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Show A STRANGE WOOING. AM Ath-wol- d. Cssper I was born beautiful, but one day a nurse dropped me from her the arms down ' whole length of the oak staircase. There is no need to say more. Yet I was a happy child. As I grew up I built such castles in the air as other youths build, and in my castle I began to ace Kate Normans figure, Katies crimson-cheeke- dark-eye- d, d face smiling on me from visionary fireside there, and hear her voice singing lullabies in the far-ofuture. We met often. She was always kind and friendly. I had fancied something more. One day I went in the heat of the afternoon to a shady spot by the river aide, my own ground. I lay upon the grass, reading a book, when behind the glossy leaves of the plants which the little ones called bread and butter bushes" I heard the sparrow-lik- e twit ter of girls' voices. Shell have him, said one. Fancy such a bridegroom! said the Ail his money couldnt buy other. ff me. He don't want you, but Kate, said the first. One must be at one's last prayer to want such an admirer. No one could like Casper Athwold. Of course not, said the first; but then he's rich, and Kate poor enough. You are right; no woman could love him; but money will marry anybody. There was a rustle, a sound of feet on the graas. The chirping voices died away In the distance. I shut myself up in the old house, among my books, and shunned the sight of faces and the sound of voices. It was the best thing that a man whom no one could love could do. So the months wore away. Sometimes I had met her, but I always looked another way, and our pleasant greetings had come to an end. 1 had seen a hurt flush on her face, and taken no heed of it I had even been discourteous but I loved her Just as I bad loved her all along. One day I went to the old lawyer who had had charge of our estate for forty years, and bade him draw me np a will, in which I left all that I possessed to Kate Norman, with a letter which only her hands were to unseal, only her eyes to read, after I had gone. This was the letter: Kate Norman: You never cared for me; you could not; once I heard a woman say no woman could; but I loved you. Had I cherished one faint ray of hope I would have striven to win your heart; but I learned, in time, what folly it was; and, In pity for myself, held aloof from you. As It Is, It gives me some pleasure to think that you will dwell under this roof. When you read this you will pity, not deride, the love of "Casper Athwold. This note lay unsealed and directed, "To be given to Kate Norman after my death; and the will was also signed and sealed, and I walked home. At my door the elm shadows lay thick, and in them stood a bent, crooked figure, clothed in rags, a beggar, who began his dolorous whine as I came up: A little help, Just a little; I'm not a strong man, Bir; I can't work like the same. Yer Isn't strong ycrself; ye'll be knowln what that is. A wake-l- y ould crater that would be thankful for onything a penny or an ould coat, or a Bup or a bile, yes, sir." I tossed him a coin. Go," 1 said. Dont loiter here." The man locked at me curiously, as though he had expected more pity from me. The coin had fallen at his feet lie stoop .Hi and picked it up. Yes, it'll buy a bite," he said. Good luck to ye. It's uot always I ate befora I slaDC. I WAS IN DANGER. I turned and looked at the beggar. He was miserable also. "Come in, I said. I'll give you some clothes: you need them sadly. It's nothing but needing with me, The likes of me cant sir, said he. work. You have had an accident?" My father threw me out o a window for a Joke when he was not took from my wardrobe garments had worn, and bade him put them on. Afterwards I gave him food. I called no servant In; no one saw him come or go save myself. He departed blessing me. I watched him out of sight Then 1 burst out in a laugh. He bad best go and offer his hand to Kate Norman," I said. They would make a couple. Does he look like me in my clothes, I wonder? They fit him well. Then I remembered going out of the loor and down towards the water's edge. A boat lay there with the oara In it I stepped in and rowed up the river. The twilight faded, night came on, a dark, moonless night. I had dropped the oars and was drifting seaward, lying at the bottom of the boat I knew that I was in danger, but the knowledge did not affect me. Suddenly a glare of red light flashed over my face, I heard a heavy throb of machinery, then a shrieking whistle, and a steamer was hard upon my little 1 well-match- ed side ner, noiaing ner ciose sna last. Do not fear, do not tremble, I cried. "It is a living Casper who comes to Oh, Kate Kate, you, and no ghost you gave tender words to the clay you thought mine, will you bless me with them living? She hid her face in my bosom, and would not look up would only clitfg to me with her soft, white hands and sob. And tbere we stood alone together amidst the graves, I' content to stand n '.here, her hand in mine, her cheek my bosom, until the blessed evening-time lengthened Itself Into eternity. But at last she told me this, that of all men I was to her the best; and when I wonderingly asked her how I might dare dream that this could be, she made only the womans answer, "Because I love you." In the moonlight, on that happy atght, we went forth from the old traveyard Into the world of life, hand In band, as we have gone together ever dnee. London Sun. up-3- boat After that I knew nothing until I came to myself in a strange room. In a A RACE WITH FIRE. strange hotel at Albany. The captain of the steamer which bad run my boat One of tha Thrilling Ad rant area of Ufa down fancied that to his account lay on tha Daap. the fever and delirium which had come On the 17th of last October, at 11 upon me, and had me taken care of. oclock In the evening, a lire was disIt was two weeks since the day last in covered on board the large wooden my memory. I read that in the paper. steamer Australasian, bound from Lake Erie to Milwaukee. There, also. I read this paragraph: The steamer was at that moment in Lake The body found in the woods at has been Identified by the garments Michigan, some distance off Bailey's and some personal peculiarities as that Harbor, Wisconsin. The blase came of Mr. Casper Athwold, a wealthy citi- from beneath the boilers. In the The fire apparatus was hastily zen. who has been missing many days. His funeral takes place this morn- rigged, but It soon became apparent that the flames were beyond control. ing." I dropped the paper In amizement. They worked their way Into the Wr which served the steamers t1 Then I burst into a bitter laugh. I fires, and soon ran along the bottom understood it. The beggar whom 1 had to the cargo of soft coal. The only clothed had died upon the road. He hope of saving the crew, seventeen In It was who was that day to be burled number, lay in running the steamer under my name. on the beach, and she was headed for At first it seemed merely a cruel Joke. the nearest shore, at Whiteflsh Bay. Then the memory of my will and the Soon the fire was so hot that engineers letter v itten to Kate Norman flashed were driven from their post. They upon m I must reach home and prove left all steam on, however, and the myself living man before It was too boiler full of water, so that the boat, late. guided by the man at the wheel, would coal-lade- n, flre-hol- d. coal-bunk- ers Jk an -- Weak as I was, I arose and dressed myself, and giving my address to the landlord, left the hotel for the depot: but I reached It only in time to find the train gone. Another hour or so must pass. They were ages io me. She would not read that letter while I lived. At last I was off fairly on my way. In the dark of the evening I alighted at the depot and hurried homeward. There I should find my servants, and, probably, the lawyer, who would find It his duty to secure everything for the future heiress. They would not, I hoped, read the will so soon yet it was customary. If this had been done, how should I act? IIow speak? Only a little space lay between the depot and my home. The railroad encroarhments had been my mothers greatest troubles in the last years of her life. Now this fact enabled me, ill as I was, to reach the house without delay. It was dark, and I met no one. In a moment I knew why. They had assembled In the parlor to hear my will read for, through the Venetian shutters long bars of light fell across the porch; and looking in. unseen myself, I Baw Kate Norman, with a Jetter in her hand, glide through the opposite door. The will had been read. Before I could Interpose she would have read the letter also. What should I do? return as I had name? dwell come? change my where no one knew' me? It seemed that this were better than to return to nine days' the gaping towns-folk- s wonder. Worst of all to meet Kate. I turned from the window and hurried away but I was still weak, very weak, and soon my strength gave way. It was just as I reached the churchyard. The road was bare, with no resting-plac- e upon It, but within the gates the soft grass tempted me, and the willow branches seemed to nod a welcome. I cast myself down in the long grass. The crickets chirped all about me. A bird somewhere gave a shriek now and then. I felt my blood on fire; I could not stop thinking: I could not give tired I was weary and nature her way. worn beyond all description. I heard the church clock strike nine. It startled me to think an hour had flown when the same dock struck ten. I lifted up my head to listen, and saw a figure gliding up the path a woman's figure. it came straight on und cast itself on the grave by which I sat the grave beneath which the beggar lay whom they had taken for myself cast itself upon it. sobbing wildly. The shadows hid me. I p.iz d unseen upon the mourner. Who was It? Some one who had mistaken the spot, no doubt. She lifted up her head. In the moonlight I saw her fare. It was Kate. Had pity brought her Could pity make a woman there? weep so? I drew nearer. She spoke; It was my name she uttered. Oh. Casper," she cried, shall I never hear your dear voice? Can I never tell you how I loved you? Oh, Casper, A CHRISTMAS SISTER. OUR great, strong boys, and not even one little girl!" ex- i claimed Aunt Olmstead, Becky who bad come to spend a month with her favorite nephews family. I had a little daughter our first child but she died our eldest before boy was born, said the mother of the four great, strong She was a lovely boys with a sigh. one 1 ever beautiful most the and child, saw. I'll show you her picture. Aunt Becky. She arose, and opening a small cab- inet, brought forth a water-colbaby, whose painting of a year-ol- d sunny, laughing face captivated Aunt Becky at once. Short golden ringlets crowned the little head; the smiling' face was dimpled and fair; the laughing eyes were blue as violets. The darling baby! exclaimed Aunt I'm thinking the Becky admiringly. Lord knew she was too beautiful for this world, and shes better off where she is the sweet pet But all the same It would be nice If tbere was one little girl in your home. You have fine boys, Emily. I never eaw better behaved ones, even if they are full of fun and noise from morning until night; and Im sure I wouldnt have them otherwise. I never could bear girl boys never. But I hope the Lord will send them a slater I do so. Emily Olmstead laughed softly. No, said she, 1 dont think he will. I did hope so, but I have given up that thought Bertie will be ten years old on Christmas Day, and he Is the youngest." About a month later, one bitterly cold December day, Aunt Becky was making a tour of the slums that Is, she was visiting a neighborhood from which had come to her tales of sorrow and suffering. If Jesus had been here hed have gone to see the poor souls, she said to herself, and that's enough to send or keep on her shoreward course so long me. as the machinery was not interfered with by the progress of the flames. The firemen stayed longer at their posts than the engineers, but after a little their place, too, became too hot for them. They "put in one laBt big as they expressed It, and fled fire, from the burning hold. Meantime men stood ready to chop- a hole through the steamers side as Boon as she should touch bottom. In order that the water might rush in and extinguish the flames below. AH hands looked earnestly toward the dark shore line in the distance, and hoped that they might get ashore after the steamer touched - If she ever did touch. They were not, however, left to their own resources. At Baileys Harbor station men had caught sight of the burning steamer, and had manned a lifeboat. They carried a sail, and rigged it, making straight for the steamer, but soon discovered that she was steaming at full speed past Bailey's Harbor and for Whiteflsh Bay. There was danger that she would outspeed the lifeboat, and put herself out of the reach of aid. By changing their course and taking advantage of the wind, the boatmen succeeded In overhauling the Australasian Just as her bottom touched the sand. At that moment a hole was cut In her side, and the water rushed in. Meantime the were alongside, and were taking off the seamen, who tumbled into the boat and were landed safely on the beach. life-savi- ng life-save- rs OUR ALMANACS. The Tollies lu Them Are liliml Sian. Haile by a I had rather a novel experience last year in the maiter of gathering tables showing the rise and setting of the sun, the changes of the moon, high and low tides, etc., said a publisher to a Washington Star man. "But I am fixed for this year. In my experience as a publisher I had printed about everything that I thought could be printed. Finally an advertising concern wanted me to get out an almanac for them. They furnished all the copy for the almanac except the almanac itself that is. the tahles. I supposed I would have no difficulty in gctllng them, but I soon found out that I was mistaken. My desire was to get the tables correct and to have them prepared in an authoritative way. After Interviewing some of the experts In Washington I found that tluy were all disinclined- to take any outside work. Finally one of them consented to do it, and he did, charging me $30i.) for the calculations -- 2j for each month. I am about Having a similar work done this year, and came here for that purpose, but I learned that all the calculations for the various patent medicine and many other almanacs are made by a Mind man in IMttsburg, Pa., an amateur mathematician and astronomer of considerable local reputation. I sent for the tables and have received them. He charged me exactly G, or 50 cents for each month. I understand that the actual work 1s done by his children, who write from his dicCasper! tation. He tells me that he haa supplied Silence, with the cricket's chirp same tables for about 100 different amidst It, and the bird's scream, dawn the for 1897. Almanacs broke upon my soul. Then I stood be I So she went her heart full, her hands full, her purse full, to Buccor and to save. She did not return to lunch, finding too much to do for others to think of herself. I could not tell you of all her loving ministrations that day of days, but she went about doing good. It mattered not to Aunt Becky that Christmas was near at hand, and that she had intended looking into the wonderful shop windows that very day. In fact, she forgot herself entirely while working for her Master, He had given his life for her, so she gave Him willing service. She led a poor lost girl to the Rock, Christ Jesus. She smoothed the dying pillow of an aged man, to whom she had pointed the Way, the Truth, and the Life. She fed the starving children of a miserable drunkard, and the poor little things clung to her as if thy could never let her go. But these were only a few of her loving ministrations in His name that golden day. Emily Olmstead had begun to worry about Aunt Becky as tbe day the short winters day was about closing. Tbe three sturdy boys had Just gone to a Christmas Eve party, and Richard Olmstead had come dinner when home to the Aunt Becky arrived on the scene. In her arms something like a ragmans treasures, but it squirmed. Aunt Becky sank Into a chair, bundle and all. I'm about tuckered out, she said with a faint Bmile; "but I'm happy. Here, Emily and Dick, addressing her nephew and his wife, as she gently unrolled the bundle, the Lord has sent you another little girl. So, after all, the blessed boys will have, a sister." A tiny, frail little human blossom stood revealed to the astonished eyes of Mr. and Mrs. Richard Olmstead. She was thin and pale, with big brown eyes and short, wavy hair of reddish six-o'clo- ck undisturbed, omf nanny round ner voice. Did you really think. Aunt Becky, that we would take this baby?' at Yes, was tbe quiet answer; least I hoped so." Where did you find her? Is she an orphan?' I found her In a desolate room all alone and crying from hunger. An overgrown, neglected girl looked after her out of pity, when she could; but she was often compelled to leave the poor baby all alone. The father of this little one, an honest laboring man, wu killed by an accident. The mother died a month ago died of a broken heart She was a good woman a Christian woman trusting her Father In heaven to the last. They told me there, over In the poverty-stricke- n place, that just before she died she prayed, 6 Lord, please find a home and a mother for my little one. Emily knelt before Aunt Becky, and threw her arms around the little stranger, who responded by smiling into her face. Well, then, she said, amidst tears and smiles, the Lord willing and Dick willing, the poor mother's prayer la answered Tie I, who led thy steps aright; Tls I, who gave thy blind eyes sight; "Tls I, thy Lord, thy Life, thy Light; 'Tis I; be not afraid." It was Christmas morning a bright but bitterly cold morning. The Olmstead boys, however, did not care how cold It was. They were all out of bed at early dawn to see what Christmas had brought them. Bertie, aged ten, did not wait to dress, but ran down stairs in his nlgbt clothes to see what he could find. Fred, aged twelve, and Edgar, not quite fourteen, managed to get their clothes before following their younger brother; Fred, meanwhile, singing as he danced about in frantic efforts to "beat Ed. The shouts of the three boys awoke the rest of the household, and Bertie found it necessary to run back to his room to dress. The boys had been well remembered. They found everything they had wiBhed for, from balls to boxing gloves; but there was one present winging gracefully under the chandelier that made them open their eyes wide in astonishment It was a doll a lovely d doll with a sweet baby face, and dressed In long baby clothes. Well, I declare, shouted Fred; that must be for Bertie. Hes the youngest, so hes our baby, and Aunt Becky has bought him a doll baby. Ha! ha! ha! They all laughed, even Bertie, who of course did not believe what Fred had asserted, but thought that the doll was one of papas jokes." One would think we had a sister to see that doll, he said. "I wish we had. I dont see why we don't have, regretfully. Ive wished we had a sister a good many times, observed Fred, with longI never see Carl ing in his tone. Thorn's little sister but I want one. Why can't we have one, Id like to know? "There was a little girl here once, a long time ago, before I was bom, Edgar said; you all know that I wish she was here now. How pretty she must have been with that sweet dimpled face, all smiles! Merry Christmas! my dear, dear to-nig- ht . flaxen-haire- lace-trimm- ed boys! It was their mothers voice, and they all ran to her with their morning kisses and Christmas wishes and thank I have one more gift for you, she said. Come, my boys! They followed her wonderingly Into her sleeping room, and up to a white and gold crib, draped in white. What did they see that kept them so still? What was it that stirred them so strangely? What made the tears start in their bright eyes? What made their hearts beat with a new, sweet tenderness? Only a little baby girl sleeping sweetly and softly in their mother's room. The tiny hands were clasped over the little head crowned with ringlets of reddish-brow- n that seemed like a crown of gold. Who is she? Where did she come from?" whispered Bertie softly. She is your little sister," was the She came from the gentle reply. Ixrd your Christmas gift; but Aunt Becky brought her." A story of Sir R. W. Klclmrriiiun. One of the best known stories in con- ' ' Ci' ' nection with the late Sir Benjamin Ward Rirhardson's advocacy of temperance tells how he had been on a visit to one uf the three or four small towns In England which have no public house. Although there were 4,000 people there the doctor was nearly starving. One day a young medical man came to Sir Benjamin for advice as to taking the practice and Sir Benjamin, placing his hands on the young doctor's shoulders, said: Take my advice, and dont. Those wretched teetotalers not only shirk accidents, but, when wounded, heal so fast that there Is neither pleasure nor profit after the first dressing. Westminster Gazette. SHE FED THE STARVING. brown. She was two years old, but no larger than a healthy child of a year. Neglect was written ail over her, from her heavy, matted hair to her poorly clad feet. She looked at Mr. and Mrs. Olmstead in a frightened way, who. In their turn, looked at her, one might say, in the same way. Surprise kept them silent. They wondered If Aunt Becky had gone crazy. Why don't you speak? asked tha Horse Flesh Consumption In Tnris. kind old lady. "Will you accept her, has 200 shops where horse meat Paris this child, from the Lord? He sent la eold. The residents of the French her by me. I could not leave her metropolis last year consumed over there all alone poor baby! Richard Olmstead still sat silent and 10,000 horses. |