i
A WESTERN
Tho Trans-Mississippi Exposition at Omaha is an
Artistic Triumph. t
Tn that great stretch of mountain
and priirie known to eastern people
only a few short year Bgo os the Wild
West a veritable fairyland tint sprung
Into existence, with scarcely a louder
herald than the swish of the saw or
the sound of the hammer. The Trans
Mississippi Exposition nt Omaha,
Neb., which was opened by telegraph
by President McKinley, iu Washing
ton, on June 1st, has grown Into pro
portions far beyond its original con
ception, nutil it stands to-dny stamped
with an International character, count
ing its friends in every section of the
globe. Day by day it lias developed
into a living reality, and the magnifi
cent buildings are typical of the art,
the science, the enterprise and the
progress of the West.
The project, as it first found ex
pression, contemplated a great fair to
manifest to the world the resources of
the territory west of the Mississippi
River. Gradually its soope broadened.
Congress recognized its National
character; foreign countries nppre-
ft.
f
UNITED BTATK8 GOVERNMENT BUILDIXO AT THE TUANH-MIHHIHSIIH'I EXPOSITION, OMAHA.
ciated the value of the opportunities
offered; Htate after State fell iu line,
demanding space for proper represen
tation until, when it was opened, it
bad assumed the inaguitude aud im
portance of a World's Fair.
The site selected is just north of the
city of Omaha, on a plateau, ami a
visit to it is like a trip to fairyland.
On every side is the element of orig
inality. It is a copy of nothing ever
before attempted in this field. From
the beantifnl nuditorftim at the east
ern extremity down to the magnificent
bnilding abutting tha western eud of
the lagoon and dedicated to the
United Htatos Government every de
tail strikes the eye as being unique
aud origiual. In one respeot only
does it suggest Chicago. It is a white
city, every building being finished iu
the material known as "staff. " In
every other respect the "dream- city"
of the Trans-MUaissippi aud Interna
tional Exposition is like nothing ever
before planned and accomplished in
America. Every crown, cap, figure
and pilaster is cast from models en
tirely new, rich and tasteful, and all
are typical of the onltnre, the reflue
tneut, the progress and the resources
of the West.
Besides the usual buildings devoted
to the arts, trades, sciences and natural
resources of the West, nearly every
Htate west of the Mississippi River
has erected its own representative
strueture.
In the Grand court at the Trans-Mississippi
Exposition, looking east from
the island whioh occupies the center
of the lagoon, one is impressed by tho
artistic architectural effects before him.
When the great Government building,
with its massive domo aud flanking
colonnades, was built at the west end
overlooking the court, it was thought
diffioult, iu view of the fact that a
viaduct at the east must conueot the
bluff and main tracts, to finish that
end iu a like artistic and imposing
manner. But the architects happily
solved the difficulty in making the
viaduct not only a thing of beauty and
usefulness, but one of the most artis
tic conceits on the grounds. The vis
itor may go by boat the entire length
of the basin from the Government
bnilding to the Bberman avenue via
dnot, passing many of the main build
ings. Arriving at the east end he will
ee a beantifnl green sward rising in
terraoes, adorned with, scnlpture and
hrubbery, before him. Beyond this,
and facing him is a great heinicyole
fairway, thirty feet in width, adorned
on either side with a tower, which is
crowned by kiosk or miuarot.
Sweeping out on either side and con
necting these towers with others of
like design are graceful arohes. Back
of all this and rising in five geutly
graduated towers, aud crowned with
- statues of heroic design, are tha two
great viaduct restaurants. The tow
ers and stairs are tinted to an old ivory
shade, decorated with dull Pompeiian
colors.
Beyond and across the viadnct, the
bluff tract has been transformed into
park, where the various state build
ings are located and whioh also is tha
aiu of the great Horticultural build-i-?
and some of tha larger structures
'( t tie amusement section.
1 tie eastern end of tho lagoon the
FAlRyLAND. p
auditorium, with a seating capacity of
twenty-five hundred, rears its front,
and abutting the western end of this
grand canal the United Htntes Govern
ment Building stands, a majestic
structure, overlooking tho broad
basin, surmounted by a hr.ndsome
dome with a statue of Liberty bearing
aloft the flaming torch of progress
and enlightenment. The lagoon,
which is widened here by excavating
a trefoil, is nearly 4K feet in width
and forms a water-amphitheatre,
which, with the colonnades surround
ing it, easily forms one of the
prettiest effects to be fouud in the ex
position. Lining the lagoon on either side
and reflected into its waters stand the
buildings devoted to arts and me
chanics. That of Mines and Mining
and the Machinery and Electricity
lluilding are splendid structures. The
lagoon itself has many ndvel
features made possible by the rapid
improvement in the methods of elec
tric lighting. At the east end are
located eleotrio water grottoes, the
Blue Grotto of Capri aud tho Mam
moth Cave.
The educational features of the ex
position have not beou overlooked.
They are in the hands of representa
tive Western women, to whom has
been assigned the management of
philosophic aud scientiflo congressos,
the Hoys and Girls' Uuildiug, as well
as all branches of woman's work.
They will have charge of the exhibits
of the work of publio schools, kinder
gartens, art, reform, industrial and all
schools of special instruction.
Not the least important featnre of
the great exposition is the ethnologi
cal exhibit. It is possible that never
again will an effort of this; character
be enabled to secure au Indian ex
hibit ot the proportions contemplated
by this. The Indian race is rapidly
disappearing, and the opportunity to
study clear-cut types of every known
tribe will be hailed with delight by
every lover of ethnology.
ST. THOMAS.
(View of the Danish Island and Its Idoal harbor.)
And the Midwav. The
has Drovided a Dronrimma nt nnlnna
and wholesome attractions, and is
aauing 10 it aaiiy. novel and mer
itorious show features are encouraged,
and the visitor will not look amuse
ment. Foreign villages are in abun-
j i . . ..
uttuoe. aq exaoi reproduction or
Cripple Creek in miniature is exhib
ited. This concession alone oecnniAi
15.000 lanars font ami vAnira. Ann
people to produce it. The Afro
American villam Ivnifl
phaBe of their life. A novel example
or engineering skill is Sherman's Um-
1 II 1 ! ,
urewa, oywnion passengers are ele
vated to a heicht of JUKI ft and .
volved within cirole of 250 feet.
lue Aioonsn village will be here; so
will the Irish, Tyrolean and Chinese
villages, and many others. Nothing
will be left undone to contribute to
the satisfaction and pleasure of the
visitors.
Tha Pope does his private writing
with a gold pen, but tha pontifical sig
nature is always written with pen
uiade from tha feather of a white dove.
Pittsburg Dispatch.
ISLAND OF ST. THOMAS.
A Splendid Mm for Flout Operations In
trie larwoean.
"There is not any doubt," said a
foreign officer of high rank at present
in this country, "that it has been a sot
tied point for some time between
the Danish Government and the
American Administration that Ht.
Thomas will pass under the doniiiilon,
or the Flag of the United Htatos. It
will be acquired by purchase just as
soon as the war with Hpain Is over.
"If the arrangements had been oom
plated before the oitening of hostili
ties, the possessloif of Ht. Thomas
would have been of incalculable value
to America just now. It would be a
splendid base of operations for the
fleets in the West Indies and would
contribute much to assert American
dominion in the Caribbean. Conced
ing even that I'orto Rico will be
held by the United Htatos, Ht
Thomas easily could be made a littlo
Gibraltar.
Denmark's possessions in the Went
Indies consist of the islands of Ht.
Thomas and Hanta Cruz, also called
Ht. Croix and Ht. John. The most
important of these is Ht. Thomas,
which is about the same size as Man
hattan Island, being twelve miles
long and three in its greatest width.
Ht. Thomas is of great importance,
both commercially and strategically,
having one of the bent harbors in the
West Indies aud possessing coaling,
dry aud floating dock and ship repair
ing facilities that surpass anything it
that section, even including Havana.
In times not so long ago Ht. Tbomai
was the emporium of the Caribbeat
Hea, but the enormous expansion ol
the stream navigation enabled th
other islands to enjoy direot and rapid
communication with the. northern
countries and caused the loss of th
bulk of this trade to Ht. Thomas.
The island would be an especially
valuable possession to the United
Htates, as it has immense coaling
depots aud a floating dock capable of
accommodating the largest ships that
frequent those waters.
Hanta Cruz is wholly given up to
agriculture, being especially rained for
its sugar and rum. Ht. John is of lit
tle or no consequence, being very
scantily populated.
The. inhabitants of the Danish
Islands are still in favor of annexation
to the United Htates, since they know
that their fortunes are more closely
allied with ours than with those of any
Enropean nation. Even among the
Dauish officials there is tlm'sume stvnnrr
-feeling that it would result to tha ben-
eni oi an concerned, lor tue rank and
file would be relieved from servioe so for
from the homeoountrv. and tha hiirlinr
offloers and officials would be retired
on ample pensions. The Government
is at present expensive and somewhat
oppressive. Tha annual deficit to
Denmark is from $50,000 to 100,000,
and there asr no means of alleviating
the finanoial distress. Like the in
habitants of all tha islanda of these
seas, the people aea that their only
salvation lies in closer political con
nection with the United States, sinoe
that wonld imply increased commercial
advantages and resultant prosperity.
As the people all speak English, even
the Danish officials, there would be no
violenoe to national or racial preju
dices, and the transfer oonld be effected
with very little friotion.
In an oratorical contest at tha Idaho
University for tha Watfcina medal
Jennie Hughes, the only oolored stn.
dentin the institution, was tuawUner.
I THE REALM OF FASHION,
A Cool and t'setnl Cost num. souvenir suitable for a bride o glv1
No costume is cooler in appearance her attendant is a purse made of a bit
or mora truly useful to tho eye than uf the brocade like her wedding
that of pure white, untouched by g-wn, mounted with silver-gilt, with
color. The model shown in tho illus- her inilials in silver-gilt on one sl.lo
tratlon, whilo well adapted, to all nnd the owner's on the other. Tho
chain suspended to this purse may be
(iCCifes 'onH J,,e ' silver. Ladies' Home
m m&uVA Journal.
' FAXCf WAIST.
transparent stuffs and to China and
India silks, has a peculiar fitness for
organdie, dimity nnd Persian lawn,
and Is represented in the last-named
material, with trimming of fiuo
needlework bands nnd frills. The
foundation for the waist is a fitted
lining, which closes nt the centre
front. On it are mounted the yoke of
puffs and bands, nnd the full back and
fronts. As shown, tho nock is cut on
the first linn of perforations, so form
ing n shallow open square, but the
pattern provides for high neck as well.
In either cose the waist propet closes
invisibly beneath the eonrro band of
embroidery, and tho yoke at the left
shoulder seam and nrm's eye. The
sleeves are arranged iu a series of
I.ADICV
puffs, with bands of insertion between
each two, and are mounted upon fitted
linings, which are two-seamed, but
can be omitted, the pulling only being
used if preferred. At the nock and
wrists are frills of needlework.
To make this waist for a woman in
the medium size threo and one-half
yards of material thirty-six iuches
wide will bo required.
A Novel Cape.
No wardrobe is wholly complete
I without a wrap that can be slipped on
rand off with ease. The novel cape
showu in the large illustration by May
Manton serves every need, wliile at
the same time it is ohio in the extreme,
representing, as it does, the latest
Parisian style. The model is of .satin
faced cloth in saft mode, with yoke
and bands of applique edged with
velvet ribbon, but bengaline and all
heavy silks, as well as lace, are equally
appropriate.
I be foundation is circular, and ex
tends to the edge of tho third ruffle.
rue yoke is faood on and the two
upper ruffles are stitched into place
as indicated, but the third and last
is seamed to tho edge. All three are
oircular in shape, and they, as well
as the foundation cape, are lined with
ilk.
The pointed revers are cut separate
and attached to the fronts, and are
both faced with white monssoline de
soie, whioh was purchased shirred
ready for use. At the neck is a stand
ing collar, within which is a double
frill of mousseline, which is also
white. '
To make this cupe for a woman of
medium size flvo aud a half yards of
material tweuty-two inches wide will
be required.
Kvolntlon of an Old-Time Parse.
The old-time knitted silk purse of
onr grandmothers has a carious de
scendant in the knitted silk card cases
whioh some ladies carry nowadays,
rhe silk is sometimes mixed with gold
or silver thread, or with bright steel
or bronze beads, to form designs. One
tide is stiffened by cardboard oovered
with silk and the corners aro tipped
with silver or gold as are those of
leather card-oases. The knitted silk
Base is said to wear longer and hold
more cards than its leather brother.
A Dainty Parse.
The fashionable purse is made of a
bit of hyacinth purple or emerald
green brocade mounted with a silver-
nit clasp, and with either short
ohaln to go over the wrist or a long
ans to go around ths neck. A dainty
A Fnslilonahtn Cape.
A novelty in capes is made of violet
taffeta silk shirred in cords into two
deep puffs, which draw it closely over
the shoulders in a prim sort of way,
quite unlike the flutes and yards of ful
ness in the cape of last season. The
(loop frill of silk which falls below the
puffs extends the cape a little below
the elbows. A round collar and short
stole of guipure fastened across with
black velvet bows aud buckles are the
only trimming.
Woman' Alii Work In India.
The Marchioness of Ditfferin and
Ava has issued her report for last year
of the United ' Kiugdom branch of the
work done by, the great fund bearing
her own name for the medical aid of
women in India. It states that iu the
twelve months under review no less
than 1,1127,0110 women received atten
tion either in hospitals or their own
homes from lady doctors. There are
now lUil hospitals and dispensaries.
Tlie lllryrln f'nraflol.
The wheelwomau no longer exposes
herself, unsheltered, to the sun's too
ardent kiss. Tho pleasure of her rido
was spoiled by the knowlodge that a
platoon of freckles was forming itself
across her pretty noso nnd n layer of
tnn was ruining the damask of her
cheek. Now there is a parasol fastened
on thn back of her saddle. It is
mounted on a bamboo stick, which is
the lightest that could bo deviled.
CAPE.
, An Ky, Comfortable flown.
An easy, comfortable gown, that
can be made as cool or as warm as
desired by the selection of suitable
materials, is here shown. Green and
white linen lawn is tho material
selected, narrow Valenciennes lace and
insertion forming the dainty decora
tion. A bow and ends of diagonally
striped green, violet and white ribbjii.
is tied between the edges of the turn
over collar that completes tho neck.
The back, in princess style, is fitted
with a curving seam, side back nnd
under arm darts, rendering a perfeot
adjustment over the hips. The seini
girdlo that crosses in front is buttoned
in the centre aud holds the fuluoss
gracefully in at the waist. Bound
pearl buttons are nsed to effect the
closing all the way down .the front.
The easy, tasteful two-seamed sleeves
are cut on fashionable lines and can
bo made with or without tho fitted
lining. Tho gown is of moderate
width, measuring a littlo over threo
and a half yards at tha foot in the
medium size. Chnllis, cashmere,
India silk, Frenoh or outing flannel
will develop tastefully by tho mode,
WBATPCB WITH OB WITHOUT M.NTKO.
while, for wash fabrics, the advantage
of its simplicity will be found to niako
laundering au easy task.
To mako this wrapper for s womau
of medium size five and a half yards
of material, forty-four inches wide,
will be required.
AGRICULTURAL TOPICS
Preventing Imal In Oats.
Tha 1897 experiments in preventing
smut conducted by the New York ex
periment station at Geneva, showed
that sprinkling the seed with a one
per cent, solution of either lysol ot
formalin entirely prevented the smut.
When the seed was sprinkled with a
olution of potassium sulphide a very
moll peroenfage of smut appeared.
In some tests in soaking the seed it
was found that 8-10 of one per cent,
solution of lysol prevented smut when
the seed was soaked one hour, and
2-10 of one per cent, solution of forma
lin one hour prevented any smut.
Nona of tha trattnents injured the
eed in the least. American Agricul
turist. Tin Citn Irrigation In (lantern.
Owing to the scalding of the plants
or the baking of the ground, surface
application of water during the hot,
dry season is often injurious rather
than beneficial. By thoroughly sat
urating the subsoil, leaving the dry
urfaoe to act as a mulch, the plants
get the full benefit of all water ap
plied, without harm. This can be
done by digging a mlniotnre reservoir
foot or so fiom the plant hill, and
with a long, straight rod opening au
underground passage to the roots of
thd plant. A much hotter plan, how
ever, is to take old tin cans that can
be picked up in any quantity in all
rubbish piles or dumping gronnds,
nd perforating their sides near tho
bottom in a number of places, set one
in the ground a few inches from the
hill to be watored. Fill with water
ind the roots of the plant will do the
rest. Often the rootlets enter
through the perforations and form ft
mac in tue uottom or tlie cans. This
:n .
laud Homestead.
Permanent Pasture Fields.
We prefer pormanont pasture fields
for various reasons. Wo do not pas
ture onr cultivated gronnds at any
time. The cattle become attached to
these habitual pasturages and never
attempt to break out. These contin
ual pasture fields do not have to be
renewed, as their blue grass is indi
genous to the soil aud renews its
wasted rootlets spontaneously, aud
the grass is so nearly a perfect 'ration
that but little grain is necessary to
keep a herd of cows in heavy flow of
milk. Last spring several cows on
uoh pasture made good tests, rang
ing from fourteen pounds to sixteen
pounds eight and one-half ounces of
butter in seven days. Much of this
output was due to the care and feed
of the winter before, a combination of
a careful German clover hay, well
kept stover, and a oarefnlly balanced
ration of grain fed regularly. Grass
Is naturally the food ot the cow, and,
of course, the nearer she can be kepi
to it the year ronnd the better she
leems to do for the feed and care ex
pended on her. The Epitomist.
Clay Floor For Ialry Cow.
Where one uses the ordinary stan
shion for fastening dairy cows we
loubt whether the clay floor can be
Improved upon. A trough behind tha
tows is provided for the excrement.
On the hard, level day floor that
Reaches from stanohion to gutter or
trough, a wide plank is placed par
allel to the trough, and olose up to it,
ko catch what mannrial matter fails to
reach the trough. This is done as a
protection to the clay, for the useful
ness, perfection and durability of a
slay floor depends upon its being kept
dry. In making the floor, the moist
lay shonld be well pounded in order
to harden and solidify it, and the floor
thould be permitted to thorougblvdrv
before it is put to use, and kept dry.
To no olass of live stock does any
kind of floor seem so acceptable
as that of earth nature's floor;
and if the earth is of the right kind
and treated in the right way in making
the floor, it will usually prove the best
Boor of any and the least costly.
Cement and plank floors prove objec
tionable in many respects to both
stock and stock owners. Edwin Mont- ,
gomery.
Potatoes on Mucky Soil.
Mucky soil, because it is usually
dark colored, is always thought to be
rich. This may or may not be the
foot, aooording to what the vegetable
mould is that makes tno mnok. It is
more often duo to an excess of water,
whioh has chilled the soil and has
prevented tho mould from decaying
still farther and becoming carbonic
acid gas and ash. Ho, because the
oil is block and mucky, it is not cer
tain that it is good for potatoes. Most
mucky soils need potash to enable
them to grow the best potatoes. Veg
etable matter in the soil may make a
great growth of stalks and leaves, and
if the leaves be kept uninjured, this
will make a large growth of potatoes,
and of good quality also. But if soma '
potash is added to this muck it will
cause it to decay quicker and famish
still more plant food. The potatoes
on mucky land have one advantage, iu
that the soil does not dry out so
quickly as if it were sand or gravel.
And as the vines are apt to be strong
er, the attacks of the potato beetle
are less injurious. It is all impor
tant, sinoe the potato beetle has to be
fought, that the vines be made to
grow as fast as possible. The beetle
is wise enough to choose the poprest
and thinnest vines to lay her eggs on,
while a strong, vigorous vine beside
it may not receiva any of her eggs.
In a wet tima the stronger potato'
vines hold tue moisture longer, and
the raiu drowns out and destroys
many of the eggs. Boston Cultivator.
Miss Margaret Long, a "daughter
of the Navy," has recently matricu
lated in tha senior class of the uiedioal
department of the Jobna Hopkins
University. She expects ultimately
to practice medicine in Boston.