1 THE ABYSSINIANS, ITAI.Y'S INVASION AROUSED ANCIENT PKOPLE'9 IKE. AN France ami Russia rtcltived to Us Bark of King Mencllk Curi ous Custom of ThU Queer Monarch' Subjects. THE great Powers of F.nrope ore not Laving tho walk-over that they foudly expected in ' (, the work ot subjugating vari ous small Nations which they desire to "protect." . Spain is having an nphill fight of it in dealing with Cuba and Kngland's clever intrigue to gobble up the Trans vaal niircarried. Italy is having the light of her life in trying; to conquer the warlike Abyssinians. . Of alt the petty wars of the pant few months the Abyssinian struggle is the most interesting, for the reason that the people aro fearless and capable of meeting slaughter with slaughter. In their recent campaign in Madagascar the French had otdy to overcome the deadly minma which permeates the island. 'The English in the struggle with Fempreb, the farce comedy mon arch of Aslianteo, had the same enemy to contend with, but to a lesser de gree. Spain has some reul fighters op posed to her in Cuba, but Italy is hav ing the hardest time of them all. The forefathers of the pcoplo Italy is fighting were snbjcots of tiio Qneon ol Hucha. Ihoir Isational pride is un limited, and they look down upon nil other Nations of the world as inferior " to them in Christianity. To the Euro pean or American mind there is very little in Abyssinia to-day to suggest the glorious riches which astounded Solomon. In fact the whole country has a down-at-tho-heel look. Because their ancestors of countless genera tions ago ranked aa the greatest peo ple in the world, the Abyssiniims of the present time regard themselves aa pre-eminent. They boast ot thoir civilization, but it is a ragged and worn ont echo of the civilization which reigned thousands of years ago. Bat (or all that the Abyssinians are fighters. It is now more than a year since Italy began active hostilities and to-day the Abyssinians have the upper band in the fight The reason of it is simple. Italy has about fifteen thou and men in the field while King , Menelik It baa about 200,000. Only 40,000 of the latter at the outset were armed with modern rifles, bat he is receiving fresh supplies all the time, and hia fighting force is steadily im proving. DEB VISUM IN A FIGHT. t is believed that both France and XTui usala are silently at work in the miu ot Menelik. A former French r ary ofloer was induced soma years I t abllah and direot a powder ! 'v f -iory in Cboe in the south ' r i if Xl-ia, as now tiara w mmmm if ., .SM GEN. BARATCEM, COMMANDEB 07 is no danger of a scaroity of ammtral tion. Intelligent natives now operate the factory, and In addition to powder making, they turn oat thousands oi cartridges every day. While Menelik had only 40,000 rifles at the beginning of the war, it is be lioved that at least 00,000 of his sol diers nre copably armed to-day, in cluding a large body of oavalry. The rest are armed with two-edged swords and lances. These seem primitive in these days of scientific death engines, but in the mountainous sections, where most of the fighting has been done, they are capable of great execu tion. The Abyssinian swoop down on a bnnd of Italian soldiers, kill and wound as many as they can in a few minutes and thin fade away. While the fighting laeta it is invariably hand to hand and the man with a long sword or lance is as good aa the man with the magazine rille. The lancers do as much damage ns warriors armed with rifles. The Italian explorer Creech l says that he saw n shield made of hippopotamus hide pierced like a piece of paper by a lance thrown by an Abyssinian at a distance of 200 feet A compactly formnd band of Italian soldiers afford an easy target for those lancers, who appear like magic, shower their lanocs ami disappear before guns can be trained on them. But the Abyssinians who are fight ing for the independence of their ancient land are capable of waging war in the regular way. When fights of this kind are made it is believed that the native forces are officered by French and Russian military men, aa tactics are adopted which are known oulyto soldiers of the most modorn schools. This seems to have been the case at Mnkulle, which was surrend ered by the Italians nndor Colonel Galliano to Ras Makonnon, comman der of the Abyssinians. The Italians had held Makalle since last fall, but they were finally starved ont. The Italians, with the rapid-fire guns, wonld have annihilated the Abyssin ians bad they made an assault on the fortress of Makalle. While the Abyssinians have proved tbenselves fighters of considerable DEFEATED ITALIAN ARMY IN ABYSSINIA. skill, they are most interesting as a people, for many of their customs are the same which prevailed in the times oi tna ancients. jJebt is their par ticnlar abhorrence. To be nnable to repay a lone is a disgrace greater than ignominious aeutn, lor it places a bole family outside the breetworks of respectable society for generations. Three thousand years ago the Egyptian wbo contracted a debt always bad to give as security the mammy of his father. If ho failed to release the corpse of bis parent from the bands of the money lender by repaying the loan, he was forever disgraced, and was denied religions services upon bis death. The same spirit animate the Abys- siiP.an. tie ts taught from bis baby hood to avoid debt, both for his moral and physical well-being. The Abys sinian law is more energetio in pun ishing the unfortunate debtor than was the ancient Egyptian, The debtor is cast into prison and an iron band tautened aronnd bis right wrist Every day the creditor and an officer ot the law visit him, and when be says be is nnable to pay, a tarn is given to tne screws in tne wristband, which causes it to sink into the flesh. It the unfortunate has no friends wbo can scrape np the required sam, the wrist' band shrinks and shrinks until the band is oompletely severed. Then the debtor is released with the mark of bis disgraoe forever attached to mm. it is almost needless to say mat tmt lew debts are contracted la Abyssinia. in one way they are tremendously religions, and two out of every three days, the year through, are fast days. The Virgin Mary they pray to and call npon for protection. Motherhood in the eyes ot the Abyssinians is most sacred, and they venerate their own mother beyond all else. The will of their mothers is law and a part' of their religion. They argue that if they obtain the good will of the Vir gin the will interoeda for them with ilrLi, txi ttat Ea wUi follow br wishes. They believe that women are more tender-hearted than men, and quicker to forgive transgressions. It is probably the greatest country for fends the world over. These f ends seem destined to last forever, and the older they grow the stronger they be come. A whole family may be exter minated, but the next of kin is bound to step in and carry on hostilities. In this way the fight is kept np genera tion after generation until the orig inal cause ot the row has bcou com pletely lost sight of. A man who feels that ho has been insulted makes a formal call upou his enemy, and is received by a servant, to whom he imparts the reason of his visit This is simrdy a formal notifica tion of war. The caller is troatod with A show of hospitality, being in vited to eat and driuk, but members of the family do not show themselves. After ho has passed out of the houso the war begins. When n man kills another without just cause, ho is handed over to tbo relatives of the victim, who aro en titled to kill him in tho same way that he did tha murder. Or, if one man wounds another, the tatter's rela tives aro entitled to wound him in tho same way. General Oroste Barotieri, Comman der-in-Chief of the Italian forces; in Abyssinra. was regarded as a skilled fighter in that country. Ho is fifty seven years old. In 1H30, when ho had completed a monkish education, he oined uarilialili as a volunteer in tho Thousand of Marsala. Not long after ward he joined the Italian army, and was quickly promoted nutil he at tained tho rank of a captaincy. Baratieri was wounded at Ctistozza, after fighting with great gallantry. Af- cr traveling to Khartoum with an ex ploring expedition, and on his rotui'n acting for some years as the editor ot the ltivista Militnire, in Rome, he was sent as military attache to Berlin and Vienna. At the time that Italy became ira- bned so strongly with tho desire for colonial possessions ' Baratieri was u colonel of Bersaglicri. In command of his regiment he nccompauied General Oandolfi to Africa, where bo has re mained ever since, distinguishing him self in military operations against tho Abyssinians, Somalia and Dervishes. lie became Governor and Commander-in-Chief on the retirement of General Gandolfl. Baratieri baa bad difficulties to con tend with which would perplex the greatest general that ever lived. Tbo Dervishes who have joined the Abys sinians are fanatics. Their captains give the men a peculiar drug, more powerful than hashish or opium, be fore going into battle, intoxicating them and making them fight with the fury of fiends. They care absolutely nothing for death. The trained sol dier is at a discount when pitted against legions ot these madmen, bent npon slaughter. Italy s treasury is empty, ana witti no money to equip the thousands of necessary troops, it looks as if Abys sinia would maintain ner independ ence, particularly with France and Russia at her back. These Nations do not want Italy to gobble np the 130, 000 square miles of territory, which, however, seems to be riob only in tra dition. The (inllant French President; President Faure has attached a pho tographer to his traveling 'retinue, who will take series of pictures of the President on pnblio occasions for the kinetorcope. It has been pointed out that while M. Carnot, as President, kissing little girls, drew the line at those in their teens, Jo. fanre snows no oompunotion in kissing the older (iris. New York Bun. "4 r CATHEDRAL OP AHOWA. flOLDKX EQBN. tXAFOBT Of C0K8TINTU10PLX, 8H0WINO 3AXATA BBIDQI THE T0GS0E8T V0MASDBB. I Joseph If . York in Charge of a Ship at Klghteen. The youngest sea captain that ever entered the Fort of New York in charge of a vessel, and probably the youngest commander in the world, is Captain Josoph H. York, of the three masted schooner Charles J. Willard. Captain York is eighteen years old. lie is a native ot South Portland, Ml, and his father isCaptaiu Cleorgo York, his grandfather is Captain .1. 0. York, and his brother is Captain Franklin C. York, all masters ot vessels owned in Portland and well known in New York. Young Captain York wont to sea in 1 8911, serving before the most of the schooner he uow commands. The ves- isnl was then in charge of his brother. i. C. lork, who was promoted to a larger vessel. Young York m ado but one trip bo fore the matt. Ho noted every move mout of his superior, and soon learned how to work the schooner. On tho next trip ho was made first mate, and before ho had been on tho vessel a year ho was promoted to master. His tirst voyage, alter he was given com mand of the Charles J. Willard, was to Porto Iiico, and it was must suc cessful. AH last summer and fall ho was in the Atlantic coastwise service, and ouo of the quickest trips between Richmond, Va., and New York, in a sailing vessol, was ruado by young York. Ho covered the distauco be tween the ports named in the remark ably short time of forty-one hours. Captain York is six feet tall, weighs 178 pounds, has very broad shoulders and a handsome, clean-cut face. The next trip of Captain York will be from Portland, Me., to the Went Indies. Young York from early babyhood vovsnnsT SKA CArtAl AFLOAT. had a tasto for tho sea, and devotod much of his time in building toy boats and hailing them ou pouds adjaocnt to his home. When he was tea years old ho ac companied his lather on an extendod voyago to (South American countries. It is his ambition to command one of tho big liners, and he is tainking of entering the service of souio of the transatlantic companies. Prellr tirJ Abi.ut a Dog. A doctor at Xowark, X. J., tells this pretty story about a dog : According to the doctor s story, the dog came to his office last Friday night and barked and whined piteonsly at the door. He attempted to drive the animal away, but did not succeed. Finally the dog stole into the office behind a patient, and takiug a position in a corner of the front room, coutinued to whine. There were several patients in tho room, but as they exhibited no fear and the dog gave no sign of ugliness the dootor did not molest him. When the patients bad been dismissed the dog, evidently believing it was his turn, hobbled towards the dootor, still whining and holding its right foreleg up. The dootor saw that the leg was broken and started for his operating room, the dog following. Scouring splints and other things necessary for setting the limb, the doctor went to work and soon had the injured mem ber in good shape. Throughout the operation the dog licked the doctor's band in a gratoful manner, and when it was finished went behind the office stove and lay down. .He has since made the office hia home. New Or leans Picayune. Scolded the (Jneen. Queen Margherita of Italy was riding on ber bicycle lately in the part of the park of Monza from wbioh the pnblio is excluded, when she was stopped by a carbineer, scolded for trespassing, and then asked to give ber name. The same day she sent the man ber photograph and one of the ten frano pieoes bearing ber effigy by the side of King Humbert's that he might recognize her in future. flfly COSTUMES. CHANUKS OK TIIK 8KASON 131 WOMAN'S DRK69. Peitgn for a tllouse of nine ftateen Stylish and Comfortable Jacket lor a Cilrl Newest Hints iu Millinery. SOFT, dark bine sateen mnde the comfortable- blouse depict ed in the double-column illus tration, the deop sailor collar and round ontTs being p( white pique, trimmed with bands ot embroidered insertion. Three handsome pearl but- LADIES' BLOUSE DESIQNED BY HAY MAN TON. tons are sewed on tho box plait in centre frout, which can be used in closing or for decoration only, the closing being invisible under the plait The simple shaping is accom plished by shouldor and under arm seams, tho lower edge being finished by a hem through which elastic is run to draw the fullness into position in blouse style. Full bishop sleeves nre gatheled top and bottom, straight, round cuffs finishing the wrists. The collar and cuffs can be mado adjusta ble and removed for laundering when required, in which case bands of the matfjal must finish the neck and wrists to which tho collar and cuffs can bo buttoned. The blouse, collar and cuffs can bo made from one ma terial, such as serge, flannel or cloth, and closed in front with buttons and button-holes in centre ot box plait. For ordinary wear, rowing, physical culture, gymnasium or athletic exer cises, this Dlouse will bo found con venient and comfortable. The quantity of material 80 inches wide required to make this blouse for a lady having a 30-inoh bust measure is 3J yards. OIBL'8 JACKET OF ILLUMINATED CHEVIOT. Illuminated choviot to match the skirt mado this stylish and comfort ablo jacket that is simply finished with macbine-stitohod edges in tailor style. The loose-fitting fronts lap in double breasted style, tho back and sides fitting smoothly to the waist, below which each section is widely sprung to give the fashionable ripplod effect. The mandolin sloeves are in three eotions, each seam being joined, pressed open and stitched on each side. Two box plaits are laid at the top, with the rost ot tho fullness in A GIRLS' JACKET OF aide plaits turning forward and baok. The high tarn-over collar in military atyle is stiffly lined with canvas. Pocket laps cover the openings to pockets inserted on each front that are stitched and firmly pressed in posi tion. The mode is suitable for either school or best wear, is very simple in conitruotion and stylish in effeot The Jacket can be interlined if neoesaary, and a bright lining of silk taffeta adds muoh to the style and finish of the garment Cheviot, tweed, serge, mo hair, homespun, covert nd ladies' oloth all develop stylishly by the mode. Tha quantity of material, 44 inches wide, required to make this jaoket for a child eight years of eg it 3 yard lATK-rr Ttnuo tit hats. While all the world has been w plotting the recent discovery ot a scientist that makes possible photo graphs of hidden objects, no powerful chronicler has penned the praises of the inventor that discovered a way to prevent feathers nncnrling because of dampness. It's been done, so a dealer in hat trimmings assures the writer, but the device consists of a finish that fa applied only to new plumes. With this discovery comes the statement that plumes for general wear on hats will probably be discouraged. That is the way with fashion I We have just become accustomed to plumes, have generally decided that the effects from them that at first seemed too startling. are really beautiful, and now we are told to pass1 on to something else; told, too, in a tone that sounds like, "There, run away, children, you're in the way." In the now order of things thore wilt be an attempt to revive trimming with whole birds. The artist contributes HAT TRIMMED WITH A WHOL8 DtBD. one of the first of these models. Its crown is draped emerald green velvet, and its brim chenille braid. Two laca jabots are pnt at either side of the back, with two pink chrysanthemums toward the front. Immediately) in front is placed a small white owl with outstretohed wings, the tips extending over the edge ot the hat on both sides, the brim is shorter in back than in front, and is slightly rolled at the side. ILLUMINATED CHEVIOT. The hat comes well over the forehead, which makes tho owl look as if he were standing upright, and this, with the outspread wings, gives a very striking effect BELTS. In the matter of belts for day gown a fashion writer notes, that the nar row belts have yet several widths, and the wider ones are worn by the taller women, and the narrowest ones by tho shorter women, while the shortest anil stoutest women esohew them alto gether. The South Carolina Legislature has passed a bill permitting tha StaU Treasurer to loan tha sinking fund at his diacretion
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