VOL. XXXIII COME AND SEE US We are Located OD Soutii Main Street, Opposite Hotel Butler, In the room formerly occupied by Hartzell & Kemper. We have received our spring stock { of Tans in different shades, Patent leathers, yjj*,; 1 Kangaroos, etc. Our stock of Ladies Fine \ , Shoes and Oxfords is \zry large—all the latest ■> ,|«»: \ style lasts to be found among our stock. We m carry these goods in all sizes and widths, and wj»: £& prices the lowest. Come and see us. We y**' e&t 1 have many bargains in store for you. The variety was never so great, 1 *' The styles were never so perfect, P' /w' j The quality never so good, Jk And the prices were never so low. I— -■ - ' A FEW OF OUK PRICES Ladies fine dongola pat tip ox fords -75*- V*) 6ne serge congress gait "* ers 45 c y Ladies fcraln shoes pat tip heel \ or spring f J oc ,' . Ladies waterproof oil grain '<' 'Hj 2] a shoes 75° I a Ladies fine calf slippers s oc X i'J Mens waterproof working shoes 95c *( \ congress SI.OO 2* Boys fine shoes.. S7SC, sl, $125 . Misses good wearing school Childrens fine dongola pat tip shoes FlI. «-w ck ol I catl.tr arc![Findings. Shot makers supplies of all kinds. y\ lords of dressing for iJon^ola. Tan 2r.d a tint I.talhtr shtts at reduced prices. Mail orders iecei\e prompt attention. JOHN BICKEL 323 Houth Main St. Branch Store, Pa 125 N. Main St., IJUliei X d. [SPRING &R sunnEß 1 FOOTWEAR! | B. C. HUSELTON J 7 Undeniably Shows the Largest Stock of Ladies \ } and Gents Fine Shoes of the Latest and ( / Most Stylish Patterns ever Displayed in C J a* M HAVE YOU SEEN THE V (X ,11 wl "STILETTO," 7 J \ ■ \ 1 One of the. most perfect shoes for C 1 1 men ever made. Dark wine V C | shade of Russia Calf, the latest C i », tint; black eyelets, silk stitched. 7 \ * 20th Century shape welt. r / I-adies low cut shoes in tan / v WJ » f ci Tailor made, in lace or button,Jr W Oman S K USS ct or Dongola, Kid or I'at-!\ ) r'nntnrv cnt Lcathcr Ti l )S - Wc sdl these ? C v>"llvUlj k ea utiful and comfortable shoes at \ |f our trade winning figures, $1.50, #2, ? BUTTON AND LACE. / 'fe, I / Made on the latest lasts, only 75c, sl, \ " C } $1.25 and $1.50. Easy shoes a speci- I S MEN S AND BOYS' TANS > ) Highest grades, Russia Call, in all the C S most fashionable shades, comfortable f I lasts, pointed or derby toe, positively r ? unequaled in Butler. Men's at £1.50, $2, $2.50, $3, $3 50, C I $4 and $5; Boys' at $1.35, sl. 50 ami $2; Youths' at $1.25, C N $1.50 and $1.90. » ? S J '' 1 1 Men's and Boys' Pine Shoes, c C Hr I'lain, Square, Needle nr Opera Toe; \ J all widtliH, Calf at $2, $2.50, ♦l, aiul C C ml#3-s°; J'uff ami A Calf at ( J IH.-lIUH Crclcniorc, the lx-t.t ih(a- iiiaile / C for the money—othem >M-t ft.25 ; ""l S r Mlsses & Cb " dreDS Spring-heel Shots S f All the New Style* in Tan and Klack, I.arc »n twp. 3. Final aceoant of John X Yunng ad ministrator c t a of John Yoocp, dec M.late ofWinfield township 4. Final account of Elizabeth ifar> M»iz!acd. execntrix of John Maizland. dec'd, !hte of Clinton twp. 5. Final accoont of Alary E Heltnbold, admini.-tratrix ot Theodore llelmbold, deo'd, late of Saxonhnrg borough. 6. Final account <;{ A F Werner, sur viving executor of Henry Lolbornt, de;'d, late of Adams twp. The executor gire notice that he will make application for his discharge at the time of the presenta tion of this account. 7. Final •count of H J liitzert. gnar dian of Frank Minster, minor child of Jo *eph Minster, dec'd, late of Oakland tw^ 9. Final account of Peter Mang«*l and Nicholas Mangel, executors of Claud Man gel, dec'd, lato of Winfield twp. 9. Final account of Wm Hrownfield. guardian of Mary A Brownfield, minor child of James Brownfield, dec'd. late of Donegal twp. 10. Final account of Mrs S C McGar vey, administratrix, of John C McGarvey, dec'd, late of Concord twp. 11. Final account of Herman Kual.e, administrator of Charlis Kaabe, dee d, lale ofjefferson twp. 12 F.nal account of Isabella Dickey, administratrix of John D Dickey, dec'd, late of Forward twp. 13. Final account of Geo W Wright, executor of Martha K Wright, dec'd, late ol Butler boro. 14. Final and distiibution account oi John C Kay, administrator ol Washington Campbell, dec'd, late of Fairview twp. 15. Final account of Robert Johnston, executor A Jotin Johnston, dec'd, late ol Fairview twp. IC. Final accouc*. of James and David Hesstlgerrer, executors of Robert He-i-el gesses, dec'd, late of Winfield twp 17. Final account of Laura A Richard aon, administratrix of Christopher A Maieru, dec'd, late of Butler borough. 18. Final account of A J McCoy, ad miniatrator of Elizabeth Thompson, dec'd, lata of Mercer twp 19. Final account of Peter Miller, guar dian of Wm Henry Liaader, minor child ot John Bauder. dee'd, late ol Muddycreek twp. 20. Final account of W F Coyle,admin istrator of Thomas Coyle, dec'd, late of Donegal twp 21. Final account of Rev X E Brown, administrator c ta ol Alexander Brown, dee d, late of Mercer '»P --22. Final account of Catharine Kirk, administratrix ot Wendel Kirk, dec'd, .'ate of Oakland Iwp. 23. Finai account of J N Fulton, ad ministrator of Anna Mary Kelly, dec'd late of Middlesex twp 1 24. Final account of W D Brandim, guardian of M J Gille-pie, minor child of M J Gillespie, dec'd, late ol Donegal twp. 25- Final and distribution account JD Martin, administrator of Tbumar \V Martin, dec'd, late of Forward twp. 26. Partial account of W J Scot? ex ecntor of J W Scott, dec'd, late of Lauca - ter twp. 27. Final account of John Uinchberger, executor of Mrs Mary V'osbrink, dec'd,lstr of B'jtler borough. 2ft. Final account of J A Kipper, execu tor of Rudolph Kelker, dec'd.late of Evans City. 29. Final account of Rosa A J Martin, executrix of Mary W Douthett, dec'd, lale of Forward twp 30. Final accouu tof Elizabeth Smith, administratrx of Enoch Smith, dec'd, late of Butler borough, 31. Final account of G F Weii-enstem, administrator of Isabella II Weisenstein, dec'd, late of Centre twp. 32. Final account of Samuel P. Hays, guardian of W'n R Hays, minor child of Wm llayn, dec'd, late ot Adarr s twp. 33 Partial account of Christina Froth, adrninisti atrix of Frank Fruth, deo'd, laic of Jefferson twp 34 Final account of Kohert H Young administrator of Jane Voung, dec'd, late nl Concord two. 35 Final account of J M Klack, guar dian of Etoil Koblineyer, minor child of h W Koblmeyer, dec'd. late of Allegheny twp 36. Final account of G E Mellinger and W J Mellinger, administrators of J R Mellinger, dec'd, late of Oakland twp 37. Final account of A A Campbell, ex ecntor of J G Campbell dec'd, late of But ler borough. 38. Final account of Christy Robb.guar dial of Wm R Davrainville, minor child of Mrs Elizabeth llavrainville, doe'd, lati- id Cincinnati, Ohio, 30. Final account of S R McLaughlin, 'administrator of Daniel G McLaughlin, dec'd, late of Fairview twp. 40 Pinal account of ICmma K> nnick administratrix of Jobn L Uenniok. deo'il, late of Jefferson t»p 41. Final account of Goo W Sbievcr, ?;uardi»n of Minnie Kaxch and Charle* ttiM.b, minor children of Jacob Kuscn, dec'd, late of flutter borougb. 42. Firnt and partial account of Joseph Geibel, acting executor of Charles Geibel, dec'd, late of Hutler borough. 43 Final account of G I) Swain and Win Kocher, executors of Jennie Hie*-, dec'd, la'e ol Larcaxter twn. JOHNS WICK, Renter Widows' Appraisements. The following widows' appraisements of personal proiierty mid real estate net apart for the benefit of tbe widows of decedenU h«ve been filed in tbe office of tbe Clerk ol Orpban»' Court ot Butler county, viz. Widow of Jobn M Wcigle S3OO 00 " George T Welter 99 00 " Alex Barnes 300 00 " Samuel McCulloujfti ZM 05 " J M 5t00p.... 300 00 " George Marbarger K5 " W Jt llendefH'iu 70 (14 " Levi Park 300 00 " II C Mack.. 300 00 " Nicholas ICeott (realty).. 300 00 " JonphJ l.avery 300 00 " John HC'laik 300 00 " Jacob K Wine 'jQO 00 •' Jobn K T Steble. 300 00 " AS Pattuon 7U 75 " Laurenti* Lyon (realty).. 350 00 Win Kelley 'jOO 00 " Ittrae) (Jranmer,, 300 00 All |>erkO(iv interented in tbe above ap liraisementa will take notice that they will •i« pre seoted for confirmation to the Or phan*' Court nf Itu tier county, Pa., on Sat urday, the oth day of June, IHOu, and if no exception* are filed thvy will be en firmed absolutely, JOHKIMI CBIHWKLL, Clerk O. C. WA l-L J'APEK I. J. Mt BRIDE, I'IHK WAM, I'AJ'KR, Stationeiy, Painter*' Supplies, HttibliriK Paiier, Tob.icc, iin ,| Cigars. Opposite old stand. 114 W. Jefferson steeet, Ilutler Pa. C. R. ELLIOTT, Mjjr, Dealer In Wall Pnper, Painter*' Supplies, &c, I2t W. Jefferson street, - Ilutler. Pa L. c. WICK I'IULMR in Rough and Hoiked Lumber or AL- KlKOft Dours, Sash, Blinds, Moulalnj<», Shingles and Lalh Always In Stock, LIME. H AIR A fti D PL AST UK 018Cv opposite P. ieo i.- herein giv-iii that th« follow in* lari'i |f« an 1 road views have been CUD firmed nisi by the Court. and will bo pre -.i.ted <>n the first Saturday "I June, 189G, being i lie 6'h d*V of said month, arid if no ••iceplbms are fil**d they be COT. firmed •liniatitl): If I) No 2 September KCMxion, 1895, Pe tition of rit zerix ol >lipperyrock township for cnnty l>ri«; »r** "Vrr McDonald rur ut rlie place wht-r lh- public road li ailing fi i: th»- Franktiu road tg New Hope, ht Hri-iiCl:ton, near Ni> 0. Hch'>ol house J one 22(1. 1895, viewers appointed by tie l o'irt, a::d September 2, 1895, report of viewers tiled, Mating that i hi* bridge pjjti ;i«>i ed for i. mcessary and the erection of tt-e K/niie would require mote expense tlmii i< reasonable the township of Slip per_. rock shoal' 1 bear, and did locate the sire thereof at the p'sce mentioned in the petition. September 11, 1895; approved; notice to 118 (liven according to rules Court and to be laid l>«for* the grand jury «t ii»-xt term. ftY THK CoURT. Sow, VI .reli 7, 189*5, it appearing to the Court that the tnie wa* not laid before lb** grand jury at December term, as di recced in ord-r made September 11, IM»S, ■in account-.f witaeHing township for the county bridge over Little Conno qnenessing ciwk where the roan known as ttie Welsh road crosses said creek. Jan umy 2'J. 189ned in the pi tiiiiii. Varch 7, 1896, approved: notice to li- given according to rules of Court and t" lie luid beiore lhe next g-and jury on Wednesday, Juui 3, 189(i. BY THK COCHT K I) No 2. March sesnion. 1890, Petition ol ciiiz< na of Forward towtuMp for pub he road to begin at a point in the public leading irom Hrown's mill to Pi-tero- Ville. it or ncur the north end ol the bridge acrors the <'oDiicqneiessing creek knotin a- the Held bridge, a,;d extendi.g thence tu a point in the public road had ing Ir-un thi bi-roujf'i of Kvauabiirg to t!»■ tjurougo i>l liutler, at or near the bousa < I PonellA.h. February 'J, I*9o, yiewor* appoint! 'I by the Court, and Mutch 2, lß9>, report oi vieviirs filed stating that the road petitioned for ;k necessary, ai.fl did la) out trie name tor public use, cost ol making, one hundred dollars, to lie borne by the township No damages as rer-i-d. March 7, 189 All jjrad" of rndcrwcr at very prices. Largest stock of hats and furnishings for gentleman «ii the country. An inspection will prove this to any ones sah'sfacture Colbert & Dale. 242 S Mitin St. I'nlhr. <»Mt'a Tin; HAHIT OK wearing pood clothe*- is a good liabit and fjur cltjthcs are good habits. VVc want to help you form this good habit. Begin now! in a short time you will be convinced we have saved you money and that you are always dressed in good taste. Goud taste in dress secures a cordial recognition for those who show it. No man can tell how much injury a shabby appearance may do him. Our handsome new Spring stock is now ready for your selection. ObKRN METHODS. MODKKATK look upon her lap ami let her gaze stray across the wide expanse of blue water. Seemingly she took little heed of her fe.'low-voyagers, a group of whom were chatting not a dozen feet from her. It was au excellent opport v % study her without her knowledge -as I l>e lieved; and the longer I watched the young woman the more interested in her did I become. She was slender, as has been faid, and carried herself BO erectly as to ap pear taller than she really was, her height being, in fact, but a trifle above the average of her sex. Her forehead was broad, an/1 her hair worn low upon It. Her features were good. The nose was straight and finely chiseled, the i chin delicately rounded. Iler mouth was larger than the canons of urt de manded, and now and then the. lips, were net In a line which Indicated 110 lack of firmness. It was not a stub born mouth, however, even when the thoughts of its mistress seemed to be least pleasant. The face was inclined to paleness, relieved by a faint, lug color wldch can 10 and went on her cheeks, events she sat watching tho sea. The eycH gave her strongest claim to beauty. They were clear, dark brown eyes shaded by long lashes. An a U'ILOIC, the face wiw attractive, but it wan no easy tafik to clans HH de gree of pulchritude. Absolute beauty it did not attain; "pretty" was clearly not the adjective to apply to it. "Hand- Home" seemed to be doner to the truth, though even that word did not quite satisfy my Judgment. Itut I did n/>t ponder long over tlie polut, for I soon found myself fully decided that- the girl was, in appearance at least, a very charming young person. flurroughs, a IJritwh youth with whom I had struck up an acquaintance in the smoking-room, crossed the deck to her chair, and talked with her for perhaps a quarter of an hour, the novel render merely looking up from her book on his approach and promptly return ing to its perusal after answering his greeting. I envied Burroughs' ae r.uaintance with the girl, although neither he. nor she seemed to derive iuiy great entertuinment from Uielr some wf»at Intermittent conversation. Once *he s(;nt a quick glance. In my direction, and I guessed that tlie youth had reached me iu going over the list of pa«- sengei-H. I prayed that he might be, charitable in MB comments. Strolling into the smoking-room that evening, I found most of the male pas sengers wer« assembled. Two games of cards were, in progress, witli a fringe of spectators looking over the. players' slioulders. After a few minutiw lJur rouglrs appeared, and dropped upon the. cushioned bench beside inc. "Not playing, ah?" said he. "Don't you admire the sport?" "Not particularly," I answered. "Are you going to take a hand?" "I like to, generally," said he, with a laugh, "but I'd rather Jo something ( ke Just now." "Hmoke, for Instance?" I suggested. "Not exactly," he answered, with a nort of exulnirriiKiment in his tone. "By the way, wouldn't you like to meet your fair compatriot?" "Who is she? I bad supposed myself to be the only North American on board." "Miss Dorothy Gray. If you hap pened to notice, you saw me talking to her this afternoon. Blw's with her aunt, Mrs. Luring met 'em In Uio, you know. 1 told her whoyou were, and she'll be glud to see you. Come along, that's a good fellow." i "Why this hast*;?" lint I rose with out delay, as he might have olie' ived, had he not l>een busy with hi* own r.chemes. "It's something like thin, you knoyv," he went on, "That splendid creature with a name 1 pronounce is with Miss Oray now, aud until I get. Home body to look after the little Yankee, you know, I can't have the splendid creature to uiyaelf. I don't Hpeak much of her lingo, you sec, and she can't makn even a stagger at mine, and HO our conversation is rather embarra»B iiur before a third party, don't you know? i'ni counting on you to help me out." , "Lead theway,"said I. "I'm a willing, sacrifice," In five minutes I found myself talk ing to Miss Gray, while at a little dis tance Burroughs and the fair Brazilian were progressing" famously in spite of th« lingual limitations. Still farther away the buxom mother of the splendid creature was playing a discreet chape ron and discoursing with one of her countrymen. There was u glorious moon overhead, and the steamer ran smoothly over the tranquil sea. These details come back to me- far more distinctly than the words of folly, commonplace, or wisdom we may hare exchanged. Prob ably we talked of the ship, the officers and the passengers, of Brazil and the United States, and, last, but not least, of tlio beauty and charm of the night. The girl had something white and fluffy thrown over her head, and her light jacket was buttoned about her trim fig ure, for the evening air was cool, in spite of our latitude. The moonlight was kind to her, as it is to many of her sisters, and had I attempted to revive my afternoon's opinion of her face, my new finding, I fear, would have been far less severely critical. In that first evening I cam© to like her exceedingly. There was nothing of the coquette iu her; in fact, there was hardly a touch of frivolity. She seemed grave rather than gay, although one got from her no suggestion of a morose dis position. In short, there was something in her manner to bring to mind the self-repression one often notes in per sons long accustomed to close attend ance upon an exacting invalid. As it happened, she came rightfully by this air, inasmuch as her aunt was a chronic searcher for the health which she be lieved herself to lack. With this aunt Miss Gray had been traveling for sev eral years. When she bade me good night I gave nn hour to tobacco and Burroughs, who chattered enthusiastically about the flower of Brazil. Incidentally, he ex plained that he had met Mrs. Loring end her niece but once hefore the Iledouin sailed, and that he knew next to nothing of them. "The old lady's a queer one, though," he added. "If you confess that you're a doctor she'll make your life a burden, vou know. Shun her, old chappie, shun her." Events proved that, even had I been disposed to accept his advice, It would have been extremely difficult to put It Into practice. Mrs. Loring gave u»i no option In the matter. No sooner did she discover my profession —and that she did speedily—than she sent for me. I found her propped up on pillows in her berth, with a novel in ono hand and a fau in the other. "So kind of you, I)r. Morris, so very, very kind," she l>egan—"sokind to come so soon. Keally, I was in despair, yea, in abject despair, until I heard that you were a physician. I am so ill, so mis erably 111, doctor, and the ship's sur geon misjudges my case so terribly. Would you believe It—can you be lieve It?—ho actually tried to humbug me into thinking that I was well, per fectly well. And I —l— 0 She fell back upon her pillows, us if overpowered by the remembrance of her sufferings. Vet In a moment she was again sitting up and pouring into my ears a torrent of words. She was a tall woman, thin, though not emaciated, very nervious, and one of the most voluble persons it was ever my fate to encounter. Her age was not far froui 43 years. In spito of her repeated assertions that she was very 111, and the evident faith she put in them, it was clear that Mrs. Loring might as well have been on deck as iu her stato-room. An un due indulgence in certain triumphs of the ship's pastry-cook, aud an over taxed digestion, would explain her ail ment to the satisfaction of anybody but liernelf. The Burgeon's view of the matter, expressed rather brusquely, had served to convince the ludy that ho was a brute. Perhaps had alio been a lone traveler she might have bad oc casion to put me In the same category; but, with on« thought for her and two for her niece, I listened patiently to the tale of Borrow and agony. "Well, NJrs. Loring," said I, when the opportunity came, 'T think I liav«j your case. With your co operation, we'll have you well again long before this voyage Is over. I'll prenure some medicine which I think will be effective. I shall have to ask yeu to put yourself on a restricted diet. In order that the delicate chemical changes which I count upon the medi cine to produce as an aid to the diges tive feiineuts may progress under the most favorable conditions. The dose will be a teaspoonful just half an hour before each meal. So accurately calcu lated are the effects that I must ask you to follow the directions to the minute. The slightest variation in the time may utterly destroy the efficacy of tlj" drugs." "Oh, you uiay rely upon HIP, doctor," she cried, delightedly. "I understand you perfectly—yes, perfectly. To tho minute, to the vory minute, the medi cine shall I>c taken. Oh, doctor, doctor, It IH a comfort, such a comfort, to see that you understand my trouble so thoroughly—yen, BO thoroughly. Now, thut surgeon—" Uut I bowed myself out of the. state room, and hastened In Mirch of the official medicine-man, who, it must be admitted, learned with entire satisfac tion that another hod assumed charge of Mrs. liorlng'n case. Moreover, he cheerfully assist<-d in the preparation of the medlcin'j for her ut»c. It wae warranted to l»o harmless; it tasted much as if a little sugar had been dis solved in a generous quantity of wa ter. As It met the patient's craving for doses, however, and as she was up and about again in UJC course of a few days. It may be said to have accomplished It# lienevolent pur[>osc. In the meantime Mies Gray and 1 were getting on famously. We walked the deck together, we hazarded small bets on the steamer's daily run, aud wo shared in the somewhat limited list of mid-ocean amusements. While the moonlight evening" lasted we gave the Queen of Night every chance iu tho world toexi-rcise her mischievous sway; but for once, at least, her powers failed. I do not mean to surest that our con versation was always coldly matter-of fact. A vein of sentiment ran through It at times, but on the whole we kept well within the bounds of everyday friendship, which for two young I»T --soii.'i uiaccd as we were uuui'oacbvd tbc remarkable. There wi re confidences exchanged, to sure, or, toß|>eak more j»re«-ls«'lv, she heaxil a deal of my experiences ami ho[»« and contldeil to me u little of»hers. It may 1M- thut the difference was due to the subtle power she po»iHcs.sed of arousing 111 others faith of the sort which leads to such confessions. Thus it eaiuetojiass 1.... 1 »• aequiivd a fuirly accurate ideu of the li. J h: ' tee, liad spent two winters in Northern Africa, and now were voyaping back to Eng land after a short stay in Brazil. With the exception of a storm en countered northof the line, the Bedouin met fine weather, and, nfter n pood passttpe, steamed slowly into the Thames. I hnve only u clouded recol lection of the scene when we went ashore,though perhaps the most vividly recalled incident is the impressive fare well of Burroughs and his inamorata, by force of circumstances more panto mime than dialogue. Mrs. Loring and her niece were bound for Paris. My way lav westward. "So sorry to low; you, doctor—so sorry," Mrs. Loring declared. "Actu ally, really actually, doctor, I believe you understand my trouble better than anybody else I ever met —and oh, I)r. Morris, I have met so many! It makes me shudder, sometimes, to think of them all. But now we're going to Paris, dear Paris—Dorothy, don't let thatcab-\ man handle that valise BO carelessly! The government shouldn't, permit such men to have cabs. Yes, as 1 was say ing, Paris Is so delightful, and it would be so pleasant If you could be thuire with us. I>xtr, dear! he's dropped it, just as If it were a stone! Dorothy, please do caution him. Now, doctor, we must say au re\oir; not good-by, you know, for we shall meet again, really we shall, but au revolr. And I'm BO grateful to you! I really can't toll you how grateful I ain. You mujt send us your address, doctor, and well send you ours; and when we go back to America we shall see you again. Oh, I know we shall. Goodness gra cious! he's got the bag with the medi cine-bottles in It!" Mrs. Loring dashed forward to pre vent a catastrophe, "I trust thut your aunt is a good prophetess," I said to Miss Gray. "When do you think you will return to the states?" "Before very long, I hope; it may be within a year." "Then where will you make your home.?" "I can hardly guess. Our plans, you know, arc most uncertain." "Dorothy, Doiothy!" Mrs. Loring called. "I trust that you will have a de lightful trip," said I. "Our voyage on the Bedouin —most pleasant —-er —er — wish you—er —er —all manner—good fortune." "And aunt and I wish you every suc cess," she answered. "Remember, as she says, it is au revolr, and not good-by." She drew her hand from mine I don't kuow just how long it had been in my clasp—and I had the melancholy 'pleasure of assisting her to enU-r the ,cab. Then the vehicle rumbled u« ay, leaving behind a sorrowing young man, who stood watching it grow smaller and smaller In the distance, and who. physician though he was, risked pneu monia by forgetting, for a most unrea sonable tinne, to replace his hat upon Ids head. IV. I landed in New York on the third ,day of the new year, woefully lacking In projects for my future. Tine nvetrop 'olis seemed to offer no promising field, and I soon gave up my idea of adding another unit to its hundreds of thou sands. Then came thoughts of the west; but a chance meeting with an old classmate, who had ventured into that El Dorado of Impoverished youth and had returned even i>oorvr than he went forth, was taken as a warning against Imitating his example. So, at last, accepting llobson's choice, I re appeared In the city from which ('apt. Peck had lured me, ami once more en tnred tire, crowded ranks of Its phy sicians. It was a grow ing, bustling, ac five community, but my share in its gvnerul prosperity seemed destined to be sadly limited. I secured cheap quarters iu one of the poorer residpuce districts, thereby, jierhaps, handicapping myself greatly, but at the same time reduon buildings In course of construction In the neighborhood! thru jierhaps a call to attend sonic stranger fallen in a lit on the pavement; then u sufferer from some, chronic malady, even dec|»cr In debt than I, and changing physicians simply because the charity of the first wus worn out: such was the shadow of a practice which ap|»eared never like ly to round out Into a reality. My garments of decent black became shiny with use, while my bell-pull lost Its )H>llsh through rust. If I looked as hungry as I often felt, It was no wonder that tho ailing pa>Mcd me by. Little by little the few articles in my |*isses slon of wldch there was not altsolute need disappeared. Some were sold out right; others wrre lodged with pawn brokers. This state of things continued foi more than a year, my lot growing more miserable day by day. At long luter xals letters cauie from Perez. My re plies were mailed with (lie promptness of a man whose time hangs lieavy on his hands. There wa* no attempt In my letters to conceal my troubles; there was a certain relief In sctliug forth aii Indictment of the world In general and my neighbors iu particular. More than once T was «oroly tempted to seek u loan from him, but pride stood in the way. 1 had iu»t quite reached the jsilnt of utter defeat, but I was very clOHe to it. Not a word had been heard of Mrs. Loriug and hei niece, who, for all I knew, might IMI in Europe, Asia, Africa, or America. Let ters had come from Mis. l'eck, telling me that she uun at her home Iu Maine, awaiting the return of her husband from another voyage round tJie Horn. Her lu-alth, she vsas happy to iul«l, ap peared ty L>c reestablished. As has Iu i-ii set forth, the test of endurance went on f>»r more than a twelvemonth. It was ended in a strange manner, without warning, and at a time when I was near to despair. Ths landlord had attempted again to col lect a |»a.t of the money due him —h? could scarcely U- said to have hounded me lor it, iiiahlmicli as he hail suit, red so undesirable a tenant to fall several months IU arrears and once more he had been put off with excuses and a(>ol ogies. He had not l>een harsh in his replies, but it was easy to understand that his patience was fairly exhausted. He haer I tried to read, but with very slight success, my thoughts wandering repeatedly from the l>ook to the approaching crisis In my aff-iirs. It must have l>een for hours that I sat brooding over my per plexities. At last, more discouraged than ever by the unvarying trend of the reflections, 1 started to my feet, and, crossing to the window, raised the curtain and peered out. It was later than 1 supposed, for the lights had disappeared from the houses across the way and the pavement seemed to be deserted. Turning back to my desk, I tilled a pipe. Tobacco was the sole luxury left to me, and the stock in my pouch was running low. There came a knock at the door, a light tap thrice repeated. As I an swered the summons a man stepped Into the room, and, with a quick mo tion, closed the door behind him. He was of medium height, thin, sallow faced, hooked-nosed, with crisp, black hair and mustache shot with gray. "Dr. Alfred Morris?" he asked. I bowed and motioned him to a chair. Disregarding the invitation, he drew a letter from his pocket "For you —this," said he. The envelope bore no address. Break ing the seal, I drew out a sheet of paper on which was written: "Let the bearer command all good offices." In place of the name of the writer was a Greek cross with three dots beside, it. A second glance at the words above the device satisfied any doubts as to the identity of the man whotie hand had penned them. "This Is the best of introductions," said I. "Pray be seated. In what way can I assist you?" "It is a matter of a confidential char acter," he answered, with a glance about the room. "You may speak freely. There is no one to play the eavesdropper." "That is well. I will endeavor to trespass upon but little of your time." He spoke with a peculiar slowness, almost hesitancy (as If picking his words with great care), and with a marked accent, which at oncje betrayed that English vv as not his native tongue. "You may command me," said I. "But pardon me, your name Is not given in this note." "My name? Ah, you may call me La mar." He came closer and fixed a pair of piercing eyes upon me. "Dr. Morris," said he, "I request you to suffer me to pass by my reasons for coming here." "Your credentials are enough," said L "Rest assured I shall question you on no jioint you prefer not to explain." "And I may request also secrecy, in any event, regarding tills meeting?" "I give you my word, as I have said, thut you may command me." He paused, as If to reach a decision in some matter of great moment. I studied him with increasing curiosity, my Interest fired by tho strange cir cumstances of his visit. "I make you, then, a proposition," he said, at lust. "I wish to obtain the right of your time and attendance." I stared at him In blank amazement. What could he mean? Did he propose " And I may reqomt alio ■•creojr." to retain uio as his private physician? Was he sufficiently wealthy to indulge in such luxuries? His dress told noth ing on that score. He might have been a thrifty mechanic or a million aire. "It is my wish." he went on, "first to travel, but not far, then to seek re tirement of the quietest. Once you told a friend, a friend"—he related the word as if to emphasize it, —"of a place near the sea, solitary, remote. Js it not so ?" "Yes, I remember," said I, my thoughts flushing buck to the conver sation oil the lust night with I'erez. "My health is precarious," he con tinued. "I wish to be not disturbed, to be guarded from intrusion, as well us to receive medical attention who necessary." "In other words," I suggested, "you wish me to accompany you to the spot you have mentioned, to remain with you, and to see to It that you have th privacy you desire." "It is as you have said." "You usk a speedy decision?" "Immediate." I looked at him doubtfully, as well I might after receiving such a proposal. He gauged my thoughts, no doubt, for he pressed me ou the point where re sistance would l>e weakest. "You will be amply remunerated," said he. "May I usk the terms which will be agreeable, and which will suf fice to repay your loss In leaving the city ?" The appearance of the room might have told him how little that, loss would be. More to test him than with any well-defined Idea us to the value of my services, I said: "Two tliousuiid dollars a year, und exjM-nses, with an allowance for clos ing up my uffulrs here." "It Is agreed. Let us bind the Ivy guiu." Ami with thut he drew from his pocket a roll of bills und held them out to me. "When shall the arrangement take effect?" I asked. "Now, from this moment. Shall it lie HO?" I hesitated, but only for IUI Instant. The sight of the money ovcrjiowcrcd my doubts it represented so much to one whose fortunes were so dcs|terato. "Yes," said I, "from this moment." And I took the roll of bills. I hud ueted Ujion impulse, but it iiijiy be that lyinr tjclibuation wyuiil ISTo. 21 have brought about the Paine result. I knew nothing of the man. except that he bore n token from my be«t friend. I was ignorant even of his came, for from the first I understood Lunar to be nn alias. At his motives I could hardly guess, hut it was most probable »hat he was a |x>litical exile. At all events, association with hiiu could not change my condition for the worse. There would be at least the prospect of a decent livelihood; and. very alluring that prospect was. In short, it was difficult to discover how I should be the loser. A moderately successful practitioner would have smiled at such nn estimate as I had placed upon my services, but the ex periences of the year had not been conducive of over-confidence. So, novV that I had put myself umler this stranger's orders, I lost no time la askbig him what the first erf them might be. He replied that he wa« anx ious to leavo the city at once. "There is little to detain me," mild I. "I dare say I can be at your disposal by ten o'clock to-morrow morning." "Not so. We must depart to-night," lie answered, decisively. "What? To-nijrht? There is i.train at this hour." "I comprehend. Hut 1 piefc• ■> car riage beyond the environs. One can be obtained, can it not?" "Yes." "Then arrange for it at once. You may return for a time, if there is need." Here was haste with a vengeance. Still, if he desired it, so should it be. It mattered liftle t-> me how the night was passed. He was jxiying for his right to command, and he should havo the worth of his money. "A conveyance shall be at the door in half an hour," said I. "Will you await it here?" "No. Hut I will re.turn in the time set," said he. "First pledge me again to maintain faith." 1 gave the promise, and saw him step out into the night, with on t concerning myself greatly as to the probable out come of our alliance. Then I went my way to rouse up the owner of a livery stable near by and to bargain with him for a vehicle. Although he had never profited by my patronage, he knew me to be a physician, and therefore sup posedly subject to lale calls from dis tant patients. I had decided to drive to Merton, a town about 80 miles away, on the line of railway we would use in our journey. man exacted a still' price for the carriage, but there wo* no haggling over it, for I got as much pleasure as he from t he'exorbitant sum he demanded; there was certainly more of novelty for mc in participating In such a transaction. When, at the time appointed, Lamar returned to the ofllcr, he carried a small black satchel, which apparently con tained ull the effects he cared to take with him. The carriage was at the door, the driver grumbling to himself at tho long ride which lay before him. Once in the vehicle, Lamar nettled him self comfortably In his corner and lighted a cigar. The satchel wad on the seat beside him. I observed that his hand never left it. Neither of us spoke, often in the course of the drive. There were questions I burned to ask. but it was altogether likely that they would not be answered. As his em ploye, I felt compelled to respect his moodti and liirf present one was certain ly that of reticence. Althoogh the road utts (rood, and the motion of the vehicle easy, I felt no drowsiness; my ■(range companion supplied me with abundant food for reflection. Our Jehu took his tlirn\ aiul the. horses were not ambitious, but Itefore daylight our destination had been reached. A sleepy attendant led us to our rooms in tlie Merton hotel, and a little, later I was slumbering as peacefuly as if I had been stowed away in my ding) quarters in the city, with never a pros pect of an adventure more unusual than an encounter with a dunning creditor. [TO UE C' IJJTJSCBD.j MISCELLANEOUS ITEMS. —ltctiirns from life insurance com- Sanies show a great increase in business uring 1595. A woman in Simpson county, Ky., (•till spins and weave* all fob cloth fop the clothing worn by her husband and children. Our globe now contains 1,470,729,- 000 Inhabitants, occoiding to the latest statistics. More than half of this num ber are claimed by Asia alone. —The owner of an ostrl<*h farm at Anaheim, Cnl., Is trying to brcaK ostriches to drive in single, double 8H( tandem harness. Ills efforts arc mect» Ing with a great measure of success. - Collections of Internal revenue fol the night months of the current flscaf year have aggregated $98,981,370, a <)C crease, as compared with the corn? s|M>iullng months of IMJS, of $1,651,09JL —An Ohio girl poured a cup of ML water on the heml of her fiance for n'rf£ ing fun of her cooking. The man sank in a dead fuint, the hair dropped from his head and he is likely to die. —The current number of a humorous publication has an illustration show ing the arrest of a Turkish tramp for singing "There's Only One Cilrl in lhls World for Me"' In (rout of the sultan's seraglio. —lt is said that Or. Carver, of Augus tine, Fla., Is living in the oldest house 1"* the United States. It was built iu lMJfc and was occupied Spanish moiika lie foro St. Augustine wuj» founded. Iu tho house Dr. Carver has surrouuded himself with the history of Klorldaand the Spanish, who once ruled It, that is of Itself a veritable museum. - -The speed of a railway train in miles per hour can, il is claimed, be fo.iud by counting the number of rmlp over which a car wheel passes lu 20.3 •cccnosj because £0.3 seconds bears tno i same ratio to an hour that 30 feet, the length of a rail, bears to a mile. The hali plbtea or the thumps may lie count ed. Thus, supposing that 39 thumps arc made by a wLeel in 20.3 seconds, the train is then running at the rate of 39 miles an hour. Tliu Ocui of lh« Colloctluu. Huron X had been going over the museum of a little cotintry town, dud when about to leave he askM the cura tor if there was anything more to life seen. "Yes, baron," was the reply; "there remains a little casket." "No doubt used as a deposit for tho Jewelry of some eminent personage?" inquired the baron. "No, sir; that is where 1 put the tip* given to me by visitors to the museum." L'lllustratlon. A Nrw Kind of Tlirrml. "John," said the yosing wife, "mind you stop and get me a spool of poultry thread." . i "What Kind *>f thread, my dear'/" "Oh, I couldn't describe It so you'd un derstand. You men are ao stupid. Tho clerk will know. Tell him you want It for basting the chicken. And you can. go on down to the dress goods counter i