10 THE RCRASTOX TRIBUXESATlTRnAT MOBJOXG, JANUARY 4, 1896. fe-,! - Mr, Copyright. 1893k liy Bschellar, , . . " SYNOPSIS. Th Junior member of a private Arm of detective In New York beromes interested la a ilefterteil house, opposite which he hap pen to take a room. While watching it during a convahu-ence from illness, the blind of one of the windows ure opened suddenly, ilisclosinK the iiKure of a small man who wave his hand and disappears. Three days later the detective receives a jnystrlous letter, apiiointing. an hour to call. He look across at the deserted house, ahadinic his eyes with the letter, The flume reappears and repeats Its sig nal. That evenina- the detective arms himself pushes open the Iron Kate of the deserted house and enters a dark passage- -way. He Is ushered into a lighted room by the same strange tiuure. Two men and a handsome -woman in evening- dress receive him. all masked. He has been mis- taken for an expected messenger. He pre tends that it has not been safe to bring cer tain papers, and is commissioned to visit the town of P next day. As he is about to leave a young girl arrives with a warning. The masked lady tires at the detective. Ho runs downstairs and es capes by the rear tloor Into a yard. Climb ing the fence, he overhears the consplra tors, who mention Tuxedo and the name of a prominent man. tie thinks that he recognizes the voice of the lady, and con ludc that . some great crime is under way, The house Is shadowed by oilier tletecttvHS. and he decides to watch Hie train to f himself. In disguise. The D oling girl enters the station, also the ludy disguised as a man. The detective eludes the latter anil takes the train. He linns that the girl Is the Innocent instrument of a band or conspirators who have entrapped her father Into their plottinKs. The mys terious lady Is supposed to be the slider or a memoer of the liusslun legation wno has stolen Important papers at Washing' ton. Those are intrusted to the Kill's father, who given them to a messenger lor whom the detective has been mls taken. Meanwhile, the real messenger Is 1)lng watched by Washington detectives, ind she had been sent with a warning. The detective returns to New York and reads In the newspaper of the messenger's rapture with the stolen papers. He also sees the announcement of a great ball at Tuxedo, to e given by the man whose name he had overheard. He decides that the ball has some connection with the con eiriracy. PART V. Jt was ten o'clock when once more T entered the olllce of my chief. I found him awaiting me there. Ray had Just come from my rooms with news of Im portance from the House with Oreen 3Hnds. A short time before the people in the st-et ami t he houses near, had lieen startled by the noise of a heavy explosion. It had pome, as well us they could make out, from the house he had heen watching:. The police hart been summoned and an effort made to gain admission to the place. No reply had been obtained to the ringing of the bell, and they were now preparing to force an entrance. The chief had waited merely to give me the information, and we at once set out together. There was the Inevitable crowd of. people before I Threw Myself Forward, Falling Heavily Against Him. the house, through which we forced our way.- The door had been broken open and a policeman guarded the entrance on either side. As we went In a noisome odor of chemicals filled the air. We made our way to the drawing-room, where I had been the night before. Here upon the table I discovered one of my revolvers, and underneath it a piece of paper, on which was scrawled the word 'Beware." Prom hero Ray, -who had preceded us, led the way upstairs to. a small sky light room in the rear of the house. We discovered there shelves filled with bot tles, retorts, pestles and mortars, and books tilled anywhere about. On the floor, his head torn and burned beyond recognition, lay Jackson. I knew him by his yellow hands and peculiar dress, and saw that his own deviltry had been his undoing. We went carefully over the room. It contained all descriptions of materials for compounding explo sives. Half finished infernal machines, -wheels and springs scattered -every-. where, and various memoranda which were of value In their way. Near what remained of the man we discovered up on the lloor a dark stain, which at first sight I had thought to be blood. A Hoser examination, however, revealed the fact that It was either claret or some other deep red wine. In one of the yel low hands was gripped a Binnll vial about which a scrap of paper was -wrapped. Written In English upon It were the following words: "In two gills of claret, one. In champagne, two. For action in the first case, live minutes. In the second, seven." The vial contained three or four small Vhite pellets. We determnned to trv an experiment. A man was sent for a Dome oi riper-Helriseck. Of this he poured a small quantity Into bottle and, dropping In one of the white pellets, placed the whole upon the win dow ledge. Closing the sash 1 stood. watch In hand, and waited. Whether mmpiy poison, or some stronger and stranger thing, I did not stop to wonder, but, as the number of minutes recom mended in the note crawled slowly by. an uneasy sensation came over me which made me draw back and motion IN THE V. OF BE2AX7TV IS SUPREME . . Kotoolvlf it the most effect! ys sklnpnrl Vying sad beautifying soap in the world, but It is the purest, sweetest, and most refrethinc for toilet, bath, and nursery. It strike t the ! tense of bad complexions, falling balr, and I simple baby blemishes, vis.t the CmMobd, uirbiaD,uvcawoBKBD,or dl vaoisa roast lfiAM HIWiAnili Mmnr. . taxis Una Csbb. Cesr., Bottom, V i-- mm Jobtuon oJ Bachellar. the others to do the same. The next mo ment the stillness Was broken by a dull report and the falling of shattered glass. We started forward. The glass lay broken in small bits; a portion of the stone coping had been torn away; the bottle was nowhere visible. I knew little of chemistry. Whether the man Jackson had made a great dis covery, in producing a material upon which the action of certain kinds of liquids was necessary to bring about a concussion, by absorbing with the vari ous degrees of strength contained In the II u Id the hard outer coating of his pre paration and bringing the delicate in terior into contact with some foreign substance; or whether such methods are generally known and practiced by the profession. I cannot tell. I only thought, at the time, that the last link In the chain of proceedings was now without doubt In my hand. At nine o'clock that night Ray. an other man and myself, were stationed In the hall of Mr. 's great house at Tuxedo. We had been substituted for three detectives who were to have been sent down in the usual way. I had placed Ray at the entrance to the ball room, myself near the vestibule of the house, the other man hovered anywhere about. We hud not long to wait. The guests of the evening were early to ar rivethe great man short-breathed, ponderous, but gonial; his young wife handsome and gracious. Behind them came a small sprinkling of more or less famous politicians, members of the for eign legation and handsome young at taches in the full uniform of their countries. Among these lust were two men who at once attracted my atten tion; the first, by a slight peculiarity in his figure, his quirk nervous move ments, the glances full of suspicion and of watchfulness which he constantly threw about all these signs Identified him strongly with the man who had kept silence the night before at the House with Green Blinds. The other was as easily discovered; the tall, well set up figure, ornamented by a showy uniform which he now wore, the firm Hps curving Into a smile that was al most Insolent; the large, well-shaped head; the delicate nroma of Turkish cigarettes which floated with him more, he lighted one ns he reached tne smoking-room, into which 1 could see from my station, anil sent ring after ring of smoke curling upward. Once before I had seen him do It, but never another man so prettily. 1 Bent Hay to watch the two closely and returned to my post. Again I had not long to wait. 1 had turned to reply to some trivial question which had been addressed to me, when the voice for which I had been waiting lloated clear ly towards me a low, delicious laugh. I looked eagerly about. In the smoking room, talking gaily to a small group of its occupants, was the hero of the English trial the escaped convict of Portsmouth prison the boy who had followed Miss Cutting. But I saw no one anywhere about to resemble Madame of the White Shoulders. From where 1 stood I watched this man until he turned to go, and then drew nearer. As he passed Ray's tall Russian, I heard him Bay lightly: "Tout va blen," and then he lost himself In the crowd. I saw him go in and out among the throng, looking unostentatiously but carefuly about him, and managed for a time to keep In his wake. Then I lost him entirely. For an hour I searched hither and thither, rurslng my own stu pidity, but without avail. 1 was grow ing desperate, fearing that, after all. I should be too late, when again that voice came to my straining ears. It wus In the supper room, where the Jingling glasses were playing a grace ful accompaniment. I stumbled hastily forward. This time I was not disap pointed. 1 could not but recognize her, though I had never seen her face uncov ered before. Perfect In outline as a statue by St. Gaudens. faultless in col oring, and lighted by those glorious eyes which had flashed upon me through the mask eyes 1 had seen matched but once, and then by those of the boy I had just so clumsily lost sight of. Her superb, squarely-moulded shoulders gleamed richly in the well-arranged lights. For the merest Instant her eyes rested upon mine ami their pupils widened. I feared that she had pene trated my disguise. Then she turned again to her companion none other than the illustrious guest in the Inter est of whose safety I was working. I was very near them. Looking about I saw both the men who had been In the House with the Green Blinds hovering neur the doorway. Behind them towered Ray's well-set head. I signaled him to close In. His orders were to arrest them as quietly as they would permit it to be done, and to await in the car riage which had been provided, my ar rival with mudame. She was standing, with her r-ompan-on. near one of the tables, and I saw him pour a glass of champagne and hand It to her. He watched her. smil ingly, as she dnlntlly put it to her Hps. and then turned to find one for himself. As he did so I saw madam's hand go steadily into the bosomi of her gown, and, taking out a small silver vinaigrette, hold it carelessly for an instant over her gliiss. The great man turned to her again and lightly touched her glass with his own. "May fortune bring you everything which has not already escaped her," he said, gallantly. "To a health like that, monsieur," replied her marvelous voice, "in my country it is a custom to change glasses, that each may drink the good fortune of the other." "A very pretty custom," he said, with a heavy laugh. "I-it us follow It." The glasses changed hands. If he should swallow that deadly thing Good heavens! 1 threw myself for ward, Tailing heavily against him. Half the wine went trickling down his coat and he turned about with a savage Im precation. I seized the glass and poured what remained through my fin gers until they touched the hard little pellets It contained. Knowing that they had not been there long enough to soften, and that there was no dan ger from them, I put them In my pock et, arid, with at song froid I could muster, turned to madam and offered her my arm. "Madam." I Btammered, "Is forgetful and mistaken. In her country no way of treating a toast Is so unlucky." The great man looked dazed, but 1 saw his anger growing. A strange light had come Into madam's eye. and I heard her murmur an apology to him. "For a few minutes pardon tne an old friend whom I have not seen since last night." Hhe allowed her hand to rest lightly upon my arm. "For a moment," she said, "come In here," and led me towards the conser vatory. I thought no better place could be found for the quiet performance of my duty, for I wished to avoid a scene. A maid could be dispatched for her wraps, and for my own aa well, and I could conduct her, as secretly as she would allow, to the carriage which was awaiting her. I v She sank upon a cushioned window seat and motioned me to a chair which stood facing It. A strange desire to humor her took possession of me. For a moment she let her eyes rest quietly upon my own. "Your disguise becomes you," she said, critically. "And yours," I replied, "becomes you very HI." - Her Hps kept their seriousness of out line and her eyes remained fixed on mine. There was a short interval of silence and then she arose to her feet, standing over me, I started to follow her example, but she motioned me to obey. I saw that she had unfastened a splendid tiara of diamonds and sap phires from her hair and was turning It over and over In her hands, where the light from above Incessantly toyed with It. The glitter of the thing fas cinated me; my eyes folowed every movement. I tried to turn away, and could not. A drowsy sensation came over me. . the soft tones of her voice droned in my ears, sounding far away and sweet and sweeter still. And then came a dull, monotonous rattle. A newspaper rustled at my el bow. A man's voice Ray's was speak ing. My eyes were oKned (I could not remember unclosing them) and I was IC30U IBDDCta His Own Deviltry Had Keen Ills I nduing. gazing about stupidly. The surround ings wore familiar enough. An ordi nary passenger coach. Journeying swiftly along through the sweet air of a summer morning. A lot of strange people about; Ray in the place beside me, reading his paper. "If there was such a plot afoot here," he wus saying, "It seems to have slipped up without any aid of ours. It Is a pretty bad business though, anyway." I asked him what, and he looked at me curiously. "What is the matter with you? You've been queer ever since lust night," he re turned, peevishly, and pointed to a huge headline in his paper. I looked, and read these words: "The Assassination of President Snill Carnot." For a moment my head reeled and the words danced unmeaningly be fore my eyes, and then a mist seemed to unfold Itself from my brain, and re membrance of the affulr I hud just been through with came back to me. I un butoned my coat, and suw that I was still In evening dress. I had no little difficulty in persuad ing Ray to tell me what had occurred, and in convincing him that I had no recollection of It. Finally, however, he told me this: As he had been directed, he waited for his cue from me before arresting the two men who were In his charge, and he had seen what took place between the Illustrious guost Madam of the White Shoulders and myself. When she accepted my arm, she had turned for an instant to nod and smile at the Russian attache, who was also watching closely. Upon Ray's quiet demand for a surren der, which had Immediately followed, this man had followed him to the car riage without a word. The other came as quietly. They then had waited there some five minutes when I appeared, with Madam leaning upon my arm. She had expressed great surprise at finding the two men there and under ar rest, and had demanded an explanation from me. I had offered her the most abject apologies, and had ordered Ray to at once release his prisoners. I had assured him that the affair, from begin ning to end, was a gigantic mistake, that the track we had followed was en tirely a wrong one, that we had offered untold insult to three Innocent people. He had no course but to credit my word. I had then proceeded to assist Madam with great care Into her carriage, and she had driven rapidly away, the men following in another coupe. We hast ened afterwards, Ray, the man who had come down with us and myself, to the station, where I had purchased, with no further explanations to my companions, three tickets to Boston, which place we were now ncartng. The third man had made himself comfortable In the smok ing car.as there was no sleeper attached to the train, while Ray had sat all night beside me. During this time I had sat with wide-open eyes, staring straight before me, apparently lost In thought, and until now he had not ventured to disturb me. And so the beginning of my first case came to Its end. Letters a fortnight later from my friend, the London detective, told ine that attempts uron the lives of men in certain other European cities had been made at the same time, but, with the exception of that In which the French president fell, all had been dis covered and met In time. 1 resigned my position at the office, and have since been devoting most of my time to trying, upon my own re- Mrs. White, a Citizen of Ithaca YYs Saved. (From the Ithaca. Herald.) Our representative, hearing of the case of Mrs. H. T. White, called to see her at Seneca and Plain streets. We publish their conversation In the fol lowing interview: "Mrs. White. I hear you have some thing to say about a new remedy for backache and kidney disorders. Wiil you give me your statement for publi cation?" "Sen, I am quite satisfied to do so. I think the public should know when a really good remedy Is to be had. It Is the least I can do In gratitude for my recovery." "Tell me about your complaint." "About a year ago I had the Crippe, and since then my back has pained me constantly in the region of the kidneys; a dull pain at timet, and at other Inter vals, sharp, darting pains piercing through me, were almost unbearable. I seemed to be giving out as the pain In my kidneys grew worse, and at last I had to stay in bed the greater part of the time. Finally, I gave up altogether. I had terrific headaches, and suffered so much pain my appetite left me." "Did the disorder affect the bladder?" "Finally it did. The urine was highly colored, and varied In suppression and excess. I often told my friends I be lieved I should go Insane from the pain. I heard of Doan's Kidney Pills, and be gan their use. After taking them two or three days I began to feel their, good etfects. I continued, and now am per fectly well." "Am I to understand that Doan's Kid ney Pills have entirely cured you?" "Yes, that's the truth. I have no more headaches or pains, and my ap petite has returned. Before using IHian's Kidney Pills I found it very try ing1 to go up and down stairs, or to sleep pn my back: but now -I can do so without a single pain. I feel com pletely ctrred, and I wish the manufac turers every possible success." For sale by all dealers. Price 60 cents. Mailed by FoMer'-Mllburn Co.. Buffalo, N. Y.rsole agents forth U.S. jH885mT W0 11EH HOPE FADED siwinsibillty. to get trace of Madame of the White Shoulders. In this quest, so far unsuccessful, for the last two weeks I have enjoyed the assistance, given with sympathetic seal, of the girl who saved my life from her, and who no longer bears the name of "Cutting." Should I succeed In finding madam. I hope to force her to solve two prob lems; the first, whether she and the young man who wore a false beard and spoke with her voice, were Identical the one with the other. And if so, whether she had exercised the same In lluence w hich had so swayed my mind, to her will upon the Jailer of the Ports mouth prison, and by so doing had ef fected the eseane of herself and her companions, upon a previous occasion. The End. GOOD SHORT STORIES. Made not Ills Case. "My first eaM." said a Well-known at torney, "was the defence of a negro preacher In Missouri, who had been ar rested for stealing wood from a rail road company. A great deal of fuel hud been lost from time to time, so when the culprit was arrested the company was so anxious to muke an example of him that It employed special counsel and pros ecuted tae case vigorously. The evidence against the old man was convincing. He had been seen sneaking around the wood pile and was arrested while carrying off a load. "I had subpoenaed about twenty well known business men to testify to the previous good character of the defend ant. When the prosecution's case was closed 1 put one on the stand and askeVI: " 'Do you know the defendant's repu tation for honesty and integrity?' " 'Ves.' was the answer. "What I It-good or bud?' "'Bad. He will steal anything he ran get his hands on.' "A titter ran through the court room. It wasn't the answer I had expected, but it was loo late, so 1 put on a bold front and called another. He testified as the other witness had, and the prosecuting attorney rubbed his hands with satis faction. Before I got through with my witnesses, 1 proved that my client was a notorious thief, who had never been known to neglect an opportunity to steitl something, no mutter how trilling it might be. Then I c.ali?d a couple of physicians, proved the existence of a mental disorder as kleptomania, read some authorities to show that It was a good defence if proven, and submitted my cuse. The old preacher was acquitted and there at ter stole with iniminity. for he const"! ei-ed his acquittal in the face of the facts equivalent to a license to steal." San Francisco tall. .ii . The London Times' Influence. "What Is the secret of the Importance nnd Inuuetice or the London Times?" 1 asked a prominent mumUer of parliament i who Is spending a few weeks in this conn iry. "The mystery that surrounds the author. ship of the articles on its editorial page," wus the reply. "Nobody except the edltor- in-cnler knows wao writes for the Times It has no stuff occupying desks In editorial. rooms like the ordinary newspaper, but its articles are all written on tne outside. The editor-ln-chlef sends the Important topics of the day to different persons, who furnish the leaders. Many of thorn are gratuitous; the rest tire paid for by the column, the rates varying according to the Importance of the writer. There is a public imprestlon that all the leaders In the Times are written by the great men in the Hritisn empire, and when a sub. serber opens the dump sheet In the morn ing he always looks first at the editorial page instead of the news column, ns he does with the other papers, and as you do In this country. He Imagines that the articles he llnds there have been written by the marquis of Salisbury, the elian cellor of the exchequer, the minister of home anrairs, the arcnulshop of London the poet laureate, the lord chief Justice or some outer Dig Dug. it Is popularly sup. posed that all the great men In the Brit Isli empire are continually writing for the Times, while as a matter of fact 99 per cent, of the editorials are prepared hv ordinary literary hacks at the rate of $10 a column, 't he Times is a great humbus. The late Mr. Burnum would have udmired it Immensely. It has played this game or mystery ior nair a century and still continues to be oamddered as profound an autnority on an topics aa the oracle of teh Pythian Apollo at Delphi." W. K. Curtis, in Chicago Kecord. -MC-Ilow Ho necatna a Professor, Chauncey M. Depew lately visited the mechanical detainment of Cornell univer sity. He found at the head of St Professor Morris. The lutter claimed him as an old acquaintance. "How's that?" said Mr. Depew. "I used to work for the New Vork Central railroad." was the profes sor's answer. "Indeed! In what depart ment. -nn, just in tne ranks." "How did you get here?" asked Depew. "I was first u fireman on an engine. That was a tough Job, but it led uu to the position of engineer. When I becamo an engineer 1 made up inv mind te set an edueat on. I studied at night and fitted myself for i nton college, running all tne time with my locomotive. 1 procured books and at tended as rat- as posslDle the lectures and recitations. I kept up with my class, and on the day of graduation I left my loco motive, washed up, put on the gown and cap, delivered my thesis and received my diploma, put the gown and cap in the closet, put en my wonting shirt, got on my engine and made my usual run that day." "Then." said Depew, "1 knew how he became Professor .Morris. That spirit will cause a man to rite in any calling. Jt Is ambition, hut it is ambition wisely di rected, seeking to make oneself fitted for higher work. When this is accomplished the opportunity for higher work Is sure to come."--i'alhollc Columbian. Might Have been Cheaper. Roscoe Conkllng catno Into Mr. Evarts' ottlce one day. when he was a young law yer. In quite a nervous state. "You seem to be very much excited, Mr. ronkling," said Mr. Kvarts, as Ros coe walked up and down the room. "Yea. J'ni provoked I am nrovoked." i said Mr. C'onkllng. "I never had n client dlssatislled about my fee before.'- "Well, what's the matter?" askeil Mr. Kvnris. "Why. I defended Gibbons for uvson. you know. He was convicted, but 1 did hard work for him. I took him to the Superior com., and he was convicted; then on to the Supreme court, and the Supreme court confirmed the judgment and gave him ten years in the peniten tiary. J charged him $3,0(10, and now Gib bons is grumbling about it suva It's too much. Now, Air. Kvarts. I ask you, If I really charged too much?" "Well," said Mr. Kvarts, vet-v delib erately, "or course you did a good deal of work, and $3,wm Is not a verv big fee; but to be frank with you, Mr. 'ronkling. my deliberate opinion Is thut he might huve -been convicted for less money " Chicago Times-H-rald. One on an American. They a- telling the story In London t'iiut the impossible American In Paris alighted at a hotel to find It absolutely full. "1 have nothing." expostulated the host, almost trurfully, "nothing. The first floor is taken by the king of the Ostenders, the queen of Montegaria occupies the second, the duke of Cottonopolis is sharing the third tloor with the eali"h of Port Said, and the crown prince of Nova Ksperanxa Is sleeping on the Millard table. As tor myself, I have to muke up a bed In the office, und there only remains the cham ber for my daughter. Of rourse " "Is that -your daughter?" Interrupted the American pointing to the young lady at the desk. "Yes. sir." "All right; I'll marry her after lunch." And, giving his vulise to the speechless Boniface, he added. "Now. you can take my bugguge up to our room." Argonaut. Was Never Asked Again. An amusing story is told of Professor Blackle by Miss Anna. M. Btoddurt In her new biography. It seems that the genial professor was once asked to be chairman at a temperance meeting. He agreed, and opened his speech thus: "1 cannot understand why I am asked to be here. I am not a teetotaler far from It. If a man asks me to dine with him, and does not give me a good glass of wine, I say that he Is neither a Christian nor a gentleman. Germans drink beer. Kngllshmen wine, ladles tea, and fools water." It Is not recorded that Professor Blackle was ever again asked to appear In an official capacity at a teetotal meeting. Household Words. Clara Lane accidentally set fire to her nightdress in the disrobing scene of "Fra Dlavolo," in Boston, and there- was al- News of the Qreee Room' and Foyer. In one of Miss Kaiser's London let ters recently mention was made of the poor success lately experienced by many prominent London theatrical en tertainers. Klwyn A. Barron, la a let ter to the Chicago Times-Herald upon the same subject, explains the reason. "The trouble," he says, ".Is the revolt of the public from problem plays. There has been a nauseous surfeit of the lb senlsh delving Into morbid sexualltlcs. The woman in rebellion to convention who imngines that she has a mission to reform the world before she has learned how to govern her own tnlli mltie.i.mnrui and other, has become offensively ob trusive as the only dramatic heroine. Hhe was Interesting us a novelty, but she has become a dreadful bore as a commonplace. The Intelligent public heaven forfend that I should be thought to mean that curious coinpuny which Imagines that acceptance of Ibsen is a test of intellect but sunc creatures, with good red corpuscles in their veins and orderly activity in their gray mat ter, have grown aweary of your Noras, and Heddas. and Paulas and all that lot of hypertrophled and lymphatic cat tle. They have served notice on the preachers of social pessimism In a re volt from the grossly prurient sexual drama that has only been defamatory of woman by enthroning types of mor ally bilious women, and are now giving their patronage to forms of entertain ment that. If frivolous, are at least not apotheoses of nymphomania. Hence the music halls are crowded nightly by audiences of fashionable distinction, and the Haymarket. where 'Trilby' Is playing. Is sold out a week in advance. while the theaters that entered into a rivalry or abandonment to sex ques tions that refinement long ago excluded from public discussion before mixed as semblies are paying the penalty of their mercenary shortsightedness." II II II During the run of Frank Mayo's dra matisation of Mark Twain'3 "Pudd'n head Wilson" in New York, when Mr. Mayo was appearing In the title role, and his Interpretation of the quaintly humorous old Mlssourtan, Pudd'nhead Wilson, was the Broadway sensation, he learned something about fame, says the Chicago Record. One day, while Mayo was walking down Broadway, he met a friend. With this friend was a young actor who has some reputation on the stage. Said Mayo's friend, "Mr. Mayo, allow me to introduce you to Mr. " "Excuse me," said the young actor, "but I did not quite catch the name." "Mayo, this Is Frank Mayo," salt! the friend. ' "Ah; Mr. Mayo, ore you In our pro fession?" He was not trying to be sarcastic or funny. He simply didn't know. II II X Richard Mansfield made a character istic speech on the occasion of the last performance of "Rodion" at the Garrick theater in New York. Here are a few extracts from It: "1 had Imagined that the graceful bows which you have seen me make had shown my grateful sense of the deep honor you huve done me to-night. But It seems my bows were not graceful enough or elegant enough to make my meaning clear. Ere long I shall be leaving this delightful city I always call the place I happen to be acting in delightful for other equally delightful cities. It was borne In upon me gently that If I remained here very long I might be left without the means of get ting food and drink, which are, it seems, not unesnential to an actor. When Paderewskl Mr. Paderewskl plays the piano he usually rakes in about $4,000 at a time. When I play as I think I sometimes do on your emotions I make rather less. I find, to my regret, that I shall have to leave you for a time to earn a livelihood In what you are, I be lieve, pleased to call the provinces. Be fore I go I beg to thank you once again for all your kindness." II II II Marlon Manola-Mason, whose recent debut on the vaudeville stage has at tracted much attention, has a passion for babies which, ordinarily. Is not lim ited by color, condition or cleanliness, but a few seasons ago, while starring with her husband through the West, she had an experience that she will not soon forget. For a change bill Mr. and Mrs. Mason were playing "Caste," and, contrary to the usual custom, the property man had Instructions to see that a real "live" baby was always on hand for the per formance. Strange as it may seem, considering the supply, this Is not such an easy thing to get in every small town and the property man was often in a sore strait to meet the exacting wishes of the stars. One night Mr. and Mrs. Mason, arriv ing rather late at the theater and plac ing implicit confidence In the Intelli gence of helr aforementioned "props," did not have the usual examination of the necessary Infant. The effect may be better Imagined than described when Mrs. Mason, as Esther, the young wife, held up to the view of the audience, "My George's own blessed boy, born while he was In India," a baby black as the proverbial ace of spades with a boll on the side of Its neck. ' ll II II Frederick Warde tells of an experi ence which he had with Louis James In j Butte: "We had played Irginus' to a packed house," he said, "and there had been much enthusiasm on the part of the gallery boys. After the final cur tain and recalls I went to my dressing room and began disrobing. But the crowd refused to disperse and kept In sisting on a speech. To satisfy them I finally snatched up a sheet, "threw it around me. toga fashion, and thus cos tumed I strode before the curtain. Said I: 'My friends, how can you reason ably Insist on a speech? Virginlus Is dead, Applus Claudius is dead, Icilius Is dead and I am dead.' Then came a shrill voice from the gods, saying: "What have you done with the other Idiot?" That was too much for me. I tied precipitately." li II li Regarding the production of "The Fencing Master" at the Academy of Music this evening an engagement of especial interest is expected. It will Introduce Miss Katherlne Oermalne as Franceses, the strong prima donna role, which affords such rare opportunities for an artiste to show her talents, and made Marie Tempeat famous. The company is well balanced throughout, many of the cost being the same as those that supported Miss Tempest In the opera, which Is the strongest" work of De Koven and Smith's numerous successes and far mor durable In the public' ear than either "Robin Hood" or "Rob Roy." The musical conduc tor's chair Is occupied by Hlgnor A. Tomasi, who directed for eight years with Mme. Emma Abbott, and led "Tim Fencing Master" when Marie Tempest was the star. The lending comedian In the present organisation Is II. W. Tre Dennlck, who also was with Miss Tem pest. Marlon Langdon. Harry De Lorme, H. Arthur Lelblee and Louise Bryant make up the remainder of the list of principals. II II II Manager William A. Brady's great production of Sutton Vane's phenome nally successful melodrama "The Cot ton King" comes to the Academy Tues day evening. It has had a most suc cessful run In Boston where night after night scores of people were turned away. The play Is strong In all the elements which appeal most forcibly to the great average of mankind. The Some of the More Important Doings of These, Our Actors. dialogue Is well written; In short it Is a splendid pluy and has proved Its mer its by the tests of Hnston criticism and the constant attendance for weeks of Immense and delighted audiences. "The Cotton King" company Is said to be an admirable organization for Manager Brady Is a great believer In the abso lute necessity of completeness every where in his organisations. H H I' No one who has ever laughed at Tom Seabrooke, In his inimitable perform ance of "King Pomeroy," in "The Isle of Champagne," or his "Terreiu-e o'Grudy" in "The Cirand Vlzer" will fall to see hlr.i In his new comedy "The Speculator" which he appcui-H In at the Academy of Music Monday evening. i: II li The opening performance of "Shad ows of a Great City" will take place at the Frothinghain Tuesday. J unitary . The ploy has a remarkable record sis seasons of uninterrupted success. It retains many of the original ca3t. Miss Annie Ward Tiffany. William Beach. Mies Lottie Alter. Joseph W. Jefferson, W. V. Allen and K. H. Tllton. The action of the day Is rutdd. the situa tions exciting, anil the dialogues excel lent. In short, It is very effectively staged. II I! II Bryton's "Forgiven" will he at Davis' theater the first three davs of next week.The New York Times says: " 'Forgiven' has more distinct merit than Is perceptible In most plays of the sume type. Its story Is told with sim plicity and directness, its scenes are carried on amid such picturesque sur- roiindlngs as never fall to gratefully Impress the eye, and bits of comedy of a kind that Invariably appeals to a pop ular assemblage, alternate with pathos that stirs with unfailing swiftness, the UP TO TftfwnwnwwnwiniwiinnwimwwmiimnHw Established 1B6S. TAB (jENUlNE PIANOS At a time when many manu facturers and dealers are making the most astounding statements regardingthemeritsanddurability of inferior Pianos, intending pur chasers should not fail to make critical examination of the above instruments. EL C. RICKER General Dealer in Northeast, ern Pennsylvania. Now Telephone Exchange Building, 115 Adams Ave., Scranton, Pa. UUUUUUUUUIIUUUUUUUMUMUIIU HOUSEMEN ! DO NOT-' wAirr FOR SNOW AND ICE. ' "VtT Have your Horses' Shoes prepared with proper holes foj "Hold Fast" Calks. SIZES, 5-16, ASK YOUR SHOER ABOUT THEM. For further particulars address TTE1I SCRAN TON, PA. Agents for Northern Pennsylvania and Southwestern New York When tn doubt wfctt to lmiMUObV. AtTMav. SciinerllU. Omtnt iUtult in 4 wwlu. lot rn 5 mult foully. ter PEAL rVi -ViTc T-V. For sale by JOHN H. PHELPS Bpruee Street, Beranton Pa, emotlont of ' the throng, t' As Jack O'Diamonds Mr. Forsherg appealed to the syrniiathles or all. He was recalled at the end of each act. and recalled with a heartiness and spontaneity which. it n n ii i ii Augustln Daly's company of forty people and their own orchestra; will play "A Mid Summer Night' Dream" at. the Academy of Mueic nxt Satur day evening. This is the first time Mr, Daly has ever sent his company In its entirety to a one night stand and it should be looked upon as a treat. ii ii ii ... , FOOTLIGHT FLASHES: Odette Tyler is to star. Yvette Gullbert's repertoire embrace 6(l songs. , Julia Arthur may star in Charlotte Corday ulay. w Nut Goodwin will shortly produce "H( Absent Hoy." Kdwin Stevens has been udded to Augus tln Daly forces. , . a performance of "Oberon," conducted by Weber himself. In HCti. Pauline Hall gave 60.00 loaviw of bread to the poor of St. Louis last week. John Drew last week saved Maud Adams from being crushed under falling scenery. J he theater established bv Bishop Fal lows ,at Chlcugo to elevate the stage ha fulled. It Is aid that Willie Collier next year Is to star under the nutnugement'of Rich & Harris. ; Deninan Thompson and Kelt Burgess may Join forces in a play with two suita ble characters. There is excellent authority to the effect that Vli-Klniu Harned and K. H. Sothera are to b married. Delia Fox's unskirted picture had to b covered on the Boston billboards by order of the avuhoiltlt-s. Aubrey lloiieleault will appear at Bos. ton to produce his father's principal suc cesses, such s 'T'he Shraughaun." "Ar ruh Na Poguo" and "Colleen Bswn." A Kansas City theatrical manager Is up-to-date. 1 he men ushers have been re nlaetd by some of "the handsomest young ladies In the city" who wear bloomer. .Manager Augustln 1 aly intends to take his aompuny to Indon In the fall here after, Instead of In the eurlv summer. He will oiicn his next London season about Sept. ft l&M. lpudore Rush not so very long ago In. velgled her mother into a theater for the first time in her life, telling afore suiil mother thut there was to be a lec ture. It did not take long for the de ceived lourty to fathom the game, Look ing around she said, "I know very welt whore I nm. but I nm not the least bit sorry." Boston letter in Dramatic New DATE. 0vift8,000 In Usi. 4 E E E E ESI PI V 3 - 8, 7-16, 9-16. RESTORE LOST VIGOR tut tot Norvout Debility, Low of Smiil Power (In tlthcr Vesicocele and ettJr weiknMtSS. from onv CAul. M checked full vifor quickly restored. !f net? I ti ted, suck Muled tijrwhett, sealed, for l.ot 6 bote for H .w,t i 7"wt iu cur of rotiaa iiio mtjaey. Pharmacist, cor. Wyoming Avenu an 1 f I S o S3 to a -t e 'A. 1