THE SCRANTON TRIBUNE-WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 11, 1899. GAVE UP WHEEL, GOT A IANDEM Of course. Mr. Stone never for ore moment imagined Hint any of his par ishioners would object to Ills riding a bicycle. St. John's, Hunnlford, was a large, Htmggllng parish, ami aa be made n practice of calling once a fortnight iipon every member of the congregn tlon he rightly Judged that It would nave li I m a great deal of walthM. Pleasure had nothing to do with tlin purchase. As III luck hart it. however, be en countered Miss Meddlebury the llrst time he rode out. Although no tyio, bo was out of practice and he dared not let go a handle to lift his bat. so be went by with a nod and a smile. Miss Meddlebury stopped short. Turning about she glared after the curate's (lying coat-tails until they disappeared in the distance, then marched straight to the vicarage, whither she bad been several times be fore on Mr. Stone's account visits concerning which he was blissfully ig norant. It is necessary to explain that Miss Prudence Meddlebury was a very Im portant personage In the parish of St. John's. Kor the sake of bis poor the vicar could not Ignore her oDlnlons. She had an Income of $15,000 a year, nnd one-tenth of that sum, not a penny more and not a penny less, she gave to him to bestow as bo thought proper. By reason of her confidence Mr. Armltage shut bis eyes to her auster ity and narrow-mindedness, but the truth must bo told here. Miss Meddle bury was stern and forbidding In nn pearance and disposition. Every form of enjoyment she considered baneful, if not a deadly sin. From the first she objected to Mr. Stone. After bis opening service, which had greatly pleased the vicar, she complained that he was too young, too tall, nnd too plain looking. "All the girls will be sotting their caps at him," she said at one of those complaining visits previously men tioned. "They will think a great deal more of the preacher than of the ser mon. It was very unwise of you to en gage him." The good old vicar said lie hoped not, nnd thought no more about It, unless to laugh quietly to himself. In some unaccountable manner she discovered that Mr. Stone bad fallen In love with Nelly Armltage. It was true enough, but at the time the vicar's daughter was by no means sure of the fact herself. Miss Meddlebury was not aware that the handsome, well-set-up young cler gyman possessed a private Income large enough to marrv upon whenever be thought proper, but she would prob ably hove acted just the same In nny case. "You know T warned you that Mr. Stone would not do," she told that young lady's papa. "Unless you wished to be tangled In a very undesirable love affair you will get rid of him " The H v. Mr. Armltage looked rather bewildered, but not at nil displeased. ' l.ov. affair V Nelly?" he exclaimed. ' She hasn't said anything to me, nor has Mr Stone." "No." said Miss Meddlebury. with her vinegary smile: "I don't supposo It has gmn so far as tbnt. I thought It tnv duty to put you on your guard In time " ' I am ery much obliged. I am Kure," rejoined the vicar. And tbi-re Is no doubt he was very thankful for the Information. St. loan's a rather a poor living, and ho had given too much nway to be able to save anything. Ills daughter bepg unpiovlded for, the prospects of her union with an Independent gentle man of the highest character would not be likely to Interfere with bis sleep of nights And you will ad without delay?" continued Vlss Meddleburv. Whu the time conies, t must not be precipitate. ou know." The vicar etmnued the subject, plunged Into parish affairs, and so es caped further awkward questions up on that occasion, l'.ut It was only a respite The meeting with the curate on his bicycle took place two days later. Mr. Armltage chanced to be standing at Ills study window and saw Miss Meddlebury coming up the gar den "I have been shocked," she said. ' positively shocked. nd I am sure you v ill be when I tell you that T bine Just met Mr. Stone on a bicycle." "I don't see any harm In It." rejoined the vicar, who did not look in the least perturbed. ' I am surpris-ed. The clergyman that would ride a bicycle can have no respect for his cloth, no desire to gain the good will of his congregation. I ill not countenance It. Mr. Stone must gl - it up or I shall be com pelled t'i take a pew In St. Mark's, I should feel uncomfortable. I really could noi sit under him." St Mark's was the wealthiest parish In Hunnlford. If she left St. John's she would be sure to take her $l,S0rt with her. and this was a contingency to be avoided ut almost any cost. ' I trust you havo acted unou the bint I gave you concerning Nelly?" ' Well, no," he answered. "I don't see liow J can Interfere at present." Miss Meddlebury took herself off with the air of a victor. The vicar watched her down the garden and then went to his daughter's room to unbur den his mind. oooooooooooooooooooooooo The hard-to- 1 please women will find In the " Kasefkut " shoes J i the many points of good taste i 1 never seen In cheaper ones and the ' perfect fit and style she has here- j i totore sought in ntner snoes. Lewis, Reilly& navies, Phone 4S2. mli6 Wyoming A v. 3000000000000 inri FasGfp.lt o X" ! THE WOMAN'si If y SH0E t 'iCr X Reputation. O 8 feLT 8 SShM. "Of all the unreasonable mischief makers I ever met that womnn is the worst!" he cried. "She Is, Indeed, well named Meddlebury." "Papa!" exclaimed the girl, looking up In surprise, "Miss Meddlebury has Just called," he went on. "She wants mo to put my foot down on Stone's bicycle. "I didn't know thnt lie had one," she rejoined with a blush that did nf escape the vicar's notice. Neither did I. How can I tell him that he musn't ride a bicycle here? I don't know bow he will take It. He might resign." "I hope bo will not do that," said the girl quickly . "He Is not likely to do so. Mr. Stone it not a man to allow anyone to dlc tate to him. Hut she has threatened to leave St. John's. You know what that would mean to the poor next winter. I wish you would speak to him." The mere suggestion dyed Nolly's cheeks a still more vivid red. "Oh, no, no," she cried. "I could not. Whatever made you think of that?" "Miss Meddlebury says be Is In love with you." lie answered slyly. "If that Is so ho wouldn't bo likely to tnke of fense." "If he Is It has nothing to do with Miss Meddlebury." she answered with asperity. "How did she learn It? Why did she tell you?" "I cannot answer the Ilrst question. Miss Meddlebury has the eyes of a lynx. She told me as an Inducement to send Mr. Stono away. She thought I ought to be warned. You know sho considers that every curate should be middle-aged and ns plain as a. pike staff." "Papa, let Miss Meddlebury leave St. John's. We should all be happier. And perhaps the poor people wouldn't suffer much for the wnnt of her $1,500. I could go around and collect for the fun." "No, my dear, we must bear with her, for the sake of the widows and fatherless. I will send a note to Mr. Stone asking him to call this evening. When he come? we will talk it over." Mr. Stone never bad a prior engage Stone nsklng him to call this evening, at the vicarage at least, he never pleaded one. It was rather late when he arrived, however, for he had been sitting with a sick woman and did not receive the vicar's note until 7 o'clock. He came on the offending bi cycle, which he left In the garden. The vicar Introduced the bicycle al most at once, stating exactly what bad passed between himself and Miss Meddlebury. "1 am rather surprised," said the curate, smiling. "Hut you did quite right to sav that I would give It up, sir. I would give up almost anything rather than that a member of the church should be offended. Miss Med dlebury's $1.W)0 does not influence me. I should act just the same If she hadn't a penny to bestow In charity." Nelly gave him a quick glance of admiration. The vicar rose from his chair and grasped him by the hand. "That's the true christian spirit!" he cried, "I am glad." "I am sorry that Miss Meddlebury does not like me," Mr. Stone went on, auer a pause. "I must try to win her over. As for the bicycle, as I came here on it. 1 had better ride It homo, but I shall probably get rid of It to- mono w." The clock was stWk'ns 1! when the vicar suddenly pushed the board away, exclaiming: "Hear me! I in! no idea it was t-o late!" Mr. Stone rose at once and took h's leave. To reach bis lodgings it was necessary to pass Miss Meddlebury's line bouse, which lay back a consid erable distance from the road. As he went bv he fancied ho heard a shout. Applying the brake, he dismounted and listened. He had not been mis taken. Someone at '-.lines was clling for the .lollce. The f,ii- of the car riage drive was wide op-n 1'iif'i'ng the machine bef ire him he ran It r.p to the house at pis best pppii. "What Is th.- m.uter?" he erif-1 "IhirRluri"' a:;...vi red a voice at an open window. Vhev have taken i:.y Jewels and e.'l my securities I am mined," He recognized Miss Meddleburv not withstanding her dishabille. She came down In a dressing gown, greatly dis tressed. "I heard a noise In my boudoir." she explained," and getting out of bed 1 went to see what was the mat ter. Theie weie two men. The win (low was open and they had a ladder I could not stop them, anil they have taken my jewel box and all my se curities, which I fetched from the bank this morning to check, as 1 do twice a year. They drove away In a trap. 1 saw them go." "Which way?" cried the curate ex citedly. "To the light." was the repl. "I'll follow thein; my bicycle's out side. Send someone to the police sta tion to give the alarm, The thieves are from nerllngton. no doubt." A minute afterward the curate of St. John's was pedaling along the Hedllhgton road as fast as he could go. It was his (list attempt at "scorch ing," and he made fair to shine at that dangerous pastime. Swiftly, nolsolesh', the pneumatic sped on, until the quick beat of tips hoofs ahead became more audible to the cyclist as lie rode. Nearer and nearer lie drew, until at last lie trap was in slsht. The moon wnt. shining brightly, and he could see that it con tained two men and a boy. It was a desolate nart of the road, with not a house in sight: but the vil lage of Cranworth lay only a mile nhead and the burginis must pass through it. Gradually drawing up as the flicker ing lights came in view, he presently spurted past tlio trap with oqt turn ing his head, and dismounted as near ly the center of the village as ho could Judge. At that lutir the streets went deserted, and mni t of the Iwiiiiey In darkness. Hut Mr. Stone was an old "blue" and he felt himself more than a match for a couplo of Bedllneton thieves. The boy he did not count. Mr Stone had srnrcolv time to get his wind bsfore the trap was close upon him. Picking up a pebble ho shied It through the nearest lighted window, to rouse the Inmates, and, springing ut the horse's head caught hold of the reins Imprecations assailed his ears, blows were showered upon him with the whip, but he did not let go. The driver sprang to the ground and rush ed nt him. Still holding the horre with his left hnnd, ho knocked the fellow down, never ceasing to shout: "Thieves! Thieves!" The second mun leaped from the trap to assist his companion, but be also received a knockdown blow. It nil passed In a few second, but the vil lagers were aroused. Men came run ning from their cottages without coat or waistcoat, women with nhawla thrown over their night-dresses. The bov escaped In the confusion; but both men were secured und handed over to tlio constable, who arrived In his stock ings nnd trousers, dfnd thus clnd, marched them to the lockup. In the trap Mr. Stone found Mlrs Meddlebury's Jewel case nnd the box In which she bad in..'-el the securities, Iwth unopened. Having given the constable bis name nnd address, and promised to return early In the worm ing, that officer, a very young man, allowed him to depart with the plun der tied to the handle bar of bis bicy cle. A mile from Cranworth lie met n, mounted policeman, followed by two more In a dog cart. Stepping them ho Informed them of the capture of the burglars and rode on. The I.iniosi were a blaze of light when he arrived. Dr. Cray's carriage stood at the door and u fussy police inspector stood on the doorstep. "Yen can't go In. rlr!" cried the functionary, ns the curate approach ed with the recovered valuables. "That Is Immaterial,'' was the an swer. 'Perhaps you will give those boxes to Miss Meddlebury und assure her that the thieves are in custody at Cranworth." "Why why!"crled the inspector, who had recognled the new curate of St. John's, "you den't mean to say, sir, that you've got the swag'" "Yes, I do," said Air. Stone- "all of it, 1 think. Tlio looks do nut appear to have been tampered with. Perhaps you will alio be good enough to In form Mlxs Meddlebury that I overtook the buiglnrs on my bicycle," ho added with a nulet laugh. Soon after 10 o'clock the next month ing Miss Meddlebury called at the vi carage She ha J not quite got over the excitement of the previous even ing, and a great deal of what she said was so Incoherent that the vicar, who knew nothing of the burglary previous to her visit, could not make head nor tall of It. Hut he had a very clear recollection of the most imnort ant of her rambling remarks. "I do hope you haven't said any thing to Mr. Stone nbiut bis lieycle. It would bo sinful of me to object to his riding after this. I am convinced UiUt the purpose was good and I nm sony I said a word about It. And if Nelly likes him and they think of marrying she shall not be a portion less bride, I shall make her n wedding present of a substantial character." Miss Meddlebury was as good ns her word rather better, in fact. When a few months later, Miss Nellie Arml tage's engagement to her father's cur ate was announced, and the weddlnrf day fixed, that young lady received a very substantial gift In the shape of a check for J500. Air. Stone seldom rides bis bicycle row. Ho Is much more frequently to be seen on a tandem. Answers. AN AFRICAN PIONEER'S FEAT. Hauled a Boat 1,600 Miles, Overland Across Africa. Prom the Philadelphia Times. Sixteen hundred miles across the wilds of Africa, where the foot of civ ilized man has never hitherto trod, Is an experience that presents dangers and difficulties enough of its own to discourage almost any ordinary man. Hut to haul u steam craft that dis tance with the aid of two companions of his own race and a handful of Ig norant natives without the ordinary resources of modern science Is the feat accomplished successfully by J. din Thorburn, an African pioneer, who has recently arrived In London. This in but one of a series of notable accom plishments and experiences through which Thorburn has passed In his thir ty years' life in the wilds of Africa. Thorburn Is a Scotchman by blr.'-i who emigrated to the Transvaal some thirty years ago. For a number of years he followed the ordinary pur suits of the farmer and tradesman la the African republic. At the end f that time he began a Journev across country to settle l.orenro Marques, le-.t before completing half the distance he was stranded on the boundless ocean of the African desert. His oxen suc cumbed to the tetse fly and left him helpless In sight of a little native v1' lage. Hardly bad the disaster over lonif him when he was mot by a dls-tlngulshed-looklng tribesman, who In quired the reason of his dilllculty. He soon learned that ho was In the pres ence of ITmbandlne, king of Swazllan 1, and paramount chief to all the Swazls. The native chieftain was very friend ly In his welcome lo the stranger nn 2 extended to him the hospltalltv of his home. There the two learned to kno. each other, and before long Thorburn was constituted the chief ndvlser to hid African majesty. In tills capacity In rendered signal service to the nntlv by the Introduction of Scit. b methods and civilization In the tilor- and won the everlasting gratitude of the ehl-f and his dusky followers. The king was liberal in nls offers to reward the sturdy Scotchman, but he persistently refused lo accept anything but a small grant of land from tne dusky owner. This he Improved and developed by industry and attention and soon built up for himself the nu cleus of quite an extensive fortune. In pursuance of this he sent to Lon don and bad a small steamer built to ply a trade with the natives along tlv Vnal river. This eventually reached him and soon made a snug sum for Its owner. Nature, however, conspired against him, and the Vaal, after sue cesslve dry seasons, was completely dried up. Undeterred by the dangers of the undertaking, Thorburn at once determined to take .the boat across country to the waters of Delagoa bay, a distance of 1.C00 miles. The boat was thirty-seven feet long, but was loaded nn a wagon drawn by eighteen oxen. Its engines weie dis posed of on a similar vehicle and the Journey was begun. It led through a perfect wilderness, much of which had never been trodden by man. Heads were cut through this and wagons drawn along as rapidly as pnsslbl;. Numerous mishaps failed to discourage the Indomitable will of the Scotchman, and after encountering forest fires which all but destroyed the little party and being deserted by all his native helpers, he successfully reached Dela gou bay with his charge. The one native custom Thornmurn encounterd among tlio Swazls that he could not overcome was the of orlng of sacrifices In human blood by the tribes men and the promiscuous murder of any natives who displeased the chief. His ultimate departure from Swaziland was due to this cause. PAINE'S CELERY COMPOUND I I 1 1 WOMEN exPend great nerve energy. The organs of the body need vigorous. nerves to insure their healthy action. Suffering of acute nervousness is caused by weak, inflamed nerves. The body soon becomes debilitated when the nerves are weakened. Paine's Celery Compound will nourish and reinforce the nerve fibres. In the Transvaal Thornburn was Inti mately associated with two noted char acters. One was John O'Uellly, win was responsible for the discovery ot the diamond mines of South Africa, and the oth'.r was Hans I)e P.eers, who owned two of the most famous mines of South Africa, the le Uecrs and the Kimberlv. O'Uellly's discovery was due to the accidental play cf a little girl with a bright river stone. Ho purchased the stone from the gill's patents, saying he thought he could sell it for a good price and would re turn ber one -half of the proceeds. This he did, realizing $:r,00 on tb" sale. Half be returned to her, the rest be used to purchase ground in South Africa In which to exploit his llnd. He Poors sold his diamond interest for an insignificant sum Ht knew of the immense value r.f the ground, but did not wish to be bothered with the wealth, only taking enough to keep him for the remainder of bis days in quiet nnd obscurity. Ho died eventu ally in Thornburn's own cottage. ANIMALS IN CURIOUS EOLES. Interesting Tales About Some of Our Four-Footed Friends. Pi am Tit-Hits. It Is doubtful whether a parallel In stance can be found of the curious out come of a dog's sagacity to the fol lowing, in which a splendid blood hound was the means of bringing about a divorce between his master and mis tress. A prominent society man In Buchar est, a director of a manufactory situ ated on the outskirts of the city, v.es a few years ago married to the daugh ter of a rich merchant. Ho nossesS' a splendid bloodhound, mhlch hns be come very clever in finding and br,i,i lng any lost object to his master .jr mistress. Among the director's Inti mate friends there was a certain bank er, and visiting him one afternoon with his dog, be noticed It sniff around ihr waste paper basket and bring out from among the scraps of paper a green silk handkerchief which seemed strangely familiar to him. He s-lzd it without the banker noticing, and putting It lu bis pocket, soon after t .ok his leave. The director put the mat ter lu the hands of a detective, wlti whose assistance he was soon able to obtain sufllclent evidence to wa vniit his suing for a divorce. His wife ul timately confessed to having given the banker the handkerchief ns a memen to, which he had thrown Into the waste paper basket, to be found by the in telligent dog. Conflicts between capital and labor nre common enough among men. but It Is verv seldom Indeed that one hears of animals going on strikes. In India, however, a dozen elephants stationed In the Central provinces, used for tli" carrying on of some heavy work, went on strike. In consequence of the ma houts or drivers putting them on half allowance of fodder. The animals sub mitted to this treatment for two days, but on the third day, when the ma houts came with the half rations, the elephants went on strike, furiously chnsed their drivers, refused to work and would not ent the food. This went on for two days, until the proper amount of' food was doled out to them, when they promptly returned to work, and so put an end to the strike. There nre not many people who havo had such unique wedding witnesses on thnj nll-importnnt occasion ns unptain Taylor.the well-known menagerie man. who was married to his tetrothed lu a lions' cage. Captain Taylor lost his BWeetheart, and met her nccldentnlly in South Africa, after a separation ot ten years. To mark the romantic charac ter ot the reunion, the marriage cere mony was performed In the presence of his two lions, Mustapha and Cod der; and twelve months later these two animals acted as godfathers to a young son and heir of the venturesome couple. "The Marquis of Haddock" is the high-sounding name of a cat possessed by Miss Janotha, the court pianlste to the German emperer. Her majesty the queen does not lll'e cats, but when the Marquis and Miss Janotha visit Windsor or Balmoral a roast pheasant or a nice boiled haddock is always prepared for his lordship's dinner, and served to him in state by a solemn and Imposing flunkey. He is a recog nized visitor at all the royal bouses, and among his best friends are her majesty. Kmperor "William, Francis C'ralgle (John Oliver Hobbes), nnd sev eral other leading writers nnd musi cal composers. When his mistress plays selections from Mozart, Hee thoveii op Bach he signifies his appro val by purring slightly. Hut modern Slavic music he detests, and If he can not stop his mistress the Marquis leaves the room In a dignified protest. Recently a favorite dog belonging to a man living In Strada Acvlla tiled, and so great was the grief of his master that he decided to bury the dog ac cording to the rites jr he Greek church. Accordingly, he had the dead dog clothed in a splendid dress, and then laid out on an elaborate catafalque and surrounded with flowers, candlo3 and Incense burning. He also had a superb ooflln constructed, and. finally after the dog had lain in state 'or tv-i days, nctually ordered a hearse and four. The news got abroad and thousand? of people went to se the Christian dog. Hut the authorities In terfered and bade the man bury It in a rubbish heap without unneeessaiy ceremonv. MARRIAGE BY PROXY. Peculiar Ceremony Performed in Australia and Africa. An extraordinary ceremony recently took place In Amsterdam, with a coun terpart in Africa. It appears that a young man left Holland some years ago to serve In the telegraph depart ment of the Transvaal. It had been his ambition to make a certain young lady in Amsterdam his wife If he ever attained to prosperity. Hut when suc cess was achieved he was unable to leave his work for a Journey to Hol land. In this difficulty n marriage proxy known In Holland as a glove mar riage was suggested. The details were all carefully ar ranged, the difference of time exactly calculated and continuous cable con nections between Pretoria and Am sterdam secured. The bridegroom anil her friends assembled In the Hotel Kruger. An operator using a wire from the cable notified the lady's fam ily In Holland that all was In readi ness, and the reply came that the cere mony would then begin. In the Amsterdam mansion a friend of the bridegroom made the responses nnd when the time came to clasp hands, produced a glove belonging to the bridegroom, wh'ch he had worn. The proxy, holding one end of the glove and tho bride the other, tho promises were exchanged and the ceremony com pleted, A cablegram from the bride to her husband, six thousand miles away, gave him her wifely greeting, to which he responded. There was a wedding feast In Pretoria and another In Am sterdam and the cablo was kept busy with congratulations. Then tin bride said farewell to her family and went Good 9 D ressers Turu to our Clothing as naturally as a young duck takes to water. The reasons for this are niatiy it's always un erringly correct in style it's well made and the fabrics are chosen with an eye to durability as well as harmony. The difference betweeu our Ready Made Clothing-and the custom tailors' product is mostly in the price ours is one-third less. You take no chances in buying our apparel. &"Money Refunded on All Unsatisfactory Purchases. !C3 416 Lackawanna Ave. 30 Days Trial 4- And no sale if not well pleased. If you really want a luxurious bed try our olegant NEVERSPREAD ELASTIC FELT MATTRESS AND PILLOWS. . Folt is fast superceding hair for bedding pur poses, as it is much cleaner, softer, cheaper, and never wears out There are cheap grades of folt, samo ns cheap hair. Only tho finest is used in our Neverspread, and you will bo pleased with our style of making. Tick can be roadily taken off to laundry and the mattress cannot spread and flatten out. Send for our Booklet of interesting facts about Sodding. Mailed free. 4-4-4 4-4-4-4-4-4 4-4-4 4 4-44 4-4 44 - 4 on board tho steamer to begin her ' oy age to her new home. The custom of the old gl vo mar riage dates back to Dutch colonial days, when they were more I'niiimn than in these times of rapid and chief Journeys. Hut there Is a con. 'act far older that resembles It lu many ot Its CURES Nervousness Debility; Strengthens and Tones the System; Purifies the Blood. Mrs. Mary M. Myers, of Bal timore, Ohio, writes: "I suf fered for eight years with ner vous prostration and the gen eral debility common to wo men, and had such pains in my back that I could not get around the house. I used sev eral remedies and consulted several of the best physicians without obtaining any relief. Paine's Celery Compound re stored me to health. "I also want to say to all mothers that Paine's Celery Compound is a splendid med icine for their children." f 4 4-4- THE SCRANTON BEDDINC CO. : - 4 - 4 - 4 - 4 - 4 - 4 - 4 4-44-4--4 4-4-4 4-4 4-4-44-4- particulars. Many a tearful farowell to mourning loved ones assemble I around a death-bed, Is like thnt bride s good-bye to her family, morel th parting of one who goes to H'm who has long been loved, and who Is about to enter tho mansion prepared betoto the foundation ot the world. 4-4- - 4.-.
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