mc weaker srx. "The weaker sex," they call them, but a mortal couldn't make, Jn speaking of the womenfolk, a more profound mistake. Those precious parcels made of smiles, of ribbons, tears and lace, Have clearly proved themselves to be the "Samsons" of the race. Do you suppose that any Man could keep me half the night In some beshadowed hammock where mosquitoes fiercely bite. And who, it mattered net how long he might prefer to stay, Could press my hand so lightly 1 could never get away? And Where's the giant with the strength to malm me walk and walk About the park and bable forth the softest kind of talk, And buy ice cream and lemonade and popcorn bars and such And then declare I had enjoyed the evening very much? I know a tender, "clinging vine" who, by her winsome smiles, Haa made me, lazy as I am, walk several hundred miles. I've stood outdoors on winter nights and waited for her when I'd not have waitVd half so long for fifteen dozen men. The women are the ones who rule this plnnet first and last; They .bind us in their mystic chains and hold us good and fast. But, though we men are shackled slaves, we mutually agree We'll never do a single thing to make them set us free. Nixon Waterman, in Good Housekeeping. t&i Caught m a Cave. f&j By HUGH F. eteceeee eceeccrceeecf f eet etc It bas been said that after all the surface of the earth has been ex plored there will yet remain many vast underground caverns that will furnish a field of research for the dentist and adventurer. While the ebort space of one day was as long as I ever spent under ground, the con ditions under which this enforced and unpleasant Journey was taken has sufficed to Batisfy any longing I may bave otherwise had for subterranean explorations. The circumstance which I am about to relate occurred in Bouthern Kentucky, near the head waters of Barren River, twenty miles south of Mammoth Cave. In 1854 my father moved from Virginia to Kentucky, where, with the help of myself and brother, aged respectively seventeen and fifteen years, he had built a two-room log bouse and cleared several acres of land preparatory to planting a crop. The spring following our removal to the new home was characterized by a great amount of rain, and conse quently much time was allowed us for bunting. Wild turkeys were nu merous, as were also deer and other large and more dangerous game. . One morning about the 1st of May I awoke early and decided to go tur key shooting before daylight, while the wary gobbler was still on the roost. Quietly taking the trusty musket from the rack over the door 1 made my way out of the house without disturbing the other mem bers of the family. Outdoors the moon was shining brightly, and with out difficulty I found and followed the path that led down to the spring and across the bottom to Barren Elver. Midway between the spring and the river was a narrow strip of "hog wallow" land, so called from a series of short undulations resemb ling the holes rooted out by bogs In Search of roots. On Bearing the "hog wallow" my attention was attracted to what ap peared to be a black spot on the ground and almost directly in the path. Having been along the road the evening previous I was at a loss to understand the cause of this phe nomenon, which in the uncertain moonlight looked for all the world like an immense splotch of ink. I ap proached cautiously and was almost at the verge of what proved to be an all but bottomless pit, when, without warning and before I could recede a step to safer footing, the point of the earth on which I stood gave way and I was precipitated feet foremost down . an inclined plane. Would I never stop? I was not falling, but eliding and rolling down a mud-lined passage which dipped at an angle of forty-five degrees. However, such was the impetus gained by my first plunge that I was shot down as from a catapault. Clutching wildly for some means to stay my mad flight my bands would touch the sides of the narrow shaft, and once so small was the opening that I stopped for an instant, but the loose earth giving away I dropped sheer downward twenty feet into a shallow pool of water. ' Dazed and half stunned by the fall I sat or rather lay there, several min utes before my scattered senses could grasp all that had befallen me. Where was I and how far bad I fall en? For a few seconds I could hear the rumble of dislodged earth as it followed me, but was caught in the small passage, finally shutting out all sound from above, barring escape by that way. Then I did what might have been expected of a boy of my age. Frantic with fear I called loud ly for help. The reverberating echoes of my own voice told me I was in one of those vast caverns with which this section ot the State abounds. With this discovery came reason and I began to think. I liad often heard Bob Clary, the old bee hunter, tell of the caves on Lost Creek, where the bees made their nests, and I had seen the pits on Blackburn's Bluff, less than a mile from my father's house. These pits were more or less perpendicular in depth, forty feet or more to the bottom and of Irregular shape. The walls of some of -these could not be scaled by even the panther or wild at, while others could with diffi culty be climbed. In some of them I tad seen the bones of cattle and sheep, showing where some maurad- lng beast bad held high carnival. As this all came to my mind I took courage. If my prison had an out . let by way of the pits on Blackburn's Bluff there was at least a chance for my rescue if I could ever reach there. I knew it must be over bait a mile to the bluffs, and that distance I must grope In absolute darkness. Once there I could at least behold the GRINSTEAD. 0 c ceteeceeeceeeeceeecrceer blessed light from above, and hope for rescue from some outside source. Thus buoyed with hope I began to , move cautiously forward on my hands and knees in the direction of what I thought to be the larger part of the cave, judging from the sounds emanating therefrom as I shouted from time to time. The floor of the cave was here al most level and I made rapid pro gress. Losing some of my timidity as I advanced I had arisen to my feet and was walking without diffi culty. I had proceeded thus for prob ably a quarter of a mile seemingly In almost a straight line when I sud denly became aware of a faint sound from the direction in which I was traveling, and my next step brought me against a solid stone wall. Care fully feeling my way along the wall, which seemed tp curve to the left at this point I had prpceeded only a few steps when my foot dislodged some small stones, which went rumbling downward, and after the lapse of a second or two I could distinctly hear the chug! chug! as they struck the water. The sound I had heard then must be that of running water, pos sibly of Lost Creek, where it disap pears in the rocks, Just after skirting Blackburn's Bluff. If this was the case I would be more than 100 feet below the top of the bluff, and half that distance below the bottom of the deepest pit I had ever looked into on' that bluff. With my bands against the wall and by carefully reaching out with my feet I found I was on a narrow ledge, on which it was very difficult to retain my footing. I worked my way along this narrow shelf, which was at some points alarmingly steep, for possibly 100 feet, when my path way came abruptly to an end. Evi dently I could proceed no farther in this direction, and was on the point of turning back when that befel me which, though seeming for the time a calamity, was in reality the guiding hand of providence. I was sitting on the narrow ledge throwing pebbles into the water be low and mentally calculating the dis tance, when I suddenly felt the grav elly bench begin to slide, and in that awful moment I realized the extent of my peril. If I missed the rocks j and struck the water the chances were that I would be stunned and strangled before I could regain my breath. I clawed madly at the treacherous gravel, and as I went over the bank caught a projecting rock and held on with the tenacity of des peration. My feet were dangling in the air and my hold was weakening! I shut my eyes and prepared for the inevitable plunge. I thought how my body would be sought in vain. I prayed ! My fingers slowly relaxed, and I dropped six feet below to a flat rock! Joy unspeakable! Shortly before I was bewailing my fate and now I was sobbing with very Joy So overcome was I that it was several minutes before I gained sufficient strength to enable me to learn the extent of the friendly rock on which I had alighted. I found it was but the entrance to a small cave, running at right angles to the ledge above, and so close was I to the ledge, thet had I swung out six inches farther I would have gone into the water as did the pebbles which had easily bounded over the rock. This projection was only a few feet long, and the only way I could proceed now was by going into the small cave. I proceeded slowly, having to go on my hands and knees at times, so low was the roof. At length the passage widened and the roof became higher, so that I could stand erect, and consequently get along faster. It was always up hill. The floor was a series of ter races," in places several feet apart, but always easily climbed by aid of the jagged stones. After making my way from one of these terraces to the next higher by feeling my way over a path more difficult than usual, I became faintly aware of a peculiar sensation. I could see? Yes, there was actually a faint glimmer of light discernible by no eye Bave of one who had been in total darkness for a long time. I still had to feel my way, for while the delicate organism of my eyes felt the sensation of light it was not enough to guide my footsteps. However, the light was steadily grow ing brighter. I was going toward it! After passing up a slight incline, I could see the floor of the cavern and far ahead a small spot of light was discernible. I shouted with Joy. I half ran toward my beacoa light, which gradually grew larger. Now, I was beholding the beautiful light ot day and breathing the pure air; for I stood at the bottom ot a large Jagged opening, which I instantly recognized as one ot the pits on Blackburn's Bluff. I gazed upward and fairly drank in the pure air and sunshine. A lit tle bird perched on a limb high above twittered gaily and seemed to be sing ing to me a song of good cheer. I was elated at once more coming into the light, but my hopes sank as I realized the utter improbability of anyone coming to my rescue in this remote place before night; and after dark I stood in deadly peril from the beasts that made their dens In the cave. The slanting rays of the sun told me it-was late in the afternoon. It I p'-.nned escape I must work quickly. I carefully examined my prison. I could scale the wall almost to the top. Here an overhanging rock would stop further progress. However, growing out from the base ot this rock was a stunted plnoak, while from the branches of a large elm which stood on the verge above a huge grapevine dangled within four feet of the stunted plnoak. It I could only climb out on the plnoak and from there Jump the Intervening four feet and catch the grapevine! Was the grapevine dead and rotten? Or would I miss It and be dnshed to pieces on the rocks below. ? Laying aside my natural timidity, I resolved to use every means of es cape, and forthwith began the ascent. I had some difficulty In making my way to the stunted oak, but by pull' Ins myself up by the scant bushy growth along the face of the cliff I soon found myself balanced on the horizontal trunk ready to make mS spring Into space for the friendly grapevine. Only four or five feet to safety! It was the supreme moment! Life itself depended on the success of this Lap Into space! Nerving myself foi the final effort I jumped! I caught at the vine; it slipped through my hands for an instant, but the grasp ot desperation held It! Slowly pulling myself up hand over hand, I soon reached a firmer bold in the branches of the elm and thence to the ground. The sun had set when I at last set foot on the surface of this dear old planet, and the familiar sounds of the early twilight greeted my ears, and, oh, sucn music! In a few min utes I was at home, having traveled three-quarters ot a mile underground and that in tital darkness. Search ing parties were out after me, but strangely enough, no one had been to the "hog wallow" land. A later visit revealed only a sunken place ten feet across and some six feet deep to mark- the trot where I fell into the cave. Years later a party of adventurers fully explored the 'ave and found a labyrinth of passages. By the merest accident I had taken the one leading out. Any of the others would have taken me miles through winding passages, beset with chasms deep and danger ous. Journal of Agriculture. Eastern Invasion of the West. In fact, within the short space of three years after the Spanish War there was scarcely an important point of investment left untouched by East ern funds and Eastern promotive en terprise. And had we but realized it then, as we do In beholding the consequences now, we might long since have wrapped around our sleeves the mourning badge for the things which were being lost to us forever. For, when Harriman bought the Chicago & Alton, It was the cross ing ot the Rubicon for us. Behind him rallied all the vast machinery of modern commerce and finance, as the colossal power of imperial Rome was massed behind Caesar, and after he had taken under his command the Pacific railroads there was nothing for us to do, but like the Goths, to forsake our perhaps cruder but cer tainly happier and mere peaceful habits and habitats, and to become di-clples, followers or allies of the strenuous demands and customs of the maturer world to the eastward. The Reader. Willing to Compromise. The mother had been having a strenuous day with her offspring, as Mrs. Anna Garlln Spencer calls the story of a little cousin of hers. The tall boy had even more than usually hem a peripatetic Interrogation point. There were few things concerning the construction of the world and all things in It, with asides upon various theological, philosophical, and scien tific questions, which the mother had not tried to answer. She was ex haused and welcomed the night as she undressed her little Bon and pre pared htm for bed. But he had not finished his questions. "Mamma, he asked, "where is my soul?" "Now, dear," replied the weary mamma, "I am very tired, and I can't answer another question to-night." "Weii, tUan, you needn't answer it to-night," said the child, "but please put your finger on the very spot!" New York Times. A Revolutionary Relic. Senator Eard, of California, was oace conversing with a Jesuit brother at the Georgetown' University, when he told this story Illustrative of the fine humor of Archbishop Ryan, of Philadelphia: The archbishop had rebuked a priest for wearing a most disreputable-looking hat. "I would not give this hat for twen ty new ones," said the priest. "It belonged to my father, who fell in the rising of '48." "Ah, was Archbishop Ryan's re tort; "evidently he fell on the hat." Harper's Weekly. GOOD ROADS. asssi Building Roads in Illinois. Building good roads all over the West Is more general now than ever before. The Drovers' Journal, in re ferring to this work in Illinois, says: As a means of educating the peo ple to the advantages of good roads and of the ways and methods to pro duce them the State highways com mission of Illinois is pushing as rap idly as possible the construction of a number of experimental roads in var ious sections of the State. One stretch ot road has been com pleted at Salem. 111. This road is just outside the limits or the city ot Salem. The highway commissioners of Salem township applied for bro ken stone, which was furnished them, and a piece of road built by the local commissioners; owing to the lack of proper methods the road thus laid was poorly made. The State high way commission completed about 2, 200 feet of the work with the aid of a steam roller and modern methods of construction, making as smooth and fine appearing a piece of road as can be found anywhere. The width of the macadam is about fourteen feet and put on eight Inches deep; part of the work was resurfacing the road laid by the local commissioners, at the end of which was about 600 feet of newly con structed road. The exact cost of this work cannot be ascertained ow ing to the lack of records on the work done prior to that under charge of the State highway commission. The estimated cost of this work per mile, including grading and shaping the subgrade, hauling the stone a distance of about a mile and a quar ter, spreading and rolling, Is about $2500. The material was furnished free by the State from the State rock crusher at the Southern Illinois penitentiary at Menard. The freight on the stone over the Illinois South ern railroad was paid in ballast. The contrast between th.e portion ot road built with the steam roller and that upon which the roller was not used furnishes a most striking illustration of the Importance ot proper equipment and technical ex perience in highway construction. Good Roads and Malls. It Is a severe commentary on the state of civilization of this republic that no first-class wagon or carriage road has as yet been built between Washington, the capital, and the nearest large city, Baltimore. Such a road is about to be built, and it will be constructed by the State of Maryland. The impulse to perform this belated service has sprung from the good roads movement, which owes much of its vitality to the auto moblllsts. Under the influence of this movement, the vicinity of the na tional capital of the United States may within a dozen years or so be as well equipped with roads as Dalmatla or the mountainous districts of Wales now are. In order not to leave the active work of stimulating the construction of good roads entirely to the motor ists, the Government is going Into It in some degree in connection with the rural free mail delivery. Stato highway officials have been addressed on the subject of road improvement by the United States Department of Agriculture and the Postoffice De partment, and the construction of roads is discreetly stimulated along the line of more rapid mail delivery. It is to be hoped that the farmers will see the point of this argument. They certainly ought to. It takes less than one.-balf the time, and probably costs less than one-half the money, to deliver the mall over a good road than over a bad. If the roads throughout the country were as good as they are in some parts of this State and of Massachusetts and Connecticut, the free delivery could be extended everywhere, for the car riers would be able to cover so much more ground that the cost of the ser vice would be greatly reduced. The people of the United States never paid higher for any other extrava gance than for its indifference to the matter of good highways. New York Mail. Active In Road Improvement. Autoists from all parts of the Key stone State have learned with inter est that the York (Pa.) Automobile Club is taking an active hand in the good roads problem, and is doing all In its power to have the thorough fares Improved. This latest real work has been started on the famous Get tysburg pike, which runs from York to Gettysburg, twenty-eight miles distant. This pike is traveled by thousands of autoists every summer and the improvements are badly needed at certain places. It is the direct run between New York and the National battlefield, and hundreds of the metropolitan tourists use it annually. The pike between York and Wrightsville, east to the Susque hanna River, is also receiving its share of improvements. This is part of the same thoroughfare which goes through to Philadelphia. Could Eut, But Not See. A farmer who went to a large city to see the sights engaged a room at a hotel, and before retiring asked the clerk about the hours for dining. "We have breakfast from 6 to 11, dinner from 11 to 3, and suppor from 3 to 8," explained the clerk. "Wa-al, say," Inquired the farmer, In surprise, "what time air I goln ter git ter see the town?" Ladles' Horns Journal. CLASS IN AMERICAN HISTORY. What made Columbus think the world Waa round? The class declare, "Because in dealings with the world He found it was not square." Have we our heroes much in mind, And do we hold them dear? "Oh", yes; and that's one reason why We all do Paul Revere." Tray, how came Washington to be A writer of renown? "Because he from the very first Began to cut things down." Can you tell, when his cake was dough, Why traitorous Arnold ran? "He had good cause for Benedict, He was a married man." What bird is noted as the first To wing electric flight Into the clouds? "An easy one: Ben Franklin's little kite." And when the siege of New Orleans The British set about, ,Whv did their spirits sink? "Because Old Jackson baled them out." What battle of the Civil War, When that strife had begun. Was like a bear raid in Wall Street? . "The battle of Bull Run." What present the United Statei To Panama has made? "When it despaired of a canal, We gave its Colon aid." Why does the money of our land Show cause its worth to trust? "Because the image on our coin Is all head hence no 'bust.' " Baltimore American. "What a lovely collection of odd cups!" exclaimed a guest, peering Into the china cabinet. "Did it take you long to get so many?" "Oh, no," said the hostess, "those are samples of the sets we have had in the last two years!" Detroit Free Press. Johanna White and Johnny Black Were wed one summer day, And when tfieir little daughter came, They called her Nellie Ciray. -Life. "How does it happen," asked the portly dowager on the overland ex press, "that you have managed to keep the same cook for thirty years?" "I married one," answered the chance acquaintance, shrugging her ample shoulders. Chicago Tri bune. The advertising manager was In a towering rage. "What's the trou ble?" they asked. "Why, they went and placed our prima donna's testi monial for a cold cure on the same page with the announcement that she had a sore throat and couldn't sing." Milwaukee Sentinel. "Yes, sir," exclaimed the repre sentative of commercial interests, "this Pure Food law is all wrong." "What's the matter with it?" "Mat ter? Why, man, if we couldn't adul terate the poisons we use In our fan cy goods for table use they'd be fa tal." Philadelphia Ledger. Aim high! You'll hit the mark of fame As ninny men you know did; But there s no use in takinz aim Unless your gun is loaded. -Life. Eva "I saw Charlie Cogger yes terday." Edna "You don't say. And did he tip his hat?" Eva "No, he wagged his foot." Edna "Wagged his foot? Why, that is a strange way to greet a lady." Eva "Well, you see the poor fellow was under his automobile mending a break." Chicago Dally News. "The lines in your hand indicate," said the fortune-teller, "that you will be married a second time." "Pshaw," she angrily retorted, grabbing for the dollar she had just laid upon the table, "you're an old fraud. If I'm ever married again it Will be the fourth time." Chicago Record-Herald. Mr. Gotrox "Suppose I were to tell you that I was bankrupt that every dollar of my fortune had been swept away would you still be will ing to marry my daughter?" Cholly Softly (enthusiastically) "Why, ot course I would! Such a man as you could easily pitch in and make an other fortune, sir." Judge. Life's Highest Achievement. It has been said that success con sists in getting that at which one aims, and being happy in it. Each one should have an ideal ot what is to be the expression of his or ber life. If this is attained in some degree such a life may be called successful. Hence, the successful man or woman is the one who bas succeeded fairly well in shaping the actual life In ac cordance with the ideals of life. This requires a strength and persistence that call for continual struggle. It forms the highest achievement of life. Bulwer well says that the man who succeeds above his fellows Is the one who early in life clearly discerns his object and toward that object habitually directs his powers. From "Vital Questions," by Dr. Henry D. Chapln. Lafayette's Coach Preserved. Mr. Jobn Nott passing the even ing of his life in the retirement of the old Nott homestead, five miles west of the town, after a long and useful life, worthy of his forebears has in a cellar ot his dwelling, care fully preserved, the body of the old fashioned, but stately, coach in which Lafayette rode Into this place on the occasion of his memorable and his toric visit to Fayetteville in 1825. Mr. Nott at one time had the sil verplated harness which flashed in the light on the backs of the pranc ing horses of the chariot, but the vandalism ot one generation after an other, callous to sentiment and greedy of gain, filched by piecemeal these reminders ot the past Fa yetteville (N. C.) Observer. : Household (flatters.: Cream of Spinach. A halt peck of spinach was used for the soup. It was washed thor oughly, drained and put on to boil in boiling water uncovered. A little salt was added when almost done. When cooked it was run through a sieve. To two cups of pulp waa add ed one quart ot milk (white stock or half stock and balf milk is equally good). Two tablespoonfuls of -butter and three tablespoonfuls ot flour were added to the liquid and all was cooked until it thickened. Salt and pepper were used to season, and when the soup was served, a spoonful of whipped cream on top the, bouillon cup madn a dainty picture In green and white. Fish and Vegetable Snlnd. Ingredients: Half a pint of cooked fish, halt a pint of cooked vegetables (carrots, turnips, potatoes), a cu cumber, two yolks of eggs, a gill ot cream, a tablespoonful of vinegar, some made mustard, chopped -parsley, pepper and salt. After rem'-ing the skin and bones from same cooked fish, flake and measure it. vake the vegetables you have to use, and cut into dice a larger proportion of potatoes than other vegetebles. Slice the cucumber thin ly. Pile the fish on a fancy dish, ar range the cut vegetables ; round. Place the slices ot cucumber in a row outside overlapping each other. Put the yolks of eggs into a small basin, and poach till hard. Then rub smooth with the back of a wooden spoon, add made mustard and salt to taste, and the vinegar. Then gradu ally stir in the cream. Last, add some chopped parsley and pour over the fish. The Good Housekeeper. The successful housekeeper is not essentially the one who has a spot lessly kept bouse, always in order, but the one who manages the affairs of the house so that every one is made comfortable and the home is always cheery and bright. A good housekeeper does not worry over every little detail that goes wrong, but sets to work to put it in order again. She can always tell you where everything is to be found, as she always has a certain place for certain articles, and sees that they are kept there. The meals are always just to time and well cooked, and the children look neat and happy. This cannot be done without good man agement, says Woman's Life, and the methodical housekeeper will have the day divided out for the different du ties that are to be done, and she will see that her system of arranging the work does not cause discomfort in the house. Fruit Ice Cream. Where fruits are used as a flavor ing, they should be added to the cream after they are partly frozen. For Instance, for peach ice cream scald one pint of cream; add to it eight ounces of sugar; take from the fire, and when perfectly cold add a pint of uncooked cream; turn the mixture into the freezer; pack witb finely shaved ice and a third quantity of coarse salt. Turn the freezer slowly until the mixture Is very cold; then turn rapidly until it Is like wet snow. Have ready six ripe peaches, pared, mashed and pressed through a colander; add this to the cold mix ture; turn slowly again until it comes back to the same consistency, as It was when the peaches were add ed. Remove the dasher, smooth down the cream, fasten the hole in the-top of the freezer with a cork, and repack, this time with coarse lc and only a fifth quantity of salt; Cover the freezer with a piece of blanket or paper and stand aside foi two hours to ripen. Carrie R. Hayes. Concerning Odors. A generous lump of soda placed in pots and pans In which fish, cabbage, onions and other strong-smelling foods have been cooked, will thor oughly cleanse and make them smell sweet and clean. A teaspoonful of vinegar boiling on the stove will counteract the smell of strong food. A teaspoonful of ground cloves on a few hot coals will produce the same result. A few drops of sandalwood oil dropped on a hot shovel is a delight' ful deodorizer. A -sponge placed la a saucer of boiling hot water, in which has been added a teaspoonful of oil of laven der, gives a fragrance of violets to a room in which it is placed. Flies will not remain where the odor of oil ot lavender Is. A stale crust of bread boiled with cabbage will absorb the disagrf -ble odor. A large lump of charcoal in a frlgerator will preventa musty smei.. A pound of copperas dissolved in boiling water, if poured into drain pipes, will dissolve the grease and other impurities. An onion breath may be gotten rid of by swallowing a mouthful of vine-i gar or drinking half a cup of hot water in which a pinch of baking soda has been dissolved. A few mouthfuls of lime water, of a tew drops of the tincture of myrrh In a tumbler of water will sweeten an unpleasant breath, and a small biece of orris root, If chewed, will Iva & vfnlpt nrinr tn tho' hpaolh . ' New Tork Press.
Significant historical Pennsylvania newspapers