tt iir- jjRj M$$&t ESTABLISHED FEBRUARY a ISIS. VoL 44, o. 3. Entered al Pittsburg Port eBce, Itovemberlt, 18S7, as seeona-ciass matter. Business Offlce--G7 and 99 Fifth Avenue. News Booms and Publishing House 75, 77 and 70 Diamond Street Average circulation of the dally edition of The DiipatcU for six months ending March 1.1SS9, 27,988 Copies per itsue. Average rircnlation of tbe Sunday edition of The Dispatch for Febrnnrf , 1SS9, 45,144 Copies per issnr. TERMS OF THE DISPATCH. mTAOK TRIE IS TIIK UMTEO STATES. JUE.t DisrTCH, One Year .". t 800 J'Ai'.Y DISPATCH, I"cr Quarter S00 HilLT DisrATCn. One Month iiA.tr Dispatch, Including Sunday, one Jri 1003 1i:ly Dispatch, Including bandar, per . quarter ISO JU1LT Dispatch, luclcdlne bandar, one 'iscuUi - 10 fCSSAY DISPATCH, one year. 150 V jr.LKIA DisPATcn. one year 1 25 THE DAILY Dispatch Is delivered by carriers at J." cents p"? week, or Including thebunday edition, stts cents per week. PITTSBURG, THURSDAY, MAR. 7, 1SS9. BASEBALL IS AT HAND. The sun came out boldly yesterday, and in tbe bright light of his beams the schedule of the League baseball clnbs most oppor tunely burst into view. The poor enthusi asts who hare been starving all winter through for -want of the dear delights of the diamond can gird on hope now and grow fat upon the joys of anticipation. If the crack of the bat and the chorus from the bleaching boards are not yet, at least the programme ol the national game for the coming year is in our hands. There is no denying the extent and firm ness of the hold that baseball has upon the hearts of the American people. The popularity of no other pastime, even in cluding the games of other lands, can be compared to that of baseball. The tour of the ball nines around the world has been watched and chronicled as gravely as if -they had been the most distinguished states men the United States could boast. A grand reception awaits them on their return. It is a healthy sien in some ways, this national love of an athletic contest. Busi ness, politics and the more serious things of - life call for the larger part of our attention; there is need of relaxation some times, and baseball seems a very good excuse for it. OUTSIDE OF ITS JURISDICTION. A new example of the persistent misun derstanding of the functions of the Inter State Commission was given by the resolu tion adopted at the convention of State Railroad Commissioners, urging the Inter State Commerce Commission to use its in fluence to mitigate the evils and dangers of the present system of car coupling. The subject is a most important one; and it is one over which some of the State Commissions have jurisdiction. But a study of the inter-State commerce act should have informed the body adopting the resolution that the Inter State Commerce Commission has just as much jurisdiction over the car coupler ques tion as it has over steam boilers. The latter body was created solely to carry out the provisions of the inter-State commerce law against secret rates, discrimination, exces sive charges and pooling. Its power is en tirely limited to the provisions of that act, in which there is not a single word looking toward the regulation of the physical opera tions of the railways. The Inter-State Commission has full occupation in the du ties which it was created to perform, with out going outside of its legal functions to treat of a subject over which it has no more power than any. other body of five respected and intelligent citizens. REPUBLICAN PROSPECTS. To the trained eye and mind of Editor Murat Halstead the whole impression of inauguration day was that the Republican party had come back to stay. This view is possibly the child of Field Marshal Hal stead's desire to some extent, but it is none the less likely to be correct for that reason. The excitement and enthusiasm of the scenes in "Washington on Monday last, as a matter of fact, do not afford very sure ground for the prediction of the political future. President Harrison certainly, as a man of balanced mind, is not likely to forget the lessons of his predecessor's defeat. To day the President represents the policy which has been approved iy the majority of the States, and he can assure the mainte nance of the Republican party in office by carrying out that policy. In his inaugural address tbe President lays down a very secure plan for his four years' administration, and if that plan be adhered to there is a strong probability of the continuance or the Republican party in office. But the hurrah and jubilee of in auguration indicate nothing. The Ameri- ;can people rejoice in that day as a whole; party divisions and partisan feelings are buried under the larger emotions of patriotism. By the deeds of their rep resentatives in office and in the halls of Congress will the Bepublican party be judged in 1892. THE "WASHING OF THE GAS. The explosion of gas in the vaults of the ' Citizens' Traction Company's power house yesterday morning is reduced, by the fortu nate absence of serious damage, to a warn ing enneerninp the existence of nrwrid rian- h . :;: .. . . . ,,ger in a new jorm. xt would De tne natural supposition tbat by this time the scientific handling of gas should, both for economy of supply and the avoidance of danger, pre vent its leakage so as to accumulate in . Taults and cellars. The explosion yester- day shows that this is not the case. It is a salient fact that the first serious explosion from natural gas in Pittsburg was at this locality. That disaster ought to have -secured a very close watch of the pipes in that section; but the presence of accumu lating gas there once more indicates that lessons of that sort cannot be relied on to last over three years. "Whether the escap ing gas is of the natural or artificial variety, its presence indicates gross inefficiency somewhere. NOBLE ANCESTORS TO OBDEB. There has never been any particular dif ficulty in a man of even moderate means ' procuring ennoblement. Titles bf nobility arc to be had lor a song in Italy, Spain and - in lots of the smaller European States. . jBut it has always been a distinct drawback tin the acquirement or nobility tbat ones 'ancestors had to stay plebeian. Ancestors fcjnave an awkward way of keeping out of fiour reach. We cannot make them dukes Cjty any expenditure of hard dollars, and itis unpleasant for the Marquis de Montmorenci jnnnMiMl frtv flip Kmftll Rfltn nf tpn thnil- " . - .-.. sana irancs to oe reminuea mat nis grand mother, Mrs. Mulligan, took in washing or was a scrub-lady. But from China glad tidings lor the would-be noble have come. The Empress Regent of China has issued a decree "en nobling three generations of Sir Robert Hall's ancestors." This is something like getting down to business. It is all very well to raise a wealthy brewer, butcher or mantua-maker to the House of Lords, as is done habitually in England as a cheap and convenient way of paying political debts to heavy contributors of campaign funds; and it maybe gratifying to some men so en nobled to think that his descendants will be peers also. But the average man h apt to ask as somebody did in the House of Com mons in a similar case: "What has poster ity ever done for me, I should like to know?" If the Chinese system of conferring nobility upon a man's ancestors could be. tacked on to the Presidental prerogative here, the gentleman in the "White House would become at once an object of venera tion to the wealthy American worthies who now have to worship from afar off the fat lit tle figure of "Tummy," Prince of "Wales. It would be too sweet for anytlling. Plebeian antecedents would cease to be the bugbear of the newly rich. It would even surpass in convenience the condition of things pictured in Gilbert's "Pirates of Penzance," by which Major General Stanley was enabled tc boast of a long line of ancestry. "When JVecfericfc reminds him that the an cestors belong to the former owners of the abbey. General Stanley replies: "Please to remember that when I bought the abbey I b&ugbt everything belonging to it. There are ancestors in this abbey. Whose ances tors they were makes no difference. I bought the ancestors, and now they are my ancestors." PATRIOTISM ABOVE PABTY. The President's inaugural contained one thought which deserves to be adopt ed as the key-note of polit ical reform. The remedy for all the scandals and demoralization of partisan' politics is found in the idea expressed by the sentence: "Let us exalt patriotism and moderate our party contentions." This is no idle or unnecessary sentiment. At present the tendency is to ignore patriot isms and exalt our party contentions. "While, in private business, the man who would re fuse to trade with his neighbor because of different political convictions, or the Repub lican who would discharge from his bank or factory a faithful subordinate because the latter is a Democrat, would be considered crazy, exactly such phenomena are common place in our politics. "When contested elec tions are decided solely with reference to party supremacy, and not solely with reier ence to who was fairly elected; and when it is declared that patronage must be distributed for the benefit of the party in power, regardless of the public welfare, thea there is need for the exhortation that patriotism should be put first and party con tention be moderated. "We take it that if the President's wish be enforced, it will put a stop to fights over contested elections in which the votes of en tire districts are thrown out, rival certifi cates granted and three or four claimants contend for the seat! It will also arrest the raising of immense sums to be put into the hands of unscrupulous politicians for obvi ous purposes of corruption Patriotism dic tates that the unobstructed and unpur chased voice of the people shall rule. Party contention cares for no fairness or justice so that the party organization is triumph ant, and stops at no ace to secure the party supremacy. Examples of that fact are prominent enough in both parties at pres ent. The President is In a position to give his exhortation practical force. But he will not make it thoroughly effective without taking care to keep power out of the hands of the machine politicians. JUDGE WHITE'S BEFBIMAND. Judge "White talked pretty sharply1 yes terday of the rapid and ostentatious ride to the station house which the city authorities furnished gratuitously to Captain "Wishart and his son Tuesday evening. There was lots of humor in the trip at the time, viewed from a narrow standpoint, but the most exhilarated anti-Law and Order Society people can hardly fail to perceive, after reading Judge "White's observations, that there is another side to the case, and one which is by no means so funny. Of course, thoughtful people will bear in mind that justice should move without personal prejudice. In this instance, it be ing perfectly well known that Captain "Wishart and son "would voluntarily go to the station house, there was no occasion to thrust upon them the invidious distinction of seats in the hurry-up wagon, behind gal loping horses, and to the music of clanging bells. The only man in the country who has ever been found to enjoy that sort of thing, and make it profitable, is our eminent contributor, Bill Nye, who lately described in The Dispatch, at a handsome rate of remuneration per column, just such a recep tion, which he alleges was given him recently at Atlanta, Ga. Mr. Nye persists inregard ing that event as a treat and an honor; but it requires much careful, previous cultiva tion and control of the emotions for the ordinary man, so situated, to view it suc cessfully in that light There has been quite too much of personal prejudice, growing alike into and out of recent proceedings in whlcn the agents of the Law and Order Society are concerned. "Whoever else is concerned, the officers of the law, both of the city and the county, must be above this feeling. It brings the law into disrepute to spread the idea that its machinery can be effectively invoked or exercised through unconcealed animus. If tbe "Wisharts committed assault and battery as charged, or even disorderly con duct, they could be punished for it just as severely without using them for the sen sational purposes of spectacular exhibition. Aftee all there is a suspicion that Bid dleberger's most vital mistake was in con verting himself into a tank drama ahead of date. Had he waited until Monday, he would have been in the most approved style. Milan's abdication is an unexpected stroke of good sense from that disreputable monarch. "When the details are given it will probably be discovered that the abdica tion was of the same involuntary sort as Edgerton's retirement from public life. Alexander and Milan retire simultaneously to the delights of private life. The Count di Montercole appears to have come to this country for the purpose of de claring that he baa a castle; but it is safe to predict that he cannot raise any money on it until be produces the title-deeds. Loed "Wolsely" recently advised the "Woolwich cadets to shun conceit, which be declared to be the .besetting sin of English, THE officers. His Lordship omitted, however, to add the instructive fact that bis own Be lief in his own infallibility makes him a .signal example p'f the besetting sin. The hopelessness of teaching the French nation the national games appears wben we consider that Gallic ideas of honor will re quire a duel every time that anyone is moved to call tbe umpire a liar. The assertion that Alger was the cause of shutting Michigan out of the Cabinet, on the ground that if he could not get the position no other man should, allows the hope that it will be appreciated in Michigan to the extent of making tbe barrel candidate unpopular. Thebe may not be much money in the coal business; but Pittsburg managed to keep up her record by shipping a trifle of 6,000,000 bushels to the down-river towns in this freshet. Certainly it would appear that the rain soaked inauguration sightseers would join the also dampened inauguree in urging that the date of inauguration be changed to April SO. Get the Constituti6nal amend ment ready by 1893. Active politicians who are now picking out the consulates which they thins: will suit them, will, in about sixty days, be in specting the lists of messengerships in the Treasury. It is to be remembered as a credit to the Fiftieth Congress, that the amendments which it made to the Inter-State Commerce law, were not the amendments which the railroads tried to get, in order to reduce the law to a nullity. The declaration made four years ago that "the Confederacy is in the saddle once more" now requires amendment. It has shifted its quarters from the saddle to the soup. Pebhaps after Riddleberger has ceased to be a factor, it may occur.to the Republi can leaders that the political deal by which they gave Riddleberger prominence, seven years ago, has not proved especially credi table to them. Neither the rain nor President Harri son's remarks on Civil Service reform, suc ceeded in dampening the ardor of the office seekers. 1 TiiEPacific coast gives notice tbat it is so much aggrieved over being ignored in Har rison's Cabinet that it is doubtful whether the Central Pacific will accept a receipt for its debt to the "United States Government as a free gift PERSONAL FACTS AKD FANCIES. It Is a curious fact tbat tbe name of tbe county In which Jefferson Davis lives is Harri son. Andbew Cabnegie says Scotchmen make the best Americans. There! is nothing like speaking from personal experience. Miss Cabteb. a California school teacher, took halt a day off recently and cleaned up 810, 000 In a real estate deal before the sun went down. Db. Ohveb Wendell Holmes complains of the persecutions inflicted upon him by vol unteer correspondents. Twenty or twenty-five letters in bis morning's mail is considered a light delivery, and nearly all are upon subjects of interest to the writers alone. Robert Louis Stevenson complains that he found tbe South Sea Islanders too amiable and cultivated to furnish him material for a piratical novel. Possibly tbe Islanders whom Mr. Stevenson met have not yet been thrown into intimate relations with the highly-civilized whits man. Mas. Cleveland denies that she is writing a book, translating a French novel, or prepar ing a magazine article. She says tbat she is fond of literature and reads as much as she can, but she bas not and never had any desire to emulate tbe achievements of Rose Elizabeth Cleveland in the realm of letters. Or tbe members of the Cabinet two, Blaine and Wanamaker. were born in Pennsylvania; three, Wmdom, Noble and Rusk, were born in Ohio; two, Tracy and Miller, were born in New York, and one. Proctor, was bom in Vermont Tbe average age of the eight men is about 6 years. Attorney General Miller Is tbe young est and Secretary Wlndom Is the oldest. Blaine, Tracy and Rusk are each about 59 years old. Mb. R. Selltnghah, who has just retired from engine-driving on the Great Northern Railway (England), after 40 years' service, has bad a wOnderfnl career. In 1848 be was a driver on the railway between Paris and Rouen. "When the revolution broke out which caused Louis Philippe to flee, be re mained at his post and drove the last train which went from Rouen to Paris prior to the mob burning the bridge across the Seine, and by tbat means cutting off railway communica tion with the northern provinces of France. After that be returned to England and drove tbe first train to Homcastle, and from tbat timeuptoa few weeks since be has remained at work on the line between Homcastle and Kirkstcad. His trains have never met wftk anything approaching a serious accident NOW LET HIM DIG A GRATE. An Ohio Farmer 'Bay a Coffln and a Monu ment for Himself. Zanesyille. March 6. An old gentleman named Smith, of Falls township, came to the city to-day and bought a coffin, paying $50 for Hand taking a receipt Tbe coffln is to be de livered when be dies. He then visited the marble works and selected a monument, for which be paid $70. He is wealthy and in good health, bnt declares he feels better now tbatbe has those little matters attended to. A HORSE HAS RABIES, HeWas Bitten by a Dost, Became Mad and Was Killed. Habbodsbubg, Ky., March a About four weeks since a dog with tbe rabies, attacked a horse and a calf belonging to Samuel Gulder, living in tbe Cornlshville neighborhood. The animals were impounded. On last Sunday tbe horse showed signs of tbe disease by frothing at the mouth and dreadful contortions. He killed tbe calf, and was shot to prevent further mischief. SOLICITOR GENERAL JESKS QUITS. Be Tenders His Resignation, bnt Will Initiate His Successor. Washington. March 6. Solicitor, General Jenks 'has tendered his resignation to the Presi dent to take effect at bis convenience. At torney General Miller to-day requested Mr. Jenks to remain for a few days, until be be comes a little more familiar with the business of tbe department and he consented to do so. An Oakland Concert. A pretty vocal and instrumental concert will be given in the Oakland M. E. Church, Thurs dayevening, March 11 Such well-known and favorite musicians as Mis. Mellor, Mrs. Cora Hellers, Miss Bella Tomer, Miss Annie Van Kirk and Messrs. C. C. Mellor, Louis J. Keldel and William A. McCutcbeon will furnish tbe entertainment. It Is to begin at 8 o'clock, and the proceeds are to be turned to the benefit of the curch, Sf aeeabels Entertainment. The members of the Knights of the Macca bels at Mlllvale will give a supper and enter tainment in the Opera House at that place this evening. Lillian Burkbart and other elocu tionists will be present Grace Church Entertainment. A musical and literary entertainment will be given at Grace Reformed Church, Grant street and Webster avenue, to-morrow evening. Tiro Qnurts of Whisky Killed Him. Philadelphia, March 6. Alcoholism was I onnd by the Coroner's jury yesterday to have caused tbe death of William Pearson, of Broad street above Diamond, wbo died suddenly on Monday, He drank two quarts of Whisky in tbe 21 hours preceding his death. PITTSBTm(3 - .v ItilSPATOH, THE TOPICAL TALKER. Bnlldocs Arethe Thins New Pictures Here Lenten Haerlflces Odds and Ends. One hardly expects'to see a bulldog sitting on a chair, with a napkin t(ed around his neck, at a table in a fashionable restaurant. But the other night the sedate guests at a restaurant iff this city beheld this very sight The dog, a fine animal of correct behavior, took dinner in this fashion with his master and some other gentlemen, and it was noticeable that the waiters showed hun great respect Upon inquiry you will find that It Is just now the very properest thing, If you are anxious to keep up to tbe jeunesse doree, to take your English bulldog with you wherever you go, and to treat the animal exactly as if he were your equal In Intelligence and social -position. Un fortunately we cannot ascertain how the dogs regard this fashion. ' The pictures of Collins' exhibit which had not been sold, were removed from Gillespie's gallery yesterday. A considerable moiety of the collection has passed Into tbe possession of Plttsburgers, but, strange to say, Baguette's sea piece, and tbe vigorous painting by Beaug nesne, called "Defending, the Despatches," were not sold. The former picture, it js true, could only be hung to any advantage in a very large room. Suitably placed, Hagnette's work would be almost as a glimpse of the sea Itself, with the added virtues of a brave breeze wet with the salty foam. But the choice Of one man is the rejected of another, and this is truer than ever where pictures are concerned. .,. Said a doctor yesterday: "If my patients were wise they would keep Lent In the strictest manner imaginable. It is not my business to tell them tbat they ought to fast and abstain from indulgences and tbe pleasures of tbe world for thegood of their souls, though I am persuaded that -what is good for the body's health Is rood for the soul's also, but I do whenever I can impress upon my patients the virtue of rest and abstinence at this season of tbe year. It is the law of nature, and doctors would have a great deal less to do If Lent were recognized aud observed by the community generally." .In making personal sacrifices at this season it is well not to give up just tbe practices and pleasures that we are tired of following. A good many of us are like the young woman of whom tbe following story is related: nER sacniFici. A maiden to ber mother came. Her eyes cast down, her cheeks aflame, And said, 'My mother, Lent to-day Begins, and In the proper way I'll keep It." It made that mother's heart rejoice; Ihere was a quiver In ber voice As she inquired, in accents mild: "Come tell me how, my pretty child, You'll keep it?" Jteplled the girl, with lowered eyes: - "I thought It best to sacrifice The dearest thing 1 have my heart! 1 gave it up-'tls Harry's part To keep it!" . Ir the railway mail, service is to be turned over to the Republican patriots lhaveno doubt that in the West particularly devout prayers will ascend that the result of the "spoils to the victor" plan won't work so disastrously as it (lid wben tbe Democrats put It Into operation four years ago. One of tbe high officials of the Western Union Company told me that it was a common thing during the first half of Cleve land's administration for the linemen to find bundles of mail beside the railroad traces. The new men In the West seemed to think tbat the only way to expedite tbe disposal of the mall when It came upon them heavily In the postal cards was to deliver it into the ditch wholesale. This was not our experience in this part of the country to anything like the extent of tbat which Western men" oCboth parties have de scribed to me as their affliction. Mb. Cleveland must have thought it an odd coincidence that his departure from "Wash ington occurred on Ash Wednesday. It would be a good thing to shove inaugura tion day ahead into a warmer month say June, at the earliest if It were only to give tbe poor men a chance to lay tbe roseate hne of their noses at tbe door of the sun. It isn't easy to make the most confiding wife or mother believe tbat a rain storm made a head light of your nose. AN UNLUCKI ESCAPADE. A 'Lonssboremnn Pawns Ills Sweetheart's Bins; and Gets Gloriously Drunk. Special Telegram to The Dispatch. New Yobk, March 6. William Van Salzan, a tbrawny 'longshoreman, with two black eyes, a badly torn scalp, and tattered clothing, told a Harlem Follco Justice, this morning, how the widow Gberhng and her young daughter knocked him out in their restaurant, last night. Tbe original cause of the row was an engagement ring which Van Salzan gave (he widow when she promised to marry him, several days ago. Yesterday noon he got back the nng, for tbe ostensible purpose of having a weddine Inscription engraved in It, pawned it, got bowling drunk on tbe proceeds, and, returning to tbe widow Gherllng's restaurant at midnight told her all about his escapade. His prospective stepdaughter smashed a milk jug over bis head, and the widow threw blm down and fell on him. Two policemen, who entered the restaurant ten minutes later, found tbe floor covered with broken crockery and furniture Behind the bar lay Van Salzan and the two women, twisted up In a bard knot and pummellng each other for dear life. Mrs. Gherling was very anxious this morning to get back her lover and forgive him. Tbe Justice remanded him, however, for fur ther examination. OPENED TO SLOW JIU8I0. The Second Trial of Boodler Kerr Begins In n Dramatic lllnnner. Special Telegram to The Dispatch. New York, March 6. The second trial of Thomas B. Kerr, accused of buying the fran chise of the Broadway Surface Street Railway from the City Council, for $500,000, in 1881, opened dramatically to-day. Ex-Judge Noah Davis, who sentenced Boss Tweed 16 years ago, John H. Bird and Colonel Robert G. Ingersoll appeared for tbe prisoner. Colonel Fellows and two assistants conducted tbe prosecution. The courtroom was crowded with well-dressed men and women, who remained quite still while the District Attorney told how boodle Aldermen were bought. Ex-Alderman Ful graff. tbe iuformur, once more told the story of the big deal on the witness stand, hesitatingly and fearf ally. His hair bas grown white and his shoulders have become round since he last testified In the boodle trials. The first trial ot Kerr was concluded last May, the jury standing S for conviction and 4 for acquittal. Later in tbe day Colonel Fel lows explained to the Judge that he was not feeling well, was threatened with pneumonia, and temporarily withdrew from the case. Senator Beck Nearly Well. "Washington, March 6.'-Senator Beck is almost well again. He Is still at Fortress Mon roe, and will return to Washington as soon as the weather becomes settled. DEATHS OF A DAY. XCqn. C. A, BJack. "VVATNESBCna.MaTcb S. Hon. a A. Black died at this place tg-day. He .was bom in Greene county in 1803 and was admitted to the Waynes barg bar in 1S42. Tbe same year he was elected to tbe State Senate, scrrlng'Slx years. He. was Secre tary or State under Governor Bigler, and was the fliVtbtste Superintendent or Public Schools in Pennsylvania, la. MR lie was elected to the Con stitutional Convention at Philadelphia. He was father-in-law or Judge IngbranK-of the Oreene Fayette Judicial district Francis V. De Grlselll. Dubuque, Iowa; March 8. Francis v. Do Grlselll died. at Storm Lake on Sunday and was burled at Centralis, ln'thls county, yesterday. De Urlscin was tha. Private Secretary of General Montellot, whp wa with Napoleon I. at bt. He lena. He was with Napoleon 'In IT campaigns, and was banished, py Napoleon III. in 1853. He spent six months In England and came from there to Dubuque. Harry Campbell. Harry Campbell, of Park Bros. S Company Steel Works, who was very well known In this city, died yesterday morning at bis home in Wll klnsburg, of apoplexy, He was a member of Knap's battery during thelate war.and atlts close he came home with the brevet of Major. His wife isaslsterofilrs.SolS5choyer, ? Mrs. Henry "Fox. TBTIN, March a. Mrrf. Henry fcfX, aged 88, the oldest resident of Seneca county, dropped dead to- 37- Father Co en, DUBLIN, March, 6. Father Coen, of Woodford, the famous agitator of the land question, Is dead, .tDHUESDAT, MAKOBC'T; TALK AT THE CAPITAL. Subjects That Kindle the Fires of Oratory In State Legislators Patriotic Ideas In Conflict With Sense of Duty Things of Rural Interest. IFEOM ABTATP COBBlSPONDENT.l Habrisbueg, March 8. There hasn't been a great deal this session to call out bursts of oratory. The subjects before tbe Legislature have been mostly unexciting and common place. The discussion on second reading of the grade-crossing bill stirred up some of the Allegheny City members, who thereby brought many of the Philadelphia delegation to their feet. The Pittsburg members, who have a more immediate interest in the subject than their Allegheny City colleagues, did not come to the rescue of tbe latter in the fight, but the recent action of the Pittsburg Chamber of Commerce may act as a stimulant to them. That feature of the bill that would act virtually as a bar against the Duildlngot new roads into the city was ex plained at some length to the Legislature by Representative Sbiras, but it didn't prevent an overwhelming majority voting for-the bill on second reading. One remarkably peculiar feature developed during the debate was the practical unanimity with which tbe Philadel phlafis agreed that the western city which is now in the socond class, and the other w estern city tbat expects to be must accept what tbe Philadelpblans declared to be a good thing regardless of whether these two Interested places considered it a good thing or whether they didn't Third reading of the bill, how ever, is yet to come. . The greatest amount of oratory indulged in by tbe House was worked off on Captain Brown's flag bill. It was all of a decidedly pa triotic character; the opposition proclaiming devotion to the old flag while at the same time objecting to the expense. The bill providing penal ties for officials who do not give old sol diers preference la employment made a great amount of talk, in which patriotism also ran rampant There was more straight business in this debate than in the other, because it was a matter tbat went right at the tonder spot of the practical politician. His love for the old soldier and his belief that the offices onzht to be divided according to political necessities made It a hard row for him to hoo for the time, and now he is devising ways and means of evading the provisonsof tbe bill in case it should pass all the required legislative scrutiny, and? finally become a law by the authority of that last co ordinate branch of the legislature, the Gov ernor. There was no waste of words over the Grand Army button bill. It Involved no appropriation and it didn't en croach on tbe domain ot the gentle men who have offices to give out, as it merely provides that It Is unlawful for anyone, unless one who has the right, to wear the Insignia of the G. A. R, the Loyal Legion or the Union Veterans' Legion. The skunk law, the fence law and the bird book are responsible for a vast amount of lit erature that appears in the columns of the legislative Record. Every member with a rural constituency had a direct interest In all these measures, and even members jrtrbo have no rural constituencies were Interested to a considerable degree m the bird book. Every body wants a copy, but everybody, of course, won't be able to get one. That is the reason Captain Skinner, ot Fulton, objected to the printing of any more unless he could get 2,600 of them enough to give one to every voter in bis county. A vast majority of the othermem bers were satisfied to get even a few more of the books to distribute to please, at least some of their constituents, trusting to luck to escape the wrath of those who are dieappolnteB, or hoping in some way to mollify it. Speaking of the demand for the bird book, it is told of one member, who got a dozen of them some time ago to send away, that he left them in tbe lob by of tbe House while he went after something else. When he returned the bird books were all gone. It Is said one man was heard to offer $20 for two of them, but he has escaped and cannot be found. Measures that caught the agricultural atten tion and roused the rural voice to eloquent declaim were the skunk law and the fence law. The former was debated with great enthusiasm and earnestness. It covered more subjects than the mephitis mephillca himself, and pro posed tnplace a bounty on the scalp of each. There were friends and foes of the measure and they waxed warm and offered amendments and amendments to amendments and substi tutes until at one stage of the proceedings the Speaker, in ordering a vote on some phase of the question, forgot the exact parliamentary form the matter before the House bad gotten Into, looked puzzled for a moment and then said: "The friends of the skunk will please stand up." The fence law is a relic that outranks tbe Constitution in age, and its provision, tbat a man must maintain a fence about his property "horse high, pig tight and bnll strong," has become very obnoxious to many people who don't want to "make a fortress of their prop perty," or "build a Chinese wall" about it, as many gentlemen stated when talking on the subject for tbe benefit of their fellow-legislators and tbe public. The best objection urged against the proposition before the House to re- Eeal the old law was tbe one urged by Mr. ytle, of Huntingdon, and others, that it pro posed no other law to take its place. Hon. Henry Hall took up a rather dry subject and made It Interesting by applying to It the great American principle of "the greatest good to the greatest number." The discussion raged fast and furious concerning the poor man's cow and bis garden patch until the mem bers bad worked up a good appetite for dinner, when they voted, and then went after some thing to temporarily cure their appetites. Mr. Thompson, of Warren, who had charge of the bill, was the principal friend of the poor man's garden natch on this occasion, and in bis remarks made it quite clear that more poor men were interested in garden patches than in cows. But if some of the subjects that have gone thundering down to tbe office of the printer of the Legislative Record seem trivial In them selves there Is one coming up soon tbat will cause oratory to flow freely. So much talking has already been done concering the proposi tion to tax manufacturing corporations tbat tbe proviso inserted in the bill for tbo purpose of exempting some of these institutions will not escape barbed shafts from legislative tongues. Some of the friends will not rest satisfied with the proviso which they think Is so framed as to exempt but a few of the classes of manu facturers who should, in tbeir view, be free from the State tax. Tbe proviso, for Instance, exempts manufacturers of iron and steel. Many members say tbat a literal construction of the proviso would therefore exclude from its benefits those who manufacture iron and steel Into tools, machinery and other mercbant ble forms. In view of this there will be a united attack both by friend and foe of ex emption on the proviso the one for the pur pose further of amending it and other for the purpose of killing it Simpson. AGES OF ANIMALS, A cat lives 15 years. AN ox lives 25 years. A dog lives 14 years. A beab lives 20 j ears. A lion lives 20 yearsv A hobse lives 25 years. A camel lives 40 years. A sheep lives 10 years. A whale lives 300 years. ASQUiBBELllves8years. ' AN elephant lives 400 years. A tobtoisk lives 100 years. A GUINEA pig lives 7 years. CAUGHT ON THE GRIP LIKE. He smoked, the deadly cigarette, And If he could, he'd now regret, But be can't. For he's gone where the angel sings, , He is sailing now on wings. Oil, my, what horrld.thlngs Are those deadly cigarettes. Vandy Where are you going with that grlpf Zandy To Philadelphia. Vandy Business or pleasure? Zandy To keep lent. Swelldom Bo you see tbat young lady over there, dressed in bright red? Tandom Yes, wnat about her? " Swelldom She is one of our greatest belles; why, do yon know, even the blind admire her. Tandom I don't doubt it; she Is loud enough. J. G. B. Ben, who have you slated for the Court of St. James? Ben Why, Jim, Ibavn't given it ajhought. J. G. P. Well, Edgar Thompson is the man Tor that place. Ben. What Edgar Thompson li that, Jim? J. G. B. Ben, you surprise me. Do you mean to say you don't now my dear friend, Edgar Thompson, author f "Triumphant Democracy?" Ben That's what I mean, and what's more, I think the country had enough triumphant democ racy the last four years to do it for a lifetime. You may call again, Jim. He got the dude In a lonely place, On a very flimsy pretense, Be knocked him down, and took bis all, Which, was (Sand no sense. ' ' ' 9;?-0' '1889; PICKED UP IN GOTHAM. Despondency Lends to Death. rrrEW toek bobxav srxctALs. New Yobk, March 6. Charles A. Hopf, a Brooklyn drag clerk. 37 years old, took an over dose of morphia, late last night, and died this morning. In his pocket was found this curious letter: To the Coroner: Dear Sib To avoid having the names of promi nent society people published In the papers. I re fuse to make a statement in regard to my suicide. Only one request I have to make, namely, that my remains rfhould be taken to some medical college and placed on the dissecting table. Trusting in you that this, my last request, will be promptly executed, I am. Very respectf ally yours, CUAM.ES A HOPJV Hopf was In good circumstances. Despond ency, induced by the death of his wife and children, is supposed to have led him to suicide. Mast Marry or be Sued. Miss Fanny Mandelbaam, 17 years old, and Morns Frank, 20 years old, promised on Wash ington's Birthday to marry eaoh other. Three days later young Frank backed out of tbe bar gain. Mr. Mandelbaum bad himself appointed his daughter's guardian by the Supreme Court, to-day. so that he could sue young Frank for 50,000 damages for breach of promise. English Money May Finish tbe Tunnel. It Is reported to-day that a company of Eng lish capitalists bas been formed to continue the construction of the tunnel under tbe North River, from Hoboken to this city.' After push ing the tunnel a distance of S05 feet under tbe river, worktwas stopped in the summer of 1SS7, for lack of funds. Tbe cost of completing the tunnel, according to the company's engineers, will be about S2,100.00U. If this sum la availa ble tbe work can probably be completed within IS months. Jnaas Iscnrlot Nailed at Last. . Jndas Iscariot was a prisoner at the Tombs Police Court to-day. He sells gingerbread in Printing House Square. Policeman Mackey, of the Oak street station, arrested him near the Ben Franklin statue, for remaining In one spot longer than 10 minutes, the limit fixed by corporation ordinance. Judas was fined J5. EEF0EMS m EAILE0ADIKG. The State Commissioners Consider Ways and Means of Improvement. Washington, March 6. Tne first subject discussed at to-day's session of tbe State Rail road Commissioners' conference was that of uniform classification. At the conclusion of the debate, Commissioner Crocker, ot Massa chusetts, introduced a "resolution, which was adopted, declaring that still further advance toward uniform classification of freight would promote the welfare and convenience of ship pers and of the recompenses, and commending a conservative and persistent effort to that end. "Railroad Legislation" was the next subject for consideration. A paper on the subject, prepared by Commissioner Smith, of Iowa, was ref en ed without reading to a committee con sisting of Commissioners Crocker, of Massa chusetts; Mason, of Nebraska; Shorter, of Ala bama; Pingree, of Vermont, and Rice, of Mich igan, to wbom was also referred the whole sub ject of uniformity in railway legislation, wifb instructions to report at a later session. The resolutions further declared that annual con ventions of the Commissioners were desirable, and that a committee of three members of the conference, acting with Chairman Cooloy, of tbe Inter-State Commerce Commission, be ap pointed to fix the time and place of holding the next annual meeting. The resolution was adopted, and Commissioners Woodruff, of Con necticut; Campbell, of Iowa, and Mitchell, of New Hampshire, were appointed as such com mittee. On motion of Mr. Crocker, a resolu tion was adopted urging tbe Inter-State Commerce Commission to earnestly consider what can be done to prevent tbe present gTeat loss of life and limb in couplinganduncouphng freight cars; and further, In what way the growth of tbe system of heating passenger cars from the locomotive or otber single source can be promoted, to the end that the Commis sion may make recommendations in the prem ises to the various railroads within its jurisdic tion, and make such suggestions as to legisla tion on these subjects as may seem to it neces sary and expedient The conference then ad journed until to-morrow. EDUCAT0BS CONSULTING. Importnnt Subjects Under Discussion at a Meeting In Washington. Washington, March 8. A meeting of the Department of Superintendence of the Na tional Educational Association was held at the hall of tbe National Museum to-day. Intro ductory remarks were made by tbe President Fred M. Campbell, Superintendent of Schools at Oakland. Cal., and an address of welcome was made by J. W. Holcomb, Chief Clerk of the Bnreau "of Education, Washington, D. O. The general subject of discussion at to-day's session was "Training of Teachers." Addresses on special subjects were made by Nicholas Murray, Butler. N. Y.; W. B. Jack man, Pittsbure; W. B. Powell, Washington; A. G. Lane, Chicago; John Hancock, Ohio; Henry Sabln, Iowa; F. F. Higbee, Pennsyl vanlaJohn W. Dickinson. Massachusetts, and C. 31, Woodward, Missouri. WASHINGION'S HATCHET. How tbe Story of the Cherry Tree Was Mangled by Some Young Hopefuls. From Life.: "Now, children," after reading the old story of Washington's exploit with the hatchet "write me all you can remember of tbat pretty story I have just read to you." THE BESULT. Slate I. (Teddy, eight years old) GeOrg Washington is our father did he tell a lie no he never did be did it with is hachit Slate II. Ethel, men) gorge washlnton was tbe fether of Is contre bes father sed did you do it he sed iwud not lie idid it with mi Hathlt and then he busted is teers. Slate IU. (Georoie, nine George Wash ington is tbe father of our country and he did it with his batchlt and be said father I did it did the boy deny It o no did he try to put it on some other feller No He did not tell no lie he bust into tears. TOMBSTONE SOCIETY. doings ov the gay in aeizona's metropolis. Special Correspondence of Life. It is rumored tbat Limpy Jake is engaged to an Apache half-breed. Shake, Jake I Bill Higgins, of Wbackervllle. Is In town the price of whisky has gone up 10 cents a glass. The engagement between the beautiful Miss Mollie Simpson and Mr. Ed. Jobnson bas been suddenly broken off. Ed. was lynched last night by vigilantes. Shorty French and Rose Jenkins were joined In the holy bonds of matrimony at tbe residence of tbe bride's father, at 10 o'clock, last Tuesday evening. The Ceremony was fol lowed by a reception, at which the elite of Tombstone society were present. The gifts were numerous and costly. It gives us pleasure ' to announce that Rose will continue to take in washing. Ode polite circle will grieve to learn of tbe death of "Slim Charlie," who bas so long been a favorite in fashionable society. One of tbe ranch boys caught him with a superfluous ace up his sleeve last Sunday and dropped him. We mourn our loss. The "Olive Branch" Chapter of the "Ari zona Benevolent Association" held its month ly meeting at Murphy's saloon last night. Only three members were killed, although several were badly knifed. It is thought tbat Presi dent Pete Riley will not live, as his skull was smashed by a billiard cue, on account of a de cision on a point ot order. We always thought Pete's skull was thicker than that. The billiard cue was turned over to the sheriff. tTHE ball at tbe Skinner's, last Saturday evening, was one of tbe most brilliant affairs of the season. Dancing commenced at 8 o'clock, and continued until old man Skinner came out with a double-barreled shotgun and swore he would kill the next man who broke through tbe floor. Many of the costumes were beauti ful, many had never been (wore before, and many, It is. hoped, will never be worn again. The punch was excellent and as the recipe Is a favorite one, we give it for the benefit of our readers: Take five gallons of good whisky (anywblsky will do If you can't get good), strain through a flour sieve, and drink with a tin cup. This recipe originated with old Skin ner's grandfather, and has been in the family ever since. The entire affair was a marked suc cess, and we join in the hope that it may be soon repeated. We may remark, en passant, that the body of the commercial drummer who tried to wear a suit of full dress such as Is worn in the effete East, to this affair, started back to St Louis this morning. nreaweaTi 'S'r. v, . ? '. ASTKQ50MICAL AXIOMS. tffce Position and Progress of the Heavenly Bodies Dnrlns; March Slornlnj and Evening Stars Two New Oloons. , rwarrncr fob thi DispATcn.1 Old Sol continues his march northward this month, making the days growlongerandlonger. He crosses the equator on the 20th, at lid A. ., and enters the sign Aries, which brings the beginning of spring. Owing to tbe "procession of the equinoxes," which cannot be explained here, the 12 siens of the zodiac and the 12 con stellations do not coincide. When these con stellations were orleinallv laid one In th , heavens, the snn entered tbo constellation or star group forming tbe Ham, Aries, wben he crossed tbe equator going north, which marked the beginning of spring. Since then, however, precession has carried the equinox, or point where the sun crosses tbe equator, backward by about 30". so thatwhile tbe sun enters tbe fictitious constellation Aries, according to our almanacs, on tbe com mencement of spring, he does not get to the actual sjar group forming the Ram until about April lo. This incongruity, however, causes little trouble to astronomers. Tbe sun's apparent diameter decreases during tbe month from 32 21" to 32' 04". showing that tbe earth Is still receding from him. His alti tude at apparent noon increases from 42 10' to 51U7', and this increase, in connection with a lengthening of the day by about an hour and a half, will tend to bring on spring weather. Mercury Is morning star during the month, reaching bis greatest distance west of the sun, 27 53' on the 13tn at S a. m., but owing to his great Southern declination will not be in very good position for observation. Mercury is best seen as an evening star In spring and as a morning star in autumn, since he is then north of the equator, which causes blm to be a longer time above the horizon while the sun is beneath it. His apparent diameter is 8".S on the 2d and 6".0 on the 27tb. R.A. Mar. 13. 3h.02m, Mar. S9.:sb,5fim. Declination. Transits. Itlses. KoZTsouth 10:43A.M. 5:35 A.M. 9 4J' south J0:W A.M. 5.35 A.M. Venus is still evening star and shines unri valed in the western sky. She slowly ap proaches the sun, but grows brighter until tbe 25th, wben she attains her greatest brilliancy. Very little of Interest can be seen on Venus withi good telescope, even In ber present favorable position. The phase, a crescent can be seen with a small telescope; indeed, it has sometimes be seen with the unaided eye. Her apparent diameter is 28" on the 2d, increasing to40"onthe27tb. K. A. Declination. Mar. lS..Sh.I0m. 18 4ff north Mar. 25..2ti.4'm. 21 40' north Transits. Sets. 3:06 F.x.lOilB P.M. 2:30 p. M.10:17P.M. Mars, moving slowly with respect to the earth, still remains evening star, bat is far away and low down In tbe west. His disk sub tends an angle of 4". 4 and he Is scarcely worth pointing a telescope at R. A. Declination. Transits. Sets. Mar. IS. .lh 15m. 7 40" north 2:00 P. M. 8:30 p. jr. Mar. 25. .lh 42m. 10 SI' north 1:49 P. it. HJ23 p. M. Jupiter, tbe prince of planets, is now morn ing star, rising three or four hours before tbe sun, and can be seen in the southeast In the early morning. He is in tbe constellation Sagittarius, and brighter than any of the sur rounding stars. His apparent diameter is 36". Ry A. Declination. Rises. Transits. March 15..18h.25m. 23 01' south 2:42 A.M. 7:t3A.M. March 25..1Sn.30m. 22 58' south 2:07 a.m. 6.33 a.m. 'On the 27th, at 7:00 A. 31., Jupiter passes one of his mile stones, being then in "quadrature," or 90 west of the sun. Saturn is evening star, having passed opposi tion to the sun on tbe 4th of last month. He is in good position for observation, and Is the most interesting of all the planets at present The rings are slightly more open than they were last month, their plane making an angle of about 16 with the Hne from the planet to the earth. At every succeeding opposition this angle will be less, until about 1S91 or 1892, wben the edge of the nng3 will be turned to ward us, and they will be invisible except in the largest telescopes. Tbnuzh the diameter of tbe outer rinz is about 167,000 miles, it is sup posed tbat -.he thickness of the rings does not exceed 100 miles, and this of course is a very small thing to see at the distance of Saturn. The apparent diameter of the planet is IS". 6. In the early part of the month Saturn is In the constellation Leo, but later on he gets Into Cancer. There should be no difficulty in identifying Saturn as he crosses the meridian. He Is then at an elevation of about 67. or somewhat more than two-thirds of the way from the horizon to tbe zenith. He is the brightest star in the vicinity, and is about 15 west and 5 north of Regdlus, the nearest large star. This method of identifying stars and planets by looking for them when they cross the meridian Is probably tbe easiest of all methods. If.we know the points of the com pass it Is only necessary to Imagine a semi circle drawn through the north point, the zenith, and the south point, and we hare tbe celestial meridian, across which r.ll the heavenly bodies must pass about once a day. Now, if we know tbe time of transit, as this crossing is called, and know also how far up from tbe horizon the body will be, we can have no trouble in finding it. Tbe elevation of the body is found by adding the declination of the body to the co-latitude of tbe observer's sta tion, if tbe declination Is north, or subtracting it from tbe co-latitude If tbe declination Is south. Tbe co-latitude of Pittsburg Is 90 40 27', or 49 33'. Suppose we wish to find Saturn on tbe 5th of Marco. From the table below we see tbe planet crosses the meridian at 10:34 p. M.. and 49 33' increased by 17 32'. since tbe declination Is north, is C7 05 We should, therefore, look, for the planet somewhat more than two-thirds of the way from the southern horizon to the zenith. R. A. March I5..9U.8m. March 23..9h.6m. Declination. Rises. Transits. 17 42' north. 2:45P.M. v:S3r.u. 17 50" north. 2.04 p.jr. 9:12 p.m. Uranus is morning star, and can be seen by a telescope mounted with circles. He is just barely visible to tbe unassisted eye. If his posi tion is accurately known. His apparent di ameter Is 3".8. R. A. Declination. Itlses. Transits. March 15..13h.lSm. ? south. 8:31 p.m. 26 a.m. March Z..13h.l7m. 72S' south. 7:50P.M. 1:26 A.M. Neptune Is evening star, but is not in good position for observation. He can never be seen with tbe naked eye, and requires a good telescope mounted with circles to show him. His apparent diameter is 2".5. J!. A. Declination. Transits. Sets. March 13.. Sh 52m. 18 S2' north 4:39 p. it. 11:40 P.M. March 25..3h 63m. 81 & north 4.00 P. M. 10:49 p.m. The moon has five phases for us this month, being new twice. New moon March L Sp. M. Klrst quarter March 9, IP. jr. Full moon March 17,7 A.M. Last quarter March 24, 2 a. jr. .New moon March 31, 7 a. m. Tbe moon reaches her highest altitude. 71 49 on the 11th: her lowest 27 Won tbe 24th. She Is farthest from the earth on the 9th, when her apparent diameter is 29' 37"; nearest on tbe 21st when her apparent diameter is 32 31". Tbe moon is In conjunction with Mars on the 3d, at 6.53 P.M., Mars being 6 02' north; with Venus on the 5th, at 5.40 A. M., Venus being 8 53' north: with Neptune on the 7tb, at 8 P. jr., Neptune being 2 20 north; with Saturn on the 14th. at 1:10 A. JL, Saturn being VW south; with Uranus on the 18th, at 8:18 p. jr., Uranus being 4 44' south; with Jupiter on the 24th, at 7 A. n.. Jupiter being 41' south: with Mercury on the 29th, at 7:01 a. jr.. Mercury be ing 2 02' north. Best E. Ldty, i Why the Sugar Trust Smiles. From the New York World.l The proposed ruin of all sugar men and inter ests by the introduction of "saccharin," the new chemical sweet seems to have been post poned. Sacccharin Is over 300 times assweet as cut-loaf sugar, but also 400 times as expen sive. It has the advantagoof being an antl f ermeht and of being harmless to diabetic pa tients, but Its present great cost of production Is a bulwark behind which the Sugar Trust still snickers. SOME CHOICE ADS. Wanted, a man. Applyeverywbere. Wanted, an oysterman; must not be a clam. A young gentleman of Cincinnati desires in struction in tbe English language, A young man, just recovered 'from a two years' trance, would like to obtain employment as a night watchman. A larqe reward will be paid to the discov erer of the hidden talent which I am persuaded my son, aged 28 years, possesses. Having purchased a magnificent meer schaum pipe, I am anxious to engage an ex perienced artist to color it Must find his own tobacco and pay for use of pipe. A young gentleman wbo has about 12 hours' leisure a day, not caring to lead a life of idle ness, woud like to employ about two of the hours In some light congenial occupation. A young graduate from school of journal ism, having to come to conclusion that jour nalism doer not offer sufficiently wide afield for the exercise of his talents, will take job in a grocery. Address Commerce. A poor, down-trodden lady, In compliance with the brutal demand ot a tyrannical hus band, will dispose of ber pet pug dog. As the dear little love bos been reared in the lap of luxury, only those who can guarantee it a happy, comfortable home and the kindest, tieat ment need apply. flew York Evening Sun.' , "ft-WI f CUEI0US COOTEUSATIQUS.-. Turkey quills constitute a profitable Southern export. Fifty colored men are studying for the priesthood in Rome. -Electric snow plows are to be used on the electric railway In Boston. There is said to be sulphnr enongh m Lower California to supply the world. A medical certificate for a Buffalo qhack tells of a 'man being cured of rheumatism of 91 t years' standing. It is said that this is the first winter lor SO years that teams have not crossed Sunapee Lake, New Hampshire, on tbe ice. An iron drawbridge at Bridgeport, Conn., will be turned by electricity, and is believed to be the first of its kind In the conn try. The railings between the Conr de Car rousel and the courtyard of the Tulleries, in Paris, have been sold for 350 francs to Prince Stirbey. A Poughkeepsie man has been placed under bonds to keep the peace. He drew a cigar lighter on a man, the article being mis taken for a revolver. Strawberry picking bos begun in Flor Ida. The crop will be large. Early vegetables are In the market. Green apples, nearlr large enough for sauce are on the trees In Nevada county, California. An Angnsta (Me.)"man had a bill for a little more than $1 against the War Depart ment After writing for it several times he re ceived an official reply stating tbat It would ba paid as soon as convenient. Among the lamous coses of existence without food or drink is that ot a fast of. 66 days just completed by a sheep on a' farm near Tus cola. I1L The poor animal was imprisoned all that time beneath a straw stack. A great flume lias been completed, at San Diego, Cal. It extends 50 miles from tbe western slope of Cuyamaca Mountain, where there is a reservoir containing a four years' supply of water at an elevation ot 4,500 feet. Tha cost was 900,000. "While a man at Carlisle, Pa., was tun ning a planer his coat tail got tangled and was fortunately torn off. A bit of wood In his fiocket blocked a cogwheel, and saved bis if e. The wood was a piece of John Brown's scaffold. , Ben Butler is the champion mascot of the nineteenth century, By the admission of the new States the Government Is obliged to purchase 8,000 National flags with 40 stars apiece, and Ben, as owner of the United States Bunting Company, will be 3200,000 richer by the transaction. A man while eating lettuce in a Boston restaurant came upon a piece of gravel so sud denly tbat it snapped a tooth off. He sued the proprietor of the restaurant for 500 damages. Tbe Judge gave the case to the jury. The lat ter found out what an entire set of new false teeth would cost and made that the figures of their award. A Chinese farmer at Kinkiang was robbed on his wedding night by a clever burg lar wbo had concealed himself in the nuptial chamber, and removed everything so com pletely and conscientiously that the unhappy pair haa to send and borrow some clothes from tbe neighbors before they could make their ap pearance the next day. Luella Christy, the 18-year-old daugh ter of a wealthy farmer in Kentucky, paddled a skiff across a raging torrent while her father stood on the bank sbe had just left with a Jiistol in bis band, threatening to shoot her over, who was on the opposite shore. After several narrow escapes from foundering she reached her lover, and they hurried to a neigh boring town, where they were married. An advertisement in an Edinburgh paper might be copied in this country: "Serv antWanted, by a family living in an Edin burgh flat, a general servant who will Kindly superintend her mistress in cooking and wash ing, nursing the baby, etc. She will have every Sunday- and two nights out in each week and the use of tbe drawing room for tbe re ception of her friends. Address A. F Scots man office." Mayor Stewart, of Texas, says that Boston has more lecture halls, lyceum3, free libraries, reading rooms, charitable societies. j monuments, paintings, two-wheeled public carriages short, narrow and crooked streets, rosy-cheeked and handsome yet fatigued-looking women and more young men who keep their seats in street cars wben gray-haired ladies are standing Up than any city of its pop ulation on the globe. A Topers' Club is a novel organization ot Kyoto. Japan. It has 23 members, each of whom before being admitted to membership had to prove his ability to drink seven bottles of any intoxicant at one sitting. At a recent meeting, it is said, a member drank during tbe initiation ceremonies eight sho of sake (suffi cient to All about 20 brandy bottles), and his associates think he deserves to be made Presi dent of the society. To the curiosities of Paris belongs a placard on tbe wooden shutter of a baker's shop In the Rue de Rennes. It was posted In 1871 at the time of the commune, and exhorts tbe soldiers of the Versailles army on their return to Paris to throw tbeir guns away and to come and sit down at the hospitable hearth of tbe Communists. The shutter being only put up for a few hours during tbe night It bas never been taken down, and the rain has only effaced a few words of the interesting docu ment George Hamersley, of Franklin, N. J., does not take much stock in secret societies. Some time ago a number of George's friends formed an organization of a rather mysterious character, known as. the Friendly Brothers. Tbey invited him to be one of them and he concluded to accept the honor. A little initia tion ceremony was provided for the entertain ment of the new brother. He was blindfolded and conducted to a strange bouse, then gagged and stripped of his clothing, after which he was plunged in a bath of ice water, raised to the ceiling by a rope tied to bis feet, lowered into a barrel, bead first, rolled about tbe floor, and finally told to sing and 4ance ajlg. This latter request proved too much for Hamerslev and a general tight ensued among tbe Friendly Brothers. Hamersley gut home more dead than alive, and Is now looking for bis former associates with a gun. TAKEN FROM LIFE. The theatrical manager is known by the company be keeps. Suburban Housekeeping Domestic (who baa been catechising prospective mistress) Welt Mrs. bharply, you have rather a bad name among the gurls In the town, but Ol think I'll glre yon a, try. Easily Remedied Chicago husband (at dinner) Isn't tbe room very warm, my dear? Chicago wife I don't wonder, my dear, you find the room warm, sitting there with your coat on. A BEVISED VEBSION. Oh, my love is like a red, red rose In the winter o' the year: And that, as every lover knows, Is very, very dear. Too Frivolous The Philosopher's "Wife Lionel, which do you consldsr of tbe greatest Importance of the final questions of life, tha "have been" or the "alight have been!" The Philosopher (sadly) The coal bin. ARad Errand Mr. Gibes' (meeting his father late at night) Where are you going at this time of night, John? On no good errand. I'll warrant. John-No, sir; I was going to look for you. Aunt Deborah (religiously) "Woe to tha man who marries those Flybelle girls; for tbey toilnot, neither do tbey spin. Miss Dalsy-Oh, Aunt Deborah: Yon wrong them, indeed yon do! I meet them often at dances. Corroboration Said Paddleford to bias wlfeon tbe way back from the museum: "lant! firmly convinced that women have an Innate, nat ural, constitutional love ofthe horrible." ' Good thing for you:"sbe retorted, "oryou. might have been a bachelor to your dying day." Explained at Last Mabel (passiag the Whlppersnapper Club) Mamma, dear, what do all those men always sit In that window for, I wonder? Mrs. N. They sit In that window, pet In order to let all of ns see that they have that window to sit In. Like Father, Like Son Madame Paine Don't you think-Miss Urace Is a very bright Ilttla lady? Dr. Paine (dryly)-Yes: often too bright. I sometimes wonder If her humor does not amount to a disease. M. D., Jr. (1 years oldi-l'erhaps she has Brigbt's disease, papa. NOT ACCOBDtSQ TO HOYtfc. "Must trump or follow suit," aaid.he; To this she said, and struck him mote, " "Wften hearts are trumps I cannot see Why anyone should follow salt." ' She led a heart; bis trump fell on. And thus, jtll both their hearts-were gone. And when tbe happy game was doaeiEV Tbcy both concluded both bad won K "-.! row Ztrt,iJ t. itL
Significant historical Pennsylvania newspapers