HEHtyDOFTpOUSE
By Alice Louise Lee.
mm
TUB doctor stood by the bedside;
there wns not a trnce of sym
pathy expressed hi Ills seamed
fnce of In lils brusque manner,
fet there were people who declared
.t'wns not lacking lu his heart.
Well, what are you going to do
ilioiit It?" he Inquired, briefly.
Mr. Sprngue drew a long breath.
'Doctor, you rnu't mean that It will
je months "
"Exactly what I do mean. It will
,c iiKiulhs before you can bear your
ociislit upon that foot. It's not a sprain.
The ligaments arc torn."
A boy stood beside the window, his
aek toward the bed. The sick man
lanced at him involuntarily while the
physician was speaking. Now hi
voire contained a sad attempt at cheer
fulness as he said, "Itobert. do you
lear that? It moans you're the head of
ibe house now."
Pr. Jnnis turned a pair of keen
yes on the boy. "Rather a big Job
or one of your size, eh, Doc?" be ejac
ulated, primly. lie always referred to
'loliert as "Doc," beeauso of the pro
fession which the boy bad in view.
Mrs. Sprngue spoke quickly: "Bur
Jons never seem so heavy to tbe wili
ng and capable, Doctor Jarvls."
The physician nodded, picked up his
medicine-chest, and walked out of the
ooin abruptly. Itobert followed nnd
went Into the burn, sat on the feed
Dox. and tried hard not to think.
Hubert!" camu a voice from the
stable door, au unsteady voice.
"Y"S, mother." He made a quick
pass at his eyes, and did not turn bis
acini. -
Mrs. Sprngue snt down beside him
unl laid her band on his arm. For a
aioiiu'iit neither spoke. "I'm sorry,
itoljeit." she began, tlually, "nnd So is
.-our father, but "
Itobert swallowed hard. lie knew
That she meant. It was tbe subject
pe had been struggling to keep out of
lis thoughts. Finally he said huskily.
'Well, mother, if I can't, why, I can't,
Jiat's all."
"We have been talking It over, your
lather and I " She paused to gain
lontrol of a faltering tongue. "It
teems to us best for Clara to go. I can
jet along without her help, nud if she
nailiiates this year, she can teach
jext. lint you, Itobert we shall have
.0 depend on you for everything this
sinter."
The boy swallowed again, but made
10 n-jply.
"Your father says that Mr. Brown
vill give yon ten dollars a month for a
otiple of trips a day to the sawmill.
Of course you are strong enough to do
leavler work in the woods than diiv
ng the team, but that ten dollors will
uenu much to us, Itobert, Just now."
Itobert slipped down from tbe feed'
)ox, saying with n brusqueness which
lid not deceive his mother, "I've got
o let the cows out now."
She watched him us ho opened the
tntichlous, this son of whom she was
x proud. He led his class in the
railed school in the village. They bad
lis future alrendy planned. He was
graduate In May. nnd the following
September enter the collego preparn
ory school at Key 1 rook, where r
icholarshlp once in four years nwnlted
Jie leader of the senior class in Swnu
lea. This was the fourth year, and if
le were not prepared for Keybrook
ilia year bo would Ijse the scholar
hip. The loss would be severe to the
iprngues in their straitened financial
tircmiHtanccs.
Long after his mother had returned
o the house Itobert stood In tbe stable
loor. looking down the valley beyond
lie Swansea seboolbouse. Tho broth
(r and sister had rented two rooms at
Urs. Browu's, where tliey bad boarded
Jie previous year. Now one of the
oonis must be given up. A lump rose
n Robert's throat. Doctor Jarvls'
limit words to bis father had turned
'iie world upside down.
Clara, be began at the supper
able, in a tone which he intended to
e careless, "winch of those rooms
lo you want to keep? I bad tetter go
lown-towu to-morrow and tell Mrs.
Brown, or we may have to pay rent
lor both."
Clara bent her head over ber plate,
tier soft brown eyes tilled with tears
jut she knew better than to let Robert
tee them. She read the signs of re
jresslou in bis face.
"Ask Mrs. Brown to keep the cheap
Jr one for me,' 'she returned, quietly
The following afternoon he drove to
town to interview Mrs. Browu. On
Uie way be met Dr. .larvls.
"Hello, Doc I" called the physician
drawing rein. "As bead of the bouse,
what are you going to do?"
"Drive team for Mr. Brown," re
turned Robert', half-resenting the
juestlon. Tho doctor seemed to con
sider himself n privileged character as
:o questioning.
"What do you got for it?"
"Ten dollars a month."
"Might do worse," was the only ro
mouse tho doctor made as be drove
ju, but turned and looked musingly at
'.bo boy's straight back.
"Rent tho room!" cried Mrs. Browu,
t few moments later. "Why, Robert,
I could rent both those rooms a dozen
times over. Every vacant room in the
place is taken by students, and dozens
are turuod away. I don't blame tho
girls and boys for wanting to come to
Uio graded school. It's p. good school."
When Robert left Mrs. Brown bo
tarried with him a uew idea, which
grew with every mllo of the homeward
lourney. Why not? There were the
liorses, tbe big, henvy spring wagon,
ind the long bob-sleigh. WUy not?
He could scarcely sleep that ulght.
"Come out to the baru," lie wills
ercd to Clara, after breakfast, "I've
lomo thing to tell you."
IIo unfolded his plan tq her as they
la't togotlier on tbe feed-box. It mat
nth an enthusiastic reception. Clara
pivo a Joyful cry, and springing from
mo box, whirled round and round
L'hon she seized Robert's shoulders and
Ihook thoin.
L ''Aud there's oel" she exclaimed, id
ungranimatlcal triumph. "Don't you
see? I could give up the room, and
with It the additional expense. Oh,
good for you I"
Robert smiled genuinely for 'ho first
time in twenty-four hours.
"And, Rob," she began again, "we
can have the wagon rain-proof at but
little cost. I can make the cover, and
you can make the framework for it."
After due consultation they conclud
ed they would ask their mother's ad
vice, but not trouble their father until
It wns all arranged if it could bo ar-
anged. They fouud their mother in
the back kitchen, where, lu loud whis
pers, both talking at once, they un
folded tbe plan.
'And only think, mother, what It
means to Rob!" said Clara, easrerlv.
'The graduation and tho scholarship
and "
"But the work here, the chores," be
gan the mother, doubtfully.
"There's nights, mornings and Sat
urdays." interrupted Robert.
"And I'll help," said Clara.
That very afternoon the two started
out to test tin practicability of their
plan. They talked til the way front
Sprague's lllll to Swansea. "I'll land
the load at t e steps of the school build
ing every morning at a quarter to uiue,
rain or shine, for one dollar apiece a
month," snld Robert.
'I've been wondering how the chll
dren were going to get to school this
winter, with me working In the
woods, one ratner said, "rut me
down for two."
"doing to sta-t a kid wagon, are
yon?" cried another, slapping bis knee.
"C5o.id.Jea! Why on irtL hasn't some
one thought of it before? Well, I guess
you enn count on my tnree."
When the big liorses rattled p to the
barn that night, Clara, nil unmindful
of the fact that her father knew noth
ing of the plan, dashed into the bouse
shouting, "Mother! Motltr! We have
twenty pledged! That means ten dol
lars more than Rob wou'd earn in the
woods, with mo at heme at night and
Rob lu school!"
Then they went into Mr. Sprague's
ooin, nnd Clara told the plan dis-
Jolntodly. "It's Robert's idea, father,
and Isn't It flue? We can carry the
horses' feed, aud be will try to get
stalls In Dr. Jarvis's barn, and aud,
O my!"
"Father, do you object?" asked Rob
ert. from the doorway.
"Object!" exclaimed his father, nnd
his tone wns nil the assurance tho boy
needed. "Why, Robert, you're the
bead of tho house now!"
"So It's school aud a 'kid wagon.' is
It?" Inquired Doctor Jarvls, with grim
humor, when interviewed concerning
the stables. "Yes, tho barn is big
enough, nnd there's work enough lying
round for a boy of your size to do to
pay for Its use, but when are you
going to have time to do !t?"
Noons." replied Itobert. "We have
from twelve to one-thirty, you know.
When will you eat your dinner?"
Oh, that won't take me long."
Robert's plans were working so well
that he had little time to consider so
unimportant a matter as dinners.
"Humph!" snorted the doctor. In
discouraging tone. "Aud the chores at
home?"
"Nights and mornings."
The doctor cleared his throat aud
scowled. "Studying?"
"In school nnd nights." Robert's
hopefulness was not dimmed by the
old physician's pessimism.
"Ami you expect to lead your
classes?"
"I must, for that means Keybrook
and the Swansea scholarship next
year."
"Scholarship!" snorted tho doctor,
As one of the trustees at Keybrook he
was Interested In the scholarship,
"When are you going to sleep?" This
question Robert considered Irrelevant,
Monday mornlug, at quarter before
nine, Doctor Jarvls sat beside tbe east
window in his study to see the wagon
pass. It was a sight worth seeing
heavy wagon with a creaking break
crude but effective cover of black oil
cloth stretched over a rude frame,
Along the sides of the wagon were
rough but comfortable, seats occupied
by twenty Jolly boys and girls. Rob
ert sat on a sent which overhung the
dashboard, aud swung bis feet back
of the horses. His face was beaming
nnd be whistled gaily as he looked a
the big red brick school building; but
Doctor Jarvls shook his head.
"All right in the run for the scholar
ship, Doc?", the physician asked, at the
end of the first mouth.
Robert handed over a ten-dollar bill
proudly. It was part paymeut for at
tendance on bis father. "Yes, sir," b
replied, briskly. "I led the class thi
mouth, but my marks were not so high
as I should like th?tn to be."
After he had gone, Dr. Jarvls laid
the bill in his wallet as dellberatel
as if ho need.nl lt-nud Robert did not
They will- be lower this mouth," he
said, musingly.
He was right. To his own surprise.
Robert fell slowly behind. lie spent
as many lftmrs over his books, but they
were late hours, and tho result was not
the same. Ho did not quite understand
why, but tho doctor did. Ho was not
surprised when tho boy said soberly
at tho end 0i tho second month:
"Fred Smith Is, ahead of mo now, but
I must catch up."
"Humph,"' commented the doctor,
unsympnthetlcally, and drove away.
IIo carried lu his pocket a second ten
dollar bill.
Then camo the Decembor cold, with
drifts aud ico, making additional work
for Robert. There was shoveling to
do, a path to break, for the sheep from
the barn to tbe spring, wood to be
chopped, and after all these duties
were done he nodded over the algebra
problems which refused to be solved.
Ouee during the morning session,
after he had faced a keen north wind
for four miles, he dropped asleep be
side the stove and tell off bis chair, to
tbe uproarious amusement of the stu
dents and the vexation of Mr. Telfer,
Itobert bowed his bead In shame over
the principal's sbarp words, and begged
bis sister not to mention the matter at
home.
"I'm getting so stupid, Clara," he
confessed. "I don't know what to
make of myself."
"No, you're not, Rob," she declared,
loyally; but there was an anxiety In
her voice she could not conceal.
"I stand third In tho class," he told
tbe doctor, briefly, at the end of Janu
ary. "Whst are you going to do about
it?" was tbe characteristic response.
"Give up?"
Robert mounted to his seat In the
'bobs" and gntbered up tbe lines. His
tone was obstinate rather than hope
ful: "No, sir, not until I have to."
"That fellow," said the doctor, later,
to Mr. Telfer, "has paid my bill down
to the last cent. He has done their
outdoor work at home and kept the
family going financially all winter with
that wagon of his. Ills father and
mother depend entirely on him."
"But, all the same," said Mr. Telfer,
soberly, "he's dropping steadily behind
n bis studies, and I had counted on
htm at Keybrook to represent our
school well."
At home Robert, who had a long
race with some snow-blinded sheep,
was falling asleep over his Latin in
the face of his despairing determina
tion to keep awake.
"But, father," he said, with hope re
newed when the April report card
showed his mnrks low in the eighties,
'there are the tlnnl examinations this
month. I'm reviewing for them every
minute I can find. They count one
third ou the term's work. I always
keep pretty cool in the exams," and he
went out to the barn whistling more
cheerfully than he had in weeks be
fore.
Hope to come up four places on the
finals, do you, eh?" came the doctor's
discouraging voice. The doctor had
fallen into the habit of frequenting his
barn in the morning at a quarter to
nine, although he seldom had an en
couraging word to offer. That morn
ing be noticed how thin and pule Rob
ert had become.
'I shall do my level best, sir. I have
been reviewing for weeks now."
"When do the examinations begin?"
"To-morrow," Robert responded.
The following morning Doctor Jar
vls wns startled at the sight of the
boy's face. It had a drawn, sleepless
look. "See here, Doc, did you study
all ulght?"
Itobert turned away. Ills tone wns
mu tried. "No. sir, but I was up all
night with a sick cow."
"Nice preparation for final exam
inations!" the physician muttered, but
this time ho mercifully waited until
Robert was out of hearing.
It wns a preparation which could
have but one result. Robert's stand
ings for the term were lowered almost
to the passing mark. lie could barely
graduate, Mr. Te'fer told him, nnd the
teacher's face expressed bis regret.
In heaviness of heart Robert an
nounced at homo the principal's deci
sion. "I feel wicked, mother," cried Clara,
to stand higher than Rob after all he's
done this winter!"
All day the boy secretly longed for
something to happen which would of
fer a reasonable excuse for his absence
from the evening graduating exercises,
but he longed In vain. Eight o'clock
found him sitting, In humiliation of
spirit, in the fifteenth place as tho class
of twenty were arranged on the plat
form in order of their rank.
Even tho students had not known
before bow low a position ho would oc
cupy, and many were the surprised
stares which met his shamed face ou
every side.
He was glad Doctor Jarvls was not
there to see him. The physician was
attending a trustee meeting at Key
brook. It was bad enough to face his
mother nnd farher, who felf in their
hearts that the fifteenth place was for
once the seat of honor, although they
were sore.' disappointed for Robert's
sake.
The hour spent on that platform was
the keenest torture the boy had ever
known, and it was with a feeling of
relief that rose with the others to re
ceive his diploma. When Mr. Telfer
had passed fourteen rolls down the
line, be paused a moment and pulled
an envelope from his pocket.
"Here Is something which will In
terest you, Robert," he smiled, "nnd I
congratulate you ou your prospects.
You deserve them."
Tbe letter was handed over with the
fifteenth diploma, while the audience
watched curiously, and whispered
questions which no one could answer.
Robert walked off the platform nnd
down the aisle, staring stupidly at tho
envelope. It wns postmarked "Key
brook." Sitting beside ills father, he
read tbe typewritten sheet within, nnd
caught his breath. It was from the
principal of the preparatory school.
"Mr. Robert Kprague. Swansea, l'a.:
"My Dear Sir It becomes my pleas
ant duty to inform you that Doctor
Jarvls of our board of trustees has
founded a second scholarship for
Swansea with the understanding that
It Is to bo at your service for four
years, , beginning with September
next. The doctor has asked me to say
this that he considers It of greater im
portance to be the successful head of a
house thnu of a class." Youth's Com
panion, Valuable Zone) ot Silence.
There has come into modern life n
greater variety of sound and a greater
volume than assailed the ears of our
ancestors. To keep one's freshness
there ought to be a zone of silence
around every human- being during
some part of every day.
The finest creative work is done as a
rule, in seclusion; not necessarily apart
from men, nor in solitary places, but
away from the tumult aud away from
distracting Bounds.
There was organized In Tarls, years
ago, a society for the cultur of silence.
Ou the occasion of the Initiation of a
distinguished man of letters, a bowl of
water was brought out to him In a
room where ho was watting lu solitude.
He studied it a moment, placed a rose
upon it aud sent It back, Tho water
bore the rose without overflowing. '
To the members assembled lu anoth
er room the act was the most convinc
ing evidence that the initiate compre
hended the purpose of the fellowship,
aud was prepared in spirit to become
one of the company. The act was a
symbol which Americans may wisely
study. Good Health,
ON THE CATTLE LINER
Oentleman Tramp's Cruise Prom Montreal
to Glasgow
D
OWN on my luck one day st
autumn, I had diligently footed
Montreal for several hours' In
search of something to do. At
Inst I happened to strike an employ
ment bureau, having a blackboard out
side, on which was written: "Free
passage to England nud back as cattle
men r.pply within."
I walked in. A big man In a fur
coat, sitting in front of a stove and
smoking a cigar, looked up. "Well,
what's your business? You ain't no
lumber man." I admitted I wns not,
and told him I wished for a free pus
sage to England as cattleman. "Well,
guess you can," says be, making out a
form nnd banding it to nit with the
remark that be wanted $5 Iwoklng fee.
I expostulated nnd asked hi in wbnt his
sign menu: "Free pnssngo." He
smiled nnd said: "Guess you'd better
take it now, as It might cost you $10
to-morrow."
I reflected a few minutes, and then
banded him the required sum. He Im
mediately been me niulnble, nnd asked
if I had any preference as to where I
shipped to. I said I bad not, but
wanted to get home as quickly as pos
sible. I knew there were very few
more boats out of port before winter
,vas upon us, nnd my cash In hand wns
liow reduced to less than $10. After
looking through bis books I decided to
put my name down for Glasgow, to
nail the following Thursday, nnd
turned to leave the office. "Say," he
bellowed out nfter me, "guess you git
five shillings from the company at the
othet end." The eventful Thursday
came, and I arrived at the office at 4
with my "grip," ready for work, to
find some twenty or thirty other men
all waiting to ship by the same boat.
I began to get fidgety, as I knew there
were only six men wanted from thnt
nlllee by the cattle shipper and I won
dered If my ?5 "was gone bust." Fate,
however, was kind, and by 8 o'clock
(hat night I had signed on as part of
the ship's company to the port of Glas
gow. I found, on getting on board,
that there were two foremen nnd nine
hands to look nfter 350 head of cattle.
The first thing we did on getting on
noard wns to find our quarters. These
were right in the fo'e'sle head, next
door to the firemen, and a steward was
there waiting for us. He ventured a
remark that ho would for $2 lock our
baggage up in the foremen's cabin for
the present, as tbe firemen were not
to be trusted with anything lying
about. This being done, we set to
work to bed down for tbe cnttle, which
were to come ou during the night.
This finished, we prepared to retire,
but on arriving at our quarters found
only bnre boards to sleep on, which dis
covery sent us howling to the steerage
steward with a view to getting blank
ets, etc. We were, however, informed
What we could not have any until next
day. but each man received a plate,
Kiiire nud roric, and cup, and also a
large tin pan to fetch our meat In, and
n can to be used for fetching both ten
and soup. We went back to our quar
ters, nnd with my "grip" for a pillow
I wrapped myself up In my gi'eat-eont
nnd slept my first sleep as a cattle
man. Next morning we were aroused by
one of the foremen at 7 o'clock, nnd
then we arranged who should be kitchen-maid
for that day. The duties of
kitchen-maid were not arduous, as I
found when my turn came on the Sun
day, the work consisting of going to
the galley to fetch the grub and wash
ing up the things nfter. Breakfast
that first morning consisted of coffee
and stew, with bread, and I shall not
forget it in a hurry. After breakfast
was over we went on deck and
watched the boat cast off for England,
and then our duties as cattlemen com
menced. We first of all got up suill
rlent hay from the hold to last until
next morning; nfter that we watered
nud fed the cnttle. In the evening we
again watered and fed, nnd then
cleaned up the alleyways, and bad fin
ished for tbe ulght. Supper, pipes and
jards saw the time through till 9 p. in.,
and one of our fellows proved no small
performer on the violin. On all sub
jequent mornings we were up nt 4
D'clock sharp to water the animals nnd
give them their hay, after which we
Wltnaaa Can't Think.
Sir Henry Irving once said: "Wbnt
:s the good of lawyers treating an
aoucst and sensitive witness ou the
tvltness-stand as though he were a
menk thief? A young man In my
lompuny was a witness lu a case of
robbery. He had seen a thief snatch
l young girl's pocket-book nnd make
sff. Well, tho thief's lawyer cross
examined my young friend shamefully,
lie roared at him, shook his fist at
ulin,. raved at him. 'And at what
hour did nil this happen?' the lawyer,
sneering, asked toward the end of his
examination. 'I think ' my friend
began, but be wns at once interrupted.
'We don't care anything, here about
what you think!' said the lawyer, with
a sort of contempt. 'Don't you waut
to hear what I think?' said my young
friend, mildly. 'Certainly not,' the
lawyer roared. 'Then,' said my friend,
'I may as well step down from the
box. I'm not a lawyer. I can't talk
without thinking.' "
The lllrnh In the Hrlttuli Navy.
The Government have deckled to
suspend the use of the birch lu the
navy, directing thut a report be made
to them on the effect of the suspension
lit the end of n year. This U a mutter
for naval men rather than for politi
cians. Opinion among experts is cer
tainly divided ou the question. There
ire able men who are strongly In favor
)f the abolition of corporal punishment,
iut the prevailing opinion among naval
Officers is the other way. Is the birch
the best deterrent? That is the ques
tion. We have no sympathy with the
leutlmeutal view of the matter. Ab
horrence of methods ot force Is a tradl
llonul Liberal doctrine, aud one for
nhlch wo have always had unmixed
toutcmpt, Refinement may become a
morbid, process, aud no nation Infected
y It can have any chauce In competi
tion with ruder peoples. Loudou Sat
trdflj Review.
proceeded to get up enough hay and
meal to do duty until tbe following
morning, and then to breakfast.
Breakfast over, at 9 a. m., we gave
each beast a pailful of meal, and then
cleaned out the alleyways, ond were
then (11 a. m.) free until 3, when w
went through the same performance
again, finishing off by 0 o'clock each
evening. Sunday was a great day with
us on account of a change of diet, each
man receiving for dinner a raisin and
currant pudding, and for tea a one
quarter pound tin of plum Jam. Each
day saw us through exactly the same
routine of work, and occnslonnlly In
the evenings we were invited down by
the steerage passengers to their con
certs. The 350 cnttle were decked In four
rows etxendlng fore nnd nft, two rows
to port nnd two rows to starboard,
with alleyways separating the port
rows nnd the starboard rows. A fore
man nnd five cattlemen worked the aft
lot, and a foreman nnd four men the
forward division. It wns very good
fortune to work forward, nnd we used
to pity the other gang, for they had no
soft Job In the early morning, with a
rough sea, groping their waj past the
engine room up to the deck. The hay
and menl were stored in the fore and
nft holds, nnd were got up dally by
pulleys. The water was stored In
large barrels, filled daily from the
engine room. The worst part of our
work wns the sweeping nnd cleaning
of tho alleyways, and those who es
caped seasickness,, nmong them myself,
were often a bit below par from the
smell of the cattle. But custom is n
good mate, and In my own case I nm
willing to travel as cattleman again, if
necessary.
Our foremen were very decent fel
lows, one being an American and tho
other an Irishman. They were treated
as second-class passengers, having a
Joint cabin nnd u steward. After the
first throe days, by means of n little
"greasing," I succeeded in feeding with
them, not to avoid my fellow cattle
men, for they were nil good fellows,
but to escape their grub, which was
not "O. K." Among my mates were a
violinist from a Newport (U. S. A.
band, a "vet." from Toronto, a farmer
from Manitoba, a bushniau (Scotch),
and four other Scotchmen, all stone
masons, going home with three or four
hundred dollars apiece. To complete
the picture I must add that the ship
carried four saloon passengers, four
teen second-class nnd twenty-three
steerage, nil Scotch, and one was an
enthusiastic bagpiper, who piped at
night with nn utter disregard for the
weary cattlemen. He nnd the violin
ist were, however, lu great request for
the steerage dances.
And so time passed away until, on
the following Sunday, we sighted Tor
rey Island, off tbe north of Ireland. I
might say that for some hours before
we sighted land the cattle were very
restless, and my foreman told me thnt
they knew they were nearing land.
On Monday nt noon we nnchored nt
Birkenhead, where, in tbe space of an
hour and a half, we had got all the
cnttle off, and also about lot) bales of
bay that remained over, and were once
more on our way to Glasgow, where
we were to be paid off.
Never shull I forget that morning
when we steamed up the Clyde to
Greenock, Ben Lomond In the distance,
its peak covered with snow and the
sunshine ou it, and around us a lot of
boa'ts waiting for the tide to take them
on. Then we gradually drew away
Into civilization, with all Its smoke and
dirt.
We were paid off that afternoon,
each man receiving 5s. aud his dis
charge, a deduction out of tills being
made for any tobacco supplies during
tbe voyage, which, lu my case, left me
only 2s. in hand.
Each cattleman, In addition, Is en
titled to a free pnssage back by the
next boat, but, on application at the
steamship ottice you can, ou payment
of i'l, prolong your visit to this coun
try for three months, which enables
you to return to Canada In tho spring,
when the snow and frost have broken
up and life Is making a fresh start in
the new country nnd nil good labor Is
In demand. Bull Mull Gazette.
A Man of Discernment.
"I've always been antagonistic to.
wards Nuritch," observed Mallette,
"but It appears that, after all, he's a
decent sort of a chap."
"So?" responded his chum, D'Auber.
"Yes," Mallette continued; "nnd fur
thermore, his taste proves to be ex
quisite. His artistic perceptions are
of the keenest. He has a delicate ap
preciation of subtly beautiful things
which Is extraordinary. To the larger,
broader forms of art his soul rises "
"You don't say so." yawned D'Auber.
"more nbout sculpture than nny
amateur I have met. He seems to pos
sess an Instinctive love fur fine mar
bles which unerringly guides him to
select that which is noble and reject
the unworthy. Such discrimination as
bis Is rare, and "
""1 say," interrupted D'Auber, "how
did you learn all this?"
"Why," explained Mallette, "be wns
in my studio yesterday, and lie er
purchased my latest effort." Fuck.
Modern Fapyrun.
Old things come back to us. Tho
papyrus of the Egyptians has certainly
been considered au article of the long
past, but now "It bobs up serenely."
In Sicily this plant grows somewhere
In tho vicinity of Syracuse, aud for
over 100 years one fumlly has worked
it into regular papyrus according to tho
directions of liinlus in the thirteenth
book of his natural history, aud they
have sold it to tourists, aud now have
it generally painted postcard wise with
views of Syrucuse. They gather about
400 plants and manufacture 200 sheets
of papyrus annually.
Now the Italian Government pro
poses to start a plantation and use the
product to print puper money on, be
cause that could not be counterfeited.
The modern papyrus Is not nearly as
white and dense aud fine as the old
Egyptian. Will It ltst several tbousaud
jear?-Hartfoid Fot.
State Konili.
THI
Tl
sc
19 State needs better roads.
The people are becoming con-
clous of the fact, and a begin
ning has been made. The State
has undertaken to meet a large part
of the cost of roads which the town
ships feel the need of sufficiently ' to
pay a part of the expense. But this
plan assumes that tbe local communi
ties will take the initiative. Something
more than that Is needed.
It would give a tremendous Impetus
to the good ronds movement if tho
Slate would take the Initiative In mak
ing some highways of general Import
ance. It has plenty of money, and no
better use for some of It could be sug
gested than road making. No other
expenditure would diffuse its benefits
more generally through the community.
The farmers would be especially ben
efited by road Improvements that
would enable them to haul heavier
loads to the railway stations with less
Wear and tear upon their horses nnd
wagons. Tbe urban population would
be greatly benefited by anything that
would facilitate comfortable uccess to
the country.
It Is now proposed to ask tho Legis
lature for au appropriation ot three or
three and a half million dollars io
make a first-class highway connecting
the two great cities at the extremetles
of the State. The highway would pass
through fourteen counties and eleven
large towns. Its benefits would bu
fairly distributed between the rural
and the urban population. Counties
and towns along the route would be
moved to construct brunch ronds con
necting with this main artery. Noth
ing else would do so much to popu
larize good roads and to Incite the local
communities to mend their highways
ns the object lesson of a State high
way. The enterprise deserves hearty
encouragement. This State, eminent
for ngriculture, manufacturing and
mineral resources, ought to have a
complete system of excellent highways,
and if the State will take the lead tbe
counties and towns will follow, and lu
a few years reunsylvaiila will have
roads that will excite the envy of other
States. Philadelphia Record.
Wealth. ConRervlng Common Reno.
The law as laid down In the books Is
Pimply common sense applied. Suc
cessful agriculture Is common sense ap
plied. Money-making in any legitimate
channel is but common sense applied.
It may be set forth ns an economic
fact that the Government of the Unl
t"d States woild go to pieces iu an as
tonishing short time If tho principle
of common sense were not at the very
foundation of its administration. And
it is this principle thut underlies, gives
force to and will ultimately enact into
law the Browulow-Latimer bill to ex
tend National aid to highway construc
tion nnd improvement in the various
States of tbe Union. Common sense
long ago fixed upon the farmer as the
first factor in progress and prosperity,
and thnt same common sense points
determinedly to the fact, not to be dis
puted by any reputable authority, that
the farmers ns a class are less eared
for by the Government which owes its
continued existence to them than nny
other class In the land. The Depart
ment of Agriculture, the most im
portant to the farmers of all our In
stitutions, states iu a bulletin that,
for the lack of good roads, the farmers
suffer more than any other class, and
thut it Is tills which constitutes the
greatest drawback to rural life. It is
obviously unnecessary, therefore, to
discuss the benefits to be derived by
them from improved roads. The de
partment has gathered facts which
enable it to publish broadcast that
"those localities where good roads have
been built are becoming richer, more
prosperous nnd more thickly settled,
while those which do not possess these
advantages In transportation are either
at a standstill or are becoming pooret
and more sparsely settled, and" con
tinues this Government authority "If
these conditions remain, fruitful farms
may be abandoned nnd rich lands go to
waste." Brooklyn Uptown Weekly,
Abnllahlne; Grade Croulnffi,
Senator Armstrong, in bis amend
ments to tne New York LUghway law,
provides that everywhere railroad
crossings at grade shall be abolished.
In a year from this date, when the
State Engineer, acting thro :gh the
town boards and boards of supervisors,
has designated on a map tbe main high
ways that are to be improved with the
$50,000,000 voted by the people, then it
l will show clearly how many of these
main highways are crocsed at grade by
railroads. Then it will bo possible to
intelligently take up with the State
railroad commission tho abolishment of
each one of these grade crossings at
some time during the next ten yeurs, so
that the improvement of the main high
ways and the abolishing of the grade
crossings will bo Intelligently and sys
tematically done.
The l.Mvr on Wagon Tlret.
Among tbe provisions of the last road
law of Indiana are these: Any vehlclo
With less than three-Inch tires shall
not carry more than 2500 pounds dur
ing thawing weather or when the
ronds are wet or soft; with tires three
Inches and less thnu four the load may
not exceed Uinmj pounds; with tires four
inches and less than five the load may
not exceed 3r(K) pounds; with tires five
Inches and over the load may not ex
ceed 8800 pounds. The load in each
case includes tho totnl weight of the
vehicle, the load and the driver. The
penalty is J5 to r0 for each load
hauled. Road supervisors and free
gravel road superintendents have po
lice power to make arrests for any vlo
tlons of this act, und ou conviction the
plaintiff shall get a fee of $2 for mak
ing tho arrest. Indiana Farmer.
Mauachusetti Highways.
During the last twelve years approx
imately 022 miles of State highway
have been constructed lu Massachu
setts. These roads have cost, approx
imately, 5,100,000, Ot these highways
about ninety per cent, are of the kind
known as macadam roads, tbe remain
ing Uu per coat, being of gravel.
With the Funny
Lcb I
Rrpothetlral.
When the captain remarked to the boat
swain: "Suppos your Creator hid choatswain
To create you a cow, mr?"
Merely hitching his trouner.
The bontKivaiu replied; "Well, s'poa'
swain?"
-Buck.
I.ot Wnlght.
Yeast "You didn't seem to gain any
weight while you were down south."
Crims'inbenk "How rould I? Why,
my nose peeled three limes!" -Youkcrs
Statesman.
Preliminary I'foflt,
Mrs. Glub-dub "Did your daughter
marry well?"
Mrs. Flim-Flnm "Yes, Indeed; she
had a trip all over Europe before tho
divorce." Life.
Sothlnr, to Hope For.
Cholly "I am poor, but very ambi
tious. Will you marry me?"
Mabel "Yes. I'll marry you. I'm
not nt nil ambitious myself." Philadel
phia Bulletin.
Snrh Is Fame.
lie Jinks "Pitnston Is certainly a
witty chup. Isn't he?"
LcBliuks "Yes. Every time he
opens bis mouth a funny crack Is no
ticeable." Chicago News.
Would Pre Him There Flrt.
Mistress "What made you angry
with the doctor nnd tell him not to
come any more?"
Bridget "Hecnse be snld be thought
lie would sind me to n warmer climate
id I'm on tcr him." Life.
Ilotivepii Friend.
Rcggy "She has bad the audacity to
say I was pin-headed. I'd have her
know that my head is bigger than a
common pin."
Dick "Eer old chap, may be she
meant a tenpln." Chicago News.
AVorki I.lkn Mnglr.
Caller "Have you ever known any
cures effected by what they call sug
gestion?" Mrs. Hewjnms "Oh, yes: I once
cured Willie of a violent toothache by
suggesting that be go to the dentist's
aud have the tooth extracted." O" '
cago Tribune.
Iletter Than I'aiial,
"Those are pretty good biscuits you
made to-day."
"I didn't make any biscuits to-day."
"Who did? I Just ate half a dozen
in the pantry."
"Why, those must have been the dog
biscuits I bought for Fido." Houston
Post.
Johnny's Idea.
What he thought "a school of her
ring" looked like.
Hnr Feet. Too.
"That new saleslady," said the blonde
at the ribbon counter, "has false hair
and teeth."
"Yes." replied the brunette, who con
descends to sell handkerchiefs occa
sionally, "and it seems tbnt's not the
only thing. I heard her complaining
that she hadn't a chance to get off her
feet all day."
Overheard at the Onrace.
"Yes," said the polite demonstrator,
"here Is au automobile Intended for
long tours. Why. here Is t;ven a place
for knives nnd forks."
"Ah. Indeed." snld the caller. "And
what would you call that little machine
over there Just built for two? '
"Oh, that's a place for spoous."
Chicago News.
A MUer'e Wlh.
Greedylot. who is rather miserly,
wns recovering from a long Illness.
"How was it, doctor," he asked onu
day. "thnt I was able to live so many
weeks without eating?"
"Why. you were fed by the fever."
"Are you sure?" Then, after a mo
ment's reflection, "I wish I could give
it to my bervauts."
Heard in a Hoapltal.
Patient tto pretty liursei "Vill. you
be my wife when I recover'"
Pretty Nurse "Certainly."
Patient "Then you love me?"
Pretty Nurse "Oh. no; that's merely
a part ot tho treatment. I must keep
my patients cheerful. I promised this
morning to run away with a married
man who had lost both bis legs."
Manila American.
lvtlon to en Idea.
Watt Go.up "Isn't It something
startling for old Hunks t be dropping
Into extravagant habits at his time of
life?"
Muskuin Downe "Yes; lie has Just
fouud out that there Is nil Inheritance
tax, aud he's opposed to It on principle.
He says he Is going to see to It that his
heirs don't have to pay any such tax."
Chicago Tribune.
The Kltchtn Autocrat.
"Yes, iiia'uui, an' uuv thnt I'm goln'
to '.like hold here, I'll settle the permit
business first of all. You see I carry
me own fountain pen.-There, take that
an' don't lose It." ' '
"What is this?"
"That's a permit, ma'am, for you
to visit th' kltcheu. It eutltles you tr
one visit a week. If you come oftene
th' permit will bo taken up an' don't
you forglt It." Cleveland Flalu Dealer.
M0
llllill
i