OUR WOMAN'S PAPEB, THURSDAY, MAT 14, 189G.
29
AN UNBIASED OPINION.
Cypher had been visiting Prey for a
week. The two friends wer both scrib
blers and one of them Frey was a
writer. "I thank the lord' Frey used
ti say to Cyphers, "that 1 never spoiled
my style by doing newspaper work."
Thf n Cyphers would tlare a little and
talk of the "free hand" which journal
ism cultivates. "It Rives you a touch."
he would say flourlshlnR his pipe, "a
touch and go." Nevertboltss his stories
did not have a great "go;" at least,
they went into very obscure nooks
whence they brought forth little money
and less fame.
One of them that he boasted of hav
ing dashed off at a sitting "broad
style. "yon know; llnlsh not laid cm
laboriously but worked in part of the
thing itPf If, don't you see? doesn't pass
for llnlsh, yet it s there" that MPS.
had gobbled up enough postage to be f it
and affluent; Instead of which it was in
tatters like its author. Lately, when
it came home for the seventeenth time,
Oyphers re-typed it and sent It to 's
Literary Hureau, for an opinion. "I'll
find out what's the matter with It," he
thought.
Slnee coming to Ozone, he had learn
ed with Borne surprise that Frey work
ed for the Bureau, giving half his avail
able time to the revision and criticism
of MPS.
"Hack-work," scoffed Cyrhers.
"in a wcy, yes, though who are you,
I'd Ike to know, that calls it so? The
pot was ever given to blackening the
kettle's character. As you say, X get
paid only laborer's wagis, but I gain
what money can't pay for; practice in
criticism real criticism without four
or favor, and a goodly knowledge of
human nature to boot. Why don't you
try this sort of work? You are natural
ly a better critic than I am, only you
have let your gift go to seed. If you'd
criticize your own thlnps ns well as
you do mine, It would be better for you
and for your things."
"How refreshing and edifying Is the
plain truth!" remarked Cyphers. He
v.ns smoking and hugging his knees on
a corner divan, gazing out of half
closed eyes, like a comfortable cat, at
Frey, who slaved before a table heaped
with MRS., some typed, some written
In every sort of hand, masculine, femi
nine and neuter.
Frey suddenly wheeled his chair
around and exclaimed: "See here, lazy
bones, I've an Idea; come out of that
hole in the cushions and give me a'llft.
Then I can get oft'early this afternoon
for a walk. AVhnt lo you say ?
"Do you menn that work?" pointing
to the piles of MPS. on the table.
"Why r.ot? You're capable."
"Yes", but would it be quite square,
you know? I'm not supposed to be in
the Bureau's secre ts."
"We'll run no risks. Here Is a type
written story with no name. I have It
booked by the number only; I'm no
wiser than you as to the authorship.
Write me a critical letter on it It's a
mighty poor thing; I've glanced
through It utter trash. But do what
you can with it, there's a good fellow."
Cyphers unfolded himself Blowly,
arose nnd took the MSS. which Frey
handed him, glanced at It, walked to
the window, then half turned and said:
"A shall I-fhall I do it here, or take
it tn mv rnnm?"
"Just as you like. I'll managa to c ear
a corner of the table
"No, thanks, don't bother; guess 1
can work butter alone collect my
thoughts better, as it were."
"Thnt task won't require any great
nmnnnt of thought." said Frey; "but
look here," calling after Cyphers
who was already out of the room,
"don't be too severe. The Bureau d ej
these painful things gracefully, you
know."
He flung the MSS. on the bed; the
leaves Hew In every direction.
Hani? the Bureau!" he almost
shouted; "who'd have thought ?"
irw uevernl moments he stood and
scowled, then burst into a violent tit of
laughter which he suddenly cnecKeu.
l.lirhtlne a. fresh pipe, he gathered up
the disarranged sheets of MSS. and sat
down to hard labor. During the course
rif it coat. vest, necktie, collar ana currs,
were In turn discarded. Cyphers was
doing what he had never done before In
Ma life: reading his own work critical
ly. He forced himself to imagine that
this story was written by one unknown
to him, one of whom he had never even
lian rit
"I've picked it up in the street," he
muttered through his pipe-stem," and
nni wondering what sort of rnt It Is.'
It certainly was "rot" clever In spots
nnd streakB. but slovenly in its styie
and construction. The very first sen
tence contained an absurd grammati
cal error one of the sort that educated
folks are constantly making in conver
nation, but thut has no excuse in litera
ture. Every page was peppered with
tiresome little words like was. ana, nau
and contained many repetitions of
thought and unnecessary amplifica
tions.
The search for such defects became
exciting; Cyphers grew more and more
eager to nnd them; when his sharpened
eye fell upon one, he experienced a
brutal delight and pounced upon the
unlucky phrase or passage as a hungry
cat seizes a bird. He worked himself
Into a state of hot indignation towards
the fellow who evidently knew some
thing, yet who could be guilty of so
"chestnutty" a plot; of such structural
inconsistencies; of such a mass of mis
placed moralizing what you call
"gush" In a woman; he felt no respect
for a writer who wasted pages of de
scription In telling you what manner of
beings his characters were, instead of
snowing tnem up by their own wonls
or by a few salient actions introduced
with artistic propriety and dramatic
eirect.
All of these sentiments and mnnv
more besides, did Cyphers embody in a
letter or stinging, unqunlilied critlcbm,
There was no mincing in his manner
no euphemisms in his language; the
truth, the whole truth and nothing but
the truth formed the foundation and
superstructure of his "critical opinion.'
"The Bureau does these things crane
fully, you know," laughed Cyphers to
himself.
While writing he was distinctly
sensible of two separate, opposite enti
ties within him. The one cowered and
quivered wltn Humiliation and self'
disgust: the other gloated triumnhant.
ly over the blushes and Inward tortures
of Its victim. When he had finished the
letter, he was In a perspiration from
head to foot.
"Guy, fvon't the rascal sweat when hp
reads it!" then he giggled and colored
girlishly, remembering who the rascal
wag.
Frey obected to the tone of the criti
cism.
"It's too sharp," he said: "tell the
truth, but tell It pleasantly, kindly; this
Jawing at a fellow does him no good
jurt makes him mad; it's not a crime to
write in a bad style"
"It's a crime to print such stuff 'r
"It doesn't get printed, never you tea..
for that. May be a poor little strug
gling girl wrote it; if bo, this letter of
yours will cost her tears untold."
"It's not a girl," grinned Cyphers.
"How do you know?"
"There's too much humor In It for a
gin: it has that one merit, at least, and
a fellow that has a sense of humor Isn't
going to suicide over what I've said to
mm."
"Well. I'll plane it down a bit, then
we 11 nave lunch and be off."
week later Cyphers went back to
the city. In his mall he found several
returned MSS, among them the one he
had sent to the Bureau of Criticism and
Revision. i ,
The curiosity he felt upon Opening
this package amazed htm.
' . "There's something uncanny about a
dual consciousness," he said to himself
as ho tore off the wrappings; "I'm won
dering what the Bureau will say and
how 1 m going; to take itl Believe I've
lost my wits."
He read, standing, the letter he had
written to himself and for which he
M4 paid flv dollars to the Bureau,
then he sat down and re-read hi story.
It struck him as being even worse than
he had thought It at Ozone, xet. ne
had bothered seventeen editors with
the MSS. never so much a looking at
it between journeys to find out why it
came back so often. . V hen ne nrsi
dashed the tale off. it seemed to him
charmingly fresh and original in Idea;
sheer delight In his own invention
made hu ien fly. Surely such spon
taneity was genuis. So he had thought
then. Now he called it bv another
name. Journalism itself ought to blush
at such slop work.
For three weeks Cyphers tonej upon
his story. He reconstructed it in ac
cordance with the strictures and sug
gestions laid down In the lcttr o criti
cism over which he poured continually.
"That'B a capltnl letter," he wouiu
say; "it's worth mors than five dollars
to me." He had almost forgotten who
wrote It.
That story could never have Known
Itself when Cyphers finally exclaimed,
throwing down his pen. "Well I'd like
to feel prouder of you than I do, but at
least I'm not ashamed of you now." It
had a new title, a new opening ana a
modified denouement, though the lead
ing motive remained unchanged.
He sent the MSS. to the publication
that had last rejected it in Its former
condition.
"They'll never recognize It for the
same thing," ho said, and he was right.
They accepted It. paid for It hnnd
somely, printed it, and though Cyphers
never woko un to lind himself very
famous, yet that carefully re-wrltten
story proved to be the foundation of a
fair reputation, which its author ever
strove earnestly to maintain.
When a friend once asked him if he
had ever sent anything to the Bureau
of Criticism of Revisions, he replied:
"Yes, a good while ago, and you'd bet
ter believe I got an unbiased opinion; it
nearly laid me out. Since then 1 have
set up a private bureau of my own."
KDIT1I B ROWER.
A SCRANTON WOMAN IN FLORIDA.
In a cottage home at the foot of Cres
cent Orange throve, and cn a bluff over
looking the beautiful Indian Iltver, I
have spent three very happy months.
When I came I felt sure of only two
fncts my friends and the climate.
The freeze of '94 and '95 had so ruthless
ly leveled to the ground Florida's great
attraction and pride the orange trees
that I was told there was absnlutey
nothing to see but dreary stretches of
Hand and thick jungles. These I found,
but much more.
As I ncared my destination by rail,
the tall palmetto trees like giant Ben
trl"s warned of the approach to the
rich hummock land so peculiarly adapt
ed to the culture of the Indian River
oinnge. In every grove the wise plan
ter allows a few palmettos to remain as
proof of the fitness of the soil for suc
C'ssfnl orange culture. Did I see
orange groves?
Yes, lots of them, and though the
trees are so shorn of their former
strength and beauty, they are making
rapid strides upward and outward.
Present Indications point to at least
Borne fruit at the next harvest, but llvs
lion's share of the trees have had to
begin all over again from limbless
trunks and will require three years to
mature.
THE INDIAN RIVER
Is by all odds the most charming body
of water 1 have Been In Florida. It Is
parallel with the east coast and but
ten miles from the ocean, extending a
distance of Hit) miles from north to
south. It Is fed by fresh water Etrcams
with Hiillielrnt inlets from the sea to
Rive it a seasoning of saltness neither
too strong nor too fresh, but just right,
and the gentle southeast breezes that
fan lln surface carry healing and pre
servation, while tempering old Sol's
fierce rays. The ebb and How are con
trolled by north and south winds. The
fish caught in Its waters at all seasons
of the year are particularly line. The
Coqulnu liock so generously distributed
over the basin of the river makes ex
ceptional foundations for oysterbeds.
In addition to a bountiful supply of fat,
line oyyters for home use, large canning
establishments do a thriving busW
ness In shipping elsewhere. Mallard
ducks by the thousands dive and play
over Its rocky billows. Beautlul cranes
and herons wade along the banks and
shores. These, with the white geu
gullH, seem the most gentle and domes
tie of the ncquutlc fowls, and unless
frightened do not flee from the unob
trusive passer-by. Alligators, though
preferring the marshes, seek Its cool
ing depths when drouth and heat pre
vail. They have grown wise In their
day and generation, and must be
sought for if found. An "alligator
hunt" Is the pet fad for energetic young
rportsmen from the North.
House boats, sail boats, steamers and
napthu launches make pleasure transit
a dally delight up and down the Indian
River to the restless mass of winter
travelers In Florida.
Many of the choice orange groves
reach to the margin of the bluffs which
fringe the shores along the entire
length of the river. These margins of
palmetto, live oak and hickory not only
protect the soil from depletion, but
shelter the groves and homes from
winds which sometimes blow too fierce
ly for comfort and safety. Dotted here
and there behind these safeguards are
picturesque home-like cottages and
hotels for guests In search of health
and the Intoxicating air of the south
land. I visited one of these at Rock
ledge. The name Itself suggests the
huge boulders of Coqulna rock at the
shore line. The hotels at this place are
close to the river, separated only by
the grounds and promenade. Guests
can sit on the verandas and recognize
friends on incoming eteamers or pleas
ure yachts, as the water Is of sufficient
depth here for boats to land without
a wharf; they virtually deposit their
passengers on the hotel steps.
IN AND ABOUT ROCKLEDGE.
are cemented walks and drives, on
which guests can enjoy the quiet plc
turesqueness of the surroundings and
breathe In the life-giving air without a
thought of weariness, but Just let them
step out Into the simon-pure sand and
pursue the even tenor of their way if
they can. It is surprising how quickly
the romantic scenery loses its charm,
the Btep its elasticity, and the entire
body goes Inching along at a poor, dy
ing rate.
Florida sand Is most beguiling on the
surface It is beautifully white, but use
spade or hoe to get down to bottom
facts and lo! the soil is dark and grimy
so will the hand and linen be If but
touched with It. I hasten to say that
even this yields readily to an amplica
tion of soap and water, and hence need
do nut a transient discomfort.
All Winter long the air has been re
dolent with perfume of flowers on trees
plants and shrubs. The sweet bayberry
tree rivals in its Dloom our northern
arbutus, whose fragrance It much re
sembles, though it lifts Its flowers up to
the sun instead of hiding them under
the snow. The pure white bloom of the
magnolia must he seen to be aDDrecl
ated. The tree Is stately In Itself and
the dark green handsome leaves seem
to vie with mammoth blossoms for su
premacy and acceptance. The um
brellu tree, so popular for shade about
the cottages, has an exquisite bloom of
lavender tint, which with its soft green
foliage shelters the home with beauty
and sweetness. Roses here are the
most prolific bloomers I hive ever reen
anywhere. My friend has one large
bush that by actual count has had
seven hundred seed-pods cut from Its
stems during my three months' stay,
in addition to furnishing dally bou
qnets for the house. And this Is not a
fish story cither Nlblscus. prim-roses
blgnonins, the sweet scented yellow
Jasmine, the graceful Thumbercia
bloom, nnd a host of other small flowers
make the walks abroad In Jaminrv.
and March, seem like the veritable
summer land it Is. The live oaks, with
their long gray beards of hanging moss,
;'HcniliiisTS.""'"
give a touch of sombreness and restful
change from the otherwise too grcat
brightness.
With so much to meet the asthetlo
side of life, perhaps you think the sub
stantial Is entirely neglected. The
WANTS OF THE INNER MAN
are bountifully provided for In vege
tables from the garden, game from the
forest, tish from the river and Chicago
be?f, if you want It.
There Is nothing, to be sure, that
quite fills the corner made vacant by
the lack of oranges, but we can't al
ways have the earth and the fullness
thereof, even though we expect It. and
the small fruits, with bananas and pine
apples, serve to fill In as substitutes.
The pine apple plantations In the sec
tion are prosperous the preterit year,
and just getting their fruit well upon
the market.
The hotels In Florida are something
to boast of. With superb equipments
and fine table appointments they al
lure Northerners lovers of pleasure lo
their sunny parlors and airy rotundas
and royal banquets three time a day.
The cornucopia of plenty seems to
have been emptied entl-.e into the laid.'r
and everything that epicure could de
sire Is at the service of the guests and
simply awaits the order. But hotel Ufa
In the sunny South Is an expensive lux
ury. While man's handiwork and wealth
add so generously to Florida life, the
secret charm of living here is. In fee
simple, the climate, which can be had
for the taking. The weak and the
strong, the young and the old, all love
to come and share in the gloriouB sun
shine, the balmy breezes and delicious
atmosphere.
If the ideal fountain of perpetual
youth exists anywhere, this Is the place
it would surely choosa for Its hidden
spring.
SALLIE A. REED.
FROM BELFAST TO LONDON.
By a Presbyterian Pilgrim.
Our first Sunday after the ocean voy
age was spent in the prosperous city of
Bellast. The evening before we nau
been handsomely entertained at a re
ception presided over by the Lord
Mayor. Some of us afterwards con
fessed to being more dazzled by the
splendor of .the functionary who, erect
and motionless, stood behind the of
ficial chair, than by the great digni
tary himself. But, then, we were plalnj
republicans ana not accustomed to sucn
adornments.
We were told that Belfast Is a dis
tinctively Presbyterian town, and that
may account for the remarkable well-to-do
air which seemed to pervade the
whole city, even the streets devoted to
tenement homes of the working people.
On Sunday morning we rcattered about
to the different churches of our own de
nomination. Our ears were not re
galed by music from swelling organ and
trained choir, t'ure psalmody rendered
by rather untutored voices of young
men and maidens, and the gospel In se
vere simplicity, constituted our morn
ing service.
Early the next day we bade a re
gretful adieu to old Ireland which we
had been privileged to behold in the
length of Its beauty and took boat ror
the passage across the Irish Sea. Of
the next two hours, perhaps, the less
said the better. Suffice It, that we
lived through it. and nt length our feet
touched the soil of Scotland and our
Fouls were grateful. An hour's railway
ride brought us to the next point on our
course Wlgton. As our train rolled
Into the station our astonished eyes be
held flags flying, banner waving "Wel
come," and a concourse of about twelve
hundred people assembled to greet us,
Witt ton Is off the route of the general
tourist, and we had only gone there to
visit the graves of the two martyrs, the
Btory of whose fate nad lingered among
the memories of my cmldnooa. in a
strict Presbyterian home, where Fox'b
Book of Martyrs and such like cheerful
food for the mind, was considered the
proper- diversion -for -Sunday -after
noons. I had long ago read about Mar
garet McLaughlin and Margaret Wil
son, who were tied to a stake In the
stream, and drowned as the tide rose,
for refusing to obey the royal com
mand and say, "Ood Save King
Charles!"
"Well, they had died for their faith,
and we were here to do them honor.
The schools of the town had been
closed for the day, and the Inhabitants
were doing what they could to honor us.
We were escorted to a very primitive
Inn, "The Oalloway Herd," and there
received by a delegation of typical
Scotchmen, ministers and editors,
mostly whom had come many miles
that day to be with us. A most excel
lent dinner, though served upon Impro
vised tables of bourds stretched around
the room followed, with witty toasts
and speeches, and then all adjourned to
the church-yard, where a short service
was held by the Presbyterian minister
of Wlgton, beside the graves of the
martyrs. He afterwards pointed out
to us, that the lettering upon their head
stones was cut much deeper than upon
those surrounding. It was his belief
that they had been re-cut by the man
whom Scott has made familiar to us as
"Old Mortality." We then saw the spot
where the -martyrdom took place. A
Hag Is always there, although the bed
of the stream has changed since that
time, and the flag-staff is now planted
on dry land, we then took our train,
the good minister going with us a few
miles, and showing us, as we passed It,
well back from the road, his own wig-
covered "manse" of stone, a most pie
turetque dwelling. The good man had
lived there about twenty-five years, de
voted to his flock and they, evidently
bo. to him.
The next day of our Pilgrimage was
ppent upon the Moors, the most of the
party visiting scenes of the Cameronlan
troubles. Then Dumfries, with time
for a glimpse of the tomb of Burns and
the house In which he died; then Gins
gow, and then we came to Edinburgh.
Many places of Interest in that city
were seen by us within the next four
days. As a party, we were privileged
to enter some places, not usually open,
notably a room now In a back court.
where was held the first meeting of the
General Assembly in 1560, and the sec
ond meeting In 1578, also the table In
same room, where lay the murdered
Duke of Argyle before his burial; Grey
friar's Church, Grassmarket street.
Giles Cathedral, the heart of Mtd-Lo
thlan In stone upon the spot where
once stood the "Tolbooth," the cattle
and Holyrood Palace, of course, with
many other points were seen by us,
winding up atlaBtby "afternoon tea" In
the old house of John Knox. There
was one lovely afternoon spent in Stir
ling Castle and grounds, and nearly a
whole day at Abbot sford, and Dry bur it h
Abbey, the home and last resting place
of Walter Scott, and then we were In
Chester. After going to see' the Cathe
dral, the queer shops on the old wall,
and a drive out to Waton Hall, one of
the places of the Duke of Westminster,
an Idea which had dwelt In the minds
of some of us for days took shape, and
developed into a plan, and the plan In
to a fact. We would go to Stratford!
It was not down on the Presbyterian
programme, but there were among us
pome who had a warm place In our
hearts for the bard of Avon, and could
not pass bo near the home of Shakes
peare without at least a glimpse. So, a
party of twelve, we stole away towards
nightfall,'' took train for Birmingham,
and another for Stratford, arriving at
the, village at about eleven at night.
We were taken to the Shakespeare Inn,
so quaint, so redolent of old time asso
ciations, and so delightful In every way,
that we could scarcely afford to lose an
hour there in sleep. The ceilings were
low, the windows small, ar.d over every
door was in gold lettering the name of
one of Shakespeare's plays. Ours was
"A Winter's Tale." Bright and early
the next morning we were out, went to
the birthplace, the last home, and the
church, under a flagstone of which he
lies, then a quick drive to Anne Hatha
way s cottage, not more than a mile
away, and then with a brake and
four horses our merry party made ready
to drive across country to Warwick
Castle and the ruins of Kenllworth.
After all were seated In the open con
veyance, this Pilgrim found that she
had forgotten a most necessary article,
an umbrella, so made a drive for "A
Winter's Tale." She found the room
without a guide, but when she left it
was soon lost in the devious windings
of that most picturesque but bewilder
ing inn. She would rush down one
short flight of steps, and up another, to
be confronted with a room entitled
'Love's Labor Lost," and no outlet.
Another dive, and a ray of comfort
from "Alls Well That Ends Well."
Finally there came a vision of a white
capped maid In the distance whom a
shout brought to our help. Then was
to be encountered the withering glances
or the waiting party outside, anxious
not to lose a moment of valuable time.
The laughable side of the dilemma, how
ever, when breathlessly told, soon ap
peased wrath, and away drove the
happy twelve, through English lanes
nd highways, with glimpses now and
then of the Avon, past lordly homes
and pretty cottages.
Near the entrance to Warwick, we
luched at the "Woolsack," then strolled
into the Castle, where a pompous lack
ey conducted and vouchsafed us such
information as he saw fit, in return for
our English shillings. Another short
drive, and we entered the grounds and
saw the ruins of Kenllworth. Oh, the
the charm of that hour and a half, as
we wandered about, and dreamed in
the sunshine, living over the scenes that
in truth and in Imagination have oc
curred upon the spot! It may be a
nacKneyed theme, but to the traveler
who goes there for the first time the
scene has a novel nnd entrancing Inter
est. At last we tore ourselves away and
were driven rapidly to the gay watering
place of Leamington, where we took train
again, and were goon with our other
friends at Oxford. It was quite even
ing and the streets were In an uproar
over the elections which had Just taken
piace. aii mgnt the noise of the mob
continued, and we, poor, tired travelers,
deprived of sleep, could not refrain from
groaning: "They do these things bet
ter in America.
Notwithstanding our fatleue.the tiext
day we explored the grounds and build
ings or six of the colleges, viz.. St.
John's, New, Christ, Magdalen, Oriel
ana Trinity, leaving sixteen unvlslted.
That evening found us In London.
HETTY M. BLAIR.
PACIFIC GROVE, CALIFORNIA.
Extracts from Letter of Mrs. H. H. Hot-
lister, Kindly Furnished by Her Daugh
ter, Mrs. Anderson.
Pacific Grove, a summer resort of Cal
ifornia is situated on Monterey Bay,
about 130 miles i outh of San Franctsm.
The town is really but a perpetual camp
meeting, of various denominations, who
each receive from the Southern Pacific
Railroad company a gift of sufficient
land for church purposes, and the op
portunity of renting for a small amount
either ground for building, or furnished
nouses ror temporary or permanent res
Mence. All the land In the vicinity Is
nem ny mis company, and its invest
ment Is amply repaid by the travel
on the road and the rental of the ground
and buildings.
The weather Is delightful, an almost
uniform temperature throughout the
year, except tor a trine more rain In
winter, there being no other difference
between winter and summer. The place
is a literal nower garden, sixty varieties
of roses in a yard being no rarity, while
other plants and flowers, attain a size
and perfection In the open air not to
be seen even in nurseries in the east.
CHINATOWN.
For labor of all kinds one depends
on the Chinamen, who have a small
settlement by themselves, and who also
supply us with fish taken the night be
fore and with vegetables and fruit from
the gardens cultivated by their wives
and children.
Yesterday I walked through "China
town" on my way to Monterey, three
miles distant, nnd the women and chil
dren were busy cutting bait, and bait
ing hooks for the night fishing, the
few men around were fixing boats for
the same puipjxe. The cllmite en
ubles them to live In smallest and bar
est of hovels, the work being done in
the open air and being at almost no
expense. They each and all expect to
return to China carrying what, for that
country, Is an ample fortune The chil
dren are very comical, dressed In bright
red trousers and a loose padded coat,
looking like a collection of barrel staves
and a tiny red cap.
A CHINESE FUNERAL.
Today a Chinese funeral passed me
and I followed to see the odd cere
monies at. the grave, the mourners all
being barefooted. After a number of
tapers and paper prayers were burned,
a low table was placed by the grave on
which were placed small cups of rice,
dishes of fried potatoes, chicken iMoked
whole, a large piece of meat, 'macaroni,
a teapot and tiny cups, not exceeding an
Inch In diameter.
The presiding genius filled the tea
cups and then poured the contents in
the grave. After the box was lowered,
the greater portion of the food was then
thrown In, and the remainder scattered
on the ground. After these ceremonies
the procession returned to the house
and carried out each and everything
the deceased ever used, nothing was
touched however with the hands; all
was carried out with pitchforks or
shovels. Today In my tramp on the
beach I was surprised to find all this
stuff on the rocks for the high sea to
wash out, as I was told It was always
burned, and I saw it done last month at
another funeral there.
The grave looks very gay. There Is
one tall, red banner about 8 feet high,
and three about 4 feet, also red, with
thin letters on. Then there are huge
paper lanterns, and one great big con
cern. I don't know what to call it, it Is
of red and white cloth and looks some
thing like an umbrella half open. Then
there are poles with strips of white rags
flying In the wind, this with some small
strips of paper are to keep the devil
away. Only the men attended the fu
neral. The women and children In
their little narrow street were firing off
fire crackers, this also to keep the devil
away, and the whole performance was
rather startling to me.
THE MONTEREY INDIAN TRAIL.
Today I took a walk to Monterey by
the old Indian trail through the woods,
and It is something to dream about;
the great trees and the glimpses of the
blue ocean between them, I picked a
long bunch of popples within ten feet
of high tide mark; does it not seem
strange?
I remember years ago I thought a
picture looked so unreal If a field of
grain was near or directly on the edge
of the ocean. Out here fields are all
along the shore for miles and cows and
horses have the finest kind of a place
to teed. The tide Is coining In and how
the ocean roars, sounds like great trains
of cars moving over the rails.
About two miles from here Is the
longest live oak In the world. This
king of the forest measures over 130 feet
across the top and 400 feet around. It
has thousands of limbs, and many that
neuRure 100 feet long, and are 12 to IS
inches in diameter. One thousand peo
ple can find seats on Its crooked limbs
at once, and more than twice that num
ber could at thi! same time stand be
neath Its cooling shades.
It is not over 40 feet tall, and tho
limbs after growing a short height then
begin a series of long runs, thus tons-
ing rows and rows of seats most won
derful to see. Under this tree is built
a bandstand, also long table and seats
for picnickers.
MRS. H. H. HOLLISTER.
MABEL'S HAPPY CHRISTMAS.
In a llttla villas called Murraysvlll
dwelt a poor faintly named Playfair. Had
Mr. Play fair lived they might have been
among the wealthiest of that section.
Mrs. Playfair was an invalid and unable to
o out. She had two children, Mubel. a
girl of ten, and her little brother, Cluude,
a bright boy of live, one day Mrs. Play-
lair sent MaDel on an errand sdoui one
mile distant.
Claude, like all boys, was fond of fun
and when left alone would make all the
nolle be could in order to enjoy hlmseir.
Mabel resolved to tuke Claude with her,
thinking thut by their absence her mam
ma might set a good rest.
They had not reached the end of their
Journey, however, when a storm ar.iae
nd 11 became so furious that Claude
creamed with frluht. Mubel was fright.
ened, too, but did not suy anything about
It. They went Into the lirst dwelling they
reached.
After the storm ceased Mabel went on
her journey, leaving Claude until her re
turn. He saw that it was getting late in
the afternoon and he thought Mabel had
forgotten him and had Kune home with
out him, so he determined to go back alone.
He was not gone long when he discovered
that he was in a thick forest, and how to
get out he did not know. Being worn out
and tired he was forced to He down and
rest on the damp grass.
In the meantime Mabel had reached the
house In which che had left Claude an.l
to her great surprise found he had guns
without her. Tiio uirst thought that
rushed through her mind was "What will
I tell mamma lr poor little Claude is lost?
But Mabel was not the kind of a person
to give up; she did not lose hope, io aho
went straight for home, her anxious eyes
looking ahead to see if Claude would couiu
to meet her. As she entered the house she
aw her mamma seated In the kitchen, but
Claude had not yet arrived. When Ma
bel told her mamma what had happened,
the dropped unconscious In her chair,
and she passed away that night without
seeing Claude. Mabel was then alone In
the world, her ont-e-joyful heart was now
ad. Claude was found three days later
by a hunter named Miudleton, who heard
him call "Mabel" and "Mamma." Claude
told the story of how he got lost In the
forest. Then Mr. Mldleton took him to his
home, which was almost a ualuce. He
was contented lu his new home, but If ha
could have seen Mabel and mamma how
happy he would have been.
Mr. Mlddleton sent him to school for
twelve years. When he left school he
hud the honors or his class. The Middle.
torn, who had adopted htm, were so de
liKhtfed with him tnat they said he could
have anything he wished. Claude, who
was only 17, those a trip to Europe and
prepared to set sail In December.
During those years Mabel had been
acting us nurse In the Jones family in a
distant city and was also going to spend
the coming Christinas in Europe with
Mrs. Jones' mother. When she got
board the shlD she noticed a boy
standing on deck looking sadly Into the
water. She went over and stood beside
him and asked him If he was traveling
alone. He said "yes." and In a few nun
utes' time they both were seated busily
talking. Mabel listened to Claude's story
of his past life. He had not gone very
far with his story when she discovered
that he wus her long-lo.st brother. She
kiKSfd him and told him that she was his
lster. He was so overjoyed on hearing
the views that when sho called him Claude
Middleton he forgot to unswer. Mabel
and Cktutle spent their Christmas with
Mrs. Jones. After two months' time they
returned to the .Mlddleton home. When
Mr. M i k leton s death occurred a few
years after, Claude and Mabel Play fair
became the owners of his property. There
many cnristmases were spent in tne en
joy ment of wealth and happiness.
NKLUB U. BIQLIN.
No. 3 School.
Age, 16 years.
THE LIGHTHOUSE LAMP.
Renubllithed bv Reauest.
The winds came howling down from the
north.
Like a hungry wolf for prey.
And the bitter sleet went hurling forth,
In the sinking face of the day.
And the snowflakea drifted near and far.
Till the land was whltely fleered.
And the lighthouse lamp, a golden star,
Flamed over the waves' white yeast.
In the room at the foot of the lighthouse
Lay mother and babe asleep.
And llttla maid Gretchen was by them
there,
A resolute watch to keep.
There were only the three on the light
house Isle,
For father had trimmed the lamp,
And set it burning a weary while
In the mornlnu.fi dusk and damp.
"Long before night I'll be back," he said,
And his wnite sun Mlpped away;
Away ami away to the mainland sped,
Hut It came not home that day.
The mother stirred on her pillow a space,
And moaned In nam and fear.
Then looked In her little daughter's face
Through tne blur of a starting tear.
"Darling," she whispered, "It's piercing
cold.
And the tempest is rough and wild;
And you are no laddie strong and bold,
My poor little maiden child.
"But up aloft there's the lamp to feed,
Or Its flume will die in the dark.
And the sailor lose In his utmost need
The light of our Is lot's ark."
"I'll go," said Gretchen, "a step at a time;
wny moiner, i m twelve years old,
And Kteady, and never afraid to climb,
And I've learned to do as I'm told."
Then Gretchen up to the top of the tower.
T ' . U n I . , '
i mo ny, Biiiuuiii-wurn Biuir,
Went slowly and surely thut very hour
The sleet In. her eyes and hair.
She fed the lamp, and she trimmed It well
And Its clear light glowed afar,
To warn of reefs, and of rocks to tell.
This mariner's guiding star.
And once again when the world awoke
III th. fl 11 r n 1. I Y. . .
There was Joy in the hearts of the fisher
Along the stormy bay.
When the little boats came sailing In
All .', f a BnH nun, I t , V. n l i
To the haven the light had helped them
By the' aid of a child's brave hand
MARGARET E. SANG8TER
THE SECRET OF JOY.
For Our Woman's Paner. ?
When the springtime thrill makes the
neurt reoounu.
Then we klncllv ftfl for nil ni-mmrl
When the young buds swell In the sun's
warm ray
Then life seems but a lanir. hrltrht rfnV
Yes, Time may change, 'tis passing
nil aiiKe
How lives are moved and woods may
vary.
Yet come what may, while Youth holds
sway.
The heart Is light when the skies are
cneery.
When our blood Is fired In a noble cause
mi our restless leal may know no pause,
When the passionate love of Right and
i ruin
t'rges us on till past Is youth,
Tho' the noble life is a curi'lpsn strife.
Yet the molderlng Past Its dead must
nury,
A M.l I r T,. .t.t.l T 1 1 . 1 I 1 '
iitu iwij bu':i tfvj wains ue.fiue,
So the heart is light tho' the feet are
weary.
When little thorns our path beset,
Anil mntiv a iljimrai. an, I t f In 1 ld mat
When clouds of sorrow and rtorms of pain
Dweep u er me trouDieu neart and Drain,
If sweet good-will our spirits fill
There's aglow within so warm and cheerv.
And come what may, while Love holds
sway,
The heart Is light tho' the skies are
areary. UKiK M. WIL.L.1AM3.
Waverly, Pa.
II. E. Paine & Son.
FIRE INSURANCE AGENTS,
Representing Leadlug Companies.
Room 25 Coal Exchange Building.
WYOMING VENUE, ' , SCRANTON, tk
LEWIS, REILLY 4 DAYIES.
Scranton, Pa.
CONRAD
SCHROEDER,
1
U
1
J
fiiii! i
,PA.
FOR FINE
Jewelry, Diamonds, Watches,
Silverware and Novelties,
GO TO
W. J. WEICHEL,
408 Spruce Street.
P. S.- Repairing of all kinds neatly
done.
Large line of Weltons,
Axminsters, Body and
Tapestry Brussels. All In
designs that are exclusive
to us in Scranton.
Paper Hangings.
An Immense stock in all grades
and designs.
DRAPERIES.
This department Is choicely
stocked with the newest and latest
fabrics and is in charge of an ex
perienced and capable draper.
WINDOW SHADES.
Large and Complete stock
of everything in this line.
WILLIAIlSlraULTY
Wyoming Avenue.
0LYPHANT DIRECTORY.
JAMES JORDAN,
DEALER IN
,CBR BOOtS.
0LYPIIANT, PA.
WHEN IN
Olyphant buy Soda Water
at
SCHLAGER'S CORNER
Drug Store.
D. G. Jones & Son,
UNDERTAKERS
AND DEALERS IN
FURNITURE.
Lackawanna St, Olyphant.
HARRIS' CASH STORE,
DEALERS IN
19 until
. VUVlUf VIIVVWI IIVMVIIVI
Groceries and Provisions at
Bottom Prices.
DELAWARE STREET.
Z. 1). EDWAUDS,
DEALER IN
General Merchandise,
Main Street. Blakely.
SWEENEY & SON CO., L't'd,
UNDERTAKERS
AND DEALERS IN FURNITURE
Lacka. St, - Olyphant Pa.
Thomas L. Williams, Olyphant's lead
InK tonxorial artist. Sweeney block,
Lack'a at.
Bonn, the Olyphant Jeweler, keeps
the most complete stock of Jewelry and
musical goods to be found outside of
the large cities. When In need of any
thing In his line do not forget to see him
the first call. :
BUILDER
WT Ml
FANCY AND
Dry Goods
and General
Merchandise
AT
Lowest Prices.
629 AND 631 PITTSTON AVE
Comer Willow Street
Hart will ba found a complsto
Una of Qanaral Marehandlaa of
any quality daslrtd at
COMPETITIVE PRICES.
MANAGER.
M. I. WPE, DRUGGIST.
729 Cedar Ave., Cor. of Birch Street
SCRANTON, PA.
Gfl MILLER DIEECTOR and
. 11. 1 111.L.L.11, EMBALMER,
436 Cedar Are., Scranton, Pa.
A Flrst-Claas
Uvcry Attached
Telephone 1942
J, Q. Bailey,
GROCER,
141 Penn Avenue.
TRY IT.
W.P.CONNELU
General Hardware,
Summer - Hardware
of Every Kind.
Refrigerators. Garden Tools,
Screen Doors and Windows.
HOSE FROM 7 TO 25 CENTS.
Ice Cream Freezers, Hammocks.
118 Penn Avenue.
H. A. BROWNINO'S
CITY MEAT MARKET,
S10 North Washington Avenue,
SCRANTON, PA.
A New Industry in Scranton.
MESSRS. KORN & KRUEOER
Have opened a manufacturing Jewelry Es
tablishment at aoi Waahlngton ave,, where
they are prepared to manufacture all klnda
of jewelry. We make a specialty of ameltlng
Sold and making It Into new and pretty
eslgna. Also repairing of all klnda.
D.nn,M.D.JJ.S:
Office 321 Spruce Strret,
Opposite Hotel Jermyn.
KEYSTONE ACADEMY,
F. A. LOOMIS, A. M., Principal
A Refined School-Home, Coeducational.
Prepares for the beat Colleges. Normal
Class for Teachers. Thorough Business
Course. Commercial Certificate Awarded.
Special Attention given to Music and fin
Arte.
FACT0RYV1LLE, PA.
Sill IE
Mil! Bli
1 1 k
ThoBsJ.Hoon
Gil ei sill 1 J
fe 1 El