Democratic Sentinel, Volume 16, Number 36, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 23 September 1892 — Page 3

A WOMAN'S INFLUENCE

LULU JAMISON

CHAPTEK XII —Continued. She bent her head, pretending to examine the gleaming stones, but raised it immediately, 1o say rather slowly: "Tell me what you wish most, and you shall have it.” Brian gave a questioning glanco at her half-averted face. He hesitated, but only for a second. The next he had caught ner In his arms, and holding her against his beatlifg heart he pressed a long, passionate kiss upon her passive lips. She made not the slightest resistance, though her face had grown very white. He laid his own interpretation upon this sign. “You are angry,” he said, allowing her to go at last. “No, no, not angry; that was your i Ghrlstmas gift." She 6poke with an effort and once j more foil to admiring her pin. Brian ; watched her with a longing she felt rather than saw. To avoid his eyes she drew her chair closer to the fire and buried her head in its cushioned back. “It is odd,” remarked Brian, after an awkward pause. “I think the world would smile to know that a husband is only permitted to kiss his wife on Christmas day.” “Some other time we will talk of that, Brian. Not now. It will only stir up old discords." “There is always the shadow of discord between us, ” was the answer given with a sigh. “Heaven .knows I should like to be a different man; but as I must be what I am, why can we not be happy together?” “Are you unhappy?” “You know I am. What pleasure can you find in hearing me say no! You know your love is the ono thing I long for. Yet you will kill yourself in the interest of others, while for mo —° He paused with a passion more eloquent than wow&. Margaret could not reply immediately. A strange, nervous weakness benumbed her faculties, and she waited for a stronger moment w answer his reproaches. “You speak unjustly,” she said at last, with great effort. “I do not take pleasure in your unhappiness. If you knew bow utterly exhausted I am, you would spare such remarks. They pain me. I —I can’t bear them now. ” She had risen from her chair with the last words, and with sudden trembling swayed as though she would faint. “Margaret!” ho cried, catching her in his arms, “tell me the trouble. ” “lam only tired,” was the answer, with a half sob as her head rested for a second on his shoulder. "Only very kjred. ” “I have been a brute,” he rejoined, penitently. “I should have seen you were ill. Let me do something for you, darling.” “Oh, no, Brian; I thank you. I shall be better when I have slept. I need only that, I think. I must say goodnight now.” With a sigh he let her go from him, and she moved away unsteadily; but coming back under the Impulse of an after-thought, she said, very slowly: “Brian, won't you try to believe that want to see you happy and contented, and that I try very hard to make you so? If I am not a better woman it is not because I do not strive to be.” “No more,” cried Brian, with much warmth. “Margaret, you hurt me. Not to win your love, but to be worthy of it, that should be my ambition. You are too good for me, I —- Good-night." CHAPTEK XIV. A BITTER REVELATION. The old year died amid the festivities incident 10 the season, and the new year was already a week old; but still Margaret had not regained her old-time spirits. Brian was at first anxious and then annoyed. It was too bad of Margaret to look so pale and thin, when he liked to see her strong and well. Thus he argued with man’s sublime selfishness. *1 wish you would tell me what is the matter with you,” he said, rather sharply, at bivakfastone morning. “You say you feel strong. You will not allow me to prescribe for you, nor will you see Dr. Philips; and yet you go around looking like a ghost. I can’t understand it.” “There is no necessity for trying. Brian. I was never rosy in my best days, and people often grow thin from Very simple causes. Will you pass me a roil, please?” “You need not try to deceive me,” put in Brian, complying with her request. “It is well enough to talk of being pale and growing-thin from simple causes. I know there is a reason for your Indisposition. The place is dull enough, dear knows. I think you might try to be cheerful, if only for my sake..” Margaret’s lips twitched. Her temper had been tried by several circumstances that morn ng, and now Brian’s complaints capping the climax, put her in a mood for retaliation. “I wish you had thought of the dullness before you married me,” she retorted with the bitterness that filled her breast. “I suppose you are angry now. I know you’ll drive me mad. I wish I could hate you.” “Don’t quarrel, please. I don’t like it. If you do not find sufficient to interest you at home, it is not my fault, and I will not bear the blame.” Her eyes flashed as that determined will passed her lips. “Are you goir.g to the city again?" “Yes, to-morrow.' I can’t stand more than a little of this life at a time.” “Nor of my company,” added Margaret, rather bitterly. “You are complimentary, decidedly.” “As to standing, your company, Margaret, you know my feeding perfectly well. It is of the place, not you, I complain. What under heaven can a sane man do here?" “What can he da in the c*ty? What do you do there?' Margaret asked this qt estion very quietly. “Whatnan one do?” repeated Brian, ignoring the personality. “Bather ask: What can’t he do? New York life is so flexible, my dear, that it bends to every caprice. Wonderful and accommodating both. There’s pleasure for everybody. A thousand amusements o fill up one’s time. Ask a Gothamite how he enjoys himself and hear his answer.” “Then from your accouns I am to assume that enjoyment is the end and aim of his existence. I think your Gothamite's life would not suit me.” “Not if you hold your present principles, certainly. Really, Margaret, you are a most self-opinionated young woman, and I’d be delighted if you would drop one o* two of your theories by the wayside."

"I dare say it would be as well,” was the answer; “they could notfall on more barren soil than your unappreciative mind offers." “Say philosophical rather than unappreolatlve. You must admit that I have reason on my side. Show me the benefit of working one’s self to death, when there is no necessity for it. You only see the surface, Margaret, but I go deeper. ” “On the contrary,” smiled Margaret, “you see only the surface, while I look deeper. You look only at the need of money, but I see a hundred offects in which money has no part. Necessity is a very accommodating term, and has a different shade of meaning for different people. As for working one’s self to death, I’m afraid that is also an accommodating term. A lazy man might consider the slightest exertion a step toward that lamentable end. “I suppose I am that lazy man?" “I shouldn’t be at all surprised. And, setting joking aside, Brian. I do think that no man has a right to do nothing. Lounging about day after day, with no higher ambition than to amuse one’s self would, it seems to me, make a manor woman (mote particularly a man). tired of himself. Now, don’t look at me with that expression, please. I don’t want to be a shrew, or a preacher, either. I detest everlasting preachers, and I don’t intend to be ono. Nevertheless, I wish to gracious you’d find something to do, and have a better reason for going to New York than your present one, which is—well, not particularly creditable.” Margaret’s voice broke slightly, but she tried to hide the momentary weakness by sipping her ooffee. Brian’s face had flushed very visibly at her allusion to the reason of his visits to the city and he, too, went on eating in silence. “Margaret,” he said, presently, “if you have any old men or women who need doctoring call me in and I’ll show you what I pan do. I’m pretty fair, notwithstanding my want of practice. “Very well, Brian,, he prepared for an early call. It is not your ability .1 doubt, though. ” As he had said, Brian went to New York the next day. “I shall be back in a day or so,” he told Margaret on bidding her good-by. “You may expect me," Margaret did expect him, but she was disappointed. The dayß passed, and after his first letter she heard no more from him. She became worried and anxious, though even to herself she would not acknowledge her alarm. She did not dream of bodily harm. Intelligence of such a mishap would have reached her quickly. Yet in some intangible way she felt that he was in danger and needed her.

In cases like this philosophy is of little avalL To tell herself that this or that was impossible, that Brian was merely forgetful and indifferent,- augmented rather than relieved her fears. To relieve her mind she rode over to The Cedars to see and talk with Alice; but upon reaching her destination she was told that Alice had left the house with the intention of returning in a short time. As she had the afternoon at her disposal, Margaret decided to wait; so she found her way to the small room adjoining the library and seated herself in a lounging chair. The house was very silent, and the room unusually warm, and as a consequence Margaret, becoming rather drowsy, was soon quite unconscious of her surroundings. How long she remained so she did not know, but presently she was aroused by loud voioes raised In some altercation. At first they were rather indistinct and seemingly put part of a dream. “Verv well, sir, go to the devil for all I care.” “The Colonel’s voice,” Margaret decided, still unable to shake off the impression of dreaming “What’s the good of your education, I’d like to knqw?” the voice continued. “Do you imagine I gave you the opportunity of reading law for you to give it up when you grew tired? No, sir! This idea of writing that’s turned your head is only another name for doing nothing. Confound me! I believe you want to be like that d scoundrel, Leigh " Margaret started. Was this dreaming? “You are mistaken," came the answer in Bertie’s voice. “I have no desire to emulate Brian in any respect Please credit me with some consideration for Alice." “If you didn’t show more for her than he does for his wife, I’d shoot you with my own hands. He ought to be hung, the sooundrel! Leaving his wife as he has been doing, allowing his domestic affairs to be the talk of the neighborhood and her name to become the subject of discussion with every vulgar gossip in the place, and he galivantlng around the city like a loafer, lounging in clubs mornings, noons, and nights, and drunk at that. Beale saw him the other day lying on the club house steps, too drunk to move. And Margaret has thrown herself away on such a creature. Don’t get so excited, you say? Do you think lam made of stone? Do you think I can talk quietly and calmly when I remember her? Why in the name of heaven do such men have wives? Why in the name of a just heaven should she have such a husband? And why in the name of the devil don’t some one shoot or hang him? Margaret had heard all—every word, the Colonel’s high-pitched denunciations, Bertie’s lower but not less emphatic ones, and now she could hear the Colonel angrily pacing the library, his regular rapid steps seeming to keep time with her quick heart beats.

No. this was not dreaming. She was fully awake. And er.urhing down in her chair she pressed her hands over her eyeß as though she would shut from her sight the shame and disgrace that was actually touching her life. Why had it never occurred to her before? Why had she not guessed that, while she passed her thoughtless, unthinking days in the safety of her own home, he was following a path of ruin amid the gilded temptations of New York? How much of the blame would lie at her door, and what would be the end? Ah! those bitter questions, with their more bitter possibilities! Before her mind rose the memory of l a solemn moment and the never-forgot-ten words: “Don’t forget Brian. Be good to him for my sake." Did she need such memories to make her realize that cow as never before his future, his destiny rested in her hands? She could not sit here and wait quietly for Alice nor could Bhe be found here by either Bertie or the Colonel. She must leave the house unobserved if possible. „ Alas! it was not possible. Scarcely had she reached the hall than Bertie, leaving the library at the same moment, came suddenly upon her. “Margaret,” he said, starting at sight of her. “You here? I did not know. You are in trouble. You are ill. Tell me.” “Heart-sick, Bertie, only heart-sick," she returned, with a hair-sobbing breath, while she caught at the door for support. *1 came 10 see Alice. She is out; I cannot wait longer."

"Ton hare been-waiting then," ha questioned, quite bewildered by hit strange manner. “Margaret," he added, with sudden revation, “you heard." “Yes," she answered, lowering her eyes before his pitying glance. “I was in there and I heard all. I did not know before.”* “Poor child,” he said, with unusual gentleness. “If Brian could only see you now. I wish I could have told you less abruptly. It was cruel. Father will be so sorry. Let me bring him here. He might comfort you, Margaret." Margaret smiled sadly, and leaned rather heavily against the stairway, "No, Bertie, no one can do that. It Is impossible, impossible. 1 think his sympathy would be very hard to bear now. Don’t pity me. Advise me. I feel so helpless. Have you known—long? Why has God sent me this this trouble?" It was hard for Bertie to meet this inquiry calmly. “Not for any desert of yours,” he said, rather huskily. “You ask me if I have known long. I’m afraid I must say yes. The first time I saw Brian not himself—l am hurting you. " “No. Go on, please. Tell me all. It cap make very little difference now." “I was surprised and shocked. I thought of you and I talked to Brian. He promised to do better. I believe he intended to, and I think he tried, but his resolutions are weak and easily broken. Do you remember the day I met you In the road and you remarked upqn my long face? It.was the day before Brian left on this last visit,. I dreaded the result for him, aud I determined to tell you all and lot your persuasions Influence him. But, Margaret, when I saw your face my heart failed me, and I allowed the opportunity to slip. Yet you can remember how earnest I was in begging you to use your influence to keep Brian at home.' Here thb temptation seems to have no power over him. I think your presenoe must be the cause. Unfortunately, though,he loves the allurements of city Ilf*. And you are not there. ” Yii,: “No, but i shall be," returned Margaret, lifting her grateful eyes- to his. “Thank you for showing me the way.," “It is so little to thank me for,” he returned, sadly. “I wish I could do a thousand times more for you. If Brian is' not content to stay with you at Elmwooe, the next best thing is for you to be with him in New York. It will bo a gain for him, but leaving your homd will be a heavy sacrifice for you. Do ybu fell called upon to make it?” He looked kindly in her face, but he 'found, no hesitation there. “A hundred times, If neoessary," she responded. “I had not thought of that part, and I oannot speak of It yet. Will you see that John brings my horse? And remember me to Alice and your father, please.” < “Keep up a brave heart,” he said, as helped her on her horse a few momenta later, “and don’t forgot me if you need a friend, though heaven grant you never niay. ” Margaret nodded. She could not speak, and pressing her hand with sympathetic warmth, Bertie watched her ride away, and then went in to recount to his father all that had passed between them. This served to increase the old gentleman's indignation at what he called Brian’s despicable oonduot. While Bertie talked he paced the room, alternately praising Margaret, whom he loVed HRo a daughter, and condemning Brian, who, In his estimation, had been false alike to the highest principle of manhood and to the honor and respect due to his wife. [TO BE CONTINUED.]

Imitation Mountain.

Ju9t now, at the office of the Geological Survey, they are engaged in building imitation mountains, forthS purpose of studying the way in which the eternal bills were formed by the crumpling due to the contraction of the earth’s crust. The coal basins and other valuable mineral deposits in many parts of the United States have undergone just such crumpling, so that it shall resemble in consistency the brittle rocks near the surface of the earth or the plastic rocks which are in that condition because of tho great pressure that exists even at depths of only two or three miles, as the case may be. The mixture is cast in layers of a given thickness by melting and flowing it in a wooden trough. . When each layer has hardened it is taken out, and a number of layers thus made are superimposed one upon the other like layers of jelly cake, representing geological strata. The next process is to place the layers in a machine, piling shot on top of them to represent the force of gravity, after which pressure is applied from the ends very slowly by a piston advanced with a screw. This causes them to crumple up, and under the artificial contraction they are found to take precisely the forms of mountain ranges like the Alleghanies,

A Queer Rig.

Mr. Dennett, of Cape Elizabeth, Me., who supplies the cottagers with milk, eggs, and garden truck, has a rig that attracts a good deal of attention. It consists of a 2-year-old bull, with a ring in his nose, bearing a crooked yoke on his neck, harnessed to a flat-bottomed cart, which will float in the water. The animal is driven by Mr. Dennett like a horse. Reins of rope are attached to the .ring in the bull’s nose. They pass up over the horns through rings attached to them. With this queer team Mr. Dennett makes the trip to the' beach two or three times a week, fording the Sperwink River at high 'tide. The bull swims the river like , a dog aud the cart floats like a boat and will sustain the weight of Mr. Dennett and his load of produce safely. When Mr. Dennett and his unique team are seen approaching the cottagers throng the banks of the river tin order to see him make the passage.

To Pack Collars and Cuffs.

The best way to pack collars and cuffs, if you have the usual summer assortment, is to put them in a collar and cuff box and put this in the bottom of your trunk. The most durable boxes are made ofeblack seal and have two compartments. The box Is lined with watered silk. The cuffs are placed in the -.ower compartment about a round piece of silk-covered cardboard made for that purpose. The collars go In the upper tray.

The Simplon Tunnel.

The'longest tunnel in the world will be that now to be commenced through the Simplon.! According to the Anal plans adopted it will have a length of 12.6 miles, or 3.1 miles more than the St. Gothard tunnel.

Mexico’s Cathedral.

The cathedral in the City of Mexico is the largest in America, and cost nearly 82,000,000.

AGRICULTURAL TOPICS.

A FEW SUGGESTIONS FOB OUR RURAL READERS. A Handy Device tor Binding Corn-Butter Sometimes Breeds Disease-Potatoes Under Straw-Suggestions for Making a Good Pence—Household Hints. Bacteria In Butter. Enthusiastic scientists have boon recently experimenting with (Jisi'asi - producing bacteria in butter. It is worth while, one of them said to a Washington Star writer, to And out how these microscopic vegetable organisms live in various foods In order that it may be ascertained how likely different articles of human diet are to convey morbid complaints into the system. Accordingly, trials have been made with the germs of consumption, typhoid fever and cholera by planting a few of each in pats of butter fresh from the dairy and watching them afterward. One curious result obtained was the discovery that such disease-making bacteria lived much'longer in butted of the best quality than in poor butter. VJruloqt bacilli of tuberculosis were found among germs which had been in first rate butter for 120 days. The vitality possessed, hy them was proved by inoculating guinea pigs with them. Evidently, therefore, it is possible ror butter to communicate to human beings any of the diseases mentioned, as well as othprs, doubtless. . Much study has recently been given to the bacteria which treed in milk, ol' which there are not less than forty species. How numerous they are may be faintly conceived when it is stated that 2,000,000 may be found in a single drop of cream. Some of them give to the butter its charcteristic odor and taste. While tho bacteria aTe growing and feeding they produce volatile substances, the presence of which is distinguishable by the sense of smell. Other kinds of bacteria cause the milk to curdle, while others yet make an acid which turns It. sour. It is hopM that the time may yet arrive vtheh it will be possible for the farmer to inoculate his cream with certain kinds of bacteria, which may have been ascertained to give the best flavor to the butter. Garden Sorapor aud Eoveler. As a short cut implement in the garden i have found the tool illustrated exceedingly useful. Get a piece of wood (hard wood preferred) 80 inches loocr. 6 inches wide, and 1

inch thick, in shape as illustrated, cut to a moderately sharp edge. Insert a handle at an angle of about 50 degrees. In working, after the ground has been made moderately smooth and the lumps all broken up, give the tool a sort of circular sweeping motion, at the same time pulling it towards you, or pushing it from you. Its use makes a surface perfectly even, far superior to a raked surface and more rapidly done. For fine seed beds and flower gardens, its work is perfection.—J. D. Alien, in Practical Farmer. Growing Green Corn for Canneries. The business of furnishing green corn for canning purposes is a growing one, and where hind is not too dear it is profl table. Even a low rate per dozen of ears, amounts to a high price for corn after it is shelled and dried. Besides, In most localities, part of the crop may be sold to city or village purchasers for home use, at a good deal-better price than canncrs can pay, the latter acting as the balance which furnishing a market when it would otherwise be glutted. Most kinds of sweet corn, especially those with small ears, average much more than one ear to a stalk, and sometimes nearly two ears on the average of the piece.

No Braces Needed. Just notice this sketch of a fence which I recently saw, says a Farm and Home correspondent. It is neat and Strong with four wires and a heavy pole on top so no stock can be hurt by failing to see it But it is not braced

at the ends and both sides of gates in the manner so often recommended,for the contraction of the wires cannot draw the posts nearer one another in the ground, and the polo on top is too heavy to allow it there, strong spikes being used. So then braces are not required.' Seasoned cedar or chestnut being used there is no reason why such a fence should not last for many years. . Cultivate Flowers. ' Any one riding through the country villages and the farming communities may see many houses with verandas, piazzas and porches. The greater number of these are bare and desolate. Generally, the veranda is on the south side of the house, and if trees do not shade, the sun makes it the hottest, the most uncomfortable place about the house. them glisten in new paint of two colors, some have no paint, and some are falling down and going to decay. Every veranda might be a veritable flower garden, at an expense so small that it is not worth counting. Five cents worth of seeds will cover It with morning glories, the climbing flower that is still a great favorite.— Orange-Judd Farmer.

Buying Eggs of Pure Breeds. When eight pounds was fixed as the lowest weight for a Black Minorca cock and six and one-half for the hen. It was deemed excessive, many breeders claiming that the breed would never reach such weight. The progress of the breed was retarded for a while, but at the recent shows birds have been exhibited which approach close to nine pounds. The heavy weight demanded is correct The difference between a Black Minorca and a Black Leghorn is very little to ,one not accustomed to breeding them, so far as color, comb, etc., are con-

cerned, but the great size of the Minorca separates it with a wide gap from its diminutive rival. Both the Minorca and Leghorn are non-setters, but the Minorca enjoys the distinction of laying eggs of yery largo size Device Ibr Binding Corn. I use a handy device for bindin; shocks of corn which consists of * strip of hatd wood,(A) 20 inches long, one inch thick and 4 inches wide, writes A.ILL. to “Practical Farmer. An inch hole is bored at each end for a rope, (C) about JO feet long and three-fourths of an inch in diameter. A knot in one epd prevents it from slipping through the hole. A windlass (B) is made of a piece of hard wood 21 feet long,'turned or shaved round, and pointed as represented by the figure. The largest part of tho tapered portion of the windlassshould be H inches in diameter,made to turn easily, but fitting closely in a hole in

the middle of the piece (A). This crank should be about one foot long. In use, I put the piece (A) against the side ot, the shock Mjere lt ls to be bound. Thrust tho windlass through the hole in the same, and Hoto tho stalks. Then put the end of the>ropo around tho shocks, put it through the hole in the end of (A); wrap It around the end of the crank and wind it up until it is tight enough. Fasten the crank with a cord to tho end of (A), and bind the shock with a straw band, whiGh will bold the stalks when the rope is removed, although it will not be strong enough to draw them up as tightly as tho rope will.—Farmer’s ite view.

Poultry Cackle*. Plenty of dust is a good insecticide for hens. * Give the boys and girls a chance to raise chickens. See that nests do not become infested with vermin. Who knows the value of a hen as an insect destroyer? Turkeys are tender until tho feathers aro well started. White fowls always have a lively look in the poultry yard, There is no better absorbent for the poultry yard than plaster. Brooder-hatched chickens aro apt to suffer for want of heat. The way to wealth Is not by the hen route, so don't expeot to grow rich from poultry. Ornamental houses may please the eye of man, but what the fowl wants are proper accomnaodations. Soft feed thrown upon the ground is like investing your money In a lottery—you see it going, but you will be lucky if It returns. Kerosene will certainly kill lice, but it must be used cautiously upon fowls. Two-thirds molted lard to onethird kcrosone is strong enough. Never set a hen in a box without removing one side of It so she can step in. When compelled to Jump down, she will break more or less eggs. Dust baths are of more importance than some people seem to think. A fowl that is not provided with this accommodation has no means of helping to fight the lice. Never grease a setting hen. Get a good reliable insect powder and thoroughly dust the nest A nest made of tobacco stems Is to a certain extent vermin proof.

Hints to Housekeepers. If a dish gets burned in using do not scrape it; put a little water and ashes in it and let it get warm. It will come off nicely. A suggestion for the disposition of old kid gloves is that they be cut into bits and used for stuffing the übiquitous cushion of the modern house comfortable. You can tell if a bed is damp by laying your hand glass between the sheets for a few moments. If the sheets are not properly dried the glass will be clouded. It is said that if the woodwork in the kitchen is kept constantly scrubbed with water in which potash has been dissolved, roaches and ants will speedily disappear. Poun a little melted paraffine over the top to prevent mold on top of jelly. TJiis when cool will harden into a thin, solid cake, which can be lifted out when the jelly is used,, and may be used for the same purpose next year. Wiikn more steak is cooked than is eaten, chop it fine and add. a slice of bread comminuted and an egg to each pound, and salt, pepper and butter to suit the taste, and a little milk. Hake in a moderate oven, and slice when cool.

What Good Cook* Say. Graham Cake.— One cup of brown sugar, one cup of sour cream, two eggs, two cups of Graham flour, one teaspoonful of soda, a little salt and cinnamon if liked. If the cream is not sour use less soda. Do not stir too stiff. i Flannel Cake. Beat six eggs light; stir in two pounds of flour, one gill of yeast, salt and sufficient milk to maitea thick batter; make them at night for breakfast. Have your griddle hot, fry; butter and send hot to the table. Ham and Eggs.— . Soak ham over wight in milk. In the morning fry until brown, then remove to a planter. Fry eggs by dipping gravy over them until done, instead of turning, then take up carefully and lay upon the slices of bam. Eye Muffins. —Two cups of rye, one-half cup of flour, one egg, onefourth cup of molasses, milk enough to make rather soft, two scant teaspoons of baking powder, mixed with the meal and flour. Bake in gem pans in hot oven. French Chocolate Macaroons. — Half a pound each of fine sugar and ■grated sweet almonds,a quarter-pound of grated vanilla chocolate, three beaten whites of eggs; mix well ana drop from a spoon on a buttered tin; bake in'a slow oven.

DRAPING A BED.

Bow tho Bed May Bo Mad* to Look Wei) la • Comer. * i It Is generally considered that a bed does not look well In a corner, says the Mail and Express, but such an arrangement of canopy and draperies

BSD CANOPY AND DHAPERY.

as Is depicted in the cut changes the whole aspect of affairs. Individual taste must, of v course, decide tho material to be used with a certain style of bedstead. The bedstead ip the present instance is Iron, enameled In white and gold, and the canopy is cretonne In a delicate rose tint. The arrangement of tho spread covering and pillows is graceful and pieusing.

A Practical Judge.

When Senator Sanders of Montand first settlod in the wilds of the then half-civilized West, the following la related of him: He was about the only well-eduoated man In that State. The miners \and cowboys recognized that fact, and elected him Judge. In that capacity he soon Tjecame a terror to evil-doers, as he invariably imposed the heaviest sentence prescribed bylaw. i ‘

On one occasion a border ruffian was brought before him on a charge ol assault and battery, entered a plea of guilty, and was fined #2O. The fellow had a daugerous gleam in his bye as he shambled forward, pulled 9 bag from his pocket, took from it two double eagles, and laid them on the bar before Judge Sanders. The Judge shoved one of the ooins across the counter, remarking: “You’ve made a mistake. Your flno is $20." “I know what my fine is," growled tho thug; “and I understand what I’m doing. See? If It costs #2O to whip a man in this court It's cheap enough, and I’m willing to pay for the fun. Just keep the other twenty, Judge; I’m going to thrash another man." “Very well, sir," quietly said Sartders, putting the coins Into a drawer and turning tho key. “And you’re the man I’m going to lick," continued the pugilistic prisoner, addressing the Court. “As you please, sir,” wus the calm response, as Sanders stepped from the bench. The fellow made a most savage onslaught upon the Judge, but Sanders ducked, and before his antagonist could recover his equilibrium ho received a blow on the jugular which sent him spinning half way across the room, where ho fell as limp as a rag. Two minutes later the erstwhile terror scrambled to his feet, looked about the room In a dazed manner, and slowly staggered toward the door. “Here, sir!”thundered Sanders, who had resumed his place upon the bench. “Come here!” The thug obeyed.' Sanders slowly counted out SIO.OO, and shoved It across the bar. “There’s your change,” he remarked, gravely. “You dld’nt commit assault and battery. Under the circumstances I do not feel Justified In asking you to pay anything for your part of this performance. Of course, I am compelled to charge you for the actual time I have lost. Good-afternoon. Call the next case.”

Going to Sleep.

Scientific investigators assert that in beginning to sleep the senses do not unitedly fall into slumber, but drop off one after another. The sight ceases in consequence of the protection of the eyelids to receive impressions first, while all the other senses jpreserve their sensibility entire. The sense of taste is the next which loses its susceptibility to impression,, and then the sense of smelling. The hearing ft next in order, and last of all comes the sense of touch. Furthermore, the senses are brought to sleep with different degrees of profoundness. The sense of touch sleeps the most lightly and is the most easily awakened; the next easiest is the hearing, the next Is the sight, and the taste and smelling awake last Another remarkable circumstance deserves notice: certain muscles and parts of the body begin to sleep before others. Sleep commences at the extremities, beginning with the feet and legs, and creeping toward the center of the nervous action. The necessity of keeping the feet warm and perfectly still as a preliminary of sleep is well known. From these explanations it will not appear surprising that there should be ah imperfect kind of mental action which produces the phenomena of dreaming.

Milk a Microbe Killer.

Dr. Frcudcnrich has found, by experiments, that the cholera bacillus, if put into milk drawn fresh from the cow, dies in an hour, and in five hours if put into fresh goat’s milk. The bacillus of typhoid fever takes twentv-four hours to die in cow’s milk, and five hours in goat’s milk. Other microbes suffer a like fate in varying periods. But he has also found that milk maintained for an hour at a temperature of 231 degrees Fahrenheit, loses its power to kill microbes—a statement which is of interest in the face of the common teaching which makes the purification of milk depend upon its being boiled Again, the bactericidal properties of milk become weaker the older it gets, for cow’s milk after four days, and goat’s milk after five days, ceases to have any effect upon micro-organism. The match trust is in undisputed control; and it is the consumer who isin a-box.■ ■"* • i . s

CHAIRMAN SWEENEY.

( •' *>.F. f .if i ■ *5-2/ rhe Man at the Head ot the Switchmen** f Strike at Buffalo. F. M. Sweeney, President of the National Association of Switchmen,

has his headquarters at 15 Pacific street, Chicago, but is at present in charge ot the switchmen’s affairs at Buffalo. He is still a young man, not over 35, and was elected to his present positlcgi thi#e years ago. Mr-

F. M. SWEENEY.

SweeDeyhas always counseled peaceful methods, and made a decided bit by a strong speech last week before the State Board qf Arbitration. la this he deplored the acts of violence, said they were not countenanced by the association, and outlined the demands of the switchmen in a most forcible speech. The switchmen look upon him as the best organizer in the labor movement to-day, and regard the remarkable growth of the assoclation’as duo largely to Ills untiring efforts.

Can Water Run Uphill?

It would be a legitimate answer to this question, perhaps, to cite the flow of water, through a siphon, its capillary action, as in a lamp-wick, or its upward course when drunk by an animal. Tho inquiry should be made more explicit. Can a river, in its natural channel, open to the air, run Aiphill? lin possible as this seems, it is an established fact. In fact, every river flowing toward the equator for u sufficient distance runs uphill. , Tho mouth of the Mississippi la throe miles higher than its source. That is, Minnesota, where the Mi*slssippl risds, is throo miles nearer tho center of the 'earth than is the Gulf of Mexico. In tho reason for such a difference In level will bo found tho explanation of tho river’s uphill flow. As any schoolboy will tell us, the earth is a ball flattened at the poles. This flattening, while comparatively insignificant, is still sufficient to make tho polar diameter twenty-eight miles shorter than the equatorial diameter. In other words, the north and the south pole are fourteen miles nearer the earth’s center than is the equator. Now, the distance from tho north polo to tho equator, measured along the earth's surface, is six thousand miles; and the distance from the source to tho mouthof tho Mississippi is about flftoen hundrod miles, or onefourth of six thousand. If, therefore, there is a difference in level of fourteen miles between tho north pole and the equator, there will be a difference in lovel botwoon tho source of tho Mississippi and its mouth, of onefourth of fourteen miles, or three and one-half miles. But tho territory watered by the , Mississippi has bceh elevated ! somewhat by volcanic or similar forces, and the actual excess In height of tho river’s mouth is reduced to the three miles first mentioned. How is it possible for the river thus to run upnill? When, eons ago, the sun bod thrown the earth from Its surface like u drop of water from a swiftly turning wheel, our globe, became a huge ball of molten rock, itself swiftly revolving in space. As it gradually cooled, It shrank; and by shrinking its velocity increased, Just as a stone tied to a string and twirled about a boy’s finger revolves more rapidly as the string winds about the finger. When the centrifugal force bad so increased as to exceed gravitation, a huge mass shot off from the earth's equator, and became the moon. Still, the centrifugal force retained ample power to expand the earth’s equator, and to retain It in this form until cold and rigid. Nor has this force yet abated. As It drew toward the equator the earth’s material when plastic, it still continues to attract in the same direction all the fluids upon the earth’s surface. In this way gravitation la partially overcome, and the Mississippi River flows steadily up Its threemile hill to the Mexican Gnlf. A second question Is sugg<stsd-~ What would ensue If the revolution of the earth should be by ■some means gradually retarded? The Mississippi would become more and more sluggish; the entire valley and the great lakes would swell into an inland sea, and the Gulf of Mexico would seek through them Its way to the North Pole. If the earth should cease to revolve altogether, £he oceans of the equator would forsake their beds and hasten toward the poles. Probably the entire globe north of the latitude of Boston Would be submerged.

They Like Beer.

The taste for alcohol isnotconfined to human beings, as animals take very kindly to it, and a little practice makes them confirmed topers. We have never yet met a dog that could resist bread soaked in beer, and Richardson tells us of a cat that was taught by some children to drink wine. “She would amuse a company by taking her share of old port, and becoming first excited, and then very stupid, unsteady, and sleepy." The poor beast became dropsical, and died of liver disease, but then it had been drenched with drink far beyond the limits of moderation, and the usual results followed. Richardson also tells us of how be was driving near Canterbury, when the horse stopped short at a public house. “I asked the driver what that for ‘The horse,* said he, ‘always stops here for his beer. He wouldn’t go by on no account. You couldn’t whip him by, sir, until he has had his beer. His former master taught him to drink beer, and invariably treated him to it, and here he’ll stop till he gets it.’ It was the fact; a large tankard of beer was brought out to* that horse, and he disposed of the fluid with as much relish as his master, and then went his way.”—Blackwood’s Magazine.

A Strange Custom.

A curious marriage custom is re corded by Dr. Post as existing in Southern India among some of the more primitive non-Aryan tribes. This oonsists of wedding a girl to a plant, a tree, an animal, or even an inanimate object, the notion being that any ill-luck which may follow an actual marriage may bo-averted by a union of this kind.