Democratic Sentinel, Volume 20, Number 50, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 18 December 1896 — Page 5

Sfc-w **We need not have any delay over mar * riage settlements,” he remarked, careless •{■•• •i.HWv’H -srjiriw'-lfs.S ' y: ut t^ere was a keen, shrewd look ii ZsUJ\ ~ ' eyes which belied the lightness of hi - ’-' T words. "Ah, Laura, dearest, how I wisl _ . * WAW tKltd 7 t.n/1 f.. II II

CHAPTER V. It was late when Angela woke the next morning, and even as her eyes opened, a dark shadow seemed to settle upon her as ®he remembered that her mother was going to marry Captain "Vance "Wynyard. A weight as of lead lay upon her heart; her brain seemed bewildered. “My misery is greater than I can beaT!” ■he cried in an agony of despair. The pretty breakfast-room, usually redolent of roses, was empty when*she entered; her mother was not there. Thinking she was in the drawing-room, Angela made her way tuither listlessly enough. She liad opened the door and entered the room before she saw that Captain Wynyard was there, too. “Angel, come here;” said Lady Rooden. “I have something to say to you.” Slowly, and with aversion in her eyes, ahe went up to her mother, Captain Wynyard noting keenly the expression of her face. “She does not like me. and does not like the marriage,” he said to himself. “L ■hall have an enemy in this slender girl; but it will not matter.” “Axtgel,” went on Lady Rooden, “I am glad you came in. I want to speak to you.” *Tlien a flush rose to her face, and ■ certain shyness came over her manner. “Let ane speak for you, dearest Laura,’’ Interrupted her lover; and Angela started at the words. Never since her father's death had she heard her mother addressed by that name. “l am sure that the daughter who loves you so dearly and so devotedly will Jio pleased to hear of anything which will add to your happiness.” Tue Captain spoke fluently enough, and he turned his handsome face with a smile to Angela; but there was a certain uneasiness about him, a restraint that almost made his manner, ungraceful, for- he knew well in his heart that he did not love this woman whom he was so anxious to make his wife. “Tour mother,” he continued, “has been so good and generous as to look on me with favor, and I have promised to devote the remainder of my life to her. I shall do my best to make her happy; and with the love of the mother I hope to win the love of the daughter. I •will do my best to deserve it.” A* Vanoe Wynyard spoke, Angela’s lace grew white even to the lips. A burning feeling .of bate rose in her heart against him. 'She could not control it for’ a few minutes so as to answer him, and he, almost glad.of her silence, went on; “I promise to .devote myself to your interest*, and, .as far as I cun, to fill worthily your father’6 plaoe.” This unfortunate allusion to her father roused the girl at once. She raised hor lace to his with an indignant flash of anger that, callous as he was, he quailed before it. “We will leave my father’s name quite out of the rjuestiou. Let ue say. .onoe and for all, that you will never fill his place, and that to my mind it is a desecration of his memory even to say such a thing. He was my mother's husband; he loved her; he was a noble-minded man!”

“I hope in time to win your good opinion.” he said. Vain, cold and calculating as he was, there' was something in the attitude of the girl, standing at bay, as it were, that touched him. “My dear Angel,” cried Lady Roodem, "speak to Captain Wynyard; kire yon nothing to say in answer to his kindly words?” '‘Nothing, mamma,” she said, wringing her hands. “I hare not a word to say.” “Then, Vance,” said Lady Rooden, turning to Captain ? Wynyard, “I must love yon doubly, to atone for my daughter’s ungraciousness.” “I shall hope,” he said, suavely, “to win from Miss Uooden greater grace and greater kindness.” Then Angela raised her eyes to his; and there was something both pathetic and wistful in their expression. “Captain Wynyard,” she said, “my mother and I have been very happy together; we shall never be so happy again. Why do you want to marry her?” Somewhat taken aback by so straightforward a question, he replied quickly nevertheless, and with great presence of mind: “Beenuse I love her, Miss Rooden.” “I do not believe it,” said the girl, promptly. “I am sure that you do not love her; and time will prove that I am right.” “Angel,” cried Lady Rooden, “I have told you that I„wiil not allow you to say •uch things.” "I cannot help it, mamma,” she answered. “It is the voice of my heart that •peaks, and I cannot control it.” Lady Rooden, finding that the interview was not likely to be a pleasant one, thought it prudent to put an end to it. She dismissed her daughter, therefore, with a few words, and Angela left.’ the drawing-room without touching the hand that Capt. Wynyard extended to her. She went to her room and remained there until the bell rang for luncheon, “I am so grieved,” said Lady Rooden, apologetically, to her lover. “I saw last night, when I told Angela about our marriage, that she did not like the idea of it; but I never dreamed she would treat you as she has.” CHAPTER VI. The Captain was on his guard. He felt angry, and resented Angela's manner hotly; but he was wise enough to see that assumed generosity would best answer his purpose. “I hope, my dearest Laura,” he responded, “you will think no more about it. I shall never resent Angela's dislike, but shall, on the contrary, do ray very best to overcome it. Let us speak now of our wedding day, Laura, darling,” he said. "Can I persuade you to let it be the tenth of July? Why should we wait? I love you with .all my heart, and shall never be happy again for one moment out of your presence. Why need we wait until August?” “It seems so very soon,” she objected, shyly. "There is no such thing as time in love,” declared the Captain; and, after • few more persuasive words, Lady Rooden consented.

"We need not have any delay over marriage settlements,” he remarked, carelessly; but there was a keen, shrewd look in his eyes which belied the lightness of his words. “Ah, Laura, dearest, how I wish now that I had been more careful! How I regret that I have lavished my wealth in idle fellies! I wish 1 had it all to lay at your feet.” And in the blindness of her love she responded: “There never can he any question of ■money, Vance, between you and me. It matters little which has it. As it happens, I have enough for both.” No wedding that took place in London during that season created such a furor as that of Lady Hooden, to be known®in the future as Lady Laura Wynyard. The beauty of the bride, the fair loveliness of her young daughter,, her ladyship’s great wealth, the popularity of the bridegroom, all combined to make the marriage one of the events of the season. The ceremony took place on n bright July morning, and was witnessed by a large and fashionable gathering. The toilets were most elegant, and the wedding was pronounced a great success. Unnoticed in the gallery of the church stood a tall, graceful woman dressed in dark colors, with closely veiled face. No one dreamed of the hot, bitter tears shed beneath the safe shelter of that veil, no one knew of the agony endured of the heart that was being rent, and the life that seemed to be ebbing away. On that sunshiny morning all that was good and brightest and best died out of one woman’s heart, never to live there again; and that woman was Gladys Kane. The .newly-married pair had decided to go to Switzerland for their honeymoon. Lady Laura had made every arrangement for her daughter’s comfort and convenience. She had invited Miss Jameson, a second cousin of„liers, to stay with her daughter while she was abroad. They were to remain in London two or three days longer while the household was arranged and set in order; then they were to go to the Abbey. Angela longed with her whole heart for the old home and the sweet, green country. When the confusion of the wedding was over, and Rood House had returned to its normal quiet, the two ladies went to the Abbey. It seemed to Angela that the picturesque old building had never looked so bright and cheerful. The ardent rays of sun brought into prominent relief the battleraented towers and hold outline of the building. Never to her had the green, rippling foliage looked so fresh; never had the grass such an emerald hue. The gardens were in their full beauty; the roses hung,in richest profusion; the air was sweet with the breath of flowers tall, white lilies, clove carnations, purple heliotrope, sweet mignonette. But a shadow fell over the life of Angela Rooden. This grand old home—her father’s home—would never be hers in the same way again. The brightness would be Clouded, its beauty marred by the constant presence of the man she disliked. It would be a constant source of agony to her to see him there, to hear his voice, to endure the restraint of his presence. “Home will be home no more,” she said to herself.; .and the words proved to he only too true.

CHAPTER VII. Vanoe Wynyard found the autumn long; and the winter dragged still more monotonously. However, he managed to get through them'by dint of continued gayeties. There seemed to be no end to them. There were fancy balls, private theatricals, charade parties, .dinner parties—hardly a day passed without something of the kind; and Rood Abbey soon became as famous for its hospitality as it was for its natural eharms. The Captaiu lost none of his popularity as master of Rood Abbey, and it was generally agreed that Lady Laura had done a wise thing in marrying him. She was just then the most envied woman in the country. “Plenty of invitations!” said Captain Wynyard, laughingly, one day, as he looked over the pile of cards on the drawingroom table. “ ‘Countess Rawson,’ ‘Lady Hubert,’ the French Embassy, ‘the Duchess of Pemburn,’ ‘Lady Searshohne’ —an embarrassment of riches—‘Lady Kinloch, to meet a royal duke!’ We must go there; I have not seen Lady Kinloch for an age.” * “We can manage three in one evening,” said Lady Laura. “I know some who can manage even more.” The Captain laughed. He was in the best possible humor, and the prospect of seeing Gladys Rane once more added greatly to bis delight. He had resolved to see as much as he could of Gladys; but he hajd also resolved to be very cautious in bis conduct. He longed with all his heart to call on Lady Kinloch, but he knew it would be more prudent to refrain. If he wished to enjoy Gladys Rane’s society, he must be careful how he proceeded. He would not put it in any one's power to say that he rushed off to Palace Place on the first day he was in town, but would wait and meet Gladys at Lady Kinloch’s ball. Angela had noticed his quick decision with respect to Lady Kinloch’s invitation, and glanced at her mother to see how she accepted it; but the beautiful, unsuspecting face was calm and radiant. Her martyrdom had not yet begun. The evening of Lady Kinloeh’s ball arrived, aud no oneibut tbe Captain himself knew of his agitation and excitement. He disguised his feelings by an assumed light-heartedness and an uninterrupted flow of conversation. Lady Laura thought she had never seen her husband in such high spirits before. Fortunately for her, she had not given one thought to'Gladys Rane. It was in her aunt’s magnificent ballroom that Gladys Rane met Captain Wynyard once more. She had seen his name in the list of fashionable arrivals in town, and had wondered when and vyhere they should meet. Now the moment was come. He was in the same room with her, looking handsomer than ever, his face full of delight at seeing her, his eyesifelling of the love that burned in his heart. From the moment he entered the room until he left it he bad but one thought, and thnj was for Gladys Rane. Much ns he had gained by liis marriage, he almost repented it when he ■aw her face once more. He kad re-

solved that he wo old not show any *lgn» of haste, that be would not seek her as soon as she entered the room; but, when his eves rested oa her fair face, all his resolutions vanished. It was as though she-bad stretched out her white hands and touched his heartstrings. He forgot his wife, be forgot Angela, and left them standing alone while be went slowly up to Miss Kane, walking like one spellbound. “Gladys!” he said; and the* all further speech failed him. “I knew you wo aid come,” she whispered. • She laid her hand oa his arm, and they walked away together. For some moments there was perfect silence between them; then Gladys spoke. “This is the first time I have seen you since your marriage, Vance. I was in the church. I witnessed the ceremony.” “I wish to heaven that it was you who had been my wife,” he said, in a low voice. “Are you happy?” she asked; and her voice trembled. “Happy!” he cried. “I am happy enough, so far as money and luxury can make a man happy; but 1 am horribly tired of all the rest.” “Then your wife " she began. But he interrupted her. “My wife,” he said, hastily, “ is the most beautiful, most loving, most soulless and inane woman I have ever met. She has never amused me for five minutes since we have been married. She thinks of nothing but making me costly presents and giving me the whole of her tiresome society.” “I understand,” said Gladys, softly. “I was obliged to marry for money,” he urged, apologetically; “and certainly my wife is all that any man could desire, except that she is a great deal too affectionate; but Well, I must not complain; no man can have everything. Life at home bores me. Gladys, will you taka compassion on me; you will letune come and see you sometimes?” “Yes; but you must not come too often, Vance. My aunt will not like it.” “I wish your auut were at Timbuctoo!” he said, hastily. ' . “In that case I should probably be with her, so that you would not gain much,” she replied, with a forced smile. “But, Gladys, you will be kind to me—you will let me spend some of my time with vqu? I know I must not come here too often; but there are many other places where we can meet.” “Bjit, Vance,” she said, >sadly, “how will it end? You know it is useless; you know that I must not iearn to care for you more than I do. It will make me only the more unhappy. How will it end ?” Neither she nor he had the faintest idea. “You will give this waltz to me?” he said. “I cannot refuse,” she replied. And the next moment Lady Laura Wynyard, crossing the ballroom to speak to her hostess, saw, to her great surprise, her husband waltzing with Gladys Ilaue. . (To be continued.)

DISPELLED THE ROMANCE.

What a Reporter Heard When the Commuters’ Train 81owed Up. The personality of each was so strong and attractive that the reporter had regarded them for some time, wondering what was their station In life. They were passengers on a Jersey Central suburban train, and they occupied the same seat. They were not man and wife. That was evident from her manner of drawing her upper lip across her teeth when she smiled at him, and froxu the polite nod of his head as he assented to her animated statements. She had a strong, handsome face, and was almost young—past 30 perhaps. Although she was plainly dressed, her hat was covered with expensive plume* and there were diamonds In her ears. Her hands were white and soft. Hei feet were shapely and well 6hod. There was an air about her" that marked her ns no ordinary mortal. She was a woman of force and brains. , He was of the stall-fed, mnn-of-the-world order; the sort who looks well dressed in a sls suit of clothes. Hie russet shoes had been polished on the ferry-boat, and silk socks showed above them, for in sitting down he had, of course, properly pulled up his trousers’ legs to prevent bagging at the knees. His eolored shirt bosom, set off with a diamond stud, gave him a “sporty” look, which was relieved by his intellectual face and his gray beard, trimmed to a geometric exactitude. AVliat was he? Hard to guess. He might be a merchant or a banker. He could be anything from a head clerk to a millionaire employer. A man and a woman to attract attention anywhere. What could they be discussing. It would he worth while to be an auditor. The merits of a new book, perhaps, or the summer’s experiences at the seashore, or the new library or church building in their town. The train slowed down approaching a station, and as the roar subsided her voice rose. “What! Three hundred! So many?” (Undoubtedly, the attendance at the ball.) “Why, we have only about seventy-five left. We’ killed a great many this summer and eat ’em. I find that when a hen gets to be over 3 years old she don’t pay for shucks, anyway.”—New York Mail- and Express.

An Antidote for Carbolic Acid.

It Is difficult for persons In good health to conceive why suicides should choose such a frightfully painful medium for their purpose as carbolic acid. It Is not generally known that to this vicious add vinegar Is an excellent antidote. When applied to a cutaneous or mucous surface which has been burned by the add, the characteristic whitish appearance produced by the caustio at once disappears, and subsequent scarring Is to a great extent prevented. Vinegar Is an equally efficacious remedy when the acid has been taken In tt the stomach, and it Is recommended that the patient should, as soon as possible, drink some vinegar mixed with an equal part of water, after which other measures may be taken to more fully counteract the poison. Most leaves contain some nourishing properties, in particular those of the acacia tree. It would be quite possible to subsist on leaves if the supply were not stinted, and the shipwrecked mariner will keep in very fair condition if he chews them as he would his quid of “baccy.” Several of the world’s most eminent astronomers profess to believe that the sun’s heat is kept up by wrecked worlds that are continually falling into It.

CHOUSE CHARACTERISTICS.

MONGOLIANS IN NEW YORK ARE FUNLOVING PEOPLE. Always Joking and Playing Pranks With One Another—All of Them Are Very Fond of Companionship. The Chinese, writes Helen F. Clark In a Century article on “The Chinese of New York”! are a fun-loving jieople, ju spile of their general air of indifference in the presence of strangers. They race up ami down stairs, or sometimes through rl:e stmHs. on a frolic, every msui laughing until he is out of breath, pulling cues, stealing lints and playing all manner of practical jokes on one another. I recently heard a great commotion in Iloyers stret on a hot Sunday afternoon, when the street was crowded with Chinese, and, fearing trouble, hurried hastily to tin’ place, only to find one man the butt of another man's joke trying to get away front his pursuer, while about live hundred laughing men joined in the fun, and finally administered good-natured justice to the perpetrator of the joke. At another time ou Sunday afternoon I heard a sudden outcry and scuttle overhead, and the running of scores of feet. 1 ran into the hall, fearing that the building was ou tire, and with a sickening dread in my heart for the Italian children In Bethany Sunday school, which was tlieu in session in the Mission rooms. 1 saw a man coming down stairs, and asked him wlmt was the matter. Witrh a shrug of infinite disdain, lie remarked: "Oh, my people too in lichee laugh,” and passed oil Ids way. It was only a Hvltool-l>oy joke played by one group of men on another, followed by a general melee, in 'which shouts and laughter, and the incessant clatter of wooden soles on board floors made us think of "pandemonium ltd loose.” Sonic of the keenest and purest humor and some of the wittiest sallies I have heard have fallen from the lips of China men in lower New York. 1 well remember the amused and contemptuous look with which a Chinaman once sttid, “Mellean man savee (understand) China man a lie same liumebr one fool. Chinaman savee Meltean man nllee same. Chinaman every time getite top side Mol icon man”— which does not contain a reference to pugilism, but merely means t hat in a battle of wits tile Chinaman “sees through” the American mail, and will come out on the “top side.” They are very quick at repartee, and their black eyes will sjiarkle with amusement and fun if you jest with them, or when they start the ball rolling among themselves. They dwell together for years in the same apartments, happy and comfortable. They minister to one another In sickness, bury n relative or neighbor when dead without calling on public charities for help, and in the case of a relative assume the support of the family of the dead man when he is gome. These people—these much derided people—spend hours together in one another’s ajwirtinents, conversing together, eating together, sometimes smoking the long water pipe, always with a pot of steaming tea between them. In two years I have seen thousands of such groups, hut never yet have I found these men drinking liquor together. I have found them playing games—sometimes, but not always, gambling; have found them playing their musical instruments, which are harmonious to them, however much they may lack of melody to other stirs; or have found them reading or diseussiug the last llong Ivong or Shanghai dally; hut 1 repeat I have never found them drinking liquor, or in any degree under Hie influence of intoxicants. The Chinaman celebrates his wedding,, not by a drunken carousal, but by the finest feast that his poekefbook can command, to which not only his immediate relatives are Invited, but al! who have rhe slightest claim of friendship upon him. A Chinaman who was recently married in Mott street gave three large feasts in as many restaurants, entertaining hundred people at each before he had gone the round of his acquaintances and friends. Yet this man was not one of the most prosperous ones. A child’s birthday is likewise celebrated with a feast, the wife entertaining her friends in the family home, while the husband entertains his friends at his place of business or in a public restaurant.

THE WASHINGTON MONUMENT.

Interesting Facts About the Tali Shaft of White Marble. The distance at which the monument is visible lias always been a matter of debatable interest with Washington is-ople. Not a train approaches the city, or a boat speeds up or down the Potomac, hut carries a group of people anxious to see at just what <oint they can last see the white marble against tile sky as they depart or first find it as they return. Probably the greatest distance at which the monument is seen is from the summit of the Blue Ridge at Snicker’s Gap, a distance of about forty-three miles in an air line. The elevation there is 2,000 feet above the Potomac. The mountaineers years ago, with their keen eyes trained to long and sharp sight in the mountains, detected the white spot gleaming on the horizon, and they can always quickly determine its place on the horizon line. But to city folks, however, the location of thq white shaft, is nt ail easy matter. Thousands of Washington people every sun nier invade that region as summer boarders, to subsist on .fresh milk and fried chicken, and incidentally in their excursions up on the mountain to get a sight of thr nibnuiuent. On clear days it is distinctly visible, especially to those who are familiar with Its precise location. But it is more easily Iseen a t sunset than at any other hour, as the sharp reflection of the sun’s rays brings out the white surface of the marble. One of the most singular stories that may he told about tin* Washington monument is hardly credible, yet it can Ik? vouched for as perfectly true. There are hundreds of Indies in Washington who wear upon their lints the plumage or tiie entire skin of a bird which lias lost its -life flying against the tall mass of marble in the dimness ot twilight or daylwesik. Every morning one of five watchmen who spends the night iu tiie monument finds about Us 1 inse quite n number of birds who

hare lost their lives in rliis way. This mortality is not Hmiteil to tiny one species, but includes nearly all the bints known in this region. Strange to say. few English sparrows have lost thetr lift's by flying against the uionumcui, but the iMMUtifnl golden tlnches, cedar birds, starlings, tnlingers. grosbeak# anti many others of bright plumage and great rarity have Iren found. The watch mail takts those birds up town to a taxidermist, who stuffs and mounts the rarer specimens, which atv sold for a good round price to collectors, and the skins of those less rare arc prepared for the milliner. Hardly a morning comes that there arc less than n score of (lead birds alkiut the base of tbc shaft. Another queer thing to know about tlte monument is that its height and width vary. It is taller in summer than in winter, and in the latter season its width on the south side is about an inch greater than on the north, east or west side. This is due to expansion under the heat of the sun’s rays. This phenomenon was determined by t'aptfliu Greene during the erection of the shaft. PI limb lines wore hung at each (Miner of tiie marble wall, and the plumb “bobs." or plummets, were suspt tided in pots of glycerine and molasses. Across the top of each (lot was laid a finely graduated steel liar, and three times a day an army engineer “took off” the registration thus made of the expansion of the walls. It was held that the plummets moved precisely with the iHiints nt which the plumb lines were attached to the top of the shaft, and the glycerine held them firmly without vibration or oscillation, so that the officer could note any change of position. All these registrations, twice a day every day of the year, were recorded in a lawk during the seven years flint were occupied lu finishing file liiomimciirt,—Washington Star.

CATHERING THE RETURNS.

Scenes About New York Police Headquarters on Election Night. The election bureau of the Police Hoard is the official recipient of the returns from the voting precincts. This bureau furnishes each |kill with blanks for the’ official record and also with four sets of small blanks for each office. As soon as the count for any if.ie is finished rlie four i list vectors sign all four blanks, and a policeman takes them to Police Headquarters, and quickly returns for others. Thus the count goes on until it Is eoiiipieled—sometimes not before midnight. Meantime there have gathered in a large room at Police Headquarters all the commissioners, the superintendent, «ml a great number of newspaper reporters with pencils sharpened at Ixilh ends, while the walls are lined with messenger and telephone Iveys. As soon as a re|vorl is brought it is rend out by the superintendent, taken down Ivy the newspaper men and forwarded to their editors as rapidly as possible. Ity 8 o’clock the returns come thick and fast, and nothing is heard but the scratching of pencils and the footsteps of racing messengers. The commissioners soon go to their private offices. for they know that anxious candidates will speedily lie calling to learn 'their fate, although a very fair Idea has spread abroad by 1i or 10 o’clock as to bow the slate and city have "gone” on the principal Issue, lu the ease of tin election of Nov cm 1 tor, 18!)4, everybody knew flint Tammany was beaten long before that hour. Bill the fun of the street, which Is now beginning, Is not for that band of reporters at Headquarters, nor for those other bands of writers lit the newspaper offees down-town, who, with almost superb union diligence and endurance, are tubulating and putting Into typo and commenting tqvon these returns for tile delectation of the public next moifjilng. The tem-ment-house districts have been alive with people since sundown, dancing about the fires. They have learned long ago the outlines of the result, and those oil the successful side are rejoicing in their tumultuous way, sure of the support of all the boys. As the evening advances the excitement spreads to Broadway and up-town. The newspapers wiH issue extras every hour or so from 11 p. m. to !? lu the morning, lint they do not hesitate to give nil the news away upon their bulletins as fast as they get It.—Century.

Edibles From Refuse.

All visitors to Paris rave about the delicacy or the food and daintiness of the service. They do not know sonic of the ways followed by restaurants rpul chefs. At flic lower class of Paris restaurants a very ingenious fraud lias been in practice for half a century. They make beef tea or bouillon without l>oef—warm water colored and flavored with burned onions mud caramel as bouillon. To supply the little grease bubbles which coitioisseurs demand was flie only trouble. Finally a cook hit upon tin* ingenious device of blowing a spoonful of fresh oil over the soup. The oil immediately forms in tiny brads on the surface and there is your soup. Nowadays every case of this sort has its employee aux youx de bouillon, whose sole duty is to make Che little eyes or bubbles of grease on the soup. Parisians are immensely f<|.vj of ham, so much so that the number of Ibiuih eaten 1u Paris could not be furnished by all the pigs killed In France, even allowlr»: for the shoulder as well as the leg being cured—'this being the French practice. The demand is supplied by buying up old hem lnfies and ingeniously inserting them into pieces of pickled pork, which are trimmed into shape, covered with grated bread crusts and then sold for lt.vni. In this way a bone does duty for hundreds of times. Still, the supply of bones was limited, and It was not inciuvenieitt to be put out if cue’s neighbor did not return the bam bone which the dealer relied niton securing the day before to im>ver for you. So a man conceived Vlte idea of manufacturing Irani bones wholesale, and made a fortrfje from the wale of these artificial foundations. Nowadays, therefore, bam is plentiful in Paris. The olgtyt great water companies of London now supply nearly 0,000 o*l people with about 180,000,000 gallons of water it day. The railways of the world carry over 40,000,000 passengers weekly.

THE JOKER’S BUDGET.

JESTS AND YARNS BY FUNNY MEM OF THE PRESS. Marine Item—And the Curtain Fails—ln Doubt—Learned from Experience—A Ne* Theory—Suitable. ♦ marine item. The girl stood on the burning deck, But her loss we need not grieve; She did not perish with the wreck She had sense enough to leave. AND THE CURTAIN PAULS. "It’s all over." As the woman tittered these words she dropped to the floor. The baby had spilled the ink. IN DOUBT. She—Do yon intend to go abroad on your wedding trip when you get married? lie—l do, if I marry the right girl. I-RAKXED FUOM KXI KKIKNIK. Teddy—l tell you it’s so. Nellie—l say it is not. Teddy—Well, mamma says it’s so; and if mamma says it’s so, it’s so even if it isn’t so. A NEW THEORY. “Say, father, why have all the pictures got frames?" “Why, you little fool, so that the artist may know when to stop pnintiug, of course." SUITABLE. Wife—What dress would you advise me to wear to the musicale? Husband—Well, 1 think an accordion ikirt, with a brass band around the waist, and piped sleeves might lit the occasion! A 11AI) day. Beggar—Beg pardon, sir, but I have seen better days than this. I’usser-by —So have 1. The weather is horrid. CONVINCIN’!. Husband -You’re not economical. Wife —Well, if you don’t call a woman economical who saves her wedding-dress for a possible second marriage, i’d like to know what you think economy is! IIKU ABSTRACTION. “Esmeralda." he said, lioarsoiy; ‘4 am waiting for your answer." “Oh! forgive me, Tom! 1 was thinking.” “What were yon thinking of?" “1 was thinking how i would have ray wedding gown made, dear." KNEW llKit BUSINESS. Aunt—Your bride, my dear boy, is dolightfitlly rich und all that, hut 1 don’t think she will make much of a beauty show at thu altar. Nephew—You don’t eh? .lust wait till you s o her with the briiloruaids that she hus selected. CALLED HIM. “So you want to be my son-in-law, do you ?" asked tlie old man, with as much tlerccness as lie could assume. “Well," said the young man, stnmling first on one foot and (lieu on the oilier. “1 suppose i’ll have to bo if 1 many Mamie. ” TIIB CORRECT ANSWER. “So von have captured the moonshiners," said tho chief to his lieutenant. "Good enough I How did you happen to he so successful?” “Well sir, we went on u still hunt," replied the lieutenant. UN»YMI*ATIIETIO. “Strange, isn’t it, that sleep won’t come to me at night ?” “Then why don’t you go to bleep?" CRAZY OR COURAGEOUS? “Here’s a queer tiling," said Mrs. Bickers, looking up from tho paper. “An Indiana clergyman, who has married l.fiOtl couples, has invited them all to a grand reunion." MISUNDERSTOOD, "1 am sorry I bought one of those doormats with •Welcome' on it.” “Why so?" “Some stupid fellow mistook the meaning of the wort and helped himself to it the first night.” HIS SPECIALTY. “Who is that man who calls on you so frequently?" asked the impertinent friend. “Ilo'e an inventor,” “Indeedt What has lie invented ?” “Oil, ever so many filings.” ‘ ‘Any of them practical ?" “Yes," was the answer, with some hesitation, “lie has had a good deal of success in inventing reasons why I should lend him anything from 50 cents to t|(o.” CIRCULARLY SPEAKING. “You remember Kadgers gave a beautiful solitaire diamond to Miss Thiulips when they became engaged?” “Well?" “Well, lhat was one ring. When they were married they made their wedding trip on u tandem. That was louring. Now they are settle I down and she's a vixen. And they have a throe ring circus every day.” A SCHEME THAT FAILED. “Good gracious!" he cried, “was that a rooster 1 heard crowing then ?” “Yes,” she said, “but don’t hurry away. The people arouml hero won’t be up for an hour yet ” - Next day lie learned that her father had an educated rooster that crowed every night at half-past ten, and, of course, the match is off. A nOIHtIBLE DEATH. She handed him his evening clothes. The? had been packed away all summer with a moth exterminating substance. As the odor of tur and camphor assailed him, his face grew sad. “What is troubling you?" “I was thinking of these clothes." “It seems to me that you ought to look pleased. There certainly are no moths in them." “I can’t help iny sympathetic nature,” he responded. “Sometimes it leads me to an absurd extreme. Of course, I’m glad that the moths are gone, but”—and he sighed deeply—“it must have been a horrible death.”

When Gunpowder Explodes.

The explosion of ordinary gunjtowder is so sudden that for a moment 11 vit part of the grp around the powder charge bus to hold the big volume of gas squeezed down under enormous pressure until the shot can make a start to get out of the end of the gun 1o make roam for the gas. If, therefore, gunpowder could he made to burn mo-cl slowly, so that it would not all be burnt until the shot reached the muzzle the strain would be distributed ail along.the gum. Such powder was made first in Gernrepy, but in spite of the fart that its manufacture was secret other countries analyzed it and soon made ft better than Germany.

MEXICO BOILED DOWN.

Interesting Facts and Figures About Our Sister Republic. There are 10 volcanoes in Mexico. Mexico*bas 55) lakes and great lagoons. Mexico has a coast line of over >IOUO miles. Mexico has vast deposits of onyx and marble. Slavery was fully abolished in Mexico lu 18:17. The army of Mexico comprises a!tout ft*.ooC men. The area of Mexico ts about 750,000 square miles. The “valley” of Mexico is 7,500 feet nlxm* the sea level. Mexico is alMiu: ten times largt than Great Britain. There are only 4fil square miles in the federal district. Cotton factories In Mexlixi employ over Iio.UOO people. Mexico’s rainy season generally lasts from May to September. The traveler lu Mexico Is seldom out of sight of mountains. The average orange five of Mexico raises 1,000 oranges a year. There are probably .100,000 men employed in the mines or Mexico. Mexico is the richest mineral country In ilie world, not excepting Peru. The largest state Is Chihuahua, with an area of nearly 00,000 square miles. Pearl fisheries still furnish employment for ninny men on the Gulf const. Grent qunutitji s of sulphur are mined In the craters of several extinct Volcanoes. It Is said (lint no country In the world shows so great variety of plant life as Mexico. The tax upon pulque In the City of Mexico alone amounts io over tfiluo.iNM), a year. Mexico has a maximum length of 1,1*510 miles ami is 540 miles across at the widest point. Slight earthquakes nre frequently felt In Southern Mexico, hut they are very seldom severe. There are upwards of 40 tribes of Indians In Mexico, who speak as many different languages. The wafers of tin* Atlantic and Pacific* are only 140 miles apart at the Isthmus of Tehuantepec. Twenty-seven stall's, two territories and a federal district comprkA* the political division id' Mexico. The Gulf of Mexico lias a breadth of 1,100 miles from east to west, anil has an area of 700,000 square miles. From ati estimate after the election in Mexico lu July, there nre about 14,000,000 people in the republic. The active Volcano Popocatepetl is 17,708 feet high. The extinct volcano Orizaba lias an nllltmle of i5,.",14 feet. The City of Mexico is the llnest of summer resorts. Its elevation is 7,",50 feet und Its average temperature it! degrees. Mexico has expended over $500,000,000 in public Improvements within the last 15 yeara, besides meeting other obligations.

Weather Signs From the Sun.

If nt sunrise there an? many dark clouds si>en lu the went und remain there, rain will fall on that (lay. If the sun draws water In the morning, It will ralu before night. When the sun rises with dim. murky clouds, with black Is-ams ami cloud* in the west, expect rain. If the sun rises pale, there will he m!u during the day. If the clouds at sunrise be red. there will Is* rain during the day. If the sun rises clear, then shadowed by a cloud and then comes out clear again, It will ruin liefore night. Hod skies in the evening precede fine morrows, A red evening indicates fair weather, hut If the red extend far upward, especially lu Hie morning, it Indicate* wind or ralu, A very red sky in tho east at sunset Indicates stormy winds. If the sun sets in dark, heavy clouds, expect rain the next day. A bright yellow sunset Indicate# wind; a pale yellow, wet. If the sun sets pule, it will ralu tomorrow. A halo around the sun Indicates the approach of a storm, wttliln three days, from the side which Is more brilliant. If there lie n ring or hnlo around the sun in had weather, expect 11 m* weather soon. Haze and western sky purple in 11eate fair weather. A blilr of haziness about the sun Indicates a storm. If the sun burn more than usual, or there he a halo arouml the sun in tine weather, expect rain. When the sun In the morning is breaking through the clouds and scorching, a thunder storm follows in (lie afternoon. •‘Sunshine shower won't last halfhour; Sunshine anil shower rain again tomorrow.” Pale yellow twilight, extending high up, Indicates threatening weather. “As the days begin to shorten! The heat begins to scorch them," Sttndogs In summer Indicate u storm. “Evening rad nml morning gray Sets the traveler on his way; Evening gray and momlng'reil Brings down rain upon his head.”

New Ideas in Horseshoes.

While all horseman are interested ih everything that has to do with bettiring the condition of the feet of horses, there are many who are slow to believe t litat any marked' improvement In shoes nfjd their manufacture will be introduced in the near future. There Is a uew horseshm* that taxes in a certain l>ortiou of the horse’s hoof. This is much commented on, and, to the amateur, looks attractive. It will stay on longer, and will, It is claimed, keep the horse's hoof in good shape, fi his is all very well for a little while, but as soon as the hoof grows past a certain point the feet are crowded, tpd the horse either favors them or goes lame altogether. While there Is room for improvement iti horseshoes, it is safe to say that the inventive genius «>f the human family lias not, up to date, provided anything better than the old fashioned shoj that has been in use for generations. Tobacco seeds are so small that a thimbleful will furnish plant* for an acre of ground.