Mai?ing'e seems to tiio New York Mail urn! Express to be a failure in Switzerland, where one divorce is granted for every twenty-two wed dings. Tt appears that canned horse meat is really to come ou the market. It is said, in the New York Sun, to be sweetish and not 60 good a9 dog, but it is not nasty. Herbert Spencer takes a gloomy •view of the future. He believes tiio world is approaching an era of Stato socialism, "which," he says, "will bo the greatest disaster tho world has ever known." Tho Chicago Times-Herald offers four prize?, aggregating SSOOO, for the best American inventions in the lino of "horseless carriages." They must be ready to run from Chicago to Milwaukee in November. The San Francisco Examiner be lieves that the English habit of carry ing one's wife into an aetivo political campaign could bo adopted in this country without tho wife being pelted with a stale cabbage or au out-of-date cat. Some of the republics south of us are said to order a good deal of rail road iron from tho United States. "If these States would buy moro railroad iron and fewer git us they would get on much more comfortably," remarks the St. Louis Post-Dispatch. When it is remembered that ou tho lines of a single railroad system in Georgia there are 2,088,000 peach Irees that grow fruit for shipment, something may be known of the pres ent magnitude of an industry that scarcely existed twenty years ago. The peach belt now extends over tho greater part of tho State, and somo single orchards number 100,000 trees. Western Pennsylvania, according to the report of the United States Geolo gical Survey, has twenty-one or twenty-two bituminous coal seams of commercial value. Dr. Ohauce, the Assistant Geologist of the State Geolo gical Survey, estimates the quautity of coal contained in thoso seams at 33,- 547,200,000 long tons. It is estimated that this supply would not bo ex hausted for 830 years taking the aver age annual production for tho past live years, which has been 43,000,000 tons. Tho existenco of an international criminal league, reccutly discovered at Brussels, is only another proof that the world is growing smaller day by day. Just as with us one State is too bounded n sphere for the exuberant activities of the artists in the craft of appropriating other people's goods, BO it Is abroad. A European federation of thieves, secret agents and receivers of stolen goods has been unveiled. The headquarters wore iu London, wceio tho fence had his quarters. This is i development of the theory of the solidarity of Nations that is not reassuring. Tho Chicago Tribune observes that n newspaper reportor named William Wei Jon invented the idea of tho "bi cycle sulky," tho record-breaking sulky with ball bearings and pneu matic tires. Ho suggested tho inno vation in a newpaper "fake" article, not really as a practical thing. The Tribune bewails the fact that he never took a patent for tho idea, thus los ing "millions." Tho Tribune is off scent, however, comments the Path finder, for the application of bicycle wheels to a sulky would uot to bo patentable. To entitle to patent tho invention must ho "novel," and tho Patent Office holds that a mere adap tation of a dcvicj to a logical though new use, is not such a "novel" use us will carry a patent. This is apparently to be tho greatest corn year ever known, and the seusou is now so fur advanced, according to a contemporary, as to reduce tho chances of disaster to a minimum. In 1891 we raised the greatest corn crop ever grown, hut wo are going to ren der it insignificant this year. In 1891 corn covered 70,204,000 acres and yielded an average ot twenty-seven bushels to tho acre. This year the corn fields amount to 82,304,000 acres, or 0,000,000 more tnan in 1891, and all reports indicate a larger yield per acre than in that year. Hut at tho mi mo average yield the crop will amount to 2,222,208,000—tw0 billion two hundred and twenty-two million two hundred and eight thousand bush els. Corn is worth about fifty cents a bushel, not only iu tho markets, but in the feeding of hogs. This crop will therefore add 31,111,104,000 to the country's wealth. Think of it! Mere than a billion dollars of actual wealth produced in a single year in the shape of a single crop I SORTIN' THE MAIL. I've bon sortie' ther mail at Jonosville fer goin' 011 fifteen year. An' know cr-bout what's com in' 'fore they throws ther snk off here; llov seen ther same handwritin' on ther letters, big an' small, Till I kind uv feel familur like an' friendly with 'em all. Lord bless ye, yes, it seems jest like t key's speak in' out ter me, A-givin' up the kindest words 'ut's not fer me ter sec, An' I got ter feeling' restless, it seems so long ter wait 'Fore ther mail train comes er-wliistlia' as ther clock is strikiu* eight. Then ther neighbors come a-hurrying' in, for fear they may be late; Most on 'em ain't spectin', but they like ter stan' an' wait, Jest ter see tlier ones 'at's lucky get or letter once't or week. Maybe watch 'em tear it open an' ther bolder take a peek. YVidder Tomkins stall's er-lookin' till they drop out one by one, Like she lias ter my bes' knowledge fer ther past live years an' gone; When she says at last so wistful: "Is ther anythin' frum Ned?" Blest if 1 kin get er word out, so I on'y shake my head. Yer see her "Ned" was reckless like au' run er-way ter sea, Was jest tlier likeliest lad in town an* hau'some ex could be. That's five years back, an' every night ther widder without fail Comes er long ex patient like, with every evonin' mail. "The Lord 'ill send it some time," was what she often said, I'.ut when she asks, night after night, I on'y shake my head. 1 somehow think like alio docs 'at her letter's sure ter come, Ibit's ben so long time on ther way my faith is dwiudlin' some. Polly Perkins "jest rrrops in" when all ther rest hev went, Then blushes to herself an* me, perteud in' she was sent Ter buy some rashers uv bacon ir or half cr-dor.en eggs, If she ketches er glimpse uv er letter, why then she fairly begs. Her feller's in ther city, an' 's doin' first rate, they say, So we're a-spectin' party soon ter hev him name ther day. Jonosville's sort uv dull like, but yer hit it on ther nail If yer say it's mighty interestiu' er sortin' out tlier mail. ' Chicago Record. A RUNAWAY MATCH. MP. SHELDON was the princi pal merchant in the important manufacturing town of Tor niojjt. He piqued himself on his wealth, but he piqued himself more on the fact that lie had made it all himself, and he piqued himself still more because lie had made it by never allowing any body to get ahead of liiin. "That's the secret of success in life, Harry," lie said one day to his favorite clerk. "Sharp, is the motto, if you wish to rise. I don't mean you should cheat; that, of course, is both wrong and uugontlemanly." (Mr. Sheldon piqued himself, also, on being what he called "a gentleman," and above all little meannesses). "Hut always be wide awake, and never let anybody client you. I've noticed, by the by, that you've seemed rather down-hearted lately. If it's because you've your for tune jet to make, don't despair; but follow nij* advice. An opening will come at some time for something better than a clerkship, and though I shall be sorry to lose you, yet I'll give you up, if it's for your interest." "Thank you," said Ilarry, apparently not a bit cheered up by this cool way of being told that he had nothing to ex peer. from Mr. Sheldon; "but it's not ex actly that. 1 suppose 1 shall get along somehow." "What is it, my dear boy, then? I really take an Interest in you, as you know;" and he did, so far as words were concerned. "Perhaps I can give you some advice." "Well," said Ilarry, with some hesita tion, "Phi ill love, and " "In love?" exclaimed tho rich mer chant. "In love ,and with only a clerk's salary to marry on. It will never do never do, Harry. Marriage for one like £ou is fastening a heavy millstone round your neck, unless, indeed," and lie stopped, as if a bright thought had struck him "unless, indeed, the girl is rich." "She is rich, or will be, I suppose," answered Harry, "for her father is a wealthy man. Hut that's just the dllii culty. Her father would never lot her marry a poor man, and she won't mar ry without his consent." "What a miserable tyrant!" said Mr. ►Sheldon. "Had! if I was her lover, Har ry, I'd run off with lier. I'd checkmate the old curmudgeon in that way;" and he chuckled at the imaginary triumph he *vould achieve. " 'l'on my soul, I would. I never, as I told you, let auy body take a rise out of me." "Hut would that lie honorable?" "Honorable? Isn't everything fair In love and war? 1 thought you had some pluck, Harry. How I would like to see the stingy old luilks rave and stump about on his gouty toes for he must be gouty when he heard of your elopement." And lie laughed till his portly sides shook at the picture lie had conjured up. "He'd probably never forgive me," said Harry, dejectedly. "And what could I do, with a wife brought up to every luxury, and only a poor clerk's salary to support her on?" "Never forgive you? Trash and non sense! They always do forgive. They can't help it. IJesidcs," with a confi dential wink, "I think I know your man. It's that skiulliut, Meadows. I've heard of your being sweet on his daugh ter. She's a pretty minx, though she is his child. Oh, you needn't deny it. 1 saw bow .von hung about her at our party tho other night, and when I Joked, about it with my daughter tho next* morning sho as good as admitted that it' was true, saying it would bo a very good match for you. Now, I owe old Meadows a grudge. lie tried to do me in those railway shares last winter, and I mean to pay him for it somehow. I'll tell you what I'll do. I mustn't ask, mind you, who the girl is. Mum must be the word. I musn't, of course, bo known in the affair; but I'll give you a leave of absence for a month, and a check for liftj- pounds to pay for your wedding trip, if you'll make a runaway mutch. Is It agreed? Well, there's ray hand on it. Here's the check. Egad! won't the old rascal howl when he hears how we've done him?" Ilarry seemed to hesitate, however, and it was not till Mr. Sheldon, eager to see his old commercial rival put at a disadvantage, had urged liim again and again, and promised to stand by him, that he linally consented and took the check which his emploj'er persisted in forcing upon him. The next morning Mr. Sheldon came down to breakfast in high glee, for a note had reached him just as ho was shaving, which ran as follows: Dear Sir: I have, with much difficulty, persuaded her to elope. It was not, however, till I showed her your check that sho would consent to do so. She 1 said that she was sure you would not I recommend anything that was wrong; i that you would advise her as if you j were her own father; and she hopes you will stand by us. We shall be married to-morrow, before Mr. Meadows is tip Very thankfully, HAUKYCOXUAD. The old gentleman brought the note to the table, opened it out before him, | adjusted his spectacles and read it over and over again. "I'd give a ten pound note," lie said, chuckling, "to see the old fellow's face ! when he hears how Harry lias done ! him." It was the custom of Mr. Sheldon to read his newspaper at breakfast, while j waiting for his only child and daughter, ! who, a little spoiled by over-indulgence, was generally late. Hut this morning Mattlo was later than ever. The banker had read all the foreign, as well us the home news, and even re perused Harry's note again, and still she had not made her appearance. "The lazy puss!" lie said at last. Then he looked up at the clock. "Half an hour late! Now this is really too bad. John," he cried, addressing the man servant at the sideboard, "send and see why Miss Sheldon doesn't come down. Tell her," with a severe air, "I am tired of waiting." John came back in about five minutes looking very much tlustcrod. "If you please, sir," he stammered. "Miss Sheldon is not in her room, and tho maid says, she says, that the bed looks as if it hadn't been slept in all night." The rich merchant's jaw fell. If there was one thing he loved better than money, better even than life itself, it was his motherless child. What had become of his darling? What awful tragedy was about to bo revealed to him? Had sho gone out for a walk the evening before and stumbled into the river? No; he remembered parting with her tit 10 o'clock. Had she been looking from the window of her room and fallen out? lie started un, with a cry of agony, to go and see. beholding, in imagination, her mangled and lifeless form. But he was prevented by the footman appear ing at the door with a telegram. "A telegram?" cried the merchant, tin folding it with trembling hands. "What can it mean? Has she been found dead anywhere?" This was tho telegram: Dear Father—Harry and I were mar ried at S o'clock this morning. I would not consent to an elopement till Ilarry assured me you had advised it, and had shown me your check as proof, lie says you promised to stand by us, and I know you pride yourself on never breaking a promise. We wait for your blessing. MATT IE. "Well, I never!" ejaculated Mr. Shel don, when lie had recovered breath. "The impudent, disobe " But here he stopped -stopped and mopped his bald head, which, in his ex citement, had broken out into great drops of perspiration. He remembered in time that both the butler and fool man would overhear him. He remem bered also that he had himself advised Ilarry to elope, and that if the story got wind he would be the laughing stock of the town, including, hardest cut of all, Mr. Meadows. He remem bered. too, that he had but one child, and that she was all in all to him. So lie accepted the inevitable and tele graphed back: You may come homo, and the sooner the better, so as to keep the fifty pounds j for pin money. Tell Harry he's too sharp to remain a clerk, and that to-day I take him into partnership. Only he must remember that partners never toll talcs out of school. God bless you. 11. SHELDON. The runaways returned by the next train. Tho marriage proved, too, an eminently happy one. The story never got out. We only toll it now in confl* < ilenco.—Hours at Home. Irrigation In tho West. Some notion of the extent and Im portance of irrigation in the West is had from the fact that seventeen States and territories will be represented in the fourth national Irrigation congress,! which Is to be held in Albuquerque, N.' durJtyr third weofc of next Sop-! toniu*. "My mamma got ever so many falls when she was learning to ride the bi cycle yesterday," explained the little girl to the caller, "and that's why she's so long coming down. She's got the blues all over her."—Chicago Tribune. BATTLE OF THE YALIL THE CHEN YUEN'S COMMANDER DESCRIBES THE EIGHT. Tivo Chi nose Ships Kan Away, lint the Others li'ouglit With Oreat Hravery—!>ln of Striking Shells. r~y- OMMANDER I>IIILO McGIF ( / fin, the bravo American of- V J ficer in chnrgo of tlio Chinese battleship Chen Yuen, writes a graphic account of "The Battle of tho Yalu," for the Century. As Com mantlcr Giflin was tho lirst naval oili cer belonging to the Nations of Euro pean civilization to witness an engage ment with modern vessels and guns, his account has a value entirely apart front its interest. Tho following is an extract from his article: The fleets closed on each othor rap idly. My crew was silent. The sub lieutenant in tho military foretop was taking sextant angles and announcing the rnuge, and exhibiting an appro priate small signal-flag. As each range was called the men at tho guns would lower tho sight-bars, each gun captain, lanyard in hand, keeping his gun trained on the euemy. Through tho ventilators could bo heard the beats of tho steam-pumps; for all tho lines of hoso wero joiuod up and spout ing water, so that in case of fire no time need bo lost. Tho rauge was about four miles, and decreasing fast. "Six thousand meters!" "Five thousand eight hundred"—"six hundred"—five hundred"—"iivo hundred 1" "Five thousand four hundred!" Tho crisis was rapidly approaching. Every man's nerves wero in a state of tension, which wus greatly relieved as a huge cloud of white smoke, belch ing from the Ting Yuen's starboard barbette, "opened tho ball." Just as the projectile threw up a column of white water a little short of the Yosh iuo, a roar trom the Chen Yuen's bat tery seconded the flag-ships' motion. It was exactly 12.20 p. m. Tho range, as found on tho Chcu Yuen, was 5200 metres; on the Ting Yuen it was as sumed to be 5590. On our side the firing now became general from the main batteries, but it was about five minutes before the Japanese replied. As they opened fire, tho Chinese quick firing Uotchkiss and Maxim-Norden felt, three and six pounders, joined in, and thence forward tho conflict was almost incessant. Like ours, the enemy's first shots fell short; but with an exultant chuckle we noted that a 3hot from ouo ol' our 12-inch gunshnd struck ono of tho Japanese leading ships. Tho bridge of tho Chen Y'uen, al though SOLUO thirty feet above tho wnter, was very soon soaked, as was, indeed, the enllro exposed surface on tho engaged side, ny Bpray thrown up by line shots that struck the water a little short. Many of tho men at the guns on deck were Jwet through, and indeod the water was thrown on board with such violence as to sting tho face and hands like hail. Every ouo in the conning tower had his ears stopped j with cotton, yet tho din made by pro- ' jectiles rattling up against tho outside of its 10-inch armor was a serious an-! uoyance. During this early part of the en gagement the Chinese llect as a whole kept their indented line, anil preserved intervals fairly well, steaming at about, six knots—the Chao Yung and Yang Wei being still out of station on the extreme right. The Tsi Yuen, with lier faint-hearted commander, Fong, had bolted very soon after the enemy had opened tiro. At 12.45 we saw this vessel about three mi[es astern on our starboart quarter, headiug southwest toward Port Arthur. She was followed by a string of Chinese anathemas from our men at the guns. She reached Port Arthur at 2 a. m. uext day (seveu hours in advance of the lleet), spread ing there a wild tale that we had been overwhelmed by a vast Japanese ar mada, etc. Upon our arrival, Captain Fong claimed that his entire battery had early been disabled, and that ho had been obliged to run to save bis do fenseless ship. But upou an examin ation of his battery by a detail of line and eugiueer officers, it was found in perfect working order, excepting the six-inch sternchaser—the one project ile which struck his ship having passed beneath tho trunnions, lifting the gun from its seat. But this shot had entered from the stern, having evidently been received after the re treat had begun—administered, it would seem, as a contemptuous part ing kick from tho enemy. Captain Pong's outrageous examplo was at once followed by tho comman der of the Kwan Chia, whoso courage was scarcely exceeded by bis knowl edge r f navigation; for, about mid night, lit ran upou a reef outsido of Ta-Lien-Wan, which he said was a most unaccountable mishap, as ho had laid his course (in a 10J milo run) "to clear it by one and a half miles!" This vessel had not been struck at all, but some days later was blown up by her crew upan the approach of some Japanese vessels. Our force had thus early been reduced to eight vessels. As tho Japanese ileot apprDftched, it steamed along our front from left to right, at perhaps double our speed, and ruch vessel could thus exchange shots 1 fMheach of ours in turn. The Japanese Principal Squadron kept at closer range, upou the wholo, than did tho Flying Squadron. The latter, upon reaching our right flank, turned it aud poured in a heavy cross-lire ou the extreme wing, tho Ohao Yung and Yang Wei receiving the most of it. From the first these two old-fashioned cruisers were doomed. Two passage ways in each superstructure connected the bow and stern ten-inch guns, on tho outboard sido cf each being offi cers' quarters, etc., the partitions and bulkheads being of wood highly var nished and oiled. These vessels were early set on lire, and tho draft down tlieso passageways at once turned them into alleys of roaring flame. The machine gunß overhead were thus rendered useless, tho deck being un tenable, and the bow and stern guns were isolated from each other and from their magazines. As a forlorn hope, tho ill-fated vessels made for tho nearest land. WISE WORDS. Art is an acquirod habit. Mirth is a great sweotener. There is only ono of each of us. Tho houso is cold when love goos out. A child's "why?" is aparont's buga boo. Turn" the tragic" hungry from your gate. It is better to bo born lucky than tired. Don't give to man, woman or child who whines. A woman's kingdom is anarchy if there be no man in it. "An ounce of prevention"anda pound of anticipatory anxiety. It is a very mean naturo that won't borrow once in a while. Well regulated love is six of one and half a dozen of the other. In the home tho power behind the throuo is the eldest daughter. Matrimony is a hard teacher, but some peoplo will learn under no other. A fool and his money are soon parted, for tho general good of man kind. A man's goodness must be in bis heart, not in bis bead, if he wants to be well balanced. Time and tide wait for no man, but if they did some men would get there late just tho same. Some young people who marry in haste havo to hustlo so for a living that they have no leisure in which to repent. Tho man with a million dollars thinks more of feoding one man a mill ion times than he does of feeding a million men one time. Played n Trick on Vamlerbii*. Brico's greatest play was building tho Nickel Plate. He put in overy dollar ho could get, and from any source. There camo a time, too,when, to snvi himself from utter ruin, if not something worse, he had to Bell. Ho went to Vnnderbilt, whose road the Nickel Plato paralleled. Vanderbilt wouldn't buy tho Nickel Plate. Ho suid he could afford to wait tho first mortgage foreclosure and buy it from a Sheriff. "If you don't buy it, Jay Gould will," said Brice. "Ob, no, ho won't," said Vander bilt. Brtee then went to Gould. He knew that ho didn't want the Nickel Plate, bat be bad a beautiful sehome to pro pose. Ho knew Vanderbilt. would buy tho road before he would allow Gould to get in. Hero came Brice's strategy. Ho told Gould that it ho would sit silent and not contradict, neither af firm nor deny, any newspaper articles to the effect that he was going to buy the Nickel Plate, and after this clam like silence had continued for a week, if ho would then ride slowly over the Nickel Plato in an observation car, Vanderbilt would buy the road, and ho would give Gould $500,(X)0. Gould didn't carc for the $500,000, hut ho was a jocose speculator, and it struck him that tho whole thing would bo a majestic joke on Vanderbilt. Tbo papers said that Gould was going to buy tbo Nickel Plate. Gould, wbeu questioned, looked wise. At tho end of a week ho meandered, snail-like, over tbo Nickel Plato in the rear end of an observation car, and bad all the air of a inau who was lookiug at a piece of properly. Stories wore wired about Gould's trip from overy water tank and way station aloug the line, and boforo Gould bad reached Chi cago Vanderbilt, in a fit of hysterics, wired Brico that ho would tako the Nickel Plate. Vanderbilt took tbo Nickel Plato and Brico was saved. — Louisville Courier-Journal. A Compromise, Prosecuting Attorney John T. Dare and opposing counsel exchanged a few hot words yesterday morning. "Mr. Dare, sit down," ordered Jiulgo Jonchimseu. "Your Honor, 1 profer to attend to my duties on my ieet, as a respectful attorney should," replied Dare. "Mr. Dare, sit down!" shouted the Judge, now thoroughly angry, and Mr. Dare saw that it was necessary to hedge a little to bolster his bluff. "Your Honor, I don't know why I should bo singled out," said Dare, "and I must therefore deelino to sit down. I would, however, obey a gen eral order for every ono in the court room to bo seated," he snggosted by way of a compromise, though he was the only ono in tho court room who was standing. "Everybody sit down !" roared the Judge, who had been bluffing himself and was only too glad to accept tho compromise. Mr. Dare took bii seat respectfully and the busiuess ol tbo court proceeded harmoniously,—San Francisco Post. Dean Hole ami the O.xior.l Snob, Deau Hole, tho distinguished Eng lish churchman, who recently visited this country, dearly loves a good joke. One day a somewhat snobbish Oxford friend of his, wishing to impress upou the Dean the high social character of his familiar acquaintance, wrote him a letter, beginning: "My dear Countess," and then scratching out "Countess," substituted "Hole." Whereupon the Dean, not to be out done, began his reply: "My dear Qaeen,"and then drewhispen through "Queen" anil substituted "Diok."— New York Sun. SCIENTIFIC AND INDUSTUI.IL. The electric linos in Chicago now extend over 509 miles. A metallic ribbon is tho latest sub stitute for bicycle chains. Tho only dyes impervious to the bleaohing power of tho sun's rays aro Prussian blue and chromo yellow. The meat of tho herring gives the muscles elasticity, tho body strength and tho brain vigor, and it is not flesh-forming. A mastodon skeleton unearthed in Border County, Texas, in August, 1891, had tusks atached to tho skull which wero tea feet long. Tho problem of employing spirits for lighting on a now principle similar to tho incandescent gas light is re ported to havo boen successfully solvod by a German. A French medical authority asserts that death caused by a fall from a great height is absolutely painless, Tho miud acts very rapidly for a timet then unconsciousness ensues. It is urged that photographers gen erally should be prepared to catch views of lightning in order that it may bo studied photographically as effectively as astronomy is now done. A new method for identifying hand writing is reported to have bean dis covered. It consists iu enlarging tho letters by photography and measur ing tho alteration duo to beating of tho pulse. Ono of tho most rccont projects for rapid transit is tho suspension of tho cars, the motivo power hoiugelectrici ty. Tho inventor claims that tho enormous speed of 180 milos per hour may bo attained. Tho Cincinnati Enquirer has discov ered that a drop of air at a tempera tare of minus 189 degrees will froezo a hole through a person's hand just as quickly as would the same quantity of molten steel or load. An expert snya that in tho nerves nt tho finger tips of blind persons well defined cells of gray matter, in all ro epects identical with the gray matter of the brains, aro formed. They car ry thoir brains in thoir hands. Blag brick chimneys aro being tried abroad. Tho weight is but half that of brick, and a special coraeut hinds together tho blocks composing tho chimnoy bo firmly as to require neith er chain nor irou band for strength ening. It has been pointed out that tho hairs of somo caterpillars, prevalent at this season of tho year, may cause serious iuttaination of tho eye, and impairment of visiou. They should ho removed from the eye at ouco if introduced there. A Lucky Accident. As an example of how a remunera tive spooialty in hardware forced it self on a receptive and appreciative Yankee, tho following incident will bo of interest: Ainoug manufacturers small cast ings are often put iu revolving cylinders with pickers or stars made of cast irou, having usually six points, tho extremes of which aro about au inch apart. They aro also familiar to toy deal ers, who sell them to children as ''jackstouos." Tho pickers, together with small castings, aro put into tho tumbling barrels, so that any particles of sand adhering may bo reuiovod and a better finish givou tho castings. A large and well-known Now Eng land concorn, which, in addition to tho other lines, manufacturers scrow wrouchei largely, formerly used a peculiarly shaped malleable iron fer rule, with irregular openings at tbe four sides and circular openings at tho two ends, weighing about au ounce. Borao of these ferrules chanced to bo a part of the contents in ono of tho tumbling barrels. When tho barrel was opened the attendant noticed, what to him seemed almost incredible, that tho picker with all its prongs was inside tho ferrule, tho openings of which were comparatively small. Tho observant mechauio logically con cluded that as it had got in it could bo got out again. Tho phenomenon was brought to tho nttoutiou of parties who decided to apply tho idea in a puzzle, and tho re sult has been that the original manu facturers are now making the two parts under contract, iu ton lots, whilo the first order is said to havo netted a profit to the promoters of 81700,—Iron Age. A Hi iiculous Custom. But there is nothing moro amusing, perhaps, in all the quaint and curious "customs" of tho House of Commons than the strange ceremony which marks tho termination of its every sit ting. Tho moment the house is a