1
4.
vStraw-Ride
By Fletcher Cowan. J
The village of Racketville was at
wver neat.
At fever heat in the middle of Feb
ruary. What an absurd expression that is,
by the way. At fover 'heat in the
middle of February, when the general
climate is so sternly suggestive of ul
sters, arctics, chest protecters and Bal
timore heaters. But we use It only in
a figurative sense. Racketville was at
ft perfect fever heat, not according to
the thermometrlcal pressure, but the
pressure of excitement and expectation.
What was the cause of this ferment?
Why, the following notice, clipped
Irom the "Local Items" column of the
village paper:
"It is a well known fact that the an
nual straw-rides of our esteemed fel
low townsman, Farmer Frisker, are the
most prominent features of Racket
vllle's winter enjoyments. Tomorrow
evening, at half-past seven, the best
etraw-ride of the season will start
from Frlsker's house, to travel all the
way to Dan Kelly's hotel at Fairview,
where quite a surprising sensation is
promised to take place. The party
will return home in plenty of time for
tlie next day's dinner. Over fifty in
vitations have been issued."
Is it not likely that such an an
nouncement should cause quite a
furore, that everyone in the village
who had the least claim to acquain
tanceship with the Frisker family
should be looking forward to receiv
ing an invitation; and that everyone
who had not, should determine on go
ing down to the Frisker cottage to see
the party off? for, In the opinion of
everyone, the starting off of the an
nual Frisker straw-ride was a sight
not to be missed, or eclipsed either,
even by the great displays of Christ
mas and the Fourth of July.
Well, the eventful evening arrived
in safety, and a more glorious one for
a straw-ride could not have been
wished for. The moon and stars were
out and shining beautifully, the sur
rounding country presented the most
lovely snow landscape the eye could
feast upon, and the road over which
the party were to travel was in splen
did condition.
Half-past seven came, and the great
Btraw-ride started from the Frisker
cottage amid the cheers of half the
village populace, who had assembled
to see them off, and the crash of a
brass band that Farmer Frisker had
secured to accompany the party.
"Music allers seemed to patch up such
a sort o' enchantment around the
scene," he said.
There were four sleighs full of In
vited guests. They were all ranged in
line, and, festooned with flags,
branches of flr trees, bright Chinese
lanterns and numerous other decora
tions, looked quite a prttty sight. The
horses were trimmed up fantastically,
too, like a lot of animals in the holi
day assortment of a New York depart
ment store.
As the party moved away from the
cottage the scene was lit up magnifi
cently by the glare of brilliant fire
works, which had also been provided
for the occasion.
Then away the sleighs sped in fine
stylo over the fleecy road like arrows,
and the crisp snow crackled beneath
them with sharp, snapping sounds,
the bells jingled with a merry unison,
d the voices rang out upon the
trosty air with a far merrier discord
ance. The night was superb. The glisten
ing jewels of the sky shed a soft, ce
lestial glow over the snow-clad hills
and meadows, and gave the country
the appearance of an ermine paradise.
On, on flew the sleighs, past houses,
fences, trees and mile posts, like loco
motives, until the village was left
many miles behind. On they dashed
through the hills and valleys, and
across the low, white-carpeted mead
ows, past scattered villages and silent,
lonely homesteads, the party enjoying
this pleasant diversification of scenery
all . along the route. Enjoying the
scenery and enjoying plenty else.
Ah, how nloe it was! How really
ndce it was! Young Simon Lee, for
Instance, sitting with his arm around
the waist of Laura Dale, pointing out
to her the places of Interest upon the
road, the old dead sycamore tree, with
the spring in its trunk famed for such
good water, the broken-down bridge
where he used to fish, the haunted
mill beside Brewster's, where he got
her that pretty pair of pigeons some
time ago, etc. All this while her
father and mother, sitting quite near,
were in danger of looking; when they
were not looking, the conversation
was carried on in the silent language
of the eyes, and made doubly interest
ing by affectionate bouts in hugging
and kissing.
All the other young people derived an
Immense amount of enjoyment in pre
fiaely the same manner.
There was one person there who en
joyed himself as thoroughly as all the
others combined, and, however strange
It may seem, all alone.
That person was Bachelor Spriggs,
gulte an eccentric individual, but the
most intellectual man in Racketville.
No one, however, seemed to make
much of him during the rHe, or to
care for listening to his queer but
humorous conversation. The ladies of
the party thought him "perfectly hor
rid, for he drinks, and the smell of
whisky on him Is terrible!" they whis
pered to each other. The men pitied
his weakness, pronounced him a very
smart and funny man, but did not en
deavor to draw him into conversation,
'or. when one started, b ran on like
- tM.M
at FrisKer's. f
a town clock; in fact, made himself
quite a bore.
So the old bachelor, discarded by
everybody, "went It alone," nestled la
one corner of the sleigh under a clus
ter of flr branches, with no one but his
little brown pocket flaBk to keep him
company, but be had real enjoyment
with it, and seemed to prefer its pleas
ing: comfort to all the fun aud frolic
taking place around him.
His frequent potations soon began
to tell upon him, as everyone feared
would be the case, for he was known
to never be without his flask, and
oftentimes the people saw it flash in
the moonlight as he raised it to his
Hps and took what he humorously
termed his "astronomical observa
tions." Farmer Frisker began to get nerv
ous, lie had brought Sprigg3 out upon
the ride for a particular purpose to
make a big speech at Dan Kelly's hotel
as the opening feature of the "surpris
ing sensation" he had promised in the
notice of the village paper.
He began to fear that Sprigss would
be unfit for the delivery of the speech.
These fears were considerably height
ened by the bachelor suddenly burst
ing out Into a boisterous song, and as
tipsy men's songs are always as long
as your arm, he never finished until
the sleighs entered Falrview and
dashed up before Dan Kelly's door,
where fully half the town were gath
ered to receive them.
"Spriggs!" cried Frisker, seizing the
bachelor by the hair so viciously that
he yelled like a wild beast. "I didn't
think you'd Barve me in this way.
Tarnation take your dlBtillery stom
ach! You're not fit to grace a mud
gutter, let alone a grand affair like
this here. You're not fit to spout
now."
"Oh, yes, I am, Frisker," said
Spriggs, in a quavering voice. "Trust
me trust Spriggs. He's not gone back
on you. He'll make a grand sp-spcech."
Frisker said nothing, but turning to
one of his sons who was assisting some
of the girls from the sleighs, whis
pered: "Zach, for mercy's sake, keep Spriggs
down in the bar-room, or he'll turn
the whole affair into a circus. Don't
let him upstairs, or I'll go mad!"
"Dut, father, I can't hang onto his
coattails all the time. I must be pres
ent upstairs."
"Then tell Dan Kelly to get some
one to do the job. If Spriggs gets up
stairs a cock fight will be nothing to
the row he'll raise."
Frisker, Jr., promised he would, but
the girl of his heart was waiting to be
handed from the sleigh, and as he
sprang to do his duty Spriggs fled
from his memory.
As the party left the sleighs and
filed upstairs into the snug parlor of
the hotel, everyone, excepting the
members of the Frisker family, and
the Darrell family, and a few others,
was burning with anticipation as to
what the "surprising sensation" was
going to be.
When all were assembled In. the
lighted parlor, quite some surprise was
manifested at a few certain things.
Farmer Frlsker's daughter had
thrown off her cloak, and was dis
covered in a handsome silk dress a
rather too beautiful and costly cos
tume for a straw-ride.
Stephen Darrell was dressed in
handsome black, which is not general
ly worn upon a straw-ride, either.
Two or three other ladies and gen
tlemen were dressed in a style not to
be expected for a straw-ride, and the
families of Frisker and Darrell were
dressed in their very best.
All this caused curiosity and re
mark.
Suddenly the presence of Parson
Brooder, sitting at an adjoining table
with a Bible before him, was noted,
and this and that put together gen
erated a great deal of suspicion.
In the midst of the mysterious whis
perings Farmer Frisker arose, and,
with a sly smile, that showed how he
enjoyed the deception he had prac
ticed upon his friend3, disclosed the
nature of the "surprising sensation."
'My friends," he said, "I wanted to
provide you with real enjoyment upon
this ride. We have had great fun on
the road but I have reserved the cream
of the .amusement to the last. This
cream we would have churned at my
houEc, but there wasn't enough room
there, so we'll churn it here under the
roof of good "Dan Kelly. The great
sensation anounced to take place hero
is the marriage of my daughter to
young Stephen Darrell, on which I
pray you to shower your blessings."
Mllhat Frisker had done in his few
words he had intended Spriggs to
make the subject of a splendid speech.
But, alas! Spriggs had failed him in
his hour of need and be was forced
thus to be his own speechmakcr, but
it is our belief that the great Spriggs,
had he been in fit condition, with all
his polish and ready command of lan
guage, could not have delivered a
speech, with better effect than had the
farmer in his few blunt words.
Then all became silent, and the
parson, rising, entered upon his happy
duty of joining together two loving
hearts. ,
"Keep Spriggs out! Don't let him
in!" said Frisker, to one of his friends
before the marriage service began, for
he had looked around the company and
found, to his great relief, that Spriggs
was missing, for the tipsy bachelor
was at that moment in the bar-room
of the hotel below, replenishing his
little brown flask.
The bride and tridegroom, with their
attendants, took their places, the r ar
son rose, and the ceremony begin.
But when nearly through, and just
arrived at that highly critical part of
the ceremony when the couple are
questioned as to whether they accept
each other as husband and wife, sud
denly out went the gns, and the room
was left in total darkness.
This created some consternation.
"Blame the luck!" cried Frisker, and
he bellowed for a matoh.
"I'll go downstairs for one," cried
the man on guard at the door, and he
opened the door to go; but at the same
moment the bridegroom, (Stephen Dar
rell, called out that he had u match in
his pocket.
There was no use then of the guard
going for one, so he shut the door
again; but before he did so a dark
figure passed into the room unnoticed
in the gloom.
Stephen Darrell was intensely
flurried by the Interruption, and rushed
to light the gas himself. But when
he got to the jet he found that he had
no match as he had supposed, and that
It was only a toothpick he had felt in
his pocket. Then, desperate with
rage, and simple fellow! quite
frightened, it must be admitted, at the
sudden extinguishment of the light,
which he superstitiously took to be a
bad omen for his wedding, he rushed
out of the room and downstairs to get
a light himself.
No one knew who it was that went
out, but thought it some one of the
young men gone on tne errand.
"Confound the thing!" cried Fris
ker. "There ain't much more jobbing
to do, Is there, parson? Well, then,
let the wedding go on in tho dark.
Darn it! I've heard that it's bad luck
to stop in the middle of a marriage;
and it that's the case, the dark ain't
going to stop my daughter's."
"Yes, let It go on in the dark!"
cried Farmer Darrell. "I've heard that
it's bad luck to stop, too."
The parson attempted to expostulate;
but both the farmers ordered the mar
riage to go on In the dark. So the
brldo took her place beside a figure
which Bhe supposed to be that of her
husband, and the service went on.
"Do you accept this woman as your
wedded wife?"
No answer was heard. Everyone
supposed that the bridegroom had
spoken it, but that, owing to nervous
ness which sometimes does affect
bridegrooms to a great degree, ho had
spoken inaudibly.
"Do you accept this man for your
wedded husband?"
"I do," replied the bride, in a firm
voice. "Gracious, Stephen, how you are
trembling" she was then heard to
whisper.
"Then I declare you man and wife!"
said the parson, "and the blessing of
God, and of everyone, be upon this
union."
As he snid these words the figure of
the husband bent toward the bride.
She thought he wished to kiss her, and
presented her lips for the purpose of
being so treated.
Her lips met something, but It was
not the lips of her husband. It was
something very cold, and a strange,
shivering sensation passed over her as
she felt its touch.
"His want some hie?" asked a
quavering voice, and the next instant
the young bride felt a cold stream of
some liquid poured over her face.
Some of it went down her throat and
nearly choked her, and by Its taste
and smell she knew It to be whisky.
She uttered a piercing shriek and
fell back into the arms of her father,
who was standing beside her, Just as
Stephen Darrell entered the room in
the greatest haste, bearing a lamp.
Light being thrown, upon the scene,
a strange tableau was revealed.
Stephen's bride lay in a half-faint
In her father's arms, and Spriggs, the
dark figure who had stood beside her
during tho latter part of the cere
mony, stood in the glare of the light,
with one hand grasping his brown
flask, and tho other clutching the table
for support bpriggs, the bachelor,
stood half, married to Miss Sarah
Frisker.
The excitement that prevailed after
this thrilling tableau it would be hard
to portray.
'Blame that Spriggs!" roared Farm
er Frisker. "Throw him out of the
window!"
"Let me at him till I break his
neck!" cried Stephen, and Indeed the
angry pair would have broken the
poor bachelor's neck had friends not
Interfered and calmed them down, and
bore Spriggs out of sight.
Then, when the full ridiculousness of
the scene was realized, , there was
great amusement The cause of the
light going out so suddenly was that
somebody downstairs had turned off
the gas, but whether designedly or ac
cidentally could not be ascertained.
The mirth and excitement over the
affair did not subside for fully fifteen
minutes.
By that time the bride had recovered
from her faint, and the fathtr and
bridegroom from their desperation.
Then the ceremony was re-enacted,
and the right man was married.
After the ceremony there was a
splendid supper, and after that, spirit
ed dancing, which was kept up until
an early hour of the morning.
Then the straw-ride party left Dan
Kelly's and reached Racketville not
only in time for dinner, but In plenty
of time for breakfast
"We have had a first-rate time.
Haven't we, Frisker?" said one of the
farmer's friends.
"Yes, a spankln' time," said Fris
ker. "Straw-rides are very well In
their way, but the next straw-ride I
get up will be a straw-ride and noth
ing else. Never while I have brains
enough left to raise carrots, will I
cart one of my daughters tp another
man's house to be hustled into wed
lock. Then I'll know she'll not be
married in the dark." New York
Weekly.
Independence for Ireland
It Would Lead to an
England and Strengthen the. Empire Q
By Thomas J. Regan.
F Ireland were given her freedom, tho first thing she would
do would be to form an alliance with England. Her first
formation of a foreign policy would be an official declara
tion of the obvious fact that the prosperity of Ireland, when
a nation, must depend upon the prosperity of England, her
safety upon England's safety, her welfare upon the main
tenance of the British Empire.
If Ireland were a nation she would need England's navy
to defend her -and protect any shipping she could create.
She would be too poor to waste any money or energy on the maintenance of
military and naval armaments to be used against England or any other na
tion. An alliance with England would leave her free to give all her attention
to domestic concerns. It would mean that Ireland could never be attacked
by any Continental nation. Such an alliance would be Ireland's only for
eign policy, and It would be maintained as stoutly aa we maintain the- Mon
roe doctrine.
Ireland's welfare and prosperity would bo at stake whenever England
was attacked. England's prosperity would be the source of Ireland's riches,
because England would be the consumer of the surplus products of Irish
farms. Ireland when developed would seek an English market for her-surplus
foodstuffs, for her fowls, eggs, and dairy products. She would supply Eng
land with high priced grades of meat, which cannot be obtained from tho
muscular cattle of our western ranches and which England cannot provide
for herself.
This English mnrket for Irish products would be a community of Interests
between tho two. Ireland would bo the warmest friend that England could
have, because her friendship would have the warmth of self-interest, which Is
the warmest thing on this side of the grave.
England's alliance with Ireland would do more than anything else could
to strengthen her union with her colonial possessions. She has seen the neces
sity of a closer union with her colonies. During the South African war she
called for their help. The gratitude of the Irlr.h race would bring her more
help from her colonies than she can see any utlier way of gaining. If tho
green flag were waving beside the flag of England there would not be a true
Celt In Canada or Australia whose heart would net leap with enthusiasm for
an Anglo-Celtic caime. If there was an alliance between England and Ireland
the British Empire would renew its youth.
? TUn
J.
Incomparable Value of
Business Taci
By E. E. Perkins.
NY man who lias to meet the public and whose success de
pends on the public's attitude toward him needs to study
himself constantly that he may become tactful. How easy
to say the wrong word, to make an unfortunate Impression,
to canvass a prospect at an inappropriate time, or not to
realise when to stop talking.
There are two eminent examples of what tact will do.
James G. Blaine wr.s a most adroit man. He was a friend
maker, a moulder of men. A wonderful memory for names
i
A
4 A JQl
and faces aide him. Ho used to know and call by name people whom he had
seen but onco many years before. Th;it was one of the secrets of his great
popularity. He approached people right. So did Mr. McKlnley, who was
remarkably considerate of the opinions of others, lie was bo tactful that
political enemies often were transformed by him into friends at a sitting.
Qualities like these are necessary to the successful, high-grade insurance
solicitor. They should be cultivated at every turn. You are In "public life"
and daily have to meet people. It Is absolutely necessary that you employ
diplomacy as did these two eminent tacticians. You know how you warm
up to the man who treats you as you like to be treated in a business-like way
because he has properly sized you up. You know how susceptible to such
influences you are. If ho went at you properly he could get your signature,
or your last dollar, as the saying goes. Turn it nround; get yourself into tho
same relative attitude toward the other fellow, from whom you want first an
Interview, then an application. 'Twill enhance your success. In other worcs,
constantly study the art of being tactful In order that you may excel In It.
There is Nothing
: That Will Endure
By President Eliot, of Harvard.
4K..:..S"M.$-r HAVE often wonilcrcu
to the archaeologist or suuu years nence 10 Eiuuy. iou nave
studied materials that have endured under the earth for
3000 years. I have found It difficult to find any such dur
able things In our buildings, arts and great manufactures.
Do we make any vasts that record, as the Greek vases,
our costumes, arts, religion, etc.? None. It may be that
t
t.;..;. ours are not wortn recording. Instead we attempt to put
the records of 2000 years ago on our vases, much to the con
fusion of the archaeologists 2000 years hence.
Across the river there is a structure of concrete durable in spite of the
frost of winter and the heat of summer. Will it stand?: What will be the
ruins of tho Stadium 2000 years hence, or will the structure of steel cud con
crete stand?
All the products of our trade and commerce are the temporary. Our
stone walls are mere veneers cf three or four inches thick backed up by
bricks. If you examine tho producers of our great Industries, they are perish
able in a high degree and all are becoming more so. '
The old books of Germany will last, but ours will not, for the paper will
rot or dry in a short period hence. Where, then, shall we find material for
the archaeologist 2000 years hence?
There Is only ono thing that will last our subways. There are our
chances. Tho Brooklyn Bridge, which is the foremost of our engineering
structures, needs constant care. ,
I trust that out of your labors as they penetrate the minds of our people
will come worthier art3 and buildings to record our civilization to the future.
Paying Too Muck for Success
By Orison Stvett Marden.
: F a vigorous young business man, anxious to push his busi-
J ness and make money, were offered a million dollars to
. 4 TT shorten his life ten years, would he accept the money on
JL Bllch terras' For wnt stocks and bonds would he exchange
the peace and tranquility of his mind for the rest of his life?
What price would tempt a man to trade his steady nerves
for Bhaky ones scarcely enabling hlra to sign his ame, or
substitute for buoyant spirits and a vivacious manner jaded
ennui and dull apathy? What would he ask for his bright,
-:
youthful countenance, if it was to be Immediately replaced by a wrinkled,
careworn visage, stamped with anxiety? How much would he take for his
athletic figure, his quick, elastic step, if offered in exchange a bent form and
a shuffling gait? How much real estate would he consit,;r a fair compensa
tion for the companionship of his wife, the Joy and comfort of his home, and
the sweet love of lltttle children? v
Suppose that a bright, hopeful college gradunto were asked to sell, off
hand, the result of his four years' work, to give up his grasp of human nature,
and to close forever all tho doors of Intellectual progress that his studies have
opened to him, how much money would close the bargain? t
Ask some man what he would take in exchange for the friendships that
have made his life rich with hallowed experiences and perpetual inspiration,
and which promise him pleasure and profit in future years.
Ask some respected citizen, influential for good in his community, whose
advice is sought who Is held up as an example to growing youth, to sell his
good name, his influence, his community's respect, what sum would be name?
Irish Alliance With
lr our civilization win leave miliums
COMMISSIONER CARFIELD'S REPORT
It I Found to Be Favorable to tin Great
Packet.
The report vf Commissioner of Cor
poration Garfield on the beef indus
try, after about eight mouths' inves
tigation in Chicago and elsewhere,
shows thnt there has been an enormous
amount of exaggeration In tho state
ments that have appeared for some
time pnst In regard to the beef busi
ness. This Investigation wns set on
foot by n resolution of the IIohfc of
Representatives adopted March 7, 1U04,
and the ascertained facts after a most
rigid examination of the methods and
general conduct of the business are
contained in n report coveting 308
pages. Its figures and tables conclu
sively Pliow that tho popular belief in
enormous profits made by the largo
packers, such us Armour & Co., Swift
& Co. and Nelson Morris & Co., and
In tho exclusive control of the busi
ness which many think they eujoy, is
really without foundation.
The report made to 1'rcsldent Roose
velt by Commissioner Garfield is real
ly the first olliclal statement of the ac
tual conditions of the beef business
that has been made, and as all the con
clusions arrived nt are bnsed, as shown
by him, upon data olllclally obtained,
there seems to bo no reason why they
should not bo regarded as reliable and
in nil respects trustworthy.
This report show s why the price of
both cattle and beef advanced to tho
highest level ever -known after tho
short corn crop of 11)01, and states that
because of tho decrease in number of
cattle and nlso in decreased weight,
"the high prices of beef which caused
so much complaint among consumers
nt this time were attributable wholly
to these abnormal cattle prices."
All tho figures of the live weight nnd
live cost of nil dressed beef cattle were
obtained from actual killing records,
nnd all Information of every kind ob
tained by the Commissioner was volun
tarily and freely offered by the pack
ers, nil books of record and papers
c.jinectod witii the business having
USen placed nt bis disposal.
To make certain that the results of
tho Investigation should bo absolutely
accurate, the Commissioner states that
a double method of ascertaining profits
was adopted, and, without going into
detail here, it Is found that '.ho conclu
sion arrived at shows an average profit
of 09 cents per head. Tho Commis
sioner says "tho closo parallelism in
the results of tho two methods of ns
rci'tnlnins tho profits confirms com
pletely the correctness of the general
conclusions." It Is clearly established
that "Western packers do not control
more th.m half of the beof supply of
the United .Stntes." the conclusion of
the Commissioner beinj that the busi
ness done by them amounts to "about
15 per cent." of tho total slaughter of
the country.
Tho whole report Is extremely Inter
esting and well worthy of careful pe
rusal. As an oflicial report It may be
regarded ns worthy of confidence, and
it certainly leads the reader to the
conclusion arrived nt by the Commis
sioner when bo states that "the capi
talization of none of these concerns is
excessive ns compared with Its actual
investment." and that from thorough
and rigid examination ef original en-,
tries ia lio:)!;s and papers to which lie
bed r.c-cess there was also "indirect evi
dence that tlio profits of the packers
lu their beef business are less than is
frequently supposed," as shown by
comparison between tiie total profits
and the total amount of sales.
Smallest Republic.
Tnvolara is said to be the smallest
republic In the world. It Is situated
on the little island of the saino name,
some seven or tight miles south ol
Sardinia. Tnvolara is about ono mile
in diameter and inhabited at present
by 55 people men, women and chil
dren. In 1S3C Karl A'.bsrt, th-;n .una
of Sardinia, bestowed the supremacy
over this little Isle upon the Barto
konl family, and for 40 years "King"
PruI I. reigned In peace in his domain
Ho died on May 30, 18S2, and shortl
before his demise called all his faith
ful subjects to his bedside and dc
clared It to be his earnest v.ish that
none of his relatives should succeed
him ns head of the covernr.ic-nt in the
Island, and that he considered it for
the best that the good people of
Tavolara should govern their.selvss.
After this Inst wish no candidate for
"the vacant thrcne could bo found
among the family of the deceased,
who were used to consider their
"kii-gV." wish Ir.w, and the little Is
land rer.'.ained ungovcrncd for four
years. At last. In 1SS0 the little Is
land was declared a republic. The
constitution gives tho elective fran
chise to both men and women. A
president is elected to serve six years.
None cf the officers receives any
compensation.
Cut Few New Living.
The recent death of James N. Tyier
nt Washington leaves cnly thr.e oi
the thirteen nica living who cast the
electoral vote of Indiana for Abraham
Lincoln.
EtTects of Prosperity.
In tho six years of the country's
greatest prosperity, from 1S07 to 1UU3,
average prices of bread-stuffs advanced
05 per cent.; meats, 23.1 per cent.;
dairy and garden products, 00.1 per
cent, and clothing 24.1. Ail these were
products of the farmer and stockman,
who profited more than any other class
of the community by these advances.
The miner benefited 42.1 per cent, by
that advance in the average price of
metals. The only decrease in the aver
age prices of commodities in that pe
riod was in railway freight rates, which
decreased from .70S per ton-mile In
1S07 to .703 in 1003, a loss of 4.4 per
cent. The report of the Interstate
Commerce Commission shows that the
average increase In the pay of railroad
employes in that period was a trill
abort 8.5 per cent
BUBINNI CAKDST
Q M. JKDONAL3.
ATTORNKTATLAW.
Notary Public, real estate agent, Fateata
lecured, collection mafle promptly. OAMI
In Syndicate bulltllnK, ItejnoldsvlUa, fa.
D
R. B, fi, nuovKit,
JtKVNOLDSVILLB. f A.
Hflftldent (lfttitlMt. Im tha rti.f.r balltUM
J)n. L. Ii. MEANS.
DENTIST.
Office on second floor of First Na
tional bank buii.liiifr, Main Mreet.
J) P.. It. DEVERB KINO,
DENTIST.
Office on second floor Eeynoldsvfll
Real Estate Building, Main street.
Itoynoldsville, Pa.
J NEFF,
JUSTICE OF THE PEACH
Aud Real Estate Agent.
Reynoldsvilln, Pa,
gMITH M. McCItEIGHT, H
ATTORNEY-AT-LAW,
Kotnry Pulillo and Ronl Estate Agenti. Cel.
lecttone will receive prompt attention. Offloa
In the iteynolilHTllle Jlunlwnre Co. Bulldinf,
Uatn street, ltcynoiaevlle, fa.
PITTSBURG.
Grain, Flour and Feed.
Wheat No. 9 red $ J OS
Kyo-No.2 m
Corn No. 2 yollow, ear fiJ
No. S yellow, ahollod 5(1
Mlied ear 4S
Oats No. white 85
No. S white HI
Flour Winter patont 6 811
Fancy sirnlKht winters IS)
Ilay No. 1 Timothy 18 75
Clover No. 1 12 75
Feed No. 1 white mid. ton ii !)
Ilrown mlddllnge If M
Bran, hulk '. SO W
109
HI
M
61
49
8(1
e oi)
ft 60
IS 00
13 00
i2 50
80 00
81 00
Btraw Wheat B (1
8 m
Cat.,
I 0J
8 60
Dairy Products.
Butter Elgin erenmery t
Ohio creamery
Fancy country roll
Cheese Ohio, new
Now York, new
Poultry, Etc.
Hens per lb $
Chickens dreflfled
Eggs i'a. and Uhlo, fresh
Fruits and Vcgotables.
Apples bbl
Potatoes Fancy white perbu....
Cabbage per ton
Onions per barrel
21
80
In
1.1
13
84
88
IS
14
14
II
III
18
IS
18
10
8 5)
4".
10 I
4 40
4 00
50
17 00
8S'J
BALTIMORE.
Flour Winter Patent $ 0 IM)
Wheat No. 8 red i oh
Corn lined 49
Ill
Butter Ohio creamery gi
5 81
1 09
SO
IS
PHILADELPHIA.
Flour Winter Patont 8 s 50 S 75
Wheat No. 8 red 109 110
Corn No. 2 mixed 60 51
Oats No. 8 white 86 87
Butter Creamery in 2T
Eggs Pennsylvania dreis 17 18
NEW YORK. i
I M 50 I
d 1 14 1 15 1
65 60
t'e 87 88
.ry 81 85
1 Pennsylvania.... 17 18
Flour Patents.
Wheat No. 8 red
Corn No. 8.
Oats No. 8 white.
Butter Creamery
lifc-gs Stute and Pennsylvania.
LIVE STOCK.
Union Stock Yards, Pittsburg,
Cattle.
Extra. MM to 1CO0 lbs J5 60
Prime, 10 to 1400 His 5 45
Medium, 1200 to 1800 lbs 5 25
Tidy. 1051 to 1150 4 85
Butcher. 800 to 1100 8C0
Common to lair 800
Oxou, common to fat ,M 875
Common topnod fat bullsend cows 850
U Uch cows, each 10 00
Hogs.
Prlmeheavy hogs $575
Prime medium weights 6R5
Beet heavy yorkers and medium. 6 60
Good pips and liftbtyorkora 650
Pltrs. common to good 4 7J
Koucbs 8 7S
Stata 8 23
Sheep.
Extra $ 8 411
(ood to choice (too
Uedium 52
Common to fair., 250
Lambs 650
Calves.
Veal, extra ' 6 50
Veal, ycou to choice M 8 50
Veui, common heavy 80J
680
6 55
6 45
485
875
8 75
400
850
45 00
B70
6 70
6 70
5 CO
4W)
415 '
8 50
B0
8
5 75
400
8 76
7B0
4. 54
8 70
FEMININE FANCIES.
Fh.iprly Imr.iTs nra no rarity among
llio women of Imliii.
Nciirly o;ir-(iftii of the students fit
Swiss universities are women.
Wives of Siliiucs.t iiolilenirr. ent their
hair so tlmt it stl-jks straight up from
their l;e:i(l..
Mrs. IdsoIwk X.'Ition, ino'.lier of
rniic'l Si;itos Hpnatyr Kiiiite Nelson,
ef .Minnr.soiii, U over ninety-nine years
of nge.
Miss EJitli riirlp?. of Columbia. IK
who has br-on plei'etl ns librarian by
the Cr.riKjrie Library IbjtirJ of Okla
homa, is tlio irrnnutiit lighter 0 Govern
or Joint'!?, riielps. of Missouri.
Miss Fiances Boujamln Johnston, of
VVn'sltiiijrlnn. I). C. lias lati ly been no
tllietl by the French Government thp.t
(lis (ieeoration Falmos Aeailemiipies
has been roiifcrrotl on lier by thnt
Government.
V.'hile women r.re Inrndin? nearly
nil of the employments heretofore bo
lonsins to men. milliners, both hero
nml abroad, report n prowlng dilTicnlty
In liiullnK giris willing to devote them
selves to the nrt of niakins hats.
Quppii Elena of Italy U said to bo
lleve In the Montenegrin superstition
that it Is unlucky for a child to sleep
in a room Into which any liht pene
trates, nnd lisht proof shutters are
the order in the uuryery j Home.
KophoniKba IteninI, a peasant cirl
who hit3 been discovered in the Ital-
toria of SehleswiK-IIolstelu, who vis
ited Ithodesin lu September last yar,
were the llrst members of the rfyal
family to "lew the famous falls cf the
Zambesi Itlver, named by Dr. Living
stone after tire lute queen.
lau village of Copparo, near Ferrara,
nlthoupi only thirteen years, stands
live feet IiIkIi. weighs more than 210
pounds and is fifty -eight inches arouutl
tiie chest. I
rriuee.-s Christian nnd rrineess Vie- "
1