About Atlanta semi-weekly journal. (Atlanta, Ga.) 1898-1920 | View Entire Issue (Oct. 8, 1909)
4 The Semi-Weekly Journal. Eatcrtd at tte AtUa-a FeetetHee »* Mali Mat tar at tb« Second Class. a, “* JAMES R. GRAY. Editor and General Manager. SUBSCRIPTION PRICE. « , Twete* Mi swatte J Tures matte Tte tewi-Weekly Journal p ' J r b ‘u I .*'Lorv Taateaj acd Friday, and to mailed by the abort •st route* tor early delivery. It contains new. trvm all oyer toe fe bcwxtt bj .peels! leaned wires ln.° a, ‘ r It tea a start ot diatiMoiab* 1 b “ • with strung oe.artmeuta aC special raluo to terne aad tte tana. Agents wanted at poetomce. Liters! if million allowed, uatflt free. The only trarellag represents tires we bare are J. A. Bryan. B. F Belt- end M. H. OUreatK We will be reopunsimo eu«y tor money paid to the above named travet tag reprtseatatltes. Sf llttll ■ •■>••< • ‘ 1 TrtT ♦ NOTICE TO SUBSCRIBERS* > The Label used for addressing ♦ ♦ your paper shown the time your ♦ ♦ subscription expire* By renewing ♦ ♦ at least two weeks before the date ♦ ♦ on this labsL you insure regular ♦ ♦ service- * ♦ In ordering paper changed, be « ♦ sure to mention you old. as well as ♦ ♦ your new. address. If on a ’Ural ♦ ♦ route, please give the route num- ♦ ♦ ber * ♦ W» eannot enter subscription:- to a ♦ begin with back numbers Remit- ♦ ♦ tanco should bo eent by postal a ♦ elder. o» registered mall * ♦ Address alt orders and notices ♦ ♦ tor thia department to THE 3EMI- ♦ ♦ WEEKLY Atlanta. Ga- ♦ Friday, October 8, 1&09 And still they soar, the Wrights and cotton. v Fond parents realise at Christmas that fc everybody works father. Spain exulted too soon. The Moors are regular Americans when It comes to fight- In the fall of the year the thoughts of the young married man ‘.urn to coal and |G .F fu rs. 4?« Governor Hughes Is after the gamblers • ' again. The odds are agalntt. him. how- fc... " '■ < Portland Ore., made a hit with the president. Portland left him alone part of the time. A doctor says it should be x crime to operate for appendicitis. The bill ought to £ be. certainly. ■ - 1 —— The construction of Tennessee s liquor | law seems to be that that state can be a L good Bamarltan. “Why have you come to Texas?” Bailey asks Bryan Why not? What is the mat ter with Texas? Well dressed women, a fashion note i says, wear IS pounds of clothes. The price per pound, of course, varies. Liquor seems to be having its troubles tn Alabama. Considering some of the trouble it has given, this would appear to ig. be retribution. Dozens of news items every day carry a story of prosperity in sales of cotton, higher prices for stocks, and increased r* railway earnings. It does seem that the president has been photographed enough not to cause the detectives a fright when a visitor tries to press forward with a camera. There are still enough people loyal to *> the horse to make the horse show a suc cess. and the rivalry between him and fc the automobile will be all the more attrac ted tire OKLAHOMA’S SPRINTING LAW. Oklahoma, like many another state, is having her own troubles ■ in dodging the interstate com- 1 merce clause in its relation to the prohibition law. And the court of appeals of the gtate has about decided that the matter reduces itself to a foot rice. In other words, the shipment into the state is interstate com merce until it has left the prem ises of the railroad, at its desti- [ 9 nation, and it is simply a question as to whether the pur chaser or the police officers get to the depot first. Various states have taken various steps to encourage such things as the Marathon races, but it is doubtful if any of them have ever offered a prize like this # The man in a dry state who has been leadine the life of a camel for a long time , will cast his eyes toward that depot and express of fice as being verily the shadow of a great rock in a wearv land. Ht may be depended upon to . count the days and the hours until the shipment arrives. He has the sole advantage of • knowing when it is most likely to come, and the police officers are at a correspon ling disadvantage. But that race through the streets of an Oklahoma town, I under the provisions of the law, must be well worth seeing. We see no need for any other amuse ment. The penny arcades and the moving picture shows would j . be deserted when there was a i . chance for such a sight. The pop ulation, we may well imagine, I would assemble on the highway leading to the express office or the station and watch that race I between a purchaser and a police man. When the system becomes a little more perfect rules will have to be provided to insure the fair- • ness of the contest. The true type of the policeman is a little | bit stout, and he should have a start. But this and all the other • ■ rules of the game will have to be L handed down later on by the facetious court of appeals. PARTISAN DECEPTION EXPOSED. The people of Georgia are now fully aware that an effort is being made to discredit the new registration law by systematio and persistent misrepresentation incited by the hostility of those who prefer partisan advantage to the purity of the ballot. Foreseeing that when the time limit neared its expiration next spring, the enemies of this sane and simple safeguard of the franchise would begin to complain that the people had been “caught napping’’ as to a privilege which had been open to them for six months. The Journal took the initiative, several days before the first of October, to notify them that under the present law the tax collector was compelled to open his registration books at the same time he opened his tax books for the collection of taxes. The concurrent opportunity to pay taxes for this year and to register for the coming year is a privilege which the people did not enjoy under the old law. and at the same time the oppor tunity to register remains open for one hundred days after the tax books, under the law, are supposed to be closed. These facts were set forth, as the record will show, not in a spirit of partisan contention, but with a sincere desire to advise the people in ample time of the opportunity to register which is now afforded them, and which will remain open to them for six months to come We still urge the people to register, and to register now, but by so doing we have cut the ground from under the chronic re actionaries who have had so much to say, ever since the new law was first agitated, about “depriving the people of the opportun ity to registei.” In the effort to find an opening for partisan criticism and political capital, the reactionary newspapers have resorted to mis representation of the plain terms of the law—for the law is abso lutely simple and clear. The very extravagance of these misrep resentations is sufficient evidence that they are born of partisan contention and not of legitimate discussion of the merits of the new law. The most conspicuous of these misstatements are not only false but foolish. They are false because the plain language of the statute proves them so, and they are foolish because their falsity is so easily established. In this instance the partisan politicians are not dealing in airy charges, such as “Hoke Smith caused the panic/* or “hostile legislation drove capital from the state,’’ but in charges which can be met with categorical directness by the very letter of the law. In a moment of frenzied zeal one of these organs asserted, as vigorously and as directly as the English language could ex press. that under the new law a citizen “MUST” register at the time he pays his taxes, and, with feebler understanding but more hysterical partisanship, his echo repeated and magnified the charge. The original sinner, who has evidently heard from a better lawyer or a wiser politician, has hastened to “crawl” with what he delights to term in others a “serene audacity.” Interpreting the law for his readers, he had said: * “THERE IS NO PROVISION FOR THE TAX PAYER TO RETURN LATER AND REGISTER. HE MUST DO IT WHEN HE PAYS HIS TAXES. SEE!” But when jolted by a corresppndent with the question whether he really means that “a man cannot register except when he pays his taxes,” he says, “We answer, no; the law is not clear; but in view of the confusion of tongues it is best to do it.” In other words he “explains” that he was merely giving advice and not interpreting the law, after all. Having used the strongest imperative in the English language, not once but sev eral times, to show what a hardship the new law would work by compelling the citizen to register when he pays his taxes, he now tells us that when he said “must” he meant simply, in a friendly sort of way, that the voter should do so-and-so to be on the safe side! In order that the people of Georgia may get the full force of this blundering effort to discredit one of the wisest laws on the statute books, we reproduce, from the original organ and its echo, the very language used, with the original emphasis conveyed by the types. Says the original offender: There is no provision for the taxpayer to return later and resister. Xs must de It when he pays his taxes. Seer Says the echo: It is a duty whleh the citizen must perform in person AT THE TIME WHEN HE PAYS HIS TAXib. The citizen who may overlook the fact that he must register in person at the time he pays his taxes, etc. TIE CXTXXEir WHO DESIRES TO KE TACT TKE PBXVXX.EOE or ▼OTCTG. AND TO CAST HIS BALLOT CT THE ELECTIONS TO BE OLD IM 1910, MUST SEE TO IT CT FEBBOX THAT HXS KAME OOES UPON THE REGISTRATION BOOKS AT TKE TIME KE PATS KIS TAXES. Such, they were telling the people of Georgia, were the im perative requirements of the law. And yet, having been caught in this bold perversion of the plain terms of the law —when asked if they really mean to say that a man cannot register except when he pays his taxes, the answer comes, “No.” “Crawling away with the least noise possible” is indeed a velvet footfall compared to this sensational somersault, under the vigorous prodding of exposure. The people of Georgia were given one entire editorial, top of column, next to reading matter, rising in emphasis to bold capitals, the verv essence and climax of which was that— “THE CITIZEN WHO DESIRES TO RETAIN THE PRIVI LEGE OF VOTING MUST SEE TO IT IN PERSON THAT HIS NAME GOES UPON THE REGISTRATION BOOKS AT THE TIME HE PAYS HIS TAXES.” Caught with the goods on, it is not necessary to convict these partisan politicians, but it enlightens the people as to the methods which‘are being employed to prejudice this law in the minds of the public. The Parthian shot, fired by the retreating foe in his cloudy “explanation,” in order to cover his humiliating exposure, is this: “There la no provision,” as we said, “for the taxpayer to return later and register.” This Is a fact. This is net a fact, nor anything akin to it. Under the terms of the law, the tax books close on December 20. and the law contemplates that every citizen shall have paid his taxes before that time. And yet there is a special “provision” in the registration law that the voters’ list shall remain open ONE HUNDRED DAYS LONGER, so that the citizen can “return and register.” It is purely voluntary, and in strictness illegal, for the tax collector to keep his tax books open after December 20. And yet it is the plain “provision” of the registration law that the voters’ list shall remain open one hundred days after the tax books are legally closed. Incidentally, as indicating the animus rather than the merit of these assaults upon the law, emphasis is laid upon the fact that the would-be voter “must go in person” to register. Shameful What a hardship! And yet will these partisan alarmists lay aside the tom-tom long enough to tell us when it was ever possible for a man to register except “in person”! What piffle! WE DESPAIR OF GETTING IT THROUGH THEIR HEADS THAT UNDER THE OLD LAW A MAN COULD NOT HAVE REGISTERED THIS YEAR FOR NEXT YEAR’S ELECTIONS, WHILE UNDER THE NEW LAW HE CAN REGISTER NOW FOR ALL THE ELECTIONS TO BE HELD NEXT YEAR. As Dr. Johnson would say: “We have furnished you with an argument, we cannot supply yg* with an understanding.’* THE ATLANTA SEMI-WEEKLY JOURNAL, ATLANTA, GEORGIA, FRIDAY,* OCTOBER 8, 1902. The Gallant Heroes of the South; It Is over, the gala day in Athens, and the dear old "boys” of the 60s have departed for their various homes, and the tears unbidden start to my eyes as I look upon them and realize that a great many of the dear old faces I will never see again. Tuesday and Wednesday were golden days in the history of Athens. Oh, how each precious golden moment will be treasured through the years to come. I felt it to be such a great privilege and honor to grasp the hand of dear old comrades. My comrades! Why? Were they not my soldier-father’s comrades? Yes, in deed, I claim them as comrades by birth right; I have often wished I knew more about my father’s service in the war. He was a boy soldier, and was wounded in his left lung while in service. After the war was ended my father was married twice and I being a child of the latter union don’t know anything about his serv ice, but we still have some relics of the Confederate war, which I prize very highly. I have always loved the lost cause and our dear soldiers with all the strength of my warm Impulsive southern nature. 1 remember one time in school we were reciting in history and it came my time to recite where Stonewall Jackson was wounded by one of his own men, and I burst into tears and covered my face with my books. So, it is little wonder to me that as I stood and looked upon that grand parade of our dear old boys in gray that great sobs shook my body and the tears were coursing down my cheeks; lack of nerve, I heard some one say, and that instead of weeping and making our old heroes feed sad I should be gay and feel proud of them; do everything to make them feel cheerful. There isn’t a daughter in all the sunny south who feels more pride in her noble heroes. I am so thankful and proud that I am a daughter of a Confederate hero. As I stood upon our streets and looked upon our noble "old lads” in gray, there was such a wave of emotion and feeling swept over my soul that I can’t express my feelings. - As the columns of the noble gray came in view with each one bending beneath the cycle of time (and perhaps before an other reunion is held many will be cqt down), I looked down the line and in my mind's eye saw many pictures of the long ago. Come, dear readers, and follow me as I paint the pictures which I saw in that grand parade of the heroes in gray, and you will weep too. I could see the picture of a dear old wife and mother as she gave up her hus band and son for the Lost Cause, I could soe how she clung to them in parting, calling God’s blessing upon them and then my picture carried me with father and son upon the field of battle; they were in different companies and, therefore, were separated, and as I look I see the son, who is only a mere boy, lying with his white face upturned to the sky, and his beautiful curls matted together with his own life's blood, and hark! in fancy I hear his parted lips murmur his moth er’s name, or call gently for his little sisters far away at home, and there today in that far-away land that brave lad lies in an unmarked grave, numbered with; the unknown dead. I That dear, heart-broken mother watched and waited for years, hoping against hope that her “George” was yet alive and would return home; that dear old lady has long Since passed away and let us hope that "George,” her brave soldier lad, was waiting her on the shore of eter nity. Friends, that soldier boy was my uncle;' his father returned home after the war. Now, as the strains of "Dixie Land” I reach our ears we see still another pic- ! ture, in fancy I see a young bride as she blds her gallant young soldier husband farewell as he goes out upon the battle field to win fame and glory for the Lost Cause; and as I looked into the dear faces I indeed realized that they had won it— honor, glory and fame, which will be handed down from generation to genera tion. I also found in these brave boys of the sixties some who, when the battle call came, plighted their troth with beautiful maidens of the long ago, maidens who waited patiently for the return of their j lovers. As one dear old comrade came neai me in the march bearing a staff with a pitiful small remnant of a once beau tiful silken banner, I heard him say in a loud, clear voice: "Friends, she doesn’t look very well now, but she has been a beauty in her day.” Ah. yes. that love ly flag. I could see her lovely folds as she flaunted in the morning breeze or waved over sun-kissed valleys and beckoned her brave followers on; gave strength to their tired and weary feet. I love it, and who shall dare chide me for weeping over our dear old flag? I think these lines in the beautiful poem which Mrs. Barskdale, of i our city, wrote, so pretty: “Your tattered flag, by hostile bullets J torn. Are faded by the touch of passing years. But of their fadeless glory nought is shorn, < Preserve them well, they are embalmed . in tears, *| They may yet wave in peaceful triumphs when we’re gone.” And last, dear friends, but not least,' the picture is not quite finished, the gal lant old soldiers of the gray will all, I soon pass over the river and rest under the shade of the tree, and there answer the roll call of the Great Commander in; Chief. As each dear old hero passed me I could' only wave my handkerchief while I sob-1 bed like a child and am not ashamed of I it, either. If I never see another reunion of our! dear old soldiers. I shall always treas-; ure the memory of the Athens reunion. I My piece will come late, but I am a poor writer and hope every veteran that• reads this can read between the lines, i too, for my heart is full, whether I can ■ write it, or not. It any of the dear oM veterans that sees this in print and knew my father in the war would kindly write to me. Mrs. Minnie Ketter, 127 Mitchell street, Athens, Ga. My father was J. P. Hally, of Mad!- son county, Ga., and I don't know, but I j think he was of the 43d or 44th Georgia J regiment. My husband’s father was Joel Kettle, j from Athens, Ga., 44th regiment, and ' we think 16th company. We would like to hear from any old comrades at any time. You are our ( comrades, too, we claim you by birth- ' right. I have already taken up too much J valuable space more I am afraid than will! be allotted to me in the paper. I hope, dear comrades, to again meet you all at some time, but if not permit ted to meet again on earth, our prayer to I our heavenly Father Is that we shall all i be reunited in one grand reunion, none missing. Confederate, Sons and Daughters of the Lost Cause over on the other i shore. Lovingly, MRS. MINNIE KETTLE. 127 Mitchell street, Atlanta, Ga. Then There Was Silence Mr. Brown (rushing excitedly into the i room)—Marie, Marie, intelligence has just reached me— Mrs. Brown (calmly interrupting him) i —Well, thank heaven, Henry.—Brook- . lyn Life. 1 ~l —J—land now let the subject be dropped. Let ■ —'.LX !*'wr - — L sKT... , , „ 7 , ~ ■uß unite efforts for our common ssiva- . 1 tlon. There are four of us, four compan- • ' gl '' ' ~ 1 ■ ' ; ions, four friends, and all our lives are -J , , 7 ' equally precious. -atoL;' = —~ ' "’ x ~ ~~— | “We are all devoted to you,” said . ~ , ~~~ ' I the doctor; “and your words come from i_ ■■ ■ ' our hearts. But what do you think we nu ■u - 4=_ i . should do?” '" 41 ~ - “My opinion might appear Interested.” 1 r —~~ —1 sa,ld Hatteras, sadly. “Let me hear all 1 ~ 1 ~~~~~ ' —1 yours first.” ~ YA • 1 ~~~~ ,' r t 7 ‘Captain,” said Johnson, 'before pro- J® Jm By Jules Verne. It was a bold project of Captain Hat- 1 teras to try to push his way to the North Pole, and gain for England the glory of its discovery. But he had struggled I for nine months against currents and tempests, shattering icebergs and break ing through almost unsurmountable bar riers. In an unprecedented winter he had out distanced all his predecessors and ac complished half his task, when he saw all his hopes blasted. The mutiny of his worn-out crew had left him and his little band of three men in a terrible situation—helpless in an icy desert, 2,600 miles from their native land—their ship a wreck, blown up by the mutineers. However, the courage of Hatteras was still undaunted. The three men which were- left him were the best on board his brig, and while they remained he might venture to hope. Os the Forward, the brig they had so I carefully built, not a vestige remained. Shapeless blackened fragments, twisted bars of iron, cable ends still smoldering, an* here and there in the atstance spiral wreaths of smoke—that was all. Books, instruments and precious collections were In ashes. I Clawbonny, the surgeon, and Johnson, I the boatswain, surveyed the wreck. Bell, ’ the carpenter, lay insensible on the ice. . Captain Hatteras stood apart, arms fold ' ed, his faithful dog beside him. "Poor old brig!” exclaimed the doctor. “I had grown attached to her. I loved her as one loves a house where he has spent a life-time.” "Ay! It’s strange what a hold those planks and beams get on a fellow’s heart,” said Johnson. "And the long-boat—la that burnt?” asked the doctor. “The mutineers carried it off.” "And the pirogue?” "Shivered into a thousand pieces!” . "Then we have nothing but the HaJ kett boat?” “Yes, we have that still, thanks to t your idea of taking it with you.” “That isn’t much,” said the doctor. "And we have a dying one to look after.'’ "A dying man?” ‘Yes, Captain Altamont, an American navigator, whose ship, the Porpoise, was . stranded somewhere to the north. We found him half starved and frozen on the ice,” said the doctor. Johnson muttered an exclamation of pity. But his mind want back at once to his own desperate situation. j “Then we have no fuel whatever?” ! he said. I “No.” | “And no provisions?” I "No.” I “And no ship to make our way back to I England?” It required courage to face these gloomy realities. After a moments’ silence, John . son said again: : "Well, at any rate we know exactly ’I how we stand. The first thing to be done now is to make a hut, for we can’t stay long exposed to this temperature.” "Yes. but we must first revive Bell," replied the doctor. “Then go and find the sledge, and get the American.” ; Bell lay on the Ice almost inanimate. Johnson had to take vigorous measures to rouse him, but at last, by dint of shak ing and rubbing him with snow, he suc iceeded. I “Come, Bell,” he cried, "don’t give way ’like this. Exert yourself, my man; we • must have a talk about our situation, ■ and we need a place to put our heads in. Come and help me, Bell. You haven t ! forgotten how to make a snow hut, have iyou? There is an iceberg all ready to 'hand; we’ve only got to hollow It out. .Let’s set to work; we shall find that Is the ' best remedy for us.” j Bell tried to shake off his torpor and help his comrade, while Dr. Clawbonny undertook to go and fetch the sledge and the dogs. “Will you go with him, captain?” asked Johnson. "No. my friend,” said Hatterad, in a gentle tone, "If the doctor will kindly un idertake the task. Before the day ends I i must come to some resolution, and I need to be alone to think. Go. Do meantime 'whatever you think best. I will deal with !the future.” Johnson went back to the doctor and | said: I "It’s very strange, but the captain , seems quite to have got over his anger. I I never heard him speak so gently be fore.” "So much the better,” said Clawbonny. [ "Believe me, Johnson, that man can save us yet.” And drawing his hood as closely round his head as possible, the doctor seized his iron-tipped staff, and set out wlth ' out further delay. Johnson and Bell commenced digging a hole in the heart of a great block of ice. It was not easy work, owing to the ! extreme hardness of the material. How ever. this very hardness guaranteed the solidity of the dwelling, and the further their labors advanced the more they be came sheltered. Hatteras alternately paced up and i down and stood motionless, evidently shrinking from any app-nach to the scene of the explosion. ’ In about an hour the docto> return ed, bringing with him Altamont, the ‘American, on the sledge, wrapped up ' “The explosion of the Forward took their last means of subsistence." in the folds of the tent. The dogs were so exhausted from starvation that they could scarcely draw it along, and they had begun to gnaw their harness. While the hut was being dug out tho doctor went foraging about, and had the good fortune to find a little stove, almost undamaged by the explosion. Hr. restored it to working trim, and, by the time the hut was completed, had filled it with wood and got it lighted. Before long it was roaring, and diffus ing a genial warmth on all sides. ’ The American was brought in and laid on blankets, and the four English men seated themselves around the fire to enjoy their scanty meal of biscuit and hot tea, the last remains of the provisions on the sledge. Not a word was spoken by Hatteras, and the others respected his silence. When the meal was over, the doctor rose and went out, making a sign to Johnson to follow. "Come, Johnson.” he said, “our goods are scattered in all directions. We had better pick them up as Yast as possible, for the snow may fall at any moment, and then it would be quite useless to look for anything.” "Don't let us lose a minute, then, ’ replied Johnson. “Fire and wood— these are our chief wants.” "Very well, you search one side and I’ll take the other, and we’ll take from the center to the circumference.” This task occupied two hours, and all they discovered was a little salt meat, about 30 pounds of pemmican. three sacks of biscuits, a small stock of chocolate, five or six pounds of coffee, picked up bean by beau off the ice. Neither blankets, nor hammocks, nor clothing, were found —all had been con sumed in the devouring flame. This slender store of P rOs ' iß1 °"“ would hardly last three we eks, and thej had wood enough to supply the stove for about the same time. Captain Hatteras, with Bell and the doctor, had been away on an exploring expedition when tne meeting occurred. The morning after the little had built their snow house, he called John son to him. "Tell me all the particulars of the mu tiny on the brig," he said. "Well,” began the sailor, "almost im mediately after your departure Shandon, supported by the others, took command of the ship. I couldn’t resist him. Snan don made no attempt at discipline. He made them believe that their privations and toils were at an end. Economy was entirely disregarded. "A blazing fire was kept up in the stove, and the men were allowed to eat and drink all they wanted. Not only was ,ea and coffee at their disposal, but all the liquor. "On men who had been so long deprived of strong drink, you may guess the re sult. They went on in this manner from the 7th to the 15th of January.” "And this was Shandon’s doing?” asked Hatteras. . "Yes, captain.” "It was about the 24th or 25th of Janu ary that they resolved to abandon the ship. Their plan was to reach the west coast of Baffins bay, and from thence tn embark in the boat and follow the track of the whalers, or to get to some of the Greenland settlements on the eastern side. Provisions were abundant, and the sick men were so excited by the hope of return that they were almost well. "They began their preparations for de parture by making a which they were to draw themselves, as they had no dogs. This was not ready till the 15th of February, and I was always hoping for your arrival, though I half dreaded it, too, for you could have done nothing with the men, and they would have massacred you rather than remain on board. “I tried my Influence on each one sep- , arately, remonstrating and reasoning with | them, and pointing out the dangers they . would encounter, and also the cowardice of leaving you, but it was a mere waste of words. Not even the best among them would listen to me. "Shandon was impatient to be off. and fixed the 22d of February for starting. The sledge and the beat were packed as closely as possible with provisions and spirits, and heaps of wood, to obtain which they had hewed the brig down to her water line. The last day the men ran riot. They completely sacked the ship, and in a drunken paroxysm Pen and two or three others set it on fire. 1 fought and struggled against them, but they threw me down and assailed me with blows, and then the wretches, head ed by Shandon, went off towards the ! east, and were soon out of sight "I found myself alone on the burning | ship, and what could I do? The fire hole was completely blocked up with ice. I had not a single drop of water! Two days the forward struggled with the flames, and you know the rest.” A long silence followed the gloomy recital, broken at length by Hatteras, who said: “Johnson, I thank you; you did all you could to save my ship, but single-handed I you could not resist. Again I thank you, 1 nouncing on such an important matter, I wish to ask a question.” “Ask It, then, Johnson.” "You went out yesterday to ascertain our exact position; well, Is the field drift ing or stationary?” "Perfectly stationary. It had not moved since the last reckoning was made. A discussion opened at once about what to do. Hatteras wanted still to try to reach the pole, as retreat seemed equally impossible. "We may find rich hunting grounds,” he urged. "We know the route back is ! barren.” The other three wouldn’t listen to such a proposal and Hatteras was declaring he would start for the pole alone, when he felt a light touch on his arm. It was Altamont, the American, who had crawl i ed out of bed and managed to get on his knees. He was trying to speak, but his ■ swollen Ups could scarcely make a sound, i Hatteras went towards him, and watched him so attentively that in a few min , utes he made out a word that sounded like Porpoise. Stooping over him he asked: "Is it the Porpoise?” Altamont made a sign in the affirm ative, and Hatteras went on with his queries, now that he had found a elew. "In these seas?” The affirmative gesture was repeated. "Is she in the north?” "Yes." I "Do you know her position F* “Yes.” . "Exactly?" "Yes.” ; For a minute or so nothing more was said, and the onlookers waited with pal pitating hearts. , | Then Hatteras spoke again. "Listen to me. We must know ths I exact position of our vessel. I will count the degrees aloud, and you will stop me when I come to the right one.” The American assented by a motion of I I the head, and Hatteras began: "We’ll take the longitude first. One hundred and five degrees? No? One hundred and six degrees—lo7 degrees? : It is to the west, I suppose?" 1 j "Yes," replied Altamont. , "Let us go on, then: 109 degrees, 110 I degrees, 112 degrees, 114 degrees, IIS ' degrees, 118 degrees. 120 degrees.” [ “Yes,” interrupted the sick man. ’ • “One hundred and twenty degrees of ■ : longitude, and how many minutes? 1 1 will count.” ‘ Hatteras began at No. 1, and when • he got to 15, Altamont made a sign to i stop. i' “Very good,” said Hatteras;” new lor | the latitude. Are you listening? Eigh ity degrees, 81 degrees, 82 degrees, 83 I ■ uegrees.” / Again the sign to stop was made. • i; "Now for the minutes: Five mtnue*. i 10 minutes, 15 rpinutes, 20 minutes, 2* [ I minutes, 30 minutes, 35 minutes.” . [ Altamont stopped him once more, and ,; smiled feebly. z j “You say, then, that the Porpoise is ■ in longitude 120 degrees 15 minutes, and J latitude 83 aegrees and 35 minutes?" I “Yes, ’ sighed the American, and fell i back motionless in the doctor's arms, i completely overpowered by the effort b* I! had made. "Friends!” exclaimed Hatteras; "you see 1 was right. Our salvation lies In deed in the north, always In the north. We shall be saved!" But the Joyous, exulting words had hardly escaped his lips before a sudden thought made h.s countenance change. The serpent of Jeaiousy had stung 1 him, for his stranger was an American, I and he had reached three degrees nearer the pole than the ill-fated Forward. By further patient questioning after a rest, the dotetor soon ascertained that the Porpoise was a three-mast Ameri can snip, from New .York, wrecked on ' the ice. with provisions and combusti bles in abundance on board. Altamont and his crew had left* her two months previously, taking the long boat with them on a sledge. They intended to get to Smiths sound and reach some whaler that would take them bacx to America; but one after another suc cumbed to fatigue and illness, till only Altamont ’••raa.’ned alive. “Why had the Porpoise come so far north?" Hatteras asked. "She was Irresistibly driven there by the ice.” Altamont replied, feebly. Hatteras looked grim but said nothing more. "Well,” said the doctor, "it strikes me that, instead of trying to get to Baffins bay. our best plan would be to go in | search of the Porpoise. It's a third j nearer, and stocxed with everything I necessary for winter quarters.” I ”1 see no other course open to us,” I replied Hatteras. "If we start tomorrow,”, said the doc tor, "we must reach the Porpoise by the fifteenth of March, unless we mean to die of starvation.” No time was lost in getting ready to start. A couch was laid on the sledge for the American. The provisions did I* not add much weight, and the wood was piled up on top. Continued in Next Issue,
