mSSmmr'smsmm0m
?rT
i
vJS
- a.v
if"
f HE SNOW QUEEN.
-BT-
ERNEST H.
rWMTTElT FOR THE DISPATCH. :
ERVHTA was a Queen over
a mighty country. She was
one of the most beautiful
women of her time, but
withal she was exceptionally proud and
haughty. Many of the handsome young
courtiers of her dominion had prayed her to
elevate them to the position of her husband,
hut Servina always said that a queen was
only to be married to a king. This, how
ever, everyone knew to be impossible, be
cause all the kings living just then were
already married.
Thus affairs went on; and although the
courtiers continued to show their unswerv
ing love and devotion to the Qneen, she
never encouraged any of them.
'One day, it was about the middle of win
ter, the country was covered with a deep,
soft carpet of snow, and the lakes as well as
rivers were frozen over with a strong cover
ing of ice, Servina announced to her court
that she intended to hold a great skating
festival and tournament on the ice in the
part lake behind her castle. Everyone was
delighted with such an announcement, and
preparations for a magnificent day of enter
tainment on the ice were at once commenced.
"When the day at last arrived everything
was in the grandest perfection of complete-
ness. xneuay n c' """ -
as smooth as glass. It was in the afternoon
when Servina and her attendants arrived,
and from that moment the fete began. The
Qneen at once entered into the frolicking
Alfonso Starts or the Jforth J'ole.
-: enjoyment with s rim, and when the sun
sank behind the hills and the ever-growing
Shadows Indicated rapidly approaching
darkness, Servina became vexed that she
was to go home already. Suddenly an idea
seem to have struck her. ,,
"General," she said turning around to
one of her attendants, ''go at once to the
prison in the city and bring all the convicts
out here. Let each one carry a flaming
torch in his hand and have all the prisoners
stand along the banks of the lake. 1 do not
want to go home yet and if we have these
convicts around here as light bearers I shall
be able to see and the inn can last for
hours."
The general went to execute her order,
although he thought the queen was very
heartless to have these men stand around
the lake in this bitter cold weather. Several
other people thought so too, when they
heard what the Queen intended to do, but
none dared to interfere with her. When
the poor miserable convicts came they were
put around the entire lake and ordered to
stand as silent and still as lampposts.
The consequence was that they shivered
and froze until the very marrow in their
bones had nearly turned into ice. But the
Qneen did not mind that as long as she
enjoyed herself. What was it to her, that
one after another the prisoners fell beneath
their flaming torches, frozen to death. She
never stopped enjoying herself, wrapped up
in warm ermine furs and cloaks until even
the last convict had been killed lrom the
terrible frost. Then she gave orders to go
home.
But just at the moment as she was about
to step off the ice behold! a roaring, thun-
idering noise reverberated through the air.
f
: h
The &now fairy's Castle.
and in another second an apparition ap
peared before Servina and her astonished
courtiers and friends.
"Servina, woman, queen!" the vision
shouted, "this day has shown you to have
no heart, no feeling, nor the least of human
compassion. "Why should you sacrifice the
lives of these poor people by having them
freeze to' death, while you revel in enjoy
ment? Enow then, that X am the Fairy of
Snow artl Ice. I bring the snow from the
heavens to cover busy nature beneath a bed
of needful repose. I hide the flowers roots
under my soft, white bed to rest and sleep
until the spring. I cover the rivers and
lakes with ice to give peace and quiet to the
inhabitants of the water; but never did I
want to kill anyone with ice and snow. But
as yon in your passionate desire have sacri
ficed a hundred lives to death in ice. and
snow I will punish you as you deserve. Be
then 'n the lutdre a 'Queen of Snow!' "
"Ko more had the vision said this when
Servina's form changed into snow, and
while she looked like a woman she never
theless had lost all her former beauty and
attractiveness during this transformation.
'True; she could speak and walk, but her
voice sounded cold and harsh, while her
walk was clumsy and very undignified.
The courtiers flew from her as if she were a
viper, and soon she was almost entirely
Only Alfonso, the true and brave, her
most devoted admirer, remained -with her,
and he tried to console her.
'If j-ou had been turnea into a snow
HEINRICHS.
mountain I would not forsake or leave
you," he said, "and I will see what can be
done to move the severity of this snow fairy
to revoke her sentence."
'"Ah! I am indeed very sorry," said Ser
vina, "I nevsr thought I was doing so very
wrong lu letting those prisoners ireeze to
Heath. "What is the difference whether they
d e in their dungeons or in the open air, it
i . the same is it not?"
"Well, this is no time for arguing that
point," said Alfonso; "Jet me say goodby
and I will go to a wise witch, whom I know;
perhaps she will bo able to help you and
brine back your former self."
"Go, Alfonso, and believe me, I promise
you that I will many you and make you
my king if you are successful. I will also
make a vow' that in the future, meekness,
humbleness and kindheartedness shall be
my queenly characteristics." Thus said
Servina, and then the young man bid her
farewell. t
He immediately went to a wise witch,
who was renowned and famous all over that
country for her cleverness, and told her of
the occurrence.
"What am I to do to find this snow
fairy?" he asked the witch. "Tell me
where she is, and I will invoke her to for
give Servina for this time."
The witch then told him that he would
have to bathe himself in a bath of mercury
in order to make his skin able to withstand
the coldest climate. "When you have done
that," continued the witch, "take this swan
and ride on it to the land of Alcandora,
which is a country immediately surround-
W &..
The Snow Fairy Grants Alfonso's Meanest.
ins the North Pole. There the snow fairy
lives. But mind you get to the country by
yourself, only accompanied by this swan,
who will fly with you through the air until
you get there. Take no food either, nor any
weapons, because the people of Alcandora
detest weapons. Now go, and make haste!"
The young man at once took the bath ia
the mercury and he fouHd afterward that he
was covered with a skin of that peculiar
metal, which prevented any penetration of
the frost. Then he jumped on the swan's
neck and flew northward. In due time he
arrived in Alcandora and the first man he
met he asked where the snow lairy lived.
"Her castle is on the North Pole," the
man replied, "but hurry and get there be
fore it gets dark, because she intends to
make a trip to Russia to-night, where she
has to deliver a load of snow every 24
hours."
Alfonso hurried, and he just got to the
fairy's castle as she came out of a second
storv window sitting on a great big snow
clond and evidently ready for her journey.
The young man told the fairy that he had
come fronQueen Seroina with the message
that she was indeed very sorry for having
angered her, and that she was prepared to
make any reparation required for her wrong
doing, provided the fairy would change her
again from her form of a snow queen.
The fairy realized at once that this young
man must be very devoted to Servina to
have undertaken such a perilous journey
for her sake, and therefore she replied:
"Young man, I admire your devotion,
and for your sake I will forgive Servina on
the condition that she goes to the grave of
everyone of those dead convicts and kisses
each one on the forehead."
Alfonso was delighted. He thanked the
fairy, remounted his"" fleet swan and flew
back to the Queen Servina, who impatiently
waited for him. When he returned the
Queen was still in the shape of a
snow woman. He at once told her
what the snow fairy had said, and
Servina expressed her willingness to
comply with the command. The hundred
corpses of the hundred convicts were brought
before her and she stooped down and kissed
every one on the forehead. To everybody's
astonishment each corpse at once became
alive again as soon as she kissed the cold
brow, and when she had kissed the last con
vict's corpse, behold the snow melted from
her form and face and Servina was again as
beautiful as ever.
She was greatly rejoiced and so was Al
fonso, especially when she made him her
husband and king. This, of course, made
the other courtiers mad, that they had not
gone to the North Pole. But it was too late
now, because Alfonso had carried off the
prize.
2('0T FOB HIS OWH BENEFIT.
An Old Yankee Willing to Bin the Pledge,
Bnt Not to Keep lu
New England Magazine. 1
Major John was a stalwart, ruddy, middle-aged
gentleman, fond of good clothes
and good cheer. He had the habit of going
into the village tavern about 11 o'clock in
full dress and taking his repast alone in
great dignity, with something to drink as
well as eat. One morning, somewhere near
1830, the parson, who was about on a tem
perance mission, found him at table, sur
rounded by his viands.
"Major John," he said, "I wish you
wonld sign this temperance pledge, not of
course oecanse you neea it, out lor tne bene
fit of the rising generation, you know."
'Certainly, parson," said Major John.
"Bring me a pen, landlord."
So the Major wrote his name in a bold
hand; and the parson went his way rejoicing
for the new sheep in the temperance fold.
But the very next week the parson, in that
very same tavern, found Major John at the
very same table, taking his breakfast, and
with not one bottle less."
"Why, Major," he cried, "you signed the
temperance pledge last week."
"So I did, parson," says Major John;
"but then I did it, yon know, for the benefit
of the rising generation."
A Conine Tourist.
Baltimore Bun. 3 v
In the course of a hearing yesterday in the
case of a child bitten by a dog, Judge
Stewart said: "The power possessed by dogs
of finding their way back home is remark
able. I remember reading of a dog which
was sent from Scotland to a man in Patapsco
Neck. Some weeks later the dog reappeared
at his home in Scotland, having found his
way to a vessel bound to that country. How
the dog did it is more than I can say."
The Iiast Straw.
iFnPKi'
Mr.Bilnap (disappearing) B'goshI even
th' sign painters lie in this peaky taown.
Judge,
fSSx . "wiiWflS
A NIHILIST SESSION.
Iran Smirnoff, a Former Siberian
Exile, Describes His Initiations
ADMINISTERING THE IRON OATH.
The Obligations of a Member of the Dreaded
Organization.
HOW A SECRET MEET1KG IS CONDUCTED
IWSITTEX FOB TEX DISPATCH.
The evening of which I am about to
speak was in the middle of the '70's. I had
then just returned after a few years of forced
sojourn amid the snowsof the bitter North,
not because I was a Nihilist (as indeed I was
not at that time), but simply that I had been
known to, associate with suspected Nihilists.
An example of Russian justice. I felt that
I had already suffered sufficient fortbe cause
to identify myself witH it. I therefore ap
plied for membership. Two friends inter
ested themselves to obtain my wish for me.
I knew they had succeeded, but I was
not apprised of the day or hour of
my initiation. It was an evening in
midwinter, with the snow knee deep
on the ground, and the feathery flakes
still falling thick and fast. The oppressive
stillness which always accompanies a snow
storm, added to the gloom of the sceae, and
as I stood looking out on the prospect all
the sad events of my very sad lile flitted in
silent array be'ore me. I wondered if my
friends in the far North ever paused to think
of the poor exile who had passed some of the
best years of his life in their midst. How
well I remember the long winter nights (in
deed it was nearly all night, only four hours
daylight) in which the Ispravnik's pretty
daughter Dariye and I renewed new pledges
of undying affection, when a sudden sum
mons from Petersburg ordered my immedi
ate return, and our dream of happiness was
rndely shattered. I promised to return, but
now other ties claimed my attention, and I
was fated never again to see my pretty snow
bird the Ispravnik's daughter.
The sonnd of bells was wafted through
the thickly falling snow, and my medita
tions were suddenly interrupted by the
stopping of a small sleigh i; front of the
house. It was driven troika fashion, and
the pretty arch over the horses' heads was
visible through the gloom. The two friends
of whom I previously spoke, jumped out,
and entering the house, informed me that I
must hurry on my great coat, as they had
come to conduct me to a meeting of the
circle, meaning the Nihilists. As I was
putting on my coat, a mask was suddenly
thrown over my face, plunging me into
midnight darkness. I was conducted to the
sleigh, and then began a drive, which I
thought would never end. I feel quite sure
I was driven through the same streets twice
and across the iron bridges which span the
Heva and back, but never a word escaped
the lips of my companions during the mem
orable journey. At length we arrived at
the place of meeting, situated in the Vasi
lewski Ofttroff. I must here digress to say
that many of the names which I use are
fictitious, others are so well known to the
world that there is no necessity to give other
than their own name.
THE IEWT OATH.
The meeting was held at the house of
Madam Ann Popoft. Still blindfolded I was
led into the room where the members of the
circle were assembled. I was as yet ignor
ant of my surroundings, when a lond voice
from a distant part of the room addressed
me in the following language (I afterward
heard it was the Chairman):
We, the members of NarodniaVolla (people's
will), ask you on your honor If you are aware of
all you haTe to endure by associating yourself
with our cause, cold, hunger, contempt, deri
sion, hatred. Insults, nay! even a fearful death.
In case of your arrest have you courage to bear
the tortures the Government mayinfiictfortbe
purpose of forcing you to reveal the secrets of
the BrotberhoodT Are you ready and willing
to sacrifice yonr life for the canso if necessity
demands it? Think well, and, if vour courage
fails you, tbere is yet time to retract, and we
will take you back from whence yea came; but
if you feel you can wholly submit to our con
ditions we will require you to take the Nihilistic
or Iron Oath. At the same time, I warn you
that the obligations of the Brotherhood are
hea7y indeed, and it requires Btrong determina
tion allied to an indomitable will to fulfill them
to the letter.
Up to this time I had not spoken. I was
pondering deeply on all I had heard. The
Chairman, possibly mistaking my silence
for cowardice, again addressed me, saying:
"Now, for the last time, in the name of your
country and all vou hold dear, are vou
ready and willing to assume these obliga
tions?" I was somewhat awed bp the sol
emnity of the occasion, but I found strength
to say in a clear, distinct voice, I am ready,
and determined to take upon myself ail re
sponsibilities mentioned, and become a
memoer oi tne secret order ot -Nihilists.
The chairman again spoke:. "Brethren, if
any person present has any objection to in
terpose against this man becoming a mem
ber ot this band, let him or her state them
or forever after hold their peace." No dis
senting voice being raised, he ordered the
removal of the mask.
I was then told to face the assembly and
hear the Nihilistic or iron oath adminis
tered to me. This oath is most binding in
its obligations to perform all things allotted
to you, even to taking life itself. You are
compelled to swear that you will be faithful
in all things and stop at nothing which will
advance the cause. That all yonr acts will
be guided by the greatest secrecy. At thj
conclusion you are made to swear that you
regard yourself as the sworn foe of the Des
potic Czar and his Government, and that
you will use every means within your power
to compass their destrnction. There was
something so uncanny, or weird about the
whole affair that it left a deep and lasting
impression on my mind. The dimly lighted
room; the awed but eager faces which sur
rounded me, I can never banish from my
memory. In my later and more nature
years I look back shudderingly, and realize
how recklessly I offered my own life to
sacrifice, and how willingly swore to take
the lives of others if an imaginary necessity
demanded it. It was not until I had taken
the oath that I learned how mixed was the
assembly which had witnessed my renuncia
tion of self.
A COMMON CAUSE.
There sitting together were officers of the
army and navy, members of the Imperial
Guard, Government officials ot high rank,
professors, students, gendarmes, merchants
and a few peasants. A common cause made
all equal, and a member of the Imperial
Guard clasped the hand of his brother
peasant. All class distinctions were for
gotten in the struggle for freedom.
Dr. TJrsuroff, the President, was a hand
some man of perhaps 40 years, who had
identified himself with the Nihilists for the
last ten years. ,Madam Anne Popoff, in
whose house the meeting was held, was the
Vice President She was afterward arrested
as a suspect and died in prison.
Her history was particularly a sad one.
She had a beautiful daughter, Malanys,
who at the age of 17 was arrested with a
number of other students; she was of a deli
cate constitution, and the shock and con
finement brought on rapid consumption, and
she soon joined the numberless victims gone
before. The father died of a broken heart,
and on his death-bed, begged his faithful
wife to avenge their child's death by every
means in her power. Possessing ample
means she became a devoted Nihilist, and
many were the plots arranged in her home
under the very eyes of the police officers.
There were also present several young
ladies, students of a neighboring college,
fair young girls just budding into woman
hood, most of whom are now in exile, while
others either succumbed to the long journey
to liberty or died in prison. My heart is
sad, indeed, when on taking a retrospect of
the past, I see arrayed before me the faces of
the noble men an womend who offered them
selves a sacrifice on the altar of freedom.
That evening I for the first time saw
Sophie Perovskayr whose name will be
handed down through all eternity. She
had a noble face fall of sublime enthusiasm,
but I soon learned she was" a member of the
Terrorist party, which up to that time I
knew very little about Her rapid and ve
hement utterance rather startled me at first,
but I soon grew accustomed to her forcible
denunciation of the Czar and his Govern
ment I saw her once afterward, when the
almost fatal act of displaying lhe precon
certed signal was assigned as her part in the
forthcoming tragedy. When questioned in
regard to her fear of consequences, she re
plied: "I know no fear; no greater honor
than this could be conferred upon me. Poor
Sophie Perovskayr, nobly born, gently nur
tured, ended her lile through the hangman s
rope, and finds rest in a nameless grave.
Her co-worker Jelaboffwas also present,
but it would occupy too much space to give
individual histories.
THE INSIDE "WORK.
After we had spent some time in conver
sation, the Secretary motioned for silence;
he' date not rap for fear of attracting atten
tion from outside the house. Some of our
people had lately joined the Becret police
for the purpose of learning what people and
houses were suspectedr and the President
had received an intallible warning that we
wonld have to be very carefuL All eyes
were turned to the Secretary, who proceeded
to read cipher letters from the different pro
vinces, which announced the nnmber of ar
rests, and where arrested, the progress the
cause was making, and an account of the
work accomplished by agents of the society.
The expenses for the past week were de
clared to be 785 roubles, while the contribu
tions amount to 1,096 rqnbles. The balance
in the treasury was stated to be about m,w
roubles. It was apparently a large sum to
have on hand, but they were reserving their
funds for a special purpose. They intended
increasing their field of operation. Madam
Anne Ivanovna was ordered to the province
of Baratoff to take a position as teacher,
and at the same time disseminate Nihilism.
One of the high dignitaries of the
Empire secured her the position. His
name though well-known throughout the
world I caunot mention here. He was aware
of her object Michael Isakoff was ordered
to the shores of the river Volga thereto
labor among the Starovers, or Old Faith
men. These people are bitterly opposed to
the Czar and his Government, and hesitate
not to avenge the insults heaped on their
forefathers. They are a powertul factor in
the Empire, and have always allied them
selves to the Nihilist cause. Isakoff being
rich was expected to defray his own ex
penses. Next several names were proposed
for membership, then a collection was taken
up which amounted to 850 roubles, includ
ing 450 roubles sent by M. Philipoff, of the
Biazan Province. The Chairman thanked
the members for the noble work they had
performed, and encouraged them to further
good deeds in the future; then, after be
stowing on -me my new name of Soukinsv
noff (no Nihilist is known by his own
name) declared the business part of the
meeting concluded.
DISABMING SUSPICION.
Music is not apt to arouse suspicion, so
we enjoyed some fine singing of Kussian
songs, and a piano solo. We indulged in
tea, wine, and, as became good Bussian
subjects, cigarette smoking, varied by pleas
ant conversation on various subjects. About
11 P. M. the meeting was adjourned. The
room selected for meeting in is invariably
provided with a fireplace, in which all
papers are destroyed before separating.
This work usually falls to the Secretary's
lot, so Madam Sophie Paulovna, the per
son filling that office, destroyed all the
cipher letters and documents nsed during
the evening. Thus was every trace of our
secret assigned to the flames.
Our leave taking was made in hushed
whisperings, and our departure conducted
in the same stealthy manner in which our
entrance had been effected. Two went first
who reconnoitered the street outside, and at
a prearranged signal given at a short dis
tance "from the house, two more ventured
forth. In this way was the gradual dis
persion of the assembly accomplished, and
each one reached his home without having
excited the suspicion of the police. On
stormy nights such I have just described,
particular caution was required, as many
people on the street at once would lead to
questioning and perhaps an investigation.
We separated with hearts full of hope fortbe
cause. But of the members present that
evening, three I never saw again. Sophie
Perovskayr as previously'told died in the
hangman's hands. Jelaboff shared the same
fate, while Elinkoff yielded up his life,
from the effects of the same bomb which so
cruelly killed his imperial master. Such is
the life of the Nihilist in Bussia. But as
every cloud has a silver lining, we can only
hope that the clond will disappear and the
silver lining make its presence felt across
on which will be written the one word Free
dom. Ivan Smibnoff.
SMELLING INSTEAD OF EATING.
A Woman Who Satisfies Her Appetite by
Inhalllng Odors.
Detroit Free Press.j
'Talking of people eating," said a robust
looking woman yesterday, "did yon know
that a great many people take the most of
their food through the nose"
"What do you mean?" inquired her
friend.
"Just this. I can satisfy my hunger at
any time by merely inhaling the odors of
cooking. The aroma of coffee, for instance,
sustains and exhilarates me. A beefsteak
flavor is as satisfying as a full meal. Any
cook will tell you that"
"Then why should people eat?"
"They don't eat when they can get a full
meal of cooking odors. Thy is why tramps
hang around the open doors of kitchens and
restaurants. Did you never -feast on the
smell of warm gingerbread? I am very fond
of candy, but I never eat it, as the substance
does not agree with me. But I bur a box of
it every week, and when I feel candy hungry
I take the cover off and inhale the delicious
flavors. The candy itself I give away to
those who are not yet educated up to feeding
through the olfactories."
The friend looked at her with amazement,
but she only remarked sadlv:
"What an awful thing it is to be a
crank."
A Christina Carol.
listen; the bells in the steeples
In jubilant gladness ring
To welcome the coming of Christmas
And the birthday of the King
Who was born in the lowly manger of Bethle
hem, long ago.
When the song of the herald angels
Was sung to the world below.
Thou hast clad thyselt in raiment
Of spotless white, O earth.
Like a bride on her marriage morning,
To celebrate Christ's birth.
O, were onr lives as spotless,
Onr hands unstained with sin,
And the latch of each heart were lifted
To let the Christ-Child in.
Bring of thy pine and holly,
O earth, this Christmas Day,
And wreathe in their green the altar
Whereon our gifts we lay;
Gifts ot most grateful homage
Laid low at the feet of th'e King
Who leans from His throne to listen
To the sound of our worshiping.
Bring to the dear Lord's altar
The sonl's white flowers to-dar.
Let the rose of thy love shed Incense
Sweet as the breath of May.
Let the lily of faith eternal
Lift its cups of myrrh to Him
Whose love is the star that leads us
Through ways that are dark or dim.
O.sarth, send back to Heaven
The grand and the glorious strain
That startled the wondering shepherds
On far Juaea's plain.
Glory to God In the highest,
Sing it again and again,
On earth be peace, on earth be peace.
Good will, good will to men.
Men . Rexford in Ladies' Borne Journal.
From Night to Moraine '
Last night I heard a bird singing
A plaintive, pathetic strain.
As if In the strife of its tiny life
It had caught the note of pain;
And I said: "O world of sorrow,
-Art thou with wrong so stirred.
That thy grief and woe in tears must flow
Through the song of a little blrdr"
But this morning I heard the bird singing
A Jubilant song, and sweet,
And every note from that swelling throat
With happiness seemed replete;
And I said: "O world of gladness.
Though hast sunshine enongh for all:
Though the night hath fears, and sorrows and
tears, . .
Joy comes at the morning's call."
Emma F. Powd, XwW Cmftmto.
A NOBLE PBOFESSM.
Bessie Bramble Talks About Oar
Public School Teachers and
TAKES ISSUE WITH DR. HcCOSH.
How Political Machine Methods Interfere
With Education.
QITING THE PAN-AMEBICANS A SHOOK.
rwarmnr ron ra narATcn.i
"There are some professions whose daily
work-fends to do good, to spread happiness
or promote morality, and the teacher has the
gratification of knowing that in his daily
employment he is increasing the intelli
gence, and thereby augmenting the felicity
of those who are under his instructions."
This sounds like one of the nice mbral
essays heard at lbe Teachers' Institutes, and
mostly delivered by the brethren who pro
pose to teach until they can be admitted to
the bar, or go into politics, or the pulpit, or
some more lucrative business. Other
learned and garrulous men who, as a general
thing, are crammed with conceit and classics
are always as they assert profoundly im
pressed with the dignity and elevation of
the teacher's profession.
They always claim for it a power for good,
not even second to that of the pulpit, and a
respect for it inferior to none in the world.
They glorify it as a calling of greatest
honor and supremest importance, and nob
lest achievement. But, as is frequently
noted, notwithstanding all of this high
praise not to call it cant most of
them get out of it at the earliest possible
moment. Dr. McCosh however, whose
words have been qnoted, stuck to the busi
ness, and won fame and name and fortune,
and now that he has retired from the more
laborious duties of the teacher's work, he
takes pleasure in the thought that he has
pupils in almost every part of the world
that are doing credit to his teaching,
and exercising an influence for good as a
result of his work.
It may be that, if teachers were better
paid, those who are eminently qualified and
gifted for such business would be glad to
avail themselves of the opportunity to follow
out their natural bent, and give their best
energies to a pursuit as congenial to them
selves and improving to others. But the
fact is that men mainly take to teaching
school in these days because it is a good
stepping-stone to something else. It is a
pursuit which, for them, requires as the
average director views it no experienre
whatever. A man, green from a country
college, or fresh lrom the bogs, who can
secure good political indorsement, can,
without question or protest, be elected to
the position of principal in the public
schools at a high salary, though
HE MAT KKOW HOTHHTG
of the work and have neither natural abil
ity to impart instruction nor faculty of man
agement to make a school a success. Mer
chants engaged in trade know the value of
experience. Thev insist upon that as essen
tial iu engaging their assistants. A woman
cannot get a place to sell ribbons and laces
and tapes unless she has had "experience."
Green hands are looked upon by business
men as a nuisance. They will not employ
such unless compelled by stress of necessity.
In all lines of employmentalmost competent
hands are demanded, and tne valued ana
trusted assistants are those who kuow it all
by having climbed from the bottom.
But this business rule is oftentimes re
versed by the sapient, or rather sap-headed,
school directors. They have no scruples
about experience when it comes to the point
of electing a callow college man, who may
have perhaps some indications of a mus
tache, over women in the line of succession,
who know more about the details and dis
cipline of a school than he can master tn
ten years. A case to point a moral comes to
mind where a competent principal, whose
administration had been distinguished by
success for years, was recently "dropped" to
make a place for a book agent, this injustice
being done merely at whim of the directors,
or rather on the score oi politics and per
sonal favor.
Such cases are not uncommon, and they'
snow that dt. .BiciMsn is not well posted as
to the public schools, when he makes the
assertion that "no doubt the teacher has not
the same opportunities of earning money
that merchants and lawyers and bankers
have." But to counterbalance this, "he is
in a more independent position than many
others, and is not liable to the reverses, cul
minating, it may be, in poverty or bank
ruptcy, to which members of other higher
positions are exposed." The knowledge of
Dr. McCosh, as to teachers, is evidently
confined to colleges and universities, where
the professors are promoted, or pensioned.
or die, but are never "dropped." When he
offers as a compensation for the absence of
chances for the teacher to make money, that
he is in a more independent position than
many others, he shows that he knows noth
ing of the toadying, and truckling, and sub
serviency that are needed to secure the favor
of a Board of directors
BUS BT POLITICS,
rather than by any consideration of the
good of the school, and the efficiency of the
teacher. When he talks of the teachers not
being subject to reverses, as are those in
other pursuits, he did not consider such in
stitutions as the Lawrence Bank where the
little savings of some teachers were deposited
for the rainy day of which they are in con
stant jeopardy owing to the unreliability of
many school directors, and the mutations of
politics, and the trickeries of those in politi
cal authority.
Dr. McCosb, by his own account, taught
school for 37 years, and like most teachers
who have an enthusiasm and taste for the
business, he found his highest enjoy
ment in teaching and in seeing the good
result of his labors in his pupils, but were
he a principal or a teacher in some of the
public schools he would find that his main
work wonld be to "stand in" with the ward
board so as to insure his yearly re-election.
Enthusiasm, capacity, taste, and aptitude
for the business are not important points as
to teaching in these days. The teacher who
has none of these qualities will draw the
same salary as if he were in full possession
not only of these, but of the fabled virtues
of the gods. The inexperienced young man
at the top will be given twice the pay of the
able and efficient woman who has risen from
the ranks and is distinguished for eminent
service.
It cannot be denied that teaching holds
ont to men engaging in it such inducements
as are offered to tyros in no other occupation
or profession. A lawyer knows that he must
climb a rugged road," and that not until he
has made a reputation can he expect to reap
large profits. The doctor knows he has to
acquire Bkill and reach eminence before he
can hope for fame and I at fees. But the
conceited collegian who has luck, and who
desires a chance to make a good living
while he gets ready for something else, goes
to teach in tr and crets as much salary as it he
had been in the profession for 20 years.
Such do not go into the work for the love of
it, but for the cash and convenience, until
their plans are ripe, and their way is made
clear for something they more highly es
teem, and more ardently desire than the
great work Dr. McCosh so lauds and mag
nifies in his essay on the trials and triumphs
of the teacher.
SHOCKING THE PAM-AMEEICAirS.
When the Pan-Americans visited the
great Michigan University at Ann Arbor
they were vastly astonished to find the sys
tem of co-education in successful operation.
It was rather a severe shock to their notions
of proper etiquette to find young men and
young women receiving instruction to
gether in all of the higher branches of edu
cation. They are said to be accustomed to
the system of secluding girls in convents for
instruction, where the object is not to teach
them to think, or to entertain "views," or to
develop their Intellectual capacity, bnt
rather to educate them in the old way of
possibly a little general smattering of secu
lar knowledge, s few ftahioMbfe weon-
plishmente, and sufficient grounding in
moral precepts and religious dogmas and doc
trines as will make them devout and devoted
members of the church, and humble and
obedient wives, But even this is only coil
fined to the very few, for the majority of
women in South America receive no school
education whatever. Even in Brazil, of
which we have heard so much of late. 84
per cent of the population are illiterates.
As stated in a recent report, the number of
illiterates reported in Venezuela was 90 per
cent of the popnlation.
But if the "Pan-Americans" were sur
prised at the exhibition ot Co-education ia a
great university where the old theories as to
the education of women are dailv disproved
and exploded, they were stunned with "the
mostsignificant fact concerning the new
civilization, as announced by President An
gell when he said that "the United States
recognizes na sex in intellect." Among the
new ideas with which the South American
delegates were crammed during their junk
eting expedition around the country they
doubtless have stowed away this section of
the woman question. It is hardly to be
wondered at that they had such desire to see
and know the women of the country. With
their recollection of the colossal mass of
feminine ignorance at home, it would not he
surprising if they connected the backward
ness of their countries in civilization with
the fact that the education of their women
wasdeplorablyneartothelineof the dark
ages.
But if, as the President of Ann Arbor
stated, the "United States recognizes no sex
in intellect," it certainly does in edncation,
since even in Pennsylvania the average
salary of men teachers is much higher than
that of women doing the same work.
THE TEACHEB'S SOCIAL BANK.
One thing that Dr. McCosh deplores is
that the teacher has not as high a social
status allowed him as the other learned pro
fessions; but he is quite persuaded that the
time is not far distant when the teachers of
youth, lower and higher, will rank with the
lower and higher grades of the ministers and
lawyers.
But this is even now claimed by the wordy
orators at the "Institutes;'"but the claim can
hardly be sustained as a matter of
practice,- There is a sort of la
tent contempt in most men's minds
for the pedagogues. Although they mav
be chock full of wisdom, top-heavy with
learning and slopping over with profound
ideas, their opinions are rarely asked as
those having anthority. The Chamber of
Commerce, composed of practical business
men, does not go to the schoolmasters for
information, or confer with them on matters
of importance, as the pagans of old held
counsel with their oracles. Although cred
ited with being profound iu philosophy,
skillful in logic, masterly in argument and
burdened with brains, yet they are not con
sulted in matters of great weight and mo
ment. The men who have risen from the
ranks through sheer force of energy,
enterprise ana ambition to places of power
have little respect for those who plod along
taking everybody's dnst on the highway of
life. Still the good doctor thinkt the teach
ers may reach the social position they shonld
have, considering the importance of their
work, if they behave themselves, and urges
that "success in this commendable enter
prise will depend upon their gentlemanlike
and ladylike bearing." This would seem to
be rather a reflection upon the manners of
the teachers, but spoken bv an eminent and
distinguished one of their craft it should re
ceive careful consideration.
Bnt the good doctor does not hit the point
as well as he might. The teachers, as a
class, do not take pride in their profession.
Men teach until they can find something
else that will pay better women, in the
main, for the same reason. Not many find
in it their highest enjoyment, and the best
development of their talents. Only the
rare few feel that in teaching they are doing
the highest good of which they are capable.
To them it is pleasure, enjoyment, real hap
piness to form the tender mind, to inculcate
good principles, to implant noble thoughts,
to cultivate truth, honesty and worthy am
bition. EFFECTS OF THE MACHINE.
Such teachers deserve to receive the great
est honors, the highest pay, and all that
goes to show real appreciation of true merit.
But by ,'the machine" thev are all leveled
down. The bright, able enthusiastic
teacher ranks with the dull, stupid creature
who has hardly two ideas to rattle together
in her head, and whose sole ambition is to
get married and get out of the business. So
little are good teachers appreciated by some
of the school boards of Pittsburg that if Dr.
McCosh himself were a teacher in tbe schools
they control he would be "fired" at the
next election in favor of some pudding
headed trickster who could secure the "in
flooence" of the pothouse politicians.
That some radical reform is needed in this
matter cannot be denied. It is true that in
some of the wards the local boards are com-
I posed of intelligent men, who can be trusted
to elect teachers ot high character and emi
nent ability, but in others teachers of such
low order of intellect and limited capacity
and deficiency of manners are placed in
position as drag down the standing of the
whole profession. Until something is done
to take the power of election out of the
hands and votes of ignorant and unscrupu
lous men the status of the teachers of the
people will go lower rather than higher as
Dr. McCosh predicts. Until teaching can be
made something better than a makeshift for
the many, and something beyond a per
quisite to be peddled around by ward bosses,
the dignitv and elevation talk of the prot
fession will be only cant rather than truth.
It may be said, moreover, that while some
of the teachers of Pittsburg are worth a
hundred times their present salaries in
money, and exert more influence for real
good than any of the pulpits, yet there are
not a few whose worthlessness, is monstrously
overpaid at the lowest figures who are.
indeed, not worth their salt and
whose incapacity is endless labor-saving
for the.devil. If the worth and virtues of
the former could be recognized by increased
salaries without putting a premium on in
competency, no voice could be raised against
a large advancebut when it means pro
moting stupidity and rewarding incapacity,
it is not wonderful that those who pay
kick. As according to the present machine
methods the profession instead of being ele
vated is rather degraded, the excellent,
the worthy, the most talented taking rank in
many cases with the incompetent and un
faithful. If some remedy for this manifest
injustice cannot be devised the teacher will
fall short of the honors claimed for him by
Dr. McCosh for many years to come.
Bessie Bramble.
Not Bound for the Stan.
Savannah News.
The steamer City of Jacksonville, of the
St. John's river service, got into a dense
fog while on her way down the Tiver the
other night A traveling tourist, anxious
to go ahead, went up to Captain Shaw, who
was at the wheel, and asked him why they
had stopped. "Too much fog; can't see the
river," replied the precautious captain.
"But," said the tourist, "you can see the
stars overhead." "Zes," said the captain,
"but until the boiler bursts, we are not
going that way." The passenger, went to
bed.
In Far Cathay.
It daily meets my dreamy eyes,
That old world scene by farther seas.
And all unchanged; the water sighs
Still in that bay, and still the breeze
Kings low, sweet songs amid the trees.
Here stands a house quaint, shadowed o'er
By clnst'rlng branches; wavelets fill
The river wbisp'rlng near tbe door;
That white path meets the threshold still.
And birds chirp love with bill to bill.
That rude old bridge still spans the stream,
The passers few are passing yet:
Tbe boat is there it doth meseem
The sailors sleep mayhap forget--For
ne'er was sail since furled or set.
The bay spreads out clear, placid., bright
A summer sea fringed round with green:
Afar some isle, mayhap, in sight
Bisinc from ont its breast is seen.
And houses mirror in its sheen.
And all is still norVolce, nor song,
Comes the enjoyment to abata
Of that fair scene fair, though a wrong
It tells (ot lovers father's hate
Upon, a willow pattern plate.
-S, Mm JMuttt, in BitnH fnt JPrm.
THE FIRESIDE SPHDTX
A Collection of Fnfgmatfcal Its for
Home CracMng.
Address communications for this department
(oUB. CHASBOUBX Lewision, Uaine,
833 A CHINESE MATTM.
- ? i ttt Dei rj?;
tx m -
4 4
J. H. Fezandu.
840 ONE HUirDBED AOE3 TO GHESS
L What is the foreigner's agar
2. The criminal's age?
3. The ace of the gray-headed slnnerT
4. The inn-keeper's ageT
5. The cow-catcher's age?
0. And the age of the man at his dlnnert
7. What's the tanner's ageT
8. Tbe peddler's age?
9. The age of the wealthy plumber? (3)
10. The wood-dealer's ageT
11. The coil-dealer's ageT
12. The age of the frisky drummerT
13. What's the coachman's ageT
14. The cabman's ace?
15. His age who wields the plough T
16. The clothier's age?
17. The truckman's ageT (3)
18. His age who loves a rowT
19. What's the servant's ageT
20l The overseer's ageT
2L What tbe age of the collector T (2)
22. The butcher's ageT (2)
23. The storekeeper1 j age.
24. And the age of a protector?
25. What's the poor man's age,
26. The worshiper's age,
27. Tbe age of a man at prayer?
23. Tbe profane man's age,
29. Tbe drinking man's age.
30. The, age of a man on a tear? -
3L What's the traveler's age, (2)
82. The brakeman's age,
33, And what tbe age of the preacher?
34. The weighmaster'a age, .
3d. The sovereign's age,
38. And what the age of the teacher?
37. What's the age of man,
38. The age of woman,
39. And what's the age of the lover? (3)
40. The widow's age, ,
41. Tbs infant's age,
42. Of tho man that's half-seas over?
4i What's the age of a son,
44. The age ot a daughter,
45. Of the man that's older than you?
40. The deadhead's age,
47. The Congressman's age,
48. The age of the letter "S.Q.T"
49. What's tbe prodigal's age,
60. Tbe acrobat's age,
61. Tbe age of an under-sized fellow?
62. The locksmith's age,
62. The tu rakey's age,
54. And what was the age of Othello?
65.
53.
67.
68.
69.
60.
61.
62.
63.
64.
65.
60.
What's the vagrant's age.
The emigrant's age.
The age of. tbe sailor at sea?
The soldier's age, (2)
The banter's age.
And what's the age of a tree? (2)
What's the miller's age,
The pronhet's age,
The age of the barbarian?
The farmer's age. (2)
The cashier's age.
And the age of the herbarian?
67. What's the doctor's age,
68. The scoffer's age,
69. His age who meets his girlT
70. And what's the dope's age.
71. The nobleman's age,
72. The man's age two points from an earl?
73. What was the age of "Uncle TomT1 '
74. Tho age of "Bnrke of OursT"
75. The age of an English poet? (2)
76. And the age that notes the hours?
77. And what is the age of the flannel shirt?
78. Of the man who's back on his rent?
79. The age of a country parson?
SO. Of the man on plunder Intent?
81. And what Is the age we live in? (2)
82: The age of the mathematician?
83. And what is tbe age ot tbe cloth maker?
8L And the age of the loud musician?
8a. What's the age of the fleeing Irishman?
86. His age when brought to a halt?
87. The age of the story-teller?
83. And of the fermenter of malt?
89. What is the age of tho man that is mean?
90. The age of tne dealer in wine? (3)
91. Of the man that's got the best of It?
9i And theage of tbe grunting swine?
93. What's the age of the man who has dinedT
94. And the age of a man depressed?
95. And what's the age of tbe darkey?
90. And of him not so dark as tbe rest?
97. What's the age of the telegraph boy?
98. Of the man completely strapped?"
99. Of woman before she's married?
100. And the age of him who raooed?
- -.
JUS
Dboxio.
841 ENIOMA.
A species of quadruped, brown, white or gray.
Or black perhaps other hues total will say. '
By ladles 'tis nsed, to give them an air
Of having abundant, luxuriant hair.
Or a printer, who works at less than the others.
Is termed a complete by the regular brothers.
BlITJDiSfMT,
842 DOUBLE ACROSTIC,
L To begin again. 2. A dish of stewed meat.
3. One of the chief divisions of a poem of soma
length. 4. Cracked with cold.
.Prf malt. A large mass of stony material.
Finals. An idol formed of wood.
uomoinea, uquixorm asbestos.
Bice a
843 DOUBLE LETTEE ENIGMA.
In "pence makes pounds;"
In "dollars" ronnd;
In "sue" and see;
In '"prides" abound,
A. primal is an object meet.
Oft filled with gleaming gold.
Unless the owner is compute.
Last of his wealth untold.
BittebSwext.
844 CHABADE.
A. first Is now before you, fast;
fiain as can be nothing last;
Perhaps you're total, though, and see
Ho first In place where it should be.
DickC.
AKSWEBS.
8321. Ate, bate, cate, date, fate, gate, hate.
Kate, late, mate, Nate, pate, rate, sate. Z Bill,
dill, fill. gilLbilU JUL kill, mill. Pill, rill, silt
till, will. 3. Bane, cane, Dane, fane, Jane,
Kane, lane, mane, pane, sane, vane, wane.
8331. Dee. don.
834 (Sixteen miles Ian hour. The distance
B C being twice the distance A B, the distance
C C will be twice the distance A A'. Now, this
distance A A' represents the rate of speed ot
tbe vessel A less the speed of the passenger on
board ot A, tbat Is to say 11-3, or eight mfles an
hour, and twice this, oris miles an hour, will
be the rate of speed of the vessel C.
835 Day-star.
835 Stumbled, tumbled, 'umbled, bled, led,
Ed.
837 L Murat Halstead. 2. Secretary Win
dom. 3. 1 nomas De WittTalmage. 4. "Joseph
Benson Foraker. S. James Gillespie Blaine.
838 The mouth, with tongue and teeth.
HfHilHBPI
A HtHFECi
imiii!iai!
JTlTTiTCl
IIUMJIil
A parelr Wrotihln
(Compound that expels
all bad humors from the
system. Removes blotch
es and pimples, and
makes pure, rich blood.
ap2-68
Isnfiensgrrom tn ef
fects or youthful cr
E I ron, e&rir decay, lots
TftltuMfl treatise (sealed)
"fnU nanteolai for horn, core, tn of
TfSr.
tfi OVrOWUERi MeethM, Conn, j
QQJBnft'&wmnm
KEW
otntna
WoIfrsAOMEBIacking
BEATS the World. ItlsthftBe
HARNESS DRESSING
The BEST for Men's Boots
" Ladles "
Children's"
AESOI.VTET.Y WAXKKPBOOT.
SOFTENS and PRESERVES the Leather
Omee a week for men's loots axd ma a month fir
otu' is ample for perfect remits It makes to
handmmeet ana most durable polish yon erer aw.
Ton dant iutre to gram and nreat with a black
ing brash. Be wise and try it. Because jvnr
grandfather worked hud is no reason too shoola
not spare yooraelf this worse than useless labor.
Bold by Grocers, Prnggists, and Shea Dmlm.
WOLFF A RAMD01PH. phodelpm
3IEDICAL.
DOCTOR
WHITTIER
814 PKNN AVENUE. riTTSBCBG. PA.
As old residents know and back flies of Pitts
burg papers prove, is the oldest established
and most prominent physician in the city, de
voting special attention to all chronic diseases.
JSffSSSNOFEEUNTILCURED
nlCrMni ICand mental diseases physical
IM t It V U U Odecay. nervous debility, lack of
energy, ambition and hope, impaired memory,
disordered sight, self distrust, bashlulness,
dizziness, sleeplessness, pimples, eruptions, im
poverished blood, falling powers, organic weak
ness, dyspepsia, constipation, consumption, un
fitting the person for business, society and mar
riage, permanently, safely and privately cured.
BLOOD AND SKIN.t2rTn5
: blotches, falling bair. bones, pains, glandular
r swelling?, ulcerations of tongue, mouth, throat
ulcers, oia sores, are cureu ior me, ana piooa
tarrhal discharges, inflammation and other
painful symptoms receive searching treatment,
prompt relief and real cures. ,
Dr. Whittler's life-long, extensive expert,
ence, insures scientific and reliable treatment
on common-sense principles. Consolation free.
Patients at a distance as carefully treated as it
bore. Office hoars 9 a.m. to 8 p.m. Sunday.
10 A. ST. to 1 P. H. only. DR. WHITTIEB, 8li
Penn avenue, Pittsburg, Pa.
no30-sso-wk.
How Lost! How Regained,
KMOW THYSELF.
JJL-t-i ; SCXEIVCB OX Til tt'JB
A Scientific and Standard Popular Medical Trtatiss on
the Errors of Youth, Premature Decline,Nervooa
and Physical Debility, Impurities of the Blood,
Bes siting from Folly, Vice, lgnortnce. Ex
oesses or Overtaxation. Enervating and unfit
ting the victim for Work Business, the Mar
riage or Social Relations.
Avoid unskillful pretenders. Possess this)
great work. It contains 300 pages, royal Sra.
Beautiful binding, embossed, fall gilt. Price,
only SI by mail, postpaid, concealed in plain
wrapper. Illustrative Prospectus Free, iljoa.
apply now. The distinguished author. Win. H.
Parker. M.D.. received the GOLD AND JEW.
ELED MEDAL from the National Medical As
sociation, for this PRIZE ESSAY on NERVOUS
and PHYSICAL DEBILITY. Dr. Parker and a
corps of Assistant Physicians may be con
sulted, confidentially, by mail or in person, at
tbe office ot THE PEABODY MEDICAL IN.
SIITUTE, No. 4 Bulfineh Si, Boston, Mass., to
whom all orders for books or letters for advice
shonld be directed as above. anlS-G7-Tnrsnwk
Health is Wealth
Dr. K. c West's Nerve a.ib Bract
Treatment, a guaranteed specific for hysteria,
dizziness, convulsions, tits, nervous neuralgia,
headache, nervous prostration caused by tho
use of alcohol or tobacco, wakefulness, mental
depression, softening of tbe brain resulting in
insanity and leading to misery, decay and
death, premature old age. barrenness, iops of
power in either sex, involuntary losses and
spermatorrhoea caused by over-exertion ot tha
brain, self-abuse or over-indulgence. Each,
box contains one month's treatment. 1 a box,
or six boxes for So, sent by mail prepaid on re
ceipt of price.
WE GUARANTEE SIX BOXES
Tocure anycascWitb each order received by ul
for six boxes, accompanied with 5 00, wo will
send the purchaser our written guarantee to
refund tbe money If the treatment does not ef
fect a. cure. On&mntees isaned onl v bv- dull O.
Stucky. Drngjist, Sole Agent, 1701 a.nd j401Penn
ave. and cor.
. wyiie are. ana niton it. rinv
burg. Pa.
se27-10O-TTSsa
KeyerKnowtoFail.
Tarrant's Extract of
Cubebs and Copaiba, tho
best remedy for all dis
eases of the urinary or
sans. Its portable form,
freedom from taste and
sDeedv action (freauentlr
curing in three or four
days and always In less
time man any outer pre
paration), make "Tar
rant's Extract" the most
desirable remedy ever
manufactured. All genu
ine has red atrin across face of labeL with sig
nature of Tarrant 4 Co., Now York, upon is.
Price, O. Sold by all druggists. oclSaa.
GRAY'S SPECIFIC MEDICINE
CURES
NERVOUS DEBILITY.
LOST VIGOR.
LOSS OF MEMORY.
ynll particulars in pamphlet
tent free. The genuine tiray'a
Specific sold by druauisu oniy in,
yellow wrapper,
package, or six 1
Price. II oer
forSS, or by mall'
on recelDt of nrlce. bv addresi
Bg THE GRAT AtEDlUlAE CO- Buffalo, M. T,
Sold lnritubarar byS. S. HOL.UAJMU. corner
Emlthneld and .Liberty-iti. pl2-
?B Cototoaa. SJOOB.,
COMPOUND j
iiw! nf Cotton Root. Tansr and'
Pennyroyal a recent discovery by aa
'old EhvsIcLm. Is successfully used
numWu-SaSe, Effectual. Prica V, by mafl.
aealed. Ladles, ask your druggist forOpokTi
uoKon aom uompouno ana taxe no wusuww,
or inclose 2 stamps for sealed particulars. Ad
dress POND J-IXY COMPANY, No. 3 BTshat
Block, 131 Woodward ave Detroit, Mlca.
43-Sold in Pittsburg. Pa by Joseph Flem,
tag & Son. Diamond and Market sts. se2&38
Manfinnrl "ITS?s
W Ita&llllWUU of youthful Imprudence. 4
eauttng Premature Decay, Servous Debility, lost 3
Manhood.Ac-lUTlnRtriedfaTameTeryknownrerae- J
hewnlatndfaMled1FRtetohtaftnoTrunrcTl. , tl
Addreas,J.B.BEVES,P.O.BaxS!90,IIewToiXC3(y. . .
OC19-53-TTS3U -
For men! Checksr tha worn cases la thrM A
J. BT.yyrNtt-B DRTJQBTOKE. JSk
6 yJ
7 (f s
Cm'SV Sstf"
atmu M3BBr'
V5t MWlW&izM
SftaBarUT lal
K-:jLsslBBr
M$
1
fe& i
?.&-.-
"-
.
aoJL.