T IZrxWffl -r PITTSBURG-, SATURDAY, JANUARY 24, 189t , 1- fi SECOND PART. PITTSBURG DBPATCffi PAGES 9 TO 12. 1 XlX- WEALTHR RIVER. Supplies of the World Largely Drawn From the Mis sissippi Valley. THE FIVE-FOLD MEASURE Keeded to Extend the Seaboard to ' the Great Lakes and the LAKES TO THE ROCKY MODNTAIKS. Cheap anil Easy Communication With the Orient and Occident THE IMPORTANCE OP THE SHIP CANAL TAPER 2TO. 9. The Mississippi Valley is the great fact of the age. Together with its front door and northern outlets, the Great Lakes and Mohawk and Hudson rivers, it dominates and determines the condition and comfort of every man, woman and child in the United States; aye, and in Europe. Abundance or scarcity, dearness or cheap ness of food depend upon its harvests and its herds. The priced clothing the world over is de termined by the pick of its cotton fields and the clip of its fleeces. All the world looks for light to its oil wells, which also supply lubricants for its machinery, ungenls and ointments for its sores, colors for its fabrics, insulating mate rials for its wires, wax lor its threads, and a thousand things beside. Its lumber and wooden wares control the markets from the Atlantic to the Rockies. It is the createst producer of copper, lead, iron ore, iron and steel; and the supply and prices of these metals and of their manufac tures depend upon its output. Its gold and Silver are the principal addi tions to the world's money. Its coal measures are the richest, the most extensive and the easiest worked, and with first-class water transportation to the East will determine the price of lnel both in Europe and America. But five of the great necessaries of modern life are not here produced, to-wit: tea, coffee, quinine, rubber and gutta percha; and no doubt rubber and gutta percha could be profitably cultivated in the lower latitudes. Its manufactures are most extensive and its commerce is vaster than that of any other political or geographical division of the earth. Its one united people excel all other in patriotism, virtue, culture, education, wealth, energy, adaptiveness, inventive ness. The dawning century holds what gift of priceless blessing for this noble people? That which will add to the earnings of every worker and reduce the cost of living to each individual, not only in this coun try, but in Europe as well, which will add one-'ourth to the savings of every family; which will lilt the AVcstern farmer out 01 his mortgaged fate, double his net earnings, (quadruple the value otliN land and make his sons iree-born, proud, independeut citizens not, as now seems imminent, a servile ten ant c!ass;'which will enrich farmer and mer chant, manufacturer and common carrier, miner and professional man; which will augment tin olunic of trade beyond our comprehension and create a thousand new avocations. Stirred bv memory of what our fathers did and suffered for us, longing to hold proud and equal place with them in the affections, of our dLSceiidants, we ot the last decade or this eventful century must bless and enrich that just about to dawn by in augurating a five-fold measure. We must extend the Atlantic seaboard to the Great Lakes, the Great Lakes to the Bocky Mountains. We must provide tree water transportation from the Atlantic, and from the Gull to the remotest corner of our Talley. First The Erie Canal must be enlarged to accommodate ocean steamships. Second The Ohio river and the Great Lakes must be connected bv ship canal. Third A canal must be built connecting lakes Erie and Michigan. Fourth Lake Michigan must be con nected by ship canal with the Mitsissrppi. Fifth Last and most importantot all, be es use affecting not alone material prosperity, but as vital to the salety,health and very lives ot the people.and further making serviceable and profitable the abovo mentioned great arterial canals, we must improve the Mis sissippi aud its tributaries, put an end to disastrous floods, reclaim tbe lands now waste and ex-end to every part andcornerof this vast valley the inestimable boon of cheap water transportation, free to all the people. The Mississippi and its tributaries, when improved, will furnish 17,500 miles of first clas.s waterways, navigable by large steam ships of 20 feet draft; 35,000 miles o) water ways uavicahle by vessels of 10 to 15 feet draft, and 00,000 miles of waterways navi gable to steamboats and barges. This vast system, the natural highways of the nation, extending parallel and converg inc lines through 1,272,000 square miles, or 824,080,000 acres of the richest conntry on tbe globe, covering its face with a network oi magnificent waterways. nowhre more than 40 mi'es apart, bringing every farmer within a practical wagon haul of a cheap transportation route; the whole connected by ship canals with the great lakes and the Atlantic, having an ontlet to the gulf and summit connections with tbe waterways ot Hudson Bay and British North America, pierciug the Kocky Mountains to the Co lumbia river, and establishing cheap trans portation to the Pacific slope this is a worthy gift from century to century. Provided with such a system, we can load ships for Europe at the 110th meridian; de bark the cargoes of the Orient and of the Occident at the wharves of our great West ern plateau. Our vast stretches of farms and factories, cities and mines will have cheap and easy communication with one another, with Eu rope, Africa and the east coast of South America, and, when tbe Nicaragua Canal is done, with both shores of the Pacific Ocean. Nature placed our peerless continent cen tral on the globe. Central, commanding, dominating all she set onr valley; planning it on ideal lines, seeming to have always in view the ultimate uses of onr rivers, and their connections with the Great Lakes and the Atlantic The map well illustrates the splendid possibilities inherent in that Continental System of Highways, of which Eads aptly says: "It is the great arterial system of this Republic It.s vital branches and wonder ful reticulations permeate and envelop tbe greatbody of onr conntry, giving unity to amplitude, value to productiveness, and to the State, resistless power and existence as enduring aa human liberty and intelli gence. Through its copious channels, for .all time to come, are destined to circulate the sustenance and abundance of its peo ple." The more one studies this vast subject, the more the mind is overwhelmed by its Tastness, astounded at its incomparable pro portions and opportunities; thrilled by the vision of what it will be to our children and our children's children. To comprehend it even partially it is best considered in six divisions, each imperial in proportions. I. The Northern gateway and great arterial canals. From New York Bay, a peerless harbor, the Hudson extends tide level through the Appalachian chain; and its work accom plished shrivels into insignificance alter sending a mighty arm, the Mohawk, west ward to touch the lakes; which vast reser voirs, central summit of the continent, ex tending navigation 1,000 miles to North and West, invite and make feasible the great arterial canals to connect lakes, rivers and oceans. From tidewater at Troy the Erie Canal and lake with the Hennepin Canal, extend in almost a straight line to Chicago. Behind Chicago is the lowest point, only 14 feet elevation, between the lakes and the Mississippi val-' ley. Through this low ridge will be cut tbe Michigan and Mississippi Ship Canal, con necting the Great Lakes with the Mississippi by way of the Illinois river. Br this waterway Chicago is scant.1,000 miles and St. Louis not 1,500 "miles from New York. South from Lake Erie the Erie and Pitts burg Ship Canal will extend first-class navi gation to the Ohio and all its waterways. From New York to Pittsburg the sailing distance will be 700 miles. These distances are scarcely greater than by the best practica ble railroad routes. II. The Southern gateway and the waterways of tbe Alluvial Plain. As New York is the natural outlet for Northern and Northwestern products in European exchange, so is New Orleans and the MiFsissippi river the natural channel of trade to South America and Asia, and to Europe lor Southern products. When the outlet of the Mississippi has been improved, tbe river corrected and lowered so as to drain the bottom lands, and the floods prevented by the development of navigable waterways in the water courses the condition of a vast commerce will exist at New Orleans; the 7,500 miles ol lakes, rivers and bayous in tbe bottom lands will collect the vast agricultural surplus of the 57,280 square miles ot fertile alluvial plains bordering the lower Mississippi, ill. The Southwestern Division. Red and Arkansas rivers. "Watershed, 28G.000 square miles. Navigable waters, 20,000 miles, These rivers, piercing great cotton, tobacco and corn fields, and extend ing to the mineral region- of Colorado, will swell the trade of New Orleans. The Ohio Division. Area of watershed, 211,680 square miles. Miles. First class navigation....,.., 2,000 Second class navigation 5.000 Tliiru class navigation 8,000 TotaL. 15,000 The Ohio valley is now the principal source of the floods which yearly devastate the Mississippi bottoms. Therefore, the first step in any rational plan for the im provement of the Mississippi, must be the development of the reservoir action of the water courses of the Ohio river and its tribu taries. Ibis will create a wide-branching system of navigable waterways, which, when connected by ship canal with the great lakes, will provide an rtlet tor the many productions of this nature's treasure honse, and make it for the first time a factor in and a competitor for tne world's commerce. The entire section is rich beyond belief, both in soil and mineral. Its treasure vaults will be at last unlocked. Ships will load with coal at the mine's mouth; oil will flow from well and still directly into tank steamers; steel and iron will leave tbe rolls to tide in the holds of chips built at the mill-side, whose maiden voyages full-freighted with the pro ductions of this marvelous region, will carry ships and cargoes to purchasers in the farthest clime. , V. The Upper Mississippi Division. Area of watershed, 171,800 square miles; 10,000 miles of navigable waterways, all of the second and third classes. This rich and prosperous agricultural sec tion, seemingly without phenomenal mineral resources, not so placed as to command an extended commerce or to intercept the trade between East and "West, is yet remarkable as affording summit connections between the Mississippi waters, and those of Hudson Bay and British Nortn America. Its destiny is tranquil local growth and self-centered activity until the development of British North America, and the Valley of the Mackensie river, of which it is natur ally the Southern outlet, creates a vast North and Sontb trade. VI. Tbe Missouri Division. Area of water shed, 515,210 square miles. First class navigation, 10.000 miles. Second class navigation, 20,000 miles. Third class navigation, 30,000 miles. Embracing nearly half the area of the Mississippi Watershed, more than half its wealth ot agriculture, mineral and water ways, the Missouri Valley extends in a vast Rhombus, its northeastern apex at the t source of the Dakota river; its southwestern near Lcadville, Col., 7U0 miles distant; its southeastern apex at St. Louis; its northwestern at the 113th meri dian and the northern boundary, over 1,400 miles away or 3,000 miles by the me anTIeiings of the river. These far North western waters pierce the Rockies, and con stitute the natural avenue of trade with the Pacific. Here the upper Missouri, the Yellowstone, and numerous tributaries are open ways into "Wonderland, and will bring loith the vast stores ot mineral now hidden in the mountains. Gold, silver, copper, lead, iron, coal and other minerals are here in abundance. The Yellowstone and Powder, together with the Missouri and Platte, enclose a vast triangular plateau 100,000 square miles in area, rich agricultural and mineral lands drained by the Little Missouri, the Niobara, tbe Cbeyeune, whose forks surround the Black Hills, and nine other rivers. The central thoroughfare, the Platte river, opens a roadway through the granary of Nebraska into the mineral regions of "Wyoming and Colorado, whence the water ways of the Pacific and Salt Lake systems extend easy communication westward and southward. The Platte occupies a most commanding situation, and when improved will be one of the greatest transportation routes in the world. South of the Platte and parallel to it, the Kansas river extends its six great branches through the wheat and' cornfields of Kansas, Nebraska and Colorado. Last of the streams south and west of the Missouri, the Osage and Gasconade extend navigation to the rich agricultural aud mineral lands of East ern Kansas and Missouri. That part of the Missouri Valley north and east of tbe majn river, is watered by the Poplar, Big Muddy, Dakota, Big Sioux, Nishnebottone, Grand, and many other rivers small relatively to the giant stream, but actually important, and laying open a rich and prosperous country. The vast system, converging the commerce of eight great States at St. Louis, must swell that city's trade to a most stupendous volume. St Louis has such a command ing position, is nuch a central point, from which radiate the natural roadways of onr valley, that it seems destined to be our great central city, as New York is our great sea port. It is a peculiar fact that there is no tabu lation, and so far as cau be ascertained no authoritative statement of the lengths of the rivers of-the Mississippi system, with the exception of tbe Mississippi, Ohio and Missouri. Captain Eads estimated the to tal waterways capable of development at 100,000 miles. This paper states them at 112,500 miles. This result was obtained by wheeling off the watercourses exceed ing 30 miles in length, as laid down on the best maps procurable, pref erence being given to township maps, as being most detailed and easiest to check. Some of these measurements gave results as close as within 1 per cent, some within 5 percent, of known lengths. But in streams ol many and short turns such accuracy is manifestly impossible; and it is likely that the total waterways arc nearer 150,000 than 100,000 miles. The improvement of this vast continental system of natural roadways is the most pressing business of every citizen of tbis Republic. Selfish interest, humane feeling, sound constructive statesmanship, conserva tive wisdom, all unite to urge its speedy in auguration and earnest prosecution. The (act of its desirability nay, its urgent ne cessity no one can question. The only de batable questions are, which part of the work should be, first begun; what amount can be. done yearly, and what measures and devices will give the greatest results at the least outlay. - EDGAR L. WAKEMAN has visited, the scenes upon which Thickens laid his wonder ful Nicholas Nickleby. See TO-MOREOWS DISPATCH for a inarming description. SHARP PRACTICES IK I0S ANGELES. How the Manager of a Cable Street Railroad Floated Its Securities. Chicago, Jan. 23. A morning paper published a long story in regard to the alleged irregular practices of C B. Holmes, the cable railway manager of this city, in connection with the building of the Los Angeles road and the floating of its securi ties. The horse road of that company, it was alleged, was bought by a Chicago syn dicate known as the National Railway Com pany, who reorganized it under the name of the Pacific Railroad Company, and cabled it at a cost ol $3,000,000; that bonds were issued as first mortgage bonds when the property was already covered by a mortgage; that Venmylie & Co., of New York, were employed to float a part of tbe securities; that after they had sold some of them they discovered the fact, and sent an agent here to investigate with a view to having Mr. Holmes arrested for making false represen tation. The Pacific railway was a failure, and was put into the hands of a receiver in-tbis city yesterday. Mothebs, do not be witnout Shiloh's Cure in your house. It will cure croup and whooping cough. Bold by Jos. Fleming Son, 413 Mar Let sb A WILD, WEIRD TALE. An Incident of an Epidemic of Spir itualism in Arkansas. MESSAGE OP A DUNG HDSBAND, r And the Brief Tisit ot His Widow to the Farther Shore. SHE TELLS THE ST0KY IK I1EK0WN WAY Little Rock, Abe., Jan. 23. What might be termed an epidemic of spiritual ism is now raging in tbis city, and a num ber of quite startling oases of materializa tion have been related. The circumstances of one case of particular note were related to a reporter by a lady whose husband died a few months ago. The chief interest lies in the partial sundering of the veil that separates this world from the next, and tbe similar experience of two persons whose spirits Actually passed away from their mortal frames, but at the last moment were recalled to continue a little while longer their earthly pilgrimage. "It was surely an unearthly experience," said the widow as soon as the correspondent had stated his mission. "Neither my hus band nor myself was inclined to be relig ious, although we often talked about death and wondered what tbe condition of the soul was after it left the body. But as we were constantly coming in contact with dead persons the feeling of horror and dread, so common to other people, never affected us. The first thing that brought about a close .study of the subject was an experience I had during a very severe spell of sick ness. My friends had given me up as a hopeless case and were expecting death at any moment. I was perfectly conscious, although very weak. I had heard them say that death was liable to come soon. Still, I did not feel afraid. I made no effort to make my feelings known, but laid perfectly still, carefully analyzing my thoughts as if I felt the dissolution approaching. My frame quivered. I gave forth a sound resembling a gasp. I heard the attendants murmur, 'She is dead,' and then it seemed that my spirit floated out into a light of most dazzling brightness. A Visit to the Other Shore. "There were forms and objects moving about in myriads, nut I could not distin guish one from the other. All the while I was enjoying the most intense happiness. I was perfectly at rest. Looking back I could see my mortal remains and the friends bend ing over them. My husband's head was bowed between his hands, and many of the women were weeping. Then like a flash all the deeds of my life, both good and bad, seemed to spring into view. From early childhood to womanhood they marched along, alternately condemning or approving. It seemed as if upon them depended my luture abode in the land ol spirits. As memory brought to light things forgotten long ago, I felt an intense desire to go back to earth and live my life over again, the good deeds were so small in proportiou to thy bad ones. .Then I began to sink. The bright light grew dim and soon faded away. I was soon plunged iuto impenetrable darkness. It seemed that I had been sent back to live a little while longer on earth as a punishment for not showing a better life record. When my spirit struggled I felt the mortal prison once more. I trembled, opened my eyes, and then I heard someone scream, 'She's not deadl She has only been in a trancel' Little by little strength came back. I after ward learned that the doctors had pro nounced me dead. I had lain in a state re sembling death for several hours. My hus band had even gone so far as to prepare a casket in which to place my remains. "This awful experience seemed to change my whole nature. Instead of taking merely a casual interest in spiritual things, I began to Btudy the matter with the utmost vigil ance. I told my .husband and a few friends of the Bights I had seen when my spirit seemed to have left my body. It was too sacred to me and too strange to be told broadcast, so that very few of my friends even know of the incident, to say nothing of strangers. When I told my husband he showed the most intense interest, and re marked at the cioSe of my narration that he believed every word of it. He even startled me by saying: The Husband's Experience. " 'X had an experience of almost the same kind when I was a very young man. In stead of sickness mine was caused by drown' ing. After struggling in the water nntil completely exhausted, I resigned myself to my fate and sunk. The first sensation was one of pain, then came a dreamy, delightful feeling in which I was supremely happy. After that came the bright light of a daz zling intensity, with the review of life's record and the command to go back on earth once more. I felt so light': and free that I dreaded to assume mortal existence 9 again, but the command was impera tive. I felt a power bearing me down that I could not resist -There was the same plungo through intense darkness, followed by the cramping of my spirit as it sought to free itself from my body. Mean while tbe mortal remains hud been dragged ashore by some persons who had seen me sink. As I struggled I heard one ot the men shout: "Keep at it, boys, he's coming to." They had been working with me for hours, and once or twice had been almost on she verge of giving me up. 'This happened years ago,' continued my husband, 'and al though the experience worked a great change in my life, I kept the cause a pro found secret, even from yon.' "The similarity of our experience led us into closer sympathy with each other, and often furnished the opening for a long con versation upon the subject of the soul's con dition after death. My husband was al ways a believer in certain spiritual mani festations, but did not go to extremes. He thought the inhabitants of the spiritual world could see us at all times, and upon very rare occasions were permitted to mani fest themselves in some way to a loyed one who had been left behind. We never talked abont death with any feeling of dread. On the contrary, in the light ol the foretaste enjoyed by both of us, we were inclined to look forward to it with feelings of pleasure and satisfaction. But in order that our re ception in the land of spirits might be happy, we Sought by Good Deeds to Make Amends for the errors of the past. We were con stantly on the watch to find persons that we could make happy, either by friendly en couragement or by financial aid. This work of atonement was carried on in a quiet way for years. We did not care to make a dis play of it because it looked inconsistent with the high motives from which our con duct sprang. A few months ago my hus band took suddenly sick. He told me to be prepared for the worst, as he thought the end was near. But even then I did not realize that death was so close upon him. In a few moments' tbe doctor came to me, and in a whisper told me that my husband was dying. His efes were wide open and his face was illuminated .with an unmistakable spiritual light. I took his hand in mine. It was still warm. I felt at that moment that the dissolution was about to take place. He seemed to be enjoying the most intense hap piness. 'Can you see the bright light?' I whispered eagerly. He did not speak, but gave my hand a slight pressure that meant 'yes' to me. In an instant more the chill of death came over his brow, his grasp upon my hand loosened, his body stiffened and I could see that his spirit had gone to return no more. "I feel that his spirit is watching mine. I do not feel like giving way to any storm or grief, because I am confident it will only be a short time before we will be reunited. But at times, when I am alone in the little parlor, in which we used to sit and talk about death so much, a feeling of intense loneliness comes over me'and I long to pass through the mysterious veil that separates this world from the next. At times like this I can feel 'a presence that seems to tell me to be calm and patient. One evening it was much stronger than usual. The pres ence of another person conld be felt so dis tinctly that I almost expected some one to speak. I was thinking of my husband and the deathbed scene. 1 was wondering if he ever would make an effort to communicate with me from the spirit land. I was sitting near the window at the time. My left elbow was resting on the window sill, while my chin was supported by my lelt hand. My right hand was swinging at my side. The Touch or a Hand. "Suddenly I felt tbe pressure of another hand clasping it firmly, yet gently. I turned, expecting to face some bold in truder, but I was all alone. Slowly my hand was raised to a horizontal position. Like a flash the thought came to me that mv hnsband's spirit was about to make itself known. I could see nothing, bnt I could feel the hand upon mine as plainly as if it had been of flesh and blood. I knew it must be my husband. With sudden inspira tion I asked, 'Is everything all right?' As an answer I received tho same pressure that wos given npon the deathbed. Tbe hand suddenly released its hold, and my arm fell by my side. My husband had demonstrated to me that spirits could communicate with mortals at certain times. "A confirmation of the visitation came to me in a most singular way. Among the friends who knew ot the experience through which my husband and myself had passed was a very strong believer in Spiritualism pure and simple. She called upon me soon alterward, and during the visit told me ol a. little incident connected with one of their seances: " We called vour husband's spirit up one night, she said", 'bnt could get only a few words from him. The appearance was nat ural, but he seemed to be held under a spell that kept him from talking. Finally the medium asked him if he had any message to send to you. "Yes; tell her not to forget the last hand pressure," and vanisheoV "Upon further questioning, I found that the seance and my visitation took place on the same night within tho same hour." Kor throat diseases and eongbt use BBOWH's TiRmrnRlAT. Tnnr-irff. l.lfcn all reallT ffOOd 'ttunrt, tuey are Imitated. Ine'.gennlne are sold vmj iu ogxes , OUTSIDE AID ASKED By the Wcstingbonse Electric and Manufacturing Company. FOREIGN CREDITORS GET A CHANCE To Chip In to' Get Hid of the 40,000 Shares of Preferred Stock. AK0THEE SD1T F0U A SMALL AMOUNT The affairs of the Westinghouse Electrical and Manufacturing Company are moving along on the road to success and the pre ferred stock is rapidly being disposed of. The local creditors' committee made a re port to Vice President Bannister yesterday, in which it made some suggestions as to the proper action to be taken. The committee said in its report: "We, the committee appointed at the meeting of the Pittsburg creditors on the 17th inst., desire to report that we are meeting with good results in soliciting sub scriptions of tbe'Pittsburg creditors for the preferred stock in settlement of their claims, And we have carried the matter far enough to feel jnstided in saying we believe we can accomplish what we set out to do, namely, to gctthe majority of tbe Pittsburg creditors to subscribe for preferred stock in settlement "We believe that it would facilitate tbe accomplishment of the object that we all have in view, namely, the putting of the Electric Company upon a proper financial basis, if you would immediately address a circular to every creditor outside of Pitts burg, reaucstlng a snbscnption to preferred stock and settlement of their claims in that way, askiug them to reply immediately." Preferred Stock for Foreign Creditors. In accordance with the suggestion the above letter was printed and will be mailed to the creditors of the company who live in other cities, and it is hoped that there will be good returns. Members of the company believe that they will thus get rid of the m.'jor portion of the indebtedness. Vice President Bannister was seen at his office yesterday afternoon and is in the best oi spirits. He said he considered tbe idea of the local creditors' committee a good one and he acted upon it at once. ""Everything is moving niceiy," said he. ''And we ex pect to see the matters all straighten them selves out. Of course, there are rumors floating about, but that could be expected under the present circumstances." Rumors of different sorts were flying about yesterday, butthe more solid financial men are beginning to look upon them as the work of some one who has not the most friendly feelings for the company. After a story is once started it flies about very rapfdly and gathers strength from every direction. For this reason the most sensa tional stories are now looked upon as the imaginings of someone's mind. Affairs Still Look Encouraging. J. B. Haines, Jr., Chairman of the Local Creditors' Committee, said yesterday that the members are having splendid success in disposing ot the stock, but as there has been no meeting of the committee, the exact number of shares taken is not known. There will probably be no full report made before the time lor securing the 40,000 shares ex pires. That will be on January 31, when everything in regard to the standing of the company will be settled. Until that time whatever rumors that may be set afloat will have no bearing on the company affairs, as there will certainly be nothing done to effect tbe matter one way or the other until every effort has been made to secWe the 40,000 shares. No one believes that the company will bo other than successful. Another suit was entered yesterday against the Westinghouse Electric Company. It was by the Palls Rivet Machine Company, of Cuyahoga Falls, O. The suit is to recover on a promissory note for 2,449 30, givenJOc tober 18, 1890, payable three months after date. It is alleged that the note was pre sented and payment refused at the banks. The plaintiffs also claim 51,754 22 for goods fnruished. CARDINAL GIBBONS, Fowderly, Sena tors Dolpli and Ingalls and others discuss the dangers that threaten the Republic iu THE DISFATCH to-morrow. An interest ing symposium. PB0P0SED LEGISLATION BIDICuXED. The Engineer's Brotherhood Criticise Measures Before Ohio's Legislature. Columbus, Jan. 23. The Ohio Division of the Brotherhood of Locomotive En gineers to-day discussed the legislation pending before the General Assembly. The Benfer bill, prohibiting engineers from run ning engines faster than ten miles an hour unless they can clearly see the rails at least 100 yards in advance and recognize the headlighpof an approaching train 300 yards in advance, and attaching a penalty for railroad companies employing men who Violate the act, were discussed at length. Many were anxious to know what was to be done in dense fogs, or when snow was on the rails. The opinion prevailed that the bill was ridiculous, and that slow movement of trains would increase, rather than dimin ish, the danger. As to drinking, tbey said that rules of the association andof railroad companies bolG prohibited drinking, and they regarded the insinuation that they were drunkards as an insult. MISCHIEF MADE BY A MEDIUM. Her Alleged Revelations Drive a Woman to Harder and Suicide. Brockton, Mass., Jan. 23. Mrs. Lnd wlg Andersqn, wife of Louis Anderson, purchased a drachm of morphine to-day and when her husband had left for his work she mixed the entire -quantity, and dividing it into four parts, gave bne each to her three children, aged S, 4 and 2 years, and took the fourth drink herself. She then retired to her chamber, taking the children with her, with the intention ot never waking agiin. They are now expected to die at any moment. The cause attributed for the rash act is that of jealousy. She consulted a medium, who told her that her husband was keeping company with other women, and she re solved to commit suicide. GAYETY ABOVE, DEATH BELOW. Mrs. C. P. Huntington's Servant Kills Him self While She Entertains Friends. Hew Yobk, Jan. 23. While Mrs. C P. Hnntington, the wife of the railroad mag nate, was entertaining friends in her home on Park avenue this evening, She was kept in ignorance of the fact that Julius Lundell, a youne Swedish servant in the house, had shot himself. t Lundell killed himself in the cellar. His weakness was drink. A fellow servant heard the pistol shot and fonnd the body with a bullet hole in the heart. He informed Mr. Huntington, who had the body removed withont the knowledge of bis wife and guests. Be sure our trade marks are on Dr. Bull's Cough Syrup. A. C. Metee & Co, B.&B. Remnant sale continued to-day and this evening., Boggs & Buhl. Hack al"e is preferred by good judges for its excellent quality. Try ours. Iron City Brewing Company. Telephone 1186. Yes! I will write it down at lastl For years and years I have kept to the resolve that none shonld ever know the history of an event which was the turning point of my life, but to-day a change has-come over me. To-day has been for me a happy day; one of the happiest, indeed, I have every known. I am an old fellow now, and have served my Queen for many a long year, in many a distant land. It has pleased God to bless my career, and to have enabled me to do my dnty to the satisfaction of my superiors. I have met with far greater rewards for my services than they merit, and to-day has come my crowning triumph. My Gracious Sovereign (whom God ever bless and pre serve!) has this day sent me, with a letter so kindly and so sweet that it made my old eyes dim to read it, the Grand Cross of the Bath I the soldier's blue ribbon of famel As I sit in my qniet room it hangs over my mantelpiece in the place of honor over tbe little glass-protected case where hang my other decorations, my five war medals and most prized ot all the bronze Victoria Cross I won at Delhi. It hangs, glittering in its silvery pride, where my sweet daughter Effie placed it this evening, amid the shouts of her cnr(y-hcaded little ones. Then how my darling addressed the pretty mob about grandfather's new honor! How her face, her figure, the tones of her voice, reminded me ol her dead mother, my dear wife, whose absence was the one thing which dimmed the happiness of tbe day. Could I help that feeling of choking in tbe throat as I listened to my Effie's words as, intones which trembled now and again with her love for her old soldier father, she told them of the honor he bad won, and bade the two sturdy blue-eyed lads, who gazed up at her with uarted lips as she spoke, follow his footsteps and gain, like him, the love of all round him, the admiration of his country, and the approbation of his Queen? Much she said far too much for my humble deserts but she spoke with the partial feeling of a loving daughter. She told them once more the story they had so often beard, of how the Victoria Cross on the little shelf was won, and-then, as she hung the last elittering trophy on the wall. she called on the little throng to give three cheers for their dear old grandfather; and the little childish trebles, as they cried out in my honor, moved me more than the cheers of the thousands who were welcoming back the defenders of Haronnabad, and I could only clasp my Effie to my heart as she cried with her kindly emotion. And now tbe old house is quiet; the nursery banquet is over and the little revellers are in bed. I sit alone in my room, and think, and think. And more vividly than for many years comes up in my mind the memory ot that vening, now so long ago, when, bnt for God's mercy for never will I call it or think it chance I should not have been living now, enjoying an honorable old age, sur rounded by loving children. Many a time since then have I looked death in the face, but it was always honor able death. Numerous have been my perils and hairbreadth my escapes, but never was I nearer death, and shameful death, than that evening. I have said none has ever heard the story, and none shall ever know it while I am alive, but I shall seal this and place it in my desk, so that it will not be read until alter my death. I conld not bear to tell Effie of it, but I know she will forgive me anything after I am gone from her. Here is my story; it may be that some may learn a lesson from it: When I was a lad I joined as an ensign the nd Regiment of Foot. My father was not a rich man, hut was yet able to give me an allowance which should have been ample for my needs. I had a happy home, my mother was one of the best of" women, though it may be she had been a little over-Indulgent 'to me. Iwasaladof a some what impetuous temperament, excitable and headstrong; i had never learned the Value of self-control and was too much given to self-indulgence. Gifted with a strong imagination there was a romantio vein in mv nature which led me to find tbe keenest enjoyment iu adventure. The youngsters of the regiment were rather a loose lot and were considered by the other corps in the garrison as being a decidedly "fast" set of men, but even among these I soon acquired a "bad eminence," and, with one exception, I was looked upon as the worst of the lot. This exception, Claude Helmsdorf,1 was my most intimate friend. He waa German by blood, but his parents were naturalized English people. There was that in Claude's disposition which endeared him to me above all my companions. x His tastes were the same, and he had the same half-sentimental, half-grotesque sort of philosophy which made me something of an enigma to my other more matter-of-fact comrades. We were neither of us happy without ex citement. The dull monotony of garrison life at Gibraltar, where the regiment was quartered, gave us scant openings, but what we could do we did. Drinking, gambling and other kindred vices, so far as means were available, we indulged in without stint. Occasionally we used to go on short leave into Spain, where, in a somewhat less strict society, we could plunge more deeply into our favorite vices. Wa got into numer ous scrapes, some of them very serious ones. More than once we nearly lost our lives in mad escapades after women. On these oc casions each had found the other true as steel, and onr mutual affection grew daily stronger and stronger. Pleasures such as those which alone had any zest for us can not be obtained for nothing, and after two years of this life money troubles began to harrass us. Now and then a lucky coup at tbe gaming table wonld keep matters straight for a short while, but the luce would soon turn, and again the clamoring of creditors wonld assail us. No troubles wear down a man's courage and patience like money troubles, and oaraj excitable and emotional nature the long strain began to tell. J. grew morose and gloomy, and had fits of terrible mental de pression, which did not escape the notice of" those about me. I knew it was whispered that Helmsdorf and I were getting into se rious difficulties, and this knowledge was gall and wormwood to me. At last I wrote,, in desperation, to my father. I sent him a , penitent letter, statine that I was in zreat' traits for money, finally imploring help, hinting that my reputation and the reten tion of my commission depended on a favor able answer. Once before, in a less serious crisis of my affairs, I had made an appeal which was sdccessiul, but my father, while granting my request, had written. in terms which made me leel far from hopeful when writing the second time. My foreboding proved true. One dull, dark afternoon Helmsdorf found me in my room in the casemate barracks reading my father's answer. It had come overland, and, as was not unusual in the dilatory Spanish post of that time, was some days overdue. I looked up as Claude entered. I remem ber his face as well as if it had all taken place yesterday. It was drawn, haggard and oiuciien; his eyes were unnaturally bright and restlcs, while a hectic spot flamed on each cheek. "Bad news, eh?" he asked quietly, but with a kind of bitter laugh. I handed him the letter, which he read aloud: "My Deae Edwadd-The-last time yon wrote to nip, to say you were iu difficulties, rTTlik iiM I managed at considerable inconvenience to mvself to send you the sum you asked for. At the time time I warned you that you must not expect me to help yon again. I am a poor man, as you well know, and such money as I have I need for myself, your mother and yonr sister. You cannot expect that I am going to cause them discomfort in order to supply you with luxuries. Your being placed in the array (con trury to bit judgment) cost m- a larger sum of money than I felt justified in spending. I gave you an allowance which I bad, and still have, good reason to believe sufficient for young officers of your standing, even with out stinting themselves extraordinarily. "You exceeded this allowance very con siderably a' year ago and wrote to me lor as sistance, which I gave. You now write to me for a far large? sum. "I regret that I must refuse your request. Were I richer, I do not know that I shonld be wise to grant it; as it is, I cannot. Yon have bitterly disappointed " "Pshawl" cried Helmsdorf, throwing the letter on the floor, "never mind the sermon izing part. Tbe main thing is, he refutes to help. Now, what are you going to do?" I did not answer. My mind was full of the blackest despair. "You gave a check for your mess bill to Holmes, didn't you?" asked Helmsdorf, slowly. I nodded. "And another to the quartermaster who cashed it; didn't you?" I did not answer. "And'one or two besides other fellows, I think. Have they been honored, do you suppose?" I laughed a bitter, joyless laugh in .an swer to the cold, sardonic smile on Helms don's face. "As fir as I can calculate," went on Claude, "these checks will be returned pro tested by tbe mail due to-day or to-morrow." I groaned, as the horror of tbe shame so near at hand oppressed my mind. "Garrison Orders, Gibraltar, 19th June," murmured Helmsdorf, as if quoting to him self. "A general court-martial will assemble at " I sprang up with an oath. "What do you mean by playing the fool with me? By 1" "Gently, gently, old boy I" said Helmsdorf, raising his hand deprecatingly. ''There will be two prisoners tried at that court martial; that is, it there are any!" "What do you mean?" I asked, looking earnestly at him. HelmsJorf laughed. "We have been through all sorts of troubles together before nowl" he said, "and I shan't desert you in this. I am in the same sort of fix as you are; the charge will run much the same that is, if there is a charge!" he added iu tbe same slow tones. "I don't know what you mean, Claude!" I said affengtn. Helmsdorf langhed again. "My dear boy, you know I have been act ing paymaster for Dolby while he was on leave." "Yes!" I said. "Well! Dolby's leave Is up, and he U due back by the mail expected to-day: the mail which brings your checks back, in fact" , "Yes!" I said again. "He will look in the treasury chest for 150 which ought to be there:" I looked fixedly at Helmsdorf. "Weill He won't find theml" There was a long silence. At first a horror of what he had dona made me feel sick, but with a tush the-re flection came upon me with awful force that I was no less a thief than het "What are you going to do?" asked Helmsdorf at length. I did not answer. A sullen despair was filling my heart. "I have made up my mindl" went on Helmsdorf. I looked up inquiringly. Helmsdorf pointed to my pistol-case, ' which lay on a table near the wall. I Btarted, as I seemed tp see the embodiment of dark ideas which had of late flitted like baleful shadows over my mind. He pro ceeded quietly. - "They sball not have more than one prisoner to try " "They shall not have any!" I broke ia fiercely. Helmsdorf laughed loudly a wild, dis cordant laugh. "What! Will you come, too, Ned?" "Ay. Int fit co tncetherf T (ar fw nothing then! Yott lis the onlybelaf ijj : J' sV;a "54 stdEi&Ui .. -, i i-. - . ;.i -i t
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