Demorralic atc Bellefonte, Pa., January 17, 1890. CHOOSE YOUR FRIEND WISELY. Choose your friend wisely, Test your friend well; True friends, like rarest gems, . Prove hard to tell. Winter him, summer him, Know your friend well. Oft bosom companions Are dangerous things; Ritling your honey, But leaving their stings Creeping and crawling, Like bees without wings. Leave not your secrets At every man’s door; High tides will shift them, Like sands on the shore— Sift them and shift them, No higher, no lower. Take advice charity; Many a man Dates back his ruin To change of his plan. Choose your friend wisely, And well, if you can. THE LIFTED CLOUD. “Rosa, darling, are you quite happy? If I ever cause you a moment's unhap- piness may I wear horns forever, like my fiendish prompter. Father and mother dote upon you; won't you try to love them, pet?” Thus spoke a young and handsome busband to his beautiful bride during their honeymoon, while on a visit to his parents. The youthful Rosa folded her hands meekly over her bosom and answered solemnly : “Wilbur, thy peorle shall be my people.” So far good, but soon misunderstand- ings and heartaches, arising from con- flicting tastes and habits, overshadow- ed their little romance. The happy couple became tired of visiting and, disgusted with boarding, then they went to housekeeping, and, having ample means, furnizhed their house in elegant style. Rosa was sat- isfied, but thought that one more pic- ture was needed to fill a certain vacan- cy on the parlor wall, and whenever she expressed a particular wish for anything Wilbur, lover like, was quick to gratify it. One day she was sur- prised and delighted to find that he had placed one there. She was a woman of cultivated tastes, and was really shocked upon examining. it more closely. It was a representation of the death of Washington—the mourning family with different expressions of grief upon their countenances were grouped around the dying hero, color ed servant black as night, peep- ed from behind the drapery of the bed, while above hovered the goddess of liberty with a sorrowful, half averted face. It was painted in glowing colors in most execrable taste. Rosa turned away in dismay, and met the smiling eyes of her husband, who had entered unperceived. “What do you think of it, dear?” he pleasantly inquired. “Tt is the most horrible daub I ever saw,’’ she replied, scornfully. “Daub, Rosa ? The painting is some- what faulty, I admit, but the design is fine, is it not? Observe the figure of Liberty mourning the loss of her cham- ion.” “Indeed,” said his wife, mischievous- “I can’t decide whether the god- ess is weeping over the dead general or over the intensely black negro, who appears to be wiping his nose upon the curtains. I suppose this is one of your jokes, Wilbur, but pray remove this unsightly blot immediately, lest some inopportune yisitor happen in and shame us.” “No, Rosa; I intend it shall remain,” he replied emphatically; “it is a very impressive picture.” “Very,” said she, sarcastically, “nothing can be more impressive than a death scene—itis especially sugges- tive for the walls of a parlor.” “Rosa!” “Wilbur!” “You are a fool,” he exclaimed, with rising anger. “Then I'm not a suitable wife for a gentleman of discriminating tastes and politeness,” she retorted with bitter- ness. Then she rushed to her own room, threw herself upon a chair, flung her arms half across the table and burst into a storm of hysterical sobs. All their little variances rose to her mind; how very singular that Wilbur should admire this odious picture; she had often heard his judicious comments upon various works of art ; never before had she known him to be so deficient in judgment. Surely there must be some hidden motive tor such conduct. What could it be? The longer she entertained this idea the more convine- ed she became that there was a mys- tery attached to it, and a feeling of jealousy was aroused in her heart. While indulging in the luxury of this good cry a lady friend called and she was obliged to calm herself sufficiently to receive her. “Dear Mrs. Plant,” she exclaimed, piteously, “I am very unbappy; Wil bur has called me a fool—and I—I thought that the first year of married life was always the happiest.” “Not always, dear Rosa; it takes years to learn the ins and outs of each others’ character, as well as to assimi- late in habits and tastes, but don’t be disconsolate ; love has as many lives as the proverbial cat.” “You can joke, Mrs. Plant, but I feel my heart is breaking.” “Well—well, dear, one of the most insupportable pangs that can afflict the sensitive heart, disenchanting forever the bright illusions of life, is the first doubt of the idol of our affections,” re- plied her friend, laughing; “but seri- ously, Rosa, I am a veteran and have passed through many a slight skirmish. Come, cheer up ; your heart is tender, but not past mending. You must go home with me over the river; I dare say that wate husband of yours has already eaten his way through a whole bill of fare. Depend upon it, if he starves his love for a while, he will not starve his stomach. Rosa accompanied Mrs. Plant to her handsome home, leaving word for her husband that she would return the next day. While crossing the ferry her friend, noticing her sadness, sought to divert her thoughts from that dreadful epithet of “fool,” which she said was ringing in her ears continually. “Rosa,” she said pleasantly, “you must not allow trifles to worry you so. Men are fickle creatures at best. Let me tell you a secret; it may be helpful to yeu. “I was not my Charlie's first love; you look iccredulous, but he himself told me all about it—when in his 20th vear he took a faney to a pretty girl and visited her frequently, finding her more attractive and interesting upon each visit. “Of course it was impossible even to hint at a marriage just then, as he was only a clerk upon a very small salary indeed, but Charlie was a wise chap— he determined to wait patiently until he could ask her, especially as he fan- cied she would not say no. “One evening he invited her to ac- company him to the fair of the Ameri- can institute. I dare say she was pleased enough to promenade with a handsome fellow like Charlie, and they uttured a great deal of soft nonsense as they promenaded tozether through the immense hall.” Rosa smiled, and Mrs. Plant knew that the cloud was lifting. “You know how tis yourself,” she said, smiling in return. “At last,” she ‘contined, “the loving pair came to a confectioner’s stand, plentifully supplied with a tempting display of goods. “I know you are fond of candies,’ said Charlie. ‘Will you have some.’ “Thereupon she selected whatever suited her taste, and as he took out his pocketbrook to pay for them the con- fectioner remarked that the package being rather bulky he had made two of it. “You can carry this one, miss,’ he said, handing her quite a large bundle, ‘and here is another for your young man. Three dollars. I hope they’ll please the lady, and that you'll call again.’ Rosa now laughed heartily and her friend joined in her mirth. “Three doilars worth of candy! Had he heard aright? Fifty cents or even $1 was quite enough to spare. Why, all he had in the world was a $5 greenback, snugly stowed away for the purchase of a new vest which he very much needed. “Nevertheless, there was no heip for it; he must do without it now, and saying never a word he handed over the money with a sigh. “Now, Rosa, haven't I reason to bless that young woman for her inor- dinate liking for candy? Charlie was disenchanted then and there—a girl that could eat her way through a $3 package of sugar was altogether too sweet for him, and altogether too ex- travagant for a poor man—for she was well aware that he couldn't afford it, but was too selfish or thoughtless to care. “Charlie didn’t visit her again, neith- er did he die of disappointment, but lived to become a wealthy man, abund- antly able to give his second love all the candy she wishes for—so you per- ceive, Rosa, that a woman must not fancy that there never was, nor never will be another woman in the world so attractive as herself, but she must strive to keep her husband’s love if she values it.” “Thank you for telling me this se- cret. Wilbur shall not be disenchant- ed if I can help it,” said Rosa, “even if he did call me a fool.” So, gaining courage, she tried to banish unpleasant thoughts and cool her anger by strolling around her friend’s beautiful grounds, wondering if he would follow her, or wait until the next day. Suddenly she saw her husband ap- proaching, He looked as pleasant as it a little bird had sung in his ear. She felt as awkward and nervous as a mouse cornered by a cat; but she smiled, and discreetly remained silent. “Rosa, forgive me,” her said, softly. Three little words, full of hope and meaning. In the first bitterness of her resentment she had thought that she never could forgive, but womanlike, at the first word of tenderness, the bar- riefs of pride gave way, and she threw herself into his outstretched arms and sobbed out : “Dear Wilbur, you too have much to forgive. Oh, why did you marry me?’ “Because I loved you, but not half as well as now ; let me explain my unpar- donable rudeness : “IT had a dearly loved brother, younger than myself, who early de- veloped a genius for painting and drawing in oil; but alas! he was a confirmed consumptive. “He devoted the failing energies of his own life to the picture that you so unmercifully ridiculed; it is to me a sacred memento, hallowed by a thous and associations ; can you blame me it I could not bear to hear it criticised in terms of levity and disgust ? I thought you were very heartless, Rosa.” before ?”” she inquired. “My remarks must have seemed cutting and cruel. My dear fellow, I have a keen percep- tion of the rediculous, and my risibili- ties areeasily excited, but I sincerely hope that I am not malicious. Will vou forgive me, Wilbur, and show that’ you do, by allowing the picture to re- main where you placed it? I dare say that I have dozens of faults, but I hope time will correct them all—perhaps I shall be perfect some day, but I fear it won't be till I have wings.” “Rosa, we must bear and forbear, You must try to bring out my best points ; you will doubtless have a try- ing time of it, but remember what the immortal poet says, and he is authori- ty: “Nothing lovelier can be found In woman, than to study household good, And good works in her husband to promota.” —J. 8. in New York News. j Some years ago. “Oh, why didn’t you tell me of this | | tle nook screened in palms, and were filled the air. Astounded the Dowager. An American Girl in St Petersburg Asserts Her Independence. The following is a narrative of an in- cident which occurred 1n St. Petersburg The American lady concerned is the daughter of a promi- nent public benefactor, has for years been a social leader in Washington, is the wife of a leading Republican states- man, and would be recognized instans- ly if her name might be mentioned. The half dozen initiates will remember the incident now published by the Post A grand reception was in progress at the palace of a high Russian dignitary. Members of the Cabinet, Generals of the Army, Grand Dukes, the nobility of the Empire and the Diplomatic Corps were present. It was a notable affair. Four young ladies—three Russian and one American--had gathered into a lit- discussing in French the dowdy appear- ance of a high court lady. Some eaves- dropper caught their remarks and bore them to the criticised lady. She in turn indignantly reported the conversa- tion to a noble duchess, who held the peculiar office of ‘‘mistress of etiquette.” She retired to a private room and had the four culprits summened before her. They appeared, the Russian girls in fear and trembling, the American calm and self-possessed. “Young ladies,’ said she, ‘you have been commenting discourteously upon the personal appearance of Lady ; You have committed a grave breach of etiquette, and it is my duty as court mistress of etiquette to punish you. Olga, your slipper.” The trembling Olga took off her slip- per, and meekly received a sound pun- 1shment of the sort confined in America exclusively to the nursery. “Katia, it is your turn. Give me your slipper!” said the inexorable du- enna, as the weeping Olga arose from her castigation. Katia took her gruel with audible lamentations, and Tania foliowed the suffering Katia. All the while the American girl watched and waited. The indignities thrust upon her companions roused the Hail Columbia in her. Her eyes flash- ed ard her little fists clenched with ex- citement. “It is your turn now,” said the mis- tress cf etiquette to the fair American; ¢your slipper, please.” Columbia’s blood was up. There was fighting stock back of her for genera- tions. She removed her shpper and drew near, but she held the slipper by the toe. At proper range sheswung the missile and struck the old lady in the mouth a fearful clip. Then she sailed in. Laces, feathers and furbelows flew. Finger nails fetched blood. Gray hair and the St. Petersburg fashions of 1863 The screams of the thoroughly fright- ened mistress of etiquette brought a crowd. The door was battered down. The three Russian girls were screaming in their respeetive corners. The old lady was hors du combat, and a fiery-eyed Goddess of Liberty stood in the centre of the room waving a tuft of gray hair in one hand and a jeweled hair dagger, with which she had been trying to stab the Russian in the other. The mistress of etiquette fairly screamed with,impotent rage, showered maledictions in broken French, German and Russian upon her conqueror, and demanded that the most condign pun- ishment be meted out to her. The mat- ter was carried to the Czar. Nicholas made a pretense of punishing the young lady by issuing some order against her appearing at any ball for a certain pe- od, but the old liberator was immense- ly tickled. Heshowered the most embar- rassing presents upon the American— beautiful’ slippers of every kind and description, silver slippers and gold slip- pers, and finally wound up by sending her a hair dagger set with diamonds.— Washington Post. Just Missed a Fortune. A Story That Recalls the Gigantic Operations of the Days of Oil. Quincy Robinson related an incident of the early history ot the oil regions re- cently which may giv= the children of the present generation a vague idea of the magnitude of the transactions which took place when oil was $8and $9 a barrel, and poor people gained a com- petency by scooping it off the surface of creeks or gathered it from pools arouni the tanks which had overflowed. The story as told by Mr. Robinson was as follows : “Within a mouth after Colonel Drake had struck the first petroleum ever brought to the surface in America by means of drilling, my father and the father of my relatives here bought a tract of land comprising 1,280 acres, adjoining the farm on which the Drake well was located, for $356,000. Not long afterwards I was sitting in their office one day—I remember it as dis- tinctly as though it happened only yes- terday—when an’ agent for an eastern syndicate walked in and offered $500,000 for the 1,280 acres. The owners looked at him rather incredulously for a moment, but before they could speak he counted out on the table $500,000 in cash and drafts, which he offered for a deed of the tract. I was appalled] by thesight of the pile, but my father and one these gentlemen ratired for consultation, of and decided that if the property was worth $500,000 it was worth $1,000,000, and the offer was refused. Their heirs still own the land and now itis valued at about $20,000. Where they could have got dollars we could scarcely get nickels. Thus you can see what seem- ingly fairy stories could be told of those days. They are almost incomprehensible to the present generation, but they were real facts.”” And asigh of regret that the offer had not been accepted went around the circle.—Pittsburg Dispatch. BeAN Sour.—Soak one quart dried white beans oves night. In the morn- ing drain, add two quarts of water; when it boils pour the water oft and add two quarts of fresh boiling water and also about a quarter of a teaspoonful of soda. Boil till the beans are very soft, then press them through a sieve and re- turn to kettle : add salt and pepper to taste and a cup of cream, or a cup of milk and a bit of butter. If it is still too thick, thin it a litle with water. Serve with slice of toasted bread. Spirit of the Grange. . Mr. Geo. R. Tate, member of the Ex- ecutive Committee, Illinois State Grange, favors the Prairie Farmer with a letter on the “Spirit of the Grange,” as fol- lows: ; We believe that the great difference of opinion among farmers on the public questions is sufficient evidence that they are not properly united in support of their own interests; that a develop- ment of all the agencies which tend to advence the interests ot the common people should constitute the chief efforts of all true Patrons of Husbandry; that a closer union among the agricultural classes is necessary; that the practice of dealing in “futures,” whether in corn, cotton, wheat, pork or any other farm prodnet, is iniquitous gambling, tend- ing to establish the price of farm pro- ducts regardless of the law of supply and demand and should be punished as a crime; that the laboring classes are bear- ing unjust burdens, forced upon them by corrupt and unreliable political leaders ; that the stability of free government and the interests of the laboring classes de- mand that the office should seek the man, rather than the man the office; thatthe electing of incompetent persons to office as a reward for party service is retarding progress, oppressing labor and weakening the stability of our free insti- tutions; that speculators and money sharks are attempting to control and dictate the policy of our government; that the money powers have secured leg- islation to make our property low and theirs high, by contracting the currency when it Was no more than adequate to the business demands of the country,and have imposed unjust burdens upon the producing classes by legislating the cur- rency into interest-bearing bonds, and relieving the bond holder of his share of taxation. Believing as we do, that in righting the enumerated wrongs we will be ad- vancing the interests of our fellow men, we call upon all farmers’ organizations, and upon individnal farmers, to unite with us in securing our rights as Ameri- can citizens. Disappointed. The true artist has an instinct for per- fection, and as a necessary consequence is never fully satisfied with his own work. Sometimes, however, he cores nearer to satisfying himself than to meeting the taste of his patrons, especi- ally if he is a painter of portraits. A New York artist, who was in Charleston on a pleasure trip, painted the portrait of a little darky. She was encouraged to sit patiently by having seen a beautiful picture which the same artist had made of the fair haired daugh- ter of one of the proudest houses in Charleston, in whose service the young darky’s mother was laundress. Patiently she posed, and when the portrait was completed the artist brought 1t round to show it to its original. “Here you are, Janey,’ he said. Janey looked at her counterfeit pre- sentiment and burst into shrieks and howls. She ran from the room to pour her sorrows into sympathizing ears. “0 Missey Grace!” she cried, ““Missey Grace, I never tink he would mek me look so! TI didn’t tink Mr. Waller would do me so! He tek and mek me a orful little notty headed nigger, an I tought I was jes’ a-goin’ to be a beauti- ful little yaller headed gal, with blue eyes and a white face, jes’ like Missey Gertrude !"’— Boston Herald. Household Hints. It is not safe to use rubbers on fruit cans after they are stretched out and yel- low. A scrubbing brush, warm soap suds and plenty of elbow grease will do won- ders on an old dingy oilcloth. If windows are wiped off once a week on the inside with a slightly dampened cloth it will save washing so often. If you have a suspicion of moths in your carpets, scrub your floor with hot water and salt before relaying them, and sweep salt over the carpet once or twice during the month. Silk thread is soaked in acetate oflead to increase its weight, and persons who pass it through the mouth in threading needles, and then bite it off with the teeth, have suffered from lead poisoning. ‘When trying to thread a sewing ma- chine at twilight or in any imperfect light, place a bit of white cloth or paper back of the needle eye. By this methed the eye can be found and filled much easier. Where a house is afflicted with chim- neys that smoke, it should be borne in mind that the best preventive to the nuisance is to open the windows of the room ten minutes before the fire is lit, and not simultaneously with the light- ing, as is generally done. To properly sharpen a carving knife the carver ought to be held at an angle of twenty to twenty-five degrees on the steel. "When the other side of the blade is turned, you must be careful to per- serve the same angle. Then draw the steel from heel to point against thr edge, using only a slight pressure. The squeaking of shoes is due to the rubbing of the upper upon the under sole. This is prevented by putting soap- stone powder between the two thickness- es of leather, which acts as a sort of lub- ricator. A shoe which has squeaked can be cured by the dealer or a cobbler simply ripping the soles apart, put- ting in soapstone, and sewing or peg- ging the leather together again. Manners of Men. The tallest man in the crowd is sure to stand in front. How much more agreeable the man who wants to sell than the man who wants to buy ‘When a man succeeds in overcoming his disposition to talk too much he writes too much. Tie mischief of itis that, though traveling takes the conceit out of a man, coming back puts more in. The trouble with your pretty man is that he is too ‘pretty to be useful and not, pretty enough to be ornamental, When a man has done a good thing he sits down to rest, but when has done a bad thing he loses no time in doing another: ————— ——A young man whose girl went back on him says that he suffers from | heart failure. EE CE I SSE STRUT How To Bathe In Winter. Some Valuable Hints from a Plysician on an Important Subject. “I will tell you how to get a Russian steam bath at home that will be nearly as satisfactory as if you paid one dollar for it at hammam,” said the physician. “Just have a big firebrick heated red bot in the kitcheu range and place. it upon an iron stool or some such thing Then stand a chair over the stool. Sit down on the chair and have a four leaved screen put ayound you, with a blanket thrown over thetop. Thus vou will find yourself in a sort of closet, and, having been previously provided with a jug of hot water, you amuse | yourself by pouring it very slowly over the hot brick. The water, transformed immediately into steam, fills the inclosed space and at once induces violent per- spiration.” : = “It would take more than one dollar to induce me to go through such =a self inflicted ordeal,” remarked The Star reporter. “A cold bath is good | enough for me.” ! “Do you mean cold air or cold water?” “Why, cold water of course; I never heard of such a thing as a cold air bath.” “Cold air baths are excellent, never | theless, and I strongly recommend them as a tonic tor persons who are not strong enough to indulge in cold water. In taking one the bather should open a bedroom window wide—upon rising in the morning is the proper time—and stand in the cold air perfectly nude, meanwhile rubbing the limbs and body vigorously with a dry towel. There is no danger of catching cold, even when the thermometer is down to zero out- side, for the reason that the sensitive pores of the skin contract under the ex- posure so as to make it a first rate pro- tect’on. “As for cold water baths, I deem them excellent for people of atundant vitality, but the trouble is that very many who take them are not strong enough to endure their effects. Nobody who is the least del‘cate in health should ever touch cold water for bathing pur- poses. In the case of a robust individ- ual, the blood driven from the surface of the body by cold water comes quick- ly rushing back again under the minis- tiations of a brisk rub and a delightful glow is felt. But a weakly person, whose vital organs are not sufficiently vigorous to send the blood swiftly back to the superficial blood vessels, fails to experience the health betok ening ‘reac- tion’ and is very apt to feel a faintness instead. However, there are mild ways of taking cold water baths which do very well in winter, as well as summer, for those who are only moderately vigorous.’ : “Such as what,doctor ?” “The mildest process is simply to dip a towel in cold water and wet only one portion of the body at a time, taking the arts successively—first an arm, then a eg, and so on until the ablution is com- pleted, each part being rubbed dry before the next is moistened. -In this way shock is avoided. For a reasonably strong person the best plan is to use a towel sopped in cold water in ordinary faskion, with a thorough rubbing, of course, to follow. But do not indulge in any of this nonsense in. the way of harsh tcwels and flesh brushes, which merely serve to get up a local irritation : soft towels are much better to rub. A gentler method of cold bathing than the plunge, and a very good one, is to stand up in the tub and squeeze a sponge over your head ; a disadvantage of this plan is that it is rather too shivery to be comfortable. The kind of bath I usu- ally advise, unless the patient is weakly, consists in going over the entire body, after getting up each morning, with a towel wrung out in cold water as quick- ly as possible, the dry rub following. In rubbing after a bath the attention should be given alinost wholly to the limbs; the body circulation is active enough to take care of itself.” “How about hot baths ?”’ “Hot baths should not be too hot, and they should not be stayed in long, else the effect will be to partially paralyze the little blood vessels that form a network all over the body beneath the skin, thus disordering the circulation. You can see this effect for yourself by observ- ing how quickly the fingers become wrinkled at the extremities when held in hot water, the blood leaving the sur- face. The best time to take warm baths is at night, and two a week are plenty for the purpose of cleanliness. Bathing is frequently overdone by people who are over rice about their persons. Tur- kish baths should not be taken on cold days, unless the bather is very remarka- bly robust, and never more than once a week. Tam not in favor of too much bathing.’’- - Washington Star, A Libel on Lawyerf. This brings to my mind another an- ecdote relating to a fee. A young man visits the office of an attorney and gives bim a claim of $106 to collect. “Your name ?” asks the disciple of Blackstone. “Ehjah Simpson is the reply. “Not the son of my old friend Lige Simpson ? Yes? Well, youdon’t know how glad I am to meet my old friend’s son. Give me your hand,” and he wrings the young man’s hand with the utmost effusion, adding, “I hope you will come in and see me often. It will be a treat for me, I assure you, to have an opportunity of conversing with you about your father.” A week later young Elijah calls again. The lawyer rushes forward to greet him, seizes both his hands] and shakes them, repeating his good wishes over and over, and expressing his great pleasure at having had; it in his power to serve Lige’s son. “Then you have the money for me ?"’ suggests Simpson. “Certainiy, certainly. Here it is,” and he hands an envelope carefully sealed to the young fellow, who tears it open and finds five $5 bills. “Where's the rest?’ asks Elijah. | “Oh my fee is $81,” is the reply. As Simpson edges toward the door he | says to his father’s friend : “I guess I'm | lucky to get $25. I'm awfully glad you | didn’t know my grandfather.” | | world is in Schladenbach—5,784 feet. | It took a diamond drill three years and | a half to reach the bottom. All Sorts of Paragraphs. —A Chester woman dislocated her shoulder in making her bed. —Vienna’s death rate has increased 50 - per cent above normal in one week. —The New York Bible house since April 1 last has issued 725,000 volumes. —It requires 22 volumes to recister the diffierent cattle brands of Arizona. —A pear raised at Modesto, Cal, measured 8 inches high by 19 inches around. —New South Wales and Queznsland have erected 887 miles of rabbit-proof fences. —A letter containing $90,000 has been stolen in transit between Vienna and Pesth. : —The Baldwin Locomotive Works s expect this year to tarn out not less. than 1,000 locomotives. —A cat set a Greensburg house on fire by pulling from a table the cover and with it a lighted lamp. —A boothblack in Chicago managed to buy and distribute five turkeys among as many very poor families. —New York last year spent $17,000.- | 000 on her public schools, hiring 41,987 teachers to instruct 803,657 pupils. —The Baltimore Committee of One Hundred have fixed upon $1,000 as the full retail license fee for that city. ——At Tucamche, in Guatemala, the hoys in a school recently seized the mas- ter and hanged him in the schoolhouse. —In the wilds of the Sierras, near Kaweah river, Tulare county, Califor- nia, is a sequoia tree 176 feet in circum- ference. —1TIn 1888, nearly 3,000,000,000 bricks was manufactured in 12 cities of the United States. ~~ About 80,000,000 were made in Pittsburg. —A San Francisco family used a phonograph to cheer the mother’s ill- ness, and also to preserve the tones of her voice after death. —During the past year 315 divorces were obtained in Philadelphia. It is said the greater nnmber of them result- ed from Camden marriages. —The condition of a certain eat in Lamoine, Me., is literally at sixes and sevens. She has seven toes on her hind feet and six on her fore feet. —The police detectives of New York made 1,578 arrests last year, resulting in sentences aggregating 802 years. in worth of property was recov- ered. —A tree was recently cut on the land of J. E. Widdowson, in Banks town- ship, Indiana county, Pa., making 15 sawlogs, the largest of which scaled 3,600 feet. —A Salem, Ore., man sold a three- quarter short-hcrn cow to a Portland butcher last Wednesday. It weighed 1,680 pounds. The same farm owns a sheep that weighs 263 pounds. —Here is journalistic enterprize. A young man has started a newspaper on the Sioux reservation. There are no white people there yet, but they will have a newspaper when they do arrive. —In the stockyards at Kansas City a mule and a horse engaged a in kicking match, and the mule was outkicked. The attendants had to turn the hose on the combatants in order to separate them. —A telegraph message costing $2 37 a word was recently sent from Portland to Hong Kong,'and an answer received in 12 hours. It was first sent to New York, thence to London, across the é¢on- tinent to Yokohama. —Allentown hasa girl to be proud of. A few nights ago she ate 14 fried oysters, two pieces of bread, three pick- les, two pieces of red beets, two oranges, two apples, three bananas, two pieces of chocolate cake, a piece of fruit cake, a lot of cocoanut cake and some candy. —At Springfield, Mass., on Christmas Eve, a generous man, who refused to let his name be know, instructed the police to send “all the deserving poor’ in the citv to King’s market, where each would receive a turkey at his ex- pense. Two hundred turkeys were dis- tributed. —A Franklin editor happened to mention to a friend on Christmas Day that, among other things he really want- ed, was an extra pair of suspenders. Before the day was over half the stores in town had sold all the suspenders they had, and enough of those articles to last him for 150 years were in the possession of the editor. —A wily old fox gave about 200 huntsmen one of the best chases ever en- joved in Delaware county, Pa., Wed- nesday, and when satisfied with his run sly old Reynard crept into a hole and laughed at his pursuers. It was the oc- casion of the annual meeting of the Tipperary Club. —A large bald headed eagle is reported as one of the visistors at a recent flag- raising over’ a school house in Lubec, Me. The bird circled round the staff three times and then apparently satis- fied that everything was all right, flew towards the west, probably to attend more flag raisings. —The late Thomas Parker, of Wash- ington, became so attached to a cane, which he had carried for years, that he kept it in bed with him Quring his ill- ness, and before dying expressed a wish that the favorite stick be buried with him. His wish was carried out, the cane being put in the coffin. — An eccentric old German living in the town of Milwaukee recently went to the city and chartered a street car for his exclusive use. He rode all over the line and would not permit anybody to get in the car with him. At another time he attempted to charter a special train [to take him to his station some four or five miles north ofthe city. —Last week, at Beach City, O., a funeral sermon was preached over the remains of a remarkable lady. The de- ceased was Mrs. Catherine Brown, a widow. Her age was 93 years 9 months and 26 days. She made her burial robes, knit herself a pair of linen stock- ings for the occasion, gave full details for her burial and calmly awaited the messenger,