.-w-jp , GAMES IN THE HOME. I Whist Is the Worst Amuse ment the Family Circle Can Indulge In. ALWAYS GETS UP A EOW. Safe Enough if the Players Treat Each Other as Strangers. AX UMPIRE PREVENTS BAD HUMOR. Octave Thanet Gires a Familiar Picture With the Usual Ending. THE BOOK IS ALWAYS BAD HEAffTED (WRITTEN FORTIUS DISPATCH.1 Papa Chesterfield is a remarkable whist player. He belongs to the type that can place the last four cards and understand the mysterious workings of the nine spot and firmly place an ace on partner's nine, "to unblock!" He is not one ot those book learned, either, who can do anything at whist except take tricks; no, Papa Chester field has been compared to Deschapelles be cause he is such a master of coups and strategy, and can compel success Irom such democratic hands. Mamma Chesterfield is one of the loveliest women of the century but her whist game is beneath contempt. On the other hand Hose Chesterfield is the daugliter of her father and one of the most promising pupils ot the celebrated Mr. Foster of Boston. It was Eose Chesterfield who played in the ladies' match and won laurels and the Rock wood candlestick that was first prize. Nevertheless, whenever they play whist of an evening at the Chesterfields, Papa Ches terfield asks Mamma Chesterfield to play with him. And should Papa Chesterfield be away, Hose begs for the martyr's crown in his place. Therefore, I like to see the Chesterfields play whist. I candidly own that, if I can help it, I do not play with Mamma Chesterfield, hut I look on and ad mire Kose or her father receiving, so to speak, the fire of their own side, in the shape of poor Mamma's hopeful and daring attempts to unlock, or her extraordinary management of trumps, and never flinching. The Advisability or Gaines at Home. "Why, I ask myself, need we treat each other so cruelly at our domestic games? "Who has not seen a family, who really love each other dearly, get into a grand squabble over "20 questions!" And the remarks that fond brothers and sisters or parents and children or husbands and wives will make to each other at the card table must keep the recording angel on his mettle! Oi course it is not pleasant to have your partner your worst enemy in the game; I figure to mvself the faint cringe of Papa Chesterfield's shoulders as dear Mamma Chesterfield placidly leads up to the ene mies' tenance an opportunity of benevo lence she is never known to neglect! but never have I heard a word from that much enduring man. Colonel Grnffandgrim, however, who lives across the way and can play a passable game only, nearly flays his wife alive if they play fartners. It is pitiful to see the bonest ady wiggling her cards, which she always holds rather at random, and calculating trumps in a whisper, as the storm cloud gathers on her lord's massive brow. It is an awful moment when the last but one of suit is played. Sow, it is not an easy thing wh'u diamonds, let us say. were opened early in the hand and one's whole soul since then has been takeD up with clenrlng the wreck from one's own clubs and watching the uncanny gyrations of one's partner's hearts, and diamonds hop into the arena sgain; it is not easy, I repeat, to remember whether the seven spot played by the enemy is the only diamond out or whether your partner has or has not showed signs of a wealth of diamonds. How lour Partner Can Hurt Too. "Why, then, should my partner glare at me and say, w ith a cold smile: "I suppose you didn't watch the fall of the cards in the first trick, three was marked in my hand!" Mrs. Gruffandgrim does verywell as long as the play winds up one suitbefore starting another. She has all the devices for the cultivation of her so-called whist memory, knows by heart the rhymes in the back of "Pole on Whist," and all the odd maxims and rules for holding the cards; and so long as the suits go on steadily she keeps her head very well, and even Iares to "infer" a little; but once let her trumps begin a guerrilla warfare of ruffingand it is all over with -her. Then it is painful to see the Colonel's crest rise and bristle; he never for gets a card that has been played, although he never, either, puts the regaining cards in the right hands; but yon may be sure meek little Mrs. Gruflandgrim does not re mind him of that. I make no doubt that many and many a tear lias been shed by the poor little lady over whist; and when one conies to think of it, what an amount of causeless irritation, mortification, wounded leelings, as well as pride, envy, malice and all uncharitable ness from which the pious pray to be de livered is daily, and especially nightly, rising, like a baleful incense, from the tables around which the lamily gathers to "amuse itself." I have never heard the Chesterfields play the game, but I know of a family where it is played in peace. They, however, have an umpire appointed and he or she draws the fire. I daresay most plavers would agree to that in the abstract, but'the trouble is moralists always lay too much stress on self-interest, jnst as the ex-slave owners did on the restraints of property on cruelty. We know perfectly that we do not do well to be angry, but we are not going to be im posed upon, and we are angry just the same. A Good Thing to Forget Relationship. But oalv consider the saving of temper and peace if the whole family should re tolve that during games they will treat each other like strangers! If the brothers should forbear to tell the sisters that they always do this and that wrong thing; and the sisters should not find the stupidest questions "ex actly like Charley" or "Torn.'' A game that ends in a row is really not rightly named amusement, at least to those ot us who are not of Irish descent And there is always one safe way out of the trouble in most games, that is to adopt two rules of etiquette; one is to have an umpire, either a person or a book, and the other is to treat your kindred as strangers. "Whist as a destroying power, ranks with an v game going. It has so many and such subtle and sinister capacities for making trouble in families that it deserves a plica oy useii. .rroDaoiy mere are lew persons more superior especially in their own es teem than the conventional whist player. He is far and away more superior than the brilliant whist player. The latter is like Papa Chesterfield, rather fond of the puz zling, but abnormal, leads of his partner, and finding some clue to his aberration. His own play is so elastic that he has toleration. ot so the gifted youth who has taken a course of whist lessons and condescends openly when he sits down with his father, who plays a game that was in its prime "be fore the war." and his mntlipr vhn invari ably inquires "What is the trump?" and his young sister, who is engaged to be married. - c 'ls "own opposite mamma with a sort of Luther-at-the-diet-ef Worms. "Rre-T- stand-I-can-do-no-other" air; and deals the cards in the most approved manner. "I think you deal ever so much faster than be fore you took lessons," says mamma, fondly. "What it the trump? oh, thank you, dear," as her daughter picks up two cards that she has dropped face upwards, "All exposed cards snail be called, mamma," trumpets ' the conventional player, "that's the rule; and when yoa shuffle them that way Emmy can see every card in the pack." , Emmy starts guiltly at her name and asks what the trump is. "Emmy is thinking of something more interesting than whist," says papa, "well, fire away, Thomas, let's " see now Pole manages." "Tom swears by Cavendish, not Pole," Emmy hastens to say, to show that now she really is attending t'o the game. Pen Picture or a Family Game. Mamma AVhat oh, the eight f hearts, it is spades you led. the nine of spades; I always like to notice the numbers, third hand" high, isu't it? There is a beautiful high one, if only your father hasn't the ace. (She plays the king, papa puts the queen back in his hand and plavs a twq spot) "Now, I suppose I have tb lead (Thomas, the conventional, stirs in his chairjhe has observed Emmy's play of the cight'spot); lead back your" partner's suit, they ned to tell me; but I believe they don't do that way now." (She hesitates and finally plays the four of spades.) Papa Second hand low according to Hoyle. He drops a three-spot. Thomas with a scowl plays his ten-spot Thomas (as Emmy trumps) Of course! Mamma Why, Emmy's out! Thomas (with dignity) Didn't you see her eight-spot? Mamma Why, did vou plav an eight spot? Well, if she di'd, there' is the ten and the jack and the queen Thomas There is only one card against us as vou ought to know, if you substract nine from eleven; you had theking Papa That's all very well, but mamma and I play the old way, Tom; and you will have to humble your proud spirit and put up with us. Your play, daughter, small favors thankfully received. Emniv leads a jack of clubs from ace, jack, nine, four. Mamma has both king and queen, but is afraid to play either and tries ineffectually to subtract jack from 11. Emmy follows up with ace and then nine, mamma uptting her king on the ace and not venturing to meet the lightnings that are flashing from the de ceived Thomas' eyes; papa trumps gleefully on the third round. How Mamma' Gets Mixed TJp. Mamma (plaintively) Oh what a pity! Ought I to nave played the king second hand? You know, yesterday, when I played the king second hand you said that I ought to have saved Thomas (sternly) Yesterday you had five cards and I made a forced" lead and you know our only chance was your long suit; can't you see the difference?, Mamma Oh yes, of course, I will try to remember. Papa Thomas, stop badgering your mother and play on that queen of spades. I dare you to put your ace on it. Thomas does not dare and the queen makes. Papa leads the seven spot, on which, with a ruelul face, Thomas deposits his ace. Emmy trumps, unable to trump higher, discards a diamond. Papa Hoy le forever! lou discard a dia mond do you, my dear? Thomas (with the appearance of one bid ing his time) Do you discard the nine of diamonds, mamma? Mamma (nervonslv) Maybe I'd better discard something else; what is the trump? Oh. yes, hearts. I don't believe it matters, unless Thomas (patiently) You know yon dis card from your shortest suit if you are strong in trumps, and from vour longest if Papa Come, now, young man, none of your signal play! Your play, Emmy. Emmy opens a suit with an ace and then a king of diamonds. Thomas Do you play your ace first, and then your king? That isn't the way to play Oil on the Troubled Water. Papa (dryly) No, Emmy and I don't know how to play; we only know how to make tricks. I take with the jack do I? Thomas Since mamma wishes to make you a present of the trick; for some in scrutable reason she is holding up the queen. Mamma I was afraid they would trump; they trump so much to-night. Thomas That is the very reason why they shouldn't trump! If you had in ferred Papa Tom, stop bullying your mother. Thomas (loftily) Of course" if she doesn't want to learn the game Mamma I do, Tom, but you see it is so confusing, you told me one way yesterdav and to-day it is all different. Papa Play on a heart, let's see the color of your money, Tom; how many trumps have you got? Papa exhausts trumps, works in his extra spade remarking that he does not brag much onthese lone suits but he hates to waste anything, and in spite of mamma and Tom holding the four honors, papa and Emmy take three tricks. "Lucky tor us we don't count honors," says papa, "well, I guess you need not give me lessons in the new way, yet; it is very pretty, bat it doesn't seem to win." "Perhaps you will ailow something to the partner, sir," says Tom, and marches off in a huff. A Pretty Faithful Picture. This is an imaginary sketch, you'will say, but does not something verv like it occur often? Suppose some of us do not understand the trump signal aud cannot remember whether, the five ot diamonds is the highest card left of that ragged suit; suppose we trump the trick that belongs to our partner and forget to return him his suit, suppose we lose one, two, even three tricks well, what ot it? Shall we be belabored by our partners or left to our own consciences?- Will not the partners in me latter case win the re spectful sympathy of the family, while when they avenge their wrongs on the spot, the sympathy goes to the victim. It is as well in "domestic whis" to con sider that even poor whist players have feelings, and it is better to conquer one's own spirit than to win the odd trick. It is well for the young and superior to remem ber that the great Deschapelles was able to win against his partners, which is far more than winning' with them; and there is a faint possibility to be weighed, also, that they themselves mav have made mistakes. But is not the whole story in ope sen tence? A great statesman once said to me: "No one can really be a boor who is not bad hearted." And is not the essence of boorishness a disregard for the feelings of others? Octave Thajtet. A CONTEST AT BBAGGHTO. Three Artists Who Had In Mind the Tainted Grapes Birds Peeked At, A Parisian paper relates the following story of a contest in boasting which, it says, took place between three artists of Marseilles. It should be explained that Parisian writers always put their "tall talk" into the mouths of Marseilles people. "My dear," said one of the artists, "yes terday I painted a pine board in imitation of marble, and did it with such fidelity that when the board was put into a pondot water u inuK line a stone. "Pooh!" said the second; "that i noth ing. Yesterdav I happened to hang up my thermometer on the back of the frame of my 'View in the Arctic Begion," and the mercury instantly went down to 20 below zero." , "All that is nothing at all," laid the third artist. "You know my portrait of the old Marquis of Camargne? Well, it is so life-like that it has to be shaved three times a week!" riTS-AJ flt stopped tree by Dr. Kline's Grea fcerre Restorer. Mo fits after first day's use. Mar velous curei. Treatise and 2 00 trial bottle free to tit cases. Dr. Kline. 8a Arch at.. PhUa., Pa. Sa Besides killing roaches and bedbngs in stantly Buglne Is one or the most powerful disinfectants known and Is wortn its weigh! In gold for this purpose alone. S5 cents. THE TABLE. TIE SPRINGTIME FANCIES. Nature's Rarest Beauties Reflected Prom the Milliners' Windows Flowers at Feasts Prosaio Duties of Housekeep ingA. .Game With living Cards Stationary Styles. f WRITTEX OB THE DISPATCH. 1 In a Hew York paper appeared recently an amusing protest by a man "with a large month and a big nose" against the absurd cups which appear on the fashionable, five o'clock tea table. His sad experience with a triangular hollow of porcelain, endowed with two handles and weighted with an im possible souvenir spoon, which was a Mexi can dollar with ,a silver wire attached, was full of ludicrous interest doubtless to many other victims of Fashion's whims. It is these exaggerations or perversions of fashion's dictates that bring her votaries into such discredit. And one mnst admit that it is usually the women who err in this regard. As a rule a man goes from the arti cle back to its use in making his selection,' and spidery tables, chairs which offer no safe seating, and all make-shifts form no part of his belongings. Iu the compara tively small drawing room of a city house was seen the other day, stre'tcked directly in front of the'double door opening1 into the hall, a priceless tiger skin, entire, with up lilted head and open mouitt. It was at an afternoon reception, and two out of every three callers stumbled awkwardly over the beautiful rug, one woman getting so hope lessly caught and twisted with the combina tion of high heels and trailing robes that she required assistance to be extricated. In its place, over a divan, or on the floor in a large room where it would not be in the passage way of the apartment, the skin would have been an effective and rich deeoration; where it was, everybody privately anathematized it, and its own fnr was not more ruffled at the end of the afternoon than were the tempers of those who essayed to walk over it Housekeepers are beginning to learn that the very cheap qualities of matting are really very dear. In the bedroom of an adult perhaps, and well covered with dur able rugs, the cheap matting serves a pur pose, but it is folly to depend upon it in the nursery, dining or living room. The jointless mattings now made, however, al though they cost in the beginning 50 cents more per yard, perhaps, offer a much better final eoonomy. These may, if desired, be sewed like carpets, and though no matting adapts itself well to refitting in another room, the jointless variety, does so better than any other sort- In colored mat tings dark shades, though rich and effective, cannot be recommended to wear, with per haps the exception . of old gold matting. This color produces, in the wearing process, a natural matting shade that is not ob jectionable. The late spring has sadly hampered the maiden fair who longs to emulate the dove's livelier iris In her attire, but the flowers of spring, without reference to the feminine variety toward whom the young man's fancy lightly turns at this season, were never efore more abundant than at this Easter. It is remarkable how .floriculture has grown in the last five years, not only in the metropolis, but in the smaller cities also, and the uses to which natural flowers are now put are as manifold as the colors and perfumes of the blossoms themselves. If in olden times the knightly youth in haled the tender passion from nature's spring opening in the fields and woods, to day the city-bred young man as he paces the streets can find almost as much inspiration from the store windows and the millinery of the fair pedestrians. Worth, like Mrs. Kendal, gets his sug gestions of color combinations and effects from nature. So barren a 'landscape as a plowed field means something to this skill ful artist, and the tones of color in a bird's wing evolve a costume. One shade no. master in gowns or on canvas has been able to produce the vivid green of the grass with which motber earth drapes her brown qosom in restiui ana never monotonous re lief; The "cozy corner," illustrated herewith, js coming to be a recognized movable in furnishings, and is on sale at the furniture stores of most large cities. It is possible, to evolve one-with the help of a jobbing carpenter. In the accompanying cut is shown the cabinet attachment which offers a place for bric-a-brac, but this may be omitted, and should be if the corner is home-made. After the curved seat is made it should be stained to match or harmonize with the wood work of the room where it is to be used. Then long, flat hair cushions are made and ooveredlor the seat, and per manent ones fitted to the back; loose pil lows are added to adjnst as the lounger de sires. A small rug stretched across the front of a "corner" and a tall lamp as in the sketch or a wrought iron swinging lamp overhead often completes the trans formation of the dreariest stretch into the most attractive. The "corners" fit in de-" lightfully in a space between mantle aud corner wall, especially at the side of an open fire which admits of a low screen to "half conceal, half disclose" the cozlness within. ' . The best and most experienced club authorities have decided that religion and politics are two questions that should be carefully kept out of club discussions. They are two, which no amount of proof and argument will conduct to a relinquish ing of opinions previously held and it is the rare exception when either of the two can be amicably discussed. A story is told illustrating political prejudices at least of a girl of ten found crying iu her bed at night. "I heard a noise in.the closet," she explained to her anxious mother- between sobs, "and I was afraid there was a Demo crat in there. " Another question which cam up in a THE. PITTSBURG DISPATCH., certain town elnb not .long ago was that of. fines as a penalty for absences. This has been declared amateurish by old club heads. The work of the club should be sufficiently attractive to secure an average full attend anee or it has no cause fqr existence and, sueh being the &e, members who are not interested are not 'desirable. " Except in the case ot clubs that wish to raise money, the imposition of fines is not to be commended. The woman's club movement is still in its infancy. Its possibilities stretch out almost beyond one's imagination and its influences in the coming generations are not to be calmly estimated. s Flowers with heavy odors, no matter how sweet, are not used for feasts. Such, ming ling their fragrance with the aroma of food, The Coxy Comer. produce often an almost sickening effect. For this reason, at a beautiful lilac dinner given in Easter week, wonderful imitations of-the too sweet flower were used for the center piece, and occasional natural lilac, giving a delightful fragrance to the whole. Outside the bank of lilacs was set a close border of white tulips, and a fringe of as paragus in turn circled the whole. Indi vidual tall candlesticks of white Corinthian pillars held white candles with lilao shades. A feature of this dinnerwerethe furnishings of the dining room, which held a light white and gold cabinet buffet; and the chairs about the table were also of this delicate finish, with lilac silk cushions and a broad scarf of lilac ribbon on which was tire name of the occupant in gold letters, floating over each back.' Candied violets of a pale hue were piled in satin boxes of the same tint as lavors at each plate, and a white ice was served in violet-tinted glass cups set in gold standards. The luxury of the modern din ner increases constantly. One wonders if the mental richness of the dinners expands proportionately, or If, perhaps, 'thought is growing choked and stifled by things. All. housekeepers know that eggs froth quicker when chilled; all may not know that a pinch of salt acts in the same way that an hour on the ice will; it cools and freshens them. A small flannel bag with one end left open is a good receptacle for the ends of toilet soap. When a few have accumulated sew up the opening and an excellent bath bag is evolved. As only pure soaps of re liable make ought to be used it pays to uti lize every scrap. Correspondence cards seem to have van ished completely from the stationer's shop. The tiny note -size, hardly larger than the paper contained in the children's Christ mas boxes, has completely supplanted them. The plain engraved address at the head of the sheet is really the only ornament which is needed on American note paper, though crests and monograms are somewhat af fected. Those who use heraldic stationery should remember that the crest should never appear on the envelope in private use, that privilege being limited to clubs and other corporations. The laws of her aldry also dictate that a married woman should use not her own, but her husband's, crest a rule not always respected in this republican country, where devices of .line age are desultory and not often parcelled 0ut two to a family. It cannot be said indeed that much,, if any, significance- attaches to the American use ot these in dices of an order upon which we are sup posed to frown. Mourning by inches on one s stationery is also not much affected. Black edged paper is used in the first six months of mourning, but even in the case of the deepest mourning a' seal of black wax is considered sufficient after that "It-" is so easy to make grief's gradations ridicu lous that it 18 as well that the .lines should be rather obliterated. To measure one's woe by the width of black dye on one's let ter page is absurd, when the question is really considered. "Living Whist" has been told of as a -companion entertainment to Living Chess. The directions for its arrangement have recently been given. Four players take raised seats. A large square cloth of plain color stretched on the floor represents the top of the card table. The cards then enter dressed in ap propriate costumes, which may bs made as simple or elaborate as desired. The court cards should be tall performers, while the spot cards may be children with simply a placard of their denomination in the pack. To music, the cards go through movements illustrating cutting, shuffling and dealing, finally sort themselves into hands in front of the respective players. xnis part neeas carerai rehearsal to pre vent confusion. The play then regularly begins, each card as he is indicated by his player advancing to the center of the cloth to music, the winning card .leading the others to the proper corner at the end of the trick, where they stand in file. Six tricks in file close up far a-"book," and at the end of the game the winning tricks lead off in procession those of the other side. Mabgabet H. Welch. VENUS BEHIND THE MOON. Interesting Aatronomical Event That Oc curred Friday, April SO. There was a close conjunction of the moon and Venus Friday, April 29, at mid night, wheu the moon was 3 south of Ve nus, a distance less than one-tenth of the moon's diameter. At the time of the con junction moon and star were below the horizon to observers in the Eastern and Central States, but the two heavenly bodies were near enough together to form a lovely picture in the western sky on the evening of the 29th. Venus, the peerless star, and the 3-days-old crescent were the actors in the scene. The crescent hung south of the radiant star, and drew nearer and nearer, until both disappeared below the horizon, about an hour and a half before the con junction. So close a 'conjunction between the moon and Venus is a rare event, and comes near being an occultation. It ranks next, among the interesting events of the year, to the-conjunction of Venus and Jupi ter on February 6, when the planets were only one degree apart Thet phenomenon equaled, if it did not exceed in beauty, the spectacle then so much admired. The con junction was an occultation that is,the star disappeared behind the moon in Colorado and in all places west not northwest and south of that State. Doctor's Fees In South Africa. A recent traveler in Kafflrland tells this incident: As we were up .saddling there passed us a man driving a small flock of goats and several head of cattle. This was the husband of a lady physician!' who is 'ruining the practice of the local witch doc tors, and he was taking home his wife's fee for attending a patient Brand will banish roaches, bedbugs, etc, from your hons loraver. IS cents. MAT "C - WHERE.'BACILLA THRIVE. The Filter Which Is Advertised to Cleanse Itself Is a Fraud The Deadly Germs Multiply In It Good Water for Coffee Notes and Queries. WHITTI!r JOB THE DISPATCH.! One of the things the mistress of a house must specially ordain to have at all times and seasons is positively pure water for drinking and cooking. Very little water in rthe world is naturally pure only the mountain streams fed from topmost tnows, or springs that have filtered through beds of sand and gravel. In general, we have to be thankful for water free from immediate con tamination that has no cats and dogs float ing in the lake or stream which supplies it, no scum of duckweed, or wash of weedy shores and farm-yards on its borders, no microscopic growth in close pipes, giving the water the well-known "cucumber taste." Water free from taste or sediment is sup posed to meet all requirements. The fact is not'regarded that clear waters often contain mineral salts dissolved from the deposits in the soil and rocks through which they have made their way. This may contain traces of gypsum and epsom salts from beds or veins of carbonates, or be harsh with iron or lime in quantity too small to have any immediate effects, but certain in time to leave unhealthful deposits in weak systems. How to Improve the Coffee. For weeks after the filter was, started in our new housekeeping, the improvement in coffee was a marvel, so marked that ques tion was made as to the quality of the cof fee bought last It was the same we always used, but the pleasant distinct flavor re mained a mystery till one day. it came into my mind that the filtered water was the cause. TJnfiltered, the old rankness was the same, and we took the lesson to heart rejoicing. The same refinement was ob servable in soups and the entire range of cookery, till I never wanted so much as to boil a potato unless in filtered water. The well was clear and considered uncommonly good water, butlsetit down in my mind that no well water was so pure that it might not be purer. To secure this luxury of perfectly, pure, sweet, soft water, incapable of leaving de posits which lead to stone, gout, gravel aud adhesions, with their train of suffering, is worth a little experiment and watchfulness. The first thing taught a new girl in the kitchen is that not a drop of water is to be used for drink or cooking until two large pailfuls have been run off to empty the pipes of water which stood in' them over night The first drawn is not wasted, but need be kept id a firkin for washing, as.all water is softer by standing some hours or days. The metallic taste of the water first drawn is very unpleasant, ana spoils coffee or any thing made with it The habit of filling the teakettle over night to save time in getting breakfast is just as bad. And water left in a copper-bottomed teakettle is absolutely poisonous. Hoir to Account for Some Ills. These cramps, these megrins we hardly know how to account for, which lessen our activity and comfort, though they hardly lay us aside, are very justly traced to im purities of food, air and water, our great sources of vitality. A new cause of com plaint arises in many towns supplied with excellent water, which is led through pipes treated with coal tar. The taste is slight, just enough to spoil the refreshment of the water, but coal tar is so virulent a foe to vitality that the im measurably small percentage dissolved in the water has been enough to bring on at tacks at first taken for typhoid fever. The weakest solutions of opal tar are death to insect foes, and altogether too dangerous to human'life to be used for drinking water. One never wants to tonch water so tainted unless it has been boiled and filtered. Don't be satisfied with anv filter, how everrecommended, unless it fiils these con ditions. First, it must be stoneware, or enameled iron, jin and zino dissolve daily, in the water they hold, and the salts of tin or zino are not conducive t health or safety after they have been taken dailv fof three or four weeks. Stoneware is best on all ac counts, as it cools the water and is easily kept clean as well as safe. Second, and this is a great point, the filtering substance must be readily removed for. cleansing. If of charcoal and sand. there should be at least two quarts of it Insist, upon seeing the amount in the filter. No Filter Will Cleanse Itself. I remember inspecting a large standard filter whose name has been sworn by for 20 years, only to find that the 12 gallons of water were expected to cleanse in pass ing through about a coffee cupful of char coal and pebbles. Its filtering properties were a perfect farce. Don't take any filters which profess to be self-cleansing by turn ing water through the reverse way and washing out the sediment Charcoal ab sorbs impurities which it only parts with by fire. It can be purified to use again by heating some hours in a clean clay pot, closely stopped. The best form of charcoal is a compressed block which can be heated over and over, to redness in the firebox of range or furnace. There are filters of porus stone and artifi cial stone which do good work, it the filter ing part could- only be removed by cleans ing. But where it is one with the wall of the water jar, the deposit of slime which forms the upper side remains day after day, and in time the stone is saturated with a tinctnre of this jelly-like substance, the very culture-bed of bacilli, which a micro scope of power detects swarming in -the stone. The fixed brick filters in cisterns, alter- a short time, are a sonrce of danger from this cause. I repeat, no kind of filter is safe, unless constantly removed and cleansed by fire or electricity. If this rules ont cine-tenths of the filters made at the present time, I am sorry, but the change cannot be too quickly made to correct methods. Too much of lite and health is at stake in our families, to palter with inefficient and dangerous in ventions. Fncts for Anxloos Inquirers. I have been able to give the following queries from readers ot The Dispatch some attention: Judy (1) Please give me a recipe for the cure of red elbojvs. Thin elbows are' apt to be red, and the best treatment is anointing them nightly with cerate, vaseline or cold cream and using every means to bring the flesh up, 2. Is it possible to develop a poorly abaped arm or limb to a round, well-proportioned one? My body is plump aud well-formed except from the elbows and knees to the extremities. How should I exereise? Exercise is the only cure I sup pose? Not the only one. Massage of the meager limb daily, stroking from elbow or knee down, will draw the arterial circulation to the part and increase its nutrition. Or you may go in town and have your limbs treated by mechanical massage, whose vibration greatly assists in stimulating growth. The incessant vibration of the cars is said to be one reason why railway conductors and en gineers become so often fleshy men. But the most sensible and inexpensive way of training a shapely limb is by work. Drag a light lawn mower, learn to use a saw in fine carpentry, turn a coffee mill or seed winnower, or pump water enough for the garden daily to secure a fine arm. For the leg below the knee the best exercise is spad ing garden borders, alternating with toot ball or riding a 'cycle. Feeding; a Feeble Limb. When the limb is warm with exertion sponge it offin warm water, dry it, then stroke and press it firmly, wringing the flesh round and round lor eve or ten min- utes, when you may apply soma nutriment SUND. HOME UTIO S 18091 N HYGIENE. which will be absorbed by the skin. Keep the limb warmly clad if you wish to develop it: Short or open sleeves which chill, the wrists produce meager forearms,because the flow of blood is cheeked in them. Throwing bean, bags and quoits are good training, for the arms from shoulder to wrist, and give the leg a chance to improve also. . 3 What is the best way, of keeping the hair light? Mine has grown dark these last few months at a dreadful rate. Is there any legitimate way of keeping it light? The hair darkens faster in winter, when women stay in the house most. Dress it nightly with the yolk of afresh egg. rubbed in the roots of the hair, tying a kerchief over the head and washing with fine casiile soap next morning. Then sit in full sun light; at a window or out of doors with the hair flowing, just as long as possible. Go out bareheaded in spring sunshine all von can. The sun regilds hair naturally blonde. Use vegetables with much sulphur, cabbage salad,' cress, turnips, radishes and greens generally to provide sulphur for the vital 41 freckle at all seasons of the year, though my skin, where not exposed, is very white. What shall I do? The easiest way of preventing freckles is to apply a cosmetic before going out A Recipe That Will Not Work. A. C. G, Would equal parts of rosemary water, tincture of cantharides and rosewater increase the length of mv hair without dark ening it in the least? Would powdered cantharides be better than tincture, and how much should be used to six ounces each of rosemary and rosewater? Also please tell me if I should get the rosemary and make the extract mvself. if it wnnld ho. better? and is there any danger of getting it too strong? Where did you get your recipe? It is evidently evolved from the inner conscious ness of some one equally unacquainted with hair and pharmacy. The rose water is use less to the hair, and an equal part of tinc ture cantharides would be enough to raise the entire scalp in a blister. Approved formulas give not more than two and a half fluid ounces of the tincture to 14 ounces of other liquid as a lotion for baldness, and more would rather kill the hair than im prove) it The infusion of cantharides is two or three drams, about a teaspoonfnl, in a pint of boiling water steeped for two hours. The tincture is preferable, and also the spirit of rosemary. Yon would find it very difficult to collect rosemary enough to make a hair wash in the entire North. Im possible to say whether any such lotion would darken your hair ort The best formula is fire tablespoonfuls each of tinc ture of cantharides and spirits ot rosemary, with nine onnces of distilled wafer and one ounce of best glycerine, scented with a few drops of oil of rose, bergamot or sandal wood, which combine pleasantly with the strong odor of rosemary. Shirley Dabs. GENIUS IS DIFFIDENT. The Amateur Actor Who Think He Can Aot la dually a Failure Xodjeakst Gives Some Valuable Hints for Those In clined Toward the Stage. rWBtms VOR THE DISPATCH.1 I do not think that success in the usual meaning of the word ought to be the chief ambition of the dramatic candidate. His aim should be higher; his great object should be to be true to his art. whether such fidelity be rewarded by appreciation from the public or not One of the greatest mistakes that could be possibly made by a dramatic candidate is the choosing of the profession with the idea that money comes easier and work is less hard in this than in any other. There is little hope of ad vancement for such aspirants. Success is not always the best evidence of artistic merit How many good actors there are who have remained "in obscurity all their lives, and, on the other hand, how many indifferent ones have obtained a cer tain kind of pooularitv. Above evervthinir. an artist ought never to sacrifice his own artistic convictions to the momentary tastes of the public; such a sacrifice, although fol lowed by a short lived success, will lower him as an artist and kill in him whatever there may be of natural ability. The actor, like the poet or the painter, must be born with a certain amount of native talent, which, If neglected, may disappear, but if cultivated thoroughly and rightly will pro duce the desired result Slay Saeoeed Without Genius. It is my belief, however, that a person who is deprived of these natural gifts, and who possesses an average amount of intelli gence, can, by careful and 'judicious train ing, acquire a certain amount of technical knowledge, or what I would call, the handi craft of the profession, so as to fill minor parts on the stage, and not be out of place in what is called a good ensemble. But I cannot believe that a person who does not possess those natural gifts can ever acquire bjr study the "creative power" which is the distinctive mark of the true artist. With the actor, '.'creative power" implies the fac ulty of building up a character true to na ture, and of, endowing it with life, so as to produce 'the illusion that his personation is not a fiction but a reality. We have, it is true, in the annals of the stage a number of instances where actors have been unpromising at first but who have eventually become eminent. This does notproyje that they did not possess the neoessary talent, but simply shows that, for some reason or other, they "were not able to display their ability. Possibly nervous ness, want of experience or injudicious choice of parts deprived them for a time of their power, while later on experience, good advice or some fortunate circumstance allowed them to bring to the surface what was conceived within. Genius Is Always Busy. In a word, then, the first-essential qualifi cation for an actor consists in inborn talent, the character of which might possibly be de scribed a an imaginative and a slmilative faculty which allows him to merge his in dividuality into that of another. The next essential is the constant study and work re quired to cultivate and improve these natural gifts. I have never seen genins suc ceed without labor, and I snppose that it is the inseparable quality ot genius that it will never neglect activity in the special-branch of science or art toward which it is inclined. The happy possessor of genius has intu itively a 'detper insight into the mysteries of art, which enables him to learn anickly, and which shows him the most direct path to follow.. Besides, study and observation being congenial to him, his task appears easy and his efforts are not strained. Still, true genius could not exist with laziness and inactivity. I do not think that the feeling'of special aptitude for acting should be much relied upon. Genius is generally uneonseious of itself. I have generally observed that the most eminent artists were often the most diffident and unamusing, and that they pass frequently through periods of great dis couragement The right frame ot mind, I imagine, for one who enters upon a dramatis career must not consist so much in a feeling of confidence in his onrn powers as in a sincere devotion to his art, a firm belief in its high mission, while in his heart must burn, that sacred flame which gives him the courage and energy to overcome all obstacles and undergo all privations. A General Education Is Xecessary. There is no greater mistake than to sup pose that mere professional training is the only necessary education. The general cultivation of' the mind, the development of all the Intellectual faculties, the knowl edge how to think, are more essential to the actor than mere professional instruction. The best school of acting seems to me to be the stage itself when 'one begins by playing small parts, and slowly, step by step, reaches the more important ones. There is a probability that if you play well a minor character you will play greater ones well bv and bv: while if vou hecin with the latter you may prove deficient in them, and afterward be both unwilling and perhaps unable to play small parts. It was my ill-fortune to be pat, soon after my en trance on the stage; in the position of a star of a traveling company. I thinkit was the greatest danger I encountered in my career, and the consequence was that when 1 after ward entered a regular stock company I had not only a great deal to learn, but much more to unlearn. Fnnlta or the Dramatic Schools. There are many objections to dramatic schools, some of which are-very forcible. There is in them, as in private teaching, the danger of imitation and of getting Into a purely mechanical habit 'which produces conventional, artificial acting. Yet it is not to be denied that a great number of the best French and German actresses and actors have been pupils of dramatic schools, and that two af the schools those of Paris and Vienna have justly enjoyed a great celebrity. Of the schools I have known personallv I cannot speak verv favorably. Of the three elements that, in my opinion, go to make up a good dramatic artist, the first one, technique, must be acquired by professional training; the second and higher one, which is art itself, originates fu a natural genius, but can and ought to be im proved bv the general cultivation of the mind. But there is yet something beyond these two; it is inspiration. This cannot be acquired or improved, but it can be lost by neglect Inspiration does not depend upon us. Happy the moments when it responds to our appeal. It is only at such moments that an artist can feel satisfaction in his work pride in his creatiop; and this feel ing is the only real and true success which ought to be the object of his ambition. Helena Modjeska. HOW TO WEAR THE HAIR. Grecian Coiffure in All Its Beauty The English Banjs Correct Styles in Orna ments Individual Symmetry the Desid eratum Some Pretty Effects Illustrated. IWBITTZK VOU THE PISPATCH.1 If ,fair Helen of Troy could step down among women of the present generation she would find at least one familiar feature the style in coiffures For prevailing fashions are distinctly Greek, and Grecian pictur esqueness is to obtain during the coming summer season. Seldom has a like single ness of purpose been manifested by English and French ladles of fashion. The varia tions in the national modes are slight Both aim at old Greek effects. In the first three illustrations the various stages of English hair dressing are given. The hair is divided into three strands, and First Step in EnglUh Coiffure. then are twisted one over another into in tricate coils on the back of the head, be ginning a little above the base and carried forward to the crown. This coiffure gives hats and bonnets that tip-tilted appear ance noticeable in late imported models. To obviate an extreme of flatness just over the brow, at the line of depression, or bari- Second Step in English Coiffure. deau line, bangs are to be worn unusually full, high and narrow, making the V effect so becoming in the case of high fore heads. Less hair is to be drawn down on the brow this season. The heavy cut-off, straight look will no longer be visible. By removing the quill ornaments and jeweled nesting appropriate for evening wear, seen in the completed English coif fure, and which hint at the coming decora tion, the model is an equally correct repro duction of out-of-door styles. On the other hand higher effects, more in tricate coils and loops and more striking ornamentation is noticeable in advanced Completed English Cblffurf. French styles. Parisienne dames and demoi selles will wear their tresses colled, knotted and drawn quite on the crown of the head. But, as we said, both English and French aim at a classic style. The Noeud de Bergere or Shepherdess knot, in the pronounced form of a shep herd's crook, standing well out from the center of the head at the back, is quite the newest model in knots. It is seen as a single coll of hair, or among two others ' 4aLi$B&CNcP2u(w"B. 'mm (jr " Via which lie closely adjustfd around it The style destined to become a great favorite is given in the illustration of coiffure for young ladies at afternoon and evening functions, it show the Grecian knot with curled effects. The English coiffure showed the shepherdess or Bergere knot The Grecian knot, with the French modi fications, is worn well on the crown of the head, and the curled ends ot the hah, after the twist has been made by a little knack that anyone mav acquire with but slight, prac tice, are held in place with invisible pins, in contradistinction to the large shell pins which fairly nail the not in position Care should be taken in fastening the curled ends of the hair that the type of the head and face of the wearer be consid ered. Place curls at snch angles as best follow correct and artistic lines. Let the style suit the wearer. For instance, if a young woman has a prominent nose, both knot and curls should begin above a line drawn parallel with the tip of the ear, in order that an unsymmetrical effect of great breath from tip of nose to tip of knot be avoided. So, also, should she have a rather long chin, she would natnrally avuid dresing the hair high on the crown, which would produce an inartistic and noticeably long oblique line from chin to knot Avoid emphasizing an imperfection of contour. In either case she should so adjust the hair knit braids, knot or curls as to form a shapely, symmetrical contour of head. Any ""7 Evening Gotffwefor Young Zadia. prominence given to any portions of the head should be regulated with an eye to facial proportion. A short, full face, where features are small, takes well the high coiffure effects, and that young woman who has a round, not altogether classic face, will lose nothing of symmetry or contour by drawing her shin ing locks onto the very top of her head. The ornament worn with the Grecian knot coiffure illustrated, is a baudean and set of loops in imitation of ribbon bows, made of French gilt and enamel. The conventionalized loops and knots shown this season in decorative and dress materials are reproduced not onlv in slip per, girdle, shoulder and neck ornaments, but in a considerable variety of embellish ments for the hair. These coiffure orna ments range in price from J1.50 up, ac cording as they are made of gilt, enamel, gold, and repousse or jeweled. Americans and others who independently adopt modifications of both English and French fashions, will yet have to adhere to our detail. An edict has gone forth over two hemispheres. Waved hair and the fluffv effects made popular by La Bern hardt will be de rigeur. Blessed indeed will be tbat young woman, wherever she is, so favored of nature as to have natural crinkles in her "crowning glory." She will be saved unutterable fatigues. But for the unfavored majority there is fortunately a device which may be guaran teed to work marvels, with a fair degree of safety. The Sarah Bernhardt hair-waver is a tiny cylinder over which a strand of hair is slightly twisted and wound and fastened'' with an attached hairpin and loon. X small heated rod is inserted in the cylinder and after two minutes the hair is ready to be unwound and is beautifully waved, with less risk than in cases where hot irons are applied direct A set of "wavers" costs but 80 cents and may be had at any of the dealers.- Where heat is not consid ered desirable the hair may be left on the cylinder over night The modified Grecian effects have not only the elements of becomingness, grace, artistic picturesqueness and good style, but 'are, with comparative ease, adjusted by almost any young woman to her own particular head. The out-of-door styles, with possibly an exception in the case of oblong braids for street wear, which leading coiffeurs main tain are still popular, are almost Identical with the indoor and evening styles. The more elaborate effects for the house are ac complished by means of a little extra wave and curl and by the help of the long list of approved ornaments, jeweled butterflies, gorgeous jeweled flowers, metal bandeaus and metal ribboh knots, ecaille pins, combs of gold and silver, aigrettes and the latest Juliette, Marguerite and Desdemona jew eled nets. Gat Williams. NATURAL FRUIT FLAVORS. "VSmflla Of perfect paiftjr Lemon -I Of great strength. AfelOTd " Economy In thelru.. Rose eteir) FJavor as delicately" and delicioualy as the fresh fruJ Jj-JO-inrae FINE WALL PAPERS fiMle & fify 541 WOOD STREET-&1 BANK Of COMMEBCE BUTLDI2TO. Telophase J3H. , feSS-47-aa yy DELICIOUS HaYoritf Ex! nets ' 1 m .3 ' j . : ... I .1 AMfi. j$i&m gil&tl&fry&Ji- u.-fc. (" . .-jii!-."U(ri. '-Sr "V1 SUeM - a .-
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