The morning call., 1894-03-06

A good deal of risk was run by tn e
engineer and fireman of Rock Island
train in Missouri to avoid a gang of rob-
beIs. The train was signaled in the usual
way, by lights and explosives, to stop, but
the engineer sus pected what was meant,
and turned on full steam ahead. Fooled in
their design. the desperadoes emptied
their reyolvers into the engine cab and
carriages. happily without consequences
to the passengers beyond fright. If the
train TO bber had the notion that this mode
OF e-caping him would become common he
would not hesitate 10 derail trains. and
then the disasters might be awful. These
rascals can never be warded off effeciually
until the companies 1T up portion of the
express-car as fortress. with steel plates
an inch thick aud lGophoies. Such tower
might be contrived TO command the whole
length of train, and thieves would be at
the mercy of tie guards at the outset. 1t
pays the express companies to send armed
messengers on the box of stage-coaches.
They lose so much ON trains that similar
messengers might be engaged for the ex-
preSs-cArS.
A London newspaper, the Advertiser.
has just celebrated its centenary. 1t was
founded on February s, 1894 A fac-simile
issue of the first number is in startling
contrast with the big newspapers of to-
day. One event is peculiarly interes ting
to America. The application made by
America Tor the release of Thomas Paine,
who was then held in prison by the French
Convention, is duly rec ,rded in the news
columns. 1t was during this Imprisonment
that he wrote The Age of Reason" which
did much to mar the fame lie had acquired
by the still more famous Rights oil Man"
Paine had been admitted 10 French citizen
ship and was chosen bv Pas de Calais a
member Of the National Convention. 1,
was he who proposed that l. suis XVI
should be exiled to America. RObespie
took offense and ELECTED him from the
Convention and had him imprisoned His
release came on the intercession OF
America fourteen months afterward
MOncure Conway has cleared up much Of
the calumuy surrounding Paine's name.
What he did for America next TO George
WASHING ton is well known. One can only
guess what he might have achieved in
England had NapoeOn's design succeeded
BOnaparte chose him TO form a popular
government for England after he should
have conquered II.
Another illusion is gone to the cemetery
where so many historical sayings are
buried. Bismarck did not give ut erance
to the remark, lie roi me reverra" 1t was
a pointed thing to say, but the newspaper
which the Prince favOrs with his views
denies that it ever came from him. Who
invens these catching calculations fol
grand persoDages is past finding out. AL.
though disprOved they live and become in.
cOrpOrated with great deal more ap
parently iucontrovertible history. But the
ex-Chahcellor does not take the public
I'M 10 confidence as TO the precise language
he did use when the Emperor gave him his
congo. 1t must have been quite as start
ling and probably more vigorous.
r. l.. Stevenson is occupied on three
| novels at present, turning from one to the
other when he is inclined. Many people
find 1t delightful TO keep several novels il
hand as readers. but it is a revelation o.
authorship to have three stories in process,
of elaboration simulta ne0uslv. A prac
tced hand like Mr.. Stevenson may find it
relief to cODJure up fiction in varying
scenes. for when hard pressed for Incl
denis or evolution of character in one
whole train OF happy thought may bs
ready for the pen in unfolding another
plot. Mr.. Stevenson is in no hurry. 1t Is
said his latest novel. "Catronia." occupied
six years.
American visitors to London have ONT
place of pilgrimage robbed of its interest
DR.. Jobnson's house In Cough square i
being pulled down to make way for some
thing more profitable In vulgar money
The square is quaint little retreat III
Johnson's court, off Fleet street. There i
still Johnson living in the place, ant
although good deal grimier, ii still ha
much the aspect it lad in the famou
scholars day. 1t was Ia this house tina
johnson lived when be had his dictionary