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B. F. SCHWEIER ' TSI C6K8TITUTI0S TH1 OITIOH AHO Tfll SSTOKCXXXST 07 TKI LAWS. Editor and Proprietor.
VOL. XXIX. . MIFFLINTOWN, JUNIATA COUMT, PENNA., APRIL 28, 1S75. NO. 17.
i
t
rOETBI.
The Kaakra City.
FT HF-SET ABBPTT.
I walked beside a quiet sea.
At starkM, while the vest m gray
And clear, though faint and far away ;
Through the stilled water, forth to me.
Voice of be Us came dreamily ;
No breeze more manifest than they.
Some say a thousand fears ago
Thwe throve s city on an isle
Iteyond the headland, mile on mils,
Which, in a night of fear and woe.
Sank in (he classy depth below
Sauk tower and dwelling, beam and tile.
And now, when twinkling skies are clear,
W ithin the sunken city there.
The sad ghoxts ring their past despair
(hit on the mermen's atmosphere
llwg loudly all. that life may hear
Dead sadness stir the ample air.
To me this city is not strange ;
I feel familiar with each gate,
Kju h tower and street unfortunate.
And, wheresoe'er I dwell or range, '
JU mem'ry-pieture does not change,
limned by its stern destroyer. Fats.
Its labarums, on roof and mast,
Kwam in the u-lit with silken arms.
No wrathful wars, nor dread alarms.
The streeted splendor overcast ;
Hut, on a throne of gems amassed.
Sat Treasure with Ciroean charms.
Yet came the hour of loss aud fear.
The city sank, tower, wall and mart.
Its brittle site was rent apart.
And all went down that once was dear ,
Hut oft, in loneliness, I hear
Its sunken bells ring in my heart.
I beat no note of vain regret. .
My hope-wrongbt city of To-be,
Youth seen, upon the future's sea.
Has Taninbed, and its sun is set ;
lut broader aud diviner yet,
The city of Ideality.
For, though its ways be pared with stone,
Aud hard and rough to toiling feet.
Aud though, in the accustomed street,
No blazoned garniture is known,
Ly Fate, God's hand. Ilia will is shown,
Aud lore makes humble service sweet.
1IM KI.Ll.Vf.
Idy KlnMlngtoa.
A writer in the Chicago Tribune
pays : "Lady Jilessington, like Mme.
iU-camier, was an acknowledged queen
of society. But now, after the dazzle
and gutter of her fame haa faded to a
memory, it is plainly seen that not even
in a remote decree was her position
like Margaret Fuller's or Mme. De
Stael a a purely intellectual one.
There can be little donbt that she might
have exerted every influence of her ap
parent wealth, and every power of her
iutelleet, aud yet, had she been less
favored by nature than she was with
charms that catch the fancies of men,
might have striven in Tain for the
honors she bore so welL She had
keenly perceptive intelligence, which,
when it went gleaning in the fluids of
art and literature, never failed to espy
the richest grain that would garner
well, to feed after conversations, fler
mind was entirely objective in its
character. Not in the least subjective.
It laid hold upon the outer world with
faculties that gathered and brought
home their gain to make her intelligence
brilliant but superficial, to make ber
conversation more descriptive, quota
tive and emotionally critical rather than
dispassionately analytical and trans
parently profound. She had no vision
of the mysteries of mind and soul that
batlla and perplex the thinker's con
sciousness. The sight was seldom or
not at all introverted. She lived to
grow as a morning glory grows, to beau
tiful blossoms and luxuriant foliage,
but with little root into the deep soil
of thought. She was wonderfully gifted
in expression, both of speech and per
son, so that the idea which a less at
tractive woman, uttering in no more
barren phrase, would seem but a scanty
addition to the conversation, came from
her with all the pomp and glory of an
assured triumph. She of course was
never original ; her ideas were the
thoughts that are the world's universal
own, rehabilitated in the showy Bless
iugton livery, and sent forth to enhance
the lilessington reputation. In reading
her life and letters, one always has the
impression that she poses always for
dramat ic effect, even in her private cor
respondence ; that she always wrote
and talked, not from the overflow of
her own nature, but pertinaciously up
to the standard of social and worldly
approbation. ' Her literary reputation
was made at a time when there were
fewer feminine competitors for fame
than now, and was nourished upon a
diet of showy Annuals, such as the
reading public of to day would reject
aa the most insipid of literary grneL
II er tales and novels probably are never
read by the present army of light-literature
readers, and would not find a pub
lisher were they hawked from one
office to another all over the country.
Her beauty, her mental brilliancy, her
rare expressional grace, and her supreme
ambition to be the bright focus point
of the intellectual rays of society made
her house fashionable."
A It rami Hal Major.
Two painters were employed to fresco
the walls of a magnificent cathedral ;
both stood on a rude scaffolding con
structed for the purpose, some eighty
feet from the floor. One of them was
so intent upon his work that he be
came absorbed, and in admiration stood
off from the picture, gazing at it with
delight. Forgetting where he, was he
moved backward slowly, surveying
critically the work of his pencil, until
he had neared the end of the plank
upon which he stood. At this critical
moment hiscompanion turned suddenly
and, almost frozen with horror, beheld
Lis imminent peril ; another instant
and the enthusiast would be precipita
ted upon the pavement beneath ; if he
spoke to him it was certain death if
he held his peace death was equally sure.
Suddenly he regained his presence of
mind, and seizing a wet brush, flung it
against the wall, splattering the beauti
ful pictnre with unsightly blotches of
color. The painter new forward, and
turned upon his friend with fierce im
precations ; but, startled at his ghastly
face, he listened to the recital of the
danger, looked snddenly over the dread
space below, and with tears of grati
tude blessed the hand that saved him.
ho we sometimes get absorbed in look
ing upon the pictures of this world,
and, in contemplating them, step back
ward, unconscious of our peril when
the Almighty dashes out the beautiful
images, and we spring forward to la
ment their destruction- into the out
stretched arms of mercy, and are saved.
A fop in companv, wanting his ser
vant, called out, "Where's that block
head of mine?" "On your shoulder,
air, said a lady, I
LLOrOLD OtRDELl'I.
About twenty artillery officers, tmontr
tuera myself, were one evening seated
at the Cafe D'Orsay drinking absinthe.
Gougeon was giving us a description of
the last concert at the Tuileries, and in
so doing clearly indicated that his head
had been turned by thesingingof Mile.
Xilsson; suddenly we were surprised
by a loud laugh from Brumer.
"1 beg your pardon," he said, "for
laughing, tint I just happened to think
of something I read in the Fi'jnro to
day. It is here in my pocket. I will
read it to vou and then explain."
With these words he produced the
lonnial and read as follows:
"Two illustrious couples will be
united to-morrow tiefore the aristo
cratic altar of Notre Dame. The
wedding will be attended by the most
brilliant and distinguished society of
I'aris. on the occasion Alatlani la
Countess de Gardelux will espouse
Monsieur le Viscount de Chavigny
Seulis, and Mile. Augusta Helen de
Gardelux will be united to the Marquis
ue r orcepout.
"liy-the-by, Brumer," I inquired,
"was there not a Gardelux iu the
army r
"Yes, he died in my arms two years
ago, and the ladies who are to be
married to-morrow are liis mother and
sister, both coquettes, who doubtless
waste few thoughts upon the dead."
An audible curse accompanied these
w on Is.
"My dear fellow," exclaimed Fitz
Moore. "surely yon condemn prema
turely. A devoted friendship such as
you profess is highly honorable, but
you cannot desire the door of grief to
tie eternally om ii. Like leaves, tears
have their time to tali. Jle is dead."
"True, but they forgot him whilst he
still lived; it was atrocious. If you
will listen I will explain." - -
Ha vinar expressed our willingness, we
lighted fresh cigars and Brumer com
menced :
"I knew Gardelux well. During an
entire year we were stationed at Kriska.
Ik-fore his arrival we were told that a
lieutenant from St. G would joiu
us, and that he was a young Count.
He arrived on horseback, preceded by
a Spahi and followed by a muleteer,
who carried his baggage. He was
neither tall or tine looking, having
more the physique of a woman than a
man, and not even tile slightest ray of
down graced his upper lip. When he
alighted from his horse he was so weak
lie staggered, and would have fallen
bad I not caught him in my arms We
conducted hi in to his quarters aud there
left him to seek rest. The olticers
were at first rather inclined to ridicule
his effeminate appearance, but the bet
ter they learned to know him the more
fully they appreciated his character.
He was always cordial and polite, never
haughty even to menials, but seemed
to realize the ower of gentle kindness.
We soon learned that his military edu
cation was of no common order, and
the soldiers under him obeyed him as
implicitly as though he had been in
appearance the man ho certainly was
in mind and character. On entering
his room one day 1 found bun in a state
of very great excitement, and upon my
inquiring the cause, he replied :
"llenii, I am the most unhappy of
men. 1 love with all the strength of
my heart, aud am not even remem
bered. "Vou r I said surprised.
"Yes." lie continued. "aud I suffer
greater torment than any described by
Dante. I write aluiost dailv to mother
and sister, but not oue line have 1 re
ceived in return.
"I offered every sympathy, and finally
saw him grow calm. The succeeding
evening we were assembled at the Inn
Menelie, a bowl of punch had been
mixed, and we were drinking toasts. I
proposed the health of Gardelux. "To
his glory and immortality that awaits
him,'' I said, raising my glass.
"A generous hurrah followed, and in
the enthusiasm the glasses were so
suddenly approached that one was
broken. It was that of Gardelux. I
seem still to see the expression of his
face so stern and death-like as he
stood with the broken stem of the glass
between his fingets. At that moment
the door was thivwn open, and iioland
of the Zephers entered.
"It is time we were off, gentlemen ;
they are mounting their horses," he
said, quickly.
A tumult of qnestions followed,
which led to the information that the
lU-ni Yalee had revolted anil that a
pillage was feared.
The order from the general was for
mal; in one honr we were to start.
"Come." I cried to Gardelux. who
still sat in silent thought, bis face pale
auil wan. Without a word he me
chanically olieyed. I was in the same
company with my friend; ours was the
advance guard. As we rode along I
approached him, saying:
"You are happy now, I hope."
"Yes," he responded, "for I may as
well die now as later on iu life,"
"You aie crazy," 1 replied. "Why,
your existence as a soldier is alxuit to
commence success awaits you do not
talk ot death."
"You know. Henri." he continued.
that I do not usually indulge in present
ments, but this order came under very
peculiar circumstances. You were
speaking of glory of immortality
and 1 was thinking of death."
"Well, I predict success and fame.
Why, you will return home covered
with glory. 1 am sure of it."
"As you will, old fellow," he added,
with a" sad smile. "I will not contra
dict you. but 1 myself feel under the
influence of a spell. I have written
letters home, anil' in your bauds leave
my will and two letters. Listen to me
and promise to carry out my wishes if
fate is cruel tome. I desire that you
in person convey the letters to their
destination. Vine is tor my motiier, me
other for my sister Helen."
A march at night through an unknown
country is neither gny nor picturesque,
and our route on the night in question
was dark and gloomy. The bright
colors of the uuiforms were extin
guished all voices were hushed. The
footfall of the men and the vibrating
clank of their arms could alone be
heard. We seemed like a procession
of monks as we silently stole along. I
believe if battles were fonght at night
brave men- would lie scarce, for it
needs the light and warmth of the
bright sun to stand the tierce brout of
the fiendish tire which, like a rain of
death, cuts short many lives, aud stills
many a proud, brave heart. t .
"At length we reached our destina
tion, aud with dawn a fearful battle
ensued, followed by a few hours of
repose. On awakening from a sleep of
exhaustion. 1 sought Leopold, and
found him writing.
"Ah ! you see I was right, old fellow,
foolish fancies do not always bring
grim death," I exclaimed gaily.
"Let us go and take a walk." he
responded quietlv, without reverting to
my wonts. "Come, the scenery is
eujierb." .
"I do not care for tlie landscape, " I
said ; "let us sjieak of yesterday, of the
battle, of you. myself, victory, and
w hat not. You received the baptism
of fire, mv friend, and already look like
a hero. "What do you bet that your
name docs not find its way into the
Monittnr et'l Armert Even in war there
is lottery. Yon drew a prize, I mean
your life. Tell me, were yon fright-
"Yes. horribly," Le said, smiling.
"Horribly at first."
"I understand the feeling well, and
afterwards 1"
"It soon passed off, for I remembered
tne name i Dear."
"Yon must be present," I said, when
the companies are assembled."
"No," be replied, "I have not finished
mis letter to my mother."
I soon understood why he had avoided
being present, for the first name the
gentleman pronounced was that of Gar
delux. He spoke of bis heroism and
courage. Told how he had the energy
to go and liberate twelve of his com
panions who bad imprudently engaged
themselves with the Arabs. Also of
his having entered the fortified village
of lieni Yalee. I could not listen to
another word, but ran to his cabin and
found him still writing, and ere he
could replace the papers in the port
folio. I had caught him in my arms and
pressed him to my heart. -
"Now 1 know why yon wonld not
accompany me," he exclaimed. "You
knew you would be praised, for you
fought like a lion. Come to my heart,
for you are a trne soldier."
"I cried and laughed with joy. He
remained pale and haggard, scarcely
heeding my words.
"Come," he said at length, "I must
thank the General."
"You have plenty of time," I replied,
"he requires n-st ; for a man of his
years he has had a Uinghtime."
At dawn we were again marching,
and the golden sun set on a bloody
encounter. As before, Leopold had
done such deeds of bravery that
I heard that the Legion of Honor
was to be conferred upon him. Desiring
to be first to announce this good for
tune, I turned towards his tent. Pres
ently I heard my name called.
"I have been seeking you, captain,"
said an orderly. "Monsieur de Gar
delux desires to see you."
"Where is bet" I inquired
"At the ambulance, and very ill,"
replied the man.
"Is it possible," I exclaimed. "What
has happened f
"A lall has pierced his stomach, cap
tain. I picked him op ; but make uaste,
there is no time to lose."
We ran all the way to the ambulance,
and my heart grew sick on seeing the
tents surrounded by the red nag.
"It is here," said my guide, designat
ing the first tent.
I entered, and by the light of a
lantern saw my poor friend extended
on a mattress. "He was so pale that at
first 1 thought him dead, but he had
only fainted. The snrgeon was beside
biui. He was kneeling, and aa he
raised his head I recognized Marcon
"My poor Brumer," he said, "you
have 'lost a true friend, and the army
"Is there no hope V 1 inquired.
"I fear there is none. A hemorrhage
will ensue which will cause sunocation
He may live three hours, but, God be
thanked, he will not suffer. As you are
here, I will go, for others require my
immediate aid."
1 implored him to remain, to invent
some miracle to save my tnend. lie
could only kindly press my hand and
depart.
I seated in r self beside Gardelux, and
at length heard him feebly pronounce
my name.
"Dear Henri," he murmured.
"I took his hand in mine : it was cold
and damp with the dew of approaching
death.
"1 am here." I whispered. I saw him
wearily raise his lids, but the eyes that
met my own were sightless.
"It is I, your own friend Brumer," I
said. He made another effort, and
barely articulated the word water.
I separated his closed teeth, and
introduced a few drops of water in his
month. This seemed to aflord some
relief, and at last I saw that he knew
me.
"Thank you," he murmured, and his
hand that still lay in mine returned
the pressure of my own.
"It is finished," he continued. "Yon
see 1 was right. I knew it wonld come.
Do you remember my words f Do not
grieve for me. A little sooner or a
little later matters not. War is grand.
I have been happy with you."
I tried to give him some hope. At
first he only answered by a smile, which
in its sadness chilled my heart. Then
tremblingly he continued:
"Dear Henri, time presses. My watch
is beneath my pillow. The moment I
die stop it. It is for my mother. She
will see that my last thought, my last
moment of life was given to her. Do
you understand T Give the medallion
to my sister. My will is in my own
room at Briska. I have bequeathed
vou my sword, my arms and my books.
I have written two volumes of poetry.
I hope they will not burn my verses.
Carry them to Helen. In my pocket
you will find a few thousand francs.
Give them to my company, and tell the
men that I loved them. On yonr
breast, dear Henri, I bid farewell to
France, to life and to you, my more
than brother."
Suddenly a cry almost of joy escaped
his lips, and the look of agony left his
face. "All suffering is gone. 1 aid
better now ; lietter." As he said these
words his eyes slowly closed.
"He was, indeed, better, and bad
ceased to suffer, for t'.ie soul of the
pure, true man and biave soldier had
left this sad earth forever.
Almost w ild with grief, I ran to and
fro, calling to all - that he was dead.
And so the night passed. At length I
returned to the ambulance for I longed
to see him again. I found him extended
on the ground, his face alone visible,
his body had been covered. I know
not how long I remained upon the
damp grass, until some one touched me
on the shoulder. It was the General.
He did not attempt to console, for be
understood that my grief was then
beyond relief.
"Captain Brumer," he said, authori
tatively, "no one will leave the camp
before evening. At seven we will do
our last duty to those friends and com
rades we have lost. - A few words must
be said over their graves. I have
chosen you to pronounce them. Keturn
to yonr tent.
"At seven o'clock I stood before the
open grave, but could not utter one
word. I remembered the General had
promised me the cross for my friend.
Mechanically I pulled off mv own and
threw it upon Gardelux's breast. I
then fell fainting into the General's
arms he was weeping bitterly.
At last the war was over, and I
returned to Paris. I determined to
carry out the wishes of Gardelux. I
took the watch, the ring, his papers
and his tunique and drove to the hotel.
The door was open, and several equi
pages were drawn up before it. The
valet asked if my visit was to Madam
de Gardelux.
"Yes," I replied, "I wish to see her at
once."
"Does monsieur know that this is
madam's reception day f"
"Give my card to the lady," I respon
ded, feeing tha. I waa resolute, the
servant took tht card. On it I had
written my name, adding that I bad
much to tell her respecting her son.
The valet returned in a few moments,
saying: "Madam La Countesse was en
gaged at present, but begged that I
would call on the following day at the
same hour.
"Tell her that it is impossible, 1 leave
to-night for Strasburg."
This message brought the request
that I would follow him to her boudoir,
as the lady had consented to accord
me a few minutes of her time. In a
moment more I heard the rustle of a
silk dress, and turning saw before me
a lady arrayed in a nch toilet, the color
mauve, and not a trace of mourning.
Her face was smiling, and gave no indi
cation of grief. She remained standing
wtiiie l explained the reason tor my
importunity.
ih !" she said, "you then knew my
poor ieopoia i "
"Yes, madam, and loved him," I re
sponded. "He had some good points," she
added ; "but what an absurd fancy of
his to get killed by the savage Arabs,
when lie could have lived happily in
Paris. If he had but listened to my
advice he would now be here."
"1 know, madam," I replied, "that
you do not favor my vocation."
"True, but yon say, I understand,
thatou were commissioned by him."
"Y ea, to embrace both you and his
sister and "
"We will imagine that accomplished,
what then T" she responded, coldly.
"Here is his watch," I continued,
"that be bade me stop the moment that
he died, saying it was for his mother."
"1 understand ; it is a chronometer,
if I remember rightly, one of value.
Perhaps you would like to retain it as
a souvenir 1"
"I have a souvenir, and cannot ac
cept," I replied.
"Is that all T" she inquired.
"No, madam." 1 responded, "here are
some papers; in them you will find the
history of your son's life, and this book
contains verses written by him, for
Leopold Gardelux was a poet."
"A fault we did all in our power to
correct," she said, with a sigh.
"Genius cannot be quenched by
words," I added, chilled by her indiffer
ence. "You. perhaps, are a poet, monsieur,
as you seem to sympathize in what I
deem a folly V
"1 am not," I replied. "Here,' I con
tinued, "is the tunique he wore on the
day of bis death. It is stained with his
blood, and the boles with which it is
perforated tell of his courage and fate."
"Oh," exclaimed the Countess, "have
some mercy upon my poor nerves. At
least remove that relic of my son. Do
with it what you will. Give it, if you
please, to some poor officer."
"An officer is never poor," I replied.
"He regulates his wants according to
his means. Allow me to wish you good
morning."
1 was about to leave the room, for
getting I ha1 still another duty, but
thought snddenly recalled the fact.
At this instant the door opened and
upon the threshold stood a young and
lovely woman.
"This must be Helene T" I exclaimed.
A look of haughtiness replied to my
words, but I saw that I was not mis
taken, and instantly banded her the
medallion and ring, which she received
with indifference. No word, no look,
or even sigh, told that beneath her cold
manner lay a single ray of sorrow. I
rushed from the house and shaking the
dust from my feet, muttered a curse on
the heartlessness of that society which
made of a mother and sister such ob
jects of loathing and utter coldness.
Y'ou now understand why I was bitter
... n 1 . I. ' . ,1 l" 1.1 M
her daughter, and who I, who so loved
him, still mourn the loss of Leopold
Gardelux.
Waahlagtoa'a Ntreaatk.
General Wilson relates an account of
a conversation with Mr. Curtis, from
which he obtained some interesting
personal reminiscences of ashington
"During a visit at Arlington House,
Virginia, in 1854, the writer asked Mr.
Curtis if Washington could, like Mar
shal Saxe, break a horseshoe, and re
ceived for a reply that he had no doubt
be could had he tried, for his hands
were the largest and most powerful be
had ever seen. Mr. Curtis then gave
several instances of the General's
strength, of which I recall the follow
mg: hen ashington was a young
man, be was present on one occasion,
as looker on, at wrestling games, then
the fashion in Virginia. Tired of the
sport, he had retired to the shade of a
tree, where he sat perusing a pamphlet,
till challenged to a bout by the hero of
the day and the strongest wrestler in
the State. Washington declined till
taunted with the remark that he feared
to try conclusions with the gladiator,
calmly came forward and without re
moving his coat, grappled with his
antagonist. There was a fierce struggle
for a brief space of time, when the
champion was burled to the ground
with such tremendous force as to jar
the very marrow in his bones. Another
instance of his prodigious power was
his throwing the stone across the Rap
pahannock, at Fredericksburg a feat
that has never been performed since.
Later in life a number of young gen
tleman were contending at Mount
Vernon in the exercise of throwing the
bar. Washington, after looking on for
some time, walked forward, saying,
"Allow me to try." and grasping the
bar sent the iron flying through the air
twenty feet beyond its former limits.
Still later in his career, Washington,
whose age was like a lusty winter,
frosty, yet kindly,' observed three of
his workmen at Mount Vernon, vainly
endeavoring to raise a large stone,
when, tired of witnessing their unsuc
cessful attempts, be put them aside,
and taking it in his iron like rrasp.
lifted it to its place, remounted his
horse, and rode on."
Wveltlee im Flew era.
Two novelties ' among flowers have
been discovered, so rare and wonderful
that we are almost tempted to treat
them as fables until their verity is
established by oar own vision. One is
a black lily in Santa Clara, California,
with three large blossoms, each nine
inches long, and perfectly black out
side of the green petals. The other is
to be seen at Constantinople, and de
scribed by an eye-witness as belonging
to the narcissus genua of bulbs. The
flower represents a perfect humming
bird The breast, 'fit bright emerald
gToea. a complete copy of this bird,
and the throat, head, beak and eyes are
a perfect imitation. The hinder part
of the body and the two outstretched
wings, are ol a bright rose color, one
might almost say flesh colored. These
wondrous bulbs should have been sent
to the Vienna exhibition. They will
be in abundance by the time of our
Centennial Celebration in 1876. And
yet they can hardly be greater curiosi
ties than the strange and mysterious
Saneta Sptrttu ' flower from South
America, with its life-like representa
tion of doves. Horticulturist.
larrwa-a elojaeaice.
The famous Carran had a sensitive
ness in public speaking which often
hindered his success. He was painfully
affected by any mark of inattention in
his audience. If any one were sleeping.
or gazing vacantly about the court, his
eloquence began to flag, and much of
his power was lost, i nis lact became
so well known at last that some ef the
eminent advocates opposed to him re
sorted to unworthy tncks to help their
clients, if they saw that Currau was
particularly eloquent, and was carrying
the jury with him, they would hire
some man to go into the court, and,
sitting near Cnrran, to show signs of
weariness by visible and loud yawning.
The stratagem rarely failed of success.
It la said. "The eloauent spirit would
droop ita wing and forsake him ; he
would falter, forget the thread of his
argumentuid bring bis peroration to an
abrupt and unsatisfactory conclusion."
Deaaeatle Life la Syria.
The home life of any people (writes
a traveler) is influenced very much by
tne dwellings in which it is led. The
discomfort ao manifest amonr the
poorer classes of the East, the absence
of that eheerfnlnesa and brightness,
comes in a measure from the bouse in
which young and old are forced to
spend their days.
Most of the Syrian houses are buUt
of stone. The great scarcity of timber
in the land forbids the nse of wood.
It is said, that ia the day of the suc
cessors of Alexander the Great, and the
wars of the Maccabees, the Syrian
forests were almost wholly destroyed,
and that since then the gnats and
donkeys have persistently nibbled and
browsed down the young shoots, nntil
the land has become so bare and deso
late that now a tree ia a treasure and
often a wonder.
The house of the common people in
Lebanon consist of four stone walls,
built of roughly-hewn limestone, with
one doorand one or two windows,
which have a rough board shutter,
without glass. The roof is flat, and is
eonstrucied as follows: "A large log of
pine or poplar ia laid across the walls
from one side to the other, in the
middle of the building, and smaller
logs extend to this from the walla
parallel with it, at a distance from
each other of two or three feet ; upon
these beams small stick are laid, quite
near together; above them are flat
stones, which are covered with thorns
and branches of trees, and then earth is
piled above all to a depth of a foot or
eighteen inches. The whole is then
rolled down with a heavy stone roller,
and sloped a little, to carry off the
water, and the roof is complete.
It seems strange that people are
willing to sleep in such dark rooms,
among the cattle and donkeys; and
that they are not afraid of the night.
They do sometimes have accidents, but
serious ones are very rare. A well-
known missionary waa once traveling
near Santa, and slept in a Nasairy
honse among the cattle, as it waa
stormy, and he had no other place to
sleep. In the night he was disturbed
in his dreams, and opened bis eves.
thinking that the coarse, sour bread he
ate for supper had given him the night
mare. Hut instead of that he found it
was only a night-calf, aa a calf was
standing on his breast and looking
down into his face.
Another missionary, while iroinir to
Hums some vears tuto. slent at a villain
called Kat Hill. It was raining, and he
could not leave his mare outside ; so he
brought her in and tied ber to his bed
stead. The fleas were ao thick that he
did not sleep much, but occasionally
fell into a doze. Once he was awakened
by the mare's breaking the water-jar
in trying to drum, l hen a cow got her
horns caught in the lees of the bed
stead, when searching after something
to eat among his provisions. Then all
was quiet again ; when suddenly an
old woman in the other corner of the
room screamed out: "The mare is
eating my bed from under me!" The
mare had broken loose, ana was
exploring for fodder in the straw
pallet on which the old woman and the
children were sleeping.
Sometime the sleepers are awakened
by strange noises on the roofs. In some
villages, built on the slopes of hill, a
street or path will be on a level with
the flat tops of the houses below, and
the cattle passing by will make excur
sions on to the roofs, so that the occu
pants are awakened by the noise of
cow-fights and kindred entertainments
going on over their beds, and rattling
down dirt and vermin.
The natives nse the flat roofs as
promenades and gathering places in
the cool of the day. In cities com
pactly built, a person can walk for long
distance on the roofs of the houses,
without even descending to the ground.
The value of the Savior s advice, "Let
him that is on the house-top not come
down to take anything out ot his house,'
can be seen from the fact that in an
attic the safest and sometimes the only
way of escape might be by the flat
roofs, joining one to another. The
level space on the roof is used as a
Iilace for drying fruit. Dry grass is
aid on the earth, and the figs or other
fruit are spread out every day as they
are gathered. Looking out from a
window in the upper part of one of the
Syrian villages in the ng season, one
will see the roofs below almost covered
with dried or drying figs, preparing for
the next winter's least.
The attention of the medical profes
sion in France haa recently been called
to a very remarkable ease. A young
man during the late German war re
ceived a gnnsbot wonnd by which a
portion of the right parietal bone was
carried away, to the extent of nearly
three inches.' A paralysis of the right
side was the consequence of this
wonnd. By degrees, however, this
paralysis disappeared and the nse of
the limb was restored ; but the mind
remained singularly affected. The man
waa by profession a public singer. He
ha since hi restoration from bodily
paralysis, been subject to fits, or crises
lasting from twenty-four to forty-eight
hours, during which his condition pre
sent some extraordinary phenomena.
He seem, in fine, to be a veritable au
tomaton. He walks continually mum
bling without cessation, and appearing
to be wholly nnconsciona of persons or
objects by which he is surrounded.
He walk straightforward, never speak
ing a word. When he encounters any
obstacle he stops, feels with hi hand,
and seek a way of avoiding or going
around it, without giving the least sign
of intelligence, as if he were in a state
of somnambulism. He is absolutely
without feeling. Fins may be stuck
imo tai flesh without producing the
slightest sensation, and violent electri
cal shock fail to move him in the
least degree. Thi state is not however
that of entire unconsciousness, as is
shown by the remarkable fact that if a
pen is put into his hand he immediately
seek for ink and paper, and upon ob
taining them write a letter, in which
he speaks correctly and intelligently of
various matters which concern him.
So, also if a pieee of cigarette paper is
placed in hi band, he immediately
takes tobacco from hi pocket rolls a
cigarette, light it with a match from
hi box. and smokes it. If one extin
guishes the match before it reaches the
cigarette, he take another from hi
pocket and light ia a before, refusing
absolutely to take one which may. be
offered him already lighted. He will
allow hi moustache to be burned with
out appearing to notice it ; but will
not take a lighted match wnicn may be
offered him. If chopped lint be sub
stituted for the tobaoeo contained in
hi pouch, he make hi cigarette of it
and smokes it without appearing to
notice the difference of taste. Among
the experiment of Dr. Mesne upon
thi singular subject, is one which ia
particularly curious. He places in the
hand of the man who, a has been said
had been a public singer, a pair of kid
glove. The man immediately put
them on and seek a for his sheet of music.
A roll ia given him, like a pieee .of
mnaio, upon which he assume the at
titude of apublic performer and begin
ta anag. When the crisis is passed, ne
becomes perfectly reasonable, but haa
not the slightest recollection of what
haa occurred. The ease present an in
teresting subject of investigation for
physicians and psychologists.
" I've Killed Sonartatag.
I tremble to think that I may have
crushed, or cruelly broken, or killed
something; to-day in the haste and
hurry of pushing through the world
with a selfish indifference to every one.
Down in somebody's heart there
might have been a delicate bud strug
gling to find expansion into a flower of
rare sweetness, and I tremble to think
that I may have killed that heavenly
nurtured gem - that needed but one
genial ray of kindness, one gleam of
sunlight to perfect the grand and sym
metrical blossom no eye but God s had
ever seen.
I may have killed the one redeeming
sentiment of yearning for heaven,
crushed the one last hope of a spirit
that had battled long and bravely with
opposing influences, and that to-day
decided by my look, or tone, or word to
yield all, lose all, give up all, aud
accept ruin without another deathless
appeal.
Oh, the one word, when that spirit
was fainting, that heart breaking,
would have saved the death of some
thing God loved.
One helpful smile, one noble deed,
one trusting assurance would have
revivified that drooping spirit that
carried the germ of untold glory and
gladness, had not I trampled it in the
dust nnder my haughty tread.
No silken canopy covered the form
whose heart was dying or I might have
hurried to its rescue: no irrand and
imposing presence bringing the pres
tige of wealth and power appealed to
me, or I might have hastened with
astonishing swiftness to have revived
the expiring gleam of a life God
designed me to save.
The dead men and women who walk
beside us to-day are not "marked for
life" by God's design, but by your dis
regard, and my disregard of the code
of honor and our total indifference to
right, and our willful reluctance to do
uuto others aa we would that they
should do unto us.
Do we estimate the intense meaning
of killing something in a human soul
that God gave life T
Men and women go to destruction by
thousands, who feel the first and the
last heartless thrust of our menacing
indignity hurrying them to despair.
Shall you aud 1 be accounted mur
derers at last who have shed no blood f
Shall we be bidden depart from heaveu's
gladness because we killed in a human
heart something loVed aud cherished
byGodf
The Hair.
Thousands and thousands of people
are anxious to know what will prevent
the hair from turning gray, and what
will prevent it from falling out. This
is not the only evidence of the general
high value which ia placed upon a full
head of hair, of the .natural colour.
Further proof is found in the very ex
tensive and profitable sale of every arti
cle which is advertised sufficiently as a
hair restorer, or hair preserver. Many
ot tnese speomcs are not merely useless;
they are worse they are injurious, and
ome ot them are dangerous. .Paralysis,
and, it is said, neuralgia, and insanity.
have been caused by the lead contained
in some of these preparations.
At the same time, mnch may be done
to keep tne hair of a natural colour,
and to keep it from falling out. In
some families, the hereditary tendency
to become bald at an early age is so
strong, that it is not likely any care or
treatment would overcome it, certainly
not in a single generation. But with
the ordinary run of people bathing the
head in cold water all the better if the
water be salted ; brushing the hair
often and thoroughly with a brush, the
bristles of which are long, so that they
will clean the scalp without scratching
it ; frequent clipping off the ends of the
hair a practice which should neveifbe
omitted with children if yon wish them
to be healthy ; sleeping on soft hair
pillows, instead of feathers ; a generous
diet without intemperance ; all these
and many other observances contribute
towards preserving a good head of hair.
The effect or whether there be any
of particular articles of food on the hair
we have never studied in the human
race ; bnt nothing is more certain than
that carrots, oil meal, or regular small
doses of sulphur, given to a horse, pro
duce an influence on the coat rendering
it glossy almost immediately. The com
mon "condition powders,'" as they are
called, which are composed mainly of
black antimony, nitre, and sulphur,
have a like effect.
A writer on the subject Bays, "The
most marked benefit upon the human
hair, both in thickening it, and in
changing the gray and white back to
the natural colour without the use of
anything deleterious, that has ever
fallen under our observation, was de
rived from the external application of
spring water, and drinking the same
water. One of the ingredients of the
spring water was iron ; but whether it
was that which worked the change, or
whether the same spring water wonld
have the same influence in other cases,
we do not know, nor do we even enter
tain an opinion. While of course the
natural hair forms a convenient and
comely covering for the head, we must j
ssy, for our own part, we cannot see
any good reason why so much aversion
should be felt to have it turn gray or
white. To a professional man, it is
decidedly advantageous to have gray
hair. It increases the practice of a
lawyer or doctor ; and we think it en
hances the reverence felt for a clergy
man. It is no injury to the man of
business. And we do not think it mars
the beauty of woman. We have seen a
girl of eighteen with hair as black as
the raven wing. She waa beautiful.
At forty she was the mother of grown-
np girls, and of boys who considered
themselves men. Her hair was as white
as the falling snow. Yet she was beau
tiful if not more beautiful than in her
teens ; yet more so, we think, than she
wonld hsve been with her hair changed J
back to its original black. We like !
gray hairs. They are the emblems of
wisdom. They remind us of hearts that
have been steadfast amid all external
change, and of friendship which time
and circumstances have not changed or
weaxened.
ParUlaa Eqaily.
There ia in Paris a severe law by
which a person on being run over while L
crossing the street is obliged, if not
killed, to pay a fine for obstructing the
public highway, and a very peculiar
and oppressive instance ol its enforce-
ment occurred recently. A little child, !
the offspring of a poor couple residing '
in one of the minor street, running out I
of the Avenue Josephine, whilst playing ,
in the middle of the street, was knocked 1
down and ran over by a passing car-.
riage and instantly killed. The bereaved j
parents, in addition to their sorrow for '
the low of their ehild, v -demned
to pay a fine of $100 for not htaig kept :
the child out of the street,
a a e i
False pride goes before false hair.
lorrHv coixai.
The Hare Wka Cealda't Wait.
"Then tnm a bars." ajd Johany t- Max,
Tom, let a otto him: km an ala Irarks T
Bui. wLli thai r Ulklu ao wtertT atot It-
Anil J( hub was aajins -We'll kit klai; doat
doubt ft-
Behind than tbs bar, with a lamp aa4 a aprlag,
kan swift aa a iwtUoa eoold dart on tfca wlog;
Aod Mat aoa Johnny looked round too lata.
While aw apead aatd, icuae ana, but 1 cant wmnV
Th Lost Balixjo. Harry was
standing by the front gate, when he
aw a man coming up the street, with a
crowd of children around him. Aa he
came nearer, Harry saw that he held in
his hand a string, with a great many
bright-red balloon, about a big a his
head, fastened to it, each by a shorter
string.
He ran down toward the man to ask
bow much they were. The man aaid.
"Ten cents apiece. Harry had ten
cents in his bank ; and he went in and
asked his mother if he might spend it
for a balloon. Hi mother aaid he
might, and gave him ten cents more to
buy one for hi little sister Sally.
"Now, children," said she, "if yon
let go the string, or if it should break,
remember, your balloon will go
straight up in the air, and be lost.
Ton can never get them again. I think
yon had better get spools, and tie them
to the ends of yonr strings, as their
weight will keep the balloon from
rising above your reach."
Harry took hi mother' advice ; and,
having begged an empty spool from
bis aunty, he fastened it to the end of
his balloon-string, and bald it in his
hand, while he watched the balloon
soaring along high np above his head
like a splendid bubble. Bat Sally said
she did not want any spool : she could
hold her string tight enough in her
nana.
They had a very pleasant time flying
tnera lor hall an hour. "See, Harry,
said Sally, "mine is just as safe a
yours : I knew I could hold." Bat
just as she spoke, by some unlucky
accident, the string slipped out of her
band ; and away went the balloon.
shooting np in the air until it looked
no bigger than a marble. Poor Sally
stood looking np after it a if she could
not believe it was gone.
Harry felt very sorry for her. He
ran in to tell bis mother of the mis
fortune. "O mother 1" said he "what
do you think the atujult will taxi when
they tee SaUy't balloon coming up into
heaven t
A Pboblkm Solyxd. "What be
come of needles and pin V is a ques
tion partially answered. Grandma is a
dear, precise old lady, much given to
the making of pretty pin-cushion for
others, while those devoted to her own
nse grow old in service. On one of
those stormy days when access to "the
store is impossible, it was discovered
that mamma's work-box waa destitute
of needles. In the emergency, grandma
determined to open a pan-cushion which
had done her good service for seven
years, hoping that one or two needles
might be concealed therein. The result
astonished all interested : one hundred
snd fifty-three shining needle did that
greedy cushion disgorge ; and mamma
instantly collected all the old cushions
the honse contained, hoping to increase
her store. The result exceeded her ex
pectations ; from one cushion was ex
tracted one hundred and seventy-five
needles, and from the other one hun
dred and ten making in all, from the
three cushions, four hundred and forty
eight needles. These needles were
packed into the centre of the cushion
and had all been stowed awsy in six or
seven years, .Doubtless many millions
of needle are hid away in cushion
after this manner throughout the coun
try which might be restored to useful
ness if the boy were set to work on
rainy day to keep them oat ot mis
chief. Faowrxa Awat O.va. I know three
little girl who are sister. Of course,
they ought to love each other dearly.
When they stand np, they are like a
flight of three steps : baby is the low
est ; Mattie is the middle step ; and
Susie is the npper step, because she is
tallest.
The baby ia fonr years old, I know :
so I guess that Mattie is almost six,
and Susie a little more than seven.
No two of you little people love each
other more dearly than Mattie and baby
love each other. Where one is, the
other always wants to be. They sit and
walk with their arms around each other.
It is pleasant to see them.
They both dearly love Susie too ; but
she is bigger, and doesn't seem to be
long quite so much to them aa they
seem to belong to each other.
One day their mamma was looking at
them : and, thinking aloud, she said.
-Three little girls ! What shall I do
with so many ? Don't yon think I have
too many ?"
1 ben baby looked earnestly into her
mother's face,- and aaid, "O, mamma I
if yon mutt frow one away, do frow
awsy Susie."
Never you fear, bttle people, that
Suaie will be "frowed" away. Her
mamma haa not one too many, though
she ha three title girls.
Rsad and Hud Ian. Many people
seem to forget that character grows ;
that it is not something to be put on
ready made with womanhood and man
hood, but day by day, here a bttle and
there a little, grows with the growth
and strengthens with the strength nntil
good or bad it neoomea a coat of maiL
Look at the man of business prompt,
reliable, conscientious, yet clear headed
and energetic. When do yon suppose
he developed all these admirable quali
ties? When he was a boy? Let n
see the way in which a boy of ten years
gets up in the morning, works, play,
studies, and we will tell yon just what
kind of a man he will make. The boy
ho is late at breakfast and late at
school stands a poor chance to be a
prompt man. The boy who neglects
his duties, be they ever so small, and
then excuses himself by saying, "I
forgot, I didn't think I" will never be
a reliable man. And the boy who find
pleasure in the suffering of weaker
things will never be a noble, generous,
kindly man a gentleman.
Wastoo Fnrcas. "I wish that I
had some good friend to help me on
ln."!. ,alf nM Wla
'ood friend t Why, you have ten 1"
replied hm master.
, 1 m Bnr 1 MTen mnT. M
thm 1 hTe " Pr to help me."
"Coont yonr finger, my boy," aaid
hi master. ...
!nii looked at hi large, atrong
bands.
"Count thumbs and all," added the
master-
"I nave ; there are ten, aaid the lad.
"Then never say that you have not
ot tnend, abU to kelp you
on " he. Try what these true friend
can do before you begin grumbling and
fretting because you do not get help
from others."
TABISTm.
Sorrow shows us truth a
bring ont stars.
It is a less pain to learn
than to be ignorant in age.
the night
in 'youth
As charity covers, so modesty
pre-
vent a multitude ol sins.
Each word of kindness, come whence
it may, is welcome to the poor.
Merit is mostly discovered by acci
dent, and rewarded by destiny.
Cultivate not only the cornfields of
your mind, but the pleasure ground
also.
Great place are great burdens : dis
tinguished conditions in life exact
great aervitnde.
A young girl generally looses her
freshness by mingling with fashionable
oeiety, aa a bright stream doe by
mingling with the sea.
It ia said that there is a birth every
five minutes in London, and a death
every eight minutes. According to
that, the birth are getting the npper
hand ia the fogs of London.
Genia without energy is an exquis
itely wrought engine without steam. an
object of admiration without nse, where
the highest capability for speed ia
motionless, and unfitted, by the pecu
liarity of its structure, for all practical
purposes.
If thou art intelligent bring np thy
son in the love of God. If he is cour
ageous and active, and increases thy
property, give him a better recom
pense. But if the son whom thou hast
begotton is a fool, do not turn thy
heart away from him, for he ia thy son.
An old servant, who had lived with
Scott for nearly a lifetime, became very
muoh spoiled. Sir Walter at last, out
of patience with his sins of omission
and commission, said : "Part t why t
Where your honor going r Of
course peace waa made, and Donald
remained.
Evidently the word clew, as used by
the police, ranst be added to Dr.
French' list of English words that
have acquired new meanings. Now
adays, when the police say they "have
a clew" to a certain crime, this means
that they are in Egyptian darkness
with regard to it.
The copper industry promises to be
prosperous this year. The price is re
munerative, and the stock on hand no
greater than last year, when it was 10,
OOO'OOO pounds. All that is not needed
at home can be exported to Europe,
which received most of the 9.000.000
pounds exported last year.
A man in Maine haa a goose sixty-
eight year old. Though attaining
this green old age, ahe nevertheless, is
not a green goose. The secret of her
longevity consists in the fact that she
hid away for several seasons, at Christmas-time,
until she became so tough
that they couldn't kill her. and let her
live on.
There are three novelists, three dra
matic authors, one indefinite Uterary
man, two historians, two philosophers,
five poets, one bishop, six ministers,
seven dukes and counts and nine pro
fessors in the "French Academy, all at
work on a monster dictionary of the
language, whose publications remains
always to be made.
When your friends are laid up with
the rheumatism (says a Yankee doctor)
always press them to come over and
take tea with you. While such acts of
kindness entail no expense, they pro
cure for you a larger reputation for
sympathy and neighbourly kindness.
with proper discrimination, there i
nothing that pay a better profit than
goodness ot heart.
Anna Dickson describes the new so
ciety bow aa executed by Washington
ladies. She says that to bend the head
except to acknowledge superiors, is
out of fashion. The lady looks coolly
iu the face, smiles as sweetly as she
can, and gently inclines her head
toward the right shoulder, with a little
backward movement at the same time.
A slight, Frenchy shrug heightens the
effect.
A gentleman in Washington i hav
ing a floor constructed in San Fran
cisco, consisting of different colored
woods, dove-tailed together so aa to
represent the California eoat-of-arms.
and the strips so arranged that the
colors will blend as in a painting. The
woods were obtained from Pacino
coast timber trees, and the cost alone
of making the floor will be $1,000.
The dimensions are 18 by 32 feet, and
will be sent to Washington in sections.
In Madagascar, which is not a con
spicuously civilised country, beef cat
tle are hamstrung and then driven
about with whip and goads while thus
disabled until they are in a highly
fevered condition. This is done simply
that the meat may be rendered tender
and juicy, and as a refined method of
slaughtering. For the purpose of ed
ucating these islanders two small
model slaughter-houses furnished with
tools and pulley are to be sent from
Lngland.
Poets, like prophets, would fre
quently appear to be without honor in
their own parishes, even after death.
The vandalism of the Stratford rector
who cut I own Shakespeare's tree and
whitewashed his bust, is historic. And
now Mr. Hallwell, the owner of the
premises, has offered to transfer to the
corporation of Stratford-on-Avon the
site and grounds of New Place, Shakes
peare's house, and the corporation haa
declined, because the expenses of keep
ing np the place are about thirty dol
lars a year more than the receipts for
admission.
The United State Army and Navy
Journal announces the adoption into
the American service of the telemeter
an invention of a well-known Belgian
officer. Captain Le Boulenge, for meas
uring distance by the velocity of
sound. The principle on which the
telemeter is constructed ha long been
known and applied. The advantage
offered by the new instrument ia the
exactitude of it measurement, which
according to the American paper,
would in the hand of a trained obser
vor be perfect. Aa it ia, the telemeter
ia aaid to be auffieiently correct in the
bands of most officers, after a jittle
practice, to give the exact range of an
enemy the moment the flash and re
port of hi gun are seen and heard.
"The use of the telemeter," says the
Army and Navy Journal, "In the hands
of every officer in a long line will tend
to encourage coolness. It will then
become an object to reserve your own
fire and provoke that of the enemy at
long range, so as to get the advantage
of knowing his distance and concealing
your own. Once his range is ascer
tained and the light properly elevated
a brisk fire opened along the whole
line will prevent the enemy from using
hi own telemeters to any useful pur
pose, from the confusion of flashes and
report becoming lost in ene another.