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About The Oregon scout. (Union, Union County, Or.) 188?-1918 | View Entire Issue (March 19, 1887)
WOMAN IS THE HIGHEST aVaewJicrc I have heard tins adage, Anil I think It Is a true one: It tVcB much to make a lady, It take more to nnke a woman." JLadies -rilh their studied graces, Ladies with their snow-white hands, Delicate and clear-cut faces, Ladles high and ladles grand, Ootbrd In Telrct, robed In laces, Much too lino for common touch, Otnraed and decked with pearls and rubles, Not true woman, overmuch Shallow, Tain and superficial; Hiere arc thousands simply human "Worthy of the name of lady, Scarcely worth the name of woman. JfcA Jar them thcRrand crcatlona Ola glorious womanhood; Kot for tbem the hlph Ideals ti Only soul hath understood; 3ot lor them the lofty mountains KwinRo'er life's desert waste; They hare eaten Dead Sea Apples, Lei them pall uoii their taste. "Woman mounting slowly upward, rare and steadfast, modest, sweet As the violets, which arc blooming In Mime shaded, cool retreat; TVomsn reaching out strong tendrils, Kamest In the walks of life, TTVtudlne In the path of duty llinragh temptation, caro and strife; IVoeian in the garb of patience Standing where tho tried hare stood, Xreakinc bread for questioning spirits Wearing crown of motherhood; "Toman delving, sculpturing, carving, Making still this adage tiuc one: "It takes much to make a lady. It lata more to make a woman.' Jjet the firea of fate burn higher, Well, who cares! On downy bed Sleep the lady, hut the woman Walks the earth with stronger tread, Vital are the latent forces Which are tried, the pearls He deep, And they win who stem the courses And who climb the mountain steep, "Write upon the heart this adage, For ire kixw it Is a true one : it takes much to make a lady, Jt takes mure to make a woman." Jlmma i'. Jlrowii. in Woman's Journal. His Second Wife. I mast say, Mildred, that everybody I wean all your friends wcro per fectly astonished at your marrying John Vcmon." said Miss Lay, as she lusscd licr gloves on the littlo tablo be fore her. and settled herself comfort Ably in licr chair. jUihj friends. So that Includes you, of course." said Mildred, with a littlo b cnroiis laugh that was meant to hide licr annoyance. "Well." and Miss riy lookod thoughtfully up at tho coiling, then down again, "1 confess I was astonish ed! lu tho first placo your husband is vcrgiugon forty, an ago quito unsttitod to jour youth and beauty," with a littlo complimunlry nod toward Mildrod, winch tho lattor nllboted not to seo -lhen you nro his .second choice, and 1 bate too often heard you express your opinion o! widowers in general not to be " "One is privileged to chango ono's opinion. 1 supposed' Interrupted Mil dred, quickly and deliantly. OI course!" said Miss Lay, not at all abashed at Mildred's look and tone. Hut the question Is how you managed lo uproot your strong prejudice" "1 don't think it absolutely necessary Torino to relate how the wonderful change cnnio about," said Mildred, im patiently, and with a look of sudden anger in her eyes- "Now, Mill v, there is no need ofgot i'mg angry. "You know I've nlways rcli privileged to say what 1 pleased without fear of olk'ndlng you," and Miss Lay elevated hor pretty eyebrows sad regarded Mildred with a look of HTunsciuciiU "Knowing your disposi tion so well, I can't holp wondoring at onr choica Not that 1 find anything , jljjcctiopsJ)lo in tho chnraoter of Mr. Vettian? tha added, hastily, sooing that Mildred was on tho point of spcak--rig. "but it must bo mortifying, to say the least, lo a girl of your proud, sensi tive nature, to havo the virtues of Mrs. Vernon Number Ono continually dinned iato his cars, for, of course, now that iWi dead and gono she had no faults, poor woman," and the corners of Miss Lav's rosy mouth came down with a tudden comical jerk that, under any other circumstances, would havo pro voked a laugh trom Mildred. "It it were any one else but you, Liir.ir, I wouldn't listen to such non tease!" exclaimed Mildred, with a look sf lofty scorn, "but knowing your friv olous nature so well, 1 can readily ox suso you." "Kuowing my qotxl naturo so woll," rerreclod Miss Lay, with a laugh. "New confess that your husband is for rnrsouuding tho prnlsos of Mrs. Ver sion Number One." "forever is a long word, and I shall senfees nothing of the kind, because it u Bet true," said Mildred, smothering a strong desiro to box Miss Lady's ears. I'll wager nnythlng ho's called you 'Helca' a dozen times sluco you were married." said Miss Lay, with provok iag persistence. "Indeed, he has not, and if he should, I wooldn't mind It in tho least." said tMUdred. telling a deliberate falsehood with a placid faco. "And that picture," remarked Miss Iy, indicating with a sweep of her baud tbo portrait on the opposite wall, ef a fair-haired, bluo-oyod woman, "1 dau'tseo how you can have it always before you. Let me sec, what is that verso about, "black eyes and bluo?' Oh havo it now: Tbo Wack eye mar say: Omio and worship my ray, Br suloriug ierhaps ou may move me." Cut the blue eye half hid, Saya (row under its lid, I loveand am yours if you'll lore me," Why Bot havo your pieturo under calk by way of contrast ami label it 'Mrs. John Vernon Number Two?" "It was iny own request that tho picture should notbu removed," said Mildred, utlerlv Iruorlnr tho last .iiestion. while tho suddeu omlnus parklo in her dark eyes warned Miss Lay uiai sue WHS minium); mo i.u.y Don't mind my nonsense, Mllly. Yei know 1 was never serious in my Ufa. and I really couldn't resist tho temptation to tease you a little this luttriiluir. I am sure I mount no eSease. Now. Mildred, please don't assume Hint high and miglity air wnu u it miritr Jul havo tho least o fleet. tHTslT sewing that Mjldrod still looked nnnojoJ, "just attribute my remarks to jealous)-, sheer jealousy. Tho fact Is," rising and drawing on her gloves "wo all envy you. I wore my sweetest smilo for John Vernon in vain for moro than a yonr, and Bollo Hunter gave tin tho only chance she had to go abroad, thinking that ho would surely ask her to marry him, but ho didn't Well, I must bo going. I supposo it Is quito useless to ask you to come and see mo soon, for now that you've got homo you'll bo too utterly happy to care for tho society of your old friends." I shn.ll never bo too busy nor too happy to seo my old friends," said Mildred warmly, though her faco still woro a troubled look, "Tell me, Liz zie," sho added, suddenly, do all my old friends predict that I shall not bo hnppv?" "Nonsense!" exclaimed Miss Lay. Didn't I say wo woro all full of envy nnd jealousy? You arc not really vexed witli mo, are 3-011, juiuye xou stiu count 1110 as your best friend?" "Until you provo an enemy." said Mildred, lightly, not answering tho first question. Miss Lay was a littlo vain, a littlo shallow, and yet not bad at heart, and when sho parted witli Mildred that morning sho had not the smallest idea ol tho sting her thoughtless words had left boliind. Alone, Mildred asked herself for tho first time in hor lifo how it was possi ble that sho had ever tolerated tho young girl who had just loft. In her present state of mind it scorned prepos terous that she .should havo entertained oven tho slightest feeling of friendship for such a creature. Sho romombered witli a feeling of sclf-contompt that un til now sho had looked upon Lir.zlo Lay as her warmest and truest friend. "Yet why should I worry over tho sonsolcss chatter of a silly, frivolous girl?" she asked herself, as sho wont back to her pretty room, and taking a book, sat down by the window to read, and the first thing hor eyes fell upon was the word's "From John to Helen," written in her husband's bold hand on tho fly leaf. "Jlcr book!" she said, feeling a sud den pang of jealous pain for which she could hardly havo accounted, and al most unanimously sho laid tho book as I do. They had been school-mates, Mildred Lawson and Lizzie Lay; had spent their common vacation together, cither at Mildred's home, or in tho pretty littlo western town whore Lizzio resided. II was at the hitter's homo that Mildred had formed tho acquaintance of John Vernon, and after a short courtship consented to become his wifo. It was a matter of much surprise to Mildred's friends when it becamo a settled fact that she was to marry Mr. Vernon. Kuowing her strong aversion to wid owers, and her rather eccentric notions upon the subject of marriage, it is not strange that many wondered at her choice, though it is quito probable that envy was at the bottom of much of the gossip. For years mothers had schem ed and planned, anil daughters had worn their sweetest smiles, in order to captivato John Vernon, but ho had boon proof against all until ho met Mil dred Lawson. Thou thoso who had concluded that ho would never marry again were obliged to acknowledge that, howevor faithful ho had seemed to bo to the memory of his dead wifo, he was certainly tlooply in lovo with Mildred. Mildred had been a wifo four months quito long enough to bogin to realize that marrlago meant something moro than a beautiful homo over which no shadow would ever fall, and n husband who would nlways bo blind to hor faults; and perhaps she would have realized it sooner had It not been that immediately after hor marriage sho had boon hurried into a vortex of gaiety, visiting and sight-scoing. which loft her no time for rotloction. So sho had con tinued to view lifo, married life at least, through roso-colored spectacles, until Miss Lay's visit, two days aftor tho hoino-coinlng. Thou it seemed that her eyes were suddenly opened to the fact, that, as John Vernon s wife, she would bo constantly roiuindod in a hundred dill'oront ways, that not only was sho hor lmsbanil's second choice, but that she occupied the second placo in his heart. '.I should have thought of all this boforo I consented to marry him," sho told horsolf bitterly, her eyes wander ing, in spite of horsolf, to the portrait on the wall. "And yet ho miglit havo spared 1110 tho pain of finding some thing every day to remind mo of Aer," she added, with childish unreasonable ness, forgetting that only a littlo while ago sho had protested that it was hor wish that nothing should bo changed about the house. "John should not havo married such a foolish, jealous- hearted girl," sho mused, with a sudden revulsion of feeling, as sho drummed dismally on tho window-pano, against which a heavy rain mm coininonecit to pattor. Tho day was dark and gloomy, quito in keeping with her dismal thoughts, though only tins morning she had called herself tho happiest wo man In tho world! How true it is mat tho veriest trifles make up the sum ol human happiness or woe! Iloeauso ol a few careless words, spoken in half jest, Mildred wandered aimlessly from room to room, torturing horsolf with a hundred perplexing questions, until bralu and heart aliko aehod, and sho was at last forced to lie down and sob herself to sleep. She woke with a stiddont start when the door oponod two hours later and her husband came In. "Have you a hoiulaoho Jfelenf he asked, with much concern, coming over, to the sofa and seating himself beside licr. For tho first time In hor lifo his wife repulsed hlin coldly. "Mv name Is Mildred, ploaso remem ber !" sho said, curtly, sitting up quite straight, while tho sudden rush of ho blood to hor faco as sudilently receded, leaving her as pale us death. I'm sorry I blundered," Vernon said, trying to draw her faco down tc his shoulder. "Are you angry with mo, dear ?" '1 supposo It Is quite usoloss for me to be angry at what I shall very llkolj havo to endure every day of myllfo.uow that wo are at home whuro you havo sa much to remind you of of tho past!" said Mildred, averth'st. her tear-stained faco, and withdrawing from his arms- Vcmon sighed, then bit his lip fierce ly, to keep back an angrv retort. "Mildrod," ho said, after a gloomy silence, "if tlicy annov you. 1 will havo thoso things removed,'' and ho glanced nt the picture on tho wall, and then at tho books ami bric-a-brac scattered around the room. "You romember, it was because you requested It that I al lowed them to remain." "I thought it would plcaso you tc have them, and and I I imagined 1 wouldn't caro," stammered Mildred, on tho vorgo of tears again. "Hut you find that you do caro; is it not so?" Vernon asked, gently. Then without waiting for an answer, ho said: "It pains mo to seo you unhappy, so soon after our coming homo. Has any thing happened to vox you to-dav, darling?" "If you only wouldn't forget and call mo Helen," sobbed Mildred. "I will bo more careful in future," promised Vernon, as ho took her in his arms and kissed away her tears. "I know I am a silly, jeolous crea ture, John," and Mildred's arms tvorc around his neck, nnd her hot choek laid close to his. "but I do want to think that you never loved anyone as you love me!" "You know I lovo you fondly and truly, above all other women," said hci husband, drawing hor to his heart." "That is not answering my question properly," said Mildred, hor jealous heart prompting hor to claim a stronger statement. "Then what is it you do wish me tc say?" asked Vernon a littlo impatient 1 it must be confessed, for ho was both surprised and annoyed at this sud den and unlooked for display of jeal ousy, "You should say that I am tho only woman you ever really loved." said foolish 'Mildred, as if any man ever reached tho ago of forty without hav ing a love affair of some sort. "It would bo wrong for mo to make such an assertion, sinco it would be tolling you an untruth," said Vernon, gravely. "Mildred, do you want me lo say that 1 didn't lovo Helen?" ho asked, in a low, pained voice. Mildred was stubbornly silent "Because, if von do you are not the sensible woman I have believed you tc be, he said, his dark, handsomo face growing pale and stern. "One can lovo but once. Thoro can bo no second lovo!" said Mildred, hotly- If this is your belief, you should have roniembored it when I asked you tc marry me," said Vernon, coldly, pa cing tho floor. A spirit of pervirsity prompted Mil dred to say: "It would havo saved mo much pain and porhaps a lifetime of regret had I remembered it" "Mildred," and Vernon stopped in his rappid walk and took hor hands in a close clasp, "you can't mean what you have just said! Say you woro not in earnest unless you want to make me miserable!" "You can't bo moro miserable than lam!" said Mildred, witli a littlo sob. "I have boon tho happiest man in tho world for four months until to-day," said Vernon, quickly. "1 suppose the homo-coming has giv en voti unpleasant thoughts," said Miliired, who was in a perfect passion of unreasonable jealousy and anger. "1011 havo given 1110 unpleasant thoughts," retorted Vernon, losing pa tience, and speaking in a quick, angry voico. "Mildrod answer 1110 truly, are you sorry you married 1110?" "1 am simplv what it is to 00 a second wifcV said Mildred, bitterly. "1 ou nro angry and unreasonable just now," said Vernon, quitoly, though lie had grown white to his lips. "When you are calmer, perhaps, you will take a more sonsiblo view of tho mattor," and dropping hor hand, ho abruptly quitted the room. When tlioy met at dinner both woro moodv and reserved, vet frigidlv polito, though beyond a fow commonplace re marks no words were exchanged. The meal over, without a glanco at icr husband's faco, Mildrod retired to hor room, while Vernon, making 110 ef fort to follow hor, lit a cigar and left the house. Davs and weeks, passed thus, Mildred too angry and stubborn to confess her self in tlio wrong. Vernon too proud to intrude where he believed he would bo unwelcome. Hither pttrposoly or through neglect, tho p oturo and books were not removed, and Mildred with out consulting her husband, quietly took possession of 11 room in tho south wing of tho houso, and made no further allusions to hor wrongs whether faucl- jd or real. Vernon spoilt the evenings in the room his wife had vacated, and it was miall comfort to Mildred to know that f ho was nlouo ho was constantly sur oundod with mementoes of his lost llolen. "Even hor picture is doaror to him than 1 can ever hope to bo !" sho old horsolf. bitterly, when on crossing the hall, one ovoning, sho saw her hus band standing boforo the portrait, his face wearing a strango, absent look. Vernon was too deeply hurt at his wife's coldness to notice that she was Jaily growing thinner, and that hor ayes woro constantly dim with unshod toars. Pride, anger, and bitter resent ment woro raging in his heart, and ho uubbornlv refused to boliovo that Mil lrod wa3 longing for a roconoiliaton. i With tho obstinacy of ono who believes himself deeply Injured, he determined that Mildrod should bo tho ono to break down tho barrior hor own hand had ralsod. In these long days and weeks Mil .lrod was fast learning tho sad truth that each added hour of coldness and silence was drifting them further apart, and she shuddered at the thought of what tho end might bo. "Our J marriage was a wretched mistake!'' she saiil to herself, 0110 night, when Vernon with a careless kiss and "good night." had gone out, and she realized , that another long, lonely evening was boforo hor. "What a nitsorable farco it is!" sho exclaimed aloud, "lids ex change of polito greetings, these cold caresses that moan nothing! Why should wo trouble ourselves to blind tho world to the bitter truth? Soouor or later it will be found out He Is happier when away from nu and 1 am miserable in this house. Why should 1 bitty hero lonely and unhappy night tu for night, when they want and miss mo so at home? I will not bear it another davl" she added, passionately, a sud don determination com'ng too her, born of her anger and loneliness. Throwing aside tho book she had been pretending to rend, she donned cloak and hat, and, notwithstanding tho late ness of the hour, hurriedly left the house. "Is Mr. Vcmon out of town that you havo condescended to pay 1110 a visit? Surely you didn't walk and it raining and almost dark?" and Miss Lay has tened to rcmovo M ldred's wot cloak. "Why, Milly!" with a glance at the white, set face, "have you been crying! Is nn thing wrongi" nnu hor face that, at sight of Mildred had dimpled all over witli smiles, instantly grow sober. Mildred sank into a chair before the cosy fire while Miss Lay established herself on a low stool. "Have you had bad news from home?" sho continued, as Mildred hold her hands in the warmth of tho lire without speaking. "No; it's about John. Wc quarreled, and and, oh, Lizzie, I am so unhap py!" and, laying her head in Miss Lay's jap, Mildred sobbed out the wholo mis erable story. "You foolish child!" exclaimed Miss Lay. "I don't wonder that John was angry!" "So you think I was wholly to blame?" said Mildred, with flashing eyes; "and after saying what you did about marrying a widower, too. "I understand now; it was my fool ish words that caused all the trouble. My silly tongue is forever getting me into a scrape," said Miss Lay, in a tone of genuine regret "It would have been the same if you hadn't said a word," exclaimed Mil dred, passionately. "Sooner or later I would have found out what a terriblo mistake I have made!" "stuff and nonsense!" cried Miss Lay, with a sniff, "I have always thought j'ou a sensible girl, Milureu, but l con fess that you are acting very foolishly now, "I suppose I have no right to' com plain, as I was not forced into this mar riage, but I certainly expected some sympathy from yoH," said Mildred, in an injured tone. "As it seems quite useless to explain matters I will not trouble you further," ami she rose as if to go. "Sit down, you unreasonable child, and tell me what you want 1110 to do." said Miss Lay, drawing her stool near er the lire. "Iain sorry you'ro so un happy, though 1 don't seo that you have any cause to bo so wretched and heart-brokon. You have it in your power to bo tho happiest woman in town," siie continued as Mildred, witli a heavy sigh, resumed her seat. Certainly Miss Lay was displaying more forethought and wisdom than ono would have expected from so shallow and frivolous a creature, "What can 1 do for you Mildred?" she asked, after a littlo silence. "You can let mo stay with you till morning," said Mildred, with sudden eagerness. "I I am going home tof morrow," her voico faltering a little. "1 couldn't bear to stay another night in that house!" "Mildred, you are not in earnest?" and Miss Lay's blue eyes opened wide with astonishment. "Hut I am in earnest, very much in earnest," returned Mildred, quickly, her voice growing firm again. "1 seo no reason why I should stay hero and bo miserable when they want 1110 so at home, the boys especially. Jack writes that father mopes all day, and Tom has broken his arm, and things are getting topsy turvy, and " "A pure fabrication of Jack's," in terrupted Miss Lay, "just written to fill up spaco. And you want to leavo your beautiful homo and a husband that worships the very ground that you walk on; don't shako "your head" in that scornful way, for it's truo to go back to thoso horrid troublesome boys! Well, I only wish John Vernon had asked mo to many him!" Mildred laughed in spite of herself at the owl-liko gravity of Miss Lay's look and tone. "That's better, and goes to provo that you'ro not half as wretched as you imagine Now, Mildred, tho right way lo nianago a man is to mako him bo liovo ho's the only man in the world worth looking at." "Is tiiut all?" asked Mildred, dryly. "Yes." "Then I'm afraid I'll never learn how to manago a man," said Mildred, with a litle curl of tho lip. "Seo here, Mildred, you know you'ro in tho wrong, and it's your business to jot matters right again," said Miss Lay, beginning to lose patience nnd to roalizo that she had a rather dillicult :ask before hor. "I know John Vernon bettor than you do, if ho is your hus band, and l know just how sensitive ho is, and how easily you havo made him boliovo that ho is too old and quiet for you, and that ho has tired you with his umplo. commonplace ways. 1 know, :oo, that ho's just misorablo over this little what shall I call it? misunder standing." "Do you really think ho is?" asked Mildred, unbonding a littlo. "I am certain he is. How can ho bo anything else? "Now, Mildred, go homo, like a good girl and mako your peace with him." Mildrod burst into tears, and taking her silenco as a good sign, Miss Lay hastened to follow up her advantage. "I'll send you homo in thocarriage," she saitl, as she helped Mildred ou with lier cloak and hat. Toll Jehu you felt lonely and ran over to spend an hour or two with me," she added, as sho kissed Mildred good-by. 'Lizze, I believe I was mad a littlo while ago," whispered Mildred. "You havo saved me from a life-time of mis ery and regret! And you will keep my secret?" she added, pleadingly. A pressure of tho hand was'her only answer, and looking back Mildrod saw that the bluo oyes were full of tears. At half past eight o'clock, contrary to his custom, Vernon returned home. Could it havo been tho memory of Mil dred's sad, wistful face that spoiled his evening's pleasure nnd hurried him home? if two or threo hours of uimless lounging in tho club rooms could bo called pleasure. Tho truth was ho wns getting tired and restless over this cold sllouco and restraint, for which, according to hit idea of right and, ho was not to blame, yet he longed to mako his peace witk Mildred, longed to take her in his nrmt and k.ss away her tears, and nssur licr over and over again how dear sh was to him and how much ho missec the sweet companionship that had been theirs until this cloud came between them. To-night, for tho first time since their estrangement, his heart softened at the memory of her pale, weary face. "I have been a brute and a fool!" hf said to himself. "I should havo ro niembered that she was young nnc thoughtless, and that her sudden out burst of jealousy was a proof that slit cared for me, perhaps, more man 1 cie 3crvc. 1 wonder if I made a mistake in asking such a childish creaturo tc marry me? No doubt she would have been happier as the wife of a youngoi man." Closing tho door of his room softly, he crossed the hall and looked into his wife's room. A fire burned cheerfully in the grate; an open book lay on the table, and a pair of dainty, einbroiderec slippers had been thrown carelessly bj the lire. On tiio open book lay a little glove with the faint perfume of violetf still clinging to it. How vividly every thing suggetsed the presence of hit young wife, and yet tho room was va cant! A sudden, vague foreboding seizec him, as he pushed the door oper and went in, then with alittle nervous laugh he sat down before the fire. "How foolish i am, she has only gone out for an hour or two. It is quite comfortable here; I will wait awhile." He fell to thinking and the more he reasoned, tho stronger was his convic tion that he hail been much,if not wholly, to blame for the present wretched state of affairs. Ho rccallod with a fcelinp of self-reproach that he had spoken harshly and coldly, when a fow kind words miglit have set matters straight "Yet sho must know that I love her," he said aloud, picking up tho glove nnc pressing it to his lips. Then looking up suddenly, ho saw Mildred standing in the open door. "John!" and she came a step for ward, her eyes shining, her voice ful, of pleased surprise. "I thought you had gono out and and I ran over tc Lizzie's a littlo while. I had no idea if was raining so hard," she addod, as she removed her damp cloak and came nearer to the lire. "Lizzie sent me home in the carriage," with a quick blush and a furtive glance at her hus band. "Mildred," and Vernon now drew her down to his knee, "don't you think it about time you were devoting some of your spare evenings lo jie?" "And don't you think about time you were quilting that horrid club?" asked Mildred, hiding her face on Ins shoulder. "After to-night it shall know mono more," said Vernon, earnestly, as lie drew her closer to his breast "I'm afraid you are too young to understand a crusty old fellow liko "me," ho added, witli a sigh. "Nonsense, I am almost twonty!" said Mildred, with a happy laugh. "And I am forty," said Vernon, "a cross and crabbed " "The dearest and best old fellow in tho world!" interrupted Miliired with a torn! kiss. "After to-night you are never to doubt 1110 again," said Vernon. "He cause" his voice growing a little stern "whero there is 110 perfect trust there can bo 110 happiness. "1 don't see how we are going to be happy if you keep bringing up disagree able subjects," said Mildred with a little pout "It is my nature to be jealous." "And mine," said Vernon smother ing a strong desire to laugh. "I ex pect to knock tho first man down that dares to pay you an open compliment." "And I expect to bo a martyr in the future," said Mildred, with an air of happy resignation. Miss Lay continues a frequent visitor at Mildred's home, nnd notwithstand ing the reputation she bears of being a vain, shallow creature, a gossip, and mischiefmakor, sho has convinced Mil dred, at least, that she knows how to keep a secret. Although Vernon, having always re garded Miss Lay as a woman most do void of brains and witli very littlo heart, wonders sometimes at his wife's choice of a friend, ho sas nothing, because ho believes that Mildred has tho happy faculty of drawing out Miss Lay's good qualities, and because in his fond fool ish eyes, his wife is that creature of the imagination a perfect woman! Ade laide D. HoLLSTo.v, in The Current. A Foline Adopts 11 Litter of Rats. Joseph Messenger, a woll-known farmer, who enjoys a reputation tor truthfulness, credits tho following story told of his cat, which is famous in tho neighborhood whero ho resides for her record as a successful ratter and mouser: A fow days ago, as Messen ger ontorcd his barn, he saw a big rat jump out of a barrel and scamper away. Tho fanner looked in the barrel and saw six young rats which where unable to get out Ho wont and brought his famous rat-killing cat and put her in the barrel, as the quickest way of rut- ding the promises of tho six incipiont pests. To his great surprise sho did not make short shrift of them, but on the contrary took the rat family under hor protection ana tretueu tueiu wnu as much consideration and affection as though they had been a litter of her own. Tho news of this roraarkablo whim on tho part of the Messengor rat-destroyor soon spread to the neighbors, and they flocked to the barn to see tho curious spectacle. The constant appearance of btangors at tho barrel evidently alarmed tho cat for the safoty of her protoges, for she began to carry them in her mouth, as she might her kittens, to n placo of groator oxelusion and safe- ty. At this point tho farmer drew the lino, and slaughtered tho cat's family of ratlings, much to her apparent grief. Altoona (Venn.) Tunes. In Haston''early Juue peas" are ahead; advertised. This shows that the season ii really advaueluji. A (batty Arffus. Ilarmer is the name ot one Congressman. The appellation would do service for most a the rest I'MlaJdMa -YortA JLuurkan. JUMBO'S OLD CHUM. IIo s't lloturn to Kncliiiid He-cause umbo's C'nrcnns In Hero. Animal trainers arc a queer lot as a rule, and show-managers havo to put up with many vagaries' from them. They form strong attachments for thoir big and sometimes ungainly pets; at tachments such as one would hardly expect to exist between a human being and a wild beast. A case in point re cently came under tho notice of Mr. James L. Hutchison, of tho Harnuni show, which servos well to illustrate what seems to bo ono of tho chief traits in an animal-trainers character. When the Barnum people bought Jumbo in England they brought over to mis coun try with him Matthew Scott, who for some twenty years had been the trainor and keeper of tho huge, liomoly but good-natured beast. Scott was Jum bo's guardian and constant companion during the pachyderm's brief but bril liant career in this country, When Jumbo met his deatli as a result of too much monkeying with a railroad train up in Canada, Scott was "all broke up," to use the verancular. ' Ho was a rost loss, dissatisfied, pretty well broken-up individual while the skin of his elephan tine bedfellow was beiug stuffed and his skeleton cleaned and mounted for exhibition purposes. When the ro mains of Jumbo were added to the Uarnum aggregation Scott was put on exhibition with them. Ho seemed to have recovered some of his happincsa then, and never tired of telling of the peaceful disposition, the kindly nature, and the altogether commendable habits of his late chum. When the Barnum show closed its season last October Mr. Hutchinson told Scott that he would havo uo furth er use for him, nnd advised him to go back to England and accept tho position at the London zoological garden that was waiting tor him. Scott said he would do so. On Oct 23 in Lynch burg, Va., Mr. Hutchinson paid Scotl the nearly $2,000 which had accumula ted in his hands as the old trainer's wages. Scott also received money tc pay his passage back to Europe, in ac cordance with his agreement with the Barnum people. Ho bado everyone good-bye. left tho show, and started foi this city in time to take the steamer he had selected for Liverpool. That was the last that was seen or heard of him by the proprietors of tho Barnum show until last week. Mr. Hutchinson went up to the Bridgeport winter quarters then to sec how things were progressing for the removal of tiie show's truck to this city. IIo was astonished shortly aftei leaving his train to meet Scott "Hallo, Scott, what are you doinp here? Thought you were in England with your friends? Glad lo seo you, any way." Thus spoke tho cheery manager. Scott stumbled in his words considera bly and explained that he'd mado lots ol friends in this country, rather liked it, and thought he'd stay here for a while for rest as lie had a good pile of money for him. Ho appeared to bo a trillo ashamed of something, as if caught m a disreputable sort of proceeding. Mr. Hutchinson left him and went to the big barns and sheds of tho company. But lie could not forgot Scott "Seen anything of Jumbo Scotl around hero lately?" ho inquired casu ally of tho people in the office. No, they hadn't. lie dctermed to pursue his inquiries further, and solve tho mys tery of this man Scott's boingin Bridge port So lie went down to the elephant house. Yes, thoy had seon Seoil; seen him frequently; "almost daily in fact. Mr. Hutchinson followed tho clew qui etly and successfully, and then it turn ed out that nearly every day since the show had been in winter 'quartors Scott had prowled about tho barn, chatted witli the elephant mon, and invariably wound up his call by a visit to tho spol whero the stuffed Jumbo and chained skeleton are stored. After a short, and so far as is known, silent communion witli his dead friend, Scott would leave the placo satisfied and go to his humblo lodgings in Bridgeport If tho deceas ed Jumbo travels this season Scott will want to, oven if ho isn't on the salary list Xew York Times. He Wild Know Him. "Would you recognize him?" asked the keeper of the morgue to a man whe had called to identify the remains of a person who had been found floating in the river. "Faith, and I wud." 'And could you indontify his body to a certainty?" "Iudado I could." "Well, sir, come in and look around?" With that Fat moved hurridly around, first going totho extreme loft of the building. 'Why do you go way over in thai part of the building first?" asked the morgue keeper. "Faith, an' I dunno, 'copt it bo thai I wud find him there." I don't boliovo you would know him if you would see his body, said tho keeper, who had begun to boliovo thai it was nothing moro than morbid curi osity that had brought Fat to the morgue. "Kuow him dado, an' I wud, foi sure. Wasn't ho left-handed?" iYef zelVs Weekly. Kind Frlotuls. Friend "1 have brought you a fen slices of ham." Poor Neighbor "Ah! How kind yon arc." "Don't mention it. It Is really pleasure for mo to show you any little attention." "Well, I appreciate your kindness. 3 can assure you of that" "As I said before, I am only too glae )o bo able to accoramodato you. Tin slices arc cut from a ham that wai glvou us. By tho way, if you discovoi any svmptoms of trichina in youi family,' after you havo tried tlm ham, you will let us know please. Wp an not going to oat of it until we hear froa you ?' Texas Sif tings.