Democratic Sentinel, Volume 14, Number 34, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 19 September 1890 — Page 3

QUATRAINS. / »x m. lowkteb. '**r— HAPPINESS. Like him who onoe sought for the fountain of youth. We spend our lives seeking the waters of bliss ; But we find by tho aid of the touchstone of truth That they lie at the bottom of Duty's abyss. CLEOPATBI. Tull many a Cleopatra lives to-day, Dowered with as powerful, potent spells as she "Who lived and loved long centuries ago, But there is now, alas! no Antony! Rock Elm, Wis.

BERENICE ST. CYR.

A Story of Love, Intrigue, and Crime.

BY DWIGHT BALDWIN.

CHAPTER I. LOVE AND PERIL.

Fire!” |[~j ** In startled, terrified ferl tones, the ominous , II | wor’s rang out. < I I “Firel Fire!” Scores, hundreds, of voices caught up and Jrz/i. \ repeated the dreadful |Faja\\ warning, until the vast f. | pome of the great Ex- ~ ; i jposition building a t /Chicago echoed them back, as if in scornful lAjy mockery. ~ A police officer, whose watchful eye had detected a slight /\\ blaze in one of the

magnificent booths, caused ly a spark from the electric lamp, had raised the first cry. Its repetition was the work of the throng of visitors, which, notwithstanding the circumstance that the evening was far advanced, still lingered in the •enticing place. The incipient blaze, fed by laces from far-famed Valenciennes and rich Gobelin tapestries, became almost instantly a mass of seething flame. With fearful rapidity the fire-fiend extended his domain, his voracious appetite increasing as his huge red mouth licked up costly fabr cs and destroyed fittings, until, to the practiced eyes of cool-headed men who had witnessed the great confl it ration wh ch had one time destroyed the Garden City, the enormous structure in which the last of a long series of annual exhibits was being held, appeared doomed to speedy and complete destruction. Confusion reigned supreme; children screamed, women fainted, and men ran wild’y about, seeking an ejre-s, and breaking windows to facilitate their escape from a seeming frightful doom. But high up above the panic, flame and smoke, above the arched roof, above all «ave the clear vaulted heavens, stood three persons who seemed in imminent danger of meeting an awful death. By means of the elevator that pierces the roof of the monster bui.ding they had gained a high position, from which vantage ground the btautiful lake, gleaming beneath the beams of the full effulgent harvest-moon, like a mass of molten silver stretched out before their eyes. “We are lost, father,” and a young lady, in whose form and face nature seemed to have blended in rich profusion her rarest charms, as she clung convulsively to the arm of a gray-haired, rather feeble-look-ing old man. “Lost! No’ no! Berenice!" shouted he. "“The elevator " “Is deserted! The flames surround the shaft. We are left to die here alone ” The old man looked downward and gave utterance to a cry of despair as tne glance verified the words of his daughter. “This way!” shouted he a moment later, and dashed over the railing towards a flight of stairs which descended from the tower to the loof proper. There the old man paused that his daughter might precede him. When well-n’gh down, her dress caught upon a projecting corner, and, with a cry of terror, she fell forward. With a spasm of horror which rendered him incapable alike of speech or motion, the old man saw his daughter sliding down the arched metal loof of the building. Her infancy, prattling childhood, youth, and budding womanhood parsed like a lightning-painted panorama before his eyes, ami he c!o ed them to shut out the seemingly inevitable fate of her he loved next to idolatry. • At that instant a form rushed past him. It was that of a young man who, like his daughter and'himself. had been gaz-, ing upon the beauties of the moonlit lake. "Save her!” pleaded the fond old father, hope restoring hi« power of speech.* Without a word, a look, the young man projected himself forward anddownward toward the place where Berenice was clinging to a small ornamental cupola. She saw him, an I with renewed courage tightened her grasp. But her fingers twitched convulsively, and her face, w hite as the moonlight in ■which it was bathed, told plainer than words that her strength was almost gone. The old man uttered a groan of agony, for to his excite 1 mind her heroic wouldbe rescuer could but join her in a frightful death upon the pavement, far beneath. With rapidly accelerating speed the youth sped downward. With a dexterity which bespoke both agility of muscle and coolness of brain, he caught the small cupola and came to a stop. At the same instant the slender jeweled hand relaxed, and the form of the now unconscious girl began moving onward toward certain death. But fair Berenice St, Cyr had iu store a fate other than destruction; clouds, darkuess, and teors were soon to gather like' the mockery of an aureole around her sunshiny head, yet death was not to be her portion. The young man noted her deadly peril, and seized her wrist. Then, with an almost superhuman effort, in which everv nerve and muscle play&d its part, he drew her upward to a point of temporary •safety. In the meantime, the fire engine and hook-and-ladd*er company, which are housed at the north end of the long building, had arrived and made short work of the fire, but not until the devouring element had wrought damage to 'ths extent of scores of thousands of dollars. Shouts from the throng, which in the briefest possible time had grown to thou-ands, now attracted the attention of the gallant firemen to the imperiled twain above. Ladders, to. whose length there seemed no limit, rose as if through the Dower of magic, and a rescuing party -soon reached the roc '

- But not even to the powerful arufs of the skilled und intrepid “fire laddies” djd the joung man consign his precious burden. Instead, he bore her away himself, and, amid the enthusiastic plaudits of the va«t omwd which tilled Michigan avenue, carried her s»fely down the tall ladder. “God bless you!” cried Mr. St. Cyr, in fervent tones, as ho joined our hero a moment later. “You hive saved my child, my all. This way, John. ” In response to the direction, a handsome carriage was driven through the curious, pressing people, to the curbstone. “Lift her in, please," continued the old gentleman, as he snuug open the door. The other complied, and a moment later, clear of the crowd, the tr.o so strangely united in one party, were being whirled rapidly away to the southward. Before an elegant mans on in Calumet avenue the vehicle came to a stop. But little had been said during the short drive. Fnl’y restored to consciousness, but nervous froip her recent shock and peril, Berenice had lain in the arms of her trembling but joyous parent. “Come,” said the latter, as he led the wav toward the broad threshold. “Please excuse me," returned the young man. lifting his hat. “The lady is happily restored, I can do " “Nothing!” interrupted Mr. St. Cyr; “but you can give us an opportunity to express onr thanks for the inestimable service you have rendeied us. Come!" Ou the point of rereating his declination, our hero turned his eyes upon the fair girl whose life he had so recently saved at the peril of his own. A strange thrill pervaded his frame as his glauce rested opon her face, halt shy, pleading, but wholly beautiful, and fascinating beyond all he had been fated to look upon. A momentary glance into the dark tube of a camera obscura, and one’s features, to the smallest detail, are fixed for all time. The convex glasses of the photographer, are not truer or clearer than the thoughts and purposes of a right-minded young man, nnd the delicate chemical plate no more sensitive to impressions than is the sympathetic, grateful heart of u girl. What marvel, then, that one exchange of gl nces g tve a new direction to the impulses of loth? The young man bowed, and followed his fair though silent persuader up the marble steps. CHAPTER 11. AN AWFUL AWAKENING. “This is our home,” sud Mr. St. Cyr. is with a hospitable wave of the hand I e ushered his guest into the drawing-room. And such a home’ The young man had expected to see elegance, but the richness of the scene quite aston stud him, and bespoke a wealth with which he had never before been brought in contact. “Let us go to the library, father,” suggested Berenice. “It’s far cozier there.” Straws are said to show from which direction the wind is blowing, and the alacrity with which the father acquiesced was sufficient to convince the young man that the daughter was the ruler of the mansion. Assuming the office of guide, the beautiful girl led the way through a number of large apartments luxur.antlv furnished, nnd glowing with the richest hues of art, to the apartment she had suggested. It was indeed a cozy place. Two sides of the room were covered with books, and on the third an open fira burned brightly. “This is father's den,” announced Berenice, as she pointed to a revolving desk nnd a steel safe, which stood beside it. “I can’t make him •.ive up business.” “Now, daughter,” s.id the old gentleman reproachfully. “At least not qu te," corrected she. "You shall decide the matter, Mr. " “Winters,” spoke up the young man as the other paused; “Cole Winters. I should have mentioned my name before.” “No, you shouldn't,” declared pretty Berenice. “The fault was ours—we never gave iou a chance.” “It’s not yet too late to be polite,” said the host, smiling. “Be seated, plea e, and favor us with a more complete introduction. Mr. Winters." “I can add but litt'e to what I have said,” remarked the young man, as he accepted the proffered easy-chair. “My life has beenuneventful. I have nothing besides my name.” “A name—that is, a good name—is a fortune in itself," said the old man, encouragingly. ” “I was bom in Central Illinois, and am just twen y-two,” Cole went on. “My parents both died wnen I was quite joung, leaving me some litile property as an inheritance. All of this w»b expended on my education. About three mot ths ago I completed my college course, and Cimeto Chicago to seek an opening in life.” “And have been successful?" queried Mr. St. Cyr. “On the contrary, I have failed at every turn. I had contemplated following the law, and sought a place in the office of an attorney. This I could have readily secured, but no one would pay me any salary with which to support myself. Then I sought a mercantile position, but whs unable to secure one, as I had ha 1 no experience as a clerk. After this I aspired to no particular line, but sought anv kind of honorable employment.” “And failed at all points?” ‘’Something worse. A private banker hired me for aye tr. I grew suspicious of him and his methods; and discovering him to be engaged iu a dishonorable business, quitted h m after working a month, for which I received no compensation." “And besides losing your salary you have made an enemv?” “Exactly." “What is his name?” “Max Morris.” “Ha!” ejaculated Mr. St. Cyr. "The friend and former partner of Almon Sears!” “The same. I’ve often seen Mr. Sears in his private office. ” “This Almon Sears is the son of an old and valued friend, who died years ago, leaving him penniless. I loved him for his father, gave him every educational advantage, started him iu business, and, had he proved in all respects worthy, I had even designed " The speaker paused as he caught a glimpse of his daughter’s pale face. “He contemplated marrying him to his , liughtsr," was Cole’s ment 1 comment. “Enough of him!” said the old man, with a slight show of petulance. “Pardon the interruption.” “I have uo more to tell. My stock of money being exhausted, I supported myself by doing copying at a beggarly price. To-night I visited the Exposition, in the hope of securing a place. Falling in that, I ascended to the observatory, where I had the good fortune to be of some small service. ” “A service which nothing can repay!” cried the old m>n with a tond look at his rescued child. “I like you, Mr. Winters—like your honest face and the integrity of your heart and mind, as revealed in your frank, open story.” “You flatter me, sir,” faltered Cole, his embarrassment heightened by the look of

plea. «re beaming ee Berenice’s admirini face. “Not a particle. You have told your story; let me rec procate in kind, Fo? ha'f my life I have been an active business man of Chicago. This is my daughter's eighteenth birthday. Some time ago I promised her that when this day came I would abandon nil business and devote the remaining years of my widowed life to her, my only child. “This I have onl. been able to accomplish in part. I have withdrawn from two Arms in which I whs interested, and the proceeds. srSOJ.OOO in bonds, are now in that safe.” Ihe enormous snm mentioned, together with its unexpec ed prox.mity io him, caused Cole Winters a sudden start of surpr se. In this action he was not alone. The curious glance he cast at the cube of polished steel, which held secure behind its bo ts and bars and massive locks more than a king’s ransom, was duplicated bv a pair of dark sinister eyes which gleamed at the lower part of one of the windows behind the backs of the interested trio. “I have fully twice as much more safely invested in ;ood paying real estate," Mr. St. Cyr went on. “These bonds driw onlr a very low rate of interest, and I am desirous of changing them to bouses and other rentable property. This, my contract w th my daughter, prevents me from attending to in person.” “I’m glad you remember your obligations, father," smiled Berenice. “In a week we are to ’eave for New York, from where we will soon sail for a tour of Europe. I hive as yet no agent to reinvest my money and care for my property during my absence. You seek employment. I will pay you $3,000 a year. Is it a bargain?" “My dear sir—what can I say? I have had uo experience ” “Experience an honest man can easily acquire, while experienced men seldom turn honest. You are bright, energetic, sincere.. Is it a bargain?” Besides the father and daughter, ths person at ths window the response. “If you think me competent, sir, I will not otherwise disappoint you ” “Enough!” cried Mr. St. Cyr, extending his hand. “We will settle the details to-morrow. In tho meantime accept and promi e to wear this as a memento of this day. It belonged to my only son, long since deceased.” Thi speaker removed and handed our hero a curiously wrought old-fashioned ring, richly set with diamonds i-nd rubies. “What is it, sir?” asked a servant who had entered the apartment in response to »n electrical bell which his master had touched. “Some refreshments, John. Serve them here, and ns quickly a-i possible.” The man looked curiously at the ring which Cole was in the act of placing upon his finger, and withdrew. Half an hour later the little company separated for the night. a Master must think a power of that young man to give him that ring,” mused John, as he went sleepily down the stairs i-fter having shown Cole Winters to the most sumptuous guest-chamber in the whole mansion. It was long before sleep visited the eyelids of our heroine, whose happy, innocent heart kept beating time to a new and glorious measure—first love. When, »t last, slumber locked fast her outer senses, the new-lorn sentiment controlled her half formed thoughts, anrt dreams of Cole Winters floated through her brain. Again she heard the startling cry of fire, and with fast failing strength saw our hero—her hero, as well—risking his life to snve her. “He'p! Help! Murder!” From a vision at once awful and fascinating. she was awakened by these dreadful words. They proceeded, as she thought, from the library, where she had so recently spent one of the pleasantest hours of her brief life. In an instant; almost, she was there. Day had broken, and objects were distinctly visible. The outcry had emanated from the servant. John Kedzie. wbo stood in the doorway, a look of horror depicted on his face. Bushing past him, Berenice saw chairs overturned, the safe open, and papers scattered about. she gasped. “Worse!” said John Kedzie, in a hoarse whisper. She followed with her eyes the direction indicated by his trembling finger, and saw a sight that fairly froze her young blood, and deprived her of the use of her faculties. Before her upon the floor, a frightful wound in his throat, lay the lifeless body of her beloved father, Paul St. Cyr. [TO BE CONTINUED.]

His Table Etiquette Faulty.

The Sultan never uses a plate. He takes all his food direct from the little kettles, and never uses a table, and rarely a knife, fork or spoon—his bread, a pancake, or fingers are found far handier. It requires twice as manyslaves as there are courses to serve a dinner to him. The whole household is at liberty to take meals where it suits him or her best, and thus every one is served with a small tray, with a spoon, a great chunk of bread, and the higher ones only get the pancakes. Nearly one ton of rice per day is required for the inevitable pillaffe, 600 pounds of sugar, as much coffee, to say nothing of the other groceries, fruit, vegetables, and meat. Rice and mutton and bread form the greater part of the food for the majority of Turks, together with fish, sweetmeats, confectionery, nuts, and dried and fresh fruits. That there is enormous waste and extravagance in the kitchens is obvious, and it is said that enough is thrown away daily to maintain 100 families; but such waste is perhaps not confined to a Turkish royal household, and might also be found in kitchens nearer home. The surplus is gathered up by the beggars, with whom Constantinople abounds, and what remains is eaten by the scavengerdogs. All the water for the Sultan’s use and the drinking water for the household is brought in barrels from two pretty streams at different places in the Bosphorus toward the Black Sea.

Personally Interested.

Stranger—How is the old gentleman down the road who was sick last week? Farmer—Why do you care how he is when you do not know him and have never seen him?. Stranger—l am in the tombstone business. Imputations, however unjust, sully if they do not stain a charset or.

THE GRANDEST OF ALL.

WILL BE THIS YEAR’S SIOUX CITY CORN PALACE. The Resources of the Great Northwest to Bo Shown in Great Grandeur—Exhl bite From Many States to Be Seen—lce Kiner With His Floats to Visit King Korn—An Ode to Mondamin. The management of the Sioux City,, la., Corn Palace, which opens 'Sept. 25 and closes Oct. 11, has determined to make this year’s carnival tho grandest of them all. To this end the fourth annual Corn Palace festival will in every respect represent the resources of the great northwest. The building itself Is a stately structure, covering an acre or more of ground in tho very heart of Sioux City. Exhibits from a dozen or more different states are now being placed in position. There will be many county displays from South Dakota, Minnesota, Nebraska and lowa. One of the features of a Corn Palace is the novelty of its interior and exterior decoration. Tho entire outside Is ornamented with the various species and colors of corn, while tire interior is trimmed and beautified by the nimble fingers of 300 ladies. A description of its beauty would be next to an impossibility. Tho Palace this year will be illuminated day and night by thousands of incandescent lights and arc lamps. Upon entering the Palace one feels as if in a fairy land, the coiling being studded with Incandescent lights, twinkling from a back ground of a soft blue hue. To the extreme end fartherest from the entrance is a fortyfoot water fall, carrying with it all tho effects produced by numerous lights of various colors. The palace will bo open every day and evening. During each afternoon and

Sioux City Corn Palace.—Opens Sept. 25; oloses Oct. 11,1890.

evening there will be concerts by the celebrated Elgin military band, Prof. J. Hecker, formerly bandmaster of the Eigty-second regiment Prince of Wales volunteers, director. This band is considered one of the finest musical organizations in America. Tho repertoire of tho band consists of 6,000 pieces and they could give two concerts a day for a year and not repeat a single number. This splendid organization is made up of seventy skilled musicians, and in itself is a grand card for Sioux City. There are so many features in connection with this year’s Corn Palace, that space will not permit extended notice. Tho trades’ parades consist of novel floats representing the various industries of the city and the great northwest. These parades occu* in the morning shortly before tho noon hour, and pass over tho principal streets of tho city. On days not devoted to trades parades, there will be the celebrated King Korn carnival pageant, something unique and never before witnessed in tho northwest. Tho dazzling and novel pageants will bo designed by the French artist, Francois Dubois, who has been brought over by the Mardi Gras authorities to desfgri and equip next year’s carnival at New Orleans. It will be impossible at this time to say just what this parade will be, and, indeed, in a great measure tho matter will be kept a secret, but the assurance is given that no such parade and no such magnificent costumes and equipments have ever been seen north of New Orleans, as will be witnessed during the Corn Palace carnival. Several hundred costumed horses and plumed knights, with glittering chariots and floats will take part in these pageants, and give amusement to tho thousands who crowd the streets. Every railroad centering at Sioux City, as well as all tributary lines have made a rate of one fare for the round trip, and it is safe to predict Sioux City will, between the dates of Sept. 25 and Oct 11, have the largest gathering of people ever assembled In any lowa city,

What Is a Corn Palace?

The Sioux City Corn Palace —and there was never a Corn Palace outside of Sioux City—is a palace covered and embellished, as with tapestry, outside and Inside, with products of the field, corn predominating, Ingeniously and fancifully arranged. In building the palace a large structure is first erected of lumber, in a shape that will carry and show to advantage the multiform decorations with which it is to be adorned- It is in form lofty, with brokafcllnes, pinnacles, buttresses, bridges, games, ornamental windows, etc. Over every inch of this wooden surface are laid corn and kindred plants In architectural harmony, in a multiplicity of designs. The corn is employed in the stalk, the ear, the kernel, and even the husk has its decorative uses. All the grains and grasses of the field lend themselves to the beautifying of the palace/ The walls are covered on the outside with ears of corn, cut lengthwise or crosswise, and nailed on in geometrical figures or other designs. The various colors of the cereal permit of a wide range of shading and coloring, while its artistic possibilities, developed from year to year in building the palace, admit of the production of effects that are as startling as pleasurable. High over the entrance ot the palace

of 1830 was King Corn’s crown as tht nucleus of a snubirrsti while below wal the national flag in graceful folds—all wrought in varicolored corn as true and as beautiful as if painted by an artist’s brush. The roof is overlaid with corn leaves. Pinnacles and columns are capped with the sorghum plant, or with grains and grasses. The irridesccnt walls, seen from a near distance, seem to be a rich mosaic of polished woods, while with the “Banners, yellow, glorious, golden,” that “From its roof-tree floiyt and flow,” the palace enraptures the beholder as one who looks upon a cloud-painted mansion that may dissolve before his eyes.' The Interior work Is finer and more elaborate. Here the kernel of the corn is largely employed, producing amazing and lovely effects. On tho walls are wrought pictures, illustrating farm scenes, legendary and nursery tiles, etc., with a fidelity that is calculated to raise a doubt that the material employed is the homely utilitarian growth of western faring. Frescoes and flowers, figures of persons and animals, draperies and thousands of surprising and beautiful things are made of field plants for the delight of the visitors to the palace, astonishment Is succeeded by admiration of the genius that conceived and developed so much of art and beauty from such homely fabrics as are employed.

A COHN PALACE POEM.

Mrs. Isadora Baker’s Admirable Offering at the Altar of Mondamin. WHITTEN FOR THE SIOUX CITY DAIL TTIMES BY MRS. ISADORE BAKER. “Sing the blessings of the coruflelds."—Longfellow. In the season of the autumn, Of the golden glad September, When thoTiai vests all are garnered, When the corn Is fully ripened

When the birds have had their full fare Of this product of th? plow-share; When the squirrels know the secret Of Mondamin’s golden treasure, When the Farmer's heart rejoices That the grain Is safe In shelter,— Then the people of the prairies Of the valleys and tho by-ways, Of the cities, plains and highways, Say with look of proud complaisance:— “We will build a stately palace Like unto a castle olden With its turrets high and golden, With Its ramparts and embiasure, . And from parapet to flag-stafl ' It shall bo of Maize, sweet ripened, By the sun and wind of summer, By tlte ozone and the dew-fall, By the magic wand of Ceres And the sturdy hand of granger. When the harvest moon shone fairest. When the crickets chirped in covert, And the locust wings were tuning All their harps in summer nooning, , When the larks were In the meaftow And the cattle drowsed In shadow,— j Then was mother earth In secret Busy with her Chemlc forces In fruition of Mondamin, For the palace of Mondamin, To be reared In western city Proud and prosperous Sioux City. For unique designs in landscape, z Pediment and arch In fresco, Motto, monogram, and story Statue, bric-a-brac, and corn-bloom Wild verbena, morning-glory, Flowers sweet In song and story ' , Pansy, rose and golden lily, Purple iris from the squaw corn. Tiny seed-pearls loved of children, Who around the winter hearthstone Love to watch the glowing embers' Ttirn to flake, these gems of Ceres. And the throng In vast procession ] Shall with music, song and triumph, , Crown this king of fields and harvest Monarch of a boundless kingdom; E’en to verge of mount and forest And areas stretching seaward f This domain, of trade and commerce. And the palace, fair and stately It shall be to palmer’s vision To the pilgrim of true progress In the onward march of nations. In the legends of the nations, Chronicle of song and story In the rune of Hiawatha Measure of the Kalevala. Song of Mondamin. Oh, I am the king of a grander realm Than monarch or czar may own. i The forces of nature my vassals are And the wide, gray earth my throne. My banners hung on a thousand hills Their radiant oriflamme; And the air was athrlll with resonant song Of welcome, when I came. And none but I the miracle knew; How from tho humble seed The mystic wonder of harvest grew In answer to human need. The song of vintage resounds at eve, And echoes at early mom. But the sweetest melody of the year * Is heard in the rustling corn. And I am the mystic warder That stands at tho autumn's gate— Mondamin, the carnival spirit " ’ That rules at the Palace fete. And my song is of joy and gladness— : A rune without favor or fear— The mlth but never the sadness That comes witiTthe waning year. For I am the king of a grander realm Than monarch or czar majFown. The forces of nature my vassals are And the wide, gray earth my throne.

The Corn Palace this year will be Illuminated both day and night by thousands of incandescent and arc electric lights, a feature that is In Itself new and worth traveling miles to see.

THEY ALL WANT WHEAT

MILLERS UNABLE TO GET ENOUGH OF IT. They Are Buying Freely, but Owing to the Short Crop Are Not Able to Get Enough to Last Long—Condition of crops —Potatoes Are scarce. [Chicago dispatch.] With the exception of the little rain, If any, has fallen during the present week either in the com or win-ter-wheat belt. While' in one sense of the word the drought has been broken, yet the areas just referred to stand today greatly In need of good, soaking rains, something that they have not yet had. Pastures and meadows are in need of rain. Stubble fields ought to have it to enable farmers to plow and put the land in good condition for seeding wheat. The oat crop is now all thrashed and secured. Country elevators report the receipts from farmers as exceedingly small. Taking the winter wheat belt as a whole there has been no time since harvest when millers from Texas to Michigan have boon as free buyers of winter wheat as during the last ten days. Central Kansas reports that millers are buying all tho wheat they can get; that the demand for flour Is good and that they are pretty well stocked up for the time being. Potatoes are scarce. l Selling now at 31.50 a bushel and will be shipped in from Utah or Colorado. Central Missouri reports that millers are buying all the wheat they can get hold of. Stocks of old wheat ail gone, and orders for wheat are coming in from lowa and also from Illinois. In Southern Illinois millers are generally buying all tho wheat that Is offering. Farmers, however, have not boon selling freely. Millers are generally stocked up with wheat to keep them running from sixty to ninety days, . In Central Illinois mills are fairly well supplied with wheat, but few of them have more than a ninety days’ stock. There is a steady Southern demand, and some Ohio and Indiana mills are in the market for wheat at St. Louis prices. Southern demand for wheat is an unusual thing at this seasou of the year.? ' Potatoes have not shown any improvement since the late rains and the crop will not be sufficient for home wants. As a rule the millers in Northern Indiana at present uro all buyers of wheat. So far they have no stocks ahead and are grinding their dally receipts. In Southern Indiana millers have been buying wheat freely at 81. The stocks are generally light. There is a good demand from other States both for seed wheat and for grinding. Millers generally have enough on hand to keep them going for sixty days. Good progress has been made with plowing the ground and seeding will soon commence. Potatoes are practically a failure. In Southern Ohio, most of the mills have no stodk to amount to anything; hence they are buying all tho wheat they can get. Farmers are not selling freely, and will not unless 81 becomes the general price. Good progress has been made in plowing for wheat, but the ground has been so dry that more rain would be beneficial. In Southern Michigan millers have’ been buying considerable wheat within the last ten days.. There has been a good demand for flour, and many of tho mills have sold ahead for a mouth. Mills are not generally heavily stocked with wheat. The land Is dry; nevertheless farmers have been plowing, and the prospects point to an increase of acreage over last season. All things considered, it has been a good week for maturing corn, and the prospects are now that within ton days a largo proportion of the corn crop will bo out of the way of frost. Nebraska reports that there is yet no corn in that State out of the way of frost. Recent rains have improved tho condition of corn in sections where there were fair prospects before tho rain; but in a large portion of tho State the damage done to the crop was too extensive for rains to be of any material benefit. Taking the State as a whole, the prospects now point to about 40 to 45 per cent, of last year’s crop. The local price of corn during tho past week was 40 cents a bushel. This price was based upon Western markets and local feeders. Tho price has declined to from 38 to 35 cents, and is getting down to a shipping basis to Eastern markets. There is about 10 per cent, of old corn In farmers’ hands. The potato crop will be extremely light, with none to ship out of the State. In Southwestern lowa no corn is yet out of the way of frost. The recent rains have had the effect to stop further damage to tho crop caused by tho dry weather. The cars will fill out better, but it will not make any more ears or any longer ones. The Improvement is more in appearance than anything else. A small percentage of the corn In Central Illinois will not be hurt by a light frost.- The remainder of the crop will require from fifteen to twenty days. Southern Illinois reports half a crop to a total failure and farmers are using new corn already for seed. Reports from North Dakota are that wheat that was cut with bindersis being thrashed. The quality Is poor and the yield light, averaging six to fifteen bushels per acre Rains have put the grounds in good condition for plowing. Few cases are reported where the wheat has turned out much more than one-half as much as was estimated during harvest. This is owing to the shrunken condition of the berry and the heads not being more than half full. The straw was heavy, more so than last year, and this is the reason why so many are now disappointed in the final outcome. It is thought that farmers will be free sellers at present prices, and heavy receipts at Duluth and Minneapolis are looked for in the near future. Reports covering stations on the Milwaukee and St. Paul Road through Wisconsin, Minnesota and Dakota say the spring wheat crop has now been secured in fairly good shape. Tho quality is fully one and one-half to two grades lower than last year. An early and free movement is looked for.

Items of Interest.

Twenty million acres of the land of the United States are held, by foreigners. Pbovo, Utah, has a red-hot anarchist. His wife supports him by taking tn washing. An Englishman proposes laying deepseaelectric cables by means of submarine boats. There are 10,862 school districts, 62,372 teachers, and 2,800,000 school children in Japan. Tnw American Congregational churchea have resolved to give £2,000 annually so» evangelical work in France.