THE NORTHWESTERN. BIMCnoTIR A OinaON. Ed* and Pah*. U)DP CITY, • • NEB. Lillian Russell indignantly denies that aha la engaged to William C. Whitney. Miss Russell's denial was the first news of the matter that got into general circulation. A military expert says, in Harper's Weekly, that the number of wagons and animals required to supply an army increases In geometric iatio with each day's march from the base. The statement makes it easier to under stand why forces can be moved so much more rapidly in the offices of sensational newspapers than In the field. Heavy is the burden of poetic ances tors which weighs on the little son re cently horn to the Hon. Neville Lyt ton, heir-presumptive to the earldom of Lytton. Through his father he is grandson of Owen Meredith and great grandson of Bulwer Lytton, and through his mother great-grandson of I>©rd Byron and grandson of Wilfrid Blunt. The establishment of International telegraphs and telephones has made possibly direct dialogues between the foreign offices of different govern ments. A writer In the National Re view sees herein a lightening of tbs duties of diplomatic functionaries and a possible diminution of their import ance. The world is becoming one neighborhood. During the past winter, which has been marked by uncommonly high temperatures In the Northern Hemis phere, a similar elevation of temper ature appears to have occurred in the Southern Hemisphere, which, of course, has its summer when we have our winter. In South America, South Africa and Austrlla exceedingly hot weather was experienced while our part of the world was enjoying a mild winter. The studies of the lodiacul light made at sea lead Mr. F. J. Bayldon, formerly of the British navy, to re mark that the air over the Pacific Ocean appears clearer and better adapted for celestial observation than that lying over the Atlantic Ocean. Honolulu is admirably situated for dearness of air, and it may become an Important outpost in astronomy, it has already been selected as one of the chief points for the study of the vibrations of the earth. A very large attendance has charac terized the Paris exposition ever since the formal opening. The American at tendance is much larger than was an ticipated. President l.oubet of the French republic, attends every dedica tion made necessary by the delayed completion and throwing open to the public of the various buildings. The two palaces of fine arts were opened, with pictures by several hundred Am erican artists prominently displayed. American sculptors have a fine dis play, while architects, engravers, and miniature painters have a separate section. It Is claimed that America excels in all the arts except sculpture. It is well known that Mrs. Emmons Blaine has made munificent provision for establishing the Chicago Institute, with the twofold object of providing Ideal educational conditions from kindergarten to college and offering to teachers the best advantages for pro fessional training. One feature of the enterprise which is not often men t'oned is of much importance. Aftet the staff of instruction was appointed, the twenty-six men and women who comprise the staff were placed under salaries and were allowed a year for maturing their own qualifications be fore being called to their respective chairs. Most of them are now pursu tug special studies at universities. In a little western town, originally settled by Quakers, stands a church In which the practice of seating men and women apart still prevails. A few years 140. a newcomer mustered cou rage to crow the alale aud sit beside his bride. The second Sunday another man committed the same offence, and the third Sunday saw a generous sprinkling of bared heads alongside spring bonnets. The aged minister, with outraged sense of propriety, chose for his test: "!.et destruction come upon him at unawares, and let his net that he hath hid catch him self,’’ and minced no words In eiposl tlon The men who had dated to etray from established custom rebelled st being eternally doomed for silling be side their wives, sad left the . hurch In a body. The result Is that today In that little town stands two church buildings side by side counterparts la sis# sad paint and outlook, but la one the seise are divided by a middle Isle while In the ether promiscuous Hitting' prevails The trivialities which btadrr t'brlsiian comity may travel far lor an aptsr lllusi ration Kirs li.suranee esperta isport Inst the Iasi year has been one of great Mrs lueses They think the 'moral haz ard as the r:»h of people burning their own pioprrty tu g<*t the mater* an.e money ts .ailed was probably smaller than usual c.a account of th« good time* Wh*n bull u«e« are i»»*t* ty well acr ipied there tg lews tempta tion In commit the offense than In a period of stagnation. Just now else* trierIty comes in for a good shaee of the blame for Kits ts a cause it operate* for the a •! part out of sight, tehtnd while and under Soots SCIENTIFIC TOPICS CURRENT NOTES OF DISCOVERY AND INVENTION. A Scientific DUruulon of the Indian'* Art In Rmprrt to 1'hariulng Serpent* — Homo l Refill Intention*—Interesting 1>U. coverlet. Snake CharmliiR In India. With a musical instrument made of reeds or bamboo the Hindu, or native of India, manages ot soothe the evil spirit of the deadly Indian serpents, playing a peculiar dinning melody that, according to its quickness or slowness, causes the snake to raise its body and sway its head about In time with the music, or to lie quietly with dull eyes watching the Immovable musician. Gradually the player may draw the poisonous cobra de capello to bis side without danger so long as the music lasts; but many snake charm ers, either through carelessness or fa tigue, have lagged with the music and have been struck and fatally poisoned by the fierce snake. Many are the stories told of the powers of these snake charmers, however. A General Campbell of the British Indian service tells how a big cobra was found at the bottom of a well near his headquar ters. The soldier hurried to get his gun and a crowd of natives remained to pelt the hated snake with stones. In this way they drove It into an opening In the brickwork of the well. Two snake charmers were sent for. They were let down into the well by means of ropes, and one of them be gan to play a shrill and monotonous tune on a sort of bagpipe. His com panion stood on the other side of the hole where the snake was hidden, and held a long pole with a slip noose at tached to its end ready to noose the snake as soon as Its head should ap pear. For a time the snake appeared unconscious of the seductive music,but In about half an hour, during which the playing had oeen constant, the co bra was heard to move, and soon out slowly came its ugly head. In an in stant the slip noose had done its work and the snake was a dangling prisoner. After being hoisted from the well the snake charmers carried their prize to an open place and released it. The ugly snake made a rush at the by standers and sent them scattering The piping charmer now tapped the snake on the tail, causing it to turn angrily, but hearing the subtle music the cobra colled up and lifted its head in the striking position. But it did not strike. The head swayed a little from side to side, and not till the music stopped did the creature spring at the musician, who barely escaped being struck by a quick leap to one side. Many of our own wild creatures are singularly affected by certain notes repeated in succession. Often have I caused a rabbit to sit up in his tracks by whistling in a low tone some simple tune. The squirrel will chatter from his treetop if you whistle to him. But if you keep it up the little fellow will gradually work his way down to the trunk of the tree and will crouch there and listen as if spellbound. Try whis tling a simple warble near a catbird. The impudent little fellow will ruffle up his feathers, cock his head on one side, listen attentively for awhile and then will try to imitate the sound. IMiotegrap'ilr Wmililng Apparatim. Every amateur has his own troubles In printing, toning and washing films, plates and prints, and even with the best of appliances to be purchased at . the photographic shops this task is none too pleasant. However, William ! Fitzgerald Crawford, residing in Lon don, England, disclosed in a recent WATER MOTOR WASHING BATH patent a water motor washtug hath, which, be aaaerta, makes the toiling. filing and washing process** com paratlvely convenient and pleasant. The apparatus by which he acconi lithe* tble contialt of two grooveu discs or wheel*, mounted upon a horl ■ontal ail* and belted by mean* of cord* with a tiny water wheel, by which they are revolved In a trougu This I* for waahlng only for toning flalng or printing when the water ha* to he kept out of the hath, the strap* are removed, and the disc* turned by hand, by a crank or milled buttona To hold flint* and print* * tltaule car re IS are provided These ore plate# are placed tietween the d*cs with their opposite aide* In rorrnaflondlnfl radial groove* A rubber band, which eu lri leu the i n ttmferenre of tn« <(•» • prevents I tier falling out when the | d!».» are revolted lh-> toulag de veloptng® living wr tin* ng eolation is I pla«*d In (he trough k'ur » iupt» j Washing plat a the trough • Riled i with water and pboed under a tun I ning spigot whew the •mall water j wheel till t* at the *>*(. of •',« t-*ice I* i eauaed lo turn lhu< idltbitl th* di« and thereby thoroughly washing the plates held between them. Improved Cycle fab. All the bicycles hitherto In use are adapted to carry only one person, oi are so arranged that when two or more are carried each rider must aid In the propulsion of the machine. James C. Anderson, a Chicago Inven tor, has turned his attention to the designing of a vehicle which is adapted to carry tw'o persons through the physical exertions of only one. The inventor states that, the machine will be found useful in cities and towns for the purpose of conveying a pas senger comfortably and economically to any locality expeditiously. The per son who propels the machine also has full control of the steering, which is accomplished by turning the front wheel exactly as though it were the forward wheel of an ordinary bicycle, and the driver is also expected to maintain the cab In an upright posi tion when at rest, in order that the passenger may seat himself or alight in perfect safety. The vehicle is com posed of two frames, which are hinged to each other, with the handle bars CYCLE CAB FOR PLEASURE OR BUSINESS. attached at the rear of the forward frame, causing the wheels to turn In opposite directions and aid In main taining the equilibrium of the ma chine. Kipectoral ton lu York. The board of health of New York is giving considerable attention to the question of regulating and abating the practice of expectoration. A recent ordinance of that board might be prof itably adopted by the health boards of other cities. It forbids expectoration in carg, other public conveyances and in public places and requires that no tices to such effect shall be posted. It further provides that the proprietors of cigar manufactories and printing offices must provide cuspidors in pro portion to one to every two persons employed in such places. It is prob able that eventually the demands of the public will compel the introduction of cuspidors in smoking cars and the smokingroom of ferry boats. The ques tion of preventing the atmosphere from becoming laden with infectious germs and microbes is causing a great deal of discussion all over the coun try at present, and if promiscuous ex pectoration can be stopped a long step in the desired direction will be made. !■ tin- rin<-Hpt>l« of a I'oIhoikiiia Nttsrtt The chemists now say that we must give up the pineapple as an article of food, and be particularly careful to keep its Juices out of our circulation. They find that the pineapple has a very bad record. In Java, the Philip pines and through the far east it is said and believed that the juice of the green and growing plant is a blood poison of an extremely deadly nature. It Is said to be the substance with which the Malays poison their krishes and daggers. It is also said to be the fingernail poison” formerly in use among aboriginal Javanese women, who cultivated a nail, or more, on each hand, to a long, sharp point, and that the least sciatch from one of these was certain death. The Toucan on lie KihmI. The amiable, usually silent and gen erally sleepy bird known as the tou can, had to carefully adjust Itself be fore going to sleep for It will become overbalanced and fall from Its roost or perch. It Hist cocks up Its little scut of a tail which Is nut more than three or four lm he* long, in a very slow and cautious manner This must materi ally affect Its balance, for It never moves on Its pe ek after the tall is once adjusted l.ater It gently turns its huge, unwleldiy bill around by de grees and lava It along Its ba. k in the usual bird fashion It then perches ou one foot and goes to sleep If awak eued suddenly It will tumble down In a heap, being unable to adjust Its bal ance owing to the weight of Its poa detuus bill, l»MMl ttH 9 drill The reputation of being the divest .pot on earth u claimed by Pavla, In Peru a place about H*«* dvgieea south of the equator In IVbruary there was a tall of rain of mot# than 21 hours, the ltd for eight yeare I he aver age interval between two ahowere is •even years d»« fugs u e>«utia »a t*f about nine »p«- lee of piante s»lli«l by a reient vleitor eeveu were euatt ate, a»4 their wtdi Mud have teiaata e | dormant la the gr«* tad fur eight veers In »plle uf the I *• k of rain the h ug trailed Peruvian cvMtoa la grown m the dried up fiver led furnishing itiiy* that yield tuba-stm e to the aa live* AMONG THE THIEVES, DIAMOND "BOOSTERS” THE SLICKEST OF THEIR KIND And M«-nl Prr« lou» Jewels I'nder the Ejes ot the Ileslers - Home of the Methods by Hhlt h They Operate Dressy Women Thieves With Male Arronipllces. Perhaps the wiliest thieves in the world are those known as boosters— persons who make their living by stealing diamonds. Men and women engage in this business and as a rule they are hard to capture owing to the clever method of their operating. The method is something like this: A swell carriage, rented for the day at a livery stable, drives up to the door ot a big jewelry house, a footman jumps down and holds open the door and the proprietor of the store with his eye out for customers, rubs his hands as he sees a fashionably attired man get out and extend his hand to a woman, also dressed In the height of fashion. The Jeweler is obsequious when his customers stroll in, gaze around the store as if they intended to buy the place if they should chance to like it. They want to see unset diamonds— the lady wishes to rpplate some lost from a tiara or a necklace. The pro prietor is delighted to show his stock. The big safe is opened and a tray of beauties placed before the < ustomers. The man who accompanies the wo man shows but a languid interest in the proceedings. Evidently his mis sion is solely to pay for the gems; he looks into the show cases and exam ines the silverware while the woman picks up the diamonds one by one, holds them to the light, has them weighed and puts them back in the tray. There is nothing there which exactly suits her—she Is afraid the stones will not match her necklace. If the proprietor wishes to try his ex pert hand at matching she perhaps produces a diamond necklace from a chatelaine bag—a necklace with two or three diamonds missing. There Is the last proof that she is a genuine customer. The jeweler handles the necklace reverently and sets some of the choic est stones In the vacant settings to try their effect. But still the woman Is not satisfied. She cannot make up her mind. At last she picks out two stones and tells the jeweler to set them aside with her name on them, and if she cannot find a better match elsewhere she will return for them. She gives him a name and address—always an address in a fashionable locality. The jeweler puts the diamonds in a little bo* and stows it away in the safe. He tells her he is sure she will return, as he is confident she cannot match the diamonds more closely. The escort yawns and suggests they had best be moving. And they move. The car riage drives away, the proprietor see ing his wealthy customer to the door, and after it has been gone an hour, or maybe less, the jeweler discovers that one or more of the valuable diamonds which were in the tray, are gone. He is loath to suspect the lady. He searches everywhere, takes out the little box to see if he put too many in it, counts the remaining diamonds again and again to satisfy himself that some are really missing and at last it dawns upon him that he must have been robbed. Perhaps before the po lice have been summoned the boosters have dismissed their carriage and are on a train bound for anywhere out of town. A diamond worth 1250 or 5.T00 Is worth the risk and the expense of a $4 carriage for an hour. Another trick of diamond thieves of this character ia known as “switch ing" gems. In this practice the make up and general plan of approach is the same, calculated to throw the Jew eler off his guard and make him think he is dealing with a wealthy couple who desire to buy a few thousand dol lars' worth of diamonds. The man who intends getting the stone has a "phony" diamond concealed In one of his hands—a paste affair which pre rents a good appearance to a casual glance but will not stand the tests. While examining the tray of diamonds the thief gets his eye on a stone re sembling as much as possible in size and cut the one he has in his hand and at a favorable opportunity, when the proprietor is talking with the wo man confederate, for Instance, he 'switches" the paste diamond to the tray and gathers in the genuine stone, I he moat watchful dealer may be vic timized in this way, for if he knows how many diamonds he had In the tray and takes a mental survey of them before hla customer* leave there are nil the stones apparently just as they were when he showed tha tray He cannot detect the substitution at a glance aud often after the customers hava decided uot to buy and have driven away he puts the tray back in the safe without a suspicion of any thing wrong, and It may be a week later that he discovers a ’ phony Jia m.>ot! in the lot Theu, of course, pur suit la almost hopele*« I «l lriMi*iwl»l, !*i«if«’t» was laile't to a t hair la Malle, sad from isai to Is7l he was lean of the Ualvetsiit of ittrsah tig la tssj t*r«*f ht hmoiter was transfer < eg tu Iterlta as prof*mu.* of hle'ote of politoal ••(»«,» Mis opinions upon uainmal ma'tes yf grsatt wrfhki A valuable wild beast. The (iorillA In Hard to Capture and la Alvrjtvft Id Demand. “At the present time there are no wild animals in such great demand for exhibition purposes as the gorilla," says a dealer in all kinds of wild beasts. "A full-grown gorilla stands about four feet six inches high and is worth |1,200 to 11,600. They sell easily for such prices, owing to the (ad that they are rare and very diffic ult to cap ture. C'hlefs in the interior of Africa have been offered large sums if they would succed in catching one of these beasts. Numbers of little gorillas have been captured at various times, but they have always pined away and died in a short time. The chief difficulty about the capture of the gorilla is that he lives in very unhealthy districts where fevers prevail. A white man has to fight the climate as well as the animals, in addition to the well known ferocity of the gorilla he is re garded with a superstitious awe by the natives, who have a legend to the ef fect that this terrible beast carries away the women to the Juugles. They also regard the gorilla as endowed with supernatural powers. Two men sent out last year by a well-known German firm that deals in wild beasts perished in the wilds of Africa while seeking for gorillas, it may seem sur prising to an American, equipped with all the appliances of science for the subjugation of the animal kingdom, that it seems impossible to capture and cage a gorilla, But If his fearrul strength is considered and his wonder ful shyness, it will prove to be not so much a matter of strength after all. All kinds of suggestions have been made to hunters with regard to the devices to be used, such as traps, pit falls and like appliances, but none of these has proved to be successful. One of the largest gorillas ever captured belongs to the? zoological gardens in London. The animal stands four feet nine inches high. It Is so valuable that offers of flTOO and >2,000 have been made without acceptance.” AVOIDABLE ACCIDENTS. How tmnlliarlty with Accident* Hegel# ('■rek"iitn>4« There Is no saying truer than that familiarity breeds contempt, says an old Pittsburg railroad man. Take, for example, men who handle high ex plosives. When they first go on the work they handle the explosive tender ly and gingerly, but with the constant handling of the dangerous compounds they grow careless, and dangerous and deadly explosions are frequently the result. VVe had a bad accident at one time, and in order to dear the tracks it was necessary to dynamite the wreck. On the wrecking train the dynamite was in one box on a flat-car, with thv caps in another, while a third box was provided in which to place the dynamite cartridges when capped and ready for use. The two' men ixi charge of the dynamite, as the wreck ing train neared the scene of the acci dent, began to make ready the ex plosive. One man affixed the cap to the cartridge, and then tossed it to his companion, some seven or eight feet away, who caught and laid it in the box We never knew exactly what happened. Either one man missed his catch or the other dropped a cartridge in capping, but the car, dynamite and men were wiped out of existence; a large hole where the car and tracks had been marked the scene of that famillarity-breeds-contempt accident. Warding Off Danger, There is at least one lady in Ken wood who believes thoroughly in the efficacy of prayer. About a year ago her husband engaged in a business venture that looked rather uncertain. But his wife had strong faith thut it would turn out well. "Go ahead. John, she said, “and let us put our trust in the Lord. 1 pray every night that, we may have no reason to regret the risk we are taking." The affair seem ed to turn out pretty well right from the start. Handsome dividends were paid all through the summer and dur ing the winter and great Joy was In the home of this man and the sharer of his fortunes. But there came a turn about a month ago. The busi ness ceased to pay. and since then the losses have been increasing every day. Nothing was said about it «t the fire side around which so muc h happiness bad centered during the past year until the other day when it was sug gcsted by the husband that it would be well to cut down expenses Ques tions followed, as a matter of course, and then It had to be confessed that the business was not going well. hear me!" exclaimed the distressed lady, when all the truth had been re vealed to her. "I must begin prayiog again tonight!'' I tiwmcrr* •*! The commerce of Belgium has made nioet remarkable progrees The budget for m*o shows that from the modest Itgcire of 302 000 *#• franee c |St» ktni 0t»o» in 1*31 the general commercial total with foreign countries for |kt* was • j*ta two.tew franca ill III.bit ou®», ftom !*>, Ooo moo franca ||U SM.OtW) lb* special commerce ha* risen to >.• S31 oral iMsi francs 1173*3*3 0001, and ISM w ll l ung lb... .»■ co I 0*sc css' UOi* | Irani s 1177f.Ooo uooi Half a eentury | agu Belgium was scarcely known To day It* proctoi ta and manufacture# are j in the market* of every known corner I of the globe nud thin IIHiv country with It* at*** •*•*• in habitant* only a few more than the rtt> of I am den. ( rank* as ths seventh industrial cscci1 | tyy of tk» globe I t4* «i IM I l|V III# kO|N * 4# i* % I H III** Htciflf? |# |||* Ki i# iA \* # Hfl ti). 2(. "But the ship ithe fishing boat) was now In the midst of the sea," which was here only shout five miles across. When Jesus came to thim they had gone twi n ty-llve or thirty furlongs (John 0: IP), "which would he not quite three miles, the Orcek stiolloil (furlong) helng consid erably less than our furlong. "—Dr. Broadti*. "Torsed with waves." The ex pression In tin original Is forcible, ‘Tor tured by the waves." 70. "And iii the fourth watch of the night." Between 3 ami ti o'clock in the morning. The night was divided by the llomar.s Into four watches of about three home each from sunset lo sunrise. "Je • us went unto them, walking on the sen. ' In the extremity of their danger, exhaus tion, and despondency, Jesus came to his disciples by his supernatural power over nature. 2li. "They were troubled, saying, ‘It Is h rplrlt.’ ” The word In the Greek Is not the usual one for "spirit." It was rather an apparition, a ghost, a phantom, a specter, and hence to them a sign of dis aster or death. But “they cried out for fear'' (the apparition was worse than tho storm), and therefore (v. 27) "straight way Jesus spake unto them." They could recognize the familiar tones of Ills voice. “Be of good cheer. It Is I." Your Master; I, who a few months ago bade the storm cease by my “Peace, he still;" 1, who have w rought so many miracles In your presence; I, who am the Son of God. 2S. "I.ord, If It he thou." Rather "since It Is thou;" not expressing a doubt, or at most hut the lingering echo of doubts driven away by Christ's assur ing words. "Bid me come unto thee on the water." Or waters. Not "let me,” hut “give me the word of command,"— "command,” or "order me to come unto (lice upon the waters."—J., F. and B. 2D. "And he said, ‘Come.' " Make a trial of your faith. Jesus knew that by permitting him to make the trial, Peter would learn some very Important lessons he needed much. "He walked on the water.’’ Not necessarily very far; and yet so long as he thus walked, It was through supernatural aid from Christ, which could operate upon him only so long as he had faith. 30. "But when he saw the wind bois terous,” I. e., the high waves. Impelled by the wind rushing against him, "He cried, saying. 'Lord, save me.’ ’’ Peter had sense enough and faith enough to do the one sensible thing. 31. "And Immediately." Mark the Im mediately. Jesus did not delay. "Jesus stretched forth his hand and caught him." lfe unswers lo Peter's faith In him, although that faith was small. "O thou of little faith.” Heal faith, but too little of It. "Wherefore didst thou doubt?” Why could not you, who have witnessed my power so many times, hold on a little longer, and against seeming difficulties? Peter had couruge and faith, but both were Imperfect. Compare hl» actions u year later, when he was confi dent that he would die with Jesus before he would deny him, followed so soon by hla three dentals and his repentance. Perhaps this scene among the waves was a preparation for that more terrible trial and experience. 32. "The wind ceased.” A beautiful word In the Greek; the wind grew weary, sank away like one who Is weary with his fierce struggle* and lies down to rest. 33. "They that were In the ship." K. V., "boat.” Others besides the disciples. —Meyer, Schaff. Trench. “Came and wor shipped him. Reverently bowing and making the following confession.—Whe don. Mark says of the disciples: "They were sore amazed In themselves beyond measure, and wondered. For they consid ered not the miracle of the loaves, for their heart was hardened.” "Of a truth thou art the Son of God." This new dis play of power had convinced them. It was not so marvelous as (he miracle of the loaves, hut was more striking In form. Mod Fragrant »lower*. It 1* an Intereating thing to know that 4.200 specie* of plant* are gath Fred and ured for tommerelal pur poaes in Europe. Of the.ee, 430 have n perfume that la pleating and enter largely Into the manufacture of scent* and aoapa. There are more specie* of white flower* gathered than or *ny other color 1.124 lu all Of theae. 1*7 have an agreeable acent. an e« traordlnarlly large proportion. Neat in order com* yellow blossoms, with Ml. aevmty-aeven of them ttelng per fumed Hed flower* are of &P4 vari* Ilea thirtv four of which are pei fumed and the violet hloaatima are pleanaati) od trlferuu* — Tld Mil* < audUerattaa ml Olkoa Mum* a mm who would be aahamed lu atrik* a brut* heaat with a Uiudgvuu. ha* no attarne In rnahlag a bludgeon of hi* tongue tu airthe human being* a the tendered pla> ea of their being — ibeir »<►. tal •ewdbilttlea and their aelf eatvent i‘rtwllt in lie groes and out ward futtn* we in* In good tweaaur * •uypre-ted. hut the it lined cruel! | of the hitter w«>rg ih* unloving reantit th# ! uani'x are not yet »« tin t l,et u» he »» tareful of men • ikt.tr ebia* *• «l our outer A A TUhea