Indiana State Sentinel, Volume 28, Number 17, Indianapolis, Marion County, 28 April 1880 — Page 10

THE INDIANA STATE SENTINEL WEDNBDAY, 'APRIL 28, 1880-SUPPLEMENT. "

Written for the Sentinel. TUR OLD LOVK LET TEH.

BT A. W. 'Tia bat an old lore letter, Written years ago. I found It to-day in (be rnblish, Buried beneath the sdow. Its pages are lime-worn and yellow, Iti tetters are faded and dim, lint, ah! ( could read the tear message 1 knew it was written by him. I read the dear word of affection, Then read them again and again; But the message, so tenderly worded. Awoke but a dull, hopeless pain For memory went back to toy girlhood. When love wm my tenderest joy, When life, with iti sunshine aud shadows, Was centered in one manly boy. But we parted, and life once so sunny, Was clouded with sorrow and pain; And where sanshine had once shone in splendor, Was nothing but chilling rain, I gathered his letters and presents, And burned them away from my sight; But I wept when the flames had enwrapt tbeai, As I watched them that dark wintry night. Aud when he had ue to the battle. And aeut me a heart in ado of gold, With his picture inclosed in the center, My sorrow can never be told. I mourned for the letters, now ashes, But the letters I never might get, I thought I had burned np the lantone. But one letter is lett me yet. When, that winter, the battle eudetl, And the soldier home did go. They wrote that the one I watched for, Was buried beneath the snow. I took up the Heart he had sent me, And g;t.don the f.ice it inrloned I pressed on the lips one long kiss, Then the gold heart 1 silently closed. Tor I knew that to look was but sorrow Those letters I could not forget; I thougut I had burned the last one. But one message is It ft me yet. An J to-day, when I found the svreet message, I opened the gold heart again. And gazed on the face of my loved one, Altbongh it could give me but pain. 'Tin but an old love letter, Written years ago, Bat the feeliugs ii woke in my bosom , No oue but myself can knew. Although he is happy in Heaven, While I most still linger bei w, I know we shall meet when this sad heart Lies buried be i eat h the snow, April, 1880. TUE FASHIONS. House Drees. There are so many lovely materials nowadays out of which to mako a house dress pretty and attractive that women who live in their own homes and have time to cultivate the household graces are in fault if they do not take advantage of them. A short, inconspicuous street and walking dress is a necessity, as well as a convenience, and business and professional women, of which there arc now a great many, are compelled to put such a dress on in the merning and keep it on all day, because they are compelled to be out of doors, or in a shop or an oiUVe. But women at home are not bound by this necessity, and will find that it really adds to the cheerfulness of the family to put lightness and brightness and color into home dress. A great deal of red enters into the composition -f the toilets of many ladies at the present time especially those who have traveled much, and gotten over the monastic idea of black, and brown, and gray, in which our American women love to shelter themselves. A few examples taken at random from a recer.t little evening at home will show what i meant. The quietest of the dresses in question was a Russian gray, or what is more '.ruy called a "steel blue," silk, sof. and rich, worn by a well known literary lady. The train was plain, but full, and gracefully draped; the front shirred, and crossed by a broad fold of red satin, which mingled with the drapery. A narrow, rolling collar was lined with red satin, and red satin reappeared upon the cuffs, and in the heavy cords used as as a girdle for the waist, and the ends of which assisted to ornament the right of the skirt. Another toilet consisted of red brocade trimmed with satin and gold iAcef which formed a fruise around the neck, which was shawl-shaped ; the sleeves being to the elbow, and striped by gold lace and red satin, with gold lace ruffles A third dress was of pure cream white barege made with masses of fine plaitings, supplemented by others of Breton lace. An im. mens bunch of red Provence roses clustered in tha heart of this pretty toilet. A striking costume was composed of a white eiik skirt, puffed and trimmed with narrow ruiHes at the back, andauflledtablier, from which a long coat of crimson satin was cut away, theta -extending down upon the skirt, and showing rich buttons of carved pearl. A full jabo. of white lace was worn at the throat. These instances might be multiplied ad infinitum, ut it is not necessary. They are only given to show in what a variety of ways high color is used to brighten and enliven drees. Of course for summer wear, for house wear, in small communities, or in the midst of household responsibilities, costly silks and satins are not required ; would, indeed, bo greatly out of place; but the pretty new cottons, the Madras ginghams, the linen lawns, the flowered satines.the delicate muslins and barege can be utilized for house wear, very inexpensively if dressmaking is done at home, and may be enlivened by a cluster of ribbon loops, or a striking bit of contrast in the color of the trimming with excellent retulu. To be successful, the treatment must be judicious. Soft tints are best heightened by a dash of vivid color, but if there is much rosy color in the flower pattern it should be toned down with a dark shade, or white lace, or embroidery. Madras ginghams are made very pretty with mere edgings of embroidery and knots of ribbon. The lichen green ginghams, checked with , lines of gold, black and red, are very pretty, relieved with a cluster of red satin loops to one side of the overskirt, which tan be removed when the dress is washed. "JOSX.rHINE SHAWLS." TL? mantli shawls, made s'.ngle and with a border, designed separately from the center though incorporated with it, and with a fringe and long cape-like end at the front, while the back is rounded, are dimply the small shawl, similar to thuso made by order of the Empress Josephine, the grand dame whose shawls were said to be numberless. The ladiea-in-waiting wore these convenient, graceful and light m-ntle-like affairs in the morning with their simpler toilets, and, as the belts then worn were always superbly

j" clasped, drew the lone; ends of the shawl un- ! dor the belt. The beautiful cashmere pat- ' torn in these shawls, now imitated in France

and of which the design is said to have originated with the Empress herself, makes a picturcquo though qui?t drapery for the shoulder, and the fact that the figure is not concealed tor the curve of the cape-like form come? only to the top of the upper arm is also an advantage where an elegant dress is beneath. These shawls are not called "Josephine"' shawls at present, but capeshawls," nor is the quaint hat a puff, a flat band and a single flower on the side called a Josephine hat but a Parisien, and it is likely to be worn, as it is not heavy. and displays the curls a la Tallien, now so much in vogue. XOTES. Cravats a la Sara Bernhardt are very popular. The newest and most admired color in millinery is "heliotrope," a cross between primrose and violet. A very distingue handkerchief for mourning is of linen lawn, with initials and hem outlined with jet beads. One of the prettiest in the new spring suits is of light wools, embroidered in olive shade and blue upon tho tinted ground. Tho work is executed in a vein-like pattern, which forms a heading to the flounce and bands across the front of tho tablicr. Tho bodice is completed by a broad embroidered belt, and is partly eovered by a short square cape bordered with the embroidery. The beauti.ul spring goods bearing the name of fleur de the is sure to be adopted for summer wear. Delicate aa the sottest cambric, it ''gives" like crape, and resumes its numerous crinkles after washing. No one would suppose it to be a material that could be washed and retain its appearance. Made up without trimming, it is sufficiently pretty in itself to look well, sind will in a measure take the place of linen batiste and the gossamer suit cloth. Pretty paper weights are made of Mexican agate cut in shapes of Mexican fruits, and placed on square or oblong slabs of agate. Some of these lruits are shaped in swh wise as to present a peculiar appearance in the eyes of persons unaccustomed to the productions of that topical latitute, and the differences as to size are considerable, some being not larger than a large cherry, while others are as large as a j;ood sized apple or pear. The indestructible artificial flowers now imported by a few ladies for their own use are said to have a preparation like Indiarubber, a species of the gum recently found to be useful for this purpose in their composition. It is certain that these flowers retain their form and color, and are not affected by rain or snow. It is asserted that heat does not affect their beauty. The first use of the material of whic h these very elegant flowers are made was in the flexible stems to the violets and poppies, which caused these French artificials to look so much more graceful than those made here. These stems were greatly admired, and the new flowers are issued by the same establishment that made the first named. Whole garlands for ball dresses, however long, are much more easily adjustable when thus made. Old Gift Returned. Yes, take them back I willingly return them; Nor would I keep tbem longer ear to me. And for thy letters, I will surely burn them. And have no stern remembrances of thee, Recalling, daily, memories dark and saddened Of foolish hours in love so child-like passed. Ab, tbey won id drive me wild; tor I am maddened, To think that tbey would mock me to the last! Tonr picture take It; I'll no longer wear it Hern on my breast, whoee every throb it knew. Now from its mild asylum I will tear it, And send it back nulovingly to yon. The ring I've worn it, and it is unbroken. Although the vows we plighted are no more; Take it 'tis but an empty ..senseless token, And, like a cast off tetter, speaks of yore. But this pale rose this crushed and withered fiowerWneu first we met, one bright, fair summer day, To gave it to me. In that happy bonr I learned to love you in my simple way; Bat, like those lifeless petals, it has faded, Its beauty gone its perfume only left; Tea. like the love which all our li.'e has shaded, AskI now of all save memory bereft! Love for Children. To the reflecting mind, there is no claim so strong as that which a child has upon us, for unremitting, devoted, affectionate cherishing. It is there because we have been happv. That happiness we sought, careless, utterly thoughtless of iL Exclusively seeking our own gratification, we have forced it to encounter this rough world and all its trials. The voiceless baby speaks to our conscience; you who have subjected my helplessness to all these wishes and wants, how deeply bound you are to provide! And this unconscious plea is urged with smiles so sweet, and glances so bright, as could well fascinate of themselves. Every day develops new charm. The baby learns to smile recognition, and then creep to its mother; an arch expression mingles with tho smile of the child, and elevates it to the rank of in. telligent beings; and as it nears the extreme verge of childhood, intervals of tempered seriousness descend upon its eyes and brow, foreshadow ings of the deep and awful emotions of maturity. Drop by drop water wears holes in the solid rock; day after day, with smile and arch look, and grave questioning, the child penetrates into the hearts. If there be a love that is undying, it is that of the parent for the child. If there be a love in which lurks no alloy of selfishness, it is that of the parent for the child. The love of man and woman is a beautiful and terrible emotion, strong beyond expression, triumphing over terror and. death; and yet the best security for tho permanence and happiness of wedded life, is to be found in that seemingly fragile chain which is knit by children's hands. Andrew Jackson's Way. Andrew Jackson's peculiar liking and respect for laboring men is picturesquely shown by a story related in the Nashville Banner. John Oyer, a mason, was on several occasions engaged to build chimneys at the Hermitage, and while at work often observed the most refined and wealthy people of Nashville coming to visit the General and his wife. The good mason, having more or less mortar ornamenting his clothes, would say to Jackson that he ' would not go to the first table to eat " that he was not fit to appear in such elegant company." The General always replied: MYou must go to the first table, sir; a laboring man ought to be as highly honored as any man in the community, for the support of the world depends on their labor. I will see that you are treated with proper respect at my table.'' Cryer, frequently, laughing, said he had been more honored than any man in the world, for President Jackson had frequently waited on him and brought him brick and mortar, when his regular attendant was out of the way.

A REPORTER'S RIDE.

Sixty Miles an Ilonr With a Maniac Com. pajnion. ITVtroit Post and Tribune. "So you pity reporters for their monoto nous life, do you? I was thinking on my way down here of the many Taried experiences I've had, but the one I owe this to will interest you the most," and as Thornton spoke he lifted his hat, disclosing a livid scar extending nearly acr his forehead.: In 187,''- he began gain. "I was on the local staff of the Dailey Planet. My work was not very pleasant, as I was assigned to nearly all the murders, terrible accidents, eta, but as I had made a reputation for being able to obtain news under difficult circurntances, I suppose I was placed where my abilities would bring forth the greatest results. The rianet was a live paper and spared neither trouble nor expense in obtaimmog news Our reporters were of necessity men with eyes and ears open at all times, and in fact we had Pmkerton's motto, e never sleep, bung up in our editorial rooms. There was a great deal of competition anion? iournals a Ojr at that time, and tho Meteor across tho street alo bre a reputation equal to the Planet, and being irrceoncilablo foes tho loys did their best to get fresh news for their respective journals. One night in February, I sat at my desk writing up my day's gfist. It was about halt-past nine o'clock and I was counting on a good night's sleep, when the city editor yenea suaaeniy, 'lhornton; come here.' I rushed to his desk, and he turned over a telegram, without a word of comment, which read: 'The County Insane Asylum is burning, and it is feared the loss of life will beginnt.' "The city editor ('Old Quills,' a we called him) turned to me w hen I had findshed reading, and said in his jerky way, 'Go out there; get there somehow; hire a horse, locomotive, or anything else, and be quick about it.' I went, with my overcoat on my arm, down the stairs two steps at a timo, without thinking where I was going. It was a stinging cold night, and every moment was precious. I knew that the County Asylum was out on the F. and L. ICoad, about twenty miles from tho city, not near any town, but I did not stop to think, but I rushed on a run toward tho ferry to get over to the depot at II 's Point. Just as I turned the last corner near the ferry-house, I ran plump into an individual, throwing him off his foet. I turned and saw Melton, special of the Meteor. I knew what he was after then, and I jumped on the ferryboat and went into the ladies' cabin and out to the bow. I knew Melton was around somewhere, but as we struck the dock on the other side I darted into the room of the superintendent, who was an intimate friend. I glanced at the. time-table and saw the last train had gone. I was staggered for a moment, but only a moment. The superintendent came in from the yard just then, and seeing me said, 'Halloo, Hal, want to go out to the asylum? will send out a special in a few minutes with several surgeons aboard.' It won't do, Mac,' I yelled sud denly, 'give me a locomotive; a flyer, too, quick.' I should explain that beside the F. and L. Iioad, the P. and W. Iload ran into the same depot, and as every one knows the IWO roads i uii aide Vj aide vut in tljo wuuuj for twenty miles, just back of the asylum Melton had seen me go into the F. and L. office, and he rushed for the other road. Mac and I ran out to the yard and to the round-house. 'Here, ICO.' Mac shouted in a tone that made the men jump, 'get up steam, quick.' "The engineer of No. 160 stuck his head out of the cab and gruffly said, 'Ain't got no fireman.' I was getting impatient, and jumping on the tender I screamed, 'I'll fire for you, and if you get me out to the Forks in twenty-five minutes you'll earn $10.' That was enough. I pulled off my coat, fires were raked, and old 160 began to tremble with the suppressed power in her iron body. Just then I glanced over to the P. and W. line and I saw a twinkling headlight moving out on the main track. I knew Melton was there, and, trembling with excitement, I yelled, 'Let her go, old fellow,' tand, obedient to the throttle, 160 moved out on the main track. I filled up the furnace, and at the word Jack gave her more steam and we went down the line like a rocket. 'There comes Tom Malone. on Firefly,' said Jack, hoarsely; 'she's an express train, but she can't beat old 160.' I knew Melton was furnishing the steam for that engine, and I doubled the $10 to Jack if he beat the Firefly. The two roads were about a rod apart, and though we had two minutes the start, the black funnel of the Firefly loomed up in the gloom behind us, and with a wild scream of triumph from her whistle she drew up to us, and then the race began. I yelled, Give her all she can stand, Jack and throwing off my undercoat I shoveled the coal into the furnace, with an energy that surprised myself. The speed so rapidly augmenting was frightful. Old Jack stood with his hand on the throttle, half way out of the window, his eyes far ahead, while I hung on begrimed with soot and rather excited I confess. It was a grand sight, old fellow, to see those two monsters careering along in the darkness, swaying from side to side, their huge wheels sending up a deafening roar, the ponderous driving rods looking like twinkling white streaks, funnel vomiting forth clouds of sparks, and when the furnace door was opened the woods were lighted up with a ruddy glare that reminded one of the infernal regions. Over bridges, through way-stations we sped with a rattling crash and roar, and then the Firefly drew ahead. I looked appealingly at Jack, but he shook his head. 'She'll leave the track, sir, if I give her any more; but I don't care, if you don't,' and shutting his lips tightly together, with a quick ierk the throttle was opened wide. Give them the whistle, Jack,' I screamed, and a shrill series of whoops woke the echoes in the valley round. "Goodbye, Firefly,' I yelled as wo swept by ourtwin monster. The speed was awful; 160 jumped from one side to the other, and on tho sharp curve I thought she was going over, but she clung to the rails. Nothing could be distinguished outside, and the terrible rush of the engine seemed to me a symbol of tho rush of time toward eternity. But 1 must not moralize. Our six and-a-half foot drivers have saved us,' said Jack in my ear; "the Firefly has only got five-and-a-half,' and just then, far ahead, broke a light, growing brighter as we moved, and I knew we were near our journey's end. "It was the burning asylum. Now for it. Jack, and the intervening two miles wer made in two minutes and three seconds, and we were almost there, the Firefly crashing down a short distance behind us. A mile away on an acclivity stood the asylum. Clouds of smoke were rolling up, and I could almost hear the roar of the flames. 'Ease up,

Jacl I shouted, 'and take care of her, I'll be bk soon,' and jumping off the rapidly, moyg engine I started over the ground towsi the burning edifice I 'could hear the ll of the poor unfortunates aa they saw the'orriblo death coming nearer. Twothin of the building was in flames, people

werrunnmg about witn two miserable band enges, and the many who were able wer trying to rescue the un fortune. It " was terrible to see the halhude maniacs singing, howling, runingWit beyond all control. I saw all this andmuch more. I found the dead and woided lying in a ghastly row on th groad, and there were sorfie there from whe eyes the light of insanity had gone in the3W moments that lay between them and deai. We reporters work with our memories as xuch as with notebook, and after a few facthad been ascertained and jotted down, I 1A the nearly consumed building and stand for my engine '. found it, but the Firfly had gone. 'One minte and over the the start of us, sir,' said Ja ' I and bitterly disappointed I swung on and ''ft were off. Two miles and no sign of the 'neflr. I went into the cab, 'Go out and ire, jack, I said; 'let me run a few mile, I know how. I took hold of the throtlo and stood there, Ihinkingand hoping thatuck would favr mo. Suddenly I heard achcklc followed by a lot of gibberish that mad my blotnl turn cold and surge into my heat. My hand fell from the throttle, and turcng about, there, sitting astride a block of col in the tender, was a half-naked man friniine in a ghastly way, his face istrtea, eyes glaring, hair singed, and bod; black with smoke and soot. 1 kne7 what the thing was,' and where fron the asylum had many such. Jack hadlisappeared, and as I looked at the monster I saw he had an old ax blade in one ban. I suddenly threw open the furnace door and as the glare of light fell over the manac he made a quick bound toward me. Alnvst paralyzed, I reached my hand out for a weapon, and it fell on a heavy wrench. I raied it in time to save my life, for I got a staining blow on the forehead, and the blool poured down into my eyes, almost Minting me, but not until I had struck one blow for Thornton, and as the thing twined its a"ms around mo I used the heavy wrench in m effective manner, crushing his skull, and then I put six blocks of coal on the senseless xxly of the poor w retch. All this happened in a few seconds, and we were bounding sver tho rails. I had lost so much blood I very weak, and I tried to stop its flow by wing packing I found in the fireman's box, but couldn't. I had sense enough left to hing on to the throttle, and I had a dim consciousness that I was nearing the city, and n another moment, which seemed like an eternity to me, I passed the mile post and noticed an inert mass standing deserted and alone on the P. and "W. track by my side, but gave it no thought; 1 telt my senses going, but with remaining strengh J shut off steam and knew nothing more until. I heard Mac's' cheery voice saying 'All right, old fellow, it s lucky we went out for you, for you stopped near the signal house, and we found you covered with blood and soot, lying on the cab floor, with the dead body of an old man lying under a ton or two of coal in the tender, and that cowardly Jack hanging on the truck underneath frightened to toaVi "I listened a moment, felt of mv bandacred head and whispered, 'Get a carriage and take me to the office quick.' Mac got a station truck, supported me to it, and half an hour later 1 was on a sofa in the manager's room, wnue a stenographer took down my somewhat rambling and disconnected notes and a surgeon dressed my wound. "We had three columns in that morning, and the Meteor a few lines. I knew nothing more for some weeks, as I lay sick with brain fever, but when I crawled down to the office one day the boys told me how 'Melton's' engine had run out of fuel, and the party had to walk nearly two miles into tho city, and then I re collected the dark mass I passed on that awtul return ride, in my partial denrum. It was the ßcoop' of the year. The Meteor people never forgot it, and our manager gave me $100 and sent me away to recruit, which I did, but don't you ever pity a reporter again on account ot his monotonous existence. Good night." The Early Sparrow After the Early Worn. A great deal has been said about the Eng lish' sparrows, and naturalists still dispute upon their usefulness and whether they really do kill the worms they were brought over here to kill. It does not seem to have occurred to any one that if they do not we shall need to revise our accepted proverbial philosophy, for it surely can not be pretended that the sparrow is not an early bird, and if he does not catch the worm, then all that has been said and believed of the early bird, from immemorial time, is a delusion and a snare. His earliness really furnishes a much f raver indictment against the sparrow than is alleged indifference to entomological pursuits, lie is the earliest bird ever known. The nightingale stays up over night, like the owL and thus may be classed among the late birds. The lark is said to rise with the sun. But the sparrow gets up long before the sun shows any sign of rising and just about the time when quiet fölk prefer to be asleep. He is more misguided even than the summer fly, whose activity he anticipates by several hours. And the worst of it is that he does not go about his business of worm-catching with the subdued sobriety that befits an early riser, but, on the contrary, begins at once to chatter and talk, and all his family and neighbors' families begin also to chatter and talk, like a party of intoxicated foreigners. In plain terms, he makes a nuisance of himself. If he would wait till daylight, like ar. honest bird, this frivolous conduct might be overlooked, but to break in upon the peaceful slumbers of the community at the very time when slumber is mo6t precious, and to many persons, most precarious, is an outrage absolutely unpardonable which calls for tho interposition of the police. Why We Cough. An Italian investigator has been studying the cause of coughs, and has come to the conclusion that they are the result of the presence of a parastic fungus in the air passages. In severe cases the parasite muliplies and takes possession of the lung cells. Qui. nine is said to possess the power of stopping the microscopic fungi, and is therefore recommended as a remedy. The Italian doctor has successfully used a powder composed of the chlorhydrate of quinine one part, bicarbonate of soda one part, gum arable, twenty parts. The soda is intended to dissolve the mucus, the gum arabic to increase the adherence of the powder on the bronchial passages. The blowing in of the powder should take place during a deep inspiration of the patient, so that it may'penetrate the windpipe, the chief seat of the microscopic fungus.

AS A TINKLING CYMBAL.

Mr. Beecher on the Injudlcionsness With Which Keliffion May be Talked. New York World. Mr. Beecher said last night that inquiry had been made of as to how far Jt was a duty to speak of men of their souls' welfare "Well " said he, "that is a pretty largo sub ject, and one which requires discrimination. x or example, there are a great many cases in which I think in times of deep religious excitement much mischief is done, as when children and youth are urged to go about and talk to people about religion. In the first place I don't think it is wise to put children in such an attitude. It is unnatural. Children are pupils ; they are little disciples, and it is very distressing to a modest child to require anything of the sort, and it is very puffing up to those that ere not of that "make. There is nothing more beautiful than a child, but there is notning one dislikes more than a monstrous child; a child of five years that could recite one of Shakspeare's plays I would go five miles to avoid A child going about to ask men about their souls 1 Why if I was inclined to be religious I should be turned from it by that. I am far from thinking that evcrvlnxly should talk on the subject of religion. For myself, tho older I grow the more profoundly convinced I am of the essential elements of Christian life, and I look with more and more repulsion at the conventional religious talking and religious acts. "When I see how men preach doctrines, which if they were true, would shake the foundations of human life and human society; when I see how men rattle these off at their tongues' end, I am shocked. Now all this talking to everylody about religion, setting your children to talking, is bad. Bad for you, bad for them. I feel more intensely about this matter, because I ncer think of it without remembering what a fool I made of myself when I was a student. I got an impression that I ought to go as a missionary to some foreign country, and now there are many people who wish from the bottom of their hearts that I had gone. But my father who knew what. I was fitted for a great dear better than I knew myself, was instrumental in preventing me from carrying out my purpose. This eternally talking to people in season and out of season about their souls' salvation, is all wrong and does no good. You might as well toot to them on a tish hern. A Warning To Parents. New York Tiuus Humorist.) There seems to be little use in bewailing the circulation of vicious juvenile literature of the highwayman type. Every intel ligent man admits that it does a frightful amount of harm among boys, but no one takes any effective step to check its circulation. The story which teaches boys that robbery, stealing, lying, profanity and drunkenness are manly and noble sports does not offend against any existing statute, and Mr. Comstock can not interfere with its circulation. It is clear that if this evil is to be checked, our laws must be amended, and it is to be hoped that the recent painful incident in North Adams, Mass., which is directly traceable to the influence of demoralizing juvenile literature, will arouse a public indignation which will lead to substantial results. The two boys who are now expiating their crime in the JXortn Adams Jail In brown paper and sweet oil, to-wit: Master Charles Briggs and Master James Plunkett, are both under fifteen years of age. It is known that for the last two years they have been in the constant habit of reading the "Desperate Small Boys of America," and other story papers of like reprehensible character. Mr. Danforth, the teacher of the Lanesboro Boarding School, which these boys attended, testifies that they established an underground railway by which reams of piratical literature were smuggled into the school, and that they openly confessed that they had rather read the "Desperate Small Boys" than solve the most attractive problem in fractions, or bound the most abstruse South American Republic. The natural result was 'that a week ago they ran away. There was nothing to hinder them from walking down stairs and going out through the front door, but they preferred to tear their sheets into strips, ana with the help of ropes thus extemporized, to lower themselves from the window. Their subsequent adventures are set forth in their joint confession made to Esquire IIickock,of North Adams, and will be painfully suggests ve to any active father who may read it. It appears that, after much debate as to what particular field of crime they should cultivate, the boys decided to become plumbers. It may seem incredible that the sons of Christian parents, educated amid the wholesome influence of the well-known Lanesboro school, should be capable of entering upon so shameless and wicked a career; but such is the consequence of the constant reading of vicious literature. Masters Briggs and Plunkett found much difficulty in obtaining the necessary tools for the prosecution of the plumber's nefarious trade, since, of course, no respectable and law-abiding mechanic will make or sell them. It is believed that the boys must have made the acquaintance of some member of the gang of plumbers that has so long infested "Western Massachusetts, and that they were supplied with tools by him. At any rate, they succeeded in obtaining a portable furnace, two pairs of gas-tongs, two soldering-irons and a supply of Bolder. These they concealed in their matresses until the day, or rather the night, of their escape, and, of course, they took them with them when they fled from the school. As both the boys lived, when they were not at school, at borth Adams, they endeavored to baffle pursuit by taking the road from Lanesboro to South Adams. They walked rapidly during the night, and at about 8 o clock in the morning they began operations. Approaching a house in the outskirts of South Adams, they concealed themselves until the man of the house had gone to his work. They then boldly entered the house, and confronting the man's wife, informed her that they were plumbers, and intended to put the kitchen boiler in order. The terrified woman made no resistance, and the young criminals went into the kitchen and severed the connection between the boiler and the range. Master Briggs then informed her that he would have to go to the shop for tools, and accordingly departed, leaving her under the guard of Master Plunkett. An hour later he returned, having spent the time selecting other houses in which to consummate plumbing outrages. The boys then replaced the boiler, scattered a great deal of melted solder, and made out a bill, in which $3 was charged for repairing the boiler, $4 for their time, $2.60 for materials, and $2 for the job. This bill, amounting to $12.60 was paid by their victim, and thy then departed, exulting over the sue. cess of their first crime. Seven other houses wero visited by these

desperadoes, and their booty amounted to nearly $70. At the seventh house, however, they were overtaken by justice. A report that two young, but peculiarly bold and reckless plumbers were devastating South Adams, reached the authorities of North Adams, and came to the knowledge of the parents of the boys. It was immediately suspected that the two boys who had just run away from the Lanesboro school were the ruffians in question, and a strong force of police was immediately sent to the scene of their depredations. The two juvenile plumbers were surrounded in the house of Edward S. Foote, Esq., and arrested while they were in the very act of knocking holes in his bath-tab, and were exercising a brutal terrorism over the Foote family. The boys were taken to North Adams and securely lodged in the jail, where, after an interview with their parents, who are exceptionally athletic men, they made a confession, but without showing any signs of penitence. Apparently, they have no conception of the enormity of their crime, and it is feared that if they are released they will seize the first opportunity to resume the infamous career which the police fortunately interrupted. Such an illustration of the results of reading vicious literature ought to arouse all parents and philanthropists to a determined effort to stamp out the demoralizing publications which touch our children to regard robbers and plumbers as heroes worthy of admiration, and lead them to emulate the exploits of the wretches of whom they read.

One Can't Excel in Everything. Bosten Transcript. Ideals of excellence, if not exellences themselves, are so graduated as to fit the different orders of mind in which they take their rise. Greatness is not positive quality; it is simply a relative tribute. The man who never succeeded in ensnaring a single "speckled beauty" from some "tortuous stream" may truthfully boast of his eminent success in catching sculpins. The man who can not sing may yet have a voico peculiarly adapted to crying clams, oranges or charcoal. He who is no dancer may be good at hich and kick or shinny. The man who was not born to command, to set a squadron in the field, may surpass all his acquaintances in the untiring devotion he evinces in tho coloring of his meerschaum. The bov who is ever at the foot of his class may still be an expert on tho formation and propulsion of spitballs. The lad who is not a pronounced sueees at arithmetic may be simply excellent at numble-peg and taw. The woman who can not make a loaf of bread may excel in making frills and furbelows. She who can not play the simplest air on the washboard may execute the most difficult themes upon the pianoforte. She who can not darn a stocking may be the envy of her circle for her skill and taste in worsted work, in marrying sky-blue dogs to pink background. The mother who can not command the respect of her children may yet be fawned upon by half a score of male bipeds without a spot on their dainty linen or an idea in their heads. The son who never does a stroke of work at home may be superlatively active in the bowling alley or billiard room. The daughter who is too feeble to wash the dishes may dance till the small hours of the night after having been shopping all day. The girl who can not sew may chew gum with tireless jaw. A great singer may not be able to smoke the mildest cigars without turning pale. A general who has led armies on to victory may be surpassed in profanity by the raggedest boy in the city. The hand that has penned the divinest poetry may be clownishly awkward with the billiard cue. The man who is capable of organizing and carrying forward gigantic business enterprises may be outdone at caucus management by the shabbiest politcian in his ward. The artist who gives birth to such exquisite creations may not be able to tie his neckcloth near so well as Augustus, who in his urn can do nothing else. Keeping the Hands White. ITbe Parisian. 'The hand is essentially the instrument of touch," wrote Balzac in his "Physiologie du Marriage." "The hand having alone executed all that man has conceived until now is, in a certain way, action itself. The entire amount of our capacity passes through it; the hand transmits life and leaves traces of magnetic power. Nothing, not one of our features can be compared to it for the richness of its expression. In a word, it presents an inexplicable phenomenon, which might be termed the incarnation of thought." These lines should suffice to make the marvelous power power of a beautiful hand well understood, as also the fact of the necessity of neglecting nothing that might preserve or increase this power,which nothing can replace The whiteness and fineness of its skin forms the principal beauty of the hand. Put fifty grammes of bitter almonds into boiling water, so as to be able to take off their skin easily; let them dry, and then pound them in a mortar. Pound separately thirty grammes of cherry buds, an equal amount of orris root and starch. Mix these powders with the blanched almonds, add the yolks of four eggs to this and mix it again, wetting this paste with two hundred grammes of alcohol and twenty drops of essence of roses or any , other essence. Warm this mixture over a slow fire, stirring it all the time, for fear it should stick to the vessel. You then put this paste in a jar, keep it in a dry place, in order that it may become sufficiently dry to be reduced to powder. You can use this powder to wash your hands, but it is better to employ it dry and to rub the hands with it night and morning, which will give the skin all the whiteness and softness that it is possible for it to acquire. It can also be used to make wrinkles disappear. The charity balls have been unusually successful, and in many instances the poor dress-maker has realized a profit 'of $76 on one costume, and the poor tailor has been scarcely less fortunate, while the poor florist has had more orders for $ 8 bouquets than he could fill, and the poor livery men have had all their carriages out all night at $2 an hour, and the poor caterer has realized his usual profit on Jersy cider at champagne prices. In the meantime we believe the poor people who don't know how to do anything but saw wood and dig ditches, have gone on starving about the same, but then a charity ball can't be expected to take care of all kinds of poor people. Ilawkeye.

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