THE AUSTRALIAN DYING YEAR.
Not In tbo winter of life ho dies ,
Chilled , and snowy , and old.
In the glory of summer the Old Year dies ,
'When tbo midnight chime la tolled.
Not la the sky is a hint of. death
A sky of inflnlto hluo
Nor is there a sigh in the breezy breath
That is playing the leaflets through.
The cattle and birds to the shade retreat ,
In drowsy , still delight ;
And ( lowers have scented the noonday heat ;
Yet the Old Year dies to-night.
And the air is flllod with the sound of bees ,
The humming of summer flies ,
And there's joy in the sound of the rustling trees ;
Yet to-night the Old Year dies.
Not in the winter of Hfo ho dies.
But in his summer1 ! ! prime ;
Bis labors end , he stricken dies ,
And swells the ranks of Time. .
Ethel Pedley in Wp'man'fe World.
. , .
I T-J.II \
WAENED IN A DEEAM ;
Several years ago I resided in a wild ,
mountainous and rather lonely region of
Virginia. There was a railroad but a
few rods in front of my door , and a sta
tion and considerable village about a
mile to the west. The nearest station
to the east was about ten miles distant.
I moved to the place with my young
wife late in the autumn , and about the
first of. the following March I was at
tacked with typhoid fever and was ill
for about a month. But , thanks to a
naturally strong constitution and the
careful nursing of a loving and intelli
gent wife , I slowly recovered.
As soon as I was strong enough to sit
up and walk a little I told my wife she
had better take the cars and go and visit
her brother , who lived about fifty miles
east of us. She had been taking care of
me so faithfully through my illness ,
both by day and night , that I feared her
health and strength would fail her if
she did not rest a while. I knew she
had been very anxious to go , and I felt
sure that her brother and his family
would be very glad to see her and would
try to make her visit a pleasant one.
She hesitated about leaving me , fearing
I might need her care ; but after waiting
a few days and seeing that I continued
to regain my health and strength she
decided to follow my advice. Accord
ingly one pleasant morning about the
middle of April , after doing everything
she could for my comfort and bidding
me to be careful about taking cold or
walking too far , she started , intending
to be gone a fortnight.
One day I exercised a little beyontl
my strength , -and felt quite tired at
night and lay awake for a long time.
At last I fell into an uneasy slumber
and dreamed a very curious and star
tling dream. I seemed to have gone for
ward into the future n couple of days ,
and instead of Wednesday , the 24th , it
seemed in my dream to be Friday , the
26th. It appeared in my sleep that a
heavy rain had been falling most of the
day and all of the day before , but the
evening was clear and pleasant and not
very dark , though the moon was not
shining. I seemed to be walking along
the railroad line toward the east. I first
passed through a wood about half a
mile wide ; then for about a mile
through fields containing a couple of
farm houses , one inhabited and the
other deserted.
I then entered another wood , and after
walking about a mile and a half I came
to a stream gently swollen by the rain ,
which had weakened the railroad bridge
so much that the passenger train , in at
tempting to cross , had broken it down ,
and the bridge and carriages , completely
wrecked , were lying on both sides of the
stream , except portions that were float
ing down. Some of the passengers lay
dead or dying among the ruins : some
were floating in the water , and a few
were clinging to trees and bushes on the
bank. It was a fearful and heartrend
ing sight , too fearful for description ,
and such as I trust I may never see in
reality.
The next day early in the morning it
commenced raining , and continued to
rain through the day and the following
night. I felt very lonely and uneasy all
day , which feeling was increased by re
ceiving a letter from my wife , saying
that she intended to come home on Fri
day night by the express train. I re
tired late , feeling much worried on ac
count of my fearful dream. And to add
to this fear , presentiment , or whatever
you may call it , the dream was repeated ,
and even more distinct and vivid than
the first time.
When I arose in the morning the rain
was still falling. This was Friday , and
therefore was the day on which my wife
was to start for home. There were two
passenger trains from the east each day ,
one at 9 o'clock in the forenoon and the
other at 9 in the evening. This last was
the express , and the one on which my
wife was coming.
Toward the middle of the afternoon
the rain ceased falling , and the clouds
slowly cleared away. The dream had
made such an impression on my mind
that I resolved to attempt to find the
stream I had seen so plainly in my
dreams , and if it appeared at all dan
gerous to attempt to stop the train be
fore reaching it. Accordingly soon a'ter
the rain was over I got ready and started.
I had never before had occasion to visit
the station in this direction , and there
fore was entirely unacquainted with this
part of the country. But I found every
thing just as it appeared in my dream.
Immediately after starting I passed
through the wood I had seen in my
dream and then entered the open field
and found the two farm houses , one in
habited and the other deserted. In fact ,
everything seemed as natural as if I had
really been this way before. I walked
slowly , and late in the afternoon I came
to the stream , which flowed rapidly and
seemed much swollen. But the bridge ,
instead of being broken down and min
gled with the broken carriages and man
gled passengers , was still standing ; and
though its timber looked quite old and
weather beaten there seemed to be little
danger of its breaking down beneath the
weight of a passing train. There was a
heavy goods train due from the west
about 6 o'clock , and I resolved to wait
at least until it came , and if it passed
over in safety there could be , I thought ,
but little danger of accident to the lighter
passenger train.
' In due time-it came thundering along ,
and passed safely over the bridge. But
though it might have been owing to my
excited imagination , it seemed to me
that Bridge bent and shook beneath * the
weight of the tjuin in a manner highly
suggestive of danger. At all events I
resolved to wait a while longer and see
if the stream , which was still rising ,
would have any apparent effect upon the
bridge. I took- with me a lantern , and
also a thick blanket to protect me from
the damp night air.
Shortly after sunset , as I was sitting a
few rods from the stream , I heard a loud
splash , and hunting to the bridge I saw
that a portion of the bank on the oppo
site side had broken away , and also that
the action of the water , or some other
cause , had weakened the foundation of
the bridge in such a manner that a portion
tion of the line was bent and lowered
enough to make it impossible for a train
to cross. I immediately crossed the
bridge , resolved to stop the train if pos
sible before it reached the bridge and
certain destruction.
Well , to make a long story short , I
went on in the direction from which the
train was to come , and soon found a
place which commanded a good view of
the line for a considerable distance. I
lit my lantern , wrapped my blanket
closely around me and sat down to my
wearisome vigil of two hours. The
night was clear , and not very dark ,
though no moon was shining. I suf
fered nothing from cold , as it was re
markably warm , even for the climate of
Virginia , and I succeeded in keeping
awake , though the task was a difficult
one.
Slowly the moments passed by , but at
last I saw by my watch that the time
had nearly expired , and a few minutes
would decide the fate of the train and
its human freight. Soon I saw a light ,
far away and very small at first , but
rapidly growing larger and brighter.
I arose , trembling with excitement , and
commenced swinging the lantern above
my head , and , as the train drew near , I
redoubled my exertions and shouted as
loud as I could.
Onward came the train at a rapid
speed. It was a time of terrible sus
pense to me. Should the engineer fail
to see my signal , or not see it in time to
stop the train before going a few rods
past me , I knew that no human power
could save it. On it came , and , oh , joy
unspeakable ! just as I gave up my exer
tions and stepped from the line my
frantic signals were observed. The en
gineer whistled for brakes , arousing the
sleepy brakemen like an electric shock ,
who flew quickly to their stations.
The train was quickly stopped , and I
then informed the engineer and con
ductor of the danger ahead , while the
frightened passengers left the carriages
and gathered around me. Many a brave
man grew pale when he learned what a
fearful death he had so narrowly es
caped.
Among the passengers I found my
wife , not mangled and lifeless , but alive
and well , though somewhat frightened ,
and a good deal surprised at seeing me.
The conductor gave me a seat next to my
wife , and then had the train backed to
the station it had just left , from which
telegrams were sent to warn all other
trains of the danger.
In the morning my wife and I took the
train for home. I have but little more
to add , except that the company insisted
upon making me a handsome present ,
and also gave me a free pass over the
road. I dp not pretend to be able to ex
plain the dream , which was certainly a
remarkable one , though doubtless nr
more so than others could relate ; but 1
am satisfied that this dream was the
means of saving many human lives from
a sudden and most terrible death. Balti
more-World.
Iright Prospects.
Every other day ushers in a new paper
in Georgia. An editor , who is a recent
acquisition to the fraternity , was asked
about the prospects of his paper.
"First class , " he said.
"Ever had any experience in the busi
ness ? "
"None at all. "
"Many subscribers ? "
"None at all. "
"Why how can you say your pros
pects are first class ? "
"Well , " said the editor in a confiden
tial whisper , 'Tve just started , you see ,
and haven't had time to canvass the
county. But I know my prospects are
good. I had not been in the town
twenty-four hours when the mayor
called and appointed me superintendent
of streets ; the minister prayed for me and
elected me a member of the church char
ity board ; the schoolmaster invited mete
to deliver a commencement address ; the
proprietor of the hotel invited me to
dinner , and the whole town voted me a
tree lot in the cemetery. Ain't this doing
irst class ? 'We are here and here to
stay ! ' "
And he seemed to mean every word of
it. Atlanta Constitution.
Disregard for tbc Dress Salt.
Barry Sullivan , the eminent tragedian ,
was "resting" some few years ago at a
lydropathic establishment not far from
London. To the surprise of all and the
annoyance of some , he was the only
gentleman who , against the custom of
; he house , appeared at the dinner table
without evening dress. Complaints
were made td the management , who
asked Mr. Sullivan the reason for it.
"Sir , " he said , "I have spent nearly
foe whole of my life taking oft and put-
ing on clothes. I am here for rest , and
will not change my dress for any one. "
London Tit-Bits.
A Terror Sometimes.
A Miss Clarkson , of Brooklyn , went
over to Newark , staid two days , and
when she returned she wanted * an item
put into a society paper. She gave it tea
a fellow boarder to take down , but he
forgot it , and she pulled his hair , skin
ned his nose , blacked his eye , and had
pay $50 damages. Society is a terror
when it sets mad. . Detroit Free Press.
What is
Castoria is Dr. Samuel Pitcher's prescription for Infants
and Children. It contains neither Opium , Morphine nor
other Xarcotic substance. It is a harmless substitute
for Paregoric , Drops , Soothing Syrups , and Castor Oil.
It is Pleasant. Its guarantee is thirty years' use by
Millions of Mothers. Castoria destroys "Worms and allays
feverishness. Castoria prevents vomiting Sour Curd ,
cures Diarrhoea and Wind Colic. Castoria relieves
teething troubles , cures constipation and flatulency.
Castoria assimilates the food , regulates the stomach
and bowels , giving healthy and natural sleep. Cas
toria is the Children's Panacea the Mother's Friend.
Castoria.
"Castoria is on excellent medicine for chil
dren. Mothers have repeatedly told me of its
good effect upon their children. "
DE. G. C. OsaooD ,
Lowell , Mass.
" Castoria is the best remedy for children of
which I am acquainted. I hope the day is not
far distant when mothers will consider the real
interest of their children , and use Castoria instead -
stead of the various quack nostrums which ore
destroying their loved ones , by forcing opium ,
morphine , soothing syrup and other hurtful
agents down their throats , thereby sending
them to premature graves.1'
Da. J. F. KINCHELOK ,
Conway , Ark.
Castoria.
" Castoria is so well adapted to children that
I recommend it as superior to any prescription
known to me.1'
me.1'H.
H. A. Aitcnxn , M. D. ,
Ill So. Oxford St , Brooklyn , N. Y.
" Our physicians in the children's depart
ment have spoken highly of their experi
ence in their outside practice with Castoria ,
and although we only have among our
medical supplies what is known as regular
products , yet we are free to confess that the
merits of Castoria has won us to look with
favor upon it. "
UNITED HOSPITAL AND DISPENSARY ,
Boston ,
ALLKK C. SMITH , Pres. ,
The Centaur Company , 17 Murray Street , New York City.
W. 0. BULLARD & CO.
-tot-
LIME , HAED
CEMENT , LUMBER.HAED AND
DOORS , LUMBER.
BLINDS.LUMBER. . SOFT
BLINDS. COAL.
O
RED CEDAR AND OAK POSTS.
. T ! . WARRRN , Manager.
LJlS ,
DEALERS INI
L AJ
J 0
SASH , BOOKS , BLIKDS , CEMENT , LIME ,
Also Hard and Soft Coal.
Freigftb
iije golderz gate.
across %
Sea.
carry sweet hope
WiH CI TA ( LAUS
As a cargo
clear as can be.
m-.e e only by
CHICAGO.
A5K YOUR FOR IT
GOODS.
H. KAPKEJhe Lead ing Tailor ,
Announeesthe arrival of his fal ] stock ,
comprising the LATEST and MOST FASH
IONABLE GOODS of the season. His prices
are lower than any other tailor's in MeCook.
DONT FAIL TO SEE HIS LINE.
A LABOR SAVER.
A New Suerp-Slieurlnc Machine It Does
Its Work Well and Quickly.
The machine depicted in the accom
panying cuts has boon used with more
or loss success
by the sheep-
growers of Aus-
t r a 1 i a and is
now being intro
duced among the
British Farmers ,
where it is
known as the
" "Wols ole y
Sheep - Shearer. "
It is claimed
by foreign ex
changes that in
Australia this
machine has
rendered it prac
ticable to shear
from 100 to 200
sheep per day.
In a shearing
trial reported
sheep wns
sheared by Ytho
Wolseley , m a -
chine in two and
one-half
utes.
utes.Tho
The
princij
machi
FIO. 1. SlIKKPSHEAEW
IXG MACHINE.
chine , however , as
details , is a very ii
mechanism. The
clever way in which
of the main spindle ]
the reciprocating
the cutter , and
the necessary pn1
First we have a
about two inches
the teeth , which
underneath. Thi
being fixed to the
in one hand by frj
work , while with
down the sheep ,
the comb is-the cutter !
shaped and about one and
wide. When in operation this cutt
moves to and fro at the rate of about
two thousand vibrations a minute , mo
tion being imparted to it through a flex
ible shaft. The novelty comes in be
tween the shaft and the cutter , which
FIO. 2. SHIEIB-SIIEAIIXG MACHINE.
has an oscillating arm pivoted near the
back of the casing which incloses the
mechanism. This arm has motion im
parted to it about midway between the
pivot and the cutter by means of a
crank carrying a steel roller. The neces
sary pressure is brought upon the cutter
through the fork by means of a spher
ical-ended stud , or "mushroom piece , "
as it is called. This stud is surmounted
by an external cap , which can bo
screwed down so as to adjust the press
ure on the cutter. The whole of this
apparatus is about twelve inches long ,
and for shearing it is connected with a
flexible shaft , which can be driven by
any convenient power. The rotation of
the shaft causes the cutter to move
rapidly to and fro across the face of
the comb , so that when applied to a
sheep the wool is clipped off as fast as
it is brought between the teeth of the
comb and those of the cutter. X. Y.
World.
Money In Mutton.
The raising of early lambs for the city
markets offers rare encouragement to
sheep husbandry. Mr. Bowditch sold
lambs last season 40 days of age which
dressed over 30 pounds each. Such a
lamb would bring S10 , perhaps more.
His plan is to produce a very fat lamb
at the youngeso age possible. A neigh
bor , near my own home in Connecticut ,
kept 40 ewes during the winter of 1887
and 18SS. The sales of lambs and wool
netted $323 , or an average of SS.12 per
head for the entire flock. The lambs
were sold on commission in Hartford ,
which , by the way , is the best method
for selling such stock. The reputable
dealer can easily secure a better price
than the producer. With good stock ,
good care and liberal feeding far bettor
results can be obtained with sheep than
with almost any other farm animal.
But "a good breeder must be a good
feeder. " We must not expect some
thing to come of nothing. We must not
give the shr p old , worn-out pastures
where scarcely any other stock would
live. Before we get a dividend we must
deposit cash in the bank. Let us deposit
posit in the bank which our funds rep
resent capital which will return us
good dividend. While it is impossibl
to keep sheep on every farm , it can b
done with profit on a larger number o
farms than are keeping them to-day ,
would not advise a radical change by
selling all the cattle at once , but by be
ginning the purchase of a few good
sheep and increasing the number as cir
cumstances permit. Don't be afraid of
over-stocking the market. The first-
class lamb or mutton carcass will always
find a buyer at full market value.
Farm and Home.
THE presence of two or three inferior
cows in a herd affects the average profit
of the whole. If dairying is to be con
ducted as a paying business ,
important requisite is a
place of an inferior one.
WOOD ASHES.
rhelr Value When Applied to Diffbrart
KimU of Soil.
Leached wood ashes contain about 6
per cent of phosphoric acid and 2) P ° r
conk of potash two valuable fertilizers
for a number of crops and about 24 per
sent , of lime , which , when applied ta
the soif has the effect of rendering
available plant food that is already in/
the soil. On land that has boon cropped
until at least some of the elements oi
plant food have decreased so that full
average crops can not bo made , wood
ashes are worth , says the St. Louis Re
public , all the way from 15 to 25 cents
per bushel.
They can bo applied to nearly all
kinds of fruits with profit With potatoes
they are especially valuable , either ap
plied in the hill or scattered broadcast
and worked well into the soil. Onions
\ro another crop that can in-many easns
bo largely benefited by a
wood ashes.
If applied in the orc
is to stir the soil
apply
soil ca
bra V
A Ktl
We have
notice some bij
for by America !
have an English
the list
The remarkable.
one that can not be
in the cut here nn <