gK'fiy Wly ww$-
B. F. SCHWEIER,
THE OOISTITUTIOI THE TTHOlf AID THE EJrrOSOIMEBT OF THE LAVS.
Editor and Proprietor.
i
VOL. XXXY.
MIFFLINTOWN, JUNIATA COUNTY. PENNA., WEDNESDAY, NOVEMBER -2, 1881.
NO. 43.
THE WELL.
Urk anil cool the water lies
la the old time-honoreti well:
lKwa deep toe bactct Die,
And bow oft, who can tell?
For the K-jmolboj hot with pUv.. ,
Tat the laborer tired with toil,
For the traveler ua his war,
IKHa the tireless rope nncwl.
And how often, who ran tell ?
Or, who fir the gracious draught
Drew up from the bounteous well?
Or, who sunk the ancient shaft ?
They are dust who slake! their thira
At the little silrer fount
In the wild woods, where it Ann
Called the huntsman to dismount.
They are dust, the pioneer.
Who the stronjr-armed forest broke.
Where the old woli now auears;
Where now curls the rilUz? snre.
So shall we within the Tale
With oar children's children dwell.
But the waters ne'er shall Call
In the old time-honored welL
CALI.KU FOR.
Bessie Lynn sat alone ia tha wide,
shady kitchen, busily engaged in pick
ing over whorllelierries. Without, the
sunshine of an August afternoon bathed
the green field aud dnst y road that
wonu J to the village, and touohed with
richer hue the nasturtiums and gerani
ums iu the tiuy garden, and the Virgi
nia creeper that climbed and blossomed
alove the door. Bessie inade a pretty
picture as she sat on a low cricket with
a big calico apron spread over her blue,
spring muslin dress to defend it from
the stains that had soiled her little
brown hands. She was a petite, and
daintily rounded maiden of about eigh
teen, with great eyes and glossy cnrls,
shading a fair brow and cheeks that
had a touch of wild rose bloom upon
them.
The kitchen, too, was such a pretty
picture with its well-scoured floor and
dresers, its asparagus-topped clock, its
shining stove with bunches of herbs
hung behind, and great bouquet of viv
id cardinal flowers set on the snowy ta
ble. The kitchen was perfectly still,
save the buzz of the flies and the tick
ing of the clock; and outside the cricket
and the insects alone disturbed the
peace. Bessie believed that every one
in the house was asleep but herself, aud
yawned somewhat wearily as she tossed
over the berries, finishing the yawn
with a bit of soliloquy nttered about
half aloud. "Oh, dear, this Laving
summer lxarders, isn't verv pleas
ant!" ".Miss Bessie, said a .voice in the
door-way so suddenly that Bessie near
ly upset "her l:iTiesiu 'her great snr
prise. "Oh? Mr. Vane, Lf it yon?' she said
bashfully, bending down to pick up a
few berries that had rolled from her
apron.
"I'll
pick Viu up!" exclaimed the
new comer, a talL and har.dsonie-Joofc
ing youth of alout . tweuty-one, with
merry blue eyes, sliort auburn hair
cnrled closely under a straw hat, diving
for the missing berries with ungraceful
dexterity. "Yes, it is I, of course.
Hare you forgotten your promise to go
for blies with me tius afternoon?"
"Oh, but I didn't say this afternoon,
you know; only some afternoon this
week." responded Bessie, demurely.
"Well, we'll call it this afternoon,
won't we?" was the persuasive rejoinder
as the straw hat was tossed on the chair.
"I'll help you. Lend me half that ap
ton and we- will have them picked over
in a trice."
"But I shall have snpper to get
Mother is away, and there will bo bis
cuit to make," insisted Bessie, turning
her face away to hid a smile that would
curve her Hps,
"Never mind that," responded Mau
rioe Vane, bringing a chair to her side.
"Tea is at half-past six, isn't it? and it
is now only half-past two. We'll le
back at five" without fail, and have time
- to get half the lilies in the river," and
he began to assort a handful of Wrries
with much earnestness.
"W-e-1-4," assented Bessie, after a
pause for consideration and a glance at
the clock. "I can go for a little while,
tierhaps. Oh! don't stain your coat,
Mr. Vane." But Mr. Vane was sub
limely indiflerent to his coat and worked
with such good will that the lorries
were aoon picked over, and Bessie and
himself on their way to the nver.
Five niiuutes later, Bassie with her
draiHjries daintily bestowed around her,
was seated in the stern of the boat,
which, prop -Iled by Maurice Vane's
practical hand, shot swiftly down the
stream, Although Mr. Vane said to
Bessie five times within an hour, that it
was a lovely day, and although Bessie
assented every time, I hardly tniuk they
appreciated the !eauty around them,
for Bessie was quite absorbed in the li
lies and their reflection in water, and
Mr. Vane looked mora at his compan
ion than at the aspect of nature. They
had enough lilies to satisfy them, and
Bosnia was leaning ba ckward and idly
trailing one h.iud in the water, Then
she suddenly uttered a little soream and
sat orect with white cheeks, from which
the color had Uvn frightened.
"Oh! I alnuwtlost it How careless
I am!" she exclaimed, replacing an old
fashioned ring, set with a tiny circle of
rubies, on her finger.
"Did the water svwp it out of your
hand?"
"I suppose so. It's too large for me.
rni always looKinaf it and finding it ag
ain. I wouldn't lose it entirely for the
world, lecanse it nsed to 1 grand
mother's. She gave it to me."
vi,ut . iiriinis old mm it is ! said
Mr Vane, without interest "May I
look at it? Don't trouble yourself to
lake it off," he said, drawitig in his oars
and leaning toward his companion.
Bessie allowed her tiny brown hand
to lie in his aristocratic white one a mo
ment then as coquettishly withdrew
it "Isn't it pretty?" she inquired,
"'"Very pretty. Shall I tell yon how
.to guard against losing it in the fu
ture?" "Oh, yes, if yon please. .
"Well, wear this little ring of mine to
Kuard it or letter yet, exchange with
me. Give me yours and take this in
stead," said the you J J wan, danng-
" Bessie looked at the heavy chased
gold ring be held out to her, then looked
back at the water with an innocent On.
I don't think it would fit?"
"Try it" suggested her companion,
Beade shook her head, but finally
agreed, blushingly. that it would be no
harm to try, and supped the nng on her
f0It8grperlect fit," cried Mr. Vane:
delightedly; "nothing can be better.
Why Miss Bessie, you surely don t
mean to give it back?"
"Of course I do." was the eaucv re
joinder, "Why not?" i
"Because." said Mr. ane. speakinar
earnestly and disregarding his fears al-1
together, while he tned to get a chmnsc .
of the face hidden by the flat hat, "be- j
iMu-tc x luuiui w ass. you M wear it lor
my sake. I meant to ask you "
"Oh, Mr. Vane," cried" the listener,
"do you see that lily on your left?
Won't you get it for me?"
"I'll get that and twenty others if you
will listen to me first Do yon care for
me? Will you marry me?"
Bessie's head was turned away, and
her head bend lower. A crimson flush
stole over her ears, neck and chin.
"Bessie;" no answtr. Her companion
leaned over and took her hand, ventur
ously.
Bessie, will you wear the rii;g?" he
questioned, softly. But the hand was
hastily drawn away; a pair- of saucy
black eyes flashed into his own, and
Bessie's merry langhter rang over the i
water.
"I'd rather have grandma's, please. 1 1
ought to go home, Mr. Vaue, for I know
it s almost tea time,
Mr. Vane put the ring iu his pocket i
auu iook up uie oars aguiu energetical
i t . i i
ly, without a word, lie was fresh from
college and held the stroke oar in many
a race, but never made ln-tter time than
he made that afternoon iu rowing np the
river. The light loat shot along with
the rower's brow knitted and his teeth
set Not once did he look at Bessie,
who sat in half-puzzled, half-alarmed si
lence, now and then stealing a sidewise
glance at the offeuded young Hercules
from under her hat Mr. Vaue drew a
breath of relief when the boat at last
grated on the sand, and haviug assisted
Bessie to land and curtly offered to car
ry her lilies, he shonldered the oars and
marched firmly toward at home by li
side. Besi9, somewhat bewildered and
more angry, made no effort to break the
silence and studiously endeavored to
keep from crying. When at bust he left
her at the door with a cold "Thauk you
Miss Bessie." and departed to carry the
oars to the barn, it was well he did not
look back, for Miss Bessie tossed the li
lies aside with a petulant gesture aud
had a fit of cryir.g with her heart on the
kitchen table.
When Mr. A ane ri turned from the
barn half an hour later, he did see a
picture which comforted him a little
through the hop-wreathed pantry win
dow. It was Bessie with her sleeves
pinned up, molding biscuits in desper
ate haste, while the tears fell thickly on
the high calico apron. This picture
so amazed Mr. Vaue that he retreated
hastily behind a lilac bush to oVserve it;
and lingered so long that he was lute at
tea. This was a model snpjier. There
was tlie great dish of berries with snowy
cream beside, flanked by cheese and rasp
berry jam. There were too mountains
or plates of snowy biscuits contrasting
with sponge cake and the ncuer gold ol
the butter. Mr. Vano, wlio had sup
posed he should never have an appetite
asraiu. felt quite revived by the sight
ol tins bible and the inenu.ry of the pic
ture.
The rest of the boarders seemed to
share the Bensation, for the group was
very hilarious and the eatables disap
peared rapidly. Bessie, presiding le
tween the pots, seemed rather out of
spirits, but Farmer Lynn atoned for
her silence by unusual jolity. V Leu
the biscuit passed a second time, to Mr.
Vane, he saw that only one was left, and
would have decorously refused, but the
hospitable farmer pressed it upon him.
"Don't be afraid of it there's plenty
more in the kitchen, ain't there Bes
sie?" -
Thus pressed, Mr. Vane accepted the
biscuits and Bessie disappeared to re
plenish the plate. Mr. Vane divided
the biscuit then dropped it suddenly
with an exclamation that brought every
eye upon J.im. There imbedded in the
light white bread, lay Bessie's ring.
Shouts of laughter arose that brought
Bessie back from the kitchen in haste,
just in time to see Mr. Vane coolly re
move the ring from the biscuits, amidst
the merry chorus, and drop it iuto the
waistcoat pocket to "be kept till called
for," he said, with a significant look at
her scarlet face. Poor Bessie! There
was no peace for her after that An
army of jokes quite overwhelmed her
protestations and disclaiming, and she
was thankful to beat a hasty retreat to
the kitchen when the meal was over. But
there even she was pursued by a laugh
ing trio of ladies who harassed her with
questions and wonderment, and merri
ment, until the last dish was set away,
and she started to the village for letters.
Instead of going to tho village, she stole
along the hedge, clinilcd the wall, and
ran to the other end of the orchard,
where she flung herself on the gronnd
and cried as if her heart would break.
She perhaps had cried half an honr
when a step crushing the dry grass at
her side roused her, and the very voice
she most dreaded to her, said:
"I've come to return your ring, Miss
Bessie."
Poor little Bessie'sat up hastily, aud
took the unfortunate ring with a falter
ing "Thank you," then immediately hid
her face again.
"You needn't thankme; I should have
brought it before, bnt I conldu't find
yon. I hope you are not troubled
about those ridiculous jokes ?" he add
ed. . ...
"-o, resjHinded Bessie, miserably,
between her sobs. "I I thought you'd
think I did it on purpose."
"now coidd I have thought so? It
was a mere accident my getting that
particular biscuit I'm very sorry you've
been so annoyed in this way. I'm going
awav to-morrow, Miss Bessie."
The sola parhally ceased, and .Uiss
Bessie said, surprisedly, "Are yon?
"Won t you bid me goou-iy.'
"Yes."Bessie siad unsteadily, but did
uot raised her head.
"YouU shake hands, won t you, Jiiss
Bessie?" No answer. "I can't go away
while you are offended with me. Won t
you at least tell mo why yon are cry-
Because I I lost my grandma's
rintr. soooea xessie, m.iu8 -
effort for composure, Mr. Vaue laughed
in spite of hiiUFeli. "Vtny, ussaieoii
vntir fin per. and not a whit the worse
for its baking. Is there really no other
reason?"
"No o."
"But there is. I stall never have
another happy hour if I've offended
you," said Mr. Vane, tragically. "I
was a brute to treat you as I did tius af
ternoon; but Tm going away aud shan't
annoy you again. Won't you forgive
me now and shake hands?" Another
long silence. Mr. Vane turned away in
despair, but was detained by a faltering
voice. . .. .
"I IU forgive yoa if
"Well?" was the breathless interposi
tion. "You won't go away?"
The more observant boarders noticed
at breakfast the next morning that Mau
rice wore the ring he found in the bis
cuit on the little fingar of his left hand,
aud Befede wore a heavily chased
gold circla in the place of her last orna
ment To use the word of one of the le-fore-named
boarders, "That tells the
whole story."
Fctad ia law urate.
A handsome maiden of about twenty
summers entered the Coroner's office in
Philadelphia recently, and presented
herself before the desk at which Clerk
Ashbridge was sitting. There were evi
dences of refinement in her dress and
style, but the handsome countenance
was beclouded by a look which told as
forcibly as words that her heart was
heavy with sorrow and anxiety. She
paused for a moment, and then in a tim
id, hesitating manner inquired: "Can
you kindly tell me if you have receutly
held an inquest upon a youiis man
named Egbert F. Wilson?"
Clerk Ashbridge pondered for a mom
ent, and then shook his head.
"You are quite sure?" urged the
maiden, and her face lightened some
what The oifieiul looked through his file for
three weeks back, while the questioner
watched his face intently. When the
last entry had been scrutinized he shook
his head again and the fair inquirer
breathed a sigh of relief. She then
went on to explain that the young man
to whom she had reference was her lov
er, and that the marriage day was near
at hand. He had been employed in the
city for some time, his folks, who are in
pretty good circumstances, living np in
the State. Up to a couple of weeks
ago, she went on to say, he had been
regular in his visits, but during that
time she had not once Reen him. Be
coming alarmed, she made inquiries
among some of his acquaintances, one
of whom told her that Egbert had been
tikeu sick and was in the hospital. The
same day upon which she received this
information she visited every institution
of suffering in the city, but not a trace
of her betrothed could be found. Then
as a last resort she had determined to
try the Cororner's office. After hearing
this simple story. Cierk Ashbridge
gave her a few words of good cheer,
prophesying that her lover would soon
come back with satisfactory explanations
The maiden li.-4.ened xpressed hei thanks
in a musical voice, and tripped away
with a far more cheerful look than shs
had worn when entering
But the maiden had lwirely crossed
the threshold of the door when Doctor
Wallace, of the M unci pal (small pox)
Hospital, entered the room. As Suon
as the clerk saw the approaching form,
and forgetting that the young lady was
still within hearing, it flashed across his
mind that here might be found some
solace for the young girl, so he called
out: "Doctor have you had a young
man named Eglxrt F. Wilson up at your
place?"
"I had," was the doctor's reply, in a
hesitating way. "I ought to remember
it, for it was one of the worst cases I
ever saw."
The maiden paused on the landing
and looked back at she speaker with
eyes like those of a startled fawn.
"Is he getting well, Doctor?" inquired
Mr. Ashbridge. who had not noticed the
emphasis which Dr. Wallace had put on
the "had."
" Well!" ejaculated the medical atten
dant. "Why, man, he's dead and bur
ied. He was admitted last Wednesday a
week, and died on the following day. It
was a terrible case, and "
There was a faint shriek, and the
listener on the landing fell back against
the balusters in a semi-unco nscions con
dition, the glow on her countenance
giving way to a deathly pallor. Thus
she stood for a couple of moments, re
fusing, with a movement of the head,
the proffers of glass of water and a
chair. Then the big briny tears welled
np into her eyes and coursed down her
checks. This evidence of emotion was
momentary; but as she turned and des
cended to the open air, holding her
handkerchief tightly to her mouth to
repress the sobs, there was a look of
pain on her faon which made her appear
older by years than when fifteen min
uter1cfore she had entered the office.
rlB F?ncer-alll.
A ladv from New York, writes as fol
lows, in relation to pink finger nafls.
When my time came I sat in a row with
five other ladies, all in the easiest of
arm-chairs, aud with damask napkins in
our laps. Finger-bowls of stained glass
on plates of painted French china, filled
with tepid water perfumed and contain
ing an acid to soften the skin, were giv
en us, and solemnly we sat aud soaked
onr fingers for fifteen minutes. At the
end of that time an "operator" on s low
stool seated herself before me, dried one
hand, posed it on a pink satin cushion,
and with a fine steel instrument quickly
scraped away all the soft skin round the
nail, then she filed it into a point at the
top and clipped the sides with sharp scis
sors, then she rubbed a red salve, called
rosaliue, over it; wiped it off and pro
ceeded to polish with the diamond pow
der, using the palm of her hand, until
the nail fairly glittered, and finally
warm water, castile soap and a soft
brush left it clean, smooth and shining.
The process was repeated on every fing
er and in half an hour, for the sum of
$1.50 wu finished, and the result was
ten pink and brilliant weapons of de
fence so sharp and pointed as to suggest
the advantages'of peace. The fashion
of wearing these long and pointed nails
has oecome so exaggerated that it ne
cessitates long-fingered gloves and ex
treme care to prevent their breaking
off. .
How Shv was Foolert.
A tradesman living in the Bue St
Honor possesses a young and pretty wife
who is passionately fond of theatre; but,
being continually occupied iu basinets,
he is rarely able to indulge her. A short
time ago she got a ticket for the Porte
St Martin, and telling him that he had
given to her, asked him to accompany
her. He promised to do so, but wheu
the evening coma was unable to go. The
wife, who was en jraitde toilette, was
furious at her disappointment ;but, de
termined not to be balked, she made
her servant accompany her. On leaving
the theatre she was followed by two
young men, who were very insolent To
escape them she called a cab that was
passiug, but the coachman made a sign
that he had some one in the vehicle.
She was turning awy, when the cab
stopjied, and an elegantly-dressed young
man jumped from it
"I see, ladies," he said, with a low
l)ow, "that you are annoyed by two in
solent fellows. Deign to accept this cab.
I will seek another."
-The tradeswoman accepted the offer
with thanks, and the gentleman handed
her aud h-r servant iu with the greatest
politeness. She gave her address to the
cabman, and the vehicle drove off. Ar
rived near her own residence, she
stopped the cab and asked what there
was to pay.
"Twenty one francs," said the cal
niHii. "What twenty-one francs !"eried the
tradeswoman, in astonishment "Why,
you have only come from the Porte St.
Denis, and have not been half au honr
on your way." '
"Do not talk nonsense," said the cab
man rudely. "I have been driving the
gentleman a'.iout since morning. Bnt
where is he? Disappeared ? !"
On discovering that his fare had real
ly disappeared, the man thought the
women were in connivance with him to
cheat hint, and he became very insolent
The tradeswoman had not money en
ough to satisfy his demand, and he gave
her and her companion into custody.
Thry had to puss the whole night in the
guard-house de la Linjeries, and were
not released until the next morning,
when the tradesman, clainiedthem, and
indemnified the coachman. The
tradeswoman vows that she will never
go to the theatre again without her hus
band. I'rofatilty's Provocatives.
There are some things will", human
nature eannot endure with anything like
equanimity. No matter- to how many
churches t man belongs when he sits
down on a tack he a! waja. thinks th"
swear he may not utter, and when a dia
bolical bit of ice with inalirions intent
gets in his way and he comes down on
the sidewalk with an impact like that of
a Boman catapult mil ue nearly bites
the end of his tongue off, while his hat
in hilarious mood rushes down the street
as fast as a schoolboy out of school at
recess, and his glasses sink hi tha tur
bid stream that flows in the gutter, good
Christian people will remember that the
provocation is great nl 'OU(l de&f
car to tho voicanie expletives with
which he expresses his opinion of the
way in which this world is put together.
When a man is habitually profane there
is no Excuse for him w hatever. But
when in great emergencies such as we
have described tha mother tongue offers
its most explosive words, and they are
accepted, even the deacon of a church
must be forgiven. We are all human,
some more so and others less, and on
active hornet industriously inclined and
thoroughly acquainted with his business
will throw us off our balance before we
know it, and leave us with a large lump
on onr face and a big, big D in our heart
of hearts.
Trylo g urn the Boast! .
A New Haven gentleman, whose busi
ness keeps him ap late al nights, was per
suaded to do a millinery errand for his
wife the other night and M a result stum
bled up the front stairs about two o'clock
in the morning with a brand new bonnet
held carefully under bis arm in a tissue
paper. As soon as he turned on the gas,
bis better half rubbei open her eyes and
drowsily inquired:
lou forgot . my bonnet, oiun t
"rio, 1 dldn L ilere s the Dusiness. '
"Oh. it u:' and that woman sprang up
and ripped the wrappings off in a jiffy,
and slapping her nightcap into the corner,
adjusted the new purchase carefully on ber
head. "How do you like Ht It's becom
ing, isn't ul"
'Madam,'1 responded the husband, "the
bonnet certainly is becoming, but some
bow, tbe remainder of your costume don't
jibe. Your dress, if I may call it such,
bas too much Hamburg edging and not
enomrh overakirt 1 think you need a tit
le knife pleating and a couple of extra ruf
fle."
Ob, you horrid
'And then, too, that bonnet has too
much color for the lout tntcmble,U I may
borrow from the French."
You baleful, I'd throw the thing out
ef the window if you don't tell me how it
looks, so, there."
i'ha s what I am trying to do, my
dear. The bonnet looks 'immense.' In
your present costume you couldn't fail to
make a hit on tbe street and just as like
as not land in tbe police station. I should
think some milliner had hired the statue of
Queen Zenobia for a dummy to show off
her goods."
"Dummy! Dummy, did yon savt 111
let you know I'm no dummy;' and she
sat on tbe edge of the bed and lectured,
and lectured, until the deluded man bad
been h'immed to sleep by the monotony of
ber voice. But she didn t take that boa
net off. She went and rigged herself np
in the best duds she had, and when he
awoke in the morning she was promenad
ing about tbe room trying the effect by
posing in attitudes before the mirror.
At Pembroke College, Cambridge
(England), has been brought to light
the solid silver mitre and croner which
belonged to Bishop Wren, the ancle of
Sir Christopher Wren, the architect of
St Paul s. Bishop Wren was succes
sively Bishop of Hereford, of fQrwioh,
and 01 tAJ.
Lightning on Tree Near a Telegraph
M Ire.
Some Instructive facts in this connection
have been bromrht to light by M. Montijny,
in a recent examination of poplars bord
ering part of a road in ttelgium between
Kocbefort and Dinant The part in ques
tion is some 4, 800 metres in length, and
runs westward; it is level for some dis
tance, then rises gradually to a height of
61 metres through a wood, traverses a
wooded plateau 200 metres in length, then
descends, still through wood, ti a plain.
A teleeraph wire runs near the row of
Virginia poplars on the north side, and it
appears that out of nearly 60. poplars
forming this row, 81, or a xth,have been
struck by lightning. Hardly any have
been struck in the other row. The trunks
bsve been mostly struck on their south
side and nearly opposite the wire. Com
paring different portions of the road, it
is found that in horizontal part none of
the (129) trees show injury from lightning
or at most only one (a doubtful case); but
as the road rises through the wood the
cases quickly mutiply, and on the wooded
plateau as many as nine out of fourteen
trees, or 64 per cent, have b"eost ruck.
On the slopes the proportion is 25 ptr cent.
iL Montigny distinguishet thrce.kinds of
injuries; (1) the bark lorn and detached oa
a limited part of t'ie trunk; (2) a furow
straight or (rarely) spiial, made on the tree
from near the wire down to the ground:
and (3) a peculiar oval wound with longer
axis vertical, and hps colored light brown.
Now, the furrows, whfch are probably due
to the most vio'cnl discharges, are relative
ly most frequent on tbe plateau and on the
western slope, which the storms usually I
reach Erst. M. Montigpy is of the opin
ing that the lightning, while provoked by
the wire, does not strike this first, then the
tree, but It rtnkis the tree directly. His
conception of the process is to the follow
ing effect: Suppose a thunder cloud charg
ed with positive electricitty. A Iodi; tele
graph wire under it though inrulated,
may acquire as great negative tension in
the nearest part as if in direct communi
cation with the ground, and the tension is
greater the nearer to the cloud. W hile
the inductive influence affects Uie wire
most near objects, such as trees share in
the influence according to tht-ir conduc
tive power. The lightning, attracted in
the direction of the wire, yet does not
strike this, the iraulating cups presenting
an obstacle to Its prompt and rapid escape.
It finds a better conductor to earth in a
neighboring poplar, wet with rain. From
th"5 facts indicated it results that of two
similar housis, one built on .a p!am, the
other in a wood, and having a telegraph
wire fixed to them, the latter is the more
liable to injury by lightning, and the dan
ger is greater if the wood enclosing the I
house be upon an eminence.
A Talking T,n.
"Come here, Sis, and sit down btsiJe
me, and let me give you a lhttle talking to.
1 wish to epeak to you of your mUher. It
may be you have seen a careworn look up
on her face lately. Of course it has not
been brought there by suy act of yours,
still it is your duty to try and chase it away.
1 don't mean for you to run at it and shake
your skirts acd tell it to 'shoo,' as you
would a hen, nor do I expect you to get on
tbe other side of the fence and throw oid
oyster cans and barrel staves at it But f
want you to get up early in tbe morning
and get breakfast ad when your mother
comes down and begins to express ber sur
prise, go up to her and kiss her. Tou
can't imagine how it will brighten up bcr
dear old lace. II.:r face hai more wrinkles
lLau your; far more, and yet if you were
sick tkat face would 'appear lo, be as
beautiful as an angel's; as it hovered over
you, watching every chance to minister to
your wants, and every one of those
wrinkles would seem to be bright wavelets
chasing each other over that dear old face.
She will leave you one of these days.
Those burdens, if not lifted from her
shoulders, will break her down. Th-re,
don't cry; she has not lett yon yet She
is in the kitchen stringing beans for din
ncr,and it you fe.l so ld you might ce and
finish them and let her change her dress
and rest an nour before dinner. After din
ner you might wash up the dishes while
she takes a little nap. Then you might
take down her hair and do it up for her.
You need not wind it over your finger and
fuss to make spit curls as she use! to
make yours, but give it a gentle brushing
and wind it up tenderly a though you en
joyed doing .t for her. The gentleman in
the parlor can wait until you have per
loruied these duties. If he expresses any
impatience you can explain to Lira that
you feel under more obligations to your
rao'Jier than vou do to him."
Do Yoa Hear?
''My son," said a lame Rock mother,
'go down to the grocery and net me a can
of condensed milk."
1 should squirm to wizgle, answered
the boy.
Ooon, I tell you."
''I should hmp to jump."
"it you don't go this instant I'll tell
your father when he comes home."
"I should blow to tattle."
'Never mind, sir."
"I should whoop to squeal. "
When the father came the mother said:
I wish that you'd whip Tom. He posi
tively refused to go down ta the grocery,
and told me that 1 was a tattler, and that
be would jump on me."
"Tom."
"Yes, sir."
" What was that you said to your
mother! "
"Never said nothin'."
"Then I am a story teller and you are a
pretty boy," said the mother.
"Look here, young man, if you don t
behave yourself I'll thrash you. D. you
hear!
"I should litter to snort."
'Come hereto me sir.' asd tbe youn
man cq tinned to wiggle, hinped to jump,
blew to tittle, whooped lo squiad and tit
tered to snort.
Railroad stocking.
A delightful employ mem and beautiful
articles of dress is accomplished by knit
ting what are teraed railroad stockings.
The most stupid person can knit rjuna and
round, and that is all that is required in
this matter. Cast on twenly-eigb tslilcbes
on tbe needles, knit away till yoa have
a Bleeder pipe (entirely suggestive of a
stocking) and about one-half a yard long
not that f -he stocking ia not desired
an extra length. Then knit round one?,
dropping every fourih stitch; these dropped
stitches will run to the top or t'ie s ockinz,
striping it in lovely open work, and mak
ing it i instantaneously one-third longer,
and wide enough for tbe largest; sort of leg.
After this, the Slocking being as many
stitches smaller as yoa have dropped, you
knil about three inches at that size and
then toe off "What! no heelt" I hear
the uninitiated exclaim. No heeL "It's
a poor foot that won't shape its own stock
ing" the old lady add when she knit them
this way; but the extreme elasticity of tbe
railroad bore makes a heel unnecessary.
They are durable, they are handsome, and
they are such jolly things to have round
for work.
Queer Paakacc-i.
Odd ireigntf Well, i should say we
have!" said D. F. Masters, one of the old
est clerks in tbe main office of tbe Adams
Express Company on Market attest, I'hila
de phis, as be twirled himself arouad on a
hin stool and faced an inquiring reporter.
Mr. Master talks with great volubility,
and as be is in tbe habit of dropping many
email words, his conversation was decided-
lyj jerky. "les, we ship a httle of every
thing, from diamonds to Chester-white pigs
and Limburg cheese. Kemarkable thine
about that cheese. Ever smell anyf Rich,
penetreling sort of fragrance, ain't it? Case
burst in tbe freight-room last spring.
Made every one sick. Two Irishmen tried
to shovel it up. Smell nearly turned
'em inside out Uot Dutchman, regular
out and out eat a-sand ich-in-a-minute
sort of a fellow fnm dergmyer's saloon
across tbe way, but he gave up irr 'ten
minutes. Only finished it with tbe help
of a box of deodorizer. Phew! They
should charge double rates to ship such
stuff," and the speaker elevated his nose
as though trace of the diabolical aroma
stiil lingered in his nostrils. k .
"Two babies have come througu this
office ;me from Chicago far New York,
and the other from Washington to this city.
The mei oa the line made a great fuss
when the Chicago youne one was shipped.
Telegia; h operators all along the route
sent despatches ahead, and crowds of peo
ple went to the depots to see the baby.
Caxe all the way In the cars. Had a
hammocK all rigged up. JNew idea, you
know, and messengers thought it was kind
of a joke, but they wouldn't like too much
of that kind.
Baby s mother died in Chi
cago, father lived in New York; weigbed
41 pounds 1 believe; cost about 2 50 to
send it through. Philadelphia baby came
along some tiuie after. Both made their
trip first-class, and seemed to enj iy things
geueralU Fed 'em regulation spoon vic
tuals from hotels- along the line. Often
nave dead folks shipped. Don't know
why they send cin by express, tho'.
Tain' likely any one's eoing to walk off
with a corpse. Yes; man shipped three
shorthorn cattle dean through to Nebras
ka about a mont h ago. Unless he got them
for nothing they must have c?st him a piw
er of money when he got them. Just
think of man expressing a whole deer
carcass two or three thousand miles.
About as sensible for a butcher to express
a beet through fiom here to Camden.
Last fall a lunatic sent a 1,200 pound block
of cedar from California clear to .New
York. That't nothing, hswever, for I see
some one sent twenty barrels of mess pork
to tbe Pottstown military camp by express
aud the charges amounted to over $100.
A cinnamon bear came through from Ne-
vada by express last January for tbe Z jo
logical Garden. Said be was tame when
they shipped him. Got loose near Omaha,
drove everyone out of the car, chewed up
half a deer, ripped around among the
freight and had a tire us all to himself un
till he was lassoed and tied in the corner
of the car with a log-chain. Oh, yes, they
ship lots of mirrors, but the men don't
like 'en. Seven years bad luck to mmh
a looking-glass, you know. Snakes till
you can'l rest, but they keep them in
boxes. Messengers donl mind 'em. Sow,
you-might think eegs are a nice freight
but they ain't. More expressmen grow
bald on account of worrying over baskets
of eggs than anything 1 know of," and Mr,
Masters turned from the repjrter to receive
a package of hymn-books consigned to a
missionary in the Black Hills.
Tha Holy Wall as Meeca.
When Mohammed captured Mecca,
which had been regarded for ages by his
countrymen as a place of peculiar sanctity,
he interfered with the worship of the Black
Stone (probably a meteorite) which the an
eels had brought from heaven, and of the
Zemzem, or Holy Well of Uagar, only so
far as to suppress the ancient polytheistic
rites. Tnis w ell is close besides tbe Caaba or
Square House, the chief sanctuary ot tbe
Mohammedan world.
Tbe princes of Islam maintsia at Mecca
keepers of the Holy Well, who annually
supply them with water to be used on great
occasions and in great emergencies, as
when stricken with disease. Every pilgrim
to Mecca and thousands come thither
from all countries vuiu the well and is
purified by drinking the water or pouring
it over his person, or both. The water is
described as unpleasant in taste and ca
thartic in effect qualities which are now
to be accounted for without recourse to
miracle.
With Occidental irreverence the British
Consul-General at Jeddah bas sent a bottle
of the water to tbe Koyal College of Chem
istry at South Kensington to be analysed.
Dr. E. Irankland, in his report of the an
alysis, ssys thai the water is of the most
abominable character. "In fact 18 sew
age more than seven times as concentrated
as London sewage, and it contains no less
than 579 grains of solid matter per gallon.
Knowing the competition of this water,
and the mode of propagation of Asiatic
cholera by excremenliiious matters, It is
not to be wondered at that outbreaks of
this disease should often occur among pil
grims to Mecca, while it would scarcely
be possible to provide a more effective
means for the distaibution of cholera pot
son throughout Mohammedan countries.
It would be interesting to know the
composition of the waters of other holy
wells of which Islam bas by no means the
monopoly,
Ua4er W ater Lamp.
A new method of illuminating the
talks at the Royal Aquarium, Westmin
ster, was lately shown by moans of the
"Fanre" electric battery, and which, so
far as it went, was a successful charac
ter. The lights shown were, to the
number of six, submerged in the tank
at the foot of the west staircase with ex
cellent effect, showing np every fish and
plant with great distinctness a result
impossible to attain under the old sys
tem of gas illumination. One of the
great advantages of the electric over the
gas lighting system ia that the fish do
not seem to mind in the least the close
proximity of the incandescent lamps,
while at the same time they do not
suffer from the noxious emanations
evolved during the combustion of gas.
Under Mr. Faure's system a steady light
of almost any intensity can be obtained,
while the engines, which can be run
without cessation during the whole of
the twenty-four hours of the day, effect
a great many sayings by their power of
storing the electric energy, while at the
same time they obviate the danger of a
sudden accidental extinction of the other
light employed. The electricity naed
for the lighting of the tank was gener
ated im Woolwich and carried down to
the aquarium, where it arrived bnt a
short t:me before it was need.
A Lettr Carrier's Sec-teC
An ex-letter carrier says the amouut of
clandestine correspondence that is cir-
.ried on wonld astonish even the actors
themselves, and it is about equally divid
ed between the sexes. I have never vio
lated a confidence by giving a name or
anything that would lead to .suspicion,
but if so minded I could give tbe names
of persons prominent in business and
social circles tliat would astonish the un
initiated. One man used to beg me every day,
"For God's sake don't let my wife get
hold of any of my letters," and at the
same time the wife was equally solici
tous that her huslmnd should not get
hold of her correspondence. They are
playing'the same game yet perhaps.
Another mameA woman, who was en
gaged in a clandestine correspondence,
suspected that her husband was engaged
in the same business, and used to work
all kinds of devices to get possession of
his letters. She wonld instruct me if
any letters came for him from Philadel
phia to qnietly give them to her. The
leiters came regularly, bat she never
got hold of them, through me, at least
Another lady, who waa living apart
from her husband, and corresponding
with a man in the old country, used to
keep a supply of stamped envelopes in
my hands. When I received a letter for
her bearing a foreign postmark I would
enclose it in one of the envelopes and
have it postmarked at Cincinniti. By
this means her friends were completely
misled. After getting a divorce, for
which she was then plaging she married
her correspondent, and is now doubtless
living a happy, contented life.
One young lady used to meet me every
Friday evening, at a certain street cor
ner, and receive a letter from a forbid
den correspondent, and at the same time
would h.iud me a letter to be mailed to
him. Her family were under the im
pression that they had her movements
completely under a watchful eye. As
the young lady was of age I did not con
sider it any part of my sworn duty to ex
pose her. Every letter carrier could re
late just such, experience if he would.
What part of his duties does a carrier
dislike most?
Walking a half mile out of his way to
deliver circulars of no earthly use, and
Inch will be thrown into the fire, in all
probubility, withont l)eing opened. The
next thing is walking the same distance
to deliver a letter. If he has a handful
of letters to deliver all along the route
he does not mind the extra tramp.
These are some of the "tricks of the
trade," and if yon can make any use of
them vou are at lilerity to do so.
A City of Perfumes.
Tunisian Aral have a passion for
flowers, and as soon as their Spring
commences, even the poorest and rair-
gedest may be seen with a delicately
scented blossom stuck alove his ear. the
stalk resting amid the folds of his tur
ban and the flower projecting forward
over nis dark cheek. I have been told
by those who have 30 years" knowledge
of these people, that they will almost go
without hread to buy flowers. And
there is something in the sight of a
ganut, toil-worn Arab, whose solo gar
ments may consist of a piece of coarse ,
sacking and a ragged old turban, with a
bunch of delicate Springblossoms droop
ing their cool freshness against his
swarthy cheek, which stirs a strange
mingling of sympathy and pity and
admiration.
The perfumes distilled at Tunis have
leen famous from time immemoral, and
I really think the Tunisians are right
when they declare that their roses are
eeter than all others. There is one
very large, rather pale rose in particular,
from which the famous attar is extracted,
exhales an odor so powerful and yet so
delicate that it scarcely seems a figure
of speech to speak of "odors of Para
dise " and one can understand that the
Mohammedan's heaven would hardly be
complete withont it But at Turn's it is
not only the rose which is made to yield
np it sweets breath, to be afterwards im
prisoned in cunning little caskets and
sparkling crystal flasks enriched with
gilding, suggesting to the wandering
fancy of the Arabian Nights' haunted
traveler (aud who is there who is not
continually haunted by that wonderful
book from the moment he finds himself
among Oriental scenes ?) the imprisoned
spirit of some fairy, in eternal subjection
to the iowerf id genii, man. The'odors
of the violet, the jasmine, the orange
flower, and many others are extracted
with equal skill, and the bazaars mingle
their scents with the perfume of sandal
wood and other sweet-smelling woods
whose names I do not know, and with
that of the curious most odoriferous
dark substance which the natives call
amber. If you ko to bay perfumes the
vendor will perhaps offer you a little
vory box (Arabian Nights agaiu !) or
porcelain vase containing scented un
guent for the hair, or may be a string of
beads to hang aronnd the neck, appar
ently thinking it of small consequence
ia what way you perfume your person so
that the desired odor is conveyed to the
senses. In Arab households incense and
sandal -wood are requently burned on
charcoal b raisers. The Arabian women
of the higher class are extrr.vagrntly
fond of highly scented ear-rings, brace
lets, Arc, and a lady told me that on be
ing introduced into the apartment of a
newly married wife she saw suspended on
the wall a magnificent kind of necklace,
almost as large as a collar of the Order
of the Golden Fleece, formed of scented
woods and amber, enriched with plates
and beads of pore gold finely worked.
This ornament perfumed the the whole
apartment and my friend was informej
that in well-to-do households is always
to be found in the chamber of the
newest wife. ,
NEWS IN BK1EF.
The laws against begging are now
rigidly enforced in Italy.
While a codfish produces 3.fito,Tl4)
eggs, a mackerel Ihvs only 4.4.S0.
Cherries were first planted in Britain
100 years B. C.
The canary bird was introduced into
Europe early in the sixteenth century.
Vanderbilt's daily income from
United States bonds k $2,700.
The Prince md Princess of Wales
will visit Ireland next year.
Alexander IL Stephens is in com
paratively good health.
The library of the late Judge Clif
ford is valued at $30,000.
The late Presideut left muteriid for
a voluminous biography.
Queen Victoria is worth about $S0,-
000,000.
On a train from Florence to Pisa a
robbery of $60,000 was committed by
brigands last month.
It is stated from Home that Father
Beck, general of the Jesuits, is danger
ously ill.
The flag of the rebel cruiser Alabama
is on exhibition in Boston. Its lmsscs-
sor says that he values it at 10,000.
Out of 6,000,000 negroes in the
southern states, only thirteen are com
municants in the Lutheran church.
The grandson of Lafayette has sett
to the Mt ' Yeruon association an old
chair once belonging to his grandfather.
The thirteen trees planted by Alex.
Hamilton in honor of the thirteen origi
nal states of the Union are still living.
General Francis A. Walker has teen
asked to accpt the presidency of the
World's Fair at Boston.
Berlin has a vegetarian lestanrant,
in which no animal food nor spintiioun
drink can be had.
Emigration from Canada to the
United States has risen from 37,871 in
1873 to 118,074 iu 1781.
Bud and green are the colors wllich
the color blind are the least able to ap
preciate. A man iu Cnnilierhuid Mountain,
Tenn. is shipping wild ferns to the
North and realizing a good profit
A half tent half shanty, at Sentinel
Butte, Montana, bears the sign. "llev.
C. A Duffy, Sample Room.
Mrs. Hannah Cox. of Holderness.N.
H., married when she was 82 years old.
and died recently aged 105 years and 2
months.
There are 163,293 more Baptists in
this country than there were last year.
The present total is set down as 2,2.)0,-
327.
The stamp dutv in Greit Britain of
three pence on each pack of plaving
cards amounted in the last financial vear
to the sum of 14.652 15s. 9iL
Mrs. Bavard Tavlor is aliout to
erect atLongwood, to her lamented hus
band's memory, a monument in the.
shape of a circular Greek altar.
The first article made from Califor
nia gold is behaved to be a rosary, the
metal of which was mined in 1842. It
is on exhibition in Los Angeles.
Kentucky is said to have 58,000, IXhi
gallons of whiskey in stcre, very nearly
four-fifths the annual production of the
country. ,
The next President pro ft nntore of
the Senate will draw a $10,000 salary,
this being the provision made for that
officer when there is no Vice President
The shipments of grain from New
York during September were nearly
6,000,000 bushels less than dnring Sep
tember, 1880.
Tho first postage stamp used in this
country was designed by Hon. E. A.
Mitchell, postmaster f New Haven,
Conn.
During the year ending SeptemWr
30, 30,552,500 pounds of tobacco were
sold in Danville, Vs., at an average of
$10.89 per 100 lbs.
Last week there were distrubted
656,4'J3 standard silver dollars, against
781,450 in the corresponding week of
1880.
Miss Menora Horn, of Peru, Ne
braska, has a head of hair sixty-eight
inches long. She has refused g-HH) for
the treasure.
The autograph of Martin Lnther
was recently sold for $150 ; that of Me
lanethon for $56. and that of Voltaire
for $2250.
The crops of British Columbia show
an enormous yield ; as many as hit
bushels of oats to the acre are reHirted
The hop crop is the most abundant for
years.
lhe Auditor of irginia reports that
there are 187,196 white aud 111,193 col
ored voters iu that State, a total of 301,
380. The total vote for President a year
ago was 217,615.
Dean Bradley, the successor to Dean
Stanley, intends to summon a meeting
to consider a proposition to erect a
monument to Dean Stanley ia West
minister Abbey.
Five hundred people find profit in
pearl hunting iu Stone' river, Knther
ford connty, Tennessee. One pearl has
been found which sold for eighty dol
lars.
The Agricultural Department esti
mates the Pennsylvania corn-crop this
year at 1,374,000 bushels, and hence the
State will rank "seventeen" among the
different States.
In the town of Nagar, in India, )
destructive epidemic prevails among cat.
During a single month recently more
than 300 died of the disease whatever
the disease was.
Tho earliest snow storm on record
visited Pontresina, in the Engadine, on
Sunday, Aug. 28, and for two days the
whole country rouud was clad in virgin
white, and covered in by a deep blue
cloudless sky.
The consumption f cotton for
manufactures in Great Britain for the
year 1&S0-1 is stated at 3,580,000 bales
of 400 pounds each, for the continent
2,912,000 l!es, for the United States
1,915,000.
Nutmegs are said to produce sleepi
ness, and probably that is the reason
why certain firms drill out the insides of
nutmegs, fill them with prepared wood
and sell the drillings well mixed with
dust for the powdered article.
Paris and its suburbs now contain
about 150 miles of street railways, or far
more than all the cities of France put
together, since those having the greatest
lenght of tramways, after the metropolis
are Lille, Bonen. Roubaix and Beziers.
with only 15, 14, 9 and 8 m'l respec
tively. In all the mines in Great Britaia
there are, it is estimated, 378,151 per-
sons employed, and the length of under-'
ground tunneling in which they work '
58,744 miles.
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