6 i i t l ft? . IIC TIB OOX8T1TUT101-TSE UTI0I-1ID TEE DTrOianfEJT 07 THE LAYS. Editor and Proprietor. B. F. SCHWEIER, MIFFLINTOWN, JUNIATA COUNTY. PENNA.. "WEDNESDAY. APKIL 2, 1884. NO. 14. VOL. XXXVIII. ffio i'liiw Milt ittrtl Mil mm 1 i 5 ' s t I .1 ONLY A WEAK EM AN. Only a brakeinan ! killed by the train; Only a brakeman ! by accident slain Onward, rush onward, no time for delay; Blow the shrill whistle and hasten away. Only a brakeman ! cried the wild throng; Only a brakeman t been called by Death's gong. Why should the eye glisten? Why should the heart ache? 'Tls only a brakeman who's set his last brake. Only a brakeman! is flashed through the air; Only a brakeman ! for his body prepare; On the morrow 'tis shipped as poor com mon freight As only a brakeman who has gone to his fate. Only a brakemanl the editors write; Only a brakemanl 'twas late in the night, lie was doing his duty the train bruke in two; When down to his death, the brakeman fell through. Only a brakeman I but the pride of some heart Only a brakemanl but in some busy mart Are eyes that are weeping, and homes that are hushed. Because a poor brakeman was yesterday crushed. Only a brakeman! but a true hearted boy; Only a brakeman! but a fond mother's joy, For whom there's no inutile for the coarse iron wheel That grinds on her heart as on the grooved steel DSEAM. 1 am a little skeptic about dreams, spirits, warnings and everything else of that description. I put no faith iu haunted houses, spirit rappings and the like; but I heard a story hist year which, althoughjit had not shaken my opinion, still to me it remains a mystery wholly inexplicable. 1 had been ill all winter, expenses had been heavy, and whea vacation came Niagara, Newport and even Coney Island were sealed books for me. "Where should I go?" was the question I had ask myself a dozen times a day without any satisfactory answer. Walking down Wall street one morn ing with the inevitable question run ning through my mind, I was nearly staggered- by a blow from a familiar hand. "Halloo, old fellow, in the clouds 1" "Why. Scott, you here?" I answered; "I thought you were basking in the smiles of your fair Dulcinea." ".No; she has gone West this summer. Saratoga, in consequence, becomes a howling wilderness. So here I am en route lor Nova Scotia to visited the old homestead. Come with me I" Here was an answer to my question, and I at once availed myself of it. 1 rather surprised Scott by the warmth with which I accepted his invitation and by my assertion that 1 could be ready in two hours. "Very well, old fellow; hope you won't iind it dull. 1 have no pretty sisters, you know." Two days afterwards we landed at Yarmouth, ami i welve hours' ride in au oid-fashioav.J st-ige coach completed our journey. Fort St. Cyr is along, narrow village, straggling up a hillside. At the foot of the hill is a post-oflice and variety store, and at the summit is the meeting house. I was warmly welcomed by Scott's larents and for a week or so lived in a kind of idylic dream, fishing, rowing and smoking. In one of are fishing expeditions Scott and I had rowed considerably farther than we intended, and the fog closing in suddenly, as it does in those regions, made our homeward row rather dangerous. Still, we attempted it, and after two hours' hard work found our selves no nearer our destination than before. "What shall we do now?" I inquired. "Make a night of it?" "No necessity of that; but I really don't like to try the inlet in tbe fog, so I'll take you around to Arne's Point. It may amuse you." Arne's Point is a ruggy promontory, extended far out into the bay. Near the extremity is a round tower used for a lighthouse. The land about the light house is bare and rocky, and nine miles of woodland lies between the point and tbe nearest village. "What a wild dreary place," lex claimed, as we moored our boat and sirari g up the steep sides. "Wild enough," replied Scott, "but inhabited by an old couple as hospitable I as Baucis and I hilemon." A few moments later we were safely housed in the old lighthouse, enjoying a plentiful repast, spread for our bene-lit- "Are you alone. Aunt Patty, nowa days, wheu Uncle Eben goes to Baring?" asked Scott after Aunt Patty had informed him that her husband was absent. "Sometimes, child, but now Minnie l)rew is with me most of the time." "Little Minnie Drew! Isn't it too dull for her?" fcShe is so lively and gav," replied Scott. "She was, you mean. Poor child; she is not quite herself since she lost Ben." "Bea Hartley I Why, what has be come of him?" "It is a sad story, Master Harry. You have been away so long that you know nothing about your old play mates." "That is so, Aunt Patty. No one writes me from home except mother, and her letters are full of advice to her unruly son." "Well, Minnie -will tell you herself, no doubt. It does her good to talk about her trouble." She quit the room, and a few mo ments after a tall, graceful young girl entered. While she and Scott were exchang ing greetings, I had time to observe her ueiicate features, rich brown hair, large gray eyes, which must have been beau- uiui when lit up with joy and felicity, hot now seemed heavy with unshed tears. Later in the evenine our conversation tumed on dreams, and I declared my "na unbelief in any warnings connected won mem. "You do not believe in warnings. sir?" asked Aunt Patty. "Ah 1 if you naa seen dreams come true, as I have." i believe in warnings," said Minnie, iu a musing tone. "Ah, poor Ben!" "Do you know, sir," she resumed, turning to roe, "I once dreamt of the death of a dear friend, and it was true; "las! too true?" She buried her face in her hands. " all maintained a sympathizing silence. Finelv she lifted her head. and, turning toward Scott, she said: kl itl 1 1 C O AJ. 1 T 1 au. aeon, you miew ixu, anew how brave and noble he was. That last day I saw him I never can forget. He was so loth to go. After he had bid me good-by he came back and says: 'Minnie, I cannot say good-by. It seems as if I must stay.' And then he sat down on the milk-room window seat, looking the picture of despair. "I was washing out the milk pans, and felt quite bad also, but I tried to cheer him up, so I said: 'It is only for a little while, Ben. You will soon be back.' ' I know;t,but yet ''and burying his face in his hands he sobbed aloud. "There is nothing so pitiful as to see a strong man cry. I hurried to him and comforted him as well as I could "'Well, Minnie,' he said at last, 'I must go. Good-bye, darling; whatever you do, don't forget me.' "One parting kiss and he was gone. "Ben and I had been lovers for six months and more; indeed we had been keeping company, as the saying was, much longer. Now, after this voyage, we were to be married, if it was a prosperous one. "Ben was terribly loth to go. Never had I seen him feel so bad about leaving home before. We had parted so often, for Ben was a fisherman, and we Usher wives become used to jartiiig with husbands and fathers. I still sat iu the milk-room, lost in reverie, wheu Ben put his head in again, "Good-by. Minnie; don't forget me. It seems as if I should just as lief die as live if you go lack on me.' " 'Go back ou you, Ben! You know better.' " 'I trust so,' he said, as lie walked away. "I stood watching him ouj of sight when auntie came in. " 4 Watching Beu out of sight, Miu nie? Don't you know that is unlucky, and why has he come back so often?' Auntie walked off, shaking her head. "I went about my usual work, but a dismal foreboding Ulled my heart. "My lather and brother were lioth lost in ttie bay while fishing, and my uncle had been drowned the year before on his way to set his nets. ''Nevertheless, 1 had let Ben go, sea son after season, and never felt any fear until now. I tried to shake It off, but I was scarcely myself all day. "Towards evening Charlie Snow, Ben's cousin, came in. 'Well, Minnie, iu tears?" he asked. " 'No, I am not in tears; but, Char lie, 1 should really like to get some word to Ben,' I answered. "Uun up stairs and write your word. The Snowdrop will ;iay off Barrow all night, and I'll take it around to him,' he said, good-naturedly. " 'Will you? Oh, how good you aie,' I replied, and ran up to my room to pen as long a note as I bad time for to Ben. "I told him to t;ike eaie of himself; to be careful when he went out fishing; not to swear, and be as near a-Christian as he could, and with a few more words of counsel 1 sealed the letter and hur ried down to give it to Charlie. '"How kind-hearted and unselfish you are,' I said as he prepared to de part. " 'Not as unselfish, ierhaps, as you think,' he answered, and Auntie called after him some remark about Nettie Grev. living at Barrow. "After Charlie's departure I felt more light-hearted, and, singing song after song, I went gayly about my even ing tasks. Several callers came in, and it was quite late when I retired. "It was a bright moonlight night, and as we were short of oil I went to bed without a light. I drew up the blind and let the soft moonlight stream into the room. 'I lay down to sleep, and I remember hearing the clock strike eleven before I went off into a doxe. "I had such a curious dream: I dreamt some gieat danger threatened Ben, and 1 thought I was striving my utmost to avert the danger, which grew more teirible. finally 1 seemed to awake only to see Ben standing on the balcony looking in my window through the vines. I tried to speak to him, but I appeared paralyzed. When I did awake 1 saw only tbe clear moonlight shining through the vines. "Next morning I told Auntie my dream, and she .again shook her head and looked sad. "1 felt a little provoked, but then I said to myself, 'Auntie is full of signs.' "It was late in the afternoon when Charlie came in with a letter and a package from Ben. " 'I never saw a fellow so lotli to go in my life,' said Charlie, 'and I don't blame hiui, for he has got a captain that I would not go with.' 'Why?' I inquired. " 'Because he is brutish. He knock ed a man flown with a belaying pin last summer and beat bun until he was all but dead. I coaxed Ben to leave, especially as they are a pretty rough set the crew, I mean. Why, the ouly decent chap there is Freeman Hunt, and you know what he is.' " 'O! Ben will get along,' replied Auntie; 'There never was so peaceful a chan.' "1 left them cluttering away, and went to my room to read my letter. "It was a long letter, and just like what Ben usually wrote. After a page about our plans and his journey to Barrow, he wrote: "Dablixo: It seems as if some thing warns me not to go. but times are hard and the pay is large, so I'll stick to my bargain. You know dear, you told me to be a good boy; well, it will be very hard to be a Christian with such a wicked crew. And, another thing, I've got to fish on Sunday, some thing I never did before, but I'll try and be as good as I can. (Dear fellow! aneels could sav no more.) But, Min nie, do not worry about me. I will go in the same boat with Freeman Hunt, and we will keep close to the other boats. I will try and -take care of my self, for my life is very precious now, and will continue to be so as long as you are true to me, Minnie, dear, there will never be any trouble between us unless you make it. Take care of yourself, and use the inclosed for any thing you may want I send my photograph; it is not a very fane one, but still I hope it will suit you. And now. cood-bve. "My letter ended very abruptly. I turned to the package. It contained Ben's picture and a purse with $20. "Did Ben think I would accept and use it for myself? I put it away for him when he should return. ' "Soon after my aunt was taken sick, and for the next fortnight I was very busy, but my thoughts were with Ben. "Again 1 had a warning. One night I went out for some medicine to a neighbor's. Coming borne, across the fields, I thought I saw Ben ahead of me. "Quickening my footsteps, I nearly reached him, when the v.sion faded awav. "More dead than alive I dragged my self borne. Auntie inquired what made me so wliite and wan, but 1 put J her off with an evasive answer. "Nearly six weeks after the Snow drop sailed 1 had another dream. "I dreamt that I was looking on a broad expanse of water. At first I saw nothing but fog enveloping a small boat, then gradually it cleared away, and I saw the Snowdrop with the crew on board. " 'Captain,' asked one of the men, 'where are the other two?' And one called out something about there being lost in the fog, and asked if they had better go and look for them. With an oath, theCaptaiu answered: 'More like they are loafing around somewhere without fishing. Go after them? No, indeed I want all hands on deck now. They will come along by and by. ' "Then 1 turned my attention to the boat again, where two men Ben and Freem Huut where rowing around and around, striving to gain the ves sel. "At hist they laid down their oars as if discouraged. " 'No more use trying. Ben. We .are only going farther off,' I heard Freem sav. "I can't give up,' moaned Ben. 'Do you think the Captain will seud for us?' "'Not he,' answered Freem. 'God help us, Ben, we are iu for it now!' "My attention was agaiu turned to the vessel. All her sails were set and she apiieared to stand off on her course. " 'Captain, so you won't send some one to look for those poor fellows?' asked a kind-hearted-looking fellow on board. " 'Curse you, no! They are both drowned by this time, If you say another word about it I'll knock day light into you with this belay iug-pin,' was the answer. "The man turned away, and I saw them left to their fate and such a fate! Lost in a fog iu au oiu boat, I tried to scream; 1 tr:ed to pray; but no woids came at my wilL Again 1 saw the boat with Freem and lieu locked in each other's arms. " 'Trust in God, Freem. lie is our only hope.' and Beu clasped his hands in prayer. " 'O, my mother, pray for your lost b iv,' moaned Freem. " 'Minnie, God bless and protect you,' 1 beard Beu say, and then 1 became unconscious. "When 1 awoke it was daylight, and it was a long time before I Could col lect my scattered senses. "My dieaiu of the night before re turned agaiu and again to me. "I aiu not naturally superstitious, but still this had bveu so vivid that 1 could hardly persuade niyself that it was only a dream. "I did not tell auntie at first, but when, late in the afternoon, Charlie came in to bid us good-bye be was going on a fishing voyage to the Bay or Chaleurs I told them my dream, aud, bursting into tears, I said that I uevef expected to see Ben any more. "They did all they could to comfort me, and finally I began to smile at my fears. Mill, day alter dav I looked for news of some disaster, but when a week had passed I thought my auxicty was idle, and tried to shake it off. 'Just a foranight after Charlie sailed I was down to the poat-oilice to see if there were any letteis. I did my errand, aud was just turning away when a man came running iu. " 'Have you heard the news?' he cried, panting tor breath. '"Au; what news?' inquired the postmaster. "'The Snowdrop has been spoken and she has lost two hands, Freeman limit and Beu llart't-y. It seems they were lost ' " 'Hush! She is engaged to Hartley.' "But the warning came too late. I heard, and with a shrill scream, faiu- ted. 'For a long while my life was des paired of. How 1 wish I could have died. It was so hard trying to live without Ben, To think I never would see his face again. To be uncertain of his fale. Many thought some outward bound ship might have picked them up. and I tried hard to believe so too. Some time afterward 1 lie. rd that a fishing brig had picked up a boat con taining two skeletons locked together. It might have been them or it might not." We were visibly affected. Poor girl! No wonder she believed in warnings. Next morning Scott and I returned home, aud after a few weeks longer sojourn in Port Si. Cyr we found our selves en route again for New 1 ork. I kept jioor Minnie's story in my remembrance aud, thinking others might be interested in it, as I had been. I give it to all who, like myself, are non-believers in supernatural visions and warnings. Car of Koow. it :s o economy to with lets than three broom, one made of the shott trioin-coro for the parlor aa.l bed-roouis, a larger o.ie f r the more frequeut uses and an o il one for the kitchen so I wslk. A wbiek-vrnom fir corn-jis sad luroiture npbols'eted in worsted, wooden skewers to i enu re i he dirt from the corners of the door-tills and steps, a feather-duller for looks, pictures and ornaments, a shott haudled bru6o uiado of bristles to brush the bicks of picture-frames, iudow Ulnds and screens though this can be done with a whisk-broom if both einnol be aff rded will be found necessary weapons of warfare in the contest with dust sad dirt. Bass made of caoton flannel, fuzzy side out, and with a draw stricg to be tied over the broom to dust walls and hard wood fljors are very use ful, as too much wiping with a damp cloth will injure the lustre of the wood. Chamois skins make the best duller lor furniture and can be bought lor thirty cents, and with careful washing will I for years. They should be washed in cold water with soap, nosed in clear water. and bung in the shade. Before their are entirely dry tbey can be rubbed and pulled till tbey are soft again, Squares ol cheap, soit. gray lineu or fabric, with all taw edges hemmed, are the next best, and these shoula be washed every week after the Friday s sweeping. Ve have every thing to work with, except covers for the large pieces of furniture which cannot be removed before sweep a . Old sheets can be used, or squares can be made of cheap calico or unbleached muslin, and kept for this purpose. There should be one large enough to cover a piano or a bed. Calmness and deliberation at a time of extreme irritation will do away with a great deal oi alter seu-conaemnauou. Joaquini Antonio da Macedo, In his historical sketch of Lisbon, goes back to the legends of fable. It is stated that Ulysses, after the destruction of Troy, in his wanderings stopped here to repair his ships and for repose, after contend ing with tempestuous weather, and while here founded tbe city and called it Ulyssippi, and built in it a temple to Minerva. Bacchus, too. in his travels, accompanied by Lusus, "the loved companion of the god," lingered here to revel in its elysium. Hence the name Lusitanium tbe ancient.uame at the time of the Roman occupation. But leaving fiction aside, aud entering upon mora reliable history, the same writer tells us that Lisbon was reduced by the Carthagenians, under Hannibal, aud after passing under the control of the lionians, plundered by the Vandals, Sucn, Goths and Moors, assisted by a body of English and Flemish Crusaders ou their way to Palestine, Lisbon en tered upon a more stable future. To day. all that can be seen in Lisbon is modem. Tbe earthquake and the iu 1755 destroyed all its ancient structures and souveuirs of its history and buried in its ruins 40,000 of its citizens, leaving as the only relic after that fearful visita tion that can be seeu to-day the ruins of a church of Gothic architecture founded in 1389 and completed in 142 J. The harbor is one of the best in Europe. The city is built on a group of steep hills aud deep valleys, and, strange enough, the modern tramway traverses the principal streets, notwithstanding the unfavorable surface for such con struction, requiring four stout mules for a car of twenty seats. Indeed, there are no vehicles here with less than two mules or horses, and sometimes they have six. Tbe streets are exceed ingly well paved and clean. The foot ways or sidewalks in many places are paved very artistically with different colored stones, resembling somewhat the ancient ltoman mosaic. The ap pearance of the men does not impress oue favorably, and the soldiers do not suggest the hardy followers of Priuce Alonzo Enrique of Castile, one of the early kings of Portugal, aud famed for his prowess against the Moors, and, it I may be pardoned for want of gallan try, the women are not good-looking. The houses, many of them, are veneered with tiles up to the second story of va ried colors and fanciful designs, produ cing certainly a novel appearance if without merit in other respects. The tourist finds little to enjoy iu Lisbon, but much iu its surroundings. Cintra, fifteen miles distant, is regarded as au earthly paradise The well-to-do citi zen hastens to enjoy its delightful shades when the heat of summer invites him from his city home. A more lovely retreat caunot be imagined.' High above the city, and in its valleys, teem ing with fruits and flowers of every cbuie, are villas of tasteful designs, nestling in fairy-like place, embowered in flowers of sweet perfume and re splendent in colors, and shaded by stately trees from distant lands. The trees of tropical Brazil and Australia are the most noted. They are rich and abundant in foliage, with spreading branches, which, with sparkling foun tains, complete a picture of surpassing beauty, and not uncommon in this charming summer retreat. Near by is Castle l'ena, a strange compound oi Moorish and Christian architecture, tamed iu history. It is perched ou a pinnacle of a high mountain overlooking country and sea for many miles. It was once the stsonghold of the Moor, who doubtless dreamed when theie of the paradise premised in the Korau to the faithful followers of the prophet. A Uesparado's Cowarilio. About the year 1)451, the most lnfluen i' man in can Autonio, was an alleged s;H-rado, named Hob Augustine lie came to Sm AuUnio with a tearful record. lie enjoyed the reuutat ou of having killed a dozen or to of men, and was respected accordingly. While he was in San An tonio he aid not reduce tbe census at all, but Its', was not his fault. lie had a seductive way of drawiog his eighteen- iuc i Arkausas toothpick, and examining il critically, wilu a sinister smile, while humbly n-quettlnic the temporary loan oi five dollars, thus it was that Kjb went about acquiring wealth and warm per sonal fr.euda, but creating no funerals. There were rumors that Bjb was playing bluff, but that was after he had marched awav. It was during tbe reign oi Boo auirti!- lino. "the long-rangea roarer oi Calave ras cauvon. as be familiarly called h unelL that a young man from Boston, naaied Johu Winthrop. came t) San Antonio, presumably in search of hea'.th. as he brought very little with him. He was far g.me in consumption, and nothing but the tact that he had but a short time to live, unless the climate of Wealeru Texas saved him, induced him to come to San Antonio. As everybody carried a Distol. Winthrop did not car) to insult public decency by going un armed. Besides, such a course might as seriously interfere with his restorauoa to health, as pulling on a lean shirt, ilia Puritan training caused him to re volt at the idea of carrying firearms, so he resorted to artifice. He wore a bolster, but instead of keeping a pistol in i', he had his cash funds stored away in it, and nobody was the wiser. On the contrary. Wimhrop was looked up to by the best citizens just the same as if he was loaded down with deadly weapons. Of course everybody tried to make the stranger from Massachusetts feel as comtortaDle as li ne was at home. Bo he was told all about Bob Augustine, the long-ranged roarer, at least ten times a day. and he was advised not to be particular in asking security for the debt, in case the roarer wanted to borrow a small loan, unless be, (Winth.op,) did net wish to regain his health. As mii(Lt have been expected, the long ringed roarer sailed on Winthrop to collect his usual assessment on strangers. Win throp was of the opinion that if be would save his hie and lose all his money, he would be d ine unusually welL - The long-ranged roarer's idea was to chese the blue bellied Yankee around tne room tor a time or so, collect five or ten dollars, and perhaps make some ear marks, a la Win ters, so he would know him in a crowd, if he should happen to meet buu again. Tbe long-ranged roarer sauntered into Wimhron's room at the hotel, but before the desperado could opeo his utouth or draw a weapon, the unfortunate Yankee ttrew M';k his coat, and with trembling Augers tugged at bis pistol bolster to gel ai his money to appease the would be as sassin. On the other hand, as soon as the roarer aaw Winthrop trying to get out his pistol. he turned as pale a ghost. Tbe alleged desperado' knees knocked together, the cold sweat boiled out all over him, and he extended his hand, and said, tremblingly: I "Don't draw, aood Mr. Yankee. 1 was only trying te fool you. My bold At Kan sas heart beats for you, sny boy. I jest wanted to teaoh you a lesson. Never let any darned galoot get the drop on you. If anybody insults you, just tell them that Bob Augustine, the roarer, u your friend." Winthrop, who was more scared, it pos sible, than the rawer, replied: "Oh, I'll give you what you want," and be kept on tugging at the holster, which came unbuckled. With a yell of dismay the d esperado pawed out through the window, carrying off the sash, and ran down Commodore Street, the principal thoroughfare, with the sash on his neck, howling, "Police! policel" closely pursued by Winthrop, who kept on tugging at his holster, trying to get out his money, he believing that the desperado was tunning to his room to pro cure a shotgun with which to commit murder. All that afternoou Winthrop kept on bunting the roarer, to purchase peace on any terms, and tbe roarer bid himself to avoid the pistol of the Boston man. Next morning the "long-raniicd roarer of Calavera canyon, " was I'liasing, ant Winthrop was the ll n of the day. for having run uff the terror of Alamo City. Americas and British Hallway. A correspondent of the Scotsman, published at Edinburgh, Scotland, thai draws a comparison between the Amer ican and British railway systemsto the disadvantage of the latter. Sm Circumstances of friendship called me suddenly in October last to the Northwest of America. The sum mons came by telegram on a Thursday. On Friday I secured, by the same means, a berth in the celebrated steamer Alaska, which left Liverpool next fore noon; and in seven days one hour from Queens town I landed at New York. Two days later I left for the West by the limited express of the Pennsylvania Central railroad. My ticket, which I bad secured the day before at one of the railway offices in Broadway, not far from the hotel, cost $20 to Chicago, with $10 extra for the use of sleeping and dining cars. The distance by this road is a little under 1000 miles, which was done in twenty-five hours and thirty minutes, and the cost was less than for a corresponding distance at home. But in the manner of traveling the difference is overwhelmingly in favor of America. The car by which I journeyed was built of mahogany, in laid with graceful floral decorations, and .furnished in the most sumptuous manaer. Heated by concealed steam- pipes, a comfortame temperature was maintained night and day, and, al though snow streaked the Allegbenlea, and smaller streams were covered with ice, nobody among the passengers seemed to think rugs, etc., a necessary portion of their traveling impedimenta. At either end of the car were capacious lavatories and relative conveniences one for ladies, the other for gentlemen, equipped with soap, clean towels, brushes, combs, etc., and a filter with fresh drinking water. From the time of leaving New York, till arrival at Chicago, no passenger need leave the cars. Attached to the sleeping car is a dining car, equally sumptuously fitted, and also a smoking car, both of which are specially reserved for those who pay the extra $10, aud which, therefore, in reality constitute first-class accommo dation. In the dining car, at $1 each, one can have three meals daily, front a bill of fare that erred only in its profuse abundance aud variety of well-cooked food. On my return at the end of Novem ber, and having no use for rugs, etc., and in the comfortable cars, I checked all my baggage, save a dressing bag, from a station not far from the Mani toba frontier straight through to New York. On my arrival there three days afterwards, instead of "checking" my baggage to tbe hotel where I intended to put up, 1 "checked" it to the dock of the steamer by which I was to sail the fol lowing morning; and there, on arriving from the hotel, I found it awaiting me at the shore end of the gangway as I was about to embark never having once seen or troubled myself about it since I left Litchfield, 2000 miles away, and having changed cars and lines of roads twice at St. Paul and Chicago. .Now mark tbe contrast. 1 arrive at Liverpool, give up my baggage to the Northwest Eailway Company, without any voucher or check being inter changed, and proceed to Lime street by a suburban railway from the dock gates in evil-smelling carriages which my American fellow-travelers scornfully stigmatised as "bunks, "and into which we were locked like criminals. It was a wet, gloomy day, and after my pleas ant American experiences I felt like one who had "come down in the world. ' ' On afterwards applying for my baggage at Lime street station, I was not only obliged to produce my card as evidence of identity, but I bad to go down Into a deep dark cellar to point out the pack ages; and after all this unnecessary bother l had to pay more than at .New York, where baggage was carried double the distance. But the charge Is a mere secondary consideration. It is the restless anxiety and worry our system or rather eatire want of system need lessly impose on you from starting till arriving at your destination that is so provoking. But the most remarkable contrast was reserved for my return to Scotland. Traveling down by a night train, I was half frozen with cold till arrival at Carlisle, where we were detained an hour and a half for the London train, and where the fire in the waiting room merely served to remind one how cold and comfortless the place was. Sleep was out of the question, and I landed at the Princes' street station stiff and almost numb with cold. Americans cannot understand how we quietly submit to travel in carriages in which we are half frozen in winter, which are very, very stuffy in summer, and in which murder and other out rages may be committed with impunity, while our baggage system they regard as simply barbaric It is because 1 agree witn my Ameri can friends that I have noted down these reflections, in the hope that tbey may contribute, in however small de gree, to rouse our railway directors to a recognition of the disgracefully uncom fortable and inconvenient accommoda tions afforded by them to the traveling public. I am, etc Scott; s. A lady addressed a letter to a New York editor the other day, stating that her husband was a confirmed snorer, and asking for a cure. The eallous hearted editor, instead of recommend ing a divorce and a new, non-snoring husband, advised her to hit the patient on the nose with a sledge-hammer. Somewomen's destiny is to love down, excusingiy, pityingly. Heavy Ban. Guns bava been coatrno!ed claimed to have capacity to throw projectiles a distance of eight miles or more with gunpowder, imt the claim has not been accompanied by the assurance that any great injury to persons or property la likely to occur. It in well understood that at the extreme range attainable ith gunpowder the penetrative force of the projectile its spent and lit tle injury result; and that so sensitive an explosive as dynamite cannot be con veyed within the miiuule by the abrupt action of guuiiowoer, ss thd shock would explode the dynamiie before the shell containing it could leave the gun. While the new projectile thrown by compressed air ia capable of au effective range as great as that of tbe ordinary gunpowder missle, iu destructive power is developed at the instant of contact with the object upon which it strikes by the explosion of its dynamite oartridge legaruless of tlm distance it may have avdleotr. One of the advantages claimed for this mveutioti is im adaptability to har bor anJ liver defenses, owing to the Bmall cost and tiliort time requisite to construct tbe neces-ary apparatus. No special machinery or tools are required, as any shop, suitable tor constructing steam engines, could be ued without the col aud time required to bnil.l a Wuolwirb. aiseiial and shops. To de lead rivers and harbors it ia said that small tteam launches pruviiie.l with dyuhiuiie guns and apparatus could be effectively urea agi.iu.-l armored hhipt; and eveu smdler trait with purUOie reservoirs, previously prepared, cuuid, under cover of UarkutS', hurl tbe:C destructive eliurgja of uynauute np i the deck of a ship witnout duclosiug to the enemy their location, by rhtali or sound of gunpowder, or the sparks from a steamer s funnel. Technical experuueuu with the guu and dart are being conductei by order ot the War Department, at Fort Hamil ton, under the supervision of Colonel John Hamilton, commaudaut ot Forts Hamilton, Wadsworib. utid Lalayet'.e, and under the aiet-ial direction of Lieu tenant . L. Zaluuky, au expert i ar tillery. It is beneved by may promi nent officers that the experiments will lead to satisfactory lesults. The larger experimental guu nearly sonipleteJ at the Hd'amuter Works is another siep iu the development of au auxiliary to our present deiences, aud an imp.emeat well auapteii lor thu use ol light cruisers especially couatructed with a view to speed and expert LauoJiug. Tue opiniou Las also been expressed that the A stem iingul be probbtbly employed llii armies iu the field. llo of Mormon. The Book of Mormon ban commouly been credited to the Iiev. Solomon Spalding, a Presbyterian minister roiuauce purport ng to give the origin aud history of the American Indians, tie sought to find a publisher for his sioty iu Pitbsbarg, but was ansucceas ful. Tue author died a few years later. The manuscript of this story unaccount ably cnsapjieared, though it was geuer ally Uiieved that one Sidney Itigdou, a pnutir, alter ward a Mormon Bihoj Koi possession of the same, altered and addi d to it, and, thus altered and ameud td, was sent forth to the world as the Moi iiiou Bible. This point ia explained oy the follow fijg letter from Mr. James Jcfliiep, of Uariord county, Maryland, hove boyhood wan opeut a lew miles from Pittuburg: "I know more aliout the Mormons than any man' east of the Allegbeiues, although i have g veu no attention, to the mutter tor lwcii;-dve years. I did not ki.u v i w.m in -siou oi any uf tuj...... , c uaiuu,, me origin of the Book o- Moruiou un known lo others. 1 supKej tnai as liigdon wa so open with uiu he hl told others the same things. Forty years ago I was in business in St. Louis. The Mormous then had their temple iu Nauvoo, Illinois. 1 bad busiueas trans actions with tuem. Sidney liigdou I knew very well. He was general man ager of the allaira of the Mormons, itigdon, in course of conversation, told me a number of ttsien bat there was iu the printing effiue, witu wb.eh he was connected in Ohio, a manuscript of Rjv. Spalding's, tracing thu origiu of the Indian race from the lout tribes ol Israel; that this manuscript was iu liie office for several years; that he was familiar with it; that Spakling had wanted it printed, but had uot had the means to pay for the printing; that he (Iiigdou) and Joe Smith used lo look over the manuscript aud read il over on Sundays, ltigdou and Smith took the manuscript aud said 'I'll print it,' auu weut oil to Palmyra, N. Y. I never knew this in formation was of uy im portance; thount others were aware ot these fac.a. I do not now think the matter ia of any importance It will net in jure MormoniMu. That is an im,' and chimes in with the wishes oi certain ol amies ot people. Nothing will pnt It dowu but the strong arm of the law." A Cut LavnaWiy. "For cuteness I think my landlady is entitled to go np head," said a young man in the smoking cat betweeu pull at his cigar, "When I moved into my rocm on West W ashington street she wanted 815 a month for it. I jewed her down to $13, which she said was too low, perfectly ruinous, but she'd take it. Y ell, just as 1 had got nicely set tled, all my things fixed up, my pic tures hung, my trunk unpacked aud got to feeling at home, in she popped one fay with 'Lxcnse me, but here s a gen tleman looking through the house.' A chap came in with her, looked all around, aud wound up by saying: 'This room just suits me, and I'll give you $18 a month for it. Wheu will it be vacant? Ion can imagine the resu.t. She said she was very sorry to disturb me, and woaldu t like to have me leave; but as I could see she could do better with another party, etc, 1 could stay for $16 if I wanted to, aud then she d be out $2 a month. But 1 was such a nice young man, and all that. Well, of coarse my pride was roused -no man likes to be routed out in that style for a matter of Si, or $8 a month, so I paid her $16. A few weeks afterward I hap pened in the bouse at au unusual hour, and as 1 passed through the hail if there wasn't that same chtp making her aa offer for th room of another gaeet, I kepi still, though, and tbe other fellow bit too. Bat when I told him of the racket a few days later he was mad and leit the house The chap that was so liberal with bis offers was the landlady's nephew. That woman won't die poor." Fraakliai aa A Jams a gswa-msm. Sere is a funny old story, which has never seen print, and it is true,' having eome down among the tradition of the old families of Massaehnsetts: Some time during the revolutionary period, or a little after, John Adams and Ben jamin Franklin were dispatched from Philadelphia, I believe, to Massachu setts on a pnblic errand. Adams had a mortal antipathy, shared by him along with the majority of mankind at that day, against the night air. He believed that if he kept his bedroom window open even a craek at night he would surely die. Frmklin, on the other band, was a disbeliever in the theory of danger in the night air, and he had many arguments with Adams thereon. Circumstance, and the crowded condi tion of many of the taverns they stopped at on their journey eastward, compelled them frequently to occupy the same room, and often the same bed. Adams always opposed raising the win dow, ami poor Ben nearly suffocated reviled Adams on waking for his wretched theory of the deadly effects of nature's universal medium of breath. One night Ben siyly raised a window in their common chamber, but A lams, on the alert for his friend's little games, insured that it should be closed at once. Said crafty Ben: "Now, Mr. Adams, we will go to bed with the window up, and I will convince you why it will not be harmful to us to permit it to stay open. If I cannot convince yon of the reason ableness of my theory, I wdl myself get up and close the window." Adams weakly contented, and Ben began to reason with him. Finally poor Adams was ta ked to sleep, and Ben tranquilly resigned himself to slumber. .Next morning great was Adajn's horror at fiudiug the wiudow up, but not having died .turiDff the night, aud feeling no ill effects from having breathed the night air. he became a Convert to sly Benjamin's night-air theory. The author of a history of America during the colonial epoch told me tnis anecdote as something amusing, which had hitherto escaped type. Gotha'a crematory. The practice ot cremation appears to lie gradually gaining ground in Ger many, there being a steady increase in the number of bodies brought for this purpofe to Gotha which contains the sole establishment In the empire. It is under the control of the city authori ties, and the cremations up to the end of 1882 were 84, viz.: 17 in 1379, 16 In 1.8S0, 33 in 1881, and 18 up to Septem ber, 1882. All parts of Europe con tributed to the business of the institu tion, while several bodies have been brought thither from America, in which couutry the cost ol fashionable inter ment is so great that it is but a slight ly increased expense to have the re mains cremated at Gotha. Tbe princi pal items of this expense are: The re moval of its corpse from the railway station to tbe crematory, 30 shillings, and l lie cremation itself, HI 10s. The Gotha establishment, which was erect ed 1878, is very complete, and cost for the machinery and buildings nearlv i.'o,000. The apparatus is made after tbe Italian model, aud consists of a large coal-furnace for the production of the gas, which is conducted by a pipe to the heating chamber in which the body is placed, this chamber being 21 feet in length b" 13 feet iu height, and divided into two parts. The gas is first of all let into tbe nearest section. where it burns until a white heat is produced. At the time of the operation the body is lowered into the second compartment and the gas ad mitted from the other one, when fie zinc c-.VMt rapidly melts, the garments liems 'Ueii consumed, aud the whole prceos occupying about two hours. Tbey 9rtieiNt Oay. In Albany, N. 1'., a party of legisla tors arose from the green-covered table with empty pockets and craving stom achs. It was too late to get anything to eat at their respective hotels, so they adjourned to a well-known restaurant aud enjoyed a hearty repast. "How are you going to liquidate'' asked one of the party, picking his teeth reflectively. "That's what I've been thinking of," said another, who halls from the land of bards, saints and statesmen, "and 1 want you to stand by me in what I'm going to do." The waiter was rung for and to him the Celt explained thus: "Boss we've got into a little difficul ty here. Each one insists on paying the bill, and, as we are all pretty flush, neither oue will give way. Now, then, to settle it, T propose that we blindfold you, and that the first man you catch iiays the score. It will lie worth a couple of dollar) to you." The waiter grinningly consentad; they blindfolded him with his own apron, and he started with outstretched hands to capture his man. After tum bling over everything in the room and snstaining several severe bruises, he re moved the blindfold and found himself Hie only occupant ot the room! The festive feasters had slid out as soon as the apron had been tied. It will not take awav any from the joke to say that the bill was settled and au explanation given the next morning. KlSbt VolllM. To think that the more a man eats the fatter aud stronger he will be come. To believe that the more hours chil dren study at school the faster tbey will learn. To conclude that if exercise is health ful, the more violent and exhaustive it is the more good is done. To imagine that every hour taken from sleep is an hour gained. To act on the presumption that the smallest room in tbe house is large enough to sleep in. To argue that whatever remedy makes you feel immediately better is good for the system, without regard to ulterior eriects. To commit an act which is felt m it self to be prejudicial, hoping that some how or other it may be done in your case with impunity. To eat a hearty supper for the pleas ure experienced during the brief time it is passing down the throat, at the ex pense of a whole night of disturbed sleep and a weary waking in the morn tog. A Largo Holl. Tbe largest bell in the world is now said to be that at Kioto, Japan. It is twentv-f our feet hign and sixteen inch es thick at the rim. It is sounded by a suspended piece of wood, like a batter ing ram, whieh strikes it on the outside, and its booming can be heard fbrmllsa. rail mowing. There is much difference In opinion aa to tbe best time of the year in which to plow different soils. Many farmers are willing to admit that fall plowing is desirable upon heavy soils, but coutend that spring plowing is best upon light soils. All are willing to grant that the tenacious character or a clay sod is re duced, and its texture opened and rendered less compact by tbe operation of frost. The lumps fall apart and are disintegrated by the mechanical effects of expansion, caused by the freezing of the water held between the particles. The field, which was left by the plow in a mass of lumps, is mellowed and brought into a condition, through this influence, that any amount of ulowinir and harrowing would have failed to bring about. The same force which has caused th clods to fall apart, also performed a no less important chemical work by render ing the soil more soluble and making available the supply of plant food which would otherwise have remained locked up. Now, is it possible that this change can only take place in a clay soil? Dif ferent soils are made by the varying proportions of the constituents, which go to make up a soil. If, then, a clay soil is benefitted by fall plowing, is not aiso a clay loam.' And if a clay loam is benefitted, a sandy loam must be benefitted in proportion to the amount of thee properties therein contained. wmcn iorminecniet constituents of the clay soil. I do not claim that it is advisable to trust to fall plowing alone for it often happens that a winter is open and wet and the ground becomeicousiderably pacaeu, so mat ine cultivator is hardly capable of loosening it up. In such cases it should be replo wed iu the spring and thoroughly harrowed until in good condition for seed. There is still another advantage in fall plowing, and that is, that it enables the farmer to get his seeding done earlier in the spring than he could have done had the plowing been left over winter. Work is more evenly divided for both teams and men, when plowing is done in the fall, while the weather is cool and no other work pressing. Three years ago it was so wet in the fall that the farmers of this section got very little fall plowing done. The suc ceeding spring there was a great de mand for horses snd men, the supply falling far short of the demand Many fields were plowed in the worst possible condition, while those who waited for good weather were many days lat with their seeding. The yield per acre that season was a third less than the average. This experience was not without good, as it converted many, before indifferent, into staunch believ ers in fall plowing. Well plowed fields m October indicate good farm manage ment. Th Prlno ot Bulgaria. Alexander of Bulgaria, is a fine- looking, handsome fellow, of comman ding height, aud when on horseback, dressed in the huzzar uniform of his body-guard, has just the chivalrous ap pearance that attracts a rude people with whom military display is the evi dence of power. His gay, debonair manner made him the favorite of all when he was first called to his present high position, but his popularity has greatly waned of late years, owing to his having thrown himself so completely into the hands of his Russian advisers. His visit here will cost a little sum, as, independent of the new decorations and furniture of tbe yacht, for which carte blanche was given to a local upholsterer io.ono has been expended in the repairs ot lae pa.ace at lae Sweet Waters of Asia, where the Prince is to be lodged during his stay in the Turkish capital. the ' Guek-Sou Kiosk.," as it is called, was built by Abdul Medjid during the latter part of his reign, and became his favorite summer lounging-place. Sit uated at the mouth of a charming valley, opening on the Bosphorus, the kiosk" commands a magnincent view in all directions, besides being or easy access, sinue the death of the above mentioned Sultan the place has been much neglected, not having beeu used as a residence from the time when Prince Couza tame to do homage to the ruler of the Ottoman Empire on being raised to one of its vassal thrones that of Moldavia-Wallachia, now the independent kingdom of liouniania Kings Charles and Milan, wnen visitmg Constantinople for a similar purpose, were lodged at Uie Beicos Kiosk at the upper end of the Bosphorus. The Em press Eugenie was assigned themagnifi- ceut palace at Bey Corbey, while the Pnuce of V ales found accommodations in a "Serai" at Galeh-Baziar which fell with his views as to sight-seeing much better than a kiosk on the Bos phorus would have done. What frcTontea? He had been stopping at a hotel for a day or two, seemingly unnoticed by any of the clerks or employes, and it struck him so queerly that he sat down be side a man, who appeared to be a guest, and said: "Good many of us here?" "Yes." "Some going and some coming all t&e time?" Tea." '1 don't see why I couldn't walk out and take the tram for home without psyuig my bill " The other made no reply, and after a minute the first one continued: 'What's to prevent me from jumping my bill, as I have no baggage?" "Oh, nothing much, except that I'm employed here as a spotter, and have had my eyes on you ever since you reg istered!' Ten minutes later the stranger settled his bill up to the next day noon, but he continued to carry the look of a man who'd like to kick somebody. Some !ww O. A country tramp wno brought up at f rmhnimfl a fnw rlavs acn claimed to have had all manner of bad luck, aid among other things he mentioned that three fingers ot his right nana naa been so badly frozen during a cold snap in Dakota, that tne doctor naa amputateu them. "It ma ae " said the farmer, and a dirty paw was held out in response. " V uy, your angers are aii uere auu all right." "Ob, or course, tney are au ngui. now, but during the three years it took to grow new ones I got so badly in debt that I lost all hopes and took to tramping!" He got his ainner, nut mo was In Detroit the next day making in quiries about the wonderful western climate.
Significant historical Pennsylvania newspapers