>
THE SUICIDE OF BACHELOR JONES
PART II.
It was noon when Aunt Jose and Mary returned to the house. Dick was already there. They told him of their discovery, and then all three went to examine the river bank again. Dick soon reiterated his original conclusion "sulicide".
No dinner was served on Bachelor Jones' farm that day. No one could eat.
Mary and Dick rode off to rouse the neighbors. It was a hilly country and the houses were far apart. The nearest neighbors were the Smiths, three miles up the river. To this place Mary rode, Dick going in the opposite direction.
Mary found only Mrs. Smith at home. Mr. Smith had gone to East Lynn and would not return till late that night. Moll, Mrs. Smith's daughter, had gone to New Lydia fifteen miles down the river, and wouldn't be back for several days.
"Moll went all alone in a boat," explained Mrs. Smith. I didn't want her to go that way, but she's so fond of boating and the horses would be so much bother to her at New Lydia that I finally said 'yes.' "
Mrs. Smith insisted on going home with Mary to help try to console Aunt Jose, "poor creature." When they reached the farm they found Dick and Mr. Adams dragging grab-hooks in the water as far out from the shore as they could reach, and Aunt Jose walking up and down the bank muttering "Them rascally Republicans."
Mrs. Smith expressed her sorrow and sympathy very profusely to Aunt Jose, and again explained the absence of Mr. Smith and Molly.
'Did you say Molly went in a boat?' asked Aunt Jose, trembling.
"Yes," answered Mrs. Smith, "she must have passed here about 5 o'clock."
"Maybe-Bache-went with her," stammered Aunt Jose. "No, that can't be," she continued. "The note — he wouldn't do it."
"Well, now, may be he did go with her."
"Mr. Adams can you see the river from your house," asked Mrs. Smith.
"No'm, not from my house, the trees are too big."
"You didn't see my Molly going down this morning, then?"
"Yes, I, seen her. I was getting some wood and I went out on the river bank for about a minute and looked down the river and I seen her about 100 yards below."
No m
"Was anybody with her?"
"Sure?"
"Sure it was her you saw?"
"Yes'm, she wanna 'mor'n ten feet from the bank and roin slow."
"Did you see any one else on the river anywhere?"
"No'm I didn't see nobody 'tall' but just
Mally."
Nothing was accomplished by Deck and Mr. Adams that afternoon although they worked till late at night.
The next day the search was conducted more systematically. The news was spreading and half a dozen men came with boats and seines and grab-hooks. All day they worked. The river was dragged for a mile up and down. But the second day closed and the third opened with still no trace of Bachelor Jones.
The news Slowly worked itself over the northern hills and muddy roads to East Lynn, and an extra edition of the Weekly Thunderbolt told in touching words of the "sad death of one of our most promising, beneficient and amiable young citizens, Andrew Jones." To the Thunderbolt is due the credit of first suggesting that "the body might be raised by firing over the water the old brass cannon which did such glorious service for the Union in the bloody battle of the Halifax Corn Crish."
Amid the praises of friends and the self-congratulations of the editor, the suggestion of the Thunderbolt was adopted, and the manly old cannon was hauled over the hills to the Jones farm. Three times the cannon roared to the river to give up its secret, but the muddy water only gurgled and rippled and rolled on. At the fourth shot the cannon burst and fell overboard. Everybody said that one or two more shots would certainly have raised the body. But the cannon was lost and as every experiment had now been tried, nothing was left to do but give up the search, and wait for time to reveal the whereabouts of the corpse.
Slowly the people returned to their homes. Only a few old women remained to console Aunt Jose with stories of how dear relatives and acquaintances of theirs had committed suicide years ago under very similar circumstances, and to debate the propriety of holding funeral services without the body. Aunt Jose inclined to the affirmative, and a request was sent to Mr. Bulkwater of East Lynn, to come and preach the funeral sermon in
Bachelor Jones' own! room at 2 o'clock two days hence, which would be Sunday.
The housework had been neglected all week and Aunt Jose was very busy that Saturday morning putting things in order "so as to have a respectful funeral" next day, when the postman stopped with a letter from New Lydia.
New Lydia was a very small place on the river fifteen miles south of the Jones farm, and in a different county. The intervening county was very rough and thinly populated. About the only persons known in the Jones neighborhood who ever knew of New Lydia were the Smiths and the postman. The Smiths had relatives in New Lydia, and the postman carried the mail between that point and East Lynn once a fortnight. Bachelor Jones had arranged to have his own and his servants' mail left at the house by the carrier. Aunt Jose took the letter and read the address
"Mrs. Josephine Ray—Why, its for me!—That can't be—I don't know nobody in New Lydia."
She rubbed her glasses and read the postmark. "New Lydia"—there was no doubt about it. She sat down and adjusted her glasses, looked at the back of the envelope, examined the stamp, scrutinized the postmark and address again and then called Mary. Curiosity gained the supremacy, however, and Aunt Jose opened the letter before Mary arrived.
"What's this? Am I crazy, Mary?" exclaimed Aunt A lose, reading.
"Got a letter. ma?"
"See if you can read it, Mary. It's some mean trick," and she nervously handed the letter to the girl.
"Why, ma, it looks like Bachelor Jones' writing! Why it is from him. He aint dead."
"Be careful, chile. They rascally Republicans is to any kind of a trick."
"Yes, ma, but this is his writing, and his name is signed to it. Here is what he says:
'Dear Aunt Jose:
You will never see Bachelor Jones again. He has ceased to be. I'm married. I shall bring my wife home with me Sunday afternoon. You are well acquainted with her, as our neighbor Molly Smith.
Andrew Jones.' "
Sincerely
"Well, I do declare," was all Aunt Jose could say. But by and by she began to realize the truth and to feel glad, and in an hour she felt so good natured that she said:
"Them rascaly Republicans has caused one good thing to happen, anyway."
Dick was at once sent to inform the Rev, Mr. Bulkwater that his services would not be needed. Notice of the change of program was sent out through the neighborhood, but, nevertheless, the next afternoon brought quite a crowd to Andrew Jones' house. It required no close observation to see that the company wore brighter smiles than are usually seen at a funeral.
At 3 o'clock the happy couple arrived. Regardless of the sacredness of the day they were at once ounced upon by the fun-loving crowd, and the ex-bachelor was ordered to stand up in the corner and explain and apologize. This he did in a very long and flowery speech, eulogizing his wife, Aunt Jose, and everybody else that he had ever heard of. Rhetorical flights omitted, this is so much of the speech as is necessary to explain the events of this day.
"When I woke that morning I felt more despondent than I ever had before. I had a headache and felt awfully tired. I had slept little and had eaten nothing for two days, which, no doubt made me feel much worse than I otherwise would.
"When I reached the river I laid aside my overcoat, for the wine and the walk had warned me somewhat, and looked about for a stone. I soon found one, but I had forgotten to bring any rope with me. I was about to begin to tear my coat into strips to use for rope, when some one called me. I turned toward the river and saw Molly not twenty feet away. I must have looked very sheepish for I certainly felt sheepish, very much so. She demanded why I was there and commanded
"I had hardly opened my eyes before the thought of suicide came to me. Never before had even a suggestion of self-destruction entered my mind. It seemed a good idea. I revolved it in my mind for two or three minutes and decided to carry it out. I had no weapon with which to destroy life, but I hit upon the plan of fastening a stone to my neck with a rope and jumping into the river. I dressed very carefully and put on my light overcoat—for it was rather cool, although the sun was up. I sat down and wrote the note to Aunt Jose and was about to leave the table when I noticed the bottle of wine. I had not tasted before. I took a glass. It was so good I took two more glasses. I verily believe that wine had much to do with saving my life, for I felt better at once, so much to the credit of Aunt Jose.
me to come and go boating with her. I stammered and suttered and finally got into the boat because I could think of no excuse for not doing so. I had no idea how far I would go—in fact I didn't know what I was done anyway
"Well, Molly saw that I was depressed, and she exerted herself to cheer me up. She soon succeeded. I'll admit that I we often thought that if there was a girl in the world who could drive away my fits of blues that girl was Molley Smith. As we floated on the world seemed to become brighter; Molly got prettier, the hills and woods became really beautiful, and we hadn't gone more than four miles before I got out to gather flowers. We rowed very slowly and didn't reach New Lydia until late in the afternoon.
"Molly had lunch enought for both of us and we went up on a nice shady bank to eat it. Well—when we returned to the boat we were engaged. I will not tell the details of the rest of the story. I insisted on getting married at once and Mary agreed.
"I thought of the note I had left and the trouble it would cause, but we couldn't return any sooner than today and there was no way to send a letter until yesterday. Time passed so rapidly that I couldn't realize it, so I just kept quiet and didn't even tell Molly about the note to Aunt Jose until after we had started for home.
"Now, friends, if you will all come here next Tuesday night and bring your friends and your friend's friends we'll have that 'grand victory banquet' and we'll have a splendid time. Everybody is welcome—even the Republicans."
One of the features of the Yale bicentennial celebration in the fall of 1901 will be the production of a Greek play.
There were many happy faces in that sturdy old farm house that Tuesday night, but none was happier than Aunt Jose.
ODDS AND ENDS.
William K. Vanderbilt has authorized the erection of a dormitory on the campus of Vanderbuilt University to cost $100,000.
THE END.
Caps and gowns will not be worn by the Seniors of the University of Wisconsin this year. This was the decision reached at a class meeting a few days ago. No definite reason is assigned further than the fact that it does not seem reasonable to do so, when the Faculty refuse to wear them.
A challenge has been received at Vale from Harvard for a water pool match between teams selected from undergraduates in the two universities.
A new publication devoted to the interests of the alumni, has just been started at Cornell University, under the title of the "Alumni News."
By a recent appropriation, the University of Wisconsin receives $151,000 for new buildings and other improvements; $16,000 will be to supply water power; $100,000 for the new engineer's building; $36,000 for a new building at the same farm.
Michigan defeated Chicago March 31st in the debate closing the Northwestern Association contests. They debated the affirmative of the question: "Admitting it to be constitutional, is a federal graduated income tax desirable in this country." They received an unanimous decision. Michigan's debaters were Kingsley, Simons and Sanger.
The distance between Cortland and Ithaca is slightly over twenty miles, so that the balance up to twenty-five miles that will be made up in the vicinity of the campus. The committee has decided to accept no entry for the race unless the man entering has a certificate from a doctor certifying that his physical condition is such that he will be able to stand the race. All the prominent members of the cross country team have entered for the race with the exception of Yeatman. The entries so far are Berry, Terrance, Bush, Sweet, Coates, Armstrong, Patterson, Storr and Richardson.—Pennsylvanian.
The Marathon race under discussion for some time at Cornell has at last been settled and the date decided upon. The race will be held on April 2nd under the auspices of the Cortland Cross Country club. The course for the race will probably be between Cortland and Ithaca.
The college daily newspapers now in existence are the Harvard Crimson, Yale News, Princetonians Pennsylvanian, Cornell Daily News, University of Michigan Daily, Daily Cardinal of the University of Wisconsin, the Palo Alto of Leland Stanford, the Californian, the Brown Daily Herald and a paper at the University of Georgia. Brown is the smallest college in the land that maintains a daily. The paper's profits in one year reached the respectable sum of $1,000.
Students find it of advantage to buy groceries, provisions and fruits, at Mesenheimer & Hoover's, 1019 and 1021 Massachusetts街.
RICHMOND
STRAIGHT CUT
10S
IN TIN BOXES
are more desirable than ever the new tin box prevents their breaking and is convenient to carry in any pocket.
For Sale Everywhere.
--a giving better rates to classes and class than
ver before.
BIOLOGICAL CLUB.
The hour of the last meeting was occupied by two students of the zoological department, Mr. Emley and Mr. Sutton, in the review of a couple of papers by Dr. Haecker. While very technical, the subjects were of considerable interest on account of their bearing upon hereditary processes, and in each case were well presented. The article presented by Mr.Emley relates to the movements of the nuclei in the egg of Cyclops during the fertilization and the action of the elements that have the functions of separating the nuclear members. It was shown how the absorptive egg, known as the second polar body, is retained in the egg instead of being cast out as usual, and acts very much as the one in parthenogenetic eggs; thus indicating, perhaps, a recent advance from parthenogenesis.
Students will always find the latest books of the best and most popular fiction at the city library. The city library is a most valuable accessory to the library of reference on the hill.
Mr. Sutton's review retreated to the class of bodies known as nucleoli. He presented Haecker's classification by which they are divided into the lamelibranchiate, echinoderm, and vertebrate types, and illustrated the differences and transformations that they undergo. The various theories regarding the function of the nuclei were presented and commented upon. The subsequent discussion by the club brought out the fact that these bodies may have entirely different functions in different objects, although they conform strictly to the types.
Persons wishing flowers or decorations should call at the Luther green-house.
Famous 16 for 1 Quarter Photos.
Novelty Photographs. "16 to 1."
25c Photo Button Free Sunday, Monday and Tuesday
Mr. and Mrs. F. B. Young No. 903 Mass. St.. Lawrence, Kens
Lawrence, Kans.
DR. WHEELER
Dentist.
829 Mass. St. Lawrence, Kan
The first and only dentist in the city to depart from high prices in favor of the masses. Amalgam salads, 80 cts; gold fillings, half the usual price, extracting teeth, each 25 cts.
The Photo Artist,
Morris,
829 Mass. Street.
Are You Going to California ?
The Santa Fe Route gives the best and speediest service. The California Limited from Chicago provides every comfort known in modern railway travel. The daily fast California Express carries Pullman and Tokrist Sleepers and free Reclining Chair Cars.
Geo. C. Bailey, Agent,
The Atchison, Topkea & Santa Fe Railway
LAWRENCE, KANSAS.
GO TO THE
HOME STORE,
For Tojour Jeune, California Cream of
Lemon, Kansas Toilet Cream, Dr. Snyder
Remedial Soap, Portumery, etc.
MRS. A. J. PRENTISS.
CHAS. L. HESS,
Meat Market
---O--of America.
937 Mass. St.
Telephone 14.
F. R. BARTZ,
WEST END MEAT MARKET.
Fresh and Salt Meats.
Special rates given to clubs.
GEORGE FLINN, * *
Boots and Shoes Made.
Repairing neatly done at reasonable rates
West Henry Street.
LAWRENCE CANDY KITCHEN.
Candy made tress every day.
Best Creams, 20 and 30 Cents*
937 Massachusetts Street.
Candy made fresh every day.
HUTSON'S BAKERY.
709 Vermont Street.
Bread for sale from wagon, at leading grocers, and delivered to clubs.
The Only First-Class Resort in the City. Best Grade of Cigars. 714 Mass. St.
MOAK'S BILLIARD HALL and BOWLING ALLEY.
Four Good Barbers Will Give you attention at
EDGAR WRIGHT,
Office 743 Massachusetts St.
Lawrence, Kan.
Office hours: 8 a., to 6 p. m.
Four Good Barbers
812 Mass. St.
CALDWELL'S BARBER SHOP.
We give you the kind of work that you wan
Shave lbc, hair cut lbc. Lbcs honored zoness 203,
Shave lbc, hair cut lbc. Lbcs honored zoness 203,
Star Bakery.
HENRY GERHARD & BRO., Props.
We solicit the patronage of the people.
Watkins National Bank.
Capital $150,000. Surplus $18,000.
J. B. WATKINS,
President.
C A. HILL,
Vice President.
PAUL R. BROOKS,
Cashier.
W. E. HAZEN,
Ass't Cashier.
DIRECTORS.
B. WATKINS, C. A HILL, A. HERNING
W. E HAZEN, J. HOUSE, R. BROOKS
Savings Department deposits received Tuesdays and Fridays.
Department depotists reservaíba
Tuesdays and Thursdays on all the principal cities of the world.
A.WHITCOMB & SON.
... FLORISTS.
FLORISTS
PLANTS, CUT FLOWERS,
POTTING TREATS
Students trade solicited. 844 Tenn. St.
A. P. HULTZ Dentist.
No. 735, Mass. St., Lawrence, Kan.
Teachers Wanted.
Union Teachers' Agencies
REV. L, D.BASS, D.D., Manager.
Pittsburgh, Pa., Toronto, Can. New Orleans,
La, New York, N. Y., Washington, D. C.
San Francisco, Cal., Chicago, Ill., St. Louis,
Mo., and Denver, Colorado.
THERE are thousands of positions to be filled soon. We had over 8,000 vacancies this season. Unqualified facilities for placing tea chefs every part of the U. S., and Canada.
One les registre lesonces.
Address all applications to Washington,
D. C.
[X]
]