Democratic Sentinel, Volume 17, Number 23, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 23 June 1893 — Page 6

g tie gcmocraiitStntittti RENSSELAER, INDIANA. j W McEWEN, - - • Putusher

SHOES OF PAST AGES.

QUEER FOOTGEAR WORN BY VARIOUS PEOPLES. Faihlons Among Early Christian*—Making ■hoes in Church—Wonderful Shoes of the Middle Ages—The Footwear of the Ancient Romans —Soles of Gold. Freaks in Bootmaking. SHOES afford a curious study. During the last twenty centuries they have undergone a revolution

that is most remarkable. The footgear of the early Christians was pf the plainest possible description. St. Jerome warned them against imitating frivolous persons who, he said, “take

■pedal pride in having their shoes clean and neat. ” The clergy in those days were the bootmakers. In order to escape the sin of idleness they were seen even in the churches and during services hard at work at that humble trade. Some of them were tailors, and these likewise brought their work to the sacred edifices. In the time of Charlemagne, says the Washington Star, shoes were not in general use, and that monarch habitually wore only bands of different colored cloth wound about his feet and legs. However, he had most elaborate shoes for state occasions, as is shown by those preserved to this day among the imperial treasures at Vienna. During the reign of the French King Louis the Debonnair it was the custom for sovereigns to send presents to the Pope at Rome, and shoes were always Included among the gifts. Saint Louis of France wore shoes with long points,

a pair of which are still preserved, to- j gather with other parts of his costume, at the Church of Poissy. A writer of that period, scandalized by the excessive luxury he witnessed, writes thus reproachfully of the young girls of his time: “Their clothes have lost all their old simplicity; their enormous cuffs, tight-fitting tunics, and shoes of which ' the pointed toes turn upward give evi- ■ deuce that they have lost all sense of | decency. ’’ Pointed Toe*. In the early part of the thirteenth century shoes began to have long pointed toes, both in France aqd England, and this fashion grew until the points were actually longer than the ehoes. These absurdities were called “poulaines,” and were Invented by the Chevalier Robert le Cornu. So uncomfortable were they, interfering seriously with ease of movement, that many people soon began to wear silver •nd gold chains attached to the points and held -by fastenings just below the knee. The uppers of these shoes were much decorated, often being cut out in letterings which related stories, some quaint and humorous and others obscene. They were adorned at the back with spurs. In war the poulaines were found so inconvenient that at the battle of Sempach, where Duke Leopold of Austria was killed, the officers decided to cut off the extra length of leather so that they might fight at ease. At one time the points were stiffened and turned upward, the ends being ornamented with griffins, unicorns and grotesque figures, while on the extreme point a bell was attached. The points of the poulaines were made longer or shorter, according to the rank of the wearer. With ordinary people they extended only six inches beyond the toe. With rich bourgeois the rule was one foot, with knights a foot and a half, and with noblemen two feet. Princes actually wore points two and a half feet long. The longer the shoe the prouder and more respected the man. The more grave and thought-

ful members of society resisted the dictates of fashion in this matter no more than the most frivolous of exquisites. Clergymen wore them, and that in spite of its being absolutely forbidden to do so. Limit* in Fashion* Kings issued edicts prohibiting such ridiculous footgear; the pulpits stormed against it; poets ridiculed it; papal bulls were uttered against it Nevertheless, for nearly three centuries the shoes with points held their own, Being even lengthened from time to time. In 1462 a statute of Edward IV. forbade English gentlemen below toe rank of baron to wear shoes with points more than six inches long. This decree was ratified by act of Parliament. But it was not until the first part of the sixteenth century that such footwear finally disappeared. In those days, when a fashion in shoes came into general use among the common people the nobles at once demanded something new from the bootmakers. Thus it was expected that gentlemen should exhibit good taste by a certain degree of originality in their footgear. Shoes in the seventeenth century were remarkable for the beauty of their shape and the elegance of the ornaments used on them. A boot that came in at this time was in odd contrast to the poulaine, being remarkably square in toe and having the broad end slashed so as to show-another color through the apertures. This style was particularly popalar in Germany, where some of the shoes at that epoch were digitated, with ‘fingers' for the toes like a glove. The most popular boot of that date was of soft kid with a large and decorated top, which fell about the calf of the leg. One variety of this style had a decoration at the Instep called a “windmill,” consisting of two wing-like additions, which stood out on either side. Heels were worn high. The materials then used in the manufacture of shoes ware numerous, including velvet, satin, cloth, silk and leather, all In a variety of colors, as well as .brocades of sliver and gold. At the court of Louis XIV. none but red heels wem

worn. For ladles* shoes and slippers the heels were made of wood. The shoes were covered with embroidery or braided. Fifty dollars was a small price paid for a chaussure in those days. From these gorgeous fashions shoes gradually came to assume simpler forms, being made of more serviceable materials. Thus, through the processes of an evolution in the direction of usefulness rather than beauty, the footgear of the present day has become what It is—rather comfortable than elegant Ancient Roman Footwear. Even the elaborate shoes of the middle ages were not so “expressed in fancy* as those used by the ancient Romans. The latter expended on their footgear all the decorations which their

Ingenuity could devise. Their bootmakers wore really artists. The shoes, especially those of women, were adorned with rich embroideries and with pearls. Virgil describes light boots garnished with gold and amber. Thq skins used were dyed with colors which cost fabulous prices. On some shoes precious stones sparkled, while others were decorated with engraved silver. Even the soles were made of solid gold. Such excessive luxury was not at all uncommon among the Romans, and to see a person shod with gold occasioned no remark. The enormous fortunes owned by some of the patricians made the extravagance seem only in keeping with their style of living. Subsequently shoes were made of purple kid. The shape of them was so elegant and the embroidery on them so perfect that they were actually preferred to those with golden soles and set with diamonds. The shoemakers’ art came at this time to closely approach that of the jeweler, and the brightest minds of that epoch did not consider It beneath them to design novelties In footwear. A little pinching was Indulged in by w some of the fair maidens, and lovers treasured their mistresses' shoes, the laces of a sandal being among the most coveted keepsakes. The shoes of the ancient Romans were of great variety. Those in most general use were of cloth on a leather sole, being somewhat like the shoes of the present day. They rose to about an inch and a half above the ankle, where they weie tied with a lacing. Another kind covered half the leg. A favorite sandal had the sole cut in the shape of a foot and was held in place by bandages of cloth or by strips of leather. This sort of sandal was worn particularly In the morning. Another description of sandal had a very heavy sole, two inches thick, and was worn by the common people. Another popular shoe was made of

leather, colored. Sometimes it covered half of the leg. Soldiers wore a kind of sandal, the sole of which was provided with heavy spikes. Toward the end of the Roman republic a fashionable foot equipment was in the shape of a glove, coming up well on the leg or only to just above the ankle, according to the fancy of the wearer. Stockings were then unknown. The customary chaussure of women in that day was very much like that of the men. Their shoes were usually white, though sometimes black, red, yellow, green and scarlet. They wore very heavy soles to their shoes in order to increase their apparent height as much as possible. A Reproach to Go Barefoot, Slaves in ancient Rome were obliged to go barefooted as a badge of their servitude. They were called “cretati,” because their feet were branded when they were sold, or “gypsati,” because their feet were dusty. Owing to this custom free men were most careful never to go out without shoes for fear oi being mistaken for slaves. Magicians when practicing their craft had one foot naked and the other in a shoe, which style was supposed to be an aid to their mysterious science. According to Homer the Greeks wore boots from the time when Agamemnon reigned, but it is probable that they only made use of them in battle, for the monuments which date from before the selge of Troy show the people of that day wearing a simple sole held on by bands of either leather or cloth wound several times around the ankle and sometimes continued half way up the leg. Ladles wore slippers. their boots and shoes, the Greeks had another style of footgear which was worn only Inside their houses. This did not cover the foot, being little more than a sole. For muddy roads they wore large, coarse and solidly made boots. Shoes of a certain pattern were called “Amycleldes, ” after the city Amyclis, where

they were manufactured. They were of a bright red color. Even at Athens many people went barefoot. Shoes in Lgypc. The monuments of ancient Egypt show figures of women wearing san- ' dais. Nevertheless Plutarch declares that the people of that country were accustomed to go barefoot. It is known that the Caliph Hakken, founder of the religion of the Druses, forbade the Egyptian shoemakers, under penalty of death, to make any sort of footgear for women. The ancient Egyptians wore; shoes which were quite remarkably like those of the nineteenth century, A. D. In ancient time a man’s nationality could be distinguished at a glance by

the style or eolor of his boots. The Assyrians were always shod In yellow, while the Tyrians preferred purple of the tint known as ox blood. Shoes among the Hebrews played an Important part in the ceremonies of life. It a man wished to sell an article he re« moved his footgear and did not resume It until he had made the sale. Before the marriage ceremony was performed among these people It was customary for the bridegroom to give a ring to the bride, to embrace her and to present her with a shoe. The Hebrews of old took off their shoes when in mourning or when in the presence of any person to whom they wished to show marked respect. They also left their shoes at the door on entering their houses. This custom is still followed by some of the Orientals. To a Mussulman a blow with' a slipper was formerly more dreadful than a stab with a dagger, as it disgraced him in the eyes of his fellows. The Inhabitants of the Maidive Islands seldom wear any foot covering in the street, though at home they put' on wooden sandals or slippers. However, if they have a visitor to whom they wish to show deference, they take off their shoes as a mark of respe t.

WRECKING STILL PRACTICED.

People in the Southwest of England Unable to See Any Crime in It. It is not long since a large ship went ashore at Lizard and finally ground herself to pieces on the rocks. The closest watch was kept by the agents and preventive men, but the next spring a perfect epidemic of musical Instruments broke out in every village in the district, proving audibly enough that the light-fingered wreckers had been at their tricks all the time. How it is done the rambler in the west country, who can use his eyes and ears, will soon discover; will agree, too, with the remark made the other day in a western village, that people who talked of wrecking as a thing of the past knew very little about it. “You see, sir,” said the weatherbeaten fisherman to a London News reporter, “a great deal drifts out of a wreck, and although there are salvage men always on the watch, there’s many a cask and bale that’s picked up by our boats. One man with a long pair of tongs and another with a water telescope can make a good thing of it between them. There was an Italian steamer, now, that went ashore at Mullion. She was full of fruit and wine, and all sorts of things enough for everybody. There were great cases of champagne lying about, and the word went round among our men that it was ‘real’ pain with no ‘sham’ to it, for when we did knock the tops of the bottles off all the wine went out at one spurt and we couldn’t get a drop. But at last we got the corkscrew and then we were happy. Well, I had a cask of sherry wine out of her,” he went on, “and I got it safe in by the back way, and you see I’ve a coastguardsman living on each side of me. But, law bless you, sir, they be just the same as we. Oh, yes, sir; everything is supposed to be given up, but everything isn’t, not by a good way. And when we risk our lives to save the cargo, who has a better right to a share of it than we?” He was near the Mosel, he said, when she ran full speed upon the rocks, and the sound of it was like a thousand tons of cliff falling into the sea, and such shrieks as never were heard. Might he have stopped her? Well, perhaps he might. But a mate of his who put out at the risk of his life and warned a big liner that, she was too close to shore—she backed off and was saved —never got so much as a word of thanks, let alone any reward, for saving her. “Another man.” he went on, “warned a steamer from his boat, and, as I am a living man, they tried to swamp him for fear the captain would be blamed for his bad sailing.”

Human Nature in Eating.

“If I can see a man handle his fork.” said the clerk, “I can tell you the part of the country he halls from. “The hotel dining-room is the best place in the world to study human nature and the manners and breeding of our fellows. It seems odd that people in-this enlightened and advanced age will still feed themselves with their knives, especially in a first-class hotel. Yet instances of this habit are very frequent. In my opinion a man who feeds himself with his knifq should be boiled alive in oil. “As a rule guests from Boston and New York are the most correct in their table deportment. They are very exacting as to service and all manipulate their knives and forks in one way. It may seem a trifle strange to form a basis for a judgment of a man’s character in the manner in which he holds his fork, but it is a correct one. Some stick it between their first and second Angers, others between the middle and third fingers, while others grasp it as you would grasp a pineapple cheese scoop. “so it is with the spoons in eating soup. If a man has a mustache which falls down over his mouth he may be pardoned for putting the point of the spoon to his lips. But when you see well-dressed men, and women, too, raise their elbow and pour their soup down their throats from the point of a spoon as you would feed a suckling babe, you regret that they cannot be given a year’s coutse in a school of deportment. It is the same with a napkin. It is utterly inexcusable for a man to put his napkin in the top of his vestT and whan incomes to sticking it in his collar lil|e a bib, as a great many dp, it‘ls all but repulsive to one of refined taste*. It is a great relaxation for roe to escape the confining duties 'of the desk and watch people feed themselves.”—-Washington Star.

The Monkey.

As an example of the reasoning powers of monkeys, Mr. Darwin tells a story of one that was scratched by a pet kitten. At first Jocko was immensely amazed. Recovering from his surprise, however, he set to work to discover the location of the claws. After a severe tussle he got the four feet of the kitten with his clutches, saw the nails thrust from their guards, and, with the broadest grin of satisfaction, forthwith proceeded determinedly to bite off the points of each. Dec. 7, 1787, commemorates the ratification of the Constitution by the State of Delaware, she being the first State to ratify.

A POPULAR NOBLEMAN.

Earl of Aberdeen, the New Governor Gen« oral of Canada. I The Earl of Aberdeen, Sir John Campbell Hamilton Gordon, Bart., recently appointed Governor General of Canada, is probably the most popular nobleman in the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Ireland. He was born in 1847 and is a grandson of the Earßof Aberdeen who was prime minister in 1854 and under whose premiership Mr. Gladstone served his . first term as chancellor of the ex- ' chequer. He succeeded to the Scotch i peerage in 1870 upon the death of his ■ brother George, who was drowned oq a voyage to Melbourne. The Earl entered the House of Lords as a Conservative, but subse-

THE EARL OF ABERDEEN.

quently became a stanch Liberal. In 1886 he was appointed by Mr. Gladstone Lord Lieutenant of Ireland, with the mission of carrying out the home rule policy of the government. In this capacity he rendered himself immensely popular in Ireland, and the scene in Dublin on the occasion of his leave-taking is said to have been such as had never been witnessed there since the departure of Lord Fitzwilliam in 1795. No viceroy in Ireland ever so completely won the hearts of the Irish people as he. He is a member of many religious and philanthropic societies, and contributed $5,000 towards Gen. Booth’s scheme for alleviating distress. In 1877 the Earl visited the United Stites, making a very extended tour, and delivered addresses in nearly all the large cities on the struggle in Ireland for home rule. The Earl and Viscountess made a few months’ visit to Canada in 1890-91 and conceived a deep affection for the country and people, so much that they disposed of their nouse in Grosvenor square, London, a palatial home that sold for $70,000, and purchase ! a fine property called “Highfleld” near the outskirts of the city of Hamilton, where their home now is. They are very unpretentious people and have four lovable children, to whom they are devoted. Lord Aberdeen is a very religious man and a strong advocate of temperance.

THE HISTORY OF A MILL.

An Incident Illustrative of Frederick the Great of Prussia. Of Frederick the Great, third King of Prussia, many anecdotes are related that will illustrate the character of that remarkable ruler. One of them relates to an old mill at Sans Soucl, near Potsdam, where Frederick had a favorite residence, and where, at one time, he hpd gathered around him the most brilliant literary coterie of Europe. The view

THE MILL OF SANS SOUCL.

from the chateau of Sans Souci was greatly marred by an old mill, which belonged to a very crusty miller. Frederick resolved to buy it, and he sent for the miller and offered him a high price. To the King’s dismay the miller refused to part with the property, wishing to die in possession of the mill, as his grandfather had died. Frederick threatened to confiscate it, but the testy miller dared him, saying: “You might if there were no courts of justice in Berlin.” The King was pleased to think that there was such confidence in the integrity of the judiciary and made no further attempt to dispossess the old miller. A subsequent King of Prussia finding the mill in a state of decay, rebuilt it and confirmed it in the possession of the old miller's descendants. It still exists.

The Unit of Valuation Is a Cow.

In the recent publication of the Imperial Geographical Society of Russia is the surprising announcement that the Chewsures—a race of 7,000 people—in the Department of Troust, Government of Tiflis, know nothing of the use of money as a medium of exchange. The unit of valuation among this primitive people is the cow. A horse is valued at three cows and a stallion at six. If a Chewsure becomes enraged a&d cracks his neighbor’s skull he is obliged to pay sixteen cows. If he breaks a bone of his neighbor’s arm five cows will rehabilitate him in the eyes of society. A wound in the forehead calls for three calves. If one cuts another in the part of the face usually covered by the beard the punishment is comparatively severe. The “doctor” places as many grains of wheat along the cut as possible. For each grain of wheat so used the criminal must give up a cow. Wounds in the beardless part of the face call for one-third as many cows only. The man who injures a neighbor’s hand surrenders sixteen cows. Thirty cows even will pay for the loss of an eye. The people are said to be happy and contented. No misers exist among them! The victim of the bent pin knows well when it is springtime.—Boston Courier.

DRINKING HERE AND ABROAD.

Figures Show the United States to Be the Most Sober of Nations. In spite of the widespread Impression that the United States is a nation of drunkards, its people are in reality the soberest and most temperate in the world, according to the Troy Times. Whatever drunkenness we have to endure comes chiefly from abroad, brought here by people who retain their old-world habits, or transmitted by them in the nature of appetite to their children born here. Except for this constant accession to the drunkard list by importation not more than one man in 10,000 among us would be a drunkard. Our best and most temperate foreign population comes from the United Kingdom. But in that country the drink bill for 1891 is placed by Dr. Rawsjn Burns, ot the United Kingdom Alliance, at 8706,000,000. In the United States, in 1890, according to Wilbur F. Copelaud, of the Voice, tha drink bill was $1,131,000,000, or about 60 per cent, larger than in the United Kingdom, though the population is 80 per cent, larger, the wealth a quarter larger, and the average drink twice as high in price. Taking into consideration all these facts, our liquor consumption is not more than one-half that of the next soberest country in the world. The accommodations for getting drunk are also greater in the “mother country” than here. In England and Wales, with less than half the population ot the United States, crowded into an area about equal to New York, Massachusetts, and Connecticut, there are 128,000 public houses or drinking places, while in this country there are only 141.000, or 10 per cent. more. The compact population of England and Wales has a public house for every 202 persons, while t|ie United States has one for every 450. The average English city has a public house to every 173 persons; in this country the average proportion is considerably less. Even in New York, the essentially foreign city, there is only one licensed saloon for every 200 inhabitants, while in Philadelphia the proportion is about one per thousand. In most of the cities of the country the saloons are closed by law on Sunday; in all of the United Kingdom the law permits them to remain open. The difference in the habits of the people of the two nations is due mainly to the agitation of the question that has been going on here for seventy years and the legislation which has been the fruit thereof. In England there has never been any such temperance agitation or any restrictive act passed by Parliament.

MORALS OF OLD NEW YORK

A Writer Who Says They Were Bad Two Centuries Ago. In point of morals the New York of 200 years ago seems to have been about on a par with frontier towns and outpost settlements of the present day, says a writer in Harper’s Magazine. About the time that Governor Dongan made his report to the Board of Trade, the Rev. John Miller—for three years a resident of the colony as chaplain to the King’s forces—addressed to the then Bishop of London a letter in which he reviewed the spiritual shortcomings of the colonists. Mr. .Miller’s strictures upon the Dissenters, naturally warped by his point of view, scarcely are to be quoted in fairness; but of the clergymen of the Establishment, toward whom his disposition would be lenient, he thus wrote: “There are here, and also in other provinces, many of them such as, being of a vicious life and conversation, have played so many vile pranks, and show such an ill light, as have been very prejudicial to religion in general and to the Church of England in particular.”

Continuing, he complains of “the great negligence of divine things that is generally found in the people, of what sect or sort soever they pretend to be.” And, in conclusion, he declares: “In a soil so rank as this no marvel if the Evil One finds a ready entertainment for the seed he is ready to cast in, and from a people so inconstant and regardless of heaven and holy things no wonder if God withdrew His grace, and give them up a prey to those temptations which they so industriously seek to embrace. ”

These cheering remarks relate to the province at large. Touching the citizens of New York in particular, the reverend gentleman briefly but forcibly describes them as drunkards and gamblers, and adds: “This, joined to their profane, atheistical, and scoffing method of discourse, makes their company extremely uneasy to sober and religious men.”

Gotham as Applied to New York.

It is a jesting appellation first used In “Salmagundi,” a humorous work by Washington Irving and J. K. Paulding, in making fun of the pretensions of New York to wisdom and smartness. The word was transferred from England, where numerous stories have for centuries been circulated about the people of Gotham, a village in Nottinghamshire. In almost every country some one town is picked out as the butt of ridicule, in folk-lore stories and jests, on account of the reputed foolishness of its inhabitants. Gotham was so branded in English fable, and for that reason New York has been called Gotham by those who wished to ridicule the conceit of its citizens.

Piaster of Paris.

If you have no picture molding by which pictures can easily be suspended at any given point, do not stand with aching muscles until you are ready to drop from exhaustion trying to drive nails where they will not hold, but fill the broken plaster with a mixture of plaster of parts, put the nail or hook through the center of it, and hold it In place until the plaster sets.

When, in 1775, almost every vest ,igeof royal power was swept from the colonies, the Continental Congress appointed (July 26) Dr. Franklin Postmaster General. In the autumn of 1776, when Independence had been declared, and Franklin sailed for France, the whole number of postoffices in the United States was 75;' length of post routes, 1,875 miles; revenue for about fifteen m0nth5,827,985; annual expenditures, 832,142.

ATTACKED BY A WHALE.

A Sealing Schooner Meets with a Thrilling Experience. One of the most remarkable adventures with whales ever recorded was experienced by a sealing schooner off the coast of Japan not long ago. This vessel, the Mermaid from Victoria, B. C., was sailing under light canvas one day, the weather being rough, when the man at lookout caught sight of an immense whale lying asleep in the path of the vessel. Not wishing to disturb the big fellow in his slumbers, the schooner was steered to one side; but his whaleship had been awakened and was mad at the interruption of his nap. He made for the vessel, which, however, managed to keep out of his way for some time. Finally he came for her head on and there was no avoiding the attack. The seamen were frightened nearly out of their wits when the monster landed’ a heavy blow with his tail against the stem, breaking it and carrying off all the forward rigging, the stem itself hanging by a few splinters. But the vessel was not the only sufferer. Mr. Whale acted as if he was pretty badly hurt himself, and at. once retired from the scene by sinking below the surface. No more was seen of him by the crew. The

THIS WHALE SUNK OUT OF SIGHT.

schooner was sailed as rapidly as possible to a Japanese port, where she was repaired.

LOOKS LIKE A HUMAN HAND.

Tlie Singular Growth of a Tree Which Had Once Been Blighted. Up on the east side of North Seventh street, about midway between Poplar street and Girard avenue, Philadelphia, stands a strikingly curious tree, which recently attracted the attention of. an Inquirer man. It stands just in front of a stable yard, and the employes of the place say that dozens of people come to them every week and make remarks or ask questions about the strange growth. From the thickness of the growth at the base the tree is probably about 40 years old, but its branches and foliage are new and fresh, and look as though they were but the growth of a year or two. The trunk runs straight from the ground to a height of fifteen feet. Above this, for a short distance, is a thick, globular mass of foliage, tfhe leaves appearing to grow directly out of the wood. Above this growth run up three thick stalks or stumps, six or eight feet high, also covered with a dense, close mass of foliage. When the tree is viewed from the north side it presents a startling resemblance to a giant human hand protruding from the earth. The three big stumps at the top represent the three middle fingers, and upon either side of these can easily be seen configurations of the surrounding foliage which correspond to the little Anger and thumb. The explanation of the phenomenon is a curious one. The tree was once full-grown and vigorous, but was attacked by blight or some other disease, and the .dead trunk was pruned down to its present proportions, whereupon the present new growth developed.

KILLED 21.000 SQUIRRELS.

Freeman Biggs, a Nimrod Who Bought a Farm with Proceeds of Their Pelts. Freeman Biggs, of Hutton Township, eight miles from Charleston, 111., carries the scalps of 21,000 squirrels at his belt, so to speak. As his reputation for truth and veracity is good his neighbors do not dispute his claim that he has slaughtered 500 deer, 300 wild turkeys, and more prairie chickens than he had time to count. This mighty Nimrod is 71 years old and his sight is just as good as ever, so good, in fact, that if the bullet from the rifle he has carried for many years fails to strike Mr. Squirrel between the eyes he will hardly throw the animal in his gamebag—and squirrels are worth from 12} to 15 cents. For thirty-five years “Freem” Biggs has hunted “bush tails,” and the proceeds of his accurate aim have bought a fine farm on which he reared a family of ten childen. For the last thirty-five

FREEMAN BIGGS.

years he has done business exclusively with the squirrels, and modestly estimates that on an average he has sold about 600 a year.

Simple Treatment for a Sprain.

For a recently sprained joint, first apply for five or ten minutes cold water in a stream if possible, then dry the part well, and apply a roll of bandage as snugly as possible, using cotton batting in little wads to fit every hollow, so that the bandage will exert an even compression all around. Change the bandage daily with a little gentle hand-rubbing or massage while it is off, using a little magnetic ointment, too, as a comforter. , Chicago Is thankful that the patron of her university is a rocky-feilee.

OUR BUDGET OF FUN.

HUMOROUS SAYINGS AND DOINGS heri£ and there. Jokes and Jokelets that Are Supposed to Have* Been Recently Born—Sayings and Doings that Are -Odd, Curious and Laughable. Let Us Laugh. It is all plane sailing for the po or girl when the jaunty little sailor hats are in fashion.—Picayune. “I shall state the whole case in a sentence,” as the judge said when he arraigned the prisoner.—Cleveland Plaindealer. The diamond cutter’s trade affords proof that it takes hard work to achieve brilliant results.—Philadelphia Record. The Columbian stamp has done more to make man a licker flend than any influence of this generation.— Yonkers Gazette. A man is never so wedded to his calling that he can’t be diverted from it when he is called to his wedding.— Glens Falls Republican. Whatever it may prove ultimately, up to date the Geary law hasn’t proved much of a Chinese laundry check- —Philadelphia Times. Girl—“ But his father has left him well off.” Honest Friend—“ Well off! He has left him a taste for liquor and not a cent of money!”—Life. Somebody says most of the hand organs are owned by one company and hired out. Another grinding monopoly.—Philadelphia Times. Among the latest forms of entertainment is one they call “An evening with the poets.” Eating has no place on the program.—Buffalo Courier.

“Miggs is a lucky old chap, isn’t he?” “In what way?” “He’s color blind.” “What advantage is that?” “He can’t tell when he’s blue.”—lnter Ocean. Menagerie Assistant—The big ostrich attempted to swallow a turnip to-day and choked itself. Manager— H’m! Got it in the neck.—New York Press. When a married man discards cigarettes, cheroots, and his meerschaum |and takes to a clay pipe, he is in the seventh age of the wedded state.— Chester News. Hicks—“ You found a good deal of fault with that pudding and yet you ate the whole of it.” Wicks—“ Yes; it tasted so abominably, I knew it must be good for me.”—Boston Transcript. Mother—“ Paul, just step into the next room and see if grandpa is asleep.” Paul (returning after a short time) —“Mamma, the whole of grandpa is asleep, only his nose is awake yet. ” —Humoristiche Blatter. Detective (hurriedly)—Where did that fellow go who just ran out of the hotel? Citizen (still rubbing the toe that the fugitive stepped on) —I don’t know; but I hope he’ll go where I told him to.—Detroit Tribune. Jack Lever—Ypu seem tp shave as conscientiously as though you were performing a religious rite. Jim Hickey—ln this case it is only an act of mercy; I am going to call on Miss Darlington this evening.—Puck. Footpad Gimme your money! Mr. Lushforth (disgustedly)—Do you suppose I would be goin’ home at 9 o’clock if I had any money? You are the biggest chump I have met in a a month of Sundays.—lndianapolis Journal.

Siam, which has never had a legation in this country, has established one at Washington, where her dreamy representative will be able to show the . hustling diplomats of other countries the real Siam ease.—Philadelphia Ledger. “I’ve been sitting quietly on this fence just twenty-two minutes by the watch,” he said, “watching that cat crouching by t b at rat-hole, and she hasn’t so much as moved an ear, for I’ve kept an eye on her steady. What a fool a cat is!”—Puck. “Did Brown stand the civil-service examination?” “First class.” “Went through the Greek alphabet?* “Just a-hummin’i ” “And the Latin verbs?” “ Every one of ’em!” “What place did they give him?” “Head coal-shoveler. ” Atlanta Constitution.

Said a sharp attorney to a rambling witness: “Now, you must give explicit and exact answers. You said you drove a milk wagon, did you not?” “No, sir, I didn’t.” “Don’t you drive a mi k Wagon?” “No, sir.” “Aha! What do you, sir?” “1 drive a boss, sir.”—Animal’s Friend. “How did you ever get Henderson to propose?” “Why, I declined to go to the opera witfh him one night because I was going with his friend Martin, and then I got papa to write to Henderson and ask if Martin was a man of means. Henderson came around that night.”—Bulletin. Old Pahty—Thank you, Antoine; thank you very much. Ah—do they allow tipping here? Antoine—Out, m’sier. Old Party—And are the guests liberal? Antoine—Non, m’sier; ze rule is ze ozzaire way. Old Party —Very well, Antoine; here* is a cent for you. Ido not wish to break the rules. —Harper’s Weekly. Little Boy—“ Papa, may I study elocution?” Proud Papa—“lndeed you may, my boy, if you wish. You desire to become a great orator, don’t you?” “Yes, that’s it.” “And some day, perhaps, have your voice ringing through the halls of Congress?” “I shouldn’t care for that. I want to be an after dinner speaker.” “Ah, you are ambitious for social distinction, then?” “No, F’ want the dinners.”—Good News.

Cleaning the Slate.

A singular custom is said to obtain in the Passeyer Valley, Tyrol. On the first Monday of Lent the inhabitants of the valley meet every year at St Leonhard, the largest of the villages of that region, for the purpose of settling, according to an ancient custom, the pending affairs of the past year. In the open field near a bridge, outstanding debts are squared, interest is paid; in short, all business obligations are discharged and new connections made. Woe to the debtor who dare to stay away—his credit would Inevitably be ruined throughout the valley.