t Superstitions About Eczs. The ancient Finns believe that a ! mystic bird laid an egg on the lap ol I Vaimainon, who was to hatch it in his bosom. Eut he let it fall and it broke, the lower portion of the shell forming the earth, the upper the sky, the liquid white became the moon, •nd the yelk the sun, while the little fragments of broken shell were trans formed into stars. English and Irish mothers tell their children to push their spoons through the bottoms of egg shells after Qnisbing their meal, "or else the witches will make boats of them." In France a similar cus tom prevails, but the reason assigned is that the magicians formerly used egg shells in concocting their dia- V bolical witcheries. There are in foreign lands, American missionaries, their wives and assistants to the following number Presbyterians, 1817; Baptists,lß6o; Congregatioualista, 2980; Methodists, 3733. i'ree Trip to thlcn... Separ.ito \\-o-n-n-D-s F-A-I-K and use ths loiters to sjtell ns many words as you can by nsliiK the letters as many limes as you aisli, ell her buck wards or forwards, but not use th tamo letter In making any one word more times _ than It appears In " World's B'air." it I* said ftfl*mt!/-floo small English words ran be spoiled oorrec ly from ihe ten letters contained tn " World's Fair." Example: Wad, waif, soar. Idol, etc. If yoil are good at word m tk.nir you out secure a free, trip to the World's rair and return, as the Scott Seed Company will pay all expenses, including It.lt. fare, hotel bills, admissions to the C'olumb au ylsxposit.on, and s.ll in cash for Incidental ez lenses, to the tirst pel-son able to make Hewntu words from the letters contained in " World's lair," as a' ove. They wl I al-o give a free I rip to the Worlds Fat <• find return with SCS for incidental rxpinws, to the first .peraou r w pr"H ms Mtiovo. They will hU. gne a rre© trip t. tho World's Fair and return (without cash lor incidental expenses) to tho first potion send ins fl wor <. To the flret person sending fifty words will t V Wa 1 r(ls P a ynK expenses lo tho World s rair; to the llrst sending forty Wordß will IHI given s:i"> in cash towards pay ing exponses t„ the \\ oriel's Fair.torac'i ot tho first tlPd persons sending thotu-Jlr* words will be given $lO in cash, and to e irh of the tirst ten sending t iirt'i words will he given s,j in cash. Only one prize will be awarded to the same person. Write your name on list of woids inu mowed) and enclose the same lostpatd with lif een L. S. two-cent stamps for a large ?*low r'si Is' °' Cu English Cottage Garden This combination includes the latest and most p ipular Kng Ish flowers of endless varie ties (snmo as will i e cont lined in the elaborate exhibit o.Knglish flowers at the World's Fair). This Worlds tair" Contest will l>o care fully and con cientio isly comlucte I solely for the purpose of introducing our business in tlie U.S. You will receive flic UUfjMt value in flower sot ds ever ofTeri'd, and if you are able to mako a good list of words and answer / promptly you will have a first-class opportun \ Ity to secure a free trip from j/ ur hutne to CMc m > mill return. We are - pending a large amonnt of money to start our trade in the U. S. and want your trial order. You will ho more thin gratified with the result. Send to-day, and address tho bcorr SEED COMPANY, Toronto. Canada. Forty-four guns are iireTl for a national salute, one for each state. Head tlio I'lltNburg Lender, The family newspaper of Western Penn sylvania. Subscription, daily, SO. per annum by mail; Sunday edition, s2.sJ by mail. There are oak trees in existence 1,000 years old. Hood's is the Best Tho Judgment of Long Experience. Mr. Orcnt IV. Barnea " rtichford, N. Y., Jan. 11, Ifitn. "Myself and my wife have taken several bottles of Hood's Sarsaparillw with gratifying Jesuits. For years I have had kidney trouble, also heart difficulty. 1 was unable to sleep on my left side for years, llood's B'arsa jvarilla has done me a great deal of good. Ism free from kidney trouble, and can sleep on either side now, thanks to Hood's Sarsaparilla. My wife has bad a chionic sore throat for Hood's rnrmi Cures more than 20 years. It always troubled her more or less, but fur tho last 0 months, since taking llood's Sarsaiiarilla, she has not had a •ore Ibroat except once when she look a slight cold. We cheerfully recommend Hood's Stir. ' saparlllaas a good reliable medicine for the blood and to build up the system; 1 consider it the beat medicine in use." GRANT W. BARNES. GET IIOOD'S.^ "llood s PUN are the best after dinner Pills, as sist digestion, cure headaehe. Try a box. ascents. P N B 17 'O3 This Trade Mark Is on the best WATERPROOF COAT illustrated In the World ! A . J. TOWHP. MASS. ■pm RADFIELD S ■ tfife FEMALE WMLJ& REGULATOR , J ' has proven an lnfalliblo spcemo for all femaloaex.aucliaschronlo HI CttTVi K3 womb and ovarian dla- H fj? El cases. If takeninllme it H t V M regulates and liromotea H c—L. E3 healthy action of all fune- I /7TT/H H tlons of tho generative ■ /1.1 J'jJ/JmM organs. Voting ladles at tho ago of puberty, and older ones at tho mono pauso. will find In ft a healing, soothing tonic. l Th highest recommendations from J roml .fiSSfcr; pToprlttofi, Atlanta, Ga ! CLERKS FOR UNCLE SAM. ' TWENTY-THREE THOUSAND OF THEM IN WASHINGTON. The Most Desirable Clerkships—l-'irst Feminine Employe ot the Govern ment—Dread ot Bein£ Watched, yr WRITER in the New York / \ Advertiser says that there are 23,000 Governmeut employes in Washington. Clerkships in the Department of State are considered the most desirable. To begin with, the incumbents are never discharged with out being provided with a consulship or some other place. Their employment carries a certain amount of social posi tion with it. The most conspicuous of the young swells in Washington are em ployes of tho "Foreign Office," as they like to call it. Beaux being greatly in demand here, they have more invitations than they can accept. With small sala ries and no prospects, they would be re garded as "detriments" in other cities, but here they are at tho top of the swim. Good manners anl the fact of wearing pantaloons constitute satisfac tory claims to recognition in local society. They get their dinners at other people's houses, see all tho plays that are going without paying a cent, and enjoy excellent opportunities for marrying the rich girls who fairly swarm at the Capi tal. They aro not even expected to send a bouquet in acknowledgment of of the entertainment they receive, i The work of a clerk iu the Depait ment of State implies no little responsi bility. A wrong word in his transcript of a diplomatic paper might place this Government in a false positiou. Toe business he transacts is mostly of a secret nature. lie may know long in advance whom tho President has chosen for a Cabinet office, or what war ships are about to be sent to threaten the cities of a foreign Nation. If he tells auybo ly, and his information gets out, his indis cretion may upset a policy and disar ranged a complete series of movc3 which Uncle Sam is trying to carry out. Hap pily, betrayals of secrets by Governmeut clerks have been very rare. Though one-half of the applicants for places in the Department aro women, only one person of the gentler sex is ap pointed for every seven men. Tnerc is u prejudice against female clerks on sev eral accounts. Nevertheless some offi cials have discovered that they can ofteu get a woman for S9OO a year who is more capable than a SI2OO mau. Before the war tho employment of women as clerks by the Government was almost unknown, though they sometimes got copying to do at home. The first woman regularly employed wa3 put on tho rolls of tho Navy Department thirty-five years ago. She was a young widow. It was a grave question what should bo done with her, and it was thought bc3t to isolate her, as if sho were contagious. An attic room was given her, and she received and re turned her copying by a messenger. To day there are 1009 women in the Treas ury alone. They and others in other Departments are efficient as accountauts, correspondents, linguists, draughtsmen, tyesetters, etc. In 1801 tho coined money belonging to tho Government gave out and Con gress authorized the issue of legal tender notes payable in gold. These were the original "greenbacks." They came in sheets from the banknote companies, with blank spaces for tho signatures of the Treasurer and Register. It was nec essary to cut them apart with scissors and trim the edges, no machine having as yet been invented for that purpose. Gen eral Spinner suggested that women should be employed temporarily to cut and count the notes. A number of them were hired, and alter they had cut $60,- 000,000 worth of paper Congress author ized another issue, at the same time mak ing the employment of tho women per manent. Some of these women are still at work in the Treasury, where their sex is intrusted up to the present time with the counting of the money. From this starting point women gradually made thoir way into the other Depart ments. A great many young men secure places in the Department merely for the pur pose of supporting themselves while ihey are atudyiug in the great schools of law and medicine hero. Matters aro so ar ranged at these institutions that a clerk who stops work at 4 p. m. can get din ner and be on hand for the evening lec tures, which begin at 0. After being graduated, the young physician may practice and yet stay in office, becoming what is known as a "sundown doctor." The medical schools of the Georgetown College and Columbia University are of the highest rank. In the Army Medical Museum the finest medic U library in the world is accessible. Justices of the United States Supremo Court and great medical officers of tho Governmeit are members of the faculties of these and other learned establishments in Washing ton. I If a clerk is absent on account of ill• ne*B over sixty days in auy year, he or she must pay a substitute. Tho Civil Service Commission provides all the substitutes that are wanted. It is pro vided that the clerk 9 shall give to the substitute a certain proportion of the pay, usually amounting to about fifty-six per cent. By thus hiring a substitute a | alerk might retain his place in the ser ( vice of the Governmeut for ten years, shough himself blind, paralyzsd and con | dued to his bed. In all cases of sickaess j i physician's certificate is required, j The clerks are perpetually haunted by i dread lest they are watchod by detcc •.cctives of the Secret Service. That sort >f thing is sometimes done, but only rarely and on request of a superior cfti :or jvho suspects that something is wrong, [fa man who occupies a responsible josition gets to drinking and "playing ;he races" it may bo thou jht worth ivhile to have him shadowed for a time, with a view to finding out what his labits are. If a Government employe is 1 iissipated his boarding-house keeper, ' washerwoman and tradesman aro apt to lutfer, ad they do not hesitate to ad dress complaints to tho Department. $ If such appeals come in so frequently as to ho annoying an investigation follows.' Oddly enough, the clerk who misbehaves in such ways is usually not a new man, but an old baud who feels sure of bis place. SELECT SUITINGS. Cotton was first exported in 1783. Baltimore, Md., in ISIG, introduced gas. In IS9O 872,911 persons died in this couutry. The magic lantern was the invention of Roger Bacon in 1260. Spaniards never use tobacco pipes, and it is impossible to procure one iu a na tive tobacco shop. The emerald was one of the favorite and probably tho best known of precious stones possessed by the ancients. In a store at Athens, Ga., stands an old-fashioned clock which was made in Liverpool. It hasn't missed a tick for forty *year3. The finest turquoise in America, valued at $4 )00, was found in New Mexico. It is somewhat liko a pecan nut in size and shape. The waters of the Atlantic Ocean are a sort of whirlpool on a gigantic scale, the central point of which is a short distance to the southwest of the Azeres. Whenever a strict Mohammedan pro nounces the name of tho prophet, he piously kisses his thumb-nails, presses them to his forehead, and says, "The prophet of GoJ, to whom be all glory." In 1791 the first, turnpike road was made, sixty-two railei long, between Lancaster, Penn., and Philadelphia, so called beciuso it was required to be so hard that a pike could not be driven through it. In rural England the blossoming twigs of willow, which our children call "pussy-willows," aie often U3ed iu churches on Palm Sunday, a3 tho only available branches which have yet begun to show proofs of returning life. There arc hundred of wild hogs in tho Okcfinokee swamp, in Georgia. Tney do not go in droves, bat are generally separated from each other. They aro the property of some farmers near the swamp, but it is au unusual thing for them to be claimed by their owners. The memory of a dog is generally good, and an exemplification of this is hero given. A dog in Bethlehem, Penn., is friendly with everybody but a one Simon Slale. Its dislike for him has existed two years, aad was ciused by Simon cutting oT ths animal's tail. Whenever it sees him it barks at him. The oldest church existing in the United States is situated near Sinith ville, Va. It was built in the reign of Cnarles 1., between the years 1630 and 1635, the brick, lime and timber being imported from England. The timber is English oak, and was framed in England, It is a brick structure, erected in the most substantial manner. The mortar haj become so hardened that it will striko lire in collision with steel. Tho floating dock and the typewriting are among the many important inventions that wore hit upon by men who havo made uo attempt to patent thoir ideas. A photographer conceived the idea of the floating dock beforo the device was perfected an I put to practical use, and a naval officer thought out a practical typewriter, but was persuaded by friends to abandon hi 3 invention as a thing no body could be induced to-use. The Italian Priac3ss Vicovaro, daugh ter of Lorillard Spencer, of New York, not long aifo received a letter at her villa near Lucerne, Switzerland, saying that if $3993 were not deposited in a certain place by.a fixed time her viila would bo blown up. She handed tho letter to the police, who, by pretending to comply with the demand, caught tho writer, a young man, who admitted ho was driven to the attempt by his intense desire to come to this country and seo the Fair at Chicago. Ani nals That Could Lito in Fire. The Icelanders declare that-they have a small quadruped about tho size of a rabbit which habitually makes its homo in tho crater of Ilecla, sporting and rearing its young in the molten lava. When Cyprus was tho-centre of tho copper industry it is asserted that a four footed animal with wings lived in tho hottest furnaces among the fire, and, furthermore, that it would die instantly upon being removed from its natural element, the flames. The salamander of old was also a creaturo which did not dread the fire. Some say that it could eat Hire and spit flames; others that its breathfwould ignito all combustibles. Pliny says: "Thii animal i 3 EO intensely colrlms to extin guish fire by its coutact, in the same way that ice doth." Aristotle believed that some creatures were capable of supporting life even though confined to the devouring ele ment. Ho says: "In Cyprus, when tho manufacturers of chalcitis (lime) burn it many days in the fire, u winged creature, something larger than a great fly, is seen emerging from the stoue and leaping and walking about in the fire. These creatures perish immediately upon bein<* removed from the furnace."—St. Louia Rjpublic. Too Practical. "There is but one stop from tho sub lime to the ridiculous." A short tira3 ago, at a penny reading in.a small coun try town, a young gentleman was re citiug, much to his own satisfaction, if not to that of his audience, Micaulay's well-known "Battle of Ivry." With great military fervor ho was thundering out tha lines: A then sand spurs aro striking tloop, A thousand spears in re3t; A thousand knights are pressing close Bjhiud— when a voice from the back seats was heard to shout: " 'Old 'ard, guv'nor. Why, that's ouly one spur apiece for thorn 'ere kuightil"—Tit THE FIRST WHISTLE. ♦Vhcn tlio Steamboat-Screecher Was Firs! Heard on the MlsHlsslppl. "I see they have finally settled the discussion as to who was the first man to use a steamboat whistle on the river," said Captain Jere Eastr man, of Cairo, at the Laclede last night. "It was a mighty interesting discussion, too, and the thing was in doubt for some time, but it is all set tled now, and Captain J. Stut Neal was the man. As Captain Ncal ex plains it himself, the story is some thing to this effect: lie was the en gineer and'part ownerof the llcvinuc (spell that with an 'i,' mind you), and she was the first vessel to use a whistle. They got it from Anderson Fulton, in l'lttsburg, whero the boat was built. That was in 1843. 41 You sec, they were making a trip with Government supplies to Fort Touson, on the Red River, in 1844. They had had the whistle then, for, while they were making the trip, Folk was inaugurated President and old Cap'n Ncal—he wasn't old then— was the only Democrat on the boat, and 1 tell you he made the Injuns jump when he set that old whistle to tooting. In those days the whistle was placed a-top of the boilers and the engineer could amuse himself to his heart's content if he wanted la Old Cap'n Neal was a steam boatman born. lie was the llrst man on the river to use the life-preserver, and sent Cap'n W 11. Fulton all the way to Philadelphia to get a supply of them for the ltevinue. On the trip that I tell you about the Revinuo towed a keel boat all the way from Pittsburg via New Orleans to Fort Touson, on the Red River. That was before the annexation of Texas, and at that time Fort Touson was the boundary line between the United States and Texas, and 1 tell you that was a feat for steamboating in those days."—St. Louis Globe-Democrat. exclusively. WIST The Royal . • imparts that peculiar swcct <■ ness, flavor and delicacy noticed in the finest cake, biscuit, rolls, etc., which expert pastry cooks declare is unobtainable * by the use of any other ■ leavening agent. Bear fn Mind That " The Gods Help Those Who Help Them selves." Self Help Should Teach You to Use S A POLIO pjTHE KIND 1 | THAT CURES| E. A. WOLLABER, ■ llcrkimrr, N. Y. j||j Torturing Eczema, INDIGESTION AND* LOSS OF APPETITE * ■ CURED. ■ m Tu* FOLLOWING STRONG TESTIMONIAL HSBENT ITS nr TUB LABOR MFP.ril ANTII.E IIOUBX.m ■hp c. w. PALMER m CO., HERKIMER, N. Y. ■ ™I)ANA S ARHAI* arii.I.A CO.: GKNTI.EMEN During the past three years I H Hhsvu suffered considerably with niH BO tliut I was unable to attanil to my work. ■jgialß > suffered from Indigestion, and wax biulUggj ■rundown. I tried various remedies without ob-H gaining any relief until I was induced to try :w DANA'S 1 SARSAPARILLA ■ ■fil have taken onlv two bottles and feel like nnl ■new mnn. Piinpl a and blotches have* —entirely dii:ip|ieiired; Apiu l Ue llrsf ■ rntet liipH lon good. In fact I believe if|| ?Hl had not taken DANA'S I would not be alive S Sanow. Yours truly, „„„ g| Herkimer, N. Y. h. A. WOLLADI.R. ■ Dana Sarsaparllla Co., Belfast, Maine- j|| Unlike the Dutch Process No Alkalies A&* Other Chemicals ore used in the jPfff. BAKER & CO.'S | MBreakfastCocoa W r'l ll 6 Alexandra improved Cream Sep arator ; capacity 2800 to-1000 pounds per hour; two horse power will run it. Aleo row model HAND SEPARATOR tor the rale of which AGbNTS are WANTED in every section. Manufacturers of every tiling m line of machinery and supplies for butler itnd cheese factories. Send for catalogue. DAVIS A RANKIN BUILDING AND MPQ. CO., 210 TO 254 WEST LAKE STREET, CHICAGO, ILLINOIS. MEND YOUR OWN HARNESS I with mail THOMSON'S ylfci SLOTTED SATI " E,EAE CLINCH RIVETS. No tools required. Only a hammer needed to drive and clinch th m easily and quickly, having the clinch absolutely smooth. Requiring no ho c lobe made In ihe leather nor burr lor the Rivets. They are strong, I outfit and durable. Millions now in uso. All emalii, uniform or assorted, put up in boxes. Ask yuui' dealer lor Harm, or send 40c. In stamps for a box ot 100, assorted sizes. Man'id by JUDSON L. THOMSON MFG, CO., WALTIIA9L9iASII. Cures Consnruption, Coughs, Croup, Sore Throat. Sold by all .form, -.gists on a Guarantee. I> I'll; V'l'C 1 I'.ADKMARKS. Examination 1 A I foil 10. and nd\lce ua to patentabll ty of invention. Send ror inventors Uulde.orhow to get a patent. PATRICK O'KARUUU* WASHINGTON. D.C. nTr LI TQ TIIOMAK P. SIMPSON*. Washington, iAltulu ! Brings comfort and improvement and tends to personal enjoyment when rightly used. The many, who live bet ter than others and enjoy life more, with less expenditure, by moro promptly adapting tho world's best products to the needs of physical being, will attest the value to health of the pure liquid laxativo principles embraced in tho remedy, Syrup of Figs. Its excellence is due to its presenting in tho form most acceptable and pleas ant to the taste, the refreshing and truly beneficial properties of a jierfect lax ative ; effectually cleansing tho system, dispelling colds, headaches and fevers and permanently curing constipation. It has given satisfaction to millions and met with tho approval of the medical profession, because it acts on the Kid neys, Liver and Bowels without weak ening them and it is perfectly free from every objectionable substance. Syrup of Figs is for sale by all drug gists in 00c and $1 bottles, but it is man ufactured by the California Fig Syrup Co. only, whose name is printed on every package, also the name, Syrup of Figs, and being well informed, you will not accept any substitute if oflered. Garfield Tea ESS Cures Constipation, ltestorea Complexion. Saves Bills. Sample free. GARNKI.DTBACO.,3I9 W.t&thSt.^N.Y. Cures Sick Headache you a ready rpundod afler a prescription tcS by a regular physician, with made medicine lor Coughs, no idea that it would ever I go on the market rh a propria bronchitis and other (lis- tary " ut Rf !" compounding that prescrlp eases of the Throat and Lungs. Like other so called began advertising it In i . , . . ... ~ small war. A medietas Patent Medicines, it is well known all over the world is tho result. advertised, and having merit Why is it not Just as good I as though costing f.fty cents it has attained a wide sale to a dollar for a prescription and an equal sum to bavo it under the name of Piso's I 1 " 1' "p*' 111 """""' Cure for Consumption. "A SUCCESS." F. J. Cheney & Co., Toledo, 0., Gentlemen:— I have suffered from catarrh for about five years and have tried several remedies without relief until I commenced to use Ilall's Catarrh Cure last February. I must say that it is a A SUCCESS, the dropping in my throat disappeared entirely after the first bottle. It increased my appetite, so that I now weigh eight pounds more than my cus* t omary weight. I have recommended it to others a nd all who used it have been greatly relieved and speak highly of it. One of them was in my store yesterday and expressed his wish to peddle it this winter. Will you please let me know the lowest terms you could furnish it for, as I would like to keep it in stock. Hoping to hear from you soon, I remain, Yours respectfully, R. C. IIAUSWEDELL, Lake City, Minn BOLD BY DRUGGISTS, 75c. What Without i i HOME /■ HOME \ :|TACKS?TNAILS?| \ Several sizes to suit, Several sixes In a carton,— J jr In a compartment box,— handy when you noed nails handy when you need for a loose board, shingle,or 4 \. Tacks about the home for Fence Picket, jA j * carpots, curtains, gimp, or- broken furniture, rickety namenta, oilcloths, sheath-I door,—to hang your hat lng,—lool uses you know of. I cud coat on, etc., etc. J ir Always find tbc right tack at I Always tlc right nail at the % "t the right time. right time. # FOR SALE EVERYWHERE. 2 V Made Solely bj the ATLAS TACK CORPORATION, BOSTON. / 4 VTarkhoubbs: Boston, New York, Philadelphia, Chicago, Baltimore, San Francisco, I.rrn. Ji j P raCTOKins: Tauuton, Falrhavcn, Whitman, Duibury, ami Ptpmouth, Masa. \ > EVERYBODY WANTS THEM. 'August Flower" '' I have been afflicted with bilious* nessand constipation for fifteen years and first one and then another prep aration was suggested to me and tried, but to no purpose. A friend recommended August Flower and words cannot describe the admira tion in which I hold it. It has given me a new lease of life, which before was a burden. Its good qualities and wonderful merits should be made ; known to everyone suffering with dyspepsia and biliousness." JESSK Barker, Printer, Humboldt, Kas.® F N V IT '3 SCJX3IVTS3 Golden Novelty Co., 573 Broadway, New York, pays for the Golden Prise Stationery Paokaf# —nix sheet# note paper, six envelopes, one lead pcucll, and one magnlllccut piece of Jewelry. Total retail value. ** conr-. ft n C kj TJ| .->KND FOR TERMS TOftUSNIO MUST HAVE i lur 2e. Mump. Immrnso. I'nrl vailed. Only good one ever Invented. Beats weights. Sales unparalleled Sl'J a day, WYi/s quick. Hnoiuno, Phlla., Pa. ' iSEWSBOMAV^.V.^ , K.V s : * HI Jy rain last war. 15 adjudicating claims. atty slate.