Pittsburg dispatch. (Pittsburg [Pa.]) 1880-1923, May 25, 1890, Page 4, Image 4

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ESTABLISHED FEBRUARY S. 1S13.
Vol. t .o. 107. Entcrctf at Pittsburg I'nstoffice,
o ember 14. ls7, as second-class matter.
Business Office Corner Smlthfleld and
Diamond Streets.
News Booms and Publishing House 75,
77 and 79 Diamond Street.
EAETEUK AUVEItTISLNUOFFlCr, KOOMXI,
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DISPATCH, wtiile in "ew York, arc also made
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TItE DISPATCH is regularly on tale at
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Strand, JUmdon, Eng where anyone who
has been disappointed at a hotel news stand
can obtain it
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POSTAGE All persons who mnll the
Sumlny Issue of The Dispatch to friends
should bear In mind the fnct that the post
rt ftc I hereon Is Tvro (S) Cents. All double
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PITTSBURG. SUNDAY. MAY 25, 1S90.
TEE DISPATCH P0E THE SUMMEB.
Persons leaving the City for the summer can
have Tun Dispatch forwarded by earliest
mail to any address at the rate of SO cents per
month, or fS SO for three months, Sunday edi
tion included. Daily cdition'&only, 70c per
month, f ! for three months. The address may
be changed as desired, if care be taken in all
cases to mention both old and new address.
3-The BUSINESS OFFICE of THE DIS
PATCH hat been removed to Corner of
Smiihfield and Diamond Streets.
THE CENC INQUIRIES.
The propriety of some of the questions
"which are to be asked by the census enu
merators this year, occasioning some heated
talk in this as well as in other cities. One or
two leading newspapers have taken the
position that even Congress has no right to
authorize personal inquisitions into the
chronic diseases, mental deficiencies or mort
gage indebtedness of individuals. On this
ground the advice has been given by these
journals that the public shall refuse to
answer the questions and shall contest in
the courts the constitutionality of the
penalty prescribed by the law, for refusals
"to answer.
This looks like extreme ground and one
"which seems rather risky for the ordi
nary individual to take. Nevertheless, as
will be seen by our local columns, some of
our lawyers are very positive in taking
the same position. The reason for
the inquiry into mortgage indebtedness is
well known, the purpose being to obtain
accurate statistics or the amount of mort
gages in the country. But it is to be
doubted whether the disinclination of peo
ple to place at the disposition of the average
census enumerators and clerks a full state
ment of their debts will make the results of
such a census any more reliable than one
"which could be made from the county
records. The same obligation applies with
preater force to the inquiry concerning
chronic disease. This is supposed to be
inserted with the intention of obtaining
sanitary information; though what good
purpose can be subserved by it is a question
that will puzzle the laymen to answer. The
"value of such an inquiry is likely to be
wholly takep away, by the probability that
till persons who have chronic diseases and
do not care to confide in the census-taker
"with regard to them, will simply deny their
existence.
In this case the difficulty lies with the
adoption of the wrong method for going to
nork. Physicians eould have been relied
upon to give the totals, if the Government
"wished it, ot chronic diseases in their locali
ties, without violating the personal confi
dence in them, which the patients feel. But
tne census-taker is not calculated to inspire
that confidence in the people they call upon,
which will evoke full disclosures in the
matter of private debts and diseases.
THE SAME PRINCIPLE.
A Georgia Colonel named Scott lias at
tracted considerable attention by his deter
mination that the wealth which he devotes
to public and philanthropic purposes shall
he applied during his lifetime. Having re
cently come into possession of half a million
dollars, he has bestowed liberal gifts upon
educational institutions, and declares that
he intends to leave his heirs only a merest
competence. Colonel Scott deserves the
praises that are given him; but it is worthy
of notice that he is only following Andrew
Carnegie's principles, with the difference that
be starts lower down in the scale of wealth
as the point for distributing it Both men
are acting from high principles; but Mr.
Carnegie has made the earliest and most
original application of the idea of doing
good with wealth during the lifetime of the
donor.
'"PREDICTIONS UPON THE NEW TARIFF.
The attitude of the Democratic papers of
'the East on the tariff bill is rather amusing.
With one voice they denounce its pro
Visions as "robbery" ot the public. They
"11 the air with extravagant clamorings that
every dollar of duty added upon foreign
goods by the McKinley bill is a dollar
"stolen" from the people; forgetful, seem
ingly, that every dollar of previously exist
ing duty would be equally liable to that
characterization, and that this attitude of
Itheirs, which they think so picturesque and
convincing, might be construed to mean
that they consider any duty upon foreign
goods "robbery" of the consumers, and
that nothing but complete free trade "would
meet their views.
But, if charged with being for lrce trade
outright, there is scarcely one of our Demo
cratic cotemporaries which would not pro
test against the assumption. They would
insist that they recognize the propriety of a
tariff for revenue, at least. Many of them
would go farther and avow belief in the fit
ness of a moderately protective tariff. It is
the quantity of protection which the Mc
Kinley bill affords that must then be their
target, together with the lines of articles to
-which it applies.
Accepting the last view, the public will
feel well disposed to the reasonable proposi
tion that the Republican party, which has
been steadily the champion of the protec
tion policy, is best intrusted with the duty
of formulating legislation upon it. It has
staked its future upon the success of its leg
islation. McKinley and his colleagues of
the House, who have in their places on the
"Ways and Means Committee heard all in
terests and every side, may be supposed to
know how to frame as serviceable a bill as
Democratic experts in theory and fine writ
ing outside of the House.
A particular grievance urged by the
tariff-for-revenue men is that the House bill
proposes to cut down the Treasury surplus
by raising duties. Xet this seems a good
deal more practicable than was the proposi
tion of Mr. Cleveland, to cut down the
surplus by lowering duties. The inevitable
effect ot a mere lowering of duties would
have been a stimulation of imports to the
detriment of home producers. And as the
volume oi imports increased so would the
customs receipts, and so would the Treasury
surplus, which was the nightmare of the
last Democratic administration. The in
crease of duties will lessen the volume of im
ports and lessen the Treasury receipts. So
much for the effect on the Treasury. As for
the effect on the business of the country,
which is by far the most important consid
eration, the Republicans can safely, and the
Democrats might discreetly, wait till
time shall tell. The results of protection
so far have been conspicuously good. It is
not impossible that in respect to some par
ticular item the McKinley bill is imperfect,
but, if that be so, the actual test will soon
show it. Meanwhile the probabilities are
altogether that the bill as a whole will re
sult beneficially, and that the tariff-for-revenue-only
people, who are so loud and
extravagant in their characterizations of the
measure, are but laying up dire prophecies
which in the good time coming may return
to mortify and embarrass them.
The point which they make, that high
duties enrich the American producers at the
expense of consumers, is met by the other
point that when any branch of business be
comes very profitable competition will
ensue and prices go down. Also, as to en
riching pioneers in American industry who
start great works, give abundant employ
ment, and spend their profits in turn in the
American market, it is on the whole some
what better than enriching foreign manu
facturers who have no interests in common
with this country or its people, beyond
finding a market here for their goods and
carrying away the proceeds.
A FLEA FOR DECORATION DAY.
The Grand Army of the Republic, in a
resolution which has already been published
in The Dispatch, takes strong ground
against making Decoration Day an occasion
forgeueral military parades and shows. The
position is one that is eminently appropriate
for the organization having especial charge
of the commemoration. It warrants some
sober reflections on the character of Memorial
Day, and the observances that are in har
mony with its purpose.
Decoration Day was established 22 years
ago by the order of John A. Logan, as
National Commander of the Grand Army of
the Republic, solely as a commemoration of
the services and death of the soldiers who
died in the struggle for the Union which
had ended three years before. It was
distinctly recognized as having a sacred
and solemn character. It need not be a day
of mourning; but the recognition
and commemoration of the services
and the patriotism of the dead soldiers
of the Republic is not respected by
making it a day of parades wholly separate
from, the purposes of decoration, or of
dissipations and sports without any thought
to its sacred nature.
For the early observance of Decoration
Day it was not thought necessary to make
it a legal holiday; and it may be questioned
whether that step taken later on has not
given the opportunity for many of the
proceedings on that day wholly foreign and
incongruous with its real purpose. How
ever that may be.the Grand Army is entirely
right in urging that there is little respect to
the memory of the Union dead in making
Decoration Day an occasion for militia
parades, fire engine exhibitions or unlimited
base ball games.
There are plenty of other days in the year
when such things can be indulged in. If
Decoration Day is observed, it should be
kept sacred to its original purpose of honor
ing and commemorating the dead of the
Union cause.
NOT SERIOU- CRITICS.
The multiplication of books about Amer
ica, of essays about Americans, written for
the most part by gentlemen who know noth
ing about America or Americans, continues,
and it will continue until the novelty of
this continent and its inhabitants has worn
off. These books and critical essays of the
lightest sort do no harm. Nobody seeks
anything but amusement for example
in such a book as Max. O'Rell's "Jonathan
and His Continent," and though a great
many have read Andrew Lang's essay in
the American Review we doubt if anybody
has taken him seriously. Paul Blouet and
Andrew Lang are a pair ot delightful
writers, very different in education, taste
and style. It is impossible for them to be
dull. It is also impossible for them to teach
the truth about America or Americans,
"Why? Because they do not know the
truth. Truth is at the bottom of a well, and
in America the well is deeper it anything
than it is elsewhere.
As far as we know, Andrew Lang has
never been in America, and his knowledge
of Americans is limited to his acquain
tance with travelers of our nation whom he
has met in England. Paul Blouet, the
charming Max O'Rell, has made two short
lecturing tours through the country. No
doubt the talented Frenchman received very
hospitable treatment here, and his training
has sharpened his perceptive powers to such
a degree that he saw more of us than the
ordinary traveler would in so short a time.
But it is ridiculous for either of these
writers to discuss the existence of an Amer
ican type, or otber matters in which a J
knowledge of the subject is the first
requisite. It is equally ridiculous for re
viewers of these books and essays to take
them seriously. They are trifles for laughter
and laughter alone.
THE SPIRIT OF FILIBUSTERING.
The action of the Government in issuing
orders to the military and naval officers of
the United States on the southeastern
frontier to promptly suppress any attempts
by filibustering parties to enter Mexican
territory is the proper action to take, in
view of the reported organization to seize
Lower California. "With our 'friendly rela-
tions to Mexico, it would be a grave breach I
THE
of international duty to permit any attack
on its territory from our borders. The omis
sion of any precaution against ,, such an
armed adventure would reduce the pacific
agreements of the Pan-American Congress
to waste paper. But the reappearance of
the old filibustering spirit is an interesting
indication of the survival ot a sentiment
growing out of conditions that are dead.
The early struggles for territory in this
country were akin to what is now going on
in Africa a contest for the ownership of
lands unoccupied by civilized governments.
That policy effected the acquisition of .terri
tory in the colonial era; and it is noticeable
that after the United States gained their in
dependence the early accessions of territory
were by the pacific means of purchase.
Louisiana nnd Florida having been ob
tained in that way, the contests which se
cured Texas and California were merely
the collisions between the growth of the
Anglo-Saxon and Spanish races on this
continent before they accepted their natural
boundaries. In addition to that there was
a consideration which became marked in
the filibustering attempts of the fifties, and
the demaud for the acquisition of Cuba be
fore the war. The slave power wished to
obtain additional territory and thus main
tain a preponderance in the United States.
To that end the desperate adventures of
Walker and the policy of Slidell, Gwin
and the other fire-eaters was directed.
Now the inspiring motive is. gone and the
nation has very largely risen to a higher
plane of statesmanship; the public at large
recognize that the country is large enough;
that there is sure to be more than sufficient
diversity of interest between the widely
separated sections of the country without
increasing that diversity by attempts to in
corporate still further diversities of race,
sentiment and education. Above all, the
general enlightenment is sufficient to per
ceive that international duties are better
fulfilled by cultivating the friendly ties of
mutual protection and international com
merce than by permitting the stronger
nation to rob the weaker, according to the
methods of highwaymen.
Yet it seems that the filibustering senti
ment still survives in certain corners. If
any of those who are anxious to try the ex
periment of conquering new nations hope
to elude the forces of the United States it
will be well for them to be warned that levy
ing war on private account is an act of
piracy, and that people who adopt that
course of life need expect little beyond a
short shrift from the Government which over
threw and shot Maximilian in defiance of
the empires ot Europe.
WORKING ONLY ONE WAY.
The claim is made by the railroad of
ficials, in answer to the suggestion that coal
freights to Chicago should be reduced,
that the combination known as .the
Central Traffic Association docs not main
tain rates at an arbitrary basis. The
claim is true, in one way, as the experi
ence of the past year, when the Hock
ing Valley road carried coal to the lakes at
a cut of 25 cents below agreed rates, has
proved. But when it comes to the question
of Pittsburg rates the agreement has gen
erally turned out to be very binding.
Another point is pertinent in this connec
tion. It has been urged by leading expo
nents of the railway theories that the proper
basis of railway rates is the value of service
instead of the cost, or, in other words, what
the freight will bear. Bnt the facts pro
duced by The Dispatch's correspondence
from Chicago show that coal will not bear
the present rates to Chicago, and that the
prevailing adjustment of rates is gradually
transferring the traffic to the Hocking Val
ley. According to railway principles, then
if they are intended to work more than one
way the coal rates should be reduced to a
level which would stimulate shipments.
But the experience of the policy of the
railway associations with regard to Pitts
burg coal freights shows that the theories of
the railway school only work in the direc
tion of making Pittsburg carry the heavy
end of the freight charges.
APPRECIATED, OUTSIDE.
Nobody expects that when the big life in
surance companies of the East makeup their
minds to put up great buildings in Pitts
burg, as they have done elsewhere, they will
go into the market place and trumpet their
purpose abroad. That is not helpful to real
estate negotiations. But it appears there is
a basis for the reports that some of the great
concerns are preparing to invest here. Cer
tainly whichever first seizes the opportunity
will make a ten-strike. Pittsburg, with the
region round about, pays a large aggregate
for life insurance, and these large buildings
not only put the assets of the companies con
spicuously in evidence, but otherwise help
the companies in the localities in which they
thus invest.
The only consideration with the life in
surance, as well as other concerns, which
are contemplating the advantages of Pitts
burg as a great business center, should be
to get the benefit of coming early. "With
Clearing House returns showing $50,000,000
more business done in the four months of '90
than in the corresponding four months of
'89, it is no wonder the growth of this city
is being investigated and appreciated on the
outside.
WORKING FOR PARKR.
It is interesting to read in a Philadelphia
paper: "The City Parks Association is mak
ing a commendable effort to obtain addi
tional breathing places for the city's weary
toilers." The beneficial nature of an organ
ization which labors for the location of parks
where they will be useful to the working
people, is very marked. If Pittsburg had
such an organization it is quite probable
that she would have parks of some sort long
before the present time. Even now there is
ample room for the work of such an associa
tion. Without at all detracting from the
value of Schenley Park it must be said that
it is remote from the great centers of
the working population in Lawrenceville
and on the Southside. Smaller parks, such
as could be located in those immediate
vicinities at comparatively small expense,
constitute an object worthy of effort It
would be an evidence of decided progress if
there was an organized movement to secure
this benefit
""''ptisan instructive but -not edifying fact
that the two publications which bank upon
their part proprietorship being vested in a
member of the President's family are the most
brutally frank advocates of the spoils and cor
ruption policy known in the Republican party.
The Mayor of Cleveland. O., recently
gave an illustration of the practice of signing
almost any petition that is presented, which
ought to Da instructive to tome people who
have been indulging in that practice. The
Mayor was fiercely attacked for appointing on
the police force a man who proved to be a
notorious and drunken ruffian. In defense the
Mayor published the recommendations which
he had received in favor of the man, signed by
a number of leading citizens of both parties. It
is to bo hoped that the leading citizens will ia
the future be a little less free with their signa
tures. The United States navy is now engaged
'
PITTSBURG-
DISPATCH, S,IJN
In the arduous task of convincing the Major of
Cedar Keys, Fl.that he is laboring under a
mistake .when he elves practical expression to
TtV?if5 a a b,BEer ttan
United States.
The latest phase of the "original package"
views is the opinion expressed by Judge Hind
man, of the United States District Court of Indi
ana, That jurist holds that while it is lawful
under the Supreme Court's decision to import
and sell liquors in original packages, that right
does not carry the right to keep a place where the
liquorsare sold, contrary to State laws. This is
dividing the hair between the south and south
west side. If that construction should stand. Its
effect would be to convert ambitious dealers
into peripatetic invoices of original packages
from other States.
Erie juries seem to have too much fond
ness for the club method of getting their tip
ples, to convict a violator of the Brooks law
who runs that sort of speak-easy. But they
t may convict the jury system of being a failure.
A CAltEFTJli study of the proceedings in
that Staytou-Wyman contest will produce
upon the mind of the average reader two very
strong impressions, viz: (1) that none of tho
records ol the election are right; and (2) that
none of the evidence which the contestaut de
sires to iutroduco is competent To such con
clusions must we inevitably come when wo
give ourselves over to the lawyers.
It is yet to be settled whether this Con
gress will make its most striking record by
giving a practical demonstration of-the truth
of Fred Grant's declaration that it is easier to
dispose ot a surplus than of a deficit
"The illegal combination known as the
Suear Trust" is the "way In which Judge In
graham, of New York, characterizes the big
monopoly that is levying taxes for private
benefit on the food of the people. Yet both
courts and legislatures still shrink from the
task of saying what shall be done with the
millionaires who get up illegal combinations to
oppress the people.
The dynamiters who tried to blow up the
Haymarket monument at Chicago made rather
less murderous display of the Anarchist ten
dencies than the usual one to destroy human
beings; but it was just as silly as usual.
It is pleasant to learn, at the expiration
of the first year after the Johnstown disaster,
that the ruined city is prosperous, and the work
of rebuilding is producing new and fine build
ings. That the new Johnstown may be better
built and more protected against danger than
the old one, will be the wish ol the whole world,
which sympathized with its terrible disaster.
The discovery that the election returns
in a contested election case have been carted
out of the Frothonotary's office to some un
known junkshop, is likely to make some ex
planations necessary.
AN official of the New York Street
Cleaning Department, which is notorious for
letting' the elements do its work, is quoted as
estimating that "a good rain-storm saves the
city not less than JL.500." If Pittsburg could
calculate that way, the past year ought to have
enabled her to pay off .her debt at the present
rate of taxation. '
Paety opinion in Allegheny during the
pending hot canvass is very strongly of the
ninion that pernicious activity among the
t ice holders is highly reprehensible wben It is
on the other side.
The Boston Herald ejaculates "Rah for
Coleman of Lai" As Coleman, of Louisiana,
voted against the tarifi" bill solely becauso be
wants to keep the high tariff on sugar, are we
to conclude that the esteemed Herald is enthu
siastic for votes against tariff based on the
principle of high tariffs for the benefit of the
sugar interests?
It yesterday's earthquake in Montana in
duces that new State to make up its mind to
have honest elections in future, it will afford
strom; support to.the theory of a special provi
dence. The progress of events is shown by the
fact that a majority of the House Judiciary
Committee has voted in favor of a Constitu
tional amendment giving women the right of
suffrage. At the present rate the amendment
may be submitted to the State Legislatures
some time in the next century.
BUCKS county treats its defaulters with
exemplary severity when they are busted and
found out.
The Philadelphia Press asserts that
"Postmaster General Wanamaker started out
to apply business methods to his departments
when he went into President Harrison's Cab
inet" He did, indeed; but Clarkson beat him
at it by applying the business mothods of the
wholesale spoilsman.
PURELY PERSONAL.
Prof. Huxley's deafness is growine on bim
and now wben he attempts to speak at any
length ho becomes very tirod and loses contro,
of his voice.
Mme. Patti's New York friends are claim
ing that she has been offered S10.000 a night to
sing in the Chicago Auditorium during the
World's Fair. ,
Ex-SErnFTAKY of War Belknap grows
rounrte r and redder in the lace every year.
His income .is a claim agent is 610.000 to 15,000
a year, and ho spends every cent of it.
Florence Nightingale, who immortal
ized ber name by her heroic hospital nursing
work in tne Crimean War, has just .completed
her 70th year.
"Uncle Jerry" Rusk is a striking figure
when lie appears In the Blue Room o( the
White House. He is not enamoied of formal
ceremonies, and confesses privately that he
fidgets wben he finds himself in fine clothes.
The autograph ot '"Scots, wha hae wi' Wal
lace bled," with an account of the battle of
Bannockburn, in Burns' handwriting, was sold
lately among MMS. from the collection of Sir
Edward Sullivan, late Lord Chancellor of Ire
land.
During the summer holidays of each year
the immensely wealthy Duke of Westminster
takes in about Jo. 000 in sixpences and shllligns,
paid Dy sight-leers for admission to bis country
seat Eaton Hail. He gives every penny ot it
to charitable institutions.
Prince Albert Victor, eldest son of the
Prince of Wales, has heen created a Peer, with
the title of the Duke of Florence and Avon
dale and Earl of Athlone. He is none the less
likely, however, to be called "Collars and
Cuffs" for short
IN the June Outing Mr. A. A. Mosber, who
has lived among the primitive woods ot Wis
consi n, camped on its lake borders and fished
its streams until he has become a true en
thusiast, depicts the scenes with ail the fidelity
and zeal of a sportsman anxious that others
should enjoy bis cood fortune.
Mr. Clarence Halstead, seoond son of
Murat Halstead, will be married on June 4 to
Miss Harriet De Ford, of Baltimore. Mr. Hal
stead is a recent graduate of Princeton, and is
connected with the Associated Press.
Mrs. Craviner Wood Ltttxefield, who
died at Wobutn, Mass., May 10, was the grand
daughter of Sylvanus Wood, who took the
first British prisoner at Lexington in 1773.
K Wcddinit Tour on it Bicycle.
Carlisle, May 24. Mr. Elmer Wagner was
married Friday night to Miss Vermont Fore
man, a daughter of ex-Sheriff Foreman. Tho
ceremony was performed by the Rev. Dr. W.
W. Evans, pastor of the Methodist Episcopal
Church, at tho Dride's home. Mr. and Mrs.
Wagner left for Baltimore and Washington.
They will make the journey on a tandem
bicycle. Their novel method of traveling has
created a considerable sensation throughout
this locality. .
A Pollilcnl Prophet.
From the Chester Times.!
Wo opine that Senator Deiamater has been
doing some very good work for himself np to
this writing, but when the Hastings crowd has
got in Its work then watch and see our man
Sfo'no sit down in the Gubernatorial chair.
vs, ' i-
DAT, "MAT " 25,,
' THE TOPICAL TALKER.
Tbe Popularity or Grandfathers Clocks
Huntine for Old Timepiece In Farm
bouses Quaint Relics of Byeono Days
Mr. Straw's Collection Odd Stories of
FniberTlme's Heralds-
""The popularity of that sentimental ballad
"My Grandfather's Clock," has waned,
and a generation is growing up to whom those
classical lines of exquisite beauty
"But it stopped short, never to go again.
When the old man died,"
shall suggest nothing, absolutely nothing. This
is sad, but inevitable. Some 15 years ago the
English-speakine race heard hardly any other
air in the theater, in the street and even in the
parlor. The "Tick tick, tide tick" of the re
frain might nave come from the watch of
Father Time, so incessantly did it resound.
The craze for grandfathers' clocks is older
than the song, but in Pittsburg perhaps Unas
known its greatest activity during the last dec
ade. Craze is not exactly the word either, for
that suggests a mere fashionable fad or fancy,
and the desire to possess an old 'ball clock is
laudable enough. Simply, it were better to
say that old-fashioned clocks are in high favor
here.
is the summer of 18S7, 1 remember, there was
jiu c&iiauiuiuifcrT uemauu xur uiu uui;9
among the fashionable visitors at Bedford
Springs. All tbe farmhouses within 20 miles
of that delightful resort were ransacked for
old clocks. Tbe natives caueht on, and very
soon you couldn't buy a farmhouse clock of
the grandfather pattern for less than 50 to $75.
I don't know wbether prices have come down
since then, but I do know that very few genu
ine old upright clocks of the sort prized are to
be found in the farmhouses of Western Penn
sylvania, West Virginia, Maryland, Virginia or
Ohio. The real old-timers have been gobbled
up by dealers or amateur enthusiasts, for the
most part, and there are more grandfathers'
clocks in tho cities than in rural places.
Perhaps you may remember tbe curious dis
covery that Mr. Gilbert A. Hays, of this
city, made In a clock that ho bought down in
the Shenandoah Valley two years or more ago.
The story was told in this column at the time.
Mr. Hays found the will of an old farmer in the
base of the clock's case, and he was able to find
the persons named in the will and to restore
tbe document to them. Mr. Hays brongbt a
nnmber of clocks fromjthe Shenandoah Valley,
and they now adorn several bosses in this
county.
Since then other Pittsburgers have procured
hall clocks in tbe way Mr. Hays did, and cab
inet makers and clock makers have made them
tlngs ot beauty and reliable recorders of time.
The works of these old-fashioned timepieces
are generally better preserved than the cases,
for the clock makers a hundred years ago built
substantially if they did not have a tenth part
of the devices and ingenious contrivances that
the workman of to-day has to assist him.
i
Come of these old clocks have curious his
tories. For instance, in the Watson home
stead, in Sewlckley, there stands a clock that
came over from Scotland with one of tho pio
neers of this section, Mr. Robert Watson, father
of the gentleman of that name now living. At
that time its works were in an old "wag-on-the-wall,"
as tbe hanging clock is familiarly termed.
When Mr. Watson returned to Scotland on a
visit be bought some mahogany and bad it
made into a sea chest, which he brought back
with bim to this country. He got a cabinet
maker here to construct a clock case from the
mahogany in the chest, and tbe old clock on tho
wall was promoted to tho dignity of which
Longfellow writes:
And from its station in the hall
An ancient timepiece says to all:
Forever never I
Ji ever forqver!
TJUT if you wish to converse with an enthusi
astic lover of old Clocks, and one who
knows more about them than any amateur
hereabouts, seek out Mr. Frank Straw. In his
pretty home at Sewickley just now there are
several interesting old clocks genuine grand
papas every one. Mr. Straw's bonse contains
more clocks than any other in the country, I
am willing to wager. It is a good deal of a hos
pital for sick and demented clocks, and Mr.
Straw as an amateur physician has had wonderful-success
in making them sound and sane.
JnstJiowheis tinkering away at an old tale
clock, at least 100 years old, that a friend ot bis
discovered in a West Virginia farmhouse last
summer, and now wants to have rehabilitated.
It is a musical clock, and at the hours plays
one of a repertoire of eiclit tunes which it
commands. The works were made in Ger
many in the last century, but the case is evi
dently of American manufacture. It is an in
tensely patriotic clock, for above the dial is a
picture of George Washington on horseback,
whtlo to the right of the face Is another pic
ture of Washington, and to tbe left a portrait
of Christopher Columbus. Doubtless it struck
when tbe times were troublous.
The special feature of this clock, however, is
the band of musicians little wooden figures
that move as if playing the tune which the
clock pumps out at every hour. There are five
of these little images, four of whom wear tbe
red-plumed helmets of dragoons in tbe Conti
nental service, and the fifth, a pierrot or clown,
acts as a conductor. Tbe original figures were
so worm-eaten and crazy with age that new ones
have been substituted for them. In fact, the
whole clock, musical and temporal, is in process
of reconstruction. What tbe tunes are that it
plays nobody certainly knows, though it is be
lieved tbat "Yankee Doodle" is one of them.
Y0U can hardly imagine anything more strik
ing than the arrival of the hour in Mr.
Straw's bouse. A Dnrfee clock in the hall, a
tall, stately affair, rich in carving, booms out the
hour upon cathedral chimes. If you would
know such things, the same clock tells yon the
day of the month and the quarter of the moon.
From above another clock in deep, bell tones
tolls the hour.
Half way upon the stairs It stands,
And points and beckons with its hands
From its case of massive oak,
Tbe works of this clock are over 100 years
old, but tbe case is handsomely carved in wal
nut. In a panel at the base is a painting by the
lato Mrs. Cole a flight of swallows against a
gray-blue sky and the dial is set in alandscape
painted by Mary D. Watson. Then a enckoo
clock may be distinguished in the dining room,
and from other rooms in the houso half a dozen
other clocks in modern strident cries proclaim
the hour. One of these minor fellows is a lit
tle swing-on-the-wall clock in the Swiss style,
entirely of wood, with a fret-saw worked case,
which is every bit Mr. Straw's handiwork. The
cIock in the kitchen is the senior of all in age,
being certainly 150 years old, and hearty and
accurate still.
Generally there are several other clocks
staying In tbe bouse patients of Mr. Straw's.
At this time there are two such sick machines,
one of which is the Revolutionary relic I have
already described; the other is a musical clock,
which plays melancholy airs in dance tempo
with most pathetic effect.
"pnEEE is something very lovable in a hall
clock that has stood year in and year out
in the same place telling us how time files.
Between it and tbe household there grows up
a subtle sympathy, and it is no wonder that
poets have been tempted to make the old clock
the central figure of many a baiihd and musl
cal story. There's an old fellow I know, in a
plain cherry case, with works of fearful' and
wonderful make, and a face not much more
ornate than a classic sun-dial, that has ticked
itself into my affections, ilado in Economy
more than half a centnry ago it may be that
the works ot wood came into existence in
Germany a century back and rescued from
an unworthy fato which threatened to make
tbe ease a.refuge for motherly hens and set the
works at the mercy of inquisitive roosters
snatched from a henhouse in fact It nowkeeps
admirable time and strikes with fiendish glee
asifithad bat yesterday entered into aeon
tract to dog the steps of Father Time.
Hepburn Johns.
LnyinB the Uic Library's Corner Stone.
Washington, May 24. Representative
O'Neill, of Pennsylvania, on Friday introduced
a joint resolution empowering the Joint
Library Committee of Congress to arrange for
tbe laying of tbe corner stono of the Congres
sional Library, and giving them the authority
to invite Masonic and other dignatories to the
ceremony. Two thousand dollars is appro
priated to pay for the corner stone laying.
III Friend Will be tlin Death of Illm.
From the Washington Post J
Editor Halstead bas commenced to defend
Senator Quay. The Pennsylvania Senator will
no doubt be lorced to say something now.
189a
STATE POLITICAL NOTES.
The Philadelphia Republicans will elect dele
gates to the State Convention on Juno 3.
Congressman Buckalew is accused of
sending Government seeds only to Democrats.
John A. M. Passjiore, of Philadelphia, Is
making a vigorous canvass for the nomination
to the Lieutenant Governorship on the Repub
lican ticket this fall.
Three Prohibition gentlemen aro promi
nently named for tho Gubernatorial office in
Pennsylvania W. W, Hague, of Tidioute; H.
T. Ames, Williamsport. and Jo"bn E. Gill, of
Greens burg.
Senator James S. Rutan is having a very
warm three-cornered contest for bis renomi
natlon. It is given as the opinion of those who
understand the situation in his district that it
Is decidedly mixed.
R. F. Schwartz, a rising politician of
Stroudsburir, has withdrawn as a candidate for
the Legislature. Schwartz has for months
been discussed as a possible candidate to defeat
Representative H. H. Lesh.
At the meeting of the Democratic candidates
in Ebensburg, Monday, assessments were levied
for campaign expenses as follows : Treasurer,
170; Assemblymen, J25: Commissioners, $12;
Auditors, Jo; Poor House Directors. 85.
THE movement to enliven Major E. A. Mon
tooth's boom on Saturday nicntwas retrarded
as a success by his friends. Tbe purpose was
to stimulate local pride if possible and take to
Harrlshurg a real live boom. .BuHer Eagle.
C, G. Minick, delegate to the, Republican
Btate Convention from Cameron county, is out
with a statement in which he says he was
elected on a square Issue between Stone and
Deiamater and that he shall vote for Stone for
Governor.
The Senatorial district com posed of Colum
bia, Lycoming, Montour "and Sullivan counties
is generally carried by tbe Democrats by 3,000
or 4,000 majority. Senator Metzger will not be
a candidate for renomination, but Lycoming
will have a candidate in C. La Rue Munson, a
young attorney of Wllliamspoi t Among the
other candidates will be Dr. Hoffa, of Montour;
S. B. Collins, of Sullivan, and Grant Herring
and A. L. Fretz, of Columbia.
HT THE T.y.ATi OF at.t. OTHERS.
Tho
Dispntch In the Foremost Rank of nil
Metropolitan Papers.
From the Washington Democrat.!
For years The Pittsburg Dispatch has
easily maintained a position far in the lead of
otber journals in the Gas City and well up in
tho line with the metrooolitan press. No in
dorsement of The Dispatch is needed in this
region, where its circulation is more than- dou
ble that ol any city journal circulating in
Washington county. Its general character and
special features are well known and highly ap
preciated. The Sunday edition is comparatively new,
but it is a creat publication tho best of its
class that reaches us and its success is phe
nomenal. Already the bona fide circulation of
this mammoth paper or rather magazine
exceeds 60,000 copies.
CURRENT TTMELY TOPICS.
The long-continued alcoholic drought in
Kansas is being rapidly dlipelled since the origi
nal package decision was hurled at that corn
burning State.
A New York paper says General Grant's
memory does not need a 'monument. It takes
some papers a long time to find out the thoughts
of its readers.
To a man up a tree It would seem that there
is asjmuch harmony between the Sherman and
ForiKer factions as there is between a revenue
offlcsrand an illicit distiller.
Kentucky papers havetbo racing fever so
bad that they occasionally get it mixed np with
politics. Last week, in referring to Carlisle's
election, one of the papers stated that he won in a
canter.
Third Sander, Butler: Yes, sir; Baby Mc
Kee rode one of Barnum's elephants, but is not
now traveling with the great moral show.
Country newspapers are now filled with
political announcements. If there is any one
thing that gladdens the heart of the rural editor
laoretban another It la a batch of sneriJTs sales
and political announcements, A little favoritism
is shown.bowever.as the editor trusts the former,
but, If be is wise, it is pay in advance for the lat
ter. We notice with great pleasure that one of
our subscribers, James S. Templeton. ofl'hllllps
ton, has Just been granted an lucrease of pension.
East Brady Review. Tne other subscriber proba
bly got left.
Leavenworth, Kan., has a curiosity in the
way of a calf born without a tail. Tbe picnic that
theflles will have at tho expense of that unfortu
nate calTwlll only be equaled by the sport East
ern baseball clubs are having with the two alleged
clubs from this city.
Since the iierr law went into effect Bos
tonlansare likened unto dyers, who dye to live
and live to dye, while Bean Eaters eat to live
and eat to drink.
IJRepublicAN Congressmen will get them
selves together early this week and unseat a
couple of Democrats. The majority has the busi
ness down so fine that the work is disposed of
with as much case and gracefulness as Calvin .
Urlce buys a new railroad.
A BUFFALO policeman has resigned to be
come second baseman or the Troy Baseball Club.
This is the first case on record where a policeman
was known to quit a Job where he had nothing to
do to accept one compelling him to work an hoar
or two a day. Ihe Bison "coo" is entirely offhls
beat.
The blind seldom smoke. Neither would
anyone eUe if he were in a dark room and una
ble to see the smoke. Try it.
A (?O0D REASON ASSIGNED.
Josllce Miller Explnins Why He Indorses
Oristnal Packages.
Des Moines, Ia., May 2I.-Justlce Miller.
of the United States Supreme Court has been
criticised by many people in this State for join
ing in the "oricinal package" decision.
In a letter of explanation to a personal friend
the Justice says that lie has felt bonnd to fol
low the decision rendered by his court more
than 60 years aio, based upon the Constitution
of tbe United State-). The Supreme Court Is
bound to decide all such questions by the Con
stitution of the United States, and he tays he
will adhere to those principles until tbe Con
stitution is changed by those who have author
ity to do so.
ENDURANCE.
How much the heart may bear, and yet not break!
How much the flesh may suffer and not die!
I nuestlon much if any pain or ache
Of soul or body brings our end more nigh.
Death chooses his own time; till tbat Is worn
All evils may be borne.
We shrink and shudder at the surgeon's knife,
Kach nerve recoiling from the cruel steel.
"Whose edge seems searching for the quivering
lire;
Yet to our sense the bitter pangs reveal
Tbat still, although the trembling flesh be torn,
This, also, can be borne.
"We sec a sorrow rising in our way.
And try to flee from the approaching HI,
Ve seek some small escape we weep and pray,
But when the blow falls then our hearts are
that the pain is f Its sharpness shorn.
But think it can be borne.
We wind our life about another life,.
We hold it closer, dearer than our own;
Anon it faints and falls In deadly strire.
Leaving us stunned, and stricken, and alone;
But ah! we do not die with those we mourn;
This, also, can be borne.
Behold, we live throne h all things, famine, thirst
Bereavement pain; all grlerana misery.
All woe and sorrow; lire inflicts its worst
On soul and body, but we cannot die.
Though we be sick, and tired, and faint and
worn:
Lo! all things can be borne.
Sew Xork Press.
The I'ecnllar Way He Has.
From tbe Washington Post.
Ex-Governor Foster is mentioned as a candi
date for Congress in the Eighth Ohio district.
The district has a Democratic majority nearly
2.000 stronc, but tho ex-Governor has a way of
breaking through Democratic majorities that
would render bis candidacy a matter of much
concern to his political opponents.
I'iiraliurtr Cnpltnl in nuflalo.
from the Albany Evening Journal. J
The street railway lines in Buffalo have been
sold to a syndicate of New York, Philadelphia
and Pittsburg parties. Is this another case of
the city giving away .franchises to corporations
which afterward sell them at a big profit
MURRAY'S MUSINGS.
Berry Wall's Fntlier-ln-Lnvr and His Pretty
Girls Tbe King of Dudes Not a Flat
Imported Ice Ideas Why Crnne nnd
Robson Dissolved A Younc Lawyer's
Luck.
fntOM A STAVT COBBESrONDENT.I
Qne of the best-known characters about town
is Mr. Berry WalL His reputation is chiefly
founded on the fact that he has pretty good
taste in matters of dress, and has exercised
that taste as a specialty at the expense of every
thing else. I met Mr. Wall a day or two ago
with his father-in-law. Major Melbourne, of St.
Louis. The Major is a clerk in the Pension
Office at Washington. Ho has Just been over to
London in the interests of certain electrical
patents' The Major is the father of three re
markable women. That is, remarkable for good
looks and for tbe sensation they have created
during a comparatively brief existence. One of
his daughters is married to a British captain of
artillery stationed in the vicinity of London.
Another daughter was tho celebrated Mrs.
Bush, whose good looks and winning ways al
most turned the head of Mr. Sartoris, Nellie
Grant's husband, Tbe third daughter married
the King of the Dudes. Berry Wall, the couple
running away from Washington to Baltimore,
where the nuptial knot was tied. There was no
particular necessity for them to run away in
getting married, as I never heard of any oppo
sition on the part of tbe stern parent.
Berry Wall is by no means the fool that he
has been represented to be. He is very clever,
is a good conversationalist.and bas seen a good
deal of all classes of society. On this occasion
he was dressed in a striking costume modeled
on that of Beau Brummell's. The suit was a
steel gray, the coat being a closely buttoned
Prince Albert, rather high fn the collar, the
buttons being of the same material as the coat.
His hat was a silk tile and narrow and straight
in the brim, and straight in the top. His shoes
were narrow, pointed patent leathers, and his
white necktio contained a pear-shaped pearl
pin. There was a suspicion of a bandkerchiel
peeping from the breast pocket of the coat,
and between the buttons of the front was
thrust a pair of brown gloves of undressed kid.
All of this was quietly elegant
Berry tola us a story about an extraordinary
game of poker in company with Henry E.
Dixey, Actor Mackay and Colonel Tom Ochil
tree. They had played till 5 or 6 o'clock in the
morning, when the banker. Dixey, owed Wall
Some $100. There was abnnt S3Y1 rash and tun.
dry notes of hand and checks as asset3of tho
bank. Dixey suggested that Wall take the
5200 and then receive the balance at some
future time, as the rest of the party wanted to
go on with the came. Wall Gallantly declined,
saying that Dixey could send him his check the
next day tor the'fnll amount
"That was the bicgest mistake that I ever
made in my life." said. Mr. Wall. "I need
scare!? say that I never got anv check, or any
money, either. When I asked'Dixey for It a
short time afterward, he said:
" 'Look here,.Wali. There was no money in
that came forme. I was putting out cash for
Tom's checks all the time, and I've got those
checks yet Now, if you will take tho
checks "
" 'No, no,' I told him; 'I don't want any
checks of that sort. Who cot the cash?' "
'Why Tom, of course,' said Dixey."
w
New Ideas In Ice.
Mew Yorkers are liable to repeat their last
summer's experience with the ice men.
While we have not had more than two days of
summer weather so far ice has steadily been
forced up each month, and I am told by the
man who delivers to me that it will take an
other jnmp in June. The fact that there is
very little extra demand for ice yet shows that
this combination is without excuse. In opposi
tion to this comes the intelligence of tbe arti
ficial ice factories. If the artificial ice pro
ducers will be content with a legitimate busi
ness the people of New York will welcome
them into the field. Half a dozen companies
have recently started np. Before the end of
June thousand of tons of ice will be manu
factured daily.
In this connection I see the Parisian sv9tem
of freezing water in caraffes is being Introduced
in New York. I am told that all of the electric
light plants and steam heatlner companies will
eventually manufacture ice in season. The
steam beating compamesiave expensive plants
which are practically useless in summer. By
combining ice manufacturing in summer with
steam heating In winter these plants may be
made to earn double returns on investments-
One company bas let contracts for the erection
of three farce plants lor ice manufacturing. It
appears that the chief cost of making ice is tbe
steam power. Of the three plants mentioned
each will produce 120 tons per day. Tho pro
duction of frozen caraffes for local con
sumption will probably be tho most Important
feature of ice manufacturing. Ice has long
been delivered in this shape to all the hotels,
restaurants and cafes, and a great many private
houses in Paris and other Continental cities.
Why Crane nnd Rabaan Quit.
TM McCann-Croker scandal reminds me
of the often alleged strained relations
between actors Robson and Crane. Very re
cently an elaborate attempt was made bv Mr.
Robson to disprove these stories. While
Crane was playing "The Senator" Robson
made him a notable presentation of flowers.
This attracted newspaper attention to the old
stories of the certain existing differences be
tween the two celebrated actors. These have
been denied over and over again, and the
actors themselves never lost an opportunity to
disavow them. I am informed, and have everv
reason to believe my informer to be well posted
on the subject, tbat the difference has really
existed between tbe wives and not between the
actors. I am "convinced of this, becouse I re
member in Washington several years aco
when Robson and Crane were playing at tbe
National it was remarked that ilrs. Crane
would not sit in the same box with Mrs. Rob
son. nor wero these two ladies on speaking
terms. Mrs. Robson, it appears, did not ap
prove of Mr. Crane, and Mrs. Crane naturally
resented any such sentiment on tbe part of
Mrs. Kobson. This brought about a sort of so.
cial separation between the two actors and con
tinually gave rise to the stories tbat they have
never been able to silence. These are the
women in tbe case.
A Young; Lawyer's Hit.
T sat dawn to a sandwich yesterday with a
young lawyer who has just earned and will
get the biggest legal fee ever received, prob
ably, by a man of bis profession. It is young
Bacon. Tbe case was a will case that has of ten
been mentioned in the newspapers, the defend
ant being Cornell University. Mr. Bacon is not
more than 32 and bas been on tills case forseven
years. It was his first. Briefly, the suit was to.
break tho will of a Mrs. Fiske, who bequeathed
a couple of hundred thousand dollars to her
husband and a couple of million to the Univer
sity. " During the even years the property has
heen tied no It bas increased in valne to about
three millions. Mr. Bacon was a law student
at the time of Mrs. Fiske's death, ami was a
protege of her surviving husband, rto took
tbe ground that the University wai limited by
its cbarter to the ownership of $3,000,000. and
as Cornell was the happy possessor of property
to that extent it could not accept the Fiske be
quest. This view was sustained by tho lower
courts and been confirmed within a few days
by the court of last resort. In tho meantime
several other educational institutions have has
tened to have their charters amended in this
respect.
It is a curious thing that such an important
legal discovery should have been left to a law
student a mere boy who was not, at the time
of bringing the action, even admitted to the
bar. It is also a little singular tbat this lad
should have brought tbe suit in the name of a
lawyer named Hill, since Governor Hill, and a
trustee ex-oflicio of the University that is de
fendant in the case. A good deal of unjust
criticism bas been wasted upon Governor Hill
in this matter. The truth is that the snit was
broucht seven years ago and oefore Hill was
ever thought of in his present role, nis name
was loaned the young law student. Bacon, wben
the latter wa yet unable to bnns an action for
himseir as attorney. Mr. Bacon assures me
that Hill was not at any time and is not now a
beneficiary in tho case and has nothing to do
wfth it. I have known this nsmgyoung lawyer
for some time, and, if hU great fortune does
not spoil bim. I predict a great future as his.
During tbe long legal fight he has spent up
ward of 810,000 on his judgment of ultimate
success.
A Joko and a Reality.
"Grv"B me six fried in a box," ordered Lew
Magargeo in an allntzht house. He was
wearing J. Armoy Knox's dirty white som
brero, too result of one of thelatter'spractical
jokes, and had a disreputable appearance.
"Hero's your six fries, sir," said the waiter a
few minutes later, "with a loaf of bread and a
dozen pickles" piling up six boxes and a bun
dle. "Great scott." exclaimed the astonished
Clover CIud man. "Do you think Tm runnine a
boarding house?"
It took half an hour to explain that in Phila
delphia "six fried" was half a dozen ovtere
and not six boxes of eicht oysters each. "Bnt."
adds Masargee."l came pretty near being licked
because of that confounded hat."
CHARLES T. MURRAY.
New York, May 24.
A War of Exiermloatioo.
From the Clarion Democrat.
The city authorities ot Pittsburg seem, to
have entered upon a war1 of extermination
against the speak-easies of that city.
CDEIOUS CONDENSATIONS.
The people of this country consume, it
is said, 200.000.00C bottles of pickles annually.
An Ottawa, Mo., man is the proud
possessor of two Cbinese rats. Tbey steal and
gnaw holes "alio same like Melican lata."
There has not been a prisoner in the
Armstrong, Mo., jail for five years, excepting
an occasional tramp who is permitted to lodge
there,
A Caledonia, "Wis., coroner's jury in
the case of Mrs. Catherine Aplicbel returned a
verdict of "accidental drowning with the in
tention of suicide."
Scotchmen banqueting in London are
now entertained with music of real northern
bagpipes, plaved into a phonograph and sent to
London by express.
The Salt Lake Herald says pne marked
result of Mormon rule is tbat that city of
50,000 had no debt and the smallest tax rate of
any city in the United States 5 mills a year.
A Kansas City woman, Mrs. Mary
Martin, tailed in meeting tho last payment on
ber bed. and a constable lifted ber sick, emaci
ated body upon a cot and carried away ths
bed.
James Monntner, of the Omaha mine,
Grass Valley, was sawing through a log the
other day that was thirteen Inches through.
In tbe center was a large frog, tbat was cut
in two pieces.
An Enclish naval officer has invented a
pneumatic line-throwing gun, very light and
portable, which fires a hollow shell bearinz the
cord to a wrecked vessel or into a burning
building on dry land.
The floon-of-war Enterprise has a record
of a thoronghly discontented lot of officers and
crew 1 general courts martial, 23 summary
courts rrartial, G3 deserters, and several score
of alleged illegal punishments of enlisted men.
A farmer at Ipswich, Mass., while
plowing turned up an Indian idol of solid
stone in the shape of a serpent. It is 30 inches
in length and of a dark color. It Is to be de
posited in tho Essex Institute collection at
Salem, Mass.
A tramp piled a lot of ties on the
Northpm Pacific track, near Portland. Ore.,
the other night, and then cave warning to an
approaching train. He succeeded in being
made a hero and in living high until close ques
tioning elicited a confession.
A sheep owned by a New York State
farmer gave birth to a lamb last week with
two heads. Every f eatnre of each head was
perfectly formed and complete, the beads be
ginning to unite just back of tbe ears. Unfor
tunately tbe queer freak did not live.
A new disinfectant has made its ap
pearance under tho name of th'iocampc. It is
a combination of camphor with sulphurous
acid, containing over 60 times its volume ot
sulphurous acid gas, which, upon its exposure
in a warm room, is gradually evolved.
The grapple plant of the Kalahart
Desert is said to be a real vegetable curiosity.
In its ceneral appearance it looks more like a
starfish than a plant, and each ray or arm is
tipped with barbs, which, when fastened to the
wool of shepp, have to be cut out tbat being
tho only way of removing them.
Henry Villard, the eminent financier,
is writing bis autobiography for tbe use of his
children alone, tile was born in Germany, and
the story of his early years is written in Ger
man, while, having been educated in France,
his schooldays are described in French. His
bvs'ness and social life ia America will be re
corded in English.
The other night, at a late hour, Saco
officers found two youngsters, of French ex
traction, belonging to Biddeford, Me., con
cealed in a capacious drygoods box. Tbey bad
stolen money of their father, bousbt peanuts,
chocolate drops and two harmonicas, and were
enjoying life hugely. Tbey were taken to jail,
and delivered over to Biddeford authorities.
A wild horse, or what appears to be one,
was recently captured at Horse Landing; Fla.
A stockman was herding cattle and drove the
pony among tbem and so got it into a pen. A
faint brand mark is visible, but otherwise the
animal appears to bo perfectly wild, as much
so as a deer, ana it is probable that it has been
herding with the cattle for a number of years.
A Saratoga man has in his possession a
monster fish somewhat resembling a sturgeon,
bnt having long, sword-shaped jaws, which was
taken from Lake Cham plain. Ic is -called a
fresh water swordflsb. This specimen weighs
IS pounds, and is four feet three inches long,
18 inches around the body and six inches across
tbe back. It will be mounted by a taxidermist.
According to a Portland, Ore., des
patch, the body of Matt Carutbers, of Water
ville. Wash., wbo perished in a storm last win
ter, has been found in a little ravine about
tbree-quarters ot a mile from his ranch. The
corpse waB in a reclining position, as though he
had sat down to ret. In one of his clenched
hands was his hat and in the other his handker
chief. Edgar Bergen, a 12-year-old lad of In
dianapolis, had his foot hurt by a train and In
the afternoon it was amputated just below tbe
knee. In placingthe foot iu the box for burial,
it became necessary to bend tbe toes, and in
this cramped position it was buried. Since
then tho boy has complained constantly of the
emmped condition in which his toes were
pUced, and says' that they give bim great pain.
On coing to bed at the Palace Hotel, in
San Francisco, A. D. Westfleld, a wealthy resi
dent of New York, placed S1S.00O in bills under
tbe mattress of hi bed, and when be arose the
next morning shortly before the departure of
tbe overland train by tho southern route.be
forgot bis money in the haste ot his prepara
tions for leaving. Reaching tbe ferry he
thought of it returned to tho hotel in a
flustered state and got it.
Galveston doctors have a patient on
exhibition, a colored man who is afflicted with
filaria. In other words, there was a little
animal in his blood usually found m tbe blood
of dogs. Tbe blood was placed under the
microscope, where the little animals could be
plainly seen. They were about 1-50 of an inch
long and 1-300U of an inch thick and trans
parent. They are said to be transplanted from
log to men through mosquito bites and even
flea bites.
A woman just returned from Rochester
tells a New York Evening Sun reporter of a
letter which had just Dassed through the Roch
ester postofllce. "Now, I saw the letter with
mv own eyes," said she, "and the address was
as follows: To the Widow Mulroonev's son-in-law.
who goes much into society on Tbroop
street.' " And such is the perfection of the
postal service in Rochester that the Widow
Mulronncy'sson-in-law received the letterwith
outiuucb delay.
Two elephants of a circus were being
driven on board a steamer at Seattle, Wash.,
for a trip to Ferndale, wben they refused to
step on the gang-plank, and both made a break
up street Ihe largest named Queen, was
pursued by a crowd of men and Doys into a
IumDer-yard. where sbe made a stand and
trumpeted several times. The crowd pressed
ber with clnbs, and in a moment she charged
them. In the scramble a big pile of lumber
was upset, and four men wero burled. After
an hour's chase Queen was captured.
LITTLE BAZARS.
"He reminds me of Volapuk."
In what respect?"
"So few people are on speaking terms with
him."
"I hear Tragcdicus is dead."
"Yes; died of nervous prostration brought on
bya totally unexpected and uncalled-ror encore."
"That's a great picture of yours, ingment
"Yrs-tuey'TC hung ft a little too far up, I
think."
Cadley What is it your little boy calls
you?
Marlow-Prettypapa.
Cadley-Isn't he rather young for sarcasm?
Mother Aid what do yon think of my
daughter's Frensb, count?
Count-Eet ee ze most astomshlnr Trench, IbaX
evalre heard.
Smithers Ever taste terrapin?
Bronsoi Yes.
Smlthcrs-What kind of a taste is It?
Ilronson expensive.
Proud Father Well, boys, what do you
think of bim?
Bronson He is a roarer.
Smithers -He is a screamer.
N urse He Is both.
"Was there any applause at the close of
your lecture?"
"No: tho audience was so lorry that I was
through, tbey couldn't applaud."
"It is very bad form for Mrs. Bronson to
have that pretty maid announce dinner."
Why?"
"Because the custom of using tbe belle to an
nounce dinner bas gone out."
A COMING DUCHXS3.
My love's gone sailing far across the sea;
I can't suppress a slsh of fond regret.
She's gone or so at least It seems to me ,
To see what sort of title she can ret. I
Uarjier't Bcuar,