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About The Eugene City guard. (Eugene City, Or.) 1870-1899 | View Entire Issue (Aug. 12, 1882)
btao Uot mm. "Twenty yeara ago, Bweotbeart." As Daphne McCarthy spoke these -jg Bhe looked into the face of tba nun she loved bo woll, and tbe dimpled rm who6 Pearly whiteness ftn(1 beanti fnllv rounded curvei shone so bewitch inefy through the soft, fleecy dress that h cirl wore.cluug more trustingly than Iyer to that of George W. Simpson. The dr was indeed a beautiful one a sym ubony of sound, and light, and scent, t'p from the maple trees came the sweet voices of the birds twittering to each Mimr from newly-built nests, amid boughs that swayed to and fro in the wind and shook their latest buds into leaf and blossom. From far below came i murmur of waves breaking softly on a shingly beach, and, mingling with this murmur, the snouts and laughter of the fisher lads as they sported in the ..tpH. Tbo dim fragrance, and dappled lights, and pleasant 'sounds made a threefold joy to Daphne s she stood beneath the trees that Jono morning wim nor lover oy her side. Sho stood on a part of the lope whence tba trees had drawn back a little, aud tbo light fell about her just ivnud the verse of tbe shadow. Round licr feet were dead leaves and living flowers, and soft, green mosses, full of the sweetest ram that had fallen the pre vious nigbt. With one hand sbe shaded tier eyes, the other was uplifted to bend hack a branch which had barred the aien space. Her hair was blown in a brown cloud about tho girlish face, and the hazel eyes shown with a wistlullook beneath the shading hand. Stunding in tbe center of the littlo dell into which the girl was looking, was a stately marblo shaft, around whose baso the violets ana pansies were clustering, and showing bv their presence that lov ing bands bud placed them there. For tn instant Daphne did not Bpeak, but the tears that tnnkled down her cheeks tola all too plainly of the grief that was rack ing her young breast. Finally she turned to Ueorgo, and, smiling through her tears, placed her head confidingly on his shoulder, and seemed perfectly content. It is not strongo, darling," she said, "that I can never look on the grave of my mother that mother whom I never saw, and who yielded up her young life when I was born without a senso of bitter grief and desolation? Twenty years ago to-day, sweetheart, she diod. it is a Iouk time, dear, is it not?" and sgain the girl smiled. " l'es.uiv pet." replied Oeorgo. "Gold smith Maid was a colt then," and bend ing down his shapely head with its coronal of stioebrush hair, he kissed the little rosebud mouth. Then, pressing the lithe form more closely to mm, he spoke with a grave tenderness that showed how much his words meant of a subjeot that was very near to his young heart: "But though your mother is dead, Dupbne," he said, "you have still my love to comfort and uphold you. And cannot you speak now, darling, here besido that mothers grae, tue woras that will mako me happy for life? Will yon not promise me that when the au tumn comes you will crown my life with the halo of your love aud become my wife For a moment the girl. was. silent.look incr down and twining nervously around ber ringers the tendril of a rose that sbe bad plucked from a band of the scarlet beauties that blossomed near the grave. "Will you marry me, Daphne?" asked George again. Still no answer. "I cannot bear this silenoe, sweetheart, indeed I cannot," excluimed the young man, his pallid face betokening the tense agony from which he suffered. "You must end this terrible suspense in some way. Tell me truly', Daphne, do you love me?" Placing her arms about nia neck and looking into his face with eyes from which tbo glad light of love was stream ing, Daphne said to him, in tones that thrilled his very blood: "I should gasp to gurgle." From "None Get Awav " by Murat Halstead. Thrones. The New York Times has tho follow ing: King Kalakaua, of the Sandwich Island, has lately had his palace thor oughly cleaned aud calcimined, and is about to put entirely new furuiture in tbe front bed room the one iu whiob bis majesty usually sleeps. He has sent to Boston for his furniture, and among the articles ordered by him are two thronos. Throneshave been in use since the bo ginning of historv, and frequent im provements have been made in their pattern and manufacture. The original throne of the Etruscan and Roman kings was simply a block of stone with a hol low soooped in the upper part of it. The niost luxurious monurchs of Asia were in the habit of furnishing their thronos with silk cushions, a fashion which was adopted by the Roman emperors after tbe time of Tiberius. The same throne witb'silk cushion, remained in general use until modern times, and the first con spicuous departure from the ancient pat tern was made by Louis XVI of France, who had a throne built somewhat after tbe pattern of an arm chair, covered with velvet and stuffed with corn husks. Tbe throne of Queen Victoria has been tnlarged several times during her reign and greatly strengthened with steel braces and extra legs, the queen prefer ring it o a new throne on the ground that it was given to her by Prince Albert on their wedding day. It is furnished with an extension on which the queen can rest ber feet, and it can be tipped back until it forma a conch. This has proved to be a great convenience of late to her majesty, lor when Mr. Gladstone -calls to see ber to explain Irib affairs the queen simply tips back her throne, closes her eys and remarking, "I can always listen better with my eyes shut," sleeps for two or three hours and wakes up quite refreshed by the time Mr. Glad stone has finished the opening sentence of his remarks. Tbe Spanish throne is a Tery elaborate piece of furniture. It is in tbe shape of a large jofa, arid Spanish etiquette re quires tbe king to lie at full length on it with a cigar in his mouth when receiving tbe visits of his ministers or of foreign diplomatists. Underneath the throne is plice for tbe royal guitar, and in each of tbo arms are drawers opened by con--ceaied springs and filled frith Uie beat cigars. The springs of the cushion we re somewhat injured during the itign of Queen Isabella, but the government is about to contract a loan in order to send the throne to tbe upholsterers, where it can be thorougly overhauled and re paired. The throne of Napoloon I. was a most ingenious and useful structure. It con sistod of a pedostal six feet long, six wide and four high, on which was placed a luxurious chair with a bead rest, to be usea when tue emperor was undergoing shaving, aud a writing de?k on the right arm on which he could write bulletins Tbe pedestal was filled with drawers and lockers In which were contained toilet articles, maps, guide books, canned peaches and other provisions, Tauchniz edition of popular novels, an extra suit oi clothes, a spare crown, and a mattress. together with a sufficient quantity of oeuaing. I no pedestal was so con' struoted that it could readily beoon verted into a bedstead, and the emperor carried it with him through all bis cam paign including that of Waterloo, dur ing which it was unfortunately en trusted to Dodd'a Express Company, with instructions to Bend it to Brussels, where, of oourse, it bos not vet arrived. Tbo throne of tbo king of Italy is of tue arm-chair pattern, and though plain and inexpensive in appearance, it has a band-organ concealed underneath the seat and operated by a crank, which the king turns with his foot. It also eon tains a little kennel for tbe royal mon key, but unfortunately tbe kennel is at present vacant, tbo last of tbe royal mon keys having died of pneumonia in Feb ruary last. The German emperor, in his love for soldiery simplicity, always uses a com mon camp stool instead of a throne, and it is only recently that he has consented to add to it an india rubber air cushion presented to him by Peter Cooper to re lieve bis mind of tbe strain which he necessarily undergoes when listening for two or three hours to Prince Bismarck The Greek throno is a homo-made affair. Tbe late Kiug Otho made it him solf out of a barrel, and it was uphol stered in a very creditable way by his queen. The whole expense of the affair was only three dracbmie. (Street Sights of Pura. The Brazilian women are proud of their beautiful hair, and frequently ar range it in the open street. I have never yet seen a single shop-keeper with even a semblance of a coat on, and it is not common to see vests worn. Sometimes even tho skirt is wanting, and the only visible apparel is pants and slipMrs. With servant women the usual costume is a long, trailing skirt, whose short waist is out very low in tho neck and made with short sleeves. Often this wist is simply an elegantly trimmed cbemese (for these women make a very beautiful kind of lace, weaving it on cushions while they sit on the floor of their housosj aud tho skirt is of print or liucu. They are fond of gay colors, and especially delight to make dresses out of the kind of calico designed to imitate patchwork. Children are not dressod at all, as a rule, though some are provided with a single long-sleeved, sacque-like, cotton garment, which reaches below the knee. Boys frequently are uot dressed till twelvo years old, but as a rule girls begiu to wear clothing before reuching that age. Most girls marry at fifteen years. There is but one express wagou with springs in tho city of Para. Cart meu are at hand like hackmen, waiting to bo hired for the dolivery of merchan dise. Tbe common job wagon is a clumsv affair, without springs and but two wbeols, the whole guiltless of paint. The harness found with this vohicle always consists of a little, square, wooden saddle resting on a cushion, traces of chain, collar and head-halter of leather, and no bits the animal being guided by a long rope fastened to tbe head. As wells are not common iu Para, water is drawn about tbe city in hogs beads mounted horizontally on wheels. There are no milk carts. Morning and evening the milkman puts on the cow's neck a leather collar to which are attached three musical bells of brass. A long rope is fastened to her horns, and she walks witu her master through tbe streets to the various dwellings to be supplied. Tbe proprie tor carries several tin measures, into one of which be milks whatever quantity may be desired by the women, servants or children who stund at the door or window to watch tbo process. Bread is sold on a similar plan. Instead of having bread-wagons, tbe Brazilian roll is carried abtut the streets by tho baker himself, or his employee. Sometimes the crisp, brown crusts rattle in a print bag, which is slung eorelessly over the shoulders of the slippered pedestriou, sometimes they jostle together in a bas ket on his head, but the most common thing is a little bine and gray handcart, whose motor calls out his customers by a low blast on his little tin born. As stoves are almost unheard of here, tbe bread is invariably made by tbe baker, who often makes his morning visits be fore the family are out of the hammocks :vhere they sleep at night, in whicn case he swings open a blind and ranges his wares on the window sill. Ait Uhsdocbssfbi, Eipbkimest. A London actress, who wanted to discover, for professional reasons, the effects of drunkenuess, thought she would try it on her maiden aunt. But after the sec ond glass was nearly empty she declined any more. While her back was turned the niece poured a lileral amount of whisky into the glass, which tbe aunt swallowed. "Now we'll see what she'll do." said the young woman, as her aunt's eyes began to glisten. What the aunt did was to lie down on tue sola ami go soundly to sleep for three or four hours, and tbe young woman is still iu tho dark on the subject. New York City has the youngest bur glar on record. He is eight years old, and his plain, unvarnished name is George Johnson. He was arrested in company with thieves much older than h.'maolf rul when anestionedas to what part he played in the depredations, said: "I'd bo a fly an pipe off tbe perlice while de udder leiiera were worng me inside racket." When asked what be did rhen strangers approached, be replied: Yell 'Cons.' an skip de gutter." In stead of lookinir the boy up, the "pcr lica" sent him home to be spanked and pot to bed. Props as Luxury. In all the city hotels frogs now are considered a staple article of food. Some serve them only during uie summer sea son, but in the majority frogs are in cluded in tba bill of fare through every month in the year. Frogs, unlike oys ters, are not only good in the months with an R, but in all the othera as well. In some seasons the domapd for tbia dainty is ao great that it even exceeds the supply, and at times the hotels are una ble to obtaiu all their trade demands. It may be a surprise to many to know that one hotel alono requires nearly eighty dozen of frogs daily to supply the de mand. It if getting to be just the thing to have a few frogs for an after-theater lunch. At the laiger markets iu tbe city there is also a growing iuquiry lor them, and it is not an uncommon thing for a customer to include among his other pur chases for bis homo supply a dozen or more frogs. It is safe to say that if peo ple could be induced to make a single trial of a skilfully prepared dish of well fattened frogs' legs, this de mand, from simply not being uncommon, would Boon become general. Tbe busi ness of catching frogs begins in May,nn.l coutinuos without interruption through out tbe summer. The outfit of the pro fessional frog-catcher is a pair of long legged rubber boots, a scoop-net at tached to a long polo, a small gun and a suitable bag for conveying the booty home. Frogs are found in abundance, and tbo sportsman in this line of busi ness, if he possess even ordinary skill unlike those who hunt for other game noed uover return euipty-bandod. No frogs are killed at tbe time of capturo if it can possibly bo avoided, as it is especially desirod to secure thorn alive, iu order that they may be properly fattened for the markets. A first-clans catcher, who was fortunate in striking a good hunting ground at a favorable season of the year, has been known to bring back over sixty dozen of frogs as the result of his day's labor; but if au average of thirty dozen is taken each day, it is considered satisfactory. In preparing theni for the market tho heads nre cut off, and tbo body is split down tbe under side and the skin carefully removed. Then they are carofully washed several times to cleanse them of all particles of spawn or other ex traneous matter. The legs are gener ally separated from tbe body, because most plaoes serve only the former to their customers; but others purchase tbo frogs whole, and nse tbo bodies and fore legs in stews and fricassees. The busi ness has already been injured by inex perienced parties delivering frogs which have been improperly dressed. The liv ing animals are placed in largo hogs heads filled with fresh water, in which tboy are allowed to stay for several days, and during this time they are regularly fed with chopped fresh meat and fish, celery, cabbage and other green vegeta bles. At intervals of overy two or three days all the frogs are taken from tho water, and allowed to exerciso them selves within proscribed , limits, and to enjoy a thorough sun bath. After hav ing lived upon dry lund for a while, they are agaiu placod in the tank. These operations are continuod for some time, or uutil they are woll fattened and in con dition to be killed and exposed for sale. Tbe handling of tbe frogs during these operations requires more than ordinary care and experience. One peculiarity about the animals is tbe fact that tboy do not breed when in the water tanks in a state of captivity. A Gallant Rescue. Madame Adelle made an excursion from Oswego in ber balloon, Columbia, on tho Fourth, and had an awful experi ence. Tbe Columbia passed through a snowstorm in mid-air, and afterward de scended in Lake Ontario, the wronaut being dragged through the water over an hour, until nearly exhaustod. At the last moment the tug Morey, Captain Papa, which bad seen the danger and was in chase, came up and rescued the ventursome lady and her unmanageable cruiser. Madumo Adellc's account of the trip was a thrilling one. 01 the accident aud rescue she says: "When I struck I plungod in nearly to my shdulders; tbe sudden chill nearly stranded me. I knew my only hope was iu keaping iu the basket. At this time tbe basket was on its side; I was on my knees in tbe basket with both hands ovor my bead, holding on to tbe ring from which the basket is suspended. Tho balloon dragged through tbe water at a fearful rate, unswering for a sail. I thought my position very precarious. Something seemed to say to me, "Now don't be frightened," and I remained us self pos sossed as I am now. In cases of eitreme danger I have an unusual feeling of calmness and resignation and trust in an over ruling Providence. I am unablo to sing, I cannot learn a tune, but there came to me a voice of sacred song which I have heard in meetings: "All my trutt on Tht In ttijrprl; All my hup from thi-e I driuf, Cover my dleucit tii1 With lbs utit'luw of Thy rlnj" I sang it drifting through tho col l waters of Lake Ontario, out of sight of boat or sail, and nigbt fast approaching. After dragging through the water in this manner for half an hour, I looked back over my shoulder and saw the tug, liko a faint speck in the distance, if ever a mortal was glad, I wss then. I was be coming chilled and exhausted, and knew that unless help was at hand, I would soon perish. I saw tbe steam from that tug. I knew that they were gaining on me, and I shouted, "Oh, glory!" Then there came tbe chorus of that old song, 'He saves, Baves roe now, and I sang it. I watched tbe tug, continnally looking back to see if sbe was still in sight and gaining on me. Hue very slowly grew plainer, but I thought my strength should become exhausted before it could reach me. After dragging about an hour longer, I heard their whistle, and indeed it was a joyful sound. In a few minutes 1 could hear tbe puffing of tbe engine. I saw tbe men waving their bate. I reached one arm up out of the water and waved it at them, and in a few minutes they came alongside. I shouted to them ao see that tbe gas in the balloon did not eatch fire. They then seized bold of the ordage and lifted the balloon on deck. I was ao chilled that X could hardly apeak. They slit tha balloon from the top to the bottom, and it immediately collapsed and foil a shapeless IB ass on the deck. The captain and somo ladies assisk'fl me to tbe cabin, and the ladies took good cire of me and dried my clothes. The captain told me that he saw the balloon descend, and that he could see tbe top of it on the water all tbo while. He said that I bad floated about an hrmr and a half when he picked me up, and I was then seventeen miles from Oswego and seven miles from shore. Chicago Inter-Ocean. The .Moorish dlare Girls of To-Day. A correspondent of tho London Stan dard, writing from Morocco says; By tbe Mohammedan law no man is permitted to have mora than four wives; but there is no limit but that of the purse to the number of female slaves who may bo added to his (Xablishment. Tbo Sul tan's ladies are numbered by hundreds, if they do uot indeed reach tbe four figures; and in proportion to his posi tion aud wealth the well-to-do Moor in like manner las a large or small harem establishment. Tbe Sultan has the privilege of confenng the honor of en tering his harem upon whom ho will, and any girls in his provinces who are more than ordinarily pretty aro sent up to the court for his inspection or seut to him as a complimentary present. Mon in high positions as tbe Vizier, arj also often presented with ladies, and being frequently very wealthy, complete their establishment by private contract, paying, porlmps, JAR) tor a girl they may admire. Tho ordinary well-to-do Moor, of whom there are a large number of the merchant class, have to content them selves by buying iu tho o,uii market, and, consequently, the slave market is a highly pairouizud institution, 'file court in which this is usually hold, oil threo days iu every week, opens out of a labyrinth of small, narrow streets, which forms the bazar or general mar ket of the city, a place in which the higher class of Moor would not on other occasions deign to be seen. As tho af ternoon wears on, however, they may be seen ambling down on gaily capar isoned mules, with a slave walking be hind them, to tbe entrance of tho court, where they dismount and recliuo in picturesque groups around the enelos sure. About the same time arrivo by twos and threes those who are to be sold, being placed by the salesmen in some Binall recesses or stalls opening on the court. Theie were abont fifty or sixty persons for sale of both sexes and all ages, most of them black as jot, and from their fea tures evidently uatives of Soudan, soiuo of whom wore to be Bold in lots, with two or throe children. These woro the tbo drudges for house and Sold work, the prico of whom always moderate, and strictly commensurate to tbo amount of work they are likely to bo able to per form. But besides theso were two femalo jguros who evidently exoitod no small amount oi interest in tue gray uenruou old Moors who formed no small propor tion of tbe purchasers. One of them was a closely veiled Moorish girl, whoso features were revealed only to inquiring customers, but who from a passing glance did not appear to be romarkablo for her beauty; the otbor was a really pretty girl from the province of Sns, whose rose-colored caftau and green silk head-dress contrasted pleasantly with her olive complexion and long, dark lashes. They wore all neatly and tidily dressed, benring no sign of ill-treatment or scant nourishment, and wore treated with all consideration both by salesmen and pur chasers, though tbe examination made by tho latter of toeth, arms, etc., of thoBO they bid for was very repulsive to those unaccustomed to such sights. Matlonul Peculiarities. An Englishman who recently visited this country has considerable to say concerning our customs aud methods of doing business. He says: Business is f-ursued differently tbun amongst us, though international aomminglings and competitions are hourly bringing com merce and trade to similar methods. Yet our drapers' assistants, for example, would find themselves out of their clo ment iu the dry-goods stores of America. Here, our shopmen spend much time in panegyrics upon the fabrics tbey vend, and be who is most mellifluous in -praiso of his master's goods gets promotion. In tbo United States this specious volubility would causo tbo shopman's speedy dismissal. Customers judge for themselves, and any attempt to gild tbe pill excites con temptuous suspicion of the vendor. Tbe average American, however poor, is compelled to be a gentleman. Work men in England aro not always careful of personal Appearance, though our young men are becoming so. But in America, after business hours, it is im possible to distinguish a man 'by any external marks of his occupation. Ar tisans are dressed liAitly, stylishly, splendidly, according to individual ideas and income. I have lived iu hotels and boarding houses with working men whose clothes, deportment and conver sation gave not the slightest cine of their employments. Oood manners are not Only expected from, but are insisted upon. Except in mining region, where a conglomeration of iuterUtional row dies set up a local code of behavior, all Americans are urbane. Even in these lawless spots women are treated with courtesy. Refinement of manners is nowhere more conspicuous tbun in the treatment of children. Anglo American boys and girls have indulgences, pleasures and intimacies with their elders quite unknown to their cousins in the east. I was struck with ttie ex traordinary good conduct of children in school. There is a code of high behva ior ruling teachers and pupils that comes favorably with that of England. It was curious to remark, a- I had oera sion to do, bow noon an immigrant's turbulent, irascible, nnruly, opinionated boys were subdued to tbe prevailing be havior. Zigzag lightning is a veritable spark between two clouds, or more often lie tween a cloud and the earth. This grand spark i able to divide or bifurcate into two, seldom three branches, bene" tbe name of "cbain" and "forked" light ning. It proceeds from clouds io which tbe globules are packed ao cloe aa ap proximately to form compact mmw, and tbe electricitity on their anrfaca ia brought most into play. Annual Apple Crops. The question how lo obtain annual crops of apples ia frequently discussed in pouiologicul convention and papers without giving sufficient attention to the preliminary questions of the cause of the toudency of the apple troe to bear only alternate years. The true cause of this once understood, the retnody for the evil will be clearly in dicated. Young orchards just coming into bearing, produce fruit every year, when frosts do not injure the crop. When tho period of full bearing is reachod wo have learned to expect lit tie or no fruit tho next year after a large crop. This results wholly from a tendency to over-production. Fruit bearing is exhaustive to all trees and plants. When loaded with fruit tbo forces of the plant are not auQlcient for the formation of fruit buds for tbe next year's crop. Tbe result is, trees left to themselves noqniro tho habit of boating only on alternate years, one year being given to tbo formation of fruit buds, tbo uext to the produotiou of fruit. If the crop was never injured by tho frosts of winter or spring, we would havo somo trcos Waring one year and others tho next. But de structive frosta aro of frequont occur rence, and when they occur the summer following is given to the production of fruit buds. All of tho trees iu tbo area of tho frost are subjected to like con ditions, will hour fruit tbo next year.and from thence continno to lar, each alter nate year, until this order is intefored with by a killing frost in tbo bearing year. There is uot, and e.m be no remo dy for this slato of things as long as over production is permitted during the brariujt year. If tho apple grower w ill thiu out each crop in tho early spring, to such a moderato quantity that tbo trees will be able to mature the crop aud at tbe same timo perfect buds for another crop, tbo trees will bear continuously unless iuterferrod with by frosts. Or if iu a boar ing season, bo will strip each alternate tree of its fruit leaving it uoth ing to do except the production of fruit buds, he will secure an orchard, one half of tho trees bearing ono year, and the other half tbe next, and this state of things will continno uutil interfered with by a frost. But thinning out the fruit iu early summer is much tho better plan. Thoroughly done it will becomo much more valuable than if the thin ning was omitted, and with tbe benefit of an annual crop on all of tbe trees. Under our umial management, in a bear ing year, apples are abundant, poor and cheap. Under the plan suggested, tboy would bo of good quality and command a good price every year. Tbe YY ekedest Man In Now Tork. When Oliver Dyer sought out a man for his sketch of the wickedest man in New York he selected John Allen, a dog fighter the type of tho brutish sport and tbo protector of thieves and ThtiKs. Now such a skotch would have for its subject not the koeper of a low-down gin mill, but a man of ac complishments, a leador of fashion in tbe fast sot, a rich man who had hope lessly fallen from that preferred realm of respectability whore the true solf is hidden bohiud the veil of the good opinion of mon aud a fair rating in the commercial respects, who has no respect for virtue except for its mar ket valuo, who fears vice only because of its possibilities of pulling a trigger upon it, or weaving a network or destruction about his career; who can deal with equanimity with tbe kings of crime foi service from their subjects, and can plan tbe ruin of a young man or woman aa coolly as ho can make bots on a horse raoo; who can corrupt with oe little con science as he can make bis toilet, and can build up a backing of judgos, lawyers and politicians, null club men, and even preachers, who oan be counted upon for service on a pinch. Such is undoubtedly tbe type of the wickodost man of Now York to day. The Bowoiy tough, with a broadcloth coat and plug hat, that in responso to 1 hackery a re mark that ho wanted to go to Grand street aaid: "Well, go right along, son ny, but hurry home," pasBod away in the wake of tbe old volunteer fire de partment. Tbo Owuoy Geoghons and John Aliens are as natural members of metropolitan life as camp followers are of an army. Tbey are dangerous, liko tarantulas if you' go where they are, but if you konp out of their path tbey will keep out of yours. Tbo modern wickedest mun of New York has the an pearanoo of a gentleman, and might take a seat in tbo Concord School of Philoso phy with exciting other comment than that be is a New Yorker. But ho is mora dangerous ia bis contaminating effocts upon society than any of his predeces sors in tbe citi'-s of tbe world in wicked ness. New York Corr. St. Louis Re publican. 4 Calk dra Milking. Tbe e lobrated cathedral of St. Isaac, at St Petersburg, which was finished in 1H59 at a cost of fj2r.()00,0(K),is giving in dications of sinking into the ground. As is veil known, the Russian capital is constructed on a marsh, and the site of the cathedral was selected in one of tbe softest portions of it. Upon the founda tions, at tho outset, $1,000,000 was spent iu driving piles; but at no period has the building maintained a rigid attitudo.and at present it manifests a disposition to topplo over at one corner alto gether. A short time ago an exam ination revealed that on one side of the structure the columns bad parted from the architrave and left a space of threH inches between, which tho applica tion of test ha showu to bo regularly increasing. In consequence of thh dis covery, tbo advico of engineers was tuken as to lightening tbe roof, and workmen were engaged to remove the heavy corner bronzes, bnt as tbe work proceeded frof-h figures displayed thorn selves, and the engineers grew so alarmed that they gave up the under taking altogether as a bad job. Since then nothing has been done except bold consultation after consultation, with no result except the expenditure of a great deal of talk, anil the rejection of a num ber of funny projects of improvement, more or less imiiossib'e to carry out. It baa b-en asked by some theological student whether tbe poor negro, when engaged in tbe arduous task of white washing, is consciously obeying the golden rule, and doing unto othera what ha would like to have them do unto him. SJJORT BITS. Trust and yon will not be trusted. Time wasted Is existence, used is life. He that grasps at too much holds noth ing fast. An honost man is tha noblest pursuit of women. lie that lendeth to a train n eiveth to a saloonist. Ono is never more amiablo than when one it loved. Impatience dries the blood sooner than age or sorrow. Innocence and mysterionsnosa never dwell loner together. The man who ia always rlubt finds every one else always wrong. Be graceful if you can, but if you can't bo graceful, be truo. To boast alout one'a relations ia to publish ono'a inferiority. Hypocrisy beoonios a necessity for those who live scandalously. An indiscreet man ia like an unsealed lcttor every one can road it. Experionco is the name men give to their follies or their sorrows. It isn't tho girl who ia loaded with powder that goes off tbo easiest. Tbo cheapest advice is that which costs nothing and ia worth nothing. Who is lavish with promises is apt to be penurious in promises. There aro no oatliB that make so many perjurers as the vows of love. If a dog has monoy he it callod "Your lordship the dog." Kroumir. A Christian, should bIiow his religion over a counter as well as at tbo altar. "There's no place liko home." "Thank God!" said the man who boardod with his mothcr-io-law. The health of the fine old journalist, Thurlow Weed, has boon quite poor this year. He is 85 years old. When a man refuses to excuse him self for a mean act ho has taken a long strido toward becoming a Christian. Tho conversation of most scholars with each other is nothing more than a mutual, private, polite examination. Perhaps the reason why tbe voice of truth is bo rarely heard is because, living in a woll, she ia apt to have a cold. , , The fewer frionds one has, tha bettor. In good times they make use of you; in bad, you can't make use of themv There are men in all stutioos who are able to make a fortune, but it takes a gontlomau to squander one becom ingly. , When frionds applaud your sudden woaltb, be on your gtrard. The hungry dog wags his tail because he thinks you have something in the sack for him. "What is the national fishery ques tion?" pompously exclaimed an orator; and a squeaking voice in the audienoe esponded: "It is have you got a bite?" A St. Louis boy drank milk withou taking the chew of tobaooo out of his month. The milk washed tbe tobacoo down his throat, and ho died of nicotine poisoning. When you have found a man who thinks it is bis duty to toll you of your faults, you have also found a man who nover thinks it his duty to tell you of your virtues. Many years ago four doctors of Erie, Penn., agreed that Captain John H. Walsh could not live twenty-four hours. Since tlion he has attonded the funerals of three of the mediocs. Mrs. Harriet BeecherStowe felt a little embarrassed at tbe recent reception in honor of the 70th anniversary of ber birlb, since it was tbo first birthday she over celebrated. Tbe meanest man on record sent through a postoffloe presided over by a woman a postal card on which was writ ten: "Dear Jack: Here's the details of that scandal." And tho rest was written in Greek. Joseph Oreno and bis wife, of Swan ton, New Hampshire, are aged 101 and W years respectively. Tboy have oolo brated their diamond wedding, have twolvo children, and have had tighty four grandchildren. "Don't you think Jersoys are just too lovely for any use?" sho eweotly in quired, referring to the garment so pop ular now. And lie answered dreamily, as ho clasped her soft hand in bis: "Yes; their milk makes tho best smear case I ever e't in my life. You're liable to get the yellow jaundice cf yon eat too much of it, though." ., A prominent granger from Onion Creek was in Austin recently. Desiring to obtain somo reliable figures about tbe oat crop, wo asked him if he could tell us precisely how many acres he had in oats, and how many bushels he raised to the a -re. "I can't give you the precise figures, nut I raised a heap, sold right smart, and I've got a poworf ul lot loft." A news itom says tbat the best female oirotis rider in Russia is Dornedretisky who "turns a double somersault through a hoop, and carries ber name, whiob ia painted iu tne center, along with her." To turn a double somersault through a hoop may not be a very remarkable feat, but to get her name through, without knocking off some of its corners, is cer tainly an astonishing performance. Norristewn lloruld. Aaxluut to be Neighborly. The Detroit Free Press says: He was a small boy with dirt on bis nose and a faded straw hat on his head, and feet long unwashed. He walked boldly np the steps, pulled the bell, and when tho lady came to tbo door he said: "Say, can you lend ma your telephone for a few miniU?" - "Why, I can't," she gasped out. "We'll bring it back in half an hour." "But I can't lend it, child. You don't seem to know what a telephone is. Who are you?" "We live around the corner just moved in, and wa want to be neighborly. I triod to borrow your wheel-barrow and shovel, bnt your boy wouldn't lend 'em, and our hired girl has been over to bor row tea and sugar and couldn't get any. We kinder thought we might borrow your telephone or something, and ma would bring it back and get a chance to aee your atyla and ask yon to run right in with your old clothes on I"