R5?3S THE PITSBTOIG IttSPATOH sITUEDT, TlftfE 8,' - 1880; 7TF -A Modern Miracle. The Pittsburg Dispatch OF Tmiw. May, Jane 9, 1889, WILI, CONTAIN ' A Number of Now-Features which makes it A foBierM Example of Modern Genius. The Only Girl in Overlook, A Western Story written by Franklin File From a Plot By Wilkie Collins, Will be Published Complete in this Issue. The Johnstown Disaster Will be Described at Length, together with the Very Litest News from tbe scene. A large corps of talented writers and artists will contribute tbeir best efforts to the col umns of the paper, and tho usual f nil foreign, domestic and local reports will be Riven, mak ing this issne of The Sunday Dispatch, from a journalistic point of new, A Mmtern Miracte. . ESTABLISHED FEBRUARY 8. 1S43. Vol. ,Xo. 121. Entcret at rittsburg Postoffice, JCovembcr H 1SS7, as second-class matter. Business Office 97 and 99 Fifth Avenue. News Rooms and Publishing House 75, 77 and 79 Diamond Street. Average net circulation of the dally edi tion of Tbe Dispatch for six months ending June 1,1SS9. 27,824 Copies per Issne. Average net circulation of the Sunday cdl. lion of The Dispatch for Slay, 1SS9, 47,468 Copies per Issue. TEEMS OF THE DISPATCH. I-OSTAGE FEEE IX TBE UNITED STATICS. DAJXT DISPATCH. One Year... 8 00 Dailt Dispatch, Per Quarter 2 03 Datlt Dispatch, One Month 0 Dailt Dispatch, Including Sunday, one year 10 00 Daily Dispatch,- Including Sunday, per quarter S SO Daily Dispatch, Including Sunday, one month ................................. ... 00 Ecsbay Dispatch, oneyear. ISO Wezklt Dispatch, one year. - 1 S3 The Daily Dispatch i delivered by carriers at 35 cents per week, orincludlugtheSundayedltlon, at 20 cents per week. PITTSBURG, SATURDAY, JUNE 8. 1SSSL OTJE GOVEBNOB'8 BECOBD. Our State Executive seems determined to make a record for himself in this flood busi ness; and his course, as developed by yester day's news, indicates that he has succeeded in doing so touch a degree that it will stick to Mm for the rest of Ms official career. Having done practically nothing for the relief of Johnstown, he instructs the Mayor of ITew York that the contributions of that city are not needed at present; and he pro poses to wait and see whether the raised within tbe State "UI Dot v cnfliM Tn tiA manf!mA , , e Pjttsbjdrg -.relief committee which has 'been futfhish'nii tbe iunds and supplies fihds thi Wi ita TnMns r timIv p-liflnfiti le,S"4t1(, irnrlr ik ns TirpKsinr. n cwr. Hething over a quarter of a million dol lars which might be available for prose cuting tbe work is withheld on account of this action of tbe Governor. The Mayor of New York is not to be blamed for accepting the assurance of the Governor of Pennsylvania that the funds are not needed. We must perhaps absolve the Governor for what appears to be the out growth of his natural limitations. But the people of Pennsylvania may perhaps feel come responsibility for having placed in power a State administration which makes such a record in such a crisis. WOBKIKG FOB PTJEE WATER. The sanitary wort which the State Board of Health and the anthorities at Johnstown have put in operation, is very timely and cannot be too energetically or rapidly car ried out While straining every power to relieve the destroyed city, everything should be done that is possible to prevent a spread of the disaster. The fact that our wafer supply is slightly under suspicion at the best makes it all the more desirable that the additional source of danger at Johnstown shall be guarded against and removed at the first possible moment. Therefore it is very welcome news that there is good prospect of the purification of the streams in the course of the next two weeks. In tbe meantime the public should exer cise the utmost care as to its water. The use of city springs and wells in thickly-populated sections requires almost as great pre cautions as the use of the river water. Both should be boiled, if not filtered, in-order to guard against disease. Hf6UrFICIEHT THEORIES. The question of encroachments upon river banks by dumping cinder from mills and furnaces is brought up by an Ohio journal ist, who points out that the Conemaugh river was thus narrowed, with an intima tion that this was what caused the disaster. As the great damage at Johnstown was done after the rivers had considerably overflowed their natural beds, this theory has about as much applicability as that which attributes to the cutting down of forests a disaster which occurred in the mountain sections that are least denuded of forests. There is no doubt is that ordinary floods are much ag gravated by riparian encroachments and made more sudden by the destruction of trees in many sections; but the one cause which destroyed Johnstown is so obvious that .these theories are trivial in connection with the real cause. SINGLE TAX EEE0ES. Another correspondent returns to the charge on the single tax idea in this issue. His reference to the distinction between speculative and actual value of land indi cates that he fails to perceive the bearing of the argument which his predecessor who signs himself "Fanatic" and who by the way is nothing of the sort made and on which we commented. This argument was that by taxing the speculative value outof existence the people in cities would be given cheap homes; while at the same time they would be re lieved from tax on improvements, or the real value which they and their predecessors have given to the land by their labor. The idea was also plainly indicated, as Mr. JHenry George does at length, that tbe rev- J e M$$m& :.sn-.. . . ,.;.-at .iJ.r-z... A --."..- -' . "-' ' ; ' --- -'g .-i-f "''"fllVi .'rtifirltiif Yil' araBti si enue gained by the single tax would permit a large amount of expenditure for the pnblio weal, besides abolishing all other taxes. 2ow when you bave wiped out the specu lative value made by tbe growth of popula tion and exempted the real value given to the land by the labor of the owner, what is left for taxation? "Actual value" our cor respondent calls it, or "natural value" as the chief of his school has termed it "What is the natural value of land before it has been imprbved by labor or enhanced by the vicinity of population? The Government fixes a nominal valne of f 1 25 per acre, but that is never obtained until population has approached it So that when the two sources of revenue, exempted or destroyed accord ing to the theories of our correspondents, are taken away, the revenue left will be infinitesimal, and we shall have to return to the old scheme of taxation to raise money for the expenses of Government In other words we shall come ont at the same hole we went in at Our friends will, of course, say that the value given to land by the growth of popu lation will remain. That is exactly the in congruity which we pointed out At one time they urge, sincerely enough, that the valne will be taken away by the single tax; at another they urge, with equal sincerity, that it will furnish revenue for all the pur poses of Government "We simply call at tention to the fact that they cannot eat their cake and have it, nor can they destroy value and make it a subject of taxation at the same time. So far as the speculative value of land means an artificial enhancement by with holding large blocks of it from market it would be a good thing to have that abol ished. But besides the error of the single tax idea as to its practical effect, there Is a greater one as to the extent of such land monopoly. The extra cost of such an'arti- ficial enhancement to the people'of Pitts burg does not equt-1 the extra cost levied on them by the Sugar Trust, which is entirely independent of any foundation of land mo nopoly. ' A WEEK OF STBAKGE SENSATION. To-day ends what hasbeen a veritable week of horrors. Thousands will find it hard to realize that one short week compasses their experience since last Saturday, when morn ing broke over the desolated Conemaugh Valley, and the news of disaster thrilled humanity wherever the electric spark traveled. Tbe seven days, however, have enlight ened the public afresh upon many things. That grand revelation of the width and depth of human sympathy under the stress of dire misfortune cannot fade from the memory of men. It showed human nature at its best, and should forever silence the pessimist who sees no good in the race. The immediate and unlimited response which came up from all quarters of the land to the city of disaster and necessity was a quick recognition of a common humanity, elo quently in contrast with the narrow and often blinding competitions of daily life. Philosophy might well be instructed and religion fortified by such an evidence. There were other manifestations no less interesting, and perhaps more curious, be cause new to the public The fact was widely remarked that the immensity of the catastrophe dazed most people who kept their minds mnch on it So it came to pass that before the week ran ont, the continual iteration of the immense loss of life and the variety of attendant horrors, blunted tbe nerves of many. Doubtless it was a wise provision of nature that this, in such cases, should be so, else the human mind would inevitably give way in dwelling in detail on the million separate miseries comprised in such a calamity as that at Johnstown. Those who remember war-times tell of simi lar experience alter great battles. But among the disasters of this generation, only that at Conemaugh was on a scale to pro duce this sensation of incapacity to compre hend acutely all the details of the affliction. Yet other developments which attracted notice may not be written of without exhib iting the worst side. The attempted rob beries in the district; the want .of thought fulness among some of the morbid sightseers; the petulant bickerings and the miserable fault-finding as to some minor matters these things jarred strangely upon the pub lic ear. But incidents of that sort are but the exceptions which prove the rule; and the rule conspicuously was that mankind, in all civilized quarters, rose to the occasion pro foundly sympathetic and nobly helpful. So terrible though as the record is, it is not wholly one of disaster. AN UNQUESTIONABLE DUTY. The Philadelphia Times declares that there is no actual need of an extra session of the Legislature because "The policy of State appropriation to temper a common misfortune in any community is very ques tionable." This may or may not be true. Whether State appropriations to temper misfortunes are any more questionable than private charity for the same purpose is a subject capable of more discussion than is worth while to .give to it now. The Johns town people are absolutely helpless, and have got to be aided either by State appro priation or by private charity. -.Probably if both are resorted to they will not yield any more aid .than is necessary to avert positive suffering in the Conemaugh Valley. But whether State or private aid is ques tionable or not, there is one function which there is no doubt that the State and the State alone can exercise; that is the provi sion of means to prevent the spread of pesti lence. A very large expenditure is reqnired in Johnstown, and along the streams below that point in order to protect the whole west ern part of tbe State fromjan exaggeration of the disaster. The State Board of Health is at present powerless to do this work on account of the penurious appropriation which the Legislature has granted it Every dispatch from Johnstown is pregnant with the terri ble dangers that will result if the 'work is not promptly done. It is the business of (he State to see that it is done and done promptly, and those who cannot recognize the necessity have little idea of the nature of, the disas ter. State aid might be questionable; but there is no doubt that to permit the ruins at Johnstown to breed a pestilence throughout Pennsylvania would be a great deal more questionable. , TRACES OF MTJBWTJMPEBY. It is rather astonishing to find out how the traces of real Mugwumpism will crop up out of our esteemed party cotemporary especially in cases where the Mugwump principles will operate against the 'appoint ment of people to office whom our cotem poraries are not desirous of seeing favored. The. comments of the. Hartford Courant, upon the claim that because Mrs. J. Ellen Poster, made a great many speeches for the Republican party during the recent cam paign, therefore, Mr. J.. Ellen Poster must be appointed to the position of Register of the Treasury, furnishes a case in point Thi fcimfi1 fltyitrant mvs flint. ihn sWtu-i bility of the appointeeat should depeadj - .t t ..v ' " -vt 'V. , ' . -. ... . a. .: .-.-'.- ,- -' ,.. , -jiLiisiw : : -Si-4 i-.-..v03i.v.' , J- - f :: m iVi i "Iti-WisnBsTlgf V 1yft Vf-'OT r" ' iT ''Vf-sk Tlr-fJ t'lW'hlnsssMsssssssVfli' t ... i .. .. . ... --... ...- k-&e"-l J.." i J1..- .ilsv. -.. ZJSAw ..... il i li i I ii i i I til ii ' IP. Ml iT'ill mi iffMBI ill I Tri TMWI ill i iif M In1 T 1iT.lT iT TiTISWtiSMiniMMMiMfti IlllTfl-a-a-SSSrMI SgIi upon Mr. "Poster's qualifications for-the office' as compared with the qualifications of the other gentlemen who are candidates for the place. But this is fiat heresy 1 If men are to be appointed solely on ac count of their qualifications, what becomes of the great principle of rewarding party services? It is for asserting such ideas as this that theMugwumpsaredespisedandrejectedofall party politicians, and if the esteemed Cour ant adopts the idea-that qualifications, and not party service, should govern in the se lection of ofnceholders,it will soon be no better than a heretical and unreliable independent journal. WHICH GAME WAS, IT! The discouraging nature of the ivowal by Dr. Crosby to the Presbyterian General As sembly that one of the clerical brethren had been relieved of $50 by a confidence man is apparent That the crooks of New York should betray the guileless trust of tbe Pres byterian brother is bad enough, but there is worse behind in the fact pointed out by Dr. Crosby and some of the press, that to be victimized by a confidence man usually ar gues some guile on the part of the victim. But the guilt of the victim, it should be remembered, depends on the modus operandi of the sharps who took in the clerical brother and his cash. If the genial gentle man who was showing his reverend ac quaintance the town, fleeced him by means of the well-known "drawing," or "a little game," then, the Presbyterian pastor must be taken as an example of a good man gone wrong after tbe lusts of lottery gambling: Or if the green goods game was played but we will not admit the possibility that a clergyman could fall before the temptation of that swindle to engage in passing coun terfeit money. But our trust in the clerical profession is so strong that we do not believe it was either swindle which took in the victimized min ister. His genial and unexpected acquaint ance probably had to. meet a payment and had to borrow $50 on a bond for $500. The clergyman lent it to bim, and so appears in his true character of a credu lous, but upright, victim for tbe fleecers. The Civil Service Commission's exposure of the custom house jobbery is somewhat less reformatory than it would have been if it was not attacking the work of the pre vious administration. When the Commis sion attacks some of the prevailing clean sweeps it will be doing good work. In connection with the statement that there is great distress among the thousands of miners who are ont of work in the an thracite region, as the result of the combine among the operators to "force up the price of coal, the PhiladelpMa Press says: "It is a pity that there is no law to reach this greedy combination." Inasmuch as no less an authority than the Supreme Court of Penn sylvania has declared that exactly sucha combination is criminal conspiracy, the es teemed Press should perceive that there is law to reach this greedy combination; but that tbe trouble is and the pity isthat public officers do not enforce the law. Tiie declaration of the Persian Minister at Washington that it is impossible -for the Shah to visit this country because there is no one here with rank enough to receive him, is another evidence of the great good fortune of this country in its absence of rank. In view of the fact that both Quay and Wanamaker have declared themselves in favor of prohibition in Pennsylvania, an exchange says: "It remains' to be seen how strong an influence these two-distinguished gentlemen can exert in its favor." The question may be rather how much influence they will exert Instead of "can exert" It may be observed that neither of them is dis tributing any offices upon the plan of aid ing the prohibition cause. Frvx yonng lions have been added to the population of Chicago; and, naturally, it creates a good deal of a sensation. Lions as a native product of Chicago are a new thing, although the tiger has long been in digenous to that climate. It is reported that a boss carpenter in Boston will not keep carpenters in his em ploy who do not whistle, and he insists that they shall whistle lively airs. If the abili ties of a whistling carpenter are remembered in their pay this ought to make the total market value of whistling in the building trade equal to that which Mrs. Alice Shaw has established on the concert stage. If an officer of the Fourteenth Regiment has been guilty, as charged, of getting drunk and raising a disturbance while on duty at Johnstown, he has disgraced him self, his regiment and his city, and should be treated accordingly. It is reported that Hon. E. A. Alger, of Michigan, has assured some of Ms friends that he will accept the Presidental nomina tion in 1892, if the Republican party insists upon it This deliverance is not unexpected, but its repetition at this time conveys the further petition to the party: "Please do not forget to insist on it" Congressman- Bub-sows of Michigan is quite decidedly of the opinion that there should be an extra session. The conclusion is somewhat obvious that the Michigan can didate is anxious to have the Speakership agony ended. Mbs. Joseph Chambeelaik is said to be very much disgusted with the freedom of conversation in English society. As Mrs. Chamberlain was acenstomed to Washing ton society before she went to England, it is evident that the conversation in English high society mnst be even more decollete than its dress. The appearance of typhoid feverat Johns town is an almost inevitable result of the disaster; bnt it proves the necessity of vig orous work to keep it from becoming epi demic there and from spreading to other cities. The postal authorities announce that "the sickly green postage stamp" will shortly be retired to the scenes of private life, and be hereafter counted among the things that have been. This makes it sure that the Kew York Sun will shine with its brightest rays in -favor of the present postoffice de partment The rule of putting sightseers to work on the grounds will diminish the attraction of Johnstown as an objective point for junket ing trips. A Philadelphia policeman appro priated to his own use clothing contributed to the Johnstown sufferers and was figura tively kicked out of the force the same day and railroaded to jail for six months. The occasion does not seem to be'duly improved .by the fact that he was not kicked out bod- uj as wcu. LIKE A BIRDSEYE VIEW. Omens Augmented by Diphtheria One rinco Where Hundreds Slumber Hos pital Scenes Calloused Observers. CTEOM A STAIT'COaEESPOWDEirr.J Johnstown, June 7. Diphtheria has ap peared. This is the first sign of a dangerous contagious disease in the stricken city. Measles- was reported yesterday, and tho usual troubles that crow ont of exposure. The snn now shines brightly, and though the wind is cold, the brightness of the sky is ominous of June weather. Overcoats have been comfortable through the day, and blankets are a necessity at night; but are luxuries because Of their scar city. This condition of things cannot last much longer, and the worst may bo yet to come. The State of Pennsylvania must clear away all the ruins here quickly, or apply the torch, in the interest of the general health. There is really the greatest danger that the devastated region of the Conemaugh Valley may breed a dreadful plague. N - ' But in this Valley of the Shadow of Death the fight of the living goes bravely on. Every where are workmen and teams tearing away the piles of timber and shoveling mountains of earth and stones into wagons. The work is slow, and it becomes apparent that the esti mate of Mr.-Flinn is at least not far outside what wijl prove to be true. Tbe thousands at work in tbe town, and -the thousand or more cleaning out the .lower Cambria works, have only made a start, and to-morrow afternoon it' will be one week since" the South Fork Lake came down like a moving ocean. The dynamite at the stone bridge has made, as yet but little impression on the dam of charred timbers and human remains. "From piles of sand and earth bodies are being recov ered. One was taken out but half an hour ago. from a depth of two feet below the' level surface on the banks of tbe Conemaugh. As cel lars are dug out when tbe surface is cleaned off ana me worg oi nuuaing is oegun, were win be other revelations of this kind. As to those burled under tbe piles of stone and rock that cover tbe machinery at the Cambria works, they are estimated at hundreds by some; bnt the number may be less. It is probable that the great nnmber of bodies may have gone on down with the lighter drift. The hospital service has greatly improved, The latest addition to it is an annex near the stone bridge, where many have been injured. The saddest was tbe case of Will Dibert, who, returning over it after placing his family on the train for Pittsburg, fell and received in juries that caused his-death. Each hospital is now fairly well supplied with drugs'and band ages and tbe other things necessary; bnt their difficulty of access makes it no easy matter to keep up tbe stores. At general headquarters the system has greatly improved, and the town is better guarded than it has been. Spectators ccme and go in crowds, and they all say: "Yon have not told as hilf." No one who has not seen tbe miles and miles of -waste, where big busi ness blocks, manufactories and flne residences stood only a week ago, can have any concep tion of the destruction and the misery. Criminals and culprits are made use of to good advantage. General Hastings has sent mem an oat to laDor, wen guarded oy soiuiers, who see to it that they work bard. FMen become calloused at times like this, and none bnt newcomers or those searching for friends now look a second time to see a corpse, or even a wagon load of corpses come by. In the embalming rooms tbe busy attendants work on a corpse with one hand, while tbe other holds f ood.at which they are munching. They have no time to stop to eat They all work faithfully; and but one black sheep was found among them. He was caught steal ing jewelry from bodies that were brought in, and is now at work with the chain Rang, spur red on to his labors by tbe presence of the armed soldiers. Tbe uniforms of the Pennsylvania militia, which contrasted so poorly with the gaudy trappings of tbe holiday soldiers in New York, look different in this scene. They are bright bits of color on a dun landscape and a guaran tee of security. All kinds of relief corps are here and orga nizing Masons, Odd Fellows. Knights of Pythias. Amalgamated Association and others; but the yellow badges of the Pittsbugers are the most numerous of alL Anxious crowds throng the windows at tbe little brick building where tbe postoffice is established, inquiring for letters from friends. It is one of the sad sights to see the faces of the disappointed ones as they walk away. One small room accommodates the force of clerks, and the four, with the postmaster, are now finding plenty to do. The postmaster and his clerks escaped safely from the flood. One of the carriers lost two of his children. Simpson. BLIND TOM WAS NOT LOST. Tbe Noted Colored Pianist Probably Escaped the Flood. Special Telegram to Tbe Dispatch. KewYobk, June 7. On the authority of a special dispatch, from Pittsburg, it was an nounced that Blind Tom, the negro pianist had probably been caught in the Johnstown 'flood and swept to bis death. Managing Editor J. A, Fynes, of the Clipper, has since then been mak ing investigations, and to-day came to the con clusion that Blind Tom had escaped the flood. Mr. Fynes said to-night: "Tom bad started out some time ago on one of his annual tours, intending to visit some of the large cities, but for the greater part laying out his route in what are technically called 'one night stands.' His manager accompanied him. He played In Pittsburg Thursday, May 30. The Bun's Pittsburg correspondent has telegraphed that on Friday Tom and bis mana ger went to JohnstowDj-where he was engaged to play Friday and Saturday nights. Our Tarentum correspondent sent word that on Friday night. May SL Blind Tom appeared at tbe opera house there. Tom could not have left Tarentum until next day, when all danger was past. He may have Intended to play in Johnstown Saturday, but of course he conld not get there that day." BALLOT BEF0E1I TIGHT. Connecticut's Legislature and Governor Do Not Seem to Agree. Hartford, June 7. Governor Bulkley to day vetoed the bill providing for a secret bal lot He holds that the bill is too radical, too cumbersome in its details, too expensive, opens the door to fraud and will result in disfranchis ing voters. The House passed the bill over the Governor's veto by a vote of 121 to 88. This was done under the previous question, with no opportunity for discussion. After the vote was declared Mr. Brandegee protested against the discourtesy to the Gover ernor, and moved to reconsider. The bill wax reconsidered and tabled and the House ad-" jaurnea untu xaesaay. Another Scheme Against Bonlnnger. Paris, June 7. Two houses of leading Bou langlsts have again been searched by tbe police. It is alleged that papers, which implicate Gen eral Boulanger In an international plot wero discovered. PEBS0NAL PACTS AND FANCIES. The King of Spain -has just entered his 4th year. Heney Geobok will return from Europe about July L He will take a short rest in France. Mb. Clark Russeli after having long been a cripple from rheumatism, has found relief from the pine treatment and is hopeful of per fect recovery. Mbs. Harrison Is expected to visit Prince ton as the guest of Mrs. Patton during com mencement week. She will give this year's ivv to the graduating elassv Mrs. Cleveland will also be in Princeton as one of the patronesses of the sophomore reception. Mr. Roe, an English member of Parliament met with a singular accident when entering tho House' a few days ago. He was opening the door with his left band, and carrying a letter in his right, when the other half of the door swung against him and forced the corner of tbe envelope into bis eye. An English paper says: Here is a chance not often to be met with, as set forth in a weekly organ of the spiritualists: To Wealthy Spirit ualists Alady medium of-irled power wishes to meet with an elderly gentleman, who would be willing to give her a comfortable home and maintenance in exchange for ber spiritualistic services, as her guides consider her health too delicate for public sittings. The entire property of Tuxedo Park has been deeded in trust to Mr. Lorlllard's grand children, and if It keeps on increasing in value and popularity for 25 years as it has during the past two years, it will be a veritable kingdom in itself. r. There are now more than 50 cottage owners and nearly 400 club members, giving a net income ot more man siu.vvu per annum, Tho village at the station Uaiao increasing in due ratio, and as the club Is now self-support ing, jar. ijoruiara-s guarantee against loss for flve years is being entirely devoted to impr'ore- menu, wnicn are vuioie la every direction.- THE SINGLE TAX IDEA. Farther Views on the New School of Eco nomic Thought The Wrongs ol the Taxpayer and the Evils of Speculation Discussed. To the Editor of The Dispatch: In answer to your correspondents of single, tax proclivities, you give them as respectful a hearing, certainly, as they have a right to ask. It is worthy of a newspaper that wishes to keep abreast of the age to do this at the present time. Here is a new school of economic thought who say: We can abolish involuntary poverty; we can raise wages; we can tell you why It is that the poor grow" poorer and the rich richer: we can destroy tbe antagonism bo- tween capital and labor, by showing each that their interests are identical, and by pointing oat to them their common enemy, opportuni ties for labor will be abundant, and industrial panics, those plagues of modern times, will be no more. These are certainly glad tidings of great joy. and are worthy of tbe respectful at tention of all men. Certainly no one is so bnsy out us can pause a moment to listen to tms "voice crying in the wilderness," for it sounds like the trump of tbe millennial dawn. Difficulties In the Wny. And how is all this to be brought about? Surely some .mighty upheaval of society is necessary, some form of socialism, perhaps, in which each will give up some of bis individual liberty for tbe attainment of greater happiness to all? Not at all! Not at all! Simply and solely by removing taxes from improvements and concentrating them on tbe value of the. land until Anally the community will take in taxes what the community itself produces, the total rent of tbe land; to be used for the ex- Fenses of the Government and for a common und for the benefit of the people. Tbe source of all your industrial troubles, the cause of all your panics, say tbese men, is that you have violated tbe law of God. in that while He gave the land' to all His children, you have allowed a few to monopolize it, many of whom not only do not uso it themselves, but do not permit others to use it who would. An Answer to Fanatic Certainly this is a seductive proposition. Is it true or false? If true, then we bave only to embrace It to make the earth blossom like the rose; if false, let us sbow where the error lies, that man may abandon it for verily if it is a heresy it is one to which men are flocking in (increasing numbers daily. The Dispatch, therefore, very properly essays to answer "Fanatic" and says: He entirely overlooks the fact that it the speculative value is to be destroyed the revenue from that value will be destroyed also. True enough, the revenue from tbe speculative value mnst, I guess, go, but that will not affect the revenue, from the actual value. That will remain the same whether it is paid to the Government in tbe form of a tax, or is collected as now by private parties in the form of ground rent Speculation and Thxes. The Dispatch sees very clearly that thore is injustice fn the present system which favors the "holding of large bodies of unimproved land for specnlation, and puts a larger share of taxation on property that Is improved," but claims "that this is not the source of the worst evils that threaten our nation." While this mav be admitted for tbe sake of tbe argument is mat any reason wny we snoum aiiow an in justice tbat we can abate to continue, because It is not the worst that affects us? Present Evils of Taxation. The evils of oar present system of taxation are deeper and more widely felt than I fear The Dispatch yet appreciates; if it will con tinue the inquiry with the same candor and fairness with which it has commenced it it will, I think, come to see that if the system at present in vogue is not the worst evil that afflicts society, it is such a very great one. and its ramifications extend so far, that it will be well worth while to uproot lv and then take a look round to see what the effect has been. Pittsburg, June 7. E. Y. EXERCISING WHILE ASLEEP. A Chicago Somnamullst's Performance on a Horizontal Bar. Prom the Chicago Herald. Residing on the Southside is a young man whose physician has strongly advised him to indulge in a regular exercise. This yonng man has been troubled with Insomnia and is occasionally afflicted with somnambulism. He i believes, however, that he has tbe making of an athlete in him, and when he received his physician's instructions be resolved to bring it out, so he had a horizontal bar erected in tbe back yard of the house, and upon this he prac ticed daily. His principal feat was to grab the smooth bar with both hands and swing around with great rapidity. One night last week the young man's mother was awakened by the noise of a door closing. She arose and tiptoed toward the back part of the house. Looking out of tbe rear window she saw her son, clad in his nightgown, revolving on the horizontal bar with lightning rapidity. Amazed at tbe spectacle of the gyrating son and his flapping night garment, she aroused his father and told bim about it The old gentleman arose, donned his pants and went to the rescue. When be succeeded In stoppingthe revolutions of the flying boy he learned that he was asleep, and that be bad posed as a somnambulistic athlete. He awoke him with some, difficulty and led him back to his bed. Now tho young man has bis parents lock his doors and windows when he goes to bed. He is anxious to regain his health, but he will not go so far as to do a horizontal bar acf In his nightgown. SHEBIDAN'S FAlTbUS" EIDB. General Early Says It Warn Only 10 Miles and Lasted Half a Dor. Winchester, Va., June 7. The graves of 3,500 Confederate veterans in Stonewall Ceme tery were decorated this afternoon. General Inbal Early, the orator of tbe day, was intro duced by ex-Governor Hblliday. General Early, after giving a description of the battle of Cedar Creek, said: You will perceive that Sheridan made his famous poetic ride Twenty Miles Away" over a distance of about ten miles, and that it took bim from early in the morning until about noon to make it. He then contradicted tbe ''Personal Memoirs of General Grant" and the Army and Navy Journal in reference to these battles, saying: "These facts will give some idea as to how our adversaries vindicated the truth of history and it will also show tbat our men had the faculty ot multiplying them selves, not only on the field of battle but also after they wero killed, wounded or captured. Speaking of the devastation of the valley, so tbat a crow would be forced to carry rations. The impartial student of history, who may read accounts of different battles and campaigns of the war written from a Federal or Union standpoint will be struck by one thing, and that is tbe wonderful capacity tbe Confederate soldier had of multiplying himself on the field of battle. According to many of these ac counts there was scarcely a battle in which the Confederates did not outnumber the Unions." HILLMAN WEAEING HANDCUFFS. The Noted Life Insurance Frand in Cbargo of tho Officers. (SPECIAL TELEQHAM TO THE DISPATCn.1 Denver, June 7. Jo'hnH. Hillman, the noted Kansas life insurance fraud, passed throngh here to-day in charge of officers en route from Tombstone, Ariz., to Lawrence, Kan. Hillman bad his life insured for S3O.000, and is alleged to bave disappeared, after murdering a man who greatly resembled bim, leaving bis wife and accomplices to undertake tbe collection of tbe money from the company by palming off tbe murdered man as being tbe real Hillman. Mrs. Hillman swore that tbe dead man was her hnsband, and played ber part well, even to tbe extent of marrying again. Tbe case has been in the courts for nine years. Hillman's return to Lawrence is ex pected to create something of a sensation. DEATHS OP A DAT. Adolpbas Andreas. Special Telegram to The Dispatch. NEW York, June 7. Adolphus Andreas, said to bave been tbe oldest Mason In the State, and one' of tlie-founders of the Columbian Society, died of paralysis Thursday arternoon at bla home, at 157 Wesi Eighty-fourth street. Although the disease had gapped him on the shoulder a year ago, he re covered completely, and was la robust health almost to the day of his death. On Sunday he took a two-mile walk, and Tuesday be spent at the Masonic convention. He was stricken tho"next day. Mr. Andreas was born In this city on No vember 9. 1799. He was a machinist by trade. His wife, whom be married when he was 25, was a daughter of David Dunham, owner of tbe steam shin Jtobert Fulton. Adolnhni became a Uuiin when but a boy, and, being tbe son of a Masters Mason, received that derree when-still underage. r&rk LodgNo: W.Vhlcirwas organlied Turing .t.-s.. i. , , . .... .. .'..:. ---.--..- country- When Lafayette was made a Knight Templar by the Morton Encampment, Mr. Andreas was also admitted to the orden- He was one of the first to receive the thirty-third degree Of 'the me jiaruuis iu naiaieiw seconu villi' to In is auuuu auiikuaiw- bd pftruciimwa in nearly alljhe more important Masonic ceremonies, which nayewten piawswie iattau oeaturvaaaaiore. v i - . . -- 'i-Kfe. - !?.- ..- ' ". ' . .- - .. . fjfc- .ir, -"rMKiwa-T AN ENGINEERS OPINION. An Expert Tells What He Thinks of thu Conemaagh Dam tafe a Long as Water Was Not Allowed 'to Flaw. New York Tribune.: An interesting story, involving tbe construc tion and history of the Conemaugh Lake dam above Johnstown, was related to a Tribune re porter yesterdasf,by J. B. Montgomery, who formerly' HvedlrAVesternPennsylvanla and Is now well known in the West as a railroad con tractor. Mr. Montgomery, who is on a visit to the city, gives a very clear explanation of the causes which led to tbe calamity in the Cone maugh Valley. "The dam," said he, "was built about 85 years ago1 by the State of Pennsylvania as a feeder for the western division of the Pennsylvania canal. The plans and specifications for the dam were furnished by tbe Chief Engineer of tbe State. I am not sure, but it is my Impression, that Colonel William Milnor Roberts held the officS at the time. Colonel Roberts was, one of tbe most famous engineers In the country. He died several years ago in Chili. Tbe contract ors for the construction of the dam were Gen eral J, K. Moorhead and Judge H.B. Packer, of Williamsport, a brother of Governor Packer. General Moorhead bad built many dams be fore this on the rivers of Pennsylvania, and his work was always known to be of the very best. In this case, however, all that he had to do was to build the dam according to the specifica tions furnished by tbe State. Tbe dam was built of stone and wood throughout and was of particularly solid construction. How tbe Dam Was Built. "There is no significance in tho' discovery of straw and dirt among the ruins ot tbe dam. Both are freely used when dams are being built to stop tbe numerous leaks. Tbe dam had three waste gates at the bottom, so arranged that they could be raised when there was too much water in the lake and permit the escape ot tbe surplus. Tbese gates were in big stone arches, through which the water passed to tbe canal when the lake was used as a feeder. In 1859 the Pennsylvania Railroad Company pur chased the canal from the State and tbe dam and lake went into tbe possession of that com- Eany. Shortly afterward tbe Pennsylvania ompany abandoned the western ulvlsionof the canal and the dam became useless as a feeder. For 25 vears the lake was used only as a fish-pond, and the dam and the gates were forgotten. Five years ago tbe lake was leased to a number of Pittsburg men, who stocked it with bass, trout and other game fish. s What Perhaps Caused the Break. "1 have heard itsaid that tbe waste gatesrhad not been opened for a great many years. If this is so, no wonder the dam broke. Natur ally the fishermen did not want to open the gates after tbe lake was stocked, for the fish would bave run out, A sluiceway should have been built on the side of tbe dam so that when the water reached a certain height the surplus could escape. The dam was not built with the intention that the water shonld flow over the top of it under any circumstances, and If al lowed to escape in tbat way the water was bound to undermine it In a short time. With a dam 70 feet high the pressure of a quantity of water great enough to overflow it must be something tremendous. If it is true tbat tbe waste-gates were never opened after tbe Pitts burg men leased the lake, the explanation of the bursting ot the dam is to be found right there. Its Condition Five. Years Axo. "It may be tbat the dam had not been looked after and strengthened of late years, and it was undoubtedly weakened in tbe period ot 25-years during which the lake was not used. After the construction of the dam tbe lake was called the Western Reservoir. The south fork of tbe Conemaugh, which fed the lake, is a little stream not over ten feet wide, bnt even when there were no unusual storms it carried enough water to fill the lake full within a year, show ing how important it was that the gates should be opened occasionally to run off the surplus." Mr. Montgomery was one of a party of engi neers who inspected the dam when it was leased by tbe Pennsylvania Company five years ago. It then needed repairs, but was in a perfectly safe condition if the water was not allowed to flow over it. KISSES FOB CUBBENCI. A New War of Paving Debts Discovered A wny Down East. From the Kennebec Journal.! A well-known Augusta", truckman wasmedi jtatively trimming a lawn last Monday evening, 'when a maiden lady of uncertain age accosted him' from across the way and inquired his terms for mowing the grass in front of her house. With becoming gallantry, the knight of the whipstock replied that be would ask no greater reward than one "smack" from her fair lips. It was agreed and be began his task. Before it was half completed the nature of the con tract had been spread abroad and an interest ing crowd had assembled, when the worthy teamster songht his pay. Bets that one party or the other would "squeal" were freely offered with no takers. Contrary to the expectation of all, both came up to the scratch in the presence of a large and appreciative audience. Their lips met in a concussion whose echoes well nigh drowned the applause with which it was greeted. THE TBUTfl 0NLT HALF TOLD. A If ew York minister DecidesThat theNewa Is Not Exaggerated. Special Telegram to The Dispatch. Johnstown. June 7. Rev. Dr. D. C. Potter, of tbe Baptist Tabernacle in New York, spent tbe day here seeking information on tbe soot for a sermon next Sunday. He took this course to avoid being misled by the exaggeration of the newspaper reports. After lie had looked at the ruins some min utes ho concluded that the difficulty would be in tbe other direction to exaggerate the news paper reports sufficiently to make them equal, the truth. How He Might Knise His Expenses. From tbe Chicago Tribune.1! King Kalakaua could easily raise the $10,000 he needs to pay the expenses of a visit to .the Paris Exposition if he would hire himself out to the dime museums for a month or two. If be is too proud to accept this suggestion, which is freely given with a view to helping him out of a difficulty, let him stay in his island home and fight mosquitoes. Scbofleld Acting as Secetnry of War. Washington, June 7. Secretary Proctor received a telegram this morning from bis home in Vermont stating that his young soais losing strength and is sinking. Tbe Secretary made arrangements for leaving here and barely had time to catch the 11 o'clock train. General Scbofleld was at once commissioned to act as Secretary ot War during tbe absence of Secre-' tary Proctor. Journalistic. The Pittsburg Catholic under its new man agement seems to have improved very mnch as a newspaper as well as a denominatonal organ. It gives in this week's issne an excellent illus tration of tbe ruins of Johnstown, with much news specially relating to Catholic interests affected by the flood. A Good Man Suitably Rewarded. London, June 7. Engineer Bourke, of the British man-of-war Calliope, the only vessel which escaped from Apia harbor during the great storm there, has been promoted to be Fleet Engineer as a reward for his services in enabling the vessel to steam out of the harbor. SLEEP SONG. To and fro, htgh ana low. Swift and slow, ruing baby, 01 Whither is darling one faring to-night? Cozlly nestling In pillows white: Closing ber laughing blue eyes In sleep. Drifting away through the twilight deep. Somewhere out of this world of ours Prettiest bud tn a Mav of flowers! Off with the'falrles and elves at play, Chasing gay butterfly stars, away. Crescentcd moon, O dip down and float Airy and light as a phantom boat! Baby girl glides on a slumbrous tea, Where waves are nodding all drowsily. "Whatdothemermaldens sing, my dear. Combing their tresses, dark rocks anear? Songs of summerland, sighing of love. White their bosoms, tbe foam-flakes above. What is God whispering now, my sweet (For dream crafts tarry wbere angels meet)? An, we can never know that yet awhile! No one has fathomed a baby's smllet The winds are rising and stars grow pale; Out of the sea comes a silver tall. Oood-by. moon-wlth wave of hand (lood-morn, pet 'tlt'awaklng land,, fiwift and slow, to and fro, Miabandiour. ttclnababy. O! . :' ' -vnieagq i METROPOLITAN MELANGE. Prizes for Good Marching. tSIW TOBK BDSXAC SrXCIALS. New York:. June 7,The: Centennial Indus trial Parade Committee has awarded prizes to the.bodles of men which made tbe most credit able displays in the' Centennial industrial pa rade. May L A gold medal will be given to the pnblic schools of tbe city, a silver medal to the Veteran Firemen's Association of New York, banners to Columbia College, College of .the City of New York. Operative Plasterers' Asso ciation, Hebrew Benevolent Orphan Asylum 8oeIety and German Butchers' Industry. The 4,000 school children who marcbed,wbeeled and saluted with the precision of old soldiers, will repeat their part of tbe parade on the day of the presentation of the prizes. Not Pinch to Look Forward To.l Dr. George B. Loring, United StatesMlnlster to Portugal, will sail for Europe with his fami ly to-morrow, on the steamship Elbe. He will pass a few days in London, some time in Paris, and will then proceed to Lisbon. Tbe only open question between the Washington and Lisbon Governments just now concerns a claim of tbe United States against Portugal for a few thousand dollars. Dr. Loring thinks tbe adjustment of this claim will be about the be ginning and the-end of his diplomatic labor. The Governor of Trinidad on a Visit, Sir William Robinson, Governor of Trinidad, and.bis family, arrived here on the steamship Allanica, from St. Thomas this morning. Strong Evidence Agnlnst a Doctor. Poison was found to-day by Dr. Kent, of Brooklyn, in the stomach of Mrs. Jennie Duff, who died in the City Hospital last Wednesday. Mrs. Duffs lover, Dr. James Downie, who Is suspected of murdering her, is still held in jail without bait, to await the Jesuit of the Coroner's Inquest Years ago Mrs. Duff and Dr. Downie were lovers in Glasgow, Scotland, Their families objected to the courtship. They separated and each made a convenient mar riage. They met again, alter they had become parents, resumed their old relations clandes tinely, and eventually eloped to America. Mrs. Duff brought ber two children with ber. Dr. Downie abandoned his whole family. He became a drunkard soon after reaching here, and abused Mrs. Duff. He beat her so severely, .a few days before ber death, that she could not walk. She suffered terrible pains in tbe stomach after drinking water which he placed at her bedside. The next day she died in the hospital. In her ante-mortem statement' she said; "He told me 'drink the water, and it will end you. " Rocker's Opinion of Blackburn. Judge A. W. Rucker, of Denver, who did not fight a duel with Senator Blackburn, will sail with his family for Queenstown to-morrow. Yesterday and to-day be has been telling every one about his row with the big Kentnckian. He thinks that the people of Kentucky con sider Mr. Blackburn a blowhard and something of a liar, without courage enough to back his opinions. He prophesies that Mr. Blackburn will be left out in the cold when the Kentucky Legislature chooses a United States Senator again. Shot for n Bag of Peanuts. Alfred Oram, 11 years old, and Martin Mur phy, 13 years old, quarreled over a bag of pea nuts. Oram drew a revolver from his waist band and shot young Murphy through the hand and in the leg. Oram was held Without bail to-day for examination. A DIET OF TACKS. It Doesn't Hnrt the Stomneh as Mnch as One Might Suppose. Prom the Philadelphia Beeord. Medical authorities assert that there is far less risk attendant upon swallowing a tack than is. generally supposed, and that such a performance Is sometimes productive of bene ficial results. The freak who swallows a single tack or a handful of them is seized with an ab normal de lire for food, and it is to this fact that tbe barmlessness of the swallowing of tacks is ascribed. Curiously, the tacks invaria bly pass through the stomach with their heads "bowed down in reverence' and placed in the center of the food so tbat. they do not touch the walls of tbe Intestines, Even when the ;point3oftbe tacks penetrate the lining, of the stomach the result is not so dangerous as would be be supposed. Tbe reason was explained in a very simple manner yesterday by Dr. T. S. K. Morton, who said: "These tack-swallowers generally have very strong stomachs, and the amount of gas tric juice in them dissolves the iron, and tbe result is a liquified mass similar in nature to tbe oxide of iron, which we prescribe to sick persons as a tonic. Really there is a certain amount ot benefit attached to the swallowing of tacks, and yet there is always danger of a serious result in consequence of such an act. I have never known ot any person who has been compelled to go to a hospital from such causes, however. "But I remember the case of a horse tbat swallowed a large-sized tack. After his death we cut open his stomach. We found there a solidified mass of a stony nature. When this hard substance was split open we tonnd that the tack constituted its nucleus. A similar effect would take place in a person's stomach, if tbe tack should happen to stick for any length of time in the walls of the intestines." A LAWIEB'S CONTEST. The Sodden Withdrawal of a Will Case Surprise an Attorney. Special Telegram to The Dispatch. Kingston N. Y, June 7. The matter of accounting of tbe executors of the estate of James T. Soutter, of New York City, came to an abrupt ending fn Ulster Surrogate's Court to-day by dismissal of petition, which was made by Charlotte, the Ducbesse D'Anxy. The Duche'sse is a widow of one of the sons of Soutter. Tbe estate is a large one, amounting to a million and a half. Mr. Soutter died in 1872 and left a will which was admitted to pro bate tbe following year. The matter has been In litigation in tbe United States Court for several years, a decision there being ren dered in favor of tbe executors. At tbe opening of the case to-day execntor's counsel filed papers executed by the Ducbesse withdrawing all objections to an accounting and giving release in fult Lewis Baunder, .counsel for contestants, was taken by surprise and objected to the dismissal of tbe petition upon the ground tbat the Ducbesse bad no authority to withdraw the same and tbat he. as attorney, was the only person having that 'power. It appears to have been a big fight 'between lawyers for fees. Going to the Slaughter. Prom the Hew York World.J The time is at hand when the college gradu ate will come forth proudly to place ' his name high on the glorious list of those who want something to do at high wages. Kew England Shocked. New Bedford. Mass., June 7. A distinct shock of earthquake was felt In this city at lOSthls forenoon, tbe wave being from west to east or a little southeast An Earthquake In France. Paris", June 7. A violent shock of earth quake occurred to-day at Brest THE WOKKING 1T0BLD. The machinery palace at the Paris Expo sition Is the largest building ever put nndera single roof. It is nearly 1,400 feet in length, is 370 feet wide, and has an average height of 170 feet Formerly engineers estimated the strength of roues by the old rule, "four times tbe square of the girth in inches gives tbe breaking weight in hundredweights." Commenting on this rule an. engineer says: "Apparently ropes aret&rco times as strong now; andTto get near the tabu lated strength take tho square of the girth' in eighths of an Inch and divide by 1,000, or point off the last three figures as decimals. The answor will be the safe-working load in tons. This has an error of about 10 per cent on, the safe side. The breaking- strain is from five to seven times greater than this.' There is every reason foe believing that modern developments in electrical science will tend to Increase very considerably the demand for steam power, but that steam plants will bo more centralized than formerly. Where power can be conducted.without ' serious loss for al most unlimited distances along an electric wire and distributed as required along the route tha demand for small steam engines is likely to tall off; but on the other band, the convenient -form iu which power will bo obtainable will protBBUaaay.to nse it who would hare heel- 'me4 to mbi-w tho responsibilities of a direet t-rWW-POTWPsiM. CDII0US' CONDENSATIONS. "8 The Queen of England makes her own ' tea when traveling. When the British- Museum is opened ia the evenings the additional cost per annum. will, it is stated, be X12.C0O. An exhibition of monkeys was opened at Alexandra Palace -in London recently. At least a thousand monkeys from various parts of the world are being shown. A Cincinnati father fixed the big rock ing chair in the parlor to upset if a greater weight than 140 ponnds rested in it On the very first night afterward his daughter got a broken shoulder and her young: man had his' nose skinned. The male members of the Beformed Church in Easton, Pa., having been dilatory about digging tbe cellar for the pew church, tbe ladies turned out with shovel and pick and did so mnch work tbat the shame-faced men finished the job, The bill restoring the punishment of flogging with the cat-o'-nlne-tails and authoriz ing Its infliction npon burglars convicted of having dangerous weapons in tbelr possession, has passed its third reading in the British House of Commons. Its passage in the House of Lords is assured, it is said. A duck with four legs has been hatched out at Lisle, lit Tbe two superfluous legs stick up from beneath the wings on the back, so that tbe bird will be able to swim upside down. When it wants to reverse its motion on land all it has to do is to turn a balf somer sault and light on its back, when it can run away "with its face to the foe." Some time ago Dr. Weber, of Lancas ter, Pa., saw a poor boy of 11 years passing his office who was suffering from the effect of a metal tube inserted in his throat for diphtheria six years ago in uermany. ise metai naa cor roded, and the flesh was "angry." The doctor raised a fund and bought a gold tube in Phila delphia, and will insert it shortly. Miss Kate Young, teacher of the West Bebewa (Mich.) school, took a novel method of supplying a demand tbat the School Board re fused to heed. She had each pupil bring an egg. and then sold them at a convenient gro cery. With tbe proceeds she purchased towels and soap, and the appearance of tbe children after play hours is much improved. A colored man by the name of Abed nego Young was in Eaton ton Ga-, the other day, who Is slowly turning white. He was very sick last year with typhoid fever. When be began to recover white spots showed them selves on one side of his face and ear and on different parts of hi3 body, which are gradually spreading, and the prospect is tbat eventually, if be lives long enough, he will become wholly white. His beard growing out of the spots is white, otherwise it is black. Some of the Germans of Punxsutawney, Fa, in the hope of being able to locate tbe body of Roman Baldanff, who was drowned Saturday night, took a loaf of bread, wrapped it up in the last shirt which Baldauff had worn, and threw it into tbe water at the place where he had fallen in. The theory was that tbs bread and shirt would float down to tbe point at which the body stopped, and there sink. They did float about half a mile down the creek and sink, cut here the parallel ends. Tbe body was not there. Edwin Bryce, the 14-year-old son of Mr. W. F. Bryce, of Swansboro. Va., in a vio lent coughing spell the other night which lasted for several hours, coughed up a two-inch English galvanized horseshoe nail which he .swallowed 15 months ago while living in Fred ericksburg. Several physicians endeavored to locate the nail, but were unsuccessful, and It was finally concluded tbat the little fellow must bave been mistaken in saying he swal lowed It, and as bis health began to fail and be was subiect to continued spells of coughing; bis case was pronounced consumption, and be has been treated for that for some considerable time. He is now doing well and will recover. Grandfather Smith, of Punxsutawney, Pa., who was gathered to his fathers several years ago, used to say, after the great flood of 1831. tbat it was all in the moon. "Whenever." he said, "the moon changes at 11 o'clock and 59 minutes in the day time on June 1, you may look out for beavyrainsand a big flood. Ibave seen two or tbree great floods during my life time and they were all caused by the change of tbe moon at this particular time 11:59 June L. "When, the change of tbe moon comes again at ' ' that time, look out," Several of tbe citizens Off that place remembered this, and, looking up tbe almanac, foundvthat tbe change ot tbe raOon took place on June i, 1SK3, precisely at 11:59, and in consequence they marvel much. A gentleraanrora Glynn, county Gejh. gia. saw a curiosity while traveling in CliniSfi county recently In the shape of a three-leggea chicken. Two of Its legs were growing inthsir natural place; but the third grew inverted from the chicken'A back, its toes pointing up ward, and extended to tbeir utmost tension. Whenever its bead descends in picking up food, or its bkdy is in motion from walking, tbe muscles of the inverted foot relax and expand with astonishing rapidity. Another singular freak is that it has a horny substance growing from its bill, some two or more inches in height, similar to the horn of the unicorn, and as bard as flint, and with which it fiercely at tacks other chickens, dogs and even bogs, and sometimes Inflicts mortal wounds. Tbe chicken was hatched in the early spring, and has devel oped great size anastrengtn. There is an old man on the upper Sa vannah, living on the Georgia side of the river, who has not lived in a house since the earth quake of 1888. An old oak, with inviting limbs, has been his place of abode since tbe sbakeup referred to. During the earthquake his bouse was stirred violently, the chimney tumbling in, and he ran from it in fright and has never re turned to it A negro was employed to bring him from the building such articles as he needed, and be has oullt himself a sleeping place in the limbs of tbe tree, with a stout can vas as his only shelter from tbe rain. His cook ing is done on tbe ground, and his reception room is the grassy spot under tbe shade of tbe oak. The least rumbling will cause bis precipi tate rush to terra flrma. and be will instantly jump to the ground at the sound of thunder or seeing a flash of lightning. , WHAT WILD WITS ARE SAYING. Miss Gotham I adore traveling. Wera you ever in Greece, Miss Loin? Miss Loin (of Cincinnati) No. I never was; but papa was In that lard trust you inow.-iflnneop-olis Tribune. Outlived His Usefulness. Foreigner "Who Is that solitary individual whom nobody no tices? American He's an ex-President of the United States. Drake's Magazine. A High Spirited Girl. "But if yon don't love him, Clara, why are you going to marry him?" "Because he dared me to, mamma. He knew rnvhlzh-snlrlted nature, too. O, I'll make bim sorry enough for it-don't you be afraldl" Cif eago Tribune. Kept Himself Mighty Quiet Prof. Wiggins, who assumed control of the earth and the outlying planets a few years ago, says "the sun Is going away from tbe earth." This Is the first time we knew Old Sol bad been here. Tunny that none of tbe reporters got on to It. He must have lande d on the other side. Burdttte. Takes Boom to Get it All In. "What's that?" asked old Gnnnybsgs, as a supplement ' crowded with long columns of names and figures fell from the newspaper when he opened It, "de linquent tax list?" "No," said bis ion, as be scanned the sheet "it's a report of tbe cricket match on Decoration Day." Burdttte. In Far Away Connecticut "What's this tombstone arrangement In the garden. Pilgrim?" "Ob, don't you see? It's a snn dial. I invented It myself and am going to gets patent. You see here It has a clockwork attachment for moving the shadow around, so that vou can tell time by It when the street lamps are lighted." Burdttte. In the Interest of Science. Dyspeptic patlent-tiood heavens, doctor, what are you taking all those murderous thing) outror? Zealous physician, who worships his profession For the autopsy ; 1 am going to find out Just what Is the matter with you. Alarmed patient, who is undnly sensitive But 1 am not dead yet. Calm physician No. but you might die some time when I would be otherwise engaged, and It Is not well to delay the autopsy until decay seizes upon the more deli cate tissues. Hold your breath whllo 1 take out your lungs, please. Burdttte. A Typical Parent Little Jimmy visits . bis father's ofiTtce and after examining tho type-' writing imi-hlne. observed to his mother: "Say, mariner, what do they take those to the theater, "i for?" "' '-"1x1 "My boy," replies bis mother, "they do not &, take them to tbe theater." ' " ' '"Well. It's mighty funny then. Pa was tellln- s Mr.McNofllesthatbe took his typewriter to ther. theater " ,,'f!. "James," said bis father sxermr. -miiKB),ij,- you In the stable this evening. tine. " Drake's JfagW THE ONLY GUIL AT OYESUfF UtheliUcoras'.oryaforcat interest, located, in an American mining camp, antt wrtUenby' Wilkie Collins, the great JSno'Ht1" novelist.' nMeKwtU bevuMlihed in complete Jarm tn tew T-wrs-r i-sfs-ATCJi, jwgsRj. - 2