w t K 4 . , THE PITTSBURG DISPATCH. TUESDAY. DECEMBER 2, 1890. K fTfr tteriF.fl Th, ZmT TT SSS. C0W d-ol!r to twefS Tl' SNAP SH0TS IN SEAS0N- SUDDEN TRANSFORMATION. GimpsE3 OT e 8th. OUR MAIL POUCH. 9c KlsBlC firSTRYYvs t r n The .President s messace wi 1 not be a sur- The addition of the eiphtv ner cent dutv to I . P xisvnV "?&'??&? vVA'A' I prise to those who have studied either the the invoice price would raise the cost of a The treat trouble about people who like to One of tho Peculiarities of a Football Game we ' - B ESTABLISHED FEBRUARY S, 1616. B VOL45, NO.ISS. Entered at Pittsburg Tostoffice, Sf ' XoTcmbcr 11. 1S57. as second-class matter. Business Office Corner Smithfleld and Diamond Streets. News Booms and Publishing House 75, 77 and 79 Diamond Street EASTERN ADVERTISING OFFICE. ROOM SI, TKIBmE BUILDING, NEW YORK, where complete flies of THE DISPATCH can always be Vonnd. Foreign advertisers appreciate tlie con venience. Home adi crtlecrs and friends of THE DISPATCH, while In iew York, are also made welcome. TI1E DISPATCH is itgulwlg on sale at Brcniano'j. S Union Square. JS'cw York, aid 11 Jlre. de TOpeta, Paiis, Fiance, where anyone icho has been disappointed at a hotel news Hand can obtain it. TERMS OF THE DISrATCH. roSTACE FREE IX THE UNITED STATES. DAILY DisrATcn. One Year t S CO Daily Dispatch, Per Quarter : 00 Daily Dispatch, one Month.... 70 Daily Dispatch, Including t-unday, lycar. 10 00 Daily Dispatch, lnciudirvfcunday,3ra'ths I S3 DAILY Dipatcii. Including fcenday, lm'th P0 tnDAT Dispatch, One lear 250 Weekly Dispatch, One lcar IS The Daily DisrATcn is delivered by carriers at 15 cents per week, or Including Sunday edition, at 10 cents per week. PITTSBURG, TUESDAY", DEC. 2, 1S9CI EFFECTIVE ROAD -WORK. The experiment at road-making which Superintendent "Warner of the work house has just completed in Harmer township near the Hulton Ferry, is of greater value than any other way of considering the sub ject. Essays on road-mating in the paper form have been useful in the early stages of the agitation, but we have reached the point where essays at road-making in the form of gravel, stone and dirt are much more to be desired. The superintendent's experiment in road making is of value in two respects, first, as suggesting a material for macadamizing that may be much more attainable than limestone; and second, as bearing on the use of convict labor. The local blue stone for macadam has the advantage of being harder than the ordinary coarse sandstone. One or two experiments on a small scale with this class of stone have resulted satisfac torily; but Mr. "Warner's is one of the first on a large scale, and the durability of that work will be watched with a great deal of interest If solid macadamized roads can he made at the cost stated of Mr. "Warner's work, the problem of good roads, for Alle gheny county at least, is solved. The experiment with regard to convict labor is even more valuable. We find it to be the case, as The DisrATCH has often suggested, that the labor of able-bodied con victs can be employed on this work with good results, both to the men and to the public The convicts do effective work and even enjoy the change from prison wall? as a relief, if this plan is enlarged by permit ting the convicts to earn extra money on road work, there can be little doubt that it will be an unalloyed benefit. Certainly, Mr. "Warner's work is the most decided effort in favor of road improvement that has yet been made. . THAT INTERSTATE COMMERCE CASE. The decision of the legal points involved in the case of Charles Counselman, of Chi cago, who was committed by Judgs Blodgett for reiusing to answer the inquiry of the Grand Jury as to whether he had received any special rates or rebates from the rail roads has a triple interest. Counselman, on being interrogated in an inquiry designed to detect violations of the law by the North western railroads, and to apply the penal provisions of the act, refused to answer on the ground that he might criminate himself. Judge Blodgett held that he was bound to answer under the provisions of the act ; but the case goes to the United States Supreme Court as involving a constitutional ques tion, and consequently that inquiry is sus pended for the next four years, until the Supreme Court can reach it. The case is an interesting one as the first to which public attention has been called in which there has been any attempt to apply the penal provisions of the act. The law has been in operation now about four years and a half, durins which time violations of its provisions have been notorious and wanton. But it has taken until the present time to get to the initiatory steps lor punish in:; by the penalty of fine or imprisonment the railroad officials who persistently vio late the law. The feature of interest pre sented in the fact that it has taken four years and a naif to get a case before a Grand Jury is heightened by the further fact that the case will lie lallow fouryears longer un til the Supreme Court decides the point raised. So we may hope, about ten years after the passage of the act, to get a prac tical test of the question whether a railroad official can be punished for its violation. The most important phase of the question, however, is its bearing on the idea urged by the Inter-State Commerce Commission and sundry railroad magnates that shippers who solicit or receive special rates or rebates shall be subject to the penal provisions of the act equally with railroad officials. As the law was originally passed it contained no such provision; but two years later, ac cording to our recollection, the Commission recommended the amendment which sub jected favored shippers to the penal ties for .its violation. This seemed fair enough on its face at the time; but maturer consideration may put the matter in a different light. In the first place the shipper occupies a differ ent position from the railroad official. He is purely a private person charged with no public responsibility; he has received no charter by virtue of which he is surrounded with the obligation of impartiality, cor has he the power over rates which can be ex ercised for injurious discrimination. It is thus doubtful whether there is natural justice in subjecting the shipper who re ceives a preferential rate to the same penalty as the railroad official who grants it. There is a further pertinence in the sugges tion of the practical effect ot the amendment contained in this case. If the United States Supreme Court sustains Counselman's plea of self-crimination as a reason for reiusing to answer, it will be because the law was changed to make the receiving of special rates a penal offense. If that amendment had not been adopted the plea would have been without basis, simply because under the common law, as in the natural order of thingc, the shipper has no responsibility for the rate he obtains. It would be a remarkable commentary on his amendment if its first tangible result in actual practice were to exempt the favorites of illegal railroad discrimination from the necessity of testifying as to the violation of the law. THE PRESIDENTS MESSAGE. The President's message will not be a sur prise to those who have studied either the characteristics that personally attach to the head of the administration or the fore shadowings of his policy given in special telegrams. Briefly, it can be summarized as recommending the continuance, in every particular, of the policy on which the Ke publican party went to the country in No vember. "With regard to the results at the next national election, such a course is more phenomenal for the firmness that is gener ally described by a less complimentary term, than for an intelligent estimate of the polit ical future. The message contains more of the features of live information than usual to such docu ments, making two pieces of information public that have not been generally known, namely that the reciprocity provisionsof the McKinley bill involve a possible nullifica tion of the Hawaiian treaty, and that the investigation of the Barru'ndia affair has resulted in the recall of Mizuer. But in recognizing the lesson of still later political events, the message is more than ordinarily behind the times. The President is quite right in claiming that the tariff act has not had a fair test This is the position which The Dispatch has taken and the Presi dent's arguments in its favor are sound. To assert that a measure can be judged by ex perience before all its provisions have gone into operation is the height of absurdity. But when the President goes on to insist on other leading features of the policy adopted at the last session of Congress, he displays a much less solid basis of judgment. The arguments in favor of the passage of the federal elections and apportionment bills contained in the message, are familiar and need cot be reviewed except as to their general political meaning. That is, that the exact policy on which the Republican party sustained one of the most; overwhelm ing defeats of its history is to be adhered to without the slightest change. It will not do for a popular Government to take the position that a popular verdict like that of last month is unworthy of its attention. Nor is it a satisfactory explanation to say that it was wholly caused by Democratic misrepresentations concerning the tariff; for that includes the inference that the people had absolutely no faith in the Repub lican representations concerning the same subject. Intelligent politics must recognize that the people at the late election ex pressed their disapproval of measures framed upon the basic purpose of maintaining one party in power. This applies directly to the elections bill, and the settlement of con tested elections confessedly by partisan in terest. The same judgment follows on the apportionment bill, which is a constitutional duty when based upon a census that is re liable; but which, if passed hastily on a dis credited census, is only an attempt to gain a partisan advantage. To force these means upon the short session means the renewal of the partisan struggles of the last session, with a probability of the same result. In the recommendation for the passage of a national bankrupt law, and the investiga tion of the subject of a water supply for arid regions, the President indicates the class of measures to which Congress should devote whatever time it has to spare from the ap propriation bills at this session. By wise action on such matters the party can relieve itself from the charge of legislating solely for its own advantage, and can accomplish much more in the way of actual business than if it seeks to plunge again into the heated strangles that consumed so much of the first session of this Congress. In some other parts the message is open to criticism. Its statement of the receipts and expenditures of the Government show ing a large surplus for two years to come, is open to the suspicion that this result is ob tained by leaving out some very important items which have always figured in previous statements. To claim exceptional prosper ity for the agricultural interests on account of a rise of prices based entirely on a par tial failure in the crops, is hardly likely to prove the best method of conciliating the farmers. Finally to attempt to analyze the causes of the late "Wall street troubles with out recognizing that they were exaggerated by great speculators for their own enrich ment, is to give a partial view which can hardly be considered as conceived in the popular interest. The most decided effect of such a docu ment is, to increase the prominence of Secre tary Blaine as the one leader of the Repub licans who has the foresight to dissent from the policy on which it insists. WHY SUGAR KEEPS UP. It is surprising to find our esteemed co temporary, the Philadelphia Worth Ameri can, jeering the Democratic organs in at tacking the sugar schedule of the McKinlcy bill. Yet this is exactly what that ultra protectionist journal does, under the im pression that it is confuting free-trade heresies by an argument of this sort. The free traders always insist that the tariff is a tax and the amount of the duty must be added to the imported commodity. A duty of eighty per cent has been taken off sugar, our Philadelphia cotemporary alleges, and consequently, it thinks the amount of sugar which was formerly sold for a dollar ought to be bought now for twenty cents. But it has been unable to find any one who can buy sugar cheaper now than three months ago; therefore it arrives triumphantly at the conclusion that the duty is cot added to the price of the commodity. Thus the amiable Worth American imagines itself to be arguing against the free traders; but it is really attacking the leading feature of revenue reduction in the McKinley bill. The only purpose of reve nue Teduction is to relieve the people of the burden of taxation; and if a Republican Congress has cut off $55,000,000 of revenue without saving that amount to the people in their expenditure for sugar, it has com mitted one ot the most egregious blunders of the time. The Worth American also at tacks a leading protectionist doctrine. As thoroughly explained on the floor of the House, while the protection logic claims that the tariff is not a tax when it creates such an increase in domestic industry that domestic competition reduces the price, it is recognized that the duty must be added to the price of the article when the bulk of the article continues to be imported. As five sixths of our sugar supply is imported after twenty-five years of a high duty, the pro tectionist leaders based their reduction of the duties on the protectionist theory that the tariff which does not create the domestic supply is a tax. This confusion as between protective and revenue duties is coupled with some rather wild mathematical assertions in such a way as to cast doubt upon the accuracy of this journal's information. The average of the sugar duties are not eighty, but about seventy-five per cent The entire duty is not repealed; butone of about fourteen per cent is left on the grades ot sugar fit for consump tion. These are mild assaults on the rnles of percentage compared to the assertion that the repeal of an eighty per cent duty would, if the duty is taken from the price, reduce that which costs a dollar to twenty cents. The addition of the eighty per cent duty to the invoice price would raise the cost of a dollar's worth of sugar in the foreign in voice to a dollar and eighty cents. Taking off the eighty per cent duty can only restore it to a dollar, which is a reduction of about 44J per cent. Still, when the mathemati cal errors of our cotemporary are corrected, the fact that the price of sugar has not de clined remains to trouble it. "We notice that this trouble is shared by a United States Senator, who attributes the failure ot the sugar market to decline to the machina tions of the wicked sugar importers, who have kept up the price for their own evil purposes. In order to prevent this trouble from wear ing on the Senatorial and journalistic minds, we will suggest a very simple expla nation of the phenomenon which is agitating them. By examining the tariff act they will find that the reduction ot sugar duties does cot go into effect until April 1, 1891. That small fact may give them some light as to the reason why the price of sugar has not declined since the passage of the act. AN UNSUCCESSFUL SHAM. Tt is with deep pain that we observe in connection with the Thanksgiving season, an example of the prevalent tendency to fall away from the old standards presented by the assertion of some uninstructed and inno vating persons that pumpkin pie can be made of squashes or sweet potatoes. Such an assertion displays an ignorance of that time-honored article of American diet and a disposition to trifle with established stand ards that can only be adequately treated by being held up to the public scorn and repro bation. It is to be admitted that pie of a certain degree of excellence can be made of squashes or sweet potatoes. The squash pie or sweet potatoe pie can stand on their pie-plates, and receive the attentions of those who ad mire them; but when they attempt to pass themselves as the good old New England pumpkin pie, it is necessary to relegate them to their proper sphere with promptness and severity, and to let their perpe trators understand that they resemble the genuine article no more than the Jeffersonian ideas of Calvin S. Brice couldbe mistaken for the Democracy of the Sage of Monticello. The misfortune of a personal acquaintance with one of these would-be pumpkin pies made out of squash, will be enough to convince anyone who was brought up on the genuine and orthodox pumpkin pie, that of all the hollow and easily detected shams of the ace, the attempt to pass off squash as pumpkin is the most shallow and notorious. To any one who has known the genuine pumpkin in its native and original glory, the mockery of the at tempt is only exceeded by its utter foolish ness. Skim milk may masquerade as cream, be fore people who are not versed in the genu ine article; oleomargarine may pass itself as butter, when people are not on their guard; but the squash pie can never attain the credit of being the real pumpkin pie from one who knows what the genuine article is. The attempt to perpetrate the unsatisfying and undeceiving fraud should be abandoned. THE introduction to winter furnished by the elements yesterday is not up to the stand ard of weather for the closing of the fall. It the wet year is to pursue us in the form of dampness and sloppiness during the winter, there will be a new force to the question, whether life Is worth living until the weather reforms. Nothing of mighty moment is without its pleasant side; and we hasten to observe that feature in the late corporate deals, presented by a newspaper interviow in which Mr. Jay Gould earnestly and severely reprehends the inflation and manipulation of the trust stocks. The fact that these concerns are so heavily watered that Mr. Gould cannot approve of them is one of the strongest things that could be said against them. The decision of the revenue officials that lions can be imported into this country as tools of trade, calls for the remark that people who play with them carelessly will bo in danger of finding them to be edged tools. The National Bank Examiner has cer tified the National banks of Philadelphia are sound and strong as the dollars in tbeir vaults. This is gratifying intelligence, if there was any reason to doubt tho facts; but it may be pertinent to remark as a side issue that it.is not so much the busines of the National bank ex aminers to certify that the banks are all right as to take care that they shall be all right In the first place. An Eastern assa ilant of football asserts that "the glory of football is a mere sham." This reckless person may yet go to tho length of as serting that the scars of football are shams also. The variation of the prices of the "Angelus" continues. Tho last expansion puts it np to 1150,000. At this rate there mnstbe nearly as much water in it as there was in Ward's North American Company before tho squeeze. If Gould or Rockafellar should wish to buy the picture, however, it might be found that the hard pan price Is about 510,000. The politicians of England are doing their best to make the world forget the mutual vituperation and disclosures of tho Congo ex plorers. Thomas L. James, Colonel Ingersoll, and Prof. Saches after listening to a debate on the question, whether the accumulation of vast individual wealth should bo restricted by law, decided in tho negative. Their decison is not likely to nave the same practical effect, how ever, as the decison of Messrs. Jay Gould and J. D. Rockafellar on the same point. If Chief Two Strikes continues to set an example as a bad Indian be may have reason to chance his name to "Three Strikes and Out." Rev. Edwaed Everett Hale is out in an article advocating that the State own, man age and operate the railroads. This gentleman is noted as having bronght into light literature one of the liveliest and most original Imagina tions of the day. He seems determined to make a success by importing the same quality Into the field of political economy. Somerset county seems to be making 'a better record at catching its escaped murderers than the Western Penitentiary is doing so far. "Reciprocity is free trade in homeo pathic doses. But, as Mr. Cleveland said, if an ounce of beef is a good thing why shouldn't we enjoy a family porterhouse steak!" says the New York .Herald. Also, if potatoes are good, why cot eat a bushel and a half at one mealT The beauty of the Herald's free trade logic is that it carries its own refutation. Elocution for the Pulpits. The Methodist Episcopal ministers have in vited Prof. Byron W. King, to be present at their meeting on next Monday to give a special talk on elocution and voice culture, especially for the work of thepulplt orators. A largo at tendance of the ministers is expected as all are anxious to hear the matter discussed. The Farmers' Importance. Font the Toronto Empire, 1 Of all the diversified industries that flourish in Canada that of the farmer Is the most Im portant. It is therefore of the most vital consequence that the policy of the country should be beneficial to the agricultural community. You remember tho village bully, don't you? Big; scowling, boisterous, not overly tidy, wasn't he? Of course his bair was long, un kempt, black. His eyebrows met, his neck was thick, his knuckles were knotted, his gait was a" defiant swagger, his voice sounded like the bellow of the big bull which sported a ring inltsnoso in the old pasture field. You feared him, to be sure. He was the giant, the dictator of the village youths. The little girls trembled when they passed him, and the little boys dodged through the lanes and the fields to avoid him. His word was law on tho play ground, he ruled the school, he turned pleas ure into pain, laughter into tears, mirth Into misery. He gloried in a cut or a bruise, smiled when ho kicked tne dog or worried the cat, grinned when he stoned the frogs, danced with delight when he wounded a bird boisterous and bloody; he over bearing, you forbearing. But the village bully didn't get much pleasure out of the golden hours of life's prologue, after all. He made his mates miserable, to be sure, but tho sport tired him. The pains of others, which gave him all his pleasure, lefeco pleasant mem ories. Surely he must have had bad dreams, for he was never good-natured or contented. But, after all, he was the first to find tharlifo was tougher tban his fists. He was the first to learn that he who cives hard knocks must take hard knocks. He aged faster tban those who stood in the same place as be on time's calendar. Still you shook under his scowl and dodged his shadow. The merry shout was suppressed, the play paralyzed when he looked on. Aud then be vanished. Life was brighter when he was missed, wasn't it? "Where did he go? Well, ho has never crossed your path since, has he? He just dropped out of sight. Only his memory remains. He probably went to the wars. At all events ho went from bad to worse. He was a bully when you knew him; if you saw him now he would doubtless be a coward. The gunner can train a cannon easier than the cavalryman can train a horse. It is neck or nothing with some of the society women. The toiler who slogs after his task is appre ciated more than he who sings while perform ing it. The cranks who are always presenting problems for the people to solve are the dis turbers of the stream of life. Chief Two Strikes will probably strike out before the ghost ball game ends. These are bell buoys in the ocean as well as the hotels. They answer water calls, too. He stood at the corner at midnight, And gazed at the far off star; In the distance he saw the dim light Of the last suburban car. Church bells are blessed and society belles are caressed. " The President is sonnd on the tariff at all events. It should not be tinkered until it Is tried. Congress indulged In a little swearing after prayers yesterday. The fellow who has the back-bone is the one who never backs down. The censns reports 75,000 people in the pris ons of the country. The number has been re duced to 71,000 in the past few days. A tight money market means a lighter load for Santa Claus. Little Cupid's an artful dodger, As everybody knows; But In winter tho little codger Should wear a suit of clothes. Betwixt snow and sleet It was beastly unuer foot yesterday. The pleasantness can bo knocked out of tho weather in a very few mo ments. Small notes are scarce, but If large ones are plentiful the people will not grumble. The relic hunter will disfigure a monument to secure a fragment. The Message has been read to those In legislative halls. Henceforth, until the session's close, Look out for lively sqalls. A black mailer A colored postal c lerk. Beware of tho man who tells you how to deceive others or dodge the laws. The opera is truly fashionable as well as fascinating. The world owes a great deal to the music makers. The monumental liar has cot yet secured a monument. The old custom of giving poor doggie a bone has been reversed by science. Now poor doggie gives its owner a bone. The typewriter young woman who does not mix her sentences is truly the girl 01 the period. We smile when the sun is shining, We sigh when the day Is drear; But what's the use of repining. Be the weather dark or clear? Harrison indulges in a message and Cleve land indulges in a massage. Goodness adds to human beauty, for a clear conscience induces sleep, and rest holds the wrinkles in check. - The headquarters of the Indian war are lo cated at Chicago. So are a good many news bureaus. "We will meet, but we will miss him," wonld be an appropriate ode for lucky ones in the present Congress to close the session with. As between Parnell and Gladstone, the Home Rulers choose the latter. No Circe can hypno tize the Grand Old Man. The curling iron Is the latest menace to fe male life. A red-hot hair f rizzer almost burned two actresses to death the other day. Better stick to the old-fashioned curl papers, girls. Lodge, of Force Bill fame, has an immigra. tlon bill ready, the provisions of which will force our Consuls to earn their salaries. Executed murderers cannot break jail. Juries should bear this fact in mind. People who are always complaining about their bad luck never have a word to say about their bad management. Emotion Is appreciated on the stage, but too much of it detracts from religion. The Pennsylvania Legislature has a golden opportunity to make a record for Itself this time. Questions of vital interest to the Com monwealth are sure to come up. Don't dodge them, gentlemen. There's no discount on Pittsburg smoke. The toby is cow becoming famous far, far from home. A melttno sight Yesterday's snow storm. The long obituary columns of the past week tell the sad story of the fitful pneumonia breeding weather. Bo careful. It's not hurtful to look upward and paint protty pictures with the imagination. Thought alone can penetrate beyond the clouds and fill the heart with hope. These be piping times of peace. High priced cigars are booming pipes. WILLIE Winkle. Football to the Front, From the New York Star. Football has taken a place In the front rank of athletic sports, both as regards tho character of the young men who engage in It, the perfec tion of skill displayed in the playing and the popular Interest manifested In the really great gamo of the season. College Colors Donned and Doffed Quickly by Young Ladles From Pitts burg Th'e News In Social Circles. Out of 650 guests at the Fifth Avenue Hotel, in New York, Thanksgiving Day, 173 were Pittsburgers, all of high social standing, and either tho Yale or Princeton colors were seen upon every one of them. Here would be a little knot a Yaleites conversing in animated tones, there a party of Princetons,equa11y as animated in their conversation, and here a Yaleite trying to convert a Princeton, or vice versa. But as a rule they were not convertible, and there were very few mugwumps amonc them, though some of the young ladies were not strictly hon orable In their allegiance. However, their dis loyalty was certainly excusable under the cir cumstances. It seems they were decidedly In favor of Yale, and the young gentleman, Mr, Frank Jones, in whose special attention they were basking, and who was doing anything and everything that a young man noted for gal lantry could devise, to make the trip one of un adulterated pleasure to the young misses, was a vigorous Princeton man. So, out of compli ment to him. when In his presence, the maidens all demnrely donned the Princeton colors, but let Mr. Jones disappear for one short moment, and the Y"ale colors were quickly whipned from their biding places, and worn with 13 much en thusiasm as was deemed proper by the fair wearers perfectly well-bred girls. One by one the tourists are returning those who deserted their own, their native city, for tho attractions of the metropolis and the foot ball game. Sunday evening Mrs. W. R. Sewell and Miss Amy Watson returned, and Sunday morning Mrs. Dr. John Dickson and daughter, Miss Agnes, and Miss Annie Scaife arrived In the city. During the absence of Mrs. Dickson, her husband. Dr. John Dickson, gavo what he termed a "grass widower's dinner." at which covers were laid for eight, and eight gentlemen, among them Mr. W. R. Sewell, graced the table and pronounced the "grass widower's dinner' a "howling success." Dinners won, and of course lost, also, on the football game, bave been numerous. One young man up in society, won ten dinners, but they were all to be eaten during the month, and he was last evening sufferidg dreadfully from a spell of indigestion. A BBILLIAHT BECEFHOH Anticipated by Those "Who Will bo Favored With Cards of Invitation. A very brilliant and a very large reception possibly tbe largest of the season will be given by Mr3. James Langblin, Jr., December 11. It Is to be the first ostentatious affair given at tbe beautiful borne, corner of Allegheny and Lincoln avenues. In Allegheny, since the return from Europe of the family, who. in their wanderings, have secured a wonderful array of quaint, artistic and handsome articles of furniture and bric-a-brac, which Increases the already pronounced beauty ot the exquisite home. The reception proper will begin at 5 o'clock for tho older friends, but later on In tho even ing tho young people will hold full sway, and, with the incentivo furnishee by Toerce's Or chestraif any Incentive other tban their own inclinations is necessary will dance the mid night hours away. BEVEBENCE FOE A PAST0B Leads Young People of Wllkinsburg to Tender Him a Reception. The pupils ot St. James' R. C. School, in Wil kinsburg, held holiday yesterday. In celebration of St. Andrew. This is the feast day of tbe pastor. Rev. A. A. Lambing, and the children presented him with a handsome surplice, a box of fancy articles and three large bouquets. To show their lovo and reverence for the pastor, the children tendered him an entertainment Fri day, in which a number of songs and recitations were delivered by tbe little people for his solo and especial benefit. Arrangements are being made at this church for a bazaar, to bo held in the conrse of a few weeks. A meeting was held Sunday evening, at which there was a large attendance and much enthusiasm manifested. "WILL "WED IN FEBBTJABY. The Engagement of Stanley Anderson and Miss Lido Murray Announced. An engagement of much interest is announced that of Miss Lide Murray, daughter of Dr. R. S. Murray, of Sewickley. and Mr. Stanley Anderson, associated with tho firm of James P. Witherow & Co. The yonng lady is one of the popular girls of the Sewickley vallev, bright, attractive and winning in her disposition and manners while Mr. Anderson is a young man of sterling worth and accentuated social qualities. The marriage will be celebrated early In February, with an elegance of appointment be fitting the position occupied in society by tbe young people. Tho Work of Deaconesses. Mrs. Lucy Rider Myer will address a mass meeting in the Smithneld street Methodist Episcopal Church this evening on the subject of the deaconesses' work. Mrs. Myer is the superintendent of the Chicago Deaconesses' Home, aud is well qualified to speak on this In teresting topic A large attendance is ex pected. A Muslcale and Tableaux. Tableaux and a muslcale will bo given Thurs day evening at Old City Hall by Saratoga Coun cil No. 262, Jr. O. U. A. M. The programme is an extended one. and comprises many pleasing numbers, and the names of several talented performers of the city. Social Chatter. FAITHFUL Lodge No. 16, Order of Solon, will have an open meeting, presentation of charter and musical entertainment, at its hall. No. 18 Third street, Allegheny, to-morrow evening. The Woman's Club will hold its regular meeting in the Teachers' Library, this after noon. The Mo zart Club this evening, at Old City Hall. The big Watson reception, this evening. PEBS0NAL JOTTINGS. Jay Gould has purchased three salt plants in Kansas. One of the features at an art reception civen by William Ordway Partridge in Boston last week was a fine portrait bust of Edward Ever ett Hale. The old friends of William Walter Phelps will give bim a farewell banquet on Friday evening next at the Now York Union League Club. He sails for Berlin on Saturday. Edward Atkinson thinks there are two things needed in these days: First, for rich men to find out how poor men live, and second, for poor men to know how rich men work. Mr. and Mrs. Herman Oelrichs (for merly Miss Tessie Fair, of San Francisco) have began a scries of dinner parties, which are said to bo unrivaled in the history of New York entertainments. H. A. Aldrich, who has been postmaster of Mendon, Mass., under every administration since President W, H. Harrison, a service ot 50 years, has announced his intention of resign ing, because of advancing age and ill-health. Mrs. Bradley Martin has purchased in Paris the crown of Marie Antoinette not a coronet which in picture books generally does duty for a crown, but a genuine velvet cap, with tbe insignia ot royalty emblazoned upon it in precious stones. Thomas J. Whitman, of St. Louis, who died the other day, was a younger brother of Walt Whitman, the poet. He was an expert mechanical engineer, his last work being on the building of the water works at Memphis. He was born in Brooklyn, in which city he spent his boyhood. Mrs. Ashton Dilke has taken tbe plat form in tbe interest of free libraries. She con siders free books, papers and magazines one of the necessities of the times. "The reading peo ple conquer tho world, and it Is a small favor to ask society to enlighten tbe people whose only chance of education is In general read ing." Some 25 years ago Emilo Zola was a clerk, passing rich on 80 francs a month. To-day be is practically a millionaire. No living French writer has amassed more money than he from the products of his pen. His novels sell by the hundred thousand. On tbe first publication of any of his stories by a newspaper he receives the sum ot $5,000. Donald G. Mitchell, who had not yet re covered from the injury received at Rye, N. Y., two months ago, when his arm was broken, met with a fresh mishap last week, near his home, "Edgowood." Ho was out with his daughter, driving in the family carriage. Upon their return. Miss Mitchell alighted to close a gate throuzh which tbey had passed. As she did so tbe horse became frightened and raq away, Mr. Mitchell was thrown out forcibly, aud received a bad cash on the back pr his head. The Development and Scenery Are Pleas antly Pictured Forth. The growth of the South in tbe last ten years has been one of the most conspicuous features of our National life. This development Is in no way better shown than by the multiplica tion of railroads and tbeir combination into systems tnat rival those of the East in the ex tent of tbeir mileage and tbe Importance of their traffic. A very good Idea of the development of the New South in this regard can bo obtained from a little book published by tbe Pennsylvania Company and entitled, "A Handbook ot tbe South." It is a gooa deal more than a mere guide to tbe cities of .the South and the rail roads by which they may bo reached. Tho brief pen-pictures of Southern sconery which It con tains bave real literary merit, and tbe statistics are sugar-coated with a bright, breezy narra tive. Tbe value of tbe work as a bandy book of reference is greatly onhanced by maps that are not over-crowded with details, and whose ac curacy is vouched for by tho respective city engineers. The glimpses of land-cape and city vistas that form tbe initials and tall pieces bave real merit as engravings, and wiib clear type and good paper would artistically befit a more ambitious work. The Pennsylvania Company has the right to claim that in making the South ern country familiar to Northern eyes it is pro moting harmonious and profitable business and social relations between the sections of our common country. Although the gentlemen at the head of the Pennsylvania Company are seldom accused of acting without an oye to their corporate interest, they are entitled to credit for serving a good cause by tho publica tion of this little book. ABT IN PITTSBTJBG. A High Compliment Paid by a Distin guished Artist to Jlr. J. W. Beatty. This is high praise for a Pittsburg artist, coming as it does from one of tbe foremost art critics in America. Alfred Trnmble; and wbile It is true that Mr. Bcatty's highest praise has probably come from abroad, and from such eminent men in tbe art world as Walter Shir law, Frederick Keppel and others, it is equally trne that the rapid purchase of his recent works by such men as John Caldwell, John Walker. H. H. Westinghouse and others, at prices never before reached by Pittsburg can vases of equal size, attest in no uncertain manner to tbe degree ot appreciation at home. Mr. Trumble. in the Collector, commenting on the love of art in Pittsburg, savs: "One of the estbettcal phenomena of our time Is tho avidity with which Pittsburg has taken to collecting works of art since sho nas had light enough to see them by. Once upon a time, when tho great Pennsylvania iron metropolis was still tbe dirtiest and most pic turesque town In the country, I remember meetine out there a couple of painters who contrived, like lll-nourlsbed children, to lan gnish out an anemic existence at her sooty breast. All the great talents of Pittsburg, her Reinharts, Alexanders and tbe rest, scuttled away eastward as fast as they could. Now sho has her art schools, her public galleries, her picture dealers, and studios f nil of men and women of talent one of whom, John W. Beatty, will some day, unless the signs are perjured, grow too big artistically for the city of his birth aud present residence." Tho Apportionment Problem. From tbe New York Commercial Advertiser. The only possible utility of a larger House lies in tbe presumption that tho smaller the districts Congressmen represent, the' closer they are brought to the body of their constit uents. But, at the same time, smaller districts often means smaller men. And an increased number of representatives lessens the personal responsibility of each to to the whole body of the American people. THE OPENING OF C0NGBESS. New York World (Dem.): Do its leaders re spect the will of the people, or do thev intend to ignore andjendeavor to thwart It? The Pres ident's message and tho course of his party in tbe session which opens to-day will show. New York Star (Dem.): First da; of the final session ot the Fifty-Orst Congress. Now for one of the most interesting and important chapters In American history. Con servatism is the guarantee of Democratic suc cess. New York Morning Journal (Dem): Two thirds of the projects to come up for discussion embody principles on which the great political parties are diametrically opposed; and the fiery debates ovor these will probably delay much useful and necessary legislation on leas passion ate and more prosaic topics. New York Herald (Dem.): The session of Congress which begins today will be boisterous and full of healthy excitement. Speaker Reed is unmoved by the results ot the election, how ever, and declares that he will "stand no non sense." So we sit in our editorial chair with our windward eye wide open and an ear trumpet. Philadelphia Inquirer (Rep.): There are two or three measures of importance besides tbe appropriation bills that tbe Republican Congress must put through. One is tbe plan to revive American shipping an experiment, it is true, but one that must be tried before its virtues can be tested. Another is a bill pro viding for reapportionment based upon the re,. cent census. New York Press (Rep.): The second ses sion of the Republican Fiftv-first Congress meets to-day, to be in session, except for a brief Christmas recess, from now till its two years' term expires on the 3d of March next. President Harrison's message will be sent to it this afternoon, and judging from tbe reports of its contents which appear in our Washington correspondence this morning. It is a mighty vigorous document. Philadelphia Record (Dem.): This singu lar power of a rejected majority to legislate be tween tho election and tbe assembling of a suc ceeding Congress is an anomaly which should cot be permitted to linger any longer in tbe American Constitution. If, however, tbe pres sent Congress should persist in passing the force bill and other obnoxious partisan meas ures, tbe demand for a change in the Constitu tion in this respect would become irresistible. Abuse of power has led to most of the reforms in legislation and government. New York Sun (Dem.): The Democrats who strove in vain azalnst the policy of force have seen their appeal to the country against that policy answered to an extentthat tbe most confident among them wonld not have dared to hope for. A cocky minority and a sorry major ity will face each other. If debate is permit ted, it will be hot and rattling. The;Demo crats are eager to explain why they were victo rious, and tbe Republicans to explain why they were beaten. Eighteen hundred and ninety two seems pretty near, aud there will be a good deal of talking. Philadelphia Press (Rep.): There will be but three months of the session of Congress which begins to-day, and out of that will come ten days or more for the holiday recess. This will leave no time that can be wasted, and it is important that every Republican member shall be in his seat and in faithful attendance upon his duties at every day's session. Only in that way can desirable results be secured. It has come to be understood that the canses which led to the recent defeats were not such as affect the party at large, nor are they such as can be made permanently effective. They do not lie against tbe general Republican policy. New York KmM(Mugwump): Undoubtedly the tone of the party management will be to some degree revealed by the message of the President, and that gives to that document an interest it would not otherwise have. But whatever he may sugeest in the direction of afiirmativo action, nothing is more certain tban that the best policy for the majority Is one of relative inaction. If Congress would follow the English precedent at the last en largement of the constituencies and refer the apportionment to an impartial conference of the leaders of both parties they would secure a satisfactory result, one in tho justice of which the country would have entire confi dence. Cincinnati Commercial Gazette (Rep.): The leaders who will have command in Con gress till the 4th of March, and in other parts of the field until the 'final assault in '93, are officers who bave been acccustomed to winning victories. Under their lead, and that of their associates of other years In Congress and in tbe executive departments, only once In 80 years have the Republican banners fallen on the breastworks in any general engagement. There have been temporary reverses In the minor af fairs of the "off years," but. save one exception, tho result of every national struggle has been victory. On the other side, the enemy Is boasting as if tbe hour had already arrived for putting off their armor. But tbey have yet to meet again the veterans ot SO years ot almost uninterrupted victories. And to-day the lines will begin to advance. Tin Plate Obstacles Mythical. To the Editor of The Dispatch: Tbe circumstances you delineate as agitating the minds of certain pessimistic individuals, who are of opinion that tbey still operate against us in prosecuting a tin plate industry are, as will be seen neon Investigation, per fectly fallacious, and therefore of no weight whatever, as a determent to progress in the business. One of the "most potent reasons" adduced Is the lack of skilled labor, and which it is erroneously stated wo cannot Im port under the contract labor law; whereas. Instead, provision is made for tbe importation of labor in the creation of a new Industry, Further, Mr. Cronemycr has stated that which is perfectly correct when say ing that we can get along, if necessary, without skilled immigration, as there is a sufficiency of such labor now employed in tbe mills of this country (old tin plate bands) to start up tbe business and educate others in the art of tin nine an art, let It be understood, by no means difficult to acqnire, as it is sought to be repre sented to the uninitiated; the idea, of course, beine to exacgerate everything In the way of obstacles to be encountered before we can be successful. However, there are now waiting any number of men who will find their way over here so soon as the works are erected, belnc assured of employment at better wages, as these will be In line with the mlllnien's simi lar to thoso at Welsh works. Furthermore; they will not be hampered with the edicts of a nnlon that restrains them to the output of a specific number of boxes, when it is possible tor them to turn out a third more in their day's work: consequently earnlnga third more wages, and this based on higher rates than tbey now get in Wales. As to the cause of failures at some or the Welsh work", which the manufact urers here are "likelv to Inquire into before making investments' these are answered briefly: Ignorant management and a lack of adequate capital. The combination of small peo ple to start a works, spending tbeir money in tbe erection of a plant, and leavicgnext to notbine for working it. The inevitable consequence was their being handicapped from the Degln ninr, having to seek assistance by overdrafts at tbeir bankers; this cutting deeply into the profits of the business, as shown in the half yearly charges made in their passbooks. As is customary in the trade, materials, as pig iron, etc., were paid for by four months' paper. Then when a season of depression and fallmz markets occurred, it was impossible to close down operations at the works, as tbe money bad to be provided to meet tbese periodically recurrent obligations, and their product of tin plate was sold for what it could fetch, entailing large losses monthly, until tbe time arrived when tbe bankers refused further assistance, and suspension resulted. This has been tho fake of very many of the orizinal founders of Welsh works which have collapsed; but, quickly restarted by new com panies, so discreetly manaced as to give the gratifying results exhibited in tbe prosperous business of Welsh tinplate makiug to-dav. A striking proof thi3 working upon iusufilcient capital, assisted by bankers, was furnished a few years ago in the suspension of the most im portant bank doing business In tho center of tbe Welch tinplato district,whoseIoad of works' in debtedness was heavier than it could carry through a period of bad times. It will be patent to even body that all this has no bear ing upon our ability to mako tiuplates, being beside the matter altogether. Two of the leading tin plate makers Inst re turned Irom visiting us Sir John Jones Jenkins and Mr. Joseph M.iyberrjs men whospeakwith an authority derived from experiences extend ing over lifetimes in the business, say, through the Welch press, tbat there is nothing now to prevent one establishing the Industry, save tbe difficulties incident to the Inauguration of any new manufacture or business; andwbich are to be overcomo with a little patience and per severance. This ought to satisfy tbe most timid and faint-hearted If anything would. Yours, etc., Wilkess Teick. Hubbard, O., Nov. 29, 1S00. In Defense of Boildlng and Loan Associa tions. To the Editor or The Dispatch: If you will allow me a little space in your col umns I will endeavor to show your readers tbat the recent frauds perpetrated by tbe so-called Granite State Provident Association and the unscrupulous work of Sefton and Dunn should have no bearing whatever on the principles of building and loan associations. It is any citi zen's business to learn if a foreign building and loan association, contemplating doing business In this State, has filed with the Secretary of the Commonwoalth tbe proper certificate and there from received authority to operate herein. This having been done, then the State virtually approves of the plan and shows its citizens are safe to transact business with such an associa tion, and will meet with no such trouble as was experienced by those doinc business with Sefton and Dunn. The benefits derived from building and loan associations are too apparent to need any com ment here. Tbe old "Birkbeck" Association of England is 40 years old, and to-day its yearly assessments amount to 55,000,000. Though Baring Brothers became embarrassed, the "Birkbeck" never could, but grows stronger every year Instead. The fact that a certain association promised to build or buy homes for its members, and sola something tbey called "shares," does cot make it follow that It is a building and loan associa tion. Who ever heard of a building and loan association loaning more money than it re ceived fiom its stockholders, or loaning money without interest or security, 'ibis society did its business boldly and without cover, and, not witbstandlngthe face tnat its plana of operation were exposed by tbe press, it was allowed to go on and perpetrate its supposed frauds until its victims numbered over 10O, and tbe effect falls upon tbe building and loau associations. Legit imate building and loan associations should De protected as well as any other enterprise. Tbo fact that this company carried on an ille gitimate business should not cast any reflection upon building and loan associations any more than the fact that banks sometimes appropriate tho funds of their depositors should reflect on the banking ssstem. Neither does it follow that all acents are dishonest bacause tbe Sefton it Dunn combination represented themselves as agents of a company (which was unlicensed) and made unauthorized promises, any more than all bank cashiers are dishonest, because one now and then pockets the funds of hii bank. H. L. McCbast, Pittsburg, Dec 1, 1800. Reciprocity and Politics. To tbe Editor of The Dispatch: Will you let me know what the word reciproc ity really means, and how it would affect the enstoms income ot tbe United States. Also, when did Kansas become a State, and was it, or did it ever, tro Democratic? By answering you oblige some regular old readers. Allegheny, Nov. 19. 1S30. The word reciprocity, as used in connection with the tariff, denotes an exchange of products by special arrangement ana without the collec tion of duties. Its effect upon the revenues would depend altogether upon the extent and manner in which it was applied. Kansas was admitted in 1S0I. It never cams so near going Democratic as it did in the recent election. Name for PolItical.Club. To the Editor of The Dispatch: Will you kindly suggest a good and proper name for a political club organized by Repub licans in this city. Thomas B. Cbown. Pittsburg. Nov. 23, 189a Tbe name of a prominent party leader, either living or dead, is most frequently used. No Religious Test at AH. To the Editor of The Dispatch: Is there any law or article in the Constitution of the United States that prevents a Roman Catholic from serving as President of tho United States If elected to that office? P. J. Smith. West Newton, Nov. 29, 1S90. The H Is Superfluous. To the .Editor or The DUnatcn: Please let me know through your Mail Pouch column which is the proper way to spoil Pitts burgh or Pittsburg. Constant Reader. Allegheny, Nov. 23. Lawyers and Legislatures. From the Boston Herald. It is mentioned as a sad state of things that Kansas has not enough lawyers in the Legisla ture to make up its judiciary committees. Massachusetts was in the same position once in tbe days before the war. At that time she appointed as Chairman of the Judiciary Com mittee of ono branch a man who was not a law yer, and made a rule in tbe same Legislature that thereafter at least one member of the Judiciary Committee should be taken from outside tbe legal profession. An Island In the Antilles. From the New York San. Tbe Supreme Court of tbe United States has just decided that Brother Jonathan owns a right little, tight little island of bis own In tho Antilles. Tho name of tbe island Is Nayassa and the Island itself lies, appropriately enough, on the exact oarallel of latitude of Washington City, suggestively near Cuba and just-off tbe west coast of Haytl, which at one time claimed It, though that claim Is now authoritatively disallowed. CURIOUS CONDENSATIONS. The influence of the tides is felt for 400 miles up the Amazon. The current of the river Amazon is dis tinctly preceptlble on the ocean for more than 200 miles from shore. As an instance of the wonderful fecun dity of vegetable life it Is stated tbat a single tobacco plant will produce C60.000 seeds. The water system of the Amazon af fords not less tban SO.OCO miles of free naviga tion within the great Brazilian territory. The mangrove seeds begin to shoot be fore they drop from the parent plant, and the drooping branches strike roots into the soil. Twenty-eight per cent ol all the stu dents in the University of Michigan are women. The vegetation of Brazil is luxuriant beyond description. Trees split for paling in tho neighborhood of Kj0 Janeiro send forth shoots and branches immediately, and this whether the position of the fragments be that in which they originally grew, or Inverted. In temperature the vast Amazon basin is remarkable for tbe small seasonal variation of beat, accounted for by its equatorial posi tion and the Immense surface ot water and forest: within its limits tbe thermometer at its highest readings averages 90 and tbe lowest 75. The mean term of human life has gradually increased in the last 50 years from 31 to 42 years. Of those who have attained tbe age of 66 years, out of 1.000, 43 were theologians, 40 farmers, 35 office-holders. 33 military, 32 clerks, 29 lawyers, 23 artists, 27 professors, and 21 doctors. The museum of the St. Petersburg Uni versity has rece-red the remains of a mammoth found in Siberia last summer, about a mils from the military station of Krassnly-Yar, on the coast of tbe river Lomovata. Among them is a tooth perfectly preserved weighing about eight pounds. A thief in Chicago stole a 530 game cock, carrying it off beneath bis coat. While the man was passing a policeman the sagacious bird began to crow, which led to the arrest of tbe thief. Tbe fowl further distinguished itself before it was returned to its owner Dy whipoing the station house car. Dr. Altum mentions the bird ene mies of tbe pine-moth and the immense amounts of its eggs destroyed by the foxes, but he adds tbat tbe parasitic fungi which periodic ally Infest it are a far more terrible enemytban any bird, because tbey destroy the moth over very large areas at once. In tbe Cluny Museum at Paris there is said to be a remarkable collection of footwear. It was made by Jules Jacquemart and com prises more than 300 specimens of all kinds of lootgear from the earliest form or the sandal through its various transformations down to tbe most approved modern article. In the Province of Maranbao, Brazil, the roots, grasses and other plants extending from the shores of pools weave themselves in time into a kind of vegetable bridge, along which tho passenger tread3. unaware tbat be has left tbe Arm earth, until tbe jaws of a cay man protrude through the herbace before bim. A wounded badger was carried away by another badger suddenly appearing on the scene; rats have been seen feeding a blind couple. Brebm himself saw two crows feeding. In a hollow tree, a third crow, which was wounded; its wound was several weeks old. Mr. BIyth saw Indian crows feeding two or three blind comrades. Mr. Bates mentions the really astound ing numbers of winged ants which are de stroyed during their exodus. The dead or half dead bodies of the formica de f uego (myrmica scevissima) which had been blown into the Amazon dnring a gale "were heaped in alms an Inch or two in beight and breadth, tbe Una continuing without interruption for miles at the edge of the water." The little teetees, whose childish, sweet faces so much struck Humboldt, embrace and protect ono another when it rains, rolling their tails overtbenecksof ihoir shivering comrades. Several species display the greatest solicitndo for .their wounded, and do not abandon a wounded comrade during a retreat till they bave ascertained that It is dead and that they are helpless to restore it to life. Ordinary whitewood is now given the appearance of blactc walnut by first thoroughly drying the wood and then warming two or tbree times with a strone: aqueous solntion of extract of walnut peel. When nearly dried the wood thus treated is washed over with a solution of one part by weight of bichromate of potash In five parts or boiling water. When thoroughly dried it Is rubbed and polished. A Buenos Ayres exchange informs us that the Argentine army is officered as follows: 42 generals, 123 colonels. 111 lieutenant colonels, 119 majors, 219 captains, 222 first lieutenants. 235 second lieutenants and 219 sub lieutenants and eusigns; total, 1.373 officers for about 5.500 rank and file. With a general, three colonels, and five captains for every 130 men, it is not at all surprising that revolutions occur. Heretofore the postmistresses of Franca have been practically debarred from marryine. By an old-established rule husbands of post mistresses could not engage in a number of trades or professions, on the theory that they would offer temptations t the husband to tamper with tho mails. Now. however, the Government has abolished these restrictions to the choice of a husband with the exception of pplico officials. The railroad cars which traverse Man hattan Island over their hundreds of miles of tracks last year carried the enormous number of over 400,000,000 passengers who paid 5-cent fares. There were also a large number of transfer passengers, as well as policemen and others who get a reduction In fare. The gro'S earnings from passengers during tbe last rail road fiscal year show an increase of over 975, 000 over the previous year. It is stated that during the first weeks of Its infancy a lobster runs greater risks than any other young denizen of tbe deep. Add to this that, with tbe exception of the crab, he is the most pugnaciuus of fishes. Springing through the water from the impulse of his powerful tail-fin, the lobster uses bis claws deftly as weapons of offense or defense, and. if injured, be sheds his claw, which is replaced by the growth of another limb. The most terrible enemies of mice ara not other animals, but such sndden changes cf weather as occur almost every year. Alterna tions of frost and warm weather destroy them in numberless quantities. One single sudden change can rednee thousands of mice to the number of a few individuals. On tbe other side, a warm winter, or a winter which gradu ally steps in. makes them multiply in menacing proportion, notwithstanding every enemy. WIT AND WISDOM. Football is evidently not woman's sphere,' SomtrxiUe Journal. "We can't leave for an hour." "Wbynott" 'My wife has sone Into the kitchen lor a tee ond.'' Sew York Sun. Sanso When I was in China Kodd I never knew you had been In China. Sanso I was once when 1 was in college. I was jammed through the earth Is a football tackle.-. Kno Xork Herald. "But, Your Honor," said the prisoner, "six months forme? Remember, sir. Ibave ueeu a member or the Legislature and onca ran ror Councils. " "Tbat may be. But you should bave spoken sooner. I cannot Increase your sentence now."- Philadelphia limes. "Is your son one of those noisy, dissipated college boys?" .Not exactly. He Is what you might call the cab tbat cheers, but not inebriates." Few Tort Sun. Fish Commissioner Eugene G. Blackford received a letter yesterday from a lady out West, who said she'd heard about him and tbat If he'd be kind enough to send her a small lobster, so as she could see what th- tblngs looked like, be might order more. The lobster was expressed immedi ately. Jftio Tort Journal. "Stop Charlie, don't ask me. I've always regarded you as a good joke, that's all," said tat fair maiden. "Well. I'll tell you what." returned Charlie, you'd better snap me right up. Good Jokes are bard to find nowadays. "New Xork Herald. "That Sallie Harkins is tbe greatest girl for getting bargains at second band." 'Isn't she? I understand she's going to marry a widower." Sew lorkSun. Chicago's inquisitive 4-year-old is at it again. "What day Is this?" was one orher questions. "Wednesday," she was told. Is It to-morrow?" "When a despairing answer or "Yes" wre turned, the exclaimed. "We bave lots or to-mars rows, don't we?" Chicago Times. Seedy Gentlenun "Will you help rae to win a wager, sir? Hank. President What do you mean? beedy Gentleman Why me and my friend here have made a wager. II bets ma fl,0CO,00O against' 30 cents that I can' teat JO quail In 30 days. I've, got the 30 cents. What I want to Know ls,lf you'll help me to a fortune by providing tbe qaaHs.-s,. ' Louisville Journal. ., rt
Significant historical Pennsylvania newspapers