7V , 1 1 IMBiWSmC r ft i'.i B. P. SCHWEIEB, THE OOaSTITUTIOI-TEE UH01-UD TEE EXT0X0EKE5T OP TEE LATfB. Editor and Proprietor. VOL. XL. MIFFLINTOWN, JUNIATA COUNTY, PENNA.. WEDNESDAY. JULY 2J, I8S6. NO. 30 4 V Ch Archer's Prayer. Tot wouldn't shoot with me, Edith. Edith Anerly, what will you do? T Lflf J01 through. ' Ul that be .uflideat for you? TbAnTnl2,wm me- ""hits music. And fret dropping softly as dew Of some DoufiUs tender and true. J hope it will all be deUgh'fal; I trust there will be nothing to ruo: XL? 1 wonlJ c'"lly hTe bad you. One hour with the target and yew? The arrows that glint tl:r.uh the matches Or lire, do they ail whistle true? Are they missioned to c-ntre the yellow. Or even to edje cn the blue? U,e ,hfw of yur drawing ill fly as Maid Marian's flew. So duly and truly and not.ly You bUa'.l not regret that you drew. But I shall depart and not see it, Lrare Newport and earh before you: hall gounreiretled, forjotH-n, Ana aloue as the Wandering Jew. So rt member, before 1 have vanished, To do what alone you mar do. And grant me one hoar of Diana, LltUe maid, gracious sylph, of the yaw. LOTTIE'S SURPRISE. It had blown a perfect hurricane all day, and early in the afternoon the rain had commenced to fall, increasing in violence until at 6 o'clock, when Lottie started home, the streets were tnu ldy and the wind fiercer than ever "Oh, how pood home will look!" she said to herself, pulling her coat collar tip about her ears, and tuiking l.er music-roll securely under her arm. "How happy I ought to be that 1 hare it to fro to, even if it is only a little room all i y myself. What do poor girls do who have none, uo work, no home and no Robert!' Then tbe laug'ied sliyly to herself and blusbed a happy, rosy blush down Inside the coat collar, atd walked faster than ever. Home was quite a distance, but her peet steps carried her quickly there, and the hall door had flown open In response to her latch-key, when, from somewhere in the darkness near, a voice came a tremulous, pleading voice: "Pity oh. for the love r Gad, p'th me!" "Who are you? Where are you? asked Lottie, startled, and stepping right where tbe hall-light shone in her face and dazzled her eyes. "Here," and from the shadow behind the door rose a woman's figure a woman that the next moment, also stood in the light, showing a wrinkled, aged face and snow-white hair, covered with a Uttered bit of shawl. "lam Starving, and maybe dying. If you have any pity, give ma some food and some kind of shelter." sbe s:d. with a desperate sort of famished eagerness. "I will oh, I will! Come in," cried Lottie, her voice quivering, and her eyes shining with the generous pity that flooded her young btart. "I have no place I can take you to but my room on the top floor. Can you climb the stairs?" Tor warmth and food? Yes, yes: lead the way," ciied the woman, eagerly, loosing at the girl with trem bling delight burning in her hollow eyes. I can follow anywhere." But sbe was aged and weak, and the fenr long fliglitsof stairs were slowly accomplice 1, Lottie assisting her com panion as well as the narrow staircase would allow, and going very slowly. "This is my room," she exclaimed at last, throwing opsn the door and lead ing the panting woman in "Sit down here, and in two minutes the Ore will be alight. Are you very tired?" The weary woman could only nod as she sank into the chair Lottie gave, while her young hostess flew about the room. Everything was most exquisitely neat, and the little grate, brushed and polished, was already laid for the fire, and, at a touch from Lottie's match, blazed and crackled with amazing brightness. Is not that lovely?" she cneJ, turning to her strange visitor. "Now rin ennn im warm, and in a few minutes I will make you a cup of tea. Move nearer, wont you?" Apparently speechless wua grateim amaze and tteiigns. me wouiu as bid. throwing off her wet, Uttered shawl, and holding her wrinkled hands over the blaze, while her. eager eyes still followed every move Lottie made. MI am my own housekeeper you see,' continued the girl gaUy. as If wishing to make her visitor less timid and more at home. "Here is my little kitchen:" and with a merry laugh she threw ooea the door of a large closet, showing within two neatly-pipered helves o. dishes and tins, while on a small table below stood a little single-burner oll Here I bake and brew," she went on, lighting the single wick aM quickly patting some water to boi IT , diminutive tea-kettle; "and I just as harpy and independent wean be. How do you like it?" Tike ltl" echoed the woman. "Does it not look like heaven to me? But are yY?alf alone. I have not a rea tiveinthe world that I know of," said rattle tailing off and hanslng up tfr &w that she had all things StedL "I uld he very lonesome if I had the time, but I havn't." -Then you work-you too are poor!" cried the woman as though thesur rSdh'gs were to her suggestive of WayniTain poor; and yet lam Henforl have health and strength and riiXJ " said Lottie, with a world K9.w.,Si thnUina her blithe ? n7hTmorning I am P early. InfarraDge 7 Trm and fire, and vBn? little breakfast; then I am gJmS and I am very happy " Th nd as she Sd ?,?tSheTths"cIngflunes, and "UeXJOTtunlty of looking J? SSSJSSS woman turned. "SgfSK studying me, What by-I-I wwon- ered Lottie. nne t -ma. i woman iubucu .. .T. nnf Bat 3 Biiallv let us talk of yon and not of me, do you always intend to live so alone don't you want to marry?" A wave of color, like tbe warm tint to a sea-shell, covered Lottie's sweet face. "1 am going to marry very soon," she said after a moment. "Are you? And do you mind telling me about it and him?" questioned the woman. "He is teaching German and French to the children that I am nursery-governess to, and we meet there very often. I know he is good and noble, because because I do. He shows it in every look and act." "And you love him?" 4 "Ah, yes! Yes, indeed!" Something in the sweet purity and rapt expression of the girl's face made the woman turn suddenly away and wipe her eyes. And then nothing more was said by either until the dainty sup per of tea, toast and egg was cooked by Lottie, and placed before the woman on a little tray, covered with a worn but snowy napkin. Then suddenly came the question: "What are you going to do with me to-nieht turn me out?" "Ob no, indeed. You shall sleep on my 1 ed, and I can make a pallet here by the Are. My bed Is out of sight now," sbe added, with a laugh, as the woman looked around inquiringly. "I like to have my room a sitting-room; so, if any one comes to soe me 1 fold my bed into a lounge, and put all my toilet things behind that pretty cur tain, and that leaves me a little parlor, you see. Isn't it pleasant?" The old woman's face was a mystery as she looked and listened. The thin lips continually twitched, and the eyes, with all their sbiirpnesa gone. Oiled again and again witn tears, But she asked no more questions. Lottie ate her own supper, then went into the closet, took down the tiny dish-pau, poured out her water that had been heating while they ate, then put out and set back the little stove, and quickly cleaned up all signs of sup per, working quietly, as she supposed the weary woman was dozing, when, on the contrary, she was intently watching every act of the young housekeeper. Wort done, apron was removed, clean cuffs put ou, the s.)ft curls brushed and tastefully tied; then Lottie came to the lire, and seeing her visitor awake, said, with a smile and a pretty blush: "My Robert is coming this evening, and you will see if he is not gool and noble looking." "He is coming this evening?" ex claimed the woman, starting up. "Then 1 must go at once." "Indeed, col Where would you go? You will stay right here," said Lottie with decision. And at that very insUnt steps sounded on the sta rs, and she added, Willi a quick smile: "Here he is now.'' Trembling, and evidently at her wits' end, the woman sank back Into her seat, and no sr. whi'.e Lottie went to the door and greeted her lover ia a few low spokea words, she sat slanng into the tire, as though conster nation bad given place to amusement. Layinz his hat and coat over a chair, Robert Ciaxton came round to the lire, and looked down at the old woman, as she looked up at him, and there was a moment's silence. "Grandmother!" he exclaimed at last. In a voice of stupefied amazement. "Grandmother, am I dreaming?" Well- no, 1 think not. You don't appear to be," answered she, as though, after all, it was a great joke. "But you what I" "Didn't I say I was going to?" asked she, shortly. "No, you didn't say what, and I never thought " "No, I suppose not, but I did. See here, Lottie." Like one doubting her senses, Lottie bal stood listening to this strange dialogue, and even at this peremptory order she had not the power to move. "This is my grandmother, Lottie," began Robertas if at a loss how to tell his story. Rut she interrupted briskly. "I'll tell you about it myself, Lottie," said she. "I am his grandmother, and I am not poor, and no more is he, as he has made you believe. On the con trary, he is to have all my money, and I had set my heart on his marrying Grace Lathrop yes, the very young lady where you teach, and he set his heart on finding out what she wai like. So I humored him, and he left .D his last name. Sterling, and went to the family with a glowing recommen dation from me. He also saw you, and I could never repeat all his love rhapso dies. I was chazrined that my choice hod bern found at fault, and de termined to discover flaws in his, and well, I've tried and failed." She paused there, and rising sud denly, went to amazed and bewildered Lottie, and took her hand. "R jbert, the girl you love is worthy all you have said and believed of her. S ie is a pure, true, noble girl, with a heart that you or any man must strive hard to be worthy of. Take her. with the warmest blessing you cru3ty. doubt ing grandmother can ask or give.' Tenderly Robert clasped the hands placed in his, and drew her to his breast, , "Lottie, my darling, you forgive us both?" , t . . But, from mingled astonishment and joy, Lottie was sobbing and speeckleas. "1 played the hungry old woman pretty well, I guess," said old Mrs. Sterling, complacently, as she sat down by the fire again. "I'm old and sick looking, and of course the child never guessed I was swathed in thick flannels under all these rags. But, f b, my boy, you have found a Uttle treas ure you have indeed! Be worthy of herl" "I will try, grandma," he said, tenderly kissing Lottie W". happy face, ,4every hour of my life." Tho Sloth not Without Ambition. A sloth is lu its way an interesting animal, and in that view deserves a few S Take a snail, WWm 10 000 diameters, clap on him four legs with three tons curved daws on each and hang him head down among the br?nchSof a tree; tbe i poke huntgj behind with a sharp stick, and he . tnu make about as rapid progress as a sloth. ot course some sloths are ambitious. I a limb where it Joined the tree Mtrunk, and that evening it was twelve feet away It had averaged one foot per Lour but this was a through expres slothl and an exception. -New York City has -302 public , iQi ssi duoUs. A STORY OF PRESIDENT BUCHANAN. His Rigid Ideaa of Official Propriety. Tbe last Democratic President, James Buchanan, had very strict ideas as to the use of our public vessels, and they cost Howell Cobb, his Secretary of the Treasury a nice Uttle sum. It was at the time of the launching ana trial trip of a revenue cutter, which had been made under Cobb's direction and named after Buchanan's niecs "The Harriet Lane." Cobb concluded that on this trial trip of the new vessel he wonld invite the Cabinet, the foreign legations, tbe President and others of his acquaintances to take a sail with him down tbe 1'otomac ue raaaer ail his arrangements without saying a word to the President, and the matter was pretty well advanced before iiucbanan heard of it. When It first came to his ears "Old Buck" sent for his Attorney General, Jere Black, and Black, when he came to the White House, found Buchanan flushed with anger. As Black entered be said: "Are you going on this blamid frolic? I would like to know what you think of Cobb's using our public property for his private entertainment?" Attorney General is lack replied that he was not going on the Harriet Lane trip, and though he did not like to criti cize Cobb, still be was not Dackward in saying that he did not approve of it. "liut." continued he. "Mr. Presi dent. Cobb has gone on with this affair and Issued his uiviUtions and I don't see what you can do about it. " "Do about it,' said Buchanan, in a rage; "do about it! Why of course I will stop It. It is a scandalous affair and I will not be held responsible for it. Icoriainly will not allow it togo on." Black then placed before Buchanan the probability that Cobb thought he was doing nothing wtong when he was making the arrangement, and the fact that if he stopped the affair now it would cause a great deal of scandal both in this country and abroad, as the foreign ministers had been invited. Buchanan appreciated this and finally said that he thought that he would let Cobb go on if he wanted to and he would pay all the expenses out of bis own pocket. The excursion did go on, but neither the President nor Attor ney General Black were present At the first Cabinet meeting after it Bu chanan said to Cobb: "Mr. Secretary, I want you to bring me an Itemized bill of tbe expenses Incurred during the trial trip of the Harriet Lane. I want a detailed ac count of everything the coal con sumed, the salary of the officers, the wages of the seamen and the cost of every bit of supplies used on the trip." Cobb did not know what to make of tins demand, but he replied quietly: 'Certainly, Mr. President, I will do s." Siortly after this tbe Cabinet meet ing ended, and Howell Cobb and Jere B ack walked down from the White House together. When they had gotten opposite where the Attorney General's office Is now. Cobb, who had been silent up to this time, burst forth: "What in thunderdoes the old Squire mean?" Black made no reply and Cobb went on: "You know what he means, and I know von do, and now 1 want you to tell me franRly what he is up to!" Black then related his conversation with Buchanan, and concluded with the statement that Buchanan had asked for the bill In order that he night pay it out of his own octet. Howell Cobb always whistled when he was surprised, and he now gave a loud, long continued whistle and said: "That is what the old Squire is up to, is it? Well, I will see whether I can't surprise him." At this point the conversation drop ped, and Black and Cjdd went on to the Treasury, Every once and a while Cobb would repeat his whistle, and as Black left him he heard the whistle coming out of the Treasury door as Cobb entered. The next cabinet day came, and with it came Cobb, who seemed to be the happiest man of tbe council. The President looked glum, but Cobb was cracking his jokes at everybody. The business of the meet ing was at last concluded, and the sec retaries had arisen to Uke their depart ure, when Buchanan turned to Cobb and said very sharply: Mr. Secretary, where is that bill?" Cobb, assuming an innocent air, answered: "What do you mean, Mr. President?" "1 mean that bill ot expenses for the trial trip of the Harriet Lane," an swered Buchanan sternly, "have you got It with you?" "Oh! that bllll" said Cobb; "ye3, 1 believe I have it somewhere about my clothes," and hereupon Cobb fumbled first in one pocket and then in another, and finally drew out a piece ot crumpled paper which he handed to the President with: "I guess that is it." Mr. Buchanan took it and looked over It item by item. His face was full of disgust as he read, and seemed to look daggers at the paper till he reached tbe end. when he almost Jumped to his feet as be exclaimed: - - . i i ; 1 j ..11 "Why, it is receipted paiu iu iw by Howell Cobb?" "And who In thunder should have paid it but Howell Cobb?" broke in Cobb with an air of injured innocence, "it was my frolic Who should have paid for it?" "Sare enough! sure enough!" was all that Buchanan said. But he brightened up at once, and in a short time became as merry as Cobb had been at the be ginning of the session. Cobb and Black went away from the White House together, and as they were going down the steps to the yard, Cobb said: "Dldnt I come it over the old Squire then?" It Is needless to say, In conclu sion, that the government vessels were not used during the remainder of Bu chanan's administration for private purposes. A Tale of a Picture A picture dealer in London told me a story which Illustrated the Ignorance of a rich man in art matters. The story was told me as showing that En glishmen could be quite as cute as Americans when they set their minds to It. I use it to Illustrate another point. The firm received a Meissonier from Taris and it was to be put on ex. hlbition next day. It was framed and set up on an easel in the shop and the price of it was to be 1,500. Through some error on the part of the clerk, a tag marked 100 was put on tbe Meis sonier while the JE1.500 tag went on another picture. Before the mistake was discovered and corrected an Amer can bought the picture and had it sent to his rooms at one of the big hotels. When the head of tbe firm found that his Meissonier was gone, and gone for 100, he nearly raised the 'root, Be ' gave tbe clerk who had made the mis take of the tags and tbe clerk who bad sold the picture to understand ttiattf the picture was not back by the next day he would expect their sureties to make up the deficiency. The young men were appalled. One thousand four hundred pounds divided by two is still In excesi of what the average young man gets per annum in a Lon don art store. After abusing each other roundly for a while they began to notice that this did not bring back the picture. The clerk who put on the wrong Ug finally hit on a plan. The clerk dressed up in his holiday suit and called on the American. "I am tbe art critic of Tk Daily ," he said, "and I was told you had bought a Meissonier. Would you mind my looking at it?" "Not at all," replied the buyer, and he invited the alleged critic to his rooms. "Got that for 100," he said, waving his hand toward the picture. The critic said nothing but a cynical smile stole over his face. "What's the matterr Don't you be lieve I paid the 100?" "Oh. I believe you paid the 100." "Well, don't you think its worth the money ? " it's a Meissonier Yes." "If? Why the name's on the corner.' "Yes, it usually is." "But I bought it from Frames & Co. Aren't they a good firm?" uOh. yes. If you have a certificate from Frames & Co., signed .by tbe firm, that It u a genuine Meissonier, then you have a great bargain. Still, Meissoniers are not selling in LondoD this season for 100." "I haven't any certificate." "Ah!" "Don't you believe it's a Meissonier? If you think it isn't, why, hang It, say so." 'Now, I won't say whether that is a Meissonier or not, but I will tell you what I would do If I were you. I would Uke that picture back to Frames & Cj. I would find the pirsoa who sold it to me, and I would sa quietly 'I believe it is customary to give a certifi cate, signed by the firm signtd ly trie firm, mind that It is what it is claimed to be.' If the young man doesn't re member you the chances are that he will admit such to be the custom. Then produce your picture and say that you would be obliged to have that cer tified a Meissonier. Don't be put off by h!s word that it is so and so. or by any bluff about the standing of the bouse. Its repuUtion, and all that, in sist on the document. If he refuses, demand your 100, and If he refuses that, threaten suit, and I imagine you will et your money." "That's business," said the Ameri can. "Come with me, will you?" "Now." said the critic when they were In the hansom, "I don't care to appear in this matter. Frames is a good fellow personally and always claims that it is his rascally clerks that make these little misUkes. I'll sUy in the hansom whila you go inside." When Dives, with the picture under his arm, came in and recognized and was recognized by the clerk who sola it to him, the latter becams pale with excitement, and almost fainted with the fear that he would not act his part as well as the other fellow had evident ly acted his. "I see you know me." cried the pur chaser, "and probably you know why I've come back." "Haven't the sllchtest Idea, 'pon my soul I haven't," said the clerk with his teeth chattering. 4Oh, yes, you have. I can see you have. Now," placing the picture on the easel with the wrapping removed and shaking his finger at it, "you said that was a Meissonier. All right. I want a written certificate to that effect." "I beg pardon, but it Isnt usual to give that." "I happen to Know thai it is." "Only in exceptional cases, sir." "Well, this is an exceptional case," "Very sorry, sir, but we can't do it in this insUnce." WelL sir. IU tell you what you cando, bit. What you must do, sir. You give me back my 100, and be darned quick about it, do you hear?" When tho American came bacK to the hansom he said: "See that?"' showing the crisp tank notes, "I got back my 100." "Thank God." said tbe critic ae- voutlv, and doubtless the American wonders to this day why a stranger took such intense interest in keeping him from belnz cheated. Titled American Holies. A vivacious and accomplished young woman in New York society, who lives on Madison avenue not far from Thirty fourth street, has been devoting many of her leisure hours since she graduated at Mount St. Vincent Acadamy last summer in compiling a volume contain ing sketches of the American belles who have become the brides of European no blemen. She entered on her work with the vim and tact of an experienced re porter, and made the very best use of the sjieclal advantages she possessed by laying under contribution all her city friends who have spent an extended time in Europe, as well as the ladies ot the foreign embassies in Washington. Already she has a list of over 100 nota ble names, and as she will pass tbe sum mer in Europe with her parents she cau complete the work there. One of ths raost interesting features of the book, of which a small edition is to te pnnteu for private circulation, will be the chap ter devoted to the married lives of the ladies who have assumed titles and adopted a more aristocratic style of liv ing than that to which their American sisters are accustomed. The lady who expects to enter the most exclusive so cial circles will give the result of her personal observations, and take nothing from hearsay. The favored few who v. Ul have the privilege of reading the volume will then leant many secrets that all American women have beea anxious to possess. They will expect to be told frankly whether crests and cor onets are really as enchanting a3 they are pahiied. The manuscript of the forthcoming volume is written ou tint ed paper, in a strong and clear but es sentially feminine hand. The authorities of NeHge, Neb., have Us posed a special tax on every business man in town In ordnr to pay fcr public improvements. "Who cares for tbe reflection uncon scious mirrors make? There u) only one worth looking at, that of the hu man eye." - . , .-. ; Small steel castings can be annealed like steel forgings by heating to a full red, covering with hot ashes, and allow ing three or four hours to cool A MIND READER. Remarkable Seance Between an Edi tor and a Sweet Girl Graduate. "Could I see tbe editor?" she asked. looking around for him, and wondering what was going on under tbe table. "Eh! yes. I'm him." responded the editor, evolving himself, and slipping a corK in his vest pocket. "What can I do for yon?" "I am a student in Packer Institute,' responded the blushing damsel, and I've written a little article on 'Our School Days,' which I should Uke to have pub lished If you think it is good enough." "Certainly," replied the editor, gaz ing in unconscious admiration upon the beautiful face before him. "Does It commence: 'Our school days! How the words linger In sweet cadences ou the strings of memory?' Is that tbe way it runs?'' "Why, yes," responded the beaming girl "Then it goes on: 'How we look forward from them to the time when we shall look back upon them!' How do you know?" "Never mind," said the editor, with the engaging smile which has endeared him to his fellow-citizens. "After that comes: 'So sunshiny I So they have flown Into the lmmuterable past, and come to us in after life only as echoes In the caves of sweet recollections.' Isn't that it?" "It certainly is," answered the as tonished girl, radiant with delight "How could you know what 1 had written?" "Then it changes the pianissimo and becomes more tender: 'The shadows gather round our pallu The roses of friendship are withering, but may we not hope that they will bloom again, as we remember the affections that bound us here and made " "No, you're wrong there," and the toft eyes looked disappointed. "Is it 'Hope on, hope ever?' " asks Me editor. "That comes in further on. You aad It nearly right. It is: 'The dun lhadows close in around us. The now irs of friendship are sleeping, but not withered, and will bloom again iu af fectionate remembrance of the chains ;hat bound us so lightly.' " "Strange that I should have made Lliat mistake," said the editor musing 'y. ' I never missed ou one before. From there it goes: 'Schoolmates, let as live so that all our days shall be as radiant as those we have known here, and may we pluck happiness from every bush, forgetting never that the thorns ire below the roses, and pitying those whose hands are bruised iu the march through life." "That's it!" exclaimed the delighted ;irl. "Then comes. 'Hope on, hope sver.'" "Sare's your born," cried the editor, blushing with pleasure and once more 3ii the track. "Yes, yes, you're rljjht," giggled the ;irl. "1 can't can't see how you found me out! Would you like to print it r" lad her f.ice assumed an anxious shade. "Certainly," responded the editor. "I'll say it Is by the most promising young young lady in the village, the daughter of an esteemed citizen, a lady who has tasen a high social rank." "That finishes the school commence ments at one swoop," sighed the editor, gloomily, as tbe fair vision (bate 1 out "Can't see how I made the blunder about the shadows and rose3and friend ship. Either I am getting old or some of those girls have struck something original. Hero, Swipes, tell the fore man to put this slush In the next tax sales supplement," and the editor felt in bis chair for tbe cork and wondered vat had happened to his memory. The Public Debt Statement. Washington, July 1, lSSt!. The public debt was reduced last month over $'J.0O.0Oi, and for the fiscal vear, which closed with June 30tl, over $0,(hj0,0U0, against S"KJ,44'J,7U'J the preceding year. The bonded debt shows a reduction during tho year just closed of S."0,l.'Ji;,S.-0 all of which was in the 3 per cent. loan. There has been also during the year a reduction in out standing certificates of deposit of $11, 330,000; gold certilicats, $-i0.fro,3.w, and silver certificates, $13,414,721, mak ing a total reduction in this form of in debtedness of $73,430,07t. The column showing debt on which interest has ceased has increased since last July about $."v00,00O, caused by the call of bonds and their transfer to the nou-interest-leariiig debt upon ma turity. Tbe total amount of three per cent, bonds now outstanding subject to call is $144,046,000. During the year over $30,000,000 of three per cent, bonds held to secure bank circulation, were withdrawn from tho Treasury, thus re ducing the National bank circulation $32.3,000. One year ago the amount held for the redemption of notes of liquidating banks was $3S,400,'J.'fc. It is now '0 140,72t. This represents the actual amount of United States notes deposited by reducing, liquidating and failed banks in the Treasury in lieu of Kmds withdrawn, and tliat amouut of Uuited States notes is withheld from circula tion. The gold fund shows a loss since June 1st of $o,,J77,27. in bullion, and a gain of $'2,300,005 in coin, making the net loss $3,580,610. The bullion was exchanged for cirtifl- cates and doubtless withdrawn for ex port. The Treasury holding of gold, however, shows no material change for the month just closed, the amount held not covered by certificates ling $150, 793,74'J. an increase over June l3t of about $500,000. The amount cf free gold held by the Tieasurv Julv 1st, 1SS5, was $120,2Ui, 805, which is Efiarly $:!0,500,0u0 leas than the amount now held. While the Treasury gained this large sum in gold during the jast twelve months, it ma terialv reduced its outstanding gold liabilities by redeeming nearly $47,000, 000 in certificates, cutting down these liabilities from $127,000,000 on July 1, 1S85, to $30,000,000 on July 1st, 18S6. The number of silver dollars in the Treasury is 1S1,253,&C0. an increase for the month of 3,C00.CW, and for the year of 15,840,444. The nuiuber of these pieces held not covered by outstanding certificates is 03,137,341, an increase of over 29,000,000 since July 1, 1?5. The r.uniber of sUver dollars in circulation is over 52,000.000, against 39,000,000 one year ago. During the year the out standing silver certificates were reduced from 101,000,000, to 88,000,000. A railroad from Washington to Mount Vernon is on the tapis. The nalrno christo slant is now ex- tanxtvAiv nnltivatml in South Carolina and the Sea Islands as 4 substitute for cqfton. A How to Shoot Cats. A tall man rushed into a gun store on the Bowery. He had a haggard face and a wild eye. "Got any air-guns?" he shouted, looking around with a desperate dyna mitical look. The clerk got behind the reporter and mildly replied: "Yes." "Trot her out, quick!' thundered the man, glowering at the trembling clerk behind the reporter. "Here's a good one for $10," faltered the clerk with a tremor in his voice like that of a dying Italian tenor. "Too much," groaned the man des pondingly. "I've only got $5." "What do you want it for?" ventured the clerk. "What is it I want it for?" yelled the man, glaring fiercely at the clerk. "If you had a thousand cats in your back yard every night, and hadn't slept a night for a week, young man, you wouldn't ask me what I wanted an air gun for!" "Oh, I've got just what you want for $5,'' said the clerk, taking down a small rille from the window. "You can knock the Enterpean inspiration out of a hun dred cats a night with this little instru ment." "Yes, but the report of the rille will bring a hundred policemen," retoited the man, "and they'd make more noise than a million cats." "Yes, but this doesn't make more noise than the air-gun," rejoined the clerk, "the Flobert cartridge is used and is almost noiseless." The man appeared satisfied, laid down a five dollar bill and went out with the rille and a couple boxes of cartridges. "Do many people use the air-gun?"' inquired the reporter. ".Several years ago the air-gun was very popular. Now it is only used in an occasional shooting gallery. S)ino people tried to use it for shooting cats. It was noiseless, but was only effective at fifty feet. The invention of those noiseless cartridges that will send a ball the size of a pea 250 feet brought these small rilles into use foi that pur pose. Indeed, there are hundreds of people who keep these rilles in thrir rooms for no other purpose than to shoot cats, This use of them is so common that people call them the rat-and-cut rille." "Do they shoot rats with these rilles?" "Certainly. Some shoot them after the rats are caught in the traps. Other don't wait for the rats to get caught, but place the bait, and shoot the rat as soon as he makes his appearance. An old longshoreman goes down to the docks every day and shoots wharf rats for hours together without attracting attention." "Are these rifles used for other pur poses?" "Not very much. A few people that go into the country buy them to shoot birds and squirrels. Shooting galleries are also substituting them for air-guns. Hut their princip:d use i3 to shoot rats and cats." "Why Ls the cartridges noiseless?" "The ordinary cartridge ha.fgunpov der. This cartridge contais fulminating mercury, the same as is used iu cajs and a small quantity gives the same ve locity to the ball that a large quantity of gunpowder will. You see the cartridge is a very little Larger than an ordinary ier cussion cap and it makes scarcely more noise." Empty Wallets. Recently two men, who were after wards found to lie Detroiters. arrived in a town aiwut tiftv miles to the west ol this, leading a pig. It was perha big enough and heavy enough to be calle a hog, but they termed it a pig, ana a? they turned it over to the care of the land lord at whose inn they proposed to rest for the night one of the men explained: "Be awful careful With that pig. He's a daisy a new breed just from Scotland. We've sold him to a farmei out here for $50, and we don't want anything to hapjeii to him." The landlord locked the pig up and legan to think and cogitate and siisiect. M hen the strangers had gone to uea ne called in some of the boys and said: "I've twigged the racket; them two fellows are sliarpers, and that's a guess- iiic Pig. To-morrow they will give you a chance to euess at its weight at ten cents a guess, and you'll be cleaned out onlv you won't: As the teliows sleep we will weigh their pig and beat their game." Nobodv slept until the pig was taken over to the scales and weighed. IU pulled down 170 pounls to a hair, and the villagers went home and hunted up their nickels and dreamed of pigs and scales and sharpers through the remain der of the night Next morning the nig was led arouml in front, and before starting off on his journey, one of he owners remarked to the assembled crowd: 'Gentlemen, I'm going to weigh thu pi,: directly. Mavbe some of you would like to guess on his weight? J'U take all ( guesses at ten cents eacn, aim uoeei hits it gets fifty cents." This provoked a large and selected i stock of winks and smiles, but no on walked up until the pig man said that any person could guess as many times as he cared to, provided a dime accompa nied each guess. Then a rush set in. Three or four merchants put up fifty guesses each. A justice of the peace took thirtv. A lawyer said alout twenty would do for him. Before t here was any let up in the guessing about 0O0 had leen registered and paid for. Every soul of 'em guessed at Impounds. It was curious what unanimity there was in the suessing. but the pig men didn't seem to notice it. AVhen all had been given a chance the pig was led to the scales, and Io! his weight was ex aetlv 174 non nils! "Vnn om o-pntlonipn " einlained the si-okesman, "while this animal only weighed 170 pounds along about 11 o'clock at night; we feed him abu five pounds of cornmeal in the morning 1- J fore weighing! You forgot to take this , matter into consideration!" I Then somebodv kicked the landlord. and he kicked the justice, and the jus-1 tiee kicked a merchant, and wnen tne . pig men looked tiack from a distant hill the whole town was out kicking itself , and throwing empty wallets into the river. TThit. otar-h dliTited and mixed with . the color to be printed, is a new sub- stitutefor china cay ia printing ia- brics. Grandpa ,:T11 me, Ethel, why do you have six buttons on your gloves?" : -c-M.4.1 "Van mrandDa. dear. I will, fiwip o I tell you. The reason is, if I bad seven 1 buttons or nve tney wouiu not matcu . the six buttonholes. Administering the Chiucso Oath. A Chinaman named Lee Din was brought before Tolice Judge Lawler, of San Erancisco, for examination on a charge of having made an assault upon Yee Toy, one of his countrymen, with intent to murder him. As scon as Yee Toy was called as a witness for the peo ple, the defendant, through his counsel, asked that the witness be required to take the Chinese oath, that is to say. cut off tbe head of a chicken while de claring to tell tho truth. Judge Law Ser said that he did cot keep chickens on band for that purpose, whereupon defendant's counsel stated that the defense would provide the chickens to be decapitated and that a messenger was on his way with a num ber of fowls. In a short time a China man came Into court with a sackful of chickens, a bucket and a keen-edged cleaver, and laid these on the floor ia front of the witn33-stand,and a China man, after tying a pullet by the legs handed it, together with the cleaver, to the witness, who hesitated about taking them. Judge Lawler asked how this peculiar oath should be administered. Special counsel for the people stated that his client Informed him that it was tbe duty of the witness to cut off tbe head, while counsel for the defense said that his client told him that the ac cused party is the one who must b) the executioner. Interpreter Alillard, in answer to a question by the court, said that as he understood tbe matter tbe head of a fowl ls only cut off when it is desirable to obtain the truth from the witness upon a particular point. An English-speaking Chinaman volun teered the information that before the cutting tbe witness must subscribe his name to an calh stamped upon paper made in China for that purpose, and also sign it. Judge Lawler, after re marking that there ip.eared to be a diversity of opinion as to what is the proper course to pursue, asked a re porter who was present what he knew about the custom. "The custom, as explained tj me," said the reporter, "is that the witness about to be interrogated is the one to cut off tbe fowl's head, and while doing so must say, 'As I cut off the head of this chicken may I be beheaded if I do not tell the truth.' " "That, I suppose," said the jud;e, "is correct, but it would be better to have some Chinaman here to explain to the court how this peculiar oath shall be administered, and for this purpose the case will be adjourned." The case was then adjourned and tbe parties interested disapiared from the court-room, very much to the disgust of Bailiff McNamara, who expected that he would be able to secure a couple of the executed chickens for supper. An Early I.ynchin;; I'arty. Captain Freeh recently left Memphis for his new home in Kentucky. He was a citizen of Memphis before, proba bly, any other German now living here, set foot on these bluffs, and he entertains some very interesting remin iscences of those davs when the south ern boundaries cf the city were at l'o lar street and the county site at U il- elgh. One Incident especially deserves to be recalled on account of Its inher ent humor a lynching in which some of our most respected Germans, now gray-headed men, took a promiuent part. At that time about lorty years ago Memphis did not enjoy a great reputation for peace and quietness, Murders were frequent; punishmen-.s few and far between; in one word, the situation was such as to bold out every inducement to Judge Lynch. Oae day another most brutal murder occurred. A Main street merchant was shot and killed In front ot own door, where he was quietlv sitting beside h s wife. Tne murderer bad been caught and lodged iu tbe county jail at Kal- eigh. The bloody deed caused univer sal indignation, especially among the Germans of that day, who soon reached the conclusion to take tbe law into their own hands. Accordingly they met, procured a rope, and boldly marched to Raleigh, where nobody bad an inkling of their coming. They com pletely surprised the jailer and conld have forced him to surrender tbe keys, but peaceful Germans as they were they first tried persuasion, following the line ot argument that resistance would be useless. This argument seemed to have the desired effect, for though reluctantly, the jailer threw open tbe doors, saying: "Well, boys, if yon must have 'im, go in and get 'im.'' They poured In; but no sooner had the last one crossed tbe threshold than the heavy iron door swung back, and displaying a sarcastic smile, the jailer turned and drew the key. At the same time the court-bouse bell sounded the alarm. The brave avengers were trapped, and immediately had more Important business on hand than lynch- lag their fellow prisoner, namely, to beg off. In this emergency they sent for Captain Freeh, who hastened to the relief of his countrymen. He did not think it prudent to give bonds for all of them, but be succeeded in having them tried on the spot. They were convicted aad fined one cent each an 1 cost, which the captain paid for all of them. This was the first and last Ger man ly nching in Memphis. FOO D FOK. Tin ) UG 1 1 T A little kindness goes a good ways. It costs more to revenge wrongs than to tear them. The trees that are not nKSt in the sua tear tbe sweetest fruit. It is less painful to learn in youth than to be ignorant in old age. Life, that never needs forgiveness, has for its first duty, to forgive. It Is not so difficult to krow one's self, as to confess tbe knowledge. Each departed friend is a magnet that attracts us to the next world. Tbe serene, silent beauty of a holy life is tbe most powerful influence in the world. Trudence ls one of the virtues which were called cardinal by tho ancient ethical writers. No fault can be as bad as the feeling which is quick to see, and speak ot tbe faults of others. Promises made in time ot affliction require a better memory tban people commonly possess. We should not measure the excel lence of our work by the trouble it has cost us to produce it. One of the test rules iu conversat ion is never to sav anything tbat any one present can wish unsaid. Fully to understand a grand and beautiful thought, requires perhaps as much Urns as to conceive it. r NEWS IN BRIEF. Europe is said to have an avail able military force of 9,000,000 soldiers. Mexico loses $1,500,000 a year by smuggling on the United States bor ders. ll'fj't pressure steam is used by Dr. Tathara of Salford for the purification of infected bedding. Au international maritime exhibi tion will open at Havre in the summer of 1S87. A woman with whiskers ten Inches long is a curiosity at Union ' Point, Georgia. The first mention of free trade In print was a no:iee of its operation ia Hungary in 1703. j The State Capitol at Albany, New York, has already cost in round num bcis$;7,500,COO. - -School property in the South is val ied at $0,000,000, against SSS.OOO. 000 m the North. In Stuttgart, Germany, the tricycle hat been adopted by the government lor the postal service. The Chicago Tinus says competi tion has greatly reduced tbe profits of cattle raising la the West. Some sort of an epidemic ' has struck tbe jack rabbits in Nevada, and they are dying by hundred". Despite the Increased patronage.the Brooklyn bridge was run at a loss the first three montb3 of this year. When run to its full capacity an Akron, Ohio, match factory turns out 57,000,000 matches in one day. "Succotash valley" is the ecpltoniou? and appetizing nam of a settlement near Taconia, Wajhiugtou territory. Three million dollars worth of fish talen from California water?, are an nually exported to China, it is stated. Gen. Logan's daily mail at times, It is said, numbers three hundred let ters. The average Is over two hun dred. There were 373 mad dogs reported In London during 1830. Tbe largest number for any monti was 53 in No vember. Last year 3235 dead horses and over live times that number of dogs were removed from tho streets and al leys of Chicago. Fully ten. perhaps twenty, per cent, of the liquor saloons in Ohio, it is reported, have closed or are closing out under the new law. A sewing machine which is held in the hand and operated like a pair of scissors Is one of the latest productions of the Nutmeg State. A vein of coal, the Rochester htm ocrat ls Informed, has been discovered at a depth of 500 feet in tbe salt region of the Wyoming Valley. The convicts in the Wethersfield, Conn., penitentiary swallow a lot of tobacco juice viheneveT tbey wish to enjoy a rest in the hospital. So far this season shipments of Iron ore from the upper psniusula of Michigan are 101,007 tons greater than for the same period last ;?ar. Ddl's Life, the celebrated English pportinii paper, has ce;ised publication lecause ot its inability to compete w'th the daily sporting journals. Records have been preserved of only about 171,000 of the dead soldiers, while the remainder of the 300,000 lie in honored but unknown graves. A Mastodon's tusk, measuring over six feet in length and 25 inches in cir cuniferance at the widest part, has been unearthed in Rio Vista, Cah Q:ieen Kapoline, consort of King Kalakaua. makes a tour of the United States next fall. She is expected to arrive in San Francisco in August. The General Theological Seminary of New York, an Episcopal institution, holds a mortgage on Wallack's new theater as secunty for a loan of $95. 0U0. A farmer in Condon. Neb., adver tises for a wife, and specifies that she must be about six feet tall, weigh 250 pounds, have red hair, and be an atheist. The Stockton, (CaL) Mtil says that the craze there now is for big roses, and one has been grown in tbat town this spring eighteen inches in diameter. Wyoming lakes are so charged with roda that it accumulates in great quan tities around the edges, whence it ls bauled away and worked into commer cial forma, The iron bridge over the Missis sippi River at Yazoo City, Miss., was begun in 16-', and has cost tbe town $25,000, but shows no sign of immediate completion. Melons were at first called canta loupes from being cultivated at Cante- luppi, a villa near Rome, where they bad been introduced from Armenia by missionaries. Mrs. Elizabeth Wade, of Madison. Ma., is seventy years of age, and yet she has recently completed a bed quilt of 1,009 pieces, using 1,009 yards of tbread iu joicg the pieces. Two thousand Indians from Nevada and Utah are holding a gran t fandaneo on the Humboldt River. Many foreign tribes are represented. The object of thtir meeting is not known. Recent letters from Rome state the famous carnival, that in days gone by was one of the glories of the Eternal City, is rapidly dying away. a3 is the case also m Taris and Madrid. Miss Cbarlotto Stark, granddaugh ter of General Stark, of Bennington fame, has a museum iu her house at Dunbarton, and exhibits an assortment of relic3 of the Bennington battle. Sleet storms last winter are declar ed to have caused a million dollars worth of damage in Worcester county, Mass., alone. In many New Euglaud localities whole acres of thrifty younir forest trees were ruined. J. W. Dunkin, of Auburn, Neb.. owns a colt with two legs and five feet. The hind legs are normal. In front ther are no legs, but under the breast Is a lump from which grow three feet. The colt thrives. Actiug Secretary Fairchdd says that eflioient measures liave been adop ted m Manitoba for the suppression of contagious diseases of animals, and that there Ls believed to be no danger of the introduction of glanders into the United States. In these days, when two-headed and four-legged chickens are batched pn every farm, It is a possible relief to read that Owon Craven, of Raadolph Countv, Ma, has a one-legged Fly inonthRock chick that U perfectly healthy and hops about on its one leg Wit apparent pleasure. I - a 1 J 1 wo she saia arc Vbtntan j 9 JVs) " 4 JT01 1
Significant historical Pennsylvania newspapers