at the elo»«
ot ,Uy
Bethlehem in beauty
s'/fwv* ~111 When ere long a *tar
aros<>
mThat with strange
effulgence glows,
JV while the Joyful an
gels sing:
"We from Heaven glad tidings bring!"
"Welcome, ever blessed morn,
When the holy Babe was born!
Shepherds watching on the plains,
Saw the herald angel trains.
As around a dazzling light
Flashes from their wings of white,
Sounding loud o'er hill) and glen:
"Peace on earth, good will to men!"
Blessed morn! Oh, sweet employ,
•Christ to praise In songs of joy!
Now in Heaven the Saviour waits
With its ever open gates,
Where the saints before Him fall
Throned In glory, Lord of ail!
lake the wise men let us bring
Fitting presents to our King:
Give the heart, which In His eyes.
Ever is the richest prize!
I>ay of days when Christ was born!
Ever hailed the brightest morn J
When salvation's work was done,
All power given to the Son,
Still He marks the garden's gloom.
Bloody cross and rocky tomb.
And is with us when we raise
Sweetest songs of Christmas prais'e!
—Sydney Dyer, in Chicago Standard.
raiMM mm
SVT Joyce
yP A l °ddest girl you
\ I cver saw?" ex
,jJ [| claimed Yeva to
U ( ' her chum one
l\, morning.
"What now?" asked Bessie, smiling
•over her fancy work.
"Why, nothing," replied Yeva, "ex
cept that she's taken it into her head
to spend Christmas with that queer,
old-fashioned aunt of hers up in the
country instead of here in town where
there's going to be so much fun. She
is the oddest girl 1 ever knew. Fancy
spending a week in that dull, poky
place, where the neighbors live half a
mile apart and with that old couple
and their hired girl for company!
But there's no accounting for
tastes. Joyce is lovely in most things,
pretty and stylish and'always so pleas
ant. but sometimes when she takes
such queer freaks it makes me almost
believe she does it for effect. And to
think she'll miss the Christmas party
•at Jean's! 1 know she's invited, for
Jean, told me so."
The two girls drifted' off from the
subject of Joyce into talk of fancy work
for Christmas presents and gay cos
tumes for the approaching party.
Meanwhile in Joyce's pretty home
■on the avenue Mrs. Baxter was holding
converse with her dark-eyed daugh
ter. "You're a queer little pirl," she
■was saying, "to prefer spending the
holidays tip at Aunt Isabel's when all
the other irirls are so excited about
Jean's party. Jt's to be a nice affair, I
know, because Jean's mother has taken
counsel with me and there are to be
several pretty novelties besides the
regular good time. If I were you, dear,
I'd give up the idea of poing to the
Promised Land and stay at home."
Put Joyce knew what she wanted,
and presently Mrs. Baxter, with a lov
ing little pat on the shoulder, left her to
herself.
"I believe the child intends togo up
into the Promised Land as a regular
Christmas fairy," she thought, smil
ingly. as she descended the stairs. "All
those mysterious little bundles in her
room mean something."
But later in the day Joyce slipped
lier mother's wrap upon that lady's
shoulders, brought her hat and gloves
and made her go out with her for a Ut
ile shopping. And on the way she re
vealed her plans.
"I've made up my mind that there
shall be a Christmas tree in the Prom
ised Land this year," she began. "I
wrote to Aunt Isabel some time ago and
asked some questions. She's written
back that the young folks in the Prom
ised T.and have never had a Christmas
tree and if I want togo into it I may
have her big front room and Uncle Ben
will see about the tree. So I've been
lniving and making these little things,
you know, to put on it and now I'm
aft'-r candy to finish off with."
Mrs. Baxter looked affectionately at
her daughter. "You're a good girl,
Joyce." she said, softly, "and mother's
proud of you." And then she opened
her own purse and purchased some
choice gifts for Aunt Isabel and Uncle
lien. "You can smuggle them onto the
tree without their knowing a thing
about it." she said. "I declare, Joyce,
I do wish I was going to the Promised
Land, too!"
"But you can't, you know," laughed
Joyce; "there's the Christmas dinner
to be looked after and papa to take care
of. I'm the only one who can ix*
spared. But won't it be nice? I'll write
you all about it the very next day."
The Promised I.and is the name given
to a narrow valley which runs up
(imong the hills which form a spur of
the Allegheny mountains. It is an iso
lated region, "three miles from no
where," as some of its inhabitants say,
but fruitful farms and comfortable
homes are scattered along its length on
either side of the straggling road
which forms its only street.
When Uncle Ben met Joyce at the
train down in the village he was some
what amazed to s.oe that there was a
trunk which he was expected to carry
too. But he asked no questions as he
cheerfully tugged'it into the old sleigh.
"Seems kind o' queer slic'd bring along
a trunk for just a few days," he I bought
to himself, "but mebby she's jroing to
stay quite a spell." And as the old man
tucked the blankets in snug'and warm
he found himself hoping that she
would.
There was seldom a strange face seen
on that familiar road which led up inlo
the Promised Land, and'.Toyce caught
fleeting glimpses of interested faces
peering out at them as Uncle iSen's old
horse jogged heavily along. Two or
three of the young girls she had be
come acquainted with during Ihe pre
ceding summer, when she had spent a
week at the farm, and now she gayly
waved her hand to them as she caught
sight of them at the window or door.
And so swiftly does news travel, eviyi in
the Promised Laud, that before night
fall everyone knew that Joyce Baxter,
Aunt Isabel's niece, had come up to
spend the holidays. Somehow the very
knowledge of this helped to content
some dissatisfied girl hearts with the
prospect of the usual dull Christmas in
the valley.
Put when next day Uncle Pen's well
known horse and cutter stopped at
every gate in the Promised Land anil
pretty, stylish Joyce came up the path
to the front door, followed a moment
later by Uncle Pen, who never missed
the chance of a neighborly visit, there
seemed to come all at once into those
quiet lives a new something of delight
and interest which had not been there
before. And when Joyce in her own
pleasant way had given her invitation
"to come up to Aunt Isabel's to-morrow
evening at seven o'clock," they all
thought it was lovely and promised to
go. but not one of them even suspected
a Christmas tree. And it was not only
the young people who were asked to
come. Not one was slighted. Kvvry
family was invited,from grandma down
to the long-dressed baby. Aunt Isa
bel had said: "Ask 'em all. my dear,
the house is big enough to hold 'em. I
guess, and anyhow it'll do us good to
crowd tip and be neighborly." For the
truth was that the widely-scattered
families were not at all noted for their
"neighborliness." All had grown into
a stay-at-home habit, or when they
went at all it was generally to the vil
lage.
A busier household than Uncle Pen's
UNCLE BEN MET JOYCE AT THE TRAIN.
could not be imagined than was his
011 the day before Christmas. Very
early in the morning'he and Joyce had
driven off up into the hemlock woods
and brought home in triumph a beau
tiful tree, tall, shapely and stout of
branch. And it was Uncle iSen who
set it lirmly in a block of wood and
bore it into the big front room. And it
was Bel i mla. the "help," who popped
great panl'uls of snowy corn, and Aunt
Isabel who sat in her red-covered rock
ing-chair and strung it into long fes
toons for the tree. And it was Joyce
who tilled the generous bags of lace
net she had made at home with candy,
raisins and cracked nuts. Audit was
Joyce who twined long, spicy-smelling
ropes of hemlock to swing from the
ceiling and around the walls.
Belinda and Aunt Isabel retired to
the kitchen, while Joyce was busy with
Uncle Ben in the front room, and pres
ently Belinda's cake-making skill was
announced by delicious smells from
the big oven, and Aunt Isabel sliced the
pink ham and sandwiched it in between
the daintily-thin buttered bread.
"We'll have tea and coffee both, Be
linda," said Aunt Isabel, "and pass the
things around." And Belinda, smiling
broadly in pleased anticipation of the
unusual thing which was about to hap
pen,deftly spread the snow-white frost
ing over the big fruit cake she had al
lowed to cool.
"It will be nice, that's a fact," she
said, energetically. 'lt's wonderful,
ain't it, what jest one girl can set a-go
ing when she takes a notion!"
At seven o'e {>ok the Promised Land
people presen 4 '; d themselves at Uncle
Ben's front door. The old man, shining
with hospitality, beamed upon liis .
guests and welcomed each one with a j
hearty handshake. And next c.ime
Joyce with a. bright word for every one !
and a smile and a happy welcome for ;
each and every child. The young girls j
looked at Joyce in bashful admiration. |
How pretty she looked in her soft j
blue dress, with one of Aunt Isabel's 1
geranium blossoms in her hair!
They came and cnme and Uncle Ben j
overflowed with genial warmth, while |
Aunt Isabel, whose rheumatism kept I
her closely to her chair, smiled pence- j
fully upon them all and never oncv j
thought of her bright rag carpel lin
ger all thoses now -dampened feet. Uncle I
CAMERON COUNTY PRESS, THURSDAY, DECEMBER 21, 1899.
Ben had made a fire in the big sitting
room fireplace, and around this the
older folks gathered for a friendly
vi&it.
At half-past seven Joyce opened the
front room door and ushered the chil
dren and young people into the blaze
and glory of the first Christinas tree
some of them had ever seen. Jtight
proudly did Joyce view the pretty scene,
the hemlock-garlanded room, the
wreaths above the pictures, but overall
and crowning all the lovely tree, tower
ing to the ceiling, aglow with the soft
light of dozens of candles, agleam with
snowy festoons of popcorn, golden or
anges and bags of candies. Joyce had
worked hard all day and was tired —nt
least, she had been tired before the peo
ple came but now as she looked into
the happy faces and wondering eyes she
felt that it had paid.
Who could tell of all the joys of that
wonderful Christmas Eve! Mow aston
ished each boy was when Uncle Ken
loudly read his name and handed down
to his eager hands some mysterious
parcel! How radiantly happy was each
small girl who received some pretty
thing from that wonderful tree! And
no child was forgotten. And then how
they all shouted when I'nele Ben peered
through hi* glasses at the parcels he
found on the tree for himself! And
how they all exclaimed when Joyce un
did Aunt Isabel's bundle aud laid a
beautiful, soft, fleecy, white shawl
about her shoulders! And then when
Uncle Ben, who had privately invited a
minister from the village, asked for a
few Christinas remarks, they all lis
tened reverently while that sweet old
story of the Babe of Bethlehem was told
once more.
And after the candles had burned
down, sputtered and gone out, the front
room was deserted in favor of the big
kitchen, where all sorts of gay, romp
ing games were played. Joyce, flushed
and merry, wondered once or twice if
the girls at Jean's Christmas party were
having as much fun as she.
Presently Belinda, important and
smiling above her snow-white apron,
passed plates and napkins, and Joyce
helped her serve the delicious cake and
sandwiches and pour the tea and coffee.
What a royal good time it was, and how
jovial the old men were, and how viva
cious the old ladies! Aunt Isabel and
Uncle Ben were plainly happy, and so
was Belinda, and if the guests were
one-lialf as happy as Joyce they were
happy, indeed.
When it was all over and all the
guests had departed for their respec
tive homes in ilie Promised Land. Uncle
Ben drew Joyce down upon his knee.
"Little girl," he said, "you done well—
you done nobly! The true Christmas
spirit is in your heart, 'peace and good
w ill.' "
Ai;d Aunt Isabel smiled across at
her. "You've brought the Christmas
feeling into my heart, child," she said
softly. "I can't bear to have you go
home day after to-morrow."
Joyce laughed gleefully. "I'm not
going, auntie." she said. "I've three
weeks' vacation, and I'm going to spend
it all with you."
Uncle Men chuckled to himself.
"That's Ihe way to talk." said he."l
wondered when I see that trunk of
yours if you mciibe wasn't going to
stay with us a spell, and so you be. We'll
try to have some sleighridesand candy
pulls up here in the. Promised Land
while you're here and 1 don't doubt a
mite but what we'll all have a good
time." —Harriet Francene Crocker, in
Union Signal.
COMPARISONS NOT MADIC.
IP
Smythe —Was your Christmas a suc
cess?
Brown —I don't know; my wife hasn't
heard from the neighbors yet. —Up To
Date.
A BOER VICTORY.
Burghers Whip Methuon's Army
at Magerafontein.
Desperate Assaults made by ICiijrllsb
Troops on tlic S.inni> In Trendies
Mere Unsuccessful-Losses ou
l£»l 1« Sides Were lairtfe
Oilier War Mews.
Pretoria. Dec. 12. —Six hundred and
seventy-two liritish prisoners were
taken at Stormberg.
in the fighting at Modder river Sun
day evening (len. Cronje maintained
his position and captured 50 Mritis'i
soldiers.
The Boers captured three British
guns in the engagement with (Jen.
tiatacre's force at Stormberg. The
sortie at Kimberly on Saturday was
an attempt to take the Boer positi n.
London, Dec. l.i.—The war office pub
lishes the following dispatch from
(Jen. Muller: Dispatch from <ien.
White, dated December 11, says: "Mast
night Col. Metcalf and 500 of the Sec
ond rifle brigade sortied to capture a
Moer howitzer on a hill. They reached
the crest without being discovered,
drove ofl' the enemy and then de
stroyed the howitzer with gun cotton.
When returning Metcalf found his re
tirement barred by the Moers, but he
forced his way througn, using the
bayonet freely.
London, Dec. 14.—Each important
battle seems to bring a worse reverse
for the British, and the pipers this
morning sorrowfully admit ilia'. Gen.
Methuen's check at Magersfoutein on
Monday is the most serious event the
war has yet produced.
It. is estimated here that Methuen's
forces amounted to 11,000 men. No
reliable estimate of his losses has yet
been received. They are believed to
have been at least 450.
Julian Mai ph. describing the battle
at Magersfoutein. in a dispatch to the
-Mail says:"The Boers were in
trenched at Magersfoutein, four miles
north of Modnler river. At dawn
Monday the Highlanders, advancing
across the veldt, were suddenly sub
jected to a murderous fire from the
trenches about 200 yards in front. The
greater part of the fearful loss of the
day was thus suffered in a minute.
Startled and overwhelmed, the brigade
retired quickly, but soon rallied and
retained its position. This was on
the left. On the right Ihe guards
brigade advanced across the trenches
and fought an invisible foe for 15
hours. At II in the morning the Gor
don Highlanders were sent forward.
The Moers allowed them to pass one
line of trenches with artillery, and
then enfiladed them. We raked the
Moer trenches with artillery through
out the day. The fighting only
ceased with nightfall."
The British casualties included Gen.
Wauohope, the Marquis of Winchester,
major of the Coldstream guards, who
was killed, and Col. Down ha tn of the
Gordon Highlanders, who was mortal
ly wounded. When the Highlanders
met the murderous point blank fire of
the Boers about 200 were mowed down.
The Black Watch regiment on reform
ing was able to muster only 160 men.
The Moers lost heavily in the trenches
and also in the wire entanglements
when they came into the open in an
attempt to make a flank attack on the
British. The terrific British artillery
fire provoked no response except from
the Boer rifles until nearly 4 o'clock
in the afternoon, when the Gordon
Highlanders formed to renew the at
tack on the entrenched kopje.
The enemy opened with a heavy
shrapnel fire as the British advance !
and it was found physically impassible
to take the Moer trenches. The Mrit
ish got within 200 yards, but could not
get nearer. It was here that Col.
Dow nliam fell. The Boers had had
free recourse to barbed wire entangle
ments. which offered great obstacles
even after the damage inflicted by the
British artillery fire. Tuesday morn
ing both sides occupied the positions
they held before the battle.
London, Dec. 15.—The war office is
still without news from Ladysmith
other than that already published.
The general belief is that the large
Boer forces Gen. Methuen encountered
at Masrersfontein were partly drawn
from Natal, and that (Jen. Muller will
strike a blow before these have time
to return.
A revised list of the total casualties
to the British troops at Magersfoutein
places the number at 832.
The war office has received the fol
lowing dispatch from Gen. Walker, at
Cape Town: "Gen. French wires under
date of December IS. reporting a skir
mish at 4 o'clock in the morning with
1,800 Boers who were advancing south
ward toward Naauwpoort. The skir
mishing continued all the morning,
Boers fighting on a front of 14 miles.
The enemy retired with a loss of 40
killed and wounded. Our casualties
were one killed, seven wounded, in
cluding one officer and two missing."
Modder Iliver, Dee. 15.—Ambulances
started Tuesday under a flag of truce
to collect the wounded and bury the
dead who fell at Magersfontein.
lien. Wauchope, who led the High
land brigade, was found dead near the
trenches, shot in the chest and thigh.
A few wounded were found near the
trenches. Several wounded Boers
were taken to the British hospital.
The side of the hill and neighborhood
of the trenches showed dead bodies all
about. One wounded Boer informed a
corre .pond.:nt that their loss was ter
rible. The Boer losses must exceed
Too. The destruction wrought by the
naval vtins was enormous. Word was
passed along the Boer lines to prepare
lo retreat at nightfall.
Four Trainmen Killed.
Allentown, Pa., Dec. i4.—Passenger
train No. IS on the Jersey Central
railroad, castbound, due here at K: r >7
last evening, ran into the rear end of
extra coal train No. 420, also east
bound. opposite Latirys. Engineer
Yeonians, Fireman Smith and Mag
gagemaster Ilerth, of the passenger
train, all of Kaston, Pa., and Flay in.in
(ieorge llann. of the coal train, of
Mergen, N. J., were buried liiiuev the
wreck amd killed. The wreck caught
tire and the engine, smoker and bag
gage car of the passenger train were
burned.
THE JOLO TREATY.
I'cxt of the Attreemeiit Between f!cn.
Hates and lite Sultan in .liu-Jc B"i»•»
lie.
Washington, Dec. 14. —The following
is the text of the agreement between
Gen. ISatcs and the sultan of .1010, bet
ter known as the Jolo treaty, which
has been sent to the senate by
the president, it being understood
that this agreement will be in
Cull force on.'y when approved by the
governor geaieral of the Philippine
islands anil confirmed by the president
of the United States, anc .11 be sub
ject to future modifications by the
mutual consent of the parties in in
terest.
Article I. The sovereignty of the
United States over the whole archi
pelago of Jolo is declared and acknowl
edged.
Article 11.-—The United States flag
will be used in the archipelago of .Jolo
and it.s dependencies on land and sea.
Article 111. The rights and dignb.y
of the sultan and his datos shall be
fully respected; the Moras shall not
be interfered with on account of their
religion; all their religious customs
shall lie respected, and no one shall
lie persecuted on account of his re
ligion.
Article IV. While the United Sta/tes
may occupy and control such points
Jn the archipelago of Jolo as public in
terests seem to demand, encroachment
will not be made upon, the land imme
diately about the residence of the sul
tan unless military necessity requires
such occupation in case of war with a
foreign power, and where the property
of individuals is taken due compensa
tion will be made in each ease. Any
person can purchase land in the archi
pelago of Jolo aiul hold the same by
obtaining the consent of the sultan
and coming to a satisfactory agree
ment with the owjier of the land, and
.such purchase shall immediately be
registered in the proper office of the
United States government.
Article V.—All trade in domestic
products of the archipelago of Jolo,
\vhen carried on by the sultan and his
people with any part of the Philippine
islands and when conducted under the
American tlag. shall be free, unlimit
ed and undutiable.
Article VI.- The sultan of Jolo sl»n1I
be allowed To communicate with the
governor general of tne 'Philippine
islands in making complaint against
the commanding officer of Jolo, or
against any naval commander.
Article VII. —The introduction of
firearms and war material is forbid
den. except, under specific authority
of the governor general of the Philip
pine islands.
Article Vlll.—Piracy must be sup
pressed and the sultan and his datos
agree to co-operate with the United
States authorities to that end, and to
make every possible effort to arrest
and bring to justice all persons en
gager! in piracy.
Article IX.—Where crimes and of
fenses are committeil by Moros against
Morns, the government of the sultan
will bring to trial and punishment the
criminals and offenders, who will be
delivered to the government of the
sultan by the I'nited States authori
ties if in their possession. In all oth
er cases persons charged with crimes
or offenses will be delivered to the
I'nited States and authorities for trial
and punishment.
Article X.—Any slave in the archi
pelago of Jolo shall have the rig-lit to
purchase freedom by paying to the
master the usual market value.
Article Xl.—ln caae of any trouble
with subjects of the sultan, the Amer
ican authorities in the islands will be
instructed to make careful investiga
tion before resorting to harsh meas
ures.
Article XIL—At present Americans
or foreigners wishing togo into the
country should state their wishes to
the Moro authorities .and ask for an
escort, but it is hoped that this will
become unnecessary as we know each
other better.
Article XIII. The United States will
give full protection to the sultan and
his subjects in case any foreign nation
should attempt to impose upon them.
Article X I V. —The United States will
not sell the island of Jolo or any oth
er island of the Join archipelago to
ixny foieign nation without the consent
of the sultan of Jolo.
Article XV,—The I'nited States gov
ernment will pay the following month
ly salaries: To tlie sultan $-50 (Mex
ican money), to Dato Kajah Muda $75,
to Dato Attik SOO, to Dato Calhi $75, to
Dato Joakinin $7.1, to Dato Puyo S6O,
to Dato Amir llussin SOO, to Hadji
P.utu $.lO, to Habih Mura S4O. to Serif
Saguin sl3. Signed in triplicate, Kng*
Jisli and Sulu. at Jolo, this 20th day of
August, A. 1). 1599.
Advance t.nurd of a >o\v Service.
.New York, Dec. 14.—Five marine
hospital doctors sailed yesterday on
■tile steamer St. Louis for Southamp
ton. They are the advance guard of
<i new service of the government which
is to be established abroad. The doc
tors are to be attached to the United
States consulates at different large
ports in Europe and will look after the
steerage passengers coining to the
United States. They will go aboard
of all vessels leaving for our ports
mid examine the steerage passengers.
After having nt/ade an examination
and finding everything all right they
will give the ship a clear bill of health.
The) Walked on DIP Track.
Tarentum, Pa., Dec. 14.-—Betthoi
I.anish, aged 20 years, and Miss Ella
Mengel, aged I.S, -started out last even
ing from the home of the young wo
man to do some shopping together.
To shorten the distance they took the
route of the railroad track. They
were caught bv the llutlcr express and
killed. '
A sieif Combine In Siijrnr.
Dover, Del., Dec. K>. —Preparations
were begun here last night for tlie in
corporation of the Colonial Sugar Ke
fining Co.. capital $100,000,000. Large
sugar making companies now outside
the American Sugar ltefining Co. are
concerned in this new Delawa;e cor
poration.
Another Straw board Tru*t.
Indianapolis, Dec. 13. —A new stravr
board trust will be launched the first
of the year in opposition to the old
trust. The mills in the new combina
tion are at Terre Ilaute, Anderson,
Juliet and Lima.
NOW IT'SBIILLEIt
Another English General Re
ports si Reverse.
LOST ELEVEN IUG GUNS.
Attempt to Cross Tage la River
was a Failure.
BOERS' FIRE WAS DEADLY.
<*r>n. duller TV|ln» lli;mllist>111 n Siory
of lluu 111- Mo Id tern Wa|k<-<! Bilnd
j If Into a Trap Set lor 'l'lit-in bj u
( uiiuiic Kllcmy.
London, Dec. I<s.—The war office has
received a dispatch announcing' that
Gen. Buller has uict with a serious re
verse. Gen. Buller was attempting to
cross Tugela river. Finding it impos
sible to effect his object, he ordered a
retirement in order to avoid greater
losses. lie left 11 guns behind.
The following is the text of Gen.
Buller's dispatch announcing his re
verse : "Chieveley camp, Dec. 15—1 re
gret to report a serious reverse. I
moved in full strength from our camp
near Chieveley at four o'clock this
morning. There are two fordable
places in the Tugela river and it was my
intention to force a passage through
at one of them. They are about two
miles apart. My intention was to force
one or the other with one brigade, sup
ported by a central brigade. Gen.
Hart was to attack the left road, Gen.
Ilildyard the right road and Gen. Lyt
tleton was to take the center and to
support either. Early in the day 1 saw
that Cien. 11 art would not be able to
force a passage and I directed liirn to
withdraw, lie had, however, attacked
with great gallantry and his leading
battalion, the Connaught rangers,
I fear, suffered a great deal. Col.
I. (t. Brooke was seriously wounded.
"1 then ordered Gen. Ilildyard to ad
vance, which he did and lii.s leading
regiment, the East Surrey, occupied
Colenso station and the houses near
the bridge. At that moment 1 heard
that the whole artillery I had sent to
support the attack—the 14th and tilith
firfd batteries and six naval Impounder
quick firers, under had ad
vanced close to the river in Long's de
sire to be within effective range. It
proved to be full of the enemy, which
suddenly opened a galling tire at close
range, killing all their horses and the
gunners were compelled to stand to
their guns. Some of the wagon teams
got shelter in a donga and desperate
efforts were being made to bring out
the field guns. The tire, however, was
too severe and only two were saved.
Of the 18 horses 13 were killed, and
as several drivers were wounded I
would not allow another attempt, as it
seemed that they would be a shell
mark, sacrificing life to a gallant at
tempt to force the passage. Unsup
ported by artillery I directed the
troops to withdraw, which they did in
good order. Throughout the day a
considerable force of the enemy was
pressing on my right llank, but was
kept back by mounted men under Lord
Dundonald and part of Cien. Barton's
brigade. The day was intensely hot
and most trying 1 on the troops, whose
conduct was excellent. We have
abandoned ten guns and lost by shell
tire one. The losses in Gen. Hart's
brigade are, I fear heavy, although
the proportion of severely wounded is,
1 hope, not large. The 14th and o(sth
field batteries also suffered severe
losses. We have retired to our camp
at Chieveley."
The news of Gen. Buller's reverse
was received so late that morning l
newspaper comment is confined to per
functory expressions of extreme regre
and disappointment, and of the necesi
ty of calmness and redoubled efforts to
retrieve the position. This latest check
is regartled as the most serious event
in England's military history since the
Indian mutiny.
The Standard says: "Gen. Buller's
dispatch is deplorable reading. It is
the now familiar story of concealed
Boers and of British troops marching
up blindly almost to the very muzzles
of the enemy's rifles. It cannot be
doubted that the moral effect will be
to aggravate our difficulties over the
whole field of operation. The country
has discovered with annoyance and
surprise that subduing Boer farmers is
about the hardest work we have en
tered upon since the Indian mutiny.
Their commandants have shown them
selves able to give our generals useful,
but expensive lessons in modern tac
tics. "
A llentriiotlve Fire.
Philipsbur, Pa., Dec. 111. —A number
of buildings containing mine ma
chinery were destroyed by fire Friday
at Morrisdale, I'a., the plant being
known as No. 1 shaft of the Morrisdale
Coal Co. The value of the buildings
and contents is estimated at $30,000.
Four hundred men have been thrown
out of employment. It is also reported
that the fire has reached the inside of
■he mine and that the loss will amount
to 87b, 3(0.
I'allol lor 93,000,000.
Boston, Dec. It!.—John I'. Squire &
Co., engaged in the meat and provis
ion and meat packing business, as
signed Friday to Lawyer Herman W.
Chaplin. The liabilities are estimated
at 83,000,000 and the assets at 50,000,-
000, the latter including a recent ap
praisal of the plant at East Cambridge
and Somerville at S'J, OUW.OOO. The
company was incorporated in ISDti and
has a paid up capital of 8*,000,000,
stock being largely held in the Squire
family. The business will be carried
on without any chnnge by Mr. Chap
lin as assignee.
3