-MJsi7f,i;ufmwili'm.!-lnw
Ml.ilil)lilll.lli It
I
B. F. SOHWEIER,
THBQOISTITDTIOI THE TJIIOI AID TIE EROlOQfZn 0? TSB LAYI.
. r -
Editor and Proprietor.
'K
VOL. XL.
MIFFLINTOWN, JUNIATA COUNTY, PENNA.. WEDNESDAY. DECEMBER 22, 1SS
NO. 52
' ii)h.iuiuiiiii.i.i'iiiuhjuh i nimln,tFuW,w,jiw-i, hi ipiw hm
:tr.'tfrs-i-jii:".:' ciiini rM.:i?r!.r... ...1,.....:..,.,ii:i.-1ji.'t:di -.! ..;n'..u;..:iiw?,.;.t.-,.i.;...-i im i num.
flirce Words of Sti-rnjjth.
Tiare are tliree lessons I would wrile
Hire words as with a burning pen,
In tracing of eternal light,
C pon tlie Leans of men.
Have hope. Though clouds environ now
And plwlness hides her saoe in scorn,
Put thou the shadow from thy brow
No nicht but hath its morn.
II ive faith. Where'er thy bark is driven
Tlie cx'm's disport, the tempest's mirth
Know tl:is Jod rulrs the host of heaven.
Hie luhabitants of earth.
II ire love. Not lore alone for one;
jsui man, a man, thy brothers caiL
i scatter, like the circling inn
i tiy cuanuw ou ar.i
.us prare these lusons on ihy
IJope, Faith and Lore and thou shalt
liud
rvnTh when life's surges rudest roll,
I.it-t when Ihou a:sa wert blind.
THE "PAWNED WATCH.
"Taking the line 3, 4 as the base,
I "
David Kershaw's eyes wandered
from the book to the window. There
nothing to be seen there but a red
i-r ck wall about three feet distant.
Y en they traveled wearily over the
i. lis of his room, with their soiled red
.1 yellow paper, the bare floor, the
i , ap table piled with books, the cot-1-1
m the corner.
If one had even a Cre or a stove!"
i e muttered, kicking at the black
;;.tin; of the register, through which
x ;eeble supply of warm air crept into
tl.e room.
lie took up his book, scrolling impa
tiently. "If I take 3, 4 as the base " and
a,ain the book dropped off his knee.
'Tour years of this! Four years of
utter solitude! You've taken too big
a contract Dave! You can't go through
with it"' and he fell to staring gloomily
it the bricks outside of the window.
lave Kershaw was a country boy,
us d to a free outdoor life, to a big
lioi.se with roaring fires and to a large,
jjy family of young people, lie had
La working for years for the money
to carry him through college, and bad
come up to begin his course three
months ago.
He had not an acquaintance in the
ire at city. lie rented this attic room,
bought his dinner for ten or fifteen
jents at a cheap eating-house, and ate
packers and cheese for his breakfast
md supper, ills clothes were coarse
iii' I ill-CUirg. and be was painfully
luscious of it. and held himself hangb
tr.y aloof from bis fellow-students.
Co lege lads are not apt to break
thiough any shell cf pride and sullen
lees to find the good fellow beneath.
im-y simply let uavid alone witn a
ca eless indifference more galling than
d.silke.
He plodded silently from the college
to his bare room, and thence to the
miserable eating-house day after day.
Being naturally a genial, good fellow,
the thought of the four long, lonely
years sickened him.
ana put his bead out to catch a glimpse
of the street into which the alley
opened. A young man on horseback
passed at the moment. It was Jourdan
Mitchener, one of his class. lie rode
a blooded mare, and was fully equippsd
in corduroy coat and knickerbockers,
cream-colored leggings and gauntlets.
"A reularswelll" thought Kershaw,
laughlr.g good-humorediy. IIo had
noticed this Ciccsus of the college be
fore. "He has a good strong face.
Well, luck's unevenly divided in this
world!" taking up his book with a very
ieep s:yh.
Half an hour later there was a knock
lit the door. David op.-ued it, expect
itg to see his landlady, but thire stuod
iltcbeijer. smiling, wh'p in hind.
".Mr. Kershaw?" lilting bis hat.
"Adiamed not to have known you
bei. re, but there is sueh a lot of us fellow-,
you know. Thanks, yes," Uk
iug a chair. "My mother saw your
name in a catalogue, and sent me to
tell you that your mother and she were
dchuolmates and friends, 'Daisy and
Lily,' that sort of thing I believe.
My mother married a city man, and
for that reason, during the years that
have passed, has lost sight of her old
ilioolmates who lived away fioui the
city."
'And my mother married a farmer,
and has been poor all her life." Inter
rupted David, morosely.
"Yes, ye3. American 1 fel Up to
day hui down to-morrow," carelessly.
Something in Mitcheuer's manner
made his wealth and David's poverty
appear paltry accidents, to which they,
as men, were loftily superior. Before
they had been together uu minutes,
David felt his morbid gloom d;sapiar.
He began to talk naturally and laugb
heaitily. "This Mitchener was a thor
ough good fellow," be rote home that
mtrht "Was not conscious, apparent
ly, that he was worth a dollar.,'
The truth was that Jourdan fully
siv-eeiated the value of his father's
great wealth, but he was a courteous
young fellow, and knew bow to put a
poor and awkward lad at his ease.
Kershaw was invited to dinner at
Mil Kitchener's on Sunday. He went
bout the next day after this dinner iu
a daze of delight, as it he had been
put-ing through a golden mist, and had
brought some of it still clinging to him.
He hummed a tune as lie pored over
his i roblems. He did not see the bare
floor and hideou3 wall-pa; er, but the
beautiful home in which he had been
treated as an honored guest. The Per
iau carpets, the statuary, the table
bri l ant with flowers and silver, even
the delicious flavor of the dishes lin
gered gratefully on his long-starved
puia.e. He bad met, too, women more
charming and men more gently-bred
than he had ever known before.
What a world they lived in! He was
even yet bewildered by bis glimpse into
it. Every luxury and delight waited
on the lifting of their hands. Libra
ries, galleries of art, operas, balls, voy
ages to Europe, to the Nile! This was
lifel He wanted more of it
lira. Mltchener bad asked him to
cu,e often; had offered to introduce
him to her friend?, "a gay young set,
she said. He walked up and down the
room, flushed and panting. Ho baa
never dreamed of such a world! ue
must see more ot it! How stale and
dull the Latin and mathematics seemed
But how to compass it? He could
not go again without a dress suit tre
had seen one that day in a second-hand
shop, very cheap. His blood grew hot
at the Idea of weani g same other man a
cast-off clothes, but be pushed tnat,
thought aside,
How could he raise the moaey?
drew out bis watch. It was a gold one,
the one luxurious possession in we
fimi!v. His father bad solemnly given
it to him when he left his home, say ma
-It was mT father's. I're epfc "
my bureau drawer for twen.y J1
eaiwi
LhlP- You're goin' out Into
";orl,f You'll never disgrace it,
fJJK Remembering the old man's
bIS ?.h.l!?l(l vld trust it back
into bis pocket
joVF!" a snob 1 aml To part with
I 'Tteh for a suit of old clothesP'
UUt the next moment ha thnnirh ha
could pawn it. ne would soon nave it
cave tbe money or earn I
somehow.
It was not as if he were yielding to a
.iuu3 temptation or tbe town gamb
ling or drinkinir. T.'m avlotv nr thuu
high-bred penpis would elevate, educate
him. Tiae was a Up at the door and
tuiu.ucuer came in.
"So, can't sit down; I'm In a hurry.
Brought a message from mi tnnthpr
She wDuld bke to have you join an
opera party to-night. Eight or ten
young people. Meet at our house, box
at the opera, and back to supper after-
"u. xou ii come, xuat a rigat.
Good morningl"
"Xo! no! Stav! Mr. Mithpnr!
His common-sense suddenly rose strong
and clear. I ought not to begin this
life. It's your life not mine. I'm a
poor man. I have four years of bard
work here before me, and after that my
living to earn. Even the hour at your
bouse yesterday ruinsd me lor study
wuay."
"Well! well!" said Jourdan. care
lessly. "Do not be so vehement about
it. Ixoing once to tbe opera will not
make you a man of fashion for life.
l hink it over and come. Give the col
lege the go-by for a day."
"Oh, by the way." he added, color
ing a little. "Cau I be of pecuniary
service to you Kershaw? Xo, don't be
onenaea. i nave more or tbe Illthy
lucre than I know what to do with.
The fact is, I was j jst going to buy a
terrier that I don t want. Now. if I
could lend the money to you, it would
oe real pleasure to me."
"Thank you!" Kershaw stammered,
touched, yet angry. "I do not need
any money. I have everything .1 need
clothes and all," be added with a
gulp.
"Now I am in for iU" he groaned.
when Alitchener was gone. "If I dont
go to their party they will think I had
no clothes l.t to wear. The watch has
to go!"
He paced the floor, one minute blam
ing himself for a snob, the next thrilled
with delight at the thought of tbe
evening's pleasure. II is books lay
neglected all day. lie could not quiet
Uie raging whirl and confusion in his
mind enough to think of study.
He decided on nothing until nearly
dark, when he rushed out, pasd the
watch for one-fourth it value, and
bouBht the evenin? suit. There was
not enough money lef f'o buy the shoes,
gloves, etc. necessT to complete the
Ureas. When be -as ready to go, even
bis Inexperience! eye could see tliat his
costume did no' set on him as if it were
made for hi Di
li ut whi' matter?, nis friends his
welcom'w-the music Who would caie
. Clun.a liH U'llTef . x
Arrivttd at Lfrs. Kitchener's be dk,
not find himself at all at ease. That
lady was quite occupied with her duties
as hostess, and received bun with care
less civility, giving her attention to her
other guests. They talked of people
and things of which he knew knothing.
The tall, awkward lad, bis hair care
fully oiled and parted, bis red bands
protruding from his short coat-slwves,
sat silent and felt thoroughly miserable
and out ot place. Xow and then he
thonght he saw one of the dainty
women near by scanning bim with fur
tive glances.
They drove to the opera-house and
entered one of the proscenium boxes.
David bad a seat at tuo back, where be
could catch but an occasional glimpse
of the stage and the brilliant audience.
He had been the leader of the choir at
home, and fond of the waltzes and
marches which his sister played on the
old piano, and fancied himself a con
noisseur iu music. Hut be was not
educated to understand this music.
A very pretty, flighty young lady,
Mrs. Bellew. who was the chaperone of
the party, tried politely to make him
talk to her, but m vain. She turned
to Jourdan at last with a shrug of ber
bare shoulders.
"Your friend." she whispered,
"seems to be absorbed by his own
thoughts. He does not look as if he
were enjoying himself. Who is he?''
"One of my mother's last hobbles; a
student in tbe college from the coun
trv." he replied, in the lame tone.
They turned to the stae. Kershaw
saw their smiles, and knew they were
talking of him. His brain was-on Are.
Why had he come hers? Was he not
the equal of these dainty folk, as well
born, as virtuous, as clever, as they?
They dared to despise bim because be
was awkward and ill-dressed!
In his embarrassment and misery he
thrust bh band Into the breast pocket
of the coat, and drew out a little painted
tablet, which he fingered mechanically,
scarcely noticing what It was until be
saw Mrs. Bellew's eyes fixed on it with
amazement and suspicion.
When the curtain fell on the first
act, she came back to him, making
some incoherent remarks about tto
play while she looked at him keenly.
Suddenly she grew pale, and interrupt
ing herself in the middle of a sentence,
said to Kershaw.
"Will you be good enough at the
close of the next act to go with me and
Mr. Mitchener into the anteroom? I
would like to speak with yon."
When they bad reached the anteroom
at the close of the act, she said: I
have a most disagreeable question to
ask Mr. Kershaw. Our house was
robbed by burglars last Tuesday, and
suv and Jewelry and clothes were
taken.. Amongthe rest was an e vening
-i i..iniii Vouhaveitonl
"Aren't you mistaken, Mrs. Bel
, ..u r.,n Mitchener. "One
dress suit is exactly like another, and-
"My husband," she went on, ex
citedly, "wore it to a ball the night
before it was taken. As we came home,
hi put my tablet, with my dances on
it, in one pocket. In the otherwas my
rubv ring which was too large for my
ghDve. Mr Kershaw has the tablet in
Swhanlcallytoust his
them out to her. The power of speecn
and action seemed to be froaenj out of
h with horror. Mieneooked at
him excitedly, but said. P"te'
"Have vou any objections to veiling
Mraf SXew Sow the suit came to your
EEST at him . moment,
full ofrepugnance and contempt for
lew r o j"u" . ,,
mis waa - - -.
hlsoldjattoenter!
clothes," be said at last ' Yon cannot
really think I did that But I bought
them at a pawnshop to-day. I panned
my watch to do It. I wanted to come
here." .
"All right! all right!" Interposed
Mitchener soothingly. "You can send
Mi-, Bellew the name of the pawnbro
ker, and be will recover his silver and
Jewelry. Mrs. Bsllew, the curtain is
up." She flattered softly back to ber
seat, arranging her airy draperies and
flowers, and glanced meaningly at
young Mitchener, as if to express dis
gust for tbe poor wretch who had
bought cast-off clothing to thrust him
self in among people whom be regarded
as bis superiors.
David saw it all, and rose from bis
seat panting and trembling.
"Sit down! Sit downl Kershaw!"
said Mitchener, putting bis band on
his shoulder. David shook it oft
"Xo; I've been a fool, but I've done
with it all now. I'll send back tbe
clothes "
"Oh no!" said Mrs. Bellew. looking
back with a supercilious smile. "Fray
keep them."
David left the box, and rushing
home, stunned with rage and shame,
tore off the stolen clothes and carried
them to Mr. Bellew's house. The next
day Mitchener, who had a good deal of
kindness and tact arranged the matter.
Tbe pawnbroker, who was a receiver of
stolen goods, was forced to give up the
plate. Jewelry and David's watch. The
thieves were discovered and punished.
Mrs. Mitchener, still loyal to ber old
friend, sent David an invitation to a
ball the next weak. He declined it
"I have made a mistake," be told
Jourdan, "but I will not do it again.
My path in life is straight before me.
With God's help. I'll keep in it"
His bitter humiliation had taught htm
juster views of life. As time passed,
he made friends among the other stu
dents, clever, unpretentious young fel
lows, who, like himself, bad their own
way to make in life. His college days
passed quickly. He studied medicine,
and returned to bis native town to
practice.
Twenty years afterward, Mr. Jourdan
Mitchener, passing through this town,
now one of tbe most important cities in
Pennsylvania, became suddenly ill, and
was attended for several weeks by Dr.
Kershaw. He heard from others of tbe
high position held by the physician iu
the community; not only as the bead ot
bis profession, but as an influential clti
tn, foremost in every good work, the
founder of asylums, while his family
was the centra of the most cultured
circle in the city.
Mitchener had married a very wealthy
woman and bad continued to live only
in pursuit of fashionable amusement
"And what nave I gained by it?" be
thought, bitterly, "if I were to die
to-morrow I should be remembered only
as tbe man who kept the best French
cook in New York.
"You were right" he said to the
doctor when be came ihat afternoon.
w w.rxhtta.eep yen own
straight, honorable path, and refuse
to ape fashion."
"I t tried it once, you remember,"
said the doctor, smiling. "Tbe most
fortunate event of my life was my
humiliation about my pawned watch.
It was a bitter dose, but It cured me
effectually. Every tick of this old
watch since" drawing it out "has
said to me: 'Don't be a snob. Keep
steadily on your own path.' 1 owe
much to Mrs. Bellew. Her treatment
of me and my foolish act timed me
back from tbe wrong road. It would
have made my life a failure."
Thanksgiving Dinner in 1033.
Thanksgiving meant much in the
early time of New England, when the
very life of the colony might depend
upon a shower of rain. On all the
coast of New England there is pretty
sure to be a period of drouth in the
suiumer, and this drouth caused the
first comers extreme apprehension.
Tbe soil was light, the sun was burn
ing hot, and the discouraged farmers
saw the corn upon which their exist
ence depended withering day by day.
One of the old ministers of 1G33 wrote
in tbe quaint manner of tbe period,
and not without a touch of Yankee
humor :
"Tbe chiefest corn the people plant
ed before they bad plows was Indian
grain, whose increase is very much be
yond all other, to the great refreshing
of the poor servants of Christ in their
low beginnings. All kiuds of garden
fruits grew very well, and let no man
make a jest of pumpkins, for witn mis
fruit tbe Lord was pleased to feed His
people, to their good content, till corn
and cattle were increased."
But even pumpkins will not grow
without rain. Ia the summer of 1G3 J
there was a dry time so prolonged and
so alarming that the people gathered
together to pray for a saving snower.
As the writer already quoted records.
"the v fell down on their knees." ana
urged It as "a chief argument that the
malignant adversary would rejoice in
their destruction."
The answer promptly came : "As
tbev Tjoured out water before tbe Lord,
so, at that very instant the Lord
showered down water on their gardens
and fields, as the crops from beaveu
fell thicker and faster, so the tears from
their eyes, by reason of tbe sudden
mixture of joy and sorrow."
To crown their happiness, "whole
shiploads of mercies" arrived from be
yond tbe seas. In gratitude for this
torrent of blessings, the seven churches
of New England appointed tbe 16th of
October as a Day of Thanksgiving and
Praise. Thanksgiviag was no mere
form. Ther took up tbe cup of
thanksgiving, and paid their tows to
the Most High."
gome Novels Recommended by a
novelist.
nA mv irrwvl Dublic. Mra. Inch-
bald's "Simple Story," in which you
will find the cnaracter or a young
mh.ii mrhn I made interesting even
bv ber faults a rare triumph, I can
tell you, in our art. iseaa jmuryan.
"Peter Simple" and 'Midshipman Easy'
and enjoy true .humor and masterly
knowledge of human nature. Let my
dear lost friend, Charles Beade, seize
on your interest and never allow it to
drop from beginning to end in 'Hard
Cash." Let uumas seep juu uu uikuk
over "Monte Christo," and Balzac
draw tears that honor bim and honor
yon in "Fere Gorjot" Last not least,
do Justice to a greater writer, shame
fully neglected at the present time in
England and America alike, who in
vented the sea siory -"
i ,.,. i .h.nu'tar nf uTalher Stock-
ing " Bead "The Pilot" and "Jack
Tier;" read "Tbe Peerslayer" and
"The ratuunaer, ana x ucirevo ju
will be almost as grateful to Fenimore
Cooper u I am.
A COSMOPOLITAN CITY.
Victoria, B. OL. a Picturesque Fron
tier Settlement.
It does not take sng in Victoria, to
convince one that although tbe Union
Jack flies over the "Government
House," be is in an essentially Ameri
can town. Tbe first experience is tbe
gauntlet run of wild and vociferous
back men and hotel toutera, evidently
an offshoot of the New York and San
Francisco species. Then tbe United
States money is the universal currency,
some of the Canadian species, although
this is a Canadian town, being looked
upon with doubts (and discounts) by
most of the townspeople. The gener
ous supply seen every whereof "saloons"
and "sample-rooms," where liquor is
copiously dispensed, and the numerous
hotels of all grades, with unfailing
characteristics of California origin,
help to give the same impression. We
have also got among a race of tobacco
chewers, requiring the presence of in
numerable cuspidors' in public places.
Tbe steam fire-engine runs to the fires.
for which, as in American frontier
towns, many wooden bouses furnish
fuel frequently, and the American flae
actually floats from a larger proportion
of vessels in the port of Victoria than
is usually seen in the oort of New
York. These signs, joined with the
favor which the people show to the
American transcontinental railway
lines, add to the American symptoms
that break out copiously. Yet the
town is in reality a cosmopolitan com
munity, as a brief walk about tbe
streets will testify. It has . all the
tuRl sn races and many Americans,
and French, Germans, and most other
Europeans in business and on the high
ways, with Jews and Gentiles ot all
lands, not forgetting a lanre proportion
of Indians and Chinese. Few cities ot
12,000 people, which is about the pres
ent population, can show a greater var
iety of races. In reference to occupa
tions here, a British Columbian guide'
book mentions that Victoria has eight
physicians and ten barristers, and
adds :
' There is a little disproportion in
some callings. For instance, there
are in breweries and wholesale liquor
establishments and 45 retail bars, be
side 22 groceries where liquor can be
sold, but there are only two book stores.
This plentitude of liquor, however.
sneaks well for the climate, for in spite
of these establishments and of four
store specially devoted to the sale of
firearms, there are only two under
takers. There is a telephone
company, four brass band associations,
and a lunatic asylum."
Yet with these copious supplies of
certain kind of characteristics, it must
not bs over-looked that Victoria has its
handsome theatre, and a complete club,
excellent schools and charitable found
ations, and many churches, and that its
people are hospitable and siffliciertly
enterprising to sustain four dailv fcews-
rapora...-- r.-, . --'"S.-r
CAXES AND liOIMSwfitTEA--
Fashion's Fickleness In thn MaffPr
of Walking- Canes.
"It is really quite a marvel, this mat
ter of fashion Ls," observed a dealer in
varieties as he stood looking through
bis glass door and talking to a news re
porter: 'CanesI Aow you would thiuk
there was any room for a change of
fashion.' 2so well, there are a few
things in which fashions cliange more
frequently. You didn't know that
Certainly not: you are carrying a silver
head. That s last year's. hat you
ought to have to be in proper form is a
natural wood stick, with a crook to it
It should be large; just as large a you
can carry. As big round as your arm
would be just the thing, if you could
carry it gracefully. Our latest stock
are a little smaller tlian sawlogs.
"In years gone by the dandies (they
arc calli-d dudes now) used to carry lit
tle rattans, which gave gracefully when
they touched the ground. They used
to stand and tip them nervously against
their Iioot heels, and handle them with
a quick motion like a foil. Some of
tlii'in, too, had swords or knives in their
handles. They were all slick and slen
der. Older men carried heavier sticks
of ebony or rosewood, with fancy gold
and silver handles. Or sometimes they
carried hickory or cane with buck horn
handles. The hickory with buckhorn
was verv popular in Jackson's time, and
the buckhorn handle was popular again
when Buchanan was in the white
House.
"A year ago tho heavy rattan with a
silver head, hammered or antique, got
to be very fashionable. Then followed
the buckhorn liandle with silver bead,
which is just now running out An
immense number of each of these styles
have beeu sold during the past two or
three years. Some of them were very
extravagant in their stylo and sold as
high as S3 or $10. A man who really
keeps up to the fashion in these thtags
will not carry cither now. He changes
his cane almost as often as the style of
his coat, or as a woman does her bonnet.
Some young men have a great collection
of canes, iu which they take pride.
"The style now is, as I have said,
natural wood and very large. It must
also be cut in England or be of some
foreign wood and of English manufac
ture. Most of them of course ae made
in New York, but they have got to be
English, you know. Now, maybe you
would not believe it hut we liave
always no thanks, changing and keep
ing up with the fashion; a stock of from
700 to 1,000 canes. They range in price
from $1.50 to $15. Now that, I think,
is a pretty good trade in sticks. Proba
bly $4,000 or $5,000 worth.
"The manner of carrying a cane
changes often, also. Sometimes it is
carried straight up and down, some
times under the arm, and sometimes as
it was a year ago, grasped tight in the
middle and never touched to the ground.
The latest cane, being so heavy, is lifted
laboriously and placed solidly on the
pavement directly in front of the dude,
who then walks around it, leaving his
hand on its head. It looks a bttle as if
be were winding himself up to it Some
get very dexterous at it, and learn to
walk around their sticks with grace and
a dignified deliberation.
"People have a great many fancies,"
continued the dealer after a short pause,
during which an underground smile
crept down from the corners of his eyes
to his chin, without ever quite coming
to the surface. "It is my business to
follow these fancies. I am a vender of
varieties, so to speak. I cultivate them.
There a league of us. Some are invent
ing and contriving them, always looking
and thinking up something tew, while
the rest of us sell them.
"There is one of the latest things in
the ladies' line." He took from the
case a piece of carved tortoise shell,
shaped something like a Taney papor
cutter, ne opened it and there was a
pair of eyeglasses held by the long car
ved handle. It was a tortoise shell bar
for the glasses, but without spring for
the nose or bars for the ears. They are
to be held to the eyes with the band.
"There," said the dealer, "are lorg
nettes. They are something like what
our great-grandfathers used, only more
elaborate. They are exceedingly fash
ionable just now, because they are sup
posed to be English; and, as a matter of
fact, they are French. It is quite the
proper thing for young ladies to use
them, particularly at the theatre. It is
not necessary that they should need any
assistance to their sight They are not
worn for that mostly, but because they
are 'the thing.' Most of them are fitted
with plain glass, so as not to affect the
sight It is a mere matter of affectation
generally. They are carried at the thea
tre, and when driving particularly, but
you see them even in the street cars.
They take tiie place of the fans as some
thing to hold in the hand, and their use
is supjiosed to add grace and elegance to
the bearing. The head thrown back
and one of these held up to the eyes is
thought to be a very graceful and state
ly posture. Then, too, there is a little
of retaliation in the fashion. It gives a
young lady a chance to 'quiz' back at
the man who sits in front of her with
one glass screwed into his eye. They
are used with great effect to empliasize
a conversation, or to repel any undesira
ble advances by the opposite sex. They
may be used also to cover up embarrass
ment They are to her as the 'quiz' is
to him. A lady will draw one on you
and look you over with the coolest self
possession. They are used in every way
that an ordinary eyeglass is, and take
the place of an opera gLv as welL All
the fashionable young ladies carry them.
Tortoise shell is the favorite, though
some are made of silver. The proper
thing is carved tortoise shell. They are
made generally with very long handles
and are elaborately carved. Cost ? Well,
some cost $7, some $14; others trimmed
with gold are more expensive. They
are about the latest craze.'
Domestic Kconomj.
"My brother Fred is engaged . be
married and he's frightened to death
about it," said the sister of a certain
thriving young Boston merchant
to her bosom friend.
"Why, why?" asked the other, with
that convenient double use of why
which makes it at once an effective
exclamation and interrogation; "and
who's he. engaged to? I never notice
that he pays much attention to any of
the girls in our set."
"That's just it He's engaged to
his book-keeper, Miss . She is
just as sweet and nice as she can be,
and we all think everything of her.
She knows a lot, too, and plays and
sings beautifully; she supports ber
mother ber father is dead and gives
sinning lessons, besides earning good
tar-y boositeepr. t rea :ninKs
slit uie one woman in the world."
."Wk.it ia be so frightened about,
then?" ;
"O, pojr fellow, she's so awfully in
dependent" "Doesn't she care about him?
"Dear ma, yes; she thinks tBe sun
rises and sets for his benefit. But she's
teen so used to taking care of herself,
that Fred doesn't know bow he's
going to manage ber."
"Why couldn't he give ber an al
lowance?" "He told me he said something about
that to her, and she blazed up and
asked him if he didn't believe she
trusted him. It's just this way: I've
talked it over a good deal with Fred
and tried to advise him in a sisterly
way, and I know it's very risky to
marry an independent girl. K o matter
bow much a man may love and admire
one, be ean't help feeling that it's safer
to marry a girl like you or me who has
always bad to run to ber father or
brother, or some masculine relation,
every time she wants a paper of pins.
When a girl has earned her own
money it's a good deal harder for ber
to go meekly to ber husband after
she's married and ask for every cent
she has, as if she was a beggar. You
can see how it Is yourself. You have
to ask your father for money now
when he is cross, and just fancy bow
much harder it would be if it was
your husband. But then we are used
to asking somebody, and Miss
isn't. Fred likes her to be high spir
ited, and yet be wisues be could look
forward to having her meek and sub
missive, too."
I'm awfuily sorry for mm. i m
glad Harry isn't worried in any such
way on my account, now ao you sup
pose it will come out?"
I've no idea. I asked t red u mere
isn't something about it in political
economy, but he called me a suiy
thing, and I told bim I'd wasted my
sympathy. He can hoe his own row
now, for I shan't give him ony more
advice."
Currants That Were Alivo.
"Sav miqtAr tinfmme?" said a little
urchin, darting out from behind one of
the stone divinities In the Garden of
the Gods, and almost startling a pie
bald broncho into hysterics.
What have you for sale?" I in
quired "These yere, replied tne smau sales
man, holding up a tin pail.
nite currants.'-'
"Yes, filled with honey," was the
answer.
The bottom of the pad was covered
with small objects that certainly resem
iilaH amhor rnrrantj and as the irenlus
of the garden lifted up one and dropped
it into bis capacious mouth with a
smack of his lips, it was evident that
the wbat-is its were gooa.
'A penny a piece," continued the
boy.
"Great Scott? they're alive," ex
claimed tbe judge, as some of the cur
rants began to squirm.
"Course tney are," saw we ooy.
"You Aidnt 'spase I'd sell dead ones?
1 jest dug 'em over yonder."
In short we had struck tbe famous
honey ant of the Garden of the Gods,
nnil tho fnmnna daintv of the irourmelS
of old Mexico, where in some places
these ants, tne wonaers ox science, are
served alive and kicking on a silver
salver for the delectation of the dark-
eyed epicures.
The laea or lasing me douj ot au
abnormally large ant in the forefingers
and biting off tbe abdomen In a leis
urely way at dessert as one would a
cherry, is not of a nature to become
extremely popular in the east But if
the idea ia disagreeable it must be con
fessed that it is soon overcome, as the
honey ant is a bonne boocbe, and once
eaten a hankering Is established that
continues.
A SEARCH FOR A WIFE.
How They Work It in Far OfT Cala
. bria.
Tbe following extract from "Our
Home by the Adriatic" is an account
of tbe afflictions to which an old Italian
gentleman was subjected, who en
deavored to obtain a wife for bis son
by means of a circular. She lived in
the wilds of Calabria, and thither he
betook himself with Antonio. Ar
rived at the railway-station they were
shown the castel, which was their des
tination, situated on the summit of a
hill. But how were they to get there ?
Italians never use their legs if they can
help it ; a carriage was unknown there,
and not a cart or horse was to be found.
At last a donkey was procured ; it had
neither saddle nor bridle ; but a sack
of flour served for the former, and on
it the elder gentleman mounted while
Antonio got up behind. The bridle
was advantageously replaced by a halt
er, as the animal did not possess a
mouth, and answered only to vocal re
monstrances with a stick accompani
ment. The donkey's master served ai
a guide and companion. He beguiled
the way by numerous interesting an
ecdotes concerning the owiier of the
castle, interrupted occasionally by
strong language addressed to the don
key who, objecting to bis tremendous
load, frequently stopped short in spite
of threats and blows, for several min
utes at a time. At la3t they arrived
at the castle, whose owner received
them courteously. With as little cir
cumlocution as possible, the father
stated the object of his visit, and beg
ged to know whether the amount of
tbe dot was what he had been led to
suppose.
"Would you not like to see my daugh
ter? inquired the host, evading the
question. "She is a charming girl, my
consolaztone.
Now our friend, although he prided
himself on the courtesy of his manners,
knew bow to be stern and to the point
when occasion demanded, so be re
piled: "Not at alb"
When assured that the dowry would
be really forthcoming on her marriage
with his son, lie would see the destined
bride but not before. Then the host
was forced to admit that he thought
there must have been some mistake
that in fact he regretted to say that it
would be quite out of his power to
"come down" with more than halt the
sum demamded.
"In that case," returned Antonio's
papa. There can be no negotiations
between us ; but, as we have come a
long way, we must encroach so far on
your hospitality as to ask for break'
fast"
It was now the turn of the other
papa to say, "Not at all." He was
very sorry ; but it was not the custom
of the country to offer breakfast to
people who hid come on such a delicate
errand. If a marriage had been ar
ranged, then' indeed a sumptuous ro
past would hi ve be quite r regie ; but.
as it was, a cup of biack cotlee was all
that lie could offer without compromis
ing his daughter.
The reader will be glad to learu that,
after sevtral other disapiiointments.
the worthy and energetic father suc
ceeded in securing a daughter-in-law
with the hundred thousand francs be
deured.
Bribery Slost Flagrant.
A Broadway car wb'.ch left the B.it
tery at about 3 o'clock yesterday
afternoon got its first passenger at the
City Hall park in the person of what
the conductor called a dude. He was,
in fact, very gorgeous. His long coat
tails protruded from under the tails of
his abort light-colored top-coat ; his
hands were enveloped in the yellowe.H
of kids ; patent leather shoes adorned
his feet, and his head was, in a meas
ure, held down by an Immaculate silk
bat He, with great care, deposited
bis person in the comfortable lower
corner cf the etr, and in an abstracted
manner looked for his fare. A search
of tbe first and customary pocket
brought forth nothing. .Sudden pain
seemed to disturb Uie young gentle
man's complacent face. He dived into
three unsuccessful pockets, and then
from the fourth hauled out triumphant
ly a nickel. The young man was tem
porarily relieved, but as the car got up
town he seemed troubled about some
thing again.
By the time the car got to Tenth
street it was completely filled. At
Twelfth street several people got in and
crowded the car. At Thirteenth street
several ladies were banging on to the
straps, and the dude was the orly man
seated. At Fourteenth street some
more people got in, and amon them
was an old gentleman who bad in his
charge a sweet-faced, feeble, old lady.
She stood up in front of the dude anJ
bunz on I j the strap. She was a sacrt
little lady, and the position evidently
was a painful one. But the duje look
ed stonily out of the window. The old
rentleman stared at htm. x irst witn
disgust, then in contempt and finally
his emotion was one of anger, sudden
ly be dived down in bis trousers pocket.
His band came up full of silver. Care
fully selecting four quarters from the
pile be leaned over and touched tbe
yoang man. The dude looked up at
him.
"Yonnz man." said the old gentle
man, extending the Tour quarters, "111
give you a dollar for your seat"
"Wrui wnatr" gaspea me youai.
Everybody snickered.
"I'll give you a dollar for your scat,"
repeated the old gentleman.
Tbe dude looKed aazeo. tie gazeo
first at the old gentleman's angry face.
Then his stare wandered over the car,
then fastened itself upon the four silvei
quarters.
"nna " ne rjegao. men, m a
more daaed kind of a way, be reached
out took tbe quarters, slowly got np,
and tumbling off the platform, wander
ed up Eighteenth street
The mud old lady, blusnmg as rea as
if she had been sixteen instead of sixty,
sat down in the vacant seat, the pas
sengers smiled, the old gentleman gazed
out of the window, and the car bowled
merrily along.
A Magnificent Diamond.
A magnificent diamond, weighing
i80 carats, of the finest water, and fret
from all flaws and imperfections, ha.'
just been cut in England. It is owned
by a syndicate, ana is sum io surpass
in weight and quality all the historical
diamonds on record. Some idea of Iti
value may be gotten from tbe fact that
a little piece sliced off the end to Im
prove its shape produced a brilliant o!
nineteen carats and was sold for S20.00C
to a diamond merchant
BIRDS AND BIRD PROBLEMS.
Dr. CL II. Mcrriam lloport The
English Sparrow The Itice Bird.
The ornithological bureau of the ag
ricultural department at Washington
has recently been making investigations
into the relations which several common
species of birds iu tnis country bear to
argnculture. The facts which have
been collected will shortly be made
public in a series of bulletins.
It is the opinion of Dr. C. n. Mer
cian), the head of the ornithological
division, that the English Sparrow
stands at the head of the list of those
birds which threaten destruction to
valuable branches of agriculture. In
'.Lis be agrees perfectly with the little
west end boy who declared recently, In
l composition, that the English spar
rows bave taken possession of the roof
Df the Park Street Church, and "we
ill think they are a nuisance."
According to Dr. Merrlam, the In
crease of these pests is so prodigious
'.hat they invade annually an extent ot
territory equal to 12 j.OOO square miles,
l'hey live and breed in cities, towns and
villages, but during the year they make
lestructive raids into the fruit growing
regions. The question of exterminating
.lie English sparrow is regarded by Mr.
Uerriam as in the nature of a problem
.hat must shortly be solved by tne peo
ple of this country. He says that the
iggregate damage they inflict upon the
fruit growing industry can hardly be
imputed.
Dr. Merriam has also given close at
tention to the bobolink, or rice bird,
lupplementing the results of his own
Jbservation with facts gathered by bis
correspondents. He has discovered
that this bird, wbon it flourishes forth
it the north as the bobolink, is rather
lelpful to the farmers of that region
than otherwise. An examination ot
the crop of the bobolink shows that it
dves on the seeds of destructive weeds
ind on equally destructive insects.
But its appetite varies with its name,
and when it reaches the rice fields of
the south its ravages are enormous. It
reaches these rich pastures when the
train is iu the milky state, and such is
is voracity that Dr. Merriam estimates
lie actual loss to planters at between
13,000,000 and $ 1.000,000. No wonder
Jie rica bird on toast is such a rich and
juicy morsel.
Dr. Merriam extended his observa
.ions to the rice fields of South Carolina,
ind not only studied the habits of tbe
rice lrd, but experimented with a view
to preventing its depredations. He
found that a field of 200 acres required
the employment of fifty men and boys,
who witfi guns, tinpans and other
noise-producing instruments, endeavor
to create such a racket as will prevent
the birds from settling on the rice.
Experiments were made with stuffed
figures resembling hawks. These were
swung on poies, and were successful for
a few d;ys, but the birls soon discov
ered the cheat. Dr. Merriam thinks
that a system of falcon training would
prevent the depredations of the rice
birds, but as the training of hawks and
falcons calls for great skill and pa
tience, it is probable that the planters
will be compelled to depend on the
oia methods.
A Dinner in Islam.
In the Oriental hoirjehold there are
no lixed hours, no fixed habits, no re-
gu'ar sitting rooms, dining-rooms, bed-
rooms. The divan which serves as a
seat or lounging place during the day.
serves as a couch at night. Each per
son eats when disposed to. Sweet-
ueats, sherbets, and coffee, particular
ly the last, are partaken ot at intervals
all day long. When a regular meal is
served, it is usually an "occasion" ct
some sort, and is served in courses.
One dish composes the course. It ls
served on a large platter of copper or
brass or silver or gold, according to
trie wealth of the host. Tbe platter is
piaced on a circular table of the same
circumference as tbe platter, and about
a couple of feet high. Around this
table the guests place themselves either
oa cushions or iu order to be accurate
I must be iu elegant squatting. There
are neither knives, forks nor plates.
uouuug but the huge platter, which en
tirely covers the table ; and from this
huge dish each person helps himself
with the Grst two fingers of the right
hand. Never under any circumstances
must food be touched with the left
baud ; to do so would be to defile it.
A meal served in this way consists of
anywhere from six to twenty-six
courses. Some of them are rather
nice, many ot them very nasty. It is
hardly necessary to say that no wine is
served. The g'Kd Mussulman never
drinks wine in public After every
course servants hand to each guest a
small basin containing tepid water de
licately perfumed and a clean napkin.
Tiiis is very refreshing, and whea the
manner of dining is remembered, very
necessary. There is no lack of liquid
refreshment, but as this is made up of
sherbets ot various flavors, but all ex
tremely sweet, one is apt, about mid
way of the feast, to long for a draught
of cool, clean, comfortable water.
i-skins in Bookbindidg.
A correspondent to the Scottish
Ltailter Trader writes about a Pertt
firm which found a new field for pig
skins, as follows:
These pelts have up till recently beeu
principally utilized in tbe manufacture
of saddlery goods. This (cm had their
attention directed some time ago to tbe
importance of opening up a trade in
importing the ptg-skms to supplement
the native supply of the raw material.
This has proved a great success, and
the result is that the quantity of pig
skins which are now available for tan
ning purposes may be said to be illiml'
able. Consequently, it has been found
necessary to look about for other pur
poses to which to put the tanned and
prepared skin. Experiments ia dyeing
were then resorted to, also in printing
the bides with several designs, which
from their nature they are peculiarly
suitable for, and for some time tbest
skins have been largely in use amonj
upholsterers and bookbinders for the
leather portion of their respectivi
trades. The style and appearance of
the skin has caused it to be well re
ceived on all hands. With a view stil
further to extend its usefulness the fira
have bad some prepared in a levantec
state for the boot trade, and in this de
partmeot thsy have been so successfu'
that the old-fashioned levant sealskir
has now a formidable competitor tc
contend with. It was a perfect treal
to look over some of the finished hidt
tnd handle them.
The sun is spotlesi now.
1SKWS IX BRt EF.
-The demand for steel mcreaea.
New York will Import potatoes.
Malaga grapes were never cheap
er. Valatka, Fla., has a rink for color
ed folks.
Shetland ponies fetch big prices in
Colorado.
Hay in some parts of Colorado Is
$00 per ton.
Figs in small quantities are raised
in California.
Florida's new constitution begins
on January 1, 1SS7.
City hunters killed two oxen for elk,
near Florence, Wis.
Westmoreland county pays $4,200
taxes on her dugs.
Some Vassar eirls, it is said, like a
quie shy at a foot-ball.
Cincinnati manager says the rmk
craze Is a ghost there.
A lady in Mt. Morris has thirty
two pet wild robins.
Prince Car!, of Sweden, is a broad
shouldered six-footer.
A casing in Heading advertises foi
five hundred live rats,
Old-time rifle-shootings for hogs are
revived in Berks county.
All the princes of Germany learn
trades, just to know how.
Cider Is facetiously called "bete
after vinegar" ia Ohio.
They find carp culture easy and
profitable in Z jar, Ohio.
Montreal will put out $25,000 on
her February Ice carnival.
A dash of nutmeg interiorly con
tributes to a pumpkin pie.
An amount of gas has been found
COO feet under Lorain, O.
The next Indiana legislature lias
thirteen contests to settle,
There are willow-ware biiskets foi
dogs coxing as high as $20.
The five dollar silver notes have a
vignette of General Urant,
Farmers report that apples and
pears are not keeping well.
Possums are getting to be a fash
ionable tidbit in New York.
The Boston Ideal chorus girls are
required to weigh under 1GJ.
A Trovidence museum exhibits an
alleged man-eating monkey.
Hickory nuts are scarce, at $2.75 a
bushel, ia New York State.
Mrs. Leland Stanford supports a
night school for stable boys.
A number of citizens of Colfax,
Ind., are digging cyclone pits.
.Sidewalk sign in Salt Lake City:
"Boo.s blacked at a sacrifice."
There's a "voeue" for walkibg
clubs among the Gotham girls.
Mississippi is swelling into promi
nence as a cheese-making State.
California journalism ls compl:
menting n forty-pound cabbage:
Triucess Loui.-e iIitsso: simply,
and pots on no airs whatever.
Emma Abbott '-ii.g.s the Erui:n:
lulhVoy in "The Chiiiita" now.
A rociety belle loasts that she only
uses two dozen hair pins a year.
Invitations to a Connecticut husk
Ing were printed on corn-husks.
Borax-water is good for the hair,
and it whitens the hands, too.
Natural gas will be piped to Tif
fin from two other Ohio towns.
The Troy Times never uses the ti
tle "Mr." before a man's name.
The Interior of Madison Square
Garden is to be bettered 15,0o0.
The chimney alone of a soap fac
tory, near Cincinnati, cost $'A,000.
A ladies' walking club has a daily
parade on Fifth avenue, New York.
Savannah has a paper called the
Call, published by Knights of Lalxjr.
Plenty of elderly Connecticut la
dies cau still use the spinning wheel.
B Seven oil of birch distilleries in
Connecticut are making wintergreen.
An extraordinary snow-fail has
broken down the orchards in Akron, O.
Farmer Bowman, of Byberrv, Pa.,
is try ing to fatten up a hog to 700 lbs.
Times are goixl and money is
plenty, several New York papers say.
Mrs. Gen. Hancock is writing a
book of reminiscences of her husband.
John nope, of Bow Park, Ont ,
has sold a short-horn heifer for .OW.
Mrs. George Gould wears diamond:
on a black velvet band round her
n?ck.
Mr. Edw. Harrington h.ia beer.
playing in New York steadily fur ovei
ten years.
One single oyster will produce 123.-
000,000 younz oysters in the course of a
yar. It mutt give au oyster some anx
iety to look after his family.
New York City Is building electric
wires of all kinds as rapidly as possibie,
under crouud, in subways. There art
four electric street r..;hv.ijs in New
York.
The use of natural gas fuel has
led to the manufacture of mirrors in
Pittsburg. The quality of the glass to
retain the silvering and give a per
fect production of the object must b
of the best.
Japan has a Ssliing population oi
l.fiul.OOO. At their last National Ex
hibition the Japanese showed 3,0o7artic
les connected with fishing and 6,474
kinds of goods made from fish and
aquatic plants.
A new kind of horse shoe has beeD
invented in France. It is mad entire
ly of sheens' horn, aud is said to have
particular adaptedness for horses em
ployed in towns, as they do cot permit
the animals to slip.
In a lecture at tbe Royal Institute.
Tx)udrin, Prof. Oliver Lodge has en
deavored to show that electricity might
be employed to clear the upper atmos
phere of great cit:es of the over-hanging
clou'Li of dust aud smoke.
At Medou, France, a very large
balloon is now in course of construc
tion. It is to be steered by means of a
con itiuotiiSy rotating sail-rudder, driv
en by an -lctro-motor. for which a
primary battery will supply current.
I'.imi the London papers we learn
that Father Damen, who has long been
Rr-own as the Aposiie or tha Lepers at
Moiokai, has beeu at last stricsen down
with the dread disease, and wUi hence
forward remain continually with the
aillicted with whom he has spent so
uiii 'li time In past years.
I!':c'ifs mav l3 sent for testine to
t!ie Kew Observatory in London, and a
iwtitlcatecf .. ! :: will be given.
t so xtr"ui? is li e accuracy lequired
i! at no watch cau be m i!kd Crst-class
wilier varies as much as one tick fci
43.000.
:i1
itreall ttfTilitfr,
if: