Chicago gives notice at this early date that in twenty-five years she will be "treading on the heels of Lon don." ___ The Washington Star thinks "Inter national arbitration would bo an ex cellent thing if England could be per suaded to lorogo the privilege of dic tating the terms ol every compro mise." The industry of instructing murder ers in the manly art of insanity is something new, and, in tho opinion of the San Francisco Examiner, ought to bo profitable if tho lawyers in tho case can be induced to divide on a fair basis. In a recout lawsuit it was shown that the matorials for one of our best makes of bicycles cost only about 815. Tho work costs sny, as mitoh more. "But so long as onthnsiasts will jiay 8100 for all tho wheols first class makers can produce, tho makers would bo foolish to reduce prices," remarks tho Pathfinder. • Tho trolley car and tho bicycle aro credited with being mainly responsi ble for the remarkablo fact, stated in tho Department of Agricultnro re ports, that tlio value of horses and mules in this country decreasod by al most oue-half between 1592 and tho end of last year. Tho aggregato de cline in tire valtio of horses iH put down at 8500,000,000 and of mules 000,000. The stories that have come from Western ranges lately seem to bear out tho figures in general. The lightning performs some curi ous freaks, but the other day it took it into its head to befriend a woman out West. This woman had siraight hair, relates tho New York Herald, and, of course, she despised straight hair and wanted it curly. Wo always want what wo don't have and can't have. Well, this woman was caught out in a terrific thunderstorm. Tho lightning played all about hor iu tbo most caressing fashion, and on one oc casion took a little excursion through her body, starting on the picuic at her head, and saying farewell, or au re voir, at her feet. When sho recovered consciousness she found that her hair ■was frizzled as nicoly as though it had been dono with tho curling tongs. Well, a more grateful creature you never saw. Sho believes in electricity with all her heart, and is glad that oho was struck by lightning. How strange it is, muses James Payn in the New York Independent, that Africa, tbo least populated, and on tho whole tho least interesting of tho four quarters of tho globe, should always be written about at greater length than any of tho others. From tho days of Livingstono down to that of Slatin Pasha accounts of this region have always been publishod in exteu so. When you have read one chapter about the Soudan 3-011 have read al most all ; ODO chief is tho fac simile of another; oua tribe, one army stand for all; 0110 iulo of cruelty and blood shed extends from end to end of tho great barren tract. The picturos of hideous mon and still moro hideous women that illustrate works on African travel do not enhance thoir attractions. If tho writors would condense a littlo I feel euro they would have much more of the public's attention. In a paper in tho Forum on "Tho Future of tho South," A. S. Van do Graaf says: "The South is large: it yet remains thinly peopled and prac tically undeveloped. Great as has been tho industrial advance made, considerable as appears tho present immigration movement, they but faintly foreshadow tho development now at hand. If so much has been dono in tho last thirty years under such disadvantages and practically unaided by immigation, what may wo not expect when that rich tide which has created tho Empire States of tho Northwest is turned in even greater volume southward ? Only the marvel ous growth of the great Wc9t itself can guide tho imagination in attempt ing tho forecast, and even that must be surpassed. To the South unques tionably belongs tho future. In such an expansion of its imputation and woaltli as oven a single generation has witnessed in tho West, its race problem must vanish even though tho emigra tion of the colored people should cease ; sectional linos must bo blottod out and South and North merged in the indivisible Union, which is identity of interest and conditions, as well as of blood, of language and of history, Tho people of the South are ready for this tho moro perfect Union, tho pro phetic aspiration—never tho attain ment—of tho fathers: Louisville, Chattanooga and Atlanta have spoken our feeling. It but romains for the people of the North to come and share tall the wonder that shall be.' " THE DAY I CARVED THE DUCK. I went to dine the other day With my mother-in-law-elect, And lost thereby my fiancee, So my future hopes are wrecked. We'd reached the roast, when, woe is me (I never did have luck!) The hostess asked me pleasantly If I would carve the duck. With confidence horn of youth I hastened to comply, And little thought that fowl forsooth Could make a fortune lly. Nor did I deem so small a bird Like any goat could buck, Kut. 1 gamed some points I had not heard The day I carved the duck. I drove the fork up to the hilt Within its bo.olll browned, And sought to see how it was built, Hut not a joint 1 found. 1 sawed it here and jabbed it there, With pertinacious pluck; Oh. deep was my desire to swear The day 1 carved the duck. A cold dew pearled my forehead fair, As I ehosed it round the plate; It could not, built on wheels, 1 swear, Have struck a livelier gait. The table was a saddening sight, As if by lightning struck; You'd ne'er hav; dreamed the cloth was white The day I carved the duck. The hostess cast a gorgon glance, Rose wore a ghictly smile, As sprinting round that bird did dance, In most satunic style. I pinned it down—it upward soared And to my boson: stuck; TII.TO were pallid cheeks around that board The day I carved the duck. Then, seized with rage I could not still And hate 1 could not hold. From me I hurled that bird of ill, With fury uncontrolled. Then fnm that scene 1 (led away Like one who runs amuck, And'l've never seen my fiancee Since the day I carved the duck. —Twentieth Century. TRAPPED 15Y TELEGRAPH. There have been a great many stories about attacks on lonely stations In tho West. Here is another, which Is per haps one of the best 011 this well-worn subject: While in a small town in Wyoming Territory I learned that a lady living there had been the heroine of a thrilling adventure with train robbers, and curi osity and love for the brave induced me to call on her to tell rate the story. When 1 went to her house I was wel comed by u handsome lady of about 30, and in response to my earnest request for this one chapter of lier life, she re lated the following: "In 1873, when hut a girl of 18, I left my home in Omaha and came out to till the lonesome position of night op erator at a small station on the Pacific Railway in this territory. It was a dreary, desolate spot in the midst of a desert. The only buildings at the sta tion. aside from the depot, were the sec tion house, occupied by a track fore man and a few Chinese laborers; a water tank, and a coal shed. The day operator and agent, a mere hoy, slept at the section house, '-00 yards dis tant, so that during the loyg, dreary nights I was alone in the depot. "No. 4 express train, hound east, was duo at 2:13 in the morning, lait it never stopped unless signaled, and as this was the only train during the latter portion of the night, you can imagine my lonely situation upon the desert wild. I had my hooks and guitar for companions, and passed much of tlie time reading, and when the doleful howling of the wolves wore borne to ray ears from the distant sand hills, I would pick up my guitar and endeavor to drown their cries with music and "The superintendent of the division, n buoyant, light-hearted young gentle man. came over the road at frequent in tervals and cheered me lip with prom ises of a better position when a va cancy should occur. He often found me on the very brink of despair, al most on the? point of resigning my posi tion and returning to my humble home and the mother who depended 011 1113* salary for the necessities of life, but his promises, his gonial conversation and words of encouragement drove away the gloom and I came to look for his visits with a sense of the keenest pleasure. T began to regard him with a sisterly affection, ho was so kind and tender and so solicitous for ni3' wel fare and comfort. "One night shortly after midnight, as I sat at my table reading a late novel, I thought I heard a shuffling footstep ou the depot platform, but as it was not repeated I concluded it was a wolf more daring Ilia 11 his cowardly fellows and resumed by book. A few moments later I heard a low knocking at the door, which I always kept locked, and a strange feeling came over mc. Dur ing 1113' several weeks' stay at the sta tion 1 had never had a visitor, and the sudden knock, so low, yet so f artlingly clear in the stillness of the nigut caused my form to tremble and my cheek to blanch. "My first thought was of Indians, and then I reasoned that it might be some tramp desiring shelter. While I sat there In affright the kmck was re peated louder than before, and muster ing all my courage 1 approached the door and asked: " 'Who's there?* "A gruff voice replied: " 'A traveler who desires to take the east-bound train.' "It was my plain, unmistakable duty to admit him, and with trembling lingers I drew the bolt. "Instantly the door was pi shed vio lently open, and I sprang back to the table and sank into my chai" In terror when seven burly men wcaiing cloth masks 011 their faces and armed to the teeth entered the office. One of them, evidently the leader, walked up to me, and, pointing a huge revolver ut my head, said in a low, firm voice: " 'Gal, we don't want to hurt you, but If you make a suspicious move or ! scream or give any alarm so that any 0' the men In the section house kin hear you I'll spile the looks of that purty face with a bullet. Be quiet and sensible and behave yourself and yer shan't be hurt. Whar's yer red signal lamp ?' " 'What would you do V I gasped. " 'None o' your business. We don't want to hear any unnecessary back talk nor no impertinent questions. Whar's the red lamp?' "A chill of horror swept over me when the truth burst upon me that 1 was In the hands of a band of desper ate train robbers, whose evident Inten tion was to signal the train and rob the express car at my station. What could I do? It was yet three hours un til the train was due, but I could not elude my captors to rouge the section men, and I knew by the ugly gleam in the leader's eyes, through the holes In his mask, that if I made the least out cry he would not hesitate to carry out Ills threat anil murder me. 1 knew they could And the lamp easily by search ing for it, and in a trembling voice I told them It was hanging just inside the door of the freight room. One of the men got it, and, after examining it to see that it was In order, the rough baud took seats to await the incoming train. "The leader lit his pipe and, looking at me steadily for a few moment, said: " 'Voting gal, when tlint'ar train toots lier whistle, we's got some work for you. All official duty, as you might call it. You must get out tlmr on the platform anil signal the train to stop an' take on some first-class passengers. Alt', lookee here, if you make a sus picious move, or don't swing tlie red lamp In the proper way, we'll just ven- 44 1 MADE TIIE TELEGRAPH CHARACTERS, 4 HELP.'" tllnte that graceful body with bullets, d jump 011 our horses and git. Do you understand?' "A desperate resolve had been tak ing shape In my bewildered brain. 1 replied that I fully understood him, and, with n piteous cry, 'Oh, you will make a murderer of me!' I threw my arms and head down on the table and began to cry as if my heart was break ing. Had he seen my face ho might have noticed a total absence of tears. I was crying for a purpose. "When my arms dropped upon the table I allowed my head to fall upon tho armature of the telegraph instru ment, so that I could hold It t<> prevent it from ticking, while 1113' right hand rested upon t.lie key. Sobbing, so that any slight clicking the key might make would not reach the robbers, I opened it and slowly made the telegraphic characters: II E L r "These I repeated several times, hoping they might reach the cars of some operator 011 the line. I slowly and distinctly wrote these words, still sobbing violently: " 'Who—hears— this—for—heaven's— sake—report to—train dispatcher— at—Laramie quick—that—l am—in the—bauds of several robbers who—will—compel—mo to—tlag—No. —l.—Send—help—quick.' "Then I signed name and office call. "I released the armature, arid the in strument clicked out: " 'Brace—up—little girl l—hea— r-3011.—H.' " 'II.' was the train dispatcher's call. With a fierce shout the leader sprang forward and rudely snatched me away from the table, and asked: " 'Gal, what's that?' " 'Only a distant office asking for or ders for a freight train,' I responded. " 'None o' yer lyin', you little Imp,' lie roared. 'Yer up to some trick.' " 'No,' I replied, 'I am not. If I was doing that my lingers would be on the Instrument. Don't you see I am not touching It, and yet It works. It Is only an order to a freight train away down at Medicine now.' " 'Keep away from that table,' he said, savagely. 'An' If I ketch you at any trieks, I'll choke the life out o' you.' "Oh, how eagerly my ears drank In every word the Instrument clicked out! I heard a telegram to the sheriff at Creeu River, twenty miles west, nsk ing him to arm a posse of men at once and get on board a special train which would be ready for him. Then an other to tlio young superintendent who was at Green Klver, telling how my Blowly written words had been heard by the dispatcher, and asking him to supervise the preparations to fly to my relief. Then a third dispatch to the master mechanic, instructing him to lire up his fastest passenger engine and couple on to a carriage and await the superintendent's orders. My heart beat so violently that it almost took uiy breath away. It seemed an age ere I heard the Green River operator call the dispatcher and say: " 'The superintendent, with sheriff and twenty armed men, are aboard, and train ready for orders.' "The order came flying. It told the engineer he had a clear track and to run at his very highest speed to within a half mile of my station, and with his party to alight. Then came the wel come report from the Green River office: " 'Special east departed 1:15.' "Oh, how my poor heart beat, and how my every nerve tingled with ex citement. One-llfteen. I mentally fig ured that the train on such a desperate errand should make nearly a mile a minute and reach the stopping jiolnt about 1:35. "The robber chief gave his men their instructions. I was to be sent out alone to signal the train, and when It halted the band would make a rush and board It. " 'Bill you jump on the euglno as soon as she stops, and hold the en gineer and fireman under your gun. jHck, you pile Into the mall ear an' make the clerk give up his registered letters, an' Yank an' Aleck 'll work the express car, while Tom an' Shorty hold the conductor an' brakeman back. Do yer work quick an' bold, an' don't bo a feared to burn powder If necessary. Tliar's a big haul on that tralu, and we've got to have it.' "How eagerly I watched the clock, and how slowly, how very slowly the hands seemed to move. One twenty one, one twenty-live nml one thirty were ticked off. One thirty-five! Would they never come? "The men sat on the bench along tho west side of tho room, facing the two windows on the oast. I tried to figure how long it would require for tho men to walk to the depot from the stopping place, l'orhups even then they wero surrounding the station and I might hear a knock at the door any Instant. Would there be a fight? Oh, horrible thought! In a few moments I might see men shot down before my face, and I might myself be killed, I almost fainted with fright. The blood seemed to freeze In my veins, nnd I grasped the chair or I would have fallen to tho floor. One-forty! There came a fear ful crash of glass nnd the black muz zles of a perfect cloud of rifles wero thrust through the windows and point ed directly at the robbers. Then a voice cried out: " 'Men, throw up your hands! lam the sheriff and in the name of the law demand your surrender. Make but a move and I'll order my men to tire!' "'Yer little cat!' hissed tho leader, glaring at mo savagely as the band suddenly held aloft their hands. Then the sheriff and three men entered nnd disarmed and handcuffed the robbers, and I saw the superintendent look at me and heard him say: 'What n debt I owe you, my brave girl,' and then I fell fainting into his arms. "When I regained consciousness I was lying In my bed In my room at Green River, with several ladies around me, and was told that seven days had elapsed since the capture of the robbers. I was suffering from brain fever brought on by the terrible strain I had passed through, and had been unconscious for that long period. "I finally recovered and when called Into court to testify against the des perate gang I will never forget their fierce glances toward me as I told how I had entrapped them, or how, in spite of the efforts of the Judge and court officers to suppress It, the crowd cheer ed me as I left the stand. The men were sent for long terms to an Eastern prison, and I have never heard of them since." "And did the company reword you for saving the train?" I asked. "Well, only slightly. Corporations have no souls, you know. But I re venged myself on the superintendent In a manner." "In what way V "I married him," she replied, with a cunning smile.—New Y'ork Journal. A FRAGRANT DATH. Wo have always known that Paris ian ladios know a trick or two not generally known by the world at large for preserving their youth and brightness. We have it on the au thority of a contemporary that theso ladies put stnroh into their bath water to soften it, as it is choapor than borax or toilet vinegar, and more trust-, worthy than ammonia, whioh is said to induco a growth of down on the skin. The Parisian ladies' maids are adeptß at preparing delioate toilet waters, and always have matorial ready for use, meal baths, staroh baths, flowur baths, sea baths and medicated baths. Ono bath which is considered somowhnt of a luxury must havo a ourious pudding effect. The bath tub is lined wilh a linen sheot, gored propel ly to fit it. Then a bag containing almond meal or oatmeal, with orris root and dozens of other ingredionts, is put in, giving it a de licious fragrance. Tho bath being tilled to tho brim with wator, tho in tending bathor gets in and remains until she is saturated with tho per fume.—lnvention. FANCY COTTON WAISTS. "Fancy cotton waists are of ootton nnd silk cropod goods, silk gingham, organdy, dotted Swiss, dimity, etc.," writes Emma M. Hooper in the La dies' Homo Journal. "Xkoy aro un lined, with a re-enforcement of tho same goods around tho armhoios, or with alining of plain lawn of tho pro dominating color. Ono of tho silk and cotton cropos of an ecru ground, with dark pink roses and groen leaves, was lined with a deep pink lawn, which gave a rosy tinge to tho entire garment. It had only side and shoul der scams and was shirred at the neck and waist-line, back and front. In stoad of a drawing string lialf-inoh white elastic was run around tho waist lino in a casing, wbieh kept tho waist down and nllowed tho person wearing it to move tho fullness us it should bo when tho garment was on. Tho alcoves wero the full, straight bishop shape, with a cuff four inches deep. The high collar was two inches deep when fin ished. Tho trimming consisted of number uino grcon satin ribbon laid over number twelve pink for a band collar with bow at back, a row on tho cuffs, with bow; belt and bow and bow and bretelles back nnd front, from wrist-lino to shoulder, with a bow at tho latter part. A rufilo of two-inch lace was sewed thickly around the inside of the collar, and allowed to stand out all around. This waist requirod eight yards of each ribbon, a yard of lace, five yards of crepo and four yards of thirty-inch lawn, and was suitnblo for all-summer visiting, demi-ovoniug toilet wear." SnOES AND STOCKINGS. Shoos and stockings may bo very mundane things, but they are very important additions to a thoroughly fit costume. For evening wear it is now tho stylo to havo tho slippers made of the anmo material as the gown itself, a pieoe being sent to tho shoomaker for that purpose. High hcols are only used on slippers, and then the exaggeratedly high ones aro not permitted. The toes of those slip perß are not so exaggeratedly pointed as they were, tho vamp is short, and tiny buokles or embroidery in steel or peurls are the only ornamentation. Open work silk stockings, the same shado as tho gown, aro worn with theso slippors. Patent leather slippers and bluok silk stockings, and bronze slip pers with bronze silk stockings, aro in fashion, but are not considered drossy enough to wear with light brooados and satin, and aro instead relogatod to demi-toiletto. To wear with sunimor dresses tho low shoes or ties of Suede are to be worn, while black patent leathor and tan and russet ties will again be soon. Theso are mado with long vamps, and, excepting in the Suede, with common sense heels. Tho care of the boots and shoes is mado quite a point of now. There are lasts for every pair, and, as a rulo, tho boots and shoes are mado to order. In faot, much inoro attention is paid to boing well shod these days than was formerly the oase, in the days when women did not walk so much as they do at presont. The plaid golf stock ings seem a little loud, but it is con sidered quite smart to wear them with tan shoes when bioyoling. By the way, what stookings or shoes to wear when bicycling is a question that puzzles many women. With tho light costumes the tan shoes and the cunvas leggings look very smart; with the dark cos tumes blaok Bhoes and black leggings are the best. Gloves aro another detail of toilette worthy of consideration. Tho four button glace kid and tho mousquetairo are preferred for summer ordinary evory day use. Tho Suede mousque tairo in the different tau shades aro for rather more dressy use. For even ing wear, thojlight shades of tan, white and black glace are very much the fashion. The Biarritz glove, whioh has no buttons at all, and whioh is worn u sizo larger than other gloves, is a comfortable one for hot weather, as it pulls on, and there are no but tons to give an uncomfortable tight ness around the wrist. For bicycling there is a heavy dog-skin glove, whioh also must bo a size largor thrm the or dinary walking glove. The all white stit -b-d . t'l fn>r buttons is still in fashion' for vtuwr with silk gowns in the afternoon, and this very expensive fashion—for tho gloves must be immaculate—bids fair to ocntiuuo for some time. —Harpor's Bazar. GOSSIP. Susan B. Anthony is lecturing in California. Tho young womon of tho Boston University have taken to baseball. Eighteen Amorieap womon bear the title of princess in Italy, Russia and other continental countries. An enterprising statistician has dis covered that this city has 125 women's clubs devoted to political study. Mrs. Maybriok's mother says in a Now Orleans lottor that she will work for her daughter's release till sho dies. The annual ponsion of 85000 grant ed by tuo Froncli Government to Pas tour, is to bo continued to his widow. The Earl of Chichester's farms nre all carriod on under tho name of his wife, which appears on his wagons and other portable proporty. Tho two daughtors of Vice-President Stevenson have loft for Europo, to bo gone more than a year. They will study German in Berlin. Tho Brooklyn Health Protective As sociation declares that tho big hats which women wear are dangerous nui sances und should bo übolished. It is announced that the debts on the home of Mrs. Kato Ohaso Spraguo have been at last wiped out, and she is no longer worried by hor creditors. Max OTtell says that it wa3 in tho streets of Buda Pesth and in the drnw ing-rooms of Dublin he fouud tho fin est and tho most jbeautiful types of womanhood. iUSMrs. Catharino W. MoCullough, of Chicago, maintains that she will never bo coerced into tnkiug oil lior hat in a theatro, if she has to tight it through every court in tho country. Mrs. D. J. Davis, of San Francisco, claims the distinction of huving the longest hair in tho world. Shu is five feet nino inches in height and hor hair is six feet eight inches long. The daughter of General llippolyte, the lately deoeaHod I'residout of tho llaytiau Republic, is at prosont in Paris for tho purpose of perfecting herself in the Freuoh language. Mrs. J. M. Suvago, of lioston, lias a romarkablo record as a cyclist. Dur ing the five years that sho has been riding she has made thirty-three cen turies and covered altogether noarly 20,000 miles. Early rising is said to be vogue nmong tho royalties of Europo. The Qucon Regent of Spain is at her work at 7 o'clock every morning, and the tho Empress of Austria rises at -1 and goes for a long walk. Mrs. Cleveland's favorite pots aro a pair of mocking birds, of which sho is particularly proud. Mine. Romero, wife of the Mexican Miuistor, is an* othor bird fancier, and has a great collection of parrots. Miss Annio Soott, a student at Cen tral Normal College. Kaunas, haH been appointed Clerk of tho Venezuelan Commission. Sho is a niece of Justioo Brower, of tho Supreme Court, Chair man of the Commission. North Dakota women will liavo equal representation as delegates at tho next nunual Methodist Conference, that priviloge having been grantod by the |Statu Conference at Jamestown, North Dakota, a few days ago, by u vote of 3 F to 2. Tho Empress of Austria tho other day cumo ashore from hor yuoht at Naples to visit a fair. Seeing aomo poor ohildron staring with longing eyes at tho troasures of a toy booth, she bought the whole stock and dis tributed it to them. FASHION NOTES. A trimmed shirt waist is an abom ination. It is well to provide a soontod box for loose photographs. Bonnets havo evidently passed into the realms of oblivion. Oooasiounlly thero are to bo seen veils, black with fancy dots, trimmod around the edges with white Val enciennes lace. This is a becoming fashion, but is not considered so smart as the all black. Elderly women with gray hair have adopted a clever scheme to keep their front looks in order when they do not care to wear a veil whioh hurts the eyes. They tie a piece of soft gray, almost white, tulle over the front hair, and fasten it at the buok under thoir bonnet. The tulle is so fine it scarce ly shows at all. It does not take long for a pair of boots that are worn constantly to got so shabby that frequent blaoking sooins powerless to restore thoir fresh ness. Then is the time to cut off the old buttons and put on a set of bright new ones. Shoe buttons are not an expensive luxury, and yot they aro a pet economy with the majority of women. The doom of the abnormal dress sleeve is sealed. AU gowus now brought from Paris by roturned im porters and tourists show the bodice finished with a close fitting sleeve, completed at tho top by a very mod est moderate puff, or slightly larger divided pufl, a Vandyke point, Hun garian cap, or tucked or gimp trimmod cliatelaino drapery falling to the jlbow. WISE WORDS. Flattery is the food of fools. Levity somotimes weighs a great deal. Consistency is n jewel, but it is some timos merely a pearl before swine. The pessimist is an ill-natnred per son who has fallen oat with his own liver. Ono should try to bo satisfied with his own lot whether it is a corner lot or not. Muoh as a woman loves her husband, she always hopes her daughter will marry better than she did. Do not waste too much time screw ing your courage up to the stickiug piece or you may bo stuck yourself. Thero is one thing certain, a woman with her hair in papers can't look as tough as a man who needs shaving. The first thing some people do whon they have made a promiso is to look for somo ono to coux thorn to broak it. Just at tho timo whon a man gets tho knack of accumulating money his wife learns now devicos for spending it. It would bo ploasanter living in this world if there were not so rauny fools in it, but more difficult to make a liv ing. Whon there is a dog fight, all tho other dogs ohaßo tho loser, and mako it as uncomfortable for him as they can. A crowd is not company, and faoos aro but a gallery of pictures, and talk but a tinkling cymbal, whore thero is uo love. Don't lot a fool annoy you; work bim. In case you can accumulate a little sense yourself a fool is a great blossing. The broath of wintor may bo cold, but it is not half so cold as the glnnco of tho man you strike for tbo loan of a half dollnr. As much as a woman loveH her hus band's company, she doesu't liko to huvo him arouud when a crowd of wo men meet at her house. Thero is only ono thing for a man to do whon ho finds himself married to a woman who enjoys spending money and that is to loam to enjoy earning it. A woman never sees a man filling out a bank check without thinking how nice it must be to pay a lot of horrid bills in such a simple and easy way. A Drive on South American Pampas. A four-in-hand waitod for us at tho door, to drivo us to tho camps, whero saddle horses would bo given ns, if we desired them. Tho vehiolo was one of those in which tho front wheels turned round under tho front of tho body, and the interior of tho body wnsscated mid covered with heme-dressed horso hide. Tho whip was horso hido, nud tho paco was a run, trotting boing un known. It was a pace for experience. Rising in his seat tho driver made his whip whistle through the air, liko n reed pipo sounding, and tjieu ho brought it down on the llauks of his team. The animals gavo a leap which assuredly tried every joint in tho hido and ohain harness. I wondered why the nags did not start at the whistle of tho whip (liko the South African steeds do, thus escaping quite a good deal of the blow). Away wo spod, fastor and over faster, ncross the pampas. The peon driver displayed great skill in keeping the four horses together, thero being no pole to tho wheelers, and each horso being geared nud run inde pendent, liko tho Huskies to a dog sloigh in Northern Canada. Nor was less skill needed to avoid Iho cattle wallows, which could only bo distin guished by the color of tho grass. In something less than sixteen minutes the team wus pulled up, tho humors dragged oil, the horses allowed to stray, or do as they please. On my asking it they would stray too fur, our host snid: "Oh, no. They can go whero they ploaso. Wo seldom ute a team moro than onou to the house and back, just to koop tho 'driven' strain in him."—Outing. Why Fond is Cooked. Wo cook our food to render it mora agreeable to our souse of taste aud smell. Cooking develops flavors and odors not present in the raw state. Thereby wo facilitate tho process of mastication. Home foods aro tough or hard, and can neither bo finely divided nor well mixed with saliva. Again it is often desirablo that the food bu chemically changed; thus some foods or portions of them are absolutely indigestible in the uncookod state. A fourth reason for cooking food is that the warmth which is thus impart ed promotes digestion by oausing an increased flow of blood to tho diges tive apparatus, and hence a more cop ious secretion of the digestive fluids. Finally, cooking destroys any parasites that may be present in the food. Oi these triohinae in pork and the scolex, or encysted head of the tapeworm, in what is known as measly beef, are the most common.—New York Advertiser. Toothpick Plants. Arami Visnaga, an unbelliferous plant, is called the toothpick bishop weed on account of the use made in Spain of the rays or stalks of the main umbel. These, after flowering, shrink and beoomo so hard that they form convenient toothpicks. After they have fulfilled their purpose they uro chewed, aud aro supposed to be of ser vice in strengthening the gums. The spines of Ecbinocuctus Visnaga are in common use among tho Mexicans for the samo purpose. The number of these spines upon a single plant is something enormous. A comparative ly small plant in Kew Gardens was es timated to have 17,600, and a large speoimen at the same placo could not have less than 51,000.—Scientific American,
Significant historical Pennsylvania newspapers