Democratic Sentinel, Volume 19, Number 48, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 6 December 1895 — Page 5

A COLDEN DREAM

CHAFTHK XV—("Continued.) She had not long to wait before she caught sight of'Cherubine tolling along in the hot sunshine with a great basket oa her head. She was -singing merrily as she came, and from time to time raised and smelt a great bunch of flowers, smiling with satisfaction, and then she began singing again. ■She was in perfect ignorance of the presence of any one else till she was abreast of the dump of thick foliage where Genie was standing, and then she started so violently that she disarranged her flowers by clapping both hands to her basket, whieh nearly fell. “You, GenieV” she said. “You frightened me.” “I want to talk to you.” “Yes,” said Cherubine, beginning to look uneasy,, and trying to hide her perturbation with a curious laugh. “You have stopped away from us,” said Genie, sternly. “Why?” “Oh, been so busy with young missus,” she said, hastily; “but coming again soon.” The mulatto girl fixed her with her eyes, and said in a low whisper: “The serpent grows angry with his children who do not come; and if they stay away too much they grow sick and die.” “Oh, I come soon,” cried Cherubine, trembling visibly now, and her black shiny skin seemed to turn dull and strange, as white rings appeared round the pupils of her dark eyes. "You tell him I’m not going to stay away any more.” “Take care then,” said the mulatto girl, keeping her eyes fixed on the trembling woman. “You have not been since the two new white brothers came to us.” “No, no, not once,” said Cherubine, trembling, “but I come next time.” “Yes. When did you see him last?” “Yesterday,” said Cherubine eagerly. “Where?” “He came to Nousie’s.” “I thought so,” said Genie, in a low voice. Then added, “Hotv many times has he been ?” Cherubine balanced her basket carefully on her head, and counted rapidly on her fingers. “Eight times.” “What for?” Cherubine smiled, then looked horrified. “Don’t look at me like that,” she said, hastily, as she tried to take her eyes off her questioner, but stared at her again as if fascinated. “I am not looking at you,” said Genie, slowly; “it is the serpent looking out of my eyes. He is everywhere. He is asking with my lips why Etienne Saintone conies to Nousie’s house.” “I—l don’t know,” said Cherubine, shuddering, and the about her pupils grew more defined.

“Mind what you are saying,” said Genie, sternly. “I only think,” said Cherubine, hurriedly—“l think he fall in love with little missus. An’ it’s very dreadful,” she said, in a whimpering tone, as she stood shivering in the hot sunshine, and watching Genie, who as soon as she had spoken turned suddenly, and went up the narrow path taken by her black companion. “Wish sometimes I never went to Voudoux. Frightens me.” For the next few minutes as she continued her journey back, the flowers scorned to have lost their sweetness, and she remained perfectly mute, but with the natural carelessness of her race, all was forgotten again in a short time, and she reached the house singing, to go straight to the window of Aube’s room, call her by name, and laughing merrily she thrust in the bunch of flowers, kissed the little white hand which took them, and then went into the front room behind the veranda, where, in the dim light, she saw her mistress hastily put away a handkerchief, and on going closer with her basket, which she now held under her arm. she said, sharply: “What missus cry about?” the sight of Nousie’s red eyes completely chasing away all thoughts of her late encounter. “Oh, I don’t know,” said Nousie, sadly. “I’m not happy, Cherub.” “Nousie ought to be happy, then,’’-cried the woman. “Got lots of money, big house, and Beauty once again.” “But she is not huppy,” cried Nousie, passionately. “Oh, Cherub, it is killing me to see her look so quiet and sad.” “Ah. nonsense!” cried Cherubine sharply. “She laughed just now when I took her flowers.” “Laughed ?” cried Nousie, eager. Then, with a sigh, “she only tries to smile when I take her anything.” She looked wistfully at her faithful old servant, for the revelation was coming fast with its painful enlightenment, and the making clear to her of complications of which she had never dreamed. Cherubine looked at her WQnderiagiy, for she could not comprehend her mistress’ troublq, and setting it down to one of her old fits of sadness, such as had often come to her since the terrible day when she had seen her husband shot down before her eyes, the woman took her basket into the house as horses' hoofs were heard, a shadow was cast across the veranda, and Saintone dismounted, threw his bridle across a hook, and entered the place. Nousie looked at him sharply, as at a fresh source of trouble at a time when her spirit was very low, but the young man came up to her with so smiling and friendly a look that she was disarmed. “What a morning,” he said, cheerily; “and how well you look, Madame Dulau.” She winced, for his words and tones brought back compliments paid her by her husband’s friend. He noticed her manner and became serious directly, as he said in a half-re-proachful tone; “I thought that when a man joined you, he found help and friendship, but you always look at me as if I were an enemy.” “Ah, no,” said Nousie, forcing a smile, “you are mistaken. What do you want me to do? You ,can help yourself now without going to anyone.” “Don’t play with me, Nousie,” he said, leaning over the counter » nd catching her hand, which she tried to snatch away, but he retained. “You know why I camp. You must see that my mother approves of it, and though I am not good enough for her, still I would indeed be to her the best of husbands, and it would be for her good. There, lam very poor at this sort of thing, but you know I love her, and I ask you humbly now for your help.” She looked at him wildly, for his prayer to her seemed horrible, bringing back as it did the past, and she shook her head. “Oh, come,” he said, “you say to be-

cause you think of that Youdoux business. I tell you frankly, I got you to take me up that I might join tliern solely to help me in my election. You must not think about that. And yet,” he said, with a peculiar look, “I might say to yon, do think about it, for I want your help.” “No,” she cried hastily. “I am not one of them. lam their friend, aud I help them and they trust me, but I do not belong.” “They think you do. aud treat you as one of them,” said Saintone, dryly, "but I am not going to put pressure ou you in that way, Nousie—Mtidnine Dulau, if you like —I believe my father and your husband were friends once.” “Oh!” she exclaimed, excitedly. “Ah, yes; I’ve’heard they became enemies, but what of that. They would have made it up again, so what is that to us. Let me speak plainly. I love Mademoiselle Dulau. My mother has tried again and again to make us all friends, but without avail. Now I have come myself; first of all as her messenger, to ask if she may send the carriage for Mademoiselle this afternoon.” “She would not come,” said Nousie, quietly. “You have not asked her, I am not going to press my suit I’ll be as patient as you like, but let her «ome. The packet came in this morning and we are to have the Captain and a few friends. It would be cheerful and pleasant for her. and she would meet some of our best i>eople. You will let her come?” Nousie’s hand contracted, and she shook her head. “Ah, but you are hard,” he cried. “You are jealous of me. You think I am going to take her from you, but listen, Nousie; she is the dearest, sweetest lady I ever saw. Are you going to keep her among these blacks, and condemn her to such a life as this?”

She gave him an agonized look, for he had struck the chord which thrilled through her; and as she stood there suffering she felt that his words were right, and, growing weaker beneath the pressure put upon her, she withdrew her hand to stand with brow knit, thinking: Ought she not to forget the past aud accept her fate? She knew now that by her own act she had raised Aube far above her, and with her heart bleeding in its agony she acknowledged that she was dragging her child down. “You do not speak,” said Saintone. “I was thrnking,” she replied, dreamily. “You say Madame Saintone sent you?” “Yes,” he cried, eagerly. “I will ask her.” “No, no, let me ask her; let me plead to her,” cried Saintone, fearing to lose the slight hold he had gained. “No; I will ask her myself. You need not fear,” she added, with a sad smile. “She shall go if she likes. I will be fair.” She left the buffet, and went thoughtfully into Aube’s room, the place that was sacred to her, and pressing her lips together and trying hard to force down the agony within her, she closed the door behind her. Aube had started to her feet and was looking pale and strange. “He has come again, my dearest,” said Nousie, softly. “He says he loves you, and Madame Saintone asks if she may send a carriage for you this afternoon. What shall I say?” “That I will not go,” said Aube, firmly. “Stop,” said Nousie now, fighting down her exultation as she struggled, as she told herself that her child might be happy. “He said to me what I have just begun to think, that I had made you a lady, and asked me if I was going to keep you down to such a home as this, here among these wretched people. Aube, darling, I feel as if I could not lose you! but would it not be best for you to go among these people?” “No,” said Aube, firmly. "I will not leave you—l will not go.” Nousie’s fingers worked, and her lips trembled, but she mastered herself again. “You must think of what you are saying, my child. His mother wishes you to go—she would love you for her son's sake. He asks for you to be his wife.” “Mother!” “Listen, my child; he will make you rich—a lady—the best people in the place who mock at me will welcome you, and as his wife —if you would love him ■” “Mother!” said Aube, “are you going to be cruel to me now?” “I, my darling,” she cried, catching Aube to her breast, “who would die for you?” “Then why do you talk like this? You do not wish it?” “I wish to make you happy dearest, and to try and mend my poor mistake.” “Mistake? What are you saying. I could not love that man. His mother frightens ma She seems false and strange to me, and her daughter hates me in her heart. You wish me to leave you and go among those people. No. no; send me back to the peaceful old convent once again.” Nousre started, but controlled herself still, and after an effort: “What am I to say, then, to this man?” “That it is impossible. That I cannot go—that he is to leave us in peace.” “Is this from your heart, Aube? Look at me before you send me with such a message as that.” “Look at you?” said Aube, tenderly, as she softly threw her arms about her mother’s neck. “Do you think Ido not consider all that you have done. Mother, dearest, your letter rests here upon my heart. I look at that sometimes, and kneel down and pray that I may learn to repay you for all your suffering in the past. What are these people to us that they should try to come between us when we are so happy as we are?” “But you are not happy, Aube.” “I try to be,” she said, with the tears flooding her eyes, “but you make me sad sometimes when you look troubled, and as if you were not content with me. Mother, I do love yon with all my heart.” “Aube —my darling!” She clasped her passionately to her heart, and Aube drew her face closer to her own. “Yes; love me clways like that, mother,” she whispered, “I am happy now. Tell this man to go and trouble us uo more. We have been parted so long, and I have come back again. Mother, dearest; nobody must come between us now.” They stood locked in each other’s arms, heart beating against heart, till, as if waking from a dream, Nousie slowly drew herself away. There was a look of pride and peace in her eyes; her face, too, seemed almost beautiful once more, illumined as it was by her mother love, and as she reached the door, she turned, ran back and kissed her child again be-

fore hurrying out to where Sainton# was impatiently waiting. He stared as she came toward him, erect and proud-lookiug. and as if some sudden change had taken place in the brief-time since they parted. “Ah.” he cried, joyously, “she will come ?” “No.” Monsieur Saintone." said Nousie, firmly. “Mv child refuses, and asks you and your mother to leave us in peace.” A look of rage convulsed his face, and he turned upon her fiercely. “It is not true," he said. “You have been setting her against me. I'll speak to her myself." He made for the door, but Nousie interposed— at bay now to spare her child. But her manner changed, and it seemed to Saintone no longer Nousie. the keeper of the cabaret, but Madame Dulau. wife of his father’s old friend, who said firmly, and with a dignity of mien which startled him: “Stop, sir!" Then after a pause: "You shall have it from her own lips.*' She went through the door, leaving him pacing the room, ami in a minute she cams back, leading Aube, no longer the shrinking. timid girl, but calm and self-pos-sessed, and looking more beautiful in hil eyes than ever. “Ah, Mademoiselle Aube.” he cried, as he stepped forward and tried to take her hand. "You wished to hear from me,” said Aube, gravely, "the words my mother said. Let me then say, monsieur, that I thank Madame Saintone for her kindness, that I cannot accept her invitations, and that all you wish is impossible.” “No!" he cried, hotly, "it is not impossible.” “Impossible.” repeated Aube, and she turned from him to whisper, as she clung to her mother’s arm: "No one must ever come between us now.” . And the door was darkened as a man appeared dark against the sunshine which hindered him for a moment from seeing the group before him. “Is this Madame Dulau’s?” he said, sharply. Aube uttered a wild cry, while Saintone’s eyes half closed, and his lips tightened, as he looked from one to the other, saying beneath his breath: “Who is this?” (To be continued.)

A FATAL MISTAKE.

It Was Made by a Profuse Frenchman in His Leave-Taking. A citizen of France who has an Inveterate habit' of confounding everything which Is said to him, and has been endeavoring to acquire a knowledge of our vernacular, was about leaving his boarding-house for a more comfortable quarter. All the little mysteries of his wardrobe, Including his last nether garment and umbrella, had been packed up, when lie bethought to himself the unpleasant duty now devolving upon him, that of bidding “ze folks” good-by. After shaking his fellow-boarders cordially by the hand, and wishing them, with Incessant bowing, “ze verree best success in ze virl,” and “ze benediction du chief,” he retired In search of his “dear landlady,” to give her also his blessing. He met her at the staircase, and advancing, hat in hand, with a thousand scrapes, commenced his speech: “Ah! madarne, I’m going to leave you. You have been verree amiable to me, madarne; I will nevare forget you for zat. If in my countree I would ask zee Government to give you a pension, madarne.” The good lady put down her head and blushed modestly, while our Frenchman proceeded: “Veil, I must go; you know in zeese life, it Is full of pain an’ trouble. If Got adopted ze virl vlch Lamartine made In his poesie, zeu zure should be no more pain. Adieu, madarne, adieux! perhaps forever.” Thereupon the Frenchman was making his exit, when he was suddenly called back by his landlady, who interestedly Inquired; “Why, Mr. C , you have forgotten your latch-key.” Mr. C appeared amazed, apparently not understanding his interrogator. “Yes,” continued Mrs. M , “you know it is the rule for all boarders to give me their latch keys.” “Oh, madarne!” Interrupted the Frenchman with enthusiasm, “I vill give you not one—not one, but zouzauds!” Aud applying the action to the word, he sprang toward Mrs. M , and embracing her tightly in his arms, kissed her most heroically. The affrighted Mrs. M , recovering herself, at length cried out: “The key! Mr. C , the key!” Frenchy, looking confused, confounded, ejaculates with heavy sighs: “Oh, madarne! I zot you ax me for one kees, an’ I give it to you. Vat a fatale mistake!”—Scottish American.

Novel Punishment.

For some time F. W. Wheeler, of Bay City, Mich., has missed various articles from his ship yards, aud, detecting the culprit, called him into the office. Confronted with the proofs of his guilt, the man confessed. “I will give you the choice of two things,”'said Mr. Wheeler. “One is to accept the punishment of justice for your crime; the other to shoulder your box of tools aud march out of the yards through the shops, with me walking beliiud you. When you are asked why you are discharged, you are to confess as you have done here.” “I can’t do that,” said the man. “Then you will have to stand trial.” The other offered to pay back all he had taken. "No, you cannot do that," was the reply. “You would only Impoverish your family. I want to spare your wife and little ones. I offer you this chance for their sake.” The man finally agreed, but the tool cuest was fouud too heavy for him to carry. “Empty out the tools and carry the chest.” The order was obeyed. The chest was shouldered and the two men marched through the yards past the gangs of workmen, who cast curious glances at them. “What are you discharged for?” asked the foreman. “For stealing,” was the reply. The workmen upheld this unique method of punishment, applauding that spirit which sought to protect the wife and children. The humiliation seemed the sharpest punishment and the man was free to go and honestly strive to redeem himself, If he saw fit.

A hat is “pounced” or smoothed by 1 means of a machine which polishes the whole surface finely and smoothly with emery paper. Formerly this process was done by hand, the workmen using pumice stone for that purpose.

FOR THE YOUNG FOLKS.

A RtTLS TO REMEMBER. Tommy Bob counted witn fingers and thumbs To find out the time when Thanksgiving day comes. Then L member Tis always on Thursday—the last in November.” r SOME INDIAN* DOGS. Kickapoo Indians are very fond of dogs, both alive and fricasseed. Around their tepees, or wickiups, or Queen Annes, or whatever they call their abodes, there are always half a dozen wolfish dogs. Au Indian dog hates a white man as far as he can smell him. and that is saying a good deal. When a white man, driving through the Kickapoo country, sees a dog by the roadside, his natural impulse is to whistle in a friendly way, for somehow in a wilderness of paririe or forest a dog is a comfortable sight. But the instant you whistle to an Indian dog he turns his tail and is out of sight quicker than if he had been kicked. An Indian never whistles to his dog when he wants his beast to come to him; he places his tongue against his teeth aud hisses. The colored population of Oklahoma have almost as mauy dogs as the Indians. Those who live in the black-jack sand hills are dog rich. These dogs have a deep-rooted aversion for the white man also. When au old colored cotion planter comes to town some of the dogs are sure to follow*, and when the old man walk* uptown the dog stays right between his feet, like a country dog under a wagon. And whenever a white man comes within snapping distance the dog gets busy.

TWO LITTLE KNIGHTS. There are two knights of the ancient and illustrious order of the Golden Fleece who are under ten years of age. One is the nine-year-old King ot Spain, while the other is the eight-year-old Duke of Braganza, the Crown Prince of Portugal. It seems that the King of Spain is always grand master of the eight Spanish orders of knighthood, the principal of which is that of the Golden Fleece— Toison de Oro, as '.hey call it in Spanish. Two years ago the baby king, with due pomp and ceremony, presented the decoration of the order to his young cousin, the Duke of Braganza. The decoration consists of the royal arms, which includes, besides of the arms of Castile, Leon, Greuuda and the lilies of the royal house of Bourbon the arms of Austria, Sicily, Saxony and Brahant. Surrounding the whole is a representation of the Golden Fleece, with the motto, "Ante feret quain flanima micet.” The order is worn on a red aud yellow ribbon, the national colors of Spain. The order of the Golden Fleece is one of the oldest in existence, having been founded in the fifteenth century, by Philip the Good, Duke of Burgundy, ut the City of Bruges, as a compliment to that town, no small portion of whose prosperity arose from its woolen trade. Indeed, so prosperous had the city become by this means, and such was the magnificence of the Flemish court, that no European monarch could equal or approach it. When the wife of Philip the Fair of France visited Bruges she exclaimed: "There are hundreds here who have more the air of a queen than myself.” Ships of every nation took in and discharged their cargoes at the quays; the warehouses were filled with bales of wool from England and with silk from Prussia, and the argosies of Genoa and Venice came laden with the produce of the ea;.t. In founding an order, therefore, iu this city it seemed that a most suitable name was the classical one of the Golden Fleece: so suggestive, too, as it is of chivalrie and valorous deeds. The Argoimutic fleet, as every boy and girl who has studied mythology knows, was made up of a band of heroes commanded by Jason, who sailed iu the good ship Argo from Thessaly to the farther shore of the Black Sea in quest of the Golden Fleece, which was there guarded by a dragon in a grove sacred to Mars. Many and great were the dangers encountered on the way, and valorous and brave were the deeds of the members of the expedition before they finally reached the dragon and Jason became master of the fleece.

WISE CREATURES. When marvelous stories about the sagacity of animals are once started, there is always Sure to be an amateur naturalist waiting in ambush who has discovered what he considers to be proofs of amazing intelligence in some creature not usually associated with the idea of much mental development. The London Spectator has been the means from time to time of unearthing several good tales of clever dogs and cats, and the assertion has been hazarded by one of its correspondents that the dispositions of animals are as varied as those of human beings. That different dogs have different temperaments can easily be demonstrated by anybody who will try to pat the first twenty stray dogs that he meets when lie takes his next stroll abroad. It has not, however, hitherto been understood that spiders are also endowed with dispositions showing much variety. This is a mistake, as anybody knows who takes “teasing spiders.” A correspondent confesses that members of the family have very different methods of treating the attacks of au enemy. If a small piece of leaf lie thrown into a nice newly-made web, it appears that one spider w’lth a hasty temper will at once rush right at the object and eject it, thereby doing real damage to its own fly-trap; unothcr “of a more reflective turn of mind,” wifi come quietly a short distance, look at the obstruction for a minute, and then thoughtfully retire. Some spiders, too, when tound in the centre of their webs, wifi dart away and hide, while others will remain where they are, * ‘trembling so as to violently shake the web, these last are called “highly nervous insects” by their historian; but it may be, perhaps, open to some question whether trembling is not the result of anger quite as much as fear. Nervousness is hardly the kind of failing of which a spider ought to be rashly accused. He never drinks tea, or sits up late, or subscribes to a circulating library, so that we have a right to expect that his nerves will be in faultless condition. In any case, he must show pity to flies before he can hope to secure much sympathy from the havoc which modern conditions of life may play with his nervous organization.

Telephones for Railroad Passengers.

A telephone attachment for railroad use has been introduced which will greatly increase the safety of railroad travel. At present the device is designed only for communication between the conductors and the nearest station, but the intention is to so modify it that it can be used by pussengers traveling on express trains. By this arrangement the telephone can be called into requisition by the

train dispatcher in addition to the telegraph, dtspatelling wires, while, on the other hand, the dispatcher can be called by any station or block along the line in a second. An ingenious part of the equipment is what is called a hanging set, which is to be carried In every Imggnge car and caboose. Should the train come to a standstill through a block, a wreck ot any other interruption, the liauging set. consisting of spliced rods with a cross-arm at the top. is dropped on two wires on the pole-line alongside the track. This gives as perfect connection as if the telephone were in a private oflice. and it will work along every foot of a railway line. In case of a wreck the telephone is iustantly available, tlie dispatcher is called and orders are sent direct to the si>ot in return.

Badger Dog for His Pat.

At the foot of the middle butte of the Sweet Grass Hills in Moutauu lives fi miner named Byron Banner. He is practically a recluse, seldom associating with any neighbors or even talking to them. He works his claim all alone, and no one knows whether he is rich or poor. Like most recluses he lias his pet, but Banner's pet is so uncommon, even unnatural that it deserves to lie put on record. This pet. says the Dnpuyer Acantha ,is a badger-dog. The animal is small and lias the feet and legs of a Itudgor while the body resembles a tlog. Its claws have to he trimmed every few months, as they grow out of all proportions to the foot. When it walks it lias the peculiar waddle of the badger. Its, hark is somewhat slmllur to that of the lupdog. It will bite savagely when teased, but is otherwise perfectly docile. A cross between a wolf or co.vott and a dog is not uncommon, nor is if so much of a freak, since they belong to the same family. But a cross lie tween different families, as the tlog and badger, is something for naturalists and evolutionists to think about.

A Telescople Lifeboat.

Robert Chambers, Dumbarton, the inventor of a well known and widely adopted form of collapsible lifeboat, is in* traducing u new type, which lie calls tin ‘ ‘telescopic” lifeboat. The distinctive feature of the boat is that it has a movable keel extending for two-thirds the length of the craft. It is formed of a steel plate, and cau be lowered by rack and pinion to a depth of /> feet in the case of a 40-foot bout. To the bottom edge of this keel there is secured liy angle irons a flat plate, equal in width to one-third the beams. Thus the keel takes the form of au inverted T, being 5 feet or 0 feel deep, witli flanges of 2 feet. When in normal position these flanges lie close up against tlie boat, but when in a sea the keel is lowered, the idea being that the weight of water on either flange prevent the boat capsizing in any condition. Again, cavities arc made in the bottom of the boat, in wbicli there are wheels mounted on a bearing connected to a wornffthuft, so that when running ashore the wheels can be lowered by the turning of the shaft. This obviates the necessity for a carriage, which requires the maneuvering of tlie boat into an exact position, not always easy of attainment in the wash of a heavy sea.

The Luscious Necker.

Sanaa g<*n am u great Institution in Germany; the variety is hewllderlug, People who eat tlmm any that many of theae German sausuges are dellciona. There are shops where hardly anything else ia Bold. Oue eau liny them hot, all ready to nerve, or they may he cooked .at home. Theae hot sausages are boiled or steamed, not fried. Several kinds are boiled, but the blood sausages are the ones that are most frequently served In this manner. In the sausage simps one always finds a large niekle-plated steamer on the counter, where the sausages are kept hot; also cooked meats. There are shops wholly devoted to cooked meats, and here one can purchase any kind of poultry or butchers' meats ready for the table. As a rule these meats are of good quality and cost much less than In France.

Cleverly Trapped.

A barber who kept a cigar store at oue end of his shop found that a goodly portion of his stock disappeared during the night. He watched without avail; as long as his eyes were upon them the cigars were safe. As a last resort he brought a camera just before dark, focused it on the cigar stand, and so connected it electrically that when the latch of the show case was pulled a magnesium light would be flashed and a picture taken. The next day the cigars were unmolested, but in the camera there was a clearly defined picture of two hoys who lived in the neighborhood, one in the act of opening the case and the oilier preparing to receive the booty. The flash had scared them, and they made off; but they were at once arrested and sent to prison. An electrician has designed an apparatus by which he says be can circumvent the knavish tricks of the smartest thief, and that between the electric light and the infinite variety of electrical detective and alarm appliances now devised the cracksman's occupation is virtually gone.

The Danger of Broad.

A Boston dentist tells the following story: Within the past year he has had come to him for professional treatment four Swedish girls. The teeth in each of these young women were really crumbling away. And why? In their native country,where the Swedish bread is baked at. intervals during the year aod hung on poles to dry and harden, the teeth had their proper exercise. But when these girls became subject to “American civilization, ” and were obliged to eat the pap and pastry in homes where more time Is devoted to catering to the taste than to finding out the needs and requirements of the body, the masticating of food was no longer a necessity, and the teeth, finding they were of no more service, decided to take themselves out of the way.

Timidity of Fish.

The tiipidity of fish afforded one of many interesting discussions at a recent reunion of ttie Piscatorial Society. It was remarked that big-gun practice on the sea coast, while it would cause, lobsters, out of sheer fright, to cast one of their claws, would drive millions of fish into other waters.

Stories About Fishes.

“Yes, I observed many curious tilings about fish when I was on the Indian river.” remarked Colonel Wardwell a few days ago. "I'ish. as a rule, are very shy, and yet they frequently Income so tame that they can almost be picked out of the water, and they seem to know people, just as a cat or a dog does. Some of the sea ‘cats’ became so tame around my place that they would actually eat out of iny haud. I had a board running front tlie house out over the water, and I used frequently to go out on this hoard to dean fish, throwing the cleanings iuto the water. These •cats’ would swim up as fearlessly as could be. and on several occasions they pulled the llsli that I was deanlug out of my hand. The fish evidently knew me. however, because when a stranger went out on the lioard they would not come near him, hut would swim around at a distance, as though they were afraid. "The eel is ordinarily a very shy creature, nud 1 do not remember ever having seen more than two or three in Indian river. I had au oyster bed forty or fifty yards from my house, mid 1 went out there, one day for the purpose of getting u basket of oysters. To my surprise au eel came swimming up to me, aud all the time that 1 was getting the oysters it swam around m.v legs and rubbed against them much us a kitten would. I waded hack to my house, and the eel followed me. I found that I did not have enough oysters, nud so l went back again. The cel was still there and followed me across and hack again. Now, I had never seen the eel before, and never saw it again after that day, and the only way that 1 can account for its peculiar actions is that It was the"companion of either a large flslt, turtle or perhaps u manatee, and that It had become separated from It, and, seeing me in the water, thought 1 was the object for which it was searching. “1 have often lmd much amusement watching the antics of the needle fish. This fish, when at play, will Jump over Slicks, straws or other sntall objects in (lie water, and I have freqnntly had them Jump over the float of m.v fishing line. They did this apparently Just to amuse themselves.”

The First Pneumetio Tire.

Very few of tin* hundreds of thousands of cyclists who now enjoy tlie pastime on an up-to-date safety, shod with pneumatic tires, have an Idea from -wlint a erode contrivance those fume air cushions on (heir wheels have been evolved. I‘ueuinatlc tiros were Invented in ISBt> by B. Dunlop, a horse doctor of Belfast. Ireland, lie had a son who rode a tricycle, ami who by his Indulgence lmd developed a nervous trouble. The veterinary concluded that tln* hoy's disorder was due solely to the Jolting of tlie wheels, and. planning to do away with the objection, so that the lad might continue ids exercise, .he lilt upon the idea of putting air cushions upon the wheels. With only such material ns he had at hand for use in doctoring equine Invalids, he sel to work, lining n broomstick ns u mandrel, lie wrapped It spirally with linen bandages. Next, lie took some rubber sheets aud solutloued tiu-m around tin* linen. The ends also lie fastened with rubber solution. He inserted a valve a little better than a plug, and putting It on the wheels, started ills son away on tlie first pneumatic tires. It was quickly found that I lie rough ond ready style of fabric would not hold air, mid so an inner sheath of pure rubber was tried. The valve was vulcanized to this Inner tills* In such n way that In the event tis any trouble with the valve an entire new air sheath was (lie only remedy. Flat rims were used at the time, aud the tiros were fastened to the rim by a strip of muslin which on me out with the free edges front the under side of the tires. These ends were wrapped around Hie rim and vulcanized to it. The linen completely covered the rim. effectually concealing Its material. Tires such as those were used for n couple of years. They weighed from twelve to fifteen pounds a pair, and a puncture In one of them wus about as serious a matter as a broken frame Is at tlie present time.

The Rubbar Band Fiend.

There Is u sharp man about town who is making money with both hands, as It were. Ills stock in trade consists of a piece of rubber hose, a pair of scissors, and a tongue which works with exceeding smoothness, lie drops In on business men aud asks them If they are in need of rubber bauds; if so he will give them the very best sort for ?1 for 500. The uveruge man is likely lo say that he lias no use for so large a supply, aud that starts the conversation. He of the rubber hose, scissors, aud tongue says that lie can supply any number of rubber hands of the best quality on the spot. He can furnish 100 In a minute If the customer wants them, and lie adds that he will cut them from Ills hose right then and there. The customer says he cannot do It, and the rubber band man smiles and says lie has a dollar lurking somewhere in Ills pockets that says he eau. More than one man lias put up Ids dollar on this game, only to lose it, fairly and squarely, for the rubber-band “fiend” gets out his seissore and goes through Ids piece of hose even ns the hungry l>oy goes through pumpkin pie. Those who have seen the operation .say that it is easy for him to slice off 100 ueat little rubber rings in sixty seconds.

A Curious Case.

First Assistant Postmaster General Jones had a curious case before him the other day. It was the claim of the family of a postmaster in a Western town for s2llO. It appears that while the postmaster was making up his money order account and had that amount of money before him which he was preparing to send to the proper authorities,he was stricken with paralysis, and the money was taken by a burglar. Mr. Jones, who has spent some time in Chicago, said that perhaps the postmaster was sandbagged, and the money secured in that way. At all events, he concluded that the money had been lost through no fault of tjlie postmaster, and he allowed the account. i.

ONE WAS MISSING.

The Burly Youth Went Off in a Greet Hurry. The old man in the elevated smoking ear was absorbed In his newspaper when the burly youth entered. A imsteistard box wus on the seat lieslde the old man, and with tlie air of a man who knew his rights ami was prepared to enforce them the burly] youth sat down on it. "1 beg your imrdon. sir." said the old man. politely, "but you’re sittiug on iny Ik»x." ‘T know It," replied the burly youth insolently, as lie took a cigar from his iNM'ket. and prepared to light it. "Why didn’t you get It out of the way? You only paid for one seat, 1 guess.” "If you had spoken to me," explained the old man. "Iwould have made room for you. 1 was reading the paper and did not see you.” "It ain’t m.v business to keep your tilings off the scats,” retorted the burly youth. "1 paid for a seat and took it." "Butl have something In that box that 1 wouldn't have injured for a great deal," expostulated the old man. "Well. I guess it’s done for now,” said tlie burly youth with a taunting laugh. “Perhaps It isn't," urged the old man, “If you'll kindly get up for a minute—" "But I won’t,” returned the youth, shortly. By tills time some of the other passengers were liecoming interested, aud one or two of them evinced a desire to throw the burly youth out of the ear. A faint smile that seemed to lurk around the corners of the old man's mouth however made them hesitate. He looked like a man who thought lie had the best of the uffair, in spite of the other's calm nsurnnee. It was. perhaps, two minutes later when the burly youth emitted a loud yell and bounded from ills seat into the aisle'. Another yell followed, and he hounded down tlie aisle toward the door witli both hands in tlx* vicinity of his coat lull pockets. On the platform of tin* ear In* began making frantic endeavors to take off ills coat, but before he succeeded the train had pulled into the station, and lie sprang off and dashed into the waitingroom. The old man lmd thrown a paper over the box when the burly youth got up. and now he carefully raised the edge of It and inspected wlmt was underneath, "(‘outbuild him!" he exclaimed, at last. “Wlmt's the matter'/" asked one of the other passengers. "Why lie’s run off with one of my, prize bees,” said the old man, ruefully.

A Romantio Meeting.

Here is a story, of the course of true love, which, after meeting all sort* of obstacles for forty years, Is now in a fair way to run smooth. Tlie story opens in Hussla on November, 2, iiio-i. On that date a young Itussliia of education and refinement called 1 upon ids despotic ami strong-willed old uncle to demand the hand of lili daughter in marriage. Tlie old man refused, and swore a mighty oath that ills little girl should never marry this suiior, although she acknowledged iter love for him. The young man went away vowing eternal fidelity to Ills losl love. He came to tills country. The young girl, however, wus compelled by her uncle to marry ai rich old aristocrat one year after beg lover's departure. ller husband lived hut a few yearn, and she caute to this country and married again. Her second husband was even shorter-lived thuu the first. Wlille in tills city on Novemlter 1 attending to some business relative tot the estate of her first husbund, sho had occasion to take tlie Seventeenth street ear. While waiting for the eat she dropped her cloak. A gentleman who was passing at the time picked up her clonk aud handed it to her. Tlie elderly gallant, struck by the familiar look of the woman's features, engaged her in conversation, ami found her to be Ids "little sweetheart.” He had lieeii true to her all tlie years that followed Ids hasty departure from Hussla In 1H.14. He Is sixty-two now, and she is fifty-four.

Why We Like Dogs.

Why do people keep such lots of dogs themselves and go In such livniibers to see other people’s dogs? Because the dog Is at once the siueerest flatterer and the most successful elieerer that the human nice ever had* A good dog always gives us the feeling; that we men.and women are a sort of gods. No other animal does anything of the kind. The eat treats us as aa Inferior, and the horse will treat ns as a dear friend, not a divinity. The dog. moreover, Imparts something of his peculiar gnyety to us In a way that Is irresistible. He mingles bis suggestion of guyety with his flattery; for he uot only leaves Ids dinner untusted to walk with us, but the mere fact that we are apparently giving ourselves the pleasures of a walk raises him into such a delirium of delight that the sight of It puts all our dumps aud blues to such reproach tliftt we shake them off in very shame. Aud when we don’t wulk, but sit moodily at home, the dog curls up lovingly at our feet, and looks up now; and then into our eyes, and “glides into our darker musiugs with a mild aud healing sympathy.” Yes; there is solid reason for the fondness of men for dogs, and It will never come to an end until either men or dogs become very different beings from what they, are now.

Rushing into Matrimony.

A competition in marriages between two political parties is a novel idea, but it is actually taking place in Hnngnry at the present time. The civil marriage act becomes law this year, and all the pious '’p ponents of the measure are getting married as fast as they can before it gets into operation. The supporters of the art, on the other hand, are endeavoring to bring about an unprecedented rush of marriages on the first day on which the law take* effect. One wonders whether any inducements are offered on either side to intending couples to hasten their nuptial day. A little assistance towards the bride** trousseau or a charming wedding present might have a powerful effect