I W 4 THE PITTSBURG DISPATCH, SATHBDAX SEPTEMBER 12. 189L k lit HE, i " ' "" II Wilt SlpfSIfy ESTABLISHED FEBRUARY Vol. 4S.No. 2IT. November J4, 1EM -Vinercd at Pittsburg Postofficc, , as second-class matter. Business Office Corner Smithfield and Diamond Streets. News Rooms and Publishing House 73 and 80 Diamond Street, in New Dispatch Building. rAGTraiN ADVKirrisiKG office, boom a, TR1ITOET!'II.1'K'. NEW YORK, where com lte ales nt THEDIM? VTCllcanilwaTS be fnnoiL Vorrlen advertisers appreciate the convenience. Hone 4rrrnere andTnrnd orTIIE DISPATCH. vile to 2rw York, arc also made welcome. THE DTSTA TV regvXarln'in sale at Hrentano's. 5 rKm Square, ." "'it' , and 17 Are at P Opera, Tart. France, where anyone tchn ha teen disap jwuiVrf at a ftntei new rttnd cxmeVafn it. TERMS or THJ" DISPATCH. roKTAca hcce is nfi: uxtted states. D " nvr DfsrATCH, One Tear f SOI) Daily DisrATCiI. 1'erQiarter. . 2 00 Daily DisrATCU. Ooe Month 70 Duly Df-TATCII. lurlmllug Sunday, 1 year.. 10 00 Daily DisrtTcn. lncladlnKSundar, Sm'ths. 5 50 DitiiDispTcn. Including Sunday, lm'ti.. 90 Sunday DisrATCit One Year. ISO AVCEKLT DI-.PATCU. One Year. 1 "K The Duly DisrTrn' lell err J lir carriers at ; cents per we k, or. In lbdiug Sunday Edition, at SO cents per week. riTTsr.uno, sati-hhat, sept. 12, ism. TWELYEPAGES co i. mini: tataeitirs. There is a very impressive statement in a few dry figures published from the office of the Secretary of Internal Affairs with regard to the fatalities in the coal mining industry of the State. The total of 524 coal miners killed in the peaceful vocation cf producing fuel, within a single year, is a r-oleiuu evidci'ee of the hazards of that labor, which. uhen it Is made the subject of thought, is even more convincing than the sensation caused by such wholesale disasters as the Hill Farm or Mammoth mine explo.sions. If we are not mistaken this total covers a year which does not include the two cases lefened to, in which lives were lout by .cores; although it does comprise oneor raoie leus beiisational disasters of the sort in the anthr? cite field. The lesson of the figures is theiefoie that the greater loss of life in coal mining is produced by the 'ontant suecrssion of the everyday casualties, which are not enough out of the common ran to secure public notice. The total telis ua that, with allowance for the dpyb when work is suspended, the work of cor.1 mining require'- the average sacrifice of two hies tor each day that the work goes on. Of each 150 men employed in side the mine one must lose his life within a j ear. This story of constant slaughter in addition to the arduous labor, scant wages and frequent periods of enforced idleness, put the dangers and'hardships of coal mining in a very strong light. It is not comfortable to reflect that, with this statistical proof of the necessity of the most complete safeguards against loss of life in the mines, the legislation for that purpo.e underwent the stereotyped pro cess of muddling and spoiling in the Inst Legislature. The figures should make it cleai that no provisions can be too strin gent which will effect a reduction in this total of fatalities and make a year's coal mining somewhat less costly in the total of live? lost than a pitched battle between two large armies. WANTED, AUDITORS WnO WILL AUDIT If the taxpaj ers of Pittsburg and Alle gheny desire to set a limitation upon the surprises of official bookkeeping they had better got for eacli city an auditor who will audit, particularly, minutely and con tinuously. Already it is admitted that the millions of dollars expense annually in both cities is not subjected to the rigid scrutiny which would be bestowed upon every item were a business house making the disbursement There arc a good many offices already; and we suspect not a few officeholders too many in botli cities. But it is absurd, and the taxpayers merit no sympathy if tliey do net secure at least one person who will see that the city collects all which is its due. and pays out in every transaction no more than it is entitled to pay. Judging by recentindications an efficient auditor to examine minutely into the fiscal transactions of every branch of city gov ernment would abundantly earn his sal ary. The Controller!, of the two cities ad mit that they cannot and do not pretend to give such supervision and investigation of every detail as is needed. TI1EY DO NOT NEGLECT IT. As a deduction from the cases of certain tow us which have been left on one bide by railroad building with the result of decay lor them while new towns have sprung up at the railway stations, the Xew York Etening Sun thinks it has discovered a new .source of railway wealth. It thinks that railway builders can now see that thTe were millions and millions of wealth Hint "they have lost through their own in sufficiency of vision. " Its idea of the way to make money in tliis connection is given as follows: Had they but built their lines past tlio ton as instead or to tliera, they mlzht them tclvcs bavo owned the town sites; might lia e reserved to themselves al tenia to loU; might now, from dizzy pinnacles of opu lence, have laughed monarch; to scorn. It is not yet too lato to repair thir. colossal blunder. A four-track road from tlio Hay of i'undy to Pngct Sound, a oiding by not ics than tw enty miles everj town on the line of more than twenty thousand people, w ould turn out the most brilliant operation ever consummated by human wit Iii this commentary on the subject as a lost source of profit for the railway build ers the esteemed Evening Svn betravs a shortage of knowledge both on the history of railroad building and on the ability of railway promoters to see all chances of profit In the firstplace its darling scheme has been tried with a dazzling result of failure. Over twenty years ago the At lantic and Great Western railway was built very nearly on thlt theory. It started from a point as near nowhere as it could find on the Erie load, and ran to a point in Ohio which has always succeeded in escaping the public notice. In its route between those points , it successfully managed to avoid hitting any towns larger than Mendville in this State and Akion in Ohio. Before getting into operation it was forced to absorb one or two branches to connect it with the large cities which have done a fair busi-ne.-s; but the striking location of its main Jine has registeid the result that it has never quite earned the interest on its bonds. The condition of perpetual bank ruptcy which this enterprise attained has since acted as a sort of danger signal to capitalists against putting their money in railroad enterprises that are too magnifi cent to go to the places where freight is produced. The shining Evening Sim is also in error in supposing that railroad men have ne glected thefource of profit arising from the location of new towns along their lines. The fact that in opening up a new country they have the determination of the points where the towns shall be located has long been apparent to the panaxerial eye. It has been specifically reported from the West that if the now town boomer does not interest the railroad manager in his town by a liberal share in the town lots, he is apt to wake up some fine morning and find the railroad station located out of his reach and on some more complaisant land owner's terri torry. This is one of the recognized methods by which the railroad manager takes care never to come to want, what ever his corporation may do. AN ECONOMIC FALSITY. In noticing the fact that Belgium has lately been successful in building up a big trade with Brazil, paying for coffee and other Brazilian products with the cheap manufactures of iron for which Belgium Is noted, the Philadelphia Ledger says: "Reciprocity should divert some of this trade to the United States, though we can not and ought not to even try to compete with Belgium in the cheapness of some goods made solely for export." It is true that we cannot and should not try to compete with Belgium merely in the cheapness of her products, but that affords no reason for not trying to com pete in the South American trade. It is getting common to hear it said that com petition forces the production and sale of cheap and worthless goods. But in regard to the competition which this nation must meet in trying to increase her trade with South America, and with regard to the general action of that economic force, it Js worth while to say that there Is not a more shallow ana groundless assertion among all the economic heresies of the day. If competition forces the production of worthless articles, and drives genuine and valuable goods out of the market, then the work of this country must have been one of deterioration. Every expaasion of com merce, every industrial invention, every new device in trade has been stimulated and inspired by com petition. But instead of the work of the competitive era having been in the direction of deterioration in the quality of its products, it has had exactly the oppo site result The vast, majority of the in ventions which have revolutionized in dustry have proceeded on the plan of turning out something that costs more than the article supplanted, but which was so much better that it was the cheaper in the end. Columns could be filled with examples of this principle; but two ex amples are sufficient to show Its range. Steel rails when first introduced cost twice as much as iron rails; and they never cost as little until they had driven the iron-rail making industry out of ex istence by their superior quality. Agri cultural machinery is an example in an entirely remote field. It costs a fanner a thousand dollars or more to buy the har vesters, mowers, threshing machines, seeders, cultivators, etc, which have sup planted the old tools, costing perhaps twenty-five dollars, but fortunes are made in manufacturing and selling thes8 things because they are worth more. A man may under competition sell worthless goods; but competitive forces inilict a penalty for doing so, which is en tirely absent when he has a monopoly. The reputation for manufacturing and selling articles of first-class quality is of the highest commercial value. If we can send to Brazil manufactured articles which are better worth the money for Brazilian purposes, wtc need not fear the competition of the cheap Belgian manu factures. THE FREE TRADERS SCARECROW. "Pittsburg manufacturers men who want even the present tariff increased that they mav amass wealth are con tributing to a big "McKinley fund. They never had a campaign in which boodle figured so shamelessly," says the Boston Globe. This is the stock bugaboo of the free traders, and is subjected to the same overwork as the Cobden Club's gold on the outside of the political game. We hasten to assure the esteemed Globe that there has been no visible turning of the balance of exchanges against Pittsburg on account of the large investments of our manufacturers in the Ohio campaign. In short, our business interests voud be Jus tified in contributing to the legitimate ex penses of a campaign for the protection of home industries; but they have not done all that they ought to. NOT SO CONCLUSIVE. The attempts to produce rain by con cussion of the atmosphere awaken the criticisms of the non-believers. An illus tration of the arguments against the suc cess of the experiment is the following from the Springfield liepiiblican: Recently we pointed out the faot that rain had followed heavy battles beforo the invention of gunpowder a fact that must liavo escaped the attention of our Govern ment rain compellcrs. Prof. II..A. Hazen now shows in Sciencetha.t tho overwhelming majority of the engagements gicat and small in our Civil War were not followed by showers within twenty-four hours. There were fought in all about 2,200 battles, but only 15S of them afford any Justification for tho dynamite and balloon theory of making It wet. At first sight this looks to be so hard a blow; at the rain-produefng idea that it seems as if the Government experimenters might as weli make a pyrotechnic display of their hydrogen gas and dynamite and come home. But on more critical exam ination it is not quite so conclusive. The correlation of the two facts would be taken to indicate a theory that, slnco rain followed battles before the invention of gunpowder, and did not follow the ma jority of the battles in our Civil War, the effect of gunpowder is to abolish rain storms. But we do not think that our cotemporary intended to make any effort to prove too much in that way. Rain has followed heavy battles before gunpowder, undoubtedly. It has followcdihe corona tion of Kings, the inauguration of Presi dents, and last year in this city the tearing up of numerous streets to grade them, re ducing them to a sea of uufathomable mud. As to the vital question whether rain followed heavy battles as frequently be fore gunpowder was used, as after,-that is something that cannot be decided because statistics are entirely lacking on one side and are very sparse on the other. The at tempt to supply them from our Civil War, quoted above, pieces itself under suspi cion by the figures it gives. It presents a total of 2,200 conflicts. This, if we make a fair allowance for the periods between Bull Bun and Appomatox, when hostili ties were suspended by winter, calls upon us to contemplate an average of three and one-eighteenth- battles per diem. It Is plain that this total must have included every skirmish between outposts; and that the majority of them would have about as much bearing on the subject as the cross fire between a couple of Billingsgate fish wives. Such a statistical effort is calcu lated to provoke tho inquiry whether 1C3 " - ' - ' '"' - -Vv t.-.jMktV L "Trrf'-n ' rtlsf -fl, i'lj1 1 JtlATtfnTfir"ltisfeVriiiTlii 4rV MlifitVr'ifcnSiV'r ' --"'&- '-skaa-' ,1lt- nii'toa-ifcStaa.s.&.- battles which were followed by rain did not include a majority of the battles dur ing the war in which there was heavy, artillery firing. It is not certain, of course, that the ex plosive theory can always produce precipi tation even where there is a fair degree of humidity in the atmosphere. But the the ory is a plausible one, and it is well worth while to test it by the experiments which alone can give a decisive answer as to its practical value. THE SUPPRESSION OF THE TOURIST. Some days ago The Dispatch referred to the opinion of an eminent millionaire member of the Senate, who had just re turned from a European trip, that the millions spent by American tourists abroad ought to be kept at home. A very striking complement to that view comes from abroad, where a native of the tight little isle has recently taken high ground, to the effect that, as the odious tourists of the Yankee nation are overrunning the water ing places both of England and the Con tinent, the atmosphere of those resorts for relaxation-seeking Englishmen should be purified by a general decree of banish ment against the Americans. These two considerations together seem to justify radical, if not paternal, action. The considerations of political economy, which make this nation desire a favor able balance of trade, aro important; but they are cast into the shade by the sesthetle ideas at stake from tho exclusive Briton's point It must be recognized that the dlsitster is one which the conservative British mind has long foreseen. In years gone by the mind of John Bull has been wrought upon by the contumely of finding Mmself elbowed at Aix or Baden by his Yankeo cousin, to indulge in gloomy predictions of the day when the casting down of that last barrier of the British Constitution would bo signalized by the influx of Yankees upon the sacred shrines of Brighton and Cowes. How that the cataclysm has come, the pathos of It is enough to move even the heart of the despised Americans. The British tourist is such an eminent ex ample of all the graces of foreign travel; he is so quiet in his dress and retiring and modest in;his demeanor; so careful of the feelings of all his fellow-travelers, and so sensitive to anything which can offend the most fastidious taste, that .it is a subject which should arouse world-wide sympathy when the comfort of this modest and sen sitive being is disturbed by the proximity of a vulgar, but sovereign citizen of the United States. It really ousht not to be allowed. The interests of both hemispheres and" the, tendency toward paternal government ought to permit a general decree that no American shall go on a foreign tour with out the joint consent of all the powers. This will keep American money at home and preserve the English susceptibilities from damage. In view of the comments in these columns the other day, on the charge of the Hebrew wage-workers of New York, tliat the Hirsch fund for the relief of the Russian refugees was being used to break don n wages, it is only fair to give currency to the statements of Lord Rothschild and Mr. Seligman that nono of the Hirsch fund has been used to bring Russian Hebrews to this country, and consequently oould not have been employed in the way named. .Many of the leading members of that race have taken up the work of relieving the destitute who arrive on this side of the ocean. The idea that the Hirsch fund is responsible for the glut com plained of is fully disproved. Inn Hew York customs authorities are holding to Mr. Vanderbilt's foreign built yacht on the ground that it is imported mer chandise. Mr. Astor's objection to that rul ing takes exception on the trival ground that it is not merchandise and is not im ported. The Democratic call for 31 r. Blaine to go to Ohio and take part in the campaign is al ways accompanied by a quiet prayer that Providence will protect him against his doing anything that wonld be so disastrous to them. Concerning the disappointing perform ances or tho new Brazilian Congress, the New York Sun says: "Unless there be an im provement in the conduct of Congress, we shall probably hear of tho resignation of President Da Fouseca." That is not the consequence to be expected, either from Da Fonseca's rulershlp or the precedents of South American politics. It is not likely that the man who unseated Dom Pedro, and now wields more power than the old Emperor, will resign on account of a do-nothing Con gress. A much more piobable result will be that Da Fonsuca takes it in hand to.seo that Congress does tho resigning. Some Russian immigrants on arriving in New York were clubbed -by the police and cast into dungeon cells. The New York officials seem determined to preserve the Russians against home sickness by keeping up the customs of their dear native land. The tobacco crop of Pennsylvania is valued this year at $800,000. Two-thirds of it is Havnna seed leaf: and 'when it masquer ades as Havana cigars, the dear pnbllc will be invited to contribute many times $S00,O0O for it. An Ohio gentleman personally chastised his wife tho other day because she played croquet on Sunday, although he himself had no objection to a quiet game of draw poker on that day. This moralist it seems repre sents to an unusual degree the not uncom mon idea that" the wickedness of Sabbath breaking consists in letting the public know of It The colored pickers of the South arc working their Allinnees to he result of an organized demand of wages or $1 peflOO pounds for picking cotton. Who says that the colored brotheris incapable of assimilat ing himself to the ways of free labor. DENJiARlcibllows Germany in opening her doors to tho American bog, ptovided ho is fully inspected and certified to be all right. Tho "something rotten in the State of Denmark," it is determined, shall not be our liog. , TnE comforting theory that the decline In the capacity and character of State legis latures coincides with tho growth of popular culture nnd material progress. Is elucidated, by the San Francisco Bulletin. We aro glad to indorse tho idea. We havo always held that the State of Pennsylvania was enjoying a fair share of progress. The thousands of American readers with whom Anna Katharine Green is a prime favorite will be delighted to read another story from her pen. "The Old Stone House," which is commenced in to-day's Dispatch, gives promise of.dccfdcd interest The sale of a seat on the New York Stock Exchange for $22,000 Indicates a belief that "among other large yields of this plentiful year, the crop of lambs is larger than for many seasons. It is asserted by the Philadelphia Tunes that Fassett's nomination in New" York 'meaus a solid delegation for Harrison next year if Piatt and Fassett can furnish it" Thero is much virtue in the "if." It remains to bo seen whether those active and some what mercantile politicians cau deliver the goods. "White against Flower in New York would have been brains against boodlo; but the political- managers concluded on de liberate reflection that they dared not raako such a revolutionary attack on tho prin ciples of machino politics. Of course now that the administration has discovered now light on the Chilean question, it makes haste to give up the Itntn. The easiest way to get out of most holes is to back 'out. It is announced that Zola is going to write a play, with the professed Intention to "show Ibsen howa realistic play ought to bo writ ten." There is no objection to his showing Ibsen IT he can guarantee that the demon stration will not be inflicted on a long suffer ing public. NAMES OFTENTIMES HEAHD. John J. Eaoan, professor of mathe matics in tho College of the City or New York, is only 2G years of ago. lie is the son of Captain Eagan, of tho Are department. Abkotheu of Lord Brassey is dead, leaving over X1.000.COD. To his daughters ho left only 50 000 each in trust Tho bulk of the estate went to his eldest son, tho rest to tho othersons. A London" journal relates that the Per sian Shah has been in retiracy lately be cause by mistake he used a rheumatic lotion instead of hair dressing, and turned his hair a beautiful myrtle color. W. E. D. Stokes, who will probably be elected to the seat in Congress made vacant by the death of General Spinoln, of New York, is a cousin of "Ned" Stokes, and was a classmate of Walker Blaine at Yale College. Miss Alice C. Fletcher has her hcad quartorsat Fort Lemhi, Idaho, whero she is making the allotment of lands to the Ncz Porcos Indians. Much of her time she is going over mountains and through canyons, living in a tent at night. Mis. Victor Morieh, son of Sir Eob ert, who has boen serving in the British South Africa Company, and who played a prominent part in "the battle of Massa kessi,"has now returned from Mashonaland. After a brief stay in London he left on Tues day for Gormany. Ciiables de Garmo, President-elect of Swarthmoro College, Pa. , is a native of Wis consin, about -10 years of age, and a graduate of the Illinois State University, class of 1873. Some years later he graduated from the Ger man Universities of Jen a and Halle. He at present holds tho Chair of.Philosophy in the Illinois University. M. Chatjchard, .the wealthy Parisian who owns Millet's famou? picture, the "An gelusV has insured it for $140,000. In the same collection is Melssonier's "ISM," which is insured for $120,000, "While "La Confidence," by tho same painter, and the "Taureau," by Troyon, have been guaranteed similarly to the extent of $30,000 each. The Czarina of the late Alexander IL had a superb set of opals which she always wore, alio asserted, to prove her contempt for the old superstition that opals are un lucky. Probably it wasn't opal luck that this royal opal wearer was widowed by a Nihilist bomb. When the eldest daughter of the proscnt Czar marries she will receive these opals as a wedding present. The story of Ignntieff's dismissal is inter esting, as It illustrates the autocracy of the Czars. Ignatleff one day presented somo papers to his imperial master, saying, "Your Majesty may sign these without read ing them, as they are not of much impor tance." The. Czar handed the papers back With the answer, "Keep these for your suc cessor. I never sign papers without looking at them." The Prince of Wales has gone to Hom burg for the "cure." Mr. Arthur Wilson, by the way, has written to tho Review of Reviews to confirm the statement that he never ob jected to baccarat, but only to high bacca rat, and acids', what seems to have been al most universally forgotten, namely, that so far from disapproving of the game, he him self took part In it on both occasions when it was played at Trauby Croft. FINS ABT IN WAEFAEE. The New Weapons Not Only Kill Quickly but Neatly. Chicago News. It seems that the war authorities of En rope are deeply Impressed by the perform ance of the Mannlicher rifles in the hands of tho insurgent Chileans, who, by their aid, recently induced Dictator Balmaceda to go elsowhere to do his dictating. The Austrian soldiers are armed with these handy weap ons, and the other nations are wondering whether they wctald not do well to run up a bill at the gunsmith's for a few million Man nlichers in order that they too may be ready to do their killing after the pleasing Chilean fashion. What is particularly attractive to connoisseurs in manslaughter about the guns is that they not only destroy men rapidly but that they do it neatly. The wound caused by the bullet shows no jagged edges, but is round and tidy and bored in a strictly workmanlike manner. It Is a pleas ure to kill your enemy easily and with pro fessional nicety of touch. Nothing could be more annoying to a per son of refined feelings than to find that any little piece of shooting performed by him had been accomplished in a bungling fash ion. To puncture your man is, of course, something, but to puncture him in such a w ay that he will feel proud of tho mark and will send you a note expressing his thanks, provided he survives, is u realy esthetic triumph. Since the w ar authorities have re jected the plan ot an ingenins scientist, who offered to show how an army might be chloroformed at its guns and taken prisoner berore it knew what had struck it, perhaps they could do nothing better than pronouco in favor of gnns that do their shooting with great precision and yet pile up their slain compactly and decently. If the ptojectors could manage also to pin bouquets on the bosoms of the coats of those whom they have "removed" to use the gentle euphe mism so happily applied by Minister 1'at Egan to gentlemen suddenly taken else where by Irish revolutionary methods there would be nothing moro to bo desiied. OUT -WITH HIS QUIT. The President Bags Sixteen Birds, Five Watermelons and a Basket of Peacbet. Cape'Mat, Sept. 11. Special. The Presi dent this morning appointed several post masters, among-whom were William H. N. Leig,-vice Christian Hess, removed, Steelton, Pa., and Reuben J. Mott, vice Waterman J. Davis, removed, Port Allegany, Pa. One Kansas pardon case was considered. At 14:27 p. M. the President, George W.Boyd, General Lewis T. Mlchtncr, of Indiana, and Congressman John E. Royburn, of Phila delphia, left in the Pullman car "Newport" for Mauricetown on the Maurice River branch of tho West Jersey Railroad, where they gunned in the meadows opposite that toy, n for'rail and reed birds, from 1:30 until 0.30. The party was accompanied as far as Man umuskln bv Major William Warner, ex-Congressman from Kansas City, who was here to see the President on business connected with tho old) border State, and on the way up and down tho dinner and supper wero sorved. Tho party debarked at tho little town and. wero rowed across tho riverVhero they killed 43 birds, or which the President killed 16. Lieutenant Parker was so unfortu nate as to fall overboard and get a severe ducking in mud and wuter. When the Presi dentreturned from gunning a crowd assem bled, gave three cheers for the President, who in turn shook hands with them. They put five watermelons and a basket of Eeachcs on the car, which the Piesident rouglit home. This will probably be the last gunning excursion this season. THE SEA BREEZE AND THE SCARF. Hung on the casement that looked o'er the main. Fluttered a scarf of blue; And a gar, bold breeze paused to flutter and tease This trifle or dcucate nue. "'You aro lovelier far than the proud skies are He said with a voice that sighed; 'You are fairer to me than tho beautiful sea, Oh, why do jou star here and hide? "You are wasting your life In that dull, dark room (And he fondled her silken folds). O'er the cascraeut lean but a little, my Queen, And see what the great world holds. How the wonderful blue of your matchless hue. Cheapens both sea and sky You are far too bright to be hidden from sight. Come, fly with mc, darling fly." Tender his whisper and sweet his caress. Flattered and pleased was she. The arms of her lover Ulted her over The ciscment out to sea. Close to his breast she was fondly pressed. Kissed once by his laughing mouth; TlieiTdropped to her grave In the cruel wave, M'hile tbewlnd weuf whlstllngteoutli. '-Ella metier Wilcox. IN TOWN AND OUT. The Ring Was All Right but the Price Wasn't Amateur Actors Woking Up A Couple of True .Stories From tho Nursery Music In Sowickley Cliu-ches. A Fifth avenue jeweler said to me yes terday: "A good many country peoplo who como to tho Exposition drift into my store these days. They do nqt buy a great deal, but they persuade us that wo are very busy. Two or three days ago a party of four, an oldgontlcman nnd his wife and daughters, came in, and I happened to wait tipon them. Paterfamilias was evidently a well-to-do farmer, a good way bnck from the railroad, I should say, and perhaps from Butler county. He said, with a good deal of importance, that he wanted a rinz for his daughter, pointing to one of the girls. 'You see, it's her birthday,' he said, 'and I've promised her a ring.' A lie said this his eyes fell upon some rings in tbo show case, and he added: Somethtng llko them.' I took out tho rings nnd he chose one, an opal and two diamonds, and said he guessed that wonld do. I was preparing to put the ring in a proper caso when the old man inquired how much it was worth. 'Three hundred and fllty dol lars,' I replied. " 'Gee-Whittakersl ho exclaimed, with a Jump, 'are ail them,worth that much?' 'As jmiuii or more, i answered. A ciouu leu upon his faee and ho drew mo off to one side and whispered: 'Haven't von got something about GO cents?' And do "you know I was really sorry to havo to tell him I had not Amateur Actors Moving. The annual election of officers in the Sewickley Valley Club this week marks in a manner the opening of the amateur theatri cal season. It is understood that a circular will be sent soon to the members of the club asking them to signify their desire as to tho giving of ploys thts-wlnter. The Valley Club 19 not organized exclusively for theatrical purposes, but Inasmuch as the club has spent a good deal of money nndjuore hard labor In the fitting up of Choral Hnll as n theater of which the club still holds the lease if for no qther reason it would seem a pity to drop the dramatic feature. Last season was dis couraging in more ways than one. A chapter of accidents, in which la irrinne "played a prominent pnrt, prevented the clnb jium giving me usual numDer ot poriorm- auces. .many oi tne most prominent members of tho club have grown tired of shouldering all the burdens ot acting and managing, and this, with the unavoidable shortcomings in the fruits of last year, has clouded the prospect, but the new board of officers, whicn includes such energetic spir its as Mr. John Chaplin, Jr., Mrs. Rose, nee Miss Carrie Whiting; Mr. Harry Richaidson and Miss Anderson, may dissipate nil doubts after all. The Tuesday Night Club has not held any meeting yet, and tjiey, too, have not a re markably encouraging retrospect as far as the last season is concerned. There is talk of a new club to be formed in Allegheny, un der somen hat novel conditions. The nu cleus of this clnb, if it is formed, will be the clever young actors who gave "The Rivals" so acceptably at Mr. Haworth's last seasop. In this case the Intention is to have none but playing members in the club; and they win nut unuertase more tnan two piays in a senson, hoping thus to nttain that artistic finish which only careful preparation can produce. Too Full lot Utterance. A little Edgeworth girl a rosebud of 4 years pave a new definition of indigestion tho other day. It was at bedtime, and her mother, noticing that Marion showed un mistakcable syptoms of having supped not wisely but two well, said: "Marlon, what's the matter with yon?" Marion, looking very solemn, replied: "I dess I must have eaten my dinner on top of my breafi" And the family physician savs that Marion's description of a dyspeptic's pangs is more tersely graphic than any the med ical works contain. A Cute Little Penitent Little Jessie, sweeter at 7 than most girls are at 17, has been wont ever since she learned to lisp the Lord's Prayer at her mother's knee, to present an itemized ac count of her peccadilloes to her mother at bedtime Tho other uight her mother was not nt home to give absolution to her little penitent, but the latter could not close her eyes till she had written out a summary of her sins for the day in letters as big as tho misdeeds they described wero small. One of the crimes enumerated Had figured fre quently In the catalogue before It consisted in eating unripe sickle pears, or staying out-of-doors attersundown or some such heinous offense and after stating it Jessie added, "You must think this is a chestnut, mam ma!" When the mother confessor found this pinned on her pincushion that night, it is to be feared that she laughed far more than such an august dignitary should. Music in Sewlckley's Churches. There has been a good deal of improve ment in church music here of late: better or gans, and possibly better. organists, better choirs and better judgment in the choice of music may bo round in almost all; the churches than prevailed a few years ago. The spirit of progress has attacked the con gregations of Sewickley, and radical changes for the better have been made in the mu sical parts of divine worship in 'several churches. Since the year began ,St. Ste phen's Episcopal Church hart mode frreat strides in tins uircction. a new pipe organ of reallv admirable quality was put in be fore Easter, and thut speedily brought about changes In the choir. During tho summer many of the principal singers, in Sewickley have given their services freely in turn, nnd now a permanent choir has been formed which promises to be highly satisfactory. It Includes Mrs. Tener. nee Miss Birdie Lucas, soprano; Mrs. John Roe, contralto, who has long been a valued singer in the Sewickley M. E. Church; Robert J. Cunningham, tenor, one of tho best singers in the valley, a member of.the Christ Church (Allegheny) choir for years and later of the Sewioklev" Presbyterian Church choir; and W. W. Whitesell, the well-known basso Next Sunday Prof. Albrecht will officiate as organist. The Leetsdale Presbyterian Church is pre paring to make the musical portion of the tervlce verv attractive. At present the back wall ofthe church is being torn down to make room lor the new pipe organ, to purchase which a largo fund has been raised. A pastor's study is also to be built. It is proposed to engage a strong pald.choir as soon as the new organ arrives. In the other churches which already pay considerable attention to the mnsic considerable addi tions and improvements may be looked for this winter. A SIGNIFICANT ADMISSION. Gladstone's Hour of Triumph Is Said to Be Near at Hand. Boston Traveller. 3 Mr. Edward Dicey, one of the best known of the English Liberal Unionists, who, since tbo home rule policy was adopted by the English Liberals, under the lead of Mr. Gladstone, has warmly supported tho Salis bury Government, makes a significant ad mission in tho current number of the "Nineteenth Century," when ho declares that nothing except Mr. Gladstone's retire ment from, public life con prevent his Te tnrn to powc-, unless the Conservatives do certain things, which Mr. Dicey is confi dent thev will nevor consent to do. Mr. Dlcev finds little In tho achievements of the Salisbury Government to enlist popular sympathy in its support. Even the free education act does not seem to have elicited enthusiasm. Mr. Balfour's proposed scheme for the: local government of Inland prom ises nothing in the way of satisfying Ilonie rule sentiment, and if the Conservatives hope to retain power they must make vastly stronger bids than they have heretofore done lor popular support. The bids which Mr. Dicey snggdsts, how ever, would transform the Conservatives Into the most radical of Radicals. Ho would have the House of Lords purged and recon structed by expelling all the dlsieputable and bankrupt peers and substituting life for hereditary peerages. He would have the Conservatives adopt as a party cry, "Ono man, one vote." utterly repudiating tho theory that property should have rep resentation In Parliament, and ho would also havo the Conservnttves appeal to the British workingmen for sup port by introducing nt onco tho eight-hour bill, for which the Socialists havo so long clamored. Such bids, he thinks, might bring the Sallsbnry Government success; but that the Salisbury Government will over make them borders on tho impossible and the inconceivable. Mr. Dicey is doubtless right. Tho hour of the triumph of the Glad stonians is near at hand. The Cambria Works to Be Enlarged. Jousstown, Sept 11. Special Tho Cam bria Iron Works havo been running steadily for tome time, but it has been found that tho 'present capacity of the great works is not large enougu tor tue orders coming in for steel, and work has boen commenced on a largo addition to the plant. The new addi tion will have a prodnclng capacity of 1,100 tons of steel every 24 hours, which is the ca pacity of the present works. I SOCIETY AND ART. Another Audience Pleased by the Beauties of the Fairies' Carnival John W.Beatty Exhibits His Latest Paintings General Gossip of the Social World. The weather was so much better last night than on the previous two evenings that tho "Fairies' Carnival" was given be fore a very gocd audience. The play ran so smoothly that It reflected the greatest credit upon tho performers as well as Mr. Owens, the director. The various points wore well .bronght out, and there was little suggestion of amateurishness in the whole entertain ment Most of the principals, In fact, had the self-possession nnd gr.ico of profos sionals. Little Alice Kober, in particular, is a prodigy, sho would be equal to the lead ing part in any professional performance. She lias evidently been carefully trained in stage business, and her Tiick is a perform ance that will long bo remembered for its intelligence and chic. The fairies; march conld hnrdly be im pioved. It was done as neatly on tho first night as any time since. It is perhaps a little too long, but even that is not certain, for the audience in general did not seem to think it tedious, and it was so well done that one could forgive the fact of its occu pying IS or 20 minntes. A. word should bo said for the excellence oJT the wood scene that forms the background of the stage. It is from the brush of tho well-known Pitts burg scenic nrtist, Mr. John Johnson. It is not known how much has been netted for the Homeopathic Hospital by tho per formances, but it is hoped that tho sum will be of goodly size. The price of ndmisslon was lowered to 60 cents last evening, and there wero a large -number of little people present. The delightful studio at Wilklnsburg of John W. Beatty, Pittsburg's well-known nrtist, was yesterday afternoon the scene of a pleasant gathering of Mr. Beatty'S friends to take a view of three of his most recent works before their delivery to the pur chasers. Tliey were entitled "At the Water ing Trough," "A Scene on Block Island" and "Throwing a ."hoe." These, the latest products of Mr. Beatty's brush, aro beautiful In themselves, and exhibit a high order of style which give still more abundant prom ise for the future. "At the Wateiing Trough" shows a country road, with a horse drinking in the foreground, and in the dis tnncc beautiful bright skies and woodlands. "The Block Island" picture is different in subject nnd style; yet, in it way, no less at tractive. Mr. Beattv paints few pictures, but into each he purs his best effort, and the result is a distinct advnnoe .each year in artistic estifnatlon. The visitors to the studio vesterday were greatly pleased, and the time passed pleasantly in conversation, criticism and refreshments. Three portraits that have attracted con siderableattcution are in a Wood street pict ure store window. They are oil paintings, by William Altkcn, of Monongahcla City. The subjects are Lawrence Barrett, Mary Ander son and Bobbie Burns. The work Is well done, especially the picture of the Scotch poot Maty Anderson Is represented in the character of Pnrlhenia, and is as beautiful in the picture as she Is in reality. , Social Chatter. Rev. II. C. McBbide, the. well-known evan gelist of tbo Now York M. E. Conference, conducted the services at the Union Holi ness meeting nt tbo Liberty Street M. E. Church last evening. Tun young people of the new Westminster Church on Bucna Vista street, Allegheny, are arranging for a concert, which will be given Friday evening, September 18. The Eighty-fifth Pennsylvania Regimental Association will hold its nineteenth annual reunion October L Tire Friendship Club of the West End will hold its annual picnic to-day at McKec's Rocks. EUBOPEAHS WON'T EAT C0BN. That Is the Reason Why It Cannot Be Shipped Instead of Wheat New York Herald. 1 The high price or .breadstuff's abroad Is suggesting throughout the Western States the question often asked before why corn, the cheapest and most nutritions of the grains, should not be sent largely to the European markets. The answer is oasy to give. The poorer classes of Europe won't eat corn In any form. They do not like cornmeal in porridge or bread, and they detest hominy. Immigrants to this country do not take kindly to It. The qnantitysold in this city, wljere there are more than half a million poo" people of foreign birth or de scent, is trifling compared with that of wheat flonr Why? Well, one reason is that very few people, oyen in the United States, know how to mnkeforn bread that tastes good. Corn bread dcas not "keep" well. It ought to be eaten w.'iile hot from tht oven, which means three V.akings a day. Besides, the poorer classes of Europe are creatures of habit re garding food to an extent which wo do not dieam of. Their diet has varied but little in centuries. It seems a matter of heredity witH millions of them to eat rye bread, even when they can get wheat, justtas it is an in born habit here tor tho poorest inhabitant of the Eastern States to buy wheat flour when good cornmeal can be had for about half the price. COLOBADO'S SILVEB oniPTr. It Will Exceed Last Year's Total by Ten Million Dollars. Trinidad Advertiser. Reports from all of tho mining districts are rite with new and richer strikes in silver than were ever before known in the history of the State, and it Is estimated that tho silver output for 1891 will amount to $10,000, 000, or an excess of $10,000,000 over the pre vious year. Prospecting lias been carried on more vigorously than befoie, and the greater depth obtained in older mines has brought to light immense deposits of valu able ore. The mining districts are enjoying an un exampled senson of prosperity, which would be largely increased if the miners wero not deliberately robbed by act of Congress of a large portion or their legitimate earnings. The fact that Colorado produces such a large amount of silver does not make tho latter any the less a precious metal, and tho Centennial State is a unit, without regard to politics or political affiliation, for the free coinage of silver. DEATHS HEBE AND ELSEWHEBE, Rev. Dr. WlUlam Barrows. P.evDr. "William Barrows, prominent as an author and clergyman In the Congregational de nomination, died in Boston Thursday, aged 78 years. In 1S4-5 he was ordained and Installed in Norton. In 1S50 he was Installed over the church lnGraut ille, near Wellesley Hills. Thence he moved in 1830 to become pastor of the old South Church, Reading. I11I8OD he was made Secretary of the Congregational Sunday School Publishing Society, and filled this office until 1673, when he was elected to the Secretary ship of the Home Missionary So nlttr utirVr. H.irmw irare nn this wort In ) ttfto. he demoted himself maiitlrto the educational ana religious warns oi me unueu amies irouiier, having made 11 long tours on the bonier. He was a lecturer ou prehistoric America and on the colo nial and pioneer history of the United States, and he wrote much on these subjects for periodical'. In I86! he published "Twelve Nights in a Hunters' Camp:" In 187, "The Church ami Ilcrt'liildieii; In 181, "Purgatory Doctriunlly. Practically and Historically opened:" lu 1S8-I, "Oregon, the frtrugKle for Possession:" and in IS37, "The In dians" Side or the Indian (Jnrstlon." and "Ilia United Mates of Yesterday and of To-morrow." He was a founder and for seven years an editor of the Congregational Jlevlew. Dr. David Humphreys Storer. Dr. David Humphreys Storer, one of the oldest physicians In Boston and the oldestlivlng graduate of the Harvard Medical School, died Thursday at the age of S7. Dr. Storer was born lu Portland, Me., and was a son of Judge Woodbury Storer and a descendant of the Longfellows, Dud- levs and other New England families. He was graduated In 18J2 at Bowdoin College, from which, in 1S76. lie received ths deKree of LL. D., and in 1S25 was given an honorary degree of M.D. liy Har- ard. lie had been Prebldeiit of tiie American Medical roclcty, was lor 22 years dean of Han ard Medical School and professor or Obstetrics and Medical Jurisprudence, a member of the American Philosophical society and a Teltow of the American Academy of Arts. Among his writings Is a vi ork on the flahcrlcs of M.ifisachusetts.wh!ch Is regarded as the standard. Dr. Horatio K. Storer, ot New port, and Prof. F. H, Storer, of the Busscy Insti tute, are his sons. Obituary Notes. MRP. Piiebe Axx Mickli?, who lacked less than two months of being 100 years old, died at Guilford, N. Y.. Monday. Majou Jessk F. Axgell, a veteran of the Mex ican War. and also Major of the Tenth New Hamp shire In the Civil War, died Thursday at Northamp ton, Mass. Mrs. Betsy E. Hutchixsox died Thursday morning nt Plymonth, Mass., aged 92. She was the oldest person In rivmouth except one, and one of two pensioners of tho War of 1S12 In town. Auel Fisiier Is dead at his home In Iola, Kan., aged 80 years. The deceased was one of the pioneers or New Castle, and for at least 60 years lived within four rallts of that city. He built and operated the East Brook Flouring Mill for a num ber of years, and was a brother of Mrs. Captain H. H. Stoles, of New Castle. " OUR MAIL POUCH. ' Cause of the Sepoy Mutiny. To the Editor of The Dispatch: Can you inform mo as to what was the cause of the Senov mutiny in India? McKetsport, September 10. S. A. The cause of the Sepoy mutiny of 1S37 was the restivencss of the native population under the rule of a foreign commercial cor poration. The occasion of the outbreak in 18S7 was an incident which occurred in Jan uary of thnt year. A man employed in making cartridges for the Enfield rifles, just given out to the native army, asked a Sepoy of a Grenadier rogiment for a sip of water from his canteen. Tho soldier was a high caste Hindoo, and at once angrily refused, sinco had tho artisan touched his lips to the canteen thnt article would become forever unclean nnd must have been thrown away. Tho workman sneeringly rejoined that tho soldier need not be so particular, as tho new cartridges were gieased with bullocks' fat and every Sepoy had already defiled himself by biting off the paper. The story was a falsehood, as the cart ridge paper was lnbricated witn vegetable oil, the East India Company having scrup nlonslv respected the religious principles of the Hindoos; but being believed by the Sepoy, it spread from mouth to mouth with wonderful ruDidlty. It was caucrht no by agitators and repeated with variations. Tho Hindoos were assured that the cartridges were greased with the fat of the sacred cows; tho 3fohammedan soldiers were told that the fat of pigs, nn animal abhorrent to tho fol lowers of Mohammed, had been employed, while other tales declared the lubricant to be drawn from the bodies of natlvo children. The issne of the obnoxious cartridges was nt onco discontinued, but the mischief had been done, and before June the larger part of the native army was in open mutiny. The rebellion was virtually suppressed by tho end of thnt year, the mutineers being everywhere dcteatcd in the open field, though military operations against the rebels did not cease until 3fay, 1S09. Tlio Lanrpateshlp. To the Editor of The DiMiatch: How did the Laureatcshlp of originate? England Poet. Whkelixo, September 11. It is believed that the institution of a laureate originated in the practice of the early English Kings selecting a young man who had been crowned at one of the uni versities for skill In making Latin verse to accompany the army and celebrate its vic tories. Edward II. was accompanied to Scotland in J3U by two, or some say three such bards, who were captured by Bruce at Bannockbnrn, and forced to sing the praises of the Scottish conqneror. The list of early laureates is incomplete, but we know that Chaucer was styled or styled himself a laureate, wlflle in the time of Edward IV. one John Kay filled that office while An drew Barnard was lnnreate to Henry VII., and John Skelton to Henrv VIII. So far as complete, however, the list comprises the names In succession of Edmund Spencer, Samuel Daniel, Ben Jonson, Sir William Davenant, John Dryden, Thomas Shadwell, Xahum Tate, Nicholas Howe, Laurence Ens den, Colley Clbber, William Whitehead, Thomas Warton, Henry James Pye, William Wordsworth, and the present incumbent, Alfred Tennyson. The honor was declined by Gray, Mason and Scott. What Will Mrs. Grundy Say? To the Editor ofTlic Dlapiicli: What is the origin of tho expression "What will Mrs. Grundy say?" J. B. PiTTSBcno, Sept. 11. This is an expression covering the fever ish desirO to know what other people may think or say about us, especially in connec tion with the proprieties of life. Thero are some who suppose that such a dame as Mrs. Grundy really existed, whereas she was a mere myth like Dominie Sampson, Pickwick, Mica wber and Becky Sharp. The expression occurs In Morton's comedy of "Speed the Plough," written In 1798. In the play Farmer Ashflcld suddenly tnrns upon his good dame, after beingvexed atherfreqnent allu sions to Mrs. Grundy, with the exclamation: "Be qniet, wool ve? Always 'ding-donging Dame Grundy into my ears. What will Mrs. Grundy say? What will Mrs. Grundv think? Canst thee be quict.let us alone, and behave thysor, pratty." The constant repetition of the one odd phrase caught the ear of the public, and has held it over since. Tlio Children's Crnsade. To the Editor of The Dispatch: When and where was the children's cru sade? Evas. McKeesport, September IL Tho crusade of the children against the Saracens was preached in France in 1212 by a peasant youth named Stephen, and at tho same time In Germany by a ty)y named Nicholas. Nearly 100,000 children left their homes in Central nnd Western Europe to rescue the Holy Land from the Mohamme dans, and, as miracles were-then devoutly bolieved in, several civilized governments put vessels at the disposal of the children to convey them to the East. The French started from Marseilles. Some were shlp wrecked: most were captured by Moorish and Saracen vessels and sold into slavery in Africa. The Germans started from Genoa, and met with similar misfortunes. A large body marched overland through the Aus trian territory, and were kidnaped by local potentates who needed servants. Tho fnror lasted onlya few months, and ended by the dispersion of tho "child armies." A Mexican Seaport To the Editor of The Dispatch: AYhatis the most soatberly State of Mex ico, and what is its chief seaport? Do steam ers stop there, and what line? W. J. ALLEonEXT, September II. , The most southerly State 19 Chiapas. Its chief seaport is San Benito. The Pacific Mail steamships from San Francisco to Pan ama stop there twico a month going each way. West Virginia's Capital. To the Editor of the Dispatch: Will yon kindlvtell me what the present capital of West Virginia is? D. C. Chartiers, September 11. Charleston. F.cv. Father Molllnger. To the Editor of The Dispatch: Is Rev. Father Molllnger in the city, and Is he able to attend to his patients? A. D. Tif usyille, September IL Ho is. SOME PEOPLE WHO TBAVEL. "William H. Pool, of Sistersville, "W. Va., was a guest at the St Charles yesterday. Mr. Pool Is an old resident of Philadelphia, where he first saw the light of day 91 years ago. ne drove a team of six horses and as many bells from Philadelphia to this city in 1820, and took a week to do it in. Ho had keen memories of tho duck pond near Pcnn nvenneand Sixth street, and remembered tho creek which ran along tho north side of Smithfield street. Ho said that ilnring his last trip here a JlcClintock was Mayor, and ho subsequently married the daughter of a hollows mender named Oliver, who had a shanty below Ferry street At that time thero wore no homes above Ferry street. Mr. Pool was the sprightllest man of his age soen around hero in many moons. His step is as brisk as that of a young man and his senses ns keen. B. F. Willis, an architect from York, Va., was at tho Schlosser last night lie came here to look over tho ground for the location of the Carnegie library. He said ho thought the Mte was good, and that a very handsome Dnilding should be erected for tlte amount specified. $700,030. He proposed to enter plan- in competition for the work. Mr. Willis thinks the general character of the buildings in the city much improved in recent years Ii. C. "Weir, General Agent of the Adams Express Company at Cincinnati, passed through the city last night, in a special car, nccompnniedbylils family, on return flora snminoring at Cresson. Kev.S. "W. McCorkle, of the First Cou Erepatlonalist Church, Allegheny and Mrs. McCorkle have rctnrned from attending at St. Louis the funeral.of the reverend gentle man's father. P. E. JlcCray and A. P. Henlern. respect tively Secretary and attorney for the Pitts burg, Shcuango and Lake Frio road, wero at tho Monongaucla yesternay. Joseph P. Mathai, of the extensive tin waio mannmcturing firm of Mathai, Ingram & Co., ofBaltlmore, was at tho Monongahcla l'bt:iu.ij. Judge Okey Johnson, of Charleston, "W. Va., and W. S. McDonald, of tho Wheeling Register, were guests at the Monongahela yesterday. Congressman Stoae and Mrs. Stone and ex-Recorder Graham arrived in town yes terday on return from a trip abroad. S. C. Shortlidge, of Media College, was at the Monongahcla yesterday. Dugald MacMnrchy, of Portland, Ore., is at the Andcrsou. W. P. De-Armit went East yesterday. CURIOUS CONDENSATIONS. "In the city of , Pefcin is establishes a society of venerable agriculturists. When the Emperor visits them in tho spring ho ploughs a small field with his own band. Archie Falknor, a well-known cowman of Wyoming, whilo driving a. lot of cattle north recently, poisoned his eyes by wiping the sweat from his face with gloves that had been saturated with the alkali water of the plains, and is now in the hospi tal at Sheridan, totally blind. For many years Robert James, aged 70, of Blue Lick, Clark county, Ind., has been blind and had givon up all hopes of ever re gaining his sight. Several days ago his wife was taken dangerously ill, and In his dis tress be prayed and wept Incessantly. Sud denly his signt came buck to him, and Ua now sees as well as he ever did. The news comes from Berlin that Dr. Engels has discovered in Africa a remedy for blood poisoning caused by tho bites of snakes and rabid dogs. This remedy is tho "wild growing black noblo palm." It is stated that I0J negroes bitten by poisonous snakes wero treated with the extract of the palm and 487 were cured id five days. When an aeronaut left "Vienna recently with his balloon for Russia, the society for rearing carrier pigeons sent a number of birds with htm. Tho aeronaut, after somo days' sojourn in Russia, let them fly, and telegraphed to Vienna that birds of prey had pursued the ni-rcons ns far ns he could see them. Two days later one of the pigeons returned to its cot in Vienna. '"Granny" Gresham, who died in Ma rietta, Ga., recently, is alleged to have boon 11G j-ears old. An ex-slave who lives near Marlanna, in Florida, and who has been bronght to notice bv the Savannah Xews, has a birth certificate showing that he was born in 1765. lie has applied for a pension upon the ground that he drovea commissary wagon during the war of 18J2. A singular business announcement over a certain photograph gallery is: "Misfit pho tographs for sale." This, we are told, brings many "customers. Mothers, for instance, who'have little children, often buy pictures of children with long hair when the hair of their loved ones lias not grown, and send them ronnd to friends at a distance. Brides' photographs nre also said to sell very wcil. A young man Monday afternoon rode across the railroad bridge in Now Bruns wick, N. J., on a bicycle on a single plank. The bridge 19 50 feet high and 900 feet long, and hnd a train come on the bridge the man would almost certainly havo been killed. The foolhardy youth refused to give his name, though tho watchman detained him for an hour, hoping an ollicer would appear. In Sheriff J. D. "Winn Lexington has a veritable little giant Though small in stat ure, few men can be found witli equal mns cular strength. In fact, heisreallydeformed as to mnxcles, having a double set, one set standing out all over his body like swollen flesh. He hn been known to raise 1,500 pounds two inches from the ground, and on ono occasion, upon a wager, lifted one end of a six-horso power engine on whoels, which had 80 gallons of water in its boiler and two men astride it A new scientific instrument has been gotten up by Prof. BIgelow, which is called the anrora-lnclinometer. By extensive re searches he has found that thesamolaw which underlies th working of electricity and magnetism is opcmting'on the snn, and that sunlight is a magnetic field in which the magnetized earth rotates as docs the armature of a dynamo. Theinstrument n ill be sent to Alaska, where It will be used in the study of the aurora, as it is there seen in the best conditions. A Goochland county lady missed a very valuable and highly-prized watch and chain from her jewelry case. Convinced that one of tho lemnle servants about the house had purloined it she made no ado about the mat ter, but confidently informed the suspected ' culprit that she wonld go to Richmond and consult a lortuno teller, wno coma easily tell her Just where the watch was. The next day the stolen articles were found in thei.- usnal place of abode. Superstition bad done good detective work. Jacob Frank, of Ligonier, has in his possession a horseshoe which Is decidedly a. curiosity. It is made of ordinary iron, with out toepicce or corks, and instead of solid iron the bottom is. constructed with an open ing, which runs around tho entiro bottom of the shoe, leaving nothing but a thin iron rim. In this opening is forced what looks like oiled rope, but has become as hard as stone, beingpetrifled by lying in the ground. The shoe was intended to be a noiseless one. On either side are three holes for nails, on the front "F 3," "Pattoned 1778." A Parisian sharper has developed a new game. He stops at a hotel and regis ters his name, which strangely happens to be the same as that of tho proprietor of tho house. This is so remarkable that the guest and the host have a friendly chat about it. The guest reqnests him to pay special atten tion to his mall, which is daily handed to the guest's "valet" Two or three packages come, and the "valet" takes them ulso. Then a small package, neat-looking and evidently vaiuame, is passea over tne connter. n nen the "valet" gets this he and his master ars seen no more. The next meeting is between the hdtel proprietor and a jeweler, who pre sents his bill for Jewelry furnished to the value of, say, 20,000 francs. It will not, perhaps, be remembered, says the Taper Hakcr (London), that in the great exhibition of ISjI, a specimen of iron paper was exhibited. Immediately a lively competition ensued among ironmasters as to the thinness to which cold iron could be rolled. Ono ironmaker rolled sheets the average thickness of which was the l-l,J00th, part of an inch. In other words, 1.S00 sheets of this Iron, piled one upon the other, would onlymennre one inch in thickness. The wonderful fineness of this work may be more readily understood when it is remem bered that 1,200 sheets of thinnest tissue pa per measure a fraction over an inch. These wonderful Iron sheets were perfectly smooth, and easy to write upon, notwithstanding tho fact that they were porous when held up in a strong light Almost all the "marbles" with which boys amuse themselves in season and out of season, on pavements and in shady spots, are made at Oberstein, Germany. There are many large agate quarries and mills in that neighborhood, and the refuse lstnrnedto good account in providing lho small stone balls for experts to "knuckle down" with. The stone is broken into small cubes by blows of a light hammer. These small blocks of stono are thrown by the shovelful into the hopper of a small mill, formed of a bedstone having its surface grooved with concentric furrows; above this is the "run ner," which is of hard wood, having a level face on its lower surface. The upper block is made to revolve rapidly, water being de livered upon the grooves of the bedstone where tho marbles are being rounded. It takes about 15 minutes to finish a bushel of good-marbles ready for the boys knuckles. One mill will turn out 1CO.O0O per week. KHYMELETS AND EHYNKLES. Hownow What haife you been doing? You look a trifle light headed. Jagley S" think inlht; Just been where thero was greatest lot of corks you ever saw. Boston Voiirler-Journnl. If the years were a3 long as they are to a gin 'TwWt thirty and twenty-nine. A man of sixty would be as old As all of Methuselah's line. Philadelphia Times. He (on the back porch) There's a mosl qulto on your other arm. Shall I remove It? She I couldn't allow yon to put your arm around my waist i'cw Tork Herald. The girl who hasn't yet "come out." Her bathing suit begins to trim. And though she's young without a doubt, She'll soon be in the swim. ieio Tori Press. Thin passenger (after half an hour! tortnrel-I think It would be only fair If people, were charged by weight. Stout passenger You may be thankful It isn't so, as no conductor would think it worth his while to pick you up. Cincinnati Times-Star. Mrs. Brown What make3 that baby cry so. Benjamin? Mr. Brown (who is doing the perambulating act) I'm pinching him. "Why, what In the world are you doing that for?" "I can't keep awake long enough to get bun to sleep nnless lie cries." Binghampton Leader. The fellow who goes summering; Has reason now, and cause. To And the application of Some very ancient "saws." For when mine host's encountered, And they've had a greeting drop, t He tlnds, there's not a' room below But "plenty at the top." .V. T. Herald. Young man So Miss Ella is your oldest sister. Whocomes after her. Small brother Nobody alnt come as yet, but pa " says the first fellow that comes can hare her. Da. .tnUFncPrtst, ' 'MA IS -V HtlacLiS
Significant historical Pennsylvania newspapers