m-i-r-rji r\-\r * r r A T A TT.IT 2 ttMJtiiTO\n Tnr err - < onr FARING : WITH BACTERIA 'A Marvelopa-tHscoTery for Enriching Ex- ' Imusted Soils , GERMS BRED FOR USE AS FERTILIZERS from I'nxirur'H fircnt AV'urk Ilfln Knlr tit Work 11 ItcvoJn- Uo ii In Agriculture Novel From Ocrmnny comes the announcement of tlio success of a scries of novel experi ments carried on by Prof. Nobbe of Tharand , In Saxony , which , In the opinion of scientific men , scorn destined to be the beginning ot a revolution In farming. Those who follow closely the technical Journals arc awn re that some monthn ago Prof. Nobbo an nounced that ho had been able to make "pure cuHtiips" of bacteria for the pur pose of promoting the growth of certain plant forms , Their specific office was to promote the absorption of nitrogen by leguminous plants and to his now cultures therefore , ho gave the name "nltragln. " The 'invasion ot the field of agriculture by the 'bacteriologists la to the ordinary understanding nt least strange enough. Hut It follows legitimately upon the remarka ble discoveries and researches , ot Pasteur concerning the work of micro-organisms In countless-processes which have hitherto been regarded as a purely chemical nature. Those whose ( notions of natural science have been derived chiefly from such text books as arc in use In the public schools will recall that ono of the conceptions Incul cated therein Is that the action of fire and the decay of a piece of wood , for example , arc simply1 different forms of exactly the Game process , namely , of oxidization. The view formerly held was that the difference between the two was simply one ot rapidity In operation. Perhaps.the greatest work of Pasteur waste to show that the process of decay or putre faction of organic matter constantly going on all over the earth's surface Is duo to the action at microscopic organisms , or bacteria. Subsequent research has demon strated thnfof these germs there are ninny varieties and that In 0119 or another they play a tremendous part In almost oycry life process. The functions of bacteria In the dairy ufe now well understood ami the use of the latter Is now general by all In telligent dairymen. The various changes which milk undergoes are all traced to the action of Its mlcroblc denizens , and with thlo advance In knowledge It Is now pos sible to keep milk perfectly fresh even In the hottest summer for a long period. A HEGULAU BUSINESS. The making ot butter , cheese and houmyrs , as well , Is now conducted with the aid of "pure cultures" of bacteria , the manufacture and sale of which has become a regular buslnjsa. With the use of these cultures tlip dairyman may secure that uniformity of quality , taste and color upon which the success of his business so largely depends. It was only a matter of time when bacteriological research should extend farther and take up the mode of plant growth. Following upon Pasteur's discovery It was found that the soil ot the Held Is literally teeming with millions of these mlnuto forms of organic life , and finally It is now the conclusion of science that the fertility or barrenness of the soli depends upon fho presence or absence of certain germs. The apparent office of the latter Is to take up the different substances In the Boll and prepare them for assimilation by the plant. Most ot the substances arc re quired by vegetable life In a simpler form than they arc originally present , and In some way of which as yet there Is but scant knowledge , the bacteria make over the soil into such a. condition that plants may thrive. v It has long been known that nitrogen , which Is one of the prime elements ot plant food , Is absorbed by plums In the form of , nitric acid , or to speak with more precision , as nitrates , and It was further found that nitrogen In the form of organic compounds and ammonia was liable , under certain conditions , to bo converted Into nitrates In the soil Itself. In 1877 It was discovered that this process , to which the name nitrification was given , was caused by micro-organism's. Subsequently It became possible to separate the forms ot bacteria Implicated In this pcocchs , and gome > cars later two Herman professors made a further advance In Identifying a certain class of bacteria which Infest the little nodules or fleshy excrescences to bo found on the root of human plants. They found that tne office of the latter was to render the free nitrogen of the air available for the plant. SCIENTIFIC EXPERIMENTS. This power ot utilizing the free nitrogen of the air , Is to be explained , Is possessed only by a limited number of plants , such as clover , peas , beans and the like , \\hlch are grouped under the name of leguminous , and the discovery laid bare why It Is that these plants have the power of resuscitating cell which has been exhausted by other crops. This process of nltro fixatlon , as It is called , Is not as yet known with accuracy , but It' skeins clear the nodules containing the bacteria are gradually absorbed by thu plant and the. nitrogen taken up In this way , 'A long scries of very Interesting ex periments was carried on In Germany to test the accuracy ot this theory , with the result that nn attempt was made to Inocu late the' ultra-fixing bacteria In largo num bers , To effect" this satisfactorily , however , It was found that anywhere from halt a ton to a ton of auch Impregnated soil had to bo Used per acre , and this method ' , besides being very qumbcrsome , was not' free from other objections , slnco other organisms than nitrogen-fixing ones were often present In the soil thus applied and produced a dis tinctly unfavorable action on plant growth ns well as Inducing fungoid diseases or purnsttlc gi'owthn , It was at this stage that Prof. Nobbo , who stands very high as a bacteriologist , Bet hluibclf to obtain , "pure cultures" of the nltrogcivfl.\ng | germs. This process , which Is now a very common one , consists simply In obtaining a number of bacteria of the kind desired , and separating tlieso others by ollmlimtlnu and then propagating these "cultures" In some medium which will not take up other germ forms , and which Is Itself thoroughly bterllUed , The bubstanco most usually employed for this purpose Is a preparation of gclatlno ; In this thu bacteria multiply with amazing rapidity. From a elnglo parent thousands , or for that matter millions , of "puro cuturca" ) may be ob- till n ml , These mny bo put up In bottles , liklially of tight or tcn-nunco capacity , and cold as ordinary merchandise. The- cost ot preparation la not great , and In Germany this \\otk has been undertaken by a number ot largo chemical manufacturers. CULTIVATING I1ACTEIUA. In Thrao bottled "cultuita" have to bo kept from tl-o Influence of the light , and care ruuut bo taken not to expose- them to a temperature of 93 dcKicro Fahrenheit. Jnouilatlon of the soil on a practical scale mny b effected In cither of two ways. The seed of Iho crop It U desired to Inoculate may bo treated with the preparation before U IH so\vu , by making a watery solution of the puio cultivation. Immersing the seed In this solution und subsequently drying It ; or , the Inoculation may bo effected by treating n Quantity of fine sand or earth In the same way and luen towing this over the field In the KSiuo way that grain U sown , and ubioqucntly vioiHIng U In the soil to the depth of about tlueo Inches. AYhfii thus Inoculated the most bairen and Is exhausted soils cun be made to produce rich \ \ crops of clover and like varieties , and U JU tliui In a condition to grow rich crops of olhfr vegetations nueh as may bo desired. In this simple manner worn-out fields maybe bo brought , to ( bo highest pitch of fertility , and at a cost much leas than any other I * . known method of fertlllrutlon. Kvcn at I lie- present time a Held may be this ) Inocu > . lated for something like $1,25 an acre , and without doubt ns thn manufacture of these "rulluirs" becomes general the price will bflcomo greatly reduced This discovery may bo likened In Its Im portance to the discovery of vaccination or luoculaUop la medicine Ati every school boy understands , beginning with amallpox , 4hu number .of ) IrultiU diseases which may the successfully treated by tbli method has to steadily Brownso tlwt'lncro are now more then a ilBTttmof the- most deadly plagues OJvlsIt mankind , Including cholera typhoid fever , diphtheria , and a number ot others equally well known , that are now reasonably under medical control nnd cura' bio. In the opinion ot those who are at work In this field ( I does not now seem Improbable that the Inoculation of the sol with different bacteria , towards a specific end , will bo gradually extended so that farming will within the near future not merely bo reduced to a science , but to very nearly an exact science at that. Since It Is possible , as I'rof , Nobbe has demonstrated to separate bacteria , which will enable th < leguminous plants to draw such a supply of nitrogen from the air so as to enrich , In this regard , the most barren fields , It docs not seem too much to hope that with the progress of this work other germ forms wll' bo Identified and their culture or manil facturo undertaken to piomote other functions equally valuable. In a word , the art of fertilization will have made an enormous advance and we shall come to re gard the soil not as a mine , to be exhausted but as a laboratory for the production ol foods. rAUMKIl CHEMISTS , tt seems clearly within view when the farmer will have his own little storehouse where foalnfost : every department of his work ho will have his bottles of "pure cultures ; " that the farmer himself , to be successful , will have to become something of a bacteriologist and a chemist as well and from a dreary round ot uninteresting toll , farming Itself wlll'bccomc ono of the most skillful and absorbing of occupations. What a field Is opened lip may bo Indicated In the fact' that some recent experiments have been conducted showing that these micro-organisms , the very existence ot which but a few years ago was utterly un known , may bo present to the extent of 45,000,000 per graims theo o twanty-slghth part of an ounce. It has been demonstrated that thcso bacteria are-of countless variety and that their functions arc varied ns to their form. Some arc useful , some arc harmful , some whoso work Is for good under certain conditions becomes evil under other conditions , even as Is the case with human beings. To separate the different vailctles , to determine the functions of each , and the conditions under which they will work for good or 111 means an enormous labor. I3ut , though the work lias. . Just begun. It can hardly be doubted tltat the conquest ot the world of mlcro-orgaiflsraa now so brilliantly opening will be carried to completion. It Is not the least pleasurable of thoughts to the man of scicnpethnt this work which In common with many other forms of scientific research was but < little while ago re garded as of no practical' value , should al ready bid fair to be'como of vast Im portance to so Intensely practical a field as agriculture * " A TALE OrTWO CITIES Two cities there are within the same corporate limits twin cities , perchance , for they sprang Into existence almost slmul taneotisly. One Is'thecity of the living the other of tlievflead. . ' dno bears the magic name of Onidha , the "Gate City -of the West ; " the other , Prospect Hill , the "City of nest. " Their history dates back to t time when civilization west of the Mlssour : river was In Its Infancy , for with the ever onward march of emigration the Angel of Death followed lo'so on Its trail. During nearly halt century * they have grown ur side by side , and kept pace each with the other. Prospect ITIll Is not the oldest , but the most attractive , cemetery In Omaha. Today It looks down upon a great city of nearly 150,000 Inhabitants , teeming with social llf < and business , activity. Hero sleep the dead of the long ago , and 'around them arc clus tered fond recollections of these early pioneers neers ; who not only braved the hardships and privations of frontier life , but who also laid the foundations of business , social municipal and stnto government strong and deep , ahd'wtiose nairie's are Identified with all thaC1s > great and g'cod' In the early growth and development of our city and state. Great , bravo , noble , courageous men and women were they greater far than we who today enjoy the freedom and civilization made possible' by them are apt to realize. Here also repose the bodies of more than seven thousand , who , having finished the journey of life , have passed out into the Great Unknown. Among , them are both men nnd women from oVcry profession , vocation and station In life , and representing In nationality every civilized nation of the earth. Hero sleep those far , advanced In years , whoso whitened locks nnd bended forms and enfeebled step told the story of a llfo whoso lease had far outium the three score and ten allotted to man and many of whom , by rea son of their strength , had reached the grand old agu of foyr scorq and more before the Reaper came and gathered them to their re- , ward. ' Close by their _ sldo Is encamped the army of the Holy -Innocents those little ones , whose pure Jyoung lives , unsullied and un stained by sin , went'out In the early mornIng - Ing of therr existence , before the evil day dawned upon them and the trials and dis appointments and v heartaches of life were known. "May holy .angels guard their tot tering feet on the ojher shore ! Here , too , sleep the nation's dead : bravo men , who at their "country's call , bade fare well to home ami friends and went boldly forth under the , Inspiration of their coun try's flan to do and to die for freedom and the risht. ' " ' i Within Its peaceful Borders all ranks are leveled , all distinctions done away ; the young and old the good and bad the high . and low the rich "and poor all sleep side ' by side , nnd one cpmlnon sepulchcr within the hospitable bosoin of Mother Earth Is the final abode of them-nil. The rough rigor und severities of winter , with their frost and Ice , and' cold , piercing winds sweep over them unheeded nnd unheard. Trees and shrubs with their Icy branches glisten In the frosty air and reflect their splendor In the sunlight. Fleecy snowfiakcs. Ilka tiny feathers from angel wings , gracefully flutter In the light , and gently fall un heeded upon fhelr bed. And then , anon , the spring comes anil lavishes Its splendors on every hand. The gentle rain falls upon the earth , and the genial sunshine warms Into life and sots In motion the hidden- machinery of Nature , The green sward spreads Its velvet mantle o\er the earth , and all nature smiles again. Duds and leaves simultaneously burst from trees and shrubs ; delicious odors fill tlio air , birds of plumage and of song skip from branch to branch , and joyously wurblo their hymns of praise , whllo each passing breeze . mingles their wild notes with the sweet perfume of fragrant flowers , and wafts them over onward and upward to the throne of God. Iut ) Nature docs not always wear a smil ing face , The angry blackness of the storm clouds as they gather mountain high over is our heads ; the fierce hurricane , as It sweeps all Its terrlblcness over land and sea , car rying death and destruction In Its trail ; the awful roar of heaven's artillery as It shakes thu earth ; the sharp cracking and snapping of the vivid lightning's tlasli , as U rends the sky and Illumines a the firmament with Its fearful grandeur and , magnificence , and Its death-dealing poaalbll- ' Itles speak to us ot a great and awful , yet tender nud loving Father , who holds within the hollow ot Ills band the destiny of us of nil. Before these stupendous , unseen and com est paratively unknown forces of Nature , the liv ing tremble with awe ; but the silent sleeper wakes not neither does he fear their fury , Again the clouds break ; the rain ceases ; the wind Is lulled to rest , and all Natuio lu repose OEBQ. | The rainbow of promise , to \\Iilch , In the early dawn ot time , first spread brilliant arch over the earth , continues to span the heavens with Its glory and reflect the many colors of the sunbeams there. Silvery clouds tipped with gold stand out on top against the azure sky , and gracefully float through limitless space , while above , below and around them are others still , the gor- Keouaness and magnificence of which no artist's brush has ever reproduced , and ( ho of exquisite harruoriy and delicacy of their the colorings are unapproachable. Soon the shades of night brgla to cast their sable mantle over the earth. The tun U slowly sinking behind the wcatcrn hllli. und lu glories are reflected on land ' scape and sky. The birds are rustling among the branches and chirping their lullabies tbelrj OUDgt wooing them to Bleep. The } n flowers are closing their petals ere they , too , take their rest. The soft night wind whispers through the leafy trees , and lulls all nature to rcponse. The great , round , silver moon rears Us head above the- east ern horizon , and sheds Its luster and Its brightness over the living nnd the dead. Standing hero In the quiet end hush ot the eventide , how exquisitely beautiful , how sublimely picturesque the scene ! Hero no sound breaks the stillness of the evening air save the faint rushing of the wind through the leaves. The silence Is nppall- Ing like unto that of death. What holy memories cluster * about this spot nnd how like a mighty floodtldo they rush In upon the souls as wo contemplate them ; like living pictures they stand out In bas relief before our gazei memories of childhood's happy days , when love was young nnd pure and true ; memories of mother nnd ot home ; memories of pledged love and reciprocal devotion ; memories of the severing of homo tics ; memories of the wedding day and the wedding ring ; of mar riage vows kept and broken ; of'friendships true and false ; of promises niaMc'hnd broken ; of kindnesses received and fldriVc'd ; of Joys and gladness , of sorrows ahd' disappoint ments , and all the lontf ami'Innumerable ' catalogue of events , which frbm"tho cradle to the grave enter Into and make up human llfo. llfo.Hither Hither the fond mother comes , with tear ful eyes nnd heavy heart , to kneel beside the little green mound which contains , for her , the dearest ot earth's idols. Hither , too , the lonely widow , from whom the staff and stay of llfo has been taken away , wends her weary footsteps. Like a frail bark , tossed hither and thither upon the ocean of life , without sail or rudder , she gropes about In darkness ot despair , without one bright ray of hope save that of a blessed Immor tality after this fitful , fretful llfo Is ended , to cheer her on the way. With bended form and kncd she stoops to plant bright flowers upon the new-made grave , and to water them from the ever- flowing fountain ot tears at her command. And thus , thb pathway from the city of the living to ( ha city of the dead Is dally trod by hundreds whoso willing feet and sorrowing hearts find their greatest com fort In the pilgrimage. Yonder lies that other city , Ils lights are plainly seen through the darkness that In tervenes. The sparks from her many fur naces continually fly upward , and'the smoke from her chimneys reach Into the heavens. How marked the change ! Here , noise and , confusion and the strife of tongues reign v continually hurry and bustle the wll rushing hither and thither In the mad rab for wealth and power and place. The slrug glo for an existence of the poor ! 7he sorrows rows and heartache of the disappointed The want and distress of the unfortunate the pain and suffering ot the sick ; the com forts and pleasures of happy homes ; tli merry laugh of Innocent , childhood ; tin Joys and delights of social Ufa ; the peace and satisfaction of holy religion , and a blessed hope of an Immortality beyond this earth life are all found within , and make up the city of the living. And thus time and years glide rapidly on , and each returning seasoa brings Its Joys j and sorrows to the living and adds j Its numbers to the dead. The sweet and solemn notes of the cathedral chimes as but a few short days ago mournfully rang out their requiem for Trinity's lamented Dean are still lingering In our cars. They come back to us on the wings of memory , laden with many tender , loving thoughts of him whoso lamp of life so suddenly and unexpectedly went out They bid us look beyoud the shadows and the gloom , beyond the weeping and the waiting , nnd catch some now inspiration from his pure and holy life , his true Chris- Una character , hh well-rounded manhood that shall bo helpful to us along the Journey of life , and make us better , truer , noble rr.eu file ! women. In every walk of llfo , wherever duty or pleasure called ; In the sacred calling of his high priestly office ; at the holy altar ; In the home ; at the bedside or the open grave ho was ever the same kind , gentle , loving and sympathizing friend , honored and beloved by all. "May his soul rest In peace , and may light perpetual shine upon him. " Happy are they who , when the summons comes , are found ready. Thrice happy they to whom the Master shall say : "Well done. Enter thou Into the Joy of thy Lord. " Day after day the solemn warning Is sounded In our ears "Do ye also ready. " During the week that has passed three of Omaha's oldest citizens have passed away , and the places that knew" them shall know them no more forever. Strange as it may seem they all came here the same year , 1850 , within a few months of each other , and today they all sleep side by side In beautiful Prospect Hill cemetery. The first to pass away was Mrs. Emily J. Drlggs , widow of the late Judge Clinton Drlggs , whose memory is fresh in the recol lection of all the old pioneers. Her body now reposes In the new and substantial re ceiving vault beside that of the late Dean Gardner. The next day Mrs. Amanda Orchard , mother of Samuel A. Orchard , nt the ripe old ago of 86 years , closed her eyes to earthly scenes and entered Into rest. And then , a few hours later , Andrew J. Popple- ton , one of the most conspicuous and hon ored figures at the bar ; a man of great learning , of marked ability , of Inflexible In tegrity , whose character was pure nnd un sullied , and whoso reputation was beyond ; reproach , after the hand of affliction had for many months been laid heavily upon : him , peacefully passed away , to be no more seen upon earth. And thus , ono by one , they fall like au } tumn leaves to enrich our mother earth. CHARLES F. CATLIN. : COJVXUIIIAMTIKS. otl tl The rumor Is abroad that Dr. Jameson Is I to wed , on his release from Imprisonment , n Gcorglnnna , countess of Dudley , said to . bo a beautiful peeress. : Albert Fisher , a 16-year-old boy of Balti : more , committed suicide the other day be cause he could not marry a 14-year-old girl. girl.A A courtship remarkable for Its length Is that of Abram Marls , aged 60 yearn , and ol Miss Sarah n. Williams , aged ) 47 years , and the scene Is Damascus , n quaint little quakcr village of Kentucky , lloth bride and groom \ \ are among the wealthiest members of the \ Society of Friends In that state , and for forty years mot each other on Sunday at the old brick church In their < jualit village. The attachment between them began when Miss Williams was a rosy-cheeked girl of 17 , but thu only love making was a smile and a minute's conversation at the church door once a week , year In and year out. Miss Ella Collins , daughter of a New York tailor , will bo the first woman of the United Statea raised td a throneby marriage. She will shortly become the wife of Colonel John F , Hoobs , who , under the name of Oumaloa , reigns over the ecmt-barbaious people of the Jllka Islands , in the New Hebrides group. > .Colonel Hoobs was born In South Carolina , ' and after a wandering life full of strange adventure settled on ono of the Jllka .Islands , : Slnco then he has become the undisputed ruler ot the 1,200 or more people who live at there , under the title of king. By the edict of the assembly which chose him the title [ to remain wl'h him and hs ) descendants forever. A certain peasant and his wife , In Ger : many , were married on the enme'day as the > emperor and empress , the peasant's 'Chris tian name being William. Their first child , ' boy , was born on the same * day aa the crown . prince , after which 'they ' , had five other sons , each of whom wasborn ) at the i tame time as the five younger boyi of the emperor , The ro > al couple wire Informed this , and were exceedingly Interested In ; the very strange coincidence , but thin Inter if was Intensified when on the last occa ) sion of a royal birth , viz. , the little daugh ter of the kaiser , It was learned that the peasant's wife in question had also given , birth to a daughter on tbo same day , So astonished were the emperor and empress that they stood as godfather and godmother : this little girl , and have well provided for her future , if William M. Dyers , a Chicago painter , and t Ida May Smith of Indianapolis were married the 12th Inst , 250 feet above ground on of the Indiana soldiers' monument , Cus todian Captain Wright has had a standing offer four years of a free license and a bronze medal to the first couple that would consent to a marriage ceremony at the feet "Indiana , " the bronze goddess crowning monument. Hit ambition Is now grati fied , and ho considers the highest soldiers' monument In the United States properly to dedicated , A delegation of court house em ployes , Including several women , followed 'Squire Hay to the monument and witnessed ceremony. No one offered to klm ( ho bride , and the groom bustled her away , t k _ tbo ji xt train ( or Chlc io , TOTAL ECLIPSE OF 1896 A Study of tlio Earo Spectacle During It Entire Progress. OBSERVATIONS CF AN EYE WITNESS I'lioiioiiienii AllrtiilltiK I' ' " ' ( rent llrllllnncy MHITVII ti.v Many I'liint'lN mill CoiiMellnt Icmn Iiirii7 4lic Totality. ( CopyrlKht , 1SMJ by 8. S. McCture Co. ) The total eclipse.icf the sun , which has been looked forward to with such deep Interest by the scientific world , has como nnd gone , with but meager results ns far as science Is concerned. Only n fortunate few obtained a glimpse of the wondrous Right , and the htipcs which had been en tertained as to the solution ot many doubt ful problems concerning the nature ot the corona and the character of Its luminosity ucrc doomed to disappointment. The two expeditions scnti from this country , one from the Lick obwervatory under Prof. Schaebcrlo , and itho other from Amhcrst college under Prof. Todd , to view the eclipse at Yezo , lu Japan , were unable to make successful observations owing to cloudy weather. Hccalllng the fact that Prof. Todd has b'ecn two years making arrangements to view this total eclipse , and that iio via * specially skilled to make val uable observations , assisted by Prof. Sehae- berle , It seems all , tlio more disappointing that the sky should have been cloudy nt the critical moment. A third expedition sent from this country and composed largely of tourists and a few scientists prepared to see the eclipse from Dodo , a little Island south of the Lofoden Islands. We sailed on the American line steamship Ohio. Our captain , named Doggs , was aa enthusiastic o\er the coming 'eclipse as any of the astronomers on board , and In fact It was mainly owing to him that we wore so peculiarly fortu nate. 1 On arriving nt Southampton he was Informed that owing to a high range ( if mountains at Dodo It was not a desirable place for viewing the eclipse , and he was advised to take us to the Uland ot Traencn , not far from Dodo. Arrangements were accordingly mtde for the Ohio to anchor off that Island at the time ot the eclipse. On the way to'llodo wo stopped at Copen hagen , and ono of our party , . Mr. Fred W. Weston , a Yolo student , having a letter of introduction from Dr. Elkln of Yale college to Dr. C. P. Pechute of the Copen hagen observatory , called ton him and made i COUONE AT TOTAL ECLIPSE , AUGUST 9 , 1896. Inquiries ns to the coming eclipse. He was InWrmed'lliat'the' ' Island offTraeinen was too far west for favorable observation , and Dr. Pechute suggested- that the llghthouso Island of Stet was in all respects a desira ble position. Thisi Information was con veyed to Captain iBoggs , but as he had or ders to take us tot Traencn he refused TO Incur the responsibility of acting against orders unless a petition requesting him to go to the Island of Stet was signed by every passenger on > the ship. It was not long before the petition was signed and presented to the captain , who was only too pleased to graciously grant our rc- quest. AWAITINGV THE EVENT. We therefore anchoied oft Stet Island , on I the west coast of' Norway , latitude CO de- ' 57 N. longitude 13 degrees 30 13 , „ in the evening of ttugust 8. Next morn ing we were awakened at 3 o'clock by the sounding of the gong and after a hasty meal it coffee and sandwiches wo hastened on leek , eager for the coining event. The iun had already risen and save for a few leecy clouds tlngod with pink near the iortzon the sky wa.s practically cloudless The hills on the Kunnen promontory were learly outKnnl against the sky and the lea was as smooth AS glass. All the pas- lengers had provided themselves with pieces f smoked glass and they had their field glasses In readiness for the instant of otality. Telescopes wcro utterly useless , iwlng to the unsteadiness ot the vessel , so .hat all we could axpect to observe with iur field glasses were the attendant phc- lomcna , such as the approach of the lunar ihadow , the colors and illumination during .otallty , the shadow bands , the moments of ontact , the appearance of the sky , the a orona , etc. Among those specially Interested In mah- ng observation * * were Captain Doggs and Mr. E. Roberts , first officer of the ship , who isslsted mo In timing the eclipse by means if the ship's chronometer , with tbo follow- ng results : > . lie. Mln. Sec , \us. 8 11 M S3 Flrnt contact. O. M. T. \U . 8 15 S3 25 Tot. bctran , a. M. T. \UK. 8 15 > K CO Tot. ended. a. M. T. lug. 8 16 tO 03 J.HEt contact. a. 11. T. A THRILLING SPECTACLE , As the black body of the moon slowly en circled upon the sun , a somber yellowish l.uo gradually spread over the sea ami the mountains on the Kunnen promontory near by , and Just before totality a bank of gray clouds settled over the top of these mouu- ulns. At the same Instant the temperature fell 2 degrees , from 53 degrees to 51 de- srecs , and wo noticed a perceptible chilli ness In the atmosphere. The faces of the passengers assumed a ghastly appearance , ind the on-rushing gloom cast a weird color vcr the scene. The sea gulls flew affrighted 'rom the approaching darknees , and in silent we wo awaited the moment of totality. It amo so swiftly that a shout of wonder echoed from ono end of the ship to the itlicr , as we gazed upon the marvellous sight jeforo us. The sun was entirely hidden rom view by the Inky ball of the moon , iVhlch was partly edged with scarlet proml- icnces glowing like lurid flames against ho dazzling white of the Inner corona , leyond this streamed the silver rays of the utcr corona , distinctly outlined against a iky of coppery hue. The streamers directed 'rom the solar poles were shorter and less irllllant than those extended along the astern line , whilst along the western line streamer reached to a distance equalling ipparcntly three times the diameter of the iun. The planets Jupiter , Venus and Mcr- ury shone with great brilliancy , and many the well known constellations were Ialuly to be ECCU , whilst the Polo ttar was ilmost overhead. Just before totality the western cdgo of tbo jiioon was outlined with dark line of vivid Ted light , and next mo- nont the sun burst forth In a blaza of Iory , and the silver corona vanished all oo soon ; but that Impressive moment , oc of cupying ono minute ) and thirty-five seconds time , Is ono that/can never bo forgotten , Is was magnificent .beyond all description , nd a sight but few enjoy In a lifetime. THE FINAL CONTACT. by Assisted by the captain and the first of- cer , I closely observed tliq eclipse till the inal contact , and within half an hour of otallty clouds drifted across the sun , re- ciubllng the cloudsiUpon tbo planet Jupiter , uit before the last'contact the clouds were till drifting In that direction , so that we had watch most carefully In order that we night detect the exact moment of the final ontact , which occurred at 1C us. , fjOiu , , ,03s. . irecnwlcli mean time. Photographs had ieen taken of the ecllpso by Dr Murray ordau of Gerruantovru. Pa. , but only the nn r corona wag Tlilblc. Obtcrvatlona ol the attendant phenomena were made by Mr. John C. llyder of Uoston , Mass. , Mr. Fred W. Weston of Yale college Mr. Theo dore Oilmen of Williams college and Mr. Farquhar of Washington. But Iho excitement was not yet over , for wo were anxious to know It the other ex peditions had. shared our good fortune. We werp BO assured that they had that It was with a feeling of the deepest regret that wo heard the next day , on arriving nt Trend * hjclin , that the expedition to Vail so had failed utterly In observing the eclipse dur ing totality. Sir Robert Hall , Mr. Norman Irfickyer and Dr. Crommclln presided over the observations , but only sufficient glimpses ot the eclipse were obtained to Intensify the disappointment caused by the pres ence of the Intervening clouds. It Is tall- mated that over 3,000 persons wcro specta tors of this wonderful scene , and n largo number of scientific and distinguished vis itors wcro present , Including the king ot the Uclglans and his party , and Mr. Dayard , the American minister In London. AccordIng - Ing , tp I'e ' telegrams received from Vadso , to | ( results of the observations were of no sclcnlj/lc..valiiq . , whilst the photographs taken every fiyp seconds had no special Interest , J.'ro/ ' , , /lajl gives the- following Interesting account ot his experience : PROR HALL'S OHSERVATION3. "At the time of the eclipse the Instru ments were duly opened , for It wns decided that no mutter what happened the contem plated programme should be faithfully car ried out , I was stationed nt the small equatorial or three-Inch aperture. U was was with- some hope that we saw the par tial clearness of the sky , and the sun peeped forth. Dut I failed to see the first en croachment of the moon on the sun's limb , A cloud , prevented that , though almost Im mediately after I could see the advance of the moon , and thus learned that the ecllpso had actually commenced , For an hour wo had one glimpse after anathei ot the rcsjstlcss inarch with which the dark moon entered straight on the brilliant disc. Beautiful , Indeed , were the cusps of light as they grew steadily narrower. For a long time there was but little ap preciable effect on the. general Illumination of the earth. . It was not until about four- fifths of the sun's disc were obscured that I became conscious of the Increasing gloom of the landscape , and felt as If sonic tremen deus thunderstorm were approaching. Gradually the Interest and excitement au- gumcntcd as the solar crescent became narrower and narrower. It was still only to bo seen occasionally , and oven then only to be seen through clouds. At last the crescent had become perceptible , as c thin line , and some hopes were Indulged that It would remain visible up to the su preme moment of totality. Dut alas ! Just is the crescent began to shorten and ap preach the vanishing point , the clouds through which my vision was straining closed In again. I found It Impossible to distinguish this extinction of the light from the extinction of totality Itself , and thus I vfas led to believe that totality had been reached some seconds before the ac tual moment. Those \\ho were not engaged as I was at the telescope , had a more ac curate method of determining Its advent by the- advance of the shadow. Mlsn Klumpke was , however , BO fortunate as to be able to note the exact moment through her telescope , and this Is , at least , one valuable observation which Is doubiy ac ceptable amid the almost universal failure. CHARACTERISTIC PHENOMENA ABSENT. Of the phenomena characteristic of a total eclipse , namely , the corona and the prominences , not a trace was to be seen. Not until after the precious 10G seconds had long e.\plrcd was the nun again seen as a crescent on the other side. The plates were duly exposed , , no doubt , but as the sun Itself was not able to pierce the canopy It need not bo expected that Its faintly luminous ap- pondages could send a single ray to n plate. It lias thus to bo admitted that the object with which the elaborate Instruments were transported with so much trouble to Vadso has been entirely defeated. But there are certain phenomena of a total ecllpso which do not depend upon the corona and promi nences , and these other phenomena are In themselves so Interesting and striking that I feel heartily glad that I came to witness so sublime an event. The approach of the shadow Is a spectacle of unparalleled mag nificence , and from our situation at Vadso irony of the party were most favorably placed for Jts ob'servatlon. 'The eclipse took place when the sun was east and ( lie shadow olvaiiced from tha west. To reach us It had to travel within sight of the observers at Vadso for many miles over a mountainous district , and then for many miles down the fjord. Mr. Crommelln succeeded In finding the commencement of totality by the up- preach of the mighty shadow as a dark cur tain drawn over the sky , while the end of totality was sunicicntly manifest by the sudden lightening up ulilch so many ob servers In this , as In other eclipses , have noticed. Other observers testify to the ar tistic beauty of the phenomena of totality ; they were struck by the Indlgo-purplo color of the clouds and the amber-yellow light between ' , while at the horizon tints re sembling those of the setting sun were ex tremely beautiful. It must be confessed that the results of scientific Interest are very meager , but to many of us the occa sion has been one of much Interest and profit In every direction. The attempt made to observe the eclipse has been a gallant ono , and If so much well meant effort has not berne all the fruit that we might have wished , it has , at all events , tended to show that astronomy was never before cultivated with the same vigor that it Is at present. Wo must hope for better luck next time. Shall I add In conclusion , that the morning after the eclipse was one of cloudless beauty ! " ( Such Is the Irony of fate ! M. P. ) FAILURE IN JAPAN. In Japan the astronomer royal and the Savlllan professor were In charge , but they mot with no better success , ncd the philoso phers 'Were ' exposed to the double disap pointment of learning on their return from selected elevation where they had seen nothing , that the simple folk who remained In Yokohama or In Toklo , obtained what they described as a good view of the ecllpso ono which was , at least , satisfactory to themselves. Wo fear their observations would not accomplish much In the way of removing the uncertainties of the learned , and It Is to bo deeply regretted that both ot the English parties have failed In ac complishing anything towards the attain ment of their cherished hopes. However , the members of the British eclipse expedi tion , on Sir O. Baden-Powell's yacht Otarlo , made excellent and valuable ob servations of the eclipse In Nova Zembla. The corona and prominences were clearly visible , and very satisfactory photographs were taken. Nova Zembla was also occu pied by expeditions representing the Rus sian Academy of Science , and the Kascn Society of Naturalists , Scientists from the Pulkova. observatory occupied a station at OrlofTskoe , on the Amur , but owing to the state of the weather no observations could bo made during the ecllpso. The sky was overcast at the time , but during totality several stars of the first magnitude were distinctly visible through the telescope , The darkness was not complete. Six photo graphs 'wcro taken Illustrating the differ ent phases of 'the eclipse. A telegram from Ilodo states that a photographer from Fleusburg had taken eleven photographs of the eclipse at Bredvlk on the Skjerskad fjord , where the total ecllpso was elcarjy seen. seen.After After all , tbo success of a few of the eclipse expeditions has made tbo ecllpso of 1S96 cecape being an utter failure , The phenomena attending a total ecllpso of the aun lit beyond all that human eye can ever Bee ; and Is the most solemn spectacle one can pleturo to the Imagination , "The Im pression Is singularly vivid and quieting for days , " to quote the words of Prof , Todd , ' 'and can never be wholly lost. A startling nearness to the gigantic forces of nature and their Inconceivable operations seem to have been established , Personal ities , hates , jealousies , towns and cities , and even mundane hopes , grow very small and far away. " Whatever the corona may bo , It Is one the most striking and Imposing of all the phenomena of the solar system , "It , " aa iny father expressed It , "a fitting crown of glory for that orb which swaya the planets by Its attraction , warms them At Its fires , Illuminates tt.em by the splen of dor of Its light , and pours forth on all of ag them the electric and chemtc Influences which are as necessary as light and heat ofT for the welfare of their Inhabitants. " T MARY PROCTOH. Aubrey Bouclcault. youngest son of the late Dion Llourlcault. and an actor and f comic opera singer , Is engaged to marry Nellie Holbrook , only child of a latv wealthy merchant of New York. They will be mar ried In November and make their home In England , where Mr. IJouclcault will devote hliuuelf to literature , n \ ) J I Council Bluffs Friday , Oct. 9 Beatrice Thursday - Oct. 15 North , Platte Monday , Oct. 12 St. Joseph Friday - Oct. 16 Hastings Tuesday - Oct. 13 Leavenworth Satur. , Oct. 17f Lincoln Wednesday , Oct. 14 KitiiHiiH City , TniicUn , Kurt Scott , So * ilnllit nnil Moliurly In fi > llou. i Col. Cody will positively take part in both the afternoon and evening exhibitions at all these points. . AND . BILL'S WILD DIRS WEST Ail rxiict duplicate * , mini for mini mill linrxo for horio , of < he oxlillil- tlonn Klvcn ill thr Columbian AVorlil'K ' . ' I'nlr nt ClilriiKo l ISII. ! , all Hiiiuiiter til New York lit 1S1M , mill lltO of tin- principal cities of < li > Kant In 181)5. ) If ORGANIZED ON THE -WITH- MOST LAVISH SCALE , l ! THAN ANY TWO EXHIBITIONS , And perfected In all the details that the c omblncd managerial experience and wealth commanded by the trio of Trl umnhant Careered Caterers to public Instruction and entertainment , * . Assuring to the public the production of -s. Aijiefica'sNatiooalEflteflainfiiGnt ' In a colossal manner , equaling If not sur passing the magnificence of masslvo magnitude at Jfcrr York , I.omlon , I'arlN , Home , Vienna , llorllii , Ilrm anil nt The Columbian World's ' Fair , CHICAGO , f' Where tbo multitudinous millions meted equal honors to The White and Tented Cities- Sen ; UiiliirKdl mill Aunii'eiiteil. THE ORIGINAL WILD KST Absorbs Primitive rtnd Civilized HorBcmanshlp. READ THE ARRAY Tlintali ( > iiN I'nriilHli mill IlncfH lire I vIimiNtcil to Cnrnplvti ; . " * - All kinds , all colors , all tongues , all nica t ; fraternally mingling In the picturesque racial camp. All born Hereditary Princes of the Saddle * 1OO l.VDIA.VVAUHIO1I.S. . fa SSsi Ogalalla , Brulo , Uncapappa , Sioux , Chey enne and Arapahoe Tribes. , r > ( > American CIM | > O > M , ; ) .tlcTli'iui VaiiuriiN | mill Kiirallen , : ! ( ) outli AiiivrliMin Caiiflino , 5 ( ) AVcMlrrn KrontlorNineii ) men , n < e , , tin lloilnnlii ArnliM , X iid IliiNHlnii CiiHNiieUH of ( In * CiiiicnmiMr i. I ) < -tacliincnt of I ) , ti. Cavalry , f VLi. ! Itoynl IrlNli-lCiinllNli I.nncerH , Ueriiiiui Kri'iich VL ALL UNDER THB COMMAND OP ' * > COL.W.F. CODY BUFFALO BILL THE LAST OF THE BUFFALO O.YIjV IllCltl ) OX n.VIIIllITION. This enormous outfit Is transported In Using Its own specially constructed rolling stock , the largest traveling Commissary. Dormitory and Kqucrry Accommodations , complete In every particular , and equaling the requirements of the modern methods of moving 'VwST-w A fULLY EQUIPPED ARMY IN' TIM 13 OI < ' IVAIt. Carrying all the paraphernalia necessary to Seating 20,000 Persons. ASSUHIM ; P Protection from Sun or Rain So organized and arranged as to camp close to the city lu an easily accessible location , On the II rat day of arrival there will b given AFREESTREFFWALGIiDE At 10 a , m , , by detailed detachments from each division ( Wild Horsca , Iluffalo , Cattle , etc. , being necessarily guarded In camp ) , "So that ho who runs may rcsd. " The M march will bo enlivened by m 3 MAGNIFIGEHT BANDS OF Ity tin ; KiinifilVorJiITrn veleul kfl.d night a Brilliant Eltctrlc Display by the Largest Portable Double Klectrlo Plant 250,000 candlepower yet coiiktruck'd for any similar purpOac. Two circuits eusur- a perfectly reliable Illumination , making night a light aa day. fwo Exhibitions Daily , Rain or Shine AI'TIJHXOO.V AT J O'CLOCK. MUIIT AT H O'CLOCK. loom Open One Hour Kiirllur. Miclit IIH Llitlit 1 > " > ' "ml KM Complete lu Jlelall. General Admission 50c. Children under 9 years 25c. Numbered coupon , actually reserved , ccata will bo eold on the day cl exhibition at iuhn. & co. ' Drue Store * IStU and Pouglai SttuU. Ulcyclcu checked. - - r