6 A SONG OF HOME. Fve wandered north and south; In many lands I've been, But one small spot alone Am I contented In. And there the roses bloom. And there the daisies nod— For home, my humble home, I thank the gracious God. The glory of the east. The splendor of the west. The pomp of prince and king. Are but a hollow Jest. Give me the sunny stream, The green and fragrant sod— For home, my happy home, I thank the kindly God. The rain upon the roof. The robin in his tree, And simple fare and health. And peace and liberty— What greater boon to ask. Had I a Merlin's rod? For home, my pleasant liomt, I thank the gentle God. Moreover, at my side. When singing, full of eTieer, The blessed wife of youth With deepest love I hear, I fancy more and more My ]>aths are angel trod! For home, my Joyful home, I thank the living God. —Chicago News. I A CLEW BY WIRE | Or, An Interrupted Current. 1 si i| BY HOWARD M. YOST. |[ 35 Copyright, ißq6, by J. B. Lippincott Co. 5 Ttommwwwwwfww.wff awawmm*?: CHAPTER 11. It was something like coming home, after all, albeit to a house almost void of furniture and peopled only with remembrances of loved forms long since g-one. At any rate, it was the only home I could really call my own. There were two rooms, the spare bedroom and the parlor adjoining, on the first floor, which still retained the furniture. Everything about these rooms, though faded and somewhat worn, was in good order, and I com plimented Mrs. Snyder on the care she bad taken. Sarah had thrown up the windows, and the soft evening air came into the rooms. Although the place had not been allowed togo to ruin, there was about It that indescribable quality which is attached to long-deserted houses. We «U felt it more or less. Sarah and Mrs. Snyder spoke in whispers; Jake stepped about on tiptoe, as though fearful that the heavy tread of his cowhide boots would bring back the spirits of the departed; while to myself there was a pathos about the old house which had not known an inhabitant for so long. It seemed like some human being de serted by its own flesh and blood. While I was passing from bureau to wardrobe, from center-table to man tel-piece, taking mental notes of all the old-fashioned china and bric-a-brac which adorned those places still, and Wmeu ... ..... . «ibur« had he«» *— bidden my bovish fingers, Sarah" and M rs. Snyder made up the bed, taking the bedding from a huge cedar chest which 6tood on one side of the room. Sprigs of spruce and hemlock had been placed in the chest from time to time, and when the cover was lifted the pungent odor filled the room. All through the preparations I no ticed that Sarah and Mrs. Snyder were engaged in earnest conversation. The old widow was especially vehe ment. and Sarah would frequently Rhake her head and give forth exclam ations indicative either of wonder or of ■disapprobation. My old nurse also fa vored me with many glances which seemed to have muclx of solicitude in them. When everything had been done to make me comfortable for the night, Sarah turned to me, and spoke low. with a touch of fear in her tones,, "Come, Nel, you go back home with us," she said. "Don't stay here all alone In dis grade big house. I am afrait to haf you. Come back with us," she reiterated, appealingly. "No, indeed," I replied, decidedly. "I would not miss sleeping amid the grate ful odor of spruce for anything. I'll be, over to your house for breakfast, Mrs. Snyder," turning toward the old widow. "You understand lam to take my meals at your house, do you not ?" "Yes. Dat ish all fixed. Mr. Son tag, your lawyer, told me. Bud you better go back mit Sarah," the old woman replied. "And why so? What's to hinder my staying here in my own house?" I asked. "Have you cooked up a scheme, Sarah, with Mrs. Snyder, to force me to go back with you?" I asked of my old tturse. "Never fear, you'll see enough of me. I'll come over to your house often." The two women exchanged glances, and seemed to be reluctant to proceed. Finally Sarah spoke in awe-stricken tones, first looking around with a frightened expression. "Dere's something funny aboud de house, Nel." "Humph! I don't see anything funny at all," I replied. "There is more sad ness to me." "Der's awful strange things haf been Been and heard," Sarah continued, with deep seriousness. Old Jake's face fell at his wife's words, and he moved near er to her. "Who has seen and heard strange things, and what are they?" I asked, lightly, for I am not superstitious, and not easily frightened by two old women's imaginations. "Mrs. Snyder haf seen lights at night, and efen in de daytime haf heard noises, strange noises of talking," replied my old nurse. "Well, they will have to be very bright lights and very loud noises to awaken me to-night, for I intend to sleep like a atone," I said, laughingly. "The strangest thing of all to me is my com ing here for the first time sinee my grandfather's body was borne from the parlor to be placed in the grave." Old Jake pave a sudden start which attracted uiy attention to him. I saw him gaze through the open doorway in to the parlor in very evident terror, and heard him exclaim, in low, awed tones: "Gott in Ilimmel!" I could not restrain a smile at the sight of the tall, strong man overcome by childish fears, and was about to up braid him for his foolishness. But I re membered the vein of superstition which runs through the lives of the Pennsylvania farmers, and so said noth ing. "Come back with us," again pleaded Sarah. "No. If there Is anything out of the ordinary about my house, I am all the more determined to remain and find out what it is," I said, decisively. Then I added, more softly, for I did not wish to wound the kind heart of my old nurse —I knew her fear for me grew out of her love and solicitude for my welfare —"I can take care of myself under any circumstances. I am not a child now, Sarah." "Den let Jake stay with you until you find out," Sarah persisted. "Veil, bud de oats, Sarah; ve god to finish de oats to-morrow," hastily ex claimed Mr. Ilunsicker, in remon strance. "Now come, how foolish this is! What could be the matter with the house? Nothing hurtful, that is certain. I'll be all right. Don't worry, and I'll ride over in the morning and tell you how soundly I slept." "Der's no candle here. I go ged von and pring id ofer," Mrs. Snyder said. "Not necessary for to-night. I am going to bed early, and will not need it. To-morrow we'll see about lamps, for sometimes I like to read late. See how bright the moon is going to be. It shines right into the bedroom, and will give me plenty of light togo to bed by." I finally succeeded in getting rid of them. Old Jake was eager and anxious to be off, but Sarah hung back, reluctant to leave me to the lonely terrors which her superstitious mind had conjured up. It was only after I had given my prom ise to come immediately to her house in the event of any danger to me spring ing up, that she consented to leave. Feeling profoundly gratified that my coming here had revealed to me such absolute trust and love as inspired my old nurse, I placed my arm about her waist while going to the door, and then parted from her with a kiss on her wrinkled old cheek. After the sound of the wagon wheels had died away in the distance, I disrobed and prepared for bed. The moonlight was so enticing, however, that I sat down on a chair by the window and for a few minutes gave myself up to remin iscent thought. But before I goon with my experi ences in the old house, I must tell about the bank robbery of which I was sus pected. Up to a year before, I had been em ployed in a large savings institution in Philadelphia. My advancement with this concern had been slow but steadv unci alter ten years of earnest work I finally attained the position of senior paying teller. Under my immediate charge was the vault, in which the cash and all securities held by the bank were kept. This vault was, of course, guard ed by a time lock. Thelbank opened for business at ten o'clock, but the book keepers began their work a half hour earlier. There was a separate vault for the books of the concern, which was not furnished with a time lock, and all the bookkeepers knew the combination of this vault. The bank was noted for its conserva tive business methods, and the great cautiousness with which its funds were guarded. It was the established rule that the timepiece of the money vault should not be set to open until half past nine, at which time the bookkeep ers and most of the employes were at work. In short, so careful were the officials that under no circumstances was it allowable to leave the combina tion lock unguarded by the clockwork, unless some responsible employe was present. One afternoon I set the clockwork mechanism to throw the bolt at half past eight, an hour before the usual time, as I intended to get to work the next morning at that time. The semi annual examination of the books and securities by the trustees was to take place, and I wished to have the moneys under my charge in order. When I left the bank that afternoon I found a telegram awaiting me at my lodging place: "Come out to Fair lawn this evening. We entertain a small party. I want you." Thus the dispatch ran, and it was signed by a name very dear to me—Flor ence Morley. I would willingly have gone to the antipodes to please the lovely young woman, and my disappointment was keen when I thought of the time lock having been set to open at half-past eight the following morning. For Fair lawn was a country seat of Mr. Mor ley's, about 30 miles distant, and 1 should not be able to return until near ly ten o'clock in the morning, and the combination lock would be unprotected a full hour before the arrival of any of the employes. It was highly im probable that any thief expert enough to open the combination would attempt the lock, even if it were known that the time mechanism had run down. The risk would be very slight, and I was tempted to take it. But, knowing, even though no consequences should be the result, that by doing so I would break a very stringent rule, I resisted the temptation, and in no very good humor started for a telegraph office for the purpose of sending a dispatch to Miss Morley statlsg my inability to accept her invitation. On my wa3' I met an associate in the bank, named Horace Jackson. He was one of the bookkeepers, a man about 40 years old, and a quiet, reserved fel low. He never mingled in any dispute or controversy among the clerks, was a competent accountant, and lived a se cluded life outside of the bank. He CAMERON COUNTY PRESS, THURSDAY, MARCH 10, 1898. | was a bachelor, and did not eeem to have any special friends. It was cer tain he never chummed or eronied with any of his associates in the bank. "Mr. Jackson, will you do me a fa vor?" I asked, as he paused in his walk. "Most willingly, Mr. Conway. You have but to state it,"he answered, af fably. I stated the circumstances concern ing' the lock. "It is possible that I will be unable to be on hand at half-past eight," 1 added. "And you wish m-s to be at the bank in your place?" he said. "Yes, if it wouid not inconvenience you." "Not at all. I will be there, so the rule will be complied with. Oh, stay a moment. There is an old aunt of mine over in Camden who is ill, and I might possibly be summoned to her bedside." "Well, then, let it po. I'll stay nt home, and goto the bank, as I intended, myself," I said, feeling quite disap pointed. "But if I say I will be at the bank you may depend on me, Mr. Conway, sick aunt or not," Jackson went 011. He really seemed so willing to do me the favor that I could only reply: "Thank you very much. I'll depend on you. It will be doing me a great favor indeed. I'll reciprocate some day." "Not another word, Mr. Conway, on the subject. Go and enjoy yourself." Then he regarded me with a smile as he continued: "I suppose it is Miss Mor ley that you intend to visit. Now, 1 am just on my way to see her father at his office." "Oh, you are acquainted with the Morleys, then?" I remarked, somewhat coldly, for I did not relish his bringing Florence Morley's name into the con versation. "Only slightly acquainted. I am in terested in a few business ventures with Mr. Morley. My acquaintance ex tends no further," Jackson said. I returned to my lodgings light-heart ed and happy at the prospect of again seeing the sweet girl whom I had loved and worshiped for some time in secret. So then Horace Jackson was ac quainted with Mr. Morley. I could not but feel a greater respect for Jackson. For Mr. Morley was one of the most in fluential and highly-thought-of men in Philadelphia, and, besides, was one of the trustees of the bank. Jackson had never boasted of his relations with such an influential man; indeed, I had never even heard him mention the fact before this. I had felt all along that it would be presumptuous for me to aspire to be "Com* out to Falrlawn this evening." Florence Morley's husband. But this evening she was so gracious, so sweet and lovable, that it was impossible for me to resist the impulse to tell her of my love. To my intense happiness I discovered that my humble self was by no means an object of indifference to her. Mr. Morley was of a dignified, com manding presence, and rather overawed me. It would be no easy matter to ask his consent to marry his daughter. Florence was his only child, and all the purposes of the father's life seemed to center in his motherless daughter. Still I knew I must approach him some day, and there was comfort in the fact that he had always met me in a kindly, if dignified and reserved, manner. He had never given me any cause to think that my attentions to his daughter were obnoxious to him; but then those attentions had been extended out of friendship only. How he would be af fected by the knowledge that I was, from this evening, the accepted lover of his daughter, I could not Burmise. I could only hope that Florence's influ ence, which I was well aware was pow erful with her father, might prevail. The dear girl's heart was mine at any rate, for she had told me so, and I be lieved her words. After the evening's enjoyment I with drew to the hotel near the depot, where I passed the rest of the night in happy anticipations of the future. The train which took me back to the city was a few minutes late, and when 1 arrived at the bank it lacked but t«n minutes of opening time. Had I been late, either the president or the treasurer would have had to be called upon to open the vault, and it is doubtful if either of them remem bered the combination. The bond teller and the head receiving teller shared with me the knowledge of the combina tion, but, as those two gentlemen were away on their vacations at this time, I was the only one 'besides the officials who could unlock the vault. The heavy outside doors were soon opened, mid, summoning the porter to help me carry out the cash for the day's business, I entered the vault. There were eight compartments in side, the doors of which were provided with combination locks. One compartment was used far the reserve currency, another for the re serve gold, and these two compartments remained locked for long periods. The remaining spaces were used for the storage of various securities. United States bonds, mortgages for loans on real estate, state and municipal bonds, and for the gold, silver and currency required in the daily transactions. This cash was carried out in trays and placed in the tills in the banking-room every morning. While unlocking the compartment, 1 noticed with surprise that the lock of the reserve currency compartment, just at one side, was on the last figure of the combination, as though it had been al ready unlocked. I grasped the iron handle, and the door swung open. I started back when I looked in. What had come over me! I rubbed my eyea and looked again. The place was empty; nothing to be seen but the two shelves and the painted steel back and sides. Of the $400,000, the amount of the reserve, not one dol lar remained. [TO BE CONTINUED.] A WATERMELON DUEL. r)r*«rl|>tlnn of One of the Content* In Which Southern N>j;roea Oellffht. Did you ever see a watermelon duel —commonly designated by the colored brother of the southland a "mellioii juel?" It is more interesting and a site more exciting than a latter day duel with arms. The duel with the luscious melon is generally seen at the country fairs in the southern states, and while coordinate with the greasy pole climb ing and pie eating contest, it takes precedence over them in point of amuse ment. It was a hot day at one of these fair gatherings—one of those days that "swink" the pumpkins and withered everything else, even in the shade. A melon duel was on the programme, with a prize to the negro who could eat the most melons. There were three en tries. Each duelist was given a melon, with instructions to cut and eat at the word "go." When the cue was given the "cutties" began to devour the red meat of the fruit with a ferocity of a wild beast. One had cut his melon in circular form. These he would break in segments and appear to swallow, rind and all. Another, with cavernous mouth, 'butchered his in horizontal slices. Grabbing them with lightning speed, he drew it quickly across hju mouth, throwing the seed out at ont side of his mouth and the rinds out at the other with an automatic ease that came from years of practice. The third broke his melon and soused his fac« down in the meat, sucking it up, seed in cluded, not unlike a suction pump of large capacity. At the end of five min utes two of the duelists cried "enough!" having eaten four large melons apiece. The third continued to eat at his ucual speed of one melon a minute for two minutes longer. He had consumed seven, and then declared he had a suf ficiency. The successful duelist received the prize money and walked off as if noth ing unusual had occurred. He was eyed by the spectators, and one old negro, who seemed to envy him, pro ceeded to remark: c, l>at nigger sho' am inHeben. Demselben millions am ernuff ter gib 'iin 'ligion de res' o' lies nachel days. Dat nigger sho' ken git 'way wid water million." —Detroit Free Press. THAT FOLDING BED. It Im Still nn Object of Soni»lclon to Many Hotel Vlnltorfl. "I'm sorry, sir," said the polite young uptown hotel clerk to the grum-looking guest, "but I haven't another room in the house to-night. If you could use this till morning I'll fix you up right for to-morrow." But the inducement, per suasivly delivered, failed to work, and the grum-looking man went away. When he had got over the threshold the suave clerk smiled a pensive smile and said: "You can't do anything with these fellows. It beats the world how a man will let his prejudices drive him out into the night to seek inferior ac commodations. And yet this man looked like he knew better, too." "What was it dissatisfied him?" "Nothing in the world except that in the only room he'd have there was a folding bed. You see we are crowded now and there are but few vacant apartments. He is a crank on the sub ject of folding beds because in modern times two or three human beings have been caught in them, when they folded up inopportunely, and had their lives crushed out. I pleaded with him that no such disaster could happen to him here, for nowadays folding beds are made with patent catches that abso lutely prevent them from manslaugh ter. No matter how sorely a bed such as we have should yearn to close up on its slumbering victim these catches for bid. I told him all this, but it had no effect." "Are most people imbued with this prejudice?" "Yes; I think a majority of the trav eling public has that feeling and I do not believe the time will ever come when the folding bed will gain the full confidence of the American people.— Washington Post. Poor n* Job'n Turkey. Cuttan Thrust That young Dum leigh has got more money than eense. Dulham Bluntly—l didn't know he was rich. Cuttan Thrust—He isn't.—Tit^Bits. She Has No Chnnen. Mrs. Tupenny—Why don't you leave your husband if he neglects you so? Mrs. Manhattan—He doesn't give me a chance. He's out seven nights a week himself.—Town Topics. Doctor (to female patient)—" You have a slight touch of fever; your tongue has a thick coat—" Patient (ex citedly)—"Oh, doctor, do tell me hov it fits."—Fact and Fiction. A !>l< k an Retort. Quills—l've a great tnind to write a book. Mills—l doubt it. "Doubt what? That I can write a book?" "No; that you have a great mind."— Chicago Evening News. Lone'* Family Medicine. Moves the bowels each day. In order to he healthy this is necessary. Acts gently on the liver ami kidneys. Cures sick headache, l'rice 25 and 50c. Safe ut All Honrs. Humanity is never satisfied. The man with a watchdog, a nervous wife and a rest ive baby does not feel safe without a bur glar alarm. —Adams (Mass.) Freeman. In the advertisement of the John A. Salzer Seed Company, La Crosse, Wis., a few weeks since, the price of potatoes was inadvertent ly placed at $1.05 per barrel; this should be |1.50 per barrel. We advise sending 5 cents postage for Saizer's catalogue. Re careful how you grasp an opportunity; it is often terribly hard to let go.—Chicago liecord. Not yourself '' Use St. Jacobs Oil for Soreness and stiffness. It will cure. Every dog has his day; but only thor oughbreds get entered at the bench show.— Chicago Record. Sprained last night. To-day you are Well if you use St. Jacobs Oil to cure. Don't run from a bore; he is probably keeping you from boring somebody else. — Chicago Record. Feel it pass away—when St. Jacobs Oil cures Neuralgia. Soothes it out. The principles of acoustics are sound doc trines. —Chicago Daily News. Rupture. Sinecure. Book free. Writeforit to S.J. Sherman, Specialist. Mt.Vern on. N. Y. With the day the light, with the road the strength to tread it. —Samuel Johnson. Keep on and suffer if you think St. Jacob's Oil won't cure rheumatism. Spinster—Either a boy with a top or an elderly unmarried lady. Why suffer with an ache or pain When St. Jacobs Oil will cure? Why? Humbug—A hug that always preys upon the unwary. —Chicago Daily News. Frost bite 9 are like burns, and both Are cured by St. Jacobs Oil promptly. [The Oj Klondike 11 W If you are interested and wish to V A post yourself about the Gold Fields A T of the Yukon Valley, when togo A x and how to get there, write for a 5 ▼ Descriptive Folder and Map of Y y Alaska. It will be sent free upon y A application to T. A. GRADY, Ex- A A cursion Manager C. B. & Q. R. R., A » 21 1 Clark Street, Chicago. m ACETYLENE GAS, The Light Future. THK *ATIOY.%I, 4C»:TVI,K\F ti l!* CO., 1110 Mohawk llhlg., Clovclaiiil. O. |oats2lHlj V How to grow wheat nt 40c a bu. nnd 231 bus. oafs* J t 173 bus. bnrlev nnd 1600 bun. potatoes per acre. * 112 GTSEE OIK (JRK.AT CATALOGU V. mailed you # • irriut ■•>♦»«! tumples, upon receipt of g I T THIS NOTICE and lO crnta In stamps. J JOHN' A. HALZKR BFF.D CO., I.A CROBBK, WIS. lt. WHITEHALL MK<;itIMINK CO., South Bend. Indian*. Tf you aro troubled with any form of IDYSFEI^SIiV. ALLUP'S DYSPEPSIA TABLETS £n o & ?^l% as a Digestive. 2Scandsoc boxes, bv mail on receipt of price. On rreetpt of on® 2 c«?nt postatfo titamp 1 will sond a Sl* da)»' trial JE* ."EJ "F! by 111 Hill .v. v MAHSHAXJIJ, (UICXIa ONE ENJOYS Both tlio method ana results when Syrup of Figs is taken; it is pleasant and refreshing to the taste, and acta gently yet promptly on the Kidneys, Liver and Dowela, cleanses the sys tem effectually, dispels colds, head aches and fevers and cures habitual constipation. Syrup of Figs is the only remedy of its kind ever pro duced, pleasing to the taste and ac ceptable to the stomach, prompt in its action and truly beneficial in its effects, prepared only from the most healthy and agreeable substances, its many excellent qualities commend it to all and have made it the most popular remedy known. Syrup of Figs is for sale in 50 cent bottles by all leading drug gists. Any reliable druggist who may not Lave it on hand will pro cure it promptly for any one who wishes to try it. Do not accept any substitute. CALIFORNIA FIO SYRUP CO. SAN FRANCISCO, CAL. 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