Germany may regard Samoan -waters as a desirable location for trouble ow ing to the fact that Admiral Dewey cannot be iu two places at the same time. Otir government lias decided to pay the Cuban soldiers enough to take them to their homes and give them a start ill life. The sum mentioned is SIOO per man. Stable conditions will then be in sight,and the labor demand will quickly absorb those willing to return to work. Some practical diffi culty will be found iu guarding against fraud iu the matter of giving only to actual soldiers, but it is not insupe>' ible. The practical isolation of Spain from the rest of the world is indicated for one thing by the fact that while there are yet a hundred roads of one kind or another over the Pyrenees be tween France and Spain only three of the roads are passable for carriages. But even more insuperable than the range of the Pyrenees is that way of pride and prejudice which the haugh ty Castilian interposes between himself and the progressive ideas of the outer world. An English writer has concluded that the disease we call cold has very little connection with weather or damp feet, or draughts of air, or any of the casual dangers of which we have been taught togo in fear; and he warns his fellow-countrymen that by the "cod dling treatment" usually adoptel to avoid colds they are running a grave risk of "undermining the health and hardihood of our English race." He implores them to cultivate that hardi ness "which is so characteristic of our nation, which would prove as effective a protection against cold as against other enemies." This is logical enough from the premises of the writer, and there is a delightful flavor of English modesty iu the suggestion of national superiority as the supreme object of hygiene, but we fear that even Eng lish hardihood might suffer from a too sudden application of the theory. It is said that the manufacturers of Great Britain are combining for a fight to a finish with the labor unions. This is unfortunate, if true, com ments the Atlantic Journal. Tho com< biued manufacturers of Great Britain would represent an immense power, but they would find in the millions of men who belong to the labor organiza tions an immense power also. It would be a battle of giants with a cer tainty that each would be badly hurt. Organized labor is stronger now throughout the civilized world than it ever was before; stronger by reasen of its larger membership and its more perfect co-operation; stronger also in the support ami sympathy it receives from those who are outside of its bands. It does not appear that the labor unions of Great Britain have been as reasonable and judicious as those of theUnited States have been, but that they are a mighty force can not be denied. The cause of the pres ent friction is the protest of the labor unions against what they considered an unjust reduction of wages. Both sides seem stubborn aud determined to fight it out. One or the other will of course have to give in at the last, and when the net result is cast up it will be found that both have suffered immense •y- The experiment just now being tried by our government in many parts of the country, which is meant to test the efficacy and economy of free rural mail-delivery, is one fraught with riches of benefit scarcely to be com puted, especially to educational and literary interests and to geueral cul ture. The daily, weekly aud monthly press is soon to reach practically all the farmhouses in the laud. Cau any mind grasp the full meaning of this great change? Every close observer, who has mingled freely with the country people, the genuinely rural population of our great laud has been struck with their natural intelligence, their sturdy self-reliance.and their de sire to have the rising generation brought into contact with educatiug and encouraging influence. The farm er may not read much himself, he may show small interest in most things that make for culture, so far as concerns himself; but speak of schools, colleges, the great sources of enlightenment, and he immediately re sponds with a thought for his sous and daughters. Bring a daily free mail to his door and his first act is to try a daily paper; books follow; the farmhouse begins to take on the air of a home; the latest magazines and journals of art and science find a new field for their influence in re mote nooks and corners us soon as the latent taste of our country folk is£tirred into activity, observes the New Yorli Indaneudeut Is it true that Americans spend more money each year on candies and other sweets than they do on beer, wiues aud other liquors combined? If it is, that may be why the dentists • make so good a living. Of the $1,210,291,913 worth of American products exported last year nearly $1,000,000,000 went to Europe. Nearly $80,000,000 went to the Domin ion of Canada—a per cai>ita basis for our nearest neighbors of $15.50 for every man, woman and child. Our entire sales in South and Central America were ouly $1 per capita. We exported to the Philippines $127,787 worth of goods. The United States constitues the richest nation on the globe. Mulliall furnishes these figures: United States, §81,750,000,000 Great Britain $39,030,- 000,000; France, $17,950,000,000; Germany, $40,260,000,000 ;Bussia $32, - 125,000,000; Austria, $22,560,000,000; Italy, $15,800,000,000; Spain $11,300,- ■ 000,000., These computations are J based upon values as shown by real ! estate records, buildings, merchandise | and railways,as well as the circulating j medium in each nation. As will be seen our wealth is more than seven times greater than that of Spain, dou ble that of France, equal to the com bined wealth of Russia, Italy Austria and Spain, and $22,720,000,000 larger than that of Great Britain. A socialistic measure is proposed for a county in Kansas. It is intend ! Ed to submit to a vote of the people at the next election the question, "Shall the county own its telephone system?" | If the proposition goes through the ! county is to build a system and supply I every farmhouse with a telephone. I The expense of building and operat | ing the plant is to be borne by direct ! taxation, aud the county is to be given ; authority to spread out the original ! cost of construction over ten years, one-tenth to ba paid each year. An other telephone bill of novel scope is i proposed in Indiana. An advocate for school reform has framed a measure which contemplates abolishing all the schoolhonses in the various counties i aud teaching the children in their owu I homes by telephone. The state is to j furnish the telephones, which are less expeusive thau the maintenance of the j schoolhonses. It is to be noted that the constrnc i tion of automobiles iu this country, ! though only fairly begun, has not | thus far given cause for discourage | ment. Already orders from Paris and Bombay suggest to what centre busi ness opinion abroad is looking. The papers were full not long ago of «c --counts of the trials of these vehicles iu France, but the results do not seem to have been very encouraging, and recently a French aud American syndi- I cate have arranged for the manufacture of a large number of automobiles by a Chicago firm. With comparative failure in construction both in France and Great Britain, it would seem that a quick perception of their oppor i tuuity|ought to give our manufacturers j almost as firm a place in foreign mar | kets as they will undoubtedly have iu ! our own. Their is no J-eason why we i should not repeat the triumphs of our electrical machinery, which is now preferred everywhere abroad. The application of electricity to the new vehicles is an important part of the problem, aud a part we are specially fit to solve. For the* calendar year the record disclosed by figures is a remark able one. The total exports amounted to $1,254,925,169, which represents an increase of over $155,000,000 as com pared with those for 1897 and of ovei $259,000,000 as compared with those for 1896. The imports were valued at $633,664,634, which represented » decrease of over $108,900,000 as com pared with thoso for 1897, and of ovei $47,900,000 as compared with those for 1896. The value of the exports for the year was not far from double that of the imports. The excess foi the year amounted to $621,260,535, which was greater by $264,146,671 than that for the preceding year, while as compared with 1896 it sliowe.l a still greater gain. What the figure? mean in perspective may be gatliere 1 from the statement that the export? Were the largest in the history of the country, while we have togo back foi a period of thirteen years to find a to tal of imports so low as that recorded for 1898. Not the least noteworthy feature disclosed by the figures is the large excess of importo over exports of gold, which amounted to $141,811, I 298, whereas in 1897 the imports and exports of this metal almost balanced, the exports showing a trifling excess. Taken altogether, the exhibit is the most striking in the statistical aunal? of the country's foreign trade. THE DOERS AND DREAMERS. The bugles are calling to battle! Come, The other division In smaller; Its members boys, with an answering "Here!" have little to say; And, while you are waiting for orders,a song They're too busy bearing the burdens the and a watchword of cheer! Dreamors have left in their way. The men who are marching beside you are They don't soar on star-seeking pinions to numbered in companies two— Fancy's illusive ideals; In "A" are the (lies of the Dreamers; la "B" They know that the boulder of Duty the gem are the fellows who do. of Contentment conceals. The Dreamers contain the vast number who Then don't run to look for n rainbow till long for a place and a name, after tho tempest is past; But think to be wakened from slumber by Success, tho' so fickle a creature, will wed some fairy goddess of Fame. bold Endeavor at last. They never grow weary of telling of prizes This bit of gold comes from life's testing,re they're hoping to win, member 'twill always ring true: But, somehow, they fancy tomorrow will be Keep out of the army of Dreamers! Got hold the best time to begin. with the fellows who do! —Ernest Neal Lyon, in The New Voice. PTHE LINOTYPE LADY."] IBY H. C. PEARSON. & The Honorable William Jarvis, state senator aud candidate for governor, was calling upon his betrothed, Miss Laura Jackson. The Honorable Wil liam was generally alluded to as a "rising young man"and the future Mrs. Jarvis as a "sensible girl." The match, therefore, was adjudged "very suitable." The two parties most con ;erned gave little thought to its suit ibility, but were very sure that it bad been made in heaven and they them selves thereby absolved from all re iponsibity for it. But bqpause Miss Jackson was a jensiblo girl she was interested iu the Honorable William as statesman as well as lover. Therefore she was not :ontent with the brief answer, "busi ness," which he made to her inquiry as to why on this particular evening ne was rather absent-minded and less joyously happy than usual. It was not in her nature to be denied any in formation which she earnestly wished lo possess, aud so, before long, she Bad learned just what was worrying her future lord but present vassal. The leading newspaper in the north ern part of the state.it appeared,being independent in politics, had so far re fused to commit itself to any guberna torial candidate. This greatly disap pointed Jarvis, who had confidently ex pected its support. In fact, he was afraid that if his opponent was en dorsed by the Webster Whig h : s own shances for victory would 1 • parcep tibly lessened; while on tne other hand,if the Whig would place tho name t>f William Jarvis at the head of its editorial columns he did not see how he could be defeated. All this having been dutifully ex plained to Miss Laura, she wrinkled iier forehead charmingly for perhaps three miuntes and then anuounced with calm decision that she had solved the problem. "And now, Will," she said, "if I get )he Whig to come out for you what re ward of merit do I get?" "I will marry you a month sooner lhan we had planned," promised Jar vis, with remarkable readiness. "Impudence! Did you never hear, 'Married in haste, repent at leisure?' But seriously now, will you make one appointment just as I wish it made, issuniing, of course, that thepeison Is eutiiely competent?" "Why,yes," assented Jarvis, some what slowly. "I don't approve of »ute-election pledges as a general thing, but I think 1 am justified in Making au exception in this case. Let's jfficiallv seal the agreement." Which they did most satisfactorily. A few days later the editor aud lianager of the Webster Whig were engaged iu anxious consultation. "It's no use,"the latter was saying, "I've telegraphed everywhere I can :hink of, and there does not seem to be a linotype operator out of work from one end of the country to the sther. We'll have to rig up some trames aud get three or four of the Did hand compositors back." "But that will make the paper look like the dickens," objected young Willis,the editor, "audit will increase expenses, too." "Sure," assented the manager;"but what else can we do? You- tell." Just in time to save Willis from the necessity of confessing hi« incapacity there came a knock at the door. "Come in," called the manager without turning his head. But Willis was facing the door, and as it opened to admit a very pretty girl the celerity with which he removed his feet from tho table impelled his partner to do likewise." "Excuse me," began the visitor, "but I understand that you wish to hire a linotype operator." "We do," chorused the two men. "And so I have come to ask for the place," continued the young ladv. "I Lave not had much experience, but I can average thirty Ave hundred au hour, and they tell me that my proofs are remarkably clean." The editor kicked the manager under the table, and the latter replied without hesitation: "We'll take you on trial anyway. I don't mind telling you that you have come in the nick of time. We do need an operator and badly. How soon can you begiu work?" "This minute," replied the girl, promptly. "Very well," said the manager and, with a few instructions, bowed her out. "She'll do," he remarked to bis partner as he resumed his seat and elevated his feet once more. "Gee! I should think she would!" asserted Willis more forcibly than eleg intly. The new hand did not fail to equal the expectation of her employers. She was quietly courteous to those in the office, men and girls alike, but she "minded her own business," as the foreman put it, and, perhaps for that reason, was more efficient than the average of the operators, The office bov, an irreverent youth who alluded to Willis as "Bilious" and to his partner as "the old man," expressed the general feeling ns to the new girl when he said to the edi tor one day: • "The linotype lady wants to know if this is right." "The what?" ejaculated Willis in amazement. "The linotype lady. That's what she is. I know 'em when 1 see one, an' she's the real article." So she was christened, and the name stuck, to the envy of the other girls. About a week after this addition to the force, Willis opeued the Whig one evening and glanced first, as was his custom, at the elitorial page. For perhaps half a minute he stared in blank amazement. Then he dropped the paper aud executed a war dance. In response to his frantic calls the manager hastened iuto the inner edi toriul sanctum aud calmly inquired what was the matter. "Has the foremau dropped out another line in the make-up or did your typewriter go off its feet and make a mistake for which yon wish to blame the proofreader? What ails you, anyway?" "Have you looked at the editorial page?" asked Willis, "Why, no, what's wrong with it?" "Did you write or cause to be writ ten that Jarvis editorial?" "What Jarvis editorial? I wrote none and kuow nothing about any. I thought we were to be neutral iu that light." "That was the way I understood it," said Willis, more puzzled now than angry, "but here is the strongest kind of an editorial in tonight's Whig ad vocating the election of Jarvis. If you dou't know anything about it aud I don't know anything about it who does know about it? And what are we going to do about it?" "First,let's find out who does know about it," very practically suggested the manager. "What does the proof reader say?" But the proofreader had never seeu the editorial until they showed it to her. She was positive that she had uot read the proof of it, and the copy holder supported her by affirming that no copy for it had passed through her hands. When the foreman who made up the paper was questioned he did remember placing the type in the forms and read ing the headline, but that was as far us his information went. And the as sistant foreman, who gave out the copy, made the mystery deeper than ever by asserting that no such editorial matter had been handled by him. The "devil," who took the proofs, was equally certain that he had had noth ing to do with that particular lot of type. The linotype operators were next iu order for questioning,uud among them Willi.! expected to find the solution of the puzzle,for it was only too evident that the troublesome editorial had been putin type by somebody. But one after another of the operators denied all knowledge of the matter until the entire roll had been called without the faintest glimmering of light. Willis noticed that when he approached the linotype lady she was very pale and apparently disturbed, but when he asked, "Did you see the copy for this editorial, Miss?" t-.he answered so promptly: "No, sir," and met his gaze so unflinchingly that he had not the heart to doubt her. All investigati >u having thus proved fruitless, the editor and the manager shut themselves iu again for further discussion. "The next question is," said Willis, "what shall we do about it?" "It looks to me," replied the mun ager, "as if we ought to make the best of it aud adopt Jarvis as our candi date." "But that is probably just what the person wants who put up this job on us," objected Willis. "Precisely," asseuted the manager; "but what other course is open to us? If, without explanation, we oppose Jarvis, we shall be called turncoats, weather-vaues and other choice names. If,on the other hand, we tell just what has happened and give it as our reason for opposiug Jarvis, who will believe us? No one. Like a great deal of .truth, it is absurdly improbable. Now you and I kuow that Jarvis is not a bad fellow aud that he will make a pretty good governor. He differs from us on some points, I know, but perhaps we can bring him around to our way of thinkiug after a while. He is one of those meu whom it is easier to lead than to drive, anyway. Now what do you say?" Willis did not faucy the idea at all, but the longer he pondered the further away he fouud himself from any other way out of the difficulty. So he yielded gracefully and from that mo ment until the end of the campaign wrote vigorously and well iu Jarvis' support. More than once in that time the linotype lady, with a piece of editorial copy before her, stopped to read it ovet a second aud a third time. And anyone who had happened to bq watching her would have wondered at the smile of mingled triumph, coquetry aud hap piness that lit up her face on those oc casions. Betore long, however, the linotype lady resigned her place. The supply of operators had become once more equal to the demand, and as SOJII as she learned the fact she prepared tc bid the Whig good-by. The foreman, the manager and the editor all pro tested, and even the other operators, in spite of their occasional jealousy, were sorry to lose her. The linotype lady said that she was sorry togo, which was true, but that she hud au opportunity to engage in a line of woi k which she liked even better, and thai also was true. As said line of work was the prepa ration of au elaborate and beautiful trousseau for her own use, any woman can understand how even the sensible Miss Jackson could find no employ ment in the world more to her taste. "How did you do it?" asked Jarvis on tho first opportunity, referring to the Whig, which he held iu liis hand and which at the head of its editorial page announced in bold type: "For governor, William Jarvis." Having secured his solemn promise "never to tell," his betrothed satis fied his curiosity. "You remember that first editorial iu your favor?" she asked. "No one knew or could find out how it got into the paper, but since it was there and in the whole edition the editor and the mauager decided tlia 1 12. it was best to stick it out and advocate your election to the best of their ability. As you knew, that is what they are doing,aud I call it very nice of them. "How did that first editorial get in? Well,l'll tell you that, too. One noon I waited iu the dressiug room until everyone was gone and then slipped back to mv machine. My thoughts were aud had been so full of you and your candidacy that it took but a few minutes for me to put that editorial iD type even without copy." "You mean that you made it up as you set it?" quoried Jarvis with ad miration. "Just that. When it was done I took u proof, glanced through it hasti ly, made a few corrections aud put the type on the 'bauk' with some other editorial matter. The foreman was iu a hurry when he came to make it up and merely glanced at the heading. Seeing that it was double-leaded he placed it, very rightly, as the leader of the day. "I was a good deal scared while the mysterious e.ditoriul was being inves tigated, for I really did not want to tell a downright lie. But Mr. Willis was kind enough to put his inquiry in such a way that I could answer it in the negative without the slightest strain on my conscience. "And now, when you are elected,as of course you will be, yon must not forget your promise about letting me make au appoiutment." "It shall be my first official duty," assented Jarvis, "but may I not kuo\i who is to be appointed to what?" "Will you promise to keep this a se cret also? Well, then, I want you to appoint Willis state printer. The place is worth about five thousand dollars a yer.r, isu't it? He was very good to me, you see; in fact, they ai! were, but he especially. Of course,he knows nothing about this plan. I wish to surprise him as much as I did you, and him, too, with that editorial. Maj I?" Jarvis said "yes" very readily,being considerably relieved to find that the appoiutment which he had promised was to be thus worthily bestowed. Aud so, when it was Governor Jar vis by twenty thousand plurality, one of the first acts of the new chief ex ecutive was to invite Willis to call upon him. The young editor, some what surprised at the message, made the trip as requestod.and his surprise was increased when the governor told him that he had been selected for the place of state printer. "I wish to say, sir," explained Wil lis after a moment's thought, "that if your choice is based on the Whig's po sition during the campaign, you are making a mistake. For the paper's support you are not indebted to me." "Indeed!" exclaimed Jarvis. "Tc whom then?" "That I do not know," confessed Willis, aud wen; onto tell the story which the governor had heard before. "That is a curious ami interesting incident," said the latter, gravely, but with a twinkle in his eye. "The posi tion of your paper, however, had little to do with my choice of yon to be public printer. That was mainly brought about through the influence of a lady." "A lady?" ejaculated Willis. "Im possible! I have no woman friend who can have influence with you, and if I had 1 con 1.1 not accept a position secured in such a way." "Wait!" commanded Jarvis. "You are altogether too hasty in your state ments and your conclusions. It may help to solve your difficulties if I make you acquainted with my wife." With somewhat suspicious timeli ness the door opeued, and a very smil ing young woman entered. "Mrs. Jarvis," said the governor, "may I make you acquainted with my friend, Mr. Willis? Perhaps, how ever, be already kuows you as—" "The linotype lady," said Willis and Mrs. Jarvis in chorus. —Waverley Magazine. Pried nf Manila Hum. Ham is high in Manila. One dol lar a pound for any that is fit to eat, while chickens are only two cents apiece and eggs a shilling a hundred. Beef is not plentiful. It generally comes from China, and, as the dingy line of steamers from Hong Kong does not proviae cold storage, boef is often too high, too, when it arrives —even hiahar than the ham. THE BALLAD OF BERRY BROWN. Oh, do you know a country lad by name of Berry Browu, Who rides upon a load of wood along the streets of town ? He has a hat turned u,i ! n front and crum pled down behind, His curly hair so and *air Is tumbled by the wind, And through his coat his peep, and through his boots his toe.: Cut everywhere and anywhere ho whittles ai he goes. I There's something strangely taking ill tho eyes of Berry Brown—- Thoy seem to flash a cheery !ight along the streets of town; Despite his coarse and tatterod vest, his boots and hat forlorn. His trousers patched, thread bars and sagged, his shirt HO old and worn, For every glimpse he gives he takes a meas ure of surprise. Vnd everybody wonders where the Becret of it lies. (Lnd so his way of sitting there, so steadfast, calm and strong; His air, as if his whistling bore wagon anil wood along; His independence and self-trust, the flrm set throat and chin, The working of his muscles when he reins his horses in, Take hold of one and fascinate, as hints and glimpses can, (Ylieu all the glory of a boy is merging into man. Dh, Berry Brown looks careless, b'lt he holds bis Eecret well; Far hidden in the clouds are heights whereon his visions dwell; tVithiu him somewhere swells a vein of an cient hero-vim. \nd who shall hold him back one stop, or set the pace for him? tVait, you shall see if poverty can chain so strong a soul, Or if to sell his wood can be the rounding ot his goal ! The old folk shako their heads and say "l.ook out for Berry Browu iVhen he shall measure forces with the best boys in the town ! The wind has beat in Berry's face, the sun has burned his skin. Ind w nter's cruel hand has pinched where Berry Brown has been; 3ut hearts like his are bravo enough to meet the strokes that form Lnd fortify the giant souls that take the world by storm !" —Maurice Thompson, iu St. Nicholas. HUMOROUS. He—Are you sure your love for me Jlsdead? Slie Yes. Heart failure. Gilfoyle lsn't Biuglian einbar .•nssed by his debts? Poindexter— No, but his creditors are. ! Fond Parent—The child is full of music. Sarcastic Visitor—Yes. What l pity it is allowed to escape. "Here," said the boomerang, as it turned, "here is where I get back at aim for trying to throw me over." "I suppose lovers' quarrels are nat lral enough." "To be sure. Striking i match is always followed by a Hare ip." ' ' "My doll can shut her eyes and go Ito sleep just lovely." "Huh !My i 101l never goes to sleep at all; she's jot insomnier." ! Little Gregory—Papa, why do yon | lay that the pen is more powerful thau | he swordV Papa—Because you can j lot sigu checks with a sword. The Mother—Somehow I feel that I •an trust my daughter to you. The Accepted One Yon can, indeed, : nadam. Everybody trusts me. j 'Our boy will make his mark som' 1 dday,1" 1 Saiii his parents with great delight. He did—but iu an illiterate way, | For lie never learned to write ! | Briggs—Did you ever try to write down all the utterly senseless things Ihat came into your head? Griggs—• Dertainly. Haven't I been engaged? Life is but a toothless, hairless begin ning and a toothless, hairless end, set ween which are sandwiched the solemn ceremony of a marriage and jther mistakes. Scribbles—My new book will be out »oou. I hope you will lose no time in ;eading it. Miss Cittting—lndeed, I ' ivou't. I lost several hours reading four other one. "While ebullient youth," said the I Cornfed Philosopher, "has glittering Lopes of seeing his name on the roll of fame, sedate middle age is glad to have it on the pay roll." "What did you do with your puz zle editor?" asked the friend of the editor of the new magazine. "Dis charged him,"replied the editor. "He ' couldn't guess where his salary was to come from." When Flynn heard tliat Mr. Smith was afflicted with softening of the brain, he thought it a great disgrace; and, when he was told he might have the same trouble himself some day, he ■ brought down his hand with emphasis ! on the marble counter, and said, "I j want you to understand that my head ia just as solid as that slab!" Wliy Dpwry l>i*conf inued the Baffle. Ido not exaggerate in the least when I say that, as we hauled oil' into the bay, the gloom on the bridge of the Olympia was thicker than a London fog in November. Neither Commo dore Dewey nor any of the staff' be lieved that the Spanish ships had been sufficiently injured by our lire to pre vent them from renewing the battle quite as furiously as they had pre viously fought. Indeed, we had all been distinctly disappointed in the re sults of our Are. Our projectiles Beemed togo too high or too low— just as had been the case with those fired at us by the Spaniards. Several times the commodore had expressed dissatisfaction with the failure of our gunners to hit the euamv. We had begun the firing at too great a dis tance, but we had gradually worked in further on each of the turns, until wo were within about 2500 yards at the close of the fifth round. At that dis tance, in a smooth sea, we ought to have made a large percentage of hits; yet, so far as we could judge, we had not seusibly crippled the foe. Conse quently Commodore Dewey hauled out into the open bay at the end of the fifth round to take stock of am munition and devise a new plan of at tack.—Joseph I* Stick nay, in Harper'a Magazine.