Rensselaer Republican, Volume 14, Number 4, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 13 October 1881 — Page 4

lesson in Orthoepy. There w« a musician WllbelmJ Who tned an o:d fiddle to selmf; When I eeked him Um war To make the thing phnr . The fellow would really not tellmj. A yoong ladraat on the quay, pro para* proper eoakfbaay; Whew a current of air Came 4 off her baek hair. Hhe only aald: “Good graclonamany.” There Kwee In thetown of Si. Croix * A ■laag-oxlitg, rip-tearing bolx; ' lie ia roach, croagh ana toagh. And won't take any “gough,” But trawels on “What der yer eolxr' The bi lde waa led np the broad aUle, Uot np la the roost killing ataUle; When asked if she’d be A true wife to he. She promptly replied: 14 X should smalsle.’ * "—Pack

PRESIDENT’S GRAVES.

Whoro tho Remains of oar Nation’s Balers Rest—Tho Banal Places of All the Chief Magistrates From Washington down to Johnson Described—Neglect of Our Great Dead. Philadelphia Breas. j It is not; a -very difficult matter to prove that tbe Unitea States is an ungrateful Repulic, if her neglect of her dead Presidents is to be taken as complete evidence of it, without any cpunterbala icing testimony. Not even the Slates in whioh ttie Presidents are buried are known to most people.» The graves of a number of them are unmarked with amonumeut, while those as others are cared lor a ith scarcely •lie attention due to the lowest citizen. There are a few noble exceptions, hut it is not the United States that lias been gratelul but the State of the dead one’s nativity or his personal friends. WASHINGTON. The gTavo of the first President, the Father of his Country, has been visited by so many thousands of Americans and foreigners that it will be of very Utile interest to the majority of readers to peruse a description of tbe Diace now. The Mount Vernon Association has taken good care of the first President’s last resting place. Washington’s remains were depositedln their present receptacle l.i 1837. The vault was built in accordance with the provisions of the President’s will. It is of brjck, with an arched roof. Over -the gateway, in a marble tablet,"!* the simple ‘inscription, “Within Ihis *enclosure rest the remains of General George Washington.” Two coffins lie iu the vestibule of the vault; the first is that of Washington, the other that of Martini Washington. JOHN ADA M 3. Beneath tbe Unitarian Church of Quincy, Massachuseets, may be~fouud the remains of two American Presidents, The church was completed in 1828* and the body John Adams was removed from the family vault In the cemetery just across the street int> the room beneath the church. John Quincy Adams’s body was placed in the same room iu 1848. Their wives artburied with them. The bodies lie in leaden caskets placed in cases hewn from solid blocks of stone. The tombs are seldom visited, and the apartment is kept dingy and dirty. Inthechurch room above may be found the following inscription t "Beueath these walls* are deposited the mortal remains- of John Adams, son of Johu and .Susanna (Boyiston) Adams, second President’of the United States. Born 19 30 October, 1735. Ou the 4th of July, 1776, he Pledged his life, fortune, amt sacred honor to the independence of his country. On the 3d of September, 1783, he afiixed his signature to the dcQulte treaty with Great Brtaini which, acknowledged that independence, and consummated the redemption of bis pledge. *Qu the 4th of July, 1826, he was summoned to the Independence of Immortality ami to tne judgment of his God. This house will tiear witness to ills piety, this town (his birthplace) to his munificence,history to his patriotism, posterity to tin depth and composure of his mind.”

JOHN QUINCY ADAMS. Ou the other side of the pulpit is the tablet containing the inscription to the' oilier Adams. It reads thus: "Near this place reposes ail that could die of John Quincy Adams, son of John and Abigail (Smith) Adamr. sixth Pr:.“ideut of the United States. ' Born 11th July. 1707, amidst the stoims of civil commotion he nursed the vigor which inspires a Christian. For more than half a century, whenever his country called for his labors in either hemisphere or iu any he never s|>ared them in her cause. On the 24th December, 1814, he signed the recond treaty with Qreat Britain, which restored peace within her borders. On the 23d of February, 1848, he closed years pf eloquent defense of Jhe lessons of his youth by dyiugat his post in her great National Council. A sou worthy of his' father, a citizen shedding glory on his country, a scholar ambitious to advance mankind. this Christian sought to waik humbly in the sight of his God." The church itself is built*of Quincy granite and surrounded by elms and horsechesnuts.

- JEFFEK'-eON.' Tn.a thick growth if- woods, a few hundred yards to the right of a road leading from Charlutteville.Vireiuia.to Montietllo. may be seen the grave of Jefferson, in a little inclosure, with thirty others. .An obelisk nine feet high marks the spot. The base has ail been chipped away, and the monument looks like a rough, meaningless stone. "Born April 2, 9. 8., 1743, died July 4, 1826,” is put upon Auother inscription has been almost entirely Obliterated. On a fly-leaf of au old t ccount-boo£ Jefferson wrote this: "Choose some unfrequented vale in the park, where is no sound to break the stillness, hut a brook that bubbling winds among the Woods—no mark of human shape that .has been there, unless the skeleton of some poor wretch who sought that place out to despair and die iu.- Let it be among ancient ami venerable oaks; intersperse some gloomy evergreens. - Appropriate one-half to the use of my family, ihe other to strangers, servants, etc.* Let the exit look upon a small and distant part of fbo Blue Mountains.” His fishes have been Well calrii d out. The old family house was in ruins three years ago aud tenanted by an old man who made a living by demanding a fee from visitors.

MADISON. •At Montpelier, four miles form Orange, Virginia, Madison is buried. The grave is in the center of a large level ftpld, in a lot about 100 feet square, surrounded?, by a good brick °,2 th * gate "i 8 '* I ’. “Madison, 1820. Four graves are ..here. Over one of them rises a mound twenty feet high. A granite obelisk bears the intviriptim, "Madisou, born March 16. 1731.” By its side |s a Mmller shaft of white marble insetibed “In raetuorv ol Dolly Payne, wifettf James Madison, born May 20,1768; died July 8, 1849.” Two nephews are buried with her. The region round about is one of great natural beauty apd commands a view of the Southwest mountains. At the southeastern edge of the adjoining wooc's is the home which Madison inherited when a child. It is well kept at the present date. MONROE. James Monroe is Wiried in Hollywood cemetery, Richmond, Virginia. It is beautiful site. Five feet under ground, in a* vault of bricks and "granite, the remains rest. On the sarcophagus, op a brass plate, is this momenta: "James Monroe, born in Westmorelandcountv,2Sih April. 1758, died in the City of New York, 4tli of July, 1831. By order of the General Asssemby his tremaius were removed 1 1 this cemetery, 5 h July, 1858» as an evidence of the affection of Virginia

for her good and honored son.” Over fhis monument Is a Gothic temple twelve feet long and nine feet wide, resting upon four pillars on a foundation of dressed Virginia granite. A cast-iron screen almost prevents a view of the monument within. TfWf iron is considerably rusted. The, temple is painted drab color and sanded. Around it are beds of flowers and tall oaks. JACKSON. Andrew Jackson is buried at the Hermitage, h.s famous home, on the Lebanon pike, eleven miles from Nashville. A massive monument of Tennessee granite marks his grave and that of bis wife. It is placed in the corner of the garden. The grave is Kept in good order. Three steps lead up to Its foot. It is composed of eight Anted Doric columns, supporting a plain entablature and dome, upon which stands an urn. Inside the space is ornamented with white stucco work. A pyramid resting on a square is the monument proper and nearly beneath it rest the bones of the President. A stone contains this inscription: "General Andrew Jackson. Born March 15, 1767; aied June 8, 1745.” Jackson’s wife is buried on the right of the pyramid.

VAN BUREN. Martin Vanßuren sleeps in the little viliiage cemetery of Kinderhook. Columbia county, New York. The President’s grave is in the family lot. A granite shaft fifteen feet high contains the following; Martin Van Bnren, • Vlllth President of the U. S. j Born December.?, 1782. Died July 24,1882. jThere is no carving of any kind upon it. The inscription is in large black letters. The name of his wife appears upon another face of the shait, while on tbe third is to be seen the name of a son. The house is at the southern end of the villlage. near the creek, a frame building, which has been entirely remodled of late years. His other residence, two miles south of town is the property of farmers who live there. HARRISON. The resting place of William Henry Harrison was brought prominently before the country three years ago by the desecration of his son’s grave. It Is situated at North Bend, Indiana, a few yards from the track of the Cincinnati, ludianapolis and Lafayette railroad, where it enters the’ tunnel. The grave is a simple mound unfenced, on a little knoll, and is shaded by beeches and oth&r treea There is no monument and no inscription anywhere to tell the story of the life of the departed hero. Since the desecration of Scott Harrisou’s grave the mound has been/Improved somewhat. The vault has Jbeen cemented on the top in imitation of stone slabs. The iron door on 4iie left is now securely fastened and some effort is made to keep the place in good order. The spot is a lovely one, and could be made byproper improvement to do honor to the remains of the hero of Tippeca* uoe. TYLER. . The grave of John Tyler is practically unmarked. A little mound, covered with bushes, Just ten yards from the grave of Monroe, in Hollywood cemetery, Richmond, is pointed out as the spot where a President’s remains lie. ATTts head is a small magnolia tree, on the south isanother magnolia, and on the north a young Juuiper tree. The grave is neither inclosed nor curb ed. Near by are the graves of Monroe, of William Allen, one of J.fl Davis’s bondmen; bf Dr. Lawrence Roane Warren, the philanthropist; of James M. Mason, the Confederate Envoy to England, and or "Little Joe,” son of Jefferson Davis, killed in Richmond dining the war. Near by are buried 18,000 Confederate soldiers around a tall pyramid of granite.

POLK. At the corner of Viue and Union streets, Nashville, at the old family homestead, may be fouud the grave of James K. Polk. The mohumeut is a block, twelve feet square by twelve iu height. It is appropriately ornamented. ami contains, among other inscriptions. Ihi3: ‘Games Iv. Polk, eleventh President of the United States. Born Noveinber2,l79s; died, June 15,1849.” He was buried here nearly thirty years ago. An iron gate, surmounted by an eagle, opens from Vine street into a broad avenue bordered by mulberry trees and silver leafed poplars. This road ieads to the Polk homestead, a lai-ge brick house three stories high. The tomb is surrounded by a grass plat which is encircled by a walk of white shells. ShruD3 and flowers beautify the spot ami make it look quiet and bright. TAYLOR. V. The remains of Zachary Taylor have been moved three times. They repo.- e now in a public spot at Frank fort, Kentucky. The body was first placed in a cemetery at Washington, then in a lot on the Taylor homestead, live miles back of Louisville, and then taken to Cave Hill Cemetery, Louisville. In 1878 the remains were placed in the beautiful cemetery at Fraukfort,where they are in the company of many illustrious dead, including Vice President Richard Mentor Johnson. FILLMORE. Millard Fillmore lies buried at Forest Lawn Cemetery,three mi I ess from Buffalo. The grave is well taken care of, and is a beautiful spot. A tail monument contains the inscription, "Millard Fillmore. Born Jan, 7, 1800. Died March 8, 1874.” The. grave is at the eastern extremity of the lot iu the center of a grassy space. At its head rises the monument. In the southeastern corner is a Norway spruce, which shadows the grave. Fillmore’s daughter sleeps near the remains of her father. An iron urn for flowers lies under an evergreen. Near Fillmore’s grave are those of Bunker Hill heroes, of Stephen Charuplin and Bid well, who fell at Cedar Creek.

PIERCE. The remains of Franklin Pierce rest at Concord, New Hampshire, in the Old Cemetery on Mnin street. Pierce’s monument 'is of Italian marble, aud bears the following: "Franklin Pierce Born November 23, 1804. Died October 8, 1869,” The Pierce lot Is at the northwestein corner of the Minot inclosure and contains about an acre of ground. It is surrounded by a neat iron fence six feet bign, traversed by concrete paths and neatly sodded- The monument displays a spire with cap, die and plinth, resting on a base of granite three and one-quarter feet square. It is surmounted by a draped cross aud its total height is fourteen feet eight inches. In the Old Cemetery the founders of Concord rest. bughanan. • Jimes Buchanan is burled at Woodward Hill cemetery, Lancaster, on the banks of the Conestoga. The grave lot is inclosed by a neat iron fence, A fine sarcophagus of Italian marble contains the following:

: Here rest the remains of James : • Buchanan, fifteenth President of ' f • the United State*. Born in Frank- i • tin county, Pa„ April 21,1791. Died : at Wheatland, June 1, IMS. The lot is 80 by 12 feet, with white and black granite supporting the fence. All around the fence is a hedge of blooming roses, aud rose bushes are in the enclosure. The spot is kept carefully, and is always attractive. LINCOLN. Abraham Lincoln is buried at Oak Ridge cemetery, Springfield, Illinois. A fine pile of marble, granite and bronze marks the spot. It 'nears the single wotd, “Lincoln.” This memorial is probably one of the most magnificent in the United States. The building of the monument was begun by Mr. Lincoln's friends in Springfield. It was dedicated October 15,1874.

It stands is a tract of 7f acre*. From north to south its length is 119 feet 6 inches. Its breadth is 72 fset A inches. The structure is of blocks of New Hampshire granite. The-main platform is nearly 16 feet from the ground, approached by four grind staircases with balustrades. The main platform is 72 feet square. From the center rises the shaft, 12 feet . square at the baSe and 96 feet from the ground Shields of polished granite bearing the names of tne States encircle the square. It is a fitting tribute to the martyred President. JOHNSON. Hie grove of Andrew Johnson is at Greenville, Tannesee. on a spot selected by himself. A fine granite arch upon a broad base marks the site. It contains the inscription: “Andrew Johnsou,seventeenth President U. 8. A. B6rn December 29, 1808. Died July 31, 1851. His faith in the people never wavered.” Hie monament is of marble upon a base of granite nine and a luif by seven feet. The tomb was erected by the President’s three surviving sons. Pilasters on either side of the plinth support funeral urns. Tne Bcroll of the Constitution is carved bn the die, and also an open hible, upon which rests a hand. The shaft is festooned by the American flag at tbe top aud surmounted by an eagle with outstretched wings.

Tho Way to Spoil Newspapers.

Presbyterian. ‘ Goodmatured editing,” says some wiseman, "spoils half the papers in the papers in the United Statee.” Yes, verily. "Will you plekse publish the |)oetry I send,” says one; "it is my first effort;” and some crude lines go in to encourage budding geniu9. "Our church is in great peril,” says another; "will you '’publish our appeals?” and a long, dolorous plea is inserted. "My father took your paper for twenty years,” writes another; “I think you ought to publish the resolutions parsed by the Big Brake Church when he died;” and in go resolutions of no interest to a majority of our read■*r am particular anxious that the views I present should go before the church this w T eek;” out go a covey of small, pithy contributions, to make room for three columns from a ponderous D. D. "There is an immediate necessity lor the exposure of one who is a bitter enemy to the truth,” writes another, as he sends an attack upon on antagonist, which will All an entire page. "I am about to publish a book identifying the Great Image of brass, iron, and clay, and I would be obliged to you to publish the advauce sheets of the fifth chapter which I herewith enclose to you.” "Why dp you not publish iu full R—‘s great speech iu the General As* seinbly? it would increase your circulation largely.” "I you will publish the sermon I transmit to you, I will take eight extra copies!” "The church must he aroused on the subject of foreign missions,” says h pastor, as he forwards the half of Ids last Sabbath services—a goochnature l editor surrenders to them at once, and they go away happy, utterly unconscious that they have helped to spoil the paper.

How a Chinese Woman Was Disposed of.

China News. On the evening of the 30(h of June, while the C. N.~ Company’s steamer IV* in ; was lying alongside the hulk ai Ita .how, the officers witnessed an attempt to drown a woman from a sampan c’ose by the landing steps, on the jad of two men, one of whom was seen to push her into the water. Mr. Morgan, of the Custom service, who saw ihe occurrence from the shore, ran doWn the steps and rescued the woman, the water there being only six feet deep. When he pulled her out of the water it was found that iier hands were tied behind her ueck. She said to her rescuer: "Masked more better I die.” When she had recovered from tiie efleets of her bath she went home. At 4:30 a. m., the next day, she-was "successfully drowned ’by her brothers-in-law, the men whose attempt had had been frustrated on the previous day. They look her out this time into tiie middle of the river, aud, haviug attached a line to her waist, as well as pinioned her arms and fixed a stone around tier neck, they pushed her into the water as before. Alter life was extinct they jiulleu the body up by tbo line around the waist, took it ashore and buried it with the usual funeral rites. The crime of the deceased was Listed to he that "she refused to marry an old man! she being a fine, blooming widow, wanted something better.” The details of the actual murder were given to Mr. Morgan by some Chinese, \vuo witnessed both events; and the mrr.ldTt rs themselves told him that it omitd have been better if he had not iuteriered with their first attempt.

Beats a Fish Story.

Lebanon (Ky.) Standard. A very curious and interesting spectacle was to be seen Monday afternoon in the office ot Mr. P. C. Clever’s livery stable in this city. Against the wall of the room stands a tolerably tall desk, aud under this a small spider, not larger than a common pea, had constructed au extensive web reaching down to the floor. * About 11:30o’clock Monday forenoon it was observed that the spider had ensnared a young mouso by passing filaments of her web around its tail. When first teen the mouse had Its hind feet ou the floor, and could barely touch the floor with its lore feet. The spider was lull of business, running up and down the line, occasionally biting the mouse’stail, making it struggle desperately. Its efforts to escape were unavailing, as the slender filaments about its tail were too strong for it to break. In b short time it was seen that the, spider was slowly hoisting its victim into the air. By 2 o’clock in the afternoon tte mouse could hardly touch the floor with its fore feetpby dark the point of its nose was an inch above the floor. At 9 o'clock at night the motive was still alive, but made no sign except when the spider descended and bit its tail. At this time it was an inch aud a half from the floor. Yesterday morning the mouse was dead, and hung three inches from the floor. The news pf the novel sight soon became circulated, aud hundreds of people visited the stable to witness it. The mouse is A small one, probably less than half grown, measuring about one and a half inches from the point of its nose to the root of its tail. How the spider succeeded in ensnaring it Is not known. The mechanical ingenuity of the spider, which enables her to raise a body which must weigh forty or fifty times as much as herself, has been the subject of a great deal of comment and speculation, and no satisfactory solution of the difficulty has been found. AU agree that it is a most remarkable case, and one that would be received with utter incredulity if it were not so amply attested.

Women in Journalism.

The influence of women in journalism in the United States is far greater than appears on the surface. The fact that there are sixty papers and periodicals openly edited aud published by women gives but a very small fractional idea of the extent of their connection with journaUsm. The number of female contribnters to all classes of papers and*magazines is not known to the general public, and not always even to the publishers, from the fact that in the highest class of periodicals they frequently adopt male noms de plume, whUe many others form part of the editorial staff of influential journals, where, as impersonal contributors, sex is not recognized.

PRESIDENT ARTHUR’S BIRTHPLACE.

A Vexed Question Settled—Personal Testimony From a Trustworthy Source—Some Interesting Bernmiscencefe Of the Arthur Family. Indianapolis Times. r '.\ There had been a good deal of talk about President Arthur’s birthplace, and an effort has been made to make It appear that he was not born in the United States. Tbe question ia no longer one of practical importance, but in order’to remove any doubt that might exist in the mind of aav person, we wrote to Dr. C. N. Case, of Brandon, Vt., requesting of him a statement of the facts in the case, withinin his personal knowledge. Dr. Case has sent us the following interesting letter which settles the question of the President’s birth place, and recalls some interesting reminiscences of his advent in the world: "In regard to your inquiries about the birthplace of'President Arthur, I won kl say that my own personal knowledge of the event is as complete as could be expected of one who was at that time a lad of about ten years of

age. My own parents were then living In a place called North Fairfield. Vt., which was more accurately the Northwestern School District of that town, which was strictly a farming town, lying directly east of and adjoining the better known town of St. Albans, Vt. About the year 1828 there was settled over the Baptist Church in that place, a youug minister of more than ordinary ability, who’-drew large audiences by his rare eloquence and earnest zeal; He at first preached in a dilapidated school house, which soon was not able to accommodate one-fourth of those desiring to htar him. A capacious barn was called into requisition. A church was built in due time; also, a small parsonage. The erection of this (18 by 24) structure as a more iiermsnent home for the family made them our nearest neighbors, only about onefourth of a mile distant, and on our way to school, so that my acquaintance with the family became quite intimate. There were then four children, all daughters. (1) Regina, afterward Mrs. Caw, who lias been a widow ‘or sixteen years; (2) Jane, who died at the age of sixteen; (3) Almeda, now Mrs. Marston, living. I think, at Cohoes, N. Y.; (4) Ann Eliza, still unmarried. One son and two daughters have been born since the birth of Chester A. One beautiful October evening in the autumn of 1830, as our family were about retiring to rest, we missed our mother, and her mysterious ab-sence caused some commotion among her . little brood. Our questions were answered gravely and evasively by our father, but the mystery was solved by her return in the morning with her face radiant with smiles,- when she informed us that a new boy had been sent to the minister’s family during the night. 1 called to see the new boy during the next day, being the first "man” who called on him I think. I was not present at his birth, not haviug received my medical diploma till many years afterward; but if the testimony of my mother, and grandmother, and the evidence I gained the next day, and by the universal acception of the fact, by the hundreds who saw tho child, and the thousands who knew the family—if all this testimony amounts to any thing, I positively know that dies ter A. Arthur, Now President of Hie United States, was born at Fairfield, Vt., early in October, 1830. The event of a tson bom in the cler gyman’s family iu a quiet,lmoral parish fifty years ago, was a thrilling incident, and the scenes connected with it are as fresh iu my mind as tiie eveqts of 3'ester lay. The joy of the sisters on having a new brother, the bit of gossip concerning the great anxiety of the Rev, father as to the sex of the expected one; his daucing with delight wiien it was announced "it is a l*>y”— all this I well remember. I remember the boy in his cradle, in his learning to creep, aud bis learning to walk. My last recollection ot him as a child was seeing him Btand in the dorway of the little parsonage, looking up at me with bis great wondering black eyes, ids simple attire rather the worse for wear, aud from a recent bath in a neighboring mud puddle, he was looking about as unlike a future President as possible. The family, after between three and four years' in Fairfield, moved to a town in New York, about 200 miles awayj and from that time my knowledge of the family became more meager. I often heard of them, and usually knew where they were. Since my residence here I have had an occasional call from Rev. Dr. Arthur,who kent me informed about his family; and when Chester began to be prominent politics I easily recognized the boy born at Fairfield, in 1830, of whom his father often spoke with paternal Eride —of his wonderful scholarship,his onorable .college career, and later, of his progepsa a? a lawyer in New York

City.

Brandon, Vt., September 25.

A Duel at Night.

Denver News. Oue of those tragic events that mark the narrow strip between civilization and barbarism occurred at Cbaraa, New Mexico, last night. The parties to the affair were Charles Reiser aud William Whitson (Tex.), two southern boys, who paid the forfeit imposed by duty and pride. Tex held the position of town marshal. Reiser was carrying a pistol, contrary to the notice posted around, and Tex made an effort to disarm him. After trying in vain for several minutes to do this, he proposed a duel at teu steps. Reiser accepted the challenge. It was nearly 11 o’clock p. m. but the night was clear. Telling Reiser to be ready, Tex stepped off ten paces, aud turning, the flriDg commenced. At the first fire Reiser shot Tek almost through the heart. As Tex stumbled to liis kuees and fell, he fired four times, one ball passing through Reiser’s body Just above the navel. When we got to them Tex was about dead. Reiser lived half an hour. William Whitson was a native of Texas —a state that has furnished more "border heroes” than any other. Charles Reiser was from Odessa, Missouri. Both were young (neither of them more than twenty-five), both warm hearted and true as steel. Duty caused Tex to lose bis life, while Reiser lost his through an unyielding pride. Both had many friends, and were really good friends themselves.

President Arthur at Home.

During the last canvass the late Dis trict Attorney Phelps thus wrote about his partner, the candidate for Vice President: "In person he is over six feet high, but he does not resemble overmuch the Statures the papers have published of im. In these, as in his lithographic likenesses, he is given an Arthur Sullivan chin, that is, double fold, English, beefy, and unpleasant. Gen. Arthur has not this actually. His face is full and fair. It is clean shaven, except for the thin gray whiskers. No one feature is more marked than another, and yet to look at his placid eyes it is natural and easy to believe tbat a greater intellectual force exists behind their somewhat listless gaze than is at first apparent. Being a lawyer, be bas tbat sense of judiciid fairness, that poise of manner and judgment that always combines to make a good presiding officer of any legislative body. There is nothing about him of the politician as so many might suppose from (he career he has led. He does not ialk in offensive accents; his voice is low and gentlemanly. He dresses in perfect good taste; at present entirely in black. He is fairly corpulent, as his pictures very well suggest. His hair is dark, bis eyes are brown. There

is little In Lexington avenue to distinguish one block from another.. No. 123 is just one of the dozen in its own block nCar Sixteenth street. Here Chester A. Arthur lives. Inside the house Is exactly what was to be expected. It bp a house m which gold and white was selected for the drawingroom. At present all tbe beauties o furnishing are beneath the homely ban Of furniture covers. The gilt gaseliers are swathed in mosquito net; so are the pictures. Enough of these can, however, be seen to testify that the dweller here ia a man oi correct taste. The cattle pieces are all good; he quaint bit of still life beside the mantel looks to be, from where you sit, a genuiue Teneirs. Its companion is, perhaps, an Ostade. Upon the low book cases that contain some handsome volumes, are some excellent bronzes; one. a spirited group Just over your host’s shoulder, seems to he Russian handiwork. It certainly is a Cossack horse. General Arthur undoubtedly has been a traveler in his fancies, and yet he is a man who cares for cushions and comfort. His parlor has no stiff furniture. The tete-a-tete is a very easy one; the' armchairs are generous in stuffing. Near the fireplace a handsome silk screen shows a monogram ia rainbow-colored silk, the work of deft filbgers. But it is impossible to take a mantel inventory and participate in your host’s conversation. Turn your attention to him rather than to his.”

Most persons will be rathei surprised to know that a very fair quality of sugar Is made from rags. A very simple and light fire escape has been invented. It Is like a small table, and is fixed under a window. In cases of fire the table is turned over the window sill aad forms a bracket with a light iron ladder hanging from it. It is an English invention. A fragment of prehistoric garment with a piece of wood attached has been found in a deposit of salt in Nevada. It appeared to have been knit by hand from the inner fiber of a tree. A similar fragment was once found In Louisiana among the bones of the mastodoD, which proved its great antiquity. An American watchmaker has constructed a miniature steam engine which is the smallest one in the world. It can be covered entirely by an ordinery thimble, aud vet it consists of 145 pieces, connected l y 102 screws. Three drops of water will fill the boiler, and the entire weight is only one grain. Professor Flower, a well-known anatomist, states that the largest normal skull he ever measured was 2,075 cubic cen it meters. The Laplanders and Esquimaux, though very small people, have unusually large skulls. The average measurement of the English skull of tbe lower grades shows J,642 cubic centimeters.

In 1870 the total coal production of the world was 193,970,083 tons; in 1880 It was 291,468.000, an iucrease of 100.467,318 tons, or 5 percent. Tabiog the growth of ihe coal industry as a measure of a Nation’s general industrial progress, Russia makes a very good showing, the percentage of coal output there haviug increased 275 per cent., and Spain makes a poor appearance, the percentage of increase being only 36 percent. It is claimed by Prof. Raoul Pictet, of Geneva, that a discovery of his applied to tiie construction of lake, river, or ocean going ve-sois is likely to cause a revolution in naval aichiteciure. The delailsare given only in (lie most general terms. A model embodying the new principles is in course of construction at Geneva, and when it is tried on the lake it will be seen whether the the Processor has not l»een too sanguine. He expects that it will attain a high rate of speed and glide over the water without cutting it, and so diminishing resistance. Many, if not most, people have supposed, or, rather ladieved that the method of teaching deaf mutes to speak hail been quite a modern invention, but every one is uot of that opinion. A congress on the education of the deaf and dumb was lately opened at Bordeaux and during the sittings M. Claveau published a series of articles iu which he endeavored to prove that the art of teachiug the dumb to speak is as old as tho latter part of the ninth century; that it was invented and practiced by St. John, of Beverley, Archbishop of York, England, and that it was explained In the writings of the Venerable Bede.

The Oldest of the Mummies.

Now York Tribune. Among the royal mummies the oldest Is Riug Raskenen, one of the latest mouarehs of the seventeenth dynasty. According to Marlette, this dynasty ended B. C. 1803. As Ilaskeuen was not the last of this line, we shall not be far out of the way iu saying that his mummy, with its flue linen shroud and its three carved cases fitting together like a n< st of boxes, is about 3,700 years old. Four hundred years before the Israelites crossed the Red sea this monaich ruled in Thebes. Nearly all that we know of the doings of humanity upon the earth has taken place since he was oiled and perfumed and laid away iu his painted boxes. Yet we can touch his hands to day and look into iiis face and read his history wtitlen.aH over his coffin. The Methodist Christian Advocate contains the following: "A story is told iu Michigan about one of the members of the Detroit conference which is too good to keep. He was spending a day in the country, and was invited to dine. They had chicken for dinner, of course, much to the grief of a little boy in the household, who had lost his favorite hen to provide the feas’. Alter dinner prayer was proposed, and while the preacher was praying a poor little lonesome chicken came running under the house, crying for its absent mother. The little boy could restrain himself no longer. He put his mouth down to a bole in the floor and shouted; "Peepy, peepy, I didn’t kill your mother. They killed her for that big preacher’s dinner.” The "Amen” was said very suddenly.

C. L. CASE.

Writing Up the Smallest Woman. San Francisco News-Letter.

Lucia Zarate, the smallest woman in the world, was born in Mexico. HeJ Earents were peons— tbat is to say alf-breeds. When born she was the size of a rat. It was supposed that she was dead, and she was put into a little box tbat be in the room. Soon, however, she began to scream. She was then taken out of her box, and, except that she was wonderouely small, she soon played and ran about like any other child. This is what the weekly Arizona Miner says, but we can lay over that. Bologna Sausagini, the most smallest woman in the world, was born in London. Her parents were both over eight feet high. When born she was no bigger than a hum-ming-bird’s egg, and weighed one ounce. She was put ih a pill box, but she soon squealed the lid off, and. now she Is fourteen years old, weighs 210 pounds, and can kick a cat off the doorstep clear across the street. Them’s the kinder sort of wimmen this Journal writes up.

Cincinnati, 0., October 7. A panic was caused at the county fair at Newark, Ohio, yesterday by the Calling of the grand stand, with hundreds of people on it. Many persons were hurt, but only five or six were severely injured, among whom were four women. Mrs. Bauman, of Lynnville, received the worst injuries, having a leg brokeu at the thigh and her breast crushed.

Bits of Science.

Accident at a Fair.

A CRAZE FOR DIAMONDS.

The Favorite Gem of American Women.—Large Purchases of Diamonds for the American Market Method of Cutting the Stones. N. Y. Tribune. The passion for diamonds is increasing. Frobably at no previous time in the history of the American world of fashion were so many of these precious stones worn as now, or so large a proportion of them of such excellent quality. Here and there the popular taste may select the fanciful gem—the tourmaliue or zircon—but the Are glauciug from the facets of a diamond has a charm for the multitude not possessed by any other gem. Most of the diamonds come from the Cape of

Q xxi Hope, a few from Brazil, and some from Siberia and Borneo. The discovery of the African diamonds six or seven years ago upset the market, but it has since recovered its equilibrium. Merchants in this city claim that imitation diamonds have nqt materially injured their business. Such stones' depend upon the glare of gaslight to avoid detection, as sunlight readily exposes their real character. The demand for fine stones is increasing and for stones finer cut than it is {generally possible to obtain in Europe. Many diamonds are brought to America not cut in prismatic proportion and

have to be cut over by American workmen to bring out their real beauty. A diamond has thirty-six facets on top and twenty-six facets below. If the distance from the “table” to the "color” is more than one-third of the stone its “life” is lost and it should be recut. The bottom of a good diamond tapers almost to a point in the cutting, which is finally taken off. Of all the diamonds? the white translucent stone that is free from flaw and perfectly cut s the most valuable. Pink diamonds are rare, but brig.it yellow, brownand jet black diamonds may be easily found in the market. While a dull tint injures a white diamond, a marked color of red or green adds considerably to its value. Nine-tenths of the blue diamonds are milky, while all the fine white stones have just a suggestion of blue in their composition. Diamonds cost more than they did ten years ago. A perfect brilliant of the first water is worth about SSO; onehaif carat, $175; one carat, $500; two carats, SBOO. Diamonds of a larger size bring whatever may be obtained from the purchaser, as no fixed price can be stated. As a diamond loses nine twentieths of its weight in cutting,tbe value of a rough diamond may be calculated per carat as one-half the estimate mentioned. Diamonds imperfect or thin, are usually reduced to powder or utilized in tools for drilling Eurposes. Three carrat stones often ring S9OO. ‘*l have frequently prid S3OO a carat for something fine,” said a diamond merchant to a'Tribuue reporter. “Diamonds arc like horses, there’s no market value lor them. No dealer ever sold a good gem cheap. In war times you might pick up a diamond a trifle cheaper than now, but to-day if you want a good diamond you must pay a good price for it. You may buy a onecarat diamond for SIOO, but it will be nothing extra, no gem.” “Are there more diamonds worn now than ever before in this country?” “I should say so. most decidedly. I have been in the business over thirty years, and I never knew such a rage for the stone as exists to day. Last week I attended a garden party at the Grand Union Hotel at Saratoga, and I saw bushels of them. This is the only way to describe the number of valuable diamonds worn there, and most of them were fine stones. Nearly every womau there had big soltaires in rings of earrings. You see the finest diamonds are worn soltaire iu studs, rings, and earrings, while for bracelets and hairpius ail inferior stone may be used, as they are not so conspicuous. I noticed ouo thing, however, at the Grand Union, nine-tenths of the diamonds were not clean. Dust settles on everything and it is astonishing how little care a womau will give to her diamonds. They carefully inspect their gloves and shoes befere completing their toilets, but their diamonds, worth often thousands of dollars, receive no attention, become dirty and sometimes are lost. A lady customer of mine lost a very valuable diamond after possessing it tight years. If she had been iu the habit of giving the gem any attention she would have not ticcd that a setting of eighteen- caragold will wear out in time and lose its grip on the stone. The large solitaire diamond is now preferred to the cluster. Few diamonds are woruJhy gentlemen except in the case of young men anxious for display. Here aud there a gentleman will wear soltaires on his shirt bosom, but if he has good taste he will bo , careful that they are quite small, or he may be taken lor a gambler. It is astonishing ho wjmuch money is represent ed in the diamonds worn by the ladies on a ‘swell’ occassion. It is a common thing in New York society to see $lO,000 or $20,000 in diamonds on a lady’s person. Mrs. John Jacob jias btffiu known to wear $60,000 worth of diamonds at aq evening reception, find I should say that’the’diamonus worn by Mrs. W. H. Vauderbilt at the garden

party I spoke of were fully worth that amount of money.' Mrs. Mackay wife of the ‘Bonanza King,’ ohee offered to buy the famous ‘Regent’ diamond, the most valuable in the world. It )s valued at a mere million, but the French Government wouldn’t sell it.”; i “A bandy thing to pawn when you stiike hard-pan,” suggested the reporter. “Not at all. You couldn’t find a dealer in the city who would advance a dollar on it. Everyone would knpw it and know it belonged to the Crown of France. Besides, the diamond is too big to sell—what could you do with.it? Certainly not wear it. When a diamond is over five or six carats in: size it is not saleable. Halnhen, the famous diamond cutter of Paris, has had iu his possession the ‘South Star’ diamond, 126 carats, for thirty years and has not been able to find a purchaser for it although his price is only $75,000. It is very hard to get rid of these extraordinary stones. An importer; in John street has had two stones, each twenty carats, in the market for years and has been unable to sell them, and I don’t believe he will ever be able to dispose of them. Isaac Herman of this city, did cut a forty carat diamond, the largest, I believe, ever cut in New York. It was a good job, but the stone was not white and was most likely

worn by a gambler.” “Here,” displaying a case of flashing gems, “ere solitare earrings, two carats, and worth $1,200. They are* large enough to produce a striking' effect, and when you get much larger diamonds they look clumsy.” "How are diamonds prepared for the market?” “Well, they are found, as you know, in alluvial deposits and are extracted by washing. They are cat by cleaving the stones. Then two of them are rubbed together until they receive a a shape in the rough. The next step is to finish them carefully by grinding on a revolving disk fashioned for soft steel which is covered with oil and diamond dust. Most diamonds'are cut iu the shape of brilliants and some in the form of a rose having a flat bottom and an upper surface of tiny facet* and ending in a point.”

How an Austrian Lieutenant Acquired a Fortune.

A strange and romantie story reaches us from Olmutz, says the London Telegraph, having for its hero a young infantry Lieutenant named Pohl. be longing to an Austrian regiment, a * present quartered in that ancient gar 1

rfeoned town. It would appear that some twenty years ago or more, a General Prince Bus poll, accompanied by liis bride, to whom he had been married barely a month, happened to visit Olmuts in the poune of his Wedding tour. While sojourning in tbe principal hotel, the Princess was suddenly taken ill, and brought into tho world a healthy child of the male sex. For reasons that may be readily understood, the young couple resolved to conceal this event from their respective families, aud induced an Austrian officer to adopt'the iofant,under solemn promise that their secret should be faithfully kept by him during their lives. Pohl, the oflioer in question, brought up his adopted son to his own profession, and the lad has turned out a gallant and assiduous soldier. On the Bth of last May Pxiuce Ruspoil

died in Paris, and it is alleged that on his death bed he confessed the existence of a son in Olmutz, born in wedlock, but passing by the name of Pohl, who turns out to be the young Lieutenant above alluded to. As the greater Dart of the late Prinee’s property, valued at between £690,000 and £700,000, is strictly entailed upon his eldest son, it will naturally fall to lhe6hare of the fortunate youth, as well as the title, one of the most ancient and illustrious in Italy. He has, according to a leading Viennese journal, already received a communication from his brother, Prince Ruspoil, Jr., disinherited by this amazing discovery, informing him that thePnnce had indignantly refused to entertain a proposition, made to him confidentially by a renowned Italian brigand, to assassinate the long lost heir for the moderate consideration of £BO It is to be hoped that his highness will provide amply for a relative who has given him so striking and conclusive a proof of high minded disinterestness.

The New Probate Laws.

The new laws now in force introduce several important changes in the administration of decendents’ estates, and the relations of guardians and words. Under the new law setlements will be much more promnt, and while the administrator’s expenses will be slightly increased there will result a vast saving in assets to the estates of deceased persons. The executor or administrator is now required, at the end of &aeh six months during the continuance of his trust, to report the amount of fnnds received by him for the benefit of an estate, and at the end of each year he must file an. account current, showing receipts and disbursements. Upon failure to make any of the above reports, it is made the duty of the court to issue a citation. As a result of these requirements a large amount of interest will doubtless be saved to the estates of deceased persons. The change in guardianship laws are by way of amendments aud in effect increase the gurdian’s penalty and bond, and provides in addition to the old law, that petitions for removal may originate with the ward upon sufficient cause. It is provided that whenever an unmarried woman, who is a guardian, marries, she shall bo removed unless her husband should signify to the court his assent in writiug filed in open court to her continuance in said trust, which assent shall make him jointly liable with ;her for due execp'Jon of said trust. There are no changes in the guardianship of insane persons and all changes iu probate laws are for the purpose of aud effecting a saving of funds held in trust by administrators.

The Story of a Hundred Dollar Bill.

Baltimore Gazette. A distinguished statesman forty years ago was on a visit to Baltimore, and he gave to a colored girl while here what he supposed to be at the tjme a dollar bill. The next morning the girl went to a grocery store, ami a’ter making\* few trifling purchases, gave the bill iu payment, supposing that it was a dollar. The proprietor ot the store, a highly-esteemed citizen of Baltimore, noticed with great surprise that it was for a hundred dollars, aud lie supposed at once the woman had stolen it. Ascertaining the delusion she was under, lie informed her of the true character of the note, and told her he would detain it until the owner was found. The girl told how she had received it, persisted that it had not been stolen aud assented to the gentleman retaining it until the owner was found. He advertised Jhe bill, and the statesman, in answer, called to say that the girl’s story was true, and that as her honesty had been suspected she could keep the hill. He then departed to the scene of his daily triumphs, and in acquisition of a great fame perhaps lorgot the incident. The grocery merchant retained the note, in the expectation of the girl returning, but she never called for it, it is Bup|>osed being frightened aud fearing being charged with its the t. He deposited it at interest. Years rolled on and she married, bore children, and died, and a tew years ago a son applied to the merchant for the note and the interest, which now amounted to a large sum of money. This amount the custodians paid into one of the city courts, iu order that the court should decide whether or not the claimant was entitled to it. The cohrt sustained the claim, and the money was paid to the heir, and thuseuda the story of a uudred dollar bill.

A Terrible Snake Fight.

St. Louis Republican. Before leaving Barnum’s menagerie the reporter passed the cage containing the snakes, two of - which were missing. One of the African anacondas had expanded to twice its natural girth, and there were pieces of snake skin lying around everywhere. Oliver, the snake charmer, explained how these things came about. At 2 o’clock this morning the attention of everyone was attracted by a prodigoua hissiug in the snakes’ den which contained seven anacondas and two boa consirictcrs. When they ran to ihe den they found that a terrible tigot was going on between the boa constrictors and the anacondas. The smallest of the anacondas was swallowed bodily by the largest of the constrictors, and another was killed. When their keeper entered their den to separate them, they endeavored to crush him, and he came out covered with the slime which they throw on their food before swallowing if.. Fourteen live chickens were put in the cage day before yesterday, and the nine snakes ate all of them. The share which fell to the boa constrictors was not enough to satiate their voiscity, and so they commenced on the anacondas.

Marvelous Progress.

Pali Mall Gazette. ' Statesmen and economists ought to follow with great attention the marvelous phenomenon of the United States. It must have no slight influence for good or for evil on Europe. According to Poor’s Railroad Manual, just issued, last year (1880) the States have laid down 7,174 miles of rail; so they could oompltte a railroad network like that of -France in lees than two years and a half. Their exports increased from $442,820,178 in 1871 to $602,319,473 in 1880 81. The excess of Imports over specie amounted during the year ended July 30,1880, t 0576,891.391, and during the year ended July 30, 1881, to $91,« 168,650, a sum equivalent to the total production of gold in the world. If our continent should be iu the form of the United States, without army and navy, and should be rapidly diminishing its debt, like the States of America, we could more easily compete with them. But only Socialists seem to be able to entertain such a dream.

A German physician asserts that ail way employes are liable to affec-v tions of the spinal oord.

JOCOSITIES.

There wm a young fellow named Tanner Tried to Addle the StatrSpanglod Banner With a wood-saw apon ▲ males tall. He has gone Where they never play tones in that manner. When eata ran home, and night has come. And all is still around the house; When the voice of the dog is dumb. And nsnght is heard save a mouse. And naught is hoard save a mouse; One cat doth rive the other fits, , As on the wall be sits and tpils. Some weary sleeper apes the latch, And thinks to chase these cats awa His bodljaek he doth qnickly catch, And Dwiugeth it to give it play. And swingeth It to give it play; y He hopes to give that Thom** fits. And hit him whore he sit* and spits. The most thoughtful man has been discovered in New Jersey. Jnstbefore he died he said to the 'undertaker: “When you put me on ice do not waste auy on my feet They have already been frozen.” r 1 tr A slight shock of an earthquake is reporter to have been felt at Greenwich New Brunswick. When St Louis girls away from home are going to play skip-the-rope they should notify *tha community, and not have reports of earthquake shocks telegraphed all over the country, “I do believe, Mr. Heffelepiu,” said his wife, “that you mean to kill me with your everlasting conundrums. Why is a feline sitting up straight like Niagara? You knew I couklen’t guess it.” “Well, I tell you,” rejoined HefTelspln “‘Because it is a cat erect.” Mrs Heffelspih pulled down* her spectacles and started for the broom v but HefSel- ' spin had business down town just then.

The son of an old Frenchman married without his father’s consent, and and without a penny to bless himself with. After a brief honeymoon he returned to his lather’s house, when the old gentleman addressed him in the following terms: “Auguste, you read your Bible; ze Bible say ahaau shall leave his father and his mothet and cleave unto his vise. Now you go and cleave unto your vise.” Aud he clove. Out of the omnibus: - He—"(Jxosithunder weather! If yet one time, when I a fresh-washed shirt ondraw, a button thereon be could! I might out of rage everything tear !” She (herself in the the reading of a new romance interrupting.)—“But, Tobias, I comprehend thee not, thou art a grown,understanding man, and make such a upraising therefor, that one pair small buttons are wanting! See'the children on—there is the whole shirt torn and they say no word. Two commercial agents met at the depot with their grips, when one said, “Hello, John, where have you been?” John said that he had been laying oft, but now he had an interest in the business, and was going on the road again. The friend cJlfgratulated him on having gained the proud position of partner iu one of the the largest houses in Milwaukee, which was making money handover nst, when iJohn broke in by saying: “No lam not a partner, but.the old man told me that if I didn’t take more interest in the business, ho would bounce me, so I have concluded to take an interest in it hereafter. Good-day. * The following is told of James R. Randall, the scholarly editor of the Augusta (Ga.) Chronicle and Constitutionalist. He attended preaching at a colored church iu the country, and had in his pocket a silver half dollar, just tbe ticket fare back to Augusta. At the conclusion of his sermon tho minister ordered a collection for his own benefit. “Of course,” said lie “I ,spects every pusson to give somethin’; but I’se told dat Mr. Thomas up do lane yander had some turkeys stole Friday night. I don’t want any man who hadA han’ instealiu’ dein turkeys to put any money in de hat.” When the hat reached Randall, not a man had denied, and the preacher’s eyes were on him. His half-dollar went into the hat.”

Chicamauga.

N. Y. Herald. Had Preside!) t Garfield been obliged, to select the day on which he should die he undoubtedly would have fixed upon the anniversary of the battle or Chiekamauga, and fate kindly selected the same date. AU acquaintances of the deceased President know with what satisfaction and pride he has frequently referred to to the great battle between Rose crajis and Bfagg, in which nearly 150,000 men were engaged, but the public may have forgotten the cause of the feeling. General Garfield was General Rosecrans’ fAdjutant General and wrote all the orders of the. day except the single one which, through a mi-jconception or otherwise, caused General Wood to take,his division out of line and cau3C ;a gap through which the euemy poured, driylng the left,, with Rosecrans back to Chattanooga, aud leaving Thomas to fight fearful odds. While the left was falliug back, and communication between the two wings was brokeb, Garfield insisted 0n returning, personally, to Thomas, afid Rosecrans reluctantly consented,where upon the future President, accompanied only by an orderly and an pffloer who acted as guide, (started for the field, fuided by the soiind of Thomas’ gtins. 'he orderly was wounded and so were the horses of both officers, for the woods were full of the enemy, hut the little party reachNl Thomas in safety, and Garfield not duly informed Thomas of the conditioii of the demoralized left, font succeeded in reporting to Rosecrans the situation at the front. The act was tnoroughly sousible, soldierly and brajve, aud no soldjer Witt wonder that its principal actor frequently recalled it.

A Kissing Spring.

Little Rock Gazette. A trusted correspondent at Witherspoon writes: We are cordially informed that fifteen miles northeast of" here on Greasy creek, one of the greatest and most miraculous springs, has re. eently been discovered, on record. We have not been to see them, but our informant, a good citizen aud a Baptist preacher of celebrity, tells us what he saw. Parson John R. Yeatts was at the spring last week, and he says ihe spring flows from a mountain about 400 feet high, comes out of the ground about 100 feet from the top of the mountain, on the north side aud flows at the rate of about forty gallons per minute, and the color of apple cider and tastes just like apple brandy and has tne same affect. Those under the influence of the water are perfectly ecstatic and hugging and loving everything they meet He says: “I never saw the like; children and boys and girls hugging and kissing everyone they meet. Old men and old women, young men and young ladles, embHtcmg each other by hugging and kissing. I met an old white-headed man and woman—l suppose about eighty—mid they were hopping and skipping like lambs. I saw hundreds lying round the spring so drunk.that they could not stand up apd they were lyin and laughing and trying to slap their hands.” The people call them mlliennium springs.?’

A Colorado Outlaw.

Bert Wilkersbn, a Colorado outlaw, recently hanged by lynchers, had highly respectable family connections in Indiana. His grand-uncle was Joseph A. Wright, who was Governor for several terms, then United States Senator, and alter ward Minister to Berlin. TTL grandfather was for many years a member of the Indiana Legislature. His father was a cousin of the Hon. James F. Harlan, of lowa. Bert had for many yearn figured as a border barroom hero, and tne murder.for which his life was taken-was wanJUui, brutal, and cowardly. When about to -.die, however, his bravado proved trustworthy. He adjusted the noose himself, remarking, “Boys I’ll help you all I can,” and cooly kicked over the chan on which he stood.