she still persisted. After many prayers and
entreaties, she was finally allowed to send him a chair.

When it was returned to her after his death, she found scratched in the
varnish under the seat a message from her lost husband.

In this message were the words, "They are killing me!"

The poor unhappy woman and her five helpless children have brought this
message from the dead, and hope, with its aid, to convince this government
of the wrongs she has suffered, and make them demand from Spain money to
take care of her helpless family.

[Illustration: Mrs. Ruiz is received by the President while her children
play on the White House grounds]

* * * * *

The election of Mr. McKinley has brought the filibustering parties no
better luck.

It is said that much greater care is to be taken to prevent any such
parties from leaving our shores.

The _Texas_ has been ordered to join the _Montgomery_ off Florida, to
watch for filibusters, and the President seems determined to maintain a
strict neutrality.

* * * * *

Matters in the Philippines look just about as gloomy as they do in Cuba,
from the Spanish point of view.

The same story of badly paid and starving soldiers comes from Manila that
we got from Cuba, the same distress from fever and disease.

The general in command is asking Spain for money and men, just as Weyler
is asking. He says he cannot conquer the rebels without a larger force.

With great reluctance Spain is sending a small force out, but it is
understood that she can send no more men, and no money.

The insurgents are gaining ground, and are said to fight with great
steadiness and bravery.

* * * * *

The only news from the Transvaal is that England has sent a very
determined message to President Krueger, demanding that he shall give the
English-speaking people in the Transvaal what they are pleased to call
their rights.

It is said that some of the British ministers feel sure that war with the
Transvaal must come before long, and that they are only too willing to
have it come as quickly as possible.

The ministers have decided that in the case of war being declared, a force
of twenty thousand men will be quite enough to send out from England to
conquer the country.

It is understood that President Krueger is kept informed of all that goes
on in England in regard to his country, and is quite undis