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About The Sioux County journal. (Harrison, Nebraska) 1888-1899 | View Entire Issue (Jan. 25, 1894)
HOMjl AGAINST VOMflfl. BY MRS. M. E. HOLMES. t HAffKR IT.-t'oatliMMd. Alice roused herself, she tried to mile. "Aunt Martha is only too glad to get rid of me. She always looked on me 4 a burden, and "And wtii glnd to hw you happily and well married." finished the other: ' o' course that was natural, wai it lirr" Alice's face was white now: her hands claspwd toget her. were eold with the hirroiliatiori she wan enduring. she knew how cruel was the woman opprwitc, and how powerless fhe was to tlfflU her. The shame which some time overcame her fell on her heart now like a heavy weight. Mbe mbw herself as Valerie thought lior a vulgar, common girl, the rela tive of people who were bought out of ' ho village, out of the home they had lived In for years no that their pres en"eshou!d not shock the eyes of the t asi.fc). nor recall how low ita mauler lia 1 wink in mating with one of tiieir number. , None knew-none eould ever know aat an ugony of pain and shumo lived in the young heart of Itoy DarreU's Vi ifo. Hhe was utterly -completely alone! The man lor whose sane she hurteiod lier freedom left his home two d;tvs , a.'vrr the funeral oF his murdered frnnd. Uim mother still inhabited her rooms in the Castle, lint there was a chasm between her win and her son's wife. .She treated the girl with ceremony and courtesy, her wishes were con-mlt-cd in every way, but the older woman - the proud dewetidanUof an an cient race refused to eat or be familiar wibh the girl, w ho, a few days before, had consorted with farm-help and la borer. Occasionally the two Lady Punclls Bint, and the elder woman would al ways drop a deep courtesy to the shrinking timid form of the younger, but tbey exchanged no word. Valerie Komi alone appeared to no tice, the girl thrown so Hiuldenly into this strange life, but though to the world her overture of friendship ft'-emed the essence of kindness and good nature, Alice knew to the con trary and always suffered torture dur ing the visits from the ls-autiful woman. Atxiut a mouth after Roy's depart ture, news reached ttie Castle that the Karl of Hurrell, his elder brother, a man who had Isen a wanderer from his homo for many yearn, wan dead, leaving no heir, and Hoy Darrell suc ceeded to the title and the estates. The tidings were communicated to Alice in the most ceremonious manner, but the fact that now she was a count ess, and moreover, entire mistress of the Castle, did not appear to touch her. Hhe was growing day by day more wretched as she saw how great a m'a take it had all been, and how wrecked her life must lie, henceforth passed in the gloomy solitude that appeared to be her lot. Valerie Ross, standing by the firo, watched her face bluncuod with pain, and the smile on her lips doGpeneu. It was almost & pleasure to her to tnake this young heart sulTer. She had gone through such tortures herself when her faithless lover died, that it teemed to have killed all the tender tics and womanliness in her. Alioe roused herself at last. "Have you anything particular to tell me?" she asked, hurriedly, turning to pen her hook with trembling hands. "I bring an invitation from the Ikiwager lady Darrell, to Margaret, ountess of Darrell -an invitation to dine in the iiluo ChamlsT. You will refuse, of course, my I-ady Alice. An chorites like you never dine out. you know." Alice met the merciless glance of thfXi golden-brown eyes. "I accept with pleasure," she re plied qutbily. "Pray, convey my thanks to Lady Darrell. At what hour doe she dine'" Valerie drew herself upand frowned, fine, had come to torment and troublp this lowborn girl, and now found httm-M treated with almost as much hauteur and indifference as she herself could assume. Where did this girl get her manners and ways of speech':' queried Valerie, angrily. She was noordinary common creature, butbore berseif with a grace and ase that might well have become a queen. "There will Ik guests." she observed, coldly, srnoot hi ng an imaginary wrinkle in herglove. "'And you will pardon me), perhaps, but Iady Darrell is very particular about one's garment's so if "Thank yon." answerd the young countess, quietly: "1 havo my maid. DutIs: she w ill assist me. I could not think of giving you so much trouble on my Iwhalf." Valerie's brows met again. It was the first time Alice had shown her spirit of determination, and Miss Hons resented it now most bitterly. Hitherto she had looked upon Alice as a plaything, an amusement, an ob ject on which sue could pour out the overflowing bitterness of her heart; but now she saw before her a woman, as beautiful as herself, and ovary whit as proud. "Ah you like," she olisorved, indif ferently: "I thought I might havo been able to give you some hinU. The dinner-hour is eight: It is usually half past --even, hut Lady Darrell has it later to-night, on account of the Karl's arrival. I forget what train he is to come by; but of course be wroto to toll you." jUice "a right hand giaspe j a . chair for pupj-ort; a mist clouded her eyos, One thought was alono in her mind the Karl wan coining -the Kurl, her husband. All else was forgotten; Valerie, her stings, the long lonely month--all but the one thought, she ihould once more see that , handsome face, hear that deep manly voice, clasp that slrong hand. A joy seemed to coma to ber so swift mud', sudden that it illuminated her oountananco a with glorious suu shlue. . Valerie saw th "transient gleam pass over her pale face, and her heart grew till more bitter towards thU girl - bit ter, and then triumphant, (or in that glance ihe had road Alice 'a accret, the lecrt that Alice herself as yet did not comprehend, that Ttoy DarreU's ow ; lorn wife loved him. I " He has pot wriiten to you'" she j brake in. "Ah, that was remiss! I thought he would have fixed to dine j with you instead of his mother. Hut I exjs-ct he forgot all about that - at j lo-st, he said dothirg touching it in t.ie :eter 1 received from him this morning." Alice s joy died as suddenly as it had Deen t-orn. She flinched as though a blow had been struck her. but she said nothing, and Valerie Hor walked gracefully from the room, feeling that she had triumphed easily. Left alone, Alice Hung herself down by the chair and burled her face in her hands. "Forget me!" she whispered. Yes. that is what s'le says: and she is right. He can do notliingbut hate me. And I -oh, what shame is on mo! - 1 cannot help him. I must remain forever a burden and a tie." She rose and paced the room. "How cruel she is. What shall I do. If I remain awav she will triumph, and if I go - Hut l mm tgo." She stood silent, her arms crosseJ over her brea-t: a struggle was tearing her voung heart. ! will go. 1 must be brave: better her stinging words than her contempt. If she thinks me afraid she will taunt me forever with it, and t hat would kill me. No: will - J must do this, whatever happens." She rung the bell quickly, and Davis appeared. "Light the candles In my room. Davis, and unpack thoe dresses that came the other day from London. I dine with the Karl 'and his mother to night, an I I must Iook well." The maid Isiwed and left, the room with a mind full of wonder and ad miration. Never had she seen the young Countess look so beautiful, yet she was changed. There wasnomcthingdifTcrcnt, some thing that told she hail passed from a girl into a woman, that life had licguo with all its storms and joys, ita trials and happiness. In the Dowager Ijuly Darrell's apart ment the waxen lights glimmered in profusion from their silver stands, and she. I a soft roseate hue from bc neat h t heir silken shades. Valerie Ko-s was a:one. she was walking to and fro the whole length o: the room, her long train trailingon the carH't. her rubies and diamonds gleam in,' on her neck and hair like liretliesin their brilliancy. :she h.id a frown on her brow, and her beautiful mouth was set and hard. Shi; was thinking of Alice, and the thought brought vexation. "Hut for her," she muttered, "bow changed it would bo. How blind I was. Hut Eustace wove the veil round my eyes. Fool that I was to believe him and lose my chance wit h Hoy. lioy did love me, but does he still? Two months are not a lifetime. We shall see. And that puny creature shall yet learn tho extent of my power." The dowager came in slowly while she was st ill musing. Valerie smoothed tho frown from her face as she ad vanced to meet the older woman. "I have not heard the wheel on the gravel," said Hoys mother, as she sank into her chair; "it is getting late nearly eight, and ho has not come." "You are over-anxious, dear," re plied Valerie, "Does Hoy bring any ono with him? I fancy I heard you mention something about guests." "Yes; he will be accompanied by two gentlemen -one, Lord Kadiuc. I think you know him. The other la a man ho met in Italy, a Count Jura - from Hoy's letters, a most delightful companion. I am glad, Valerie, he has brought guests, otherwise tho life here at lirst might prove too trying." V alerie turned at the last words. The doors had opened, and a soft rustle told that Bonn one had entered, it was the young countess. She bad heard the last sentence from her hus band's mother's lips, and her face whitened a littlo oh she put her own construction on it. I.ady Darrell had been thinking of Captain Kivcrs, his terrible death, and the maddening anxiety that had come to Itoy, when she stKiko. Sne rose from her chair, and bent low before the girlish figure. "Welcome, Countess," she said, haughtily, and coldly. Alice courtesied low, while Valerie gazed at. her in sisechless vexntion. Hoy, is: fore he took his departure, had given his wife to understand she was exs'cied to comply with society's laws, and had left instructions with Davis, a most experienced lady's maid, to have everything obtained as befitted her mistress position. Tho wou'an hud onayed him well. Dresses and many numerous things were sent down from I-ondonythough, until this evening, Alico had seen none of these marvels, contenting herself with wearing none but the simplest u 1 114 inwni. iiii!An:iiniiw fni tut ii i"i u i uu u by Davis' own lingers. To-night she had abandoned her Cinderillu robes, and hUxhI oeforo the cold unappreciative eves of tho two women, H perfect vision of loveliness, draped from had to foot in black gos samer material and rich lace. Her manses of dead-gold hair were coiled and gathored in picturesque profns'on on her dainty bea.'; her slmulders rose whito, fresh, and round from her black gown, her fair young throat was encircled by gems. ( (nee again the question rushed to Valerie's mind: Where had this girl Inh -ited her grace, her natural re finei i-nt, her pure Isuinty? She was no fariu-girl. as she stood before them, her figuro drawn up to ite graceful height, her tiny well-gloved hands holding her plumed fan; she was a lady, every whit aa dainty, as beautiful, and as proud us one of their own fav ored class. Vnlerle bit her Hp, and turnod bnr back on the young countess. Alice took no notice of this coldness; she was listening, listening, yet dread ing the first sound of that step, the first glimpse of that tall well-built form and bandrume debonair face. Will you not alt down?" asked Hot's mothor of her son's wife. Alio moved towards the chair she indicated, and sank Into It, while Lady Darrell gazed at the young girl with antoaUhmont and admiration. Valerie was beautiful, but this girl was peerless in her strange young loveJinew. In all her long life Lady Darrell never recollected a more purely pa trician face, and she marveled at it. " ilave oa any recol.octiuu of your childhood?" she asked, involuntarily. "Did you always live with your aunt? Which side ate your relations?" Alice looked up, strangely sur prised. " I can remember nothing clearly," she replied: "but I have a dim recol lection of a lai e house, and a beauti ful (ace that seemed to bend over me; then came the long years spent with Aunt Ma.tha, and' all her angry words." " What a pity you cannot remember anything:" drawled Valerie, who was watching the older woman's interest with jeaious eyes. "We miirht have dis in ered a secret or lost father - you might have develoiwd into a queen: as it is-" " As it Is, I am only Alice -Alice the farm-girl," the young countess finished quietly. Ijidy Darrell's face clouded at the name. ' itoy is late," she said again. " He is here, ' announced Valerie, and at that moment the door was thrown open, and Alice saw once more 'he man who ha I stood beside her that bygone morning and vowed his life to hers. Hoy kiss 'd his mother and intro duced the two guesta, then turned to Valerie, and the girl standing by so quietly saw his eyes dilaU; as with a glow of unrest rained passion and hap piness, and noticed their hands linger -d as they were clasjstd. Alice's hi. -art seemed suddenly to i.'row cold, but there was no sign on h -r fair face, and the next moment Hoy, Karl of Darrell. was b fore her, gret t ing her w itii a low ceremonious Ikjw. Valerie was radiant, she whs laugii ing and chatting to Ixird Kadine, but she wus watching the husband and wife, and knew her triumph was yet to come. Hoy uttered no word to Alice. Aft'-r his bow he turned from her to his mother and b 'gan to converse about his journey. Tie; other guest joined in tho chat, but while he t ilked his dark eyes were fixed on the girlish figure in the rich black dress standing so lone and de serted. He turned to Hoy. "1 crave, milord, that I may havo the honor of presentation to your beautiful countess. ' The Karl started, bis face flushed. "I bog your pardon; ot course. Countess, permit me to introduce to you the Count of .1 ura." Alice lxiwed again, and scarcely glanced at t he man before her. She wiei sutfdring an agony of shame and pain. "He wishes me dead." said her heart over and over again; "dead, so that he may be free. th, why did I come? Why can I not h ave It all? It is too much for me. Their scorn and cold contempt will kill me!" Count .lura watched her expression deepen into sadness with a strange in terest in his dark eyes. " So this is the young wife," he mused. "Hut, mou Dieu, how beauti ful ; And he has no eyes for any one save Valerie how dangerous she looks, her eyes Hash like daggers! I'oor Lady Alice ! She is your deadly enemy - a foiled jealous woman is Va lerie Hons. Howard" So ran his thoughts as ha spoke easily to the girl, and led her in to dinuer. Hoy followed with Valerie, and a sigh reached Alice's ear, telling plainer than words how bitter was his sorrow, and how great a burden she was to his life and happiness. TO BE CONTINUED. An "Oh" That Was Answered. In tho far West, where the sun habitually sets amid certain clouds of red; where distance between drug stores Is often great and correspondingly irksome; where the buffalo wanders aimlessly and de plores the good old times; a young man twanged Iris guitar and sang blithely: "Oh, that a breeze" It was a tenor cantante of pure quality and tho phrasing was Im mense. "would waft me to her side." Even as the words died away upon his lips a funnel-shaped cloud came cavorting from the northwest and the next thiDg he knew he was in the back yard of his prospective father-in-law. Muttering Something about quick rel urns he rose and brushed tho dust from his clothing. America h First Jteconled Kclipse. The Brst observations of an eclipse of th;sun taken by American as tronomers wcr made on Long Island, V nobscot Hay, on October U7, 1781). On that (uccajlon a party from liar ard College, hiaded bv Prof. S. W. Mollis, LLUj having obtained the cons nt of the llritlsh general who was in command of Castinc, landed at Kounty Cave ami made the house of one Shubael Williams their h ad quarters. The t tality of th eclipse was visible only at P nobscot 1 say and vlcin ty.afuct which would make such an event one of the gnat im port even to-day. It Is but justice to add 1 hat th observations' made by th Harvard scientists wen1 my suc c ssful, notwithstanding the tact that their Instruments were vi ry crude and inaccurate. New York Press i; pioioiiM. It is singular, in these days when explosions in air are thought to bring ralit, thit no one has spoken of a 1 (ith century experiment to Ktop rain by the use of gunpowder. Hcnvenuto Cellini tells us In his memoirs that when Margares of Austria entered Homo It rained heavily. "1 pointed seveial large pieces of artillery in the direction where tho clouds w re thickest, and whence deluge of wate" was already pouring; then, when 1 began to fire the rain stopped, and at the fourth discharge the sun shone out." , " - Ik the plum hen should atrtke tbu winter it will be tbe first Instance where capital has struck. THE OLD LOVE SONG. PUr it ilowlr, aii.g I lowly, Ola, fuiilinr ian! One it run ia dati aud dimple. Lib a brook lu June; Kow it aot.t aiong tbu nieaaure With a found of tear,. ; J)tajr old voicea echo 1 hrough it, YanifboU with tUa ye&ra. ftipi'le, ripj 1 roa ttie lov M"g 'ill! in m1oiu tun. K&rly an . at-ue grow a couipl tbet,a I- Iik-J 11 evry rh v ine ; Who to e ti-T leaui tue niaic 1 Jfe ud . oat'i le f d. Knew tlmt lmeiB but u&giuiT&g I ntil li ve ia i lJ I'lav l loly. it i lrJy Ah an evening h'- luu ; Merlin g fciwln .., hushed to aduea I ilia U lu liie i'l'im. Memories li. me wiiliin tfa muie, hloalmg thro- gh the lar, ; 'lb ui!ht4 wi-hhi itn e,le ttpaeea He e and pel ''ke htara. -Ta- Coiiiuua. THE UNEXPECTED. 'I don't care I am perfectly happy. -Fate cannot barm me, I have dined f.o-d.iy," said Frank. "Yes, I am happy." 'And I am happy also," said Nellie. "Don't sec how I could be more so." Neither was looking at the other. Kach tried to get absorbed In a book, but cet tainH neither was absorbed: for on an average, during the entire aftcrnoou. they had made tenia, ks similar to th foregoing at least e.ery ten min ites. "hid you say, Nellie," continued Frank, a trille doubtfully, "that there was enough in trie hou-e lor supper and breakfast?" "I'm quite sure, dear, that, there is enough lor supper, and i.e. liaps for breaklast liut we s iull not want much breiKfast. Vu k'iow th it you have often said that you did not care for breakfast, and really 1 can net along on nothing at all. ' I don't see what we have to worrv about, then, do you' ' Indeed I do not 1 think we have every icason to be perfectly happy." " ure of supper to-day and break fist to-morrow I should say we have'every reason to Ik; thankful." ".'es,"a::ded Nellie. "Think of the number of p'opl.' in Vne world who are sure o neuher supper to-day nor breakfast to-morrow. Take the case oi a cannibal '' "Just what 1 was tninking," broke in Frank. "He is depend ntonthe chance call of a missionary- -surely a precarious existence. " Oil, Frank, you a e joking!" 'Proof that I am perfectly happy," responded ! rank. "While 1 am perfectly happy. 1 do wish that the firm had not failed, and that ,ou had not lot your posi tion." "Yes, and while 1 am perfectly happy, I do wish that our parents had not objected to our marriage." 'The-idea that we, who are the child en or rich parents should both of us be left to the d sagreeable ex pedient of pawning the few wedding prese as that we received!" 'vav rathor the disagreeable ex pedicut of pawning the last wedding pres nt that we received now now now you are gola to cry, little wife." "Indeed I am not," said Nellie, smuggling bravely with her tears, I think we are very lucky to have any presents to pawn." "And so do I, added Frank," verv luckv " Just there he was interrupted. There is no better time than an in terruption to explain the condition of affairs in a romance, so I will take advantage of the present one, which may be the only Interruption in rnv story. Frank and Nellie Hayward had married against their parents' wishes. Their parents', though rich, refused to help them In any way, or eieD to receive them in their homes. Frank was brave and Nellie was sen sible. They determined to do for themselves, and at th very outset made a solemn compact with each other that, come what might, they would consider their love for each other compensation for all tho Ills or life. For a time things went very well, Frank obtained a position that en abled them to live very comfortably in a furnished flat. Hut, as in the life of everyone else, the time came when luck turned against them. The firm thatcmployed Frank failed, and he was unable to get another position. The little money that ho had saved from his salary was soon exhausted. They were forced to the disagreeable expedient of pawning such things of value as they possessed, and finally they had come to the end of evcti that resource. Never during all their trouble had either acknowledged to the other that they were anything but happy The crisis, however, had just been reached. They were in a quandary. It was a question whether they would be forgiven by their par ents under any circumstances, and they were not nt all willing to ac knowledge they had made a mistake. Put there was an interruption: it was a knock at the door. Nellie rose from her scat, and Frank was about to do so, when it occurred to him that the chances were that It was a creditor, and he thought It hardly worth while to go to tho door. He was rathprsurprised though, when at the Invitation of his wife the door was opened by a queer old man who looked at each of them over the rim of his glasses for a full minute before he spoke. 'Mr. and Mrs. Hayward, I lie lieve?" ho said at length. "Yes, sir," leplled Nellie. "Will you take a chair.-"' "Ought to have ticen named Way ward, I suppose," ho said, chuckling to himself, us ho took the pro , ered chair. "I suppose my ?!it is rather unexpected?" "Decidedly," said Frank, curtly. "Well, It Is the unexpected that always happens," said the old gentle man. "1 wts rather surprised to hear you through the door, accident ally, of course, assuring yourselves, that you were very lucky and very happy and all that sort of thing." "May I inquire what business it is of yours?" asked Frank. "None, except that it assured me that 1 had found the right place," answered the old gentleman. "What place were you looking for?" in-jirrcd Frank. 'The house of a happy married couple," said the old gentleman. "Y'ou have found it," said Frank and Nellie together. "Ah! It is quite a curiosity. I suppo-e you will pardon an old man like ujyseif. if he asks aquestions. 1 am a student of human nature, you know, and perhaps this visit may re doiind to our advantage." "l-'ue away, " said Frank, who was beginning to be interested. "In the Brst place, what was the occasion of your saving just now that you were lucky? ' "Heeause we had some wedding presents to pawn," replied the in genuous Frank. "No," gently corrected bis wife; "because we had had some wedding presents to pawn." Dear me!' said the old gentle man. "They are all pawned then?" Yes " answered Nellie, "but that does not make us unhappy." "I suppose .v on occu. y a good po sition?" said the old gentleman to Frank. "1 have lost my position, sir," the latter answeied. "You have plenty of money in the bank:'' None." ' ndoubtediy you have a well stocked larder, though?" "It is about exhausted." 'Ot course, in case of real distress, vou have your parents to rely on?" "On the Contrary, we would not wish to ask them to help us under any circumstances." "Well, young man," said the old gentleman, excitedly, "will you tell me what in the world you are going to do?" "I would much rather have you toil me what 1 am going to do," said Frank. "Nothing," answered the old gen tleman, solemnly. "That's what I've been doing lor quite a while." "The fact Is, you are precisely what you were saying you were when I knocked on your door you are lucky. J am a man of whimsicalities. I have been looking all my life for a happy married couple. Some one, never mind who, told me that you were the couple I was looking for. I did not believe it for a long time, but when 1 discovered that you were in hard luck, and still were not com plaining, 1 began to believe it My misdon on earth is to assist happy couples Who are In hard luck. This is the llrst time 1 have ever had a chance to fulfil my mission. It is all the more to your advantage, though there is more money In the fund than th re would he if the world were stocked with happy Couples. I propose to settle on you a little in come of five hu drcd a year." The old gentleman paused to see what effect this startling announce ment would have on the happy couple The effect was not marked. They looked at him very much as they would look at a curiosity. "I suppose you think I am insane?" he said angrily. "No." replied Nellie, "but I think you are my father with a wig and eye glasses and a very poor attempt at a disguised voice." And she ran to him and threw her arms about his neck. "Well, 1 am," said the old gentle man, laughing, as he removed his disguise, "and fra ikly confess that for a long time I have had a disguised heart I didn't want to help you until I thought you needed it, so 1 waited. Hut I will tell you this if you had ack owledged that vou were not happy, 1 would have given you double the allowance 1 have." "I don't care," said Nellie. ''I'm perfectly happy." "And so am I," said Frank. Waverly's Magazine. The Dutch Renaissance. What tie Dutch most appreciated were the faithful reproductions of the familiar scenes they loved, i-o we have the delightfui r ilections of that peaceful and industrious life which has scarcely altered appreciably at the present day. There was a quai corner or a canal bridge, with the bright brass knockers on the house doors, the little mirrors at either side of tbe parlor windows, and the hay baige lying at its moorings, with the bargeman smoking on the caboose. There were the bustle in the open air bourse and the bargaining In the open-air fish market. Then the literally realistic turned to the real istically humorous. The Dutchmen of the seventeenth century were far from being generally licentious, but they were gross; the matrons were not given to b ushing, and the men would shake their sides at coarse hulToo'iery. So we have the village Kirmess and the suburban fairs; the boors smoking and drinking In tho wayside alehouses, and the troopers halting for refreshment and (lining with the rustic belles. Even Uemtiramit, in his younger days, must be condemned as a llagrant offender against our notioiu of decency. There are side scenes and byplay lu some of the best of his works which would be pro nounced most offensive now, were they not sanctified by his memory. Wo doubt not that Tenters and Ostade and their confreres drew shrieks of laughter by thcli grotes iuc studies of unsophisticated surgery; tho boor having his tooth drawn by tbe blacksmith's forceps, and the patient being cut for the stone by the ra or of the Tillage barber. lilack wo d's Magazine. A GEORGIA SIGAR BOILING. Simple Cbariua of Kuatie Treat Which the Kativea Find f ull of swert Ofliajbt. . When the fro-ils begin to tinge the leaves the voung people of Southern Heorgla are on the alert for new9 of tbe nrst sugar boiling. Many a gay straw ride is arranged and planta tions faraud near are visited, for no distance is too great and no roads too rough to deprive them of a pleasure so peculiarly their own. To a No theroer the scene has all the charm of novelty. Great stacks of sugar cane are piled round a grind ing mill, which is propelled by horse power and fed by a couple of negroes who. with great rapidity, handle the long stalks, which are euickly crushed to pieces, the juice escaping through a narrow channel into large barrels prepared for it. This iuice of a sickly greenish color and to a Yankee tastes as sickly as It looks, but the natives consider it nectar tit for the gods, and their liking for it Is stongly in evidence as gobletful after gobletful disappears. A lew yards distant from the mill is an immense caldron, under which a great Ure is kept turn ing, into this juice Is noured, and after about three hours boiling it is run off into a trough, a rich Uuwn syrup. It is at ni.:ht the scene assumes its most interesting aspect The sur rounding i.aiktiess is intensified by the deep glow of the oak tire, which throws fantastic shadows and gives a weird look to tne figures of the negroes, who hoyer around like un canny spirits. The presiding genius of the caldron on o.ie plantation was a coal black African, whose grotesque appearance was heightened by a peculiar head gear made of carpet. As, armed with a long handl d ladle, he stirred the foaming syrup, which spluttered and hissed and leaped in brown catar acts, one could almost imagine him a wi aid of fairy lore, muttering fierce incantations over some deadly otion. A tor. h, dimly seen through clouds of vapor, cast a feeble light on the boiler and lent an additional strange ness to the scene. As soon as the syrup is run off the visitors cluster round the trough like bees round a honey pot. Kach has a "pad die," which is a strip of cane bark, and all scoop up thy rich yel low foam which floats on top of the syrup. I'nlike the juice, the foam wins its way into favor at once, and very ridiculous it Is to see the dain tiest damsel contentedly sipping out of a trough with twenty or thirty people and enjoying every sip which finds its way to her littie red mouth. The skimmings of the syrup are put into a barrel. About the third day fermentation begins, and the re sult is cane beer, a very agreeable beverage. A New F irm ot Hash. How to get rid of scraps of meat j and small amounts of food that will : accumulate in the refrigerator, was solved by my John, when I was too ! ill to be out of my bed, and had no i help. Me brought me a small amount of a very appeti.ing dish, and when I insisted on knowing what it was, he said, "Norwegian hash," and so we have called it ever since. As the receipt differs, according to what 1 have on hand, I tell you how I made it last week. I had a little roast meat and some gravy, a mutton chop, a slice of fried liver, two links of smoked sausage, one Hamburg meat bail, some potato that had been fried raw, three boiled potatoes, one sweet one, about two do en Lima beans, and a tomato. I ground th m all through ray meat grinder, adding an onion, salt, and pepper to taste Make it up in any shape you please round cakes, croquettes, cyl nders. Whatever 1 happen to have I use, but always trying to have some to matoes and some smoked meat, such as a little ham or dried beef, if I do not have gravy, I make a little white sauce with butter and flour, and add enough to make them hold together. If l want them very nice I dip them in egg and bread crumbs, and fry them as 1 would croquettes. I hae never had anyone tate them and not like them, and tucy are never twic alike, as one never has just the same left-overs. Scraps are not inviting warmed over by them selves, but will make the foundation of a good meal if used in this way. Housekeeper's Weekly. i ffee br a Disinfectant. Numerous experiments with roasted coffee prove that it is the most pow erful means not only for rendering animal end vegetable ellluvlu innocu ous, but of actually d stroying them. , A room in which meat in an ad- 1 vanccd degree of decomposition had been kept for some time, was instant ly deprived of all smell on an open coffee roaster being carried through it containing a pound of coffee n wly roasted. In another room exoosed to the effluvium occasioned by the cleaning out of the dung pit, so that sulphurated hydrogen andammonla In great quantities could be chemically detected, the stench was completely , removed in half a minute on the eni : pioyment of three ounces of fresh roasted coffee, while the other parts j of the house wore prematurely cleared of tho smell by being simply tra versed with the coffee roaster, al though the cleansing of the dung pit continued for several hours after. The best mode of using the coffee as a disinfectant is to dry the raw bean, pound in a mortar and then roast the powder on a moderately heated iron plate until it assumes a dark brown tint, when it is fit to use. Then sprinkle it in sinks or cess pools, or lay Hon a plate In the roam which you wish to have purified. Coffee acid or coffee oil acts more readily In minute quantities. Mer chants' Review. I'koiik are so much alike, the should be better friends.