tie Jfrnltwi Mots. VOLUAE 2. McCONNELLSBURG, PA., August 29, 1901. NUMBER 50. "V An Armenian Wedding. Tlie following description of a wedding in the Orient is ex tracted from a private letter from Rov. Charles 11. Pitlmau of this place, but who is now a Mission- nry in Persia. It was not written for publication and is used with out asking his consent; but ho is so far away that we do not feel much afraid of him. Editor. "The wedding was the marriage .f a young man who is a graduate of our Boy's School, but is not a member of our church. He ap rIied for membership once but would not agree to h ive a Pro t istaut wedding which is one of the conditions of church member ship, and was, therefore, not re i ieved. Ho married the daugh ter of an Armenian priest, aud iivited all the Missionaries. "The wedding took place last Wednesday. The frieuds of the . room were invited to his home, and the lady frieuds of the bride met at her home, at seven o'clock on Wednosday evening. Dr Wright, Dr. Wilson and I went to the home of the groom at that time. When we arrived, we found several men sitting around on a brick paved place which had been curpoted for the occasion, just back of the house. Back of this, was a small garden of almond trees, dotted with a half-dozen lampposts. We met and congrat ulated the groom on our arrival, aud took scats with the rest of the men and were served with tea. I took a seat from which I could see through an open window into a small room occupied by several ladies, two of whom were dancing to tho music of a small drum and two life-like instruments, and the rest were sitting around the sides of tho room on the lloor looking on. They began slowly, and kept getting faster until the close. The dancing is very pretty and graceful, and I think much less harmful than dancing in America. The ladies and gentlemen seldom, if evor, dance together. 'Then we were served with cherries, plums, and cucumbers. The cucumbers were cut length wiso, and eaten with the rind on; sometimes with salt and pepper, sometimes without. They are much better and more tender than cucumbers in A merica, so that the rind and all can be eaten; and of these cucumbers, one may eat as many as he likes without getting sick. I was dubious at lirst about eating the rind, but found it really good. . "Then the musicians came out side and the men took their turn at dancing, while the women watched from the window (the Armenian women are not as se cluded as the Moslem, but are inoro like Europeans.) Dr. Wright thought he had seen enough, and decided to leave; but I had become interested in the proceeding, and decided to wait aud sco tho finish. The ladies now disappeared and the servants sprcad-tho tablo and invited the ineu. I said "table," but it was simply a bright colored tablecloth spread on the floor of a long nar row room, and cushions placed arouud the sides of the room. We sat on our heels on these cush ions, as we might at a picnic at homo. As I entered tho room I was directed to a place at the right hand of tho priest, who was at tho opposite side of tho room. I was perplexed as to how I was to get there; but all difficulty was removed when'I saw tho natives walk across the table; so I made two steps across the table, and was at my place. Wo remained standiug whiie the priest asked a blessing, and then sat down on our feet. Tho priest, who sat next to mo, I learned, was sevon- ty-six years old and had been a priest for fifty years. On the othor side of mo was a native helper of ours a toacher in the Boys' School, aud he interpreted lor me. First we ate native bread and herbs, liko popiernjint,8weet myrrh, and onion tops. The sec- oua course was mutton boiled with a sauce and served with .'u"g squashqs cooked. The U'DuUiiuril on mtu . September Weather. Hev. Hicks, in "Word and Works," predicts variable weath er for September. The autumnal equinox, central on the 22d, cov ers tho whole month with its per turbing influence, he asserts in his forecast, and as a result storms and changes peculiar to tho season are apt to break out at any time and sure to break out at some time during the transition of the seasons to opposite ends of the globe, or in the equinoctial period proper. Warm aud dry periods will prevail throughout September. The first regular storm period will be from the 10th to 13th. "In all probability general rain storms gales and changes of weather will visit the interior of the continent at this time, as well as the coast region." "The reactionary storm period, central about the 10th and 17th, will bring perceptible changes to storm conditions, but more gen eral and energetic disturbances are almost certain to result dur ing the Vulcan storm period cen tral on the 22nd, coincident with the center of earth's autumnal equinox. ' ilie final storm peri od reaches from the 2Gth to 30th. Glancing ahead into the weath er conditions of 1902, Rev. Hicks believes that we shall not pass out of this period of "minimum" precipitation with a bound, but that a shortage in general rains, to a "less destructive extent," will be characteristic of the com ing year. He believes that the "rain belt" which touched the extreme north in 1600, and mov ed further south in 1901, will ad vance further southward in 1902, but that the rainfall will not be excessive even there, and that the central and southern parts of the country will h ive another sum mer of shortage of, rainfall." Need mure. Your scribe from this place seems to have taken his depar ture; so we presume he will not object if we substitute ourselves. Our town bears a resemblance of "The Deserted Village" since school closed. The deportment of the students while here was exceptionally creditable, and our associations with them very pleasant. We hope they liked our town. Mr. G. Ellis Sipo who has been visiting in this community return ed to his home in Pittsburg this week. His wife will attend Crystal Springs camp until it closes. Dr. J. S. Swartzwelder's broth er and family of McKeesport were visiting the Doctor last week. Mr. Watson Gienger of Buck Valley passed through this place on Saturday. Mrs. Joe Garland who has been ill for some time is improving slowly. Master Wallace, son of Dr. and Mrs, Swartzwelder, who has had a severe attack of fever, is inf proving rapidly. Tho other sick folks are doing as well as can be expected. Mr. Moses Hill is spending a few days at his home. The lecture given at the close of the school by Kov. William J. Shaffer entitled "A Block of Mar ble," was a success. The lecture in itself is full of good thought, scholarly arranged, aud the force of character with which Mr. Sheaffer presents it cannot help but make favorable and lasting impressions. Dr. J. J. Palmer has been laid up for a few days with a Bprained knee. Mr. Emanuel Sharp and daugh ter Beatrice left for Pittsburg on Friday last where they will spend a few days with Mr. Sharp's sis tor. Mrs. Wesley McKee is spend ing some time in our village. , Ed Brake of Chambersburg, is spending this week with his faru ily in this place. He has not en tirely recovered from Ids bicycle accident. Joshua N. Hal ton. Ono of Brush Crook Valley's best citimms died suddenly on the cnnip ground at Crystal Springs last Sunday morning about 5 o'clock, aged about 70 years. For some time, Mr. Barton lias relinquished farming, and his old home just adjacent to the camp ground has been occupied by one of his sons, he and Mrs. Barton occupping a part of the house. When camp began last week they moved into a tent on the grounds, and he was enjoying the services and in his usual health up to Sat urday when he complaiued of not feeling well. A doctor was call ed, and after giving him some medicine, left, saying that he thought Mr. Barton would be all right in a short time. Ho awoke Sunday morning, talked with his wife, aud seemed to be right well. After Mrs. Barton hud been down stairs about her morn ing work awhile, she told her son-in-law to go up and give Mr. Barton his medicine. When the son-in-law reached Mr. Barton's bedside, he found him dead. Funeral took place on the camp ground Monday, and his remains were interred at McKeudree. Mr. Barton wss married to Miss Sarah Hoop, a sister of the late George Hoop of Licking Creek township. Never Had a Shoe On. No person on tho South Mount ain this season has attracted more attention than Richard Reg inald Bassett, son of Proprietor Jesse V. Bassett, of the Hotel Imperial. He is a little fellow only 3 years aud 8 months old, but very bright and remarkably sturdy. The distinguishing char acteristic of the boy is that he has never worn a shoe. His pa rents are long time sufferers with throat trouble, as is his older brother. At .the birth of the youngster the family physician advisod that his parents refrain from protecting his feet, as he showed evidence of having inher ited the family throat affliction. The physician's advice was fol lowed and the boy's feet were never covered with stocking or shoo. With the beginning of last winter the physician ordered that the boy be allowed to run bare foot on the streets, even in the severest weather. The parents did as they were advised, and the boy has not only been free from tliroat trouble but has gained in physical strength and in general robustness. He weighs within 10 pounds of his brother, wht is 6 years and 8 months tho elder. Mr. Bassett's home is in Roan oke, Va. ' Clear Ridge. Robert, David and Brady Flem ing are on tho sick list. . Miss Sue Orth, after spending the past two weeks with her sis ter, Mrs.. Foster Early, of Wells Valley, returned home on Friday. Rays Baker, who spent the past two months with Scott Wi ble's at Harrisburg, returned home, accompanied by her friend Miss Mabel Cromwell of Three Springs. James Kcrlin went to Franklin county on Friday and brought over twenty bushels of peaches. Sadie Fields of Hustontown spent a few days recently with the family of her uncle, W. L. Fiolds. S. .L. Bedford, wife and two daughters, spent Sunday with his parents at Need more. Mr. John Newabaum and Mr. Campbell of Franklin county, and James Gill and Otis Fleming, of Huntingdon county, spout Satur day and Sunday with T. E. Flem ing's family. Mrs. J. W. Mowers was called to her former homo in Franklin county on account of tho illuess of her brother's wife, Mrs. Jas. Alexander. Calvin Henry aud wife spent Saturday and Sunday with his sister, Mrs. F. K. Stevens of Mc Connellsburg. . Russel and Modelius Stevens, who s pent tho past wook with their grandparents, Mr. and Mrs. N. B. Henry, returned home on Saturday to McConnellsburg. Atf AWFUL PREDICAMENT. What Happened to a Dushful Young Alan From lied ford. Krnm The F.verett Repuhlluuo. The following good story has finally leaked out, but to give names would be courting death : A young man from Bedford came to Everett not long since to visit ono of the fair maidens of our town, and he spent the evening in her society very pleasantly. When it came time for him to leave and go to the hotol ho real ized that a heavy storm was rag ing. He had no umbrella or rub ber coat, and when the girl's fa ther asked him to remain at the house until morning he readily consented. He is a very bashful young man and the next morning when he was invited to a seat at the tablo he very reluctantly ac cepted. He was nervous and ag itated. He sat opposite a mirror aud discovered that he had for gotten to comb his hair. Then he dropped his fork on tho floor and as ha stooped to pick it up he upset his coffee. Matters went from bad to worse until in dospair tho young mau quit eating and put his hands under the table. The loose end of the table cloth was lying in his lap, and when he touched it he turned pale. He thought it was his shirt and in his nervous excitement while dressing he had forgotten to put the garment inside his trousers. That accounted for the smiles and stares of the family, and his etubarassment. Ther was no time to lose. He hurriedly stuff ed the supposed shirt inside his trousers. Two minutes later when the family arose from the table there was a crash. The dishes lay in a broken mass on the floor. The young man pulled three feet of table cloth out of his pants and bolted for the door. The young lady has a beau near er home now who is not so ner vous. Disastrous Storms. One of the most destructive floods Bedford county has exper ienced for a long time occurred last Friday afternoon. The storm center appears to have been at Everett, at which place there seemed to be a cloudburst about 5 o'clock. The water attained a depth of three feet in Main street in about twenty minutes. Every house on Water street was flood ed. The loss to the tannery, the planing mill, flouring mills and stores near the stream known as Bloody Run, amounts to thous ands of dollars. At Bedford Springs Shover's Run overflowed its banks and covered the lawn in front of the hotel to the depth of several inches. Several fields on farms adjacent to Everett were washed bare of every particle of soil, and will be worthless for farming purposes. Of Interest to Nervous People. Seventeen men and worn en hith erto suffering with diseases which racked their bodies with pain and clouded their minds with sadden ing thoughts, are at the Thimble Islands, Conn., eschewing all sol id foods, subsisting entirely on milk and growing fat and hearty on the diet. Credit for the dis covery of the medicinal proper ties of the fluid is given to Philip U. Robinson, registrar of ihe Catholic University of Washing ton. Prof. Robinson has suffer ed for some years from a severe nervous disorder which eminent specialists have treated in vain. A mouth ago, for no reason other than he had lost all interest in everything, eating included, he abandoned all solid foods, taking ouly milk as nourishment. At lirst ho drank six quarts daily. Now he consumes from eight to ten quarts. He declares the re sults have been little short of marvelous. He has gained eight pounds in weight and insists that he is entirefy free from nervous trouble. Our old friend Amos Fields of Brush Creek valley is spending a few days in McConnellsburg with his brother David. Longer Life. The report just made by the Census Bureau shows that the average ago of Americans is in creasing. The decrease in the death rate in tho registration area is 1.8 per 1000 of population, a decrease of nearly 10 per cent. The effect of the advances made in medical science and sanitation and in the preventive and restric tive measures enforced by the health authorities is still more strikingly shown in tho compara tive rate for the registration cit ies of the country taken together. In 1890 the death rate in 271 registration cities of 5000 or more population, was 21 por 1000; in 1900 the rate was 18.6 per 1000. The average age at death in 1890 was 31.1 years; in 1900 it was Si). 2. Tho total number of deaths re ported in 19W was 1,039,084; in 1890 it was 107.G75 or 23.5 per cent. As the percentage of in crease in the population was but 207, this indicates a more com plete return of deaths than in 1890. Since the introduction of the study of physiology and hygiene in our public schools, we havo a generation growing to manhood and womanhood that will under stand the care of their own bodies and will become more intelligent parents, with a resulting conse quence of still more greatly in creasing the average length of life; and we may confidently ex pect that the time will come in the not distant future, when the average duration of life shall measure up to the bible limit of three score years and ten. Not Up To Sample. A physician, who has been practicing in York for 46 years, recently answered a matrimonial advertisement and received in re turn the picture of a handsome St. Louis woman. Arrangements were made for her to come on, which she did without writing jf her coming. The doctor was not home when she arrived, but his daughter-in-law, who resides next door, allow ed her to put her luggage in the window. When the doctor's sou, who is a practicing attorney and an ex-chairman of the Republican county committee, arrived home he persuaded the old woman, who did not resemble the photograph in the least, to return to St. Louis, and as an inducement paid her fare and presented her with a small sum of money. The doctor graduated from the University of Maryland in 1855, and has been a widower for some time. Feeling rather lonesome, he concluded to become a bene dict again, but his recent experi ence has put a damper upon his matrimonial desires. Visiting His Old Home. Prof. George W. Ashton, of Lincoln, Nebraska, is visiting rel atives and friends in this county. He is at present the guest of his sister, Mrs. Annie Woollet and her daughter, Miss Minnie, at Fort Littleton. He is a brother of David Ashtou, Esq., of Mad densville. Mr. Ashton went west from "Tho Fort" some years ago. Prior to his departure he was a partner in business with his cous in, tlie late D. K. Bare. Since in the West ho has been engaged chiefly in educational work as city and county superin tendent of Bchools in the state of Iowa. He is an active Republicau and was closely identified with the winning candidates 1 in the senatorial dead-lock in tho Ne braska legislature last win tor, and is in lino to receive a lucrative Federal appointment from the President, which will be made soon. Big Cucumber. ; Mr. T. J. Wiener one of Han cock's hustling storekeeper'! raised in his gardou this season a ucumber that measured 12 incnos m length and 10 inches in circumference, and weighs 2J pounds. T. J. Palmer. After Bufltring from Bright's Disease for a gool while, T. J. Palmer of Licking Orek town ship died last Thursday, af.;od i about 43 yours. Several years ago, he was mar ried to Miss Hattie, a daughter of the late Mr. and Mrs. G. Run yan Sipes, and to them have been born seven child rou, all of whom with the widow survive. Funeral took place last Friday morning, Elder Thomas Palmer conducting tho services, and in terment was made at Siloam. Mr. Palmer was a son of the late John Palmer of Belfast town ship, a brother of William and Park of Bethel, Nathan and Mrs. Morton Hess and Mrs. Aaron Hess of Belfast. Saluvia. Mrs. H. S. Wishart has been seriously ill the past week. Mr. and Mrs. Vernon Skipper, of Tyrone, are visiting Mrs. Skip per's parents, Mr. and Mrs. W. C. Mann. David Deshong, whose illness was noted in the Nkws last week, is in a very critical condition at this writing. H. K. Stevens and family, of Shippensburg.were visiting Mrs. Stevens' sister, Mrs. H. E. Aus tin Saturday. "Daddy" Everetts boasts of the tallest corn on his lot that there is in this vicinity, the stalks measuring 15 feet. Among those from this place attendingcampatCrystalSprings are Misses Ella and Lydia Mann and Mrs. May Bair. Mr. aud Mrs. A. C. Mellott and little son, of Pittsburg, are visit ing Mrs. Mellott's parents, Mr. and Mrs. Joseph Sipes. W. R. Speer, superintendent of the repairs on the 'pike, had a force of men employed last week covering a few of the stones with gravel. , Dr. S. S. Hoop has located at his old home three miles south of Harrisonville for the purpose of practicing medicine. The Doctor hopes to secure a liberal share of your patronage. Miss Anna West gave a very interesting description of her work in the missionary field in Japan to a large congregation in the Presbyterian church at Green Hill last Sunday morning. Mr. and Mrs. Nathan Palmer and Park Palmer, Mrs. Mort Hess and Mrs. Aaron Hess, of Belfast, were called to Harrison ville Friday on account of the death of their brother, T. J. Pal mer. The young ladies of the M. E, church at Greenhill will give a ribbon social and ice cream sup per at the church Saturday even ing, August 81. Come out, as they are desorving of your pa tronage. Mrs. John B. Sipes is suffer ing from a broken arm, the re sult of falling on the porch at the home of her daughter.Mrs. Sadie Shaw of Taylor township, where she was visiting last week. She has not been able' to be removed to her home at this writing. The teachers employed for the ensuing term are Saluvia, David Strait; Forest Dale, R. R. Sipes; Daniels's, Miss Maggie Daniels; Siloam, L. L. Truax; Shanes, Jas Deshong; Harrisonville, LL H. Hol- lenshead; Mountain, Loyllollens- head; Vallance, Miss Katharine Metzler. T. J. Palmer died at his home near Harrisonville last Thursday morning, aged about 43 years, The deceased had been in ill health for eoveral years, and few weeks ago it developed into Brights discase,and all that skill ed physicians and loving friends could do, could not stay the rav ages of that dread disease. . Mr. Palmer was a painter by trade, and several years ago was en gaged in the mercantile business at Harrisonville. He fs survived by his wife and seven children, and expressions of sorrow for the bereaved family are hoard on ev ery side. His remains wore laid to rest iu the Siloam cemetery Friday morning, services con ducted by Elder Thomas Palmer, assisted by Rev, Pittonger. PERSONAL. Captain Skinner spent a few days during the past week in this county. Miss Ruth West left on Wed nes Hay for a wo .weeks' visit at Welsh Run. Mrs. Edgar Criswell of Pitts burg is spending a few weeks at McConnellsburg. Miss Nellie Hays, of this placo, is visiting her grandmother, Mrs. Michaels, in Everett. Superintendent Chesnut was iu town Monday. His health has been poor this summer. Mrs. W. H. Nesbit of this place is visiting her parents Mr. and Mrs. John H. Wilt in Waynes boro. Miss Mary E. Daniels, of this place, has been spending several days with her mother near Har risonville. Miss Marion Sloan left last Wednesday for a visit of several weeks with her brothers at Buf falo, N. Y., J. G. Reisner was called to Fredericksburg, Va., last week to attend the funeral of the wife of his father-in-law. Mr. A. C. Mellott, of Pittsburg, with his wife and little son, are taking a short vacation among friends in this county. Mr. N. H. Peck of Pittsburg spent several days recently visit ing his mother and brothers in the lower part of the county. Miss Sadie E. Sipes, of Pitts burg, is spending a couple of weeks with her parents, Mr. aud Mrs. D. V. Sipes of this place. Cecil H. Sipes and sister Ollie of Pittsburg were called to this county last week on account of the death of their brother-in-law, T. J. Palmer. Frank Ranck, Moses Hess, William Palmer and Howard Kirk are prominent Bethel town ship citizens who are visiting the Pan American. Dr. West and daughters Miss Anna and Miss Ella went over to their old home in Path Valley Tuesday for a few weeks' rest and recreation. Mrs. William Kane who has been spending a few weeks with her father William Bender in this place, left for her home in York on Monday. W. A. Alexander and family of Everett, accompanied by Miss Florence Lehner, of Chambers- burg, spent part of last week with friends in this place. Mr. and Mrs. John Stahle, of Buck Valley, spent a day or two the beginning of the week very pleasantly among friends in Mc Connellsburg and the Cove. Parker Heikes, of Great Falls, Montana, reached this place last Saturday from the Pan-Ameri can, and is spending a few days among his many friends here. Mr. C. D. Smith and brother John H. Smith of Uuion township spent a day in town last week. C. D. Smith expects in the near future to move with his family to Texas. Prof. Guy L. Zimmerman and sister spent Thursday, with friends in McConnellsburg, Miss Mary will remain there a few days and visit Rev. A. G. Wolf and family. A party composed of Miss Mary Hoke, Miss Emily Great head, Miss Mary Skinner, Miss Nellie Nace and Miss Catharine Cook, are spending a week at the Juniata Crossings. Dr. and Mrs. A. D. Dalbey.Mr. and Mrs. George B. Daniels, John Patterson, and Misses Mary Trout, Nellie Dauiels, and Lois Caldwell, all of this placo, left this (Thursday) morning for a ten days' outing at Atlantic City. Among those from this place - who attended Crystal Springs camp, were, Mr! 'and Mrs. Virgil Sipes, Ellis Lynch and James Patterson, John fitoutosrle and daughter Olive, Frank Mason and daughters Miss Zoe and Jessie, Miss Mertie Stoner. Mr. and Mrs. S. W. Kirk, and D. V. Sipes.
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