Democratic Sentinel, Volume 16, Number 9, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 18 March 1892 — Page 6

®ljc fcmocrfllicSciitincl RENSSELAER, INDIANA. 3. W McEWBN, - - Publisher ■ - ———————■———-

HOME TALENT ABROAD.

SOME AMERICAN SONG BIRDS IN EUROPE. ■any of Our Finest Native Songsters, as Wall as Sundry of Our Birds of Showy Ftumage, Are Now Bomestlcated Across the Atlantic Ocean. Acclimatization of Birds. The fact that the common, mean, pugnacious and thievish sparrow, an immigrant from Europe, has of late years made itself so obnoxious as to occasion •lass legislation and a war of extermin-

MEADOWLARK.

ation, makes the question of bird importation and exportation, and especially that of domestication, timely and interesting. Eight here let it be stated that, with the single exception of the so-called English sparrow, no European bird that has found a second home in this country, has abused the hospitality shown it. And quite a number of transatlantic •ongsters and warblers have been imported during a decade or two. The great lovers and knowors of birds, the Germans, have especially distinguished themselves in systematic efforts at importing and then propagating a number of the most charming little song birds that render the forests and glades, the hedges and bushes of the fatherland so tuneful. Among these may be mentioned more particularly the nightingale and redbreast, the linnet and thrush, the llnoh and the lark and (he robin. Specimens of these may now be met with in the parks and gardens, or, as in the case of the lark, on the boundless prairies. It is true —though known to but comparatively few Americans —that a much K eater number of American birds have en exported of recent years to years to Europe. And it was likewise again -the country where birds are cherished and petted, and loved and praised the most in prose and song, in Germany, Where these little American strangers Wore received most kindly and domesticated most quickly. There are, it is true, a few varieties of American birds, among them our national favorite, the mooklngbird, that have become pets in thousands of European homes, in England and France as well as in Germany and in the Scandinavian north. But. these, as well as that magnificent little fellow, the cardinal grosbeak, popularly known across the water as the Virginia nightingale, are kept in cages, •nd hence never acquire citizens’ rights. There are other pretty American birds kept in captivity over there as well, •uah as the catbird, the Carolina parrot, the red-winged blackbird, the yellowhammer and the bobolink, the meadowlark and the bluejay and indigo finch. These are all valued more or less highly In Germany especially, either beoause of their melodious song, or else because

CARDINAL GROSBEAK.

»f their brilliant plumage or their docility and cleverness at executing tricks. The most expensive of these caged American pets, the mockingbird, Is, hojv•ver, at the same time one of the hardilest of them, because very quickly acclimated and learns to mate and to rear young ones on foreign soil. Hence, too, the mockingbird is such a ■ general favorite with dealers and lovers of birds in the old country. With that this, bird is capable of learning new tabes all the time, and it therefore richly tepays the patience and attention required to teach it and to develop it into • first-class songster. The case is similar with that other European favorite, the cardinal grosbeak. They are in song from March to September, beginning at the first appearance of dawn and repeating a favorite stanza or musical passage twenty or thirty times successively. While their song, therefore, must be termed a little monotonous, these ex-

STELLER'S JAY.

aaadfngly handsome bitcis more than Vure Sid * aStf** **

as well as by the bell-like clearness of their voioe. and the inexpensiveness of their board and lodging. But these American varieties, as well as some of the others mentioned, while affording pleasure to their keepers and owners, cannot be said to have acquired European citizenship.' It is quite likely that if they were given a chance to return to their old haunts in this country they would gladly forswear all allegiance to Emperor Wilhelm or Queen Victoria. It is different with some other American birds. The one man who has especially exerted himself in acclimatizing American birds of different species in Europe is Dr. Carl Buss of Germany, the greatest living ornithologist. And he pays the highest compliments to a large number of our birds, claiming that they are easy to acclimatize over there, and that because of several sterling qualities possessed by all of them they would make very valuable acquisitions to the list of European birds. As qualities of this kind he names the beauties of thoir plumage, their docility, intelligence, amiable disposition, th3ir song, and—most important of all —their expertness in destroying noxious insects, especially caterpillars and larvae. Dr. Buss mentions the fact that the exportation of American birds has of late diminished in number, due to laws prohibiting this which have gone into effect in a number of our States, and he expresses the fear that within a short time the importation of American birds

into Germany and other European countries may, on this account, cease altogether. All the moro does he rejoice that several thousands of the most valuable Amoricon birds have been brought into Germany last year by the large firm of C. Belche, in Alfeld, near Hanover, and that specimens of them—notably of the brilliant-tinted cardinal grosbeak and rose-breasted grosbeak, of the resplendent noupareil and of the purple finch—can now bo bought of all the bird dealers throughout Germany and Austria. A number of experiments have been made, in Germany as well as England, having in view the acclimatization and propagation in the open of some of the prettiest American bird 3. Baron von Cramm, a wealthy nobleman with a hobby for birds, thus succeeded in making several pairs of our American cardinal grosbeaks pass unharmed through the severe winter of 1890-91 on his estate near Brunswick. In the vicinity of Stettin, a city oven more northerly than Brunswick, a pair of the same birds escaped from their cage and managed to maintain themselves all through the same hard winter. Last spring they nested in a clump of tall pine trees and raised a healthy and independent brood of young Americans right there by the shores of the Baltic. Beports from several other parts of Germany are to the same effect—everywhere this hardy American traveler, nicknamed the American nightingale, managed to make himself at home and to perpetuate his species without any sort of artificial shelter. Similarly the mockingbird, its cousin, the catbird, the rose-breasted grosbeak

MOCKINGBIRD.

and the blue jay and purple finch, even the summer redbfijjj—although in the case of the latter a much more southern clime has been habitually its winter quarters—have been doing nicely in the open in different parts of Germany. Dr. Buss several years ago, during a popular lecture, advised the farmers of Germany to people their poplar trees with parrots. At the time he was ridiculed by everybody, but recent events have shown that his advice was not illoonsidered. For where the thing has been tried adequately since it has been found that parrots are the most valuable assistants of the farmer in exterminating noxious insects, provided they were supplied with good quarters. Lord Buxton, for instance, has bred on his estate in England a number of parrots, of all sorts and varieties, including Australian and Carolina ones, with the best possible results. They all did- remarkably well and raised families, excepting the North American ones —the so-called paroquets—although to all outward appearances the latter had been the strongest and had certainly been used to • more rigorous weather in their old home In the Carolinas than the Brazilian and East Indian parrots had been. On the other hand Baron H. von Beriepsch has kept for years a whole bevy of Carolina parrots on his estate of See bach, near Hanover, the birds roosting with the pigeons in the same cote and making their regular daily excursions on the

wing right along, even on daja when snow was lying deeply. As the one American bird of all others which Dr. Buss recommends for acclimatization in Germany, England and

CAROLINA PARROT.

other parts of Europe where the winters are not too severe, he mentions the mockingbird. "Not only is this one of the most highly prized singers,” he says,

ORIOLES.

“but this bird is also one of the mosi efficient, because one of the largest and most voracious destroyers of insects, henoo of great benefit to the agriculturist. This is also true of their nearest« relatives, especially the catbird, and of the blue jay, oriole and other insectfeeders. Even the two beautiful grosbeaks, the rose-breasted and the cardinal one, would be of vastly more benefit than injury to the farmer. They feed their young almost exclusively on insects, especially caterpillars and larva. Their prime value, of course, would consist in their being birds of decorative plums ge as well as songsters. The same might be said of the American thrushes, finches, etc. Both the American Indigo and purple finch would be of use to farmers around orchards. Their accession to the ianks of our native birds, therefore, would mean a distinct advantage.” A wealthy merchant of Hamburg, Melkers by name, has begun, since spring of last year, a series of acclimatizing experiments on a large scale, using mostly American birds for the purpose.

A Railroad on Stilts.

Probably the moat unique railroad over built In this or any other was the Bradford and Postor Brook Luie. It connected Bradford and Derrick City, Pennsylvania, and was only four miles long, but did an immense business during the boom days in the oil regions. It was built in 1877, andftwo yearfe later went down in a smash that killed a number of people. The road was appropriately nick-named the “Peg-leg" from its peculiar construction, for it was built on stilts, and the passengers entered the cars from the second stories of the Btations. There was but one main rail, which was of iron, but there were two auxiliary wooden rails. The main rail rested on strong wooden beams, supported by massive stanchions, strongly braced. Two feet below the top beam were two wooden rails eight inches in width, which were securely nailed to the supporting stanchions. The wooden ‘'rails were mainly for balflncing purposes. The height of the odd little road varied from twelve to twenty-flve feet, accord- 1 ing to the lay of the land in the valley through which it was built. Without this elevation the scheme of the inventor would have been impossible. The cars fitted on the rail like saddlebags, hanging down oq each side, and were really two-story cars, the upper portion being used for passengers and the lower story for freight. The grotesque looking train was beaded by two engines connected with each other, one on each side of the main rail, the two balancing like the cars. When -the fireman put on more coal he was obliged to descend to the furnace by a ladder. The engines and cars ran on a set of Central wheels which protruded through the floors into wooden hoods put on to prevent their damaging passengers. The care Were narrow, and the main rails were broad. Whenever the car, tilted, side wholes caught the wooden rails and aided to preserve the equilibrium of the train. The ex-Confederates in South America are reminded of old times when they are asked SSO for a $5 boots, and when the clerk of the hotel presents them a bill of $25 for supper, breakfast and lodgings. The only thing which has not advanced is small-pox. ■ Charles who built the famous Sew York Tombs prison, is still living in that city at the age of ninety-five. He has seen the metropolis grow from a town of less than one hundred thousand inhabitants. The real estate agent may tell how the land lies, but not himself.

SARATOGA CO. MIRACLE

HELPLESS FOR YEARS AND EXCLUDED FROM HOSPITALS AS INCURABLE. Tho Remarkable Experience o! Chat. Quant aa Investigated by an Albany (N. I.) Journal Reporter—A Story of Surpassing Interest. , [Albany, N. Y., Journal. March 4.] Saratoga, March 4. —For some time past there have been reports here and elsewhere in Saratoga County of a most remarkable —indeed, so remarkable as to be miraculous—cure of a most severe case of locomotor ataxia, or creeping paralysis, simply by the, use of a popular remedy known as “Pink Pills for Pale People,” prepared and put up by the Dr. Williams Medicine Company, Morristown, N. Y. and Brockvllle; Ont. The story was to tho effect that Mr. Charles A. Quant, of Galway, who for the last six or eight years has been a great sufferer from creeping paralysis and its attendant ills, and who had become utterly powerless of all self-help, had, by the use of a few boxes of the Pink Pills for Pale People, been so fully restored to health as tp bo able to. walk about the street without the aid of crutches. Tho fame of this wonderful, miraculous cure was so great that the Evening Journal reporter thought It worth his while to go to Galway to call on Mr. Quant, to learn from his lips, and from the observation and testimony of his neighbors, if his alleged cure was a fact or only an unfounded rumor. And so he drove to Galway and spent a day and a night there in visiting Mr. Quant, getting his story, and interviewing His neighbors and fellow-townsmen. It may be proper to say that Galway is a pretty little village of 400 people, delightfully located near the center of the town of Galway, in Saratoga County, and aboilt 17 miles from Saratoga Springs. Upon inquiry, tho residence of Mr. Charles A. Quant was easily found, for everybody seemed to know him, speak well of him, and to be overflowing with surprise and satisfaction at his wonderful cure and restoration to the activities of enterprising citizenship, for Mr. Quant "was born in Galway and had spent most of his life there. Mr. Quant was found at his pretty home, on a pleasant street nearly opposite the academy. In response to a knock at the door it was opened by man who, in reply to an inquiry if Mr. Quant lived there and was at home, said: “I am Mr. Quant. Will you come in?” After a little general and preliminary conversation, and after he had been apprised of the object for which the Journal reporter had called upon him, he, at request, told the story of himself and of his sickness and terrible sufferings, and of the ineffectual treatment he had had, and of his final cure by the use of Dr. Williams’ Pink Pills for Pale People, and cheerfully gave assent to its use for publication. He said: “My name is Charles A. Quant. lam 37 years old. I was bom in the village of Galway, and, excepting while traveling on business and a little while in Amsterdam, have spent my whole life here. My wife is a native of Ontario. Up to about eight years ago I had never bedii sick and was then in perfect health. I was fully six feet tall, weighed 180 pounds and was very strong. Por twelve years I was a traveling salesman for a piano and organ company and had to do, or at least did do, a great deal of heavy lifting, got my meals very irregularly and slopt in enough ‘spare beds’ in country houses to freeze any ordinary man to death, or at least give him the rheumatism. About eight years ago I began to feel distress in my stomach and consulted several doctors about it. They all said it was dyspepsia, and for dyspepsia I was treated by various doctors in different places, and took all the patent medicines I could hear of that claimed to be a cure for dyspepsia. But I continued to grow gradually worse for four years. Then I began to have pain in my back and legs and became conscious that my legs were getting weak and my step unsteady, and then I staggered when I walked. Having received no benefit from the use of patent medicines, and feeling that I was constantly growing -worse, I then, upon advice, began the use of electric belts, pads and all the many different kinds of electric appliances I could hear of, and spent hundreds of dollars for them, but they did me no good.” (Here Mr. Quant showed the Journal reporter an electric suit of uriierwear for which he paid $124.) “In the fall of 1888 the doctors advised a change of climate, so I went to Atlanta, Ga., and acted a? agent for the Estey Organ Company. While there I took a thorough electric treatment, but it only seemed to aggravate my disease, and the only relief I could get from tho sharp and distressing pains was to take morphine. The pain was so intense at times that it seemed as though I could not stand it, and I almost longed for death as the only certain relief. In September of 1888 my legs gave out entirely, and my left eye was drawn to one side, so that I had double sight and was dizzy. My trouble so affected my whole nervous system that I had to give up business. Then I returned to New York and went to the Boosevelt Hospital, where for four months I was treated by specialists and they pronounced my case', locomotor ; ataxia and incurable. After I had been under treatment of Prof. Starr and Dr. j Ware for four months, they told me they | had done all they could for mer. Then I I went to the New York hospital on Fifteenth street, where, upon examination, ! they said I was incurable and would not take me in. At the Presbyterian hospital : they examined me and told me the same thing. In March, 1890, I was taken to St. Peter’s hospital in Albany, where Prof. H. H. Hun frankly told my wife j my case was hopeless; that he could do nothing for me, and that sh,e had better .take me back home and save my j money. But I wanted to make a ! trial of Prof. Hun’s famous skill, and I, remained under his treatment for nine weeks, but secured no benefit. AJI this time I had been growing worse. I had- become entirely paralyzed from ; my waist down and had partly lost control of hands. The pain was terrible; my legs felt as though they were freez--1 lng and my stomach would not retain i foodj and I fell away to 120 pounds. In | the Albany hospital they put seventeen ! big bums on my back one day with redhot irons, and after a few days they put | fourteen moFe bums on and treated me ! with electricity, but I got worse rather ! than better; lost control of my bowels 1 and water, and upon advice of the dootor, who said there was no hope for me, I was brought home, where it was thought that death would soon come to relieve me of my sufferings. Last September, while in this helpless and suffering condition, a friend of mine In Hamilton, Ont., called my attention to the

statement of one John Marshall, whose case had been similar to my own, and who had been cured by the use of Dr. Williams’ Pink Pills for Pale People. “In this case Mr. Marshall, who Is a prominent member of the Royal Templars of Temperance, had after four years of constant treatment by the most eminent Canadian physicians been pronounced incurable, and was paid the SI,OOO total disability claim allowed by the order in such cases. Some months after Mr. Marshall began a course of treatment with Dr. Williams’ Pink Pills, and after taking some 15 boxes was fully restored to health. “I thought I would try them, and my wife sent for two boxes of the pills and I took them according to the directions given on the wrapper in each box. For the first few days the cold baths were pretty severe, as I was so very weak, but I continued to follow instructions as to taking the pills and treatment, and even before I had used up the two boxes of pills I began to feel beneficial effects from them. My pains were not so bad; I felt warmer; my head felt better; my food began to relish and agree with me; I could straighten up; the feeling began to come back into my limbs; I began to be able to get about on crutches; my eye came back again as good as ever, and now, after the use of eight boxes of the pills—at a cost of $4 —see!—I can with the help of a cane only, walk all about the house and yard, can saw wood, and on pleasant days I walk down town. My stomach trouble is gone; I have gained ten pounds; I feel like a new man, and when the spring opens I expect to be able to renew my organ and piano agency. I cannot speak In too high terms of Dr. Williams’ Pink Pills for Pale People, as I know they saved my life after all the doctors had given me ■ up as incurable.” Other citizens of Galway, seemg the 1 wonderful cure of Mr. Quant by the Pink Pills for Pale People, are using them. Frederick Sexton, a suffererfrom . rheumatism, said he was finding great benefit from their use, and Mr. Schultz, who had suffered from chronic dysentery for years, said he had taken two boxes of the pills and was already cured. Mr. Quant had also tried faith cure, ! with experts of that treatment in Albany and Greenville, 8. C., but with no beneficial results.

A number of the more prominent citizens of Galway, as Eev. C. E. Herbert, of the Presbyterian Church; Prof. Jas. E. Kelly, principal of the academy; John P. and Harvey Crouch, and Frank and Edward Willard, merchants, and many others to whom Mr. Quant and his so miraculous cure by the use of Dr. Williams’ Pink Pills for Pale People are well known, were pleased to have the opportunity of bearing testimony to the high character of Mr. Quant, and of verifying the story of his recovery from the terrible affliction from which he had for so long a time been a sufferer. Truly, the duty of the physician is not to save life, but to heal disease. The remarkable result from the use of Dr. Williams’ Pink Pills in the case of Mr. Quant, induced the reporter to make further inquiries concerning them, and he ascertained that they are not a pat-, ent medicine in the sense in which that term is generally used, but a highly scientific preparation, the result of years of study and careful experiment. They have no rival as a blood builder and nerve restorer, and have met with unparalleled success in the treatment of such diseases as paralysis, rheumatism, sciatica, St. Vitus’ dance, palpitation of the heart, that tired feeling which affects so many, and all diseases aepending upon a watery; condition of the blood or shattered nerves. Dr. Williams’ Pink Pills are also a specific for.tioubles peculiar to females, such as suppressions, irregularities, and all forms of weakness. They build up the blood and restore the glow of health to pale or sallow cheeks. In the case of men they effect a radical cure in all cases arising from mental worry, overwork, or excesses of whatever nature. On further inquiry the writer found that these pills are manufactured by the Dr. Williams Medicine Company, Brockvillo, Ont., and Morristown, N. Y., and are sold in boxes (never in bulk by the hundred)' at 50 cents a box, or six boxes for $2.50, and may be had of all druggists or direct by mail from Dr. Williams’ Medicine Company, from either addresses. The price at which these pills are sold makes a course of treatment comparatively Inexpensive as compared with other remedies or medical treatment.

IN A CHICAGO HOTEL.

It \Va* Full of Magnificent Distances to Bother Conniry Guest*. He was from a country town and stopped at the Grand Pacific Hotel, and was assigned to a commodious inside room in the northwest corner of the house, near La Salle street. He was not satisfied. The noise and rattle and tumult of tl e streets reached him and made him yearn to look out on the busy scene whence they came. The strokes of the. big Board of Trade clock resounded through the corridors, and this young man desired to gaze on the tower where the clanging bell hangs. So he went to the office, sought Sam Parker and spoke thfi%: * “Say, mister, I don’t like that room you gave me. I can't see anything but the walls of a big building and some sort of a place with a glass floor.” He meant the court in the center of the hotel. “Why, cert’nly,” said the obliging, accommodating Parker. “What kind of a room would you like? ” “Oh, I’m not particular. Anything where I can see something outdoors.” “Want a bath with it?” “Well, I dunno. I had a good wash just before leaving St. Louis, and ” “I-mean do you wish a room with a bath-room attached?” “Oh, I don’t care if it’s next to a bathroom. I won’t kick about that, so’s there don’t too many people have to go through my room to the bath-room.” “How would a nice room around here on the Clark street front suit you?” “ First-rate.” “Front, change the g’entleman from 203 to 276.” “How far apart are, these rooms?" qniried the St. Louis man anxiously. ‘ About two dollars and a half,” replied Sam. “I mean how far in distance. How far will I have to carry my valise?" “Just about two blocks,” said Sam, making a mental survey and topographical plat of the second floor of the Grand Pacific. “Great gosh all hemlock! I want to stay in the hotel,” protested the man from the bridge. “Oh, you can walk two blocks without getting out of this house,” said Mr. Parker. “If you get lost tell your troubles to a policeman.”—Chicago Post.

No Business to Think at All.

A Eussian press censor permitted the following item to appear in a Moscow paper: “It Is our opinion that Russia needs new railroads, and will have them." For this the censor was suspended for three months and the editor fined S3OO.

An Utter Slave.

"Goodness, John, how queer baby looks. I believe he is going to have a fit.” "By George, I believe you are right. Where’s my camera?"—lndianapolis Journal. If you want to find out how much clear dog there Is In a man, find out how he treats his wife.

A DEEP-DYED RASCAL.

Ik Scheme to Cheat the Insurance Companies. Benjamin Robert Musgrave, or : Bob, as he was better known, was : born at Leeds, England, about 30 1 years ago. He was not born rich and ! when he went out into the world it was to get a living as best he could. It occurred to Bob, as it has to many another, that the easiest way was “by his wits.” So Bob sought fields wherein he could make use of his ponderous gall. But for some unknown reason he was unlucky from

BOB MUSGRAVE.

the first. It would not be long after Bob entered a city, with some big tale of business prospects, before he would begin to excite the suspicions of some one with whom he came in contact and before he was hardly awaje of it he would be damned out of town. Thus he went to Chicago; but his same old difficulty, “down on his luck,” began to torment him there and he decided upon a bold scheme to obtain money. He became acquainted with a woman named Kate McLaughlin*or Kate Burton, as she called herself, who was not of the highest morals. He and Kate put their heads together and it was not long afterward that Mr. Musgrave took out life insurance policies amounting to $3q,000. Next Mr. M. was in receipt of a long box, which excited the curiosity of those of his “friends” who saw it. Then Bob announced his intention to take up his abode in an old deserted cabin near Terre Haute, Ind. There was one friend who had always stood by Bob and that was Charley Trout. When Bob went to Terre Haute and to the cabin Trout informed the good people thereabout that Bob had ensconced himself there and persuaded two men to go and see him. One or two days later the old cabin was reported to have burned down. Upon searching the ruins the charred bones of a skeleton were found and the report that Bob Musgrave had been burned. Then It was learned that some one had bought a skeleton and ordered it to be sent to the address to which the long box had come and thus that mystery was cleared tip., Next Masgrave was recognized In Chicago and It was seen that the bones discovered Id the old hut were of the fake skeleton bought by him. Bob was at last arrested on the charge of attempting to swindle the insurances companies out of $35,000. He'was sentenced to ten years in the* penitentiary and fined SSOO.

TWO GYMNASTS.

And How the Delinquent Cat Was EffectuaUy Punished by Them. Big newspaper space Is daily taker up with accurate throwing, and catching, and hitting of balls, the aim of the human eye, the speed of the human foot, the accuracy and dexterity

PUNISHING THE CAT.

of the human hand, arid the youngr people who play base-ball and tennis enjoy this reading matter. But a short time ago I saw two creatures only a year old outdo in aim and accuracy any human being I ever knew, says a writer in the St. Louis Globe-Democrat. They were a pair of barn-swallows. A very gentle little house-cat was in the habit of taking her daily nap in the hay-loft, directly under the nest among the rafters. All went well until the mother bird began to sit on her eggs. Then, presumably, the cat lifted her eyes to contemplate the pretty sight, for about 4 o’clock of the first day the bird staid upon the nest the cat came rushing out of the barn, the two swallows after her. Giving her in turn a vicious peck, they rose in air, swooped down and pecked her squarely on the back, one after the other, though she was running in all directions. Twenty-three times I watched them rise in air so high as to be out of sight, then come sailing down, <?ne behind the other, and each time giving the poor cat a peck apiece on the back, although she was speeding hither and thither, bewildered, seeking to hide under carts, under trees, here and there; they never missed her once, though they never slowed their swift flight to do it, never paused for the peck, but swiftly gave it as they skimmed down over her, rising on the same point of curve, to descend again presently. For about two weeks they were seen to fly out and repeat this punishment whenever the cat appeared on the green near the barn. There are cases which are Jbeyond the reach of the police, and the* Whitechapel murders is a sample. If the force was increased by 10,000 men they would catch the “ripper” no sooner. He will be discovered by accident, if at all, but with ordinary prudence he can continue his murderous course for yean

OUR BUDGET OF FUN.

HUMOROUS SAYINGS AND DOINGS HERE AND THERE. to kes sad Joke’ets that Art Supposed to Have Been Recently Born- Sayings and Doings that Art Odd. Curious mad Laughable. Hard Luck. First Chappie—“l proposed to Miss Somerset last night. ” Second Chappie—“JDeah me! And did the deah girl accept you?” First Chappie—“Yaas; btat I bwoke the crease in my twousere, and I feel so badly about it. "—Philadelphia Record. « - Reducing His Weight. "I don’t believe you are quite as heavy as you were,” said the barber to Cumso, during the process of shaving. “No, that was really a big slice you took out of my chin just then,” replied Cumso.—Exchange. Opposed to Any Movements Labor Agitator—“Mv friend, are you not in favor of the eight-hour movement?” Abe Lazy (the tramp)—“Movement! Who ever heerd of me bein’ in favor of any kind of a movement?’’—Time. A Man of His Word. Debtor—l can’t pay you anything this month. Collector—That’s what you told me last month. Debtor—Well, I kept my word, didn’t I?”—Texas Siftings.

A Great Space. Marie—l really believe that Mr. Silliry is out of his mind. Jane—Well, all I have to say is that if ha is he has an exceedingly extensive territory to wander arouhd in. Retribution Upon the Raker. Jones—A queer thing happened in New York the other day. A horse stole three pie from a baker’s wagon and ate them. Smith—l would like to have seen the baker. He must have been astonished. “Astonished! He was furious. He was desperate.” “Why, what about? The loss of the pies?” “No, of the horse. It was his own horse that ate the pies. It was the only one he had.”—Texas Siftings. Rasping.

Customer—Cor key! Barber—Yes, sir. Customer—ls you don’t stop combing that slide of mine I’m going to go somewhere else.—Judge. The Fundamental Principle. “Have you learned anything about the law?” asked the proud father of his son. “Yes, sir; I have grasped the fundamental principle of successful practice.” “What is it?” “Make it fee simple in the deed and fee complex in the. bill. ”—Washington Star..’ An embarrassing Question. A little New York boy of 4 years was much astonished when he awoke one morning last week to find a little sister in his mother’s arms. “Where did it come from?” he asked, with his •eyes wide open. “From God,” was the reply. “Who brought it?” was the next very natural question. “An angel.” He thought for a moment, and then exclaimed: “Oh, mamma! Why didn’t you catch the angel, too?”—ArkansawTraveler. A Judicious Choice. Mae—Well, I had four proposals last night. Maud—lndeed! Who were they? Mae—Well, there were Jack and Tom and Ned and that frightful Mr. Pigsfoot. Maud—Which did you accept? Mae —Mr. Pigsfoot. Maud—What in the world did you take him for? Mae —Well, you see, he is In the glue business and I thought he would be the most likely to stick.—Boston Courier. He Was Consclentions. Editor—You say you wish this poem to appear in my paper anonymously? Would-Be Contributor Yes; I don’t want any name to it. “Then I can’t publish it.” “Why not?” “Because I am conscientious about this matter. I don’t want an unjust suspicion to fall upon some innocent person.”—Texas Siftings. How to Tell. , He—You can always tell when a woman has fold all she knows about a piece of neighborhood gossip. She—How? He—She concludes with: “I should be glad to tell you all about it, but my lips are sealed.”—New York Herald.

The Dark Continent.

The population of Africa, according to the latest and most reliable estimates, is given at 163,000,000, or fourteen inhabitants to the square mile, while the population of the three Americas id givep at121,7i3,000, off eight inhabitants to the square mile. It must be remembered that while explorers tell us of large districts in Africa that aTe scantly peopled, there are also vast regions densely populated of which but few persons have ever heard. It may in tact be said that ohly the fringe of the Dark Continent has as yet been leached after 1,000 years of intermittent exploration.