SNOWSHOEING. COLD WF.ATHKR Kt!N IJf THE NORTH WKST. Clubs Mtiltlplylna; In Wisconsin ami Minnesota, Where the Sport is the Mont Popular Skates Propelled by Sails. OF nil winter sports snowshoe ing bill fair to become ths most popular; witbin the past two years it linn obtained a firm foothold in the Northern Stotes niul in now receiving an unusual nmoutit of attention in the East. Taken nt nil it points nnowshoeing in with oft n doubt, tho ideal exercise during thi) colli sensou because it offers such ' a mnltitiuli' of advantages over nil othor oold weather sports. While skating will invariably find favor with a large number of people and linn its never f" 1 1 1 ti i ilflinhtn, it M always handi capped by the serious disadvantage of being confined to a very limited space wheu compared with snow-shoeing. For (jooil skating there must also be i ootnhinntion of favorable weather, and thaw, however slitrht. make the iee too Woft for Rood sport and a snowfall following a spell uf mild weather ut terly spoils the ice so far as skating is ooiieerneil. A snowshoe rnnner is not hampered very much by the whimsicalities of the weather elerk ; all that is wanted is a fairly respectable suowfull; thin Riven, the snowshoe enthusiast will do the rest. Hard snow or soft, new-fallen or old, crusted or a little wet, the runner ran skim the surface with per feet ease. You are not confined to narrow ponds or river, but can take your course in whatever direction your fancy dictates. Yon are relieved from all the auxiety attendant on wrnwAMENT or the skating of breaking through the iee and getting an ice-cold bnth or being drowned. If the ground is level the nnowshoo rnnuer caa make splendid time, and is able to cover immense distances with but very little exer tion. Indeed, it is claimed by the devotees to this sport that it is the ideal exercise for everybody, young and old, of both sexss. In Minnesota, Wisconsin au.i elsewhere there are a great number of suowshoe clubs, all in the most flourishing coudition. In the last tournament at Bed Wing, a young Norwegian captured the prize IRE KICK OR rtlNH SLED AND RROR FRODS USED WITH IT. or long distanoe jumping. The art of being able to take a flying leap through the air, some ninety feet in length, and theu retain one's balance when sinking to the ground, is a feat in snowshoe running which is not acquired at once. It tho country is inclined to be billy and broken by wooden patches the sport becomes all the more fasoi bating as such obstacles seem to add additional zest to the fun. Where can you find more freedom and excitement than when glidiug down the hillside through the trees, the cheek brushed by the sharp, cold air and frosted branches? Your eye eagerly follows some untrodden path and every mus cle is alert prepared to meet whatever unknown obstacle or danger you . might encounter. I The snowshoss nsed for this pur pose are long and of very graceful form. The chief thing in buying a pair is not how cheap they can be bought, but how good. A badly made pair is totally worthless, The wood used, which should be thoroughly seasoned, is generally Scotch fir, birch, ash, aspen, or maple. Any olever American boy ought to be able to build himself a pair good enough lor practicing with, i It does not require very much time to acquire ths knack of sliding along on pair of the snowshoes, which, although they are but about four inches wide and never more than an inch thick, ary in length from eight to eighteen feet. At first the beginner will need small stick to keep the balanoe and to use in pushing himself along, but this can soon be dispensed with except when sliding down a steep incline. It is beat to begin on a perfectly level urfaoe and to use only very moderate peed, Should the anowshoea get tangled up and the feet dissolve part nership, so to speak, do not be dis couraged, but plod along and the art of snowshoeiiig in conquered. I") fast ening the snowshoes to the foot care should be taken to have the foot firmly secured and atill allow the heel to rise from the shoo with perfect freedom. The beginner mnst avoid lifting his CNDF.B FULL RAIL. feet from the ground, the anowshoea must be driven forward by a peculiar stride or slide while the body should remain in a graceful erect pose with out the slightest suspicion of stiffness. Soon the novice will acipiire proficiency to develop his slide into a swinging gait of great forco and rapidity. Hnowshoeing opens up such a vista of pretty girls and picturesque cos tumes, handsome, manly fellows in corduroy suits and sealskin caps. The women have a chance for more va riety than the men, as they are not afraid to appear in a costume that is hkate hailiko run. little different from their neighbor while a mnu feels like a cat in A strange garret if he departs from the conventional suit worn by oi and young alike. A strikingcostume worn by a dashing brunette was of red broadcloth ; it was trimmed with im mense black buttons of Persian lamb's wool, which dotted the hem of the skirt in a most irregular but fetching manner. The coat was of broadcloth with lamb's wool sleeves and collar and it was fattened with these enor mous buttons. The head covering was a jaunty little turban of red felt, trimmed with a narrow band of lamb's wool and black ostrich tips. A beau tifully fair girl, without a trace of color in her pale but singularly at tractive face, was also attired in red, which was equally becoming on ac count of the delicate gray, fluffy fur which trimmed theshort cape and skirt. Hue wore a large, flaring hat of red, covered with gray and red tips, and her hat pins were of silver. Around her waist was an antique silver belt and the stick, with which she pushed herself along, had a beautiful handle of silver. Some wesr kid leggings, but they are so very unbecoming that the majority look upon them with dis favor. The accepted costume for men consists of knee breeches of corduroy, brown being the favorite color. Leather leggings are considered very swell, and are a perfect godsend to many who otherwise would have to deny themselves the donning of the knee breeches. A short sack coat of corduroy completes the costume, the individuality of the wearer being ex hibited in the tie, which may be any color he chooses. The cap is of seal skin, which is becoming to all com plexions, und many of the women wear sealskin, and some beaver caps. There is a great stir made, down East to revive and improve the somewhat obsolete but withal delightful sport of skating with sail attachment. This pastime is somewhat dangerous, as most participants are overanxious to carry too large a canvas. Members of the sail skating clubs are now consid ering a great many improved models S ST. FAUIi JUtlAB ON BNOWSHOIS. for these sails, with a view of regulat ing the sizes to be carried. The most popular model for the sails used at present is a triangular one, rigged on strong but extremely light and tough wood. Many of them have a contriv ance by which the skater oan take in or let oat reef as the case demands. Another style offered is provided with light pole which serves as a drag, used to enable the skater to make quick turns or slacken his speed. it r i It requires great strength and en durance to carry even a moderate sized sail, but the larger the sail the more exciting the sport. Splendid strength in wrists and arms is an in dispensiblo qualification for a skating cruiser, as well as a steady and quick foot. Few who have not indulged in this delightful sport can realize th tremendous speed attained even in a very moderate breeze, or of the diffi culty in handling a sail so as to receive the most benefit with the leant exer tion. There are few prettier sights tc be seen on a bright, cold, wintol day than a flotilla of skaterj with theii snow-white sails bulging before a stiff breeze as they come dashing over the glistening surface of tho course. It can be safely assorted that of bII known modes of locomotion sailing or skates comes nearer to flying than any thing hitherto attempted. The onh serious drawback to its indulgence ii that it requires a good deal of spne and that ordinary skaters can scared TBI BED WINO RNOWSHOE CHAMPION MAK UIO HIS OREAT LEAP. take any comfort whero these li vine yachts are flying about, as a collisior with one of them is far from pleasant. An entirely new feature, which from its novelty and simplicity of const ruo tion is bound to become very popular, is a kind of running sledge that is in tended to supplement the snowshoe. It can be nsed on any snow-covered surface, as well as on the ice wherevel the foot meets with resistance. Foi people who have a disinclination tc use skates or snowshoes the kick sled tills the purpose admirably. It is adapted to men, women and children, and does not require the slightest preparatory skill in its use. There is no danger from breaking through the ice, as each runner is from six to eight feet long. The person who uses the sled fastens a stoutstrap provided with steel prods on his right or left foot, stands with one foot ou one of the runners and does some lively kicking with his prod-shod foot. In Sweden, from which country this sled is im ported, it is turned to use by the farmers lu carrying small loads both to and from their homes. Tourists are also very fond of this means of locomotion aud on a fair surface at li ast thirteen miles an hour can easily tie covered. By many it is called the ice bicycle, being controlled by a steering-gear, and fully as beneficial in its hygienic effects as any wheel. The kick-sled, as a matter of course, can be utilized for coasting or any thing else in the way of similar sports to which its owner may want to turn its use. Chicago Herald. The Oldest XIII. Frobably tho oldest mill still in use in the United States is located in New London, Conn. It is known as th "Old Town Mill," was built in '1600 for a grist mill and is doing duty at THE OLD TOWN MILL. the present time as such. This mill origiually belonged to the estate of Governor Winthrop, the first Colonial Governor of Connecticut, and stands but a short distance from the site of Governor Winthrop's homestead (which was but recently demolished to make room for a publio school build' ing). The "Old Town Mill" is a very noted landmark in and around New London, but is little knowu of by peo pie at distance. The machinery, etc.. is made of wood aud is in an ex cellent state of preservation. New York Press. Belief for Burn; An immediate application of ordin ary table salt to a burn will lessen the pain eonsiderably and result in speedy cure. The application of the salt must be prompt, however, for if delayed much of its good effects will be lost. As soon as a person receives burn, let him run for the salt cellar and thickly oover the surface of the affected part with salt, bind it up with a cloth, not forgetting to moisten the linen. A little "biting" will take place, which will soon oease. In less than twelve hours the cloth oan be re moved, as the sore spot will be nearly healed. New York Dispatch. California raisin-growen complain that they get only $100 out of sale of over $1600, the middlemen getting ail (he prout, 35 ELEPHANT LABOR. HALF A iMNDRF.n MAMMOTHS AT WORK IN SAWMILLS. Wonderful Intelligence Displayed by the nullcy Animals Two of Them Act as flosses of the Herd. DISPLAYS of trained animals, broken for show purposes, cannot offer the slightest oom parison in interest in the trained elephant exhibition one sees in the city of Moulmein, British Burmah. Tha more absorbing! v entertaiuing feature of the novel sight is the nara- doxically industrial character which tho work of these huge Indian pachy derms assumes. It hardly seems possi ble that the work of a sawmill, usually done by human hands, could bo ac complished through the medium of the elephant's trn nk aud the elephant's sagacity ; nevertheless, it is a fact that tho Irawadi Steamship Company uses some forty or fifty elephants in the operation of its sawmills at Moul mein, and the teakwook so largely en tering upon the construction of ships is here made ready for the hands of the artisan. A gentleman lately returned from a tour of the Ennt, says the St. Louis Globe-Democrat,, gives an interesting account of the manner in which the mills are operated. The logs are chopped in the interior and floated several hundred miles down the Salwin River to tho mill, which is situated on the banks of the stream at Moulmein. Here the logs are formed into a boom, and henceforth the work of transport ing is done by the elephants. lhe boom is very similar to those we see In the lumbering districts of Wisconsin and Michigan, but instead of the sight of men brightly garbed in red and blue running from log to log and moving them with long, steel pointed poles, we see great, ponder ous elephants wading and swimming among the teak logs and pushing them toward the shore. The logs are not sawed directly from the water, but are first seasoned, and the elephants not only bring the logs from the water to the land, but PILINd UP sis') stack them in hugo piles, convey them to the mills, saw them, and afterward pile the lumber. Of course each elephant performs only certain parts of the work for which he has been trained, and the entire herd is divided into companies, of from two to eight. One division of the pachy derms does the work in the water, an other company carries tho logs to the drying or seasoning stacks, others pile them, another class conveys the dry logs to the mill, where some of the elephants do the work of sawing, still others pile the sawed lumber, and another herd carries hay aud prepares the food for the great industrial combination of brute strength and in telligence. But the most wonderful, interesting, novel and most incredible feature of the entire combination is the sight of two monstrously large male elephants that actually act as bosses or over seers of tho work. Those move from place to pluce among the working ele phants, spurring them on, pushing, driving and frequently chastising a lazy or recalcitrant member of the force. Very few men are needed to direct the elephants in their work. From six to eight of the animals usually work in the water. These wade or PREPARING DINKIR. wim, according to the depth of the water, to the log boom, and loosening teveral logs at a time tow them to the bore at a certain point. Each of the oompany of elephants that convey the logs from this point to the drying place has a chain attached to his neck tnd reaching to the ground. At the bottom of this chain is a loop, through which the log is run. A man direota the movements of the elephants in plaoing the log 'within the coil of the obaiu. The elephant pioks up another tog by his trunk, and iu this manner drags two at a time to the seasoning stacks. About eight elephants are employed in this capacity. The work of piling the logs to dry is done by two female elephants. Each winds her trunk about the Ion near the end. and together they rsiso it in a horizontal position and place it on tho stack. After the logs are dried sufficiently they Are ready for the mill. Two fe- KNOWS HIS nt'SINRW. male elephants take the dry logs from the piles and deliver them to a herd similar in training to those working between the water and the seasoning stacks. These take the logs to a track over which a small car runs to the mill. Only one log at a time is placed upon this car. As soon as a log is in position on the car nn elephant, trained for this particular part of the work, pushes the car to the mill. Ar rived nt the mill, the log is pushed from the car to a carrier that passes beneath a buzzsaw. As soon as tho log in thus transferred to the carrier the elephant operating the car return; for another log, while another huge beast, trained to do the sawing, oper ates the carrier and pushes the log against the saw. But the interesting part of tho work does not end here, for, as the log is being sawed into the desired boards and timbers, anothet elephant receives the completed ma terial, piling the slabs on one side and more valuable product on the other. But two men are required to oversee and direct the elephauts used in saw ing the logs. Another detachment of tho herd it used in carrying the lumber from the mill to the yards and sheds. For this purpose very long trucks with the low front and back wheels close to each other are used. There are elephanti trained for loading the sawed material upon these trucks, while others push the loaded trucks to the sheds. Iu the lumber yard are the "pilers" or ele phauts that take the lumber from the THE LOOS. trucks aud place it in piles for further seasoning, As stated before, there is one de tachment of this straugearmy of labor ers which does the "kitchen work" for the "hotel de elephant," or whatever the feeding-place of these big fellows may bo called. Some may be seen carrying hay for the stables, but by far the most interesting sight is the preparation of the food. This is com posed of grass, bran and molasses, and is mixed in a large vat. While some are carrying these different compo nents of this highly delectable ele phantine boarding-house hash, others are engaged in mixing it with pestles which they dexterously manipulate with their trnnks. The narrator ob served one of the elephauts suddenly stop in his work with the pestle and refused to wield his mixingstiek any fnrther. One of the two big elephanta was called to the scene, and picking up the recalcitrant pestle bent him with it over the back ami hips until he whiniiigly returned to his work. Only about ten men are employed in directing the work of the entire herd of elephants. Those who have seeu this novel mill at Moulmein in operation all agree in giving it the credit of being the greatest exhibition of trained animals iu the world aud say that Hagenbeck's, and, in fact, nil other trained animal shows are simply nowhere near "in line' with it, The mill hands, or more properly speak ing, the mill trunks of the iusti'ution, have never yet gone out on a strike. Picayune. Home of the Wild Horse. A correspondent says in a Texas pa- Eer: "I believe this is the greatest orse country iu the world. It was certainly his home in the wild state, which proves, I think, that it was adapted to his wants. He was roam ing this vast prairie country long be fore the white man concluded to make it his home, and he is here still within twenty miles or less of this place, it is said, but this may be a little doubtful ; but 150 or 200 miles west of here he abounds in largo droves, and from what I learned of parties that know the term 'wild fits them extremely well, for they can suiff you from two to five miles away, and, at the signal of the horse on guard, they bound away, and by tho time the fleetest horse can catch them, though he have the staying qualities of the old four mile repeater, he is completely ex hausted. " The United States imports anu.ally leaf fibres to the value of between 87,- 000.000 and O.OOQylOO. SOLDIERS' COLUMN DEATH Or "P. BREAD." Yankee Device For Securing Dsoent Bstions. IN ths mldnt of I blinding snow storm on ths nlahi of Dec. 21, 1WI, si Hcrmnnn. Mo., " the Hist Ohio re cti veil marching orders and went to the Missouri Klver, one mi's stf. I 'f f outsnce, to crow. flry y 12JJ In i e, boats not bo I 'T Ins available, were onjertd back to camp. Tin next morn ing early the regi ment want to the landing and pre pared to cron in n few leaky skiffx. Ths river was very high, with strong current, and Hllnl with dotting Ire, and being over a mile wide, ths crooning wis attended with much danger. During the day a portion of the 81st Ohio and 10th Mo., however, crowed, ths boats being dragged a mile shove the point desired to be reached, theu (hotdiag- onallr serosa, unloaded, and shot diagonally ainln to the south aide of the river, from which they were pulled to the original atanlng point, the remainder of the regi ments and a Home Ouard battery tlnlahtng the crossing on the 2.'d. Tbs next day ths command started after s Urge body nt rebels who wore tearing up the North Missouri Hal I road, frequently , being In sight of but unable to overtake them, Hut, finally, after several days' nurd marching, they drove them Into Heme's Hharpshooters (afterwards 8Jth 111.) ' at Mt. ion, where they were beautifully whipped. 'flit 81st stopped for a tew days st Mexico where ths writer of this, in company with' men from tbeSth Mo militia (Henderaon's) sasisted in getting out a paper somewhat of a novelty from the office of ths Audrain County Uaiette. ths proprietor of which, being a bitter rebel, had decamped, leaving the outside printed, which was (Secession to ths core. The Union soldiers placed a head. 'I'hs Better Hide." st ths top of the inaide pages, tilled tbem wttb loyal matter, and , then issued lhe paper halt rebel and half Union. Hers Htn. Schofleld, then almost un known, was In command. Kemalntng In Mexico a few days, the commands wers sent to different points in north Missouri, the Hist being ordered lo Danville. fn a (ew days several companies of the 8lst were sent to guard points on lhe North Missouri Railroad, Co. D being sent to Montgomery City, four miles distant. Starting for that point, which was ou the level prai lie, whtn within bait a mils of . the "city" the 3rd Iowa was seen marching In line, carrying a coffin, with firing aipind, reversed arms, draped colors, multled drums, and everything in strict conformity with military observance. Slowly and sadly (apparently) they mnrched to where a grave had been pre- , pnred. deposited their burden, went through the usual ceremonies, the firing squad per formed its duties, a headstone (or rather board) placed to mark the spot, after which, to quick time, they returned to their camp. All bad been performed with gravity and due decorum ; but on visiting the grave, to note the name of the unknown who bad given bis lite for bis country the following ' was found inscribed: In memory of P. Bread, born B. C. 83, died A. D. 1882, aed 2,W0 years." " ' Investigation was made, and it was found tha', tired of subsisting upon hardtack, and no attention being paid to their remon strances, the .Id had buried a box of crack ers with military honors, adopting this method of showing tbeir disgust. It bad the desired effect, und soon they bad rations 1 of soft bread. Oallant 3 '. Thev anon left us, and when next we met them was in the thick of Hbi loh, where on the first day ws passed through their camp, in which their own and the rebel dead were lying thickly, allowing that well they had done tbeir duty H. X. Carllslo, in National Tridcns. TUNNEL HILL. A Smart Enoounter That Reflected Credit on the 30th Ind. R. L. Fallis writing in the National Tribune of "Fighting Hegimenls," says: I bad the honor of belonging to a regiment known aa the Sdth Ind., afterward M't'd inf., then tbe 8th Ind. Cav. After being mounted we were rearmed with theSpencec rilles. seven shooters, which was just being brought into use. The occurrence of which I wish to speak was in February, 1864. We lay on the Chat tanooga it Knoxville railroad six miles from Chsttsnooga. From our numerous en counters with and aevere dr. ssing of tha rebs in Tennessee and Georgia, they gave us the cognomen of "Harrison s Kritter Itegi ment" and we were egoiiatical enough to think we could do a little lighting. Col. Harrison received orders to move with his regiment, or thut portion he bad there, on the J'Jd of February. 18(, with three days' rntiona and to push the rebels along tbs Western A Atlantic i'ailroad. (ieu. Wheeler's forces were steadily driv en back to a point near Itinggold, where they niaue a stand, out alter a snort en counter, being hard pressed, they fell back to Itinggold. where another stand was mane but the old U'.KIi were not in ths least dis msyed ami went straight at the enemy, using the. Spencer's with such deadly effect that ths followers of Wheeler put out on the run, with Co. K leading a hot pursuit, not allowing them an opportunity to again reform until witbin two miles of Tunnel Hill. (ia. Then the rebs, dismounting, formed behind a rail barricade, thereby placing an obstruction in ths way, thinking to keep the "Hoosiera" out of lhe town. But Col. Harrison took in tbe situation at a glance. He ordered a company to either flank and placing himself in front, drew bis saber and gave the order to charge. Tha little band swept down upon tha works with such an irresistable force, ac companied with volleys Irora tbe Spencers, that sent ihem back In ths utmost precipi tation, closely followed by tbs boys, who, when they reached ths top of a bill overlooking Tunnel Hill, a view waa pre sented thai is seldom aeen. In ths town the troo s wars In confusion snd surprise, while sn effoit waa being mads to form tbem in line for resistance. Our Colonel's quick . pieception showed him tha advantage to be gain by prompt action, where tbs odds were -so Isrge on ths other side. He ordered two companies to the right snd left flank, than isking position in ths center, with his men be chsrged with s defeaning yell down that bill into tbeir midst, whilst tbe leaden messengers of death increased their eon- sternation. a Tbs rebels, diamayed st ths sudden and reckless onslaught of a handful of Yanks, broke in disorder each one trying to get into tbs Irontrsnks. tumbling over each, other in ths most ludicrous manner, while the charging party rapidly closed in upon them. Once or twice they tried to reform, but a volley from ths Hpencers sent thsnt again In confusion leaving their dead and wounded pehln I. Tub time for reading, study ana travel is vouchsafed to but oom par- stlvely few of the busy men of this lay. They must depend to a great . extent on the press for their general knowledge, and this is especially true a In regard to foreign affairs and coun tries. To-day the newspaper is tbe educator, In a general way, of largo proportion of men In every hundred. 0
Significant historical Pennsylvania newspapers