APRIL.
low soft the rain of April's tearful month
That cornea , mid gleams of buiishlne and
warm hrcc/.e.
falling in gracious haste , from out the clouds
Dripping from roof-tree pattering down tin ,
eavc .
bit down at my cascin-nt , ami look forth
Upon the wceplnir earth , with full content-
Inch glorious promise doth each raludrot :
hold
Such sure fulfilment hath the sunshine lent.
I close my eyes , and visions fair appear
Of odorous apple hlooin and violets hlue ,
Ind pleasant woodland haunts and rippling
brook ,
And eplcy south wind sighing gently through.
The sun emerges from a hank of clouds ,
The dewdrops sparkle , like the diamond's
ray.
Indlo ! the voice of singing-bird Is heard
Trilling its tuneful praise * , sott and gay ;
ind 1 , too , hall the resurrcciion time
The glad awakening from the Hand divine.
Jfary E. Sharjte , in The Current.
CINDERELLA.
She could not help it , poor little
Decil , though y-oungand light-hearted ,
: he tears would come unbidden and
incontrolably , and as more distant
rrcw each turn of the carriage wheels
jreaking over the frozen snow ; bearing
icr aunt and her two cousins to the
iharity ball , a fauey dress affair , more
irofuse became Cecil's tears , and
icart-brokeu her sobs , for they had
eft her behind alone with nobody but
he servants and Aunt Aphrodite , a
jripple , but the only one in the great
fray stone mansion who ever thought
) f her youth and her great longing for
i bit of enjoyment , but she was by
lature sympathetic and had been
roung once herself.
As the sound of the carriage wheels
Aas lost amid the tumult of the noisy
treet , a sob louder than the rest , a
job in which her entire grief seemed
; o be concentrated , awoke Aunt
kphrocMtc from a deep slumber , and
ihe sat bolt upright in her chair and
rubbed her 0303 in a dazed sort of
rvay until the } ' fell upon Cecil's bowed
lead. "Why , dear mo , Cecil , " Aunt
\phroditc said. "I had such a terrible
Iream , but it must have been your cry-
jig , but it is too bad. " Her voice
growing tender and full of sympathy.
"It is all nonsense and selfishness that
Maria and the girls didn't take 3011
ilong. Your cousins both deserve to
marry poor men , and then wonder how
; hey would like to be denied pleasure ,
ind all that money will bring , though
yoodness knows "both arc transient
snough. "
"But. Aunt Aphrodite , I am sure
; hey did not know how much I wanted
: o go. "
"Fiddlesticks , Cecil , they did know ,
jnly they want the best the market
iffords for themselves , they have no
fancy for a rival , and one produced by
iheir own father's house. But see
acre , child , " she said , as if a sudden
dea had struck her , "I bought a ticket
just for sweet charity's sake , and if I
lid not fear the consequences , or that
something might happen to 3011 , I
would say , take it , buy a mask and go
and dance to your hearts content. But
Df course when they unmasked you
would be obliged to make your adieu
like Cinderella in the fairy talc. "
Cecil sprang up , all vistage of sobs
tying out of her voice as she clasped
her hands together , ' -go to the charity
ball , Aunt Aphrodite , " she said ex-
Bitcdly. "Are you really in earnest ? "
rheu she fell back again a dejected
little droop of the head and shoulders.
"You are lee kind , Aunt Aphrodite , "
Cecil said. "But it is to be a fancy
dress ball and I have no costume , not
sven a garment that would represent
a domino , unless it is Uncle Padding-
ton's rain gossomer. "
Aunt Aphrodite was silent for a mo
ment , "I didn't think of that , " she re
turned , % "but , ah ! I have it , give me
1113" cane , dear , and bring a light , and
then give meTour arm to the garret.
You shall be made as fair as aii3r maid
en who will grace the floor , but 3011
must promise me solemnlv , never to
"
tell. " '
"Aunt Aphrodite , " said Cecil , with
a suspicion of scorn in her young
voice , "have I ever betrayed any of
your confidence by either word or
look ? "
"No my dear , " Aunt Aphrodite re
turned smiling , "but this is most
especially a profound secret. "
"Of course , Aunt Aphrodite , " Cecil
replied , "conspirators seldom betra3'
each other. "
Up the three flight of stairs went
Cecil and her aunt to the garret , that
great recept.ical for queer looking
chests and boxes containing treasures ,
perhaps , and discarded clothes , rich ,
but made worthless by the stamp of
fashion of past 3ears. Aunt Aphro
dite feeling the sensation of pleasure
in the possibility of making her niece
happy as keenly as did Cecil in the
anticipation of the joy in store for her.
"Of course if Maria should ever dis
cover that I had been the means of
your attending the charity ball , she
would never cease reproaching me for
my folly and accuse me or giving you
the first start upon the road to dis-
truction , but I do hate to see young
people deprived of pleasures which in
after years are sure to loose some of
their charms. "
As Cecil turned the knob of the at
tic door , it creaked solemnly upon its
hinges as it opened , making the flame
of the small lamp flare , then go ' quite
out. But it was soon lighted' again ,
and when once within the gloom of
these upper rooms the dim light of
the lamp seemed to make the darkness
even more appalling. Aunt Aphrodite
walked directly into the second room
and knelt down before a large ironbound -
bound oak chest , one in which Cecil
thought young Lovcl's hapless bride
might have hidden on that fatal christ-
mas. As the key turned hard in the
rusty lock and the great lid with a
sort of groan slowly opened , Cecil
closed her eyes and for a moment held
her breath. Young and eager for
pleasure as she was , the inciduous
odor of musk that suddenly pervaded
the room and settled like a pall about
her , made her shiver and feel almost
as if she must see the pale face of the
bride of long ago , still a.rrayed in her
nuptial robes , rise from the dark re
cess of the old oak chest. The mo
ment she stood there was brief enough ,
but the imaginings of that fleeting
time wcro engrave-i upon jiermcmory ,
them to remain iosffacihie though she
lirod to be &a oW * Methusela , when
I
\
'
\
ether impressions wore blotted out by
the strange happenings of time.
Meanwhile Aunt. Aphrodite had
drawn from the chest a dress of filmy
white Jaee of a fine intricate pattern ,
a scarlet satin boddice whoso graceful
curves might have been made to lit the
slight simple form of Cecil herself , ' : ;
dainty pair of white slippers , and last
of all a jewel case in whose velvet-lin
ing lay jewels that any princess might
wear.
But Cecil laughed her old , careless ,
happy laugh half an hour later as
standing before the Jong mirror she
saw looking back at her a strangely
beautiful image resembling herself ,
still unlike the half-frightened little
girl who had stood mute with surprise
and abated breath , during the resur
recting of those articles which had
transformed her into a vision of love
liness.
"Do you see the dewdrops lying in
the heart of those blossoms ? " Aunt
Aphrodite said , taking a long spray of
white blossoms from among the jewels.
"Each dewdrop is a diamond. You
must be very careful with them ; I
should so hate to lose one , and this
llowcris a little loose , but I will fasten
it securely in your hair. Here is your
fan and wrap and the carriage is wait
ing at the door. "
"It is just like the fairy tale of Cin
derella , Aunt Aphrodite , " Cecil said ,
pausing for a moment upon the stone
steps , "and 3-011 are my good , fairy
godmother ; only , I don't believe poor
Cinderella was half as happy as I for
after the ball she had nothing but cin
ders to return to , that is , if the Prince
had not found the slipper. "
Cecil clasped her small gloved hands
together in an extacy of bliss as she
felt herself being borne away to that
scene pictured but feebly in her imagi
native mind. What music the creak
ing oi the wheels was to her ears now
she too was rececding with the' sound
as they reeled away" from the silent
house which had but half an hour be
fore held her a prisoner.
Had she not sobbed convulsively and
thought the world as black as the'star-
less pall without , and everyone as
unkind , ah ! so unkind to her. Yet
now those sobs were forgotten , and the
blackness had given away to light ;
and if any one had been unkind she
had been compensated for all , in the
twofold goodness and sympathy of
Aunt Aphrodite. So runs the world ; so
together are ever woven the sunbeams
and shadows of life. So true it is
"Laujjh anil the world laughs with you ,
" \Vcep and you Wtcp alone/ '
As the carriage neired tiie great
amusement hall and the cold shivers
caused her teeth to chatter uncon
trollably , Cecil with almost nerveless
lingers slipped the mask over her face ,
fearing when she stepped from the
carriage she might be recognized.
"Would anyone ask her to dance , "
Cecil questioned herself. Ah ! to bo
sure , if Mr. Silas Peppcrton were there
lie would , for were not the diamonds
she wore most magnificent , and her
dress of extreme loveliness as well as
richness , and Mr. Pepperton had a
great pencheaut for costly fabrics. In
deed , he never could see anything in a
woman to admire whose clothes were
cheap or fashionable. If Professor
Megs was there and he had the least
suspicion of her presence he would be
sure to seek her as a partner. But then
10 was such an abominable dancer , al
ways choosing his partner's feet rather
; han the lloor to dance upon. Then
theie was Mr. Jack Thurston , who
came to sec her cousin Alice oftener
; han mere friendship would warrant ,
much to the disapproval of ambitious
designing mammas with marriageole
daughters. Cecil had spoken scarcely
jalf a dozen words to him during his
: requent visits at the house ; if his ac
quaintance with her was so slight
without her mask , he would not
ikeiy recognize her beneath the dis
guise.
The carriage stopped suddenly , 'and
the door was thrown open. "Now
John don't forget , half past 11 exactly
ind a solemn promise to secrecy , "
Uecil said as the man passed her
.hrough the great entrance and up the
crowded stairway to the dressing-
room. As Cecil stood for a moment
watching the brilliant scene before en-
; ering the room , she suddenly became
conscious that two men were watcli-
ng her. They stood together a little
at her right. She turned involuntarily
iud met the steady gaze of her uncle ,
ind Jack Thurston , the latter still
wearing his overcoat , the collar of
which was turned up about his ears ,
'or the night was very cold and he had
apparently just arrived.
Surprised and a little dismayed at
the encounter , Cecil quickly sought
mother quarter of the crowded room.
Had she been recognized , she won
dered. Impossible. Yet as she turn
ed to cast a backward glance at her
uncle she saw that his eyes were fol-
owing her , but his companion , had
disappeared.
Cecil pressed hurriedly forward to
ese herself in the crowdbut she stum
bled and fell with some force against a
Prussian officer , who was just entering
one of the exits , and who , with that
gallantry in accordance with his call
ing , assisted her to her feet. She apol
ogized confusedly and hurried away ,
and when at a safe distance turned to
look about her. Her Uncle Padding-
ton , she had effectually escaped , and
; he Prussian officer stood where she
md left him , but he seemed intent
upon examining something he held in
lis hand ; a bundle , no doubt , lost by
in unfortunate reveller ,
By and bv , when the music of the
band startled her with a loud , sudden
noise she preceived that numerous sets
were being formed for a quadrille.
She felt a throb of disappointment ;
was no one going to ask her to dance ?
Scarcely had the thought formed it
self in her mind than she felt a light
touch upon her arm. It was the Prus
sian officer , who bowed with exagera-
tion , yet withall , a certain grace.
"Will you honor mo by joining in
this quadrille ? " he asked Cecil , who
seemed like some dainty btitterlly lost
In a strange land , for she had been
moving restlessly about , undecided
what spot to choose for a resting place ,
She started nervously ; that voice be
longed unquestionably to Mr. Peppcr
ton , she felt certain of it. The habit
ho had of dropping his h's , and his
propensity to hop when , ho walked
convinced her of it.
Cecil stepped forward scarcel3 * dar
ing to allow herself to speak , fearing
A mutual recognition. Should she as
disguise assume a deep masculine tone
of voice , or one squeaky .suggestive o
inanimation like asmatic Profossci
Megs.
"I have danced but little , " Ceci
said , "and if an indifferent partuoi
will not be objectionable , I will. "
"I am not a proficontin that sort o
thing ni3self so there is little to fear
on either side , " he said , leading Ceci
out upon the floor.
"I see some fine costumes disphy-
'ed ' to-night , " Mr. Popperton said in
his familiar , jerky "way. which was
habitual , but as Mr. Pepperton was an
admirer of attractive habiliments
rather than personal beauty or clever
ness , Cecil did not wonder at the re
mark.
"As well as fine figures , " Cecil re
sponded choosing the asmatic tone ol
voice , not from choice perhaps , but
rather from a lack of time to gather
up her strength for a deeper tone ,
glancing as she spoke at the two hcac
couple who were going through the
form of forwarding. The first lady ,
from her enormous proportions , and
who wore the costume of a fairy queen ,
Cecil felt certain was none other than
Mrs. Goldberg , her Aunt Maria' ;
especial aversion on account of her
superior wealth. She was sure of il
now as she caught the familiar hoarse
wheeze as that lady broke into a sort
of jog-trot , quite as unconscious of
time-keeping as her opposite gentle
man was that both of his feet were
turned directly inward , as he wove the
intricate mases of the dance.
Ceoil's partner regarded her curious
ly through the slits in his mask , then
drew himself together as if offended.
Yet she heard him laugh.
She felt her face grow red beneath
her disguise. She always had the
facult3r of offending Mr. Pepperton ,
and now she vaguely wondered why
he did not recognize her ; but he failed
to do so ; and when the dance came to
an end , and she lost sight of the Prus
sian officer , whom she thought no
doubt had gone in search of a partner
whose knowledge of gaily-tinted fab
rics was more complete than her own.
She again came upon her Uncle Pat-
tington sitting among the spectators
with Aunt Maria beside him , who was
fanning her heated face vigorously.
Cecil moved away. How angry she
would be she thought if she knew that
her young niece whom she had been
wont to regard with cold indifference
was there not fift3r rods away from her
and decked in expensive lace and diamonds
mends , and that veiy niece was ha'jpy ,
ah , so happy. While she stood think
ing it all over again the band struck
up a waltz. She adored waltzing ; to
her eager , restless feet the quadrille
seemed slow and dragging.
Was there no one to ask her to join
in this dance ? How few there would
be before the hour arrived for her de
parture.
"There is but one dance following
this waltz before unmasking , " the
Prussian officer said , appearing sud
denly from the midst of the crowd.
"Do you waltz ? If so , can I claim 3011
for my partner ? "
If this was to be the last waltz be
fore the removal of the masks , it was
certainly her last ; and even to dance
it with Mr. Popperton would be pre
ferable to sit ting it out. But for a mo
ment Cecil hesitated in uncertaint3r.
The man beside her suing for the
dance she felt was scanning her elose-
13 * as if endeavoring to penetrate the
opaqueness of her mask. What if she
should be recognized at the last mo
ment , she thought. She drew back.
"Not if you try to discover my ident
ity , " Cecil said , a little coldl3' .
The Prussian officer laughed. "Well ,
L uromise 3011 that 1 will cease my ini-
pertenanco if you will not deny me
this dance and we will leave the un
ravelling of the mystery to time. "
"Does that always clear up myste
ries ? " Cecil asked , as they whirled off.
Time is never so brief as when some
pleasure , whose iutensit3' exists in its
novelty , absorbs the mind of the par
ticipant , and Cecil felt a pang of re
gret as the sound of the three strokes
of the quarter to midnight came to
her. She must leave this elysiuni of
bliss too soon. Did Cinderella feel
keenly the sorrow when she fled from
the palace at the midnight chiming.
Cecil wondered , and she sighed at the
briefness of the hour.
"I have but one more favor to ask , "
Cecil's pardner said , as the music
c'tme to a sudden stop , and the waltz-
on * sought their seats or promenaded
down the long hall.
"What is that ? " she asked , as they
followed the promenaders. There was
a ring of merriment in her hitherto
wheezy voice , for she was so intensely
happy'that she had forgotten her role.
"That I may have the first dance
after the masks have been removed. "
"And that is but one after the next , "
Cecil said , in a tone of regret "I will
not say yes. for a promise never made
is better than a promise broken , i
ma3 * , like Cinderella , be obliged to fly
from all this when the clock strikes
12 , but should wo chance to meet
again , I will give 3011 the liberty of
exacting it from me. " She laughed a
little maliciously as she spoke when
she thought of Mr. Popperton's futile
search for her through the crowd.
As they ncared one of the doors that
led into the wide hall they met mam-
of the dancers with their masks re
moved , and Cecil experienced a thrill
of surprise , even agitation , upon com
ing suddenly face to face with her
cousin Alice leaning upon the arm of
Mr. Pepperton , her , Cecil's , much de
spised admirer. Involuntarily she
turned to look at her partner. "Who
was he ? Not Pepperton. not Profess
or Megs , for he was short of stature ,
scarcely reaching her shoulders. Lit
tle as Cecil possessed , she would have
willingly given all to see the face of
her companion who was either sur
prisingly like Mr. Pepperton in both
voice and manner or had studdied ac
curately his peculiarities.
Five minutes later she had escaped
to the dressing-room. She must go.
To remain longer would be at the risk
of being recognized. Cecil removed
her mass and with trembling fingers
threw the thin , white shawl over her
head , but as she did so she discovered
that ono of the blossoms upon the prec
ious spra } * was missing. Yet whore in
that surging crowd could she seek it ,
and even should she lind if , it would
be only to behold it crushed and ton : ,
and the diamond gone. Suddenly ,
and without warning , Cecil burst into
tears. Her carelessness would be the
only reward for her Aunt Aphrodite's
goodness ; but the people were begin
ning to crowd into the room , and she
dared not linger to reflect over the
unhappy termination of the pleasure
which had caused her so much bright
anticipation.
She turned and ran quickly down
the stairs into the dark street , where
the light of the carriage lamps made
the gloom even more apparent. But
John , faithful to his promise , was there
standing patiently upon the pavement ,
and beating his arms to and fro in the
cold. But Cecil was in the carriage
almost before ho had become aware of
her movements , dreaming over the
realization of thatlong-wishcd-for hap-
piness.and weeping over the loss of the
flower , at the same time wondering
about the littlePrussiau officer , a little
uneasity , perhaps , who had so persist
ently followed her during the evening.
"I really had a terrible dream last
night , Cecil , " said Aunt Aphrodite up
on the following morning as she en
tered the dining-room , where Cecil
was partaking of a rather late break
fast. "I dreamed 3011 lost those flow
ers while walking down a long , dark
road. I thought 3011 wore them in
3our hair for you were going to bo
married. But , dear mo , who on earth
arc the girls bringing in here ? " she
said , pausing abruptly in her narrative
to listen to the voices which seemed to
be drawing near the room where Cecil
and herself sat.
Cecil had not broken the news of the
loss of the precious flower , she was
putting it oft' hour by hour , 3'et she did
not know for what reason , save that
she was too cowardty to tell. Sud-
denl3r , and without warning , the door
opened and Alice , accompanied 03 *
Jack Thurston , walked in.
"It is quite absurd Aunt Aphrodite , "
Alice said , "Mr. Thurston found a
curious flower last night upon the ball
room floor , and he insists upon be
lieving himself in love with the wearer ,
and has avowed his intention of marry
ing that person who can produce an
other flower HKO it. Ho was bent upon
seeing Cecil , just as if that child held
an3"thing of the kind in her possession.
Now , Cecil , " she said , turning to her
cousin , who had become a trifle pale
as she rose from her chair , "produce
its counterpart , " waving her hau'd as
she spoke toward Jack Thurston who
held up a white blossom.
Cecil quite rcgardles of the 0308 bent
upon her , put out her hand with a cry
of pleasure , and took the flower from
the apparent * astonished Jack. There
was an eagerness in her manner that
surprised those present.
"It is the same , the very identical
one , " she cried in an excited voice.
"Oh ! Aunt Aphrodite , I thought that
I hail lost it , and was afraid .to tell
you1 and tears stood in Cecil's bright
0305.
"Oh dear dear " said Atint
, , , Aphro
dite , "to think that anything should
have happened to those flowers , and ;
ni3r dream is out too ; but what a won- ;
clcrful piece of good fortune it was
that it remained intact , in that great
srash. " A look of anger flashed from
Alice's 0305. " "How in the world * did
you chance to be the hippy possessor
af the flower Jack ? " she asked with
in effort to control her chagrin.
Jack laughed. "I alwaj-s did flat
ter iu3self that I was a Iuck3' dog , but
; his exceeds all of mv' good fortune , "
lie said turning his gaze upon CeciL
"I was dispatched by 30111 * father as a
special guard over 30111 cousin during
ihe evening , to sec that she came tone
no harm. 1 saw the blossom fall from
ler hair , and naturally picked it tip.
I'liat , Miss Alice , is the manner in
which it came into my possession. "
"Were 3011 the Prussian officer , who
lanced with me all the evening , and
who I thought was the clever Mr. Pep
perton ? " Cecil asked timidly , then
turned to Aunt Aphrodite with an iu-
jnirSng look. Aunt Aphrodite under
stood the glance , and acknowledged ,
laughingly , that after her departure
'or the ball she had sent a note to her
jncle appraising him of the fact of :
coil's presence , describing her cus-
: omc , and begging him to look after
iis niece , biit not to tell her Aunt
Maria.
Of course a few months later there
ivas a quiet wedding at the house of
fudge Paddington , and Cecil , , the
jride , wore the same white blossom in
icr hair that had caused her so much
Kippiness and grief upon the night of
.he charity ball. Chicago Ledger.
A Shower of Birds.
Special to St. Louis Globe-Democrat :
k. terrific rain ami wind storm swept
jver Central Mississippi , on the night
if the 2d inst. it came from a north
westerly direction and lasted severa-
aours , blowing down trees , fences and
juchouses , and in some places washed
.ip corn and other seeds that had been
recentl3' planted. The next morning ,
it Canton and vicmit3 * , a number of
strange birds were found hing , or
sitting on the ground , some of them
lead and others crippled from being
liurled against trees , houses and other
3bstacles. Again others were found
xpparently uninjured , although the3 *
seemed unable or indisposed to lly an3 *
jonsiderable distance. Upwards of a
tiundrod of these birds have been
picked up , and , as they are entire
strangers to the localit- . the supposi
tion is , that tho3 * were caught up on
the sea coast 03' the wind and wafted
this way. They are certainly a species
3f sea fowl , and resemble the pcnquin.
11103- are about the size of the teal
ilucic , have a head like the game
shicken and a bill like the crow. Their
legs are short and wnb-footed ; their
wings are also short. The feathers on
[ he neck and back are black and dark
gjreen , while those on the breast are a
bright silvery gray. The birds have no
tails , and the live ones were found
uither sitting up or waddling , and
made no effort to 113 * .
The inhabitants of the Faroe isles are re
ported to use the stormy petrel for ( Humiliat
ing purposes. A large amount of oil cxiatJ
In the bird , and a wick drawn through iti
bodv gives a good light.
I JJILLNl'K ON TIIE STARS.
The Ex-I'ostinastcr About , to Ketire from Sci
entific Research.
There is much in the great field of
astronomy that is discouraging to the
savant who hasn't the time nor means
to rummage around through the heav
ens. At times I am almost hopeless ,
and feel like saying to the great ,
yearnful , hungry world , "Gropo on
forever. Do not ask me for another
scientific fact. Find it out 3oursolf.
Hunt up your own new-laid planets
and let ma have a rest. Never ask ne
again to set up all night and take care
of a new-born world while 3011 lie in
bed and reck not. "
I get no salary for examining the
trackless void night after night when
I ought to be in bed. I sacrifice my
health in order that the public may
know , at once , of the presence of :
red-hot comet , fresh from the factory
And yet , what thanks do I get ?
It is surprising that every little
while I contemplate withdrawing fron
scientific research to go and skin an
eight-mule team down through the
dim vista of relentless years ?
Then , again , you take a certain
style of star , which , you learn from
Prof. Simon Newcomb , is at such a
distance that it takes U,000 3ears for
its light to reach Boston. Now , wo
will suppose that ; after looking over
the largo stock of new and second
hand stars , ana after examining the
and I decide
spring catalogue price-list
cide that one of the smaller size will
do me and 1 buy it. Howdo I know
it was there when I bought it ? Its
cold and silent rays ma3T have ceased
49,000 years before 1 was born , and
the intelligence be still on the wa
There is too much margin between
sale and delivery. Every now and
then another astronomer comes to me
and sa3s : "Professor , I have discover
ed another new star and intend to file
it. ' Found it last night about a mile
and a half south of the zenith , running
loose. Haven't heard of am'body who
has lost a star of the fifteenth magij
tude , about thirteen hands high , with
light mane and tail , have 3011 ? " Now ,
how do I know that he has discovered
a brand new star ? How can I discov
er whether he is or is not playing an
old thread-bore star on me fora new.
one ?
We are told that there has been no
perceptible growth or deca3 * in the
star business since man began to roam
around through space , in his mind ,
and make figures on the barn door
with red chalk showing the celestial
time-table.
No serious accidents have occurred
in the starry heavens since I began to
observe and study their habits. Not
a star has waxed , not a star has waned
to nry knowledge. Not a planet has
season-cracked or shown any of the
injurious effects of our rigorous cli
mate. Not a star has ripened prema
turely or fallen oil the trees. The var
nish on the very oldest stars I liiid , enclose
close and critical examination , to be
in splendid condition. They will all ,
no doubt , wear as long as we need them ,
and wink on long after we have ceased
to wink back.
In 18GG there appeared suddenly in
the northern crown a star of about
the third magnitude , and worth at
least § 250. It was generally conceded
13 * astronomers that this was a brand
new star that had never been used ,
but upon consulting Argelandcr's star
catalogue and price list it was found
that this was not a n w star at all ,
but an old , faded out star of the ninth
magnitude , with the front breadths
turned wrong side out and trimmed
with moonlight along the seams.
After a few days of phenomenal
brightness it gent * ceased to draw a
salary asa star of the third magnitude ,
ind walked home with an Uncle Tom's
Jabin compaii3" .
It is such things as this tiiat make
: he life of the astronomer one of con
stant and discouraging toil. I have
long contemplated , as 1 sa\ * , the ad-
irisability of retiring from this field of
science and allowing others to light.
: he northern lights , skim the milk3'
iva3" and do other celestial chores , i
would do it myself cheerfully if ni3 *
lealth would permit , but for 3ears 1
liave realized , and so has my wife ,
.hat 1113 * duties as an astronomer kept
ne up too much at night , and 1113 * wife
s certainly right about it when she
; a\s if I insist on scanning the heavens
li ht after night , coming home late
tvith the cork out of my telescope and
u\ ' eyes red and swollen with these ex-
lausting vigils , I will be cut down in
1113' prime. So i am liable to abandon
: he great labor to which 1 had intended
: o devote 1113 * life , 1113 * dazzling genius
ind 1113 * princely income. I hope that
ither savants will spare me the pain of
mother refusal , for 1113- mind is fully
made up that , unless another skini-
mist is at once secured , the milk3 * way
will henceforth remain unskuni.
Uostou Globe.
( ioing to War in a Pullman.
"Recruits for the Canadian war in
; he Northwest are being sent to the
Tent in Pullman cars , " says a dis-
jatch in one of the papers , Soldiers
n Pullman cars ! Truety * , war is rob-
jed of much of its glor3 * when soldiers
> tart for the seat of war in such luxury.
[ t must be an interesting sight to see
i car-load of soldiers disrobe for the
light in a Pullman car , and roll into
; he clean sheets of ihe berths , and j
sleep all night , have their boots black- :
: d by the porter , get up in the morn- .
ng and wash in a toilet room , and go j
; o a dining-car for their breakfast. A -
soldier would be spoiled for active ser- |
, -ice who started "out that wa3 * . It j
, vas different during our war. Is '
here any gentleman within the sound (
) f our voice who was ever on a train ,
, vith a load of recruits on the way to j *
he front , any time after 1862 ? If so
ic remembers that the boys did not
etire on downy beds the night ho
traveled with thpni. Gracious , but r
lon't we remember the train-load of J
ecruits that left Madison in the spring
) f 1863. The first soldier that got in
.he car kicked two windows out , stuck .
iis head out the hole , and called the ;
saptain of his compan } * a bald-headed ,
> ld guthoogen. The captain sent the
iccond lieutenant in the car to snatch
he recruit bald-headed , and the of- r
icer was seized by the back of the 5
"
icck and the pants "and shoved though
to window onto the depot platform
an quick ho didn't know what his sal
ary was , and the broken glass tore his
new coat off. The cars were loaded ,
and so were the soldiers. The most
of them were full of beer and cheese ,
and they raised merry hades , ripped
up seats , kicked over the stove and
pulled the bell-rope after the train got
started , and scared the conductor so
ho had fits , by firing revolvers with
blank cartridges at the roof of the car.
O , it was a picnic. No discipline , no
nothing , but beer. The boys would
sing and dance , and if an officer show
ed up some one would hit him on the
neck with a haversack full of hard
tack , and if he got mad they would
lay him down in the aisle and set on
him. No officer would come in a car
with the boys unless ho could do as
they did , and howl. Going though
Chicago it took four guards to watch
each soldier , to keep him from stray
ing away and taking in the town , and
getting left. After leaving Chicago 'Y L
anybody who tried to camp down in a
seat and sleep was court-martialed
and shot in the neck with the cork
from a bottle. It was wild. Three
days later those boys that were so kit-
tony went into a light , and how they
did light ! There was discipline enough f i
then. The officers that had been treat
ed so disrespectfully on starting from
homo were looked up to as though
they were emperors , every order was
obeyed , and there was no more mon
key work from that hour. The fellow
who kicked out the car window led a
charge on a breastwork , and brained
with his musket a confederate who
was going to shoot the captain ho had
called a bald-headed guthoogen four
days before. The fellows who left
Wisconsin so full of beer that their
back teeth were alloat had got over
having fun , and were taking in the
reality , and they were the best soldiers
that ever lived. They did not go to
'
the front in a Pullma'n ear , but many 1 II
of them came back in Pullmans , as of
ficers of high rank , years later , some
came back by express , in boxes , and
some of them never came back at all ,
but are lying in rows a little distance
from Chattanooga , in the National
Cemetery , with little head-stones
above them , some marked with their
names , others marked "unknown , "
but all waiting for Gabriel to play the
"Assembly" on his bugle at the last
great day. " A few weeks ago wo saw
the graves of some of the boys who
went to the front that day from Madi
son , in cars that were ventilated by
kicking the windows out , and we felt
that if the boys had not drank the beer
that day and had a high old time , they
never would have got a chance , and
wo didn't blame them a bit. Going to
war now is different.'cc&.s Sun.
Brown Bread Jintl Cutlets.
A contented mind is better than
money in a savings bank.
How rapidly time does fly. But not
so rapidly as it will in lly time.
Blessed is the bachelor pastor , for
donation parties troubleth him njt.
A conch of the lightest down may
support a heart as heavy as home
made bread.
The city parks look beautiful now
provided the visitor wears a pair of
green goggles.
With kerosene oil selling at 15 cents
a gallon , any fooi can. aflord to use it
for kindling fires.
The most numerous class of men now
working inside of dwellings and offices
are the miners the kalsominers.
Somebody wants to know why cir
cles please the eye. We don't know ,
any more than we do why rings con
trol in politics.
Man is always popping at woman
with the blowjrun of his sarcasm , but
it comes her innings when she gets the
bonnet and he is alone with the bill.
"More light" ' is the watchword of
progress , but more of the opposite
quality in a loud of coal is what the
people are beginning to demand.
You may sit on a pier and ii = h all
day , earhin the season , and not get a
single bite ; but if you wait until after
the mosquito season opens you will
have better luck.
"He loved the good things of earth , "
the now boarder said : but the old one
simply shook his head with a sad , pity
ing look , and amused : "Poor devil ! He
won't find any of them here. "
A Chicago lawyer paid a dentist
8117 for professional services on his
teeth. If it costs like that to keep the
attorney's mouth filled what muss bo
the expense of lilling his stomach ?
"Invisible patching" is when a cob
bler puts a patch on your boot no
larger than a half dollar and charges
50 cents for the job. The reasonable
ness of the charge is invisible.
If the poor fellow who had only one
talent had thought to put it in a skat
ing rink instead of hiding it in the
ground , he might have scooped the
uther brethern and brought out the old
man.You
You can chain a boy to a well-rooted
tree , or spike him to the iloor , and feel
moderately certain for a lime that you
know where he is ; but even then you
lan't surmise what new devilment he
may be up to.
A good , pious old German , living on
Blue Island avenue , has a class in a
Sunday school. Ho teaches the schol-
irs that if they are good and pious un-
:51 : the end of life , when they die their
iotils will go to Milwaukee.
Don't try to do too much. A Milwau
kee man undertook to make his wife
earn to eat with her fork the other
lay , and now he wears a beefsteak on
iis eye. The pathway of the reformer
ias always been a good deal like Jor-
Jan.
Griggins dreamed the other night
: hathe was crawling about on thereof
ind.accidentally came in contact with
in electric light wire which shivered
iis teeth and stripped off his toe-nails
micker than 3011 can sneeze when vou
lave to. With a yell tnat cracked "the
lead-board he bounced out of bed
ihaking like a boy who had just been
: aught in devilment , only to lind that
iis wife had been trying to use him
or a foot-warmer once more. Chicuyo
ledger.
The matches consumed in the United States
cquire wood to the annual value of 83,29S-
62 ; the railroads use about ? 3,000,000 worth
f wood for fuel and ? 2OQO,000 for ties each
e ar.