Pittston Gazette

              Established 1850. I VOL.. XUXNu.lS ) Oldest Newspaper in the Wvomine Vallev PITTSTON LUZERNE COUNTY, PA., FRIDAY, DECEMBER 2, 1898. A Weekly Local and Family Journal. In Advancit lamplight behind it, and within the glow loomed the gigantic figure of a man in a slouch hat, whose enormous shoulders almost filled the space as he leaned outward and peered around in the gloom, rifle in hand, searching for his human target. Thfe UNDOING OFiAlf \m HUGO 5TJJNI5TEI | . AVJHOR OFjVWOJ VJRO' ftBLE bad suddenly become invisible and was under an eclipse. long connnement in the stuiry room 01 the inn. The ozone, with the reawakening of hope, filled me with delicious joy. I was strong aud brave. tne accompanying ammunition, it was necessary, therefore, that I should husband those three charges until the direst necessity compelled me to appeal to them. saw him. He emitted a peculiar cry and rushed acrow the open space as if shoi from a catapult. Ail win understand my reeling tnat safety could not be attained except by placing myself on the other bank. The belief was chimerical, but it was none the less urgent for that. My aversion to swimming the stream, however, was intense. The water was chilly, and I should be excessively uncomfortable in my saturated and draggled clothing. Some other means of ferrying the creek must be found. CHRISTIAN ENDEAVOR. Something intruded in the field of vision and shut out its light. The object was outside the window and had come up lrom the grouud. I saw the outlines and the reflection of a pair of eyes. A person was crouchiug at the ledge aud peering in at me, his coming being as noiseless as that of a shadow itself. I stood as rigid as iron. My panio bad vanished, and I never was cooler in my life. Before the hound was half way to me I leveled my weapon and held my finger on the trigger until he was hardly five yards distant. Then I let fly. Topic For the Week Befflnalait Drc, 4—Comment by Kev. S. II. Doyle. Topic.-"Systematic and proportional* giving."—Mai. JtL 7-12. RE,^- Such was my mood when I was startled by the unmistakable sound of a footfall behind me. My first thought was that Archie Hunter had joined hie parent in the search and was trying to steal upon me from the rear. I wheeled, revolver in hand, and faced the new danger."You know I have been away for somo time, Erastus," I said desperately. "I shall depend upon yon to guide me to a secure hiding place. Lead on." ETC, ETC. "You're just too late, Cy," I muttered. "You ought to have awakened a minute sooner if you wished to see lively times." Life is a continual receiving and giving. We reoeive from God, directly and indirectly, great blessings and gifts. We are expected in return to give, and •ven to give to God. Not that God needs our gifts, bat that we need to make the gift There is a feeling in every thoughtful soul that we must render something onto God for all His benefits. David's exclamation, "What shall I render unto the Lord for all His gifts to me?" finds an echo in every heart. Even the idol worshiping heathen in all ages has felt the operation of this same inward feeling and has responded to it. Freely we have received from God, freely we should give to God. Bnt how shall we give? What is the divine law upon this subject? It is undoubtedly systematic and proportionate giving. This method is Scriptural, practicable, effective and has the promise of God's blessing. No doubt the African deemed me eccentrio that night, but probably he laid it to my flustered condition. He muttered something which I did not catch and turned straight about and started across the broad spreading meadow to whioh I have referred. I followed a few paces behind him. 1 made the statement at the opening of this story that I was an expert with the revolver, as my numerous friends of the Seventh regiment will testify, but I never made a prettier bullseye than on that Ootober night in a Mississippi swamp, when 1 sent a bullet into the brain of the bloodhound that was oharging for my throat. It entered his skull between the eyes, and, ranging downward, must have plowed through his heart, my theory being based upon the consequences of the shot. But if Cy Walters bad discovered the flight of his prisoner while his jailers slept he did not abandon the effort to recapture him. I saw the huge form crouch together and clamber heavily but quickly through the window. Then, being still between me and the light, the head and shoulders were seen swaying grotesquely about as he strode through the garden, and, as if impelled by perverse fate, came in as direct a line for the spot where I'stood aB if the sun were shining. It was a good time for me to make a change of base, but I stood my ground. He might be a friend, aud he might be au but the probabilities were in favor of the former. First glancing at the giim Cy Walters, I waved my hand in salutation to the stranger out side, and he made a gesture by way of reply, but in the gloom I could not clearly make it out. 1 was looking over an undulating meadow which sloped away in the gloom beyond eight. Neither on the right nor left could its boundary be detected. It was at the rear of the inn, and therefore led away from the main road, which I dared not travel, since the indignant citizens, determined not to be balked of their prey, would scour the whole country for me, and it would be impossible to throw them off my track. Meanwhile I did not forget my pursuers, who were undoubtedly picking their way through the wood much nearer me than was pleasant. Beoause of this fear I began stealing along the bank of the dark stream in the weak hope of finding a favorable place for crossing, though sensible at the same time of the absurdity of the expectation. "Bv gracious, but that's lucky!" I exclaimed within the following ten minutes as I halted at the base of a thick oypress, as I judged it to be, whioh, starting on the edge of the creek just before me, grew straight toward the other bank, as if nature had set out with the purpose of forming a footbridge, but changed her mind just before reaching the farther shore, and, curving upward gradually, attained the perpendicular. Thus the first twenty odd feet of the trunk took the form of a bow, after which the. oourae was as vertical as that of a mountain pine. "I couldn't ask for a better bridge," was my oonclusion after a brief study of the course of the vegetable crank in front of me K| 55 ON CHAPTER VI. then partial silence, with the racket gradually dying out, until somewhat past midnight it ceased. Probably it was the heavy tread of Landlord Bui finch which shuffled through the hall without pausing in front of the door. In the stillness I could hear him climbing the stairs; then came the slamming of a door and stillness again. A half hour later the only persons in the old inn who were awake were myself and my two guards. As nearly as I remember, we walked an eighth of a mile without any perceptible change of direction. Then my guide turned to the left, and in a few minutes we were making our way through low, swampy ground, where the water wet my shoes. Dense stubby trees and bushes loomed up in front. It need not be said that, though I did little, I thought hard. Assuming an indifferent manner, I let nothing escape me. While still puzzling over the matter the window sash slowly rose for an inch or two! The stranger must be a friend or he would not do that The stillness was profound, and the individual was working with consummate caution and skill, for with my sense of bearing keyed to the highest point and able to bear the rustling of a leaf it was impossible to detect the slightest The massive Cy Walters, like a rusty old Roman, deliberately picked up the strongest chair in the room, set it in front of the door and tipped it back so that the front was elevated six or eight inches. Seated upon this, with his beamlike legs crossed and bis Winchester resting on his lap, be shoved hack  slouch bat from bis forehead and bent his keen eyes upon ma Though I had heard the stealthy footfall, 1 could not see anything to explain it. So far as I was able to judge, no man was in sight and yet it was incredible that my ears should have deceived me. *, The dog uttered a rasping howl, and leaping straight up in the air for six or eight feet dropped on his side, rolled over, furiously clawing the ground and air, and then lay motionless, as dead as Julius Caesar. "Where are you leading me, Erastus'r" I asked sharply. Doubtless the army experience of Cy Walters helped him in outwitting his foes at night, but it was an extraordinary act, which must have been purely accidental, that held him to a mathematically true line until he came directly opposite me with only the paling fence separating us. "Gracious heben, doan* yo' kqow, Marse Hank"— Scanning my surroundings, I observed that the field upon whose margin I was standing was uncultivated, and a little to the left was what appeared to be a natural hummock. With no special object in mind, I walked toward it, when, to my astonishment, it rose to its feet with the question: My fear was that he had companions of his own species. If bo, there could be no better place than the present to have it out with them. If I could maintain my marksmanship, I was good for two more. From my position on the two chairs 1' oould look at the window without either of the sentinels observing any- . Again the sash began rising, the motion continuing until it was at a height It would not do to throw away time with this fellow. I spoke with sternness and laid my hand on the butt of the pistol at my hip. 1. Systematic and proportionate giving is Scriptural. In the Old Testament dispensation a tenth was the demand of God Abraham probably gave a tenth of his substance to God. Jaoob vowed to do so, and it may have been before this that he had failed to do what was required and customary. In Lev. xxvii, SO, it is directly and plainly asserted that a tenth shall be given to God. "All the tithe of the land, whether of the seed of the land or of the fruit of the tree, is the Lord's." In the topical reference the prophet Malachi fearfully arraigns God's not having given the tithe and declares that in withholding it they have robbed God. There can be no question about the law as regards giving in Old Testament times. In the New Testament Paul asks a stated weekly offering for a special purpose, and in another place declares that as God blessed the people they were to give. Df six inches, when it rested. My inipa- "There's no hope of passing through that door," was my reflection, "so long as he is one of my guardians." tience became intolerable. Why did not my friend lift the sash high enough for me to make my plunge before either of my enemies awoke? I was ready to start across the floor, but was restrained by the belief that I would receive the signal when it was safe to give it. "Erastus, after this when I ask you a question answer me if yon don't want me to shoot you. What place is this to which you are leading me?" I had the advautage, inasmuch as the dim light beyond gave me a partial glimpse of his gigantic figure, bat his eyes were keen, and he saw me before attempting to leap the obstruction between us. That keen vision, too, showed my levolvei leveled at his bead. Bnt intense listening for two or three minutes failed to bring another soiind of the nature dreaded. It was evident that only a single hound had been used at this stage of the business. A few hours would doubtless bring a change. "Archie, set down in front of that winder and the first move be makes toward it let him have it plnmb in the oenter—that is," he added grimly, "if I don't get ahead of yon. If it wasn't for robbing the boys of their fun tomorrer, I'd wind np this infarnal bas'ness afore yon could wink both eyes." "Hello, dat yo', Marse Hank?" "It am Black Man's swamp." It was a short, stocky negro who thus addressed me, and without stopping to explain his blunder as to my identity I demanded: "Who are you?" "What gave it that name?" "Dat'swharde runaway slaves sometimes used to hide. De swamp am so Being without any luggage, my limbs were free, and, hesitating only long enough to make sure of my bearings, I carefully climbed upon the trunk, whioh was almost horizontal, with a diameter of nearly two feet No limbs appeared until at the point farthest from the bank which I was leaving—that is, where the trunk began curving upward toward the perpendicular. There a bifurcation took place, the tree dividing as near as may be into halves, each of which again subdivided until the smaller limbs and branches were numberless. Again the window frame began olimbing like the movement of a sloth, but to my exasperation it halted before reaching the necessary height for me to pass beneath. Then an arm was thrust through the opening thus made and a hand extended toward the sleeping Arohie Hunter. The hand was reaching for the revolver in the loose grasp of the sleeper, and it belonged not to a man, but to a woman. "Hands up!" Icommanded in a voice whine earnestness could not be mistaken.But I heard something else that was to be dreaded with an equal dread. It was the sound made by at least two men as they hurried through the swamp toward the spot whence sounded the shot of the revolver and the death cry of the dog. One at least had a Winchester, against which my smaller weapon was useless. I had no wish to meet Oy Walters, and, leaping down from the log en which I had been standing, 1 darted for the opposite side of the clearing, with the knowledge that not a moment was to be lost. Great as was my haste it was within a second of being too late, for the men who were pursuing me hot footed were closer than I suspected. Being from under the protecting shadow of the trees, I was in plain sight as I reached the other side of the clearing at the moment the leading pursuer emerged from the wood. An unexpected complication saved me from being winged before I could plunge into shelter. "Huh, doan' yo' know Rastus Brown, Colonel Mansley's nigger?" f ffj/4| 1 \ yj am/ "Don't worry 'bout me, dad. I'm as anxious fur an excuse as you," replied the ■on, placing his chair close to the window, but slightly to one side. His posture was much the same as his parent's, the noticeable difference being that he held a big revolver instead of a rifle in his lap. Jim Dungan had retained my weapon. Cy Walters was unquestionably a brave man, and it is such who know when to fight and when to surrender. Up went both huge hands, one grasping the Winchester, so that it was interposed like a rude cross against the faint background. The question seemed to strike the African as excessively funny, for he humped his shoulders and chuckled. "Who yo' s'pose sent me?" "I haven't any idea." "Hain't, eh? Yah, yah! Why, Miss Esther done sent me." " What for?" "What are you doing here?" The hand and bare arm partly revealed were such as were chiseled by Phidias or limned by Angelo. White, symmetrical and delicate, my admira- "Drop that gun!" Down it went with a thump to his feet. I placed myself close to the fireplace midway betweon the two and almost directly under the lamp. Expecting several hours of the most dismal sort of waiting, 1 accommodated myself as best I could to the wooden chair, which oould not have been more uncomfortable. With the utmost care 1 shifted my pose. thing unusual in the act. Peering into the deep gloom of the outside I saw the twinkle of a single star, low in the sky. It sent a strange thrill through me, for it seemed to whisper of hope. "My men, as yon see, I have the drop on yon. It would serve you right if I stretched you beside your rifle, but I have never committed murder and don't intend to begin now. Yon take me for Hank Beyer. If I were he, there would be no sense in denying it when it would bring me do danger, but 1 repeat that I am another person. Everything that I said at the hotel tonight was true. I was never in this part of the country until yesterday. The real Hank Beyer was that young man whom I pointed out standing by the door of the dining room. He bad made himself look different by shaving off his mustache, and he also disguised his voice. What do you think of my statement?!' "Wid her complements and de special obquest dat yo'U run like de debbil." I regarded thia conformation as fortunate, since it offered a good rapport from which to leap to the shore that was not distant. 2. Systematic and proportionate giving is just. It is right. It asks of no one what he is not able to give. It requires the least of thoee who receive the least and the most of those who receive the most. It sets aside so much as belonging to the Lord. It makes it His and not ours and removes the temptation to use it for ourselves. tion was enchained even in that terrible moment, and, following np the vision, I saw the face and the head without any covering except the wealth of black hair that clustered about the neck and shoulders. "Doan* 'member de words obzactly, but dat's what sbe meant I say, Marse Hunk, yo' gib 'em de slip mighty sliok, didn't yo'?" "Did sbe Fay that?" With so broad a base and the firm, •baggy bark upon which to rest my feet, it ought to have been easy to traverse the brief distanoe upright. I should have done so had the sun been shining; but, as it was, I began creeping forward on my hands and knees, ready for any treachery in my bridge. At some distance from the window was a tree, one of whose branches obtruded in front of the panes. The soft night wind stirred it gently and at first I thought the slight swaying was the movement of some person, but a minute later the explanation was manifest. The stillness grew so profound that the rustling of the branches occasionally reached me, sad. mournful and hopeless. Now ana tnen tne rickety sasn jarred slightly, but hardly enough to break the silence. The situation was this: I was without a singls firearm with which to defend myself and was guarded by two fully armed and desperate men, both of whom were my deadly enemies. 1 recognized that it was utterly out of the question to bribe tbem. A million dollars would not tempt them to let me go. The countenance of a hecate wonld have appeared sweet under the circumstances, but that which was dimly revealed to me in the partial reflection of the lamplight fairly held me breathless. "How do yon know I did?" "Seed yo' do't." Eratlu* Brown emitted an exclamation "Yon saw me I Where were yon at the time I came out the window?" "Standin back and bossin de job." " What bronght yon here at this late hour of the night?" of mortal fear and danhed off. big and sioh a bully place fur hidin dat de oberseers couldn't alters track and brung 'em back. Dey would steal out in de nighttime and snoke up to de nigger quarters, whar dey got somethin to eat. Yo've beerd 'bout it?" 8. Systematic and proportionate giving has the promise of the blessing of God. In giving regularly to God and in proportion as He blesses us we are filling a plain duty that is owed to God. Every duty brings its blessing. But God has promised a blessing for the fulfilling of this duty. "Bring ye all the tithes into the storehouse that there may be meat in Mine house and prove Me now herewith, saith the Lord of hosts, if I will not open the windows of heaven and pour you out a blessing, that there shall not be room enough to reoeive it." If we fulfill the conditions of thia promise, we may also have the blessings. But I should have been a fool to give way to any emotion of sentiment at such a time, and I intently watched the action of her whose appearance to me was as the coming of an angel. There were three men after me, Oy Walters, Archie Hunter and the owner of the bloodhound that had just finished his last hunt for a flying fugitive. It so happened that the bereaved dog owner was in the lead, he probably being better acquainted with the peculiarities of his animal, but the others were only • short distance behind. I had not gone half the distanoe when a shiver of fright passed through me at the reflection that I was repeating in a small way the experience of a few minutes before. In other words, I had advanced into the open, where I waa in view of my pursuers if they should happen to reach the stream anywhere near where I did. Had this thought occurred to me before setting out I should have delayed my action until there was more assurance on that point, but it waa too late to turn back, and with more nervousness than I had felt since starting on my flight I hurriedly crept along the trunk, not pausing until I reached its first forking. It was equally hopeless to appeal to their sense of fairness and justice. Neither had the slightest doubt of my identity and would have been glad to help hang me for one-tenth of the crimes I was believed to have committed It was equally preposterous to think of overcoming them by a sudden dash that would give me possession of one of their weapons. That shaggy ex-guerrilla had the strength of a lion and could crush me like an eggshell in his grasp. "I come wid Miss Esther. Shewarn't afeard, but I t'ougbt I'd better look after her 'cause sbe am younger dan me, yo' know." "Certainly, and you wish me to hide in there ttll the hue and cry is over"— The knees of Archie Hunter were so high with the feet resting on the rounds of the nptilted chair that the hand of the young woman was hidden for the minute or two during whioh it was busy. Then it was withdrawn with the same noiseless stealth, and as it passed through the air toward the window 1 perceived that the pistol of the sleeping Archie was grasped by the fingers. Suddenly I shot a glance into the face of Archie Hunter to learn whether he was studying me as closely as before. Was it possible? His eyes were olosed as if he were sunk in profound slumber. "It's all ad -d lie!" At that instant the colored man, Erastns Brown, emitted an exclamation of mortal fear and dashed off at the top of his speed, leaving me alone. Mr. Walters was evidently a man of convictions. I had not shaken his belief in my identity with the detested horse thief. "And what made Miss Esther leave her home at so late an hour?" " Yo' see, de colonel corned home last night wid de news dat de folks had yo' locked up fur boss stealin and dat dey was gwine to hung yo' fur takin his pet animal. De colonel was awful ramparageous and swore he hoped dey would hang yo' if it was yo' dat stole de chestnut fur de colonel doan' seem to bab murn love fur a boss t'ief." The sight of the motionless form on the ground filled the man with irrestrainable rage. With an imprecation, he bounded forward and paused over the carcass, as if to make sure of the truth. A glance was sufficient. Then, Winchester in hand, he glared around for sight of the one who had done the deed. "Very well, believe as you choose, but it won't be long before yon will learn that you and your friends are the biggest fools in Mississippi." CHAPTER X. Yet it might be pretense on his part, and not until fully ten minutes passed without an opening of his eyes did I suspect he was really unoonscious. Although the strange cry that sounded through the night and threw the African into a panic was unfamiliar to me, I could not mistake its meaning. It was the baying of a bloodhound. Naturally the first thought that oomes to persons placed in a situation resembling mine is that of escaping through the aid of slumber—that is to say, by pretending to be unconscious himself he hopes to Induce his enemies to give themselves up to sleep This trick has probably been related ten times oftener, especially of captives in the hands of Indians, than it has ever occurred. Bible Readings.—Gen. xxviii, 20-23; Lev. xxvii, 30-84; Num. xviii, 20, 21, 24; H Chron. xxxi, 5, 6; Neh. xiii, 10- 12; Math, vi, 1-4; John iii, 16; Acts ii, 44, 45; xx, 86; I (Jor. xvi, 1-8; II Cor. viii, 8-15; ix, 6-11; Phil, iv, 15-17: Math, x, 7, 8. With the utmost care I shifted my pose so as to gain a glimpse of the bearded face against the door. Ah, there was no slumber there. His twinkling gray eyes were as wide open as ever and watching me like a cat. He was a veteran of the war and knew how to keep awake when the necessity existed. The fact tbat all this was permitted was proof that Cy Walters was sleeping heavily. The moment for my decisive attempt had come. "Me and Archie Hunter have showed that already in allowing you to climb out of the winder while we Blept and after you had took Archie's pistol from his lap; that's a little the worst yet— aught" When first beard, it was so distant that it could have borne no relation to me, bnt the infernal fate that seemed to cling to me had brought the owner to the inn, where Cy Walters was prompt to take advantage of thefrlKtuful means thup u laced at bis disoosal for mv undoing. I knew that the scent of those animals approaches as close to the marvelous as anything in this world. It was impossible for me to shako off the brute or brutes (for there was no saying whether there was one or more on my track) exoept by taking to the water, and I knew not whether there was a stream within miles of me, nor could I guess whioh way to turn to search for one. The vast relief of this situation will be understood when it is stated that it gave me the benefit of the shadow cast by the branches above as well as by those on the shore. There was little starlight, but it was mighty comfortable to know that at that moment none of it reached me. Clasping one arm about the large limb for steadiness, I rose to the upright posture, so close now to the farther bank that it was an easy leap to reach it Standing thus, secure for the moment from detection, I turned my head and peered into the darkness which had just been plaoed behind me. "What did Miss Esther say?" He was in time to catch sight of my vanishing form, as he brought his gun to his shoulder, while Walters and Hunter had just dashed into the clearing. Casting one glance over my shoulder, I leaped among the trees and dodged to one side with my head bent low, as the bullet whistled over me. The free hand pushed upward against the sash, whioh did not stop until it oould go no farther. At the moment of stoppage the frame gave out a slight croak. My heart stood still, and I glanced at Walters. He did not move or open his eyes. The white hand silently beckoned, and I started across the floor toward the window. "She didn't say nuffin, but cried kind ob quietlike after de colonel had gone out ob de parlor. Den she tole me when he wain't round dat scorch her dat night from hor booK to a snrtin piace dat she didn't nama So we oome down, and when she found out whar dey was fattenin yo' up so dat yo' would be fit to kill in de mawnin sbe made me stand back out ob de way while she slipped up and rose de winder and den slipped off ag'in jes' afore yo' fell out on de ground.'' •the part played by the young woman, knd it was not my plaoe to enlighten him. It was clear he had no suspicion of Bat Bleep is too insidious an enemy to be fought off when the body yearns for the rest which it brings. The sight of the younger mau unconscious gave me hope that by and by the elder would suocumb, and fhen would come the desperate effort on my part, for I was resolved to do something if the slightest opportunity presented itself. Possessing wealth is not necessarily sinful. That may depend upon the way it was gained, the way it is being used or hoarded, and whetbea it ought to be any longer retained or immediately, properly, gladly, fully diffused for the greatest good of the greatest number; but wealth is always dangerous. It is apt to beget love foi its present hold- . ings, which "love of money is the root of all evil," or to beget desires for more, which is the root of all covetousness, but oovetousness has nothing to do with what a man has, for if he has it how can he oovet it? But it is craving what he has not. Hence the poorest may be more covetous than the richest. He who has nothing may be wishing be had what belongs to some one else, which may be the root of robbery.— Christian Standard. All the same, I oould think of nothing else and straightway began turning it over in my mind. "It was a piece of tomfoolery, Cy, and the boys will have tbe laugh 011 you both when you tell them how I gave yon the slip and got oat of tbe oountry." The single window to which I have alluded had no curtain, and if it possessed shutters they were fastened open. It WMof the old fashioned kind, and, so far as I could judge from a visual inspection, the lower Bash was not fastened in place. It would have been a relief to raise it and admit air, but I dared not suggest it through fear of awakiug suspicion of my motives. Bat I had not yet shaken off my pursuers, and the chase was on once more with redoubled vigor. My eyes were fixed upon the dimly revealed figure, whioh slowly reached out her white hand aud drew it toward her face as a gesture ior me to advance. Fortunately I was able to walk on tip- "Yon hain't got ont the kentryyet," was his significant comment. CHAPTER XL My pursuers were so close to me that there was danger of betraying myself by the noise I made in hurrying through the wood. Tbe clearing gave them opportunity to run across it much faster than I could pick my way through the undergrowth. "I've been mighty lucky so far," I muttered. "I shouldn't be surprised if those three fellows were near the base of that tree"— I feigned sleep, but with my eyes partly closed and my breathing heavy and regular I did not allow anything to escape me. The lamp bmned brighter than would have been expected, and I needed no bettei illumination. "Not just yet, bat I soon shall, thanks to yon and your stepson. You see I have Archie's revolver, and now I shall take your Winchester. Since yon persist in looking upon me as a horsethief yon may as well Include the theft of weapons." He emitted a blistering imprecation, but saw there was no help for it. He was still reaching for the stars when I commanded: Tbe meaning of all this was apparent. Miss Esther Mansley, if not engaged in marriage to the conscienceless Henry Beyer, loved him despite his These descendants of the man hnnters of slavery days wonld trail a fugitive into the wildest recesses of a swamp and compel him to escape rending by climbing a tree, where his pursuers oould capture him at their leisure. I drew my revolver and with something of the panic shown by Erastus turned toward the wood which loomed in front and plunged into Black Man's swamp, intent only upon getting away from my enemy, who was to be dreaded more than a jungle tiger. By heavens, I was right I The thought had hardly time to frame itself when the crackling of a twig told that my pursuers bad reached the very spot Had there been any doubt of the fact it was removed by a voice which I recognized as that of the grim and terrible Cy Walters: As if the room was not already sufficiently stuffy, Cy Walters brought out a corncob pipe, which be proceeded to fill, light and smoke with the deliberation of an old soldier who knows how to enjoy his nicotine. His sou did not seem to use tobacco in any form, whioh was unusual. Bearing this in mind, my object was to reach a point where I could not be discovered in tbe obscurity unless the men came directly upon me. It was already established that there had been but one bloodhound on my trail, and be being disposed of nothing more was to be dreaded from his species. Who shall describe the weird fancies that torment a person in my situation? The position of Cy Walters was such that his shadow, huge, grotesque and misshapen, stietched from the side of his ohair to the opposite wall, where his head, still bearing the slouch hat, loomed up like the crest of some mountain peak, while his massive figure, with the legs crossed, did not stir. Whenever I stole a glance at him I caught the gleam of the keen eyes fixed upon me as if they would pieroe me through. Had I not removed my gaze I should have become fascinated like a bird before a rattlesnake. CHAPTER VII. "Face about toward the hotel!" He complied with surprising promptness."He was heading this way when we last heerd him." After the words that I have recorded neither I nor my captors exchanged a word as the slow hours wore away, but if there were ever three wide awake individuals they were ourselves on that memoxable October night in Mississippi. Rellarloua Liberty. "If yon stoop or attempt to pick up your gun, I'll shoot. It won't be the first time I fired a revolver, and you are in good range." Naturally I made an abrupt change in my oourse as soon as I was fairly in the wood. I moved to the left, considerably slowing my gait, with a view of suppressing every sound of my movements. It was impossible to do more than partly to suoceed, for the bushes His gruff tones were in so low a key that bnt for the profound stillness I should not have caught the words. Although aware of the exact point whence the sound issued, I could not see him nor either of his companions. In America the bitterness of religious prejudice has in great measure died out under the softening influence of perfect freedom of conscience, but this does not mean that we are sunk or are sinking into indifference and spiritual apathy. Our history has shown iar moie clearly and on a far greater scale than ever bad been or could have been shown before or elsewhere that the less a man is forced by law to Bay he believes as to things unseen the more he will believe, and in so showing it has given a new hope to the world.—Oatholic Standard and Times. The ground was soft and spongy, the best in the world for trailing, and none roald have known better than I that the brute wonld soon be on my heels. When Jim Dungan announced that I was granted a respite until morning and I bad surrendered my pistol, my intention was to remain quietly in the hotel without a move toward escape, unless it should prove too tempting to be resisted. I had scarcely a doubt that after what he said he would become convinced ot his mistake or at least his doubts would be increased to that extent that he would investigate further, with my quick freedom as the inevitable result Despite my watchfulness and readiness to use my weapon the fellow outwitted me. "If there is but one, or possibly two," I reflected, "I will settle him with my revolver." "I wonder if he crossed on that tree," remarked another, though I was not sufficiently familiar witii the voice to identify the speaker. "March," I added, "and don't pause or look around nntil yon climb back through the window." My eyes were fixed, vpon the dimly nroeoXtri Jiijure. The baying sounded at intervals, and I fancied it came from one animal, though there oould well be several whose cries were similar. The men who accompanied the hound did so in silence. There was no call for them to waste their strength in shouting. "It would be just like him. Hank knows every turning of the swamp." The young man by the window still kept his eyes cloeed. His face showed jtust above his knees and was as calm as a child's. It was easy for him to feign sleep, but I did not believe be was doing so, since no motive could be imagined for such pretense. toe without my shoes giving out any noise. Ten steps were necessary to take me from my chair to the window, through which I could feel the cool breath of the night stealing. It was blowing gently upon the side of the sleeper, and with that propensity to notice trifling incidents at tho most critical moments I saw in the dim light a long lock of hair at the temple of Archie Hunter gently move and wondered whether the refreshing touoh of the air would not recall his wandering senses. He began moving, but his feet seemed to become entangled in the vines that bad partly retarded my steps. He advanced slowly, tripped, swore and struck his toe against some obstruction. Then be straightened up and stumbled onward with tbe same difficulty. Snatched up hit rifle and let fly at me. worthlessness and the fact that he had stolen a valuable horse belonging to her father. It was that feeling which caused her to make her way stealthily to the inn late at night under the escort of her faithful servant and to release me, believing I was her lover. The act waa womanlike, and who shall blame her therefor, even though she knew the unworthiness of the miscreant that had won her affection? "And that's just why he wouldn't climb over here," added Oy. "Why notD" " 'Cause he knows he wouldn't gain nothing by it." The Blcatlnc •( Work. Thank God every morning when you get up that you have something to do that day which must be done, whether /  you like it or not. Being foroed to work and foroed to do your best will breed in j yon tempeianoe, self control, diligence,, strength of will, oontent and a hundred virtues which the idle will never know. —Charles KinRsley. Bat his last remark crushed that hope. He had no doubt at all that I wm Hank Beyer, and the hours of grace that he had granted were simply to give me time to make preparation for death. The cunning veteran was kicking his Winchester along in front of him, and I bad no suspicion of it. I thrashed ahead, sometimes catching my feet in the wirelike vines, with the branches switching my face and a larger limb occasionally compelling me to change my course, but a)l the time I waa plunging deeper into the swamp which had served more than one runaway slave in the past. "He'd gain as much as by going anywhere else." I resolutely held my gaze away from the terrible bearded face for fully 15 minutes, during which my own pretense of unconsciousness continued. Then I stole a glance at him and with feelings that cannot be imagined perceived that his eyes, too, were closed. "A couple of us oughter foller and find out," observed a man who, I suspected, was the owner of the defunct bloodhound, a suspicion that waB confirmed by his addendum: In this manner be advanced for fully a rod, when, like a flash, he stooped, snatched up his rifle, and, wheeling with the same amazing quickness, let fly at me. I felt the ball graze my temple and rnip off a bit of hair. Dazed for the moment, I discharged two chambers of my revolver, but in the flurry missed, as he had just done with his Winchester. Before I could pull myself together for another shot he was beyond fair range, while he, knowing the nselessness of firing at me, refrained from the attempt There was a thought which at first gave some consolation. It seemed that among the 15 or more men who had demanded my life there must be one or two into whose minds a doubt had thrust itself, but reflection made it clear that if such were the fact they would have declared themselves at the time of Dungan's dispute with bis friends. But all remained mute, aud the only one besides myself who knew the whole truth was the real criminal, and little fear, after what had occurred, of his earning to my aswistrince. My awfnl fear was that Cy Walters would open hiB eyes and, inst&ntly detecting what was going on, shoot me with lightning]ike quickness before I could spring out into the darkness. Thrilled by this dread, I stopped at the very edge of the window and looked searchingly at him. But after all I had nothing to do with this phase of tbe business. 80 far as I was concerned the young woman had builded better than she knew. I was breathing tbe free air of heaven and should continue to do so or know the reason why. Theie was a strong protwbility that the fellow was as wide awake as evei, for it was easy to understand that he wished to induoe an attempt on my part to escape so as to gain the pretext for winding up the business by shooting me. And yet in the tense condition of my nerves I preferred he should do so than for me to wait for the horrois of the morrow. The terrifying danger, leaving out of aocount the dog, was from tho men at his heels. It had been announced by Jim Dungan, leader of the mob, that I was to be shot down if I tried to escape from my oaptors, and I had not only made the attempt, but had well nigh succeeded. Consequently they would make short work of me, and Cy Walters would not hesitate to give me a variation of the "witch's parole," as he had done in the case of more than one miserable wretoh in wartimes. "I'd rather he'd stole all the horses in Mississippi than to shoot Viotor. Hank Beyer has got to settle with me for that" "If yon wanter, yon kin foller him over tbat tree," said Cy. "It may be Hank was fool enoagh' to try it, bat Archie and me will push things on this side of the creek." To ThoM Who Trust. Let none doubt, however weak and erring they may be, the security of their souls and the comfort of their hearts amid all trial and temptation and sorrow, who have a living Redeemer, sympathizing with them in heaven, interceding for them with the Father and ready to impart all power, even His own almighty and divine Spirit, toi those who trust His grace.—Presby-j terian. "RastuB, you say Miss Esther wishes me to run and it is the best thing for me to do, but did she say in what direction?"So far as I could judge, he was sunk in as profound a sleep as ever. My survey was but a glance, when I turned back and reached forward to rest my hand on the sill preparatory to leaping out. As I did so I saw that my unknown friend had vanished. I panted and listened. and vines were so intricate that no one other than an American Indian conld have advanced without noise, and the sound of the eager footsteps almost on my heels kept me going when I ought to have been still. "It's a good idee anyway for us to divide. Some oue will be sure to ran ag'in the scamp and have it oat with him." For ten minutes I did not remove my scrutiny from Oy Walters' conntenanoe, and dnring that time be was as a dead man, bat whether really asleep or not oonld be learned only by subjecting myself to the test of life or death. I was ready for it. I had safely emerged from my prison, but my full escape remained to be made. It would not do to stay at Aldine, nor indeed anywhere in that section. It was 20 miles to the steamer landing, and I could hardly feel safe until aboard of one of the boats and steaming up or down th« Mississippi. "I s'pose from her observations dat she meant fur yo' to run to de debbil, which am de same as runnin like de old boy." 80 far as I ooald figure out after two hours' thought, there was n« earthly hope for me unless it should coine with some whim of the mob on Ibe morrow. Daring the interval neither of my captors made test change of poaition or the first inclination to sleepiness. Cy Walters finished his shoved it into the-pocket of his ragged coat. The rank fumes of the tobacco lay in a thin stratum about midway between the floor and oeiling, absolutely motionless and/just far enough above my head to relieve me of the sickening odor. Not once did he uncross his legs or move ope of his huge feet. His son held a corresponding posture with the same iron Rigidity. It was impossible for me to do like- Wise. I fidgeted in my chiir until it became (00 irksome to be ensured. Finally I rose to my feet. \ ''If you will permit me,"  walking across the room, picking ua. another chair and placing it in front of me, so as to allow mo to extend and rest my feet upon it. And with this reasonable remark the owner of the lamented dog stepped upon the horizontal trank and began moving toward me, crouching among the limbs a few paces away, with the immovable conviction that matters were growing more interesting with each passing minute. I had run barely 200 yards when I heard the bloodhound thrashing behind me. He was on my trail and emitted a bay wbioh I fancied contained a note of exultation in its horrible discord. Certainly it was warranted. "But, not being acquainted with the country— What the mischief are you laughing at:" I angrily demanded as the negro chuckled. I had traversed less than 50 yards in this manner when I paused and listened for evidence of my pursuers, bat the stillness of the swamp was profound. Probably they had stopped with the same object. At any rate they did not know exactly where I was, and I determined not to give up the advantage. The uneasy feeling, however, which came with the certainty that they were close at hand led me to edge farthei off, doing so with such stealthy care that I wus sure of not betraying myself. My progress of necessity was slow, but still it was progress, and that was a consolation.The young woman left a souvenir, however, of her visit on the window sill in the form of the revolver of Archie CHAPTER VIII It will be perceived that for me to escape from my jailers I must cross the floor to the window beside the young man, raise the sash and climb or leap out into the darkness. If that were accomplished, I oould run for it, but the chances of doing all this without awaking either of the men, especially the elder, was one in a million. Nevertheless I was resolved upon it. ALL NAT|pv^^Dyg V of the Globe for f RHEUMATISM,! I MJiUltATiflTA and similar Complaints, I and prepared tinder the stringent A fefiERMAN MEDICAL LAWS,J prescribed by eminent physic:aus^^^B Km OR. RICHTER'S (wjjk W" ANCHOR VPAIN EXPEUERl I Wortd renowned! RemarkdMystifTPiwfnl! ■ ■OnlTgenntne with Trade Mark" Anchor,"■ |F. id. Biektet 'Co., 815 PearlSt., Sen Tort. ■ I 31 HIBHEST AWARDS. ■ 13 Franoh Houses. Own Glassworks. ■ rABRIk tt PICE, 10 Lawrar Avcaaa, «. C.8LM I, M Hartfc Bala MUwt, J. H. Horn. 4 Berth lata SI. PITTS TO*, r*.. for | I was tempted to tiy a daredevil thing. That was to steal into the barn, remount the horse I had honestly bought and hie away at headlong speed. Reflection, however, convinced me that such an act would invite my own ruin. My escape was known to Cy Walters and Archie Hunter, and they would be on the alert for anything of that nature. "Maine Hank, yo' jokinwhen yo'say yo' doan't know much 'bout dis kentry."Hunter. A single step, and I seized it with the feeling that in doing so I was grasping life itself. To my surf rise, the ground suddenly sloped upward, and before I suspected anything of the kind I debouched into a small clearing less than half an acre in extent, in the middle of which was a pile of logs, evidently the ruins of some cabin that had tumbled to pieces through the lapse of time and the wear of weather. T" be continued Inspired by its possession, I faced toward Cy Walters, ready to shoot him if It was a waste of the preciouB minutes to seek to convince Erastus Drown of the truth. I appealed to his good opinion of himself. l'aln and Peace. It is often surprising to see how mnoh pain there may be in the sensibility, and yet peace, in the depths of the mind. In crossing the Atlantic some years ago we were overtaken by a gala of wind. Upon the deck the roar and confusion were terrific. The spray from the waves blew upon the face with almost force enough to blister it The noise of the waves howling and roaring and foaming was almost deafening. But when I stepped into the engine room everything was quiet. The mighty engine was moving with a quietness and stillness in striking contrast with the war without. It reminded tne of the peace that can reign In the soul while stonns and tempests are howling without.—C. J. Finney, be made a movement of body or limb. The younger man was beneath notice. The massive sentinel still slept. "What do you advise? What direction is Ix-st for me to take?" With a preliminary glance arouad I noiselessly removed my feet from the ohair on which they had been resting. But for the heavy breathing which filled the room the silenoe was like that of the tomb. Pausing only a moment, I gathered my muscles for the decisive My intention was that if detected and challenged by either of the men I would make a dash across the room and plunge through the sash, carrying glass and framework with me. When the quickness of both of my jailers is considered, the madness of my scheme will surprise every one. Besting my free hand against the side of the window frame, I thrust one foot through the opening and with a coolness and skill that surprised myself leaped clear, landing on the soft earth outside, only a few feet below the win- Standing just outside the garden of the old inn, I decided that my liest course was to push inland until I reached some town or village where I was unknown or could communicate with the authorities should it prove necessary. It would seem that the facts being as I have given it should be an easy matter for me to escape the punishment due another man. but unfortunately lynching* have been tDnd are still too common in some parts of our country for the most innocent per sou to be absolutely safe. "My advice am to head fur Noo Orleans and not stop runnin day or night till yo' got dere. It am only free, four t'ousand miles, and I s'pose yo'll got tired, but when yo' arrove dere yo'll be safe and yo' kin take a good, long rest. Mercy belten," suddenly exclaimed the African, "did yo' hear dat?" With that instinctive longing to defer the final calamity I ran swiftly across the open space to the pile of logs, where I paused, revolver iu hand, and looked back. Since a meeting with the dog was inevitable, there could be no better place than the logs in the middle of the clearing. Suddenly I felt a cold sensation in the foot which I thrust forward, as with bowed head I parted the bushes in front so as to admit of my noiseless advanoe. The cause of the chill was apparent I had placed my foot iu water that oame over the shoe top. Since, however, the thing could not be helped and the foot seemed to rest ou firm support I did not Withdraw it. Still leaning over I advanced the other foot and was startled to find the water reach half way to jny knee. dow silL So far as I knew I made no sound whatever other than the dull thump of my shoes as they struck the greensward, but a sound from the room It was a dismal, mournful sound that rose on the night air, coming from some point apparently miles distant. 1 took it for the cry of a wolf in some swamp or woods and set it down as unworthy of attention at the time. "The men must be some distance behind him—ah!" Dehind me showed that it had been Those two pairs of eyes followed my movement, and I fancied that each man grasped his weapon a little closer, but neither spoke or moved. heard, and I scurried off in the gloom, not pausing until I had run several rods and knew I was beyond sight of any one behind me. Matters went with a rush. I had not stood more than three minutes, panting, at bay when the hound burst into sight on the edge of the clearing and charged straight for me like a meteor. It did not take me long to reach this conclusion, and simultaneous with it came the alarming discovery that I was mistaken in believing I was alone. Although I had made my escape from the house, I was still near it Cy Walters and Archie Hunter would not sit down and wait for daylight before making another move against me, and unless morning found me several miles from that spot it would find me in imminent peril of being recaptured or shot down. The repose to my feet was most welcome. I sat sideways in one chair, with its back under my shoulder, and I felt for a time that I could remain thus without inconvenience for several hours. Had there been but a single man I would have snatched his weapon and got the drop on him. While cool reasoning told me i was inviting my own death I did not hesitate, und I was in the act of rising to my feet when I was struck almost dumb by an astounding discovery. The rear of the building opened upon a plot of ground used for a garden, but at the late season there was little growing to obstruct my progress, though my feet made some noise in sweeping away the vines that were tangled about my ankles. It was at the opposite side of this plot that I placed one hand on the paling fence, leaped over and then turned about and looked back. Tbo true bloodhound is not of large size, but satau himself could not possess a more hideous front, while his strength is prodigious. A dusky Hercules cornered by one of those black demons has brained him with a club when he made his leap or he has slitted his throat with a knife at close quarters, but the chances are always the other way. Noue knew better than I that in a hand to hand struggle I would be as helpless as against the assault of a panther. But my revolver coatained three charges. "This won't do," I reflected as I withdrew. "By and by I shall be swimming. " Satanic Assaults. The power of Satan to trouble the ealuts is nev?r done. It may be that the child of God has been such consciously for long years, be may have been enabled to grasp tbe fullness of salvation which belongs to him who is clothed with the righteousness of Christ since he was first converted, but let him uever think that he is Ki.fj from the asfaults of the evil one.—Episcopal Recorder. CHAPTER IX. That such was the fact became apparent the next moment, when I perceived with the aid of the star gleam that I was standing on the edge of a stream of water whose depth, I had already found, rapidly increased from the shore. It was easy to distinguish the other bank, which was hardly 20 feet away. I had come to the side of a creek that wound through Black Man's swamp and could -reach the farther shur* onljr by swiamUpfr It will be remembered that the night Was clear and starlit. There would be no moon until near morning, and it was so new that the additional light was not likely to be appreciable. There was scarcely a cloud in the sky, so that it was easy to distinguish objects at a distance of 15 oi 20 yards. ACTIVE SOLICITORS WANTED KVERY" where for "The Story of the Philippines," by Murat Halstead, commissioned by the Government as Official Historian to the War Department The book was written in army camps at San Francisco, on the Pacific with (ien. Merritt, in the hospitals at Honolula, in Hong Kong. in the American trenches at Manila, la tne insurant camps with Aguinaldo, on tbe deck of the Olympia with Dewey, and in the roar of battl»at the fall of Manila. Bonanza for agents Brimfnl of original pictures taken by governs, eat photojrrapbers on the spot. Large book. Low prices. Bie profits. Freight paid. Credit given. Drop all trashy unofficial I war books. Outfit free. AldreaB, F T. Barber* Sao*?, Star Insurance Building. iTiieaSj. That night was one which will remain vivid to the end of my life. The air outside continued crisp and cool. Most of the men who bad swarmed into the dining room after my life remained drinking at the bar, whence their voices came «o me, muffled by the intervening Walla and doors. I heard singing, ex Not once during all those trying minutes did the single star far away in the horizon fail to beam upon me. The sky was cloudless, but without a moon. It was instinct rather than reason that led ■m to look for the twinkling orb at the wmmmM-Ot Own the ohair. it Another fact was not to be forgotten. Although I had possession of an excellent revolver, only three chambers were loaded, and I was without an additional cartridge, for Jim Dungau when he relieved me of my weapon took good care, MI have related, to supply hima^f It must have been considerably past midnight. The only light burning in the inn was within the room I had just left There was the window, with the lower half open and the flood of yellow The gentle wind was crisp and pleasant, and 1 deep drafts after mj We are headquarters for Lumber, Doora, Sash Blinds, Hardware, Qlaaa and Maaanr J, K. Fall—i!■ A Ok ■ ■■ ■ ___ -. r * I In the clear starlight the dog caught dtaktlimat tfea same ipstant that 1