SHEJET. THE OMAHA SUNDAY BEE PAGES 9 TO 16.
ESTABLISHED JUNE 19 , 1871. OMAITA , SUNDAY MOttXINO , DEOJDMBR1 , ? 20 , 1S95 SIXTEEN L'ACr ES , SENGLE COPY" 1TIVH3 CENTS.
PHOTOGRAPHING THE STAR
An Interview with tbo Director of the
Harvard Ohsorvalory ,
r
INTERESTING DETAILS OF THE WORK
Womlrrfnl Collection of I'lnte * lit tlic
ColleKC The OlniTMitnry lit
Arciiilin | ToIcMMippH South
, ot the iiiintor. I
( OnpyrlRlit , IMS , by P. B. MeClure. I.lmltfd. )
BOSTON , Dec. 27. Particular attention
has again been drawn to the work of the
Harvard astronomical observatory- , both by
the discovery of Nova Carlnae , a "new"
* tar In the constellation of Carlnn , and the
shipment of the magnificent Bruce photo
graphic telescope to the astronomical t'tatlon
nt Artqulpa. During the past 2,000 years ,
from the beginning of tbo record by the
famous astronomer Illpparchus , the discov
erer of the first so-called "new star , " B. C.
131 , down to the present day , only fifteen
of the description have been noted , an aver
age ot less than one In , a century. What
a feather It Is , therefore , for the cap of the
Harvard observatory to have made the latest
addition to thla notable list and , more even
than this , to have won this credit twice
In succession. Before the coming Into view
of Nova Cartlnac , the last in line was Nova
Normao , also a discovery of the
Harvard oba.rvatory ; , and , oddly enough , ex
actly two years earlier.
These slurs , technically ityled "new , "
are not permanent additions to the heavenly
host. They como Into being or Into sight
only to glow with an Intensifying radlancs
for a few weeks or months and then to fade
away by dissolution Into gaseous nebulae. The
special Interest attaching to these trans
itory beacons of the sky Is In the ma
terial which they afford to students for In
structive analysis nnd comparison and the-
light which they cast on the formation of the
unlverso nnd Its laws. Hence astronomical
science nocks assiduously to determine the
constituents of these bodies and their features
of resemblance or divergence with reference
to the permanent stars.
Pur the extension of this scientific Invcs-
tlgatlon the Harvard observatory Is today
pre-eminently fitted. It Is by no peculiar or
unearned favor of fortune that this obser
vatory Is today In the forefront of discovery ,
but simply bccauaa of Its unequaled complsto-
ncss of equipment In astronomical stations ,
appliances nnd observers. Its stations at
Cambridge , Mass. , nnd at Arequlpa in Peru ,
on the elope ot the Andes , afford a complete
field of vlow of the heavens surrounding
both the- northern and southern hemispheres.
Thin comprehensive range of survey Is neces
sarily beyond the reach ot any single station ,
no matter how advantageously situated or
superbly equipped for observation.
It has also at Arequlpa the largest refract
ing ItWscapo In use on the southern hemis
phere at n point where the steadiness and
clearness of the atmosphere are exception
ally favorable for astronomical work. This
Instrument , a thlrteen-inch Boyden teles-copc ,
is not of large slzo compared with the
thlrly-slx-lnch Lick refractor , or with many
others north of the equator , but Its observa
tions are of great comparative value in view
of the fact that there , are so few telescopes
of even moderate power In the stations south
° ' °
By' the co-operation of the two stations
under ono general director or head every Im
portant piece of work that Is undertaken can
bo extended according to an uniform plan seas
as to Include stars in all parts of the sky ,
ranging from polo to pole. It has the most
_ .i..v..i. . nnr.niain nhar nf thn heavens vvnlcli
has ever bsen prepared , and It Is the only ob
servatory which la now making yearly a
complete photograph of the heavens visible
from both northern and southern hemis
pheres. In the conduct of the work carried
on at the two observing stations admirable
arrangements have been made to securefa -
cllltv of reference and co-operation , and tele
graphic communication Is used when delay
would impede or prevent the rcijulslts Investl-
and completeness
10 uiu high Intelligence
of the o provisions must Us added the special
equipment of thu observatory in photographic
telescopes nnd a collection ot plates of price
less value Irom an agronomical point of view
The Harvard observatory has the distinguished
lionar of having been the first to undertake
fitfllar photography and of having carried tno
undertaking to proportions beyond any sus-
costlon of rivalry. The first photographic
linage of a star was taken at Cambridge
observatory by Prof. (5. P. Bond nnd J. A
Whlpple on July 17 , 1850. A daguerreotype
Plato was u.ud nnd only the brightest stars
loft n pcrman.nt image. A few jenrs later
tha work was resumed and glass plates and
many excellent photographs were thus ob
tained. In. 1872 Dr. Henry Draper was first
: to succeed In making a photograph showing
k * " . tlio lines In the spectrum ot a star , nnd with
I tha aid of more sensitive plates and other Improved -
proved appliances the observatory during the
iiast ten years has made great progress In the
application of the art and In Its co'.lectlon of
STABS AUE PHOTOGRAPHED.
In photographing the stars a set of lenses
prepared for the purpose takes the place
of the object glass In thj telescope , and
by the attachment of a prism to the lenses
photographs of the stellar spectra are ob
tained. It In through 'the photcgraphlo teles
copes that the recent discoveries of n w
stars have been made , for an examination
of the cotp'osed plates showed a matked dif
ference Mn the spectra which is apparent
even to an untrained eye.
With ( ho use of the most sensitive plates
the faintest stars visible to the i-yo through
th * telescope have been photOKruplieJ , and , In
the photographs of nebulae and the moat dls-
trnt stars , the astonishing result has been
attained of the re-production ot stars too
faint to bo seen by the most powerful
1oiescope . The area uf sky cov ted by th
plate- used by the Harvard observatoiy is
100 square degrees and as the total area
of the tky Is about 40,000 bquaro degrees
400 plates' nr milllclent to map the entire
aky. Complete photographs of the heavens
liavo been repeatedly made by the observatory
and Individual stars and clusters nnd regions
of 'tho ' sky of special Interest hav been
covered by elaborate bcrles of plites of the
utmost value to the student for the Invcutl-
eatlon of Cellar pioblcms. The collection
of platfs now stored at Cambridge , con
structed especially for the purpose , exceeds
CO.OOO In number , and the addition from
jear to year of about 7,000 platca Is now
EOliiR on.
Sir Edwin Arnold lias lately found cmiso
for regret In the general limitation of modern
astronomical work to the ascertainment ot
facts , and In the failure of astronomers to
"UEO the rich sublimity of the cosmic eldo of
their business. " The best thing that could
liappen to mankind , ho says , would bo If a
Rrcat astronomer had been born a poet , or If a
irrcat poet should become an astronomer.
The astronomcis of the Harvard observatory
are Inclined to think , on the other hand , that
tha Illumination of mankind Is not really de
pendent on the conjunction ot the poet
end astronomer In the tame person , The
prolonged , patient and acute observation , the
careful weighing of evidence and the scien
tific attainment that are rrquMte for astro
nomical advances can hardly be reconciled
with the poetic temperament or faculty , and
it seems Idle to complain because nature 1mi
not combined them. The observers at Cam-
tirldKO and Arequlpa are avowedly Intent
upon the accumulation of facts for the en
richment of our knowledge ot the universe
and Its laws , and they have faith that the
field uf poetical or speculative treatment will
be better filled by Sir Kdnln Arnold and
ether expei ts In thU department of human
oJcavor.
' " EXTENSION OP THE WOUIC.
"What has been done recently for the ex
tension of the work of the Harvard observa
tory ! " I aiknl ot Prof. Edward C. PickerIng -
Ing , director ot the observatory , In a recent
call at the station In Cambridge
"A 21-Inch photographic telescope ha
beta provided ana In now ca the way to
the station ot Arequlpft , " ho said. "This
P3werful telescope , when erected In posi
tion so favorable for observation and pho
tographic work , will be of much servlco In
the determination of points now doubtful
and generally In the extension of our knowl
edge of the stars visible from the I'outhcrn
hemisphere , Wo have completed a ho and
are now maintaining a scries of stations
for meteorological observations extending
from Mollcndo , at a point 100 feet above
sea level , to El Mlctl , on the summit ot a
mountain 10,200 fct high. The Intervening
stations arc Santa Ana , 3,000 feet above
sea level ; Li Joya , 4ICO feet ; Areqmpa ,
8,060 feet : Cuzco , 11,000 feet ; Alto do los
IIUC803 , 1,1,100 feet , and Mt. Blanc station
on HI Mlstl , 15COd fen.
"At the more elevated station * It Is Im
practicable to keep observers continuously
during the winter reason , but this draw
back has been obviate,1 In part by the use
of the meteorograph , an Instrument operated
by clock work and recording automatically
wind direction and velocity , pressure , tem
perature and humidity. The meteorograph
at the Mt. Blanc station Quakes each record
on n separate roll of paper , and the five
rolls are operated by the turn a clock , which
will run eight months without rewinding
The meteorograph on the summit of El
Mlstl Is In service nt the highest elevation
of any winter station In the world. This
Instrument was designed and made espe
cially for this station and It will bsery
gratifying to us , If wo succeed In making
a continuous record at this and other sta
tions ! In face of the apparent difficulties. "
"What are the most urgent needs of as
tronomical research today ? "
"An Increase In the number ot observing
stations south of the equator , " he replied ,
"and an Increase in the power of the tel
escopes In these southern stations. It Is a
singular fact , and ono not very creditable lethe
the discretion of our astronomical endow
ments , that the northern hemisphere Is so
overloaded proportionally with observatories.
In the contrasted views of Mars , obtained
from n photographic plate , and by the drawIngs -
Ings made from the telescopic ob.'crvatlons
ot this planet.
"Of the Invisible and Immeasurable regions
beyond the farthest reach of any Instrument
known to us today wo can only conjecture
by- Inferences from the heavens within our
range of view. It Is safe to say , however ,
that there Is no evidence tint wo are approaching
preaching n limit In our knowledge- the
extent of tha unlvers ? . "
Upon some points ot recent nnd curious
Inquiry nnd speculation , Prof. Pickering
prefers to reserve his opinions. The visible
stars are known to lo of like character to
our sun , nnd may be centers of polar sys
tems llko ours , but th ? possible existence
nnd number of Invisible planets llko our
earth are still matters ot surmlsx As lethe
the existence of vegeliblo nnd antma ! life In
any of the planets , thcro Is still doubt and
disagreement , It not open controversy. By
some astronomers It Ii confidently main
tained that Mars nnd VemiB In particular
nro adapted to sustain vegetable and even
animal life. Venus Is tx > constantly enveloped
In cloufis that observations are difficult , but
this planet Is said to bo apparently passing
through conditions llko those of our own
earth ages ago. Its atmosphere Is of twlc *
the density of that of our earth , and animals
that may exist upon it would bo modified
correspondingly.
The atmosphere of Marn la about one-half
as dciiM na that of the earth , and this condi
tion will produce a like modification of any
life existing on thla planet. That the sur
face of Mnrs Is singularly marked by a num
ber of lines is determined by such a con-
currinco of Independent obgarvatlons that It
may now be sifely accepted ns a fact , but
Ptrclval Lowell ta atlll In advance ot the ma
jority of astronomers In his positive con
clusion that thcso lines nro stretches of vege
tation Indicating the courses * of Irrigating
PHOTOGRAPHIC TELESCOPE.
Of the eighty telescopes In use today , with
object glasses of twelve Inches diameter or
more , seventy-six are in stations north of ths
equator , and only four , or one-twentieth of
the whole number , in statlona In the south
ern hemisphere. Of this scanty proportion ,
too , not one baa an object glass exceeding
thirteen Inches In diameter , or , In other
word ? , there Is no refracting telescope south
of the equator today of one-half the size of
our largest Instruments In North America or
European stations. . . When wo consider tbo
comparative novelty and possibilities of the
southern field of observation it is really vex
ing to see endowment after endowment going
Into the erection of now northern obssrvator-
les or additional telescopes , when the south
ern hemisphere is so destitute.
"Thero Is a misplaced local prlds , too , on
the part of well-meaning contributors which
InMsts blindly on the erection of an ob-
srvatory , as If It were a local monument or
attraction. The atmosphere of any large -city
Is Inevitably clouded and unsatisfactory for
an astronomical station , and the essential
freedom from jarring cannot possibly bo sa-
cured within city limits. Moreover , the In
troduction of electric lights , brilliant and de-
slrablo as they are for city service , Is found
to Interfere seriously with the observation of
faint objects , such as comets , nebulae and
zodiacal phenomena. In truth , the Ideal
place for the location of an observatory Is
In the heart of a great desert oren
on an Isolated mountain peak , but these situ
ations are doubtless less deslrablo than city
streets for advertising purposes. If observa
tories are to bo erected chiefly as memorial
tablets or for the attraction of sightseers. "
POSSIBILITIES OP ASTRONOMY.
"What are the probabilities or possibilities
of marked advances In our scientific knowl
cdgo of the stars and planets ? "
"Half a century ago , " ssld Prof. Pickering ,
"many people were Inclined to look upon
astronomy In the light of a dead science , and
It must bo confessed that there did not seem
to b3 great encouragement for ambitious ob
servers In the discovery of novelties with the
appliances then at hand. But n great change
for the better came with tbo application of
the spectroscope and photography to astro
nomical research. The spectroscope may bo
regarded as second only to the telescope In
the Importance of Itij contributions to our
knowledge of tbo physical properties ot
the stars. It has given us information
of the origin and composition of tha heav
enly bodies otbcrwlto. unattainable and also
of the velocity and peculiarities of tholr
movements.
"Tho increase In the sire nnd power of
telescopic object glasses has been remark
able also during the half century just clos
ing. In 1850 tbo largest refracting tele
scopes were tlitse at the Russian National
and Harvard observatories , both of 15-Inch
aperture. The object glass of the refrac
tor at the Lick observatory today Is thlrty-
alx Inches In diameter , and tbo one lately
constructed for the Yerkes observatc r of
the Chicago unlveislty Is forty Inches In
diameter. At stations whro clear atmos
phere permits the full utilization of the
greater power of the enlarged telescopes
their scrvlco In the detention of knowl
edge of the heavens is of high value ,
"In photography as applied to astronomy
the principal advance to be looked for Is
In the Increase of sensitiveness of plates ,
but It Is unfortunately true that certain
difficulties In the way ot their use will
Inevitably Increase with the setisltlvencs ? .
The fogging of the plates on moonlight
nights U already so great that long ex
posures cannot bo made with telescopes
of largo angular aperture , and any marked
Increase ot sensitiveness will make it Im
possible to work to advantage In the vi
cinity nt a largo city on account of the
Illumination of tbo ntmot > phero by artificial
light. U will then ba ncceivsary to take
the photographs In places far from centers
of population and preferably at great ele
vation * , vvher * the reflecting atmosphere Is
diminished In amount.
"As to tbe possible enlargement by thlt > or
other menus of the number of stars known
to ui uo approximate limit can be fixed. It
hat been estimated that a * many as 20,000,000
distinct itara will appear upon the plan
isphere of the vlilblo heavens when com
pleted by the photographic reproduction of
all tiara down to the fourteenth magnitude ,
In the Investigation ot the pUneti , the appli
cation ot photography Ii of comparatively
bervlce , TnU Ii particularly Illustrated
canals constructed by creatures of high In
telligence and powers. It lo pointed out by
the moro conservative observers likeProf. .
Asaph Hall that Mare seen through the t3l-
escopo Is relatively llko the- moon seen by
the naked eye , and determination of even
the largest objects on the face of the moon
Is still difficult and In dispute , as for example
the question of the existence of bodies of
water on this satellite. ELIOT LORD.
TOI.D OUT OF COUUT.
"My first case , " said a well known attor
ney to the San Francisco Call , "was the de-
fonao of-a negro preachEr In Missouri
had been arrested for stealing wood ) from , a
railroad company. A great deal ot fuel had
been lost from time to time , so when the
culprit was arrested the company was so
anxious to make an example of him that It
employed special counsel and prosecuted the
case vigorously. The evidence against the
old man was convincing. Ho had besn eaen
sneaking around the voodplle and was ar
rested whllo carrying off a load.
"I had subpoenaed about twenty well known
business men to testify to the previous goad
character of tbo defendant. When the prOha-
cutlon's case was closed I put one on the
stand and asked :
" 'Do you know the defendant'e reputation
for honciity and Integrity ? '
" 'Yea , ' was the answer.
' "What Is it good or bad ? '
" 'Bad. Ho will steal anything he can get
his hands on. "
"A titter ran -through the court room. It
wasn't the answer I had expected , but It was
too late , so I put on a bold front and called
another. He- testified as the other witness
had , and the prosecuting attorney rubbed his
hanilis with satisfaction. Bcforo I got through
with my vvltncBies I proved that my client
was a most notorious thief , who was never
known to neglect an opportunity to steal
something , no matter how trifling It might
be. Then I called n couple of physicians ,
prowl the oxlstenco of a mental disorder
known as kleptomania , read oamo authorities
to show that It was a good defense If proved ,
and submitted my case. The old preacher
was acquitted , and thereafter stole with Im
punity , for he considered his acquittal In the
faca of facts equivalent to a llcensa to steal. "
She was the daughter of n judge and she
listened with languid Interest to his plea re
lates HID Chicago Post.
"I love you devotedly , " lie orlod , passion
ately. "I am prepared to devote my llfo to
you. "
"Ho specific in your pleading , " she cau.
tloned. "Do not stray too far from the point
at Issue. "
HD hesltato.1 and then asked earnestly :
"Will you bo my wife ? "
"Ah , " ehe said , "now I oe the point you
vvUh to make. "
"I am- not rich , " he urged , "but I have
enough to give you a comfortable home , and
my prospects are bright. I offer you the love
cf an honst man , who will do all In bis
power to make you happy , i "
She stopped him by a gesture.
"It Is uwless to continue at present , " she
tuld , firmly but kindly. "Thcro are several
cascj ahead of yours on thedocket. . "
"But , " ho protested. . , "I want "
She stopped him again ,
"I must Iwlst that thcso matters bo taken
up In their regular order , " she said , sharply.
"Put your proposition In writing and fllo it
with my maid , and It will receive due atten
tion when H Is reached in the regular course
of business. I haven't tlmo to listen to oral
arguments ) In a cauo that can bo as well nre-
wntcd In briefs. "
With a sigh ho left , and put In bis time
until late that night preparing a petition for
a rehearing.
On one occasion a magistrate asked a
woman ; "What Ii your age , madam ? "
"Whatever > ou choose , sir , " answered the
lady. "You may put down 45 years then , "
said the magistrate to the clerk. "What is
your occupation , madam J" "Sir , " said the
witness , " > ou have made a mistake of ten
year In my age. " "Put down 65 ) ar theu. "
tulrt the magistrate. "Your residence "
"Sir , " exclaimed the lady , "my age la 35
yeurn , not 651" "At bit we have- your state
ment , " said the magUrate ; and he proceeded
with the examination.
They Are Being Trained in the Hysteric
of Modern Seamanship.
THEIR QUARTERS AND THEIR DUTIE
to WorU Hunt , lull They Ar
All tht- Time Their
N , Though I'lnln ,
Art ; Coiufortnlile.
( Cop > rlRht. ISS3 , by S. S. McClUre , Llmltc.1
It Is rather more tlinn two months no\
slnco the arrangement for the training of
specified number of American boys In moilor
seamanship on the vessels glitch carry ocoa
malls by contract with the United State
government wont Into effect , anil all gooi
Americans will bo glad to know that It I
working excellently. It was provided for I
section 8 of the bill entitled "An act to pro
vltlo for ocean mall servlco between th
United States and foreign ports and to promote
mete commerce , " passed In 1S91 , which says
"That the vessels with which the ppstmas
tor general enters Into contract for the trans
portatlon of the United States malls slnl
tnlto as cadets or apprentices one American
born boy under 21 years of ago for each 1,00
tons gross register , and one for each majorlt
fraction thereof , these boys' to bo educatn
In the duties of seamanship , to rank as psttj
ofllcers , and to receive such pay for thcl
services as may bo reasonable.
This provision Is being carried out on three
American steamship lines , the Red D , run
ntng to Central America , the Ward line
running to the West Indies , and moat Im
portant of all , the American line , running
between Now York and Liverpool. The
American line alone on Its four steamers
the New York , the Paris , the St Paul am
the St. Louis , carries forty-six cadets , eleven
on each of the two first named vessels and
twelve on each of the two last named. In
eluding tha cadets carried on the other two
lines , there are thus provided something lesu
than 100 places for American-born boys
who may desire to become officers on our
great steamers , and , perhaps one day , have
their share In upholding on tha ocean the
glory of the American flag.
As might Invo been expected tills enact
ment of congress was not at first receive *
by the steamship companies concerned will
any great enthusiasm. They regarded It as
an onerous provision and prepared to com
ply In rather a spirit of protest. The con
sequence was that some trouble occurrci
at the start , chiefly duo to the fact that
Insufficient care was shown In selecting
the boys for this service. Sonic boy ? o
lough character who behaved badly were
chosen. These boys soon left and others
were taken In their places , bstter judgment
bning shown this tlmo and better results
follow Ing. Nov the steamship companion
have become qulto reconciled to the new or
der of things and regard the advent of the
cadets with considerable satisfaction. They
see In It an advantage for themselves and a
step In the right direction as regards our
merchant marine.
Ono of the first points decided upon by Cap
tain Shackford , marine superintendent of the
International Navigation company , to whom
at plor 14 , North river , all applicants for
cadetshlps on the American "lino apply , was
that ho would , as far aa possible , select boys
\\lio had graduated from ono of the three
school ships , the St. Mary's Of New York , the
Enterprise of Massachusetts nnd flie Syracuse
of Pennsylvania , which for a dozen years
have been graduating about thirty boys an
nually. Each ono of these boy graduates Is
thoroughly fitted for ship duties , having al
ready acquired practical knowledge of sea
manship and navigation , and being therefore
well fitted to fill the positions provided en the
great steamers. As far ai possible , Captain
Shackford makes his selections on the
recommendation of the school ship Instruc
tors , the boys having thus held before thorn
as an incentive to good work that on their
graduation their diligence urd success In
their dutle.3 will find practical reward In these
cadetBhlps , which practically mean an assured
future 'for the rest of their lives
It Is thought that this new otlm-
ulus will have a most excellent In
fluence In the school ships and will soon
bring about more fixedness of purpose ajnong
the graduates than has bfen horebeforo
noted , for of recent yars hardly 25. per
cent of the boys graduated from American
Bchool ships have continued In marine life ,
the largo majority of thorn having been
cured of their waywardness nnd roving tcn-
dencl s by the severe discipline , preferring
to- abandon the sea altogether and settle
down on land In some form of business.
Ono chief reason of this general disinclination
to follow the sea lay In the fact that the
graduates from the school ships did not
have what they have now , thanks' to the
cmllH ships , a Euro clianco of advancement
to the positions of officers.
NOT ALL FROM SCHOOL SHIPS.
It must not bu supposed that Captain
Shackford limits his choice of cadets en
tirely to boys coming to the school ships.
On the contrary , ho Is willing and glad to
taks American boys who cometo him well
recommended , and who possess the proper
qualifications or aptitude for a life on the
sea. Already a number of boys of good
family hive been chosen as cadets and In
some cases where tb'y have not come with
too lofty ideas , and not been above workIng -
Ing hard , they have given .good satisfaction.
The following is a list of the cadets who
sailed on the St. Paul on October 30 ; It will
bs seen that several of them had no previous
sta experience :
F. H. Stackpole , Engineer Born In Sa
lem , N. II , , June 27 , 1876 ; educated at Hyde
Park , Mass. ; parents living ; father's occu
pation , electrician ; two years In school ship
Enterprise ; graduated September 21. 1SD5.
W. S. Searle , Engineer Born In Worces
ter , Mass. , March 1 , 187C ; educated there ;
parents living ; father's occupation , provision
dealer ; two and one-half years service In
school ship Enterprise ; graduated April 13 ,
1B95.
12. F. Gavagan , Engineer Born In Beaten -
ton , Mass. , July 21 , 1878 ; educated there ;
parents living ; father's occupation , carpan-
ter ; one year In echool ship Enterprise ;
graduated September , 1895 ,
E. L. Jennings , Engineer Born In Cam
bridge , Mass. , November 29 , 1878 ; educated
at Hyde Park , Mass. ; father , only , living ;
occupation , oil merchant ; two years In school
elilp Enterprise ; graduated .September , 1S95.
J. H. T. Lum , Deck Horn In Oxford ,
Conn. , February 20 , 1870 ; educated there ;
parents living ; father's occupation , foreman
of electric railway ; elxt'cn months' sea. ex
perience ; never In school ship.
Harry Teackle , Deck Dorn In New York
City , October 20 , 1870 ; educated there ;
mother , only , living ; eighteen months' sea
fxperlence ; six months In Cuban mall steam
ship company ; ono year In school ship , St.
Mary's'-dld not graduite.
W. O. Earlo. Deck Horn In Brooklyn ,
N , V. , August 21 , 187C ; educated there ; par
ents living ; father's occupation , plumber ; ono
month In pilot bout No. 3 and nine months
In school chip St. Mary's ; did not gradu
ate.
George F. Deakyne , Deck Born In New-
ca tl ; > , Del. , October 9 , 1878 ; educated at
Philadelphia , Pa. ; mother , only , living ; two
and a half years' sea experience ; never in a
rchool ship. '
0 , S. Duer , Deck Born in Gloucester
county , Vn. , September 19 , 1877 ; educated at
Baltimore , MJ.J parents both living ; fatlur'a
occupation , bay pilot ; no sfca experience.
Philip HagJitoln , DecK Born In New
York City , July 8 , 1875 ; educated there ;
parents both living ; father's occupation ,
metal spinner ; nlnete n and a half months'
sea experience ; three and a halt months In
Carlb Price , Prlno line , and sixteen months
school ship , St. Mary's.
0. B. Alexander , Deck Born In Charles-
town , W. Vs. , Novcmb r 23 , 1876j educated
there ; mother , only , living ) no sea experi
ence.
J , A. Willli , Dock Horn In Jefferson
county , W. Va. , September 17 , 1877 ; edu-
ratcxl at Oharle town , W. Vn. ; parents bet
living ; father's occupation , farmer ; no s
experience.
QUAI1TEUS AND DUTIES.
The cadtts at the start receive J15 or $2
a month. In addition to good food In tfi
officers' mess , nnd snug , though not luxurlou
quarters , down aft on the "glo'y hold , " wher
two tiers of Iron-framed bunk ? runnln
athwart s hip , furnish thslr sleeping accommo
datlcns. Heddlng la supplied by the com
piny , and lockers are furnished for the !
spire clothe . On the New York and Parl
the cadets occupy the room1 ! that were orlg
Inally Intended for the chief and senior sec
end ofllcers , so that tlisy are c ° ; isclilly fa
vored , having separate drawers for thfl
clothes , wash stands1 , and as good accommo
ditlons as most of the > passenger ; .
As to their duties , It may ba said that th
cadets are required to learn the whole a !
phabot of seamanship , ever ) thing from swal
blng a deck up to taking an observation
Of course they are not worked as bird a
ordinary sailers , th'y helm ? only bovs. an
their ages ranging from 10 to 21 , the aver
age being about 19. Of course It Is In th
companies' Interest to lake the bojs a
young as possible , slnco they arc oxprersi
prohibited from having cidots over 21. Ther
U some vagueness , however. In the- law as t
CADET UNIFORMS.
whether on American boy , taken as a cadet
bcforo ho was 21 , might remain on tin.
steamer ay a cadet after passing that age
Of course In nmny Instances before reaching
21 cadets will have been promoted by the
company to permanent positions in their em
ploy ; already one such care has occurred
where a boy , taken as a cadet , has been
made o full quartermaster on the American
line , with the salary of $35 a month. As the
months pass and the system comes Into
smoother working there will doubtless bo
many such cases of promotion.
On the four steamers of the American
line the cad ts are divided Into watches
with the officers and stand watch , four
hours on and four hours off. On the Paris
and the New York the cadets are kept
busy on the bridge or In the wheel house
whera it Is their duty to polish the brasa
work , to mend the flags and to keep every
thing splc-span clean. Besides this they are
given every opportunity to learn to steer ,
to use the- sextant and to signal with the
Hags according to the code. In the main
their duties are similar to those of the
quartermaster , 'although ' they are unable
tor many months to- cast the log or heave
the lead. On the St. Loulu and St. Paul the
cadets are not ghcn sunh free access to tlia
iirldgo nnd the wheel house , but are kept
under the direct authority of the boatswain
or the boatswain's mate , and are required
lo work on deck In the "wash downs" and
to lend a hand at "holystoning" and at
cleaning scuppers In tbo waterways or on
Vieck.
It must bo admitted that the cadets are
cept busy , and no boy should asek one of
; hesa positions unless ho Is prepared to work
every day until ho 3\ill bo glad to fall
nto his bunk when sleeping time comes.
Some of the boys who have come from
comfortable homes do not taks kindly to
landllng the broom , nnd think It beneath
their dignity to stand out In bad wcither
and "squllgis" the decks , but after all there
s no royal road to seamanship any more
than thero.ls to other things worth having ,
and boys with the right stuff In them do
vhat they arc told to do with a brave face
enow Ing that It Is for their own best In-
erests. A practical pallor was never made
by looking on whllo some one else did the
work.
Sometimes cadets are stationed on the
leek to shift steamer chairs or sweep away
'ailing ' cinders , ono of them Is always on
the lookout on the lower bridge , and on
each of the four ships of the American line
a certain number of cadets are assigned to
ho engine room , where they are divided Into
three watcher , and stand four hours .on and
eight hours off The reason for this dlffer-
cnca In the watches lj that the work In the
engine- room Is more laborious , on account
of the heat , the smell of oil and the con
finement. The engine room cadets generally
vork under the fov.tli engineer , tholr dutlsa
lelng in the nature f repairing pumps , re-
> acklng cylinders and doing the endless odd
obs that are always coming up in this
strange region , where monster engines throb
and turn unceasingly.
There la ono kind of work that cadeta are
n"ver called upon to do , that Is the washing
of the decks , which is done by the common
jailors , between whom and the cadets there
s a marked difference of station. The cadets
are treltcd as patty officers , young men who
vlll one rtiy develop Into full officers , quarter
masters , lieutenants , perhaps captains. They
are entitled to the pride of their posslblll-
les , and besides that they get better pay
ban common sailors , eat better food ( In fact
hey cat the- same food as first cabin pas
s-angers ) , nnd enjoy various privileges , not
extended to ordinary sailors. When In port
eave is often given to visit their families ,
although the period In port Is by no means
ono of Idleness , since the cadets are re
quired to be down In the holds while the
cargoes are loading and unloading , to see
hat everything Is done properly.
It must b3 remembered that the cadets
\ho enter upon scrvlco In American liners
are In no sense bound over as apprentices
o the company , nor do they
go through anything like enlist
ment for a fixed period of time. They are
icrfectly free to leave whenever they please
fter the completion of a voyage , and , If
hey find the llfo uncongenial or the work
ver severe they need never continue It
or moro than three weeks. It Is satlsfac-
ory to know that , while at the start , the
> oys ofMess desirable class were continually
saving anil , Indeed , ncro frequently dls-
hargcd , since Captain Shackford has adopted
lu plan of moro careful [ election , the cadets
eem contented with their positions and
how every disposition to pursue , the career
f seamanship seriously as It was hoped they
vould do. Of the forty-six cadets on the
our American liners , about forty have thus
ar shown themselves entirely worthy of
ho positions given them , and oven better
esults than these are expected In the fu-
ure. CLEVELAND MOFFETT.
OUT OI ' TII13 OHIJIXAUY.
Thera are over 500 pieces in the 115,000 eel
f china used at the white house.
Blood In ita natural state contains a sur-
lBlng amount of pure air , amounting to
early uaven-olguths of Its entlru bulk ,
The word "and" occurs 35,043 times In the
ld Testament and 10,034 times In the Now
'estament.
In Russia women before they can appear
n a cycle In the streets bavo to obtain a per
mit from the police.
All the chickens In the western part of
' "rc-ucn Guiana are perfectly white. It Is lin-
osslble to find ono with a colored feather.
Nearly every army has now a bicycle- corps ,
n Germany ulx men of every regiment ore
nounted on wheels to act ai uoouts.
The doctors of Topeka , Kan , , eay that there
g a young negro in that burg who baa the
body and limbs covered with skin exact !
like- that of an alligator.
The "World of Wonders , " P.IRO 30 , say
that there la enough Iron In the blood c
forty-two men to make a plowshare of twcn
ty-four pounds weight.
A bsnm of lltht ; shoots through space wit
the prodlglouaeloclty of 190,000 miles
second , occupying eight minutes In makln
Its trip from the sun to the earth.
About 250,000 cmarles are ral od ever
year In Germany nnd , besides the 100,00
birds that are sent to America , the Englls
market takes about r.0.000 , th ? next ben cus
tomcri being Brazil , China , the Argontln
H public and Austria , to which countrli-
tulesmcn are sent with large numbers o
birds > early. _ _
mi. i , , TIM : I.OKM. n
nuccno I'lcld In "V I.lttlc Hf > olc of ProntaW
TnloB. "
Bill wus illuz fond uv children 'ml bird
'nd flowers. Ain't It kind o' curious ho\
sometimes we find n great big , awkward ma
who lo\cs scch things ? BUI bail the blgges
feet In the township , but I'll bet my walle
that ho never trod on \lolet In all his life
Bill never took no slack from enny man tha
WHS sober , but the children made him pla >
with 'cm , nnd hc'il eel for hours n-witchln
the yallerliammer buildln' her nest In th
old cottonwood.
Now , 1 ain't tlofendin' Din ; rin jest teiun
the truth about him. Nothlnk I kin b.iy rnc
way or tothcr Is goln' to make nnny differ
cnc ? now Bill's dead 'nd burled , 'nd the
folks Is dlEcussIn' him 'ml wond'iln whcthe
his Immortal soul Is alt right. Sometlme-s
hev worried 'bout Bill , but I don't weir >
'bout ' him no more. Uv course Bill has his
faults I never liked that drlnkln' business
uv hls'n , yet I allow that Bill got more good
otit'n llkker , nnd llkkcr got moro good out'n
Bill than I ever see before or sence. I
warn't when the likkcr wus In Bill that Bll
wus his best , but when ho ht-d been onto
ono uf his b.Us 'nd drunk himself sick 'nd
wi comln' out of the other end of the bat
then Bill wuz one uv the meekest 'nd propcr-
cst critters you ever seen. An' potry
Some uv the most beautiful potry I ever reai
wuz writ by Bill when he wuz recoverln
himself out'n ono uv them bats. Scemci
llko It Mnd of exaulted an' purified Bill's
nachur to git drunk an' git over It. Bill cud
drink moro llkker 'ml be sorrier for It thai
any other man In seven states. There never
wuz a more penitent feller than ho wnz when
ho was soberln' . The trubble with Bll
seemed to be that his consc'cnca didn't come
on watch quite ot'n enuff.
It'll be ten years come next spring scnce
BUI showed up here. I don't Know wliar ho
come- from ; seemed llko he didn't talk nboul
his past. I alters susplcloned that ho hai
seen trouble maybe sorrcr. I recollect thai
ono time he got n telegraph Mr. Ivlns toll
mo 'bout It afterward and when he read Ii
ho put his hands up to his fac ? 'nd groaned
like. That day he got full of llkker , 'nd la
kcp' full of llkker for n week , but when he
come- round all right ho wrote a pome for the
paper , 'nd the name of the porno was
"Mary , " but whether Mary was his sister or
his wlfo or an old swe-etheart of hls'n I
never Knew. But It looked from the pome
llko she was dead 'nd that he loved her.
Bill wiu the bast lokll the piper ovci
lied. Ho didn't hustlp around much , but he
had a kind er pleasin' v.i' uv dlshln' things
up. He cud be mighty comical when he set
out to be , but his holt was serious pieces.
Nobody could beat Bill writln' obituaries
When old Mose Holbrook was dyln' the
minister sez to htm : "Mr. Holbrook , you
setm to bo sorry that you'r passln' away to a
better landi'
"Wall , no , not exactly that , " scz Mose ,
"hut to ba ftank with you , I Ifov Jos' ono re
gret In connection with this affair. ' , '
"What's that ? " asked the minister.
"I can't help feelln' sorry , " sea Mosc ,
"that I ain't goln' to hc-v the pleasure uf
readln' what Bill Newton sez about mo In the
paper. I Know It'll bo sumthln' uncommon
fine ; I leant him ? 2 a year ago last fall. "
The Hlgglnscs lost a darned good friend
when Bill died. Bill wrote a poem 'bout
their old dog Towze , when ho wuz run over
jy walkings hay wagon seven years ago
I'll bat that poem Is In every scrap book In
the country. You couldn't read that pome
without cryln' why , that porno wild hev
nought a dew out on the desert nf Sary.
Old Tim Hubbard , the meanest man In the
state , borrored n paper to read the porno , and
10 wuz so 'fected by it that he never bor-
ored anuther paper as long as ho lived. I
lon't moro'n half reckon , though , that the
llgglnsc-s appreciated what BUI had done
for 'em. I never hcerd uf their glvln' nny-
hlnk more'n a basket uf grcenln' apples , and
Bill wrote a piece 'bout the apples ncx' day.
But Bill wuz at his bast when he wrote
hlngs 'bout the children about the little
ones that died , I mean Seemed like Bill had
a way of his own of eayin' things that wuz
beautiful 'nd tender ; he said he loved the
children they wuz so Innocc-nt , and I reckon
es , I know ho did , for the pomes ho writ
about "em bhowcd he did.
When our little Alice died I started outer
or Mr. Miller ; ho wuz the undertaker. The
night wuz powerful dark , 'nd It wiw all the
! < irkcr to mo becuz seemed like all the light
icd gone out In my life. Down near the
bridge I met Bill ; he weaved 'round In the
oad , for ho wuz In llkker.
"Hello , Mr. Baker ! " scz lie. "Whar be you
goln' this tlmo o'nlght ? "
"Bill , " sez I , "I'm ' goln' on the saddest cr-
and uv my life. "
"What d'ye mean ? " FCZ ho , comln' up tone
no as straight as ho cud.
"Why , Bill. " sez I. "our little girl my lit-
10 girl Alllo , you know sh6's dead. "
I hoarsed up so I couldn't say much moro.
And Bill dln't eay nothing nt all ; ho Jest
cached mo his hand , and ho took my hand ,
nd seemed llko In that grasp his heart
poke many words of comfort to mine. And
iox' day ho had a pleco In the paper about
ur Ilttlo girl ; wo eut It. out and put It In
ho big blblo In the front room. . Sometimes
when wo got to fussin' Martha goes 'nd gets
hat bit of paper 'nd reads It to me- ; then us
wo kind of cry to ourselves , 'ml wo make It
p between us for the dead child's sake.
Well , you can see 'how ' It wuz that no many
f us llko Bill ; ho had soothed our hearts
bore's nothln' llko sympathy , after all , Bill's
otry hc-d heart In It ; It didn't surprise you
r Bca.ro > ou ; It jest got down In under your
veot , 'nd before you knew It you wuz all
hoked up. I know all about your fashion-
bio potry and your famoua poets Martha
ook Oodoy'o for a yar. Folko that live In
ho city can't wrljo potry not the real , gn-
ilno article. To wrlto potry , an I figure It ,
ho heart must have somethln' to feed on ;
ou can't got that somsthln' whar there ain't
rocs 'nd grass 'nd birds 'nd ( lowers. Bill
ovod these things , and ho fed his heart on
em , and that's why his potry wuz DO much
letter than anybody else's ,
I ain't worryln' much about Bill now ; I
nko It that everything IH for the best. When
ht-y told me that Bill died I felt that his end
ughter have como usmo thr way ho wuz
OD good a man for that , But maybe after
11 It wuz ordered for the best. Jlst Imagln *
1111 a-standln' for Jcdgment ; Jlat Imagln' that
leer , sorrowful , shlverln' critter waltln' for
IB ! turn to come. Plctur' , if you can , how
ult uv penitence ha Is , 'nd how full of potry
nd gentUnees 'nd misery. The Lord ain't
i-goln to bo too hard on that poor wretch.
Of course wo can't comprehend dlvlno mercy ;
wo only know that It Is full of companion a
ompasslon Infinitely tenderer an' suceter
ban oura And the moro I think on't the
more I reckon that Bill will plead to win that
mercy ; for , like as not , the little ones my
Alllo with the re t will run to him when
hey so ; him In his ( rubble , and will hold hli
remblln * hands 'nd twine their arms about
ilm , and plead with him for compassion ,
You've been an old sycamore that the
ghtcn' has struck ; the ivy has Teal-lied up
s vlncu 'nd spread 'em all around It 'nd over
, coverln * Its scars 'nd epllnUrcd brandies
vlth a velvet green , 'nd flllln' the air with
Krano ? . You've Men this thing and you
cnovv that It Is beautiful.
That's Bill , perhaps , as ho stands up fer
odgement a miserable' , trcmblln * 'ml un-
ortby thing , prliap , but twined about , all
vor with singing and pleadln1 little children
and that Is pleasin' In Qod'a sight , I know.
What would you what would I Bay , If we
uz settln' In jedgement then ?
Why , we'd jest kind uv bresh the moisture
rom our eyca 'nd eay , "Mister Becordln'
ngel , you may nelly pros this case 'nd
rctooij with the docket. "
CITY'S ' YEAR IN THE COURTS
Annual Statement from the Municipal
Legal Department.
LITIGATION SETTLED AND PENDING
Important ( 'itNpq Lost nnd "Won lij *
tlu > ( MlVlmt l Still oil ( he
DockftH of the 1MIT.T-
cnl Court * .
The report of City Attorney Connell for
the year ending December 81 , Is practically
completed , subject , however , to Buch altera
tions as may be necessitated by pending de
cisions In city cases As something over 200
cases have been handled by the legal dc-
pirtmcnt during the year the report will bo
n rather voluminous dociiniMit , ono which
will give n brief history of each case with
present status nnd a general res'imo of the
operations of the department during the
> ear. The report calls attention to the fact
that the levy for the Judgment fund has been
twice cut In two and that al'.noucn tnu levy
Is now only one-fourth what It was when
the present department assumed control ,
thcro ts still n jiuplus In the fund which
will bo amply sufficient to meet any ordinary
demands.
Decisions have been reached In soventy-
ono cases during the yo.ir. The only Im
portant case In which the city suffered de
feat was the Hansccm park special tax case
brought by James 0. Mcgcath nnd others to
enjoin the city from collecting the special
tax for improvements on the- streets adjoin
ing Ilanscom park. The baeo of action was
that , according to a clause In the deed by
which the park was conveyed to the city
the city was obl'ged to pjy nil Improve
ments on the adjoining &treet . The- case
has been on the court dockets for the past
Ilvo jonrs and the final decision of the
supreme court was that the tax was not
valid.
The most Important special tax case which
was won by the city during thejear was
Llio Leuvenworth Dtieot case , which had also
been vigorously fought In the courts. One of
the most curious cases la that of Grace
[ 'Itcli , who sued the city for ? 25,000
damages , for personal Injuries on account o
a defective sidewalk. Her case was bellied
for J10. The plaintiff Is the same woman
who came Into public view as ono of tbo
main witnesses In the Ipli murder case.
Ono of the thirty-two cases now pending1
n the supreme court Is the Jefferson square.
case , which was brought to decide upon the
r'ght ' of the c ty to use the bquare as a slto
for a market house. The district court de
cided that the bite could not bo used for any
other purpose than a park nnd the uiso was
taken to the supreme court , where It Is
set for hearing early mcxt month.
The mandamus case of the city against the
Chicago , Burlington & Qulncy Ilallio.id com-
> any to compel the defendant to rcpilr the
.south end of the Eleventh street viaduct Is
ilso set for hearing at the January term of
the supreme court. An alternative writ was
granted by the district court , but the rall-
cad company appealed , and it Is said that
there Is tvcry prospect that a final decision
will be obtained nt"un early date.
The other EIov nth street viaduct cise , In
which the Union Pacific rallrond Is defenil-
int. Is pending In the United States circuit
court , where the city has endeavored
obtain a decision during the past year. The
cgal depaitmcnt lias rcc Ivcd assurances that
his matter will soon be adjudlcatcJ.
Another Impoitnnt CRSC now pending In the
supreme court Is that brought by Carlion D.
lutchliibon and other properly owners In
Walnut Hill to enjoin the collection of the
special tax for grading n numb r of streets
n that addition. The amount Involved in
about $30,000.
Cases are also pending as follows : In'
district court , o'ghly-two ; In Unit d States
court , district of Nebraska , eleven ; In United
States comt , Eighth district , two ; In county
court , five.
CITY SITST PAY ITS SltAItK.
Ii'iivriiM > rlli Street nriiillui ; CoiiHlil-
ord by County ConiinlnHlonerH.
The wunty commissioners met yestuday
and disposed of a largo amount of routine
juslncss. A little breczo was created by tha
nolle 3 that the c'ty council had appropriated ,
or offered to appropriate , ? 550 for tha pay
ment of the city's share of grading West
Leavenworth street. Mr. StonbtrB spoke In
evero terms of criticism of tbo action of the
ouncH. He said that wh'n the grading of
ho street was taken up by the commission-
rs , In order to get It In shape for the open-
ng of the state fair , moro than a majority
f the members of the council 1.3d pledged
h mEclvcs to the payment of half of the
mount.
The city's tliaro of the expense was 11,100
nd Mr. Stoiibcrg was astonished that tha
neinbors of the council would try to get out
by paying half of tbo amount they were
ilcdged to pay. The matt r was referred to
he committee on roads with Instructions )
o appear before the council and seek an
djustmcnt of the chlm , accoidlng to tha
crms of the original agreement.
On motion of Mr. Jenkins tlu committee
n court lioiuo and jail was Instiuctcd to
ako the necessary steps to have the living
corns over the county jail put In uhapo
ind set aside for the ute of the county aa
ury rooms.
The protests of The B"o Publishing corn-
any against the Ibsuo of licenses to F. II. W.
Saack and Fred Koch wcro set for hearing
> y the board on Tuesday , December 31 , at 10
'clock.
The committee on finance reported on cx-
mlnatlon of the accounts of ex-Sheriffs Wll-
am Co-burn nnd John Boyd and found
mlances duo the county of $210 from Coburn
nd $291 from Boyd for foes In transporting
risonors to the reform school. The report
vas ref rred to the county attorney , with
nstructlons to talto legal steps for the col-
cction of the amounts.
The clerk of the district court was author-
zed to expend $1GO for rewriting Judgment
ocket "C. "
On recommendation of ths finance com-
nlttco the board voted to dispense with the
ervlces of a delinquent personal tax col-
cctor after January 1.
The official bonds of a largo number of
nlnor officers were approved ,
By a resolution offered by Mr. Broen It
vas decldid that hereafter the county will
lay no claims until the delinquent personal
ax of the claimant , If any Is found , bo do-
uctcd from th ? account of the claim. To
ircperly Identify the delinquents the clerk
if the district court WOH Instructed to
urnlsh the corr ct addresses of. all jurors
nd witnesses given certificates by tlis court.
o
Iiixuiir n nil ii At n I I'll ,
An Insane man named Merrlam , who ha
been confined In the county jail for a number
f days , created quite a sensation In that ln-
tltutloh yesterday. At 1 o'clock he piled
quantity of papers and books on the floor
f his cell and bet fire to them. Ila then
cited "Fire , " with all his might. For soiu
ilnutes the Inmates of the jail were In a
tate bordering on freruy , but the dltturb-
nco was allayed and the fire put out by
aller Miller. Merrlam started another fire
ate In the morning , and then bo was putt la
roiis.
Air < Mit 'I'MKen to Jail ,
L. Chauncy , a solicitor for a Chicago por-
ralt company , was arrested upon complaint
t Mn. Olson , Seventeenth and Leavenworth
treeta , charging him with the larceny of a
Icturo valued at It. Chauncy inakei a
[ leclalty of enlarging family photographs.
[ called at Mrs , Oluen's house several daya
go , making a bargain to cnUrce the family
ilctures at | i rach. The work was per *
ormed , whereupon Mrs. OUen s ) s ih
cnd red { 2 in payment and demanded her
ilcture. Tills wan refu vl and 1U * arreit
OllOYrtrd.
