Why Rubber* Ave Considered "Good Form.' " There was a time, not so many years back, when it was not quite fashionable to appear too robust. A little languor was considered rather becoming in a young woman. But that day has passed. The pale, droop ing, indoor girl has given way to the rilling, walking, golf-playing girl. Health has received the seal of fash ion. And everything that conduces to liealth is now good form. For instance, in the matter of wearing rubbers. A few years ago a good many women ob jected to wearing rubbers, on the ground that they detracted from the trim appearance of the foot. But everybody knows that nothing else ruins the health as quickly as wet feet, and the only possible way to have dry feet—especially in winter—is to wear rubbers. So rubbers have come back into style as indispensable to good health. The added fact that rubbers are now so much more shapely aud graceful in their lines than they were a dozen years ago, and that they are now made in such infinite variety, has served, of course, still further to increase their popularity.—Harper's Bazar. KIIOM'H Frencli History. A curious character in Paris is a man who makes his living by stroll ing along the boulevards and making wagers at the cafes that he can an swer correctly any question that re lates to the history of France. He is very successful.—London Spare Mo ments. The Good It will do you to tako IlooJ's Saraaparilla Is beyond estimation. It will give you warm, rich, nourishing blood, strengthen your nerves, tone your stomach, create an appe tite, and make you feel better in every way. It is a wonderful invigorator of the system and wards off colds, fevers, pneumonia and the grip. The best winter medicine is HOOCS'S S par M"la Sold by all dealers in medicine. Price, SI. Hood's Pills cure biliousness, indigestion* Indian KspionHjje. Every camp of white men in the Cocopah Country is watched by an Indian. Captain Newton H. Chitten den, the famous traveler and Indian archaeologist, said that all the time he was on the desert an Indian or two re mained with him at night. He did not notice the coincidence at first, but after live or six nights he took; note, and invariably, near sundown,' an Indian would appear. Generally it was a new Indian, one he had never seen before. He would ask for sup-, per aud tobacco, and, after partaking! of the white mau's hospitality, would curl up in his blanket and sleep. The unfailing regularity with which the Indians appeared, and always with the same excuse, that they had been hunting deer and were belated, ex cited Captain Chittenden's suspicion; but, as the ludiaus did not harm him, he did not molest them, but good naturedly accepted their espionage during his stay in their country.— ■New York Sun. TWO GKATEFUL WOMEN Restored to Health by Lydia E. Pinkham's Vegetable Compound. "Can Do My Own Work." Mrs. PATRICK DANEHY, \ , West Winsted, Conn., writes : ! ' "DEAR MRS. PINKIIAM: —It is with pleasure that I write to you of the benefit I have derived from using your wonderful Vegetable Compound. I was very ill, suffered with female weak ness and displacement of the womb. "I could not sleep at night, had to walk the floor, I suffered so with pain in my side arc! small of my back. Was trou bled with bloating, and at times would faint away; had a terrible pain in my heart, a bad taste in my mouth all the time and would vomit; but now, thanks to Mrs. Pinkham and her Vegetable Compound, I feel well and sleep well, can do my work without feeling tired; do not bloat or have any trouble whatever. "I sincerely tfiank you for the good advice you gave me and for what your medicine has done for me." "Cannot Praise It Enoo|h." Miss GERTIE DUNKIN, Franklin, Neb., writes: " I suffered for some time with pain ful and irregular menstruation, failing of the womb and pain in the back. I tried physicians, but found no relief. " I was at last persuaded to try Lydia E. Pinkham's Vegetable Compound, and cannot praise it enough for what it has done for me. I feel like a new person, and would not part with your medicine. I have recommended it to several of my friends." i| Try Grain=o! ~ ji Try Grain=o! ] | Ask you Grocer to-day to show you IJ a package of GRAIN-O, the new food 11 drink tliut takes the placo of coffee. j J The children may drink it without J ' injury as well as the adult. All who ♦ 11 try it, like it. GRAIN-0 has that X j J rich seal brown of Mocha or Java, x ► but it is made from pure grains, and ♦ ] [ the most delicate stomach receives it X j| without distress. \ the price of coffee. T i > 15 cents and 25 cents per package. ♦ ! | Sold by all grocers. X \ Tastes like Coffee i | Looks like Coffee X I > Insist that your grocer gives you GRAIN-O 2 | J Accept no imitation. J 1 CHILDREN'S COLUMN. J Tlio Little Old Man of Hie Snow. The little old man of the snow- He stands in the lonesome night When the wind blows chill and the clouds hang low And the Hakes fall ghostly white, And the little fellows who sleep upstairs Aud pro to bed without saying their prayers, He (Ills their dreams with fears aud tears— The little old man of the snow! The little old man of the snow Knows each little fellow In town; He watches and waits at bad boys' gates To catch 'cm an' swallow 'em down! He knows when thoy anger their mothers so. And he chuckles and says to himself, "Oh, ho! I'll open my mouth and down they'll go!" This little old man of the snow! l'ho little old man of the snow You'd batter keep out of his way: For onoa a wee fellow was bad, you know. And the snow man stolo him one day! And he heard Ills mother call and call His name far over the garden wall; Bat the old man swallowJd him—shoos and all— This little old man of the snow! Royal Toy a. A very pretty custom of old stand ing prevails iu the imperial family of Germany—namely, that at Christmas and on the birthdays of the royal children the stock of toys belonging to them is overhauled, aud those no longer in favor are sent oft' to chil dren's hospitals. The present empress, who is the most motherly of women, never for gets the observance of this custom, packing the toys with her owu hands. As the sick children are told that the toys come from the palace, they prize them, and some interesting relics are still in existence—as, for instance,the battered tin soldiers with which the emperor played when a child and an old doll which was a favorite in the infancy of Queen Louise of Prussia. T<>l!inc Hluck Hen's Kg~g. You have all heard, no doubt, of the short way of counting 100—ten, ten, double ten, forty-five and fifteen—but did you ever hear how to distinguish eggs laid by a black hen? A womau who claimed to know the secret asked a grocer for a dozen eggs laid by a black hen. The grocer protested thart he didn't know the difference between an egg laid by a black hen and one laid by a freekle-faeed, cross-legged Plymouth Rock pullet. "Show me the egg basket and I can tell 'em," said the woniau decidedly. After she had selected the desired dozen the grocer protested: "You have picked out the largest eggs in the basket." "Well, that's just it; that's the kind they lay," explaiued the woman, com placently. Hat* H8 PttfH. When bats will eat either flies or raw meat one can keep them as pets as long as may be desired, and very curious and interesting they are. I remembor keeping one iu my shildhood which became very tame and amusing, writes a correspondent of the Trenton (N. J.) American. I used t > catch flies for it, and it sonsnnied at least forty bluebottles daily. This fact shows us how use ful bats are in keeping iusects down during the summer. Old trees which have hollow trunks are often the homes of colonies of bats. One of the most interesting of the family is the long eared bat, which rests with its head hanging down ward. A moment or two after alighting it folds up its long ears and places them nearly out of sight under its arras, and then the little creature looks like a mere ball o-f gray fur. When on the ground,a bat can only scuttle along iu a very awkward fash ion,as if on hands aud knees,and finds great difficulty iu taking flight from a level surface. I have sometimes watched a bat in my room, where on warm summer nights they occasionally pay me a visit, and I observe that it generally makes its way to a curtain aud climbs up by its hooked wings • until it is high enough to dart off iuto the air. Bats should never be wantonly destroyed, for they are perfectly harm less aud extremely useful. They carry on at night the work that swallows are doing throughout the day—clear ing the air of millions of flies, gnats and moths, which would otherwise be a torment to us and very injurious to the farmer and gardener. Hidden in a Woodbox. There is au article in St. Nicholas by J. H- Gore, on "Hiding Places in War Times." The author tells pf a house in Virginia that was on de batable ground," where every precau tion had to be taken against soldier raids. In such au exposed place a company of scouts, or even a regiment, could appear so uueipectedly that it was necessary to keep everything out of sight. Evin the provisions for the next meal Lad to be put away, or be fore the meal could be prepared a party of mauraders might drop in and carry off the entire supply. Iu the kitchen a woodbox of la''ge size stood by the stove. It had a false bottom. In the upper part was "wood dirt," a plentiful supply of chips, and so much stove wood that the impression would be conveyed that at least there was a good stock of fuel always on hand. The box was made of tongued and grooved boards and one of these in the front could be slipped out, thus forming a door. Into this box all the food and silverware were put. No little ingenuity was needed in making this contrivance. The nails that were drawn out to let this board slip back 1 and forth left] tell-tale nail-holes, bat these were filled up "with hearts ol nails, HO that all the hoards looked just alike. I remember once a soldier was sitting on this box while mother was cooking for hiin what seemed to be the last slice of bacon in the house. She was so afraid that ho would drum on the box with his heels, as boys frequently do, and find that the box won hollow,that she continually asked him to get up while she took a piece of wood for the fire. It was necessary to disturb him a number of times be fore he found it advisable to take the proffered chair, and in the meantime a hotter fire had been made than the small piece of meat required. Siberian Came*. Thomas G. Allen, jr., who went around the world on a bicycle several years ago, has written an article on "The Boys of Siberia," for the St. Nicholas. Mr. Allen says: In the matter of sports and'games the Siberian is not so well off, per haps, as the American boy; neverthe less, he seems to enjoy just as heartily what few he has. His snow battles are as spirited, his gymnastic contests as earnest, and his games of chess as serious. He displays almost as much in genuity as the American lad in moJe'- ing his own kites and constructing his own sleds. I have seen even very little fellows,without strength enough to wield a hammer or ax to build a sled, appropriate the family wash basin or butter bowl, and go coasting down the hillsides. His game ot' marbles, if such it may lie called, is quite different from our own. Instead of marbles the ankle bones of sheep are used, for all forms of pottery are dear in Siberia, while sheep are plen tiful. The marbles, or sheep bones, are placed in a row and then shot at from a distance, like a row of tenpins. Ho has, of course, his regular game of tenpins, with a tenpin alley and rules just like our own. The Siberian boys,especially in the military schools, are carefully trained in calisthenics and gymnastics; and the cool exhilarating climate of Siberia renders this form of amusement more enjoyable than in our own country. It is this,more than anything else,that has helped to develop the brawn and sinew of the Russian army. The photographs representing the forms of gymnastic exercises which accom pany this article were taken at the Cadet university at Omsk, Siberia. The students of this university are educated for the purpose of becoming officers in the Siberian army, and they are specially trained to withstand Siberian hardships and the rigors of its winter climate. Most of them are sons of army officers or of higher-class civilians. How Stump* OriKinatfltl. Sir Rowland Hill, the great English postal reformer, was at one time a schoolmaster. After he had taught for a number of years, his health gave way, and finding a change necessary, he decided to travel. While traveling iu the north of Eng land, in 1834, he stopped one morn ing at an inn, just as a postman came to deliver a letter. The letter was for the innkeeper's young daughter. She took it from the postman, carefully examined it on both sides, and then asked the amount of postage due. "One shilling," the postman an swered. The girl at once handed him tho un opened letter and said: "I am sorry I cannot receive the letter for it is from my brother, but I have not the money to pay so much postage." Dr. Hill overheard the conversation between the postman and the girl,and ho paid the postage. The gill blushed and seemed greatly confused when the letter was again given to her; and as soon as the postman had gone she told Mr. Hill that the letter was merely a trick between herself and her brother. Certain marks on tho wrapper told lur all she wished to know, and the paper inside contained no writing. "We are too poor t# pay so much postage," she further explained, "and so devised this method of correspond ing." This incident gave Sir Rowland Hill "something to think about," and he kept thinking until postal reform be came the object of his life. He was thoroughly convinced that n postal system that caused eveu the boys and girls of the laud to resort to trickery and deception must indeed be a very harmful one. He entered the British civil service in 1835, and in 1837 brought forward iu pamphlet form "a plan for uniform penny postage." His plan was much opposed, but he labored faithfully,un tiringly, and at last convinced the House of Commons that the penny postage system would enrich the gov ernment, and be a real blessing to all of the Queen's sub : ects. Accordingly, in 1840, it was decided that letters weighing not more than half an ounce should be sent for a penny; and penny postage stamps, bearing an image of the Queen's head, were ordered to be used. Iu 1845 the penny postage system was adopted in America. Sir Rowland Hill recieved many high honors as for his earnest, snccsssful labors for postal reform. He died at the age of eighty-three years, and is buried in Westminster Abbey. A Memorial Advertiwinent. The following curious advertise ment was printed recently in a Mel bourne (Australia) paper: WALLACE —ln memory of Sir William Wallace of EUerlie, the immortal supporter of the independence of his country, who was barbarously mur dered on Tower Hill, London, by or der of Edward of Englaud,23d August, 1305.—(Inserted by Alexander Rob ertson, Footseray.) | NEW YORK FASHIONS. i THE LATEST DESIGNS IN GOWNS AND itf IS WRAPS FOR YOUNG GIRLS. & NEW YORK CITY (Special).—The gowns for young girls this season are made on very much the same lines as those that are worn by older women, but the materials used are not quite so KKIBT AND WAIST FOP. A YOUNG MISS. heavy. An unusual and very useful little' gown is made of a wine-colored cloth. The skirt, long and close-fit ting, has no flounce or tunic, but is trimmed with bands of violet velvet that %re put on down the front breadth, COSTUME FOR A GIRTJ. form a small circle, and then go round the entire skirt. The waist is tight fitting, with the fulness drawn in at the belt, and is trimmed with bands of velvet put on as though to outline a bolero jacket; over the shoulders are ruffles of the cloth—double ruffles, one shorter than the other—and the sleeves are close-fitting. On the waist are also round gold buttons, and at the throat is a soft tie of wine-colored silk. This gown has much the princesse effect, but is made with separate skirt and waist. Gray oloth gowns are very fashion able, sometimes made only with the gray, and in other cases relieved by the trimming of some contrasting color. A very graceful gown, cut in princesse style, is of the lightest shade of gray, trimmed with bands down the front of white cloth on which are omaller bands of a deep blue velvet. The way in which these bands are put on is quite different from anything that has as yet been worn. The front of the gown is perfectly plain, at the throat is a large bow of blue velvet, and the sleeves are finished at the wrist with two bands of the velvet, blue aud white. The hat worn with this is a pale gray velvet trimmed with rosettes of velvet, two gray ostrich tips, and exaggeratedly large jet pins stuck through the velvet rosettes. The muff with this gown is of gray chinchilla. StTllih Com nine For a Girl. A very new and stylish combination, by May Manton, is shown in the large engraving in stone gray aud rich red. The gray novelty wool goods is strewn over with dots of red velvet or chenille. The yoke and collar are of machine tucked velvet that is bought ready tucked for this purpose. The bertha has a facing of plain red velvet, its lowest edges being trimmed with three evenly spaced rows of nar row red velvet ribbon to match the skirt and sleeves. A sash of satin backed velvet is tied around the waist. The waist is arranged over fitted linings that close invisibly in centre back. The full front and baoks are gathered top and bottom and applied at round yoke depth, the yoke being faced with tucked velvet. The pretty bertha is shaped in square outline, the top being rounded *n tit the lqwer edge of yoke. A standing collar covered with tucked velvet finishes tho neck. The sleeves fit the arm closely, being shaped with upper and under portions, stylish puffs bsing gathered and arranged at the top. The wrists are trimmed with cross lines of narrow velvet ribbon, which decoration is repeated just below the puffs of sleeves. The skirt is shaped with four gores that fit at the top and flare prettily at the foot. Gathers adjust the fulness in back, and the top is sewed to lower edge of waist. The three evenly spaced rows of velvet ribbon are ap plied to form a pretty pointed outline in centre front. Very many charming combinations of material and coloring may be sug gested by the mode. The bertha could be all of velvet with guipure applique border, and the yoke and collar covered with all over guipure or the dress may be all of one fabric, the yoke and collar being covered and the bertha outlined, with rows of ribbon, plain or frizzed. Serge, cheviot, cashmere, veiling, broadcloth or other wcoleu fabrics will trim durably with braid, while silk materials may have insertion or ribbon as decoration. To make this costume for a girl of eight years will require two aud one half yards of material forty-four inches wide. .Expensive and Varied Dress Fabrics. Fashionable dress fabrics are varied indeed this season, but it is the soft clinging textures that have first place. A new cloth called drap de chine, soft faced cloths and drap d'ete are all worn, and the silks must be soft and pliable, or they have no style. Fleur de velours make beautiful gowns, aud the old-fashioned armure and otto man silks are coming into favor again. The prettiest of all the fabrics for a dressy gown is the new crepe de chine, as glossy as satin. To be sure it costs three, four or five dollars a yard, but theu this is au extravagant age. Winter Wrap For a Girl. It would seem a3 thongh every pos sible style had already been exhausted in the designs that have been shown in the winter wraps for girls, but every week new ones appear; some of . JO AT FOR A them made on the same lines as the older ones, but all with a novelty as to cut and trimming. One of the latest designs for a cloth long coat for a girl is the accompanying smart, but rather trying design. THE EXCELLENCE OF SYRUP OF FIGS is due not only to the originality and simplicity of the combination, but also to the care and skill with which it is manufactured by scientific processes known to the CAI.IFOKNIA FIG SYRUP Co. only, and we wish to impress upon all the importance of purchasing 1 the true and original remedy. As the genuine Syrup of Figs is manufactured by the CALIFORNIA FIG SVRUP Co. only, a knowledge of that fact will assist one in avoiding the worthless imitations manufactured by other par ties. The high standing of the CALI FORNIA FIG SYRUP CO. with the cal profession, and the satisfaction which the genuine Syrup of Figs has given to millions of families, makes the name of the Company a guaranty of the excellence of its remedy. It is far in advance of all other laxatives, as it acts on the kidneys, liver and bowels without irritating or weaken ing them, and it does not gripe nor nauseate. In order to get its beneficial effects, please remember the name of the Company CALIFORNIA FIG SYRUP CO. SAN FK AX CISCO, Cal. UH7IBVILT.E. Ky. NKW YORK, N,Y. TAPE WORMS "A tape worm clcbteen feet loue at least came on the scene after my taking twc CASC'ARETS. This lum sure has caused mj bad health for the past three years. lam (till taking Cascarrts, the only cathartic worthy ol notice by sensible people." GEO. W. BOWLES, Ealrd, Mass. &[ CATHARTIC TRADE MARK REGISTERED Pleasant. Palatable. Potent. Taste Good. T>o Good, Never Sicken. Weaken, or Gripe. 10c, 20c. 50c. ... CURE CONSTIPATION. ... Sterling Remedy <"..mpnnr, Chlciigo, Montreal, New York. sl3 UH.TO RAP Sold and guaranteed by all druc- HU- I U'DAU gists to ClUETobaoco Uabii. 'sore'ey^.u'bh" } Thompson'sEya Water An Argument. It is the part of every householder, or any one in authority, public or pri vate, to carefully consider orders be fore tliey are given. But after they are issued it would be suicidal to all government to argue out the matter with employe, servant, or child. From the nature of things, they cannot judge the necessity or worth of the com mand it is their part to carry out. Many funny stories are told of fresh ly trained soldiers and sailors, to whom the thought was new that their first virtue was implicit obedience. One such tale dates back to our Civil War, and is told for truth by one who over heard it. A sailor of one of the big gunboats of the time was notorious for his lazy habits, as well as for his in genuousness in finding excuses for his careless ways. While seemingly hon est, he was often hauled up for repri mand or punishment. The captain, a passionate man and a believer in stern discipline, lost pa tience with Tom, and when the fellow was brought before him for the third time in cue week for some neglect of work, he said, angrily, "What—again, Tom?" "I'm not here of my own will, sirv'' began simple Tom. And poor Tom, finding his efforts tc speak were cut off, at last said, resign edly: "Well, captain, have it your OWL way. I didn't come here to argu« with you, sir!" And after that Tom's unsympatheti( comrades called on him every day it his imprisonment, which he may have deserved, but scarcely understood and told him that they "did not come to argue with him!" And while Tom's story sounds ab snrd, it is true that many of us are jus as foolish, and take just as long t< learn the beauty and strength of obe dience.—Harper's Bazar. Japan with a population of 45,000, 000 has 220 towus that have more tliar 100,000 inhabitants. itlakt'N llir Spot Vmiisli. A slight rap may cause a bruise, or n slight blow a black one, sore and tender But it is easy to euro a bruise by the use ol St. Jacobs Oil, and make the spot vanish and the soreness heal. The salmon catch in the Columbia to; 18M was 0,018,02-2 pounds less for 1897. Cuufflia l.oud to I'oiiwmuplioii. Kemp's Ualsam will stop the eougli al once, flo to your druggist to-day and goi a sample bottle free. Sold in 25 and o) cent L>ott'es. Go at once; delays ure dan gerous. Typewriting is to be taught it) tbe nublii schools of New York City. 7 To Cure Constipation Forever. Take Cascarets Candy Cathartic. 10c or SSo It C. C. C. fail to cure, druggists refund money. *A pneumatic corset, for the use of womei learning to swiin, lias been invented. Taltc lloinlt'i The great Homa-opathic remedy tor coughs colds and bronchitis. They will check anj cold when used promptly. 25 cents. The first marine insurance was the Roya Exchange, founded In 1720. SO-TD-BU for llftjr Cent. Guaranteed tobacco habit cure, makes wean men strong, blooa pure. 50c, $1 All druggists.
Significant historical Pennsylvania newspapers