KR - S c v t V '?' w ,i "5 UV.,? -"T; KtW S-1lfc A. rra HE EBONY ERINC Ernest H. SiTVElTTEH B THS PISPATCn.; QTJIEE VAE KEN was not only- one of the richest, tut he was also the happiest, wisest and tindest man in the whole coun ty. His estate was composed or miles upon miles of the finest farming land which stretched itself along the bank of the river. But there was also a crest deal of woodland belonging to the 'squire's prop erty, and the lumber ftpm his forest was famous all over the country for its excellence. He had a beautiful man sion which stood on the summit of a hill, surrounded by a park where the most exquisite flowers and brushwoods abounded n all their glorious magnificence of color and delicate perfume. The 'Squire lived in this mansion with his wife and his two children, a girl and a bov. While the 'Squire found pleasure and satisfaction in his great wealth, he was only trulv happy when with his family, and his lamily was never really happy unless he was among them. A smile ot sublime con tentment would always -rather on the face of the old lady, the 'Squire's wire, when she heard him approach the gate leading toward the house, and the children would at once run out to meet him with such glee as if their very life depended upon their father's presence. Nothing pleased him more than his children's expressions of love and fondness toward him. "1 would sooner lose everything I have in the world, he would often remark, "than the love of my children." But there was no fear that such a thing would ever happen. In fact, as the chil dren grew older and their parents declined in strength and vigor, both the young ones increased in their devotion to their father and mother, and it was easy to prophesy that the children would not consider it a sacrifice it they had to buy their parents' lives with their own. The 'Squire's children had both grownup and to-day there was a large party at the mansion in honor ot his daughters uinn dav. It was afternoon, the young people of tTrShUooi weri sitt & the the entire lame and handsome dining room enjoying the delicious birthday dinner. The whole place was all astir with excitement, because the many guests and the attention required by them made everybody busy. But every rhSscJookcd exquisite. The decorations of the dining room and parlorairere -simply a revelation to the beholder. The last course of the excellent menu was being handed around, the old 'Squire was just engaged in answering to a toast which had been offered, the musicians in the parlor were already tunicg their squeakv instruments to get ready for the coming dance, when snddenly something happened which was destined to break up the whole party and transform the scenes of happiness and mirth into a seat of mourning. The sense of the calamity which crept in upon the happy crowd was this: A servant came running up the path which led to the entrance to the mansion and loudly called for the 'Squire. When that gentleman ap peared in answer to the summons, the ser vant said: "Master, there is a whole army of black knights coming up the hill, and, from what I can see or them, they mean to come here. They are the most horrid look ing men I ever saw. Their faces are as black as coal, their clothes, also their horses the same, but the weapons they carry are as white as silver." The servant, no doubt, wonld have had a great deal more to say, but suddenly a noise of tramping horses and the clattcrine of swords and armor arose from the valley be low which deadened the sound of every body's voice on his lips. Another minute and a troop (f black riders came up the slope. Now they arrived at the top. All the guests of the 'Squire had come outside to see what all these strangers wanted, and they stood all in a row outside the entrance when the horsemen came up. The description the servant had given of the men was about correct The horses, the men, and their clothes and trappings were all of the deepest ebony black, while sabers and swords seemed tobemade of silver. On their heads they carried black helmets, with a plume of white feathers. While the party in the front of 'Squire Warren's house was still staring at the ap proaching men-in a confused and dumfound ed manner, the riders came forward. When they had approached within five yards all topped. Then one of them came iron) their midst, jumped off his horse and walked straight toward the 'Squire. "Sir," he addressed that gentleman, "we are knights and princes of the Ebony King dom, who have come here to do homage to yon and yours. We heard that your daugh ter celebrates her birthday to-day, and we have come here to be your guests." Havinz said this much, he retired. The 'Squire stood for a moment ashast. Hehad never heard of the Ebony-Kingdom nor of the black knights, who came from there, and how they knew that his daughter celebrated her birthday to-day was beyond his compre hension. However, the 'Squire was a hos pitable man, and he had never asked any man yet where he came from acd who he was when he came to him as a guest. So 'Squire Warren Baid to the knights of the Ebony Kingdom: "Gentlemen, although I must "say that I do not know yon or the place you come from, still you are welcome. My house is yours. Please enter and enjoy yourselves." " The black knights did not wait to be asked twice. They were in a few minutes in the hall. At the dinner table they did great credit to tne cook, lor incy an ate very heartily. W uen tne party adjourned to the parlor for the dancing, the black knights distinguished themselves in a rare manner. They were all excellent dancers, and the young ladies seemed to prefer them as part ners, to the utmost chagrin and mortifica tion of the young men who lived in the neighborhood. The 'Squire's daughter especially showed the others a very bad example, because she danced constantly with a black knight. This gentleman seemed to be the first prince of the Ebony Kingdom, because lie was the recipient of much courtesy mid servility from the rest of the black party. He was a, very handsome man, and to look at him for five minutes oceVould forget that he was a black man. All the knights mnde themselre, in this way rery agreeable to the ladies, and though the young men were angrv at them, still they had too much good"sense to show it. It was not until late at night when everybody retired thoroughly fatigued and fagged -out from the bull. . T V m .out what was .the BStonisnmeni in uar- Heinrichs. ten's mansion next morning when it was discovered. that the ebony visitors had all disappeared. However, this was not all yet. Soon nfter it was also found out that the 'Squire's daughter had gone. Conster nation reigned supreme now. "Where could she be? What was to be done?" these were the questions that were asked by everybody, but no one knew an answer. Not a sign of her could be traced any where, and art a long and fruitless search everybody retired in grief and mourning. The old 'Squire and his wife were almost heartbroken. They had never met with a calamity ot such enormity dur ing all their lives, and this was too bsjrd and too sudden for them to bear. The 'Squire's son ran all around the forest in despair. He had hunted the country high and low, but all in vain, and when he came home and found his parents exhausted with crying and mourning at the loss of their child, he did not know what to do. At last he went to his father and told him to keep up his courage, because he meant to go and find his sister. "Give me six months tq find her, and if I do not return with her, or at least some tidings from her, then we will give her up as dead." The 'Squire promised and the son went away. He traveled for miles and miles over a hundred counties, but still in vain, not a word did he hear abont his sister nor could he find out where the Ebony King dom was. One day he was high up on a very high mountain to look around and see where he ought to go to next. He was tired, and after a while he fell asleep on the mountain. Suddenly a noise like the flap ping of wings awakened him He looked up and he saw an enormons big eagle soar ing over him When the bird noticed that the young man was awake he let himself down on the ground and coming toward him the eagle said: "Who are you?" The 'Sauire's son told the eagle who he was, where he came from, and all about himself. "So you want to o to the Ebony King dom?" he said. "Well, my boy, I do not think you will ever get there unless you can fly." "Is it so far?" Tea it is. Now look here, young man, seeing that you are so devoted to yourfather and mother, and anxious that -they find their daughter again, I will help you. I will give you the power to change yourself into an eagle whencveryou want to. Here tafee this feather and push it in your arm until it bleeds. As soon as the blood flows you will be an eagle. Then when you want , change yourself again puu out ine wiiro, ntlTlLZT " The young man at once did as the eagle, who by this time vanished, had told him. In a few minutes he found himself to be a. large and enormons eagle. He spread his wings and flew up from the ground. It was a delightful sensation to be able to course through the air with the rapidity and swift ness of an arrow. "Now I shall soon find the Ebony Kingdom," he said to himself, "because I believe I can fly around the world in a month." He raced through the air for a whole week without resting on"e. All the food he had during this time were a couple of pigeons, whom he passed and gobbled up during his flight. At last, alter about two weeks he felt that his strength was beginning to leave him somewhat, so he resolved to make for the nearest mountain and rest. In the dis tance he noticed the Cordilleras delos Andes along the Pacific Ocean, and he thought he would be all right there tor a rest. But when he came closer to the mountains he discovered a lot of people wherever he looked. He also noticed that all these peo ple were as black as ebony. He went closer, and he was now directly above a magnifi cent palace where thousands of people ran hither and thither. He went still closer, and he now recognized that theyvrere all dressed like the black knights at his sister's birthday party. Quickly he coursed around the castle. Suddenly he saw a white figure walking in the garden behind the palace. He looked closer, and beholdl he saw his In a few moments the eagle was on the ground. He pulled the third feather from his left wing, and he was changed again into the human shape. As such he walked up to his sister, who was much astonished when she saw her brother. But she soon told him all abont herself. She said that she had been stolen by the black prince the night of her party. How she got here she did not know. "The people liere are cruel, unfeeling wretches, and I shall be glad to get away again if vou will onlv help me." "That'l will," replied her brother; "you be here again to-morrow about about this time and I will fetch jou." ' Then he fixed his feather again, and he quickly flew up into the mountains. Here he called all the eagles and condors to gether, and he told them that he would like them to help him to rescue his sister. All the birdi cheerfully promised, because they anticipated a first-class meal off the Ebony people, against whom they had a crndge because they plundered their nests very often. However, the next dayall the eagles and condors of the Andes swept down upon the Ebony Kingdom like a cyclone, and the people flew before them like dust in a storm. A number of them were killed, but the 'Squire's son onlv flew down and picked up his sister. She was rather heavy, but the young man had strong claws, and he carried her through the air until he arrived at his father's home. . When he and his sister arrived there the old 'Squire and his wife were nearly dead with grief, but they soon rallied when they had both their children again, and all of tbera lived happily together for many years afterward. Complying With tie Kales. -3"I. J(tostan!j irF7 Old Mr. Pheets It's a pesky onhandy wav of eittin' on th' cars. ,bat I s'sose them row has got ter hedniioyren, Junge. TTTTO THE IRISH FISHER, A. WholoSonled, Bard-Working, Poverty-stricken Personage. THEIR HOMES AND HARDSHIPS. Immense Fleets That Scour the Sea in Search, of Juicy Mackerel. INTERESTING FACTS FOE AMERICANS rcoRurspojruENCK op Tint wsrATcn. 1 VAMaiTIA 1, iEELAJfD, April 29. An Irish fisherman's home is hardly a palace, but occasionally one holds love and content; and the one to which my new-found, shaggy friend with whom I had tramped from Kil larncy, led me with rapid strides of home nearing, was one of that sort Most of the habitations of the fishing village were wretched hovels indeed. This one was not only clean, but from corrag to thatch dis closed the touch of loving hands. As we seared it, I could see that white-flounced curtains showed behind the tiny panes of cabin and loft; some pretty vines were trained about the windows themselves, and the little curl of smoke above the thatch which told of the humble hearthside with in, escaped through a sturdy chimney in stead of the usual hole in the roof. As the big fellow bounded into his cabin Iremained outside with pretense of enjoying the fine coast scenery; and this seemed wise, for the joyous riot within fairly signified that for the time being there was little room for a stranger. But this shortly subsided, as the giant reappeared at the door tossing his tiny, barefooted wife in the air as though she were a baby; while a brood of little ones, the youngest as big as the little mother, danced wildly about them; and I was directly installed as a gnest with great honor, greater garnilousness, and a ringing cead mille failte. And what WEBBY HUSTLE AND BUSTLE were there about that home-welcoming meall Blocks of the finest turt were put upon the embers; and the little ones took perspiring turns at the- dingy, wheezy bel lows; Ashes and flame roared up that great chimney as neVer before. Schowders (oaten-cakes) were set on edge for a fresh toasting. In a jiffy the "white horses were gallopin'" above the "praties" in the pot; the "tay was wetted by the fire;" and every body was falling over everybody else in ex cess of loving effort. "Will it be three aigs the day?" he lit tle wife blashingly asked her burly hus band. "Three aigs, is it?" roared the giant fisherman, taking his wife's little head in his two huge hands, so big there was no place left on her glowing face to kiss. "Three aigs? Phat's three aigs to empty craythurs like ourselves, suillish machree? Sure impty sacks can't stand. It's rubbing prase to a fat pig to say it, but vez might drink wid the stranger in a coal-hole wid yer eyes to the slack. Make it sex an' an' aslewstber (kiss of fondness) a villish (my sweet)! An' a two-eyed beefsteak (a herring) or the aich av ns; and a fine mis can n (cone of buttsr) from Misthress O'Neil'a by the crag, an' a gawlioge (large measure) o' milk; an' the hartsnmest fayst in Kerry entirely, wid banaght Dhea orrin, ershi mishal (with God's blessing on us, say II)." It was all that, in the pleasant cabin, and then came the problem of my own housing for the week should remain among the fishermen of tberegion. The cabin like all its class had bnt one room below,and a little loft above. There was no room for me in these. But in a little shed at the end, dry and clean, where all the sea and fishing gear was stored, we soon had fine cot made on a well-folded seine; and though a clearly denned aroma of nsb, tar and oakum per vaded the place, as one little window showed some sweet, fern-covered cliffs be hind, and another gave a superb view of Yalentia Island, the sublime promontory of Bray Head, and of the mighty sea be yond, only a churlish traveler could have found else .than gratulation in the sunny and winsome spot. " SATISFIED TVmi LITTLE. And yet how Utile served these quaint folk fully. There was not a chair within the cabin. Two stone "strangers' seats," one at either side of the chimney, and a few rude stools answered in good stead. A bunk against the wall was the bed of the fisherman and his wife. The bouchaleens and grrshas slept upon the floor of the loft. Their only mirrors wero each other's eyes. One table of heavy deal stood beneath the window. One cupboard, made by a little recess in the wall, and another of ancient Irish oak, easily held all the household's scant though prized belongings. One or two case-knives, several fish-knives used in cleaning fish and in all seafaring work, two or three earthen bowls, a pewter mug for the rare treat of sugar, one modern tin pan, a huge pewter basin and two or three sau cers, comprised all the ware for the table the fisher family possessed. Beside these, there were a few of those rare old Irish methers, or square5rinking cups, carved out of solid wood. These are precisely the same as those used In Erin 20 centuries ago. A strong bot, or tub, had its place beneath the table. A schrabag, or flat osier basket with narrow sides, always held the boiled potatoes at the meal. And the cooking utensils were the same, and as few, as were used by the peasantry since there were such in Ireland. There was the great iron pot for the stirabout, the potatoes and for boiling cabbage leaves and other delicacies for the pig; the iron kettle, in which an egg might he boiled, or the "tay was wetted;" and the great, round, flat iron griddle in which blackbread, the schowders and all extra ordinary goodies were baked, cither hang ing from the crane above the fire, or set at an angle against it and turned as neces sity required. The schowder. being next to potatoes the great; staff of life, deserves mention. It is made of a thick batter of oaten meal, seasoned with salt, and, on extraordinary occasions, with drippings from fried pork. It is the equivalent of the "bannock" of Scotland and the North of Ireland, and is ever a splendidlyjiealth ful and toothsome article of food. Strictly speaking, the schowder is only such when, as the oaten cake baked on the great hang ing griddle, it is additionally toasted or roasted on tne muddha arran before the greeshaugh or embers. This muddha arran is the only other utensil of the fireplace of these fishermen, or the peasantry at large. It is an iron forked stick with three legs, on which the schowder, all fish, and any bit of meat gooa lues; may sena, are toasted or broiled; and it is one of tne most ancient cooking utensils remaining in Ireland. A, DBEAKY PICTDKE. What is true of one is prctty.nearly trno of the many fishing villages of thekouth west Irish coast. Perhaps one, two or three homes in each will be found as tidy and comfortable as that -of my fisher friend! But all the resF are. a sad lot indeed. There is hardiy a well-thatched house among them. The floors, always of mud, are filled with lit'tle pools, in which the dncks flatter their bills for crnmbs, and the pigs cool their hams or deposit their snouts at will. The latter invariably have the best part of the cabin; the chickens appropriate the loft, and the cat, the prized protector against their ever-alert enemies, a species of huge and Jerocions xats, is undisturbed in its .pos session of the only warm corner at the hob; nets and general fishing equipments sway like dirty pcndiuuiuj from ral'ters'and pegs; and the seines, oars and more important gear of the boats are secured in the only dry spots which the habitation's can fur nish. If this be a dreary picture of the Interior of Irish fishing Tillage huts, tliejscec.es with out are drearier and more hopeless still. Halfnaked children sprawl and brawl in the mud of the filthy street; old men with their baekb against the sunny side of rotten walls? jk their short, black pipes and PITTSBUEG? DISPATCH, .hopelessly doze the hours away; while the old women, squatting at cabin doors, beside pumps, or along paths leadiug seaward from the cliffs, gossip in apparently endless hours in fierce threnodies of tones, as if their hun ger could thus alone be appeased. In more than a score of these nameless, unmapped collections of tumbling huts which we vis ited, the same pitiful scenes were presented; and where all the ablebodied men are at sea in their boats, while much that is pic turesque may be found, the feeling that war, famine, or some extirpating pestilence, must haye swept away all but the-wretched, half vmummied portion, becomes so strong upon you as to render long contemplation of it unbearable. ' IBISH LASSES MUSING. In all this coastwise villages, save at the curing stations, where a considerable num ber of women are employed, one will scarcely see face or form of Irish lass or maiden; and I asked my fisher friend where in heaven's name they had all gone. "Gone, is it? Gone? Heughl Over the say enthirely." Oneseldom sees any save cursory refer ence to the Irish fisheries; and it was sur prising to me to know ot their extent, and the remarkable number of boats aud men they employ. From the mouth of the Shan non to Mai in Head, the northernmost land pviint of Ireland," all manner of deep sea fishing, while abundant, is scarcely fol lowed, from the poverty of the fishermen, who are usually alsoholdera of small patches of land, and the insufficiency of means for firosecuting the vocation. Consequently, ittle else than herring fishing is followed. Prom loughs Swilly and Foyle, to below Belfast, fishing is carried on with very much more regularity; the markets of Glasgow, Belfast and Liverpool furnishing a ready sale for the catches. Whatever the abund ance ot the fish may" be in the Irish Sea, from Belfast around the east and south coasts of Ireland to Cork, lit !e else is attempted by fishermen than to supnly the local Dublin market. Bnt from Cork around the southwestern coast to the mouth of the Shannon again every estuary, every bay and every square mile oi deep sea,, for 100 miles off the coast. furnish, in season, unsurpassed harvest ground for seine and line. The whole sea and coast region comprises some extraor dinarily productive "banks," including a turbot bank at the mouth of the Shanuon, an extensive bank about 15 leagues north west of the Blasquet Islands, another ex tending northwest from near Yalentia Island. 10 or 12 small banks to the west ot Kenmare Bay, and a splendid cod and had dock bank northwest ot the majestic Skellig Bocks. Together these grounds and banks produce cod, hace, haddock, red gannet, ling, conger, whiting, flatfish and the ever prized mackerel and herring, and are known as the Fisheries of Kerry. To the Ameri can, the surprising lact is that fully 3,000 boats and 25,000 to 27,000 men are-employed in this single industry off this little bit of island coast. IMPOSIHO JT1EET8. The Irish fleet, including possibly 100 Isle of Man boats of from 20 to 60 tons each with crews of seven men and little engines for "shooting" and hauling the seines, "com prises about 2,200 boats. The French fleet is an imposing sight in itself. It comprises between 800 and 900 boats, each of from 100 to 150 tons burden; much larger vessels than those -forming our own Gloucester fleet Mackerel fishing begins on, but never be fore, St. Patrick's Day. Any French or Irish fisher violating this unwritten law would be forever driven from the coast. The greatest number of vessels will be found off the Skelligs. Here they are massed so densely that frequently the water cannot be seen from a fishing smack's deck. Casting, or "shooting" the nest, which re quires about one hour's time, is invariably done just before sunset, so that the boati can see each others' night-berths; that fonling of the seines may be avoided, and also in order to "trim" and make every thing snug for the night. The lights car ried in the yawlers and smaller sailers are simply a common lantern set in a "crutch" amidships, about six feet from the deck. Bude "flashes," of cotton waste soaked -in petroleum and struck with matches, are alsoTprovided for dark nights and foggy weather;' and when the fogs close in too heavily, the crews keep up a terrific bellowing with buffalo and tin horns. After everything is trim for the night, a watch of the men is stationed, and all others go to their bunks below. Precisely at midnight all are awakened, and "hauling up" begins. When done by hand this requires nearly five hours' labor, and bat halt that where the "donkey engine" is used. The "sole rope" which hauls in the seine is "wenched" in by two men; two men are required to "shake out" the fish as the nee "comes home;" one man is needed to coil the slack "sole-rope;" and two men are in the hold stowing away the seine. SOME BIO HAULS. Whatever the catch one seineload of over 30,000 mackerel was taken at Garnish last October the entire Irish fleet is away from their berths by 5 o'clock in the morn ing for the markets at Village Harbor, Dingle, Yentry Harbor and Kinsale, where the curers have their buyers; and from whom, until a few years since, every fish taken was sent to Manchester, England. About the middle of June the Isle of Man fleet leaves these waters and proceed? to the Shetland Islands, where fishing for herring is carried on until October; and on July 1 the crews of the home, or Kerry, boats also discontinue quest for mackerel, and begin "long-line"' fishing in water of 40 to 50 fathoms for herring, ling and cod. An interesting lact to Americans regard ing these Southwest Irish coast fisheries is that a few years since some far-scented Yan kee fishermen of Gloucester and Boston, no ticing the scarcity ot mackerel in the Amer ican market, and the enchanting margin usually existing between pauper labor and exorbitant product prices, quietly came here, and have since been able to purchase, cure, pack, and piy the import duty of $2 per barrel on mackerel, and together annu ally lay by a greater profit than has been yearly .secured by the combined mackerel fishers of our entire' Northeastern const. Edgar L. Wakemak. A Check on Ilomor. J& TJ kfr a LM Very Funny Broker I haven't smashed a hat for a week. Think I'd better take a crack at that new one of McCord's. inn tm$ SG XeCord. (after the blpW fcllsHThat's "what I call y foel-killer, Tommy, 'Judge., SUNDAY, MAY 12, IN BEAUTIFUL VENICE Mary J. Holmes Fnrnishes'a Glimpse of the Picturesque City. QUAINT SCENES IN THE STREETS. Motley Crowds in Which Glitter and Grime are Buttercnpped. SWEET MUSIC OP Y.ENETIAN ORGANS rconBEsroxDENcr or Tnz cisrATcn.J t Venice, April 20. Poets have sung of Venice by moonlight and Venico by snnlight for hundreds of years, each from his own standpoint of view or feeling. One bard has stood on the Bridge of Sighs and looked where "Venice sat throned on her hundred isles," and bathed in such sun light as might have been distilled from ail the summers which have come and gone since the old Doges reigned triumphant here; while another has stood upon the E'alto and from the silvery moonlight re flected in the water below conjured up the fair forms of Portia and Desdemona gliding by in gilded gondolas, whose oars kept time to the song of the gondoliers, now a thing of the past, for the gondoliers of to-day do not look much like birds of song as they bend to their task, with no thought of any thing beyond making the trip .last as long as possible, if it happens to be by the hour. Moonlight and starlight and sunlight have all had their meed of praise, but I do not remember to have heard of Venice by foglight, but this has been our experience for the last ten days. .Fog in the morning, fog at noon, and fog at night, so dense some times that the lights across the canal were scarcely visible. And yet it is always fas cinating, this quaint, water-soaked city, with its pictures and churches and palaces, its easy-going people, its 150 canals, where everything is thrown, and which, but for the tide, which, like a great broom come in twice each day and sweeps them clean, would be unendurable. FANCr TEBSTJ3 PACT. When you first see Venice in the dis tance, with its domes and towers repeating themselves in the sea, yon are very apt to grow sentimental and quote Enskin and Byron and a good many more Venice-mad people, and to feel a little mad yourself, unless, as was our case, vou have in yonr party a fresh young mind which sees things as they are, and which throws a wet blanket over your sentimentality by the remark, "Looks as if there had been a tremendous flood and the city was all afloat." And that is just the way it does look, especially from the top of the Campanile, if you ire foolish enough to take the 500 Steps nuvteanr 4n mhaIi it Tt ta linnrAvrov ..jim- paratively easy of ascent, being an inclined plane which reminds one of theFrueKirche in Copenhagen, up whose tower Catherine of Bussia once drove a four-in-hand with Peter behind her on horseback. It is a pity there are not more inclined planes in Ven ice, for then when walking through its streets and narrow alleys you could think of something more appropriate to the occasion than the ridiculous stanza, "Upstairs and downstairs, and in the lady's cham ber." And, leaving out the lady's chamber, it is all upstairs and down stairs, over one bridge after another, until you feel like crying out, "My kingdom for a horsel" But alas! there is no horse here, although tradition speaks ot one at Lido, just across the lagoon, where in summer there is a short tramway from the boat-landing across the island to the 400 bath houses built upon a pier. Here for a franc and a half you can wash yourself in the Adriatic, towels not included, and here the other day we saw in the bath-houses old straw hats and slippers, relics of the summertime when the place is crowded with the fashion of Venice, and reminding one of similar wrecks left by the sea at home. HARD TO KILL TIME. Jnst what one does each day in Venice would be difficult to tell, unless, following the example of Mark Twain, whose first diary read for weeks: "Got up, washed and went to bed," we record, "Got up, washed, ate a roll, and went out to see the churches and the crowd and to beat the Italians down." "Never give more than a third, or, at most, a half of the price first demanded," is the advice frequently given travelers by their friends, and in many instances it is good advice to follow, especially when the vender begins to fall himself and finally asks how much you will give. Prix fixe, however, is much more common now than it was years ago, and there are establishments where the proprietor puts on an air of in sulted dignity worthy of Arnold himself if you tell him his goods are too dear. Just now the shop windows are unusually gay, and the citv is at its brightest, and in snite of the fog keeps up a continual round of gaiety, with processions and music and masses and gatherings in the streets, where you can take your choice of amusements, which, if not of the best kind, are peculiar to the people. As the Piazza of St. Mark and the broad Biva are favorite places of resort, it is there that you see the Venetians at their best, when the inmates of ihe palaces and the alleys and lanes and dark passages, where snnlight never fall3, are out for a holiday, and during which you see as heterogeneons a multitude as can be found in any city in the world. Near our hotel a cron'd gathers daily to listen to a tirade on the "Transmi gration of Souls," illustrated bv heads of various kinds, nnd once, I think, by a dog, who looked more human than the master: a little farther on is Punch and Judy, and farther still a larger crowd is listening to an auctioneer selling his patent medicines, while nearer to the water a tall woman, with a tall feather in her hac and big bracelets on her big arms, is sellinp'her wares, and by her loud voice and fierce gesticulations drawing scores of people around her. On the piazza or St. Mark'scrowds arc listening to the band ivhich plays .theie every fine afternoon from 2 to 4, and sandwiched in between all these groups is a moving mass, representing every condition of life in the city. HIGH AND LOTV LIFE PICTUBES, The nobility, who have come from Borne and Naples, are ont in 'gorgeous array, and, while their black gondolas trimmed with gilt and their gondoliers in livery wait upon the Grand Canal, they walk along the Biva, the ladies in their rich attire, the children with their nurses, looking very much as do the children of the rich in the parks of New York and Boston, and the gentlemen, with that dignified, self-possessed bearing which seems to befit an Italian of high rank and position. The tradespeople, the working class, the seller of shells and snail bracelets in the street, nnd the gondoliers with their wives are there, dressed in their Sunday clothes and looking as happy n'nd content ns if of all cities in the world Venice was the best to live in, as they really think it is. Then there is the .scum, out for its holi day; dirtv, frowzy-headed women, some with old shawls wrapped around them, and others with no outside garment to shield them from the wind, which blows cold and damp from the lagoon; little children, ragged anddirty. tired babies in arms, crying to go home, and their still more tired mothers, who have no intention of going home, and who shake the babies to make them stop their crying; young girls, with stockings fullof holes and wooden sabots, which clatter as they walk) barefoot boys, who kiss your hand and ask you for soldos, as the Arab does far back sheeh, and when the kisses fail tarn-somersaults one after-another, -tothe infinite peril of the unwary- passersby into- whose stomachs their feet are sometimes planted; soldiers in bright uniforms,' school boys marching in line and looking as if tbey were enjoying themselves abont as much as the boys nt Mr. Blimber's school when oat for exercise; processions opriestsin crim son and white and'gold, with candles and banners and qaeer-atiaped hats; going to the 'churches to rirav: knots ot men sinzim? at .'the eeroers and rea Wing you of the Salra J 1889. tion Army at home, and, lastly, the bells the bells the 'merry 360 bells risgiug every hour and filling the air with Christ mas chimes whicb, it seems to me, might be beard in America if one were only listening. MUSIC MOST DIVINE. Such are some of the sights of Venice which we have seen daily since the night before last, when we attended high mass at San Salvadore. where the great unwashed stood so thickly around us, and the odors were so much stronger than the powerful in cense from the altar could. dissipate, that camphor became a necessity, while one woman fai nted from the heat and poionans air. The music- of that organ was some thing wonderful and never to be forgotten. Sad and monrmnl at first, like the moan of a woman in pain, then low and plaintive, like the cry of a little child; then loud and jubilant and so rapid that partners in a quadrille might have danced alter it, or waltzers might have whirled in giddy circles to its measures; then swelling higher and higher, until the church was full of one mighty halleluiah and joyful thanksgiving. It was 1 o'clock in the morning when we at last threaded our way homeward through the narrow, winding streets near the Bialto, where one could easily imagine a brigand hidden nnder the long cloaks and slouched hats which occasionally glided by us. St. Mark's is also the center of attraction for tourists, for there is generally high mass, and the music is finer even than that at San Salvadore and the ceremonies more gorgeous Thousands of people on the day of our visit knelt or stood on the cold, nneven floor of of solid gold, studded with precious stones and dating from the tenth century, was un covered to view, and blazing in the light of the hundreds of candles burning around and near it Besides the immense organ there was an orchestra ot brass and stringed in struments, which accompanied the choir, above which one boy's voice rose clear and distinct, without jar or discord, and in per fect harmony with the other voices, which it controlled and took along with it How the grand music of Beethoven rolled through the aisles and filled the domes of the church" until even the 12 Apostles upon the screen seemed imbued with life and listening to it HISTORIC BUT THEEADBAEE. A letter from Venice is scarcelycomplete with no mention of the Doge's Palace and Tintoretto's great- picture, 84 feet long and 33 feet high, the largest in the world." Or of the dark, damp dungeons, the thresholds ot death, where only 24 hours were ever spent, and from which no one ever passed except to his execution in the slimy corridor where you see the round holes in the floor through which the blood of the tortured victims ran down to the canal below. It is too horrid to think about, but we saw it all and more, and were glad to escape from that haunted prisen into the sunlight above, and to hear the bells ringing their merry chimes. We were fortunate to see a funeral in St. Mark's. The coffin was borne by four lackeys in red and followed by 12 men in black, each bearing an immense candle around which was tied a wisp of crape. Apropos of candles, there are thousands of them in the churches, all very long and some six inches in circumierence and costing b irancs and upward apiece. Hut the rich pay tor them, and so it does not matter. Of palaces I can say but little. The King's palace is always open to open to vis itors, but it is much like all other royal palaces which the monarch seldom visits. A succession of rooms, with massive furni ture and a marble bathtub and a few good pictures is all, if I except the franc paid for going through them. Many of the palaces of the old Venetians in the days of the Be public are either hotels or belong to the Government, while those owned by the no bility ot to-day are just now occupied, so that to see them is impossible. We have, however, had access to one, THE GEAZZI PALACE, now the property of a German baron. Some of the paintings and frescoes here are good, and the tapestry upon the walls heavy and rich ; but, aside from this, the rooms are plainly and stiffly furnished, especially the sleeping apartments, and bear no compar ison to similar rooms in fho handsome houses in America. One- oC these palaces has recently been bought by an English man, son of the poet Browning, who, with his American wife, is stopping at onr hotel. She tells me they are fitting it up after their American and English ideas, and it looks very attractive and homelike with its coat or lresh paint, jts pretty conservatory and its vines hanging from .boxes in the win dows. All the old palaces look dingy and time-worn and water-soaked, and the won der is that that they do not tumble down. Bnt the piles on which they stand are 40 feet long, and I am told that at that depth a hard bottom is struck. Just how many piles they stand upon I do not know. The chnrch of the Santa Maria della Salute is said to rest on 1,000,000, But this should be taken with allowance, like the stone oT John the Bap tist and the bones of the Apostles. Venice Is full of beautiful pictures, and everyone' is n Titian or Tintoretto, or a Paul Veronese, and we have seen nearly all. and walked over the graves of the great painters, and stood breathless before Canova's tomb, designed by him for Titian, and visited scores of churches and seen the entire population in. Venice in what was better than a carnival. Maey J. Holmes. The Ilclelit of Absent-mindedness. iiew York Snn.1 First Sportsman (shouting at the top of his voice) Come here I Come here 1 Quick I Second Sportsman (arriving out of breath') What is it? "The best shot you ever saw at a rabbit 1 He'sjust got out of sight." "Why didn't you shoot him yourself?" "I forgot I had my gnn with me ?" The Finishing; Touches. A'ewVortStm.I "Where is' your wife. De Jones ?" "She's at school getting the finishing touches." "At school I Why, I thought your wife was a graduate of the Harvard Annex." "So she is. She's at. a cooking school in Boston." Some Changes In Expression. THISTmnXSLNT: A IRQ? or . WTL ft k . . "vw fycitfc$ r Mr. Soker (at the lecture) There, Mondy I :,P"'''Um TrllSHETKEStNTC A3W , WHI5iM Mrs. Saker There, Sites! Judge. THE FIRESIDE SPHINX A Collection of Mpiatical Nits ft Home CracME Addrets communication for tAb department to E. R. CHADBOtrsx. Lewitton, Maine. 682 A MONEY-MAKING SCHEME. You have heard sf the lightning-rod peddler, I trow. Of the windy-mouthed "drummer" with sam ples to show. Of the lawyer who argued an hour at one breath. And the barber who talked two book agents to death: But the mining-stock broker who made me a call In superlative -wordiness outdid them alL He called, so he said, for a short little talk On the merits and claims of his favorite "stock?' And then, without pausing a moment for rest. He proceeded to work his net scheme at his best ' At nine in the morning he'd barely begun, And the big clock struck twelve ere his story was done. To get rich one had only to purchase a few Of the hundred-pound shares la this company DewJ . .. .. The result would in sooth make each buyer As they quickly would yield full five hundred per cent So he urged me at last a half dozen to take. Before 'twas too late, for they sold 'Hie hot cake." Now, lovers of puzzles, pleaso come to my aid. For to act on yonr judgment I'll notbe afraid; And though In advance your reply I have messed. Yet please to advise me: What shall I InvestT E. W.Hassis. 583 A T7HIST PUZZLE. Hearts Knave, 8. 7, 6. Spades Knave. JjiamondtS, 7. Cluot Queen, 10, 9. 6. 3, 2. HEABTS 5. 4.1,2. : Spades (jneen, i, 4. : Diavumd -Ace, Queen, 10, 9.: :Hiabts : Xing, t. : Spades 9,8,7,8,3. Diamonds : ,t.Ui zCluts : Knave, 5. Clu iUOS 8,7. Heakts Ace, Queen, Ml Bpadrs Ace, King, 10, JJiamondsKlng. knave,3. Clubs Ace, King, i. Hearts are trumps. A leads, and A and O (partners) take all the tricks. J. H. Fezandie. 584 KINGING THE CHANGES. Transpose what transpires in the thick of the nebt. Where valor Is oftentimes vanquished by And yon have a substance on which we're told, A wonderful edict was written of old; Which applies to all generations of men. Though its author employed neither stylns nor pen Transpose it again: If you do it with skill, 'Twill reveal what is gleaned by the knights of the qalll. Again, and 'twill show you what you often tia.TR heard. Instrumental or vocal your feelings are stirred. Curtail it and you have an Irishman great. Who died for his country In dark ninety-eight. Transpose It and you will a paper behold. If correctly indorsed 'tis as good as the gold. Read backward, 'twill spell you In England a town. Which has, as the seat of a college, renown. Behead in conclusion, and it will display To feminine readers the fashion to-dav. Mount Botal. 685 double aceosiic. TFord o Six Letters. LIna state of death. 2. The wheel of an axis in pentrochio. 3. To set with stars. 4. A kind of twilled cloth. 6. A crarifrous plant. 6. A genns of seals. 7. A passerine bird. 8. A formal statement. 9. Resplendent. 10. Son of Asber. lL Nitric 12. The three fates. Frimals, a follower of the founder of my finals. Concoubs. 586 AN UPBIGHX JUDGE. My name Is famous through the land Where holiness is done squarely, No reputation can withstand The use of me unfairly. Ken :n business oft rely On my statements when tbey buy. And when they sell, again they must Depend npon my Judgment jnsr. In trntb my dealings are so square. My word is taken everywhere. The only trait that I despise In man or things is levity; l caro lor neitner snape nor size. I deal alone with gravity. F. 8. W. 587 A FULL MABEEX BASKET. 1. A country. 2. Sour apples. 8. Clothier. 4 Agulf. 5. what the winner of races does. 6. An Irish staple. 7. A son of Noah. 8. The un ruly member. 9. Fruit of Eschol. 10. The silent hero of Holland. 1L A bird's bite of couples. 12. Spoiled children, or sorry plights. 13. A Delaware prodncr. 14. A river in Mon tana. 15. A river In New Brunswick. IS. Na tives of Sweden. 17. Food of the Chinese. 13. A feather. 19. Historical fruit. 20. Thanks giving pie. 2L To crush. 22. Food for wild ducks. 23. The planted shell fish. 24. A Nor way tree and a northern fruit. 25. A Chesa peake wild fowl. 26. A fashionable piece of beef. 27. A band for the bair. 23. Parts of shoes. 29. A terror to mariners. St. Denis. 588 CHABADE. To reach the highest round of fame, And bask in dory's sun. The height at which so many aim. Requires TWO ONE. A one two journey they must go Who such a path pursue. And yet by dint of one we know Tis gained by two. Nelsonian. 589 CUBXAILMENTS. I'm found In every human frame, And necessarily. I claim. Curtail me. and I'm always found In mathematics so profound. Once more curtail me, and you'll see The cause of human misery. Nemo. ANSWERS. 574 Sometimes a shooting comet flaming goes around the sun. 575 Sugar. 676 Best, lest, nest, pest, rest, test, vest,west, zest. S77 Six: An old lady, with one daughtcrand her two dancbters, one daughter and no chil dren, and the daughter of an absent daughter. 573 (T)wo-men. 579 Sagas. 5S0 Sir William Blackstone. 681-A butterfly. DON'T LIKE IT THRDST ON US. Some People Have a War of Olaklns; Their Riches Unpleasant. London 'World. That which in the hero or the genius we call a noble relf-confideuce, in the parvenu we call bumptiousness. It is the same quality, only the men are different. We can forgive a man for being proud of having won a great victory against overwhelming odds, or of having painted a great picture, or written nn original book. But we can not forgive him for bragging of the house he has built for himself, or the cellar he has stocked with choice wines, or his cook, or his stud, or his wile's diamonds, or his lucky investments. We forgive the hero or the painter, the poet or the philosopher, for his pride in his own work, because we don't care" a straw who paints pictures, fights battles or writes books. But we hate the man who boasts of his house or his stables, his wife's diamonds or his select wines,' because we all hanker for fine houses and good horses, and onr wives are all pining tobe more richly jeweled. We all want to be millionaires and we are all offended by the prosperous man's pompons satisfaction in his own riches. We are so offended that our only consola tion is to think that his cheerlnlnes h a sham, that "there is a canker-worm at the root ot his iortune. that his financial posi tion is tottering and his downfol within a measurable distance. A Prohibitionist's Taste. Chicago Herald .1 A boy in Maine tried to kill the hired man by patting pan's green ia a jag of cid er. The man drank every droB in the ins 'with a "hah f"of satisfaction, aad observed that eider seemed to Degettug t&e oM-ssa-ieaed twsa? baek. 19 TaE mm UE CAm The Chinese Invented Them So ZiMtT Af as 818. Toronto Times. 1 As' is the case in many other instance, we owe the invention of visiting; cards to, tl8 Chinese. So long ago as the period at th. Tong dynasty (618-907), -visiting cards were? known to be in common use in China, and that is also the date of trre introduction of -the "red silken cords" which figure, so con spicuously on the engagement cards of that country. From very ancient times to the present ; day the Chinese have observed tne strictest ceremony with regard to the paying of visits Tne cards which they use for this purpose are very large, and usually of a bright red color. When a Chinaman desires to marry, his parents intimate that fact to a profes sional "match-maker," who thereupon runs through a list of her visiting acquaintances, and selects one whom she considers a fitting bride for the young man; and then she calls upon tho young woman's parents, armed with the bridegroom's card, on whicharo inscribed his ancestral name and the eight symbols which denote the day of his birth. If the answer is an acceptance of his suit, the bride's card is sent in return; and should the oracles prophesy good concerning the union, the particulars of the engagement are written on two large, cards, tied together with the red cord. Dress the Hair With AVer's Hair Vigor. IU cleanli ness, beneficial effects on the scalp, and lasting perfume commend, it for uni versal toilet use. It keeps the hair soft and silken, preserves its color, prevents it from falling, and, if the hair has become weak or thin, promotes a new growth- "To restore the original color of my hair, -which had turned prematurely gray, I used Ayer's Hair Vigor with en tire success. I cheerfully testify to the Efficacy of this preparation." Mrs. P. H. David son, Alexandria, La. "I was afflicted some three years with scalp disease. Jly hair was falling out and what remained turned gray. I was Induced to try Ayer's Hair Vigor, and In a few weeks the disease in my scalp ' disappeared and my hair resumed its original color." (Be v.) S. S. Sims, Pastor TJ. B. Chnrch, St. Bernice, Ind, " A few years ago I suffered the entire) loss of my hair from the effects of tetter. I hoped that after a time nature would repair the loss, but I waited in vain. Many remedies were suggested, none, however, with such proof of merit as Ayer's Hair Vigor, and I began to use it. The result was all I could have desired. A growth of hair soon came out all over my head, and grew to be as soft and ' heavy as I ever had, and of a natural 'color, and firmly set." J. S. Pratt Spofford, Texas. Ayer's Hair Vigor, PREPARED BY Dr. J. C. Ayer & Co., Lowell, Maw. Bold by Druggists sad Perfumers. . :mm A PERFECT .M Pnier. A wnrftlv Vffi-fltablft I Compound that expels sail bad humors from the- system. Removes blotch 'es and pimples, and makes pure, rich blood. apS 3IEDICAL. DOCTOR WHITTIi 314 PBSX AVENUE. PITTHBDKU.P. As old residents know and back flies cf Pitts- burg papers prove, is tbo'oldest established and, most prominent physician In the city, devoting special attention to all chronic diseases. From SSSSST- NO FEE UNTIL CURED MCDni IO and mental diseases, physical IN til V UUo decay, nervous debilitv .lack of energy, ambition and hope. Impaired mem ory, disordered sight, self-di3trust, basbf ulness, dizziness, sleeplessness, pimples, eruptions, im poverished blood, falling powers, organic weak ness, dyspepsia, constipation, consumption, un fitting the person for basines, society and mar- . nage, permanently, safely and privately cured. BLOOD AND SKIN S55&S blotches, falling hair, bone pains, glandular swellings, ulcerations of tongue, mouth, throat, ulcers, old sores, are cured for life, and blood poisons thorongblyeradlcated from tbesystem. j p I M A D V kidney and bladder derange Unilinn liroents, weak hack, gravel, ca tarrhal discharges. Inflammation and other painful symptoms receive searching treatment, pmmpt relief and real cures. Dr. Whittier's lire-long, extensive experience Insures cientldc and reliable treatment on common-sense principles. Consultation free. Patients at a distance as carefully treated as if here. Office hours 9 a.m. to 8 p.m. Sunday, 10 A. lt.to 1 P. ar. only. DR. WHITTIER. 8U Penn avenue. Pittsburg; Pa. apWlK-Dsuwk iTHMlENCE& tOFWl - . mow thyself; mad - a.Mmi'g-rCT T ZcXJj'Ja A Scientific nnd Standard Popular MedicalTreatissoa the Errors of Youth, Premature Detllne.Kervona and Physical Debility, impunues oi me uiooa, Kcsoltingtrom Folly, VI ee, Ignorance. Ei cesses or Grertaxatlon, Enervatlnzand unfitting the victim for Work, Business, tho Marr.'ed or Bociai tteiauon. ATOlC work. Mnrlirt,. mall. nost-Dald. concealed in plain wrapper. Illus trative Prospectus Frea, if you apply nowv The. distinguished author, Wm. H. Parker, II. Dj. re ceived the COLD AND JEWELLED MEDAL from the National Medical Association, for the PRIZE ESSAY on NERVOUS and PHYSICAL DEBILITY. Dr.ParkerandacorFS1 of Assistant Physicians may be consulted, eonfl rfmtlnllv. bv mail or in Demon, at the efllee of . THE PEABODY MEDICAL INSTITUTE. No. 4 Bulflnchi St., Boston, Ma., to whom all orders for books or letters for advice- should M directed as above. Jalo-TUTSuwlt . GRAY'S SPECIFIC MEDICINE CURES NERVOUS DEBILITY.) LOST VIGOR. LOSS OF MEMORY. H, full particulars In pamphlet! sens iree. aiiw cumu wj , Speclflc sold by drue?lsts only In yellow wrapper. Price, fl per . watnt nt nrire. by Address-c tot mf av mpkii'Tne i:d . Hnffalo. 2. Yr Sold in PlMstmrz by 3 a. HOLLAND, corner)! Dmnnneiu. anu ijioeny iu. i"r' CHICHESTER'S fcWGLISH iNNYBOYAl'FiLLSl HUi fci MWVi -. I II rtliabioolll ferwle. Aenrrslt j nrfdfUU. Ofn. Oil xraoipr v At fer aiciuttfi ihtMK n.mrtTMRr4fttL fa ml ire- ' Kulbo oxe. M11 wUbMaertt- 4 boa. AC rrp"- Accrjt tber. jlJ Dili la rascc hmril boies. Tins wrupns. srs Sd obs counterfeit. 8-s4 4e. (tumpi) Wj prticnlus ul "Kellcff.r LwKes," Xmtf. It mora null. lO.m tettV B-oalA0IESwbA&TaJedteal- Ka?spr. lrswbAbsTsueauna. jtcasrsptr. a. tlii-hp:Tth'mlcalW.,ilMl3onSa.,i'fi dB2S-a-V7SUWK HARE'S REMEDY For men! Checks the, vro-m eases, In twrSj days, and cum In five days. Price 11 00. t&3 J. i ULiUU-B .DKUGSTUK1V IsS-aB-TTSSo. 412 Market sUt M k.i& y .' i ', ,:, . "-SXi :i. ... ti. - Ml. Ls