VOL. LIY.
PROFESSIONAL CARDS OF
BELLEFONTE.
C. X. Alexander. cT.M. Bower.
A LEXANDER & BOWER,
ATTORNEYS AT LAW,
BELLEFONTE, PA.
Ofllee in Garman's new building.
JOHN B. LINN,
5
ATTORNEY AT LAW,
BELLEFONTE. PA.
Ofllee on Allegheny Street.
QLEMENT DALE,
ATTORNEY AT LAW,
BELLKFONTK, PA.
Northwest corner of Diamond.
Y° cUM & HASTINGS,
ATTORNEYS AT LAW.
BELLEFONTE, PA.
Ulgh Street, opposite First National Bank.
C. HEINLE,
ATTORNEY AT LAW.
BELLEFONTE. Pi.
Practices in all the courts of Contre County.
Spec al attention to Collections. Consultations
In German or EngLsh.
vy ILBUK F. REEDER,
ATTORNEY AT LAW,
BELLEFONTE, PA.
All bus ness promptly attended to. Collection
of claims a speciality.
J. A. Beaver. J. w. Gephart.
JgEAVER GEPHART,
ATTORNEYS AT LAW,
BELLEFONTE, PA.
omce on Alleghany Streer, North of High
ly A. MORRISON,
ATTORNEY AT LAW,
BELLEFONTE, PA.
Ofllee on Woodrlng's Block, Opposite court
Bouse.
S. KELLER,
ATTORNEY AT LAW,
BELLEFONTE, PA.
""
Consultations in English or German. QOlce
in Lyon'o Building, Allegheny Street.
JOH.V G. LOVE,
ATTORNEY AT LAW,
BELLEFONTE, PA.
Office In the rooms formerly occupied by the
late w. p. Wilson.
BTTSI\ESS CARDS OF MILLHEIM, &.
A. STURGIS,
* HEALER IS
Watches, Clocks, Jewelry, Silverware, Ac. Re
pairing neatly and promptly don* and war
ranted. Main Street, opposite Bana, M llheua,
Fa.
4 O. DEIXIXGER,
' * NOTARY PUBLIC.
fcCRIBNER AND CONVEYANCER,
MILLHEIM, PA.
All business entrusted to htm. such as writing
and acknowledging Deeds, Mortgages, Releast s,
4c.. will be executed wiih neatness and dis
patch. Office on Main Street.
JJ H.TOMLIXSON,
DEALER IN
ALL KINDS OF
Groceries. Notions, Drugs. Tobaccos, Clgam,
Fine Confectlonei les and everything in the line
of a flrst-class Grocery st >re.
Country Produce taken In exchange Tor goods.
Main st eet, opposite Bank, Ml lhelm. Pa.
JQAVID 1. BROWN,
MANUFACTURER AND DEALER IN
Tl3i WARE STOVEPIPES, Ac.,
SPOUTIXG A SPECIALTY.
Bhop on Main Street, two huses east or Bank.
Millhelm, Penna.
J EISENHUTH,
* JUSTICE OF THE PEACE,
MILLHEIM, FA.
Ail business promptly attended to.
collection of claims a specialty.
Office opposite Rlsenhuth's Drug Store.
*m/| USSER & SMITH,
DEALERS IX
Hardware, Stoves, Oils, Paints, Glass, Wa
Papers, coach Trimmings, and Saddlery Ware,
*c,. &c.
All grades of Patent Wheels.
Corner of ilaln and Penn street-, Mlllhelm,
Penna.
"tacob wolf,
t'ASHIOXABLE TAILOR.
MILLHEIM, FA.
Cutting a Specialty.
Shop next door to Journal Book Store.
jyjr ILLHEIM BANKING CO.,
9IAIX STREET,
MILLHEIM, PA.
y
' A. WALTER, cashier. DAV. KRAPK, Pres.
HARTER,
AUCTIONEER,
REBERSBUEG, PA.
iattsfaetion Guaranteed.
The Golden Dollar.
Sunset burnished the apple trees and
checkered the path winding through them
and crossed the ragged and discolored
coat of the man crouching m 1 lie tall blue
grass, munching a great red apple. There
was a ravenous look iu his glittering black
eyes as he turned them restlessly from side
to side; a ravenous expression in his pinch
ed and swarthy face, and something ex
ceedingly ravenous in, the way he sot his
small white teeth into the apple, and bolt
ed the mouthfula.
There was also an alert look in his eyes
as if he dreaded detection and he shrunk
hack behind the tree, and crouched lower
in the grass, as the laugh of a child and
the patter of little feet caiue down the
beaten path near by.
There came simultaneously with these
sounds the clatter of a horse's hoofs on
the turnpike road beyond, and the hun
gry black eyes, peering through the tall
grass heads, saw the blue dress and white
apron of a little girl dying down the path
towards the gate, ami a large bearded man
entering it, and at the same time throwing
the reins of his horse over one of the
poets.
He stopped ami held out his arms to the
little girl as she ran gleefully towards hint,
aud folding them around her, tossed her
lightly upon his broad shoulder.
"What's that?" asked the child, ding
ing with one arm to his neck, and i>ointiug
with the other to a small bag he carried iu
his baud—a linen bag lettered with blue.
"Money, mv little lady," he said, shak
ing the hag until it gave out a metallic
ring. "Little, shiny gold dollars,as bright
as your eyes anil as yellow as your hair."
"Give them to me," said the child, im
periously reaching down her dimpled
hand.
"Too many,*' he said, shaking his head
in her imprisoned arms, as he walked slow
ly up the path, "it's too heavy for you."
"How many!" she inquired, still reach
ing down her hand.
"Three huudreii" he answered ; "three
hundred round, yellow dollars, and I'll
give you one of them with a hole iu it to
wear around your neck when we get into
the house " And they passed out of Sight,
over the checkered path and under the
burnished trees.
The man —he was a very young man—
scarely more tnan a boy—crouching low
in the grass, stared hungrily after them,
until their voices, as well as their forms,
were lost to his sight, and then, as, he rais
ed himself to a half-sitting posture, he
muttered:
"Three hundred bright, shiny dollars—
oh! "and there was given to the respiration,
long drawn out, an exceedingly ravenous
sound.
The burnished light died on the treetops,
to be replaced by the silvery tissue of
moonlight. The dove hushed her silvery
song on the hill near by; and perfect quiet
settled down over the white washed house
in the orchard, where the bearded man
slept with the golden head of his mother
less child on his breast, and the hag of
golden dollars under his pillow.
The ancient clock shows in the dim
light of the night lamp like a tall sentinel
in the corner, telling out the seconds, throb
by throb. With a preparatory gurgle in
its throat, it hoarsely proclaims the hour —
midnight. Its voice drowns the slight
noise at the window, as the sash slides up.
A daik figure, with eyes that gleam in a
pale scared face, creeps stealthily through
and stands within the room, breathless and
shivering.
The head of the sleeping man moves,
restlessly, aud he throws up one arm,
raising a corner of the pillow, and an end
of the blue lettered bag becomes visible.
The silent figure, standing like a statue
near the window, steals noiselessly towards
the bed, and reaching out a shaking hand,
grasps the bag of gold and begins to draw
it carefully from its hiding place.
Just at that moment the blue eyes of the
child open, and she shrieks out in affright.
The sleeping man suddenly awakened,
springs from the bed, and fastened his
hands on the neck of the throat of the in
truder.
"Thief!" he exclaims, "j'ou would steal
my money, would you ?" And he shakes
him until the slender man in his grasp
sinks upon his knees on the floor, gasping
and purple-faced.
"Papa, don't, don't,!" and the hands of
the child grasp aud tug at her lather's arm.
"Let him go!" she shrieks, "let him
go!"
As these words, half pleading, half com
manding, and wholly frightened, ring
through the room, the muscular hands
drop from the throat of the victim, and he
spurns him with his foot. The blue letter
ed bag has fallen upon the floor.
"Go, you scoundrel I" he says in fierce
anger, "but lor the cb:ild I think I should
kill you, sneak thief that you are 1"
The man remains crouched upon the
floor, and look about him in a dazed way.
j The little girl goes up to him, and halls
before him.
4 'Did you want to steal papa's dollars?
There's too many of them, and you
oughtn't to steal—it's wicked. I'll give
1 you one,"and she draws a blue ribbon upou
| which is suspended a gold dollar over her
; curly head, aDd gives it into his hand,
{ which mechanically closes over it.
"Eva," says her father, sternly, and he
; reaches out his hand to take back the
| coin.
"L,et him have it," cries the child,
' stamping her small, bare foot, imperiously,
j and again her father barkens to her voice,
| and drops his hand.
"Go," he says, contemptuously, pointing
Ito the open widow. "Go as you came,
through the window."
The man, grasping the blue ribbon in
i his fingers, rises slowly, and goes to the
j window, and daubs out. He returns and
COMFDI
They parted, w tn oia| h of baud,
And kieeoe, and burning traia.
Tbev uiot, in a foreign land,
After some twenty year*;
Met an acquaintance* me. t.
Smilingly, tranquil-eyed—
Not even the least little hi at
Of the heart upon either le '
They chatted of this and that
The nothing'* that make up life
She iii a (i aim*borough hat,
And he in black for hie wife.
Ah wha' a comedy this i!
Neither w.sa hurt, it appear* :
She had forgotten hie kiance.
And he hud forgotten lur tear*
MILLHEIM. PA., THURSDAY, DECEMBER '23, 1880.
ooks back, and sees the cli.ld Eva standing
at the open casement.
"1 was starving," lie mutters, looking at
her.
4 'Poor man," she hivh, "buy something
to eat with the gold dollar, ** and as he goes
away into the night she leans her curly
head out of the window, and calls alter
him in her sweet voice :
"Don't ever try to steal any more!"
Years afterward, when the child Eva had
grown into a beautiful woman, and when
the apples dropped upon her father's grave,
and the whitewashed house in the orchard
had passed into other hands, she was pro
sent at a brilliant assemblage.
She was among them, but not of them;
she was there not to lie amused, but to
amuse; she was uot a guest, but only a
voice.
'•Who is she ?"inquired the distinguished
statesman in whose honor the assemblage
had met.
•Only my governess," answered the vel
vet-robed and diamond-decked hostess.
"Hut she has a wonderful voire,' she add
ed, apologetica'ly, "so 1 had her come in
to sing."
"The statesman looked after her with
strange intentuess.
"What is her name?" he asked.
"Eva, Errom,"answered the lady depre
ciatingly, As if she thought somehow the
name might be offensive, and should there
fore be spoken apologetically.
The geutleman was looking at the black
rolled fig are of the girl at the piano, whose
wonderful voice was thrilling through the
room, and he made no response for a min
ute, and at the end of that time he was the
centre of admirers ami satellites that were
always eager to gather around him.
Later on, when the marvellous voice was
hush, d, and the black-robed form had van
ished, as was expected, with its sound, the
political star with his circle of satellites was
standing near an open window looking out
upon the flowcy lawn, over which the
moonlight lay like a silverv mist. As he
talked to those about him in his cold,proud
way—for it was said of him, that he was
all brain, but heartless, so far as the tender
passions were concerned —he glanced oc
casionally out in the night. And in one of
these glances, perhaps, he saw the figure
moving like a dark shallow among the
trews.
Five minutes afterward he was making
his apologies and adieus to the regretful
hostess who bewailed the pressing business
which called him away; and then the star
faded from its satellites, and the very walis
seemed to mourn the light withdiawn.
Miss Errom, the governess, wandering
aloueover the lawn, hearing a step behind
her, turned to find the star shining upon
her obscurity.
He stood before her in the moonlight
with his bared head bowed in a kind of
reverential manner that bewildered her.
After a startled moment in which she had
involuntarily halted, she bent her head
slightly in acknowledgment of his presence,
and was about to pass on.
"Pardon me, Miss Erroin,'' ho said de
taining her with a gesture; "I have follow
ed you here to-niglit, driven by the remem
brance, which has never for an hour left
me, of the great debt of gratitude I owe
you."
"You owe me no acknowledgments."
she said, interrupting him, and speaking
coldly, while she drew her slight form up
haughtily, in the moonlight," I 4' my mu
sic has entertained you, I have given it be
cause Iw as hired to do so. 1 am a paid
governess in the house and of my own free
wi'.l would not have entered the parlors to
night," and with a haughty inclination of
the head, she again made a movement to
pass on, and again he detained her by an
almost imploring gesture.
"Miss Errom,' he said, "1 beg that you
will not misconstrue my motives in seeking
you to-night. I have sought you for five
years, "and he looked steadily into her face,
as she stared in a kind of dumb bewilder
ment at him.
44 Whatever I am—whatever I may be of
good, under God, I owe to you."
His voice was low and vibrating, and he
stood,as he had stood throughout the inter
view, in a reverential attitude before her,
with the moonlight silvering his bowed
head.
"I don't understand what you arc say
ing," she stammered.
"Probably nig," he responded. "The
little drama in which you took a part with
me years ago, and which lifted nie out of
darkness into light—out of vice into virtue
—would naturally make a deeper impres
sion upon nie than upon you, a little
child."
Htill she stared in dumb bewilderment at
him.
He reached up aud drew from his bosom
a strip of narrow, faded blue ribbon, on
which gleamed a small gold coin.
"Do you remember this?" he asked,
holding it towards her.
tike stared from it to him, and a faint
recollection seemed struggling into her
face.
"I don't know," she said confusedly.
"I seem to remember something about a
gold dollar which 1 gave to —"
"Exactly!" he saiil, "which you gave to
a midnight robber. It has been my tails
man ever since." And he touched it rev
erently with his lips, and replaced it in
his bosom.
"But how—. Where did you get it?"
she asked, in amazement.
4 lt was to me you gave it," he answered.
"And you were—" she commenced, and
halted in the speech, working her lingers
nervously together.
"I was the would-be-robber," he said,
"and but for you, would now be filling a
felon's cell or a felon's grave," and he
dropped before her as before a presence
not of this earth.
For full five minutes he remained stand
ing silent and bowed before lier, while she
stared at him with the bewilderment slowly
passing out of her face. When she spoke
it was in her own natural tones, unbroken
by embarrassment:
"It has been a dead secret, as it were,"
she said gently, "all these years. Let it
remain so."
From that evening for several months
the velvet-robed and diamond-decked host
ess of the stately mansion became the en
vied of all the other aspirants to the states
man's favor, by the attractions hor home
seemed to possess for him, to frequent were
his visits. And ambitious parents and
blooming daughters were scandalized when
six months after, the great political star, en
tering a carriage one morning, met the gov
erness at the gate of the stately mansion,
and driving with her to a little church near
by, quietly married her.
WrltliiK.
The first method of presenting thoughts
to the eye was the pictorial system. This
mode of writing is quite profusely given iu
the Egyptian hieroglyphics, which the
priests employed in a symbolical and alle
gorical manner. "The eye, for instance,
became a symbol of Providence, the lard
an emblem of swiftness, the scaling-ladder
a representative of a siege." Champolliou
claims that the hieroglyphics are divisible
into three distinct classes, the symbolic,
the phonetic and figurative signs. It is
unknown when picture writing was in
vented. Some writers affirm that letters
came into use when the abbreviations of
pictorial signs became necessary as the
system extended. For example, two
hands anil a Imiw took the place of an
archer; an eye and sceptre signified a
monarch. In time even these curtailed
signs were found to be inadequate to the
wants of the people in giving signs to
thoughts. Figures were employed to re
present language and its separate organic
elements. It is unknown when alphabetic
or letter writing wus tirst discovered. It
is supposed that Moses w as acquainted with
the art of wriiing, which proves that iis
existence was know u at a very early period.
The Greeks ami Romans asserted that the
Phiuniciuns were the inventors of letters.
Some utlribute the invention of letters to
Muses, others believe that Abraham knew
the art of writing, anil we are also told by
some learned historians that Abel knew
the use of letters. The Jewish Rabbi
say "God created letters on the evening of
the first Sabbath "
A very singular invention of a syllable
alphabet is related of a Cherokee Indian,
who was ignorant of the Fluglish tongue,
and could not read a word in any language.
This jxior savuge succeeded in producing
in 1824 an alphabet so complete that he
was able to write a letter. The Cherokees
were delighted, the youth of the band
travelled a great distance io learn the new
art of writing ami reading, which from the
peculiarity of the alphabet ami language
they could acquire in three days sufficiently
to practice themselves and to teach others.
Types for printing in this character have
been cast. The appearance of the lan
guage thus printed is singularly uncouth
and barbarous.
The invention of marks for punctuation
is ascribed to Aristophanes, the famous
Greek grammarian. Abbreviations of
words were not made in ancient writing,
except upon coins and inscriptions. There
are extant some remains of an ancient sys
tem of writing in which all the characters
are formed by different combinations of
one simple element. No satisfactory
method of interpretation hus ever been
given of these writings. Of all books now
iu existence the writings of Moses anil the
Book of Job are considered the most
ancient.
The Mexicans used the pictural method
of writing., It is related that "they ap
prised their, King, Montezuma, of the laud
ing of the Spaniards by means of a linen
cloth, on which this event WHS represented
by pictures of visible objects." The man
ner of reading the Mexicuu picture-writing
is different from all others. It is in col
umns, beginning at the bottom to read.
The Japanese and Chinese also write in
columns, but they read from the top, going
from the right to the left. The Germans
first wrote in the Latin characters; their
a'phabet was not in general use until the
thirteenth century, The "monastic" alpha
bet was used in Germany as <-arly as the
eleventh century. About the time of the
I toman conquest writing was first prac
ticed in Britain. The several forms of
French writings derive their names from
the different races ol kings who have ruled
that country.
The Greeks have ever manifested great
enthusiasm m promoting knowledge. The
first library that is known was collected by
Pisisiratus, who lived at Athens. King
Attains had a library that contained 200,-
000 books on rolls. The celebrated library
ot Alexandria was founded by Ptolemy
Philadelphia*; it is said to have numbered
700,000 volumes. It was destroyed in 042
A. I>. Tiie tirst private library is sup
posed to be the one founded by P. Emi
lius, 107 B. C. The tirst public libiary
was founded by Asinius Pallio, in the hall
of the Temple of Liberty on Mount Aven
tine Augustus founded the celebrated
library in the Temple of Apollo on Mouut
Palatine. The Romans had several large
private libraries. Ty raunio, a native of
Pont us, who was taken prisoner by Lucul
lu.' and brought to Rome as a slave, and
rev iving his trecdoiu. taught grammar
mo ri tiorie, investing much of his earn
ings in buying books, and is sa d to have
con- cted a library of 30,000 volumes.
Constautius established a public library at
(.'oaHa uiuople. Its contents increased
from time to time to 120,000 volunus. It
was destroyed by fire in A. D. 477.
KiUliia a Hraneo.
Tom Newlano has an Indian who places
a high estimate on his equestrian ability.
There was a horse to be brought to town a
few days ago and the Indian was given
the job. He was told He was "bronco,"
but it was "esia bueno me sabe." Hitch
ing the animal to a tree, he carefully placed
the sweat cloth on him; then the blanket,
the bridle and the saddle; at each perform
ance giving vent to a satislied "A'l, hah,"
each ejaculation growing intenser, till he
got into the saddle. All this time the
"bronco," looked as unlike Alexander tin;
Great's war horse, Buceplialas, as a car
penter's saw-horse. The Indian started;
lie gained the crest of the nilt where the
scrub oak was thickest; he turned and gave
another "Ah, bah," which was followed so
elosely by "whoa" that it soanded like a
compound word. Then something rose to
a few feet in the air, went back and rose
again. There was a cloud of dust, a heap
of Apache talk, a Hash of bright colors,
and—silence. When Tom went up, he
found the korse grazing in the most ortho
dox fashion and a strip of white breech
clout and a pair of brown legs surmounted
red stockings and iron-clad shoes sucking
up from the middle of a scrub oak, like a
new sort ot plant. Tom got him out of
the brush and when he said: "Ah,hah,"
the Indian looked as though he wanted to
go on the war-path.
During a late thunder-storm near
London, England, a great ball of lire
was seen to descend from the clouds
into a lake. After the storm was over
a hundred dead fish, including two
carp, weighing together twenty-three
Dounds, were found floating on the
surface near the spot where the fire
ball was seen to strike.
At the Table.
It is impossible to estimate projierly the
immense influence which is exerted upon
the household by the atmosphere of the
family table. 11' it is true that one does
not come out of u room the same jierson
who went in, the mind ever after retain
ing the impress of what affected it there,
what great results must be achieved from
the meeting three times a day iu the dining
room, from the conversation Indulged in,
aud the sentiments habitually expressed
there. A neat well-ordered table, is m
itself a lesson to the children. 1 have
noticed that a sensitive child almost in
variably has better manners when dressed
in its best, ami have seen with surprise
the effect produced upon a certain small
boy of my acquaintance by handsomely
dressed ladies who are jxalite to him. To
the inviting table, where there should lie
always something attractive, however sim
ple the meal may be, most children will
come prepared to liehave properly. At
this table the mother will not take her seat
with disordered hair and soiled collar,
remarking, with the air of a martyr, that
it is the first time she has sat down 10-day.
The head of the house, if the dinner is not
exactly to his mind, will not resent it as a
personal affront. It really is worth while,
and when philosophically considered is a
matter of great importance, to lay aside as
far as possible all thoughts of the hard
work done before aud to lie done after a
meal, and to allow no vexatious questions
to be discussed at this time. The habit of
brooding over our work and exhausting
ourselves by going it all over in our minds
is one to be studiously avoided. There is
nothing which takes from one's energy
more than this, and it is a frequent cause
of insanity. Everybody knows that food
digests latter when eaten in agreeable
company. It was something more than a
pleasantry which made a friend remark,
that lie could not have his wife and child
pass the sunmier vacation away from him,
as it gave him dyspepsia. The poor child
who comes to grief at the table, and is
sent away from it with his dinner half
eaten, and who suffers the whole afternoon
witii an undigested lump of food iu his
stomach, is to be pitied, and it is a wise
plan to explain to children, that in this
way they will be punished for bad conduct
at the table. It follows, then, that pleasant
surprises in the way of preparing favorite
dishes, that good taste, too much pains
taking in arranging all the appointments of
the table ami dining-room, rise above a
mere ministering to the animal existence,
and affect the finer issues of life. Good
behavior and cheerfulness ought to accom
pany each meal as naturally and unvary
ingly ms bread anil butter. The happy
laughter which distributes nervous force,
and calls the blood from the brain, allow
ing the stoiuaeh to get its share, should he
heard more frequently at our tables. No
one should feel at liberty to say one word
which is not at least kind and thoughtful,
any more than he would withhold a suffi
cient quantity of food. These facts need
more careful consideration than they have
usualy received.
LoihlOM Fokm.
The dense fogs which so frequently con
vert Lmdou day into night, while the sur
rounding country is bright with sunshine,
are commonly attributed to the smoky coal
which London burns; anil it has been pro
posed to import Pennsylvania anthracite as
a remedy. Doubtless smoke lihs soinethiug
to do with the density aud blackness of
London fogs; but we very much doubt the
possibility of largely dispelling them by any
change of fuel. It is, we believe, not so
much the smoke of London fires as the
great volume of water vapor which they
produce that serves as the primary cause
of the fogs. A necessary product of com
bustion is water, and the millions or more
fires of London must scud into the air of
the city enormous volumes of heat vapor in
addition to the steam of boiling water inci
dent to cooking, manufacturing, and simi
lar operations. While the atmosphere of
Lanion is thus being kept at the point of
saturation, the manner in which the city is
laid out prevents any free passage of wind
to sweep away the super-abundant mois
ture. Ijondou is made up of a congeries of
towns scattered over a hundred square
miles or more of area, each with its pecu
liar net-work of streets aud roads, and all
grown together into such a snarl of passa
ges, all short and nearly all crooked, that
a hurricane would be confused and lost in
an attempt to pass through the city. No
other large city in the world liears any
comparison with London iu tliis respect.
All other large cities have long thorough
fares through which the wind can sweep
their entire length or breadth. In most
cities such avenues are not only loug aud
oroad but measurably straight. The near
est approach to such a thoroughfare in Lon
don begins at Shepherd's Bush anil runs
along the Uxbridge road, down Oxford
street to llolbert Viaduct. This allo.vs
the west winds to penetrate to very
heart of the metropolis, and it is a fact well
established by observation that this route
is singularly free from fogs. The native
Londoner is apt to deride the chess-board
plan of most American and many Europe
an cities, with streets crossing each other
at right angles and running in monotonous
straight lines, mile after mile. This plan
may not lend itself so readily to architect
ural effects as the short and tangled streets
of London, but its sanitiry and commercial
advantages are beyond question. It may
he that alter all is said and done London
may have to choose between enduring an
almost ever-present fog or the breaking up
of its beloved labyrinths by cutting broad
anil straight avenues, in various directions,
across the length ami breadth of the city.
Tlie Rose of Sliarou.
The so-called Rose of Sharon is one of
the most exquisite flowers in shape and
hue. Its blossoms are bell-shaped, and of
many mingled hues ana dyes. But Its his
tory is legendary and romantic in the high
est degree. In the East, throughout
Syria, Judea and Arabia, it is regarded
with the profoundest reverence. The
leaves that encircle the round blossoms
dry and close together when the season of
blossoms is over, and the stalk, withering
completely away from the stem, the flow
er is "blown away at last from the stem on
which it grew, having dried in theshapecx
ball,to which is carried away by the breeze
a great distances. In this way it is liorae
over the wastes and sandy deserts, unti/
at last, touching some moist place, L
clings to the soil, where it immediately
takes fresh root and springs to life and
beauty again.
Great Htorm In tlieHua.
Observers of the sun found indications of
intense commotion on the 11th, 12th and
13th of August. The sun spots were nu
merous, large and active, and protuber
ances shot up their rose-colored tongues
with increased force and velocity from the
surface. The earth made instantaneous re
sponse to the solar storm. A magnetic
disturbance suddenly commenced, accom
panied by an unusual exhibition of earth
currents continuous and strong. It is year 9
since the Greenwich observatory has re
corded magnetic disturbances of equal mag
nitude, aud it sends forth a timely warning
to telegraph engineers, and especially to
those concerned in the laying of submarine
cables, that earth currents may now become
frequent as compared with the quietness of
recent years. A superb exhibition of auro
ra accompanied the magnetic disturbance.
An observer ai the titoneyhurst Observa
tory (lescrilK-s it us recalling the magnifi
cent displays of 18<;, '7O and'7l, while the
play of ihe magnets was one of the most
violent ever recorded at that observatory.
The auroral display was extensively ob
served iu England and Scotland. One ob
server describes it as an ontburst of stream
ers, appearing like wavy, swaying curtains
from the zenith to the near horizon, with
the loveliest green tints near the zenith;
another writes that the streaks extended
from horizon to zenith, the color being
principally pale blue with a reddish tinge;
another paints the display as a brilliant
baud of white light followed by streamers,
each streamer fading away before the suc
ceeding one became very bright, and still
another records a glowing celestial picture
rtf the northern horizon skirted by a bright
wliite haze, terminating in an ill-defined
arch, from which sprang a large number of
broad streamers, stretching toward the
zeuiih. The same phenomenon was seen
by American observers, although it did not
receive the atteution bestowed upon it by
Eurojieau observers. It is evident, how
ever, that the epoch of grand auroras and
magnetic storms hus returned, and that our
northern skies for months to come will
probably be lighted with auroral flames.
More earnestly than ever arises the ques
tion of the cause of the sun spot cycle aud
its intimate connectien with electric and
magnetic phenomena. No one doubts that
the commotion in the solar orb is reflected
on the earth in the flashes of auroral light
and the erratic movements of the magnetic
needle. We can see the cause and note the
effect. Hut no one, if the theory of the
distributing influence of the great planets
is rejected, has found the clew to the se
cret of sun spots. We can only grope in
darkness while we wait for persistent
searchers to solve the problem, and admire
with mingled reverence and awe the migh
ty power with which the sun sways his re
tinue of worlds, and the strength of the
sympathetic chord by which each planet in
the system reflects in auroral iight and dis
turbed magnetism the abnormal condition
of the great central orb.
A New Tiling in Optic*.
Frofessor Merrill has long been of tb
opinion that the telescope is a clumsy
method of supplying the deficiency of eye
power, and some months ago he undertook
to ascertain if there was any way by which
we could be Hble to dispense with artificial
lenses. It is a well ascertained fact that
persons who are near-sighted, or in other
words, can see only such objects as are
near to them, have the ball of the eye
globular and protuberant, while those
whose vision enables them to see objects at
a long distance from them have the eye
flattened and sunken. The obvious ex
planation of the fact is the theory that
when the eye is flattened, the lenses are
compressed, and thus focal distance is in
creased, while the opposite effect follows
the too great rotundity of the eye. Acting
iu accordance with this theory, he
conceived the plan of increasing the power
of the eye, not by using artificial glass
lenses, but by improving Ibe natural
lensi s. He designed an instrument, con
sisting >f two small metalic disks, each
pierced with an exceedingly small hole,
and connected by a ligbt steel band. These
disks are to be placed one directly over
the eentreof each eye, while the steel band
passing iround the head, holds them in
place. This band is so made that it can
be shortened or lengthened by turning a
thumbscrew, aud of course, just iu propor
tion as it io shortened the disks piress against
the eyes aud flatten them. The inventor
tried his instrument upon himself before
exhibiting it to anyone. He found that
when the disks were put iu position and
the screw was gradually turned his power
of seeing distant objects steadily increased.
A very slight increase of pressure on the
eyes gave a very marked increase of vis
ual power. He made experiments both by
day and night, aud in every case with
marked success. He found that in the
daytime he could read the Times at a dis
tance of twenty rods by giving the screw
two complete turns, and at night he could
perceive the moons of Jupiter and the ring
of Saturn with six turns of the screw. Up
to this point, the operation of the instru
ment was quite painless, but any attempt
to give greater eye-power was attended
with a sharp pain iuthe eyes and a dazzling
light, which rendered all objects invisible.
Professor Merrill has calculated, however,
that six turns of the thumbscrew
give his eyes a power equal to that of a
refracting telescope of forty-two loet focal
distance, and that, in fact, there is no tel
escope in existence which has anything
like the power of his eyes when they have
been properly adjusted by the help of his
new instrument.
Sir!"
A gentleman residing in the suburbs o
Detroit, tindiug that his otherwise well-or
dered household was without that indis
pensable article of modern civilization
known as a lemon-squeezer, and having
tried for several days in vain to think to
bring one out with him from town, finally
his man to remind him of it on
the following morning before his departure
for the city. Standing on the coor-step
after breakfast the next day, and just as
he was about to bid bis wife his usual af
fectionate farewell, he heard, in stentorian
tones from the region of the stable the
words, "Squeezer, sir!" The lady was
startled, and it was well for tne faithful
domestic that his employer had only just
time euough to catch the train ; but there
4 now a lemon-squeezer of the latest pat
tern in the house.
A WAG got hold of an editor's whisky
bottle and labelled it, "To be contin
ued in our necks,"
Mkrriagi* In Poland.
In Poland it seems, it is not the would
l>e bride groom who proposes to his lady
love, but a friend. The two go tegeiher
to the young girl's house, carrying with
them a loaf of bread, a bottle of brandy
and a new pocket-handkerchief. When
they are shown into the "best" room the
friend asks for a wine-glass. If this is
procured at once, it is a good sign ; if not,
they take their leave without another word,
as they understand their proposal will not
be accepte d. Suppose, however, that the
friend drinks to the father's and mother's
health, and then asks where their daughter
is, upon which the mother goes to fetch
her. When she comes into the room the
friend (always the friend) offers her the
glass filled with brandy, if she puts it to
her lips she is willing, and then the pro
posal is made at once. But it is the fash
ion to refuse it several times before finally
accepting. Then the friend takes out the
uew handkerchief and ties the young peo
ple's hands together with it, after which
it is tied around the young girl's head, and
she wears it as a sign of betrothal until her
wedding-day, which is very soon after
wards, as 011 the Sunday following the pro
posal the hanns are published. On the
wedding-day all the bridesmen and brides
maids go round to the friends and acquain
tances of the two families and invite tbeiu
to the wedding. At each house they must
dance a Cracovian. (Let us hope that the
dance is a short one, lor the sake of their
feel and breath.) During this the bride is
being dressed by other youug friends of
bers, whilst young men sing virtuous
strophes to hi r When all the gue.-ts are
assembled the bil le kneels for her parents'
blessing, and then she is placed in a carri
age with ber betrothed and friend. Upon
returning home bread and salt are present
ed to the young couple, aud wheat is thrown
over their heads. This wheat is picked up
and afterward sown ; if it Ixars good fruit
the young couple will be prosperous.
Dancing, singing aud feasting are kept up
till morning, when the young couple are
accompanied to their room. But before
then the bride's hair has to be cat off, and
sue is coiffcc with the matron's cap. This
custom is terrible, but it has to be com
plied with. The wedding festivities are
kept up for seven days aud seven nights
without interruption, after which the wed
ding visits begins, commencing with the old
est proprietor or lord of the neighborhood.
Once upon a time this visit was paid on
the wedding-day, but now it is delayed
until after the last wedding reel has ceased.
It is better thus.
Tiller Hunting.
In 1831, in the month of April, when
encamped at Sirpur, the villagers gave
Out nun information of a tiger that had been
marked down in the thorny jangal to the
north of the village. This part of the
country was plain, and 'here was no hill or
ravine near. Outram started on foot, spear
in hand, a follower carrying a rifle, and
some six others bows and arrows. The
tiger broke ground on their approach.
oin ram followed him on foot three
miles, and eventually speared him to
death. This act, it is affirmed, lias never
been equaled before or since in Kandesh.
On another occasion he stood spear in hand,
like a gladiator in the arena of a Roman
amphitheatre ready for the throwing open
of the wild beast s cage. The bushes were
set on tire, and the tiger, by no means
relishing the smoke, oame, puffing and
blowing like a porpoise, every five or six
seconds, to get a little fresh air, but, scent
ing the elepiiaut, he was always fain to re
treat again. This sort of work went on for
some lime, and bush after bush blazed
away without producing the desired effect.
1 could not have stood the suspense when
life was at stake. At last tiiere was a low,
angry growl, and a scuffltug rjstle in the
passage. The tiger spraiig out, and down
descended the long lance into his neck,
just behind the dexter ear. With one
stroke of his powerful paw he smashed the
spear close to the head. This was a pretty
business. Mr. Tiger one step below, with
the steel sticking in his neck, which by no
means improved his temper, had gathered
his huge hindquarters below him for a des
perate spring, and my friend, armed after
the fasluon of the South Sea Islanders,
standing on a little mound, breathing defi
ance and brandishing hi 6 bamboo on high.
Eventually the tiger was shot by one of the
party. Outram had some narrow escapes.
Unco, while pursuing a tiger on foot, his
companion being on horseback, the animal
charged, seized Outram, and rolled down
the hill with him. lleing released from
the claws of the ferocious beast for a mo
ment, Outram, with great presence of
mind, drew a pistol he had with him, and
shot the tiger dead. The Bhils, on seeing
that he had been injured, were one and all
loud in their grief and expressions of re
gret ; but Outram quieted them with the
remark: 4, What do 1 care for the clawing
of a cat!" This speech was rife among
the Bhils for mauy years afterward, and
may be so until this day.
Marriage In the Celestial Empire.
Thirty pairs of embroidered slippers are
necessary for the trousseau of a Chinese
lady of position, and her boudoir is cram
med with confectionery, and fruits, burnt
almonds, barley sugar, syrup of aloefw
oranges, ginger, and shaddocks, in confu
sion with rich silks, jewels of wrought
gold aud precious stones, rings, bracelets,
cases of nails, bodkins for the hair, and a
thousand other charming nick-nacks. In
this strange country a young girl when she
marries never has a dowry. She is literally
purchased either by the husband himself
or by hie relations. Although she may
have no brothers, she cannot inherit any
portiofl of her paternal fortune unless her
father makes an express declaration in her
favor. Such arrangements are always com
pleted before the marriage, and are usually
negotiated by agents, called, "Me jin. M
The young fiance is next presented to her
husbands's parents. The husband himself
she never sees until the wedding day, when
she is carried in a closed chair to the houiu.
The key of the chair is handed to the
bridegroom, who opens the door, aud if the
lady within pleases his taste he holds out
his hand to her; if not, he slams the door,
and the engagement is at an end, the girl's
parents having the right to retain the pur
chase money.
"WELL, Pat, Jim didn't quite kill you
with the brickbat,did he?" "No; but
I wish he had. "Why so?" "So that I
couid have seen him hung, the vil
lain !"
NO. 51.