MONTOUR AMERICAN; FRANK C. ANGLE, Proprietor. Danville. Pa.. Mar. 21 1901 (OJL.tIIJiICA T IONS. All communications sent to the AMERI CAN for publication must be signed »y the writer, ami communications not so signed will he rejected. TO RAISE THE MAINE. Cofferdam to Be Ballt Around th© Wreck at Havana. The steamer Morgan, which recently arrived at New Orleans from Havana, brought back Ave of the American con tractors who went down there, accom panied by divers and others, to bid on the contract for raising the wreck of the American battleship Maine, says the New York Sun. There were 12 bids In all, that of a Chicago firm being ac cepted. Its offer was to raise the Maine at its own cost and give the United States government 3 per cent of the proceeds. All the contractors agree that the Maine could be raised, but that the job would be difficult. A cofferdam must be built entirely around the wreck, it will be constructed of long pollngs and thon embanked with dirt, making it •water tight. Then the water can be pumped out of the lnclosure, leaving the wreck exposed in the mud. Der ricks and powerful lifting machinery will then be brought Into use and th# hull lifted from its bed of mud. If 1! can be patched up so that it will float, that will be done. If it cannot be raised, It will be torn to pieces whll« the cofferdam keeps back the water. The divers found that the wreck had settled some 40 feet In the soft mud, the bottom of the ship being GO feet below the low tide mark. The cost of raising the vessel is estimated at from $200,000 to $300,000. Its value when raised cannot be estimated, but some of the contractors thought it might be worth $400,000. One of the contractors thought that If the vessel could be floated it would be worth $1,000,000. The general impression was that it conld not be floated. The divers found two magazines In the vessel containing 300 tons of pow der Intact and uninjured. All the div ers and surveyors agreed that th« Maine had been blown up by a mini set off from a land battery. Question of Ethics. "Be truthful," said the teacher. "Always?" asked the boy. "Always," answered the teacher. "Never tell a lie?" "Never." "Not even a white lie?" "Not even a white lie." "Huh!" ejaculated the lad scornful ly. "Its a mighty good thing for you you ain't a boy with my dad for a fa ther." "Why?" asked the teacher. "Because," replied the boy, "if you was my dad's little boy an you'd heard what he said about Aunt Eliza comin to visit us with her children an Aunt Eliza had asked you If you weren't all glad to see her an you'd told the truth, like I did, you'd think there was a place where your trousers was mighty thin after dad got through with you." He went back to his desk, and as he sat down with great care there was an expression on his face that showed the great lesson of truth had been, at least in a measure, lost on him. And in hjs indignation and innocence he did not appreciate the humor associated with the fact that his teacher did not belong to that division of the human race that wears trousers.—Chicago Post. In many churches of Provence and Italy, especially those near the sea, ex voto paintings placed on the walls in accordance with vows made by pil grims in moments of danger are often remarkable for their frames. Among the curiosities may be enumerated laths formed of splinters from ships that have been wrecked; also frames made of pieces of heavy cables, occa sionally painted bright hues, but some times left In their primitive gray color and splashed with tar. Nailed to the laths surrounding a painting repre senting sailors fighting with fierce sav ages may be seen African or Polyne sian spears and darts or swords made of hard wood, evidently mementos of terrific struggles. Sailors or landsmen who have made vows during times of peril at sea and who have no trophies to display will surround their paintings with broad bands of wood heavily iu crusted with shells and seaweed, not Infrequently of rare and extremely beautiful kinds. London People's Friend. GIVE HER SOFT WATER. Three farmers' wives, asked at an in stitute tliis winter to name the par ticular thing which they would most like to have to add to the comfort and convenience of their country homes, said, "Soft water." Now, was not that funny? With barrels and barrels of soft water pouring onto the roofs of their homes and running away to waste after every rain and these good women forced to use the hard well wa ter for all the washing and cleaning Incident to their housekeeping! Any man can putin a good cistern for $25, and $lO more will put a pump connect ed with It and an enameled sink in the kitchen. When so small an ex penditure as this will make a woman happy, why not do it? CITY ME* AND COUNTRY HOMES, As the facilities afforded by mod ern lnterurban means of transit are in creased more and more are well to do city people seeking homes in the country. Children ought never to be born and raised in our cities. City conditions, with polluted air, water and milk, lack of play room, vicious sights and associates, imperil not only the physical but the moral well being of the little ones. It Is the bottle baby of the cities which swells the mortality lists In the summer months, and the effort to raise them at all is like trying to raise a calf on the skimmilk from a separator creamery. The «}esire for the country home by city men is giving a marked increase in value to all farm lands lying within reach of our large eastern cities. The western farmer talks differently about his possessions to the local as sessor from what he does to his broth erdn-Law from Vermont who Is making his first visit west. He illustrates the difference between contraction and ex pansion. Ten beet sugar factories were in op eration in Michigan last year, which used 250,000 tous of beets and paid the farmers over $1,000,000 for them. For ty-eight million pounds of refined gran ulated sugar were made. The crop is becoming a favorite one with Michigan farmers. com pmicEEiiists. (C. niinued from Kirst Page.) around the curve, on a 'flying switch," without any warning. Damages, there fore, in the sum of SIO,OOO are demand ed. The plaint ill is represented by James Scarlet and R. S. Amraerman in addi tion to District Attorney Welsh. Hon. Simon P. Wolverton «112 Sunbury, and W 11. Khawn of Catawissa, appear for the P. & H. railway company. The first witness called was Dr. E. A. Curry, who attended the plaintiff and performed the amputation. Among other witnesses were Frank Ross, sheaiman at the Heading Iron Works, who had charge of the gang to which Weaver belonged; William Bausch who saw Weaver struck; William Miller, who assisted in carrying him away, be sides several others who were eye wit nesses. The testimony agreed on the follow ing points: That the car being loaded stood on the outside or canal switch and that in order to reach it from the mill the men had to cross the main track or siding; that the car with a brakeman at the rear end without an engine attached was shot around the curve at a rapid rate of speed without any warning either by whistle or bell; that Weav er standing upon the main siding had just delivered his load of iron on the car and was in the act of turning around with his back to the approaching car when he was struck on the shoulder and thrown to the ground. The trial in pro gress. Grand Jury's Recommendations. The grand jury completed its labors at 11:15 Tuesday morning. Its report was presented to the court, af er which it was discharged from further attendance at the present^term of court. The grand jury report finding one true bill. They report the courthouse in good condition. The hall on the first floor, however, they condemn as dark and gloomy and recommend that the upper panels of the doors of the Pro thonotary's, Commissioners,' grand jury and Register and Recorder's office be re moved and opaque or obscure glass in serted, the effect of which will be to ad mit light iuto the hall, preventing at the same time a view of the rooms. It was recommended that the glass at each door he lettered to indicate theoffico. At the jail the cement floor in cell No. 1, the brick ceiling in cellar and the lock box in second story were reported as in need of repair. The purchase of half a dozen strong chairs for use of prisoners in the hall, some window strips and re papering of two of the bed rooms of the Sheriffs residence were recommended to the county commissioners. The river bridge was reported as in good condition, with the exception of the roof. It was euggested that the watchman be instructed to remove all bunches of hay and straw and other combustible matter that might be drop ped in the bridge as a precaution against fire. How's This ? Weoff»r One Hundred Dollars Reward for any case of Catarrh that can not be cured by Hall's Catarrh Cure. K. J. CHENEY L CO.. We the undersigned, have known F. J. Cheney for the last 15 years, and believe him perfectly honorable in all business transac tions and financially able to carry out any obligations made by their firm. WEST & TKCAX, Wholesale Druggists, Toledo, O. WALDING, KIKXAK & MARVIN, Wholesale Druggists, Toledo. Ohio. Hall's Catarrh Cure is taken internally, acting directly upon the blood iuyi mucous surfaces of the system. Testimonials sent free. Price 75c. per bottle. Sold by all drug gists. Hall's Familv Pills are the best. This Time A Shovel Factory. There are few rumors affecthig the business interest of our town which are more persistent than those that relate to the recently dismantled Bteel works, which reveals the interest our residents feel in the future of the plant and the anxiety with which they look forward to its rehabilitation. These rumors are not confined to Danville, but are current over a wide section and our business men during their trips out of town fre quently bring back information not ac cessible here. One of these rumors very widely dis cussed is to the effect that the disman tled building is to be occupied by a shovel factory, a plant at present located in Philadelphia, which employs some 150 hands. The rumor, which was invests gated yesterday, really seems to have some foundation, although it could nol bo fully verified. The fact is well known that the Bes semer Company is casting about for some profitable line of manufacture and it would not be surprising if it had hit upon the shovel industry.as it is one among many, which, it seems, can be re lied upon at present to yield a dividend. A meeting of the stock holders will be held yet the present month and it is un derstood that the board of directors have some proposition to make looking to a re-equipment and operation of the plant. LOTS MORE LIKE IT. Plenty More Proof Like This And All From Danville People. No chance for argument here. No better proof can be had. What a Danville man says. Is the best If evidence for, Danville people. Read this case. We hive lots more like it. Mr. Jos. Hooker of 102 North Spruce street, says:—"l was for a long time afflicted, with lameness in my back and pain over my kidneys I had a great deal of nervousness, restlessness; did not sleep well had bad dreams and was con tinually tossing from side to side striv ing to get a comfortable position. The kidney secretions were not normal I was tired all the time and often had a dull aching in the back of my neck. I read accounts of Doan's Kidney Pills curing people- The description of their symp tons tallied almost exactly with mine and induced me to try the remedy. On using them a short time the whole trouble disappeared. For sale by all dealers. Price 50 cent a box. Foster-Millburn Co., Buff alo, N. Y. sole agents for the U. S. Remember the name —Doan s—and take no other. Will Have Light. Prothonotary J. C. Miller held the lucky ticket. No. 54, which drew the 50 gallons of eoal oil offered as a prize by the Washington Hose company last , night. Thousands Have Kidney Trouble ! and Don't Know it. How To Find Out. Fill a bottle or common glass with your water and let it stand twenty-four hours; a sediment or set rjT-' tling indicates an 1 unhealthy condi rn/A In J- PmOir TION °* VvA 1 / neys; if it stains ] your linen it is J ev 'dence of kid convincing proof that the kidneys and blad der are out of order. What to Do. There is comfort in the knowledge so often expressed, that Dr. Kilmer's Swamp- Root, the great kidney remedy fulfills every wish in curing rheumatism, pain in the back, kidneys, liver, bladder and every part of the urinary passage. It corrects inability to hold water and scalding pain in passing it, or bad effects following use of liquor, wine or beer, and overcomes that unpleasant necessity of being compelled togo often during the day, and to get up many times during the night. The mild and the extra ordinary effect of Swamp-Root is soon realized. It stands the highest for its won derful cures of the most distressing cases. If you need a medicine you should have the best. Sold by druggists in 50c. andsl. sizes. You may have a sample bottle of this wonderful discovery and a book that tells more about it, both sent E" T, tnk-iS% absolutely free by mail, Address Dr. Kilmer 8c Home of swamp-Root. Co., Binghamton, N. Y. When writing men tion reading this generous offer in this paper. A CONTRACTOR S HEAVY JOB New Boiler for the Polish Brewery Bolls In the Gutter, The new boiler about to be installed in the Polish Brewery, which was des cribed in these colutns last week, has not yet arrived at its destination. W. A. Shepperson has the contract for hauling it from the station, and it proves one of the most difficult jobs that be tver un dertook. It was loaded on a four-horse truck at the P. & It. railroad, Monday morning. The boiler weighs nearly twelve tons and the street leading to the brewery as is natural at this season is soft and springy and as a result the truck is stalled about half the time. By Monday night little more than quarter of the distance was covered; by Tuesday night the boil er lay in the gutter about midway be tween the station and the brewery. At that point the street is in a decidedly bad condition, and the wheels on on side of the truck sunk in up to the hubs which caused the boiler to roll oil. After infinite pains the boiler was reloaded yesterday and about half of the re maining distance covered. It is doubt ful whether tonight will see the boiler at its destination. Four days from the P. & K. depot to the brewery is indeed unprecedented time. The healthy old man wears his gray hairs like a silvery crown. What if he be threescore snd ten if there is still fire in his eyes, firmness in his command, in bis voice and wisdom in his counsel? He commands love and reverence. Yet how few wear the mantle of age with dignity. Dim eyed, ijuerlous of speech, halting in step, childish in mind, they ' 'lag superfluous on the stage." dragging out che fag end of life in a simple exist ence. The secret of a healthy old age is » healthy middle age. The man who takes care of |ns stomach who keeps his body'properly nourished, will find that the body does not fail him in old age The great value of Dr. Pierce's Golden Medical Discovery lies in the preserv ation of the workiug power of the stom ach and other organs of digestion and nutrition. From this centre is distributed the nourishment of the whole body, the salt for the blood, the lime for the bones, phosphates for the brain and nerves, A sound stomach means a sound man. A man who keeps his stomach sound by the use of "Golden Medical Discovery will wear the crown of gray hairs as be fits a monarch, with dignity and ease. Excursion To Washington, D. 0, On Thnrsday, April 18, the Philadel phia & Reading Railway will sell special excursion tickets from Wjlliamsport, Danville. Tamaqua and principal inter mediate stations to Washington, D. C via Philadelphia and the Baltimore & Ohio R. R. Special through coaches on train leaving Willianisport at 7:20 a. m. Tickets good on the 7:32 a. m. train from Danville, connecting at West Milton with the through coaches. Excursion ists will arrive at and depart from Baltimore & Ohio station, one square from Capitol. Tickets will be good going on trains and date specified above and will be good returning on regular trains, except the "Royal Limited" un til Sunday, April 2Mth 1901 inclusive, also good for "stop over" at Philadel phia on the return trip within time limit, if deposited with Ticket Agent at Reading Terminal (12th & Market Sts.) Philadelphia. For further information consult nearest P. & R. Ticket Agent. Round trip nite from Danville, #<>.ss. Death of Walter T. Kase. Word was received in this city Mon day of the death of Walter Toucey Kase of New York,formerly of Danville,which occurred at the home of his mother in Greensboro, N. C., on Sunday. Mr. Kase was a son of the late James D. Kase and left Danville in 18!H*. For sev eral years he was a book keeper in the office of the Danville Nail Mfg. Co.,and later was employed in the furnace offices of the North Branch Steel Company. The decease-! i« survived by a wife, a 3-ye&r>ol! cured hundreds of cases of persistent headache by fitting the patient with proper glasses. y- W I examine your eyes, will tell you if your headache comes from your eyes or not. jL No charge for examination. ft HEUSTPtY REMPE, * wj. SCIENTIFIC OPTICIAN & JEWELER. *2 -&' r A MASTER OF MEN. METEORIC CAREER OF ALEXANDER HAMILTON, PATRIOT AND FIGHTER. Fortune* of nn Immigrant Ilo> In the American Colonlen—A War Hero In HU Teen* anil a Ripe Statennian at Thirty—Duel With Burr. [Copyright, 1901, by O. L. Kilmer.] r O 8 p d 1 Ugly execrated. The verdict of the rhymester reflected popu lar sentiment at the time, for the na tion instantly caught the spirit of the opening lines— Oh, Aaron Burr, what have you done? You've killed great General Hamilton— and drove the scheming adventurer Into exile. Hamilton was canonized and his name enrolled among the Im mortal few "not born to die." Of the two men Burr and Hamilton, If blood counts for anything In shaping human destiny, Hamilton should have been the adventurer and Burr the high minded statesman. One account of Hamilton's birth and parentage states that lie was the legitimate son of a di vorced Frenchwoman who had mar ried a Scotchman and another that he was the natural son of a young Eng lish woman. Whatever his parentage it availed him little In life, for lie was thrown upon the world at 13 years of age and began his struggles as a mer chant's clerk. The boy Hamilton was ambitious, but not a dreamer. He worked bard in a counting house in the island of Nevis, West Indies. Having the scribbling habit, he one day wrote up a hurricane visit which devastated the Island and with that bit of literary success to speak for him sailed for the American colonies. He was then 15 years old and with the aid of a private tutor en tered King's college, as Columbia was then called. Two years later the Immi grant stripling leaped unasked to the platform of a patriot meeting and made a burning speech for colonial rights. That was the debut of Hamil ton, the statesman and one of the au thors of the American coustitutiou. The actual outbreak of war found him equally ready for the work of the hour. While the colonists were talking young men of military spirit began to get ready to fight. Hamilton, the schoolboy, formed a company of artil lery among his fellows, and when flu troops were needed lu the field the New York convention accepted the body for active service, with Its boy leader as captain. The battery was a model of discipline and attracted the attention of Washington. On his re treat from Long Island he gladly took It along to swell his little army. For tune favors the bold. The troops were drawn up at White Plains to fight a hopeless battle. Swarms of British attacked the patriots, but when their main column attempted to climb the slopes where the Americans lay In trenched Hamilton's gups swept them away by platoons. General Greene told Washington of the boy artillerist, and Hamilton was transferred to army headquarters, where he became flu confidential aid of the commander in chief. For a youth of 20 Hamilton's swift rise to place was enough to turn his head. In five years the poor linmi grant had reached the top. lie was not only the aid but the spokesman of the greatest man In America. Wash ington used Hamilton's pen not ns an annalist merely, but as au advocate. Talent and dash are not so rare in young men that Hamilton can be set up as a marvel in this respect. But bis courage was timely, his capacity ex Imustless. One of the times that tried Washington's soul was after Saratoga, when the American army In the north Jjad no foe to face. But the British, under Howe, were marching up tin Delaware. Washington had given aid to Gates at Saratoga, and now that his own depleted army was hard press ed he sent one request upon anothei asking him to return the troops, with others as he could spare them. 1 inally Hamilton, then a colonel, went to A 1 bany to urge Gates to act. The gen eral proposed to return Morgan's corps to Washington, aloug with a few worn out brigades, but Hamilton refused to be put off with that. He was indig nant and talked back to Gates in terms which brought the re-enforcements. On the way dowu the Hudson the column crossed the lines of Israel Putnam, a semi-independent commander, who was ambitious to recapture New York. Put nam actually detached part of the Washington re-enforcements to help on his plans. Once more the young aid took the matter lu his own hands. Said he to Putnam, "I uow, sir, in the most explicit terms, by his excellen cy's authority, give It as a positive or der from him (Washington) that all the Continental troops ppder your com mand be Immediately marched tore enforce the army under him." Veteran though lie was, a major general and a personal power lu the colonies, Putnam dared not oppose the beardless boy, because the boy had right on his side. Hamilton's physical bravery was equal to every crisis. At Monmouth, when others were shaky and doubt hung over tlie leaders, he rode to the side of his chief and cried out, "Let u» die here rather than retreat!" That was the spirit for Monmouth, but on another occasion he did retreat, and that in the company of one so gallant as Light Horse Harry Lee. After the battle of Brandywine Hamilton anil Lee were sent across the Schuylkill with a few troopers to destroy a quan tity of stores and rob the British of so much plunder. In the midst of their work the British appeared. Light Horse Harry and four troopers leaped into their saddles and rode for their lives across a bridge, while Hamilton, with the rest of the party, escaped by a boat, exchanging volleys with the British who thronged the bank until out of range. In ail the dramatic incidents of Wash ington's career as commander Hamil ton figured. He was with Washing ton at the time of Arnold's treason, and it was from his lips that the gener al first learned the terrible story of guilt. He pointed out to Washington the disaffection in the patriot army which endangered the cause and finally re signed from the staff when he thought his personal rights were ighored. The courtship of Hamilton with Elizalieth Schuyler was an incident of his busy life in Washington's camp. He met his fate while on the mission to Albany securing troops from Gates for Wash ington. Afterward the Schuylers lived at Morristown when Washington made his headquarters there. Hamilton's personality was his strong point. His weakness lay in an irasci ble temper. Washington once accused him of want of respect for his chief. "I am not conscious of it," said he, "but since you have thought of it we part." Although Washington tried to heal the breach, the young aid re mained firm. Hamilton's figure was not commanding. He was light, but well made. "Little Lion" was a name which suited and which clung to him throughout his career. A fine shaped, symmetrical head, eyes deep set and full of light and fire, a long, sharp nose above close set lips, these gave to the advocate his "penetrating features," to the searcher of hearts his "piercing look." Socially "the Little Lion" was a favorite. Open hearted, hospitable, helping any one in need with both money and labor, declining heavy fees from the wealthy clients and taking none from the poor, the man who had made the nation rich left only name and fame to his family. The self confidence of the "young West. Indian" #mained with the war- EgSSP HA t*. • GESfEHAIi ALEXANDER HAMILTON*, rlor and the statesman. As he had re buked Putnam so he rebuked the sen ate for useless demands for informa tion, and that august body took the lesson meekly. He forestalled an out burst of scandal by Issuing a pamphlet which was at once a confession and an appeal, and the American public ac cepted it. The self confidence ol' Ham ilton was not born of audacity nor con ceit, but of conscious power. Impartial contemporaries said that he was the superior of Webster in creative force. As an advocate before Juries or as an orator on the platform Hamilton won by direct attack upon the intellects and hearts of his hearers. He had no silver tongue, but drove his own deep convic tion home to the heart by the spirit he put into words. Burr's bullet was aimed not so much at a personal enemy as at a public Nemesis. Hamilton had denounced the arch Intriguer again and again in the course of the fierce political tights fol lowing the adoption of the constitution. He tried to make peace with Burr and finally fought as a public duty to vindi cate his dignity, his honor and his pres tige as a leader of men. When the challenge was given, Hamilton asked for a delay of the meeting in order to settle important affairs for his clients. Burr used the time in practicing with his pistol. Just a week before the duel Hamilton presided at a Fourth of July banquet of the Society of Cincinnati. During the convivialities of the even ing he was called upon to sing a favor ite ballad, which he did with spirit, Burr being one of the company. The night before the encounter Ham ilton wrote a protest against the code, ending 11 with a statement of his rea son for fighting. Said he,"The ability to be in the fu ture useful, whether In resisting evil or In effecting good in those crises of our public affairs which seem likely to iiap pen, would probably be inseparable from conforming with public prejudice In this particular." A hero in war, a master in council and a prince in debate, he could not af ford to shirk an affair of honor. He made po effort to kill his antagonist, but coolly stood at a disadvantage to meet Burr's tire. His own pistol was discharged as he fell forward, and tut bullet went in the air. GEORGE L. KILMER. fcMILY GEIGEh'S I- iL)E. A R r»ol ul J t»uai> Iftrroib** W bo H Sol Often 11 t-ur«J Of. On ihe firing liue woman may he worse tlinu :ui insignificant unit, hut if she can not shout straight - ho can and frequently docs ride as straight as a man and show a man's resource in emergency. As a nat ural result each war has its collection of state and national heroines. Emily Gei ger v.as South Carolina's heroine of the Revolution, aud her elaims to respect and remembrance are s»»t forth below: bear arms, aud she begged an opport>:ii'ty to do something for her country. She was a good horsewoman and knew the lords for many miles. General Greene hesitated to send this defenseless «i;| on so perilous a journey, but finally her insistence prevailed. 110 gave her a written message to Sumter, which she memorized before beginning Ler journey. On t!;e evening of the second day after she had crossed the Saluda river and was approaching the broad Congareo near Columbia three of Itawdon's scouts appeared iu the road in front. As she came from the direction of the enemy and gave evasive answers Emily was taken i-!to Lord Itawdon's presence. He was suspicious and sent for two Tory women living ilnee miles distant to search the prisoner. Dutir;: the few minutes that she was left alone Euiil; tore up and swallowed the paper <*:! - i■!> h General Greene's dis patch \va< whten. aud her secret was safe. ahho:i;.h cv< ;y seam of every gar ment was tipped open by the women searchei s. When Lord Kawdon permitted her to continue In r way. he furnished her an es cort to the house of a friend several miles distant, and there a fresh horse was given her by the patriot. Setting out again as soon as it was prudent, Emily continued her ride through swamp and forest, where the darkness was intense, until daylight, when, with the exception of the time lost at British headquarters, she had been 24 hours in the saddle. At 3 o'clock on the afternoon of the third day the brave girl rode into Sum ter's camp and, although almost fainting from fatigue and hunger, deliveted clear ly the message from General Greene. It is said that in one hour Sumter was ready to march and soon after joined General Greene. In consequence of this union of the American forces Itawdon was compelled to retreat to Orangeburg, aud later, despairing of success, he sailed for Europe. Two weeks after her ride Emily Geiger returned home. General Greene present ed her with a pair of earrings and a brooch that are still in existence, as is a beautiful silk shawl presented to her by General Lafayette on the occasion of his last visit to this country. —Youth's Com panion. They Are Looking Forward to It. The days are growing noticeably longer. It will soon be time, says the Somerville Journal, for the small boy to take his annual doses of sulphur and molasses. The Two Bnllders. Two men, a Chinese legcfM runs, Once found that each must build A house, and each, in building, was An artisan most skilled. But one thought ot the days of work. And weary was at heart; The other thought not of the toll. But how 'twere best to start. The one knelt down before his joss With countenance dismayed; He asked the joss to build the house And prayed and prayed and prayed. The other gathered up hts tools And straight the task assailed; He hewed the Joists and hung the doom And nailed and nailed and nailed. The one prayed on before his jo6S Through all the weary while; The joss peered from the sltar stnoke, With something like a smile. The other, when he built his house. Took all the extra planks And burned them at the joss' feet. An ottering of thanks. The one looked up from where he knelt And cried: "Oh, wicked man! You did not wait for holy aid; Yours was a wicked plan." The other smiled and answered him, "I'd not ask joss to bless -'1 A quality that might be termed As simple laziness." ' ty; The beauty of the legend is That it may be applied ■> T To any work we may attempt ' Or any faith beside. For, asking Providence to da Some toil which we would shirk Is apt to teach a lazy man The usefulness of work. —Baltimore America®. All the world Is familiar with snuff boxes, but snuff spoons are pretty little refinements of which this generation has hardly heard. Very probably they came Into use about two years after Sir George Itooke's expedition to Vigo bay In 1702, when he captured half a ton of tobacco and snuff from the Spanish galleons, and snuff thus be came a common article in England. One of the characters in a comedy published at Oxford in 1701, entitled "An Act at Oxford," by Thomas Baker, says, "But I carry sweet snuff for the ladies," to which Arabella replies: "A spoon too. That's very gailaut, for to see some people run their fat fingers into a box Is as nauseous as eating without a fork." In the forties and fifties snuff spoons were still in use on the Scottish border. They were of bone and of a size togo into the snuffbox. People fed their noses, it was said, as naturally as they carried soup to their mouths. As late as 1877 a fanner at Norliain-on-Tweed was seen using one.—Gentleman's Mag azine. Orchard trees will bear to be planted much more closely together in the west than they will In the east, for the rea son that all western orchards are at best short lived, aud one need never ex pect to see there apple trees a hundred or more years old, such as may be found in New York and the N'ew Eng land states. The trees in the western orchard are further benefited by mod erately close planting, as they afford protection to each other from the heat in summer, the cold in winter and the force of the winds of the prairie re gions. Nasal Catarrh quickly yields to treat ment by Ely's Cream Balm, which is agreeably aromatic. It is received through the nostrils, cleanses and heals the whole surface over which it diffuses itself. A remedy for Nana! Catarrh which is drying or exciting to the dis eased membrane should not be used. Cream Balm is recognized as a specific. Price 50 cents at druggists or by mail. A cold in the head immediately disap pears when Cream Balm is used. Ely Brothers, 56 Warren Street. New York. The Steel and Iruu Combine. j The raited States Steel coin puny, ■with $800,000,000 of capital and the j very foundations of the iron and steel I business of the country in its control, j becomes quite the iTiosi powerful anil i extensive corporation ever created. It 1 is the consolidation of consolidations, * *.he constituent elements of which, we 1 are told, are these great industrial coin- j binations, the most conservative state ment of their capital being given: Carnegie Steel company $160,000,000 ' Federal Steel company 09.745.000 I American JSteei and Wire company 90,U0;),t*J0 i National Tube company fcO.OJO.OUO Am erican Bridge company 70 # 000,0i)0 ' National Steel company 69,000,000 | American Sheet Steel company 49.000,000 j American Tin Plate company 46.8*25,000 American Steel Hoop company 33,000,000 Total ?'.57,070,000 1 The combinatiou of these concerns j forms a substantial monopoly of the iron and steel industry of the I'nited States. It need have no fear of sue- J cessful rivalry, since it possesses ex- ' traordinary facilities for crushing com- ! petition. Its organizers are the men : whose names are identified with recent operations of magnitude in the railroad j world by which a "community of in- | terest" has been established between • important transportation lines. These ! geLtlemeu are also extensively engaged I in the coal business and, besides, con- j trol vast deposits of iron ore. They : hold in their hands the raw materials, ! the facilities of manufacture and trans portation and the control of the mar kets. If in their capacity as railroad men they should kindly accord to them selves in their capacity as producers of iron and steel the favor of discriminat ing rates or if through their control of coal production they should lend to their iron and steel business a helping 4iand, any attempt at competition would oe futile. Probably the worst capitalistic abuse of the present time is the secret rebate, and it is a matter of public concern to know whether the organizers of the United States Steel company feel a just abhorrence of that Illegitimate and pernicious practice. Since legislation has been quite unable to check it in lesser and comparatively insignificant corporations it will be dif ficult indeed to reach this colossus if it chooses to use its vast opportunities to the public detriment If it be content to do a legitimate business in a legiti mate way, giving labor, which is the most important factor in its opera tions. a just and equitable reward and selling its products to the consumer at a fair and reasonable margin of profit above the cost of production and trans portation, the public can have no spe cial reason for quarrel with this great est of all industrial combinations, though there are many who will decry as harmful to the public interests the centralization in a single corporate body of such vast elements of power and influences as are embodied in the United States Steel company. Testimony of Handwriting Experts. The refusal of Justice Fursman to permit a handwriting expert to give to the jury his opinion as to the author ship of certain papers submitted by the prosecution in the Kennedy mur der trial in his court In New York raises an important point in criminal jurisprudence and bears upon the Whole question of expert testimony as well as the particular form of testi mony covered by the ruling. In the present Instance it was sought by the prosecuting attorney to identify the defendant as the murderer by prov ing by comparisons that he was the writer of certain signatures found on the person of the murdered woman. This method has heretofore been gen erally permitted by the courts. Jus tice Fursman, however, held the writ ings offered for comparison were not disputed writings, that they were not in issue, not in controversy and that expert testimony as to their authorship could not be admitted unless they were in dispute. The effect of this ruling, if it should be sustained by the court of appeals, will be to place much narrower limits on expert testimony in New York state courts than now surround it. Indeed it would practically eliminate the testi mony of handwriting experts from the majority of cases in which they have been a considerable factor, at least in the matter of occupying the court's time and the expenditure of the pub- He's money. Iu so many cases have these experts, apparently possessing equal qualifications, been found to flat ly contradict each other regarding any given exhibit of penmanship that the public and even the courts themselves come to look with more or less discred it upon this sort of testimony. Fre quently the expert witnesses, whether in the matter of handwriting, chemis try, medicine or surgery, are inclined to give purely ex parte testimony iu b«- half of the party by whom they are employed. Unquestionably there are times in criminal cases when tl#> opin ion of men trained in specialties is vital, but it would seem that in the Interest of Justice and public econ omy some change or limitation might be put upon the prevailing system of ex parte employment of experts. As jugtice Fursman apparently brought up the matter for the purpose of hav ing the court of appeals pass upou it the final decree of that tribunal will be awaited with interest. Delaware does not seem disposed to part with her unique mode of punish ment, the whipping post and pillory Early in the present session of the state legislature a movement was made to reduce the scope of their use, and certain bills looking to that end were passed through one branch of the legis lature, but these efforts have ultimate ly resulted in nu enactment in precise ly the opposite direction. Not only has the other house refused to pass the bill abolishing the pillory, but both houses have now passed a bill, which awaits the governor's signature, prescribing public whippings for wife beaters, who are to receive from sto 30 lashes. By a general consensus of judgment wife bpaters are among the most despicable of characters and ought to receive se vere and humiliating treatment. Im prisonment is hardly a fair penalty, for the wife suffers from the lack of the husband's services. Fines scarcely 1 reach the evil, for the vicious man is seldom cured t»y a mere stroke at his pocketbook, and often the fine reacts upon the wife. Public humiliation and physical suffering, giving to the offend er his own medicine, used to be found most effective in the days of drastic I treatment In the name of the law. In view of the recommendations sent to congress by the president for re i warding the naval heroes who deetroy- I ed Cervera's fleet In Santiago harbor, there is special interest in the publica tion just made by the editor of The Na val Service Gazette of a conversation which he had with Rear Admiral, then Commodore, Schley on board the Brook lyn the day after the battle. When j congratulated on the thoroughness of I his achievement, as evidenced by the smoking wrecks along the Cuban coast, the commodore disclaimed his right to any special credit for what he called simply the performance of his : duty, but he did not hesitate to ex press his joy at the chance which had brought him the opportunity to fight and win a great battle. "I am thank ful," he added, "that it found us pre pared and that we did our work so well that there can be no dispute as to j where the victory lies." A moment lat ' er the visitor said, "You'll get a sub | stantial reward for yesterday's work," aud then inquired. "If you could name your own reward, what would you have from the president and congress?" After the commodore had declared that | it was not for him to measure the val ; ue of what had been done he continued: "I would suggest this as a good and j sufficient reward: I-et the president or congress have struck of/ bronze medals ! commemorating the victory. Let one i be given to every officer aud man who j participated ia the baltle, one of these j medals togo to me. 1 would value it | highly. You know. I don't believe In ! special medals of gold and silver. Just plain bronze medals, 112 ; all aiike. Then there is one more reward which I ! would like. It would mean much to j me. It Is 'the thanks of congress by | name.' That's all I expect, all I hope • for. With it and my own conscious ! ness of duty done I shail be satisfied." j The editor of The Naval Service Ga zette asserts that Admiral Schley has not changed his views since that day. We never knew a man to have very good luck with the mammoth clover as a hay crop. It is too coarse and is apt to lodge when the big stems become mildewed and unpalatable. As a fer tilizer, the green crop to be plowed under, It is better tlmu the medium > clover and is all right for a pasture. So great is the fertilizing value of I the clover plant that we had as soon have a field in clover two years, re ( moving the crops of hay and seed, a a j to have 13 good loads of manure spread 'on each acre of the land. And there ; is, besides the added fertility, a better condition of the soil secured with the i clover than is possible In any other way. We have a friend who makes a ipeclalty of buying good calves and feeding them high till they are 1 fear old, then selling them. He tells as he can make an average gain of $25 per head on them, the secret being that the ration fed thein will make nearly twice as many pounds of meat at this age as it will on the 2 or 3 year old iteer. A friend of ours bought a well bred but untrained and unfitted horse not k>ng since for $75. He kept thofcorse for 70 days and fitted him up to 4rlve, then sent him to Chicago, where Be was sold for $345 to a scalper, wAp the next day matched him up and sold the team to a New York nabob for $J?000. l'here Is a lesson in the foregoing for men who have well bred and nntralned horses. A reader wants to know what to do with the red ants which ruin his straw berry bed. We would move the bed, for we know of no way to get rid of the ants. An old hen turkey with a lot of little turks will, if cooped near an ant hill, clean them out the quickest of anything we know of. In certain parts of Mexico and Cen tral America are caves of large dimen sions which for ages have been the roosting and breeding places of mil lions of bats, whose excrements have accumulated to such an extent that • most valuable fertilizer is available. One man owning such caves has sold 1,700 tons of this fertilizer at S4B per top. A A Masculine I.ady'a Maid. A Bostonian while exploring the flle9 of a paper printed in his town a cen tury ago came across this rather star tling advertisement: "S Rogers informs those ladies who wish to be dressed by him, either on assembly or ball days, to give him notice the previous day. Ladles who engage to and don't dress must pay him half price." Censorship In China. The censorship Is a very real thing in China. There any one who writes an Immoral book ia punished with 100 blows of the heavy bamboo and ban ishment for life. Any one who reads It is also punished. We came across one of those tree peddlers a few days ago who are sell ing fruit trees to farmers at more than twice the cost at which they could be obtained from any home nurseryman. Don't pay such prices. If you think that you cannot win your case at the end of a lawsuit, R is always best to arbitrate, for the basis of all arbitration is compromise, and so arbitrating you will be sure to get something and save costs. NOTICE. Estate of John Marshall late of the Limestone Township, County of Mon tour State of Pennsylvania, deceased. Notice is hereby given that letter of Ad ministration upon tin' aboye State have granted to the undersigned. Ail ppr&ov* l& debtcd to tlie said Estate, are required to make payment, and those having claim* or demands against the said estate, will make known the same without delay to CUARLES A. WAGNER. Administrator. I'. 0., Address, Ottawa, Pa. or DANIEL W• RANK, Att'y. Limestoneville, I'a.• A OILIXISTLT ATOM'S NOTICK. Estate of Sarah Forney late of the Bor ough of Danville, in the County ot Montour and State of Pennsylvania, deceased. Notice is hereby given that Letters of Ad ministration upon the above estate have been granted to the undersigned. All persons in debted to the said estate are require! to uiakt payment, and those having claims or de mands against the said estate, will make known the same, without, delay, to WILLI A (3. FORNEY. Administrator of Sarah Forney deceased, P. < >. address, Riverside, l'a. EDWARD HAYKK UEAHHAUT.C onpset. gXKCCTOR'S NOTICK. Estate of John S, Mottern. late of Ma honing Township. Montour County Pa., deceasdd,— l.etters testamentary upon the above eatat having been granted to the undersigned ah pet sons indebted to tin* said estate will maU, Immediate payment and those having claims against the said estate will present them without delay to LLOYD CASHNER. Executor. ' R. s. YMMERMAN, Attorney.