| OCR Text |
Show BROKEN HEARTS. belles Iifartsin Though mnlum fuot-- hide them: on the old highway, and gas Thy With ended gne! beside them. The wan. white face of the woman who know That she must wander apart From the soul where not even pity glows, With a proud hut broken heart. tTt world today. s 'There are brokrn hearts in the world today Beneuth wnrm furs aud lace: Oak Ieeemier gnaws at those hearts, though May Pmi'.ee m the daunthes fares. "The reeolute eyes ol the man we see By day in the busy mart; Book down in the night through his soul, and he ' Looks into a broken heart. 'There nre broken hearts in the world today, For nil the cyme's laughter: Tbs warm hearts that were red and growing gray, Hope tied and Youth went after. But the sun comes np and the world goes round And ail of us play our parts. over as well as under the ground r But There are dead and broken hearts. John Ernest McCann in New York Mercury. v -- 7 the MYSTEBIOUS it WIDOW. Tears ago, before the providence ol was the populous stood on the there is it now, 'i. ;New Brunswick ot!ier, the - ' 1,, severnl miles from wher the city of St. John now stands, a little straggling sort of village, com- posed principally of fishermens cot-- Little better than huts and a rough unpolished, set honest and their occupants. In winter, the snow was piled high and the they but ju'tages. it;-wer- l,Yesr itehsn;, tlreact Seci. hard-workin- g were when freez' piercingly cold, the met in some one the cottages, where, with dance and song, they beguilded the evening hours, as happy as though they knew 5ln! nothing of the bustling, busy world . ghut out by their native hill. And in the pleasant moonlight Summer evenings were spent in sailing over the bright waters of the bay, or in wandering in pairs through the dim woods some sturdy, sunbrowued youth whispering in the ear of his in. emorita the old, oldstory. Every ink. thing flowed on in that little the ns. village for years and years in to, tsnme calm, monotonous way; almost lets, theses forgotten by the inhabitans was the 131n; fact that there existed any other tatbe.. world but the little one in which 1, her lived. Sometimes, it is true? would reach them of the bold rumors n v ngon a manner in which the revenue was ' ' by the smugglers of Eastport; ace 1 fid, but the honest fishermen, secure in their rockbound retreat, cared littl far this. At length, however, the inhabitants were aroused from their stagnation by quite a little romance, of which the following is a brief suin' IWKB-of- sea-coa- be uary: Standing on a bleak, desolate sort of eminence that projected somewhat from the mainland was a little ruin' el stone cottage. It had formerly were obliged to own that ! nothing could have set off better the dark, bright style of her beauty than the rich brilliant hues ol her headdress. For a time the villagers held aloof from the newcomer; but.findingtheir reserve was met with careless indifference on her part, they soon began to change their tactics. A few of the village maids and matrons called at Bleak Point shanty, and, though shocked beyond measure at the universal disorder reigning without and within, they left, on the whole, rather favorably impressed by its mistress. 1 here was a wicked twinkle in her bright black eyes us she begged them to excuse the state in which they found things, on the plea that she wasnt used to housekeeping. All their endeavors to discover her name and business proved, however, to be vain, but Irom several accidental remarks dropped by her they concluded she whs a widow. As it was impossible for her to be spoken of without a name they resolved to give her one themselves and admiring her bright, black eyes and jetted locks they concluded to give her that of Black. Accordingly, the name by which the handsome stranger was known in the village was the Widow Black a name which, after a laugh at first, she professed her willingness to be known by. And weeks passed away, and the Widow Black remained the sole dweller on Bleak Point. Iiuring this time she became the reigning belle and prime favorite of the good people of M in spite of the mystery in which she was enveloped. She accepted every invitation to parties picnics and quilting frolics, andeandy 6prees, nlways w ithout exception iu the tumbled dress and everlasting silk handkerchief. Such songs as she could sing in such a voice, such a splendid dancer ns she was, such stories as she could tell, now keeping the audience convulsed with laughter, and now bringing tears into eyes all unused to the melting mood! No party of pleasure was complete without the Widow Black; No wonder, then, every unmarried man in the village had his heart pierced by the black eyes of the lively widow, and every woman under forty was wild with jealousy and envy. But the handsome widow moved on her way as if totally unconscious and indifferent as to what people thought of her. In fact, different from nil other widows that ever were heard of, she shadowed at all times a decided preference for the society of the young ladies and rather laughed at all the tender devotions of her rustic swains. One night old Miles Judson, being out unusually late casting his nets, was surprised to see the same low, schooner black, suspicious-lookinthat had left among them the Widow enter Black the bay. she had Wondering whether come to carry off the widow again he secreted himself to watch her. Presently a boat was lowered, severnl bales were hoisted over the vessels side, and the boat rowed to the land and disappeared in one of the numerous islets surrounding Bleak Ioint. More and moro mystified the old man determined to watch their motions, and three hours after he beheld the boat return to the schooner, which instantly weighed 1 g the fishermen, not reside in spot, had de- anchor and made off. The following day old Miles Jud-sohad long been to a stranger from sat without an inmate. It was ever here St. John,talking who had arrived that day. xhe wind blew coldest in Winter, and Seated within was the handsome I ere the suns rays fell hottest in Widow Black, chatting away with bummer. The summit of the dreary Miles daughter Ruth, a Bluenose with as bright an eye as hill was crow ned with stunted spruce, maiden, ever flashed back sunlight. indwarfed and blackened by the Have you heard anything lately tense frosts of many Winters. Over about that celebrated smuggler, ? said the man, men the rocks below broke, with a dull, Captain I! name of a noted smugsullen roar, the waves of the Bay of tioning the gler. , Fundv; and oftentimes in the Spring, here,-No, we hear nothing the tides would rise so high and so grumbled old Miles, while Ruth rapidly as to entirely surround it, looked up with surprise at the widows start. cutting it off like an island from the sudden people are talking of nothing mainland. . The inhabitants hud very else Well, in Eastport and St. John, said appropriately named it Bleak Point. his companion, hes a regular dareSuch was the state of things when, devil, and cheats the revenue so boldone raw' Spring morning, the news ly that one cannot help fading symwent flying through the village that pathy for him. Somehow the Custom House discovered he was hoverBleak Point Shanty had got an ing around Eastport, and a dozen or two revenue cutters were sent out occupant. A low, black, schooner had come up the bay to watch him, but lo! the steamer ran the night before; a boat had put off the gauntlet of them all, delivered in spite of their from her, leaving a woman on Bleak her cargo somewhere, and where the beaks cannot teeth, Point. Then it had returned to the discover. It was a valuable one, too; which, before daylight, was 6be was loaded with rum and off and away. sugar. The Widow Black had suddenly 01 course, everybody was aglow to discover who eho was, and what a ceased her conversation, and sat woman hardy and courageous listening with a look cf interest to nough to live in so lonely a place this recital. As lie ceased she bit her could look like. This curiosity was lip, and stooped down to conceal the soon satisfied; for after the first few smile that, in spite of all her efforts, Jays the newcomer did not seem dis- broke over her countenance. The posed to eonceal herself. Let them motion was observed by Miles; the rise as early in the morning as they incident of tho preceding night pleased they would find them up be- flashed across his mind, and in a mofore them strolling about among the ment he felt convinced he had seen rocks. This wonder was still aug- the smugglers, and that the widder mented at tiuding her young and was connected in some way with eminently handsome, with a healthy them. Miles Judson was a prudent man, brown face, and the brightest, vivacious black eves in the world. The and he determined to keep the disfor young men of the village could speak covery to himself, and to set out of nothing but her beauty; and the St. John the next day and inform hours they should have spent in the authorities. Acting on th is resothe concatching fish were wasted in devising lution he adroitly changed schemes to catch her. The ladies of versation. Keeping his eye fixed on the village were, however, absolutely the widow, who, all unconscious of scandalized by utter indifference his gaze, was now flirting most deswhich 6he manifested in regard to perately with master Bill, the old dress and indeed her garments gen- mans son and heir Dont you find it kinder lonesome erally looked as though 6he had there Sho by yourself? said Bill, with into up them. jumped dispensed widtender a bonnet glance toward the altogether with hat and wore in its place a silk der. Oh! Im used to it now, and like handkerchief knotted under her chin after tho fashion of the French wom--- it well enough," she replied carelessStill, even the jealous village ybuilt by one of ho finding he could such a cold, cheerless serted it, and the hut been w n rakish-look-la- g a. - There was a paue after this. Bill confounded authorities, reolcel on a plaa land our contraband goods. Disguised eat gnawing his linger nails, aud evi- to ae a woman I cutue to reside in M , where, dently trying to say something that finding :t eonveni.nt to land them safely and stuck in his throat. The widow sat as sae v d.epose o? them, remained until a few weeks uao. For the m anner in floor with one the gracious foot, whu h I tapping been entertained I feel profoundaud waiting for the return of Ruth ly pratei.ae ul. who had left them. To William Judson I wo dd regret exWidder! I want to get married, ceeding v that ureuins'ancea will prevent m.v and sharing marrying him at said Bill, at length, with startling that new wi.unty; but, present wishing to show my 1 M- -. suddenness. Do you? said the widow, lifting her bewildering black eyes to his luce, astonished at the abruptness of his avowal. Widder, continued Bill, plucking up courage by a desperate effort, wouldn't you like to get married again? .Married again! replied the lady, how do you know I ever was married? Why every oneealls you a widder, and I never heard tell of any one widder wittiout first bein a widder, replied Bill. Yes, said the widow, with difficulty repressing a laugh, everyone calls me a widow, but whether i am or be-in- not is another thing. Well, said Bill, who, ns he afterward expressed it, was determined to go the whole hog. I'm a chap as is pretty well off. Im goin to build a new shanty, and get a new boat eotne of these times, and Im a pretty good-lookifeller hem! bo hem! Widder, if youll have me, you and mell get epliced! Amazement for a moment kept the widow silent, and she started in the face of her sheepish admirer, who, blushing, startled, sat crossiug one leg uneasily over the other. Then every other feeling gave away to her sense of the ridiculous, and, leaning back in her chair, she burst into a of laughter that made the old Eeal n ring. The unusual sound brought the whole household to the spot. There was pretty Ruth laughing from sympathy, Without the slightest idea of what the fun was about; there was Miles staring at them with mouth and eyes open; there sat Bill, looking irresistibly sheepish, and there sat the widow, laughing and laughing, until the tears stood in her eyes. What what what the dickens is the matter ? roared the old man, staring first at one and then at the other in utter bewilderment. I I must go, said the widow in a voice faint from excessive laughter; come up this evening. Ruth, 1 have And, still something to tell you. laughing, the widder vanished. That evening two events worthy of notice took place in the little village of M . Old Miles departed full of an important secret to the city, and Ruth Judson and the Widow Black sat for au hour or more in close conference on the rocks of Bleak Point. What Ruth learned there she did not disclose, but sundry ejaculations of amazement and sundry expessions of delight proved that it was far from disagreeable. The following evening, when the d gloaming was falling over the coast of New Brunswick, tho Widow Black sat in lierlittlecottage, gazing in the fire and lost in thought. Suddenly, the tramp of feet approaching Bleak Point fell on her quick ear. Springing to her feet sho saw several constables, headed by old Milc3, approaching her cottage. Scarcely had she time to draw the l.olt when a heavy knock came to the door, and stern voice commanded her to open in the name of the law. Not until I know your business, said the widow boldly; whoareyou? and what do you want? We are officers of the law. You are suspected of being connected with smugglers, and of concealing contraband goods about your premises, and our business is to arrest you and search for them, was the reply. Then let me assure you, your trouble will be all for nothing. The smuggled goods you speak of were here, but are not where the eyes of the Custom House will ever fall on them. As to your arresting me, a poor, lone widder, I am sure you are too much of a gentleman to do it. Open the door, or I will break it open, shouted the enraged officer. Break away, retorted the provoking widow, with the utmost coolness. With an oath the officer rushed against the door; at the same moment the widow drew the bolt, and he fell head first into the room, while old Miles, who rushed after, lay sprawled on top of him. Before they could rise, the widow seized the rewith maining officer, and hurled him comthe greatest ease over his fallen panions. Then, drawing the door after her and securing it on the outside, the widow was off and away. Search was made for the widow, but in vain. No trace of any one answering the description given of her could be found. Neither could any smuggled goods be discovered on Bleak Point, although they easily discovered they had lately been there. A few weeks alter, late one night, a handsome young fellow dressed as a gratitude to the tannic, I have token off bis sisteY. to whom I will 1m splieed. wind and leather permitting Xko Iiitisox, uluis the Wippeb Clack.' It only remains for us to say that the aboe facts are strictly true. Ned Bryson was prevailed upon by liis pretty wife to give up smuggling and settle down in some more honest way of living. They resided in St. John for several years and then went to California, where they mav be living yet for all we may say to the contrary N. Y. Mercury. In a Tigers Jaws, Russian hunters are said to look with a upon a combat bear as only an ordinary exjtorienee. It is doubtful, however, if many instances of a man, attacking a tiger, armed with a swonl only, can be vouched for, but Colonel Seaton relates the following; One morning just as we were leaving the parade ground, a man came rushing up breathless, looking as scared us if his life were in danger. Get your guns, men, he said in terror, there is a tiger in the hollow by the fakir's hut and no one dares go by! This was an intimation not lo be slighted, so in all lmste we got our guns anil two elephants and hurried to the spot, where, in truth, a terrible scene presented itself. The tiger, bleeding from a cut in the head, was on tho edge of the hollow, growling fiercely, with a man dead mangled and apparently lying beneath his paws. The unfortunate man was the fakirs son, a tine swordsman and a wrestler, one of the champions of his regiment. He had come home only that morn- ing. Some people who went to draw water nt the well had disturbed the tiger and on his rising they tied in terror. The brave but rasli soldier, who hnp- toned to be near at that moment, on f earning the cause of the commotion, immediately advanced to attack the tiger, anil with his sword gave him a tremendous cut over the head, which, however, did not materially injure the powerful brute. The tiger rushed at tiie man, stripped the arm down to the elbow and, held him beneath his paws. When we came up we were at nloss liow to net, for the man was as much exposed to our fire as the tiger. However, it was not a time lor lengthened consideration we fired and a lucky shot, finished the animal. single-hande- d first-rat- e rock-houn- . sailor entered the village of M Advancing to the house of Miles Judson he fastened a paper to the door, then, with a loud, peculiar whistle, crouched under one of the windows. A few moments after and the door slowly opened and Ruth appeared. Tucking hi r under his arm, the young man led the way to where a boat lay on the shore, and a few minutes after they wererapidlyskim-min- g over the bay toward St. John. A few hours after sunrise every man, were cro wd woman and child in M ing roiyid the cottage of old Miles. And there, written in large, flourishing capitals, they read: To All Whom it Mat Concurs Bp it Classlfica ion of Livestock. Miss you cant bring (logs in the car, said a Third avenue conductor to a young woman who tenderly held a wriggling little object wrapped up in a slmwl. Taint a dog, snapped theyoung woman, and the discomfited conductor retreated to the rear platform amid a general titter. He studied the case for a few minutes, and then returning to the young woman said: Miss, you cant bring cats iu neither. Taint a cat, said the young woman, its a rabbit; and the long ears emerged in confirmation of her assertion. At this the conductor looked puzzled for a moment, and then said: Well, thats accordin to the rules of this company; dogs is dogs and cats is dogs, butra bints is insects; New York Star. so you dan stay. African Musical Instruments. It is rather curious to notice that all the instruments originally identified with negro minstrelsy have come from Africa. The bones and tambourine, too? Yes. Both tambourine and bones, or castanets, were brought into Spain from Africa by the Moors. They are both savage instruments almost unmodified. The funniest nnd most I ever primitive musical instrument heard of, however, I saw used by a darky down in Florida, who laid one horny and previously licked forefinger on the edge of a table nnd sawed across it back and forth with a round stick. The table served ns a sounding board, nnd at each stroke ofstick across the finger a long drawn, lugubrious note of some loudness was produced. It did the bass for an orchestra at a negro party consisting besides of a banjo arid a tambourine. Interview in Washington Star. Profitable Egg Hunting. A case in some respects similar to that of the famous man who jumped into a bramble bush is reported from Mrs. A. F. W ood, a lady Kennebunk. who had been lame several years, went to the barn loft to gather some eggs and in sliding down upon tht bay, with her lame limb, hearing something crack she felt she had broken some bone. She called her husband for help and when lie lifted her up sho found she could walk better than before. Theligaments which known to all men by these presents that I, had adhered to each other by nonuse Ned Bryson, being one of the crew of the were broken apart, improving het smuggler commanded by Captain R., finding lameness. Lewiston Journal. tbe watched w were by that continually Humorous Scintillations. Tho English Language World's Tongue. tho It is not enough to be ready to go The fact that English is the lanwhere duty calls. A man should guage used bv both the internationstay around where he can hear the al ronferenees which recently assemtall. bled iu Washington, naturally leads Seamless trousers nre all the rage to some speculations concerning the among Philadelphia dudes, but it is curious progress of the English toLard to see how any trousers could wards becoming the language of the make a dude seam less than he realThe language in which Shakefuture. ly is. Milton wrote was thelan-guag- e and speare A New Y'ork school-bowas asked of less than (1,000,000 people, ihe other day by his teacher why and when Washington was President vhips are always referred to as she. less than 1(1,000,(100 used the Enlie 'Because, replied, "they always need a man to manage them. glish language. At that time French Clnra(to bride) How many times was spoken by from 30.000,000 to did Harry kiss you when you accept- ,10,000,000. Hall a century ago as ed him? Bride Ask niesoinething Inrge n proportion of tho population tile globe spoke German ns English. easy? Could Napoleon i ount all the ol Now bullets fired at XuMerlitz? Germany is far behind in this In Austria, Germany, Berespect. She You are such a solitary man, lgium, Switzerland and the Inited Mr. Silby! I should think you would States German is spoken by aliout 10,000 jieople. In France, Belgium, lie Oh, no; I en- Alsace-Lorrainget lonesome. llnyti, Algiers. InShe (thoughtjoy ling by myself. dia, the West Indies nnd Africa, I don't see liow you can. fully) French is spoken by 41,000,000. In Man enters newspaper office. Edi tho British Isles, the United States, tor looks up in alarm. My dear Canada, Australia, the West Indies, I have a India, India nnd other British colon-ie- .s sir, says the visitor, English is freely spoken by 100.-00- 0. bench warrant for your ari-psEd0t)0. These figures nre very sigitor Thank God it is no worse. 1 nificant. lind a thought you poem. The fact is that theentcrprlse'ofthe Father Jennie, my dear, how is English people long ago led them to it you always ride home? Itis a bad explore this globepretty thoroughly, whatever was worth habit to get into. Jennie Why, and to pick wup us not an notion of the It having. father, I see in the Fashion Review for the governments of that tho riding habit is quite tho government, were too stupid to originthat day this season! thing ate any policy whatever. It was the buccaneers, Hospital physician (with a view to work of diagnosis) What do you drink? whose discoveries nnd pretensions the government had just sense enough New Patient (cheering up nt the pro. to sustain. Out of this condition of posal) Oh, sir! thank you, sir, things has arisen the widely scattered whatever you I leave that to you extent of tho British empire. But sir! London Bunch. this very condition of tilings paved How is it, reck, said a New York the way for the extension of the inman to George R. Peek the other day fluence nnd language of Great Britain. Wherever the English standard in a Topeka hotel, that all these was planted the English tongue was fellows are generals and you only a spoken, so that now all over the jleeaiiso I wus in the world, more than in the case of captain? war, replied Mr. Peck. Latin in 1 ho old Roman empire, i y t. -- Say, you chump, wy don't ye put dnt I am Blind sign on the front of Conyoz, instend of your back? scientious Biggs (os do front side o me aint blind. I don't want to git run in for no false pretenses; Mabel Father, I ieally do not half like that Miss Shearewell. She's an well, an awful clip. Father (solemnly) My dear, do not blame the poor girl. She came honestly by her nature. Her father is the scissors editor of the Sunday Scraplmg. Old (to small boy, who is cn dcavoring to attach tin cun to dogs You naughty little boy! tail) AY lint would your mother say if she saw you acting so cruelly?' Small She wouldnt say anything; Boy she's dumb. But if your father could see you, ho Would give all lie's worth; lies blind. Traveler Oh, kind sir, take nil, take all, but leavo rue this, my a parting gift from my mother pock-Bibl- e, when I was a boy! The Highwayman (as he gathers np a very poor haul) Keep ver prayer book nn The Traveler (ten minutes begone. Well, that was a pretty close later) shave. If that chump had known that liblo covered $2,000 in bank notes, he wouldnt have been so quick to let me keep it. Town Talk. Freak (striking for a higher salaYou pay me only $17 n week ry) nnd I think I ought to have $20. loure Manager of Dime Museum not such a curiosity ns you look and you know it. Y'our actual height is Freak only six feet six inches. But you make me tell everybody Im eight feet high. Manager nn Englishman can go around the world and be understood, speaking only his native tongue. It is worthy of note that the lutest triumph of the English langungeshould have been due to American influences. WIhui the Samoan conference was held nt Berlin, tho natural impulse was to hold tho discussions, as usual, in French, which, time out ot mind, has been the languageofdiplo-mney- . But on the representations of an American delegate, the conler-encwere held in English, nnd accordingly to America is due tho first surrender of diplomatic use to the English language. In that case, the marvel to the American diplomats was that the other delegates understood nnd used the language so wvll. The same thing has been observed in regard to the knowledge of English shown by the several members of the congress, and of the International Maritime conference. These instances serve to show that naoutside of tho tions tho knowledge of the English tonguo is very general. Boston Traveler. es Pnn-Amerka- n English-speakin- g An Alligators Queer Nest. Alligators, as a rule, have a regular place of retreat in the bank of a stream or tarn. This is excavated with their fore paws and, according to some crackers, tho dirt is carried away in the mouth of the engineer who backs into deep water and then returns to renew theoperation, until it has made itself a capacious home undor water. This w ill readily account for the size of the mouth, for it must not only procure food, but also act as a mud scow. The female adopts Y'ou con(righteously indignant) the same method for building her scienceless scoundrel! You want mo nml not only fills her mouth, to pay jou $3 o week for lying, do nest, but nlso fakes a load between her Chicago Tribune. you? forelegs when sho is in a hurry. She enn by this means accomplish much work in a day, for sho never seems An Unexpected Rebuke, lie was a deaf mnto who had to tire. It is quite amusing to watch a learned to talk by imitation. His mother build her first nursery, young wife could both hear and talk, but at she being not only fussy and vigilant, the theater they preferred to converse but so suspicious that a fowr fluttering by means of the sign manual. The leaves startle her out of her wits. couple that sat behind them, think- Outing. ing that neither of them could hear, took occasion to comment freely and Was Mr. Adams Puzzled? spicuiate on their relations to each other ad libitum, greatly to the disA story which is apropos of noth comfort of the lady, who, ol Jcourse, Ing is told at the expense of the wife heard everything. She communicatof a prominent Wested every word to her husband until of the president is to the effect that railroad. ern It he could stand it no longer. Then, Adams was apCharles Francis when he the to gentleman, mildly turning Will you allow me to see asked, to the presidency of the Papointed your programme? The chagrin nnd cific Road he chanced to call upon discomfort of the pair wereapparent. the lady in question, who was at the I lustily handing over his programme, in Boston. the two hustled out of the theater ti I do not know just what I am to just as the curtain went up on the second act. Chicago Tribune. do, Mrs. 1, he said, in reference to bis new dignity. Sometimes it seems to me that I am only a sortof figureThe Wrong Leg. head for ornament rather than use. Is that dog of yours good for Yes. she assented, that is exwas husband he what asked of saloon a my saying actly anything? keeper on Michigan avenue as hemo. yesterday. was not until after Mr. And it tioned to a canine that lay behind Adams had gone that the lady rethe stove. flected it was just possible the that Is lie? You just lay yourhand on understood that her not had guest my shoulder and utter a whoop. had reference remark husbands The man did so nndthedogsprnng to himself and not to Mr. Adams.only up nnd bit his owner in the leg and gracefully retired. Water in the Snake river has been "How do you account for that? asked the inquirer as a general laugh so low this season that settlers have went round. bitterly complained ofthe dust raised Hang it, I had forgotten that he bv the salmon going up stream. 1 was cross eyed! was the reply. They threaten to ask for nn approhand on have to vouf my put ought to sprinkle the river next Detroit Free priation shoulder and yelled. if the nuisance is repeated. year Press. Alta California. |
