lie
ifiili
Two Dollars per Annum.
HENRY A. PARSONS, Jr., Editor and Publisher
Nit; DESPERANDTJM.
NO. 52.
VOL. IX.
EIDGWAY, ELK COUNTY, PA., THURSDAY, FEBUARY 19; 1880.
In 1780.
In Seventoen-Hundred-Eighty
They sat by household fires,
And talked ol matters weighty,
Our grandams and our sires;
They talked oi natters weighty,
While broad the blaze uprolled,
Beside their hearths in 'Eighty,
That time of awtul cold.
The hard frost figured grimly
Along the window glass
How large the old-time ohimney!
How wide the fireplace was!
The solid cools dropped under,
The brazen andirons glowed,
The fore-stick iell asunder,
Deep rills the bock-log showed.
They talked of wives and widows,
Oi woes that war revealed,
While round the walls the shadows
Of British armies wheeled;
They talked of Earl Cornwallis,
Oi Britain and hor might;
Their cause their only solace,
Their only strength the right.
They told of insults wanton,
And guessed with forward viow,
At what Sir Henry Clinton,
With opening spring, would do.
They named each friendly nation
France, Holland, even Spain,
And gathered oonsolation
From Stony Point and Wayne.
With retrospective fervor,
Ihey talked ol Charlostown Neck,
Of Gates by Hudson river.
And Arnold at Quebec
Recalling men and places,
And battles lost or won,
They breathed with ardent inces
The name of Washington.
Thoy talked ol gloom impending,
They spoke ol doubtful stars,
Ol shoeless men contending
With red-oout regulars.
And thus with matters weighty,
Things past or things to come,
Koch household hearth in 'Eighty
Was stirred as by the drum.
The warrior cold stood sentry,
At windows and at doors;
The silting snow found entry,
And streaked the sanded floors.
But evor with the knitting,
Or with the open book,
Went thought to Clinton flitting,
Oc Howe oflSnndy Hook.
Youiht Companion .
8100,000,
AND THE TI1KI.E MAltRIAGES
THEREBY.
CAIM.I
"My mind is made tip. mother," said
young Dr. Delnnccy, "so lot us enjoj
our breukfast and not spoil our tligi e
tions by thinking of the old curmudgeon
who could not even let. his cccentricitj
die with him, but must dispose of his
fortune in this idiotic manner."
' But, my dear Arthur," remonstrated
Mrs. Delancey, "one hundred thousand
dollars is too large a sum to refuse with
out much consideration."
"I know that, mother mine, but still
I refuse it, or rather refuse to accept it
with the condition attached to it. I pre
fer to choose my own wife."
" Is there no alternative?"
" None."
"What are the exact words of the
letter?"
"These," answered Arthur, taking
up a ponderous letter which had been
lying on the table, and reading from it:
"My dear sir Now that the estate ot
the late Tobias Queerby is settled, it be
comes my duty to inform you that he
had imposed a condition upon bis be
quest to you. He bequeaths to you
property to the value of one hundred
thousand dollars, on condition that you
marry Miss Fidelia Fairfax within two
years after his death. The same
amount has. been bequeathed to Miss
Fairfax, and I have this day notified
her that the same condition is attached
to her bhare of the estate. This condi
tion was not mentioned in the will, irs
it would not have been recognized as
valid by the courts. You need not obey
his request unless you wish, and your
legacy will remain unaffected, but he
charges y ou and her, as you are upright
and Honorable, not to enjoy his hard
earned wealth unless you do as he de
sired. I enclose a copy of the letter to
me asking me to acquaint you with his
desires, by which you will see to what
charitable societies he wished you to
give the money lie left you in case you
do not yield to the conditions imposed.
and in case you decide to act as a man of
honor, lam, sir, yours, etc., (ireenheld
Kent, attorney for the estate of Tobias
uueerby."
"There!" cried Arthur, "is not that
a terrible condition to impose P . Of
course I am a man of honor and I must
yes, must give up this fortune."
" But one hundred thousand dollars,
Arthur, is "
. " Is one hundred thousand dollars. I
know. But marriage to one I do not
care lor would be misery for a life time.
Therefore, as I said before, my mind is
made up. What! Did he think simply
because he was the friend in youth of
father and this Mr. Fairfax, he can force
their children, who have
each other, to marry whether they love
or hate? No. Father has left you well
provided for, mother, and I will soon
get 4i practice, and so I snap my fingers
at the old fellow's matrimonial scheme
and will make happy a half dozen orphan
asylums, to say nothing of Miss Fairfax,
who. though she lias never seen me.
must detest me as the reads her letter
this morning."
"She may be a very nice young lady,
Arthur,' mildly suggested Mrs. Delan-
cey. " When your father was alive ke
often spoke of the pretty girl Mr. Fair
fax married, and daughters generally
resemble tueir mothers, you know."
"Undoubtedly sneis a nice yomng
dare say she can rattle off the first con
jugation in rencn, recite lennyson b
11
the hour, ieaa a gernian, ten iusi wmc
corner of her card to turn down for
call of condolence or a party call, rave
about majolica ana uie art decorative.
give the points or a pug, yawn interest
1D21Y Denina a ian, extol the opera.
write mawkish poems, each one with an
Envoi and, in short, be a credit to her
family and the seminary where she was
graduated. 1 can see ner.now," con
tinue! Arthur, shaking his yellow curls
bud laughing. "She consider! me as
her property, but hates me because she
feels sure of me. ' Yes,' she says, to her
confidante (chums no longer exist, they
have been massacred by confidantes and
bad French). ' I suppose I'll have to
marry him. the practical wretch.' "
"Now, Arthur, you are not just:
neither are you kind to speak so of a girl
you do not know, and have never seen,"
said Mrs. Delancey.
"Byjove, mother!" cried Arthur,
bringing his open hand down on the
table with force sufficient to make the
china and his mother jump simultan
eously, " I have an idea."
"What is it, my son?" asked the,
lady.
" I see by this letter," explained the
young physician, "that Miss Fairfax
lives in Metroville. Now, a train leaves
here at eleven and reaches there at two.
Jack Merton, my college chum, lives in
Metroville, and I'll go there, see him,
and try to see Miss Fidelia Fairfax with
out being seen by her. If I like her
looks I'll introduce myself, if not I'll
come home, bid farewell to the fortune
and settle down to bachelordom and
physic."
" You forget that your cousin Uriali
comes to-day and may bi offended if you
are not here," urged the widow. -
"Mother," returned Arthur, mock
earnestly, "if anything could drive me
away from this comfortable home with
more speed than my curiosity to see
Miss Fairfax it would be the knowledge
that that dry old book-worn, Cousin
Uriah, was coming here to bore me with
i i i. 1 1 1 1 1 i
ii is learning arm ins praises oi mat Diue
stocking. Ins idol Araminta, for whose
hand he is too bashful to propose. He's
a nice young fellow, but, oh, such a
bore. That decides me, I go at eleven."
And in the smoking train that left
Opoliston at eleven o clock bound for
Metrovillcsat Dr. Arthur Delancey puff
ing a cigar gravely.
"Father," said Miss Fairfax, while
E residing over a cunning little break
ist table in a cosy little dinning-room
in the most comfortable little house in
tho little city of Metroville, " my mind
is made up. I cannot take the money
I ennnot marry a man at the order of
another even if that other does offer me
one hundred thousand dollars to do so."
" Well, my dear Fidelia,"returned Mr.
Fairfax. " I do not feei competent to ad
vise you further than bid you follow the
dictates of your own heart. Still, my
iove, I would counsel you not to be
hasty, il your dear mother were alive
she could tell you in a moment what to
do I must say, though, Fidelia, that
one hundred thousand dollars is "
" Yes, pa, I know, one hundred thou
sand dollars is a great deal of money,
but even that sum cannot tempt me to
marry a man I do not love, have never
seen in fact. Was a girl ever placed in
ucli a humiliating position? I wiih
tho eccentric old Mr. Tobias Queerby
had been content to keep his eccentricit y
to himself. The idea! As if thefriend-
hin that existed between you and Mr.
Delancey and him cave him the right to
dispose of the hands and hearts of his
Inends' children. "
" Hut you needn't marry him. vou
know, my dear," said Mr. Fairfax. "If
I had not been so unfortunate the past
few years I would say at once give up
this iortune; but I cannot leave you
mini), my love, and I know what a com
forting thing money is."
" nut 1 can t niairy mm, pa."
" Well, Mr. Greenland Kent, the at
torney, says the condition is not legal.
'But oh, pa, Mr. Queerby relied on
iny honor not to take the money with
out accepting the condition, and my
honor makes the condition binding if
the law does not," said Miss Fairfax
decidedly.
" Time, my dear," replied tne gentle
man; 'yet tins i must say, idena, i
have often heard your poor dear mothe r
speak of Mr. Delancey, and always in
terms ot tne in guest praise, and, you
know that as a genial rule sons are
like their fathers. I have no doubt he
is a most estimable young man."
" I have no doubt he is, pa. I dare
say that he car. interlard his conversa
tion with yards ot Latin that he don t
half understand, can write sonnets and
triolets in a lady's album, can tell the
best time of all the oarsmen and race
horses, can play polo, can tell what
kind of a coat ought to be worn on each
day of the week, can say ' Very clevah,
bai iove.' as if he were a thorough man
of the world, can tell what new play is
going to be a success, can flirt with
everybody and vow all the girls are
breaking their poor nearts lor mm, can
tell college yarns all night and langh
loudest at his own wit and, in short,
prove himself an honor to society and
Harvard college. I can see him now
talking to his pal (there are no more
ciassmatf-s ; pals and college Siang niur
aerea tnem long ago; and saying: "Oh,
bai Jupitah, old fellah, it's a dooced
bore, ye know, but the poor little girl
will break her heart if I don't marry
her, and I suppose I will have to. bai
Jove, yaas,' while all the time he hates
me like poison."
"Now, now, now, Dealie, my love !"
cried Mr. Fairfax, " this is not right "
yet he could not refrain from laughing .
"You are unjust, unkind you should
not speak so of one you have never
seen." "Oh. papa!" exclaimed Fidelia,
suddenly clasping her hands and shak
ing her black curls, merrily.
What, my dear!" asked the lather.
I have an idea. The lawyer's letter
says Mr. Fairiax lives in Upoiiston,
Now, Kena Lester lives there, and she s
my schoolmate and she's been brgeing
me to call on her. There's a train leaves
at eleven and I'll go to-day. I'll con
trive to aee Mr. Arthur Delancey with
out being seen, and I'll judge by his
looks whether I'll ask to be introduced.
It I don't like him I'll throw the for
tune to the hospitals and become an old
maid, and make tea forever for my dear,
stupid, joving darling pa. bo make
baste, pa, I must prepare for my
journey.
" tfut you are not going to-day, my
dear," complained Mr. Fairfax, "you
forget that your cousin Araminta
is coming to-day to stop with us, and
she might be offended if you were not
here to receive her."
" Pa, if an vthinar could drive m from
the house it would be the thought that
I would have to listen to the disserta
tions of the learned Araminta and hear
her praises of that modest, unassuming
Uriah, whoever he is. Araminta is tv
good enough body, pa but she does
weary me so, That decides me. I go
to-day."
In the drawing-room car of the train
that left Metroville at eleven o'clock,
bound for Opoliston. sat Miss Fidelia
Fairfax reading the latest novel.
"Jack," said Arthur Delancey, toss
ing his hat on the table in Jack Merton '
room and throwing himself on the
lounge, " are you .quite sure you were
right about Mr. 1 air fax's house being
the seventh from this ?"
"Oi course I am. I've often been
there to see him and his daughter," nn
swered Jftck
"Ah, his daughter! I think I saw
her at the window as I passed."
" Undoubtedly you did ; she sits there
all day."
"Lively girl she must be. Has she
black hair and eyes ?"
" Yes ?"
" And she is well, not pretty."
"There you are wrong. She is
pretty."
"Jack, old fellow, you always had
queer ideas of female beauty. Why she
looks like a school marm. Is she one
of the cultured, clever sort ?"
" She is a very clover girl."
" She is, eh. Then I've seen her, no
doubt."
"That must have been her in the
window, there is no other lady in tle
house." .
"Oh," muttered Arthur. "I'll run to
the telegraph office. Jack, if you'll ex
cuse me, and then I'll beat your service
and we'll have ajolly night of it."
That afternoon Mrs. Delancey received
a telegraphic dispatch in the following
words :
Have seen the "condition." Good-bye,
iortune. I wouldn't have her ior a million.
I leave at eleven to-morrow morning.
Arthur.
" Rena, my Jove," said Fidelia Fair
fax, as she came into Miss Rena Lester's
boudoir after a long walk ; " I am not
sorry you could not come out with me,
for I kept walking up and down one
street which, though it pleased me by
its pretty houses, would have wearied
you who know it so well."
"What street was it?" asked Miss
Lester.
"The street on which ousaid Mrs.
Delancey lived. By the way, who was
the gentleman I saw sitting on the
porch?"
"Oh, that must have been Arthur.
All the girls are in love with him."
" 1 don t admire their taste."
"Oh, Fidelia; why he's so hand
some."
"Then I did not see him."
"Oh, it must have been he: he is the
only man in the house,"
"Has he light hair?"
" Yes, very light."
"And a book-wormy look?"
" For shame. Fidelia. He's verv.
very clever; but he's handsome, too."
" I don't doubt he was the one I saw.
Well the Opoliston girls are welcome to
liiin. Suppose we stroll to the telegraph
office, Rena; I want to send a message
to pa."
That afternoon Mr. Fairfax received
a telegraphic message as follows :
I have seen the hundred thousand dollar
prize. A million would be too little. I take
the eleven o'clock train to morrow morn i
Fidelia,
Mid way between Opoliston and Ma-
trovilie was a junction of threo rail
roads. Tracks crossed and curved
arouna cacn otner tin tne ground ap
peared to be covered with an iron net
work.
How it happened no one ever learned.
but two switches had been lelt mis
placed, and as the train bound from
Opoliston to Matroville came thunder
ing on itshot off in the wrong direction,
then seemed to stand still lor a second.
then seemed to shiver all over, and the
next second tho engine lay on its side.
under two coaches, its driving-wheel
revolving so that no spokes could ho
seen. Hinging earth and stones and ashes
like a volcano.
Then, ere any warning could ho given,
on rushed the train from Opoliston
bound lor .Metroville. A shriek Jrom
the whistle, and engines, cars, baggage,
railroad ties and tracks became one
unsightly mass, half hidden by escaping
steam.
in nve minutes the discovery was
made that no one had been killed and
very few injured, and those but slightly
" There's a young lady lving on the
depot platform who says she think" her
leg is broken, said an old gentleman to
a group who were assisting the ladies
"Is there?" said a young gentleman
who was wrapping a bandage around
an old lady's wrist. " Ah, now, that's
done nicely," he continued, addressing
the lady. "Now," he added, turning
to the old gentleman, "if you will con
duct me to the young lady I will go
with you. I am a surgeon."
The surgeon was Arthur Delancey,
and his conductor presented him to a
very pretty young lady who was reclin
ing on a rough couch extemporized of
mail bags, She had very pretty black
eyes and black curls. She did not ap
pear to be in much pain, and smiled
archly at Arthur.
" It Miss Fairfax was only like her!"
was Arthur's first thought.
Her injury proved to Be but a sprained
ankle, and laughing merrily at her for
mer fears she accented the arm of the
physician and permitted him to almost
carry her to the hotel.
He supported her to the hotel parlor
and insisted on giving the black-eyed
patient his personal attention, a com
pliment she did not seem loth to accept.
Some time was lost in sending for medi
cine, and over an hour had passed before
the surgeon had bandaged the patient's
foot. He was standing leaning on the
mantel-piece under the influence of the
black eyes, and she seemed content to
say nothing but quietly admire the doc
tor's golden curls and frank blue eyes,
when the hall-boy, who had received
several large gratuities from the doctcr
for having run for medicines, and who
was, therefore, his friend for life, rushed
into the parlor, saying :
" Some one sent telegrams to Opolis
ton and Metroville, Baying there'd been
a fearful accident, and saying nothing
about no lives being lost. So two
trains have come in, one from each
place, full of people looking after rela
tives, and there are visitors for both ol
you."
Scarcely had he finished when
through the broad doorway of the par
lor ran four people. They were Mrs.
Delancev. on the arm of a fair-haired
Utile man, and Mr. Fairfax dragging in
a very tall and very black haired and
angular voung ladv.
"Fidelia Fairfax, by Jove!" cried
Arthur, as he saw the angular lady.
"Oh, my, Mr. ueianceyi" screamed
the black-eyed patient, as she saw the
fair haired little man.
"My son!" cried Mrs. Delancey, em
bracing the doctor.
"Fidelia, Fidelia, my daughter!"
roared Mr. Fairfax, embracing the
black-eyed patient.'.
"Mr. Uriah !" softly murmured the
angular lady, crossing to the little man.
"Oh, Miss Araminta!" squeaked the
little man and he shook hand feebly
with the angular lady.
'And you are really Miss Fairfax 1"
said Arthur to his black-eyed patient.
i'm so glad."
"And you're Mr. Delancev." said
Fidelia; "I'm so glad," and then she
blushed.
' My dear Miss Fairfax." said Arthur,
then, bluntly, "may I hope that we
may both retain our hundred thousand
dollars?"
"Do you mean retain it with honor?"
she asked, blushing again.
"xes. Don't you think it would be
shame to destroy the calculations of
that good old soul, Queerby, who is
now no more? Don't you think we
ought to do as he wished us to?"
" Ask pa, doctor," said black-eyes.
" Araminta." said Uriah. " this meet
ing is auspicious. I I will you will
you"
'1 understand you, urian. laice
me," returned the angular one, and
they again shook hands feebly.
Two months later, at Mr. Fairfax's
cosy little house, tho guests were assem
bled to witness the wedding cere
monies of two couples. They were
Arthur and Fidelia and Uriah and Ara
minta. After they had been happily united
and congratulated, Mr. Fairfax, who
was consoling Mrs. Delancey for the loss
of her son. said: "Mv dear Mrs. De
lancey, you are a comfortable sort ol
woman and I am a comfortable sort of
man. l have been made to-nignt a
fatlirr to your son and you a mother to
m v daughter. Do you know of any just
cause and impediment in the way of our
becoming, ahem "
It appearing that 6he did not, the
services of the minister was again put
in requisition, and the old folks were
not the least happy ot the party.
How Spectacles are made.
A writer in the Philadelphia Pres
save: The white lens in use in tue
ordinary spectacle of commerce is made
oi the common windowpane glass ronea
in sheets; sometimes it is made into
balls. From these are cut pieces of
about one and a quarter to one and a
half inches in size; they are then taken
into the grinding room and each piece
cemented separately upon what is called
a lap of a setm-circular shape, inesn
are made to fit into a corresponding
curve or saucer, into which fine emery
powder is introduced and subjected to a
swift rotary motion. The gradual curve
in the lap gives to the glass as it is
ground a corresponding shape, until the
esired center is reached ; the lap is then
taken out and subjected to warmth,
which melts the cement suflic:ently to
permit the glass being removed and
turned upon the opposite side, when the
same process is renewed. This being
completed, the lenses are detached again
irom the Jap and taken to another de
partment, where they are shaped to fit
the frames. This is accomplished by a
machine of extreme delicacy. Laeh
piece of gloss is put separately upon a
rest, whon a diamond is brought to bear
unon it. moving in the lorm oi an oval.
thus cutting tho desired size; but the
edges, ot course, are rough nnd sharp,
and must bo beveled. For this purpose
they are turned over into another set of
hands, mostly girls, who have charge
of the grindstones, which arc about six
inches in thickness. Each operator is
provided with a trauire: the class is
taken between the forefinger and thumb
and held sufficiently sideways to pro
duco half the desired bevel; when this
is attained it is again turned and the
other side of the bevel completed.
During this process it is constantly
guaged in order to ascertain that the
frame will close upon it without too
much pressure, which would break the
lens.
The next process to which the lens
is subjected is that of " focusing," and
reauircs extreme care. 1 he person hav
ing this department to at tend to is placed
in a small room alone: across the en
trance is hung a curtain, which is only
drawn aside sufficiently to admi
unlit thO I
required amount of light from a window
several feet away, upon one of tho top
panes of which is placed a piece of
heavv cardboard with a small hole cut
in the center representing the bull's-eye
of a target. Through this tho rays of
light shine upon the lens in the hands
of a workman and are reflected through
it to a dark background. The lens is
then moved back and forth upon an
inch measure until the proper focus is
attained. Say, for instance, the extreme
end of the measure is sixty-two inches,
the lens is placed at that, but does not
focus ; it is gradually moved along inch
by inch, until, perhaps, it is brought to
thirty-six inches. At this the proper
height of center or focus is attained.
and it is then numbered thirty-six. Uie
same operation is of course necessary
with every lens. This accounts for the
numbers which are upon spectacles or
glasses oi any kind when purchased.
Bascliall Oddities.
Here are some odd incidents of last
season's games:
O Kourke. of tho Providence nine.
made the longest throw last season 125
vards.
A 8ixteen-innmg game was piayeo,
May Se4, at Syracuse, between two ama
tour clubs. Score 4 to 3.
Walker, of the Buflalos, while playing
against the Troys, June 20, struck out
five times in succession
The fielding of the Buflalos at Chi
cago, August 5, 6 and 7, was wonderful.
They had 128 chances offered them and
took them all!
In a Boston-Cincinnati game a foul
ball hit the umpire and made a complete
wreck of a valuable gold watch in his
vest pocket.
In the Troy-iioston game, August u,
only three balls were pitched in one
inninc to nut the Boston nine out: and
six balls put out the Troys in the same
inning.
In a fame at Svracuse foul tin hit
Dorgon, the catcher, and bounded so
high that the pitcher caught it before it
touched the ground. Dorgon just
"headed" it off.
Fifteen tames were concluded last
season with the score tied, three being
played on September 15, and the Albanys
and Troys playing two tie games in sue
cession in October.
The Soringfields and Troys seem to
have been the champion " kickers" last
year. They each withdrew on account of
the umpiring twice. Albany and New
Bedford made similar exhibitions of
themselves once each.
Two boys died from being struck with
balls during 1379. And another boy
was leaning on his gun watching the
game at Evansville, Ind., when a foul
ball struck the hammer of his gun and
discharged it, killing him instantly.
The publio are cautioned to ask ior Dr.
Bull's (Joufcli Syrup, and take no other. Pries
SSoonU.
FARM, GARDEN AlfD HOUSEHOLD.
Farm Notes.
To find the number of tonu of hay in
long or square stacks, the following is
s-iven as a rule : MUiuniy me icngin in
yards by the width in yards, and that by J
nan tne aiuiuae in yams, mm uiviue
the product by fifteen. To find the num
ber ol tons in circular si aegs : muiiipiy
the square of the circumference in yards
by four times the altitude in yards, and
divide by 100. The quotient will be the
number ot cubic yards in the stack.
Then divide by fifteen to get the num
ber of tons.
An exchange says : The rhubarb plant
requires so little labor in its cultivation,
and is at once so healthful and delicious,
that every garden should contain a sup
ply for home use. witn tne exception oi
forking up in the spring, and working
in manure once every season, rhubarb
Slants require little attention until they
ave remained in the same spot five or
six years. At the end of this time they
should be divided and put in new soil.
A farmer experimented with the milk
of a cow and found that it required fif
teen pounds of milk, in winter and
twenty-two and a nail an summer io
make a pound of butter. Feed, in sum
mer, pasture only ; in winter eight ears
of corn, soaked, and two quarts of bran,
fed dry twice a day. inesame cow
gave nearly twenty-hve per cent.
more milk when milked three times a
day.
E. M. Washburne, in speaking of the
care of dairy cattle, says: In the best
dairies in North Holland there is but a
very small amount of grain fed to the
cows or young stock, and of nil I have
imported 1 have never had one tnat
would eat grain without teaching, by
mixing with hay or roots, or some root
they were accustomed to eat.
If a stock of bones can be secured.
pack them in a barrel with a quantity
of unleached ashes, and keep the whole
moist but not wet. After a iew months
break un the bones into fine powder.
This will possess every fertilizing qual
ity of the best bone dust.
For scabby legs in poultry take equal
parts of lard and kerosene oil, and
thicken with sulphur into a paste. This
should be rubbed upon the legs until
the soubby parts come oil', when they
should be smeared with sweet oil.
Bone meal is one of the best fertilizers
for grapes. It should be applied as
early in the season as possible. About
a ton to tho aero will make a valuable
dressing for two or three years.
To destroy pin worms in horses, gi ire
an injection ot salt and water two or
three davs in succession, then adminis
ter a ball consisting of half an ounce of
aloes and one drachm of calomel.
Keeping cattle on hay or straw alone
is a little like living on bread, or pota
toes, or meat alone, with nothing ex
cept that one dish . . Feed some roots as
well as hay or shorts.
l-ioss ot appetite, thirst, diarrhrca, gen
era! weakness and bluenessof the comb
are the principal symptoms of chicken
cholera.
Luck in farming is in selecting the
seed with care, draining the fields, keep-
out the cattle, and having good fences.
Afterclnekens arc a month old cracked
corn and wheat screenings are better
for them than dough.
IlousrholiI Hints.
A I able Oksamest. bew coarse
flannel around a goblet with the stem
broken off.put this shapely dome upon
saucer ot water, wet the tlunnel and
sprinkle over as much flax seed as will
adhere to it. Tho flannel will absorb
the water from the saucer, which should
oltcn be replenished. In bout
two weeks the flannel will be concealed
in a beauttlul verdure, which will vie
with any table ornament. .
To wash iSF.w t i.annel. rut new
flannel into clean cold water, and keep it
in lor a fortnight, changing the water
six or seven times; then wash it wen
witu cican warm water and soap to get
wul uit jiij ui'ttn.i, XUU win mm niu
flannel Will never get hard or shrink
To Clean 11AIK BitfSHES. A dessert
spoonful of hartshorn to a quart of cold
water, in a wash-hand basin. Imp in
the hair brushes, and rub them until
clean. Then rinse well ' with cold
water; rub dry with a towel, and stand
upright at an open window.
(joveking kor jahs. A good water
proof paper for covering jars used in
preserving, etc , may be made by brush
ing over the paper with boiled linseed
oii and suspending it over a line until
dry.
Potatoes Urown Without Planting.
A French gentleman, L. Laeliaume,
declares that he can produce proliferous
potatoes at will a conclusion based on
the following experience: Last spring
he pi teed a moderate-sized tubpr on a'
cellar shelf, and systematically pinched
on the 6prouts every week, un the 1st
of September the rind burst, and a few
days niter lour or live small potatoes
appeared. His explanation is that the
constant repression of exterior growth
caused this internal development of
buds. Anybody can try this interesting
experiment. Whether this singular
tendency can be turned to any practical
account remains to be seen. The young
tubers are developed at the expense of
the mother tuber, as is proved by the
gradual disappearance and ehriveling
ot the tissues of the latter, but when
separated they will grow independently
just as any whole seed potato or set
ouiu uo. id is just possiuie tiiat seea
potatoes so produced might have some
ad vantage over others produced in the
ordinary way, especially for forcing
urposes. As a matter of physiological
significance this case is paralleled by
the occasional production ot internal
buds in trees,, and which owing to their
imperfect development, produce tho
knots which are so commonly met
with.
Dust for lilce on Cattle.
A writer in the Famvers' Advocate
says : some ten or twelve years ago an
agricultural writer observed his bull to
be tree iroin lice, but not fo the rest ol
his cattle; and thinking over the matter
lie came to the conclusion that the habit
of pawing the dirt over himself must
have the etiect ot Keeping lice on tne
bull, and lie tried dry earth on the rest
of the cattle with the best effect. Ever
since reading the above I have used
nothing but dry earth, and have ire
quently put it on cattle having lice, and
quently put it on cattle having lice, and
ave found it perfectly efficacious, both
. preventive and as a cure. If in
winter I find it needed and cannot get it
otherwise, I go into my cellar and get a
lew quarts (no danger of using too
much) and dry it on the stove. I then
sprinkle it over the back from head to
tail, and the earth, working in and
through the hair soon destroys all lice.
I believe the earth to be just as effica
cious, less dangerous, and less ex pen
sive than tobacco or any of the acids
recommended.
TIMELY TOPICS.
Preliminary arrangements have been
made for a new American Arctic expe
dition, under the direction of Dr. Eniil
. . . . . r e i - ' Lie 4Y f
xSesseJ, lttte Ciller oi uie suienwuu emu ui
the Polaris. The expedition will be
fitted out by private enterprise. It will
Bfiil for the North next year, via Jones'
sound, where the vessel intends to es J
trthiiah n. meteorological station iu co
operate with those of the international
congress. Al inis siawon a yueut win
be left to maintain communication,
while a powerful steamer will push as
far north as possible.
A short time since an item went the
rounds of the press to the effect that W.
J 4 Uhappeiio, a snow aeeni, who,
eighteen years ago, befriended a young
Irish girl, had received $500 from the
girl, who it seems had married a
wealthylCalifornian. The item went on
to say that the money was sent to pay
Chappelle's expenses to California only,
and tho inference was that he would be
made a rich man by the grateful Irish
girl of years past. People who read the
item with a tinge of envy toward Chap
pelle and regret that they had allowed
a number of golden opportunities to cant
bread upon the waters to pass by un
heeded, thinking perhaps if they had
been a little more liberal they might
now be reaping their reward people of
this sort will no doubt be pleased to
learn that the whole ailair was a grand
hoax nlaved unon the showman. He
thinks Wambold, the New York min
strel, is at the bottom of it.
The Kentuckv house of representa
tives has passed a bill to punish theft by
a male with corporal punisnment oy
stripes, not exceeding thirty-nine, or by
imprisonment, in the discretion oi ine
jury. The American Israelite, in none
ing this act of the Kentuck) house, gives
the origin of the thirty-nine, or lorty
less one, l.oshes. It says : " The thirty
nine lashes are taken from tho Kaboni
cal code, which modified the forty lashes
in the law of Moses to thirty-nine, be
cause he who received that punishment
is called in benpture Kasha, "a wicked
man,' and the rabbis legislated that
none in Israel should be branded as a
Kasha for the commission of one crime
of that eatagory ; therefore, they would
not inllict the lull punishment oi ine
law on any culprit, and changed the
forty lashes to thirl y-nine." Theft un
der the Mosaic law was not punished
by stripes; a fine, or lossof liberty until
the fine was paid by the culprit's labor,
was the punishment for theft according
to Moses.
The evidence taken before the court of
inquiry into the Tay bridge disaster
brought out nothirg of any importance,
except the fact that one of the eflicials
the south side of the bridge noticed
spurts if suing from the train through
out nearly tho whole distance between
tho south side of the bridge and the high
girders. These sparks appear to have
been due to the great pressure of the
wind grinding the train against the
rails on the eastern side of the bridge.
One of the guards gave evidence to hav
ing witnessed the same thing on a previ
ous occasion, when a very strone west
'"ind was blowing, and to its having so
alarmed him that, thinking an axle was
broken, ho put on the brake. At the
point, too. where the catastrophy oc
curred, the rails were broken out on the
eastern side, as though torn up by the
excessive pressure of the train from
their place. For the rest, nothing has
been discovered, nor is now likeiy to be
discovered, as to the character ot the
disaster.exceptthat one witness living to
the west of tlio bridge, but above it. de
clared that ho saw a girder give way
and fall into the river before the train
came up.
In Belgium the flying of pigeons has
become a national pastime in no coun
trv on the giobo is the raising ot carrier
pigeons carried on to the degree ot per
fection that it is there . And in no coun
try Goes the raising of pigeons and the
transporting oilliem lor racing purposes
form such an item of importance to the
government as it does there. Here are
some tigurc3 which seem incredible, hut
winch are vouched lor as "oiuciai."
The pigeon fanciers of Belgium paid
30,000 to the Belgium government as
freight for transporting pigeons last
year alone. It is claimed that 1.500.000
pigeons were taken from Belgium into
France the former country being too
small for the starting of any impoitant
races within its own bounds during
1&79. The greatest race of recent years
was that of last year, from Home to
Brussels, a distance of 900 miles. Eleven
hundred birds were entered and less
than two hundred ever returned. The
rest were lost one way or another. Four
of these birds, singularly enough, got to
Philadelphia. They were picked up at
sea by an Italian vessel, the Clara Pick
ens, bound for that port, a short dis
tance off the island of Majores, in the
Mediterranean, 400 miles from the land,
so lired that they alighted on the ves
sel and were caught while asleep.
These birds had their owner's marks
stamped on their feathers.
A $1,000 Prize.
The treasurer of the Franklin Institute
has in his charge the sum of $1,000,
which has been deposited by Uriah A.
Boyden, Esq., of Boeton. to be awarded
as a premium to any resident of North
America or the West Indies islands who
shall determine by experiment whether
all rays of light and other physical rays
are or are not transmitted with the
same velocity. Each competitor will
be required to transmit to the secretary
of the institute before the first day of
January next a memoir describing in
detail the apparatus, mode of experi
menting and the results. These memoirs
will be submitted to three judges, to be
appointed by the board of managers of
the institute, and who are to be citizens
of the United Statesof competent scien
tific ability. Should the judges think
proper they may require the experi
ments aescrioea in any oi tue memoirs
to be repeated in their presence. Every
memoir must be anonymous, but must
contain, some motto or tisn by which it .
can be recognized or designated, and
must also be accompanied by a sealed
envelope, indorsed on the outside with
the same motto or sign, and to contain
the name and address or the author ot
the memoir. Philadelphia Record.
It is better to be unknown tlian
hav a pedigree that iz too nv-h for us
ust so it is better for a pekok to k e bob-
allei than to hav one too big to trref.
th Billings.
The Engine.
Into the gloom ol the deep, dork night,
With panting breath and a startled scream
Swilt as a bird in sudden flight
Darts this creature ol steel and steam.
Awtul dangers are lurking nigh,
ltocks and chasms are near the track,
But straight by the light oi iU great white eye
It speeds thro' the Bhadows, dense and black.
Terrible thoughts and florce desires
Trouble its mad heart many an hour,
Where burn and smolder the hidden fires,
Coupled over with might and power.
It hates as a wild horse hates the rein,
The narrow track by vale and hill;
And shrieks with a cry oi Btartled pain,
And longs to lollow its own wild will.
Oh, what am I but an engine shod
With mnsolo and flceh by the hand ot Qod,
Speeding on thro' tho dense, dark night,
Guided alom by the soul's white light.
Olton nnd olton my mad heart tires,
And hates its way with bitter hnto,
And longs to lollow its own desirei,
And leave the end in the hands ol lute.
Oh, ponderous engine of steel and stetim;
Oh, human engine of flesh and bone
Follow the white light's certain lieam
There lies safety, and there alone.
The narrow track ot tearless truth,
Lit by the soul's great ue of light,
Ob, passionate heart ol restless youth,
Alone will curry you thro the night.
Ella Whaler, in Inler-Octan.
ITEMS OF INTEREST.
Thenext Fe irunry with five Sundays
in it will be in 1920.
Did you ever see a dog bark his shins?
Philadelphia Item.
Iondoncrs are to have sca-water pipes
connected with their houses.
Beaconstiold says: "When I want
to read a novel I write one."
A poor relation The crude effort of a
story-writer. American Punch.
The Indians in the school at Carlisle.
Pa., are taught military tactics.
The English laws compel the veloci
pede riders to carry a headlight nnd a
bell.
ores are cheap, except when they
are sent over the Atlantic cable. Gw
cinnati Saturday Kiyht.
The aggregate salaries of the New
York city school teachers for 1879
amounted to $1,009,207.
It is better to give than to receive.
but the plan will never be very popular
in this country. Mao lork, nvpress.
The Sultan of Turkey spends $12,-
000,000 a year on himself, the eunuichs,
sultana and courtiers that reside in his
palace.
An exchange wishes to know if sugar
is extracted from dead beats. No. sir;
chad beats have no "sugar." Waterloo
Observer.
A man can buy a hat for one dollar.
It takes from ten to fifteen fi r i oman
lo go comparatively barclir : !. l. Val-
ujoLurowUc.
Henry Smith, the famous wzor strop
man, ot flew xork, was a heavy specu.
itor. and lost in one day, a lew year-
ago, $00,000 by the fall in stocks.
An Albany merchant recently shipped
some goods by way ot Mew lork to
London. The freieht to New York was
$20.90, and from New York to Ixindon
$24. The distances are 150 miles nnd
ibout 3.000 miles.
Tf the theorist who avers that animals
cau resist temptation will experiment
by poking his neighbor's big bull-dog
in the ribs, he'll find that his theory,
together with his trowsers, will be torn
in shreds. Uackensack llepuhlican.
A victim of domestic infelicity, who .
is in the habit of dreaming, should
never go to sleep in church. A con
gregation near Quiucy was somewhat
startled last Sabbath when a venerable
member cxcitcrHy yelled, " Here, new,
drop that skillet, old woman!" Quincy
Modern Aiyo. -
A French lad, aged ten years, recently
ran away from his school in the village
of Savelot, and went to a neighbor s
house where a wedding was being cele
brated. The nuptial parly made him
drunk on wine, and told him to beware
of his master's rod next day. This so
heightened the youngster that ho got a
rope and hanged himself in the garden,
where his body was found frozen the
next morning.
Old Nickelpinch's grandson called his
attention toabird the other day. "That's
no bird," began tho old man. "Why,
yes, it is, grandpa," interrupted the boy,
" don't you see it pick up tho crumbs at
the door." "That's no bird," repeated
Nickelpinch , when the youngest ag iin
yelled , " I say it is a bird, an' I'll leave
it to gian'ma'if it ain't." " That snow
bird, calmly remarked grandpa, "is
the first one I have seen this season."
Yale has graduated 4 signers of the
Declaration of Independence; 140 mem
bers of the United States House ot Rep
resentatives ; 41 United States Senators ;
15 ambassadors to foreign courts; 16
cabinet officers, including Mr. Evarts;
16 lieutenant governors and 29 governors
of States; the lexicographers Webster
and Worcester; 4 presidents oi theo
logical seminaries; 65 presidents of col
leges, and 250 professors in colleges and
professional schools.
The comparative force ot gunpowder
and dynamite was discussed by two
miners at Tunka, Cal. They agreed, as
test, to explode certain quantities ot
the substances under two planks, the
friend of gunpowder to stand on the
dynamite plank and the friend of dyna
mite on the other. The trial was made
in the presence of an interested crowd
of spectators. It resulted in a broken
leg ior the man who was luted ten feet
into tho air by the dynamite, and un
counted bruises ior the one whom the
gunpowder threw aguinBt the trunk of a
tree.
In deepening a river In the neighbor
hood of Norrkoping, Bays the limber
Trade Journal, in order to make it ac
cessible for ships of heavier draught,
among several objects of interest
brougUt up from the bottom, eight oak
trees were found at a depth of seven feet
under the old bottom. The bark was
almost decayed, and when it was taken
off the wood was found to be hard and
black, resembling ebony. The tre s are
supposed to have- been lying in the
earth 900 years. The trees huve been
sold to a firm of joiners, who intend
using them for cabinet work.
lo