Professor Felix L. Oswald predicts
this country will have 800,000,000 in
j habitants Id 1993.
New York City is wrestling with
tbe problem of whether women are to
be allowed on tho school board.
The Ohio Legislature ha 3 passed a
law declaring that no slirubbory, ex
cept an Osago orange hedge, shall be
considered a legal line fence.
An agricultural order of merit is to
be given annually to officers aud
others in the French army who pos
sess special knowledge of technical
works useful to agriculture.
February was tho coldost month
known iu Siberia for several decades.
It was almost impossible to hoat
houses to a comfortable temperature,
and water poured out of a bucket in
the open air froze before it reached
the ground.
There are no native kangaroos ex«
cept 011 the continent of Australia.
That country contains about 11,000,000
of Ihe in. Over a million skins a year
are shipped to the United States for
u»c in bootmaking. Each skin will
make about four pairs of ordinary
sized shoos.
It has hitherto been the law in Japan
that if a woman was not married by s
certain age the authorities picked out
a mail and compelled him to marry
her. The Mikado has just abolished
this usage. In future Japanese women
wiil he allowed to live and die muids
as in European countries.
following the purchase of 4f',000
seres of land in Florida by a syndi
cate, another syndicate, announces the
Atlanta Constitution, has purchased
92,000 acres of timber lands in Sun
flower County, Mississippi. Outside
capitalists stand ready to buy Southern
land whenever they can get it iu large
tracts.
Paul 1». Chaillu, the great traveler,
told a reporter lately that he was
weary of civilization, and that al
though it was very nice (the word is
his own) to enjoy the luxuries of a
large city, lie was more couteuted in
the wilds of Africa. "You know,"
said the explorer, "that thero is some
thing fascinating about that country
to me."
The tracks of the j;rcat Atlantic
liners between the United States and
Great Britain arc as accurately made
»ut and followed us if they were built
on laud, tho winter track being some
distance south of tho summer track
because of icebergs. Over these
watery roads the ocean greyhounds
travel at the speed of moderately fast
railway trains, the maximum attained
by the American liner Paris being
about twenty-three miles an hour.
In 1884, relates tho Chicago Herald,
the city of Si. Louis passed an ordi
nance charging telegraph and tele
phone companies §55 a year for each
pole elected in the streets. Tho com
panies contested the validity of the
ordinance, and it was pronounced void
in the lower courts. An appeal was
taken and a filial decision was ren
dered by the United States supreme
court. It was held that tne ordinance
was valid; that tho charge made was
not a license tax, but was iu the ua
ture of ground rent which the city had
the right to demand and receive for
the use of the space occupied by the
poles. St. Louis will get §7545 a year
from this assessment, with back taxes
for uiue years.
Says tho New York Observer:
"Among our books of the past yoer
we find more than one, as was the
ease last holiday Reason, treating of
the romance aud rescue of old New
England homes. Such places can be
bought more cheaply today than a
tree-claim in North Dakota, aud iu
every far Eastern state they aro ad
vertised for taxes. Those of us who
are in among the New England hills
with more or less frequency know the
aspect of ail abandoned farm only too
erell. The orchards are thick with
sprouts as a copse of wild plums on
the bauks of the Missouri. The old
time gardens are rank with burdock
and fierce witli bayonets of thistle.
The well, from which labor once
drank such sweot draughts of rof resil
ing coolness, is choked to the brim
with refuse. The meadow is ouo
tinge mullein camp, and the pasture a
warren for tho rabbits. A few lean
ing timbers of oak mirk the site of
ihe rotting cider-mill. Eron the
choice ••home-acre,*' show* only a lean
ing cabin, a stone-cold he-n th, and a
lew broken pickets behind which
.sen tho ciunatn.u rote will no lou/er
YooUl.
The Heart of the Tree.
AM ARBOR DAY BOKO.
What does be plant who plants a tree?
He plants a friend of sun and sky;
He plants the flag of breeses free;
The shaft of beauty, towering high;
He plants a home to heaven a:<igh
For song and mother-croon of bird
In hushed and happy twilight heard —
The treble of heaven's harmony—
These things he plants who plants a tree.
What does he plant who plants a tree?
He plants cool shade and tender rain,
And seed and bud of days to be,
And years that fade and flush again;
He plants the glory of the plain;
He plants the forest's heritage;
The harvest of a coming age;
The joy that unborn eyes shall see—
These things he plants who plants a tree
What does lit plant who plants a tree?
fle plants, in sap and leaf and wood,
In love of home and loyalty
And far-cast thought of civic good—
His blessing oa the neighborhood
Who in the hollow of Ilis hand
Holds all the growth of all our land—
A nation's growth from sea to sea
Stirs in his heart who plants a tree.
[H. C. Bunner, in the Century.
A THKUSH'S SONG.
BY AGNES T. HOUSTON.
It was the close of a midsummer
afternoon, and there were few travel
ers on a country road leading from
the drowsy little town of Hallowell.
A winding, stony road it »a<, but it
led over picturesque bridge 3 and clear
rivers, through woods that were dark
and cool, and fragrant with the breath
of pines, out again past comfortable
farmhouses, and suddenly up steep
hills from whose tops a charming land
scape was visible.
The air was clear and full of a cer
tain bracing quality that makes Maine
a delightful sojourning place in sum
mer.
So at least it seemed to Mark Ilougli
ton, as ho breathed the air of his
native state for the first time in twen
ty-live years. lie had purposely left
his coining unannounced, that he
might enjoy the luxury of a walk over
tho old road, whose every scene had
once been so familiar to him. Memory
plays strange pranks with the most
strait-laced of us at times, and as
suredly it was only her magic that
made tliU New York lawyer enjoy a
dusty country walk for auld lang
sync.
A sudden turn and he came upon
the little schoolliouse, just where it
used to stand, and but little chauged
in outward look by tho inevitable
wear and tear of years.
•'lt holds its own better than I had
hoped," thought the lawyer,and moved
by a sudden impulse be turned from
the road and went up to the door. It
was not locked, aud in a moment he
stood inside. Here lie saw numerous
changes that altered the aspect of the
place. Dosks aud seats of a more
modern style replaced the rude
benches he remembered, and tho walls
were covered with blackboards and
maps. Walking over to tho teacher's
chair he sat dowu and thoughtfully
regarded the little room, which had
the desolate look peculiar to empty
school-rooms.
Here lie had learned his first lessons
in days that returned to his memory
only in fragments and half-reuiem
borcd incidents. Here, as he grew to
bo a larger lad, ho bad wrestled with
many a "knotty" example, or surrep*
titiously planned frolics for ieccs6.
He recalled, too, somo of liis boyish
day-dreams of "great tliiugs to do by
and by," and smiled half Ditterly as
he contrasted them with tho prosaic,
eelf-ceutrcd life of his after years.
Then there were the later days
when, as a young collegian, he came
back to spend his vacation, and taugh l
the little school himself to help meet
expenses at college. What a hum
drum life it was, to be sure, sittiug
there through tho long summer days
and hearing the rural lads and lassie*
•tumble through their lsssotis! What
a stupid lot of pupils they were—all
but one of them.
And here Mark Houghton came
chronologically to the thought that
had been running with more or less
•elf-assertion all through his musings
the thought of Leah Hunting*. She
was the brightest of his older pupils,
and had even shared with him some
of the studies he was trying to "make
up" during the summer. l>ut it was
not as his pupil that he remembered
Leu)i, Wu » as tho gay and light
hearted yet womanly girl, with her
great, serious eyes and frank smile.
"A curious mixture »ltc was. in
deed," thought the lawyer. "O.ir
love seems like some faiaway
dream, some bright idyl. I win
der, if we ha I not quar
relled, how she would have changed
my life, with her high ideals and
kappy nature?"
tPETT •*** »-*t ■ **-
A slight souuil at the open door
startled him; he turned bis head and
saw a woman standing there, half
hesitating, on the threshold.
•'I beg your pardon," she began, "I
thought"—but something familiar in
the man's face stopped her.
As for him, he knew from the first
moment that it was Leah Hastings.
With all the change that time bad
wrought in her—and they were not
few —he could not mistake that long
reuiembcred face. In a moment, she,
too, recognized him, doubled fully at
first, but with a growing certainty in
her face as she studied him.
lie realized with some satisfaction
that he had the advantage of her in
self-possession, since she could have
had no thought of seeing him, while
the meeting was to him quito within
the realm of possibilities when he ar
rived in Maine.
"Well, Miss Hastings," he began,
•'this is indeed an unexpected pleas
ure. Who could have thought that
yours would be the first familiar face
I should 6ce on my returu to the old
place?"
As he spoke ho advanced towards
her, holdiug out his hand. She put
hers in it, saying composedly;
"Am I indeed the first? Your com
ing Is unexpected, then."
••You do not say that you are glad
to welcome mo back. Isut I remem
tliat you never would be convention
al, w lie said, taking a subtle pleasure
in the confusion which he could see
6he was trying hard to conceal.
But those few words, half in mock
ery, half in challenge, put Leah at her
ease. Looking him directly in the
face, she responded:
••Why should wo be expected to
welcome people whom we have long
learned to live without, and whom we
never expected to see again? It is
like the sudden stopping of a train;
it gives you a backward jerk that isn't
altogether agreeable."
••True," he answered, rather sadly,
••I suppose I've lost all claim to any
one's interest down this way. I only
licpe my brother won't think so, too,
when I walk in on him unan
nounced."
There was a moment's silence.
Mark looked at the woman before
him, noiicing the changes in her. The
beauty of nineteen had faded, but
enough of it yet remained to make,
with the added strength and character
of later years, a face that was at
tractive.
•'I said 'Miss Hastings,began the
lawyer again. "Was I right, or have
you laid aside the old name with oth
er relics of the past?"
There was the faimest possible flush
on her cheek as she answered:
"I have kept my name, with my un
conventionality."
"I had fallen into quite a reverie, as
I sat here, over old scenes and faces.
Do you recollect the first day I t-iught
school here, and what a peck of trouble
those little tow-headed Briggs children
gave me? It was a long at-uggle, but
I subdued them before the end of the
term."
He went on reflectively and in an
indifferent tone, as if he were talking
of some one else:
"There was another pupil, though,
who gave me more trouble than any of
them and whom I never fully con
quered. What a little flirt you were
anyway, Leah!"
"You know 1 never was that," 6lie
said gravely.
"Well, no, to do you justice, you
weren't. I believe you really though l
you were in earnest for a while. Yes,
I'll do /ou the justice to think you de
ceived yourself as well as me."
His tone was more serious now and
he glanced furtively at Leah to see
how she was taking his words. Bui
she remained sileut, nor could he read
her ihonghts in her face.
"Leah," he began, abruptly, ««I
wish you would explain your action —
there at th? last I never could see
why—and now, after all these years,
I should just like to have it cleared
up. Wou't you listen to my side and
tell ine yours?"
For a few moments ilie did not re
ply, hut stood looking off over tho
hills, where the sun was just sinking
from sight.
"What Is the use?" she said at last.
"It is all over long ago, aud we have
come to an age where we can over
look—ami forgive—without explana
tions. We both misunderstood and
each other—of that I have
long been sure. L-t It rest at that."
But I cannot be content with IhaL
I thought 1 had put it all out of my
life, Leah. It has been a busy life,
and I have taken care that I should
have but little time for thought. I
»chnuie>l in v se l f to keep all thought of
you from uiy wind, and for the moat
part I hare Bute-tiled. 1 thought 1
could goon io the end—hut now that
I see you sgmiu the rears that lie be-
tween our youth and now are as If
they had never been. Leah, I cau't
believe but that you care yet,too. Let us
rectify our mistakes and end our lives
as we should have lived them —to-
gether!"
"No, no," she said, putting out her
hands as if to push the thought away.
It is 100 late. We have been learning
to live alone. We have each made our
own life and found a certain happi
ness iu it It is too late to make a
change. What have our lives in com
mon—yours, a lawyer's, busy and
studious, passed in a great city, and
touched on all sides by interests of
whoso very existence I am ignorant;
mine, a quiet, country life, spent
almost in solitude, with cares and
pleasures that to you would seem
petty? They would clash if brought
together."
By some trick of fancy, Mark
Houghton remembered at that instant
that it was at this door they had first
told their loves. That was at sunset
too, and not far away a brown thrush
was singing his joyous vesper song.
"You will thank me for what J have
said when you get back to New York,"
Leah continued, her voice trembling
a little, but her eyes looking steadily
into bis.
And in his heart lie felt that she
was right—right at least as to the
difficulty of weldiug their two lives
into one. But for a little while he
continued to urge her to reconsider.
She only shook her head and said
gently:
"It is too late. We must not add
to our folly by making a greater mis
take than that of our youth."
At last lie turned to go.
"I hope I shall feel one day tnat
you are right," he said. "Good-by."
At that moment a brown thrush on
a tree-top near by broke out into a
flood of melody. He sang as joyous
ly as if all the world were young and
the only natural conditions were hap
piness.
At the sound Leah turned her head
with a startled look of recollection.
Her eyes met Mark's.
•'lt is not too late, Leah!" he cried,
catching her hand. '•Listen! our old
friend advises us just as he did the
first time—love and ho happy! There
is time enough yet, is there not?"
And someway she could no longer
fiud it in heart to say "No."—[New
York World.
A Queer Chinese Feast.
Of the many feasts of the Chinese
the most remarkable is known as
"The Feast of Lanterns." It is cele
brated on the fifteenth day of tho first
month of each year. Oil this occasion
every person is obliged to sot out lan
terns at his doors aud windows, the
size, number and colors of which de
pend ou the financial standing or the
fauaticUm of the devotee. During
this festival they spend their time in
attending all sorts of entertainments,
such as balls, plays, fan-tau assem
blies, dancing halls, etc. The millions
of different colored lanterns are each
prouided with from two to a dozen,
and some of the largest (which arc in
some instances as big as a small
house) are provided with 107 candles,
never more, aud surrounded with
bon-fircs.
The Chinese ascribe the origin of
this festival to the following melan
choly occurrence: One evening, as
the daughter of au old Mandarin was
walking by tiie side of a river, she
fell iu and was drowned. The dis
consolate father, in order to recover
the body, which had been observed to
fioat out into tho oceau at tho mouth
of the river, put to sea, attended by
all (he people of tho neighborhoods
each carrying a lantern; but, after a
fruitless search, they were forced to
return without the body of the girl.
The old Maudurin was a man much
beloved by the people, and ever since,
upon the annual reciirrcuce of the
day when the child was drownod, tho
people of that vic.nity take lanterns
and stroll up aud down tho seashore
and back a way from the mouth of tho
river, each lantern-bearer pretending
to be in search of something. Tho
custom of lighting tho lanterns gradu
ally spread all over China. The peo
ple outside of the immediate neigh
borhood of where the girl was
drowned, however, do not goto the
trouble of doing more than light aud
set out their lanterns.—[St. Louis
Republic.
An Exception.
Mr. Sportifello—There is talk of
having a regular Spanish bull-tight at
the World's Full'.
Mi-* Tendonitis* —That would be
terrible, horrible, disgusting, wicked
—unless ihe bull is to be the oun ihut
rhn-ed me i«»t summer.—[Now York
Wr.kly.
Tlie v ilue of the product of Am< ri.
cam manufuetui'le* for Ihe year l»'Jst is
estimated to have lieeu ,s lA,©ou,ooo.
LADIES' DEPARTMENT.
GOTHAM'B ODDEST BONNET.
About the oddest bonnet in New
York is a jet turkey gobbler. No one
who looks at him can dispute bis
identity. He lacks the red throat, to
be sure, but his tail is spread for an
on-rush, and he looks quite fierce
enough to frighten the children who
say "gobble-gobble" at him, which is
the chief aim in existence for most
turkey gobblers. Behind his erect
tail is a fan of black tulle, and the
body and head arc supported by a
soft black velvet fold.—[New York
Ti mes.
FOR A BUSINESS SUIT.
Do not get cheap materials for a
business suit; they are by far the most
expensive in tho long run. Get tlior
oughly good material for a dress that
is to be worn at business every day,
and in making it up follow the fash
ions at a respectful distance. And
here is another important little tip to
remember. Don't neglect topu l
pockets in tho dress, aud put them
where they can bo easily got at. In
the skirt, over the sides, is tho most
convenient place to put them. A good
way to finish them is with a pointed
lapel which buttons ever the pocket.
[New York Herald,
THE BONY MAIDEN'S VNNINGS.
Tho bony maiden will rejoico for
tho new styles are just her style ex
actly. There are, among other things,
walking-jackets, with high, flaring
collar, still shoulder-capes looped up
with rosette- 1 , leg-o'-mutfon sleeves,
and a half-girdle fastened in front
with a third rosette. Tho dresses are
all short, all wide, all trimmed, and
all silk rulflcs inside; tho waists arc
all short, with girdles, ham-shaped
sleeves, and zouave jacket-pieces of
flaring brctelles of the material, lined
and trimmed to mako thorn still more
assertive. Even tho silk shirt-waists,
to wear with shop-made jackets and
skirts, are bunched up and pulled up
with extravagant ruifles, collar-capes,
and gathered sleeves thirty-six inches
wide at the top. Verily the attenuated
damsel will be very deceptive when
she is dressed in her new suit.—[Sau
Francisco Argonaut.
A NOVEL GARMEXT.
A novel and charming garment has
made its appearance in Paris. It is
meant to lie in readiness at the side of
the bed and within easy roach, to slip
ou over your nightgown if you rise
for a moment or so, or <<o wear when
crossing to the bathroom in the morn
ing. These garments are made of
yards upon yards of flannel or line
cashmere, and they seem to have no
beginning and no end. The collar, or
neckband, is all that can readily be
distinguished, but that once adjusted
the arms slip naturally into placea
made for them, and (he weurer is
draped securely and gracefully in a
garment which will neither slip off nor
£3ad you awkwardly. Some of them
«eof eiderdown cloth, but these area
little too heavy. Most of them are
weighted with bands of fur, and that
is the secret of them falling into place
and hanging right, no matter how
nastily they are donned. So graceful
and becoming is this robe .-'.lint it would
give the illusion of beauty even to the
plainest woman, for nobody can look
clumsy amid these soft, clinging folds
Which remind one ot Galatea's draper
ies.— [Now York Tribune.
HABITS OF THE BEAUTIFUL.
The most beautiful matrons in Now
York are as temperate iu their habits
of life as camels. Youth itself is
lovely, but the beauty of form and
color that endures till middle age is as
rare as a brown-eyed blonde. That
women wreck their good looks through
ignorauco or intemperance there is uot
the fraction of a doubt. Good wine,
a good table, a good time and no re
strictions are tho murderers of health
as well as beauty. A radiant wife
who has children and grandchildren,
gives this information regarding tho
"care-taking" that has kept tho roses
iu hot- face:
"Teu hours' sleep, fuun,|r papors,
good novels and tho society of bright
l>eople; warm bath always at 5 o'clock
and a glass of hot water immediately
after; then dinner, always soup, ucvor
any greasy or spicod dishes, very little
meat, plenty of vegetables and fruit
and coffee.
'•Before breakfast a cool sponge
bath, never a cold one; tlieu fresh
fruit, coffee, a soft egg and toast —
ihls 865 days in the year. 1 am a
happy woman and my sense of the
ridiculous is the toule of uiy life."—
[Sun Fraucisco Examiner.
A WOMAN'S Ut nriT KOIt Tllfc > AIK.
The liuve ug dress shuuld be cojl.
light in weight and inconspicuous in
color or fashion, say* tho writer of
"En Route for Chicago," in Demoreet.
It should also bo of some durable ma
terial that will not spot nor wrinkle.
Thanks to a return of common seute,
it may bo short, uud a variation of the
familiar skirt, blouse and blazer will
leave nothing to bo desired for eom
fott. A deep, generous pocket in tiio
skirt, to supplement the popular shop
ping bag, will prove a necessity even
during the first day on the Exposition
grounds.
This sensible costume, which may be
of rich or simple material, should be
crowned with a modest hat or bonnet
that will not be ruined by dust nor
stray raindrops. Fresh gloves aud
well-fitting, low-hecled 6hoes will be
as conducivo to peace of mind as
au easy conscience. Some outer
wrap should bo carried even
if the suit has a blazer, as a
protection from sudden changes of
temperature, and the sharp winds that
often rush through tho streets of the
"AVbito City by the Lakeside" in mid
summer. A rain-cloak, if not too
light weight, may perform this duty
as well as its more legitimate one;
but if it is not imperatively necessary
to reduce your traveling impedimenta
to "marching order," take wraps for
a varioty of weather. I have in mind
a July drive in Lincoln Park when I
bitterly repented that my fur-lined
wrap was at home. A fur shoulder
capo takes up very little room, and
you may be very glad of its warmth.
The very best choice for a rain-cloak
is one of silk, as its weight and bulk
are so trilling as not to be considered;
and a silk or mohair dust-cloak, and a
polo or yachting cap, for use on tho
cars, will be found conducive to com
fort. Double service irav bo lequired
of the umbrella, and overshoes must
be carried in our uncertain climate.
One dinner-dress, a negligee and
easy old slippers, for resting, an ex
tra blouse or two, with changes of
underclothing, will complete the list
of necessary clothing. With these
few articles, which may be packed in
a satchel or shawl-case, a woman will
bo prepared for any emergency that is
likely to arise. Indeed, tho dinner
gown may be omitted, and silk waists
carried to replace those of satine or
linen worn during tho day. This
meager list is one that has been tried,
and found not wanting, during a sum
mer trip abroad. It is easier to re
place any article that becomes worn
or damaged, than to carry a '.oo liberal
supply from home.
FASHION NOTES.
The light aud medium shades iu
bengaline are exquisite this scuson.
Lace seems to bo the favorite orna
mentation for the grenadines aud china
silks.
Elegant black nets, for evening cos
tumes, havo a spangled border and
all-over jot designs.
Collar capes ate much worn, aud
are so made that they can be removed
in the houso. Balloon sleeves still
reign.
Shaded velvet sleeves with contrast
ing costumes, aud plaid velvet sleeves
aud blue or green cloth gowns are
popular.
Paris artists in dress encourago tho
mixture of pule blue, mignonette
green, und heliotrope iu brocades aud
shot silks.
Black vails figured with extremely
small rosebuds or forget-me-nots in
natural colors in cheuile are used for
f jljgssy occasioue.
Most of the dresses that are now
being made have no darts at the top of
tho skirt, tho fulness being gathered
into the waist-baud.
Corselets are as fashionable as ever,
and they are made of all kinds of
materials, wool, silk, velvot, brocade*
embroidery and lace.
lied cloth driving-capes aro finished
with triple shoulder-capes of velvet
and trimmed with black silk guipuro
lace and jot ornaments.
Beautiful table scarfs are oma
meuted now with satin and long stitch
embroidery, intermixed with open
work aud other fancy stitches.
All short-waisted oflects, especially
for evening gowns, promise to be
popular, though tor street drejses the
waist liuo is the regulation mark.
All manner of odd littlo waists, to
be worn with the sumo plain skirt of
servhvablo black silk, are of gteat
help iu producing a pleasant varioty iu
tho wardrobe.
The severely plain costumes aud
tailor-made suits are as popular at
ever for the street and traveling, but
ate giving place to the more elal>-
utatoly trimmed dresses for the house.
The cost of the National Capitol at
Wusniujftou has exceeded $40,000,099.