Vfi.yp
ll1 10
THE SORANTON TRIBUNE-SATURDAY, JUNE 8, ,1901.
BRAVE LADS,
55
BY A, BONA MALONE,
DISGUISED If
I Of I
Submitted in The Tribune's Short Story Contest
1
IT WAS just at the ctoyc of a warin
summer's day. The scene wns
ono which nn ..observer would
long remember, especially If lm
knew liow soon It whs to bo
changed from one of Joy to one
of sadness. A little vlllngo situ
ated between two mountains.
The sun wns Just setting behind the
western horizon, reflecting Ha golden
beams on the eastern hills und east
ing long rays of mellow light over the
landscape.
In the shady street, In front of a neat
white eottnge, stood two boys, mopping
Kteat drops of perspiration from their
frreheads. They had just llnlshed a
same of bnll, and wort- then laugh
ingly dltiPtitlnpr who had caught It the
greater number of times. Their mother,
who bnil Just summoned them to the
evening meal, was .standing In the
doorway, watching them with motherly
pride.
"Is papa coming homo tonlRbt?"
askfd Harold, the younger of the two.
"Yes," answered his mother, "but It
will be so late when he gets home that
we cannot wait supper for him"
"Where Is Lawrence?" aRaln queried
the .child.
"Lawrence Is here, dear, but come
now to your supper."
The lads followed their mother Into
the house and, as they partake of the
food prepared for them, let us learn
more about them.
The scene of our story Is located In
one of the many mining towns of
Northeastern Pennsylvania. The father
of our heroes was a miner. The fam
ily consisted of seven members: Mr.
Akerson, who worked In the mines In
another town, about clflht miles from
the one where he made his home; Mrs.
Akerson, nnd five children. Lawrence,
the oldest, is a teacher in the High
school of bis native town: Mildred, or
Mllly, as she Is commonly called. Is a
young woman of twenty: Nellie, wbo
is still a school-girl: Tbibert. aged
fourteen, nnd Harold, aged eleven.
It was Saturday night and the
family were expecting the father
home to spend Sunday with them.
Little did they think that In a few
short moments ho would bo carried
homo seriously wounded.
As they wore enjoying a social chat
btforo arising from the table, they
heard the sound of footsteps on the
graveled walk, the low murmur of
voices, and above all the groansgpf
some one who had been Injured. Uty-fei
-An awe-smoKen nusn came over me
merry .group and each cast frightened
glances at the other. With a cry of
"O. Harris," Mrs. Akerson sprang
from her chair and followed by her
children hurried into the hall. She
was met By the gray-haired pastor of
her church,
"Dear sister," his voice trembled and
he laid his hand gently on her shoul
der, "It has pleased our Heavenly
Father, in His righteous judgment,
to afflict you and your children. Ho
brave and strong to hear the worst,
and still do your duty. Brother
Akerson was severely injured at his
work this afternoon."
He spoke hurriedly, while Mrs.
Akerson gazed In speechless astonish
ment at the men who were carrying
the mangled, bleeding form of the
husband and father.
"Mrs. Akerson," It was young Dr.
Harvey who spoke, "compose your
self and show us where we can make
him as comfortable as possible." With
a mighty effort she collected her scat
tered thoughts and led the way to a
oozy little bedroom off the dining
room.
The children were so frightened that
they scarcely loallzed what had hap
pened. They stood gazing absent
mindedly into space, or trying help
lessly to make room for those who
bore their father to pass.
As the crushed body was laid on the
bed, Lawrence cried. In a hollow, un
natural voice, "Oh! we are fatherless,
what shall we do?"
This seemed to awaken them to .a
realization of their position, and tears
streamed down their faces. They had
been a helpless family, depending on
"papa" for everything, nnd it seemed
as If all the Joy had been taken from
their lives when they saw their father,
helpless, torn and bleeding, and heard
his moans of pain.
But among the number was one who
did not speak or weep. She stood
starlftg wildly at the floor, her face
ghostly white, her hands clasped
tightly together. The sight of her
awful grief made it harder for the
others to bear. That one was Mllly.
In a few moments Rev. Mr. Spencer
stepped' from the bed room. For an
Instant ho stood looking about him,
first at one then at the other of the
children, and then at the neighbors
and friends who. having learned of
the accident, had dropped in to offer
condolence nnd assistance. At last,
raising his hand as if to pronounce a
benediction, he murmured, "God bless
you, my children."
When he had finished speaking ho
crossed to, whero Mllly stood, and
spoke to her In low, comforting tones.
"Daughter." he said, "I know your
grief is great. The doctor thinks It Is
better that you should know that ho
docs not oxpect your father to stay
with, you long. But you should try to
jjear' It bravely, looking for strength
from Him who has promised to com
fort the mourner.
"Oh I can't he live?" she cried, wring
Ins; her hands In her agony, "No,"
answered the minister, "and wo all
think that It Is better that you shoubt
I-now the worst. The shock will not
be so great when ho Is called home."
"She gazed at Mr, Spencer In silence
for a few seconds, then pressing her
hands tightly to her breast she an
iwored him In a voice which, though
steady, was strangely Inw and harsh.
"Mr. Spencer, you do not know all
thero Is to make mo grieve, as I do.
If . you did, I do not know whether
foy would -Tlty mo or rensuro me,"
"Mildred, I do not think you have
done anything for which I could very
wejl censure you,"
"I, have' not spoken to my father In
nearly ten months,"
Willy"?
"Jt is true. I was disobedient and
he reproved me. This made me ansry,
snd I said I would never speak to him
igaln until he apologized. I see now,"
nd her voice trembled and the salty
irops coursed down her cheeks, "I see
where I was wrong; where It wns I
who needed to apologize, not papa."
"And. Oh! Mr. Spencer" the cry
Iciced the heart of every one who
' In that room "Oh. do you really
iilnk I wn ever ask for jmrdun; do
I you think It will ever bo granted If I
should ask" 7
Croat sobs shook the heart-broken
girl and sho looked Imploringly at Mr.
Spencer.
"Mildred," Mr. Spencer spoke very
slowly and gently, "Mildred, your
father's pardon would bo freely grant
ed you, were he conscious so you might
nk for It. I only hope that you may
be forgiven before ho goes. Ask
Hod's help and blessing and then wnlt
for a moment when be may forgive
his wilful, wayward daughter."
"I'll watch for that moment while
there Is one spark of life In his body,"
nnd with (Inn step, Mildred Akerson
walked Into the room whore her dying
father lay. For a short time sho
gazed at tho mangled form and pale
white face. Then she gently stroked
his forehead,
"Can any one here, tell me how this
happened"? she asked, at length.
"Yes, Miss Akerson, 1 can toll you.
I was near your father when tho ac
cident occurred." Tho speaker was a
plain looking man with a miner's lamp
fastened to his cap.
"Ob, please toll me."
"This nfternoon wc wore working In
one of the meanest places in all tho
mine; nnd your father had expressed
his doubts as to the safety of our
lives. But," ho added In his cheerful
way, 'lot us hope wc arc safe for you
know there Is our babies to care for
and wo nro needed so much at homo
that we can't hardly be spared.'
"We had worked on for perhaps fif
teen minutes, when .Tnek Anderson
turned to speak to your father. As ho
turned he uttered a cry of alarm, and
wo saw a heavy rock fall on poor Har
ris. We sprang to his assistance and
called for other help.
"In a short time wo had tho rock
removed, hut beneath It lay, crushed,
hlecdlng, moaning and unconscious the
best man and tho best miner in our
mines.
"We carried him out nnd brought
him home, as soon as possible, but I
am afraid his journey has tired him
very much, but perhaps he will be
better in tho morning."
"He won't never be no better,"
sobbed Harold who was standing at
the foot of tho bed.
"Oh, wo hope ho will be soon"! said
the minor.
"Do not deceive my children," Mrs.
Akerson said, "tho doctor thinks It Is
best that they should know he cannot
live but a short while."
"But." she continued, "It Is Clod's
will and wo must he reconciled to it."
During that long night while all was
still and no one awake save tho anxi
ous watchers at tho bedside, Mllly, de
spite tho efforts made by the physi
cian, tho minister and her mother to
get her to retire, sat by tho side of
the father whom she had so wroiiRod.
How she hoped and prayed that she
(might receive pardon. They promised
to call her if he became conscious, if
sho would only lie down and rest.
"I could not rest if I do lie down,
so what Is tho use," she would say
over and over to them. "I must re
ceive his forgiveness before lie goes."
Perhaps you wonder, dear reader, in
what way tills poor girl had disobeyed
her father.
About ten months before the time of
our story, some of the young people of
the town had given a masquerade ball.
Mllly hud been Invited to go, but as
Mr. Akerson disapproved, not only of
the ball but also of the cempany it led
one into, lie refused to let her go.
The ball wns to he on Tuesday even
ing, and Mr. Akerson left for his work
on Monday morning sincerely trusting
that Mllly would not go.
When Tuesday evening came, Mllly
prepared to attend.
"Mildred," said her mother, "you re
member your father said you should
not go."
"Papa's an old-fashioned crank, and
I'm going," was the retort.
Mrs. Akorson argued, but in vain.
Mildred scolded and coaxed, till she
won tho day, ami went to the ball.
When Mr. Akerson came home on
Saturday evening, bo asked if Mildred
had obeyed.
"No, sir," the said, dellautly. "You'r
too slow, papa; I did not have to stay
at borne."
"Melissa," said Mr. Akerson, . ad
dressing his wife, "you know Milly
was not to go to that place: you know
that I was not only opposed to a mas
querade, but I am also bitterly op
posed to some of the young people who
attended this, so why did you let her
go?"
"liecause, she se'ilded and coaxed till
I couldn't help It."
Mr. Akorson was never cruel. When
be was compelled to chastise her he
did It as gently as possible.
Truth always hurts, nnd Mildred,
with a naturally hasty temper, told
him she didn't li.ivo to speak to him,
and she wouldn't.
"You need not speak to mo If you do
rot wish, but remember. I am not like
some fathers, I do not turn you from
your home; remember, I am not like a
tyrant, who rules with an Iron hand.
I only ask that my children shall re
spect mo and obey my commands us
Icng as those commands are reason
able; remember, I am your father and
you are my daughter, nnd that my
home Is your homo until you leave It
for a hotter one. As soon as you are
ready to speak you may do so, but you
n.ust ask my pardon for the way you
have acted."
The sad tone used by her father
touched tho heart of the glrl, hut she
tcmalncd linn In her determination not
to speak to him. As time rolled on,
father and daughter saw less of each
ether, Mildred was never heard to
speak his name and sho avoided him
us much as possible, while he, on the
contrary, nfttn asked her mother about
her. Alas! now, when it is too into she
sees her folly, und prays that he may
be himself long enough to forgive her.
Sunday morning dawns bright and
beautiful, but the happiness of tho
Akerson home seems to be gone. All
day Mllly watches and prays. In the
evening, us the liiuich bells are peal
ing out their sweet music, Harris
Akerson, with one long-drawn sigh,
passed to be. with the everlasting
church. Mrs. Akerson, Mllly and Pr.
Hnivey were with him when death
cipie.
For a few moments Milly sat quietly
where she had sat so long, then sho
suddenly nrose, pressed u kiss on the
foM'hcad of her dead father, and said,
"You will forclve mo from Heaven,
papa." With this, sho loft the room.
Her gri"f was Intcns?. Dr. Harvey,
Mr. Spencer, her mothsr, brothers, sis
ter and friends did their best to com
fort her. She wandered aimlessly
about the house and yard until the day
of the funeral, when, with a great
Mtrtiggle, sho hid her own grief and
ministered, as best she could, to tho
unnts of the others.
The sermon seemed to prove a great
solace to her. Mr. Spencer spoke ot
the forgiving nature of tho deceased
and then of tho wonderful lovo and
pardon given by the one who corn
foils the mourners.
The rhfck nnd strain were too much
for Melissa Akerson to bear, and for
weeks her children were compelled t
watch by her bedside. But at last she
rose ami was once more among them,
In better, but still In poor health.
Then came the momentous question
of debt. Although Mildred and Law
rence had boon earning money for
some time, It had always boon Papa
who kept, the home. Of course they
hml helped but now they must do It
alone. Nellie could help as soon as
sho llnlshed school, so sho could
teach, but they would not let her quit
school to help them.
Their expenses during the summer
had boon large. Thoro was the fun
eral expenses, the doctor bill and the
regular expenditures of the homo. It
was vacation now and Lawrence was
earning nothing. Mllly, ' who had
been clerking, wns compelled to help
care for her mother, nnd so was not
making anything, so their Income dur
ing tho summer was little or notli-
itlR.
Besides everything else their home
wns mortgaged. Times had not always
been good for Mr. Akerson, but of
lane his wages had been Increased,
Lawrence and Mllly had been paying
their board, nnd Lawrence had been
helping In other ways, so that just
tlie month before his death Mr. Akor
son had purchased the home In which
they wore living. They had taken a
deed and given a mortgage, promising
to pay It In monthly payments. Now
their father was gone there was no
one to pay tho mortgage nnd they
were afraid they would lose their
home.
Lawrence Intended doing the best bo
could, nnd he hoped Milly would help
him. As has been stated, Mllly paid
her board, but when they proposed
buying the house Lawrence had asked
if sho would not give something each
month to help clear tho place of debt.
"No," she had answered, 1 will not,
I only pay my board so that I am un
der no ohligtlons to him." So Law
rence feared she would not help him.
It was a serious problem for hitn
to face, but Milly came bravely to
his rescue. "I would not help Papa,
but I will help you for his sake," she
told him sadly.
So brother and sister struggled on
together. The road wns rough and
steep, but they tolled patiently up
ward. One day in early autumn Bobert and
Harold came in and quietly tiptoed
over to whero their mother was sit
ting. "Well, my boys, what is it"? she
asked.
"Mamma," answered Bobert, "you
know how wo miss papa, and how
much wo need him back. Thero is no
one on earth who can 1111 his place,
but, as you and Lawrence and Mllly
have it so hard, Harold and I have
decided to help you all we can. We
thought we could be bread winners,
so we have got jobs In the mini's ami
are to commence work tomorrow
morning."
"(!od bless my lads," cried their
mother, as with tears streaming down
her cheeks sho drew them to her and
kissed the boyish brows.
"But," she said, when her emotion
had passed, "boys, you must not leave
school; we will not allow you to do
that."
"But Lawrence must keep a night
school here at homo for us."
At first Lawrence and Milly did not
want to consent to the boy's proposi
tion, but Mrs. Akerson thought that
if they would study nights It would
be better to let them work.
"Well," said Lawrence, "go, my dear
brothers, and Clod bless you, you little
know how much your wages will aid
us. Our night school will open tomor
row evening."
Should we visit that town today we
would see those bravo boys, almost
young men now. trying to 1111 papa's
place.
Mllly had a shadow cast over her
life, but she is the bettor for It. Sho
is Mrs. Dr. Harvey now, but still she
lannot help but wish that she could
have obtained tho pardon sho sought.
SANITARY HOUSE-CLEANING.
The Absolute Necessity for the Use
of Disinfectants Everywhere.
I'nvii "u I'liil.nlolplil.i Li'ilgcr.
If a house of wood Is tilled with
perishable, dust-holding materials, it
must follow that there Is created a
condition of things always harder to
clean and needing constant renewnl.
The friction of clothes (especially
the clothes, of such as constitute
themselves gratuitous street scaven
gers), adds to tho accumulation, and
though this may me removed from
the visible surface by sweeping and
"dusting," the constant circulation of
the air carries It along to tlnd perma
nent lodgments In corners and cran
nies, whero It may rest undisturbed
until routed thence by tho conscien
tious "chnr." That this annual or bi
ennial routing Is really tho health
passovcr of the household, a very
small amount of science Is sufficient
to demonstrate. ft s becauso tho
germs of disuse llml their favnilto
abiding place In dry organic matter,
and coiuo to lfe and activity If this
is mado damp, that tho washing ami
scouring of boarded Moors has been
abolished In hospitals, whero disinfec
tant cleansing has taken Its place.
Households would do well to follow
this loud and use disinfectants, too.
It Is of small uso to lift a carpet ami
think that by washing tho boards un
derneath the llnor has been mado
clean: water tillering Into the chinks
and seams, carrying dirt with It
furnishes a breeding ground for mi
crobes that will find their way into
vigorous llfo sooner or later. If, how
tver, u strong disinfectant had been
In that water, or, bettor still, a damp
cloth had been wiped over tho boards,
It would Itself have killed all tho
germs at owe. Similarly with tho
carpet; beating and brushing alone
are not suflUient to destroy the power
of organic matter, though a spraying
'
&
THE
or brushing with a disinfectant solu
tion wuulil ilo so. Thorn are plenty
of disinfectants, preparations of enr
lnilli of lin and of coal tar, which
are harmless to fabrics hut deadly to
dust germs. One of these should al
ways be employed In paint washing,
as oven tho most careful cleansing
does not sulliee to eradicate lly stains
and we are only just discovering how
much the common house, lly and mos
quito can do in the way of mischief.
PETRIFIED FORESTS.
Those Recently Found in Arizona
Even More Romnvknblo Than
Thnt in New Mexico.
Hum t lie I'liiiM'.-o Hri'nnMlrrald.'
Itcsults of investigation In the won
derful petrified forests In the northern
part of Arizona htivo been reported by
Pr. J. N. Pulver and n party of scien
tists who have been studying tho go
hIurIimI formations of that part of tho
Territory for several months. The
lemalns of the ancient forests nro In
tho heart of tho San Francisco .Moun
tains. "AKitte bridge" Is the most notable
feature In this land of natural wonders.
Tho portion of tho forest whero tho
llno.it of the gems are found Is lu Apa
cho county, .seventeen miles from
llnlhrnok. Tho "bridge" Is a trunk,
tinnsfoiined into the finest URnte,
which spans a chasm sixty feet wide.
This precious sem is 110 fuel Iour and
live feet thrro inches In diameter at the
base, tapering to threo feet nt the apex,
and contains euniiRli material to rIvo
labor to all the lapidaries In tho world
for tho next Reiioratlon, This log la
one of thousands, many of thorn broken
Into huge fragments. It Is Impossible
to ennretvo of the marvelous beauty of
this region, for tho ground Is covered
with amethyst, red and yellow Jasper,
topaz, onyx, caruollan and gignmlo
specinionts of agate of every variety
gems as big as Hour barrels and steam
boilers.
r)rt Pulvor reports that thero is a
line group of big logs in tho foothills,
about twelve miles east of Wlnslow,
and probably fnrty-llvo miles distant
fiuni the ngato bridge, Ho waa hunt,
lug lost horses when ho came upon
taudstnuo cliffs, notable becauso of
their unusual perpendicularity, Theso
flirts have wnn away, leaving exposed
hugo trees, which may be observed
from a distance of a mllo or more from
the valley, standing out In bold relief,
like the pillars of sonio ancient tem
ple. A closer view shows these trees
to bo from four to six feet In dlame.
ter and often twenty or thirty
feet hlRh. with their great
mots running off into tho solid
rock. A greaj niche, iu the face
of tho wall marks tho place from
Slowly and stealthily the mautle of ignorance clothes the unhappy victim of doc
tors' mistake;), until death ensues, and both the patient as well as the physician, errors
through lack of skill, are soon buried and hidden from view.
There Is No Such Disease as Dyspepsia
Dyspepsia is a term, used by doctors for nearly every class of stomach disease. It
is simply a term used to hide ignorance. Ignorance of the true character of disease sure
ly can never be expected to a;d in its cure. Consequenty so-called dyspepsia and other
stomach troubles have never been cured. The word "dyspepsia" means "difficult diges
tiou," nothing more, nothing less, and treating a symptom and not the disease is wrong
treatment, and ineffective treatment that has allowed the world to become filled with per
sons suffering with constipation, dark circles under the eyes, loss of appetite, pain of ful
ness after meals, heart burn, belching up gas, lack of vitality, loss of proper sleep and, in
fact, a host of other difficulties. The old plan of doctoring for stomach diseases consisted
in purges, emetics and worthless digestive ferments drugs that irritated or inflamed the
stomach, that increased the sufferiug, and was really like heaping dry fuel on a smoulder
ing fire.
Onder the Yelpau System of Medicine Methods of Treatment
The inflamed and diseased lining of the stomach is first soothed and quieted by the use
of proper remedies.
The sore and iu flamed parts are healed and the lining of the organ is restored to
its wonted tone and healthy condition.
Under this plan, healing drugs quiet the sore and inflamed spots that have been
throwing out quantities of sticky, slimy mucous that is mixed "with the food and has
coated it over, thus preventing the gastric juices from dissolving and digesting it.
When ouce healed, the lining of the stomach is enabled to serve the purpose that
nature intended it to serve.
Beginning immediately after the introduction of the proper and correct
treatment, the symptoms of disease of the stomach pass ayay one by one.'
The hawking and spitting in the morning becomes less, the appetite for breakfast
returns, there is no more nausea where there should be desire for food, the heartburn and
waterbrash pass away, the bloating iu the stomach after taking a full meal, and there is
no longer discomfort experienced while the hearty meal is in the process of being con
verted into nourishment for the blood.
The foul gases that were belched up are no longer formed and the bowels become
regular.
The entire system experiences new vigor from the abundance of nourishment
absorbed iu the blood, where foul poisons had previously been offered it.
The Velpau System of Hedicine fleans
Making Health Possible to All.
It gives you proofs, not promises. All patients are treated by the latest scientific
remedies, whose virtues are known. No experimenting with the sick and unfortunate;
but gives a prompt, perfect, positive and permanent cure.
In order to further show the superiority of the new treatment for diseases of the
stomach over all other treatments, all persons suffering from stomach disease who ap
ply at our offices before 9 p. m. Saturday, June 15, will receive consultation, applica
tions, inhalations, sputum, urine and other examinations, with services and medicines,
at the uniform rate of 50c for each visit. This will afford every sufferer the opportu
nity of testing the marvelous remedies which have cured so many hundreds during Mail.
ELPAD SYSTEM OF MEDICINi
Perminantly Losated at 134 Wyoming
IIOUKS-0.30 a. m. t.) 12.30 p. in.; 2.30 p. in. to (i
which one nf these trunks lias fallen.
Some of tin- rem. lining ones appear
just ready to fall, while others project
but little beyond tint fncc. Indicating
that the mountain is tilled with the re
wains of these trees. ,
Several miles westward i"long tho
slope of tho mountains, n small but re
markable pet rilled forest was found.
The largest tree which must have been
the very kins; of its race, stands on tho
summit of a sun-baked, desolate foot
hill. It is twenty-six and one-half
tcet Iu circumference and fourteen feet
iu height, with roots embedded iu tho
solid rock. Almost all of these trees
are perfectly preserved even to the
bark, which In some cases is live Inches
thick.
With the exception of a single cotton
wood trunk the trees are of an ex
tinct coniferous species, 'riiey lie promt
upon tlio ground. The section or ends
of the logs show brilliant red and yellow-
and dull blues. Tho bark Is not
hi 1111. tilt, but dull, ami wonderfully
well prestivcd. Some trees show even
the knots to perfection, Some of the
petrified logs are four loot In thickness
und Iroin ten to twelve feet long, They
have no brunches, but the hundreds of
pieces varying from a couple of inches
to one foot in diameter are probably
the remains of blanches.
litre and there are heaps nf chips
l rum tho pntilllcd trees and their beau
ty of coloring 1. bowilderlir,,'. Theie
are literally thousands, of bushels of
chips that are led moss aifate anil may
be beautifully polished. Thoro nro
many times nioro chips of amethyst,
gray topaz and various lined agates,
showing tho grain nf the trees, as they
grew millions of yours ago. Ono may
obtain cress sections of fallen trees,
showing In completcst detail tho annual
ting marks and tho separation of the
bark from the trees. Tio stone Is of
the hardest nnd lakes and keeps an In
comparable polish.
In tho rock all about the trees thero
lire Impressions of launches, leaves
nnd even cones and fiuMs, that must
hiivo belonged tn them, The trees with
the thick hark wore conifers like tho
boi,unliiH, or "big trees" of California,
and quite likely wero their direct an
cestors. Others wero like our common
tires that is, such as oaks, chestnuts,
beeches, elms, maples, magnolias anil
lindens. Tho only living trees found in
tho vicinity of the fossil forests aro
pines and spruce und two kinds of
cottonwood.
Head Feels Like Bursting.
Muybo you weio out late last night?
If you had taken a Krnuso's Headache
Capsule before retiring your head
would be cool and clear this nnu'iiiug.
Take one now und you will bo all light
lu nn half hour. I'rice L'3c. Sold by all
druggists.
Avi., Opposite Hotel J3rmyi, Scranton,
p. m.; 7.30 to 9.30 p. n.
SHANGHAI WOMAN'S CLUB.
Literary Socioty Composed of Ameri
can Women.
When It is born In mind how wo
men's clubs have multiplied and pros
pered iu tho I'nlted Slates it will not
be dllllcult to. realize that others aro
springing up wherever American wo
men have formed coniinuiiitles In for
eign coiintris. Shanghai is called tho
metropolis of the Kar ICast. The of
llci.il circle, which revolves about tho
consulates, takes precedence socinlly,
after which come t ho wealthy bankers,
merchants and shipowners. In all these
circles Americans are largely repres
ented, the American consul being tho
doyen of the Diplomatic Corps. ,
Knglish women living In Shanghai do
not "go In" for culture oi Intellectual
distinction to any marked degree; ab
sorbed iu entertaining, (lancing, curd
playing end attending the races, they
lead little, and have a general horror,
It Is said, of being accounted clover.
The American women, however, aro
true to their traditions; they lovehooks,
and although cut off fron. friends and
country, they do not propose to re
trograde. The club which they found
ed lu Shanglal In ISHS, and which has
bt on wl sustained, Is ovldenco of this.
As the American Consulate is common
gi'iuind, the meetings Iuivj been held in
the large druing-rooiu, which will
ei.slly acconmiodiiio several bundled
people.
The object of the club, as stated In
Its constitution and bylaws, Is to pm
moto a higher and broader Intellectual
culture and to unite more ilosely tho
women of the American roinniuultv In
Shanghai. It Is called tho American
Women's I.lloiary Society, and any
American woman may hecnniu n mem
ber who has been recommended by tho
r.xocutlvo CoinniltUe and receives a
two-thirds volo of tho members present
at tho meeting in which her natno Is
pioposed, t
Tho programme Is arranged for tho
year by a committee, hut it Is subject
to revision al tho discretion of tho
society, tn which It Is submitted as u
whale. Tho annual elections nro held
in May and tho odlcers chosen serve for
ono year. The meeting's aro held at 3
o'clock on the llrst and third Mondays
of each month, und on theso occasions
thero may be seen waiting' before the
iraln entrance of tho f'oiuulato not a
line of carriages, but of jluriklshas.
Non-residents only can be Invited as
guests, but once i year, at least, tho
dub gives u reception or dinner, to
which the husbands und friends of the
members are invited.
The club was Instituted originally
by Mrs. Klizabt'th Ooodnow. tlu wlfo
of tho American Consul-Ooneral, whn
wtis aided in tho work of organization
Pa.
by Mrs. Alice II. Rich, Mrs. M. W.
Ferguson. Mrs. Lillian J. Lyman and
Miss Emma Silver. It was organized
with a membership of twenty-nine.
Among tho members are Mrs. AUca
Rich, a contributor to several Amerl
con publications; Mrs. Y. J. Allen, the
wife of one of the plonoer missionaries
and an official in the Society for tho
Diffusion of Christian Knowledge, and
Mis. Hoso S. Williams, a translator of:
scientific works for the Imperial Qov
eminent.
"It was prophesied when tho club was
founded that it would die speedily of
inanition," said a traveler who hasjust
returned from Shunghal, "but, on the
contrary. It has grown In number
and elllclency, nnd bids fair to exorl
a lasting influence In Shanghai, and
will probably bo nn incentive to the
formation or other clubs In Yokohama,
Hong Kong nnd Manila. It has nn
especial infusion in tho Par East,
whero women are cut off from so many
menus of amusement and recreation to
be enjoyed eleswhero in the Occident,
and once firmly rooted tho club Is des
tined tn In come a permanent feature In
the American colony wherever such a,
colony exists,"
CAUGHT WHITE CATFISH.
I'kuii I lie N"nv Voik Sun,
Arrivals at the Aauariuni last week
Included a horned dogfish about two
and one-half foot long, and an angler
about two feet III length, caught on
tho llnhlug banks off tho Jersey coast,
and a white cattish, dipped up In a
bucket from tho Kust river, opposite
Williamsburg, from the steamer An
gler. Tho cattish Is a little loss than a
foot In length. How It got Into the
Knst liver nobody knows. It Is pos
sible thnt It came down the North
river, or out of some stream emptying
Into tho bay from Jersey,
Ilesldes being a strange kind of fish
to find III tho Kust river, the white
catfish is less common than some other
kinds of cattish In fresh waters here
abouts lu which catfish abound. The
whlto catfish has n very nearly white
uiiderhody und white barbels, differing
therein from the common catfish,
more properly called bullhead, and
sometimes horned pout, which has a
dark uiiderhody and black barbels.
Tho white catfish is more common In
the Susquehannu and In the Potomac
livers, from one or another of which
the specimens exhibited In tho Aquari- '
urn nave usuuuy neen found.
Mr. Ilciiriue I oupposf jou know, Mirii,
Hut thcie is a great liuTfjse of rnnlilfnce cv'
rnuhrro fchiri tlij. r..L,lf,M, nl l,.L'lni...a
.... . , .... , ...,v .,, ..avi.tllirj . 1
MrM. ilfnnoniit (infln ItLsK. ll..Ll.u ,. . I
joii kp ricbt on Ktttlngr Into this hoiue by D
A.lj-iL- nlnlila m. m ....! lilt J 1
ii ui " i a """ ur ' away j our
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