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' THE PITTSBTJKG DISPATCH, TUESDAY. DECEMBER 9, 1890.
imim
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PITTSBURG. TUESDAY, DEC. 9, 1S9Q.
MORE BUSINESS BUILDINGS.
The evidences which are reported in our
local columns of the demand for stores from
people outside of the city who wish to en
gage in business here, is at once a demons
tration of the increasing commercial im
portance of the city, and a corroboration
of what The Dispatch has often urged
concerning the wisdom of improving the
comparatively unused streets of the lower
part of the city.
During the past five years the residence
portions of the cay have undergone a rapid
growth; wmle there has been no corres
ponding extension of the business quarters
of the city. Improvements downtown have
been marked; but they have been more in
the line of replacing old business buildings
with new and inmosing structures than of
extendmc the business area. With the ex
ception of the growth ol business on Penn
avenue there is hardly a street in the lower
part of the city now occupied by business
that was not so occupied ten years ago. The
result is that the demand for stores cannot
be supplied and rents are reaching a
towering attitude.
This condition of things points to what
The Dispatch has long urged, the im
provement of the sections immediately ad
jacent to the business streets, so as to make
them eligible for trade. In the part of the
city below Market street, on First, Second
and Third avenues, as far up as Ross, and
oi er nearly entire area of the Court Ilouse
hill, there is room for tripling the present
business facilities of the city. "With streets
widened, grades cut down and pavements
modernized, the work of constructing stores
and office builaiLgs along tbesestrccts would
attain a mighty impetus.
The present demand for business property
and the high rents should stimulate activity
in this line. "We hope to ee even more
general improvements during the next
season than duiing the last.
CAUSES OI' RAILWAY WAK.
The problem why the periodically estab
lished and promptly broken agreements of
railway presideuts to maintain, rates do not
last any longer, forms the subject of an able
and outspoken article in the Philadelphia
Press. That journal attributes the evanes
cent character of such agreements to the in
ducements to cut rates in favor of sub
sidiary interests in which railway officials
are engaged, so that in the language of our
cotempcrary railroad officials "grow rich
on the economics of a salary of $3,000 to
?10,000 annually, when living at the rate of
513,000 to 520,000 a jear." It asserts tnat
"railroad agreements will be kept when
railroad management ceases to be a Vast give
and take," and shows a commendable dis
position to take the lid off, in the following
outspoken way:
These preferences create the entire system of
commissions under which agents grow rich by
breaking rate sheets. They make the purchas
ing of railroad supplies a subject of unseemly
jcat They fill Wall street with stories of tho
advantage given to the speculation of railroad
officers in the stock of their own roads. Lastly
and as only a small part of the preference and
favoritism given in all other forms, are the
special rates and privileges given shippers by
underbuying, by falso claS'fication, by special
accommodations in cars and facilities, bydirect
rebates and cuts, and by every form of con
cession from lavors of millions of dollars down
to a pass or a cigar. Men at the bead of a
labyrinth of preferences, favoritism and
double-dealing like this cannot make agree
ments that will be kept.
There is no doubt that this is a very
timely and truthful exposure of some of the
crying abuses in railroad methods, which
bear their full share in producing cut
throat wars, and in plundering that uni
versal victim of all financial manipula
tion, the common investor. But the es
teemed Tress is in error in rezarding these
as the only influences which lead railway
management,, in spite of its repeated prom
ises, to engage in throwing away stock
holders' money, each for the charitable
object of inflicting as much loss upon the
other as possible. Tnere are other influ
ences firmly rooted in the present condi
tions, which will continue to produce that
effect until they are reformed out of the
system.
One of these influences is the principle oi
imposing on local traffic all the burdens of
fixed charges and profit, and regarding
' competive- traffic as something which it is
profitable to secure at any charges. No
stronger evidence of this false tendency
need be cited than the formal assertion of
leading advocates of the railway school
that on competitive traffic "anything above
the cost of movement is profit" It will be
seen that such a theory permits the rail
way official to cut rates on through traffic
with the doctrinal assurance that he is not
inflicting any loss at all, but earning a
profit although the profit fails to make an
appearance in the annual statements. So
long as competition is wholly excluded from
one portion of the traffic, and therefore con
centrated with double force on another por
tion, the tendency to cut rates will be irre
sistible. The railway idea of correcting
this unequal operation of competition is to
abolish it altogether; but the interests of
the people are likely to interpose the objec
tion that it can be more equably rectified
by securing its uniform operation on all
branches of traffic
Closely connected with this, and probably
exercising a more direct influence in inspir
ing railway wars, is the hope of securing by
means of this attack on the revenue of
rivals, their adhesion to an agreement which
will inure to the profit of the attacking
party, or serve the great corporate interest
of securing profits on fictitious capitaliza
tion. It is a very superficial view of the
conflicts of the trans-Mississippi roads which
fails to see that they were inspired by the
desire to serve some ulterior purpose of the
great railway manipulators. This in, one
form or another, is the genesis of all the
railway rate wars that have been waged
since the beginning of the pooling era. The
best demonstration of the fact is furnished
by the case of transportation systems cog
nate to the railways, where competition is
free and where rates are always kept steady
by the fact that there is no remedy for the
loss from rates below the cost of service,
while in manufacturing or commercial in
terests, where ever there is the possibility or
hope of establishing a monopoly, the device
of cut-throat prices is almost universal as a
method of freezing out competition. "Where
ever competition is hampered or unequaled
cut rate wars are inevitable: where it is free
and unreetrainable they are unknown. In
the railway system, there is no cure for
such struggles between single and universal
transportation monopoly on the one hand,
or the establishment of unchecked and uni
versal competition in all departments of
railway traffic on the other.
A DELIBERATIVE BODT.
The effect which the speech of Senator
Gray, of Delaware, on the domiciliary pro
vision of the Federal elections bill has had
in producing an admission of the necessity
of changing at least that feature, evokes a
variation of Speaker Eeed's famous ex
pression of gratitude, in the shape of
thanks that the Senate is still a deliberative
body. The bill was passed through the
House, like a good many other partisan
measures, with hardly a pretense of careful
debate concerning its provisions. But the
beginning of actual debate in the Senate has
already produced the declaration from cer
tain Republican Senators that they will not
vote for the bill in its present shape, and the
admission, even from such a supporter of
the bill as Senator Hoar, that this feature
must be amended or stricken out.
The provision in question is declared by
the New York Times to be one of the least
objectionable in the bill, being, indeed, in
that journal's opinion, a necessary feature
in the supervision of registration. This
may be true with regard to the
powers ostensibly granted to United States
officers; but it so probably opens the way to
great abuses that the Senatorial supporters
of the measure, with the solitary exception
of Senator Edmunds, have nothing to say
in its defense. The section permit the
United States officers in charge of the regis
tration to call at the houses of the registered
voters and there institute official inquiries
as to the voter's residence and eligibility.
It is true that in some States similar pro
visions are granted under the State registry
laws; but in such cases the fact that the re
sponsibility of the officials making the in
quiry goes directly back to the people of
that locality, is one of the best safeguards
against abuse of the powers. Under the
prop -d national legislation the officials
would be responsible only to the adminis
tration at "Washington, and the prospect of
a check or redress for any abuse of their
powers would be very slight
An obvions possibility of such an en
actment is that it would permit the agents
of the party in power to make a house-to-house
canvass of any district at the Govern
ment's expense, with practically no restraint
as to the means which might be used to
influence voters. It would permit the rep
resentatives of a party to ascertain the polit
ical status of the registered voters and to
either exclude or retaiu their names accord
ingly. Hardly any measure could be more
susceptible of converting the machinery of
elections into in engine of political control
than this one of domiciliary visits would be,
with a very slight stretch of its provisions.
The deliberative character of the Senate
has been instrumental in demonstrating the
dangerous character of this provision. If
the debate continues as it has begun it may
produce such a radical reform as is ex
pressed by the proverbial cutting off the tail
of the dog behind the ears, or in more par
limentary language, striking out all after
the enacting clause.
AN TNADMISSABLE TKOPOSITIOX.
A very remarkable proposition in connec
tion with the demand of New York City for
a recount of its population was hinted at in
the hearing of the representatives of that
city before the House Census Committee last
week. The question was asked whether
New York: would not be satified if allowed
an additional member of the House, without
a recount, which question was promptly and
properly answered in the negative.
Of course it is not certain that such a
question had any especial significance; bnt
if it had it is pertinent to say that it would
be hard to propose any settlement of the
the matter that would exhibit a more com
plete disregard of justice. New York, like
any other locality in the country, is entitled
to the representation accorded her by an
adequate and honest census, and no more.
If the census of last summer was a full one,
to give New York one more Congressman
wonld be to give her representation to which
she is not entitled. If the census is not
thorough, there is no way of correcting the
mistake except by a careful recount Such
a compromise would amount to a confession
that the census has been botched, and a
bribe to New York for refraining from fur
ther demand for the only certain way of cor
recting the error.
If New York presents a good prima facie
case of inadequacy in her census, as she
seems to, the only honest way out of it is to
order a recount "While Congress is about
it it might also take some steps to deter
mine, in the interest of the whole country,
why the census cannot be made to show
something better for the past decade
of prosperity than a rate of natural increase
less than during the decade of the war.
THE TOOK FARM REQUIREMENTS.
The new ordinance introduced for the
purchase of a Poor Farm is doubtless
framed with a sincere purpose to avoid some
of the rocks and shoals encountered by the
first purchase. But it contains prominent
features which are by no means founded on
the real necessities of the institution, and
will hardly commend the provision to the
public approval.
The first of these is the requirement that
the land purchased shall be not less than
300 acres. This ia based on the idea that it
is necessary to employ the occupants of the
city poorbouse at farming work. There is
no real necessity tnat the Department of
Charities shall go into farming on the grand
scale; and, if they were, the primary busi
ness principles would veto the enterprise of
engaging in the raising of agricultural prod
ucts on lands costing from $300 to $600 an
acre, while the same products are sold on
Liberty at prices representing an investment
of 525 to 550 an acre.
The requirement that the property shall
be located on a navigable stream is appar
ently a survival of the times when the rivers
had to be depended on for transportation,
and when, of course, this requirement was a
useful one. So far as its practical effect is
concerned it would have shut out the last
purchase, as the times when the Allegheny
is navigable above Herr's Island are few
and far between. It is a well uuderstood
principle that industries requiring trans
portation for large masses of heavy freight
will find a location on the banks of a naviga
ble river a protection against excessive rail
way charges. But on the class of transpor
tation required for the Poor Farm it is
hardly credible that the saving from a loca
tion on a river would amount to one-half the
interest on the increased cost of the land.
The requirement should be for enough
land to furnish comfortable sites for the
necessary buildings, with convenient access
from a railroad, a healthy neighborhood,
with good drainage and an adequate supply,
from either streams or springs of pure water
for the use of the institution. These re
quirements ought to be met with a saving
on the cost that will be necessitated by the
present ordinance of a sum which would ma
terially enlarge and improve the buildings.
In Buffalo they have figured out that
ballot reform makes the election cost a dollar
for each rote. If that secures an honest elec
tion it would be cheaper at fire dollars a vote
than an election where the price of two or
three dollars is paid by one of tho contesting
parties.
The Philadelphia Press very sensibly
says that the Legislature of Pennsylvania
should appoint a divorce commission to co
operate with tbat created In New York in
favor of uniform divorce legislation. Tho two
States by themselves may not be able to do
much in abolishing the discrepancies that now
exist in the legislation of forts-two other States;
uutit is possible tbat if they should get together
they might conclude to do something in the
line of preventing the scandals tbat are likely
to arise out of secret divorce trials.
Theke is at last a material hope that
Fltler may do President of tho Philadelphia
Union League This will add brilliance to the
star of Fitter's glory, but it is hard on the
Union Leagne.
"Wnn regard to the question: "Ought our
Daughters to be Dowered?" the answer is easy.
They should be dowered with cheerful disposi
tions, a cultivation of tho affections, and a
training which enables them to do their work
in life bravely and well. Daughters so dowered
will be worth more to themselves and thoso
related to tbem than any amount of money in
bank or bonded securities. If we have brave,
bright and useful women, the question whether
they have any money or not sinks into utter
insignificance.
Pacific coast Senatorships are generally
supposed to mle high; bnt Senator Stanford's
bid of $100,000,000 in loans to the farmers Is a
little the lushest bid on record.
One of the striking exposes of political
inconsistency is furnished by the Tory attitude
toward Parnell. A year ago the entire Tory
press was embarked in the enterprise of hold
ing Parnell up as a man of whom the English
should beware. Now they are beginning to
treat him with marked favor. Tho radical
change is due to the fact that now Parnell Is
opposed to Gladstone, and the Tories are pre
pared to take any medicine that will beat the
great commoner.
Now that the Dakota Sioux are declaring
that their census is inadequate it begins to
look as if no one is as poor as to do reverence
to tbat phenomenal enumeration.
It is interesting to learn that a New
Jersey millionaire is going to build a temple
for faith cures an-", "will spend $500,000 if neces
sary in performing miraculous cures." The
idea of securing miraculous cures by large ex
penditures of money is hardly second to th
kindred idea of winning political victories by
the same pecuniary agency.
Beyond a few bucks who are reported to
have danced themselves into the land of spirits
the ghost dances have not yet been especially
productive of ghosts.
Now talk is heard among the leaders of
the House of increasing the tax on whisky "to
meet the expected deficit" Is it possible that
the House leaders are so reckless as to disre
gard the arithmetical demonstration of the
Secretary of the Treasury that there will be a
surplus?
PROMINENT PERSONALS.
Among i Stanley's hearers in Toronto was
John Livingstone, brother of Dr. Livingstone,
in seeking for whom the explorer began his
African career.
Chatjicey F. Black, the recent Demo
cratic candidate for Lieutenant Governor of
this State, proposes to re-enter Washington
journalism, and will take charge of the bureau
of the New York World.
"Ik Marvel" has been compelled to resort
to his left hand for writing purposes, owing to
his crippled right arm, and the author's letters
to his friends are all the production of the
hitherto unused member for literary purposes.
An lllnstratcd catalogue of tho Duke of Cum
berland's magnificent collections of art treas
ures has just been printed at Vienna for private
circulation only. It is a huge folio volume, and
contains 150 illustrations. The Duke possesses
one of the largest and finest collections of gold
and silver plate and jewels iu the world.
Nathaniel Page, of Washington, widely
known as a financier, and who has just returned
from a two months' trip to London and Berlin,
where he went to interest some foreign syndi
cates in American enterprises, states that "tho
biggest Americans, as Englishmen estimate
them, are James G. Blaine and Grover Cleve
land. Each is recogonized as the foremost
champion of h!3 cause."
At the last commencement of the Royal Uni
versity of Dublin nine clever Irish girls took
the degree of B. A. One, Miss Maud Joynt, re
ceived herM. A. with highest honors in modern
literature, while one more, a potential Portia,
pretty and wise, by name and titleMiss Frances
Helena Gray, wears her LL. D. with becoming
dignity. In the examination papers tho women
students ranked above the men.
A dispatch from Berlin brings the intelli
gence of the death, at the ago of S3 years, of
Hoinneli Berghaus, tne eminent geographer.
II e was born at Clevcs.in Prussia, and educated
at Munster. He is specially noted for bis mag
nificent phvsical atlas, of which an English
edition was published by Alexander Keith
Johnston in Edinburgb. and which is the finest
work of the kind extant Besides this the
atlases and charts of Berghaus have been in
numerable, and it would be Impossible to over
estimate bis imnortance to the subject of geog
raphy, physical and political, and to ethnog
raphy, in which sciences his authority has been
absolute and unimpugnable.
Princess Wn.nEL3iEf a has been proclaimed
Queen of the Netherlands, and is the youngest
living sovereign except Alphonso XILL, King
of Spain. The little Queen is a pretty and in
telligent child of 10. who has been brought up
-with almost Spartan rigor by her conscientious
mother. On one occasion when the two were
driving together tho horses took fright, ran
away and broke the carriage. As soon as
another could be procured Queen Emma re
sumed her drive with tne same horses. When
a gentleman-In-walting ventured to remon
strate, less the Princess should be frightened,
her mother replied: "A future Queen must
not know the meaning of fear. It is for that
reason that we go on."
TE0UT IN A WELL.
Probably a Subterranean Outlet From a
River in the Vicinity.
Santa Barbara, Dec, & An artesian well
was some yeais ago sunk on the beach of San
Buenaventura, five feet from high water mark.
At a depth of about 113 feet a strong flow of
water was obtained, spouting S3 feet above the
ground. Some fish were observed in the waste
water, and an examination of the well revealed
the fact tbat it was filled with young trout
They were perfectly developed, eyes and all,
and measured about two Inches in length.
Thousands of them were throw out by each
jet. The temperature of tho well water was
about 61 Fahrenheit It is believed that the
fish may have come from the bead waters of
the Santa Clara river by some subterranean
outlet. Tbat stream itself is several miles dis
tant from the well.
SNAP SHOYS IN SEASON.
The country can Inflate its currency and sur
vive, bnt a bank running on wind Is bound to
Collapse.
The slcigb bells tinkled last night It wasn't
good sledding, to be sure, but a good many
seemed to think so. Of course the rnsty run
ners cut through tne thin snow and grated on
the street stones, but the people in the cutters
didn't mind that. The bells drowned the chill
making scratches, ana the jolts only brought
the happy hearts closer together, didn't they?
Did yon ever take a long journey in a sleigh
just large enough for two an old-fashioned,
straw-littered, heavy-robed, bright-shod cutter
a journey that began just before dawn and
ended in the mellow moonlight? Delightful,
wasn't it? Or -was it lonesome, cold, monot
onous? Of conrse tbat depended on cir
cumstances. I have taken such journeys,
and so have plenty others. I remember one
that stretched through two days, and over land
and water, too. What a sleigh ride tbat was. to
be sure. The snow was unusually deep. Huge
drifts hid the road, fences were covered, and
travelers few and far between. After a few
hours the snow began to fall. The flakes came
faster and faster, and soon obliterated the rem
nants of the roadway. Still he who gnlded the
faithful little horse an animal reared In the
snow managed to pick a way through the white
waste until nightfall. Then a light shone out
faintly through the whirling veil, and Boon a
welcome, accompanied by good cheer, which
strangers alone can give, assured us we were all
right for the night Next m orning wo were up
with the roosters, and away. We were then on
the edge of an Ice-bound, snow-covered bay, an
arm of one of the great lakes. This had to be
crossed. And there It lay, white, trackless.
No matter where the eyo wandered, it
rested on snow and sky white and blue, cold
and cheerless. But the runners rested on the
firm, smooth ice after cutting through the
snow, the merry bells tinkled in the clear frosty
air, the crystals sparkled like stars on the pure
white breast of the frozen bay, and childish
fancy furnished the rest But what a long,
noiseless, smooth, white journey that was, any
way. Only the cbuckety-chuck. chnckety
chuck of the horse's sharp-shod hoofs, and the
jingle jangle, jingle-jangle of the silvery bells
for hours. Snow and solitude, glldo and
glimmer, slido and shimmer. On and on, ruth
lessly cutting the puis bosom of the broad and
long bay, leaving behind a scake-liko trail
which vanished Into a black streak where it
met blue sky in the rear. No cutting through
into the stones there no squeaking or grating,
no jolting or jarring. But then, that was a
childhood sleigh ride. The old man who sat be
side me then saw only tho snow and the Ice,
felt only the frost and the cold. The jingle of
the bells and the crystals in the snow neither
tickled his ears nor caught bis eye. He saw the
sky, for he was nearer to it; I saw the snow, for
I was closer to earth than he.
So long as public funds are placed at tho dis
posal of private favortes taxpayers can expect
to bo called upon to make up deficiencies in
the revenues without receiving any benefits.
Faith, the corner-stone of religion, is in
every heart It is the duty of the churches to
nurture and develop it
Molders of public opinion work in human
clay.
It is rumored that domestic duties, if noth
ing else, will keep Mary Anderson from appear
ing on the stage this season.
Pittsburg is cultivating art as well asartl
zans. Base Uses of the Beautiful.
The beautiful snow's not for sleighing alone.
It has other uses besides:
Ittakes the banana peel's place on street stone.
And greases toboggan slides.
Education does not unfit a person for any
calling.
It is a good sign to see the people taking
great interest In religion and religious affairs.
It has been demonstrated that woman can
develop her mind to equal man's, but not her
muscle.
Tna baby carriage is In the push, and always
wlUbe. 1
Mb. Del AMATBH hustled for votes and notes,
didn't he?
A song will catch a crowd quicker than a
speech, but Its effects are not as lasting.
New YORK is becoming a winter suburb of
Pittsburg. Tho Pittsburger is appreciated
there, too.
It's easier to drive some people to drink
whisky than drive some dumb animals to drink
water.
Treacherous Weather.
If you would save a doctor bill
And chase away the blues.
Take an occasional quinine pill
And wear good overshoes.
A light snow means a heavy fall for a good
many people.
Before a man goes to the dogs he usually
goes to the doggery.
Ir some of the scientists would turn their at
tention from our origin to our destination they
wonld be conferring greater benefits upon hu
manity. Ours is not a question of descent, but
of ascent
With the advent of winter the perils of rail
way travel increase. Go slow.
Deer meat Venison.
At all events the snow cheers the children,
and that should be compensation enough.
Birth of YVlnter.
A snowdrop fell from a chilly sky
In the stillness of the night;
Then others came, by Its side to Ho,
In the morn the earth was white.
A Frost King came from an icy land.
And played in the pure white snow;
He tossed the flakes in bis frozen hand,
And lingered, loath to go.
A wind came down from an ice bound sea,
It swept o'er the singing rill;
And with one breath hushed Its melody,
Then tho earth was cold and still.
A laugh went un from a merry crowd.
And tho children, full of glee.
Tore gaping rents In tho thick white shroud
In their winter revelry.
A sun came up from the flow'ry lands.
Absent lo! many a day;
It smiled and snapped the frosty bands,
And the snowdrop went away.
All's faro in a passenger rate war, of conrse.
The stranger within our gates last Saturday
got a splendid view of Pittsburg in 1870.
THE snow is tantalizing. Only enough falls
at a time to make slush. If sledding snow
would put in an appearance Christmas shoppers
from the rural districts would keen the store
folk busy.
The factory whistle is a relic of tho past
Clocks aro cheap now. The tooting things
should be silenced.
Fiction that follows the scientific thought
of the times is well enough; but fiction that
follows the social waves tbat clash on the
shores of humanity Is neither elevating nor en
tertaining. Prof. Koch has made professional enemies.
A man is not thoroughly hated until he does
something which lifts him out of tho common
place. Unskilled labor organizes for self protec
tion and skilled labor organizes for self ad
vancement In this age of vast fortunes made
through corporate alliances, labor has no other
remedy.
If there were no homely or plain females in
the world women would be gauged by their ac
complishments instead of their features.
"Save me from my friends" should be
Erin's cry now.
The early shopper gets the best bargain. The
stores are full of surprises for Christmas gift
hunters, too.
A SCULL race will be a novelty in Congress.
Still that's what the Greevy-Scull contest
means.
A Pittsburg iron mill has been compelled
to drop a lot of firemen on account of an over
supply of natural gas. The firm has its own
gas wells. The gas supply Is apparently all
right if you are not at the mercy of a monopoly.
Only Talks About It
A big doctor went to Berlin
To get some of Koch's medicine,
But when be got there
They had none to spare.
So all be can give ns is "chin."
The cigar has Immortalized a statesman. A
trade mark: is often a better monument than a
bronze statue.
Wosien get more enjoyment out of society
than men, because they are easily entertained.
A man Is often bored where a woman Is de
lighted. Shovel the snow off your pavement and re
ceive the blessing of the pedestrian.
When wars cease and Africa Is fully ex
plored the study of geography will not be very
fascinating and the map makers will not have
to change their plates so f requantly.
If the State sinking fund is not watched it
will sink out of sight
Familiarity breeds contempt This proba
bly accounts for the increase in divorces, as
marriage breeds familiarity.
Railroad bods are full of sleepers.
A great many people seem to be in love
with their own voice, because they want to talk
all the while.
Sometimes the lay of a minstrel produces an
egg.
Parnell is in the minority, but ha has the
combination of the Nationalist safe.
Willie Winkle.
BATTLE WITH A WOLF.
A Texan Lad Hag a Severe Struggle 'With
One of the Animals.
Rath City, Tex., Dec. 8.-Robert Liver
more, a boy of 16 and the son of a widow lady
living on a small farm a few miles from town,
on the Brazos, was recently attacked by a gray
wolf of the kind commonly known as a
"hulker," and only after a fierce struggle suc
ceeded in killing the animal, which appeared
to be starving and was unusually ferocious.
Young Llvermore, it appears, was looking for
a stray horse on the bare strip lying along the
river known as Harker's Flats, and was armed
only with a small riding-whip of plaited leather.
Seeing some animal moving through the
grass at somo distance from him, he
threw a stone at it and the next mo
ment the wolf sprang at his throat
The attack was so sudden tbat be lost bis bal
ance and fell with It but was up again instant
ly, and endeavoring to defend himself against
the furious creature, which was nearly as large
as himself. He met it as it flew at him snarling,
and with its jaws snapping like castanets, ith
the butt end of bis whin, which he laid about
its bead and muzzle with such force as to break
the bone of the latter and to bring tho blood in
such quantities that the ground about is gory
with tho marks of the battle, and to cover with
blood the boy himself. Crazed by the pain, the
wolf caught him by the left leg, tearing the
clothing away and mangling the flesh, while
Livermore belabored bim about tbe shoulders
and body with the whip, but withont any effect
beyond further infuriating the animal, which
overtook him when at last be tried to break and
run. and throwing bim down fixed its fangs in
his throat
This, fortunately, was protected by a thick
woolen scan wrapped tightly aDout it. or in all
probability be would have been speedily killed.
He managed, however, to seize the wolf by tbe
neck and wrench its head away, and then,
grasping It with: both hands abont the throat
choked it till suffocated, and probably weak
ened by the blood it had lost it fell away and
ran a short distance, when Livermore. thinking
it worse hurt than it was, took after it and
began beating it with the whip, cutting It to
the bone in many places. It would have at
tacked bim again, but the boy, now on his
mettle, prevented it from doing this by bis
activity in dodging it acd meeting it at every
tnrn with a lash. At last the wolf, springing at
him unexpectedly, caught bis hand In its
mouth, biting it severely, until Livermore man
aged to pry open its teetb witb tbe stock of
his whip, and, catching It bv the throat once
more, choked it to death. He was hurt a good
deal himself, and for a time grave appre
hensions were eulertained lest the creature's
bit's result in lycanthrophy, but they are heal
ing rapidly and he is agam about
MS, CLEVELAND'S FAIB GIFT.
The Letter the Ex-President Wrote With an
Inclosure for Charity.
Norristown, Pa.. Dec. 8. When the ladies
were arranging for the charity hospital bazaar,
which is in successful operation here this
week.they sent to President and Mrs. Harrison
and ex-President and Mrs. Grover Cleveland
hand-painted ornaments together with a brief
letter stating the work in which tho ladies are
so successfully laboring.but making no request
that the article should be purchased or a con
tribution returned. Ex-President Cleveland
sent the following letter:
816 Madison Avenue, Nov. 25.
Dear Miss Rex Mrs. Cleveland has re
ferred your letter of the 20th Inst to mo for dis
posal. I shall be very frank with you. Appli
cation for pecuniary aid comes to us daily and
hourly from all quarters and in behalf of every
charitable object. It is impossible for us to re
spond favorably to all, and to judge of their
relative merits satisfactorily is beyond human
ability. Our perplexity is increased when arti
cles arc sent to ns with the apnlicant's expecta
tion of our purcb vIng them without giving us
the least bint of tho value fixed upon them by
those who put them in our hands.
You have sent Mrs. Cleveland a very pretty
piece of work, tho value of which we cannot
guess; but from tho terms of your letter we are
led to think you expect the measure of our aid
to be tbe good work you bave in hand, to bo
regulated in tbe same way by the value we fix
upon tho article you sent Do you think tbat is
fair?
Wo have considered that we can contributo
$5 toward furnishing your Charity Hospital,
and that amount I gladly inclose. We will
also return by express the piece of painted
work you sent Mrs. Cleveland, with the request
that you sell it for tbe benefit of the cause.
Yours very trulv,
Grover Cleveland.
A MiLTJONATRrVS WILL.
Daniel B. rajenvether Leaves Hundreds
of Thousands for Education.
New York. Dec 8. The will of Daniel B.
Faerwother, the millionaire leather deiler,
which was filed to-day, gtves $2,100,000 to differ
on', colleges and 95,000 to hospitals. The will
was made on October 6, 1880, and has four codi
cils. The testator died on November 15, 1800.
The executors are Justus L.Vaughan and
Thomas V. Rich.
The following bequests are made: Yale Col
lege, for Sheffield Scientific School, $,500,000;
Columbia College. $200,000; Cornell University
$200,000; Bowdoin College, $100,000: Amhert Col
lege, $100,000; Williams College, $100,000; Dart
month College, $100,000: Weslej an University.
$100,000: Hamilton College. 8100.000: University
of Rochester, $100,000; Lincoln University
$100,000; University of Virginia, 8100,000; Hampl
ton University. 8100.000; Marysvllle College.
$100,000; Union Theologiual Seminary and en
dowment of cadetships, $50,000; Lafayette Col
lege. $50,000; Marietta College. $50,000; Adelbert
College. $50,000; Wabash College, $50,000; Pach
College, $50,000.
The re-idue of his estate, which was also to
have gone to theso colleges pro rata of bis be
auest, is changed by a codicil so tbat It is given
absolutely to the executors. The hospitals
given bequests are all in this city. The rest of
tbe estate is divided up among his family.
THE MASON AND DIXON LINE.
A Definite Statement Necessary to Satisfy
Carious Ones,
From the bt. Louis Republic
The Mason and Dixon Line runs along tbe
parallel of latitude 35 and 43'. 26 and 3'. sena
rating Pennsylvania from Maryland. It was
drawn by two distinguished English surveyors,
Charles Mason and Jeremiah Dixon, who began
their work In 1763 and finished it in 1767. The
line is marked by stones set at Intervals of five
miles; each having the arms of Lord Baltimore
engraved on one side and those of the Penn
family upon the other. Besides these large
stones set to mark each fifth mile, smaller
stones were set at the end of each mile, these
having a letter P engraved upon one side and a
letter M on tho other; these intended as initial
letters of Pennsjlvania and Maryland. AH of
these stones were engraved in England. The
Mason and Dixon line was not tbe line separa
ting tbe free and the slave States. The line
settled on in the compromise of 1820 was o0 so.
The Mason and Dixon line, as shown above,
runsalongthejarallelofSO0!',
LEAGUING FOR LAUGHTER.
Robin Hood, ' a Delightful Comic Opera,
Played Splendidly by the Bostonlans.
Lotto. Still a Charmer Cleveland's
Minstrels and Other Mirthmakers.
"Robin Hood." a comic opera composed and
written by Reginald de Koven and Harry B.
Smith, was given for the first time in Pittsburg
by the Bostonlans at the Duquesne
Theater last night. It was a success
of the most notable sort in every
way, artistically most of alk The audience, a
fairly large one, was outspoken in Its approval,
and abont two-thirds of the musical numbers
were repeated in response to spontaneous and
hearty applause. Indeed, "Robin Hood" is by
far the most Important novelty produced in
Pittsburg this season, and, considered as a
comic opera, it is unmistakably the best yet
written by Americans, without any as
sistance from abroad, in plot libretto
or score. It Is not too much to say that
Messrs. Do Koven and Smith have done in
"Robin Hood" work of which the giants of
comic opera, Gilbert and Sullivan, wonld have
no reason to be ashamed of having done. With
youth on their side, and such a brilliant ex
bibit of their several talents is they have al
ready given to the public, these collaborators,
who hail, wa believe, from tbe modest village
of Chicago, bid fair to win fame and fortune in
a very worthy field of the musical drama.
"Robin Hood" is built upon the legendary
story of tho bold and benevolent bandit who
reigned in Sherwood Forest four or five cen
tnries ago, ana therefore long before tho
county of Nottingham became famous for its
brew of strong ale which all tbe world knows as
Bass'. The plot is intelllglble,and romantic and
dramatic as well, unusual qualities for a
comic opera plot The familiar characters of
Robin Hood, Maid Marion, Friar Tuck, Will
Scarlet, Dame Burden and so on, who figure In
tbe romance of the green woods, are all in tbe
opera, and they are not mere caricatures of
these mythical personages, as Is generally the
case, but delightfully quaint reproductions.
So the double love story winds in and out of
three acts, in the market square
of Nottingham and among the oaks
and beecbes of Sherwood Forest, and
not for a moment does the action lag, or the
continuity of tbe narrative lapse. Tbe libretto
is wonderfully good. There is no little wit,
and not a solitary scrap of silliness in the lines;
tbe verse of tbe songs is musical, even genuinely
poetical at times. and tbeaptness and ingenuity
if the rhyming reminds one of Gilbert or
Eugene Field. Not a stupid pun. not a "gag,"
absolutely no allusions to baseball, politics or
local affairs, not even tbe eternal topical song,
mar the opera. Better still, the atmosphere of
the whole piece is as clean and sweet as it
would be if tbe glades of old Sherwood had
actually been the locale.
In the first act the trio in which Mr. Barna
bee, as the Sheriff, essayed to teach Mr. Peter
Lang, as Sir Guy, tbe English aristocratic
method of wooing Miss Marie Stone, a3 Maid
Marion, was most original In its humor and
melodious in its music. Miss Stone's song
about love, tbe quartet "All is Fair in Love
and War," and Mr. Barnabee's song describing
his potential qualifications for the shrievalty,
were all remarkable for bright and catchy
mnsic nicely wedded to either pretty or witty
words. Ibe final cborns of tho first act
was essentially dramatic In the second act the
chorus of tinkers had a merry swing to it
tbat drifted easily into a dance measure for it3
close. Mr. W. H McDonald's song, "It Takes
Nine Tailors, etc", with a chorus for male
voices, showed striking originality, and tbe
sextett with these words:
O, sec the lambkins play.
The birdllngs pipe on every tree:
Tli et Ids do frisk, right gladsomelle;
And bleat the lambs
Beside their dims.
They are so full of glee.
Yes, thevare full
They are so full
They are so full of glee.
While it suggested Gilbert & Sullivan in
words, music and tbe arrangement of voices, it
was deliciously ridiculous. A serenade and an
aria for Marie Stone in this act were also com
positions of genuine merit In the third act
the song, "The Armorer," capitally sung by
Mr. Cowles, again revealed a melody worth
carrying away. But the real gem of the even
ing was the song and chorus about "St.
Swithin's Chimes," which Miss Jessie Bartlett
.uavis sang witn exquisite ieeung. it was en
cored thrice and deservedly. Tbe words of
this number are worth reproducing, ana here
they are:
In olden times
St. bwtthin's chimes
Tolled blithely ev'ry hour
From out the old gray tower.
'Neath Swithin's shade
A lovely maid
Lived In a cottage bower.
As fair as any flower.
She neard the chimes through all the day;
She heard them call tbe folk to pray;
fane learned to lot e their roundelay
From old bt. Swithin's tower.
Ding, dong, bell.
For wedding song of funeral knell.
Your message to each nearer tell,
Betimes,
Ye cbtmes.
Ding, dong, dongt
Of Joy or grief may be your song.
If mlrtb or pain
Be your refrain.
Still ring, ye bells, and sing.
Ding dong, bell &c.
The concerted members did not show as
great originality as the solos, but where they
were most suggestive of other works they
weie still fnll of melodv, and in orchestration
often Improvements upon tbe borrowed strain.
Tho whole score, of course, had the advantage
ot tbe very able treatment accorded it by both
chorus and principals. The chorus con
tains soma very goad voices and pretty
women, better than grand opera usually
commands on the road. Of the princi
pals really nothing but praise can be
spoken. Tom Karl makes a picturesque Robin
Hood, and his vocal strength is undiminished.
In the role of Sheriff Mr. Barnabee has a broad
and well-lit field tor the display of his quiet
and refined humor. The fun he makes with
the belp of Messrs. Lang and Frotbingham,
the latter a jolly Friar Tuck, is rich
in the best sense. Mario Stone sang ad
mirably as a half dozen encores
testified and looked most piquantly pretty as
Maid Mai ton. Miss Davis' beautiful contralto
volco cime out grandly in "St. Swithin's
Chimes" and elsewhere and to her singing of
the "chimes" song, bv the way. Mis Grace
Reals added not a little charm by her expressive
acting. Mr. MacDonald. as Little John, and
Eugene Cowles, as Will Scatlet, sang and acted
with great spirit and success. If anyono
else in tho cast has not been men
tioned the omission must be interpreted as
praise. The costumes and tbe scenery for the
second and third acts are deciuedly band
some, and the opera as a whole could hardly be
better played. Mr.Studley, and tho orchestra
under his direction, interpreted the score with
great precision and harmony for a first night
As we have already said, the audience de
manded most of tbe numbers a second time,
and even in some cases a fourth time.
"Robin Hood" will be repeated this evening
with the following strong cast: .Room Hood,
Edwin W. Hoff; High She) iff of Nottingham,
H. C. Barnabee; Utile John, V. H. MacDonald:
Will Scatlet. Eugene Cowles; F tar Tuck,
George B. Frothingham: Sir Guy Gisborne,
Peter Lang; Allan a-Dale, Flora Fmlayson:
Dame Burden, Josephine Bartlett; Annabel,
Grace Reals; Maid Marion, Juliette Corden.
Grand Opera House.
List night's entertainment at the Grand
Opera House was a triumph of minstrelsy. W.
S. Cleveland's Consolidated Minstrels proved
even better than was expected. Amost every
seat In tho bouse was occupied. Each act was
well received and encores wero as numerous as
the numbers on the programme.
A series of exclamations of surprise and ad
miration were given at tbe first glimpse of the
tapestried palace of Mephlstos. Tbe curtain
was of heavy flowered silk and rich plush,
while tbe delicately tinted drapings of tbe in
terior produced a most charming effect. As
for the costumes they were wonders in them
selves, and tho richness of mirth was in keep
ing with the surroundings., iThe show was good
from beginning to end, and, with few excep
tions, the old-time chestnuts which grow on
burnt cork were a minus quantity.
In tbe opening Fred M. Winans won tbe first
encore on his solo, "A Son of the Desert Am
L" His form won for him admiration when
he stepped to tho front and the numerous calls
for htm left no doubt as to the richness of his
vocal powers.
Billy Emerson wa as rich as ever in his imi
tations. Hughey Dougherty was received, as
usual, with encore after encore, and there was
not one tbat he did not deserve. Luke School
craft was even funnier than ever, and Barney
Fagan ha not lost a whit of his ability to
please an audience.
Barney Fagan's creations, "Tho Alpine
Mountaineers" and the "Phantom Cuirassiers."
were wonders In themselves. Tbe dance of tbe
Alpine guides and maidens was grace itself,
but the greatest was the appearance of the
"Phantom Cuirassiers." The house was dark
ened and now and then In the flashes of light
could be seen the bright uniforms of tbe cuiras
siers and their flashing swords against tho
wall of black. When tho lights weie turned on
the scene was one tbat would have done honor
to Kiralfy. Each man w as a typo of perfection
and each movement was performed in perfect
harmony. Then all was darkened again and by
some remarkable electric effect each sword
seemed to strike fire as tbe cuirassiers fenced.
Fields and Hanson were deservedly popular
in their Instrumental comedy. The closing act
was a fitting finale to such an entertainment
The acrobatic feats of tbe Craggs family were
something out of the ordinary, and their
tumbling has never been surpassed on any
stage in Pittsburg.
BU ou Theater.
Lotta is superb. True, the play she appeared
In last evening was an old one, but she never
gets old. Her vivacity and bright humor aro
just as infectious as ever, and last night's au
dience at the Bijou testified how glad her many
admirers were to greet her after being two
years away from this city. One does not tire of
Lotta. In her particular field she still remains
In her well-earned position of best In tbat she
excels as certainly as Booth does in his espocial
forte.
To bear and see ber, as did a large audience
last night, is to wonderather prodigious powers
as a delineator of a peculiar and yet familiar
character. One never thinks how truly great
are her powers, because be is so true to life and
human nature tbat her portraits glide pleasant
ly into the mind and awaken acknowledgment
almost before you realize that she is acting.
Her continuous flow of high spirits, her ever
present grace and ease of action and her sweet
ly modulated voice, coupled witb ber simulation
of youthful innocence, are attractions which
never fail to charm. Of course, she captivated
everyone last night As Musette she is charming,
and in her present company none are anything
but good. Helen Davno as Maud, and Will S.
Rising a Sir Hugh Tracey. bave talent of a
high quality. To-nlgbt she appears In -Ina.' a
new play, for which great things are promised.
Davis' Fifth Avenue Museum.
The genuine plantation songs and glees of
tho Excelsior Jubilee Singers were the musi
cal attraction at Harry Davis' Museum yester
day, and they pleased large audiences hugely.
These minstrels are the genuine colored folks,
and their music has the true ring of the cotton
fields and the sugar corn. Tbe magnetic mys
tery of Miss Mattie Lee Price is still to be
found here, and on Wedncsdavnext four prom
inent physicians, of this city, will make an at
tempt to find out tbe source of her power.
Tbe water queen and the man fish are also on
exhibition, while tho zoological garden has
been permanently enriched by the addition of
Jocco, the big monkey, and the prairie dog,
who have already begun to burrow out their
homes and make themselves generally interest
ing. In the theater among the attractions are
Le Roy and Lincoln, tbe Dutch comedians; the
Taylor girls, in violin duets and songs; Charles
and Jenny Welch; Jobn Murray, a clever
comedian, and Florence Murray, who sings
a topical song with plenty of snap.
Harris' Theater.
It took a little repairing to make "Peck's Bad
Boy" as attractive as it proved to be yesterday
to two overflowing audiences at this house.
The repairing has been done and effectively.
In tho second act a novel skirt dance has been
introduced,' as well as some good new songs
and variety business tbat caught on in great
shape yesterday, and insures a good week's
business.
Harry WHllams Academy.
Reilly and Wood always bring an attraction
at Harry Williams' tbat is well worth seeing,
and their company this season is no exception
to theirule. Besides the invincible Pat Reilly
himself, there are tbe original Papillon dancers
that made such a hit in "Kajanka," and Leoni
Clarke's cat circus, a collection of wonderiully
trained animals, and a number of other excel
lent features. Tbe audience last evening was
not only as large as usual, but it was even more
than usually enthusiastic
Notes of the Stage.
Next Monday evening, at tho Duquesne
Theater, that merry little comedienne, Rosina
Vokes, will begin a week's engagement, and, as
is her nsual custom, will present three separate
and distinct plays at each performance The
programme for the week will be as follows:
Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday nights and
Saturday matinee, "A Game of Cards," "The
Circus Rider" and "A Double Lesson" (now);
Thursday, Friday and Saturday nights. "Percy
Pendragon," "My Milliner Bill" and the
"Rough Diamond." Miss Vokes brings with
ber a most excellent company, being beaded by
that versatile character actor, Felix Mornss.
Yesterdat was the first day for the ad
vance sale of seats for the Stanley lecture.
Tbe net receipts up until last night were over
$1,000. This is altogether unprecedented for a
lyceum attraction. It is thought that the en
tiro house will be sold by Thursday. Single
admission and platform seats will be on sale
this morning.
DIED ON A SLEEPER,
The Fate of the Last of a Remarkable Band
of Ex-Confederates.
Milan, Tenn., Dec S.-Harry C. Janet died
on tbe New Orleans sleeper here last night
Witb tbe dead man a nephew watched and
waited, and delivered to the authorities several
papers, which show the dead man's career to
have been a strange and checkered one. When
Johnston surrendered, in 1863, the brigade ot
which General John C. Biggs was commander,
and which tbe man who died last night was a
Colonel, marched to Atlanta, slipping away
from tbe main armv In tho dead of night and
there disbanded. The officers of the brigade,
with tbe staff, met at a banquet
given by the grim old General,
and there was formed one of
the strangest brotherhoods history records.
The "Famous Twenty." composed of the best
blood In the South, saw their homes devastated,
their hearth-fires destroyedand bad no place to
lay tbeir heads. Wine inflamed their already
frenzied passions and they swore cterni!
fidelity to each other, but tbat tbeir bands
should be against every man who fongbt
against tbem. They also swore to spend the
balance of tbeir lives in riotous living and dis
sipation. How well they kept their oaths Is shown by
the fact that in four years 13 had crossed over
Into the unknown, and in ISSOonly one ws left,
the man who died last night. A diary shows
that not one of the "Famous Twenty" died a
dishonorable death, and though tbe failed to
harm any of their old-tiine enemies each died
satisfied. The dead man's body was cirried to
Vicksburg, Miss., tho home of the dead soldier,
bv his nephew. His last words were: "General
Bigg, i have done my duty." and as his weak
hands were uplifted in a salute his spirit took
its flight.
THEY STAYED FOE BHEAKFAST.
Rival Suitors for a Lady's Hand Make an
Extended Night Cull.
Nyack, N. Y., Dec 8. An estimable young
lady living here has among her gentlemen
friends a frequent caller from the interior of
the county, who came down on Saturday to
spend the evening with her. About S o'clock
a Nj ack gentleman came to the lady's house,
also to spend the evening with her. The gen
tlemen were introduced to each other and soon
became well acquainted.
When the hours grew late earh gentleman
looked anxiously to see if tbe other was going
to leave, but both seemed inclined to remain.
The lady, full of mischief, evidently enjoyed
the situation, and when at 6 o'clock ou Sunday
morning she laughingly explained the matter
to her mother that lady insisted on both gentle
men staying to breakfast The Invitation was
accepted and the callers went away at 8 o'clock
in the morning together.
ADDITION TO THE DOMAIN.
A Newly-Dlscoverfil Valley In the New Stato
of Washington.
Seattle. Dec 8 The newly-found valley,
that lies juit above Gray's River Falls, is at
tracting considerable attention. By keeping to
the south bank of the river Ingress can be made
without much difficulty. The more fully ex
plored the valley is tbe more valuable it seems
to become. It is estimated that it is at least
three miles wide. The bench lands are very
extensive in their area, and are susceptible of
a high state of cultivation.
It is calculated there is room for 100 or more
families to settle and make comfortable homes.
A portion of this new-found valley is located in
Pacific county, which lies to the north of Wah
kiakum. THE INDIAN QUESTION,
Ne-wYork World: Tha Indians are tired of
broken treaties. They are hungry on account
of insufficient rations.
New York Herald: Now, there are two
sides to every question, and the red man has a
right to put his case before tbe public He
says he has great grievances. Before you kill
him let him be heard.
Cleveland Leader: Their dlslodgement by
force wonld give tbe United States army the
bloodiest work which It has had to do since
Custer fell, and thousands of lives on both
sides might be sacrificed.
Denver Republican: The disenssion of the
Inoian question which is now going on in the
United btates Senate will not be without good
results, if it shall open the eyes of the mem
bers of Congress to the fact that tbe Govern
ment has never dealt with tbe Indian problem
in the way it should havo done.
Omaha World-Herald: Most people disap
prove of tho Indians. But while these persons
may not care to relieve the Indian for his own
sake, will they not feel tbe responsibility of
this country toward this deposed race? Is not
every true patriot anxious that there shall not
be another blot on the national 'scutcheon?
New York Tribune: At the earliest prac
ticable moment tbe leaders of this disturbance
should be arrested and punished, and the
Indians generally should bo disarmed. Every
true friend of Iiidi in reform and Indian pro
gress will sustain the Government in its well
directed effort to check this disturbance and to
keep in the excellent path that has lately bean
marked out for tha education and employment
of the race,
CURIOUS CONDENSATIONS.
It fs estimated that Indian wars have
cost the Government $700,000,000.
Henry Jay says: "A contented wife is
apt to have a contented husband."
The Hotchkiss revolving cannon, tha
automatic but amazingly effective Maxim gun,
and scores of other death-dealing weapons, at
test the Ingenuity of Americans in this field of
mechanics.
Some cf the swifts secrete from their
salivary glands a fluid which raoldly hardens
as ir dries on cxposnre to the air into a sub
stance resembling Isinglass, and thus furnish
the "edible birds' nests" tbat are tbe delight of
Chinese epicures.
The twentieth century begins on Jan
uary L 1801. The first century does not end
with the year SO. but with tbe year 100; the sec
ond century, therefore, began with the year
101. and the twentieth century, as explained,
will begin with the jear 1301.
Biddeford Pool, Sic, is at present in
vaded by a troop of snowy owls from the Arctic
wilds. Tbe life-savms crew has baen belying
Its name dnnng tbe past week to the extent of
30 owls. They are sent to Boston and sold for
$3 or S3 0, according to tbeir whiteness.
The flamingo erects in tne marshes it
frequents a mound of earth some two feet in
hcigbr, with a cavity atop, on which the hen,
having oviposited, sits astride with dangling
legs, and In that remarkable, and yet conven
ient attitude, Is said to perform tbe duty of In
cubation. Nearly 6,000,000 salmon eggs are batch
ing in tho United States hatchery at Clack,
amas, on the Columbia river, of which 90 per
cent are expected to develoD and thrive. It is
little items like this from tbe far-away Pacific
coast tbat bring home to the Eastern reader an
appreciation of tbe restless energy of the great
American Continent
"You can't empty a hot, soft-boiled eg2
into a thin cup without cracking it nine times
out of ten. unless you follow a little trick I
pickd up." said tho wise Blanqnet "It is this:
Before you open your egg put your spoon in tho
cup. Why? The heat follows the spoon up
ward and escapes." Simple, but it doesn't
cost anything to try it
Mrs. Alderson, who lives four miles
from Albany, in Benton county. Ore. has a gen
nine Jeff Davis relic It was a piece or the
cape of the cloak which he wore when cap
tured in woman's attire. It is of heavy black
goods, and was given Mrs. Alderson by one of
the men who helped to catch him, an old fnend
and neighbor of hers.
Alcohol gets its name from tbe Arabic
alkohol, the powder of antimony, with which
the Dcople in Asia stain their eyelids. This
powder is very fine and pure, and the name was
In time given in Europe to alcohol, because
it is a pure extract; but the Arabs never used
tho word in that way. In other words, that sig
nification of it was unknown in Arabia.
The largest clock in the world is tha
great Parliament House clock, and is usually
called tbe Westminster clock. Tha dials are
22.2 feet In diameter. The denth of the well
for tho weights is 171 feet. Weight of tho
minute band, 2 cwt.; length. 11 'eet. Glass
used in dials. 24 tons. Tho large bell is beard
ten miles off: the small ones four to five.
The neWTnion League Club, of Brook
lyn, has made a radical departure from club
traditions in setting apart certain rooms, ac
cessible by a private entrance, for the use of
the wives and dunghters of members, and In
placing at tbeir disposal, at certain hours and
under certain conditions, tbe bowling alleys,
library, and other privileges of the club house.
A complete list of the Sultan's wive3
shows that he has five first-class wives, vahdes;
24 second-class or morganatic wives; and somo
250 third-class partners, variously described as
"favorites" and "slaves." The care and at
tendance of the femalo estaoli3hmcnts rcquiro
tbe services of 6,000 persons, who are the only
people In Turkey who receive their full pay
with regularity.
Panes of glass can be cut under watea
to almost any shape with a pair of scissors.
Two things aro necessary for success; first the
glass must be qnite level In tbe water while tbe
sci-sors are applied, and secondly, to avoid
risk, it is better to perform the cutting by cut-
' ng off small pieces, thus redocing the form
gradually to that required. The softer glasses
cut best and the scissors need not be very
sbarp.
An ancient legend says, tbat when man
kind were dispersed by tbe confusion ot
tongues, :Haig, a martial son of Togarmah. a
son of Uomer, a son of Japbet, went to dwell at
tbe foot of Mount Ararat, and from there ruled
tha surrounding country. Tbe descendants of
this warrior call themselves "Tha HaiLs." bnt
as one of tbeir early chiefs was named Ar
menak. they are known to foreigners as tha
Armenians.
There are over 80,000 stuttering children
in tbe schools of Germany. Tbe increase has
been so great dnring the past four years that
the defect is considered contagious. The fa
mous Dr. Gutzman is authority tor the state
ment tbat tbe increase is due to mimicry; tbat
tbe young mimics wbo imitiate stutterers soon
became involuntary stutterers. The schools of
the city ot Breslau have a total of 2,100 stutter
ing children.
The original meaning of vampire, which
appellation has been given to certain blood
sucking bats, was tbat it was usually supposed
to be tbe soul of a dead man which quits tha
buried body by night to snek the blood of living
persons. This belief chiefly prevails in Slavonic
lands. It is thought that those wbo turn vam
pires are generally wizards, suicides and per
sons who bave come to a violent end. or bave
been cursed by their parents or by the church.
Travelers describe the wounds inflicted
by the large sharp-edged incisors of the South
Amencan vampire bat as being similar to those
caused by a razor when shaving; a portion of the
skin Is shaved off, and a large number of sev
ered capillary vessels being thus exposed, a
constant flow of blood is maintained. From
this source tbe blood is drawn through tbe ex
ceedingly narrow gullet too narrow for any
thing solid to pass into the intestine-Ilka
stomach, whence it is. probably, gradually
drawn off during the slow process of digestion,
while the animal, sated with food, is hanging
in a state of torpidity from tbe roof of its cave,
or from the inner sides of a hollow tree.
THE HUMOROUS CORNER.
"Bo you understand thit Bronson has
finally decided to enter the state or matrimony?"
Ves. I think so: at least he told me be was
going to Utah." Brooklyn Eagle.
"There is one respect in which the toper
and tbe total abstainer are exactly alike," said
bla track.
And tbat is what?" queried Mnggly.
Tbey neither of 'em smile when they are out
of spirits." Sew York licrala.
Tbe Brooklyn street car drivers threaten
to strike If not allowed to sit down during por
tions of their trips. The trouble Is one of long
standing. Philadelphia Ledger.
After 4,000 vears of repose the mummies
of ir'ypt are being ground up into paint and pos
sibly are now painting towns red. It's always tbe
way. Your quiet fellows are the worst when they
do break out.FtiiladetpMa Timet.
Judge Guffy And what have you beea
doing?
Weary Wraggles Nothing, yer honor!
Judge Guffy Thirty days for vagrancy. Nextt
Boston. TravtUer.
A maiden becoming passe
For a wealthy young broker did le
; Uut be countered her scheme
And frustrated ber dreme
And ber heart's on tbe market to-de.
Brooklyn Eagle.
"I think there ought to be more protec
tlon on dogs to the extent of that of muzzlls', at
least."
Might I ask whT, Mr. Staylate?"
Because when I left last night that pnpof
yours seemed to regard me as free raw material.'
fMtadetphia Timet.
First Anarchist Ah, we will be avenged
on the police it lastl
Second Anarchist What have you done. Jacob
in 1?
First Anarchist lhave trailed them for hours.
I bave worked a dynamite bomb Into tbe tall
pocket of every man l
Second Anarchist They won't gooff, fool!
First Anarchist Ah, but I have strewn tha
pavement with banana peel! Sew Xork Sun.
Miss A. It is said that that old bachelor,
Slnglctix, was a great beau In his day. He could
bave married the richest girl In New 1 ork.
Miss B. Why didn't be?
Well, he didn't take fortune at the flood, that's
all.
He looks old enough to have taken It before tha
flood. Texas Siftingt.
THE TOUaH LINEMAN.
The crowd appalled, in mute suspense,
Gazed at the lineman, who. suspended.
Hung o'er the multltad" so dense
All fancied that bis race was ended
But when tbey took him down
'1 lies! words the victim softly said,
"I s'posc It's dark all over town,
Bnt 1 can't help It: "Aren't you deid?"
Tbey cried iraazed-'-rralsed be toe godsl"
Ob. no." said lie "I'm pretty tougn;
Tbey don't make volts and ohms enough
To killine-I've sold lightning rods!"
Sew Xork UtraitL,
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