t liS i jVi wT- Tr WVM?" "T .10 THE SCKANTON TRIBUNE-SATURDAY MORNING, JMAQ 151897. A Smimmer Jouiiraey from New York to WarsaWo TOE Scenes to Be Witnessed by Way of the Caucasus, at Rostov-on-the-Don, at ,N5jni Novgorod, and at Moscow. A Story f modern Greece B fjfi ""' JOHN lAMGDOn TiEATOtl (Copyright, 1807, by John Lnngdon Heaton.) fe&sURE9r CLlFfl Won. Chas. A. Dana, In tho Sun. In tho strict sense, the Caucasus Is a body of mountains parallel to tho coast of tho Black sen, beginning on tho west at Anapa, near the Sea of lAzof, and extending In a southeasterly direction to Cape Apchorn on the Cas pian. The length of tho mass is about 700 miles, and Its breadth varies from 70 miles to 150. Mount Elbruz, tho highest elevation In Europe, Is pretty nearly In the center of the chain, and Xasbek, the next In height, Is about CO miles to the east of Elbruz; and there are a creat number .of other peaks of almost equal Importance. The Russian political divisions, which are nttached to the Caucasus and nre gen erally known as Cls-Caucasla and Trans Caucasia, make together about 200,000 Bqunrc miles of territory, with an aggregate population at present of perhaps 8,000,000 souls of various races and numerous religions. Among the aboriginal Inhabitants of this coun try there are said to bo some sixty or seventy different tribes, speaking as many different tongues and dialects, living mainly by agriculture nnd tho chase, and carrying on various domes tic manufactures, generally marked with tho stamp of high aitlstlc in stinct, such as the weaving of rugs and carpets, the making of a peculiar kind of silverware ornamented with black Inlaying, known as. niello, and the making of swords and daggers, as well as of woollen cloth, felt, and articles of Astrakhan fur. In fact, foreign manufactures, except those of Central Asia, seem as yet to have gained very little foothold In this region. The peo ple, as they are seen In tho cities and villages, are apparently, for the most part, what Is called half civilized. They are very handsome, athletic, and grace ful. The women have always been fa mous for their beauty, and the Cau casian gentlemnn has all the distinc tion and dignity of appearance and manners, that belong to the character of a gentleman In the most civilized countries. ONLY ONE ROAD. In all this region there Is, In fact, only one road leading through the mountains from south to north, name ly, tho Georgian Military road, so called. It starts in the south from Tlllls, passes the foot of Kasbek. and continues through tho Darlal I'r.s to .Vladikavkaz, a distance of 201 versts, or about 130 miles. The railway from IsTovorossIsk to Rostov-on-the-Don turns the western extremity of the mountains, but does not cross them; nnd tho railway, 560 miles in length, from Batoum and Potl through Tlllls to Baku on tho Caspian, turns the southeastern extremity of tho range In the same manner. This railroad, by the way, running along mountain gorges, with no well-defined natural line to follow, Is in many places built on masonry supports, and at almost every turn Is subject to serious dam ago from freshets. But the Georgian Military road, following almost a di rect line, crosses tho mountains through what seemn to be the one available north and south pass; it Is macadamized, nbout 100 feet In width, and Is kept in perfect condition. TIFLIS. Tho capital of this vast and little known region is Tlllls, with perhaps 350,000 people, and still growing, as new buildings going up here and there afford very sun evidence. This pic turesque town was the capital of Georgia in old times, and here the Itusslan governor general, the military authorities, and tho Judicial tribunals have their seat. As beilts an Alpine metropolis, it is planted in the valley of the Kour, a rushing mountain tor rent which falls sixty feet or more in' its passage through tho town, and occasionally wears away a bit of the shore and tumbles down a housa or two. The day we got there the river had furiously attacked a small Island opposite our hotel. Tho public excite ment was intense. Crowds gathered on tho bridge Just below the Island, and a gans of laborers were hard at work getting out a quantity of goods mat were stored In a wooden build ing on the Island. The goods wero car ried away and the building was almost taken to pieces ready for removal, when the water fell and tho danger was over for the time. There are no big mountains close at hand at Tlflls, but In every direction the place Is surrounded by heights whose rocks sometimes stand out naked and pictorial without any earthy covering, white one or two have mon asteries on their summits, which must be very dllllcult for the monks to climb. On one of tho more gentle among these heights there is the ancient wall of a citadel Inclosing perhaps a dozen acres whose well-grassed Interior now per forms the useful function of pasturing a few" sheep, and serving as a lounging place for any unoccupied travelers who may like to wander over It In a pleas ant afternoon. Just below this on the east, is a largo slope contanlng what Is called a botanic garden, though It Is dlfllcult to find among Its alley-waya any great variety of plants or any sharp scientific arrangement. In this vicinity, also on tho steep declivities of several hills, are what I took to be the cabins of the early inhabitants, curious bird-cages of abodes, clinging one above another to tho sides and ir regularities of the rocks, and reached from below by queer and erratic stair ways. In tho level-led valley-botoms among these ancient eyries modern streets and rows of buildings have everywhere mado their way, bo that there is now very little space In what we will call tho native quarter remain ing to be occupied. But on the same side of the river and I am speaking of the right-hand bank as you go with the stream are tho most Important publlo buildings, all modern and substantial, the palaces of the governor general and of the military commander, the mus eum, nnd a whole array of public of fleccs, as well as the court house, which last I had tho good fortune to visit In company, with his excellency tho chief Judge. We happened upon a very In teresting scene in tho court house, and a very unusual one, oven In Russia. The proclamation of the new czar an nouncing his accession to the throne, contained as usual, a clause providing for a certain reduction In the sentences of all criminals already condemned by the courts; and wo entered the court room at Tlflls Just as members of th court, .with the exception of the" presi dent, wero taking their seats to apply this net of grace in tho eases of per haps twenty men who had recently been tried ahd had not yet taken their departure for their places of punish ment. I did not count the number of Judges upon the bench, but I should say there were four or five of them, all dressed In a kind of semi-military uni form such ns I had never seen worn by Judges elsewhere. The criminals wero made to stand up In lino on the left hand of tho court. The clerk called their names, and each Individual was Identified. Then tho Imperial decree was read, and the amount of reduction In punishment was written down for each, nfter which they were removed from the court room under guard. They wero not an nttractlvo set of charac ters, though they were mostly young men, and the proceedings did not seem to have much Interest for them. I nsked the chief Judge what was the na ture of their offenses, nnd he said that they were brigands or highwaymen. Tho proceeding was gravo enough, but It lacked tho formality and tho sol emnity which it might have worn In the court rooms of some other Euio pean countries. MUSEUM AND BAZAAR. Tho museum Is a very attractive es tablishment, with collections of ani mals, bird:, plants, minerals, primitive) human habitations, and everything available to Illustrate the natural his tory of the Caucasus, and the modes of life prevailing among the earlier In habitants of tho country, as well ns thoso of the present day. It is under tho teamed direction of Dr. De Radde, and its arrangemont nnd classification are piactlcal and instructive. The es tablishment fills the three floors of a largo building, nnd also extends into an adjoining garden, where It occupies a great deal of space. Nobody should leave the city without seeing It. In Tlllls, as In every other Oriental or semi-Oriental town, tho most Inter esting lounging place Is tho bazaar. As a mart for Oriental carpets, embroid eries, silks, gauzes, and so on, Tlflls is as good as any other place, and per haps better than most better, I might almost say, than Constantinople Itself. All sorts of Eastern rugs, cheap, dear, commonplace, and of high art, are to be found there is abundance. But, strange to say, it takes perseverance and determination to get at them. I never taw traders who seemed so In different to tho chances of selling; and I would advise my friends who may go there to get some Important banker, or wholesale dealer or other commer cial magnate, to go with them to the bazaar and oveiawo the dealers so that they will bring out their best wares. This Is especially the case with car pets and embroideries. If you nre looking for silver goods, or weapons, or Caucasian hats, you may find mer chants who will exhibit their whole etock, and allow you to choose what you want without attempting to make you buy tho less salable articles; but among the undisguised old Orientals, Hindoos, for example, It Is not easy to get a sight of tho best In the shop, and not easy to buy it after It has been shown. They will ask you twice the genuine price nnd stick to it as If their salvation' depended on it; nnd when they come down to bedrock, they show that they are doing you a favor which only a life of pence and humility ever nfterward on your part can Justify. However, the dealers In Oriental mer chandise are numerousand their stores very extensive, nnd you can loiter and chatter and bargain in them day after day with perpetual amusement and the agreeable convlctlo'n that you are not so much cheated after all. One de lightful old Persian hadjl, who thought he spoke French, and from whom nfter several visits I bought some llttlo traps, embraced me as we parted, ex claiming effusively; "Oh, mon cher amnnt!" and I am sorry I may never see him again. SHY ON AMUSEMENTS. "What Tlflls seems to lack Is means of amusement. If there Is a theater there, 1 did not find It out, and tho only sub stitute seemed to be tho occasional di vertissements of two or three concert gardens, AVe went to one of these one evening. The garden was very large and partially lighted, consisting main ly of alleyways opened among clumps of trees and shrubbery; nnd the public was not numerous. We heard a concert of Armenian Instrumental music with attention, but its prevailing sentiment was rather sad and Its technical per fections were limited. Tho time to move on having come, wo went to the olilcc of the postal es tablishment to make arrangements for the Journey northward. Not merely the transportation of tho malls, but also tho carrying of passengers over the Georgian military road. Is In the hands of tho Government, and wo went to the office duly fortified with certifications of Introduction. It was situated beside an immense yard with an extraordin ary array of carriages of different kinds. Stating to the otllclal in charge tho number of our party and tho time when we desired to start, he advised us to examine the carriages and select thoso wo might prefer. Accordingly wo chose for our principal vehicle what they call a kareta. It Is a big and heavy conveyance swung upon leather thor oughbraces, and requiring six horses to draw It. In front Is tho driver's seat, wldo enough to hold two or three per sons. Behind and above, under a pro jecting hood, there Is a seat with room for three passengers. Back of this, and still high on the top, Is tho place for luggage, and the size of this can bo es timated when I say that tho baggage of our whole party, seven to ten heavy trunks, was firmly packed there and fastened so that it could not move. Un derneath, In the center of tho vehicle, Is a coupe, with glass windows; on each side, In which three persons can be transported; nnd behind the body of tho coach is a seat for a single Indi vidual, apparently intended for a guard. With the passengers, tho luggage, the driver, nnd the guide, whoso duty is to supervise the expedition and to see to getting fresh horses whenever they may be necessary, tho whole outfit, horses, carriage, and contents, must have weighed about eight tons, and It turned out that a very comfortable mode of travelling It was. In addition to the kareta, with Its six horses, and I should mention that four of those were on the wheel and two In the lead, wo took a two-horso carrlnge like an English phaeton, in which three or THE four passengers could conveniently find room. I should add that our party had become considerably enlarged beyond Its first dimensions by tho presence of two English gentlemen nnd also by that of a new Italian Minister to Persia, who was obliged, owing to tho Impos sibility of getting to Baku by rail, to go through the mountains and to As trakhan, In order to find a steamboat which would take him across tho Caspian. A GOOD GUIDE. Before leaving New Yoik my friend, Mrs. MacGahan, had advised me. If possible, to secure the services of Alex ander Mamatsett as our guide from Tlllls to Vladlkavkax, and wo were for tunate enough to find him disengaged. He Is a giant, dark, evidently a Georgian, dressed in Caucasian cos tume, and speaking only his native language and Itusslan; and when my statement that I had asked for him on tho advice of Mrs. MacGahan, was translated to him, a smile spread over his features and ho said, "Oh, yes; I remember her with pleasure', and shall be delighted to be of service to any friend of heis." The next morninr at 0 o'clock we started with a bright sunshine, though the mountains In the distance weie still covered with clouds which made them Invisible. Our six horses seemed nt first rather light for so heavy a cargo, but the pace at which we set out was lively. We had scarcely got out of tho city when we overtook two or three trains of carts, and when they did not get out of tho way rapidly enough, Mamatsett would take the big whip from the hand of our coachman and lay It over the shoulders of the delaying cartmen. The first one he struck turned In a rage, but tho moment ho saw who It was his anger seemed to disappear, and he took his flogging with meek ness nnd nlmost with an expression of satisfaction. About fifteen miles from Tlflls we came upon the old town of Mtskhet, formerly one of tho capitals of Georgia, a place of very curious Interest, bear ing all the marks of extreme antiquity. The cathedral is described as built in tho fourth century, and a number of the Bagratlde kings arc said to bo burled there. Tamerlane destroyed It at the end of the fifteenth century, but It was rebuilt a hundred years or so later. A striking feature of Mtskhet, as of other Important Georgian towns, Is n great number of ancient towns rising to a height of sixty or eighty feet, belonging apparently to different antlquo strongholds, and scattered all about the heights and hillsides as If to look out for some approaching foe. As we did not belong to that category, we drove off with some regret at our In ability to stay long enough to explore, at least, the cathedral and the toyal tombs. ON TO MOSCOW. During tho rest of tho day we passed many cultivated farms, nil on eleva tions considerably above tho road, whero the farmers were busy plough ing small fields, or making their earll eet crop of hay; and they were good farmers, too, Judging by the neatness with which their work was Cone. As the afternoon wore on, we came Into a land where the grass In the valleys was very lovely; where the forests were made up of large trees richly fur nished with foliage; and we began to get misty glimpses of tho great central chain of the Caucasus. Thus tho scenery was extremely varied, picturesque and beautiful. Tho Aragva presently became Its most at tractive feature, now flowing smoothly through meadows, and now roaring In ravines ami cataracts. Our chief at tention, however, was given to the famous piece of engineering, tho Mill tary road, also a monument of the genius of Prlnco Michael Woronzoff. For a mountain highway nothing bet ter could bo Imagined, Winding along tho edge of the river or climbing over a hill whero the solid rock had beon blasted oir carved out to make room for the roadway, It was everywhere of equal width, thoroughly macadamized, smooth and even, nnd kept In perfect repair In every part. We saw work men at a dozen places during that day's drive putting In now masses of broken stono to fill up Inequalities, and rolling them down wth heavy ma chines. Ab sono as wo got fairly away from tho city's traffic, we began to drive like 1 fury, Up hill or down tho rate of go WASHINGTON MONUMENT. ing was almost always tho same, and sometimes when going down, it be came rather alarming to tho nerves. As the road had to follow the Inequali ties of the mountains, and In many places as carried out around project ing arags, It was Impossible to see whether or not other carriages wero coming to meet us on the other side of tho projection. On tho one hand was the solid wall of the mountain and on tho other a precipice of perhaps five hundred or a thousand feet down. On the outer side of the road, tho side to ward the precipice, there was every where a solid stone wall laid in mortar and about three feet high; but if, When rushing down hill at tho rate of twelve miles an hour, your equipage, weighing so many tons, should strike In tinning a corner upon another car riage and cargo, whether heavier or lighter, the result would be a collision, and tho wall of three feet In height would not avail to prevent ono party or the other from bouncing over the pre cipice. This consideration did not seem to occur either to Mamatsett or the coachman, and as we approached Fome of these llttlo turns it was impossible not to imagine that this time we might catch up with disaster; yet there was never any trouble. Our fears always proved to be groundless, and we swung aiound the projection of the mountain Just as smoothly on the lower side as we had swung toward It oh the upper. Yet it made an exciting and breakneck sort of coaehlnsr, and we were very glad when at night, nfter having com pleted half the length of the Military Road, we stopped before the comfort able past house In the old Georgian village of Mlota. But when we dellv erei the official recommendation which wo had procured at Tlflls, advising tho keeper of the post house that the re served Imperial apartments were to be opened for our use, he said: "I am very sorry, but, unfortunately, you eorao a little too late. Ills excellency the Persian minister, with his suite, ar rived heie an hour ago on his way home from the coronation nt Moscow; and we have been obliged to put him in possession of those apartments. However, we think that wo can make you comfortable, and that you will not have to undergo any serious Inconveni ence." So It turned out for the whole party, excepting tho Italian minister to Persia, whose lodgings were Inferior to the average. But when I condoled with him the next morning, ho said that he had slept perfectly, and that there was really nothing to lament in the Inci dent. slichtly mixed. Tho Effect of a I'ino Metaphor Wns Soincwhnt Spoiled. History teems with examples of the power of eloquence. A good story of an Incident which occurred tho other day In a Cardiganshire chapel, where tho congregation was mado up largely of sea-faring men, Is now going tho rounds. A figure used by the preacher related to a captain nt his wit's end when nnvlgutlng his ship through a narrow, shallow, winding channel, abounding with rocks and strong cur rents. The faces of some of his list ens wero perfect pictures as the preacher elouently described the de tails and tho difficulties of tho voyage. Tho ship ran ngalnst a bank, and In a thrilling burst tho preacher shouted. "What 'shall wo do?" "God knows," cried an old sailor, "for you are go ing starn foremostl" . - TOO CLEVER II Y TAR. How the I'ntlier Cot Even with n S m nit Young Sou. "Fathor," said a young hopeful the other day, "how many fowls are there on this table?" "Why." said the old gentleman, as he looked complacently on a pair of nicely roasted chickens that wero smoking on the table, "there are two." "Twol" replied tho smart boy, "There are three, sir, and I'll prove It." "Three!" replledl the old gentleman, who was a plain, matter-of-fact man, "I'd like to seo you prove It." "Easily done, easily done. Is not that one?" said the smart boy, laying his knlfo on the first, "and that two?" ponltlng to the second, "and do not one and two make three?" "Really." Bald the farther, turning to his wife, who was stupefied at, tho Immense learning of the son; "really, this boy la a genius and deserves to bo encouraged," and then, to show that there's fun in old folks as well as in young ones, he added: "Wife, do you take one fowl and I'll take the second and John may have tho third (or his learning." Tld-Bits. ALK ABOUT STORMS) Hr.ro Wns Ono That Blew Seed Out of the (.round. From the St. Louis Republic. A terrific storm swept over the Ar kansas valley in southwestern Kansas today. The wind blow at the rate of forty miles an hour. The great valley, which averages ten miles wide, is In a bed of sand, and passengers who ar rived on the trains from that section tonight say people were driven to their homes for protection against a cloud of dust and sand which no human being could face. Many farmers will have to replant their corn. The storm was so violent that corn planted two inches under ground was blown with the dust and sand for miles, while the Irrigation ditches are full. Engineers could not see ten feet ahead of them, and win dows and ventilators in the cars were closed to protect the passengers from being smothered. Wheat fields have suffered. ONE RAILROAD'S GROWTH. Rcmnrknblo Figures Concerning the Progress of the Lehigh Vitlloy. Asa Packer, now deceased, founded the'Lehlgh Valley railroad, which has now grown to be an Immense thor oughfare. The first charter for this road was granted April 12, 1810. It was for a line from Easton to Mauch Chunk. The road was not comoleted till 1S53. Since thn the corporation has made wonderful strides, nnd be sides Its mnln line stretching from New York to Buffalo, It has branches cov eiing the coal fields of tho Wyoming. Schuylkill and Sullivan collieries and now owns CSS locomotives, 1C,3C9 freight cars, 11,926 coal cars, 1,171 passenger nnd other cars used In conducting the business of the company. It has 1,115 miles of single track, 530 second truck, which with branches and sidings, make a total trackage of 2,400 miles. Tho company has acquired 100,000 acres of coal lands. To Cnro for Pearls. It Is pretty generally understood by wo men who have achieved cholco pearl rings that white clear, pure water does not ln Juro tho gem, soap nnd water will won affect their lustre nnd color, and in time wilt cause them to peel, or shed an outer coat. This crumbling, however, takes pluce, even when the gems aio most care fully treated, and when tho tendency Is noted tho ring or brooch or necklaco should be promptly taken to a Jeweler. Tho couriso of treatment often prescribed by that nuthorlty is that of tho rest chre. Put It asldo In its box, carefully closed from light and air, and a few weeks or possibly a month or two of this lying ful low will often entirely restore the original beauty and health of tho gem. Probably n Good Job. Charles Goldmack, composer of "Tho Queen of Sheba," Is not celebrated tor hi modesty. He met In a German rail way wagon, recently, a young woman, to whom ho said, with an engaging Binile: "I supposo that you do not know who I nm." She replied, indifferently, "I do not." Ho Insisted, triumphantly, "I nm tho composer of 'Tho Queen of Sheba," " and sho commented, tranquilly, "That must be a good Job." A MUSICALE. Tho programme, sho Informed me, was a charming one. Indeed, From tho splendid Wagner overture, which nothing could oxceed, To tho lovely llttlo scherzo and tho minuet for strings, And tho latest bit of Dvorak, which mado her sigh for wings. Through tho Grieg concerto hor emotion was Inteneo; It seemed to mo at times sho held her broath In deep suspense; She raved of Qps this nnd that, of Schu bert, Bach and Liszt, Beethoven, Brahms, Teohalkorksl, and a score whoso names I missed. But whon at last 'twas over and I ltd her down tho stair I noticed that beneath her breath she hummed a llttlo air; It was not upon the programme, being commonplace and tuny, And I wondered at the sudden drop from Bach to 'Ajjnle Rooney." " , PART II. Ashby held up a tense forefinger. Then 'thrusting his lips close to Mor gan's car he formed, rather than ut tered, tho words: "Stopl Put down de book I Take somep'n wot won't rattle and cornel" Tho bits of steel wero already In Ash by's great pockets. Hastily he tucked n rich reliquary under his left arm, shifted tho lantern to thnt hand and caught with his right a Jeweled crozler which he balnnocd like a weapon In his practiced grip. Then, shading his lan tern, he stole through the door. The taller man followed with three or four vessels from a communion service. As they retraced their steps along tho nnw sllpnt lmssaces no sound was heard. Their 'own footsteps fell so carefully on the worn old floor that no echo of them woke the nlzht. They almost began to think themselves the dupes of their own guilty terrors, when again that haunting expectancy smote them like tho soul of a sound; and aguln It grew to the agonizing cer tainty of an unmistakable hiss, and louder than before. And again It died gradually away Into silence. While the memory of the Found yet dwelt In the air the two men stood as If frozen In their attitude of listening dread. Then, with a gasp, Ashby lunged forward and turned the last corner of the winding way, the other close at his heels. They had emerged upon the gallery In front of the building, where about midway the belfry Jutted out over the vnlley like a tiny oriel window. At tho other end was the guest chamber, but between stood a figure confronting them, loomlnlg big and black In the darkness. It was the Prior. With his long, white beard flowing down his chest and his line head well thrown back, he stood gasplnlg In one hand the triple chains of an lronlamp hastily clutched from its support. Tho other held tho rope of the bell. At this vantage point, where he commanded tho situation, he had uttered the sound that broke In upon their unhallowed toll. Instinctively tho taller stranger moved forward, but tho other put him self In front. "S,top!" he whispered. "Want 'im t ring dat bell, yo fool? It's his came now. See?" The Prior stood looking at them. No traco of reproach or fear or anger or any human passion was in his calm regard. He was as If carved in stone. At last it seemed to the two men an age he opened his lips. "Chelres," he said, In a low tone, pro nouncing each syllable slowly and dis tinctively. Then, after a pause: "Epano! Chelres epano." Even Ashby recognized the carefully-chosen words. "Epano" had be come familiar to him on the lips of Greek horse-drlvers who wished to in dicate tho upper path. '"E wants us to put up cur ban's," muttered AEhby; "an' I tink It's wise to oblige. Sec? Lay down the pretties. It gives a pain, but " "Chelres epano!" repeated the monk, shifting his attitude a trifle. In on instant holy reliquary and Ikon-frame, crozler and goblets were put upon the floor, and btfth men stretched their hands above , their heads. "Kala!" whispered the Prior; "very vell!" Then he seemed for a time to consider by what words he could Issue a further command to men of alien speech. When at last ho spoke It was a single w-ord of Italian, familiar In all the Lavent. "Camera," ho said, forming each syl lable with the same slow caro. "He says "the chamber," ' whispered the taller man; "let us go!" Together the two men tiptoed along the gallery, holding up their hands as they went. When they passed the belfry they brushed the long gown of tho Prior. IIo stirred net so much ns tho fractlono of an Inch as the two desperate men, with murder in their hearts, crept past. They gaJned the guest chamber and closed tho door, and Morgan, with tremulous fingers lit tho candle. Then they sat down and stared at each other across the table. "Beaten out by a monk!" cried Mor gan, after a long pause, filled with bitter memories and gloomy forebod ings. "Yep. But say!" Ashby replied, with a burst of genuine admiration; "ain't 'e a darlln'? Say, ain't 'o got a nerve? Ain't 'e de real stuff? Say, wot a crook 'o'd make!" "What do you think he'll do?" "Jes' wot 'e's a-doln' of now. Keep watch till mornin'." "Well, we might as well retire to our downy couches and sleep the sweet sleep of Innocence, I suppose," said Morgan, bitterly. Some sudden, reminiscent Hash of former days was struck from Ashby's flinty soul by the harsh words, and to his own surprise as much as his com panion's, his strained nerves gave way. "Wish V God I could!" ho cried aloud; and then ho dropped his head upon his arms and sobbed like a chil 1. "The Prior has invited you to tnke coffee of tho morning with him. It Is a largo honor," cried tho llttlo cou rier, as he bustled next morning Into tho guest chamber. "Yes, yes," said the courier, at last, "I understand," nnd ho turned to translate: "This Prior is very glad to have men from America, ps tho guests, and very glad to have a man ,of such Important business Interests" a bow In Ashby'a direction "because ho would ask some practical advices. One time two thlefs did oomo here " Morgan could not represt a little start. "Tlpote!" said tho courier. "It was nothing! Be reassured, my sir! Tho thlefs did secure nothing, because the Lord permlttod not tho Prior to sleep that night, and he did provont. But since, he have thought much. Many havo told him these strangers are of much worth, and that they should bo more secured. The thought gives tho Prjor pain, because for a thousand years these doors have been open to rich And poor and to men from every place; and they have come and goi)e, and neither they, or any monks, have evr-r thought of those beautiful things as earthly treasures at all. But the two thlefs make him think the tlm ' are different now. He have confide J the librarian alone. No other knew of the coming of the thlefs, and I am pro mise not to say of It, nnd you also, gentlemans. It Is not well to talk of evil deeds, and I 'think tho Prior would wish you not to speak the two thlefs, but he Is to polite to say thnt. What ho wish to know Is how rich men In tho great world how the American millionaire of whom he has read protect their trensurcs." "A time lock's de hardes' to beat. An' dat'a right, seo?" responded tho man of business. "I agree that more adequate protec tion ought to be provided for the con tents of the church and library," said Morgan, who now found his tongue, "and I think Ashby is right In rec ommending a time lock. Indeed, there are few men who nre better authori ties on the subject." "Youso nre too blame' modest," said Ashby. "But a time lock," resumed tho cour ier. "The Prior does not understand what It Is. Nor can I explain." Morgan was forced, albeit unwilling, to enter Into nn elaborate explana tion of the principle of the time lock and to answer a number of Inquiries nbout It. At last the Prior nodded sat isfaction. "Now he understand," said tho cour ier; '"no one can get in nt night; not even the librarian himself. And by day no thlefs would make attempt. Tho Prior thanks you very much, and thinks you. must know much about locks! No one of his guests before has made si'ch wise an advice. And do they make cood time locks In Lon don nnd Paris?" "Yep," said Ashby; "but dey ain't in it wit' good ol' New York." "I should think, however," said Mor gan, "that you would be able to get a sufficiently good ono in Vienna, Doubtless the Greek consul there !would be glad to make tho necessary inquiries." "Tho Prior thanks you the most heartily and will long remember your visit," said the courier after an other lapse Into Greek. "He feels that his poor convent, has been highly honored by the presence of such dis tinguished guestH from such a far country. And now, as you are doubt less anxious to breakfast, he will not further delay you at present." "Wo will gladly retire, ns the Prior is doubtless nnxlous to begin his day'3 duties," snld Morgan; "but first I would llko to nsk What became of the" he moistened his lips nervous ly "of the two thieves." "I, too, am curious," said tho cou rier. "I will ask." When the quetlon was repeated to him the Prior put his hands upon the arms of his chair and with nn effort struggled to his feet. Pointing his finger straight nt Morgan he said: "I said to them, as If I were speaking to you, for they sat whero you now do" He paused and slowly turned to In clude Ashby In his glance. "I said to them: 'Go and sin no more!" Half an hour later, breakfast was eaten and the travellers were ready to set out. From eome mysterious re treat the Greek peasant emerged to carry the handbags and the roll of blankets down the hill again. The monks gathered about at tho depar ture, the heads of the little commun ity to bid them Godspeed, the others to look on. Only the librarian was ab sent, and the two men caught them selves wondering If he wero not bulslly at work putting away his treasures be fore their disarray was noticed by any othe eye. The Prior stood at tho top of tho steep path -and waved his hand to them, as they passed behind a Jut ting point of rock. A moment later, turning again, they, came In view of the convent on tho cliff and the bell away above them pealed out a lusty note. Both men started. "Aha!" cried Dimltrl. "It is always thus. When guests of such distinc tion leave the convent, they ring good by on the bell, every time they come In sight. You shall see, there down! Each time you become visible, ding dong dong go the bell. Is It not a beau tiful custom, my sirs? But I will has ten to preparo the horses. You may come more slow, If the walk pleases you. It will be beotter for you." The sky was cloudless. The sun streamed down upon the fine Greek hills, cut and torn and scarred by mountain toronts, nnd bare of tree or vcrbage, save on the northern slope of one far peak, where clumps of swart evergreens clung. Away below them the path descerncd the cliff In Ioop3 and zig-zags. Coming out again somo paces below from behind a point had hid them from the convent they heard once more the sweet greeting of tha bell rung by some stalwart monk who still stood watching their descent. "Ring awuy, W'lskers!" shouted! Ashby In a burst of forced merriment, to hide a deeper feeling. "Soun's bet terer now dan It would last night, no, I dont tink not. Say Jnocs, or Mor gan, or Oxford Joe, or wotever yer fav'rlt name Is say, ain't my ol' pal up dere a peach? Say, ain't 'e got a nerve? Ain't "e a darlln'? Say, ain't 'e?" Fainter and fainter to their ears came the blessing of tho bell at every turn of the path that brought them li.to view of tho water on tho cliff. ,At tho Inst, they jiaused as If by common consent nnd gazed back ut tho build ing, now a tiny speck of gray against a browm rock. The rill, grown to a rivulet, babbled at their feet almost drowning tho last greetlnlg from the belfry above. THE END. Inflnuimntory Rheumatism Cured in ! Day. Morton L. Hill, of Lobanon, Ind., says: "My wlto had Inflammatory Rheumatism In every muscle and Joint, her suffering was terrible and her body and faco wore swollen almost beyond recognition; had been In bed for six weeks and had eight physicians but received no benefit until she tried MYS. TIC CUBE FOR RHEUMATISM. II gave immediate relief and sho was abli to walk about In three days, I am sur It Baved her life." Sold by Carl Lo. renz, druggist, 418 Lackawanna ave nue, Scranton.
Significant historical Pennsylvania newspapers