Democratic Press, Volume 1, Number 24, Decatur, Adams County, 28 March 1895 — Page 3

THE MARSDEN TWINS. A Story Written for This Paper by Edward S. Van Zile. * [COVTBXGHT.]

CHAPTER IV.- -Continued. There was the suspicion of a sob in Marion’s voice. The fact was that the twins had suddenly discovered that this materialistic age is very selfish, it is true that they had deliberately made a test of their acquaintances and suitors and had even predicted to each other the result of theirexperlment; but it is hard for generous, impulsive girls to come face to face with the sordid tendencies of human nature. They found it difficult to believe that the flattery and adulation which had surrounded them since their return to the metroftolis had been paid to their bank accounts, not to themselves. And. then, they had been bitterly disappointed as regards the Daltons. They had fondly believed that these men were made of better stuff than the average society man. But they had not seen the Daltons since the rumor of their financial fall had gone forth. It is true that the young lawyers had never openly made love to them, and had. in fact, held themselves somewhat aloof from the all-conquering twins; but there is a subtle telegraphy of the eyes which is more effective than words and Marion and Vera bad felt that the Daltons cared more for them than did the men who talked of love while longing for wealth. "I fear you are right, Marion,” remarked Vera sadly. “Our heroic treatment of society has made us the greatest sufferers. Perhaps, after all, It would be better to restore to our front door the old legend: The sign of the Mighty Dollar. It Is hard to be neglected after ail our triumphs.” “Well, I'm willing to remain poor just one more day. If none of our old friends come to us before to-morrow night we'll speculate again and win back our millions.” “Agreed,” said Vera. "It is foolish to throw away our only magnet. We have learned a sad lesson. Hereafter we will crush out our girlish impulses ami become as hard, cold and calculating as the world around us.” These were bitter words to come from so sweet a mouth. She had hardly finished them when a servant brought in to her a card. “Mr. Weldon,” exclaimed Vera, excitedly. “The last man In the city I expected to see at this time. I'll go down to him. May. I really believe 1 am glad he has called. I never used to like him, but perhaps I have done him an injustice.” As she entered the drawingroom. Weldon came forward in a quiet.digni fled way and took her hand. Like most men who have gray hair and a dark mustache he possessed unquestionable beauty. His complexion was fresh, his eyes cold and searching and about his Itersonality there hovered the atmosphere of power. He was a dangerous man for an unsophisticated girl to cope with. “I am very glad to see you. Mr. Weldon," said Vera, seating herself near him. "You can tell me the news of le petite monde.” Weldon smiled. “I did not come to gossip, Miss Vera, but to talk about myself.” “Indeed? Would not that be gossip?" “Under certain circumstances, yes. But I wish to place my display of egotism above the plane of frivolity." “Go on; I am interested in your experiment.” “And I am in yours,” said Weldon to himself. Then aloud: “Not long ago I made to you a proposal of marriage. You refused my suit Now, Miss Vera. I have seen a great deal of the world and I ask the privilege of being frank with you. Os course there were reasons at that time why you should suspect the motives of anyone who ‘made love' to you. I wish to prove to you now that if you doubted the disinterestedness of my affection you did me a wrong. I loved you then and love you now for yourself alone. I am not a rich man. but 1 have enough to support us in comfort, if not in luxury. 1 hereby renew my suit. Happiness and wealth are seldom allies. An honest man'slove is the best fortune a girl can have.” There was a magnetism about the man well nigh irresistible. His social success had been due to the fact that he was by nature a perfect actor, and In this instance his rendition of the role of a frank, manly lover was a work of genius There were tears in Vera's eyes as she gave him her hand. "1 accept your proposal, Mr. Weldon. Frankly, I do not love you as a girl should love a man to marry him, but circumstances have placed your character in a new light to me. 1 once did you an injustice, as you intimate. If I coa repair that wrong by becoming your wife, I feel it is my duty to do so.” There was a coldness about this arrangement that would have repelled many men, but. Weldon simply smiled in triumph as he bent reverently and kissed her white, smooth brow. He saw that she was greatly agitated and (discreetly said: "I will leave you now. my darling. If you wish it, I will return this evening." "Yes—yes, go,” she murmured, and turning, fled from the room. “0. Marion, what shall I do?” she cried when she had reached the library and thrown herself into her sister's arms. “I have agreed to marry Mr. 'Weldon—and I don't love him. I was jnesmerized, I think. But I must keep

my word. O, why did not Jack Dalton come to me? It’s terrible. I don’t know what I ought to do. Help me. sister. Tell me, what do you think of me?” “A gentleman to see Miss Marion,” said a servant, entering the library with a card. “Mr. Ashton!” exclaimed Marion. “Can it be that he, too. is not the for-tune-hunter we took him for?” "Be careful. May. Don't do anything rash. See how 1 suffer and take warn lug.” Marion smiled calmly as she prepared to leave the room. “How do you do, Mr. Ashton?" she asked, with cold ceremoniousness as she met him in the drawing-room. "We have not seen you for a long time.” Ashton’s pale face reddened slightly. He seated himself awkwardly and seemed at a loss for words. He was enough of a gentleman to dislike his present role, and .Marlon's hauteur unnerved him. Ills agitation served him well, however, for a woman is always flattered to find that her presence disturbs the poise of a thorough inondain. “You are well?” he asked, rather desperately. “Yes.” She was still cruelly unsympathetic. “I regret— I am glad—that is. I mean I am delighted to see you.” “Thanks.” He rose and stood before a small, finely executed portrait near her. “What a perfect likeness of you," he said. Then, as if gaining confidence by addresing the picture, he continued: “It is the face of the woman I love. It is tlie face of a woman whose being has bewitched me, whose image is engraved on my heart, ami to whom I cry out for mercy.” Ashton had read a great many novels in his time. “That is Vera's picture, Mr. Ashton. I am sorry to inform you that she is engaged to Mr. Weldon.” Ashton flushed scarlet, coughed nervously, looked foolish for a moment and then catching the eyes of Marion, joined her in a hearty laugh. Again fortune favored him, for the sympathy begotten by that laugh gave him more confidence and rendered Marion more approachable. "The artist himself In this light might easily have made my mistake,” lie began, firmly. “What I just said refers to you. Marion Marsden. I love you and want you to be my wife.” Marion returned no answer for a long time. Her mind was agitated by many conflicting thoughts. In the first place, this man had once proposed to Vera. This fact, however, might not indicate that he did not truly love Marion. It really seemed as though a man who loved one of these girls must love the other. They were so much alike in appearance, character, and mental tendencies that a passion begotten by Vera might reasonably be transferred to her sister. Dismissing this point, therefore. Marion went on to the next. It was evident that Ashton did not look for money or he would not have pressed his suit at this time. That was a strong argument in his favor. Ho anil Weldon were apparently the only men of their acquaintance who cared more for them than for their money. But Ned Dalton? Why should Marion think of him at such a time? He had never spoken even one tender word to her and had deserted her in her hour of poverty. No, she would forget his existence and lay out her life as her reason, not her heart advised. Ashton was. in many respects, an eligible parti. He was presentable, aeomplished, rather pleasing in his ways. He was not. by any means, a poor man. and his position in NewYork society was well established. Surely a girl might do wo? - .- than marry him. But all these arguments might have been of no avail had it not been for that peculiar affinity that pertains to twins. Vera bad engaged herself to a man she did not love. Marion felt an intense desire to do the same thing. At length she said firmly and abruptly: "Mr. Ashton, I will marry you.” “Thanks.” There was a touch of sarcasm In bis voice. Ho had not wholly forgiven her for her cold reception." You have made me the happiest man in the city." “I hope you may always remain so. But I must exact one promise from you/' “It is granted." “You must learn at once to distinguish my portrait from Vera's.” Ashton smiled quietly. Now that his victory was won he was again the self-possessed man of the world. A half an hour later Vera and Marion sat in their boudoir looking at each other in dismay. They had begun to realize with painful clearness that their impulsiveness had placed them in a most serious position. “But we will always have each other,” sobbed Marion. “I—l hope so.” faltered har sister. “O, why was I so weak? I have ruined my own life, and yours, too. I should think you would hate me, May.” In an instant they were locked in each other's arms and weeping like broken-hearted women. CHAPTER V.—ONE CLIENT. Jack Dalton and his brother sat in their dingy little office waiting for the morning mail. After frankly criticising each other's literary work they had sent their efforts in the realm of let-1

ters to a publisher and a theatrical manager, respectively. Ned had 11V tie hope that his novel would be accepted, but was confident that Jack's play would triumph. The latter Irad no faith in his own comedy, but had little doubt that Ned's novel would fill the publisher with delight. They had been on the anxious seat for a week, and had begun to realise that there are some occupations even worse than waiting for the client that never comes. "The fact is, Ned,” said Jack, “we are very foolish to expect any news so soon. I have heard that publishers sometimes keep a novel for months before they look at it, and managers have any number of plays on their shelves that they have never read.” "That’s an old-fashioned idea. Jack. Publishers and managers are looking for new talent all the time. We’ll hear .soon enough. It does seem to me as though we ought to be successful in these ventures. We've had no luck in love or law; Literature owes us reparation.” “Perhaps so. By the way. I sometimes feel as if we should have been more aggressive in those first two 'L’s.' We have done too much waiting and too little hustling. I fear.” At this moment a step in the hallway attracted their attention. It was not the postman. They knew, too well, his shuffling gait. Even the dusty books and boxes seemed to listen eagerly. Could it be that a client had fallen at length a victim to the gilded legend. The door opened and Count Kovinsky entered the office. The Daltons had a slight acquaintance with this man with a Polish mime and a French accent. They had never heard anything good of him. and were astonished at his entrance. What could he want with them during business hours? “Bonjour, messieurs'. May I have a moment of your valuable time?” “Certainly, Count Kovinsky; be seated. We are at your service.” “I have come to you. gentlemen, to have you do a leetle of zee law for me.” The gilded legend on the door was triumphant at last. The books and tin boxes looked chagrined and the spider on the top shelf died of astonishment “Yes?" remarked Jack with majestic calmness. “Yes, I intend to sue Monsieur Weldon you know him—for money he has obtained of me from what you call false pretenses.” “I thought you and Weldon were great friends," broke in Ned, maladroitly. “We were, but last night we had a quarrel and I found he was a scoundrel.” “How much does he owe you?" ask ed Jack, as though used to cross-ex-aminations. "About ten thousand dollars." “Whew! why did you get in sc deep? I don't know how you will ever get it back. Weldon is worth nothing.” "Zat may be. but he is soon to marry zee rich Mees Marsden and he will then have plenty of money. See?” The Daltons started as though Kovinsky had drawn a revolver. What did he mean? They had not heard of the success of Weldon and Ashton, and. of course, did not know that the Marsdens were still rich. “Before I go any farzer I will tell you sotnezing,” continued Kovinsky, whose treacherous face had acquired for the time a most disagreeable expression. “You know Ashton? He is engaged to zee ozzer sister. Zay won zee girls on zee dice. Zay zrew vare near six hundred and sixty-six—and won two millions, n’est-ce pas?' The Daltons could not grasp his meaning. "You will have to be more explicit,” remarked Jack. Thereupon Kovinsky told in detail the story of the dicethrowing and its results. “Yon see,” he concluded, “eef 1 scare Weldon by beginning a suit against him he will pay me as soon as he gets his grasp on his wife's money.” "And what if he never marries Miss Marsden?” asked Jack “Zen I will send him to prison.” There was silence for s moment. Then Jack said, rather sternly: "Wo find it impossible to take your case, Count Kovinsky.” “Why,” asked the Frenchman, pale with anger. “That question we are not obliged to answer. Good morning.” Jack and Ned gazed at each other in silence for a moment. Then the former said: “We must go to them at once, Ned. We must open their eyes to this vile plot." At that instant the postman knocked at the door. "Two letters, gentlemen.” “Good heaven. Jack, they have accepted my novel." cried Ned a moment later. “God bless you, old man; you’ll be the American Balzac yet And, look here: The manager writes that he will produce my comedy if 1 will change slightly the last a -t. Change it. Great Scott! I'd rewrite h entire if he wished me to. Here, give me your hand, old man. Whoop la! 1 own with the law! Ixmg live literature!" Catching Ned waltzed him around the office In a manner that would have created c >n.sternation in a ball-room. The dust was hurled from the books and boxes in showers, the old carpet split as though overcome with merriment, and chairs and desk seemed to join in a mad romp, as if glad that law had been banished forever from the room. To the conservative reader who al ways likes to have a story end amid the joyous festivities of a marriage cere mony. there remains one more word tc be said. The Marsden twins are now known in society as Mrs. Jack” and Mrs. Ned.” (The End.)

REAL RURAL READING WILL BE FOUND IN THIS DEPART M ENT. How to Reduce Labor in the Care of Hogs -- Remarkable Longevity of Farmers Value of Farm Animals— General Agricultural Mention. Long Life of Farmers. During thirty-four years and eight months, says in article in Current Literature. there died in the State of Massachusetts 161.801 men of over 20 years of age, whose occupations were specified in the registry of their diseases. The average age at which they died was 51 years. The number is so great and the period covered Is so long that by the study of the classification of the employment of those dead we can get a very fair idea of the comparative age at which men in different occupations and in an ordinarily healthy community are swept away by death. It is noticeable that of all who died the cultivators of the earth attained the highest average age, about 65% years, and they make up more than a fifth of the total number. We all know why farmers as a class, not only in this, but in all countries, should live to a ripe old age. They enjoy good air and are free from many of the cares that beset those living in the cities, to say nothing of the constant noise and excitement which destroys the nerves and racks the system. It is rarely that a farmer dies before his head is gray. Farmers, as a rule, too, do not to any degree indulge in alcoholic beverages. One important fact must be taken into consideration concerning the farmer and his age, which is that the weaklings of the farmer's family do not, as a rule, remain on the farm after attaining an age fitting them for some pursuit Such are sent to cities to choose a trade or profession, and only the strong and healthy ones who are fitted for the work are retained upon the farm. Economy In Keeping Swine, The plan below shows how the labor In the care of a large herd of swine may be reduced to a minimum. This piggery is 20x30 feet and divided into four distinct sets of compartments. Fig. 1 Is an inside view, with a portion of the roof removed to show the Interior of the passage which extends lengthwise FIG. L—INSIDE VIEW OF PIGGERY. through the center. This passage or hall, as will be seen by Fig. 2, is 4 feet wide, and 30 feet long, closed at each end by a gate. SjAmts opening into it communicate with the feed troughs and a gate opens into it from each pen. Beneath the roof are lofts for the storage of grain and other feed, to which access is had by doors binged on the lower side. In the covered portion of the hallway are also convenient hooks for hanging small tools. The roof ex. tends over a section of 14 feet, In which are the sleeping and nesting quarters, -=-y ~~k . . ; \ ' .N ' Z s ! — FIG. 2.—GROUND PLAN OF PIGGERY. 'Mich 7xß feet The sides are covered with horizontal boards. Between the lower one and the plank floor is left a •pace an inch wide for drainage, which Is caught in a trough extending along each side, directly under the edge of the flooring. Under the lower end of each trough is an old hogshead sunk in the ground for the storage of the liquid manure. A gate opens from one of the open pens into a yard. Such a structure is particularly well adapted for breeding sows and their young. Farm and Home. Making Vs. Buying a Lawn. The business of cutting sod to be transplanted is not so common since most people, even in the cities, have learned how much cheaper and easier It is to get a better lawn with a little fertilizer and grass seed. A good, rich •eed bed is required to make the transplanted sod take root, and although for i few days it may look well, when dry weather comes the sodded lawn presents a very shabby appearance. A •ceded lawn will in a few weeks show a lively green, and it requires much less watering in dry weather than does the sod. Besides, with a good seed bed. the householder who makes his lawn can select the kinds of grasses that he wants. Some sweet-scented vernal grass should always be sown. It is rarely or never found lu sods cut for transplanting, as they are usually gathered by the roadside. Acorns as Feed. It is true, says a writer in the Breeders' Gazette, that acorns it eaten by cows in any considerable quantity will seriously reduce the flow of milk. This fact I learned by experience to my cost more than forty years ago. After the flow had been reduced one-half it may by proper feeding be partially regained, but no amount of good food will ever bring the flow back to what It would have been if the shrinkage had not occurred. To Kilt Lice. Kerosene emulsion, diluted, will kill Uce on cows or horses, and yet not injure the animals, but crude petroleum

will cause their nalr to come off. On the contrary, crude petroleum will not injure a dog in the least, while kerosene will cause loss of hair when applied to the skin. Why this is the case cannot, perhaps, be explained, but it has been noticed by many who have used both substances on the skins of both animals, including dogs. Water Iu the Kitchen. At a comparatively small expense every farmer can have well water in his kitchen the year round, thereby saving a great deal of labor, and can have it pure at all times. A force pump and a little extra piping will be all the expense. Instead of laying the piping directly to the tank, run It through the house to a small tank over your sink. The pipe should come up through the 1 ■— ~ ~ bottom of the small tank, and it is better to have a stop valve at this point to hold the water In the tank should the water leak back in the well pipe. Near the top of the tank have the overflow pipe. This should run to the cattle tanks, then all water pumped passes through the kitchen, keeping the water in the house tank fresh. In summer this tank should be packed with some heat resisting material. Os course it should have a cover at all times. A faucet near the bottom Is very convenient. Whatever is spilled drops into the sink and does no harm. Every farmer’s wife would appreciate such an arrangement—American Agriculturist Trees as Fence Posts. The objection to making use of living trees as fence posts is that as the tree grows the fence will take up too much room. We have frequently seen the willow’ thus used by thrifty farmers. A willow stake set in early spring right side up, with a few buds at the top will, almost certainly, grow even in dry soil. It will never make a large tree in sueh position, and if its top is cut off a few feet higher than the fence is needed it will not shade much ground. It is better to nail a slab or board to the tree stake to fasten the wires to, as they will thus hold better than iu the soft, green wood. The locust is sometimes used as a live fence post, but this tree grows too large, and its roots, whenever disturbed by the plow, throw up an innumerable amount of suckers. The locust tree will soon grow to a size where each eight-foot length may be split up into a good many fence posts of the best quality.—American Cultivator. Wealth and Credit. Official estimates place the value of farm animals—horses, cattle, mules, hogs and sheep-in the United States at no less than $1,819,446,306. This Is quite three times the total interest-bear-ing debt of the country. It Is sufficient to pay off all the national debt. Including all the treasury notes, bonds, gold and silver certificates, and everything else, and still leave a balance of $171,618,819. Thus this one comparatively insignificant item of wealth — constituting an infinitesimal fraction of the country’s possessions—ls greater by hundreds of millions than the total debt, much of which is amply provided for by gold and silver deposits and in other ways. What possible excuse can there be for a statesmanship which discredits a country with such resources and compels it to pay 3% per cent, for money to meet temporary treasury needs?—New York World Threshing Barley. A brewer of Teterboro, Ont., sends this word to the barley growers: “When you cut your barley, don't thresh it out at once, but let it stay in the stack or mow for a month before threshing to sweat. This sweating is a chemical process which greatly improves barley for malting purposes. Barley threshed as soon as cut never malts well. Barley is better for being cut slightly green and allowed to stand in tlie field until dry enough for housing." Frozen Vegetables In the Dark. Tho fact that some vegetables may be frozen while in the ground without injury, provided they : <■ not disturbed until thawed, has led to the belief that the soil somehow “draws” the frost out Really what the covering does is to exclude light. It i. very Injurious to frozen vegetables to be exposed to light and currents of air. Light causes rot, partly, we suppose, because in the light oxygen, which is the basis of all decay, is much more active than it is iu the darkness. Winter-Bred Parasites It is very difficult to keep stabled animals in winter free from parasites The hair is thicker at this time, and animals In the stable are unable to dust themselves as they will when they have access to the earth. As you are carding out the lasi year's coat of hair have a vessel containing kerosene emulsion handy, and with a sponge or rag wash the necks of the animals you are grooming. A weak emulsion will kill ail lice and will not injure the hair. Don't Deceive Buyers. A fruit grower who shipped a lot of apples to one of the large markets branded in large letters on the barrels: “These apples are the same all the way to the bottom as at the top," which enabled him to secure the highest price. The time has passed when false representations deceive buyers. Those who may have received a temporary benefit at some time by deception, find their goods shunned by buyers after awhile.

W Habits that Save Labor. One of the most unfortunate hihtt* a young housekeeper can acquire is of wasting her strength in taking an necessary steps. It is a mistake *• suppose that it is more trouble to thin* in advance than to do the extra woz* that is always caused by lack of tbougM and it is better to work systemaliealij and use the time gained for taking * walk on the street or calling b friend, than to prolong work by a aileaa dawdling. The importance to a housekeeper a habit of working neatly can hardly b* overestimated. She who spills liquid* on the floor and on her clothes; »tM» smears her kitchen table with greasy and scatters the flour about when bating, doubles her labor. A carekaa housekeeper should believe that accL dents are largely preventable. Let bee aim to accomplish results without waste of labor or waste of material Li» for Instance, hot fat is to be q-uredl from one vessel to another, let her i*jr a newspaper, which should always b* at hand, under the receiving vessel to catch any possible drop. It is muck easier to burn a bit of paper than t* scrub a floor or table, or clean a dirtjr carpet Is a fowl to be prepared for cooking? Let her lay a piece of thick lirowm paper upon the work table, and ’her* will then be no “muss” to clean up afterwards with scrubbing brush an« cloth. Let her have a eare to keep clea* things clean. She should never fill a vessel to the brim with any kind off liquid, or attempt to carry a heaped! measure of such substances as flour or sugar; for the chances are that an unsteady motion will cause spilling. Le» her also learn to measure distance* with her eye, to estimate magnitude* and weights, and to take hold of thing* gently and firmly. In short, let her issa her brain for every detail of her work, assured that in time the acquired habtt of neatness and skill will answer all th* purposes of tho natural one.—Houam hold. Orange Souffle. Four large oranges, six eggs. Hire* heaping tablespoonfuls of sugar, i pin® and a half of rich milk. Peel, slit* and seed the oranges and place them upon the bottom of a dish you wish t» send to the table, and sprinkle o'-tr them a heaping tablespoonful of th* sugar. Make a custard of the yelks of the eggs, the milk and the remainder of the sugar. Set aside to cool, and , when cold pour over the sliced orange*. ’ Beat the whites of the eggs to a stiff froth, add a spoonful of powdered ■*- gar; spread this over the pudding set in the oven and brown slightly. Molasses Candy. Two cups of molasses, one cup mi sugar, two tablespoons vinegar, on* tablespoon butter; boil twenty mi undo* (stirring to keep from burning), or tflß it is brittle when dropped in cold wiser or on snow; just before pouring tut* buttered tins stir in one level teaspoo* of soda; this will make it light and brittle, and must be stirred in quickly; if wish, peanuts shelled and halved cam be stirred in the last thing; this recipe will make three small pans. Pressed Meat, The meat which is left in making s-ra* is good for pressing into a loaf. Taka one quart cold meat made free from bones and gristle; pick fine, add half* teaspoonful cinnamon, half a teaspoo*- , ful cloves, a dust of black pepper, iunS 1 a cupful of soup stock poured over !9 boiling hot; mix well together and put in a mould; set in a cold place, rad! when cold turn out on a plate; slkw In thin pieces and arrange on a platter garnished with parsley or cress. Hot Water Sponge Cake. Two eggs, whites and yolks beaten separately; one cup of very tine graun*lated sugar, one cup of flour, not beaded. one teaspoon of baking powder sifted in with flour, a little salt, flavor wit* lemon; last thing one-half cup of bating water; beat yolks, add suuar, the* “he whites with flour; do not have yowr oven too hot at first, as it is apt to make the cake coarse grained. Oyster Stew. This has been tested: Add one cup eff water to one quart of oysters; mas* and drain; put the liquor drained on *s> boil, skim thoroughly, add the oyster* and cook until the edges curl; add on* pint of hot milk, one teaspoon of barter. salt and pepper to taste. Cream Rice Pudding. Three pints of milk, three-quarters of a cup of rice, three-quarters cf * cup of sugar, one-quarter of a teaspoos of nutmeg, bake in a moderate ove* two hours, stirring every half hour. Handy Hints. Clean vinegar bottles with crushed! eggshells in a little water. There is quite a difference betwea* old aud new flour when used for and the old is always preferred. Muriatic acid will remove stain* from marble and is excellent for cleaning purposes about the ba tin oom. Half a teaspoonful of sugar scatters® over a dying fire is better than kes*. sene, and has no element of danger. Brush pie crust over with the whim of an egg before putting the fruit i* and it will keep it from becoming soggy. Excellent iron holders can be nud» by using the tops of worn-out shoe*. Cut the leather iuto squares and covsr it with some suitable material, making: as many thicknesses of the leather m desired and whipping it closely in piac*.