Pittston Gazette

              ESTABLISHED 18SO. » VOL. XL.III. NO. 53. ) Oldest Newspaper in the Wyoming V: Heir. PITTSTON, LUZERNE CO., PA., FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER 8, 1893. A Weekly Local and Family Journal. ! 91.SO PER ANNUM t IN ADVANCE •—■ i. federal officer and take down his testimony, and now as everything is ready to move, and our friends over the way are getting- our range so accurately, let us bury our dead and follow the columns."kindness lo hitu. Lie had plenty of humor in his composition, but the responsibilities attaching to his position, anx)ety about the Gregorys, from whom he had not heard in a year and more, and the wear of constant hard service were telling on even his iron frame, and he was glad to get a few days' relaxation. John plowed, and planted, and hoed vigorously, early and late; he and his three superannuated followers pushed the battle, and though they had started late, when the fall came, cribs full of corn and forty bales of cotton repaid their honest toiL fended the little lady, whereat she began to air her grievances. Janet, seeing what was coming, seized her, protesting most vehemently, and carried her off to bed. Janet did not return, and Mrs. Gregory, who was a shrewd woman in her way, told John of the small tempest of the day. John sat quietly for many minutes; then he spoke, as if thinking 1 was deeply touched, but Mrs. Uregory, like a wise woman, said nothing about i the matter that was nearest her heart. NYE AND HIS MAIL. wnere yon can noia your oeas open ana shut your eyes and get as good a worm as the early bird would. ft Rd&v TO CHAPTER XXX. AT LAST. LETTERS FROM CORRESPONDENTS But you are chirping now in the wet grass, and you are off your perch, and the sly cat will get yon if you do not get a great big move on you. CAREFULLY DISSECTED. ' SMttifi Two soldiers brought out the dead man wrapped in a blanket and laid the body in the shallow grave, the chaplain read the burial service while the plunging shots of the enemy's cannon were throwing dirt all over them, and hastily mounting,-4Jie little detachment rode off after the retiring army. John's incessant toil, watchfulness, and careful cultivation was paid with a generous harvest. By the last of November the business of the year was closed up, the plantation was in fine condition, abundant provision of all kinds on the place, no debts and ten thousand dollars in the factor's hands at Galveston, fie sat up one night, made up a statement of affairs, which he submitted to Mrs. Gregory and told her that the next day he would make Janet a final offer. Mrs. Gregory encouraged him, and told him not to take "no," but to be persistent and determined, like he was about other things. The next morning after breakfast, John was out in the yard with Dot, and lie hud been in Richmond several days, and had been so kindly entertained by the good women to whom Stuart had introduced him, laughingly adding that "they must be good to him, as he was an orphan boy under his care," that he was feeling much brighter. when, one morning, steppjng out of his hotel, he almost ran into Gen. Gregory's arms. The two men shook hands nurd, as men will do, when feeling is uppermost For a moment neither could speak. John recovered himself first. CHAPTER XXVL DATS or TOIL AND GLADXE8S. The Study of Sponges and the Romance »f One Who Lived In Vain—A Man Who You do not say you are a physician, but that is neither here nor there. You can practice even if you are not. That does not disturb vou. But you must not give up just as the interest begins to deepen. You have not yet been kicked off a moving train by a copper toed conductor. That is something to remember. You can have no idea how in future years when you are a great and noted physician with a worldwide reputation and a clinic and a pharmacopoeia and that conductor is introduced to you at a reception you can say: "Ah, yes! I think I have met you before," and he will say: aloud: "I shall ask Janet to marry me, and if she declines I must leave here. I cannot stay here and see her marry anoth- John had worked that year like a giant. He had slipped naturally into the position of man of the house, and had lived up to the duties devolving upon the head of the house. Branched Ont and Made an Ah of Him- ••if. [t Copyright, 1880, by Edgar W. Nye.l "John, I am surprised at you. If I did not know you to be a brave man I would think you a coward. Now, I am going to take your affairs in hand. I don't know which is the most foolish, you or Janet. She thinks she must be loyal to the memory of that man who did his best to embitter her life, and you talk about running away like a schoolboy from a whipping, and both of you fairly in love or I am no judge." "Do you really think Janet cares for er man." Napoleon Withum writes from Jackman, Tenn.: "I have been for a year making a study of animal and plant life, beginning with the two great divisions— viz, exogenous and endogenous plants— and studying everything regarding the flora and fauna of our own and prehia- I »■ , CHAPTER XXIIL WAR SHADOWS DEEPEN. In heat and cold, wet and dry, first up, last to bed, his energy and industry had been unflagging. He had lightly Gen. Gregory and his brigade were detached from the Virginian army and sent west, and John, leading a life of incessant activity and hazard, saw nor heard anything more of them for a long period. At fatal Chancellarsville his beloved commander finished his heroic career, and John, now a hardy veteran, wearing a major's uniform, asked to be assigned to a regular command. His request was granted, and he found himself under that gallant Virginian whose brilliant career was so sadly cut short at Yellow Tavern, Jeb Stuart. Maj. Hewson was in a short time the most popular officer in the command. The officers liked the unassuming, quiet young man who seemed to have no kin, and no interest beyond his duty, who never shirked, never asked for leave of absence and was always ready for any extra duty, however perilous. The men soon learned that the major was the best officer in the regiment on matters of duty, that on all questions affecting the com fort of his men he was tireless, that while always in the front rank of battle he was extremely careful of the lives of his men. were marchea rapidly through the wood into the depression, over which hong a black pall of smoke that effectually concealed the movement, and in a few moments the advancing and victorious federals were greeted with a wild yell, and found themselves flanked by a new force which had apparently risen out of the earth. They were veteran soldiers, but even veteran soldiers cannot stand flank movements, and a wild panic ensued. Working his way through the struggling and disorganized masses he came upon Lanvale engaged in a hot contest with two federal officers, whom he had summoned to surrender, and' JT- [continued.] CHAPTER XX. IN RICHMOND. For the remainder of that bloody week, John had no time to think of personal matters. In the saddle eighteen hours daily, hungry and thirsty, riding recklessly through the tangled and swampy woods, amid dead and dying men, with every pathway strewn with the wreckage and red with the carnage of cruel war, often shuddering and sad, but never faltering, our hero put aside all selfish feelings and with an eye single to his duty obeyed the orders of his chief without hesitation or question. "Sleeps at Chickamauga," sadly interrupted the general. "Ilenry?" "I am not able, sir, at this moment to recall the incident. Had I met one *f your worldwide reputation I could hardly so soon forget it." "Mrs. Gregory and Mrs. Lanvale?" "At home, both well in body, but sadly distressed." me?" John saw that the general was very much grayer, and seemed to have aged greatly, and he felt keenly for the bereaved father. As neither of them had taken breakfast, they went in together. John learned that the general had come into Richmond on military business and would only be there a couple of days. They had long and anxious conference together. The general had hunted up the federal lieutenant and had written out his statement before witnesses, and this statement he had sealed and sent to his wife only to be opened in case of his death. ft "I do not think at all, I know it. Now, to-morrow, you ask her to marry you, and if she declines, vou tell her that vou will give her one more year to make up her mind, and if she does not come around in that year then 1 wjllgiwyou leave to go." / And you can say: "Ah, it was when I was poor and unknown that I met you, and you sternly reproached me with your heavy kip boot for not having a ticket! But let it pass. I have since prescribed for some of your folks. They spoke to you before they died. We will not speak of the past. All is forgotten now." He beard nothing more of CoL Gregory, though he knew that his command -was hotly engaged In several of the tattles. After the last disastrous struggle at Malvern Hill, when there came a lull, he got leave of absence for a day tnd went up to Richmond to look up his friends. Knowing that the woman he loved had married another man, it did. not occur to this single-minded, loyal man, either to whine, or to feel enmity. He resolved if they would permit it to drop back into tjie old relationship, and to watch for any opportunity to serve them. CHAPTER XX| A FOOLISH P. The next morning, John, with Dot perched on his shoulder, walked up to Janet, who was standing on the porch, and. Without warning, rushed into business.You have not been in jail yet, Mortimer, which shows that you have not made the effort that you should. MOTHEE AND SON. Banyan wrote "Pilgrim's Progress" in jail. I have often envied people in jail. It is so cool and quiet there, and such a good place to write a book of travel. If I could get into jail and do it honorably, I believe I would. It is not too late yet. I will send you the money in a few days. I had a check made out for you, and before I could get it into the mail— for I am living in the country—the bank busted. It will resume business, however. it claims, and when it does the check will be good. I am keeping it for you. turned aside Mrs. Gregory's allusions to his overworking himself by telling her that he was "tough and stringy." "Janet, will you not give me the place of father to Dot? It is hardly necessary for me to say how long I have loved you, that is a fact too well known to you." He was vastly pleased that John had done so well in the service, and when John rather sadly said: She never caught him napping but once; in September, after a spell of bad weather, he had come to the house one night utterly done up, had eaten his supper in more than usual silence and retired to his own room very early. Mrs. Gregory, remembering some little matter sh« wanted to speak about, went to his room and knocked, but receiving no reply opened the door, and, seeing him stretched out in his big home-made chair, went in. John was so dead-tired that he had thrown himself back in his chair, and fallen into a •Ireamy reverie so profound that he had neither heard Mrs. Gregory's knock or entrance. "While it is, of course, a persona! gratification, it does seem hard that these things should come to a lonely man like me, to whom they can be oi no possible benefit, and miss so many good men who have homes and families to share in their honors." Janet flushed up, then turned pale and began to fence. JANET WAS DOWN BESIDE HIM. After Gettysburg, as Lee's army was •lowly dropping back into Virginia. John fonnd himself in command of the regiment barely mastering two hundred men guarding one of the interminable wagon trains as they slowly crawled southward. The lieutenant colonel had given bis life to his cause and was buried on the Pennsylvania hills. The veteran colonel badly wounded was miles ahead in an ambulance. - seeing a festive colt which had strayed in through an open gate, nibbling at a favorite rose bush, he ran after the colt, tripped on a little stick and fell full length, hitting his temple against a block of wood. Dot, who had been highly elated at the performance, was shouting in childish glee, but when John did not get up, she ran to him, and, seeing the blood trickling from his temple, she ran to the house screaming that "Don had liurted hisself." Mrs. Gregory and Janet seeing from the child's terror that something had happened to frighten her, ran out, and seeing John lying in the yard got to him as quickly as possible. Janet was beside him with his head on her bosom, crying bitterly, and saying: "I do not think you ought to distress me with such questions John. You know that there can be no more marrying for me, and I do not see why such.a man as you, who could have his pick of the country, should want such a poor wreck as I." When he walked up to their door in Richmond, he was perfect master of himself. The colonel, who had also procured leave, met him at the door with cordial welcome and called loudly to his wife to come and take a look at his other soldier boy. Mrs. Gregory came out of Henry's room hurriedly, and for a moment was bewildered by John's changed appearance; but catching the affectionate gleam of the unchanageably honest eyes, exclaimed, as she embraced him: "Ah, John, I am so glad you cannot change your eyes, as you have your face with that great beard, and oh! I am so glad that the colonel and you have come through these dreadful battles unhurt. The colonel could tell us nothing about you and we feared the worst," , toric times. Could you tell me if sponges are or are not divided as to sex, as are moat of the lower as well as higher order of life?" NYE READS HIS MAIL. "You are wrong about that, John. These things have not come to you by chance, but because you have earned them. You have more friends than you imagine, and you are a member of my family, in affection, if not in blood, and if we lose sight of you again it will be your fault, not ours." Yes, the question is really considered settled by late authorities, though at first in grave doubt. Even mollusks are, many of them, now so divided. Estelle Kripeo of Peabody, I. T., asks: 1. What is a viking? 2. How would you arrange your hair if you was me? I am to lDe married a year from this fall to a very fastidious young man from Kansas City, and I do not wish to offend his artistic taste. "It may be bad taste, but you know my tastes are not capricious, Janet, and the only pick of this country that I want is yourself. As for you not marrying again, that is rank nonsense. A young woman of your age and attractions has no right to talk like a superannuated grandmother." "TAKE THAT, YOU FOOL." who responded by attacking him vigorously. J oh j rode to his assistance. As he came up Lanvale disabled one of the officers with a pistol shot, but recognizing John when he was only s few feet away, instead of devoting himself to his remaining antagonist, turned on John and with: "Take that, you cursed fool," fired at him point blank. The bullet grazed John's ribs, and amazement at the action and the shock of the grazing ball for a moment stupefied him, and before he could recall his scattered wits the second federal officer cut Lanvale down. Lanvaie's fall completely restored John to himself, and he rode furiously at the federal, who, seeing himself overmatched, threw down his arms and surrendered. One hot July afternoon aa the little command stopped to rest under a shady grove on S rounded western Maryland hill, John climbed up to the highest point to get a bird's-eye view of- the country, ana unsiung a neta glass which be constantly carried. He was startled out of bis usual coolness at the first glance. It is a wonderful study, Napoleon, the relation of the sexes, for instance, in the public schools of Spanish mackerel, and the communities of gasteropods, and the various types of conchifers. John's eyes glistened, but he said nothing, only in his heart there was deeper thankfulness than when he received his promotion. Mrs. Gregory was not an old woman, counting years, but sorrow had left its unfading marks upon face and form: she both looked and felt an old woman. As she stood over the (fozing young man. in the relaxation of utter exhaustion, her heart went out to the man. who was in such large measure the possessor of that rarest of all virtues, gratitude, and her conscience smote her as she knew that they had not truly appreciated the goodness of the man who was giving the strength of his days to their service. As she looked at him with her own face working, and her eyes brimming, he moved uneasily and muttered some words. She caught the word: "Mother," and in a moment it became clear as sunlight to her that thif man was indeed a son to her. She leaned over and kissed him on the forehead. John came to with a start, and she put her hand on his shoulder and said, so tenderly that it brought the tears to his eyes: 1. A viking was a Norwegian pirate in the past. He was one of the pioneers in that line and coarse to a degree. He sang ribald songs. Estelle, and sometimes one could detect the odor of liquor on his breath. A viking even after he had made his money always ate with his knife and wore a red mustache that would fill a teacup plumb full. "Well, I have quite made up my mind, John, not to marry again, and I hope you will not distress me by again bringing up the question." Who would think that away down in the bottom of the sea. where the bones of dead men lie covered with moss and the treasures that it has taken thousands of years to accumulate upon the face of the earth lie forgotten in the back yard of a polyp or echinodenn. the line is closely drawn, and the little sponges, some of them, are playing circus and pirates, while the others construct plavhons#« and carry dolls, while at the head of the school we may find a large carriage sponge as tutor, who tutes in summer and boards around Sponging on her relatives in winter? All these are divided into two (rreat classes, like the higher order of vertebrates. Just before they parted, after arranging for a correspondence, the general said to him: "J am going to say to you what I would not say to any other person. I believe our cause is lost; but we can yet do our duty. The chances are that neither of us will survive this desperate struggle, but if I fall, and you escape, I leave my wife and daughter to your care, and I do this knowing it is a heavy burden to put on a young man, but you have no other ties and I know I can trust you." "Oh, mother, if John is dead, I will never forgive myself that I did not let him know how much I loved him." John felt annoyed; what man would not under like circumstances? But he mastered his temper and replied, coolly: "I shall bring it up once more, Janet, even at the risk of your displeasure, and if your answer is the same I shall go away from the country." In spite of herself, Janet started and showed signs of uneasiness. She knew John's strong will, and all in a moment she realized what his loss to her would be. To add to her discomfiture Dot, who had not understood the conversation, caught John's statement about going away and raised an indignant protest; clasping him more tightly than ever, she cried: "Don not do 'way 'tall, 'ceptin' he take Dot too." "You see," said John to Janet, who made no reply, but, taking the child from him, burst into tears and fled into the house. About a mile to the southwest, riding up a deep and narrow valley which effectually concealed them, was a federal cavalry force fully one thousand strong As the direction of the valley wasnorthwest, it was evident that their Sim was to strike the wagon train at tba point where the main road crossed the valley, and where wa* a small creek where the teamsters would halt to water the teams. Boshing down the hill, and giving his orders rapidly, in less time than it takes to write this sentence his men were In line. Calling oqt one of the men who was a daring scout and rider he gave him a line: John's eyes glistened at the good lady's affectionate greeting, and the proof of loving though tfulness in inquiring about him, as if he had been truly one of the family. Mrs. Gregory, though very much alarmed, felt his pulse and heart, saw that he was not dead, dipped her handkerchief in cold water and applied to his head; in a few minutes he recovered oonsciousness, and asked: "What was the matter?' He was told that he bad fallen down, and reoeived a bad blow on the head. He lay still a few minutes, than feebly putting his arm around Janet's neck he ■Caid in his quaint way: "Janet, you seem very willing to doctor a broken head, what Clo yon say to trying your hand on the heart;" If a reformed viking tasted wine in his padding sauce, it would arouse his old appetite, and he would load up with a churnful of vodka and sleep all night in Be found them all very much occupied with the two wounded men, and after a few minutes Mrs. Gregory went out to see bow things were going with them. While she was out of the room, John learned' from the colonel that Henry was doing well, and would recover rapidly, but that Lanvale seemed to make no progress, which he (the colonel) believed was due to the fellow's "cantankerous" disposition, as he expressed it. John got down to examine Lanvale and found him Insensible and grievously hurt. Together with his prisoner, who inflicted the wound, they tried to do something for him. After doing all (hat they could to relieve the suffering man, John hailed a passing field ambulance and seat him to the rear. The federal officer seemed a pleasant young fellow, though naturally depressed at being a prisoner, and as a matter of form John took down his name, rank and oommaod before sending him to the rear. In the light of future events this proved a wise precaution. The young man was deeply touched. "If God spares my life, your wife and daughter shall be to me a sacred charge; but I hope we shall be permitted to work together for their good." Is it not remarkable. Napoleon, that the sponge should love and be loved at the bottom of the deep, deep sea? Do you not wonder as you think that in the show window of the druggist there are fragments of broken hearts and envy and jealousy and unrequited love? Away down in the bottom of the sea, where the Atlantic cable and McGinty lie together, sponge yearns for sponge with a great big yearn that distance and damp weather cannot destroy. Janet did not answer in words, bat she looked at him a moment with her heart in her eyes, and stooped and kissed him. Uccle Jim, who had hobbled up from the cabin as r'ast as his seventy years would allow, tarned away snuffling and ejaculating:"I hope so, but I fear not," responded the general. Col. Hardisob; Train attacked by federal origade of cavalry. Can bold tbepi bat few The general went his way and John returned to his command. Janet came in, somewhat embarrassed in manner, and looking very worn. John met her with a cheerful cordiality that soon put her at ease, and then the baby was brought in and straightway made friends with him, which she proved by tugging most unmercifully at his beard. The yoang mother in looking at the honest, strong face, with eyes kindled Into animation at the baby's antics, felt ashamed that she had ever abused or doubted a generous and loyal soul. If in her heart of hearts she made a comparison, not favorable to her husband, and regretted for a moment the mistake she had made, who shall blame her? annates. the — Virginia Cavalry. Hswsok, "My poor boy, to think of you working yourself to death for two poor creatures. I must try to be a mother to you indeed, and look after you closely, or you will kill yourself." "Our lives and this wagon train depend op you," was his parting word. The gallant private saluted, smiled, (fathered up his reins and was off like an Arrow. Major Then came the terrible year, 18C4. Everywhere the conflict Decume more desperate. The confederates, vastly outnumbered,fought with the sullenness of despair, winning fruitless victories at a bloody cost in men that could not be replaced. At Trevillian's, John won his colonelcy, and grew in favor steadily with his superiors and with his regiment. To look at his bronzed face, grave mien and heavy beard, no one would have supposed him the mere boy in years that he really was. John hunted up Mrs. Gregory and told his story, with the wooden-headedness of men on such matters. He was utterly discouraged, and told Mrs. Gregory that he was satisfied that Janet's heart was buried in Lanvale's grave, and that it would be distressing her unnecessarily to recur to the question again, and that the best tiling he could do would be to emigrate. "Don't you believe such rubbish for a minute, John. You go along about your business and after a bit you try again, and don't be too faint-hearted." As the advice happened to chime in with John's wishes he took it. John was as good as new in ten days, *nd on Christmas day there was a royal wedding at the Gregory plantation. The young couple went away on a short tour, and at Uncle Jim's earnest o i tition Mrs. Gregot y concluded to have wuat the old man called an "Infar" on their return. "Bless de Lord." He looked at the kind loving face, so changed since he had first known it, and yet the saine, and as he softly stroked the thin hand, he spoke from a full heart: John turned to his men: lie saw no more of Gen. Gregory diving the day, but rode around to bia quarters after nightfall, and gave blm the first information he had received as to Lanvaie's condition. "Men, a federal brigade four or five times oar strength will strike this train in fifteen minutes. They can only have these wagons after I am dead. ' What say yon?" The men gave one wild yell, that was sufficient response, and the next minute the regiment was riding pell-mell towards the point where danger threatened. TKey arrived at the crest of the hill five minutes before the federals reached the road and at once dunloved skirmishers I once knew a little quiet sponge that had no parents living, and she was given to introspection and absorbed knowledge or anything else that came along, and she grew to be very beantifnl, with blond tresses and features enough for a Sunday paper. "1 was dreaming a little, and in the dream my mother came to me, and told me not to be discouraged and all would come right, and then I awoke." We have space to mention but two incidents of this "Infar." Judge Rudisill Mid to a strange gentleman, who was present: "The finest couple in Texas, sir," and Uncle Jim made the longest speech of his life to the assembled company, in this wise: The snrgeon told Gen. Gregory that Lanvale's wound would in all probability prove fataL He was lying in a lethargic condition and the chances were would never recover full consciousness, but towards morning the wounded man roused up and asked for water. The general, who had made the best possible arrangement for the comfort of his weary men, having been up himself all the night, bad just come into the room of the little farm-house, which was tilled with wounded men. fie saw that I.unvale's mind was clear and said to him: "Richard, you are badly burt and mast not talk much. We will fall back in the morning and yon cannot be moved. Is there just a word yon want taken to Janet? The federals will take better care of yon than we can give." CHAPTER fill He maintained a desultory correspondence with Gen. and Mrs. Gregory, but was grieved to the heart after Hood's disastrous winter campaign to learn that Gen. Gregory was desperately wounded at the battle of Nashville and had fallen into the hands of the enemy and died in hospital. He wrote Mrs. Gregory tenderly and pathetically, telling her of his last conversation with the general, and assuring her that she had still a son left. The heart-broken woman wrote him in reply a letter which he never got, praying for his safety and longing to see him. Mrs. Gregory had for the time forgotten her errand. She grew up under the eye of an uncle who did not care for her and who carved in such a way as to give her the salty and disagreeable end of the joint, and in other ways he was unpopular with her. She loved a large tan sponge with liquid eyes who sat near her on a rock the livelong day for 30 years, like an aristocrat. Heepokeof his love to the cruel old uncle, but he told him to go and soak his head. "John, why are you so good to us? You are not of our blood, you have splendid capacity and could carve out fortune for yourself. Why do you tie yourself down to two helpless women who have So claims on you." John paid Henry a visit, and cheered op that yonng man mightily by assuring him that they would certainly make him a captain. nye's hair dressing. "Fur sebenty years and three generations, I hab tailored the Gregory family. When Marat' Henry and young Marse Henry was killed in de wah, I felt like de Lord had put a hebby load on one pore Dle nigger, to keer for this helpless fambly, and den when He let Marse John oum back, I felt dat de Lord wuz good in gibin me a partner to sheer de -ponsibility, and den when I see dese sprocious young fellers tek to running here I wuz powerful feared Miss Janey tek up wid some on, 'em, coz Marse John he dee go long like old shoe, but bless de Lord i» all done cum right, at larst. You is • plain man, Marse John, but den you eholy ia a man." the haymow instead of at the palace. Vikings loved to capture rich merchantmen and then take charge of the store themselves. CHAPTER XXIX FARMING COB PROFIT. When Janet asked her husband if ih« should have Capt. Hewson in to see him, he broke out into bitter imprecations.John made an effort, steadied his voice and replied in a voice that Mrs. Gregory bad never heard from him: The end of the year had found John, after selling his cotton at a good price, with a round sum in hand, but there Cvas a large acreage ol open lana on tne place which was threatening to revert back to the wilderness. He calculated that he could buy up a lot of cheap ponies, and by doubling them up bring the whole under cultivation. After much thought he abandoned the idea and took a heroic resolution. He laid in a full supply of groceries and plantation tools and paid the taxes. He then found that he could buy twenty good mules, pay half cash and still have a little money for emergencies. He had a horror of debt, but reasoning that cotton would bring a good price for two or three seasons he concluded to risk it. His mind made up, he acted promptly, and the wet January days found him grubbing bushes, resetting fences, burning brush and getting ready for a big crop. He worked early and late, so that the home people saw but little of him, and so absorbed did he seem to be that Janet finally began to think he had concluded to do as she had asked him, and the bare idea that he had taken her advice made her sick for a day. Such is the inconsistency of human nature. They also loved to capture beautiful ladies and offer them their hands in marriage. If the lady said no, she was already married, the viking would say that could be fixed in a few moments and would often throw the husband overboard with a cooking stove tied to his leg. Finding it almost impossible to ti«ad water with a cooking stove, death would ultimately be his proportion, and he would drown, leaving no sign but four or five bubbles where he went down. *T suppose yon will all make fools of yourselves now over that ill-bred animal.""Mrs. Gregory! I am surprised at you. Have you forgotten the poor, homeless waif to whom you gave food and shelter and affection? I have not, and I have not forgotten that the last word I ever had with the general was a promise to care for you if God spared me." And so while they suffered on, hoping for a merciful death to come and carry off the old gent, she was one day torn from the rock on which she had so long been seated that she seemed rooted to the spot, and now far away, where even the murmur of the sea is never heard, she is the top of a sour and unhappy mncilage bottle on the desk of a man who uses grammar that he has learned by ear anil who gesticulates with his tongue while he writes and contributes the literature that is marked "Communicated.""Capt. Hewson grew up in our bouse and his ill-breeding must therefore have come from us," quietly replied Janet. CHAPTER XXV. 1S05. "Quite likely," sneered Lanvale; "your family has not impressed me with any sense of superiority, either in manners or wisdom." John Hewson, colonel of cavalry, one of the paroled prisoners at Appomattox, and, as the young man slowly traveled toward Texas, he realized to the full the bitterness and desolation of this fratricidal war. He had risen as he spoke as If to repel the insinuation in her statement that he might better his condition elsewhere. She answered by putting her arms around his neck. "My son, my son, I feel as truly that you are my son as if you had been born to me." (the end.] Lanvale answered with difficulty: "1 am done for—good job for Janet—your friend Hewson cut me down while 1 was fighting two Yankees." Viking as a word has nothing to do with the word "king" and should not be confounded with "sea king," a name given to a tribe of royal aquats of early time*. "Vik" is a bay, and the word comes from that. Janet had by this time heard so many coarse speeches from her husband, that they had no longer power to hnrt as in earlier days, so she made no further reply. This angered Lanvale yet more than a bitter answer, and he continued: "As for yon, my lady, I don't intend to have you receiving visits from other men, and I wish you not to see your Capt. Hewson when he comes about; if you do, when I get up out of here, I will settle with him." He Preferred to Retain Hi* Coat. Here is a story about Prince Kngalitcheff, the handsome Russian, who, being at all hours of the day one of the best groomed young men in all Chicago, ia always a welcome guest at the big palaces along the av euues. In the matter of dress the prince is a sort of fashion plate that the young men of the town delight to copy, and it is in connection with his very faithful fallowing of the sartorial fashions that this rather amtu ing story is told. As if in swift punishment for the wicked lie which his vindictive hale had caused him to utter the blood gushed from his nose and mouth, his head fell back and the soul of Richard Lanvale had gone to meet its maker. The faithful Selim, like his master, had come safely through fifty battles, and within five weeks after the surrender John rode up to the Gregory homestead. Two pale, sad women dressed in black were sitting on the ve- Tee, Napoleon, even into all sponge life some rain must fall. The young man tenderly supported her as he replied: "Mother, I will indeed try to be a good son to you," and thus was ratified a compact between two true souls, which was never broken. Henceforth it was "Mother" and "Son." The vikings were a brave and thirsty peeple and feared nothing on earth, it u •aid, exoept prohibition. "I NEVER DOUBTED TOO, JOHN." Mortimer GK Tidd, Erin Prairie, Wis., writes: "I am a constant reader and a young man of 24 years old. I was encouraged by what you have said to sort of branch out for myself and try te free myself from my euvironments at home so as that I could, as I say, branch out for self and get a start. I have no money to speak of, but felt that I should no longer be a burden on my parents, and they agreed with me. The federals, finding an armed force in front where they had expected to make a complete surprise, became a little confused and fell back a few hundred yards and seemed uncertain whether to advance or retreat. This respite was Invaluable to the confederates, as it gave them a few minutes for rest, and every minute was of priceless value as John calculated that CoL Hardison should reach him in thirty minutes. For fifteen or twenty minutes a desultory skirmish was carried on, and John profited by it to halt the wagons and mount a hundred or so of the drivers on wagon horses, which added largely to hia effective forces. The federals having appamtly concluded that no large force could be in their front, now raised a cheer and advanced rapidly, but were met with such a heavy and well directed fire that they commenced falling back. t. You are rather prior, I think, ia doing up your hair, Estelle. You will have to take it down again, won't you, before your nuptials a vear from next fall? The genera) was so profoundly shocked at the charge against John that for a moment be could not realize what had happened; then he hastily called in the Burgeon,who made a quick examination and reported: "No hope, general; the man is dead." Attired in oneof the very long frock coats, coming down almost to one's ankles, and that now constitute "the proper caper" for young men of fashion in the afternoon, the prince called the other day at a very swell Michigan avenue mansion, the chief orua rnent of which ia a young lady who, while she has more than once been reported engaged to be married within the last year, still lends hope to her host of adorers by re framing from an actual dip into the matri mouial sea. The prince entered and was warmly welcomed by the youug lady and ber mamma. The latter after a minute or twoasked cordially, "My dearprince, won't you take off your coat?" Janet was not of too patient nature, and this Insult was too much. CHAPTER XXVIL "You undertook to settle with my Capt. Hewson, once before, and ( remember that you did not come off vio torious," was the quick retort. dot: At first I thought you might be sort of joking with me when I read your note, because I am not a connoisseur on the coiffure and have had no occasion, in faot, for years to take an interest in it, but I see now that you are in earnest about it, so will say that I would wear a tiara of diamonds over the front and wave the sides. Do not overdo this, however. I waved mine once too much, and now I have all that time to spare. "My poor Janet," was thp father's thought as he turned away to make such scant preparations as the fortunes of the bitter struggle permitted for the burial of his daughter's husband. Janet's little girl, with the quick Intuition Of childhood, had discovered that John was a man after her own heart. When he was about the house or yard she followed him about like a small shadow, until tired out she woald cry out in most peremptory fashion: "Tote me, Don," and John would obediently perch her on his shoulder, where with one arm about his neck she would cling like a monkey. Every time he went to town, his return was for her a season of great rejoicing. She would rummage his pockets, and pull out the small treasures purposely put there for her delectation, witn 6houts of delight This answer maddened Lanvale, and he became so shockingly profane that Janet was compelled to beat a hasty retreat.John had gathered a good force of hands, and planted four hundred acres of cotton and ten acres of corn. One warm May day, as he was standing by the fence in the field watching twenty plows as they ran up and down the long, straight rows of sheeny dark green corn, a deputation of neighbors rode up, and called him. "I got on a train and rode as far as I could, which brought me to a small town, where I thought I would practice medicine. There were no other physicians there, and I got off there more on that account than anything else. "I felt encouraged to sort of make a large wild ass of myself partly because you had been through the same thing, aad I thought it would be exciting to be busted and trust in providence, like you did, but when I practiced medicine I got arrested for not having a state license, for I did not know that I was required to have them, and the justice of the peace called me to one side and said he was my friend and would fix it for me so as that I would not lDe sent to the penitentiary. He would advise me to waive examination, and then he would let me go on my own reccoinisance, which meant that I could flit. Calling his orderly, who was perched on a stone with his back against the wall of the house and sleeping soundly, he wrote a brief note: CHAPTER XXL ASTIBTAM. CoL Gregory was made brigadie/ general soon after the "Seven Days," and at once communicated with John, offering to get him transferred to his brigade, but John thought it wise in view of Lanvale's hostility to decline the tempting offer. "Cam. Jghjk Hewson " Headquarters Jackson's Corps. Much too well bred to express surprise, the prince merely declined the invitation, and the conversation proceeded. Back of the tiara you could have two marteau puffs and a doughnut at the back, with a large tortoise shell comb through same. "Lanvale dead. Coma to aw with orderly as guide. It is necessary. Uregort." A friendly, quaint humor, together with his army record, his known probity and his ability as a farmer had made him a marked man in the community, though his lack of vanity was such that he was not conscious of it; hence he was utterly taken aback when the visiting gentlemen announced that his friends had concluded that he must become a candidate for the state senate. He refused point blank. They argued the point, insisted that it was his duty. "No, my duty is here," said John, as he pointed to the fields of waving corn and cotton. They still insisted, but he told them his first duty was to his family. They laughed at that, which made John indignant, and he towered up over them in righteous wrath, as he said: The orderly rode away as fast as bis jaded horse could travel. It was then five o'clock in the morn inc. At halfpast six he found John just getting into his saddle for the day's duties. Already the 6ullen booming of cannon indicated that the day was to be one of strife. John read the note, rode up to the general, presented the note and awaited commands. The general knew something of his relations with Gen. Gregory and said: "Go, fapt. ilewson, but minutes are valuable and I need you." The young man saluted and rode away so furiously that the orderly could nof. keep up. In an hour he was at the improvised hospital and found the genera) worn and anxious, superintending the digging of a shallow grave under an apple tree. He dismounted, saluted and asked: "What can I do, general?" They walked aside and the general succinctly stated the charge made by Lanvale. John was greatly shocked at the evidence of Lanvale's undying hatred, but promptly referred to his memorandum book and said: "General Gregory, you have known me many years, and you know whether I am a liar or the re- Terse. I captured and sent to the rear one Lieut. Watson, of the —th Massachusetts regiment. He was one of Lanvale's opponents and can give you the facts. Until you can see him and hear his story I will only say that Lanvale's mind must have been confused by his wound." Presently the elder lady, oblivious of the uods and winks sent in her direction by hei charming daughter, repeated the in vita tion: "Prince, you must be frightfully warm with that heavy coat on. Pray remove it You will be much more comfortable." Over all this place a market basket of orange blossoms and your veil. In fastening the veil tie it on so that the ends will not protrnde. The veil should be of honiton lace, xvith designs worked in it. This veil should hang down behind. I do not know what for. A half mile away, John saw the men in gray riding rapidly to the rescue, and pointing his saber toward them to encourage his men, gave the word, "Charger Like an avalanche, the Virginians went down the hill, and the federals, already demoralized by their warm reception where they had counted on easy booty, without waiting to feel the full force of the confederate onslaught broke away .in wild retreat, hotly pursued by the now triumphant confederates. JOHN'S RETURN. Several young men of the vicinity, attracted by the handsome young widow, began to pay occasional visits to the house. They met with polite but distant treatment from Janet, and with open hostility from Dot, who would have none of them. Constant service followed, and he saw nothing more of any of the Gregory family until the battle of Antietam. Riding hurriedly across the field, after delivering some orders, he took a short cut through a little point of timber. As he came out into the open field he found himself mixed up with a confederate brigade which was retiring before a superior force, but making a stubborn resistance. At this juncture a fresh brigade come up at a double-quick, and John recognized Gen. Gregory's command. Two hundred yards away  caught sight of the general, his face aflame with the light of battle, gallantly leading and cheerin? on his men. The randa. watching with mournful pleasure the playful antics of a three-year-old baby girL The prince looked just the least bit em barritKsed aa he replied, "Excuse me, mj dear madam, but if you please I will r-r-re tain it." Mother and daughter both recognized him as he came into the gate and met him half way down the yard. Mrs. Gregory burst into tears as she threw her arms around him, and Janet held on to his hand crying in silent joy and sorrow. I make a very good hair dressing myself, Estelle, which I sell at $1.50. It removes dandruff and superflous hair; also kills moths and burdocks wherever found. In July I removed a superfluous postmaster with it. So no more at present. It was not until the noble caller had left the house that the daughter explained to her doting parent that the prince had not worn an overcoat.—Exchange. On one occasion, one of them bolder than the rest, having Dot to himself out on the porch, ventured to ask that young lady, if she would not like to have another papa, whereupon Miss Dot set up a vociferous howL "I won't have nobody but Poppy Don—'oo go' way," and retreating inside promptly made known the situation to her mother and grandmother. The young man whose indiscreet question had raised the storm retreated in great haste, and John being absent, at the moment, there was no one present but Mrs. Gregory to notice Janet's blushes, and she seized the opportunity to say to Janet: "So I flitted. "Please tell me what to do and send $8. "If I had of used my own good sense, After a half hour's hot pursuit and picking up a hundred prisoners, John rode back up the valley to find Col Hardison's veterans and Gen. Stuart himself awaiting hint at the creek ford. Out of the hell of blood and strife one only had come back to them, and that the one they had least valued; but now they knew in theif hearts thai they were not like so many in the sunny southland, left utterly bereaved, am) that God in his providence had spared one who would be like a tower of ref age for the weary and shrinking souls Always Breaks the Crystal. "I have been told," said Mr. Dubois watching the great steam hammer in the rolling mill, "that a good hammerman can break the crystal of a watch with that 3C ton hammer." I would still be at home with my parents getting three (3) meals per day and good rest at night. Now I am a felon in the eye of the law. This is a painful thing. A felon in the eye of the law, I mean, It must hurt like everything. I would like to prescribe for it. "Gentlemen, everything I am in this world I owe to that family. J ftm now their sole dependence, and may God, who has been so good to me, desert me utterly, if I ever leave them for anything in this world. I thank you for your kindness, which far exceeds my merit, but I must decline absolutely." The general met him banteringly: "Ah, major, you sent us an invitation to a fight, and it turns out a horse race. I really believe you were afraid that we would keep you from your colonel's commission and hence would not wait on us." "Yes, sir," said the hammerman, "it can be done." P. S.—He was a "Snapper." reinforced confederates rallied, pealed forth the historic yell and charged vigorously. The federals in turn gave ground, and John found himself swept forward by the tide of battle and was in the thick of as desperate a struggle as he had ever witnessed. The federals being reinforced fought furiously, and for many minutes the tide of battla raged backward and forward without material advantage to either side. John, always steady, never lost his head in battle, and he noticed a depression in the ground running from beyond the point of timber to a point on the left flank of the federal forces. Working his way to Gen. Gregory, he stopped him a moment to explain that if there was a spare regiment in reserve by marching it down this depression the federals could be taken in flank. The general caught the idea in a moment, and instructed him to ride back to CoL Halliday, who was some few hundred yards In the rear with two regiments, and order him to make the flank movement. He rode off like the wind, found CoL ,H alii day chafing like a caged lion and pager for tlje fray. The two regiments "I should like to see it," said Mr. Dubois eagerly, feeling in his watch pocket. Nometblnc to Look Forward To. That day Jonn gave up to rest and sad but sweet comhnunion, but no longer. The next morning at the meager oreakfast table John asked as quietly as if he had only left home the day before: "Well, Mrs. Gregory, what is the condition of things here?" "1 can do it, sir," replied the iqau, "Write at once and please make it $10. Figg (speaking of a mutual friend who is given to egotism)—Did yon hear of the accident that has happened to Brown? He has broken his leg in two places. "And will you?" replied Mr, Dubois, drawing out his watch. "Come, I am anx■'ous to see it tried," "I would not call on you for this only, as I say. that I've been a constant reader and judged that by what you say it is fun to be free aud venturesome and not have anything to eat for a long time. But I am not that way. If I can get $10, I will go back home to where mother is, and she will bind up my broken heart. "P. S.—If you publish this letter, I will kill you on sight.'1 "To tell you the exact truth, general, when I wrote that note, I was very much afraid that the only chance you would have to do anything for me would be to bury me." "Why don't you marry John and put an end to these young men's visits which seem so unwelcome?" The leader of the delegation, a grizzled veteran of fifty, himself a man of mark, looked at the strong, resolute young man with the indignant fiush oq his face, and haring his head, reached out his hand: He laid his watch on the great anvil plate. The hammer rose to its full height, and the next instant all Its ponderous weight, with a crushing force which shook the ground for an acre round, came down on the watch, Fogg—You don't mean it! It will be an awful pity if he should die. If he recovers, what a continual source of pleasare it will be to him to talk about!—Boston Transcript. Janet was greatly distressed. "Nearly everything gone, John, but th# land. Three or four old mules and h oalf dozan of the older negroes are on the place, and we have a few dollars of hard money." "Oh! mother, how can you be so cruel? You know that I can never think of such a thing again as marrying, and I could not be so unjust as to give such a worthless remnant to a good man like John, even if he should want me, of which I have no evidence." "Well, It was a narrow squeak," more gravely replied the debonair young general. "However, a miss is as good as a mile. Let us ride on, Hardison; this young gentleman is able to take care of himself.'' •tCoL Hewson, I beg your pardon. I honor your sentiments and your resolution. Good-day, sir." "There, sir," said the "if you don't believe that crystal ta broken, just step down and you oan see it sticking to the hammer," Xot a Safe Man. Preferring to die before cold weather sets in, I give the above verbatim, hoping that it will warn some other constant reader in time. Bingo—You would better not let that druggist on the corner put up any prescriptions for you. He doesn't know his business. "All right, we will do famously." □e went to his old room, laid aside his well-worn uniform, donned some of his old clothes, laid aside nearly five years before, and took hold of affairs vigorously.When John mentioned the bare  of the invitation and the declination at the house, both Mrs. Gregory and Janet against his decision, but he turned them off laughingly, declaring that he would not "spoil $ good farmer by turning him into a poor politician."Mr. Dubois swallowed a whole mouthful of lumps aud gasped before he oould speak: "But I forgot to say," be excUimed, "that it was to break the crystal without injuring the watch." The general looked at the bronzed, honest face, scrutinizing it closely for a minute or so. Mrs. Gregory looked sharply at Janet's Bushed face and tearful eyes, said "Pshaw," and went about her business. CHAPTER XXIV. ' SAO TIDING a. ' Mrs. Bingo—Why, what has he done? Bingo—He sold me a bottle of cough mixture yesterday that he didn't make himself.—Club. "Ob, yes," said the hammerman, "yea, 1 know. I have heard that rubbish Hiyseif, but it's all gammon. \ donvt believe lb But you can break the crystal *ny time."— London Tit-Bits. You did wrong, Mortimer, to think that you could start away from home that way and not have moments of sadness and depression. Your hope lay in successfully outliving these periods and overcoming this nameless pain without your mother. "I never really doubted yoii, John. I merely want your statement of the facts." John was given this vacant lieutenant colonelcy, and one day in November the general said to hinu "Hewson, you are looking a little worn and you never take a holiday. I've got to run into Richmond. Come with me. I need your owllike countenance to keep me properly sobered up." The occurrence rankled in Dot's mind, and wheh John was sitting down ty the fire that evening after supper, as was his custom, to spend an hour with the family before going to his own room, she climbed on his lap, put both arms around his neck, squeezed him hard, and gravely announced: The few old negroes on the place were overjoyed to see him, and fell into his plans at once, and at noon he started four plows, leading himself with Selim. John briefly gave the facts, the general listened attentively, and at the conclusion took John's hand, and shaking it cordially said: "I believe every word, but as several wounded men heard Lanvale's charge and may bring it UP some time. I shall hunt up the Some little time after this, Mrs. Gregory meeting with Judge Rudisill (the spokesman of the delegation), that gentleman congratulated her on having such a faithful ally and told her the whole story. Mrs. Gregory told it to Janet, with kindling eye, and Janet A Slow Procesa. "Miss Passee seems to be aging rapidly."Mrs. Gregory said to Janet that afternoon, smiling through tears: "My dear, John is the grandest man I have ever known, and, best of all, he don't know it." She Was Mistaken. Wife—John, haven't you found th« hatchet yet? I think I had it last. Husband—No, you didn't. Hera it 9 in the tool chest.—Truth- You are now. Mortimer, like the sore and bruised little birdling that has been from the home nest by the mother You naturally want to get ba^Jt "On the contrary, she ages slowly. Ask her, and you will discover that she' is only two years older now than she was ten rears a*o.—Harner's Bazar. John was heartily glad to accept the invitation, which he knew was made in "I des loves '00, Don." There was a general laugh, which of*