JEJSTIFIAB
I.
< ( s \ LD man , I want your ad-
( ) vice. "
' Debenham broke a piece of
silence that had lasted some ten min
utes or so
"It's rather a curious affair , " he be
gan , diffidently. "It happened last
night. I wanted to go to Bayswater to
Bee my old nurse , who lives there. I
took the 'bus at Oxford Circus. As I
dare say , 3rou remember it was a nasty
night wet and foggy , and the vehicle
was soon full ; in fact hy the time we
reached Wcstbourne Grove there was
only room for another. Here we picked
up our last passenger. She was a
young ladj' . "
"And of course you contrived that
she should sit by you , " I said.
"You would have done the same
yourself , " Dcbeuham retorted. "Any
man would , for she had the sweetest
face. It's haunted me all night it has ,
really. I dare say she was about 18 , or
perhaps 20 not more. She had brown
eyes , very brown eyes you know , the
kind that seem to speak almost and
they were shaded by long lashes. She
had brown hair , too the kind of hair
that twists itself into a lot of little
curls natural curls , you know. 1
wonder why all girls don't wear their
hair that way. Then her mouth her
mouth "
"Never mind the mouth , " I inter
posed , hastily , seeing that he was about
to indulge In an extravagant flood of
rhapsody. "It was an ideal mouth , I
haven't a doubt"
"She sat down next to me , " he went
on. "There wasn't much room , and
she thanked me when I moved. She
had the sweetest voice. "
"Well , there's nothing curious about
that. I believe you said "
"I'm coming to it if you'll only give
me time , " he returned , in an aggrieved
tone. "You've no patience. It was
when the conductor came round for
fares. Then she felt for her purse ; she
found it was missing. At first she
thought she must have dropped it , and
I searched the floor and under the seat
However , it wasn't there. Poor girl !
I never saw any one so distressed in
my life. It seemed she had 5 in it ,
and it was evidently quite a fortune to
her. Well , I paid her fare for her , and
we got out together. '
"I don't think you need tell me any
more , " I said dryly.
Debenham stared.
"Why not ? "
"Because I know the rest"
"How the "
"Yes , I do. You lent her the 5 , of
course. My dear fellow , you've been
' ' "
'had.
"I didn't do anything of the kind ! "
Debeuham retorted hotly. "She would
n't let me. That's what I came to ask
your advice about I thought that as
you wore a lawyer you might be able
to suggest something , but I wish I'd
never mentioned it to you. "
Of course I hastened to soothe his
ruffled plumes , and in a little while he
went on with his tale. It appeared
that he had seen her home , and that he
had learned her name. It was Charu-
ley Kate Charnley. She was a dress
maker , and lived with her sister.
II.
"And you want to help them , eh ? " I
r said , after a time.
"Yes , but it'll be a difficult matter.
They're clergyman's daughters , and
very proud. I dou't see what I can do.
It's awfully riling , you know , Keii-
iiiou , to have a pile of money and not
be able to do a little good with it once
in a way. It's a shame that this girl
should have to slave at a sewing ma
chine all day while a great strong beg
gar like me lounges around killing
time. "
"I suppose you want to refund this
5. "
"Yes ; I can't do more , but I don't
even see how I can do that" *
"Well , you might order a gown of
some sort from them. "
"Don't be an ass ; men don't buy
gowns. "
"You could say it was for your sis
ter. "
"But I haven't got a sister , and if I s
had she'd never let ine choose her
gowns for her ; besides , she'd have to
be fitted on and all that you know. "
I was obliged to admit the force of d
these arguments , and a fresh period of dci
silence intervened. Debenham had
risen , and was pacing the floor in "a
state of perplexity. In
'How would It be if I inclosed the it
money in an envelope and sent it anon tl
ymously ? " lie said at length. id
"You might do that , certainly , " I re idn
plied , after a little consideration. as
"But she'd be sure to know who sent li
" liHi
it" Hi
"Well , that doesn't matter , as 3'ou are
not likely to see her again. "
Dcbeuham stopped and turned his .
eyes full upon me.
"What's Hint ? Not sec her again ?
But I must see her agaia I I feel that C (
my fate is er linked with that girl ,
Kenuiou. "
"Oh , very well ; then that squashes a
the idea entirely , unless Look here ,
vhy not assume the character of the
thief yourself , and send her a letter
.saying you have repented and return w
Ihe money ? "
"But I don't want her to think that ol
I'm a bad lot. " tl
tlhi
"Well , she needn't know that you hi i
sent it You can pretend to be an or him
dinary pickpocket" m
"So I caa. I never thought of that.
By Jove , it's a grand idea ! Where's
the pen and Ink ? What shall I say ?
Give us a lift old chap. You're a dab
hand at this sort of thing. "
I took up my pen , and , after a little
thought dashed off the following let
ter :
"Dcre miss : This is from me , the
bloke wet tuk yer purse I sens the
rnuny bak bekause yer father wes once
very kind ter me when I wes down on
mi luck , an I noas yer needs it a sight
more than I does , yer humble servant
"BILL NOKES. "
"How will that do ? " I said , as I
tossed it across the table.
"Splendidly splendidly ! " he cried , as
he ran his eyes over it "It's worthy of
Bill Sikes himself. I'll send it off this
very minute. " And he thrust it in an
envelope with a 5 note.
"You'll let me know how it answers ? "
I said , as he took his hat
"Oh , yes. " And then , with a hasty
good-night he went flying down the
stairs to catch the post
III.
The following morning it happened
that a matter of business took me in
the vicinity of Debenha < n's chambers ,
and , having half an hour to spare , I
determined to call and see if he had
heard anything in connection with his
plot
As I was about to cuter his sitting
room , however , I heard the sound of
voices , and a hasty glance showed me
that he was engaged. A young lady
was standing by the table , facing De
benham , who looked as guilty as any
schoolboy caught in an orchard.
"I got it back this morning , " the girl
was saying. "A man who is employed
on the railway picked it up as he was
on his way to work. "
"I I am very glad , " Debenham mur
mured , nervously. "He must have
been an honest fellow. "
"Yes , " she said. "But the strange
part of it is that by this morning's post
there came a letter from a a thief , in
closing a 5 note. You can read it if
you like. "
And she handed him the precious
missive I had concocted.
He read it in feigned astonishment
"I never heard of such a curious
thing , " he murmured. "It's positively
isn't it , you know ? "
Of course , this childlike attempt at
deception didn't deceive the girl.
"Mr. Debenham , " she said , "you
wrote this letter you sent this note. "
"I ? Really. Miss "
"Oh , yes , you did. It's no use deny
ing it No one else knew of our loss. "
'I SKAKCHED THE FLOOTt AXD UNDER
There was a pause. Debenham stood
ooking very red and foolish.
"Come , you'd better confess , " she
aid ; , at length.
He rumpled his hair in a reckless
ashion.
"It seems impossible for a fellow to
lo a good action in this world , " he "
Tied. "He's sure to be found out. "
"Then you did send it ? "
"Ye-es. You see , you wouldn't let mo
lelp you , and so so it struck me that
t would be a capital idea to pretend
hat I was a thief" ( the humbug ! his
ilea , indeedl ) . "I never thought for a
nomcut : that you'd see your purse
gain , and if you hadn't done so , my
ittle dodge would never have coine to
ight"
"No , I don't think it would , " she an-
wered ; "for that was a most realistic
'tier you wrote. " of
Debenham groaned.
"You can't think what an effort it ity
est me , " he said.
What an effort indeed !
" 1 do hope you will let me keep it as his
memento ? "
"Yes if you will promise to forgive
ne. "
"Oh , there is nothing to forgive ! It a
vas very good of you. "
At this moment I caught a glimpse A\
f her face , and I was forced to admit
hat Debenham had some reason for
is extravagant praise.
"And you will not think the worse of
tie for for trying to deceive you ? " he
vent on. Really , he was getting posi- est
tlvely absurd ; from his voice one would
have supposed that he was a prisoner
suing for his life.
"Oh , I think better of you ! " she cried.
"I shall never forget your kindness. "
And as she gave him her hand she
blushed in a ridiculous fashion.
Then Debenham made an ass of him
self. Instead of simply shaking hands
and saying good-morning , he held her
fingers and said nothing , but just
stared at her in a moonstruck kind of
way that was quite idiotic , and she
drooped her head like a little silly and
went the color of a peony ; then .
But at this point I could stand it no
longer , and I quietly withdrew.
Of course I was not in the least as
tonished when Debenham rushed into
my chambers the same afternoon and ,
with a good deal of stammering , con
fessed that he was engaged. He
seemed amazed when I betrayed no
surprise ; but I didn't tell him that I
had been a witness of his folly.
I was presented to the future Mrs.
Debenham and her sister a few days
later. When Debenham asked me
what I thought of her , I told him she
was one of the nicest girls I had ever
met ; but , as a matter of fact , she is
much inferior to her sister , who , I don't
mind admitting , indeed , that she is the
nicest girl I have ever met and I
shouldn't wonder
But there , that's "another story. "
Answers.
BERNHARDT AT THE BEGINNING.f
Old Pen Picture of the Divine Sarah
by Octave Feiiillet.
Just thirty years ago Octave Feuillet ,
in a letter to his wife , drew the following -
lowing pen picture of Mme. Sarah
Beruhardt , then at the beginning of her
career :
A queer girl , indeed , is Sarah. It is
the first time in my long career that I
have met with a genuine actress , a
comedienne of the eighteenth century ,
elegant , eccentric , insolent and bold.
"Contrary to the habit of all other
actresses , she comes to the rehearsals
In full dress , or , at least , in a toilet ar-
rauged after her own fashion. She
always wears velvet a velvet dress ,
a velvet hat , a scarf of black lace over
her shoulders , and a little ruffed col
lar. In this way , with her hair like
that of a poodle dog , and with some
fresh flowers in her hand , she repeats
her part with care and somber grav
ity , and occasionally with attitude a la
Rachel. At the close of the act she
prances about like a ballet girl , skips
upon one foot , and then sits down at
the piano to accompany herself while
singing a queer negro air. She has a
very sweet voice. Then she gets up
and begins to walk about with long
strides , like a clown , laughing in every
body's -face , and chewing chocolate
candy , with which she always has her
pockets filled. At times she tikes out
a little case , in which there was a
small brush , which she rubs over her
lips to give them a ruby color , aftej
which she laughs , shows her white
teeth , and recommences to munch he ?
chocolates.
"Nothing could be more amusing
than to see Croizette and herself , after
a rehearsal , running out , followed bf
their mothers. They start off like
frightened hares , with their heads upP
and Rabage hats thrown back upon
their enormous blond wigs. Swinging
their little umbrellas , they walk and
laugh loud enough to make people turn
round and stare at them. At last they
go into Chiboust's confectionery shop
and there stuff themselves with cakes "
THE COST OF WARS.
Some Enormous Amounts that Na t
tions Have Suffered.
The fearful madness that war inevi
tably proves itself to be to those that
engage in it and to the world the aw
ful waste and desolation it causes , lost
sight of by the foolish and heedless A
under the glamour of its influence and
PIy
becraziugexcitements are well shown y
by certain statements of fact which 01
01C
have been gathered from the "History C
of Civilization , " by Paul Courier , and 10
have gained some circulation , says 0
0T
City and State. They cannot be too T
widely set forth and pressed upon pop albi
ular attention. He says : bihi
Algeria has cost France 1,560 times hiei
the net profit of its annual revenues eib
Madagascar , up to 189G , cost the same b
nation $85,000,000 , and there is nothing
really to show in return. Tonquin has
produced mainly disease and constant
slaughter. The effort to keep San
Domingo , " he says , "cost France more
dearly than all the crimes of her great
revolutions. " And so , too , he sums up
in a striking statement the effect marvelously -
velously ruinous of a recent well-re
membered African war upon another
European power. "Abyssinia , " he says ,
"has cost Italy $115,000,000 and thou
sands of lives , or more than enough to le
drain the Poiutine marshes and cover tli
the mother country's dry hills with IK
fruit trees and forest trees and fill that
ancient sunny land with prosperous ,
contented and happy homes. "
A New Musical Instrument. y
A new musical instrument is the pro- w
luct of the inventive skill of Carl w
3rown of Columbus , Ohio , who is also tl
he inventor of improvements to the he
guitar. The new instrument consists tao
a sort of zither and an ordinary oW
uouth harp in combination. The qual W
of the tone of the mouth harp is fr :
greatly improved and the musician is gi
enabled to play an accompaniment to flc
harp solo. to
then
" Whistle. "
"Clean as a en
The origin of the saying , "as clean as enw
whistle , " is ascribed to the "whistle ru
tankard" of olden times , in which the ar
whistle came into play when the tank th
was emptied or "cleared out" to th
announce to the waiter that more liquor he
was required. la
A man can lay claims to greatness OEN
when his private affairs begin to inter N <
the public. \v
Handy Wagon Jack.
With this jack the heaviest load
that ( can be put on a wagon can be
lifted by one man , and thus , if a
break occurs with a load on , it neec
not be unloaded to take a wheel off
for repair. It is made with a lever
In two joints ( A and B ) , fastened to
gether with straps of iron ( C ) , in such
a way that the part A works upon the
straps C , which are firmly bolted to
the long part of the lever ( B ) as a hinge.
The foundation ( D ) is a 2x4 plank , 6
feet long. At one end bolt on a 2x4
about 4 feet long ( E ) , to prevent it up
setting. Bolt on the foundation , on
each side , a 2x4 block ( F ) for a ful
crum. Bore a three-fourth inch hole
through these blocks. 10 Inches from
bottom , and also through lever just
below the straps. An iron pin through
these holes makes the pivot Great
weight sometimes rests on these blocks ,
WAG OK JACK.
BO they should be bolted together at
top with a block between. At the other
end of foundation plank bolt on a 2x4
0 ( G ) so that the lever will work close to
It , and bore three-fourth inch holes in
11b 11G two inches apart Make a pin of
bard wood to fit these holes * , to hold
the lever at any point desired. Make
lever [ of tough wood ; flatten where iron
straps are bolted on , and also where it
6C
comes in contact with G. The top of
lever l ( ( A ) is placed under axle. If it
floes not reach block up each end of
E. Ohio Farmer.
Points About Growing : Potatoes.
The quantity of seed potatoes re-
quired for an acre will depend a great
deal upon the size of the potatoes and
the size of the pieces each seed potato
EPI cut into at planting time. As a gen
eral rule it requires from ten to twelve
bushels'planted in rows 3 feet apart
and 18 inches apart in the row. This
is supposing that the potatoes are of
medium size and are cut so that each
piece will have two or three eyes. The
land should be rich. Loam well fer
tilized with stable manure is as good
as : any soil that can be had. If the po
tatoes can be planted on clover sod , so
much : the better. Prairie sod can be
well cut up into a mellow seed bed.
TVO
Ordinarily the second year after break
ing the prairie is better than the first
Ground which had no crop last year
and was covered with weeds will con
tain a great number of weed seeds and
much labor will be required to keep the
potatoes ' clean. Orange Judd Farmer.
A Movable Fence.
The illustration , from the American
Agriculturist , shows a kind of fence
panel with which either small or large
yards can be made for pasturing pigs
can be taken up and moved to a new
location when it is desired to move the
occupants < of the pen to new ground.
The posts of each panel of fence extend
about twenty inches below the lowest
board , and are sharpened. If desired ,
hooks and staples can be placed on
each end part , so that two panels can _
be ( hooked together at the corners. Untl
tlu
u
1B
CC C a I
Cr C p
r o :
sicl
cl
cltl
la
MOVABLE FENCE FOK PIGS.
TVm
? ss the ground is very loose , causing m
lie stakes to be Insecure , this will ,
owever , hardly be necessary.
Handy Water Supply.
I have a good wind pump on the tote
orth side of the house , about four to
ards away. It is over a good- well tow
-hich so.ldom , if ever , goes dry. The w
rater is soft The water is forced itni ;
irough ] a two-inch piping up into the ni
otise tank , which is a large galvanized ra
ink in the kitchen. It has a box frame di
ver it and a large lid to cover it up. th
i'lieu the tank lacks just a few inches tu
-om running over in the house it be- qi
ius to flow out at a standing pipe. It to
ows through piping under the ground bfn
the cellar. It goes in at a piping to fn
ic milk trough. It flows to the lower ce ;
cem
nd of the cement trough , and then m
-hen the trough is so full It begins to ca
.111 out , but still leaves a certain ca
mount in the trough. After it leaves fu
ic cellar it flows through piping under th
ic ground to the lower side of the su
erse lot , where it comes up in the th
irge tank. There are two other tanks a
the place that this same pump fills , lai
ow , we have everything full of fresh as
-ater , and you may be sure that the It
cooks In the kitchen haTe had a gpod
supply of fresh water , for all the water
pumped by the pump first went
through the house tank , and It all
had to flow through the milk trough ,
too , so it has been very useful already
the milk and butter are kept cool. We
have It arranged handy for bathing.
The water never gets warm on the
house tank , for fresh water is constant
ly flowing through. The piping is be
low freezing point Charles W. Love-
law , In Practical Farmer.
Waste on the Farm.
Good management both on the farm
and in the household demands that all
source of waste be guarded against
and that all by-products be utilized to
the best advantage. That the kitchen
and table waste are generally realized.
Don't waste your cold bread ; and after
each meal take the bread that is left ,
carefully cut off all the top crust , place
these in some sour milk , same as you
use for making bread , in time to be
come thoroughly soaked before making
bread for another meal. Then when
you are ready to make your bread take
one or two of the soaked biscuits , crum
ble them up and mix well with your
dough , and your bread will be lighter ,
and it will not take as much lard as
the ordinary way. Those that try it
will be pleased with the result , for it is
a great saving and makes a nice dell-
clous biscuit. Don't depend upon the
top of your stove for anything. There
is nothing like a good oven for making
nice preserves.
There is little or no danger of scorch
ing , and the long , slow cooking results
in clear , delicious preserves. Don't
waste fuel by keeping fire when not
necessary. While ironing on top , do
your baking or preserving in the oven.
Don't let the cheese mold. Use it In
preparing cooked dishes. Don't neglect
your household duties , but let each one
of us make our duties as light as possi
ble. Use judgment in our work. Learn
to apply the old saying , "Let your
brains save your heels. " To imagine
some one else has an easier time than
we do does not lighten our tasks , and
only results in making us disagreeable
and unhappy. Women should realize
and with the realization accept the fact
that their household duties are some
thing to be taken up and carried on
cheerfully and uncomplainingly' , mak
ing the home happy and pleasant for
all in it Mrs. J. R. Brenton.
Better Use of Cotton Seed.
It seems almost incredible now that
the old-time practice with Southern cot
ton planters was to pile all their cotton
seed in heaps after it was separated
from the cotton , and after it was rot
ted down it was used as manure. Now
all the oil is pressed out of the cotton
seed , and the meal is found to be an
excellent feed for stock. This does not
,
lose its material value , however , but
probably makes it more effective , as
the meal , after it has passed through
the animal , can then be rotted down
into a much stronger fertilizer than it
could while in the seed. It is such econ
omies as this in the use of all parts of
the cotton plant that make it possible
to grow cotton at much lower prices
than anyone could have thought could
be done in the old wasteful times.
American Cultivator.
Rubber Shoes for Horses.
While improved roads enable a horse
to draw a load with less exertion , the
jr on the hard surface has a
rather serious effect
on the joints of the
animal's leg , causing
them frequently to
go lame from no
other cause what
ever. This is to be
remedied by the elas
tic tread shoe , which '
offers at all tinios n. '
RUBBBK SHOE , soft cushion for the
.nimal's foot and yet a firmer one than
he ordinary type of metal shoe. This
s done , further , without the use of
crews , which have the objection of
eon becoming loosened by the constant
lammering. The shoe proper , which
3 fastened to the hoof in the usual
ray , has an inclined wall around the
uter surface , inside of. which a rim
f rubber is placed which acts as the
ushion. The latter is held firmly in (
lace by a securing plate clamped to
he shoe by three depending pins , one
f which is supplied with a bolt. This
olds the three parts securely together ,
lubber for this purpose is very dur- 4.
ble , and lasts a long time , and when dIf
dA
inally worn out can be readily re- A
laced without any special knowledge If
f horseshoeing. The rubber gives a Ii
ure footing at all times , and on all ii
iiei
haracters of road , while such is not ei
he case with the metal shoe , for the ii
iiri
itter sometimes becomes smooth , ri
rhen a sheet of asphalt presents al-
lost as dangerous a surface as one of t
ci
I
Superior Quality in Tobacco.
The most important requisite of the "
obaco plant is potash. This can be f
by anyone who has noticed thereat
S'
reat proportion of ash which tobacco ,
rhether in cigar or pipe , leaves after
has been burned. On the other hand
itrogenous manure , which makes a
impant growth of leaves , do not pro- n
uce the finest quality. The leave ? are
aick aud do not show the delicate tex-
jre of the leaf which indicates high
ualities. Of course tobacco hind needs
be rich , so as to make a large leaf ,
ut to secure tobacco that will burn ,
reely there should always be an ex- to
ss of potash in the soil. Stable
lanure : is objectionable , not only be-
mse it generally lacks potash , but be-
uise in midsummer when it heats it
.irnishes such an excess of nitrogen itTl
mt the leaf is gorged with sap. A Tl
nail amount of nitrate of potash on lw
ic seed bed will give the tobacco plant : :
start i , so that when transplanted into
ind only moderately rich it will make
large a leaf as necessary , and give
very superior quality. ti :
QUEEN VICTORIA.
Sane a Duet with a Profeeaionnl Be
fore Her Court.
An interesting anecdote , and believ
ed to be litle known in America , is told
of an occasion when her Majesty
Queen Victoria , took part with a com
mon , ordinary virtuoso in a duet. A
famous grand opera company , singing
in London at the time , was ' "command
ed" to appear before the Queen at
Windsor. The opera selected by her
Majesty was , as usual , one that had
been very popular in the early days of
her reign , namely"The Daugher of
the Regiment , " and that old-time fa
vorite singer , Aynsley Gooke , played
one of his best parts , Sergeant Sulpice.
After the conclusion of the perform
ance , with which the Queen was evi
dently delighted , the members of the
company were regaled with a sumptu
ous dinner , and when this agreeable
episode was drawing to a close one of
the chief officials of the royal house
hold came to Ayusley Cooke and re
quested him to come into the drawing-
room , where her Majesty wished to see
him. The barytone willingly obeyed
the command , and was cordially greet
ed by all the members of the royal
family present.
The Queen asked Mr. Cooke If he
could sing in the duet for Figaro and
Rosina , from "The Barber of Seville , "
and the singer replied , "Yes , your Maj
esty , I could sing it backward. " To
which the Queen smilingly said : "Very
well , Mr. Cooke , 3011 take the part of
Figaro and I will sing that of Rosiiw. "
Signor Paola Tosti , who had acted as
music master to most of the younger
royalties , was at the piano , and the
duet proceeded. Cooke introduced all
the familiar business produced on the
stage , smiled approvingly as the Queen
sang the florid music , pulled out his
watch to time her , as she sang the long
roulades , and at the end the duetists
were rewarded by a torrent of ap
plause.
The Marquis of Lome then approached
preached the vocalists and gravely in
formed them that their efforts were ap
proved , and that they might both con
sider themselves engaged ! At which
they all laughed heartily. Cooke used
to regard this as one of the most pleas
ing recollections in his long and varied
career.
MORBID CURIOSITY.
Many Instances of It Recorded at the
Hotel Windsor Fire.
Some of the many instances recorded
at the scenes at and after the great Ho
tel Windsor fire bear directly upon a
ubject which has long interested stu
dents of the human brain. The New
York police department had much to
contend with during those .iwful three
days ; yet of all the troubles reported ,
t was neither thieves nor mobs , but
morbidly curious women who rnada
their lives a bore. No one has ever sat-
sfactorily explained why the weaker
sex should lean to the gloomy ; yet they
do , as the popularity of such novelists
as Corelli will testify. The news of the
fire had scarcely reached the suburbs ,
and many of the engines had not yet
reached the scene , declares a Broad
way officer , when hundred of women ,
of all ages , classes and conditions ,
hastened to the spot. They left'the line
of the parade for miles along to tike in
such a sight as a holacaust of perhaps
one huudred souls. Nothing short of
actual force could keep them back ; the
falling walls themselves seemed to have
no terror. The next day it was even
worse , as all were bent.upon seeing the
mutilated bodies. They would stand
for hours , one , two and three squares
away , to see a plain deal box go by on
a wagon. They endeavored to evade
the police by every art known to their
kind , and when an officer's back was
turned slipped by witli the stealth of
hardened criminals. One well-dressed
woman , hearing that a stump , or an
arm , or some such thing , had been un
earthed , fairly climbed the shoulders
of the crowd to see it pass. Another ,
an old German woman , pushed her
way through the struggling mob and
nctually reached the box , into which
she stared with fascinating eyes. Yet
the majority of them would uudoubted-
] ( My faint at the sight of a finger cut
Children or Taxes.
Children are at a premium in Mada
gascar. One must have them or pay a
tax to the authorities. This is the latest
decree issued by the government of
Madagascar. For some time the popu
lation of the island has been decreas
ing. The government authorities sat
In council a short time ago , and decid
ed upon a tax to be levied upon every
man who , at the age of 2o. is unmar
ried , and upon every married man
who , at that age. has no children. The
tax is three dollars and seventy-five
cents a year. Every girl must pay a
tax of one dollar and eighty cents a
year as long as she remains single
after she passes her twenty-fourth year ,
and every married woman does the
same until she has children as the re
sult ' of her marriage.
The Offering of Song.
The Music Committee Now , here is
singer whose enunciation is perfect
You can understand her quite readily
when she sings.
The Committee on Church Discipline
Well , if we go to employing singers
who can be readily understood , we've
iot to revise the hymnology to conform
our creed , that's all. Detroit Jour
nal.
Siberian Gold.
There are now about 40,000 miners-
work in the gold mines of Siberia
The grains of Siberian
gold are said to
on an average larger
than those of
uy other part of the world.
You can always hear of a man whose
vife can wrap him around her little-
finger , bat did you ever personally see