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$1.00 a Year, In Advance. FOR GOD, FOR COUNTRY, AND FOR TRUTH." inzl? Copy, 5 Cents.
VOL. XIII. PLYMOUTH, N. .0,, FRIDAY, JANUARY 30, 1903. NO, 40.
LAUCH IT
Don't, put on your far-oil glasses hunting
lions in the way,
Don't go probing 'round for troubles just
ignore them, day by day.
Don't go sighing: "Yes, 'tis pleasant just
at present, but ah me!
There's the sorro-y of to-morrow where
will all our sunshine be?"
If the worst is in the future and has been
there all the while.
We can keep it there by laughing till we
make the others smile.
If the worst is in the future, let it stay
there; for we know
That to-morrow's always threatening to
bring us so-and-so;
But to-morrow with its sorrow never
comes within our gaze,
For all time is just a pageant of these
busy old to-days.
Let "the worst stay in the future where it
has been, all the while!
We can keep it there by laughing till the
others start to smile.
r "' '
A TRAGEDY
HE night express was making
its customary pause at Gran
tham station while the en
gines were changed for the
next long run, 100 miles, to York.
It was not a crowded train, as I
easily perceived when I alighted with
the rest to stretch my legs. Most of
the passengers had turned out, too, and
we lounged about, staring at each
other without keen interest until time
was up and the sharp cries of "Take
your seats," "Now for the North," s.ent
us back to our carriages.
I had a compartment to myself, and
I regained it without paying particular
attention to those nearest me, save in
the vague, unconscious fashion that
would hardly serve for later recogni
tion. One man I noticed in the next
carriage he and I alone were travel
ing "first," at any rate, in that part of
the train but dp not think I should
have known him again but for his
traveling cap with the lappets tied
under his chin and his loose ulster
-with a cape distinct facts In his ap
pearance, although they made little
impression on me at the time.
Then, another matter claimed my
notice. There were sudden cries,
"Notv, sir, now! If you're going on,
look sharp, sir, please." I saw a man,
a laggard, hurrying down the plat
form, puffing breathlessly In evident
distress, as though the pace was too
great for him.
He made straight for where I sat,
but stopped .one compartment short of
mine, and as the train was .already
moving they hustled him in neck and
crop; the signal was given, "Right,"
the whistle sounded, the engine driver
blew a response, and we steamed
ahead full speed.
I felt rather concerned about this
neihlbor and late arrival. His white
face, his staring eyeballs and hanging
tongue told of great physical exhaus
tion, and I fancied that I heard a
groan as he tumbled into his carriage.
Evidently he had run it very close
had come upon the platform at the
very last moment, and had all but
missed his train. He had only just
joined it, of that I felt sure, for I had
not observed him on our departure
from King's Cross nor here at Gran
tham. Why had he been so anxious
to save Lis passage and such peril to
himself? For he was ill I made sure
he was ill so sure that I threw down
my window and, leaning out,- shouted
to the next compartment, asking if
anything was wrong.
No answer came, or it was lost in the
rattle and turmoil of the express.
Once again I called out, having no
certainty that I could be heard, but
certain at last that I heard no reply.
Why should I worry further? The
next compartment was not empty, thr.
I knew. If the newcomer was really
ill and wanted help he could get it
from his traveling companion, the man
In the'loose ulster and cap tied under
his chin, whom I believpd to be in the
carriage with him. So I dismissed the
matter from my mind and sank back
among the cushions of my seat to rest
and be satisfied.
I must have dozed off, but only for
a minute or two as I though, and I
seemed to be still asleep and dreaming
when again I heard a groan in the
next carriage. It was a perfectly vivid
and distinct Impression, as half wak
ing dreams so often are. I could not
at the moment say whether what fol
lowed was reality or a figment also
of my drowsy brain. What I heard
I have said was a groan fraught with
AWAY.
When we look toward the sunset in the
gorgeous afterglow,
Lot us thank the blessed Father for the
things wo do not know;
Let us thank Him with all fervency that
lie has never sent
Any burden quite unbearable; that while
our backs have bent
Underneath the load, we've had His arms
about us all the while
Let us laugh away the trouble though our
eyes are dimmed with tears;
Let us laugh away our troublos though our
eyes are dimmed with tears;
Let us laugh away the heartaches and the
worries and the fears;
Just "he good and you'll be happy" if
you're happy, you'll be good;
For the rule's so double-acting that it's
seldom understood.
0 there is no future coming with a lot of
trouble in
We can fight ifc off by laughing till the
others start to grin!
S. W. Gillilan, in Los Angeles nerald.
IN A TUNNEL
keen anguish; what I saw was quite
as clear, but still more extraordinary
and unaccountable.
The train had slowed down and was
almost at a standstill. We were in a
turinel; the lamps in the carriages
threw a strong light upon the brick
walls and reflected all that was going
on In the compartment next mine
(none of the others near had any occu
pant). But in this the adjoining compart
ment two figures stood out plainly
men's figures, and one held the other
closely in his arms. More than this
I could not make out. , I saw it clearly,
although but a brief space only, a few
seconds of time, for now the train
moved on rapidly with increasing
speed, and we ran out of the tunnel.
The reflected scene of course disap
peared at once as completely as though
wiped off a slate.
There was trouble next door, of what
nature it was Impossible to guess, but
I felt that it must be ascertained forth
with. If it was a case of serious ill
ness then the one hale man would
surely ring the alarm bell and seek
assistance for the other; if it was foul
play he would make no sign, and it
then became my bounden duty to in
terpose without delay.
These thoughts flashed quickly
through my mind, and it seemed an
age while I waited to resolve my
doubts. Probably no more than a few
seconds elapsed before I put my hand
to ihe signal and stopped the train.
I was first to get out, and hardly wait
ing the stoppage I clambered along the
footboard and stood upon it, looking
into the carriage.
No one was to be seen within.
"Quick, quick!" I cried to the guard
when he came up. "In here. Some
thing has happened. There is a man
sick; I fear he has fainted. . He wasn't
alone, but I cannot see the other man."
Now the carriage door was opened
and disclosed a body lying recumbent,
inert, in a strangely stiff, haphazard
fashion on the floor. The guard
stooped down, waving his lantern over
the white, drawn face and moving the
body gently on one side.
"All up with him, I expect. Run,
somebody, along the train and see if
there's a doctor aboard. And you, sir,
what do you know of this?"
I described what I had heard or
though I had heard and seen, including
the glimpse reflected in the tunnel.
"You nlust have been dreaming or
you're inventing," was the guard's
rather abrupt comment. "Couldn't
have seen anything like that 'tain't
possible. And how comes it you know
such a lot about it? You tell us, too,
there was another man in the carriage
what's become of him? A fine
story!"
"Would I have given the alarm If
I was implicated In any way?" I an
swered hotly. "Don't be a fool,
guard."
The guard would have answered me
rudely, no doubt, but at that moment
a doctor appeared upon the scene.
"The man is dead beyond all ques
tion dead," he said at the very first
glance.
"And the cause of death?" I asked
eageAy, while the guard frowned at
me as though I were, making myself
too busy. "Are there any marks of
foul play?"
"None visible,' replied the doctor
after a brief examination. "I should
say It -was heart, but I cannot be
certain till I have looked further."
"Which you can do somewhere else
and better than here," interposed the
guard. "We've lost too much time
already. I must push on to York and
r.eport there. This is too big a job for
me."
"You had better go back to Grant
ham," I protested. "It's quite close
not half a dozen miles."
"I don't want you to teach me my
duty, and I'm not going. I've got first
of all to keep time. Why should I go.
back?"
"To Identify the dead man he got
in at Grantham and to give Informa
tion as to the man who got out."
"Oh, bosh!" cried the guard. "There
was no man no one but yourself, and
you've got to come along with me, and
that" he pointed to the corpse "on
to York."
"I certainly shall not go on with the
train. I shall go , back to Grantham
alone. There is no time to be lost.
The other man "
I thought the. guard' would have
gtruck me. He was obviously ready
to lay violent hands on me, and he re
peated that he meant to take me on
to York, if necessary by force.
"You've no authority. You're not a
police officer, and I am, or as good, for
I am a government official. Here is
my card. Let there be an end of this.
I think you are wrong in going on, but
at any rate I shall walk back to Grant
ham by the line. Be so good as to
look after my things in the next com
partment," and with that I alighted
and left the guard rather crestfallen.
Within a few minutes, walking rap
idly, I re-entered the tunnel which had
been the scene of the strange incident,
and in less than half an hour I reached
the station. It was dimly lighted, for
the next express train, the 12.00 "up."
was nearly due. and there were several
officials upon the platform.
I went up to one, an inspector, and
briefly told him what had happened.
"Dear, dear! Of course. I remem
ber. That was Mr. Erasmus Bateman.
He belongs here a rich man, greatly
respected; has the big stores In High
street. He was in a hurry to catch
that train, for he was going down to
night for the great timber auction at
Hull to-morrow. He buys a lot for his
furniture factory that is, he did, I
suppose I ought to say. Poor Mr.
Bateman! He was heavy, overfat for
his age, and he ought not to have run
so fast."
"Would he be likely to have much
money on him?" I asked.
"Why, yes; likely enough, ne was
his own buyer, and he always bought
for cash."
Here was a motive for foul play. I
saw the disappearance of this second
passenger explained. Bateman had
died suddenly almost in the other
man's arms.,
If evilly disposed it would be but the
matter of a moment for the latter to
get possession of purse and pocket
book and all valuables everything, In
fact and make off, leaving the car
riage at once, even at the risk of his
life.
It was a pretty, a plausible theory
enough, and I put it before the inspect
or with the whole of the facts.
"I'm inclined to agree with you, sir,
always supposing there was any such
man," he replied. "Your tunnel story
is a big mouthful to swallow."
"There he goes," I whispered, clutch
ing at the inspector's arm and point
ing to the tails of a check ulster dis
appearing into the booking office. "He
must not sec me; he might recognize
me as having been in the north ex
press. But go sharp's the word. Find
out where he's booking to and take a
ticket for me to the same place. Here
are a couple of sovereigns. You'll find
me in the waiting room."
He came to me there, bringing a
ticket for King's Cross, the other
man's destination.
"Traveling up, no doubt, by . the 12.00
midnight express, due in London at
2.40. Mark you now, inspector, I want
you to telegraph to Scotland Yard and
ask them to have a detective on the
arrival platform to watch for our
gentleman In check ulster and flap
cape and stop him.
"Mention my name; tell the office to
look out for me, and we'll arrange fur
ther together."
An electric bell sounded in the sig
nal box and the inspector cried: "Here
she comes! You wait, sir, till the last.
I'll mark the ulster down to his car
riage and I'll put you the next door.
You must be on the lookout at Peter
borough and FInsbury Park. He might
get off at one of those stations."
"No fear," I said, as I got into the
carriage with a parting Injunction to
the Inspector that he had better tele
graph also to York, giving the de
ceased's name, and inform his rela
tions in Grantham. ,
My man in the ulster did not move
on the way to town. I was continu
ally on the lookout, alert and wakeful,
watching in every tunnel we passed
through for some corroboration of my
former experience. In the flying train
probably at .this time of night every
one but myself was sound asleep. The
lights were certainly reflected onto the
brick walls, but no action or Incident.
Nevertheless, I was now quite con
vinced that I had made no mistake as
to what I had seen.
I was close behind the check ulster
directly its wearer alighted. So was
my friend Mountstuart, the detective,
to whom, as he ranged alongside, I
whispered:
"Take him straight to the nearest
station. I will charge him there with
robbery from the person. Mind he
does not sling (throw away) any stuff."
Except for my caution I believe he
would have got rid of a fat, bulky
pocketbook, but Mountstuart caught
him in the act and took It from his
hand. He began to bluster, shouting
"What does this mean? How dare you
interefer with me? Who are you?"
"You will hear soon enough," said
Mountstuart, quietly. "In with you.
We are going to Portland road."
1 never saw a man so dumbfounded.
He was a dark-eyed, lantern jawed,
cadaverous looking, and he was shiver
ing, no doubt with the sudden shock of
his unexpected arrest. He gave his
name at the station as Gregory Car
stairs, a commercial traveler, and it
came out that he had had business
dealings with Mr. Bateman. The
temptation had been irresistible when
he held the dead man in his arms to
search and despoil him. He thought
it was quite safe; no once could know
of his presence in the carriage, and
the sudden death would be attributed
to natural causes.
His possession of the stolen property
was enough to secure his conviction for
theft, the only charge pressed, for
death had really been from heart
failure. My evidence as to what I had
seen was heard in court, and heard
with mixed feeling in which incredul
ity predominated. The judge and some
others were sufficiently interested,
however, to put my statement to the
test by actual experiment on the Un
derground Railway, and the fact of
the telltale reflection was triumphantly
proved.
The next time I met the guard of
that night express he was very crest
fallen and admitted that he had made
an ass of himself. The Tatler.
A Little Philosopher.
Out in Riverside there lives a little
chap who deserves a place in the
world's philosophy along with Mrs'.
Wiggs and David Harum. He is by
nature sunny, and is apt to take the
world as it comes along. Ills that are
childhood tragedies to most youngsters
he usually passes by with a smile, b or
this he rightly has been considered
something of a wonder, but the cli
max came the other day. He had
gone to play with a neighbor's child
and the boys, seeking excitement, had
managed to climb to the top of a big
tree. Our little philosopher had only
Just reached the top when his foot
slipped and he fell to the ground. He
never uttered a word, and it was the
screaming of -the playmate that at
tracted the attention of the mother.
The doctor came and found two bad
fractures of the leg and hip. The lit
tle fellow bore the setting of the bones
patiently. After it was done the
mother slipped out of the room to hide
her own tears. A faint little sound
came from the room where the Injured
boy lay. She hurried back almost hop
ing to find him crying. t
"My son," she said, "do you want
something? I thought I heard you
call."
"Oh, no, mother," answered the lit
tle fellow. "I didn't call. I just
thought I'd try singing a bit."
And he went on with the song.
Chicago Chronicle.
The Ace of Admirals.
Lord Charles Beresford has raised
another little br6eze in England by
protesting that officers in the British
Navy are promoted to be admirals
when too old to hold that rank. Of
the twelve officers holding the rank of
admiral or vice-admiralonly three of
them are below the age of sixty, one
admiral being fifty-nine and two vice
admirals being fifty-seven and fifty
five, respectively. Nelson was only
forty-seven when he won at Trafalgar.
Lord Beresford points out that Ger
many has much younger men in these
exalted places, and he asserts with Na
poleon that at "sixty years, one I good
for nothing." , - - - -
MYSTERY OF A SPI&liR'S . SPINNING.
How .Does He Succeed In Drawing HU
We.h So Taut?
How does a spider spin a thread
from one bush to another at a height
from the ground and then draw it so
tight? asks a correspondent in the New
Century. Every one who has ever
walked through a country lane early in
the morning has felt the strained
threads upon the face, and often these
threads are many yards long, but the
way in which it is done remains a
mystery. He does not fly across, draw
ing the thread after him, for he has
no wings. Neither does he descend to
the ground and then climb the opposite
bush, for this would lead to Immediate
and hopeless entanglement of the gos
samer filament. How then does he do
it?
M. Favier, a French scientist, has dis
covered that a thread one yard long,
will support by its own buoyancy in'
the air, the weight of a young spider.
It would thus be in the power of a
juvenile to spin a thread of that length
and trust to air currents to carry It
across and attach it to an opposite bush
so that he himself could then pass over
and draw It tight. But many of these
threads, to judge from their strength
and consistency, are not the work of
young spiders, and as every observer
knows, they are often many yards long
and drawn so tightly that the face is
instantly aware of their presence when
breaking them.
The work "is nearly always done In
the night time, so that observation Is
difficult. .
If the spider has any human Dature
In his make-up "id many of his habits
would lead us to suppose that he has
he would be gratified at the perplex
ity which he causes and would adver
tise his performances as zealously as
do less gifted human gymnasts and
even some popular preachers.
The Azetecs Not a Dead Race. .
To the mind of the general reader
the term Aztec conveys the idea of a
more or less misty, Extinct greatness;
the idea of a great body of aboriginal
Americans of mjrsterious origin, who
at the time of the advent of the Span
ish had reached the acme of power and
native civilization, and then unexplain
edly very rapidly and completely van
ished. These problems namely, the origin
or derivation, the physical type and
physical destiny of the Aztecs, to clear
which history alone proves insufficient
have been and remain prominently
the subjects of anthropological inves
tigation; and through these investiga
tions, in which the anthropological de
partment of the American Museum of
Natural History, New York, is taking
an important part, enough has already
been achieved to warrant the hope that
In not a very far future but a little con-
cernlng the Aztecs will be left in ob
scurity. One result of these investiga
tions is the knowledge that the Aztecs
of the time of the conquest are still
represented by numerous pure-blood
survivors.
They are scattered, but still clearly
recognizable by a student of the people
In h enVtiivhe vP tha ctxr nrwl In nr.m-
tically all the smaller' towns in the Val
ley of Mexico. From the valley they
can be traced southward; they are nu
merous In the districts of Amecameca,
and they occupy, though probably
largely mixed with the Nahuan branch
of Tlahuitecs, entire villages near and
In the mountainous country between
Cuautla and Cuernavaca, in the State
of Morelos. In this last-named region
there are in particular two large vil
lages, Tetelcfngo and Cuautepec, in
which the Aztec-Nahuan descendants
not only speak the pure Aztec language
and know but little Spanish, but they
also preserve their ancient dress and
ancient way of building their dwell
ings. In both of these villages the na
tives are almost free from mixture
.with whites.
To estimate the number of pure-blood
Aztec-Nahuan descendants still in ex
istence Is very, difficult. The Aztec
language is still used by at least a mill
Ion, probably more, of the natives of
Mexico. narper's for Christmas.
Rivalry of Two Cities.
The old rivalry between Chicago and
St. Louis has been revived in their re
spective displays at the forthcoming
Louisiana Purchase Exposition. Chi
cago has secured the reservation of
4,432,352 square feet for her buildings,
while St. Louis' group will cover an'
area of 5,047,697 square feet.
India's Wild Beasts.
Tigers killed 357 persons during 1001
In Central Waia, ana leoparus omy
sixty-two less. ,