he Bea fan Bellefonte Pa.. February 17, 1905. EE ————— THE OLD SONGS. These ragtime songs they're singin’ now may be the proper thing, But they don’t hit me like the songs us youngsters used to sing. 1 never hear no ragtime songs, no matter where I roam, Kin make the heart strings quiver like “My Old Kentucky Home.’ “Lorena” was another song that all our heart strings wrung Around at social gatherin’s when us old folks WAS young. We'd “Wait Fer the Wagon” an’ we’d tell of “Nellie Gray,” An’ “Oh, Susannah,” ’d get her turn, an’ like- wise “Old Dog Tray ;” ’ An’ **Massa’s in the Cold, Cold Ground,” we'd sing that by the hour, Then feelin’ sad, we'd finish with “A Little Faded Flower.” Them were the songs that 'round our hearts the spell 0’ music flung, Them were the songs that people sang when us old folks was young. We knowed some operatic songs as well as these, b'gee ! “The Heart Bowed Down,” likewise its mate, “Then You'll Remember Me.’ An’ when we tired of opery and simpler things we'd try, An’ make the rafters fairly ring with ‘Comin’ Thro’ the Rye.” Oh, you kin have your ragtime songs; gimme the songs they sung Around at social gatherin’s ‘when us old folks was young. RAILROADING BY WATER. Last week the writer met an old-time railway friend in Kansas City, Mo., who resembled the ghost of a departed time, for he was believed to be dead for the past twenty-five years. I had heard that he was dead, and the last time I met him in a distant State he was ou a sharp curve at the foot of a long down grade, a springhanger gone, eccentric slipped, and no water in the tank. In rail- road parlance, he was a total wieck cut loose at both ends; or, in other words, he was being taken to the lock-up by two po- licemen while suffering with delirium tre- mens. So the reader can readily imagine my surprise on meeting him face to face at the Junction in Kansas City. He was ele- gantly dressed in tailor-made clothes, clean- ly shaven, the old lines of dissipation faded from his bandsome weather-beaten face, and reason shining from behind his bright, soulful eyes. Seeing how greatly I was surprised, he smilingly remarked: ‘You are only mistaken a little bis. I am ‘Robert Benjamin, general roadmaster of the P. D.& Q. Railway,’ and you are thinking of ‘Bob Benjamin, the old toper,’ who died in Lafayette, Indiana, a long time ago. Come up to the Centropolis and take dinner with we, and I will tell you all about my death and resarrection.’’ After dinner, he immediately led me to t0 his room, when I remarked: “No preliminaries, now; bus pull the throttle wide open, for I'm dying to know all about your reformation and how it hap- pens that you are not dead.”’ ‘Well, the reason that I am not dead is due entirely to a merciful God and my de- termination to reform, for, as you know, I have sounded the lowest base string of hu- mility. Several evenings after you saw me suffering with the tremens the last time, I was sitting in a Main street saloon and im- agined I was dying for a drink of rum. The proprietor arose tu close up for the night, and as I staggered for the door, he remark- ed to a wealthy patron who had not yet hit the rocky road: *‘ ‘There goes a poor drunken fool who will be dead inside of two months.’ “Drunk as I was, those cruel words stung me like a lash as I staggered out along the street. I knew the saloon man was telling the trath, and that in my pres- ent condition it wonld be impossible for me to live a month. I bared my fevered brow to the cool night air, and the bright old silver moon vever shown more beauti- ful. Yes; I was a poor drunken fool! The saloonkeeper had told the truth, but as that moment I would have bartered my Immortal soul for one drink and let the Letheian waters engulf me forever. I had sat down on a curbstone to try and think, but arose and gazed longingly into a saloon window at the bottles of red liquor ranged along the shelves, while I, ‘a poor drunken fool,’ was dying on the streets for one drink. I wanted to curse God and die! “My intense suffering partially sobered me and I began to wonder why I had suf- fered through all these misspent years. ‘Must I continue to soffer on, and what would become of mother if I were dead? I knew she would 80 broken-hearted to a pauper’s grave ‘over the hill to the poor- house.” ‘Never while God lives,’ I wailed to the night winds as I went reeling home to my angel mother and found her waiting and watching for me, . ‘The moment I entered our little dwell- ing, called home, she rose up in hed saying 80 kindly: ** ‘Is that you, Robert?’ ** ‘Yes, mother, it is your poor drunken boy; bus I bave drank my last glass, moth- er—I have drank my last glass.’ ‘Mother believed I was telling the truth and was out of bed in a moment and put- ting an old battered coffee pot on the stove, saying: ‘I will make you a good cup of hot coffee, and I know you will feel better.’ “Ob, woman! woman! The world may print volumes on the heroes of San Juan Hill, but they should forever remain silent in thy presence! Thon goest to battle daily —not at the roll uf the stirring dram and the trumpet tha sings of fame—but to fight to the last for thy darling boy. Moth- er bathed my burning brow the same as when I was a child, and eagerly inquired: . Have you really quit, Robert?’ ‘Yes, mother; God helping me, be my time here on earth long or short, I will never tonch the accursed stnff again!’ ‘She was on her knees all night and God hearkened. I bavr, never drunk a diop of intoxicating liquor from that hoar, but themoss critical point in my career was yet to come. * * * * * * * Oue cold winter day in Janunary, some three months after I had stopped drinking, I found myself at the Union Depot in Kan- sas City looking for a job. The world never looked darker to me than it did that day. I was cold and huogry, tramping around in the snow on the platform with seventy- fivelcents in my pocket and a linen duster for an overcoat. I was a first-class railway trackman, and had heen a foreman for many years, hut cursed ram had not only " robbed me of manhood, but made me the verjest coward on earth. I was waiting to see the roadmaster of the P. D. & Q. Rail- way, who was expected in that morning on the pay car, and when it rolled into the depot I would surely bave run away with- out speaking to him, when I happened to think of mother. I braced up and spoke to him; told him I was flat broke and out of a job, but would serve him faithfully and that I had no reputation to make as a rail- way man. He was an old-time Irishman and I imagined that he was a regular old chaw, but God bless his old heart, he was a first-class trackman and proved the best friend I ever bad. He spoke kindly to me and said he needed a foreman and would give me a trial the next day when he had time to take me out on the road. The next morning proved the test of my life. The old man appeared on the platform a few minutes before the train was due to leave, and said: ‘* ‘This is a terrible cold morning, let’s step across Union Avenue to the Blossom House and take something to keep us warm.’ ‘‘ ‘Please excuse me, Mr. C—, I don’t care for anything; you step across and ges your drink, and I will stay right here un- til yon return,’ I replied. ‘* ‘What’s the matter with you this cold morning; come ou and have something; you are not a Prohibitionist, are you?’ “I saw I was in for it and blurted out: ‘‘ ‘Mr.C——,I am as near a Prohibitionist as anything you could mension. I have drank more liquor than ever you have, bu I can’t drink and be a man. As I told vou before, I have no reputation to make as a railway man, but if you give me a section to-day I will surely run it by water.’ “The old man didn’t like is, and said I must be a funny railway man to refuse a drink on a day like this, and we boarded the train as she was pulling out. We dropped off at a little station some thirty miles from Kansas City, when the old man showed me around and gave me a section. The old man left on the next train, when I called the men up to the hand-car, and said: ’ ‘‘ ‘Men, I have been given charge over this section by Mr.C——, and I propose to run it by water. I am called a good rack- man, bus if you can’t work without drink- ing liquor you had better quit now, for I won’t work a drunken gang of men.’ “The men stood around talking the mat- ter over for a few moments, when one ap- proached and said: ‘‘ ‘It’s pretty tough, hoss, but we will try it and do the best we can.’ *‘ “That's all right,” I repied, ‘we are sure to win.’ ‘The road was new; we were putting in rock ballast, and I don’t believe there was a man in old Missouri could show me. I never left my men for an hour, and in the course of three months the old man began to come around quite frequently and notice my work, and he remarked to the men one day: *‘ “That Prohibitionist is the best track- man on the road.’ “The men soon became reconciled to do- ing without their whiskey and worked like Trogans. They liked my style of putting up track, for I understood my business and didn’t have them lifsing against each other from morning till night. I had been put- ting in ballast for a year, when one morn- ing the old man came rolling out from the city on a hand-car, and calling me to one side, inquired: ‘* ‘Benjamin, did you ever run a yard?’ ‘* ‘Yes, sir; I ran a large yard for several years.’ ** ‘Well, I may bave to send yon to Kan- sas City. It isthe beet job I've got, pays $75 per month, and my brother-in-law is running it at the present time, but I will have to let him go or eventually lose my job. Heis drunk half the time and I can’t trust him. There are older men on the road who are entitled to this job, but you are the only foreman on the road who doesn’s drink, and that yard must be run by water. There is a bad wreck down there now, and half the men are laying off drunk. Get on the car with me and come right in and ook it over and see what you can do, ior my job is in dan- ger.’ ‘‘The men gathered around the old man, and said: ‘Mr. C—, it Bob goes we'd like to go along; we’ve become used to his way of working, and we don’t believe he can get along without us.’ ‘The old man looked away across the big Muddy for a moment, then turning to the men he said: ***You poor old ex-whiskey soaks, I don’t blame you. Mr. Benjamin has made men out of you, and I will let you all come in just as soon as he gets things running by water.’ “The men gave a cheer and grabbed up their No. 2 Ames shovels. I couldn’t tell you in a week how I worked and suffered for the first year to redeem that yard. At the end cf two years it was in first-class condition, and most of the men were strics- ly temperate. Some ten years ago the old man went out with a work train one morn- ing to pick up a wreck some thirty miles from the city, and through the mis- understanding of orders on account of a | drunken operator, the work train mes the fast freight on a high culvert. Some three or four of the work train men were killed, and the old man was found under the tank bruised and bleeding internally. I arrived at the wreck ten minutes before the old man died. He was propped up with ca- boose cushions and could scarcely artica- late, but he knew me, and whispered: ‘‘ ‘Benjamin, old man, I’m done for: this train was run by ram?’ “Three hours later I received a dispatoh calling me to the general offices in Kansas City, where the superintendent handed me the following letter: ** ‘To all whom it may concern: ‘Mr. Robert Benjamin has been ap- pointed roadmaster of the Third Division of the P. D. & Q. Railway, to take effect immediately. His orders must be obeyed accordingly. J 4.3.0. * ‘General Superintendent P. D. & Q. Railway, Kansas City, Mo.’ “I've been roadmaster now for ten long years; mother has grown to be quite a litle girl again, and I continue to run my divis- ion by water.” His eyes were swimming in tears, and as he arose to go he gave me a kindly smile, saying: ‘‘ ‘We never miss the water till the well rans dry.’ "’— Argentine Republic. ———— Thermometer at 90 Below. ‘'The coldest place on earth, inhabited by man is Verkboyansk, above the arctic circle, in northeastern Siberia. The ther- wometer there drops to 90 degrees below zero in Jannary, hut sometimes rises to 86 above zero in the shade in July, dropping, however, to the freezing point on the warm- est summer nights, The hottest place in the world is the interior of she great Sahara desert, in. Africa, where the thermometer rises to 122 degrees. The wettest place is Greytown, Nicaragua, where the mean an- nual rainfall is 260 izches. The place of least rain ie Port Nolloth in south Africa, where less than an inch sometimes falls in a year.” Girl Buys the Alamo. Owner to be Reimbursed. Legislature Prepared to Appropriate $75,000 to Save Scene of Famous Fight. . 3 To save the Alamo from desecration and rescue the historic ground from the greed of trade, a Texas girl—Miss Clara Dris- coll—has spent $75,000. Her action has so stirred the hearts of the people of Texas that a movement is nnder way to have the State reimburse her and turn the property over to the Daughters of the Republic of Texas. The recent Democratic State convention made the porchase of the Alamo a plank in its platform and the Legislature is almost certain to pass such a bill by unanimous vote, says the Chicago Chronicle. The people of Texas have been sadly negligent of their most precious relics. There is nothing in ancient or modern history to surpass the story of the Alamo, and considering the number of men engag- ed there probably was no more important battle fought in the nineteenth century than that of San Jacinto. Yet only the chapel of the Alamo belongs to the State, and there is practically nothing to mark the battlefield of San Jacinto, for it has been used as farm land for many years. It was in the Alamo that Travis, Bowie, ‘‘Davy’’ Crockett, Bonham and the others made up the force of 168 Texans who fought the great fight that won for them undying fame. There was no thought of sarrender, and every one of the 168 perish- ed. In the capitol grounds at Austin there is a monument to their memory. It bears the simple inscription: Thermopylae had its messenger of defeat. The Alamo had none. That tells the story. To conquer the 168 Texans the Mexicans had to sacrifice 1,500 lives. That means that every one of the gallant defenders killed nearly 10 of the besieging force. Not until 161 of the 168 were dead were the Mexicans able to get within the chapel where the Texans made their last stand. It is a matter of record that Bowie, who was one of the last to die, did not succumb until he was so walled in by dead Mexicans that be could no longer wield the knife with which his name is linked. In the days when Texas was a part of Mexico the Alamo was a mission. Within the mission walls were a monastery and a chapel. The Texans first defended the walls, then retreated to the monastery and, driven out of that, went to the chap- 1 el. Of the original buildings only the chapel remains standing. The monastery fell to pieces long ago, and on the ground it oc- cupied a grocery store stands to-day. Even the chapel for many years was used as a market. The State was prevailed upon to buy it 15 years ago. Bus for the saving of the Alamo as a whole the credit belongs to Miss Driscoll. Whether the Alamo par- chase bill passes the Legislature or not, the grocery store will come dowr and the hotel which it was proposed at one time to build there will not be erected. In their place will be a replica of the old monastery, built from the ancient ruin, to serve as a Val- halla for Texas. For years the Daughters of the Repub- lic, descendants of the men who made the fight for Texas independence, have had vague hopes of some day seeing the Alamo saved for worthier purposes than it was pat to, but the movement they started made little headway. Less than two years ago Miss Driscoll, returning home after a two years’ trip among the historic scenes of En- rope and the East, was deeply impressed by the desecration of the historic scenes of her own country and her own State. She wrote a spirited artiole calling for a patriot- ic effort to restore the Alamo and it made such a stir throughout the State that the Daughters of the Republic sent a commit- the to her and asked her to head the work. She consented and a year ago last April formed the Alamo mission fund organiza- tion, of which she herself was presidentand treasurer. : Her work was only begun. The owner of the property had placed a valuation of $75,000 on his land, a sum far beyond the reach of any resources that the mission fund organization or the Daughters of the Re- public could command. But Miss Driscoll was not daunted. Without allowing her plan to be known, she went to the owner and asked for an option on the property. He asked $5,000 for an option for a year, but Miss Driscoll wanted time to get her movement under way and finally paid $500 down for an option of 30 days. Several business men of San Antonia had heard of her attempts to obtain the mission and realized its possibilities as business venture. They offered Miss Driscoll $10,000 for the option for which she paid $500 only a month before, urging on her the consid- eration that a hotel on the famous site would be a splendid thing for the city of San Antonia. ‘You can find other sites for the finest hotel you care to build,’ she said in rejeot- ing their offer, ‘‘but there is only one Ala- mo in the world.” But the 30-day option was running ous and a few more hours would see it pass from her control. Of public fands there was still none. So Miss Driscoll drew her personal check for $4,500 and thus bad ber option clear for the full year. It was agreed thas at the end of the year an additional $20.000 was to he paid, and two short notes given for $25,000 each. Society took kindly to Miss Driscoll’s plan, but the necessary funds accu mulated slowly. When the year drew to a close it was found that only $3,000 had been raised —not enough to pay Miss Driscoli the money she had advanced to secure the op- tion. The women associated with Miss Driscoll were helpless. It looked as though all the money and all the effort was to be wasted. Miss Driscoll agreed with them it was t00 bad, and tried to comfort them by saying they had done their best and that posterity some day would recognize the courage and persistency of their efforts. Those who had labored hardest for the suo- cess of the project accepted the consolation with the hest grace they could, and meta- phorically speaking, turned their faces to the wall. Is was not until the day after the year’s option bad expired that they learned to their sarprised delight, that Miss Dris- coll had added $17,000 of her own money to the $3,000 raised by them, had guaran- teed the payment of the two notes aggregat- ing $50,000 and had saved the Alamo for Texas. It was last. April that Miss Dris- coll took title to the property, and since then, by taking up both the outstanding notes, she has made its preservation abso- Intelv sure. Still she regards herself simply as the trustee for the Alamo mission fund organi- zation and the Daughters of the Republic, and stands ready to deed the whole prop- erty to them as soon as they are ready to take it over. Meantime, however, the State Democracy had pledged itself to pur- chase it for $75,000, and if the promise is is fulfilled by the Alamo bill she will hand the title over to the Government, It has been arranged, however, that the property shall remain under the control of the Daughters of the Republic, and the so- ciety will at once set to work on the task of rebuilding the old monastery. The chapel is in a state of excellent preservation, but of the rest little but ruins or the old walls remain standing. Much of the original stonework, however, still litters the ground and will be used as far as possible in the reconstruction of the place into its original form. Game and Fish Legislation, A few days ago representatives of the leading organizations throughout the State interested in the protection of game and fish, met in conference at the rooms of the State Fisheries department in Harris- buig, to consider new legislation now pending in the general assembly. From representatives of the Blair county branch of the League of American Sportsmen who were present and took a prominent part in the proceedings of the session, the following facts were learned as to the result of the convention : One of the most important matters of local interest which engaged the attention of the conversation was the consideration of the bill drawn by Hoo. W. F. Meehan, commissioner of fisheries, designed to check and remove the constantly growing men- ace of stream pollution by certain indus- tries. The proposed bill, while conserva- tive and not unduly drastic in its measures, was, alter careful consideration by the con- vention, pronounced to be entirely effec- tive, and received the enthusiastic endorse- ment of the delegates and their personal pledges to use every possible effort to se- care its passage. Other legislation, design- ed to meet and remove existing weaknesses in the fish law of 1901, was also carefully considered and unanimously endorsed. Urgent protests which were made be- fore the State Game Commission by the delegates, against a number of the pro- posed changes in the present game law, and especially the enlargement and chang- ing of the existing season on certain game animals and birds, were so far effective, that at a meeting of the senate game com- mittee daring the afternoon, the objection- able features of the proposed bill were eliminated, and the present season on all game restored, except as to quail, rabbits and deer. Under the new act, the quail season will open Nov. 1st the deer season will run from Nov. 1st to the 15th, and the season for rabbits from Oct. 15th to Dec. 15th, which will also be the open season for wild turkey, squirrel, pheasants or ruffed grouse. This was considered by representatives from all parts of the State as the most acceptable compromise consid- ering the interests of their respective sec- tions. The local representatives of the Blair County league made an urgent plea before the State Game commision for the passage of the new scalp bill introduced by Repre- sentative Alsopp, of Bedford county, which provides a bounty for the destruction of wild-cats, foxes, minks, weasels,hawke and owls. The game commission has endorsed the bill, and prospect for its passage is quite favorable at present. : For Washington’s Birthday. Why do yon not make the placecards for Washington’s birthday ont of small Perry prints of George Washington, pretti- ly mounted on gray cardboard, with a painted outline of red, white, and blue around the cardboard ? I have seen this idea very prettily carried out. You can also fasten little knots of red, white, and blue ribbon to the cards. At that season in any of the large department shops you will find appropriate favors if you wish to buy them—cocked hats, small hatehets tied with ribbons, cherry tree devices, ete. For keeping score on the tally-cards use wee hatchets. Cut them out yourself and put mucilage on the back. Decorate the tables in red, white, and blue, and have for prizes hooks on Washington, and good pictures of him or Martha Washington well framed. Or you can bave boxes of sandied cherries or toy hatebets tied with ribbons. You may have some simple refreshments that will be in harmony. Make rolled sandwiches and tie them with red, white, and blue ribbons. Get paper oases of ap- propriate design and color (which you can procure at the department shops or con- fectioner’s), and fill them with creamed chicken. Serve these with the sandwhiches and olives and a salad made of green pep- pers scooped out and filled with celery and puts dressed with mayonnaise. For des- sert have paper cocked hats filled with ice- cream and have cakes and candies. Coffee should be last of all. This will make a pleasant and not too elaborate entertain- mevt. > Race Suicide in France, The question of race suicide in France still continues to attract attention. The statisties for 1903, which have recently been published, show not only a diminu- tion in the excess of births over deaths, hat also in the actual namber of births,says Harper's Weekly. Thus in 1903, when the population of France was 39,119.095 there were 826,712 births and 753,606 deaths, or an excess of 73,106 births. In 1902 the population awounted to 38,961,945, and the excess of births over deaths was 83 944. The reason for the increase of population is that the death rate is steadily declining, and not that any general increase in the number of births is taking place. To understand the full significance of these figures, however, it is necessary to compare the French statistics with those of England and Germany. In the year 1901- 1902 the increase of births over deaths in France per 10,000 of population was 21, while in Germany for the same period the ratio was 153, and in Great Britain 119. Is is the continued decrease in the birth rate that is taking place in France that is the cause of so much anxiety. State Rich in Radium. The astounding statement is made by Prof. John W. Scott, formerly a resident of Altoona, but now of Lloydsville, that mil- lions of tons of the priceless radinm exist in Blair county, and overlap into Centre and Huntingdon counties, and that in the future this will be a source of tremendous wealth to the people here. Prof. Scott says: ‘‘Years ago there was found a peculiar substance—pitoh blende, the motber of radinm—in vast quantities. This mysterious mineral was discovered in the silurian measures of Blair county, ex- tending also into Centre and Huntingdon counties, and a large quantity of the ma. terial was gathered by me, at considerable expense, for the purpose of sending it to Chicago Exposition, but the Pennsylvania commission declined paying the freight, so that the stuff was left as a sort of junk de- posit on Eighth avenue, Altoona. Millions of tons exist in Blair county—a radinm center—but to disclose the exact localities wauld ser half the people ciazy, while the other half would be securing options and leases.” EE EEEE— Old and New Coins. Interesting Facts About the Coinage at the Differ- ent Mints. The director of the Ming is called on to answer such a wide range of questions con- cerning the values of old and new coins and medals tbat he has found it necessary to issue circulars covering matters of this sort. They tell some interesting question facts. It appears that the Mint does not bay old coins or paper money, exoept some rare Colonial eoins in fine condition, which are desired for the Mint cabinet. Mutilated or undercurrent United States gold and silver coin is purchased as bullion. The Mint has has uo pattern pieces for sale. The Govern- ment pays no premium for the return of its old coins or paper money. New coins canuot be struck until authorized by an act of Congress. The Mint supplies United States coins only and not of any past date. The $50 gold piece and the half-dollar and quarter-dollar pieces in gold were struck by private parties on the California coast during the ’49 period, and not by the United States Government. The coinage of the following coins ceased in the year pamed: Half and one cent, copper, in 1857; one cent, nickle, 1864; half dime and three cents, silver, and two cents, bronze, in 1872; twenty cents, silver, 1878; trade dollars, 1893; one dollar and three dollars, gold, and three cents, nickle, in 1899. The Columbian half-dollar was coin- ed in 1892, and the Isabella quarter, in 1893. The Lafayette dollar was struck in 1899, the date on the coin (1900) being that of the unveiling of the memorial. There are certain markings on every United States coin that enable the place of its coinage to be located. Those struck at the Philadelphia Mint have uo Mint mark, but those struck at all other Mints are dis- tinguished by a small letter on the reverse, near the bottom. These letters are C for Charlotte, N. C., discontinued in 1893; D for Dahlonega, Ga., discontinued in 1861; G for New Orleans, and S for San Francis- co. The only coins of the United States now authorized by law are: In gold, doub- le eagle, eagle, half eagle, quarter eagle; in silver, half-dollar, quarter-dollar,and dime; minor, five cent, nickle, and one cent bronze. A person may bhuya proof set of gold coins from the Mint for $38.50 and a proof set of silver and minor coins for $1.50. When the business of the mints is slack, medals may be struck from the dies furnished by individuals, public institu- tions and incorporated societies, at charges sufficient to cover the cost of the operation and the value of the metal.— Brooklyn Ea- gle. Sang at Chopin’s Deathbed. As the great Chopin lay dying his soul was ushered out by the song of the beauti- ful Countess Delphine Potocka, who. had been his dearest confidante and friend. The romance of their friendship, one of the sweetest in history, is related by Gustav Kobbe in the Delineator. The last tragic scene in the life of the composer has often been described, and has heen painted hy Barrios, but it is so touching that one may well read another version of it. Mr. Kobbe writes : ‘Then came what is, perhaps, the most touching scene that has been handed down to us from the lives of the great composers. When Delphine entered what was soon to be the death chamber, Chopin’s sister Louise and a few of his most intimate friends were gathered there. She took ber place by Louise. When the dying man opened his eyes and saw her standing at the foot of his bed—tall, slight, draped in white, resemb- ling a beautiful angel, and mingling her tears with those of Louise—his lips moved and those nearest him, bending over to catch his words, heard him ask that she would sing. ‘*Mastering her emotion by a strong ef- fort of the will, she sang in a voice of bell- like purity the canticle to the Virgin at- tributed to Stradelia—sang it so devoutly, so ethereally that the dying man, ‘artist and lover of the beautiful to the very last, whispered in ecstasy : ‘How exquisite ! Again, again I *'‘Once more she sang—this time a psalm by Marcello. It was the haunted honr of twilight. The dying day draped the scene in its mysterious shadows. Those at the bedside had sunk noiselessly on their knees. Over the mournful accompaniment of sobs floated the voice of Delphine likea melody from Heaven.” Giant Stone on His Grave, After a long search over the wilds of Dartmoor, a monolith—12 feet long, 4 feet wide, 2 feet 6 inches in thickness, and weighing six tons—which has defied the effacing fingers of time and tempest, has been found to stand at the head of Sir H. M. Stanley’s grave at Pirbright. Lady Stanley desired to obtain a stone ‘‘fashioned by the ages, tempered and col- ored by time, and untouched by man.” Such a stone was discovered on a farm, ly- ing recumbent on the borders of a natural roadway. Three of its faces had been ex- posed for uncounted generations. The difficulties of ite removal from Devonehire were considerable, but they were eventually overcome, and it now stands in the quiet village churchyard, a fitting tribute to the memory of the great explorer. The inscription bears not only the name so familiar to Englishmen, but the words ‘‘Buia Matari’’ (‘the rock breaker’’) in- Smiles. ‘I would give anything to he as strong and healthy as you are,’’ said a lazy dys- peptic to a muscolar friend. ‘‘What do you live on ?”’ “‘Nothing but fruit,’’ an- swered the other. ‘‘What kind of fruit ?”’ queried the invalid. ‘‘The fruit of indus- try,’ was the suggestive reply. Martha, the colored washerwoman, was complaining of her husband’s health to one of her patrons. ‘‘He's ve’y po’ly, ma’am; ve’y po’ly. He’s got dat exclamatory rhea- matism.”” “You mean inflammatory, Martha. Exclamatory is from ‘exclaim,’ which means to ery out.” ‘Yes miss,” answered Martha, with conviction, ‘‘dat’s what it is. He hollers all de time.”’ Riddles. There is a beast that all men fear Lurking about most everywhere. It has no eyes, no mouth, no nose ; Yet everywhere it swiftly goes. It eats with awful appetite Most everything it finds in sight. It is a ‘joy, and yet a dread. And it may trathfully be said That without it we could nos live ; Yet o’er its deeds we often grieve. Answer: Fire. What is it that— Has a tongue and can’t talk, Can ran, but can’t walk ? Answer: A wagon. dicate the title he bore in Darkest Africa. | That New Bishop. Inasmuch as the Rev. James Henry Darlington, D. D., of Brooklyn, who last week was elected Bishop of the Harrishurg diocese of the Protestant Episcopal church, will be bishop of all the Episcopal churches in Centre and adjoining counties, the fol- lowing brief sketch of him will be appro- priate at this time, in asmuch as he has announced that be will accept his elec- tion and enter upon the work of the bishopric shortly after Easter: The Rev. James Henry Darlington, D. D., was born in Brooklyn 48 years ago. He was educated at the University of the City of New York and afterwards at Prince- ton, where he prepared himself for the ministry of the Presbyterian church. His whole professional career has been in the one parish of Christ church, Brooklyn, . where he went as assistant in 1881, and succeeded to the rectorship in 1883. He is a preacher of more than average ability, and in the 22 years of his ministry has sent 22 young men of his own parish into the ministry. He is a competent musician and the president of a large musical so- ciety, is chaplain of the 47th regiment, is a member of the various clubs in Brooklyn where his influence among men is marked. He is the author of one book—*‘Pastor and People,” which has been favorably re- ceived. The newly elected Bishop is well thought of by the congregations he has presided over as the following will testify: [Extracts from the speech of the Senior Warden of Christ Church, Bedford Ave., Brooklyn, N. Y., at the Twentieth Anni- versary of the Rev. James Henry Darling- ton, D. D., Ph. D., having been the Rec- tor of that parish, showing his work there. ] *‘The confirmation classes have gener- ally been among the largest in the diocese, it not the largest of all. At one time, a few years ago, the annual class numbered 114 members, a congregation in itself. Last vear the class numbered 73, many of them adults. There was but one larger class in the city. Dr. Darlington’s influence over men has been marked, as has been shown by his membership in various clubs, being President of the Amphion Musical Sooiety for years and also eight years Chaplain of the Forty-seventh Regimens. Our fiftieth year book, in an article by the Rev. B. Oakley Baldwin, curate of St. Matthew’s Church, Manhattan, shows that over twenty-two young men have entered holy orders from our church in twenty years of Dr. Darlington’s ministry, being over one a year. There are at least two students preparing now for the same high office. During the past year, also, the Rev. Wm. S. Perry and the Rev. Henry C. Briggs, both lately Dutch Reformed ministers, bave entered the church through our rector, being ordained but a few weeks ago to the Diaconate in the Garden City Cathe- dral.”’ Want a Chance? . — Assembly of the Nobles of St. Petersburg Address Emperor Nicholas. Assure Him of Loyalty. ST. PETERSBURG, February 14.—The as- sembly of the nobles of St Petersburg. to- day adopted an address to Emperor Nicho- las congratulating him on the birth of the beir to the throne and assuring him of the confidence of the nation. The address as- serts that the union between the antocratio monarch and his devoted nation is unshak- en by recent events at home and abroad; points out that officials and statesmen can- not solve all the questions and begs his majesty to permit of representatives of the whole people participating in the discus- sion and legislation on government meas- ures, and says: ‘Sire: We have met in troublous times. Foes are attacking us, their aim being to bring Russia to a shameful peace, wring from her her distant territories and bring to naught the system of government which has been sanctioned for centuries. A way out of the difficulties must be found. We realize that every word addressed by your majesty ip this painful hour is weighted with grave responsibility. We are all wit- nesses to your majesty’s efforts to. secure the welfare of Russia. The decree of De- cember 25 revived the hopes of your sub- jects, who saw therein the true salvation of the fatherland. This is not the first time dark clouds have lowered over Russia; bus despite former efforts to shake the basis of the government the country became strong- er and advanced proudly and puissantly along the path of progress. From union between an autocratic monarch and a de- voted nation Russia has ever derived strength which neither the foreign foe nor trouble at home could exhaust. “Sire: The nobility of St. Petersburg are convinced that this union is unshaken and must prevail. With the aid of God, Your valiant troops, who are not sparing their lives for the emperor and the father- land, will crown the Russian arms with fresh glory, and troubles at home will cease. ‘Sire: The whole nation awaits with eagerness the fulfillment of the im- perial will, bus officials and statesmen, of whatever qualities and zeal, cannot solve all the questions of the nation’s life. Your forefathers hearkened unto the voice of Russians elected by the nation, and this custom, so far from weakening, strengthen- ed the antocracy and aided it to attain its present greatness. ‘‘Sire: Order now that elected represen- tatives of the country may raise their voices to the throne and participate, in ac- cordance with your sovereign direction in legislation and discussion of governmental measures. The nobles of St. Petersburg sincerely helieve that, provided union of the throne and nation is supported by con- fidence on the part of the enperor, internal troubles will vanish and that all Russia will rise and serve the sovereign faithfully for the salvation of the country and the y confusion of its enemies.’ The Pattison Family Memorial. It was arnounced recenily by the com- mittee having charge of the Robert E. Pat- tison Fund thas the contributions, now amounting to $20,112, bave been turned over to the Equitable Trust Company, as trostee for the wife and family of the form- er Governor of Pennsylvania, aud that Mis. Pattison asks to express her thanks to all the contributors, Mie. Pattison is to receive the income of the fond during her life, and portions of the principal are to he paid to her only up- on unosnal demand. Upon her death the money then remaining is to be vaid over to the children, Miss Lavinia R. Pattison and Robert E. Pattison, Jr., a minor. That was the Trouble. Cyril : “‘You may spurn me. cruel one, bu: remember, I shall not always be a clerk at $9 a week.”’ Marie : “*“That’s just the trouble. You may lose your job at any time.’
Significant historical Pennsylvania newspapers