Saturday Evening Mail, Volume 18, Number 16, Terre Haute, Vigo County, 8 October 1887 — Page 7

THE _MAIL.

A PAPER FOR THE PEOPLE.

THE LAST OF EARTH,

i- Death—is it Death? -TJ shadow following stiU upon the sun, riut one same end of all things yet begun,

Afu-r the glory of Life the madden gloom, ,6-After the strife the inexorable doom, The frozen breath?

Nay, rather seo

Where the new grave lie# sodden In the rain, J.ilow the bare earth quickens to growth again! Waiting the wonder season's lavish dower

|YOIU?

ruotleta creep, a wealth of grass and flower Ere long to be.

When Death has passed

ilnto the land of silence and of cloud, 'tThe leafless lund, wherein no bird is loud. Life lingers yet with song and blossom rife.

AJ.)\ step for step ever Lteath and Life—

yliut

Life is last!

—Kate P. Osgood in American Magazine.

Brother Humbrite's Advice.

(John Hahherton in Harper's Weekly.] "Try the Hponge cake, Milly?" "No, thank you, mother," said the rgirl midrented. "You'll take some of this peach jam, Jmyhow it's the pound for pound kind, ryoti know." "I mioHH I don't care for any," the girl replied thon she pushed her chair from the Hiipper table, and abruptly left the room, (»eforo her father could finish sayling, "A good strong cup o' toa iB about the thing vou need, daughter."

An the door closed, the two old people looked significantly at each other, and Mrs. Browsey saicl to her husband, "I Uell vou, Enoch, as I've told you beiore, there's something wrong with that gal." "An* toll you, Klviry, same as I've told vou lots o' times, that I know it, an' what's

WIIMH,

I don't know what tis, an'

you ain't any wiser 'bout it than I be.'' Tain't verv kind o' you to twit me with it. though, Enoch you know I'm her mother, an' she my only one." "Now, mothor, don't go to takin' it ihat way. You know I don't mean nothin' but the truth, which ain't no harder on you than 'tis on me. An* I give mylits for it sometimes when I'm all alone in the store. It's bad enough to have ,jny own child—bless the precious youngster!—down in the mouth all the time, without havin' all the prido took out o' mo by not bein' able to do anything for her. Whon she gets out o' sorts. I ain't wuth moro than a last year's almanac. It's humlllatln', bosides bein' painful. I don't b'lieve another cup o' tea '11 Jiurt mo, Klviry." "1 do lieve," said Mrs. Browsey, as she tilted tho teapot, "that what Milly needs is to see a doctor."

Doctor?" ochood the hushand "what for? What does a gal waut Of a doctor when she's got the reddest cheeks an' brightest eyes in the township? "Well," said Mrs. Browsey, moekly,

"1 ain't sure.

Only if 'tain't that, what

in it? I can't think of anything, onions

inobbo she's backslidln'." "Now, lClvlry," said Mr. Browsey, appoallngly, "what is there for her to backHlldo to? Don she read hershare of the chapter at »mily prayorsevery mornin'? Don't she 'tend preachin' ev'ry time it's

our turn to be ministered to on th6 cir-1 cult? Don't she go to Bible class ev'ry Sunday, besides always auswertn' for herself at class-ineotln'—the same one we're inembors of—so wo hear her testimony ev'ry tlmo? Bless her innocent heart! whon Bruthor Humbrite says, 'SiHter Mildred Browsey, how is it with your soul this week?' an' that dear gal stands up, and looks down at the back of tho bench in front of hor, an' gives her reason for tho hope that's in hor, I sometimes wonder how tho angles koep from swoopin' down an' kerryin' her ott to koopcompanv with them toallotornlty." "It don't do to be too confident," said Mrs. Browsey. "As the 'postl* says 'Let him that standeth tako heed lest .ho fall.'" "Yes, that's all right for moo—the 'pottle says 'him,' just romomber—but I don't believe 'twas meant to apply to gals, not to gals like Milly, anyhow. Besides, there's no place for her to fall—except fall in love. Say, Klviry, that ain't such a bad joke, is it? Do you se«?— •fall."—fall in love."

Yes, 1 see," aaid Mrs. Browsey, severely, "but I don't wan't to It's wicked to joke on sacred subjects." "Nothln' sacred 'bout backslidln', is there? But say, Klviry, It ain't possible that, is it? I'moan thore's no chance that our little gal is In love?" "Who is them for her to bo in lovo with?" said Mrs. Browsey, so savagely that hor husband dropped with a crash a teaspoon which he had been twirling. "You know perfectly woll that thore ain't a voting man in tho township that's lit to hold a candle to her. Besides, she's too voung sho only wont out of short dresses lawt vear. She oughtn't to think oT such things for years yet. She—" "She's just eighteen—exactly throe months older than yon was when you said 'Yes' to a certain young fellow who I s'jmw© It isn't nooessary for mo to give tho name of," said Mr. Browsey." "I slm'n't think ot her fallin^ in love, anvhow, for vears to come,'' said Mrs. Browsov. "Slie'm ouly child, and she's goln' to"be her moihor's comfort a long time vet before anv man drags her away. I try "to lead a Christian life, and not to have enmitv to nobody but If any man t-omes a-cmirtin' o' that gal, I do believe I'll tear him lltub from limb, an' scratch his eves out afterward." ••oil, leave him his eyes, Klviry,suggested Mr. Browsev "he couldn't do no harm to speak of with 'em after the real of him had been hauled out o' int. Draw the line at his eyes, Klviry." "U'long to the store, or your eyes won to wuth nothln* to your spec#,"said Mrs. Browsev, pushing her lord and master to a he

The merchant stood on the threshold, arossHHl his hat brim, looked inquiringly at several shrubs and flowering pwnts in suet*os«i«n, and finally remarked "Well. Klviry,buts'powin*—onlys vou know—ihat such a thing should be tis that she's took a fancy to a young man, or thinks she has, who on earth •timid it he?" "That's just it," said Mrs. Browaey ••she dont see young fellers anywhere except at Bible class, and in the street, an* at meetin* when our Sunday in the month comes round for preachin'. Notxxlv ever beau* her home from any nlacw. That's why I ain't got any patience with the notion, an' thiuk she needs a doctor." "Which she don't no more'n a oat needs a pocket hand kerchiefinterruptod Mr. Browsey. "Or that aheV bae**Hd, an the trouble's speretual," continued the wife.

Folks don't need to be bad to have trouble* of the soul lots of them that's been converted ha* had seasons of depression an' oncertainty afterward, an mebb« Mho's golu' through some of those times. You know how squeamish young folks are about talkin' on such serious subjects.

I know when I was under conviction there was whole months when I couldn't have said a word about it to father mother. I'd have died first." "Mebbe you're right mebbe that's it," sighed Mr. Browsey. "Mebbe she's got aToad

on her soul crosswise, so it don't fit right, an' she needs to be showed how to fix it. Mebbe she's tryin' to carry a cross that was meant for somebody else young church mem bars can beat the Dutch at that sort of blunderin'. Who knows but the dear child is rasslin' with the onpardonable sin? I had that once, while I was a probationer. I didn't know what 'twas I couldn't have told it from aside of sole-leather if I'd seen the two of 'em side by side but I thought I had it, all the same." "You never told me Taout it," said Mrs. Browsey, rather reproachfully. "Well, the fact is,"said Enoch, tracing a circle in the carpet with the toe of his boot," it came on just 'fore I began pay in' 'tention to you, Elviry, an' there was so many other things I wanted to talk to you about. Besides, I reelly don't think the onpardonable sin is exactly the thing for a young feller to trot out when he's makin' up to a gal—it might kind o' distract attention, you know.' "What minister got you rid of it?" asked Mrs. Browsey, still interested.

The merchant seemed to search his memory for a moment then, with eyes half closed and a countenance as cheerful as was becoming in a man who recalled go blessed a deliverance, he said: "Well, as nigh as I can remember, that minister's name was Elviry. As soon as she showed a willingness to take me in hand that on welcome speretual visitor flickered out like a candle In an open winder." "Sho!" exclaimed Mrs. Browsey, not entirely gratified by the compliment "I s'posod it was more of an experience than that. Well, I wish we had a minister that belonged here, an' that folks could get at when they're in trouble. I'd go to him this very day about Milly, an' see if he couldn't do somethin'. But we haven'l." "Might speak to Brother Humbrite, our class-leader," said Mr. Browsey. "He ain't minister now, but if he ain't one before long I miss my guess. He's got a call, whether he knows It or not, an' he's got a way of seein' through folks that'll give him a powerful grip on sinners. I don't mind sayin' to you, Elviry that I've been kept, time an'again, from doin' some things that's considered all right in the way of bizness, just for fear of havin'that solemn young man's big eyes a-searchin' me through an' through at class-meet}n' on Sunday. More once I've Wished oursect was big enough here to have more'n one class, so I wouldn't have to be upsot so often. He's young yet, too—young enough to be my son." "He's a hundred years old in his ways, anyhow,'' said Mrs. Browsey. "I do believe 111 have a talk with him about Milly, first chance I get." "I'll do it myself, if I see him first, as like enough I will. He works hard, teachin' school all day, and you ain't likely to run across Win except on Sundays. Onless," said the merchant, as if he had suddenly been the recipient of an excuse to Invite him to supper. Just leave it to me I'll fix it, if youMl kind o* prepare Milly's mind, so she won't be flustered when he happens to speak to her all of a sudden. Now I'll hurry back to the 8torei the boy'll be gettln'so hungry about now that he'll bejeatin' up more'n his wages 16 lump-sugar."

As the merchant hurried down the narrow brick-paved path in his front garden he found hia..4aughter plucking roses and larJly picking them to pieces. "Milly, blessin',!' said, the old man, tenderly, "df you kn6\fwba»ethin'? If you don't come down pretty soon and hjlp your old father keep store, as you used to do, you'll forget forever where the cinnamon bark jar is kept."

The girl looked up again, and smiled faintly. The old man looked appealingly. Milly seemed to collect herself with some effort as she replied, "I'll go now, this very night—just for the sake of the cinnamon jar, you know." "Why, you blessed bouncer! will you, though? Then theevenin* loafers won't stay around long, an' I can put up the shutters early, an' bo home in time for family prayers with you an' your mothor. Run, get your bonnet now, an' come right along 'twon't be sundown for half an hour yet."

Arrived at the store, Browsey found that the usual contingent of evening loungers had preceded hiin. Each had come to purchase something, but no one was in a hurry so, sitting, leaning, and sprawling about, each according to his own degree of deterioration of backbone, they vivisected the national, State, and local government, made an occasional dive into foreign politics, and discussed tho probabilities of wheat improving in prico. Then a venerable village scandal was oxhuuied, as it often had been at Browsoy's store and elsewhere when conversation began to flag buta moment after Millv had entered, the crowd was fairly under way in a uecorous discussiou of tho spiritual status of the village.

The statement and conclusions that were voiced were now new Milly had heard them all over and over again, at the very same place and from the very same speakers, so sho tried to amuse herself ov rummaging in drawers and boxes where ribbons, laces, and gloves were kopt. Hor father noted with sorrow that she did not even glanee toward tho place where tho cinnamon Jar stood.

Finally one lounger remarked, "They do say that the school teacher is goln' to give up laruin* young uns, an' spin* to trv to teach grown-ups somethin7." nuthin' new, "said another. "He's a-doin' that now. Don't he run the Bible class, besides bein' the only Methodist class-leader in town?"

Jfu'rybody knows that," said the first spoakor, contemptuously, upon which every one looked at him Inquiringly. Even Milly seemed curious, for the subject of conversation was her own teacher, on week-days as well as Sundays. The speaker was gratified by the interest he had excited, and searched his imagination for news enough to repay his auditors. All he had heard was that Humbrite had been advised by the circuit rider to apply to the Quarterly Conference for permission to preach. There was nothing startling about this. How could he make the statement stronger, more interesting, without stretching the the truth beyond tho safety-point? At last he said, "He's goln to be a missionary.'*

MOlv dropped some ribbon at which she had been looking: the store cat, which had been soliciting a romp, accepting the rolling, unwinding silk aa a challenge, aieaed it joyously, and had his ears soundly boxed tor his vivacity. There was silence for a moment or two, while the several intellects in the store strove to entirely absorb the information about Humbrite. Then the oldest of the loungers asked, "To what furriu parti?" "I dun know as I rightly heerd the name of the place," replied the informant. probably with a desire to return to the vicinity of the truth., "Iguesa, to make sure, ni trot over home and see if my wifes heerd any particulars." Then the speaker prudently withdrew before he could be questioned farther. here, fellers," suggested a man who had entered too recently to he entirely toned to the placidity of men preconsume along evening in de-

ryoi

TERRE HAUTE SATURDAY EVENING MAIL.

solutory chat, "let's all go find out. Tain't ev'ry day that a feller-beiu' gets call from so far away, an' its only showin' a proper sperit for as to take a neighborly interest in the teacher." "That's so let's," assented another. "Like enough we can get some word about it in the barber shop, or down the hotel."

So saving, he started, and the others followed so rapidly that in a moment Mr. Browsey and his daughter were alone. The merchant breathed a sigh relief and said "Thank Goodness for

thai

yarn! May

as well put up the shutters now an' go home, I s'pose." "Is it a yarn? Don't you believe he's going?" asked Milly, quickly. "Goodness knows, dearie. I never take the trouble to believe stories that come in that way. If I'd tied to half the stories that's been told in this store evenin's, I don't believe I'd know.the truth about anvthing on earth." "But don't you think he's going to be a missionary?" persisted Milly. "Oh, mebbe he's said that mebbe he'n like to preach the Word to them that's lost, if mebbe he had the right kind of a chance. He wouldn't do bad at it either 'What do you think?" "Think," the girl echoed. Her eyes flashed, her face filled with color, and her lips grew fuller as she continued: "I think he'd *be a stupid and an idoit to think of doing such a thing." "Mercy on us, child!" exclaimed the old merchant, "do be careful. You oughtn't to talk that way about the clftss*r6&d6r*'' "That's just the reason," exclaimed the girL "Isn,t there enough for him to do where he is? Suppose he goes away, and some one gets under conviction, what are they to do, no preacher being here?"

The merchant paced the store floor until he reached the

semi-conelusion

the rear room, in which were kept "heavy" groceries, thon he whispered to himself: "No mistake about it, it's just as Elviry thought. I know the Bigns I just that sputchy an' quick-tem-

?ered

when I had the onpardonable." hen he returned briskly to the front, and said: "Let us go home early, through the full-moon, an'give your, ma a pleasant suprise. See if you can't remember somethin' she wants, while I— Goodness!"

The exclamation was unavoidable, for just as the old man was stepping out of the front door to close his front windows a man who was entering came in violent collision with him. "Well, Brother Humbrite," said the merchant, "I'm right glad to see you, even if you did a'most knock me down. Come in. Milly dear, here's Brother Humbrite."

There was in Milly's eyes none of the fire of a moment before ,as she raised them to greet the young man, and then dropped them quickly as they met the always earnest, searching glance of the teacher and class-reader. "You're just the man I want to see, Brother Humbrite* You know I've got all the Bible Society's books for this county upstairs here. Well, I-—Milly dearie, just keep store for me a minute, while Brother Humbrite and I go upstairs, will you?"

The merchant lit a .candle, led the way to the upper room, and to some boxes on which the Bible,Society's books were heaped. Then hfc said: "I'll have to ask you to forgive a little deception, Brother Humbrite. What I really want to speak to you about is her." A baokward thrust of the thumb emphasized his' meaning. "Somethin's amiss with her. I thought 'twas her health her mother 'lowed 'twas her soul, an' I've come to the conclusion her mother's right. Now you aan't think, ndt bein' a parent yourself, how hard 'tis for a fathor or mother to talk to her about it. She bnly make light of it before us but you bein' her class-reader, she'd have to be straightforward to, so. I want to ask you to speak to her."

To the old man's great relief, the olassleaderdid.not fix the earnest, searching eyes upon him, but upon the candle. He seemed to be thinking of what to say. "I pose what I'm askln' is somewhat unusual," the merchant continued, "an' I don't wonder

hand, but I don't reelly see, though*I've been among thevsaved nigh onto thirty years, what there could be out of the way about it. Wo 'a^n't got no regular ireacher, you knotv, so you're the next jest thing you're her speretual adviser, so to speak.' "I have no objection, so far as I am concerned but whether Miss Browsey—" "Now see here, Brother Humbrite, don't go to Miss Browseyin'. her. She's Millv—just little Milly, that you saw through the last two years of her schoolin', an' mended quill pens for, an' kept in whon she didn't kn6w hor lessons, an' scolded When she cut up durin'

school-hours.

whether she'd like It it's only tbis: oughtn tit to be done? An' if it ought, who's there to do It but you? Bless you! between your havin' taughther the ways of learnin' on week-days, and the ways of grace on Sunday, she's got that trust in you that she'd take whatever you'd say as a matter of coarse."

The class-leader, with head slightly bowed and averted, still contemplated the candle or the candlestick, the mer chant could not determine which. But the old man afterward said that the classleader's eyes never were bigger than during those few moments in which they had so little of consequence to look at. The young man finaUy cleared his throat, and said, "I should not like to make a mistake, Brother Browsey, for—" "Why, there's no mistake to make," said the merchant. "Of coarse I don't ask vou to go at her hammer an' tongs

you

"wouldn't do that anyhow you've got sense about such things. Why, I could do iteasy enough, if I was elat_ leader, an' she was anybody else's gal. I'd start with the weather, an' how thankful we ought to be to the Good Bein' that we 'ain't had even a touch of cyclone this

year,

Milly seemed somewhat surprised, and the look with which she met a quick glance oT the class-leader's eye was not cordial, but she prepared to obey. As she came from behind the counter her father waylaid her behind the heap of merchandise on which the cat had succumbed to a fit of depression, put his arm around her, and whispered, "Take Brother Humbrite's advice, dearie it's foryour lastin' good."

The couple went out awkwardly, each seeming to keep as far as possible from the other. The old man foUowed softly as far as the door, after which his eyes went with them a little way. They crossed the street, keeping the narrow wooden walk between them then Humbrite awkwardly offered his arm, almost stopping as he did it. Milly quite as awkwardly accepted the courtesy, and a moment later the shadows of the trees on the other side of the street hid the couple frem view. "I ought to have told her," said the old man to himself, as he slowly walked back into the store, "not to sass him oflhand about goin' off to preach to the heathen. She's a good gal, but she

Between customers and loungers the merchant was detained an hour longer then he hastily closed the store and went home and "Gracious! it's all right what wo was talkin' about came to pass. I guess the Lord's hand was in it, Elviry. Brother Humbrite dropped into the store, an' I just made him see her home an' talk to her this very night. I s'pose they'd have got here before this, though." "Mebbe they've dropped into a neighborhood prayer-meetin' somewhere," suggested Mrs. Browsey, "though I don't know where one was bein' held tonight." "Mebbe hers is one of those troubles that takes a sight of talk to set right," said the husband. I do hope," he continued, after a short pause, "that she 'alnt inherited the onpardonable from me, but there's no tellin'. 'The sins of the father shall—'" "There's no likelihood of that," said Mrs. Browsey. "The onpardonable sin has been out of fashion these fifteen years at least. And I do wish she'd get home this early fall weather makes me powerful sleepy." "I reckon we can keep awake for her this once," said the old man, somewhat reproachfully "but I don't mind sayin' I'd like to hear the upshot of it." "I hope she'll tell," said the mother, "but there's no knowin'. An' I hope she don't catch cold the dew's powerful heavy to-night. I ought to have put somethin' on my shoulders before I oome out here. Come into the house." "Walt a minute," said the husband. "Somebody's oem|n' along now I heard him stub his toe on the roots of that elm that's growed into the path. Yes, I see somebody. It's them.

The old man pushed his wife into the house and 'followed as Hastily as if they were a. couple of thieves instead of rightful tenants and owners. Both hurried to a window that commanded the gate. Mrs.

jBrowsey

R67a

don't

5answer

off

'Tain£ no. question of

when some others

'ain't been spared! Then it's easy enough to edge along to other blessins', an' then to squeeze in the little feelers of questions ontil you find out what the trouble is. Goodness! I wish the store-keepin* bixness was as easy a job as that'll be." "I don't see how I could find a convenient opportunity," said the leader, still staring at the tiny flame of the candle. "Why, go down in the store right now an' have it out," said the merchaut, somewhat impatiently. "I'll stay here an' watch that oontoanded candle for yon."

The young man started, and his sallow chenk lushed. "Some one would be sure to come in and interrupt," he said. "Then walk home with her

ril

make

an excuse to stay here. It's just the sort of night to talk about holy things—clear, an' quiet, an' a big fall-moon he!pin' show how God loves the world an? all that's in it. Come on: 'Now's the only time we're sure of.' That's my bilnees motto."

The merchant was so firm in the conviction that his plan was correct that he took his companion's sleeve, led the way down-stairs, and said "Milly, dearie, I find I've got to stay awhile longer, an' aa your ma won't be easy till one of us turns up, I've asked Brother Humbrite to see you home."

leaned against her bus-

hand, who put a stout arm around her waist... Thegate opened MiUy stood with one hand Ipon it and the other oh the post. "That looks bad." muttefred Browsey "appears as if shfe'd heard enough, an' dian't want him to oome in an' oontinue the subject. I dont know though pretty bard to get ahead

Brother Humbrite

when he thinks he's right. See! he's whisperin' the rest of it to her.. An' he's finisnia' on with a prayer—see? His hat's of and his right hand's u£." 'There he goes," observed

"Enoch!' exclaimed Mr "Oh, weii,".8aid the old ingly, "I don't s'pose I've at all about some things.

does

know ev'rything, Just like I did at her time of life. WeU, well, it's all in the Lord's hands now there's nothin' more that I can do."

A moment later the old man seemed to change his mind, for he went hastily into the back room, dropped on his knees, raised his hands, ana whispered earnestly, until a footstep at the door called him back to life.

Brow-

"An' here she comes," replied husband.

her

which an stood just wijthin the doorof the unlighted hall to receive her. "Well, dearie?" "Well, father?" .l ,iw "Milly!" "Mother!" »i+V fCi

There was a rustle of feminine garments, ap-l the the sound of several kisses in quick succession, after which Mrs. Browsey murmured, "Gracious sakes." ad about in the pari. of hif daugh-

Mr. Browsey gro tial darkness, fou tor's hands, and a neighbofnood pi "Prayeit-meetin in atone so contei er shivered, and asked: "What was it then?"

Md yoi£two find

jrer-meetin'^dearie?''

ejaculated Milly, iptuous that her fath-

MiUy did not answer promptly, but finally she said, meekly, after a tiny laugh, Twas more like a love-feist, father*'1 "Why," said the old man. "I didn't know there was any special serv—" "Don't he a goose, Enoch," interrupted Mrs. Browsey. "You told me to take Brother Humbrite's advice, father," said Milly, transfering her

iBmbrace

to her father's neck.

"Yes." "You sail 'twould be my lasting good.*' "Yes, dedrie." "Well, Ite just as sure aa I can be that you were 4f?bt. But I'd never had the slightest idea before that he cared a bit for me. S4me folks have always said he'd never! marry, and the others said he'd be sere 16 pick out a serious old maid. I utfed to want to scratch her eyeis out, whoever she might be. I think you might havi given me a hint—just a little bit of a lint, that he'd been in love with me foil months." "In love4with you?" gasped the old man. 1 "Enoch!" exclaimed Mrs. Browsey, "if sh'd bein as slow at takin' a hint as you be, Idch't think she'd have got it through he# head till the fag end of resurrection dair." "Great Scdtt!" exclaimed the old man, *«an' you've had him on your mind while I'v^been thinkin' your soul—"

Milly tfotoed up to the attitude of her tether's lik and silenced them. The old pld

"As I hogB to be saved cfearie, I didn't know anithing about it. I sent yon oft with hi youabou "Yes," it, but I about confused he hadn there

to-night so he could talk to nr speretual condition." _id Milly, softly. "He tried ire such apiece of my mind to be a missionary that it a I suspect. Then he said night of being a missionary so many reasons against it-

I asked h(n what they were, and he told it one, and—and he didn't get

me the

'pose," said the father, in a in meditating deeply, 'there's in'—though I wax carious hat be whispered as you stood keepin' him from comin'

"Then

tone of a no use in aboutI at the

most ina "It loo

a whisper," said Milly, al-

j^om this distance—"

•Enoch!" exclaimed Mrs. Browsey. old man, despairIYe got any sense things. After that he took off his hat and raised his right hand I thought he was prayin' then, but I s'pose fm wrong about that too." "Oh, no, you're not," said the girl, nestling close to her father's breast, "for what he said, 'God bless you, darling!' "So Brother Humbrite's advice was—'' "That I should be his wife," said Milly, disengaging herself from her father's arms. "Sav, mother,

don't

you sup

pose I could find—in the dark—that piece of sponge-cake I couldn't eat at supper-time?"

A TRIP TO EUROPE.

How a Boston Man Got a Vacation and a Good ltest. I heard in a down town office a tale which recalls Hawthorne's story of the man who went out for a walk one evening, after saying goodby to his wite, and did not return for twenty years, which he spent in a house on the adjoiuing street. It seems that a citisen of Boston, whose name, if I should give it, would be recognized at onoe by many of my readers, found himself last spring in a very worn and nervous condition. It seemed to bo absolutely necessary that he should go somewhere where it would be impossible for letters or telegrams of business to annoy him. The family physician suggested a trip to Europe, and his wife professing her willingness to stay at home and look after the large family of children, the merchant, for such he was, apparently acquiesced. He stipulated that no one should see him off, and that no letters should be expected from him, but, instead, he promised to send a "cablegram" twice a week to his wife. The fact was that be bad a horror of the sea voyage, and had secretly resolved to gratify a homesick desire of revisiting alone—which he would never bave been allowed to do under ordinury circumstances—the village in.a northern New England region where his childhood was spent. However, ho engaged passage in a White Star steamer, and, after an affectionate farewell to both his wife and children, started for New York. He stayed in that city just long enough'to make sure that his name was on the passenger list of the steamship and to arrange for a series of half-weekly "cablegrams" from Liverpool, London, Paris, Lanerue, eta, to his wife, and departed for the country.

The trick was certainly a cruel one, but the man's mental condition was so morbid and perverted that I think he must be held partly excusable. Some admiration is also excited by the neatness with which the plan was carried out. Prayers were duly offered in an Episcopal ohurch for "a person gone to sea his friends noted with satisfaction the quick arrival of the steamer in .which he was supposed to have sailed, and the telegrams that his wife received every few days announcing hu continued improvement iu health were a great satisfaction to her. In fact, however, her husband was rusticating under an assumed name at a tittle tavern in his native village. He bought a horse, rode about tits •country reviving old recollections, and breathing in rest and strength from thbpuro mountain air.

The denouement was, of course, the most difficult part of the affair. He had intended at first to keep up the delusion to the very end, and ostensibly return from th» foreign tour laden with European presents, purchased in New York. But as bis nerves-re-covered their wonted tone and his thoughts began to be less engrossed with himself the instinct of honesty reasserted itself, and h? determined*to make si full confession. He had kept informed by some means of the whereabouts and condition of his wife and children, and accordingly be was able to surprise them one day last week by riding calmly into the seaside village where they were staying, and dismounting, bronaed and healthy, in the bofofn of bis family. A good deal of explanation w4» necessary, and there was some shame on one side and some wounded feelings on the other but, upon the principle that "all's well that ends well," the affair was amicably settled.—Boston Post r.S'- _— '-—i i_i. f^

Scene* In the Chinese Capital. Chinamen in many ways are perfect children. They fly kites more than the little ones do, and watch the great paper dragons and flsh as they float higher and higher with placid enjoyment One's attention is orten attracted by a silent crowd, some seated, some standing around a man who, with suitable intonation and gesture, is reciting a story. He is a peculiar personage in Peking, and his audience stay rapt in delightful suspense listening to his tales.

They are very fond of animals, and walk about the streets with their pet birds perched on sticks. These are very tame, and are trained to fetch and carry things. Hawks are very popular with the story tellers, and crickets, during their short term of life, are in high demand. They ana kept hi little straw cages. Those who are musical like them for their song, and those who gamble (and what Chinaman does not gamble?) spur them into fighting. Pigeons are used as messengers to carry the rates of exchange, and also to keep off the crows. They are provided with whistles on their tails, that make a peculiar, sad moan as they fly. Tbis only adds one sound more to the noisy town.

Every kind of ware is hawked about the streets traveling kitchens with soup, rice, and mysterious messes the confectioner, with unhealthy looking pale cakes and ruddy ornamented ones, sticks of candied crab apples and peanut candy the barber, plying his vocation at the door the packman, with groups of women around him, choosing artificial flowers and trimming silk the knife sharpener, tho man who rivets china, the pedicure, each with his distinctive call, rattle or bell and the Taouist priest, banging his gong till be Is paid to be quiet—all keep the echoes lively. After nightfall each man, as he walks along, sings to keep away the evil spirit*.—

C. B. Adams in American Magazine.

How Beeswax Is Made*

It is no mere extraneous substance which needs only to be collected for use it is a bit of individual organic Dome manufacture If yon examine the under surface of a cell building worker

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will find beneath the abdo

men four pdn of white plates projecting from as many pockets in the incasing rings of this part of the body. These are the wax plates, made from the life blood of the worker. Kmrnina now with a tats one of the hinder legs. Yon will find that the stoutest joints are very square shouldered at the hinge, and that the hinge is well over to one skle, *n that the shoulders form a pair of Jaws, which open when the limb is bent, and close when it is straightened. The upper Jaw has a row of •pines which bite on a plate on the lower jaw. With this apparatus, piercing it with these spines, the worker withdraws a wax plate front its pocket, transfers it to the front legs, and thence to the month, where it is laboriously masticated with a salivary secretion. Unless it undergoes this procem it lacks the ductility requisite for cell maV'nr. —Murray1* Magazine.

The professorship of tho ftmi

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tutioo payi only 5,000 a year Its thousands of cures are the best advertisement for Dr. Sages Catarrh Renteday

The Sprinkler In Theatres. A practical demonstration of fire extinction in a theatre was given recently in the new ontr which is being huilt in London for Ed want Terry. In this theatre special precautions are being introduce in order to guard against the spread of fire should an outbreak occur. Eacl» part of the house has two exits, and then whole, including the roof, is constructed off concrete and iron, no wood being used in thet auditorium except for tho doors and windows. The woodwork before and behind the curtains v. ill bo coated with Sir Seymour Blane's fireproof paint. The fire extinguishing arrangements consist of a complete system of hyIrants, placed in the best positions both before* ud behind tho scenes, while the whole of ther stage and flies, both above and below, is commanded by a system ot overhead sprinklers, governed by valves at the stage door and ca-. pable of immediate use. The sprinklers are|.:" fixed on pipes which are in direct communi-1 cation with tho water company's mains, thawater being at about ninety pounds pressure.

At the recent experiments a large fire wasi, made on the middle of tho stage, that being the least likely point at which a fire would., occur. Tho flames rose some twenty-five feet'» high, when tho signal was given to tfio fire-1,A' man at the stage door, who instantly opened:Jfthe valves and admitted water to tho sprintlers. The result was that the fire was quickly extinguished, the sprinklers being set at an angle which commands the whole of the stage as well as the flies. There will be forty-five gprinklere in all, and thus, while the audltorium is fireproof, it was sliowu that the stage# and flies coultl be deluged with a perfect

Clergymen aa Husbands.

CRYING BABIES

aro made

GOOD MATURED, HEALTHY, HEARTY,t by the uae of 1*'

Babies do not cry if they are satisfied, and

are not "irrtrrrrnUxl 1o rwre" all elsiMS or dlMSMS, but only ancti as result frotn disordered liver, vis

Vertigo, Headache, Dyspepsia, Fevers, Costiveness, Bilious Colic, Flatulence, etc.

Tor these they- are not warranted tn~ jrtiuhlc, bnt are aa nearly so a« It 1SJKMI» aible lo tanks a remedy. Price, SSets.

SOLD EVEKYWHJEKE.

OBATKIUL-COHVOBTIIVQ.

Epps's Cocoa

BBKAKFAST.

"By a thorough knowledge of the natural laws which govern the operations of digestion and nutrition, and by a careful applies tion of the fine properties of wetl-seiecteA Cocoa, Mr. Epps has provided our breakfast tables with a delicately flavored beverage which may save tis many heavy doctors* bills. It is by the judicious use of such articles of diet that a constitution may be gradually built up until strong enousb to resist every tendency to disease. Hundreds of subtle maladies are floatlne around us ready to attack wherever there is a weak point. We may escape many a fatal shaft by keeping ourselves well fortified with pure blood and a properly nourished frame.''—(Civil Berviee Oasette.

(HomoopsUilt Cheaalsts, Lssdos,

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cloud of water at a few moments' notice. The exhibition was witnessed by various notable persons and by Capt. Shnw of the London Fire brigade. It will bo observed^ that the device is simply the application to theatre of the automatic sprinklers so well^, known iu this country. Wo have often won-'.'' dered why they were not adopted in theatres, hotels and other places where crowds of persons assemble, for they would certainly givet|. confidence to all who know of their presenoe, and in an emergency many lives might be saved at the cost of merely a severe drench-, ing. An unexpected shower bath would cer-jj& tainly be preferable to roasting alive in a burning building.—Fire and Water. —_—

Clergymen do not make good husbands for. rich women. I bave watched them pretty^ closely, and they all relax in thoir labors aa«*-, goon as they marry women who have enough to support them. Then they know so littler of justness matters that they are not fit to take the charge as husbands should of their wives' interests.—Dr. Wm. A Hamon 8 O S a a 4 4

Many forget that the hair and scalp need cleaning. Extensive use of Ayer% Hair Vigor has proven that it is the beet cleansing agent for the hair—that it prevents dandruff and stimulates the hair to renewed growth.

Do not let the evening of life be less joyous than the morning.

"For years I suffered from loss of appetite and indigestion, but failed to find relief until I began taking Ayer Sarsaparilla. This medicine entirely cured, me. My appetite and digestion are now ierfect.''—[Fred G. Bower, 496 Seventhsnth Bos' 5t., South Boston, Mass.

Often one may learn more from a man's errors than from his virtues.

We are willing to bear personal testimony to theelliency and value of Hood's 'Sarsaparllla, which we have been advertising some years in our paper, havlngused it for blood impurities with great* success. It is a preparation of standard! merit, made of perfectly puro ingredients, and thoroughly effective in cleans-, ingand purifying the system. Forerup-t tions, boils, etc., it can be relied upoi* every time. Our own experience withi it has been most gratifying, and we aref glad to give it this endorsement.—[Athok (Mass.) Transcript.

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they cannot bo satisfied If they are not prop-? erly nourished by their food, or tl It producesf Irritation of stomach or bowels.

Very many mothers cannot properly nour-' ish their children, and the milk of many mothcrs produces bad cfTects In tho child Decstusaiv of constitutional disease or weakness.

For all such cases there is a remedy in^i

LACTATES FOOD.

Hundreds of physicians testify to Its greatfe value. It will DO retained when even )lm», water antl milk is rejected by the stomach.' hence it is of great value to all invalids, Int either chronic or acute cases. 150 MEALS for an Infant for $1.00.^' EASILY PREPARED. At Druggists—25c„ GOo., $1. A vnlnablc pamphlet sent on application. [?7f

WKLU*. UiciiAnnso* A Co.. Hurllnxton. \a -f-

Intelligent Headers will notice that

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