Decatur Democrat, Volume 36, Number 4, Decatur, Adams County, 15 April 1892 — Page 2

STEEL RAIL TRUST. IT KEEPS PRICES UP AND WAGES DOWN. Mow Tbl, Grrepin* Monopoly Hold* Ito Tarin Mortcngo* Heady for Forcrloeure —Reciprocity Help* the Foreign Conearner, Not the American Farmer. A Gigantic Combine. The combination which controls the production and fixes the pries ot steel rails is one of the strongest In the country. Unlike ot her combines, it has not been fonped by the merging of all the interests under a central authority by a trust agreement. Under the circume stances, such a proceeding would have Men quite Impossible, chiefly for the reason that steel rails are not the solproduct of any of the mills concerned. Then, too, the makers of steel rails are also very largely interested in the manufacture of other products, such us wire rods, armor and other plates, etc. The rolling of rails is but one of several lines of product. In short, each member of the combine "has such a large number of interests more or less closely bound up in that of rail production that Sany attempt to consolidate under a sine management all these widespread terests is out of the question. The steel rail combine accomplishes all the ends for which trusts have been formed in other Industries: the suppression of competition and the control of production and prices. The combine, as at present constituted, is composed of the following concerns. Opposite each is given its annual capacity in net tons, as stated by James M. Swank, General Manager of the American Iron and Steel Association: Net tom. The Illinois Steel C 01,035,000 Carnegie Bros. & Co 060,(XX) The Cambria Iron Co 225,000 The Bethlehem Iron to 225,000 Ibe Lackawanna (oal and Iron Co 500,000 The Pennsylvania Steel Co 501,000 T0ta13,145,003 It will be sufficient to go back to 1880 to trace the history of this combine. In that year there were eleven producing steel rails, as follows: The North Chleago, the South Chicago, and the Union ana Joliet Iron Works in Illinois; the Edgar Thomson Steel Works, the Cambria Iron Co., the Pennsylvania Steel Co., the Lackawanna Coal and ■ Iron Co., and the Scranton Steel Co. in Pennsylvania; the Troy Steel and Iron Co., in N. w York; the Cleveland Rolling Mill Co., in Ohio; and the St. Louis Steel do., in Missouri. During the five years following 1880, four other iron companies added steel rail mills to their Slants —the Worcester Steel Works, lassachusetts; the Homestead Steel Works, Pennsylvania; the Southern Iron Co., Tennessee; the Springfield Iron Co., Illinois; and the Colorado Coal and Iron Co. To these must be added the Duquesne Works, built in 1886-1888, And the Maryland Plant of the Pennsylvania Steel Co., recently completed. This makes a total of seventeen separate works which were in operation or have been since 1880. Os the fifteen works in operation in 1886 and 1887 the following have ceased producing rails: The St. Louis Steel Company, the Troy Steel and Iron Company, the Cleveland Rolling Mills Company, the Worcester Steel Works and the Springfield Iron Company. During the same period they 'other works have been consolidatesL«£ follows: The Illinois Steel Company absorbed the three Illinois works first mentioned; Carnegie Bros. <fc Company secured control by purchase of the Duquesne Steel Works and the' Homestead Steel Works, and the Lackawanna Coal and Iron Company added to its original plant the Scranton Steel Works. This consolidation of Interests was completed early In 18sl, with the result that the steel rail combine noW cdntrols all the works making rails in the United States except the Colorado Coal and Iron Company, whose annual capacity is only 100,000 net tons. Several more or less strong combinations have been formed since 1880 to control production and fix prices, but with varying success. Previous to the present combine, that of 1886 and 1887 was the most successful of all. In the fall of 1885 an era of active railroad construction was begun and continued throughout 1886 and 1887. As a result of the large demand for rails the combine was able to force the price up to the importing point in spite of the fact that the duty was then $lB per ton. The effect of these combinations on prices is shown in the following tables giving the yearly prices of steel rails at the mills in Pennsylvania and of Bessemer pig iron at Pittsburg since 1885: 1885. 1886. 1887. 1838. 1889. 1890. 1891. Pig iron... 17.61 18.96 21.37 17.38 18.00 18.85 15.95 Steel rai15.28.50 34.50 37.08 29.83 29.25 31.75 29.92 Diff’ence.l(i.B3 15.54 15.71 12.45 11.25 12 90 13.97 The extent to which the prices of steel rails have been manipulated by the combine is well shown in the above tables. If it be the object of trusts which suppress competition to secure the economies which are gained by unifying interests and lowering the cost of production, and to divide the advantages thus gained between producers and consumers, this division has not yet been made by the steel rail trust. On the contrary, the combine has iot only appropriated all the benefits to itself but it lias added to its profits by increasing prices above the level prevailing under competition. Since the consolidation of interests early in 1891 not a ton of rails has been sold by the Eastern members of the combine at less than S3O at the works, or by the Western member, the Illinois Steel Company, at less than $31.50. These were the prices agreed upon at the meeting in Philadelphia a year ago. The investigations into the cost of producing the various products of iron and steel by the Commissioner of Labor show the enormous profits of the combination. On page 168 of his report, the Commissioner says: “The department has been positively informed relative to the cost of making rails in several of the very largest establishments in the United States, and there is no shadow, of a doubt in the mind of the writer that in these establishments the actual* cost of standard rails is, and has been for some time, within a few’ cents of $22 per ton at the works.” The facts on which Mr. Wright based this statement were collected by him in 1889 and 1890. Since then an important change has taken place. Not only have the prices of materials fallen considerably, but wages have been reduced from 10 to over 15 per cent, in the mills of all the members of the combination. These re« ductions have had the effect of reducing materially the cost of producing rails. In fact, well-informed persons are of the opinion that the total cost of production of steel rails is now below S2O per ton. On this basis the combine is making a profit of not less than $lO per ton for every tou of rails sold at the combination price. - ° Under ordinary conditions this high rate of profit would cause new plants to’ be put in operation, but such outside • works as now have the machinery needed are either under agreements with the combine not to engage in producing rails; or realize that," if they should attempt it, the combine would at once cut prices and thus prevent them from comThe sjeel rail combine therefore is a monopoly of the worst character. By keeplag up the price of rails ICprnvenU

the railroads from making needed te* pains and extending their lines. This is clearly shown by the experience of the past year. And when, In spite of the combine, an era of railroad building begins, the price of rails is at oncn. raised to the importing point with the result that the cost of such extension is greatly increased. The high prices ruling in 1886 and 1887 are a sufficient proof of this, and the competition of foreign rails, even at the high prices now ruling here, is prevented by the duty of $13.44 per ton. In short, in its absolute control over production and price, the steel rail combine has a mortgage on future railroad extension, with full power to foreclose it any time it sees fit. Sugar Trust I’rofits. The sugar trust has at last secured full control of the three large refineries, formerly independent, owned by Harrison. Frazier &. C 0.,. Claus Spreckles, and T. C. Knight <fc Co., for which it paid enormous prices. It is now, therefore, in absolute control of the sugarrefining business of the country, and is prepared to make full use of the tariff protection of one-half cent per pound afforded by the McKinley tariff. When it was proposed to put all kinds of sugar on the free list, so as to prevent the trust from manipulating the market, the high protectionists in Congress insisted on a duty of one-half cent per pound on refined sugar to protect the trust. All the sugar, therefore, which enters into consumption, must pass through the hands of the trust. • As soon as the trust secured control of the outside refineries, it at once advanced prices, in spite of the fact that the raw sugar was lower. Few people realize the enormous profit which it is now able to make from consumers. The sugar trust, previous to its recent increase of capital, was capitalized at $50,000,000, on which it has been paying 10 per cent, dividends and earning more. It has repeatedly been asserted by experts, and never disputed by any one, that these same refineries could be duplicated for $15,000,000; so that the trust has really earned somewhere between 30 and 50 per cent, on its actual value. It is also said by experts that raw sugars can be refined for five-eighths of a cent per pound, some of the best equipped refineries being able to turn out their product profitably at one-half cent. In the difference between centrifugal and granulated all excess above this cost is refiners’ profit. To-day centrifugal sugar is selling at 3| cents and granulated at 4| cents, a difference of 1| cents, or the highest margin ever forced by the trust. Now, taking the cost of refining at the highest figures claimed, g cents per pound, it requires only the simplest process of arithmetic to show that the trust is making to-day not less than jj of a cent per pound profit. Asa matter, of 1 fact it is probably making more. This means that, since a barrel of sugar averages 325 pounds in weight, the profit per barrel is about $2.03. But to show the enormous profits on capital actually in- .sted —something often overlooked— toe following may be cited. One of tRe largest refineries of the trust is located in Brooklyn. It cost not oyer $4,000,000. Its capacity is 8,000 barrels per day. Taking the profits indicated above, and assuming that the refinery is in operation 300 days a year, though it runs with greater continuity, its daily profits are $16,240. This is $4,872,000 per year; which, allowing $4,000,000 as the cost of the refinery, is equal to a profit of over 121 per cent. For the sake of clearness these items are repeated: ( ost of refinery(4,oo3,ooo.o3 Daily capacity (barrels) 8,000 Cost of centrifugal (raw) sugar 3% Price granulated sugar 4% Difference 114 Cost of refining % Profit, per pound 54 Fr-oAt, per barrel 9.03 Profit, per 300 days 4,872.000.00 This shows why the trust was so anxious to have the duty on refined sugar left at half a cent per pound. Is it not about time that refined sugar be put on the free list so that the consumer may get the real benefit of the decreased taxation, instead of being forced to pay exorbitant profits to the trust? “Reciprocity.” Reciprocity is Republican free trade; and, like Republican “protection,” a “fake,” so far as it concerns the mass of voters whom it is fondly expected to hoodwink. There is, however, this difference between Republican "protection” and Republican “free trade:” “Protection” benefits only the home manufacturer; reciprocity will benefit foreign consumers as well as home manufacturers. Both agree in that they can hurt, but cannot help, our own consumers and producers (outside of a few manufacturers), and for these reasons: 1. By the reciprocity clause the President is authorized to frighten foreign governments until they lower their import duties and lighten the burden on consumers. This he has done and is doing. The foreign consumer, who is being untaxed by reciprocity, may be thankful to his Republican friends in this country. 2. The clause does not authorize the President to lower any duties on our imports (the only way in which our tariff burdenscan be lightened), but it does give him power to raise them and thus to increase the burden on our own consumers. This he has already done to scare foreigners who, imitating the United States, insist upon maintaining the same kind of “protection” that we have enjoyed for the lagt thirty years. Who shall be most scared at this threat? Foreigners, who are glad to sell in our markets, or our consumers, who are compelled to buy in them? If, McKinley says, the foreigner, pays the tax. then our consumers need have no fear, but the foreigner should tremble. If the duties to be placed on sugar, coffee, tea and hides are not paid by the foreigner they will come out of the pockets of our consumers; in which case the latter should turn pale at the President’s threat, for they are already attempting to carry unbearable burdens of this kind. 3. “Protection” has given manufacturers the monopoly of oqr markets. Reciprocity attempts to give them special advantages in foreign markets. .This will be a boon.to them, because, in order to prevent cheap goods (so detestable to many good Republicans), they have been maintaining trust prices at home. Now, if foreign Governments lower their duties so that foreigners can afford to buy of us, our manufacturers will be able to dispose of more of their surplus products at remunerative prices, and not be compelled, in order to prevent lowering home prices, to dump them on foreign markets at any price, as they often do now. 4. Reciprocity cannot help the farmer, for whose benefit it was ostensibly interlopated in the McKinley tariff bill, for the very good reason that the great bulk of the staple agricultural products, cotton, corn, wheat, meats, etc., are sold in markets that cannot possibly be changed by, any reciprocity treaty. In 1890 our total exports of agricultural , prouets were about $600,10'1,000. Os this amount, $380,000,000 went to Great | Britain. This is the market that for years has determined the prices of our foreign products, and, so long as we must sell any considerable amount of our surplus in this, it will c< ntinue to determine prices. F6r the lowest market in which products must be sold fixes prices! in all other markets. Reciprocity treaties, which would make

our products free in all the markets of the world, could not materially help ths farmer; for two-thirds of his surplus products are now sold to free-trade nations, which have no “tariffs to swap." Even Blaine will not pretend that his reciprocity scheme will find markets, outside of Great Britain, for all of our farm products. The farmer now sells in a free-trade market, hence reciprocity cannot raise his selling price. He must buy in protected markets, or, what is the same, if he buys in foreign markets he must pay two-thirds the cost price ot hie goods to get them lifted over the tariff wall between the market and his home. Reciprocity cannot lower this wall, and hence cannot lower the cost of his goods laid down at his door. Bo far as the farmer is concerned the benefits of reciprocity are not reciprocal, and there is no more hope for him in Section 3 than in any other section of the McKinley bill. AS OTHERS SEE US. Ths Ways of the American Juryman as Known In England. The strange custom in America of appointing men to office without any regard to their previous career or occupation frequently leads to the most extraordinary incidents, which to English readers unacquainted with transatlantic life would appear extravagant, even if they witnessed them on the stage of some theater devoted to opera bouffe. Thus, what can be more comical than the conduct of the Dakota judge, a veterinary surgeon by trade>.who was askddby a citizen to be excused fronp servlhg as a juryman on the plea thpt he had a sick horse. “Is it your sorrel mare?” inquired the Judge, his professional instinct getting for the moment the better of his judicial dignity. “Yes, your honor," replied the man. “The court will adjourfifor one hour!” exclaimed the something that will cure that sorrel mare inside of twenty minutes;” and thereupon the court linked arms with the juryman and, accompanied by the prosecuting attorney, the Sheriff and the prisoner, whom the Sheriff did not like to leave behind, sought the indisposed sorrel. Nor was it so very long ago, says the Pall Mall Gazette, that a big rawboned man at Julesburg, Col., declined to go on a jury because, as he expressed it, “he couldn’t bear to serve under no man that he could lick,” meaning the Judge. Now, the latter, when not dispensing justice from the bench, .was dispensing drinks at the Ijax 'of the liquor saloon which he ‘owned, and in his younger days he had acquired considerable fame as a bruiser. The dormant instincts of the latter awoke and arose to the surface on hearing the objection put forward by the refractory juryman. Laying aside the judicial ermine, the court got down from the bench into the body of the court, requested the spectators to form a ring, and, with the clerk as timekeeper and the prisoner as referee, fought the large man for fifteen minutes, thoroughly removing the latter’s hesitation to serving on that particular jury. As soon as his honor had accomplished this he resumed his seat on the bench and went on with the trial. Cleaning Laces. From woolens to laces is a wide step, but while on the laundry subject a word upon the cleaning of the latter. Never rub laces. If mussed roll upon a bottle or round stick, dampen slightly; when quite dry unroll and tack the lace with large stitches in folds of about six inches. Be sure that the edges are even. You will now have a sort of compress ■of laoe. Drop this into cold water, in which put a little borax or ammonia, or both. Soak until the dirt is out, changing water if needful. Never rub the lace, but it may be gently squeezed now and then, lengthwise. When it is quite clean place it just as it is in the sun to dry, after which lay it upon the palm of the left hand and slap It vigorously with the right several times. Now remove the stitches by cutting; do not pull them; refold the lace, but in different 0 creases, and repeat the process, but pat rather than slap the folds this time. The result will be excellent; the lace soft and betraying no signs of its bath. It should never be ironed unless upon clothing where it cannot be removed. It is tfell, therefore, to use other than lace trimmings for cotton garments, unless one chooses torchon, a notable exception. If other lace is chosen, however, it should not be much starched, if at all, and the iron should be used not along the length, but up and down. In this way the full effect of the width is kept, while by the other a wide edge appears narrower and the pattern distorted. After ironing the laundress should soften the lace by the gentle use of her thumb and forefinger, then gather it into little plaits, pinching them slightly, and, after shaking it out lightly, the lace edge will wear its best aspect. A Short Chapter on Shoes. Evening shoes almost invariably match the gown, and arC often macle of the same material. For black and white gowns, black shoes are worn, with paste ornaments. The newest ornament is in the form of a small diamond-shaped buckle, and has a scarf of satin passed through it to give a touch of color. In pale-blue, it suggests an opal surrounded by brilliants. The fine gold network may be seen as toecap and heel of many a shoe, sometimes over one color, such as blue or pink, while the rest is of plain black or white satin. > These are the very smartest shoes. Some are of guipure, displaying the dainty stocking, and others are of Suede. . Black patent- leather shoes have often crimson ’ bows, or two loops and a paste stud. Many of the cosy bed-room slippers are of paleblue of bright red leather, with plush linings. Boots are warmer wear for winter than shoes, and some of the newest have the galosh as deep as the ordinary walking shoe, so that they can be easier cleaned, with less friction to tho kid above. Bayonets were invented at Bayonne in 1670. First used in England j in 1693. At first these had wooden handles fitting into the gun, but in 1699 the socket bayonet was introduced. ——- “Why are the Van Pelts in mourning?” “Their rich old uncle in San Francisco died.” “I know that; but he didn’t leave them a cent. ” “That’s why they are in mourning.”

ROMANCE OF THE EGGS. A VERY ENTERTAINING COM- * PILATION. The Knr of Comm.roo and of Easter th. Food oT th. Natural Man and an Instrunsent of tho God of Lore-Bom, R.olpaa and Gamos—Th. Danos. Etc. Odd Effect. May H. Produced.

MNE vlvum ox ovo. .This familiar proverb, itho basis of the religious beliefs of many Eastern nations, is the happy motto for a I delightful little book i by Anna Banpws on , "Eggs." She has com- ; plied an amazing mass of delightful facts and fancies about them, her praiseworthy object being twofold—to increase the use of

r?, 'Ss 1 Mn X 1 sr\ w 1 \\ 1

eggs as food and thus increase their production. The new Century Dictionary gives more than fifty derivations and compounds of the won! egg. “Nature is very skillful," says Charles Reade; “we don’t take half as many hints from her as we might. Do you observe these eggs all of one color —those delicate blues—these exquisite drabs? If you ever wish to paint a room take one of these eggs for a model, and you will arrive at such tints as no painter ever imagined out of his own head, I know. The 9,000 varieties of known birds furnish every shade of color in eggs. This is a device of nature fortheir protection. Birds whose nests are covered lay white eggs, while in open nests in fields or on the sand the eggs are colored like surrounding objects." Some very funny people may be made to live in egg-shells for the amusement of children Empty the shell by blowing and pour in melted beeswax until the egg stands securely on Its larger end; a few shot dropped Into the warm wax will help matters. With ink or black paint draw ragged lines near the

OVATION or THZ CHZHUBS.

middle, as If tho shell were broken there. On the large end sketch the features of an old gentleman and put a tall paper collar just above the ragged line. Draw on the shell or cut from paper and paste in place a pair of arms with hands clasped in front; add feet in the same way. Then put the old fellow on the table and he will stand on his head. The face may be clouded or serene at the pleasure of the artist, but most people would not feel very happy if stand-ing-on their heads. An old lady can be made in like ’manner —with the addition of a tissue-paper cap. Another device is a small crying face with jagged lines around it as if the shell were broken a little, but the prisoner could get no further. - Or the shell may be filled with wax or clay, and broken away in the place where the face is to be modeled. Travelers in Mexico give accounts of an egg game and dance existing there. The eggs are prepared by first emptying the shells, then refilling them with finechopped colored paper, tinsel, mica, and sachet powder. The holes are then pasted over with a bit of paper, and the outside is gayly decorated. In the more prosperous days of Spanish sway grandees often had the shells filled with gold dust and precious stones. Those times are past, but occasionally small trinkets, coins, and candies are mingled. Several dozen are needed by each participant in the casearone. A stranger is at first often startled by having one of these fragile treasure chests broken over his head by a senorita to whom he has not been introduced; but former acquaintance is not considered essential. It is a great compliment to the recipient of the blow, who must return the favor at the first opportunity. Thrifty matrons intending to give such a ball save all the shells of eggs used in the household and spend their leisure hours in filling and decorating them. In the good old times Easter eggs were often adorned with tiny pictures or emblematical devices and sentimental mottoes. Such eggs did duty as valentines, and were afterward preserved in the homes of the happy pairs. That the inscription might be read without touching the frail treasure the egg was often kept in a ' glass. The dates on these eggs were considered as reliable evidence as those from a tombstone. The new fashion of egg photographs is but a revival of this old custom. Many lovers of the present day have

■ r ■F™ THB DANCE— THE CASCARONE.

been made happy by receiving an Easter egg bearing a photograph of their sweethearts. Photographs of distinguished persons are often pasted on Easter eggs and sent to their friends, or more often , their enemies. An iron egg is to be seen in one of the grandest of the European museums, which was once sent as a betrothal gift from a prince to a princess. The lady, angry at so mean a present, flung it to the floor, when a spring opened showing a silver lining, a second opening revealed a yelk of gold, and a third and fourth displayed diamonds and rubies, by which the lady’s displeasure was soon assuaged. “The marriage aux oeufs” between Marguerite of- Austria, Gouvernante of Flanders, and Philibert the Handsome, Duke of Savoy, is a still more romantic story. It was the custom Easter Monday in the district of Bresse to scatter a hundred eggs on a level place covered by sand. Then a lad and a lass, hand in hand, would execute the dance of the country. If they succeeded without breaking an egg they were considered affianced; even if it were against their parents’ will. On this occasion three couple had tried in vain, but Savoy and Austria accomplished the dance without crushing a single shell. When Philibert said, “Let us adopt the custom of , Bresse,” Marguerite suffered her hand | j to remain in his, and history tells us ;

that their married life was long and Tho census returns do not give a full report of the egg production of the United States, but furnish the figures of those which are bought and sold; perhaps an equal quantity is consumed by the producers. In 1879, according to the tenth census, the number of produced was 456,910,916 dozen. At 15 cents per dozen the egg crop would amount to $88,536,637. The consumption of one egg daily by each inhabitant of tho United States could hardly be thought an extravagant estimate. This would amount to over i four million dozen. The poultry and egg crop together are ! estimated to be worth $250,000,000 anI nually to the United States. And yet I we import annually forty-eight million

// *W|ll // / 'Ma JV nil xZy? l ZA’TZU UAMBS,

dozen eggs from Canada, France, Germany, Austria, and Denmark. DuHng the last four months of 1888 6,708 cases, each containing fifty dozen, were thus brought into the United States. Imported eggs are sold in all large cities in the East and North, mainly to packers and manufacturers. New York City takes about one-fifteenth of the entire crop. For the year ending Oct. 31, 1887, ' New York received 59,095,330 dozen, and imported also 50,000 dozen. In January, 1889, 57,653 barrels, each containing sixty-five to seventy dozen eggs, were received in New York, against 37,103 barrels during’ the same month id 1888. The increase was largely due to the mild winter. Chicago, in 1888, received 624,721 cases, each case containing thirty dozen, and shipped 460,060 cases. Philadelphia, in 1887. had 501,245 cases, or 15,037,350 dozen. The San Francisco report shows about 4,000,000 dozen. Figures from the Boston Chamber of Commere give the annual receipts of eggs in the city as follows: Dozen. Uss io,<«j,oon 1886•••..19,(00,000 188713.t03.000 183814,100,000 A part of these find a market outside the city, but are balanced by the quantity brought in by small dealers. Experiments of later date prove that an egg is usually digested sooner than a potato, and quite as soon as beef or mutton. Hard-boiled eggs require 3 hours 30 minutes. Soft-boiled eggs require 3 hours. Fried eggs require 3 hours 30 minutes. Roasted eggs require 2 hours-15 min-» utes. Raw eggs require 2 hours. Raw eggs (beaten) require 1 hour 30 minutes. That life can be sustained by so little nourishment as a single egg daily is proved by the experience of a German

READY IOR EASTER.

scholar, who took refuge from a hostile enemy In a loft. A hen laid her daily egg for two weeks, and this was all his food, yet when the army had gone he had strength to reach home. A similar story is told of a refugee from the massacre of St. Bartholemew. The Lillee That Toll Not. A very untidy and reprehensible person hurried up the steps of a big house early Sunday morning. Her hair was untidy and her shoes were down at the heel. She talked to herself, too. A disgraceful habit. “Hot coffee and two eggs. Yes, the two eggs for Easter," she whispered as she rang the bell. Her eyes shone. A plump little rosebud of a girt opened the door. The woman smiled eagerly. “I’ve finished it,” she gasped. “Well, it’s about time,” scolded Miss Rosebud. “You had no business to keep me in such suspense. I’ve worried myself almost sick." She took the bundle and hurried up stairs. “Please,” faltered the reprehensible person, “please, the money. I worked all night ” “Come some other time,” said Miss Rosebud, over her shoulder. - “Don’t bother me now.” The untidy woman went down the steps. Her lips trembled, but Miss Rosebud had the loveliest jlress of all the lovely new dresses in the big church on the avenue that morning. At least that’s what one young man in the congregation said, and he ought to have known. Curious Fact* About Faster. In 1883 Easter fell on March 25, and it will only once again this century, < namely, in 1894, fall on so early a date. In three following centuries it will occur only eight times on the same date—namely, in 1951, 2035, 2046, 2057, 2103, 2114, 2125 and 2198. The earliest date on which Easter can fall is on March 22, and this only in case the moon (s full on March 21, when this date happens to fall on a Saturday. This combination of circumstances is extremely rare; it occurred in 1093, 1761 and 1817, and will happen again in 1990,2076 and 2144, while during the three following cen- | turies it is not once ‘‘on the books” at this early date. On the other hand Easter never falls later than April 25; this was the case in 1666, 1734 and 1886, and will only happen once in the next century, namely, 1943. ( An Easter Processional. Let us sing of bright morn breaking From the glorious east; Lilies fair their sheaths forsaking; Larks in light their music making; Sing the song of wings and waking That befits our feast! Apple boughs In white are dressing, And in heaven’s blue arch Little clouds, like cherubs pressing Rank on rank with cheeks caressing, Shod their softness like a blessing . On our joyful march I What la believed to be the highest electrio central station in the world is located at Pontresina, in the Swiss Alps, the altitude being 6,000 feet above the sea level.

«n,t ftbared.” "Sir,” he said as he stalked Into tho clergyman’s study, “you uro the ; man who tied the knot, I bollove.” ' "I beg your pardon," said tho cler- \ gyman, looking up from his sermon. “You performed the marriage cero. , mony for me, didn’t you?" i “Yes, certainly, Mr. Willings. ■ What, may I usk 1 “Then you know what tho rights of a husband are?" “Why, yes, in a general wav." “And the rights of a wife?” ' “Os course. ** “Well, now, sir," said the caller, i drawing a chair up to the clergyman’s desk and taking a seat, “has a wife a > license to torture her husband?" “Certainly not.” “If she makes his life miserable he has redress, of course?” “Yes, but I should advise " “Never mind your advise now. We’ll come to that later. My wife complains that I don’t shave often enough." “O, that's a small matter." “It Is, sirl Is it! Just wait! I told her that that was my affair, and then she taught the children to cry when I kissed them so that she could say that my rough chin hurt them.” “That hardly shows a Christian—” “Wait a minute! Yesterday morning I found them playing with the cylinder of a tyroken music-box. You know how that seems to the touch?" “Certainly.” “Well, she taught them to call it ‘Papa’s chin.’” “Roally, sir, I must confess ” i “Walt till I’m through. To-day one of them got up on my knee, passed his little hand over my chin, and calledit‘Papa’s music-box.’ Now, sir, I ask of you as a Christian man and as the man who tied tho knot, what shall I do?” “Get shaved,” replied the clergyman, softly, as he returned to his work. —[Chicago Tribune. Mortality ot the Human Race, The annual mortality of the whole earth may be estimated ontheground of recent statistical results at about 33,000,000 of persons, which constitutes an average of 91,554 deaths per day, 3,730 per hour, and consequently sixty-two per minute. The average length of human life is thirty-eight years. One-fourth of the human race dies before attaining the seventh year; one-half before attaining the sixteenth year, or in the course of this year. But one person among 10,000 attains the age of 100 years, while one among 500 attains ninety; one among 100 attains sixty. Married people live longer than the unmarried. Among 1,000 persons who have reached the age of seventy years, forty-three belong to the clergy or political class, forty to the agricultural class, thirtythree are workmen, thirty-two are soldiers, twenty-nine are lawyers or engineers, twenty-seven are professors. twenty-four physcians. Gateway to starving Kuasla. Why did the Missouri sail for Libau, Russia, with her cargo of flour and provisions for the starving subjects of the Czar? many people ask. What was the reason the Indiana, which sailed on the same mission from Philadelphia, also went to Libau? The reason is that Ltbau is better adapted than any other seaport as a distributing point. It is the gateway to starving Russia. It is in Courland, on the oleak Baltic Sea, and 105 miles southwest of Milan, Its harbor is artificial, and it is a walled city. Its population ten years ago was 27,418, and is probably less now. Libau has a council hall, a theater, a hospital, an almshouse, alas! now full to overflowing, and an orphan asylum. A railway connects with the • interior, and over its rails America’s food offering will go to the famishing peasants.—New York Herald. Wliit She l ot A He was a Chicago grain speculator, and for a year past nothing had been coming his way except texpenses. Misfortunes never flock by themselves. „One day lis daughter informed him in a cold and unfeeling manner that if he did not give her a diamond tiara worth at least $1,500 spot casli she would elope with the coachman. “Come to my arms, my darling child,” he exclaimed, as the tears of joy coursed down his wrinkled cheeks; “come to my arms.” “Do 1 get the tiara?” she asked, hesitating ere she accepted his invitation. “Os course not,” he smiled delightedly; “you get the coachman. I owe him eight months’ wages.”—Detroit Fref Press. Virtue Unrewarded. • Eminent Physician (unfolding morning paper)—l wonder if my address before the Wiseacres Medical Society denouncing advertising doctors has been printed? Hum —no, I don’t see it. Oh, yes, here it is. Why, confound the blanketyblank reporters! Loving Wife—What’s the matter, dear? Great Physician—Why, they haven’t 1 said that mv specialty is throat and lung disease, that I am at the very top of the profession, and they’ve omitted to give my office address and hours, and the number of my telephone. I gave them all that information, but the way they’ve printed my address won’t be of the slightest benefit to me. She Rules with a Rod or Iron. Mrs. Montague, whose horrible cruelty led to tho death of her 3-year-old daughter, has a great reputation in the North of Ireland for her skill in breaking and managing highspirited and vicious horses. As a horsewoman she is said to have a wonderful seat and is a daring cross country rider. It is superfluous to add that she is popular in her “set,” which is a “smart” one, of sporting proclivities, in her own home she is a martinet of discipline, ruling her household with a rod of iron and, it appears, a rod of death. The Bluest Ones. Mr. Collarbutton (reading from an engineering journal)—Some of the biggest dams in the world are in California. Mrs. C. (meekly)—Pvc heard some i very large ones around here, Hiram —Detroit Free Press. . . • t'

A Model uibMdi t . Wife—l »** th* lovelliMit isce spreads to-day, only 82.50, and | wanted theia awfully, but I know you wizlied to coOW> omize, and bo I didn’t got them. Husband—That’s too bad, my dear, I yon should havo got thorn. Anythinf I which adds to your happiness and brings gladness to your oyos, anything which lightons your domestic cares ana girasj the lowering clouds, anything which borders with sweet flowers the thornyi paths of duty and appeals ploossnUy Wl your rosthotlc nature, making lire morel worth living, homo a paradUo, you Brel welcome, double welcome to, my ahMH if it doesn’t coat more than Now York Weekly. ’ ! The Collapse of o Rottsn Tsnsmsnt, U With orumbling foundation end shaky, bulgtngl walls, is not more certainly to be looks- for thiA] ths sudden giving way of a constitution eappd<| by overwork, unremitting anxiety, or exposure! to hardship »nd malign olimatie influsnseej Against the disastrous effects of each and all co these, Hostetter's btomaoh Bitten is an eSsoM nal safeguard. It fortlfles the system agalnaM them by Inrusing into it fresh vigor begotten Ofl renewed and complete digestion and assitnlterl tion of the food, and its eoneequent rcparatlvul action upon the exhausted tissues and impovrew ished circulation No preparaMvs for the UM dergoing, without injury, of an unusual amount] of bodUv or mental work, no >u*a»s of averting malarial Infection or disorders born of beadlM and impure water equals this superlatively mM defensive invlgoraut. Take it for dyspepsutJ constipation, biliousness, rheumatism, HaMM trouole, la grippe. Strange Change. The prophetic transformation sd “swords into ploughshares and speMtj into prunlng-hooks” Is realized in thd present use of the remslns of the Amerfj can man-of-war Chesapeake, captured bfl 1812 in battle with the British frlirsM Shannon. The vessel was taken M England and sold to a miller, Jehre Prior of Wickham. Mr. Prior built ■ new flour-mill from the timbers of tha Chesapeake, and it is said the mill is Id existence to-day, making good money foa its owner. There may not be so mtied “pomp and circumstance” about It, bni grinding flour is a more useful octal paticn after all, than carrying powdei and shot. Bow’s This? I Wc offer One Hundred Dollars any case of catarrh ,*.iat cannot be cured Ml taking Hairs Catarrh Cure. g F. J. CHENEY * CO., Props., Toledo, O. J We. the nndersigned, have known F. J. Cheney for the last fifteen years, end believe him part feotly honorable in all business troneacUoart and financially able to carry out any obligation® magie bv their firm. West* Truax. Wholesale Druggists. Toledo, Welding. Ktnnan & Marvin, Wholesale Rrurt gists, Toledo, Ohio. Hall's Catarrh Cure Is taken internally, actlnf directly upon the blood and mucous surfaces UM tho system. Price, 750 per bottle. Sold by are Druggists. ' | A Walking Engine. A New York genius has evolved fl a curious kind of a traction engine thal has both wheels and legs. The end ol the machine to which tho six legs are all tacbed is supposed to be the rear of th* engine. The legs are operated bl eccentrics and they work in pairs. Thl feet are shod with blocks of rubber tfl enable them to take bold of the ground The originator of this novel species ol draft animal confidently asserts that d| will go astern as well as ahead and wifl climb any hill less steep than a pitch reo® The Only One Ever Printed—Can You Flasl the Word? There is a 3-!nch display advertisemenfl in this paper this week which has no twv words alike except one word. The same IA true ot each now one appearing each weell from The Dr. Harter Modioine Co. Thifl house places a "Crescent” on everythin® they make and publish. Look for it, senre them the name of the word, and they will return you Boox,BitaumruLi.LlTHOGßAPßsl OB BIMPLXB FBZX. An elephant’s tooth was recently fillel at the Paris Jardin des Plantes. Thl animal endured the ordeal of filling anl boring with great patience and at thfl conclusion of tho operation caressed tbij operator. ;■ 'fi I ' -fl lira I WilHnm A. Lthr 9 of Kendallville, Ind., says Hood's I Sarsaparilla is Sg King of Medicines! And his Cure was ; Almost a Miracle I “C. I. Hood * Co.. Lowell, Maae.: “Gentlemen: When I wan 14 years of age I wfl confined to my bed for several months by attack of rheumatism, and when I bad partial® recovered I did not have the use of my legs, ■ that I had to go on crutches. About a yeH later Scrol ula in the form of ■ J White Swellings r| appeared on various parts of my body, and fB eleven years I was an Invalid, being conHniH to my bed six jssn. In that time ten ■ eleven of these sores aypoared and broke, oaurt Ing me great pain and suffering. Several tlm«M pieces of l>one worked out of the sores. PhylM clans did not help me and «J , I Became Discouraged I • I went to Chicago to visit a sister, as it wl thought a change of air and scene might do tfl good. But I was confined to ray bed most of tfl time. 1 was so impressed with the success tt! Hood's Sarsaparilla In cases stmllarto minetlM I decided to try it. So a bottle was bought, aiM to my great gratifleattou tho sores soon dH creased, . and I began to feel better. Thß strengthened my faitti In tho medicine, and itufl short time I was H Up and Out of Doors I To make a long story short, I continued to tafl Hood's Sarsaparilla for a year, when I had com • so f nlly released, from the chains of dfl ease that I took a position with the FUntH Walling Mfg. Co., and since that time have nH lost a single day on account of sickness. Im ways feel well, am in good spirits, and havsH good appetite. I indorse « Hood's Sarsaparilla 1 for it has been a great blessing to me, and to friends my recovery seems almost miraculotM 1 think Hood's Sarsaparilla is the king of fl medicines.” Wii,i,hm A. Lkhb, No. 9 Norfl Railroad st., Kendallville, Ind. HOOD’S PILLS Cure ' Kennedy’s I Medical Discoveil Takes hold in this order; .1 Bowels, Liver, Kidneys, 1 Inside Skin, ■ Outside Skin, J Driving everything before It that ouiffi to ire out. "MV You know whether need it or not. Bold by every druggist, and mnnufacturedM donald kennedyl ROXBURY, MASS.