MIWtfitllMIIIIPHiH
THE PITTSBURG- DISPATCH, SUNDAY, FEBRUARY 8,' 189L
Hie BiffeaMj.
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PITTSBURG. SUNDAY, FE& S, 1SSL.
BLAINE STILL IHL" BRAIXEEST.
"While numerous attempts are made to
put the vigorous and usually aggressive
Secretary of State in a corner, that active
statesman develops the faculty of breaking
out in a new place, to a degree that utterly
confounds his adversaries.
A marked illustration of this irrepressible
quality ol calling attention to his states
manship is afforded by the successful con
clusion of the reciprocity negotiations with
Brazil.
Only a few days ago, we had occasion to
aotice the care which the House leaders
were exercising to prevent, through their
control of the Committee on Eules, any of
the bills for the furthering of reciprocity
reaching a vote in the House. The idea
that this was a revenge for the Secretary's
success in favoring the reciprocity amend
ment on the tariff bill, to say nothing of his
letter about not opening up for "another
"barrel of pork or another bushel of wheat,"
and the cotemporary smashing of his new
silk tile has been widely commented on.
If it was so intended, the Secretary is more
than even by producing at the close of the
session a treaty, which without aid from
the Congressmen, opens up the Brazilian
market for several million dollars' worth of
American machinery, port and wheat
"With that measure of success already
achieved and with other treaties pending,
Sir. Blaine can smile in superiority at any
efforts of his envious rivals to detract from
Ills political success.
It is the perception of this fact that leads
Senator Q Jay in his recent New York Eer
ald interview, to recoguize Mr. Blaine's
Availability as a Presidental candidate. It
is hevond question that Blaine's position
during the past year has given him a greater
strength with the people than any other
man. He has avoided the radical errors of
policy with which other Republican leaderk
have identified themselves; while the idea
which he especially represents is the broad
and statesmanlike one of extending Ameri
can trade and American influence through
out the hemisphere. Senator Quay's recog
nition of Secretary Blaine's standing can
onlv be criticized in being several months
"behind that of TnE Dispatch.
Of course it is a far cry to the next Presi
dental election. Any number of unforeseen
contingencies may change the aspect of
things before nominations are made. At
present, however, it is an indisputable fact
that Secretary Blaine stands head and
shoulders above any other Republican leader
in the breadth and success of his moves on
the political chess board.
KOBERT KAY HAMILTON AGAIN.
Positive assurances are given that Bobert
Bay Hamilton is still alive in the flesh and
trying to begin life over in New South
"Wales. These assurances come from an in
timate friend of Hamilton, who claim to
have a letter from him written after his
supposed death - by drowning. This
adds another very sensational chapter
to the highly sensational life of a young
Bciou of a famous New York family. Some
color of truth is lent to it by the reasonable
supposition that, having seen the Jolly of
sensational doings, the young man has de
cided to become an unostentatious and good
citizen of a far-away country. But if he is
alive and well it is not probable he will be
permitted to carry out that laudable ambi
tion. TWO KOAD QUESTIONS.
Attention was called in yesterday's issue
of The Dispatch to a defect in the pres
ent road laws, which, as stated, is well
worth remedying. No provision is made
ior the construction of foot paths, nor is
there any protection for the foot paths if
enterprising property owners construct them
at their own expense.
The omission is not unnatural in view of
the large amount of agricultural territory
for which road laws are framed. There
foot paths sire within neither the needs
nor the means of the population. But in re
forming the law, it is well to remember that
there is,on thcotherhand,acon&iderablepro
portion of agricultural territory adjacent to
towns and railroad stations where sidewalks
or foot paths are a public convenience and
necessity, and where they will repay cost of
construction. The new law should, as our
correspondent suggests, permit township
road officers to construct footways, and pre
vent encroachment or destruction ot any
such walks, constructed either by public
authority or private enterprise.
The other point, regulating the speed of
horses on the highways, is more difficult.
It is to be taken for granted that no one
should be permitted to drive at a rate which
can cause hazard to others. Bnt to draw a
hard and fast line might work hardship. It
might prevent a countryman from driving
at high speed for a doctor when life and
death depended on his celerityjor, to descend
to Jess vital contingencies, might prevent
him from going fast enough to catch a train
when important business demands. Even
as to the speeding of fast horses, would it
not be excessively strict to forbid a farmer
to develop the speed in his blooded stock,
when the road is free and no one can be im
periled? It is hard to see how the law can
deal more strictly with this subject than to
impose exemplary damages for reckless
driving, which would be an unquestionable
improvement on the present rule of actual
damages.
There are a great many very interesting
and important details like these in the ques
tion of road reform, which are brought out
by the full discussion now given to the
subject.
THE INTEREST OF THE KAILKOADS.
The full discussion of the iron situation in
the Mahoning and Shenango Valleys, given
by a correspondent of The Dispatch else
where, makes clear beyond dispute, as has
been before argued in these columns, that
the solution lies with the railroads. "When
they make up their minds to a measurable
reduction of the iron freights which have
yielded them so much prosperity for the
past few years, the industry can proceed on
a conservative and sound basis. Until then
the present stoppage is liable to continue.
It is natural that railroad officials should
be loth to make a reduction of the marked
character asked for. If we put ourselves in
their place, and recognize that the first duty
is to try to earn the profits which will yield
dividends to their shareholders, we may un
derstand the tenacity of their indisposition
to reduce charges on the traffic which has
yielded the greatest share of those profits.
But an intelligent view of their duty con
sidered iu the light of the railway
interest alone, should bring them
to other perceptions of reduction.
The alternative is presented of
either enjoying a large traffic at reduced
rates, r of losing the traffic altogether. The
same dilemma is presented in other districts
with the modification that to keep up rail
way charges may not entirely kill the
traffic, but will restrict to narrow limits.
"When our railway friends understand the
real situation, they will doubtless come to
the reluctant, yet profitable, conclusion that
their best prosperity will be served by such
a reduction as will ensure a large and steady
activity in the iron industry of "Western
Pennsylvania.
The freight rates on iron traffic are such
as admit of material reductions without de
stroying profits. The ore, coke and pig iron
freights are among the cheapest in cost of
transportation. They are transported mainly
in flatcars. They do not require protection
from weather, are not damaged by accident
and are loaded and unloaded without cost
to the carrier for terminal expenses. Yet
on these freights which the iron industry of
this section furnishes to the railways by the
hundreds of thousands of tons, the rates per
ton per mile are from 1 cent, while on
the more expensive grain freights the rail
ways concede that a profitable business
is done at 14 cent per ton per mil
It is this remunerative quality of th iron
freights that has furnished our railways the
backbone of their prosperity. No one can
wish to see that prosperity destroyed. No
one desires that the railways shall carry our
freights at less than cost. But when we are
confronted with the fact that a reduction
much larger than that which is asked for
would still leave this traffic more profitable
than the much desired grain traffic, the
lowering ot the charges that the iron in
dustry was able to bear during the period of
prosperity is clearly indicated. The fact is
that the best prosperity of our railroads lies
in such a reduction. Such reduced freight
charges as will confirm the iron industry of
"Western Pennsylvania in its suDremacr will
give the railwavs a larger and more re
munerative traffic than they can secure by
any other policy.
It may be taken for granted that sooner
ot later this view will force itself on the
railway managers. Bnt they should under
stand that every day's delay in making up
their minds to recognize existing facts is a
day's loss o f prosperity for themselves and
for the industries which furnish them with
their most valuable support.
CREDIT WHEKE DUE.
"We are now assured that the meeting of
Grover Cleveland and David Bennett Hill
at the Hon. Colonel "William Brown's dinner
was arranged by a Democratic caucus at
"Washington. This caucus met and decided
to instruct Mr. Hill to get off the Presidental
track and Mr. Hill obeyed by climbing,
reluctantly, on to the Senatorial shelf. This
explanation is all right so far as it refers to
Mr. Hill's acceptance ot the Senatorship,
bnt The Dispatch is still inclined to give
the credit for bringing about the meeting
between the big Democrats to Hon. Colonel
Bill Brown and his bland bluff.
A NEW EXPLANATION.
A novel explanation of the late monetary
stringency is offered by Henry Clews in
the Korth American Review. This financier
says that the cause is the conversion of
floating capital into a fixed form. Looking
about for the department of effort iu which
this process has been going on be finds it in
the building of residences. Merchants, me
chanics and clerks have been building
homes; capitalists have been building
houses for investment, and the process has
gone on at the scale of $8,000,000 per
annum for one city up to 550,000,000 for
another until Mr. Clews finds in it the cause
of stringency.
This is by odds one of the most unique
views of financial cause and effect yet
perpetrated. Mr. Clews does not quite
proceed to urge that people should be
stopped from building themselves houses,
in order that this reckless and incautious
conversion of floating capital into the fixed
form may not hamper the speculators of
Wall street, by producing a scarcity of
loanable funds; but the inference is so
plainly in that direction that a word to the
wise is sufficient. Monetary stringency is a
bad thing, and the speculative world being
chiefly the sufferers thereby, it is plain that
something must be done to prevent it. As
the previous investigators discovered that
the scarcity of funds was caused by hoard
ing, and therefore reached the sapient con
clusion that hoarding must be made a penal
offense, so the suppressed conclusion of Mr.
Clews' remarkable theory evidently must be
that the pernicious citizens who have been
locking up money by building must be re
strained in their reckless course. Thus to a
notable degree this eminent financier
'Compounds the sin he is Inclined to
1! damning lhat he has no mind to."
But there is a bare possibility that a gap
may be found in this logic A man has
$4,000 in bank, and uses it in building a
bouse. He has converted his floating capi
tal into a fixed form. But the floating capi
tal, distributed among the bricklayers, car
penters and stonemasons is just as much in
the market as before. Multiply this a
thousand times, and we find that $1,000,000,
nstead or being locked up for speculators to
play with and money kings 4o squeeze the
market withal, have been in active circula
tion, keeping labor employed and creating a
fixed and durable value. If this is monetary
stringency, it would be for the public good
to have a great deai of it
The theory that monetary stringency is
caused by the conversion of floating into
fixed capital has been accepted as well
founded by the fact that it was one of the
operations that preceded the panic of 1873.
It has contributed to that cause iu the
notorious cases where hundreds of
millions were used in railway construction.
But it is worth noting that the stringency
has never resulted except when the con
struction of building has been carried on to
an immense extent on borrowed money, and
the floating capital so employed is with
drawn from ordinary trade channels. It
the builders had filled the banks with their
notes, without having either money of their
own to pay for their building, or providing
investors who are ready to take their mort
gages as a permanent investment, then they
would have done what the railway promot
ing interest has done before them, and
might, if the total of their operations were
large enough, contribute to monetary scarc
ity or even panic, when it was found their
paper could not be turned into cash. But as
they have not done this, and as the late
stringency appeared notoriously in the
quarters which had little or no connection
with building operations, we may be par
doned for thinking Mr. Clews has discovered
a mare's nest.
If Mr. Clews can cure "Wall street of
blowing speculative bubbles, and can in
duce the great operators to abjure the prac
tice of locking up money in order to squeeze
the markej and obtain coveted railroads at
bottom prices, the danger of monetary strin
gency will be materially lessened. If a few
little reforms of that sort are effected in the
department of finance which that gentleman
represents, he need not fear that the opera
tions of the people iu building themselves
residences'will cause any disturbance in the
money market.
BLOCKING THE WAY OF TKOGKESS.
The Dispatch has already noticed the
inviting prospectus of possible good works
which spreads out before the present Penn
sylvania Legislature. It notably includes
good roads, recognition and help in some
shape for the canal project, and a check to
oppressive charges upon oil producers and
telephone users.
But this is merely a prospectus after all.
It does not surprise us that each of these
worthy designs is already confronted either
by open antagonism or by the ignorance and
indifference which will be actually more
difficult to overcome. The correspondents
with one accord say that everybody in the
Legislature admits mud roads to be an ex
pensive and discomfortable anachronism.
Yet when the men who have given almost a
full year's expert and honest labor to formu
lating a practical plan to get good roads,
viz, the Road Commission and the Engi
neers Society, bring their propositions for
a law before the Legislature they are in
stantly met by all sorts of objection. One
class of members, to curry favor with the
less progressive of their granger constitu
ents, throw up their hands iu horror at the
idea of abolishing the farcical old fraud of
permitting the farmer to "work out his
taxes." Another member, with true moss
back conservatism, thinks the first $1,000,
000 which the State is to expend for
good roads might be well spent, but
gravely concludes that he cannot support the
bill because he is unable to foresee how
many other millions might be required in
the future to cet more good roads. Both
classes are perfectly content that the millions
of dollars which the Engineers' Society has
demonstrated are annually lust by bad
roads, in keeping the farmers from market,
in wear and tear on horses and vehicles, and
in waste of time, should continue to be lost.
And this is economy.
So as to the canal project. Many mem
bers from the Eastern counties take no in
terest because they think it a merely "West
ern concern. A member from Erie says he
will "jump upon it with both feet," because
in place of the canal ending at Erie some of
the commission propose Ashtabula, Ohio,
for its terminus.
It will be seen that while the opportunity
before the Legislature is great, the intelli
gent and progressive element which is com
mitted to beneficial undertakings will have
to do effective missionary work before the
prospectus can ripen into materialization.
Unless the public take enough interest to
talk vigorously to their representatives, it
will be next to impossible to get any nseful
measure through at Harrisburg. In what is
everybody's business the chronic objector,
the doubter and the interested obstruction
ist are always powerful factors.
NEW EXTRA SESSION TALK.
The report that an extra session of Con
gress will be called is based on the dis
covery that Secretary Blaine has nearly
concluded negotiations for the adoption of
an international coinage standard. This
leads naturally to the disclosure
that reciprocity with Mexico may
soon be announced. The establishment
of an American standard of coin
age will be a practical necessity when
reciprocal relations shall have been estab
lished between all of the governments south
ot us, as it now seems probable will soon be
the case. This necessity is fortunate, as it
promises to put a lasting quietus upon the
scheme for free coinage of our debased dol
lar, with a world of foreign silver to strug
gle for admittance to our mints. Mr.Blaine's
department appears to have much more
business in it than Mr. Reed's House.
"While we are fighting for the preserva
tion of the seals in Bering Sea, it sounds like
the irony of fate to learn that the seals are
making themselves entirely too numerous on
tbo North Atlantic coast. The salmon fisher
ies in Maine are calling for the establishment
of a bounty of two dollars per head on these
voracious animals to prevent the salmon from
being eaten up. Why not compromise the dis
pute by offering tho Canadian seals a free field
among the Atlantic seals? It will look like
hardship if we have to fight to preserve the
seals in the Pacific and pay tor their extermi
nation in the Atlantic
"Whether the House has ceased to be a
deliberative body or not is a question about
which very eminent authorities may differ; but
in its dealings with that free coinage hill there
is no room left for disputing the fact that it is
a very deliberate one.
SekatobIngalls has shown he is capa
ble of learning something from events when
the events hit him hard enough. But there is a
dazzling assurancoin his sarcastic comments
on other Republican leaders "now that they
bad succeeded in leading the strongest political
organization iu the United States Into the most
disastrous defeat any party had ever encoun
tered." This is calculated to create special
wonder whether Senator Ingalls had nothing
to do with the leadership of the Republican
party beforo the late election struck him.
A yeedicx of murder in the first degree
for those Hungarian rioters may be justified;
but it does not compare very well with some
notorious verdicts of a less degree, in this
county, where tho crime was equally wanton
and more clearly premeditated.
Some ot our eiteemed Republican cotem
poraries in other States are inquiring with a
great show of surprise what authority Governor
Pattison had to veto that joint resolution of In.
structions to Cameron. If they would take the
trouble to read the Governor's message they
would find that he draws his authority from a
certain document called the Constitution of the
State of Pennsylvania. Under Governor Paul
son's administration the Constitution is sup
posed to have somo force.
Judge Biddle's decision that it was
not illegal for one employer to request others
not to give employment to certain striking
workman, may be good law; bat it is about the
worst public policy that could be Imagined.
It will not increase the love of the Reed
wing of the Republican party toward the
junior Senator from Pennsylvania to find him
recognizing and extolling Mr. Blaine's avail
ability as a Presidental quality. It may
even be considered pertinent by them, in view
of Senator Cameron's cotemporary contumacy,
to repeat President Harrison's pathetic inquiry
whether Pennsylvania is a Republican State.
Senator Plumb's idea of a combination
of the cancus with a dinner is in line with the
great harmonizing effort of Senator Bill Brown,
of the New York News. After-dinner harmony
is likely to be of the most positive sort.
Me. Taubeneck, a member of the Illi
nois Legislature, has at the beginning of his
legislative career, encountered the task of
proving that be is not an ex-convict of the Ohio
penitentiary, but has succeeded after consider
able trouble. Other members of State Legisla
tures may at the termination of their careers
find a greater difficulty in proving that they
ought not to be convicts.
The new censns credits Kentucky with
400 square miles of water; but the public will
doubt whether Kentucky contains such a
superfluity of a beverage so entirely useless for
Kentucky purposes.
An electric wire which gives a shock to
a horse, cansing him to run away, as was the
case yesterday, is an exception to the usual
loose wire. As a general thing when those
conduits of high tension electricity come in
contact with a horse they effect a permanent
cure of all proclivities for running away.
A good settlement of that Poor Farm
difficulty will be to buy not more than 100 acres
of well-located land and put the money saved
thereby into first-class buildings.
The Indiana Legislature, like the Penn
sylvania body, is considering a sweeping bill
against the Trusts, These measures will wipe
out the monopolies, under two conditions, viz.,
first, if they are passed: second. It they are en
forced. But these "its" leave large loopholes.
The announcement that the Chicago air
ship will fly on or about April 1, has an omin
ous snd sarcastic significance.
Applications for license, up to a total
of nearly 2,000 yesterday, Indicates that the am
bition to serve the thirsty public with liquid re
freshments i3 as widespread as ever. But
there may be a terrible harvest of disappointed
ambitions when the license lists are published.
THE FIELD OF FAME.
Drj MATrier, the artist, whose society pic
tures have long been the charm of the London
Punch, is gallant enough to make bis own wife
and her sister the charming models of his
studies.
Andrew Carnegie, under the advice of
his physician, will start on an ocean voyage
next week for recreation. He will sail on the
Teutonic to Liverpool, and return on the same
steamer.
Stanley says that Edison has the most won
derful pair ot eyes that he has ever seen in
human head. When the great explorer went to
Menlo Park the other day, he said little but ob
served much.
Vera Sassulitsch, the Nihilist, has been
supporting herself in Switzerland by translat
ing Her health is now failing, and her physi
cian has ordered her to stop and proceed to a
warmer climate.
Rose Terry Cooke advises young girls,
even those gifted with a literary talent, to place
no dependence on literature as a bread-winner.
"The life," she says, "is full ot mortification,
anxiety and disappointment,"
Society circles and social clubs at Vicks
burg are discussing the rumor that J. S. Rich
ardson, the great cotton planter and factor, is
engaged to be married to Miss Winnie Davis,
daughter of the President of the late Confed
eracy, Archduke Fkanz Ferdinand, heir pre
sumptive to the throne of Austria, has started
for Warsaw, where the Russian imperial tram
awaits him. From Warsaw the royal traveler
will be conveyed to St. Petersburg, where ho
will be received by the Czar.
Kageaua Hiddk is the Japanese Louise
Michel (but, it is asserted, without the French
agitator's fanaticism), who is gradually getting
together a party that is likely to revolutionize
things, social and political, in tbo Mikado's
empire. She is 27 years old, and is represented
as pretty and gentle.
Robert Buchanan, the poet novelist and
reviewer, was a poor Scotch village boy a score
of years ago, without fame or fortune, or pros
pects of either. The success he has had in lit
erature has been won by hard work and merit,
but to-day he is one of the foremost men in
London literary life.
Senator Gorman is a most methodical
man. He rises at just 6 o'clock every morning,
sits just sixty minutes at dinner, and never on
any pretext permits an interruption of his
meals. He takes a walk of a fixed length
every day, bathes at the same hour, and never
uses tobacco or liquors.
Signor Zanardellt, who declined King
Humbert's invitation to form a Cabinet until
after Signor CriSDi should have been thus hon
ored again, is a widely known writer on politi
cal economy, and commands general respect
among men of all parties, in splto of his ner
vous and excitable manner and incisive style in
debate.
She Talked Shop.
Washington Star. J
She was the daughter of an editor and was
rejecting an adorer.
"Do you want a proof of my affection?" he
said, in further pleading.
"Oh, no," she responded, as she handed him
back a pile of love letters, tied with a blue rib
bon, "I want no proof; I haye it all here in
manuscript, and that's enough."
The Country Breathes Easier.
Philadelphia Inquirer.
Free coinage is apparently disposed of for
this session. The attempt in the House to
fasten it as a rider upon the sundry civil ap
propriation bill has failed, and the vote shows
that the free silver people are in a minority.
The- Committee on Coinage is also opposed to
the proposed silver legislation, and therefore
it may be taken for granted that there will be
no further action by this House.
Don't Like the Alliance.
Cincinnati Commercial Gazette, Kep.
Cheap labor, dishonest money and the pro
tection only of farm products, is a poor plat
form on which the Farmers' Alliance can hope
to found a national party.
ACROSS THE BAY.
IWRITTEN FOB THE DISrATCn.l
I gaze across the rippling shining bay,
And watch the distant boats with eager eye,
I wonder why the sails so far away
Are whiter than the sails I see nearby.
Far out. the water glistens in the sun.
With dazzling beauty, as the daylight dies.
The water near the shore is dull and dark,
go full of shadows and of sad, drowned eyes.
This Is llfe'sstory from the first to last,
Tis far off things for which we ever pray,
The beauty that lies 'rctfhd ns, we see not,
But gaze with loving eyes across the bay.
Flqbencb A, J OSES, Hampton, la.
MURRAY'S MUSINGS,
Usual Fate of the Honeyed Man Who Gets
Infatuated With a Footllght Favorite
and Plays In the Kolo of Backer Phila
delphia Antl-Trcatlng Proclivities
Rapid Transit.
ryoUB theatrical 'backer' is so called," said
said Horace McVicker, manager, the
other day, "because ho backs out at the moat
critical moment. In that respect he has earned
fame in the ranks of the profession. A backer
Is a speculator who Invests a little money in
some theatrical venture and when the enter
prise does not immediately pan out as a money
maker backs out, withdraws his capital and
abuses the profession evor afterward."
While this definition of a backer of theatri
cal enterprises may be rather sweeping, it ac
curately describes a large class of men who as
pire to managerial honors and proprietary
wealth. There is scarcely a man or woman In
the dramatic profession who has not had some
sad experience with backers ot this class. It
has come to that pass cow that professionals
think it necessary to scrutinize very closely
the character and standing of the man who
stands behind a play financially before they
sign a contract. It is cot enough that the man
has money. Has he the nerve to meet misfor
tune on the road? Will he see the piece
through the season?
The backer who comes into the business of
backing somebody from sentiment rarely has
"sand" or grit to see the company through
many trials to a successful conclusion. It is
only the regular business man of theatrical
training who can, and often does. turn adversity
into financial success. The sentimental ama
teur weakens at ouce, and lays down his band,
his attachment for tho star going out with a
legal attachment on the scenery. These back
era aro known as "angels." or by the convert
ible terra of "suckers," by the profession. They
almost always fail, and railing, carry down
vith them many worthy and hardworking peo
ple. A full list of them would fill acolcmn.
They come from everv rank of life. Durant,
the broker, backed Estelle Clayton four sea
sons and lost money at it because bewitched by
a pair of dark brown orbs. Hayes, the lawyer
and broker, attracted by an ingenious manner
and a cue nose, backed Loie Fuller to the ex
tent of $10,000 in her starring venture in the
West Indies and lost every cent of it. Barclay
Warburton, the dudesque backer of Dixey.was
first attracted to this company by bis penchant
for Geraldlne McCann, a pretty chorus girl
alter whom Porter Ashe had named one of his
racers.
Mora, the photographer, infatuated with a
velvet voice, begged Rose Coghlan to star
when she was in the stock company of Lester
Wallack, and would have risked thousands to
see her succeed. Cunningham, a broker,
launched Lillian Olcotr. One of the most inter
esting episodes of modern metropolitan backer
dom is the history of Pauline Hall. The dark
and lovely comic opera divinity has been backed
all this year by John Bloodgood, the banker and
man-about-town. During all the time that Hall
was the alleged prima donna at tho Casino,
John Bloodgood, a heavy stockholder in the
Casino, never wavered in his allegiance. He
presented her with magnificent diamonds,
dresses and flowers. On first nights he bought
boxes. His coupe was ever at her disposal.
And now that Pauline Hall is "starring" it is
common town talk that John Bloodgood is still
hack of her, actuated, as all say, by the purest
artistic motives. Mrs. Leslie Carter is backed
by tho money of a lard man. Emma Juch had
as an important backer a wealthy piano manu
facturer. Marie Wainwright was launched on
an independent histrionic career by the re
sources of a big mining man. And Julia Mar
lowe had as her original backer Bristol, the
oyster house keeper, aud later Faulk, tho pho
tographer. A Philadelphia Custom.
i "you would be surprised," said the man in
attendance on the cigar counter at a well
known cafe, at the tricks somo men resort to to
prevent paying for cigars. Wheu a couple of
gentlemen come in, for instance, and -call for
cigars, they will often act like a brace ot ladies
in a street ear, each making a pretentious dive
for change, but hanging hack with the expecta
tion that the other fellow will pay the score.
You know very often two men in the course of
conversation will enter a place without any
special invitation on either side and call for
cigars. It is always embarrassing to the one
that serves them, although he doesn't care who
pays tho bill.
"The other day two gentlemen came In here
and got a couple of cigars, two for a quarter.
One of them lighted a clear, while the other
laid down 15 cents, tbo price of the cigars where
they are bought single, this was for his own.
The other fellow seeing it offered to pay for
both, but in the meantime I bad scooped in the
15 cents. This compelled the other man to pnt
up 15 cents for his cigar. The first one said,
"Ob, that's all right; each fellow pays for bis
own. That's the way we do in Philadelphia.'
I asked the fellow if It was true that Philadel
phians observed Buch a custom. He said it was.
1 have been informed by others that this is a
common occurrence in Philadelphia, where
they have adopted the European system of in
viting a friend to lunch and making him pay his
share of the bill or asking bim to take a drink
and then letting bim pay f oi it. It is not a New
York custom, however, though yonr New
Yorker will not treat a man as a general thing,
unless, he expects to be treated by tbo same
man in return."
New Way of Earning a living.
T"tjring the operatic season the sidewalks
for about two blocks in front ot the Metro
politan Opera House are thronged with men
and boys selling librettos. These fellows will
board tbo Broadway cars at the crossings and
carry their pursuit into the enemy's country,
often to the disgust and no small irritation of
the general public During the last operatic
season this privilege was let out to certain
agents who paid for it. There is a young man
of my acquaintance who has been following
this business for a living a number of years.
He was last connected with the Fattl company,
and will now work the Bernhardt privilege.
This young man is a Pennsylvania Dutchman
whom 1 first met in Paris, and be speaks
Parisian like a native. There are a largo num
ber of books sold necessarily where Dlays and
operas are in a foreign language.
This particular youug man cleaned up a
couolo thousands of dollars in less than three
months with Fattl. The bonks cost bim about
4 or 5 cents and are sold for 25 cents each. It Is
not unnsnal for bim to dispose of a thousand
hooks in a single night at this price. You can
easily figure up the profits of such a business.
Ihe young man makes his contracts with the
managers of operatic and other productions
just the same as Abbey contracts with singers,
lully a season ahead and usually in Paris or
Berlin. As the tour of America is necessarily
short, he makes enough in that time to permit
him to live quite liberally for the rest of the
year without work.
A Peculiar Law Business.
'THERE Is a firm ot criminal lawyers in New
York by the name of Howe & Hummel.
"Little Abe Hummel" is probably about the
best known man around Criminal Courts of any
man in New York in tho legal business. They
are of that peculiar type of lawyers known as
"pnlico court shysters," though they manage , a
buincs3 of too great importance to really come
under that head. Several young lawyers are
located in their office and are let out by them
in smaller cases. The first thing that the
habitual criminal, the ex-convict, burglar, thief
or other transgressor of the laws of a felonious
grade does, is to hie himself to the office of
Howe & Hummel for defenders. The firm has
a reputation of possessing an acute knowledge
of all the twists and turns by which this class
can free themselves from the penalties of the
There is another particular class which de
pends upon this firm largely, and that is the
dramatic The theatrical bnsincs in New York
is of such magnitude that it requires a soecial
ist to handle cases connected with the profession.
There are two or three noted lawyers ot more
respectability and standing who also make a
specialty of theatrical cases. Speaking of
Howe & Hummel reminds me that the mother
of "Little Abe Hummel" recently died. In
connection with hit mother, of wnom he was
vary proud, Mr. Hummel says that she was an
omniverous reader of criminal literature of all
kinds a somewhat remarkable thing in a
woman.
"When I pleaded for a man accused of mur
der," said he, "she always expressed the hope
that bo would get a Ilfo sentence only. Her
reading of the cases was regular and her
memory for details was surprising in one of her
age. My mother always regarded the criminals
as the results of, heredity and surroundings,
and to this opinion may he attributed her
Charitable views."
Whether his mother's interest in criminals
and criminal cases was tho result of his line of
practice, or whether tno line of practice is the
result of her criminal curiosity and interest he
does not say.
m
A Very Pleasant AflUlr.
pEEHAPB no brainier, jollier or more cultured
a set of men ever got together in a harmo
nious gathering, than the 400 artists of New
York who attended the professional and pri
vate view of the American Water Color So
ciety at the Academy of Design last Friday
night. The pictures on exhibition did infinite
credit to the artists of New York. While or
cnurso there are somo features about a water
color Mtmonion wnicu uo not correspond witn
those attending a display or oil palmings,this oc
casion was a marked success. The artists them
selves seem to throw aside all rivalry and pro
f essional jealousy, and turn in to have a good
time with themselves and guests. One of the
best Known artists connected with the exhibi
tion told me there wjere over 1,700 pictures sub
mitted, and out of this number some 600 were
hung. There was less personal feeling about
the selections for the places of honor this time
than ever existed before, a fact which created
favorable comment, both among artistic com
petitors and the art critics.
Rapid Transit for New York.
TaTew Yorkers are happy now over the passage
of the rapid transit bill by the State Legisla
ture. It has been a long and severe fight, but
thepressuro of public necessity has been at
last too heavy for the political intriguers at
Albany, and the way Is now open to seenre one
of the greatest needs of the metropolis. It will
be a matter ot some cnrlosity as to the choice of
the commission in the matter ot underground
or in-tbe-alr service. Whatever is done there
are millions In it for the contractors.
CHABLK8 T. MUBBAY.
New York, Feb. 7.
A SEHSE OF JUSTICE.
In Tender Childhood Years the Little Pas
sions Start to Grow.
Harper's Bazar.
Nothing seems to burn into tbs memory and
heart of a child as an undeserved punishment,
however trifling the matter may seem to the
adult inflicter. In some children of the sunny,
hopeful type the wave of indignation aud help
less, unspoken protest against unjust correc
tion passes away, and leaves apparently co
trace. To other children, with more sensitive
natures or more rebellious dispositions, unjust
words of reproof kindle fires of rage, which
smoulder with sullen persistence under the
ashes of seeming forgetfulness, ready to burst
out violently and unexpectedly. If this seems
an overdrawn picture one has only to think
backward to one's own childish days, and to re
call the time when careless treatment by an
elder first taught us to be bitter, unforgiving,
resentful.
A child's sense of justice is as keen as bis
heart is tender, and this is one of the qualities
most necessary to a coble character; a quality
that must be blended with truth and honor and
self-sacrifice to give the right balance to dispo
sitions which would otherwise work barm. A
child's justice is always tempered with mercy
to those he loves, and when in the home he is
justly and tenderly dealt with, be learns little
by little that higher sense of justice toward all
with whom he comes in contact. When his
own small rights are carelessly and continually
thrust aside, he, too, learns to play the brigand,
to invent devices to achieve the might which
he has learned makes right.
BA1XB0AD VEBSTJS CAMEL.
Changes That WIU Bo Wrought In tho Holy
Land by the Iron Horse.
New York Continent.!
The railroad between Jaffa and Jerusalem is
announced to have been opened for traffic,
having been equipped with locomotive engines
from a Philadelphia machine shop. Tho inno
vation will, of conrse, work great changes in
the ancient land made glorious by the grandeur
of David and Solomon, but long abandoned to
desolation and ophthalmic Arabs. Hump
themselves as they may, the camels. will be un
able to withstand the competition of the iron
horse The prodatory Bedouins of the wilder
ness will be driven out of business by that more
artistic brigand, the Pullman car porter, and
the railroad sandwich will appear in the region
that once flowed with milk and honey.
The American Consul at Jerusalem reports
that a real estate boom is In progress there,
and corner lots adjacent to the depot or the J.
fej. R. R. are changing hands at rapidly in
creasing prices. If the march of improvement
continues, we may expect to hear that a cable
road has been built up the Mount of Olives;
that the Cashier of the First National Bank of
Beersheba has fled with 100,000 shekels of the
depositors' money: that theJFarmers' Alliance,
Ibsenism, and things fin de siecle in general
have been introduced into the headquarters of
Biblical antiquity.
The New Baptist Church Paper.
Plttsburjr Baptist Exponent.
The style in which the Exponent is printed is
new as regards religious journalism. It is
fashionable, however, among the very best
periodicals of the day, and as Pittsburg is
growing so rapidly and becoming more and
more in the center of things aesthetic it seems
appropriate to be "in the swim."
Keep a Sound Currency.
Indianapolis Journal.!
The bonds of the United States bave com
manded a higher pries for years than have
those of any other country, because the Re
publican leaders have been able to defeat all
attempts to repudiate them or pay them in any
money but the best in the world.
Snakes and Iteptllos.
PL 'adelphia Press.
The cold has killed two of Sara Bernhardt'
pet snakes. Stange, is it not, that the cold
should cause the death of the reptiles when it
breeds so many hitherto unknown varieties in
tho households ot men who try to keep warm
by the aid of alcoholic stimulants?
Timely Suggestion From Russell B.
Helena, Mont., Journal.
Since the recent storm, Eastern cities are
more determined than ever to bury the tele
graph and light wires. No one suggests that
the ditch he made broad and deep enough to
contain the political wires also.
Very.
Oil City Bllziard.1
Senator Cameron's labors in the United
States Senate since his recent re-election have
been arduous, exacting and very, very yes,
very.
DEATHS OP A DAY.
Congressman James Phelan.
Nassau. N. P., Feb. 7. -Hon. James Phelan.
member of Congress from Memphis. Tenn., died
in this city on the SOth nlt of pulmonary con
sumption. The remains are being forwarded to
day to New York by the steamer Santiago, going
bv way of New York to Washington.
Mr. Phelan arriTed here with his family in No
vember last. In search of health. His disease,
however, was so far advanced before his depart
nre from home that he failed to obtain any benefit
from the change of climate.
' PWllp Wentzell, Sr.
Philip Wentzell, Sr., died at an early hour yes
terday mornlngat the residence of his sou-in-law,
Charles Campbell, on Devilllers street. The de
ceased leaves a raralty of five sons and three
daughters. The sons are Philip, Albert, William.
Casper and George and compose the firm of
Wentzell Brothers, brick manufacturers. Mr.
Wentzell was one of the pioneer brick manufac
turers of Pittsburg. He had a wide circle of
friends, and was esteemed and respected by his
associates. He was well advanced in years, and
retired from business several yean ago.
John K. Frank.
Ex-Connctlman Martin Frank, of the South
side, yesterday received notification of the death
of his father, John K. Frank, an old and honored
citizen of Lancaster county, this State. De
ceased was in his 84th year, and leaves a ramlly of
five, grown children, threo boys and two girls.
Mr Frank leaves for Lancaster this morning on
the dav express to attend the funeral, which takes
place Tuesday.
Mrs. Elizabeth Boyer.
Mrs. Elizabeth Boyer, wife of Anthony Boyer.
of O'Hara township, died yesterday mornlntr at
2:30 o'clock. The funeral will beats o'clock to
morrow morning and wUl proceed from the de
ceased lady's late resldencenearSharpsburg. to St.
Mary's K. C Chnrch. Mharpsburc. where requiem
mass will be held at 10 o'clock. The deceased was
63 years or age, and widely respected.
John P. Pnrncker.
John P. I'urucker, oraharpsburg, died yester
day at the advanced age of 74 years. The funeral
will be to-morrow at 10 o'clock from his late resi
dence. 17 Fort street. The services will be held
in the First German Lutheran Church, Sharps-,
burg, at 2:30 o'clock.
Marie Petkovlc, Centenarian.
Vienna, Feb. 7. Marie Petkovlc mother of
Luke Petkovlc, prominent In the Insurrection
aealnst Turkey during the Austrian occupation In
'73, has Just died In lreblnje Herzegovina, aged
117 years.
Dr. Benjamin H. Preston.
Dr. Benjamin H. Preston, a former resident of
this city, died on Thursday at Mnscoda, Wis. Dr.
Preston was very favorably known here, and his
friends will regret to hear of bis death.
non. William Godthalk
Ijotlisto'vn. Pa.. Feb. 7. Ex-Congressman
and ex-Judge William Godshalk. one of the most
prominent cltlzuus or rJucks county, died at his
residence here yesterday.
Judge John Appleton.
BNGOR. ME., Feb. 7. Ex-Chief Justice John
Appleton died suddenly to-day, iiu was nearly
87 years of age.
THE TOPICAL TALKER.
Gambling In England.
It will be strange if some English Radical,
within or withont Parliament, does not seize
the chance of striking a blow at royalty, which
the Sir Gordon Cumming card scandal pre
sents. A few years ago Henry Labouchere
would have highly relished asking the Home
Secretary in the House of Commons if it was
the intention of the Government to prosecute
the royal and aristocratic breakers of the law
against gambling. But Labouchere is more
conservative now," and ha will probably confine
bis strictures to the columns of his paper,
Truth,
It is worth noticing that the Prince of Wales
and the coble lords who played with bim at
baccarat, were breaking a law passed In Victo
ria's reign, which singles ont for especial repro
bation those games of cards, In which a player
takes the bank, as in baccarat. In the act also
there is an allusion to players who cheat so
that the Gordon-Cumming case is covered in
all respects. There is cot the smallest chance
of a prosecution, of course, for as everyone
knows, there is as to gambling more particu
larly a law for the poor and a law for the rich
in England. Is it impertinent to remark that
a somewhat similar condition of affairs isfound
here?
In examining the English laws as to gamb
I icg I came across the odd fact that one of the
earliest statutes forbids gaming generally on
the singular ground that it interfered with
archery. The statute in question Act 33, Henry
VIH..tates that "whereas sundry crafty per
sons bave invented many and sundry new and
crafty games and plays, as loggetting in the
fields, slide thrift, etc," and that bouses
and alleys bave been provided for these
games, "by reason whereof archery is sore, de
cayed and daily minlshcd, and divers bowyers
and fletchers" (makers of bows and arrows re
spectively) "for lack of work have gone to
Scotland," therefore it is forbidden that any
artificer, serving man, or other of low degree
mark that! shall play tables, ter.nis.dice, cards
bowls, clash, coyting, .loggetting, etc, on pen
alty ol 20 shillings fine for each offense. The
immorality of playing and gambling is alluded
to iu passing, but the main purpose of the act
was to make the young men return to their
archery practice.
Music Hath Charms.
"The actor who Is not above carrying his art
into the common affairs of life," said Dan
Mason, the comedian, last night, "need never
walk the ties or make precarious tours on
freight trains. A good .many years ago a min
strel company stranded in New Orleans,
and among those who wanted to
get work and 'hadn't tbo price of
a street car faro were Lew Brimmer
and Morrisey, the singer. These two knew a
river captain, however, and they worked upon
his sympathies so skillluliy that at
last he consented to take them part
of the way homo anyhow. Brimmer
and Morrisey and their wives, accordingly
got on board the boat, and they kept in the
captain's good graces till they were above
Cairo, Then, for some reason or other, the
captain said he mest put them ashore. They all
pleaded with him, but in vain. The gang plank
was out and Morrisey and Brimmer bad walked
ashore, and their wives, weeping bitterly, were
about to follow, while the captain sternly
watched the movement from the hurricane
deck. Morrisey and Brimmer had their banjos
out. and at this pathetic moment they rolled
up their trowsers, pulled off their shoes and,
stepping into ther river, began to sing in the
most plaintive fashion: 'We Parted by the
River Side.'
"They had sung a few bars when the captain
shouted from the hurricane deck, 'Get on
board, you confounded rascals.' and. sure
enough ho took them to Pittsburg without an
other murmur."
The Bohemians.
There are many clubs in Pittsburg, but a
new one that came into existence last week is
unlike any that has yet been seen. On Wednes
day evaning last a select, yet comprehensive
company, assembled in Mr. Stevenson's studio.
Whether it was tho soft and poetic light which
flooded the room, its quaint decorations, the
old armor or the masks, such a convivial sym
pathy sprang up among thoso present that
they organized themselves into "Ihe
Bohemian Club" of Pittsburg. Major
E. A. Montooth was elected President,
and the next meeting of the club will
take place at his home, on Fulton street, on
Monday evening. Some idea of the club's right
to its title may be yatbered from the fact that
Koss W. Drum is Vice President, E. J. Don
nelly, Secretary, and H. S. Stevenson, Treas
urer. The constitution of the club and by
laws for the Bohemian's regulation are to bo
prepared by Messrs. F. E. Rutan, D. B. Walk
ley and J. F. Stevenson. The nice union of ar
tistic and legal minds in the new club promises
well for its future as a thing of beauty and a
joy forever.
Terrible Tiddledywinks.
"Tiddledywinks may be a harmless game
usually," said a doctor yesterday, "bnt it came
near killing a patient of mine yesterday."
"Impossible!"
"Yes fact. An old gentleman who has suf
fered severely from rheumatism was the victim.
He was in bed and resting easily when a young
niece called to see bim. He complained to her
that be found time hang heavily on his hands.
'Ah!' she exclaimed with an air of inspiration,
'tiddledywinks would ba tho thing for you,
uncle.'
" 'What's thatr he asked.
" Tiddledywinks,' she repeated.
"Tiddle wht?' ba demanded. 'Don't talk
nonsense to me, child. Tid'dley what? I never
heard of such a thine' and beforo the poor
girl could explain the simple ioys and mild ex
ercise of tho game, her uncle had excited him
self to such a degree that when 1 came an hour
lafer his pnlse was still in the nineties, and he
was yet wrestlingwiththeborrid word tid'dley
what? Tiddledywinks!"
Might Have Been.
He might have been great, you have heard people
say.
If things had turned out In a different way;
He was handicapped heaTlly somehow or other;
He got a bad start-luck favored his brother.
He might bave torn laurels from Webster or
Burke,
Such Is his belief, but they set him to work
In a bank or a brewery no matter which
And what could the poor fellow do but get rich?
There's Tnmbilly, now, might.have written, who
knows?
The lovllest verse irhc hadn't writ pro.
There are tailors with souls that soar above coats;
And farmers a-weary or marketing sboats:
All trades and professions count plenty or men
Who'd like to try starting life over again
Who know that they might have been, heaven
knows what,
irthe nickel they'd diopped In some other slot.
Here's this one whose habit or drinking prevents
The world from admiring his virtue and sense;
He might have been great, his friends all insist,
And ask us to weep over what we have missed.
They're dozens who might have with pen or with
saber
Won fame If they hadn't all hated hard labor.
The tortoise we know would have never been in
it.
If the hare hadn't tarried to doze for a minute.
It's a pity, perhaps, and the poet has sung
Of "mlgbt bave been's" sadness, on pen or on
tongue,
Bnt we order a dinner, or put on a coat,
apend money or make it, smoke, versify, vote
According to facts-you can't go behlnd'em
Andtake'em you must, yes, Justus yon flnd'em.
He might have been nonsense I Iheworld would
know this:
Not what a man might be, bnt Just what he Is:
Hepburn Johns.
LIVIKG JEWELS.
Mexican Girls Wear Brilliants Tliat Tar Ont
shino Diamonds.
Jewelers' Weekly.
Tho most interesting thing noticed by a Kan
sas City, Mo., man while traveling in Mexico
wasabahit that the ladles of Chihuahua and
Zacetashave of wearing fireflies tor jewelry.
The legs of the flies are shaped like books and
appear to bave been formed expressly in the
Interest of the ladies.
These living diamonds shine as no otters ean,
for the fireflies in that part of the world emit
light of rare brilliancy, such as is cot seen in
thoso of the North. So beautiful and strong is
the light they give to-tho world that oilier ob
jects way be seen by the aid of it. This habit
of wearing fireflies is indulged In by the ladies
of the poor classes to a largo extcn, aud even
the society ladies often pick up the shining
brownies and fasten them in their hair, just as
an American girl will gather wild flowers for a
similar poxpoie.
CURIOUS C0NDENSATI05S.
Among recent novelties in silver goods
is a match box with a compass imbedded in
one side
A link cuff button is formed qf two
horseshoe nails. Each nail is bent so as to en
circle a large moonstone
In the newly-elected Spanish Cortes
there are 360 Protectionist members and only
70 in favor of free trade.
A blotting pad recentlv exhibited in a
silversmith's window is ornamented in oxidized
silver, and has for a handle the figure of a lady
mounted on a spirited horse.
Major Edwards, of the Kingston Mili
tary College, has declared bis intention of run
ning for tbe Canadian Parliament for Kings
ton as an out-and-out disciple of Henry George.
It seems almost incredible, but it is well
supported by the facts, that the farmers of
Houlton, Me., pocketed 115,400 for what pota
toes were disposed of in that town the other
day.
A silver smoking set is contained in a
caso designed to represent an ordinary cigar
box. The imitation is very good, the grain of
the wood, tbe label and the stamp being faith
fully reproduced.
Caroline Dodge, who is seeking to en
force a contract entered into by a railroad in
behalf, of her grandfather, argued her own
rase before a full bench of the Supreme Court
in Boston last week. '
Congressman-elect Page has presented
the Maryland State Museum with a petrified
oyster, which weighs 3 pounds and 9 ounces,
and is 7 inches long. 7 inches wide and 2 inches
thick. It was recently picked up by one of tha
dredgers.
A new idea is embodied in a bracelet
lately shown by a New York house. It is a
plain, massive band of silver about half an inch
in width and opens on a binge. It is orna
mented on one side in enamels, with a bevy of
bright plumaged biros.
Smallpox is epidemic in tbe town of
Rusk. Tex, and tbe surrounding territory.
Schools and churches bave been closed and a
rigid quarantine has been established. A fine
of S10O will be imposed on every person who re
fuses to be vaccinated.
A remarkable mosaic of the age of
Nero has been exhumed in a street atRheims.
In a panel in tbe center are represented two
gladiators fighting, wearing casques and armed
with swords and bucklers. This panel is en
closed by a border of cables and rosaces in rich
colors. It was damaged by the pickaxes of tho
diggers, bnt can, it is said, be repaired.
The statistics of the Posies et Tele
graphes, which have just appeared, give 1.0C0
as tbe number of submarine cables in use all
over the world. The cost of these cables is
about SIUO.OOO.OOO Of those which belong to
Governments. Denmark owns 36; England. 104J
Germany. 35: France. 48; Greece. 45: Italy, 22;
Spam, 3; Brazil, 18; India, 72, and Norway, no
less than 236.
A notable alteration has been made in
the regulations of tho Paris Salon. Hitherto
space has been found for 2,500 paintings and
800 water color and other drawings. In future
tbe number of the former admissible will ba
l.bCOandof tha latter 400. Each artist may, if
be wishes, submit two works in each section.
The reduction of accepted .orks is dne to a
desire for a more select display of meritorious
productions.
Charles Cotton, of Mecnanic Falls, Me.,
who is bunting for bis wife who left the town,
presumably with another man. tells a good
story which goes to show that when a man has
a wife it is a good thing to bang on to her at
any rate in Mechanic Falls. The story went
about as follows: "When on my way home from
South Paris," says Mr. Cotton, "where I bad
been to see it my wife stopped there, I met ona
of my neighborswho was driving fast but when
he saw me he reined up and in an excited voice
yelled: 'By thunder, Charlie, mine is gone too!" "
The Sultan very rarely or never leaves
the grounds of the Yildiz Kipsk, except to go
once a week to a mosque j ust outside, when tha
very striking ceremony known as tha Selam
lick takes place. Once a year, also, be pays a
Ylsit to Stamboul, but the route there and re
turning is never known in advance. He Is in
constant fear of assassination. Some grand
duchess whom be received at hU court, on his
complaining that bis health was indifferent, ad
vised him to take more exercise and change of
air and to drive about the country. On her de
parture he is reported to have said: "What
barm have I done that this woman should de
sire my death? Why does she advise me to
run into such dangers?"
A Boston lawyer who resides in the
suburbs is tho owner of a dog that certainly
possesses the instincts of an attorney. Tha
other day he saw another dog carrying off a
tempting-looking bone. A second dog followed
at a short distance. Tho lawyer's dog quickly
conceived a plan of action worthy of an emi
nent legal mind. He immediately brought an
action against thn dog with tbe bone. Tba
third dog at once qnicsuned his pace and lost
no time in instituting supplementary proceed
ings in his own behalf. This assistance proved
equiva'ent to a decree for the plaintiff, for tha
lawyer's dog left the tblrd dog to bear tha
brunt of tbe litigation, and, seizing the bone,
fled to his own kennel, where possession was
truly nine points of tbe law.
At Parkersburg, "W. Va., a man named
Williams was arrested for Selling silverware
witheut a license. Williams said be wanted to
earn money for bis sick wife. When tbe officers
visited his house a woman was found lying on
two boxes, apparently sick. No food was in
the house and everything indicated tbe utmost
poverty. A closer examination resulted in the
discovery of an old trunk, and in it was a small
fortune. It was filled in one part with costly
lace curtains and shawls and expensive silki
and satins. In another part were a creat many
sets of expensive silverware. Tbe officers con
tinued their search and found a tin box f nit of
money, including a great many $20 gold pieces,
silver dollars and a large roll of greenbacks in
hundreds and fifties. Tbe total amount was
well up in the thousands,and yet in every other
particular poverty reigned supreme. Tba
woman said it was her sister's and the man
said it was his wife's. He said he had brought
tbe money from Scotland and bought the lace
from bis uncle. Tbe man was released, as no
charge was preferred against bim, but tba po
lice are watching the house.
Mrs. Meinders, wife of the captain of
tbe sailing ship Johanna. Is at present praised
as a heroine In Germany. On tbe third day of
last April the Johanna left Port Louis for tha
island of Mauritius. Two days later yellow
fever developed on board the boat. One man
after the other succumbed to the disease, nntit
finally only tbe pilot and captain remained
well. Soon, however, tbe captain was confined
to his bed with the terrible disease, and Mrs.
Meinders, in consequence, took command of
the vessel.- She divided her time between tha
sick beds and the wheel, which she guided
with enviable skill. Heavy storms added to
the difficulty of her unexpected task. They
waged so fiercely that the brave woman was
obliged, with the aid of tba pilot, to throw 260
sacks of sngar into the sea in order to lighten
tho ballast. The sails, too. were torn into
shreds. It last, damaged and worn, the good
ship arrived at Freemantle, South Australia.
Mrs. Meinders was completely exhausted from
loss ot sleep. She recovered soon, however,
and found her husband restored to health.
Sha had saved bis life and that of the sailors.
A COKXEK IX SMILES.
If Senator Ingalls accepts the offer made
him to lecture through the country, he should be
careful not to go through New Jersey. They hava
a law In that State punishing a common scold.
yew Orleans Sew Jielta.
Discourage the grumbler, but do not sit
down on the porcupine. Dallas. Tex., Sews
Strict honesty must rule to-day.
The public will no more be flouted
Bj wily rogues who nsed to say.
"What are you golns to do about It?"
Sea Xork Prtis.
A Pertinent Query. Lecturer The suc
cessive campaigns of the Komans Into Gaul form,
perhapn, the only record of a series or suecessftil
failures In his
Auditor (lnterruptlng)-W hat's the matter with
the Delaware peach crop?--P"' Hagasine
Broke, broke, brokel
As broke as a man can be;
And the merry chink or the dimes that are spent
Will never come bacx tone.
Buffalo Express.
Young America Papa, is mamma a jew-
c'er?
fond Father No, my son. Why do you ask?
Young America Cause, when I took sister's
candy she gave me a box with more earrings than
wantcd Jetceters'' Weekly.
"If your appearance is any indication, I
think I may be Justified In assuming that yon are
opposed to washing," ventured Mr. Hungry Biz
gins' hostess.
Washln," answered Mr. HIgglns.arteramo
ment of mental abstraction, daring which he ab
sently tried to blow the roam off his cup of cold
coffee, "wabtnV ma'am, is a mighty good thing
to support a ramlly on. but it seems to sorter tour
a woman's temper. In fact, thal'showl conieUo
goon the road. "Indianapolis Journal.
Eriend You must be making money now
tr yoa have dUeanled tbe pipe and taken up
cigars. Do yoa get three or those for a quarter?
Straggling Author Let's see; three for a quar
ter would he a dozen a year. Yes, that's jut
about what I gtX.-JJttroit Fit Prttt.
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