Ilahj Snowdrop'* Appeal. " 'Most nv'y lxxly times me, Ami twll me 1 era sweet. And say*. < What (litte 'itlle han.U ! What lunnin 'iuie teet " " And 'tain't no tun tor 'ittle me, S*i mun.nl and hanleou been so Ions? Hie moot* i* up, and ail Uto bird* Have suns their evening sons, 1 saw you loitering down the path, So louoii and so late. Beyond the well and lilae hush, Ami hansins hv the gate. 1 love to hear Uu mother, And see the rising moon; And, oh ' the summer air is sweet Beneath the sky Kit a while. To turns upon the sate The pate is by the road, Maivl. And idle toiks po hy , Nor slaudd a tnai.len levs>k the planer lif every stranger eye. Besides, 1 thought I saw a cop— I'm sure you had a mate; Set tell me who was with you. child. Just hanging at tlie pate. Now you know \UM A. well, uadher. TVas only Harry tlrsy. He spoke such words to uve tiv-night, 1 knew m>t w hat to say; Ami. mother, oil ! tor your dear sake, 1 only lade him w ait And mayn't i run and tell him now * He's hanging at the cite. Harper's .Magasi at. A PRELUDE IN BROWN. " But, mv dear boy, who is going to say Anything of the ><>rt ? Wh.it mis construction ran In put on your going to the seaside for a month, meeting a young lady ihert. and in a natural way making her acqulintlUW? Nothing mav n>uit from it tteyond acquaintance, and no one is eauea upon to remark what, af\< r ail. is mm coincidence." "Uncle Joshua. I wonder you can look me in the fan ! • Mere coinci dence" when you know iverf.vtly well that this i- a eul-and-drhs{ arrangement, and that I am led like a uub to !*• sac rificed on tin shrine of vour heir-ss. Coincidence, forsooth! 1 am aston ished at your cheek, sir. if you will par don the expression." "Upon my soul, you young follows take prutty airs on yours- lvo> nowa days. retorted Unele Joshua, angrily. •" Maud Lovell Man heiress —and 1 don't deny—a very considerable heir-—i; hut none the less i> she a rvmarkahiv pretty girl, accomplished too, and amiable, and all that; ju-t the girl whom you would be sure to fall in love with if it wasn't worth your while to do so. You area fool. Ni-d. lot n; t .1 you. a very !' r "- nounced fool. if you h i such a chance as this !ij) on aeeount of a farrago of non sensica, notions alnVut love :uui disinter -stilnes>: aU twaddle. Sack ideas don't wash, sir, let me tell you. I've tested 'cm; they don't wash." bringing hi tiand down with a bang on the table by way of period. Uncle Joshua was a natfV. debonair old gentleman of suave and circumspect manners, and a habit of tiptoeing ginger ly over the surfaces of ideas and things with due avoidants 1 of all danp-rous or debatable spots. This ebullition there fore took his nephew quite by surprise. Never hat! he -.en his relative -o ,x --cited about anything before. His care full v preserved old face wasted and hot; he Jumped about in his tight lx>ots; his voice and mann- r were fully of unwont ed vigor. Ned Hanks had been used to tliink of his unele as ;1 kindly, formal fop. to be gently chaffed and practically ignored when convenient. lie hardly knew what to make of him under this new aspect. Uncle Joshua, for all his little absurd ities, had been a good friend and a help ful one to his nephew. To hint Ned owed his college education and his start in life— obligations which he had ac cepted easily at the time, as the young are wont to accept all favors done them, but of which he felt the weight when thus reminded. His opposition to his uncle's scheme had not sprung from any deep-lying principle. The idea of mar rying an heiress was no more distasteful to him than to any oth the young lady. First of July, is it?" and" he took out a note-book and made an entry of the date. "My dear Ned," cried the older Mr. Banks, deeply gratified, " now you are behaving just as 1 should wish. 1 hope —very confidently hope—that this trip of yours may eventuate for your welfare in many ways. Nothing could be farther from my wish than to force your inclina tions ; but there is no harm in funning a pleasant acquaintance. Ned; there can be no harm—no possible harm." The South Cove was looking its pret tiest when Ned Hanks, true to hi- word, alighted on the Isf of July at the door oi its hotel. All the little cottages and de pendencies of the large establishment shone in the brilliance of fresh paint. The grass was n*wly cut; the piaster vases and red-tint'-d firkins wen- filled with gay geraniums and bright-leaved plants. Beyond lay the sea, vast and blue, no whit less solemn or less inscru table for this little fring" 0 f ornament on its border's hem. A l>oat, with a scarlet-shawled ladv sitting in the stern, was rowing across from the green island opposite. People thronged the piazza. From a distance(anie the intermittent thunder of the bowling-alley. The sea son was fairly under way; that was evi dent. Ned scanned the groups on the veranda with the natural hope of suing some acquaintance. Hediscovered none; but presently, from the lips of a lady near him, he heard a familiar name. • "Mr. Affibone Crosby told me so." "Where is Mr. Crosby this after noon ?" " Driving with those Baltimore peo ple, I believe." "Hullo! what bring" him here?" solil oquized Ned, as lie slowly strolled to ward the office. For Allibone Crosby was a reputed suitor of Miss Isivell's—Uncle Joshua's ward. It was a singular coinci dence, certainly, if nothing more, that he should turn up at the South Cove just then; and so Ned reflected as he went to bed, with the moon for a candle, and the boom and surge of the waves coming i:i through the open window. The idea of a possible rival stimulated his interest in Miss Lovell amazingly, and lie made his toilet next morning with the athletic de termination to "go in and win " at all hazards. . Uncle Joshua and his party were not due until the3d, so he bad a day in which to look about him and elaborate a plan of campaign- Entering the breakfast - room. the first object his eyes encountered was Allibone Crosby himself, cofl'ee-eup in hand. He greeted Ned cordially enough. hut without affecting surprise at cAfiri£r him. " When did you g ' in? I heard you were expected about his time.' " Last night. Hov long have you been here?" " About a week Where have they seated you? I sav. Julia"—to the wait ress—"put Mr. Banks here, will you? Mrs- Reeves won't be back for another fortnight; he might as well have her seat till she comes." - " I'll take it for to-day with pleasure, but to-morrow I expect some friends," FRED. KURTZ, Editor and Proprietor. VOLUME XII. "Oh!" replied Crosby, with a sort of rapid glint in his eye " Well, sit down now. at all events, old fellow." The "here" indicated was a seat next but one to Crosby's own, round an angle of the table. The chair bet ween. M well as that on the other side of Crosby, was tilted for wan! to indicate pre-engage ntent. Ned ordered his breakfast, but before it appeared, two ladies entered, ami advanced at once to the reserved They were so much alike as to be evi dently sisters; but while one had the air aud bearing of a youlhftil matron, the other w as as unmistakably a young girl. This latter tk the ehatr tievt to Ned. and Alliboue Crosby, after a moment's low-voiced conversation with the older sister, leaned forward and intrmluoed them. " Miss Darbelle. may 1 introduce my friend Mr Ranks, of New York - '' fheii to Ned. " After breakfast 1 aha have the pleasure of presenting you to Mrs. I'eters. Miss Darls-llc's sister; just now you seem at an unapproachable dislSJhV." Both lad ire bowed, Mrs. I'eters lean ing past Mr. Crosby , and smiling bright ly as she did so; Miss Ihubelle with a shy, upward look out of a pair of brown eyes. She was a brown little thing alto gether, was Ned's tirst reflection, for her liair. evidently all her own. and hound in a gieat knot at the back of her small head, was bright hazel in color, the long lashes which shaded her eyes had a bronae-like glitter, and her skin was the richest brunette, with a lovely pink in the cheeks. like the hue of a sun-ripened peach. Even the delicate hands were brown, and the slender arched throat which tost* above the dainty rufth*; and as if to enhance the efls-t, the dress was brown also—a pale oreaiu. relieved with knots of ehestnut-eoloted rihhon. The extreme finish and delicacy of every line and tint in both dress and woarer gave a piquant ami striking eff.vt to the whole, which amounted to absolute Iteauty. as Nisi presently decided; and the itu pres-ion deepened as conversation brought out a Saucy glitter in the coffee colored eyre, and smiles revealed the flash of pearl-white teeth. Miss Par is-lie's voice, swi-et and low, had that musical s, mi-Southern intonation which is > the una*"customed ear. She was very easy and natural, and alto gether Ned foun*l himself s*> well enter tained as to prolong his breakfast to an unconscionable extent. It was not till Mrs. I'eters had inquired, more than once, in a tone of slight impatience. "Haven't you finished. Essie?" that at last Miss l>arbelk\ with a denture little salutation, rose and pushed hack her eltair. Ned followed, ofaourse. "What else was tiiere to do in that stupid place?" he asked himself. The ladies were going to walk with Mr. Crosby, and he went too. What between the roaks and the benches, hours *psl rapidly away. There was a row in the alterrioon, a game at tenpins later, a chat on the tuoon-lighted piazza. We all know* how such things go at a watering-place, where the business of life is simply t > live and eiyoy the pas-ing moment It was hut for a day. To-morrow Uncle Joshua and his heirres would arrive to i-laitn Ned's time ami devoirs. Mean time Miss Darbelle was very pretty, and there was no harm iu getting w hat fun he could out of this extra day. The graver business of life would be along soon enough. Alas for the mutability of human plans! Next morning brought the fol lowing telegram: " Delayed a few days. Stay whereyou are. Will write. J. BANKS." " What can have turacil up?" asked Ned of himself, but he submitted to tin delay philosophically. The hotel proved very comfortable; the weather was de licious; there might easily lie found a worse place to wait in than South Cove ven without Miss Iveil to add to its attractions. He telegraphed an answer: "All right: will wait," and resigned himself with happy ease to the situation. A letter from I.nele Joshua came next day. Mrs. Loveli, it seemed, had lvn taken ill; nothing serious, but it might detain them two or ttins' days—perhaps till Thursday. "Till Thursday," then, Ned felt himself to la* off duty, and he utilised his reprieve in the manner most agreeable to himself—by seeing a** much .as possible of the Baltimore ladies. " It's a land of prelude to the n*ai thing," he told himself, " keeping my hand in. so to speak, and will Iw* all the better when rite other girl comes to the fore." Ned had probably heard the adage about edged tools and the dangers of playing therewith, but it did not recur to his mind just then. Mr. Banks'flirtation with the pretty Miss Darbelle became the mild "excite ment of the season at the South Cove. Morning after morning the ereani-hrown costume was to he seer on the rooks in close proximity to X<*d's suit of gray tweed or spotless duek, the afternoons saw the two together on the water, the evenings in close conversation in the dimmest and most remote corner of the long piazza. Mrs. I'eters looked *>n without interference, tolerant, like all Southern women, ol the progress and evolution of love-making in its incipient sta-*. Essie always was run after wherever she went. She knows well enough how to take care of herself, and Mr. Banks seems a very nice gentleman." she told a scandalized matron who felt it more than her duty to utter a word of warn ing. Time went on. Thursday brought mother letter to my that Mrs. Loreli was better, hut that her daughter was now a little ailing. They should not In able to travel before Monday at soonest. Ten days passed—a fortnight. The "prelude" was protracted to an unex pected length. Allibone Crosby dis appeared- For a day or two only, lie hoped. I lis room was kept for him ; hut his ahstiii- prolongisl itself to aw k. This left the field free for Nisi, and his intimacy with the Southern ladies grew apace. Before the final telegram arrived to announce Uncle Joshua and his !■- luted party, three weeks from tin- time originally set, all was over, so far as Ned Banks was concerned. He was hope lessly in love—so hopelessly and so ut terly as to make any other idea impossi ble to his mind. And with tin- resolute determination to clinch fate, and defy the world, the flesh and his uncle, he proposed the very day of their expectsl arrival, won a lovely, blushing "yes" lrom Essie, and awaited the appearance of his relative with a sense of joy and ex ultation at heart which made facing lions an easy matter enough, and how much more so confronting one old gen tleman of placable manners and aeoun tcnanee habituated to the expression of the milder emotions? Miss Lovell was pretty—wonder fully so for an heiress, Ned was forced to confess. Uncle Joshua seemed singu larly depressed, lie introduced them with an air so deprecntirigly miserable that his nephew did not know what to make of it. Behind the trio appeared a fourtli passenger—Allibone Crosby. " Glad to see you back," said Ned, who felt in good humor with ail the world just then. His secret burned within him. He followed the party as they went up stairs, Crosby earrving the ladies' wraps, and assisting Mrs. Isivell with an air of profound devotion. He turned to meet Uncle Joshua's eyes fixed on him with a look of mournful emotion - " Come witli me to my room," said the old gentleman; " I want a chance to speak with you in private." " And I want a chance to speak with you in private," retorted Ned, gayly. "It is not your fault, my boy,' began Uncle .Joshua, in a melancholy tone, as he locked the door anil motioned Ned to take a chair. " That is a comfort for me to think of." Ned stared. What was not his fault? Had Uncle Joshua heard? "There was no fault about it," he began, flushing a little. "Such a word THE CENTRE REPORTER. i. out ,d the question in speaking of the matter Wait till vou know her,air." "You're right. I didn't know her." continued his uncle. " I don't like to say that 1 was deceived; hut I alii a man of the world, aud tolerably noute, as I flatter myself; and without a good deal ot pains having ItCCM taken to blind me, I aiu certain my eyes would have been opened long before. "But. uucie. you were not here. It you had arrivcii at the time you fined, you would hate seen the whole thing coming on weeks ago." "Months you mean. It aeenis there was an understanding, if not an engage ment, in the spring." "Spring! wuy. 1 never set eyes on her till 1 came here." "tin whom? I am not speaking id vou. id" course, 1 refer to this fellow Crosby." "Crosby! why, what has he to do with her?' " lki with her? why. they are engaged, Ned. It is a great blow, after all my hopes, and will he so to you " " Kngagisl! Crosby! But what has he to do with Miss I hurl telle?" "Miss 1 >arltelle! Who is that? 1 never hoard of her in my life before. Of eiturse I mean Maud Ijovell." Neil stared for a moment: then tin* full absurdity of the situation flashed I**- torv him. and he burst inii* a laugh so long and loud that I'nolo Joshua, sus peeting sudden frenxy, cried "My I toy, control yourself! \N" i*t an extraordinary wavot relict ing your feel ings! lh> slop. \Vhat is there to laugh at ?" His perplexity changed to dismay when at last the tixte state .f tla-ease was explained, am! he toutid that his cherishivl nephew had engaged himself to an unknow a somebody from Mary land. "You positively know nothing about her—ali'iit her family, her means ot support ?" he gasped. "t>li, Ned! Ned! I never heard of anything so insane in :.il HI life." " I know that she is a gentlewoman," retorted Ned. "No one cou'.d doubt that who talked with her for five minutes. And I know that she i> the - wee test, most charming, most refund girl 1 ever <;tw in mv life, and almost the prettiest. That is enough for me. I nch* .Joshua, and 1 think it ought to In* nough for you as well." It wasn't, however. I'ucle Joshua's afternoou wis completely spoiled, lb went ibout dejectedly. hi* hands clasped I*ehiud Ids hack, head bent, drooping whiskers—the very picture of a miscra ble old gentleman. The very tails of his coat looked wretched, as if in sym pathy with their owner, (tone were all liia atrv graces and conversational sal ies. fie had not a word to throw to a d>g, and went to bed while still the sun was high, pleading headache, and ex cusing himself on that pretence from the introduction which Ned was eager to effect ltetween him and his new niece elect. To-niorrow would b< time enough for that, remarked I "nc!<- Joshua, with a low* groan. It wit- a'tonishing how* he revived next morning, after a ln-fore-hreakfast talk on the piaz/.a with AliihottcCrosby. " My dearest Ned," lie cried. drawing his nephew a'ide, " I have jut heard something which has gratified me very much—very much indeed! Why didn't you explain that Miss liar!wile was the adopted daughter of my old friend S* na torßoss? 1 knew him well in Wash ington in. let me see. T'J It must have ieen—a highly elegant man, and a most princely fortune. Your fiance and her sister are his reput*xl heiress. <. 1 under stand. I should have met your an nouncement yesterday .mite differently had I known this. My old friends daughter!—well! well! In some re spects the connection pleases me Ix-ttcr than the other of which we have spoken. You are going to do remarkably well by yourself remarkably well, vou lucky fellow!" " I knew that before, without waiting to learn your further particulars," re torted Ned. " I'ncle Joshua, I ju*din you because you have not s*s*n Essie yet. After you have seen her, if you don't ask my pardon. 1 shall cut you off without a shilling." " He! lie!" tittered Uncle Joshua, r**- stored now to all bus pristine compla tency. All went merry tis a marriage bell after this. The two hciro3!ies and their two lovers were the great exciting topics for the rest of that season at the South Cove. Essie l-w*itch<*d Uncle Joshua at once, and in half a day had that amiable worldling entirely under h*-r dominion Among other secrets which she wormed out of him was that of th*- original pur -s>oxe for which Ned had come to the sea shore. "Oh, you pewir fellow!" she cried, be tween her peab of laughter; " v*u |**M*r victim! (ioing *>utt* shear, and coming back shorn. Su*l a tin*- plot, so beau tifully organized, and all to go awry! Oh. Ned! Ned!" Ned's color deepened perceptibly, hut lie met her laughing eyes hohfly. " Well, yes, it was something like that in th'' beginning." IK- confessed. " You Uncle Joshua had got this idea into his head, and I felt bound to gratify him if it proved possible I think I foil in love with you that first morning; but I wotrhln't own it. and went on stupidly trying to prove to myself that you were only a—a —" "A 'Symphony in Hlaok anil White,' perhaps,'' broke in Essie, saucily, read ing the words from the newspaper in her lap, "or ' A Nocturne in Yellow.' Which was it, Ned?" " Neither," cried Nisi, catching up the [taper. "' A Prelude in Brown.' That was it. Essie. Prelude? That's the thing they play la-fore they begin the H-al theme, isn't it? Well, ail 1 ask is that you will keen on playing so long as 1 live, darling. I want no other music, nor ever shall, than just my ' Prelude in Brown.'" — Hnnttrn Bnznr. Housekeeping Made Easy. A couple may now set uj> for them selves with very few utensils, scarcely any provisions, and next to n> know ledge of cookery. A gjis or oil stove takes the place of a costly-and cumbrous cooking range. Coffee is bought not only parched hut ground. Spices and pepper come all prepared for use. .Every kind of bread, cake and pastry can lie purchased at a slight advance on the cost of th<' materials they contain. If one wishes the sport of making them, self-raising flour may he had in any groeery. l*'ruit of all kinds, all ready for the table, can he purchased about as cheaply as that which must 1m- pre pared. Not only lobsters and other she|]-tish, hut salmon may Is- Isiught cooked and ready to Is- served at a price hut little alsive what the crude articles cost, and rook<-d corned Is-ef, tongue, and pigs' feet and ham have long been on the market. There are also canned soups, that only need to he diluted; minee meat all ready to put between pie crusts, and roast meats and fowls of all descriptions. Some grocers keep mush prepared for frying. Hasten baked beans, put up in cans, have had a great run 1 an enor mous pipe, whose thick stuoke was blown by the wind straight Into the faces of two < harming ladies. The latter, alter having lairiie for some lime this disagreeable smoke, at last made sign to Captain lsnloi* Podeltanc. He at once under>to*l what they uieant, and went up to the oftieer and said " You will greatly oblige me were you to change your place. The two ladies behind you are seriously Inconvenienced hy tln sntoke oftyour pipe." Th**oflleer slow ly raised his eyes, ltaiked at Captain lsalois l'mlensae. smoked faster, drew inspira tion *ia"|M*r than ever; lazily tuoving hi' l ight arm, he poiuttal t> his saler and said: "I refer you to Coco." Captain Enlois I'odensa, asked "What d" \*>U mean? Who is CocC' I'he officer ironically replied " 1 refer you Coco " Captain Isnhjis podensae saw the oftieer sought a qttarre., sii PiMiensac turn* - *! his Itaek on the ofli* **r, who smoked more than ever. The steattlltoat was fuii of passengers. The Itdi'shad no aiterna tive hut t*i change tin ir seats, win. h were in the sltade, amt it sit in the -un an August sun. "so they preferred put ting up a little longer with the incon venience, sure that the captain would soon make the officer Itehave hitns**lf. Podensa** was young; he was amtiitioii t please la*lies, *sps*iaih when they w ere his passengers, so he attacked tin officer again ami went up to him 'ay ing "You will oblige me to d d liar*lily with you. hut it is \*.ur own fault Vou have no right to remain on the quarter deck, for vou have only a • ..mi . *- ticket. Your plant It forward The otlieer carelessly tvpihal. still palling los sword "1 refer you to C• * me 1 sliall 1m- ob!ig.al to make m\ no n carry you ft>rwar*i. Th<* officer qtiiMly answered : " 1 refer \u to Co**o J'o densae's tirst itttpu was to < i/e |h< insolent officer bv th** collar ami *lrag him forward, kicking him as he w*-nt He ail nt once exclaimed—evident y a thought had suddenly occurred to hint " You are right. You refer me to Coco. Do you tliink 1 am afraid of you. of su> h AS vott.of C*M*O? Wait one minute and I'lf let you see." The captain w. Nt h*s low and in a few minutes afterward came out of his cabin brandishing an iiumuis. saber He w< nt up b> the offi cer and said, "Si, on our I**. there 1- • little island. It is entirely d*sert**d It is the very place for vou and nv ! shall land vou there, ami 1 shall sav to Co.o utore than you now dream of." The officer rose, 'the captain ordered the engim-v t>* st*q. the l-.at ami the h*-ln>- man t*> put her close t> shore. When h** almost UiUcli.-d sliorr th*- * tptain ■ >rsiti*>n th** captain -aid to the officer: "Will you land?" In a moment tic- ffic*-r wo* on the island. In i**s* tim** the gangway was taken in, afu)!h<-ad of steam put on and th* lsmt in th<- nii*i*ileof the river. Th** officer yclltsl in a tow. ring rage. "What do* nil this mean?" The captain yelled liaiA, "1 r*-fcr you to I'M*O." " Have you played a trick on me?" " I r-f*-r you to t iw-o." " IV> you mean to insult nn- '*""' " 1 refer you to ('f Truckee. It lie* in two State- California and Ne vada; three-quart*T* in < ulifornia and tin* remainder iu Nevada. Talus- is an Indian nam*. meaning big water <*r deep water. Here, at -in elevation of a mile and a quarter above the ocean, sheltered in its rock-bound Imsin, ri-st litis inland s*-a, twenty-five mil' long and ten wide. Its blue water* are en circled by hills mow iced with trees ot evergreen and patches of pure white snow. Pebbles may b<* counted, and trout may !>• s,-,- n sporting at a depth of eighty fs-t, so clear and smooth i* th* water, it changes color according t<> the depth. fr**ni a ix-autiful pea green at th*' shore to an indigo blue. k iias been sounded to a depth of 3.1**1 f-s-t. and is so cold, even in summer, that the water, when taken from in-low the surface, is mar to the freezing point, although it never freezes in the coldest weather. Fish abound in the waters near the shore, among which are four varieties of trout. The silver trout is considered the finest, and is alwa\* taken in deep water, sometime* weighing thirty-two pound*. On account of the rarity of th atmos phere. the waters arc not very buoyant, objects sinking like lead. Nothing en r floats on tlic surface. (Ireat logs whieh have escaped from the hand* of the log gers. "soon sink and are sis-n no more. At time* the lake i* calm and peaceful as a smiling babe, again it is in a moment lashed to fury and beaten to foam hy the winds that spring up in the canons and sweep across its waters. But look at the lake when and where you will, it i* a scene of hcaiitiful grandeur which pen and pencil have striven in vain to por tray. Vou must sis* it to 1m- satisfied. M ho Owns These Albums J I own to a peculiar carelessness and forget fulness in personal matters. I grieve and mourn over a chronic inahilit v to renii-mIM-r names. I sometimes fcarl would forget my brother's name, if it didn't sound so much like my own. I have sometimes, when out on the war path, forgotten my own, and bis-n com pelled to write home to my wife to as certain what it was. I have sometinu-s IMN-II introduced to a gentleman, and. then, IK fore lie could 'get through with thocustomary introductory remark about the weather, or how I liked the town. I have found myself wondering, wonder ing. wondering Until my hend itched what under the sun was that man's name! Since my return to my own peaceful fireside—l forget, this isn't the fireside season; I mean, to my own pro tecting fly screens, I have, or rather, the members of mv family have, in over hauling my effects in n frenzied search for loose nickds, discovered seven auto graph albums evidently committed to me for the insertion of "a autograph." These albums possess the peculiarity of all autograph alliums. They contain the names of nil people, save those of their owners; anil I. wretched man that lam, I wot not where I got them. If the confiding people who sent mc their albums, trusting to my easy promise to leave them with the hotel clerk, will please send me their names and addresses anil pri-cise description of t heir respective albums, I will return them, if I do not forget about it. How heavily my guilt weighs upon nie. If it doesn't feel any lighter in the morning, 1 will take it to the grocery and have it weighed, ami sell it to some traveling doctor for the boss tumor.— Burdctle. Mr. (J. T. C. Hartley writes: "An ouncs of bread wasted daily in each household in England and Wales is eoua to 25,000,000 quartern loaves, the produce of 30,000 acres of wheat, and enough to feast annually 100,000 people. An ounce of meat wasted is equal to 300,000 sheep." I'ARL, U4KDKX AMI HOi'HFHOLiI. Wont* IIImIH utt l*ruulM||. \\ liile the scientific gardener* and oivhardists are usually doing more or less pruning at all seasons, ami are con stantly clipping off a shoot here and a larger branch there, or breaking the hud out of soia< twig u prevent it going astray , the nov ie. iu uch matters SIS IIIH to IK- tearful of losing aometliiug of value if he ruts a tree or shrub iu any part. Then we have men aspiring to 1M- tea* b < i> iu the horticultural art, who inveigh against any kind of pruning, and tell us that it is not a natural <>|>eration, and the l-s* dolie of it the Is-tler, as though then* was tu* uch thing as improving upon natural methods of raising tr*w ami ah rubs, or of rearing an 1 mala to meet the Wants or fancies of men. But culti vatcd plants an pla*-< d under unnatural conditions, and to luing them l*< our ideas of perfection requires th** applica tion of unnatural pnsvsse*. among w liieh pruning is one *>f the most important and Useful. l*Kt XIKO ro lx vuioitATE. —It may s,em a rather singular o|-ration t nt away one-thinl or one-half of a tree, in order to increase it* i*c ami stimulate it to make vigorous growth; hilt long experience loot taught the gar dener ami oreliarviist that severe pruning is one of tile uiol certain ami effective invigoraton to apply to old, itunuii tree* ami shrub* tint fruit tree#, or even VOUIIg ones that have liecnille stunt, d by ovei bearing or neglect, may ollm la started into a \ igorou* ami healthy growth by merely shortening all the iit am h< s to om -half of tiieir original length, or when there ar- ai many twain low that they crowd mil other, a portion should !• rettioveil entire, and the remainder shortelieil to a proper length. Of course, cultivation and manuring sltouhi Hot tie neglected, hut in litallV instance* these w ill not produce the desired cff.. t utilm tlo-y an- ai-roiu j uiied by -v. re pruning Vigorous growth in fruit tno will r<*ult in large and handsome fruit; for while a stunted treetua\ put on a promising show for fruit in it.s ah tin dam <• of bloom in spring, it lu.ti fall short long la-fore the harvest; ami even if it should carry a goodly nutn ta r of ldosMlitis through to the ri|a*ning - as,in, the fruit will la* in variably small ami inferior. Better a litti* ami jwrfia-t truil, than an abundance that is small ami worthless To iay down any specific ruh-s for pruning is imis- ible, as each individ ual tree or shruh may require a different tri-ntmeiit. Some may need trimming tin. other* heading ba> k; ins Lam eg will . ... occur w here otic tre* msals thinning out of branches, ami the very next one a shortening in. for the purfa-se of in creasing ih' nutiila-r. or thickening up of the head These .Mirations may lc em ployed not only to invigorate, hut also to give the required form to the tree, and they are as important as good find. shel • r and care to the domesticated animal. I'm MM. t TIT\*WI N r st. L'L-AXR*.— Auioug ornamental plants then- is as much msst of pruning as among the uiori useful. If the pim -s, spruce*. ami oilier urge growing evergreens are jtcrmiti.sl to grow unpruned, they will usually shoot up 100 tail ami slender, and their leading shoots should, therefore. In* cut out every f< w v,*ars while young, in order to give litem a wide spread of lower branches, and the latter should i'sf la- short* in d to make them more compart. if ihe tree is inelined *o of a and open habit, Old-time garden er# and nursery m*n were very chary of hi caking or cutting off tlieh ading sht* of evergreens, especially those of the pin- - and *pruce, fearing that tin- loss of the " leailer " would permanently in uirethe fortu and symmetry of the ins-; '■ut our le-st cultivators of such plants in these day# purmawly cut out the lewd i-rs of ali the rapid-growing sorts to im prove the form and enehance their value l'-r ornamental purposes. If the tns-s are to In- raisisl for titular, a straight tall stem would I*- of more value than any number of handsome branches, and Is-auty might 1- well ta-riSied to use fulness. In raising deciduous trees, a man can readily , hsnge the form to suit his taste, and prodili-e almost any style li>- faneiw; ami if the pruning is done at the proper season, there is no reason f"r believing, as some [i-rnns assert. that it induees e.-irlv decay, or ihortms the life of trts-sor outer pian'.*. There an l many ornamental shrubs which are much improved by severe pruning, especially by thinning out the stems of tho-e that grow in large thick clumps, and shortening those which pro duce their flowers on the young grow th of the season. Koscs of the class called m intlih. and also the hardy perpetuals, -hould liavr all their main shoot* cut tin kat least one-lialf early in spring, as the flowers are (irotlucisl on the new growth of the season, am! the stronger and more vigorous Un- shoot#, the inrg. r and more perfect the h lis tins. I here is too much dependents' upon what i called nature in the management of both plants and animals, which i hut a handy excuse for n far t*i wide and general m glcct of both.—AV*r York Sun. Hot MIKI Mildew Of lite The origin of rot and mildew of the .i IfM . Mfl the New York \Yorll. has given rise to numerous and widely-di verging ootyectures. and the various causes that have Item attributed do not appear to In- very reliable. Both dis ci-. * come and go with the seasons, one year Iw-ing notii-eat. eon one variety and the m-xt upon some other kind, giving ev idenec that it is miasmatic or sporadic, and developed according to the atroos pltere and condition of the vines as re gards liealth and vigor. The jirecautittnarv measures largely adopted by leading fruit-growers t than any others. e*|s-clally if the soil i* naturally a well-drained on® and so situated tlint no stagnant moist lire can exist upon it. A correspondent writing on the treatment of grapes to avoid rot. in the Fnnnrrs' Ai/twrtfr. urgi-s the t|sr of the spade instead of the plow in the preparation of the land for plant ing. fie says: " When one knows how to use a spade it is a very simple method, much more rapid and less costly than would IK* thought. An acre dug to the depth of SJO to if 4 inches costs little relatively. The vines titul ample sup |Hrt in a soil thus worked. IUUI thegrapes will not rot " It is ftyther siiggcstisl that the soil about the vines he thor oughly workid in the spring with a spade, followed by four or five his-ings in the summer, whether there are weeds or not, in order to keep the ground con stantly stirred. All cultivation should he done in fine weather and when tin soil is dry. Keep the ground worked as deep as may lie with the hoe. It will then remain cool, the vines will thrive and the iiuality of the fruit or wine lie improved thereby. In gun Urn culture, for it single row, the border should he eight to ten feet long and alsiut four feel wide. An ap proved mode of preparation is t> dig out the natural soil to the ri-quin-d depth ami the length and width necessary, if the soil he stiff < r damp, sinnll MM, lirtish and ruhhish ma* lie laid at the hot toiu as a sort of drainage; on top of this deposit, the compost for the Itorder. This may consist of two parts of good, fresh friable loam, one of old, well-rot ted manure, and one of ashes, shells and broken bones, all mixed together. The top of the Isirdcr, when finished, ought to be at least a fisit higher than the sur faee of the ground, so that it BUN still remain higher after settling. When a southern exposure which gives the vines the benefit of the sun's rays all day can not lie gained, an eastern exposure will often lie found successful,especially with the early-ripening varieties. A northern exposure ought to he avoided if possible, and, if used, the hardy, early-ripening varieties only should be planted. tarvtua NH. An exchange gives this hint: We have often JHS-H annoyed, iu cutting up a roast ot beef oil the dinner table, by the difficulty of holding it in a fixed position on the smooth, ova! plate, while attempt ing to slice the meal down in a hand some manner. Sometimes we have thought that ixirrtlgnled dishes would it*dtl the meat letu*r and prevent its sliding aU'iit But more recently we have lotiml a much Is-tter remedy, liy the use of two carving forks set some dis tauee apart in the roast, but with the handles brought together ami held in one hand The ease with with h the earving is now effected is really surprising. Freshly eook**d and flexible lss*f Is sliced down with entire control ami xivunry, ami as thin as pastelMianl if he desire it. Nothing is easier than to try this method, ami one trial will satisfy any one. It is not patented A Friendly " Hend Of!." Young (iuffey was quite ill the oilier day, and as the dot-tor had pr**s*rile*l l*erfe**t r< si ami < aivful nursing, hia par ticular friend, Ja* k ltwlgrn, said thai he would bring round a>iu* of the fel lows to *it up with the invalid and " lira**** hint up," as Jack kindly ex pri-ssed jt s> that night tiuffey was awakened from a feverian sleep by a tr*-- inettdoua clatter ou the aUtircas** ami lloiiger* appeaml at the h*a*i *f Ave genial young mm. arryiiig a dent (jo tin, various itiusica) instruments am) other appliam ** ofnxalern inquisitions. Thesw ktitd-heatt'sl fellows bad all l***en hu presaed with the fact lliat nothing does 'I, k perwina MI tuueh FOOD a* to apnroach thetn with smiling fa*-**s amt ehoerful word*, so they nearly shook (iuffey"s arm out of joint (h* had inflammatory rheumatism), and after assuring him at th* top of ih**ir lungs that he never looked IM-U.-! in his lif* ami they'd have him right side up with care in a day or two, they piled their hats up over ills f**el ami sett led down to their liencvo 1* nt task, first. Tout I'iilf told an ex ,ru* jilting fanny storv third-atory window of th* St. Chore's Hotel in New Orleans, with an admirable imitation of the way tin* waiter y-elled when he struck the pavement. This am* dote caused the company to .augli its**lf almost black in th'- face. Then Mr. Biadgera )***rf<*nnen tt, do some imitations, just a few, and he forthwith iiltellnd twenty-eight well-known stars in tin- most masterly manner, anil Was tin* recipient of the same number of enthusiastic encores. Then Monagan. tin* baritone, sang "The Old Sexton " in a style that mad*- the * oai ratti* in the ■ . liar, and after that got italf-w nv through ** There's Craj** *>n the l**or ' la-fore he was apprised by sundry vigorous pun* lies in the rib-of its decided itiappropriaten***, which b- pulled up in the grent**st dis may. Jimiuic Difl'endcrfer, however, put an end to th<- general emharras tnent by volunteering to dnoce x iiorn pipe **n a table, w hi* li he did to the **n tir- satisf.u*ti*n of everybody. Tit*- taJtle Ie tirst thoughtfully pulled to the foot of the bed. so thai (luffey could have the best possible view *if the performance. Aft-r that tit* whil*- party vociferously playtai *-ar*is. amok* d ati*i made hot whiskies for two *\cs. ami his vagaries ex cite hut a smile. No one dreams of in terfering. even for I In- sake of order, with the privileges of this ancient servitor. The front portion of this pavilion is oc cupii-d by Mr. Davis as a library and study. Mere 1 found liim. slightly in disposed and lying upon a lounge. His manner is genial and very kindly, with that charming courtesy characteristic of the high-bred Southern gentleman. Seventy years of age. Mr. l>avis has yet a fresh and vigorous look. His hair, mustache and whiskers are white in part, hut his eye is bright and cheerful. _ His face in repose is almost severely intcl liH-tual, but the smile which lights up liis otolith and his quietly rheerAll laugh dispel the first impression of coldness. Few of our public men have the quiet fascination ot manner, the old-fashioned grace and the charming conversational powers of Jefferson Davis. His memory is capacious and retentive. One might, with a facile phonographic pen, collect great stores of reminiscence from his ips.— ('orrcsjKmiUwr Boston Herald. There are, according to the Dubuque (Iowa) Hcraki, one billion logs afloat on the Chippewa, Menominee and Hlark rivers. The mills, it thinks, will have all they can do for the next two years. TERMS: 012.00 a Your, in Advance. 11M1.1.1 TOPIC*. The California ( onstituUoaa) Conven tion Was in session 15? le to complete the work within that time, ami fl.'g,- (*xi more than was ap)*rtlohed for the purpose was consumed for th* pay of tlie uieitilM-rs and tin- convention's running expenses. Dr, l'alli, a distinguished Italian sa vant a*ivau<*v th* theory tiiat the hu man organism uudergo*tMt,(*Xt,(SXI pear tr***s. 113,tru.iOM peacii trees and MI.IWU.OOII glWpevlues. I'he total value ot the (ruitcrop through out the t niteil Slat*-* is s*-t ,too.tKJO, pears #14.130.000, peat-IH-a *l?.l3.'i,tJ, graiM* o'g, Ila.tasi, straw latri*** #s.(**♦.- (x*J and other fruit *10,43*.000. Concerning U<" ciuu-gca *f the express (siiupiuiica the JmiTVim < \UtttUur say -: "The sx press < <>mpanics in tin ir* xorbi ant chargew fail to realize, or at i--t fail t** I#** govern***! by th<- l;wt, that in aii ot Iter branches of business, both private ami -oriont*-, profits are iarg* iy re duced. I'he public diaiutntl l*iw**t rat-s iu accordance with th* tim**s Mana ip*r of express compajii"* should n**t de lay making a reasonable mittction in Jieir charges, an*i without f*r**ing un nealtlty competition. r **reating pnl< i** discontent by a grasping and selfish policy." A poor Hungarian lately showed a I dark jtearl to a !'<*lh jeweler, and t>eg ges •• An intendevi purchaser xhouhl have the horse brought out before him. and watch the animal as he stands at n*t. It the own*r is continually start ing the horse into motion, and urging him to 'show off,' something may t*e suspected, h*causc it is when a horse i at perfect r*-st that liis weak points are divuigt-d. If th*- home lie sound he will stand square on hi* limb*, without mov ing anv of them, the f***t being p!a*e*l flat U|M*n the groun*i. and ail his leg- plump ami naturally posed. If me f**>t be thrown forwani. ami the tte piiuting to the ground, and the lie**l rais**i. <>r if xli* fiM*t Is- lift***! from the ground, and the weight taken from it. d ideas** or ten derness tuny be su*|a*cted." The Washington f'.st ha an af tin-manner in which the n* w- t* n dollar **ertifi'*atcs are print**! I*y the Bureau **f Engraving and Printing: "Tli* certificates. like grcenlwek*. re quire two di*tin<-t plate lmpr<***ions. one for the hack and the other tor the (hoe. As the plale printer?, run only average about *SO impre-ion per dav, this is the slowest part of the work, tn order to prepare the sheets for tie fir-d impression. they hn> eto l*- w<-t down and subjected t't a hea\ v pri-sstire for ten hour*. The impressions siv then taken, and the sheet# an* placed in a dry lox and subjected to intense heat. Thev ars' then ready for examination, when ail the imperfeet sheet* are thrown out. The <*lg* are then trimmed hy ma ehinerv. Each of Uhw mackim •m --ploy* two pcrNin*. who can eoumlet about 16.000 impressions p--r day. The sheet* are then taut to the surface press.-- to have the seal and the date imprinted. These machines each turn out on an average L'J.OOO impressions JMT day. They are then sent to the numbering division, where em it machine averages 4.000 impressions per day. Tlte hack* are ttstially printed first and go through a long prei'is* of wetting down and dry ing. _______ Words of Wisdom. learning without thought is labor lost; thought without learning is jwtrtl oiis. Friend* are M companions on a jour ney. who ought to aid eaeh other to jwr severe in the mad to a happier life. When the millions applaud you. s. n otislv ask what harm you have done; when they oensureVou. what good. _ Life is niade up. not of great saerifiees or duties, hut of little tilings in which smiles ami kindness and small obligations given habitually, are what win and pre serve tlie heart and secure comfort. Misfortune is hut another word for the follies, blunder* luid vin* which, with a greater blindness, we attribute to the blind goddess, to the fates, to tin'stars, to anything, in short, hut to ourselves, t hit' own head and heart alt* the heaven and earth which we accuse and make responsible for all our calamities. Tin •re is this difference la'tween those temporal blessings, health and money; money is the most envied, hut the least •njoved; health is the most enjoyed, hut the least envied; and this superiority of the latter is still more obvious, when we reflect that the poorest man would not part with health for money, hut that the richest would gladly part with all their money for health. Chinese IManionil*. In the district of Shantung, in China, a new source of wealth lias Uvn dis covered. Small diamonds exist in con siderable quantities, and the mode of collection is very curious. The moun tain streams of are the favorite spots for diamond fishing. The natives walk about in the sands anil in the streams, arrayed in thick straw shoes. The diamonds, being obligingly raggi-d and pointed, stick in the straw shoes, whieli arc burned, and the dia monds are then collected from the ashes. The average size of these gems is about that of a pin's head, though one as lam as a pea was carried to Cheefee and sold to a mandarin lately. The trade is in the hands of the priests of the Chink angling temples, and the diamonds are solu to glaziers at the great annual fairs. MUM HER 24. lUNfILUOI S ( OIHTFKFEITK. i sii i. I'MitMt wio nw* *o la 4 O u10115... Tire iiumUre of counterfeit national I hank notes now in circulation tlirough ■nit tin* country, and pnrtii-ulrtrly in th<* West, |fc a Ulatt.-r to which tire secret 1 aft It* of lire Treasury Ib-parttm nt an* ' at the present time giving tlreir aiutoat ' uudivldiil attention. Sps ial Agent Hall, chief of tire sendee in tire West, reports tire " coney " men and th' ir •*• nijutors, tin* " sborers," a* etrergetb and daring in their crooked work. Tire Chi ■-ago /ion says: Mr. Hall has in his jjosacasion an inter esting i*illection of spuriotm nob*. Tire largest is a piuunl niteii htates note.datcd March 10, I*W. la wring the signature of i.. E Chittenden, one of which turns up n I tout every sit moil tiu The only d.*-' fn plates kin-w ii t<- I* in ex ist.-nc**, hut tire issue -f bilk from tirem lias not ken discovered for sevi*rai years. From eight to U*n spurious < I plates, and 1- riiap* a like numhsr of pia**. are also known to tie in existence, and to lutvi < nt out largi* -uppli<- of ia>unter feit bills. Making Geography to Order. In a paper in Srrilmcr giving the his tory and romance of tin projects for " I'ierring tin- American Isthmus," Mr C. V. Buel writ** as toliows of tlie great schemes for modifying tin dot* yon of nature in different parts of the glut**: Within a few years the science of mak ing geography to order lias le*n remark ably developed. Holland alnne-t m-1 the fashion by giving Haarlem lake up to agrioulturv, and since then liasconntrui-t --•*d a shin-canal, under gnat i-ngineering difficulties, from Amsterdam luirbor direct to tiie (rcrmnn ocean, makimr the Hutch metropolis independent of tlie eireuitous and difficult course through the Zuyder Zv. I*esscps comes next a it It his Sues canal, triumphantly com pleted in the la** of political opposition rtid in defiance of obstacles before re gird-d as practically insurmountable, M.wt int|Krtant of all lor the IHrien pro -. t. tlie Suei canal lias proven a remark able financial succeas. though it cost uinety-nine millions, about twice the amount first estimated. After it was opened in InBM. shares whose par was ,'asi francs dropped to between 300 and :m francs, while t-n years afterward they ar- quoted between 700 and W0 francs. This canal shortens the voyage from England t India by 0.000 uii.es, vet the fact that British Oriental trade lias been injured by it to the advantage of the gnat commercial cities of tlie Mediterranean testifies to the foresight of Ixird Fahnerslon wln-n lie..ppoaed its constrtiction. The lhtrien project, on the contrary, met witli his approval, and to-.iav appears to be the only expedient which would enable England to compete with France, Italy, Austria and Om siantinonle for the future Oriental trade of Northern Kurope The Mount CVnis and Hoosac tunnels demonstrate that titan may safely drill liis way through the rorkv foundations of gnat mountain eliains. and to this conclusion. the St. tiothard tunnel. moving with unexpected ranidity to completion. adds eonfirma tion. Tunnels an- soberly being planned to pierce the Alp* under Simplon pass ami to admit a railway under the Fng iish channel. lh I**sseps is maturing his scheme for flooding the Sahamn deanuhe hy a canal of ordinary capacity. Tite adi inability has also been considered of a ship-c:uialarrow the Malayan |>enin sula. the 'ong finger of land ex Undine south from Siam to the Straits of M lacea. Such a canal, connecting the Rav ol Bengal with tie-(lull of Siam. would subtract 1.17A miles from the voyage b>- twco crossed dry-shod. Xerxes, when pre paring to invade (ireeee, cut a canal through the promontory of Mount Athos in order to avoid the formidable cape which had proved fatal to so many fleets. Babylon was entered by the Persians through the bed of the river which had been previously drained by a canal; and a similar maneuver proved fatal to the (Jreek auxiliaries who aided the Egyptain rebellion against Persia in the filth century B. C. The French government recently paid the last installment of its debt of $300,- 000,000 to the Bank of France, incurred at the time of the war with Germany. *• Accepted and Will Appear." DM evening while I ncilktog In my mmy Wr, repining O'nr the lank <* tree ndi#on,aad lb* dearth at rntninon H*, A aohnnn-virafed '"•J'i Who ww rarely on the shady : Hki. at thirty. euu-rwt grandly ad W eswafc are .lid ocanmanea: " I rant a i-rere bore, dr," Said iha lady, glowing flareer, And lb# nubfMt which Td ehorad. yon re. member. air, wna 'Spring.* Bay, although I re reanwed yoor i>a*r, •If, by rartligtot. jpw and taper, I've dtoan ared of that jaraa not solitary thiag." ghe waa tnoawilar and wiry And her Imujwr rare waa llery, And I know la paoity bar 1 would bare u I Ah Hire ton. H I tuid her ere her verses, 1 Wbirh WW great, laid nutte Ui—bites it* ! Wa'd reoetvad |M aUlyoee on Spring " k wltteb . tAVd |wwtd on*. And I addad. wm decided That they'" l better ba dlridsd Among the yrere thai laHnw W oeach are trading spring, go yonr wwb, I" pi una ml to mention, i WIU reoalreour has* aMeawm j In the year at treie., aire the birda begin to slag. FVr* Trsw- ITEM* OF IJTKKEHT. A rhrt-proltop— Wk. What i# It thr red are wavra (Vow. fly newly twenty-fire mllre Tire liuaisran at rolling whitmnre kr looking up. In Colorado new-comers are imIW *• under-foots. *" It la retlraatrd that tlirrr nre fiOO.Ot#.- (xmi sheep in tire world. Fortr different specie* of tobacco are (iiieribed by botanist* ■ A Swire i. buying land in Nebraska tbe natives describe these passing ebullitions of nature. — Prvvidmce Journal.