Jiitsiiif it wP Wly B. F. SCHWEIER, THE O0H8T1TUTI0I-TKE TJSIOI-US THE EITOXOIEIT 0? TEE LAWS. Editor and Proprietor. VOL. XXXVIII. ' MIFFLINTOWN, JUNIATA COUNTY. PENNA.. "WEDNESDAY. MAY 14, 1884. NO. 20. SNOW-TRACK. It sw-ms to-night as thonph I walked Tue old, snow-clad way with yon; It wins this boar as though I talked Of what the star withheld from view. I feel again the white flakis crisp And yit-ld beneath onr loitering feet I hrr the winter's sers leaves lip Sucseslions of a spring complete. Yonr clinging pressure binds my arm, Yonr blonde hair blows across my face; Around me lingers all your charm, iy soul responds to all your grace; And then, lost love, the lights burn low, The chill is here, my pulses slack; Tb way we two no more may know, lias lust all memory of our track. UOLLTTS FLIUTATIOX. I am Kitty, and Dolly is my twin sister. I was always sedate, mother used to say, but Doily was giddy, and fond of flirting. When we were seventeen, Dolly be came encaged, with cur mother's con sent, to Frank Wilmot, a young fellow of twei ty-four, son of a banker, free and cheery in manner and disposition, lie was very indulgent to Dolly, for lie felt so confident or her love, and was himself so sincere, that the ad miration she excited was his triumph. The free dom with which she received a:id en couraged it, never pained him, though mother and I used to watch her with serious anxiety. Sometimes our mother would say a few impressive words; then Dolly would throw her arms around her. and with kisses assure her she would be a bette' pirl. or she would pout a little, with tars in her bnelit blue eyes. She would be very demure through two balls, and at the third worse than ever: scarcely could Frank get one waltz for himself. One evening he brought to our house a cousin of his, a barrister, a man some years older than himself, lie was rather famous, though only thirty. being an acute lawyer, and be was con sequcntly looked up to at the bar. Dolly owned to me that evening that Frank had confided to her that 1 was Jack Dacre's ideal woman. "Don't blush so angrily, darlin said she. "for it wouid be the .niosi delightful arrangement. He is Frank ideal man, snd dearest friend. It woul be the happiest thing lor us all!" And Dolly gave me a hug and kiss, and ran off to bed. Mr. Dacre came very often after that one visit, and 1 boon found that he was mv ideal man, for he strangely reseni- lied my father, both in manners and ch valrons courtesy to women, as well as in aiiearauce. It was with a chill at mv heart that I was the first make the discovery that he was falling in love with Dolly he, the soul honor, seemed bewitched by the charms of his bosom friend s alhauced wile. 1 knew it before he did, but of course not liefoie I:lv, who had a genius for unerru'jr'v deleting tvery yuiptom. however obscure, of dawning love, either in her own case or another's. Mv mother and Frank were utter! blind to the danger. 1 was very unhap py, and exceedingly sorry for Dolly, for irank, for Mr. Dacre, and. I own it, tor myself; tor, though I had not fallen in love with Frank's cousin, I must say be was the only man 1 had seen whom felt 1 could fall in love with. But an accident brought matters to a climax. We were sitting in the drawing-room after dinner, one evening, when a noise ia the street drew us to the window. The pole of a carriage had entered the shoulder of a cab horse. Dolly became ill and faint at the sight, and Mr. Dacre, who was at her side, threw his arm around her to save her from fall irg. lie led her to a sofa, and stood aside as Frank drew near; but from that night he never came any more. He and I had seen the half petulant way in which Dolly had turned from Jtrank, had caught another expression oa her face, had seen her vivid blush. From that evening she became cold, petulant, teasing to Frank, at firrst he laughed, then was hurt, and finally the engagement was broken off. This sxm told; but what my mother and 1 suffered, must be imagined. dared neither to tell her truth, nor to Lint to Dolly that I knew to whom her heart was given, though I loved her so dearly; and 1 felt so sure that this was the lirst true love of her life. This determined, decided, somewhat, stern man, was sure to charm our little but teiily, if she noticed him at all. Mother and I arranged that Dolly should go away on a short visit. Frank was to cr.nie one evening, to return the letters Dolly had sent him. They would not feel the abiuptness of thii rupture so much if they were place 1 personally by him in my hands; and I had his letters also to give him. Mother was quite unequal to see him, for she loved him dearly, and the task was left to me, I was not sorry, for I felt I could say all that was likely to comfort mm, loving both of them so deeply. So iioor Frank produced bis sorrow ful little packet, received the one I had lor him, and stood leaning against the cuiumey-piece, while 1 sat quite unable to utter a word, but with tears drop ping quietly from my eyes. At last he told me that he knew Dolly had been faithless to him. lie felt sure that she and Jack Dacre loved each other, and he spoke so humbly of himself, as if it was quite to be expected that his cousin should be preferred above any other man, that I was greatly touched, and tears leu laster and faster. "Jack is the soul of honor, Kitty, but I must make it clear to him that he is free to do as his heart dictates. His ana her happiness must not be wrecked. I will get my father to send me to our branch nouse in India, and will not return tin they are married. Jack is rich enough to marry at once. I shall embark on Thursday." alien he charged me with tender oiessmgs for Dolly, and, at his request, 1 went to ask my mother to bid him wrewelL Presently she glided in, pale as death. She held out her trembling and in silence, but Frank folded her jo his arms, and she sobbed on bis oreast. I stood ty, weeping bitterly, no, when we were calmer, Frank em Maced us both, finially, and placing me my mother's arms, left us. Poor Kilow, how brave he was, how gentle toipatientl In a month from that time Dolly was anced to Mr. Dacre, and the mar ?e was arranged to take place at the ginning of the long vacation. We we by this time convinced that it we best thing that could happen. one could see Dolly and doubt that . was the only man she loved. His calm, intense character impressed her, his great talents awed her, and her pretty, innocent pride in her manly lover, her meekness and quietness, were most promising symptoms of happiness in her married life. Dear mother was so supremely happy, I was very fond of my new brother; be was such a power for good and peace in our home that we never had been contested before. Frank wrote freely to us, manly, patient letters, full unselfish interest in all around him. His sorrow had sweetened, not euibit tered his character. He had set him self to alleviate his anguish by doing good, and his first act on reaching bis destination bail tteeu to use bis keen commercial gifts for tne welfare of the widow and children of an officer of the army, and at the cost of time, talent and energy, to rescue her small fortune from unsafe baud?, and invest it profit' ably. His letters were tilled with siini lar incidents, naturally and simply told and our affectou inqreased for this truly brave man. Dolly's grandmother took it into her head that it was her grandchild's duty to pay her a farewell visit before her marriage. Though, as she had never troubled herself much about us, we were rather startled at this demand w all thought it would be best to accei the invitation for mv sister was not looking well and it was settled that she should go and spend a month with the old lady in her lovely north country home. Mr. Dacre was pressed to go as often as his protessional engagements would permit; so Dolly left us In pretty good spirits, in charge of the elderly sen ant who was our substitute for regular ladies' maid. She wTote to tell us bow sue was en joying the repose and beauty of the country. Mr. Dacre had managed to run down from Saturday till Mouday at the fust week, and had of course made a great impression, but was a! raid he could not come again a long case was pending at Westminster. The letter which followed this, 1 give iu its iutej rity: Hkjiiwood, July 20. Dearest Kitty: I he you will get this in time to send my bat nere instead of to grandmamma's. 1 am on a fort- night's visit to Lady Millicent .North. Such a charming woman a widow about twenty-eigiit years old. She per suaded Mrs. Lloyd "to let her have me for a week or two; and, as her daugh ter-in-law. a coutirmel invalid, was coming to siend just that time with her, my grauduiotlier was glad to get meoutof ber way, 1 know, i can t w rite much, for the post leaves here at eight! o'clock, and w e drop our letters into the hall box. as we go in to dinner. I expect the gong every minute. This place is lovely, and the new baronet MrChailes is the dearest Ihe gong. Your own Dolly I felt uneasy concerning this letter, I was sorry Dolly should have left her god-inotlier's quiet home, just as she was sobering down and growing such a thoughtful little love. It might unset tie ber again to pass a fortnight in country house with a fascinating ban net; and I knew Jack Dacre would never permit, never pardon, the small est suspicion of flirting. He had par doned her defection in i rank s case, for Frank himself had pleaded elo quently saying that she was very young, so naturally affectionate. But mamma and I felt sure that not for one hour would he permit the slightest approach to disloyalty to his deep tenderness for his girlish betrothed. .Neither her youth, her love of fun, nor her merry heart, would plead oue atom in her favor; so I read this letter with a heavy heart. My answer was as follow: Dearest Dolly: Your letter reached me in time to have the box sent to High wood. You will receive it soon after this reaches you. Write very fully, for your letter was tantalizing, Send me a full description of every one, for you have roused my curiosity; as to Sir Charles, who is "the dearest"' The res.t of my letter contained boms news, and X need not transcribe it. Cut Dolly's answer I will transcribe lou ask me for a description of everybody, darling. Lady Millicent is very beautiful, very clever, and devo tedly attached to this Sir Charles; but I feel sure ber heart is buried in the grave of her noble husband. send her pho tograph, so need no words in describing her, Sir Charles h very fascinating, though I fear mv description may not predispose you in his favor; but you beg me to be particular. He is short and stout, has a very tine head, but rather thin light hair, fine eyes, good mouth. but not much of a nose in fact, it is all tip very nice hands and feet. He is, I believe, very talented, but does not employ his gifts, seldom talks, never reads. Is a little fond of eating, in spite of these drawuacks, be is very charming and all the girls, far and near make a great deal of him. Of course be is rich. He likes Lady Millicent to live in the house, she has complete influence over him." I wa3 much relieved after reading this letter. I felt so easy in mind that told Dolly bow I had feared for her. "But," I wrote, "of course you never could really admire a fat little man, who never reads or talks, and with a nose all ip, and who cares for nothing but eat- U)S- . ... It turned out that tne most uniortu- nate thing I could have done was to confess my fears to my provoking sister. She answered me vehemently, declaring that Sir Charles was the most lovable fellow she had met for a long time, and really was so excited that I posted a letter to her at once. "You distress me, Dolly. You know Mr. Dacre would never lorgive you if he saw your letters. I bide them even from mother. Oh, pray do think before you madly risk the loss of bis love, for that will follow the very hour be loses his high opinion of youl" This is how Dolly answered my ten der appeal: What a lecturing little tning you are getting, Kittyl I am very mucn attached to Sir Charles, and if Jack is ever so angry, I can't help it." Thus flippantly the letter ran on. I was really angry and distressed, but resolved to try no more lectures, they clearly made matters worse, bo, the next time. 1 cave a run description oi a day we had spent in court, bearing Mr. Dacre plead. I described his dignified appearance, his easy, graceful gestures above all, I dwelt on the beauty of his nose. Dolly answered: "I am auite shocked at you, kitty, to make such an idol of a nose!" and then she continued, as usual, anoui oir Cbarles. Meanwhile, Mr. Dacre seemed quite happy, and said be bad daily letters from Dolly as regularly as w ben she was witn .Mrs. idoyd. Was my beloved sister growing-deceitful? 1 kept all this from my mother; but I grew more and more wretched over Dolly's letters. A picnic would be "glorious." for Sir Charles was going. She had spent the whole morning "quietly with Sir Charles." Once be was iauisposed, and she had "nursed him, played for him, sung to him." Well, I could do nothing more. I resolved to say not another word about him to anyone else. I began to dislike the very sound of his name, or rather, the sight of it; and, when Dully declared I should like him as much .as everyene else did, 1 made up my mind that I hated him. I wrote one more tender appeal, which I said was my last. Every Tuesday, mother and I had Dolly's letters, but one day there was none by my breakfast plate as usual. Mothefread hers. "Dolly says she had written to you," she observed presently. "How can it be that you have not received it?" . Mistakes of the postoffice are so rare, we could but suppose she bad omitted to post It, by the next delivery, how ever, I received a letter from M. Dacre, coutaiuing an inclosure which turned out to be a letter to me from Dolly. A few lines ran thus: "Dear Kitty I had read too much of the inclosed before I discovered the mistake: If you receive a letter from Iolly before this reaches you, you will have discovered she has missent the letters. I shall run down to Hizhwood w itnout loss oi time." I had not received any letter then. but by the second country delivery came one directed to Jack at once. Ihe letter be baa read began thus "All you say is useless, mv darlinir. I love Sir Charles devotedly, and he has this cay declared be loves me. You ask hm, does he know I am engaged ? 1 told bun a gentleman was coming to see me; out lie seemed little concerned at this piece of information." So far Mr. Dacre had read, and the mine was sprung, I locked my room door, and fell back despairing into an easy chair. I was resolved to hide all from my mother till Air. Dacre bad seen Dolly. I bunted up Bradshaw, and found that a train started about four o clock that would convey me to Highwood by 7.50. If Dolly wrote to me at once I should get her letter by Thursday; but of course should hear from Jack on Wednesday, I dreaded every ring, every postman's knock. All day Wednesday passed and no letter arrived from my sister and her lover. On Thursday morning I ran down when I heard the usual welcome sound On the table lay a thick letter address ed in Dolly's handwriting. I ran up to niainma and gave ber the one I found inclosed in it for her; then I sat down to read mine, after fortifvinsr myself with a cup of coffee. I must give every word ot it "You are well aware that a catastro phe has happened through my heedless ness. The best thing will be for me to describe fully the whole consequences of that misfortune. On our return from the garden party on Tuesday, I found a telegram awaiting me from Jack 'Shall be with you by 7-55.' Of course this awoke no fears in my mind, for I knew Jack might run down at any moment the trains permit. Lady Mali cent sent me off at once to be dressed by .er artist-maid. What she made of me you must have seen to believe, Kittv. I would not look at myself till the whole process was complete; and, when I glanced in the long glass, 1 was really amazed at what I saw. It was the result. I now know, of many dis cussions between Lady Millicent and this gifted young person. You may imagine how I exulted in the thought that Jack would see me look as he had never seeu me look before, for 1 am so improved in health that my whole ap iearauce is changed. Well, the bell rang. Lady iiiincent received Air. Dacre in the morning room, and came to send me down at once. 'I ran down with my heart bounding. I entered the room. I noticed Jack give one start; but be received me in such a very un-Jack-like manner that I was terrified. 'Mamma Kitty r l cried. 'Quite well when I left them,' said Mr. Dacre; but when be placed me in a chair, and took one opposite me, 1 felt matters were desperate. 'What is wrong?' I gasped. 'Dearest Jack, pray speak I' 'Only an address,' said he, and put the unfortunate envelope in ray hands. 'This contained a letter for your sister, which I, perhaps fortunate ly, read before 1 perceived tne miataKe. I have just seventeen minutes before I leave for the return train, so if you wish to say anything, let me beg of you to siteak at once.' 'I sank back in my chair and covered my face with my handkerchief, tremb ling with agitation. Will you hear my explanation?' I stammered. 'Xeed- Iess; the letter can nave dui one mean ing. 1 came to release you irom your engagement with me. Did this scoun drel know you were engaged?' I cov ered mv face again, lo bear Sir Charles North criled a scoundrel was too much for me. I did not speak for several minutes; but time was flying fast, and at length I said, 'if this in truth our last meeting, grant me one favor? Say that you will before, I tell you what it is. ur course it is a rea sonable, honorable request that I wish to make; but I own it is one yon will not bke to grant.' lie paused a mo ment, and then said, 'I will do what ever vou ask.' I ask you to see Sir Charles North.' He winced, but bowed silently. I left the room to see the baronet. I found him in bis own room, intently studying an immense book- but only the illustrations, I believe. I asked him to come with me to speak to gentleman who was waiting to see him. He flatly refused. Tune was rushing on. I knelt by him, implored him. At last I kissed him, and he yielded. "Taking my hand in a firm clasp, he descended with me to a room where I had left Mr. Dacre. Jack stood, moody and stern, pale as ashes, where I had left him. We entered. I led Sir Charles toward him. 'Mr. Dacre,' said I, let me present you to Sir Charles North, baronet;' Jack startled, paused, seized Sir Charles in his strong arms, and threw him ont of the window? no, kissed him! For, this 'scoundrel,' this 'fat, greedy, idle little man is the dear little son of Lady Millicent, aged just two yearsl Now you see. Miss Kitty, you had better have had a little faith in your sister for once. You put all this into my head, and I could not resist the joke: but it shall be my last, for never more do I wish to see such a look of pain in the face I loved best in all the world. "Jack did not go back by the return train, though he was obliged to leave early 1 his morning; but I do not think lean go nwav from turn one day over month. Lady Millicent says you must come te take my place. She will write and ask mamma You will soon be as madly in love with Sir Charles." And so it proved. I went to stay witn Lady Millicent; and of all the dar ling, quaint, noble, chubby little pets I had seen. Sir Charles was the King. At the end of the year Frank returned in time for Christmas. He did not go back to India; he settled in England. He and I were married about six months after Dolly. We both lived in a lovely part of Kent. Dolly's husband pets and loves her devotedly. My husband adds to all his love . a delicate tender homage, infinitely previous to me. "Kitty, dearest," my mother once sail to me, "you and I have tasted the fullest earthly happiness. We both know that reverance is the perfectly peerless jewel In love's crown; but we must earn it." A brave Eton boy spends as much time with us as his mother can bear to spare him. and th mast welcome guest m Jack Dacre's home is Sir Charles North, baronet. Our Feathered Fete. "There is no large establishment In the United States where birds are raised," said a Detroit dealer recently. "Most of our birds are imported from Germany. The few that are raised here are raised by private individuals for pleasure. It is cheaper for us to buy them." "What kind of canaries sell for the most money?" "The English crimson is the most ex pensive, the prices ranging from $3 to $12. Then there are what are called trained singers or Andre3 rollers. They are very highpriced because they have the greatest variety of notes." "What do you mean by trained sing- ersr- " hen young, the birds are placed in a twilight room in company with whistling birdi, such as the skvlark. In this way they acquire successively the bell, water and flute notes. The English thrush is a beautiful bird. Its song is sweet and harmonious. They sell at seven and eight dollars. Those in that caire are what are called the Australian paro.'iuettes or love birds." said me draier, pointing at two beauti- iui, green tinted members of the fa thered tribe. " ou see they are called love birds because thev sit side bv side and almost continually coo to each other. They seein to be so affection ate " "Don't you sell a great many birds mat uou t sing at a.l?" No, not very nianv. Ilowevpr. I sou one yesterday mat ne'tber sings nor tains, it is called the blue meun tain lori. Parrots are in great demand at preje.it The double yellow head sjtecies is the best, it being the har dies-t." "Can people in general tell the differ ence between a good bird and a poor ouer 'Most people who come in have not the least idea of what thev want. Some of them ask me to give them a good bird, oue that will sinz well. Now, in uiue cases out oi ten after I have ; lected what 1 consider a fair bird they : 1 1 . . , ... nui turn nzut around and tate an other. They are generally attracted by me appearance of a bird. 1 guess I sell more veuow-plumed canaries than anv ouier iuuu just because tuey look dain ty." 'Can you tell the age of a bird?" 'Yes, 1 can form a very zood opinion of a bird's ace by the feet and lees. Ihe older they grow the more stumpy aud heavy their legs become. Age acts on a birds legs just as it does on a tree." "What is their average age?" "About live years, although I knew of a bud that lived twenty years. Those raised in this country sing best when tney are about two years old, but German birds sing ai well when they are tour months old as they ever do. ' Wire Do. Do remember that you are married to a man and not to a god; be prepared for imperfections. Do anticipate the discovery by your husbaud that you are "only a woman it you were not he would not care about you. Do, once In a while, let your husband have the last word; it will gratify him and be no particular loss to you. Do be reasonable; it is a great deal to ask under some circumstances, but do try; reasonable women are rare be rare. Do remember that servants are made ot the same material as you are; a little coarser-grained perhaps, but the same in essentials. Do try and forget yourself; sj for your husband, forget that you married him, aud remember mat ne married you; he will men proboiy oo me re verse. Do let him read the newspaper at the breakfast table; it is unsociable, but then it's only a trifle after all, and he likes it- Do let him know more than you do once in a while; it keeps up bis self- respect, and you will be none the worse for admitting that you are not actually infallible. - Do lemember that the interest of life is not centered in your home circle; do familiarize yourself! in outside events. Do leal something in the papers be sides fashion notes and society columns; have some knowledge of what is going on in foreign countries. Do be a companion to your husband it he is a wise man; and if he is not. try to make him become your compa nion; raise bis standard, do not let him lower yours. Do respect your husband's prejudices; do respect his relations, especially his mother; she is not the less bis mother because she is your mother-in-law; she loved him before you did. meep. Every man must sleep according to his temperment. Eight hours is the average. If a man requires a little more or less, he will find it out for him self. Whoever, by work, pleasure, sorrow, or by any other causes, is regu larly diminishing his sleep is destroying his liie. A man may hold out lor a time, but nature keeps close accounts. and no man can deceive hex. Cmtch aa Catch Can." When the train from the East entered "the Union depot at Cleveland recently, a frisky old gentleman, with half an apple which he was industriously munching in one hand and seventeen bundles in the other, stepped lightly off followed by a very stern, faded o!d ladv. He bad just turned his head to answer some sbort-quick-sudden sort of remark which escaped from the lady, when his foot struck the handle of a wheelbarrow and he suddenly changed his mind and hit her in the eye with an apple core instead, at the same time throwing 17 packages in 17 different directions. By this time the wheelbarrow bad go, its dander up, and as the old gent threw his whole weight on both bandies the rear part flew up passionately and bit him iu the head. This made the old party mad, and getting a grapevine lock on one handle and the hind wheel with his arms and legs he took a fall out of the wheelbar owj There they wrestled fiercely at catch-as catch-can style, during which the old gent seemed to get the advantage occasionally, but the wheelbarrow was usually on top. The depot police were finally attracted by the uproar, and Detective l'aul Leuhrs, together with Policeman Willis, held the wheelbarrow still while the old gent crawled out from under it. He was finally taken in tow by his wife and after a short but animated conver sation, they seemed loving enough until be went out and returned with his hat hanging over his left ear and a five-cent cigar sticking between his teeth. His wife looked at him three times before she recognized him, and then started a conversation with him on home matters in a voice which was remarkable for the wide range, flexibility and iiigh pitch at which it was attuned at times. She proved to be a conversationalist of such rapidity and vehemence that the old gent went in the baggage room and sat on a box behind a big trunk untu tram time. How to Karp a Maw Fiaao clean. Pianos are common in all parti of the country. To keep them clean, dust the piano only when necessary, and alway very lightly. A soft leather duster is best, but the ends of the feathers should be uncut. A very soft cloth or chamois my be used. The surface of a new piano being very bright, it is easy to dull it by bearing heavily on it, even when the softest fabric is used, lor the dust that may be lying on it causes the scratches, ior this reason a feather duster such as mentioned is the best. Often has the remark been made to me, "Whyt the more I rub Hie surface, the worse it appears, even when I make use of a silk handkerchief. Exactly so, and for this reason it must not be rubbed. Dust the piano only when necessary, and always lightly as possible. uui it may be observed, "it is very hard to keep the piano clean and free from dust." Not more so than other articles, except that the dust shows itself on a dark and polished surface. Be careful to cover the piano when sweeping the room or dusting the fur niture. Hand marks should be wiped off as soon as possible. They can be removed easily if done immediately. If difficult to remove, breathe on them as you would in cleaning a glass, or you may use a damp chamois, using a gentle pressure. Do not permit the rays of the sun to fall on the Piano. Keep it some distance from the heater or regis ter, and if placed near a window, keep the latter closed, especially during damp or wet weather. If near the sea. or any damp locality, it should be kept well covered. Be careful not to place anything damp near the strings, other wise tney will ruw, which will not lm prove the tone and will cause them to break eventually. It is alwavs well to keep tne instrument closed when not in use. BaadlBf the Haromotar. Higher barometer means that the mercury is rising and lower barometer it is falling. Higher pressure is svsonvmous with higher barometer, and lower pressure with lower barometer. In case of a higher barometer it indicates a colder and contracting atmosphere and conse quently a diminution of moisture. A lower barometer indicates an ex panding atmosphere with greater capa city for holding moisture. In case of rising barometer it indi cates a decrease of moisture and dimin ishes the liability for rain. A falling barometer indicates an in creased amount of moisture and greater liability for rain, and with it we have an increase in cloudiness. When the barometer rises in cloudy weather it is generally an indication that the clouds will break and be follow ed by fair weather. A sudden change in the barometer. either rising or falling, is a fair Indica tion ot approaching high winds. At sunset if the sun goes down be hind or is obscured by a bank ot clouds with a falling barometer, rain will fol low in nineteen cases out of twenty on the succeeding day. II the sun be obs cured at its setting by clouds with a rising barometer and cooler winds, the chances are nineteen to twenty no rain will fall on the succeeding day. . mere are three fair weather sunsets the red, yellow and green. Green and red are exceptional, the green more so than the red. It will seldom happen that we will have a rainfall on a day succeeding one on which any of the three above eolors are dominant at sunset the day before. It occasionally liappens, however, that rain will fall when no indications what ever on the proceeding day would lead one to expect it. Coaum of Error. A curious and somewhat perplexing case of confused identity has for some years past existed in the United States in reference to two public men who are no w occupying important di plomatic positions in South America Governor Thomas A. Osborne, formerly Minister to Chili, now Minister to Brazd and Geu. Thomas O. Osborne, Minister to the Argentine Republic. Both of these gentlemen are well known, not only in their own States, but elsewhere; yet owing to a similarity of name and position and a brief association in an important diplomatic service, their names and positions have become so wildly confused as to cause them con stant embarrassment and annoyance. Through this absurd confusion their positions are frequently transposed and they are made tne recipients of each other's correspondence and credited with each other's actions. It is, in fact, a veritable, "Corned of Errors." Maala In tha White Bnua Mr. Crump, the steward of the White Honse noder Presidents Have" and Oar Held, left the President's mansion after six month of Arthur's administration, and he is now keeping a reetanrant in the oil club honse building on New York avenne. During the illness of rresidrnt U iraeld he was constantly by his side, both day and night, and the strain which h-s nervons system under went dnring that time ban injnred him for life. In lifting the President he thinks he hurt his back, and siuee then he has not been able to bend over to pick np. anything, and even now his shoes have to be pat on for him. His nervons sytem is such that the least excitement or overexertion brings on a fit of sickness. Wheh the bills for Garfield's treatment were presented, the eo nmittee recommended that be be paid $3,000 extra salary. Judge La wrenee ont this down to $300, and this is all he has ever received. I dropped into his place the other day tor a ciam cnowaer and bad an interest ing chat with him about the Presidents he has served. Said he: "The position of steward of tha White Honse navs fl,800 a year, and it was under Hayes a very nice position. The steward hai full charge of the White House. He Is responsible lor everrthinir. Ho must m about the ttble, attend to the cater ing and keep the servants and the honse in order. When Hayes and Garfield were at its bead the position was easier than now on account of the good hoars they kept. Each of them had his last meal over by 8 o'clock, or a little later. and we got through dih-washing by 8. to that the men could go away. Of oonrse, I refer to ordinary days, when there were no state dinner. Mr. Arthur has dinner betreen 8 and 9 o'clock, and his frieuds often sit at the tab'e until 12 or 1 o'clock. The hours are all changed now. The President eats a very light breakfast between 9 snd 10 o'clock. merely a cracker and a cap of coffee, witu perhaps a piece of salt tiih, and then he eats toircelr anything until dinner. Diuner is his big meal, and be generally has friends to dine with him. He is a high liver, and a was has wine lor dinner wheu be has friends present, ana sometimes wnen be has not. "How about General Girfleld?" "PreHldent Garfield." replied Steward Crump, "was verv plain in hii diet. He came into the bite House with dys pepsia, aud he was doctoring ail the t me up nutil ho was shot. He ate no rich lo d and was particular about his hours. He had breakfast at 8.30 m the morning, when he would eat a good beefsteak aud some bake 1 potatoes with cream poured ovi them. This was a favorite dish of (Ja-field's. and it was oue which he ate wnen he could ea' uothuig else. It is delicious, and far surpa-sea baked potatoes and gooj but- ut. .men Uarheld was also loud of little mea baxn fried to a crisp, and thin, with a few tide dishes, made up hia breakf&ft. Dinner he ate at 3 p. m.. and ttils meal was ran -h tue ataie an his breikfaHt. He always had his beef- ft -at, and neither he nor Mrs. Garfiel, wtra uig eaters. ADont 7 oclocK we hai tea, aud this was a very light meal also. There was generally some one present to dine with tbe family, bu tuero was no wine in the Wane House during the Garfield administration." "Tell me something abont Have. "Dunns: the administration of I'mi- dent Hayes there was wine nsed at Only one oi luer, and that was at the oue giyen to the Graud Duke Aleiis. Dur ing their family meals tliera was never wine on the table, nor was there anv at the state dinners. The Hayes family were good livers, and thev were alio great entertainers. Daring the last three mouths of President Hayes's term nere was an average of thirty seven at each dinner, and he alwayi had a house inn ot guests. It is not true that he was Btin,jy and parsimonious in his management of the White House ex penses, lie never bothered himself at 1 about my accounts. I had carta blanche as to buying things for the taoie, and 1 always got tne best ot everything in the market. Mr. Hayes spent as much or more in entertaining at the White House than any other 1 resident before or since. It must have cost him the greater part of his salary to pay the excuses of the house, aud he was niggardly in nothing-. The eatables alone at his state dinners com irom 11 to I7 a plate, and the decora tions made them coot much mure. It cost a Kood deal to rnn tha Whit House, I can tell von, aud Arthur will have to have a great many t'uuga sent in ut me neienbors U he carnea mnch of his salary away. President Hayes bad a number of frierda. such as Major McKiuley of Ohio and others who had standing invitation to be Dreseut at nis lamny dinner. We never set the talilje for less than fourteen, and they were generally lull. So you want to snow wbat .'resident Hayes ate." con tinued Mr. Cinmp. "Well, his hours were breakfast at 8 or 8.30. lunch at 1 aud dinner at 6. He was a great lover ot oatmeal and gnu. and we always had these on the table as a part of tue breakiast. Then he would have fruit the season, good steak or mat to a chops, buckwheat or corn cake. The President and his family were very lond of these, some little side dishes and always good coffee. President Hayes is a great coffee drinker. We used the best, of oonrse a mixture of fine Mocha and Java. At Innch we had co d meats, roast turkey, due or beef cat down in slices, cofiee and tea, with bread ana butter, and some kind of salad. Dinner was the big meal, and it was, of course, served lu courses. Fust we bad oysters ou the half shell, then some kind of son p. then a fillet or a roast of beef or lamb, with potato cro quets or sometimes chicken croquets, aud bide dishes of vegetables, then a course of same of some kind Mr. Uaes liked duck very much and we numbed up witn fruit, candy and nuts. Cake was also on the table, and among other kinds we always had angels-lood, which was a favorite of Mrs. Hayes, we always had d.ffae with dinner, aud apoiliusris water was always on the table." "Was President Hayes icuji. of a candy eater?'' I asked. "Wind?" replied tie Steward. "Why, sir, he bad a sweeter tooth than any child in America. All of the family are very fond of candy, and we always had it oo the dinner table. It was of the assorted kinds, and it was eaten of lit erally. Mr, Hayes did not like pork. He said he had ha 1 enongh of that in the army to do him a lifetime. Mr. Hayes was a pleasant man to work for, and Mrs, Hayes was one of the kindest ladMS) tha Whit House ever had. kept a list of ail tbe callers upon Mrs. Garfiel-I. and some of those who called npon Mrs. Haves. At one of Mrs. Garfield's receptions, Gnitean was pres ent. "Tell me something of Garfield as a patient, said J. -tie was very qniet and very re signed. Ha once said to me he could not see why Guiteau had shot him, sod he thought he might have waited nntil he had returned from bis little vacation. He thought be was going to get well as long as Mrs. Gai field bad any hopes of it, but as soon as she gave ud be left all wis lost. Tha strain I underwent in taking care of him was temb'.e, con sidering that I had to manage the White Honse at the same time. After hts death, I went to Europe, by the ad vice of mv doctors, for my health, but I have not recovered it. I left the White House six months after Arthur came in. A colored man. who was Roecoe C'onkhng's messenger, took my place, but he has nothing to do with the catering as I had. He only manages the general keeping of the bouse. Ar thur has a French cook who attends to all thing connected with the table." "Is the position of steward a desir able one?' "Not very at this time. The work is very hard, but 1 liked it under Hayes. Mrs. Hayes was with the general in the army, and I had gotten to know her very well She treated me very kindly. In addition to the catering and seeintr thst the house is kept In order the stew ard has to watch the relic-hunters. It is outrageous hew strangers will cut and destroy the furniture. We often found the carpets cut after a bie recertioD. snd it was a common thing to see a hole cnt ont of a lace curtain. Sometimes the chairs would be cut, and at one time piece large enough to make a cane was broken ont of a sofa back. In the east room inat under the mantle there are a number of little carved gdt knob wnicn screw into the woodwork, and at one reception seventeen of these were toien. Thimbles. The thimble is a Dutch invention tnaj was nrst brought to Eastland in 1695 by one John Lofting, who began its manufacture at IsliDRton, near London, gaining thereby both honor and profit Its name was derived from the words thumb and bell, being for a long time called tbumble, and only lately thimbla. Old records say that thimbles were first worn on the thumbs; but we can scarce ly conceive how they would be of much use there, formerly thev were made of brass and iron only, but of late years steel, silver, gold, horn, ivory, and even pearl and glass have all been used for making thimbles. I sa some very oeaucuui ones in uuina that were ex quisitely carved, of pearl, and bound with gold, and the end also of gold, these pearl thimbles are quite as costly auu jar prettier man tnose made entirely of gold. Usually there is a pearl s beat a for tbe scissors, and a dainty needle- book of pearl edged with gold to ae company the thimble, and the whole is inclosed in an exquisite little pocket case shaped like a book an! bound in satiu and peat I. A thimble owned by a queen-consort of Siam is shaped hike a lotns bud, this oeing tue royai nower ot that couutry, and almost everything about the court bearing, in a greater or less decree, some impress oi tlie lotns. This tbim ble is of gold, thickly studded with dia monds, that are so arranged as to form ths lady s name and the date ef h mrriage. It was a bridal gift from the king, who, having seen the English and American ladies at his court usio? thim bles, took this method of introducing wtfiu among jus own people. In Naples, very pretty thimbles com posed of lava from Mount Yesnvina am occasionally sold, but rather as curiosi ties than for real utility, being, from me extreme orittieness of the lava verv easily broken. I nve heard also of thimbles made of asphalt urn from the una aea, and of one composed cf fragment of the old elm tree at Cam bridge, Mass., under which General XI- I . i , ... aiumgtou swxki wnen takinsr com- mand of the United States armv in July, 1773; but I do not tnppose that auy vi uiese were ever inteuded to be nsesl in Bewlng. in the ordinary mannfactnre of enld and silver thimbles thin plates of tli motai are introduced into a die. and then punched into shape. But in Paris the Jfc rench have a way of their own. quite different from ours, for making gold thimbles that are said to be mncn more durable than these made in the usual way. Pieces of very thin sheet iron are cnt into discs of abont two inches diameter. These, after being heated to redness, are stuck bv means of a pnnch into a succession of holes of gradually increasing depth to give the proper shape. The thimble is then tr onmed, polished and indented aronnd its outer surface with tiny holes. It is next converted into steel bj a process called cementation, then tempered, scoured and brought to a blue color. After all this is completed a thin sheet of gold is introduced into the interior and fastened to the steel by a mandrel, wiuie goia leat is attached firmly by pressure to the outside, the edges beans: seamed in a small eroove made to re ceive them. This completes the opera tion, and turns out a very beautiful thimble that will last for years. The steel used in its construction will scarcely wear oni in a long life-time, and the gold, if worn away, is easily replaced. The Blaine Ulrl's Chewing-Gam. It costs S'2,000 a year to keep Augus ta, Maine, citizens in chewing-gum, Young ladies, especially those in school. are proverbially gum-ebewers, and it takes no small amount to keep them supplied. Recently a Frenchman from Horeb Falls was iu town and marketed 125 ponnds of the spruce article. One drnsgist bought 75 ponnds. It cost in tbe neighborhood of SI a pound. It was prime gum, white and free from imperfections, was in lumps, and had been carefully scraped and cleaned. The man said that he had 200 ponnds of gim at home which he proposes to market in Belfast. Gum from young trees is tbe best, being of a lighter color and of better flavor than that taken from old tree?, which is of a darker shade and has a rank ta-t . There axe men who make gum-gatherinx a business, a ad derive a snag little in come from this source. Bat the spruce forests which grow this stuff are f ii.Ing, and the day is not tar distant when there will be a famine in genuine cum. The lumberman Is making enormous in roads into the ranks of the tree and tne spruce-worm has injured or killed tboruanda. NEWS IX BRIEF. There are 228 submarine telegraph cables now at work. Over 3,000,000 trees were planted in Great Britain in l?Si Meerschaum has been discovered in parts of North Carolina. Xew Orleans wants a railroad bridge across the Mississippi. An Ohio physician is preparing a medical lexicon in 42 languages. 800.000 bushels of wheat aie used very day m the United States. It costs $30,000 a year to light the United States Capitol and grounds. Settlers in Yakima. W. T., are to test the benefits of artesian wells. Pennsylvania has a !arger number 3f Post Offices than any other State The bay leaf was formerly supposed to protect the wearer from thun-'er. In narrisburg tliey make the tramps clean the street crossings. Florida oranges are cheaper in Hartford than at the Florida groves. The Post Office Department uses ISO.000 worth of wrapping twine a year. The Western New York Farmers' Club thinks eggs should be sold by weight. Mr. Mapleson says that he has made 170,003 clear by his San Fnm sisco trip. It is estimated that only two in In every one hundred Berliners are church-goers. The State railways of Germany are experimenting with American paper car wheels. Insurance publications state that the losses by fire in the United States in 1SS3 aggregate S103 000,000. Mrs. Cunio. an Italian woman of Boston, has a babe which at birth weighed 2IJ pounds. The Spanish armv averages one offi cer below the grade of brigadier-general to every five privates. Queen Victoria saves annually from her Parliamentary allowance, five hun dred t ouand dollars. One Hungarian out of 200 In Beth lehem has paid his tax. The tax-col lector feels greatly encouraged. A company of Scotch capitalists have bought 500,000 acres of land In the western part of Florida. Craig Co., Ya, has a citizen who is U4 years old, but only 50 pounds in weight, aud of a boy's stature. Four millions three hmidred and forty thousand boxes of sardines were packed in Lubec, Me., lat year. The orange crop of Florida this season is estimated at 60,ini').tHH) oran ges, netting the growers jl.2-nJ,U00. A Kansas woman has died from blood poisoning received by wearing a green veil over a scratch on her face. The Quebec Legislature, it is said, contains but twelve English-speaking members out of the sixty-five who com pose it. A Mrs. Renney, of Rochester. X. Y., who was !j years old last month, walked to church, one mile, and homo again, recently. Minnesota lumbermen cut 317,000, 000 ieet of lumber last winter, thus making a total supply now on band ot 523,500,000 feet. A citizen of Butte county, CaL, has been rendered temporarily blind by using a toothpick which Le cut from the twig of poison oak. An old bachelor died at Ewt Al burgh, Vt.. the other day, and $60,000 in bonds, notes and certificates wero found in the linings of his clothes. France has among European coun tries the largest number of electors, its percentage being twenty-six in every 100 inhabitants; England ranks fifth. In Boston the stock of Wagner's programme books was exhausted at the opening of the series of concerts, and copies commanded a dollar premium. California temperance people have begun a crusade agaiust grae culture, it is reported, on the ground that grape growing tends to increase drunkenness. Four of the seven persons who assisted in eating a fat pig. raw. at Loyalhanna, are now dead. The others will probably die. eaten alive by trichi na. Barbara Fntchie's clock is said to be in existence vet, with its bands fixed at 10 o'clock, the boui at which its pen dulum was shot away by a soldier's bullet. It requires three days In which to complete the marriage ceremony in China; but when it, is done, it is a strong job. .Nothing short of death can break it. A banana eating contest between a young man and a young woman at Mon- teruma, Ua., recently, was won by tbe former, who ate 20 bananas to the other contestant's 18. G. C. Schwabe, of Liverpool has presented to his native city ot Ham burg his splendid collection of paint ings, containing, among others, some of the masterpieces of the modern Eng lish school. The Governor of the State of Colima, Mexico, has commissioned Emillo Mahlo to map the lake of San Pednto with a view of draining it. It is supposed that this lake Is the cause of the annual yellow fever epidemic. The Austrian Government has finally consented to the removal of tbe remains of Beethoven and Shubert from the "Wahringer" Cemetery, where they have so long reposed almost side by side. They are to be re-inter red in the Central Cemetery. Dancing is permitted on Sunday evenings m some parts of Northern Sweden, while on Saturday night it ia considered a crime. The aabbaih, as once was the ease in Connecticut be gins at six o'clock on Saturday evening. The latest use devised for paper is the making of carpets. A Conueticut man is reiorted to have taken out pat ents for processes by which beautiful and substantial carpets can be made ot paper at very low prices. M. Fasteur and his assistants have announced to Ihe French Academy of Scieuces the fact that by inoculation they can render all dogs absolutely proof against the effects of rabies, in whatever way or quantity the virus may be administered. Great numbers of bats recently took possession of a church in Solano, Col., and so thick and aggressive did they become that tbe service was neces sarily postponed. The deacon inaugu rated a bat hunt and behind one of tbe window casiings found and killed, two hundred and forty-one of them. 1