Rensselaer Union, Volume 10, Number 34, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 9 May 1878 — Page 2

The Rensselaer Union. mr- • • 1 r • ... • ‘ RXNMKLAER, . - INDIANA.

General News Summary.

A Wumwtok dispatch of Ute «*h »tate* that the amount of United State* note* retired dating UM MOata at April, in coneoqurtto of Um issue of Nation*] Bank note*, would be »bort 81,200,000. The Secretary of Um Tneaawry •“<> ordered thia amount to be replaced by silver dollsra. to be paM out tn the conrae of bualne**. This *nm would be distributed satooß Ute variou Sob-Trenrariea and public depositories, so that to this extant the silver dollar will be paid out for currency obligation*. This win not Interfere with procnifng ail ver dollars In exchange at par for gold coin at any time. It wm aaid, on the 38th ult, to be the opinion of aaneral members of the Wave and Meana Committoe of the National House of Representatives that a bill to impose, a tax on income* of over |S,OOO cannot paa* the House. Tn Secretary of the Treasury, on the 30th nit., loaned a call for •5,000,000 of flve-twen-tie*, consol* of 1865, interest to cease on the 30th of July next. Au. Assistant Treasurers throughout the United State* have been authorised to exchange silver dollar* for greenbacks. Tn public-debt statement, as published on the IA, indicates the following: Total debt, including interest of 188,747,253, 82,232,223,026, Cush in Treasury, •195,515,376. Debt, less cash in Treasury, •2,036,707,650. Decrease during April, 83,015,864. Decrease since June 30,1877, 823,450,5'4. A WaanMTOK dispatch of the Ist announces that silver-coin certifleates of the denomination of ten and twenty dollar* had been prepared. Certificates for larger amounts would be printed by the middle of the month. Tun Senate, in Executive session on the 2d, confirmed the nomination of Geo. L. Smith as Collector of Customs at New Orleans, ———- - TRI BAST. A new and very dangerous counterfeit 8100billofthe issue of the Merchants’ National Bank, of New Bedford, Maas., was detected in St. Louis, Mo., on the 29th ult The general appearance of the bill is said to be good and calculated to deceive, the seal alone being poorly executed. Tns steamer Cimbria, having on board a force of 600 Russian sailors and thirty Russian naval officer*, put into Southwest Harbor Me., a few days ago, and up to the morning of the Ist remained with steam up apparently awaiting instructions from the Russian Government. Her mission to the American coast had not transpired. John Mobkissbt, ex Member of Congress, and member of the New York State Senate, died at Saratoga Springs, on the evening of the Ist, aged forty-seven years. The officer* of the Gilbert Elevated Railroad, in New York City, made an official trial trip, on the 2d, running a train of three cars, carrying 150 passengers, from Trinity Church to Central Park, a distance of five mile*, and including all curves, in eleven minutes. It was stated, on the 2d, by one of the late John Morrissey’s most intimate friends and advisers, that the entire property of the deceased would realize but little over 830,000, if that much, and that the estate would not be able to aettle up the debts against it. . Gold closed in New York, on May 3d, at 100&. The following were the closing quotations for produce: No. 2 Chicago Spring, Wheat, •[email protected]; No. .2 Milwaukee, •1.25 @ 1.26 - Oats Western and State, 34@36c. Corn, Western Mixed, Fork, Meas, 81&12H- Lard, 87.22>£ Flour, Good to Choice, [email protected]; Winter Wheat, •5.90@6A0. Cattle, for Good to Extra. Sheep, Hogs, 83.65(® 3.75. At East Liberty, Pa., on May 3d, Cattle brought: Best, 85.00(35.25; Medium, 84.60(3 4.80; Common, Hog* sold— Yorkers, Philadelphia*, 8».35@ 3.45. Sheep brought 83.00(35.00—according to quality. At Baltimore, Md., on May 3d, Cattle brought; Best, [email protected]; Medium, Hogs sold at [email protected] for Good. Sheep were quoted at [email protected] for Good.

WBST ANB SOUTH. „ In the United States Circuit Court at San Francisco, on the 29th ult, Judge Sawyer rendered a decision that a Chinaman |e not a white person within the meaning of the term aa used in the Naturalization laws, and is not entitled to become a citizen. The case will probably be appealed to the Supreme Court of the United States. Ox the morning of the Ist, while opposite Memphis, Tenn., the tow-boat Warner, with six barges in tow, exploded her boilers. Three persons were instantly killed and about a dozen more or less seriously injured. Advices were received at Gen. Sheridan’s headquarters, in Chicago, on the Ist, to the effect that Sitting Bull had sent a messenger to Gen. Miles, commanding the District of the Yellowstone, making overtures for peace. It was also reported that the Nez Perces, at present with Sitting Bull, were preparing to cross the border with a view to surrender. The next Illinois Republican State Convention is to be held at Springfield, on the 26th of June. W. 8. O’Brien, one of the bonanza firm of Flood & O’Brien, of San Francisco, died at San Rafael, Cal., on the afternoon of the 2d, after a lingering illness of several months. His estate is estimated at from *15.000,000 to 320,000,000. The number of lives loet-by the Minneapolis disaster was believed, on the 3d, to be sixteen. . The remains of seven bodies had been recovered, and only three of them were identified. The great Washbum Mill was literally blown to pieces, and five other mills were also a mass of ruins. A large amount of lumber, a planing-mill, an elevator and 30,000 bushels of wheat, twenty-seven railroad cars, and several email machine-shops and other buildings were also destroyed. The money loss is placed at 31,000,000, with about 3550,000 insurance. Is Chicago, on May 3d, Spring Wheat No. 2 closed at 31.10%@1.H cash. Cash Com closed at 30Xc for No. 2. Cash Oata No. 2 sold 'at 26%c; and 26&c seller June. Bye No. 2 5»Xc- Barley INo- 2, 47@47%e- Cash Mess Pork closed at 38.50. Lard. 36.92%. Beeves— Extra brought [email protected]; Choice, 34.50 @4.75; Good, [email protected]; Medium Grades, 33.85@4X»; Butchers’ Stock, *[email protected]; Stock Cattle, etc., [email protected]. Hogs-Good to Choice, *[email protected]. Sheep—Poor to Choice, [email protected]. roasiGß nrruuMNCK. A Constantinople telegram of the 29th uIL states that the Turkish troops had refused to surrender to the Russians the quadrilateral fortresses of Shumla and Varna. The Grand Duke Nicholas has been pro motto to the Field-Msrshalship of the Empire, and ordered to BL Petersburg. He was raHevto. on the 29th ult., by Gen. Toileben. The object ot the Grand Duke’s recall is said to be to lessen the friction and reduce the dan- ▲ BIMHMW dispatch at the 29th ult. says tbat J f|Bltlw forttfleations of Bervta on the Austria* border were.being rapidly strength A Bbrlim telegram of the 23th- ult. states that Italy would make a descent on the AlhMMh toast U Austria invaded Bosnia and »W*tas, as then appeared probable. j

A Sax SvitraNO dispatch of the 30th ult. «ys the rtbstltutibn <rf Gen. Toddßbcn for the Grand Huke Nicholas, as Comihander-Jn-Chief of the Russian forces In Turkey, meant Mrifo J* < . . Awounfto to a Belgrade telegram ot the 30th ult., the friendship between Russia and Servia had been completely restored. It had been arranged that, in the event of an AngloRussian war, Servia should observe the stipulations of the Treaty of ttan Stefano only so long as the Turks remained neutral. An affray between Russian and Turkish troop* occurred, on the 28th ult., about two mile.' Inside of the Constantinople fortifications About eighty men were Wounded on both sides. The Seraskierate has consequently forbidden Russian soldiers to cross the line separating the two armies.

At Montreal, Can., on the morning of the 30th ult, a company of Young Britons were attacked with pistols by from 300 to 400 Catholic Unionists. Over 100 shot* were fired, and one man was killed and several more or less injured. According to a Constantinople telegram of the Ist, the efforts of Gen. Todleben to secure the simultaneous withdrawal of the British fleet and the Russian troops had failed. '

The Paris Exposition was formally opened by the President, Marshal MacMahon, on the Ist, in the presence of a vast multitude. The Exposition was by nfc means complete, but it was thought * few' days’ labor would bring order out of the existing chaos. The American department is said to be especially good and to attract great attention. A St. Petbmbvho telegram of the 2d says the principle of a direct exchange of views between London and the foni.er city, on questions interesting England, had been agreed upon. It was stated, at Vienna, on the same day, that the negotiations would be based upon larger concessions than had been previously acceded to by Russia. Minister Sbwakd has recently telegraphed totheDepartmentof State, ill Washington,that the famine in the Northern Provinces of China will continue six month* longer. Funds for the relief of sufferers, If transmitted by telegraph, can be disbursed by the Foreign Committee, or by the Commission appointed at Pekin. A correspondent of the New York Evening I'ost, writing from Tokio, under date of April 5, sends the following: “ The famine in the North of China rages with increasing severity, and the most dreadful reports come from the afflicted regions. In one town a man opened a shop for the sale of human flesh, and did a good business in cannibalistic joints and roasts till the local Mandarin caused the shopkeeper to be arrested and beheaded.” According to a Berlin dispatch of the 3d, the Czar had himself conducted the correspondence in regard to the Eastern question, during the illness of Prince Gortechakoff. The Austrian Government has issued orders' for the concentration of an army of 25,000 men on the Bosnian frontier.

FORTY-FIFTH CONGRESS. Senate not in session on the 27th. In the House the Indian Appropriation bill (84,772.000) was considered in Committee of the Whole.reported to the House and passed. It provides, among other things, that, whenever practicable. the Commissioner of Indian Affairs may use *uch portions of their respective subsistence funds as can be spared to pay for the services of such Indians as may be induced to labor at fanning or other civilised avocations for their advancement... .The Legislative, Executive and Judicial Appropriation bill (•14,775,000) was considered in Committee of the Whole. A resolution was agreed to in the Senate, on the 29th ult., requesting the President to communicate certain information touching the surrender of the Cuban insurgents and the future policy of Spain as to the government of Cuba.... The credentials of John 8. Wiliams, as Senatorelect from Kentucky, were presented.... A bill was introduced to further define the right of preemption entries within railroad limits. . Bills were psssed—for the relief of settlers on public lands within the double minimum limit of a railroad grant, and afterward thrown out of the double minimum limits by reason of change in the route of the road; appropriating 85.000 for erecting a monument over the grave of Thomas Jefferson. Bills were introduced and referred in the House—to prevent the insolvency of rail road companies; setting aside the contract en tered into between the Secretary of the Treasury and the Syndicate; repealing the iron-clad oath for jurors: to prevent assessments for political purposes; for the erection of a statue to Gen. Custer; to establish a branch mint at Chicago; repealing the act entitled an act to strengthen the public credit, approved March, 1870, pledging payment in gold of all bonds theretofore payable in lawful money of the United States... .The Legislative Appropriation bill was further considered in Committee of the Whole. • .The report of the Conference Committee on the Naval Appropriation bill was made and agreed to. The bill to repeal the Bankrupt law was laid before the Senate, on the 30th ult., with the amendments agreed to by the House, and considerable opposition was developed to the unconditional repeal of the law, and a motion to refer the bill to the Judiciary Committee was finally rejected—23 to 28. ...The Conference report on the Naval Appropriation bill was unanimously concurred in ...Several bills were reported from committees and placed on the calendar.

In the House, the Legislative Appropriation bill wm further considered in Committee of the Whole, and an amendment was re-jected-71 to 96—reorganizing the mint at New Orleans, and appropriating 8185,000 for it* maintenance. __ ■ ■ ■ ' In the Senate, on the Ist, discussion wm had on the resolution submitted by Mr. Blaine declaring that any radical change in the tariff at thia time would be inopportune... .The bill to repeal the Bankrupt law was then taken up, andjtne House amendment, providing that the repeal of the law should not affect penal actions or criminal proceedings arising under it prior to repeal, was amended so m to provide that the repeal should not affect the rights and proceedings growing out of, or dependent upon, the Bankrupt Taw, including all rights of debtors and creditor*, and all rights of and suite by and against assignees under any or all of said acts in any case heretofore or now pending, and providing,!urther, that the repeal should take effect Jan. 1,1879. A motion wm then agreed to—37 to 16—referring the bill as amendedto the Judiciary Committee to have the saving clause perfected. A number of Senate bills were referred in the House.... Bills were introduced—providing for the exchange of fractional silver coin for United States notes; limiting the rates for the transportation of freight and passenger* over the Pacific Bailroad bridge at Omaha ... The Legislative Appropriation bill wm again taken np in Committee of the Whole, and several amendments were disposed of.

In the Senate, on the 2d, Mr. Thurman, from the Judiciary Committee, reported back the bill to repeal the Bankrupt law, with an amendment perfecting the clanse in regard to the rights not tn be affeeb-d by the repeal of the law, and retaining the amendment providing that the repeal shall take effect Jan. 1,1879.... The Senate bill to provide additional regulations for homestead and pre-emption entries on public lands was reported, with amendment*, from the Committee on Public Lands—The House bill to repeal the Specie-Resumption act was called up, and Messrs. Ferry and Voorhees spoke in its favor... . Adjourned to the 6th. In the House, several bills were reported from committees, among which were the following: Reorganizing the Life-Saving Service; to regulate inter-State commerce, and prohibit unjust discrimination by common camera. ... Several proposed amendments to the Legislative Appropriation bill were disposed of in Committee of the Whole, 2 Senate.—Not in session on the 3d. A bill was introduced and referred in the House to encourage shipping... The Legislative Appropriation tall was further amended in Committee of the Whole and reported to the Home, but no further action was taken thereon. Among the amendments agreed to in committee were those increasing the compensation of different officers of the Agricultural Department to the amount allowed by law.

—The Mobile Register says that an old negro woman in the southern part of that city died recently from the effects of a bite from her grandchild, whom she was chastising. ' ’ UU a tow ’ A well-to-do farmer in Ulster County, N. Y., who wanted a wife, took a woman on trial for a week, to ascertain her housekeeping qualities. She suited, and he married Sag. ’ '/..1

MISCELLANEOUS ITEMS. —Bound to occur—a muzzle. —How to rot along In the worldwalk. —A “ great money scentcr”—Moneymtuk. —The intelligent dog knows the hand that licks ik —To die for one’s country is sweet, but unhealthy. , —Dead see fruit—The apple of a blind man’s eye. —The sable mantle of darkness u for evening wear. —"He lies like a bell-punch” is a terrible Virginia simile. —American kerosene is used to light up the streets of Jerusalem. —The traveler’s berth right is to get the best bunk in the sleeping car. —The past winter was the coldest experienced in Shanghai since 1861-2. —A man's wisdom should notbe confined to his imagination.— Picayune. —Fretting is a sort of religious swearing at troubles. Oil City Call. —lt is said " Man proposes and”— the lady accepts or not as she chooses. -Self-denial is a grand virtue; we always delight to see it ip other persons. —Prof. Huxley regards the present as a "softly nurtured, sentimental age.” —The thud of the slap-jack no longer resounds through the land.— Danbury News. —An untruthful story is no better for being founded on a fact.—A. O. Picayune. —The phonograph is the parrot of the mechanical kingdom.— Chicago Journal. —Ants are not regarded as being very ferocious; yet tenants killed the Earl of Leitrim. —The prime-evil bone of convention —The jaw-bone.— Chicago Commercial Advertiser. —The air Iff heavy with the sighs of bean-pole belabored carpets. — New London Telegram. —A man recently knocked down an elephant, a lion and a rhinoceros. He was an auctioneer. —ln Massachusetts theysubduemaniacs by dazzling them with the light from a powerful reflector. —Women are generally pretty smart; but they cannot hold a candle to a can of kerosene with safety. —Economy is not only the road to wealth, but poverty is the road to economy.—Detroit Free Press. —Statistics prove that editors are the most moral men in the community — they always do write.—AT. K Herald. —A young lady in Utica is so refined that she invariably alludes to a Spitz as “ a cuspadore dog.”— Utica Observer. —A Kentuckian died a few days ago, who, had he lived but twenty-four hours longer, would have been 100 years old.

—Widows about fifty cannot marry in Portugal; but there is some difficulty in discovering when they reach that age. —Melancholy reflection—The sluggard is bidden to go to the ant; but, alas! how often he goes to his uncle.— Fun. —The rage for the antique has ceased. Even an old note of hand has about lost its value.— Detroit Free Press. —Modern history is a record of facts and other things which stand until disproved by the other side.— N. 0. Picayune. —The shopman’s politeness loses its sparkle when he has tied up the customer’s purchase and pocketed his moneyr~"'""" —Theie are only 300 shades of blue. We sometimes feel as though there were twice as many.— Turner's Falls Reporter. —A deaf man’s criticism of an orator or a siflger is generally just; for he reads the faces of the listening throng. —Students often grow old studying the results of other men’s labor before they think of doing anything themselves. —As a rule, one good, brisk wife, who takes a pride in her mission as a talker, is equal to six high-pressure telephones. —Everybody likes a hot steak, but when it comes up, covered with cinders, you can justly complain of it as coaled meat —lt is said that sliding down hill was the direct cause of over 600 deaths during the last winter. The obvious moral is—always slide up hill —When we were a boy we were inclined to the creed that a muskrat excursion was the muskratifying sport in the world.— Yonkers Gazette. —Neither a cultivated mind nor a trained hand are the gift of God. And yet they are all that makes man useful in this world.— lowa State Register. —ls you are a landlord and in any doubt as to what product to raise—raise the rent. If you are not a landlord, try and raise the wind.—AT. K Graphic. —The Cincinnati Saturday Night thinks that the paucity of jokes in England is explained by the fact that it takes twenty shillings to.make a pun’. —The English language is inadequate to express the forlorn feelings of the boy who thinks he has stolen a dime novel and finds it to be a cookbook. —Mrs. Myra Clark Gaines being asked what had enabled her to retain so long her youthful feelings, replied: " Soap and water and a clear conscience.”

The Minneapolis Explosion—Great Loss of Life and Property.

Minneapolis, Minn.,.May 2. At seven o’clock this evening the city was shaken, as by an earthquake, by a terrific explosion, which was promptly traced to the groups of great flounnginills, jn* what is known as the platform, just above St. Anthony’s Falls, where the entire flouring district of the city is concentrated. The explosion came from the great Washburn Mill, from which a column of flame was seen to shoot up several hundred feet, followed by a crash, which crushed the immense structure like an egg-shell. Other explosions instantly destroyed the Thompson, Hoyt and. Humboldt Mills, and flames immediately burst out, communicating to the galaxy of mills, and other structures down the btpk of the river nearly to the Minneapolis & St Louis Railroad shops. The destruction from the shock of the explosion extended much farther, glass being wrecked for sevr eral squares, and buildings shaken throughout the city, The immediate theory of the explosion is that it took place in gas generated in the patent middlings purifier process. There were many thrilling incidents

and narrow escapes. Daniel Day was blown the whole length of Pettit A Robinson's Mill, out through a rear window, and escaped. One poor fellow, who could not be recognised, had escaped alive from the explosion, and was observed crawling through the darting, hungry flames toward the track of the Minneapolis & St. Louis Road, directly in the rear of the Washburn Mill. He managed to reach the rail, and there evidently became exhausted and fell back into the raging hell behind, where his agonies instantly ended. It now appears that most of i lie day force had gone home, and only the smaller night force remained. The loss to property is enormous, but Lhe confusion is too great for an intelligent estimate at present. A rough calculation places it at 91,500,000, of which 91,000,000 will fall upon the milling interest. The loss throughout the city by the breaking of glass, etc., is 910,000. Five mills and a planing mill were destroyed, beside adjoining property, including eighty-seven out of the 197 runs of stone in the city.. The five flouring mills, which were involved in the disaster, form a group which comprises the heaviest concerns in the State. Chief among them were the two Washburn Mills, the property of ex-Gov. C. G. Washburn, of Wisconsin, of which the one in which the explosion occurred was the largest flouring mill In the country, and the largest but one in the world. It was built in 1870, included forty-one run of stone, and was worth 9200,000. It is now a smoking mass of ruins with its companion on the platform. The destruction is complete, so far as the limits above named, and serious within much wider bounds. The flames are still raging in the ruins, but are under control, and no farther extension is feared. It is now hoped the dead will be confined to fourteen mentioned as in the Washburn Mill.

The International Exhibition at Paris.

Pabis, May 1. The ceremony of the opening of the International Exhibition took place today with great pomp and success. The ceremony began at 2:30 in the afternoon, at which time it was showery, but at three o’clock the sun was shining brightly again. The crowd was immense and enthusiastic, in spite of alternations of rain throughout the proceedings. Cries were everywhere heard of " Vive la Republique,” “ Vive la France.” Marshal MacMahon arrived in the State carriage escorted by his military household, the troops being drawn up all along the route from the Elysee. A procession was then formed, which marched from the Grand Arcade to a platform overlooking the fountain and commanding a view of nearly all the buildings and grounds. Here Trisserene de Bort, Minister of Commerce, welcomed the Marshal in a short speech. The Marshal then declared the ExhibiOne hundred and one guns from the Invalides, Mont Valerien, and an island in the Seine followed the announcement. At the same time two military bands struck up, all the fountains played, and the soldiers stationed by the flagstaffs hoisted the flags of all Nations on the roofs of the two palaces and annexes. The Marshal then reascended the Trocadero Palace, the procession reforming behind him, and, after completing the round of the building, crossed over the river to the Champ de Mars. The troops were drawn up on and near the bridge. The terrace of the Champ de Mars Palace was occupied by Senators, Deputies, Council of Slate, Magistrates, Academicians, military' staff and French Commissioners. Entering by the central door, the procession went through the grand vestibule, decorated with crown jewels, Sevres porcelain, Gobelin tapestry, and the Prince of Wales’ Indian collection. It then passed through all the sections, the Commissioners of each country greeting it at the door, and next inspected the military school, where all the exhibition workmen were stationed, and lastly traversed the machinery annexes. The spectacle at the ceremony was magnificent. Perfect order prevailed. Ex-Queen of Spain, witnessed the ceremony from the gallery occupied by Mme. MacMahon. The scene after the official declaration of the opening was imposing in the extreme. From the heights of the Trocadero the thousands of guests assembled could see crowds on the surrounding streets, the banks of the Seine, and at Passy, both on the right and left. In front lay the immense area crowded with the Exposition buildings gayly decorated with the'flags of different Nations, the grand cascade and rows of statues illustrating the countries participating. Long lines of equipages filled the road to the Champs Elysees and Tuilleries, interspersed with detachments of mounted guards of Paris, magnificent escorts of visiting Princes and the military household bi President MacMahon.

The dazzling facade of the palace on the Champ de Mars was richly ornamented with National emblems, and in every assignable space the thousands of spectators were held in place by lines of infantry. The workmen had made extraordinary efforts during the past three days in the preparation of the various sections. The English, American and Belgian had been especially pushed, and present a creditable appearance. The American, though unfinished, comBares favorably with the others. The department of Manufactures shows the least progress. The Agricultural and

Alimentary Departments will be better than at any previous foreign Exposition. The Machinery Department is very rich in labor-saving machinery of the light class already. Though incomplete, it compares favorably with the English, while occupying only onesixth of the space allotted the British exhibit. The display of machine tools is inferior to the American exhibit at Philadelphia, but superior to any other at this Exhibition. Agricultural, sewing and weighing machines make a tine display. The textiles are riot yet arranged, but promise very well. The drugs, chemicals, publishers* exhibits, chromos and cutlery are" superior “to " the competing exhibits in other sections. The American Art Department is pearly ready. It will be the best ever shown abroad by America. The hall is too small, but it is beautifully arranged, and contains 100 paintings and a few water-colors. American artists residing abroad represented here include Bacon, Bridgman, Dana. Dubois, Ward, Bunce, Maynard, Lippincott, and Mayall. Places of honor ace occupied by Bridgman and Dana. Koine is represented by Benson and Veddet, and Dusseldorf by Shode. Munich Is not represented. A

Other People’s Feelings and Fallings.

Most of us have a very tender regard | for our own feelings. We do not like to >ave them injured. We are amaxed that people can be so rude and clumsy as to tread upon our toes, or roughly expose to the air our scarcely-healed wound. But so weak is human nature and so prone are we to think less generously of others than of purselves, that we often sin in the very wot which we would be swiftest to condemn in our neighbors. It is a great delight to meet a man or woman who is always considerate, gentle and polite in his treatment of those he or she meets in daily life. This topic came up around the break-fast-table in a city nouse one morning lately. You, happy readers, who live in the country, know comparatively little of the persistent annoyances which city folks undergo from the continual rappings and ringings and shoutings and screamings of people who go from door to door to buy, to sell, or to beg. The room in which the breakfast alluded to as being taken was a front basement, on a pleasant street, intersecting a busy thoroughfare. Coffee was poured, biscuits had been passed, eggs were being broken, fruit was being pared. Interruption No. 1: “Any r-a-a-ags?” The speaker darkened the Window with his head and dimmed the shining glass with his breath, as he hurled this remark, ascending, interrogative and declamatory, at our shivering ears Somebody shook her curls at him pleasantly, and he departed with a jingling of bells at the hand-cart he was wheeling along, and a fainter cry of “ Any r-a-args?” gradually lessening in the air as he went his way. Interruption No. 2: “Please, ma’am, any cold meat and bread?” It is a little, blue-looking, pinchedlooking mite of a boy, with a basket nearly as big as himself. ** Don’t encourage professional beggars,” says the gentleman of the house. “O! my dear,” returns the lady, as aha atuponu tho tis t.lio hi’OH.n011X7 OVVX7x7IzB VIIX7 WFIIUXSIIVO XZX VIXX7 KzX X7CWXX plate into the not fastidiously clean receptacle. “I can't refuse a child when he looks as hungry as that little fellow does. Just think. It might be our own Harry!” Interruption No. 3: Man rings the door-bell violently. Domestic responds. Presently she enters and inquires if the mistress can step out and look at some prize packages of stationery, etc. “No!” cries paterfamilias, loud enough to be heard outside. “ Tell him to be off with his trash!” “My dear,” the lady urges, seriously, having dismissed the children first, “I do wish you would not be so impolite in your manner to tramps and peddlers. It is their only way of earning a livelihood, and I think Christians ought to be kind to them.” “Ifully agree with you. Your sentiments and mine precisely correspond, but your patience is greater than mine, you see. How you endure it, staying here all day, too, is quite beyond me to comprehend. I believe in politeness to one's equals and superiors—but I won’t take my hat off to inferiors.”

“ A tramp is not necessarily your inferior, my friend,” observed the Philosopher, who happened to be staying at the house, and who was giving lectures in the lyceum course. “ I have heard of tramps who had at one time been millionaires, and of others who had received the education of a university.” “I shouldn’t wonder,” said Madame, meditatively balancing her spoon on the transparent edge of her Sevres teacup —“I shouldn’t wonder if you called Homer a tramp, or Diogenes, if either of them were lining now.” “Very likely,” replied Monsieur, taking up the newspaper, to find out whether our Representative in Congress had been giving any more National ob-ject-lessons on good manners. And then the talk drifted to the affairs of the day, what engagements each had, what visits were to be made, what shopping done, which closets cleaned, etc., etc. One person only remembered the morning’s discussion, and sat down to think upon this matter of courtesy. And she came to the conclusion that courtesy is a word of very wide meaning. It is an index finger to character. You observe a true lady, a true gentleman, anywhere. They cannot commit a rudeness. Itrwould hurt them and jar them to wound the feelings of the lowest and the farthest below them. To be truly polite implies that one shall be thoughtful of the feelings of everybody, and of inferiors most of all.

When are we to begin our training in this regard? With our little children, at once. Do not permit Susy or Jennie, unreproved, to bother or tease or annoy Bridget in the kitchen. Never let them allude to her as the “ servant-girl,” or speak of “ servant-girls” in her presence. The phrase may define her position, but she does not like to hear it, and it takes off the bloom of their refinement every time they use it. Do not jump to pick up your own thimble which has rolled away when Charlie is in the room. Let him bring it to you. and say “ Thank you” to him for the kindness. Do not encourage in yourself the habit of criticising and commenting upon the foibles or faults of any member of your own family. There is nothing gained by it, and a great deal is lost. Love itself is often choked back and hindered in its growth by the rank sturdiness of weeds which spring up against it, unchecked, in houses where people say all manner of ungentle speeches to each other. If you want to cultivate real happiness, cultivate goodness. Think more of others’- excellent qualities than of their failings, and be gentle and amiable to all.— Christian at Work.

A Gallant Act.

Life is full of opportunities. for selfsacrificing heroism, which every now and then meets us in unexpected places. Of this truth the terrible ride to death of one of Barnum’s circus drivers last week affords a sublime illustration. He had driven over to his home in or near Ninth avenue, with a team of six splendid coal-black horses, and an empty baggage wagon. The animals had been highly fed, had no work to do, were ready for their spring campaign, and were in splendid condition. It is said that the two leaders weighed 1,200 ’'pounds'each, and the pole horses 1.300. Returning he passed under the elevated railroad; an engine let off steam; the horses, startled, sprang into a run down Forty-second street; the driver as instantly threw his whole weight on the brake and gathered up the reins to guide, utterly unable to check his team. The wheels, held fast by the brake, slid over the pavement, leaving a train of sparks behind them. He guided the horses on the full run across Ninth, Eighth, Seventh and Sixth avenues, on each of which are horae-car tracks, turning out to avoid the possibility of collision and in at least one instance narrowly missing it; between two lines of

wagons on either side of the street in one crowded place, where there was but just room to pass; across Fifth avenue; 4nd then down the slight decline toward the Gratid Central Station. Here there are alwkys massed a number of carriages and horsecars, and to avoid them it was necessary' to make a considerable detour. "The driver, with great skill and coolness, turned his maddened horses at an angle of nearly forty-five degrees, and passed the carriages in safety; but in doing so the hind wheel caught in the horse-car track, the iron axle was snapped off like a pipe-stem, the wheel was thrown with the violence of the rhock a rod away; the driver could no longer keep his seat; still holding fast to the reins, he endeavored to climb back to a place of greater safety, when the plunging of the wagon threw him with a terrible rebound into the air; he fell over the dashboard, struck his horses on the flank, fell under the wagon, and was instantly killed, whether by the violence of the fall or by a blow from the wheel we do not clearly understand from the conflicting accounts. A moment later and the no longer guided horses brought the wagon up against a telegraph-pole, snapping it asunder, but holding the wagon fast and releasing the horses, who. with their strength spent, were now easily caught. Except the driver’s, not a life was lost, and the horses had not received a scratch. They had run more than a mile through one of the most frequented of the up-town cross streets. There is a lessoh for alt of us in this simple story of martyrdom to fidelity and duty that would only be weakened by the attempt to draw the moral from it.— Christian Union.

Our Swearers.

The Inter- Ocean would like to see an organization started in this city’ on the red-ribbon plan, having for its object the suppression of profanity. On the thoroughfare, on the street cars, and even in places of amusement and pleasure, one’s ears are often saluted with broad oaths which jar on the sensibilities, and would lead a stranger to suppose that the population of Chicago is largely made up of mule-drivers and chicken-fanciers. The boys catch the spirit, and youngsters that can scarcely toddle are to be heard rattling out oaths big enough to consign a whole army to perdition. Almost every vice has more reason and excuse than the vice of profanity. There is a round of sin to which men are enticed because of benefits they hope to receive, or because of temptation they appear powerless to resist. But the habitual swearer can set up no such plea. It bestows no benefits, it offers no reward. It very often gets a strong hold on men who are not otherwise immoral, simply as a habit, until the name of the Deity slips so glibly from the tongue that they make an excuse that they 7 do not notice it, or cannot help it. And yet how carefully they abstain from the use in the refined home where they desire a cordial welcome.

We have scarcely met a man (we do not speak of vulgar brutes in this connection) who, even when the habit was firmly seated, did not remember the proprieties and abstain from the practice in the presence of ladies, or if he was so unfortunate as to let ani oath escape his lips, who would not promptly apologize for such a breach of ordinary politeness. Welook in vain for an argument or excuse to palliate the vice of profanity. The English language is full and expressive, and the widest range of thought can find words to convey every shade of meaning, be they of pleasure or pain or anger. No man ever argues that oaths are any evidence of a gentleman, for he sees and knows that the greatest villains would lead him to the accomplishment. It is not brave to swear; the greatest cowards we have ever known, as boys and men, were those who were loudest and freest in oaths. The young man or boy who contracts the habit under the idea that it is brave or manly, makes a sad blunder, dishonors heroism, and degrades his manhood. Boys and young men can rest assured that in all the catalogue of sin none pays poorer than profane swearing. It will not add to your comfort or happiness, but, on the contrary, detract, and open the way to ruin in other directions. It would be well for every young man, even if he makes no claim to religion or morality, to remember that nothing is gained by swearing, and that oaths are the resort of, and should be left alone to, the vulgar, the ignorant and the cowardly.— Chicago Inter-Ocean.

A Prarie-Dog Village.

Four hundred and thirty-five miles west of Omaha is situated the great Prairie-Dog City, one of the largest settlements on the line of the Union Pacific Railroad. Several hundred acres, each side of the track, have been taken up by the sagacious little prairie-dogs, and there they have made their homes, and that without buying one lot from the company, or as much as saying “by your leave.” The dwellings consist of little mounds, from a foot to eighteen inches in height, raised by the dirt excavated by their burrows. On tne approach of a train, the little inhabitants can be seen scampering for their hoibes. Arrived there, they squat upon their hams or stand upon their hind feet at the entrance -a hole in the top—barking at the train as it passes. Should anyone venture too near, down they go, and their city is as silent as the “city of the dead.” It is said that the opening in the top leads to a subterraneous chamber connecting with the next dwelling, and so on tnrough the settlement, but this is a mistake. The prairie-dog is of a sandy-brown color, and about the size of a large gray squirrel. In their nest, living with them, are found the owl and the

rattlesnake, though whether welcome or not is uncertain. He . lives upon grasses and roots, and is generally fat, and is bysome, Mexicans especially, considered good eating, and his flesh is sweet and tender though rather greasy. Wolves pre/ on the little fellows, and may be seen sneaking near the town, hoping by chance to pick up some straggler. But the dogs are not easily caught. Some one is always on the lookout for danger, and gives tne alarm on the first intimation of trouble. Then away they all scamper to their holes. — Omaha Herald. —Dr. LaMoyne does not believe that the bill introduced lately in the Pennsylvania Legislature making cremation a penal offense with SSOO fine will, if it passes, stop cremation, and says that he will test the law in the courts. Some of the ashes of the late Mrs. Pitman are ’ still kept at the doctor’s office. The bilious person whom no one, can flease, gets his work in by pleasing noodjr . ■.

PERSONAL AND LITERART.

—Gen. Joe E. Johnston dresses neatly, has a short gray beard, is slight and erect. —The Parisian press numbered in 1877 no less than 836 different newspapers and serials. —Harrison Ainsworth is still alive, a well-preserved and dandyish, though gray, old man of seventy-two. —Many years ago Congress gave the widow of President Tyler the franking privilege, and she uses it*to this day. —The people of Anderson County, S. C., presented Gov. Hampton, with a beautiful black horse as a birf hday gift —Mr. B. Gratz Brown, of St. Louis, who ran for Vice-President in the canvass of 1872, has becomejv strong prohibitionist, —Commodore Vanderbilt’s widow, it is said, is soon to marry a Southern gentleman, who, it is inferred, is not seventy-six years old* —The New York papers refer to Edison's “Western twang.” No doubt the ancient Saxons spoke pure New York.— Cincinnati Commercial. —Sec’y Schurz attributes his recent illness to the large quantities of green tea which he has been drinking to produce wakefulness for night work. —Mrs. Mark Hopkins takes threequarters of the estate left by her husband, the California millionaire, and Mark’s two brothers divide the residue equally between them. —Dr. Jeffries, of Boston, who has been examining the eyes of Harvaid students for the purpose of seeing how many are color-blind, has found fifteen cases out of 250 students.

—A minister in Waupaca County, Wis., preached a sermon, the other day, with his suspenders dangling below his coat, and he was puzzled to know the cause of the constant tittering during the exercises. —The mystery about thd* death of Representative Leonard, of Louisiana, seems to thicken. W hen the body arrived at Westchester, Pa , it was carefully examined by eminent physicians from Philadelphia and Washington, who assert that he did not die of yellow fever. —When Representative Eugene Hale married Miss Chandler, her father, ex-Senator Chandler, gave him SIOO,OOO for a wedding present; and at the coming of every grandchid a check for $20,000 has been forthcoming to be placed to the credit of the little one as the nucleus of its future fortune. —Ab the minister of a country church in Georgia was about to marry a couple, u lady objected on the ground that the intended bride was not of age, and her parents were ignorant of the act. The clergyman said it was not a legal objection, and decided to put the matter to vote. A unanimous aye! by the congregation was the result, and the knot was tied. —An officer of cadets at the recent launch in Chester, Pa., saw his men, contrary to orders, letting a number of visitors through their ranks. He rushed up and asked, “ What are you letting this rabble through for?” A moment after he discovered that the leader of the “ rabble” was the Secretary of War, who was as much amused at the incident as the officer was disconcerted.

INCIDENTS AND ACCIDENTS.

; —A young man in Marietta, Mil., was poisoned by his sweetheart, but he recovered, anq now insists that the marriage engagement shall not bo broken.

1 —Mrs. Caroline Sheehey, of Staten Island, refused to take an oath on Good Friday, through conscientious scruples, hence the woman who had stolen Mrs. Sheehey’s clothes was discharged. -—A band of roving gypsies, in September last, stole away from her home in Norwich, Conn., a sprightly young girl, named Lily Prindle. Sne remained with them until about the second week in January, when she made her escape, the gypsies then being camped near Denton, Md. She fortunately met with friends who provided her with money with which to reach her family. —Twenty-six years ago a man went from Wilbraham, Mass., to California, leaving S7OO as a loan to a farmer, in whom he put more trust than in savings banks. He wrote letters about the money from time to time, and supposed it was safely drawing interest. Recently he came across the continent to collect it, the sum of principal and interest amounting to $3,000; but - the farmer, who is wealthy, refused to pay a cent, on the ground that the note was outlawed. The man had to borrow money with which to get back to California.

—One day 7 last week, four citizens of Grand Island were playing a game of poker —five-cent “ ante”—in a wellknown saloon of that place. A dispute arose as to the game, when one of the parties made use of an expression about as follows: “I hope Christ will kill me if it isn’t so.” He had dealt the cards, and the betting on the hands was over, when he passed the pack to the next man on his left to deal. The dealer shuffled the cards and handed them back to the man to cut them, at the same time giving him a light slap to attract his attention. The man did not move. He was found to bfe stone dead. —Omaha Bee. —The Atlanta (Ga.) Constitution says: Mr. John Pore, who lives in the lower part of Lumpkin County, had two little children, aged respectively five and six. They were engaged in their customary play a few days ago, while the mother was at the well. The oldest child, for what reason it will never be known, picked up a sharp hatchet and struck the baby in the side, leaving the ax sticking in the wound.

The child seeing what he had done ran and told his mother, who was drawing up a bucket of water at the time. This so frightened her that she let go the windlass, and the revolving crank struck the bov on the head and literally knocked his brains out, killing him instantly. When the horror-stricken mother got to her baby it was also dead. —A frightful accident, by which a' man named Moritz Koch lost his life, occurred feceptly near Collinsville, 111. Koch was engaged in sinking an airshaft for the mines, and, having nearly reached the coal “entry,” about 163 feet l below the surface, he put in an unusually heavy blast of powder, thinking to complete the connection with the entry. Having set the fuse, he was hauled to the top, and soon after the powder exploded. Against the protest of his friends he immediately had himself lowered, but before reaching the bottom gave the signal for the top man to hoist him up. This was done instantly, but on nearing the surface he was seen to let go all hold, and fall to the bottom, a distance of 150 Jeet, and, of course, was crushed almost to a