BELOW DECKS HOW AMMUNITION IS HANDLED OH A MAN-OF-WAR. Just What Will Happen Under Her Water Line When She does Into Battle In Directed From Midair. OP all the ship of the now nary the Texan, which anchored at the Brooklyn Navy Yard last week, ia in some respects the most interesting. A ((rent stcol fort spans her decks. At each end of the citadel is a tnrret, and in each tnrret twelve-inch breechloading rifle, a magnificent monster ol detraction, an engine of war that wonld be torri tle if we only knew jnst what it wonld accomvlish in an emergency aimed gainst men and cities and ships in- ABOUT TO FIRE tend ot stool plates and wooden back ing. The Texas isn't as heavy a ship as the New York, for example, bnt her redoubt makes her a battle ship, and the New York remains with all her perieotion only an armored cruiser after all. II the Texas is only second class among battle ships, by reason ot her tonnage, she is, nevertheless, th e pride of her officers and crew, and would undoubtedly give a good ac count of herself in battle. There is a certain fearful curiosity to know Just what will take place down in the submarine wells, cells, maga zines, engine room and stoke holes ot this stoel oastlo of the deep, what vast energies that have lain dormant will suddenly be released when onoe the order to prepare for action has been aigDaled through the ship. In old times the commander of a frigate stood on the bridge with his glass under his arm and gave his orders in full view of his men, who oheered and "went nt em." Nowadays, in the chilled stcol cell called the conning towor, far removed TWELVE-IK OH SHELL DEIKO SWUKO INTO HOISTTNO WILL. (Showing trolley for conveying shell from magazine.; above the smothered din of the deoks, with no ears to hear and no eyes to eee him, he puts his ears to the speak ing tube, and fifty, sixty, seventy feet below him, here in the iron box oalled the shell room, there in the seething pit oalled the fire room ; here in the dungeon of the engineers, there in the torpedo rooms, tar away in the very .bowels of the ships, where the high explosives and mines are stowed, flies the mysterious messaget,rousing every man and every engine to utmost efforts. In the long steel gallery, suspended between the sweat boxes, oalled the fire rooms, of the Texas, is the central station. Here a midshipman may connect the conning tower, or the tiller room, or the redoubts, with any other part of the ship. There is no ' such thing as shouting an order. The furnaces going, the engines clanking, the trump of hundreds of feet waking sullen echoes from resounding metal, the chain trolleys bearing their peril ous burdens of shell and powder and gun cotton, traveling harshly aloun ; the mysterious awakening of the com plicated automata hidden away in every nook, the sliding of the loading trays from the ammunition hoist to the breeches ot the great guns, whose muzzles, forty feet away, are oven .now threatening to shatter the air with the hoarse earthquaking, sea maddening roar of a disoharge that will do murder twelve miles away amid all thia diobolioal saturnalia what cUar.ee would an old fashioned speak ing trumpet have? The oeutial station, in whioh these peaking tubes are oonoeutrated, must .be carefully guarded. A steel pipe, .twelve inches thick, carries them un der the proteotive deok. Onoe there they are sate. The side armor, whioh distinguishes the battle ship, is, ir. the Texas, twelve inohes thiok, cover ing two-thirds of her length amid ahii. The walls of the oonuing tower are only sine inohes thiok, but its ' diameter ia so small, comparatively, as to make walls of that thickness prao tioallv imnenatrable. With the shell and round shot grape and rifle bulls trpuihg, bursting, battering on mVmm these circular walls, the fighting boss of the ship, perched there to overlook the enemy and direot the progress of the action, feels seenre In his ability to reach and rally the toilers under him, for he knows that every tnbe that leads from him to them is guarded by twelve-inch steel walls. The order to olear for action having been given, the eight Are rooms, down next to the keel, with only a few inches of steel shutting out the cool, rnshing waters, into which many a fireman wonld already like to plunge, are crowded with half naked men, forcing to still greater fervor the fires boneatb the four donble-endcr boil ers of the Texas. There arc, porhaps, fifty of these men, and thanks to their exertions, the temperature of these fire rooms is already 130 degrees. There are eight men in each of the two engine rooms nearby sixteen fierce looking heroes, each working in a pair of tronserscnt oft" below the knees, as if his life depended on it. Many TORPEDO GUN. other lives do. There are two ma chinists and four or five oilers in at tendance on each of these engines. Without her engines the Texas would fall a prey to the first unnrmored oruiser that came along, swift to cirolo about the helpless leviathan, ready now and then to pour in broadside after broadside, any one of whioh might disable the 12-inoh guns and pierce the magazines. The engine is the master machine, and everybody in tne Texas realizes this. There are ninety men in the engineer's foroe, and all but twenty of them are on duty at the fires, engines and boilers. But what of those twenty? What a fateful and all important labor is theirs I Home of them, by tho glow from the glass cased electrio light boxes, let down to them from above, are raising slowly out from the maga zine bins tho deadly treasures of high explosive, shell and cartridge. Here, the mines are making ready, there the torpedoes are preparing, and yonder in the shell room tho vast missiles to be hurled from the throats of the 12 inch guns are being hoisted through the wells to the loading trays far above. Were the dynamos to stop and these light boxes to become suddenly dark, what a horror ot blaok muck would envelop these toilers and para lize every energy of their frames. It was such a casuality ns that whioh caused the collision in the harbor of Havana soma weeks ago by whioh a Spanish oruiser went down, with her crew and captain. Let's look at tho steam steering en gine. There are six whoels by whioh the Texas can be direoted in her course. There is one in tho cbsrt house on the flying bridge, just over the conning tower, for steam steering. There's another in the oonning tower, for use in action ; a third on the after gun deck ; a fourth in the steering room. away down in the after hold. There's a big hand wheel in the steering room for use if the steering engine breaks; a wheel on the steering engine itself. in the tiller room. Onoe disarranged or broken, the steam steering engine it aisoonneotea and the hand wheels, any one ol them, brought into imme dlate use. But take a look into the compressor room, where the air is compressed by steam for the torpedoes. Like all these vital elements, this room is down below the proteotive deck. The tor pedo ohar;e is oonfined at a pressure ox laau ponnds to the square inon, and AMMUNITION HOIST FOR HTX-INCH OUN, when desired a prossuie of 2000 pounds can be (obtained. The first will send a torpodo four hundred yards at a speed of thirty-two knots an hour, .bight hundred yards range may be reached, but without aoouraoy of aim. Through the submarine tor pedo room proper into whioh the throe prisons open, the submarine mine room is reaohed. Here also the trap doors over the gun cotton and torpedo head comportments, each reaohed by a shaft, aru to be seen, Just forward is the fore hold, where the wet stores, lumber, spare gear and beef are stored. Down in the shell room, twenty feet below the sea level, eight men would work in time of action. It six feet wide, 0.0 leet high, and some twenty feet long, a steel tunnel, shut in by the wooden partition of the various ammunition compartments) here at least wood may not be d placed by steel, owing to the danger of concussion. A great sqnare shaft runs far np betweon steel walls to the re doubts, from which the twelve-inoh guns are fired. Down this shaft eomea a car, on which a shell, with its firing charge of 425 pounds of powder, must be loaded. The steel itself wonld be no mean burden, with its bursting charge of twenty-five pounds of ex plosive, for it is thirtv-fonr inches long, 11.9(1 inches in diameter, and I weighs 830 pounds. or handling room, on tue after plat form dock, is immediateley over the magazines, for whioh it is a oovor. It is out off from the berth deck above by the battlo plates, weighing about 1000 ponnds each, and handled Iby steam gear. The water line is ten feet above. Every hatohway on this pro. tective dock, which oovers the ship's vitals as a cuirass covered a warrior of old, is supplied with these steel platos, water tight, which isolate every room and compartment below from the gun deck and orew spaoe above. It is the machinery, not the men, that must be first considered. From abreast the upper end of the vertical armor, whioh does not cover the ends of the ship, this protective deck begins to drop down over the preoions storehouse of mechanism amidships. Where it was only two inches thick, horizontally, it is now threo inches thick, inclining at an angle of seven to ten degrees. All the work of the battle ship is down in her midst. The forward end of the ship is used for stowing only. But this concentration amidships is curiously contrasted with the still more crucial rule in a battle ship that she can oonquer only by division. Di vided by innumerable water tight walls and bulkheads the stands ; united one whole ehe would fall.- New York Herald. A Frog Foot and Half Tail. The king of frogs was caught re cently at Kahway, N. J. He weighed ten and three-quarters pounds. His right leg weighed 2 J pounds, and his left leg' 2 1 pounds. He was eighteen inches long and twelve inches wide. COMTAItATTVE SIZE OF THE BIO FBOO AKD A SILVER DOLLAR. The width ot his mouth was eight in obes, the length of his leg 13 inohes. The biggest frogs on earth are found in this country. Nowhere else are frogs so large a feature of swamp and marsh life. A year ago twelve enor mous American frogs were sent alive to Europe, where they exoited much wonder, but none of them was as large as the Kahway frog here described. Lived Llk a Pauper, Died Elch. Miss Elizabeth B. Cook, of Bridge port, a little hamlet in Fayette Coun ty, Fenn., always lived as though she were a pauper. Recently she died without medical attention or friends present, and the exact oircumstances of the death are not known. She was found lying upon the floor some timo after her death. Dr. a. J. Engiisn was made administrator, and he got a firm of attorneys to look around and see what her few effects amounted to. The inventory of the estate shows that she was the owner of over $22,000 of bank stock. She also had over (23,000 in cash on deposit, and was the holder of ten abaree of atook in the Eittsburg, Virginia and Charleston Railroad Com pany. Nearly 82500 in gold coin and $100 in silver ooin and bank notes were found sealed up tight in an old fruit can in her borne after her death. The property will go to nephews, neioes, and grandnephews and grand nieoes. Philadelphia Times. A Town Under One Koof. There exists in Wieden (borough of Vienna) an immense house oalled "Freihaus. .This colossal building has thirteen courtyards, thirty-one stairoases and 2112 inhabitants. It has its own postman, and the letters if they would reaoh their destination, must bear the Christian name, sur name and also nickname of the ad dressee, the number of his room, stair case and courtyard. . Sawing a Church Asunder. In order to enlarge St. Agnes's Bo man Catholio Church, which stands on Maaonio avenue, between Page and Oak streets, it has been literally bi' HI;. THE Cdt'RCH THAT WAS SAWM ASOKDBB. seoted. The western portion has been moved twenty-five leet further west and the interveningspaoe is now be ing pieced out. The insertion will doable the seating oapaolty of the church. Baa Francisco Examiner, CYCLING COSTUME, fTORFOLK JACKET AND SKIRT FOR WHEEL-WOMEN. A Favorite" Ilasque for Riding' the Bicycle and for General Wear Stylish Ladles' Waist With Applied nasque. TTf HE Norfolk basque is a favorite M gnrment for cycling, shop- I ping and general wear, as its d trim outlines are becoming to all, and it looks comfortable and business-like. We here present one of its simplost modes, made of greenish drab covert cloth, closed with round white pearl buttons, and finished with ma chine atitohing in tailor style. The basque is shaped with single bust darts, under arm gores, and a curving centre seam in back. The plaits are gradua ted at the waist line, and applied on back and front with a single row of NORFOLK JACKET AND machine stitching near the edges, or they can be blind stitched on if so preferred. The fronts are reversed at the top to form coat lapels that meet the rolling collar in notches, a chemi sette with bow tie being worn at the neck. The sleeves, in gigot style, are shaped with two seams, and are of fashionable size, the wrists being fin ished with stitohing to simulate cuffs, that are decorated near tho back seam with three buttons. A narrow leather belt encircles the waist. Tho graceful skirt is specially designed for wheel women, its distinguishing features be ing an underlying box plait laid in tho centre of front goro, the edges of whioh meet and are flatly pressed, so as to be hardly noticeable when standing and when mounted give ample room for the free aotion of tho limbs, and pre vent the ugly eirded appearance so often seen. Two backward turning plaits at tho back conocal the saddle gore in the centre that keeps the skirt in proper position. Plaoket openings on eaoh side ot front gore are finished by pointed overlaps and decorated with buttons. Suits in this style can be made from all kinds ot cloth, tweed, cheviot, serge, or cycle olotb, and worn with knickers and legging to match. The quantity of material required to make this basque for a lady having a au-lnoh bust measure is three yards. To make the skirt it will require 4 yards of the same width material. ORO.ANDIB WAIST WITH APPLIED BASQUE. May Manton says this very stylish waist, depioted in the second large en graving, is made from white orgaudie, ORGANDIE WAIST over violet silk linings, and U deco rated with laoe, insertion and ribbon to match the .color of linings. The waist linings are glove fitting and close in centre front. A narrow vest trimmed crosswise with insertion is sowed to the right front and closes over on the left Wide bos plaits that taper towards the waist are formed on the edge of each front meeting those on the baok at the shoulder seams. A blouse effeot is given in front by gath ers at the lower edge of vest and box plaits. The ripple basque is Joined to the lower edge ot waist, box plaits meeting those of the waist at the baok. A narrow belt with buckle enclroles the waist. The crush collar of violet silk has lsrge fans of lace on each side. Fashionable puffs reach to the elbow and era stylishly arranged over com fortable sleeve linings thnt can be cut elbow length or faced to the wrists, if so desired. The epaulettes are made from lace mitorod at the edges to form three points over the full puffs. The mode is very generally becoming and the ripple basque or epaulettes, or both oan be omitted if not desired. All kinds of silk, linen, cotton, or light weight woolen fabrics are adapted to develop waists in this style, any fash ionable garniture being chosen for decoration. The quantity of material 80 inches wide required to make this waist for a lady of medium size is four yards. LADIES' AfJD HISSES' COAT SLEEVE. The demand for smaller sleeves is steadily increasing, ladies not being loth to disencumber their arms from the weight ot material hitherto pre HKtRT FOR WHEEL-WOJtEN. scribed by fashion. Two styles of medium sized leg o mutton or ciaot sleeves for coat jackets, etc., are here given as one pattern. No. 1, made ot fancy cloth, is shaped with single teams, ana can he gathered or plaited at the top. A single box plait is laid at the shoulder, forward aud backward turning side olaits adjusting the re mainder ot the fullness. No. 2 is of BTYLE9 IN COAT SLEEVES. mixed oheviot and is shaped with two seams, having a smooth onder-arm portion. When linings are used they are shaped exactly like the sleeves, thus giving the necessary room for the dress sleeves. The wrists are plainly completed with inside facings. These sleeves can be made or silk, vel vet or cloth, to contrast or match with the garment iu which they are placed, WITH APPLIED BASQUE. In remodeling top garments this pat tern will be found useful aud eoononv ioal. The quantity of material 44 inches wide required to make either No. 1 or No. 2 design is 21 yards for a 86-luoh size. To make these sleeves for a miss fourteen years of age it will require 11 yards of the same width material. Two' farmers in Christian County, Kentucky, Lad. a snit about the own ersbip of a mule. The jury stood six to six, and they agreed to match pen nies to decide the cars. The verdiot was ia favor of.th uifenuaut Across the Way, Across the way from mo she kneels, A dainty lass In sober Bray, Who will not lift her eyes to see Her neighbor Just across the way. Bhe bows her head In silent prayer,. In attltudo devout and quaint t Blie prays for all the world, while I I pray for her, my little saint I a Ah I little girl, though well you hide Those long-lasher orbs of tender gray, You know there prays, with open eyes, A sinner Just across the wny I Florence A. Jones, In the New Bohemian. HUMOROUS. A masked ball weeping behind . your handkerchief. The difference between firmness and obstinacy is merely a matter of sex. Some men are so awful slow that the nly time they get ahead is when they buy cabbage. A paper . advertisos for sale a pew which "commands a view of nearly the whole congregation." Bakers are bred to habits ot early rising ( but is that any reason why they should pan out so crusty? It is a common aaying that lovely woman cannot keep a secret, but who besides herself knows where hot pocket is? "Men'll do anything fur money," said Plodding Pete. "Yes," replied Meandering Mike. "Some fellers'l) even work fur it." She (in fifteenth story, encourag ingly) Supposing I were to full, whal would yuu do? He I should send for the uudertaker. She Take care, Alfred. That isn't the remedy for sea sickness. Don'l yob see the bottle is marked "Poison?" He That's the one I want 'She killed herself because she couldn't cook." "How absurd I" "Well, she couldn't help it. She had to eat her own dishes, you know." 'Why was the bee seleoted as a model of industry?" asked Tilling hast. "Because business with him is always humming," replied Gilder sleeve. 'Does the bicyole hurt your busi ness?" "Yes. The junior partnei and the confidential buyer are both in the hospital." And the man of affairi sighed heavily. Turn Jack, old man, why is it 1 never seem to be appreciated by my friends? Jack Smith, old fellow, why is it your f riouds never seem to bo appreciated by you? Mistress Anna, whatever has be come of all your pretty curls? Maid You see, ma'am, the regiment has lefl our town, und so I have had to give 'a lock of my huir to several of my ao quuiutauoes. Emily (playing "house") Now I'll be mamma, and you'll be papa, and little Ben and Bessie will be our babies. Willy (after a moment. anxiously) Aiu't it about time to whip the children? Mrs. Wriggles The rain is spatter ing right through this umbrella all over my new hat. Mr. Wriggles 1 know it, I got badly fooled on thai umbrella J but I pioked out tho best looking handle in the rack. Mrs. Skinner (the bonrding-houM keeper) I can say this, my table al ways literally groans uuder the weigh) of the food upon it Mr. Hall Rhums You bet it does, Mrs. Skinner! Why the table would groan under the weigh) of these biscuits alone. "What a grasping old creditor yon are, Hawkins! You've bothered m about this bill fifty times in ten days." You wrong mo, Jarley. I'm not grasping. I've bothered yon about the bill, I admit, but I havuu't been able to grasp anything yet." New Use for Bald Head. A clever Parisian has discovered a new use for bald-beaded men. He se lects one whose cranium is hairless, has an advertisement lettered on the pate, and then has the owner occupy a plaoe in the oarauet of the theatre during the performance. In many coses the animated advertisement has attracted more attention than the performers, but, as the cause ot the trouble main tains a quiet demeauor the managers have found no excuse for ejeoting him. During the coronation oeremouies ot Alexander If., at St Petersburg thirteen years ago, there was a gala performauoe of Italian opera, The stalls were reserved for military men of exalted rank, aud they were se-arranged that when the imperiul. party entered the building they saw the let ter A outlined with bald heads. In this case the owners at the heaiiu were ignorant of the use to whioh their in (trinities were put .? Sir Arthur Sullivan it said to have realized 150,000 by lis song, . "The r... rM.A m i r -. -
Significant historical Pennsylvania newspapers