msss sw The PennycomeoDicks Written for THE DISPATCH Dy-- - S. BARING GOULD, - Author of 'Mr.TTAi.AH,""CouBTRoYAi.,""JoHS Heeeikg," "TheGavebocks,"Eto CHAPTER XIIL-What Next: What was to be done? Mrs. Bidebottom was the first to see what was to be done, "I shall take oat an administration at once," she said. Philip said nothing. Of course she must do what she said. She was the proper person to take out an administration as nearest of kin. Bat he was not thinking of her and what she proposed to do. He was standing still with the will in his hand. Salome had not reclaimed it, as it was worthless. He proceeded to fold it and replace it in the cover. Philip was not easy in his mind. He had spoken in a rode manner to the girl, throwing a gross charge against her, and had grievously hart her. Was the charge just? Was it possible to ex plain the peculiar circumstances in any other way than that which had occurred to him? Suddenly looking up at Mrs. Sidebottom and then at the Captain, he looked down again, and this time with great attention at the envelope. "The envelope has been tampered with," he said. 'In what way?" asked Mrs. Sidebottom. "It has been opened by means of a heated penknife. Here are the marks of the smoke that have been rubbed off the blade upon the paper; and here are cuts made by the knife in the paper. The envelope, after having been sealed, was opened carefully, even cunningly." "Why carefully or cunningly I cannot tell, bat of coarse opened it has been." said Mrs. Sidebottom. 'Ton do not suppose Jeremiah could destroy his signature without opening the envelope?" "Certainly not But I should not have sup posed he would take nains to do it in such a manner. He had plenty of long envelopes at hand. Then again, to refasten it a different sealing wax was employed to what had been used before, a slight difference in tint of scarlet, and one impression of the stamp can be traced over the other, the earlier not being wholly obliterated. Excuse me one moment, Aunt Louisa, 1 should like to have a look at my ancle's study." 'Philip the room is in disorder!" said Mrs. Sidebottom, starting to her feet and flushing, "I cannot really; upon my word I will not per mit " But be bad left the room before she could prevent him. She moved to follow him, but re considered herself and turned back. "Fiddlesticks!" she said, angrily; "nothing but fiddlesticks." "I-ani the sufferer," grumbled Lambert; "I shall be left in the cold. Yon and Philip take everything." "What I have serves to make you comfort able," retorted the mother. "That may be," answered Lambert, "but it is one thing to have money of one's own, and an other thing to have to come to one's mammy for every penny, and to find that the mammy rarely has any pennies in her purse." "Hitherto I have been pinched in circum stances. It will be different now. Lamb, you will see." After a pause, she added. "Unless that meddlesome, vexatious prig, Philip, prove an obstruction." Presently Philip returned. "It is as I thought," said he. "The sealing wax employed the second time is that now in the pen tray on my uncle's desk; not only so, but his knife is there also, bearing on it ,tho traces of exposure to fire. It was probably thrust into the flame of the gas to heat it so as to enable it to dissolve the wax of the seal." "No doubt about it," said Mrs. Sidebottom: "and this proves that Jeremiah canceled his will shortly before his death. I should not be surprised if he did it the same night that he died, immediately before giving it to Salome." "The case is a most extraordinary one," said Philip. . 4 "Not at all, it is clear as day." Philip did not care to debate the matter with his arm, so he left the room, and taking his hat, entered the garden. The garden, as already said, descended from the house to the valley. It consisted of two Elopes, divided by a wall: the upper slope ended in a terrace walk with the coping of the wall serving as a parapet to.it. Access, to the lower garden wall was obtained by a flight of steps at ea i end. The upper of the two divisions devoted to flowers, the lower to vegetables, and f rnit trees were trained against the wall that buttressed up the terrace. Phihp paced the upper terrace for several minutes, and was unable to come to a decision; he could not see that the matter was as simple as his aunt pretended. For, as he argued, why should his uncle have taken pains to preserve the original envelope when there was no appa rent necessity for so doing. If any one else had opened the envelope then he could under stand the care taken to preserve it with its su perscription, "The Last Will and Testament of Jeremiah Pennycomequick," and to conceal the fact that it had been adroitly unclosed. But who would have been likely to commit each an act? Certainly not Salome, in whose keeping, under lock and key.the will had been. It was hardly possible that it had been tam pered with since it had been given to her. Was It poljihleth.it it had been cancelled before, unknown to Jeremiah? Philip sawthathehad not the data, or had not data sufficient, on which to come to a de cision. He must have another Interview with Salome. He therefore returned to the house, and meeting a servant in the hall asked her to request Miss Cnsworth to speak with him a few minutes in the garden. Without delay Salome came. She had not put on a bonnet, but had thrown a gray shawl over her head, and pinned it under her chin like a mill girl. Some of her burnished Tiair, like autumn oak leaves flaming in the evening sun, shone out from under the shawl, and the grey wool contrasted pleasantly with the deli cately beautiful complexion, now no longer white, but with flying tinges of color in it, like a snnset sky in which are drifts of vapor, high aloft, undefined, yet sensitive to the rays of the declining orb. She was deeply wounded, and the changes in her color followed the fluc tuations of resentment, humiliation, anger and pain in her heart. She had been crying Philip saw that for though she had wiped her eyes, the tears were still near the snrface, and with difficulty re strained from overflowing. "Miss Cusworth," said Philip with stiffness, but an attempt at graclousness, "I regret that I addressed you a few moments ago without that charity which I was bound to entertain. Xwas surprised, Indignant, and rushed to a conclusion which may prove to have been formed too precipitately. I shall be greatly very greatly obliged, if you will accept my apology, and allow me to ask you a series of questions on the subject of the will, to enable me to form a matured opinion as to the man ner in which it was canceled, and by whom it was done, two points that appear to me at this moment by no means as clear as they did a quarter of an hour ago, because a close exami nation of the envelope has shown me that it was opened recently, and in a manner that seems to me suspicious." 'I will answer any questions yon put as far as it Is in my ability to answer-them.1' "And we shall be more at our ease, more in private, if we take the lower walk at the foot of the wait" said Philip, as from the windows everyone can see us here and comment on our interview. May I ask yon to do me the further favor of walking with me below the steps?" "Certainly," answered Salome, and began to oescend. Philip would have been devoid of the ele mentatrlaculties by which beauty is perceived andadmired, If be had not been struck at this time by the young and graceful figure that pre ceded him. and by the perfect sweetness of the Innocent, sad face that turned at the bottom and looked back at him. She did not reproach him with her eyes, and yet, when he caught them, his own eyes fell, and he became uncom fortable and conscious of having wronged her. She puzzled him. Was she tricky, double, self seeking? or was she what she looked sincere and straightforward? A consciousness stole over Philip that had he lived in the same house with her for 16 or 17 years, as had Uncle Jeremiah, and had come to make his will, and then without her uttering a word of persuasion, he would be leaving her everything he had just as Jeremiah had at one time done; only he would uever have worded bis will in such a clumsy, absurd and unusual fashion. As soon as he reached the foot of the ne took his place at her sidef Here was abroad walk parallel to that above, facing the pen, sheltered, with the trained trees against ' . ;. ;'jfwv i the wall on one side and a box-edging on the other, with, in summer, a border of herbaceous flowers fringing the beds of cabbage, onions, brnssels sprouts and carrots. "I am at your service," said Salome. "Then.l will begin my catechism at once," said Philip. "Please to give me an exact ac count of what passed in your last interview with Mr. Pennycomequick." "Do "you mean actually the last as he went out for his walk by the canal, or when he gave me the will td keep?"' "I mean the latter." "He had been out to dinner. I sat up await ing for him. thinking he might want something before he went to bed. It was most unusal for him to accept invitations to dine out When he came back " "He had been dining" with Mrs. Sidebottom, I think?" ...... "Yes; when he came back it was early that Is to say, earlier than I expected. But he was out of spirits, and told me he left as soon as he could get away for that reason." "Had anything occurred to disturb him?" Not that I know. But he certainly was in a more desponding mood than I had seen him In at any time previously." "Did he give any reason for It?" Salome hesitated. "What reason did he give for his depressed spirits?" t "He did not exactly give a reason for it, hut he was a little mistrustful perhaps of the world in general." "And of anyone in particular?" Salome colored; her hand caught her shawl below her chin and worked nervously with it "I had rather you did not force me to answer that question," site said, timidly. "Very well." said Philip, "only let me ob serve that this is not answering me with the fullness that was promised." "I think he was unjust and I hadratherthat little ebullition of injustice was forgotten." "Go on," said Philip. "Did he give you the will, then? and was it in anyway in connection with the mistrust he expressed?" "I cannot say that He started up, said he would confide to me a most solemn trust, that concerned me nearly, and went out of the room ' "Whither did he go?" "To the study, I fancy; and in a moment re turned " "Excuse me. In a moment?" "Yes, almost directly, returned with a pa per." "It was in the envelope?" "Oh, yes, just as I gave it you." "You did not think he would have had time to open the envelope, tear off his signature and re-seal the cover before coming back to the room where you were?" "Oh, no! He went upstairs and came down again immediately," "Now tell me. Are you quite sure that he believed the will was intact when he gave it you?" "1 am sure of it from his manner." "And where did he keep it before be gave it you?" "I do not know." "Had you any previous knowledge of the will and its' contents?" "None whatever. 1 have not even heard my mother speak of It; and she must have known, because she witnessed it But I am sure also she had uo idea as to its contents, or she would have joined with me in entreating him not to make such an unjust disposition of his property. I am glad the will is worthless, be cause I never could have felt that I had a right to receive all. uncle I mean Mr. Pennycome quick left me in that will. I should have felt that I was robbing the relations, and J would have refused to benefit by the will." "Who is the John Dale who signed as witness along with your mother?' "Mr. Dale! Oh, he was a dear friend of Mr. Pennycomequick. He always'spent his Christ mas here, and uncle went at Whitsuntide to spend a few days with him at Bridlington. Mr. Uale is trustee to Janet We both like him." Salome spoke so openly, so quietly and with such self-possession, that again his suspicions began to yield to the charm of her honesty, as they had before. "One matter farther," said Philip. "After Mr. Pennycomequick had given you the will, you locked it up in I remember you said a workbox." "Yes, in my workbox." "Ancfthe workbox was that put away any where?" "Oh, no. I use it every day." "Then the same box is unlocked very often?" "Yes." "And left unlocked?" Salome hesitated a moment, then said, "Yes but it is in my room. No one would meddle with my things no one has any interest in my little odds and ends. Besides, no one would be so mean." Then after a pause. "Mr. Pennycome quick, you charged me with a piece of baseness which" she shook her head impatiently, as if to shake off the imputation "which it is a stain on me to think of as possible. I could not I would die rather than do what is mean. Mean!" She turned her face suddenly round on bim; it was flushed, and the eyes sparkled. "No, Mr. Pennycomequick, I could be wicked, but not mean no, not that on any account un der whatever provocation no, not mean!" "I beg yonr pardon, Miss Cnsworth, most sin cerely. I committed myself to a rash charge, which I withdraw." She paid no attention to his apology, .but went on "No, I would not have taken advan tage of the will had it been in form and right for that would have been mean. Dear Mr. Pennyoomequick I loved and love still from the depths of my heart, but be had his faults, and one was that he was not forgiving to his own relations to you. And he thought harshly of his sister, Mrs. Sidebottom, and de spised Captain Pennycomequick. I had no claim on him at all, and if he saw that be had done wrong, and had himself cancelled the will, no one would rejoice more than myself; for it would show me that he had returned to a more kindly view of you all." "But how do you account for the signature being torn off 7" . ( "I have not thought much about it since. I 'thought only of the hurt you had done me." "Is it possible that he can have changed his mind, invalidated his will, and then forgotten that he had done so? No, that is impossible. The act was too recent" Philip argued aloud. "I would not have bad people th,inkillof dear old'uncle," said Salome, pursuing her own train of thought, little concerned how the will was invalidated, concerned only with her solio ltuae for the memory of- the deceased. "He had been unspeakably kind to my mother and my sister and me. Everyone would talk, all would say he had been unjust, supposing that will had stood. Over his grave that was not he who was buried to-day his grave, wherever it may be, heart-burnings would have arisen, and reproachful words would have been cast at his memory. He wrote that will in some queer mood when he was not quite himself. He never, I must say it, quite valued Mrs. Sidebottom as a sister, and he was' ill-pleased when she left York and settled at Mergatroyd. The Captain, he thought, had not much brains and was imprudent about money. You he did not know, and he had a mistaken prejudice against lawyers. But there how the will was made of no effect; whether by himself or or, how, matters little, the deed is done, and no one can ever say that he wronged his own flesh and blood." She had spoken quickly, eagerly, without pause, and with a heightened color. A sudden idea came into Philip's mind with a flash. "You Miss Cusworthl For the sake of his memory, did you meddle with the will?" This was a repetition of the charge. First, he charged her with coarse self-seeking, now with blind self-effacement "I I Obi Air. Pennycomequick, of course not It was a trust I could not touch it, even to save his dear name from reproach." "Miss Cusworth," said Philip, "have you any objection to my seeing your mother?" "Not in the least Only remember she is frail. She suffers from her heart" "Will you take me to her at oncef ' Certainly. Follow me." cshe led Philip up the steps, through the up per garden; Philip's eyes, which bad watched her descend the steps with admiration, saw her mount them with even greater. She con jfW THE ducted him to the room occupied by her mother as a parlor. The old lady was in black, and was dusting. That was her daily occupation. She traveled about tho'hnuse with a duster in her pocket, and when the duster became dirty she took her pocket handkerchief and dusted with that; and it was also black. She had been an energetic woman in her youth, and now that she suffered from her heart, was impatient at not being al lowed to do as much as she had been wont She had made an excellent housekeeper to Mr. Pennycomequick. When he was short of dtf mestics she turned her hand to anything cooked, did housework, needlework would have cleaned the knives and boots if the boy had failed. Tlie deficiency in servants was not an extraordinary event In a manufacturing district few girls care to enter domestic service and submit to its restraints, when they can earn their livelihood at the mills, and have the evenings to themselves in which to meet their friends. When Mr. Pennycoinequlck's estab lishment was complete, she spent her day in making up for the deficiencies of the domestics putting stright what they had crooked, cleaning oat corners they had neglected, brushing down cobwebs they had overlooked, detecting break ages they had made, and repairing rents they had effected in the household linen. She was not a good-looking woman, but the likeness of the two girls to her was traceable; moreover, she must have had at one time auburn hair, for though her hair was much darker now, it had in it glints of red copper. Her heart complaint had given to her face a waxy, even greenish tint and ber lips were leaden. On being introduced to her, Philip felt some what ashamed of not having made her ac quaintance before because be had allowed himself to be influenced by Mrs. Sidebottom's prejudice. His aunt had treated the widow with studied indifference, and when noticing her, behaved toward her with superciliousness. Mrs. Cusworth had accordingly kept very much to herself in the rooms allotted to her use. Janet was fired with indignation at the dis courtesy shown to her mother; she wished to defy Mrs. Sidebottom, but her mother bade her remember that now this lady was in authority, and that she and her daughters remained In the house upon sufferance only. Philip bowed on entering, and apologized somewhat lamely .for not having made the lady's acquaintance earlier, and then, turning, saw Salome glide out of the room with her arm In that of her sister. The girl rightly under stood that Philip desired to speak with Mrs. Cusworth alone. He proceeded at once to cross-question her on the subject of the will, "You must excuse me," he Baid, "but I am forced to make inquiries. I presume you have been told that avery advantageous will, made in favor of your daughter, has been found, canceled, and no subsequently drawn will has been discovered. Mr. Pennycomequick gave this valueless one to Miss Cusworth to keep, andlcanqot donbt he did so believing be in trusted her with ono that was valid. Now, either he took this one by mistake for a subse quent will which has disappeared, or the will has been no, I will not commit myself to the statement of the alternative. Be so good as to tell me what you recollect about the signing of the will. "It was done just after Janet's wedding." "Were you aware of the contents?" "Certainly not Mr. Pennycomequick sent for me in his. study, where he was with Dr. Dale. He merely asked me to witness his signature to his will; but be entered into no particulars." "You had no reason to believe he intended to constitute Miss Cusworth bis heiress?" "Not the least I supposed he would leave her something as he had dealt so liberally by my other daughter at her marriage; I neither wished for nor expected more; certainly for nothing which might cause annoyance to the family." "He never alluded to his Intention?" "Never. He was a reserved man." "And you have no reason to suppose he made another will subsequent to that?" "I know nothing. I was not called in to wit ness another." "Thank you," said Philip rising. "The mys tery is to me as dark now as before, only" and this he said to himself "the one explanation I I gave at first is, I am now convinced, certainly the wrong one." CHAPTER XTV. Administbatio:'. Philip Pennycomequick returned to the garden. He was still greatly perplexed, but a new and disquieting suspicion bad invaded his. mind. "He was now complelelytsatisfied that no undue influence had been used to foroe the old man to make his' extraordinary will. Ho was also tolerably certain that he handed it to Salome in good faith, believing it to be un touched. The will bad been tampered with either just before or after bis death. It was hardly possible that this could have been done before, when preserved, as he little doubted, ' in the iron chest in which Jeremiah kept all his deeds and papers of value. It was more probable that the mutilation had been effected afterward, when carelessly kept in Salome's workbox, which probably had a lock easily fitted. with, a key, and which was sometimes incautiously left unlocked when Salome was not in'her room. But who would be likely to do such, an act, commit a felony? He dared not accuse his aunt; even in thought such an accusation was too terrible. He had no confidence in her rectitude. His mistrust of her truthfulness had been deepened by her audacious assertion that Jeremiah had worn a. nightshirt she had given him, a statement which he was convinced was untrue, and one made by'her to get over the difficulty about the linen of the drowned man differing from that known to have be longed to her brother. He could not disguise from himself that on the supposition that Mrs. Sidebottom had mutilated the will, all the difficulty in explain ing the mystery disappeared. She had heard from Salome where the will waB in her desk and in her room. It was to Mrs. Sidebottom's interest to kno.w its contents, and to invalidate it when she did know them. But Philip.though he held his aunt in low esteem, could hardly think she could be guilty of such wickedness. But how else explain the difficulty. Then, again, supposing he. reached moral conviction that she had tampered with the documentwhat course could be pursue? He bad absolutely no evidence to justify a public accusation, and without very strong and conclusive evidence he could not make such a charge a charge of felony against his own aunt When he considered the grounds on which his suspicion rested, he found how slight they were. The facts were that Mrs. Sidebottom knew where the will was, that she was in the house, andhad opportunities of obtaining ac cess to the will, and that it was to her interest to destroy its force. He had no reason to think his aunt morally capable of such a crinie. His belief in her veracity was shaken, but it Is a long way between telling a lie and commit ting a crime such as that he was half-inclined to attribute to her. With his mind still unsatisfied he went to the stndy, where he knew he would find her. Cap tain Lambert had gone out The Captain had borne the restraint imposed on him by the death of his uncle with impatience. He had been prevented from playing his usual game of billiards. He had yawned in the morning and stoop at the window with his hands in his pock ets, then had shifted his position to the fire, and stood before that with his hands behind him, and found neither position to his taste. In the afternoon be had lounged between the two houses, and had sonntered in the garden and grumbled and yawned continually. In the evening, when alone after dinner, in hisfrogged smofcing-jacKet tnd slippers, lounging in an armchair, he read a little, and when Philip was there, talked with him. Bat nothing satisfied him; the Field he found 'awfully dull!" his cousin "awfully prosy!" and he pronounced as his criticism of every novel he dipped into that it was "awful trash I" Philip and Lambert had no Interests in com-, mon, because Lambert had no interests at all. Philip was reserved, Lambert open, with the difference that feists between a , purse and a glove. Philip had much in him which was not for all the world, Lambert had nothing in him whatever. Lambert was easy-going, selfish and good riatured'in what did not touch his own comfort and ease. He had little conversation, and what he had was uninteresting. We comer across people continually who have to be dredged that anything may be got out of them, and when dredged, jleld nothing to compensate the labor of dredging.' In some rivers it is worth while to try the depths with rakes and grapples, or even by diving, for on examination they yield gold dust, diamonds and pearls. But. out of others nothing is extracted save pots, weeds,, the waste matter and sewage of civilization. When Lambert was dredged he gave up worth less stuff; scraps of stale news, old jokes worn to pieces, venerable conundrums that had lost S3" vW PITTSBURG; .,-DISPATCH,, their point andfamiliar anecdotes retailed without salr. Undredged, he yielded nothing, except among those of his own mental caliber, and with them he talked about people he had met, housesat which he had visited, wines that he had drank, game that he had shot, the re lationships of his acquaintance, about jolly fel lows, nice girls, good cigars and scrumptious dinners. He was a harmless, lazy man, who would not wilfully do what was wrong, and would kever exert himself to do what was right There are tens of thousands of these negative beings about, male and. female, useful in their way, as nitrogen is of use in the atmosphere, void of quality itself, but diluting the active oxygen; as certain ingredients are serviceable as flaxes to valuable metals, but have no other known use in creation. Lambert's mother had energy for both, and managed for herself and for him. He was well content that it should be so, and it saved him trouble. He lef i her to decide everything for him. as he left his clothes to be brushed and folded and put away by tbe.servant And as he was a man without a pursuit, he voted every thing he had to do a bore, and was voted by everyone who knew him the worst of bores. "Well, Philip," said Mrs. Sidebottom. cheer ily, as her nephew entered; she was engaged in looking through a list of designs for mourning dresses. "Well, Philip. 1 am knocked to pieces with the strain, and ain glad all is over. I hope you have had a satistactoryinterview with that girl, brought her to a humble frame of mind, and induced her to confess that she and her mother concocted that abominable will?" "On the contrary," answered Philip, gravely, "I am satisfied from what she and Mrs. Cns worth have told me that tbeyhad nothing to do with it Not only was no undue pressure brought to bear on my uncle, but ,they were completely ignorant of the contents of bis tes tament" "Fiddle-faddle." said Mrs. Sidebottom, "I. don't give them credit for being such fools. They had Jeremiah in their hands for many years. He made that will in their favor, at their suggestion; only when I came here, did bis conscience speak out, and then he canceled it The case is as plain as a pikestaff." "Yon wrong her her mother," said Philip, with some heat . . "You yourself,"' retorted Mrs. Sidebottom, "accused her of having employed unfair means to procure the will. I am only, repeating what you said." "I did so. I was hasty. I now regard both Mrs. and'Mlss Cusworth as incapable of such conduct," "Why! what a weather-cock you are! You men are easily talked round by women. A cow has horns, a horse has hoofs, and a doc teeth, for self-protection; but a woman has only her tongue, which -she can use skilfully far more skilfully than the' brutes nse their weapons. Why, Philip, there are insects that accom modate themselves in color and appearance to the ground they are on, or the tree or leaf they are destroying, so as to escape detection; and you would have this precious Salome less clever than an Insect? She has assumed the color necessary for imposing on your eyes." Philip winced. He had changed his mind twice with respect to Salome, and both times in consequence of an interview with her. "I have a proposal to make." he said; "but before making it, I must lay the case before you plainly." "I desire nothing better, but I wish Lamb was here also." "I wish first to discuss it with you alone, after that we can take Lambert into conference." "I am all attention." "In the first place, I take it that my uncle made the will without having been subject to any direct pressure. Indirect there was, but 'that was also unconscious. The children had grown up in bis house, he had become warmly attached to them, and when one was married he provided for her." "Most unbecomingly and' unnecessarily." "He did as be thought fit. Tne money was his own his savings; and he had a perfect right to dispose of it as he considered proper. In full possession of his faculties, more than a twelvemonth ago he made a marriage settle ment of a large sum on oneof the young ladles, and then, as she was provided for, he made his will, providing for the sister. Miss Salome had been as a daughter to him, he loved her not less than he did Miss Janet, and certainly had no intention that she should be left destitute when he was removed." "I grant you all that," said Mrs. Sidebottom. "He might have left her an annuity of 50 or 100. That would have sufficed. Bat why leave her everything? But there what is the good bf discussing a document which is of no legal force?" " "Allow nie to proceed; Whether he acted rightly or wrongly is a" question I will not enter into. What be did" was what he had proposed in his heart to do,-to provide for Miss Salome, and to leave to Lambert and me only small annuities. He did not bequeath the factory to Lambert, whom he very" well knew was not calculated to manage a business, and he did not leave it to me, because he knew nothing about my capabilities and character. I think it is by no means improbable that there is something else behind. Miss Cusworth may be engaged to a suitable person, whom Uncle Jeremiah approved as one likely to carry on the business and not throw it away. I con ceive that the will may have been prompted quite as much by concern for an old-established and respected business as by regard for the young girl. He may have calculated on the marriage, but not have cared to allude to it at an early stage of the engagement This is merely a conjecture of mine, and I have no knowledge of anything to substantiate it You must take it for what it is worth." "Oh, that is likely enough, but as the will is canceled, why harp upon it?" "Such I imagine was the mind of my uncle when he framed that will. In two words, he desired tbat the firm should be carried on, and that his adopted daughter should be provided for." "I allow all that" "Now the will has been invalidated in a mys terious manner by the signature being torn away. By whom that was done is not known to us. but I do not allow it is at all conclusive that Uncle Jeremiah did it himself." "Of course he did it He did it because 1 was in Mergatroyd, and he had come to value me. Besides, Lambert had changed his name; he bad ceased to be a Sidebottom and had be come a Pennycomequick. Indeed he said as much to me. He' was mightily pleased at the change. It was a compliment he took to heart" Philip frowned.. His unt had recollections of things said and done that came in very con veniently to support her theories. "My impression is." said Philip, "that the will was not torn by my uncle, hut by someone else." . " "And pray," said Mrs. Sidebottom, tossing her head and moving uneasily id her seat, "do you suspect anyone?" "I accuse no one," he said dryly. "I have no right without evidence to do so." "Good gracious me!" laughed Mrs. Sidebot tom. "What an imagination you are endowed with, Philip! First it leads you to scheme out the whole story of the concoction and destruc tion of the will, and- this you pour out on Sa lome Cusworth; then you withdraw the charge, and you conceive a probable engagement be tween this young minx and an Admiral Cnch ton, who is to manage the mill and carry on the business; and now .you have an idea of some outrageous fraud having been committed. Save us from such vagaries of the fancy!" "As it was my uncle's intention tbat Miss Cusworth should be left comfortably off, and as by whatever means his will has been mu tilatedshe is now left wholly unprovided for, which is most certainly against his wish, I pro pose to you that we.- who bocome the heirs, should do something to assure to Miss Cus worth a provision at least equal in amount to that made for ber sister." "I X do not understand." "What I say is plain enough; We who share the property of my uncle must deduct from our shares in equal proportions such sum as will, when invested, bring in for the sole benefit of Miss Cusworth the modest sum of 150 per an num." , , "A hundred and fit ty.flddlesttcks !" said Mrs. Sidebottom. 'Til be banged before I agree to that!" "To what extent, then,- do you propose to meet my suggestion?" "Not at all. I will not consent to give her a farthing." "You decline to carry out the wishes of your brother?" "I dispute that they were his wishes at one time, maybe, before I arrived at Mergatroyd. After that be changed bis mind altogether, and in evidence he canceled his will." "I am by.no means prepared to allow that that was his doing." - "A hundred and fifty pounds! " Whyat 4 per cent tbat would be 'nearly 1000, 1 would v - . . ...;jS"4 - T.fih- ?.Q7.r?ri C-W MOKDA.Y, ' -MAKOH,' 1 rather throw my money into the sea, or give It to a hospital." "I repeat It was the purpose of the testator to provide-for Miss Cusworth. He bad not "Iteredhis purpose on the night that he died for he handed her the will to keep in such a manner " "According to her own account," Interjected Mrs. Sidebottom. '"As showed that he believed the win was untouched.- Either before that or after I can not say when or by whom the act had been committed which destroyed the value of the will. But Uncle Jeremiah to the last intended that the young lady should be provided for." T will consent to nothing!" "Very well," said Philip, "as you cannot agree to my proposal, no other course is left me than to enter a caveat against your taking out an administration." "What good will that do?" it'"r WlH do no eood to anJrone to Tn 1'Mt of all; I shall state my grounds before the Court that I believe the will of my uncle, which I "hall present, has been fraudulently dealt with by some person or persons unknown, and I shall endeavor to get it recognized, although it lacks his signature." "What!" exclaimed Mrs. Sidebottom, tarn iB all colors of mottled soap. "Throw'away your chance of getting half!" "Yes because I will not be unjust" Mrs. Sidebottom' was silent She was con sidering. Her fidgets showed that she was alarmed. , "Y?u will be able to effectnothlng," she said. The Court would say that Jeremiah acted im properly whenhe left his property away from bis family, and that he did right in canceling the will." .'Anyhow, 1 shall contest the grant of letters of administration." "What a chivalrous knight that girl has found in you." sneered Mrs. Sidebottom., You had better throw yourself at her feet al together." . Philip made no answer. Mrs. Sidebottom fished up an antimaccassar that had been on the back of her chair, but had fallen from it, and had been worked into a rope by her movements in the chair. She-pulled it out from under her, and threw it on the floor. "I detest these things," she said. "They are fihoppy and vulgar. Only third-rate people, such as Cusworths, would hang them about on sofas and armchairs." Philip remained unmoved. 'He knew she was talking about antimaccassars merely to gaiatime. Presently he said: "I await your answer."- Mrs. Sidebottom looked furtively at him. She was irritated at his composure. ."Very well-as you like," she said, with a toss of her head; "but I did not expect this in human and unreasonable conduct in you. Philip." "I take'you at your word. That is settled be tween us. Now let us' turn to another consid eration. The mill must not be stopped, the business must be carried on. I do not suppose that Lambert cares to enter into commercial life." "Certainly not" "Or that you particularly relish life in Mer gatroyd." "I hate the place." "I am quite willing to undertake the man agement of the factory, at first provisionally, till some arrangement has been come to be tween us. As soon as the administration is granted, we shall consider the division of the estate, and deduct equally from our several shares that portion which we have resolved to offer to Miss Cnsworth." "As you please,"-said Mrs. Sidebottom, sulki ly. But you treat me abominably. However now I suppose unopposed by you I can ask for right to administer?'! "Yes-on the conditions to which you have agreed." -"Walt this house is mine, I suppose. Then I will clear it of those whp are odious to me." She started from her seat and lest the room. To be continued next Monday. L1T STOCK MARKETS Condition .of the Market at tha East Libert? Stock Yards. Office of PiTTSBtnta Dispatch,! Satubday. March 18, 1889. J CATTLE Receipts, 600 head: shipments, ISO head. Nothing doing; all through con signments. One car of cattle shipped to New Yorkto-day. Hobs Receipts. 2,500 headt shipments, 2,600 head. Market' slow; medium Philadelphias. H 80; heavy hogs, 1 80: pigs and Yorkers, $5 00. Six cars of hogs sbippedto New York to-day. Sheep Receipts, 1,400 head; shipments, 1,800 head. Market slow and a .shade lower than yesterday's prices. Br Telesrranh. Kansas Cmr Cattle Receipts. 818 head; sbipments,541 head: slow: dressed beef and ship ping steers weak and 5lCclower; best cows and heifers Steady; common lower; stockers and feeding, stock stronger and active; good to choice cornfed, S3 854 10: common to medium. 2 T03 60: stockers and feeding steers, 31 60 3 20; cows. $1 S52 75. Hogs Receipts, 2,588 head; shipments, 789 head; strong and active, fie higher; good to choice, $4 004 55; common to medium, S4 2004 4a Sheep Receipts, 10 head; no shipments; quiet; choice to good muttons, H 254 50; common to medium, 2 50 4 00. St. Louis Cattle Receipts. 100; ship ments, 400; "market steady; choice native steers, $3 804 40; fair to good do, S3 104 00; stockers and feeders, fair to good, 52 003 15; rangers, cornfed. 52 75ffi3 40; grassfed. $1 90 2 80. Hogs Receipts. 1,400; shipments, 1,400; market unchanged: choice heavy and batchers' selections, S4 7004 80; packing, medium to prime, $4 604 75; light grades, ordinary to best M 654 70. SheepReceipts, 100; ship ments, 700; market steady; fair to choice, $3 00 4 90. Chicago Cattle Receipts, 1.500 head: ship ments, none; market quiet and steady; beeves, J4 00Q4 85; steers, $3 003 90; stockers and feeders, S2 003 25; cows, bulls and mixed, Jl 40 3 00. ' Hogs Receipts. 10,000 head; ship ments, 4,000 head; market steady: mixed, $455 4 75; heavy. U 604 70: light, 84 605 00. Sheep Receipts, 200 head; Shipments, none; market slow and steadv; natives. S3 005 00; western comfed, 4.504 65: lambs, 4 605 50. Buffalo Cattle Receipts, 2,000 head through, 60 sale; market steady; mixed butchers, S2 753 25. Sheep and lambs steady; receipts, 600 head through, 1,400 sale; good sheep, 84 85 4 50; gqod lambs, $5 355 85. Hogs" slow and a shade lower; receIpta,"4,G00 head through, 4,500 sale; all stock sold straight at $5 005 05. CntctNif att" Hogs heavy; common and light J3 904 75: packing and butchers', $4 S0 4 85receipts, 1,160 head; shipments, 1,160 head. Dryiroods Marker. New'Yobk'. March IB. Trade in drygoods was restricted as usual to Saturday. Jobbers did a relatively good business, but it was gen erally quiet with agents. No new feature was developed in the market, though there was a continued uncertainty in some directions on account of the Fall 'River strike, with a strong tone to goods of print cloth grades. The mar ket generally in Arm hands continues in a good position with agents of popular goods very firm and confident Movements of Specie New Yobk, March 16. The export of specie from the port of New York during the past week amounted to $2,113,230, of which $1,784,500 was in gold and $328,730 in silver. Of the total exports $1,423,500 In gold and $316, 630 in silver went to Europe, and $361,000 iu gold and .$12,100 in silver to South America. The imports of specie for the week amounted to $165,946, of which $114,306 was gold and $5L 640 Silver. Mining Stocks. New Yobk. March- 16.-Mining quotations closed: Amador. 100; Belcher. 310: Bodle, 135; Caledonia B H, 300; Chollar, 230; Crown Point, 470; Consolidated California and Virginia, 837: Commonwealth, 500; Deadwood T, 150; Eureka Consolidated,; El Cristo,120? Gould fc Curry. 260; Hale & Norcross. 370; Horn Silver, 105; Iron Silver. 325; Mexican, 365: Mutual, 140; Opbtr, 675; Sierra Nevada, 300; Standard. 125: Silver Cord, 105: Sullivan. 135: Union Consoli dated, 360; Yellow Jacket, 385. Metal Market. New Yobk Pig iron firm. Copper nominal; March, $15 60. Lead a shade easier and fairly active; domestic, $3 72K. Tin quiet and steady; straits, $21 SO. Whisky Market. Finished goods are in demand at $1, 03. Wool Markets. St. Loots Wool duU and weak but changed. When baby was sick; we gave her Castorta when she was a Child, she cried for Castorlv When she becaime Miss, she clung to Castoria, When she had Children, she gave them Castoria. mhIl-h65-MWTfero - - .in 8ti H -t -. , '- ' "18(9.; DOMESTIC MARKETS. Active Movement in Batter, Eggs .and. Cheese All Week WITHOUT AN ADVANCE IN PRICES. Wheat Turns Upward, Flour Easy, High. Grade Oats Scarce. CEREALS DEIFT TO A LOWER LETEL Office of the PmsBUEO Dispatch, SATUEDAY, March 16, 1889. $ Country Produce Jobbinc Prices. For the week now closing there has been an improved tone in the lines of butter, eggs and cheese, but no change In prices. Creamery butter and eggs are, in fact, .a. shade lower. The stock of Ohio cheese in first hands is very light and a scarcity is not improbable in the near future. Wholesale grocers are well sup plied and there is little likelihood of a short age. The leading jobber of cheese here re ports: ,"We have still enough New York cheese to meet all demands,- but cannot promise to baVe enough Ohio a week or two hence if trade holds up." New cheese from the West begins to show np, but is little good so early in the season.. The trade in cheese is un usually quiet for Lenten times. Ordinarily prices advance at this time, but this season has been an exception to all rules. Butter Creamery.Elgin, 3031J c; Ohio do. 2628c; fresh dairy packed, 2023c; country rolls, 2023c; Cbartlers Creamery Co. butter, 2830c. Beaks Choice medium, $2 002 10: choice peas, $2 052 15. Beeswax 2325c ?l ft f orcholce; lowgrade, 618c CisEB-rSand refined, $6 507 50; common, $3 504 CO; crab cider. $3 0C8 50 fl barrel; cider vinegar, 1012c 1 gallon. , Cheese Ohio cheese, fall make, 1212c; New York, fall make, 1213c: Limburger, HKc; domestic Sweitzer cheese, ll&12Kc. Dried Peas $1 4501 50 1 bushel; split do, 2fi3Hc W ft. Eggs I415c dozen for strictly fresh. Fbuits Apples, $1 502 00 fl barrel; evap orated raspberries. 25c -p ft; cranberries, $8 00 f? barrel; $2 402 50 per bushel. Keathebs Extra live geese, 5060c; No. 1 do.. 40g45c; mixed lots, 3035c.f) ft. Hominy $2 652 75 barrel. Honey New crop, 1617c; buokwheat, 13 15c Potatoes Potatoes, S540c fl bushel; $2 50 2 75 for Southern sweets; $3 253 50 for Jer sey sweets. Poultby Live chickens, 6575o ft pair: dressed chickens, 1315c fl pound; turkeys, 13 15c, dressed, fl jpoundj ducks, live, 80S5c $1 pair; dressed, 1314c fl pound; geese,' 1015o per pound. Seeds Clover, choice, 62 Bs to bushel. $6 fl bushel; clover, large English, 62 fts, $6 25; clover, Alslke, $8 60; clover, white, $9 00; timo thy, choice, 45 fts, $1 85; blue grass, extra clean, 14 fts, $1 00; blue grass, fancy, 14 fts, $1 20: orchard grass; 14 fts, $2 00: red top, 14 fts, $1 00: millet, 60 fts, $1 25; German millet, 50 fts, $2 00; Hungarian grass. 48 fts, $2 00; lawn grass, mix ture of fine grasses, 25c per ft. ' Taliow Country, 45c; city rendered, 55Kc Tbopicai. FRTrrrs Lemons, fancy, $3 00 -3 50 fl box; common lemons, $2 75 fl box; Mes sina oranges, $2 503 60 fl box; Florida oranges. $3 504 50 fl box; Valencia oranges, fancy, $6 50 7 50 fl case: Malaga grapes, $9 0010 00 fl per keg; bananas, $2 00 firsts: $1 50, good seconds, fl bunch: cocoanuts. $4 00ifS4 50 hundred: new figs, 1214c ft pound; dates, 5 6Kc fl pound. VI EGETABLES Celerv. 40050c doz. bunches: cabbages, $3 004 00 fl 100;onions, 50c fl bushel; Spanish onions, 7590c f) crate; turnips, 30 40c fl bushel. Groceries. Green Coffee Fancy Rio, 2l22c; choice Bio, 2021c: prime Bio, 20c; fair Rio, 18KI9c; old Government Java, 27c; Maracalbo, 22&Z3c; Mocha. 30K3lKc; San,tos,:i922Kc; Caracas coffee, 20X22c; peaberry, Rio, 2022c: La guayra, 2122c. Roasted (in papers) Standardbrands, 24c; high grades, 262Sc; old Government Java, bulk, 3233c; Jiaracaibo, Z72Sc;Santos, 2324c; peaberry, 27c: peaberry Santos, 2224c; choice Rio, 25c: prime Rio, 2Sc; good Rio, 22c; ordinary, 21Kc. ' Spices (whole) Cloves, 2125c: allspice, 9c; cassia, 89c; pepper, 19c; nutmeg. 7080c Petroleum (jobbers' prices) 110 test, 7c; Ohio, 120, 8Kc; headlight E0, 8Kc: water white, 10c; globe, 12c; elaine, 15c; carnadine, llKc; royaline, 14c. BYBtrps Corn- syrups, 2629c; choice sugar syrup, 3338crprime sugar syrup, S033c; strict ly prime, 3335c; new maple syrup, 8101 10. N. O. Moimsses Fancy, 50c; choice, 48c; me dium, 45crmixed, 4042c. Soda Bi-carbln kegs, 3K4c; bl-carb in s, 5c: bi-carb,, assorted packages 56c; sal soda in kegs, c; do granulated, 2c. Candees Star, full weight, 10c; stearine, per set 8Kc;rparafflne, U12c Rice Head, Carolina, 77ic; choice, 6J 7c; prime, 5Ji6Vc; Louisiana, 66Kc Stabch Pearl, 3c; cornstarch, 5j7c; gloss starch. 57c. Foreign FBurrs Layer raisins, $2 65; Lon don layers, $3 10; California London layers, $2 50; Muscatels, $2 25: California Muscatels; $185; Valencia, new, 67c; Ondara Valencia, 7J7Kc; sultana, 8fc; currants, new, 4JJ$5J4c; Turkey prunes, 'new, 4JJffi5c; French prunes, 8J13c: Salonica prunes, in 2ft packages, 8c: cocoanuts, per 100, $6 00: almonds, Lan., per ft, 20c; do Ivica, 19c: do shelled, 40c; walnuts, nap., 12U15c; Sicily Alberts, 12c: Smyrna figs, 12 luc; new- dates. 5K6c; Brazil nnts. 10c; pecans, ll15c: citron, per ft, 2122c; lemon peel, per ft, $1314c; orange peel, 12c Dried Fruits Apples, sliced, per ft, 6c; apples, evaporated, 6i6Jc; apricots, Califor nia, evaporated, 1518c; peaches, evaporated, pared, 2223c; peaches, California, evaporated, unpared, 1012c; cherries, pitted, 2122c: cherries, unpitted, 56c; raspberries, evapor ated, 2424Kc; blackberries, 7Sc; huckle berries, lU12c Sugars Cubes, 7?ic; powdered, TKc: granu lated, 77c; confectioners' A, 7Vc: standard A.6c: solt whites, yeuow, cnoice. 66c; yellow, good 6Kc; yellow, dark, ojje. m c; yellow, fair, ICKliS Medium, bbls. (L200). $4 75: me diums, halfbbls (600). $2 85. Salt-No. 1 f) bbl, 95c; No. 1 ex, fl bbl, $1 05; dairy, ft bbl, $1 20; coarse crystal, VI bbl. $1 20; Higgln's Eureka, 4 bu sacks, $2 SO; Higgin's Eureka, 16-14 ft pockets, $3 00. Canned Goods Standard peaches, $1 30 1 90;2ds, $1 301 35: extra peaches, $1 50 1 90; Eie peaches, 90c: finest corn. $1 001 50: Hf d. o. corn, 7090c; red. cherries, DOcg Jl 00; lima beans, $1 10; soaked do, 85c; string do do. 75 85c: marrowfat peas, $1 101 15: soaked peas, 7075c; pineapples, $1 401 50; Bahama Uo, $2 75; damson plums, 95c: greengages, $1 25; egg plums, $2 00; California pears, $2 60: do greengages, 12.00; do egg plums. $2 00: extra white cherries, $2 90; red cherries, 2fts, 90c; raspberries, $1 151 40; strawberries, $1 10: gooseberries, $1 201 30; tomatoes. 8292c; salmon, 1-ft, $1 752 10; blackberries, SOc; suc cotash, 2-ft cans, soaked, 90c; do green, 2fts, $1 251 60; corn beef, 2-ft cans, $1 75; 14-ft cans, $13 50: baked beans, $1 401 45; lobster, 1 ft, $1 751 80; mackerel, 1-ft cans, broiled, $1 50; sardines, .domestic, W'. $4 154 50; sardines, domestic. s, $8 25S 50; sardines, imported, KS, $11 5012 50; sardines, imported, s, $18 00; sardines, mustard, $4 00; sardines, spiced. $4 25. Fish Extra No. 1 bloater mackerel, $36 ft bbl.: extra ,No. 1 do, mess, $40; extra No.! mackerel, shore, $32; extra No. 1 do. messed, $36; No. 2 shore mackerel, $24. Codfish Whole pollock, 4a fl ft.; do medium George's cod, 6c: do large, 7c; boneless hake, in strips, 6c; do George's cod In blocks, 6K7Ka Herring Round shore, $5 00 fl bbl.; split. Si 00: lake $2 60 fl 100-ft. ball bbl. White fish, $7 ft lOU-ft. balf bbl. Lake trout, $5 60 fl balf bM. Finnan hadders. 10c ft ft. Iceland halibut. 13c fl ft. Buckwheat Flour 22 ft ft. OATMEAL $6 306 60 fl bbl. Miners' Oil No. 1 winter strained, 5S60c fl gallon. Lard oil, 75c. Grain, Flonr and Feed. Total receipts bulletined at the Grain Ex change, 18 cars.. By Pittsburg, Fort Wayne and Chicago, 3 cars of hay, 1 of oats, 1 of husks, 1 of wheat, 2 of flour, 1 of bran. By Pittsburg, Cincinnati and St Louis, 3 cars of corn, 2 of hay. By Baltimore and Ohio, 1 ear of hay, 1 of flour. By Flttsburg'and Lake Erie, 1 car of bay, 1 of flour. There was but one sale on call, viz 1 car sample middlings, $13 75 spot Wheat has taken an upward turn and bears are on top for the first time this week. It is very rare tbat wheat goes up on Saturday. A leading jobber of flour says tbat wheat has advanced only three times in the past year on Saturday. Tbeupsand downs of wheat at this stage are mainly speculative. No mortal can tell what a day may bring forth. The general drift how ever, is toward a lower level, both in wheat and flour. A leading retailer in grain and hay lines says he has seldom known a season when it has been as difficult to find a good grade of oats as this season. Quantity is all right, but' auality is wretched. It requires a large stretch of charity to pass as oats very much of the stuff that goes under that name. Wheat Jobbing prices No. 2 red, $1 03 1 04: No. 3 red, 9195c Cobn No. 2 yellow,ear,40Ke41c; high-mixed ear, 39KSM0C; No. 1 yellow, shelled, 3d39c; No. 2 yellow, shelled, 37K3Sc; high mixed, shelled. 3637c: mixed, shelled, 3o36c Oats No. 2 white, 33V33c; extra, No, 8, 31 31Hc; No. 3, white, 8030c: No. 2 mixed, 2S Rye-No. 1 Western, 7075c: No. 2, 5556i Babley No. 1 Canada, 9598c: No. 2 Cana da, eo4j$≻-.n o. a uanaoa. vwsi zc; .Lane onore, iUE-jobbing prices, winter patents, " a 6 50; spring patents,$6506 75: fancy straight, winter and spring, $5 505.75; clear winter. $5 0005 25: straight XXXX bakers', $4 755 00. Rye flour. $4 00. ti . M MILLFEED Middlings, fine white, $18 00 20 CO ft ton: brown middlings. $14 6015 00; winter wheat bran, $14 7515 25; chop feed, $15 0018 00. Hay Baled timothy, choice, $15 00016 25: No. 1 do, $14 2514 50: No. 2 do. $12 0013 00; loose from wagon. $18 0020 00; No. 1 npadnl prairie. S10 00610 25; No. 2, $8 008.50; packing do. $6 507 Oa Straw Oats. $8 008 25; wheat and rye. straw, $7 007 25. Provisions. Sugar-cured hams, large, 10c: sugar-cured hams, medium, 10c: sngar-cured hams, small, lie: sugar-cured breakfast bacon, 10c; sugar-, cured shoulders, 8c: sugar-cured boneless shoulders, 9c: sugar-cured California bams, 834c; sugar-cured dried beef flats, 8c: sugar cured dried beef sets, 9c: sugar-cured dried beef rounds, lie: bacon shoulders, 7c; bacon clear sides. 8ci bacon clear bellies; 8c: dry salt shoulders; 6c; dry salt clear sides, 7c. Mess Eork, heavy, $14 00; mess pork, family, $14 50. ard Refined in tierces, 7c: half barrels, TJc; 5c Fresh pork links. 9e. Pigs feet, half barrel, $3 75; quarter barrel. $1 75.. Dressed Meat. Armour & Co. furnish the following prices on dressed meats: Beef carcasses, 450 to 650 fts, 5c; 550 to 650 fts, 6c: 650 to 750 fts, 6Jc Sheep, 7c ft ft. Lambs, 8Kc fl ft. Hogs, 6c MAEKETSJY WIEE. A Small Boom In Wheat, Caused br Local Influences Corn Lower Oats Steady Hoc Products Close at Me diant Figures. Chicago A, very fair business was trans acted in wheat to-day, and the feeling was firmer with prices ruling above the closing fignres of yesterday. The opening was just a shade easier, but from the start showed firm ness, and with some . fluctuations prices for May were advanced 2c, receded Jc, fluct uated slightly, and closed about lc higher than yesterday. June also showed considerable strength, advancing lc, and closed about lc higher. July ruled steady, advancing lc; clos ing about : higher than yesterday. Local influences again controlled the market, and the firmness was attributed mainly to the free buying of a prominentlocal trader, though at the advance operators found the speculative offerings quite large, which resulted in develop ing a weaker feeling. A fair trade was reported In corn early In the day, after which the.pit became very quiet and inactive. The feeling developed was generally weaker and transactions were at a lower range of prices. The easier tone was attributed largely to the receipts, being considerably in excess of expectations. The market opened a shade lower than the closing price of yester day for a time, then declined. c, reacted H 14.0 and closed lAc lower than yesterday. Oats were fairly active but unsettled. The market opened a shade lower for , May. Two large traders bonght freely, and it was sus plcloned that the bnlls who have taken part in the market for some time past were again buy ing. This reversed the feeling and caused Jin . advance of c on May and i4Qlic on the more deferred futures. A decline of ic on May followed, and the market closed firm at about the same prices as yesterday. Trading was .fairly active in mess pork and the f eeliug was weak during the greater por tion of the day. Prices declined 1720c and the market closed quiet at medium figures. A quiet and easy feeling prevailed in lard and trading was light Prices ruled weak and de clined o7Kc, and the market closed steady at inside figures. Only a moderate business was transacted in short ribs. The feeling was easy and prices receded 57Kc, the market closing steady at medium figures. The leading futures rantrea as follows: Wheat No. 2 May. 959S9597Kc: June. 97K93K91y3c; July, 8bK87K66J S65c; year, 8180c. Cobn No. 2 May, 3535Kc; June, 35K 35J3535c: July, 3636i36(S)36c Oats-No. 2 May, 25KS2525Jc; June, 25MG252525c:7uly. 25K.2Sc. Mess Pork, per bbl. May, $12 2212 22X 12 0212 12K; June. $1227K12 2712 15 12 17K; July, $12 3012 32KkS 1512 22K LARD, jer 100 fts. May. $6 956 956 S7 tt 87M: June, $7 007 006 92B 92; July, 7 05(g7 056 97. Short Ribs, per 100 fts. May. $6 2006 20 6 12K6 15; June, $6 22K6 256 206 20; July, $6 32K6 32KQ6 2506 25. Cash quotations were as follows: Flour steady and unchanged: No. 2 spring wheat 94K94c: No. 3 spring wheat, 85c; No. 2 red, 94)231Kc. No. 2 corn. 34c; No. 2 oats, 24;&c No. 2 rye, 43a No. 2 barley, nominal. No. 1 flaxseed, $1 601 55. Prime tim othy seed. $1 391 40. Mess pork, per barrel, $12 0512 10. Lard, per 100 lbs. S6 806 82. Short ribs sides (loose). $6 156 2a Dry salted shoulders (boxed). $5 S05 75. Short clear sides (boxed), $6 506 62. Sugars Cut loaf, unchanged. Receipts Flour, 6,000 bar rels; wheat 15,000 bushels: corn. 122,000 bushels: oats. 83,000 bushels: rye, 2,000 bushels: barley, 27,000 bushels. Shipments Flour. 9,000 bar rels: wheat 38,000 bushels; corn. 99,000 bushels: oats, 54,000 bushels; rye, none; barley, 21,000 bushels. On the Produce Exchange to-day the butter market was weaker hut not quotably lower. Eggs weak at 1213c New Yobk Flour dull and heaw. Corn meal steady and quiet Wheat Spot firmer; options fairly active and Hc stronger Rye dull. Barley dull. Barley malt quiet Corn Spot steady and moderately active: options firm and dnlL Oats Spot quiet and steady; options Arm and dull. Hay fair demand and firm. Coffee Options steady: sales, 26,500 bags, including Marcn, lti.8o16.90c: April, 16.80 16.95c; May, ia9017.00c; June, 16.9517.05c; Julv, I7.0517.10c; August, 17.1517.20c; Sep tember, 17.2517.30c; spot Rio barely steady; fair cargoes. 19c Su-gar Raw firm: fair re flnine. 5 3-165c; refined Arm; active demand; kettle, good to fancy, 2842c Rice steady ana tair aemana. iOiionseea oil nrm: crnae, 42c; yellow, 4849c Tallow steady; city, 47-16c Rosin steady and quiet Turpentine quiet and steady at S252c Eggs quiet and weak; Western, 12c; receipts, 5,368 packages. Pork more active; old mess, $12 75; new mess, $13 50. Cut meats steady; sales, pickled bellies, 6Kc; Sickled shoulders, 5c; pickled hams, 910c llddles quiet Lard dull and lower; Western steam, $7 25: citv, $6 80; March $7 22; April, $7 22; May, $7 237 25, closing at $7 23; June, $7 24; July, $7 257 28, closing at $7 26: August, $7 28. Batter quiet and weak; Western dairy, 1421c; do creamery, I827c: Elgins, 2828Kc. Cheese -steady; moderate demand; "Western, 9KllKc St. Louis Flonr steady but unchanged. Wheat irregular. Reports tbat Bradilrccts figured the visible and invisible supply of wheat 109,000,000 against 210,000,000 a year ago, together with sharp advances elsewhere put May higher this morning, but it dropped back on denial of above estimates, and at close was HlAo above yesterday; July showed a little strength early but weakened on the fine weather and closed n off. No. 2 red, cash, 93c asked: May. 92e93Kc closed V2Jic bid; June. 9090c closed 90c bid; July, 81 82c. closed 81Hc bid; August 80c. closed TBJic bid.' Corn lower: No. 2 mixed, cash, 29c; Marco. 29Kc; April. 29Jc closed 2aCfcbld;May.30k 30Kc closed 30k30c bid: Julv. HSc, closed 32c bid: August, '3333Uc, closed 33cbid, Oats lower;No. 2, 23i5c bid; May, 2626Kc Rye-No. 2. 41K42c Barley-Nothing doing. Provisions dull and weak. Philadelphia Flour dull. Wheat opened weak, and futures beyond this month declined Kc, subsequent! v recovered and closed firm at an advance of lc on yesterday's final prices. Corn steady but quiet Oats Car lots steady but quiet; futures quiet and steady. Bntter dull and weak; Pennysylvania creamery.extra, 27c; Pennsylvania prints, extra, 28c, Eggs dull; Pennsylvania firsts, 1313Hc. Cincinnati Flour weak. Wheat nominal; No. 2 red. 95c; receipts, 1,000 bushels: shipments, none. Corn in moderate'supply; No. 2 mixed. Sic. Oats scarce and firm; No. 2 mixed, 27c Rve steady; No. 2. 49c Pork barely steady at $12 62. Lard easier at $6 8a Bulkmeatsand bacon firm and unchanged. Butter quiet Sugar Arm. Eggs dull. Cheese firm. Milwaukee Flour steady. Wheat easy: cash. 80c; May, 88c; July, 87Kc Corn weaker; No. 3, 31J32c Oats steady;7To. 2 white. 27K 28c Rye firm; No.1, 41je44fc Barley dull; No. 2, 57c Provisions easy. Pork, $12. Lard, $8 77. Cheese steady; Cheddars. ll12c Baltimore Provisions firm and unchanged. Butter very steady; western nackea, 1825c; roll, 1519c; creamery 272Sc Eggs easyatl2K 13c Coffee firm; rio, fair,18Jic " TOLEDO-Cloverseed active and steady; cash, March, $5 00; receipts, 384 bags; shipments, 1,662 bags. A BAID ON ELECTRIC That Polls tbe Price Down a Cool Five Dol lars a Share. The sensation of- the week in business cir cles wasa break of $5 a share in Westing house Electric stock. Several reasons were offered in explanation of the depression, the most plausible of which was that the phe nomenal advance of the stock induced heavy realizing, with a view of loading np again at the decline. The raid was well organized, made al the right time, and did its work effectively. Friends of the company, how ever, have as strong faith as ever in -the stock, and My tia check it has receiTod is " ? -j Tt, .i . .,. . ..!:-.. --. - only temporary. . Oil closed dull anaweax.; TVnn trflt fipmM witl, ma? InimrY find sonflt good sales. "Money was 'in better deraandf and discount rates were firm at Cff per1 cent. Eeal estate was active. Forty-Bin building permits were issued, the estimated cost being $68,022. All branches of theretaU'; trade were active. ''"' ' A raid was made on "Westfaghouse. Electria stock yesterday, and, the price broke from 57 on Tuesday to 52$, a decline of $5 a share. The raid is supposed to have been the outcome of, well-organized plot on the part of its enemies," presumably the Edison clique, to break th -stock. A short time ago the public was selling; Philadelphia Gas, and buying Electric. Now;; the situation is reversed, and Philadelphia basr the call. The recent advance in Electric was too great it was phenomenal and. of course, it bronght out the holders of the stock to realize. Friends of the company have no fears . for the future of the stock. Its recovery., tbeyi say. is only a question of a little time. Phila delphia was strong and active, advancing from 33KtoSS& Central Traction was firmer bo dulL The remainder of the list was about steady. ' Tbe nickel industry of the world is a most pe culiar one. It has only been about 60 years since it first came into use as a mineral, though.' it has been known toJapan and the Eastern oa-f tions for centuries. There are nickel mines ia France, Germany and Wales, In Pennsylvania, Nevada and Oregon. Nickel Is not, as is gen erally supposed, a mineral that is mined llks silver and then smelted and rednced from- an ore. It is a chemical element which is extract-' ed from arsenides, cobalt and sulphides. Tha. yield from these substances as found in Franco, and Wales is only about 2 per cent nickel, bnt the yield of some mines in Nevada, not yet do-' veloped, is fully 20 per cent of pure nickel. About SO years ago there was discovered la. New Caledonia, a French penal colony, a won derf ully rich deposit of nickel. A French Com-, pany was immediately formed, and this company to-day almost controls the trade in this country. It also almost controls tbe nickel trade of the world, and it has frequently de clared its intention to ruin every other nickel- manufacturer and run them perpetually out o the business. Several patents covering devices of more or less Importance to the public expire this week and may be appropriated by any one so dis posed. The following is the list: Steam engine, C. M. Fanar; registering steant inire. T. C. Harcrrave: hydraulic motorl VL gai Mi lillard: manufacture of drain pipes. J. W. Stockwell; steam pump, L. Griscom; safety vaive. J. k. lazier. THE NATIONAL REMEDY. PRAISED BY AC Bilious Headache, Biliousness, Dyspepsia, Indiges tion, Constipation, Dizziness Positively cured by LITTLE HOP PIL.LS, The People's Favorite Llyer Pills. They act slowly, but surely, do not gvipe, and their effect is lasting; the fact is they have mr equal. Small dose: Dig results. Sag: ir coated and easy to take. Send for testimonials. 25c, at all druggists, or mailed for price. Prepared by an old apothecary, Five bottles $1. The HOP PILL CO., New London, CL Hop Ointment cures and makes chapped,' rough, red skin soft and clear: 25 and 50c nol-irwr BUTTER, :: BUTTER, BUTTER. EVERY POUND WARRANTED FOBS ..' Chartiers Creamery Go. Warehouse and General Offices,. 616 LIBERTY STREET, Telephone 1428. Bissell Block. PITTSBURG, PA. . Factories throughout Western m Pennsylvania. " '. " For prices see-market quotations. Wholesale exclusively. mhlS-nrr . WHOLESALE HOUSE. ; JOSEPH HORNE & CO., . Cor. Wood and Liberty Sta, , Importers and Jobbers of Special offerings this week fa BTTiTCfl, PLUSHES, DEESS GOODS, . SATEHNSJ SEERSUCKER, GINGHAMS, PRINTS, andOHEVIOTS.. For largest assortment and lowest prices calf and see us. wholesaleIxclusively fe22-r83-D s DM GOODS and HIS. ARMOUR & CO., 1 PITTSBURG. Dressed Beef, Mutton, Frk, Hams, Breakfast Bacon, ; Pork Bologna And all other varieties of Sausage of the finest quality, at very moderate prices, received daily from their immense cooling rooms at Chicago WHOLESALE ONLY-deSS-srwr '" . THE FREEHOLD BANK,"'- No. 410 Smithfield St. capital. . . . $2e,eeeoe. DISCOUNTS DAILY. EDWARD HOUSE, Prest. JAMES P. SPEEB. Vice Prest. seI-k35-D JOHN F. STEEL. Cashier. M1 ONEY TO LOAN . .ir on mortgages on Improved real estate in Sflas of $1,000 and upward. Apply at i. DOLLAR SAVINGS BANK.-: mhsM-i No. 124 Fourth avenue. ..'-. BROKERS FINANCIAL. .. De WITT DILWORTfti BROKER TN PBTEOLETJM Oil bought and sold on margin. deHT-a-Dsal . WHITNEY & STEPHEN-' 4TFOTJRTH AVJLNUJL .. , . ISSUE TRAVELERS' CREDITS- . ', THTtOCQH MESSES. DREXEL. MORGAN k CO- '... . NEW YORK. T .... FAS6P0KIS.?CXnjRj5, ?( m t i Jh f- -ViM ,-m JSii--