A The Cremation society of England forbids any inspection of the process of cremation by the friends of the de- cessed. In this country such inspec- gion by a representative of the friends i required. The depopulation of villages is one of the complaints in Germany. Agri- eultural laborers are becoming so scarce that it is now necessary to im- port them for the harvest in large numbers from Russia. In the closing hours of the session of the Towa Legislature the members of the House carried through with Boud acclaim a resolution requesting Doorkeeper Wesley Spain to change his name forthwith to Wesley Cuba. It is said to be ‘no uncommon oc- currence on the new' Siberian railway for fuel or water to give out. In the latter case a halt is made and snow eollected and melted until water enough is provided for proceeding to the next station. A Chicago paper demands to know why music-crazed women persist in sending thorny roses to pianists, who, 3 says,hold them in mortal terror. It suggests that sending a ’98 model wheel down the aisle would be much better appreciated, or “even a box of cigars. in addition to the mineral wealth discovered in Alaska, reports have been received stating that petroleum i8 also found there. Analysis and tests show that the oil is of as high grade as any from the Pennsylvania wells. The oil was found in a large Jake close to the ocean, while the sur- rounding mountains are full of coal. It was fed by springs, and there was every evidence of a large supply. v OE se : * The new Kearsarge is named after Ehe old Kearsarge, but what was the old Kearsarge named after? queries the Springfield Republican. This would stump any ‘‘current-events €lass” going. The old Kearsarge was mamed after an obscure yet respect- able mountain and it is said that the mountain mamed by juggling the name of its discoverer and its first owner, Heze- kiah Sargent, in New Hampshire, was A Berlin physician of standing says, in a medical paper, that the nurses in she private hospitals are in league with thie undertakers, who distribute among them circulars offering as much as $25 by way of gratuity for a good job. He attention of his professional colleagues to this infa- calls the mous combination, which has been in force, so he declares, for half a cen- fury, and exists in other large towns. He suggests the employment, when- ever it is possible, of women working in sistcrhoods or actuated by some higher motive than the mere pursuit of gain. A company of steel workmen, or- ganized on the co-operative plan, headed by Charles Kennedy, former superintendent of the Indiana iron works at Muncie, has located at Mont- pelier, states the Indianapolis News. They will operate a big steel plant, employing 300 hands. The in- ducements they received consist of land, buildings, free gas and a money bonus of $5000. Their location was secured through: the efforts of the Mentpelier board of trade. Another Yoecal company of workmen have or- ganized to buy the Florence iron and steel mill, now owned by Bassett & Co. of Cleveland. The plant has been idle for over two years. The local eompany will operate the mill imme- diately, and will employ about 200 hands. It has been kept in good re pair, and is one of the best. rolling mills west of the Alleganies. ‘Wheeling is undoubtedly one of the most conspicuous evangelists of health, observes the New York Her- ald. The man who has religion and 4 bicycle ought to be entirely satisfied ith his lot. He is an enviable zreature, and has no reason to be mvious of others. To take a spin in Yie direction of a good appetite and dreamless sleep and to overtake and capture both is to be victorious in a very important conflict. But there are limits beyond which this noble ex- ercise becomes irritable and takes re- wenge. The boy who, the other day, started out on a century run overdid a good thing, and converted it into a bad thing. ‘He accomplished his task, but he broke himself all up, and will wever mount the saddle again. Don’t abuse your wheel, but treat it with respect and reverence. It is better to ride twenty miles and feel fresh than to cover forty and have to call in tbe doctor. What you want is fun and health, and if you use your wheel with discretion you will get both. DREAMLAND. There's a mystical land that we fightin the n 4 t, Quite close to the darkness, aloof from the 8 A land where impossible things are the facts In a pageant of good or of impious acts— A realm where the loveliest scene slips’ away, And a deed or a thought is forbidden to stay, A realm of illusion, with nothing that seems— The wonderful sleep-bordered country of dreams, —William Hamilton Hayne. 0 VB VVVVVVV VV ¢ An Artistic Ending. ; BY C. R. COLVILLE. 0000 V OV V”VYVVLVVP The sun shone under her straw hat and made her shade her eyes with her by the edge of the river. “Now, Mr. Conway,” she said, ‘‘are you quite sure you can manage a canoe?” ly. “Don’t be rash,’’she laughed; ‘‘per- haps I'll think a new frock well worth the wetting.” “if you upset yourself I cry off the bargain.” “I’m sure you’ll never be so mean said Delia; ‘“‘anyway, I’ll risk it.” “I feel a little afraid,” she said, as I gave her my handy to help her aboard. I am inclined to think, however, that her hesitation was not altogether due to nervousness, but was a little in- fluenced by the fact that she had the prettiest little feet in the world, and was wearing the very daintiest of | brown shoes, which showed to the | best advantage as she stood in timid uncertainty, one foot on shore and one poised over the canoe. I confess the attitude was fascinating to me, more especially as is necessitated a very dis- tinct pressure of my steadying hand. I was the more convinced that the timidity was affected when she even- tually settled herself among the cush- ions in the bows of the canoe, for all the world as if to the manner born. Indeed, as I stepped warily in the centre of the craft, I am sure I was really the more nervous of the two, but then I could judge of my short- comings as a canoeist far better than she. “Now then,’ I said, ‘‘are you quite sure you are comfortable?” She gave a last smooth to the folds of her brown skirt, gave a little pat to the sleeves of her white blouse,and lay back against the red cushions with a sigh of content. ‘“Yes,’she said sweetly; ‘I’m quite ready.” I let go the tuft of grass to which I had been clinging, pushed off gently with my paddle, and we were fairly afloat. The sunshine sparkled on the water, the leaves of the trees waved ever so softly in the breeze, the bright-colored dragon flies darted hither and thither, while along the bank the bees flew languidly from flower to flower, as if they only kept themselves awake by incessant buzzing. “Isn’t it delightful?” Delia. “Tt is, indeed,” I assented, but. would have done so more truthfully i if the bows of the canoe had not dis- | played so great a reluctance to keep straight up the river. The splash of the water from the pad- dle was wonderfully smoothing, and my fair companion closed her eyes. Directly she did so politeness no longer debar- red me from gazing my fill at her up- turned face. murmured hands as she looked up at me, standing | ““I’ll promise you anew frock, Miss | Delia, if I upset you,” said I gallant- |- | way, as to argue the cause of the damage,” | | purpose. | gave way all too | gave a little scream and I clutched | vain attempt to. keep | myself and the canoe. I looked admiringly, taking mental stock of her charms. = How softly her dark eyelashes swept her cheek—how coquettishly curved her mouth—how dainty the suspicion of adimple either side her lips—how delicately turned her chin—how becoming the red cush- ion to her wealth of black hair——yes, undoudtedly her nose was retrousse, but a fig for your stately Greek beau- ties! there is a fascination in the— crash into the bank went the bow of the canoe, and the subject of my re- verie opened her eyes with a start. For the life of me I cannot steer a canoe and think of something else at the same time. By the greatest good luck we were not upset. “I am most awfully sorry,” I stam- mered. “I was nearly asleep,” she said. “I can’t think what happened; it was dreadfully careless of me,” ‘Oh, it really doesn’t matter,” she replied with a great good nature. I paddled. clear of the bank and vowed such a collision should not occur again, Delia, however, made no further attempt to go to sleep. ““How smoothly the river runs,” she said thoughtfully. ‘‘Unlike the course of true love,” I added rather weakly. It was not a very apposite remark, but then I knew the topic of love was a dangerous one for me, and so, fool- hardy, I courted it, as the moth the candle. There was a pause in the conversa- tion, while I successfully negotiated a sudden bend in the river. ‘“It’s a great pity, isn’t it?” said Delia. “What is?”’ I inquired. “Why, that the course of true love never runs smooth.” ; x *‘Oh,but it does sometimes, really,” I asserted. : : I suppose the love isn’t really true, then,’ said she. ‘‘Nowadays, books and ‘plays nearly always end un- happily,” “Oh, well,” said I, philosophically, ‘‘there are two sorts of love—there is a passionate love, full of presentiment, which makes a man morbid and melancholy,and forces him a thousand times to curse the fate that brirgs it to him, but this sort of love is too lofty for a workaday world, and the only artistic ending is a tragic one.” I am afraid I bore Delia now and again by holding forth in this way, but she only gave the politest possible yawn, as she said: ‘‘And what about the other?” ‘““The other,” I went on, taking care to watch the course of the canoe, ‘‘i a tender, pastoral love, which makes a man cheerful and take rosy views of life, causing him to thank heaven every day that such a love has fallen to his | lot, and the artistic ending is wedding | bells and domestic happiness.” ‘‘Dear me, Mr.Conway,” said Delia, smiling, ‘‘you seem to know a deal about it.” . Delia has the sweetest gray-brown eyes, and it is an extraordinary pleas- | ure to look right into them, longer than is actually necessary while listen- ing to or making aremark;only speak- ing of artistic endings made me feel | quitecertain there was a more artistic ending to such a look than mutu- ally to drop our eyes. like a fool, I let my paddle catch in a weed. I endeavored | as gently as possible to .extricate it, “I said—if I upset you,” I replied; ! but the weed proved obstinate. Delia | grew nervous and sat up in the canoe. | ‘Oh, please be careful, Mr. »’ she cried. : I pulled a trifle harder, but to no Then I lost patience. 1 gave the paddle a sharp jerk, the weed suddenly. Delia Con- wildly at the side of the canoe in a my balance. It was all over in a moment, and when I say all I include Delia, Fortunately we were close to the bank and the water was shallow. I scrambled ashore IE and helped Delia on to dry land as | best I could. : “‘Really, Miss Delia,” I said feeling unutterably foolish, as I caught the painter of the canoe and rescued the floating paddle, *‘I’ll never forgive myself for this; I wish you were a! man and could swear at me.”’ “What an awful fright I mustlook,”” | said poor Delia, putting back her wet hair from her face. I murmured of ‘Venus rising from the sea,” but indistinctly, suddenly doubting the propriety of the allusion. “Don’t forget your bargain, Mr. Conway,” said she, shaking the water ! from her bedraggled skirt; “will you | Jim | gust. A few months previous to his | death a banquet was given order the frock, or ‘shall I, and send you in the bill?” I know it was not a very suitable occasion to do anything so serious as | make an offer of marriage; also, that | it 'was a very prosaic way of putting it, but upon my word I couldn’t help it * wish you would give me the right | tion several well know New Haven ' men had gone to Ireland and been always to pay your bills,” I said. “TI don’t think I mind if I do,” she said. . We were both very wet and both very muddy, but I looked into those time she didn’t turn away, for I dis- covered the more artistic ending—I | around her waist and | put my arm kissed her.-—NMadame. {INSURANCE AGAINST ILLNESS. People Now Able to Prepare for Attacks of Contagious Disease. The newest thing in personal insur- ance, so far as this country is concerned, is insurance against sickness. insurance has been furnished in Eng- land and on the continent for time, and in Germany, where the blessings of a paternal government are enjoyed to the fullest extent, it | was recently announced that all heads ! of families engaged in wage-earning | would be compelled to take out insur- ance against illness. Insurance of this kind has been fur- | they kL in | his wife’s for a visit before the season nished in this country for some time on a small scale by mutual organiza- tions, but it was not until last sum- | mer that it was taken up by any well- | © [ hicle, established company. There are said to be only two com- | panies at present prepared to write | policies of insurance against illness. | This is included with regular accident | insurance, and there is a combination | policy offered by which for a small ad- ditional payment the insurance against illness is secured. A person so insured may receive | $25 a week if he suffers from ‘‘typhus fever, typhoid fever, starlet fever, smallpox, varioloid, diphtheria, mea- sles, or Asiatic ‘cholera, and such ill- ness shall, independently of all other causes, continuously and wholly dis- able and prevent the insured from per- forming any and every kind of duty pertaining to his occupation.” The limit of indemnity is fixed at twenty- six weeks. All the diseases mentioned are of a contagious character, and no attempt has been made as yet to ip- sure against any others. ws Insurance men who are interested in this subject are watching with in- terest to see how the new idea‘‘takes,” and some of them say it is probable that the list of diseases which a per- son can become insured against will soon be lengthened. : It will be noted that one important contagious disease, yellow fever is not named in the list, but the chances of being attacked with yellow fever in this part of the country are so small that its omission is not a matter of great importance to New Yorkers.— New York Tribune. Sweden’s Matches. The oldest match manufactory in the world is in Sweden. were made there long before the old, roughly trimmed splinter of wood, tipped with sulphur, was discarded with the tinder boxes for which they were used. In twenty-five years the export trade of Sweden in foreign matches increased to 10,000,000 boxes a year. £ : oo ‘4g | I was just thinking about this, and | | how very graceful some girls look in | ! a canoe, when, | sort of boring apparatus, ! merchantman Catalpa, { from New Bedford in 1875 under the ! fore. | that Myr. : <1: | for their rescue afore-mentioned brown eyes, and this | eu some | Matches - HOLLAND'S FENIAN RAM. A Submarine Boat With a Curious Mis. tory Now Lying Neglected. The submarine torpedo boat with ‘which Mr. Holland has been experi- menting about New York is not his first veuture in that line. Sixteen years ago he built a similar vessel for several Irish patriots, headed by James Reynolds of New Haven, Conn., { and the vessel was among the effects of Mr. Reynolds’ estate. For the last thirteen years it has lain neglected under an old shed near Mill River, New Haven, but its owners assert that it is still seaworthy. It is a cigar- | shaped affair, built of iron, thirty feet long, and about six in depth at the | deepest part. It had no electrical ! equipment, but was provided with | steam engines and a propeller. All | the machinery was removed long ago. | The craft has always been known as | the Fenian ram. It is said that it | had several trials sixteen years ago | off the New Jersey coast, and Mr. | Reynolds during his lifetime was ac- | customed to declare that it had ful- | filled every expectation entertained of it, He himself was on board during one trip. The Fenian ram did not submerge itself by diving, like the t new Holland boat, but sank. Experi- ments were made to test its effective- ness as a ram, with encouraging re- sults, Still attached to its bow is a intended to penetrate hulls either of iron or wood. It has no difficulty in staying sub- merged for five hours. It cost, ac- cording to the statement of its present keeper, about $40,000, all of which is believed to have been furnished by the Fenian societies. No one seems” to know who is the owner of this craft. It is at present in charge of Capt. P. O’Connor, son- in-law of James Reynolds. Mr. Rey- i nolds, who brought it to New Haven Irish was thirteen years ago, was an patriot of world-wide fame. It | he who was principally instrumental in arranging for the voyage of the which sailed command of Captain John “Anthony, and, after aseries of adventures, effected the escape of the six prisoners at Freemantle, Australia, condemned to life imprisonment for their part in the Fenian rising in 1866. They were the companions of John Boyle O'Reilly, who made his own escape the year be- Mr. Reynolds risked all his property in this venture, and was ever afterward familiarly known as Catalpa He died in New Haven last Au- in his honor at the New Haven house. It is believed that Mr. Holland’s first submarine boat was constructed for Mr. Reynolds and other Fenians | for use against the British govern- ment. At the time of her construc- imprisoned on account of their activity against England. It is thought Reynolds nourished plans and that his sub- marine ram was built in view 8f his intended operations. It was never put to any practical use. New Haven Irishmen have suggested in case the | new Holland boat fulfilled the expec- | tations entertained of it, that Mr. Reynold’s craft be presented to the government. With a few repairs and ' changes they believe that the | Fenian ram might prove useful.—New i York Sun. Such | = old Mistook Her Noda for Curtsies. “Tet me, while I think of it, tell a relation story told me by the new con- | gressman from Ohio,” writes ‘‘A Cabi- net Member’s Wife,” giving her ‘In- ner Experiences, ”’in the Ladies’ Home Journal. ‘This is his first term in “Congress. When he and his wife | came to Washington early in October they brought along an elderly aunt of began, as she was too deaf to enjoy out for a drive in a high, open ve- called here a trap. His wife was unable to go at the last moment, so the aunt mounted behind and he in front, as he drove himself. Being new to the place they had hardly any acquaintances. Greatly to his aston- | ishment in a short time, as they drove { along, people began to bow to him | | from every side. He said that for one short moment he sdw himself a great man; but at the same time his surprise express his astonishment to his aunt in twining, the mystery of the bows was solved—the old lady sat bolt up- right, sound asleep with her head fallen forward. Every lurch of the vehicle bowed her head, and the peo- ple along the streets were only re- turning what they took to be her salu- tations. He spoke to her, but she could not hear, so he turned about and drove home. When he stopped in front of the house she wakened ‘up i and was mortified to death.” ro - R= IRE rarergfy or Where Life Is Longest. More people over 100 years old are found in mild climates than in the higher latitudes. = According to the last census of the Gérman empire, of a population of 55,000,000, only seventy-eight have passed the hnm- dreth year. France, with a population of 40,000,000, has 213 centenarians. In England there are 146, in Ireland 578, and in Scotland 56. Sweden has 10 and Norway 23, Belgium 5, Den- mark 2, Switzerland none. Spain, with a population of 18,000,000, has 401 persons over 100 years of age. Of the 2,250,000 inhabitants of Servia 575 persons have reached the century mark. It is said that the oldest per: son living whose age has been ascer- tained, is Bruno Cotrim, born in Af. rica, and now living in Rio de Ja. neiro. He is 150 years old. A coach: man in Moscow has lived 140 years. —Philadelphia Press. society, One day he took the old lady | property. increased, until he turned around to | Straw Lace. There is a new guipure lace which, when laid over white, resembles noth- ing so much as straw lace, both in color and in texture. Tt is exceeding- ly effective as a trimming over mous- seline de soie, because that delicate tissue may be pulled in places through its wide meshes, thus adding novelty to smartness. Must Keep Her Name. A woman notary public in Denver, Col., was married recently,and the ques- tion arose as to what name she should sign in her official capacity. The mat- ter was referred to the attorney gen- eral of the state, and he has furnished an opinion that there is no authority of law for women in Colorado to drop their maiden names in the event of marriage. She must, therefore, sign all documents as before marriage, be- cause there is no authority for a change of name at marriage or any other time. Patriotic Sofa Pillows. The most popular sofa pillows just now are those that bear upon them some trace of the Stars and Stripes. Large hammock and piazza pillows are made of actual flags, and less ag- gressive ones have white stars on a blue ground, the reverse side of the cushion being of red and white stripes. Sometimes a pair of tiny flags are crossed and embroidered in one corner. It is a trial to wsthetic tastes that the colors of our flag are so pronounce, but the artistic faculty gives way to patriotic sentiment, and the American flag is emphatically the decorative vogue of the moment. American Women and Gray Hair. Is it true that the hair of American women turns gray much earlier than that of the women of other countries? There are those who make the as- sertion. It is, too, say these, a thorough gray. While the locks of an English or French woman will late in life show a few stray ‘‘basting threads,” the head of an American woman at a much younger age is quite blanched, or at least frosted. To two things may the cause of the tendency be ascribed—American air and American atmosphere—terms not at all synony- mous. If the former turns our leaves, why should it not turn our hair? While what the latter may accomplish through the agencies of ice water, hot bread and worry, needs no comment. Early gray hair, as a rule, means in- ability to cope with nerve-destroying things. matter of temperament. That it should be a characteristic of American women is in keeping with most other traits of our race.—Harper’s Bazar. A Woman Baker. . There is a woman now in New York who has bad most serious misfortunes, and yet has shown rare perseverance and energy at the critical moment. Only a short time ago she and her husband lived in a comfortable home in a western city. They owned the property and had been moderately well-to-do. But the husband died very suddenly. Then the insurance on the house gave out, and soon the widow found it necessary to dispose of the Pending the negotiations the house burned to thé ground, and although the widow escaped, every- thing in her possession had been con- sumed. She had to borrow clothes be- fore leaving for New York, where she had friends. She resolved not to allow her grief to have a serious effect upon her, but to find some immediate source of sup- port, and took the first opportunity that offered. She had made a specially wholesome graham bread for a friend here who was suffering with indiges- tion, and his appreciation of it at once pre! g | snogested a means of support—she rise en if he had to shout, and { ° >> Priscilla, eve 10 ha 2 {would bake and sell bread. = Calling at neighboring residences and board- ing houses, she at once took orders for all she could bake, delivered the bread the samé day, and secured regular customers. With the pro- ceeds of su-cessive sales she took in a large supply of materials, and is steadily increasing the profits. She declares that with her ambition she will not remain poor long, and will goon make a biz success of her under- taking. — New York Sun. ER The Return of the Shirt Waist. Shirt waists of plain, solid color are varied with bauds of embroidered in- gertion or heavy bands of lace, run- ning up or down or crosswise, as the figure nay demand, and many of them have bias bands, enffs and collar of plaided or striped material. Others of plain, solid colored material have cuffs, collar and front box plait of pol- ka-spot material, in which case a plain white tie finishes short at the neck, and a belt of white is worn. Cotton cheviot, pique in all colors, duck and finé gingham are the popular wash materials for general wear. Stripes are very modish in shirt waists this year, and most of them run around instead of up and down, Bias plaids are also much used,and are very smart lookilke, but must always be worn with skirts of plain,solid color. Tucks are used in every conceivable way on shirt waists of all materials and are It is declared to be largely a | " preference. applied up and down, across, zig-zag, slanting, in clusters or regulation® spaces, as fancy or figure dictates. Sleeves are smaller than they were last year, and the cuffs in many cases are attached. Even where the fronts cannot be called a real blouse they pouch a little, and the gathers extend almost the entire length of the shoul- der insiead of being all directly in the front. The black satin shirt waist, though worn much during the winter, is ir- repressible, and is continually de- veloping some new feature. ror traveling, this waist is decidedly the most stylish anddurable;shedding the dust and cinders. While many of the waists have .de- tachable collars and cuffs to match, the white linen ones will be as much worn as ever. Belts thére are in all varieties; solid gold belts studded with precious and semi-precious stones; metal belts fairly blazing with imita- tion gems; velvet, satin, silk and leather belts, with gorgeous metal and jeweled buckles, and enameled ones designed in openwrought patterns. With the wash shirt waist, however, quite the prettiest is the leather belt, which fastens with plain harness buckles.—Woman’s Home Companicn, Fashion Notes. Covert cloth, poplins and Bedford cords are shown in great variety for the indispensable tailor made suit. Piquets, marseilles, lawns and linens will be much worn this summer for morning gowns, as well as at the watering places. A very pretty and fashionable de- sign in table linen is the shamrock. It is used on napkins, and promises to become popular. Persian mauve, pale almond or tan color are effectively combined on new Paris evening gowns and tailor cos- tumes for special wear. Satin royal and very elegant qual- ities of peau de soie are handsomely made up together in imported wedding toilets for spring and early summer. A fashionable summer gown is of golden brown dimity with insertion of brown and white running up’ each seam and at the top of the lower flounce. A swell Ascot tie designed exclu- sively for women is on the market. It is made of bias striped satin, in tolors so gay that they put the most modish hosiery to shame. The braided black straw plateau bent into turban shape, high at one side and the brim finished with large jet catashuns, is another of the pretty designs in walking hats. All the buttons are on the jeweled order, with the exception of those in jet and gold, and these have the ef- tect of onyx and ave not like what are generally known as jet buttons. This season the wood colors and grays are the principal colors, and the wood colors are smarter than the grays, for the last named were worn all last summer, it will be remem- bered. A pretty morning hat is a black sailor of rough straw with a band of burnt orange satin ribbon, which fin- ishes in a spiral of the same. Three black spangled quills complete the trimming. . A hat that milliners say will be much worn is of green soft silk, a number of puff rues forming the crown and brim, and trimmed at the side with a spiral puff and a large white aigrette. There is a great variety in hats, the new Alpine being among the ones that have been favorably received already. It is gray, with wide ribbon and band, finished in the left side with a bunch of long cock feathers. . Buckles and fancy buttons are among the new things on gowns. The buckles may not buckle and the but- tons may not be used to fasten the waist, but they must needs be worn in order to give the proper smart finish to any gown. Yellow lace for trimming white fabrics will be much in favor, but there is a great variety in the shades checsen. Faille and light tones pre- tail over the yellows with the dash of" pink which was so popular a few sea- sons ago. The combination of white and straw colored lace is used not only for gowns,but also for blouse bodices, The variety in transparent mate- rials for summer gowns is bewildering in extent as well as color, and among lace grenadines, canvas organdies, mohair Swiss, the various pineapple weaves and lace zephyrs, it is diffienlt to choose. The silk and wool bareges are very sheer and thin this season, and the new nun’s veilings are as cobwebby as possible. In negiigeé gowns, loose robes fall- ing from the shoulders and neck in Oriental fashion seem to have the Ribbons sewn into the side seams are frequently knotted across the front. An innovation in sleeves is noticeable in some of the most handsome silk gowns. The . sleeves either hang in a long point from the bend of the arm or else are cut to the elbow ouly and finished. with rufties of lace. : a