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JOURNAL AND' MESSENGER.
THE FAMILY JOURNAL—NEWS—POLITICS-.LITERATURE—AGRICULTURE—DOMESTIC NEWS^Etc.—PRICE 12.00PER ANNUM.
GEORGIA TEL APH BUILDING
ESmiSHED 1826.
MACON, FRIDAY, JANUARY 20,1882.
VOLUME LVI-NO 3
xnu 8A3tEDF.AU hasd.
The bells ring ont ft happy sound,
The earth is mantled o’er with white,
It is the merry Christmas night,
And love and mirth and joy_abound,
And here sit yon and hero sit I;
J should bo happiest in the land,
For, oh, I hold tho same dear hand
I’ve held lor many a yoar goneby 1
It is not withered up with care;
It is ns fresh and fair to see,
As sweet to bold and dear to me,
As when with chimes upon the air
On Christmas nights of years ago
I held the some dear little thing
And felt its soft caresses bring
Tho’flushes to my throbbing brow.
ah, wo were bom to never part!
This litUe band I hold to-night.
And I. so with a strange delight
I press it to my beating heart,
And in the midnight’s solemn hush
I bless the little hand I hold,
In brolton whispers be it told,
It is tho old-time bobtail flnsb.
—[Denver Tribnno.
• “3IB. SMITH.”
t
m-
From theAraoiy
CHAPTER I.
It was about 0 o’clock upon a Juno even
ing, and tho rays of the declining sun
were still shining down hotly upouasaall
railway station in the midst of a sleepy,
agricultural district. A long, low build
ing, with a graveled platform and. one
iron bench, inclosed in woodf n ’palings,
formed the whole erection; anJ nil glitter
ed incredibly white In the warm sun
beams.
To break the perfect repose of tho rural
scene there was but one moving figure,
which was that of a rather small and
stunted boy In a dark, quiet livery- His
Consequence, however, was sufficient for
an army; as ho strutted up and down the
platform he was casting contemptuous
glances at the low, white station-lions
at the pastoral landscape, at the sliiuil
lines of rails. This superior being was
presently aroused from tho contemplation
of his greatness by tho appearance of the
ain in the distance, whan be immediately
pruned a veryjbusiness-like, wide-awake
pS Rut the approach of the train had
^mccama known in other quarters also, and
an officer now lssured lrom tho low white
building, carefully locking tho door be-
bind him.
Upon the stoppage of the train it became
apparent at onco that there were but two
passengers for Redbrook—one a stout
” V’*ountry-woman, with a market-basket
* * ’ .•Pfe’faw arm; the other a young man,
• •V* rwMp*I* r A u C briskly from his compartment,
y Vj. Tlariad® his way to the luggage van*
, Living the country woman to get her fat
t 4* ,y irte*.a ter basket out as best sho might,
-v, -' theory officer bustled up to tho first
' tho.rv.uger.
iy *, v, £*’ luggage, sir? Was it labelled
v,’ « What name? ‘Smith,’ did you
Thank you.” -
. now the sma 1 land important ser-
camo up^iAMdtzfir his hat, andspeak-
the, taking a bag
d. “What Iug-
it; the carriage
; air and
his port
end then
J,/trolled
;?t>y the
%fd the
jv uame
ny-’carriage
<,'ayouDglady.
in print dress,
jiale colored rib-
e its monotony,
straw hat, as
attire; and for
in its youth-
lg. But
low car-
made a
Smith,
) wor-
Igly, not
, prove to
ice inform-
r siglit of bis
lief baud
her voice
her ap
My fatli-
to come
'he bad an
And this after-
outstretched hand,
elf that he should
as much in the cqm-
ighter as in that of
; perhaps more so.
i?” said the. girl next,
i seeing to'yonr lug-
will bring it.”
occasion of a great deal
nhadjaligady come
it, so that need not
‘twered the young
siness-like way
was a cltarac-
gbt, Thomas?”
’ho now came
ce; upon which
up the ponies,
P»M-
,a>'lions to point out to you,
that unless you can admire
y landscape, I am afraid
iisappointed m the neighbor-
£ a scent of bay harvest in the
\ ragged-robins in the hedges
Sir pink heads; the delicate
grasses waved gracefully; the
)jgly and in groups, stood out in
' ji masses of foliage; a brown stream
"rough the fields, beside which
. Jartested, ruminating in full con-
ail was rich, peaceful, pastoral, and
•mng man looked around him quite
with his position and the pros-
■%. ‘‘itmay be a great deficiency in taste,”
•tfr - -- ■“
^answerei
*» tkal
he, laughing; “but I am not
are that I do not like a rich agricultural
country like this better than the grandeur
Qf wilder scenery.”
• “Of course I like the country; I never
ijod it dull; but I am afraid of our not
bqlng able to find you much amusement.”
- Jeffrey was beginning to deprecate this
* view of the case, when he was interrupt
ed by the ponies being pulled up. They
had overtaken the old woman, who had
been the other passenger In the train by
which he arrived.
“Well, Nanny.’ a warm evening. Shall
we take your basket for you? You can
call for it at the house, and get some sup
per as you go by.”
“Thank you, Miss Lettice; ’Us warm,”
answered the old woman, wiping her
heated face, and preparing to disburden
herself.
“Here, Thomas,” said the young lady
to the servant, who was looking on dis
dainfully with folded arms, “help Nanny
up with her basket.” And at the com
mand of his mistress he bad do choice
ut to unfold his snns and assist the old
oman, who was anxiously covering up
le corner of her basket.
“What have yon got there, Nanuy? A
iw cap?”
“Yes, Mias; and you will see as those
"“d* of yours don’t get fittiu’ nn on.”
"ery well, Nanny,” said the girl laugh-
ahe laid her whip lightly upon the
’ shining flanks, and started afresh,
nkthat Is only Nanny’s delicate
way ot putting the case; it is really myself
whom she is afraid of not bc’ne able
resist the tempting adonflhent.”
“I am not sure that her misgivings are
without reason,” said Smith, smiling In
his turn. To feel otherwise than friendly
toward this frank girl was as Impossible
as it would be to treat her with other
than the truest respect. “I shall make
my first duty to look alter Nanny's In
terests.”
“I’ray do. Come, my beauties,'we must
be geitlng on,” she added, shaking the
ponies’ reins encouragingly. * “I hope you
did not mirtd my stopping - .* We try to
help our neighbors hero iu the country;
we have not much else to think of," sho
added apologetically, turning round and
glancing into her companion’s face. •
“I was amused at the idea for a mo
ment; but I think it was a very good
thought of yours,” answered the young
man warmly.
A short space marc of the country road
with its flqwery hanks, and the carriage
turned o(T. and bowled smoothly up an
avenue of chestnuts through a park of
small cstcut; and in a very few minutes
more they pulled up at a low, straggling
house. It w*s an irregular building with
a high-peaked roof and many angles, but
pernaps in its main outline it might be
said to follow the lorm of three sides of a
quadrangle, having at one bend a .short
square tower, which gave dignity to the
structure and somewnat relieved its low,
rambling character.
The door stood wide open to admit the
summer air, fragrant with the balmy
breath of many roses; ud the girl, giving
the reins to the groom, stepped from the
carriage and conducted Smith across the
wide ball to a room at tho rear of the
bouse.
“My father will most likely he in the
library. Yes,” said she, flinging wide the
door after a preliminary peep within,
glancing over her shoulder to the young
man who was Inflowing her.
“Hero is Mr. Smith, papa!”
Her father, who had been seated in his
Jh^Chair reading the newspaper, laid
it down upon the entrance of bis daughter
and taking oil bis spectacles, rose to greet
his guest with a bland smile of welcome
upon his face. But as his eyes fell upon
his visitor, the urbane expression of his
countenance changed to one of blank sur
prise, and he drew himself up stiffly.
•‘Who are you?” cried the old gentle
man.
Jeffrey, upon his part, was little less
taken aback at his reception. “Is Mr.
Lorimer not at home?”
“How should I know? What do you
mean, sii?” M
“Is Mr. Lorimer not expecting me?
Where is he?”
“In Ids house, a dozen miles from here,
I should imagine!” cried the-little old
gentleman; his face pink, and every hair
upon his white, woolly head seeming to
bristle with pugnacity.
“■In his own house, a dozen miles from
here!’” echoed Jeffrey Smith, blankly. “1
can’t understand you.”
“I can’t understand yon, sir!” retorted
the other.
“Stay, there is some mistake,” cried
Lettice, who had been looking iu amaze
ment from one to the other. “Mr. Smith,
whom did you come to see2”
“Mr. Lorimer, of course,” answered’
the young man abruptly, turning to the
girl with evident relief.
“But we have hardly a visiting acquaint
ance with them! Why come here?”
“I have never been there, but it is
place called The Cedars, and I thought
was coming to it now; is not this it?”
Wbat reply the young lady might have
given can never be known, for the old
gentleman, Mr. Warburtou, took up the
subject again. “I see it all!” lie cried
throwing up his hands. “The boy should
have gone to The Cedars, aud he has come
here six miles out of his way!”
“Then this w not Mr. Lorimer’*! How
stupid! I was to ba7e gone there ou i
week’s visit.”
“Most extraordinary to me,” Mr. War-
burton muttered to himself, “how a per
son does not know where he is going, and
takes care he gets there.”
The color rose to Jeffrey Smith’s fore
head; and be was none the less annoyed
that ho felt the blood mounting to his lace.
“I am sorry for any inconvenience that I
may have caused you, sir,” he said; “and
I think now that I had better lose no time
in starting for my destination.”
“Tut, tut, tut, young man, don’t mount
the high horse; sit down; I was only think
ing cf you. For ourselves, if we have not
tho right visitor, we are very glad of the
wrong;one.”
“You are very kind, hut I will take np
no more of your time. Besides, 1 imag
ine 1 shall get no conveyance in these
rustic parts, therefore the sooner I start
the better,” answered Smith, melting Into
his genial self at the other’s more cordial
manner.
“Nonsense! there la no conveyance to be
bad here. I can not send you such a dis
tance, for one of my horses k lame; so you
must rnako yourself comfortable for the
present. You came of your own lrce will
and choice, and you must stay now against
it. It would be an ' excellent joke, too,
hut for poor Smith cooling his heels on
Bedbrook pi it form.”
“I don’t think, papa, he coaid have ar
rived,” said Lettice, who had laid aside
her si raw list, and sealed herself beside
the table*
“You were expecting a friend by this
train?—Of course,” added Jefirey, cor
recting himself; “or the mistake could not
have arisen about me. No person got out
of the train but myself and the old lady
with the cap,” smiling at Lettice. “I
looked about me thoroughly, so I can as
sure you no one was there."
“Very well, all’s well that ends well.
Ring the bell, my dear, for this gentleman
to be shown to his room—he can have
Smith’s,” said Mr. Warburtou, as impul
sively hospital now as he had been un
bearably irate before. With ail his sim
plicity ami impulsiveness lie was not with
out some judgment, and he had taken a
liking for this young stranger with Lis
good looks and gentlemanly bearing, and
was honestly pleased to hare him within
his doors.
Miss Warburtou had kept quite silent
and aloof throughout the discussion; but
when be at length yielded to her father’s
sereitaslons, Smith could not resist steal
ing a glance In her direction to read he
mind, and he fancied be could detect a
faint smile of satisfaction dimpling her
pretty mouth. So in improved spirits he
>roceeded to his room, where he was in-
ormed his luggage was already. In twenty
minutes his toilet was complete, and he
made his way back into the room in which
he had been received. Quick, though, as
he considered be had been in dressing, be
found Miss Warburtonhad been yet quick
er, for as he opeued the door, he beard
her clear voice in conversation.
“Well, I must say I thought he looked
rather young.”
“I should think so. How you could
take that lad for the Professor—” Mr.
Warburton was beginning, when he was
awakened to the fact of Jefirey Smith’s
presence in the room.
A slight flush dawned upon Lattice's
fair cheeks at the unexpected entrance of
their subject of conversation, but she
faced the poeition frankly.
“Yea,” she began, with her low sweet
langb; “we were talking of you. I was
just saying that, although no doubt of
your identity entered my mind, you did
not fulfill my idea of a learned Professor.”
“I think that unkind, Mlsa Warburton.
You should have left me under the illu
sion that I looked the embodiment of wis
dom and erudition.”
“How did the mistake arise? How was
ittbat you came from the station with
me?”
“I can not tell you exactly; I have been
thinking over the circumstances, and I
can only remember tliatjyour servant
came up aud took my hag from my hand,
saying (lie carriage was waiting for me
outside the station.”
“I Knew it!" cried Mr. Warburton. “I
knew that young rascal had something to
do with it; ho is at the bottom of every
piece of mischief. We’ll have him here to
give an account of himself.”
“What is the use, papa?” said Lettice,
laughing. “He will only prove every
body tohe iu the wrong but himsplf.”
At this moment dinner was announced,
Miss Warburton being given into Smith’s
charge; with which arrangement lie was
well pleased. The more he saw of Let
tice, the more lie was charmed with her
vivacity and intelligence. Sho was also
prettier than he had at first thought her,
now that he saw her with her pretty hair
uncovered, and her bright, youthful face
set off by evening dress. This was as sim
ple as her outdoor attire had been, but it
was ot some shining white material, and
it left her round white throat aud arms
exposed to view, and set off her light and
graceful figure. There was a slight dash
of independence in her manner and speech,
but it was only sufficient to lend a certain
piquancy to her remarks. He had a con
siderable experience of her powers of en
tertainment in the course of the evening
for Mr. Warburton fell asleep immediately
upon their adjournment to the drawing
room.
By the help of some music,and Miss War-
burton’s conversation, the evening flew by,
and Jefirey Smith was first recalled to a
sense of the time by Leilico ringing for
chamber candles, and bidding himself and
her rather good-night.
The slight stir had awakened the latter,
and he now took tho office of entertainer.
“Do you smoke?” asked tho old gentle
man, blinking his eyes and pushing his
fingers through the snow-wliito wool that
covered bis head, as he sat very erect and
looked at Smith.
“Not regularly; but when I am shown
a bad example, 1 sometimes take a cigar.”
“Very well; I’ll set you Uuft bad exam
ple; we’ll havo just one whifl before going
to bed. But we must go to my sanctum.
Do yon notice what a queer bouse this is?’
asked Mr. Warburton as, followed by Ids
guest, he shuffled along an extensive cor
ridor to a far-off room.
“It covers a great deal of ground, surely.”
“Yes, for if is built entirely ou the
f ound floor, but for the small tower that
have added; my daughter considers the
rooms In it hers, the windows look over
the woods and are pleasant; at any rate,
they are her choice. Tho man who lived
here before me, and for whom the house
was built, was blind. You recollect your
bedroom, I suppose; it lies over there,” the
old gentleman concluded, pointing over
his shoulder. *
‘Yes,'I marked Its position, at the end
of tho uassage, past tlia tower staircase.”
“Right! now I thing; I can give you a
cigar that you will enjoy.”
CHAPTER n. •
By 11 o’clock that night Mr. Smith was
in bed; but 12, sounding from some clock
in tlie neighborhood, discovered liim still
awake, and when the single stroke of 1
in due time came trembling through tho
still summer air, Ills restlessness L:.d only
increased. This wakefulness was becom
ing oppressive, and he at last set to court
ing the-perverse and fickle goddess in
sober earnest, and strove to remember all
the methods that he had heard recom
mended for obtaining sleep. He had been
told that counting was an infallible charm;
well! Jeffrey reckoned up the national
debt, and was as wide awake as though
he had been Chancellor of Exchequer.
Then he remembered tho true method of
composing One’s self was to fix the mind
upon a single Idea, such as sheep success
ively jumping a hedge. Accordingly, he
saw the flocks of Abraham over tin
he had conjured up in his imagination,
with the result that he was rather more
lively than before. Theu he tried repeat
ing poetiy, and went hunting for a miss
ing line through halt the « English poets.
And last he essayed tho reiteration of a
word again aud again, till at length it had
no more meaning or sense than tne
changes rung upon a bell. Stop! at this
rate ho should soon land in hopeless im
becility. He would rise, walk about,
read, occupy himself in some manner; and
springing up, he sought a light. Tho
matches were not to bo found, but there
might be a match of two in his own bag,
This he recollected to have been left m
the dressing-room [which adjoined his
bed-chamber. The window here was
not screened by thick, dark blinds, as
thole of the sleeping apartments were, aud
he soon found his bag; when as he was
feeling among its fittings for his match
box, ho became conscious of a peculiar
smell and sound In tlio room. The door
had been left overnight accidently ajar,
aud through this opening tho strange In
fluence stole. The next moment he was
convinced of the cause.
The place was on fire!
Jeffrey ventured out and looked forth,
and there at tho end of the passage, roll
ing onward to meet him, was a volume
of white smoke. Without a moment’s loss
offline he turned back into his room, and,
hastily assuming some ot bis clothes, hur
ried out again. Perfectly ignorant which
rooms were tenanted and which not, ho
knocked at every door shouting, “Fire!
fire!” He himself pressed on to the im
mediate scene of the conflagatlon. The
origin of the fire he could not discover;
but upon turnlDg tho corner of tho long
corridor it was apparent that the tower
stairs were burning. The column of
smoke was now very dense, but the flames
seemed to be issuiug from beneath the
staircase. Good Heavens! Was it not
here that he had been told Miss Warbur
ton slept? How far had the fire reached?
Had it already done its work ot distrac
tion? Before Jeffrey’s sight swept a vision
of the girl as he had seen her last night,
bright, sunny, beautiful, and now possibly
a mere heap of charred and blackened
ruin. It spurred him on to instantaneous
effort. He made an attempt to ascend;
the smoke was blinding, tliq hot airswept
his face with scorching fierceness; but the
stairs still aflorded firm and secure foot
ing. The flames, however, were licking
with ominous greed at tho light wooden
baluster and its supports. Ho gained the
door which he supposed must be that of
Miss Warburton’s room, and, after a hasty
knock, turned the handle. Tho floor
yielded. He could make out the white
bed, could almost catch the shimmer of
the golden hair upon the pillow even in
that dim light.
“Miss Warburton! waken!” he cried.
And theu thinking the true cause of the
disturbance would he less alarming to the
rl than the strange presence in her room,
e added: “Don’t be frightened; but the
house is on fire.”
Jeffrey guessed that she was not the
kind ot woman to go into hysterics, or
faint, or do anything else absurd; he had
reckoned upon her showing courage and
presence of mind, and he found nimself
right in his estimate.
“Yes; who to it? What to the matter?”
she sail, bewildered,’but sitting erect,
and speaking ealmly.
‘It is I, Miss Warburtou; there is a fire
in the house. I do not think it is much,
but the srairt are burning. Will you
come at once?”
“Yea, but—*
“Don't waitl Just wrap yourself in
something woolen,” he »aid, walking to
the door and opening it in readiness, but
the next moment be shut it again. The
flames had already gained the very lintels.
“Quick, Miss Warburton! There is not
a moment to lose!” Cried he sharply.
The next moment Lettice had elided up
to his side where he stood waiting for
l er. lie took her hand to lead her for
ward; she was very ready and composed,
but Jeffrey could feel that she trembled
nervously. Holding her fingers now in a
firmer grasp to reassure her, he opened
the door and stepped out on the small
landing.
“Not through there! not through there!”
she cried, drawing back with a violent
shudder at the sight of the smoke and
flames.
Seeing her dismay and reluctance Mr.
Smith spoke to her hurriedly, “Our only
alternative is tho window; Is there a
verandah or anything of that sort below
it?”
“No, nothing.”
“No projection of any kind to climb out
upon.”
“None,” she answered, trying to steady
her voice; “the wall falls sheer down to
the grouud.” *
. .“Come, then; you shall not bp hurt If I
can help it. Escapo is easy enough if
only the stairs be stone; at all events, they
arc but a short flight,” he said encourage-
iogly; but at the same time he stole a
glance of much anxiety at the girl.
She was only protected by some thin
wrapper, but little naked white feet were
simply thrust into a pair of slippers, her
fair hair hung in a fleecy cloud ovor her
shoulders. Plenty for those hungry flames
to feed upon; little to resist their voracity.
Darting a oack into the room, Smith
seized a blanket from the bed; and rolling
it around her, lifted her, speechless
with astonishment, into his arms and
dashed right on. Buidened as h<^ was
and blinded by tlio smoke, ho stumbled
on, never hesitating till ho reached the
base, where wl at seemed To be a solid
wall of fire withstood his progress. But
it was too lote for hesitatiou, too lato to go
hack; and, with a more fervent prayer for
help than ever he had uttered In his life
before, he plunged on. A moment later
they stood sate beyond tbe roach of tho
flames. Safe upon the solid ground, sate
as by a miracle; safe, though with hearts
that yet throbbed quickly from the late
sense of peril. And deeply thankful; one
at least had never tasted tho full sweet
ness of existence until that moment of
blessed relief.
Sitting his precious burden down,
Jeffrey Smith staggered .back against the
wall, more exhausted by his exertions,
and more hurt by the scorching breath of
The flames, than be cared to own. He was
aroused by tbe sound of a soft v»ice speak
ing to him.*
“I know what you havo done, Mr.
Smith; I know that you have saved my
life at the risk of your own.”
“Not at all; it is nothing,” auswered
the young man, quickly.
“It is so much that I can say nothing,”
said the girl, looking up at him, her eyes
full of tears, her tones broken by emo
tion.
“There was no one else sleeping in that
irt of the house, was there?’’ asked
nervous'y, when she was not using It as
a mop to wipe her stained and heated
cheeks.
“I v ^ telling you, Miss, Jennie Row-
landp’tame up for some black currant jam
and aunt tent me to the store-room be
hind the stairway.”
“Now, put the blame upon me,” cried
Mrs. Bennett, throwing up her baud with
a gesLre that spoke volumes for the in
justice and iniquity of the world.
“No, aunt, I’m not; I’m only telling
how ’twas. And I was obliged, Miss, to
letch.. light to read the labels on the pets,
and I lelt the candle behind me on the
window. 1 suppose I forgot it ’cause it
was so light outside.”
“V; ry well. Now, Hetty, you must
promise ' i be very careful for the future.”
‘■I will Miss, I will,” cried the penitent
Hetty, applying the apron more vigorous
ly than ever to her eyes.
“Yes; recollect that a great deal of
damage has been doue, ami it might have
been much more serious, costing some of
us our lives, but for tbe goodness of God.
You must take a warning from this.”
“Indeed IT) never look at a candle
again.”
“An undertaking you’ll find it difficult
to keep,” said Miss Warburton, laughing,
“You can all go.”
“My dear,” said the father as soou as
the servants had dispersed, “you should
have let me speak a word. We shall have
the house In flames every other night
whon they tee how easily we take this.”
“Xouseuse. Hetty has had a warning
for life. Besides, papa, you would only
have made us all laugh. Now then, what*
shall we do? Shall we take Mr. Smith
to see the gardens, such as they are ?”
“He shall see my pigs. They are worth
looking at, I can promise you, Smith.
Come along.”
But neitner flowers nor pigs were des
tined to receive Smith’s admiration that
day; far, just as the three were passing
out, a carriage drove up to the door with
Jrfilrcy’s lawful possessors, full of apolo-
;ies and explanations for having been
ate in arriving at the station the previous
day.
Mr. Warburtou at onco entered a vehe
ment protest against his "departure. “No,
no; we’ve got you, and mean to keep you*
Miud, you came o! your own choice,”
added the litlfcuentlemau, chuckling. He
seemed to tlilnluthat there was au excel
lent joke in this latter fact.
TcJcffrey the fuu of It was not so pat
ent. Even witli tbe latter events, he
colored somewhat at the recollection of
the method of hi, arrival. “Yes, I bare
to thank you for your kindness aud hos
pitality to a mere Intruder.”
“No, no, no, dear me! dear me 1 How
little we know what a day may bring
forth—thought your coming so odd; it was
the finger of Providence that led you
bere. J ’
Jefirey did not exactly see the reason
ing, but he kept the sentiineut witbiu his
own breast, only maintaining that be
must fulfill hi* engagement with the
Lorimej's,and"speud the next week at
their house.
Jeffrey, starling up, struck by a sudden
thought.
“No, oli, no,” cried Lettice, laying her
hand detainingly upon his arm, fearful
that ho was going to explode afresh.
“I was r.ot thinking of starting upon
second expedition,” said he, smiling, and
taking her baud ho held it in his in
warm clasp.
The next momeut they were interrupt
ed by the awakened household assem
bling. Oue by one the inmates of the
honse camo trooping up lu every form of
unfinished and peculiar attire, but all
worked with such a will, and the supply
of water was so good, that the fire was
extinguished by tlio time day dawned.
Not, however, before tho staircase was
wholly consumed, aud Mrs. Warburton’s
rooms partly destroyed aud wholly spoiled
by the double action of tho smoke and the
ho3o from the gardeu, which had been
brought to play upon tbe conflagration.
The world ot nature had been some
time astir, and tbe sun was some height In
Hie heavens when Jeffrey retired to bed
for tbo second time, but he now slept
soundly until 0 o’clock. Hastening then
he found awaiting him in tho breakfast-
room Mr. Warburton walking up and
down in a state of great agitation, beat-
od before tho urn was Lettice herself,
looking as fresh as though ahe had passed
tho night in tranquil slumber upon a bed
of roses, and bad stolen some of tbeir
bloom and sweetness for herself.
Mr. Warburton hailed Jeffrey as his
daughter’s deliverer, making many at
tempts to thank him for the great service
lie had rendered them, hut as regularly
broke down; and as upon each occasion
he wrung Smith’s hand almost to the
point 6f dislocating his shoulder, tho lat
ter was not sorry when he abandoned the
endeavor to express his gratitude, and
proposed that breakfast should bo pro
ceeded with.
No sooner was the meal over than Jef
frey and Lettice were invited to be pres
ent at the inquiry Mr. Warburtou was
about to institute into the cause of the
fire. He was not going to have his house
burned down about his.ears and not know
tbe reason why. So the entire staff of
servants was summoned, and tbe inquiry
opened with great formality.
Each of the men-servants separately de
nied all knowledge ot the matter; but
when it came to the women-servants’ turn
to be interrogated, Mrs." Bennett, the
housekeeper, a homely old womeu, but a
privileged person, who bad evidently been
on thorns for ten minutes past to get in a
word, answered with great fluency and
energy:
“No, sir; I did not do it* but I know
who did. ’Twas that bad, wicked girl,
Hetty.”
“What l your niece, Hetty!” cried Mr.
Warburton, astonished.
“Yes, sir,” assented this Spartan rela-
tive; «’twas she that set fire to the house,
aud tried to burn us all up in our beds.”
“Come here, Hetty,"
In answer to the summons there came
forward a plump-faced count*y lass,
shaking and crying, but not looking alto-
;etlier the murderer and incendiary she
rad been represented to be.
“Now, then, wbat have you got to say ?”
asked her master, with the air of a judge
to a prisoner at the bar.
The only reply of the culprit was a fresh
burst of tears.
Miss Warburton came to tire rescue.
■Look at me, Hetty,” said she, in a kind
and gentle voice, “aud tell us how it hap
pened.”
The .irl turned her moist eyes upon the
young lady with some appearance of re
lief. “Well, Miss, Jenny Rowland's little
girl bad asore throat—”
“Tut, tut, tut,” broke lu the old Squire
with bis familiar expression of Impatience.
“Tut, tut, tnt! We don’t want to bear
about the health of the parish. I want to
know why my house is to be burned
down, and Mire Lettice killed between the
fire and tbe fright.”
Mr. Smith and “Mias Lettice” lodked
up at this ghastly picture; and, their
glances meeting, tbe majesty of tbe court
as nearly being broken by a peal of
laughter.
As soon as he conld regain a fitting
gravity of countenance, Miss Warburton
resumed her prompting. “Pat down your
apron and go on,” said she to tbe girl,
faltlng "
who was pli
; up tbe hem of her apron
B ) he departed,* carrying with him the
open loudly-expresssd regrets of his late
host, and a faint glance of wistful disap
pointment from Miss Warburton, that was
instantly changed,for a smile and a jest
when she perceived his gaze bent upon
her. But the sequel proved that he might
quite as well have remained at Redbrook,
for next day anu every day l'ouud him
calling there. -
“Somehow I feel an interest in those
people. Lettice Warburton is such a nice
girl,” he allowed, and deceived himself
by tbe candor of the admission. “Not
the sort woman to fall hopelessly, stupid
ly, head-over-ears in lore with; no daz
zling beauty to rave rbout; just a good,
honest, English girl, taWbg kindly thought
for au old woman, rescuing a poor ser
vant from trouble, carrying life and sun
shine evreywhere; who could help liking
her?”
It was tbe final morning of his stay in
the neighborhood, and he bad ridden over
to Redbrook early to make his adieus.
The room in which he was shown was
empty when he entered; bnt the next mo
ment Lettice glided in, her cheeks aud
eyes brightened by the fresh morning air,
her hands full ot flowers, with which to
replenish tbe vases, $ task she dally per
formed herself.
“I did not know yon were hero,” she
cried, upon seeing Jeffrey. “I can not
give you a hand, because both ate full.
Have you been waiting long?”
■ “No, I have hardly been here a mo
ment. I called to say good-bye, as I am
leaving to-morrow.”
“Air’—Miss Warburton’s hands were
dissengaged now, for the flowers had
dropped from thorn, and were rolling in a
glittering cataract down her white robe to
the ground. The brief sigh and exclama
tion might havo been given to the catas
trophe, or to the news just imparted by
Mr. Smith.
The next momeut she was speaking
lightly. “How stupid of me! Did you
say you were leaving? I thought you
were going to stay some time longer, my
father is under the firm impression that
you would pay us a visit before deserting
the neighborhood altogether.”
Jeffrey made no answer; he was silently
gathering up the scattered blossoms and
replacing them in her lap. Something in
the last few minutes had shown him his
heart. What a fool he had been in talk
ing about liking this girl? It burst upon
him, with the suddenness of a startling
revelation, what a blank life would be
without her.
‘Will you give me one of those flow
ers?” he asked, as his work ended, he
stood waiting beside her. Lettice had in
her fingers two or three purple pansies;
she stretched ont her hand aud offered
them to him without a word.
“Heartsease! I shall need them when I
am gone.”
A slight frown contracted Miss Warbur
ton’s smooth white brow; then she looked
up with & gentle reproach. “I did not
think it was your habit to talk uonsense.”
“It is not nonsense,” said Jeffrey ea
gerly. “Miss Warburton! yon are dearer
to me than life. I have been too stupid
to know it, but 1 think I have loved yon
from tbe first moment I saw you.”
No reply from Miss Warburton, save
that her bead drooped a little lower over
the flowers.
“Give me a word of hope, dearest.
Don’t let me go away miserable; speak to
me—Lettice."
“What can I say? And you are so Im
patient—Jeffrey.
It was enough for the Waiting, anxious
lover.
“Lettice, may I go and speak to ^onr
father now?” asked Jeffrey presently,
when his raptures had somewhat sub
sided.
“You would not be anxious for it,” an
swered she between smiles and tears, “if
you knew the treatment other suitors have
met at bis bands.”
Inwardly quaking, himself, at the or
deal, Jefirey sought out Mr. Warburton
and tcld his story plainly.
“Never heard of anything so ridiculous
In my life!” burst out the little old gen
tleman. “Yon saved her Hie, and now,
forsooth! feel obliged to marry.her. Off
with you, and leave me in peace, and
never mention anything so absurd again!
But, Smith!” be called out later to the
young man, who was turning away balk
ed and dispirited, “recollect that any
time you feel disposed to pay us a visit,
you’ll find a hearty welcome here. And
perhaps, perhaps—mind, I make no^raeb
promise*—but perhaps, It yon list to
come and talk to me about Lettice in
twenty years’ time, when you have both
grown a little older and, I may listen to
you.”
Tbe wedding took place, however, in _
good deal less than twentyIt was
celebrated with fitting magnificence; the
bride was lovely, the bridegroom band-
some, and there was a crowd of wedding
guests rivaling a flock of tropicaf birds iu
splendor ot plumage. But Master Thomas
considered that he, in a new suit of livery
and a favor nearly as large as himself, was
the central point of elegance aud tbe
crowning pinnacle of glory.
THE FEDERAL CONGRESS.
Washington, January 10.—In the
Senate communications from the Secreta
ry of the Treasury were submitted by the
Presideut pro tem, transmitting the an
nual report ofthe coast and geodetic sur
vey, and also lu response to a Senate res
olution of inquky respecting the organiza-
tiou of a separate couit'for tbe trial of
customs cases. The chair - submitted a
petition from the Board of Trade of Port
land, Me., for tho separate organization of
tbe signal sendee. Mr. Test presented
tho petition of^Rn. Henry Hitchcock and
others, of Stjjrouls, for the establishment
of competljtte examinations for all subor
dinate ofijfers of the government.
Mr.^fes, of Florida, introduced a bill
‘ e Pensacola and Atlantic Bail-
iany the right to build bridges
navigable waters between Pensa
cola and Chattahoochee, Fla.
Mr. Fall introduced a bill granting the
right of way through the public lands to
Palatkf to the Indian River Railroad
y-
igan introduced and asked present
[atlon of a bill - granting arrears of
o the widow of Abraham Lin-
Com:
Mr.
CODSld
pensioi
coin.
Mr. Vance offered a resolution direct
ing the Secretary of the Treasury to fur
nish copies of ail charges and complaints,
reports or other information on file con
cerning irregularities in the collection of
internal revenue in the 6th collection dis
trict of North Carolina, and copies of any
orders by the collector thereof forbidding
the arrest or taking out of processes
against offenders against the revenue laws.
Adopted. . a
Mr. Hale, from the committee on ap
propriations, reported favorably the House
census deficiency bill, making an appro
priation of $540,000. *
The Senate then, on motion of Mr. In
galls, took up his resolution declaring
that the arrears of the pensions act ought
not to be repealed.
Mr. Yoorheesla support of the resolu
tion said the denunciations ofthe act by
the press of the countiy, and particularly
by prominent organs of all kinds of corpo
rations, were made without the slightest
basis for their sopportjor justification. The
adoption of these denunciations
by a member of the Senate bad filled him
with amazement .and pain. If the Sena
tor from Kentucky (Air. Beck) should
make good his allegations against the
pension arrears act, its supporters would
Lave cause to hang their heads in shame,
but he (Voorhees) claimed that It was a
work of justice on the part of the govern
ment, dictated by duty and patriotism.
He read the terms of the act to show that
its meaning was not obscure or liable to
misconstruction, and that its design was
simply to remove that mean defense to
tbe payment of an honest debt,
namely, tbe bar of the statute of
limitations as to the pensions al
lowed under tbe carefully prepared pro
visions of previous acts. Taklug up sep
arately add replying to the charges made
against tbe pension arrears act, Mr. Voor
hees contended that they had not been
substantiated in one instance. It had
been charged that the bill was passed in
the Senate without discussion, and uuder
some sort of parliamentary compulsion.
The record disproved this and showed
that twenty-one Senators participated in
tbe debate upon it.
Mr. Beck said that in the passage of tbe
bill referred to both houses of Congress
were imposed upon by a set of pension
claim agents, who devised a scheme of
pension arrearages for tffire" own benefit,
and that if its actual cost had beeff’fore-
told or in any way indicated at the time,
the bill would uot have received tbe sup
port of auy of tbe members who voted for
it. He gave an outline ol the progress of
the bill, showing that it passed the House
under a suspension of tberulea, which cut
off debate; that tbe measure which
passed was uot the one recommended by
the committee, but one that bad not been
before the committee; that the question
was pressed for action upon the eve of an
adjournment, when members were going
home for re-election and were
Indisposed to vote against a prop
osition which upon its face bad
only a patriotic object. The bill, although
not understood, was allowed to pass
without dissent. He quoted from the de
bates upon it to show that tbe maximum
which any member believed ii would cost
was*$30,000,000,while $19,000,000 or $20,-
000,000 were the highest figures mentioned
in the Senate.’He’Mked whether the Sen
ate did not believe a fraud was commit
ted when he, as one member, was induced
to vote upon a measure which subsequent
developments had shown to be entirely
unwarranted. He assumed that no mem
ber imagined that tbe results of that leg
islation would be what they are, and that
ii it had been intimated
what is now stated by the commissioner
of {pensions to be a fact, that 10 per cent
ofthe total of arrears would be paid ont
on fraudulent claims, not a vote would
hare been given for tbe bill. He remind
ed Senators that when the bill came from
tbe House to tbe Senate tbe latter body
was flooded with petitions, with printed
headings, which purported to come from
vsrious parts of the country. These, he
asserted, were gotten up by .pension
agents iu Washington, and by them circu
lated through the country for signatures,
to be used as a pressure upon the Senate.
Mr. Beck having asked to be allowed
twenty 'minutes to-morrow morning to
complete bis remarks, the discussion
cl sed for the present, "and tbe Sherman
fanding bill was taken up aud laid over
i unfinished business for to-morrow.
Mr. Cameron, of Pennsylvania, deliv
ered a twenty minutes’ speech upon taxa
tion, dels ring it inexpedient to reduce the
revenue by abolishing all existing inter
nal revenue laws, except upon high wines
and distilled spirits. The Senate at 3:55
went into executive session, and at 4:05
adjourned until to-morrow.
* HOUSE.
Mr. Bobeson, of New York, immedi
ately after the reading of the journal,
called np as a privileged question tbe re
port from the committee on rules submit
ted by him on Thursday last. The point
of order was raised by Mr. Townsend, of
Illinois, end Mr. Borrows, of Michigan,
that tbe call of States for bills could not
be Interfered with. The Speaker over
ruled tbe point of order, bolding that a
privileged question took precedence of the
ftftU of States.
Mr. Knows raised the question of con
sideration, and tbe House decided not to
tr the question of privilege at the
present time. Under tbe Call ot State*
the following bills were introduced and
referred: By Mr. Wheeler, of Alabama,
to’prevent the introduction of infectious
or contagious diseases; also, to aid iu the
the establishment and temporary support
of common schools. By Mr. Williams, ot
Kentucky, for the erection of a monument
over the grave of President Taylor; also,
to regulate Inter-State commerce. By
Mr. Darrel), of Louisiana, to terminate
tbe treaty of Jane, 1875, with bis Mqjesty
the! King of tbe Hawaiian Islands. By
Mr.J King, of Louisiana, appropriating
$500,000 for the Improvement of tbe mouth
of the Red river. By Mr. Thompson,
of Ifcijtucky, providing that -the tax on
distilled spirits shall hereafter be ouly
due and payable ou the withdrawal ot
such spirits from bond. By Mr. Mcney,
of Mississippi, making the Agricultural
Department an executive department.
By Mr. Houk, of Tennessee, grantiug
pensions to civil officers injured in the
service of the United States, or their wid
ows and children. By Mr. Dibbrell, ot
Tennessee, to remove the internal rev
enue tax ou tobacco in the hands of pro
ducers, on matches, bank checks aud de
posits. By Mr. Upson, of Texas, provid
ing for a treaty with Mexico. By Mr.
Jorgenson, of Virginia, to improve the
public road-to Arlington cemetery.
Tbe call of tho States having been con
cluded and 402 bills appropriately re
ferred, the Speaker announced tbe regu
lar order to be the presentation of resolu
tions to suspend the rules uuder the
authority cf the committees.
Mr. Oooke, of Georgia, on behalf ot
the committee ou pubi c lauds, moved
to suspend the rales and adopt a resolu
tion calliug ou the Secretary of the Treas
ury for infosHation as to wbat action has
been taken by tbe Solicitor of the Treas
ury to sell or lease all real estate and
riparian rlghs now owned by the United
Slates at Harper’s Ferry, West Virginia.
Agreed to.
Mr.'Gxrrison, of Virginia, on behalf of
the committee on the District of Columbia,
moved to suspend the rules’and pass the
bill to incorporate the Garfield Memorial
Hospital. A half hour’s debate, which
uuder the rales is allowed upon motions
of this character, disclosed some objection
to the measure on the ground tlml there
were already euough hospitals in the
District of Columbia for all practical
purposes, that the incorporation of another
would have the effect of bringing to the
District persons from adjoining States
who should be taken care of in tho various
Slate institutions, and that there was
nothing in the hill which would prevent
the incorporators from applying to the
government for assistance. Tbe motion
to suspend the rules aud pass the hill was
defeated by yeas 140, nays 86—not the
necessary two-thirds In the affirmative.
The Speaker announced the appoint
ment of the following select com
mittee on the memorial relative to the
services rendered to the government by
the late Carl'sle F. Patterson: Kasson, of
Iowa; Bobinson, of Massachusetts; Ran
dall, ol Pennsylvania; Atkins, of Tennes
see, end 'McLane, of Maryland.
The Speaker laid before the House the
report of the Washington Monumental
Association. Referred. The House then,
at 5 o’clock, adjourned.
to the clerk’s desk and had read a letter
from D "strict Attorney James Boyd, de
nying the charges. The resolution was
referred to the committee on ways and
means.
Mr. Bel ford, of Colorado, offered a res
olution amending Rule 14 so as to pre
vent a member who has the floor from
pa-celliug bis time out to other mem
bers.
Mr. Belmont, of New York, offered a
resolution r questing tbe President to
communicate to the House all corre
spondence aud communications between
the government of the United State* and
IU diplomatic and other agents occurring
aiuee the first of April, 1879, relating to
the efforts of this government to bring
about peace between Chill and Peru and
Bolivia, and such other correspondence on
that subject as may be in tbe possession
ol the Department of State. Referred.
Mr. Harris, of Massachusetts, chairman
of the committee on naval affairs, reported
a resolution directing tbe Secretary of tbe
Navy to transmit to the House all papers
and correspondence In tbe department
relative to the Cbiriqtii coaling stations
and the appropriation for the purchase
thereof, aud requesting him to withhold
all payment for such stations until such
Information has been laid before the
House aud action hed by Congress.
Adopted.
The call of committees having been
concluded, Mr. ltobeson, of New Jersey,
called up tbe report of the committee on
rules, increasing the membership of the
various committees ol the House. He
stated that the thirteen committees whose
membership it was proposed to Increase
had before them now neany 00 per cent.
Of tbe business of the House.
Mr. Page, of California, offered an
amendment to provide that tbe committee
on tbe improvement of the Mississippi
river shall not have authority to repsrt
appropriations on tbe subject.
Mr. Kelley offered an amendment to
strike ont the clause iucreasing tbe mem
bership of the ways aud means commit
tee.
Mr. Orth offered as a substitute for tbs
committee’s report b>; amendment for tbe
election at tbe beginning of each Congress
of a commission charged with the dntf ot
asslgnmg the membership of the commit
tees. Tbe motion was lost—vest 107, nays
140.
Mr. King, of Louisiana, moved to amend
the report so as to give tbe committee on
tho improvement of the Mississippi river
power to report appropriations on that
subject.
Pending further action the Speaker an
nounced the appointment of Mr. Beach, of
New York, upou the committee ou public
buildings aud grounds, in place of Mr.
HewRt, of New York,excused.
The House then, at 4:45, adjourned.
The report of the oommltte on rules will
come np to-morrow as unfinished busi
ness,
Washington, January 17.—In the
Senate, a number of petitions tor a com
mission of inquiry concerning the internal
liquor traffic; for an increase of pay to the
members of the life saving service and
from citizens of Arkansas' for woman
suffrage were preseuted.
Mr. Davis, ot West Virgin!*, from the
committee ou appropriations, reported
with amendments the bill to repeal cer
tain laws relating to permanent and in
definite appropriations.
A bill was Introduced by Mr. Davis, ot
Illinois, to permit Ward Uuut, Associate
Justice of the Supreme Court of the
United States, to retire, and by Mr. Blair
granting a pension to Lucretia Garfield.
During the morning hour Mr. Beck re-
sumed his remarks upon the Inga'ls teso-
iution declaring the pension arrears law
ought not he repealed. At tbe conclusion
of Mr. Beck’s remarks, Mr. Ingalls said
that as the funding bill had precedence
to-day be would defer a formal reply to
Mr. Beck to a more convenient time.
At 1:20 the consideration of the Sher
man funding bill was resumed. The bill
was discussed by Messrs. Plumb, Pugh,
Teller, Saunders aud Pendieton. The
Squate at 4 p. m , without closing the de
bate, went ipto executive session, aud at
4.20 adjourned until to-morrow.
Mr. Plumb argued that the redemption
fund for United States notes ought to be
diminished. He urged the solemn duty
of Congress not only to cut down but to
definitely limit that ftind at a stated fig
ure, thereby making a saving to the coun
try in the item of interest, while allowing
the money heretofore hoarded in the
treasury to circulate. He believed a re
daction of the fund to fifty million dollars
could safely be made. To make his propo
sition wholly conservative he had fixed
the limit at one hundred million dollars,
so as to make full and ample provision
for the redemption ot every government
obligation. He advocated the redemp
tion of tbe 3{ per cents out of the sur
plus revenue over and above one hundred
million dollars, and thought this total
ought not to be reduced except in tbe re
demption ot United States notes.
Hr. Pugh said that Mr. Vest’s amend
ment, being a copy of the Carliale amend
ment, while applicable to tbe funding bill
the last Congress was inoperative and in
consistent with some of tbe provisions of
the fanding bill. Ho suggested modifica
tions making it applicable. He favored
•that amendment upon the consideration
among others that tbe failure of the gov
ernment to force the banks to take the
new 3 per cent* would amount to a dis
crediting of the banks, who, in tbe lan
guage ofthe Senator from Arkansas (Mr.
Garland), were tbe mere fiscal agents of
the government. Further, if not com
pelled to take the new bonds the interest
of the banks would induce them to aid in
opposing the establishment of 3 per cent,
as the normal interest rate. He was uot con
vinced or the necessity of funding under
present conditions. Reviewing the opera
tions of tbe banking system and criticis
ing as impolitic tbe power of the banks to
contract the currency, Mr. Pugh went on
to aay the opposite extreme* of in
flation or contraction of tbe currency, rep
resented by tbe Republican and Green
back parties respectively, were either an
excess to be avoided, and that the Demo
cratic party stands betw een these two ex
tremes and would keep the country on
the ground of safety. There was an irre
pressible conflict between toe two ex
tremes, and It was the duty of Oongree to
restrain them.
HOUSE.
Hr. Armfield, of North Carolina, of
fered a resolution for tbe appointment of
a committee of five members to “squire
into the report concerning alleged
abuses practiced by officers of the Internal
revenue or other persons in the sixth col
lection district of North Carolina, and
concerning all other abuses perpetrated
in said district by internal revenue offi
cers which relate in'any way to the Inter
nal revenue laws of ,tbe United States
and tbe conduct of tbe internal revenue
officers. Tbe resolution is" preceded by
a preamble stating that charges have been
made that tbe great expense attending the
collection of small internal revenue taxes
is attributable to abates among the offi
cer* of the internal revenue.
. Mr. Honk, of Tennessee, commenting
on tbe rtsolntioc as a stump speech, sent
WASntNOTON, January 17 The bill
introduced into the House yesterday by
Mr. Money, of Mississippi, to make tho
Agricultural Department au executive de
partment and to enlarge Its doties and
powers, provides for a secretary and as
sistant secretary, who shall be practical
agriculturists; that the department
shall embrace a bureau of education and
labor, whose duty it shall be to collect all
information concerning education, wages
ot labor, prices of prod acts and cost of
living of tbe working classes here and
abroad, and all information that may
conduce to the welfare and advancement
of the industrial classes of tbe country;
that this bureau shell especially collect
all Information concerning the rural work
ot women that may enlarge their sphere
of labor and lighten the burdens of the
temales of the agricultural population.
It, also provides foe a bureau of geolog
ical survey and a bureau of transporta
tion to collect information concerning
the cost of moving agricultural products,
merchandize and passengers; also a
bureau of manufactures. The important
feature of the bill, however, tq that it
establishes in each State of the Uulon one
or more experimental stations for the
purpose ot thoroughly testing valuable
plants, seeds, fertilizers and agricultural
implements with reference to the soil and
climate.
Among tbe on Hits in connectioh with
the Gultesu trial is a prediction that
Juryman Bright will bang the jury on the
ground that Uuiteau is insane. Mr.
Bright’s father was for some years an in
mate of the government asylum for tbe
insane here, aud died in that institution.
Tne same authority avers that tbe son has
always beeu considered by his intimates
a “very peculiar man.”
Washington, January 17.—At a
meeting of the committee on public ex
penditures ot the House to-day, the prop,
oaitlou to appoint sub-committees to re
vise all measures containing appropria
tions was discussed, and it is quite prob-
ble thatthe committee will insist upon
its rights in this respect. For many years
past this committee has not exercised its
right to supervise tbe public expenditures,
and if it undertakes to do so now, and is
successful in overcoming tbe opposition
which such action may cause, it will
become one of the most important com
mittees ofthe House. Ex-Speaker Ran
dall is chairman of the committee, and
Representative Blackburn, of Kentucky,
holds tbe second place.
~The House committee on commerce, at
Its meeting to-day, authorized Representa
tive Reagan to report to the House with
favorable recommendations his two bills
for tbe establishment of quarantine sta
tions on the Gulf coast near Galveston
and a marine hospital at Galveston. Fa
vorable reports were also authorized on
the pending bills providing for tbe estab
lishment of marine hospitals at Balti
more and New Orleans.
The President rent the following nomi
nations to the Senate to-day : Postmasters
—JohnR. Wallace, at Yorkvtlle, 8. C.;
Oscar H. Lelaud, at Waco, Texas.
Washington, January 18.—A com
munication was received from the Secre
tary ot tbe Treasury, In response to a
Senate resolution, as to the present rates
of duties imposed by France, Germany
and Mexico upon American manufac
tures.
Numerous petitions for a commission to
Investigate the liquor traffic were pre
seuted.
Mr. Davis, of Illinois, from tbe com
mittee on tbe Jndidary, reported back
favorably a bill to purmit Ward Hnnt, an
associate justice of the Supreme Court of
the United States, to retire. He gave
notice that he would ask for IU considera
tion to-morrow.
Mr. Cameron, of Pennsylvania, from
tbe committee on naval affair*, reported
a resolution for the examination by that
committee of the new system of naval de
fense invented by Capt. Ericsson and re
port thereon. Adopted.
A number of bills granting relief In in
dividual cases were presented.
Mr. Blair offered a resolution instruct
ing the committee on public lands to
Inquire into the administration of ths taws.
Adopted.
The remainder of the morning hour
was occupied by Mr. Brown la nasrta
upon tbe currency* question. HU text
was bis resolution declaring the iasxpe-
HManBiSBH
