'
THE PITTSBUBG , DISPATOH.T STJKDAX' JASOTARY r 12, 1890.
18
&
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and sweetens bereavement with the flavor
of novelty.
Now, since a man -was the head of the
family by law and nature, onto Martba had
come her brother Lazarus, bringing their
aistcr Mary; and the three abode together
with.no more than the usual amount of
family sparring we have aome reason to
think with less; since the hospitality of their
house came to bc-alued by the peace-loving
and qniet seeking; perhaps it should be
added, however, by the peace and quiet
bringing.
Iiazarus was a man well blessed with this
world's goods, and if house were the sole
point of view from which to regard life,
qualified to dwell in a larger than Simon's.
But Xiararns was not a married man; and
Trilling to forego a trivial importance for the
more solid domestic comfort. For the truth
must be told. Mary he revered nay, Mary
be did love devotedly. But Mary was not
born for a housekeeper.
Martha's tongue on the whole was offset
by ler cooking. The three combined their
several home qualifications in one success
ful household contentedly. The house con
tinued to be Known in Jerusalem and its
suburbs as that of Simon the Leper. Laz
arus satisfied his bachelor taste by exten
sive and excessive addition to what was
already the finest house in Bethany; mod
ernized bis own elegant appartments and
preserved therein the sweet liberty of soli
tude. This was convenient on all sides, for, as
Martha said: "Who wanted too much of a
man?"
But Lazarus and Mary, his sitter, used to
talk together, in qniet places and at quiet
times; on the cool side of the little Greek
portico that he. had added, or in his own
court after sunset, or on the Sabbath when
they were weary and bad performed all that
the'law required at the synagogue of the
village.
Tbese three people lived an ideal subur
ban life; and in most respects the suburban
is the ideal life, to practical ends. "Wealth,
influence, character and the peace of an
easy home were theirs. To those pleasant
details Lazarus added the vigorous pleasure
of a successful and remunerative trade.
He was what we should call a master
bnilder. The meanest of honest trades was
respected among his people, and success
like his received a general deference. Lack
of this was found only among men of supe
rior rank or of high-caste conservative
theological views. For Lazarus wasva con
scientious, influential Pharisee, the pro
gressive, the protestant, the come-outer of
his faith and his times. His position was
that of a rich; middle-class reformer.
Martha had raised no objections to the
addition to her house. Lazarus being in
the business, it struck her as the proper
thine.
"It will not cost so much," said she.
"And I need more space for the women,
myself."
On this day we speak of, when Martha
was troubled about the rugs, Lazarus came
home at sunset, thoughtful and reserved.
Martha began at once:
"What ails you, Lazarus? You wear a
sour face."
"Oh, not a sour face!" criea Mary, "Our
brother is weary. See you not, Martba?
He hath borne too heavily the beat and
burden of the day. "We women who sit
apart in the cool of the house should remem
ber how the man toileth in the sun."
This was a long speech for Mary; and
Martha a little surprised thereat received it
with equally unusual silence; she left the
room and the discussion to prepare the even
ing meaL Mary and Lazarus sat together.
She asked him no qnesttons but he spoke at
once; as it she had done so.
"Has word come from our guest, Mary?"
"No word, my brother."
"I thought we had seen him, by this.
The people press hard upon him, and over
wear him. Thev kill him with their
troubles sick, lame, blind, leper, and
worse than either. They load him down
with them as I load the slave that carries
my stone. It is said that for nigh a week
he has not been known to rest like other
men; be goeth to the mountain top and
praveth there "
"All the night?" asked Marv pitifully.
Her sensitive face had flushed at the first
mention of him of whom Lazarus spoke.
"They say who have seen him closely that
he carries the face of a sleepless man."
"John the fisherman made mention to me
of this," added Lazarus, "I met him at the
fish market to-night. He spoke manywords
to me.upon the matter. He said: 'There is
a man starving for sleep.' "
"He resteth in our upper chamber," re
plied Mary in tone of something like en
treaty. "He resteth peacefully. Know you
not, "Lazarus, how his eyes look when
be cometh to ns in the morning?"
'1 have been expecting him," said
Lazarus.
His masculine fewness of words expressed
no less eager sympathy than his sister's more
ardent manner."
"And I," she said beneath her breath,
"everj; day every night. He cometh not"
"Think jou, Lazarus," she asked, timid
ly, after a pause, during which she had
creDt upon a Jow ottoman near her brother's
feet, "think yon that he wearieth of ns?"
"I have seen many desert him," answered
Lazarus in a ringing voice. I never knew
him forsake a human creature,"
Mary nodded silently. A beautiful
luminousness stole into her eyes. She lifted
them to the mountain top towering above
her. Her whole face and figure seemed to
be at prayer.
At this moment Martha entered, bustling.
"Come, come ! Snpper is served, and you
two sit there like mummies while I play1
slave for you 1 Come, Mary 1 Hasten and
serve. Come, Lazarus 1 what bothers vou
now?"
"Important business concerns," said Laza
rus with dignity. Martha offered no retort.
She had a great respect for business. It
meant money and position; it meant things
she understood.
"I am considering," said Lazarus, as he
sat at supper, "a contract which has been
ofiered me to-day. It is one of import
ance." . 'A new customer?" queried Martha with
animation. But Mary showed no interest
in toe new customer, bhe bad relapsed
into a sweet dream. She serred her brother
while he sat at meat, like an angel walking
on a floating cloud that would bear one
away at a breath who knew whither?
Yes," observed Lazarus, "I am asked to
remodel portions of the palace "
"Palace?" cried Martha. "Of Annas,
the High Priest? Has he given you an
order?"
"I speak of none other," said Lazarus
calmly; "I do the work of an honest man.
Is that not good'enongh for priest or beggar?
And have I not wrought upon the sacred
temple?"
"lake it by all means," said Martha
with her shrewd look. "When shall you
begin?"
"Immediately, if at all," replied Lazarus,
"and I am inclined to follow your advice,
sister Martha. Your judgment passes the
Judgment of women upon affairs of house
and trade."
These few words flattered and pleased
Martha immensely; she became good-natured
at once; they were easy words to speak too,
and quite true. Lazarus never said what
was not true, even for the sake of domestic
peace. Women of Martha's type may be as
conscious of their unpopularity as they are
of their necessity to society. Apnreciation
bas the highest mathematical value to those
who do not get much of it. The touch-fibred,
practical woman is never as much beyond
the need of it as she seems to be. Martha
bad a chronic conviction that people "toot"
to her younger sister at her expense. Ltzarus
knew this quite well. To save bis life he
could not help loving Mary better. But bis
Just soul songht the more severely to recog
nize Martha's good points.
The three went up to the roof of the
bouse after supper and sat together in un
wonted harmony. It was one of Judea's
most agreeable evenings; the cool came on
gratefully; tbe scorching colors of the air
'died away without a straggle. The little
hamlet of Bethany leaned on the eastern
elope of Olivet like a child asleep on a shel
tering arm. Below the valley darkened
delicately; the outlines of the rock and road
lingered a long time in the slow twilight.
Figures passing were only dim enough to
be poetic and picturesque; one watched
them with quiet, esthetic pleasure. "Above.
the mountain range lifted its solemn head;
ft
she rose purple and calm.like a queenjwho had
purposes and secrets of her own. Overhead,
the clear far fine ether of the Oriental sky
throbbed pale fire melting into a dome of
gray.
Suddenly, the still air thrilled to a wide,
strong tone.
It was the err or the trumpet from the
synagogue, calling all the children of Jeho
vah to the evening prayer.
The master of the household .rose at the
snmmons; the women followed him; the
slaves in the court stopped, arrested in their
labors; the Jewish family paused with bowed
beads and clasped hands; they prayed si
lently; they stood with their face toward
Jerusalem.
When the prayer was finished Martha
went below to give orders to her women; and
Lazarus seated himself quietly. But Mary
moved to the edge of tbe roof and looked off
into tbe valley, one sat down, behind tbe
tiled railing that ran around the roof that
she might not be observed of passers; her
face expressed sudden and eager anima
tion. "What seest thou, Mary?" asked her
brother kindly.
.Come hither, Lazarus," replied Mary
softly. "Look for thyself." She pointed
downward toward the valley where the
shadow was lengthening faster than it was
deepening. A croup of people traveling
from the direction of Jerusalem, winding
about the mountain side, had come to a halt.
Their figures could still be seen from the
roof of the house.
Marv lifted her beautiful arm and pointed
with one finger at the road; the delicate out
line of the finger trembled.
"It is he," she said.
"Nay, I see him not," protested Lazarus.
"It is he," repeated Mary undisturbed.
The two passed over the railing, the
woman sheltered by her brother's presence,
and gazed into the valley intently.
The group upon the highway had paused
at the summons of the evening prayer, it
seemed; or perhaps wasjthere another inter
ruption? Tall and motionless among the clustering
people one figure rose pre-eminent to the eye.
It was the figure of a man, young in years
and yet clothed with great dignity. The
light was too faint to discern his form with
distinctness, except that it stood a little
apart from what seemed the urgent pressure
of the people who had the aspect of entreat
ing him eagerly. In the faint light the man
could be seen or he seemed to turn his face
toward the height, and perhaps in the direc
tion of the bouse of Simon the leper. Ap-
w
F rl
LAZABUS AND his sisters
parently he hesitated with himself.
"Yes," said Lazarus, "it is he. It is he
indeed. Go and tell Martha to prepare for
him. He comes to us at last."
But Mary knelt with her face pressed to
the tile railing, gazing persistently down.
She did not move to obey her brother's com
mand. "Mary!" cried Lazarus, rising in displeas
ure, "are you dreaming again, now when
he is all but at our gates when every
moment is precious that we may serve him
with our best? Mary!"
"Oh," mourned Mary, "he cometh not.
He cometh not. See you, Lazarns. They
have deterred him. They call him back.
He turnetb seel he goeth. Oh, he goeth
from us. So near ns and so worn for rest
he goeth away without it He setteth his
face already once more toward Jerusa
lem!" "You are right," announced Lazarus de-cidedly-i-"as
usual," he murmured fn a
lower tone. "You have the eyes which see,
Mary. Bnt I cannot understand this, mat
ter! lam distressed at it. Whv this hesi
tation? Yes. He retnrneth. Fain would
I hasten down and overtake him, and com
pel him by my heart's force to tarry with
us-"
"Nay," cried Mary hastily, "nay, nay,
mv brother. Entreat him not. Heknoweth
his own will. And the will," she said sol
emnly, "of him that sent him. Besides,"
she added with quick feminine sensitive
ness, "he knowetb that he hath eternal wel
come beneath thy roof and Martha's. We
would not ask him if he cometh not. See!
Look yonderl He tnrneth the corner of the
road as it windeth round tbe mountain.
The people shout and run and press upon
him. They bring one unto him it is an
afflicted creature. For that cause he re
turneth." "Verily it is so," said Lazarus sadly. "It
is one possessed, or other diseased person
wbom tbey bring. Whatever it ifl which
has hindered him from us, my sister, thou
may know it is the call of woe or want or
sin. Yes he joineth the returning people;
he returneth he is gone."
Mary bowed her face upon the tiles and
said nothing. The light of her life and the
hope of her soul the hope of her people,
their master and their mystery had with
drawn himself from her sight; and her gentle
heart was sore within her.
"Why he will come back again when that
wretch is taken care ofl" cried Martha,
whose practical view of things was as great
a relief at some times as it was a terror at
others to her family.
"Of course he will come backt I will
myself prepare the upper chamber. Do
yo'u watch for him, Lazarns, and let me
know the first moment that you see signs of
him!"
Martha rustled away more noisily than
she had come upon the roof.
"A pretty time of dayl" she added
testily, to bring one's fits before such as he!
or.'one's Tuts, either. Fitty people are always
half-witted in my opinion. I'll venture tbe
creature isn't worth curing."
Bnt Mary watched silently with her burn
ing cheeks upon the smooth cool tiles.
Lazarus kept her company awhile. His own
fine face wore a look of keen disappoint
ment Neither spoke; it darkened rapidly;
the sound of passing footsteps grew few and
faint
"He will not come," announced the mas
ter of the house, at last, with masculine de
cisiveness. . "I go below. Do tbou the same, Mary."
Mary did not reply. She was glad when
even Eazarus was gone. She sat on alone,
half creuched, half kneeling upon the roof;
the dew fell; her bright hair grew damp
Mary had abundant beautiful hair; it
weighed upon her head like a crown of wa
ters. Her soft flesh grew cooled and chilL
Her ears quivered as fine nerves of bearing
do from listening iu vain till the auditory
sense becomes an anguish. The step for
which she waited did not come.
' To be Continued Nest Sunday.
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POWDERED MILK.
Invention of n Swiss Savant Which
Re-
Terse Known Kataral Laws.
The idea of reducing cow's milk to a dry
powder, says the American Dairyman, and
shipping it in this condition all over the
world seems to have first originated with
Dr. Krueger, a Swiss savant, and under his
management a company was 'organized to
make milk powder in Switzerland.
It is claimed that milk in this form is
much better than canned or condensed
milk for one reason, it has no sugar iu it It
is well known that condensed milk cannot
be used in many departments of cooking on
account of this sugar, and this also makes
it objectionable for use with very young
children, not that sugar itself is injurious to
babies, for it is always put into their milk,
we believed bnt it is better that this sugar
be put in iresh at tbe time of preparing milk
for the child.
How far this powdered milk will answer
these objections remains -to be seen. One
thing is certain, the powder would be
much better for transportation and more
bandy to have in the house than either
plain or condensed milk, provided, it is va
success.
It looks somewhat dubious as a complete
substitute for plain niilk, not only on ac
count of necessary expense, but we do not
find any kind of food capable of being
thoroughly dried and afterward made over
with water so as to closely resemble the
original article and we never expect t.osee it
done with cow's milk.
Nature has a way of mingling these things
that thus far man has not been able to
closely imitate.
A NOYEL DICE TBICK..
How a Tonne Folltlclnn Manages to
Win
a Xilttlo Money.
Boston Herald. i
Several young men were in a South End
resort last evening shaking for the drinks
when suddenly one of the fellows, a young
man who is reckoned as one of the coming
lights of the political arena said: "Let me
take that dice-box for a minute."
It was handed over to him, and taking out
four of the five dice which were in the box
banded them to the(barkeeper, and turning
the box on one end he placed the remaining
on the housetops.
dice on it, and taking his hat from his bead
covered the box and dice -with it
"Where is that dice now?" he asked one
of the men standing about.
"On top of the box, of course," was the
reply, "that is, if you haven't shifted it
since you put the bat down."
"I have not," said the young politician,
and he lifted the hat again and sure enough,
-there sat the dice on the box, jnst as it bad
been before.
He sat the hat down again and took bis
bands away from it, while he asked the same
question he hadin the first instance.
"On top of the box, pf course," repeated
the man who had been questioned.
"You saw it there, did you?"
"Certainly."
"Would you bet that it is on the top of tbe
box?"
"Of course I would."
"I'll bet you a dollar that it isn't where
you say it is."
"All right," and the men put up their
money.
The first man lifted the hat and there sat
the dice as before. "What did I tell you?"
exclaimed the second. "I've won. There
is the dice on top of the box."
"Hold a minute," exclaimed the young
politician. "When you come to think of
it, wouldn't it be rather a difficult task to
set up a dice on the top of a dice-box when
,there is only a very narrow edge to set it on.
xi you win iook careiuily, you will see that
the dice is resting on the bottom of tbe box,
instead of the top. I guess the money is
mine, Mr. Stakeholder."
"That's so." exclaimed the other man
who had bet, "it is the bottom of the box.
isn't it" '
"It's a very simple catch ," said the win
ner to the writer, but it's sure to catch 99
people out of every 100.
A MIBT-KECHA5TED WEAITH.
The ritracgre Appnrlllon That Arose From an
Irish Lake.
New York Evening World.1 ,
On a bright starlit New Xear's Eve, just
four years ago, I was returning from the
village of M In the north of Ireland. I
had to pass the grounds of an old mansion,
long deserted save by the traditional ghost,
which was said to haunt the lake close by.
As I am not at all superstitious, I deter
mined to prove the truth or falsity of the
ghostly rnmors. Accordingly I seated my
self on the trunk of 'a fallen tree, and
waited with exemplary patience till the vil
lage clock chimed the hour of midnight
Shortly afterward I distinctly saw rise from
the surface of the lake a thin, vapory mist,
out of which floated the shadowy lorm of a
woman.
I rubbed my eyes to see ifl were not the
victim of a horrible nightmare, but no,
there it was, a vision of reality, with a look
of awful terror depicted on its countenance.
Then it disappeared.
I cannot say how long I remained On the
terrible spot, but tbe'memory of that night
will haunt me till my dylng'day.
Do Not Grieve: '
I would not hare you mourn, too much.
When I am lying low.
Your grlet would grieve me even then,
.Should your tears flow. l -
But only plant above my grave
One little sprig of rue;
Then find yourself a fairer love,
Hut not more true.
The summer winds will come and go
Above me as I He:
And if I think at all, my dear,
As tbey pass by,
I shall remember the old love,
With all its bliss and bane
Thongb life nor death can bring me back
Xbe old, sweet pain.
- LcuUe Chan&Ur Jtaulton. .
- ', fJ
SPOTS ON THE SUN,
Henry C. Maine Talks About His Hew
Meteorological Theory. ,
EFFECT OF SOLAE DISTURBANCES.
Eott They Are Felt in the Atmosphere and
on the Earth.
WHATCAUSED THE PITTSBURG TORNADO
IWBlTTXir JOB TUB DISPATCH.
"Do sun spots affect the weather?"
This question has been brought into wide
prominence and thoughtful discussion dur
ing the past few years, mainly through its
constant presentation by Mr. Henry ,C.
Maine, of Rochester, N. Y. Occupying the
position of associate editor on a daily paper,
Mr. Maine bas duties to perform that make
his life a busy one. Neverthelessj.he finds
time to keep close watch of the sun, and
few are the changes in Its condition or ap
pearance that escape his notice. He keeps
an accurate record of all his observations,
together with coincident events in the earth's
atmosphere and on the earth's surface.
I found Mr. Maine to be a thoughtful
looking man, rather reserved in manner.
He is of good physique, rather stout in
build, with black mustache and side-whiskers,
and deep brown eyes which are penetra
tive, student-like and which emit occasional
flashes of humor. He was willing but not
anxious to talk. He looked as if he felt like
smiling at my questions.
"The causes that produce sun spots," he
replied, "undoubtedly have an influence up
on meteorological phenomena."
"Would you object to giving an outline
of your theory on the subject?"
"I do not Know that I have what can ex
actly be called a theory. I am simply au
observer of facts, and in taking note of solar
disturbances' Tam forced to the conclusion
that to ignore them as a factor in weather
changes is to be guilty of stubbornness, stu
pidity or thoughtlessness."
"The sun is not a firefly," continued Mr.
Maine. "It is a tremendous force in the
economy of the universe. It supplies sub
stantially all the light and natural heat we
have, without it this world of ours would
be a frozen, lifeless solitude. The energy
which the snn exerts is something so enor
mous that any attempt to measure it, or ex
press it by figures, is simply futile. Why
then, should not an augmentation or de
crease of solar activity be felt wherever the
rays pruceeui a. utK iu a Btuvc, m a grate,
or in a woodman's camp, radiates heat in
proportion as it is kept lively or sluggish;
and common sense teaches that the same is
trne of the sun, with its varying conditions.
So much for a rough statement of general
principles."
POXECASTINO THE WEATHER.
"It looks reasonable. But how about
forecasting the weather from solar phe
nomena?" "Don't go too fast We haven't got to
the pinnacle of our edifice yet You must
know, in tbe first plact, that the sun re
volves on its axis once in about 26 of our
days. Here we have a basis for periodicity
in calculation and observations. Then
there are two kinds of so-called sun spots
first, the Jaculse, which look like white-hot
wave-crests nttea nign above the other and
less lnminous portions of the sun. The fjc
ulte seem to indicate intense combustion or
some other form of augmented activity.
These faculss probably emit heat, excite
electricity in some degree, and probably ac
celerate chemical action. They are asso
ciated with storms, aurorte and earthquakes,
but not so closely as the activities which
produce the black spots. These terrestrial
phenomena have so regularly followed great
sun disturbances that it is impossible to ig
nore a relation betn een them. The great
mistake of tbe old meteorologists is in re
garding the sun as an unvarying force. It
is really a force, or aggregation of forces, in
which tremendous changes are, of frequent
occurrence, with consequences as inevitable
as any other relation between cause and ef
fect "I have spoken of black sun spots. They
are not black at all, but appear so only by
contrast with the intense brightness of the
great body of the snn. Of the character of
the black spots but little is known. Perhaps
they are masses of ; vapor; possibly they are
caused by the vaporizing of showers of cin
ders or metallic snbstances which have been
thrown from the snn by great eruptions and
condensed into metallic rain. One thing we
know they are sequels of great sun disturb
ances, possibly the results of an unusual de
gree of combustion, andj when developing on
the hemisphere turned toward us, they gen
erally appear a few days after thfe effect is
noticed on the earth. Bnt by the position of
these spots on the visible face of the sun, the
return of the disturbances may be calcu
lated, thus affording a basis for predicting
possible commotions in our own atmos
phere. "In cases of continuous turmoil on the
sun, storms on the earth are frequent and
violent During periods when permanent
disturbances are not apparent, occasional
disturbances are quite regularly followed
by storms or other commotions on the eartb.
Some spots appear to have only a brief ex
istence. Therefore the counting of spots is
not the best way to determine the maximum
of disturbance. The violence of tbe dis
turbances as affecting our atmosphere should
rather be considered. k
SUN SPOTS AND STOBKS.
"It was about 18 years ago that some of
the best scientists in England began to
recognize, in a .general way, that sun condi
tions had an important influence on weather
conditions. These scientists, however, were
not able to follow the matter to its legit
imate conclnsion. In 1878 I began sys
tematically to take observations with a
small but excellent telescope, and have con
tinued to do so ever since. I have also
made two telescopes, one of which I am
now using. The result, as I have inti
mated, has not been the formulation of an
exact science; but I have accumulated a
record of facts and coincidences so com
plete, so voluminous and of such uniform
tendency, as to constitute data leading to
conclusions from- which it is difficult to es
cape. "
"Oneof the most remarkable and satisfy
ing cases of coincident sun and weather dis
turbances was the wonderlul red sky period
which lasted in this latitude from Novem
ber 27, 1883, to 1886. During all- this time.
the sun was in an almost constant state of
violent action, and furious storms were fre
quent all over the world.
"About the 9th of January, 1889, there
began to be noticed in our atmosphere the
effect of an unusually powerful and storm
producing solar disturbance. Another sun
convulsion made itself felt March 15, and
another appeared April 19, the last men
tioned showing its effect in 'severe storms on
the 13th and 14th of May. These convul
sions have been periodically traced by solar
rotation or observation, up to the present
time, with frequent and surprisingly accu
rate forecasts of storm action.
"Going back to the 9th and 10th of Jan
uary of last yfcarf-it will be remembered that
destructive tornadoes passed over Pittsbure,
Beading, Niagara Falls, and Buffalo.
Fifty-two days later, or after two revolu
tions of the sun, black spots were seen.
These snots were again visible on the 24th
of April ana the ICth of June after two
successive double revolutions of the sun.
At some of (be dates when, they were due,
cloudy weather prevented observations.
But at each revolution, whether the spots
were visible or not, violent storms occurred,
sbowine that when once an active and per
sistent snn disturbance is located, its re
appearance by rotation; may be relied on to
produce vexed conditions ot our atmosphere.
TWENTT-SII-DAT PEBIODS.
"One of the 26-day per)ods ended about
March 29 or SO. A week of storms followed
in New York, Pennsylvania, Dakota, Brit
ish America, Virginia, Austria-Hungary,
off Hatterss, and in other BrtK)f tfe. world
t - - ' "- '
of sufficient violence to warrant telegraph
reports in all the dally papers.
"The next 26-day period ended about
April 24. Storms began and continued for
a week, or to the time of meridian passage.
Noticeable among the storms were a tornado
in Georgia and a rainfall iu New of i
inches in 45 hours. In another 26 -days or
about May 19, terrifio rain, electrical and
wind storms occurred in Louisiana, Mis
souri, Pennsylvania and Ohio. You will
observe that I mention storms only in those
localities where they were of such destrnct-
iveness as to have oeen, recorded in tbe
newspapers. About the.middleof June the
same disturbance returned and was again
accompanied by storm action. After still
another 26-day -period (July 9), there were
cloud-bursts and floods in various sections.
"Proceeding by intervals of (approxi
mately) 26 days, we find this disturbance
due again about December 9 or 10, and dur
ing the storm period that followed, ships
crossing tne Atlantic encountered burn
canes and extraordinary electrical phe
nomena. Balls ot fire appeared iu the rig
ging of the Amsterdam, and the man on the
lookout in the 'crow's nest' received a severe
shock. At this time 16 ocean steamers had
such severe experiences that they were over
due at New York from 3 to 12 days.
"Following up the sun disturbance of
March 15, 26 days at a time (without dwell
ing upon each reappearance) we find that it
was due about the 26th of December. On the
morning of that day there was a sudden fall
of the barometer and of the temperature,
accompanied by winds of great violence,
with, thunder and flurries of snow. Ob
servation revealed violent solar commotion,
and it was noticed that the storm did not
begin until after the sun had risen. Up to
this time the month of December had been
notably mild, and the change in weather the
day after Christmas was very abrnpt ,
"I have followed up only two solar con
vulsions, with their regular reappearance
and storm producing action. To take up
others would be to repeat a slightly varied
tale. There is scarcely a great storm on
record, since I began to take observations,
that is not traceable to the varying condi
tions of the sun. To recount them all would
be to present an array of confirmatory facts
and figures of too great length to recapitu
late." AN INTEEESTINO SUBJECT. .
"The subject is intenselv interesting," I
ventured to remark, "and I do not see bow
intelligent people can ignore it"
"Well," replied Mf. Maine, "people are
not ignoring it as much as formerly. I have
fonght almost single-handed for the new
meteorolotrv.butl believe it has come to stav.
With scientists devoting more and more at
tention to it, and witlt improved appliances,
it will grow to a point of technical exactness
and practicaivalne of which we can now
have only a faint conception."
"One more question: What are sun spots
or rather, what is the exact nature of the
disturbances of which you say tbey are the
result?"
"When you tell me what electricity is,"
replied Mr. Maine, impressively, "I will
tell you what suu spots are. We know that
electricity is a tremendous force; we know
some of its effects, and that is all. We
know that there are prodigious convulsions
on the sun, that fires rage with terrifio fury,
that energy is exercised of which our minds
can form only the feeblest conception. It is
folly to attempt to explain that which we
do not understand; therefore I will leave to
theorizers more bold than myself the task of
answering your question." '
Mr. Maine has had many sharp tilts with
the priests and prophets of the old meteor
ology, including officials of the United
States Signal Service. He makes no war on
this service, but he does not hesitate to call
attention to its shortcomings. He is a pa
tient, persistent and studious man, and is
brimful of that pluck which is needed to
make way against the conservatism that re
sists new departures. He docs not claim
everything for the sun-spot theory, but he
insists that it has a rightful place in modern
science, and should be given that considera
tion to which its demonstrated merits entitle
it. He is already reaping his rewaid in the
shape of many converts, and a daily increas
ing respectful attention and . candid discus
sion of tbe subject Bnt he is,by no means
a "one-idea" man. As I turned to go, after
bidding him good-day, ha, fell, to writing a
tariff article with an energy and enthusiasm
which sun spots 'could not dim nor storms
override. Willis Kenyon.
AN AFRICAN NAPOLEON.
A Doughty Warrior Who Exacts Tribute
From Neighboring Tribe.
Thomas SteveAs in N. Y. orld.l
One day a band of Wa-Kahe hunters met
three ofMandara's people on the hyphene
plain we had just crossed and wantonly
murdered them. A few days later the
koodoo horn trumpets blared fiercely on the
hills of Moschi; the'Napoleon of Chaga col
lected bis warriors, and, alter killing a
goatand examining the Irver and entrails
to make sure that the fates were propitious
and success a certainty, ordered them to go
andj'eat np"Kahe. The Moschi spearmen
sneceeded in gaining entrance into Kahe
during the night, and in the gray of the
morning smote the astonished foresters hip
and thigh. Many warriors were killed and
many women and children carried off and
sold as slaves. The victors then completed
the orders of their chief by chopping down
the banana groves and burning the houses.
The remnant of the tribe found it extreme
ly convenient to sne for peace. Tbey got
it, and now, at certain seasons of the year,
long files of Kahe women and warriors may
be seen wending their way to Moschi, carry
ing on their heads tribute of natron, which
is the salt of this part of Africa. The Wa
Kahe collect this on the plain and convey it
to Moschi in sacks made of the fibre of the
berassus palm.
A PISH IN HIS JCG.
The Remarkable Yarn Told by a Down-
East SInnchanitea.
There used to be an old resident of Fay
ette, Me., who was greatly given to spin
ning yarns, says the Local Pres). He was
the hero of his own narratives, and, to hear
him tell it, bis adventures, exploits and hair
breadth escapes were as wonderful as those
of Baron Munchausen or Sinbad the Sailor.
He has left the shores of time and goqe to the
happy hunting grounds, bnt some of his
stories still survive. Here is a specimen:
One day he wax out on the lake near his
home, fishing, and happened to have a two
gallon stone jug in the boat, which jug ac
cidentally fell overboard, filled with water
and sank to the bottom. Some years after
ward he was again fishing near the same
place, when, feeling a strong bite, he
tugged stoutly at the pole and pulled into
the boat on one end ot the line the identical
lost jbg with a big pickerel in it It seems
that the fish, when small, swam into the jug
and not finding the way out, grew to a large
size in its prison. When the baited hook
chanced to drop into the jug the fish seized
it and was caught
This was one of the many marvelous tales
that the old man used to tell, aud it hurt
his feelings and roused his ire if any of his
his
veracity.
A Difference In Constitution.
r.
3 ' ,
Wblpper I cawn't see why you dewlde
elgarwette smokin'g; why, the Western cow
boys use them, afid they are marly fellawst
Snapper Yes; fbut they're hardy-enough
LtertBA ilawtfi.ifav JdaAjrf ajiaBPxftt.
A GOOD TIME COMING.
Olive Thorne Miller on the Benefits to
be Derived From the
CO-OPERATIOfl OF SINGLE WOMEN.
Saving Money and Making a Home
Combining Incomes. -
bj
ITEMS OP INTEREST 0 THE PAIR SEX
wmrisar fob this msPATCH.i,
The good times coming into the lives of
women in our day are not merely for rest or
recreation, or even for purposes-of culture
solely; a wide field is opened for economy
and comfort in living, for having a home
the dream and desire of every woman. Two
or three persons with small means may
struggle on, each maintaining a decent ap
pearance, with what private sacrifices of
taste and comfort only such "reduced gen
tlewomen" know and a tragical chanter of
yet uuwritten social history they could re
Teal if they would. But now that women
are broadening, all this suffering may be,
and often is, wholly relieved. Four women
battling for their lives on insufficient means
may unite, live together and be comfortable,
even luxurious in many ways. They may
have their own house or flat; theymay en
joy better food, live in a better neighbor
hood, have money for books, or little out
ings of various sorts; in other words, they
may live, instead of barely keeping soul
and body together, and starving and out
raging both soul and body in the operation.
And what is the one virtue needlnl to ac
complish this improvement iu their condi
tion? Nothing on earth but tolerance, or
cood sense. The money that 'will pay for
fonr separate rooms in unpleasant neighbor
hoods will if put together hire a comfort
able flat or a small house In a cood one; tbe
coal that wiil warm and cook for one alone
will warm and cook for four together, and
it is the same with light an8 many other
things. The furniture that fonr living
apart must have will comfortably furnish a
fiat or a pretty cottage for four. The daily
incr woman must eo thronch. if divided '.
among four, who shonld tak turns at it,
would give more time for work or study or
rest for each one. It is needless to enumer
ate the saving in every way by cp-operation.
Everyone knows it, though as yet few have
made practical use of it
PEACTICAL CO-OPEBATION.
I have known several examples. In one
case there are three persons of mature years,
a 'widow and two sfngle women, two of
whom support themselves by their own
work, while the third enjoys a small in
come. Thehire a flat in a pleasant part of
the town, the top one iu a fonr-story apart
ment house, which, besides being of a little
cheaper rent, is ligh'ter and airier, and alto
gether the most desirable in the building.
This flat is heated, so they have no trouble
with fires. Their work is carefully system
atized and divided, "so that each one knows
exactly what she has to do, and does it It
works entirely without friction, and if any
one ever saw three happier, more cheertul
or busier middle-aged women, even among
the mistresses of homes, with ample incomes
and families of their own, 2 never have.
They have carried this on for several years,
and although at first merely acquaintances
they are norw deeply attached to each other,
and they have as truly a home as any house
mother in the world.
Where there is more money than these
ladies Dossessed there may, of course, be
luxuries. For example, another case that
has come under my eye is of an unmarried
woman holding a responsible editorial posi
tion vmcu reijuireu iicr uuiiy presence, xn
old times that woman arrived at middle
life, yet with no family that was convenient
or that she chose to live with would have
been confined to a boarding house, and how
little that is a home ask the unfortunates
whobave tried it alone.
This woman was wiser. Though exceed
ingly conservative she saw the dawn of the
"good time coming," and took unto herself a
companion, a friend of congenial tastes, a
widow without ties -and without, the means
to have a home of her own. She was herself
in receipt of a fine income. She hired and
furnished a house, her friend took charge of
it, and she paid the bills. As the result both
lonely women had a charming home. The
one with tbe pleasant care.of managing en
tirely the domestic department, including
the two or three servants, duties which nearly
every woman likes; the other going out each
morning at perfect ease aboutleaving the
house, and returning in the afternoon to a
delightful home, witb everything running
beautifully and nothing to worry her. It
was an ideal life, aud it went on for years.
A BOON FOB SHOP GIRLS.
The same thing has been done by working
girls in our cities, who of all women are
least able to have homes, yet prize them per
haps as much as any. These' girls shop
girls who earn no more than will dress
them and pay for very poor board with stuffy
little corners of rooms, by combining are
able to live mnch better and to hire com
fortable apartments with a pleasant gather
ing place for their evenings, as well as to
save money for some little pleasures before
unattainable, abink of tbe dincrencein the
lives of young women thirsting for pleasant
times and the good things of tbe world as
they do no less than their richer sisters be
tween having a home like this and half a
bed i)i some dare garret as their only home.
.It is not to be compared, and is easily accom
plished by uniting their means. They are
mostlv too hard worked and too ignorant of
these possibilities to plan and carry out for
themselves, and this, let me suggest, is a
promising field for the charitable work of
women who are longing to do something
helpful, to arrange these small mutual bene
fit associations, carelullv get up a
perfectly practicable working plan, -and
bring it to the notice of the better class of
working girls, from stores, milliners and
dressmakers' shops, and to hnndreds of
others in our large cities, who are weaken
ing and going to the bad for want of this
very thing. Plans of this sort, I under
stand, have been for some time in successful
operation in Philadelphia.
There is another immense advantage to
women in union; tbey can transact business
together. By uniting small means two can
open a little shop, carry on a boarding
bouse, or begin some small manufacture.
Many instances might be related of this
sort of partnership, which works admirably.
In keeping a boarding house, for example,
two women have rarely t. he same gifts. One
may excel in supplying a table, managing
servants and care of the house, while the
fherakes naturally to outside buying, bills,
accounts, and the business of the establish
ment If the firsl one had a house where
there would be a constant leak in the purse
irom injudicious buying, or-ft hurried way
of ordering, or a neglect in collecting bills;
by the second one alone the cooking and
nousewors; wouia d leit to servants, and, oi
'
Olive Thorne Miller.
iawatyjMQfJafykirAMlUT amMalpxatiau
lag their abilities, each bas duties she likes
and can perform well, neither isoverworked,
and the boarding house comes as near per
fection as such a place can.
Again, the same thing works in a shop; the
different talents of both are utilized to the
general eood. None oi these suggested plans
are in the least visionary or impractical.
Every ca3e that bas been spoken of is in suc
cessful operation to-day, and I earnestly
recommend them to the thought and the ef
fort of all women. So much comfort and
happiness are within our reach, if we will
but put out our hands and grasp it
Omve Thoene MzliiEB.
WOMEN'S WORLD PARAGRAPHED.
Eliza Archard Conner GIth New of In.
tereitto lie Fairer Half of Creation In
Condensed, Breezy Items.
iwarrnnt roa the dispatch.
John Stuabt Mrn. said: "Tbe life or a
woman Is an interrupted sentence."
In the Woman's Cycle are the names and
addresses of no less than 153 rlubs for women,
in different parts ot the Union.
Two young New Yorfe women are earning
their living; and a good one, it is said, by teach
ing other women to play scientific whist
It Is certainly part of woman's mission to be
beautiful. Even the strongest minded of the,
sex are beginning to see this, and to acknowl
edge tbs power there is in the new gospel of
both tbe strong and the beautiful for women.
The steamboat Ocean City, dn the New
Jersey coast, is graced by the presence ot a
pretty black-eyed woman engineer. She is sec
ond engineer, her husband being flrst. Sfie is
thoroughly skilled in the management of the
engine and machinery.
Lobd'Diiffeein made a brilliant address in
favor of the higher edncatton'ot women at tbe
last commencement of Tlublm University. He
recalled the fact that in 1834, the first year for
women graduates in the institution, there were
only nine. This year there are 27 ladyB.A.'s.
The nnlqne spectacle of a corner-stone laid
by women was witnessed Sometime since at
Godfrey, I1L The Monticello Seminary for
girls was destroyed by fire there a year aeo. and
the girls of the graduating class laid the corner-stone
of thonew building. The ceremony
is said to have been a thoroughly graceful and
impressive one.
The leading woman carpet and wall pap-r
designer In this country Is Mrs. Florence Eliza
beth Cory, of New York. She finds that tbe
proprietors of carpet and wall paper factories
welcome women designers kindly, and she
thinks here is a fine field for women of artistic
talents to earn their living. Mrs. Cory at
present teaches such designing to girls.
Aweuknown ladies' tailor has designed
what he calls a dress for business women. It
has six pockets. These, if the lady carries
anything In them, will only pull down still
farther the heavy skirts that he bas left still
dangling abont tbe business woman's heels.
No, gentlemen and lames, it-won't do. If yon
want to deslcn a decent gown for a business
woman, sseariton at the bottom at least as
far as tbe ankles. Without this radical reform,
all the pockets and all tbe warmth of heavy
material will makoit only tbe more apt to be
mud bedraggled only the more heavy and un
comfortable. '
These is nothing so striking on fashionable
promenades at present as our tall, splendid
girls. Many of them are the picture of health.
They hare bright eyes and rose-tinted cheeks,
and there are a grace and a swlns about their
movements that was unknown to the mincing
gait of the girl of a generation ago. The
change" is owing to physical culture and out
door exercise. Our girls are taller, healthier
and more graceful than the girls of 25 years ago
were. Tbe change, from the same cause, is so
marked in England that girls there are uni
versally taller than their mothers. Life out
doors, a physicalculture that limbers up every
muscle in the body and keeps it full of electric
life, will go far toward making an old woman
over new. And a woman is never too old to
begin such training.
THETHanrard examinations for women were
opened ten years ago. The flrst year 25 stu
dents presented themselves. They passed the
examinations required of the freshmen class
for admission to tbe university. By degrees
accommodations were found at Cambridge for
women students, and professors were found
who gave them instruction. Tbese belonged to
tbe Harvard faculty. The prof essors have en
tered into their work in a noble, truly liberal
spirit This year there are 139 women students.
The instruction given to male stndents at Har
vard is simply duplicated to the female pupils.
It is the same course of study, to all intents
and purposes, except at tbe end of it the women
stndents receive no diploma. To tbem is given
only a certificate informing whom it may con
cern that the bearer has pursued in Harvard
University a course of study equivalent to ti.at
for which the degree Of Bachelor of Arts Is
given. Tbe ladies who take the Harvard
course are in such demand for teachers that it
is not always thasnpply is sufficient. Harvard
bas thus found and acknowledged that women
are capable of acquiring tbe learning necessary
to be a B. A., and that they have thus acquired
it in the venerable: walls of Harvard Itself.
Why, then, not give them the degree?
THE HOSBASD REPEATED.
Hovr a Clever Wife Kept Her Liege tord at
Home nt Night.
New Tort ETening Sun.
Apropos of the recent discussion in an ex
change as to the best method of keeping
giddy husbands at home o' nights, comes
the following anecdote: A little woman up
town, whose honeymoon waned tnree years
ago, discovered to her sorrow that her hus
band took more interest in "a man who
called on important business just as I was
leaving the office," -than in his home life.
After puzzling her pretty head for many
lonely evenings, she hit at last upon a plan
to startle her liege lord into repentance.
One night, after tbe little bronze clock
bad sounded forth a dozen chimes, the hus
band entered the flat in the condition usual
to gentlemen who devote tbemselves too as
siduously to their offices. He lonnd on the
table a note addressed to himself, informing
bim that his spouse had gone to the opera
with "a friend."
- Stifling a word which is not to found in
the ritual, he sank into a ch lir and gazed
vacantly into the fire. Remorse entered his
heart, and he murmured an audible, vow
that he would never, no never, in italicized
capitals, go out at night without his dear
little wife. Was his repentance too late
has his wife's heart already hardened toward
him? "Who was this "triend," anyhow?
He wonld go to the Metropolitan and escort
her home himself. He arose excitedly and
started for the door, but his progress was
arrested by a pair of langbing black eyes
that peeped at him from behind the por
tieres. That was six months ago, and since
then a fond husband has discovered hat bis
darlipg is even more entertaining than she
was in ante-nuptial days. l
THE TOAD-STOAE.
A Celebrated Amnlrt and the Remarkable
Properties Credited to It.
Troy Times.
The toad has had its day of importance in
the minds of these who look for specifics
against diseases, and so has the toad-stone,
which was described by Joanna Baillie In a
letter to Sir "Walter Scott as a "celebrated
amulet which was never lent to anyone unless
npon a bond for $1,000 marks for its being
safely restored. It was sovereign for pro
tecting new-born children and their mothers
from the power of tbe fairies, and has been
repeatedly borrowed from mj mother for
this purpose."
This amulet was described as being a con
vex circular stone, rather less than three
quarters of an inch in diameter, semi-transparent,
Harkgray and apparently silicions
composition it was set in a massive silver
thumb-ring. Besides its virtue as a charm
for keeping off wicked fairies, the toad
stone was believed to be a specific against
diseases of the kidneys; it was immersed in
a cup of water and then quaffed off.
A Parson Tarns Lawyer.
Detroit News. J . ,
Au Ypsilanti preacher appeared la court
the other day and made an eloquent plea
for a man charged with stealing coal, and
tbe man was discharged,, to the preacher's
unconcealed delight
English, bat Feor Xsglbh.
Philadelphia Be cord.
"Aparty"la'ttheworti.aByaore. It la
English, and imperative to av "unction."
A west Spruce street vonth. limiui
with the fJMt. Ml ijMarl Basis for a euchre
. , .-. w . .,
THE FIRESIDE, SPHIM
A Collectira of Enianatical Nnt5 for
Some CracME j
Addreu communication for thU department
to E. B. Chadboubn. Lewiiton, Maine.
881 AN ACT OF CONGRESS.
Tell what the imp is trying to do that Coo
gressmen frequently attempt B. 8. B.
882 HIDDEN- BEPTTXES.
Of a cood little boy. who aspires to tbe name
Of Roger Newton, I now write:
His kinky-haired pate is quite unknown ttf
fame,
But his friends think him clever and. bright.
His naked feet dance to a dear little song;
As he Jumps every morn from his bed;
He can make a salam, and ere very long
Be thinks be can stand on bis head.
Tbe years drag on slowly with bim, for he talks
Every day of when he is a man,"
And regreta that his mother his progress e'er
balks.
And keeps bim a child while she can.
Bitter Swext.
883 TKAirsposmos'.
One? day when poor Biddy had hnngouttha
clothes,
All looking so clean, and so white,
Down came the whole line, shirts, sheets, skirts)
and hose
Provoking, indeed, it was quite.
Then into he house, grumbling loudly, lha
went.
But paused as she passed little May,
Who on her geography intent,
JThese words over and over did say:
"A 'maginary line passing over the earth."
" '0, u tAere' one surer' Biddy cried
"Will it rod in onr yard?" she questioned, wltS
mirth,
"With the onld one me patience was tried."
"A machinery line," she thought May had
said
And Imagined she had bnt to touch
Some spring in tbe fence, when, whii! past her
head
Flies the line, laughing. May said, 'Not
much."
Gwexdouxk.
884 DIAMOND.
LA letter. 2: Equality of circumstances. 8,
.furnished with 'a sole. 4. A large bale of
woot 5. Curtains. (8upp.) OL A violent, lr.
regular and unnatural beating of the heart 7.
Re-imbues. 8. Certain birds. 9. Controls. 10.
To wu of Spain. 11. A letter. Dbojuo.
835 CHARADE.
When I was old enough to know,
"X found myself la a little shell.
Witb fire small brothers in a row,
Each living in our tiny celt'
Here hid from view the outer world
We never cared about;
We dwelt in peace without a two.
And never once fell out.
In form and feature I was round.
And my complexion it was green;
A natural tint I shortly found.
In every bealthy four is seen.
Here, nurtured by tbe Darent vine,
Ann cradled in a pericarp.
Naught came to one my happiness,
Or my sweet disposition warp.
I flourished, grew quite plums and thrt.
And rounder, too, as I grew'on;
A pretty sight I was to see.
A goodly whole to gaze npon Tm. L yr!w
Without a care. I little thought R
My happy ydunglif e would be brlef
That on destruction's ragged edge !
I'd shortly come to grief. jt
One day the gardener came along, "i ,'
Attracted by my size, no doubt;
He with a sudden jerk and strong, i
Plucked me and shelled me ont
Alast would I had gone to seed, "
Or left alone to fade and droop,
Boside the sear and yellow leal,"
Instead, I'm 'In the soup."
Osceola.
886 GIBLS.
Who's the girl born for warfare?
Thefcirl that's a game.
The girl for a sportsman
Tis known by her name?
The girl good for fetching? . S-
The one made for court? ft .
. Who'll call folks to dinner? I
Who's jaunty for sport? -8f
Who's made for a milliner? "W
Who can write books?
Who's a great foreign city?
And who grows in brooks?
Who's flavored with pepper?
Who covers the floor?
Who's charming in summer?
Who's cram-full of lore?
J. A.
887 A TBAIS- OP CABS.
L What car runs to Montreal in the winter
season?
2. What car sometimes has many tracks?
3. What car is seen only in the Sodthera
Hemisphere?
4. What car runs continually during a PresI
dental campaign?
6. What two cars are of a bright color?
0. What car takes the place of another?
Eum.
888 DEOP tVOBD PUZZLE.
The missing words taken In order form
familiar proverb.
"Let them bave it how they will I
Tbou art weary; best be ."
Matthew Arnold.
"Pour out thy love like the rush of a river .
Wasting its forever and ever."
Base Terry Cooke.-'
"All habits gather by unseen degrees, I
As brooks make rivers, rivers to seas" -Dryden't
OrtoV? '
and still that gliding stream
Beautiful to thee must seem
As the river of a dream ." " -
S. W. LongfeUoxe.
Bxxv
889 DECAP1TATIOK.
&
&
In pain I sought the dentist's whole;
r uii wen Knew mat ne
Wonld muss my too pride of my soul
Till I a fright would be. . i
Of course. I took three vitalized " '
And dreaded not tbe tooth.
Whose parting pang I realized l
And cared not for, in truth.
Bnt when a person's miles from hom
Or from a looking glass
Disheveled two ana lack of comb
Leaves no thought but "alas I"
Bitteb SW3SXT.
ANSWERS.
872 Follow after 'Charity. ("Follow" afte
chair right eye).
873 Loona-citv.
874 "House' vacated. Telegraph abont
tacbing sixty reams paper fn basement"
875 Stenographer.
875 - p
PAP
BASES
B'U R S T E R
PARTERRES .
PA 8SKGAKUES
877 Doll-man.
878 Ode (owed) to a washerwoman.
879 Rived, diver, drive.
88G- TjsbaphiM
E r t v a ITE
li A Z I N E S S
ellipsis
qaiizs o j e
res train
aobsxiko
pax.x.xate
Huckster
m
Bebenoabia. the lovely consort jSf;;
Richard the rLion-Hearted, broneht fro.
the court of Cyprus the exquisite Orientals
perfume, which Atkinson has again
MuusoaBi, wo extract ox wnypre.
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