Democratic Sentinel, Volume 20, Number 24, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 19 June 1896 — Page 5

FAR! AMD GARDEN NOTES

ITEMS OF TIMELY INTEREST TO THE FARMERSFailing in the Hen Business—Best Pasture Grasses—First Few Days of the PigTrim the Shrubbery. FAILING IN THE HEN BUSINESS. The reason why so many fail in the ben business, and others hesitate to go in, is because of the desire to get a living with little brain labor. Men will work three hundred days in the year shoveling dirt,who would not spend the few hours daily necessary to care for a flock of hens capable of returning far more than the earnings now secured, tt is easy to grub, but it is bard to grow. Because of this fact, there will never be overproduction in the hen business.—Maine Farmer. BEST PASTURE GRASS. Practical men have decided that general purpose grasses, as a rule, are not the most profitable. The best pasture grasses can be mowed, and the best hay grasses are injured by tramping. Never plant hay grasses on land where machinery cannot be used. Avoid patent mixtures claimed to be best for all purposes, if you w r ant to raise hay for market, select that which sells most readily; but, for home use, other varieties are often better. Timothy is the most popular market hay, particularly in the north, but it is inferior to -orchard grass, Bermuda, or even crab grass. But it outsells any of these. In the South, fall seeding—September or October—is best. Give most careful preparation to the seed bed, and that alone—never with nurse crops. To graze pastures too close in dry weather kills out the grasses and lets weeds come In.—Home and Farm. FIRST DAYS OF THE PIG. The directors of the Mississippi station have decided tiflTt during the first few days shoats should be confined to the farrow pen, or, at most, allowed to run in a Small dry lot. They will do better If confined to the lot until they are at least three weeks old. Just as soon as the pig shows a disposition to eat he should be encouraged in doing so. A small place should be cut off from the lot so as to allow the pigs—but not the mother—to enter, and in this little lot should be a shallow feed trough. If the pigs are getting plenty of milk from the mother, as they will, provided she is a good brood sow and is well fed, there is nothing better than soaked corn. Dry, hard corn will soon make their teeth sore. An abundance of this soaked com should be provided, and what is left should be removed at least twice a day and fresh com put in. If a little sweet skimmed milk can be given with care, we think it will add to the growth of the pigs. This may continue until weaning time, when a decided change in the feed becomes necessary. This is the most critical period in the pig’s life, and on his management at this time largely depends his future usefulness. If checked in his growth he will probably not recover soon enough to give the best results, whether kept to grace the breeding herd or to fill the pork barrel.—New York Witness.

TRIM THE SHRUBBERY. In many country and village door yards or lawns, the shrubbery consists of rose bushes, lilacs, wistaria and honeysuckle. Often these have not been trimmed for years, and they present a most ungainly mass of tangled growth, often rendering it quite difficult to obtain even a fair view of the house by the passers-by. This untrimmed collection is frequently supplemented by rampant growing evergreen trees, that were all right for the first five or six years of their growth, but they were neither cut back nor topped, and many of them now have branches spreading from ten to twenty feet. Where it is not thought best to remove them entirely, cut off the lower branches close up to the body of tree for a distance of about eight feet. This will remove the foliage that obstructs the view, and the remaining lower branches will droop a little, giving the tree a pleasing appearance. Other fruit and ornamental trees, by branching low, may obstruct the view, but Judicious pruning will regulate this trouble. Use the pruning knife freely on the . shrubbery, and if the bushes are of some desirable kinds try to Improve the flowers they produce. Turn down the sod about them, applying well-rot-ted manure, ground bone, or wood ashes well mixed, and you will be more than paid for your trouble. Let this pruning be an annual operation.—New England Homestead. NEW POINTS ABOUT PARIS GREEN. Paris green of standard quality contains about 54 per cent, of arsenious add, of which 4 per cent, is soluble In cold water and 8 to 9 per cent in boiling water. A “new process” paris green now on the market, according to the Mass experiment station is not paris green at all, but a combination of lime and arsenious acid with a small amount of copper oxide. It contains from 58 to 63 per cent, of arsenious acid. About the same quantity of its arsenious acid is soluble in cold water as in standard paris green, but in boiling water from 15 to 20 per cent, is soluble, or more than twice as much as in true paris green. It is suggested that the injury done to foliage by paris green may be caused by putting this substance into heated lime mixtures, to the heat generated by the chemical action in mixing the two, or to the heat developed by the sun on globules) of water standing on the leaves. If this is true, paris green should never be put into liquids until the latter are thoroughly cooled, and especially is this-true of the new process paris green, or by using the water with Bordeaux mixture, much more of the poison can be sprayed without injury to foliage than if paris green alone is used in the water. One gallon of the milk of lime to 10 gallons of the water containing paris green as ordinarily used (1 lb. to 150 to 200 gallons of water) will be sufficient. As Professor ,Miynard truly says, “The use of the Bordeaux mixture has become a neces-

sity to protect most of cur crops from fungus pests, and as the lime in this mixture has the same effect as the milk of lime, we urge their combined use, thus reducing the cost for the destruction of each pest to the minimum.’' HOW SAWDUST KILLS CHICKS. For three years, writes C. A. Bird, I have been losing chicks from bowel trouble. I tried every known remedy, but without avail. Last year, out of three hundred and fifty hatched \ raised one hundred and fifty. The chicks that were put in the most favorable place were the ones that died. I studied, examinee and Investigated, but all to no purpose. I built a cosy house Just south of the barn, twentytwo feet long and eight feet wide, and divided it into four rooms. I filled up the floor with dirt, coal ashes, gravel, sand and lime, and thought I had them this time. So I did until I turned them out one bright sunshiny day to exercise among the grape vines, etc. Well, you may Judge my chagrin and surprise when in a day or two they began to die, and in a week out of the twenty-two bright little fellows not one was left to tell what the matter was. Upon making a post-mortem examination I found plenty of grit, and everything all right except inflamed intestines. But upon a closer inspection I found what I had taken for bran and bread crumbs was sawdust. My eyes began to open. I began to wake up, and on looking around found a lot of sawdust that had been thrown about the grape vines. The biddies in hunting for bugs, etc., had scratched it about, and the chicks, mistaking it for the bread crumbs I had been feeding them, had eaten a quantity of it, with the above result. “Eureka!” said I to myself, and the shovel and the wheelbarrow were at once brought into service, and the sawdust placed out of the reach of both chicks and hens. That was nearly two months ago, since which time I have not lost a chicken with bowel trouble.—Farm Poultry.

IMPROVING HIGHWAYS. At a Farmers’ Institute held in Retreat, Wis., says the Milwaukee Sentinel, a paper on “Highways” stated that while in Europe good roads are laid out over the best grades on highpriced land; in this country they are kept off of good land as much as possible, and run over hills and rocks, through ravines, sand patches and mud-holes. The great loss resulting from hard teaming, wear and tear of wagons, harness and horses, does not seem to be considered. Some of these evils could oe easily rectified did not individual selfishness stand in the way. The grader is taking the place of plough and scraper, with good results on many roads, but cannot be depended on alone. The water bars used on hillsides are often made too high and put in the wrong place. They should be made in depressions, not on the steepest grades, and in repairing the new material should be placed a few feet back, not on the top of the old bar. When desirable to turn water both sides of the road, the bar should be Vshaped, with point up the |iill. If on an angling road, turn the water to the lower side. But whatever the form, the two wheels should strike and leave the upper side of the bar at the same time, to avoid disagreeable wrenching and cutting a hole in the lower track. Short pitches and sags can often be allowed to grade themselves, and it Is noticeable that a sag so filled is always a good track, showing that a mixed soil makes the best road. Roads should receive attention at frequent intervals, not when the workers have nothing else to do. Slight repairs as soon as needed will save time and cost in the end. A great help to good roads would be the general use of broad tires instead of narrow ones. Every town or district should own a snow roller, and use it after each drifting storm; the winter roads would then be real hghways, level and hard, with snow on each track.

r The Cherokees’ Plaint.

“If the United States Government would only carry out its solemn agreements with the five civilized tribes, our people would have nothing to complain of,” said Chief C. J. Harris of the Cherokee Nation at the National Hotel. Contracts and promises that we trusted to the honor of that great nation to execute have been violated, and there seems to be no intention on the part of the government to redeem them. When we sold the Cherokee Stip we were told as an Inducement to parting with the lands, that all previous pledges would be carried out. That promise was broken like the rest. “Now, I maintain that the United States ought to go forward and make good its past agreements before entering on further Indian legislation. When that is done it will be time enough for the Indians to say whether they are in accord with the desires of of the Government. Until that is done all bills changing the existing status are obnoxious to our people.

An Impressive Monument

Tbe public has watched patiently the progress of the Grant monument iu Riverside Park. The long delay that followed the laying of the corner stone served to detract greatly from the public interest in the undertaking, and those who contributed to the fund had almost lost hope of living to see the tomb completed. Ground was broken for the monument in the spring of 1891, but it was not until three years later that the first stone was set in place The great crypt of the monument and the vault are now completed, and work will soon be commenced on the dome. From the level of Riverside Drive to the top of the monument the distance is 165 feet, and the dome will be 280 feet above the Hudson River. Surrounding the dome there will be a balcony about 250 feet above the river. From this point which will be open to visitors when the monument is completed, one can see for thirty miles straight up the “Rhine of America.”

A Victim of False Pretences.

L. D. Gordan of Jefferson City, found i a huge black snake the other day which had chocked itself to death in trying to swallow a porcelain egg which ithad carried off from a neighboring hen’s nest*

GOSSIP FOR THE FAIR SEI

ITEMS OF INTEREST ON THE FASHIONS. Pads for Sloovos—Woman Licensed as First Mats—Ladies and Lap-Dogs— Points on Being PhotographedPADS FOR SLEEVES Whatever you do, don’t wear wired pads in your sleeves; it is no longer etylish for the sleeves to go straight out from the shoulders. Put pleating of haircloth in the armholes. WOMAN LICENSED AS FIRST MATE. Mrs. B. F. Young has passed the examination required by the United States government for a first mate’s license. She is the only woman with this distinction. She is thirty-nine ybars old, and has been with her husband on the Ohio and its tributaries for twenty-one years. She is a Kentucky woman. LADIES AND LAP-DOGS. Why do ladies carry or lead lap-dogs in the street? A lady in the street, defending her poodle against the annoyance of other canines, kicking out her foot at the Intruders, striking at them with her parasol, and snatching her muddy-pawed favorite up into her arms for safe-keeping, is not an agreeable sight. We had much rather see her leading a little child by the hand, if she wants a companion or plaything. However, if a thing is “the fashion” we suppose some people will consider It all right; but we are old-fashioned, and cannot get sufficiently used to this new-fangled feminine diversion to look upon it with any degree of complacency.

POINTS ON BEING PHOTOGRAPHED, These points on being photographed will be seasonable for the “girl graduates.” A feather boa or lace fichu has a wonderfully softening effect on the features. It is unwise to wear a new dress. It always falls in awkward folds. Generally speaking, the head and shoulders make a far prettier picture than a full-length portrait. Unless there is any urgent need for it, it is a great mistake to be photographed if you are either out of health or in low spirits. A veil imparts a patchy appearance to the face; also, that gloves make the hands appear much larger than they are in reality. Above all, if you want your sun-pict-ure to have a natural expression, you must forget where you are. BRIDES DID NOT ALWAYS WEAR W’HITE. The months of May and June are known throughout the world as those in which more marriages take place than in' any others. It is interesting, therefore, to note that the choice of white for wedding dresses is comparatively a modern fashion. The Roman brides wore yellow, and In most Eastern countries pink is the bridal color. During the Middle Ages and the Renaissance brides wore crimson,and most of our Plantaganet and Tudor queens were married in this vivid hue, which Is still popular in parts of Brittany, where the bride is usually dressed in crimson brocade. It was Mary Stuart who first changed the color of bridal garments. At her marriage with Francis I. of France, in 1558—which took place not before the altar but before the great door of Notre Dame—she was gowned In white brocade, with a train of paleblue Persian velvet six yards in length. This innovation caused quite a stir in the fashionable world of that time. It was not, however, until quite the end of the Seventeenth century that pure white—the colors hitherto worn by royal French widows—became popular for bridal garments in this country. COLORED COMBINATIONS FOR THE SEASON. The colors most used in combination this season are pink with green and heliotrope, green with purple, deep purple with ragged sailor blue, fawn with red, pale reseda, and yellow. Now, fashionable as such color-blendings are, they prove anything but becoming or attractive to behold, especially on women of sallow complexion, and these seem most apt to select them, or else it is the disastrous effect of the trying mixture on the majority of faces. It must at least be remembered that those who select materials aggressive in themselves, so to speak, to avoid tawdriness and a crude result, must take extra pains in their trimming and ornaments. Our eyes should never be pleased at the expense of our looks, and toilets should be chosen which will, Instead of obscuring the wearer, bring out the best features of figure, hair and complexion. Many “neutral” women can wear most becomingly cream serge or soft white flannel, neither need they eschew pale tints of fawn, silver blue, brown, beige, reseda, and the like, but they must chose with discretion. The depth of tone that is favorable to one woman may prove unbecoming to a sister between whose complexion and her own the difference is but slight. A good-sized piece of material and its trimming placed near the face is a better method of deciding than the advice of a friend. No woman ts so dense as not to see if the color and garniture combined prove complimentary or the reverse. ADVANCE OF WOMEN. In 1890 there were in the United States 4,445 women doctors, against 527 in 1870. Three hundred and thirty-seven women dentists, against twenty-four. Two hundred and forty women lawyers, against five. One thousand two hundred and thir-ty-five women preachers, against sixtyseven. One hundred and eighty women land surveyors, and engineers, against none at all in 1870.

Twenty-five women against one. Eleven thousand women aculptora and painters, against 412. Three thousand women writers, against 150. Eight hundred and eighty-five women journalists, against thirty-five. Thirty-four thousand five hundred and eighteen womenmusicians, against 5,735, Three thousand nine hundred and forty-nine actresses, against 082. Twenty-one thousand one hundred and eighty-five shorthand writers, against seven. Sixty-four thousand and forty-eight secretaries and clerks, againgt 8,016. Twenty-seven thousand seven hundred and seventy-seven women bookkeepers, against none in 1870. FOR MISS GADABOUT. Sumer tours are in progress, and naturally, suitable outfits are in consideration. The old custom of saving for the traveling expedition the halfwornout gown and b&t has quite passed away, and we now see the traveler gowned quite as jauntily for the Journey as for the street. And why not? People who can afford to travel for the mere pleasure surely can afford the best service the train or boat affords; and, such being the case, there is no more fear of injuring the costume than if la one's own parlor; and then, too, shut up, as travelers are, for a long time with fellow travelers, it is well to be so gowned as to be a pleasant companion, and not a guy In a frumpy gown. The London tailors are unquestionably the best authorities on traveling outfits, and from them are sent a variety of smart designs. One extremely handsome model is made up in a soft Scotch mixture of green and tan color. The nine-gored Bklrt flares smartly, and Is decorated along the front breadth by an elaborate design of appliqued brown velvet, Btitched on with gold thread. The bodice is short and fitted to the figure with a smart, full coat back. An appliqued design in velvet forms a vest, while along the edge of the jacket extends a narrow gimp of black jet. The sleeves are pronouncedly small, and cut in the regular coat-sleeve fashion, with but little fulluess at the top. With this smart gown is worn a bit of a hat with an oval crown made of alternate white and brown satin braid. Across the front is a drapery of golden brewn chiffon and yellow lace with wide loops to broaden the face effect. A single black plume elevates itself at the side.

FASHION NOTES. Black and white effects in trimmings are very modish. Some of the new buttons would look well inra cabinet. Feather boas were never more the rage than at present. The new all-over cloth of gold and linen designs are charming. You can feel quite well gowned if there is a touch of linen in your get up. A string of imitation pearls are the only style of mock jewelry permissible. A Parisian costume much admired is of heliotrope crepe de chine and Valenciennes, wlfh a narrow ruche. All shades of ecru and brown from the palest cream color to coffee Bhades are among the popular tints of the season. Paradise plumes in white, black and green are the favorite hat garnitues for any woman, be she young or be she mature. White sieves for evening are almost universally of elbow length; those designed for stret wear reach the waist, if not to the knuckles. Yellow lace is used in enormous quantities, and almost every dress for summer wear has some yards of this universally popular material. White muslin of the softest sort is much used in combination with entredeux and French fabric, which is declared an Improvement on the familiar hop-sacking. Neither old age nor middle-age is recognized in matters of dress. Bright green straw Is considered a correct bonnet for any woman, be she young or be she mature. A very pretty neck ruchtng Is made of plaited lace edging slightly stffened and set on a very narrow band in three or four rows. A Dresden ribbon bow front and back is tbe finish. Among the novelties in trimming are velvet ribbons in floral pattern. These have the design in bright and deep colors on dark backgrounds. These ribbons are used as dress trimmings. A novel bodice is of white gauze lace. I'he front is made entirely of lace over silk of a deeper shade than the gown proper, and each se&m shows an application of Valenciennes combined with chenille embroidery. Shoulder capes of lace flouncing or very thin material are much liked. There has been practically no interval between spring and summer, and from thick wraps women have found themselves compelled to adopt these semitransparent trifles. Grass linen is the fancy of the hour. This material is used as a basis for a great variety of decoration. Some of the new patterns are embroidered in metal, others have satin stripes, others have tiny figures in colors, either in silk or metal, or a mixture of the two.

Unappreciated Beauties of Iceland.

Those enterprising travelers who have explored Iceland describe the country as one of exceptional beauty. Thousands of glistening mountains, covered with eternal snow; magnificent waterfalls, one of which, the Gullfoss, is second only in beauty to the mighty Niagara; streams as clear as crystal, and dashing, roaring rivers, lava beds, with fantastic figures, covered with shimmering moss; these and many others are the natural features that they rave over. One other great charm of the island should be mentioned; this is the extraordinary clearness of the air. Traveler*! state that the human eye can clearly see objects no less than eighty milea distant. Railroads in Rhode Island must carry bicycles as baggage hereafter.

FOR THE YOUNG FOLKS sow! sbw! so! This it the way my father sowt, At up and down the field be goeg Walking fast or walking slow, Right and left the grain to throw. Father kuows, Whi'e he goes. That the grain thrown here and there By and by good crops will bear. All he loves will have a share If the grain be throws with car*. So he throws, Bo he goes. Bow! Bow! Bowl This is the way my mother sews As up and down long seams she goes, Working, singing soft and low, While she's sitting there to sew. Mother knows, As she sews, Jackets, trousers, aprons, too* Johnnie's hat and baby’s shoe, Patching old, or making new, Love runs all the s itches through This she knows, Bo she sews. Sew! Bew! Sew! I can neither sow nor sew. When I’m big, I’ll learn then, though, But while little, as 1 grow, Little bits of love I’ll show. For I know, As 1 go, Tending baby, calling Nan, Running errands like a man, Helping mother all 1 can, Love will grow where it began. Ah! I know, Bee, ’tis so. Little bits of love count up, Like drops of water in a cum Fill it—so! ’Twill overflow! Bo! Bo! Bo! —[Eva Lovett.

UITLXDOBB AND SUCTrLXOOOK.

It is much to be regretted that the p etty, graceful and healthful game of battledore and shuttlecock has gone out of fashion, but in those older countries of China, Japan, and in all the Indo-Chinese nations, where fashions do not change so readily as with us, it is still a favorite pastime. The Siamese, for Instance, are very expert at this game, but they play it without battledore, and not wi h the hand, but with the foot. An English traveler thus describes a game: “About thirty young men stood in a circle; the shuttlecock was exactly such as we have in Englaud, but the battledore was the sole of the foot. I never witnessed such remarkable agility in my life as was displayed by these lads. One threw the shuttlecock to some one opposite; the young man on whom it would threaten to alight instantly prepared himself to receive it, and wheeling sharply around, would kick his right leg up so scientifically and correctly, that the shuttlecock would just alight on the sole of bis foot, and rebound with amazing elasticity, being caught up by the next person it approached in .precisely the same style; and in this method 1 have seen the game kept up for nearly a space of ten minutes without the shuttlecock once falling to the ground." The Chinese play the game in the sama manner, and not ouly youths and lads take part, but also full-grown men, and even active old gray beards who take extraordinary pride In their skill and adroitness. The Burmese use a shuttlecock much larger thau the one with which we are familiar, an 1 bring knees 'nto play aa well as bauds. The bill is hollow, and made of #dckerwork; the art of the game consists in striking this upward with the foot, or the leg below the knee. The players make stupendous efforts to send the ball as high as possible in the air, and so that it shall fall within the limits of the ring, when it is again tossed by the foot or knee of another. Sometimes loosely tied coins are fastened underneath the shuttlecock, the clicking noise warning the players that the shuttlecock is approaching them.

THE OAT IN TJIB I’OWDER MAQAZINM. ' There is a large white cat at the Presidio that refuses to make her home anywhere but in one of the small mortar magazines. She has been living there for nearly two years and has dodged all attempts to kill her. Pussy has some reason of her own for living there, and also a private entrance to the place. No matter when tiie magazine is opened she is sure to jump out and run for the nearest clump of trees, where she will remain in hiding. How she gets back to her strange abiding place is a mystery, as a careful search has failed to reveal any bole large enough for her to pass through. But, of course, there must be one, and it could be found if anybody dared make an examination with a light. About a year ago a litter of kittens almost grew to maturity in the magazine, but were not taught bow to get out. As a consequence they met a speedy death when they wero found. Pussy was not discouraged, however, for in a few months another litter arrived, but were found when very young and sent to join their brothers and sisters. It frequently happens, that the magazine will not lie opened for weeks, but when it is the men are always on the lookout for the white cat. A number of them stand near the entrance with clubs and strike at her. But the cat always watches her chance and manages to escape. She has aso been successful in refusing to have anything to do with traps or poison that have been set tor her. There is considerable danger in the cat living in the magazine, as she might upset some of the shells or chunks of dynamite and blow up everything in the neighborhood. It would be easy enough to shoot her, but that would also cause an explosion that might cause the loss of many lives. But that seems to be the only sure way of getting rid of the cab A DECORATION-DAY PARADE. “I’ve alius keered for children," said Aunt Hannah, looking pensively down the shady lane as she might have looked back through the quiet thoroughfare of her past days. 1 ‘They’re a sight of company, an’ some has the wisdom of the angels; an’ them that knows children’s lives an’ ways won’t call that no irreverence. ‘ ‘Two year ago come the first of April the Baileys moved inter that yaller bouse to the cross-roads. Bailey, he was mlsfortunate alius—naturally shiftless—an’ Benny, the boy, ’bout eight years old, was one of them solemn-eyed, quiet, an’ not meddlin’ children, that a single woman, advanced in years, generally takes to. “Benny an’ me was great friends, and he worritin’ because I had no grandchildren, an’ his gran’ma bein’ dead, he adopted me, an’ alius called me ‘Gran.’ “Two year ago come Decoration Day I looked up from my knittin’, an’ there stood Benny in that very kitchen door. He had queer bome-cut trousies on, an 1 a gingham waist, an’ little copper-toed boots that he set great store by. Behind him was his sister Susy, six years old, an’ Betty, the two-year-old, toddlin’ along, an’ two freckled boys that lived in the neighborhood. They all ’peared dreftul solemn an’ important. “ ‘Up to some mischief, I’ll be bound," Isays.

“ 'No, gran,’ says Benny, his lips, that had the baby curve to ’em yet. tremblin'. ‘lt’s Decumrstion Day. an’ there aint no p'rade like there used ter be to Gardiner ’fore we moved—we alius moved—an these boys says there aint no Decumration bere’t ail.’ “ ‘Aint no soldiers’ graves,’ I says, cheerfui-like, goin’ to my cooky-box. •“Oh, ihereis!’ he calls out, breathless. ‘Over to the graveyard in the pine woods there’s a Cap’n Dean that was a Union sold'er, an’ fit in the war. Johnny's mother kDowed him, an’ there’s another grave, too—a old, old one that's got a funny face on the stone, an' that's a Revolutionary one. 1 “ ‘Wanter know!’ I says, givio’ each one a sugared cooky with a round hole in it, that I knowed they'd appetite for in spite of the excitement. “‘An’ we’re goin’ ter p’rade,’ cries Benny, *an' I thought mebbe you’d make us flags, little miter ones that aint no trouble. Busy’s got her apron full er Mayflowers we got yesterd’y, an’ Billy kin do “Msrcbin’ Through Georgy" on his mouthorgin beautiful!’ “With tremblin’ Angers I made five little flags somehow, an’ fastened them on sticks for the regiment. “ ‘Couldn’t we have,’ says Benny, kind o’ hesitatin' an' lookin’ with longin' eyes at my flowerpots, *some of them red geraniums, them that's most wilty? 'i ause they’re growed flowers, an’ our'n we jest found!’ ‘• • Where’s you manners ? says Busy, scoldin’-woman fashion. “ ‘They’re for soldiers,’ Benny insists, an’ I cut him ray choicest blossoms. Surely there wa’n’t never a sweeter use for ’em. “Away went that p'rade then, Benny ahead with the flag an’ the bouquet, Billy with the mouth-organ, an’ Johnny, straight an’ stately, with the biggest flag-staff, an’ Busy witli her apron full of sweet-smeltlu’ Mayblossoms, au’ the toddlin' baby fetchin’ up the rear, keepin’ in line with the rest of ’em. “Wal, somethin' bright an’ beautiful bloomed on them two lone graves under the pines by the side of them little flags wavin' in the wind, an' the best was the little bud of patriotism in them children's hearts! “‘What's that fandango V says Jason Mead, drlvln' by whilst I watched the p'rade go over the hill to the pine woods. “ ‘Wal, 1 swan!’ says he, when I told kim. Both on us couldn't speak then. “Last Decoration Day 1 went to the graveyard alone. It was a solitary p'rade all to myself. The Baileys had moved away, an’ there wa’n’t no one to remember the day. I carried three bouquets of my best flowers. No, I couldn’t forgit them soldiers' graves. My best blossoms I laid onto a little mound by that grave of the Revolutionary soldier’s, who’d ben at rest near a century. “The Baileys didn't take Benny away, for the Father wanted hint. He lays in God's-acre. I call it that ’cause them Is such hopeful words to us all. He was alius an angel child. “I’d like to thluk that them dead soldiers knowed of that Decoration p'rade, an’ that littlo act of reverence an’ love as pure an’ free as sweet wild roses onto a grave"

Forced ths Artist to Work.

The famous Japanese painter Kyosnl, worked only when he was in the mood, and the most munificent offers failed to Induce him to accept a commission unless the spirit moved him. One of hla admirers, Mr. Kato Bhoyo of Hongo, had vainly attempted to Induce the wnywnrd artist to begin a painting for him. Kyosnl would not budge. Kato thereupon devised and put Into execution a novel pluu. He bought a spurious Kakemono, or “hanging picture.” When next the artist paid him a visit, this was produced and lauded to the skies. Kato declared that the daub was the greatest masterpiece of Kyosul’s skillful hands. In vain the Indignant painter protested that it was a worthless counterfeit. Finally he rushed away in a rage, while Kato rubbed his hands at the success of his ruse. Confident of the result, Kato invited some friends for the following evening and related to them the device he was employing. They waited for the advent of Kyosla, and at last, but not until the small hours of the morning, he appeared. He held a roll in his hand, a Kakemono, on which was depicted a falcon in the act of clutching a monkey. This he threw towards the host, at the same time asking In an angry voice whether Kato still persisted in attributing the other picture to him. The collector, delighted with the success of his plan and with the vigor and beauty of the drawing he had now obtained, apologized to Kyosai and explained the trick. The painter's brow was quickly cleared of its dark clouds, and in turn he confessed that he had been working day and night In order to produce a picture that should vindicate his talents

Where Mathematics Failed.

The story told by a New Haven correspondent of the Evening Post of the locating a meteor,by Professor H. A. Newton of Yale? from data obtained from a chance photograph of the meteor’s flight, recalls to the Hartford Courant “another story recently related hereabouts by a Yale graduate. This young man, when a student, occupied a room in Divinity Hall. One night he undertook with a toy rifle to hit one of the lights on the campus. His aim was poor and the ball passed through the window of an eminent and venerable professor of science (not Professor Newton) and embedded itself in the wall. This was the opportunity for the professor and for science. He too, set to work and ‘computed the curve,’ and with the* exact skill of infallible figures he traced the ball right back to the room of an innocent colleague, who didn’t even know the rifle had been fired. The unfledged minister flatly denied all knowledge of thq affair. But men, even ministers have been known to make denials in self-defence, and the professor had the proof with him, There was the bullet, there was the marks of Its course, and there was the computation worked out. It looked as if a pulpit career had been nipped in the bud. But the guilty student heard what was going on. He called on the professor, confessed the offence, pointed out that the man of science was 200 feet out in his computation, and advised that the matter be dropped right where it was. And that was done.”

The Value of London.

At a meeting of the City Commission of Sewers the other day it was stated particulars had been received of the quinquennial valuation of the metropolis, from which it appeared that the gross value of property in London, including the city, was 1215,667,795, and the ratable value, 5183,403,240,

, SOUTH AFRICAN RUINS.

Buildings at Zimbabwe that May Be at King Solomon’s Time. It would seem that, at some far distant date, a people more civilized than any of the present Kafir tribes had penetrated Into the region we dow call Masbonnland. and had maintained itself there for a considerable period. Remains of gold-workings are found Id many parts of that country, and evea as for as the southwestern part of Matabeleland—remains which show that mining must have been carried on, by primitive methods, no doubt, but still upon a scale larger than we can well deem within the capabilities of the Kafir tribes as we now see them. There are, moreover, in these regions, and usually not far from some old goldworking, pieces of ancient building executed with a neatness and finish, as well as with an attempt at artistic effect, which are entirely absent from the rough walls, sometimes of loose stones, sometimes plastered with mud, which the Kafirs build today. These old buildings are, with one exception, bits of wall enclosing forts or residences. They are constructed of small blocks of the granite of the country, carefully trimmed to be of one size, and are usually ornamented with g simple imttern, such as the so-called "herringbone” patern. The one exception Is to be found in the ruins of Zimbabwe, in the southern Mashonaland. Here a wall thirty feet high, and from six to twelve or fourteen feet thick, Incloses a large elliptical space, filled with other buildings, some of which apparently were intended for the purpose of worship. There are no inscriptions of any kind, and few objects, except some rudely curved heads of birds, to suply any indication as to the ethnological attinlties of the people who erected this building, or as to the nature of their worship. Buch indications ns we have, however, suggest that it was some form of nature worship, including the worship of the sun. We kuow front other sources (including the Egyptian monuments and the Old Testament) that there was from very early times a trade between the Red Sea and some part of East Africa; and us we know also that the worship of natural forces and of the sun prevailed among the early Semites, the view that the builders of Zimbabwe were of Arab or some other Semitic stock. Is at least highly plausible. Two things are quite clear to every one who examines the ruins, and compares them with the smaller fragments of nnclont building already mentioned. Those who built Znmhubwc were a race much superior to the Bantu tribes, whose mud huts nre now to be found not far from these still strong and solid walls; and those other remains scattered through the country were either the work of that same superior race, or, at any rate, were built in imitation of their style nnd under the Influences they had left. But whether this race was driven out, or peaceably withdrew, or became by degrees absorlied and lost in the surrounding Bantu population, we have no data for conjecture. If they come from Arabia they must have come more than twelve centuries ago, before the days of Mohammed; for they were evidently not Musselmans, and It Is Just as easy to suppose that they came In the days of Solomon, fifteen centuries earlier.—Century.

They Cot the Lion.

“Tho mountain lion,” remarked an old miner some time ago, “is becoming rare in the mountains of the west. When I first went seeking after the gold and silver of Colorado, these pnlmals were rather plentiful. They were met in pairs, and were common enough to make it hazardous for a man to* walk in the valleys alone and unprotected, particularly after dark. I remember on one occasion having a slight adventure with a lion that almost scared me out of my wits. With a pal I was working a claim in the mountain* near Ouray. Winter came on, and one day, before the very cold weather set In, we went to the town to get supplies, leaving our little cabin on the mountain alone. It came on to snow soon after we got to Ouray, and we did not get a chance to go to the claim for fully a week. As we slowly climbed the hill I noticed the tracks of a mountain lion leading toward our cabin, an<l when we reached the house found that we had forgotten to close a window in the side. We had lost sight of the tracks, and the sight of the open window caused me to forget all about the animal and its presence. I started for the window and was about to put my head into the apartment when there came a terrible growl, and the next instant a great yellow body darted through the opening, right over my back, its claws catching ray buckskin and ripping it open to my waist, turning me completely over into the snow. My pal whipped out his gun, and the infernal lion turned on him, making a fearful leap in his direction. Before he could shoot, the beast was upon him, and seizing him by the slack of hi* jacket, shook him as If he had been a rat. I was on my feet by this time, and drawing my revolver, I sneaked up and put a bullet right through bis head. He dropped, and my pal drew hi* breath freely once more. Neither of u* was hurt, but the lion’s skin, in another week, was serving as a rug by my cot.”

Telegraphy by Induction.

A successful experiment in telegraphing by Induction without connecting wires has been performed by W. H. Preece, between Oban and Auchnacralg, Scotland, while the submarine cable was broken. A gutta-percha wire a mile and a half long was laid along the ground from Morven, while on the island of Mull use was made of the ordinary overhead wire connecting Craignure with Aros. The distance between the two parallel wires was about three and a half miles. Using a vibrator as transmitter, and telephone as receiver, the usual messages were successfully transmitted till the cable was repaired.

Must Be Paid For.

The Macungie Progress says that apples may be kept two years by simply wrapping them in newspapers. In order not to make a failure of the businefls, however, only newspapers that have been paid for should be used, otherwise the dampness resulting from the dues may cause the fruit to snoiL