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PIT1SBUKG. THURSDAY, JAN. 1, 1S9L
THE SEW TEAK, 1891.
The interesting youngster, 1891, is ushered
upon this mundane sphere to-day with as
fair prospects as ever attended the coming of
any Xew Year this republic has seen. There
is a condition of peace and prosperity
ihrouch the land. So grave problem threat
ens imminent danger from any quarter. Cap
ital finds profitable engagement in develop
ing the immense resources of the country,
and labor is better paid than usual, and
with fewer causes or signs of discontent.
The Statesmen and politicians, in their com
petition for public favor, are reduced to the
tof showing which can offer best service
to the country. So serious sectional or
sectarian strife distracts any class or creed.
Placid conditions surronnd the cradle of
1S91, and the imagination can indulge war
rsntably in the most roseate hopes ior the
youngster.
But as the world grows older its activities
increase immensely; and the trouble with
the progressive nineteenth century indi
vidual is that bis time is all too short to
accomplish all he would. Thus '01 is sure
to be busier and to witness the accomplish
ment of greater material things than any
like period which went before.
The Dispatch feels justified in con
gratulating its readers on the general pros
pects so far as they may be discerned from
the signs of the sky. It wishes them one
and all this morning a happy ifew Tear
and many returns!
DISAGREEABLE WEATHEE.
Last night's weather, in this glorious
country, was a mixture of abont all th- un
cleasant things imaginable. The fog was
widespread, extending from the Mississippi
river to the Allegheny mountains. In fact,
it was reported crowding over on the At
lantic slope. There was ram during the
day. and a furious snowstorm was reported
last night to be chasing the fog eastward.
"Wires weie worthless in much or tb western
country, and the electric currents were work
ing badly in this s.tlon.
High water, possibl a flood stage, is in
prospect for the rivers unless the "Western
snowstorm shall soon arrive here accom
panied by low enough temperature to freeze
up the trickling streams from the melting
snow. All in all, the old year went out
with about as ugly a lot of weather as it
saw during its entire course. This is saying
n good bit, for the weather oi last year was
remarkable for its nastiness. "We can cher
ish the cheerful hope that nature will deal
more kindly witn us this year.
THE LICENSE QUESTION.
Propositions to amend the Brooks law by
relieving the courts of the duty of granting
licenses, and placing that work in the hands
of a commission of some sort or other, are so
abundant as to establish the inference that
an amendment will be vigorously pressed at
the coming session. If the change is to be
made, the idea of Senator Fliun, that the po
lice department of the cities should be rep
resented on the commission, has decided
force. Mr. Ford's plan, also, of a commis
sion, part of which will be elective and part
appointed by the court, is not without its
merits. But the main question to be set
tled before deciding the details of the new
commission is whether the change shall be
made of transferring the granting of licenses
from the courts to a special body. On that
issue there will be a wide and obstinate dif
ference oi opinion.
It may be conceded that the Judges
should be willing to be relieved of a task
which is onorous and disagreeable at the
best, and which in the populous counties
" ' either over-burden them with work or
e them to take the time from other, and
i nportant judicial labors. But the judicial
attitude being formed solely as to its
bearing on the labors of the bench, it cannot
belregarded as decisive as to whether the
"public purposes of a license court will be as
carefully subserved by a commission as by
tbepresent method.
The division of opinion at large is such as
to present the issue, in the clearest way, so
far as the primary phase is concernedi The
fact that the propositions for the change
come almost exclusively either from the
political class which has affiliations with
the liquor interests, or from the liquor in
terest themselves, together with the storm of
complaints that arises on each announce
ment of liquor decisions, argues the under
lying belief that a commission would exer
cise a greater liberality in the granting of
licences than the judges do. The same be
lief will doubtless inspire the opposition to
the change, from the large class of our citi
zens who wish to see the liquor tiaffic kept
under strict limitations, and who are firm
in the belief that an arrangement which has
worked such changes as the present one has
is the best one to stick to.
But while this primary phase im
presses itself on every mind, it is worth
while to remember that there is possibly a
secondary phase which, for the interest of
the public alone, should be given thorough
consideration. All impartial minds agree
on the importance of having the license
question settled by a tribunal which is
above the influences of practical politics
and entirely beyond the control of those in
terested in the traffic regulated. The attach
ment to the present arrangement on the
part of those who wish the traffic restricted
lies in the undoubted fact that the judges
are at present wholly superior to such in
fluences. But if the fear that an elective
commission would fall under snch influences
is well founded, is there not an equal dan
ger that as the judicial positions are filled
by election the same influences will prevail?
One judge in this State is already reported
fciXSto'-L-'-' r i.'JtutT iTHtiii IJri-Ta-'
to hare been defeated for re-election on ac
count of his rigidity in the grouting of
licenses. With that possibility set before
us, its importance is immensely enhanced
by t,he thought thaf if the liquor or any
other class interests are able to prevail in
the election of judges the evil effects may
not be confined to the mere liberality in
the granting of licenses.
"We do not accept it as a foregone conclu
sion that an elective license commission
would be subject to the influences which are
dreaded. But it is plain that if, with the
issue clearly drawn, the popular, opinion
which desires the liquor traffic to be as
much reslricted as at present is unable to
control the election, it is probable that the
same result will attend the election of
judges. It is true a change in the character
of the bench under such influences will
have to be more gradual than the determina
tion of the character of the commission; but
that also carries with it the consideration
that whatever damage might be inflicted on
the integrity and impartiality of the bench
would be just so much more lasting. This
phase of the question makes it a matter for
serious reflection, whether it is not for the
public welfare to segregate the issue; to
fight out the question of many licenses or
few, by itself, in the election of a commis
sion; to keep the character of the bench en
tirely free from the influences of such a con
flict; and to recognize the fact that no higher
position on the qnestion of regulating the
liquor traffic can be permanently main
tained than the majority of the people will
support at the polls.
These are some of the considerations in
volved in the proposed change from the
present license court to a license commis
sion. They comprise such a rarity of pos
sibilities that it will not be strange if there
is a decided confnsiou and division of pub
lic opinion over it.
ANOTHER TEAK'S HISTOKT.
The year's history, briefly given this
morning, is full of important events. Death
and life were both active in changing human
affairs. The achievments of science daring
the twelve-month were noteworthy, not the
least being the discovery of Drv Koch's
lymph. Perhaps the most notable thing
about the peace history of the world, in re
cent years, is that it is a crowded arena of
events of apparently equal importance, with
only here and there one standing out promi
nently above the rest. This is not because
our achievements are less it is because
they are generally so much greater.
THE IKON OUTLOOK.
The full review of the condition of the
local iron industry, published in another
column, shows that the most active year
ever known iu Pittsburg's iron trade closes
with some uncertainty and conservatism as
regards prices. This is but the natural re
sult of the recent occurrences in financial
and railway circles, and as soon as the Basic
factors of the situation have readjusted
themselves there is every reason to hope
that the industry will go forward with unin
terrupted vigor.
Th readjustment is most prominently
called for in the pig iron industry. It is
hardly pleasant to notice that the railroad
authorities do not recognize the value of a
policy that will stimulate this important
freight originating industry, as the coke
companies have done. The railway contention
that if they reduce rates for one section
they will have to do so for others is un
questionably correct; but that interest
should bear the fact in mind that the rates
which they get from the Dig iron industry
are something like 50 per cent greater per
ton per mile than the rates on tne more ex
pensive and much-fought-over through
grain freights. They can much better af
ford to lower the rates a little than to dwarf
and limit such a profitable traffic although
now, as in the '70s, they arc very slow to
learn that important lesson.
"We do not apprehend that there will be
any serious difficulty in making whatever
readjustments are necessary to put all
branches of the industry on a conservative
and staple level. The best assurance to
that effect is contained in the fact that
prices have never departed far from that
level. The immense expansion of the in
dustry during the past ten years has been
made on conservative prices; and the same
fact furnishes the best guarantee against
serious complications in the future.
A rather encouraging showing is made
for Pittsburg Dy the United States Census Re
port on municipal Indebtedness." While Pitts
burg is stated to be the twelfth city in the
amount of municipal debt, placed at 13,203,402
which does not take into consideration the
retirements by sinking fund it has exceptional
position in beinc credited with available re
sources of $24,070,680. while no other city has
available resources equal to tho amount of its
debt. The statement is such an extraordinarily
favorable one for Pittsburg, and reveals so un
expected a wealth of resources, that we fear it
must be accounted for on the supposition of a
typographical error in the table as published.
That nitro-glycerine shot at the Exposi
tion gas well shook up the subterranean strata
somewhat, and also gave a rather severe shock
to the theory that there is a gas supply there.
The exact effect of Mr. Gould's theory as
to railway precedents is illustrated by a tele
gram from Portland. Ore., to tho effect that
nearly a thousand discharged employes of the
corporation are in want there because they can
not get tho money that the corporation owes
for work done. The policy of cutting down ex
penses by omitting to pay honest debts is a
wonderfully simple and effective one.
As to that new reservoir, is there not
already a site in the possession of the city where
a reservoir was half-finished in the early days
of water extension ?
Max O'Eell has finally concluded that
he cannot approve of the hotels in this country,
on account of the waste of food in them.
There is much foundation for this criticism;
but with all the waste it has never become nec
essary for our hotels to adopt the practice pre
vailing in the land of our critic, of charging
extra for soap, towels and candles.
"When the old-fashioned winter is- suc
ceeded by such sloppmess as yesterday's the
mind turns back with regret to the era of snow
drifts and cold waves.
The official theory concerning the Civil
Service Commission is like that proverbial one
concerning prohibition. The administration is
in favor of civil service reform in the Repub
lican platform, but when it comes to letting the
Commission criticise a Cabinet officer they are
against its enforcement.
Mahoning and Shenango furnaces, it
seems, are not be assisted any by lower freight
rates. The railroads are probably tired of the
car famine.
It may be true, as Senator Edmunds
asserts, that common parliamentary law forbids
any man to speak "superfluously or tediously;"
but that has not been one of the Senate rules.
The best demonstration of that fact is Senator
Edmunds' geographical neighbor and party
colleague, the Hon. Henry W. Blair.
Another "Wall street brokerage and
banking firm has gone up to emphasize the dif
ference between Wall street babbles and solid
business.
NetfXoek reports an apparently complete
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... . . K...h!'Ti.--fta&&.-&-y4.. -.. jrass au-BBmaAeAioA. , i ns i i .r r t . ifrrrm ffMTumtr ,r' iwrirr rrr , -t'- - "Tntr mr tto n ' t 'TiT r rf " t i ' i. r-it im Tmy-raMnTTBmrnwiTr iTr r i iTe- - Tffiniw mwi'iim t
ffliffl.'rt'iiWffigMSfayS&PPJffrrWS . 1is$i kr'Jg?"'?I!rfngSSiiyr
cure of laryngeal tuberculosis with the Koch
lymph. The man was said to be dying with the
disease when pnt under treatment, but Is now
ready to be discharged as cured. He can go
forth and call the bacilli antidote blessed.
Ticket scalpers will find less to dosince the
Pennsylvania Railroad has withdrawn Its ob
jections to its agents selling tickets on commis
sion. Fifteen mills as the tax rate for 1891,
spoken of in some quarters, fails to keep the
promise of a reduction in the tax rate which
was heard not long ago. But it looks as if the
tax-payers would have to accept the situation
and the tax rate.
TiiENewTeardidnotneedtoblowhisown
horn last night. A million metal-throated
steam whistles did that for him.
A Georgia man is proudly exhibiting
the trousers in which he was married forty
years ago. He seems to feel the necessity of a
visible demonstration that bis wife has not
worn them out.
PEEX1NNET PEBSONALITIES.
Ex. Chief Justice Peter W. Chain, of
Maryland, is seriously ill in Baltimore.
CHAUir c,et M. Depew and Grover Cleve
land will lecture at Chicago under the auspices
of the Press Club.
Professor Walter Balentine, of the
Maine State College, will soon visit Western
colleges to study the various systems of in
struction in agriculture.
Governor Mellette Is announced as a
probable successor to Senator Moody, of South
Dakota, in case the farmers in the Legislature
relnse to re-elect the latter.
Marshal Booth gives this succinct state
ment of the salvation methdds: ' "Scrubology
and soapology, instead of theology, in dealing
with the submerged twentieth of society."
General Sherman appeared on the Sen
ate floor on Tuesday, ana was surrounded at
the door by members, whose conversation
so disturbed Senator Cockrell, of Missouri,
that he declined to go on until tne noise ceased.
Senator Dolph, of Oregon, is pictured as
a true type of the prophet. He is tall, solemn,
broad-shouldered, and is nearly always dressed
In a dark frock suit. The lower part of his face
is hidden by a long gray beard, and he has a
deep, penetrating voice.
Ex-President Hayes has been a frequent
visitor to Cincinnati of late. His hair id white
now, but his step is firm and vigorous. He
keeps alive the memory of his part in the civil
war by always wearing the tricolored button of
the Loyal Legion and by chatting with old
army comrades In the corridors of the Burnet
House.
SHE WILL WED A JAP.
Both Parties to tho Union Are Members of
the Friends' Society.
1FPECIAL TELEQJIAM TO TBI DIHFATCIT.'.
Philadelphia. Dec 31. Miss Mary Eikln
ton, daughter of Joseph S. Elkinton, a promi
nent member of the Society of Friends, will be
married to-morrow to Inazo Nitobe, a young
Japanese student, well known in intellectual
circles. There ceremony will be performed in the
quaint old meeting house at Fifth and
Arch streets. Miss Elkinton's "familv are gen
erally opposed to the union, and her father en
deavored to have the young couple debarred
from the meeting bouse, notwithstanding the
fact that her familv are old and respected
Friends, and that .Mr. Nitobe is himself a mem
ber of the Society of Friends.
Two meetings were held to consider the ad
visability of allowing the marriage to be per
formed in the meeting house by the Friends'
ceremony. At the first of these meetings,
which was held on Thanksgiving Day,
Mr. ElkiDton declared his opposition,
that' the affianced members failed
to pass meeting, or, in other
words, were denied permission to be united in
a Friends' meeting house, or by a minister of
the society. But at the second meeting, held
on Christmas Day. a committee of Friends
roported favorably upon granting the
uso of the building fori the coremony,
thns removing the last obstacle to the mar
riage, to the great joy of the young people.
Mr. Elkinton's gnet at the certainty of the
union is very great, aud be has been confined
to his bouse ever since the announce
ment. The arrangements lor the cere
mony to-morrow is a reoeption to- their
friends. which will be given at the
house of Mr. and Mrs. William Elkinton,
brother ana sister-in-law of the bride, and the
following week they will entertain their friends
at the residence of Mrs. Sarah Scull, Over
brook. They will bid farewell to their friends
a few days later and depart for San Francisco,
from which point tbey will sail on January 17
for Yokohama, Japan.
A HIHE COMPANY'S JKAlf AXEMEN-
The Old Element Again Prominent In the
Directory.
New York, Dec SL Fo- several days In
formal but important meetings of individual
directors of the Tennessee Coat and Iron Com
pany have been going on. The last of these
meetings was held in a private parlor at the
Fifth Avenue Hotel,Tueday evening.and after
a long discussion as to the condition of the
company and its affairs it was decided to have
a formal meeting at the office of the
President-, Thomas C. Piatt this after
noon. At this meeting Mr. Piatt pre
sided, and a reorganization of the company was
effected. The elcmeut which first brought the
property into prominence was represented, and
before the meeting was over it was again re
stored to favor. For instance. W. SI. Duncan,
of Nashville, who has been First Vice Presi
dent, resigned his place, and N. Baxter, Jr..
who was President from 1884 to 1888, was elected
in his place
Mr. Baxter is 'from Nashville, and an
influential man in the iron industries
of tho South. Mr. Duncan remains a
director. Then J. F. B. Jackson, of Birming
ham, wbo was Second Vice President,
resigned, and his place was filled by
T. P. Hlllman, also from Birmingham. It was
paid that these gentlemen will have offices in
Nashville, bat that they will be in close com
inunicatlon with President Piatt at the New
York office. Then the formal resignations as
directors of General Russell A. Alger, Samuel
Cowan, J. F. B. Jackson, Colonel D. S. Lamont,
and J. C. Haskell were read and approved. In
their places were elected John H. Inman, who
bas been identified with the property for many
years. Mr. Baxter. Mr. Hlllman, H. O. Armour
and General Samuel Thomas. Ihe board of
directors, therefore, now is Thomas C. Piatt,
the gentleman just named, and H. Q. Bond, J.
L. Gains, Mr. Duncan. C. C. Baldwin. F. L.
Lehman. S. P. Hill, Napoleon Hill, Enoch
Ensley and H. Duncan Wood.
THE P00E OP OHIO.
One Out of Every 37 or Its People Aided
by Charity.
Columbus, 0 Dec 31. The annual report
of the Board ot State Charities, completed this
afternoon, shows that 97,874 persons were either
partially or wholly maintained In the State
and county benevolent institutions and penal
institutions during the year at a cost of 3,160,
471 84. The ontdoor relief in the counties ag
gregated J42Q.071 7a .
Tho figures show that one person in every 37
in the State is either a total or partial charge
on the taxes collected from the people and
that thev consume a sum equal to more than
one-balf the whole amount paid into the State
Treasury.
SNOW IK THE FAB WEST,
Arizona, Nevada and the Mountains Get a
Touch of the Storm.
an Francisco. Dec 3k Light rain and
snow fell during the night in Arizona and
Nevada, the snow fall varying in Western
Nevada from 3 to 10 Inches, and the depth on
the ground Is reported at from 2 to 4 feet
Snow also fell on the Tecbhapl Mountains
and the mountain district of Eastern -California.
Tour O'Clock Tea.
Mrs. Samuel C. "Walker gave a delightful
"4 o'clock" at her elegant home, on .Ridge ave
nue, yesterday afternoon, A great many ladies,
in defiance of the lnclementf weather, paid
their respects to Mrs. Walker, and enjoyed the
flowers and music with which the lovely borne
was filled. Refreshments of a delicious order
were served, and the affair was altogether very
enjoyable
DEATHS OP A DAY.
Dr. T. P. Mussozu
SPECIAL TELEGRAM TO TUB CISrATCR.1
Bellefonte, Dec 3k Dr. T. P. Mntson, of
Aaronsburir, this county, died of rheumatism at
his borne this morning, need 63 yeirs. He was one
of the inott prominent phyclaus ana citizens In
this county, havlug been a resident here all his
life.
General F. E. Splunor.
jAexsojrvjLLE, Fla., Dec Ik General F. E.
Bplnner, ex-Treasurer of the United Btatta, died
at 8:30 this eyenlng.
THE TOPICAL TALKER,
Whose Tault Was It?
A respectable young mechanic married a
pretty Allegheny girl a short timo ago. Tbey
went to housekeeping at once. A snug little
home in Allegheny was their choice, and be
furnished it pretty handsomely on the install-J
lucut. juan. xxe nougat most oi tne irying
pans, the range, the dishes, the linen and so on
also on the Installment plan. His wife played a
little, anu to gratify her he bought a piano to
be paid for in SS monthly Installments. After
they had been living in their new home a day
or two the proud husband sat down after sup
per to figure out how he stood financially. He
knew to a dollar what his incomo was, for he
worked on salary, Asthe column of expendi
tures rose his face fell.'and when he discovered
that after all the installments to various dealers
bad been paid he wonld have the princely sum
of one dollar a monthto live on he almost fell
off his chair. But he said nothing about It to
bis wife then, and the next day his mother-in-law
descended upon the household. She was
not satisfied with "her poor child's" circum
stances; criticisedthe carpets, the tone of tho
piano, and remarked sarcastically upon the
absence of lace curtains in tho little parlor.
That settled It
There is an empty little house In Allegheny.
Several Installment houses have some slightly
used furniture on their hands again, and a
piano as good as new is once more ready to go
out into a cold world at $S a month. Sad to say
also thero are a young man and a young woman
who wish they could as easily as their hired
household goods resume their statu quo.
, Double Edged Economy.
"Now. Tom," sud his sister as they were
coming home from a New Tear's eve party,
"Iwant you to begin the New Year with the
resolve to get out of debt. You must give up
some of your expensive habits now, won't you
promise me to give up at least oneT"
"Obi 1 guess so," said Tom.
"What shall it beT" said she, resolved to
strike while the iron was hot
"Buying theater tickets for you."
Equally True Elthvr Way.
There was a wedding across the way from
Smith's tho other day. Tho bride's parents
were as poor as church mice, but some poor
people are always rich enough to celebrate a
wedding or a funeral right royally. The feast
ing lasted so long and so many guests wero
there that It was hardly a wonder that Mrs.
Smith said caustically to her daughters: "It's a
case of now a feast and then a famine over the
way; my dears."
The smallest Smith, a bright little girl of
seven or eight, heard her mother say this and
stored the phrase up in her memory. At break
fast Mr. Smith was informed of the high
hymeneal jinks over the way, and his smallest
daughter said solemnly: "And mamma says its
a case of a feast now and next a family!"
The truth of this paraphrase ot the original
remark did not lessen Us confusing effect
A Diary for January.
The demand for diaries begins In the last
week of December and continues until January
;10 at latest. The sale of memorandum books
ana commercial' diaries aoes not ".actuate
much. Merchants and other men in business
always need them, whether trade is good or
baa. There is considerable competition in the
trade and Pittsburg manufacturers have to
compete with those of New York, Philadelphia,
Boston and a good many other cities In the
home market
For the more romantic side of the aiary busi
ness ample provision is still made, through tho
call for artistic diaries for boudoir use is not
what it used to be. It is strange that nobody
has thought of getting up a diary especially
designed for the great majority of young peo
ple of both sexes the youthful enthusiasts
wbo start out to keep a diary with the New
Year and hate the sight of it by January 31 at
the furtberest For this class of , consumers a
diary for January alone would be sufficient,
and tho money saved by cutting off the other
11 months might be applied to the enrichment.
of the book's binding and printing.
A Cautions rather.
After the pair had , separated and when
Christmas was approaching he was puzzled
what to send the baby boy who had come upon
the scene but a short while before. Finally,
being ot a modest disposition, he consulted a
jeweler as to what he should send. The jeweler
asked for all the circumstances, and when he
learned them snggested a silver mug. So a
little drinking cup was chosen by the father,
and after some hesitation this inscription was
engraved: "From a Friend." The caution of
a man who goes no farther than an expression
of friendship for his own son may be called
unique But these are facts from life in Pitts
burg. What a Comedy It Wonld Be.
Haven't you wished at the close of "Romeo
and Juliet" that Shakespeare bad written the
play as a romantic comedy instead of an ex
ceptionally bloody tragedy? Every time I go
to see it the delightful possibilities of a happy
ending to the finest love story ever written rise
jn contrast to the gloomy actuality.
This reminds me that there is in Ireland a jour
nal called Irish Society, whose critie has original
ideas about "Romeo and Juliet" This gentle
man says of "Romeo and Juliet" that it is a
"melodrama which would bear cutting with
advantage," He compliments Miss Fortescuo
on her "dramatic hoarseness and fierce de
meanor," but laments that "the entire play is
abnormal, and frequently outrages probabil
ity. Here ana there were glimpses of human
nature, but, generally, it is blank verse, stuffed
with bloated metaphor and rhythmic bombast
and the boards were littered with corpses like a
shambles." It is refreshing to find a writer
making a stand against "bloated metaphor,"
and as a criticism of Shakespeare, "but, gener
ally, it is blank verse," is new and striking.
A C0L0EED TmrVEBSITT.
Plans Now Under Way for One Similar to
Chautauqua.
rcrECIAL TELEQHAM TO THE DISPATCH.!
Ashubt Park; N. J., Dec 31. A tract of
land has be,en purchased in the pine woods
north of Deak Lake, and adjoining the new
resort known as Interlakcn, for tho
avowed purpose of establishing a per
manent suinmec resort for the colored race.
The project is a big one, as it also includes the
erection of a brick college, capable or rooming
500 colored students, somewhat after the stvle
ot theFisk University in the South. Thero
will also be a permanent campmeetlng ground
and a summer school of general work, as at
Chatanqua.
To-night a number of ministers and laymen,
cnnsplcuousin the work of the African Metho
dist Episcopal Church, held a meotlng in
Bethel Churob. Aftpr considerable dis
cussion, it was decided to incorporate a
summer educational institute under tho name
of tho Park University. There are 13 trustees
wbo will serve for one year. The Rev. Junius
C. Ayler was elected President of the
University ami President of the Board
of Trustees. Mr. Ayler is said to be one
of the best educated colored men In the coun.
try. Be was graduated from Ku Igor's College
four years ago. He is now the presiding elder
of this district of the African M. E. Church.
Representatives or a company which
bas purchased the tract of land wore
present They said the project
was assured of success from the start Build
ing lots will be sold under certain restrictions,
but the deeds will be given and not 99 year
leases, like those issued by the Ocean Grove
Campmeetlng Association.
The Fount Never Runs Dry,
New York Telegram. J
Another New York girl was wedded to a for
eign nobleman to-day. Considering that we
only have Four Hundred fashionables In this
city, it seems simply wonderful that we should
be able to furnish so many wives to discrim
inating foreigners of position and bearing dis
tinguished titles. ,
, Where tho Students Leave Him.
St. Paul Globe.
W. H. H. Murray having registered a solemn
vow to mark with a memorial stone the spot
where Sitting Bull is buried, the chances are
that he might as well commence on one or two
prominent medical colleges.
Senator Cameron Is All Right.
Cbambersburg Repository.
Senator Cameron will be his own successor,
notwithstanding the futile efforts made by
some Republicans to defeat him, wbo have
only personal Interest at heart '
What Is in a Name?
Chicago Inter-Ocean.
No street has a more appropriate name than
"Wall street' Ihe mot, "pushing men to the
wall,'" has a meaning on-Wall street, -
SOCIETY irTRJLL DRESS.
The Spanish German at the Painter Mansion
Debut of tho Misses Chalfant An Ital
ian Veteran Remembered-Social Gossip
of the Twin Cities.
One of the most novel and elaborate, as well
as one of quaintest and prettiest events of the
season, was the Spanish german given last
evening by Miss Mary Painter, the charming
little daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Park Painter,
at the family mansion on Ridge avenue
The little guests having precedence in the
use of tho carriages, as they were scions
of the "families whose older mem
bers appeared at the Chalfant recep
tion, began to arrive about 8 o'clock
and after removing their outer garments, were
ushered into the handsome drawing room, and
there greeted Miss Mary, who is enjoving
Christmas vacation from her school at Pelbam
Manor, on tho Hndson. The little hostess, in a
sweetly pretty, yet simple, gown of white silk,
succeeded in making her young friends feel at
ease immediately, a difficult thing to ac
complish, even by a much more experi
enced person, and consequently, as there
was no restraint or stiffness to wear oft, the
"good time" commenced at once.
The decorations and music of mandolins, as
did everything pertaining to the german, car
ried out the Spanish idea. The drawing room,
after being crashed, was hung artistically with
the Spanish colors of crimson and gold, and the
favors were all sugcestive of Spain. There
were four favor cotillons danced, preceded by
a tarletan figure. In which the red and gold
was used. Tiny Spanish castanets and
guitars were the favors for one cotillon, pretty
little ribbon bows and rosettes of tho
colors of Spain, for another, and
globos filled nith chocolate candies and
cigarette holders containing cigarettes of
chocolate for still another, while cunning little
gypsey kettles of brass, each bearing a number,
were the favors for the final cotillon. And the
possessor of the lucky number among tho
misses received a handsome Spanish fan, and a
silver Spanish stiletto was awarded the fortu
nate master.
Refreshments wore served in tne billiard
room, and a mammoth floral globe occupied
the center of tho table out of compliment to
Columbus, the famous Spaniard.
The guests were Misses AliceTindle, Rebecca
Darlington, Madeline Laugblin, Mary Laugh
lin. Amy Watson, Marguerette Singer, Patti
Rogers, Bessie Long. Georgia Gormley,
Jeanette CbUds, MarvBell, Agnes Dickson,
Mary Brown, Willa Forsythe, Mable Clark,
Frances Oliver, Mary Milligan, Rima Hnsle
ton, Elizabeth Chambers, Lllla Clark
son, Bessy McBride. Amy Scott
Flossie Carnegie, Mary Le Moyne and Rosalind
Smith, and Masters Ralph Albree, Arthur Bell,
Oliver Chambers, George Collins, Carroll Fltz
hngh, Willie Ferguson, Tom Jones, George
Laugblin. Harry McCandless, Willie Dilwortb,
Charles Patterson, Oliver McClintock, Harry
Robinson, Stuart Robinson, Encene Messier,
Douglas Stewart Dallas fivers, Dick Suydan,
Bedell Snydan, George McBride, John Ricket
son, Harry Rogers, Marshall Bell, Kenneth
Painter.
HADE THEIB DEBUT.
The Misses Annie and Eleanor Chalfant
Take Their Places tu Society.
The coming-out reception of the Misses An
nie and Eleanor Chalfant daughters of John
H. Chalfant, at the Dnquesne Clubhouse last
evening, was probably the largest social
event of the season, and a wonderfully brilliant
affair. The magnificent assembly-room of the
clubhouse was beautifully decorated with
trophies in the exotic line from the
tropics, and cnt flowers filled the air
with frazrance that mingled with the
delightful strains of Toerge's orchestra.
The guests represented the wealth and fashion
of the twin cities, wbo welcomed the very
charming and popular young ladies into the
social world to which they ire by birth and ed
ucation thoroughly fitted to grace.
The young ladies were beautifully attired in
becoming costumes of white, and were assisted
in receiving by Mrs. Henry Fitzhugb.tbe bride,
and Misses Stella Hays and Patti Laugblin,
two recently debuted young ladies. The sup
per was served by the club chef and embraced
everything delicious In season and out of sea
son. A PKETTY HOME "WEDDING.
E. Gates Wilson United la Marriage to Miss
Lillian M. McConnell.
A modest, pretty wedding at the residence of
R. W. McConnell, on Federal street, last even
ing, united Miss Lillian 31. McConnell, the
daughter of the household, and E. Gates Wil
son, a very popular young business man, hold
ing a position ot responsibility with Thomas R.
Herd & Co. The important words that united
the two young people were spoken at S o'clock
by Rev. S. B. McCorratck, pastor of the Cen
tral 'Prrnrrftrian f!hnrrl. ThA firlrin wan
t gowned in the customary white. which was very
becoming to ner orunette style oi Deauty,
and without the assistance of any of her girl
friends, with whom she is a decided favorite,
she assumed the marital vows. The groom
likewise was unattended by even tho presence
of a best man.
The ceiemony was witnessed by a limited
number of guests, wbo had double congratu
latory duty to perform, as the host and hostess
were married the same evening SO years ago.
The newly married departed on an evening
train for a visit to Ohio friends.
A VETEEAN OF TWO WAHS .
Receives a Handsome Tribute From His
Fellow Countrymen.
Last evening Dr. Leonardo Nardyz, the popu
lar physician of tho Italian colony in this city,
celebrated tho anniversary of his woddlng. A
charming little dinner came off at tho doctor's
residence, 612 Smithfleld street
Dr. Nardyz bas been presented with a very
handsome token of respect by the Italians of
Pittsburg and Allegheny. The gift is an
artistically embossed medal of solid gold,
adorned with a star of diamonds. The follow
ing inscription, surrounded by a wreath of
laurel, occupies the reverse of the medal:
"Presented by the Italians of Pittsburg and
Allegheny to the veteran of two wars,Leonardo
Nardyz, M. D., and ex-surgeon U. S. Army."
Mr. Frank Ammon made the 'presentation on
behalf of the Italian, citizens.
THE FIRST ONE A SUCCESS.
Wealth and Beauty Turn Oat In Force at the
Sewickley Assembly.
The wealth and fashion of Sewickley assem
bled in pretty little Choral Hall last night for
the first of the three assemblies to be given
there this season. The affair was elegant and
enjoyable, as would naturally result from the
selection of such patronesses as Mrs. Charles
B.McVay, Mrs, D. Leet Wilson. Mr. Darwin
S. Wolcott, Mrs. Harry Irwin, Mrs. William L.
Standish, Mrs. Edward B. Taylor, Mrs. Robert
A. Franks. Mrs. Colin McF. Roed,Mri. L. Hal.
sey Williams, Mrs. William P. Snyder, Mrs.
Arthur B. Starr, Mrs. E. L. Mudie.
The committee, who omitted nothing that
wonld lend to tho pleasure of the guests and
success of the affair, consisted of Messrs. Dar
win 8. Wolcott, C. L. Doyle, C. McF. Reed, W.
G. Mudie, J. M. Tate and R. P. Nevin, Jr.
DAHCED THE OLD YEAR OUT.
The Allegheny Cotillon Club Gives a Very
Successful Reception.
The Allegheny Cotillon Club danced the old
year oat aud the new year in at theMononga
hela House last evening. The pretty assembly
room had retained its Christmas garb of holly
and evergreens and was an effective setting for
the pretty toilets of the ladies. There was a
large attendance of the club members and
guests from other cities.
The Receiving Committee consisted of Mr.
and Mrs. Lacrosse Cote, Mr. and Mrs. R. P.
Duff, Mr. and Mrs. A. T. Rowand, and Mr. and
Mrs. W. S. Miller. The members of the Cotil
lon Committee were Messrs. James N. Cook,
Orlando McElroy, 8. M. Nease and F. K. Gray,
To Entertain a Baltimore Lady.
Mrs. Nelson Perin, of Baltimore, a thoroughly
cultivated and charming lady, wbo has many
friends in the city, will be the guest next week,
of Mrs. Park Painter, of Ridge avenue. Sev
eral social affairs will be given in honor of Mrs.
.Perin, besides a large one that is being ar-
raugea ior oyjiirs, maimer. iuiauie among
them is a luncheon by Mrs. J.A. Cbambcrs,who
is a warm personal friend of the chmlng guest
Social Chatter.
Miss Elizabeth Graff, of Beatty street,
entertained tho Wednesday Night Euchre
Club last evening. The "New Year received a
warmwelcome from the merry young folks,
Mrs. Morris Saxler, of Locust street, will
receive to-day, and will bo assisted by Mrs.
Samuel Rels and Miss Fanny Nicholson, of
San Francisco.
The last of the Pittsburg Star Course scries
will be given at Old City Hall to-morrow evon
Ing. A very unique programme has been pre
pared. Mrs. Charles Lane Fitzhtjoh will give a
2 o'clock luncheon to-oy for her daughter-in-law,
Mrs. Henry Fltzhugb, the bride.
The cards for the Mrs. George Kelly recep
tion on Friday have been recalled owing to a
death in the familv. v
The first of thcLlnden tjlub's cotillons will
be given this evening.
The Cornelius reception ,takes place at Se
wickley to-ulght
Miss Avoy, entertained friends last evening
. - 7W. 2ca. K
ASPECTS 0FTHE SKIES.
The Movements of the Planets During the
Month of January Stars ot the First
Magnitude Make a Good Showing As
tronomical Forecast for the Tear.
Tho sun rose this morning at 7-15, and will set
at about 4.30, which makes the day almost nine
and a quarter hours in length. The increase in
the length of the day for the month will be 50
minutes, and at the month's close weshall bavo
almost an hour of daylight added to the short
est day of the year at the winter solstice. Tho
sun's declination Is still far down in the south
ern section of the heavens, but his speed is an
accelerating one, being more than three times
as rapid when February opens as it is now.
During the year there will be an annnlar eclipse
of tho sun in June and a partial eclipse in No
vember, neither of which will be visible In our
latitude.
The old moon Is in the phase of last quarter
on the 2d, the January moon not making its
appearance until the loth, when it Is almost at
the extreme limit of its southern declination.
The moon quarters on the 16th and becomes
full on January 21.
Owing to the great difference in declination
between tho moon and the various planets,
there are nb very striking meetings for tho
month', although sygainstthe deep-bine back
ground of the clear "winter sky the brilliancy of
the moon and the principal stars offers a
picture well worth admiration. The first con
junction is with Mercury on the 10th, but as
this is the dav of new moon we can see neither
of the celestial bodies. .Jnplter receives thn
next visit, on the 11th, but tbe difference of 4
in the decimation separating the two spoils thb
tableau. Mars comes next, on the 14th, but
hero there is a still wider separation. On the
27th the last conjunction of the month occurs,
with Saturn, three days alter the full of the
moon, tho separation being tbe same as in tho
case of Jupiter. '
Total Eclipses of the Moon.
During tbe year there will b two total eclipses
of the moon, one in May and the other in No
vember, to be seen generally in Europe, Asia
and Africa, but invisible to us.
Jupiter is still evening tar, but be will soon
lose himself in the sun's light, and when next
he appearslt will be as morning star, so that
our chance tb see the prince ot planets is a
gradually decreasing one, as on February 18 he
has tho same right asoension as the sun. He
will be greatly missed, as he has so long been
such a superb object and so very prominent
among tho planets that nothing can at present
replace him.
Venus is out of tho race. Mars is getting
dimmer and dimmer, and Saturn, although
cradually getting higher and hicher in the
Eastern skies, does not attempt to fill the place
that Jnpiter occupied. One consolation is that
tho diameter of the planet is at present de
creasing, but when he next greets our view he
will be larger and brighter than he is now,
that he isahout to disappear, when we can
count once more on his being "a lamp dis
pelling irksome nighr."
Mars is getting so very small that his bril
liant companion has drawn so far away from
him that tho great interest be afforded ns has
almost entirely gone, and we can only distin
guish him by the peculiar reddish tinge that he
always has. He is still an evening "star and,
although of little moment to tho amateur, ho
is a source of theory and speculation to the
scientists who see on his surface a network of
lines connecting sea with sea, as well as snow
and ice and the still more wonderful canals.
The risht ascension of Mars on tbe 1st is 22
hours, 53 minntes, his declination Is 7 degrees
59 minutes south, his diameter is six and two
tenths seconds, and he is the constellation of
Aquarius.
Only With the Telescope.
Neptune is evening star, and, although in a
fine position for telescopic observation, being
so high in altitude when ho comes to our me
ridian, to the naked eye he is not visible and
one can only find him by first picking out Alde
baran. which is no difficult task, as he comes
climbing high up in the east soon after dark
and then looks about four degrees, or about
eight times the width of the full moon, to the
north and west When found it might be as
well to make a note of it for future reference.
Ixcptune setsabont 4.30 A. M., with the other
stars of the constellation of Taurus.
Abont 10 o'clock Saturn appears above the
eastern, horizon, and, although technically a
morning star, we have his soft light throughout
the remainder of the night as the most promi
nent of tho planets. He is increasing in size
and is rising earlier and earlier each succeed
ing night, there being two hours difference in
his time of rising between tbe first and the last
days of the month, so that be will be contin
ually increasing in interest
Venus is once more a morning star, and the
Western skies no longer can rejoice at her pres
ence; but tbe golden galaxy of the opposite sec
tion of the heavens will contain the queen or
the planets a little at ter -4 o'clock in the morn
ing, when there is still enough darkness left to
cause ber wonderful brilliancy to be the more
apparent. She will rise earlier every morning,
shining with a peerless lustre that always makes
her tbe most conspicuous of ail the planets. It
seems very stranga that this planet takes 225
days to make one turn about the sun. We know
ourselves the difference in warmth between day
and night, and how large apart the San plays in
the changing temperature. To our minds it
hardly seems possible that the fair planet can
be inhabited; but if it should be, the inter
est in ascertaining what kind of beings could
exist in eternal cold and darkness will cause a
continuation of tbe investigations until the
"new theory is either proved or exploded. Mer
cury is evening star, and jnst at present he is
visible to ti)e naked eye, but will only be so
favorably seen for a few days. If we look a lit
tle to tbe right of the sunset point, just after
the sun has disappeared on a clear night
we can find him, but he also sets 1 hour and 20
minutes after tbe sun, so we can see very little
of him. He is in tbe constellation Opbiucbns
which contains no very bright stars to aid In
distinguishing the planet, which very circum
stance, however, renders Mercury all the moro
conspicuous, ;
One of the Interesting Features.
A transit of Mercury over the sun's disk on
May 9, partly visible here, will form one of tho
must interesting features of the year and will
be eagerly watched by professional astronom
ers, but to the amateur there will be nothing
worthy of particular attention. If the planets
haye failed to be the attractions this month
that tbey have proved in other months tbe
stars of tbe first magnitude are auite plentiful
and stud the sky most brilliantly until streaks
pf gray fret the clouds, tbe early messengers
of approaching day. No celestial picture that
contained the glorious constellation of Orion
could be considered as lacking in beauty, and
from twilight until dawn we can watch him
sweeping majestically across the heavcnlv vault
in pursuit of tha Bull, to which ho is doomed
nevertoget nearer. Hi3 belt of stars, bur
nished by tbe frosty dark, glitter and twinkle
most brilliantly, bis sword is fairly studded
with diamonds, while the brilliant stars, that
mark the dimensions ot his body are in them
selves quite worthy of attention. Beyond him
is the Charioteer and tbe starry Gemini; a lino
from tho north star between the latter finds
Procyon, while further south shines Strius tbe
gem of all tbe stars, the most glorious twinkler
of tbe heavens.
Looking south we find tbe mighty river
Eridapus occupying nearly the whole space
between the equator and tbe southern horizon.
TbiJ constellation is one of tbe most ancient of
the star groups, while the Pleiades that is in
tho opposite side of the heavens is about the
most interesting. The bright and ruddy star
Aldebaran is in the eye of Taurus, tbe Bull.
Ihis group Is called the Hyades, from a Greek
word signifying rain, the influence of these
stars being considered showery.
Besides the Gemini in tbe east we have the
Crab and the Lion. Tbe Dipper is also prom
inent, with tbe end star of the handle so close
to the horizon that it Is not difficult to find it. In
the west we find the inconspicuous zodiacal
constellation of Pisces, below which is visible
a part of Aquarius and above it the Ram. An
drameda and Pegasus are, howevor, the lead
ing constellations in tbe west, -while more to tbe
northward is Cassiopeia, in which, with tbe aid
of a telescope, huuareds and thousands of stars
can be seen.
IT BECAME TOO P0PULAE. '
Small Stove Anthracite Coal Has to Be
Abandoned.
ISrECIAL TELEGRAM TO TBS DISPATCn. 1
Philadelphia, Dec 31. The Reading
Coal and Iron Company bas issued a circular
notifying the trade that on and after January
1 the production of small stove coal
will be discontinued, and that chestnut
coal will thereby be improved in size and qual
ity. All the operators bavo agreed to do the
game, and therefore hereafter small stove coal
will sot be obtainable. Tbe reason for this
action, as stated by an official, was
that the small' stovo size became im
mensely popular as soon as it was introduced
by the Rea ding Company several years ago. It
is a size hotwocn .stove and chestnut Consum
ers would have nothing but small stove and the
retailers being flooded with orders for it, tbey
in turn made such largo requests for it of the
wholesalers that the latter demanded, abont
five tons of small stove to one of any otherkind
from the collieries.
In order to protect themselves the collieries
would sell but a limited amount of small stove
unless orders were made at tbe same time for
other sizes In proportion. Tbls became such a
nuisance that retailers and middlemen Impor
tuned tbe operators to discontinue its produc
tion, and the request bas been granted."
Not a Good World's Fair Exhibit.
"Washington l'ost
It would bo a great mistake to invite tbe
nations ot tho world to witness an uncalled for
family muss. 'Put aside the force W1L
OUR MAIL POUCH.
Shooting a Well May Increase Pressure.
To the Editor of The Dispatch:
In your issue pf the 23th insfc your corre
spondent, "Experience." wants to know "what
effect a shot will have on the flow or pressure
of gas." ,This will depend entirely on condi
tions, which shooting alone can determine. It
is evident that tbe gas finds its way into tbe
Exposition well only through the pores of
coarse sand or pebble ruck, and tho supply is
consequently restricted and the pressure mnch
diminished. It is also possible that a crevice
of more or less capacity may exist in the vicin
ity of the drillhole in tbe gas rock, as it is well
known to any one conversant with hard rock,
formations that such fractures exist Such crev
ice may communicate with more or less inter
secting crevices, conuectinga considerable area.
Now, if this crevice bo so near that the force
of a shot can shatter the partition of rock be
tween the drillhole and the crevice, direct com
munication is then established, resulting in
both greater preasnro and greater output This
is the secret of all great oil and gas wells. It is
simply not within tho physics of the case that
any large volume of either oil or gas should be
driven simply through the pores of tbe stone.
Where such conditions do not exist or where
the crevice is not reached if It does exist, no
particular result Is effected. Let "Experience''
drill a hole into a sand-tune and insert therein
a tight fitting pipe, then coonect with a steam
boiler having 100 pounds pressure Now drill
another hole into the stone within one foot or
three feej of where tha 100 pounds steam pres
sure is exerted and note the feeble action in tbe
dry hole. Then break through tbe partition
separating the holes and observe developments,
H. Nkidio, M. E.
PLEASASTTH.I.E, Pa., Dec 29.
Hazelwood Telephone Service.
To the .Editor of Tbe Diana tch:
The officials of telephone companies are no
doubt a much harassed class by tbe small com
plaints of subscribers; but it is also true that to
many of the same subscribers tho telepbono
has gradually become a nervous affliction be
cause of want of prompt service. Tne inci
dental obstruction through atmospheric causes
are bad enougb, but they do not provoke so
mueh as inability to get attention when the
skies are clear. The habit of switching on and
switching off before messages are fully deliv
ered is a frequent source of annoyance that
might be remedied by more care. No later
than last week a busiuess'man in the Hazel
wood district was summoned up bv a most im
portant communication from his office in town,
and, though a subscriber to several telephones,
be was not only unable to get bis answer back,
but similarly failed when, by the courtesy of
several neighbors, he was permitted to try
theirs. Subscribers for tbe most part do not
care to make complaints when petty disap
pointments are over and forgotten. For that
reason occasional mention in the papers may
help to promote good service and secure
greater attention tor all.
Second Avenue Manufacturer,
PmSRURG, Dec 3L
Extra Charges on Express Deliveries.
To the Editor or The Dispatch:
A custom seems to prevail here on the part of
tbe express companies which is not generally
found in other cities. When packages are
shipped by Adams Express to Pittsburg, with
the charges prepaid, an additional charge is
made upon tbe consignee here for delivery If
he happen to reside in tho East End. Whether
it is tbe same in regard to Allegheny, Law
reuceville or -the Soutbside, I do not knpw'
Considering that the majority of people do not
live in what was formerly tbe old city, where
tbo main offices of tbe company seem to be
situated, it appears unreasonable that this ex
tra tariff should be put upon them. At least a
good many people suppose that when tbey pre
pay express charges to John Doe or Richard
Roe, "Pittsburg," tho company undertakes tb
deliver no matter where within the city the
address of the consignee may happen to be,
solong as it is within the city limits. The mat
ter bas come under very general notice and at
tracted more than usual attention during the
big business of delivery through tbe holidays.
Pittshurg, Dec 3L J. D,
Who Can Give the Information;
To the Editor or The Dispatch-
Can you or some reader inform me what were
the dimensions of the steamboat Diadem,
Captain Rogers, and Emma No. 1. Captain
Maratta? 1 think they were built in the sixties.
, rrrrsBURQ, Dec 30. A Subscriber.
Death of Harriet Lane.
To the Editor of The Dispatch:
I can give tbis information. Harriet Lane
was murdered September 11, 1871. Her muti
lated body was found Saturday, September II,
1875. T, R.
PmSBUEG, Dec 3a
MUSIC TEACHEBS' MEETING.
Essays on Vocal Art and Class Teaching
of the Flano.
SPECIAL TELXOBAM TO TUX DISrATCH.l
Philadelphia. Dec. 3L The third day's
session of tho Pennsylvania State Musio
Teachers' Association was opened tbls morn
ing with an essay by Aaron R.Taylor on "Vocal
Art" Mr. Taylor said that there is a difference
of opinion as to tbe advisability of allowing
children to sing. Tbey should not be allowed
to sing in public at an early age without having
had voice training. The essayist condemned
the average Sunday school singing as being
ruinous to tbe voice No attempt should
be made to train a boy's voice until
after it changes. Teachers should insist
upon having pianos tuned to the French pitch.
"Class Teaching Piano" was the subject ot
the essay noxt presented by Constantine Stern
berg. "Tho commonest argument" he said,
"in favor of class teaching is that it fosters a
rivalry that is stimulating to the pupil. Most
all of our advanced musio teachers think that
tbe syitem of instruction as carried on is no: a
success It is merely piano lessons and does
not take in harmony. The world is replete
with peoplewho play instruments and sing, but
they know nothing of the real science of music
its inner being and meaning."
At the conclusion of tbe readlngof the paper,
which called forth applause. President Wol
slelfer said that tbe paper had been so complete
tbat there iliould be no discussion on it Ex
ception was taken to this by Prof. Carter, but
the audience expressed no inclination to differ
with the chair, and the essay on "Tonic Sol Fa"
was presented bv Henry G. Thunder. A mus
ical recital followed, with Miss Sara A Shearer
asVocal soloist. Michael Cohen, piano soloist,
and Hyman Cohen, violin soloist
A Quiet New Year Wedding.
The wedding of John L Rankin, a former
Pittsbnrger.and Miss "Ada Westfall, of Will
iamsport Pa., takes place this evening at 7
o'clock at tbe Westfall residence in Williams
port. As tho familv of the bride-elect were
also formerly ot this place nnmerous Pitts
burgers will be in attendance at the wedding.
After a brief jaunt in tho East the happy
couple will locate at Wllmerding, their future
home.
THE PLAYS TO COME.
TnE American Extraviganza Company's big
spectacular production, "The Crystal Sripper."
which will be seen at the Dnquesne Theater
next Monday night is said to be quite different
from the piece presented -here two years ago.
hen'The Crystal Slipper" was revived at
tbe Chicago Opera Howe last summer, new
scenery was painted for it, new costumes were
designed and made, the libretto was completely
overhauled and the music newly written from
the overture to tbe final strains of tbe orches
tra. The popularity of "The Crystal Slipper"
is attested by the fact that although it had
hpnn seen for 17 weeks in Chicago, since its re-
"vivallthas been given there 15 weeks longer.
making a run ofS3 weeks altogether, to uni
formly large business. The sale of seats be
gins to-day.
At the Grand Opera House, that absorbing
spectacular play, "Hands Across the Sea," is to
be given lu an effective manner next week. Tbe
play is susceptiblejof a large amount ot scenic
embellishment, and its managers are said to
bave been unsparing in their endeavors to pro
Vide an abundance of imposing scenery. Every
set is pertinent to the intricate plotand are as
varied as tbey are numerous. The rising of the
curtain discloses a charming picture of an
English farm, followed in rapid succession by a
street in Paris, the interior of a gambling
palace, a room in the Grand Hotel and the in
teriorof the prison La Roqnette, Paris, tho
deck of an Australian steamship, with a French
gupboat in chase, said by our exchanges to be
remarkably reallstic-
To-dat Is the last day of the Gettysburg
Cyclorama in Allegheny. It bas been open
continuously for about five years, or to be exact,
for 1,299 days, by far the longest run ofiny
similar exhibition in the two cities. There
ought to be crowds there to-day, as it is the
last chance to see a wonderfully realistic pic
ture of tbo great battle
Miss Math er's Impersonation of Joan of Arc
will be an exceedingly interesting event ut tbe
Bijou next week. She will appear in tbe new
play oil Monday and Tuesday nights. The box
office sale began yesterday aud reflects com
fortable assurance ot popular support for Miss
Mather.
CUEIOUS C05DESSAT10N& i
.KJL
There are nearly 25,000 school teachers
in Pennsylvania.
There ar six Siamese students at West
minster College, a small institution at New
Wilmington, Pa.
The Yale Musenra has just received a
skeleton of a saurian, a prehistoric monster of
which bat two complete skeletons are known.
A significant educational tendency or
the day is the Increased interest in the stud v of
history and politics at Johns Hopkins Uni
versity. Quite a number of whisky wagons were
In Cartersville, Ga., last week. It is not an un
common thing for whisky to be retailed on the
public square there.
The electric .light of 20,000,000 candle
power in tbe lighthouse at Hanstholm, coast of
Jutland, said to be the most powerful light In
the world, is now lighted for service.
Tbe royal baron of beef placed on the
Queen's table on Christmas Day was cut from
a Devon ox fed on the Prince Consort's Shaw
farm. Windsor. The joint weighed over 300
.pounds. t
Tbe Pope has ordered the enlargement
of the reading rooms and other Improvements
in the Vatican. The new Leonine Library will
coon be ready, and in it will be placed about
300.000 books.
In Germany they are making coffea
from linseed meal roasted to a dark color and
mixed with some glutinous substance before
passing through machines which form it In the
shape of beans.
Statistics show that in tbe most north
ern cities of Finland and Norway tbe annual
mortality from tuberculosis is from 2.3 to 3.4 Iu
1.000 living inhabitants, while in Southern Italy
ltisbutL7inl,0Oa
The Egyptian Government has decided
to allow private persons to excavate antiquities
on condition that half of what they discover
goes to the museum, the latter having prior
claim to any unique objects.
A cow belonging to Mrs. M. E- Marin,
of LIncolnton, Ga., went mad on Saturday
last The cow ran everybody off of the prem
ises, hut she fell into a ditch and broke her
neck before doing any damage
Electricity has been put to driving
drills. One is in use on the warship Maine,
building at the Brooklyn navy yard. A three
quarter inch bole in a three-quarter inch plate
can be drilled in less than a mmute.
A large stone sarcophagus of the Boman
age has jnst been found close to the railway
station ot Hadra, in the suburbs of Alexan
dria. It is richly ornamented with sculpture,
but is not sufficiently disinterred to be opened.
Sir John Lubbock, sticks to the princi
ple of his shop holiday scheme. He has reintro
duced nis bill providing that when two-thirds of
tbo shopkeepers in a defined district wish to
take a weekly half-holiday, the remaining one
third shall be compelled to do so.
Earrings with drops are again to be
seen, but the drops aro dainty and small. An
exceedingly attractive pair ot earrings consists
of pear-shaped pearls pendant from a diamond.
Thistles in diamonds, just tbe flower falling
downward, afford pretty ear ornaments.
The Australian cannibal has a dis
crimlnating taste. He does not like tbe flesh
of a white man. becauso it is too salt The
flesh of the Chinese, whose food is cbieflv rice
and vegetables. Is highly prized by him." The
natives do not eat persons ot their own tribe.
A wealthy Canadian is traveling about
tho country with a mission. That mission is to
save shoe leather to the world. He insists that
if everyhody would cover three inches more at
every step the saving in boot and shoes in
America alone would be t27,UOO,000 per year.
The desk in which the manuscript of
" Waverley" lay neglected and almost forgotten,
till Scott came upon it in looking for some
tackle, has lately come into tbe possession of
Mr. John Murray. Jr. It was given by Scott to
Daniel Terry, and Its history since that time is
quite clear.
J. D. Carter, of-Birmingham, Ala, who
killed Rube Burrows, the Southern outlaw and
train robber, has received 51,000 of the $2,500 of
fered by the railroad and express companies.
Tbe various State rewards bave not been paid.
Carter is a cripple for life from wounds re
ceived during tbe fightt
The two young sons of K.E. Vande
mark, who lives near Starrucca, Wayne coun
ty. Pa., told their mother, a few days ago, tbat
they had been playing with a black sheep. Tho
only sheep that she knew of in tbe vicinity were
white, so she proceeded to investigate. She7
found, that their playmate bad been a blaclc.
bear. Farmer Barnes, wbo was close at band,
was hailed, and he killed bruin with two shots.
Princess "Wilhelmina has been pro
claimed Qoeen of tho Netherlands, and is the
youngest living sovereign except Alphonso"
XIIL, King of Spain. Tbe little Queen is a
pretty and intelligent child of 10, who bas been
brought up with almost Spartan rigor by her
conscientious mother. On one occasion when
the two were driving together tbe horses took
fright ran away, and broke tbe carriage. As
soon as another conld be procured Queen
Emma resumed ber drive with tbe same horses.
When a gontleman-In-waitlng ventured to re
monstrate, lest the Princess should be fright,
ened, her mother replied: "A future Queen
Must not know the meaning of fear. It is for
tbat reason tbat we goon."
Clubs composed of foreigners exist in
all tbe big cities of the world. They are nearly
all prosperous except in the city of New York.
English clubs which have been founded there
from time to time bave failed, and the Cana
dian club found it necessary to throw off its
restrictions on membership and admit other
persons than Canadians before It became suc
cessful. The French societies in New York
have a verv liberal percentage of American
members, aud the German clubs are all rapid
ly becoming American institutions. In Lon
don there are two clubs which are exclusively
American in membership and management,
and there are good English clubs In Berlin and
Vienna.
One of the oldest houses on the Hew
Jorsey coast is tbat of Colonel Albert L. John
son, an ex-Confederate Kentuckian, who, after
passing tbe better part of bis lifetime far in
land, found leisure in advancing years and
came straight to the Atlantic coast that he
might indulge a long-chenshed passion for tbe
sea. The house is close to the water at Bay
Ridge. When approached from the land it ap-
Eears to be a one-story structure set upon a
ill, but once inside one finds that the front
door is almost in the roof, and that below that
part of the house visible from the landward
side is story after story facing the sea. In
fact, tbe bouse Is built against a bluff, with
only the roof and ono story peeping above the
bill. Thus almost every room in the house has
a sea view, ana Is cooled in summer by the sea
breeze. A powerful telescope is one equip
mentof the place, and with this the owner is
able to spvout every ship entering or depart
ing lrom this harbor.
SMILE 0CE IN A WHILE.
It is unfortunate ma. puuucauou uuuiu,
- v .. m.iinr thn fart that the ann is as lirae.
... . , .,....,.... a a ,ha H..M will!
as tninecn unnurci. .uuu ..- .w .
n-r he men who will want tne sua. uommu
Courier-Journal.
Tomdik "Where's Dinwiddie?
McClammr He's in the ante-room.
, , rn..,,. t,..,1!br lltnwMrtfA TrtharaU
a poker game aping on anywhere he can be de
pended upon to ana ... ..yv j,e7--vccu. r
-Pkn-a im lUfla -Amfnrt in th rnlinr that
natural xas is dutiable. Yoorbees obtains bis snp-
... . .. . i l... Tl. A Q , a
Minneapolis tribune. g
Colonel Cutcheon Didn't vour wife ask
yon to purchase a load of wood this morning?
!-.nr Smiles Yes. hnt T eomnromisedona stack'
of chip. St. Paul Hlobe.
Big Foot is in hoc. It may yet be found'
that he la a Chicago girl In dlsgu&eToferfrf
Blade.
TT..1. a- I. n..H- liberal-minded in re-
gard to names of towns and postofflces, but when
the State of wasniniwa im" "v
"Caughtajackasarabblthere" It was decided that
thensme hadbetter be changed to plaid "Hope
vllle, " Detroit Pree Prut. jii
Goodby the pipe, goodby tbe glass -
Tls thus that earthly pleasures pass. i
Let cold and carping cynics scoff
. .. hA Tipnnle who swear off.
Yet that is whit ulves life Its cheer
And welcome mikes the coming year;
Kor swearing otX. 'tis plainly true
Makes clear Jnst what we shouldn't do;
And gives us after viewing It
WasMnaton Post
There will he both a Keteham and Cheat
ham In the next Congress, just as there are In this
one. Boston Herald.
If the uovernment lases tue control oi vA
telegraph lines out of the bands or companies. It .
will putastop to inc l. operating; principle i;
thatljduitry. LuftXlo Express. 1
Sobbed JiH to Jack, mid matrimonial strirjjt
Cnrs't be the day when 1 became your wire.'Sk
I am amazed," said Jack. "Itlstoob.i ZggF
To curse the only happy day we've had." 2.
-Washington BHre
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