A. " I ..l M m I HI. !! I , i, i i WW I I I,,! i .-..y -m J- m.m. f--- fl it T f nt' t'"J mlQMJMl1" I ' I tj I . . .1. , , . , I. II I I 11 I. I I . II I. II HENRY A. PARSONS, Jr., Editor and Publisher Nllj DESPEll ANDtJM. Two Dollars per Annum. VOL. X. RIDGWAY, ELK COUNTY v PAM THURSDAY, SEPTEMBER 9, 1880. NO 29. Shadow Land. For I ram the world that we live in to-day Shadow land lies ; None know how far it is, none know the way, What are Its boundaries no one can say, Only surmisff; No one in life has sot foot on that shore, Formed lroin the wreck ol the sad nevermore. Memory governs this shadowy land, Keiirainir flnnrnmn Ofttiraej there comes at her word olJ command Forms we have known lrom the lar distant strand, Faint a I a dream; Forms of those dear in the days which have flown, Forms of jboloved ones in life's morning known. With thorn they bring long lost scenes ot the pa-it, Back to onr view; Pictures ot IricndBhips not destined to last, Loves that grew weak 'neath adversities' blast Painted anew; Ridges anil ripplei i ni'j shit ting snnd, Hidden till now in the far shadow land' Tintlcii Maaazine. LINK BY LINK. The shower was ended. A brisk western breeze was rapidly tearing nway the gr7 thuuder-elouds from the face ol the J une sky, and the sun shone down with renewed fervor. "'As hot as 'twas before the rain!" exclaimed Mrs. Curtis', as she opened her parasol and leisurely stepped liom the Ileywood drygoods store in which site had, half an hour before, taken shelter from the storm. " Yes, it U nia'aat." said Mr. Brown, the proprietor, handing her the bundles she had boupht from him, and he added : " You'll have a hot walk under this hrilin'-hot sun. Better run in to out house an' stay ter tea. You hain't seen the twins yet.. Smartest little critters ever was. Mrs. Brown's gettin' on finely and will bo glad to see you." " Thanks ; I'd like to, but I must hurry home and can my currants. Be sides, I wouldn't undertake that long walk through the pine wood after dark for anything in the world. It's gloomy enough in the daytime. Give my respects to your wife; tell her I'll drop in soon and see her and the babies. Good day," "Gooa-day," said Brown, and he added, as he saw Mrs. Curtis hurrying down the street, " Queer critter!" Yes, by ail the inhabitants of Hey wood. Mrj. Curtis was called peculiar, the was upwards of fifty years, tall and erect, with iron-gray hair, ruddy checks and keen, dark eye. And decidedly she was a person that nr nderi her own busi ness. She had lived iu Haywood over live ycarH, yet in all that time not a sin gle person had been able to gleam any information concerning her past life. All that eouid be ascertained was that she was a widow, childless and with a little pi opnrty, consisting of a comfort able cottage surrounded Tby a few acres of land, and with a few hundred dollar in the Haywood bank. Meanwhile, Mr. Brown returned to his counter to wait on a customer, and Mrs Curtis pursusd her journey home ward. For some distance her road led along the dusty highway, then she turned into a little footpath through the daisj-dotted meadow, then across the creek bridge, until presently she came to the dense vine woods whose shade was very pleating to her. When about half way through the woods filie came to a small patch ci late strawberries. She stooped to pick them. Her brown, hard-working hands were nearly full of the Jmeious red berries, when a rustling and a footstep startled her. She hastily glanced up. In an iiidtant an iron-like hand was clutching her throat, and only the frightened, wild wood birds could toil the rest! About two miles from the village of Hey wood, and on the. banks of Briar Creek dwelt Peter Groat. He was' a German, who, with his family, had lately come to America, and in the previous autumn had bought a few acres of land bordering the creek. Here he had creeled a small but comfortable house, ard was, to all appearances, an honest, hardworking man. The only thing that could be said against him bv a few grumblers was that he was too "close," clinging tightly to his hard earned pennies, and ever on the lookout for more. But this was certainly ex cusable when it was known that ho had a mortgage on his farm, which together with the want of a rapidly increasing family, was enough to make any man greedy ot gain. It was the evening of the day on which our story began. Peter, sur rounded by his wife and children, sat placidly smoking his pipe on the littlo grass plot in front of house. The supper had been'caton, the cows milked, the pigs fed, the chickens housed from thievisli ruts, and all the family, young and old, felt entitled to a season of rest. Hans and Fritz wero turning somersaults on the soft grass ; Gretchen, the flaxen-haired lassie, was feeding' a pet robin; Franz the six months baby, was cuddled up to his mother's breast, contentedly smacking his lips over his evening muaU The sua went down; the shadows deepened The clock in the distant vil lage struck the hour of eight. Peter Groat rose, shook the ashes from his pipe, and said: Come, kinder, it is late. The dew is falling, and let's to bed." "Vater! vater!" suddenly cried Hans and Fritz, running up from the gate, " there is tvmun coining in our yard a stranger!" Peter slowly sauntered down to meet the new comer. Ha was a a elderly man, with a tanned and rugged face, sandy hair sprinkled with gray, and dark, deep set eyes, somewhat inilamed. His clothes were of good material, although worn and dusty with travel. In his haud he car ried a large satchel. "Good-evening," he said, courte ously. " Evening to you, sir." replied Peter Groat. " I'm a peddler," said the man.speak ing in German. " I have sold nearly ail ray goods, and am on my way back to New York. I got left by the train and undertook to walk to the next sta tion. I lost my way and find that I will have to get lodgings lor tho night. Cau you help mer" "The good book commands us to how hospitality," 8id Peter. " And although we are not rich, we never yet turned away a benighted traveler. So, come in, and my frau shall get you something to eat." The table was soon spread with a neat, white cloth upon which was placed a platter of cold boiled meat, garnished with vegetables, then a plate of white bread, a roll of butter, a dish of shining black raspberries and a plate of spicy ginger cookies, "Ifeel too dirty to sit down to a decent table," said the traveler, with a smile. " May I trouble you for a basin of water P" It was brought. As he took off his coat preparatory to washing his face and hands, Gretchen, who stood beside him witli a fresh towel in her hands, uttered a slight scream. " Blood !" she cried. " There's blood onyour sleeves!" . The basin of water fell from the stranger's hands. His face shone white through the glistening drops of water he had dashed upon it. Then with an ef fort, he said, carelessly: "Ah, yes; thrse rocks by the creek made quite a gash in my Bhoulder. You s e," blandly explaining, " while I was lost I thought I'd try to cross the creek. It was getting dark, and when I reached the other side, I found it so rocky that I could scarcely climb up. I got halfway, then a sudden misstep made me fall. A sharp piece of rock pierced my shoulder, and, indeed, it has caused me consider able pain." "Acli, too bad!" said Frau Groat. " I have a soothing lotion Which you may put on before you go to bed." "Thanks. And I'll goto bed right after I've had my supper, if you please, for I am very tired. Besides, I will have to rise early to-morrow morning, so that I may take the first train." The next morning the whole family was up in time to see their guest depart. Ho partook with good appetite of Frau Groat's breakfast of ham and eggs; he listened quietly and with seeming rev erence to his host as he read a chapter lrom the old, black German Bible and offered up the usual morning prayer; then, just as he was ready to start, be inquired what he Bhould pay for his board and lodging. "Oh, notings notings! You are woleome to the bed and the bite!" said Groat, hortily . " You're very kind," said the stranger . " But I feel that I ought to repay you in some way. See here" opening his satchel "if you will not let me give money, pray do me the kindness of ac cepting these little tokens of gratitude. Here, Frau Groat, are two pairs of stockings that would just fit your busy feet, and here, Gretchen, is a bran new piece 01 calico, more than enough for a dre3S. They are the only things I did not sell, end I do not care to lug them home again." The two women accepted his gifts with much pleasure, and, with mutual ex pressions ol good luck, the traveler and his kind entertainers parted. The for mer wore a blue-cheeked shirt of Peter Groat's. He left his own behind him. telling Frau Groat that it was too soiled fur wearing, but that she might keep it in exchange for the one she had given tin. As the stranger's shirt was of ex cellent material, with linen hosom and cuffs, tho worthy dame thought she had tnacie good a rmrgam. IAAAU.UA Mi(,JDUllt l AClAAlAi;! All LUC vicinity of Ilevwood, missed one of his cows that Friday night, and eariy on the loiiowing morning set out to make seuch for her. Ho hunted through the meadow lands, followed the course of the creek quite a way. and finallv enter ed the pine woods. When about half way through, a brown object lying on tho grass a little distance from him, at tracted ms attention, iiewenttoit. It was a large piece of wrapping paper, and a long bit of twine was lying beside it. The paper was damp with drew, and, as Greyson carelsssly turned it over in his hand, he observed some red spots on it. He examined them more closely. They were the bloody prints of a thumb and lingers' lie looked around him keenlv. He soon noticed that the bank of ferns bor dering the path was, in one tdace. crushed and broken . He followed these marks ; they led him to the densest and ni03t unfrequent part of the woods, and there, in a hollow, almost covered with low unaerbrusii, lay tho body of a woman. It was Mrs. Curtis, lying stiff and stark, with a bloody gash across her throat ! Two hours later, a party of men was haunting the leafy labyrinths of the pine woods. They were endeavoring to had the trail of tho murderer. An hour passed and they had met with no success. Some of them had gathered together for the purpose of con sultation, when suddenly a cry from one of their companions, who was a lit tle distance from them, attracted their attention. "See what J have found!" he cried holding up a spool of thread. It was dirty and dingy, nnd wet with dew; but Mr. Brown, the merchant, who was with the party, recognized it at once, he said 1 "It's one of the spools poor Mrs. Curtis bought- of me yesterday. It's pink, you see. She was real particular about tho color. She was piecing a chair cushion, and wanted the right shade. Now, it's evident that the vil lain who murdered her took this route through the woods. See how the ferns are crushed dew this way. Hurry, we've got a clew now!" The trail led them out of the woods into the meadow, and opened right into tho yard of Peter Groat. They were going around to the back door to knock, and ask if any of the inmates had seen a stranger lurking about the premises, wheu Mr. Brown chanced to look in the window. A look of extreme consternation over spread his ruddy face. "My God!" he cried, "see there!" All turned and looked in the window. The room was unoccupied. The clock ticked cheerfully in one corner. A cat was cozily curled upon a chair cushion, purring contentedly. But on the table in the centre of the room lay two pairs ol stockings, and near them, half-unrolled, was a dresi pattern of lilac calico. That calico!" said Mr. Brown, im pressively" that calico is the identical piece I sold sirs. Curtis yesterday after noon. I should know it anywhere. It's peculiar, you see a bunch of white lilacs on a purple ground. It was all I had. Besides, I should know the piece because on one end there is about a half a yard imperfectly printed, which has holes in it, too. I remember I let Mrs. Curtis have it a bit cheaper on that ac count. Now Peter Groat knows where the murderer is, or" solemnly and nlowly " ho did the deed hiuiseli l" Tan party of men weht silently and soberly to the back-door. And here thev were horrified in finding fresh evidence Frau Groat was engaged in washing a blood-stained shirt! They sternly asked her to whom it belonged, but the poor woman, who could no speak Englisti, could only look at them in a frightened way. Her husband now came in from the garden, and him they sternly interroga ted, while some of the more impetuous boldly accused him of the murder of the unfortunate Mrs. Curtis. His frightened face, his confusion, his incoherent utterance, his trembling de nials were only so much more against him. Besides, he knew scarcely any more English than did his wife, and later, when calm, his story of the traveler who had stooped at his house was received with disbelief and derision. Poor, friendless and a stranger, things looked very dark against him. Weeks passed; his trial came. He was sentenced to b e hanged ! Rev. Mr. Marshall, rector of St. John's church, Brookdale, a village some two hundred miles distant from Heywood, wa3 in his study one September morn ing, 1878. He was suffering out an at tack of influenza which he had taken the night before while on a visit .to a sick parishoner. Consequently comply ing with his wife's request that lie should do no studying or writing, Mr. Marshall was lazily stretched on ae loungo in front of a cherry lire.. His eight year old son Tom was in room, every now and then running up to his father with some request. At last one was: " Papa, it's Saturday, how shall I spend the day P Wish I had a kite ! Do you know how to make one, papaP" "I used to, Tom. I don't know whether I've forgotten how to do it or not. Give me the newspaper on the table, please, and the scissors. Then run out iu the woodshed and get me soma of those sticks on the shelf, also a hammer and small nails. Stay, don't be in such a hurry ; ask Hannah to make a little flour paste." Tom hurried away, and while waiting for him to return, his father glanced over the columns of the newspaper he was cutting. It was one that his friend, Mr. Brown, of Heywood, had sent him. his eyes chanced to fall on these words: "The German. Peter Groat, who murdered Mrs. Curtis, has been sen tenced to bo hung on the second Friday in next month. Groat, althougn a stran ger, was supposed to be a respectable man and one not at all capable of per petrating such a horrible crime. But tho evidences of his guilt are most con clusive. The morning after the murder his wife was found washing a bloody shirt, also a knife stained with blood was found hidden near a woodpile. Be sides goods belonging to the murdered woman were found in Groat's house. The only thing missing is a curious old snuff-box of some black wood, quaintly carved in the shape of a toad. Her name, Hepsibah Curtis, is engraved inside. But without this, the evidence is strong enough to hang him." " Poor fellow ! " murmured Mr. Mars hall, as he laid down the paper. " It makes one dread to read the news one comes across so many horrors." "Papa! papa! you needn't mind about the kite now!'' cried Tom, rushing in with shining eyes. Uncle George just called me over to his house he is going fishing, and says he will take mo along. May 1 go? " If mamma is willing." " She is. I asked her. And I've been digging grubs and tish-worms for bait, you know. But see what a nice bait-box I've got." " An old snuff-box. Where did you. get it?" " Myron Mason gave it to me." "Who is Myron Mason?" " Oh, a new man Uncle George got to work in his garden. He's gathering pears and trenching the celery. Myron was a tramp ho caruo along, but he is real nice. The box is nice, too. See what a' funny shape it is!" "Atoad. Quick! Let me see, Tom!" Mr. Marshall had not olosely ob served tho box until now, and it was with trembling lingers that ho opened it "Hepsibah Curtis" was the name en graved on the inner cover! Mr. Marshall's face was white, but his vr xe was calm, as ho said : '"1". just run over and tell your Uncle Gaorge to como over here a few minutes I want to talk with him on a little business." Three days later Myron Mason, alias Jasper Armand, was arrested for the murder of Mrs. Curtis. He made no resistance; he told no falsehoods; he simply confessed the whole affair, slating that he had mur dered the woman out ot revenge. Ten years before the two had lived in a distant town. He had always been wild and dissolute, but had been tho be trothed of Mrs. Curtis' sister, a gentle and lovely woman. Mrs. Curtis had opposed the match, knowing that it would cause her sister a life of misery. Also, finding that Armand. belonged to a gang of counterfeiters, she promptly gave evidence against him. He was condemned to ten years' im prisonment. This he bore patiently, mentally vowing that, when released, he would at once wreak vengeance on the woman who had foiled his plans and blighted his life. When the time was expired and the Erison doors opened to let him pass out, e found that the woman he loved was dead, and that the woman be hated was living in lley wood. Thither he went. He hid seen Mrs. Curtis go to town, had concealed himself in the woods to await her return. He did not take the articles she carried merely lor the sake oi robbery, but to have suspicion point its finger at some other party. At the conclusion of his confession, he said that he had no desire ot concealing it any longer. His life was mado wretched by iheTiorrible crime he had committed, and death and exposure were njt un welcome. The next day after his con finement in the jail he was found dead in his cell. He had ended his life by poison. As lor Peter Groat he was at once re leased, and all the inhabitants of Hey wood strove to express their regret and regard for him, but to these Peter only shook his head, saying: " He did not care for to live in a blace where de folks vas so ready to plieve him a pad man!" So he sold his little home, packed his goods, and. with his wife and children, moved to the Far West, where, it is to be hoped, in spite of sweet charity's sake, he was more careful in entertaining benighted travel ers ! A v )'ve, sea ion is pro! whiter, icted for pcxt timely Tericg, James Iiedpalh, the New York Tri bune correspondent in Ireland, says that by the present system in Ireland 7,000 landlords get nut of the land $90,000,000 a year, and the government extracts $33,000,000 more. This leaves orly $50,000,000 to clothe and feed inhabi tants. It is calculated that the Value of the oyster sales in the United States for the present year win reacn to aoout tue lol- 000; Baltimore, $30,000,000; Philadel phia, $8,000,000; Norfolk. Va., $5,000, 000; Elsewhere in the United States, $5,000,000. Total, $75,000,000. The latest marvel in applied science is the discovery by the inventor of the Bell telephone and Sumner Taintor, of Watertown, that " sounds can be pro duced by the action of a variable light from substances of all kinds, when in the form of thin diaphrams." In other words, a ray of light is substituted lor the connecting wire, and sounds at one station are reproduced at another. When they shear sheep in Australia they mean 'business, as may be imag ined when tne nocks aggregate over two hundred thousand. There are some men there, proprietors of half a million sheep. Edoes os Co.. ol JNewooutn Wales, urjon one of their sheep farms at Burrawand, had a sheep snearmg wmcn lasted ten weeks, during which time no less than 206,133 sheep were shorn! To do this work 100 shearers, in addition to the "station hands, were employed, and in a single day 8.216 sheep were deprived of their fleeces. Theaggregate yield was J sia bales, tne gross weignt ot which was 400 tons. On previous occasions the same part'es have shorn over 5115, 000 sheep : but the present has been the largest amount of wool ever produced at a single snearing. A most remarkable series oi contribu tions to science has been received from the fishermen of Cape Ann. When the U. S. Fish Commission had its head quarters at Gloucester, in 1878, a general interest in tne zoological work sprang up among the owners of the fishing ves sels, and eince that time they have been vying with eacli other in efforts to find new animals. The number of separate lots received exceeds 800. At least thirty fishing vessels now carry collec tion tanks on every trip, and many oi the fishermen, with characteristic sup erstitution, have the idea that it insures good luck to have a tank on board, and will not go to sea without one. The number of specimens acquired in this manner is at least 60,000. Probably there is no branch of Ameri can manufactures that has made more rapid strides during late years than the manufacture of watches. A generation ago the greater portion of watches worn in this country were imported, whereas at the present time the number received from abroad does not exceed the num ber of American watches exported. It is claimed that the first watch manu factured in this country for the trade was made in Shrewsbury in 1781 by Luther Goddard, a clockmaker, who procured foreign workmen to make the finer portion. The business continued until 1781, when it was removed to Worcester, Mass. One of the earliest watches is now preserved by the Ameri can antiquarian society at Worcester. Waltham, Mass., is at present the Beat of the American watch industry, thougli time pieces of excellent quality are turned out in various other locali ties, and they are generally preferred to the Swiss. Electricity in the Human Body. Most people are familiar with the " spark" which may be produced under certain conditions by stroking the fur of a cat; end travelers in Canada and other cold, dry countries have witnessed the still more remarkable phenomenon of the human body being turned into a conductor of electricity, and tho possi bility of lighting the gas by merely placing one's finger given the neces sary conditions of electrical excitement near the gas jet, without any other agency. Mr. A. W. Mitchinson, the African traveler, who is engaged in writing a narrative ol his exploring ex peditions in Western Central Africa, gives some still more startling facts, life states that, one evening, when strik ing an African native, in a moment of anger, with a cowhide whip, he ivas astonished to see sparks produced, and still more surprised to find the natives themselves were quite accustomed to the phenomenon. He subsequently found that a very light touch, repeated several times, under certain conditions of bodily excitement, and in certain states of the atmosphere, would produce a succession of sparks from the bodies of native men as well as native cattle. A lazv negro. it seems, yielded none of these signs of electricity a rather unfortunate cir cumstance for his more active brethren) who may possibly come in lor a share of undeserved flogging from the hands of future travelers in search of electrical phenomena among the human race. We are not aware that these facts have been recorded by other travelers, but they certainly deserve thorough sifting by competent observers.- London Lan ctl. tare of Cut Flowers. The following hints in regard to the care of cut flowers, though containing nothing novel, may be useful as re minders to those who cull choice flowers to decorate the home : Flowers decay much'sooner when tied in bunches than when arranged loosely. When gathering flowers, use a pair of shears, or a knife for woody plants, such as roses, camellias, deutzias, fuchsias, and the like. It is far better to gather your flowers than to let them fade upon the plants. A cool room is best adapted for keeping flowers fresh. Take away each flower as it fades, or it will destroy the others. Hot water will often restore flowers to freshness, even when every p tal is drooping. Place the stems in a cup of boiling hot water; let them re main until each petal has smoothed; then cut off the coddled ends and place them in water of moderate temne? fit li ro Ammonia added to the water will also revive them quickly. When going for wild flowers or ferns carry a close-fitting tin box, and have a wet sponge and a basket, the smaller flowers shut in the box, and stems of larger flowers in serted in me pores oi iuh sponge, which you carry in the basket. Flowers should always be transported, fn air- TRiSON LIFE Imilos-ment4, Vict niil Tricks of the - Convicts at Anbum, N.I, A letter from Auburn, N. Y says: There are many "desirable situations" even In a prison, and the strife among convicts to secure these places is as tonishing. The position of waiter is a particularly good one . A waiter's duty consists of taking care of the shop, office, hall, or wing where employed. There is but little to do, and the convict is enabled to read, chew tobacco and talk to his heart's content. A place as at tendant in the hospital is one of the best in the prison. The convict has many opportunities to secure a dish of milk or some delicacy purchased for the patient. The men in the hospital live like kings, so to speak, and enjoy many advantages that ttie convicts in the shops never know. The kitchen is a place much sought after as the men can once in a while make little dishes for themselves, such as they would not otherwise ob tain. There are convicts who have more influence witli the officers than would ba imagined, and not infrequently they exercise it in securing"a position. Gambling is carried on to a great de gree. The convicts do not use cards, as one would suppose those are too liable to detection. They bet on events, changes in the weather, the time of day, and everything ot mat character, iney also " odd andeven," " flip," " match,1' " roll," " throw for th crack," nnd the like. Convicts are not supposed to carry money, but they do just the same, and sometimes considerable sums. As they are carefully searched and their clothing taken trom tnem, tne men cannot take money into the prison with them. They obtain their money usually from friends wno visit tnem. They sew the money up in their cloth ing, and it is seldom that it is discov ered. Occasionally a man will be found with ten or twenty dollars in coins in his coat collar, or other parts of the clothing. There are pawnbrokers and money-lenders. These criminal Shy locks are more exacting than the "uncles" of the street. The convicts "put up" some trinkets which they mostly all have, or pledge something else to get a few dimes or pennies. Gambling is the great evil, but it is the only exciting pastime the convicts have. If a keeper or guard can be "bought" the convicts will pay him a good salary right along to perform services for them, such as bringing in papers, tobacco and edibles, and taking out letters. Some convicts keep up a regular correspon dence with friends outside. The letters "pass through the underground," as the officers term it. A convict prevails upon the foreman of his shop, who is always an outsider, or some citizen, as there art many of them employed in the fine work in the prison, to carry out his letters and bring back the answer. Thus icttcrs go in and out. The New York morning papers reach Auburn at four o'clock in tho afternoon, and the same afternoon, and the same evening the convicts may be found reading the news of the day " on the sly " in their cells. How the prisoners secure the papers is a mystery to many. Tho foreman of the shops, or perhaps tho officers, bring them in. The convicts will give a grefit deal for New York papers, and thev will have thcin at any price. The prisoners keep well posted on the events of the day, and discuss with intelligence any sub ject that is being treatedin the papers, if there is one thing more than another that a convict likes to do it is to ' trade.'' Tho men are bartering constantly, and some get considerable " property," which, however, they must at all times keep concealed. Not so very long ago an enterprising convict established a distillery in tho prison and engaged in the manufacture of liquor, lie ex cavated beneath a stone in the floor of the kitchen, where lie was employed, and set a small tub in the hole. With hops used in making yeast and corn and barley Used in making bread and soup, he produced a potation that would in toxicate. Drunkenness bc-cr.ms quite prevalent, and finally tho distillery was discovered and the "moonshiner "put i'l the prison jail on bread and water. While he ran the distillery he did well, and would in a short time hare been comparatively wealthy. " Beer," as it is called, is made to this day from the bread crusts, but the makers have to exercise caution. One man raised a quantity ot tomatoes on the window sili of his shop, and sold the crop for a large sum. Smoking, although strictly prohibited, is indulged in at night after the men are "locked." A spell ago' a watch was taken from a man. The con vict carried it in a leather bag sus pended in his trousers' leg by means of a string. The convicts pin things in side tneir clothing to keep them lrom the cilices, and carry knives and other implements in their hats and shoes. A Rat With a Collar. Mr. J. Enthoffer, employed on tho United States coast survey, has Contrib uted a curiosltv to the Smitltsdniiirl in- aULUtioil, which, if it adds nothing to sci- entino knowledge, will be regarded with ruu.li interest by all persons interested in the habits and adventures of rats. Mrs. Enthoffer had been annoyed for some time by a persistent rat. She oc casionally caught a glimpse of it, and was surprised to see it wore wunt ap peared to be a yellow collar. This fact gave rise to much speculation in the family as to how the rat came into pos session of the collar. The mystery was solved a few days ago when the rat wearing the collar was caught in a trap Unfortunately the rat was killed by a dog, but upon examining the body it Was found that the collar was a ring oi bone fitting tightly around toe animal's neck. The theory is that the rat when it was small had found a bone, and gnawing the center, pushed his bead through, and was unable to extricate it As he grew larger the ring of bone tight ened about his neck, and he wore it until his death as a badge of his enterprise in tne search lor looa. wammgion acpuo lican. It is tho man with onlv one suit of clothes and a small salary, my son. who has to be polite and agreeable and a rigid, faultless observer of the strictest points and forms of etiquette. The man worth $50,000 mav tramn on vour corns walk across your wife's train and eat pie witn a knife and it is all right; his Bianuing m society isn't anected by it But you don t vou. on vour Dresent salary, attempt to drink soup out of the side of your plate, if you want to marry an heiress. You can't ,fford to act t hnt wnv iuat. vof. JTi . i ' FUR THE FAIR SEX. t,afllF' FM ami Vlner nrctiflji. The earliest importations of French dresses are made up of short dresses for day wear, with very long trained skirts for full dress; the medium demi-train does not appear in the filet invoices. Very rich fabrics that give the greatest appearance of warmth are used, such ns the polka-dotted velvets, brocaded vel vet with large detached figure, and plush, with clcth for plainer costumes) the warmest colors' also appear in abun dunce, especially in the accessories that form trlm!?iing8, thougli many beautiful costumes are shotffl in two tones of the same color, especially w"heft heliotrope or other purples are employed. The dull copper reds are very stylish as an illu mination for black ; heliotrope and lav ender Bre also effectively used with black. The satin employed for draperies is very soft, and is called Surah satin, though its lustrous surface requires close weaving that conceals the twills that are the special feature of Surah silks. The corsages of new dresses are made with as few scams as possible, nnd are there fore of the simplest shapes. The short side forms of the back are used almost with out exception, though some modistes still prefer having wo side forms in the way introduced by Worth several years ago, Skirts of French dresses are fuller than they have been made at any time sinca short skirts were revived, thougli they are not made in the classic shapes popu lar here that depend so entirely upon their fullness that drapery is dispensed With. On tho contrary the first importa tions show a great deal of - drapery very bouffantly arranged, with scurf sashes that pass around the figure, and give the fullness of paniers below the hips. In deed, cash effects are given in many ways, not only with the gay fabrics of trimmings, but with whole breadths of the dress material that are draped quite straight, or elso doubled at the lower en without being cut apart, or perhaps they form one mammoth bow on the left side and a pointed corner on the right. The front and bide gores arc Clinging, and these are still made the objective points for trimming. For in stance, shirring, which has now ex tended to heavy cloths, will cover the upper half of the front and side gores, while below this will be square points of handkerchiefs, or receding scarfs opened over plaited flounces, or perhaps a series of scarls of satin will be shirred at intsrvals across the tront gore, and pass under brocaded side breadths that are as flat as panels, but which are faced with a contrasting color of satin, velvet or plush, that makes itself visible without being too conspicuous. The Jersey jacket worn during tho summer has given suggestions for some ol the new features ol cloth and camel's hair costumes, and in some suits the Jersey webbing, like stocking-net, is U3ed for the clinging waists or polo naises of such dresses. For instance, a navy blue costume has a polonaise luced behind made of Jersey webbing, fitted by a middle scam in front, and Uiiderarm seams without darts. The collar and the sash drapery are of blue plusfi lined with light yellow Surah, while the skirt is blue clotli laid in kilt pleats. Another costume, entirely of blactt Das the Jersey polonaise oi wco binz. without darts to which is at- tacucd a kilt of biack camel's hair; a .tali of polka-dotted black satin forms the bouffant drapery, and conceals the seam that joins the kilt to the polonaise. 1j?ss conspicuous than these dresses, which are meant only for very young ladies and misses, is the Jersey basque. which is fastened in fint, but is based pon the Jersey idea ot dispensing with ieles3 seams,, and is thereforj made with the French back that has no side bodies, While the fronts have but one dart, though there is often a narrow plastron or a slender vest'added, whicli compels another seam, though conceal ing it at the same time, and this gives the fullness required for the bust, which i3 usually mado by the second dart. Tuis is handsomely illustrated in a black tuieJ s naif suit that has coppor-ron r.at- with black polka dots ror trimmina. This cav satin forms a narrow vest not four inches down the front of the black asque, also ft Bhirred round collar so deep as to nearly cover the shoulder. A breadth of this satin is draped like a panicr sash on the edge of the long lain basque, which with its lew seams is made to follow every outline of the gurc lrom the throat down low on tne ios. The sash is shirred to the front ol the basque, and is fastened on the left side under a cluster ot loops ot black satin ribbon that is copper red on the wrong side; the sash is spread out wider across the btlck, and forms an im merse bow, with ends that hang almost to the edge of the skirt. This skirt has first a silk foundation, which is faced at the bottom with a camel's-hair, on which is a narrow plaiting of red satin, and aldo one ot block ( beneath this is a baiayeuse ot white muslin e.nbroidercd with red. This whole silk Skirt Is then. concealed by .one long kilt-plaiting ol uiack camel s-uair seweu on a iew inches below tho belt, so that it will not be clumsy around the hips, as that would spoil the fit of the close Jersey basque; this kilting stops just below where the satin plaiting borders the foundation skirt of silk. Quite different from these suits are other cloth dresses that are made gay by combining them with tartans or Madras plaids ot satin Surah, the corsage is a habit baenue of cloth, cither olive or seal brown, with shirred plaid Surah passed around the neck and down eaca ide of the front, and has most bouff ant draperies of the plaid Surah arranged in points like handkerchiefs at the bark, and held bv bowsot many loops oi green satin ribbon, with red on the reverse sid.?. For later in the season, cloth dresses are combined With striped velvet or plush, and there are velvet costumes of new and elegant designs, a prune vel vet suit is embroidered au over wiui Dolka dots of the same shade, and trim- mod with shirred Surah satin scarfs that cross ttie lront and extend down me sides in panels. The bounant drapery of the back is formed by the Surah ar ranged in sasu enects, and Doraerea with tne velvet, xne waists oi sucn suits are single-breasted coats ol tne velvet, with deep shirred burah collar, or else abroad Byron collar of the velvet piped with Surah. Large square pockets on the sides. In othtr oostumei the Surah satin forms the great-coat, with Louis Quatorze vest of brocaded velvet, in which the detached flowers are as lame as a ladv's hand. Rich passemen terie ornaments trim the panelled sides of such dresses, and a row of cheaille fringe often edges the panel where it itiJU on the border fl unce. ifarper's Reaping. Every one is sowirg, both by word and deed; All tnnnkind are growing cither wheat or weed? Thoughtless ones are throwing any sorto seed. Serions ones are seeking seed already sown Many eyes are weeping now the crop 1 grown; Think upon the reaping each one reaps his own. Surely as the sowing shall the harvest be See what yon are throwing over bill and lea; Words and deeds are growing lor eternity. There is one all knowing, looking on alway FrnH to him is flowing, loeling for the day Will yoor hearts be glowing in the, grand array? Yea, that would be bringing Bheaves of golden grain, Mind what yon are flinging both from hand and brain, Then 'mid glad songs singing, you shall glean great gain. ITEMS OF INTEREST. There is a large industry in Europe in the making of vegetable parchment. Mr. Moody says there are more than 1,500 sermons in tho sermon on the mount. Five prominent Prussian officers have entered the service of the Sultan of Turkey. Tho personal property of California is valued at $113,304,451, and the real estate at $446,873,885. Twenty year? ago Great Britain sup plied nearly three-fourths of its own wheat; now it supplies less than two filths. A careful trave.cr says that ho rides in the rear car of an express train and in tho forward car of a slow train It is said that over ten thousand deer were slaughtered in Jackson county, Oregon, during the past nine months. When a Californian picks up a stone to throw at the hens, he always ex amines if it does contain $50 worth of gold. There is a family living in Metcalfe county, Kentucky, composed ot eleven members, none of whom know the let- rlersof the English alphabet. Prince Bismarck following tho advice of his physicians, indulges in afternoon naps. The prince is a great eater and worker, though a poor sleeper. The New York Commercial says the position of "Old Probs;" should be be stowed upon the man who has per formed tho most signal service lor his country. The German government will con struct a railroad through the flooded districts of that empire, in order to give the victims oi ttio deluge suf ficient wori to keep tlifiii alive. Full many a gem of purest ray serene, The spot loss shirts ol hotel clerks do bear ! Full miiny a simple, ignorant sardine ueuevus taem purest stones oi value rare ! B id aloErpr ess. " Do you think," nsked Mrs. Pepper, that a littlo temper is iv bad thing in a womAn." "uertainty not, ma'am," re plied a gallant philosopher, " it is a good thing, and she ought never to loose it." A natural result of hard limes in Ire land is a decrease in the nutn'.er of mar riages. In 18a the number was '4f,JiJ, or 3,598 below the average of the twelve preceding years, and 140 less than tho total for Scotland, where the nopuhtion is below that of Ireland by 1,702,298. Among the replies to an advertise ment of a music committee for " a can didate as organist, music teacher." etc., was the following one: "Gentlemen, I noticed your advertisement for an or ganist and music teacher, either lady or . ucnticman. Having been botli for sev eral years, I oiler you my services." Words or Wisdom. An ounce of coaviotion is worth a pound of concern. One dav is worth three to him who does everything in order. He is not only idle who does nothing, but he is idle who might be better em ployed. Tlin vouth who thinks the world his oyster, and opens it forthwith, finds no pearl tnerem. Nature makes us poor when we want necessaries', but custom gives iu nni of poverty to .tho want of superfluities. Poverty often deprives a man of all nirit and virtu '. It is hard lor an empty bag to stand upright. No place, no company, no age, no person, is temptation iree. ii uu uu boast that he is free. The time for reasoning is before we have approached near enough to the forbidden fruit to look at it and admire. Those who. without knowing us, think or speak evil of us, do us no harm ; it is not us they attack, but the phan tom of their own imagination. There is a joy in good fortune. There is a lar higher in the mind's gain of knowledge or truth. Bu there is not joy like the joy of resolved virtue- Things it Would be Fanny to See. A patent niodicine that wasn't war ranted a dead shot for anvthing, from corns to consumption. A rose without a thorn and a woman without a fault. A tarpaulin stout enough to keep the rain from soaking through the backs of our mukman's cows. A poor plumber ana a rich newspaper man. A man who can rap eternal smash out of his favorite bunion while making a tight croquet and still keep tne air brake on his tongue. The man who wasn't always able ana willing to give an editor a few pointers in the newspaper business. A doator who hadn't bolieved all along that Tanner would come out all right. , A bald headed man who never lost Lit temper. A circus just to relieve the monotony. A chromo of the man who invented the dance called "the r.vcket." Fctrw kwii WqrW,
Significant historical Pennsylvania newspapers