3 AS A
The Way of the Rain.
1 heard an old farmor talk ove day,
Telling his listeners how
In the wide new country, far away
The rainfall follows the plow.
“As fast an they break it up, you see,
And turn the heart to the sun,
As they open the furrows deep ated fice,
And the tillage is begun,
*The earth grows mellow, and more and more
It holds and sends to the sky
A wolature it never had before,
When its face was hard and dry"
“And so whenever the ptoughshures rus
The clouds run overhead,
And tho soil that works and lets iu the sun
With water is always fod.”
I wonder if the old farmer know
Tho balf of his simple word,
Or guessed the message that heavenly true,
Within 1t was hidden and heard ?
It fell on my ear Ly chance that day,
Bat the gladness lingers now,
To think it is always God's dear way
That the rainfall follows the plough,
SEL
How She Managed Him,
It was at Leap Year ball in the
city of Kimball. The lurge hutel was
crowded to the utmost with all the bell
and beaux of the place, and it was
noticed that there were a great many
strangers present; but they seemed to
be of a well -.bred class, and although
4, the host bad endevored to be very se.
3 lect in bis company, they had received
tickets somehow ; and asit wasa public
) house he could have nothing to say, un-
less there wus something out of the way
upon which to base his opposition to
their presence,
It was one of the most novel enter
taiaments that had ever been given in
the place. Many of the usual customs
were reveried, even as far as dress was
concerned, the ladies wearing postilion
coats over their dainty trimmed skirts,
Beside these coats they wore high
standing collars, men’s neckties, and as
much expanse of white shirt front as
was possible ; while every girlish head
had the hair parted on the side.
Nora were the men behind in'their
toilets, for nearly ever one blossomed
out in a brightly-colored sash a fan, and
a lovely boquet of flowers, while their
hair was parted in the middle and ar
J ranged in innumerable little friazes, or
bangs, upon their foreheads.
The ladies enjoyed themselves famous
ly, escorting the men from their resi-
dences, inviting them to dance and
taking them to supper.
Among the lookers on were some of
the most aristocratic people in the city,
who were laughing at the performances
of the young people, and joking with
the young ladies, who, with their men's
rights, were lounging in all parts of the
rooms. These married people enjoyed
themselves most laughing at the almost
invariable mistakes that the girls made
in their attempts to do the agreeable to
their favorife gentleman,
Georgie Webb was standing looking
on, with her sister Jennie and her hus-.
band, Albert Ayers; but every moment
ad pretty bead was turned toward the
‘door and any one could have told that
she was looking for some one
4 Her husband, Willis "Webb, was a very
* wealthy man, and his wife was the
most beautiful women in the city. Under
her influence he had given up the al.
most unquenchable desire for drink
which once neld him, and had not
drank a drop for over two years. But
to-night she feared for him, for she had
not seen him for over two hours, and
they had arranged to retura home at
twelve, and it was now nearly two
o clock in the morning.
“Jennie,” she whispered, “what do
you suppose keeps Wiilis 2”
Jennie looked at the anxious little
face of ber sister, and knowing just
what ber thoughts wei: replied, —
“I will ask Albert to go down and tell
him that we are waiting for bim to re
turn home.”
The relieved look in (ieorgie’s eyes
gold how welcom were the words, and
eanie whispered in her husband's ear,
casting a smiling glance at Georgie,
arose and began pushing his way to
ward the door, encountering many dash
ing belles in his progress,
“What dreadful manners, Mr. Ayers,”
said one of the girls, “to be going about
without any escort!”
Albert laughed, but continued his
course, and soon was lost amoung jest-
ing maidens,
Georgie's little golden head was still
frequently turned toward the doorway,
and at length she saw Albert coming,
4 but as she bad feared, alone, and his
face wore a compassionate look as he
glanced at her,
“Did you find Willis 1" she required
half fearfully,
“Yes,” answered Albert, “but—"end
then he paused,
41 know what you told me,” she said
sedly. “He hes been drinking."
Yes,” auswered her brother-in-law
: it best not to bring him
oan var onde, 3 yon
you can go home with Jennie and
Willis Webb bad not taken a glass of
strong drink for two years, but to night
he had been over persuaded by one of
his old companions into taking jus’ one
or two drinks ; but these had as quick:
ly affected him as more had been won
todo in the olden time. He bad re
slized his condition instantly, and en-
{ deavored to hide it as well as he was
| able, and sat down in a dark corner,
thinking his brain would clear in a
few minutes, but he was mistaken, for
when his brother-in-law found him his
mind was so cloudy that he only half
| understood what was going on around
him, Still it dimly seemed to haunt
{ him that his wife wanted to go home
early, and at length he arose and stag.
gered into the next room, where a lad ¥,
{ oneofthestrangerof the party, wasstand
[ "ng before the glass, erranging her I vir,
| Herdress was a dark blue. like Georgie's
| and he walked unevenly up to her Ey:
ing. —
“Come on, old wom, lesh gohome.'
“Very well,” quickly answered the
lady,
“Wait until 1 get a carriage.”
“Shought we come foot."
‘Oh, well, IT will take you home in a
little better style than I brought you.
“Wait right here until I return.
“Wash you mean? Gush I know naf
to go home with out your bossing me."
“But this, you know, is a Leap Year
party, and the ladies wait on the gentle
men,
“Thash so by George, I forgot! Haur-
rah for Leap Year! Hurry up!”
It was but a few moments before the
lady returned, and Willis Webb was
hurried into a carriage, and sank in a
heap upoa the soft cushions, Five
minutes later his fair companion was in
posession of his pocket-book and costly
Jewelry. Poor Webb's indulgence wig
costing him heavily. Then she signall-
ed the driver to stop, and the balf un.
conscious man was assisted to alight,
and the carriage drove away.
But it was not a woman who stood be-
side him now, but a light and slender
man, who ren lightly over the pave,
ment, leaving him to the tender mercies
of any passer by.
Georgie waited with her sister antil Al
bert shoald return with her husband, but
when be came he said that Willis was
nowhere to be found; no one had seen
bim, and Mr. Ayers thought he must
bave gone home alone,
Georgie then started for home, with
her brotherin-law by her side, and
when they bad walked soout half of
the distance they came upon the sleep
ing man lying right in their path.
“Ob, Albert, 1 believe that is he!"
said Georgie, through her tears.
Albert bent over the recumbent man,
and then replied —
“Yon are right, Georgie.”
ile shook Webb roughly until he got
him upon his feet.
“Now Georgie, ifyou will take one
arm I will take the other, snd so we
will get him home.”
When morning came Webb was him.
self again, snd it was with a blush of
shame that he met his little wife at the
breakfast table, He told ber the whole
story, of his meeting an old friend he
had not seen for years; of his slight in.
dulgence; how after that his memory
became indistinet,
“But, Georgie, 1 swear that I will
never touch it again,”
Georgie kissed her repentant hus
band upon the forhead.
After awhile he asked her,—
“You took eare of my pocket-book,
of course, Georgie?"
“No Willis, 1
money."
“Then, as [ live, it is stolen!”
And stolen it was. Search not only
proved thal fact but revealed another;
his magnificent watch and diamond
ring were also gone
Willis Webb was a wealthy man, and
was bitterly ashamed of his excess: but
this was more than he could bear tame
ly
have not seen your
He had some iadistinet remem.
branee of being brought home in a cay,
and he weat down town and put the
whole matter in the hands of a skilled
detective. While in his office he learn.
ed that his was only one of a dozen
bold robberies which had been com.
mitted the evening before, and every
means was being taken to trace those
polite stranger guests.
He touched no more drink, although
his indulgence had awakewed all his
bold desire for it.
This episode had aroused sll his wife's
olden fear, and she watched him ss &
cat watches a mouse,
A month or two glided by, and then
there came an invitation for Willis
Webb to attend a wine supper, to be
given by this same old acquaintance,
who hdd taken rooms at the hotel,
“Oh, Willis, I don’t want you to gol’
eried his wife,
“Why not?” he sacked. You need
not fear that I will drink anything.”
“Oh but 1 don't want you to go!
Lot's go to Jennie's to-night.”
“But I have sent an acceptance, and
Evans would be angry if 1 went any
where else.” ‘
“Well then, let's siay at home to
gether,”
“But I really wish to go myself,” said
Willis, the color rising in his face.
“Oh, Willis,” she cried out with tears
in her eyes, “I never can lot you go in
the world. Ishould not have a minute's
peace all the eveing.”
“Georgie, don't be a fool! Don't you
suppose I know enough to take care of
myself? and I promise you that I will
not drink.”
“But that is just what they are get.
ting together to do," said she blushing,
“ahd it's best not to put oneself in the
way of temptation,”
Willis knew this to be good and solid
reasoning, but he felt a trifle galled at
the careful watch his wife kept ove
him, and was determined not to be “led
around’ by any woman; so he resolved
to go at any risk. And then he laugh’
od at his wife's fears, and went off to
buisness, thinking that he would go if
only for a few minutes, and return be.
fore Georgie had begun to look for him,
The first man he met was one of the
invited guests, and a worldly follow of
somewhat convival habits of life,
“Going down to Evans’ to-night
Webb?"
“Yes, I think so; I suppose that you
will be'there 7"
“Of course ; the old lady cuts up a lit
tle rough about it, but I let her know I
am my own master, Just as if there
were any harm in a little fun!”
This conversation strengthened
Webb's resolution to go also, for he felt
an awful fear lest the fellows thought
his wife had a little too much to say.
And yet he knew that he owed his good
nrme to her, and the fortune which
was now his would have heen squander.
ed but for ber influence. Then the affair
of the Leap Year ball came before his
vision, and he felt a twinge; and then he
settled the matter by thinking that
he would go for a little while only.
When ke returned home be found
Georgio gotten up in a most ravishing
style, and with a ball dozen pretexts to
keep him at home. She said nething
upon the subject, but she had some old
songs and duets upon the pisno, which
she wanted him to practice with her,
“You know we used to sing so much
together before we were married, dear,”
she said, “and we are getting fearfully
out of practice.”
Willis smiled furtively, and they prac
tised together for an hour or more, and
then he made s move for the dressing
room,
“Ob, don't go off, Willis! I've got
some yarn to wind, and 1 want you
to hold the skeins; and then if you are
going down the street, I want to go
with you."
“Now, Georgie,” miid he, laughing,
“why not be honest sad say you don't
want me to go to Evane' and done with
it”
“Well, I don’t" she cried, Inughing in
turn. “Aad you won't go, either, will
you, darling
“Of course I shall go! I have promis
od, aad you would not have me break
my promise, would you?" he re-
plied,
“Yes, I would if it were such a promise
as that,” she said kissing him.
“Well, I shall not,” returned he, 1ak-
ing out his shaving utensils,
Toen Mrs. Georgie snatched away his
brush and tossed it out of the open win.
dow, and laughed so mischievously that
be could not be offended.
“Never mind,” said he.
shaved ot the barber's.”
And then the little wife threw her
arms about bis peek and kissed and
coaxed him furiously for ten min
utes,
His resolution was beginining to waver
when his eyes fell upon a powder that
lay upon the dressingtable; it was a
sleeping potion his wife 100k when she
had neuralgia, and into his mind there
instantly came an ignoble plot,
“Well,” said he, as if yielding, “if you
will go down and get each of us a glasw
of that lemonade 1 saw in the pitcher
tonight , I will think of it before |
go."
Away ran the happy Georgie, think
ing wow she was sure of victory, snd
soon returned with the pitcher and two
glasses,
“I made this on purpose for*yon,
Willis.”
“Thank you dearie. Now tun away
sod fetch my dressing. gown and slip
pers.”
And while she was gone the unprinci-
pled fellow dropped the opiate into his
wife's glass. ;
“Now for a merry evening!” lifting
his glass; and the two together Grained
the'daintily spiced lemonade.
*Bub it shall be at Evans’,” sid the
graceless soamp, darting into the dress:
ing closet, as if to avoid his wife,
“It shall, oh 7" said his wife, thinking
him in jest; and she closed the door
behind him and bolted it firmly,
“1 ean gey
mise that I will
you." i
But he wae too late ; the little golden
“Oh, Georgie," said he, remembering
the ‘narcotio was quick in ite effect, | O°"
ick inn teh,
remain at home with |
head sank down slowly until it rested
upon the soft plush carpet, and never
stirred from ite dreamless sleep until
the morning sun shone into the open
window,
Willis shouted and called; but the |
servants were too far off to hear him, |
aud he had no resource but to stay in the |
close little dressing. room until his wife
should awaken, Sleep was impossible,
and he did some of the soundest think-
ing of his life during those long, chill |
night hours. The thought of his little
wife lying outside the door was agony
to him. But at last he heard her stir |
and then she quickly wunbolted the |
door, saying, —
“Why, Willis, have you been in there |
all night, and have | been asleep on the
floor?"
“Yes, dear,” he confessed humbly,
“I gave you that sleeping powder, think.
ing I would go for a little while to Evan's
party; but you shut me in here, and |
then went to sleep,”
“What a shame !'" said Georgia,
“What a blessing !" said ber husband,
“And I will here give you a solmn pro
mise never to take another drink, or |
ever attend another
again,”
“What's the matter with you people?” |
wine supper
said Jennie, putting her head in at the
chamber door. “Bridget told me
hadn't come down yet."
“Nothing—only we sre a little laay," |
said Willis, quickly.
“Then you haven't heard the news? |
They've found out the thieves at last, |
and that Evaos at the hotel is the leader |
of the gang.” {
Georgia looked at her husband, and
Jennie went on, — |
“They have found your watch and |
ring, too. They were in Evans’ trunk.” i
“Of all things! His party must have
been a failure,”
“Yes, the officers came in when they |
were at table, Albert was there, aod |
he said he never was 80 mhamed in his
life.”
And Willis Webb, after that, had |
great respect for bis little wife'sjwishe.,, |
snd kept his promise religiously,
you
praia
Conundrum Gulch. |
Daring the terrible stom of Monday,
March 10, a monster snow slide destroy
ed nad buried under twanty feet of snow |
the cabin in which Joseph and Sem |
Steel, George Morris, 8, F, Throne and |
J.T, Tate were living. The site of the |
cabin is ix milei above Highland, |
Colorado, up Conundrum Guleh, The
bodies of the five unfortunate miners
were taken out the following day, after
much hard work, as the saow was
packed so solid that it had to be out out
in blocks with an axe. One of the men
was found with his pipe in his mouth
aod his pocket knife clasped in his hand,
sod theothers in positions showing con-
clusively that they were aM instantly
killed. Throne had a dog that he prized |
very highly, that always made his quar. |
ters under the busk where the men |
slept, and of course everybody supposed |
the dog was killed. On April 14, My,
Bevere and Charles Johnson, of Aspen, |
were tunneling in the slide looking for |
s trunk containing valuable papem,
when they heard the dog whine, and
finally dug him out from wader the
bank alive and well, but thin after his |
thirty two daye’ imprisonment with |
nothing to eat but snow, |
i
—— A AI—
The Holiidaysburg Standaed is our su-
thority for saying that “one day last week
the young indies .rom the seminary went |
w Roaring Run hollow to gather railing
srbutus und one of their number in rome |
manner lost a gold watch: When the
lots was discoverad rome young men went
out to the place where the young ladiz
bad been and found it. Iu is sapposed |
that it was pulled out of her watch pocket |
by the branch of a tree.” i
Mrs, Ada Reed of Rivermore, West.
moreland county, received the higest
number of votes or the office ot Justios |
of the Peace in that boromgh. Some |
of Mre. Reed's friends wanted hor lo
prosecute for libel, but she has shown
her good sense and her fitness for the
position by filing with prothonotary at
Greensburg her acceptance of the office
and lifting her sommission, She is the
first women who has ever held offices
in] Westmorland county, and is proba. |
bly the only female “Squire” in the
country. «Indians Democrat
The Allentown Tron Works wore sold
Fridsy for £350,000 and bought in for
bondholders, who will reorganize the
compsny and put the works in opers
tion again,
The Franklin Reposatory thinks that it
speaks well for the prosperity of Frank.
lin county that there was not a sheiff’s
sale at the recent term of Court there
~=The season after the Holidays is gen-
erally dull with the Tailors, We are of
fering extra inducements in low We
have given
r
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