VOLXXXII READ and REFLECT. A GRAND OPPORTUNITY—With the dawn of prosperity juet for« an aDri the improvement in business notwithstanding. We f '™ wnn ® ago decidt-d to close ont oar entire stock of Mt-a'a B >ys' and Cbtldxe;•» Clothing, which we will coDtinne to do at prices that will be to t»<e advan tage of all desiring to purchase cl thing. No matter how hive or >ow mm h money yon hare to invest, we know it will be bard ou tt-e C lottuag bueines* hot ai- we are determined to clow oat we c»nuot help it Ui.r stock is the l*rf*st in the county. Men's fine black worsted p»nu) "II wool onlv $2.00. We have more pants than any two mores in town Uur chiidren'a nuits are marvels of beaotr; -.11 tte lat»* novelties, *uch as' 1 Regent, Euclid Nfptnne Coiumbi-.R-efers, Jersey-. Kiiu «c. trorn &t»cta op Boys' Double and Siutle Round and Square cornsr Plain or Plsued—Alt will b« eoM witboul n-i-erve PJT« will still cootii.ne lo c»rr» a tnl: and c mp'eie line •>» Hats, »». •Shirts, Tit-*. Col I a'a roffr. H ndkwcfaief-, Uu i*r*ear, H -l* '• U«-.hil-. Jackets Bweat*rs, Ua.brehps. Brahbes Combo, JffctrhM. CfcunN. ('bum*, Coiler and <.ufl Hut tout. Ac We still carry the Sen.per dem" Shirt, tbe uulaundr - ahirt in ibe world ool* $1 00 Ou: 75 c«i>t -bin is -qu-il t.. au . *1 u shirt on ibe market. Our line «f CheTL W, PercaJle aud Madras stiru-. rui and complete. , . Vie have found that one mau'« moi;*y is better than t»" mt-n » cte and have adopted the cash plan and find that it work* wonder tv> member that we are the old reliable, the pi >neor ol good goodn at low pr c »; tbvt we have been here a quarter ol a eeotury ugaiuat all cmers ana g .ei> have stayed with yon and done yon pood It will pay you to mllec as we can save you Money, no matter how low you are off- reo go ? Jpv have no baits to pull the wool ow your eyes. A fai , rquare deal i* wuui ~.e promise and are nere to fulfil tbai prooiiae. D-A-HECK, CS 121 N. Main St., Butler, Pa. John Bickel's SHOE st— -128 S. flain St. Branch Store '25 N. riain st, Our large prinp stock is arriving daily, and among this stock will be found all the latest styles in Ladies and Gents high grade foot wear, at low prices. Our Stock ol Men's htuislaigt—J at<r,t LtalL ers'—Russetts, — Kangaroo's, —Cordovans and fine Calf shoes in all the latest styles—Large stock of Men's Low Cut shoes. t >ur stock of Ladies and Misses shoes is full, comprising of the latest styles—Razor Toe, —Pic- cadilly—and narrow quarc Toes, are the late. c t, and we have them in Black and Russett, ln, Lace and Button; Also large assortment of La dies and Misses Oxfords— Toe and Instrap Uppers. Ladies' Cloth Overgaiters— at reduced prices. Gilt-Ed g* d hot Dressing. Patent+LEATHER+ Lfl i 4 +TAN+ lUIiM. *4* # The balance of our Winter stock to be closed out regardless of cost or value —Rubber Goods—Men's Rubber Boots—Boston Can dee or Woonsocket boots, at $2,00 per pair—Men's Oil Grain Box Toe shoes Double sole and tap, at $1,25 per pair—Men's ev'ery day shoes at 90c —Women's oil grain shoes in Lace or Button, at 90c — M isses shoes at 75c —Children's Dongola shoes, sizes 4 to 8 at 40c — Ladies Cloth and Brussel slippers, at 25c per pair. Full stock of Leather and Finding—Shooemak ers' supplies of all kinds.—Best Cordovan Razor straps, at 25c —Boots and shoes made toorder— Repairing neatly Done—Orders by mail will receive prompt and careful attention All goodssent by mail, we pay postage. Wnen in need of anything in my line, Give me a call. JOHN BICKEL, 128 S. Main Street, BUTLER, PA. ++REMEHBER THIS.++ A tew words in parting. Go to ff US ELTON'S for my Shoes; don't you go any other place; I have tried them and his are the best, recollect what I say. Full line Misses and Children's Tan Shoes, Fit for a King at prices in harmony with the times. You don't need a fat pocket book to deal here. Tan Shoes will be especially popular this Spring. New Shades and Shapes. Our Stock in Men's Hoys ami Youths, excel anything ever shown in Butler. They are stylish and fine enough to suit the most fastidious tastes. Prices 011 these 75c 90c —$1,00 —$1,25 —$1,50 —s2,oo —s2,so—and —$3.00. —Don't fail to pay us a visit, we have rices way down and Quality way up. #- B. C, Huselton, -# 102 N. Main Street, * THE QUESTION » often asked, What Paint shall we use? THE ANSWER: If you are looking for covering capacity, wearing qualities, general appearance, and your money's worth, you must buy THE SHERWIN-WMJAMS OHVI Wort, Loo* 1 hit, Wtart Unfit, M«tt CeomomlocJ, full *«JWI. Our prices are for ' 'best goods" first, last and all the time. We are in the business to stay and ■RUSHES, 9. W. P. stays with us. COLONS IN OIL, HOUSE & COACH V**NISHC« t J. C. REDICK, 109 N. Main St. HUSELTON'S Spring Shoes Easy, stylish and comfortable Footwear for Spring and Summer. Onr Ladies aid Men's Tan and +Black Shoes, + Are suth and extremely dressy. We are ready with an immense line in all colors, Russia Calf, Vici Kid and Razor London; New Opera and French Toes. $ $ $ $ $ 1,00 1,50 2,00 2,50 3,00 $ $ $ $ $ More and better styles than any other showing in Butler. -THE BUTLER CITIZEN. Meadville, Pa. Hood's Is Good and Great It Cur«d Citarrh, Dyspepsia, Etc. ' " Hood'i Sarsaparilla has done mm mora ' good than any physician. I had catarrh and dygpeptia 20 years, and tried different remedies and prescriptions without ben efit. The doctors told me I Could Not Live. One day after reading of the wonderful cures effected by Hood's Sarsa par ilia, I re solved to try one bottle. It did great and food work »o I continued, and after tak- In* four bottles it is with joy and glad ness that I write that I am perfectly cured And Am • Well Man Today. My wife was troubled with nervousness and a general tired feeling. She could not walk any distance or do any heavy work. Hood's Sar,a - I partUa Her rest was broken £ V | j |«pQ St night. She has taken Hood's Sarsa par ilia and now she can do any ordinary work without trouble, sleep soundly, and go about without being over-fatigued. We know It is a splendid tonic." J. M. SLAYTON, 842 Cottage St., Meadville, Pa. Hood's Pills become the favorite eathartio wlUi every one who tries tlitm. 25c. per box. C. X,D. A business that keeps grow ing through a season 01 de pression, such as the country has experienced, is an evi dence that people realize they save money by trading with us. We know, and always have known, the days of large profits are past. Without question we are giving more for the money than last year. Our stock is larger to select from than last year CALL AND SEE US Colbert & Dale. Are You Afflicted. Now is the chance of a life-time to be Cured. The EXCELSIOR Remedies, PoKtiyely and Permanently cure ail diftHaneH canned by of th* Blood. Stomach, Livi-r and Kii!ney». Rheumatism, N«-uriljrin. Stomach «n'' Liver Trouble; all Skin Di-ease, St, Vmi* I>»r.ce. Gujersl IM)iliiy, Survnf Debility Hiok or N<rv»n- Headache. I'Htarrsh, At - er ijflect" of ljbGrip|ie. fVrr»l< Coin, li«in'-, 1 uml ~)l its evil effects The Exrel'ior Blood tilenxer uml Exre! Htor Vegetable I'll!*, are ei>|iee --illy adopted |or the above coti<plaiiitrt ilieir < utnt \e power* ire worderlul. THY TUlfiM, • • y are to i:ure. send vour »<>- (lrMtic and we «ill mail you THE EXCEL SIOR LEADER containing testimonial* of hundreds who nafe been cured b» th' Excelaior Ren)«dieii in your own Coantv and State. Address all communication te Office EXCELSIOR Medicine Co, No. 126 S. Main St. - - Butler Pa Great Public SALE Carriages, Buggies and Harness, On the premises of the undersign ed, T riiurßdoLy MAY 2nd, '95, A large lot ofSurries, Phaetons Top Buggies, Spring Wagons, Runabout Wagons, Wagons and a number of light vehicles. All new and of reliable manufacture, 15 Double Sets TEAM HAKNESS, Medium and Heavy Grade, my own work. 50 Sets Single BUGGY HARNESS, All styles. Also Coupes, Express and Single Wagon Harness, Lap Robes in Fur, Wool and Phish Horse Blankets; Summer Lap Dusters and Mats; I r ly Nets, Col lars, Check Lines, Halters, Hous ings, Horse Brushes, Curry Combs, Whips, Collar Sweats, Trunks, Traveling Bags, Riding Saddles and Bridles &c. Terms on Five Dollars or less, Cash. On all amounts over $5, one years time with approved se curity or 5 per cent off for cash. JOS. ROCKENSTEIN. 146 North Main St., - - Butler, Pa Don't forget the day and place. It will pay you to take a day off to attend this sale. J. R. Karns, Auctioneer WALL ******** PAPER. utuuttun All grades from Brown Blanks up to the finest embossed Bronzes. The better the paper the better the Bargain. Buy your good papers now and get them at wholesale prices. Window Shades in all the latest colors at DOUGLASS', Near P. O. YOU CAIN HNDpV™ JI fit" 111 I'lTTsn'n II ~l I lie Ad-< rtiairifc liun-i'. ui K."'.; REMINGTON BROS, » - t'J xmUfcCt fur ailvorUjiitru at loWwt \ BUTLER. PA., THURSDAY, APR LL *25, 18H5. i^|WOUR^ oyS^ CHAPTER XII. THE STRANGE STORY OF .JONATHAN SMAI.L. A very patient man was the inspector In the cab, for it was a weary time be fore I rejoined him. His face clouded over when I showed him the empt3* box. "There goes the reward," said he, gloomily. "Where there is no money there is no pay. This nights work would have been worth a tenner each to Sam Brown and me if the treasure had been there." "Mr. Thaddeus Sholto is a rich man," I said. "He will see that you are re warded, treasure or no." The inspector shook his head de spondently, however. "It's a bad job," he repeated, "and so Mr. Athelney Jones will think." His forecast proved to be correct, for the detective looked blank enough when I got to Baker street and showed him the empty box. They had only just arrived. Holmes, the prisoner and he, for they had changed their plans so far as to report themselves at a station upon the way. My companion lounged in his armchair with his usual listless expression, while Small sat stolidly op posite to him with his wooden leg cocked over his sound one. As I ex hibited the empty box he leaned back In his chair and laughed aloud. "This is your doing, Small," said Athelney Jones, angrily. "Yes, I have put it away where you shall never lay hand upon it," he cried, exultantly. "It is my treasure; and if I can't have the loot I'll take darned good care that no one else does. I tell you that no living man has any right to it, unless it is three men who are in the Andaman convict barracks and my self. I know now that I cannot have the use of it, and I know that they cannot. I have acted all through for them as much as for myself. It's been the sign of four with us always. Well I know that they would have had me do just what I have done, and throw the treasure into the Thames rather than let it go to kith or kin of Sholto or of Morstan. It was not to make them rich that we did for Achmet. You'll find the treasure where the key is, and where little Tonga is. When I saw that your launch must catch us, I put the loot in a safe place. There are no rupees for you this journey." "You arc deceiving us, Small," said Athelney Jones, sternly "If you had wished to throw the treasure into the Thames it would have been easier for you to have thrown box and all." "Easier for me to throw, and easier for you to recover," he answered, with a shrewd, sidelong look. "The man that was clever enough to hunt me down is clever enough to pick an iron box from the bottom of a river. Now that they are scattered over five miles or so, it may be a harder job. It went to my heart to do it, though. I was half mad when you came up with us. However, there's no good grieving over it. I've had ups in my life, and I've had downs, but I've learned not to cry over spilt milk." "This is a very serious mattci, Small," said the detective. "If you had helped justice, instead of thwarting it in this way, you would have had a better chance at your trial." "Justice!" snarled the ex-convict. "A pretty justice! Whose loot is this, if it is not ours? Where is the justice that I should give it up to those who have never earned it? Look how I have earned it! Twenty long years in that fever-ridden swamp, all day at work under the mangrove tree, all night chained up in the filthy convict huts, bitten by mosquitoes, racked with ague, bullied by every cursed black faced policeman who loved to take it out of a white man. That was how I earned the Agra treasure; and you talk to me of justice because I cannot bear to feel that I have paid this price only that another may enjoy it: I would rather swing a score of times or have one of Tonga's darts in my hide, than live in a convict's cell and feel that another man is at his case in a palace with the money that should be mine." Small had dropped his mask of stoicism, and all this came out in a wild whirl of words, while his eyes blazed, aud the hand-cuffs clanked to gether with impassioned movement ol his hands. I could understand, 1 mw the fury and the passion of the man. that it was no groundless or un natural terror which had possessed Maj. Hholto when he first learned that the injured convict was upon his track. "You forget that we know nothing ot all this," said Holmes, quietly. "We hare not heard your story, and we can not tell how f»r justice may originally have been on your side." "Well, sir, you have been very fair spoken to mo, though I can sue that 1 have you to thank that I have these bracelets upon my wrists. Still, I beai no grudge for that. It is all fair and above-board. If you want to hear mj story I have no wish to hold it back. What I say to you is God's truth, every word of it. Thank you; you can put the glass beside me here, and I'll put my lips to it if I am dry. "I am a Worcestershire man myself— born near I'ershore. 1 dare say you would find a heap of Smalls living there now if you were to look. I have often thought of taking a look round there, but the truth Is that I was never much of a credit to the family, and I doubt if they would be bo very glad to see me. They were all steady, chapel going folk, small farmers, well known and respected over the country-side, while I was always a bit of a rover. At last, however, when I was about eighteen, I gave them no more trouble, for I got into a mess over a girl, and could only get out of it again by tak ing the queen's shilling and joining the Third Huffs which was just starting for India. "1 wasn't destined to do much sol diering, however. I iiad just got past the goose-step and learned to handle iny musket, when I wan fool enough to go swimming in the Ganges. Luckily for me, my company sergeant, John liolUer, was in the water at the same time, and he was one of the finest swimmers in the service. A crocodile took me, just as I was half way across, and nipped off my right leg just as clean as a surgeon could have done it, just above the knee. What with the shock and the loss of blood 1 fainted, and I should have been drowned if Holder had not caught hold of me and paddled for the bank. I was Ave months In hospital over it, and when at last I was able to limp out of it with this timber toe strapped to my stump I found myself invalided out of the army and unfitted for any active occu pation. "I was, as you can Imagine, pretty down on my luck at this time, for I was a useless cripple, though not yet in my twentieth year. However, nay misfortune soon proved to be a bless ing in disguise. A man named Abel white, who had come out there as an look after his coolies and keep them up to their work. He happened to be a friend of our colonel's, who had taken an interest in me since the accident. HOW HE LOST HIS LEO. To make a long story short, the colonel recommended me strongly for the post and, as the work was mostly to be done on horseback, my leg was no great obstacle, for I had enough knee left to keep a good grip on the saddle. What I had to do was to ride over tho plantation, to keep an eye on the men as they worked, and to report the idlers. The pay was fair, I had com fortable quarters, and altogether I was content to spend the remainder of my life in indigo-planting. Mr. Abelwhite was a kind man, and he would often drop into my little shanty and smoke a pipe with me, for white folk out there feel their hearts warm to each other as they never do here at home. "Well, I was never in luck's way long. Suddenly, without a note of warning, the great mutiny broke upon us. One month India lay as still and peaceful, to all appearance, as Surrey or Kent; the next there were two hun dred thousand black devils let loose, and the country was a perfect hell. Of course you know all about it, gentle men—a deal more than I do, very like ly, since reading is not in my line. I only know what I saw with my own eyes. Our plantation was at a place called Muttra, near the border of the northwest provinces. Night after night the whole sky was alight with the burning bungalows, and day after day we had small companies of Euro peans passing through our estate with their wives and chilclran, on their way to Agra, where were the nearest troops. Mr. Abelwhite was an obstinate man. lie had it in his head that the affair had been exaggerated, and that it would blow over as suddenly as it had sprung up There he sat on his veranda, drinking whisky pegs and smoking cheroots, while the country was in a blaze about him Of course we stuck by him. I and Dawson, who, with his wife, used to do the bookwork and the managing Well, one fine day the crash came I had been away on a distant plantation, and was riding slowly home in the evening, when my oye fell upon something all huddled together at the bottom of a steep nullah. I rode down to »ce what it was, and the cold struck through my heart when 1 found it was Dawson's wife, all cut into ribbons, and half-eaten by jackals and native dogs. A little further up the road Dawson himself was lying on his face, quite dead, with an empty revolver in his hand and four Sepoys lyinp across each otlicr in from of him. 1 reined up my horse, wonder ing which way I should turn, but at that moment I saw thick smoke curl ing up from Abelwhite's bungalow and the llamcs beginning to burst through the roof. I knew then that I could do my employer no good, but would only throw my own life away if I meddled in the mutter. From where I stood I could see hundreds of the black fiends, with their red coats still on their backs, dancing and howling round the burning house. Some of them pointed at me, and a couple of bullets .sang past my headj so I broke away across the paddy-fields, and found myself late at night safe within the walls at Agra. "As it proved, however, there was no great safety there, cither. The whole country was up like a swarm of bees. Wherever the English could collect in little bands they held just the ground that their guns commanded. Every where else they were helpless fugi tives. It was a fight of the millions against the hundreds; and the cruelest part of it was that these men that we fought against, foot, horse and gun ners, were our own picked troops, whom we had taught and trained, handling ouc own weapons, and blow ing our own bugle calls. At Agra there were the Third Bengal Fusiliers, some Sikhs, two troops of horse and a battery of artillery. A volunteer corps of clerks and merchants had been formed, and this I joined, wooden leg and all. We went out to meet the rebels at Shaligunge early in July, and we beat them back for a time, but our powder gave out and we had to fall back upon the city. Nothing but the worst news came to us from every side —which is not to be wondered at, for if you look at the map you will see that we were right in the heart of it. Luck now is rather better than a hundred miles to the east, and Cawnpore about as far to the south. From every point on the compass there was nothing but torture and murder and outrage. "The city of Agra is a great place, swarming with fanatics and fierce devil-worshipers of all sorts. Our hand ful of men were lost among the nar row, winding streets. Our leader moved across the river, therefore, and took up his position in the old fort of Agra. I don't know if any of you gen tlemen have ever read or heard any thing of that old fort. It is a very queer place—the queerest that ever I was in, and I have been in some rum corners, too. First of all, it lsenormous in size. I should think that the inclos ure must be acres and acres. There is a modern part, which took all our gar rison, women, children, stores and everything else, with plenty of room over. Hut the modern part is nothing like the size of the old quarter, whero nobody goes, and which is given over to the scorpions and the centipedes. It is all full of great deserted halls, and winding passages, and long corridors twisting in nnd out, so that It is easy for folks to get lost in it. Tor this rea son it was seldom that anyone went into it, though now and again a party with torches might go exploring. "The river washes along the front of the old fort, and so protects it, but on the sides and behind there are many doors, and these had to be guarded, of course, In the old quarter as well as in that which was actually held by our troops. We were short-handed, with hardly men enough to man the angles Vlf tilS WUikur unyl to • It was impossible tor us. therefore, to station a strong g-uard at everyone of the innumerable gates. What we did was to organize a central guardhouse in the middle of the fort, and to leave each gate under the charge of one white man and two or three natives. I was selected to take charge during cer tain hours of the uight of a small iso lated door upon the southwest side of the building. Two Sikh troopers ware placed under my command, and I was instructed if anything went wrong to fire my musket, when I might rely upon help coming at once from the central guard. As the guard was a good two hundred paces away, however, and as the space between was cut up into a labyrinth of passages and corridors, I had preat doubts as to whether they could arrive in time to be of any use in ca&e of an actual attack. "Well, I was pretty proud at having this small command given me. since I was a raw recruit, and a game-legged one at that. For two nights I kept the watch with my Punjaubees. They were tall, fierce-looking chaps, Ma homet Singh and Abdullah Khan by name, both old fighting men who had borne arms against us at Chilianwal lah. They could talk English pretty well, but I could get little out of them. They preferred to stand together and jabber all night in their queer Sikh lingo. For myself, I used to stand outside the gateway, looking down on the broad, winding river and on the twinkling lights of the great city. The beating of drums, the rattle of tom toms. and the yells and howls of the rebels, drunk with opium and with bang, were enough to remind us all night of our dangerous neighbors across the stream. Every two hours the offi cers of the uight used to come round to all the posts, to make sure that all was welL "The third right of iny watch was dark and dirty, with a small, driving rain. It was dreary work standing in the gateway hour after hour In such weather. I tried again and again to make my Sikhs talk, but without much success. At two in the morning the rounds passed, and broke for a moment the wearinessof the night. Finding that my companions would not be led into conversation, I took out my pipe, and laid down my musket to strike a match. In an instant the two Sikhs were upon me. One of them snatched my firelock up and leveled It at my head, while the other held a great kniie to my throat and swore between his teeth that he would plunge it into me if I moved a step. "My first thought was that these fel lows were in league with the rebels, and that this was the beginning of an assault. If our door were in the hands of the Sepoys the place must fall, and the women and children be treated as they were in Cawnporo. Maybe you gentlemen think that I am just making out a case for myself, but I give you my word that when I thought of that, though I felt the point of the knife at my throat, I opened my mouth with the intention of giving a scream, If it was my last one, which might alarm the main guard. The man who held me seemed to know my r thoughts; for, even as I braced myself to it, he whis pered: 'Don't make a noise. The fort is safe enough. There are no rebel dogs on this side of tho river.' There was the ring of truth in what he said, and I knew that if I raised my voice I was a dead man. I could read it in the fellow's brown eyes. I waited, there fore, In silence, to see what It was that they wanted from me. " 'Listen to me, sahib,'said the taller and fiercer of the pair, the one whom they called Abdullah Khan. 'You must either be with us now or you must be silenced forever. The thing is too great a one for us to hesitate. Either you are heart and soul with ua I USED TO STAND OUTSIDE THE GATEWAY. on your oath on the cross of the Chris tians, or your body this night shall be thrown into the ditch and we shall pass over to our brothers In the rebel army. There Is no middle way. Which is it to be, death or life? We can only give you three minutes to decide, for the time is passing, and all must be done before the rounds come again.' " 'How can I decide?' said I. 'You have not told rne what you want of me. But I tell you now that If it is anything against the safety of the fort I will have no truck with it, so you can drive home your knife and welcome-' " 'lt is nothing against the fort,' said he. 'We only ask you to do that 'vhioh your countrymen come to this land for. We ask you to be rich. If you will bo one of us this night, we will swear to you upon the naked knife, and by the threefold oath which no Sikh was ever known to break, that you shall have vour fair share of the loot. A quarter of tho treasure shall be yours. We can say no fairer.' '"l Jut what is the treasure, then?" 1 asked. 'I am as ready to be rich as you can be. If you will but show me how it can be done.' " 'You 6wear, then,' said he, 'by the bones of your father, by the honor of your mother, by the cross of your faith, to raise no hand and speak no word against us, either now or afterwards?' "'I will swear it,'l answered, 'pro vided that the fort is not endangered.' " 'Then my comrade and I will swear that you shall have a quarter of the treasure, which shall be equally divided among the four of us.' " 'There are but three,' said I. " 'No; Dost Akbar must have his share. We can tell the tale to you while we await them. Do you stand at the gate, Mahomet Singh, and give notice of their coming. The thing stands thus. Sahib, and I tell it to you because I know that an oath is binding upon a Feringhee, and that we may trust you. Had you been a lying Hin doo, though you had sworn by all tho gods in their false temples, your blood would have been upon the knife, and your body in the water. But the Sikh knows the Englishman, and tho Eng lishman knows the Sikh. Hearken, then, to what I have to say. " 'There is a rajah in the northern provinces who lias much wealth, though his lands are small. Much has come to him from his father, and more still ho has set by himself, for he is of a low nature and hoards his gold rather than spend it. When the troubles broke out he would be friends both with the lion and the tiger—with the Sepoy and with the company's raj. Soon, however, it seemed to him that the white meu'B day was come, for through all tho laud he could hear of nothing but their death and their overthrow. Yet, being a careful man, ho made suoh plans that, come what might, half at least of his treasures would bo left to him. That ,vy - wutt lu gold and silver he koyti oy him in the vaults of his palace, but the most precious stones and the choicest pearls that he had he put in an iron box and sent it by a trusty servant who, under the puise of a mer chant, should take it to the fort at Agra, there to lie until the land is at peace. Thus if the rebels won he would have his money, but if the company conquer his jewels would be saved to him. Having thus divided his hoard he threw himself into the cause of the Sepoys, since they were strong his borders. By doing this, mark you. saiiib, his property becomes the due of those wi.3 have been true to their salt. "'This pretended merchant, v. ho travels under the name of Achmet, Is now in the city of Agra, and de sires to gain his way into the fort. He has with him as traveling companion my foster-brother Dost-Akbar, who knows his Becrct. Dost-Akbar has promised this night to lead hini to a side-postern of the fort, and has chosen this one for his purpose. Here he will come presently and here he will find Mahomet Singh and myself await ' ing him. The place is lonely, and none i shall know of his coming. The world ! shall know of the merchant Achmet no more, but the great treasure of the rajah shall be divided among us. What say you to-it, sahib?' "In Worcestershire the life of a man seems a ffreat and a sacred thing; but it is very different when there Is fire and blood all round you and you have been used to meeting death at every turn. Whether Achmet the merchant lived or died was a thing as light as air to me, but at the talk about the treas ure my heart turned to it, and I thought of what I might do in the old country with it, and how my folks would stare when they saw their ne'er-do-well com ing back with his pockets full of gold moidores. I had, therefore, already made up my mind. Abdullah Khan, however, thinking that I hesitated, pressed the matter more closely. " 'Consider, sahib," said he, 'that if this man is taken by the commandant he will be hung or shot, and his jewels taken by the government, so that no man will be a rupee the better for them. Now, since we do the taking of him, why should we not do the rest as as well? The jewels will be as well with us as in the company's coffers. There will be enough to make every one of us rich men and great chiefs. No one can know about the matter, for here we are cut oft from all men. What could be better for the purpose? Say again, then, sahib, whether you are with us, or if we must look upon you as an enemy.' "'I am with you heart and soul," said I. " 'lt is well,' he answered, handing me back my firelock. 'Yon see that we trust yon, for your word, like ours, is not to be broken. We have now only to wait for my brother and the mer chant.' " 'Does your brother know, then, of what you will do?' I asked. " 'The plan is his. He has devised it. We will go to the gate and share the watch with Mahomet Singh.' "The rain was still falling steadily, for it was just the beginning of the wet season. Brown, heavy clouds were drifting across the sky, and it was hard to see more than a stone-cast. A deep moat lay in front of our door, but the water was in places nearly" dried up, and It could easily be crossed. It was strange to me to be standing there with those two wild Punjoubees wait ing for the man who was coming to his death. "Suddenly my eye caught the glint of a shaded lantern at the other side of the moat. It vanished among the mound-heaps, and then appeared again coming slowly in our direction. " 'Here they are!' I exclaimed. "'You will challenge him, sahib, as usual,' whispered Abdullah. 'Give him no cause for fear. Send us in with him, and we shall do the rest while you stay here on guard. Have the lantern ready to uncover, that we may be sure that it is indeed the man.' "The light had flickered onwards, now stopping and now advancing, un til I could see two dark figures upon the other side of the moat. I let them scramble down the sloping bank, splash through the mire, and climb half-way up to the gate, before I challenged them. " 'Who goes there?' said I in a sub dued voice. " 'Friends,' came the answer. I un covered my lantern and threw a flood of light upon them. The first was an enormous Sikh, with a black beard which swept nearly down to his cum merbund. Outside of a show 1 have never seen so tall a man. The other was a little fat, round fellow, with a great yellow turban, and a bundle in his hand, done up in a shawl. Ho seemed to be all in a quiver with fear, "WIIiT HAVE TOD IN THE BUNDLE?" I ASKED. for his hands twitohed as if he had the ague, and his head kept turning to left und right with two bright little twinkling eyes, like a mouse when he ventures out from his hole. It gave me the chills to think of killing him, but I thought of the treasure, and my heart set as hard as a flint within me. When he saw my white face he gave a little chirrup of joy and came running up towards me. '"Your protection, sahib,'he pauted —'your protection for the unhappy merchant Achmet. 1 have traveled across Kajpootana that I might seek the shelter of the fort at Agra. I have been robbed and beaten and abused because I have been the friend of the company. It is a blessed night this when 1 am once more in safety—l and my poor possessions.' "'What have you in the bundle?'l asked. " 'Aa iron box,' he answered, 'which contains one or two little family mat ters which are of no value to others, but which 1 should be sorry to lose. Yet I am not a beggar; and I shall re ward you, young sahib, and your gov ernor also, if he will give me the shel ter I ask.' "I could not trust myself to speak longer with the man. The more I looked at his fat, frightened face, the harder did it seem that we should slay him in cold blood. It was best to get It over. " Talto him to the main tfuard," said I. The two Sikhs closed In upon him on each side, and the giant walked be hind, while they marched iu through the dark gateway. Never was a man •o compassed round with death I re mained at the gateway with the lan tern. "I could hear the mea-.urod tramp of their footsteps bounding through the Svddifflly* It ccadfcdj; . ucara voices, and a scuffle, with the sound of blows. A moment later there came, to my horror, a rush of footsteps coming in my direction, with the loud breathing of a run lng man. I turned my lantern down the long, straight passage, and there was the fat man, running like the wind, with a smear of blood across his face, and close at his heels, bounding like a tijrer, the great black-bearded Sikh, with a knife flashing in his hand. I have never seen a man run so fast as that little merchant. lie was gaining on the Sikh, and I could see that if he once passed me and frot to the open air he would save himself yet. My heart softened to him, but again the thought of his treasure turned me hard and bitter. I cast my firelock between his legs as he raced past, and he rolled twice over like a shot rabbit. Ere he could stagger to his feet the Sikh was upon him, and buried his knife twice In his 6ide. The man never uttered moan nor moved muscle, but la - where he had fallen. I think myself that he may have broken his neck with the fall. You see, gentlemen, that I am keeping my promise. I am telling you every word of the business just exactly as it happened, whether it Is In my favor or not." He stopped and held out his man acled hands for the whisky and water which Doings had brewed for him. For myself. I confess that I had now conceived the utmost horror of the man, not only for this cold-blooded business in which he had been con cerned, but even more for the some what flippant and careless way in which he narrated it. Whatever pun ishment was in store for him, I felt that he might expect no sympathy from me. Sherlock ITolmes and Jones sat with their hands upon their knees, deeply interested in the story, but with the same disgust written upon their faces. He may have observed it, for there was a touch of defiance In his voice and manner as he proceeded. "It was all very bad, no doubt," said he. "I should like to know how many fellows in my shoes would have re fused a share of this loot when they knew that they would have their throats cut for their pains. Besides, It was my life or his when once he was in the fort. If he had got out, the whole business would have come to light, and I should have been court-martialed and shot as likely as not; for people were not very lenient at a time like that." (TO BJC COHTINUtD.) The Ratio of Bl*e to Price. "You don't want that $25 hat, Mary," said Mr. Muggins, who was with his wife in the milMner's store. "It's too big, anyhow. Now, if the milliner could only take off four or five feathers it would be all right." "That's easy," interposed the milliner, sweetly, suiting the action to the word. "I take them off so—see? And there you have a love of a little bonnet." And then, as Mr. Muggins felt for his pocketbook smilingly, thinking of the economy he had effected, she added: "Now it's only SSO." —Chicago P.soord. A Hard Question. Modern Maid—l wish some advice. Old Lady—Certainly, my dear. What is It? Modern Maid—Shall I many a man whose tastes are the opposite of mine, and quarrel with him? or shall 1 marry a man whose tastes are the same as mine, and get tired of him?— N. Y. Weekly. TourUta of the Future. Little Dot —I wonder if they will ever make flying machines that will go. Little Dick—'Course they will and they'll go about a thousand miles an hour. An Englishman can leave Lon don after breakfast, fly over to this country to dinner, and be back home writing a book about America before supper. —Good News. liiflultrly Worse. Jones (despondently) That's the worst joko I ever had played on me. Hones —What's that? Jones —My best girl promises to be a sister to me. Bones—Gad! Mine played a meaner one than that on me. She promised to be a wife to me, and, what is worse, did it. —N. Y. World. Exemplary Patience. Ho (at the trysting place)— What a time you have kept me waiting! She—Quite to the contrary; it is only six, and I did not intend to be here be fore seven! He—Just so; but you have mistaken the day. I have been waiting here since yesterday!—H umoristische Blaetter. Couldn't Understand It. "I never cu'd understand dis story about Diogenes liuntin' around wit' a lantern fur an honest man," remarked a New York city salesman. "Are you surprised that ho should have found them so scarce?" "Naw. Wat I dont see Is w'at he wanted wit' 'im."—Washington Star. There Are Some of This Klod. Estimable Citizen (in his ufter-dinner speech)— Every citizen must do his duty at the polls, no matter what the cost! The Same Citizen (on election day)— No, Jacobs, I'm not going to vote. You see, I'm extremely busy—and—well— the fact is—lI—neglected to register. —Chicago Record. What Prevented aim. "I can tell you, baron, that when my offer of marriage was rejected by the prima donna I was so miserable that 1 was on the point of throwing myself out of the window." "What prevented you?" "Tho height."—Karlsbader Woahen blatt. Hl* Verdict. The Bachelor—Of course, I congratu late you. But, after all, isn't a baby a good deal of a nuisance? The Young Father (dubiously)— Har dly that, you know. But there are time* when it is a crying evil. —Pittsburg! - Bulletin. Overheard lu the Perk. Bob Harcourt—They say Russell Bag* never changes his mind. Adele Fairfax—Why. I thought every body did sometimes. Bob Harcourt —Well, Sage wont. He's afraid it will cost him something. —Truth. The Why and Wherefore. Be knew that she owned a oouple of farms. And he said, as he folded her tight In his trnui "This treasure I'll take." Tho smart servant maid, aa the aaw the em* 1 braoe, Remarked, as she threw her hands to her face' "For the land's sake." —Philadelphia Record. HOUND TO OCCUR. - _ LlfeL The Drama of the Future. The Manager—l want a play immo t diately for Mr. Brulseman. The I'layright—All ritflit. Pick It out. Here's heavyweights, next to 'en: 's tho welter-weights, and yoader"B •, . pile of ligfrtwufchfr.— IsTol7 TEABERRY JACK. A New Jersey Drink That Enlivens th* lIo(-KUIla( Time. Just at this season of the year the in habitants of Burlington county, N. J*., are winding up their big hog' and tea berry season, and it is the most joyous of the year. Next to the prize hog, "teaberry jack" fills a long-felt want, says an eastern exchange. It Is a bev erage indigenous to this part of the state, and rarely, if ever, found else, where. It is a combination of native Ingredients, all of which are raised on the soil where the jack is made. The formula is not furnished with each bottle, but, judged from its effects, it must have a proof as high as brandy and be a near relative to the alcohol of commerce. "Teaberry jack" is made out of apple jack, which Is kept in a secluded spot until it becomes a brown ish amber and has the odor of age. In the distillation and afterward the apple jack is mixed with crushed tea berries, sometimes called wintergreen plums, or checkerberries. They have the same flavor as wintergreen chew lug gum. The odor is a combination of apple blossoms and mountain tea- V rrries, which is so fascinating that the amount of alcohol in the drink is forgotten. There is no burning or harsh taste while the teaberry is trickling down the throat; * 1 is none of the rasping which whisky causes when it is unmixed with water. Water is not needed with teaberry jack to make it palatable; it 1 eeds no dilu tion. The natives drink it without water, and its strength is indicated to the eye or the taste only in the size of the glass, which is the ordinary glass of a country barroom—smaller in size. The teaberry drinker is expected to fill his glass, close both eyes and gulp it down. The season for teaberry jack is the hog'-illing time in the wiuter, when all the out-door work Is done on the farm and the hogs are fat. Old tea berry Is valued most, but it is hard to keep it year after year—its taste is so good, and the inhabitants require so much of it during tho winter. Teaberry jack affects a man cumu latively. It begins with his toes, which, If he has had eight or ten drinks, begin to bo lively and somewhat intoxicated. He feels as if the toes belong to some other human being, and ho is some what surprised at the exhilarated con dition in which he notices they are. The teab iTy jack gives him the mental power to disassociate himself from his toes, and to be a spectator of the way in which the effects of the tipple start from his toes to bis feet, then up to his knees. This is tho danger signal, and should not be disregarded. The native Jerbeyman is accustomed to tho effects of this drink, but to a visitor they are fascinating and insidious. The effeet, as it gradually extends upward, ig cumulative and sudden. The last thing to be affected is the brain, which re mains entirely sotrer after the throat, and tongue have started on a mad career of inebriety. The tongue may be running on at a great rate, while the brain, in sorry sobriety, stands off In mental attitude by itself, wondering what is the matter with the tongue that it is carrying on and making all kinds of speeches. The legs may bo dancing, while the rest of the body is sober and amused at the antics of, the Intoxicated legs. MAKING THE BEST OF IT. An Invalided Fisherman's Ingenious De vice for CootiQulDf His Hport. A cheerful example of ingenuity in "making the best of it" is to bo seen at an apartment house on Spruce street. It takes the form of a long, light fish ing rod fixed to one of the window frames of a room on the third story In such a way that the line depending from it dangles over the sidewalk a trifle less than seven feet from the ground, says the New York Sun. At the hook end of the line there is fixed a light wire basket and at the butt end of the polo there sits an ln valid, chained to his chair by paralysis of the legs. In his activo days the in valid was a great fisherman, and, as his wife is old and feeble, too, it has been the old fisherman's fancy to rig up this pole and set it for bites. They como In tho shape of the morning and evening papers, his mail, messages from old cronies who know his whim, and Bmall parcels from the neighboring trades men, who also know his fancy. When the old Waltonian is wheeled in his chair to the window in the morn ing his first glance is down at the basket to see if there is any bite. There nearly always is, and then the window is opened, no mattor what tho weather may be, the lino is wound in on the reel until it reaches the end ring on the polo, and then the "fish" is dex terously landed. Sometimes, BO the neighbors say, the old fisherman makes believe to "play" with the catch; and when, one day, a friend loaded down the basket with a shad that really required a good deal of skill to haul in, the invalid fisherman was so overjoyed when he did land it that he could do nothing but smile for tho rest of the day. The cold spell haa bothered him a little, but when last seen, during the recent high cold winds, hohnd a heavy fur cap pulled down over his ears, a woolen comforter wound around his neck, fur gauntlets on his hands, and was hauling in a package of tobacco and a letter with all the con centrated interest of a true angler hav ing it out with a gamy fish. Effect of I ashlon. How quickly a fashion makes tho wheels of trade go round! In a Phila delphia trolley ear discussion the other day a man said: "Yes, my brother's mill is busy. Ho lias orders for one thousand five hundred pieces ahead, and he makes three thousand three hundred and fifty yards a day! Ho makes crinoline—hair cloth." Now, a year ago this would scarcely have been an item, but the enormous amount of cloth used now in stiffening out the hems of women's dresses and for lining the entire back of the skirt of gowns causes this demand. It is a com promise, of course, between classic folds and hoops that the crinoline comes in to fill. Parental SollcltudS. Daughter—But, ma, 1 don't like him. Mother —He is an only son, and Wa father is very rich. "Well, as to that, his father is a wid ower, and may marry again." "True. I did not think of that. Per haps you'd better marry tho father " —N. Y. Weekly. About ICesourcee. "Are Sisters Sally and Nancy re sources, pa?" "No, my boy; why do you ask that question?" "Because 1 heard Uncle Joe say that If you would only husband your re sources you would get along a great deal better than you do." —Tammany A Simile. Tom—That new ofilco boy is like nab {oral gas. Jack—l dont 800 tho similarity. Tom—Well, he generally goes oul when ho Is most wanted.—Pittsburgh Bulletin. The Height or Optimism. "How bright and cheerful Miss S. al ways Is. She always makes the besto! everything." "Yes; slio even pretends to believ* that a single life Is far prcferablo to s married one." —Brooklyn Life. One Way. Would you keep a woman's love When you earn It, llere't. u wuy I'll tell you of— Oon'V return It I - •'f
Significant historical Pennsylvania newspapers