As was predicted, the black and white stripe is first favorite among dress goods, especially when it bears a smooth surface, the blhok being broken by the white, the white clear. One of the prettiest models in this has a kilted skirt with bjinds of the stripe cut horizontally, together with a short coat having the wide sleeves and a turned-down collar of embroid cry tied with a silk tie. IThe wide sleeves are the distin guishing feature of the season, either cut in one with the coat, or put in separately, they appear on every jack et, and, besides these, l would note as a most prominent fancy, tassels. These, small and long, depend from tunics and sleeves, and hoods and cor ners; of capes. Another fancy Is the glace coat made in black and worn with a checked skirt, and again l have noticed a tendency to adopt coat and skirt of different shades of one color, light grey and dark grey, light biscuit and brown being perhaps the most successful of such combinations. There is no diminution to the favor being accorded to the blouse and skirt i both is the last figure in an illustra ! tion. This is made of dull blue fine i cloth, and trimmed with bands of Chi nese embroidery, and It bears many tassels of mixed colors at the corners. The dress in the center is of cloth with embroidered lawn collar and ciuTs, it might be well achieved in dull pink and crowned with a hat to match, and trimmed with a mass of red roses. The first picture—which 1 have. In no spirit of contradiction, but by mere accident, kept to the last—is of dull green cloth trimmed with copper and oxidised braid, and l would liave it for its best success crowned with a black hat encircled with green aud/ brown ostrich feathers. I note that, while the short skirt is a recognized favorite, it is never per mitted to do duty on festive occa sions: for this, the skirts are cut to touch the ground and cling closely round the hips and bear a measure of fulness at the back, a graceful order of affairs. The Japanese outline remains con spicuous on evening cloaks and travel ing cloaks, and tassels are indispen gg-g POP THE* SPRING of the lingerie description, these hav ing been placed within the possibili ties of the multitude. A pretty chape of coat rounds from the front to a tail at the back, and there is much attention being paid to the short jacket which has a seam just above the waist and a kiit to reach this. The sacques have a very modified fulness, and a little mantle which de serves admiration being neither ex actly a coat, nor yet a domino, but yet possessing virtues belonging to .f. sable decoratiocs to these, which are. however, invested, with complete in difference to tradition, with a distinct waist-line, the Japanese effect being mainly retained by the shape of the sleeves. Fashion, indeed, is a tale of sleeves, and the garments of yester-year may at once be distinguished by these; unless, of course, such garments hap pen to have been the property of the fortunate few who, by always buying in the most expensive markets, often manage to forestall fashion. There has not been a season In many a long year when we could so aptly say that old things had passed away. Old materials, old colors, old ideas may still he used, but they must enter into calculation rather as aeees cories to be a combination with new suggestions than as a whole. The spirit or change is abroad in the land, and it makes itself felt nowhere more potently than in dress. We may wear last season's clothes, but not as they were, and to the economically inclined this must be a season of pure delight, for the old things never lent them selves so adaptably to refurbishing as now, and here the popular silks are their salvation. It is the exception when a gown of silk itself is not trim med with a silk of another weave, if not of a different color. Taffeta is used rather for ornamental purposes than as entire costumes, except in black, which is as popular as ever. The majority of silks are figured, yet piain weaves are, strictly speak ing. just as good. Satin duchesse, which has been on the market for many aeons, is heralded as a novelty for coat suits, and those of its con struction are indeed very smart. For this purpose, both colors and black are in order. Tuscan, shantung, tussah, rajah, and mirage, all are popular for day and evening costumes, for coat suits, for formal or informal occasions, for sep ! arate coats or for entire suits. They require but little trimming, drape gracefully, wear well, and altogether possess those qualities which go to ; make up a satisfactory spring fabric. Use Old-Fashioned Methods. In Russia offices of every descrip tion and all retail stores invariably use the ancient abacus in their daily business transactions. The abacus is an oblong frame, across which are stretched several wires, each supplied with ten balls. The bals on the un der wire represent units, those on the next above It tens and so on to hun dreds. thousands and so forth. The mother of the king of Portu gal is said to have been bankrupted through her passion for dress. The king has virtually banished her to Italy. MOST ANCIENT APPLE TREES. Planted by Spaniards in New Mexico, They Have Borne Fruit 300 Years. The oldest apple orchard in America, if not in the world, is in the center of the ancient town of Manzano, 18 miles southwest of Estancia, Torrence coun ty, New Mexico. Many of the trees are more than six feet in circumference, but all are still fruitful and vigorous although neglected for generations. Little is known of the history of .this orchard, but the oldest inhabitants of the valley of the Rio Grande remem ber the orchard from chil.dhood and claim that the trees have not changed in appearance since then. Venerable Mexicans and Pueblo Indians tell of visiting the orchard as far back as they can remember and finding apples on the ground in all stages of decom position at least two feet deep. The Estancia valley has been peo pled for ages, probably by tfc- kins men of the natives found by the Span ish explorers at Gran Quivira, Abo., and other ancient cities. Probably in the early days of the Spanish occupa lion some Franciscan monk found his way to Manzano and there planted the seeds that have developed into these venerable trees. They are no doubt ful ly 300 years old. Close by the orchard is a little lake fed by a large spring. A short dis tance away is a grove of pine and ce llars, making an Ideal place for picnic and camping parties.—Boston Post. Siamese Object to Walking. The Siamese, above all nations in the world, hate to walk; no such mode of progression is tolerated by a Siamese if he or she can by any means ride. A Venetian gondolier will walk sometimes; even a Hol lander will ride on his rough cart; but a Bangkok man—not if he can help it. His family boat for him. -———— Irrigation in India. There are now approximately 40. 000,000 acres of irrigated land in In Ilia, ol' which 20,000,00o acres of canal irrigation are under state control In British India. The total length of the irrigation canals, which in 1891 was 9,000 miles, is aprpoaching 50,000 miles. Discovered Compound for Burning Ashes. from ttereofraph. copyright, by Uuderwood A Uni»-w euy, witn a sudden joyrut conviction. "I believe you love me still.” "Oh, Jim," she sobbed, "l do—I do But I’ve given Michael m.y word, and i’ll have to keep it.” "Why look here, Nelly," he pleaded, 'if it’s a question of keeping prom ses, you promised me long before vou promised Michael, and it’s the irst promise that holds in law, you ut you love me, don’t you Jim? Let's ;o away to New York, you and me, sow, and let us get married. Then hey couldn't throw anything up to ne." , “But Nelly," he protested, taken back, "what would the boss say if I vent off at a moment’s notice that vay?” "I guess he’d say nothing, seeing you vent to be married.” "Look at my clothes,” he cried. And, sweetheart, I haven't the money o buy a ticket, let alone to get mar ied with. “I’ve got the money, Jim, she whis iered, "$50 I've saved." “Nelly," he said, desperately, “1 an’t take your money like that. I’d ie a regular sponge." “East bound express, stopping at ludson, Poughkeepsie and New York. , ill aboard,” called the official with a 4 one of finality. “Oh. well,” the girl acquiesced, "I !on’t wonder after the way I’ve be laved that you don’t want, to marry ae." “Not want to marry you!” cried th<* lock-maker, "not want—hold on here,” he shouted to the gateman. we’re going” Thrusting his arm brough the girl's they ran together uwards the closing wicket. What Does It Matter. Helen’s lips are drifting dust. Hector is but pulseless clay; Nero sizzles on. vre trust, With no chance to get away. Cleopatra flirts no more. Antony may now be mud; On the togs that Caesar wore There is not a splotch of blood. Romeo and Dante care Little how the world Is run. Nor do I. since she is fair. Thinking I'm the only one. —Chicago Record-Herald. Gun Is Quicker. “I see the Bowie knife has been bandoned down in Texas.” "Yes. I always maintained that hose things were too slow.”—Mil taukee Sentinel. Wanted Particulars. “Will you share my lot?” he asked. "If it is a corner one :in the busi esa district,” she replied, “I will be ery glad to. '—Chicago Record-Hor Id.