Republican News Journal. (Newkirk, Okla. Terr.), Vol. 7, No. 3, Ed. 1 Friday, November 3, 1899 Page: 2 of 8
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(Copyright. iSm. by P- Appleton ft Co.
All rights reserved.)
CHAPTER VII.
THE GARDEN OF 8T MICHAEL.
On our way bads Coei was Rnmewhnt sepn-
fated front me. whether by accident or de-
sign, 1 cannot say. 1 did not quite regret
this, u« 1 hud made up my mind to see as
little ns possible ol" him for the future, think
Ing he had repaid himself for his kindness,
by tbe proposals be hud made to me. In-
deed, I may sny 1 never sought his society,
although, until he showed Ins hand, his visits
and conversation gave me some pleasure, for,
notwithstanding Ins position, he was u well-
informed man, who, in the earlier part of
his life, must have seen better days, and per-
haps hoped to see them again, if his plot
succeeded. The words he had let drop, to
the effect that the Medici would come back,
had given me a hint as to what that plot
was. It was evident that my old friend was
an active member of the Iiigi, orGiey Party,
in Florence, that were then working secretly
for the restoration of Lorenzo's sons. It
termed clear, too, that the attempt to he
made was to be directed against sonic very
eminent member of the state perhaps the
tionfnloniere himself, and 1 began, to, won
der il it was not my duty to lay the infor-
mation 1 had before the Signory. 1 could
not, however, reconcile this with my prom
ise of silence, and therefore my tongue was
tied. Still I could not sit tamely by, and
see a man murdered in cold blood, and 1 de-
cided, therefore, to remain in Florence
somehow, and if possible avert the crime,
although it would interfere, no doubt, with
my own business, llut one cannot always be
thinking of one’s self. Perhaps also, though
not quite conscious of it then, 1 had sonic
idea of again meeting the unknown lady of
the gala procession, in wbom, in spite of my-
self, I felt 1 was taking too great an in-
terest.
During the night I had but little sleep,
for thu a flair of the mud partisan of the
Medici, and the declaration of war, had
roused the citizens to fever heal, and all
night long crowds thronged the streets,
their houise shouts of “l’opolo! I’opolo!"
mingling with the incessunt clanging of the
wur-bell, which itself was loud enough to
wake the dead. The next day, however, 1
resolved to take the hull by the horns, and
with a view to till my purse, determined to
present myself before La Palisse, and offer
him my sword. 1 sallied out, therefore, find-
ing the streets fairly empty, the all-night in
dignatiou meeting of the Florentines having
wearied them a little. Still, however, there
were knots of people here and there, all in a
more or less excited condition. 1 was in no
particular hurry, und, taking a lesson from
the snail, went at a leisurely pace, and event-
ually reached the headquarters of 1-a Pelisse,
which were in the Medieeuu palace, in the
Via Largu. The courtyard and entrance-
hall were full of soldiers, and ei ulently
active preparations for the campaign were in
progress, lor there was a continuous stream
of people going in and out. No one took any
notice of me, and holding up my cap in one
hand, und straightening the leather on it
with the fingers of the other, I advanced un
questioned through the crow ded rooms. In
this manner 1 proceeded until 1 came to a
gnlicry, on one Hank of which there was a
series of windows overlooking the street;
at the end of the gallery hung u purple cur-
tain, covering, as it happened, an open door.
On the curtain itself was embroidered
crimson shield, bearing the palle of the
Medici. Before thu l was stopped by a
young officer, who asked me my business,
and I replied it was with La Palisse himself
''Impossible!” he replied; "you cannot
lee the general."
"Why not, signore!”
"Tush, man! You look old enough to un
derstaud that orders are orders."
"What is it, De Brienne?" a sharp voice
called out from within. The officer lifted
the curtain, and went inside. 1 was deter
mined to gain ail interview with the great
man, and had therefore said my business
was of importance. The leanness of my
purse was m> excuse for the subterfuge,
which 1 subsequently rigid ted, as will lie
seen luriher on. Shortly after De liriemi
came out. “Well, meser—meser—”
"Donati," 1 said.
"Well, Donati, the general will see you.
"You may enter."
I accordingly did so, and found myself in
the presence of a short, thick-set man, seat-
ed at a table, on which was spread a map,
over which he was looking intently. In a
corner of the room lay his helmet and sword,
end he himself was in half-mail, wearing a
Milanese corselet, on which was emblazoned
the red dragon of lus house. As Ins head,
was bent over the paper, 1 could not nt first
make out his features, and remained stand-
ing patiently. Suddenly he lifted his face,
ami looked at me with a quick "Well —your
btisincis, sir?"
1 was accustomed to strange sights, but
for the moment was startled, so horribly dis-
figured was the nmn. The sight of one eye
was completely gone, and half his face
locked as if a red-hot gridiron had been
pressed against it. The other eye was intact,
and twinkled ferociously under its bushy
gray eyebrow. I recovered myself quickly,
and made my request in as few words as pos-
sible. lie became enraged as 1 finished.
"Bah!" he said, "I thought your business
was of importance. 1 can do nothing for
you, my list is full. You have gained admis-
sion to me under a pretense go!" and he
resumed his study of the map. I would
bare urged the matter, but all my pride was
aroused at his words, and so, with a short
good day, 1 tunned oti my hoe! nnd walked
out. Fussing through the gallery, 1 saw De
J’.rienno, leaning against an open window
talking to another young officer. They both
looked at me, and burst into a loud laugh
At any other time I might have treated this
with contempt, but I was sore nil over at my
reception, and approaching the two said:
“You seem amused, gentlemen—it is not
well to laugh at distress."
They stopped their laughter, staring
haughtily at me, and De Brtenno said:
"Your way, signore, lies before you,” and
be pointed down the corridor.
“Perhaps the Signor de liricnne would
care to accompany me unless,” and 1 looked
bun steadily iu the face.
"Vuless what?" De Brienne flushed sn-
grrily.
At this moment w-n heard n hastv foot-
step on the marble floor, and lut Palisse ad-
vanced. "Still here," lie buid to me; “did 1
not tell you to begone?”
"My business is with the Signor de Bri-
enne,” 1 replied, stiffly, for my blood was
hot within me.
"I am quite prepared,” began De liricnne,
but the Iree-captain interposed.
“Not in the least. 1 cannot allow my offi-
cers to go fighting with every eroque-mort
w ho comes b-re with a long sword and a ly-
ing story. Look at him, De Brienne every
inch a bravo! llarkee, Donati! Begone at
onre. Not another won!, or by God. I will
have you banged from the nearest window!"
It did not require me to carry mi pen-ep-
tion iu my right hand, to be aware that La
I’.uisse wa« capable of fulfilling bis threat,
■ml although 1 was inclined to draw- on him
there and then, I knew w hat the ultimate re-
sult* would be. So swallow mg my pride as
t*c si I could, and regretting the ill humor
which had subjected me to this insult, 1
itqlkcu into the street.
1 made my way to my ordinary, and sat
there to cool, which took some time. 1 was
able to see that the rebuff I received wo* due
la great part to my own mismanagement;
also that there was no hope for me from La
Palisse. nnd that my steps must turn else-
where if 1 wished my purse to show a full-
fed appearance. I dined sparingly, drinking
bet a ball measure of C'hionti, which I mixed
with water, und it made hut a thin fluid.
\\ bon 1 finished my slender repast, there
_s nothing left but to kill time. It was
useless to go hack to my lodgings, for want
of funds bad compelled me to discontinue,
until better timeii, my newly acquired liubit
reading, and foci, despite the kindness
he had shown ine, was precise in the exac-
tion of payment for offices performed by
him. No more indeed could be expected
from a huckstering mind such ns his. inher-
ited no doubt from u-lme of-bargaining citi
h, whose hearts were in their bale* of
wool. So I strolled towards the garden of
St. .Michael, passing on Uie way the piuzzi,
where there were still numbers assembled,
and wondering at the implucable hatred ot
the Florentines towards their noblest blood,
a hatred they carried so far aH to build the
walls of the l’alnce of the Signory obliquely,
rather than they should touch the spot
w here the IJberti once dwelt. And this set
me reflecting on the unreasoning stupidity
of the cauaille, in their enmity towards gen-
tle blood. Perhaps 1 was a little influenced
in these thoughts, from the fuct that the
Pbcrti were connected by marriage with
the Savelli, a daughter of Mnsodcgli Uberti
having wedded that Baptists di Savelli who
upheld by forte of arms lus right to attend
the Conclave of Cardinals. It was sad to
think that of the l hern not one was left,
and of the Savelli 1 alone. 1 will not in-
clude the Chigi, for they come through the
female line, and although Amiiciir Chigi, the
son of my father's old enemy, subsequently
made advances of friendship towards me,
1 felt bound to explain to liim that I was
the bead of the house, despite the broad
lands Ins father got with his mother Olym-
I a, by an unjust decree of the t liumber of
Lies. This, however, is a family affair,
which does not concern the narral.ua iu
hand. Having reached the garden, 1 satiny
self to rest on a stone scat, set against a wall
overhung by a large tree. At the further
end of the walk were two ladies in earnest
conversation. Their backs were to me at
first, but on arriving at the end of the walk,
they turned slowly round, and came towards
me. As they approached, 1 was almost sure
they were the two 1 had seen in the gala pro-
cession, nnd my doubts were soon at rest,
for, on passing, they glanced at me with idle
curiosity, and in a moment 1 recognized
(hem by their air und gait. On this occa-
sion they wore no masks, and I saw they
were both young and passing fair. The face
of the shorter of the two, whose figure had
matronly cast, was set in a mass of light
hair, and looked brimful of good humor.
'1 lie other, who, in marked contrast to her
companion, had dark hair and dark eyes,
possessedn countenance of exceeding beauty,
marred perhaps by its expression of pride.
Be that as it may, my blood began to tingle
us 1 saw her, and un indefinite tbought of
what might have been rose into my mind.
When they had gone a few yards, the on
whom 1 took to be a married woman said
something to her friend, and glanced over
her shoulder; but the other appeared to re-
prove the remark, increasing as she did so
the pride of her carriage. 1 wondered to
myself that two ladies should be out unat-
tended, in so sequestered a spot, at a time,
too, when the city was so full of excitement,
und watched them as they turned the cor-
ner of the walk, and went out of sight be-
yond the trees. 1 began in a useless man-
ner to speculate who they were, and to
weave together a little romance in my heart,
when 1 was startled by a shriek, and the
next moment the fair-haired lady came run
nmg routni the corner of the road, crying
I *1111011 huu wuh mr nst ami tho ci-o*s hinrile
of •word clenched in my hand.
for help. It was not Td yards, nnd iri less
time than 1 take to write this 1 whipped out
niy sword, and was hurry mg to the spot. I
saw, when I reached, the taller lady strug-
gl ng in the arms of an ill-looking ruffian.
She called out on my coming, nnd the man,
loosening Ins hold, was about to make off,
when, unwilling to soil my sivnrd with the
blood of <i low-born scoundrel. 1 struck nt
him with my fist, and the cross handle of the
sword tlciK hed in my hand inflicted an ugly
gash on his forehead, besides bringing him
down, 1 stood with the point of my sword
o' er him, and the affrighted women behind
me.
“Hold, signore!" lie cried, “enough! I
yield- wlmt! Would you draw on a friend?"
"A friend?" 1 said in astonishment, as lie
slowly rose to his feet.
“ Yes, Signor di Savelli, were you on Monte
Sun Michele now, you would sing a different
tune."
“l’iero Luigi, then it is you,” l said;
"well, scoundrel, l am not on Monte San
Michele, but you arc here, nnd will shortly
l>e before Messer the Gonfalomere, unless
y ou restore at once w hat you have doubtless
robbed from these ladies and beg their par-
don. Stop! if you attempt to move, 1 will
spit you like a lark."
"1 have taken nothing," he said, "let me
go; 1 am punished enough."
"That is true, sir," said one of the ladies
"and we pray you let the mun go.'
"Not till be has begged your pardon," 1
replied.
Luigi did ns he was bid, and humbly apolo-
gized; but us he left, lie discharged a l’ar
thian shot: "Ah, ladies' 1 sought but
kiss. 1 am but a poor thief a crow but
the Signor di Savelli is no better, though be
flies with hawk's wings.”
I took no notice of the remark; nnd, lift-
ing my tap, legged permission to see the la
dies to a place of safety.
"We thank you for your kindness, sir,
said the shorter and elder of the two, but
1 see our servants approaching, and ive will
not there!ore trespass on you. Believe mi
however, we are grateful my cousin and I.
Even us she spoke her lackeys came up.
and one of them, in an alarmed tone, asked
what was the matter, and then turned on
me fiercely.
“Be quitt, Gian,” said the lady who had
just spoken, "it is we who have to thank
Signor d> Savelli for rescuing us."
"Your pardon, signore; but we heard the
lathes erv out, and seeing you here—"
"Where you should have lieen," 1 inter-
rupted; “you lag too far behind your mis-
tress."
The dark-haired g>rl. who had up to now
not spoken, but, with her fair very pale,
was playing with a bracelet on her wrist,
now looked up.
"I think we had bettor get back; we will
1 not trouble this this gentleman further.
I He has already done too much for us "
She dropped me a proud little curtsev.
and turned away, but her reiend frankly
held out hoi hand "Believe me. Signor di
Savelli—I heard you so called - my cousin
Augtols and l are both very grateful She
is a good deal upset by what has happened,
and I speak lor her My husband," she
went on hurriedly, "has much influence, and
if any word—”
She stopped a little helplessly, and seeing
she had observed my appearance, and anx-
ious to end the affair, J cut in:
"Madam, I did nothing but drive off a cur
—you thunk me too much. Good day!"
I stood cap in hand until they turned the
elbow of the walk, and then retraced my
sti ps to my lodging. As I went back, I could
not help railing at my luck. 1 was enabled
to do a service, which, fur no reason 1 could
ussign, 1 would rather have done to this
particular woman than any other—a service
which should have made her look kindly
at me, and yet by a cruel stroke she was
made to think me nothing else but a thief,
for Luigi's charge was definite, and it was
clear 1 knew him. My name was also known
to her, and perhaps the rest of my story, nit
it was understood by the public, would be
told to her, and then, adieu to my little ro-
mance, if it was not adieu already. Then
again wlmt business had 1 to have such
thoughts? I had yet to learn that these
things corno unhidden, nnd w hen they come
take no denial. Thinking in this wuy ns i
walked on, 1 was surprised to find 1 had
reached the old Albizzi Palace. This build-
ing. like all the other houses of the nobles
ol Florence, was fortified with braccia or
towers, joined to each other by bridges.
These towers formed refuges during inter-
urban wars, and stood many a siege from the
people. The Albizzi Palace had four such
Lraccm, but the two towards the Ultrarno
quarter Imd been half demolished in some
forgotten riot, and never restored. Theotb-
its were, however, intact, although the
bridge between them had long since given
way. It wus in one of these that 1 had my
abode, nnd reaching it about sundown, I be-
gan to slowly ascend the stairs which led to
my chamber. Occasionally 1 stopped ami
rested, and it was during one of these rests
that 1 looked up to the landing above me.
It was still in light, for the setting sun
shone through a giglio-shaped window in tbe
western wall. As I glanced up, a figure sud-
denly appeared at the head of the stairway,
and leaning one band on the balustrade
peered down into tbe dim light below it. I
recognized the extraordinary dress at once,
nnd a moment's survey of tbe face assured
me it was my host of tbe hovel, he who had
so strangely disappeared with the girl, when
1 fought with Brico at Perugia.
"A good day to you, friend!” 1 called out,
"and well met.”
"Who calls? Who is there?" he an-
swered.
"One moment; let me climb up these
stairs," nnd I made my way to the landing,
nnd held out my hand.
lie took it in silence, but his grip was
warm.
"Signore,” be said, after s moment, “I do
not know your name, but whoever you are,
Mathew Cortes owes you much, and will
some day show himself grateful."
"My name," I said, "for the present, is
Donati, and as for gratitude, there is no
need to speak of it."
As he mentioned liis name, I remembered
that there was a madman, so-called, who had
come into notoriety years ago, by asserting
that he had discovered the secret of pro-
longing life to 120 years. He had, I heard,
written a book in which this was fully de-
scribed, and presented it to the Cibo pope,
with the inscription, "Videbisdies Petrie et
ultra." Ixing after 1 heard Cardinal Bcmbe
tell, in his w itty way, how this same Corte
presented lus book to three successive popes,
ending with Innocent of Genoa, adding that
he took care on each occasion to substitute
a new title page and dedication. “But,"
the cardinal was wont to add, "it is against
the canon for our lord the pope to go in
any matter, even in life, beyond the Holy
Apostle, and, therefore, no doubt, the
worthy doctor’s prescriptions were not fol-
lowed. Such arc the sacrifices the church
has to make.”
"How long have you been here?” I asked.
“Some days.”
"And we have never met!”
"Ah! The place is like a rabbit-warren.
There are hundreds here. But it is odd that
1 have never seen you.”
"Not so very odd when I come to think of
it,” nnd 1 looked down at my shabby attire.
"It is generally late when 1 go out.”
He held out one leg, clothed in its fantastic
dress.
"I, too, am on the rocks,” and he laughed
bitterly, "and feed with the goats.”
Wishing to change the subject, 1 inquired
about tbe girl. He turned away to the win-
dow, nnd when he looked back the man’s
eyes were full of tears.
"Would you i are to see?" he asked, with a
shake in liis voice.
1 bowed gravely, and he conducted me
upstairs, fully two llights beyond my room,
and then stopped oil a small landing.
'1 hrougb the half-open door that fared us,
little dog came out, and looked wistfully at
t'orte. He stooped to stroke it, and then
rising passed into the room. When he had
gone beyond the door, he looked back at me,
saying: “Enter.”
1 did so with gentle tootsteps, and he
pointed to a bed in the corner of tho room,
oil which was the figure of a womnn, lytng
so still and motionless that she might have
been an image of wax. Her plentiful brown
hair was spread over the pillow, and out of
this fra mo the pinched white face, with all
its traces of past beauty, looked out in a piti-
lul silence. One thin hand was turned palm
downwards on the coverlet, nnd, us we
stood, the fingers began to work convul-
sively.
Corte bent over her forehead and touched
it with bis lips. "Little one," he said, "do
you sleep?”
The girl opened her sightless eyes, and a
faint smile, that lighted up her face, milking
it wondrous beautiful, passed over her
countenance.
“Not yet." She spoke so low I could
hardly catch the words, "but I shall sleep
soon.”
1 knew what she meant, for in her face
was already that look which comes to those
who are going away. Corte was. however,
unable to judge. “She is better," he said;
1 will give her some more wine—nil that
she needs is strength tuy little one." With
this lie turned to a cupboard, and opening
it, took thenceforth a bottle of wine; with
shaking fingers he tried to till a glass, but
tbe bottle was empty.
"I forgot," he said, and looked hopelessly
around him. There was that in the man’s
face which made me rend it ns an open oook.
"Stay here," I whispered, "1 will be back
soon—very soon.”
lie looked at me in a dazed sort of man-
ner, but I waited lor no reply, and, slipping
out of tbe room, ran as fast as 1 could down-
stairs, nnd through tho darkening streets to
the nearest inn. Calling the landlord 1
asked liim wlmt was his best wine.
"My best wine, signore! All my wines
are good. There is Chianti from our own
Tuscan grape, Lacryma Christi from Naples,
liirolo from Piedmont, Roman Orvieto and
White Ycmaciia of the same brand that the
Cardinal Ippolite d’Kste--"
"Fool," 1 interrupted, “answer my ques-
tion. What is your best wine? Have you
any of the wines of France?”
"Wines of France!" he exclaimed, “Corpo
di Baeco! Does not vour excellency know
that I«i Palisse and his French cut-throats
have been here for a mouth? Think you
there is a bottle of red Roussilon or Armag-
nac left in Florence? There lie, however, in
my cellar, two flagons of Burgundy.”
“Fetch one at once-run, muni” and ]
flung him a crown.
try US CONTINUED.]
A Moral in the Story.
The cook was leaving to get married.
The mistress paid her her wages and
pive her a little present for herself. The
.in box was on the cab, and Bridget was
>n the point of stepping in, when Fido
wuddled out us if to bid farewell.
"Good-by, old Fido,” suid Bridget;
‘here’s a bob for you. 1 am sure you
lave earned it, seeing I have not
washed a plate since 1 have been here."
—Answers.
The llnrd.
Onto a lady’s eyebrow once he warbled
strains so sweet,
Or to her coral lips or pearly teeth or dainty
feet.
But now, when he would chant for an ap-
preciative throng,
The girl who does a cake-walk is the bur-
den of his song.
-Washington Star.
A QUALIFYING CLAUSE.
/H
THE STORY OF COAL
Nature Produces This
Valuable of Fuels.
Most
Another Kind.
"I w ish vou would use some powder,"
Mrs. Boomer,” said the irritable lodger
one morning.
"What do you mean, sir?” exclaimed
the landlady, indignantly; “you insult
me with your rudeness. The idea of me
using powder!"
"Well, suit yourself," snapped the ir-
ritable lodger,* “if you w ould rather lose
$10 a week than to scatter a little insect
powder in my room, 1 suppose 1 shall
have to move."—Brooklyn Life.
No Hurry.
Mr. Newrich—I gave you an order last
week to trace my ancestry back for 500
years.
Clironologist—Y'es, sir; we Lave it
about half done already.
Mr. Newrich—But 1 forgot to give
you my name.
Clironologist—Ob, that makes no dif-
ference! We always begin at the
founder of a house and work down. We
won't need your name for two weeks.—
Judge.
EnrouruKlng.
“Do you think,” he asked, “that your
father has any suspicion of my love for
you?”
“No," she reptied, “he is completely
deceived. 1 overheard liim and mamma
talking about it last night. He said you
were no more capable of loving than a
chunk of putty would be.”—Chicago
Times-Herald.
“I suppose When you grow up to be
n man, Bobbie, you’ll want to be an
earnest Christian, won’t you?”
"Y'us, sir—if it won't interfere with
my being a pirate!”—Ally Sloper.
Not a Plcaalng Sight.
"Could tve see ourselves as others see us,"
Some of us, I dare say.
Would turn our back on ourselves, alack!
Ami look the other wa>’-
—Elliott’s Magazine.
Not an Impersonator.
“Let’s play ‘Old Maid.' ” exclaimed
the prattlesome child who is always en-
deavoring to find an opponent in harm-
less games.
Miss Basseigh looked very stern for
a moment and then answered:
"Y'ou will have to apply to someone
whose age is more suitable. I wouldn’t
lie such a hypocrite."—Washington
Star.
AY lint He Didn't Like.
Gilback—I am surprised, colonel, at
your time of life, that you should have
any trouble in managing your wife. All
you have to do is to let her think she is
having her own way.
Col.Quailcr—Yes. but the only trouble
is that everybody else thinks so, too.—
Brooklyn Life.
Economy.
"What’s enough for one will do for two."
Oh, no, for In marriage 'twill seldom do;
But I used to think, and I think so still,
In the matter of chairs It often will.
—Judge.
FAR TOO LOUD.
AY lint He Tells.
“If I should tell all I know," said the
detective, with a solemn shake of his
head, “it would create a sensation, and
don’t you forget it.”
“If you would refrain from telling
what you don't know,” returned the
sarcastic citizen, “it would create even
a greater sensation."—Chicago Tost,
Her Presentiment.
“No woman can lose her temper nnd
keep her beauty," he said, thoughtfully.
“John Henry,” she returned, prompt-
ly, "I just know that you are planning
to stay out late to-night and want to fix
it so that I won't scold you when you
come in.”—Chicago l’ost.
“Say, Eddie, don’t yer know dat chil-
dren should be seen an’ not heard?—N.
Y'. Journal.
The End.
"All's over," she wrote, " 'twtxt you and
me—
Life now ia one keen misery:
No more l’U sing, no more I'll smile.
But—let me wear your ring awhile."
—Chicago Dally Record.
GOOD REASON AVUY.
A 1.It tie Off.
"An aqueduct ia a conductor—noun."
The teacher from the dictionary read.
"Employ It in a sentence. Tommy Brown."
"The gentleman's an aqueduct," he said.
-Judge. _
He AYants No More.
“Professor, who is the happier, the
man who owns a million poundB or he
who lias seven daughters?”
“The man who has seven daughters."
“Why so?”
“He who has a million pounds wishes
for more; the man who has seven
daughters does not.”—Tit-Bits.
Never Agree* wttli Him.
Dr. Goak—Oh, no. We doctors are
not infallible. For example, I never sit
down to table without something
which *is forever disagreeing w ith me.
Mrs. Brown—Indeed? And what may
that be?
Dr. Goak—Mv wife.—Tit-Bits.
"Mummy, can I have that pear that
was on the dining-room sideboard this
morning? 'Cos—"
"Because what?”
" 'Cos I've eaten it!"—Punch.
I*niler the Sew Order.
Relative (from beyond the suburbs)
—Mandy, who's that young fellow
snoopin' around in the kitchen?
City Niece—Never mind him. Aunt
Ann. He’s the hired girL—Chicago
Tribune.
Could Re Trnced.
Hoax—Who does the new baby take
after you or his mother?
Joax—lean trnce a resemblance to my
wife. He raises an awful howl when
I come home late of an evening.—Phila-
delphia Record.
The Old Clock.
Jack loves the quaint clock on the stairs,
don't you know—
For the pesky old thing can't be fixed so
'twill go.
—Detroit Free Press.
It Required Age* for the Formation
and Development of the llrda
nnd Mines Which Are Now
Being Worked.
[Special Washington Letter.)
Among the geological collections at
the National museum there are speci-
mens of coal of every variety from e\ er j
part of the world. From one of the
tcientific men of the National museum
the writer to-day learned many inter-
esting things concerning the black dia-
mond fuel.
The old man, who seemed to have
loine accurate knowledge concerning
every stratum of the surface of the
earth, spoke of the history of the coal
beds in the different parts of the world
with as much familiarity as a child dis-
plays concerning the alphabet. Tire'
histories of the various coal fields are
as A B C to him.
As the reluctant householder shovels
its regular stint of food into the greed)
maw of the ogre in the cellar, other-
wise known as the furnace, it is a mar-
velous thing for him to consider that he
is keeping his dwelling warm by the
heat of the sun’s rays which fell upon
the earth millions of years ago. The
solar orb of that vanished epoch, big-
ger than it is to-day and hotter, brought
forth even in this latitude a tropical
vegetation of wonderful luxuriance.
Plants of strange kinds grew up richly
from the clayey soil and formed dense
jungles in the vast marshes which cov-
ered large areas of the surface of this
planet. Ferns, mosses and the leaves,
branches and trunks of trees fell and
decayed where they grew, only to make
the soil more fertile and the next
growth richer and more luxuriant.
Year after year, century after century,
the process of growth and decay went
on, until the beds of vegetable matter
thus deposited hud reached great
thickness.
But the earth's body was still shrink-
ing, and in consequence her crust nt
times contracted and fell in. When it
did so, the land sank throughout vast
areas, these beds of vegetable matter
went down, and over the great marshes
the water swept again, bringing drift
vegetation from higher levels to ndd
to that already buried. Then over these
deposits the sand and mud and gravel
were laid up anew, and the clay soil
from Avhich the next rich growth would
spring was spread out on the surface.
This process was repented again and
again—as often, indeed, ns seams of
coal in any coal bed. Thus the condi-
tions for the formation of coal xvere
made complete, atmospheric air being
entirely excluded while the vegetable
beds underwent the processes of decom-
position. These processes went on un-
der the water of the ocean, under the
sands of the shore, under the new de-
posits of succeeding ages, transforming
the wood of the carboniferous era into
the coal of to-day.
Nature is still making coal, though,
unfortunately, not at a rate anything
like fast enough to make up for the
consumption of this product. The proc-
esses maybe watched frombeginningto
end. For this purpose one must first
go to n peat bed. which is simply an ac-
cumulation of the remains of plants
that grew unil decayed on the spot
where they are now found. When the
upper layer of this material is removed
one finds peat with 52 to 6G per cent,
of carbon, nnd the deeper one goes the
better in quality it gets. It may be
cut out in blocks with sharp spades, the
water may be pressed from the blocks,
and they may lie stacked up, covered
aud dried nnd used for fuel. There is
a certain kind of moss called "sphag-
num," which in large part makes up the
peat-producing vegetation. Its roots
die annually, but from the living top
new roots are sent out each year. The
workmen who dig peat understand tliat
if this surface is destroyed the growth
of thebed must stop; so commonly they
the earth’s crust at the close of the car-
boniferous age the bituminous coals in
volved in that disturbance were
changed by heat and pressure, and the
consequent expulsiou of volatile mat-
ter, from bituminous to anthracite.
Cannel coal is a variety of bituminous
coal which burns with great freedom,
the llanies of it affording considerable
light. It was called “candle coal" by
the English people who first used it, as
it often served as a substitute for can
dies. The name became corrupted to
"cannel” and has so remained. It is
more compact than ordinary bitumin-
ous coal and it can be wrought in a lathe
and polished. A certain variety of it
found in Yorkshire, England, is man-
ufactured into a kind of jewelry known
as "jet.”
Dr. Homer Greene gives an interest-
ing description of the climate of Penn-
sylvania during the coal-forming epoch.
The most remarkable features of the
vegetation of that period were the size
and abundance of its plants. Treeis of
that time whose trunks were from one
to three feet in diameter, and which
grew to a height of from 40 to 100 feet,
are represented at the present day liy
Very Similar.
Reporter—What is the sensation of
neiiig hit by a cyclone!
Victim—Why, it's just like getting
married! Yer don’t really reulize wot's
happening till it's nil over and yer come
ter yer senses!—Puck.
Hard Lines.
Lawyer—Well, have you at last de-
cided to take my advice and pay this
hilt of mine?
Client — Y-e-s.
Lawyer—Very well; William, just
add ten dollars to Mr. Smith’s bill for
further advice.—Boston Traveler.
1‘ltOUD FATHER.
A Discordant Make-lp.
"Your friend looks like a great mu-
sician. He has a very classical head of
Lair."
"Yes, he’s got a classical head of
hair, all right. He also has a ragtime
?ur and a coon song voice."—Cleveland
l’luin Dealer.
AA'tiat He Itrallr Meant.
"I can hardly believe the statement
of that fellow who said one trolley car
could not hold all the women he has
married."
"I do. There might be room for
them, but 1 don't think it eould hold
them when they got started to discuss-
ing the situation.*'—Cincinnati Em
cuirer.
There are
Switzerland.
only 108,969 horse* la
Depend*.
"I tell you," observed Mr. Oldhunks,
tvho was in u moralizing frame of
aiind, "it takes a great deal of courage
to say no."
"You're always brnve enough to say
it when I ask you for money," said Mrs.
Jldhuuks.—Chicago Tribune.
First Chick—What's he got to be so
stuck up about?
Second Chick—Why, I'm his son.—
N. Y. Journal.
AA'lllIng to Use Either.
Mrs. Benham—Don't let baby cry
while I am gone.
Benham—What would you recom-
mend as a preventive—a gag or chloro-
form ?—N. Y. World.
Dlaereet Silence.
"I told Bunks a story and it didn't re-
wind him of another."
"Perhaps he was afraid that if he
:old one it would remind you of an-
>ther.”—Chicago Daily Record.
In the Matter «>f Mnnaai-tnrnt.
"It is better to laugh than to cry,"
aid the young girl, brightly.
"Not if you are trying to manage a
lusband," said tbe woman.—Indian sp-
ills Journal.
Hi* Line.
“I tell you that fellow is doing a driv-
ing business."
"Who is he?”
“A hackman."—Chicago Times-Her
aid. _
An Editor** Luck.
Society Reporter—Mrs. Skihlgti com-
plains that the picture we printed does
not look a bit like her.
Editor—That's lucky. We can use it
for someone else then.—N. Y. Weekly.
v,:-
mL
.......
ON THE NEW RIVER.
(The Center of AVest Virginia's Great Coal
Deposit.)
remove the sod carefully, replacing it
after they have taken out a stratum of
peat. There is little doubt that if these
beds of pent could lie undisturbed anil
covered over through many ages they
w ould take ou all the characteristics of
mineral coal.
The substance of coul has been so
compressed that the forms ot the plant
composing it cannot usually be seen.
But when a piece of it is made so thin
that it will transmit light, and is thou
subjected to a powerful microscope, its
vegetable structure may readily be dis-
tinguished. Immediately under every
separate seam of coal there is a stratum
of wliut is known as fire clay. This
stratum is always present and contains
in great abundance the fossil impres-
sions of roots and stems and twigs,
showing that it was once the soil from
which vegetation grew luxuriantly. It
is common also to find fossil tree stems
lying mashed flat between the layers
of black slate which form the roofs of
-oal mines, as well as the impressions
if the leaves, nuts and seeds which fell
ironi these trees while they were liv-
ing. In some beds of cannel coal whole
trees have been found with roots,
branches, leaves and seeds complete,
and all converted into the same quality
of coal as that by which they were sur-
rounded.
Geologists ore of the opinion that bi-
tuminous and anthracite coals were
formed during the same period and un-
der like conditions,
were all bituminous, but during the
violent contortions and upheavals ot
ON THE CHEAT RIVER.
(Scene In the Heart of the Alleghany Coal
Region.)
similar species whose stems are only
fraction of an inch in diameter and
but one to two feet high. But at that
time all conditions were favorable for
rnpid and enormous vegetable
growth. The air was laden with carbon,
which is llie principal food of plants
so laden, indeed, that man could not
have lived in it. The great humidity of
the atmosphere was another element
favorable to growth. Vegetation never
lacked an abundance of moisture either
at root or leaf. Then, too, tbe climate
was universally warm. Over the en-
tire surface of the earth the beat was
greater than it is to-day nt the torrid
zone. With all these circumstances in
its favor vegetation could not help
flourishing. The fossil impressions of
more than 500 different species of plants
that grew at that time have been found
in the coal beds.
The most abundant of the plants of
the coal-formiug era were the ferns.
Their fossil remains nre found in grzat
profusion and variety in most of the
rocks of the coal-bearing strata. There
was also the plant known ns the “tree
fern,” which attained a height of 20 or
30 feet, and carried a single great tuft
of leaves nt its top. Next in importance
to the ferns were gigantic mosses re-
sembling in kind the low "club" mosses
of the present, but vastly magnified.
They doubtless contribute the greatest
proportion of woody material to the
composition of coal. There were forest
trees, and their fossil trunks have been
found measuring from 100 to 130 feet
in length and from six to ten feet in
diameter. There were also pines, some-
what resembling those of to-day, which
probably grew on high ground. Be-
sides these there were plants of the
horse-tail family, which grew up with
long, reed-like, jointed stems to a
height of 20 feet or more and with a
diameter of 10 or 12 inches.
It is claimed that coal was mined in
England before the Roman invasion by-
Julius Caesar. The cinder heaps found
among ruins of the time of Homan su-
premacy iu the island appear to show
that coal was largely used by the people
of that age. By the end of the thir-
teenth century bituminous coal was
burned to a considerable extent in Lon
don. The oldest coal workings in
America are near Richmond. Va. It is
supposed that coal was discovered and
mined there as early as 1750. Tradition
says that a boy while hunting for craw-
fish chanced upon the outcrop of a coal
bed which crosses the Jnmes river 12
miles above Richmond. Mining was be-
gun and by the year 1775 the coal was
in general use in the neighborhood. It
played a part in the war for indepen-
dence by helping to make cannon balls,
and by 17S9 it was being shipped to
Philadelphia nnd New York. During
the late civil war these mines were
seized by the confederate government
for the purpose of procuring fuel, and
they are still largely productive. This
coal bed has an area of about 180 square
miles and nu average thickness of 24
feet. It is supposed to contain about
50,000,000 tons yet uiniiined. There is
reason to believe that the Indians knew
something of the use of coal.
SMITH D. FRY
NEED OF ICE PLANTS.
Army Officer* Insist They Are Needed
In Colonies to Maintain Henlth
ot Soldiers.
Army officers who have charge of the
subsistence of troops nre urging that ice
plants be established in tbe Philippines,
Cuba and Porto llieo. The system,
which is represented as absolutely nec-
essary to preserve food, will be a cost-
ly one if adopted, but the subsistence
officers and the surgeons insist it will
be necessary for the health of the sol-
diers, to say nothing of the economy of
provisions, that ice plants be estab-
lished at all the garrisons.
The department experienced much
difficulty in awarding the contract for
a large refrigerator at Manila, and the
question was pending for several
months. There was objection to giving
the contract to a Chicago firm, which
was the lowest bidder, because the sys-
tem was not approved by the authori-
ties. Proposals wtre repeatedly so-
licited, with the same result each time.
It is proposed to secure the best facili-
ties for preserving food, regardless of
expense.
A Case la Point.
“It is dreadful how much slang is
Originally they i spoken atui written nowadaya.”
“You bet that's no dream.”—Chicago
Record.
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Johnson, Jeremiah; McKinlay, Lincoln & Korns, Edward F. Republican News Journal. (Newkirk, Okla. Terr.), Vol. 7, No. 3, Ed. 1 Friday, November 3, 1899, newspaper, November 3, 1899; Newkirk, Oklahoma Territory. (https://gateway.okhistory.org/ark:/67531/metadc1172085/m1/2/?q=aRCHIVES: accessed May 29, 2024), The Gateway to Oklahoma History, https://gateway.okhistory.org; crediting Oklahoma Historical Society.