'' THE PITTSBURG DISPATCH, FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 27, 189L apwr". yf '& m mmb& ESTABLISHED FEBRUARY S, 1S18. Vol. 4S. o. SO.-Kntercd at I'ltuonrs l'ostoffice, . ovembcr 14. jsST, as second-class icattcr. Business Office Qorner Smithfleld and Diamond Streets. News Rooms and Publishing House 75, 77 and 79 Diamond Street F.S.S-TCRX ADVERTISING OFFICE. ROOM SI, TKIHUNK BUILDING. NEW VOKK. where comp'cte files ol THE DISPATCH mn always be lonnd. Foreltn advertisers appreciate the con venience. Home advertisers and IrlcndsofTHK DISPATCH, while In ew York, are also made velcome. THE DISPATCH U lro-ulaify on sale at Brer.lino's. S Union Square. A'ew l'ork. aid 17 A'e.rie r Ope a. Pa is. F anct. when antone who ha bfen disappointed at a hotel news stand can ob'atn. it. TERMS Or THE DISFATCH. TOf TAGE FKEE IN THE CNIIED STATES. Dartr PisrsTCR. one Year Daily Dispatch, l'er Quarter ZOO Daily Dispatch, one Month ? Daily Dispatch. Inclu --: Sunday, 1 year. 10 00 Daily Dispatch, including SundaT.Jm'tha 250 Daily Dispatch. Including fcuuday, lm'th 90 f'ODA'l DISPATC. One iear ISO Welkly Dispatch, One Year 115 The Daily Dispatch Is delivered by carriers at .cents per weel, or Including bundar edition, at tl cents per week. PITTSBURG. FRIDAY. FEB. 27, 1891. A REMARKABLE VOTE. The fact that with a single exception all ihe Republicans in the Senate yesterday voted against the Burdick bill, while, also with an exception, all the Democrats voted lor it, looks as though a strict party game of punishments and rewards was being played with this essentially non-partisan measure. "Was it that the Republican Sena tors thought no good could come out of the oil regions since the bold voters up there shipped overboard the candidate for Gover nor last fali? Or was this most singular partisan unanimity produced by sentiments similar to those which moved John Han cock to exclaim to his compatriots when sinning the Declaration of Independence, "Gentlemen, we must all hanc together or trc shall hang separately?" Prom the temper of the remarks of ex Seaator Lee, representative of the Produc ers' Association, and himself a Republican of undoubted standing, it is not improbable that through the western and northwestern counties some new political accounts will immediately be opened for future settle ment in connection with this business. These oil region people have very long mem ories, as past events have borne witness. It must be said, on the abstract merits of the case, nat the Standard was able to make some showing of a division of interest and sentiment between the different sections, but a good deal of the pretended opposition was clearly manufactured. Thus remon strances were had and presented from some iron manuiacturers, and others in our own county who had not a six-penny's worth of interest in the oil business except to testify their readiness to reciprocate to theStandard for business favors received, ana there were others in which the inspiration was undoubt edly best described by the Frenchman's defi nition of gratitude, to wit: "A lively sense of favots to come." However, the one thing certain is that the Seuate sat down on the Burdick bill fatally. Hypotheses oi motives are sure to be thick as blackberries in season. The statesmen may have been imposed upon by the ener getic drumming up of remonstrance by the Standard. Or they may have been not totally unwilling to be imposed upon. Or they may have dramatically conceived some d jty rested upon them to pay a last tribut: lo one lonnerly oi their number who fell in the same breach of the breast-works last fall. But speculation is useless. A list of the yeas and nays will interest the oil pro ducers much more, together with a simi lar record from the House, which is ex pected to be soon forthcoming. They are documents which are liable to reappear on occasions to come in quite a careful state of preservation. THE WEST HANGING. The miserable botch made of 'William "West's execution in the neighboring town of "Washington yesterday will serve to start anew the discussion as to what constitutes the best and least offensive method of taking human life legally. It may not convert the advocates of one method into advocates of another; but it does emphatically point out the necessity that every precaution to pre vent extra suffering on the part of the con demned must be used. The breaking of the rope yesterday is a proof cf culpable fault on the part of some one. The iault seems to have been not so much one cf ueglect as it was oi overcare, the rope having been tested three limes with a weight of 2do pounds, and weakened thereby. The case is one of the very lew with such a feature, and will give strength to the demands of some for a different mode of disposing of convicted murderers. The peculiarly ghastliness ot the circum stances, over some of which the Sheriff did not have control, makes perhaps come ex cuse for the scenes at the scaffold, but the frequency with which such scenes occur in public hangings raises the question whether they do not do these things better in Ohio or even in New York, under the electrical plan. POLITICIANS AND PUBLIC HEALTH, In a p-mphlet entitled "Pubiic Health and Municipal Government," published by the American Academy of Political and So cial Science, Dr. Johns S. Billings, of the United States army, makes some interesting remarks about the duties of city officials to the public. He takes the unassailable po sition that cities should be considered as business corporations, and not as if they were political bodies, and cites Washington, 1. C, as the only city in the country so managed. In "Washington, as is well known, there is no truckling on the part of munici pal authorities lor votes, the government of the city being in the hands of three commis sioners selected by the President; and Dr. Billings argues that to this lact is due the good and economical system of sewers and streets which have been constructed there in the last few years. In contrast with Wash ington he places other cities of the United States, anu says that the business of dealing in voles is directly responsible for much ot the ill-health of these ci ties, politiciansgivtng contracts for streets and sewers to those who gave aid at the elections, and not to the par ties who would do the best work for the least money. "With flip PXCentiOTl tliat n ItmrafmnAnt like that of Wa-hington, is totally unfit fori any other city in the country, there is much truth in Dr. Billings' rcuiaiks. Politicians are Dot, as u rule, filled with concern about the health ol the city over which they hold sway. The votes by which they maintain supremacy is usually a prior consideration. So lon as street grading and sewer making are not done so badly as to attract immediate public attention they are satisfied. That an epidemic might be the result of poor work on lither street or sewerdoes not cften seriously occur to them. The Dispatch does not claim that Pittsburg is any worse off than other cities in this respect, but wishes to call attention to the always existing room for improvement in the conduct of municipal affairs. Badly graded streets, and other streets that areopened but not graded,and insufficiency of sewers to drain residence neighborhoods are noticeable hi this city. Improvement is not possible until the recent legal decision is gotten around in some way.Tiut the work when it is done should be undertaken vigor ously and with a sole eye to what the city actually needs, and not at all to politics. THE PRINCIPLE DOES NOT APPLY. No principle is better established than the right of the Legislature to correct ex tortion by pubiic corporations carrying on business through virtue of public franchise. Especially where the privilege of competi tion is denied and a monopoly takes advant age of the situation to make oppressive chargesjhe right becomes a dcty. It is a duty which we rather think there is little prospect of the Pennsylvania Legislature undertaking to exercise, in view of the swift rejection yesterday of the Burdick bill which rested on this ground, and of the other fact that the bill to reduce telephone charges has not lately been heard of. We may judge, therefore, that there is but a very cold prospect, indeed, for the Act brought down to Harrisburg by Mr. Frazier to give consumers of natural gas a right to have the rates which they shall be charged fixed by the Courts instead of by the com panies which furnish the fnel. And yet, despite the small likelihood that the Act has the slightest chance of passing a Legislature which refuses to interfere in a far stronger case, it is well to show why it should not pais and wherein it differs radi cally from the telephone and the Burdick oil bills. Competition is. open to anybody in the gas business who wants to go into it "We may, for instance, decry the sharp twists and jump around because of the pain in the pocket which the Philadelphia Company here at hme gives to consumers every few months, and feel at times in any but an amiable mood toward that interesting con cern. Yet we cannot ignore the fact that Brown, Jones and Bobinson, ourselves, or any other Consumers are at perfect liberty to go into the gas business any day we please, and that the streets of the city are as open to us as they are to the Philadelphia Company to bring the product to market. It must at least be said for a dead and gone Legislature of the State that, at the very inception of the gas business, it did the right thing by commanding the cities and bor oughs to pass general ordinances allowing admission to all gas companies on equal terms. So likewise the Philadelphia Com pany hasno monopoly ot thegasfieldsoutside. There are several other companies in opera tion, and there may be just as many more as citizens with capital to invest think well to organize. The case of the Standard and the oil trade is different to the extent that it built up a practical monopoly in the many years during which the privilege of build iug pipe lines was denied to others in the field. As for the telephone, it is a monopoly of course of the strictest sort by the force of its patents; and one competing concern which had gone to the trouble of erecting poles and plant in this lity was quickly compelled to shut up shop. It will be seen that it is not only unneces sary, but would be seriously unjust to the gas companies, so long cs this free competi tion is possible, to practically put their busi ness in the hands of the Courts. The pre carious condition of the supply is in itself conclusive on this point. If there was any certainty, or even a good prospect, of the fields lasting for a great number of years, there would be a dozen companies to-morrow to compete with the Philadelphia at present prices. But there is no such pros pect, and for that reason new capital keeps carefully aloof. Under the circumstances the right of the existing companies to pro tect their investments cannot be denied. The principle of legislative intervention against an extortionate monopoly is a sound one; but it would be made highly ridiculous by applying it where no monopoly exists. BRAZIL'S FIRST PRESIDENT. The news that General Da Fouseca has been elected President of Brazil for a term of four years carries with if the first definite asser tion that the military government of that country has been nbandoned. It will make citizens of the United States hope that the energy displayed by the General and his compatriots in overthrowing the monarchy will be duplicated in an attempt to secure the stability of the Republic That the Government of Brazil is now in the hands of men fully competent to give their country a proper position among the nations of the world is almost universally conceded. The future will alone tell whether it is or not, It the new President and his advisers fall into the error common 10 most South American statesmen of at tempting to make the word Repnblic syn onymous with Dictatorship, they will fail. Their success can come only from a foil recognition of the rights of the people to choose their own rulers, and the inculcation of the fact that ballots are better than bul lets in settling political disputes. TREATMENT OF HOSPITAL PATIENTS. One of the most disagreeable features about asking for free treatment at anyebari table institution in New York City is said to be the discourtesy to which an applicant is subjected. The junior members of the medical staffs are said to be, for the most part, very rough in handling their patients, and to be given to the use of profane lan guage in the presence of ladies. The com plaint is a grievous one, and should be in vestigated by the proper authorities; but the probabilities are that it will be proven to have no foundation. In many cases persons applying to a hospital for free treatment are driven to do so by circumstances over which they have no control, and are the peers, in refinement and culture, ot the physi cians who treat them. Such persons are made snper-sensilive by trouble, and some times may imagine that they are treated with discourtesy when they are not. Un used to receiving charity, they do not accept it in the proper spirit, and consequently friction ensues between the patient and phy sician, with the former to blame The other class of patients those who are rough themselves in manner are just as liable to start rumors of discourtesy and neglect- These patients have generally been the recipients of charity all their lives, and look upon free medical treatment as a right. Taking this view, they are extra bard to please. They magnify the smallest omission into a sin of commission of the first magnitude. "When ther are discharged from the hospital, in revenge they start rumors 'of cruelty, neglect or discourtesy, and more than insinuate that money would have secured them better attention. Much harm is therefore done to institutions and the people who work in them to relieve suf-. fering humanity. Apart from the two foregoing classes of patients are those whom illness makes un reasonable. These, while sick, look upon a physician as their natural enemy. Nothing pleases people of this latter class, and time spent trying to do so would be wistec" were it not that some of them on recovery are willing to acknowledge their wrong. Still, others of them leave the hospitals with the idea that they are very much abused mor tals. They add their quota to the falsities already in circulation. Of course, there is room for many reme dial changes in the management of public medical institutions; but while we cannot speak with certainty of the truth or untruth of the reports affecting the New York hos pitals, we can still congratulate ourselves that our local hospitals are held by the pub lio in proper estimation. Poob Nevada! The intimatiou that the legislators of Uiat State will probably agree on a bill to license bare-knuckle prize flgnting within its borders calls for greater sympathy than did the news that its population is rapidly dwindling away, nevertheless, the desire to bring the-heavy-weight pugilists to that State, given as a reason for introducing the bill, pro vkes the hope that Nevada's gain will be the rest ot the country's eternal loss, Philadelphia doctors say the ginger tincture evil is running alcoholism a close race. Why not strike at the root of the evil by taxing the ginger root out of existence. Kipling missed the opportunity of his life while he was in America. He should have taken in at least one session of Congress. A xdsibee of wealthy Danes have pur chased a statue of Tborwaldsen and will pre sent it to the city of New York. It a number of wealthy persons, of any nationality China men, for instance would purchase a statue ot General Grant, the city of New York might possibly be prevailed upon to accept it. Wealthy New Yorkers have been slow enough to do justice to the memory of the dead hero. A GLANCE at the list of subscriptions to the Sherman statue fund started by a new New York newspaper with $1,000, shows a wonderful falling off in ciphers. The local stock market is said to have assumed a "waiting attitude." It seems to be waiting on Mr. Westingbuuse. Right on the heels of the announcement that an English syndicate is buying up the mortgages on Kansas farms comes the news of a blizzard in that State. What has Kansas done that she should be thus doubly afflicted? The cable reports a tiff between Queen Victoria and her son "Wales during a fete at Portsmouth. Tho Prince doubtless objected to too much home rule. If the grafting process fails in legislation like it has failed In the Chicago case some little schemes will wither and die. Napoleon Ives, just out of jail, has planned another looting scheme in Wall street, so 'tis rumored. Burnt children are supposed to dread the fire, but ex-convicts apparently do not fear the penitentiary. The whipping of John L. Sullivan by a Southern railroader will indnce the North, in its gratitude, to forget any unpleasant recollec tions of the late war. Peace in Europe means good will to the world, of course; but England launched two more warships yesterday. Pbesident Pfeiffeb, of the defunct Bank of America, may believe that his conf es sion ot guilt was good for his soul, but it will be bad for bis accomplices, Messrs. Work and Dungan. If your wife is dumb don't make her mad. A Philadelphia woman who lost her speech years ago regained it the other daij dur ing a fit of anger. If the effigy burners break loose in the oil regions, straw and old clothes will command famine prices. The story published in some New York paper that Calvin S. Brice will not attempt to take his seat as Senator from Ohio, indicates a deplorable ignorance of Mr. Brlce's mission In life." THE Chinese diplomat who registered at a local hotel as "L Sin" evidently realizes the close relationship between diplomacy and sinning. If the Soap Trust will increase the cost of washing diity linen, letlt live in spite of the law. Speakeb Thompson's declaration that lobbyists will not be tolerated on tho floor of the House at Harrisburg, will cause the cor porations to wonder what legislators are paid for. SNAP SHOTS IN SEASON. "We sincerely hope Congress will never be come an August body. Tho people need all the rest they can get in hot weather. . "We are growing deficient in legs. I don't mean we are legless, but that our lower limbs are rapidly becoming mere rudimentary members for lack of proper exercise. When the tinkle of the horse-car bell was heard in tho towns, citizens walked little; and now that the various rapid transit systems are-in operation, tho citizens walk less. The results of much riding and little walking are apparent in nine men out of ten met upon tho street1 Spindle shanks, weak, uncertain steps and a general air of weariness mark the patrons of the street car. This state of affairs is not due .entirely to tho great American desire for speed. Laziness, pure and simple, is to blame. No matter bow much time a man may have, and no matter how fair the day may be, if he has more than a quarter of a mile to travel, he rides. Ho rides to his worn In the morning, and the suggestion that be start earlier and walk would be roceived with scorn. He rides home from bis work in the evening, and more or less cheerfully accepts tho discomforts ot a car crowded with fellow Test ers. When he arrives home be wonderswby he has no appetite, and tells his wife that she can not cook like bts mother could. Sundays ana holidays are spent in the house with never a thought of a five-mile tramp and Its attendant benefits. In consequence his legs shrivel up to pipe-stem proportions, bis liver hardens and his head grows soft. Finally, he takes his last ride to the cemetery as much a suicide as the man who shooti himself. Go out into the air, and walk out, too. Legs were not made to be bent or bear a lap-stone during the major portion of their service. Thoy were made to carry you, and, on certain occasions, carry the one you love next to your own sweet self. Use your legs and lengthen your life. The baseball pitcher is more liable to be broken at the bar than at the well. If the people would do the kicking in stead of the Congressmen, the country would be a gainer. America' has about as much interest in the Canadian elections as Canada has in a ward contest in any American city. Local issues, personal interests and party pap and grip are the only things at stake. Reciprocity is merely used as sand to throw in the eyes ol the voters. Sir John is slv, devilish sly. Highlanders make splendid soldiers, presumably because they do no not object to being kill'd. Photography is the only safe form de veloper, girls. The only ones who will mourn the death of Congress next week are tho fellows who will use the prefix "ex" in their autographs in future. It is very evident "that London's aristo cratic card players forgot to take the joker 'out of the pack. A trice: elephant in a second-story room is the height of folly. The bill collector who fetches whUt he is sent for Is sure to be rewarded for work well dun. Natural gas is dutiable If the Treas ury Department will only place Pittsburg meters on the Niagara frontier the surplus will once more come up smiling. While the county officials are squab bling over a salary board a vast majority of people are worrying over a salary to pay their board. There's more gold dust than blue blood in the aristocracy of the present day. A man to be a staving good fellow needs a barrel. Judging from the quick work on the Burdick blllthe Legislature must have adopted Standard time ' The Governor of Connecticut and the Governor of New York have fallen out. It will be a long time between drinks with them. There's more billing than cooing in Con gress and the various State Legislatures. Y . obe is i -,- ... .. . . . , uteky arucie oi a laay a wararooe is now copied for dolls. This Is bow they teach the young feminine idea to spend. People heard. who dress loud are seldom Starvation wages are not so bad. The hungry anthracite miners have been offered $100 a day to enter a museum. The Eskimo girl will eat a tallow candle and bolt a bon-bon. Rather light diet, isn't it. The spendthrift has a verv poor concep tion of thrift The State Legislators have killed a race track pool bilL They wink the other eye when corporation pools are mentioned. According to the gossips Miss "Willing was not willing to marry Astor. She spent hours shedding tears before she was religiously and legally auctioned off, so they say. They evidently joined hands, but not hearts. Inspectob Byrnes is a Chevalier. He gained the title by bagging chevaliers de Indus trie. The highest State court says live pigeon shooting Is not cruel. The stool-pigeon docs not come under this ruling, however. Girls would sooner fence than cook, and probably mankind profits by this fact. The Soap Trust won't wash without water. "When theater audiences are carried away they make a great noise. If the tot lives long enough it will be come a totterer. Willie Winkle. PERSONS PABAGRAPHED. Mrs. Kate Chute, of Boston, is claimed to be the first traveling saleswoman for a shoe house. Queen Lilinokalaui, the new mon arch of Hawaii, is said to contemplate a home rule of native policy. The Duke of Orleans on a recent trip took 400 photographs, which developed into 350 blank and 50 unrecognizable scenes. Mrs. Margaret Custek Calhoun, sister of General Custer, and widow of Lieu tenant James Calhoun, is State Librarian at Lansing, Mich. Edmund Clarence Stedman, the banker poet, makes his summer home in a quaint stone house on New Castle Island, In Piscataqua Bay. Me. Gladstone does not smoke, and dislikes tobacco in every form. He has also a profound contempt for smart attire, and a deep rooted dislike for new clothes. "William: Morris, the English poet and Socialist, is so busy in other pursuits that he writes the poetry which has given bim most fame only on Saturdays and Sundays. Mrs. Ye Cha Yun, the wife of the Corean Charge d'Affaires at Washington, is short of stature and rather slender, with the dark, slant eyes of the Orient. Mrs. Yun wears the dress of her native country, and her head is covered with a turban, to which a black tassel is attached. The Mikado of Japan is to visit "Wies baden next summerpartly for tho waters and partly for the spectacle "of Innocent merri ment." Six villas have been engaged for the Emperor and his snite. which will comprise at least 60 persons. No Mikado has ever before left bis own dominion. Mesbitt L. Fernald, the newly ap pointed assistant botanist and herbalist of Harvard College, is only 16 years old. Ho is already well Known in scientific circles, and within the last two years he has discovered and classified SO plants hitherto unknown in the flora of Maine, bis native State. Prof. Charles "Waldstein, the Amer ican archaeologist, has withdrawn from the competition for the honor of making the ex cavations on the site of the ancient city ot Delphi. He says that he will leave the Frencb to do the work In their own manner, as Amer icans have been unfairly treated. Sir Auoustus Paget is an old-time diplomat, but he has a new-fashioned salary of $10,000 a year as British Minister to Austria. This may seem a liberal and open-banded sort of remuneration for the arduous duties of wearing a court dress on state occasions and being on good terms with the imperial family, but Lord Palmerston held to tho opinion that a salary of this sort would not pay for the din ners, balls and parties which an ambassador had to give. DEATHS OF A DAY. Chambers McKibben, Sr. A telegram was received in the city vester dayfromMr. Chambers McKibben, at Harrisburg, announcing tho death of his grandfather. Cham bers McKibben, Sr one or the best known and oldest citizens of Pennsylvania. There are lew who do not know of this family and of its patri archal head who yesterday passed away. Deceased was in his 93d year. When men who are now far advanced In the sere and jellowlear were yet In tbe cradle, deceased camo to Pittsburg from Chambersnurs, Pa., and became proprletorof the Exchange Hotel, then the leading hostelry of the town. It stood where the Anderson stanus now, corner of Penn and blxth, or as the latter was then known, St. Clair street, Mr. McKibben was appointed postmaster or Pittsburg under Presi dent Polk. He moved atierward to Philadelphia, taking charge first or tho Merchants- Hotel there audattcrwardortheUlrard, in which tatter he was succeeded by his son, Mr. Jerry McKibben. The family always kept up their Pittsburg aso clatlons, and several representatives of It live here, among llier.1 Captain McKibben, of tbe Du quesneClub. Deceased was a worthy and highly esteemed citizen, genial and Instructive In his social Intercourse, and appreciated by three gen erations In all the relations of life. ' Mrs. Mary Moss. Mrs. Mary Moss, aged 74, died last even ing at the residence of her niece, Mrs. Mary Daws, on Ravine street, near Thirty-third street, bhe was a resident of Pittsburg for 60 years. Her son, Samuel D. Lockland, Is the oldest Penniyl v,ni, naasenzer conductor in the eitv. Tim (.. ceased was an active worker In the Smithfleld wassissrajSa officiating. Mrs. D. H. McCarty. Ella F. Small, wie of D. H. McCartv, died yesterday at her late residence. ParnaBsa'i, Westmoreland county. In her Hd year. The funeral will be from the residence of her father-in-law, at a superior street, Allegheny. Sr. Hosmer A Johnson. Chicago, Feb. 26. Dr. Hosmer A. Johnson, a professor in the Chicago Medical Col lege, and one of the best known physicians in the city, dledto-aay of pneumonia. A PLEASING POTPOURRI. Poor Crops Promoting; Marriage in En gland One Marriage Service TTIth a Lesson How and What Eskimos Eat Animals That Dote on Tobacco The Queer Little Warriors in the Human System. According to Mrs. Fenwhjk Miller, there is an improvement in the English marriage mar ket. Rates are looking up. after years of de pression. The Registrar General's report for 1889 (only recently issued) shows that the mar riage rate was higher for that year than It has been In any previous year since 181 For the five years above mentioned It descended slowly but steadily, in a way that seemed to portend tho approaching extinction of the relation hated of Tolstoi, Ibsen and the Shakers. So gradual a decline seemed to point to some underlying meaning, some half-bidden cause, making Itself slowly perceived by means of its outward effects. Accordingly, varlons thinkers endeavored to explain the phenomenon. Some saidJbat the reason for it was the growing In dustrial freedom of women, making them less ready to accept of a 16w level of comfort, and of the generally unattractive domestic prospect offered to their acceptance by the other sex Some put the case in precisely the reverse way, and averred that it was the pretentious pedan try, or the domestic laziness and the love of luxury, of the female portion of the commu nity that were at the root of the trouble. In one of these points of view it was the young women, and in the other the young men. who were unwilling to take on the yoke of wedlock. But only lately a third explanation appeared In the Westminster Review, combining both the sexes in the hypothesis of voluntary rejection of an effete institution. According to this writer, it was the vastspread of general culture that was at the bottom of the change. However, all these fine-spun speculations may cease, for the marriage rate is rising. The Registrar General returns to the time-honored explanations of marriages being dependent on the price of provisions. Very commonplace and a little unpleasant it no doubt is to think that all the finer feelings of the soul must be crushed by a bad harvest, as the sweet blossoms on the fruit trees peri-h under a frost. The greatest rise is recorded in those agricultural countries in which the pinch of scarcity is most directly felt. The marriage rate was only low ered temporarily by those prosalo conditions against which individuals may struggle suc cessfully, but to which the average man and the mass of mankind must submit their lives. Lessons of One Wedding Service. Of the marriages celebrated in the year under report, just upon 700 out of each 1,000 were solemnized in the Church of England. The proportion ot marriages only civilly celebrated has steadily increased for 20 years past. But (leaving aside all considerations of the natural desiro of church communicants to celebrate their marriages by their own clergy) the civil wedding ceremony can never become really popular so long as It remains so bald and brief and uninteresting as it now is. Tbe "Friends" are accustomed to unadorned rites, yet even they have of late years almost ceased to marry in their own meeting houses. Tbe Quaker ceremony is of the simplest. Bride and bride groom sit side by side in silent prayer for some time: they then rise; and respectively call on the friends assembled to witness that they take each other for husband and wife. That is all; but that suffices for the law, provided tbe proper notice has been previously given and the presence of the Superintendent Registrar of the district is obtained, and his book signed. The Hebraic wedding service is tbe one which seems to me to convey tbe most useful lessons to tbe assem bled company. That service asks no vow of obediecco from tbe wife, but impresses on her the obligation she is under constantly to show respect, love, amiability, and fidelity toward her husband; it requires from tbe bridegroom a promise ot fidelity to his wife, and, further more, an engagement to work for ber and be responsible for her future material well-being. I do not know that moral lessons of this kind are everof much practical effect, but, If they arc, it must be more profitable for all tbe old married men attendmga wedding as well as for the bridegroom, to bear read over what they promise at marriage In a synagogue than in any other service with which lam acquainted. The Brutes Like Tobacco. A German professor has been experimenting with tobacco upon tbe animal world, and they all like it. Goats, stags and llamas delight in it; they do not, Indeed, smoke (like the Grand Lama), hut they devour cigars with infinite relish. The brown bear, unlike the lady who writes to the papers In the dull season, has not only no objection to having "cigar smoke puffed in his face." but seems to welcome It as an appreciative idol drinks in incense. The lion sneezes, but, like a snuff-taker, asks for more of what makes him sneeze. Of course, it is possible tbat the professor may have been ministering to their worst vices, and stifling the "low beginnings" of penitence and remorse lb their shaggy breasts, but that is not his view. How tho Eskimos Eat, I Sad read about Eskimo eating habits how once upon a time, for instance, an Arctic ex plorer offered some Eskimo girls some sweet meats which were rejected, while tallow-bandies were eagerly accepted and eaten. Now I was to see an Eskimo eat, says a writer in Goldlhwaile't Geographical Maqaztne. With many smiles, peterenteied the cabin and sat down at the table. I should have apologized to him on account of the scantiness of our fare, for we had no candles and there wasn't a bit of tallow on deck even. Peter sat down and without ceremony helped himself toa lot of baked beans, a piece of dry bread and a large piece ot very lean, salt beef, all of which he bit into and swallowed as a hungry 'longshoreman might have done. Then he took more beans and more bread and more lean beer, and with them several cups of coffee with a great deal of sugar to each cup. He was a long time getting to It, but be finally began on tbe butter. He bad poured bis last cop of coffee and was looking about for something to eat with it, when his eye fell on a plate of cake. Taking a small piece he put a small lump of butter on it andsloMly ate the combination with the coffee. The stable food is seal meat and blubber. Next to that is the tittle fish taken in the fiord and dried for winter use, known to them as the augmatfatand to the learned as salmovillo sua. A favorite way of eating the dried auic matfat is to take It by the tail, poke it into the oily blubber for a while, and then chew it down. Awful, isn't it? It is almost 3 bad as eating sardines. There is a deal in a name. Blubber is disgusting; oil, if for use On a salad, is delicious and indispensable. I have eaten seal oil and found it (very unexpectedly) good. I had supposed it would have a flavor of fish oil. There is no such flavor about it. The fox is to the Eskimo what tlib 'possum Is to the plantation darkey. He likes to smoke and, un der favoring circumstances, will swap any thing he's got. Including his wife, for rum. Cancer Still a Mystery. The latest medical sensation we live in times when "sensations" are the order ot the day is the announcement of a cure for cancer. This bit of news, published in tho dally journals, comes to U3 from a Vienna physician, writes Br. Andrew Wilson in the London Illustrated aVeuu, who says tbat. In a substance called methyl violet, he has discovered a remedy against the noxious ailment. This substance is injected into the tumor, and causes its disappearance, acoordlng to the account given ot tbe remedy and its action. It is added that the Austrian doctor has not waited to conceal bis remedy, as did Dr. Kocb, but has boldly given it forth to be tested by his fellow medi cine men. This -Is right and generous, and ethically correct: but I may be allowed to point out tbat the question is scarcely so plain as it might seem to ordinary observers. We do not yet know what cancer is, although we suspect tbat it consists largely of a modification of tbe ordinary cells, etc., of the body; nor do we kuow what is tbe predisposing causo of the modification which results in tbe cancer forma tion. At least, however, tho remedy may be tried and reported upon this much ordinary humanity will demand: more especially as cancer Is a disorder which has been proved of late years to be alarmingly on the increase Life's Bitterest Enemies. One of tbe most extraordinary as well as most Interesting facts which recent research has disclosed is the power possessed by tho white blood globules ot living animals to attack and devour the diseaso germs which have gained entrance to the living tissues. In the blood wo find two sets of corpuscles red and white Tho latter are living cells, composed of protoplasm, and living a life of semi-independent kind. Tbey are able to wriggle their way through the walls of blood vessels, and to pass at will among the body's tissues. No doubt ex ists that these curious cells seize upon noxious substance', and eat and digest them. Metsch- KSaSS nikoff, tne great auvocate or this nbagocvtlc up bis belief in the words that, on tbe property and nower of its wbite cells to absord and 1p- stroy microbes, "the animal body possesses a formidable means of resistance and defense against these infectious agents." In other words. If we succumb to disease It la because our pnagocytes have been defeated by the in vading uerms; whereas, when wo recoyer from an attack, or escape an invasion. It la because our wbite blood cells have gained tbe victory over the microbes. The practical aim or lire would therefore seem to be that of strengthen ing the phagocyte. How this is to be effectu ally done or specially, accomplished I do not profess to say, writes Dr. Andrew Wilson. I daresay, however, I. shall not hp far off the 'mark if I allege that tbe maintenance of a high state of .general health is the best means for avoiding disease attack. If so much be ad mltted.tlien we may say tbat tbe general health acts as a favorable condition, because in its turn It preserves our phagocytes In good fight ing trim. Fogs and Plant Life. London fogs of late have been over-prevalent, as everybody knows, and botanistsbave been in terrogated concerning their effects on plant life It seems tbat the tropical plants in tbe gardens ot tbe Botanic Society felt the evil consequences of the smoke-laden air in the greatest degree. Forest plants and those grow ing in tbe shade were lfsg obviously affected. Tbe great water Illy (Victoria regia) was an especial sufferer, probably through its leaves being literally choked with the grimy particles of the smoke cloud. KIDNAPED HIS VT1YE. Lively Experience of n Southern Legislator With a Girl's Guardian. Nashvllle'Amcrlcan. 1 There are so many pretty girls in Nashville tbat tne Nashville boys are an unusually gal ant set. and this Is the charitable way of ex plaining tbe unusual ferocity ot tbe duennas who guard tbe hearts and persons of tbe young ladies in the many Nashville seminaries. An official connected with the Legislature has been particularly eloquent concern ing one of these jealous custodians of maidenhood for the last few days. It happeds tbat he bas a very pretty young wife and that she has a walking costume resembling the uni form adopted by one ot the leading boarding schools. While taking an afternoon stroll to gather the other day tbey accidentally encoun tered tbe pupils ot this boarding school, who were also taking an afternoon stroll en masse. The gallant young lawmaker was suddenly surprised by the lady in charge, who rushed up behind bim. pushed bim vigorously to one side, and, taking his wife by tbe shoulders, gave ber a severe reprimand and commanded her to "get In line." It was in vain thoy expostulated. She to fused to listen to him for one moment and forcibly propelled the trembling young wife to the other side of the column. 'Where she was hurried beyond tbe reach of her astounded lord and master. The protests of all the young ladies present were necessary to convince the excited matron that she had make a mistake, but tbe legisla tive dignitary hastily accepted her apologies, glad to escape with his life THE O. A. B. BARD CONCEET. A Splendid Musical Programme Furnished at Comlqne Hall Last Night. It has been long conceded that the Grand Army Band could play most excellent military music, but last evening at Comique Hall that organization gave a performance tbat wonld compare favorably with the efforts of any of the Eastern bands heard this winter. There is, of course, room for artistic finish, but for all that Director Charles W. Gaston and the mem bers deserve great credit, and tbe presence of a much larger audience than greeted them in tbe auditorium. Tbe selections rendered by tbo band were Verdi's "II Trovatore," Keler Bela's "Tempelwelhe," D. W. Reeves descriptive "Night Alarm of Fire" and the "Second Regi ment, L N. U.," by Weldon. The other numbers on the excellent pro gramme were taken by City Organist Leonard Wales, who playod Rossini's overture, "Semi ramide;" Miss Irene Sample, wbo sang Tosti's "Bid Me Goodby;" John Greenawald, who sang Stewart's baritone solo, "Air and Variations;" E. H. Dermitt, who sang of "War and Armsr" Misses Bella Long and Jennie Honess, wbo played Melnotte's piano duet burlesque "The Banjor" Harry Betzel, who played F. Renard's "Berceuse" and Wienlawski's "Second Ma zourka" on tbe violin, being accompanied by C. Couch on the piano: Mrs. Anna Leah Dickin son, wbo pleased the audience by a whistling performance, and Messrs. Griffith, Yost.Gaston and Hoeppel, of the band,wbo played Pinsuti's "Goodnight, Beloved," on saxapbones. A VEBY MEAN THICK. Actors Try to Make a Man Break His Tem perance Pledge. New York Evening Telegram.3 The reputation for total abstinence so long enjoyed by Walter Gale, tbe tramp of "The Old Homestead" was rudely shattered during a re cent performance When the actor, as Sappy Jack, lowered the old oaken bucket into tbe well In tbe first act of the play be innocently drew up Instead of tbe water usually introduced into the bucket a full gallon of wbite wine emptied into It by several jocular members of the company to whom Actor Gale had boasted of his long temperance. f When Happy Jack tasted the contents of the bucket bis face was a study. Looking down into the well he espied the grinning upturned faces of a half dozen of his fellow players. Quick as a wink be overturned the bucket and had the satisfaction of knowlngthat while they had succeeded in making him break bis pledge they were obliged to return to their dressing rooms and make up once more. The original application had been dashed from their faces by tbe flood of white wine. BUZZARD BITTEN B00HEBS. The Foolhardy Invaders of the Cherokee Strip Attacked by a Cold Wave. Kaksas Citt, Feb. 26. Probably what will prove to be tbe severest blizzard of the season Is raging in Kansas to-night. It commenced late this afternoon, whon the cold wavo of yes terday became intensified. The thermometer dropped to 10 above zero, and a higb wind came up from tbe Northwest. At 7 o'clock it began to soow, and tbe storm developed into a blinding blizzard. Dispatches from Southern Kansas state that "a norther" is raging in the Cherokee Strip, and that intense suffering will be experienced by tbe foolhardy boomers, wbo not only have invaded tbe strip contrary to law, but went into tbe barren Country wholly unprepared for any emergency such as tbat ot tbe present There are fully 3,000 boomers in the strip. They are equipped only with the meager com fort afforded in tbe furniture of a "prairie schooner." Most of them are scantily pro visioned and with only wagon covers for shelter they will endure great suffering PAUL EEVEBE'3 HOUSE TO 00. Boston to Lose One of Her Old Historic Landmarks- Boston, Feb. 28, Another of the old land marks of Boston is doomed. It is one of tbe most famous and historical, too the house in which Paul Revere was born. A week hence and nothing of it will remain. Tbe bouse is situated in North Square, at tbe North End. It is numbered 19 and 21. For about 80 years it bas been in the hands of a man who bas preserved it and kept it m its present excellent condition. But tbe house has now changed bands and, instead of being pre served as a landmark, it is to .make way for a more modern structure and from which a good revenue cab be derived. In the early days of Boston, North Squaro was the heart of the town, and tbe house most prized was tbat where Paul Revere was born. AMERICA FOR AMERICANS. National Societies Meet and. Formulate a PoUtical Platform. Chicago. Feb. 26. The Council of National American Societies, which bas been In session here since Monday, completed its work to-day. The officers elected are: President, Colonel G. G..Mincr,of this city; Vice President, G. H. Bartlctt, Massachusetts; Secretary. James S. Reynolds. Illinois; Treasurer, W. J. H. Tralnor, Michigan. The platform declaies in favor of free speech", a tree press, the restriction of foreign immigration, an educational franchise, freo common schools, no appropriations from the National Treasury for sectarian purposes, and In favor of giving public lands to actual citi zens and bona fide Bettlers. It is not proposed to form a distinct political party, bnt to favor tbe party which will incorporate Its principles in its platform. The organization-claims to represent 1,500,000 voters. IOWA FARMERS IN POLITICS. The Alliance WU1 Put a Fall State Ticket In the Field. , Sionx Crrr, Ia.. Feb. 26. The Eleventh Iowa District Farmers' Alliance Conference is in session here to-day. J. B. Powers, President of the NationalAlllance; B. T. Farrow. Presi dent ot tbe Iowa Alliance, and other prominent leaders are present. At to-day's meeting it was resolved to apply the secret rules of the or.ler to tbe Iowa Alliance; to put a full State ticket In the field in Iowa this tall, and to continue to adhere to prohibition and a low tariff. President Farrow will probably be tho Alliance candidate for Governor. Erratic Legislatures. Toledo Blades These bodies are like drunks; worse after the excitement of getting them is over. SOCIETY'S PLEASURES, Auspicious Opening of the Western Uni versity Dramatic Club's Season Ama teur Comedy In Capable Hand A Nam-, her of Church Entertainments Social Chatter of a Day. Tho Western University Dramatic Club scored a pronounced success at the Pittsburg Club Theater last evening, and in doing so It was ably assisted by the University Glee Club and tbe University Orchestra. In the dramatic presentation and tba,mu!ical selections of last evening tbe Western University of Pennsyl vania was represented for tbe first time in pub lic, but not for tho last time, by anv means, as another play, to be given within a "few weeks, is already under way, and a series is being out lined. A three-act comedy. "Bad Advice," was the play chosen by the t-outhf ul club for its first ap pearance, and It g; r: scope for some really ex cellent comedy worn. Mr. Scott, tbe clever son of James B. Scott, carried off the honors of the evening, and cave a thoronghly amusing con ception ot Edmond Manalnct, the generous, whole-souled gentleman perverted into a Sus picious, fault-finding Individual by his brother, Fi aneois Mlundinet, whose miserly babiu and propensities were as predominant as were, in thp beginning, the generosity and liberality ol Edmond. The respective sons of tbe brothers. Messrs. Davis itnu Liggett, partook of their fa: hers' natures, and assisted materially in making the comedy a success. The bootmakers. Messrs. Riddle and Calvert, were realistic caricatures of antagonistic deal ers In' leather. Mr. Clarke, son of Charles Clarke, gave an excellent personation of Gus tave Anbertin, and Mr. Dorringtos, as Joseph, a servant, was wise enough for all emergencies. Hcnretia. Edmond's wife, in Miss Lillian Rets, had an able interpreter, whose womanly qnalities were paramount in the telephone scene. Mis Riddle, as Laura, and Miss Scott, as Prudence, the maid, were equal to the demands made upon them by the characters. The young people were all of representative families, and the audience tbat filled the hall was naturally composed mainly of the same element. AN EVENING OF PLEASUBF, With Sixth Presbyterian Church Ladles as the Hostesses. Tbe dedication of a handsome new dining room and kitchen additions to the Sixth Pres byterian Church was effected last evening, with tbe annnal supper given by the Ladles' Missionary Society of tho church. Six well filled tables occupied the dining room and were surrounded by hungry people often enough to keep the pretty aids fairly flying to supply their wants for several hours. -Mrs. Patterson, the President of the society, was chairman of tho affair. A floral booth and a candy table were acces sories; over the former Misses Rousb, McCal lum and Caven presided, while Misses Eyricb. Wilson aud Bryaut di-pensed the "sweets." A literary aud musical entertainment by the Young People's Society was given subse quently. Enjoyable Church Entertainment. The Dutch kitchen was the drawing card at Shady Avenne Baptist Church bazaar, which was opened last evening with a very encourag ing attendance, and which will be ac the height of its success tn-nlgbt. Tbe pop corn table, with corn "popped while you wait," and served hot, was another place round which the people flocked. Other tables, fancy, doll, common sense, candy, fruit, flower and China, lemonade and ice cream were all up to the highest stand ard of Such things, and were liberally patron ized. The Purim Boll. Invitations are out for tho second annual Purim masque ball of tbe Disraeli Social, to be given at New Turner Hall. Forbes street, Tues day eveninc. March 21 Elegant prizes will he given the lady and gentleman wearing the most original toilets. The Original Royals will fur nish the music, and tbe hall will be illuminated by calcicnm lights. The committee consists of Messrs. A. J. Adelsheimer. Joseph Frank further. Ben Biggard, Leon Engle, Sam Banm, Gus Arnold, Ike Good, L. Kopeman, Max Ar nold, J. Bickart, Ike Scholem and A. Bloch. Lectures In an East End Church. Tbe Emory M. E. Church, ot tbe East End, announces a series of lectures to be given this week by Mrs. H. E. Munroe, commencing with one given last evening on "England, Its Shrines and Its People." Tbls evening "Beyond the Mississippi" will be the lady's subject, and to morrow evening she will speak on "Christ in Art." Mrs. Monroe.asa lecturer, is well known In the city, and many will doubtless avail them selves of the opportunity to hear ber. A Social for the Deaconess' Home. A social was given last evening, in the Butler Street M. E. Church, for the benefit of the new Deaconess'-Home.that will probably be In oper ation shortly. The evening was spent in social converse, and an informal programme of musical and literary selections was given. Miss Van Bradenburg, tbe deaconess, has six applicants for membership in her prospective family, and tbeir names are now before tbe board for approval. Social Chatter. The entertainment given by the Young Peo ples' Society of Christian Endeavor last even ing, at the First Congregational Church, Alle gheny, included selections by the Philharmonic Club; solo, "Cherette." by Miss Nannie B. Ham mor; recitation, "Gypsy Flower-Girl," by Miss Mary Byron; recitation by Miss Alma Krueger; Scottish selections by Miss Tillia Mackintosh, and selections by a male quartet. The accom panists of the evening were Mrs. W- M. Gard ner and Miss Ida Graham. A musicals was given last nlgbt at the Seventh U. P Church, by the Ladles' Mission ary Society. The list of performers included Mrs. Dr. Bands. Miss Maggie Given, Miss Powell, Miss EegcrsJ Miss Chalmers, Miss Johnson. Messrs. H. H. Hamilton and W. Lizhtbody. Mrs. Eliza J. Gramas! has Issued invita tions for tbe wedding of her daughter, Nancy Brown, to Joseph Caldwell, Tuesday evening, March 3. at 8 o'clock. Sixth U. P. Church. East End. "At Home" cards accompany the invi tations for Thursdays, after April 15, at Wil kinsburg. The first Pittsburg Female College soiree musical of the season will be given this evening. Prof. Theodore Salmon will conduct, and Miss Blanche Ncwcomb, a violinist, late of Berlin, with Miss Mary Bankerd, vocalist, and Miss Mary B. Kler, elocutionist, will appear. A lecture will be delivered Tuesday even ing. In the Fifth U. P. Church. Allegheny, by Rev. W. T. Meloy. His subject will be 'The Touchstone." The proceeds of the evening will be devoted for tbe benefit ot the Ladles' Mis sionary Society of the church. The Lincoln Republican Club held a stag euchre party last evening at its rooms on But ler street. Nearly 100 members were present. The club reporu a largely increased member ship roll, tbe result of prominence given it by a recent series of lectures. Work goes merrily on for the baziar and supper to be given next week in Old City Hall, for the benefit of. the First Allegheny Day Nursery. Atameetu-.sbeld yesterday the chair man reported everything progressing famously. The Shakespeare reader, John Sturgeon, will make his initial appearance here next Tuesday evening at the Sandusky Street Bap tist Church. Allegheny, under the auspices of tbeY.P, S.C.E. The Y. M. C. A. announces the Swedish Male Quartet for an entertainment at Old City Hall this evening. Miss Lura Barden will appear In readings. The programme is an attractive one. Prop. GeOrge M. Sleeth and the Alpine Quartet will give an entertainment this even ing at the Wylie Avenue United Presbyterian Church, the proceeds to benefit tbe church. The third of the series of free Friday night lectures will be delivered this evening in St Peter's P. E. Church, by Rev. A. J. BonsalL Subject, "Unseen Realities." THE ninth annual celebration of St. David's Benevolent Society will be given at the Seventh Avenue Hotel Monday ovening. The Wasbinzton-Jefferson College Alumni will banquet to the number of SO, at tbe Du quesne Club tbls evening. A dancing class reception will be givon by the classes of Mrs. E. V. Bridge, at Cyclorama parlors, March 4. AN entertainment was given last evening in tbe rooms ot tbe East End Y. M. C. A AUSTBALIAN SYSTiM ADOPTED. The Arkansas Senate Also Fixes tho Charges of Telegraph Companies. Little Rock, Feb. 26. Tbo entire afternoon session of tbe House to-day was consumed in discussing the Australian election ballot law, which was finally passed by a vote ot 61 to 25. Tbe Senate passed a bill to reduce the charge of messages sent over telegraph lines in this State to 10 words, 15 cents; for the next 10 words, 10 cents, CURIOUS CONDENSATIONS. An apartment house to accommodate 500 families will be erected in Dresden, Ger many. A Grand Rapids, Micb., colored girl was sentenced to six years in the reform school for playing trnant from school. A party of negro gamblers was canght playing poker on a grave in a lonely cemetery of Athens, Ga., the other night. Salt river, Ariz., is at flood height, but none of the politicians wbo have gone up the stream have as yet floated down. Garden City, la., was recently treated to the novelty of a public sale ot a herd of buf falo on tbe foreclosure of a mortgage. The hotels of Berlin have been ren dered unbealtbv by tbe consumptives who vis ited that city to try tbe Koch lymph. A new French directory has just been been Issued at Worcester, Mass. That city has 10.100 French-Canadians among its inhabitants. A North Carolina hen has taken to numbering her eggs as "she lays them. Each egg bears its proper number in raised figures on t ha bell. A large number of gold and bronze an tiqnlties have been discovered lately in the west of Ireland. They will go to the museum at Dublin. Seventeen persons who died in England in 1S90 bequeathed to varions charities tbe enormous sum of 171,700, equal to about Evidence in a New York breach of promise suit pioved tbat 20 persons were present when the defendant promised to marry the plaintiff. The first edition of the "Memoirs of Joseph Grimaldi," the famous English clown. Is valued at J70. The "Memoirs" were edited by Cbarles Dickens. A hog remained at the bottom of a well into which It had tallen for days. It only lost 35 pounds in weight, though it was without food tbe whole time. A clergyman in New York has declined to permit an engaged couple to rehearse in his church tbe wedding ceremony which is toba performed at Easter. There are too many fresh eggs in New York City, the receipts through the Mercantile Exchange for six days prior to the 20th inst. amounting to 2,00u,00u dozen. A rare specimen of humanity was picked up by thapolice of New York City the other night. It is a baby, tbe offspring of a Chinaman and an Indian squaw. Reports from Maine tell of a meteor as large as the moon. Tbe bright visitor burst over Madison village, tbat State, shaking the ground as if by an earthquake. There are 3,985 paper mills in the world, turning out LWCtt,00O pounds of paper annuallr. half of which is used for printing, 000,000,000 pounds being required for newspa pers alone. Near Barzytown Ledges, in Connecti cut, isa large boulder of over five tons' weight. When, poshed it moves as if on a pivot, and some people think tbat It Is a ceremonial stone placed thero by a prehistoric race. A baker of New York City is suffering from a very rare form of disease known as osteo-mallacla. Tbe whole bony strnctureot body bas become as brittle as chalk, and his bones break under the slightest touch. The disease is fatal. Four hundred acres ia the extent of a California fruit farm which in 189C produced fruit worth J159.000. The expenses of labor, packing and boxes amounted to a little less than 39,000. leaving over $100,000 as the profits of tbe farm for the year. An Orange, N. J.t clergyman, having threatened to cowhide young men whom he may catch loitering around bis church door waiting on the girls, a local paper says tbat one by one the inducements for voung men to draw near to religious comfort fade away. A Farmer's Alliance representative has introduced in the Kansas Legislature a bin providing that any person who wilt file a peti tion stating that be or she is of good moral character, shall De permitted to practice law, whether the petitioner knows any law or not. A furore over a gold and silver find in Montague county. Texas, exists. The vein is six feet wide and assays $100 to tbe ton. Coal is found under the edge of the silvpr, the vein beinir 37 Inches thick, nnderlaid with nickel, gold and magnetic Iron ore. A. typical mining town is In coarse ot erection. The defeated candidate for supervisor in Southfield, Richmond county, N. Y reports bis election expenses as follows: Professional services, 43 cents; shoe shine. 5 cents; chewing tobacco, 15 cents; weiss beer. 60 cents; sarsa carina, 20 cents: soda water. 10 cents; copying, 15 cents; beer, 32 9j. Total. 51 85. It is a curious fact that the amount of money paid to American artists by tbe sale of their pictures at all tbe regular yearly exhibi tions in this country, including thn National Academy, tbe Water Color Society's exhibit, etc, is not as great as the amount paid out yearly for tbe art work In the Century Maga zine and St. Nicholas. A novelty in electrical circles is the handy Incandescent drop light, by which the current is switched on or off by pulling the flexible cord tbat supports the lamp instead of turning a key In the lamp socket. The switch is in tbe ceiling and the slightest pressure operates It. One pull will light the lamp and another extinguish it. A farmer residing near GuilderUnd, N. Y has been sent to an insane asylum because he has a mania for whistling at all times and in all places. He whistles from nlgbt to morn, and after retiring he whistles until be falls asleep. If he wakens through tbe night he Im mediately commences to whistle and continues until he is exhausted. Tiie popular idea that when in a mar riage ceremony the groom says "With all my worldly goods I thee endow." the contract is of legal effect, in itself is erroneous. These words are frequently omitted and bavo no legal effect in any way, as by tbe laws of nearly all tba States the wife is at once seized of an inchoate dower rlgbt In ber husband's real estate at soon as they are married. A San Francisco young man has set up a little kingdom of his own on a small island in tbe Pacific Ocean. He bought the Island for 5.000, introduced a population of Sonth Sea Islanders, and has kept them employed in set ting out cocoanut and banana trees, tbe fruit ot which be will ship to America. He 13 absolute monarch and owner of everything on the Island, and expects to make money. A prominent actor was playing Mac beth in Australia, and when be Came to the murder scene he askel in vain for the blood with which he had intended to imbrue hi3 hands. After abusing tbe property man roundly for bis neglect, the actor, struck with a happy thought, suddenly hit the functionary on the nose, so tbat a good supply of crimson fluid was obtained. In "Williamstown, Mass., lives a negro whose claim to be 101 years old does not consti tute the whole ot hlsliiht to fame. He was born with an extra bard bead and a born over an inch in length on the frontal bone, and unre mitting practice soon made bis brain-box a ter rible weapon. During the course of bis long life be has killed rams, broken doors, smashed grindstones and murdered bulls bv simply but tin" them with his awful head. He Is still in good health and willing to tackle anything from Jehn L. Sullivan to tbe latest nickel plated ship armor. JOURNEYING JESTS. A clever Erie county girl has gone to painting her Plymonth Kock hens In artistic col ors In order to mate them lay decorated eggs for Easter. Buffalo Express. TOO BAD. Their index fingers maidens raisa No more to point with pride or scorn, For diamonds there no lonser blaze Engagement rinfcs. Queen Fashion says. Must on the middle pne be worn. Hew lor Press. "Lijo'" said the President, with a chuckle, we've tot the Democrats la a bole now." "In what respect, sir " 'It's been decided out in Ohio that the world Is comlnit to an end in '91. 'Tee-hce-heet There ain't a-goln' to be any . " Puck. Bunting Poor Jaysmith hasn't a friend In the world. Larkln-How did be lose his money7-Jufff.. Professor Now, Miss Cora, look at this morsel of cheese through the microscope. What do you think or 11 Cora (after a peep) There's millions ln'lt Chicago Inter-Ocean. "What's the matter, Denis?" said, a Washington man to the porter In his hoteL'wbo was standing in tbu rotunda, gripsack ia band, you arc not going away, are you?" "Yes, sir. "was tbe' reply, Ol'm goln' West." What fort" , 4k Well, I heard a mlnln expert that wor stop pin' here say that gold cem in quart In places oat there, and 1 think I'll have a gallon or two tot fore I get back,"- WaiMngtan Tost, r ? A
Significant historical Pennsylvania newspapers