I V it ESTABLISHED FEBRUARY 8. 1818, VoL IS. Ho. 80. Enterec" at rittsburg l'ostofflce. Kovcmber 14, 1SS7, at second-class matter. Business OfficeComer Smlthfleld and Diamond Streets. News Booms and Publishing House 75, 77 and 70 Diamond Street. lulen Advertising Office. Koom , Tribune Building, KewYork. THE DISPATCH is regularly on tale. at Srentano's, 5 Union Square, A'ew York, and n Ave. dc t Opera. Paris, France, and IS Strand. Jondon, Eng where anyone who has been disappointed at a hotel newt Hand can obtain U. TERMS OF THE DlfPATCH. rOSTAGI FREE IN TBI UNITED ETATXS. Iiailt Dispatch. One Year. 8C0 DAILY DISPATCH, 1'er Quarter SCO Dailt D16PATCB, One Month - 70 Daily Dispatch, lndudingSunday, lyear. 1000 DA1LT DISPATCH, IncludinRBunday.Sm'ths. 250 Daily Dispatch. Including Sunday, 1 month SO Sunday Dispatch, one Year SS0 t exkly Dispatch, One Year 1 3 The Daily DisrATcn is delivered bycarrlers at Jfeentsper -week, or Including bunday edition, at JO cents per week. PITTSBURG. MONDAY. APR. 2S. 1S80. -taJ-The BUSINESS OFFICE of THE DIS PATCH has been removed to Corner of Smithfield and Diamond Streets. THE EIGHT-HOUB QUESTIOH. The eight-hour moTement, which will oc cupy the attention or eo large a share of the industrial world during the coming week, is made the subject of a number of interviews with laboring men and employes elsewhere. The general attitude in Pittsburg is in favor of the abstract idea of shortening the hours of labor, although there is necessarily a considerable divergence in opinions as to the practicability of the present movement. The view which has heretofore been ex pressed in these columns finds wide accept ance, that Pittsburg's position in this mat ter is that of an Interested spectator while the contest is determined elsewhere. Onr city is so far in advance on this subject that it can legitimately expect other cities to set tle this question before taking it up here. If the eight-hour movement is a success in other cities Pittsburg will undoubtedly adopt it withont unnecessary trouble. If it is not, our industries can hardly be expected to advance further in that direction than they already have done. CLEAEING HOUSE AND CENSUS. There is something well calculated to stir local pride in Pittsburg's wonderful march upward in the list ot American cities. Three years ago it passed Cincinnati in the volume of its business, as shown by the Clearing House reports. Then, swiftly, it overtook and left behind New Orleans and San Francisco. Next it set ont to distance Baltimore; and now, and for some time past, it has had but five leaders among American cities, viz.: Xew Xork, Boston, Philadel phia, Chicago and St Louis. The Pittsburg returns will soon eclipse those of St. Louis also. Last week our local business, as shown bv the Clearing House, amounted to nearly $18,000,000, or three times what it was six or seven years ago, when various speculations, such as in oil and grain,which are now dormant, were rife and extensive. Yet upon the census return of population Pittsburg is fated to have a ridiculous rela tive standing. By reason of Allegheny and the big boroughs appearing separately, Pittsburg, though .sixth in business and in importance, will not rank better than tenth or twelfth, if so well, in the population re ports. "We will doubtless be able to snow up a splendid increase, falling perhaps lit tle short of a total of 300,000; but if Alle gheny were included the joint showing would be well on to S00.000.if not actually in excess of that. If the exigencies of politics and the survi val of prejudices do not permit of actual consolidation, it is still a pity that the com munity, which is practically one in interest and in all essential facts, should not have the benefit of a right representation in the national census reports which are to be spread before the world in a few months. THE PABMEBS' PB0FITS. The investigation into the condition of farming in Western Pennsylvania, made by The Dispatch's road expedition, touches upon a subject of vast interest and wide scope. The field is so large, and there are so many variations due to the circumstances of each especial case, that the statements in to-day's letter can hardly be regarded as definite conclusions but rather as the indi cations of what a more exhaustive investi gation might disclose. The indications from the reports gleaned in nearly a dozen connties are that while "Western Pennsylvania does not share the reported agricultural depression, the profits of farming have been considerably cut down of late years. In this, farming is not peculiar. The profits of manufacturing and business capital, except where magnified by an artificial monopoly, are not what they once were. As a part of the complaint is that agricultural labor is higher than formerly it is clear that the reduction has been in the returns on capital engaged in agriculture like that in commerce and in dustry. Some of the details of the complaint indicate a leak in busi ness management. A leading trouble is the low price of cattle, on account of the competition of Western cattle, and one farmer puts it that he cannot get over 3c per pound for fattened cattle. Yet the live stock reports show the price for' the upper grades of cattle in Pittsburg to be 45c live weight. It seems that the farm ers of "Western Pennsylvania ought to be able to get their cattle to Pittsburg at a less charge than 34l)e per ponnd for the mid dleman. The sum total of these observations is that by hard work, intelligently directed, and with reasonable economy, the "Western Pennsylvania farmer can earn a fair living and lay up a modest provision for old age. The classes of industry where that is not necessary for success in life are very rare. OUT OF PROPORTION. The programme which is reported to be marked out by the leaders in the Honse is said to assign two days to. the silver bill, one day to the Morrill pension bill, and ten days to the tariff. By such an apportion ment of time it it hoped that Congress can get through its work in time for a June adjournment. The programme looks like business, and in that view it is to be applauded; but it can hardly tail to provoke some comments by the --contrast with the apportionment already made. The difference between two days for a measure that affects the standard of values for the whole nation, and about sixty days for a fight over the rules is im pressive. One day for a forty million dollar pension bill is rather out of ratio with thirty or forty days spent in unseating Democratic Congressmen and seating Republicans. Ten days for pnblio debate on the tariff and six months in committee work on it is a pe culiar apportionment. The contrast can be summed up by the practical' proposition to devote from fifteen to thirty days on measures affecting the publio welfare, after spending something like a hundred and fifty in fight ing for partisan control. The Republican leaders are evidently in need of some practical instruction on the artistic importance of proportion in values. C0HFETITIYE S00THJESS. The political debate in the House last week was a decided illustration of the char acteristic vice of current politics. That is the fact that nearly all political argument which takes any definite shape at present, can be summed up by the claim of each party that the other one is worse than it is. The debate in question was little more than a mutual enlargement br each party on the corruption of the other, and neither side appeared able to appreciate the fact that the result of the competitive accusations was to lower both in the estimation of sensible and thinking people. The respective blackness of the pot and kettle may be a proper subject for discus sion by an impartial and unbesmirched out sider, but when each of the sooty utensils gives itself over to enlarging on the dirtiness of the other, both expose themselves to ridi cule and contempt. An example of this dis tinction is shown in a society play now on the stage. The low-comedy hero and hero ine, by an indiscreet combination of the dal liance of love-making with the smoked glass intended to view an eclipse, get the smirch from the glass first on the face of one, whence it is transferred to the other. "When the other characters come in and inspect the tell-tale evidence on their faces, they have the right to view the blackened faces with superior ridicule; but when each of the blackened characters discovers only the soot on the face of the other and begins to laugh at it, both are seen to be only bringing ridi cule on themselves. That is exactly what our political lights are doing when the Re publicans enlarge on the corruption of Tam many and the Democrats retort with the charges on Quay and the carpet-baggers. Our eminent legislators are simply repeat ing the act of the young couple in the play, by each making a great fuss over the smirch on the other, in ridiculous and somewhat contemptible oblivion of the equal smirch on itself. Yet it is strange that men who aspire to reputation in statesmanship cannot see how degrading the pot and kettle argument is, not only to themselves, but to the whole subject of politics. It ought to be plain to them, that a party's claim to public sup port must rest on measures for the public good, or by reforms of well-known abuses. "When instead of basing reputation on abso lute administrative cleanness and economy, the best that each side can do is to loudly claim that the other is the worst of the two, the conclusion is somewhat strongly indi cated that the moral status of both is de cidedly low. The evil of that sort of politics is also seen in its more direct degrading effect. "When the best that either party can do is to claim that the other is a little worse, each is likely to entertain a secret idea that it can afford to rival the other in dishonest or unwarrantable acts. The wrong committed by one set of partisans is copied by another. One party gerrymanders for its own advantage while raising the hue and cry about the gerry manders of the other. The Democratic Speaker of one legislative body forces parti san measures because the Republican Bpeaker of another body has done the same thing. As each party denounces the acts of' the other as criminal, by doing the same acts themselves, they fnrnish the practical proof that this class of politics has reduced them to the level where they are ready to commit political crimes because the other party does. It is to be hoped that sometime we shall obtain an elevation of our politics, and our politicians shall see that the true rivalry of parties must be as to which is most enlight ened, honest and careful of the public rights, instead of which is the most dishon est, reckless and ready to disregard princi ples for the sake of party. AN UNSUPPLD2D WANT. We are grieved to observe that a com ment ot The Disfatch, on a remark of the Chicago Timet that Southern Bessemer pig can be made for $8 50 per ton, has wonnded the susceptibilities of that esteemed cotem porary, which retorts by defining ''the Pittsburg breed of pig as a tariff-fed ani mal which, in the last analysis, is found to be mostly appetite." If this paper had in dulged in any disrespectful remarks con cerning the Chicago hog, the anger of the Times would have been expected; but it was known that its championship ot the porcine species extended to Southern pig iron. As the original point is one of industrial im portance to Pittsburg, it is worth repeating that Southern pig is exactly as much of a tariff-fed animal as the Pittsburg breed; and Pittsburg is anxious to buy all of the Southern Bessemer pig-that can be manu factured at 58 60 per ton, with the cost of freight added. But as a practical defini tion of Bessemer pig is pig iron ont of which Bessemer steel can be made, and as the Southern iron shipped to this city can not be used as the material for Bessemer steel, the hunger of our rolling mills for Bessemer pig of that cheapness is still unsatisfied. "Neither cobblestones nor Belgian blocks can any longer be considered a suitable pavement for a civilized city," declares the Philadelphia Press. In that case what is Pitts burg doing with its pavements? Will our city authorities either correct the Press or their policy of laying block stone for pavements? Ix is interesting to observe that while Flack got a few months in jail, Bookstaver, the Jndge in whose court the conspiracy was car ried out, has got off with a coat of whitewash from the Assembly Committee to investigate the matter with reference to his impeachment. The trial of Flack was in public, and the inves tigation of Bookstaver was private. Can that explain the difference in the efficiency of their respectivo "pulls?" Go'cebsok Poster remarks that Murat Balsteaa has gone to New York In order "to allow the Republicans in Ohio to reunite and carry the next election." In that case it might be well for Foster to follow Haletead's ex ample. With Foster absent the Republicans might bave a chance. It is reported that the friends of ex-President Cleveland hare persuaded Hon. W. L. Scott to draw out of the fight against Wallace. This is unnecessary. The supporters of Wal lace need not object to the antagonism of the manwnohas just put himself on record as in politics for tbe sake of tbe corporations; but the friends of Pattison should urge tbe Cleve land men to prevail on Scott to stop supporting Pattison. After the banquet is over, has no one observed the omission to applaud and indorse the Administration? How will this be ex plained at tbe Whito House? The discovery by a Dispatch cor respondent of a farmer's boy in Crawford county who never heard of Senator Selamater is perhaps not a grave impeachment of cither tbe agricultural Intelligence, or the Crawford Senator, either. Indeed we can conceive it to be possible that there arc farmers of the com ing generation who have very hazy ideas of Senator Quay, and yet be none tbe worse for it. It is encouraging to observe that the police have discovered that it is within the scope of their duty to prosecute the speak easies, and have commenced on tho most fash ionable one. With that good work kept on it is possible that the license law will now be en forced. The news that the Marquis de Mores has blossomed ont as an Anarchist in Paris Is prima fade evidence that his banker father-in-law must have got tired of corning down with the means to support that titled rounder. This is sufficient to make the Marquis very bitter against wealth. Nothing Is so exasperating to tbe professional adventurer as the wealth that he cannot get a share of. Silver has got up to 105, and twenty five cents more of an advance will put it on a par with gold. Hut if that remarkable advance should take place it might be questioned whether a metal which fluctuates so widely is a proper one to use as a measure of values. "British capitalists continue to uy up Amencan business Interests at fabulous prices. The prices are literally fabulous," says the Cin cinnati Commercial Gazette. But tbe prices are not more fabulous than the stock which tbe syndicates palm off on the confiding British in vestors. Tbe fable will in time teach the poor investors the difference between water and hard cash. PURELY PERSONAL. The Bev. Hugh Price Hnghes, London's sensational preacher, will probably visit the United States during tbe present year. Aabon Burxham, of Essex, Mass., cele brated his 93d birthday last week. He voted for "Old Hickory" in 1824, and again in 1&8. The new Marquis of Normandy is the Rev. Lord Mulgrave. He is one of the most popular clergymen in the North of England, and is a bard worker. Dr. Joseph Jones, of New Orleans, is col lecting material for a Confederate medical and surgical history of tho War. & will be a col lection of hospital records. Prof. A. N. Klaer, a Norwegian statisti cian, has discovered and declared tbat tbe mar riage state Increases tbe death rate among women and decreases it among men. Kentabo Kxxeko, of Japan, is in Washing ton, making a study of the workings ot Con gress for the purpose of suggesting a system of legislation to the Japanese Government .Prince1 Albert Victor was provided with regal recalement by the Maharajah of Jeypore. He bad quail fights, dog fights, buffalo fights and elephant lights all served up for him in one day. Dr. Oliver Wendell Holmes was 50 when he began to crow bald. He tried several enres for opalecia, bnt they simply had the ef fect of rendering his dome of tbonght all the more opalescent. JIme. CARNOT,wife of the French President, visits hospitals, assists at bazaars, entertains all classes, and is kind to everybody. She buys the laces of which she is so fond in France, and will have no dealings with foreigners. Judge Jeremiah Smith, of Dover, N. H., has been appointed to a professorship in tbe Law School at Harvard. He will move to Cambridge immediately. Judge Smith is one of the ablest lawyers in tbe State. Mb. P. F. Collier, proprietor of Once a Week, is to be enteitained at Delmonico's this evening, at a banquet offered him by tbe lead ing officials connected with his paper. The oc casion is tha celebration of tbe second anni versary of Once a Week. Last week Queen Victoria summoned a pho tographer to Aix-lcs-Bains, all tbe way from Cannes, in order tbat he might take a series of portraits of herself and those members of the royal family who are staying with her. One large photograph was taken of tbe wholegronp, including tbe Connanght children. SILVER LEGISLATION Acting na.a Powerfnl Stlmalant Upon the Stock Market. New York, April 27. Henry Clews A Co. will say to-morrow: The prospect of silver leg islation is acting as a powerful stimulant upon the stock market. Although the bill which seems most likely to pass, tbat adopted in Re publican caucus Wednesday night, satisfies comparatively few; yet everyone has but one opinion as to its stimulating effect upon val ues, which not only counteracts opposition, but gives it a support which wonld otherwise not be accorded. There is, of course, some speculation as to what President Harrison will do in tbe case: whether be will give it official sanction, or exercise tbe power of veto. Thus far the President has been conspicuously silent: still, it is known that he is largely influenced by the advice of Secretary Windom in such matters, and now that tbe most radical dancers of silver inflation have been avoided, the bill may receive bis approval, political exigencies are such that it wonld bo a crave roisforiune for tbe party m"power to find itself in antagonism with tbe Chief Executive upon such an im portant question a? this. Conditions are such as compel the Republicans to maintain harmony, and no bill which would invite a veto is likely to be passed. Withont wishing to predict, we incline to the opinion that Presi dent Harrison's position is sufficiently well understood to secure tbe drafting of a bill tbat will meet with his approval. Of course, the effect of this contemplated ex pansion of tho currency will bo highly stimu lative. In the more sparsely settled parts of the country there have been very severe com plaints about tbe scarcitv of money, ana even at the centers of population business has been hampered by the same cause. Tbe present sup ply of currency has proved inadequate to meet pressing demands, arising from the wonderful development of industry now in progress. In this country it is now about S22 per capita. In tbe United Kingdom, where a compact population greatly increases tbe efficiency of circulation, it is about $20 per capita, and in France, where similar conditions prevail, it is nearly 40 per capita. In a country so sparsely populated as tbe United States, where currency in some sec tions necessarily moves with less facility than in others; in other words, where a triveu sum is able to do imperfect work, it is evident that we can safely stand considerable expansion, whether it be considered advisable or not. There Is no doubt that tne dangers of silver inflation have been much exaggerated, and, real or fanciful, they are so distant as to have no effect on the early future. Is Thin llio Hand of Sir. Scon? , An Erie dispatch to the New York Times says: Tbe contemplated alliance of faimers of Erie and Crawford counties for political action has created a suspicion in this quarter that the movement bears tbe earmarks of Hon. Will iam L. Scott, of Erie. It is enrrently reported tbat tbe gentleman Mas aspiring for a seat in the United States Senate. The farmers pro pose to meet in Union City on Thursday next, and line of action will be laid ont. Dnvld Martin's Narrow Escape. From the 'Washington Fori. One of Senator Quay's lieutenants, David Martin. Collector of Internal Revenue in one of tbe Pennsylvania districts, had a narrow es cape at the Riggs House. A colored boy came into bis room to light the gas. His match went out. He struck another and turned on another jet, leaving the first one running full head. Mr. Martin was almosr unconscious when tbe escaping gas was discovered. Hadn't Hemorrhage of tbe Brain. CHICAGO, April 27. Miss Marie Wainwright arrived here this morning and was much sur prised to learn of the alarming reports of her condition sent from Minneapolis on Saturday night. Miss Wainwright said tbat she bad not bad any hemorrhage of the brain, and that all she had been -uffering from was an attack of neuralgia, which, though extremely painful, was certainly not dangerous. Cnmpbell n Horrid Spoilsman. From the Washington Post. Governor Campbell, having grown tired ot dilatory tactics of tbe Legislature on reorgan ization matters, has wielded the ax, and the official bead of Railroad Commissioner Cap peller, a close friend of ex-Governor Foraker, now graces the basket. Governor Campbell seems to be one of those horrid spoilsmen. Onto of llie i'rlsoo Congress. ST. PETERaBURO, April 27. The prisons congress will open on Jnne 15. The Prince of Oldenburg will preside. Three hundred dele gates will be present. An Anonymous Amhor's Notable Contribu tion to American Fiction Judge Tour STeo's New Book Sketch of a Scotch Country Pat lsh. iiTm! Splendid Spur" (Cassell Publish Ine Co.. H. Watts A Co., 50 cents) is written by somebody who hides his identity be hind tbe letter Q, Such excellent work, how ever, ought not to remain unonymous. "The Splendid Spur" belongs with Stevenson's "Black Arrow" and Coran Doyle's "Mlcah Clarke." It is tbe same sort of b ook a story of a hundred and more adventures, escapes, fightings, victories and deeds of daring. Liko "Uicah Clarke," the scene is laid in the days of the strnggle between tho Roundheads and the Puritans, and the plot is tho record, for tho most part, of a perilous journey. Like the "Black Arrow," the hero and the heroine, two most charming people, go hand in hand through all the danger's. "Tho Splendid Spur," like each of these others which it re sembles, is written in the quaint language of that old day. Indeed, we would find it hard to say which of these excellent books wo like best. And that, with such surprisingly good writers in the al ternative as Stevenson and Doyle, means a great deal. It is a little odd to think of Steven son's name connected with "Tho Wrong Box," which has not a trace of Stevenson's style about it, and then "The Splendid Spur," which is delightfully Stevensonesqne from beginning to end, and only a letter to indicate tbe author. Some books are worth reading for their style and some for their plot, but "The Splendid Spur" rewards the reader in both particulars. Such adventures! Out of tbe frying pan into tbe fire nearly every time, but still escaping at the endl And such remarkable coincidences! Exactly tho right thing happening at precisely the right timel The book is full of action. There is fighting to be done, ruffians to be faced, prisons to be escaped out of, fair ladles to bo defended, castles to be broken into, villains to be unmasked, war going on and the course of it depending on tidings which our hero is hur rving to bring; a capital brave young fellow is Jack Marvel, and Delia, the heroine, is too. charming for description. Whoever wrote "The Splendid Spur" knows how to write the clearest and purest Shake spearian English, and how to construct tbe most elaborate and thrilling series of adven tures which one can well imagine. V ArissMORDECK's Father" (Dodd, Mead & Co., H. Watts & Co., Jl 00) leaves all the conventional plots quite to one side. It Is re freshing for its perfect freshuess of situation. It begins with two heroines so absolutely alike that the hero cannot tell them apart, neither of them being aware of the existence of the other, and the hero never dreaming that there is more than one in tho world who bears the features of his lady-love. This of Itself promises plenty of predicaments, but the strongest part of the story comes after and centers about Miss Mordeck's Father," as tho title indicates. It reminds tho reader of Grant Allen's "Strange Stories," after each of which we stop and say to ourselves. "Well, why not?" It would be un fair to reveal the secrect which hangs a veil of mystery over Miss Mordeck's Father. It is best to leave that for everybody's individual guessing. The author hag read some of the singular disappearance stories which have been in tho papers now and then for the past year or two, and has used them most skillfully. Tho best part of "Miss Mordeck's Father" Is the plot. The naming of the characters Is particularly absurd. "Shreves Chllson" ana "Browne Mordeck" and "Naida Sunbar" are a little too much on tbe sensational order. The conversations are pretty well done. But the plot is the emphatic virtue of the book. It ever one could wish for the realization of the conditions of that charming Japanese ruiuaute "The Shadow in tho Water." in which the hero marries both are heroines, it is here. . Judge Tourgee Is very well posted on tbe law and on the negro question. He has written a cood deal in one way and another about tbe negro qucstlon.and his ideas are well known. His last book, which we received some months ago "With Graye and Swallow" was a book of law stories. The lawyer and the negro are both present in the pages of Pactolut Prime. (Cassell Publishing Company, J. R. Weldin & Co.. SI 50.) There is quite an in genious plot running tnrougn me uou, mut; it takes the reader quite a while to get to it. And even when the plot Is fnlly developed tho details of it are not quite clear. But tho fault may be in the hasty eyes of the reader. Thestorv opens in the basement of tbe Best House in Washington, where Pactolns Prime ii blacking boots. For this is the position of tbe hero. He is a bootblack who is rumored to have made a fortune by carefully' saved and In vested earnings, and who certainly has the girt of speech and the gift of making other people speak. The customers come in, and there! is a( long series of conversations rather too long some may think all being upon the negro question. The point upon which the conversa tions turn is whether or not the negro really has a chance. The characters who are thus brought in as stalking horses for the display of arguments enter, some of them again, as a part of the story. Tho story Is pathetic enough. And in spite of its being somewhat overlaid with dissertation, attracts and retains the read er's interest. Tt seems to be unnecessary that the publishers should preface their books, as here and in "Tbe Splendid Spur" with a page or two of introductory advertisement. It would be better to let the writer speak for himself, as both of these writers are quite capable of doing. Here is a good sentence, however, out of the intro duction which tells the truth about the book and its hero admiraDly. "Pactolus Prime" is the JEdipus of American flction.not less marked than bis classical prototype in tho singular pathos of his life, in the patience and bopeless bitterness with which he faces his destiny, and in the exalted philosophy with which he passes by tho half-unconscions instruments of his doom, to denounce and defy the im palpable tendencies which impel him and them toward a fato as inexorable as tbat which tbe weird sisters meted out to the woful victim of the most thrilling of the Greek tragedies. . ,taytd Todd: the Romance of his Life and Loving" (Cassell Publishing Com pany, J. R. Weldin & Co., 50 cents), is a series of pictures. There is a story in the book, and a very good one; a story which conceives the disposition of a large sum of money, and the identifying of lost heirs, and one love affair which goes wrong and another which goes right, and a brave act of honest and honorable self denial. It is bad enough for Davia Todd to lose his lady love, but to lose a fortune also, and to have them both go the same way Into tho keeping of his rival this is bad indeed. This is the story. But the story is the least part of it. The book is a series of sketches of the people of a country parish in Scotland where David Todd is minister. The Scotch dialect is capitally done, and the people are made verv real. David Todd's congregation were of the kind which ono would look for in a little old Scotch town like Crosscairn. They were, most of them, of the mind ot the good old woman who in a strange place went into a strange church, and seeing inscribed over the pulpit "God is love." made haste to get away, realizing with a sensation of horror that she had entered the doors of a conventicle of heretical Universal ists. and found refuge in another church around tho (comer upon whose walla was em blazoned tbe legend: "Onr God is a consuming tire." "Ding, dong! Ding.dong!" The hell in the tower answering to Sandy's hand clangs and clashes overhead in a noisy tempest of sound which melts in gradual tones to a clear and ringing voice, dying at last amid a series of jerkey rumblings and vibrations up among the rafters. Then it goes out of existence finally, with a rasping groan and a sigh of relief, as the rope chafes the revolving wheel. The Crosscairn people, listening underneath, hear in the first loud clang of the bell a suggestion ot the last trump and the final iudgment, it may be; for they start, whenever it comes, like guilty persons, and in the rumbling vibration of sound, and the wheezing sigh of the chafing rope, are remindod of the death rattle of some non-communicant sinner. . A T last the belt stops and the service begins, "- singing, Psalms of David, long meter, led bv precentor who whines through his nose. Then the long prayer and after that the sermon, text, "Be kindly aifectioned one to another in brotherly love." After the sermon the con gregation make their comments. "Hoo did ye like the minister this morn in'?" says one. "I didna like him ava'." "But it was a soonn discourse." "Ay, it was a' soond thegither." Another group: "That was a fine sermon." "Dae ye think sae? Weel, ye're easily pleased." Another group: "Hoo did ye like that ser mon?" "The text was a gnid ane, bnt the handling o' it was bad. I cud have din better mvself." Another group: "Did yo see Bessie Dickie's new bonnet?"' "Are, she looks like a fule in it. Tbe brazen cuttle! I ne'er could abide the Dickie tribe, frae that vain bizzie. Bessie, tae her worldly auld sinner o' a fayther." David Maclure is the author of "David Todd." Ho has also written "Thoughts on Life." This book is a scrap book of such thoughts, interspersed with pictures of back country Scotch folk, and held together by a thread of story. V iiAK AWAKENING," byMIss Forsyth, is not a pleasant awakening. Tho beroino awakens to the true character of tho hero too late, however, for they are married before she finds out. (John W. Lovell Co.; 25 cents.) Jn Ser Earliest Youth, by Tasma, and The Little Chatelaine, by tbe Earl of Desart,are late issnes in the "International Series" of Messrs. Frank F. Lovell & Co., who announce that "every work in this series is published by arrangement with the author." Apropos of the Lovells, tnere Is a letter re cently published in The Critic over Mr John W.LovelPs signature. in which he says, referring to the completion of the great cheap book "trust," tbat tbe price of paper-covered books will not be affected by this combination, unless Congress adopts the recommended ad vance of SOU per cent in the postage of such literature. A GREAT ENTERPRISE. Soma of the Rich Ingredients Composing; Tho Bandar DUpslcb. Amonuof 24 pages made a very choice liter ary banquet for Dispatch readers yesterday, the feast being much more ample than usual. Everything ono could wish, from the light soup of floating events, throngh pieces de resistance of fresh foreign and domestic news to the rich dessert of special articles by brainy contrib utors, tbe whole embellished with artUtlo sketches embracing excellent likenesses and scenery from many lands. With 192 columns of rich reading matter the public at large yes terday had a rare treat in the Sunday dis patch. L Public interest centered mainly in tbe local department, In which was published the only complete account of the great Amerlcus Clnb banquet, the speeches and toasts in full, letters of regret, a full list of the clnb members and diagram of the dining hall In tbe Seventh Ave nue Hotel, Indicating the seats occupied by each one present. Local politics were also fully treated by The Dispatch staff writers, while the industrial news of the district was carefully complied and shown to bo a most interesting feature. A full resume of the local events furnished food for thought, regret or merriment to The DISPATCH readers, accor ding to the nature of the news. IL The telegraphic news was copious and varied, particular attention being given to the efforts of European governments to suppress labor demonstrations, especially the preparations for tbe May Day celebrations. Tbat continent is shown to be on the eve of an irruption which will need the arm of military force to suppress, and disaffection is shown to exist even in the Austrian army. The floods in the Mississippi Valley are accurately described and grapblo accounts given of the suffering and loss en tailed. Tbe President notifies the Florida Regulators that he will enforce respect for the law in that State through the agency of the United States marshals. Tbe Indians of the Tongue river agency are highly excited over tho appearance of a self-announced Messiah, who threatens them with dire disaster in case they refuse to acknowledge him. The political, social, sporting and general news of the world were all fully treated in the mammoth issue of yesterday's Dispatch. m. The special department covered tales of travel, and clever articles by talented writers. Frank G. Carpenter gives an account of Grant's adventures in Mexico, which was most appro priate for the date, and very interesting. Charles T. Murray did gay Gotham in an at tractive manner, with his nsnal descriptive ability. Fannie B. Ward gives an Interesting treatise on tho metropolis of Ecnador, and Henry Haynle gave points to the Department of Public Works by describing the parks of Paris. Beside these were dozens of other able contributions, affording pleasure to all. amuse ment to some, and instruction to many. Tbe old soldier was recognized by an exhaustive re view of Grand Army affairs, and tbe yonng ones were pleased with copious national guard notes. Pringle's Review was read with Interest by old sports, and all the current sporting news faithfully reproduced. Yesterday's Dispatch was truly a marvel of a newspaper enterprise. BInrrled Fifty Years. ISrZClAL TBLEQBAM TO THE DISPATCH.! Massillon, April 27. Mr. and Mrs. David Rogers, a wealthy and prominent couple living two miles from this city, celebrated their golden wedding yesterday. CDERESX TIMELY TOPICS. Patti closed her farewell American tour Batnrday evening In New York City. It may be a year and it may be longer belore she will appear again. AN Ohio paper is greatly surprised at the fact that the newspapers said nothing abont'ex Presldent Hayes' hens when he sailed for Ber muda. The hens, like everything else, mnsthave a rest occasionally. The latch-string will be fonnd on the outside of many new drinking places on Thursday morn ing. What a startling piece of news it would be if tbe sllngers of intoxicants should resolve to go out on strike Thursday after being in enforced idleness for several months! It matters not to the workingman whether he is paid in gold, silver or greenbacks. It is the scarcity of either that bothers him mostly. Rain-in-the-Face, a Sioux chief, has ap plied for a Job on the Bismarck police force. The average Indian, true to his nature, Is always looking for more rest. One whole week has passed and all tho umpires who reported at the opening game are still in the flesh. Either the world or the umpire is getting better. There are worse towns to live In than Pittsburg on a Sunday. A Wisconsin Judge has decided that a dentist has no right to draw a tooth on the babbath day. It Is safe to say that Ills Honor never was the owner or a genuine case of toothache. A wnoLE week has come and gone and no 'election was held in Rhode Island. The voter is probably taking a rest to catch bis second wind. The Ram's Horn, edited by a reformed in fidel, says: "If there wasn't so much money In the world there would be more religion." Still there are men in. this country who have neither money nor religion. The Duke of Orleans Is to be married in prison. He should make a model husband, as his wife wlll'know where be spends his evenings. The statement that Bismarck bad written a letter favoring local option hag been authori tatively denied. Mr. Gladstone, however, wrote the letter referred to. Tbe Iota is not sucn a dry one after all. The spire of tho Brunswick, Me., Baptist Church was torn down recently. Instead of fall ing on the ground, as was expected, the spire went plumb Into the cistern below the sidewalk. Baptist to tbe last," was the quiet remark of a bystander. A B-A-A-D MAN. Tho worst man I ever know'd is livln here about. An' the goody folks an' deeklss Is a tryln' to run him out. He don't go to meetln', and I tell what I think. There's times when he don't make no hones in tafcln' of a drink. I've heern it said he gambles, an' I know he smokes an1 chaws. An' they tell me his kar-ac-ter is plum ebock full er flaws. I don't know fcr certain what the truth about it is. An' -come to think I dunno as it's any of my biz. But there's things I do know on him 'at I ain't afeered to tell That he docs, an keeps 'em mighty dark an' deep as any well. I seed him give a crlpplo a twenty-uollar bilk V An' I hearn him tell the cripple to be keepln' of it still. I know he's got a waggln that leaves groceries an' sicb With a lot of he!plc8 people who la fur from bein' rich. An' I know his word goes farder with some busi ness men of note Than the bond of many another man who w'ars a better coat. 1 know he's public Bperlted, an' I know be alters wonld Put up his money, plentiful, for any public good. He's got intrusts in lota er things that's matin' money fast. An' 1 know he'll divy with a friend as long as that kin last. I know he's got a lot er men a-worxln' all the time. An' I know he pays 'cm mighty well an' trsats 'em fair to prime I know his fanny lores bin, an' bis friends Is stanch an' true. An' I think, somehow, slch men as tbat had ougbter sorter do. . -fatrhavtn ( Wash. Herald, x " CIVIL SERVICE REFORM. Tho Attack on the System Open and TJndle sulscd Mitchell's Argument in Favor of Election or Senators by a Popnlnr Vote Baynrd Visits tho City Meeting; of Two Old Cronies. irnoM a stjltv cobbxsfoxdxxt.i UTashinoton, April 27. The attacks on a reasonable and sensible civil service sys tem have been open and undisguised this week. For tbe first time since the enactment of the civil service law and establishment of the commission a few Congressmen have mustered the bravery to attempt the abolition of tho commission and the virtual repeal of the law by an amendment to the legislative appropria tion bill, striking ont tbe appropriation for the enforcement of the law. The way has been paved for this by Mr. Frank Hatton, the editor of tbe Post, whose attacks on the commission have been annoying, if not disastrous, to that body, and have resulted In an investigation that, at tbe least, has not done the trio any good. "Mr. Hatton's one virtue is his frankness," remarked one ot his acquaintances to me the other day. The low estimate placed on tbe great editor's moral ity was immediately resented, bnt surely tbe only virtue of the Post in its discussion on the civil service law is its frankness, though it would probably assert that this is a mere mat ter of opinion. The time Is past, however, for argument on this question. The long and the short of the argument of the opponents of a permanent civil service based on merit is that office should be the reward of party success that is for those who can get office. Tbe work of the Government Is a minor consideration. Government Is not to enhance and conserve tbe prosperity of tbe people, but merely for the use of tbe party, and a very small portion of tbe party, in power. A business man wbo would conduct his business on the principle urged by these re-reformers would go into bank ruptcy at railroad speed. Must Stand by tbe System. 'The "spoilsmen" are right in some things, however. The commission Is useless. The schoolboy examination is foolish as well as useless. The heads of departments and chiefs of bureaus should be responsible for the char acter and conduct of tbe people who do the work under their direction, and should make tho appointments. The law should provide ab solutely for tbe retention of faitbf nl and effi cient persons, and for the removal ot the oppo site kind. It should be made a crime to remove faithful or capable persons from any position at tbe wbim of the power above or for the purpose of making place for another person. It is coming to bo pretty well understood that the employed have rights as serious and substantial as tbe employer. Tbe machinery for thn accomplishment and operation of this system is simple and easily constructed. This present attack on all that we now have of tbat machinery is one of tbe last throes of those who wonld prostitute tbe Government of over 60,000.000 of peonle to the uses of a few managing partv politicians, and only a handful of them in Congress or ont of it will dare to beat a retreat. Tbe majority will be forced by pnblio opinion to stand by and perfect the reform system, and the friends of this system while they should be alert, need not be alarmed. Mitchell Makes Himself Immortal. vy hile a few members ot tbe House argued for a return to an old and vicious system of making appointments. In tbe Senate Mr. Mitchell really made himself immortal by a powerful argument in favor of tbe election of Senators by popular vote, and of tbe abolition of secret execntive session. This was all the more remarkable on account of the source from which it came. Mr. Mitchell was for years a lobbyist, and his election to office on more than one occasion was asserted to be due to corporation influences. Those wbo have formed an estimate of the man in the light of these reports wonld bave expected bim to be the last person in tbe world to advneato the election of Senators by a body so difficult to manage and purchase as tbe people. I believe Mr. Mitchell is the first senator to advocate such a step. His speech was fearless, honest and sincere. There was nothing in it that savored of demagogy. Every sentence rang with tbe tone of honest conviction. To prevent Senator Mitchell from winning all the laurels some other senator should now propose an amendment abolishing the Senate altogether. The institution of two houses of parliament, with a president to sit in judgment on tbe acts of botb, is simply an expression of a conviction tbat any one of tbe three persons in this trinity Is too dishonest and too lmbfcile to be trusted. Tbe president maybe of use as a part of tbe executive machinery of the government, but he should not havo the power to vitiate tbe acts of Congress. Bnt most of the representa tives of tbe people probably recognize the im portance of having as many offices as possible, and It is not likely that the number of soft places will be decreased. Bnvnrd In tbe City. T saw Mr. Bayard, of Delaware, walking down tbe avenue tbe otber day. He is a living example of tbe evanescent character of fame and position. Upon tbe walls of his house, on Massachusetts avenue terrace, are big pla cards bearing the words, "For Rent." and tbe ex-Senator and ex-member of the cab inet looked himself as though he were for rent to anybody who would take bim on a short or a long lease for almost any public purpose. It must be a somewhat melancholy reflection for those public officials who make so mnch of their positions to see the Indifference of the general public here to the coming and going ot great men. The best remem bered are those who were altogether or nearly assassinated. Tbe old theater wbere Lincoln was shot, tbe bonse where be died, the old res idence wbere Seward was subbed, the aisle in tbe old Senate chamber where Sumner was strnck down by tbe bludgeon of Bullv Brooks, tbe spot in the Baltimore and Potomac station where Garfield fell, are always of lively inter est. Guiteau and Booth are well remembered as are their victims. Must one. then, kill or bo killed, or bo forgotten? Except as a possible candidate for nomination in 1832. Cleveland Is as though ho had never been. Tbe names of his Cabinet can hardly be recalled. Those wbo blaze one day are extinguished the next. There are men in tbis citv who a few vears ago were United States Senators and United States Judges who are now little more than genteel tramps, not known nor wishing to be knorfn. Be Drinks n Cocktnll and Swenrs Off", "ywo former officials of tbe Government, cronies in their more prosperous days, met here recently. One had gone West and made a small stake, a very small one. The other drifted into tbe financial doldrcms, and became a hanger-on among his old friends and usually in the revivifying atmosphere of tbe bars. Tbe two friends celebrated their reunion after the fashion of their kind, the more prosperous one furnishing tbe kopecks, and the other accept ing the hospitality with bountiful capacity. At a late hour tha seedy one assisted his well dressed friend to bed. but'was unable to re move either his boots or bis trousers. Keeping vigil by the side of tbe bed, whose occupant talked or bacchanalian scenes, but was con scious of nothlng,the one of tnreadbare coat was seized with thrifty longings, and without ado and without one pang he there exchanged bis old, greasy, tattered coat and vest for the al most new ones of his former associate in fat offices under Uncle Sam, and left bis friend to his fancied bacchanals. The seedy one has not been seen since. The host woko to find only tbe cast-off garments of bis friend, which were worse than bis had ever been in bis most dire distress. They would not fit bim anyway. He bad not sufficient funds left to purchase a new suit. He sent for a cocktail and then for some otber old friends, and succeeded in borrowing enough to buy a second-hand suit. He then swore off. The betrayal of bis confidence broke his heart, and he will never again have a hankering for revelry. E. W. L. TO GO 0TEK THE PALLS. A Han Who Devours Live Snakes and Frogs. Nnlls and Tncks to Attempt Jr. W. Delavanti or Burns, a human ostrich, who devours live snakes and frogs, horseshoo nails, tacks, brads, knife blades, marbles and lamp chimneys, and drinks kerosene oil as an ordi nary human being eats bread, is 21 years of age, of medium height and weight, dark com plexloned and a pleasant conversationalist. His borne Is in Syracuse. He is going over Niagara Falls. He has contracted with a rubber company for a large rubber ball, 6 feet 9 Inches in length and 3 feet wide, inside measure, in which he in tends going over the Horseshoe Falls at noon, May 23. bis 22d birthday. He desires to get as large a crbwcl together as possible, for he wishes no one to cry "fake." The ball will bo padded on tbe lnsido and will be closed with an air tight cap, which screws on to one end of the ball. Delavanti will be supplied with oxygen from a patent reservoir. It is calculated that the trip can be made In 25 minutes and the tank will contain an hour's supply of air. Dela vanti and his friends are very sanguine of suc cess. When Mirpnrd Would Be Invincible. From tbe San Ifrancisco Alta. Colonel Eliot F. Shepard is in Florida. He envies the alligators their percentage of mouth. If he had such an opening he would be invincible. A WONDERFUL UNDERTAKING. The Dispatch Road Expedition a Mors Im portant Work lor the) State Than Sinn ley's Trip to "Bind Livingstone Good Roads Better Than New War Ships. rrom the Tltusvllla Herald. The Pittsburo Dispatch is doing a more Important work, for this Commonwealth, than the Now York Herald did In sending out Stan ley to hunt up David Livingstone In the heart of Africa. We refer to its expedition to spy ont and report on tbe condition of the public roads. It consists of a two-horse covered road wagon of the usual pattern. Tbe object is an investi gation of the public roads. The result of this investigation is published In The Dispatch from time to time, and is qnlte an interesting as well as a novel feature of that enterprising journal. The expedition is in charge of L. E. Stoflel, who Is accompanied by a photographer who takes such views as may he thought Inter esting, and by an expert mud pilot. Mr. Stoflel does the descriptive work for the paper. They have traveled over Beaver, Washington, Greene, Butler, Mercer, Venango and Crawford counties. Good Roads Versa New Ships. To the Editor of Tbe Dispatch: Yonr examination of tbe roads of Pennsyl vania is a masterstroke of journalism, and I hope great good will grow out of it. I hope you will sot slight Warren county on your tour. Your correspondent "Index," In THE Dis patch of April 25, when be says, "If our sys tem of government cannot secure to the people first-class public roads It is a failure," utters, as I believe, a fundamental truth. As most all readers are aware, as a nation we are now formulating a system for a navy to cost 350,000,000. After it Is built It must Do kept up. Yet such Is the celerity of modern invention that It Is absolutely certain that by the time tbe whole number of ships are built they will be completely worthless, something so much better in the meantime having Deen in vented. The days of battle ships and armies are abont over. Cannot onr rulers see this? If not they had better be relegated to the rear and others substituted. In short, if we bave $550,000,000 to throw away on a navy. whyVould would it not be better to use it to build roads, a series of "national pikes," which would civilize man instead of brutalizing him? B. Q. Morrison. Warren, Pa April 28. A Commendable Enterprise. ThePittburo Dispatch, a most enter prising and entertaining newspaper, has started out an expedition to Investigate the countyroads of the State. This is certainly a great undertaking, and there can be no donbt but that The Dispatch will make a thorough and complete investigation and tbe result will be looked for by thousands of readers. The Dispatch never does things by halves and goes on the policy tbat what is worth doing at all is worth doing well. Their enterprise is certainly very commendable. Warren Mirror. Lltllo Splashes. The Pittsburg Dispatch has fitted out an expedition a strong two-horse top wagon, driver and two reporters to explore tbe roads of the State. Country Gentleman. The esteemed Pittsburo Dispatch has assigned a reporter to the task of riding over the dirt roads of Western Pennsylvania and writing ont the result of bis observations. But tbe probability is tbat be will get stuck in tbe med before he gets out of the suburbs. Balti more American. Pennsylvania, as well as the Empire State, is engaged in the movement for better roads, and other Commonwealths are beginning an active agitation of the subject This reform promises to seize npon tbe conntry as tbe de mand for purer elections has, and tbe wise enactments of one State will prove an incentive to other communities to imitate such good ex amples. Syracuse Herald. BIDDT ON IIEK MUSCLE. A Connecticut Hen Whips a Cat and Takes Possession of the Kittens. WlLLrsr ANTIC, April 27. At Stafford Springs a facetions and determined old hen wanted to sit, but her owner took away her eggs, where upon in querulous mood she quit her nest and blustered about the homestead, finding a great deal of fault with life. While she was doing tbat the family cat discovered her artistically wrought and rounded nest, cnrled np In it. and deposited five kittens In it. Then biddy came back, pitched into pussy, fatly drove her off tbe nest, flew in and sat down on the kittens, evidently inferring they were a new kind of chickens she bad hatched in a moment of mental abstraction. For a day or two tbe ben brooded away, and the unhappy cat stalked about tbe premises, watcningfor an opportunity to get back her own. At the end of three days tbe hen bad to quit tbe old stand for food and water, and promptly the cat slipped into the nest, and. taking the kit tens one by one bv the scruff of the neck, transported them all to a distant part of the haymow. Then came biddy home again, and when she found the fledglings flown she raised another noisy row all about tbe farm. She looked alow and aloft, vainly for a while, for tbe missing brood, and finally found them ranged like pegs on a telegraph pole arm alongside the parent cat. Again there was a battle, and again the old cat had to flee from the furious henpecking, but she took along one kitten in her teeth, while tbe ben held tbe field of battle and four feline spoils. With the kitten in her teeth tbe cat scaled a high scaffold and made for herself anew home, with her one offspring by her side, bnt the old hen is still encamped on the rest of the kittens in the new-made nest. She lays not, neither does she cackle, but it really looks as if she was going to bring up the four kits in spite of all drawback and setbacks. The Stafford Springs man has watched the pro ceedings impartially, bnt witb interest and be fancies he is proprietor ot the only case of cat and hen abductiou and reabduction. A BEATIFICATION CELEBRATED. Service In Honor of a I'rlest Wbo Was Pat to Dentb In China. tSPBCIAL TELEGRAM TO THB DISPATCH.! Baltimore, April 27. For the first time In the hfstory of the Catholic Church in this conn try, was celebrated at the church of the Im maculate Conception in this city to-day tbe beatification of John Gabriel Perboyre, the French Catholic priest who was martyred in China m 1810. He was born in 1C and in 1833 was sent to China as a missionary, after fre quent applications oefore this time to be con nected witb the work, whicb were at first re fused bim on account of his ill-health. His brother bad been sent a year before and had died on the way. After faithful and heroic work in CbinaFatber Perboyre was imprisoned and tortured in tbe most barbarous way tor eight months. He was then put to death, be ing strangled on a cross at tbe ago of 83 years. He was proclaimed blessed by Pope Leo XIII, November 11. 1S89. The sermon appropriate to tbe occasian was preached by Bishop Curtis, of Wilmington. Tbis evening Pontifical vespers was celebrated and Bishop Keane delivered tbe sermon. Wyoralna's Snd Plight. From the Chicago Tribune.j At last accounts nothing has been heard from that Wyoming matron, tbe mother of 19 children, who eloped a few days ago witb a young man. Her departure from that Territpry at a timejrhen It is straining every nerve to provo itself entitled to admission into the Union as a State is peculiarly unfortunate. SOME SNAKE ST0KIES. One day last week a man killed 13 rattlers above Oil City. W. B. McOALL, who lives about three miles from Rochelle. Gx, killed a rattlesnake near the railroad last Sunday afternoon that meas ures 4 feet 10 Inches in length and U inches In circumference. It had five rattles and a but ton. James Courter, of Manatee. Ga., had a close call from a large moccasin snake last week. He beard a ben cackle under tho house, and stepped down to look under, saw a snake within a foot of his faco just as It struck at him, but the snake hit a palmetto leaf right at bis head. Mn. W. A. Rucker, of Alphoretta, Fla -says be has always heard of horned snakes, but he nover saw one until last Tuesday. He was coming to town, and ran up on one. It was three feet long and about as large as a chair post. It had on its tail a hom about half an inch long. The largest native snake overseen In West ern Washington was killed one day last week on the farm of J. H. May, neir Snohomish. It measured 7 feet in length and 6 Inches In di ameter, and was accompanied by a lilter of lit tle snakes. It belongs to a species heretofore unknown there; alternate dark and brown stripes about an Inch in width running around its body. CURIOUS C0KDE5SAT10HS. The total catch of seals by schooners fitted out at Victoria, B. C, up to April 1 la re ported at 1800. In Victoria, B. C, no mason or stone cutter will work on a building where Chinese help is employed. Cedar Rapids, Ia-i has elected an al derman whose name Is Pantz. It is hoped that he will not resign his seat, A Houlton, Me., merchant planted what he supposed was a pansy seed, and now has a crop of turnips in nis garden ten inches high. Mr. Lewis B. Hamlin, of Kennebec, Me., has a copy of a book, "Travels of a Philosopher." dated in 1797, which ho claims is the first book printed in Augusta. A year ago two Dayison, Mich., men went to court over an sis item. The case has finally been decided by the Supreme Court, and the costs have been an even 600. The Swedish Oyster-culture Society is trying to acclimatize American oysters from Connecticut on the coast of the Province of Bahus. The young oysters seem to thrive well. Frank Jackson, of Sampsonville. Erie county, can place his arms against a wall and reach 7 feet 11 inches. He has remarkably long arms. Jackson Is six feet high. The best reach on record is seven feet. Samuel Landis, of Byron, Kent county, Micb., is 80 years old, and his wife 22. The octogenarian's children have been making It warm for the young wife, one son-in-law going so far as to thrash her with a rope. John B. Parshall, a compositor in tha Delhi, N. Y Gazette office, recently setup tha notice of three golden weddings. He set np the marriage notices of the same couples 50 years ago a remarkable coincidence. The Congress of Americanists will ha held In Paris on the 11th of October. It will last four days and discuss numerous subjects relating to America in pre-Columbian times, its history, archaeology, languages, etc. A few days ago in Wilkes county, Ga., a negro woman was sitting near the flre with a child in her lap, when she fell in a fit. Falling into the fire her clothes cacght, and In a few minutes she and the child were burned to death. It is said that some genius has invented an electric recorder which may be attached to a gas meter and which will infallibly and cor rectly record the exact amount of gas con sumed, no matter what may be the vagaries of the meter itself. There was a child born in Cowlitz coun ty. Wash., the other day which, though other wise strong and physically perfect, had no openings at the eyes, tbe skin completely cov ering those members. A surgical operation wa3 performed to supply tbe deficiency. A pair of curled poplar logs wera shipped to Germany from Swain county. IT. C, each 12 feet long and 6 feet in diameter at tbe smaller end. These logs will be hewed and polished for exhibition at Berlin tbis year. Tbe farmer who sold tbe logs was paid 60 for each. While driving a prisoner to the jail at Washington, N. C, the constable's hat blew off and he got out to get it. The prisoner took ad vantage of the act, whipped up the horse and escaped. Two miles from tbe city be left tho buggy and took to the woods. He has not been recaptured. Mrs. Anna O'Brien, known as the "Ger man Giantess," and Fred A. Shields, who belongs to a family of giants, were married in Cincinnati a day or two ago. They are about the same height between seven and eight feet. The bride was tho widow of Patrick O'Brien, wbo too was a giant. Mr. John Burt, of Warren county, N. C. was shot in the wrist at Spottsylrania May 12. 1S64. The ball broke tho bono and for 20 years be suffered no pain from tbe wound. A few days ago a piece of zinc worked out of his arm near bis elbow, wbere his arm has been troubling him for several years. English men-of-war must be not only wonderfully but fearfully made. Tbe opinion is published that no ironclad has been built daring the last ten years which did not draw at least a foot more water than tbe Government provided for. Tbe bow of one of the latest great ships, the Trafalgar, sinks IS inches below its intended line. Mr. J. Bryan Grimes, of Pitt county, N. C, had planted 35 acres In Irish potatoes, and ons night last week when be tbonght there was going to be frost to kill his potatoes, which were 12 Inches high, he built log heaps about his field and keDt them burning during tho night and next morning his potatoes were un touched by the frost. A merchant at Randolph, Ala., de clared Sunday night that be would die sud denly at 4 o'clock on Monday afternoon. On Mondav morning he selected a coffin, made his will and spent tbe day in prayer. At i o'clock he seated himself In a rocking chair and in three minutes was dead. The doctors say death was caused by beart disease. A Webster, Me., man was plowing, last fall, when he lost his pocket book. A long hunt did not restore it. Winter passed and snow piled deep upon tbe plowed land. The other day he traversed the same field and in tbe furrow wbere tbe water ran in rivulets was found the pockrtbook in good condition, money all safe and papers restorable. In 1875 Edward Petit, of Port Huron, Mich., died, and in his will left 82,000 for any benevolent lnstitation or orphans' home tbat might be incorporated after his death. One wonld naturally suppose tbat tbis money wonld have been gathered in long ago, but It's a fact that altbongh there are several institutions that migbt take it. there bas never been a claim put in, and the money remains intact. John W. Smith, a prominent citizen of Battle Creek, Mich., retired in his usual health Wednesday night, bnt Tbursday morning it was fonnd that bis mind bad become a blank. He appears to be In prime health, physically, but he Is unable to make answers to questions or use his mind in any way. Tbe doctors are puzzled, but believe tbe aberration is only temporary. A curious accident was witnessed by two Alton. la., citizens the other day. They were going from tbat place to Sioux Center when a tbnnder storm came np. They had noticed an eagle flying quite high in the air, and while watching it a bolt of lightning struck: the bird and it fell to the ground. With the exception of a broken wing it was not seriously injured. It was captured by the men. There are only 85,000 greenback bills now outstanding, although the Treasury De partment bas endeavored to call In all bills of large denominations. Theroisbut one 10,000 greenback bill In existence, which is still un canceled. It is now in tho Treasury vaults. Tbe S10 000 bills of to-day are gold certificates. Ex-County Treasurer Frank RotteYman, of Cincinnati, says that for years his office has carried a SiOOO greenback as a relic, and tbat every treasurer has kept tbe bill and will not send it back to the Treasury for redemption. A3IO.NO THE FCNSY ONES. "I am about scared to death. I hear that the Anarchists have sworn to kill me If they Had me. What shall I do?" Uet a position In a bath-house." Chicago Inter Ocean. Sunday School Teaoher Yes, the wicked will go to the evil place, where they will burn for eTer and ever. .New I'upil Wall, I call that all-llred touab. Jlinghamton Leader. Editor Yon see, Mr. Pulpit, we have a Bible In tbe office. Clergyman (examining the Bible) Yon keep it nice and clean, don't yon? There are no finger marks on It. Boston Herald. Tired Husband I sometimes wish, wife, tbat I was an Indicted New York alderman. Wife-Why. what a funny wish, dear! "Ho, not funny. They are the only ones wbo seem to have no trials." Xonkcrs Statesman. ' "Do yon believe in the later theology concerning- socialism?" asked a yonng man of Airs. McGudlev. "Ot course I do. Socials Is really all that has held our church together for the last six months. ' 'MerchantTraveller. He Smythe Who is that affected speci men of humanity makln c toward nsr De Johneu That's Dumley, and despite his harmless appearance he's a courageous man. "Well, his looks belle bim. But what makes you think be has courage?" He eats restaurant hash." Stf.tngi, Mr. Young (just returning from a visit outside between the acts) Ob, darling, I jnst had such a fright! It almost took my breath away. ' Mrs. Young (turning her bead) Mercy, Georgel 1 wish it bad. And George felt very sheepish as he slipped a clove Into bis month. Sew Xork Journal, "I consider it a burning shame," re marked a lady, "that the overworked clerks of " this city are not allotted a half holiday on Saturday-" "I see that Smith S. Smith close at noon," said another lady. "1 know they do. I went down there last Satur day afternoon and found tha place closed. I was iV, too provoked for anything. "SVXtngi." ' ?j : !C . U ,' , ' jyigggffrg
Significant historical Pennsylvania newspapers