Pike County Democrat, Volume 28, Number 33, Petersburg, Pike County, 24 December 1897 — Page 7

frfr IT WAS tbo night before Christina*** and—Oh. yea, I know That’s scarcely original. stUl It’ll Re. It's just what I wanted to say. yeu’U admit. And It’s easier far than to write one to lit. •Twm the night before Christmas and Dick When he heard a light step on the roof overhead, And a rattle of boots In the chimney, and knew It was Santa, so down the front stairway he flew And peeped In the parlor and there, sure enough. Was that little old gentleman, ruddy and blulT. With his thick bushy whiskers and Jolly red nose, And the pack that he carries wherever he But his dress, well, what student of story book lore Saw 8anta Claus dressed In a sweater before? Or In trousers of plaid, while the stockings he sported Were the kind Anglomaniacs lately *ve Imported. -Called “golfers." In short, his attire was so queer. Dick’s gasp of surprise reached the old fellow’s ear. '•Come in." said he. kindly. "I really would like To have some one to talk to. Say. how do I strike Tour critical eye? Aren’t these golf stockings nice? I fancy that they cut considerable Ice. What! Surprised at my slang? I don’t know why you should be. It’s strange hew the people have misunderstood me. I'm not the old fossil the story books state; I’ll have you to know that I'm right up-to-date. My reindeer? you ask. My dear boy. they’re too slow For this wide-awake age, they’ve been sold to a show. I'm tiding a wheel and I fancy myself I could put a few racers away on the shelf If I ever started to beat ’em. Let's sea. My cyclometer tells mo I've ridden Just three Hundred thousand and twenty-five miles since 1 started. And—My! that reminds me, it's time 1 departed. So long—See you later.” He stepped to the flue And giving a Jump quickly vanished from And Dick reached the window In season to spy The flash of his lamp as his cycle whined by. A glimpse in the road where the bright moonlight shone. A speck In the distance, and Santa was gone. And said Dick, as he slowly went back to the fire: “Fay. wfiat would he do If he punctured, a tire?" —Joe Lincoln. In I*. A W. bulletin.

IT IIAI) been a dull, gray day, sunless, rainless, cheerless, ami it was Christmas eve. A sobbing breeze that z* was not even cold < sighed among the pines and the leaf

less elms that lined the street of the little southern town. •'if the sun would come out, or even if it would rain! One likes to see somethin# going on, even if the something is unpleasant. Things seem to have -Come to a sort of standstill. I wish we were at home w ith Minnie and the kids. She's the sort of person to keep you * from mi-sing the sunshine, and that.” Jack Allen laughed. “You are in love with your wife, Tom. that’s all." “I shouldn't be surprised. You'll understand why, when you see her. I wrote her that you were coming. Why, hello, here’s a bright spot at last! Look at those Christma-s roses! How white they are! My mother used to love them so, ami Minnie does. Come in. Jack, and I'll get a pot for Minnie. Whose place is it?” glancing up at the name above the flower-tilled window, “llose Ellison. Why, let's see. We used to know her, Jack. I*on’t you recollect? She was one of the schoolgirl* graduated with Minnie—pretty girl, too. Come in." "Thank yora. I’ll wait here. Want a clgjir. Flower* and old friends are not in my line.” Jack said. Tom glanced at his friend, who began to fumble with a cigar case, his back to the beautiful window. "Surly old bachelor, eh? More's the pity,” he said as he opened the door and went in. A trim little lady stood behind the counter. Her cheeks were a good deal flushed, and a carious, wistful light shone in her pretty blue eyes. She was trying to compose herself. "Why. Miss Rose, I’m glad to stumble r upon an old friend. How do you do? Minnie’ll be glad to hear from you. I •topped to get a pot of your pretty Christmas roses for her.” Tom talked on, and all the time his bright eyes were taking in the details of the little •hop. Presently a sort of pain began to grow in hi* big. kind heart. Pretty Hose had come to this—to the wearing of faded, mended gowns and the selling of needles and pins and flower*. “They are the prettied rosea I ever saw,” he weot on," "and I want the very biggest and sweetest for Mlanle’s Christmas gift*

“I love them, every one," Bose said, setting down, a fine plant. “How is t-hi» one?” “It’s a beauty. Will yon take this for it?” He threw a $10 bill on the counter. “That? Oh, not even half so much.” “Shucks! You ought to deal with a city florist. I’d be lucky to get off at $25! My conscience will trouble me, Mias Bose, if I pay less than $10. Habit is strong. You won't spoil my Christmas and my pleasure in giving t-Ma to the little woman at home, will yon?” “But I, too, have a conscience," Bose laughed. “But mine is so tender, Miss Bose, and, honor bright, it’s a» sure thing they charge awful; so that’s all right. Maybe it would be better if you'd throw in a 'button hole.’ *’ “Yea, let me. You’ve been too generous, I feel that I cannot—” “I’ll take violets and a sprig of nutmeg.” “And your friend. Won’t you take one for him?” She flushed again. “To Jack?” glancing outside. “Tes, but he’s a surly old fellow, and I doubt if he’ll wear it. It’s Jack Allen, you know. Remember he went west five years ago. 1 stumbled upon him at the hotel—just got back.” Tom noticed how the girl's white hands fluttered as she tied up his vio- I lets, and then how she hesitated, and

wife and help her fill the wee bit stock* lugs. Get a real good time, aunty, dear.” “I will, child, but I feel all a-flutter, with the sadness of it. Kinter off my feet, you know.” Then she trotted on down the street with the great bandboxes bouncing like life preservers, under her arms. She was just in time for the train. A little out of breath and a good deal excited, she settled her belongings in the end of her seat, and began to take comfort. Two gentlemen in the seat before her glanced back at the quaint little figure, and one of them smiled. “Look here. Jack,” one said,“don’t let me forget at the next station to wire Minnie. That poor little girl is going down to-mor-row to spend a day or bo. It’s a great nuisance, our having to go to Brightville instead of straight on home. She’ll get there first, in the morning. We’ll get in at 12.” , . “What girl is it?" Jack pulled his cap down over his curly hair. “Why, Rose Ellison, of course. I was so sorry for her. Jack, I asked her.” “The dickens youdidl” Jack’s brown eyes flashed. “Why, Jack, are you a regular womanhater? The poor little woman is worked to death, and I warrant she never has a good time. If Fd thought a moment—, but I was sorry for her. Jt'e such a poor little place. She’s pretty and the roses are. but there’s—it’s a stuffy little store. I’m afraid Minnie’s forgotten her —it’s been so long since they were girls.

"I—rou DON'T CAKE FOR THEM. JACK."

at last broke off a white rose bud and a scented leaf for his friend. He pinned on his flowers, and waited while she deftly wrapped up the pot that held the Christmas rose. “You hardly miss it from your pretty window,” he said. ‘Td hoped to sell all these,” she replied, a little break in her voice, “but it's getting late now. To-morrow is Christmas day.” "So it is. Hose, come spend it with us. Minnie is always so g-lad to see old friends. It's only a two-hour run. Can’t you come?” “Why, I’d like to. Christmas is so sad, nowadays; so sad and dull.” “Yes. Well, you see, Minnie has the kids, and she’s at borne nearly always. I’m on the road, you know. It would help her, and she’d be glad I thought of it. Let’s see.” He took a slim black book from his pocket, “i’ve just the number of miles here on this ticket. It won’t be any good next year," tearing out & bit of paper. "You just use it, and I’ll go and send a telegram to Minnie.” And before Hose could collect her wits he had. snatched up the flowers and was gone, and there on the counter lay the crisp $10 bill and a railroad ticket! “It’s like a fairy visit,” Rose laughed, peering between the roses at the men as they walked off. “And he wouldn’t come in! I wonder why? He—oh, he has the rose in his coat! My little Christmas rose. I wonder if he remembers ?” The men were out of sight, and Rose turned from her flowery window, and, snatching up the money and ticket hurraed into the little room at the back of the store. “I’ve found that recipe. Rosy. The cheap f^iit cake, you know," squeaked a little voice. “Ob, aunty, you can’t do it. You needn't to. Three eggs and not a shred of citron! Rurn the recipe. You are going to spend Christmas with Cousin Serena, after all!” “Rose Ellison!” “Yes, Eve been so lucky. I’m going to the city, and— But vour train leaves In an hour. Let’s hurry aunty, else you’ll have to wait until to-morrow afternoon!” “Rosy, dear, I don’t understand!” Rose caught the quaint little figure in her anus, and kissed the puzzled face. “You needu’t. Just get ready. Youare going in an hour. In the morning I*m going to see Minnie Brown. I've had an invitation. She’s married, you know, to Tom Wilkins—such a—there's the bell. Do get yourself together, aunty.” Presently aunty entered the store with a big green veil oVer her queer bonuet and a bandbox on each arm. while in one hand she carried a blue silk bag and the other grasped an immense umbrella. Into the bag Rose dropped a handful of coin, and kissing aunty’s flushed, withered old face hurried her on. “It’ll be a fine treat to me and Sereny, Rosy. But what’ll you do tonight?" “Mat Oh. IT! star with the minister’s

and 1 can t recollect nearing’ Minnie speak of her, but I’ll send her word.' That little woman shall have a good time. Why, Jack, old fellow?” Jack’s hand was on his friend’s shoulder. “Don’t Tom. It's going to be pretty tough for me, old boy. Can’t you let me off ?” “Let you off, with Minnie expecting you ? Not if I know it,” and Tom looked very grave and earnest. “You are not a coward, are you. Jack? What’s the matter?” “I’m afraid I am, Tom, but if I must go, help me all you can.” “To keep out of the poor little creature’s way ? She looks harmless enough. I’d be more afraid of Minnie’s town friends.” “You don’t understand, Tom." “Then suppose you enlighten me?” “I—I used to know’ her in the old days. She was every thing to me. I reckon I was a fool, but I couldn’t tell her so.” “That you were a fool? Don’t blame you.” “No; that I—-that—she—that we—” “Exactly,” Tom nodded. “So I sent her a bunch of Christmas roses like these.” lie touched one of the nodding white flowers tenderly. “Like that in your buttonhole?” “Yes. I sent them on Christmas eve —five years ago to-night. And there w as a foolish note with them asking her if she loved me to wear them to the Dwight’s party.” “And she didn’t wear them?” “She didn’t even go, and I, fool that I was, went to see why. Her aunt was to go with her—1 had ordered a carriage. There were lights all about the house. A dim one was in the parlor. I used often to go to the French window that opened on the veranda and save waiting at the hall door. That nighlrthe lace curtains were drawn across the window, but the blinds were open. I was about to push the w indow open, when I saw Rose seated on a sofa across the room. She wore a bright loose-looking dress, and her face was pole and earnest. Beside her—” He stopped a moment and loosened his collar. Then he went on: “Beside her on the sofa sat Hex Hill—you recollect a young doctor who used to be with old Dr. Bellamy?” Tom nodded. He bad forgotten Rex Hill, but that didn't matter. “Well, he sat there talking to her and holding her hand, and presently she burst out crying and—and—my eyes burned so I couldn’t see very well, but her head went down on his breast, and —I reckon I was wild, mad. The next I knew I was on a train that was speeding westward, and the Christmas sun waa rising." Tom blew his nose; Jack covered his face with his hands. There was a little stir among the bandboxes behind them, and a hand in a gray cotton* glove was laid on Jack’s shoulder. -

"un, sir. aqueaKea n ehuui, mouselike voice, “that was the night her father died. Dr. Bellamy was sick and he sent for the young man. I was there, spending Christmas. It was a stroke—sosud

den and unexpected. Rosy couldn’t believe—she couldn’t sense it. I saw her dressed for the party in her pretty white frock with the Christinas roses in her hair and on her breast, and I saw her when the news came. She was almost crazy. ,She tore off the party finery, but she put the roses in water, and afterwards she set ’em out and they grew—< them’s the same roses. I put the red wrapper on her, and the young doctor undertook to tell her that her father’d have to die, for I couldn’t (though I'm not one to shirk my duty), and I’m stood by her ever since. Rosy never meant no harm—she never was bold. There’s not many like Rosy.” The car door opened and the porter yelled “Centerville.” There was a stir among the bandboxes, a flourish of the umbrella, and the quaint little figure fluttered out before either of the men ; could speak or move. And after sho i was gone they were quite Btill until j presently Tom got out his cigars and I

went into another car. The sun shone bright enough Christ- I mas morning when Tom and his guest ! left the car for the carriage that would take them home. “You see. I’ll hare to see Minnie all to myself, just at first* that’s why she won’t be in the hall. I’ll just tumble you into the parlor for a moment until I gather my senses. Compensations, you see. It isn’t so bad being a traveling man'—there are so many home-com-ings!" Tom said, holding the carriage door open while they were speeding on. That was how itcarne about that Jack walked into the bright warm parlor to find a little blue-eyed woman with Christmas rose® in her hair sitting alone in the ruddy glow of the yule-tide fire. ITis eyes grew bright and soft as the little woman rose, flushing and confused. “Are you wearing the Christmas roses for me, dear?” he asked, humbly. “I—you don’t care for them. Jack.” “Indeed I do. I want the sweetest of all the roses for my own, little girl. i May I have it. now ?’’ A mischievous sparkle brightened the ; blue eyes. “How can I tell which is sweetest?” she asked. “May I take my choice?” Then Tom nnd Minnie came and after them the “kids.” and altogether it was a very happy Christmas. “The rosiest sort of a rosy time,” Tom said, pinching Hose Ellison’s pink cheek.—-Ellen Frizell WycofT, in Minn© lipolis Housekeeper. CHRISTMAS OBSERVANCES. Ciitemi Handed Down to l'i from lijRone Age*. It is an interesting fact that nearly } all of the present observances jpf the sweet Christmas time which have been handed down to us from bygone ages ; are relics of heathenish barbarism. The practice of decorating with ever- j greens has been ascribed to various ! sources. Decorating with flowers and j evergreens was a pagan manifests- j tion of rejoicing and worship. This custom was also observed among nation® both of Gothic and Celtic origin, j A superstition among the votaries of Druidism was that houses decked with evergreens in December would be visited by sylvan spirits and that the inmates would be unnipped by the frost and cold winds. The mistletoe bough was held in ven- I eration by the pagans, as it was like- ; wise respected by the Gothic and Celtic nations. Among Celtic nations it is known to have been an object of great veneration. The ceremony of collecting it by the Druids was one of the highest solemnity. It is said that the oaks on which it grew were sacred to them. The reverence it inspired was based upon the wonderful healing powers it was believed to possess. If hung up in the house it was considered a guard against evil spirits. Its introduction into Christmas festivals might be appropriate as emblematic of conquests obtained over the spirits of evil and darkness. The reverence of the mistletoe among the ancient Britons appears, however, to have been limited only to that which grew on an oak, whereas, the pearly berries, which bring a blush to the cheek of the modern maiden, may be gathered besides from the hawthorne, lime and old apple trees as well as the Scotch and silver fir. There existed a tradition that. the maid not kissed under the mistletoe at Christmas would not wed within a year. The Yule log was considered by the ancient Druids a protection against.evil spirits. There were various superstitions mingled with the ceremony of lighting it. It had to be lighted with clean hands in order to extract its vir- j tues. It was deemed an evil omen if the | light went out during the night. The Yule log is still kindled on Christmas eve in various parts of England.— j Louisville Courier Journal. SI«n* of Chrtitmft*. She meets me at the door Each evening with a smile that's sweet and mellow: "Tour super's waiting: come right In. you poor. Dear, tired fellow!" (But I know Just what this means. For we've struck the Christmas scenes; A new red hat. And the likes o' that— That’s just what the dear one means.) She marks my frowninjc brow (*TLs sweet to have a woman to adors you!) And says: ''I know your head must ache, j and now I'm roirg to nib It for you!” (But 1 know Just what that means. For we've struck the Christmas scenes; A dress, a hat. And the likes o' that— That's just what the dear one means') —Atlanta Constitution. A Mistake. “Hit am er mistake/’ said Uncle Eben, , “ter hab yoh merry Christmas in sech a I wav dat yoh can’t hab er happy New Year, case ob de worry 'bout de bills. ’—Washing ton Star.

A Delated <Jojr. "It may aeem aueer, but I get the most of mT holiday joy the day after Christmas. '‘Hour's that?” “I'm so glad to be alive after eating so much dinner the da* 'aefore.”—Chicago Record.

ADDRESS TO DEMOCRATS. An Urgent Appeal for Strong end United Aotion. State Committee Chairman Parks M. Martin, ot Indiana, Roasts Republicans and Encourages Democrats.

pThe following address, which has been issued by Parks M. Martin, chairman of the state central committee, to the democracy of Indiana, will prove interesting and inspiring reading for democrats all over the country. “A little more than a year ago the most remarkable presidential campaign in the history of the United States terminated in the success of the republican candidates. This was the first. presidential campaign in a great many years in which the Issues were squarely Joined between the consolidated money power of the country, and the people. On the one hand were the enormous and practically Inexhaustible resources of the moneyed interests of the United States and Europe, embracing the national banks, whose power had been built up by federal legislation, the great manufacturers, who had become strong and rich under more than three decades of extreme protection, the railway and other corporations, the varied monopolies, trusts and combines of capital which had been built up by a long course of governmental favoritism and class legislation, the bondholders and money-lenders of two continents, the great army of speculators. Jobbers and schemers of high and low degree who are interested in restoring a policy of lavish appropriations and reckless expenditure and all those who had reaped profits or hoped to do so through the prostitution of the functions of government, to their service. From these sources a corruption fund was gathered of such magnitude that, although a golden stream was poured Into every debatable state and congressional district in the United States during the campaign, an enormous unexpected balance remained in the hands of the republican national committee after the election. Venal Newspapers. “This gigantic combination of wealth and power was able to enlist in its service every venal newspaper in the United States, whatever its past political professions; every orator who was willing to sell his eloquence to monopoly for a price: every huckstering politician; every expert in election fraud: every trained manipulator of boodle throughout the republic. Against this sinister combination the historic democratic party went to the country with a candidate for the presidency whose purity of character, breadth of patriotism, power of eloquence and devotion to the Interests of the people marked him as their natural leader in a contest with the hosts of monopoly, and with a declaration of principles which stirred the public conscience as It had not been stirred for generations. The democratic party relied solely upon the merit of its standard-bearer and the Justice of its cause. It fought the campaign through with an empty treasury and a crippled press and with many of its state and local organizations honeycombed with treachery. A more heroic political battle against overwhelming odds has never been waged in this or any" other country and the six million and a half of the popular votes and the 176 electoral votes expressed a great moral victory the magnitude of which Is becoming more apparent every day. “The principles for which the democrat'c party contended in 1SJ>6 were then strong enough to have carried the country overwhelmingly if the agencies of coercion and corruption could have been eliminated from the contest. These principles have been growing stronger day by day and there Is no question that they are accepted now by a great majority of the American people. The republican party returned to power last March ufider pledges to reestablish the equilibrium between national revenue anu expenditure, to devise a safe and stable monetary system, and to restore prosperity to the masses of the people. Neither of these pledges has been kept. The Tariff Measure. “The first Important official act of President McKinley was to convene congress in extraordinary session for the purpose of enacting a tariff law, the ostensible objects of which were to produce a revival of business throughout the country and to provide sufficient revenue to carry on the government, but whose real purpose was to enable the trusts to reimburse themselves for their contributions to the corruption fund of 1896 by legalized spoliation of the people. This iniquitous law is accomplishing its real purpose. The sugar trust, the beef trust, and all the other great combinations which were allowed to dictate Its terms are already realizing enormous profits from its operation. In order to swell the ill-gotten gains of these predatory combinations, the public revenues have been sacrificed and the cost of living has been increased to the people. The public debt statement Issued December 1 shows that the excess of expenditures over receipts during the first five months of the present fiscal year was $46,101,494, an average of over $9,000,000 per month or at the rate of about $110,000,000 per year. “This appalling deficit measures the complete failure of the Dingley law as a revenue producer and will compel- congress at an early day either to authorize another bond issue or to levy additional taxes or to reduce expenditures. Republican administrations never reduce expenditures. So that after nine months of republican rule the country finds itself face to face with new taxes or another issue of bond3 or both. There has been no marked increase in the number of workingmen employed and no general advance of wages to compensate for the augmented cost of living, and the Dingley bill already stands condemned before the country as the most flagrant and oppressive abuse of the taxing power of the government which has ever been perpetrated. Commission's Failure. “The failure of the commission sent to Europe by President McKinley to secure an agreement with England, France and Germany for international bimetallism forces the republican party to grapple wttn the greatest problem which has ever confronted it. One of three policies must be adopted: (1) The single gold standard must be definitely established, or (2) bimetallism at the old ratio must be restored by independent national action, or (3) the present illogical, chaotic, dangerous and utterly inadequate currency system must be perpetuated. The adoption of the first alternative involving the change of ail the outstanding Interest-bearing securities of the government from coin to gold obligations. the virtual retirement of the greenbacks and treasury notes and the concession of practically absolute control of the circulating medium to the national banka Is urged upon congress by the administration. The execution of this programme would be a colossal crime against the people. and while It would rivet the chains of financial slavery upon them and enormously swell the tribute they are now compelled to pay to the money power. It would cause such a wave of popular Indignation as would sweep th« republican organization out of existence. The second policy to which the democratic party stands pledged, and which presents the only practical solution of the currency question, will not, of course, be considered by the party In power. The ouly alternative, therefore, to the adoption of the administration programme Is the do-nothing policy, which would Involve a confession of utter impotence on the part of the republican party and would render its overthrow at the next general election as certain. If not as complete, as If the policy Just proclaimed by President McKinley were to be carried out

Inspiration nr utnoenn. •The political situation la full of Inspiration and encouracement to democrat* everywhere. and at the same time It sue

Itests to them unceasing vigilance. The #+4 publican parcy has not only hailed to selvai the currency question; it has not only failed to restore prosperity to the people; it ha*' not only failed to negotiate an agreement for International bimetallism, but it ha» in other ways violated its pledges to tha country. Its attitude with relation to Cuba is contrary to the explicit promise of tho St. Louis platform and is in the last degree undemocratic, unrepublican, unpatriotic and un-American. The voice of humanity, the natural sympathy which every true American feels for a neighboring people struggling to throw off the yoke of savage despotism, and every consideration of

enugmenea seii-mieresi aemana me recognition of Cuban independence; a step which the administration, for some mysterious reason, refuses to take. The utter bad faith which the administration has shown as to the enforcement of the civil service law, a measure placed upon the statute books by the republican party, invites and will receive the reprobation of the country. Whatever differences of opinion may exist as to this law, all good citizens will agree that so long as it is a law it should be faithfully and impartially enforced. Its perversion by the appointees of President McKinley to the service of partisan greed is a distinct violation not only of the pledges of his party, but also of his personal pledges to the country. At present the law is enforced only when a democrat can thereby be deprived of official preferment, and it is evaded or violated as often as a republican can be thereby retailed in or provided with a public position. A party which deliberately violates every day a law of the United States la dangerous to our peace and safety, and approaches very nearly to the state of law* lessness and anarchy which it has some* times charged upon its opponents. A Bankruptcy Un. “The only measure of general importance which the republican leaders now promise the country is the enactment of a bankruptcy law—a law presumably which will enable creditors to enforce into bankruptcy debtors whose Inability to pay i» due to republican tariff and currency systems—a fitting sequel,to the protective tariff enacted last summer. The issues to b« passed upon by the country at the congressional elections of 1S9S are the same which: were presented in 1896, accentuated and emphasized by the record of the republican party since its return to power. Let ,the democracy of Indiana rally their forces, close up their ranks and march shouldeT to shoulder in the contest for the principles of Jefferson and Jackson and Bryan. Meu who formerly acted with the democratic party, but who in 1896 withheld their support, are. in every voting precinct in the state, back in the ranks. They are disgusted with the record and policies of tho republican administration, and are ready and anxious to follow once more the good old flag of democracy. We welcome them back. With united and determined efforts the state can be handsomely redeemed next year, the election of a democratic United States senator assured and a largely increased democratic representation in tho popular branch of congress returned. Tho democratic state committee appeals to and invites every citizen of Indiana, whatever his last political affiliations, who believes in these principles to cooperate earnestly from this time until the polls close next November in the. endeavor to secure their triumph. "‘The district conventions for the selection of members of the state central committee will be held in the various congressional districts on Tuesday, January 11, 1898. The members of the new committee then chosen will meet at Indianapolis on Tuesday, January IS, for organization. “PARKS M. MARTIN. “Chairman Democratic State Committee. “S. L. WALLACE, "“Secretary.” Odd Women. Lovers and admirers of the fair sex —and who is not comprised within that classification?—would find a book that might very well be written about women remarkable fo^ some physical or mental peculiarities unusually interesting. As a sample of the curious stories that might be collected, let the reader mark and digest the following: There was Mrs. Dorothy Collier, whose death is recorded in the public journals for 1764. She was the largest woman of her time, weighing upward of 30 stone, and yet “was very active,” as we are assured. Her eolfin was two yards two inches in length, a yard and four inches broad, and two feet six inches deep, which proves that Mrs. Collier’s husband could have had no reason to complain on the score of quantity. Thenr we have Mrs. Sarah Rawlins, who married at 19 years of age, and lived with her husband 27 years, during which period she had- 14 children. Her second husband she also lived with 27 years, and the number of her children, grandchildren and great-grandchildren at her decease was no less than 329, “of whom,” says the chronicler, in 1761, “1S2 are now living,” and a very respectable progeny, too.—N. Y. Ledger. A Social Row in Rath, 1700. A fashionable concert was being given at Bath, and the hall was crammed, when a bevy of fair and noble ladies unexpectedly arrived. The manager ordered a bench to be set for their accommodation ip front of the first row of seats. The occupants of the latter were not unnaturally displeased, and vigorously protested, but without effect- From words they came to blowa, and the eclipsed beauties fell tooth and nail on the intruders. A pitched battlt ensued, at the end of which the field w as thickly strewn with trophies of tho fight—tatters of torn laces, ribbons and tippets, and other female finery. At a later hour detachments of the combatants were observed readjusting their attire, and recruiting their strength in adjoining chemists’ and pastrycook^ shops.—Notes and Questions. Xnttonal Characterization. A German and a Frenchman sat opposite each other at table-d’hote in a certain hotel in Switzerland. “You are a Frenchman, I suppose?” inqnimk the German at the commencement of the meal. “Yes.” was the reply;“bufc how do you manage to find that ofct?” “Because you eat so much bread,’l^ald the German. There was a long pause. When the dinner was over the Frenchman, In turn, questioned his vis-a-vis. “You are a German, I presume?” “To be sure; but tell me, pray, how you made that discovery.” “Because you ate so much of everything,” was tho dry retort.—London Figaro.

A Thoughtful Better Half. A man married recently a young wife ■who takes everything quite literally. He came home and aaid he would taka her to the theater, and presently ha found her stuffing all sorts of eatablea into a couple of black bags. "What ara you doing?” he asked, and she replied, .meekly: "Packing provisions, because I have just read in the paper that six weeks will elapse between the first anti second acts.”—The Rival.