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MIRAGE,
Treasure the shadow. Somewhere, firmly
based,
Arise those turrents that in cloud land
shine;
‘Bomevrkere, to thirsty toilers of the waste,
Yon phantom well spring is a living sign.
"Treasure the shadow. Somewhere past thy
sight,
Past all men’s sight, waits the true heaven
at last;
Tell them whose fear would put thy hope to
flight
There are no shadows save from substance
cast.
_—Edith M, Thomas, in Lippincott's 5
A MIDNIGHT MYSTERY.
N a cheerless apart—
ment op the sixth
floor of a New York
tenement, oue cold,
bleak November
night, sat a young
woman whose face
bore evident marks
of intelligence and
refinement.
Two small rooms
comprised the nar—
row domain to which
she gave the name of home. Their
cheerlessness was increased by the ab-
sence of everything except the most
aecessary furniture, and by the wailing
wind which found entrance at a hun-—
dred crevices, sending icy currents across
the wretched garret. The young woman,
crouching close to the dying fire of a
small stove, was lost in sad reflections
from which she roused herself at inter-
vals to glance at a little crib wherein
lay an infant, all unconscious of its
* mother’s anxiety and distress, Her
husband, Robert Desmond, the second
son of an English nobleman, had fallen in
love with Victoria St. Clair, the pretty
and intelligent American governess of
his younger sister, and married her in
opposition to the wishes of his family.
The English aristocracy look with much
disfavor on mesalliances of this kind.
Soon after their marriage the regiment
in which he was a lieutenant was order-
ed to India. The young man resigned
his commission, and untrained ashe was
in any business or profession, found him-
self at twenty-five thrown on the world
without a penny and with a young wife
to support. His father, a proud but gen-
erous man, had disinherited him, but of-
{fered his gon a sum sufficient, if proper-
ly invested, to maintain him in comfort
for life, saying that all turther inter-
course between them must ceasa.
This money was accepted, The young
couple went to Paris, where he soon
plunged into the most luxurious life of
that gay city. Though a man of gener-
ous impulses and a loyal and affectionate
hushand, Robert had an unfortunate
passion for gambling. His little cap-
ital was soon lost at the card table. By
the sale of Victoria’s jewels and some
money she had prudently saved, they
were able to accumulate little more than
enough to pay their passage to New
York.
+ After weary weeks spent it futile ef-—
forts to obtain work, the little family,
which had been increased by the birth
of a daughter, drifted from moderately
comfortable lodgings to this cheerless
tenement-house. Their little capital,
gradually diminishing, was now gone.
For several weeks it had been Robert's
regular practice to leave their poor
quarters at night{all, without telling his
wife where he went or at what hour he
would return, and reappear in the early:
morning. He evaded her questions or
oniy answered «in monosyllables. £
s Night after night she was kept awake
by anxious {ears and suspicions.
If she could but know his destina-
tion, comprehend his work; but not
being able to fathom the mystery
her imagination pictured the near ap-
proach of even greater misfortunes than
those to which she was already accus-
tomed. It was plain that her husband’s
work was laborious, for although h:
never referred to it, he came home
every morning completely exhausted.
He grew daily more taciturn, careworn
and morbid. Can it be wondered that
Victoria suffered all the torture and an.
guish that such a condition of affairs
can bring to a sensitive woman?
¢ The child, turning uneasily in its lit-
tle crib, began. to ory. Victoria took a
Gin cup from the stove and gave its con-
tents to the baby. It was the last drop
of milk, the last morsel of food she had.
What grief wrung the mother's heart as
she tried to scothe and comfort the lit-
tle one, uncertain that she would be
able to procure sufficient food to keep it
alive.
Towards morning Robert returned
evidently very tired, and was surprised
to find his wife still awake. Throwiag
himself on the poor cot near the wall he
was soon fast asleep. For some mo-
ments Victoria gazed at him through
her tears, mentally asking if this was
the man who had charmed her girlish
fancy and won her young heart with
promises of a bright future?
At length, from sheer exhaustion, she
eank on the dilapidated lounge near her
baby’s crib and her weary eyes soon
closed. For three hours she slept
soundly. Awakening unrefreshed she
was conscious of a sickening feeling of
faintness, the cause of which she knew
too well, and then came the dull misery
of remembering that there was no money
to buy provisions for breakfast.
It had been Roberts custom to give
ber a little money every week which she
had accepted in silence, neither asking
for it nor questioning its source; but
the last supply had been spent the day
before, and it was too soon to expect
another. She had tried to eke out their
scanty income by sewiag fora clothing
manufacturer, but even this laborious
and wretchedly paid employment had
almost failed her, as it was a dull season
and the little work she had on hand
could not be finished for several days.
The clock in u neighboring steeple
bad just struck nine, when in
letter was handed her addressed
to ‘Robert Desmond, Esq.” It bore
the London postmstk and the family
coat of srms; recogdizing the hand-
writing of Robert's father, she placed
the letter on the table where her husband
could find it when he awoke, then bus-
ied herself for a time about the poor
apartment trying to make it seem a tri-
fle less comfortlcss, before turnine
again to her sewing.
After a short interval she was again
summoned to the door, where she found
a man in soiled clothes, with which his
dirty face and unkempt hair was in
keeping.
‘Does Robert Desmond live here?”
he asked, abruptly.
“He does,” replied Victoria.
‘“Well, give him tbis and don’t for-
get it, for it's important,” and the
rough visitor quickly disappeared down
the rickety stairs.
Victoria's curiosity was aroused.
Wonderingly she unfolded the soiled
scrap of paper and read these words:
“To-night, at 11 o'clock.” Laying the
the note beside the letter she quietly
resumed her work without disturbing
Robert, who still slept soundly.
Her suspicions of his associates were
confirmed. * What repulsive companions
he must have if the man who brought
the note was one of them! Towards
evening Robert awoke. He found in
his pockets a few cents which he gave
Victoria to buy food with. After they
had broken their fast, she alluded to
the note, which Robert said he had read.
When she ventured to speak of the
letter from London, he said, ‘I shall
not open it. I have enough trouble and
annoyance now and do not intend to be
further harrassediby reading a sermon.”
That night he went away earlier than
usual.
Victoria, again left alone, reflected
still more on his mysterious occupation.
She longed to follow him, but could not
leave her child, and even if she could
what good would come of playing the
spy? Sooner or later the truth must
come out. She both desired and dreaded
its disclosure. The fear that it would
bring disgrace and sorrow increased.
She took up the letter from the Earl
and looked at the envelope with some
curiosity. Why not open it? No!
Robert had broken all ifamtly ties for
her; there could be no good news or
loving message in the letter for either
of them, or for their child. 8he replaced
it on the table without breaking the
seal.
Victoria retired early that night, for
prolonged anxiety and hard, unaccus.
tomed work had completely exhausted
her. She awoke at daybreak to find
that her husband had not returned.
Terrible fears crowded on her mind, and
a deeper dread oppressed her when, at
10 o'clock he entered the room, his hand
bandaged, his clothes torn and spattered
with miud, and a look of despair on his
ence handsome face. He did not greet
Victoria or the child, but sank on the
cot and closed his eyes. Though tor-
tured with anxiety Victoria asked no
questions, feeling it would only distress
him. After sleepinz heavily for an
hcur, Robert opened his eyes and said:
¢‘Vic:oria, do not admit any one who
may come to inquire for me. I am not
going out to-night and I must sleep un-
disturbed. Do not be anxious on my
account, nor save any food for me, but
bandage my hand and I will try to sleep
again. :
nit REE
At noon as she went to make her few
purehases at the store she heard
reports of a daring burzlsry that
had been committed the night
before. One of the robbers had
been killed and another wounded intthe
arm. The police had the clue, but had
not arrested all who were concerned in
the crime. She bought a newspaper and
began reading the details oa her way
home. Fear and anxiety almost over-
whelmed her.
Robert was still sleeping when she en.
tered their lodgings. The nolice had
not yet arrested him, but how long
would it be before their home might be
invaded by officers of the law? Seating
herself by the window she continued to
read the details of the burglary, hér eyes
suffused with tears, her heart beating
painfully, her head in a whirl. The
words seemed to dance up and down the
page as she read that one of the robbers
had been wounded in the left arm. It
was Robert's left arm that was bandaged.
A description of the criminal followed
in which Victoria was sure she recog-
nized her husband. The police were
said to be on the trail, and it was pre-
dicted that within twenty-four hours all
the burglars would be in custody.
A knock at the door made the poor
woman tremble so violently that she
could not respond; she pressed her hand
to her heart; her limbs almost refused to
support her. The knocking was re-
peated. Nerving herself to the effort
and opening the door, she encountered
a middle-aged mnn of gtntlemanly ap-
pearance. Victoria felt sure he was a
detective.
¢+Is Mr. Desmond at home?” he asked.
¢*‘He is not,’’ answered Victoria,coldly.
“Can you tell me when or where I
will find him?”
¢‘T cannot,” replied the wife; ‘will
you not leave your message with ne?”
“I regret,” said the visitor, politely,
‘that I cannot do so; my business is of
a private nature. I will call again.”
He turned away. Victoria listened
breathlessly until he reached the foot of
the stairs, then she turned frantically to
the crik and clasped her baby close to
her breast. ¢‘Better, far better for us
to die now and be beyond all the crime
and suffering and punishment of this
world.” Then she thought of awaken-
ing and warning Robert, that he might
escape while there was time. It was
the most anxious moment Victoria had
ever spent even in that garret room.
Overcome by the strain she sank to the
floor in a swoon. When she awoke she
was surprised to find her husband gone.
For the moment she thought only of him
and was glad that their humble lodgings
would not be the scene of his arrest; she
were unknown. Her glance “aappened
to rest on her sleeping baby’s face and a
revulsion of feeling swept over her. *‘I
must be brave for the child's sake,” shs
murmured. *
Another knock at the door startled
ler. She opened it to find standing
raere the same man who had asked for
er husband a few hours before.
¢“Is Mr. Desmond at home nowi” he
wxiously inquired. .
‘He is not,” replied Victoria.
“You are his wife, are you notf”
“I am.”
¢‘I came from B— Brothers,” he con-
tinued, naming one of the largest bank-
ing houses in the city. ¢‘Quite a sum
of money has been deposited in our
London house to your husband's credit,
and we would like to have him call at
the office. This is our address,” hand-
ing her a card. ¢‘Please request your
husband to come during banking hours,
and as soon as possible.” *
The stranger bowed and retired.
Victoria hardly knew whether she was
awaking or dreaming. The Earl must
have sent money, she thought; but it
was ‘‘too late—too late, now," she pas-
sionately cried.
Snatching the letter from the mantel
she broke the seal and read as follows:
Through my banker I send vou a thou-
sand pounds. More will follow should it be
impossible for you to make suitable business
connections with the first installment. J
thought you unworthy of trust after you
had brought misfortune and disgrace upon
wile and child by indulging your passim
for gambling. But I have the feelings of a
father and have not lost sight of you.
have heard of your energy and self-denial
your honesty and pride. Work is no
ce, not even the kind that you do. |!
ope you will profit by your experience,
now you see that others must bear the con-
sequence of your recklessness and extrava-
gance. Your wife and child have hal to
suffer keenly for your folly,
“Too late,” sobbed Victoria; ¢‘this
help is of no use now.” Then the thought
came to her, ‘Robert will now have
means to escape.” He had not yet been
home. Perhaps he had left the city and
was wandering about, lonely, hungry,
cold, without shelter or money, and yet
with five thousand dollars at his dis-
posal if he but knew it. The contrast
with their abject poverty made the sum
seem greater.
Once more a visitor's summons inter.
rupted Victoria's thoughts, She opened
the door mechanically, but retreated
when she saw before her the man who
had left that mysterious letter for Robert
a few days before.
“Is Bob in?” he inquired.
“Nc,” answered Victoris, ‘he has
gone away. What do yoa want?”
‘‘How is his hand?”
“It is better, I think.”
“Oh, well, then he's all ready for
work again, isn’t he? We are short of
help just now, and the boss told ma to
come around and ask how he was.”
Grasping the man by the arm, she
said excitely, almost fiercely, ¢‘Who is
the boss! What is he? Whosent yout”
“Why, the boss of the sweeping
gang! Bob and me works in the street-
cleaning department. Didn't ye know
that”
¢+Jome in and sit down,” Victoria
continued eagerly. ¢Tell me how all
this happened to my husband.”
‘“Well,” said the man, seating him-
self, *‘we got one of them new-fangled
sweepin’-machines which is drawded by
horses. Last night one of the horses
stumbled, became frightened and jumped
in among the men who sweep and shovel
the kit. Your husband seized the bridle,
and the horse bit him, but he didn’t let
go. He's a plucky dog, he is. Then
others came up to help manage the
brute. The overseer won't send out that
horse any more, Of course Desmond
gets his allowance fox Sickness, because
he was hurt while at work. Our Super-
intendent promises that he shall have un
office job. ‘He must have a heap of
schoolin,’ for he writes mighty fine. I
guess they’ll let him boss the job some
ay. We boys won't mind his good
luck. We all likes Bob; he’s a good
fellow, only too proud for us. Well, T
must go now. Good-by, mum.”
Victoria offered her hand to the man
in perfect silence, and escorted him to
the door; then she turned to the crib.
She felt impelled to press the child to
her heart. But the strain had been too
great. Her limbs failed to support her,
and she fell fainting upon the floor.
When Victoria recovered conscious-
ness she found herself in Robert's arms.
Instinctively he drew her closer to him
as the thought flashed through his mind
that this distress was probably due to
the contents of his father's letter.
Between her sobs the wife confessed
all her fears, anxieties and wretched
suspicions. Robert in turn explained
his reluctance to inform her of his occu-
pation, hoping it would be but tempo-
rary and that work more suited to his
birth and education would soon offer;
but day after day passed and no chance
for a better position presented itself.
His clothes grew shabby and his entire
appearance was becoming repulsive.
‘And yet to tell you,” Robert said, ¢‘that
I was a street-cleaner would have humili-
ated and distressed me even more than
did the menial occupation itself. This
suffering has taught me many things,
and I value it now that I see my way to
make suitable business connections.
Although tather has forgiven me and 1s
so generous, I shall not have him support
us. With the money we have now we can
establish some business, and will have
a neat and comfortable home.
‘‘Can you forgive me for doubting
you?” said Viatoria, looking up into his
face, ¢‘for being so wanting in faith as
to you suppose were a—a—""
‘Not another word,’ he cried, lifting
his baby cn his lap and drawing his wite
closer in a fervent embrace.—~Home and
Country.
‘
How to Subduned a New Shoo.
New shoes can be worn with as much
ease as old ones if they are stuffed to
the shape of the foot with cloth or pa-
per and then patiently sponged with hot
water. Or, if they pinch in some par-
ticular spot, a cloth wet with hot water
answer to a knock at the door a
and laid across the place will cause im-
longed never again to be able to think mediate and lasting relief, —New York
or feel and to be where anxiety and fear { World.
‘rothe employes were scalded.
Capital. Labor and Industrial,
The Ohio Iron and Steel Company's works
Zanesville, O., after being closed down since
June, 1891, the managers refusing to sign
the Amalgamated scale, started up with non-
union force, principally negroes from Ten-
nessee and Pittsburg. The old employes,
with a few exceptions, remain out, and claim
that they will yet win the fight, as the pro-
duct of the mill will be boycotted. Trouble
similar to the recent;Homestead strike is
feared.
Six hundred men of the grinding and
polishing departments of the Diamond
Plate Glass Works at Kokomo, Ind., are
out on a strike, because the firm required 12
benches instead of 11 in ten hours.
The yard switchmen's strike on the Lake
Erie System at Muncie Ind:. is growing
serious. All the mills have had to close,
throwing 1,000 men out! of work. The
strikers have so far successfully prevented
other workmen from taking their places
and sympathetic strikers of other railroad
employes are threatened.
The Illinois Central switchmen at Clinton,
[11,, have struck for more pay.
The international union of bricklayers
and masons, in session at Baitimore, voted
in faver of Sunday opening of the world's
fair.
The Wabash Railroad Company has begun
to discharge union telegraphers. A score of
men have been discharged within a week.
—- -
Legislative.
A bill passed the Indiana house which
makes it a misdemeanor to discharge em-
ployes or threaten to discharge them because
they belong to labor organizations. The bill
fixes a penalty of $100 fine and six months
imprisonment for the violation of the act.
The Illinois Senate passed the resolution
memorializing congress fo repeal the world'sg
fair Sunday closing law, by a vote of 29 in
favor to 19 against. An amcndment provid-
ing that all the machinery should be stop-
ped on Sunday and that no entrance fee
should be charged was defeated by the same
vote,
Among the important measures intro-
duced in the Michigan Hceuse was one to
rovide for the election of Presidential
Clectobs and to repeal the Miner election
law.
The Michigan Senate by a vote of 20 to 9
passed a bill repealing the celebrated Miner
law, which provides for the election of presi-
dential electors by districts instead of by the
whele State at large. As the House is also
Republican the bill will doubtless go through
it, and be signed by the Republican Gover-
nor.
Fires
At Medford, Mass., the Unitarian church
The bell in the tower was cast in 1790 by the
Paul Revere Company. Loss, $33,000; in
surance $20,000.
Fire at Jamestown, N. D., destroyed $85,
000 worth of property.
AtRichmond the cigarette factory of Allen
& Ginter, a branch of the American Tobacco
Company, and Valentine's meat juice works
were destroyed. Loss about $250,000; in-
sured. About 1,2000 people, principally girls,
are thrown out of employment.
ie
Judicial.
Judge R. R. Nelson, of the United States
ccurt, ix session at Duluth, Minn., declared
the Chinese exclusion act unconstitutional
in a case brought before him on habeas cor-
pus proceedings in th arrest of Ah Yuk, a
Chinese of seven years residence in the Uni-
ted States.
The Supreme Court of Illinois has affirmed
a verdict declaring the alien land act of 1887
valid. By this act aliens are rendered in-
capable of acquiring title to or holding lands
in that State either by descent, devise, pur-
chase or otherwise.
Dissiers: Accidents and Fatlities
The boiler of the steamer Warren blew
ap at Chattanooga. Two deck hands were
blown into the river and drowned, and 13
All colored.
At Philadelphia on Monday afternoon the
building occupied by the Nixon Bros. Paper
Company, at 517 Commerce street, collapsed
on account of a heavy weight of paper.
John McKenna, Joseph Wallace and Albert
W. Parker were killed. Albert Gales, col-
ored, was injured internally. The loss is
about £30,000.
- ls
Personal,
Governar-elect Turney, of Tennessee, who
is ill, was on Monday sworn in at his bed-
side, in the presence of a special committee
of the Legislature.
Braixe’s Conpitioy.—Tuesday, Dr. Johns
ton made a brief call on Mr. Blaine. When
he left the house he told a reporter that Mr.
Blaine was somewhat stronger. His con-
dition was about the same as it was on Sun-
day. Mr. Blaine’s disease remains a mys
— pn
Crime and Penalties.
Nathan Ramey was hanged at Helena,
Ark.: for the murder of Prince Mallory on
January 13, two years ago.
ey
Sanitary,
A case of Asiatic cholera was reported at
St.Paul, Minn., Tuesday. The victim, a Swede
who arrived on an early train in the morn-
ing, died and was buried two hours after
ward.
Washington News.
The National League for Good Roads met
and decided to hold a national convention,
to represent local leagues from all States.
ete
BEYOND OUR BORDERS.
M. Szelkey, the Austrian newspaper cor.
respondent. whose explusion from Fraace
was ordered by the Government, was escort
ed to the frontier by two policemen and
told that he must never retura to France.
While resisting arrest, a lunatic at Quer:
elario, Mex, stabbed eight officers, four of
whom will die
Pennsylvania Legislature.
Fourtu Day.—In the house this afternoon
Quay received 132 votes for Senator, Ross 66;
Dalzell 1 (cast by Moore of Chester,) and
Secretary Harrity 1, Lennon of Lehigh vot-
ing for the latter. In the Senate Quay re-
ceived 33 votes, Ross 14 and Congressman
Mutchler 1, given by Rapsher of Carbon.
Boyer, Lytle, Marshall, Wherry and Skin-
ner having been appointed the committee
on rulesin the house, To-morrow the houses
meet in joint session to verify and ratify
the vote as cast to-day and to certify the
election of Senator Quay.
In the senate to-day bills were introduced
as follows:
Mr. Neeb, Allegheny—Providing for po-
lice pension boards in cities and boroughs,
authorizing the payments of the proceeds of
the sale of unclaimed goods to disabled po-
licemen; requiring murderers 10 be hanged
in penitentiaries; requiring calisthenics to
be introduced in schools of the cities of the
first and second classes; empowering county
commissioners to erect morgues; prohibit-
ing members of boards of control in cities
of the second class from holding any office
of emolument under them.
Mr. McCarrell. Dauphin—Providing for
the appointment of female notaries public,
authorizing the formation of wholesale
grocery and other merchandise companies
and prohibiting the capital stock exceeding
$300,000; amending the act of 1887 so as to
specially empower horse car companies to
enter into contracts and leases with traction
and motor power companies; providing or
the payment of jurors out of «he Btate
Treasury.
Mr. Landis, Lancaster—Auihorizing the
election of road supervisors fis threo years.
Mr. Baker, Delaware—To extend powers
of notaries public beyond their present jur-
isdiction.
Mr. Lloyd, Cuamberland—For payment of
checks or demand drafts on depositeries
when the drawer shall have died before the
presentation; providing for the election of
urgess and Assistant Burgess for three
years in towns not enjoying the right by
special statute, aud making the ofticersin-
eligible to Conncil; repealing an act provid-
ing for appointment of viewers to assess
damages where streets and alleys are
changed in grade or location in boroughs;
providing for assessment of damages when
streets or alleys are changed in grade cr lo-
cation.
The corrected journal showing that Higby
had been returned as elected, was read in
the House to-day, but no other steps were
taken in the Crawford county contest. The
Senatorial election consumed the balance of
the day.
Fret Day.—Among the measures intro
duced in the Senate to-day was a bill repeal-
ing the married persons’ property act, en-
tered by General Gobin. It confers the
same right upon wives to which unmarried
women are entitled, only that they may not
mortgage or sell real estate, except as now
provided by law. They are not allowed to
become indorsers or sureties for others, A
married woman may sue or be sued, but
may not sue her husband except for divorce
or to protect and recover her separate prop-
erty in case of desertion. In such proceed-
ings each shall be a competent witness, but
neither shall testify as to confidential com-
munications. Unless by mutual agreement
property may be disposed of by will, the
same as if unmarried.
Senator Fruit introduced a bill for a
$500,000 Home for Feeble-Minded Children
in Western Pennsylvania, the Governor to
appoint a commission to select the site.
Senator Neeb introduced a bill making the
election days in November and February
legal half holidays,
In the House a concurrent resolution was
adopted directing the flag on the Capitol to
be placed at balf mast until after the funer-
al of ex-President Hayes.
Appropriations -— Marshall, Chairman;
Toole, Lytle, Lemon, James, Hershey, Bur-
dick. Stewart (W. F.), Cochrane, Miller (12.
D.), Patterson, Strayer, Wheeler, Jeffrey,
Burritt, Branson, McClintoe, Smith (W.)
Wherry. Fow, Hess, Quiggley, Seeley, Zeig-
ler and Burkel.
Judiciary General—Walton, Chairman;
McDonald, Boyer, Cessna, Hewitt, Niles,
Burdick, Butterfield. Cotton, Lyt:e, Riter,
Stewart (S.E.), Talbot, Scott, Mattox, Mapes,
Kunkel, Pennewill, Fow, Ritter, Skinner,
Wherry, Woodring, Fritz, Kapp.
Ways and Means—Boyer,Chairman; Foltz,
Cessna, Hewitt, Lawrence, Niles, Burdick,
Andrews, James, Kevser, Cochrane, Stew’
art (W, F.), Riter, Wheeler, Eby, Murphy,
McDonald, Reed, Skinner, Wherry, Ritter,
Lohr, Criste, Kearns, Woodring.
Elections—Talbot, Chairman; Mapes, Ly-
tle, Stewart (S. E.). Butterfield, Mattox.
Merrick, Patterson, Reese, Strayer, Tool.
Beyerlein, Buckwalter, Coyle, Mast, Miller
(W. H.), McDonald, Raven, Skinner. Quig-
ley, Geringer, Crawford, Woodring, Metzer,
All,
Municipal Coporations—Lafterty, Chair-
man; Coyle, Muehlbronner,Kidd, Richmond, ]
Stewart (S. E.), Bliss, Criste, North, Raven,
Reinhoehl, Riebel, Taxis, Vare, Weaver.
Wertheimer, Harvey, Mattox, Kearns, Bern-
hart, Fretz, Seigler,Moyles, Crawford, Good-
hart.
The two Houses met in joint convention
at noon. Lieutenant Governor Watres pre-
siding. The journals of the ‘preceding day
were read and Mr. Watres declared M. S.
Quay duly elected Senator, signed the certi-
ticates of election, and the joint convention
adjourned.
Sixt Day.—In the senate to-day a reso-
lution was offered by Mr. Baker of Dela-
ware asking for the appointment of a com-
mittee to investigate the Reading ‘‘combine’’
-in accordance with the suggestions of the
governor in his recent message to the legis-
lature. A communication was received from
the governor calling attention to a letter re
ceived trom State Printer Myers, criticizing
the statements made by him in his annual
message relative to the delay in the public
printing. The governor asks for an invest-
gation of his charges, and a resolution was
passed providing for the appointment of a
committee to act with a similar committee
of the house to make an investigation.
Senator Neeb’s bill abolishing capital pun-
ishment was also favorably reported.
Among the billsintroduced in the senate
were: Neeb—Declaring election days half
holidays, and McDonald's bill abolishing
capital punishment. Bannon—The judicial
apportionment bill, vetoed by Governor
Pattison two years ago. Adjourned until
Monday night.
A Singular Superstition.
In regard to the habit of partridges
of fiying into civilization and a popu:
lar superstition regarding them, an
Augusta man says: *‘One flew on our
premises and was captured. Then
came the question whether we should
kill the bird or allow it to live. At
that time there was a general super:
stition that, if a partridge came to
the house where a sick person lay and
the bird was killed and the sick per-
son ate the broth, it would effect a
cure. There was a girl sick at our
house and the doctors had given up
the case as hopeless. Some of the
owls.
family said, kill the partridge and
zive the sick girl the broth. But the
sick girl and «thers were for permit.
ting the partridge to live. We were
2qually divided and agreed to let one
of the neighbors whom we saw com-
ing to the house decide whether the
partridge should be killed or not.
He said, kill it, and we did, and the
sick girl ate the broth and got well.”
WHAT SPORTSMEN WANT.
THEY HAVE FOUR BILLS TO PUSH AT THE PRES-
ENT SESSION.
Harriseure.—The Legislative Board of
the State Sportsmen's Association com-
leted its work. A number of members of
oth branches of the Legislature met with
the committee and assisted them in arriving
at conclusions. Governor Pattison is a
member of the Association, and is under-
stood to b- favorable to the legislation pro-
posed. The meeting decided to push four
bills, The first provides for a State Game
Commissioner, similar with operations to
the present I:sh Commissioner, to look af-
ter the propagation of game, birds and
mammals, and to prosecute viola‘ters of the
laws. Another intended to make mora
stringent regulations against trespassing,
while two move revise the game seasohs and
the scalp act. ]
Under the new system, wild turkeys,
woodcock, rufled grouse and prairie chick-
ens may be shot from October 15 to Decem-
ber 15, field plover from July 15 to Septem-
ber 15, quail from November 1 to December
15, with the season for other game birds as
at present. The bounty for wild cats is in-
creased to 35, and that for tull grown foxes
is placed at $2 50. Fifty cents. is to be paid
for scalps of minks, weasels, hawks and
‘I'hese latter provisions are expected
to secure the support of the grangers.
“The new scalp law is corefully drawn to
prevent fraud,” said Dr. Warren, the State
ornithologist. “Under the old act $150.000
was paid out, including ¥90,000 for hawks
and owls. The heads of turkeys and chick-
ens were produced and paid for by the
thousands. In one county £3,000 was paid
tor a butlalo hide and a wolf skin, which
wus cut up and worked off as scalps of vari-
ous animals.”
The sportsmen have informed Speaker
Thompson, at his request, that they favor
the appointment of u special committee ot
the House to luok after this legislation,
A RADICAL ROAD LAW.
Ml. NESBIT OFFERS A SOLUTION TO THE DIFFI-
CULTIES TO BE OVERCOME.
Harrissure. —Representative Nesbit, or
Allegheny county, introduced a novel meas-
ure in the House, which is very tavorably
regarded by those who have examined it. It
provides that Courts of Common Pleas shall
appoint a competent person to serve for
three years as county superintendent of
roads, and that in every township three com-
missioners shall be elected for a similar
term. ‘These commissioners shall choose
three from among their number, who, with
the county superintendent, will constitute a
board of road directors. This body shall in-
vestigate the location and construction of
public highways, and divide them into two
classes. to be known as ‘‘highways” and
*roads.’” ‘The members shall also act as a
board of viewers for location and vacation.
“The commissioners of each township are to
meet with the auditors,in Marcn each year,
and appoint an outside person treasurer.
They Chall levy a road tax not exceeding 10
milis on the dollar ot county valuation.
Male taxables, with a valuation less than
$100, shall work one day on the roads or
pay a cash equivalent.
Townships are to be divided into road dis-
tricts, with supervisors appointed by the
commissioners. Townships can let contracts
for the making and repairing of highways,
and have authority to join with one or
more neighboring townships in their work.
Those who work out taxes must do so under
supervision and dilgently under penalty of
discharge and forfeiture of the right to vote.
One-fourth of the taxes collected each year
must be set aside to use for the opening and
macadamizing of highways, and townships
are to share in prospective State appropria-
tions in proportion to their efforts in this
direction. The pay of the county superin-
tendent is to be fixed by the salary board or
the judges.
aie ein
A SCARCITY OF PRODUCE.
PRICES HAVE BEEN FORCED UP BY THE VERY
COLD WEATHER. .
PirrsBUurG.—Not for many years has the
Pittsburg produce been so badly handicap-
ped by the cold weather as it is at present.
Commission merchants report that their
supplies of potatoes, cabbage, apples and
other perishable goods are now about ex-
hausted. Prices are higher than they have
been in years. On Monday the Grocers’
Supply Company received a consignment of
several cars of perishable goods, in cars
furnished with heating apparatus,but betore
the stuff could be put into the warehouse it
was frozen. All shipments have been order-
ed off for the present.
Perhaps the most inconvenience has been
caused by the scarcity of fresh eggs. The
market was bare of them Monday, aithough
some of the dealers were selling cold storage
stock as fresh at 36 cents a dozen. Fresh
stock would bring at least 40. At some of
the restaurants about town signs have been
put up, announcing the price of eggs served
in an style at 5 cents each.
In the grain, flour and feed market a
similar state of affairs is reported. Country
dealers cannot get the farmers to bring their
stock to the railroads. The prices of meats
have also advanced.
Ea ei
GAME ALL RICHT.
TVEN THE QUATL ARE NOT VISIBLY SUFFERING
FROM THIS COLD WINTER.
New Castne—The stories about the whoie-
sale destruction of game birds in Western
Pennsylvania by the severe cold are net
credited by the farmers in Lawrence county
as a rule, and the people of the border
counties in Ohio are equally skeptical. A
systematic investigation of the matter, cow-
ering half a dozen counties on. both sides of
the State line, bear out this skepticism. The
snows have not been heavy enough—long
enough on the ground, nor the weather cold
enough to have caused any general loss of
life among even the quail. Several! reports
from Eastern Ohio indicate that while more
quail have been seen since the cold snap set
in than during the whole of last summer
and fall, on account of the birds being com -
pelled to forage more in the open, the birds
are as vigorous as ever.
el
THE STATE'S BANKS.
SOME FIGURES. FROM SUPT. KRUMBHAAR'S AN-
NUAL REPORT. y
HarrisBurRG. — The report Charles H
Krumbhaar, superintendent of banking,
shows there are 84 banks. 16 savings institu-
tions and 72 trust companies in the State.
The capital of these institutions aggregate
B448,08Y, 641 68; the surplus $19,440,296 52,
the undivided profits $12,876,603 45. the de-
posits $201,317.362 50. The trust funds held
by trust companies on November 30. 1892,
amounted to $20,664,163 54. Mr. Krum-
bhaar suggests that he should have the power
to appoint a temporary receiver, or repre-
sentative when he takes possessioh of a cor-
poration, and urges the importance of legis-
lation to compel trust companies to make re-
port in detail of their trust assets.
——
KILLED WHILE HUNTING,
Erie.— While hunting nearIrving, William
Blanfuss shot and killed himself close te
the railroad track. The body was discover-
ed by an engineer of a train passing on the
—Bangor (Me.) Commercial.
WRANE—“I’ll never forget that
jolly dinner at the club Jim gave us
before he was married.” Tom—“You
won't, eh! Why, youforgot all about
it before the dinner was over.”—Life.
Lake Shore road. The remains were
sent to the home of the deceased at Buffale
.'Y.
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