INTERNATIONAL PRESS ASSOCIATION CHAPTKU VI.— ami more aa the reason advanced. In vitations to parties, concerts and din ners rained in upon Mrs. and the 'Messrs. Withers, and to moat of these Constance went, attended by Edward only. Mr Wit hers had never been so cial from inclination, and lie was only too glad to delegate bis duties in tills line to his wife, now that the protec tion of his brother rendered his attend ance unnecessary. Constance did not confess In vords to herself how greatly her pleasure was augmented by the exchange of escorts. It was natural that a man of her hus band’s age and disposition should pre fer his own fireside to dancing and small talk, and a wearisome feint of hearkening to harmonies that were un intelligible ami without sweetie is to him. She enjoyed gay scenes with an easier conscience that she did not ri <■ his grave visage at every turn of Cic waltz or promenade and was not. haunt ed by the thought of her selfishness in having dragged him from Ills beloved retirement. How much this feeling of relief was intensified by the circum stance that her willing cavalier was the most delightful talker, one of the host dancers, and assuredly the most grace fully attentive to his fair charge In the cordon of beaux who frequented the fashionable resorts Just named, did not enter into her complacent calcula tions. She was on excellent terms with herself and all about her at this Junc ture. The acquaintances who had carped at her reserve and want of ani mation in the few assemblies at which she had appeared as a bride candidly avowed that nothing could be more charming than her affability and gay good humor, and that she was far hand somer than they had supposed at first KIE-ht The more captious subjoined, sub rosa, that was evident she appreci ated (convenient word!) Mr. Edward Withers, and how fortunate Hhe was in securing the services of an escort so nnexceptionable in every particular, since her husband seemed to have re nounced society just as she fairly en tered it. "But,” subjoined No, 2. audibly de livered, "people had different ways of looking at these things, and, so long its Mr. Withers lived happily with his wife, and countenanced tier In nil that she did, whose business was it to hint at impropriety or misplaced confi dence?” y That Mr. Withers did countenance his wife In her lively career was not to be denied. It gratified him fo see her, magniltci ntly dressed, go forth to gath erings at which, as he was sure to bear afterward, she was the object of gen eral admiration for her beaut) and vi vacity. It tickled his vanity to have her do the honors of hia mansion to a choice company of Edward's friends and her* people In whose eyes he, ih<> sedate millionaire, could never hope to be more thsu the respectful representa tive of his money bags. They were glad to cougregate In his stately salon now, to partake of his tine obi wines and esrellent viands, ami unite in laud nitons of the handsome woman who bore hts name. Adulation lid not spoil her. he was pleased to observe Jibe bad uevef been more defetrttUal In her deportment to htwself, more n-adv to consult and obey him than when the star of her popularity **» fe gb «t and brjst*'* *• In tht* ho l*a tilted htr good eenro and feeling heart. To Stan should *be he gr tiitul at-1 dutiful if nor to her u„ef*> mr. the * t ***** Mi u«»«t *MH fttttti **t) * ' H HU breiH*f H**I lur Uv -i* ll« *aH id Hint-** it (Hf IHd *j*A' *A Hahm ffcllMf A t Ha* W» Itt«* Hw mil AI January. "Constance should he thank ful to its all her days for opposing her absurd tranrendontallsm about conge niality and mutual attraction and the like puerile nonsense. What a wreck she would have made of her happiness had she been left to pursue the course dictated by her own caprices! I hope, Margaret, that we shall not have to combat the like errors In our daugh ters when they grow up." “Constance had u fund of strong common sense in spite of her crudely extravagant theories upon certain sub jects,” rejoined Mrs. Uomalne. "Thanks to It, and, as you Justly observe, to our counsels, she has married better thar any other young woman I know. Yes, I can ask no more enviable lot for our girls (ban one like hers.” According to these Irrefragable au thorities. then, our heroine had steered clear of the rock upon which so many of her age and sex have split ; kepi out of the current that would have strand ed her. high and forlorn, upon the bar ren headlands of celibacy; had, vliitt ously chi hewing “crude” Instinct, and heart promptings, and natural laws (lit only, in Mrs, Itomalnc's creed, for the guidance of beasts, and birds, arid other Irrational things), rendered Just and graceful obedience to the equitable principle prescribed and practiced |,y the autocrats of the "best circles." These burning and shining beacons ‘■case not, night nor day, to warn off the impetuous young from the rigors and desolation of Scylla, and cast sm h Illusive glare upon t'haryhdls as makes Its seething rapids seem a Pacific of delicious calm. CH APT Kit VII. *vll . It, POX tin .moot h ,i |1 j, II current wore foti r'^eiLv’ |i stance Withers’ t, conscience and pru T*><- deuce rocked to j~- " ' sleep during Hie ’/'''A PHrly tnoiHiis of ft. /TWfe Hint winter. Wln •V* '‘fl'Clr^W ter! Never lind - v ~ summer been so ie Z[ ’ i-, plete with llgiit •’*» * ' and warmth. There Is n divine ’delight in the slow sweep of the outer circles of the maelstrom; the half consciousness of the awaken ing heart, like that of the babe who, aroused from slumber by his mother’s voice, smiles recognition of the dear music before hie eyes are unsealed by tier kisses, or ills head nestled upon her bosom. That lo every human heart such awakening comes, sooner or Inter, I hold and believe for certain. Deserts of salt and bitterness there are in the spiritual as well as in the material world; hut there was a time when the Proa tor, whose name Is hove, pro nounced them “very good,” when an yet the flood, and the rain of fire and brimstone had not made havoc of nil their pleasant things, nor the soft soil been hardened into flint and gravel by dearth and heat. An/I, to that garden of the Lord’s planting there came a day when or of what duration He knows, and perchance He alone—when the south wind blew softly, and all the spices thereof flowed out spikenard and saffron, calamus and cinnamon, with all trees of fraklncense, myrrh and aloes. It may have been but for one glad hour one moment of bewil dering bliss, that the heart ttilist visited was transformed into a fountain of gardens, a well of living waters and streams from Lebanon. The next may have witnessed the rush of the deluge lilt- I/III ninth ui till |»««« u.v « iUIMI, anil behold! in place of Eden, a lair of wild beasts, a house full of dob'ftil creatures, meet for ihe dwelling of owls and the dance of satyrs. Other visions than these images of woe and terror abode with Constance; formless fancies, fair as vague; spe cious reveries in which she lived through coming years as she was do ing now, surrounded by the same out ward comforts; her steps guarded by thP same friend, whose mere presence meant contentment; with whom Hie interchange of thought and feeling left nothing to lie desired from human sym pathy. It was a severe shock that showed her the precipice upon the flowery verge of which she lay dream ing The brothers were, one morning, dis cussing at breakfast the merits of a pair of horses that hail been offered for sate to ihe elder. Kur a wonder Ed ward displayed more caution in accept j tug the Jockey's declaration of their ; nines* for family use titan lid his I staid folotlvc* Mr VVithci ■ was w r> obstinate In bis adherence to wh.it ever ! principle or prejudice lie believed that ! hi hid aecu cause to adopt, and his ! eve bad been captivated hy the showy j team; hi* credulous hearing gamed hy i ihe adroit tongue of the dealc/, Alt that Edward's dUtstuodot* could effect : wa* *• \Sit then von ti drive hy and gtve »* g mm be hi I d the beaut tew. I atit 1 st tr they moat he heavenly from what 1 I'm .si, i Klwathuu soya 1 am wild to - ia&f * h* m th M !***«►«** *4 tk« 1*5*4- if ul rttm-Mv i ItgMtt, t »U4 I t* if‘i 4|N»M I’ m 1^41^4, «|ui* M> twoMM* n*M f II ***** M«l» *1*1*4 M*r mi |** f *S **■*> 5 **** t * * ♦** I** i «*|i4i*i44 VUll IfMMP HI* 4*4 It make a iborough test of them before consenting to the venture. I shall drive them myself, anil speak out frankly the result of the trial. In whatever else we may differ, Klnatlian and I are a unit In our care for your welfare. So. if we show ourselves and the heav enly span of quadrupeds at the door today, you need not fear to accept our Invitation.” The gentle and affectionate reassur ance contrasted pleasantly with Mr. Withers's authoritative mandate. "Constance! you will hold yourself In readiness to drive out with us this af ternoon. We shall call for you at three o'clock. I wish you and Harriet to hr entirely prepared for the ride when we come. Young horse* do not like to stand In the cold." An Impulse she did not stay to de fine drew Constance to the window as the two gentlemen descended the front sups side by side. Mr. Withers was a trifle the taller of the two, hut Ills figure was angular and unbending: Edward's s*pple and elegant, while scarcely a trace of family likeness ex Isted between the swarthy visage of the elder, with Its deep-set eyes, long up per lip, and high, narrow forehead, and (he lively glance, clear complexion, and spirited mouth that made ICdward's physiognomy a goodly sight to more e>es than those that met the parting smile he cast up at (lie parlor window when he gained the pavement, where as Mr. Withers stalked solemnly on, apparently forgetful already that lie had a home and wife, now that nls face was set office-ward. "Shadow and sunshine!" reflected the gazer. "And they are not more un like in countenance than In disposi tions, aims and conduct as dissimilar as two upright men can he.” Harriet's shallow treble sounded nl her elbow like a repetition of the last thought. "No one would ever take them to lie relatives,” she said. "Yet each Is excellent In Ills way. Don't you think so?" “Yes,” answered Constance, moving "Only their ways are so different!” persisted the cousin. "I like Klnnlhan best, of course, but Kdwartl Is the more popular man of the two, I believe -Isn’t ho?" "/ really do not know!" Constan'-e left the room tittering the falsehood. Mnrrlci had a trick of making her Intensely uncomfortable whenever the talk between Hum turned upon the brothers. "I hate comparisons!" she wild to her self, when she reached her room. "And it is forward and Indelicate In her to institute them In my hearing." Convinced that the sudden heat warming her heart and cheeks was tx cited by Harriet’s Impertinence, she made It her business to slop thinking of thr? conversation and ita origin so soon as she could dismiss it an I turn her attention to pleasanter things. Ji was more Innocent and agreeable work for Instance, to write out Kd ward's part of a now duet upon a fair sheet of paper which he could hold in his hand as he stood by her at the piano the printed copy being so blurred as to iry his eyes. He was very slightly t ear sighted, although a casual acquaint rice would not have suspected It. Hhe copied music legibly and rapidly, and lately had hit upon this happy device of making him some poor return for the manifold services he hatl rend red her. "All that I ran do leaves me de plorably In his debt,” she reasoned. “I never knew what was the fullness nd disinterestedness of a brother’s love un til I met hint. Hilt all brothers are not so considerate or devoted as is he. J should understand that.” !TO BB COVTIXUBn.t H« Wim Imlned Ali««nlMlnileO. Judge Hawley of the United .States circuit court related recently from the bench a good story at the expense of a distinguished lawyer and United States senator, whose name was not mentioned. This prominent member of the bar was very absent-minded at times. One morning he was on his way to court in a great hurry, and happening to overtake a friend, re marked: "I dressed in such haste I hie morning that I.forgot my watch.” A little further on he said: "I wonder if I have time to go hack and get it,” and as lie spoke he pulled out his wateh from his pocket. "No, I have not time,” he concluded, after consulting the dial, and he walked on. Nearing the court house lie hired a messenger to go for the wateh. paying him a dollar for the service. The messenger returned with the information that the timepiece could not be found, whereupon the lawyer esc I aimed, looking up from his books and pu|»'r«: "That is very strange!" Then he took a swift glance at his watch and said "It makes no difference, anyhow. 1 can do without It. The judge Is late and then* is plen ty of time." And he paid the nc«tn> ger another dollar. IViIt-I IhM. lii i’tirii mitt miiy * tuU«, ta'ifetttttull) 4#«arnte4. They nr# ptirn whit*, with yellow h«t ml leu A roun I lh# tui44l* hi 1*4*iiite«| • 4oubi# blue ribbon, ! with the #lty nr*M it tb# point wbtr# I ihe emi# of the ribbon rrotn. The vulte I tutor mil W more enntty notl«,#4 thnn I m* other by *«Mt litiwn, th*» ; Wing h# 14 llh# mmhu'tof’t hntMtn by ‘ the p it e*M‘ *i In th# mUI4|# at tb# | ttifeet. in i||hh1 trawl in lh# right nr I left or to flop It w hen newtttfnl «•« I #1. but II weit'l tiit| ' Wrtff ! 14 w tMf«itn #rnnn4 mtn u H»twist,«« mi - -'If nAn##*** DAIRY AND POULTRY. INTERESTING CHAPTERS FOR OUR RURAL READERS. Ilow NdH'^Mfnl I-mmimt* 0|MT»lf Thin iiifiit of lIt** I arm \ Mint* »* to thr 4 mrr of Htork him! Poultry. IIK deductions of M. Comon, one of the foremost French agricultur ists, prove that the dry matter con tent of potatoes Is notably increased by the use of plios phatlc and potasslc fertilizers, but les sened If nitrogen fertilizers predominate. This fad has been often suspected and the labors of M. Comon and hi* coadjutors now leave no doubt Itt Ihls respect. M. Conum says: la the rulture of the po tato the question of fertilizers Is su preme. The plant l* not fasthHou* In Ills respect hut If not fertilized II will yield llllle. A large and first 'las* yield can he expected only through plenteous and suitable fertiliz ing. That the yelld depends In great part on fertilizing I* not dis puted by any sunn person, but It Is less generally known that the kind of fertil izer exert* an Influence on the quality of the product. This I* a fact that seems to he undoubted. The exclusive use of dressings in which nitrogen pre ponderates Is prejudicial to the elab oration of dry matter; the simultaneous uso of these same nitrogenous fertili zers, with pliosphatlc and potasslc fer tilizers Is, on the contrary, favorable to the securing of InherH of a high con tent. While this statement may have /»»• I t/ i uin'/.n/ln I't/ InitiiiH'itit'ft fill* t lift majority of our potato growers, who cultivate this plant merely for ihclr own consumption or for that of the In habitants of the towns, It Is far other wise with those who grow the potato for industrial purposes and have In view the production of the starchy matter. The Importance of the obser vation of this truth In practice can he easily reckoned. Allowing lhat. an acre planted In potatoes gives an average of 10,000 kilos (22,000 pounds) of tubers, the Rain of 3 per rent of dry matter, for example, obtained by the applica tion of phosphaile fertilizer to potasslc in the stead of nitrogenous organic fer tilizer, would result In an Increase equivalent to nearly 20 )ier cent in the yield. To Prune or Mol to Prime, The discussion in these columns re cently concerning pruning has doubt - less interested many of our readers, -ays National Stockman. Much may he •iiid on both sides of the question. That pruning was practiced in the most an ient times, as attested by Iho oldest writing, extant, can hardly he claimed as conclusive evident r of Its useful ness; hut that It has continued In vari ous forms until the present time and is still In us' among Intelligent horti culturists is not without weight. Pass ing through the country one often sees rrult trees with great limbs four or five inches iu diameter cut off, and stubs three to six Inches long left slicking out —enough to turn any lover of trees against pruning of all kinds. This, however, may he said to he the abuse of pruning. That trees endure such cutting and live is evidence of great vitality. The Osage orange as used In hedge-making Is a striking example of this. Its strong hold on life enables It to withstand the two prunlngs In each year which are necessary to a perfect hedge. Though never killed by this .tperutlon when properly performed It Is repressed and kept In bounds; crip pled, It may be said, and prevented from taking Its natural way and in time mounting upward fifty or sixty feet. The usefulness of pruning Is I It al ly nt.'t u itcir. urn tilling 11107 done for different ends from this: To direct growth: to thin the crop of fruit and prevent Injury by overbearing, as In the shortening In of the peach, etc. The grafter prunes; the budder must prune; the grape grower trims hls vines annually In order to obtain the best results. In the rase of the grape It Is pruning and training combined So with apple, pouch und other fruit trees grown on u trellis or espalier, us Is done to a considerable extent In Kng land and on the continent of tiuropc. In this connection we recall the recom mendation some time ago of our occa sional correspondent lion. Cassius M Clay of Kentucky, to omit pruning as a preventive of grape-rot; Just what we had been doing with our Duchess, not removing a single cane, spring nr sum mer. but without checking the malady In the hast An examination of the principal authorities ou hoiUcutlurv mil pomology. Downing, Thomas, Warder, Harry. Nicholson, etc., will ■how that they ara all favorable to pruning Hut It Is moderate, careful pruning, at the right time and with a I mrreel understanding of the end to to* | attained What is Justly reprehensible 1 la lb* in Hserlmlnatr rutting and slash I lug of which the |>ru|e*siuasi as well ■• the uuprotesa.oual piuner Is loo ol *U I guilty lit**** ****** I • !**»• Wa know many isiwwta who hove ! iearn*il to tike celery, and who buy ' .nssitirfiki* amounts every fail sod ; winter, hut without a thought of grow* ' 'ng It ihemsettew. Th*y h>*t» from | planting rebury under tk* impress! >0 8 1 hot Its .'nittysima amt *r|s*tally tbs i blent hint of tbs hstn. Is a diNhott I npdtattau Celery ward 10 be gtoeu iou-< gpl .i| $aMhfttk4tl|MV"4 Will ♦IlfK'ljt rwftk.-1| v4 ill* la tut ftft4 ftlftfttwf* **I ' life* •*# ftMlfttffft rfttftlftf, A i- i Wd4» I# ft** iftHtoi is* tot# toil*, ! lift tft lift vllU*#ft#r THE SUNDAY SCHOOL. LESSON XI. DEC. 13—CAUTIONS AGAINST INTEMPERANCE. (■olden Test: 'Tor the llrnnkerd end the tilnltnn ahall t ome to r«v*rty"— The Vonog l imit log Out I'pne th# Euttare VERY young per ron ha. a future be fore him. Htnndlng on th* threehold of life, hi the parting of the way*. he will. If wlee, carefully look forward and mile wher* each l>tti It lead* and what eiamlM at II* "nd be fore he ttinkea hie choice. A great cloud of wltnearea are looking at him wllh Irilenai. Inteceal angel. In tteaven, and frlemiH In hettveti and on earth, par 1 hi., brother* and .later., and tegchera Itnd. nioet of nil, hi. heavenly Father. Miner many of the danger* of Ilf# have linen referred to In prevloua leaaona. It la well 10 u.e (hi. |e..otl apenlolly til lm preN.lng tii,. ri.,,(| and the duly of tem . .. a* on* appllcallon of th* great principle. ltd,) down. Tin mi i • lefeiem ea 'n Proverb* un In lem|/era:it eau he forn.rd upon (hl» Icon, To-day’a |ea*on, Prov. 23: M-2B. With ex planatory note*, follow.: IS. "My .on, If thine heart he wire.'* Metier, becomeih wl.e. "My heart ahalt rejoice Not only ||l(, heart of the eon, hill my hearl Id. leaehar, III* parent,' even mine." What hii argument this I* for children to he vlrtnou* and temperate for the aake of their parent* and Ihetr liome. III. My rein* (kidney*) .hull rejoice ” M#h<• and cl./'wliere, the "rein*,'' a* he* lug among lh* rno.l Inwur.i of the "In ward pari." of ih* body, art- looked on a. I lie Neal of the deepeat and alronge.t emotion*. K. II. I'lumplie 'When Ihy lip* .(ii'/ik rIsclii thing.A* the fruit uf h right heart and wl.e mind. Word* .re the caste.I outlet for the Inner Ilf*, and, when rightly Judged, declare what the *0 ill I*. Every noble attraction Mrhool. Th*y nIiouM hr mnrtt gunny, mor* ••Itforfill, mor* HttrAffllvm to the higher tiMture Ilian any haunt of evil, "Lei not flilne heart envy glnnern," ♦ v«n ihough for a time eorne of them may *##*»n to gain more of the wealth and Mlearnii#-* of thl* Ilf#* hy their *ln. “Hut !»»• thou In ih«> fi'ttr of tin* Lord," I'rofeg eor Mill# r tmuHlah* IIiIh v# »m# “Let not, thin#* h#ari he aglow (full of emotion* lomalon) In gin*; hut In the fear of tho Lord all 11,» #Juv.“ I*. "Kor Miirety there |* an end, H V., n few aril, which eorneg at the end. Thera i* all Mill to the Meemhig pio»|»eilty of th* Wh.’kcrl; there |g a #h»y of n koiiing ttt 1 he # logo #»r every life, there 1* a harveat ni the end of every gprlng time Mowing. "An#l thine expeHatlon *hall not ho out #»ff." There I* a hurvegt of good a* welt «« of bad, and It* hundredfold reward* will not disappoint tho** who “trunt In the Lord mid do the right." h*. "Hear thou, my *on, and he wl e/" Llaten to arlvfee. Look at the rewult* of th** two e#iiiraeg before yrrti, Only thug ‘•an you ho wine. "Huhie thine heart In the way" of life, of right#ouMhefSH and Hod. JW. "IP* not among wlne-hlhher*." Who are wanting llielr hodle* and moiiIm for th* Hake of temporary pleanure*, whhh hav# death at the hot tom of th* cup. “Among rlotou* eutera of fleah. (Hutton* at feantg, eating merely for pleagure, and health, of character, and Immortality for m moss of pottage. 21. "Kor." Avoid such company, be cause tint results of their conduct are plain. Ih tlmt goes Into bud company lias already more tlinn half fullen, "Th# drunkard and the glutton ahnll com,* to poverty.” Drinking I* the nulural op posite ut hard ami honest work. Whi n the love of II taken possession of a man he Is sure to become a useless and un productive member of society. "And drowsiness.” "The lethargy, loti# sleep 11iK. which necessarily follows a life of riot and revelry." "The disinclination and unfitness for work rcsulltiiK from night revelry."- Delttcsch. "Hliall clothe a rnan with mgs." Its whole tendency Is toward poverty, and tills warning 1# Intended as a stimulus to Industry anj virtue. 22. "Hearken unto thy father . . . thy mother." Kor they have seen more of life than you, and are most anxious for your good. 28. "Huy the truth,” The truth means (lie exact facts, the real state of things seen Just as they are. and especially lit reference to moral and spiritual things. It Includes "wisdom,” that secs the es sence of things and their true relation#; "Instruction.” moral culture and disci pline; "understanding.” the faculty of discerning, proving, distinguishing. Jesus Christ himself is tile truth, the sum of all truth. These should he sought as the pearl of great price, und us the hid treas ure. The truth must lie bought. While It Is perfectly free, yet It eosts much to at tain It. The Fledge. The pledge Is one of the most effective ways of promoting tem perance. We need a pledge-signing re vival. ' liar tirssm law* True. When lien. Vane wait quartered in a email (own in Ireland he and hi* Indy were regularly betdeged whenever ’hey entered their carriage by an old beggar woman who waa alway* provided with a frenh tale of dlalreaa. The charity and patience of the two dUllngulahed per horn were long exhausted without any diminution in the lieggur’a powers of Invention One morning they were accoated aa usual, but with tbo follow, lug new plan of attach: All. yer honor aurclaa to yer honor * honor and yer lady * houor. on tbta av all moruln'a. Kor didn't I dream laat night that yer ladyship give me a pound av tea and yer honor give me a pound av tubaecy!*' Hut. at good woman aabl ta* gen. eral. ’ doa I you huow that dream* go by tonirarie*”'' Mure th« a,” replied the ready tongue, 'll ain't he yer honor that ta gulag to give me the pound av lay aa' yer ladyship that will give bh> the pound av tobaevy.'* Mb* got tb* vein* of tb* dream WillilH hMOWINU.