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About The Loup City northwestern. (Loup City, Neb.) 189?-1917 | View Entire Issue (March 14, 1907)
BIRTHPLACE OF LEE. OLD FAMILY MANSION STILL V STANDING IN VIRGINIA. Home Where Great General of the Confederacy First Saw Light of Day a Fine Example of Col onial Architecture. Richmond. Va.—Robert E. Lee was horn one hundred years ago in Strat ford. Westmoreland county, Va. Who, gazing upon his secluded and now somewhat neglected home, could fancy the child born to it would stand revealed a century later as one of the world's greatest generals and one of its noblest men? This first mansion of the family in the New World was built in the early years of the eighteenth century by Thomas Lee, fifth son of Richard Lee. whose father. Col. Richard Lee, was the first of his house to go to the Virginia colony. Col. Lee left his English home, in Shropshire, in 1641, forced by his loyalty to the royal cause to abandon his native land. The American home was named after the family estate in England. Proud might its founder have been had he known that Stratford on the Potomac would witness the birth of many men of his line who would stand forth as leaders of men in peace and in war—men loyal enough to the coun try of their adoption to make and ad minister its best laws and to stand for their state even in a losing cause. The builder of Stratford was presi dent and oommander-in-chief of the Colony of'Virginia, and after serving in this capacity for some time the king made him governor by royal ap pointment. A flat tombstone in a f grove near the house covers the graves of his wife and himself. It is inscribed: "Here lies buried the Hon. Col. Thomas Lee, who died November 14, 1730. aged 60 years, and his beloved wife, Mrs. Hannah Lee. She depart ’d this life January 25, 1749." President Lee had six sons, who all grew to honorable and honored man hood. They were Philip Ludwell, Thomas Ludwell, Richard Henry, ' Francis Lightfoot, William and Ar thur. Two of these brothers were signers of the Declaration of Inde pendence. Philip Ludwell Lee. eldest son of the founder of Straford, and its in heritor. had a daughter, Matilda, who became the first wife of her cousin, somewhat removed. "Lighthorse Harry" Lee, and they made their home in Stratford. Here, after his first wife’s death, “Lighthorse Harry” brought his second bride, Miss Ann Carter. She became the mother of Robert E. Lee on January 19, 1807. The home in which Gen. Lee and his distinguished forbears were born and reared readily lends itself to a mental picture of its distinguished past, for it is still well preserved in many of its features. It is a massive pile of English brick, constructed in the form of the letter “H.” It s al most ruggedly simple, and is unique in architecture from the high base ment to the two great1 clusters of chimneys on the roof. No ornamental feature beautifies or mars its substan tial simplicity. It stands solidly and squarely on its firm foundation, as did Birthplace of Robert E. Lee-. ■ its builders and residents throughout all their generations. Like most of the colonial mansions of the south, the house has two fronts, the more formal northern approach and that opening upon the broad, shaded pleasure grounds fronting upon the river. Stratford contains 18 large rooms. Old Stratford, standing amic. the thousand acres which is now its dower, presents a typical Virginia pic ture. The house and its immediate grounds are surrounded by a high brick wall, now broken in many places. The two original front gate ways must have been elaborate, as remnants of carved sandstone col umns and caps are to be seen strewn on the grass around the present utili tarian entrance. Some distance from each of the four corners of the house stand small brick onthouses, like satellites around their major luminary. These were tbS kitchen, servants’ quarters and offices. The place of worship attended by the Lees was old Yeocomico Episcopal church, which celebrated last June its bi-centennial anniversary. It is 16 miles from Stratford, but in the old plantation days time as well as money was plentiful and distance a small item of consideration. ‘‘BLACKIE’S” PRINCELY LIFE. The $40,000 Cat Accepts Luxuries as a Matter of Course. Wilkesbarre, Pa.—All over the world are people who are interested in the welfare of Hlaekie, the famous cat “Blackie,” the $40,000 Cat. if this city, which has inherited a $40,000 estate, lives in solitary grandeur in a large two-floor apart ment. with 12 roopis to gambol in. and an attendant te care for him alone. When his mate, Pinkey. died a short time ago and Blackie inherited Pinkey's share of the $40,000 left to them both by their master, the late Benjamin F. Dilley of this city, the news was published and is still trav eling. Miss Addie Ruch, who i» Blackie’s attendant, and who receives a life pension from the estate for caring for him, would have to engage several as sistants if she put into practice all the suggestions she received in the scores of letters sent to Blackie and to her from all over the world, but she has paid no attention to any of them, and having brought Blackie up since he first opened his eyes, 16 years ago. she feels capable, she says, ^ of doing what is best for him, and of making his life as long as it is possible for a cat to live. Already he is far older than most cats, and he seems to realize his unique position as a cat of inherited wealth, for he is stately and dignified, he does not lavish caresses upon anyone, not even his devoted attendant. Miss Ruch. Truth to tell. Blackie, as if he does not find comfort in riches, is a rather morose animal, and takes life far too j seriously. Perhaps if he had to hustle for his meals like many cats who are heard at night singing their , paeans of satisfaction, he might be happier. Blackie sits up at table, has | shrimps, Italian chestnuts and other ; dainties to eat, has fur-lined baskets in which to repose, and many cozy couches and soft chairs upon which to curl. Imagine his scorn when a letter came from a western woman saying that what Blackie needed was a couple of kittens to play with—kittens which would romp up and down the room, pull his whiskers, pursue his tail, bite his ears and claw his nose. She even offered to furnish the kit tens. and guaranteed that they would give him the time of his life. Think of the curl of his nose when | came a letter from a New York wom an who, preparing to go abroad with ! her husband for some months, wrote offering to send her cat to keep Blackie company while she was away, and suggesting that, as her cat was a well-bred and highly-cultivated ani mal, Blackie would be pleased. Such presumption! MAYOR ELECT OF PHILADELPHIA. Philadelphia.—John Edgar Reyburn, mayor elect of Philadelphia, was born in New Carlisle. O., February 7. 1845, was educated by private tutor and at Saunders institute. West Philadelphia, and studied law and was admitted to the bar in Philadelphia in 1870. He was a member of the house of repre sentatives of Pennsylvania in 1871, 1874, 1875 and 1876; was ^Iect<?d a member of the senate of Pennsylvania for a term of four years in 1876 and reelected in 1880; was elected presi dent pro tern, for the session of 1883; was reelected senator in 1884 and again elected in 1888. He was elected to congress in 1890 and was reelected to the five succeeding congresses. We have noticed that a good many girls marry without any definite idea as to the best way to kill the odor of cooking cabbage.—Topeka Capital. THE TACTFUL GIRL. Because of What She Is, She Is Wel come Everywhere. The tactful girl is welcomed every where. She is usually successful in the home, in society and business, be sides being an appreciated comforter in times of trouble, and one who can enter heartily into another's happi ness. To be tactful one must be utterly free from self-consciousness and try to think only of the requirements of others. A ready listener is always ! welcome in all grades of society, and the tactful girl will patiently listen to the woes and ills of other people with out letting them see how uninterest ing they are to her, or, in return, re peating her own troubles. What good can it do any one to di vulge a family secret or failing? A * tactful girl will find no interest in this kind of conversation, says New York Weekly, and will introduce a mere pleasant topic. She can always keep a quiet tongue in her head when necessary, and will hesitate ta spread unkind gossip. When in company of the opposite sex. «e girl will show her tactfulness by the interest which she takes in the likes and dislikes of her companion. The person who seems to delight in repeating mean and unkind gossip is not likely to become a favorite with any one; but a welcome will always be found for those who know how to take an interest in others' concerns, and to keep their own troubles to themselves, thereby always exercising tact. Signals. "Do you think they are trying to send us signals from Mars?” "Never mind about the signals from Mars,” said the railway man. “If we can keep track of the block signals on this planet we'll be doing very well.” An Open Mind. "Aren’t you ashamed to stand there listening to thdt child's horrible oaths?" “Shamed nuffin'! I)at kid's er natural-born swearer wot anybody might learn of.”—Uf" Proper Facial Expression Good Thing to Cultivate WEyZEi HAY WITH L.1F& WHOM r cwTAffT iftomrm giv&s - A& wrPLZArSHJT znw&iair Too much attention cannot be given to facial expression. This does not mean that self-consciousness is advocated or that the “smile that won't come ofl is to be religiously cultivated. It does mean that most persons are indif ferent to their appearance when the face is in repose and that they uncon sciously allow disagreeable habits to mar. if not ruin, their natural expression. To outgrow disfiguring distortions must be the aim of every woman who as pires to good looks. \\ ho has not been made wretched watching the woman with the nervous frown, the woman who continually puckers her lips, the woman who keeps raising her eyebrows? Surely none of these habits can be said to have charm! There is the girl, too. who can raise one eyebrow without the other and whose eyes have in consequence an uneven appearance. There is the girl who runs out her tongue every few minutes, and the one who fingers her mouth, and the one who winks, and the one who pulls at her ears. The truly charming face is the one which is quietly expressive. “Quietly’* expressive, mind you. So many women seem to think that expressiveness means constant movement and constant straining of the muscles. They frown to show attention, smile convulsively as a sign of recognition, and follow the speaker s every motion with their eyes. By their overdevotion to a miscon ceived idea they become in ihue a very burlesque of the thing thev would imitate. Real expressiveness does not mean a hurdle race of the features; it means the ability to show every thought and emotion with the least possible play of the facial muscles. It does not mean that billows of expression shall break upon the countenance; rather let ripple*' play over it. It does not mean repulsive artificiality, but elusiveness, fascination and charm. FANCY LININGS IN ORDER. Voile. Especially, Will Come with Warm Weather Garments. While some few modistes have made use of the fancy linings for thin materials, the idea had scarcely time to become popular when winter set in and thicker materials became the or der. They will, however, be much in evidence with the warm weather materials, especially voile. While plaids, cheeks, and stripes will per- i haps lead almost any of the fancy | silks or satins, polka dots, convention al figures, and flower designs will be well in favor. Black and white will figure conspicuously. This means likewise a return of the contrasting silk petticoat, and we may expect a varied assortment from which to make a selection. All sorts of attractive accessories are promised, many of which will be distinctly novel. There are already the charming bits of jewelry showing the new Swastika emblem of good luck: belt buckles, purses, card cases, opera bags, brooches, cufT pins, veil fasteners, and even rings and brace lets are ornamented with the simple but effective device which is supposed to add a charm to its wearer beyond that of serving its original purpose. Three links, also symbolic, is a de vice which has recently sprung into popularity for ornamentation, and vies with the Swastika for favor. In Gray Wash Flannel. The gray wash flannels in the dif ferent plaid designs are exceptionally pretty. A waist of this soft plaid is very pretty when lighted with the new gayly colored neck arrangements and belts. Jealousy. The wife of a Manayunk huckster is so jealous that she shuddered when she read the other day that the most beautiful woman in Europe was about :o visit the United States.—Chicago ! Chronicle. _ EMPIRE DANCING DRESS Dancing dress of white batiste, in empire style, for little girl from six to eight years old. The skirt is made with groups of lengthwise tucks, alter nating with bands of Valenciennes lace insertion. It is finished at the bottom with a deep flounce of lace, headed by a group of tucks. The short-waisted bodice is en circled with groups of tucks and bands of insertion or covered with a ruffle or shoulder collar of the mate rial. bordered with tucks and lace. The sleeves are finished at the el bows with lace ruffles. The crossed girdle and knots are of pale green satin ribbon. FOR ST. PATRICK'S EVENING. Entertainment to Wind Up This Spe cial Occasion. It is not necessary to be a legal de scendant of Ireland's patron saint to celebrate this special day, for the up to-date hostess welcomes any day out of .the ordinary with which to give her entertainment the spice of nov elty. A visit to the “favor" counter and to the confectioner will show quan tities of things for use on St. Patrick's day; candy is made into the most realistic Irish potatoes, and there are small imported candies the exact counterpart of stones. The green flexible snakes are almost too like the real thing to be enjoyable: neverthe less snakes are quite the proper caper for the 17th of March. There are chillalahs galore, quaint Irish faces which are in reality meant for nut and bonbon holders, small silken shamrocks with pins attached, just the article for pinning napkins at the table or for place cards. An accommodating florist will color carnations green after a secret proc ess, and they are "comme il faut” for this occasion only, as the genera! unnatural flowers are not pleasing. Pretty souvenirs are hairbows of green ribbon for the ladies and rosettes for the buttonholes of the men. An amusement apropos of the day is given below. Pass cards writ ten in green ink, tied with green rib bon and pencils of green. The an swers are all towns in Ireland: A sovereign and a city—Queens town. A stopper—Cork. The capital of Ireland—Dublin. A popular girl and to be speedy— Belfast. A winter garment—Ulster. A pathway for a tall person—Giant’s Causeway. To be cunning and to depart— Sligo. To slay and to dare—Kildare. The prize may be any of the novel ty candy boxes filled with green bon bons. or a volume of Moore’s poems. The quotations for place cards are taken from Thomas Moore, who has immortalized in verse the life of the Irish people. “When friencrs are nearest. When joys are dearest. Oh! then remember me>.” “When once the heart of a young maiden Is stolen. The maiden herself will steal after It soon.” "Here still is the smile that no cloud can o'er cast. And a heart and a hand all thine own to the last.” “You may break, you may shatter the vase, if you will. But the scent of the roses will hang round it still.’ “Oh! there are looks and tones that dart An instant sunshine through the heart.” “There is nothing half so sweet in life As love's young dream.” “Oh! if there be an Elysium on earth It is this, it is this.” "My only books were woman's looks. And folly’s all they’ve tauglA me.” MADAME MERRI. Belts For Light Gowns. For your light gowns this year there are belts woven of gold or silver threads. Some look like simple braids some are woven in the most fanciful designs. One exquisite belt of this type is shown in the dull old gold. The girl who wants something to har monize with her new “antique” brace let would do well to invest in one of these belts. She must be careful to have a buckle that is also in keep ing, however. One of the most fascinating elastic belts shown in a delicate lavender cn a gold harness buckle, which is en ameled in lavender to match the pat tern of the belt <3 FOR THE NURSERY COMFORT AND WELFARE OF THE LITTLE ONES. Light, Cheerful Rooms, with Plenty of Sun, a Requisite—The Proper Furnishings—Utilizing Left Overs from Dinner. There are some points which are es-' sential in the nursery. It should be light and cheerful, with plenty of sun. and well ventilated. The floor should be a hardwood one. and if that is too expensive, have the floor painted. Rugs are better than car- j pet, because they can be taken up often and thoroughly cleaned. A thermometer is quite necessary to in sure the right temperature. While few American children are brought up in their own suite of rooms, after the English fashion, it is becoming more and more the custqm to give the lit tle folks a place of their own. Up-to-date nursery furnishings and decorations are made in various styles, and always with a view to the pleasure of the children. Miniature furniture in mission and bent-wood is most attractive. Where the nursery is just oue large room, it may be furnished with a dining-table, desk, book-sbelves, beds and bureau, all of just the right height. Each child may have his or her own chair. Rugs can be had with appropriate designs, and window draperies with pictorial fig ures. Wall papers are made with Mother Goose and Dutch scenes, and the friezes with pictures of “Little Bo-Peep,” “Jack and Jill.” “Baby Bunt ing,” etc., are most fascinating. These numerous illustrations made the room particularly attractive. There are also specially made toilet articles for the little folks. The “left-overs” from a turkey din ner are worthy of attention. After all the really fine slices of the fowl have been removed, the bits of meat picked from the bones may be used for several appetizing luncheon dishes. One of the best is made by heating the pieces in a cream sauce or in the gravy, if any has been left. Serve on thin slices of buttered toast with broiled mushrooms, on top. If the mushrooms are not suitable for broiling, break them in pieces, and fry in butter. Thi meat may be en circled with poached eggs if mush rooms are disliked. Creamed fowl surrounded with rice, which has been boiled in the broth made from the bones, is also very good. Turkey salad is another way in w'hich to use up the bits of cold fowl. For a luncheon dish tomato rabbit will be found appetizing. Cut four whole canned tomatoes in slices, lay ing them on slices of toasted whole wheal bread; then sprinkle with salt, pepper, dry mustard, and a few drops of Worcestershire sauce, covering thickly with grated American cheese. Arrange the toast in a shallow baking pan and place in a hot oven long enough to melt the cheese. Serve im mediately with a poached egg on top of each slice, and garnish with crisp cress. It is almost impossible to serve a second portion of Welsh rabbit on ac count of its besoming tough as soon as it cools. To prevent this, stir a beaten egg into what remains, cover it closely, and reheat over a small flame, using the hot-water pan. If stir red up and cooked a moment, it will be found quite as good as when first made. Right Way to Boil Milk. Many mothers are very careless in the matter of boiling milk before they give it to children. One of the sim plest methods of boiling it is to pour the milk in an enameled saucepan, placing this in an iron saucepan of cold water. This water should then be brought to the boil. Without re moving the lid of the saucepan con taining the milk the water should be kept at boiling point for four minutes, and then removed at once, cooling be ing accomplished as rapidly as possi ble by standing the milk saucepan in several successive changes of cold water, the cover being. However kept closed until the milk is cold. The milk should always be aerated be fore it is given to the child, by stir ring it rapidly with a spoon for a few moments. Hungarian Chicken. Put a heaping tablespoonful olive oil or good pork dripping in a close covered stewpan, and when hot add two large onions sliced lengthwise in thin strips. As soon as colored slight ly put in a tablespoonful paprika; mix thoroughly and brown. Have a chick en ready, cut in neat joints, salt and pepper, lay in the pan and brown well, turning often. When every piece is browned (and it will require close attention), add stock or water to nearly cover and simmer gently until tender. Just before serving take out the meat and lay on a hot platter ar ranging symmetrically. Add to the ' gravy in the pan one-half cup or more thick sour cream and let it come to a scald, but do not boil. Pour this over the chicken and serve hot. Mattie's Nice Cake. Beat the whites of two eggs stifT, then beat the yolks into them until light; cream one-half cup butter, add ing little at a time a cup of sugar; cream to a froth, add one-half cup sweet milk and one teaspoon lemon flavoring. Sift all together one and one-half cups flour, three-quarter cup of cornstarch, one teaspoon broking powder and one-half teaspoon salt Add to the other ingredients, beat well, and bake in a moderate oven 35 or 40 minutes. Boiled Salad Dressing. The yolks of four eggs, three-fourths teaspopnful salt, a dash of pepper and one-half cup of vinegar or lemon juice mixed with olive oil. First the eggs should be beaten light and creamy; add seasoning, then the vinegar and oil. This should be made in a double boiler and stirred until smooth to prevent lumps. Remove from Are and cool before using. NORDICA HOMESTEAD PRIMA DONNA PLANS TO MAKE IT A SORT OF MUSEUM. Comes Into Possession of Her Child hood Home at Farmington, Me., Through Generosity of Her Sister. There is never spot quite so dear to the heart of an American who has had a happy childhood as the early home around which so many fond memories cluster. Riches and honor may come, and the world's plaudits may ring in the ear but the heart cannot forget the old home, where perhaps the first vision came of the possibilities of life. Such is the case at least with Mme. Lillian Nordica. who through the gra cious gift of her sister, Mrs. William i’.aldwin of Dorchester, Mass., has come into possession of the old home stead at Farmington. Me. The gift of this place with its 50 acres of wooded slopes was a welcome Birthplace of Mme. Nordica. one, twice-blessed, in fact, the giver and the recipient rejoicing equally that the house built by their own father on land long held by their an cestors is now Xordica’s to have and to hold for all time. Mme. Nordica was only a little girl when her parents moved to Boston, where her musical education had its thorough beginning under James O'Neil at the New England conserva tory. Her father died in 1880, and 17 years ago his cousin. Alexander For syth, a diamond broker of New York (whose recent winters were spent in Chelsea), purchased the farm and continued its owner until the time of Mrs. Baldwin’s acquiring it, a few weeks prior to his death. The latter was very glad to pay the price set by Mr. Forsyth—$3,000. Much money will be spent upon im provements, laying out of grounds, etc., and the estate will be known as “Nortonwoods." One drives about a mile and a half from the village of Farmington past neat dwellings, fine pastures and wood lands—up a steady, gentle slope from Sandy river to reach this farm, always noted for its beauty and ever the haunt of picnickers, artists and writ ers. Mme. Nordica has already decided to make it a sort of museum where shall be collected family portraits, fur nishings which were her njother's, pic tures of herself in her different roles, busts, casts and correspondence of fel low artists, and perhaps her precious library which is a rare and costly one. Not all of this great singer’s time has been absorbed by her principal talent, or the invitations of society magnates. She has been a book col lector for years and owns some espe cially valuable editions of Balzac anrf Browning. #She is a remarkable lin guist and an omnivorous student in literature. While her profession has hindered her from paying frequent visits to her birthplace she has kept a warm spot in her heart for her mother's old friends there, and was glad to have the opportunity, some years ago, to give a benefit concert, the proceeds of which went for the lighting of the streets in Farmington. Anecdotes without number are told of Nordica's grandfather, "Campmeet ing" John Allen, a Methodist preacher, whose piety, sunshine and sparkling wit nfade him a popular and beloved charactej. There are only the pleasantest mem ories connected with Mme. Nordica’s parents. Her father, Edwin Norton, wms a man of gentle courtesy and re finement, ambitious for his children and a citizen whom Farmington was loath to lose when the removal to Boston seemed best for his family. The mother’s church singing, viva cious ways, patrician beauty and wom anly character endeared her to all who knew her. Probably no operatic star has ever managed to keep so intimately and un brokenly associated with her own people as has Nordica. During the early years of her career her mother traveled with her constantly, remain ing with her even after her marriage to Mr. Gowed. Her vacations have been so arranged that she and her sis ters could be together, and since her mother’s death some of her sisters or nieces have invariably accompanied her upon her operatic tours. UNCOVERING CRETE EXCAVATING WORK BEING CAR RIED ON AT ANCIENT CITY. Hopes of the Archaeologists That the Ruins and Inscriptions Will Reveal Story of the Past. There is something fascinating in an ancient ruin. It brings to the pres ent a storj' of the past and archaeolo gists are always eager to read the rec ords of ancient civilization. The new order of affairs in Crete which began in 1898 revived the hopes of scientists. In the troubled days revolution and discord stood in the way of scientific work, and although operations had be gun in various parts of the island the work was not carried to completion at any point. Bourina, Hagia. Triada. Phaistos and Cnosus have all received the attention of the scholars who have unearthed many evidences of ancient Greek culture, but the workers in that field have always found their labors at Cnosus the most attractive. Even Schliemann. says the “Ilustrirte Zeit ung," tried his magic wand there, and the archaeologist Evans succeeded only after years of negotiations in se curing by purchase the Cnosus hills. The wanderer on the highway to the site of this former metropolis of the Cretan island will stand spellbound when a sharp dip in the voad reveals to him the ruins t>f the city. Here was the palace in which the lawmak ers of Crete aud the sturdy hero of the sea. King Minos, once lived. The palace was three stories high. The inner walls were laid in marble and were rich in decorated carvings and paintings. The latter preserve their rich coloring to this day. The first story, with its reception and din ing halls, its audience chamber and bathing apartment, is in a fairly good state of preservation. Three stair cases connected it with the upper stories. At one side of the palace are the ruins of the temple in which the gods were venerated. On the other side of the palace stood the great storehouses and the plants for wash ing gold and for pressing oil. A gi gantic cistern in which the oil was col lected was found almost intact. In one of the oil storehouses were found also two great earthen pots which were provided with steps on the inside for the accommodation of the persons who had to clean them. A short distance away are the ruins of a smaller palace, in which it. is be j lieved the heir to the throne lived. An observation tower and a royal audi ence hall have also been unearthed, in the latter there is throne with a high leaf-shaped back. This room con nects with the royal bath and is the center of a group of chambers which can be reached only by winding and confusing passages. In this palace inclosure are also eight deep, lightless dungeons, into which prisoners were lowered by means of ropes. Many of the curiosi ties unearthed at this place have been assembled in a museum at Hera cieon, the most valuable being about 2,000 tablets containing pre-historic [ 7 I w '"i.—i Storeroom of the Royal Palace at Cnosus, Crete. inscriptions. ‘‘Should these inscrip tions ever be deciphered,” said one archaeologist, "the darkness which now enshrouds the fate of Crete's great palace and of its mysterious in habitants might be cleared away.” IS A MONSTER DIAMOND. Latest Addition to World’s Great Gems Worth $5,000,000. What is said to be the biggest dia mond in the world is reposing in a bank in Holborn Viaduct in London, quite close to the home of the dia mond merchants in Hatton Garden. The very name of the bank is kept a profound secret. And so careful a mat ter is the showing of the stone to the representatives of oriental princes, to commercial syndicates and interna tional associations of diamond dealers that a number of crystal fac-similes have been made and prospective buy ers have to be satisfied with these replicas. If, however, it is seen that they mean business, the insurance company is notified, and, according to the Amer ican Magazine, a heavy premium is paid by the owner for the removal of the stone from the strong room of the bank. This gem is twice as big as the big gest egg the biggest hen ever laid, weighs a pound and a third, and is invaluable. Nobody knows w'hat it. is worth, but $5,000,000 is a reasonable price. This record stone was not, as might be supposed, sent tb Europe in a ship of its own. So prosaic is the civilized commerce of to-day that this vast i treasure was merely sealed up In a I tin box registered as a postal packet and sent through the mails as though it were a worthless geological speci men. It was received from South Africa i at the London office of the Premier Diamond Mining Company, Limited, and measures Were taken at once to ! insure it for about half its value—say, ; $2,500,000. The New Offense. “So Smythe has been sent into close confinement. What was he convicted ; Of?" “Being intelligent and just enough to act as a juror."—Baltimore Ameri i can. _• The Inducement. j “I asked my wife nine times to mar i ry me before she consented.” j “Oh, I see! She responded to an en ! core."—Baltimore American.