VOL.- xxxv MRS.J. E. ZIMMERMAN Holiday Presents.^, Enlarged and Improved Facilities for Gift Buying. £t : w s - F w- Su ts '! HANDKERCHIEFS. VALUES Waists, Wrappers, IN Silks. Dress Goods and a'l Etnen handkerchiefs,hand-emoro: .ere<! kinds of Holiday Novelties machme-eaihroidered and hemstitched, We have enough rales-people to give scallor ' e ' l edges, lace trimmed, drawn careful attention to all and prompt de- threa ' ! *'-< rl£ i,n 'l initialed—the most liveries. Come and do your gift buying complete collection ever assembled On now, while the assortment is compltte. I°* l * le most popular for Xmas; prices range from 5c up to 75 \ Dress Goods in Patterns Ladit*'Linen Initial Handkerchief -S' ! Men s Linen Initial Handkerchiefs 25c for Holiday pre *r.U— neatly folded and Women's Lace and Embroidered bound :n satin -ibbon from fi 50 Handkerchief*, 6in a trix ri.25 • to <l5O0 —plsin co'ors, inixtnres and ... „ „, . .. blacks—Percale, Seersucker .nd C.inv- Hankerchief 3 »xes, OJov-s, \eils. ! ham Ittcas Patterns. I Collar and Cuff Boxes. Fancy Mcdalion ! liox Fine Stationery 25 . and 50c nn , • c Pur Scarfs, Neckwear, I'ocketbooks, i Jackets, Pans, Table Linens, | Finest line of D>»!ls from France and Umbrella*. Mufflers, Blankets j G.-imany, Kid Imdy dolls and jointed Art Department fall to overflow with j dolls, sleeping dolls and wide-awake l«autiful novelties for Xnris gifts—Ar dolls; rlresAt-'l ami undresscl <l<»lls— ; Ltneus, Sofa Pillows and Fancy lias 1 prices from 25c up kets, etc. MRS. J. E. ZIMMERMAN. —! iNow Is Your Time To Buy Winter Footwear &&XXX&XXX We find we are overstocked -to j in.ny g,r, 1 Yes, entirely too many goods and we mast reduce our stock and reduc ?it fjuickiy, we ns.-1 mei-, and we are I X' lliK to close out a great many X o.*l* in the next few week', ami they are toiuj; very . heap It will pay you to com- miles to attend this gieat Shoe Sale for her : re the very low prices they will GO AT: Km' GrS iH ** Ladies' Rubber Boots , e Sl*?.*' l ' S"° Hoy's Rubber Hoots J, 1 Vouth.Oi Shoes yx: Men', Rubber Hoot J, s „ Jf'JW c,,t n ° x .. r 'T < ?, hoCH *' '5 Wen's Felt Hots and Over Mll 't' V,* l i, ShfJe * 75C La/l.es' iDong..!:, Flexible Sole Misses Kangaroo Calf Shoe, 50c Sh.iea 1 l*ov » Kip Loots fj.no Misses' Fine Dress Shoes 75c Children's Fine lirn.i Shr« -s joe I Complete stock of Rubber and Felt Goods of all kinds Boots and J Shoes made to order. At all times a full stock of sole leather and shoe makers supplies of all kinds. \ * Repairing Promptly Done * JOHN BICKKL. BUTLER. PA. PAPE'S. 1 Our Xmas stock of Diamonds, Watches, Clocks, Jewelry and Silverware is large and complete. Wc have a few special bargains which j wc wish to call your attention «/»: I ' Genuine Cut Diamonds for $3.75. A Little Larger one for 56.00.' Ask to see lhem. Watches. WE HAVE FROM $2-50 UP- I Be sure to give us a call for we can and will save you money. 122 S. f\aiti St., fs ut k r , Pa- Old Gold and Silver taken the same as cash. Highest market prices allowed. to ; HE IS A WISE HAN ; \ 4 f WIIO Hi;< I ItKM IIIH CLO'l 11l N<; $ t \ J. S. YOUNG, t # 5 j Thi* kinhlk, Klylc, lit itixl c«-ii«-nil make 1 M|( of' Ills Hiiiln j J "PELL their own STOF^Y V.,, , , ~,% V. . .... ~ , , f =| .STRIVING FOR EFFECT. 1/ fr\. ill /\ •' won't liny ( I'.ihnu' fur tie purpose I V \ V t— W' r "HC'liiiK iiioiiev. They d'-ire to K'tthe > \ "(A \ \ ■, V""* 1 f'ssihle results for the money expend \\ \ 71 [\ I—J 9'"' 1 Not cbetp food* tmt (oods u cheap at iv VV I ftthey can lie •oM mid jm.i'l. up prosily, ff jp —\ ,j K \l I- ( Kjrou wsnt th« rorrert thin/ ;.i th<- rornrt T" I ! if h -« r ' rt ' rn " on us, wc nave ie<lnr« d our ■ -priii# ! 1 1 ll IV AJ " ' ~u," , nt?r If"*!* down to tuak' room for \ ll| / \ |'" lr ' ,t,v y »«'((lit K(*kl«, ' /ll I ii .' ll n ||j | Pits Guaranteed. r- Merchant Tailor. 142 N. Main St., Bqtler "THE BUTLER CITIZEN. Hood's Pills Are prepared from Na ture's mild laxatives, and while gentle are reliable and efficient. They Rouse the Liver Cure Sick Headache, Bil iousness, Sour Stomach, and "Constipation. Sold everywhere, 25c. per box. I'repared by C.I. Hood i Co...Lowell.Mass. This In Your Opportunity. On receipt of tc-n cents, cash or stamps, a generous * ;n.ple will be mailed of the most popular Cat irrh and Hay fever Cure (Ely's Cream Isa>.n sufficient to demon strate the grc .i. uie;:tß of the remedy. ELY BROTHERS, 56 Warren St , New York City. Rev. John Rei<], Jr.. of Great Falls, Mont., recommended Ely's Cream Balm to me. I can emphasize his statement, '"lt is a P^ 8 '" tive cure for catarrh if used as directed."— Kev. Francis W. Poole, Pastor Centrai Pres. Church, Helena. Mont. Ely's Cream Bairn is the acknowledged criTf- for cn*arrh and r'-a'ains no mercury nor any injurious drug Price, 00 cents. Butler Business College. Butler, Pa. Several New Courses. New Management. Musical Department under the di rectoishipof Prof E Otto Davis, a graduate of the leading European and American Conservatories of Music, and a finished musician. On-,: of the finest in the stat'-. I'iano, Voice, Violin, Orchestration. In strumentation, Composition, I'iano Tuning, htc Everything und«*r the head of music. Business Department. Reporter's Shorthand Course giving til-- graduate an average speed of 175 »<>rd-> per minute. Expert Accountant's Book-keeping Course, which prepares the graduate for any kind of book-keep ing and exj>ert work, and deals especial ly with Joint Stock Company and Cor poration Accounting. 1 Students can enter at any time Call lor write for prospectus. Call on or I address A. F. REGAL, Prin., 327 S. Main St., Butler, Pa. Peoples' Phone 271. ! lull 174 Braun's Pharmacy, Cor. 6th St. and Duquesne Way. Pittsburg, Pa,, L. D. Telephone 2542. Wholesale and Retail. Imp >r.cr .iiui Jobber of Drii'.;s, • In rnit als, IVrfumes, Soaps, ]it iisljcs, Etc. The only louse west of New Vork carrying a ( ill line of Mcy rs' urease, I'aint , and theatrical goods. Physicians' Prescriptions L-Niv.'.H, >v Wholesale and retail dealer in Lubricating and illunuiiatmg ('ils, ( apital Cylinder, Dynamo, Water White .and Standard Gas Ln;;irie Oils, Gasolein, Ucn zine, I'araffme Wax and I'etrolatum. Address all mail orders to W. F. Braun. Pianos. The Chickering-Chase Bros. Co. j CHICAGO, ILLINOIS. Manufacturer* ol Grand and Upright Pianos Have placed on exhibition at No. 317 S. Main St., Butler, Pa., a '.ample lot of then fine Upright Pianos. These Pianos, coming direct from the factory and sold to you by the manu facturer, means * l-irgc saving in the purchase of a piano. The celebrated Chase Brother', and I lack ley I'iaiH * arc endorsed by all lead ing arti'its. These pianos can be bought on easy terms to suit the purchaser. Piano# and Organs taken as part payment in ex change. t'onie and see them and make a I selection for Christmas. We Can Save You Money. w. R NEWTON, Kcprcaentative. Don't Shiver! vVintcr is lu—c and you need limn; I'.ianl.'ts, Koiji:.-., Sl'.i;;lis, Sleds, B< lis 01 something about your llorv; or ham what is the use of your around and paying twenty-five per cent, more for them than you can l>uy tin tn here lor. kctncmbi i we are the largest wholesale and retail deab-rs in ottr line in Ihe state We pay no rent, no in'ueHt on borrowed capital, I •'•!< after our busine-is ourselvi s and pay no salarit s, piy spot cash foi t.vtrythiny, we buy all f'-t yom benefit which you • when you ileal here. ' all and Hei: any way. MARTINCOURT & CO., No. 12X K. Jefteisoti St., S. 11. MAK'I I V <JI HI , 1 J. M. 1.M.'.HM.1;. f " H< I'. S. We also *.el| Trunk* and r Valise:; BUTLER, I J .A., THUHSDAV, DECEMBER IM 8 -M ||lp||ps I |m 7 CLAREnCE HERSSPT riErt/. [Copyright. by J B Lippincott Co.] niAPTER I. "Henry M. S;cvtf,s. Manila (via ITor.g --1 Xor.gr. "Uuolni -BU-; ndcd. Cancel unshipped i orders. Ijrav, I..'irri:- jja A* Co. balance to j date. f&> L\.\Tl.\i. ai COMI'AST." I remember as if it happened but j yesterday the queer feeling which ! i-anie over uie whei 1 rea<i the forego i ing cable. It hud been an unn.-ally warm day for March, and 1 was trying to keep eool in th- lounging-room of the European club, on the river bank, a short distante from the city. My business in Manila wa.-> practically fin ished, and ' w:.s. anticipating a feu days of recreation before ihe llong- Kong steamer !• ft. upon the following Tuesday, when the message was hand ed me by one .( the native boys em ployed by the club. It was such a thorough surprise thai for several moments I did not realize ♦he position in which it placed me. I nad oeen the eastern representative of I.aritine & Company foi o.'ir twoycars. and, although at y savings had disap peared throng', a scries of ill-advised investments, my position seemed such t secure one that money matters sel dom troubled me. Now. however, after drawing from the Manila bank ing and shipping 1 ouse the amount mention* .1 i t.ip dispatch, my entire capital >o.isisied of something less than three huinlieo «!<>lJars, and i had no idea which nav to look for employ ment. Two of me leading Manila merchants happened to be in the club at the time, and after can puling the purchases I had made from tin m on behalf of my house I cabled to Hong-Kong and Shnngnai In the hope of heading off shipments ord. red there during the I previous month. Then, driving to my j bote ir, Hinondo- the Oriente—l set lied mattei> as far as lay in my power, and was ready for dinner before eight o'clock. The Oriente. being new and pro gressive, sets one of the best tables in the easl. and, a experience with orien tal life brings the conviction that neither hurry nor worry is con ducive to good health, I took my time over the meal. Then, lighting a che root, I walked down the IC-coltn as far as the Puciiic d'l'spana, which con nects Hinondo'.villi the old walled cit adel of Manila, and, leaning against the hand-rail under a solitary electric light, watched the canoes and hancos on the I'as.ig while I tried to-do alittlc figuring as to my immediate prospects. Three hundred dollars would land me in New York by careful management, but there was no certainty of employ ment when I reached there; and the rm'ilira 'uetweirt niiiDiiaiiia wra Singapore that an immediate opening In the east seemed unlikely. At first I could think of nothing but my uncomfortable predicament. Hut after awhile the influence of a good dinner and tin* soothing qualities of the climate began to make themselves felt. I found myself watching the motley crowd of all nationalities which paved ind repassed across the bridge, the crowds of laughing Mestl/.a and Visaya girls .trolling along through the Pasco to hear the military bum) at I.uncta, groups of Chinamen sauntering about after the day's busi ness, rnd Spanish officers driving In carromata* with the ladies of their families. Down the river were rows of ► mall coasting steamers and brigs, each spar and funnel nut lined distinct ly by electric lights on the quays; be yond them, a red -pari from the light house upon the northern mole, arid cattered lights from larger vessels which lay at anchor two or I liree iniles out In the bay. Wfille watching these, I noticed a government launch coining up the river. The Ininlinr step* <,f the <iuay Uere but a feu | ae> below the bridge, and I could easily •■< 1 the faces of two men as they stepped a horc from her. They were both strange to me. but there was something about the walk of om which seemed familiar. I pre sume my own face must have been dis tinct, as I leaned over the rail, for the man glanced scurchlngly at me as he climbed f o the . tree t level. \ t fl rst lie turned and walked away everal steps, evid*-ntly under the Impression that he had made a mistake, then came back, a'< if to cros . th« brid"ge in front of me We looked each other In the eye for s second; then he stopped, and said: "If you're not Harry Htevcns, of New York, I've madi tlichiggr-.t mistake of my life." I grasped the outal retched hand and began to see •something familiar be hind the brown beard. "Yes, I'm Harry Stevens, but hold on a minute. Weren't you with the Oceanic Sfetuii'hip company, several years ago? I'y.love! It can't be Hick llalstead? What? Well I'm blessed! Where on earth iWd you drop from? You have changed, and no mistake." "Possibly. Hut you haven't, old chap; I'd know you anywhere. Say. look here, we've got a heap to talk about: come up to the club. No, never mi mil t he carroma ta; It's cooler on t he river. We'll go up In fhe launch." "Hut how the d'-uce? I thought >hc belonged to the goveitiinent ?" "That's right ■■> do I. for the pres ent." We had lake our seats In the »lern, and were gliding up the motion less stream. "I've been In command of thai tranip, tlie Counte of llevon, for over a year you see her lights out there, two mil) from the mole mid the biggest stockholder In the com pany that owns her is old I.eon Kami re/., "f l.iv rpool nd this place, ■iii when ih< l-liide I'ona[>e, thai used to carry mail to th' Carolines and bud rones, ran fi-h'.i*' fin Ksplrltn Hull to, Kamlre/ch:, i |c red theCountes* to the j/ovi Mini' nl her until the com pari I n e julf I spare aunt hi rof their own boats with big enough coal capaelty t«» make the trip. That was last Septem tier, and they luaililge thing- <0 slowly tbfet I'm .till running -uipplio- out to those Islanders, once in tlirei months, w'tl. a Seufeli engine) r and a Spanish i re w. con nee t Ing with 'h <■ Me. ugerie* boats at Haigon the r< I of tin- time Now tell me under what the canopy brings you out here." "Hihliicim!. of course; you didn't think I was traveling on my monry, did you? I've been buying ( iiii n goods, assorted devils, and Manila in(it ting for batlf Ine <V to. m bont Iwo yea rs. Hp to three o'clock this afternoon i pet led to keep f,ii buy Ing t lie in until uiy liver refused to stand the climate, but about that l thi* cable changed :ny plans for •... ." HaUtcad looked " thoughtful as he read the message ! j which I l.a- >'• ! hi - - We had reached 3 the club quay, and v. re climbing to i ♦he balcony, uher.- the boy presently 1 t brought us cigars: cr.ff e. "M-ii:-ni-in —how ■ will it take you to close mn'.t.rs up for the com- j f pur.y ?" r "They're settled m.w, as far as any- , f thing I can do. I? v.iil be a month be fore they can get letters out here, but the orders air. ady ~liipi <-d will have to , be paid for. Larrinaga's people told j me this evening that they knew old . man Lantine to be individually good r for all the bouse bought. This cable, however, winds up my connection with them for the present." "And you haven't decided what v ou're going to do next?" "Not yet. I'U probably go to Ilong- Kong on Tuesday and see how things ■ look there." "Why not take a little vacation? You've been working hard, and a rest would do you good. Itun out to the I.adrones with me. It's a fine voyage at this time of year, and I'm so sick of talking mixed language* that it'll be I a perfect godsend to have an old friend along. Come now, what do you say?" "Why, I don't know. I'd like nothing better, if—m-m-in-m —there's really no rea.-on why 1 shouldn't. When do you sail?" "About midnight." "What, to-night?" "Sure. I only came ashore to get my papers from the custom house, and ] should be getting down there as soon as I finish this cigar. The mail's on ( board now, I gue->s. You're stopping I I at Ihe Oriente, of course; how long will it take to get your duds together?" i "Fifteen minutes. Hut how about a ' passport? The commandsnte'« office i closed at noon." I "That's all right. No one'll stop you on a government launch, mid I'll tukc care of the rest. Come along." 1 In three-quarters of an hour Ha'- stead and I reached the (jiiay with my t f> " Si. Srnor I " luggage, and 20 minutes later we were climbing the Countess of J)evon s ac commodation ladder out in the bay. I'he Spanish mate «tood at the top and touched his cap. llalstead looked along the gangway and said: "All the passengers aboard, Mr. Diaz?" "Hi, sen or." "Pilot come off with Mr. McPher- SOTI ?" "fji, senor." "All right. Oet your anchor up find find how much -he's drawing. Tell Mr. Moreno to lie careful that Iron buoy doe- n't foul the screw this time and have the quartermaster bring Mr Stevens' luggag' up to my room. The steward can give the passengers bis cuit* and coffee If they want It before turning in there are only a dozen, I think and eat the ladies' party at my table in the morning. Now, old chap" (turning to me), "I'm going to ( give you the extra berth in my cabin, and vou <an do you p|c:nc on board 00 to sli ' p now. if you like, or bring ii •tool upon th. bridge and 'moke I shan't turn until after breakfast." "II that's the case, I'll stay with you. .Ins! to humor my fool curiosity, 1 wish you'd explain why you slart at such an ungodly hour. There's no bar to croM, so the tides can't make any diIT. rcnce." "No; there's plenty of water, but utter passing ('ape Santiago there isn't another light in the strait. There are two dim ones on the no'theas' cor ner of liurias Island, but they're not visible to west'ard, and I want to see where I'm navigating between Burlai and Tieao. We'll get there about five o'clock to-morrow morning, -ought to pass Santiago at breakfast time to day, «o that during the night we'll have plenty of elbow room." "Suppose you strike rain or fog?" "We won't. This is the morning of March 20, Isn't It? Well, two weeks from to-morrow it'll be sultry, and still, ond hot as Tophet. After that the alr'll smell like a furnace until April 21. Then there'll be a hurricane in this bay that will send a pile of ships ashore and spread cor/i'gateil Iron roofs all over the landscape, and from that time to about theflr-t of October the ueathei'll be simply hellish rain, hurricanes, fever and mud. In other words, the southwest monsoon will have sei in for six month*. You ought i to know when the moi,-oon changes. If you've been out here two years.' "Well, I Hippo-.' I ihould, but I've I sj.cnt the summers In Yokohama am! Shanghai, and tin} don't make so , much difference up there. It was a perfect night. The wind j ! had died down until there was scarce I , J' a ripple i.ii the water ami each pin ! ticiilar star was reflected In It. lie lights of I nvite, on our left were fast dropping astern; and, approaching , i orregldor Island at the of | the bay, about three oldock, the moun tains of th" Piquito on the south head with the Sierra dc Marlveles on the , north rose like dark blm ghosts 4,000 fi et In the air. ' orregldor it self stood I over •>'»(» feet above high water, the , light on lis summit filling flic rocks with grotesque shadows as we passed j e'ose under it. llalstead occasionally called my at -1 tintion to solnc proml/jent point, but Jie nut too closely occupied In watch i log the different bearings to talk very much; and, although we didn't drop s the pilot until well past f ape Santiago, i ' could see that my friend preferred I to know himself Just how tils ship was b< Ing navigated. After a six-o'clock I breakfast we turned In and slept un- til ndon. Then we went below and sat down at our fir.-t meal with the passenpers, only four of whom spoke our language, so that the conversation was mostly carried on in rudimentary Spanish. CHAPTER n. The captain's cabin was an exceed ingly comfortable one. with a large thart table in the middle, cushioned transoms around tht sides, and sev eral luxurious rattan chairs. It was situated upon the hurricane deck di rectly under the wheel-house, and had large windows instead of the usual torts, so that we had an uninterrupted Mew of everything that was going on. W hile I smoked an after-dinner cigar i-r.d enjoyed the breeze which blew through our quarters, the strange and rapid succession of < vents that had lesulted in my being bound for the most forgotten corner of the i arth's surface struck me very forcibly. Every f< u moments some reminiscence of eld times would occur to one or the other of us. and I finally asked Ital ■ fead if he were married. "No." he said; "I'm not. I was just going to ask the Mine question. It stem? rather odd that we tuo should \ave reached the age of—let's see; I'm 2.~i. and you can't be' far from it— without settling down. Do you know, old chap. I'm beginning to think 1 haven't made much of a success In life." "Oh, I dou't know. You're likely to hatt a ship as loug as you want to go to si a, aren't you? And the house would probably offer a fairly good berth ashote, if you felt like taking it." "I suppote so. as long as the pres ent management remains unchanged. J»ut, even so. there's no chance of making a fortune at it. Here we are, you and I, two jnen in the prime of life, and able thoroughly to enjoy all the good thing-, in it, yet I suppose we are likely to keep on drudging for some or.e else at long as we live. In the ong run the fellow who persistently drudges comes out ahead, and then lie's too old to enjoy his good fortune. It takes a young man to apj i elate the things that money will buy. Now why can't we strike a bit of luck some where. find a buried treasure or some thing at the sort, and then live like princes In London or New York, in stead of frying our gizzards out In the East Indies? Isn't there a fairy godmother that we might propitiate?" "M-m-m, I don't seem to remember any In my family. But. speaking of treasure, aren't we sailing over pretty much the same track as -hat followed 1 y the old galleons?" "That's right; same track, to a mile. To-morrow morning f'll show you Port Sr.n Jacinto, on the Island of Ticao. where they used to wait for a favorab!e wind in beating through the Pan Bernardino passage. Anson's ships watched for them just outside •he 'Kmbocadero.' as it is called In Spanish, and they all stopped at tlie Ladrones for pigs and water on the voyage across." "Well, weren't they usually loaded Hth a pretty rich cargo?" "Rich! Why. man, the Acapuleo gal lon brought between two and three millions iu silver dollars, gold doub loons and Indigo to Manila, once or twice every year. You see. the junks used to come down from Hon" Kong 'r. March or April, loaded \vith,fcilk luro t>nu"ht and. after keeping what they wanted for personal use shipped to Acapulco on speculation. Mexico was a viceregal province then, and the Philippines was a subdepcndency. The return galleon brought the proceeds of these speculations; though, us the holctas, or shipping permit* for trans portation space, were Issued by the gobernadors for revenue, they prac tically amounted to a Philippine sub sidy." "That's about as I remember It. There were a good many galleons wrecked on the coral islands, weren't there?" "Lots of them; they were great un wieldy tubs, always loaded beyond their carrying capacity. And, by the way, that reminds lue of un Instance which I happen to know about, more or less directly. Last voyage, Padre Julian, who has been in charge of the mission on Saipau for .to or 4U years, came home with inc. Ihe old chap is a good deal of u student, and has the history of these islands at his finger-ends' best judge of rum and sherry I ever saw. I used to fill him up with good liquor, jmt to see lilm enjoy It and hear the stories he told when the stuff got Into his blood. Among other things, he told me one night about the loss of Nucstru Scnora de Sevlllu In 17«i0 on the Santa Itosa Itccf, somewhere south -of (luajaii. The padre was pretty mellow, and I guess said more than he meant to, for I never could get another word out of liihi about the wreck. It seems that a native in one of the flying proas the Island catamaran*, you've heard of them found an unconscious ofHccr lashed to a spur several miles out at sea, and turned him over to Fray lg undo, who wus then running the church nt Agunu, when he came In. The fray and his brother priests suc ceeded In restoring the man long enough to get his account of the wreck, together with the approximate position of the galleon when she struck; then he died. Being methoo lenl old chaps, they jotted the story all down, and Fray Ignnclo signed It. I hen, llk<- the pious old Imbeciles that th«'\ were, they burled the document, with several others, in the fray's sarcophagus when he got through with life. I belle ic he and his bo* ate now In the crypt under the church The story seemed striil«ht enough, and 1 guess there's no doubt of there being two or three millions of good rusty money lying lit the bottom of the ocean, south of Ouajan, to this day. It might as well be in the Bunl' of Kngliind us far us we nre con cerned. Another case of life's little h oni« • . Ikll *t it V" "Mow deep Is the water there 7" "Well, the Alert got from id.OOO to 4,Di)O fathoms near there iu IHHI say two to four miles. Why, were you thinking of diving for It? ' "Not exactly. 1 meant the depth oil th 111 reef." "Oh, Hunt a Itosa? 1 couldn't tell you that. 'I here are no soundings) of It, even on the Spanish charts, though It was la id dow non 1 >lll ry tuple's a nil (an tova's older maps. Dumpier salo. lie found It In IOH ii, four fathoms under water. One of the galleons struck on it In tiding to avoid his ships while they were lying at (iuajan, and had a deuce of a time ttlng off. but no cap lain has seen th. kllghtCSt Indication of a reef there since that time. Most nf th<se Islands are volcanic, you know, and It may have sunk to the three or four tulle level. "Very sllkely. till, the ships that, looked for It uiitrhl have been there at a time of year when the weather was unfavorable for l» search. "Vuu mean ?" '•'l hat, as bi| 1111e protmble, they may hiiv>- been cruisltrg during 'he sum trier. I hat would be the southwest monsoon, wouldn't it? Raic, fog. hur ricanes—" "That's so." "And the water might have been so lumpy that careful sounding would have been out of the question." "Hardly. They wouldn't attempt to sound in bnd weather, unless for their own sa:ety. Still, they might not have happened to try it when they were over the exact snot, and the -hifring of the mon&oon might make anything like an accurate search impossible. Oh. I wouldn't venture to say that there is no reef dure; its existence and position are not definitely known, that's all. But suppose there is. Sup pose for the sake cf argument that its lagoon isn't more than luO feet or so deep, how much chance do you thii Iv there would be of finding even lie fragments m" a hulk lost there 12(1 ; years npo'.' Why. man, it would have a coral jacket on so thick that you'll ha\« to use dynamite if it were above water. Coral deposit increases at the 1 ate r.f an eighth of an inch a Near, 01 more, according to A -a-si/: that would make make a tliicl 1 i> - of about ■ls in 'k s. Ai'di: '_ r shell-ii. h and other : marine growth, it w« u'<! 1 «■ safe to fig ! nre t u u or three feet, wouldn't it ?" "Probably; but I thought that coral, diuto(..:i>'Cae. and fcramir.ifera depos ited | i rpendiculariy on these volcanic atolls V" "Thai's so. If the wreck lay in a bold | :ticn some of her ride timbers might >ii!l be exposed, or at least cov ered \er< thinly. Harry-, what crazy notion have you got in your lieudV There isn't one chance in a million ol an attempt to raise that treasure be- ing suecissful. It would l.e folly to think of trying it without a fully ' eqoipped w recking steamer ar.devrn then you'd have piracy to contend ' with at orgy cur crew ' "Well. I became Irtere-trd in the story. \i.d then the idea 1 ccurred t. me that. 1 inp out of a job. there would be nothing to I iec'i r my Inv - titrating the tli:':g n lit!!. .Itbl fo: the s:ike ol 1 >s*gnme it. ; ,w -we 1. : i'ht as well ' amuse c;ir> !ve»with 'M anything, -snji-c I were to ieave r!,l turner nt (Sua.an; l.at"- th. ■. -t and most southerly l.adrone. 5-11 *! It? Ilight. Then sis;:;, e I >Uiu'i! happen to get hold of Fray i m count of the ' shipwrecked olllcer. a:.d should find fr it ji!»t where the galleon went down. ' I'd very likely f(et inv self into 11 serious , *crape, but just suppose I should man age to see the document sifter all. Then suppose I took a little trip some day on one of those (lying catamarans— they make I knots sometimes, if I re member correctly- and succeeded in locating this reef. Suppose I had a diving suit with me; there probably isn't such a thing between 'Frisco and the Yokohama navy yard, but imagin ation is cheap. Suppose I actually found something that looked like an old wreck, crusted over w itli coral, and tried a dynamite cartridge on it. Sup pose 1 found something there, and stowed it away until you could join me eh ?" HaNtend was filling his pipe as I spoke, but his fingers t rem bled a lit tie lie took several long, meditative puffs without saying a word. Then he got up and licgan to pace the deck, up und down, back and forth. Presently he cleared the table and spread upon it an linray chart of the western Pacific be tween New (iulricn und Japan. Aftci tfrrf ifi imrttnrrn 1 nrror, uinert trr .enrr consulted. The conversation had drifted casually Into this channel from its association with the l.adrone voy age, but the subject was taking hold of us with the grip that such seeming impossibilities often will; and all sorts of wild absurdities flushed through my mind as I watched the captain s fa< e. After what seemed an hour of calcula tion over the chart and directory, 1m said: "That reef husn't been found by any vessel since 1710, but it isn't safe to ac- 9l fi x/ $ •Thai ret I hain't b«cn lound by My *•»»•! since >740-" cept the fact as conduslre evidence against It M present existence. It is a difHcult mutter to tlx the position of .my ship exuctly on a chart. Compass deviation, or trifling errors IN the ad- Justment of ii sextant, may easily make a illfferenee of several miles. Then again, these ISIBIKIS are probably the most unfrequented portion of the earth's surface. I don't know of A spot HI. seldom visited HH the badroncß; the upverniiH lit itself only cominunlcutes With them four times a year. Now, that galleon would have been ap proacblng ffom almost due east, mas Ing for (iuajan I'ort Han I.IIIHII Apra. The prevailing winds, being no'theas' to eas', would drift the coral frag rncnt* over to west'ard, forming a shoal In goon and breaking an entrance to It on the lee side. In that cafe, a ship i|7lder f„| r headway would either drive firmly on to the first bold ledge or ■ hove herself over the ridge Into the lagoon. Ho that, reasoning from pure thepry, the chances are against her having Mink along the more prcclplt 011s face, which may go straight down a thousand fathoms or more. Ihe same prevailing no'thcastcrly wind and waves which break and scatter the coral grit to leeward would have 11 tendency to crumble the deposit on a hulk in the same direction, leaving one side, or one end, more or le*s exposed If Nuestra Senora de Hevilln was head Ing about west when she struck, with the intention of Just clearing Tocos reef at the south end of (jiiajun, and If >iie lodged firmly In that position when sin- sank, her for'ard part would be pretty well sealed in with coral, but tin' liiich poop, where most of the specie WHS carried, might not hnve more than 11 n Inch or two of Incrustation. Theoretically, the possibilities of re covering any of that money amount to this: If the Santa KOBB reef exist* to day as It diil In I7i,W, If that galleon drove up' 11 It 11* I hate been figuring out, if a man were provided with div ing apparatus which would enable him to uiak' 1 n careful and protracted e* auiiiiatlon of the ledge under water, also pick and cartridges to work with and If It were possible to preserve ab solute M crecy as to his operations, or to traiMport the stufT without exciting suspicion, there's just about one elm 11 re ■ 1 11 thousand that he might get as far us a livllUed country with it. As for taking any of the natives Into I}is 5011 lldenei will. the old navigators named them 'Ladrones' wlieii the Islands were discovered. That means 'thieve ' In Kngliili, and from my e* 01 lieln e there lust VOVlllfC 1 should SUV the hereditary taint is not ret extinct. They "re a peaceable lot generally, but you can't depend upon them. In ISM ai:d IS9O the Kanakas at Yap murdered fven Sj aniard in the place, just after that affair in which the (ierinan war ship l.ti- fried to grab the Carolines for tin' kaiser.™ "That's a prettj formidable lot of "ifs." 1 should say. How many people do yo«: suppose know anything about this particular wreck?" "That depends how often Padre Julian has talked of it in his cups. When he found that he must have said eometliing to me abcut the affair dur ing one of his irresponsible periods, li nt tempted to pass it off as a yarn; then he shut up on the subject like a clam. I doubt his havingan idea that it would be possible to recover anything from the galleon, or that he thinks the mat ter anything 'mure than a church se cret which his regulations would for bid him to r- veal. In that caso. possi b!y tw> oth r priests besides himself may know of the facts; but it isn't \f !\ lliai they have disturbed the old lay's collin to verify then). On th* Jther hand, there is u chance that his teuson for leaving the island where he iia* remained so long may be a deter mination to consult nautical authori ties in Manila and figure out the prac-" ticability of locatiug the wreck." "Then, e\en if we should consider the matter seriously, there would be no time to procure divings-apparatus from Yokohama or elsewhere? If the padre really has anything of the kind iii view he might complete his prepara tions and return by the next steamer at the latest, mightn't he?" "Kasi'v. That would give him six month- away—time enough to get al most anything he wanted. Hut, old chap—it is the strangest coincidence I ever knew—there are a complete div mg-stiit and equipments on this very steamer, now, in the after hold." "What! You don't mean it! Why, how the dev —" We were glaring at each other excitedly and with mi al most superstitious feeling. From mere speculation, the subject was as suming a tangible reality that was fairly startling. "Yes, I do mean it. It seeius as if the fairy godmother had determined to shike our skepticism just when we were denying her existence. Old Ap pleby. in Singapore, had an idea a year ago that lie wanted one of the best and latest improved diving-suit* that money could buy. Whether he in tended to go hunting for trensure him self or not. I don't know—the Malay pirates lost hundreds of their luggers in the strait but when we were load ing for London he handed me 50 sov creigns to buy one for him. aud on reaching port I got the finest thing of the kind to be hud. It can be used either with or without an air-pump. There is a knapsack chamber which is provided with chemical arrangements for renewing the oxygen and can be chargt d with i-ompressed air by means of a geared pump so that the wearer may stay under v. ater for three hours; I believe it's un improvement on the nouqunyro! idea. Well, I was quite pleased with the thing, and knew Ap pleby would like it; but when I made Singapore again they told me the cholera hail been too much for the poor fellow, and his executors refused to accept the package. There was no nting the i»/.«reet. and have lugged it around ever since." "Well, I'll be ! Say. Dick, this seems to pretty effectually dispose of your biggest 'if:' how about the others? See here, old fellow; you and I may go to our grave* without ever seeing n million of money, or the hundredth part of it; yet I don't be lieve there are two men on earth who could enjoy life more If they had such a sum. At this moment f don't know where to turn for an immediate in come. If you should get into difficul ties with your owners you might be pretty short for awhile, yourself. Now, the whole combination of cir cumstances since yesterday ufternoon seems providential to me, and I feel like making a determined attempt to get that money. Why, suppose we should have the luck to recover a mil lion each! 1 ><> you know what such a sum would mean in London or New- York ?" "I)o I? \V« li ! Hy I hi- great horn h [ too u, 1 'in \\ it li y mi, 11 HIT) ! l«Ut how in ? lon n't leave the ahlp,you know. And it would be folly to depend upon b< ing m*nt out here next trip. The ('OIIUICHK IK only chartered, iind they hate like the mbiehlef to employ any thing bill Hpunixh bottouia—" "Well, now, hold on; one thin# at u time, and we'll get ahead fanter. How long before you expect to get through the lalandi thla trip? There may be time enough to do aomething." "About 17 or 1H day*, from the time we arrive at Yap to the day we leave (IIIIIJan. Hut, don't jou nee, that won't help IIK any. tJuaJan I* the last stop; I go Mmight back to Manila from there. You might get from Yap to Onajan on one of the eatiimariiiiH, but the native* are no navigator*, and It would be pretty rlaky bimlne**." "It would be out of the qucatlon Illlike (iuajnn tlri>t, 1 nuppoM?" "lint her. <»f coil rite it might be done, but at the rl*k of liming my coiu- IIIIKHIOII and getting Into hot water bc nldc*. You fee, the regular trip for yenm haa been to make llrnt, be .-■auac the Caroline and I'elew govern ment* there Include two lieutenant colonel** ii K gobcriiador*. agnlnat one IN the I.adromn. From Yap the ahlp gficH to l'onynlpete, or Ponape, the largeM lulnnd in the Caiollnea, and from there to (iuajati. Thl» trip, a« It happenx, I'm Inatructed to take In KIIKIIIC nl*o, nt the east end of the group; «o yon Ker a change of eourae might raUe considerable unpleanant neaH." "If thesn inlanders were a filleted ultli either push or discipline. It might. But the\ seem to take life jiictty i asy don't trouble themselves about lit tie thing*. Couldn't we think up a valid excuse for changing the course machinery or coal some thing of that kind?" "Coal wouldn't do. We're carrying more than enough to get back on. and tlicre's lit tlc or none In the Islands. As for machinery in' we-1 1 Look here. Harry; u-can't put a thing Ilk" this through without assistance. We'll have to take tome one into our confi de nie, though it may not be necessary 1„ .1" SO entirely Now, McPherson my engineer, has sailed with me, off and <•■> for several years, and Is under obligations t<. me besides. The nature of those obligations I won't discuss; It Is sufficient that while I don't take any stock in average human nature, I can rcH upon I.is doing anything In f lie mor Id for me; and If we should get hold "ft hat money I'd like Mae to have a share of It. even If It were only a t tli is 11 one We won't tell him the whole . heme .it first, but lie can help ns more than anyone else, and will keep his mouth shut, too, What do >Oll say? Shall we let hllll III?" "By nil menu*. From what I've seen of Mac J like 111 111 very much; and, M you say, «e need all the assistance we No. SO can saleiy get. , , 'J* Hals tend l sent one of the quarter* , masters below for McPherson, andlQ a few minutes he appeared in the dioor* way. Glancing along the deck to see that no one was within hearlnjf, the captain closed, the door and said l : "Mac. I've known you and>Steven9«o long that 1 thought you should be bet ter acquainted with each other. We were talking of the voyages you and 1 ha\e sailed together, and thought we'd like to have you join with us in ft little speculation. Whether there will be much of anything in it or not we can't say: in fact, it wouldn't W fair to raise your anticipations by going into the particulars. But we are willingto agree that if (he scheme should be successful we'll do what's right. I I guess you know me pretty.well, and I'll answer for Stevens. Now, are you will ing to help us with no more of an ex planation than that?" "Aa think ye needna* ask me thit, ITanlstead. Ye kin mak' yersel' easy thit A a'II do onvthing ye saay wt* lft ; tie adoo a boot it. We be three amang faariners oot in this parrt o* the warld, an' Aa fancy we'd best pull tagither." j "That's what I thought you'd, say, Mas. Now, it seems to me necessary that Stevens should get to Guajan as soon as he possibly can. He will go ashore there and start thing* moving. Whether we will be able to communi cate with him again this trip is rather doubtful; but if we don't, you and I have got to put it up for another voy age out here when we see Ramirez. If the compania happen to have the other 3H boat ready, it'll be no fool of a job, cither. The question just now is, how are we going to change our course without getting into trouble with the government? With some ironclad, reasonable excuse, we might do It How much coal have you?" j "Saemthing oonder a thoosan' ton. Tha government 'ill pay for but nine knots nn lioor, an' thlt'll lenve a plenty for emalrgencics, oovcr an' abuve what Aa'll burrn In thn foor wiks." "Then you could safely shove her up to 12 or 13 knots, if we wantcdito hustle • little, without running short?" "Ay; ye can have mair ef necessary. She's made her foortcen In smooth rater." I "Well, the Yap people are the only ones who would really kick. Even they would stand five or six days all right as far as leaving for Manila goes. But if we happen to have any sea-sick pas scngers, they'll never forgive the extra days of unpleasantness as long as they live; and I don't remember whether any of them ure going to Tomil or not —" "There's but cne for Yap—thacura— tha yoongest of tha twa padres." "And one padre is fifty times worse to deal with than the ordinary) pas senger; the chanqes arc that he can turn the whole machinery of govern ment against a fellow if he chooses." "Ay, thlt's vcrra true. ButelyeVe tha padre's cenfiucnce wl' ye, it'equlte anlther matter. Aa've a thocht in ma liald thit yc may nrrange It wl' then twa." "Let's have it, That's what we want to get at." "Weel, tha oold padre's a verra een flential moil. Aa'in toold thit he's tac be thaliaid o'all tha Ledrrones, an.' he's vcrra ainxlous tae reach Saipan ar iWti Err Hill WIIIB llBWi moon (I. Noo, Aa'm thlnkin' thit ef Ai wair tac stop tli" oingiiie—say three days from this—an' gaivc oot thit ma shaft wair cracked, ye might say ye wair foorced lac put in at Apra, where ye'll get a coople o' rings from tha wrlckaigc o' the Dutch tramp thit wair east ashoore there twa year agoo. Aa kin scrratch tha shaft sae 'twill liae tli' appearance o' a crrack tae ma SpcnniKh alngincers, an' there's na ithcr plcss where ye'll be laik tae And a bit o' luachcenery. Then ye'll aix plaln tha scetuatlon tac tlia padre, an' saay thit ef he'll gie a rcpoort in Mancrla hoo tha chcngc o' the coorse kem aboot, ye'll carry him tae Saipan —thct he'll not hae tha trcep tae mak' on a prooa." llalstcad and 1 looked at each other, Mcl'hcrson's idea seemed practical and plausible. There was no question whatever that a padre of sufficiently good standing could smooth over about nnytlilng he pleased, and, If an obligation to himself were part of the iregularity, It seemed very likely that he would see there were no ques tions asked. While we were discussing the matter, 1 couldn't help mention ing my Instinctive dislike to Padre Se bastian He was one of your plausible, fat and oily men, who study human nature almost from their infancy and lead your thoughts in spite of you. In fact, my acquaintance with the Jesuits In the cast had given me a wholesome respect for that marvelous penetration which Is so important a factor In the Influence they exert upon all classes. Both the captain and the engineer agreed with me that the padre was a dangerous man in more ways than one, but could see Qt reason why his peculiar influence »l.iiilld be exerted against us. Having come to a definite under standing that we would investigate the wreck of the gnlleon as far os Uiy In our power, It was difficult to get the matter out of our minds. Several 'lines we were on the point of tak ing McPherson more fully Into our confidence, but. while we trusted him is one of ourselves, It seemed that mat tirs were scarcely ripe for that yet{ mil I don't think he had the faintest suspicion a* to the exact nature of the scheme. What the tie was be i ween him ami Halstoad I never knew, <..>« It «n». sufllob n'!j slroni to make the engineer follow my friend's sug gest lonn blindly; and his assuranco Hint Mao should be squarely treated if the speculation proved successful lieeined to have all the weight of a bond. We agreed thai it would be unwise for ns to be seen in frequent conversation; so, beyond an occa rlonal Inspection of the machinery In his company, I saw very little of Mo l'liurson. fro sr. coxTiNcao.l ■ ■■ This ll■ v»r«l In K»a'""^- Cyclist (to sleepy-looking villager)— Are you .* native of this village? Villager Ami what? Cyclist Are you a native of the vil lage? Villager Hey? CyclUt 1 asked you if you were a native of this place. Mrs. Villager (appearing at the open door, acridly)* Ain't yc got no sense, Jim? He means wu* ye llvln' here when yer wus born, or wu* yc born before ycr begun llvln* here. Now an iwer *1 in. —London Tit-Bits. A Oomesllo Kslsms. Thn Caller—J'm all mixed up as to what to do. Hostess—What about? Caller— I'vo got to get tea anfl a butter dish, and I don't know whether to get the tea where they give away butter dishes or the butter dish where they give away tea/-Travellcr'» UfG i Mil- . _ . - •
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