Saturday Evening Mail, Volume 1, Number 9, Terre Haute, Vigo County, 27 August 1870 — Page 6

THE CONSUMPTIVE. BY J. W. J.

f* 18evcral errors having crept Into the poem below, as published in onr last issue, we again give it a place in our columns, with corrections.]

Throw up the casement! let the pure fresh breeze )f Heaven fan her pale and beauteous cheek .And gently cool her flushed and fevered brow. Heo how she tosses on her couch of pain And from her bosom heaves the deep drawn sigh, .And casts her sad but loving glance on him "Whosits with bowed head

and

sunken heart.

As, in the darkness of his soul, he thinks How soon liLs darling child will pass away. And he, poor man, be left to mourn bis loss, And make the sad compare of life, when she, Ilia dally labor o'er, and home he sought, "With smile as bright as morning sunbeam stood To make that home to him a Heaven on earth, And that dark hour of trial and of woe, AVIien, at his customed time, he'll seek that home To find his hollow footsteps only give Sad answer to her name, as, from his lips, Jn agonized call that name escapes. Hut is there no relief? Is physic's power gone?

Can earth no charm afford to send, again, The blood, in healthy currents on Its way, And plant the rose, once more, where late it stood, In damask color, on her lovely cheek? Mu^t tears, that rise continuously from our hearts And overflow their fonts, hut fall in vain? .Must all our prayers ascend to Heaven in vain (Jan nothing save her from the tomb's embrace, And spare her for a while, a little while, To those who love her so that life itself Will seem, when she is gone, of midnight hue, And earth a desert and a barren waste. 4 Ah 110! that hollow cheek, that sunken eye, That racking cough, and that dear, gentle voice That weak and weaker grows, as day by day A down lie stream of time the silent horn's In solemn silence glide, proclaim, too sure, The fatal truth that when the breath of .Spring Shall warm to life earth's green grass and fresh flowers, And joyous c,ill the little songsters forth From out their winter homes, their songs no more Shall greet I ho ear of her who loved tliem well, Hut only be a requiem o'er her grave.

The struggle's o'er in death's cold anus she lies, flower struck down by time-

Upon her ma rim" ..... smoothed

A

Ifer dark brown hair, and closed her loC'.. eytv, And in her narrow home, with bitter tears, from anguished hearts, have laid her mortal frame. O God our father and our friend, in whom The issues are of life and death, who hast Within thy Holy Word assurance given That thou no pleasure talcest in grieving men, ljook down. In pity, on the stricken ones Who bow beneath this blow, and may it turn Our wayward hearts to thee and her bright home.

[For the Saturday Evening Mail.[

Amy Stuart.

UY MRS. N. 11. JOAI1.

"Auiy--ArnyStuart--what upon earth ro you do in'? pourin' over some old book that hain't as much sense to it as you was born with, I reckon! I do wisli that girl was fit for somethin'. Now here's those clothes standing in tho tubs yet, and it is almost 10 o'clock, upon my soul. Amy?"

There wore swift, restless ieet upon tho old oaken stairs, and to the shrill piping treble of tho speaker, echoed the cherry contralto tones, "Yes, mother, I'm coming." "Well, it is high time, 1 think. You ought to be ashamed of yourself leavin' your work this time o' day. It didn't take you all this long tittle to change those curtains, I know. Now jist tell me "what you was (loin "I was just looking at the title page of that now book father gave me last night," meekly answered tho girl, proceeding to her work.

I knowed it, your father had better send you out to earn your own livin', than buy such trash for you. Now jist make yourself active and make up for lost time," piped that tall, lean, hook-od-nosed woman who stirred the starch she was making so vehemently that it llew upon the hot stove in hissing bubbles. A sigh struggled and died upon her lips as Amy bent overtlic huge tubful of half-washed clothes, and thrust her plump brown hands down deep into tho foamy liquid, until it rose, and bubbled, and kissed tho dimpled elbows, A slight, fragile thing was this Amy Stuart—too slight to handle successfully those coarse, heavy, wet garments, looking at her. you thought it was no wonder that ever and anon she raised herself from her stooping posture and sighed as she vainly tried to soothe the aching back with the pressure of those tired little fingers. Thoro was a sad, dreamy look in the clear hazel eyes, and her lijs shut together with that firm convulsive movement which told that she was exerting every nerve to meet the demand made upon her strength. But under the strict eye of her stepmother she was not allowed to remain inactive long if she did, she would bo called "a lazy-good-for-nothing thing, not worth her salt," or something equally as polite and encouraging. From morning until night, day in and day out, her sensitive ear was tortured with bitter denunciations, fault findings, and weak complainings, until, sometimes, her forced cheerfulness gave way, and, had we invaded the secrecy of the little room over the stairs, sobs and tears would have told us a talc of heart-sick-ness and dreary desolate longing, known

to nono save tho orphan girl down to a life of ohoerless wretchedness. Every ambitious purpose thwarted every noble ideal of hopo cruclflod every fresh dew-dipped bud of young affoction blastod and withered by cold neglect and scorn. This lifting of tho veil from a life picture is not an imaginative one reader mine. There are homes all around you where tho bligh «nd mildew ot unkindness, and harsh grinding oppression, havo settled down upon some young life, robbing it of all sweetness and joy. Curses ill become a woman's lips, else, often mine would call down upon tho heads of those who thus crush the young heart, denunciations as swift and sure as the poison of tho deadly Upas. Nelson Stuart was naturally a kind hearted man and had poured out upon the head of fair Julia Westfall all tho love and devotion ot his early manhood. Death held no keener anguish forhim

than

that which

he suffered when they covered her brown head with the newly frozen earth. Little live-year-old Amy was now his only treasure, and, even she was so frail and tender that a constant fear tortured his heart, lest, she too, would leave him. Very tenderly he guarded his darling, and strove to fill the place of the lost one. But, in spite of all his tender care, two years passed by without bringing the rosy flush of health to the wan cheek, or the elastic strength of youth to the form of his little child. It was then that the tempter assailed him in the guise of a friend who advised him to marry the second time. A man was unfit to rear a feeble sickly child, he argued, and, unless, something was done soon to better her condition, Amy woult. surely die. Now there was Miss Jeruslia Arnold, Squire Arnold's sister, a very worthy woman, past the sentimental age, and knew just how to manage children, and all that why not marry her? Thus advised, and fearful of coming evil to his child, the poor man put aside all compunctions of conscience and married Miss Jerusha Arnold who was only too glad to exchange her position dependent upon her brother's bounty, for that of mistress of Lonsdale. To be sure she wasn't at all like his lost brown-eved, brown-haired Julia but then, no one could ever be like her. She was an angel too good, and pure for him. So quieting his heart with thoughts like these, the man tried to love her he had made his wife, and

But was he No

Ann —,,Q ,,nrest. 5. Sometimes there rose irf

hJa.breast."

a regret, a wish "he hardly dared to own." Mrs. Jerusha Stuart was model wife, in tho eyes of the law. That is, slio cooked her husband's meals with tho utmost punctuality— was economical in her expenditures, una rtarned his socks with the greatest care. A missing button was a thing unknown, so, also, were those sweet interchanges of affection which should characterize the conversation and bearing of every married pair. Now more dear than ever became Amy to her parent's heart. He gave to her all the affection which he would have given to his wife, if she had seen fit to accept it. But right here I10 made a mistake. It was because*of this very love borne her by her father that Mrs. Stuart hated even the shadow of little Amy Stuart. This jealous hatred grew as the years sped onward, and Amy grew more lovely and lovable. Mr. Stuart was not slow to learn liis error. Instead of providing a tender guardian and mother for his daughter, he had brought into his household one whoso heart was filled with hatred toward her and who hesitated not to oppress and onslavo her. Bitterly cursing his blind stupidity he at once took his stand between wife and child. Young as she was Amy soon loarned tho true state of affairs, and, but for fear of incurring her father's displeasure, often, she would have rebelled against tho many little tvranical acts of her mother from which her father was unablo to protect her. All disobedience and improper conduct upon her part, however, met with her father's just reprimand and thus by watchful effort peace was maintained in the family. Mi's. Stuart feared her husband, and often, when a storm seemed almost inevitable, it needed but a look from his clear gray eve to toll her "thus far and 110 farther."

At the time I write, nine of these trying veal's had gone by, leaving white linger marks upon Nelson Stuart's raven hair, and developing Amy into a slender, graceful girl of sixteen. Still pale and delicate thero were evidences in her face and form of a glorious womanhood. Already, under her father's carcful instructions her intellectual attainments were not to be surpassed in all Lonsdale. From the time she had learned tho alphabet at her father's knee there had surged in her heart that fierce longing for knowledge which will not be appeased until tho coffers of the mind is filled with the golden treasures of wisdom. This desire had been fostered and gratified by an indulgent parent. Many a book had found its way to her own private center table, through this channel, unbeknowns to the mother who looked upon all books, except the Bible and yearly almanac, as trash and the adVent of one was the season for a lecture upon extravagance and time lost. But, to return to the scene in the old kitchen of the farm house. The hour hand of the antique clock upon the mantle just pointed to eleven when the last garment was safely pinned upon the long line outside, swaying to and fro in the breeze. Tho heart of the pains taking laundress would have leaped for jov, just to have seen this wash it was of such virgin whiteness that it rivaled those pearly

Eowerer,

eaks towering above theclouds.

ing at it, except, a feeling of gladness that it was finished. Her back and head were aching terribly and hor little hands were smarting and painful. So it was with a sigh of real relief that sho gathered up the large willow basket which had contained the clothes and proceeded onc« more to the kitchen, whero Mrs. Stuart was busy, putting things to rights. After removing her largo sun bonnet sho startod to her chamber to smooth her disordered hair and dress for dinner. In the outer hall she encountered hor father who had just returned fiom tho villago. "Is my girl tired kindly queried ho taking her face between his hands and turning it up until her clear honest oyos met his own. "Yes, father, very tired, came in tremulous tones, tho tears coming into her eyes at the sympathetic words and manner. "Hut-tut-tut! just run up to your nest and rest awhile and you will be all right," said Mr. Stuart kissing the trembling sensitive mouth. "In tho meantime read this," lie added, and mind you tell me what you think of it a/tcj' dinner." So saying, he handed her a small roll done up in an ordinary business wrap end post marked "Abingdon Seminary," It proved to bo a catalogue of the rules and regulations, terms, and course of study, pursued at Abingdon Seminary, distant about a hundred miles from Lonsdale. A strange undefined thrill of joy ran through Amy's heart as she road it. But it was too good to believo she dared not cheat herself with this false hope. She had been told not to mention it until after dinner and in that interval she had time to conjecture and dream the most improbable things, at least to her. At the table she almost choked herself trying to appear calm but her quick respiration, luminous eyes, and flaming cheeks, portrayed to plainly the excitement going on within. Her mother thought she must be going to get sick, all on account of the little she had aided in the morning's work but Mr. Smart only smiled and "guessed she would be all right bv night." It was over at last. Every dish had been washed and stowed away in the high old-fashioned corner dresser, in its appropriate place, and Amy's feet almost flew into the parlor where her father awaited her. "What does it mean father? Tell me quick." "What, do you mean these red cheeks said Mr. Stuart playfully pulling her down upon his knee and pinching hor rosy cheeks. "Oh', father! you know what I mean —that catalogue. Are you going to send me to school? Tell me or am I dreaming?" ejaculated the excited girl. "Would you really like to goto school? Why, what wouldl do without my sunbeam?" interrogated her father stroking tho bands of raven hair so like his own. But seeinghowshe chafed under his delay, he continued in a half earnest sad tone, "wel, daughter, if you desire so much tog) to school, I'll have to try and get alongwitliout you for a 'ittle while. For a long time I've been thinking of settling you away, and have been looking around for an institution which just suited me, and I could safely trust with!my darling's education. I think I have succeeded in my v,«nvli Abinc^'-f seminary is none of what it ought to be, a plain, sensible institute carried «n under the guidance of worthy teaches. Prof. A the Cor. Sec., writes o\ie, a very satisfactory letter." So, tlen and there it was all arranged that Any should entor Abingdon Seminary ib one of its students early in the following September., That night a stormy interview ensued between Madam Stiirt and herlioge lord, in which my lady once or twice condescended to call I5111 "a fool," and once or twice "my dejr but she was finally forced to surrerfler and lay down her arms (alias hold her tongue) au desespoir.

I shall not wriry you with a recital of Amy's schoollife—here she endeared herself alike teachers and schoolmates, nor how lie rapidly rose to the highest literaryjosition among her fellow students. Tie relation of all this were too long. nd school life is too much the same e/erywhero to bear a recapitulation, will say, however, that Amy's chief power lay no less in her vivid originality of tliought than in her ready conm&nd of language. On this account, scarce a year had ensued until she was playfully styled by her class-mates. 'Our second edition of Shakespeare."

The chariot wleels of Time rolled noiselessly over three more years and Amv's school life ras done. Yesterday in the presence of a vast audience sho had proven herself worthy of all the high honors conferred upon her. That critical assemblo had listened to her query, it right first with pleasure, then as sho plungtd deeper and deeper into tho vortex of thought, searching among the rubbish of popular opinion for an answer to her question, they sat with bated breaths regarding with surprise that slender ^irl who thus fearlessly dared to handle a question of such magnitude with so much dexterity and freedom. Carefully, she led them on and on, out of the depths, up tho stairway of reason, until they stood in the broad sunlight of conviction and feeling. When she closed many an eye was moist and the murmur of "Hod bless her slio hasshown me the Right passed from lip to lip throughout the immense throng. Now the vast parlors are one blaze of dazzling light Heavy wreaths and festoons of flowers graco'tho walls and ceilings, emiting fragrance so delightfully bewitching that you might easily imagine you were in that land "whero roses never fade." At the end of the room most remote from the entrance sits the old gray haired President,Professor while above his head can be read in letters of living green "Deu.v rofmcnm" (God be with you.) At the opposite extremity can be traced in snowy words "Fini1 coronal opus" (The end crowns the work.) Beautiful faces, gorgeous toilets, intermingled with the flash of jewels, flit by you in panoramic succession. This is alike a season of reunion and parting. Many of the old graduates have honored this soiree with their presence. Everywhere resounds laughter and merriment. Here wit meets wit, and the clasp of the hand is as true as a brother's. Many strangers are resent among the more notable is

F. A. Marston. of N There he stands by Professor A under that central arch of flowers. He is a tall, grave looking gentleman some where's near forty with a very pleasant smile and address. As his eye roves over the room you see by its ca'reless gaze that this is an old "scene to him. He has been in such gatherings before, and is no novice in the ways of the world. But that careless, self-possessed man, 90 indifferent to the charms of beauty and wealth, has a heart that will ache at the sight of misery and suffering and the best years of liis life havo boen spent in doing good. In the great city where ho lives his name is dear to many lips. If Christianity consists in doing deeds of kindness, "then his crown will be heavy when Christ shall call His

Br?

„,„n„„ccd no plMaure t'X'b'SSS by

a young lady standing under one of the chandeliers, dressed in deep mourning. Even her sombre dress, intnat brilliant

throng, would attract the notice of one alive to sympathy, but it was not those sablo robes, at which tho Dr. was gazing, it was at the proud, intellectual face and the superbly shaped head, crowned with a glossy coronet of raven hair, of tho wearer, that chained his attention. Sho seemed hardly conscious of the scene around her, and as sho gazed about her, her eyes had in them a dreamy far on look. "Pray, who is that young lady in deep mourning yonder—just under that chandelier to the right? One of your pupils? carelessly ^queried Dr. Marston. "O yes," was the •reply, "that is Miss Amy Stuart, the young lady who won such laurels yesterday. You've heard of her success, of course? She is a gifted woman."

Yes, her name was the first I heard mentioned after my arrival. I am sorry I failed to hear her. But her dress betokens loss of friends, does it not." "So it does. Her father died about three months ago and leaves her dependent upon her own exertions. So she came to me for the necessary recommendations to enable her to teach, and I've employed her to take the place of Miss Ward, who is compelled to resign on account of ill health. I have no hesitancy to trust Miss Stuart in her place, though. Let me present you and see if I am not correct.' Arm in arm the two gentlemen moved down the long room and an hour later Dr. Marston gave as his verdict that Miss Stuart was indeed a gifted woman, and what was more, a true woman. For two years Amy labored successfully as a faithful teacher, and, then, oh! reader

surprise to tell you that at present she is teaching one pupil, none other than that grave looking Dr. Marston. He proves very teachable and together they are doing much work in their master's vineyard. Mrs. Jerusha Stuart lived on at the old farm house, the same cross-grained, selfish woman, hating Amy to the day of her death. Many years later when Amy and her husband paid a visit to hor old home, in order, to superintend the erection of a monument at Mr. Stuart's grave, she wisely suggested in Amy's presence "that people had better stay at home and mind their own business than be galliratin' about puttin' up stones to be seen and read of men."

DEVELOPMENM OF THE LUNGS. It is thought that a man's lungs are sound and well developed in proportion to his girth, around the chest yet observation shows thaf slim men as a rule, will run faster with less fVitigue, having more wind," than stout men. If two persons are taken, in all respects alike, except that one measures 12 inches more arouud the chest than the other, the one having the excess will not deliver more air at one full breath, by mathematical measurement, than the other.

The more air a man receives into his lungs in ordinary breathing, tho more healthy he is likely to be Each breath is drawn pure into the lungs on its outgoing the next instant, it is so imif AftX would die. Hence, one of the conditions nece sary to secure a high state of health, is, that the rooms in whidh Ave sleep should be constantly receiving new supplies of fresh air.

If a person's lungs are not well developed, tho health will bo imperfect, but the dtevelupment may be increased several inches in a few months by daily out-door runnings with the mouth closed, beginning with twenty yards and back at a time, increasing ten yards every week until a hundred are gone over, thrice a day. A substitute for ladies and persons in cities is running up stairs with tho mouth closed, which compels very deep inspirations, in a natural way, at tho end of the journey.

It is known that in large towns, 10,000 feet above the level of the sea, the deaths by consumption r^-o ten times less than in placcs nearly on a level with the sea.

Consumption do3Snot prevail in hilly countries and in high situations, because there is ascending excercise, increasing deep breathing besides, the air beingmore rarified, larger quantities are instinctively taken into the lungs to answer the requirements of tho system. Hence the hills should be sought by consumptives, and not low, flat situations.

USSI AN DRESS IN S UMM'ER. It may besaid that tho Russians have no Summer clothing. But tho Russian seasons are sharply defined. Winter is Winter with a vengeance on the inks oi tho Neva, and Summer time of constant daylight and considerable heat. Tho sun has scarcely dipped below tho horizon, and left long, red linos in the northern sky, to fade slowly away, than appears again, a little to the cast or north, sw if J10 had never roallv set. The day is so lengthened out that it seems doubly a Summer day, and the people nil the whilo are going about in groat coats. Tiicro is 110 disguising tho fact that great coats and boots aro a Russian foible. We cannot wonder that 111011 whose Winter times is so severe cling resolutely to what will guard them from tho nipping frost. But it has an odd effect to see men dressed as though for a Crimean campaign, when tho unprcdjudiced foreigner is onlyjust able to bear his lightest Summer suit. Here comes a|party of naval or military officers wearing their overcoats with utter indifference to the heat. Here a group of workmen, who show no sign of distress despite their warm apparel. These pleasant public gardens, with deep shade along the walks, and an establishment for the sale of cooling drinks, have quite an air of Summer, which gives a momentary confidence that the weather will not take us by surprise. But, then again thero aro more great coats to suggest a doubt that all is not so safe. The ladies, however, are clearly on the side of Summer. Every kind o"f light colored, cool looking dress may be seen upon the shady walks of the garden, from the old palace of the Czar Peter, half hidden among the trees. 1

THE NOSE.—The nose acts like a custom nouse officer to the system. It js highly sensitive to the odor of the most poisonous substances. It readily detects hemlock, henbane, monk's hood, and the plants containing prussic acid it recognizes the fetid smells of drains, and warns us not to smell that polluted air. The nose is so sensitive that it distinguishes air containing tho 200,000th part of the grain of the otto of rose, or the 15.000,000th part of a grain of musk Tell us in the morning that our bed rooms are impure, and catches the first fragrance of the morning air, and conveys to us the invitation of the flowers to go forth into tho fields and inhale their sweet breath. To be led by the nose has hitherto been used as a "phrase of reproach but to have a good nose, and to follow its guidaneo, is one of the safest and shortest way to tho enjoyment of health.

FROM MEXICO.

[We are permitted to make the following extracts from a letter received bv a lady in this city from the wife of our 'former fellow-citizen,

Thomas

Nelson, now U. S. Minister in Mexico. —ED. MAIL.] U. S. LBOATION, MEXICO,

July 30,1870.

The atmosphere of this city is very rare, and no one, not even natives, can climb an ordinary staircase without puffing and blowing. The weather is about the same all the year around— there being only two seasons, the dry and rainy—the latter commences the latter end of May and continues until the first of October. We have a shower every afternoon and sometimes a heavy storm when the streets become small rivers, and the only way to get about is either in carriages or on the backs of Indians. I have never known it warm enough to be able to wear a muslin dress, and we always sleep under a blanket or two. We are in the tropics it is true, but tho city is very nearly eight thousand foet a&ovo the level of the sea, and we are surrounded with high mountains, many of them covered with snow. The Tierra Calientes (hot lands) little above the sea level, are terribly hot, and none but natives can live in them with either health or comfort.

This is a beautiful city, and its squares and public promenades are very lovely —ornamented with fountains, statuary, and tropical flowers and trees. $ Tho fruits are almost innumerable and we find in tho fruit market, oranges, lemons, limes, chirimoyas, granadillas,

pomegranites, mangosteins, inamays, peaches, tunas, pears (poor), apples (poor), aguacates. uvas, membrillas, melons (all kinds), and many more whose names even are unknown to me. There are sixteen va ieties of peppers, some of which are cooked and make very palatable dishes. I will get the recipe from the cook at this hotel and send it to you I am sure that our bell peppers would be splendid prepared in the same style. An old Indian has promised to "bring me seeds ot all the varieties.

I have collected a few curiosities since we have been here. The Indians excel in silver filagree work in fact it is really beautiful, but of course, as tho wire is made by hand, somewhat expensive.

Last week wo took our first holiday and went to the city of Puebla do los Angeles—for the benefit of some fine sulphur baths which aro situated just at the edge of the city, and which did me a great deal ot good. We remained there eight days, returning here only in time for this mail. Puebla is distant about a hundred and twenty miles by rail. It is a popular superstition that it was built by angels, hence it is called the "City of tho Angels." If true, which I aiji heretic enough to doubt, celestial architecture is much behind that of Terre-Haute. I must say, however, that the churches are the richest and handsomest I ever saw. The cathodral is immense, a perfect gem of beauty, the walls and arches hung with magnificent crimson velvet, and its numerous altars are of tho loveliest

Auiuug the relics aro tho

bones of threo saints, covered with wax, and looking so life like, that at first glance you are startled. Tho clothing of these figures is stiff with gold embroidery and troms ""•x "ll sandals 011 their feet, with emeralds of Jiiiipeji«« and value to roprosont rno nails in the sores. The atmosphere is inconceivably clear, so that tho views from any elevated point in its A cinitv are surpassingly grand. At a glance you take in tho great volcanos of Popoeatapotl, Istaccihuatl, Orizaba, and the Cofre do Peroto, and the beautiful mountains of the Malinclie comploto the scone. The pyramid of Cliolula, built more than a thousand years ago, is only a few miles distant—so near that with a glass you can seo persons moving upon in. It covers forty acres of ground, and was onco the centre of the then largest city on this continent, and contained over five hundred thousand inhabitants—tliat is, the citv did, not tho pyramid, as you mi^ht inter from the exceedingly" defective grammar of the sentence.

As you may know by the newspapers, we are almost all the time in the midst of revolutions, but fortunately there has been no outbreak in the City of Mexico sinco wo came. The roads in tho immediate vicinity, however, are infested by bands of thieves and jtaffiaros (kidnappers), and we inner go 'more than three or four miles outside the city gates without a largo mounted escort of soldiers. Every train that leaves hero for Peubla carries three or four cars filled with soldiers for its protection. We never suffer our baby to go down stairs even without cither her father or myself. When children or grown persons are kidnapped they are taken to mountains and heavy ransoms aro demanded for their release, and if the friends refuse or aro unable to pay it tho victims aro murdered in cold blood, and tho mutilated bodies are placed upon sc will bo found.

The wholo of Moxico is in a terrible condition, and there seems to be but little h(^e for a brighter future. What is to become of this unfortunate country God alone knows. There is very little society or gaiety in this city, for every ono is always dreading a revolution and no ono feeis like givingparties and balls. Perhaps it is fortunate for us that we are kept so busy that we have not time to miss these things. We have some very pleasant friends among tho Mexicans, at the head of whom I place the President's family—nice, un-

Ered

retending, well educated, and well people. I like them better than any family in Mexico. Wo have a few Americans here, but with the exception of our Consul's family, I see as little of them as I possibly can—they aro not particularly pleasant people to associate with.

I am exceedingly anxious to spend next winter in Terre-Haute, and Mr. Nelson has partly promised that I may do so, ifour new Secretary is able to do the work of the Legation. We haven't heard, as yet, who has been appointed. I hope it may be some one we can like, for it is very disagreeable to have a

fast

crson

who is unpleasant to us. Our ono was not worth his salt.

THEY havo concrete pavements in the streets of Cincinnati", and, as wagons sink in it up to the hub, no man ever thinks Of going out to walk without wearing cowskin boots and carrying a hydraulic jack under his arm When he sticks fast the bystanders run a plank out to him, and, placing the jack on it, he lifts himself out, leaves his boots there, and goes home in his stocking feet. All the streets in the city are filleid with boot-tops sprouting out of tho concrete in pairs, and it is thought ly be such a superstratum of leather that passage can be made with safety. At present the pavement is absolutely dangerous. Little children go out and sink and get lost in it every day.

[For the Saturday Evening MJ. OUR PUBLIC SCHOOLS We are glad to see that soi hearted Good Samaritan" is agj the subject of too much teachi existing in the public schools of our larger western cities. Tl complaint comes from Chicago rapid city, where both good ai have made such giant stride reached extremes in both. subject which more nearly to Indiana is the alarming e?\ which this intellectual drudge? vails. Thore is 110 doubt but common schools, under thesupt of efficient professors and well» teachers, have attained a degree cellenco unsurpassed in syste thoroughness by any in the Wc will not say perfect manage which expression seems tho 01 propriate one to a casual obsei the Indianapolis schools, for

H.

1

there cannot be perfect managi where thore is so much compl! overwork. They arc, however, ered tho fairest in tho Statachief and almost only fault in overdoing rather than uiuli their work.

Tho course of instruction a necessary drill and discipline ing thereto have been refined rigid severity that is by far too tax 011 tho pupils, and tho conse is that we aro turning out ye emaciated army of intellectual strositics. To have-a school coi thoroughly the course of study, out in the different grades, the must not only bo a very Hcreu physical strength, but must bo in inventing novel methods for biting the exhausted children iv stant study. This moans is neei and the efficient teacher knows In valuable, as she also knows ho qnently sho has been obliged to when the juvoniles should havo 1 a stato of relaxation.

If there is no roniedy for this nate overpowering stuffing, can least, the numbor of hours of co ment be shortened When we of tho children being overwork do not mean a largo class of boys, nor tho woll grown healthy lents of either sox wero all "s composed entirely of such inf this discipline would bo just should be. Careful selection of ers is always necessary, and osp* so when tlie object system is us the toachor who is not indcpeiul text-books—a thorough mistress situation and herself as well—bo' gradually to bo regarded as a n* enemy, for whom as littlo as po will be done. Tho closing oxa tions in a number of our scliooi year were extraordinarily good, in fact than they should havo taking into consideration tho lie pupils and teachers, which unl'c atoly is not cast-iron and demanc, 111751/ consult!I ntlOII.

If parents visited tho school mOif quontly, ami could have seen in of our cities the tired eyes and motions of rooms full of little in.* months before the schools closed, would havo dismissod with thin However, we hopo tho various Suj' tendonts will heroafter limit tho in the schools so that our children^ not be educated to death.

IIIJMANIT

INDIANAPOLIS, Aug. 25th.

.1 STORY OF THE LATE if DAM. As long ago as the days when IS ty edited a paper in tho city of cab, the principal hotel in that cit in charge of a rubicund landlord it Owen (i rimes. Among the distinf ed guests of tho "St. FranciSj" an one of the distinguished stall of A ty, was Jaboz Johnson, pop known as "Yuba Dam." In, early days steamboats did not^ long nt tho landings, nnd it frcqil jj happened that visitors at tho hotel so hurricd.in their departure that were unablo to properly arrange business beforo leaving. Most jj visitors being planters of the 1 wero well known to Owen Grimes! had tho freedom of his house. J*j these, a Mr. Huston, had on ono sion been called to a passing boati out giving him time to settle his bill. Somo weeks later Mr. 11' was again in Paducah, and called St. Francis to liquidate his form indebtedness. Yuba Dam was f-f alone behind tho oflleo counter. "I want Owen Grimes,*' saity Huston. ",I am Owon Grimes," answfl Yuln. "I am strangely mistaken," re) Mr. Huston. "I have seen Mr. Grfy and ho is a shorter man than yon, has a red face." "I havg quit drinking," ansv' Yuba. "Well, sir," said Mr. Huston, "j| hero in a hurry, owing a bill. Ir/ are Owen Grimes, you can tell me*| it is."

Certainly," said Yuba, "I remoifl it. It is just twenty dollars."

1

That is an enormous bill." i" "Nevertheless it is Owen Grit bill." §1

Mr. Huston paid it, and Yubajj him a receipt. He afterwards ment 1 ed the circumstances to somo of friends, and was told that ho had deceived. Furious, ho returned to St. Francis, and approaching Johns said:

You are a scoundrel, sir. You 1110 you wero the proprietor of this tel."

No, I didn't." "You did, sir. Owen Grimes."

-'1

You said you

Well, so

I

am.

I ain owing Grii

for a month's board, and I am obliged to you for,the money to it with!" if

THE MODEL NEWSPAPER.—The ti newspaper—that which would rep res the mission of the Press of this worfr\ ful age of progress—must have a g* heart in it, and a never-sleeping science. It must be magnanimous J* godly "with charity toward and malice toward none." It ir speak tho truth boldly, for tho trut sake, and cherish justice as the applf its eye. It must.seek to prosper by 1 prosperity of right principles and rig thoughts—to grow with tho growth' the people and their interests—to useful as well as popular—to build the truth, and to tear down error, short, to improve and ennoble as as to enlighten mankind.—Chicayo Ji Journal.