that they would not go that far, and if hot, it would lw easy for one of the men to leave the inn in the stagecoach, and thus gain communication with the other settlers in that locality. "But they had rtot oomntad upon the that was to be employed by the ouemy. It was about five o'clock in the evening when the stagecoach was seen approaching from the north. When a quarter of a mile aw,ay it was met and stopped by a squad of cowboys. What passedJL*" tween them and the driver was only a matter of speculation. But after a short conversation the driver turned frein the road, and under the escort of*a half dozen Cowboys passed an eighth of a mile east of the inn. "That just beats me," declared Simon Biggsby, who had been watching the stagecoach from a -window in the upper rtory of the building. "Whatts them Cg04p im ter? Td like ter know how through llic narrow doorway, she quick- At this juncture breakfast was an- Please do not pick them ivatcrmel- : : ons without permission, for God MO you, : : and if possible I will see yon myself. : B. J. PRIC*. : threw herself into the grass that grew Mow? to the wall. Keeping herself low h the grass alio cropt forward swiftly for fifty yards before she paused. Then, lying flat upon the ground, phe listened intently to ascertain whether or not her departure from the house had been discovered by her friends. aonnoed, and Dan was invited to take a *eat with the men at the table. The fare was coarse, bnt Dan managed to make a hearty meal, for he had eaten bnt little in the past twenty-four hours and felt extremely hungry. As soon as the meal was over Dan was conducted back to the room in The air is extremely bracing, the resinous quality of the pine scented, blue, crisp air is especially adapted to the rapid oxygenation and acceleration of the circulation (See Hilliard on Torts, ▼ol. ii, p. 187). Every one likes Mr. Pric#. Also his wfctermelor-3. In one hand he held a cocked pistol, ready for instant use. Now and then he would pause and listen, then crawl forward. keeping low in the grass. heavy set man with a bushy black beard. The youth could hardly suppress the cry of astonishment that rose to his lips as his eyes fell upon the familiar form of the man. He recognized him in an instant as one of the strangers who had i stopped at the inn the night before he had left. Dan now remembered the strange conversation he had overheard I between this man and his tall companion, and he wondered what could have brought him to this out of the way place.! That the man was a villain and a fugitive from justice Dan already knew from what he had overheard that night at the inn, but he had not suspected him of being in league with a band of robbers. Was he In league with themJ And if ®ot, whatjiad brought him to the lonelv cabin in the woods? Dan's mind ran rapidly over what h» had overheard at the inn. and he suddenly remembered that a woman had been spoken of—one who was to corned Fort Scott and assist the two conspirators in carrying out n plan they had laid for defrauding some parties out of theii property. That the woman in the cabiD Was the one referred to Dan was now fully jjanvftpced. •BMypKtt- it it that you did nafr• remf Fort Scott at the appointed time?; attked Aaron Kugg* "Didn't 1 tell tht matter was of the greatest importance?" "The boys had other business on tone and I could not leave," replie4 the - an. "Come, take a drop of this don't look so black," and she pushed bottle toward the man. "Meg Frone," exclaimed Suggi impatient tone, "I cam* her* to \nium. not to driak. To* Jwr* "No; Mr». has been appointed guardian without requirement of bond." "Both gone to arrange for some busi ness for tonight." •'Anything big?" "There may be many thousands in it,*' replied Meg Frone. "Have you not heard?' —JiS?* was evident that Dan'* story luw % favorable impression upon thi -ws. He liad explained the cause o prc-caco t!rfro oa foot, and of his at "• to 'oaoui# from them when the) out M the cabin, which had w ed their suspicions; He had led then believe that he took them for cattlestory, which was in fact the truth, to convince Ids auditors that he what he represented himself to be. ♦hey were not going to act with nniaste.ioning several of the outlaws to Mm, the leader went oat of the where a gonsultation was held. 'I reckon he'# jist what he se* he is," the outlaw leader, "an I can't Bet necessity ur putiin him on ten the vit it vfeuldn't 1*D in keepin with rules jiv the business ter let him go oom.w*D$ i That'* my idea," responded one of men. "Thar aia't no harm in thC ( reokoo. but ter neck a sure thins' -ertain we'd better sorter ko" Electricity pervaded everything. You walk across the carpeted room and touch the gas jet or the steam radiator and a big, big spark explodes at the end of your finger. Some one told me I could light the gas that way. 1 never had done that. Ventilated Cheese. It made Inside the inn the Bottler* waited with breathleis and painful anxiety the result of Ike's daring undertaking. Would he Buccee l in making his way through the lines of the enemy? Glancing backward she could see one of the gutmls not twenty yards awpy, rro-chiag beliLid a buucli of snmae.hS, bnt she was convinced tliat he ha I not which he had the night. The door was locked, and he was alone. From what ho had overheard of the robbers" conversation the night before Yabsley—Wonder what is their idea in making this Schweitaer cheese so full of holes? Mudge—Guess they thought it needed • little fresh air.—Indianapolis Journal. tempt name . arouseC. to * *een her. She could hear the tuumltu- he was convinced that an attempt would All was deathly stillness in the inn, and not a whispered word was spoken, while from the outside not a sound came to the expectant listeners low murmur of the night wind as it stole through the long grass. jus beating of her own heart as she lay there in the wet grass. She hardly dared to proceed for fear the slightest movement might lead to her discovery. be made to rob the paymaster that night, and that be was to be held as a prisoner an a mere pretext till the work was accomplished.1 have now. "No; I have not seen the boys sine# we all left Colorado. What is the business for tonight?" That is why I am wearing a big rag on my linger. The doctor says that the nail will grow on again, but that it wffl be sort of thick and hump up in the middle like a nice fresh pecan meat. A Good Boy. Fond Mamma (anxiously)—I saw you playing with that new boy across the street. Is he a good boy? His seeinea She knew that should her mwntianc Aa Dan reflected over his situation he "It is with th« United States pay masterf' become known to any one at the inn she became greatly worried over the con- Young Hopeful—Yes, reg'lar chump. —Good News. Suddenly the sharp crack of a pistol broke through the stillness of the night, instantly followed by three others in rapid succession. would be compelled to abandon her haz dition of affairs, and for some time he ardous undertaking. She therefore had was a prey to the most unpleasant misa double C*hance of having her plans giving*. To be cooped up there when a frustrated, and was compelled to not great crime was about to be committed, only guard against being discovered by , and with no means in his power of prethe enemy, but must also avoid the venting it, plunged him into a state of watrhfnl guards at the inn. restless excitement. After assuring herself that her depar- "If I could only make my escape," he ture from the inn had not been discov- muttered, glancing about the room, ered, she began to crawl cautiously for- Then a sudden thought came to him. ward through the grow, listening to Perhaps he could escape. There were every sound with painful throbbing of only three men about the place to his the heart. knowledge, and they might leave to join What if she were to be discovered by their companions at any time. Thete the besiegers! She shuddered at tlie was ond thing that he felt sure of, and thought, for well she knew that though that was tliat the men would be absent they might not do worse than make her from the fabin at the time set for the a prisoner, it was probable that they robbery- If he could only manage to might shoot her down at first flight with- escape he rfiight succeed in preventing out discovering her sex. the rolbbery. Bat how was this to be ac- But in spifb of the dangers which she complished? , knew beset her she was determined to He had the whole day before him in let nothing swerve her from her course which to consider the matter, Lighting of action. Every moment now ahe ex- g matph he wde a hurried survey of pected to be confronted by some of the the room, but cC\]d see no way in which enemy who might be hiding in the high he oould effect in escape. Scattered grass. The thought sent a chill to her aboutj the room were several empty heart and boxes, with here and there a pile of She •oppressed % cry oC fcttw tha| al- frUek some brokfn and jiving An exclamation of surprise escaped the lips of Aaron Suggs. "WhyI that will require more than s score of men! Are the boys gone craxy? he ejaculated. We pass through Hudson going south from St. Paul and Minneapolis. Hudson is a handsome little city on the shores of Lake St. Croix. She makes a specialty of great men. Also good pickerel fishing. Ex-Senator Spooner lives at Hudson. Also Commissioner Taylor, when not at Washington or closely scrutinising the United States railway system Dy means of a special car. Every year he goes over every mile of railway in the United States as commissioner, and when he gets back in his special car to Washington it is safe to say that over all that {Treat mileage of road not a sardine can or an empty beur bottle is left to offend the eye. He is one of the most careful and painstaking railway commissioners that we have ever had. Some charge him with being over nice about his railroads and too finnicky and pernickety about always having the road bed made up with the head toward the engine, but he is a careful and conscientiona man »nd his heart is in the work. Mrs. Grayneck—Now you must listen, Mr. Salpinx; my daughter's going to aing her last new song. Her Last. follow cabin, •'My God! they have killed him!" cried Mrs. Riggsby in a choking voice, covering her face with her hands and moaning aloud. "They will have more than twenty men with them," replied the woman. "Who are they?" Salpinx — Thank heaven! — Boeton Courier. sait nc wa; the , * CHAPTER XI "They are a lot of border raiders who have found Missouri too hot for then and have come over to Kansas for theii healtli." Between Dances. FANNY'S RESOLVE—A VOICE IN THE NIOIIT. Mr. Richfello—1 understand that Miaa- Beauti intends to give a masked ball. Rival Belle—No wonder, poor child— with such a complexion.—New York Weekly. As the sharp report of firearms rang out on the night air, the settlers who had been vvuiiing breathlessly iu the Travelers' Kent rushed from the building. pistols in hand, and hurried in the direction from whence the sound of the shots had proceeded. Scarcely had they emerged from the honse when they saw several dark forms hastily falling hack serosa the prairie, and knew that it was the cattlemen who had tired the shots. the kid, dead "But the paymaster may have a whol# company of troops with him—and th« undertaking is dangerous in the ex treme." keep him till our Kttle business in these parts is over an—then—decide what well do with him*" "Them's my MDthBents," declared another., "It"« alius safest ter be mte," remarked the leader. After tpJking togrthw isflow tones for several minuted they returned to the inafde of the i iiWii "We lyua't got no fault tar find with £*t" PPfk If JN BSHWWFTf" t i ' • "There will be only fourteen or fifteeD men with him—at least, that is tht strength of the guard that left Fort Leavenworth."' Hicks—Do you keep your birthdays? Wicks—No; but my wife does. Sbfl has kept her thirtieth birthday to my knowledge for ten years.—Boston Tran- A Steady Thing. "1 wish this business of theirs wh not '— hand; br' •lo on -ud *, yon must come with worn- me; it wont to postpone the mattei and any longer." a "But I tell ycrn I out imi now; ) promised to stay here till they returned." nan "But yoa can leave a note nying yoe "Give it ter the murderers, boys!** cried Simon Riggsby, and at the «t.a-mand the rapid crack of pistols broke the stillness of the night, and a score of bullet* sped after. the retreating forms gi ib»«»ttl«uea. Jhe fire Tjm iaatantlj Uiris #ot Mottmv- Why don't you want to take yvmt little sister coasting with yoirf Little Boy—Girls isn't any good at •Mating. Every time theystrffew the bumper an gets thrown up in the air aa jjipet an na into Jndge Humphrey lives here also. 1 do not lay down any rules of conduct for mj boys at home. 1 just in a general TPf H tf1*1* to frt lite Jndaa Horn- 4-