Democratic Sentinel, Volume 17, Number 50, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 29 December 1893 — Page 4

TANTAL US— TEXAS. “HI may trust your love,” she cried, “And you would have me for a bride. Aide over yonder plain, and bring Tour flask full from the Mustang spring; Fly, fast as ever eagle’s wing O’er the Llano Estacado 1” He heard, and bowed without a word, His gallant steed, he lightly spurred; He turned his face, and rode away Toward the grave of dying day, And vanished with its parting ray On the Llano Estacado. Night came and found him riding on, Day came, and still he rode alone ; He spared not spur, he draw not rein Across that broad, unchanging plain Till he the Mustsng spring might gain On the Llano Estacado. A little rest, a lit'le draught Hot from his hand, and quick'y quaffed; Hii flask was filled, and then he turned. Once more his speed the maguay spurned, Once more the sky above him burnod, On the Llano Estacado. How hot the quivering landscape glowod! His brain seemed boiling as he rode; Was it a dream, a drunken one, Or was he really riding on? Was that a skull that gleamed and shone On the Llano Estacado ? •• Brave stoed of mine,brave steodl” he cried, “So often true, so often tried, Bear up a little longer yet 1 ” His mouth was black with blood and sweat, Heaven! bow he longed his lips to wet On the Llano Estacado! And still, within his breast, he held The precious flask so lately filled. Oh, for a drink! But well he knew If empty it should meet her view, Her scorn; but still his longing grew On the Llano Estacado. His horse went down. He wandered on, Giddy, blind, beaten and alone. While on a cushioned couch you lie, Oh, think how bard it is to d.e Beneath the cruel, cloudless sky, On the Llano Estacado. At last he staggered, stumbled, fell, His day had come, he know full well, Andraisingto his lips the flask, The end, the Object of his task, Drank to her, more she could not ask, Ahl the Llano Estacadol That night in thoProsidio Beneath the torchlights’ wavy glow, She danced, and never thought of him, The vic:im of a woman’s whim, Lying, with face upturned and grin; On the Llano Estacado. —[Joaquin Miller.

HE TIGER’S BREATH.

BY HENRY W. FRENCH.

“Why do you put me up in a tree, Oomerkahn, while the barra saheb stands on the ground? Do you think me a a coward?’’ Oomerkahn touched his closed hands solemnly to his dark forehead as he replied, “The bravest man, saheb, is not safe to face the tiger, till he has felt the tiger’s breath.” I had heard that proverb before, but never supposed that it really meant any more than my own nursery rhyme about salt on the diokey bird’s tail. There was no help for it, however, for Oomerkahn was conducting the hunt, so I accepted his proverb as a polite way of assuring me that in reality he did not consider me a coward, and disposed of myself upon the branch where he directed, mentally resolving to be on the alert till I showed the stately Hindu his mistake, and then gave him a piece of my offended mind. This was my first experience, and I felt as brave as anyone has a right to under such circumstances. I was a novice in India and my host, the “barra saheb,” as he was called about his plantation, had taken me into the hills for an initiation. No sooner had we arrived at his plantation than there came an appeal from the nearest village that he rid them of a man-eating tiger that had settled in their neighborhood. Oomerkahn was the native superintendent of my host’s farm and at once reoeived his orders to organize a hunt. There were several guests, all well mounted, and early in the morning we rode out to the village. The tiger had been located in a jungle two miles away. He had made an extraordinary raid the night before, taking both a man and a calf before he was satisfied, and there was no doubt about finding him ensconced in his lair, sleeping off the effects. Oomerkahn arranged us, first in a halfoircle, 200 yards from the jungle, while he, at the head of a hundred or more natives, entered the dense grove from the opposite side. They were the beaters, and with sticks and torches and tom-toms and strong lungs they began the greatest racket possible. They were arranged in a long line and worked their way toward us, intent on frightening the tiger out of the jungle into our semi-circle, where, according to the position in which he appeared, we were to have our turns at shooting. It was an hour of intense excitement, each hoping the tiger would show himself in his particular division, but the beaters came out without finding him at all. They were thoroughly exhausted and deolared that the tiger was not there, “ But I tell you that he is!” exclaimed our host, impatiently. “No tiger ever started on a pilgimage after such a supper as he had last night.” He dismounted, and leaving his horse with a coolie he deliberately entered the jungle on foot. Seeing this, we all followed his example, in spite of a caution from Oomerkahn. The barra saheb was an experienced tiger hunter, and in half an hour he pointed to a dark spot under some bushes, saying to a coolie, “ Throw a stone in there.” The stone disappeared without striking anything. “ There’s a hole there at all events, ” the barra saheb muttered, himself creeping a little nearer and throwing in a larger stone with all his strength. Suddenly the air began to tremble. There was no distinct sound, but it was like the first breath of a great organ. “He is there,” said the barra saheb, and it was then that Oomerkahn hastily placed his forces, which resulted in my being safely lodged on the limb, with what I considered a doubtful compliment Then the order was given to burn him out, and while Oomerkahn and one or two coolies built a fire as close to the mouth of the cave as possible, the barra saheb took a position beside the trank of a tree directly in front and perhaps iWftT. The jungle was so thick that not a ray of sunlight fell anywhere about us.

It was like twilight, nnd the fire lit it up with a frightful, ghostly glare, while on every side sounded the cries of frightened birds and animals. As soon as the fire was burning well the coolies crept away, while Oomerkahn caught some of the blaziDg sticks, threw them directly into the mouth of the cave aud sprang back. He was .none too quick. 1 saw the barra saheb’s rifle leap to his shoulder. His acute ear had caught a change in those deep, rumbling notes to which we were becoming accustomed. In his haste the Hindu had stumbled and fallen upon his back. The next instant the very ground seemed to shake as the air had trembled before. There was a terrific crash, like a sharp peal of thunder. A huge form burst from the shubbery half concealing the entrance to the cava aud a royal Bengal tiger was literally gliding through the air. He swept like a dark cloud oV6T the darting flames and prostrate form of Oomerkahn. Hi 3 huge fore paws were extended. His eyts were shut. His great jaws, which had so recently crushed the life out of a human being, were stretched wide open. His long, savage teeth gleamed in the firelight as be passed over it.

He was not leaping toward me. He could not by any possibility reach me, yet the sound of that roar and the sight of that huge, tawny body as it swept the flames filled me with such terror as I never felt before. It caught my breath away. My heart stood still. I clutched my rifle, utterly helpless. No. I was not to be trusted to face a tiger. There was no doubt of that. In blank astonishment I saw the kara saheb standing calmly by the tree. I saw the flash and heard the report of his rifle as the ferocious beast came abreast of him. I saw him lean behind the tree as he fired, and the next next instant, with a wild yell, the tiger struck the ground not five feet from where the barra saheb had stood. For a moment it lay coiled where it fell, a great mass of fur, then ?avo one fearful contortion and stretched tself to its full length, shuddered and died. Dven then I trembled from head to foot as I ciimbed down from the tree, and hardly dured to approach the lifeless mass. I did my best to be markedly civil to Oomerkahn through the rest of the day, and quietly made up my mind that it would take more than feeling a tiger’s breath to make me safe to face a tiger. It is strange how easy it is to leap from one conclusion to its opposite; but I had an opportunity to discover another mistake a short time afterward. Mounted on elephants, my friend and I were making a trip iDto the interior toward my destination. The weather was so hot that we rode early in the morning and just before dark. I was sitting in my howdah, half asleep from the effect of the heat and the peculiar motion of the elephant, when I was suddenly roused by a shrill shriek from the elephant, accompanied by a quick jerk, a sharp ejaculation from the mahoot sitting on his head and a loud cry from my friend, who was riding not far behind. Opening my eyes, the first thing I saw was a tiger in midair, apparently flying directly toward me. Altogether the situation was thoroughly bewildering, and I confess that from the start my wits forsook me.

Thanks to the sudden lurch of the elephant, whioh was for that express purpose, the tiger missed his aim, and instead of striking the howdah he hit upon the elephant’s haunch, where his gleaming, yellow claws sank into the thick hide. For an instant he hung there without another motion, looking directly up at me. “He’ll begin to climb in a second,” my friend shouted, hurrying on behind, while my own elephant moved faster and foster in an effort to dislodge his burden. “ Aim for his breast. Shoot steady and sure. Don’t miss him for your life.” One who has never faced a tiger will doubtless think it simple cowardice, though I have met many old tiger hunters who have recounted the same experience at the start—yet, had it not been for that warning call from my friend, I positively doubt If I should have once thought of my rifle. As it was, I lifted it mechanically to my shoulder. I did not trouble myself about the aim, for I could not take my eves from that savage faoe. I was thoroughly benumbed and bewildered. My hand shook so that more than once my finger slipped from the trigger before I mustered strength enough to pull. The moment the report sounded the mahoot turned the elephant sharply to one side. That is one of the common regulations of tiger hunting with elephants, when the tiger is lodged, in order to throw him off before he can do any damage in case he is not instantly killed. It was new to me, however, and I was not prepared for it. As the tiger fell to the ground, with a fierce howl, I came within an inch of following him. Fortunately, I landed upon the very edge of the howdah and held on.

The next I knew my friend was shouting again. “Look out for him!” he cried. “He’s only wounded. He’ll spring! Load quick ana finish him the minute he lands!” So long as I was not facing the tiger I could move quiokly enough. A. fresh cartridge was in plaoe in no time; but the elephant had not gone twenty feet when the tiger lunged, t,ore the earth for an instant, precisely as I have seen a cat attempt to tear a rug, then made two catlike bounds and another flying leap, landing, in spite of the elephant, within six inches of the mahoot, sitting upon his head. The native lost his turban and only escaped being trampled upon by dipping down the elephant’s trunk. Beyond that, however, the tiger did not pay him the slightest attention. His eyes were fixed on me. He was making for the howdah. His red and quivering gullet and glistening. teeth were already on a level with my feet. I stood there petrified, looking down into that yawning cavern out of which the hoarse breath came in short, harsh gasps. “ Give it to him! Give it to him!’’ my friend shouted. I heard his words as though they came from a phonograph and had no connection with me. I knew the danger I was in, and that there was no time to lose, but I was absolutely powerless. The tiger began to crawl toward me. “Shoot! shoot!” my friend yelled, and I tried to; but though the hammer was already raised and the rifle pointed in the direction of the tiger, I could not even lift it to my shoulder. I could not even pull the trigger where it was. The tiger took another step. One great paw rested on my boot. I could feel the sharp claws cutting through the leather. I could feel the hot breath on my hands as it came rasping out of that yawning throat. I heard my friend’s voice again and realized that he had come up close beside me, but this time I could not distinguish a word be said. I could see nothing, hear nothing, feel nothing, but that tiger. The muzzle of the gun was in the

creature’s way. He caught it in his jaws and gave it a savage jerk. The involuntary action of my muscles in clutching the rifle, to prevent its being torn away, pulled the trigger. The tiger recoiled and with one spasm fell dead upon the ground. The bullet had pierced the roof of his mouth and lodged in his brain, thanks only to himself.—[St. Louis Re.

ABOUT CORNCOBS.

A Chapter on the Many Uses to Which They Can Be Put. Corncobs are useful to make pipes for the men, as stoppers to bottlesthat have mislaid their corks, to crowd into the bunghole of the cider barrel, to throw at the hens when they scratch the young onions, to curl hair on, to hold up windows, to ferrule the children with, to grease the griddle in place of the time-honored half of a turnip, to wind basting ravelings for future use, to stop up any kind of a chink, to drive away red ants and to found a for tune. The last two statements may seem to challenge remarks, but they can bear the light of the best tallow ever run in a candle mould. One steps on corncobs when entering the pantry, and joggles the cream into the pickle dish. On inquiry one finds that red ants don’t like corncobs. I don’t wonder. As for the fortune, a man who once lived not ten miles from Springfield laid the foundations for a fortune so large that, although he died twelve years ago, the lawyers have not yet done fighting over his will, solely by carrying loads of corncobs hither and yon ana selling them for fabulous prioes. The children find both fun and sorrow in cornoobs. They make pretty dolls to be sure, but if the masters of the Inquisition could have been provided corncobs sufficient to allow one for the mouth of each prisoner, they would have, abandoned all other methods of torture. It is a most enlightening sight to enter a “deestrict” school ana see a row of little culprits standing behind the stove, a corncob in eaoh mouth, and the silent tears of agony rolling down the chubby cheeks. A corncob smudge is said to give ham and bacon a most perfect and delioate flavor.

A corncob put on a pole, saturated with kerosene and set blazing, will destroy any worms’ nest into which it is thrust during the early morning of June’s rare days. A corncob slightly greased and set in a candlestick has been known to burn half an hour, and to save bringing in the lantern from the barn in order to light the children to bed. Without the grease it would, if very dry, burn slowly and perfume the air in a way that showed itself an excellent substitute for joss sticks. The ancient nurse in the rural districts uses them to purify the atmosphere in the sick room aud considers that, together with woolen rags, they are far ahead of any disinfectant favored by the medical fraternity. Tho country damsel preparing for the aocial fray has been known to blacken her eyebrows with a burnt cob. When children object too strenuously to having their teeth sooured with soot from the teakettle, an indulgent parent may make a compromise on the black powder from a burnt cob. In many places the jetty stuff is supposed even to have medicinal power, and Miranda swallows a) quantity in order to have a sweet breath—ah, telltale plan—when Ferdinand comes a-wooing. You can black boots with corncobs. You can shell corn by rubbing cob on grain. A oorncob makes an excelllent scrubbing brush. A woman with a s6ul for ingenuity onc« hung out a large wash with clothes pim manufactured from cleft corncobs.

Titles of the Prince of Wales.

The official titles of the Prince ol Wales are numerous. His official stylo is as follows: The Most High, Puissant and Illustrious Prince Albert Edward, Prince of the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Ireland, Prince of Wales, Duke of Saxony, Prince of Sax-Coburg and Gotha, Great Steward of Scotland, Duke of Cornwall and Rothsay, Earl of Chester, Carrick and Dublin, Baron of Renfrow, lord of the isles, K. G., K. T., K. P., G. C. R., G. C. I. 1., G. C. L E., P. C., field marshal in the army, colonel-in-chief First and Second life guards and royal horse guards, colonel Tenth Prince of Wales’ own regiment of royal hussars, honorable colonel of several Indian regiments; of the second brigade eastern division royal artillery; of the Third battalion Duke of Corwall’s light infantry; of the Third battalion Gordon highlanders; also of the Oxford and of the Cambridge University, Middlesex civil service, Sutherland highlanders and Third Swansea rifle volnnteer regiments; honorable admiral in the fleet, personal aid-de-camp to her majesty, honorable captain of the royal naval reserve, elder brother of Trinity House, president of the Society of Arts, president of St. Bartholomew’s hospital, trustee of the British Museum, grand master of the united grand lodge of Free and Accepted Masons of England, student of Jena, field marshal in the German army, colonel of the Fifth Pomeranian hussars, colonel of the Danish hussars of the guard, etc., etc., etc. [Chicago Herald.

Oil-Soaked Carcasses.

Health Officer Keeney has made a new rule as to the treatment of earcasses of calves and other animals, which have been seized by the market inspectors as unfit for human consumption. The object of the regulation is to prevent any possibility of such carcasses being taken out of the hands of the city’s representatives, after the first seizure has been made, and disposed of for food purposes. To this end the market inspectors will hereafter saturate such carcasses with kerosene before allowing them to go out of their possession. They will then be turned over, as heretofore, to Alpers to be used for fertilizing purposes, and if any one contrives to steal them from Alpers before they can be so used ho will scarsely be able to profit by his enterprise.—[San Francisoo Chronicle.

Katchin Ante-Funeral Ceremonies.

I was never present at a oomplete funeral ceremony, but once took a modest part in the saturnalia held while the corpse is still above ground. There is nothing very remarkable about it, the main idea being to make as much noise as possible, to frighten away ghouls and evilly disposed nats, and at the same time hint to the newly liberated spirit that his late residence is no place for a serious-minded ghost. With this end in view the whole proceeds to get uproariously drunk on rice spirit, and, assembling in the dead man’s house, shouts, beats, drums and cymbals, dances and slashes the air with dahs, until, unable to drink, dance, beat and slash any more, it falls into a drunken stupor, the silence of which is only broken throughout the night by the mournful wfils of a widow or daughter.—[Scribner’s Magazine.

THE JOKERS' BUDGET.

JESTS AND YARNS BY FUNNY MEN OF THE PRESS. To a Song Bird—The Age of the Precocious—An Important Drawback, etc., etc. TO A SONG BIRD. Oh, song bird, madly caroling Your careless life away. Hqw good it is to hear you sing Your song from day to day. Yet, though they bring us happiness, Those melodies so sweet, We’d like you better, we confess, If you were good to eat. —[Detroit Free Press. the age of the precocious. Mrs. Jhones—Ethel, you might tell me who the young man is that called last evening. Ethel (just 17)— Certainly, mamma, if you’re curious about it; that’s the young man I’m engaged to. AN IMPORTANT DRAWBACK. Mrs. Parvenu.— Do you enjoy opera? Mrs. Nurlch (who has a box by the season) —Very much; if it weren’t for the horrid playing aud singing they keep up on the stage. —[Chicago Record. PRACTICAL LESSON IN POLITENESS. Little Ethel—lt’s awful impolite to ask for things. Little Johnny—Course it is. What of it? Little Ethel—Nothing, only I’m gettin’ hungry for some candy I’ve got in my pocket, and there isn’t enough for two. —[Good News. A FATAL OBJECTION. Aunt—My child, you can never marry Charlie Hunker. Niece—Oh. aunt! surely you do not mean that he is dissipated? Aunt—No; but his fortune is.—[Judge. A DILEMMA. Magistrate—You are accused of not supporting your wife. Prisoner—Bdt, your honor, you don’t know my wile. She is insupportable.— [Truth. A HUBBUB. “How noisy that child is!” “He can't help it. He’s from Boston.” “What has that to do with it?” “He’s a Hub-bub.’’—[Truth. A REBUKE. “I hope,” she said severely, “that you have not been drinkin’.” “Madam,” said Meandering Mike, “I leave yer door fur ever. However onfriendly an’ oncharitable yer feelin’ toward a feller bein’ may be, it’s ongenerous an’ cruel to remind him of his misfortunes!”—[Washington Star. THE ONLY TEST. Hardupp—l tried to sell those diamonds I bought of you, and was told they were not genuine. Jeweler —Did you sell them? Hardupp—Yes, for almost nothing. Jeweler—Well, you go back ana try to buy them, and you will find out that they are genuine.—[New York Weekly. SATISFACTORILY EXPLAINED. “See here,” said the man who had married a widow, “hasn’t your hair turned gray rather suddenly since we were wed?" “Oh," said she, “that’s from fright. I was so scared when you proposed to me, don’t you know?”—[lndianapolis Journal.

AN UNEXPECTED PLEASURE. Mis 4 Winslow—l’m very glad you called, Mr. Walker. Mr. Walker—Oh, thanks, awfully. Miss Winslow (more enthusiastically) —Yes, I am so delighted to have seen that beautiful dog of yours.—[Truth. AT THE FOOTBALL GAME. There were two colored wagons art the football game. One of them had a grocer’s sign plainly lettered on its side, Dut the nature of the other was not so easily determined. “ Get out o’ me way,” said the driver of the grocery wagon. “ You ought to be off to yer work, anyhow.” “Get ought yerself,” was the reply; “ I reckon I’ve got a heap more business here than you have.’’ “Well, I guess not. I’m a-drivin’ a grocery wagon, I am, and I'm a-waitin’ ter get one of the players’ order for dinner.” “Grocery wagon! Well, pardner, for a football game you ain’t in it. This wagon that I’m a-drivin' is a ambulance.” AN ADORNMENT. Hoppers (in the ball-room) —What in thunder is that paper Mrs. Richey’s got pinned on her dress? Mopps—Well, you see Mrs. Richey’s diamonds are so valuable thats he doesn’t dare wear them in society, and so she wears that paper. It’s an affidavit that she does have ’em.—[Chicago Record. PROSPECTIVE WEALTH. “ Say, Johnny," said an urchin, “I’ve got a scheme.” “ What is it?” said another. “ See dat feller puttin’ in coal over there?” “Yes.” “Go over an’ call him names. Maybe he’ll t’row a piece at yer.”—[Washington Star. TOO NICE TO LAST. Peddler—ls the lady of the house in? Mr. Newlywed—Yes; but there isn’t a thing in the wide world we want. Peddler—All right, sir, I’ll call again when the honeymoon is over.—[Truth. A NECESSARY TRAINING. “What is the matter with Dickie Yan Wibbles?" “Nothing that I know of.” “I saw him in the gymnasium just now going through the most horrible facial oontortions. But when I spoke to him he appeared to recover instantly.” “Oh, that’s all right. Dickie was taking his exercise.” “I don’t quite understand you.” LOGICAL INFERENCE. “I wonder how Europeans come to persist in that idea that bands of savages frequent New York,” asked the athletic young man. “Possibly,” replied his sister, “because some of the visitors to this country have heard a football team giving the college yell.”—[Washington Star. A BINECURE. First Female—What business are you engaged in? Second Female—l am a book agent. F. F.—What have you to do? S. F.—Nothing but talk. F. F.—How delightful! [Boston Courier.

“Ho is developing his facial muscles so as to get a good grip on his monocle ” —[Washington gtar. XENOPHON SIZED VP. Professor—To what did Xenophon owe his reputation? Student—Principally to the fact that his name commenced with an X and came in so handy for the headlines in alphabetical copybooks.—Puck. A FATAL EUROS. Borrowes—Nelly, hand m'e my umbiella, will you? It has commenced to rain. Mrs. B—l lent your umbrella to Mr. Sweetfern last night. Borrowes—What did you do that for? Didn’t you know it was his?— [Puck. IT BEMINDJED HER. The young man was prematurely gray, and was not a little proud of it. “Looks quite poetic, don’t you think ?” he could not forbear asking of the young woman he was calling on. “It does remind me of a certain poem, I must admit,” said she. “And what poem is that?” “ ‘When the frost is on the pumpkin.’ ” And his hair went on whitening at a more rapid rate than ever.—[lndianapolis Journal. CLEVER AT MATHEMATICS. Mamma—Robbie, how many time have I told you that you cannot have two pieoes of pie? Robbie—l don’t know, unless you can tell me how often we’ve had pie.—[Chicago Inter-Ocean. ONLY A WOMAN COULD SAY SO. Miss Muggy—l wonder if George knows I have money. Friend—Has he proposed? “He has.” “He knows.”—[New York Weekly. DAYS OF CHIVALnY GONE. Wife (drearily)—Ah, me! The days of chivalry are past. Husband—What’s the matter now? ‘‘Sir Walter Raleigh laid his cloak on the ground for Queen Elizabeth to walk over, but you get mad simply because poor dear mother sat down on your hat.’’—[New York Weekly. A PROVOKING GIRL. Jack—Honestly, now, what’s the reason you don’t like Miss Flyrte? Cholly—Well, dear boy, the real truth is I don’t like her beoause she keeps laughing at me all the time unless 1 try to make a joke, and when I do she nevei even smiles.—[Somerville Journal. OF THE CANALS. A tow path mule while practising His merry littte pranks, Exclaimed: "I’m getting ready for A run upon the banks.” —[Washington Star.

Gold at the Center of the Earth.

Did you ever stop to consider the fact that in all probability the center of the earth is a globe of gold, iridium and platinum? These metals are, of course, in a liquid state, the iridium at the exact center (that is, provided there is not some heavier metal at present unknown to man ocoupying that plaoe), the platinum next and the globe of gold surrounding the other two. “But,” you say, “what proof have we that your proposition is a tenable hypothesis!” In answer I would say two proofs at least, and perhaps more: First, the three metals mentioned are the heaviest known substances, compared bulk for bulk; this being the case they would be naturally attracted to the center of our planet. “In the beginning,” as Moses would say, the earth was liquid, if not gaseous. In either case the heavy metals mentioned were held in solution. By gradual condensation the metals settled to the center; iridium first (with the proviso above mentioned), platinum next, gold last. Ages ago, when the crust of the earth was thin, very thin, all the gold now known was vomited out in volcanic eruptions. The last mentioned fact is the second reason for believing that our globe has a golden center core woven around a nucleus of iridium and platinum. A third reason for believing that there is gold at the center is this: The earth, as a whole, weighs five times as much as a globe of water the same bulk, while the rocks forming the same outer crust are less than three times as heavy as water. —[St. Louis Republic.

Device of a Story Writer.

Ponson du Terrial, a French story writer for newspapers, invented a singular device in order to prevent confusion in his numerous plots. His practice was to dress up small wooden dolls to represent the several characters in his stories, and to place each set of figures in position on its own stage. Whenever a new installment of the romance was called for, he would thus see at a glance how and where he had left the children of his brain when he last wrote of them. But even this ingenious scheme was not without its disadvantages, for it is related that he once killed off one of his heroes, without removing from the board the doll that represented the character, and, consequently, the young ruan reappeared in the story, much to the astonishment of the readers who had so recently mourned his loss.—[New York News.

Killing a Horse by Throwing Him.

There is a certain way that experienced stockmen know of throwing a horse down so as to break his neck and kill him at once. An ordinary halter is put on the horse, the lead-strap from it passed between the horse’s front legs, a turn being taken around the far one near the fetlock. The executioner then hits the horse a sharp cut with a whip, and when he jumps up pulls sharply and strongly on the halter strap. The horse strikes head first with the entire weight on his neck. The fall is invariably fatal.

A ferocious battle took place between the two royal Bengal tigers in the Roger Williams Park Meuagerie at Providence, R. 1., in which Prince, a noted animal, was killed by Princess, his no less noted mate. Prince was the aggressor, and Princess, infuriated by the attack, flew at her mate, and in the terrific combat that ensued, tore his throat and head into pieces. Prince had a bad reputation among showmen, and was sold to the Park Commissioners three years ago for SI,OOO, much less than his quoted value. Princess is well known to circus men, and cost $3,000 originally, but was bought for the park for $1,200. She is reputed as cunning, but mrid in temperament unless badly used. She is said to be the handsomest tigress in captivity. The Commissioners had an offer of SI,BOO for Princess last week and $3,600 for the pair a month ago by the New York Central Park Commissioners.

HOW NAVAJOS KILL.

Slaughter in Which the Animals Have No Chance. Few people in the West, and scarcely any in the East, have any idea of the unique manner in which the Navajo Indians have from time immemorial caught antelopes. Thousands of the beautiful creatures still abound upon the vast table lands of New Mexico. In the country just south of the Navajo reservation, and between it and the Atlantic and Pacific Railroad, one frequently comes upon long, straight rows of tho trunks of trees and the branches of cedar and pine, stretching for miles across these treeless plains. In many places they are nearly rotten away, and only the larger limbs and trunks now mark these lines, These are the ruins of ancient antelope corrals or pens. The large bands of antelopes have long since been destroyed in this part of the country, and only small herds of from five to ten can be seen. These are mostly hunted upon the American or white man’s plan. However, directly south of Winslow, about fifty miles distant, large bands of these graceful creatures still roam, and there is in existence there a new corral that is in running order at the present time. It is here that the old men of the tribe, who believe in the ancient manner of catching game, enjoy their annual hunt. This corral was built in 1890 by the order of the old chief, Gano Mumcho, and his son, Many Horses. As the workings o! the order had nearly died out, it was necessary to first hold a season of song to teach the lesser chiefs their several duties, for, like the fraternities of to-day, they require their Grand Master, ViceGrand Master, Conductors, Guards, &o. After these had been instructed thoroughly, a party of nearly two hundred men and boys on horseback started to locate this spot for the revival of their old sport. A place was|selected where a slight hill was found upon the border of a wide prairie. Not even a sage bush could be seen, and trees for the corral had to be brought from the cedar-covered hills nearly ten miles away. These were cut and dragged to the place by the men and boys on horseback. A close pen, circular in form and about 100 feet across, was first built against the steep side of the hill so that the tops of the posts used could not be seen from the opposite side. Two lines of trees were then dragged and laid loosely upon the ground, but close enough to appear like a brush fence. These lines at the pen are about twenty yards apart, sand run almost parallel for 100 yards or so and then spread apart at an angle of about thirty degrees and extend for four and a half or five miles. When the party reaches the corral for the annual hunt the chief first selects the officers, four to watch each point of the compass around the pen. For each a pit is dug deep enough to put him out of sight. The less space acquired the more the occupant is esteemed and considered worthy of protection later on. The chief and his assistant then take their places at the right tide of the entrance to the pen, standing in a hole dug for the purpose and just deep enough to hide all except their heads. From five to eight Indians on the fleetest horses are sent out at daybreak to surround a band of antelopes and head them toward the corral. An antelope, when startled, keeps as far as possible away from any Elace where an enemy might be hiding, ence they keep as far away from the wings of the corral, which are on either side of as they can. After being closed in upon they cannot turn back, as the drivers are in hot pursuit, and they make a dash for the top of the hill, which, to them, appears to be the only opening between the horrid lines of brush fence. But, alas for them, they find themselves enclosed in a stout pen, around which they run in a circle, never trying to jump over. The shouts and yells of the Indians at length so completely terrify the poor animals that they stand trembling and apparently unconscious of the Indians, who now approach and kill them with clubs, hatchets, stones, or anything at hand. As many as 250 have been caught at one time in this manner, and for wholesale destruction of game it surpasses any process in vogue, and should be stopped entirely.—GlobeDemocrat.

Genesis of the Steamboat.

The first steamboat was built by Dennis Papin, who navigated it safely down the Fulda as long ago as 1707. Unfortunately, this pioneer craft was destroyed by jealous sailors, and even the very memory of it was lost for three quarters of a century. In 1775 Perrior, another Frenchman, built an experimental steam vessel at Paris. Eight years later, in 1783, Jouffroy took up the idea that has been evolved by Papin and Perrier and built a steamer which did good service for some time on the Saone. The first American to attempt to apply steam to navigation was John Fitch, a Connecticut mechanic, who made his initial experiments in the year 1785. To what extent Fitch was indebted to the three industrious French inventors named above we are not informed, but that his models weie original there is not the least doubt. In the first he employed a large pipe-ket-tle for generating the steam, the motive power being side paddles worked after the fashion of oars on a common rowboat. In the second Fitch craft the same mode of propulsion was adopted, with the exception that the paddles were made to imitate a revolving wheel and were affiexd to the stern—clearly forshadowing the present •‘stern-wheeler.’’ This last mentioned boat was the first American steam vessel that can be pionounced a success. It made its first trip to Burlington in July, 1788, But, after all, it was not until after the opening of the present century that steam navigation started into actual life. In 1807 Robert Fulton (whom every school child knows was an American), inconjuction with one Robert R. Livingston, built the Clermont, und established a regular packet servico between New York and Albany. The success of this undertaking was so satisfactory that four new boats were built before the end of 1811, at least two of them being designed for service in other rivers.—St. Louis Republic.

Supernatural Antidotes.

Most ancient kings and noblemen relied—to some extent, at least—on supernatural and magical means to protect themselves against poison. One kept a peacock always near him, because that bird ruffled up its feathers when any kind of poison was brought near; another had a cup and plate set with opals, because this gem was supposed to turn pale when touched with poison; another a rhinocerous horn, which caused poisonous liquors to effervesce. One wore a ring as a charm, another a bracelet, a third an amulet.—[ San Francisco Chronicle. It is said that the plot for oue of the recent train robberies was conoocted in a house numbered 1813. All the robbers have been caught They now believe in superstitions.

The Valuable Products of Tar.

The president of the Albany Municipal Gas Company, Anthony N. Brady, who is prominently identified with financial interests in this city, told me reoently that a few gas companies were still using the old coking process for the manufacture of gas from coal, notwithstanding that the use of naptha adds largely to the economy of our gas companies. I remarked that it wasTstrange that all the companies did not utilize the cheapest methods, and he said that the discontinuance of the coking process has caused a rise in the of its waste products, and especially of coal tar, which is used largely in the manufacture of aniline dyes, saccharine, etc. This has made it profitable for a few of the gas companies to continue to use coal. Mr. Brady added that the gas made from naptha is generally considered to be superior to that manufactured from coal. In this connection I am reminded of the good fortune of a junk dealer in Troy, who at the close of the war, finding that old rags could be utilized for the manufacture of shoddy cloth, [nvented a process for turning cotton rags into cotton waste which could be woven into cloth that would sell at a very remunerative figure. Out of this little discovery the enterprising junkman developed a very large aDd profitable business, and to-day his possessions are valued well up toward a million dollars. It was this longheaded man who remarked to a friend that any one who would find a way to utilize a waste product could find thequickest path to wealth. —[New York Mail and Express.

A Remarkable Collector.

A boy in Portland, Me., many year* ago, was deeply interested in collections, and after taking up several things, minerals, stamps, and the like, he settled down in making a collection of shells. At seventeen he had developed such keenness of observation as to discover a new speoies of shell, and presented a paper before the Boston Society of Natural History on his discovery. In a few months he again discovered a new species that had been classified as the young of a known species. A great English naturalist visiting this country was taken to visit this boy and see his collection of shells. He was so interested that on his return to Boston he spoke of the collection to Professor Agassiz, who invited the collector to Harvard as a special student. That boy is known to the world as Professor Morse. He went to Japan as Professor SI Zoology in the University of Tokio, and while in Japan began studying the beautiful pottery of that artietic nation, until he had become an authority, and was made judge at the Chicago Exposition. Professor Morse attributes his knowledge of Japanese pottery to the habits of close inspection acquired in his boyhood when making his collection of shells. —[The Outlook.

A Sun Furnace.

Sir Henry Bessemer, the well-known inventor of the steel process which bears his name, tells how he tried to construct a “sun furnace” and failed. His invention was intended to revolutionize not only the science of metallurgy, but the whole world. It was to attain a temperature of nearly 66,000 degrees, *nd therefore fuse anything and everything, and Sir Henry puts the blame of its failure to fulfill these expectations on the stupidity of a country lensmaker.The“sun furnace” oonsisted of a wooden building thirtyfive feet high and about twelve feet square. A few feet from the ground was fixed a large inclinable mirror for catching the rays of the sun; from this mirror the rays were to be reflected onto a number of powerful super-imposed lenses above, which, by a simple arrangement, were to throw the enormously concentrated rays upon whatever object might be in the crucible below. Such was the mighty plan, but the manufacturer of the upper glasses brought it miserably to naught, for instead of turning them out uniform he made them all different and thus spoiledthe focus.—[New York Telegram.

Made to Speak.

Last week Miss Nellie Bullard, of Waycross, Ga., was dumb. To-day she talks fluently. The cause of her being speechless was cleft palate, a misfortune from birth. Her voice is clear and her words are- uttered distinctly. This change has been wrought by means of an artificial palate obturator made of vulcanite and rubber. It was made by a dentist of that city. Formerly Miss Bullard experienced great difficulty in swallowing. The dentist learned of her misfortune, and after making an examination decided to try an experiment. For several weeks he has worked on the artificial palate obturator. Last week it was completed. Miss Bullard came on a visit to her relative, Colonel R. C. Cannon, and she was presented with the palate obturator as a free gift. It was adjusted in her month, and for the first time in her life she uttered a word. Like a little child, she began to talk from the simplest words in common use until to-day she converses freely with her friends. Miss Bullard is seventeen years of age, and is pretty.

Clever Collies

The troupe of eight collies at the Royal Aquarium, London, enacts quito a little stage play. After performing some clever feats, without the instigation of ajwhip or stick, the dogs of their own accord, on a stage property house appearing to be on fire, rush off on their hind legs and fetch from the wings of the stage a fire escape, trundling it up to and placing it against the burning house. Bruce, the head fireman, rushes up the ladder, and entering through the window of the top floor room, returns, carrying a child in its mouth, with which it descends, depositing its burden safely on the ground. Bruce, who is supposed to be injured during the rescue, simulates death; one of the collies rushes off for a policeman, returning with a dog costumed as a policeman, wheeling an ambulance, into which poor Bruce is plaoed, its widow, a collie in petticoats, apparently greatly distressed. This is only a part of the general performances.—[Globe.

Siez of European Families.

The Berlin Anthropological Seminary has recently completed some curious tabulations on the average size of families in the various countries of Europe. According to these statistics the average number of persons in families In the different European countries is as follows: France, 3.03; Denmark. 3.61; Hungary, 3.70; Switzerland, 3.04 ; Austria and Belgium, 4.05; England, 4.08; Germany 4.10; Sweeden and Norway, 4.12; Holland, 4.22; Scotland, 4.46; Italy, 4.54; Spain, 4.6s;Russia, 4.83, and Ireland, 5.20.—5 t Louis Republic.