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_," THE MYSTERIOUS WIDOW. Yo i ago before the province of New Brui ‘ck was the populous place it is now there stood on the Seacoast, several miles from where the city of St. John now stands a. little straggling sort of Village, composed principally of fishermen’s cottages. Little better than huts they were, and a rough, unpolished, but honest and hard working set were their occupants. In winter, when the snow was piled high and the freezing ' winds blew piercineg cold, the inhabitants of Mâ€"â€" met in some one of the cottages, where, with (lance and song they beguiled the evening hours. as happy as though they knew nothing of the bustling busy world shut out by their native hills. And in sumâ€" mer the pleasant, moonlight evenings were spent in sailing over the bright waters of the bay or in wandering in pairs through the dim woodsâ€"some sturdy, sunbrowned l ‘ the handsome \Vidow Black, chatting away K ' with Miles‘s daughter Ruth, a “ Bluenose " ' Presently a boat was lowered, several bales were lioistd over the vessel‘s side, and the boat rowed to the land and disappeared in one of the numerous islets surrounding Bleak I Point. More and more mystified the old man determined to watch their motions, and three hours after he beheld the boat return to the schooner, which instantly weighed anchor and made off. The following day old Miles Judson sat talking to a stranger from St. John, who had arrived that (lay. Seated within was maiden, with as bright an eye as ever flashâ€" ed back sunlight. “ Have you heard anything lately about that celebrated smuggler, Captain R ‘5” said the man, mentioning the name of a- noted smuggler. “ No, we hear nothing here," grumbled 1 old Miles, while Ruth looked up with sur- prise at the widows sudden start. youth whispering in the ear of his inainorita the “ old, old story.” Everything flowed on in that little sea- coast village for years and years in the same calm, monotonous way; almost for- gotten by the inhabitants was the fact that there existed any other world but the little one in which they lived. Sometimes, it is true, rumours would reach them of the bold manner in which the revenue was cheated by the smugglers of Eastport ; but the honest fishermen. secure in their rockbound retreat, cared little for this. At length, l however, the inhabitants were aroused from stagnation by quite a little romance of which the following is a brief sum~ mary :â€" Standing on a bleak, desolate sort of emi- nence that projected somewhat from the mainland was a little ruined stone cottage. It had formerly been built by one of the fishermen, who, finding he could not reside in such a. cold, cheerless spot, had deserted it, and the but had long been with- out an inmate. It was ever here the wind blew coldest in winter, and here the sun’s rays fell hottest in summer. The summit of the dreary hill was crowned with stunted spruces dwarfed and blackened by the in- tense frosts of many winters. Over the rocks below broke, with a. dull, sullen roar, the waves of the Bay of Fundy ; and oft- times in the spring, the tide would rise so high and so rapidly as to entirely surround it, cutting it off like an island from the mainland. The inhabitants had very appro- priately named it Bleak Point. Such was the state of things when, one raw spring morning, the news went flying through the village that “ Bleak Point shanty ” had got an occupant. A low, black, rakish looking schooner had come up the bay the night before ; a boat had put off from her, leaving a woman on Bleak Point. Then it had returned to the schooner, which, before daylight, was off and away. Of course, everybody was all aglow to discover who she was, and what a woman hardy and courageous enough to live in so lonely a place could look like. This curiosity was soon satisfied ; for after the first few days the new comer did not seem disposed ‘he-conceal herself, Let them rise as early in the morning as they pleased they would fin dher up before them strolling about among the rocks. This wonder was still further augmented at finding her young and eminently hand- some, with a healthy brown face, and the brightest, vivacious black eyes in the world. Thevyoung men of the village could speak of nothing but her beauty ; and the hours they should have spent in catching fish were wasted in devising schemes to catch her. The ladies of the village were, however, absolutely scandalized by the utter in- difference which she manifested in regard to She dispensed altogether with hat and bon- net, and wore in its place a silk handker- chief, knotted under her chin after the fashion of the French Women. Still, even the jeal- ous village belles were obliged to own that nothing could have set off better the dark, bright style of her beauty than the rich, brilliant hues of her gay-colored headdress. For a time the villagers held aloof from the new comer; but finding their reserve was met with careless indifference on her part, they soon began to change their tactics. A few of the village maids and matrons cal- led at Bleak Point shanty, and, though shocked beyond measure at the universal disorder regining without and within, they left on the whole rather favorably impressed by its mistress. There was a wicked twinkle in her bright black eyes as she begged them to excuse the state in which they found tliings,on the plea that she “ wasn’t used to house-keeping,” All their endeavors to discover her name and business proved, however, to be vain, but from several ac- cidental remarks dropped by her they came to the conclusion she was a widow. As it was impossible for her to be spoken x of without a name they resolved to give her one themselvesâ€"and admiring her bright black eyes and jetty locks they concluded to give her that of Black. Accordingly, the name by which the handsome stranger was known in the village was the “ Widow Black ”â€"â€"a name which, after a. laugh at first, she professed her willingness to be known by. “leeks passed away, and tlieVVidow Black remained the sole dweller on Bleak Point. During this time she became the reigning belle and prime favorite of the good people l of Mâ€", in spite of the mystery in which ‘ she was enveloped. She accepted every invitation to parties, picnics, and quiltingl frolics, and “candy sprees,” always without exception in the tumbled dress and everlast- i ing silk handkerchief. Such songs as she i could sing in such a voice, such a splendid dancer as she was, such stories as she could , tell, now keeping the audience convulsed l with laughter, and now bringing tears into ' eyes all unused to the melting mood 1 No party of pleasure was complete without the I Widow Black; no wonder, then every un- married man in the village had his lieartl pierced by the black eyes ofthe lively widow, and every woman under forty was wild with jealousy and envy. But the handsome widow moved on her way as if totally unconscious and indifferent . as to what people thought of her. In fact, different from all other widows that ever were heard of, she showed at all times a preference for the society of the young ladies , and rather laughed at all the tender devotion of her rustic swains. One night old MilesJudson, being out un- usually late casting his nets, was surprised to see the same low, black, suspicious look- ! courage by a desperate effort, “ wouldn’t you dressâ€"and indeed her garments generally r n looked as though she had jumped into them. get sPhcea‘ ! “ \Vell, people are talking of n thing else in Eastport and St. John," said his compan- ion ; “ he is a regular daredevil and cheats the revenue so boldly that one cannot help feeling sympathy for him. Somehow the cuswm lionse discovered that he was hovering around Eastport, and a dozen or two revenue cutters were sent out to watch him, but 10 ! the schooner ran the gauntlet of them all, delivered her cargo somewhere in spite of their teeth, and where the beaks cannot discover. It was a valuable one, too ; she was loaded with rum and sugar.” The Widow Black had suddenly ceased her conversation, and sat listening with a look of interest to this recital. As he ceas ed she bit licr lip, and stooped down to con- ceal the smile that, in spite of all her efforts, broke over her countenance. The motion was observed by Miles ; the incident of the preceding night flashed across his mind, and in a moment he felt convinced he had seen the smugglers, and that the “ widder” was connected in some way with them. Miles Judson was a prudent man, and he determined to keep the discovery to himself, and to set out for St. John the next day and inform the authorities. Acting on this resolution he adroitly changed the conversa- tion, keeping his eye fixed on the widow, who, all unconscious of his gaze, was now flirting most desperately with Master Bill, the old man’s son and heir. “ Don‘t you find it kinder lonesome up there by yourself ‘2” said Bill, with a tender glance toward the “ widder.” “ Oh, I’m used to it now, and like it well enough l” she replied, carelessly. There was a pause after this. Bill sat gnawing his finger nails, and evidently try- ing to say something that stuck in hisvtliroat. The widow sat tapping the floor impatient- ly with one foot, and waiting for the return of Ruth, who had left them. “\Vidder! I want to get married,” said Bill, at length, with startling suddcnncss. “ Do you '1” said the widow, lifting her bewildering black eyes to his face, astonish- ed at the abruptneSs of the avowal. “ “'idder,” continued Bill, picking up like to get married again '3” “ Married again I” replied the lady ; how do you know I ever was married?” “ \Vhy, every one calls you awiddcr, and I never heard tell of any one beinga widder without first bein’ married,” replied Bill. “ Yes,” said the widow, with difficulty repressing a laugh, “every one calls me a widow , but whether I am or not is another thing. “ Well,” said Bill, who, as he afterward expressed it, was determined to “go the whole hog,” “ I’m a chap as is pretty well off. I'm goin’ to build a new shanty, and get a new boat some of these times, and I’m a pretty good lookin’ fellerâ€"liem ! soâ€"-liem‘. \Viddcr, if you’ll have me, you and me’ll Amazement for a moment kept the widow silent, and she stared in the face of her sheepisli admirer, who, blushing, start-led, sat crossmg one leg uneasily over the other. Then every other feeling gave way to her sense of the ridiculous, and, leaning back in her chair, she burst into a peal of laughter that made the old house ring. The unusual sound brought the Whole household to the spot. There was pretty Ruth laughing from sympathy, without the slightest idea of what the fun was about; there was old Miles staring at them with mouth and eyes wide open ; there sat Bill, looking irresistibly sheepish, and there sat the widow, laughing and laughing till the tears stood in her eyes. “What the dickens is the matter?” the old man roared, staring first at one and l then at the other in utter bewilderment. “Iâ€"I must go," said the widdow, in a voice faint from excessive laughter : “ come up this evening, Ruth; I have something to tell you.” And, still laughing the “ widder” vanished. That evening two events worthy of notice took place in the little village of 1V â€"â€". lOld Miles departed full of an important secret to the City, and Ruth Judson and the Widow Black sat for an hour or more in close conference on the rocks of Bleak Point. What Ruth learned there she did not dis- close, but sundry ejaculations of amaze- ment and sundry expressions of delight proved that it wasfar from disagreeable. The following evening, when the gleam- ing was falling over the rock bound coast of New Brunswick, the \Vidow Black sat in her little cottage, gazing in the fire and lost in thought. Suddenly, the tramp of feet approaching Bleak Point fell on her quick ear. Springing to her feet she saw several constables, headed by old Miles, approaching her cottage. Scarcely had she time to draw the bolt when a heavy knock ' came to the door, anda. stern voice com- manded her to open in the name of the law. “ Not until I know your business,” said the widow, boldly ; “ who are you, and what i do you want?” “ We are officers of the law. You are suspected of being connected with smug- glers, and of concealing contraband goods about your premises” and our business is to arrest you and search for them,” was the re- ply. “Then let me assure you that your trouble will be all for nothing. The smuggled goods you speak of were here, but are now where the eyes of the custom house Wlll never fall on them. As to arresting me, a poor lone gentleman to do it.” “ Open the door, or I will break it open,” shouted the enraged officer. “ Break away,” widow, with the utmost coolness. ing schooner that had left among them the Widow Black enter the bay. again he secreted himself to watch her. Wondering; drew the bolt, and he fell head first into v whether she had come to carry off the \vidowi the room, while old Miles. who rushed after, [lay sprawled on top of him. Before they \Vith an oath the officer rushed against! the door ; at the same moment the width - vain. ‘ widder,’ I am sure you are too much of a Said: l and turn it, the work will do itself. could rise the widow seized the remaining officer, and hurled him with the greatest case over his fallen companions. Then, drawing the door after her and securing it on the outside, the widow was off and away. Search was made for the widow, but in No trace of any one answering the description given of her could be found. Neither could any smuggled goods be found on Bleak Point, although they easily dis- covered they had lately been there. A few weeks after, late one night, aband- some young fellow dressed as a sailor enter- ed the village of Mâ€"â€"-Advancing to the house of Miles Judson he fastened a paper to the door, then with a. loud, peculiar thistle, crouched under one of the windows. A few moments after the door slowly open- cd and Ruth appeared. Tucking her under his arm the young man led the way to where a boat lay on the shore, and a few minutes after they were rapidly skimming over the bay toward St. John. A few hours after sunrise every man, woman and child in Mflâ€"were crowding round the cottage of old Miles. And there, written in large, flourishing capitals, they read :â€" “ To ALL WHOM IT MAY Coxcnnv :â€"~Be it known to all men by these presents that I, ch Bryson, being one of the crew of the smuggler commanded by Captain It, finding we were continually watched by the con- founded authorities, resolved on a plan to land our contraband goods. Disguised as a woman I came to reside in i\Iâ€"â€"â€"where, finding it convenient to land them safely and as safely dispose of them, I remained until a few weeks ago. For the gracious manner in which I have been entertained I feel profoundly grateful. To Mr. William Judson I would say I regret exceedingly that Circumstances will prevent my marrying him at present and sharing that new shanty, but, wishing to show my gratitude to the family, I have taken off his sister, to whom I will be ‘ spliced,’ wind and weather permitting to- morrow. “ NED ansox,alias the ‘ \VIDDER BLACK.” It only remains for us to say that the above facts are strictly true. Ned Bryson was prevailed upon by his pretty wife to give up smuggling and settle down in some more honest way of living, and finally be- . came a respectible citizen of St. John. w- The Wheel of Fortune. BY l‘AYSlE. With a gay, happy heart and a bright smile on his face, Adolph left his home in the village and went into the city to learn the joiiier’s trade. He had several gold pieces in his pocket, and as he trudged on his way he made rosy plans for the future. He had no trouble in finding a master, for his bright, honest face won friends for him at once, and soon Adolph had begun his work. At the same bench with him worked a boy by the name of Franz, who was very slow at learnâ€" ing, and chose this trade only because his father compelled him to do so. Althouin Franz and Adolph had the same master, they never were intimate friends, and spent only their working hours together. It happened about this time that a won- derful proclamation was sent through the land. The King had a very beautiful daugh- ter, for whom he wished to select a. suitable husband. Many noble youths came from distant countries, in hope of gaining the Princess’ hand. But the King’s daughter was not easily pleased. She declared that she would marry none of the princes that she had seen. The man who would become her husband must make for her a. chair of rosewood, on the back and seat of which must be carved pictures of all the cities in the kingdom, and on the legs must be repre- sented every kind of animal and bird. This wish of the Princess was printed on large posters, and hung on all the streets, and in the public houses, so that every one might know of it. There were many who \v9uld have liked to marry the beautiful Princess and live in the royal palace; but no one felt equal to making the work of art which she described. One day at dinner, the master said: “ Adolph, I suppose you and Franz will try to make the chair which the King’s daugh- ter so much desires, I wonder which one of you will succeed, and win the Princess for a wife.” “I fear, my master,” replied Adolph, “that you are making sport of me. How could I with my little knowledge think of attempting such work? ” But Franz hung his head, and made no reply to his master’s words. And nothing more was said about the master. But if Franz did not speak about the chair he certainly thought about it often, and deter- mined to win the Princess. Then he could live in luxury, and would not be compelled to work. One stormy night as Adolph was walking through the streets of the city a voice said to him. “ Be careful, Adolph, and do not allow Franz-to deceive you.” Adolph turned in astonishment to see the owner of the voice, and there, surrounded by a briglitlight, stood a small figure, which disappeared so suddenly that the boy could not gain a view of its features ; but he did not forget the words, and Wondered what the warning meant. Inthemeantime,Franz was planning how he should begin the chair. He had decided that neither his master nor Adolph should know anything about it, and that he would work at night while the others slept. Many nights he spent in the shop devising ways how he might procure the wood, and sometimes he was almost (lis‘ couraged when he thought of the greatness of his undertaking. As he sat thus one evening, in the workshop, he heard 12 loud knocks, the door opened, and in came a dwarf, wrapped in a scarlet cloak, and wear- ing on his head a high, pointed hat. His face was made hideous by a long, crooked nose, snapping black eyes, a wide mouth, and a sharp chin. Franz trembled with fear at the sight of the ugly little creature, who laughed in a hoarse tone, and said : “ Well, young man, you do not seem to be getting on vcryfast with your chair. \Vhere l is the wood of which it is to be made '3" Franz, pointing to a few pine boards, “I have no other wood than this, and it is not the right kind.” “ I can soon fix that for you,” said the dwarf, and he touched the boards with his l‘e’aortell the provoking ' wand, and immediately they became highly polished rosewood. “ I have a wheel,” continued the dwarf, “and if you will fasten it to But I can give you this whch only on condition that you will never perform a kindness for your bench. anyone, and will always do just as I tell you.” As Franz hesitated the dwarf said: you accept the condition you can marry the u Princess, live in the palace, and always have plenty of money. I shall leave the wheel with you for threc days ; but remem- ber so soon as you begin to turn it you are my slave,, and must always obey me.” The dwarf then disappeared, leaving Franz to think over his words. The youth was greatly tempted to use the wheel. He fastened it to the bench, but was afraid to turn it, for he thought 2 “ The dwarf might 'he a very hard master, and even though I did live in a palace, he might give very disagreeable commands.” He then hid away the wood in a small closet, thinking that he would decide in the morning what to do. The next day, when the two boys were at their work, Franz said 2 “ Adolph, see what a strange wheel I have found fastened here to my bench.” Adolph looked up from his work to eX< amine the curious wheel. Then Franz said: “ Turn it and see how merrily it goes around.” Adolph took hold of the wheel, and turnâ€" ed it several times, while Franz smiled and thought, “ Now my chair is made, I have cheated the dwarf and Adolph must serve him, while I shall marry the Princess and live in the palace.” All (lay Franz was kept so busy that he could find no time to look in the closet where he had put the wood. But in the night he slipped away to the shop, and having light- ed a. candle, he peered eagerly into the dark. ness, and to his great delight saw the chair, madc exactly as the Princess had desired. He knew he would not be admitted to the palace during the night, but as soon as the dawn began to break, he carried the heavy chair to the royal residence. \Vhen the King heard that a youth, bringing a chair for the Princess, had come, he said : “ Let thc chair be left here, and tell the maker to return in an hour.” In the meantime, Alolpli had slept sound- ly all night. In the morning when he was preparing to go to his work a voice said : “ Listen to me, Adolph, today you shall marry the Princess." And once more Adolph saw the same fig- ure which he had met in the street ; but such a bright light shone about it that he could scarcely look at it. ” Who are you '2" asked the boy, “and what do you mean by such strange words? How could such a poor boy as I marry the King’s daughter '2" “ Iain your friend.” was the reply, “ and if you will do as I say, you shall win the Princess. Go directly, to the palace, and without asking permission of any one, go through the wide door into the hall, where you will see the King on his throne. 'Walk up to him and wait for him to speak to you.” The vison then vanished, and Adolph, lost no time in obeying its commands. When he reached the palace he was surprised to see that his coarse clothes had become the finest silk and velvet, and that a jewelled sword hung by his side. As he entered the hall, where the King and all the court were assembled, he heard voices saying : “ Here is the Prince, who has made the chair.” But without heading the cries Adolph ad- vanced to the throne. The King rose to greet him, saying : “ My daughter is yours, and half of my kingdom I give to you.” At this moment Franz rushed in breath- less haste into the hall, exclaiming : “ It is I who made the chair. The Prin- cess is mine.” But the Princess declared that she would have nothing to do with such an ugly youth and that no other than Adolph should have her hand. The King, however, reminded his ‘ daughter of the chair, and told her to examine this one, and if it was wanting in any particular she. might send Franz away and accept Adolph. ; Pit Of my stomach. “ quently from a Water Brash of clear . Although the Princess looked carefully, she could find no fault with the chair. She then sat down in it; but instead of supporting her it fell to pieces, and all that remained of it was a. few pine boards. Angry and morti- fied, Franz rushed from the place, and the first person he met was the dwarf, whoshout- ed after him : “ Ha, ha, you thought you had cheated me. It will be many along day before you live in the palace.” And the boy went back to his work, sad der but wiser. The Furious Again. Another Fenian scare is reported in Engâ€" land. It is stated that information of a most sensational and startling character has just reached the Dublin police authorities as well as the constabulary of other parts of Ireland and also the police of England and Scotland. It is stated that a Fenian invasion from America. at an early date is contemplat- ed. It has been decided to increase materi- ally the police force at all ports and quays on the Irish coasts. This is the sequel of the events which have recently occurred in Ireland, and especially of the extravagant language indulged in by the Parnellites. It is added that during the week detectives associated with the American police have been stationed at tke most important places of call of the American liners. It is Psaid that secret information has been received by the authorities that an invasion of Great Britain will be shortly made by members of the Irish party of action in America. In other words a revival of the Fenian opera- tions is expected. It is said that American detectives in the employ of the British police authorities are stationed at Queen- stown and elsewhere with instructions to carefully watch every incoming Atlantic steamship from American ports. 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Further information and statements of! ‘ cures sent free to all who address us asbelow. i Hood’s I 7' ,' '. fiarsaparilla 2 Is Sold by all druggists. Ell; six for $5. Prepared only by C. I. HOOD a 00., Apothecarles, Lowell, Mas-£14, IOO Doses One Dollar Deaths and Births in France. The French population returns for 1890 show an excess of deaths over births, name- ly, 876,000 against 838,000. A similar ex- cess occurred in 1854-55, owing to the cholera and the Crimean war, and again in 1870-71, owing to the Franco-German war. One of the causes last year seems to have been the the influenza, for the mortality was 81,000 above the previous year, but the births fell off by 42,000 last year, being lower than in any year since 1870. The mariages are decreasing about one per cenfz, and the divorces in 1889 were 4,786 and in l890,5,457. Conjectural History. Teacher : “ What was the title that the Indians bestowed upon William Penn '1” Bright Pupil : “ Dunno. His Nibs, I guess.”â€"Puck. 55 ' ‘ 7?; lower I had been troubled five months 1 with Dyspepsia. The doctors told. '1 me it was chronic. I had a fullness ’ after eating and a heavy load in the ‘3' I suffered fre- ‘ matter. Sometimes a deathly Sick- ness at the Stomach would overtake »; me. Then again I would have the terrible pains of oWind Colic. At such times I would try to belch and could not. I was working then for , Thomas McHenry, Druggist, Cor. Irwin and \Vestern Ave., Allegheny, City, Pa, in whose employ I had‘ been for seven years. Finally I used August Flower, and after using just one bottle for two weeks, was err; ' tirely relieved of all the trouble. I - can now eat things I dared not touch“ ! before. I would like to refer you to’ 1 Mr. McHenry, for whom I workedI who knows all about my condition, ’i and from whom I bought the medi-», cine. I live with my wife and family‘ at 39 James St., Allegheny City,Pa., f Signedfiorm D. Cox. 9 @l 1 G. G. GREEN, Sole Manufacturer, l Woodbury, New Jersey, U. S. A.l .- W He Kissed Her m the Dark- He kissed her in the dark and said : “ Most beautiful of maids, Compared with thee the brighteststarf In all the heavens fades, Oh, for alight lfor I would fain Upon my darling look”â€" And then a passing light revealed His mother’s fat old cook. Bis Agreement Kept- “ Look here," said a new tenant, “ this house was to have been furnished and itss absolutely empty.” _ ) “Iliavc kept my agreement, sii',’ re- replied the owner. I have furnished the house and I expect you to furnish the fur- niturc.”â€"I‘Iarpe r‘s Bazar. Johnston, N. B., March II, 1839. “I was troubled for thirty years with THIRTY vase. pains in my side, which increased and became very bad. I used and it completely cured. I give it all praise.” s " ALI. RIGHT! MRS. WM. RYDER. 038 0L 0/0 I." V