ff r i'. -If THE PITTSBtTRG jDISPATOBL, THUEBAT, JAFtTAKT 2, i890. t P-. t e Bigpftlj. ESTABLISHED FEBRUARY 8. IMS. Vct . Ho. K9. Entered at Pittsburg rostoffice. j ovemner u, 1867, u second-class matter. 1 ', Business 0fflce87and 09Fiftb Avenuev News Eooma and Publishing- House 75, "&? 77 and. TO Diamond Street vj W-H -i-ISUlg VillCCai CkVUlA W . Vtatai A aa jlih u.. .! Ti4tiiina 7 Building, JiewYork. TERMS OF THE DIfPATCH. ( rOSTACE TBES IK TBX TOTTED STATCS. ' UxitTDttTXTCH, One Year. 1 8 W DAII.TClsr.ATCn, ler Quarter. SCO VXttt DSITATCH. tne Mouth 70 J)AII,T DISPATCH, lncludlngbanday, lyear. JO 00 JBAIiT.DlsrA'rcH.indualnisSunday.Jm'ths. 2 SO DAILY DisrATCR, Jitanduisfinnday.lmonth 90 -icjfDAYWsrATcH. One Year. 3 80 B'WKSI.T UisrxTCa, Oao Year 125 The Daily Dispatch Is delivered by carrier! at IS cents set week. or. Including bunday edition, at 20 ceatt per -week. gr -f g ITTBBtJRQ. THURSDAY. JAK. 2. 1890. THE DAKGES AT HOME. The assurance of oar local electricians that the electrio light wires of this annum nity were so perfectly insulated at to guard against all dangers, received a rude shock by the killing of a street car horse yesterday, through contact with a loose telephone wire that had fallen across an electric light wire. Jibe public will not be slow to leap to the conclusion that what kills a horse may till ft man, and to inquire what safeguard thwe is against the repetition or this casualty with the loss of human Hie. Th evidpnt is inrarninfr that it will not do to rely too confidently on the assertions of interested experts, that their wires are perfectly safe. It is not accessary to accuse those who ear ao of bad faith, when we say that such assurances are not sufficient pro tection for the pubtio. safety. Men whose interests and predisposition induce them to believe that their wires are safe, may truly "believe so; and ,yet the event may come which proves the possibility of fatal danger in the arrangements that have been certified to a beyond the possibility of danger. The assertion of Mr. Bieelow that the -wires must go underground points out the only adequate remedy. Mr. "Westinghouse las announced the discovery of a practicable underground system of electric lighting; and no time should be lost in securing for IPitUburg the benefit of it PATOES 6UIT0CATI0H. The calamity in England, by which 26 of the boys in a pauper school were suffo cated in the burning of the institution, jiroves that calamities of that sort are not confined to this country. Heretofore it has "been the general idea that the wholesale loss of life produced by fires in publie institu tions, which originate in carelessness and are aggravated by faulty construction, were peculiar to this nation. But the English case indicates the presence of those causes of destruction in an aggravated form. "Whether the English law will show iUelf more vigorous than ours, in punishing those who are responsible for such a loss of life, remains to be seen. If not, it may be taken as a natural result that such calamities will multiply there, as they have done here. will money wrm The Senatorial question in Ohio is stead ily approaching the day of settlement It is a singular feature of this contest that while the respectable Democrats of the State are earnestly protesting against the ' choice of men whose sole recommendation is their big bank accounts, the general tenor of the reports is that the election lies only between the millionaires, with the chances strongly in favor of the success of Slice's overpowering barrel. Hardly any stronger way of putting the objections to the candidates whose only qualification is their wealth could be im agined than that taken by the protest of the Cleveland Democrats. It is timely to protest against making the recent Demo cratic victory "the means of reiniorcing the already powerful array of railroad magnates and money kings in the United States Sen ate." It is true to say that from such a be trayal may be expected the "well-deserved vengeance that will remit the party to de feat for an indefinite period to come." If, in the teeth of such a protest, the only tnen who have any strength with the Demo cratic Legislators, are the millionaires, will " it not be a fresh demonstration that among the professional politicians on the Demo cratic as well as on the Bepublican side, the only argument that is recognized as effect ive is that which brings to bear, in one form or another, the power of money. 2HTSBTTBQ AITS THE EIGHT H0TTE SAY. The local interviews, published elsewhere, indicate a general acceptance of the belief that the effort to establish the eight hour feystem will be first made in the build ing trades of Pittsburg. If it is practicable to shorten the hours of labor, all disinter ested persons will be glad to see it done; but it seems reasonable for Pittsburg to offer a xalld protest against being made the battle ground for that straggle. It might be urged as a question of justice whether the city where labor is best paid should be made to endure the friction, and possible inter ruption to industry, from such a contest; and, beyond that, it is not clear that a fav orable issue to the mm here would be de cisive as to other cities. That the question xanst be decided, sooner or later, is evident; but it is worth while to raise the qnestion both as to the justice and policy of making Pittsburg bear the first brunt of it TIPPOO TIE USD STAHIET. The steps which have been taken in Zan ; aibir prove that Stanley has his eyes fully opened to what has been long suspected, that Tippoo Tib, in his stronghold above Stanley Palls, on the Congo, has been any thing but the friend and ally of the Congo Iree State he was supposed to be. The public condemnation of his course has evi- dently been held in abeyance till it could be declared without peril to the expedition from the Congo to the Nyanras; but it has evidently been in reserve for some time. The singular feature is that any other re call could have been looked for. Tippoo Tib ba the same motives for unfriendliness 'i to the strengthening of civilisation in Cen--. tral Africa that the slave traders of the same race on the Upper Kile had for rising against civilization there. "While Stanley -was merely a mad explorer, from . the Arab point of view, interfering ,. in no respect with the preservation & of the ivory and slave trade, and the fi Maborametan adventurer ruled the Upper ( Congo there was no need for collision; but " when civilization established an outpost at I t .Stanley Falls, it wu inevitable that a poten y "" laW whose power, religion and wealth all Vtofavorea the uninterrupted slave trade, Niftnouia biuck it ana anve away inose who irnnli fnterfera with his traffic in Imrr it1 . .-,. " -T- - r , ' 7 unman nesn. ao sucsiuize sucn a man ana place him in control at Stanley Palls may tare been a temporary expedient to par- eh&Be peace; but to expect good faith and hearty support from suoh a source was to look for a reversal of the order of nature. It is to be hoped that the preception of Tippoo Tib's treachery may lead to his over throw. This would be an Important result from the fact that the true path to Central Africa lies along the, Congo. With steam ers plying above the Stanley Falls, as well as below, the access to the central lakes can be made easy and secure, belore the European powers have settled their quarrels as to their respective possessions on the East coast THE UEW YEAB CHESTHUT. It is rather a miserable thing that even such a benevolent phrase as "X wish yon a Happy New Tear," grows tiresome and even irritating, alter it has been dinned in one's ears, say, eight hundred and seventy times which upon calculation we find to be the average man's allotment of season able salutations. The first two or tnree compliments of this sort have a cheery and novel ring about them. A man does not complain if he is wished a year's happiness by his butcher or his baker, or the patient milkman especially if he be in debt to these gentlemen during the early hours of the day. After noon the sonnd of the salu tation begins to stale. It loses its original favor as the day wanes save, when the well-wisher is a friend or a beloved aunt, with a bank account, and a will to be made. "When night comes to check the chorus of chestnuts, it is a saintly man indeed, who does not rejoice that New Year's Day is over. Perhaps this is misanthropy. It is not onr fault if it is. Did only those who really wish you well break the bottle of sentiment over your bows, "A happy New Year to you" would be an echo of the heavenly mes sage of the Christmas angels. But the real meaning ol the phrase is seldom thought of. Those who really wish you at the bottom of the Ohio pronounce the words just as cor rectly as the friend whose heart, hand and purse are at your disposal. And yon again are none the less indiscriminating in your greetings. It would be a lovely state of things if everybody wished everybody else to be happy for a year or eternity, but every body is not built that way yet MISPLACED INDIGNATION. It seems pertinent to remark that the "in dignation" which is reported from Topeka, because the police notified the managers of that banquet to Judge Brewer that they would not permit the serving of liquors, is rather misplaced. It amounts to a practical claim that those who occupy high positions in the administration of the law need not take the trouble to respect statutory enact ments. The law in Kansas forbids the sale of in toxicating liquors in any form. It is not necessary to indorse the wisdom of prohib itory enactments in order to recognize the fact that men of high position, and espe cially those doing honor to one who has just been chosen to the loftiest position of the country in the construction and administra tion of justice, should pay scrupulous obedi ence to thelaws in force, wherever they may be. The duties of the police of Kansas include the enforcement of this law; and to have served intoxicating liquors would have been a violation of it To warn the man agers, of the banquet against violating the law was showing them more consideration than would have been if a violation had been waited for, and arrests had been made; and the reports particularly agree that the warning was not unnecessary. .To have permitted the admirers of Justice Brewer to violate and ignore the law of Kansas would have been a practical avowal that men of high position can disobey statu tory enactments whenever they choose, and that laws are something which are intended only to restrain the common and vnlgar herd. To show indignation at this action of the police on the part of the banqueters is to make the same claim of privilege for themselves, and is, to use the mildest ex pression, a remarkable indiscretion. Justices of the Supreme Court and their friends should obey the laws just like any one else; and if they forget that salutary rule the authorities who .remind them of it are doing no more than their duty. GliEMAirrS BUBDEH. Sometimes in a moment of patriotic alarm Americans fall to comparing the small army, which Uncle Sam deem sufficient for his needs in time of peace, with the gigantic forces which the European powers are forced to maintain, and sometimes Amer icans are moved to urge an increase of our national forces. An article which is likely to excite con siderable remark everywhere upon "The Armed Strength of Germany," has just been published in an English review. Major Murray of the English army is the author of the paper. Major Murray gives us a full account of the organization of the German army, which he declares can within twenty days after the declaration of war, place "seven mobile armies in the field, the aggregate strength of which would be, 1,400,057 men, supported by ample troops for the lines of communication, and for replacing casualties" that is, 100,000 more than the French would have ready; but, of course, that does not prove that on the scene of actual fighting the numbers would be unequal. This would depend on railway organization, in which Major Mur ray thinks the Germans would be superior, and on commissariat, about which neither he nor anybody else ever tells us anything. How would Germany, or France either, feed and water such masses of men wanting meals at least three times a day? That is a question which nobody seems able or will ing to tell us, although we presume the wonderful German staff has mastered this detail as it has all others in military science. Bui the point that should attract onr at tention most in this statement of Germany's war resources is the burden that the main tenance of sach an army must be upon the German nation. How lucky the United States is to be free from such a burden. The condition of affairs in the Philadel phia Mayor's office is considered by the Ledger as making Shakespeare's lines about man "dressed in a little brief authority" playing such fantastic tricks "as make the angels weep" with a prophetic character. Bat if Shakespeare could have foreseen the pranks of the Philadelphia Mayor ha would not have con sidered them as liable to make the angels weep unless with langhter. If the lives were pro phetic they would bare shown the result pro duced to be that of horse-laughter. The story that the President shot a hog on his Virginia hunting trip together with its dental, are of vital Interest to the office-seekers in Washington. Such an act would be alto gether too ominous of disaster to the gentle men who are anxious to get with forefeet into the public trough. That blizzard which started out from the Northwest a few dajs ago must have been con verted Into a warm wave by its contact with the red iot icntlment-of Chicago on the World's Fair Issue. i ' , r Takes all in all, it wasa very quiet New Year's Day. The feature was a novel and commendable one. It Is not calculated to add to" the enjoyment of a year to open It up with an attempt to color the whole city red. Those who commence1 the year In that way Severalty find It difficult to live up to the standard for the whole of the, succeeding twelve months. England's way of solving the pauper problem, by smothering the boys In a pauper school. Is summary but effectual. It may be 'taken as certain tbat 23 youth who were dis posed of In this manner yesterday moraine will not bother the British poor boards in the future, This description of the new organ, in the Carnegie Library and Music HaU,of Allegheny shows another of the many line features of that beautiful and striking gift The burning of th palate near Brussels on the same day with the pauper school in the suburb, of London, proves .that fire Js like death which invades Jirith equal force the palaces of tbe'great land the cabins of the humble. Bat the reports do not show that any of the princely inhabitants of the palace were suffocated to death. When the Tory party has added O'Bhea to Pigott, in its list of champions against Par nell it has demonstrated its desperate straits. IfO'Shea does nbt finish the -work of killing the Tory cause which Pigott .began, the usual course of events will be reversed. If the1 Zanzibar people are determined to pnnish Tippoo Tib's treachery folly they should invite him to a banquet and walk him o& a second-story balcony. Kunming Indian schools in a way to kill off the civilized Indians is a rather remarkable development of philanthropy. The Indian schools should be transferred to the agencies, nnlpss there is an objectlor- to educating the Indians so as to place them on an equality with the whites inability to take care of them selves. The proposition to exempt the sons of soldiers from civil service examination made by Senator Ingalls, warrants the comment that the soldiers of the nation did not fight for the Union in order to establish any system of hereditary privilege. The work of the city hospitals for the past year, as shown by an article elsewhere, has been such as to justify the public appreciation of these institutions. These was a little revolution in Mexico the other day, bat the Government sat down on it so promptly that not much has been heard of it. Revolutions in Mexico may not have lost their strength, for they never had much to speak of ; but the Government seems to have more confidence in itself. The attempt to make a political outcry over the fact that some of the American naval officers were present at the coronation of the King of Portugal is a rigorous effort to make the most that is possible oat of a mare's nest The spread of the "grippe" may be chiefly credited to the crip which the subject has taken upon the public imagination. PEOPLE OP PROMINENCE. The oldest living alumnus of .frlnceton Is John Berkeley GrimbalL of Charleston, S. O. He took his bachelor's degree in 1819. Mb. French, the sonlptor.is making abnst of Bronson Alcott for the Boston Museum of Fine Arts and a statue of Starr King for San Fran cisco, Agnes Repplteb, who Is rapidly winning a literary reputation, is of French descent, bat a native of Philadelphia. She is S5 years old and of exceedingly plain appearance. THEBev. Dr. George Dana iJoardman has just finished his famous series of lectures on the Bible, which he began in 1866. There have been twenty three annual courses of them, of forty lectures each. Amelie RrvES-CnANLEB is said to be set ting the fashions in Parts. It is said that the Princess of Wales has ordered five dresses to be made like those worn by the eccentric author of "The Quick or the liead." Mrs. Chanler is rather pleased at the attention she is attracting. The JKorth American Review pald.Mr.Blaine and Mr. Gladstone each $1,200 for the articles that appear in the current number, which is at the rate of $120 a page. The ordinary writer receives $3, $10 or $12 SO a page from this maga zine, according to the value and character of his contribution. Edwakd Egoleston became a novelist by accident He was a Methodist preacher, and growing tired of riding the circuit in the West, he went to New York, where he edited Hearth and Some. Upon one occasion a contributor failed to supply a certain amount of fiction for the number of the journal, and the editor, at the last moment wrote a story suggested by his experience as a circuit rider in Indiana.' The story struck a popular vein, and the public asked for more of the same sort He wrote "The Hoosier Schoolmaster," "Roxy," etc. His reputation is now so well established that he receives from 5,000 to $7,000 for any novel he writss. LOOKS LIKE SANTA CLAUS. A Pen Portrait of Clana SprecUela, the Sonar Kins-. From the New Torfc World.; "Claus Sprectels." said a friend of bryyester day, "looks so much like the conventional idea of Santa Clans, the Christmas saint, that no one onght to be surprised at his being named Claus.' The old snear king has a full white beard, rosy cheeks and luxuriant snowy hair. He is even as bentvolent in a quiet way as his Christmas namesake is on a large scale, and his family and employes are devoted to him. Mr. Spreckels knows the sugar business from the cane field to the refined product When the refinery was being built near the foot of Reed street in Philadelphia, at a cost of more than $1,000,000. a quantity of the most expensive ma chinery In the plant was pat in wrong, and when Mr. Spreckels saw it he recognized the error at a glance. "As a practical machinist he leaned into the excavation, bad the whole mass ot iron and steel yanked out and personally superintended its proper erection. Few millionaire operators In any business know its ins and outs so thor oughly as he." A BEATE LITTLE TEATELEE. EmeJaeobion, Aged 5, Comes From Ham burg to New York Alon. New York. January L Little Erne Jacob son has beaten the record as ayoothful traveler. She is a flaxen-haired, bright-eyed mite of 5 years. Yesterday morning she stepped ashore at Castle Harden from the Danfa, of the Ham burg Line. Around ber neck was a crimson ribbon. On it ber name glistened in white let ters, and tbat of her father, F. F. Jacobson, of No. 774 Lincoln avenue, Chicago. She said she had come from Hamburg, and was on her way to her father. Little Eme has no mamma, for death canio together with life. Her pockets were filled with silver coins be fore she bad spent two hours in the Garden. She picked Mr. blmpson's on her own account and the Commissioners each presented ber with a half a dollar. Commissioner Stephen son did not object to her landing. It Mast be a Trae Story From the Detroit Free Press.1 Cuban papers are always very careful what they say. and very precise in their language. That's the reason we put faith In a statement In a Havana dally that a shark measuring 47 feet and S inches was seen in that harbor the other day, and that he had a month large enongh to swallow a horse. The "bead editor" no doubt measured the fish himself. Ohio to the Front, From the Baltimore American. Ohio, as usual, steps briskly to the front Hvr latest products are babies born with teeth. Before long we shall probably hear of a, few born with registration certificates and applica tions for office, all ready to be pnt on file. EllpUat Kimball, NEW YOBK, January 1. Eliphat Kimball a veteran of the Texan army of independence, died hero this morning in the COtb year of his are. For the past decade he has been dependent on Hartford charity, Texas granting peuMons only to veterans aciuaur reuuuiK iu me ciaic. THE TOPICAL TALKER. The Gjcndollers In Good Hands A 6!s ealnrCaseof Modesty The War Rec ord! for Drarantlsts. rrsK anticipations ot American theatrical people regarding "The Gondoliers,'' Gilbert and Sullivan's new opera, are that It will be a success here after the fashion of "Pinafore" and "The Mikado." One ot the consequences is that the people will have a chance to see the opera sooner than usual and with much better casts than ever graced "The Yeomen ot the Guard" and "Rnddlgore." A piece of news was given to me on the subject of the opera yesterday, Francis Wil son is to drop "The Oolah" andplay "The Gon doliers" for a run in Philadelphia in the spring. Wilson will not take the opera out of Phila delphia this season, but next year will. If it proves a success, play it through the country. He well adapted tor the Gilbert and Sullivan style of opera, and with his right bower Marie Jansen. he ought to make money and fame out of "The Gondoliers." . Probably "The Gondoliers" will not be seen in Pittsburg this season. . Tr some scientist would invent a mechanism to assist the digestion on snch holidays as Christmas and New Year's, it would fill a long felt want It would make the inventor's for tune also. - Usuaucy a man is not willing to let his light be hid nnder a bushel, and the majority, the large majority of men, are quite willing to let fame find them and hold them up to the world for admiration. But an Englishman who died recently was content after stirring up his countrymen with a series of unsigned letters in the London Times, which attracted immense attention at the time they were written, to (lip back to obscurity without revealing his iden. tity. The letters were published in the Times in a series which began on December 20, 1831. They were directed against Napoleon Hi, and it was the extraordinary literary vigor of their invective which gave them their success. Good critics pronounced the writer superior to Junius," and they were attributed to all manner of statesmen of the highest preten sions. They were originally published by the Times in Ignorance of their writer's name, but it was subsequently, it would appear, ascer tained that they were written by Mr. H.J. Woltenden Johnttone, a surgeon, who lived in France from ISIS to 1850. He diedrecently at Ramsgate, aged 81. He appears to have re malnedsilentever after, and it is pleasant to think that in our day of self-advertisement a man could live from middle life to old age in possession of so powerful a weapon as Mr. Johnstone wielded, yet use it only when moved out of himself by moral indignation. Tm conversation with a group of friends in the Hotel Anderson yesterday Alf Hayman, who is here preparing for the production of Bron son Howard's war play "dbenandoah" at the Bijou Theater, alluded to the lact that drama tists can find plenty of the best kind ot material in actual incidents of the rebellion. "For in stance, just consider this " he said. "While Howard was outlining "Shenandoah" he heard of a story in which Mr. J. B. McCulIogb. now the editor of the St Louis Globe-Democrat figured. McCullogh bad been a war corres pondent between 1S61 and 1665. Long after the declaration ot peace be was approached at St Louis by a man who extended his hand and asked him if he knew him. McCullogh replied tbat be did, and the stranger asked bim if he re membered the circumstances under which they had met Mr. McCullogh promptly went over the whole narrative. The last time I saw yon,' he said, 'was in 1863, in the pilot house ot a gunboat in the river before Fort Donelson. You and another pilot and myself were there. A shell strnck the pilot house, killed one man ana wo unded another. I was the third and es caped unhurt Now, if it was Morrison who was killed by that shell your name is Reilly, and if it was Reilly who was killed your name is Morrison.' "McCullogh was right, and It was Reilly who stood before him. Here was a good enough suggestion for such an incident as Howard has Introduced in his play, when General Haver hill fails to recognize the son who has often fought near him and who dies under his eyes after receiving a mortal wound, on the battle field. The war can furnish text for a lot more of good plays, but you most have dramatists of the Howard kind to work them np properly.' i' REUNITED AFTJSK 36 JEAES. A Connecticut Man Advertises and Finds a XaODK-Lost Brother. Bibhikobau, Conn.,, January 1. James Thompson, of Mt Sterling, Wis., and John Thompson, ot Perry Hill, a suburb of Bttelton, brother, S3 years ago were residents of Scot land. James, the younger, emigrated to this country, and eventually found his way to Wis consin, where be located a farm about 82 miles from Prairie da Chler, and he is now the owner of BOO acres of the best land in the State. John remained at home, and after a time news came to James in his Western home that John was dead, killed in a mill in his native town. He accordingly coasea nis corresponueace wim home, John afterward removed to this country, and after living in New Jersey awhile, came to Steelton, where he is employed in one of the factories. He married, children were born to him, and he prospered. Some months ago a longing came over him for his younger brother, Jaimie, and be inserted an advertisement in a Scotch newspaper. This in time reached James in bis prairie home, and Christinas night a stranger knocked at the door of John's home in Steelton. It did not take long tor that gentle man to recognize his brother, and it was the merriest Christmas night the two brothers and John's family ever remembered spending, ODD ITEMS FJ10M A6E0AD. The crowning of the Czar as King of Poland is talked of in St Petersburg. GEjfBBAL Cluseret has introduced a bill in the French Chambers to stop duelling. A bax.Ii in the "underground" apartments at Welbeck Abbey, the Puke of Portland's, was a grand affair. M. he Bbazha, the African explorer, will marry Madam Byamour when he gets back from his last expedition. Eabii Bpenceb'b library at Altborp is to be dispersed. It comprises one of the finest col lections of rare and curious books ni England, numbering over 60,000 volumes. A bittxb feud is said to have broken out re cently between "an ancient and powerful ducal family and the royal circle" of snch a nature that had it happened centuries ago there would have been a touch of civil war. The last return of English naval courts mar tial shows that an ordinary seaman was sen tenced to eight years' penal servitude for striking an officer and two others condemned to five years' penal servitude for a similar oflense. The French civil service costs more now than it did 20 years ago. In the Budget of 1S71 the amount demanded nnder this head was 10,120.000. In the Budget of 1890 the same estimate figures for within a trifle ot 17,000,000. And there is said to be nothing whatever to Bhow for the increased expenditure. A dressed-beef question has arisen be tween Prance and Germany. The butchers employed in slaughtering sheep at the great shambles of La Villette have held an indigna tion meeting to protest against the importation of slaughtered sheep from Germany to their detriment They favor the importation of live animals, but are against imported dressed beef, IN WINTEtV. Oh. to go back to the days of Jnne, Just to be young and alive again, Hearken again to the mad sweet tune Birds were singing with might and malnl South they flew at the summer's wane, Leaving their nests for storms to harry, Bince time was coning tor wind and rain Under the wintry skies to marry. Wearily wander by dale and dune Footsteps fettered with clanking chain. Free they were in the days of Jnne; Free they never can be again. Fetters of age, and fetters of pain, Joys that fly and sorrows tbat tarry; Youth Is over and hope were vain Under the wintry skies to marry. Now we chant but a desolate rune "Ob, to he young and alive again!" Bat never December turns to June, And length of living Is length of pain. Winds in the nestless trees complain; Snows of winter about Us tarry: And never the btt ds come bek a'galn Under the wintry sales to marry. ENTQI. Youths and maidens, blithesome and rain, Time makes thrusts that you cannot parry; Mate in season, ror who is rain f , Under the wintry skies to marry? "ij V - -Louise CAondler'Jfottlfon. inthefeontrank: A Sepresentatlve Newspaper and an Ex. ample of Jaornnllulo Enterprise From the Armstrong Bepublican. As an example of journalistic enterprise and grpwthtwe beg to .call the attention ot our readers to the merits of The Pixtsbubg Dis patch as a representative newspaper. With out Invidious distinction it may justly be as signed the place it claims, of being the best newspaper in Western Pennsylvania, and in the able conduct of every department of its management stands in the front rank of met ropolitan dailies. With a far-reaching ma chinery of news gathering facilities it grasps the prominent features of news in every part of the country and in its fearless and inde pendent discussion of the polities of the country has obtained a national reputation for courage and straightforward statement re gardless of party influence or partisan dicta tion. The Sunday edition ot The Dispatch. has obtained a circulation of over 60,000 eooie and is without challenge a model family news paper. Its literary columns are filled with the most brilliant contributions of writers of the highest merit and distinction, ranging through rich and interesting fields of literary discus sion, and each number is a monster magazine ot the best pen productions of the most dis tinguished journalists and writers of the age. The careful supervision tbat is exercised over itSMnoral tone and tendency, assure as In com. mending this newspaper not only to the people at large, but especially to the home circle. With the new year incoming many new feat ures will be added that will make it to the In terest of the subscribers to commence with the initial number of the New Year. HOT DIAMONDS BUT SAD SAGES. A Now Yorker Tuya S700Daty on a Box of Bologna. New Yoke, January L A funny story about a queer package of wedding presents has been made public It is said that John De Witt Warner, lawyer, at No. 2 William street, was authorized by some Americans In Pans to re ceive and pay the duty on a box, which he was advised would contain an ormolu olook, a dia mond brooch and several pieces of silver, des tined for William McNeill Rodewald and his wife, a newly-married couple, whose wedding at St Thomas' Church was one of the fashion able "events" of the month of November. The bride's maiden name was Eleanor Louisa Hoff man, and she is the daughter ot the Rev. Dr. Charles F. Hoffman, of .No. 51 West Fifty-third street Mr. Warner duly received notice from the Custom House that a package consigned to him had arrived from Paris. The bill for the doty charged, whioh was sent to Mr. Warner, was surprisingly small, as the value of the goods which he expected was about $700. Bat when he opened the package he was astonished to find that It contained, not clocks, diamonds and silver, but canned meats and bologna sausage. "Wasn't that a dainty dish to set before a bride!" Whether the Arabian wizard who changed the golden coin of one of the garrulous Oarber's unfortunate brothers into withered leaves is at work on the Atlantic, or whether some one has been guilty of a practical joke, or whether there has been some '"sharp practice" at Paris, or dlsbonesty in the Custom House here, it is impossible to say. It cannot even be said with confidence tbat there Is a word of truth in the story. GEN. JOE JOHNSON'S BLUER. A Jefferson County Soldier Raid to Have Shot the Fnraaas Fighter. According to the story of the One Hundred and Fifth Pennsylvania Volunteers, published in the Punxsutawney Spirit? it was Thomas Neel, of Gaskill township, Jefferson county, a m ember of tbat regiment, who Shot General Joe Johnson, thereby causing the promotion of General Lee to be commander of the Army of Northern Virginia. His account of the affair is as fbllows; "On the second day of the battle of Fair Oaks, while our regiment was concealed behind a slashing, Colonel Craig, who was keeping bis ej es open, suddenly stepped forward and said: " 'Is there a man hero who can shoot that offi. cer at this distance?' "The boys looked, and saw two men riding out from the rebel ranks. " Tom Neel can do it' yelled half a dozen of the boys. 'He's an old deer hunter, and a dead shot' "Tom thereupon stepped to the front leveled his musket at the officer, and fired. He threw up his hands and tell forward on his horse. ''Shortly afterwards we learned that General Johnson had been severely wounded while rid ing ont with a colonel of the Eighth Louisiana, and tbat Robert E. Lee bad been placed In command. We knew from the time and the circumstances of the case that it was N eel's bullet tbat did the work, for there was no other firing going on at the time," P0WDEELI FOE BALLOT BEFOEIT. The Labor Lender Earnestly Favors the Anitrnllan System of Voting. Bceakton, January L New Year's Day is the golden milestone from which many a salu tary reform starts anew. Prominent among the movements tbat are likely to make bead way in tbe year of grace 1890 is ballot reform. It has taken a firm hold on tbe minds of the people, and the most intelligent wonder why some snch system as the Australian ballot law was not devised and adopted in tbe United States long since. General Master Workman Powderly, who is an earnest advocate of the Australian ballot system, thinks this a good time to dlreot the attention of tbe working people of the country to its benefits, and he has written an article on tbe subject which is published here, in which he discusses this great Question very thor oughly and makes clear its advantages over the 1 present system, xne popular ieeung in lavor ot the proposed ballot reform is growing stronger every day. SOCIAL CHATTER. Mbs. J. M. Kennedy, of Wilkinsbnrg, will give a reception this evening, in honor of her young friend and her husband's ward, Miss Lucy Tindle. M The young ladies of the Ladies' Matinee Musical will be entertained at tbe home of Miss Katie Courtney, Flavel street, East End, this afternoon. AVEET elegant reception and dance was given by Mr. and Mrs. James B. Oliver, of Shield's station, yesterday afternoon and last evening. Miss Amelia, tbe eldest daughter, as sisted in receiving the guests. The congregation of the East Liberty Pres byterian Church celebrated tbe advent ot the New Year'in a charming manner. The spacious home of their pastor. Rev. J. P. Kumler, on South Hiland avenue, was the scene of the gaiety, and a church reception occupied the hours from 6 until 10 last evening. The reception and entertainment for railroad folks, by railroad folks. In the rooms of the Pennsylvania Railroad Department, Young Men's Christian Association, to-day from 12 to 10 promises to be a delightful affair, The programme says the ladies will serve re freshments of a good wholesome character In the reading room from 12 o'clock noon until 7 p. M., when the literary entertainment will commence. The performers are all people con nected in some way with the railroad traffic, and all railroad employes and their families are invited to the rooms on Twenty-eighth street COMING THEATRICAL EVENTS. The presentation of Bronson Howard's greatest triumph, "Shenandoah," at the Bijou Theater for six nights and two matinees, com mencing next Monday evening, Is being awaited with great interest by the theater-goers, judg lng from the many Inquiries already received for seats and boxes, Every possible thing will be done to have tbe production of the play here as complete as that given in New York City, where for the past six months it has been presented to crowded houses. A representa tive of tbe play is to arrive here this morning to rehearse the 100 supernumeraries needed in tbe play. "Shenando?b" is described as a military comedy, and Is jsald to exhibit the best charac teristics of any ot Mr, Howard's previous works. Its prime merit Is said to be In Us per fect illusion ot war without recourse to the demonstrative and sensational artifices which mark tbe conventional melodramatic ex ploitation of tbat subject Pbdibose A West's mammoth minstrels, come to the Grand Opera House next week. It is larger, better and stronger than ever this year, and with Barney Fagan and Bob Slavln, the. "Big Four" furnish a feast of fun such as is rarely listened to. In fact, it's tbe only minstrelsy of any importance that will visit here this season. The advertising force of the Bijou Theater was hauaeomeiy rememoerea yesieraay oy Manager B,M.GuHck- THE STROLLER'S STORIES, Odd Opinions and Quaint Observations From Curb and Corridor. rTia3 hotels were yesterday more barren ot guests than they were oq Christmas Day. Only a few traveling men were in town, pre pared not to miss a day in the new year. While the sidewalk were thronged with people, the hotel corridors were nearly deserted. Atone of the first-class hotels there had been only one registry down to 3 o'clock in the afternoon. "the newsboys bad great sport yesterday on Flftn avenue. Fewpeoplehadanldeathat there were so many newsboys in Pittsburg un til they si w that great bost of them, fining the street oritho Fifth avenue hill. During the melee in he afternoon there were many inci dents. O e of the most laughable happened to Clark Gibbs, the actor. He wore a silk hat, and was tniioua to get to the front in the crowd, to tee all the fun. A newsboy grabbed from the ditch a double handful of mad, and hurled it at an Italian. The aim was bad, and the mod struck Mr. Gibbs broadside. Half of it spread over bis face, and nl,ed his left eye with the muddiest mud that a Pittsburg gutter can produce. The other half covered that silk bat The yells ef laughter which arose from the crowd found no response from Mr. Gibbs. People thought there was a traction row. and ran to the spot from curiosity. As soon as able to move from laughter the crowd dispersed, TVTessrs, Anpebson and Woog gave up pos- ' ....l..Vftl..lln...Mt..l Unn.A CTnAS day evening, and Attorney Florence C. Miller is now in charge of the property. Tho work of repairing wll begin in a few days, and will go mucber farther than a simple reparation of the injury done by the fire. Mr. W. S. Anderson and his son, Harry, are stopping temporarily at the Hotel Anderson. It is probable that they will go into the hotel business in some Eastern oity. Mr. Woog expects to remove to New York, but neither be nor bis partner have posi tively decided what they will undertake. A few days ago a doctor out Perm avenue sent a note to the Twelfth ward police sta tion, saying that a boy bad died at a certain house under rather strange circumstance?, and asking that word be conveyed to the Coroner. The physician's writinc must have been hor ribly wretched. The desk Sergeant worried over it for half an hour. Finally, be sent the "fall wagon" to the number given. The driyer pulled up at the house, descended from his seat pulled the door bell where the crepe huug, and asked where the cow was which had died. Twa cheeky crowd of rounders who went into a restaurant, near the Federal street depot, and ordered three oyster stews. The dishes were brought on bread, batter, pickles, crackers and slaw. The men fell to and ate everything in sight, making a hearty meal. The stews did not come. The man looked at the clock. Finally they arose and went to the coun ter. "We have only one minute left to catch our train," the leader said, "and we can't watt for the Stews." They rushed ont ot the door without paying a cent and when they reached the center of the Sixth Street bridge they stopped to laugh, the working girls of the Southside have formed a commendable organization. They are uniting in what they call the Working Girls' Club, and meetings are Being temporarily held at the corner ot Carson and South Fifteenth street The third weekly meeting will be held this evening. The club will take in all girls who work for wages, girls in stores, factories and mills. The chief aim of the club is to give its members the Incentive and the opportunity to Improve themselves mentally. Many girls nave been compelled to begin work for a living be fore they were able to complete their schooling, and they feel the need, in this lively age, of a better literary culture. It is the design o( the club to rent a suite of rooms and to furnish them for club quarters. The chief feature of the quarters will be a library of standard works. The magazines and leading daily journals will be taken. The club has al ready a membership of nearly 200. . - THE qOEEANS IN WASHINGTON. Tribulations of the Legation and Their Fondness for Society, Washington, January L The members of the Chinese, Japanese and Coreau Legations have a great liking for society. Tbp three members of the Corean, Mr. Ye Wan Yong, Mr, Ye Cha Yan and Mr. Kang Sing, are especially fond ot going out When they came here last winter they called every day in the week, and went to every luncheon, tea and reception. Unwilling this year to wait until the formal beginning of the season, they have already begun their rounds. Only tbe secretary, Mr. Ye Cha Yan, can talk Eng lish, but they are all pleasantly received bv everyone except tbe servants. They called in a body at tbe house of a Supreme Court justice on Monday, Wheutbey entered, the butler, who chanced to be new, eyed their cards with disfavor. As they were about to enter the drawing room door, be planted himself squarely before them and said: "No gemmen are 'lowed in de parlor with dey hats on." The hostess rescued tbe poor foreigners and their treasured hats from the incensed butler. Great visitors as theOorean men are, their wives are even greater. When they are not calling they sit at the windows of the legation and watch every street incident with the great est interest One of them was taken ill with a ooid a short time ago, ard when a neighbor asked for her, her husband gravely replied; "My wife, she sit at window to watch proces sion go by. She catch the cold, it is woman like to sit at window," he added, chuckling. The good-hearted neighbor was interested in the little Corean woman, und a few days after sbe met a Corean who she thought was the husband, and said: "1 hope your wife is better to-day." "Yes. she bettor," he replied; "sh e dead. Me a widow." Sho had mistaken the widower of the corpse for the husband, as theCoreanato American eyes are as like as two peas, Banquet at tbe California, Pn., formal. The progressive and enthusiastic way in which Dr. Noss baa managed tbe California Normal School met with a hearty recognition recently at the quiet Normal. The senior class and faculty made New Year's evening the occasion for furnishing a sumptuous banquet in honor of Dr. and Mrs. Noes. Of course the gaily decorated chapel was brilliant with toasts, flowers, fruits and pretty dresses. POLITICS IN GENERAL. Atlanta Conttiiulion: Secret sessions of the Senate in a land not presided over by a Czar are absurd. St. Louis Qldbe Democrat: The only persons who are dissatisfied with Speaker Reed's com mittees are lbs Washington lobbyists, and that is a class which the Republicans have paver taken any special palps to please. Deteoit iVee -PreMi With India reaching for home rule, Canada ripening for nationalism, and tbe Anclo-Australaslans beginning to feel tbe quickening impulse toward independence, It seems that the British colonial S7stem Is far from secure. The nineteenth century Is not suited to the maintenance of extraneous con trol over civilized people, St. Louis Hqpublic; The New York Sun, which is fond of comparisons, stys that "since Mr. Tilden, there has beep noNew York Demo crat whuse political size has been ascertained with such positlva accuracy as that of Governor Hill." This may be accurate, but the contrast is violent. To place Ossa against the wart Is (o commit tbe rhetorical crime of bathos. Wasbihotoh i'ori; It is high time for Gov ernor Hill to stop and indulge in a little serious reflection. Hon. Eugene Higgins has bqen in terviewed and says he does pot think New York's Governor will do for 1892, as he Is mak ing too much of an offensive partisan of him self. Mr. Higgins is of the opinion that tbe next Democratic nominee will come from the "West New York Sun: The assertion of Mr. Cleve land in his Boston speequ tbat oar elections at this period .are distinguished for corruption was entirely without justification. They are pure and honest and the votes counted record tbe actual political convictions of the citizens. The cry that tbe fast election for President was carried by bribery was the merest rubbish. Mr. Harrison was elected because the people pre ferred him to Mr. Cleveland, Washington Star; The civil service law does no't, It is true, Becure stable tenure pf office f fir efficient clerk by f orbjddlng their re moval. But it tends to prevent thoir removal merely on political grounds by providing' a different Btaudard from that of political service for filling the vacancies which would be caused by their removal. If the vacancy may not be treated as political spoilt, after it Is secured the temptation to make the vacancy for political reasons Is largely removed. ;,' 1 0US MAIL i" ODCfl. Private Soldiers and Preferences. To the Editor of The Dispatch: In reply to the communication of Mack Mackeral, wbicb appeared in your issue of tbe 31st ult, I wish to say that in my poor opinion, tbe soldier who manifests such a pessinilstio disposition as Mack, and who is Inclined to dis parage his comrades who arose to rank and distinction in the military service. Should deal in facts, and not in tbe myths of the more ignorant rank and file. Ita general, a colonel or captain holds a civil office to-day, we think he reached it much on the same principle that he attained bis military rankbecause of a general public recognition ofuls claims and bis fitness and ability for the discharge of tbe duties it im poses. And the mllitarymen who "hold office in Allegheny county" were not elected on ac count of their rank, but because of their service to their country, their qualifications for tbe positions and their personal popularity. There are to-day many mere privates, now oc cupying all grades ot official position both by appointment and election, inclnding county. Slate and national othces; and one private we could name is one of onr United States Circuit CoartfJudues. The -promise" of 160 acres of land is a myth too silly for any Intelligent man to mention. A man who knows enough to distinguish the muzzle from the butt ot a raosket,sboald know that a Government cannot make a promise, nor can any onu do so for it A soldier can get 180 acres of laud only as he got his pay by Congress passing a Uw authorizing it just as solalers get pensions not oq a promise, pnt by authority of law. - Mack again exhibits bis ignorance, when be says tbe big pensions, with few exceptions, are granted to those who wore shoulder straps, A colonel's pension, for example, is S"iO per month, hut thousands of privates are to-day drawing from $30 to $72 per month. We fear Mack has a grievance. Beayeb FAiis, January L Veteeaw- An Intricate Social Problem. Dear Dispatch I I have received an invitation to an afternoon reception. I can't possibly go, on account of cold blisters on my face. I know I will have to send my regrets. Now bow do I do It? Dot write a note, or jnst send my card, with regrets written over my same, or bowl And another question I want answered. A lady fives a re ception in honor ot her husband's cousin, a bride. Is It the duty of tbe invited guests to call on tbe bride as well as on their hostess When they make their party call T Tbe bride's address was given with tbe hostess' card. Please answer, and oblige ona who is not "an fait" on tbe etiquette of the city, Yours, Countet. ALT.EOHENT, December 13, 18X9. You should write a short note, somewhat after this model: "Miss X. presents her compli ments and regrets her inability to aocept Mrs. Z.'t kind invitation for Thursday next" If you wish yon may add the cause ot your inabil ity; but you will pardon the observation tbat such over-candor is not customary among the fair sex. A good fictitious excuse and a fash ionable one to boot, is tbe influenza. Of coarse, if yoa are on very intimate terms with the in vlter yoa may dispense with formality, and write ber a longer note. As to tbe second part of tbe qnestion; Tbe reception was probably given to introduce tbe bride to yoa and other ladies. If yoa wish to keep ap your acquaint ance with her you may call at her residence; but this is not Obligatory by any means. It was not good form on tbe hostess' part to print eitber the name or address of the bride on ber cards. Sach a course is wrong, except in the case where the reception is tendered to a public man, or prominent citizen. J Prof. Orion's Gas Theory. To the Editor of The DUpatlh: If Prof. Orton'a theory about the origin of rock pressure be true, we would like to have the following questions answered: Is not a theory in any science that is contradicted by phenomena to which it refers althonzh it may appear to, explain many quickly dis carded T If hydrostatic influence explains the rock pressure in the Trenton root, what would explain the pressure in gas sands where there ig no salt water T And that there are such an operator of but short experience can testify. Has there ever been a field found from which gas has been aken for several years where tho rock pressure remained the same f This ought to happen, at least in some gas field', if rock pressure was due to the hydrostatic influence of salt water. Wells in the same fields that get their gas at the same horizon differ in rock pressure. Uodertbo same hydrostatic influence could this ever happen 7 It seems evident that salt water is an enemy of gas and oil in their production in many fields, and especially In the Trenton rock, and operators in that section have more to fear from salt water than tbe people ot Pennsylva nia have. If it appears that the gas and oil will soon be drowned out in Ohio and Indiana, it is no argument that tbe same thin? may hap pen to tbe fields In Pennsylvania. But the con trary seems to be tbe case hsre. for many fields have been drained of their rock pressure, com. parattrcly sneaking, and are not endangered by salt water, thus insuring a longer life to the gas fields in general of Pennsylvania. HexLooz. Mabjoxttwe, December 31. .A Sufficient Supply of Ice. To the Editor of The Dispatch: I noticed a statement in your Monday's issue, made by Mr. Robert Woodtde, of the Chatau qna Lake Ice Company, In which I think he has made a alight mistake. No doubt as he states, tha price of lee will be advanced, but as to the amount of ice now on hand for the sup ply of Pittsburg for the coming season is the point on which I beg to differ with him. He states tbat there will be no ice for this city ex cept what Is purchased from their company. This I can safely say is not the ease. The Conneant Lake Ice Company have now stored and ready for shipment over ou,uw tons in their bouses at Canonsbnrg. Then tbere is the Chartlers Lake Ice Company, who repre sent in this city Mr. E. E. Upp, of Bandusky, O., who has doubtless enough ice stored away to supply a good portion of Pittsburg. Be sides, there are numerous other dealers who have a cood sized stock left over. So the peo ple ot Pittsburg can rest assured that there will bo plenty of ice for tbem. but tbe price will be a Httle higher. WjlAIAU L. SlNOEB, PlTTSBUEQ, January t WbT They Culled It Sterliuff. To the .Editor of The Dispatch! Why Is tbe English pound designated as a "pound sterling r T. P. D. SEWiCKLir, January L fin England money Is characterized by the word "sterling" because In the time of Rich ard Cceur de Lion money coined in the east part of Germany became, on account of its purity. In especial request in England, and was called Easterltug money, as all the Inhabitants of that part of Germany were called East erlinzs. Soon after that time some of those people, who were skilled in coining, were sent for, and went to London to bring the coin to perfection. That was tbe foundation of the practice ot designating English amounts "gter ling."J Tbe Nnllon's Products. To the Editor of Th? Dispatch: What Is the value of the to til annual pro, ductlon of the United States? Whereand how can I get statistics bearing on the matter? Fbanklix, January 1. C. A. S. In what line of industry do you mean? The census returns furnish the most reliable data regarding manufactures, agriculture, com merce, etc. But even these are not absolutely complete, and beside, they are published only once in ten years. Norses Training School. i o the Editor of The Dispatch: What Is the address of the training school for nurses InPhiladelphla? Can a poor girl enter? Pittsburg, January 1. A L. Probably an inquiry addressed to the mana ger ot the Training School for Hospital Nurses, Philadelphia, would bring the desired informa tion. A Dangerous Playthlcs:. To the Editor ofTae Dispatch! If something I nt e f suppress tho "air rifle." how so numerous In the hands pf the boys, thf rail be a larger .crop of oneywl men in the next decade. J.MiK. Pittssubg, January t THE QLDEST KNIGHT OP PITHLAS Dies al the Age of 81 at HU West Virginia Home, Middle-way, W. Ya., January t The funeral of Captain John. F. Smith, tbe oldest Knight of Pythias In the United States, took place bore yesterday. His age was 81 For 20 consccqtlve. years he held the office of Grand 3Iasier of the Exchequer of the Grand Lodge of West Vireinla. He was also a Knight Templar, an Odd Fellow, and In 18M was Grand Sachem ot tbe Red Men of the United States. He was also a member of the convention at Richmond in 1861. which passed the ordinance; ot secession,, bat he- Toted agateM tfe ordi nance. :, " . .. CUHI0U8 CONDENSATIONS. The women of Miiiord, Me., have "pre sented to the town a ball which they paldjfor themselves by giving entertainments andj&lr. AJad named Simon Is the. pride fof Santa Cruz county, Cat He is 17 years oldV . stands 6 feet finches higb ana weigns mi pounds. It is estimated that Santa Barbara county, CaL, contains SO bea farms, with 350 hives. The output of honor this year was ft C0O pounds. There is a queerly matched couple In Atlanta. The husband weighs 130 pounds and tbe wife 300 pound. When they were married the man weighed 130 and tha woman Z20. A Meadvilie paper estimates tbat dogs destroy annually m Crawford county sheep to the valaa ot about ifXO, Atttls ratatbey would kill in the State about 200,000 worth of sheep per year. Sioux City, Is., has given brick pave-, ment a fair trial for nine years, with the result of making the pavement very popular, -Bloom-ington.IU., has also- found brick pavement cheap and durable. William Hammond, of Wilkesbarra Heights, aged 79, has worked continuously In coal mines for over 70 yeanubaving commenced with his father, in Wales, when he was a year old. He is bale yet Four months ago Christian Kreamer disappeared mysteriously from a wedding-re- ception atPottsviJle, and no trace was found of him until Tuesday, when he returned from a visit to a brother In Germanny. They' had a big banquet np at Spokane Falls the other night The reporter who at tended it concluded with tbe candid admission that "It is not distinctly remembered by any--body present who made the last speech,'' T. J, Munson, living in la Crosse county, Wis., should be credited with one of the shortest courtships on record. Last week he went to see the ilchts of Black River Falls, and while eating dinner at one of the restau rants was smitten with the waiter girl, whom he engaged in conversation. In a few minutes they were friends, in an hour lovers, and be fore sundown were man and wife, he returning Saturday night wltb his bride, having been gone from home but three days. The queerest house ever built in Ban gor, Me., is the magnificent stone structure just completed in that city by Isaiah K. Stet son. Estimated cost u 130,000, and no other house in Bangor bad an equal amount of work laid out upon it m proportion to its size. The first story of tbe main house la built of stones of every conceivable size, shape, texture and color, which were given tbe owner by bis many friends. They come from all points of the com pass, many of them from long distances; and some are very valuable. Tbe effect is novel, bat tbe stones are so arranged in regard to color tbat It is very artistic. The house baa been discussed so much tbat Mr. Stetson has often been weary ot giving information about An almost indescribable color Is thai of the sealskin before it is dyed. It is silvery gray,' furry brown and two or three other things, all at the same time. But it is strikingly pretty," and here in the East is so seldom seen that those girls wearing tbe nndyed skins may feel pride at having something unusual and individ ual, A young Californiap who came to New York only a short time ago received on Christ, mas from a friend on the Pacific coast -a. caps and mail of the skin inits natural color, and had great fan listening to acquaintances guess ing what the animal was. By actual count eight women and one man each made a differ ent gqess, and, strange enough, tbe man was the only one to name the skin the first time. But be had bunted seals in his earlier days and he ought to have known. Rathapnra, the city of gems, in Ceylon, is the center of a district 20 or 80 miles square, in almost all of which a stratum of gravels feet to 20 feet nnder the surface exists. Throughout this area gem pits are to be seen near the villages, some being worked now, others being abandoned. The natives work tbere in companies of six or eight and pay a rupee per man per month for the privilege of working a certain allotment where they begin by marking off a square of about ten feet After removing about three feet of soil, the sounding rod, a piece of iron about half an inch in diameter and six feet long, is used to sound for tbe gravel. If successful, the digging is begun in earnest Hardly a Dasketfnl of earth is taken oJt that does not contain something valuable, though, of course, the most precious gems are comparatively tew in number, That a oat will suck a baby's breath' is a belief of many people, and an incident that would seem to verify the belief too place in Beverly, Mass., recently. Mrs, Albert Whitney had given her uttia aaugnur, a cnua oi year?, a drink of milk and laid ber on the lounge to sleep. A half hour lator Mrs. Whitney chanced into the room and wa alarmed to seealarga cat belonging to the family crouched on tbe little girl's breast with Its bead close to her moutn. lua momer screameu la terror mu the cat ran away. The child was insensible, and its face was purple. A physician was called, and the little one was restored to con scIonspesA. The medical man was skeptical as to the breath-sucking theory, and thought it more probable that tbe cat leaped upon tho child's breast to lap the milk from her lips, and that its weight suffocated tho little one. On Little river, near Osceola, La., Robert Warren, a lumberman, lost his way in the woods. He thought bo beard a human voice, and hallooed to attract attention. His shout was answered, and the cries came nearer and nearer. Then he discovered that it was a panther that bad been yelling. Being un armed, he climbed a tree and remained in it for an hour. The panther finally left When he thought tbe coast was clear, Warren de scended and pursued bis way, and when he again hallooed to attraot attention, the pan ther retnrnea, this time accuiupamcu j uj mate. Up a sapling he again went armed with a stout Club and determined to sell his lite as dearly as possible. In tbe meantime tbe boys in camp bad become alarmed at his absence and bad started out to search for him. Tbev had reached a point within a quarter of a mile of where he was treed, when they caught the sound of bis call for help, and, as an an swering signal, fired off a gun, which had the effect of frightening off the panthers. CLEVER CLIPPINGS. Family Pride, Little Elsie Endercoit,?j JOl COStOBJ Wi Hue - v. j- -..- 4 won't yoa oe an .w-oercuni hku -- HOW LA GBrP-fE CAKE. Yon murmur, "How cane it?" In sad cadenza. ; Why. the door was left open, And influenza. Ohieaao Herald. Righteously Indignant Barber (sugges tlvely.-Your hair Is very dry and harsh, sir.", -t ..-. -..hr'in- And fine nf vnnr Hifi fa . a good deal bigger than the other, but you don'tji like to have people mmut jvu vi , uv jvm- Vnieago inou. A BEAT. DISTINCTION, The glutton differs greatly from The tramp who hungers in the street; The tonner always csii too un7, Th. l.ttpi -iIwsts lonrs to eat. Chicana Rei t A.A;irA I'm rinnnii in tne nlftMsTM. golqg to by hands of iron, and to th? puwlljenr by my tics. &W Baggage Car-Where thou goest I wiUigofor I'm uulted to thee by "tendern attaehmenta,--Metntt Journal. ' "My dearest Laura, what is th? matter? Here you are bathed in tears and only fpurweeks after your wedding?" "oh, Clara, my husband I candidate for Mayor, and I have just found put by this morning's paper that he Is a paragon of all the vicej.'WWufl''"' HUuttir. The Way to Get There. Jack Sprinter , I am doad in earnest Mr, IJownes. The fact Uv I k..i. .... k.n.1 1. I... nk .nn.rfiiiirhter. t am iiccta mc- uv- . ,. "- - -- i Mark powntj-WeU, you atn!etf sosm to hava, the queerest notions. What's the la tara lag amatory lomersauitsr jbw-" " ,- daughter that way, do you think yep can, as It were, ounupriagimuiu ...-.- -.. . He Looked TJp the Address. "Can I sea Santa Clans J" asked the small hoy, entering' r oeg's toy store. . ...... 'ae'sno, pern, sunt.. :"Z"ZZ m , h.' kindly, ''Why do you look for him In myr: ....... . . n.M An tha wsffiit he sent mtvandlthoughtlmlgW get Wo to trade ..for, a pair Of kte "" y M THE DrWWUSJTCS. A woman's bureau drawer will bold half ton of clothes, "SE, ApraOI, u -- - - vCSm knows .-., ,fl'S?j How many scores oi oiner uunga VVfiSJ may store, 7V ci And yet there's always lots of room for twice ajj many more. Bat give a man that self-same drawer and ine AH undershirt, tome dirty caffs aq empty tjolbl box; 'V Fk am nuefa uva yui .. ... . .,rw..j - - ABllUUtttBWairWrnUha'Uneverwtitrtl aA VHVy V 1aW M ? I ! t V ,. . li)V 4K u ' , J - ,. sLrJ .ySflLWtf .3. : i ..'!. VIr .uSfta J2i.. U--j. j.-JC4i'S :. .?:..., -&-. , - j ; . ? j .c. .tl J