1RA.Ii BARE, Editor ato Proprietor
SUBSCRIPTION BATES.
One Tear, cash in advance, $1.25.
81x Months, cash In advance 75 Cents"
Entered at the NorthPlatte ( Nebraska) postofflceas
seccnd-claesmatter.
TUESDAY, FEBRUARY 9, 1897.
Will our present "reform" legis
lature construct a law compelling
county officials to let printing" to
the lowest bidder, just as they
would anv other contracts " Uur
own Stebbins might be persuaded
to lead tlie charge in this reform
"Wallace Tug-.
Stebbins' bill appropriating ten
thousand dollars to expenmen
with Wright's method of producing
rain bv explosives has been knock
ed out. This will give Mr. Steb
bins an opportunity to more vigor
ously push his bill appropriatin
ten thousand dollars to the Nebras
ka Irrigation Fair.
The populists of Nebraska are
great reformers, but when the legis
lature proposes to reduce th
salaries of county officials the
fellows who wail the loudest are
those who hold county office;
through the votes of populists. I
the salaries of republican office-hold
ers could be reduced without effect
ing the salaries of populist official
the members of the great reform
party would give a hearty amen
The ways and means committee
of the house held a meeting Friday
evening and discussed the Omaha
exposition bill. After a prolonged
session the committee recommended
the bill to be placed on general file
and. that the appropriation be cut
from $350,000 to $150,000. Recom
mendations were also made doing
away with the salaried commis
sion provided by the bill. For the
magnitude of the proposed exposi
tion, $150,000 is a paltry sum to be
appropriated by the state.
According to the stories told bv
the Bee, the policemen and detec
tives of Omaha are without parallel
for stupidity Thieves have grown
so bold that they even make way
with teams left temporarily stand
ingon the principal thoroughfares
of the city and the hawk-shaws are
unable to get any clue to the thieves
If such inefficiency was displayed
by a constable of some sand-hill
precinct in Lincoln county, the in
habitants would promptly have
him removed from office.
The preliminary tests indicate
that the new gun cotton shell, the lat
est product of Inventor Gathmann,
can be used without tearing the dis
chanrinir run to smithereens. This
is important, because if these ter
rible projectiles can be used with
safety to the gunners there is no
doubt that that they will cause hos
tile fleets to keep at a respectful
distance. The new shell is of very
thin steel. It carries 400 pounds of
gun cotton. When it explodes in
the vicinity of a warship the sub
sequent proceedings have no inter
est for those on board the unlucky
craft. Ex.
It wasn't the greenback that did
it of course. It was the fear of the
perpetuity of the democratic defic
iency and the final financial col
lapse of the government that caused
the raid on the gold in the 'treasury.
Look at the record. During the
month ofJanuary just past the total
withdrawals of gold from the treas
ury was less than $S00, 000, while in
January, 1896, the withdrawals ag
gregated over $40,000,000. Last
month the gold coin in the treasury
increased $9,461,000 and the gold
bullion decreased S2,27S,000, ieaving
the net increase $7,183,000. The
people were hoarding gold only be
cause they feared a democratic vic
tory in November. When they
were assured that the government
was in the hands of the friends of
sound money and honest dealings
with the public creditors, they no
longer preferred gold coin to other
sorts of money issued by the gov
ernment. Journal.
The city council and the lodges
and citizens genarally of Grand
Island are preparing for a cemetery
improvement crusade in the spring
to make the old church yard a nice
place in which to sleep after you
get through with politics and boils
in this world.
Electric jars, calculated to cure
everything to which flesh is heir,
are being sold by smooth fakirs in
some parts of the state. The best
electric jars are those produced by
a forcible contact of the fist with
the fakir's nose, which will produce
frictional electricity and a jar both
at once.
Maccaline will euro any case of itching
piles. It has never failed. It affords
instant relief, and a cure in due time.
Price 25 and 50 cents. Made by Foste
Manufacturing Co. and sold by A. F.
Streitz.
HAEE AND HOUNDS.
The rosary at Gardenhnrst was the
fairest spot in all that fair demesne.
Over arch and lattice and trellis the
heavy headed blooms rioted in a bewil
derment; of pink and white, crimson and
cream, forming a glorious canopy above
the severely trimmed rosebushes that
glowed like gigantic bouquets on either
side of the winding paths.
But Enid Fitz Roy saw neither the
flowers about her, nor the surrounding
woods, nor the clear summer sky above
alL Tall and slender, she stood like a
statue among the roses, with the folds
of her muslin frock falling straightly
about her, and her fair face somber and
troubled beneath- the wide brim of her
garden jat. She was a very pretty girl
and should have been a very happy one,
for happiness ought to be the natural
sequence of beauty and wealth.
The oval of her face, that should have
been wreathed in smiles, was pale and
drawn. The small, curved mouth was
pressed together in an effort to suppress
a childish desire to cry. The sweet eyes
were hidden by the white, lowered lids
in either sorrow or indifference, while
the full throated birds sang on and the
gay roses swung like perfumed censers
in the light air.
How could she heed or care for birds
or flowers, when her whole heart was
away in the dim library of the old man
sion behind her, when her brain ached
in the effort to guess at the words and
gestures that were passing there among
the frowning family portraits and the
great oak bookcases, for at that moment
Dick Lindsay was telling his loves and
hopes to Lord Hunston, the stern man
whom fate had given her for an uncle
and a guardian. Enid's fond heart told
her what her lover would say, how hard
he would plead, how handsome he would
look, but her uncle? Would he relax,
would he permit himself to be moved,
would he consent? And in the effort to
materialize tro faroff scene Enid grew
pale and trembled like a wind tossed
lily.
Hurried lootsteps among the roses
roused her from her reverie at last, and,
turning, she saw her lover speeding to
ward her.
"Dick!" sho cried in welcome, run
ning to him and with her set face break-
incr into joyous smiles. Then a little
moan escaped her, and she grew white
as, her gown, for one glance at Dick
Lindsay'3 eyes told her he had failed.
Darling, at urst l noped lor suc
cess," said Dick when Enid had regain
ed some degree of self control and the
lovers had wandered from amoner the
jarring flare of the brilliant flower gar
den in the friendly shadows of the wood.
"Your uncle heard me without inter
ruption and even smiled once or twice.
I told him of my prospects, how the
mortgage was nearly paid off the Knoll.
and how I should bo able to live there
in another year. I referred him to Tape
son and Jenkins that he might verify
my statement as to how well the farms
were let. 1 proved to hini that 1 was
financially in a position to aspire to
your hand, filled with fortune's gift as
it is."
"And he said" murmured Enid,
liftiuT her tear washed eyes to Dick's
handsome face.
"Ho said nothing. That was the
worst part of it, Enid. If he had only
advanced arguments, I might have de
feated them, if he had given an opinion
I might have challenged it. But he gave
me no Icophole for speech. He unlocked
a small drawer in his bureau yon
know the one that has carved goblins'
heads all over it and pulled out from
amid a sheaf of papers one that was
folded twice and was tied with tape. "
l iniow I Know; the copy oi my
father's will, " cried Enid, "made be
fore I was born."
He opened the paper and -pushed it
across the bureau to me, marking with
a nail dent the passage I should read.
"Oh, don't repeat it; don't say it!"
wailed the girl, putting her hands over
her ears, as though to shut out hated
sounds. ' 'Don't I know too well that my
marriage was fixed for me from the be
ginning, and that my father, on his
deathbed, willed that if his only and
posthumous child should be a daughter
she should, on her twenty-first birthday,
be affianced to the only son of his dear
est friend, Lord Errington? Oh, it was
a cruel thing to do. "
"Cruder still, my darling, to ordain
that if at the date of your majority
Lionel Errington were alive and unmar
ried, and you should refuse to become
his wife, you should bo deprived of your
inheritance for five years and should
even not be allowed to live in your own
house. Those 3hameful paragraphs were
all my answer. Your uncle then bowed
me rrom the room, only sarcastically
begging my presence at your birthday
ball next week, during which he intends
to announce your engagement to youns
Errington."
A hot flush stained Enid's white sVin
and dried the tears on her cheeks as she
drew herself from Dick's encircling
arms and faced him m the narrow path
way.
'Dick Lindsay, when, six months ago,
i gave yen my heart and my love, l gave
them for all time, and not to take them
back at the written word of a man
whom I never knew, who was dead be
fore I lived. On my birthday I will, if
needs be, leave Gardenhnrst and go out
into the world to earn my livelihood
until the time of my probation is past.
But I say now, as I have said before, I
will marry no man but you if you will
have mc, Dick."
Her voice, which had rung out so
bravely, quivered and broke, and she
put out two trembling hands to her lov
er and crept to his heart like a tired
child.
As he soothed her the distant roar of
a gong thrilled through the quiet woods.
"I must go," sighed the girL "One
more week of this life, and then then
shall be free! Ah, don't look at that,
Dick! I mean what I say. I shall be
ready to leave this place in a week."
"But, Enid, my love, where will you
go? What will become of yon?"
Set Out Trees In the Spring.
Spring is a better time to set trees
than fall, because at that season trees are
beginning to grow and will, therefore,
be in a condition to respond more readi
ly to treatment, while in fall they are
unlikely to establish themselves before
cold weather sets in. Preserve the roots
to the fullest possible extent and do not
disturb the tree until after it has ripen
ed and lias shed its foliage. If the roots
are cut away, as they almost invariably
are in spring planting, be sure to cut
back the top proportionately. Eben E.
Bexford m Ladies' Home Journal.
She shook her blond head. "I don't
quite know. I must think. "
Dick Lind'-iy fixed his dark eyes in
tently on her for a moment, as he
thought ho would read her very soul.
"Dearest, is thero any one about you
who is trustworthy who will give you
a letter if I write one?"
"Susan Ramsdale, my maid, is hon
est and loves me. Send to me through
her."
A moment later Enid's white gown
was fluttering over the lawns and ter
races homeward.
Miss Fitz Roy's majority was being
celebrated in a truly seigneurial fash
ion. From early morning the shows and
entertainments in the park had been pat
ronized by crowds of friends and ten
ants. The midday dinner, accompanied
bv speeches and presentations, was a
huge success. In the afternoon the ter
races about the house blossomed like a
parterre with the light frocks of the
'county," who came to witness a bi
cycling gymkhana, which at the last
moment had been organized by the her-
roinc of the day.
The racing was excellent, the prizes
charming, and all the company were bi
cycle mad, when a rumor ran round that
a paper chase, with the beautiful Miss
Fitz Roy as hare, would wind up the
afternoon's proceedings. The idea was
received with delight, and Enid might
have had 500 hounds instead of 50 to
chase her had sho so willed. With pret
ty obstinacy, she persisted herself in
choosing the -pack, and with infinite
taste shared tho honors among her
friends and tenants alike. But at the
last moment she exercised her sex's pre
rogative and entertained a caprice. Sho
would have a companion hare, a man,
and that her choice might not be invidi
ous she would draw the name of the
hare that was to be from among the
homds that were. Pencils and paper
and a hat were instantly in demand.
"What freaks Enid has, to be sure!"
said Lady Hunston to her lord as plow-
boys and gentlemen alike dropped the
folded papers in the hat Enid held.
"It will bo Errington's business to
check them," growled his lordship.
"Which cf the lads is that?" he went
on as a redheaded yokel slouched past
Enid in the immediate wake of the at
tenuated and mincing Lionel.
"One of Wilson's new hands, perhaps.
I heard he had several. Dear me, how
Enid does overdo things, to bo sure!
She's as white as a ghost. She'll look a
fright tonight."
And, indeed, as Miss Fitz Roy plunged
her hand into the hat and drew out a
scrap of paper she turned deathly pale.
Scarcely glancing at it, she said in a
low voice, "Isaac Clay."
"Isaac Clay! "Who is he?" cried every
one. And then a mighty laugh rose
from the merry crowd, and even Enid's
white lips smiled as the awkward figure
of "Wilson's new hand" pushed shyly
to the front.
'What a hare! He won't get to lodge
gates," laughed every one as the bag cf
torn paper was slung across tho lad's
back.
"Seven minutes' start!" cried Enid
as she sprang into the saddle and sped
round the angle of the house, with her
companion hiure wobbling after her.
And in that tinio hounds were after
her, amid tho cheers of the crowd and
sundry minor mishaps. At the lodge
gates Lionel Errington, in spite of the
white paper going both ways, turned
sharp to the left.
Miss Fitz Roy won't try Bluebell
hill, I know," he called to those behind
him, who were all game for a spin along
the flat Clcvcly road. For some five
miles the paper track was clear, then
suddenly came to an end.
It's a trap, of course," said Lionel,
who was too warm and was getting
crass. ' 'She'll start it again farther on. ' '
But "farther on" thero was no wel
come "spor-, and eight miles from
home hounds had to confess themselves
baffled.
If Enid tried the hill at all, it must
have been shake off that lout, " said
Lionel sulkily, turning back.
But how did the paper come on this
road, then?" cried Lady May Saville.
She was a pretty little girl, but Er
rington was in too bad a humor to an
swer her. Yet as he pedaled up to Gar
denhnrst once more ho forced some
cheeriness in his voice as he cried,
"Hares have won!"
"But where are they?" demanded
Lord Hunston.
Isn ' t he yokel smashed up? ' ' tittered
one fair daine.
1 f JAVJLtJ
sEuid hiding?" cried Lady
Hunston.
"Her bike's not among the
rest."
"Has an accident happened?"
"Follow tho track down Bluebell
hill."
But neither heiress, yokel nor bicycles
were found that night, and tho second
paper track proved far shorter than the
first.
In a quiet Kensington drawing room
that evening sat three people an old
lady, a girl and a young gentleman. On
a chair Jay a countryman's smock and a
carroty wig. The old lady was wiping
her eyes. Sho had laughed until she had
cried. Presently she left the two young
people alone.
"How well you mnnaged!" said the
girl, smoothing the ruffled hair of her
companion.
And how brave you have been, dar
ling! But was it not lucky I thought of
papering the Clevely road while every
one was busy in the park?"
Enid blushed.
"And wasn't it wicked of me not to
have read out the real name on the paper
I drew?" She gave Dick the crumpled
slip.
' 'Lionel Errington ! How that would
have upset cur plans," laughed Dick, J
for my aunt would never have received
him as she has me and his name is not
on tho special license." Exchange.
Tolstoi's Faithful Follower.
Prince Dimitri Kbilkoy, a Russian
nobleman, has followed the advice of
Count Tolstoi and divided his estates
among the peasants, reserving but seven
acres for his own cultivation.
Condensed Testimonv.
Chas. B. Hood. Broker and Manufac
turer's Agent Columbus, Ohio certifies
that Dr. King's New Discovery has no
equal as a cough remedy. J. D.Brown,
Prop. St. James Hotel, Ft. Waynne, Ind.,
testihes that he was cured ot a cough oE
two years standing, caused by la gnppe,
by Dr. King's New Discovery. B. F.
Merrill, Baldwinsville, Mass., says that
he has used and recommended it and
never knew it to fail and would rather
have it than any. doctor, because it
always cures. Mrs. Hemming 222 E.
25tb St., Chicago, always keeps it at
hand and has no fear of croup, because
it instantly relieves. Free Trial Bottle
at A. F. Streitz's drug store. 3
A WOMAN'S HEAllT.
Outside lie rain patted dismally
down on tho great trees in tho park,
whose leafless branches swayed and bent
with every gust cf the chilly wind. But
the cozy library of Ashlecn House pre
sented a striking contrast to the dreary
scene without, a bright nro oiazea
cheerily in the wide, old fashioned grate
and played on the faces of the occupants
of that delightful room, where high
Japanese screens kept out the drafts and
warm plush curtains draped tho tall,
old fashioned windows. It was scarcely
4 o'clock, but tho daylight wan waxing
very dim out side, helped thereto by the
heavy rain ciouds.
As Captain Gordon watched tho beau
tiful face of his companion and hostess
bent over her work a sudden, short, im
patient sigh escaped him, and he turned
his head restlessly amid tho cushions of
the couch on which he lay, for, although
he was more than convalescent, he liked
to indulge hi some of the remaii
privileges of invalidism which hpd
chained him to that sofa for some time.
How lovely was the perfectly chiseled
face opposite him, and how serene, how
cold! "Would nothing ever shake that icy
serenity? he wondered rather bitterly as,
shading his face with his hand, he let
his eyes devour every feature. Would she
never guess the mad, wild, unreasoning
love ho bore her?
As he lay watching her his thoughts
went back with a leap to tho day ho had
first met her. He had not long rejoined
the headquarters of his regiment at Bal-
ly-Mahon, as he had previously been in
charge of a detachment elsewhere, and
it was at a garden party he had first
seen her. He and several of his brother
officers had driven over to Ashlecn to
gether, and from the moment he had
been introduced to her tall, slender,
beautiful at tho first glanco cf her
glorious, serene, gray eyes, it seemed to
him ho had worshiped her. They had
exchanged tho usual commonplaces, he
had walked by her side round tho
grounds, and ho had got her an ic
Nothing very romantic, but every detail
of that afternoon stood out -vividly in
his mind. After that day he had met
her constantly, as one is bound to meet
in a small neighborhood, and hebecairo
a frequent guest at her house, where her
husband, a cheery, hard riding Irish
baronet, always accorded him a hearty
welcome.
Tho summer had waned and died, and
in that sporting neighborhood every one
turned his attention to hunting, Gordon
among the rest, for ho had always been
a keen sportsman up to this. But fre
quently ho would cut some of the best
meets of tho season to spend a few hours
of the short, dark afternoons at Ashleen,
where its mistress, who didn't hunt, al
ways greeted him with tranquil cordial
and ho would sit in the glow of tho
cheerful firelight with her discussing
the various topics of tho day, only too
content to watch the play of her lovely
face and the swift movements of her
slender fingers as she worked. Then the
spell would he broken when her husband
returned, noisy, cheery, bringing a blast
of cold outer air with him, and he would
rally Gordon on having missed a bril
nant run, wnne mo latter murmured a
vague excuse about his horses not being
fit or he had been detained by some regi
mental duty.
Then had come tho day of his acci
dent. Lady Lexley had been driving,
and, while pottering about tho covert
which bounded the roadside, ho lingered
by her carriage, not caring very much
about the chances cf a good start whilo
she was there and he could look on tho
beautiful, proud face, with its expres
sion of serene indifference to everything,
as if nothing over interested her very
much.
Then tho fox was viewed away, and
hounds and horsemen started off in hot
pursuit, as if the aim and object of each
man among them was to break his own
neck or his horse's, while the carriages
made the best of their way along devious
short cuts on the chance of picking up
the hounds again later.
It was on topping a bank into tho
road that Gordon's horse fell, and to
gether they came with a crash to tho
ground. For a moment or two he re
membered nothing. Then, as his senses
slowly came back to him, lie found him
self being supported by somebody's ran,
while some one else was holding a flask
of whisky to his lips. A little group of
the carriage folks surrounded him,
among whom was Lady Lexley, and his
eyes met hers, in whose depths shone an
expression of womanly compassion, but
he could not speak.
said, and not a tremor shook her calm
even tones to his strained and disap
pointed ear. ' 'He had better be taken
straight to Ashleen. It is the nearest
place, and he can have every attention. "
So to Ashleen ho was conveyed with
all speed, mid a doctor was summoned.
His iujnries were not so serious as at
first supposed slight concussion and a
couple of broken ribs. After a day or
two in bed he was allowed to come down
to the library and lie on the sofa.
During those days of convalescence
and all tho restful luxury of semi-in-validisni
Lady Lexley had been liis con
stant companion, and a sudden thrill
set his pulses tingling as he dwelt on
the heaven of those afternoons for she
was generally busily employed morn
ings until lunch they two sitting alono
in the firelight, while all around them
the dusk darkened and deepened.
But now those days were gone, drop
ped into eternity never to return, for
only that morning ho had received or
ders to return to barracks, as tho regi
ment had to leave Bally-Mahon in tho
course of the next few days to proceed
on a term of foreign service. After to
day he might see her once again, would
bid her a conventional goodby, perhaps
with a few courteous words of thanks.
while all the time his heart would be
riven aud rent by the anguish of parting
that to him would be like the parting of
bodv and soul, but that to "her would
me:ui nothing, bhc was kind, but si
cold!
"You will be glad to get out of this
prison again, Captain Gordon," her
low, even voice broke in on his medita
tions, tho heavy, down drooped lids,
with their long lashes, casting a shadow
on her fair cheek, her white fingers
moving swiftly amid her silks and
wools. "You must be frightfully bored,
shut up so long?"
"Prison, do you call it?" ho returned
rather unsteadily. "It has been more
like a paradise. I can never forget your
kindness, Lady Lexley."
"Have I been kind?" she asked, rais
ing her whitcjids and letting her calm.
""Surely, I
any woman
would have done in my place?"
"And not more than you would have
done for the veriest stranger," he addec
rather bitterly. "At the same time, I
should not like you to think mc un
grateful, especially as I must leave Ash
leen tomorrow. Tho regiment is under
orders for foreign service. Wo sail ini
mediately, and after tomorrow it is rai
likely I shall see you again, except to
say gcodby."
His voice was harsh and strained, and
his eves fell gloomily on the fire. No
answer. And as the silence grew pro
longed he turned and looked at her.
She was quite calm, the tranquillity of
her face unmoved. .
"How cold, how cruellycoldshe is!"
he thought hopelessly. Yet what could
his going be to her but a matter of com
plete indifference? But, all the same, it
seemed bitterly hard, when every fiber
of his being was pulsing with a passion
ate, hopeless love for her, she should bo
so utterly and completely unconscious
and unresponsive.
"You will like it?' ' she said at length,
a note of calm interrogation in her low
tones.
"Like it!" he echoed rather wildly.
"Do you think a man likes leaving all
he holds best and dearest m the world
when going means for him dreariest ex
ilo into outer darkness? If you can sup
pose such a thing to be possible, then
liko going, " with a miserable, jarring
laugh.
Her eyes gazed straight into his, com
pelling and drawing his to meet them
by the very intensity of her gaze. Then,
swiftly folding her work, she rose aud
stood with one hand resting on tho man
telpiecc, as if to steady herself, still
looking down at him.
"What do yon mean?" she questioned
in a very low voice.
"I mean I lovo you, "ho muttered
recklessly. "Scorn me, despise me, I
don't care. I must speak or I shall go
mad, I think. I never, God knows,
meant to tell you this, but circumstances
have been too strong for me. I had bet
ter leave yrnr house at once before you
order mo out. " And sinking his face on
his hands, ho breathed hurriedly.
Silence dead silence followed his
speech, a silence so intense that he could
almost hca- the beating of his heart.
After a time he raised his head languid
ly and rested his haggard eyes on her.
She had not stirred, except that ono
white hand was tightly clinched on her
bosom, crushing the delicate laco of her
gown, while her eyes shono with a
strange light as they met his.
All at once, with a sudden, tender
movement, she fell on her knees beside
the couch, and her soft fingers twined
round his. Almost mechanically, in his
great astonishment, his heart beating to
suffocation, his arms closed round her
tightly, he drew her close to him. As ho
did so a leng, soft sigh escaped her.
"Oh, my love, " he breathed very low,
caressing the soft ripples of her hair
that lay against his lips, "is it really?
Do you cart a little?"
"Yes," she whispered, nestling closer
in his arms. "I have cared all along, I
think. Yon have magnetized me in some
way. I was drawn to you irresistibly.
All tho summer was one long dream to
me because you were there, aud I saw
yon daily. I never even tried to cheat
myself with the puerile belief that tho
feeling I had for you was platonic, that
mask under which so many try to de
ceive themselves and hide t heir real feel
ings. No. I knew I loved yon, and I
guessed that I was not quite indifferent
to you. But you should never have
known had you not spoken. I am too
proud a woman to wear my heart on my
sleeve. Do you remember the day of
your accident that fearful day? I saw
you fall into the road, and for one awful
moment of sickening suspense I thought
you were killed. But when I knew you
were only badly hurt, not dead, I felt
could not bear that you should bo tended
anywhere but here, so that I might look
after you and be your companion in your
convalescence. And I have been so hap
py during these past weeks!
It seemed to Gordon his cars must be
playing him false as the sweet vcice
faltered and paused. His queen, whom
he had always thonght so cold, so cairn,
was in his arms, at his feet. Tightening
his arms round her, he bent his face
over hers till his lips met and sought
hers in a leng, delirious kiss. Then a
prolonged silence ensued.
Tho firelight had sunk to a dull glow,
the room was wrapped in deepest shad
ows, when the loud banging oi several
doors and the sound of a loud, cheery
voice announced the return cf Sir John
Lexley from hunting. As ho entered the
library the ususal cheerful picture of a
brightly blazing fire and the graceful
form of his wife presiding at the tea ta
bio was missing. Listcad, Captain Gor
don was the only occupant of the room,
standing with his back to the dying fire,
)kiug his short dark mustache
thoughtfully.
In less than a week the th sailed
for Malta, and nothing was left Gordon
but the memory of the past and a photo
graph of a woman. London Sketch.
A Cautious Doctor.
'Doctor, something is the matter
with me. Sometimes my mind is a per
fect blank, and my memory constantly
fails me. I wish yon would treat me. "
"I will. But, in view of the peculiar
nature of your case, jl shall want myfeo
in advance." Harper's Bazar.
A Consolation Gone.
"How's yer wife?" iuauired ono nf
tho farmers
who
were coming in to
market.
"She's perfectly well, seems like."
"You don't seem pertickler pleased
about it?"
'Well, I like 'er to ini'y hers'f. An
she do seem ter git a lot o' comfort out
o' takiu medicine. "Washington Star.
Universal language.
Many schemes have been devised for
a universal language, of which Volapnk
is among the latest. About the begin
ning of this century an enthusiast pro
posed a universal language, of which the
numerals should represent the sounds.
Did You Ever
Try Eloctric Bitters as a remedy for
your troubles? If not. get a bottle now
and get relief. This medicine has been
found to be peculiarly adapted to tho
relief and curp of all female complaints,
exerting a wonderful direct influence in
giving strength and tune to the organs.
If you have loss of appetite, constipa
tion, headache, fainting spells, or are
nervous, sleepless, excitable, melancholy
or troubled with dizzy spells, Electrie
Bitters is the medicine you need. Health
and strength are guaranteed by its use.
Fifty cents and SI. 00 at Streitz's drug
store. . 3
gray eyes rest on his face,
have done no more than
X.lfc In a London Shop.
"Assistants who consult their own
interests will refrain from talking about
their salaries." Such is a notice posted
up in tho dining and recreation rooms
of a large drapery establishment in Lon
don. The evidence is unimpeachable,
for it is that of Miss Collet, one of tho
assistant commissioners of tho labor
commission. Two things might be de
duced from the possibility of such a no
tice existing. One is what a vast mar
ket of unemployed assistants there must
be to ck-aw from, and how hard it must
be to get a situatfon, if men submit to
be silent on the subject of their griev
ances, which even the fellahin of Egypt
are not debarred from airing. The song
which they sing in the very ears of their
taskmasters is anent their cruel treat
ment and scanty wage. Another thing
that notice testifies to is that the life of
shop assistants must be dnllcr than one
thonght. Think of their standing from
morning till night, with their tranquil
air of politeness unruffled by the fidgets
and fuss of thoughtless customers, not
daring to stretch or yawn as a relief to
tho nameless weariness of tho stuffy
shop, and the long day, and the gas,
and the crowds of new and unsympa
thetic faces, the taking out and putting
back of endless things, not permitted to
speak to ono another without risk of a
fine (it is 2s. Gd. in some shops), and
then to think they are not allowed that
solace of every Englishman in all his
troubles viz, to grumble! Lifo in a
mine must le easy, life in a factory
bliss, lifo in a kitchen liberty, compared
to life in a London shop or showrcom.-
Churchman.
Signaling From Mars.
Any citizen who is tired of mundane
concerns and wants to fix his mind ov
something higher is invited to consider
the allegation of Sir Francis Gait on,
made in the Loudon Fortnightly Re
view, that some one on Mars is sigual-
ig to earth. The information seems not
as yet to bo very generally confirmed by
astronomical observers, but Sir Francis
is quoted as authority for the report
that in one cf the European observato
ries an apparatus has been devised for
recording the Martian flashes, and that
the record shows that three signals aud
no more jure made, and that they differ,
as all flashlight signals do, in the length
of tho flashes and cf the intervals be
tween, so that if we had the key they
might be read like telegraphic messages.
Of course this is not a yarn to be
swallowed whole, but the association cf
the name of Sir Francis Galton with it
is enough to entitle it to consideration.
Thero seems to be no intrinsic impossi
bility of our having relations with peo
ple in Mars. It sounds preposterous, of
course; bnt, liko other marvels, it seems
preposterous chiefly because it is unusu
al. Wo have to nudge ourselves from
tinio to time in this age of swift sur
prises and remind ourselves that noth
ing that is new to us can possibly
be more marvelous than many tilings
that have grown fainiliar. Harper's
Weekly.
"Boolts In the Running brooks!"
There is no knowing where the Bod
leian library at Oxford will leave off.
At present it is literally overflowing
with the literature, if not the learning,
of the age. It has, like tiie library of the
British museum, to be supplied with a
copy cf every work published, and nat
urally the strain put upon its limited
resources has been too great for it.
A long time ago the library itself
conld hold i:o more books, aud the Rad
cliffe camera was called into the service
of the librarian. That got full, and then
the basemsnt of tho Sheldoniau theater
was obtained. This is also full now, and
the basement of tho Ashmolean museum
is now a heme for what would other
wise be homeless books.
At the present rate it is not improb
able that the library will spread and
spread until it completely overflows and
swamps the whole university town it
self. That, however, is not likely to be
jnst yet, in spite of the activity of the
"lady novelist." Pearson's Weekly.
Expensive Kenerolcncc.
There is a encrable and benevolent
judge in Paris who at the moment of
passing sentence on a prisoner consults
his assessors on each side of him as to
tho proper penalty to bo inflicted.
"What ought we to give this rascal,
brother?" he says, bending over to the
assessor on the right.
"I should say three years."
"What is your opinion, brother?"
the assessor on the left.
to
"I should give him about four years."
The judge, with benevolence: "Pris
oner, net desiring to give you a
and severe term of imprisonment, as I
should have done if left to myself, I
have consulted my learned brethren and
shall take their advice. Seven years. "
London Telegraph.
Poisonous Serpents.
All poisonous serpents have movable
fangs, which are found in the upper jaw,
ami wneii hoc m use ciose up iiko tiie
blade of a penknife. The fang is pro
vided with a duct leading to tho poison
sac, and the virus is ejected through
this duct by pressure. At the base of ev
ery poison fang there are numerous
germs of ethers, and the fang broken o"
lost is replaced in a few weeks by the
growth of another.
Fitness.
Author (invited to a very poor dinner,
to himself) A miserablo dinner! I'll
have to take care that I don't let any-
thinsr wittv slip out. Fliegendc Blat-
ter.
There was not a member of the royal
family within reach of the Duke and
Duchess of York when their second son
was bom. The cabinet minister, whose
attendance was required by the law, ar
rived 13 hours too late.
The fern has a most peculiar and orig
inal arrangement of its seeds, these be
ing disposed in regular order on the
backs of tho leaves.
An inspector of schools was one day
examining a class of village school chil
dren, and he asked them what was
meant by a pilgrim. A boy answered,
"A man what travels from one place to
another." The inspector, with elaborate
patience, hoping to elucidate intelli-
gence, sain: "veii, uut am u mu
who travels from one place to another.
Am I a pilgrim?" "Whereupon the boy
promptly exclaimed, "Oh, but please,
sir, I meant a good man!" I may men
tion that no one enjoyed that cheerful
jest more than the inspector himself. It
made him merry for days. New York
Advertiser.
"jlctlc In Germany."
Apparently one c tho chief results of
the idiotic "made in Germany" act is
to render importers cf foregin goods
specially anxious to pass themselves off
as British manufacturers, says London
Truth. Here is a good example: Tho
label round a matchbox extensively sold
in London and the provinces bears a sort
of trademark in tho shape of a sailor's
head, with the legend "England's he
roes" and the following inscription in
red and black letters:
"Manufactured by Martin Harris &
Co., Ltd., Stratford, London, E.
"Support English Workpeople only
by nsing English made matches."
This covers tliree sides of tho box.
The fourth is covered by a piece of
sanded paper to strike the matches on.
Remove this paper and you find under
neath the further aud still more interest
ing notification, "Printed in Germany. "
How He Answered Them.
A well known artist received not long
ago a circular letter from a business
house engaged in tho sale of California
dried fruit, inviting him to compete for
a prize to be given for the best design to
be used in advertising their wares.
Only one prize was to bo given, and all
unsuccessful drawings were to become
the property cf the fruit men. After read
ing the circular the artist sat down and
wrote the following letter:
Tho Dried Fruit Company:
Gentlemen I ani efforiugaprizoof 50 cents
for tno best specimen of dried fruit and should
be glad to have yon tr.be part in tho competi
tion. Twolvo dozen boxes of rach kind of fruit
should be sent for examination, and all fruit
that is not adjudged worthy of tho prize will
remain the property of tho undersigned. It is
also required that tho express charges on tho
fruit so forwarded bo paid by tho sender. Very
truly yours, .
Bookman.
Dr. Nicoll on American Newspapers.
Dr. Isicoll, who camo to this country
with Mr. Barrio, read tho American
newspapers while ho was hero and au
daciously admits that ho liked them.
He has confessed to Tho Westminster
Bndgct that in his opinion no American
institution i.i more misunderstood abroad
than tho preis. He thinks our newspa
pers less sensational than they seem to
bo and says, very truly, that vou mav
look in vain in them for such matter as
tho divorce reports which the most prop
er Luglish pipers publish. Undoubted
ly we Americans liko tho newspapers
wo have better, on the whole, than any
others m the market, but we are so con
tinually advised that our passion for
them is guilty, that while we satisfy it
with prodigality wo seldom attempt to
justify or even to excuse it, so that to
hear our journals praised by a visitor
excites emotions of considerable novel
ty. After all, a liking for newspapers
is, liko a liking for one's fellow crea
tures, apt to concentrate itself on indi
viduals. If Dr. Eicoll had been imnoli-
tic enough to say which American pa
pers he liked, his comments would hav
gained in interest all that they lost in
discretion. Harper's Weekly.
He Hold tno Winning Hand.
They were having the usual game of
cards in the smoking apartment. Tho
traveling men swapped jokes, nailed lies
and told bigger ones. The stranger who
just sat in to fill out tho game contrib
uted nothing but smiles and an occa
sional general laugh to tho social fea
tures of the occasion.
Every once in a whilo a jovial drum
mer would announce that he had somo
poker in his hand, and an occasional
side bet was made under the rules of
the great American game.
Finally one of these challenges elicit
ed from the stranger an admission that
poker was about tho only game of cards
of which he did not possess some knowl
edge, bnt he had rather a peculiar hand,
and because of the valuo it would have
in other games he would just take a
chance.
Beta wero rapidly made until thero
was $150 in the pot, when a call was
made, and the stranger awkwardly ask
ed how many points his opponent had.
"We don't count points," was tho
answer, "but I have four eights. I rath
er think that will take the plunder."
"Well, I declare!" gasped the stran
ger, as ho leaned back and mopped his
brow. "Hero I am with high, jack,
game, big casino, an ace, a run of five
and a flush," as ho threw down tho
ace, king, qaeen, jack and ten of dia
monds. "I really thought I had you
beat," and he shoved tho money toward
the paralyzed drummer.
In the midst of the roar that followed
"A royal flash!" was shouted by some
one, and the stranger was hilarions'7
assured that he had won. His surprised
face never gave away so much as a
chuckle until ho was alono that night.
New York World. .
Disease is like a quick
sand; you sink into it a
little at a time. It seems
a small matter at first ;
you don't think there is
anything serious
about it until it
has you hard and
fast.
At the beginning
weakness and
weariness, oc
casional licnd-
aches or backaches, you don't feel quite
up to the mark. Pretty soon you begin
to lose flesh, your appetite gives out.
Then before you know it, your lungs are
affected.
Don't wait for that. As soon as you
feel that 3-011 arc not quite up to the
"correct pitch" put yourself into con
dition again with Dr. Pierce's Golden
. . T - 1 T-fc. rt ...
iueuicai jjiscoveiy. mere is notinmr
like it to build up the constitution and
quickly restore energy and good, hard,
healthy flesh. It makes new blood
rapidly. It clears the unhealthy blood
out of the circulation. It makes fresh
tissue. There's no blood disease it won't
help. Taken in time it even cures con
sumption.
J. W. Jordan. Ksq., of Corbin, Whitley Co.. Kv..
writes: "About two and a half years aeo when
I was at Flat Lick. Ky., I was taken with severe
Sams in caest, alter which I began to spit up
lood and was also troubled with night-sweats,
I was so short winded that I could hnrdlv walk
half a mile at once, and if I eot thr lmct i,;t
wearied I would have an attack of phthisic (as
thma) and almost die. I concluded to try Dr U.
V. Pierce, and I related my case to him lie
wrote me that I should take his ' Golden Medical
Discover-. I did so and I have improved both
in strength and in weieht. I have nnt
phthisic, nor spit any blood since last sprinff.
FOR CONSTIPATION
no remedy in the world is equal to Drl ;
Pierce's Pleasant Pellets, which act nat
urally and mildly, but never fail to effect
a complete and permanent cure. There
is no substitute for these " Pellets," jic
matter what any druggist may say. Thev
regulate and invigorate the Stomach,
Liver and Bowels.
o -