Democratic Sentinel, Volume 15, Number 33, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 4 September 1891 — Page 5

DOUBLE DICK AND JOE; The Poorhouse Waifs.

BY DAVID LOWRY.

CHAPTER XVll—Conttnjpd. The lookers-on marveled as Dick set |ils teeth tight, and, accommodating his movements to those of the mare, they pped around the vast Inclosure in circles that Increased in dimensions. “Jump! Jump for your life,” shouted MltchelL “No, no,” shouted Ben Instantly. “Hold hard—hold hard, Dick,” Dick did hold on. The white mare cose In the air—pawed the air. Still Dick clung to her. She plunged repeatedly, still the boy sat on her back. Her heels flew up like lightning, and still Dick was not tossed over her head. On the contrary, as she reared again and pawed the air, Diek hit he? on the right ear with his fist with all his might. The mare dropped on all'fours, then reared again, was hit again and again dropped on all fours. But, now, Dick did not lose time striking her. His hand struck her a score of times or more as fast as he could move his arm. The mare stopped and shook her head. She turned and glared at her rider. In that interval Dick had grasped a loose strapfiom the top of a wagon near him. This strap was now raised in the air. The spectators saw it come down on the head, shoulders and flanks of the mare—it rained blows on her. The mare galloped across the field in a frenzy, still the blows were showered on her without stint Oge struck one eye—that made her frantic with fear and rage; she sped round and round — 9 way to the end of the large field, back, to and fro, and still the strap was plied unmercifully. “If she stumbles it is death to both, • said Mitchell. “Yes; and there’s five hundred dollars gone at a clip,” said Mr. Bucket!, whom the cries had brought from the road at a distance, where he was superintending the movements of the foremost wagons. “I'd gtve a thought to that plucky boy,” said Ben drily. “So I do —so I do, ” said Buckett. “Here, too, * said Mitchell. At that instant the mare stood stock still. The lookers-on could not see what happened. What they saw surprised them beyond expression. The mareturned about, and instead of galloping like mad, trotted—yes, trotted slowly and gently back to the group near the green-room, where she stopped. As Dipk looked at the crowd smiling, Buckett exclaimed: “The boy’s a witch!” “I can’t understand it, * said Mitchell, as Dick slid to the ground wfth a laugh. “You are a wonder!” said Ben. But his wife kissed Dick’s cheek, whereat he blushed like a girl. “There’s nothing you can’t back after that, ” said Buckett. “O! I’ll put him on a zebra or tiger after that, ” said Mitchell, taking holt} of the mare, which stood docile. “Now ter us have some breakfast,” - said Buckett. “Yes,” Ben said, with a laugh, “ft gave me an appetite just to look at Dick and Firefly. ” It is necessary for me to say something of the mare Dick mastered. Black Bess was as mettlesome an animal as we have seen. There were very few who could go near her. However, Black Bess had been driven, ridden —was’well-known in the ring. Only she was uncertain, “devilish uncertain, ” as Mitchell said. Dick did wonders with her. Firefly—well, to twist an old saying, she was a mare of another color. The white steed was the most nntractable horse known in the State where she was foaled. She was a heeler —a spitfire—a murderous beast. Beautiful —butcrueL She had a terrible record. Buckett knew her strain well—knew all about her, but he took a strange fancy to buy her, and paid more money for her than others, who knew the mare, would have been paid to take her home and promise to risk limb and life feeding her. You never heard—l never heard of a man or a woman, or a horse with a bad record, that dia not somehow present an offset in the shape of extenuating circumstances. Firefly had killed4wo men. One she threw over her head, breaking his neck, the man who fed her two years. She killed him ten minutes after he placed the bit in her mouth—the only bit she ever felt in her mouth. The excuse then was, < her owner did not know how to manage horses. The bereaved family got rid of her speedily. A man who knew all about horses took hold of Firefly. Why, he had commanded a cavalry regiment. He mounted her one day; she took the bit in her teeth, ran away, threw him, and he died a week later. The excuse then made w«s that Colonel Smith was not sufficiently mindful; that he let the beast get her head when he ought to have been watching her. ‘ Firefly was fed carefully through a hole tn the stable after that Nobody cared to no maimed or killed by venturing into her stall. This was the blooded mare Buckett bought just for an experiment. This was the animal Dick subdued. It was wonderful. A boy. a mere boy who was raised in a poorhouse, bringing a beast that the oldest hands were afraid of. There is a great deal of superstition among “show people. ” More than sailors reveal; much more. Buckett all at once conceived this boy was thrown into his path to paralyze the public with Firefly. At the breakfast table be said, in a loud tone: “Your boy, Ben, has accomplished what no one else would have undertaken for me. ” “I wouldn’t do it, for one," said the clown, coolly, as he helped himself to another egg and a piece of bacon. “Nary time, Mr. Buckett” “I didn’t think you’d confess it,’ said Mitchell. Ben looked at him. “If you meant' that for a sneer—it don’t hurt I believe there are men—and animals—that are too mean to live. Thieve! and murderers—and horses spoiled by keepers, that were no good when they were foaled. There’s plenty kindly horses— I’ve handled all you’ve brought thia way —can handle Firefly—but ” “Well?” said the ringmaster.

“Why, if I did, by-and-by somebody else would take her th hand and she’d kill him. I don’t want to be the one to lull people into false security. ” “Bosh!” “You all hear him. He says ’bosh,’ gentlemen. Make a note on it Tell me at the end of the season U I am right." Nothing more was said concerning the | white mare at breakfast. Very soon after the breakfast was dis- ' posed of, the clown’s wife went to the leading establishments, secured the ma- ‘ terial for Dick’s dress, and taking it te a costumer’s instructed them fully. The Monster Aggregation meanwhile moved on to the great city, where they , were to give an exhibition that night • Mrs. Brown was to follow in the cars at her leisure. | Dick was delighted. He had readbeard of New York. He had never hoped he would see the great city, and here he was on his way to it And how was he entering it As a I hero! As a prodigy! His name (it was his now) was in big colored let&rtj on startling posters that challenged the eye. j His name was larger than the clown’s— ! than Mrs. Brown’s. Why, he was the I leading—the central figure in the Mon- . star Aggregation of talent and beauty. What did it all mean? ! He wondered how it would all turn i out Likely as not Zeke Caper would come down on him as of old, and wattle | him as he carried him back to Acorn County and apprenticed him to some cross farmpr. No! Dick resolved he would die before going back to Acorn County again. The Monster Aggregation was transported to the metropolis in a few hours. The attendants were busy as bees; so much had to be done before the public would be permitted to witness its won- | ders.. New trappings were fitted, new people employed, new programmes ar- ; ranged. It was eminently proper to adhere to the old saw. Mr. Buckett w,as determined to put his best foot foremost A success In New York meant — ' we'l, it meant victory or defeat. The ■ opposition had started out from New ' York Buckett was bringing some- . thing in. He brought in a number of good rid- j ers, leapers, and specialists who had got , in first-class working order—“every man ! and woman feeling as fine as a fiddlfi,” to use his own language. Whereas his competitors had begun with a good deal of friction, and performances were rough, everything showing a rough edge. Buckett would come and go ns smooth as butter. The clown and his wife were housed at a good hotel. Mrs. Brown w>s in her room, with Dick, who had just oome in after a walk up Broadway, where he marveled at all he witnessed, when Ben suddenly entered. He looked angry. He tossed his hat on the table and began instantly with, “Would you believe it, Kate, Buckett has got Mitchell to do his dirty work again.” “How is that?” “You know—l know that Firefly will kill somebody. It wasn’t luck enough for Dick here that he handled Bess all right; because he brought the mare to time Mitchell wants him to ride Firefly. ” “He shall not ” “He never will with my consent • Dick looked at the clown. “Does Mr. Mitchell say I’ve gpt to ride her?” “He would like to, but I’ve got a say.” “But how can you, Ben?” said nis wife. “If you or I do anything, Mitchell will say 1 it’s jealousy. “Oh, yes; I’ve of that too, Kate. I’ll talk through others this time. The boy shan’t be killed. “I’m not a bit afraid. ” “I believe you, ” said Ben, admiringly; “you’ve pluck enough for a regiment you have. ” “How did you learn all this, Ben?" His wife was very much excited. “Why, I overheard Mitchell talking to Buckett. All he wanted was Buckett’s permission, and he says he will mount Dick on the she devil to-night” 4 “Oh, Ben!” < Mrs. Brown looked alarmed. “Something awful will happen—l feel it, I know it.” “I tell you what will happen. IM wallop Mitchell to begin with, and take Dick away with me, before I’ll see it done. ” ’ “No, no, Ben; you know you wouldn’t fight him. You’ve promised you would not lower yourself fighting. ” “I did, Kate—and I’ll keep my word—but somebody will whip that cur. He is a cur. He goes on all fours—curse him.” Dick laughed. “What are you laughing at?” “You punned. You said he was a cur —and cursed him. ” The clown and his wife smiled, and the smile brought back good humor. Then they talked of the matter soberly. “Mitchell has given the white mare a new name. ” “What is it to be, Ben?” “Think. ” “Oh, Angel—or something peaceful.” “Very peaceful. The new name is— Gentle Annie ” ’ “Mitchell would be nearer if he called her Death bn a Pa’e Horse, ” said Mrs. Brown. . “What will you do, Ben?” “Wed, to begin with. I’m responsible for Dick, here. ” “I don’t see it.” “Why, I put him on a horse—if I hadn't he might be hanging around blacking boots, selling cakes and lemonade. I ought to see he is not put on that brute, to be killed, maybe.” “Yes—l see, now. You must not allow it. ” ” “Aye, there’s the rub. How am I to help it I suppose the only way is to quit Buckett and lose a week's salary in spite of ail we can do. “I’d lose a month’s salary rather than see Dick hurt ” “I’m glad you’re agreed. Well—l’ll oppose it, and if the worst comes, I’ll give Buckett warning to night” That evening, when Dick was dressed as the Arabian Queen, and just before ; the crowd began to pour into the enorI mous tent Mrs. Brown called her husband aside. “Buckett and Mitchell have made up their mind —they will put Dick on Firefly in the last act ” “They wdn’t! I’ll bet they won’t, now," said Ben sturdily. “I’ll shoot the beast if they do.” Dick listened to this conversation eagerly. He wanted to assure the clown that he thought he could jump off the mare, if the worst came, but he refrained. The ’boy had been restrained he much that he could not manifest, or make known to others, his confidence in himself. He did not fear any horse—indeed, he had encountered so many mad bulls, and vicious horses that he .knew the nature of the four-footed animals as well or better than many stablemen; for Dick was thoughtful, and pondered much

over the disposition of certain fractious animals. That night, when Dick was on his way to the circus, he had overheard two lads about his age, talking of the circus* and its principal features. One of them had said there was going to be a “surprise. • The other asked the nature of the surprise* when the first replied that it would be something wonderful on horseback. He had half a mind to relate the incident to the clown, but he held his peace. So the boy had evidently overheard something, or some one in Mitchell’s confidence had-whispered what was on the cards for the evening. Mitchell’s dark face appeared in the entrance at that moment. He did not speak to Ben; as for the clown, he turned away from the master and busied himself with his own affair! He was dressed to go on, but his face was not yet painted. Diek thought his eyes flashed, and that* there was less color in his sac Dick was right *Ben Brown had iully resolved to protest against any attempt to place Dck on the back of the vicious mare—he had fully made up his mind to part from Mr. Buckett. The signa! for assembly sounded before Ben was ready. He gave his checks a few hasty touches, deepened a few wrinkles, hit the cheekbones lightly with carmine and picked up his marvelous hat The grand entry was made in magnificent style. Dick was on as a princess, of course, with a false skirt which could be removed in a se.ond, and a sash that could be tossed aside on the instant The various acts called in rotation were received with thunders of applause. The clown was in his glory. How he made the people roar with his sallies and songs and antics and art stic tr.umphs. The opening in New York was an overwhe.ming success. There couid be no doubt of it The j erformors did I heir best, and were rewarded with thunders of applause. Suddenly Mitchell appeared in the dressing-room. There was only a few Indians, Japanese jugglers, and a snakecharmer in the green-room—people Dick had been looking at wonderingly for days, but whom ho could not speak to. “Now, Dick, I’m going to ask you to stun them. Will you ride iireliy? If you do, I’ll give you 810 right now. Here’s the money, Dick. ” “I’m not afraid.” “Then I’ll have her brought in. Don’t be afraid. You bested Black Bess, and you made Firefly come to time, so I’ve no fear. You'll stun that crowd—you’ll put the the cap sheaf on the t>usiness if you’ll do as I want you to.” “I don’t like to refuse, but unless ”

Dick was talking to air. Mitchell had disappeared, and a moment later appeared with two grooms, one on either side of Firefly. The white mare glared at them alternately. She was trembling with rage. “Now, then, let me give you a lift.” Before he could remonstrate, poor D.ck was on Firefly’s back. The beast bounded. The grooms held her fast. The ring-master walked beside them s lying, “Hold her in—curse you, hold her in—and lead her twice; or three times round the ring. Don’t let her go till I tell you.” The band gave a furious flourish, and Dick—otherwise the Arabian Queen — was carried by the untamed steed fairly into the ring before he had time to think. It was all done so quick that he could not repress a smile at the look of roal horror the clown bestowed upon him as the grooms walked the mare around the ring. The people laughed at the face the clown made. They could not help it—he counterfeited horror so well. Meantime, Mitchell had mounted a painted keg, and was announcing In his metallic tones: Ladies and Gentlemen: I have the honor to announce the first appearance before an American audience of one of the most renowned equestriennes the world has ev6r seen. The management takes great pleasure in Introducing that finest ornament of the arena; from the Cirque Imperial de Paris and various European capitals. Idalia, Queen of Arabia! The audience clapped their hands. The clown stood between the ringmaster and the grooms. • Double Dick did not hear a word; he sat sat on the trembling mare like one in a dream. • him, looking with staring,/ adiafag|<t eyes at him, was a beautiful young s «dy so very like Joe—poor that he had defended at Barnesville Poorhouse, that he could not think of — not see anything else. If Joe had a twin-sister anywhere In the world, this must be her. Only she was so much prettier. Joe’s cheeks never had that bright color; her eyes were bright but they never had the soft light that shone from the eyes that were fixed on Dick’s. [to be continued.]

New Arrangement of the Dinner Table.

The Athenians of the fashionable world are at present interested In the suggestion of the triangular table for dinner parties. It is done by arranging three tables in a triangle. The host sits at the point of the triangle, with the two most distinguished female guests on his right, and .'eft hand. The hostess occupies the center of the base of the triangle, and has the distinguished men with her. The beauty ot this arrangement is that at large dinners the host and hostess are not entirely removed from the guests at the center of the table. As is usually the case, they are so far removed that they cannot keep an eye upon them and see that they are well served and are being amused. But with the triangular table every one faces them, is near enough for conversation to be possible and agreeable, and altogether the conversation is easier to start and to regulate.— The Table.

Antlers Einbedded In a Ire Trunk.

A couple of weeks ago, says the Salem (Wis ) Statesman, Mr. Van Man, a farmer in Zena, in Polk County, was engaged In cutting cordwood on his place. He chbpped down an oak tree of about three feet in diameter at the butt, and, after sawing it into the proper lengths, proceeded to split it in the usual manner. In the section about five feet from the ground he struck his ax into what he supposed was a bunch of knots, but as the chips immediately crumbled, he made a closer examination, and discovered the right side of a pair of deer-horns embedded into the very heart of the oak tree. There are evidences that it had five prongs, and from the growth “rings” of the tree has been in that position for at least a century and a half. The tree is thought to be at least 200 years old. According to the Bangor Commercial, a Maine schoolgirl compared the adjective “ill” after this original fashion: “Nominative, ill; comparative, worse; aurperlatlve, dead.” S- -SEX.

OUR RURAL READERS

WILL BE PLEASED WITH THIS DEPARTMENT. Good Beason for Leaving the Farm— Farmers Should Attend Their County Fairs—Shocking Grain tn Sheaves—How to Make Whiffletreos—Live Stock—Dairy and Household Hints. Attend the Fairs.

PLAN the work so as to save time to attend the fair one day at least, and more if the k state of the farm X work and the \ finances will al--1 low. Take the jjjkl wife and children I along too. Look 1 over the farm Ljß stock and the W vegetables, and Sr see wherein the best on exhibition is better ttiau K your own, and find out if possible how it Is produced. Even but-

ter than that Is the plan of taking the best at home to the fair and placing it on exhibition. If it takes a premium, there will be some satisfaction in that If it does not, there will bo a chance to get the opinion of others in regard to its faults, and the merits of the better kinds, which will prove a useful lesson. Meet farmers from other neighborhoods and exchange the nows about farm crops and the most improved methods of cultivation. Learn something from them and teach them something. It is generally easy to do both if one has time enough. Thoso who have brooding stock of any kind to exhibit should begin in good season to get it ready. Have it in good breeding dflndition, which is, perhaps, a little thinner in flesh than what is called working condition, but not lean and not fat. Too much fat spoils an animal as a prolific breeder, and injures the constitution of his or her progeny. This rule is applicable to both male and female. The managers of fairs should look to this matter, and see that premiums for breeding stock do not get awarded to those which are too fat, but they should be sleek, healthy and vigorous looking, well gropmed, and well cared for. They also have something to look after in the matter of premiums on vegetables. Monstrosities are not desirable. Good growth of marketable size, and well assorted, and displayed us if for sale upon the market, should be encouraged. Premiums should go by the merit of the object upon which they are given, and not be given for tne services of the exhibitor to the society, bo they over so .great. If one exhibitor has for several years taken so largo a proportion of the premiums as to ,discourage every one else from competing, offer him an inducement to enter his stock “for exhibition only,” and give the second best man a chance. A society seldom loses by granting free admission to exhibitors. Without them there would be no show, and if no show, or a slim one, there will be soon a slim attendance of sight-seers, it is very well to provide a little amusement for visitors, a horse trot, a few athletic sports, or something of the sort, but do not try to run a circus. An agricultural fair should have the agricultural features predominate. Wo all like a little fun, and at school there is and should be an intermission foi playtime, but do not make all playday. The work of study-.. Ing up the exhibits of others is as good as play for the farmer, and yet it is instructive.—American Cultivator.

Shocking Grain In Sheave*. To shock wheat so it will stand hard rains and keep in good order until threshed, writes E. G. Packard, |n the PrfuMcal Farmer, cut as soon as rfpe and before heads crinkle down, bind and sot ten bundles, as shown in Fig. 2, being careful to place every bundle firmly

FIG I. FIG . II.

imd have all lean toward the center. Then take one good-sized bundle, spread tops and butts like a letter Xon top of shock, as shown in Fig. 1, with heads on center. Spread out another and place opposite, with heads overlapping the other. Fig. 1 shows a side View of completed shock. Carefully and firmly set wheat in this way and it will stand a wonderful amount of rain and keep in good order. How to Make Whiffle trees. To make good whiffletrees, take tough timber 2 by 4 and 3 by 4 inches, cut the proper length, and taper a little as shown in cut. Have blacksmith make square backed links to straddle the wood and connect them together with a center link. To obtain all the strength of tne timber, the links are held to their place by driving a short staple across them in

A —staples. B —clevis.

the center of the singletree and far enough from the ends of the' doubletree so that the link will not wdrk over. Take ferrules with hooks on for the ends of the singletree. Have holes drilled in them if they are not in and drive a wrought nail through the wood and you have something that is cheap, durable, lasting and unprovoklng.—J. C. Mossford, in Practical Farmer.

LIVESTOCK.

Let Them Have Time. Don’t hurry your horses and cattle about drinking in the winter. Give l them plenty of time. Very cold water is not relished by live stock any more than a child not educated to that modern abomination, ice water. Often a cow’s or horse’s teeth are sensitive to the cold and so they are unwilling to drinlf all that they ought to drink when given\ the opportunity. What they want arer frequent opportunities. An old farmer' writes: “Some horses act as if they do not care for a thimbleful of water, but if you will be a little patient with them they will drink a goodly allowance, which is very essential to their well-being. Don’t give them water which has stood for several hours in a cold place as it becomes ooldft than

fresh water from the well and Is not aH healthful, rs your cattle can run to! water at will so much the better, providing they can get down easily to the water and not slip 'on Ice or slide down a steep bank, both of which are dangerous and Injurious to heavy cattle, especially breeders. My own belief is there is nothing mu'h better than a good tank if kept in good order. Those cattle which are watered from the pall should be. given time to drink and not have it snatched away from them before they have hardly time to look at' it Let them have time to put their mouths in it and sip a little and most likely the pall will become empty.”— Toledo Bee. The root of a Horse. The foot of a horse is one of the most Ingenious and unexampled pieces of mechanism in animal structure. The hoof contains a series of vertical and thin laminae Jof horn, amounting to about 500, and forming a complete lining to it In this are fitted as many laminin belonging to the coffin-bone, while both sets are elastic and adherent The edge of a quire of paper, inserted leaf by leaf into another, will convey a sufficient Idea of the arrangement Thus, the weight of the animal is supported by as many elastic springs as there are laminin in all the feet amounting to about 4,000, distributed in the most secure manner, sirlte every spring is acted on in an oblique direction.

THE DAIRY.

Water the Cows. In hot weather more than ordinary care should be taken in making it easy for the farm stock to get water frequently. This is especially necessary for cows giving milk. A man who has pure running water in his pastures is the exception generally, and the trouble of driving cows to water often leads to neglecting them until from the want of it they will run violently the moment they are let out and heat themselves and then drink to execas. Milch cows in summer should have access to water at least three times a day, no matter how much time it may take, and oftener than this would be still better. I believe a farmer can neglect almost anything else better than to let his cows suffer for want of <Vator.— E. B. Overfeeding for Fain. , It must be unfortunately recognized as a fact that show stock must be fat, very fat But is It not time we got over that sort of nonsense? At the fat stock shows it is part of the plan that the animal bo fat. The theory is that it shall carry all the fat it can, and that thon we shall be told how the fat was created and what it cost to make IL The fat stock show is to show us the comparative value,of animals as meat producers, and the comparative cost of production. But the fair has no such purpose. If it had, the fat stock show would not be needed. A lean animal will give us as good an Idea of the breed as a fat one, and a mighty sight better idea. The objection to this stuffing process by which animals are fatted for the fairs is that marry normals are greatly Injured by IL— Western Rural.

Dairy Hotes. There is one advantage in having the cows “come in” in the winter and that is that the calves are apf to have better handling. A creamery properly constructed and properly managed, with Intelligent patrons behind it, will always prove a benefit to the community in which it is located. • * There are great quantities of feeding material on the farm that have littlq or no commercial value in their crude state, that can be sold at a profit If reduced to marketable produce through the medium of- the cow. That first-class milk and butter can be made from ensilage is now settled beyond dispute. Perhaps all farmers are not sufficiently familiar with the best methods of handling ensilage to accomplish this result, but it is done by many. “It’s genuine cow butter, is it?” asked the customer. “It Is, sir,” replied the dealer, as hq turned the oleomargarine label around out of sight and slapped a two-pound chunk Of the golden massdnto a wooden dish. “It comes from a genuine cow.” A Janesville, Wis., druggist recently sent to Chicago and secured a supply of oleomargarine. This was made Into pats and numbered No. 1. He then procured a supply of flue dairy butter, which was Also made into pats and numbered No. 2 It was displayed in his store and a.large number of Janesville ladies voted on it. The votes stood as follows: No. 1 ha<J 141 votes as butter; No. 2 had 156 votes, No. 2 being the'butter. Ten voted both oleomargarine and fifteen both butter. Fifty dollars should be the minimum earnings of a dairy cow, and gfest excellence is easily attained that will increase it to SIOO apiece. Farmers can do this with high-grade ;’cattle, such as each of yqp can raise from native cows upon the farm. I find that the use of purebred Guernsey bulls on our common cews, and raising the heifer calves, will soon bring about the kind of a dairy every farmer should own who intends to make the butter dairy his farm business. —H. Talcott

THE POULTRY-YARD.

The Barn* lard Refuse. The pickings of the void Ings of horses and cattle, with the waste grains, hay seed and broken leaves of clover hay which the hens secure, amount to a large quantity, and also afford a variety. That is the reason why the common hen sometimes lays more eggs than the pure breeds. The latter are over-fed, get but little exercise, and as all writers teach “feed heavily,” |he.common hen Is compelled to work while the pure-bred hen has toothing to do but patiently waft. But nearly all farmers feed corn, and the supposition Is that the common hen receives yet no estimate is made of the varied food she picks up in the barn-yard. The tact is that the common hen is better fed, so far as variety is concerned, than the pure-bred, but she must seek It, which she does, and in an industrious manner, her very Industry keeping her in excellent laying condition. It pays to keep a few hdns In the barn-yard in order to utilize the waste that occurs. The farmer may not notice the loss from waste, but the alert hen, with her keen eyes, does not let a single grain escape her. Farm and Fioreside.

THE HOUSEHOLD.

Things to Kentamber. That salt fish are quickest and best freshened by soaking in. sonr milk. That kerosene will soften boots or shoes which have been hardened by water and render them as pliable as when new.

UNCLE SAM’S COINS.

Something About the New Design* —Some Private Hints. “It is not likely,” writes Rene Bache, “that another competition will ever be tried for the production of designs for United States coins,” said Assistant Director of the Mint Preston. “The one just ended was too much of a failure. Doubtless it was the first contest of the sort ever opened by any government to the public at large. The result is not very flattering to the boasted artistic development of this country, inasmuch as only two of the three hundred suggestions submitted were good enough to receive honorable mention. So the affair has been handed over to the engraving force of the Philadelphia Mint, which will produce the dies required according to such patterns as its own sense of the beautiful suggests.” The designs for Uucle Sam's coins hitherto have been produced at the money-making establishment in Philadelphia, where the dies for all the mints are turned out. Anticipating a severe popular criticism, the Chief Engraver will do his utmost to render the five cameo pictures called for as unexceptional us possible, esthetically speaking. There must be a substitute of some kind, representing Liberty, for the Quaker City schoolmarm on the dollar, the reverse of which requires a better type of bird than the fireseut buzzard. Also the unprepossessng female, seated upon a cotton bale, is to be removed from the half-dollar, quarter and dime. Plaster casts of the patterns evolved will be submitted for approval to the Director of the Mint and the Secretary of the Treasury, and, as soon as they have boon pronounced satisfactory, dies will be made, and small change of new and lovely mould will thereafter jingle in the pockets of tho people. No alteration is to bo made in tho gold coins, because the/ are really exquisite now and could hardly bo improved upon. It is realized that the money of a nation is expressive of its art culture. Therefore, lost posterity imagine the present generation to have boon barbarous, it is desirable that our silver pieces should bo as handsome as may be. It was for four lest posterity should suppose us to have boon heathens that the motto, “In God Wo Trust,” was put on United States coins. Tho Idea was originated by a Pennsylvania clergyman named Watkinson, who also suggested that, instead of a pagan goddess, the obverse should boar an all-seeing eye, with a halo around it and a flag below. “This will relieve us from the ignominy of heathenism,” he said, “in the view of future antiquarians.” Secretary of the Treasury S. P. Chase took tho proposition into serious consideration, Anally selecting “In God We Trust" as tho best form for the legend, which appeared first in 1864 on ono-cent and two-oent pieces. The history of tho issue of coins in this country by private individuals and companies would make a very interesting book. When gold was struck in North Carolina, a man named Boohtlor started a mint of bis own there, which was abolished by law in 1849. Half-eagles, quar-ter-eagles and one-dollar pieces issued by him wore largely circulated in the South and West. Although of honest gold they were about 2i per cent, under value on an average. About the same time Templeton Reid coined gold in Georgia. He moved to California in 1849 and minted eagles and twenty-five dollar pieces on a considerable scale. Many companies and refineries In California and elsewhere made a business of striking gold coins during the same period. Naturally there was a great temptation to make these coins under weight and of inferior fineness. The Mormons in Utah issued eagles, halfeagles and double-eagles, which bore on the obverse an eye, with tho legend, “Holiness to tho Lord.” There was more holiness about them than purity. Quantities of 25-cent and 50-cent gold pieces were likewise manufactured at San Francisco, the former containing only about six cents’ worth of the metal and the latter twelve cents' worth. Eight years ago a lot of these were taken ove» to Germany and circulated there, which elicited a formal diplomatic protest from that Government. Tho private minting business was finally put a stop to. Where a face is used on a piece of money it is always in profile, because the cameo is more readily struck with the die in that manner, and, if a full or three-quarter face were represented, the nose of the gentleman or lady would get damaged in circulation and produce a ridiculous effect. Aluminum has been suggested as a material for coins, but there are objections to it. It has always a greasy feel, due to the presence of a slight but unavoidable film of oxide of aluminum over its surface. Besides, one-fifth part of the earth's crust consists of it, and if a process for extracting it readily should be discovered such cash might be reduced within a few days to about the same vqlue, per weight, as brickbats.

Milk as a Fire Extinguisher.

Lightning recently struck the flag pole on the Eastford Hotel, at Oxford, Ma., a large building which was formerly the Maryland Military aud Naval Academy, and set tire to the cupola, causing much consternation among the guests and threatening to destroy the house. This would have been the case but for the rain which was falling at the time aud the efforts of the proprietor, who used milk as an extinguisher, it is stated, in accordance with an old superstition that water will not put out fire caused by lightning. How long this antique fallacy has clouded the minds of the superstitious is not known, but that it has come down from remote times will hardly be questioned. The hotel proprietor, believing that water, would not save his premises, was at his wits’ end for an effective extinguisher until he noticed a milk wagon filled with cans of the lacteal fluid standing just at the moment in front of the house, aready-to-hand method of salvation, provident-* ially supplied. Seizing one of the cans, the non-believer in water lugged it to the top of the hotel and poured it out on the lightning-kindled flames and then went back for further supplies, nntil he had the satisfaction of seeing the last spark smothered and the burning hotel saved.