£WBITTEN FOR THIS I'AI'KLI J Wirt TEH. Drear Winter conv-th forth again, Hternest is, he of stern-brow d kings; And 'neath his trend, despo led aud bare, Lie Summer's beauteous things, are brows of pleasant liiile— Urows wreathed just now with emerald I'glit: Ice-bound are leaping, laughing rills, Fast in his grasp of might. dread i is presence as bestrides O'er hill and dale, in r-dw-s of mist, Or when lie in cloud clmriot ri lea With storm winds in his fist For when Ids footsteps are abroad. The sunbeams falter from his wke. And roughly Irom his ioe-fi-inged robes The breath of flower* he shakes. He stalks into the forest groves, All Blled just now with life and light, But when air Nature hears his tread She gil ds herself for flight; And hides her i-weot and beauteous face FIOIU the huridi tyrant, pale and cold. And weeps in sad and faded grace For sunlit days of old. But little heeds he smiles or tears. Relentless warrior, rough and grim, Heed* not dend flowers on lowly biers, Or hush ol forest hymn; Nor grieves to see the kingly oak Stripped of his glory and hi* crown, But mid the ruins of dead joys Ho builds hi* cruel throne. And oh, how desolate appears 1 The once fair realm where he holds sway, Where things of beauty and of life Once lived a royal day! And tall, strong tree* in glory stood, With loving leafy arm* entwined, And music made of song birds' notes Lay in the branches shrined. But now theßo'ig birds all have flown, And withered arms hang rent in twain, Like hullow'd friendships roughly hewn, Which ne'er may bloom again. And through the stiipped an • rugged boughs The wind* keep ape petual moan, While mid the dreary solitudes He holds weird court nlone. Yet soon shall end the despot's sway, Low lie his sceptre and his crown, And spring's warm sunbeams on their way 1 hhali melt his ice-built throne. E'en now m d forest avenues, A feather'd warbler sits and sings Bis melancholy requiem, And welcome to the spring. Osoul of mine, has winter's touch Frozen thy life louut in its p ay? And have the flow, r* and songs of life Died out with summer's day? And through thy avenues all drear, Do wither'd hope* like leaves be s'rewn? And 'mid die ruin of de*d joj's, Has winter reared its throne? Yet hearken, for an angel sings To thee a song of joyous note: Arise! and to thy spirit's depths Its melody shall float. Oh spirit tried, yet God beloved, Thy long, drear winter tnketli wing, And through thy be r.g there shall flow The new. glad life ol spring. —fM. Annie Foskett. A GOLDEN ALLY.. Mr. Samuel Slickens walked down the main street of Aberdeen one morning with downcast mien. Perhaps ho was studying the probable durability of bis shoes, for bis mind was occupied with ways and means. It is said that tlio stomach influences the brain. If so, little wonder was there in his case that his thoughts were seri ous. lie had had no breakfast; his regi men the day before had comprised a few greasy potato chips. "There ought to bo some one who would go at least a soup ticket on 1110," be murmured; but oven as ho did, a lung line of forbidding faces answered, "No one." And yet there wore few young men on the street of liner appearance than Samuel Slickens, few indeed of a more harmless and amiable disposition. lie was one of those unfortunates of whom his friends say, with a shrug, "lie is his own worst enemy," and find this a pre cedent for their own treatment of him. It had not beon always thus, however. When ho first came to Aberdeen, after graduating from the law-school, he was rogarded as the possessor of 111 bou 1 loJ possibilities. lie was an or; 1 an. lie had inherited a snug fortune, nbio.i fame had made snugger; ho hail a bright eye, a winsome smile, an engaging manner. "Who was there so apt of anecdote, so quick at repartee, so tuneful of voice, as he? To know Sam Slickens was a dis tinction, to visit at his rooms an event. One, two, three, four, the years had glided away, and at the beginning of i each Sam bad regretfully said. "1 wish I were as woli off as I was twelve months ugo," and then had thought no more about it. But l'ortunatus without his purse is Fortunatus no longer, so now his friends agreed that it was a wonder that ho had kept going so long, l'erlmps it was, but no such foreboding had troubled them over his dinners and cigars. This walk down street 011 this partic ular morning was chiefly induced by habit, for his extensive law offices were j now confined to his hat; liis elegant j apartments for a week and more had been ; Vithin one one of tho city's parks. It was a lonely walk, too, interrupted by no hearty groeting or vigorous slap upon tho back. For some reasons liis friends preferred tho other side of tho street, und their gaze was concentrated upon the architectural beauties of tho buildings that linod it "I swear!" resolved Sam, "I'll call upon Campbell. He's a crank, so he's sure to diner from all the others." Now, Lionel Campbell was an unpleas- i ant enigma to the average citizen, who I could not understand exclusivcncss to-1 wards his affable self. His wealth re- 1 quired millions to calculate, and engross ' his entire attention. Since he minded his business, and barely vouchsafed a surly nod to the gilded youth whom he might moot, he was popularly voted "the meanest man." llis father had left his son the gross results of a lifetime of thrift and energy, less the pittance which bare existence had cost him. People said that in Lionel his subtlety and avarice were intensified, in reality they knew little about him, for he had led the life of a recluse, and returned with interest the dislike which ho engendered. Sam entered tho vast general office, filled with clerks busied with the affairs of tho Campbell estate, and diffidently gavo his name to an usher. "I'll tako it in," this functionary said, dubiously, "but it's no use I reckon. They yonder be waiting to see him; " and ho designated with his finger u portly group, among whom Sam recognized a railway magnet, an insurance president, ii promoter of national reputation, and the pastor of ihe I'nited Presbyterian Church; h"t to his surprise Mr. Camp- I bell returned word that he would see Mr Sliekeiis immediately^ I .\s Sain passed this group they all bowed respectfully, an amenity which they had neglecte 1 upon his entrance. \N hen he was enclosed within the hand some private oitioo Campbell grasped him cordially by the hail 1. "llullo. Sam! "he cried. "(Had to see you. This is something like old times at Harvard! Why lmvo you kept away so Now Sain did not care to give his reason —which had been a careless acquiescence with the popular judgment —so he feebly said that ho didn't know. "Well, I can guess," replied Camp bell. "Vou always float with the tide. You've gotten among the breakers, too, 1 hear, and 110 life-bmit has put out for you." "No," said Sam. with a faint smile. "My friends are all too busy. One has married a wife, ano.lior has purchased a yoke of oxen, don't you know? " ••oil, yes, 1 know. I could have weighed them all for you long ago in a two-penny balance Now, I needn't ask you what you want. You are hard up. How much, old fellow, how much? "I am hungry." "Now, look here, Sain. This sort of thing won't do. You did me many a favor at Ynrvard with your aptitude for Greek and Calculus, though you've for- gotten all about it by this tine, 1 sup pose; but 1 don't forget. I would give you half my income willingly, but it wouldn't benefit you. you are sodeucedly iinpratieablc; besides, you don't want to be a dependent, do you? " "Indeed, 1 don't. 1 tell you I'm hungry.'' "You want to rehabilitate yourself, now don't you? You want to be respected in this blessed burgh, and have your fellow-citizens speak of you us our promising young townsman?" "1 want something to eat worst of all) but of course 1 do." "Well, look here. I'm a philosopher, and 1 have my theories of life. I'd like to exploit one, if you've no objection. Follow my advice and I'll make an or thodox model of you. Here's five hun- dred dollars. I lend this to you for three months, on interest, mind. Go and ap pease that yearning stomach. Buy new clothes and shoes hrst of all, hire your old apartments and offices, then come to mo to-morrow morning. By this timo my theory will he formulated and ready for practice. Good-day." Sum rushed from top to bottom of u neighboring restaurant's bill-of-fare. The next morning he called upon the young millioua re, and was ushered at onco into his presence. ".lust look over this package," said Campbell, carelessly. Sam ginger.y fingered the crisp con tents. "Fifty one-thous&ml-dollar bills!" he gasped. "I thought so. That's right. Now I'll explain what you arc to do. Have you a bank account?" "I had one." "Well, go to tho hank and deposit these bilis to your credit. Doit in the most matter-of-fact way. Make no ex planations, answer no impertinent ques tions. Let it stay there. Live on the five hundred dollars, stick conscientiously to your office, and six months will settle tho business, I wager," "But " began Sam. " I hero is no but. I don't givo you one cent of it ; I expect it back when I ask for it. You are trustworthy, aren't you? Why, of course. Now do as I say." And Sam, m'Wously buttoning liis coat ovur the precious lumdlc. hastened awav as if each shadow wore a lurking robber. lie went straightway to the Lockit llank. As he entered, the bookkeeper called sharply to him: "Mr. Slickens, your account is over drawn sixty-nine cents. The president wished me to direct your particular at tention to it." "Very well," replied Sam. "I'm just going ttt make a deposit." The clerk rolled his tonguo in his cheek and winked toward his admiring unsocial os. Sam made out liis deposit-slip with the ; deliberation of a capita.ist, and then banded the hook and tho money to tlio j teller. "\\ oil, I'll bo hianked!" muttered the 1 surprised official as lie wet his fingers thrice in liis count. "Did you speak?" questioned Sam, se verely. "till, no, sir; not at all." "Areyou quite sure?" "1 beg purdon, sir, but I just rubbed my favorite corn; it's enough to make a cherub swear. Will you draw against this to-day, sir?" "I lb, no; it's not necessary." "\ cry good, sir. flood morning, sir. Hut, beg pardon, by tlio way, wouldn't you like In step behind and see our new lime-lock? it s really wonderful." "Not now, young man, I'm busy," said Sam. grandly, as lie walked toward tlio floor. On tho porch lie mot Mr. Cushloigh, tlio bank president, entering. That dig nitary looked upon him with an un friendly eye. "Morning," ho grunted in reply to .Sam's polite salutation. "Old Bricks ami Mortar will never weaken,' mused Sam, us ho sauntered toward the offico. "Poor Agnos! Poor me! There is no hope in that quarter." Now tho Agues to whom ho referred was tlio only daughter of Mr. Cushloigh. 110 had formed her acquaintance throe years before through these somowliut un usual circumstances. It was one blus-1 tering day that Sam had strutted up I Main street with all tlio importance j that weighty legal business demands, 110 was, in tact, going to got shaved, but why advoitiaeit? lloguzod upon houses and wayfarers, and seemed to see the homes and tho persons of future clients. But a little distance ahead of him there tripped a dainty liguro that soon con centrated wandering eyes and though s. Suroiy, if outlines told tho truth, this young girl embodied a poet's dream of gruee. She was richly clad in dark-gray vestuie, and she sheltered herself from i the eager sunrays with a large, hoavily • tringed parasol. Anticipations assured >ain that her face was lovely; he hastened liis steps to realizo them. Down the street there was approach ing a conveyance know lo its owner and his admirin l : friends ns "a right slick buggy." It was drawn by a high-stop ping, rat-tailed nag. I ndenuath tho rear axle amblod a bandy-legged bull dog. Tho driver sat upon his lofty seat in all the glory of a Sunday suit and tho most precious heirloom of his race, a fuzzy "bouvor," which the event of coming to "teown" had caused him to don. lie was a young man, of ungainly figure and mammoth hands, upon whose vermilion face self-consciousness and its resulting irritability could plainly be road. Perhaps ho thought that he would make an impression; for as ho drew near he reined his Pegusus into a walk. Alus! the impression wus made, but not by him. A gust of wind swept around the cor ner. It whirled the parasol from the young lady's grasp; it sent it hurtling through tho air like a missile from a catapult. It struck the venerable hat with its lance-like point; it spitted it, and dashed it prone in the dust. "Geewhitakor!" snarled the driver as he leaped from his perch to rescue this precious memento of grandfather. "I wudu't hov hod thet happen for a gud deal." lie rccovored possession; but he re covered a wreck, rent and ruined, unfit for future descendants. lie turned toward the helpless maiden in u rage. "Gol dam ye!" he shouted. "Ye did thet a purpose. I'll hov the law on ye. You jest cum along with mo to the "squire." "Don't lay.a finger on that lady," said Sam, coming up at this critical mo ment. "Who's to pervent, tbet's what 1 wanter know? D'ye think I'm ngoin' to hov my valluble property spiled by any Boch" W hang! Sam struck with such effect that the speaker stumbled back over Ids dog and rolled with him in a disorderly mass through the muck. "Come!" cried Sam. He half lifted tho bewildered young lady in the "slick buggy," ho whipped up the rat-tailed nag. Away they sped down the street. In their hasty passage to her home ho learned that hor name was Agnes Cash lcigh; he also learned that she had, for him, the aunt beautiful face, the most charming manner in the world. Tho adventure caused u certain sen sation. Tho driver of the buggy threat ened arrest. He begau five distinct suits for damages—to his hat, his horse, his buggy, bis dog, and himself! Tho first three were against Mr. Cashleigh, the others against Sam. But they served no other purposo than to awaken a gen eral laugh and to deepen this acquaint ance into intimacy. They loved, the more readily, perhaps, since circumstances were so forbidding. For the stoutor Sam's affections grow, tho slimmer grew his purse. But th y hoped; that is to say, they unwittingly courted disappointment. When Father Cashleigh perceivod the situation lie did what irate parents seom to consider a mighty achievement, though babies acquire it; he put his foot down, lie informed Sam that his absence would be deemed his most delectable quality, lie sent bis daughter incontinently to boarding-school. So no wonder it was that Sam murmured "Poor Agnes! Poor ine! " He n>w entered his oftico and strove to impart an air of business to it. He spread his few books with open pages upon tho desk; he hound together tolds ot blank paper with pink tape, and in dorsed thorn with titles of supposititious eases; he thrust a quill over his loft ear aud soaked his right foroiinger in tho ink. While he was thus laudably engaged the door opened and tho batik messengm came in; lie who erstwhile would present an impossible draft to him with such haughty mien. lie doffed his hat, he bowed low. "From President.Cashleigh." he said, proffering a bulky package. He , withdrew amid the throes ot a salaam. Sam examined the bundle. It con tained several legal documents and a note, with an inclosure, —ah, unusuul in cloßiire! The missive read as follows: "MY DEAR SIR:—I beg to KEN 1 herewith | papers in the >iut of the Sliakem Huilwiv Company against tho Lockit Bunk, which I I desire you to defend. I enclose eh qno for $250 leiaiuing lee. Trusting that your en gagements may yield us your vn u ble seuvicie, Very respectfully yours, CALEB CAHULEIOII. "P H.—Drop around to the house, my hoy, some d.y this week in a friendly way. Agnes returns to-morrow. C. C." Sam stayed within his office until late that night, working upon tho case until tho widespread books, the thoughtful <1 ill, tho inked fingers were an un conscious reality. When be returned to his rooms the floor seemed covered with drifted snow; it was bestrewn with visit ing cards. All his old friends hud called. "So sorry,old fellow,to miss you." "Beat the club to-morrow night." 44 Sister is anxious to see you." 44 Can you lend mo a twenty until Saturday?" were a few of the indorsements, Sam carefully tore them into shreds. I The succeeding weeks -always seemed hereafter to Sam like the pleasant stages of a dream of good fortune. Social and professional demands were constantly mado upon him. The former, with a single exception, he ignored; the latter he assiduously accepted, lie* worked as he had never worked before, and perhaps his success was duo more to his industry than to Campbell's talisman; but that at least gave him tho opportunity; ho was | wise enough to improve it. The most exjravagant stories were widespread about him. He wus the solo heir of a millionaire uncle recently de ceased in England, lie had drawn tho principal prizo in a lottery. He owned a gold mine in Mexico. He had written a novel. Alas! has vain imagining no hounds? But he preserved a discreet silence and wooed Themis untiringly. Nor were all his pains lavished upon that frigid virgin. He c.lled upon tho Cashloighs, yes, again and again, and thoy received him as if ho wore a long lost son returning in honor. As for pretty Agnes, delight overwhelmed sur prise. He whom sho so fondly loved had come back to her. She was content. How it had happened she cared not a whit; for of course ho could do every thing. llis practice speedily increased from i nothingness into nunnmoth proportions, i Ho was especially consulted regarding I investments, nnd in this way found for tilo iields for the results of his industry. The fifty thousand dollars still remained on deposit; but this no longer was a con spicuous sum, for it had plenty of corn lie called upon his friend Campbell, and explained the pleasant situation to him. 11 Hot urn ten thousand dollars a month to me," he directed. At the ex I piration of six months Sain had repaid I the full amount, and still had at the bank 1 a balance to his credit that required more than four figures to express it. lie was counsel for nearly all the business corporations of Aberdeen. His tin box was filled with crisp shares and deben tures. His engagement with Agnes had been announced; their marriage was the anticipation of society. Filled with gratitude and delight, he ' sought the one whose faith and shrewd j ness had saved him, and begged him t I act as his best man. "Oh, ys," replied Campbell, "I'll ho thefe; it will muse inc. There are nice people in Aberdeen, aren't there? They will danco as readily at your bridal as they would have jumped upon j your grave."—[Frunk Leslie's. ADJUSTING THE PHRASEOLOGY. | "Your bill," said the tailor, "is over i due." j "That's hud English," replied the i customer: "you should say over dun." THE JOKER'S BUDGET.| JESTS AN It YARN'S BY FINNY MEN OF THE I'IIESS. Unaccountable Delay—She Felt Re lieved—A Sliilina: Scale—Then and Now—No Flics, Etc., Etc. UNACCOUNTARLB OKI.AY. lii the days when the stage was still the prevailing mode of travel in the 1 West, a traveler one day grew incensed at the slow progress made by the vehicle in which he was a passenger. Retnon- I strating with the stage-driver, ho said: I " What's tho matter with the team this j trip? Wore going its slow us a New England prayer-meeting. 1 was over ' this route ten years ago, anil wo went fast, enough then." "\\ odo seem to be gittin' a leetle less , hump on oursel's than we did then, fur a fac\ pard," said tho driver; "but tho why of it beats mo. These hero's tho ideiitieal broncos we had then."—[liar-! por's Magazine. • I SUE FELT RELIEVED. Ho—Will you marry mo? Your an swer, quick! She (as he makos a motion to take something out of his vest-pocket)—Oh, ! don't, don't, Fred! I will marry you, I but don't, don't. He—Don't what? I was simply reach-' iug for the engagement ring. She (relieved) —Oh, I thought—l was afraid it was a dynamite bomb.—[Boston News. A SLIDING SCALE. "Tommy," said tho employer, one chilly morning, "I wish you to regulate : tho heat so that tho inorcury in the ther mometer shall stay around seventy de grees." "1 suppose," said Tommy, "that seventy degrees will do for this kind of weather, but when it gets colder we'll need tho moroury higher."—[Philadel phia Times. THEN AND NOW. When mother held tho little chup And sang to him a tune At night, while he sat on her lap, lie cried to got tho moon. Now more than half a contury lios Between him and his birth; No more to get tho moon ho cries, To-day he wants tho earth. -—[Now York Press. THE ROAD TO RICHES. Ponsouby—That man yondor came to America two years ago. "lie was a poor watchmaker; ho wont West anil opened a littlo store. Ho is now worth throe I millions. Popinjay—Thought there was no money in the business. Ponsouby—There isn't. 110 married an heiress.—[Jewelers' Circular. xo FLIES. A mermaid in tho darkness deep, Wa god her slippery tail with glee, And w rbled thus, in liquid tones, "There uro no Hies ou mo." —[New York Herald. AN HONEST EFFORT. "John," said the minister's wife, "how many more times are you going to recite that sermon of yours? " "Don't bother me, my dear, if you please," ho returned, "I am practising what i preach."—[New York Sun. FISHED FOR A COMPLIMENT. Alico (looking at her portrait)— Don't you think that Van Brush has managed to make rather a pretty picture of ino ? Edith —Yos; ho really has—what a remarkably clever artis ho is. A HACK HAND COMPLIMENT. "Yos," said Miss May True, in a con versation with Chappio, "I can remem ber tilings that happened when I was a wee, woo girl." Then Chappie, wishing to pay hor a compliment, said: "You must huvo an excellent memory, for that must have been many, many years ago." THROUGH THE REGULAR CHANNELS. Manager—Tho latest general order says we should economize in every pos sible way. Hereafter you must pick up all tho wasto paper and soml it to mo. Chief Clerk—if i must do this extra work I want a raise of salary. .Manager—All right; put your appli cation in with tho wasto paper.—[Tide graph Ago. ARMED FOR THE FRAY. A tramp applied to a lady for work and was given somo carpets to boat. He did the job so well that she commended him for it. "\ou must have beaten carpets fre quently to be such an expert," she said. "Never beat a curpet before in my lifo, lady; I've alius toadied school," ho answered promptly.—[Detroit Free PrOSS. CONSISTENT IN HER TASTES. Fanglo—lt seoms to mo very strange that Mrs. McJunkin should lavish so much affection on that homely pug dog. Cumso—Not at all. You ought to see her husband.—[Epoch. FATHER TO THE MAN. Georgia Gazzam (aged five) —Lot mo tell you the latest smart thing my father said. Benny Bloombumper (aged four and a half) —Thanks, no; I'm tired. I have a smart father myself.—[Brooklyn Life. RAPID GROWTH. "This town seems to bo making groat progress," said a visitor to a resident of Boomvilie, Oklahoma. " You aro jist right, stranger. Why, we've had to enlarge the jail twice." — [Epoch. APPEARANCES AGAINST HIM. Office Boy—There is a man outside who says he has a play he wants you to ! read. Man ger—How is ho dressed? Office Boy —Oh, ho is "out of sight" —silk hat, patont leathers and boxcoat. Manager—Tell him I'm not in; ho must bo an amateur.—[Clothier and Fur nisher. ANY PORT. Ethel —I made George promise last night to spend our honeymoon ut New port. Maud—That will do as well as any placo; any port iu a storm, j'ou know. HIS SKELETON. Foatherstono—Do you believe in ghosts? Tra.vers—Woll, for years I have boon living in a haunted house. Foathorslono—Vou don't toll mo? Who is it huunted by? Travers—By my tailor. [Clothier and Furniahor. NO TIME FOR TRIFLES. Mr. Bilyuns—What kind of a girl is this that John is courting? Mrs. Bilyuns—She is very handsome. Mr. B.—ls she what they call cultured und cultivated and all that? Mrs. B.—Why, no, she hasn't time for culture or cultivation. She is in society you know.—[New York Press. 11E TOOK HER UNAWARES. Harry—Miss Nettings—Carrie, what woukl you say if I should ask your hand in marriage? Carrie— How absurd of you, Mr. Spooks; how can i tell what I should do until asked such a question. Harry But may I ask you? Carrie—lt is not in my power to con trol your askings. Mr. Spooks. Harry—Carrie, will you be my wife? Carrie—Really, Harry, this is so sud den.—[Boston Trauscript. SOMETHING WE DON'T BR AO ABOUT. Englishman (grumpily)— There is ono thing that I'll buy up ns a curiosity if I can tind it in your blnwsted country. American—What is it? Englishman—Something that you do not boast about. American l'm glad to hoar that. Just go and secure all our Angloinaniucs. —[New York Sun. NOT so BAD. Ho—Ethel's face has haunted mo over since I first saw hor. She—l do not consider her face hand some myself, but I think your remark is unnecessarily cruel. THE GREATEST LOTTERY. " Did you ever take part in a game of chance, Mr. Satton ?" "Well—l'm married, you know." — [St. Joseph News. AN ART RETORT. Optimus—You can rely upon Frank leigh. He alwa3's keeps his word. Cynicus—Ah, because nobody will take it. ONE OF THE GENUINE BREED. "That dog is ono of our famous Mary land breed." 14 Yes. I recognized his Chesapenke bay last night."—[Baltimore American. HIS LINK. Sucker—What is your particular line, stranger? Sharper—Woll, I'm in the fish lino just at prcsont. SATISFACTORY. Peck (the grocer)—So you want a job in tho store, do you? Freddy Gazzam—Yes, sir. 4 'Do you know anything about arith metic ? " "Yes, sir." "How much would ton pounds of sugar come to at four and a half cents a I pound ? " "Fifty cents, sir." "I think you'll do."—[Epoch. GOING PREPARED. (Mamma explaining to her little girl, aged 5, that everything sho does und s fc ys is written down in a largo book in heaven.) L. (i. asks—And all tho naughty tilings too? Mamma—Yes, dear. L. G. (pensively)— Then I think I'll take a pioeo ot india-rubber with mo.— [London Truth. PARTIAL APPROVAL. Ethel (showing hor engagement ring)— Don't you admire his taste? Maud—Yo-os, as far as jewelry is concerned. Winter Houses of the Eskimos. Tho igloos, or winter stone huts, were not far from the summer tupiks. They were built upon tho hill-side, a portion of which is dug out to form the interior. Tho domed roofs were mado of largo pieces of fiat sandstone, carefully ar- I ranged and he!d in place by pieces of I bone. These protruded somewhut into tho hut, and were utilized ns hooks upon which hung harpoon lines, pouches of seal and bird skin, skin drinking-cups, bonedrills, etc. At tho hack of tho hut was a platform raised about a foot from tho floor. Opposite this, which snrved as the hod, was the opening of a tunnel MX or eight feet long through which the family must crawl to enter their abode; and here the dogs find shelter during the stoims of winter. The tunnel slopes down from tho floor, so that water from the molting snows of spring may not run into the house. Over tho inner entrance of the tunnel, about four feet square, is another opening of übout the same di mensions, which allows light to enter tho dwelling. This hole is closed in winter by having stretched thin and snaked in oil. At Herbert Island, several of the igloos wore double, that is, two igloos were built close together, each with u sep arate tunnel, but tho dividing, inside, partition was left incomplete.—[Scribner. A Solid Fog. Tho doloterious influence of fogs may ho estimated from somo results obtained from examination aud analysis lust month at I vow Gardens, London, England. Tho director speaks of the leaves as being covered with a substance liko brown paint—"tarry hydrocarbon"—which can only bo serapod off with a knife. On analysis this shows over fifty-ono per cent of carbon and hydrocarbon, with forty-one per cent of metallic iron, magnetic oxide of iron, and miuoral wa ter. Any one at all acquainted with the physiology of plants and animals can apprehend in a monout how such a mix ture must affect both tho lungs of man and the loaves—which aro tho lungs—of plants, as regards respiration. Strangely enough, the iloposit appeared to be nioro marked at Kew than at Chelsea.—[The Young Man. Armed Against Starvation. The London Pall Mall Gazetto says that while Lord Randolph Churchill was traveling through Mashonaland, in South Africa, recently, he took tho precaution of providing himsolf and lus party with somebody's "Essonco of Li to." This substance "warranted to sustain an adult for one. monlh," was taken in ordor to lesson tho chances of starvation through being lost in the bush. It resembles a small cako of soup, ami one is supposed to lick it—as a mule licks rock salt—three times a day. Lord Randolph himself, with characteristic sagacity, carries three cakes. This "ossonco" is the secret pre paration of a professional faster; and al though it does not appear to ho very fill ing, is said to answer its purpose admir ably. Blood orungo and primrose nro the names of two fashionable shades in gloves, both in Suede and glaoe kid. ASPLHATUM. A PECULIAR MINERAL AND ITS USES. Asphaltum Was Formed Through Some Tremendous Convulsion of Nature-It is Utilized iu Many Ways. Among the minornls peculiar to this State, and which is destined to prove an almost unlimited source of wealth, is asphaltum. This is found in largo quantities in Veuturo, Santa Barbara, Kern and Los Angeles Counties, and the deposits already known to exist there are the most extensive iu the world, while new discoveries are constantly being made. It is found in both liauid and crystallized form, and also in the shape of bitumen-impregnated rocc or sand. There are many springs in the localities mentioned from which there is a constant flow of the liquid asphaltum, made so by the presence of petroleum. In other oases great ledges or masses of the crys tallized product are found. Some of these take on the character of what might be called true fissure veins. It would ap pear that some tremendous convulsion of nature had occurred in the remote past by which the surface had been cracked and riven in every direction, ami into the fissures thus created a subterranean power had forced the liquid asphaltum from its source beneath. Ages of tre moudous pressure have expellod every particle of volatile substance, and the re sult is the existence of veins of crystal lized asphaltum which are praoticully free from any extraneous substance and are of the highest value. In mauy cases these veins have, in the course of time, been covered over with a coating of earth or gravel of greater or less depth and only the practiced eye of the expert can detect their existence from certuin surface indications that the tyro would pass unheeded. Some most remarkable deposits of this character hsvo been discovered in Northern Santa Barbara and in Kern county, the product of which, in its nat ural state, is far purer than the refined product of tho only other extensive as phalt deposit in the world—that of Trin idad islund, in the West Indies. Nono except those who have investi gated tho subject lias a correct concep tion of the variety of uses to which us phaltum and its products inuy bo put. For that matter its various industrial uses are only just being learned by ex perts, and now discoveries of its adapt ability are being made continually. To say that tno wide range from street pave ments to chewing gum is covered is to state only a literal fact. The horses of San Francisco tread beneath iheir feet exactly the same substance that the school-girls and even their oldors masti cate between their more or less pearly teeth. In other words, tho bulk of tho chewing gum now consumed is nothing more nor less than a bye-product of asphaltum, appropriately flavored and j coloi ed. Another use for asphaltum has been found in the manufucture of waterproof tarpaulin cloth, which, by tho way, is tho invention of a resident of this city. Two shoots of a coarse grudo of cotton goods have a thin layer of asphaltum spread bo tweon them und by pressure tho com pound is made ono homogeneous whole. The product is a heavy waterproof sheet ing. far cheaper than any now in use, and answering every purpose. Suoh a ma terial will bo a great boon to farmers of tho East aud of Europe, where it is frequently necessary to protect partially harvested crops, stacks of grain and hay, eto., from tho rain. Still another use for usphaltum has been found in the preparation of a fuol by combining the liquid material with coal dust. In the coal-inining regions of Pennsylvania and other Eastern States are literally millions of tons of culm, as it is called, for which 110 use has ever been found. There are mountains of this iinely-powdered coal at the mouths of every anthracite coal pit, and ingen uity has exhausted itself in the vain of fort to hit upon some device by which it may be turned to commercial account. Not until the valuablo properties of tho asphalt deposits of California became partially understood was any solution of the ditliculty reached. It hus now been demonstrated, however, that by an ad mixture of about (> per cent, of liquid asphaltuin this culm may be moulded in to briquettes of any desired size, which makos a most admirable fuol. The small percentage of usphaltum, which is of a combustihlo charactor, is just sufficient to add largely to tho desirablo qualities of those culm biiquettes for generating steam or warmth, and tests mado have been highly satisfactory. As already siutod, there are millions of tons of this rofuso which can be turned to account at small cosi, and it is evident that in its utilization through the use of asphultum is a most inviting field for enterprise. For undergroun I pipes or conduits tho uso of usphaltum has been found most advantageous. Xoarly all water pipes now laid 011 this coast are required to be previously dipped in liquid usphaltum, which operates as a preservative from the uction of moisture or of cheinioal agents. Pipes carrying water for do mestic use uro lined with a coating of tho | same material, yot no hint of that fuct j oould possibly be obtained either from 1 the taste or odor of tho water. As an underground conduit for carry ing olectric wires so gre .t an authority as Thomas Edison hus pronounced em phatically in favor of pipes mudc of as phultum, which, he states, is one of the b st non-conductors that can be found. As the movement for the removul of all overhea . electric wires is rapidly spread ing, it oan be seen that this fact will have an important bearing upon the as phaltuin interest of California. The utilization of usphnltum in the laying of street pavements is familiar to all, but few realize the vast extent to which it is curried. Hundreds of thous ands of tons are used in this country ulono each year, and nine-tenths of it comes from Trinidad. The amoulit so used is increasing constantly. Tho ox tent and exceptional purity of the depo sits in this State are scarcely known be yond our boundaries and the operators of tho West Indian deposit appear to have almost a monopoly of tho market. Hut this state of affairs cannot last for any groat length of time. Enterprising men have taken hold of he development Df this remarkable foature of California's mineral wealth, and it will not bo long before our usphaltum and its products will obtain a foothold in the markets not of America alone, but of tho old world as well where, by the way, the an nual consumption is something enor mous. —[Sun Francisco Chronicle. A FYZABAD Hindoo has boon restored to his ousto by the following process of "purification:" lie lost caste oating sooked food in u railway carriage 'in which persons of another caste wore tray- Ming. He hud to pay his own weight I first in rice, the value reaching 18C rupees, and then in wheat. After being 1 twi e weighed in this way ho was made to si on a square stono, while his body was covered with manure, the face only excepted; ho was then taken up by two men and thrown into the river, and after a bath he was received by the Brahmins, fully restored to caste fellowship. GREAT AMERICAN DESERT. One of the Strange Corners of Our Country—lts Sad Record. The (ireat American Desert was al most better known a generation ago than it was to-day. Then thousands of the hardy Argonauts on their way to Cali , fornia had traversed that fearful waste on foot with thoir dawdling ox-teains, and hundreds of them left their bones to , bleaeh in that thirsty land. Tho surviv ors of those deadly journeys had a very vivid idea of what that desert was; but now tlmt wo can roll ncross it in less than a day in Cullman palace ears, its real—ami still existing—horrors are largely forgotten. I have walked its hideous length alone and wounded, and realize something more of it from that than a great many railroad journeys | across it havo told mo. Now every trans : continental railroad crosses the great ! desert which stretches up aud down the continent, west of the Rooky Mountains, for nearly two thousand miles. The northern routes cut its least terrible parts; but the two railroads, whioh trav i erse its southern halt —the Atlantic and Pacific Railroad and tho Southern Pacifio pierce somo of its grimmest recesses. I The first scientific exploration of this • region was Lieutenant Wheeler's United States survey about 1850; and 1 he was first to givo scientific assurance that we had here a desert as absolute as tho Sahara. If its parched sands could speak their record, what a story they might tell of sufferings and death; of ( slow-plodding caravans, whoso patient j oxen lifted their feet ceuselossly from the blistering gravel; of drawn human faces that peered at some lying image of a placid lake, and toiled frantically on to sink at last, hopeless and strongthloss, in the hot dust which tho mirage had painted with tho hues and the very waves of water. I Noouo will ever know how many have yielded to tho long sleep in that in | hospitable land. Not a ye.ir pusses even now without record of many dying upon 1 that doseit, and of many more who wan j der back, in a delirium of thirst. Even people at tho railroad station sometimes rove oft', lured by the strange fascina tion of tho desert, and never come back; and of tho adventurous miners who seek to probe tho golden secrets of those bar ren and strango-hued ranges, there are countless victims. A desert is not necessarily an endless, j level waste of burning sand. Tho Great i American Desert is full of strange,burnt, i rugged mountain ranges, with deceptive, sloping broad valleys between—though as we near its southern end the mountains j become somewhat less numerous, and the I sandy wastes more prominent. There are many extinct volcunoos upon it, and hundreds of square miles of black, brist | ling lava-flows. A largo part of it is sparsely clothed with tho hardy grease wood; but in placoß not a plant of any sort breaks the surface, as fur us the eye | can reach. Tho summer heat is unboar- I able, often reaching IMG degrees in tho ' shade; and a piece of metal which has been in the sun can 110 more bo handled i than a rod-hot stove. Even in winter the j mid-day boat is insufferable, while at night ice frequently forms on tho water- I tanks. The daily range of temperature | there is said to bo tho greatest ever re corded anywhere; and a change of 80 de grees in a few hours is not rare.—[St. Nicholas. A War Time Relic. A relic of the war between the States is now on the dry dock, receiving such 1 minor repairs and cleaning as may bo necessary to commission her for harbor defence. This was the second Monitor ever built, and the rooord of her useful ness and her hard service may bo soon in the shot dents of tho turrets. Those are painted in a color different to that of the surrounding iron, in ordor to emphasize • their story; aud they serve as an object lesson to show that, after all, when com pared with our days, how innocuous were the boasted shot and shell of tho re bellion. Of courso it dose not mako much difference whether a giant is killed by u toothpick or hoisted with a petard; ho is dead all the same, and worms will eat him; hut we were proud, aud with good | reason, of those big smooth-bores and of their charges in those parlous days. Then the theory was that for every ten pounds of shot ono pound of powder was needed, a '.Mi-pounder being fired with nino pounds of powder; to-day we havo for each pound of powder two pounds of shot, the 10-inoh guns of the Miunton- J oino'ti, the Nantucket's neighbor, using pounds of powder to drive tho 500 pound projectile. Tho Nantucket has also a sentimental intorest; for when tho great Ericsson lay in state on her decks in tho harbor of N'ow York, she was the inlineJinto representative of what his ! genius had evoked to save the country in I a timo of perii, for the original Monitor ! went down one dismal day oft* ourtroach- I erous coast, and loft as tho second pro , duct of her wonderful typo the littlo coast-defender which now lies half hidden ( within the walls of tho dry-dock.—[liar ' por's Weekly. The Firefly's Light and Heat. From some recont experiments of Frofessor Langloy it appears that, after all has been said and done, tho firefly's | light is not emitted without generating a certain amountof heat—glow and warinth 1 seeming to be inseparab'e. Langlev finds that the firefly's light is substanti ally from tho green side of tho spectrum, j As far as human contact with the insect | is concerned, there is no appreciable heat contained in tho light, but the professor's wonderful and delicate littlo instrument, which ho calls a "boloseopc," and with which he measured tho ho.it emitted by the "hug," shows that it is about one half of one-por cent, of that given out with an equal amount of light from the candle and other common combustible illuminants. That the light produced by tho firefly is a chemical product would seem to be indicated by tho fuct that it is decreased by the processes which check combustion and inceroasod by tho opposite; that nitrogen quenches it and oxygen stimu lates it, while tho product of tho opera tion, whatevor it may finally prove to be, appears to bo a fine carbon dioxide.—[St. Louis Republic. A stylish and useful gown for early spring wear is of either black or blue serge with a boll skirt and an Eton jacket worn over a gay little red surah silk blouse figured in bl&ok.
Significant historical Pennsylvania newspapers