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About The Sioux County journal. (Harrison, Nebraska) 1888-1899 | View Entire Issue (July 11, 1895)
THE ONLY WAY. CHAITKIt VIII. (Continued) "It la southing to so lmcrfeet a fellow s tuyself to flud out a Utile weakness a tinge of vanity in such in admirable 'liu mnn" you are! I don't doubt that Winton, like many another, would have fallen to your spear; but, you see, be was Mm. L'Eslrauge's lover In bygone age when they were boy aud girl. and fer I know all about It. I fancy Winton when he first came home from India, win not too auxioua to take Helen Landedl back with him. I remember her, a aad eyed. timid creature, under the thumb I should say thumb-screw of old Miss Webster. She waa a aoft, taking little thing then, ahe ia a very charming woman now, and Winton la well off. It would be a comfortable settlement for her and her little girl, for they are, I thiuk, quite de jtendent on you." At the end of tills long spee-h, during which Msrsdeu watched bis companion's face, Nora was quite prepared to reply. "If they are fond of each other, 1 aliall be very pleased. Helen baa been a real mother to me. and I like Mr. Winton im mensely. You don't know what a hard life Il.-len has had. If Mr. Winton will be kind and make her happy and now you have opened my eyes, I think he la fond of her-I ahall be glad. Hut, aa to her dependence on me, if I die before I am twenty-one, of course all I possess will go to Heat rice, and aa mm aa ever 1 am of age I will settle half my fortune on Helen, to go to Bea after her." "Hut, Nora! you must not Imj quixotic; make some provision for your father's widow, but not half of your fortune." cried Marsdeu, looking at her with sur prise. "Oh: If Helen is married, well, I shall make, the settlement on Bea only. I have always considered it an oversight on my father's part not providing for her, an oversi ght I am bound to make good." Her tone was perfectly easy and nat ural; nor did it express the slightest con sciousness of doing more than a simple act of justice. Marsden walked on In silence for a few paces. 'iii nre rlirht. I think." said he. "It ! a horrid nuisance to know that people belonging to you want for anything; but, at the aame time, you are acting with un usual liberality. When shall you be of age? if 1 dare ask such a question." "The fifteenth of February next, I shall be twenty-oue." "And supxse you marry some stingy fellow before that date?" Nora laughed merrily. "I do not fancy 1 shall run away with any one betweeu this and February, and if I marry soticrly, conventionally, the lawyers can devise the meana of carrying out my wishes, or, if the suitor likes my poor little money better than myself, why, be may go." she waved her hand with an expressive gesture. "I wonder what sort of a woman you will develop into, Nora?" said Marsden, his eyes fixed upon hers aa If brooding over some somber thought. "Am I not developed already, squire?" "You have heaps to learn! for one thing, your own power! but why do you go back to the patriarchal appellation? Promise to call me Clifford, always Clif ford." "I will try," returned Nora, smiling. "Now, Clifford, here we are at the bridge, and before we part, promise me first to consider all I have aaid a profound secret between us two; next not to tease Helen about Mr. Winton; she is a shy creature, and I do not think he has absolutely pro posed for her yet, bo it would annoy her dreadfully if you said anything on the Slllljert." "Trust me, I shall be most discreet! Hut, Nora, suppose this marriage takes place and they will go to India. What shnil you do?" "Stny behind and educate Hea, or mar ry that stingy uiau you seem to have found for me." "Will you promise tomarry the man I shrill lind for yon?" crjd MSffsden eager ly. r 1 "Yes! If be Is pleaiiant sndl handsome, and rich, and accomillished, and ready to love, honor and obey1 uir," retnaned Nora with mock solemnity "It wluytake you a long time to flud sincn f raralitvl; un dertake nothing rtaJly,'1' 't'-bye." "Are vou going's dfUv- W'f, What have I done?" d,,, Jjf "lieletl IS out ail busy; but if you i iui us ai seven, we will not om ed mutton." "Thanks, many tb l)M7at scores- If It Is," looking at his watch, "three sent myself at half WM. May I pre- 17" "Yes, certainly; Hel HI 111 be delighted Clr." bead with an to see you." 8he bei arch smile and, tun away, walked nuickly toward tb cotMzv. Marsden leaned his su.s on the para pet of the bridge and loAd after ber so long as she was In sight, then he pursued his way home in profound thought Nora went quietly to kr own room, to cogitate the wonderful Information Im parted by Marsden. She was glad, very tfsA not only for Helen, but for herself. This knowledge would fortify her to reaUt her own folly, to uproot the ridiculous fancy which had mastered ber. The man who was to be Helen's husband ought to be, could be, nothing to her. Her cie was certain. But, oh! what a weak iAceited fool she hud been, to take for gianted that she herself, and she only, wag the attraction that drew Winton so constantly to Brook dale, to be so blind to tW gentle charm of her step -mother's looks and voles and manner, Hhe aaw It ill now. Mow quietly tender Winton always was In speaking to Helen, and ow much more notice be took of her ksn of her step daughter. Yet across this conviction would shoot pmxling gleams of memory, recalling significant looks and words which might have been Interpreted as In dicative of a strong liking for herself; this no doubt waa but the exaggeration of ber own vain unhealthy Imagination. How she thanked hesven that none could read kef thoughts. flh waa tolerably aaf. no me saie Mr. Huthven bad ever hinted at any rfsH:.ble tenderness littween herself and Winton, and that suspicion would soon be dispelled by the auuouncvmeut of hia engagement to Mrs. L'Estrange. At any rate, for the moment, Nora thought herself quite cured. Khe made some changes in her dress and rearranged her hair so aa to be ready for the evening. Then atie descended to the drawing room, and set herself diligently to answer gome long-neglected letters. Before she had finished Mrs. L'Eatrange returned, and there were parcels to be ojiened, purchases to be looked at and put away, and Ilea's report of all she had seen and heard to be listened to. Mrs. L'Estrange was surprised and pleased to hear that Marsden was to be their guest. He was a great favorite with her, and showed her much kindly consid eration. On this evening ha conversed chiefly with her, but she waa too observant, too warmly interested iu her step-daughter, not to perceive that he was aware of Nora's every movement, even her slight eat gesture. Khe had already suspected that the lord of ICvesleigb had lust his heart to his young kinswoman, and ahe was not a little puzzled by Nora's evi dent uuconsclouauesa. Khe bad very lit tle Idea, however, of the overpowering Intensity of the passion Nora had Inspired From motives, which need nut nuw be revealed, Maradeu masked bis batteries cleverly; until the right moment came to open tire, he was merely a pleasant, play ful, admiring relative. To-night, how ever, she was struck by some slight though distinct Indications which escaped hia reaolute self-control. Mars. leu had never denied himself any thing, nor thought any price too high for the pleasure of the moment. He had had e-dless love nffuirs, but none of any depth, and when he met his young cousin, he waa unaccountably fascinated by her. Her delicate freshness, her simplicity and shrewdness, her quick spirit and keen aulf-respect, her momenta of softness suggestive of delicious Kissibilities, of re sponsive tenderness, which wits not to he lightly won, made, to him, an irresistible combination. Clifford Marsden a as a man of Infinite taste; taste so true, that it all but made him enamored of goodness, If only for its harmony. Alas! what a chasm that "but" covered! He could be generous, too, though he was quite capable of sacrificing all and everything to gratification of self, yet, at times, that self took an amiable form. At present he was determined Nora IF.strange should be his w ife. Khe was the first woman he had ever wished to ninrry, and nothing ahould aland t tween him and the accomplishment of his wishes. In such n passion there is a tinge of cruelty. Maradeu would rather kill her with hia own hand, than give her up to another. Meantime, the wild animal within him slumbered in the sunshine of its own hopes. Marajlen talked well, Nora, who had more color than usual, was charming ly bright. Winton was never mentioned, and all went merrily. CHAPTER IX. The last week of October saw nearly all the personages In this true history as sembled In town. Nora L'Estrange was almost ashamed of tie eager pleasure with which she hail ed their removal to London. The change of scene, the various objects of interest, the different occupations of town, con trasted with those of the country, roused and diverted her. Beatrice and her attendant fraulein were left with Winton's aunt, Mrs. Ath erley. who had invited them to atay with her In ildbridgu, In order that the young lady might have music lessons from the organist of the cathedral, and be preserv ed from the disorganization of life In a Ixmdon lodging, where she waa to join her mother before Christinas. Winton, as was expected, soon made hia appearance, and then Marsden; both be stowing a good deal of their spare time on the ladies of Brookdale. So the days went speedily and pleasantly.with the help of galleries and concerts by day, ami thea ters in the evening. Nora fluttered herself that by the careful cultivation of more frank friendliness of manner toward Win toii, she was killing out warmer feelings in her heart, and at any rain successfully masking the true state of affairs in that weak citadel. Mrs. Huthven, however, put In a claim for a good deal of her trustee's time and attention. She also found it expedient to take up her abode in the capital. The isilice gave her little hope of recovering her lost property, but the preliminaries of her new purchases made her presence requisite. "Have you seen Miss L'Estrange?" ask ed Mrs. Huthven, one luomiug when Shir ley had been admitted before luncheon. "No, I thought ot cAlilng, but did not see what business I had to do so." "I wish you would. Why should you not?" "I do not know. Mrs. L'Estrange Is rather stand off. "Pooh!" shs returned with an expres sion of contempt "Mrs. L'Estrange It nobody! They called here yesterday, but I was out Shirley, 1 wish you would make love to Nora! It would not be a bad marriage for yoJ, and you need not marry her If you do Lot like. "What Is the real reason of your re gard for my Interests?" "I want to see you cut out Winton." "I do not think there is anything to In terfere with In that direction. The run ning at present Is all on Marsden's side." Mrs. Kiithven stooped to pick up her pocket handkerchief before she replied "Well, cut Marsden out. Why should you not? You have been something of a far orite with women, more experienced worn en than Nora L'Estrange, before this." "I am flattered," said Shirley with self-satisfied smile. "Still I Imagine' "Oh! 1 would give anything to see you safely married to Nora L'Eatrange," she Interrupted, clasping her bands together with fervent air. "What a denouement the whole thing would be!" and sha laugh ed a cruel, mocking laugh. "What wliole thing?" asked Shirley, with an angry look. "M good friend, I am thinking of com plications which da aart enter rour mind.' "I !' not t how tite) car. wh' i) in. in ilJ'ilHIH e Here Mrs. Hut hie: with a note, u hb si courier -ll!'''t took aii'l glauc. at. I-t hiiu came up." she said, and s .1 n moment in sil.-m e. t .v;m:i:' it witu n r auiitll minted tinker. "Am 1 in the way?" ai-ked Shirley, wilu some stllloess. No! no! you can stay," aaid Mrs. Huthven. careh ssly. and as she spoke the detective, Wuite. waa shown iu. "So! you are bac k again V" she said. 'Haieyou anything fresh V" "Something, i " he hesitated and glanced at Shirley. "Oh, you may sieuk. This gentleman, j Captain Shirley," with a slight emphas.s on the name, "was, you rememl-r, at the ball when I was robbed, and knows all about it." Waite bowed gravely. "I have juat come from Brussels," he aaid. "A reisirt 1 heard at. no matter where, induced ine to viait a men-bant there, who, it waa said, had some fine rubies fur sale. They were certainly very fine, and were, I find, bought from a respectable looking young man, of small stature and very dark complexion, who said he was a native of India. He spoke French very Imperfectly. He had, he id, inherited the stones from an uncle. He Btated he was a native of I'ondi cherry and had offered the gems in I'aris, but could not get bis price. This sur prised the Jeweler, aa he asked leas than their value, which the purchaser, Vau deraluya, Hue de la Montague, gave him. After much trouble, I traced this uiau back to Osteml, and ascertained that a passenger answering to bis description embarked on Isiard the Dover ateambout about three weeks ago, and there 1 lost all trace!" "Hut you must find It again," exclaimed Mrs. Huthven, who had listened Intently. "You know the reward I offered for the jewela themselves. I will double it if you enable me to punish the robber! Do you not think I am right?" she added with audden startling vehemence to Shirley, who hesitated an iusliiut and theu re plied: "Certainly, Mrs. Huthven, certainly. Such a miscreant deserves no mercy." "From I'oiidiiherry, did be suy? i he give any name?" "No! I fancy the jeweler was too glud to get such a bargain, to make many in quiries." "You do not intend to give up?" cried Mrs. Huthven, eagery. "Certainly not, mudaiue. These are the first tracks." He paused and gave quick, questioning glance at Mrs. Huth ven, who slightly bent her head. ies. he went on, "the first trac ks 1 have hit on, and I am determined not to give up till I have done all man can do to find the ras cal and his accomplices, if he has any." "I should imagine he had," said Shir ley, who had risen, and going over to the fire, stirred it into a blaze. "A uiuii would hardly attempt so bold a stroke single-handed." "It would be a good deal safer alone." "Then what do yon propose to do next'.'" "I have not yet quite decided, sir," re plied the detective dryly. "Moreover, I never speak of my plans. As there is no time to lie lost in trying to find the trail, I shall wish you good morning, miidame, and keep you Informed of my move ments." "A shrewd fellow," said Shirley, "but I fear his chances are but scanty of truck ing this durky." 'lie will do it yet, returned Mrs. Huth ven, with gloomy convjetion, and fell into such persistent silence that, fiiding it impossible to rouse her, Shirley, himself irritated and uneasy, bid her good morn ing. The next afternoon Marsden, who had been gratifying hia lawyer by detailing the particulars of a successful speculation he had made on the I'aris Bourse through the guidance of a frieud, drove away to Southwick street, having sent some flow ers to keep Mrs. Huthven quiet. Somewhat to his discomfiture for he always suspected that Slnrley was more or less a spy that gentleman was in the act of leaving hia card as he went up the Steps. The ladies were out driving with Mr. Winton," said the highly respectable ex- butler, who opened the door. When do you expect them in.', asked Marsden. "Can't auy, sir. Not till late, anyway. Marsden then left his card, and, turn ing, walked a few paces with Shirley. ( 1 o be continued.) Manning the Armuda. Don Uuixote, when he set out on his expedition and forgot money and a cliuuge of linen, was not In a state f wilder exultation than embolic Europe ut the sailing of the Armada. Every noble family in Spain had sent one or other of Its sons to light for Christ and Our Ludy. For three years the stream of prayer had been ascending from church, cathe dral, or oratory. The King had emp tied his treasury. The hidalgo and the tradesman bud offered their contribu tions. The crusade against the Cres cent Itself had not kindled a more In tense or more sacred enthusiasm. All pains were taken to make the expedl tlon spiritually worthy of Its purpose. No Impure thing, especially no Impure woman, was to approach the yards or ships. Swenrlng, quarreling, gam bllng were prohibited under terrible penalties. The galleona were named after the apostles and aainta, to whose charge they were committed, and every sea man and soldier confessed and com municated on going ou board. The ahlp boys at aunrlae were to sing their Buenos Dlaa at the foot of the main mast, aud their Ave Maria as the sun sank Into the ocean. On the Imperial banner were embroidered the figures of Christ and His Mother, nnd as a motto the haughty "Plus Ultra" of Charles V. was replaced with the more pious aspiration, "Exsiirge, Delia, et rlndlca catisum tiiam." Froude, In Longman' Magazine. Animals are often able to bear very protracted fasting. In the Italian earth quakes of 1795 two hogs were burled at Soriano In the rulas of a building. They were taken out alive forty-two days later, but very lean and weak. A dog, at the same time and place, was burled for twenty-three days afld recovered. In the Bank of England sixty folio volumes of ledgers are filled dally with writing Id keening the accouut. M ORE than ordinary Interest at taches to the last census bulle tin, which deals with the occu- natloua of the ix-onle of the United States. The most noticeable fact is the continued descrtiou of the farms aud the increase iu the working classes. The ujost remaikable feature of this city's growth in "gainful occupations" la the enormous increase 25 per cent In the number of women employed as compared with the figures of lssu. Ac cording to this bulletin no less than 48 percent, of all persons over 1') years of age are now engaged in "gainful oc cupations." The total of working peo ple Is 2i7:,0il. or which 18.83).!."') are males and 3.014.711 females. This Is a gain of 1.2i57,5Tj4 women since lSSO, or a rate of increase nearly three and one-half times as great as the Increase of workingmen. Trade aud transpor tation have received the largest share of these women. They have gone Into offices and stores as clerks, bookkeep ers, stenographers, cashiers, typewrit ers and saleswomen. Into every place where these million and a quarter of feinlnlni' employes have gone they have driven t t men and have worked for smaller ages, even in proportion to the aim it of labor done. Thus the employe: has been the sole gainer, and the com- unity, In so far as it has had to suppoi Idle men In consequence, had been the loser. Industry and ambition are good traits In women as they are In men, and no one will deny the right of a woman to enter the otflce or the work-room If she prefers this to the kitchen, to the sew-lug-room, or even to the parlor. But it must be admitted that the present phase of the transition which Is taking place In women's occupations is pro ductive of no apparent good to herself ttr to the race. Where a dozen ambi tious women force themselves Into trade because tliev wish to, a hundred are compelled In consequence to work against their wills because of the dis turbance produced In the salaries of their fathers and brothers. It is a pity the census bulletin could not tell us how many of these new women are In ti.nle from pure choice, and how many from an unwonted necessity that bus arisen In consequence of the dis turbed economic conditions produced br the rush of men toward the cities nnd of women Into commercial pursuits. The disturbance, however grevlous for the time being. Is not one that calls for legislation. It Is one of those things that must solve Itself. In the meantime It Is hard to tell which deserves the most sympathy the tolling woman or the Idle man whom she has thrown out of employment nnd whom she Is In duty bound to support First Woman Ho Honored. Upon Miss Helen Varick Boa well, of New York Is conferred the honor of being the first woman chosen as a dele gate to a national Republican League convention. The gathering to which she was elected took place In Cleveland June 19. Miss Bos well's political experience began In 1KH.S, when she became asso ciated In the work of the Republican party with Mrs. J. Ellen Foster, the MISS HF.LKX VABICK BOS WELL. rresldont of the National Republican Woman's Association. As her assistant Miss Bos well has taken an active Inter est iu politics and has been engaged In work Intended to advance the cause iff the Republican party anrjng the wom en of New York and In Washington D. C. In her personal appearance Miss Boswell Is prepossessing. She Is small but has sutllclent dignity to make her a successful presiding -Jlflcer. She It tactful and witty, and has a keen sense of the ludicrous. Her age Is by no means uncertain, either, for Miss Bos well will not be 30 for some years to come. Chalk a Cleansing Agent. French chalk, tooth chalk, chalk pen cil any chalk Is an agent for cleans ing In an endless variety of ways. Rub It Into grease spots on dresses, wall paper, anything; It may be rubbed Into food spots, say molasses, with excel lent effect. It disintegrates the dirt, so that it can be scratched or rubbed out. Even on wash dresses this easy rem edy Is well worth applying. Not only spots, but the hand-rubbed soiled parts may sometimes be restored, or, at least, Improved. Rub on the chalk and hang the garment away over night, or for days, to be brushed clean when used again. Objects to the Ulcjcle. The Woman's Rescue League of Bos ton Is out protesting against women using the bicycle. They are prompted to do this because 80 per cent, of the women reclaimed the past year were bicycle riders It la also stated since the closing of the disreputable houses In Boston the Inmates have taken ti bicycle- riding to better ply their seduc tive arts upon the weak-kneed. An ap peal is made to the clergy of the I'uited States for the suppression of bicycle riding bv young girls because of the tendency to encourage immorality. The league further condemns the coming mannish woman" as a creature en tirely useless and an unnecessary evil in this country, which should not be tolerated or encouraged. Was in an Indian Ficht. Miss Katherlne Clemmous, whose en gagement to Millionaire Howard Gould was recently announced, has led a highly interesting life. After the close of the civil war, her father, Capt. Clem mous, was sent to a frontier post, aud with him went one his wife and two baby daughters. Upon one excursion thecaptalu took Katherlne, the younger child, leaving the mother and the elder daughter at the post Old Sitting Bull's warriors surprised his command, butch ered many of the men and entirely scat tered the force. "Buffalo Bill" was the chief of the United States scouts. Lead ing a column over the Dead wood trail he came upon the scene of massacre, and from the wreck of an army ambu lance was surprised to hear a child's wail. The child was Katherlne Clem mons. The scout cared for the little girl most tenderly aud a short time later re stored her to her mother. Mrs. Clem mons went to California, settled In Oakland, and after some years mar ried .1. W. Dayan, then head of the stationery department of the Southern racilie. The girls were given all the advantages that education and the best society could furnish, and the elder married Charles B. Overacker, a prom inent orchardlst of Nlles. The younger girl, who had been so romantically thrown upon the protec tion of the great frontiersman, dreamed of success on the stage. She went to London to seek Instruction In the best schools there. "Buffalo Bill" was then on the top wave of London popularity. Katherlne Clemmons sought him and not without avail, for he helped her socially, procured the best instructors for her, aud when she felt that she was ready to attempt the achievement of historic fame, backed her with his money. Believes in Clubs. Mrs. Julia Ward Howe thinks that one of the encouraging signs In wo men's advancement during the past twenty-five years Is the organization of the women. "Before the war they had no organization," she says. "The war seemed somehow to bring them to gether. This may have been due large ly to the fact that it called out some to help the wounded and sick In hos pitals. At any rate, since that time the organization of women has been grow ing stronger. I am a great believer In .women's clubs; when properly con ducted they do a vast amount of good." What Women Wear and Do. Queen Victoria's Scotch Journeys cost her about $25,000 a year for traveling expenses. The newest materials for costumes are alpacas and bareges of the old kind revived. Wrappers of thin wash materials are now coming In fgr the attention of the fair shopper. White wings are used with flowers on hats of yellow, rough straw with me dium wide, straight brims. Hugh bows of colored taffeta ribbons are often the only trimming on hats which closely resemble the sailor In shape.. Patent-leather shoes with black stock ings aud tan shoes with stockings to match are the reigning styles of the season. Full woman suffrage In South Aus tralia Is an accomplished fact Queen Victoria has signed the bill and It has become a law. New silk waists of Rob Roy plalded taffeta silks are made with plaited fronts, bias yoke backs, full elbow sleeves and velvet stock collars. Blouse waists of finely striped wash ing silks, with turn-over collars of lawn or white silk edged with lace, are the coolest things possible and dainty to look upon. Miss Mary Cary Thomas has been nominated for one of the alumni trus tees of Cornell University. She is the first woman to be so honored In any of the great universities. Black silk muslin and chiffon flow-! ered In soft colors and large patterns make lovely summer gowns for ma trons. They are made np over Mack rnffetA and require Tery little trimming. MISS KATI1KRIXK fl.KMMOSS. A Rim pie Lie Saved Him Iomeatt I obsppineM. His eye were heavy In expresslo nd had delii-ate streaks of unrise pink irouud the edges of the lids. He triad to write, but threw the pen down U said to a man at another desk: "Say, do I look like a man who had trouble In his homer" "Well, I don't know about that Bat you look as If you bad trouble." "I don't want you to think for an la stant that my wife Isn't a cheerful and levoted woman. But I don't managsj to come along through life as smilingly as you do, and I want to get a few cob fidential points from you." "All right I'll be glad to tell yoa anything I can." "You never have to get up at 12 or 1 o'clock at night to see whether you'T fastened the parlor windows as you promised, do you?" "Never." "You don't have to get up again at 2 to see whether you left the cellar door unfastened." No." 'You don't have to go prowling out In the front yard at 3 to see that you haven't left the new lawn mower wher somebody will steal it?" 'I haren't had that experience. 'And you don't have to get up again at 4 to satisfy your wife that you dldat let the dog out to get lost when you got up the time before?" "Such a thing never happens.' "Well, what I want you to tell me, la confidence if you wish it is how you manage to avoid It?" "Simplest method In the world." "What is it?" "I lie." He Was a Game Man. "Speakln' of game men," remarked ft Westerner with frowssled whiskers, "there was Sam Slug, )f Slugvllle, as we called him, but it wasn't his nam, that used to be City Marshal of our town. He was on the shoot In a minute, and when his gun went 'pop' something was bound to come down. "I remember one night he went Into a saloon full of .tough citizens to mak an arrest, and the gang was onto hlra. He took his sixteen-shooter with hira, but the crowd was so full that tBey didn't seem to take that into the count, and when Sam collared nls man the row began. "When it was all over the saloon was cleaned out, and Sam and a number ot his feller citizens occupied the floor, and we fished Sam out and took him to his boardln' house. He wasn't very badly hurt, not near so bad as the oth ers, and the next day, as I was Mayor of the town. I went up to flee Sam." " 'Sam,' says I, purty stiff, 'you klad of overdone things that time.' " 'How, Mr. Mayor?' says he. " 'Why,' says I, 'shootln' so doggons permlskus.' " 'Did my man git away? says he. " 'Oh, no,' says I, 'he's safe with ta rest of 'em.' " 'How many?' says he. " 'Only fifteen,' says I, with a grin. " 'Is that all?' says he, dlsapp'nted like. ' 'Ain't that enough?' ays I; 'you ought to be sorry.' " 'I am,' says he, 'about one thing.' " 'What'B that?' says I. " 'About that cartridge I wasted, Mr. Mayor,' says he. 'There was sixteen shots in that gun and I'd like to know which one of 'em didn't do Its duty.' " These Wee Birdies. Whittlesey Mere, In Huntingdonshire, now drained, once produced the finest ruffs and reeves, a delicacy of which. Frince Talleyrand was extremely fond, his regular allowance during the sea. son being two a day. An amusing anec" dote Is told of a young curate who had come up to be examined for priest's or ders, and was asked to dinner at Blsh opthorpe by Archbishop Markham. Out of modesty, he confined himself exclu sively to the dish before him till one ot the resident dignitaries observed hlra. But It was too late; the ruffs and reeves had vanished to a bird. A similar tale has been told of an other delicate morsel, the wheatear, popularly designated "the English or tolan." A Scotch officer was dining with a certain Lord George Lennox, then Commandant at Portsmouth, and was placed near a dish of wheatears, which was rapidly disappearing under his repeated attentions to it. Lady Louisa Lennox tried to divert his notice to another dish, but "Na, na, ray leddy," was the reply; "these wee birdies will do verra wee!." Chambers' Journal. Surplus of Wine in Spain. Spain's once Immensely profitable wine Industry seems to be on the verge of ruin. According to a speech deliver ed by the great political economist and Liberal statesman, Senor Moret, ex Minister of Foreign Affairs, at Carl nena recently, the annual export had sunk from 11,000,000 hectolitres la 1891 to less than 4,000,000 In 1894. Thirty-eight million heotllltres mors are produced every year than can bs consumed In the country, and unless some new market Is opened the wine growers of Spain will become bank rupt Boiling Mud. A lake of boiling mud two miles la circumference exists In the Island ot Java, near Solo. Masses of soft hot mud continually rise aud fall, and hugs mud-bubbles explode like balloons, with reports like guns, at the rate ot three a minute. Mrs. Mrtgun I came across one ot your old letters to-day. George, whers you said that you would rather be to endless torment with me than be la bliss by yourself. Mr. Maguu Well, such an exposed place. London Tld Bits. How tired people become of esca other I