The Arkansaw traveler., 1888-10-27
SAD EXPERIENCES.


 was entertained by the Calumet Bass and Bullhead association. During the evening, unpretentious stories were told by modest gentlemen. Ex-Pres- ident Stanley Waterloo, managing editor of the Chicago Nda, said that, several years ago, while fishing in Drake's creek, near St. Louis, he caught a catfish that had large gold ring in its mouth. "It was a very large ring" said Mir. Waterloo, "and, aside from its somewhat romantic dis covery, regarded its acquisition as extremely fortunate, for at that time had urgent need of gold ring and knew exactly where to place 1t. Shortly after catching the fish, went to farmhouse not far away, to get something to cat. The only occupant of the house was an old, gray-haired man, tottering in footsteps but gentle in manner. He spread something to eat before me. While eating, told the story of the gold-loving fish, and taking out the ring, placed it upon the table. The old mans eyes filled with tears, and, covering his face with his hands, he sobbed aloud. What is the matter2' l cried.
 "Alas,' he replied, you have ruined mep
 "'Ruined youl do not under stand.'
 "T will tell you,' said he, endeav- bring to be calm. About six years ago my wife died. We had met TO- mantically, had married chivairOusly, and had lived together in life of de- votion. Shortly after her death l was seized with rheumatism. Some days I could not turn over in bed. Other days I could hobble about the house. One night in dream vision appeared to me. The vision told ne to take the ring which my wife had worn,-our engagement ring, go down to the creek and throw 1t into the water, and that my pains would leave me. At first I refused to obey the vision, but 1t appeared so often, night after night, that at last l yielded. When went down to the creek I could scarcely walk, but when I had thrown the ring into the stream, new blood, with pleasant coursing, seemed to flow through my veins. I turned away rejoicing, and from that day until just now, ] have been free from pain; but when you took that ring, my old pains began to come back upon me-
 "'Here, old man. said I, take the ring. I am not expectations, but if you believe that your health depends upon this circle of gold, you are well come to it. He took the ring, and, seizing my hands, pressed them to his withered face. q will throw the ring back into the water,' said he. Good bye. One who suffered for the world will bless you for your kindness.'
 "I went away deeply impressed. The next day, upon meeting an ac- Quaintanee who lived in the Drskc's creek peighborhood, spoke of the strange old man.
 .sYes,' ssid my acquaintance, 'he has peculiarities. One peculiarity is his great ability for lying, the other is his aptIess in the art of stealing. He has only lived in the neighborhood three weeks and has already become known as the ablest thief in the com- munity. His wife >,
 "sIs his wife livingr asked.
 "'Of course, and next to him, she is the supreme thief of the settlement 2
 Willis B. Hawkins, the we'll known literarian, was called upon for bit of his experience, but he preferred to sing song written by Colonel John A. Joyce. 1fr. Hawkins sings with rarc sweetness. He thoroughly un- derstands that Delnrte expression of mudc, which gives to . song those emotional outbursts % much admired by the ancient Irish-