DAYS AND NIGHTS. Hiprher the dally hours of anguish rise, And mount around uie a) the swelling d< ep. Till past my mouth and eyes their moments flow, And 1 am drowned in sleep. I But soon tliß thlo of niglit begins to <-bb: | Chained on the barren shore of dawn I ; lie, Again to feel the day's slow-rising flo d Again to live and die. —I Anne Reeve Aid ieli, in Lippincotc. 1 A NIGHT RIDE. | "Yes. boys, they've loft tho Keservn- j ( tion, and are killing and scalping ter j beat thunder. I mot a scout toraay, j over in tin r Big Coolies, an' ho posted | mo. " , I ] "How many are thar of 'cm, Jack?" I "Wul, as near as ho could tell, ti ar j f was s mvwhurs orbout thirty or thirty- j five." I , •How are they ofT fer shooting irons? j f or didn't yer find out?" , "1 should say they was all heeled fer keeps The scout told me that they all had Winchesters, ail' a hull lot of 'em hud six-shooters as well. And now. boys, we've got tcr ride liko sin tor-morrow, 1 an' gether in all the critters, an' push 'em over into the Deep Creek country fer safety. I hardly think the reds will j navigate thet way. .So hero's fer a smoke, and then bed." The speaker, big Jack Burns, foreman of the I. C. Horse Outfit, leisurely pro duced pipe and tobacco as coolly as if • the murderous Apaches were a thousand ; miles away instead of thirty. We were only seven incn.c anting the j Mexican cook, in the dug-out attached to the corral, and were employes of the big I. C. Company; and well we knew what an Apache outbreak meant, for we all had su lie red more or less from their cruel raids. But wo had been intrusted with the horses, and we intended, if possible for human power to keep them out of the clutches of tho redskins, to do so; ; for wo had all received many little kind- ' liosses from the company, and from the highest to tho lowest there was mutual good-will and friendly feeling,—very , different from some outfits, who treat their vaquoros with far loss consideration than thoy do their horses or cattle. "Jimmie did yer go down to the Cactus lvanch fer the six-shooter cartridges?" "Yes, bet I did, an' got purty closo tcr a thousand rounds." "Thet's kind or comforting. Did yer! hero tell of any news down thar?" "Nothing pertiolor. Thoy was a-talk in' ci -it thet thar settlor, over on Ante lopo Flat; thoy allowed thet if trouble come with the reds, he would be in a purty tough place, specially as he are a tenderfoot. I'd hate ter see anything happen ter 'cm. I passed thar the other day, and his lectio gal come out, and says, sorter anxious like: " 'Mister, hev you got a leetle gal?' "So 1 says, 'No, littlo sissy, I hain't.' | 44 'Nor uo leetle boys?' says she. " 'Nary one,' says I, and 1 told her thet she w r the fust leetle un I'd seen for many a day, an' we lied quite a leetle confab, au' then her mother como out, un' she war a very pleasant lady, she | war, an' sho said she allowed thet tin* leetle un war lonesome for other lectio uns ter play with. They've got a right young baby thar, too, but tho leetle gal says that baby can't do nothing but sleep, an' laugh, an' "Hark! listen, men, listen!" and in socond big Jack had pushed open tho door, and was looking intently out over the moonlit prairie. "What is it, Jack?" asked tho boys, us thoy gathered outside. "I>id yer hour shooting?" "No, but thar s a shod hogs a-coming like blazes." Yes, tho thud, thud, thud, of ironshod hoofs wore now plainly heard, and away out a faint glimmer of dust could be 1 discerned. "Boys, I'm afoarod thet tliar's tr üblo somewhar's" continued Jack. " Wal, judging from the way thet boss , is a-hitting the trail, wo can mighty i soon toll now," suid Hank Shover * ! And soon tho sight that grootod our oj'os showed us that tharo was trouble Eoinewhoro, —for out of the dust and glimmer sprang a powerful white mate, while ou lior hack, seouroly tiod to tho heavy frontier saddle, was the new set- j tier's "leetle gal.' With astonished and anxious faces, we sprang to the mare's side, and lifted the little maid out of tho saddle; and big Jack carried iter tenderly in'o tho dug out, wliilo with wondering faces the rest of us quietly followed. "Plcaso, Mr. liig Jack. I'vo brought a letter from pap." "A letter, child. You've brought a letter twenty miles fur me. What in the name o' the (Jrent Medicine war yer dad a thinkin' orbout tor send u huhy like you with it?" "I don't know, please, Mr. liig Jack, perhaps he's hurt, 'cause his eyes were wet and mamma was crying. Then papa wrote a letter and put mo 011 old Nan and told mo to keep 011 the wagon trail till I got to the lone treo, and then head for the iilnek Canon, and ho gave mo a switch to boat old Nun, 'cause lie said if Nan didn't run good, baby Krank would nover laugh any tnoro, —and that j would he awful. Mo I beat her all the j way, and camo drofful quick,"—and judging trom tho mare's hearing sides, tho littlo ono had ridden hor for all sho was worth. '.'Wal, give me therletter, leetle un, an' we'll mighty sonu see what's wanted." 'Jim letter had been securely fastened to tho littlo one's dress, but it was soon in Jack's hands. "Sissy, don't yoi feel liko catin'a bite of grub, and drinkin' a cup of eotfoo?" "No, tlmnk you, sir, but 1 am sleepy and very tired, and—" ' "dunn, keep the child sort of amused 1 r i" , ft " keys como"; and liig .lack led the way to the far end of the room. "Boys, here's the deuce tor pay." In a low voice, he road tho letter; To the lloys at the Stone Corral: I was out 011 the ridge at tho hack of my Hliant.v, and not over twenty miles awnv 1 saw a big hand of Apaches coming. They \\ib bo hero inside of three hourH. My little girl is a good rider, and the mare is HllH footed and Inst, NO I Bend this hy her, unking you lor aid. Mav Ood guide her to you. If v< u .an not help UH, our doom is sealed. M) r I Uvea live in h , Michigan; write to tin m in legiird L< my little daughter. Hoping nnd proving you nr., in Hiifflcieni form t aid us. FRANK STAN I ON. Hod knows I would not want help for my olf, hut think of my wife and baby. Tours woro in our eyes, as Jack finishod the short and rathe: incoherent letter; and then, —good heavens, to thi.ik that we wore only seven in all. "0 boys if we were only a few more." "What can wo do. Jack?" "Wal, I'm afearod if wo tried ter git help fram the Cactus Ranch it would be too late." "Do the luetic gal know the trouble?" "No." "Wal, let's ask her of har dad hav got shooting irons." "Sissv, did yer pap hev guns, and things tcr home ter shoot jack-rabbits with?'' "Yea, sir, he's got a shotgun, and he bought a nice rifle that shoots without loading, and please, Mr. Big dock. 0:111 go to bed now? I'm so tired." "Jitnmie, put the lectio un in your bunk, an' you kin' turn in with mo it we gets time ter sleep." ••But Jack, hain't we ergoin' ter try an' heli) 'em somehow?" "God knows 1 wish we could. But we have ter leave one man with the bosses, an' what are six agin u crowd?" And truly it looked hopeless, but D, to think of the fate of that gentle mother and tender babe. "Boys, this is maddening. We must do somethin'." Jimmie hud by this time fixed tho bunk and taken off the child's shoos. "And now, dearie, pile in, an' take a real good snooze." "But, Mr. Jimmie, you must hear mo say my prayers first." If a shell had come crashing into tho dug-out it could not have created more astonishment than tho simple request of the child. Quick-witted Jimmie had, however, pulled himself together quicker than a flash, and before the child noticed the astonished and contused looks, he had caret ullv spread a bearskin on. the dirt floor, and gently as her own mother bade her "say her prayers." The beautiful Lord's Prayer was re peated in the clear voice, and them euinc, "And please, my Heavenly Father, biess my own dear pupa and mamma, and little baby brother, and .Mr. Big duck, uud all tho boys at the Stone Corral." Starting up and drawing the back of j his hand hastily across his eyes, and en deavoring to stealy his voice, big Jack said; "Jimmie. you an' Juan stay an' | tend ter tho leetle un. We una are ergoin' to help the folks." Crash, and the dug-out door flow open, \ and five detornincd men—yes, men in every sense of the word that night— ' rushed to the corral, buckling on tho ! heavy six-shooters as thoy ran. Tho heavy stock saddles are slapped on, and m iseular arms tug and tug at the long latigo straps, until the chiuchas ! seem us if they would out through hair 1 and hide, so tight are thoy. "Be sure and cincli 'em well, boys, wo can't stop to tighten 'em after wo got l started." | "Ay, ay, yer kin hoi, on us, Jack." I "Are yer all O K?" ! "You bet. ' ! "Then head fer tho Baldy Mountain an' if ever you spurred, spur this night." 1 Out and away, leaning low, until our breasts almost rested on the suddle horn, and with spurs tightly pressed against our bronchos' sides, wo swept swiftly away from the stone corral. Big Jack was on the left and a little in the lead; and as we rushed over a low sand ridge, I saw him and his horse showing dark and clearly cut against the sky. He was riding his host this night, and his blue roan was stretching himself like a j thoroughbred. ! And now we came to a long stretch covered with loose and jagged granite; at any other time we would have pulled j up and carefully picked our way over. But to-night tho stake we wore riding for was far too precious to care for horse flesh, or even our own necks; so witli i slightly tightened roins and only our toes j resting in the broad stirrups, wo pushed j madly across, the sparks flushing as the | iron shoes clashed against the rough rock. Across at lust, tlmnk God, and , once more on the smooth plain, our gal- j hint cayuses, with ears well forward, and distended nostrils, were stretchiug them- j selves and throwing dust liko heroes. Dut of tho sand and up on the rim rock wo tried a spurt, hut tho jaded ani- f mals were doing their host, and the steel , failed to get an extra jump out of them. Another mile would bring us to a point where wo would ho able if it were day- i light to see the settler's cabin. Through a long sag, then a dry creek j bed; crashing through tho stunted v/il- i lows that lined its hanks, wo breasted | the slight ascent, nnd in another minute i wore on the summit. Wo involuntarily ! checked our panting horses, and a thrill of horror ran through us as wo saw a bright glare of light ahead. "Too late, too late, boys. The reds have got 'em." Jack's voice sounded almost like a groan, j "How far are we from the place?" I "Erbout five miles 'round by tho wagon road, dut wo kin lead our horses down the deer trail, and git thar in two." "Then let's follow the door trail; we may vit bo in time ter help 'em some 'i way." j Loading our staggering, trembling horses, wo cautiously crept down the | precipitous trail, and mountain, hoadod j straight for the glare, which oven in tho j valley could bo distinctly seen. Nobody now remembered that wo were only five to thirty, and, goaded and cut by the spurs, the cayuses carried us rap ! idly over the ground. I When within half a mile wo halted in j the shadow of some ovorhanging rocks, while Hank cautiously crawled up, and out on a projecting shelf to reconnoitre, I for if the Apaches had any scouts thrown out wo should have to bo oaroiul, jas our only cliunco of success was to , surprise them. I While we wore waiting we carefully i examined our six-shooters, and in another minute, to our groat joy, Hank was tolling us that the burn was on fire, I but tho dwelling-house was still intact, and that ho could distinctly hear the ' crack of rifles, showing us plainly that the brave settlor was still defending his ! loved ones. "Now boys, here's ther best plan 1 j kin think on—l hain't extra much of a ■ ginoral, but I hev an idea thet it's tho ! best way fer us ter do. Wo'll lead our | critters down this gully till wo git tcr thet scrub brush—wo kin do thet without the reds ketohing on ter us—then wo'll , mount. Yer see by that timo tho cayu- 1 sos will be gitting their wind purty well. ! Then we'll ride 'right squaro down on ! 'em, yelling like fury an* wharover u I red gits up we'll down him. Then if they make it too hot for us, wo'll dodgo inter tho cabin." "An' what then, Jack?" "Wal, we'll sorter help the settlor to hold tho fort. Anyway wo kin keep em from setting the shanty afire, till tho cavalry comos. By this timo the troops must he on the trail an' after 'em red hot. Thoy can't be a great ways off, nohow.'' Silently as spectres then wo led our horses down tho gully, carefully avoid ing the rocks that here und there oropped out through tho sand. Beaching the scrub willows, we found ourselves within • 100 yards of the house, and perhaps j about H)t) from the burning barn. Climbing quietly into our saddles, wo bent low to keep out of the glare, and Jack whispered. "Are yer all ready?" "Yes," whispered back, and we pressed our sombreros tightly down on I our heads. r With a rush and a crash we tore | through the brush and rode ut full speed 1 out into the clearing, now almost as light as duy, for the big, heavy barn timbers were burning dearly and steadily. Across we went, our excited animals plunging and leaping like panthers, but still no Indians. I'ast the house and within a few yards of the burning barn we pulled up. Tho silence confused us. Were we to lute after all? Mechanically we closed up— a fatal move, for with unearthly yells and blood-curdling whoops, the Indians, from a low sag in the ground on the loft, sent a murderous volley crashing into our midst. Down went our bravo horses, and down went their riders, Four of us scrambled to our feet as we cleared our selves from tho stirrup leathers, only to throw ourselves behind our lead-riddled, dying animals just in time to save our selves; for again tho villains poured their load into us—this time, thank heaven, doing us no harm. Using our horses for breastworks, wo tried to return their fire, hut they were effectually concealed. "Anybody hit?" "Yes, I saw Hank throw up his hands and fall face down." "Boys, we've got tcr get out of this or they'll surround us sure." "Kin we mako a break for tho cabin?" "I think wo might manage ter crawl thar, by kinder keeping the horses bo tween us and the red cusses.'' "Hark, somebody is hollering!" Looking over our shoulders, we saw that the door of tho shanty was partly open, and the settler vigorously beckon ing to us. "We must try an' see if poor Hank is clean done for, fust." Ono of the hoys crawled cautiously around to tho dead horse and fallen rider, and returning in the same manner, whis pered sorrowfully tliut "poor Hank hod passed in his checks." j "Now, boys, we'll make a run fer it, — stoop low," and with a 6pring, away we rushed for the door. | Another stream of load whistled by us, but nobody fell, and in unother second, we were inside the houvydoor, and help ing the settler barricade it. "I hoard you when you charged by, men, but it took mo some time to open the door, as 1 had a hull lot of things piled agin it?" "Are ye all safe so far, Stanton?" "Yes,thank God. My wife is guard ing the back of the bouse, and I'm watching this part. What wo feared most is that they will lire the place, like i they did tho barn. My little daughter J reached you safely, did she?" j "Yes, and is staying in tho dug-out at tho corral. We left two of the boys i with her." | "Now, men, I'll show you tho loop- I holes in the logs, and I'll go and tell tho wife the littlo one is safe." ! Hour after hour wo strained our oyos, peering through tho loop-holes trying to ! catch sight of the redskins. But they wore very wary and seemed to have a wholcsomo droad of venturing into tho i firclit space in tho front of tho house. Presently Stanton came quietly in and said: "Boys, there's something going on at tho back that I don't understand." Leaving ono man in tho front room, wo repaired with him to tho room in tho ! rear of the building. I Jack pressed his face closo to a loop hole ana stared stoadily out Into tho darkness. Suddenly ho stopped back, and, pulling his six-shooter, pointed it ! through the loophole and fired. A wild yell of rage auswered tho shot, j "Aha. (thought I could fetch him. I saw him crawling up, an' had a burning stick under his blanket. I guess ho j won't burn no more shanties. Give me a chaw of terbackor, somebody." And now wo saw a faint streak of | dawn in the east, and soon the sun was gilding the distant Baldy Mountain, and : —what to us was a far more welcome ! sight still—was glistening on the soab bards and accoutrements of a company l of Uncle Sum's boys as thoy curno I through tho pass at a sharp trot. | The barricaded door was quickly thrown open, and rushing out we saw ! the Indians in full retreat a mile out on j the mesa. Judging from their haste they must have seen tho cavalry, for they wore pushing their ponies. I The cavalry hud also caught sight of j them, for they were coming like the i wind, and as they swept by, in spite of 1 our weariness and grief at the loss of our paid, wo cheered them until wo were hoarse. The next day we obtained horses and safely escorted the settler, his wife and baby to the Cactus Bunch.—[Overland Monthly. Wild Mustangs in Pennsylvania* | On Black's Island, fivo miles from tho City of Philadelphia, on tho Delaware River, are u drove of eighty or more uu '< tamod mustangs, not one of which lias j over boon shod or touched with a strap |of harness. Tho island is a bleak wasio |of inoadow land, covered by a heavy growth of thick gruss. Hero tho inus i tangs livo, as wild and uncurod for as 1 though on tho Western plains. Tho horses art* owned by Messrs. Richurdand ; Lewis NVistar, two wealthy and eccentric I'hiladolphians. In 187.'! they took a j couple of Chincotoaguo mares up from tho South and placed them on Black's j farm, just below Fort Milllin. Both tho mares wore in foal, and they were turned out on the island and allowed to run wild. From that beginning the hord has increased as stated. Tho ponies are at perfect liborty all the year round,and are without shelter in winter as well as sum mer. In fact, they uro to all intents and purposes, as wild as tho wildest mustangs in the West. The colts are foaled without shelter of any kind, and grow up strong, rugged and as wild as though hundreds of miles from civiliza tion. During the winter, when the ground is covorod with snow, tho horses uro obliged to paw holes in tho snow in order to get at tho dead grass under neath. Aftor the manner of wild horses they divide thomsolvos into smaller herds, each having a stallion for a loader. There appears to be a rivalry between those herds, and royal battles aro waged between the stallions. In color the horses aro mostly bays, creams and piebalds, and range from thirteen to fifteen hands. Although the Wistar brothers havo not visited the island for thirteen years, they steadily refuse to part with any of tho ponies undor any consideration.—[Phila delphia Record. A WORTHY SON. " I just had a pleasant chat with you friend, Col. Gilkerson." "So? What were you talking about?" "The colonel was telling mo what a tine family of children lie had. Light sons, I think ho said, and every one un honor and a comfort to his father." "Why, tho old liar! His eldest son is | serving livo years in the penitentiary fcrt a gilt-edgo embezzlement." "Yes, so tho colonel said; but ho didn't give up tho monoy."—[Detroit Tri -1 bune. THE FALKLAND ISLES AN INTERESTING SPOT ON THE SOUTH ATLANTIC. A Climate So Cold That Trees Can not Crow -The Sea Lion at Home —A Penguin City. The total population of the Fulkiand Isles, writes Fannie B. Ward, is only about 2,000, mostly Englishmen, Scotch men and Argentine Guaohos. Fast Falk land, the largest of the islands, Ims an area of .'I,OOO square miles, yet it contains only three insignificant hamlets besides Port Stanley, the rest of the people liv ing on widely-separated sheep ruins. There are no roads on any of the islands, hut they are criss-crossed in all directions by horse trails, for here everybody goes ou horseback on journeys that cannot bo made by sea. Every well-to-do Fulk landerowns his yacht, us the citizens of other countries keep their carriages. There is also a steam launch that rogu larly plies tho sound between the two main islands, while the produce brig of ♦ho "Falkland Island .Sheep-farming Company" is putronizod by the poorer classes. Though moro thun three hundred miles 1 distant from Patagonia scientists agree that tlioso islands were once a part of that country and still connected there with by an elevated sub-inurim plateau. At any rate, the goological formation and 1 flora of tho two are essentially tiio-same, though no unimuls are indigenous to the islands but foxes, rats and rabbits. There are only two things to bo said in favor of tho beastly climate of the local- . ity: That it is remarkably uniform—uni formly had—and that tho chilly winds, | which hinder trees from growing and ! wheat and coin from attaining maturity, I prevent likewise the existence of many I living pests that abound nearer to the equator. There ure no snakes here, nor reptiles of any sort; no toads, nor spiders, flies, nor any other objectionrblo creuturo, winged or crawling. Trees would probably grow if planted and cultivated wero it not for the otern it gales. There are none upon any of the Islands, if we except a kind of box, two ■ or three foot high, to be found in some localities und tho one much-boasted apple tree which is struggling for exist ence in Stanley. Thoro is a species of wooly rag wood, which often grows us high as a man's shoulder, and is said to assist the chilly winds in producing the bronchial and catarrhal troubles with which most Ealklanders are afflicted. Tho only grounds worth trying to cultivate are found along the margin of tho sea, in certain plains that are partially sliolterod by hills, but. nowhere can grain bo fully ripened or vegetables brought to any de gree of perfection. During November and December a groat variety of wild flowers literally oarpot the ground and lichens aro everywhere, A few years ago the wholo archipelago was covered with a "tussock"' grass a most curious vegetable, production which, form a li'tlo distanoe looks like a forest of miniature palms. It is a gi gantic, sedgy grass, which grows in douse tufts, often two or three hundred roots springing from tho sanio tuft, with stalks six or seven feet long and blades oven lo:ige-. Cattle an I horsos are ex tremely fond of it, and its fattening qualifies for all sorts of stock are very great. It flour shes iu any situation, in winter us well us in summer, und may ho cut throo times a year, being improved by each cutting. Not only are the loaves and stems most excellent fodder, but tho stool-like root crowns have a sweet nutty flavor, irresistible to all omnivorous and herbivorous crouturos It thrives best on shores exposed to the ocean's spray, and a great pity it is that in a few years more not a root of it will bo left any where on the islands. No wonder it is being rapidly exter minated, considering the enormous num ber of animals that hero find pasturago. 'Tho few cuttle and pigs that wero brought from time to timo by tho early colonists have gone on increasing, whether or not tho is'ands wero occupied by tho human species, until now they are countless. '1 here are also at least 100,000 wild horses, sprung from stock originally imported. Vet sheep raising is tho main industry of tho archipelago, it having proved more profitable than the raising of cuttle; and though many of the districts are too swampy fur sheep, there ure said to he not loss than 100,- 000 of them on the islands. 'They are all of European breeds and tho Cheviot variety is tho favorite, one fleece aver aging twolvo pounds under favorablo conditions. There uro no wild animals to kill the sheop, and tho comploto ab sence of burr or any substance injurious to tho fleeco is, of course, an advantage, while tho many springs and small fresh water lakes are of great importance to tho sheop and cattle breeders. A few years ago the Falkland Island Company adopted a proeoss of boiling down whole carcassos into tallow and the succesful result has riddod another profitable in dustry. The most terrifyiug-looking boasts I ovor mot in their natural state aro tlio sea lions that abound along the Falkland coasts -ferocious follows, largo us young bullocks, with long bushy hair on the bond and breast. Tho t'aco is short and broad, like that of a bulldog, but infinite ly moro savage; tho rough mano hangs thick around tho oars and tho mouth is urmcd with two long, crooked teeth in either jaw. Tho ugly creature's tail is divided intatwo largo flippers, ouch flip per having iivo nails, and by the aid of these, which ho moves sideways, assisted I by his two front flippers, ho scrambles i along the rocks as fast us a man can walk, but not for long, being soon "winded 'by his own excossivo fatness. Tho blubber is spread over tho whole body six or eight inches thick,an 1 mak s excellent lamp oil. Tho flesh is oaten by many, and I can testify to the fact that the liver of tho youiq* ones is a moreenu tit for an epicure. 'J lie lioness is consid erably .smaller than tho male, and though quit© fierce in defonso of her oubs, hav ing boon known to tear off human legs and arms wlion interfered with, is at other times gentle and timid. That enormous species of soal other wise known as the "trunk nose" is called by tho Falklandors tho olapmatch, and, though of astonishing bulk, often thirty foot long, is an inoffensive creature. Its ~strong point," like that of many human beings, is its stomach a cartilaginous substnnco bard us bono, resisting the edge of a knife. Egg bunting during its season (commencing in October) is great fun, because sure to bo attended with brilliant success, and millions of penguin eggs and those of other wild birds are sold in the Falkland markets at un aver age rate of 10 cents the dozen, Ouring our recent cruise we went ashore on a sequestered island to view what tho Captain called a "penguin city." Sure enough, tho whole island, comprising perhups fif.y acres, was laid otf in regular squares by streets running at right angles, the lines straight and truo us a surveyor could have drawn them. As is well known, penguins spend their lives on the water except during the breeding season, when they are obliged to seek the shore. You will hurdly believe me, but it in nevertheless true, that the birJs not only lay out their citv in blocks, hut pick up all the loose stones till the whole place is smooth as u board floor. Thou they take possession in couples, each pair selecting a home site —not to build a nest, but merely to pre-empt a particular spot on the bare ground. The hen lays one egg, and only one, and during the time of incubation the male bird brings her food from the set or sits on the egg awhile himself if she wants to go out to take a swim. But in this case, us in many others, virtuo is not "its own exceeding grent reward," be cuußo tho lady penguins grow so fat am' sleek under the good care of their faith ful husbands that they are the more eagerly hunted at that particular season. The old birds are too tough and fishy to bo relished by man or beast, but the ten der young matrons are in great demand, both for tln'ir flesh und oil. Even tho eggs have an oily and fishy flavor and taste as hens' eggs might if cooked in kerosene. The penguin is by no means either a handsome or graceful creature. lie has wings liko any other bird, but they are altogether too short to fly with, though they may assist him somewhut in wad dling over tho ground. When in the water he has no use for wings, because his broad foot, wobbod liko those of a duck, propel him rapidly. Thoro are several varieties of thein, tho largest, called tho "emperor penguin," weighing from twenty-five to forty pounds. It is funny to see a colony of those unguiuly birds inarching up and down their streets liko soldiers, all tho timo standing erect mid maintaining an air of grout dignity und importance. Skating* Skates were probably first invented, not as a luxury, but as a necessity, for iu winter tho early residents of cold climates wero unable to do much traveling ucross tho wastes of snow and ice; their rude vehicles, if they had such, were of no use then, and tho substitution of a sledge for a wheeled carriage would bo u natural consequence. From wooden runners to bono or iron is an essy transi tion and it would not bo long beforo it would occur to theso same poople to bind bones on their feet as aids to locomotion. Excavations frequently bring to light the bones of deer which have evidently boon used for this purpose, and have been ground down by friction. But in what century or what country these or similar contrivances wore first adopted must remain to sonic extent a matter of oonjocturo. Scandinavian arclieologists I claim un antiquity of I.GOO for the art of traversing ice and snow in this manner, to which frequent referenco is made in early H nio poetry and niythologicul song. Tho art and practice of skating | has been confined more to Holland than any other country. Communication be tween important centres of commerce is practicable iu winter, the frozen surfuce lending itself readily to easy and rapid locomotion; indeed tho Dutch people j make use of these ice highways to uc i ooinplish all their marketing and tradiug. The ice is crowded with skaters all day 1 and till Into in tho night; Dutoh soldiers skating homo from drill may be seen; Dutch women skating to market, placidly knitting us they go; und Dutch lads und ! lassies of all ages, each vying with tho ] other in the matter of speed. Holland is indeed the skater's paradise, for the ice i is ulwuys well-kept, und tho natural con ditions are most favorable. We think ourselves lucky if wo get our ice swept; there the ice is not only swept, but I planed and smoothed, and tho cracks j filled by pouring hot water in them at I night. Think of eighty miles and moro of flue oven ice, dotted bore and there by little eating-booths or drinklng-stulls with their signs of " Hoe to Melk!" Tho skating races aro a great feature of a Holland winter, and all tho youths, and many who could not by utmost stretch of courtesy bo called youths, compete for various prizes. Tho young girls enter the races, too, and oftentimes come in first at tho finish. In fact everybody who can skate skates, and the highest ambition of a Dutch child is to bo cham pion on tho ico.—[Boston Transcript. How It Is Done In China. 'Though tho Chinese diplomatist moves slowly, there aro some Chinese manda rins whose ways are expeditious and summary. Under the uuspices of Chang Chih-tung foreign engineers are pros pecting in the neighborhood of Hankow. 1 hey wore commended the other day by the \ icoroy to tho care and protection of a minor mandarin. This personage, rooted in tho traditions of the past,viewed the advent of the "Funqui" with dis approval. lie penned a remonstrance, sotting forth that it would bo unsafe to allow the earth dragon, who bus lain undisturbed since the time of Confucius, to bo pro fanely tampered with. Tho country folk, he exclaimed, were a rough sot, who, on ! seeing si rung e men, with strange instru- I uieiits in thoir hands probing and peering into the earth, would bo sure tube roused to mischiof, and, as ho professed himself powerless to restrain the riot that might ensue, ho prayod his Excellency to re consider the matter. 'The Viceroy took in tho situation at a glance. lie wrote in reply to say that, inasmuch as tho local oflicialdid not scorn eipuil to copo with tho situation, he was sending live deputies with boats and fol lowers, to att'ord the foroignors safe and suitable escort -all at tho oxpense of the remonstrant. 'Their visit is said to have cost the worthy mugistrato some $3,750 and since then Chang Chihtung has not been troubled with any more remon strance from the zealous defender of tho tur.h dragon.—[Manchester (England) Examimnor. A Brave Man. Chnrlos Mougouot a young engineer on bourd the ironclad Admiral Buudin, lias just bad his right bund amputated at tlio Toulon Military Hospital, as the re sult of injuries reoeivod in tho following remarkable manner: 11c was starting the engines on tho vessel, in accordance with instructions, when his hand caught in tho machinery. To have withdrawn it at that particu lar moment might have caused u serious nocidont to the big irouclud, und thus have endangered tho lives of everybody on board. With extraordinary courage and sung froid, the brave fellow, who is only twenty-four years of age, did not move until all dungor was averted, by which timo Ids hand was literally torn to pieces, lie will bo reoommonded for the military modal —[Galignuni Mcssen gcr. At the present moment chonille is the ' most fushionable of trimmings. THE JOKER'S BUDGET. JESTS AND YARNS BY FUNNY MEN OF THE PRESS. Bliss or Woe—The March of Science —Caught By a Compliment—An Expedient—Unavailing, Etc., Etc. lILIBS OR WOE. Two souls with but a single thought, Two hourts supremely blest, A minister, a nuptial knot, And—who can tell the rest? —[New York Press. THE MARCH OF SCIENCE. "They've got a scheme for makin' rain now, Maria," said Silas. "Lawsy mo! What'll they dew next!" returned Maria. "I've hum tell o' boys raisin' thunder, but I never thought they'd make rain."—[Epoch. CAUGHT BY A COMPLIMENT. She—l was reading to-day of a lady who proposed to a gentlemen. Ho—This is leap year, you know. She —I know it, but I don't want a husband who has to be proposed to. You uro not u man of that kind, I am certain. He—N—no—or—will you have me, Jennie? Sho—This is so sudden. AN EXPEDIENT. Husband—What are wo going to do about that hand-orguu that plays in front of our windows every morning and al most drives ine wild? Wife—We might take a trip to Eu rope.—[Epooh. NO SUNSHINE IN IIIM. Mr. Murray Hill—Mr. Jones' affairs don't seem to improve any. lie is con tinually under a cloud. Mr. Manhattan Beach—Yes: the last time I saw him it wus raining pitchforks. —[Texas Sittings. THE BONO OF THE HEART. Lady (in music store) —Have you got "Sweet Belle Mahone?" Clerk—No'in; but I've got sweet Sarah Simkins and we're going to be married to-morrow. GEORGE UNDERSTOOD. "Katie," ho said timidly, "I —I have allowed myself to hope that you regard mens something more than a friend." "George," sho answered softly, with half averted face, "you—you are away off." And Goorge understood. Ho camo neaer. 1118 FATAL REPLY. "I dreamed," said sho, most archly smiling, "That you proposed the other night." Ilor voico was low, hor glance beguiling, llor profile turned towards the light. "Indeed! " suid he, of loap year thinking, And how sho yearned to catch a beau— His untired soul from that fato shriuk- ing— "Dreams go by contruries, you know." •'So 1 have hoard," she whispered, musing; He hoped she look the proper view— How his thick wit he's now abusing—• "Well, then, I must propose to you." —[Brooklyn Life. THE PROPER VEHICLE. Weed—l aeo by the nowapapor that rich dopoaita of meerschaum have been discovered in New Mexico. Reed —I suppose that a pipo line will bo laid to bring the produot away.— [l'uck. THE UXKIXDKST CUT OF ALL. Clara—Do you see how tho shape of this gown could bo improved ? Maude—You might got some other girl to woar it. —[Cloak lioviow. THE WAY OF IT. Tho burglar has a taking way— Away his way ho takos; But the way lie's taken on his way Givos other burglars sliukes. —[Fuck. WHAT HE COULD DO. Ho looked up and down tho street fur tively two or throe times, took in tho sign over tho door once or twice, and darted in as if ufraid of being caught at it. "This is an employment agency, ain't it?" ho inquirod of the man in charge. "Yes," snapped tho porson in charge. "Got work for people, don't you?" "Yep." "Any kind of work?" "Yep." "All kinds?" "Ye,,.'' Got something for mo to do?" "Yep." "In a restaurant?" "Yo— what in thunder can you do in a restaurant?" exclaimed tho boss, catch ing himsolf. "Eat." Then ho got tho bounoo. FAMILY PKIDK. "In writing up tho burglary," said tho excitod caller, "you can say the thieves in their hurry overlooked $750 worth of jowolry and solid silver plate in one of tho closets." "Might that not bring the burglars to your house a second time?" suggested the city editor. "I don't care if it does!" exclaimed the other. "I don't want tho public to got tho impression that a gang of robbers can go through my house and only find $25 worth of stuff worth stealing."— [Chicago Tribune. STRATEGY. He—l am in love. Will you be my confidunte? She—Certainly. I am at your ser vice. He—Well, would you advise me to propose to you.- [Life. NOT QUITE TAKEN. Jake—My breath wns fairly taken away boforo I came in. Cora (curling her lip)— Pretty fair; but you might have taken one more clove.— [New York Herald. UNAVAILING. He sent a bunch of roses sweet Unto his Sunday girl, Also a verso about her eyes, And e'en her hair a-curl. But oh! what woo when next they met, With manner warm and mellow, She bowed and smiled and passed him by, And thanked another fellow! HE KNEW HIM. "Algernon," she said dramatically, "is a man after my own heart." "No, he isn't, my dear," replied her practical father, "he's aftor.your pooket- A S*RAN INBINUATIoN. Mrs. Hicks—That girl I hired this morning is a secret to mo. Hicks—That's too bad. Mrs. llicks—Why is it too bad? liicks —You won't be able to keep her. A WORD OF CAUTION. Spatts (to Miss Munn) —Mabel, love, I dote upon you wildly. Miss Munn —That's all right, but don't let papa know it. "Why?" "He's violently opposed to young men's wild dotes." AN UNEQUAL DIVISION. First Pickpocket—How did you come out last night at the Neighbob's ball? Second Pickpocket—Nothing in it; the detectivo recognized me. hirst Pickpocket— Did he squoal! Second Pickpocket—No; but 1 had to give up two-thirds. BHE WORKED AROUND TO IT. "What a fortunate thing it is," she said, "that I do not have to earn my own living like some girls." "1 should hate to see those little hands soiled by labor," said he. "I don't mind that so much," sho said, as she looked dreamily at the lire, "but if I hud to earn ray own living 1 should bo obliged to get up early in the morn ing." "True," he said, shuddering. "Pray do not mention such a thing." "And if I had to get up curly in the morning," sho continued, with a glance at the clock, "I wouldn't got half of my natural sleep." Then he urose and took his hat and went forth into the night and meandered slowly home under the silent stars.— [New York Press. A NATURAL FEAR. Ethel—Father is afraid he will not be able to get rid of this place if you come hero so often. George—What has my coming got to do with it? Ethel—He thinks it may get to be known as a haunted house. NEVER IN REPOSE. Mrs. Robinson—l have been sitting for a photograph, you know. Hero are the proofs. Are they good likenesses, do you think? Mr. R.— How can I toll, my dear? You know I never saw your face in ro pose. TROTTERS AND PACERS. Scott McCoy is driving Arion daily. General Turner is wintering Santa Claus, 2.17 L Isaac Woodruff, the votoran trainer, is 72 years old. J. A. Morehouse will take some lloslyn horses to Fleetwood this year. Jean Valjean has boon the boss of the road while Boston had good sleighing. Nancy Hunks's first timed mile wus as a two-year-old to a break cart in 3.035. Dean Sage, by liainbletoniau 10, nine teen years old, fetched $1,075 at a Chicago auction. The Palo Alto plan is to boot com pletely oven the weanlings which are sys tematically oxercisod. The Palo Alto Superintendent claims ouly ninety-nine trotters in the list to the credit of Electioneer. Miss Russell, dam of Maud S., has just foaled a colt by King Wilkes, sire of Oliver K., 2.161, and Minnie King, 2.17. After all is said, tho overhead check is less a torture than the old-fashioned one, and in comtnon-aonse hands it is of great value. There will be a sale of trotters at Buffalo, May 10. Jacob Boier is to sell out, and Gerhard Lang is to dispose of some. Alcantara is insured in an English company for SIO,OOO. It ia said that a syndicato has offered Mr. Davis $70,000 for him. Miller & Sibley, probably on Marvin's judgment, have paid $12,000 for Hollo Flower, three-year-old filly by Elec tioneer, out of Beautiful Bells. Nelson, while being oxercised tho other day, got one log over tho crossbar of the sleigh and wont down. Ho limped on getting up, but it is not thought he is seriously injured. Nellie \V., 2.141, by Rolla Goldust, was bred, developed and driven in all her moos by her owner. She has two ha'f brotliors by a jack, so commou-placo was her dam considered. The Mr. Brown who owned Mary Mays, dam of Ralph Wilkes, sold her at five yoars old on tho public squuro for sllO after she had kicked a plow to pieces uud used up her hind legs. Of all tho families recently founded by tho union of tho two main lines of blood, the llamblctoniuu and Mambrino, none have been more fruitful of results than that formed by tho union of Pan coast and Beatrice.—[American Trotter. John Minchin,of Goshen, in a letter to the Americun Horse Breeder, says that he saw tho Charles Kent mare, dain of llambletonian, trot a mUo to suddle in 1846 at Union Course, in 2.42. She was then being used duily to Kent's butohor cart. Andy Welch, of Hartford, Conn., has booked four marcs to Arion, for SIO,OOO. They aro Directress, 2.28|, a six-year old by Director, 2.17; Fay M., a full sister that has shown a mile 2.271; Ala hoa, by A. W. Richmond, darn of the two mares mentioned; and Lurline, a four-year-old by Red Wilkes. How the Loon Lives. I liavo beon preparing tho skin of a loon, writos a trapper. I now understand how a loon keeps warm and enjoys life even in icy waters. His whi e vest is lined with a double thickness of fat, stitched and quilted in among the roots of his feathers in an amazing way. Tho warmth inside cannot get out and tho> cold cannot got in. How huge aro his muscles and how 9tout his bones! Ho is at the same time a stern wheeler and a side wheeler, for under tho wuter both feet and wings play their part. His out tit is perfect for his business. I was astonished to find nothing in his gizzard but gravol stones and inud and bits of roots —not a trace of organic matter. Yet he seems in good condition and tho men who set the net doolared that the night before his death ho was heard several times to laugh. If any one suggests that a loon's laugh does not mean enjoyment, what, lot mo asr, does it mean ? 1 will entertain any sugges tions. Meanwhilo I shall beliovo that a loon can laugh and be happy on an empty stomach. If so, his secret would seem to be worth finding owt.—[Forest and Stream.
Significant historical Pennsylvania newspapers