'
'.I I I MI.in IMI V 111 III 111 X 1 1 I 1
mmu
F. sCHWEIER.
tee coHSTrnmoi-THE mnov-AXS tee nrroBoiMnrr or tee laws.
Editor and Proprietor.
VOL.
MIFFLINTOWN, JUNIATA COUNTY, PENNA.. "WEDNESDAY, MARCH Jfj, 18S1.
NO. 11.
TBEfOBliASlF"D IT.
tv are
ITwref" ,u.
r .Trtrtb' Icre-acmel Jt ;
ii Mt talk tn.ir fill;
.d mem to J tUL
ThatTolff-
AdTb June. 18C. and one of the
Nearly funuM ,he world eTer
;2Tck sky.golden bright sun
T Z soft fragrant air. joyously sweet
, V.. f..nt muMC&i murmurs of
"? 01 . . , f f....r,i;nB Hlirt-
'-n.-kct-lu Piasum: vl
:y pt griUlinstring violets and budding
.. - w in front of the elegant man-
;,,,,! Leon Fu-hback, Esq.. a party of
W.FlePI', "'ollow H1?
f,,l:ti me
(i Ui 11111 c oui. -
ihfirnw'.bers and grandmothers tell
. rame called "Puss in the corn-
so
mt) an 6iA canie" tax
cr p sudtucarterof acei
tiWyin '-Follow, folios
century or more
low" tte players,
to i siwp rf n1"1'0 aroun1 wblch
staid is wcie, and he or she who prove
ttjUJeILf-. msi-Tietic foicelh balls fol
;,,wi ha nth, while the remainder of
!kr!Hisntoh as wildly in their efforts
lojtil-eplace11101111 by the fly
12:1 one. , ., ,,. .,
A: tiis moment the balia are rolling peu
niiil, htiu-r skelter, knocking against each
oiurr r.n pleasant ringing sound, after
i wdty, fxii-hesded maiden, whose little
ItH, cufl in sun all gleaming ariih sU
vtr aria t'-'id, fili in the sunsluue beneath
la b.ut totin TurkiA tiouterleU as she
f,nci;s ln:nt:y over the greensward amid
Ike tjii-iiU-iy modulated laughter no
01 tlwu-s loudly in this refined twentieth
ctLlur; of ber merry companions.
1b tie lack garden, on a green clover
snett rss- lt, slinds a broad, deep bas
La ol nciy nashed, nowy white linen,
tsd itDjimr-out machine, planted nrmlr
m iU tuOult ol the piat, is inuustriously
nufiCi u.d lowthci its wooden anus,
Fa-ping tbe various pieces in its wonde'
luiiv c'm.cied hmrts, and hangine them
upi'o tbt Clout no clotbes-pina Use, w hich
ii sl-iwLe revolving around it, and to which
Uiey tuitre without fuither trouble.
Iij tbe dairy thetosy-cheeked dairy-maid
if rua.Dg love poem, while the auto
(Muf s maku um Uauulttt wiute
co tLat funds just outside the dooi; in
Uie L.tcben the txk is indolently rocking
to aid tro in a iow rocking-chair, walch
iig u 'luagic-rolling pm" roll oat the
pas e kf La I'its, ready to stop its pendu-ituu-kie
uiovement the moment the crust
is suuxb and thm enough; and a small
krvacl boy. iih his hands in his pockets,
kLa tsA-aA the wall in one corner near
a an stum, frtiisilmg sollly t himself as
be aaitt uctii the air of thot s the electric
b.itk L.'-lirasb i polishing (hereon attain
tbe pruper Ctree of brilliancy and mirror
likeixss. 'Ibis is a prrperou place, this domsin
ofUoni'isLtjiict, Esq., and Leon Fish
U.ck Lin.H-U" is a tall, hai:dsome,energctic,
P'enivt unn of one tnd-thirty a bache
lor, awgivcs a hoie to bis widowed staler
ai.il ber luur Laif -orphaned children, and
in rtiurn is tatm care of y her, with the
assisiaoct ut u.e Oid bouse-keer to tell
tbe truui, ih a Ereat deal of assistance
IruUi tiit olu bcuse keeper as wed as any
iffuilnr as taken care of Ly any sister.
bti.l leop.e, as people will especially
ptile null gromn-up ainpie daughtarB
inuereaiLai he bail never married. It
a nut i. r watt ef opportunity he had
(luce to-on, no indeed: for a dozen
iuvdy giria, nai a doren more or less
cbaruiUij; iaos, and several ladies of
iiei;h..-r Cass, had, since his coming into
tbe pr.jj my of bis uncle and god tatter,
Leon Fliimck, Sea., (who ashes in
tobil guid cajkrt siood in a sort of shrine,
Uia of t hundred rare woods, in the
Mi:ii draaiDg-ioom), intimated to him,
neviry aj ujathe shrinking sensilive
ess ol w jiuiuViod would allow, their per
leel ailiiLittss t.y, anxiety to assume
U ro oi luisutus ol the Fish back man
sion. liutLecn Lad walked calmly among
ibem, oi..inii,(t hosi itality, kind words
M1 tracious siuitg Wiiu llie girietegt im.
paitAiiiy, distinguishing none by the
iifchtett prelcrenee, untd a few weeks be
lere u Uautif ul J ujie day when his young
eL- umi -Foliow-f ullow-f ollow
r1 .,0 " l"gbly polished admirers on
" Closely Bbavtnla a.
TJtauieto visit nis sister an old
Mm taad, Uura Benrdsley by name.
s,l , Utn in a far distant
butaithmhoui the sister had kept
i. - "ul10jrr,",?un,JtnceeTer since thev
Wrtrt at thee. Uegedoortbe day on which
"as-Jlistiessof Arts."
Jl-ssilewd.l.yu , i0TeIj woman of
W"lWt,l!y 6uujmtn. looking at
tve summers less, with an txception-
l"bt"nl Vn1'6" ,L exceptionally
iLr.er a a excepnonally graceful
tKmiV woman has Leon
tnJ!i . L,Ineno apparently unun
Z Z Wor' nce
Jete; welcomes his home. And
i "Jeteloitera, unteuipled by
iTra :th."thede?ePplea
Tb breathed bav w.ndow of il
Krl? 'f-fcairea'prl comes flying
s!f1!8Urts.froin seat with a blush.
."'8 "" the window ntrPiu
nr-ZV3' iney are
l TZ" y urup SDU fPds in the
PreuvlatCll,,n' Ira.s back her
n,;.C -.. U-luoklLeal Ler compan
sisieri . mucn '1 i hke her
lady. ' Jont JO" remember?" says the
ie;a.IKV' replies 5Ir- Fishback, with
'BUof'LTl,,?11" l fat)gation
led u, Tt kls,U"Dk tier of it, closes
Vain M l11,u- y,and turns to the window
"P olavt ""-"ow-foUownKM;
l Dsand 6liw in group, with
their eye fixed nnon a small aenal car
gayiy aecoraiea witn nags, which is gently
awaking ueiween neaven na eartb. as it
alowly descends toward the lawn. In
few moments it touches the ground, and
a haadsome young fellow leaps out,
and is greeted with many exclamations of
pleasure and surprise.
lour brother Reginald," savs Misa
Beardsley. "So two returned from Lon
don t Why, he only started a few days
ago."
"Yes; flying ship American Eagle
iasiesi ot me Air Lane. I beard of her ar-
nvai iuh aiier Dreaklast this mornine.
when it was shouted by the telephone at
me station Deiow."
"Thirty miles awayl".
"Oh I that's nhing. We expect to be
able to bear news from a hundred miles
away before many years are past."
"May I not be sn the immediate u:im
ty when that news is shouted !" says the
lady, with ar involuntary movement of
tier pre'.tr white hands towards her pretty
rose-tipped ears, for 1 should expect to be
aeat ior evermore.
VNever fear, my dear I mean Miss
Beards.ey. Such a muifortune as that
shall never occar, though you should
chance to be at tbe very side of the shouter.
Edison is at this moment perfecting an in
strument that begins to deliver its mes
sages in a moderately loud voice, which
increases in volume as it is earned forward,
uuui n-acnes ine most distant point it is
intended to reach, thus maintaining an
eveu tone all along the route, flow glorious
all these Edisanian inventions are!" he con
tinued, with a glow of euthusiasm,' an I
what humdrum times our ancestors must
have had without them t Why, they are
the very life of the age. There's the phono
graph, for instance but 1 beg pardon; you
are looking bored. I cannot expect you
to take as much interest in these scientific
subjects as L Is not iieginald coming
this way?"
"lie is not, "answers Miss Laura, demure
ly "he U still holding Bel a's hand, and
totally ignoring all other welcoming bands
txandeu to him."
"Ah! the old, old story that is ever
new 1" quotes Mr. Fishback, as he peeps
over the shoulders of his fair guest at the
new arrival, and then, suddenly rising and
confronting her, be exclaims, "You must
have heard that story very, very often,
Laura forgive my calling you so, but you
used to permit it in the days we went
black berrying together some ten years
ago; and f. rgive me again, but, upon
my word, 1 cannot help asking you, im
pelled as 1 am by some mysterious power.
W hy have you never married I "
A blush rises to her cheek, but she looks
up in bis calmly, and replies: "I don't re
member the blackberry episodes, and 1
have remained unmarried because 1 vowed
when a young lady never to marry unless
convinced that 1 was the first and only
love of the man whose wile I became."
"Laura, I have never loved another."
"Mr. i'ishbac4,you forget my old friend
Teresa, the sister of the girl to whom your
brother Reginald is now making love on the
lawn."
liood heavens ! Laura, how mistaken
you are I"
" 1 was with ber you looked for blackber
ries. 1 never knew you to find any not
witB me, Sir."
"Laura, how blind you were! I sought
bar society only to be near you. I declare.
upon my word and honor, 1 lingered by
her aide for hours in the hope that you
would join as for a moment or two during
the lime, and when vou did, in that mo
ment or two was concentrated the joy of
tbe w hole day. You were so proud, so
cold, so reserved, 1 did not dare to ap
proach vou save through your fnend;
and"
And you did not bury yourself in se
clusion for two years after she jilted you
and married Frank Huntington f'she asks,
as be pauses.
Ureal heavens! how preposterous:
Laura, 1 tvear "
But, as he is about to swear, enter a pro
cession of small nephews and nieces and
attendant Inends, tbe leader of which car
ries and odd-looking box.
See, uncle ! the bnghl-eyed little fel
low calls out as he approaches. "I found
this old phonograph on tbe top shelf of
your closet, where I was looking for your
hsh line to play horse with, and it talks
hke everything."
W ith this he begins to turn the met all
crank, and a voice a somewhat shrill
young voice, the voice of Teresa, sister of
Bella whilom fnend of Laura lieardslcy
begins to speak :
Yes, Leon, my own, I will grant
your impassioned prayer, and breathe tbe
words you long to bear into this magi
cal casket, and then, when you ate lonely
or inclined to doubt me, jealous one, you
can call them forth to bring back the
smiles to your dear face, and and joy to
your dear heart. I do return tbe love J ou
so ardently avow, and I will marry you
when mamma gives ner consent, wniu
then no lips shall touch the lips made
sacret by your iubs, no hand shall clasp the
hand that wears your lovely diamond nng.
But, oh, Leon dear, try to like Laura a
Utile for my sake. I know she is all that
you say she is anecten, coiu-neariru,
haughty, and disagreeable (l am just naugn.
ty cnougii to be pleased when you tell mc
her beauty, so much admired Dy outers,
particularly Frank Huntington, fades into
utter insignificance beside that of your own
little Teresa) but, my Leon, try, oh! try,
to tolerate her, for, strange as it may ap
pear to you, disliking her as you do, am
quite fond of her. Oood-nujht, beloved.
Dream ot your Tessa."
That" something or other "phono.
graph!" said Mr. Fishback, "I thought 1
destroyed it long ago," as he angrily
snatched it from the hand of the small
dhcoverer.
"What did cur humdrum ancestors do
without these glorious inventions!" mur
murmed Miss Laura, as she quietly fainted
away for the first time in ber life
"If ever you go prowling round my
room again." continued Mr. Fishback ad
dressing his unfortunate nephew, and sup
porting Miss Beardsley with one hand,
while he flung the tell-tale out of the win
dow, where it broke into a dozen pieces as
it touch td the graund with a shrill ear
splitting shnek "I'll apply the double
back-action self acting spanking machine
untU you roar for mercy."
The nrrrasfion. considerably demoral
ized, started on the double quick' for the
door, and Mr. Fishback. looking upon the
inanimate form he held in bis arms, cried
out, as he struck his forehead with his clinch
ed hand, "She will never.newr lo k at me
again!"
Hni ah iliil and. what's more she mar-
riwi him a month alter, ahu
oh, the marvelous progress toward per
f wnmanhnnd in this wonderful twen
tieth century I although they have been
man and wife for some twenty years, she
has neve once said to him, i hat voice i
Three gin. to one tKy are born In
TLere are 3,000 miles of canals in
France.
A high red cypress tree gave its
name to tiaton itouge, ia.
Tight a -Mdl Moold.
I s'po?e you have heard of Doctor Ames-
bury, nam t you !
"1 never have. "J
.... T
v eii men 1'u tell you. One day I met
the doctor over to Simpkin's shop buying
groceries. It was awfully cold. I felt a
little hoarse, and my tongue was rather
furry, so says L, " My head feels a Utile
acheish like; what do you think I'd better
dot
Says he, "Friend S., the best thing you
can do is to go straight home, and soak
yuur ieei ana iaae a sweat, rcauae u you
uuu i jrou ungm nave a lever,
t-ays 1, "Doctor, I was just thinking
sweat would do me good, and now I guess
111 da it." So I went home and drank a
cup of tansy tea, and if I didn't sweat like
a beaver it's no matter. Tbe next morning
my head was as clear as a bell, and 1 was
wen again.
Well, a day or two afterwards I met the
doctor, ana saye he
".Neighbor S., 1 have a small bill against
you.- -1
looked at him, and says I ;
AbiUf "and says he:
Yes, a bill tor advice, you know, at
oimplun s shop, the other day."
What do jou think he charged? why.
one dollar for telling m to go home and
laKe a sweat.
Well, doctor," says I (because I would
not appeitr small, you know) '-it'sallrignt,
and I'll bear it In mind."
Well, a few days alter, the doctor was
Passing by my door in his chaise, and some
how or other one of the wheels got a Utile
loose ; so says I :
"Doctor, if you don't drive that lynch-
pin in an inch the wheel might come oil."
Says he :
"Thank you," and he drove in the pin.
When I met him again 1 presented him
the bill. " liado I what on earth is this I '
"Why, that's for advice."
"Advice ! for what 7" says he.
"Why, for driving in your wheel pin.
and I have just charged you a dollar and a
quarter."
" W ell, " says he, "the difference between
your bill and mine is just twenty-five
Cents."
That's all you owe me," says L
"Well, I'll bear it in mind," says he.
But the doctor is as tight as a candle
mold, and 1 guess he is liable to bear it in
mind.
Hauuua Tnw la Inula.
The scientific manner in which the na
tive robbers in India prepare for their raids
shows a thorough knowledge of the dan
gers of their caning, and ihe best guards
against them. When their dusky bodie
are least observable, they remove tneir
clothes, anoint themselves with oil, and
with a single weapon, a keen edged knife
suspenued from their neck, creep and steal
like shadows noiselessly through the dark
ness. If detected, their greasy and slip
pery bodies assist them in eluding capture.
while their rtzor bladed knife dexterously
severs the wrist of any detaining hand.
But the most ingenious device to escape
capture is that shown by ihe Bael rob
bers. It often happens that a band of
these robbers are pursued by mounted
Englishmen, and. unable to reach the
jungle, lied themselves about to be over
jux upon one ot those open plains
which have lieen cleared by file, the
only shelter in sight being the black
ened trunks or leafless branches of small
trees that have perished in the flames.
For men so skilled in posturing this is
shelter enough. Q-iickly divesting them
selves of their scanty clothing, they
scatter them, with their plunder, in small
pi:es over the plain, covering them with
their round shields, so that they have the
appearai.ee of lumps of earth, add attract
no attention. ling accomplished, they
snatch up a few sticks, throw their body
into a contorted position, and stand or
crouch immovable until their unsuspicious
enemies have galloped by. When all is
safe, they quickly pick up their spoil and
proceed upon their way.
The Kev. Dr. J. D. tt oods gives an in
teresting account of these marvelous mim
ics : "Before the English had become used
to those manoeuvres a very ludicrous inci
dent occurred. An officer, with a party of
horse, was chasing a small body ot Bueel
robbers, and was fast overtaxing them.
Suddenly tbe robbers ran behind a rock or
some such obstacle, which bid them for a
moment, and when the soldiers came up
the men had mystenously disappeared.
After an unavailing search, the officer or
dered his men to dismount beside a clump
of scorched and withered trees, and the day
being very hot, he took off his helmet and
hung it on a branch by which he was stand
ing. The branch turned out to be the leg
of a Boeel, who burst into a scream of
laughter, and flung the astonished ottlcer to
the ground. Tue clump of scorched trees
suddenly became metamorphosed into men,
and the whole party du-persed in d.fferent
directions before the Englishmen could re
cover lrom their surprise, carrying with
them the officer's helmet by way of trophy."
Apropoe ln Occasion.
In th heavy sijura coach, as we roll Out
of Leadville, are seven men. One is an
army officer who has ball a dozen scars to
prove his bravery. Cut off from his com
mand, on the plains last summer, by a
score of Indians, he intrenched himself
and fought the band on until help amveo.
Two of the others are desperadoes, who
have killed their men. Three of the others
ai.lwart niinpra. each armed with two
revolvers, and they look as if they would
prove ugly customers in a row.
I'hff apventh man might do some shoot
ing on a piach. but be hopes there will be
no pinch. In the crowd are ten revolvers,
two derringers, three repeating rifles and
four or five bowie knives, and there is per
fect good letting as me siage runs auong.
it ia tuoiilv understood that the army cap
tain is to assume command in case tbe
coach is attacked, and that all are to Keep
cool and fire to kilL
It is 10 o'clock in the morning. The
windows are down and tbe passengers are
smoking and talking, anu Beeainx, i Wm
crti.ia nnaitinna. Ihe coach has lust
tvi tea uiv twvi"
reached the top of a hO, when every horse
is suddenly pulled up.
t.irit'. . h'r wf'll have some fun.
growled one of the miners, as he put his'
head out ot tne winaow.
"li it's a robber gin me the fust pop at
him !" whispered one ot the desperadoes.
No one could say wuat tne irouuie was
when a wiry little chap about five feet six
inches talL witn black eyes and hair, clean
face and thin lips, appeared at tne leii-uanu
door wuh a cocked revolver in either hd,
and said: . .
Gents, I'm sorry to disturb you, mil
I've got to make a raise this morning.
Pise leave vour shooters and climb down
here, one at a time I "
It was sudden. It was so suuuea
k s.nAm tn nnrU r-tund the drift Of
bis remarks. Then every eye turned to
UB A ICU WT-J' ' -
tbe right-hand door, and tne two revoive
held y a second robber were seen at the
. v,nHna it was a tran. 1 he rats
"i" V , J .1. !..
were isukuw u . v .. .
iu? I'm ornalinvattttleimDaUenl.
- ucuw a fc" " d -
continued the first robber, "and I want to
see the procession begin to move i
Let's see? The captain was to lead us,
and we were to be cool and fire to kill.
But the captain was growing white around
the mouth, and nobody had a weapon in
hand. Tbe rats were not going to light.
One of the miners opened the door and de
scended, and the other six humbly followed.
Tbe seven were drawn up in line across
the road, and while the robber held bis
shooter on the line, he coolly observed to
his partner:
"Sow, William, you remove the weap
ons from the coach and then search these
gentlemen.'.'
As William obeyed every victim was or
dered to hold his Lands abovs his head, and
whatevaer plunder was taken from his
pockets was dropped into William's hat.
Four gold watches, two diamond pins, a
telescope, a diamond ring, a gold badge
and $1,ZUU in ch changed hands in ten
minutes. Not a man had a word to say.
The driver of the coav;h did not leave his
seat and was not interfered With. When
the last man bad been plundered the gen
teel Dick Turpin kindly observed :
"You are the most decent lot of men I
ever robbed, and if times weren't soblas ed
hard, I would make each of you a present
of 1 10. Kow, then, climb back to your
places and the coach wi.l go on."
The crowd "clumb," and the vehicle re
sumed its journey. Not a weapon or a
time-piece or a dollar had been saved.
Seven well-armed men had been cleaned
out by two and not a shot fired or a wound
given. Each man took his seat without a
word. Mile after mile was passed in si
lence, and finally the seventh man, the one
who might right on a pinch, but didn't.
plaintively suggested :
"van t some of you gentlemen think of
a few remarks which would be apropos to
the occasion?"
Ho one could, and the silence was re
newed.
Or. C'bapia aa a Worker.
Like Theodore Parker, Chi pin undoubt
edly felt his vitality to be so immense that
it could not be overtasked. Parker came
of a long Uved race, but he died of over
work at fiity. Chapin seemed made for
infinite endurance, but he was shaken at
sixty, and he died at sixty-ax. Some years
ago, in the height of his prospering lectur
ing ci-reer, tbe Easy Lhair met him at the
Albany Railroad station in the early even
ing of a winter day. He was snatching a
"bile" and a cup of coffee, and as the bell
rang, they hurried to the train, Chapin car
rying a lumbering bag and shawls, and
laughing and joking aa they climbed into
the car. He had been out all tbe week.
starling early Monday moming, after
preaching twice on Sunday. He had lec
tured every evening during the week, trav
elling hard all day. "Up before light," he
said gaylv, "eating tons of tough steaks
and bushels of cold apples, whizzing on in
tuese stifling cars, and turning out just in
time to swallow a cup of tea, and off to tne
lecture." It was tremendous work, as
only the fully initiated know. But be made
it all a joke, and his swift tongue flew hu
morously on from incident to incident, and
presently began to discuss the new books
and the new articles in the magazines.
with sharp and just discrimication. Sud
denly the train slopped, evidently not at a
SLauon. The night was cold and stormy.
Presently the conductor parsed, and Chapin
asked to know tha reason of the delay.
The conductor replied that there was some
derangement ot the locomotive ; and Cha
pin Bui J, quietly, This is bad business for
a man wuo has to preach at II o'clock to
morrow morning, and whose sermon is not
begun." His companion remonstrated ;
but Cbapin's eyes twinkled as he answered:
"Oh, you laymen know nothing auout it.
Burns tang tue cotter's Satuiday night, but
the minister's Saturday night is yet un
written. At least," he said, laughing,
"this one is likely to be unwritten." It
was past midnight when the train reached
the city. "Oood night," cried the hearty
voice. "Go home, and go to bed ; I'm
going to work." Tbe next time the Easy
Chair met the preacher it asked about that
sermon. "Oh, that was all right. I went
home, and there was a bright fire in my
study, and a brew of hot coffee, and I fin
ifhetl that sermon just as the sun rose."
And the next morning probably he was off
again fur another week of the same kind.
Keep lia eye npea.
The stoi-m -doors around the post-office
all open outwardly. This isn't for fear that
a fire wiU occur and a rush ensue, but it is
arranged that way to make a man mad. A
mau will go singing along the street, smil
ing all over, and bragging to himself how
good nalured be is, when he suddenly re
memberes that be must mail a letter. He
is only one man, but the other mentioned
in the heading stands around to give i
vice. The first man runs up tbe stops and gives
the door a push. It is as solid as s rock,
and his mementum generally carries his
knees and nose agaiiut tbe bard wood.
"Push 1" yells the extra man.
The other steps back, follows tbe advice,
but with no successful results, and by this
time his smile has faded, his dispepsia be
gins to work up, and there is indigestion in
his tones as he turns and asks :
"Is this blasted old post-office closed for
the day I"
"Oh, no sir. I guess you will get in if
you push hard enough. I presume the
hinges are a little rusty."
1 ben the maa returns the charge. As a
rule he puts his shoulder lo the door, his
feet slip back, and he comes down in a
graceful heap to be laughed at by all the
boys. W ben be geu up he feels as u he
could lick any seven men but before he has
time to pick a fight the other advances and
ay:
Mighty cunoui about that door, Ah I 1
see opens this way. You might have
pushed all day and not got in,"
The one that goes is too mad to post tn
his letter. The one who stays out shakes
all over and keeps his eye out for the
next.
Tree and fl&lau
The countries of Sardinia and Sicily,
once tbe granaries of Italy, have suffered
tbe penalty of their thoughtlessness in ex
terminating their forests, i wo tnousano
years ago these lands were celebrated fe
their wonderful productiveness, and were
said to be the most beautiful in the world.
In 1800 Humboldt visited Venezuela, and
was informed by the natives living in Ar-
aguay that they bad noticed, with great
astonishment, that a lake which lay in tne
middle of tbe valley had decreased in vol
ume every year ; the cause clearly traced
to the falling of a great number of trees
which crew on the surrounding mountains.
In Hungary periodical droughts are uni
versally attributed to the annihilation of
forests! In Cairo, Lower Egypt, a great
many years ago, rain fell but seldom only
once in three or four years but since the
time of Mohammed An thirty or more l ul
lion of trees bave been set or planted, and
the result is now that the country has from
tbiity to loity rainy days in every year.
Wheu New England and the heaviiy lim
bered Suites of the Union were first settled
the rain-fail was greatly in excass ef what
it is since so much of the land has been
cleared up.
Tha 'Bakai'a Doxem."
Close by Market Street now Broadway
lived and prospered a baker, the first man
that ever baked New Year cakes in fact,
the inventor ot them. 1 he name of our
friend was Volckert Jan Pielersen Van
Amsterdam, commonly known as Baas.
lie was uuicn irom nis large ieei to ms
round bald bead, and bad no respect for
any one or anything that was not Dutch.
He was a regular attendant t the old Dutch
church, but, nevertheless, in fear of being
bewitched. His wife.Maril je, was economi
cal even to saving the parings of her nails,
and his ginger-lread babies irere always
made in lu ilation of his children. It was
New-Year Eve, 1653, and Bass was in bis
shop dealing out cakes for small pieces of
money, called wamt tun. He bad taken an
extra glass of rum in honor of St. Nicbo
laus, when he heard a sharp rap, and in
walked as ugly an old woman as ever he
bad set his eyes on.
'I want a dozen New-Years cookies,"
she screamed.
"Veil, den, you needn't sheak so loud,"
replied Pass. "D'jyvel ! 1 ain t leaf, den.
"I want a dozen," screamed ihe old wo
man, "and here is only twelve."
"Yell, den.rnd what de duyvel is dwylf
but a dozen I" sa'd tbe baker.
"I tell you 1 want one morel" the
shrieked.
From this time on our baker s wife and
himself were made miserable. Their money
and cookies were taken away by invisible
hands ; their bread either rose out of sight
or sank into tbe eartb; their famous brick
oven was torn down, and poor Baas pelted
with hia own brick; Jlamje became deaf;
Baas was black and bine from bead te toe:
and such a life as he led was purgatory.
Thrice the old woman appeared, and thrice
was she sent to "de duyvaL" And at last
in his agony, Baas bethought himself of St
Nicholaus, who advised him, on hearing of
his troubles, when he counted a dozen to
count thirteen.
"Py St. Johannes de Dooper, put St.
Nicnolaus is a great plockhead!" thought
Baas; and while be was thus thinking St.
fuck bad vanished, and in bis stead was
tbe old woman. "She repeated her demand
for "one mote, "and Baas,remembenng St.
Nicholvia, acceded to her demand, when
abe exclaimed, 'The spell is broken, and
henceforward a dozen is thirteen, and
thirteen is a dozen. And taking a cooky
with an tffljy of the good saint on it, she
made Bias swear that ever afterward
twelve should be thirteen, as a type of the
thirteen mighty States that should arise
out of the ruins of the government of Yad
erlaudL It is well known how tcrnblv St. Nich
olaus revenged hiinselt upon those who set
the-mselves up against the venerable cus
toms of their ancestors, and refused the
homage to ami to whose good offices is
was owing that this bis favorite city hat
surpassed all the others in beautiful dam
sels, valorous young men, niincepics, olie-
koeks, and ew-1 ear cookits.
Human Fiends,
"Previous to the 21st of April, 1873,
there lived at a town caUed N orris, Hain-
tranick county, Mich., about six miles
from tNs-city ef Detroit, two aged German
farmers, both bachelors, Anthony Miller,
one of the two, being reported quite
wealthy. The name of the other could
not be remembered, but was a sort of
companion and helper ef Anthony. Their
house was quite removed from other habi
tai:03S and in rather a lonesome locality.
On tbe night mentioned (April 21, 1578)
five men came to their house and gained
admission. They proceeded, to rob the
premises, but the occupants attempted to
resist, and in doiDg so were overpowered
by the five. Miller was threatened with
death if he did not disgorge his treasure.
This he would not or could not do, and
was brutally shot dead on the spot. His
companion, who could scarcely speak En
glish, was thoroughly frightened at the
position in which he lound ni nisei , and
when the five men turned their attention to
him he was speechless with horror. Tney
asked him where the money was. He
tned to make them understand that be had
no knowledge of its whereabouts. They
threatened him wilt all sorts of tortures if
he did not tell, but the uesired answer
could not be given. Tbe old man did not
know himself. Then a consulation was
held for a few moments. At tbe end of it
they seemed decided upon a course and
now a scene of fiendish cruelly was enacted-
The old man's hands were tied tightly
together, then his feet, and he was laid
upon the floor. Ued hot coals from tbe
stove were brought forward. Again the
victim was asked to tell the secret of the
hidden wealth. He could only cry out
unintelligibly in his agony. His bare feel
were held in coutact with the tire, and bis
mouth gagged to prevent his cries being
heard at any great distance from tbe
house. After a few applications the gag
was removed and be was asked again to
telt No answer came. The poor man's
hps were burned attain and aain with the
coals held to theui, while his bead was im
movable hi the strong hands of the rob
bers. Whether they then left of their own
accord or were Irighened away by the
approach of some one was not remember-
eC but the dead man ard bis almost Ute-
les companion were left to tbe mercy ot
chance
Tbe First tTacoa.
A citizen residing in the northern part of
of Detroit, who always orders bis groceries
early in tbe moning, so that they can go
up by the first wagon out, but wno nas
been disappointed a hundred times in re
ceiving them before noon, made another
order the other day, and said to the gro
cer: "Will these groceries go right np ?
"Oh, yes, unless tbe wagon breaks down,
or the horse is taken sick."
"Will they be at the house within an
hour?"
Tbey certainly will, unless something
happens to one of the clerks, or we have
to turn out on an alarm of fire, or there is a
sudden death in the store."
"All right, though 1 haven't the least
idea you will get them up there before
noon."
Noon came and the groceries had not
reached the house. Atone o'clock the
gentleman entered the store and asked:
"Did the wagon break down ?"
"No."
"Horse taken sick, or anybody drop
deadt"
"No."
"Have a fire here, or anything happen
to a clerk?"
No."
"then why didn't my groceries go
up?"
"I will tell you,' plscidly replied the
grocer. "You hadn't been gone ten min
utes when 1 was drawn on a jury, and just
as I was going out my head clerk an
nounced that he was to be marned at ten
o'clock. We sell No. 1. goods try to fill
all orders promptly keep prices at the
lowest notch, and once in a whde we have
to disappoint some one. Your order will
go right up by the first wagon.
1 bo Small Poa.
A Slanchester curate walking along a
street In the dinner hour, passed a lot of
bricklayers smoking their pipei, and he
heard one of the men say: "
"I'd like to be a pars n, and have nowt
to do but walk along in a black coat and
carry a walking stick in my hand, and get
a let of bra's."
There was an approving laugh all around,
whereupon the curate turned quietly
around, and the following conversation en
sued:
So you would like to be a parsoat
How much do yon get a wvek !"
"Twenty.seven shillings!"
"Well. 1 am cot a rich man, but I will
give you twenty-seven shillings if yon will
come with me for a week and see what my
work is."
Tbe bricklayer did not like the proposal,
but his mates told him it was a fair oCcr.
and he was bound to accept it. So he re
luctantly followed the paison down an al
ley. "Where are you going?" he asked.
"To see a sick parishioner," was the re
ply.
"What is tbe matter with himt"
"Small-pox."
At this the man drew back. His wife
snd bairns never bave the small-pox, and
be was afraid of taking it to them.
"My wife and bairns had never h?d
tbe small-pox," said the curate. "Come
along."
The man hesitated.
Oh, but you promised to accompany
me wnerever 1 went," argued the curate.
'And where be you going next?" asked
the bncklayer.
"lo see a poor family huddled in one
room, with the father dead of scarlet fever
in it, and themselves ail down with it ; and,
after that, to see another parishioner ill with
typhus. And to-morrow there wUI be a
longer round."
Thereupon the bricklayer begged to be
let off. Twenty-seven shillings would be
poor pay for that kind of work, and he
promised he would never speak against the
parsons again.
Balanomi.
Bathrooms, or good conveniences for
bathing, ought to te found in every farm
house ; and yet it is an ocp'easant fact
that they are of.en entirely lacking, and
that a daily or semi-weekly "all over" bath
is something undreamed of by many so-
called civilized people who pride them
selves upon their neat habits. This really
religious duly of keeping the w hole body
clean does not occur to them, and the neg
lect ot it is one of tbe numerous ways in
which busy, hard-wot king pee pie abuse
themselves.
Every villa, pretty country cottage and
first-class farm-house now has its well-appointed
bathroom, and so may the little
three-cornered "ahantie, or the log cabin
of tbe pioneer, have its possibihiies for
bathing. If all can not command a special
room with its ample tubs, showers, douches,
and convenient supplies of hot and cold wa
ter, all can have at least the seclusion of a
closet, to which it is easy to carry a basin
of water and a iponge.
A bit of a room might be built adjoining
tbe kitchen, with a sliding or hinged win
dow opening near the cook-stove, thus se
eming warmth in winter and bringing the
"hot and cold water" within arm s reach.
Then; with the addition ot a baih-lub, or
even a large laundry tub, with a piece ot
rubLer hose fixed in the bottom to carry off
water to the drain, pegs for hanging towels
and sponges, and a bracket lor holding
soapa and that belter than all soaps, a
bottie of ammonia it is a bathroom good
enough lor a king.
A very good shower bath can be had by
suspending a watering-pot from a strong
hook in the ceiling, the bather to regulate
the showering by means of a string at
tached to the spout. It will be found al
most as satisfactory as the portable ones
sold in house-furnishing shop.
Ho Took tbe Pot.
Recently a game ot poaer was played in
a private room in one of the hotels of Car
son City, which wound up in a decidedly
peculiar manner. About V o clock a well
known citizen of Geioa was convivializing
with two piolessional sporting gentlemen
at Winston's bar, when one of the latter
proposed a game of cards, which was ac
cepted by the two others. The party was
soon in a five-dollar-Umit game of poker.
For a while the Geaoese played in excel
lent luck, when the proposition was made
to play without limit, which was also
unanimously agreed upon. The two sport
ing men had entered into a contract to
fleece the countryman, and tbey dealt him
four jacks, tbe dealer took four queens,
and tbe third received four aces. The
man from Uenoa, believing the game was
on tbe square, chipped $100; the "ace"
man "saw him, and "raised another
$100 ; the dealer "saw" that and "raised"
$250.
At this juncture of the game the Geno
es:, whose credit is At, sent aown to tne
office ot the h-jtel for $o00, which was at
once brought to him. At length a "show''
of cards was called for, and as the sports
did not want to impress their victim with
the idea that tbey were playing him falsely.
only the man with tbe queens produced
bis hand. Ho sooner was this done than
the victim, presumably knowing what he
was about, whipped out a revolver, and
struck the dealer over the head with it,
knocking him senseless. Then he went
after the man who held tbe four aces, and
in tones of thunder inquired :
"What have you got I Show up I
"O-h, O h," replied he, "I ain't got
nothing ; "I was only bluffing ; that s
alL
With that the Genoese picked up all
the money on the table and walked off
with it
Bad tlen Cheeking- of Perspiration.
A Boston merchant, ia 'lending a hand'
on board one of his ships on a windy day.
found himself at the end of an hour and a
half pretty well exhausted and perspiring
freely. He sat down to rest, and engaging
in conveisalion, time passed faster than he
was aware of. In attempting to rise, he
found he was unable1 to iko so without as
sistance. He was tiken home and put to
bed, where he remained two years ; and for
a long time afterward could only hobble
about with the aid of a crutch. Less ex
posure itwn this bave in constitutions not
so vigorous resulted in InJamination of the
lungs 'pneumonia ending in death in
less in than a week, or causing tedious
rheumatisms, to be a source of torture fur
a lifetime. Multitudes of lives would 1 1
sayed every year, and an incalculable
amount of human suffering would be pre
vented, if parents would begin to expian
to their children, at the age of three or four
years, the danger which attends cooling off
too quick. y after exercise, and tbe import
ance of not standing still after exercise, or
work, or play, or of remaning exposed to
the wind, or of sitting at an open window
or door, or of pulling off any garment, even
the hat or bonnet, while in heat.
Dyeing and Coloilns-
The economical house-keeper will often
wish to change or renovate ihe colors of
partly worn or faded dress goods, or to pre
pare new goods for making up. Home
dyed goods may be often made superior in
nary respect lo those that are purvha-ted
in stores, in which (hespuess of produetion
ii oft-n more thought of than pern anence
in wi ar. Every bouse-keeper, therefore,
hould bave within her bead or ber reach,
io some manner, some simple methods of
dyeing. Aniline dyes, now kept for sale
t all tbe drug stores, will be lound very
useful and convenient, and every packet
sold has priuted upon the wrapper full di
rections for use. Every known shade of
color may be made trout these dyes, e ther
by using them separately, or niingliag
them to suit. Common dye stuffs are kept
at every countiy store, and the lclloaiug
receipts may be used with these : To dye
a gooo t lack for one pound of goods pro
cure one ounce of extract of logwood and
one-balf ounce of blue vitrioL Dissolve
the blue vitriol in an iron pot free from
crease, with enouyh soft water to im
merse the goods wi.hout crowding them.
bring Ihe water to a scalJiug heat, skuu it,
wring tbe goods out of warm water, and
put them wet mto thu liqixir. They must
remain at a scalding heat half an hour, and
are then taken out anj rinsed in soft water.
The logwood extract is then diolved in
sufficient water to cover ihe goods, which
are put in and kept a: a staining heat for
lalf an hour, being frequently stirred.
1 hey are then taken out and weU rinsed in
soft water, then washed in strong soap
suds and rinsed ; the last rinsing should be
in clear water wuh half a tea cup full of
baking soda dissolved in it. Old faded
woolen dresses should be ripped axd thor
oughly dusted before dyeing ; then pressed
before quite dry on the wrougside, making
the folds as they were ahen new.
Gray, slate or stone color, for cotton or
woolen, ia made as follows : For two pounds
of goods take a quarter of a pound of the
cheapest black tea to be found. This has
enough logwood in it Steep in an iron
kettle, with the tea in a bag, and then
bod, squeezing the leaves dry ; add one
teaspoon! ul of copperas. Put in the goods.
For light gray or orab leave tbe good in a
short ume ; tor darker colors leave longer.
Kinse in clear warm water. Wool king
boiled and aired often, becomes brown in
this dye. T his dye gives the fashionable
color to stockings.
Purple pink may be produced by boiling
one pound of cud bear, for five pounds of
goods, in soft water; then put in one ounce
of alum. When dissolved, put in the
goods and let them simmer half an hour,
stirring frequently to prevent clouding.
Kinse in warm w:tier. A tin pan is best
tor this color; iron will brown it. Wooden
vessels used in dying can be clesned by
rubbing them at once, before they are
dried, with wood ahes.
Equity In TennonW
There was a certain Vermont farmer
named Brown, who owned a ilarge sheep
iarm and wtio, once on a time, finding
himself in difficulties, came down to But
ton and consulted his brother-in-law, who
was a lawver, who was a keen man of
business and had money to spare, agreed
io lend tne tanner such sums as he required.
provided tne latter would give him a first
mortgage on the sheep farm. Tbe farmer
assented to this, tbe mortgi ge was duly
made and recorded and tbe farmer returned
home to Vermont with the money in his
pocket.
1 line went on and the farmer paid in
terest promptly, the same passing through
the hands of one John Smith, who was a
man of mark in the farmer's neighborhood
and had accordingly been deputed by the
Boston lawyer to receive the interest and
forward the same to him.
At length, however,fj-mer Brown, find
ing Utile market for bis wool and having
invested in certain worthless outlying
farms, again fell into difficulties, and this
time sought tbe advice and assistance of
hia neigbbo.-. Smith, who, after looking
over the matter, agree 1 to advance Brown
certain sums and .take security, by mort
gage of the farmer's Carts, wagons, horses,
sheep-shears and other perssoal property.
the farm itseif being ai ready mortgaged to
the Boston lawyer.
But Brown si ill failed to prosper and at
length could pay inter neither to tbe
lawyer nor to Smith. Then it was agreed
that his assets should be fairly divided be
tween the two mortgages, and Squire
Joyce, a Justice of the Peace in the neigh
borhood, who was a member of the same
church as Smith, was selected to act as ref
eree. 1 he parties met at tbe Squire's
office and each spoke for himself, the law
yer first Said he : "I have a first mort
gage on the farm, duly executed and re
corded, and of course the farm must be
long lo me."
Not much !" said Smith. "I have a
mongage later than yours, on the personal
property, and if that isn't enough to cover
my debt 1 shall grab the farm too. My
equity is superior to yours. Isn't tha' so'
Squire i
The 'Squire hemmed and hawed and
finally said to tne lawyer : "i ou consented
to smith s mortgage, didn I you!
".6 said the lawyer.
'"That makes do difference," interrupted
Smith, "I did it for you!"
"Jes so, ies so: "said the 'Squire, "I
remember. The whole business was
mighty simple. You jest consented as this
Boston man s attorney to Brown's making
a mortgage to you,"
"But what of it." cned the lawyer.
"He couldn't give any binding assent to
make bis mortgage better than mine."
"."erhaps not in law," said the 'Squire,
'but in equity, in equity, my dear sir ; we
go by equity here In Vermont"
A Great loveatment.
Recently, in a business transaction be
tween two citizens, in New York, oce
of them deeded the other 300 acres of land
in Pennsylvania, and the other day tbe
buyer entered the seller's office.
"1 have just returned from a tnp to
Pennsylvania to see the land I got fiom
you.
"Ah I as I never saw it myself I have
some cuaiosity about it
"It is a swindle, sir a barefaced swin
dle ! exclaimed the other.
"Is that possible! Didn't you find the
land!"
"Yes, sir, but it is nothing but a hilL"
"A hill? Is it real solid hilL"
"It is as solid a hill as can be made of
rock and dirt"
"Any eLances for any part of it to slide
ever on another man's land?"
"No, sir."
Seems to be soUd on its pins does it I"
"Yes, sir."
'Then let me congratulate you on your
bargain. I've bougl t and sold any amount
of Pennsylvania land and the great draw
back has been to buy and sell a big hill
which would stay in one spot over a week.
The last one I sold slid a mile and a half
while the buyer was going from h?re to
Pittsburg. You have made a great invest
ment, sir, and 1 sincerely and honest y con
gratulate you on your good fortune,"
BRIEFS.
The brain of a can exceeds twice
that ot any other animal.
The average weight of a skeleton
Is ab mt fourteen pounds.
'The French of New Orleans are a
third of the whole pi polaiion.
The Territorial debt of Montana is
only a little over f 20,100.
Tbe average weight of an adult
man l- 140 pound -t six.ounces.
Eighteen ariff acts have been
passed since 18C1.
The skelrt n measures one inch
less than tne height of a living man.
Rxbard III. was killed at tha bit
tie ol Boswortn Field in the year 1435.
Cbevallear Kreraer will be the new
Austrian Amb-i-sador to Washington.
The debt ot Massacnuwrt $68,
512 927, in increase of 1731,370 over
187!.
The comet of 1812 is rat idly ap
proaching, and will soon make i.seif .
visible.
The Territory of Alaska has about
one inhabitant to every 1,000 square
miles.
Macon, Georgia, is to have a $15.-
000 brick building for public school
purpo es.
The total sum reccommendel br
all theappropriation bills la $137,577,
000. The Canadians propose to increase
the duty on pork from $2 to $4 per bar
rel. Seven States are visible from tbe
summit ot Rjan Mountain lu N'ortti
Carolina.
Minnesoto has aoDroDa'ateJ $15)0 in
the last five years to encourage tree
planting.
Senator Blaine is mentionel an
owning IW.OOJ in bonds of the State
of Maine.
Mr. Smart, the chamDion skater
of England, has skate J a mile In three
minutes.
The amount of rent due in Vw
York every quarter is estimated at
$120.UOO,lOU.
From 1343 to Jan. 1. 1SS1. Califor
nia turned out iu gold and siiver $2,
139.258,000. There are 6G.00O school-! can I of
leges in India, wuu an attend aueeoi"
9tw,Oto boys and girls.
The Masonid fraternity, according
to ihe la.e.-t figures, has 45,50 mem
bers in Germauy.
Chicago uses 57,412.00) gallons ot
na'.er per day. or over 114 gallons lor
each man, woman a id cui.d.
The city of London gives $10,000,
000 every year toward the reii-?l ol dis
tress, suffering aud poverty.
One hundred and fifty thousand
acres of land in Mississippi bave been
sjld to a Scotch laud company.
arge cotton factories will be built
this yar at Vicksturg, New Orleans,
Louie v u le and Cnarleatou.
The public debt of Canada was in
creased nine and a hall million during
the fiscal year ending June 3 133 J.
The number ol prllgrluu who vis
ited the aaored ahriue of Mace last
year ia suied to have exceeded 2 JO,0.'O.
Col. Drake, the discitveier of
petroleum, will haves $15 OXJ monu
ment erected to his memory at Titus-
vale, i'enn.
The gum on some letter envelopes
Is said to have seriously poisoned a
physician in Orange county, X. Y.. a
lew days ago.
An Indiana man hai built a minia
ture steamer twenty-five feet long, in
wblch he proposes to make a trip to
New Orleans.
There are between seven and eliht
Nundred proles-don tl models in Pans.
tblrty-tbree of whom are Americans.
They are every age, from children of
six to men and women of sixty.
The sum of $145,000,000 was per
manently invested iti new railrotda in
lb. a couutry last year. Tue increase
in mileage was 7,2o7.
There are only three ladies living
whose husbands were PresiJants of tho
United Scatee. Mrs. Polk. Mrs. Tvler
and Mrs. Lincoln.
Leiutenant Maurice 0"C-nneI. of
the Sixtieth K.nVa, who was killed In
the battle in the Trans val recently
was a grand nephew of Danuiel
O'Connell.
In Germany, including the free
cities, about eighty-five per cent, of
the population nave incomes under
$J00; in Berlin. II unburn, and Bre
men, 14.6 per cent have incomes from
$3U0 up to $1,500.
While the area of land under gen
eral cultivation in Great Briuin has
increased during the past ten years
1,64,UUU acres, mat in wheat has de
creased 5V1.0UU.
The Canadian lalles'are striving
to get 100,000 signatures to their ai-
drea to be preseuted to tj leea Victoria
on her birthday, anj attesting their
continued loyalty.
The Britlsn Minister of Pans re
ceive an annual stla-y of $50,000; ai
Vienna, $40,000; at CuslauiuoDla.
$40,000; at St. Petersburg, $39,000; at
Berlin, $Jo,000; at Pekiu. $3J.000: at
Madrid even, $27,000.
Tbe Gran din Brothers of D iknt
are said to have raised last year 137,
237 busheis of wheat The odd 37.000
is said to have paid all cost of cuinvx-
tien and marketing, leaving loo.ooo
bushels at 75 cents a bushel lor profit. .
There are now 56) cities in tha
United States supplied with water
fork 4, Involving 13. COO miles of DiDe.
10,000 of whicn are of cast iron.
Last year the State ot North Caro
lina produced 46,000,000 pounds of
to'jacco, or neany one pvuud for every
man, woman au-i child in the country.
The registered tonage of the Brit
ish empire now amounts to 7,533,432
tons contained In 36.935 vessels, man
ned by 337 624 seamen. Daring tne
past year 1,706 new vessels were built
and tegistered.
The New York City orisons open
ed t leir doors last year to 3d 825 per
sons ei intemperate uaotts. rue p dice
stations furuisndd lodgiufs to 1.20,03 4
men aud women who had nowhere else
to sleep.
In 1837 Chicago became a city,
William B. Odeu being the first
Mayor. Tue population was 4.17J.
1'Ue United Slates census of 134 1 gave
the popul uion as 4.353. an iuurese of
683 in tnrce years.
M. Andreas Hofer, the grandson
of the Tyrolean patriot shot oy order
ol apoiean 1, has recently gone mad
irons an excessive use of tobacco. M.
Holer baa been a member of ihe Aus
trian i'ariiuieiit for several years.
A "rubber-beaded tack" Uss been
Invented by a misguided man. Every
body who has sat down In peace and
risen in wrath knows ibat tne head of
a tack is not tbe end which needs im
provement with a rubber point.