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About McCook weekly tribune. (McCook, Neb.) 188?-1886 | View Entire Issue (Feb. 12, 1885)
TIIK LITTLE KNIGHT. The knight of olden time , they eaj , Went bravely out to battle , Ana jlo a serene amid the strife , The din and roar and rattle , Because he carried on his arm A ribbon or a glove , And fought and won , or fought and fell , All for his lady-love. , P , y- - We boys may bo like knights , they say. & ' * Although our lives arc quiet , L" And though we may not ride to war , With martial clank and riot , Yet we may Htlll be bravo and true , And flght against the wrong , : And , like the gallant knights of old , Help other lives along. So , Cousin Alice , you , I ECC , \ \ ear ribbons with your dresses ; 1 lease , will you spare one pretty bow ] I rom of ! your braided tresses , Just to remind me , day by day , I mu-t bc good and true , A valiant knight to servo the right , Because I 'am fond of you ? Then , Cousin Altec , let me wear lour pretty colors gayly , vv LVV * * Ami they shall make me kind and true- . 5,4 , AnJ brave and senile , dally ; jr. -c or , like the knights of olden time , , / - I promise , "honor brignt Su ICJ'OU > rc my I'ttle ' Valentine , / To be your faithful Knight. Margaret Johnson , in Ftbruanj St. NicMcu tV- UNDECEIVED. ' $ ; C" Agustine Powers had never felt the ' * fatigue caused by labor nor the hard ' < C ship and suffering entailed by poverty und one would bo quite sure , to see * uor as she sat listlessly before the * t\ piano in her rich and tastefully furn- & ' tshed apartments , that the thoughts oi p woe and misery never found oven s * X , transient place in her breast. But al- > J < though young and beautiful , and " - possessed of every Inxury which monQj could purchase or a refined taste could contribute , she imposed upon herself the-duty of helping bear the burdens g , of her sex who were less fortunate than she , by providing each day for the wants of some unhappy creature. For this purpose her trusty servant Peter was sent out every evening to investi gate the condition of such as were re ceiving her assistance or to recover now objects for her generosity. At the time she is brought to our notice , her attitude indicates that she has ? , been indulging in one of those harmless - * - less reveries called "day dreams. " Her thoughts seem to wander far away from her surroundings , and even the crumpled letter which she holds in her hand has apparently ceased to excite her emotion. The reader may , however , glance at this letter. It was written in a plain , school-girl hand , and ran thus : Mr KIND FRIEND : The trouble you have already taken in my behalf causes me to hesitate before acquainting you with what has produced my greatest anxiety ; but as you requested me to y notify you in case anything occurred , and as you are my only friend in whom I can confide , I feel it my duty to comply. The man who has so greatly wronged me , and at whose door l"lay all my misery and degrada tion passed the house , where I am liv ing this morning. He has certainly discovered my whereabouts , for he looked very hard at the windows , and will , I fear , use every means to frus trate my intentions. Had he never ' treated'me so cruelly , and then left uie to die alone , I could still endure him ; for , notwithstanding all the dis tress he has caused , the vision of happy - } py moments still haunts the vacant chambers of my heart. What his ob ject may be in seeking me out I can not say. He may fear I will discover his true name , for I am sure he made use of a fictitious one , and disclose his base conduct , but this I will never do. If I could only go away from here , I think I would be happy , but I am so weak that 1 can scarcely move. What shall I do ? Cannot you , my good friend , advise me ? I am so en tirelv alone. Your humble friend , MARY. JMiss Powers had read this letter an ' hour or so previous to our introduc tion to her , but now she seemed to have lost all interest in its contents. Presently a servent entered bearing a card which he handed to his mis tress. "Ah , Mr. Waltser , " she mut tered half aloud ; "show him in , Wil liam. " A moment later Mr. Waltser was ushered into the room. His ap pearance was that of a man about six and twenty , not over handsome , but with a face filled with intelligence and a tall , well-proportioned frame. As his eyes met those of Miss Powers his countenance plainly told the admiration - tion with which he"re"garded her. All his inmost soul seemed expressed in that one look. "I have brought you , " he said , after a moment's pause , "some money your father requested me to hand you. He also wished mete to ask , now "that Peter is ill , if I could be of any assistance by accompanying vou on your visit to that poor girl oi whom you spoke to him thjs morn ing ? " "IIow thoughtful pa a is , " inter rupted the girl ; "and I am sure it i- very kind of you , Mr. Waltser , to con sent to render me such a service. I arr quite certain you did not understanc this was to be part of your duty wher house of Powers V vou entered the banking - ' ers , Farlow & Co. " The vouug man was about to make some remark expressing his willing ness to undertake the mission with sc agreeable a companion , when he was interrupted by the entrance of a serv ant bearing the card of Mr. Nathar Farlow , Mr. Powers' partner in busi ness. "Good afternoon , Miss Powers , " ex claimed that gentleman a moment later , "I am indeed happy to see you look so much better than you were yester- dav. Ah ! good afternoon , Mr. Walt scf , " for the first time glancing inth ( direction of his employe'you hav < left t : > e office rather early this after noon" "It was to deliver a message frorr * \li Mr. Powers , exclaimed the clerk. ' -Yes , " added Miss Powers , "Mr Wkltser has come to offer me his ser vices by accompanying me on a visi of mercy this afternoon. " "Ah ! " and Nathan Farlow's face lost its pleasant expression. "I shoult like to offer my assistance if I coult hope to gain that confidence whicl Mr. Waltser seems to have inspired. ' "Why , Nathan ! " exclaimed Mis ; Powers , "I always imagined yet would much rather be at your clul than wading through filthy streets ant r * tenements in search of worthy desti tutcs. But if you would really like tx accompany me , I should be so happj to have you go to-night , " and her face lighted up with real pleasure as sh < spoke. "What is the especial object of youi visit , and at what hour do you intone going ? " inquired Farlow. "Oh , there is no fixed time , " re spondcd Miss Powers ; "I usually sonc Peter out shortly before dark. Itii the time most people who deserve assistance sistanco are to be found at what the ; ; call their homes. " The other part of the question sh < seemed cither not to dcsiro to answer perhaps , on account of its delicatt nature , or else had forgotten it , al least it went unanswered. During this conversation. Waltsei had remained .a quiet spectator. Sev eral times he attempted to say that , since his services would not bo requir ed , he had better hasten back to the office , but on each occasion ho was in terrupted. Now , however , he em braced the opportunity , and was soon on his way down town. When Augustine and Farlow were left alone , the conversation turned upon matters which more nearly con cerned their personal affairs and pros pects. For it must bo known that Nathan was Miss Powers' affianced , and their marriage was to take place at no distant day. That the only child of that proud aristocrat , Schuyler , Powers should marry a man of Na than Farlow's wealth and social posi tion seemed but natural. Mr. Farlow was what would bo termed "a man of the world ; " handsome in appear ance and fascinating in manner , ho had gained the purest affection of this lovely girl , and as they conversed to gether on this bright autumn after noon , no one could doubt the depth of her feeling. Once during the conver sation , when Miss Powers reverted to the sad case of the young girl they were about to visit , and pictured the cruel treatment and misery she had endured , a keen observer might have noticed.a flush pass over the handsome face of Farlow , which deepened per ceptibly when she expressed her sym pathy for the poor creature , and her zontempt for the man who had so basely deceived her. Just previous to their intended de-i parture , Farlow gazed anxiously at his watch , and then , as if a sudden thought struck him , said : * "I ani sorry , Augustine , that it will' ' be impossible for me to accompany you1 to-night. I have an important engage ment , which I-had entirely forgotten ; you must defer your visit until tomorrow row , when I shall be glad to assist you in doing so good a work. " With reluctauce the young sirli promised to comply with his request , ! and neglect what she knew to be , hert present duty. After some further c6n- ( rersation upon general topics , Farlow 3ade her an affectionate adieu. Ho had scarcely left 'the room when a servant entered with a note ad dressed to Miss Powers. The hand writing was the same as that received , a few hours previous , although it was written by a weaker and far more unsteady - . steady hand. It contained the follow ing : MY VERY KIND FRIEND : If you can conveniently , please do come and see me. I have grown so much worse since morning , and 1 fear a sad and ! miserable life will soon be ended. You are the only friend I have in the world. Do not deny my last request. MARY. Miss Powers had no sooner finished reading this note than her course was decided upon. Surely , thought she , Nathan will not object to my respond ing to so earnest an appeal as this. 1 wul send immediately for Waltser and get him to accompany me. A few lines were hastily sent to the lodgings of Mr. Powers' employer , and were as hastily answered by the clerk in person. After explaining her object Miss Powers excused herself for a moment , and soon reappeared attired for the street , It was almost dark when they reached the lower part of the city. Men , women , and children were hur rying along , shopkeepers were com mencing to "light up , " and all the confusion and din of a great thorough fare sounded in their ears. Presently they turned into a side street , and then into another , the filthy condition of which plainly indicated the poverty of the neighborhood. At last they halted in front of a large tenement , around which a dozen or more half-clad and dirty children were at play. Into this house they entered and ascended its gloomy staircase. At the fourth floor tney paused a mo ment , and Miss Powers scrutinized the passage way , as if in doubt which door to enter , when they heard angry sounds come from one of the rooms near at hand. Anxious to shield the delicate ear of Miss Powers from such' ' harsh language , Waltser hastened along the passage , but when he reach ed the door of the room from which the sounds came , he hesitated a mo ment , as though he recognized the voice within , then , casting a hurried glance in the direction of his compan ion , passed on as if unwillnig to have her understand the cause of his hesi tancy. The sounds from the room be came louder and more distinct as Miss Powers approached the door. She stopped , looked steadfastly at the door an instant , then stood as If rivet ed to the spot. "Ah ! " said the person inside , whose voice was that of a man speaking in great passion"so after offering you money , a comfortable home , and ev erything , you still refuse , do you ? I should lik"e to take you by the hair of your head and pull you out of that bundle of rags. " And he seemed to move toward the object of his fury as if about to exe cute his wish. "Oh , William , don't , please , don't , " pleaded a female voice. "I shall leave here soon enough , and will want neither your money nor your home. Home ! " she repeated , half sarcastic ally , " 3ou took mo from the only home I ever had. " "Well , " said he , "that is immaterial now. I tell you , you must leave here " to-nightand the"soonerthe better , and be sure no traces of your intended whereabouts are discovered. I don't " 1 want that fool of a girl hunting you up agajn. " "Oh , William , " returned the other , "don't say that ! She has been so kind to me ! " t'Kind ! She's a little fool. " retort ed the man ; "but I did not come here to talk about her. You must bo got out of here before to-morrow , dead or alive. Twill go now and call a car riage. " "Oh , please , spare mo ! " pleaded the other , in a weak voice. "Before to-morrow my spirit will be far away ; then you can do what you choose with my body. " "Nonsense ; you can't deceive me , " replied the man. "Do you think I want my affairs'repeated to such a sil ly fool as this Miss Powers must be ? " Saying this ho moved hastily toward the door , and as it flew open the flush ed and angry features of Nathan Far- low met the cold , scornful glance of Augustine Powers. He staggered back a moment , then stepped forward , and would have hurried past her , but she stood in the doorway and prevented his passage. Then summoning all her courage , and with a look of infinite disdain , she took him by the coat- sleeve and led him to the bedside of the dying girl. AH through this scene the occupant of the room , who was none other than the unfortunate Mary , gazed vacancy nrsnnd as if bewilder ed by what transpired. Then , as if sud denly recalling her senses seemed to comprehend the question Miss Powers was about to ask , "No , no ! my dear Miss Powers , this is not the man I spoke of. Ho never treated me un kindly. Did you , William ? You would never desert your little Mary. You said so , William ? " She was evi dently fast failing. "William , " she murmured , holding out her thin white hand toward him , "they shall never say that you deceived me. He would never deceive me. " She grasped his hand tightly , and added , in half broken whispers : "I hope God will forgive me for all the wrong I have done. Heaven bless you , William. " These were the last words she uttered. In a few seconds she was a corpse. For a moment all remained quiet as the grave. Then , as if moved by a suddeu impulse , Farlow made one dash for the door , and ran hastily down stairs and into the street. { The Powers family never saw him after that night. Through his attor ney he withdrew his -interest in the firm of Powers , Farlow & Co. , and it was understood that he had gone abroad. Miss Povers , after making provision , as well as her condition , would allow , for the burial of her dead friend , was taken with a severe tit of illness which lasted many months , and , the physicians say , was caused by extreme nervousness. Many years after might have been seen , in one of the daily papers , thei notice of the marriage of Angustine Powers , daughter of Schuyler Powers , ! to James Waltser , of the firm of Pow ers , Waltser & Co. Chicago Ledger. "AnOnery Cuss. " Captain Paul Boynton has opened an acquatic museum in New York. He should secure an old fellow whom he encountered during his float down the' Arkansaw river , just before reaching Red Bluff , a native , who had never h view. State Journal. One noticeable feature about the n vival at the M. E. Church is the quii earnestness of the whole congregatic and especially the young men of th town. For good behavior , earnest woi and Christian sympathy , we believe the far excel those of any other town itlu been ourjottp live in. _ We understrfii have seed a few , but you air the fust talkin' alligator that I ever seed. " The captain , to humor the fellow , and not knowing that his words would enforce conviction , replied : "Yes , don't many of us talk , but I got the hang of it somehow. " "Wall , I'll be dinged , " said the old fellow , slowly rowing down stream. "You must've larnt it from the Yan kees. " "Yes. " "How'd they do it ? " "Split my tongue , " "It's a pity they hadn't split your blamed head open , fur you'll cause devilment enough , turned loose in this here river. Come out on the bank an' let me get a good look at you. I'd like fur my wife to see you , fur she thinks that I'm the ugliest thing next to a cat-fish but blamed if you don't lay over me. Whar you goin , ' any how ? " "Going back down toJJie Mississip pi. " "Whar you been ? " "Been tip to Fort Smith ; went up af ter a school of bass. " "Wall , I'll be dinged if you aint a onerycuss. " "Say , if I come out maj * I stay all night with you ? " "Yes , go a lectle 'furder down thar an' yer ken git in the bayou an' sleep thar" , but mind , if I ketch you on my trot-line you're gone up , talk 01 no talk. Good bye ; never eed the like o' you bcfo' an' [ hope never to agin , " and , taking a final look he mused : "My Lawd , but he's a onery cuss. " Arkansaw Traveler. The Rhythm of Marching1 Meo. M. Marcy , experimenting and study ing the march of French soldiers , dis covers that low heels have a favorable influence on the pace which a person makes , and that the rhythm of the step has an important influence on the speed. The rhythm was studied by means of an electric bell , actuated by a pendulum of variable length , to en able the subject to keep exact time , and the distance traveled was recorded on the odograph by electric * signals sent along the line every fifty meters traversed. It was then found that the length of the steps increased little until sixty-five steps pef minute are taken ; it then increases until seventy-five , and afterward increases as a higher rhythm is reached. The speed of travel increases with the acceleration of the rhythm up to eighty-five steps per minute , and decreases at higher rhythm. 81. Louis Olobe-Dcmocrat. Horse Notes. The stock of cow ponies available for such purposes is thought likely tc run short within the next year or two. This in itself will furnish a frontier breeding industry after awhile. Texas Farm and Ranch. Ex-Gov. Stanford , of California , lately imported fifteen fine young thoroughbred marcs , bred to sofm * of the best horses in England. Only three larger importatious'of thorough breds have ever been made to this country. "Take good -care of your colts , no matter how insignificant they may ap pear , " says the tturnl World. "Muul Messenger was sold as a yearling for only $12.50.She now has a record of 2:16 1-2 , and is worth several thousand dollars. They may all be worth th * more for having good care and plenty to eat. " Great care should bo taken at this season of the year , to keep horses from taking cold , which is liable to occur if they are lei'fc standing in storm or cold drafts after being di iven. The better the horse the greater the care , with many people , but humanity -dictates that the dumb beast should bc taken care ot , whether good or poor. Every horse should have exercise as regularly as a person , and needs it just as much. It won't do to leave your horses stand in their stable one week and take them out and over drive them or over work them , and call that regular exercise. But give them honest work and honest groom ing every day , or leave them out in the lot every day , and they will be all the healthier and" better for it. In raising mules for profit , says an exchange , the great aim should be to raise that kind that will sell readily and to the best advantage. Size and good build seem to be the principal requisites sought for by the best buy ers. It pays to try to meet the de mand. To do this , the selection of the jacks is of the first importance. Ho should be at least fourteen hands tall , " have a good length of body , a deep chest , with upright ears , a good tem per and sprightly appearance , and , above all , a good sound condition. The description and pedigree of the famous horse Jay-E3-e-See , who bears for his name the initials of his owner. , are as follows : Black ; 15 hands high ; foaled April 15. 1878. Bred by Rich ard West , Georgetown , Ky. Sired by Dictator , 1st dam Midnight , the darn of Noontide , 2:20 1-2 , by Pilot , Jr. ; 2d dam Twilight , by'Lexington ; 3d dam Daylight , by imp. Glencoe ; 4th dam Darkness , by Wagner ; 5th dam by Sir Richard ; Gth dam by Ogle's Oscar ; 7th dam by imp. Knowslc ; 8th dam by imp. Diomede. This horse is " looked" upon , by all who have watched his wonderful career , as the lastest trotter in America. South and West. Few owners of horses realize how much the character and disposition of the animal depend upon its owner. From the training of the young colt up to the full maturity of the horse the disposition is sweetened and soured or embittered and made vicious by the good or ill-management of the man who has charge of it. Probably no other horse in the world is so docile and attached to his owner as the Ara bian and the Tartarian horses are , and these are petted and used with the greatest possible kindness. A horse , in regard to brain and instinct and we might well say reason stands next tea a man , and there can easily be a mu tual friendliness and understanding between a horse and its owner , which will lead to a community of idea and effort between the two. This should be tiie aim of every one who rears a colt , and it should also be the desire and business , as far as possible , of ev ery one who keeps horses to rear and train them for himself. It is in this way only that one can derive the most usefulness and benefit from a horse. Texas Farm and Ranch. Lincoln's Religion. Mr. Lincoln's religious opinions , writes Ben : Perley Poore , have been the subject of much discussion since his death. Eminent , during a long and eventful life , for his kindness of heart and his generous syrdpathy for the opinions of all men of whatever station in life , he listened to the dis cussions upon religious subjects that were forced upon him , even by zeal ots , with patient politeness ; and be cause he did not combat them , how ever extravagant , even one so honored ' /Aanvmti doubt , ' .eJ'unjMKrecubn , " wnicii e is expected will take place in about 3t days. days.J. J. H. McGinnis , stock inspector foi the Colorado Association , was in town Saturday. Mr. McGinnis' territory also includes Southwestern Nebraska , raanj of whose stock-growers belong to the Colorado Association , and have the ad vantage of its inspector and detective systems. H. "W. Pike went down to Indianola , IMonday morning and completed arrange ments for starting a lumberyard at that nJf "i He has associated ] 3. P. Hazen His great heart of sympathy for all mankind has won the love of millions , who have no anxiety as to whether his opinions were heretical or ortho dox , measured by the standard of re ligious bigots. That he had faith in the great principles of Christianity , that he exemplified them in his life , that he taught them in his familythat he. impressed them on his children , are facts established beyond cavil or ques tion. _ A Serious Mistake. "The only serious mistake I ever made during my professional career , " remarked a physician , "was when I cut the wrong leg off a patient. It re sulted in his losing both legs , poor fellow. " " 1 suppose when he learned of your mistake he became very indignant and made a great kick , aidn't he ? " Well , yes , he became very indig- nent but he didn't make a great kick1 New York Sun. A HOUGH PLACE. V/ny a Young llau Docs Not Cnro to Serve Uncle b'ani by Taking a Course at AVcst Point. "I don't care to see West Point again- said a young man who having just returned from the great institu tion , was asked how ho liked the place. "Oh , yes , the discipline is good , and they take the stoop from a fellow's shoulder , still they do not observe those little niceties of politeness which I like to see practiced among gentle men. I went in with a young follow named Adams , a youth of good man ners , who , I thought , could not fail to make a good impression , Wo were shown into an ollice , where I was pleased to meet a lieutenant with whom I was acquainted. He shook hands with me cordially and asked about my relatives. I introduced him to Adams , and he seemed glad to meet him and profoundly acknowledged his gratitude. 'Ah , young gentlemen. ' said he , 'so you contemplate joining us. Glad of" it. You'll fiud every thing pleasant here. Just sign this , please , ' shoving out something that looked like a cut-throat mortgage. Just as we had signed the thing , the lieutenant , turning to apug-noe thing who stood near with a gun , said : 'Take these fellows down to the com missary department. ' Adams and I looked'at each other and smiled. 'Get out of here , ' demanded the lieutenant. Corporal , take 'em away. ' Wo did not like the change in his manner , but thinking that such freaks might be among nis peculiarities , we said noth ing , but accompanied the corporal down to the commissary department , where wo were each furnished with fifteen pairs of shoes , fifteen pairs of boots and about four hundred pairs of socks. Then , loaded down with our spoils , we were conducted into an upper room. 'Fix these things , ' said the corporal. 'How fix'em ? ' I asked. He stormed at us and told us that if we had not stacked 'ein up in shape by the time he got back ho would re port us. "He went away.and we went to work to arrange our goods. I thought that my socks were especially well ar ranged , but when the corporal came back , he gave them a kick and said : 'Fix these things. " I felt like knock ing him down , but thinking thsrt I had not got the hang of the place , I re strained my feelings. 'Come on here , now , ' said the corpora ! . We were then shown into a long hall. The corporal left us , and , i-aving given no instruc tions , we knew not what to do. After awhile Adams remarked , 'I see a lot of tricks leading to that door. Believe I'll go in and ask for directions. ' lie went into the room but a moment af terwards , came out like a man falling down stairs. Pretty soon after this , we saw , posted on the wall , a couple ' of sheets'qf paper. Thby referred to us , giving us everything but fatherly advice. Well , I concluded to go in. When I entered- bluff officer , looked up and asked : ' 'What's your name ? ' ' 'Jackson. ' "Get out of here ' "I went back to my bill of instruc tions and learned that m } ' name was 'Jackson , L. D. , sir. ' Thought I'd try it again , and went back. " 'What's your name ? ' " 'Jackson , L. D. ' ' "Get out of here. ' "Went back to my bill again and found that I had left off the sir. "The next time I succeeded , but Adams , I think must have been fired out four times , at least. We soon learned that for the first three months , we were to be known as 'beasts , ' and that no cadet would speak to us , and that we were not even allowed to look at one of them. One day I happened to look up at a fellow. Swelling like a toad , ho exclaimed : 'Take your slimy eyes off me ! ' "I wanted to knock him down , but by this time I hadlearned to endure in sults. There may be places more un comfortable for beginners , but I wouldn't know where to look for them. They say that the penitentiary is rough , and I suppose it is , but I warrant you that if a West Point 'beast' were to awaken some morning and find himself in state's prison , he would wonder how he came to be thrown into such polite society. " Arkansaw Traveler. Large Yorkshire Swine. There is a tendency to vary in all breeds of animals. It is as much a law af nature applicable to all living things , as the more widely recognized law that "like produces like. " Every breeder of swine , in particular , ob serves that there is a great variation in size , though in other points tnere maybe uniformity. Thus among Berkshires - shires , some are very large , others are of medium size , and others again , fine and small. Each size has its merits , particularly the extremes. The same thing , as might be expected , occurs with the white breed of Yorkshire , was originally large and coarse ; but instead of inter-breeding and refining the large ones by the use of small tine pigs for crosses , each has of late 3 ears been separately bred , and improved rather by selection than by introduc ing the blood of the finer and smaller animals. This has given rise to the two distinct breeds of Yorkshire pigs which are now established. They are similar , but quite d.istinct in form , arid it is rather remarkable , that with the natural desire of our countrymen for something not only big but odd , tbey have produced a breed tiiat is wry profitable. The large Yorkshires are undoubtedly the best formed , the smalest boned , the quickest feeders , of all the large breeds. They are exceed ingly deep in body , with short , broad heads , fine bones for their wrsight , with good hams , shoulders , and sides. They are not extraordinary for length of bed } * , but in this they are improv ing. A point of weakness sometimes found is a depressed chine the weight of the body in old hogs , causing a hollowness - lowness of the back. In this respect too , there has been greatimprovement of late. The Yorkshire is preeminently a lard-maker , but when crossed with the Berkshire , the quality und quan tity of the meat is much improved. As economical feeders and rapid growers , the large breed is only surpassed by the small Yorkshires , and for crossing , when largo-sized pigs are doMrod , they certainly are unsurpassed. When well- fed from the first , they attain great weights. When properly crossed , as , | for instance , with largo.Borkshires , orj with what are called Cheshire's in this country , or with largo sows of tho' , Chester White breed , wo may expect' ' the greatest weight of the pure Yorkshires - * shires to bo exceeded. COL. WELD w ] American Agriculturist for Feb. The Female .Form Divine. A stay-maker , asked by a reporter if ! ho ever thought of studying woinens'j figures with respect to their national- ! ties , delivered himself of the following : ! "Yes , the study is an interesting ! one. English women , Avhon they aro' ' young , have the noblest figures , ' . o far ) as I have observed , " said the ruanu-j facturer , after a pause , "but they get corpulent and dowager-liko after mar-j riage much sooner than American" " women , after which they maybe saidj to have no figure at all. English ; women , as a rule , are less ashamed of ; their figures when stout than most ! other fashionables , and seldom resort ! to tight lacing. Mrs. Langtry , whoj has been in our store several times , ; is a superbly shaped woman , say what ! they will , and is a fine specimen ofj English women in general , though i | believe she is only half English after all. ; Among fashionables thei reach ladicsi are apt to bo spare to scrawfulness.j but they have such a natural talent' for making up and concealing their * defects that it is hard to judge of1 them. There are some prcttv figuresj among the Cuban and other West In dian women , but they are short , agoj rapidly , and soon grow dumpy ; yetj such as have French maids manage toj make up well. Refined Irish and ; Gorman ladies have line figures on the ; average. So do the Italian ladies. ; The few Holland and Belgian ladies I ; have seen arc rotund , and essentially ! well built. The best shaped woman in.j every respect who comes into the ; store is a Hungarian , wife of a musi-I cian in one of our theater orchestras. ! Her waist , bust and shoulders are- like sculpture. She is tall , willowy | and statuesque , and her walk is the : melody of motion. She doesn't walk ! at all"in the ordinary sense , but floats over the ground. Her natural waist ? measure is twenty-ei cht. American fashionable women , though inclined , to fragility as a rule , have naturally , excellent "figures , but there are no. other women who so persistently deform - - form and destroy what nature has ; given them through tight lacing and. generally slavish obedience to the ab-v surdest freak of fashion. American women are the most unconscionable ; lacersin the worM. But , everything ! said and seen , the British feminine fig ures are the best models. New York letter. _ Have an Object in Life. Young man if you want to succeed you must have an object. If you go on through life in a ship-shod , aimlessj sort of a way , the chances are that you , will die , as you have lived , a moret cipher soon forgotten in this world , ' and if in the merciful province of God' you succeed in getting into the next.j you will have to sit around on the ; ragged edge unable to join in the , smallest song which the celestial choir' is said to sing. There won't be any I place for you and nothing for you toi busy yourself about. You won't even , have the satisfaction of being allowed ! to assist in taking up the collection , ! because you would go to sleep before ! you had "got half way around. Have an object ! What does it mat ter if you do fall short of it ? Aim ; high and blaze away. Suppose you don't hit the mark , you are no worse off than hundreds of others ! But let ; me tell you , if you aim well and keep , on firing , after a.while something is ; sure to drop. Of course if you shut * your eyes and pull off both barrels atf once , you may hit something , but the probabilities are that you won't , and if you do it v/ill very'likelj be some odoriferous turkey buzzard or harmless " less little pee-wee" that it would have been much better for your reputation , had you left aione. Have an object , young man , and. stick to it. You may never be Presi dent or even a Governor , but if you keep some worthy object in view and work hard , we'll wager a lead nickel that some day you will be able to take , your best girl to the circus , without skulking around on the back streets for fear of meeting your wash-woman " whom you owe tor" your last three , weeks' washing. CALEB CORKSCREW , in St. Louis Magazine. Ke.epin-r Watermelons and Squashes. We ate the last of our watermelons December 8th , a large one , a descend ant from seed brought from Virginia a dozen yeurs ago or more. This fruit , as usually managed , lasts only three or four weeks in the northern states. The season , may be prolonged through October and November with a little painstaking. Specimens for late use should be picked about a week before the } * are in their best eating condition , carefully handled , and placed in a cool , dry room , where there will be no danger of frost. By the last of Octo ber they should be packed in dry saw- duft , clean , dry hay , or cut straw , kept in a dry room and used as want ed. The old-fashioned way of keeping crook-neck squashes , hanging up in the kitchen by a loop of woolen list ing , 13 still in use , and is effective when the room is safe from frost. When the coal fire is not suffered to go out , they keep well through the winter. The Hubbaras and Marble- heads are good keepers under similar condition ? . Where there are closets against the chimney , these and other hard-shelled squashes , keep well. The' great secret of success is in very care- lul handling. As a table vegetable.and' in pies , these winter squashes are hard to beat. Wm. Cliff in American Agriculturist for February. An alarming prevalence of lung diseases among the "society" people of Washington ; is curiously attributed by local authorities taa constant Insufficiency of substantial food. The twelve hundred policemen In Philadel phia will hereafter be taxed 25 cents each per month , to pay for surgeons and lawyers to look after their wel'are.
