ROMANCE OF A FAMOUS COMMUNIST COLONY. Who Will Get the Immense Fortune of the Harmony Soeiety? Seven aged and infirm people, cling ing to life by an almost worn out thread, are all that stand between one young man and a fortune estimated at four millions. John Duss is the for tunate mortal, and he bids fair soon to be the sole survivor and heir of a quaint communistic society which has nestled in peace on the banks of the Ohio for nearly a century. Away back at the birth of the nine teenth century George Bapp, a youth of some education and originality of thought, became so obnoxious to the Prussiau government through his ad vocacy of communistic doctrines that he wa« forced to leave his native coun try. Determined to seek a land where he would be free to carry his ideas in to practice, he chose to emigrate to America, where political and personal liberty seemed to have secured a firm footbold. He landed at New Orleans in 1802, and for several years seems to have explored the almost unbroken wilderness of the Mississippi Valley for a suitable site for a settlement. Ho reached St. Louis, and from there turned his steps eastward. By this time he was followed by a band of in trepid spirits, attracted by his en thusiasm. Finally Bapp located in Posey County, Indiana, and established a settlement along the lines of his com munistic ideas. The settlement was named Harmony. Posey County proved unhealthy, and a few years later Bapp led his followers into Penn sylvania. They first settled in Butler County, where a second "Harmony" was founded. Then Bapp heard of the fertile tracts and the beautiful site for a town overlooking the Ohio in Beaver County, and the society moved to the present town of Economy, Penn., in 183(3, Here the society thrived. In the course of years hundreds of habita tions rose, and to-day busy mills, over flowing granaries and fertile fields are numbered among the possessions of the society. "One for all, and all for one," was the motto of this little baud of com munists. On being admitted to the Harmony Society a new member was obliged to cede all his money and ■worldly possessions to the commun- JOHN S. DTTSrf. (President of the Harmony Society at Economy, Pann.) ity. Members received no compensa tion for their labors. Some peculiar laws there were. No member was permitted to marry, "Father" Bapp's theory being that every member should be able to add his share to the general endeavor. Thus there were no members born into the society, but all recruits came by election. The members looked not to the future, but thought only to secure content ment and plenty in this world and everlasting happiness in the next. A tenet of the commune was that when "Father" Bapp died Christ, was to make His second appearance on earth and take all mambers to His bosom. During "Father" Bapp's lifetime, and under his administration, the so ciety prospered wonderfully. Not withstanding that a sufficiency was all that was aimed at the industry of Jf#|frir£ s UM*K~rr : -XZ& HAY MAKING IN THE OLD DAYS. the members brought annually a large surplus, and wealth accumulated. "Father" Bapp made profitable in vestments of the society's funds. In the later days of Bapp's reign the society reached the height of its prosperity. After his death, however, disintegration begau. By this time all the original members had far passed the prime of life, and were well coutent to abate a little of their efforts and enjoy more at ease the fruits of their earlier labors and the income from their wealth. In order that there might be enough togo round, admission of new members be came rarer and rarer, and finally ceased altogether. The lands of the community were leased to tenants, while the aging brothers aud sisters came to pass their declining years in peace and free from toil. jj^nßia THE LABORATORY, OLD MILL AND "GREAT HOUSE 'OF THE HARMONY SOCIETY Now but seven remain, six aged women and one bent man, and they have little coucern for the dissseusion and dissolution which threatens the community. They think and talk chiefly of when they will be laid to rest in the "orchard," as they call the society burying ground, and of a joy they expected to realize long ago—that of meeting their Lord. For days, weeks, years, they have eagerly watched for the second coming of Christ. "He has delayed His coming to us, but we shall soon goto Him," the serene faced sisters whisper to one another as they walk out together on pleasant days. The wrinkled man rarely speaks to them more than to say, "Good day, sisters, God bless you," for men aud women in this an cient community have always dwelt apart. Now comes John Duss, the pres ent "patriarch" and prospective heir. Duss is virtually a child—the only child—of the society. His mother took him to Economy with her in 18(i2, when he was two years old. His father, who was then in the Federal army, died of a wound received in the battle of Gettysburg. The mother went to Economy to accept employ ment as a nurse. She remained in the service of the society until early in 1870. John was sent to the Soldiers' Orphans' School, at Phillipsburg, in 1873, anil remained there until 187f>. when he returned to his mother and entered the service of the Harmony Society. The mother took him to Germany for a few months'visit. They returned to Economy, and in 1878 young Duss was given a position as a teacher of German in the Economy school. He remained there about, a year, and then entered Mount Union College, but did not remain long. He received an oli'er to teach in the Kansas State Reform School, in Topeka, and as his limited means would not have permitted him to complete his college course, he accepted. John Duss was always enlarging his interests, however, and when ho saw a chance to buy a tine farm of 160 acres in Webster County, Neb., for SI2BO, he took it, and devoted con siderable time to agriculture. In 1888 Duss, who in the meantime had married, returned to Economy. He claims this was at the earnest solicitation of "Father" Henrici, who had succeeded "Father" Bapp as the head of the society. Duss took charge of the Economy public school. In 1890 he was admitted to membership in the society through the influence of "Father" Henrici. Then came his election to the Board of Trustees, and his wife was also admitted to the Society. At the instance of "Father" Henrici the Dusses took up their abode in the "Great House." Al though under the same roof, they lived apart, in accordance with the doctrine of the community. Tbe election of Duss and his wife and the elevation of the former to power created dissension to the society. Several of the members withdrew, claiming that Duss exercised undue influence over "Father" Henrici. Thus dissension, so long excluded, got a foothold, and now threatens to totally disrupt a community which would have soon been dissolved by death. On tbe death of "Father" Henrici, Duss was elected "patriarch," and thus the youngest member of the so ciety became its head. There has been practically no change in the town in the last sixty years so far as its buildings are concerned. Tbe "Temple," which is thronged each Sunday by tenants of tbe society, is as simple and quaint as ever. The clock iu its steeple, which is run by a huge stone weight suspended from the belfry, has never ceased to tell the time of day. The sawmills still clat ter, although the water power of the early days has given way to steam. The factories where the silk looms used to rattle from morning to night are silent. These buildings are now filled with grain. Economy silks were famous a half century ago. Acres of mulberry trees had been planted, silk worms were im ported, and this branch of the indus try flourished for years. Then the worms began to die, and it was de- MRS. BUSS. cided the climate was not favorable for them. The products of the society's lands and mills were much more tliau the community needed for its own use, and much was sold in Pittsburg and neighboring towns. The receipts all went into ihe common fund, which iu time grew to a great amount. When Christ did not come at the death of "Father" Rapp, disappoint ment was keen. Jacob Henrioi, who was elected senior trustee and patri arch of tlie society, predicted that they would riot have to wait much longer. He encouraged the members to more ascetic religious life and to more diligent, toil. At the entrance to the "Great Gar den" stands the "Great House." Father Henrici spent his last days in the house. The "Great House" lias been a subject of controversy in the case before the courts. It is alleged that Dr. Cyrus Teed was introduced to the society and preached his doc trines in Economy, with a view to transferring bis colony there and making it a part of the Harmony So ciety. Duss, the petitioners allege, "built a fine house before Father Honrici's death for the accommoda tion of Teed and some of his principal followers." This raised a rebellion among the Harmonites and resulted in the withdrawal of some of the mem bers, "who received certain sums of money at their departure." This dis satisfaction, it is said, caused the abandonment of the Teed spheme. So the Harmony Society, born in peace and good will, seems doomed togo to pieces in the courts, unless legal delays cab postpone adjudica tion some years, when there is apt to be left of those interested only—John Duss. A perfectly proportioned man is said to weigh twenty-eight pounds for 1 every foot of his height. The Santiago •'Surrender Tree.' Tbe insatiable American relic hunter is already getting in bis fell work in Cuba, and a living monument of tbe campaign around Santiago is in immi- THE ST7BBEXDER TKEE. (I.ast photograph of the famous tree un der which Toral surrendered twenty-two thousand Spanish troops and the prov ince of Santiago to Generul Shnfier, showing the base of the trunk partly whittled away by ruthless relic seekers.) nent danger of dying at tbe bands of its friends. This is the famous tree at tbe foot of San Juan bill under *.Thicb General Toral surrendered the Spanish army to General Shafter. It has been named tbe "'Surrender Tree," and is the shrine toward which all Americans first direct their steps. Every visitor seems to become a vandal when in its presence and the trunk is rapidly being whittled away by souvenir seekers. It is urged that some action should be takon at once by the authorities if the historic tree is to be preserved. It is certain that in another season it will be destroyed piece-meal if the present vandalism is not stopped. A Machine Tlint IHgestH Fond. In tbe modern manufacture of paper whole trees are "digested" and made into wood pulp. The ma chines, or wood caldrons, used for this purpose are important factors iu paper making. A New York State paper company has just ordered the largest digester ever made. It will be forty feet high and long, with a diameter of fifteen feet, and will bo made of IJ-inch steel plate. The digester is to be used ill developing a process for weaving cloth from wood pulp. Large chunks of wood, about thirty inches long and six inches iu diameter, are thrown into tbe diges ter and there boiled aud treated with an acid. This process lasts for twelve hours aud the wood is reduced to a fluid pulp, in which state it easily felts, or mats together, in any desired thickness. This matter pulp is then dried and passed through rollers that crush the fibers together and make the paper.—Chicago Record. Joy and Life. And to what does tbe old, old man, the incredibly old man iu Vienna, at tribute bis present happiness? "I never worried aud I never grieved. I worked until I was tired and theu slept in unbroken rest until it was time to work again. It is those who sit brooding over their misfortunes who grow old before their time, and a whole night's sorrowing has never put a copper in any man's pocket or made a misfortune lighter to bear." This man iu humble circumstances is a true philosopher. Ponder his words, if you are anxious to pass a happy old age aud if you really believe that life is of itself the chief blessing. But also remember that the art of life is to be reasonably thankful each day; and not to wonder why you should be wildly thankful at any set and ap pointed time. —Boston Journal. Dnclieflg Uefriends Women Convict*. Adeline, Duchess of Bedford, known more about women convicts in Eng land than any other woman. Her Grace holds special permission from the Home Secretary to visit the con vict prisons in which women are in carcerated for longer periods than two years, and very excellent use she has made of tbe great trust repose I in her. iv DTCHESS OF BEDFORD. With her colleague, Lady Battersea, she does everything in her power to give the prisoners, upon their dis cbarge, a fresh start under improved conditions. The Duchess is a hand some woman in tbe prime of life, and ■when speaking from the platform her charming voice is curiously like that of ber sister, Lady Henry Somerset. Victoria's Marriage King*. Not many years ago it was the cits torn to distribute a large quantity of rings at tbe occurrence of some im portant event. When Queen Victoria married several dozens of rings were presented to important personages. Each ring bore her portrait, but it was so small that a magnifying glass had to be nsed to recognize it. IFOR FARM AND C-ARDSN.] Warmth In the Henhouse. A small, cool stove set on tbe earth en or cement floor of a henhouse will do much to keep up the warmth that ia quite as necessary as feed in pro ducing a large number of eggs. Even if fclje floor be of wood there is little danger that the building will burn. The amount of coal burned will bo much more than repaid by the eggs produced at the time of year when fresh eggs always sell highest. When the weather is flue the hens should ba left to run out of doors in tbe day time. But cooping them up with enough fire to keep frost out of the room is always advisable at night. This precaution is especially needed for the breeds with large combs, which are sure to be frost bitten wlieu freez ing weather comes. A ben with a sore head from frost bitten comb has enough to do to repair damages to it self without tryiDg to lay eggs. Sowing Clover in the Hull. Farmers who grow clover seed only for their own use ofteu thresh it out by band, aud sow the seed, chaff and all. It is rather unsafe to do this, as it is difficult to tell while throwing out the chaff how much clover seed is go ing with it. The better way is to clean up the seed carefully, sow that with a good broadcast seeder, which will distribute it much more evenly than can be done by hand, aud theu sow the clover chaff afterwards with what seed may be ill it, and make that cover the whole surface if possible, though as this has to be done by hand, the hand sowing cannot probably be made io cover half the piece. But there is geuerally more or less clover seed lying in tbe soil 011 land that has once grown clover seed, and this may insure a fair catch eveu if no clover seed is sown. It is such land of which farmers say, "It is natural to clover." It is always good land, but the clover does not grow 011 it spontaneously; 011 the contrary, every clover plant comes from a clover seed left some time iu the soil, possioly many years ago. The I'rofltuble Dairy. To get profit from the dairy in com petition with the product of the cream ery it is necessary that the work be done on the intensive plan. That is a thorough knowledge of what each cow is doing, what food is given to a pound, what it is costing, what it costs to make the butter, etc. Tbe herd should be built up by stock raised on the farm from the cows with the best record, using a thoroughbred sire. Do not breed indiscriminately from the cows in the herd and add the progeny to the dairy herd. Profit in the dairy can only be made when butter is at the highest price, and to obtain butter at the minimum of cost the cows must be handled so that their surroundings aud feed are as nearly as possible as they would be in June. Tbe use of ensilage will do much iu this direction providing the green succlont food contains the quan tity of water needed. The dairy cow should have grain every day in the year, varying the amount according to season and the stage of lactation. Even in summer with an abundant pasture grain should be fed, although if the pasture is short the supplemen tary food, besides grain, should be largely of soiling crops. In feeding corn stalks the ration should be bal anced by also feeding oats, peas, bran and cottonseed meal. On this plan or any similar one a dairy herd may be built up that will pay a profit even in the face of the really excellent product of tbe creamery at a low price. Warm Food for Swine. An object lesson in the value of warm food, warm quarters and good care for hogs during the winter was re cently seen on a small farm where but two pigs were kept. These animals were late spring born aud were being raised for breeders. The owner, a widow, made it a daily practice in cold weather to mix vegetable parings, chopped roots, scraps from the table and bran iu skim milk and cook the mixture, feeding it to the hogs warm. The pens were dry, warm aud cleau, with an abundance of clean bedding. Once or twice a week the owner,armed with a stiff horse brush, gave the pigs a thorough brushing. The animals were delighted and came readily to call as soon as the brush appeared, the work being easily dpne from the outside of the pet). A small yard, iu sod, was provided 011 the sunny side of the barn in which the pigs were allowed to run 011 bright days, being kept busy with a few roots or ears of corn. The result was a pair of pigs that would delight the eye of a breeder of fancy stock. Their skin was soft and clean and the animals strong aud plump, ready, when bred, to raise a family of youngsters which would be worth money. Aside from the clean ing, possibly, the same practice could be folio o