Rensselaer Union, Volume 10, Number 23, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 21 February 1878 — Page 2

Hie Rensselaer Union. | —. KRfc.'RENSSELAER, . - INDIANA.

General News Summary.

Tu Prudent, on the oth, appointed u Noßorair CommtaFkmor* to the Ports Expedition, Lloyd P. Baker mml Sugena L. Meyer, of Eanaw, and Thomas H. Buckler and Robert It was stated in Washington, on the lltb, that President Hares bad written a letter to AttY-3*n. Darens on the subject of Geu. Andt ram's conviction, at New Orleans, in which a regret I* expressed that such proceedings had taken place, as, apart from all other conafcfeiatioua, they tended to disturb the conclUathm which, It was hoped, would be satisfactory to all parties in Louisiana. The letter It said to be temperate in tone. Tn President, according to a Washington dispatch of the 14th, has refused to remove Gen. Anderson, of the I.ouisiaiia Returning Board, from the office of Collector of the Port of New Orleans. Among the nominations made l>y the President, on the 15th, were those of Bayard Taylor, to be Envoy-Extraordinary and MinisterPlenipotentiary to Germany; John Baker, of nUnaia, Minister-Resident to Yenexucla; Win. A. Howard, of Michigan, to be Governor of Dakota Territory; A. W. Speight and W. E. (Juimby. of Texas, and Homer D. Sanborn and John Van Renerden. of Oregon, to iie Honorary Commissioners to the Paris Exposition. _____ AT New York, on the oth, a young lady, whose allaged insanity had been the subject of inquiry by three Commissioners since the oth of last December, was declared to be of sound mind, and to have never been insane. aithongh she had been confined in an asylum for over seven years. Her family testified that Ae Whi TBStbe. IT Appea red from the Testimony- that, in case she was adjudged a lunatic, her brothers and sisters would receive about 0000,000 more from their father’s estate, as she would be nnable to make a will disposing of her ahare. The jury found that all her brothers and slaters approved of. and some of them were instrumental In, the confinement of their sister in the asylum. Hon. Theodore Roosevelt, President Hayes’ nominee for Collector of the Port of New York, and whose confirmation was prevented by the efforts of Senator Conk ling, died at bis residence in New York City on t lie evening of the oth. A letter was read from Archbishop Wood, in the Catholic Churches in Mauch Chunk, Pa., on the 10th, In which the recent alleged raising of a young woman from the dead, by one of the local priests, was pronounced to be a delusion and pious fraud. The Archbishop farther stated that a repetition of anything of the sort hi the Diocese would be visited by the severest censure authorized by the laws of the Church. Hon. Gideox Welles, ex-Becretary of the of the 11th, from the effects of a carbuncle which had confined him to the house for about two weeks. The schooner Speedwell reached New York, on the 11th, having on board the Master and crew of the schooner Sallie M. Steehnan, which’ was abandoned at sea during a recent voyage from Charleston to Baltimore. According to the story of the survivors, they suffered almost indescribable horrors before falling in with the Speedwell. For eight days they lived upon nothing but fresh water and tobacco, their provisions having been washed overboard or exhausted soon after they encountered the storm whie’-i worked for them such direful results. On the day before their rescue, they killed and ate two of their crew, to such ex tremity were they reduced. They encountered the gale off Cape Hatteras. John- F. Tract, for many years President of the Chicago, Rock Island <fc Pacific Railroad, died at Erie. Pa.. on the 13th, altera long illness. He was in his fitty-second year. As understanding, based upon mutual concessions, was arrived at, on the 13th, between the manufacturers and the Crispins, at Lynn, Mass., which virtually ended the strike, and all the establishments would speedily resume operations. The old family mansion of Ilauiel Webster, at Marshfield, Mass., was hunted on the morning of the 14th. Mrs. Jane Pitman, wife of Ben Pitman, Lecturer on Art in the Cincinnat i School of Design, died in that city recently, and, in ac-1 cordance with her own request, expressed in her last will and testament, the remains were taken to Washington, Pa., and there successfully cremated in the LeMoyne furnace, on the 15th, the operation being completed in lass than two hours. Gold closed in New York, on Feb. loth, at 10? The following were the closing quotations for produce: No 2 Chicago Spring, Wheat, #1.27J£@1.28; No. 2 Milwaukee, #[email protected]. (tats, Western and State, 35@37c. Corn, Western Mixed, 48@5Tk>. Pork, Me*, #11.50. Lard, #7.87K- Flour, Good to Choice, #5.30(86.00; (Vinter Wheat, #6.05(86.75. Cattle, #[email protected] for Good to Extra. Sheep, Hogs, J 4.50 <44.65.

At East Liberty, Pas; on Feb. 15th, Cattle brought: Best, $5.00(35.25; Medium, *4.75® 5.00; Common, 13.50(24.25. Hogs sold— Yorkers, $4.10(34.20; Philadelphia*, $4.25(3 4-30. Bheep brought s2.2s(3s.oo—according to quality. AT Baltimore, Md., on Feb. 15th, Cattle brought: Best, *5.00(36.00; Medium, •[email protected]. Hogs sold at $5.25(26.00 for Good. Sheep were quoted at $3.50(36.00 for Good. warn r and south. A New Orleans telegram of the 10th says Louis. Monplaiser and James Prince, the two colored Jurors in the Anderson trial, had stated to responsible parties that their verdict Of “GuOtv, but recommended to the mercy of the Court,” was given under an impression that such verdict wag tantamount to an acquittal, and that they were so informed by other jurors. Both are extremely young men, and it is claimed that Prince is disqualified as a Juror, having been born in 1858. Mr. Wells had been released on SIO,OOO bonds. Dos. Charles M. Conrad, a former United States Senator, and Secretary of War unde President Fillmore, died at New Orleans, on the 11th, aged seventy-three years. - There is to be r National Fat Cattle Show in Chicago, opening in the-Exposition Building on the 2d of December. Ta* AMoa Iron Works, ot fronton, Ohio, has suspended payment. It was organized with a capital stock of $1,000,000. The bouse of J. Leftridge, near I ronton, Ohio, caught fire, a few days ago, and his throe children, who were alone In the house, perished in the flame*. John T. Abi.es, was hanged at Cartilage, Mo., on the 15th, for the murder, in April, 1874, of John L. Lane. On the same day, at Madison, Ind., John W. Beavers was also hanged for the murder of J. W. Sewell. I* Chicago, on Feb. 15th, Spring Wheat No. 3 dosed at cash. Cash jorn closed at 41 %c for No. 2. Cash oats No. S add at 25c; and 28>ic seller May. Rye No. 2, sajfc. Barley Ho. 8,49@49}*c. Cadi Mean Folk closed at $10.40. Lard, S7.DO. Beeves—Extra brought $4.90(25.40. Choice, [email protected]; Good, [email protected]; MedlButchers' Stock, j

2.55(45.25; Stock Cattle, ate., #2.00(93.26. Hoga — Good to Choice, #3.95(«4 <« SheepPoor to Choice, #8.45(44.50. lOßiron INTRLUOIIHS. The authorities of the Black Sea porta have removed all restrictions upon the exportation of grain and provisions. The action of the British Parliament has produced a serious Impression st St- Petersburg, sud fears are entertained that the two Powers may come into armed collision. The Turkish forces, on the 10th, evacuated Wkiln, Rustchuk, Silistria, Isrhik and K.rziroum. A dispatch from Paris of the 10t.h say* a telegram had been received from Ragusa, which stated that the resumption of host 111 tin lietween Montenegro and Turkey waa imminent The Turkish Province of Epirus has declared Its annexation to Greece. Phixcb Bismarck has notified the German Ambassador at Rome that Germany will refrain from interference until Hie new Pojic Is elected, after which she may lake action. A Berlin- dis|>ateh to the Ixmdon Tim** of the 11th says Russia had declared her resolve to reannex Bessarabia, despite the protests of Rouinania. Greece proposes that hei troops continue to occupy the territory In their possession until the European Conference decides the questions at issue between that Government and Turkey. Tiie conduct of (he Ministry in withdrawing troops from Thessaly had been approved by the Greek Cbamtier. The Turkish Parliament, by a large majority, has declared the Turslsli Cabinet to have been unconstitutionally formed. Rev. Alexander Dpfp, D. D., a distln guished Scottish Missionary, is dead. Tiie King of Blam has decided to send a diplomatic representative to the United States. A< < t»mi>iMr jo h Ijoimloii dispatch *»r tin* 12th, great actirity prevailed in the British arsenals and navy yards. All vessels at Chatham had been ordered to lie got ready for sea at once. Never since the Crimean War has such activity in preparations been shown. In answer to the request Of the British Government for the details of the agreement wiiL Tiipltrfkv tl»o Hiluaiatt kpa*iu(dc ],au Rim IrurKvji mu itHBBHIII X IlUllvl into liipilv"l that these were matters which only concerned the late belligerents—in other words, that they did not concern Great Britain. The house of Daniel Reardon, at Wickham, Nf. 8., was burned, a few daya ago, and Reardon, his wife and four children, perished in the flames.

A Constantinople telegram of the 14th announces the arrival of-the Britisli fleet off Constantinople. It was also reported that the Russians were marching Constantinople-ward and only a few hours distant. An Athens dispatch of the 14lh says fighting had been renewed on the Thessalian frontier Thf. Turkish Parliament was dissolved, on the 14th, by message from the Sultan, who stated that the necessities of tiie State forced him to this step, and that he hoped soon to reconvoke them. It was reported from Havana, on the 14th, that all hostilities in the Island of Cuba had been suspended, and that the insurgents, headed by their chiefs, werj trying to arrange terms for a permanent peace. gland had notified Russia that a refusal to vacate Constantinople liefore the Conference, or any interference with the navigation of the straits or the Bosphorus would be considered c<i*»« MU, and resented accordingly. A St. Petersbcro telegram of the 15th says the arrival of the British fleet at Constantinople was looked upon there as an act of war. A Bucharest telegram of the 15th says the feeling there was. exceedingly bitter toward Russia, and there was some talk of recalling the Roumanian contingent.

FORTY-FIFTH CONGRESS. A large number of petitions were presented in the Senate, on the 11th, in favor of the remonetization of silver, as was also a remonstrance against such remonetization from the New York Chamber of Commerce.... Petitions were also presented and referred from all parts of the country- in favor of a Constitutional amendment seeming tiie elective franchise to women.... A biU was introduced and referred to provide tor a water route to facilitate transportation between Lake Michigan and Lake Erie. ... The Silver bill was taken up. and Messrs. Davis (W. Ya.), Saulsbury and Coke spoke in its favor. Bills were introduced and referred in the House—declaring forfeited all grants of public lands to railroads or other corporations, where the conditions of the grants have been violated. and appropriating the land to the use of actual settlers; for the protection of the allnvial lands of the Mississippi; making customs duties to the amonnt of one-fourth part thereof payable in legal-tender notes; to provide for a survey and estimates for a ship canal, with stone sides and bottom, from deep tide-water near the month nf the Mississippi Hirer to Ht. lands. Mo., with branches to Pittsburgh, Chicago, Ht Paul and Omaha. ...The Military Academy Appropriation bill was farther considered in Committee of the Whole. A bill was passed in the Senate, on the 12th, appropriating *'275.000 for the purchase of the Freedmen’s Bank building in Washington .... A favorable report was made on the House joint resolution declaring it inexpedient to reduce the tax on distilled spirits...-Resolutions of the Ohio Legislature, declaring all bonds of the Government to be payable in silver coin, favoring the passage of the Bland Silver hill, and declaring that President Hayes and Sec’v Sherman. in opposing the remonetization of silver, did not represent the views of the people of Ohio, were presented, read and laid on the table. .. Bills were introduced—providing for the liability of receivers of railroads in the State courts of the several States of the Union; to extend the commerce of the United States with Mexico; to provide for the completion of a Southern Pacific Railway... Mr. McDonald (Ind.) spoke in favor of, and Mr. McPherson in opposition to. the Silver hill. The formal presentation of Carpener *8 picture of the “ Signing of the Emancipation Proclamation" took place in the House at two o'clock, the Senate being present in joint convention; Mr. Garfield made the presentation speech.... The Military Academy Appropriation bill was further considered in Committee of the Whole.

In the Senate, on the 13th, an advene report was made on the petition asking for an appropriation* from the Chinese indemnity fond to aid in the relief of persons suffering from the famine in certain Provinces of China. .... A bill was passed providing for the sale of lands in Kansas A bill was introduced and referred to promote the deposit of savings in the popular loan, and to provide for funding the National debt-istA home bonds-convertible tnto currency . Messrs. Merrimon. Saunders, Hereford. Maxey and Voorhees spoke in favor of the Silver bill, and Messrs. Sargent and Dawes argued against it. The understanding was arrived at by unanimous consent that the bill and amendments should be finally disposed of on the 15th. A bill was reported in the House, and made the special order for the 27th. granting pension on account of wounds, etc., contracted in the service of the United States since March 4, 1861, for the payment of arrears of pensions, and for the restoration to the rolls of names of invalid pensioners stricken therefrom on account of disloyalty. • • ■An exciting debate occurred in Committee of the Whole on the Military’ Academy Appropriation bill, the proposed ameiidments to which were ail finally disposed of and the bill was reported to the House. Bills were introduced in the Senate, on the 14th. to provide a temporary Government for the Territory of Lincoln, and to organize the Territory of Okolohoma.... The House joint resolution declaring that a reduction of the tax on distilled spirits is inexpedient was dehstsd and passed — tS to 9 ...Consideration of the Silver bill was resumed, and Messrs. -Tones iN'ev.l and Wadleigh spoke thereon, the farmer advo eating and the latter opposing the measure ... Mr. Blaine submitted a substitute for the bill, and addressed the Senate on the same. The Speaker laid before the House a communication from the Secretary’ of the Treasury, stating that internal re venae receipts for the current fiscal year to date, ns compared with the same period last fiscal year, bad suffered a decrease of $4 969,218, and suggesting, as on* of the causes of this decrease, the agitation of the reduction of the tax on spirits and tobacco. The Secretary urged a reduction of appropriations for the service of the Government during the fiscal year, or an increase of taxation in such form as might be beat, and the Commissioner of Internal Uevenne recommended the passage of a resolution in regard to tobacco similar to the ope passed by Coo-

■iw in record to Um tax on distilled spirit*. After considerable debate, the (omniunicatu.ii waa referred to the Committee on Wavs and M< ana. . The Military Academy Appropriation bill was amended and parnaa.... A bill waa introduced and referred to prescribe the time for Uie payment of the tax on distilled spirits . . The bill granting pensions to the soldiers and sailors of the Mexican and other wars was considered in Committee of the Whole. Aktf.r the transaction of some unimportant busmens in the Senate, on the 15th, the Silver bill was again taken up, ami the delmte was rinsed by Mr. Alliann (who had charge of the bill i after Mr. Ingalls had spoken in itn favor. Several amendments were then rejected, and the f,dlowing were agreed to: Striking duT'oTTKe House lull the frre-coinage feature, and providing for the piin-luise of silver bullion by the Government, to the amount of not lee* than #2,rtIO.UO, nor more than ♦4.0110.1R10 per month 4'J tn 22: providing for an International Commission to adopt a common ratio between gold and silver 40 to SO. The Senate waa still in session op to the morning of the liltli, considering proismed amendments to the bill. In the Mouse, n joint resolution was reported and referred, anthorizing the President to invite the International Monetary Commission to consider and recommend uniform rates or relative valuation in coinage and legal-tcn-dur powers of gold and silver.. After going into Committee of the Whole on the private calendar and considering the bill appropriating ♦375,0(0 to jmy certain Southern mail contractors, the House ndjonraed to the 18th.

MISCELLANEOUS ITEMS.

—Light work: Sawing tSe air. —A Pennsylvanian has died from the bite of a man. —Money is well spent in purchasing tranquillity of mind. —Washington is a paradise for dressmakers and milliners. —Greece has at length let slip her dogs of war—puppies, probably. —A woman in Meriwether County, Ga., never had any linger or toe-nails. to maintain u unanimity* nmongyyour feet. —They are burning corn for fuel in some paits of lowa. It is cheaper than wood. —“And what makes my little Johnny so cross this morning?’ 1 “Dot up —The denizens of the oil regions live on the fat of the land. Turner's Falls Reporter. -r-The wife who is presented with a new water-proof by her husband exclaims, “Water-proof of affection!” —Young man, learn to wait; if you undertake to set a hen before she is ready you will lose your time and confuse the hen beside. —A patriotic man in Kennebunk, Me., has painted his house and barn from foundation to roof with alternate bands of red, white and blue. At each corner of the house is a huge union jack about seven feetwide, and the chimneys are painted with the national colors, and studded with stars. —Nothing makes the average tramp stfmad as to find a bottle with a German label on it in the road. While he is almost certain that the bottle contains whisky, there is a lingering suspicion that it is medicine for a sore toe, and between the two doubts lie goes thirsty. — Detroit Free Press. —“ What are you after, my dear?” said a grandmother to a little boj*, who was sliding along a room, and casting furtive glances at a gentleman who was paying a visit. “ I am trying, grandma, to steal papa’s hat ont of the room without letting the gentleman know it; he wants him to think lie's out.” —An Irish clergyman once broke ofl the thread of his discourse, and thus addressed the congregation: “My dear brethren, let me tell you I am just halt through my sermon; but as I perceive your impatience, I will say that the remaining half is not more than a quarter as long as that yon have just heard.”

—“ Brudvin,” said an elderly colored preacher in the course of a funeral sermon over the remains of one of his flock whose head had bebn caved in by the hind feet of a mule. “ hrud’rin, it am pow’ful strange dat after mo’n a hundred years of ’sastrous ’speriment, a cullnd pusson should pussist in proacling a mule from de r’ar.” The following “-death -notice” 4stranslated literally from a Zurich newspaper: “I communicate to all my friends and acquaintances the sad news that at three p. m. to-morrow I shall incinerate, according to all the rules of art, my late mother-in-law, who has fallen asleep with faith in her Lord. The funeral urn will be placed near the furnace. The profoundly afflicted son-in-law, Brandolf Lichtier.” —Even a newspaper man finds it hard sometimes to believe everything he sees in print. _At any rate "that’s the way it affected us the other day when a nine-year-old boy appealed to our generosity by laying before us a card setting forth in unshrinking double pica that he was a poor widow and the mother of five children. There’s no fancy in this—pure undiluted truth. ■—-Cincinnati Breakfast Table.

—A letter from Batavia, N. Y., dated Jan. 18, says: “ About 10:30 this morning the house of Austin Miner, a farmer, living on the. eastern outskirts of Batavia, was consumed by fire, with all its contents, and a voting, lady, daughter of Mr. Miner, was burned to death. She had escaped from the house unharmed, but supposing, in the confu’sion, that her grandmother was in the house, she rushed back into the fire to attempt her rescue, and thus heroically perished. The old lady was at the moment out of the house and comparatively unharmed and safe, while the young lady heroine, after herself escaping a second time from the fire, died while being conveyed to a, neighbor’s house. Mr. Miner and two of his sons ’were severely bnrnrd about their arms and faces in the attempt to rescue the family aud stay the flames. The fire occurred from the explosion of some materials that were boiling on the stove, under the care of one of the sons.”

—The New York World says: “An enterprising firm of this city is entitled to the credit of discovering a new and lucrative industry. Whenever ff bank breaks it sends out an agent to buy «p the unused check-books of the depositors. At Chicago, last week, he secured a thousand such books. Each check has a lithograph stamp on it that represents two cents, and the firm has an arrangement with the Treasury whereby ‘the Treasury Department cither redeems these stamps on the checks at par or authorizes Uwcompany to issue new ones in their place.’ The agent gets 50 per cent, commission, and pays from twenty to forty cents a hundred for the checks, so that the company’s share is a cent on each, the agent’s about three-quarters of a cent, and the owner of the book about one-quarter of a cent. It might do no harm, if such an arrangement exists, to have it made general; and so allow depositors to make the profit to which they are entitled.” LaST words of Methuselah: “This" is I am shocked at this.”— Buffalo Express. %

How We Like to be Humbugged.

Verily It is an age of quiet, coldblooded, satisfactory humbug. Deliberate, premeditated, scientific humbug. The air is full of hum buggery. People are humbugged, not I localise the humbnggors are designing and artful and cunning, but because the people rather enjoy being humbugged, in the mass. The native American will pay fifty cents to see the stone man, ana enjoy being swindled, lieeause all his neighbors are swindled with him. He likes that, lie laughs about it. Ko long us his neighbors are swindled, deluded, fooled, humbugged, gulled with him he doesn't mind it. But it makes him most awfnlly mad if he is made the individual victim of the most harmless and mirthful little “sell,” that is attended with no expense whatever. One of the brightest consolations that come to the people who are humhugged, is tiie fact that we of the common herd, the people of the every-day matter-of-fact, business life, we unlettered people, are not so readily, and so easily, and so grandly humbugged, as are our teachers, the savans, tne scholars and the scientists. If, or rather when, a designing rogue manufactures a stone man, and brings it forth to the eyes of the world, to be gazed upon and wondered over, admission twenty-five cents, children under twelve years half price, he does not bring his wonder before the common people at first. Never. The roar of incredulity, the “derisive laughter,” as the Congressional records have it, that greet him and his wonder, is sufficient to inform him that his first victims must be selected from the colleges and the scientific associations. But this does nut dismay- him. —Heknows how easily wise men may and can be and have been humbugged. He knows that from the day the Pickwick Club found the ancient stone at Cobham, bearing the fragmentary inscription “X BILST-UM—PSHI-S. M. ARK,” that learned societies and wise men"" have —been more easily gulled than school boys. And so the stone-man manufacturer gently but firmly takes in the scientific men; they investigate his wonderful discovery, they pronounce the stone man genuine, they enter the proceedings and the result of their profound and scholarly investigations in the archives of their learned societies, and then, when the world has been induced to believe their theories and accept their statements, the man who has duped them “ gives them away,” and the college finds far less consolation in “Pickivick Papers” than the rabble does. In the light of recent events, it really does appear even more than probable, that if a man should saw the figure of a horse out of a pine log, and paste bark over it with ordinary glue, and fasten a flowing mane upon its neck with gimp tacks, he could find some disciples of science to certify that it was undoubtedly a genuine colt of the old wooden horse, and We suppose this love of being humbugged is a natural outgrowth of the earnest, matter-of-fact times in which we live. There is so much that is real in our lives that we enjoy something that is unreal for a change. There is no humbug about a cold in the head, or a soft corn, or a gas-bill(?). There is nothing unreal about the ague; there is no tremendous uncertainty about rent-day; the contribution-box is a stern reality,'and the Tax Collector is an inflexible fact. And when, day after day, we are confronted with these living, inflexible realities, what wonder that we should encourage and enjoy humbugs, so long as we are sold in good, scholarly company?—Burlington Hawk-Eye.

Thrilling Railroad Experience.

Every one tn any way conversant with the construction of the Dunkirk, Warren & Pittsburgh Railroad knows how rapid is the descent from Laona into Fredonia. The fact that the greatest care has always been observed in running trains over this particular part of the roW is well known to the engineers and brakemen, and they are very liable to be “on deck” and busy when they strike this dangerous locality. Last Saturday evening, about eleven o’clock, an accident happened at the place we have above described which came very near ending in death and destruction. The night was intensely cold, and when the regular freight train pulled out of Cassadaga all the brakemen but one were in the caboose warming up, preparatory to standing guard over the long train of twentynine cars when the heavy grade was reached. Just after leaving the station the train broke in two, the last five cars being left behind, the balance with only one brakeman keeping on unaware of the accident.

The top of the hill was reached and the descent began. The engineer, finding himself impelled along at a terrible rate, reversed his engine, though he says he expected to see the cylinder heads blown out and his locomotive a wreck —and whistled for brakes. The care were covered with ice and snow, and the solitary brakeman took his life in his hand when, in the darkness, and the train thundering along the rate of about a mile a minute down a grade that increased the speed every second, he sprang from one car to another and set every brake on the. whole twentythree cars. The run from the top of the hill to Fredonia was made in an incredibly short space of tinje, and by the bravery of the brakeman, the quick discovery of the impending danger by tli(6 engineer, and the good work of the locomotive and every brake, the train was kept from a plunge into the Dunkirk Depot and total annihilation. The distress and anxiety of the conductor and brakeman in the caboose as to the whereabouts of their charge and friends was very great, until a dispatch from Fredonia finally relieved all fears, and that which ill-luck had severed for a while man’s ingenuity soon brought together again. —Jamestown (N. ¥.) Democrat.

A Qualified Witness.

It was at a Justice’s Court in Newhury. Jonathan Upham, Esq., was the trial Justice. The case on trial was of trespass— trespass of & serious and aggravated kind —and damages somewhat Heavy for that rural district were at stake. You should have known Judge Upham. He was a short, fat, red-faced, bald-headed man, with a red nose and heavy lips; and his flabby, dumpychin, lost itself in the repose of a most capacious white neck-kerchief. He had been a great and moving politician in his day, and even now regarded himself as the battery whence radiated about all the wires that could be operated in his Congressional District; but in these later years, since he had worn gold-bowed spectacles, and the immaculate peck-kerchief, he had been a de-

vout and constant leader in his church, and had become religiously and judicially austere. In the course of the trial Jim Fillet was called upon as a witness by the de» sense. Jim was a shock-headed, broadfaced, simple-minded fellow, somewhat shiftless, but not evil. Counsel for plaintiff objected to him. on the ground that he was not qualified. “James Fillet, 1 said the Judge, very gravely, “do vou understand the nature of an oath?'* “ Why, vans. ’Squire, I guess so." “And' «o you know what. perjury is?” “Ye mean lyin?, ’Squire?” “ Yes; I mean lying uftdor oath.” "Why in course I know what that be.” “And James, do you know where perjurers and liars are sent?” “Wa-al,” said Jim, with the very solemnity of gravity. “I know the man that told the most lies down in Sautunk last fall, was sent to Congress!” Jim was not only allowed to testify, but on his testimony the defendant was acquitted.—. Eastern Exchange.

Indian Sign-Language.

It is not generally known that the Indians of our plains have a common language of signs—one perfectly understood by all. Such, however, is the curious fact. It undoubtedly grows out of the necessity arising from their distinct dialects, which arc as many and different as there are tribes. So unintelligible is a member of one tribe to a member of another that they can no more understand each other orally than a Sandwich-Islander can understand a liussian. There seems to be cot even words in their languages which have common roots. This is singular when it is remembered that there are no natural barriers between the tribes. War is the only thing which has prevented a common intercourse, and yet, up to within a few years, they have kept to their species like other animals, particularly preserving their dialects. Out of this has grown their sign-language. Not only can they convey ' the usual questions and answers of travelers who chance to meet —queries such as “Who are you?” “Where are you going?” “ How is the wood, water and grass?” but thoughts, opinions and declarations with shades of meaning. An incident, to illustrate this, occurred last winter, when the delegations went to Washington from the Red-Cloud and SpottedTail Agencies. There were representations from several tribes, ana among them one of Arapahces. This language, it is said, no white man or halfpreed has ever learned. Friday, an old Arapahoe Chief, was their interpreter. He had been sent to St. Louis when a boy, but ultimately made his way back to his tribe. Old Friday, overcome by civilized hospitality, was drunk, and not to be found when it came Little Wound’s turn to talk to the Great Father for his people. Of course, here was a dilemma. It was overcome, however, by Lieut. Clarke, who was charge of the entire delegation. The Lieutenant, placing himself in front of the Chief, signed for him to go ahead. He did, antk by means of this sign-lan-guage, which Lieut. Clarke understands perfectly, Little Wound made an eloquent appeal for justice to his tribe. Sentence by sentence the Lieutenant gave the President this Indian’s really eloquent address. The Indian sign-language is not a spelling-out of words, of course, as they have no alphabet. It is partly arbitrary, but mostly consists of signs which naturally indicate the desired meaning. For instance, the verb to see; this is made by closing the fingers of the hand (right generally) excepting the first and second; these extended are placed before the face and the hand moved outward. This, with other signs, is used positively or interrogatively, and in the past, present and future tenses. Being of the simplest forms, it can readily be seen how easily such a language could be learned, and how useful if practiced by civilized nationa amongst those-who _ have neither the time nor ability to learn to speak a foreign tongue. — Cor. Chicago Tribune.

Smokers Should Read This.

The popular belief that bail cigar 3 are made of cabbage leaves is not justified by the last official report on tobacco adulteration. This document contains a tabulated account of the seizures of spurious tobacco made in the United Kingdom since 1864, and in the whole paper there is no mention whatever of the much-suspected vegetable. Its place in the black list is supplied by a variety of ingredients large enough to rejoice the heart of any member of the Anti-Tobacco League. The dishonest dealer in things smokeable is shown by the report to make use of three different sorts of materials beside that which he professes to employ. The first sort for the actual substance of the cigar; the second, for improving its outward appearance, and the third for imparting to it what is supposed to be a better taste. In the former category the favorite substances seem to bo the leaves of the lime tree, the husks of wheat and oats, cotton, yarn and tonquin bean. But there are numerous eases where the ingredients have been much more curiously selected, and have included cocoanut fiber, small seeds, cotton, wood and bread. At one establishment fifty pounds of “ tobacco dust” were found and analyzed, when it was shown to contain string, wood, nails, grindings of tobaooo-pipe, dirt and all sorts of refuse. Another large class of .materials is apparently psed for securing the adhesion and consistency of tfie cigar when made. Among these starch is the most prominent; but it includes gum and amidine, blue, gum arabic, glue, glycerine and essential oils. The color of the fabrication is the next thing to be attended to, and for this purpose resort is had to yellow ocher, red sandalwood, logwood, lampblack and Venetian red. As for the flavor of the cigar, it is varied to suit the most diverse tastes, but the usual object seems to be to impart to it a pleasing sweetness of tone. Accordingly saccharine matter, and especially treacle, is very largely pressed into the service. For those who like a rather more decided taste, liquorice, salt, logwood, glycerine and aniseed are used.r It is in Dublin where the latter ingredient is most fashionable, while Edinburgh is fondest of treacle and sugar and East London is addicted to liquorice. —Pall Mall Gazelle."

—The threadbare story about a cloth-ing-dealer who cautioned a customer against mentioning the terfns of his bargain to the dealer’s partner, as the latter was subject to the heart disease, is suggested by an accident occurring recently in Connecticut. Samuel Calhoun,, a cigar-manufacturer, aged fortyfive, when offered an unusually low price for his tobacco, suddenly fell insensible, and has since djed from the shock." ’ '

THE HOST METROPOLIS. “ Morning pz per*!—Two hundred lives lost.” A bit of type, t newsboy's cry. A passing lilunif, pnhaus a sigh At what is written there. " A lashing storm, a coast of dread: A shipwreck, and two hundred dead— The old, the young, the fair. The hopes of better days ahead. Of comfort's store, of war mth and bread Tor dear ones left on shore. A sinking ship, one thought alone Of orphan's fears, of widow's moan, One cry, and all so f»W» A happy home, with tender ties. Awaiting 'neath Brazilian skies A welcome jnst ahead. An infant boy on mother’s breast As white aa gleams the breaker's crest That shronds the oold, cold dead. The ships sail out, and ships sail in. And wealth goes out more wealth to win. And love to meet its own; But ships go down, snd cries go up, And wealth inverts her jeweled enp Above the dying moan. A trending sky o'er rippling bay, A noble ship with I tanners gay, A voyage to sunny lands. A bit of type, a newsboy’s cry— Two hnndrua soulless bodies fie On Carolina's sands. Sherman D. Richardton, in Rochester (.V. 1.) Democrat. .

MY NEIGHBOR. » Love your neighbor as yourself— Thus the Good Aook readeth; And I glance across the way At my neighbor Edith, Who, with garden hat and gloves, Through tne golden hours Of the sunny summer-mom, Flits among her flowers. Love your neighbor aa yourself— Winsome, blue-eyed girlie. Golden gleams of sunny hair. Dimpled, pink and nearly, As I lean upon the stile And watch her at her labor. How much better than myself Do I love my neighbor! Love your neighbor ns yourself— How devout I’m growin"! All my heart with fervent love Toward my neighbor glowing. Ah! to keep that blest command Were the sweetest labor. For with all my heart and soul Do X love my neighbor! Little Clark Hardy, in Chicago Tribune.

PERSONAL AND LITERARY.

—Gen.’ Joe Johnston is a Congressional candidate from the Richmond (Ya.) District. —Whittier wrote to one friend protesting against being congratulated on attaining old age. which means attaining rheumatism. —Five feet one inch; 140 pounds; bright and sharp gray eyes; action quick and nervous; foot small. That is the Widow Oliver as seen by the Washington Post reporter. —Mark Twain has a new dog. which he has named “Joe Cook,” and thus explains the reason why: “ I call him Joe Cook because I can’t quite understand him. There are depths in that dog’s nature that I haven’t fathomed.” —The pugilistic John Morrissey’s wife found him about ready to throw up the sponge when she reached Florida, but went to work and backed him with an invigorating decoction of watermelon seeds, ana brought him up to the scratch and back to time again. —Faint heart ne’er won a fair lady. The Los Angeles (Cal.) Star relates that a couple of youthful swain in that locality, being under age, and consequently uuarne to obtain a license, hired a skiff, embarked a minister and putting out to sea were soon beyond the three-mile limit over which the United States has jurisdiction, and there the knot was tied. -Ex-Gov. Young, of Ohio, and Gov- . Dufferin, of Canada, happened to meet at a reception in the Whtte House the other evening. The ex-Governor was born on the estates of Earl Dufferin’s father in the north of Ireland. There is only a difference of two or three years between the ages of the Earl and Mr.. Young, and a pleasant hour was passed together by the two gentlemen in recalling reminiscences of their youthful days. -When Abraham Lincoln was a poor lawyer, he found himself one cold day at a village some distance from Springfield, 111., and with no means of conveyance. Seeing a gentleman driving along the Springfield road in a carwiU you have the goodness to take my overcoat to town for me?” “With pleasure,” answered the gentleman. ‘ 1 But how will you get it again ?’ ’ “ Oh, very easily,” said Mr. Lincoln, “as I intend to remain in it.” “Jump in,” said the gentleman, laughing, and the future President had a pleasant ride. , —Of the new Judge of the United States Supreme Court, Judge John M. Harlan, it is related that his success as a lawyer has been largely dne to his strength of constitution and powers of endurance. In the great Pullman palace car case he was employed on short notice as one of the counsel. He had but a day to inform himself and study up the authorities, but he undertook the task. Locking himself up in his office with Lochrane, of Georgia, and Mr. George M* Pullman, he examined them thoroughly, grasping all the points, and collecting and arranging his citations. For twentyfour hours, during which his companions alternated between sleeping and giving information, he studied the case, and at the end of that time he had every point at his fingers’ ends, and was seemingly as fresh and strong as when he began.

Seeking a Good Wife.

“A good wife is a good thing.” The man who said that knew what he was talking about. Upon a wise selection of a wife largely depends the happiness, comfort ana success of a man. We have made grand advances in our arts and in general civilization in the century that has passed, and we are glad to believe that to-day woman occupies a nobler and a truer position than ever before in the history of the world. We have not a word of criticism for the mothers who have gone, for to them we are largely indebted for the results of the present; nor is it criticism to assert the superiority of woman of thia age over that of any in the past. Her facilities for education are greater, the field of her usefulness ftna labor broader, and, with it all, her domestic love and care have not been diminished. There have been a great many skeptics about, the propriety of educating women, for the reason that it would take her from the dominion of home, and produce anarchy in this, the very citadel of happiness.' Experience has not only proved these fears unfounded, but that cultiTSted minds, adorned and strengthened by study and accomplishment, only better fit woman for the true helpmeet to man; that phe makes a better mother for his children, and brings more happiness and more 'ove and ipore brightness to the home where she reigns and rules. Since the doors of seminaries and colleges opened to receive women, the doors of the home have not shut out a single charm of domestic life. On the contrary, we. believe they have been , --.tv.--.-: _ - ----- - • ' .

multiplied and refined by the graces that follow a united cultivation of head and heart The cultivated man seeke ing a wife is no longer Beared by the words “blue-stocking,” or “strongminded,” for it has been fully provdthat the largest culture of a woman’s mind changes none of the lovable woman's thoughts and affections, and only ennobles and dignifies her as the aid and adviser of her husband, and the guide and inspiration of her children. We do not mean “strong-minded” in the sense that society often takes it, viz., masculine habits of dress and masculine ways, and a desire to carve amid the rubbish where the rougher nature of man is only fitted to labor. Sdch women, although honest and earnest, represent but a meager minority of the cultivated women of the Nation. Neither when wc speak of women in the higher walks of life do we wish to include those who have attained their position by worship at the shrine of fashion; whose make-dp in dress and whose stock in trade is out-

side appearance. The prominence of both classes has caused severe criticism of women in general, and, we may add, unjustly. In seeking a good wife the cultivated man would scarcely expect to find her in either class. Elegant costumes, diamonds and brilliants; fair, white hands, unsoiled by any employment, are, with rare exceptions, sought after by the emptyheaded and empty-pocketed men of society; but the man of thought would hesitate to tread upon a path dangerous to all future happiness. Go where you will, to the mansion of the wealthy or the home in the humblest cottage, and you will find the true queen of that household one selected for her womanly virtues, her domestic habits, the cultivated mind. These all endure the wasting hand of time, and grow more beautiful and attractive with age. Young men of these times hesitate to marry because of the extravagance of women. They misjudge the sex by the painted butterflies of society, who do not represent true womanhood any more than the sporting man does true manhood. Our seminaries and colleges and our Christian homes are bright, and joyous with the jewels of true women—girls who have accomplishments of head and heart, who are not ashamed of being aids to their mothers in the duties of the household; who know the mysteries of the kitchen as thoroughly as the Greek verbs or the highest class of music; and the young man seeking a wife can find one in this large class that will relieve life of manv anxieties, turn aside many cares, and make the descending years of life as peaceful and full of charms as the beginning. Life, with its bright realities, begins, when there is a union of hearts and hands, from this sure foundation. Hopes built upon any other are doomed from the beginning, and life drags over the weary years and ends oblivious to earthly joys. - Chicago Inter- Ocean.

INCIDENTS AND ACCIDENTS.

—Miss Julia Cluse, of Lapeer, Mich., was out walking with Mr. Charles Hiesterfield, the other night, and a rival named Dunkin, at whose vitals the green-eyed monster was gnawing, walked" up behind them and struck Julia, at the same time saying, “ You’re smart, hain’t ye?” She was smart enough to have him arrested. —The other night, at Oshkosh, Wis., three fellows laiaa plan to clean out a fourth at poker. The victim was dealt four aces, to induce him to bet, but was given six cards, so as to make a misdeal. But “greeny ” backed his four for all he was worth and won; and his opponent charged him with having another card secreted about his person. A search revealed nothing, and he departed with his winnings. It was afterward found out that he had slipped the extra card into a sandwich which he was eating while the play was going on, and had actually eaten up the pasteboard! —The St. Joseph (Mo.) Chronicle says: “ Speaking, the other day, of a singular personage of singular habits, the facts, stated that he knew a citizen of Mercer County, this State, who owned a farm of more than a thousand acres, and the head of a family, who, for fifteen years past, had lived with his wife and children in a house without windows; that during this time he had not washed his face or hands; and that through a l'idge of dirt on top of his head nls hair had grown like hog’s bristles, which he occasionally clipped, as stockmen roach their mules.” —At Memphis, Tenn., a few mornings ago, a negro called at the Jail, and demanded permission to see a comrade confined there. Jailer Dawson refused, and the negro began abusing him in a violent manner, and Dawson, drawing a revolver, fired; but, missing the negro, the ball went through the glass door of Cornelius Griffing’s grocery, corner of Overton and Front streets, some 200 yards distant, add struck Mr. Grilling just below the heart, as hie was standing in the room. He turned and ran into an adjoining room, and, falling into the arms of his wife, exclaiming, “Oh, Katie, I’m killed!” soon expired.

—A little Eureka, Nev., woman awoke the other night to find a burglar prospecting her room for valuables. The Sentinel says: “ She lay very quietly until he hod concluded his labors and transferred operations to the adjoining parlor, when she quietly arose, armed herself with a revolver which her husband had provided her with, and which was snugly ensconced under her pillow, and tip-toed into his presence. Covering him with the weapon, without a tremor in her voice, she commanded him to disgorge his plunder. There was blood in her eye and determination in her voice, and the bold burglar weakened at once. He deposited on the center-table a bracelet, gold chain, and pair of earrings, all that he had managed to secure thus far, and meekly listened to a spirited lecture which the lady delivered impromptu. She wound up her address by expressing a Tegret that her scanty toilet prevented her from escorting him to the Jail, and ordered him out of the house. He did not stand upon the order of his going, but went at ohce. The brave Tittle woman then dressed, lit her lantern, and went to the furnace, told her husband of her adventure, and remained until daylight.” The valuation of the State of Connecticut for this year has fallen from $358,491,451 to $351,785,469; the- valuation of New Haven has fallen in the satne time from $57,843,163 to $53,359,464; and in Hartford the valuation has risen from $48,616,668 to $48,965,920. A Postmistress in Maine “ happened” to have a letter In her hand when it flew open, she wasn't to blame, of course, and yet she was fined SIOO and cost. Beware of “ fly-opens ’