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** MY FRIEND AND I. My friend and I, two souls agreed— His way I take as he doth lead, Or in some path he may not know He follows me, and thus we go, And mutual honor we concede. My friend hath moods; ah, strong, indeed, As if an autocrat decreed His purpose; but we part not, though, My friend and I. Myself as strong my rule to heed, As captives to each other freed We dare to each the answer “No,” Nor friendship ever break, and so We give to each love’s highest meed. My friend and I, —Dwight Williams, in Homs Journal. Witness for the Plaintiff. BY luke sharp. ’ ■ ™ 1 two-masted , schooner ne T. F. Baxter was owned and commanded by Capt. e “ ter - the season had , , , been good and a one the Captain had made money. Heneeded what,cash he made, for the seasons be fore that one had been very dull, and it was all the Captain could do to keep the vessel inh:s possession. But this particu larycar had been so fortunate that be paid off tlie mortgage on his boat and had •something left over to carry the family * Ihere t^ had e ' v i been n te r - a terrible storm ■ered September, but the Baxter had weath it, through the skill of the Captain and the staunchness of the boat; but it had been a close call, and the Captain. who had up to that time carried no in surauce except what he had to put on when he mortgaged the boat to secure the lenders, had effected ten thousand dollars additional, so that if the good left ship went down his family would not be had penniless. The September weather worked greatly on his mind, and the anxiety he felt during the gale, when he would think that if the boat was lost only a small amount would come to his family, made him resolve never take such risk*. The insurance ran out on November 1, and the Captain expected to have the boat laid up by that time; but freights trip-; went higher and higher, and additional became more and more tempting, and when the storm of October 30 began it found the Baxter on the open lake, but just where will perhaps never be known. Part of a ship’s boat with the name “Laxter” came ashore, and that was all that was le t to tell the story of the wreck. “Went down with all hands,” the papers said. Then came the question of insurauce. The companies banded together and re solved to contest the case. They claimed that the Baxter was a stanch boat and that she had ridden out- the two days’ Btorm of October 30 and 31, and that she had been lost on the 1st or 2d of Novem tier when the insurance had expired, and it rested with the plaintiff to show that •such was not the case. The lawyers for the plaint If knew that they had a pretty poor chance to show this. They had not much hope of se -curing a verdict. But they knew that their client was a widow who had lost her husband in that gale, and tru.-i ed to a strong appeal to the jury, who are very apt in such cases sympathize with the unfortunate and pile on the damages on a soulless covpor ation. What the chief counsel for the plaintiff feared was that the judge would so plamiy direct t-hejury tog.vea verdict for the com panics that those twelve gentlemen would have no chance of letting their sympathies take the place ol good law. Mrs. Baxter’s lawyers were feeling rather blue over the aspects of affairs on the second day of the trial when word came to the senior partner that a man wished to speak to him on important business. After a short absence from the court rvom he returned with a per son and who said: was evidently a seafaring man “Your Honor, we desire to place an other witness on the stand.” The other side at once objected, and said it was very unusual at that stage of the case, and desired to know what his brother intended to prove. “We intend to prove the date of the loss of the Baxter. I wish to call Jacob Swanson, one of the survivors.” At this extraordinary announcement there was a sensation, especially among the reporters, each one of whom was be wailing his bad luck in not getting hold of Mr. Swanson himself and thus se- curing Judge a sensation for his paper. The overruled the objections of the attorneys hear for the companies and elected to what Mr. Swanson had to say. His Honor added that ample opportunity would be given the defense to show that Mr. Swanson was an impostor, as they had rather plainly intimated. Jacob Swanson took the witness stand and was sworn. He wore a heavy beard, but that only served to emphasize the hag¬ gardness of the uncovered part of his face. “What is your name?” “Jacob Swanson.” “Are you a citizen of the United States?” “Yes, but I was born in Sweden.” “What is your business?” “I am a sailor.” she “Wereyou on board the Baxter when was lost?” “I was.” “Where did you ship on her?” “H* Detroit.” “How many voyages did you make on her?” “That was my second voyage.” “When was she lost?” “On the night of the 30th of October.” “Are you sure of that?” “Yes, sir.” “That is all, your Honor.” The lawyers for the other side took the witness in hand. “Do you know that a great deal de pends “les, on your testimony in this case?” sir.” “Oh, you do, eh? You know that my clients will have to pay a large sum of money if what you state is true?” - “Yes, sir.” “You have some interest in the ver diet then?” “Yes, sir.” “Oh, you have. I like a witness that is frank. You would not tell a lie, I suppose." “I have doue so.” “Have you?” Did you ever perjure yourself before?” • Plaintiff’s lawyer—“That is not a proper sort of question to ask a wit ness. ” “I propose to examine £ m my own wav.” “But I submit that such » question is not a proper one.” “He has just confessed himself to be a liar and I propose to see whether he will confess to perjury as well.” “I think many of us might confess to telling a lie, if we were only honest enough.” “I hope you speak only for yourself, sir; I must protest--” His Honor—“Please to continue the case. The witness has answered very straightforwardly Bounce will so far, I think. Mr. not insist on the question.” “Very well, your Honor. Now, sir, w r as any inducement offered you to come here and testify as you have done?” “Yes, sir.” “Oh, ho! An inducement was offered. I hope the jury will \take note of that. Now, my man, who offered it to you?” Opposing Objection counsel—“I object.” overruled. “Who offered you the inducement?” “Captain indeed. Baxter.” “Oh, Isn’t Captain Baxter drowned:” ^ 0 i ® tr - Sensation in . court. “Where is he now?” At the bottom of the lake. “I thought you said he was not drowned.” “He was killed. ” “What inducement was offered you?” “An oath. ” I do not understand you. “I swore an oath to Captain _ Baxter that if there was a suit I would come here and tell the truth about what I was asked ” “Indeed. And this oath, I suppose, “Yes, administered sir.” during the storm ?” “Where?” “In the cabin.” “Why were not both you and the Cap¬ tain attending to the navigation of the vessel?” “Because the vessel was beyond help at that time.” “Had she gonedowD:” “No, sir, but she was on her beam ends practically. The man at the wheel had been disabled and tlie captain sprang into his place. The next moment and before the Captain the was rudder prepared for it, a big sea struck and the Cap cabin. tain was The fiung vessel against the round corner of the came and the next wave tore off the hatches and partly filled her with water. She heeled over so that we knew at once in such a sea we could do nothing with her.’ “ Was the Captain killed outright ?” “No, he staggered or fell down the for companion way into the cabin and called me, and—” “ Stop a moment, you are going too fast. Don’t volunteer information until you are asked for it.” His Honor—“Mr. Bounce, I would suggest that you let the man tell his story of the wreck and that you question him afterwards. I confess I would like to hear his own story of this tragedy. Now, Mr. Swanson, tell in your own way what happened.” “ Well, sir, the Captain called for me and he said: ‘ Swanson, I’m killed and the boat is lost. ’ I was going to speak but he wouldn’t let me. ‘ Listen to me, Swanson,’he said. ‘ What day is this V of ‘ Thursday,’ the I said. < Yes, but whatdav month V ” “ ‘Idon’t know,’ I said, There’s a calendar in on the wall,’ he said, ‘look at for Thursday God’s and find the date—hurry, sake—the boat is sinking V I had hard work finding the date, for the cabin was partly full of water and the lamp sideways was burning dim, and evervthing her" was on account of being heeled over, but I got it and saw it was the 30th. ‘Now, you remember that,’ cried the Captain, ‘and remember my family. See if there is a book on that shelf.’ I looked, but there wasn’t, 1 There must be,’ said the Captain; ‘look again.’ Then I saw a book floating in the water. ‘Is that it?’I said. “Yes,’ said the Captain; ‘that is my wife’s Bible, bless her. Now, Jacob Swanson, you are the best man on this boat—the best sailor I ever had—put that book to your lips and swear that wind or wave will not and keep you from seeing that my wife babies have their rights. Swear it before God, Jacob Swanson,’ andlswore and I am here.” “What did you do then!” “I went to help the Captain out—he had fallen on his face across the table, but when I turned him over he was dead, Then we got into the boat and— 1) “How many of you!” “Four. One was disabled and he died before we got far. Then the boat was upset when we got among the breakers and the other two were drowned. I clung to the bottom of the boat and kept repeating my oath.” Mr. Bounce—“Now, my man, what has kept you concealed all this time? Why have we never heard of you until now?” “I had no money, sir. I got here as quick as I could.” “But you seem to have told no one of the wreck?” “No, sir.” “ Why was that?” “No one questioned me.” ‘ ‘That is a rather thin story. Do you know any one here?” “No, sir. I know the man who shipped me. His name was Brownson. ” His Honor—“Is there such a man in the city?” Plaintiff’s counsel—“ He is in the courtroom, your Honor. He was ageut for Capt. Baxter.” «Tt mi„ht, he well to Do‘vou call him ” yj,. “Stop Brownson a moment. recognize here?” “Yes, sir. There he is.” In the examination of Mr. Brownson it was shown that lie remembered hiring Swanson “Now,’ Mr. Brownson, you ship a good many men in a season?” “Yes” “Then how is it that you remember this particular one?” “Well lie is not the sort of a man that one is likely to forget. Besides, I thought had he asked too much money, and we a talk about that . but lie seemed a n. 00( j man / an( j j engaged him ” qq le ; urv oun( j a verdict for the plain tiff without leaving their seats.— Detroit Free Press. An Astonished Husband. A near-sighted man, who had lives not far from Kingston, N. Y., never worn or looked through a pair of glasses until a short time ago. One day a peddler called, and, among other things, he offered eye-glasses for sale. He per¬ suaded the man to “try on” a pair. After the farmer had adjusted the glasses, he looked at objects in the room with astonishment. Finally his eyes rested upon his wife. He took a long look at her, and then exclaimed: “.Tane, Jane, I never would have mar¬ ried you if I had known that you was so homely!” The man who has not anything to is boast of but his illustrious ancestors like him a potato—the is under ground. only good belonging to THE TWO WORDS One day a harsh word, rashly said, Upon an evil journey sped, And like a sharp and cruel dart, It pierced a fond and loving heart; It turned a friend into a foe, And everywhere brought pain and woe. A kind word followed it one day, Flew swiftly on its blessed way; It healed the wound, it soothed the pain, And friends of old were friends again; It made the hate and anger cease, And everywhere brought joy and peace. But yet the harsh word left a trace The kind word could mot quite efface, And though the heart its love regained, It bore a scar that long remained: Friends could forgive but not forget Or lose the sense of keen regret. Oh, if we would but learn to know How swift and sure our words can go, How would we weigh with utmost care Each thought before it sought the air, And only speak the words that move Like white-winged messengers of love? — L. E. Diekenga. PITH AID POUT. A land grabber—A steam shovel. Knows the ropes—The hangman.— Pittsburg Chronicle. The farther a man gets away irom a dollar the bigger it looks.— 'Statesman. The people of the territory of Dakota believe in a future state. — Washington Critic. Somehow men really seem to enjoy it when their tailors give them fits.— Detroit Free Press. The most elastic imagination fails to discern any beauty in city snow.— Phila¬ delphia Times. The dishonest butcher is always will¬ ing to meat his customomers half weigh, —Boston Transcript. Although And he covets it from birth, covets it through life's brief span, Man never, never gets tlie earth. It is the earth that gets the man. No man who sits cross-legged in a crowded street car can ever be picked out by an admiring populace for a patriot.— Baltimore American. Bobby (who lives in an east side Har¬ lem flat)—“Pa, why are they called ‘Apartment’houses ? ” Father (a victim) —“Because they come apart so easily.” —Epoch. A bride may be robed in yellow and stand with the bridegroom in a bower of yellow flowers and all that, but no amount of decoration will prevent the discovery of the couple’s greenness at the first hotel they put up at.— Springfield Union. ONLY A LITTLE WORD. It was only a word That the silence st rred, But an import knell sad had it— A of despair To a loving pair— ’Twas her father's one word, “Git!” — Boston Budget. First, bottle-nosed man—“McGuffy, there’s too much money in the Treasury, I tell you.” Seeond Ditto—“Well,now, between you and me and the Secretary, I wish I could only get the twist of me thumb on to about 25 cents av it. ”—New York Journal. A Creston lover xvho addressed a love scented letter to the object of his affec¬ tion, asking the young lady to become his partner through life, inscribed on one corner of the envelope: “Scaled proposal.” The result ivas lie was awarded the contract. — Omaha Bee. “ How bright the heavenly star.? are to-night, Mr. Sampson.” “ Ah, yes, Miss Smith, but they are dim and lusterless compared said, looking with into Certain her earthly “And ones, ” he eyes. the wind,” she went on, “how soft and low, as it gertly moves the chestnut trees.” Extraordinary Bear Shooting. Mr. Jeff Smith, boss of the Smlt ranch on the Frio canou, while within five miles of his house in the mountain* near Uvalde, Texas, encountered a large black bear in his path. Tying his horse to a tree he killed the bear, and hardly had the bear fallen when another came upon the spot, which wilh a bullet he dropped appeared over the in other. succession, A third which and he a fourth killed likewise, all failing, it is said, within a space of twenty feet. Bears are so plentiful and now tables that the meat supplied is abundant, our are also with venison.— Qalceston News. Advice is like snow; the softer it falls the lodger it dwells upon, and the deeper it sinks into, the mind.