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About Bandon recorder. (Bandon, Or.) 188?-1910 | View Entire Issue (June 4, 1903)
BANDON RECORDER. ||| P olly L arkin . 11 WHEN THE SPAVIN CAME, t E*«e« the Brllllaa« Career •< th* Park Pallee Horse. The fail from greatness of a police iorae that bad taken the blue ribbon at the national horse show la told by Kewell Ford tn "Horses Nine” as fol lows: • For a whole year Skipper waa the pride of the force. He was shown to visitors at the stables; he was patted on the nose by the mayor. The chief, who was a bigger man than the may- ar, came up especially to look at him. In the park Skipper did bls tricks ev ery day for ladies In fine dress, who exclaimed. "How perfectly wonderful!" as well as for pretty nursemaids who giggled and said, “Now, did you ever see the likes o' that, Norah?" And then came the spavin. Ah, but that was the beginning of the end! Were you ever spavined? If so, you know all about it. If you haven’t been, there's no use trying to tell you. Rheu matlsm? Well, that may be bad, but a spavin Is worse. For three weeks R«-ddy rubbed the lump on the bock with stuff from a brown bottle and bld it from the In spector. Then one black morning the lump was discovered. That day Skip per did not go out on (>oat. Rcildy came Into the stall, put bls arm around his neck and said “Goodby!" in a voice that Skipper bad never beard him use before. Something bad made It thick and husky. Very sadly Skipper saw him saddle one of the newcomers and go out for duty. Carlin* and Harllnat. Did you ever slop to think that we are the builders of our owu characters? We may not follow out the plans of the Architect, and if we do not and our lives are failures or disappoint ment* in oue thing or auolber, the blame rests with us. Few lives areas perfect as the Great Architect intended they should be. lu fact everyone have their little faults and eccentric ways that are uot just in keeping with the ideas of the character builder. Nearly everyone kuows where they fail. We know where thia disagreeable little habit creeps iu that is anuoyiug to ourselves and irritating to our friends. We kuow that the harsh woids spoken leave an echo in the heart long after we have forgotten them. We did not intend to utter them, did uot even mean them, but iu an ungarded mo ment the ugly, venomous words came thick and fast. We say we are sorry, or we regret that it should have hap pened. it is the old story—they have beard that before. Sometimes the thought enters your heart and you whisper to yourself, “Blot out my transgressions,’’ and you resolve to bury the past and begin anew with your character building. But you for get your brave resolve and there are days in your life when you go back to these unintentional mistakes and the storm of regret sweeps over your soul, and here the building of character stope until you cau come out of the gloom and prepare to take up the work again. These days of despondency and regret do not do any good, in fact they retaid your progress. If you have uot that little star of hope glimmering in your breast that inspires you with the belief that there is a brighter, better time coming, then you might as well dwell in the “slough of despond,’’ for your charaeter-building will not make much headway and you will And you have built on a very insecure and un steady foundation. It will be un stable wheu the waves of adversity sweep over it. You will need all your courage, faith, confidence aud deter mination, all these good, sterling quali ties lighted with the torch of hope, to bring you through. that was enough to shake the crockery from the shelves. ‘Tire next one 1 tried, Polly, the landlady said, ‘Heems to me a child like you had better be home with your father aud mother thau ruuuiug rouud the country by yourself.’ ‘I’m not so young as I look,’ replied the little wid ow. ‘That’s what you say. How long have you been iu Han Francisco?’ *1 dou't think that the length of my resi dence m the city is of any moment to you, but I'm a stenographer, have been with oue well-known firm for two years, aud I have been a widow for three years.’ *Wbat, you don’t tueau to say you’re a widow? Then that set tles it. 1 wouldn’t rent my rooms to a widow if she paid me double. I know what these pretty widows are,’ and sLe quickly ended the interview. “I was getting discouraged, Polly, but I glanced over my list aud discov ered I bad a reply to my advertisement aud that it was in the same neighbor hood. It was iu a desirable part of the city, and I concluded to try my luck with tlieold adage, ’three is the charm.' It was in a new aud up-to-date flat, aud I thought if I was fortunate enough to get a room it would amply repay me for my disappointment in not getting the others as well ae soothe my indig nant feelings. A Japanese boy bowed me in aud then bowed himself almost to the floor as he took my message. I wish you could bave seen that room. I coveted it from the moment I stepped in the door. It was blue aud white, ar ranged as a little sitting-room, with a pretty bird’s-eye maple folding-bed, little dresser of the same pretty wood, a gas grate and everything to make it the dearest little nook in the world for a lonely little body like myself. I thought the price would bar me from taking it, but was no higher than the other two I bail Just looked at. Just then the doorbell rang aud tbe Japan ese boy handed in a note, which stated that a lady who had looked at the room In tbe morning had made up her mind to take it, aud as she was a friend of tbe family she was giveu the preference, of course. I could hardly keep the tears back, I was so disappointed. Curling, the game that was for a long time furtively indulged in here by a few braw laddies, baa been placed on a substantial footing, with numerous well organized teams and well contest ed tournaments. Handball has been wrested from the monopoly of a few professionals, and today a handball court la a popular feature of every well equipped athletic club. Discus throw ing, that the Grecian youths excelled in at the Olympian games, has recently become a regularly scheduled feature of all big athletic meetings. More re cently the royal and ancient game of golf has been transplanted from the bills of Scotland. But burling is far more ancient than any of these. The Scotchman, proud of the antiquity of golf, points to the "Another place I called at the lady time stained documents carefully pre of the bouse said, ‘It seems to me you served In Edinburgh showing that as are very youug to be hunting rooms In early as 1457 the game was distracting Hau Francisco by yourself.’ ‘I am the attention of the Scottish youth from older than 1 look. I have been taking more serious things, and to this day The hopeful, cheerful, bright, suuujs care of myself for three years, acting as hurling baa continued through all the centuries the popular game of the Irish natures who the best char; cte'-build a stenographer in one of tbe best kuown ers. They do not borrow trouble, but firms In the city.’ ‘That’s what they people.—Brooklyn Eagle. make the most of everything that all say,' she responded tartly. ’At any comes into their lives. They inspire rate, it don’t look respectable to me to Stas', Celebrated Monkfish. One of the nightmares of John Ash those around them with courage and see young girls hunting for rooms iu ton’s “Curious Creatures of Zoology” leave happy memories instead of cast the city aloue.’ ‘I have been a widow Is the monkflsli, or sea monk, he Iteing ing shadows that savor of discord in Indebted to both Aldrovandus and Stow stead of a harmony of sweet sounds. for three years.’ ‘I suppose that’s what you tell every place you go.’ ‘My em for bls account. If the old writers are Everybody can cultivates cheerful dis ployers can vouch for my respectability, reliable, these monsttys were quite position; they can avoid speaking ill of and now If I am to have tlie room—’ common In the North sea, the British channel and along the Irish coast up aujone; refuse to listen to the tale of ‘Ob, I guess you cau have it,' she said to the year 1414, when they are said to slander and uphold the absent one hastily. ‘Well, In that case there is oue have become extinct through the rav whom Dame Gossip is whispering her thing I would wish to have changed. ages of a plague similar to that which little hearsays about—mlud you, they The room is so Bmall I would like to was affecting men at about the same are always hearsays—the gossiper never time. The superstitious of those days claims the credit for the little poisoned have a folding-bed or a folding-couch.’ believed that they were priests or tipped arrow that speeds oil its way to ‘That settles it. You can’t bave tbe room,’ and she hastily showed me the monks who had been cursed for some rankle In somebody's heart. Someone door." The widow, who iB as pretty as crime and condemned by God to an told them. Gossiping is a very poor endless life beneath the waves. a picture aud a petite little body, look Btow’s account of one cnught In 1187 as well as dangerous material to use in ing more like a girl in her teens who la as follows: “He had the shape of a your character building. Kind words never had auy sorrow or trouble, after man In all poynts and was kept In the and deeds, sympathy and work and days of unsuccessful room-huntiug took castle at Oxford by the keeper thereof. study to improve the gifts that have something she did not want. There All manner of raw meats he did gladly been given us iu cultivating mind aud are scores of just such occurrences every eate, but more greedllie of rawe fislio, heart. If vou have oue talent make day. Tbe safest plan for a young girl after that he bad crushed out all mois the most of it. Idleness is one of the wanting a room is to take her mother ture. Often be was brought to the great undermining elements in charac or some relative flong with her aud church, but shdwed no signs of rever ence, and at length, when not well ter-building. You might as well build then there will be no questions asked. looked to, be stole awuy to the sea and ou quicksand. It breeds selfishness was never seen again after.” and discontent, and the more noble A little lady is payiug her first visit qualities sink into insignificance. Our to tbe Pacific Coast who is beloved by environments have something to do The First Flask Attack. old and young who bave read her writ We have a record In the book of with <gir success in life. Yet iu any ings and clever beart-to-beart talks un Joshua of “the stratagem whereby Al light we may look at the subject the til they feel as if they bad known her was taken.” This tells us how 5,000 answer will always be the same—we for a lifetime. In fact, her name is men were set in ambush behind the are our owu character-builders and are almost a household word. It Is Ella city, so that when the king of Ai and responsible for the same. Wheeler Wilcox, and she is being re his hosts were drawn forward to the ceived with open arms aud tbe genu fight a flank attack was made with I heard a party say the other dsy overwhelming success by the warriors ine hospitality for which California is that “San Francisco was a sort of free, of Israel. noted. happy-go-lucky kind of place; that Not less disastrous was the fate of Leonidas and his brave little band of anybody could do just as they pleased BRIEF REVIEW. heroes when the Persians at Ther and no questions were asked. No need mopylae. led by a traitor, took them in of a chaperone; no need to be alarmed New Use for Frogs. the rear. 480 B. C. for fear your motives would lie mis In tbe Philadelphia Terminal Market It was by a masterly maneuver near construed and* |>eop!e might talk. Girls ly SOO years later that Hannibal dealt oould get a room an v place they wanted, recently a dealer in all kinds of game •ne of his heaviest blows against the said that tbe skins of frogs, if carefully at private houses, too, and no refer hosts of Rome. Having concealed bls removed and cured, have some slight brother Mago, with 2,000 horse and ences would be required ’’ Polly does value. They are used, it seems, in not know what the experience of the foot soldiers, among the reeds, he en bookbinding; not in general bookbind ticed the Roman forces across the river party alstve named has lieen, but I am ing, but in the fantastic “precious” Treble. The legions fought bravely sure it is not such an easy matter for and held their own until Mago, rising some young girls to obtain rooms iu sort—used, in a word, as chicken skin from ambush, attacked them in the private homes without reference and was used in fan-making in the lime of Carlo Van Leo. Frogs’ skin makes a rear and routed them. no questions asked. I know of the ex- very fine and soft leather, and in dye |>erience >f a little widow, who is a ing it will take the most delicate colors. The Meant** of Historic. stenographer. She advertised for a One of my artistic friends was upon Hence it is inlaid, iu circles and stars a business visit to a picturesque dis room and answered a number of adver for centerpieces into tbe calf oi crushed trict of Perthshire the other day. A tisements as well, and wholly disheart Levant of sumptuous book covers, and little leisure was afforded him by the ened, after a week's effort took an un it makes a very striking and beautiful wait between trains, and he asked a desirable room iu an apartment house native If there were any historic places until she could do better. Home of her decoration. A noted English binder tn the neighborhood, so that he might experiences were very amusing. The has achieved some of bis best effects by spoil a film or two, with which be had first place "he went she traa shown into tbe Judicious employment of frog’s skin loaded bis camera. “No, there's no' as adeeofstive agent. the parlor to wait the coming of the onythlng historic a boot the plnce. The Black castle up by there used to be lady of the house who had Just run into Signor Marconi, the inventor of win - historic, but It's no’ sae historic noo!” a neighbor's for a few minutes. Pres Wbst that bucolic Individual Imagined ently she appeared, a sharp-featured lees telegraphy, is said to bave invented the word "historic” to mean is not very woman with piercing, restless black a metbod by which oxygen may be ex apparent by the reply.—Glasgow Times eyes. Hhe scanned the little widow tracted from air at a slight expense. from head to foot. "I believe you want Engineers of tbe French army are a room. I have two for rent and I’ll The M**e**> Method. using successfully, between Martinique Museum Agent— Wbat’s wrong with show them to you,’’ she said, leading and Guadeloupa, a wireless telegraph our new midget? Ho doesn't seem to the way. “Are you a widow? I see system of their own Invention. draw. you are In black.’’ "Yea,” replied the Manager—Of course not. See what a home-seeker. The first room was sun Indianapolis is to have a $250,000 co mesa you’ve made of the advertise ny and bright, large and comfortably liseum, to be paid for by private sub ments. You've put bls height at three furnished. Hhe agreed to take it then scription. feet Make It tbirty-slx inches, and the people will coma with a rush. —New and there, and opened her puree to pay Professor Tlxzonl of Rome believes he the deposit. “I can’t let you have it York Weekly. after all,’’ said the woman sharply. has discovered a serum for curing pneu Tbair Blaae Caavereatlaa. “Why?” asked the astonished widow. mon la. “The thing to do” said his social ad “Because I have changed my mind.” The only beast of prey found in Aus vlser, “to to be blase.” “Then show me theother room, maybe “I know. I know.” was the reply, tralia Is the dingo, or wild dog. it will suit as well.” “No, I can’t let “but it’s such dreadfully bard work to you have either room. I’m sorry to be blase."—Chicago Post Russian Jews to tbe number of 24,000 disappoint you, but you are entirely came to New York In 1802. Anger ventilated often hurries to too pretty. My John falls in love with ward forgiveness. Anger concealed every pretty face be sees. Good-by," The East Indians call reck crystal often hardens Into revenge * Bulwer. she said, closing the door with a slain an unripe diamond. THE SPIDER TREE. A Curias* ProSsra at the Cape M»«r* < •«■try •< Afrte*. LIZARDS IN SAMOA rhe War They Skeg Their Tall* ••« Feel the Kill»**. A writer of Samoa writes In an Inter esting way of the lizards, little fellows about two Inches long, prettily colored In a light and dark shade of brown. They can run up a window pane quite as easily aa can the flies on which they tj-ed. "When alarmed, the lizard* are off like a flash of light and will take the nioet reckless leaps. I bave seen them land safe at tbe end of a twenty foot Jump. Yet when cornered they bave no hesitation In snapping off tbe most of their tails. “That waa a maddening puzzle to my small cat The eight of a mo'o any where waa an immediate challenge to the kitten. She would Immediately start on tbe hunt, for tbe most part a fruitless chase, for tbe little lizard could skulk off faster than two cats could pursue. Yet when the kitten did succeed in landing on tbe lizard there followed a acene of bewilderment. Tbe mo’o invariably snapped off Its tall, which was left wriggling In one part of tbe veranda, while the lizard ran off a short distance and awaited de velop menta. “The kitten never knew whether to catch the lizard or the tail. If the mo'o moved, tbe kitten went for It, but she always stopped short to keep an eye on tbe wriggles of the tall. As soon as she turned back to take care of the tail tbe mo'o got in motion and bad to be looked after. Hundreds of times 1 have watched the dilemma, and tbe ending was always the same—the liz ard got away and the kitten had to be content with the bony tall. But there were lots of lizards about my bouse Reseae« the Fla*. At Fredericksburg, on tbe day when sprouting new tails.” — Youth's Com half tbe brigades of Meagher and Cald panion. well lay on tbe bloody slope leading Instinct of Animal*. up to the Confederate intrencbmenta, An English periodical says: The in among the assaulting regiments was tbe Fifth New Hampshire, and it loot stinct whereby wild creatures detect 180 out of tbe 300 men who made tbe those of the human species who are charge. Tie survivors fell behind a likely to be hostile to them and those fence within reach of the Confederate who may be regarded as harmless Is rifle pits. Just before reaching It tbe of so subtle a quality that it almost last one of the color guard was shot, appears to partake of the nature of metaphysics. In the nesting season and the flag fell In tbe open. A captain I’erry, Instantly ran out plovers will actually buffet the angler to rescue it and as be reached it was who Is Ashing too close to their broods, shot through tbe heart. Another cap but by the date of the shooting season tain, Murray, made the same attempt they would not allow him to get with and was als« killed, and so was a third, in two Helds of them. The wood pi Moore. Several private soldiers met a geon seems to know exactly the range like fate. They were all killed close to of the modern fowling piece and will the flag, aud their dead bodies fell flash boldly past at an Interval of 100 yurds and upward, but Is careful quick across one another. Taking aivantage of thia breastwork, ly to put a tree between himself and a Lieutenant Nettleton crawled from be- sportsman If disturbed at any range lilnd the fence to the colors, seized within gunshot. Tbe fox knows that them and bore back the blood won be is sacred from guns and will auda ciously seize a fallen pheasant and de trophy. camp with t witbin tweuty paces of a Velocity of Ll*ht. retriever. He la quite aware that the We are familiar with the rush of the latter is no foxhound. express train ns it flashes past us at the rate of sixty miles an hour, but Tbe Habit of Acqnlsitlo*. light actually travels 11,170,500 times “It beats me,” said tbe philosopher, as fast. The initial velocity of the shot “that people will keep piling up money from the twelve |>ound bronze service long after they bave several times as gun Is only 1.709 feet a second, or 1-556,- much as they'll ever be able to use.” 134 only that of light, and yet so stu- Then be went out for a walk. Pass iwndous is tbe scale on which tbe vis ing a bookstore, be saw half a dozen ible universe is framed that this ve very cheap books, which, however, be hicle of our sole knowledge of our knew be hadn't time to read and doubt neighbors In space, which would travel ed very much if he ever would have around the earth in .1336 of a second time to read. But they were cheap, of time, does uot reucb us from Nep and be bought them and sent them tune under a period of more than four home to be added to his library, which hours, while from tbe nenrest flxed already contained several times as star (Alpliu Centauri) it occupies three many books as be would ever bave and a half years, and from a little star time to read. callgd Mu in Cassiopeia its journey oc Nevertheless he continued to wonder cupies 110.7 years. at tbe senseless accumulation of mon These, tie It noted, are slurs whose ey.—New York Times. "parallax" has been measured and whose distance Is known. In tbe case Too M*eh For Patrick. of the more distant ones thousands of The other day a little red faced Irish years may elapse ere their light mes sage reaches us, and did our optical man approached a postofllce which had means enable us to see what Is going three letter boxes outside. One was on on their surface we should gaze labeled “City,” another "Domestic” upon the events of their ancient his and tbe third “Foreign.” He looked at tory and be eyewitnesses of what hap the three in turn and then, as a puzzled expression crossed his face, scratched pened thousands of years ago. his head. "Faith," be was beard to mutter, “I Origin of the Bean Feast. Why Is a feast without beaus called don't know tn which wan to put th’ a bean feast? An old resident at Wood letter! Sure, Katie’s a domestick, an' ford explained ft to me, writes a corre she Ilves In th’ city, ail right, an’ she’s spondent to the London Leader. Years a furriner, too; but, begobs. I dunno ago a workman lost his way lu a part bow th’ thing can go In both of th’ of Epping forest. After wandering three holes at wance!”—Columbus Jest aliout for some considerable time he at er. length heard the sound of a wood Tke Real Conditio*. man's ax and, directing bis footsteps The teacher of grammar and rhetoric toward the noise, came across a wood wrote a sentence on tbe blackboard cutter in the act of delivering tbe final and then called upon William. blow to a tree. “Fair lop,” ejaculated “John can ride tbe horse if he wants the woodman as the tree fell, then, turning to the workman, asked what to.” read the teacher. “Rewrite tbe he required. Tbe man told him that be sentence In another form.” William surveyed It dubiously for a had lost his way In the forest and waa hungry and tired. "Sit down, friend," moment; then a flash of inspiration said the woodman, “and share my showed him bis path. “John can ride the horse if tbe horse meal.” at the same time bringing out some beaus aud bacon. Not long after wants him to,” be wrote. Travelers who visited or passed tbe Cape Negro country of Africa often beurd from tbe natives of a plant that was part spider and that, growing, threw its legs about in continual strug gles to escape. It was tbe good fortune of Dr. Welwltscb to discover the origin of tbe legend. Strolling along through a wind swept tableland country, he cauie upon a plant that rested low upon tbe grouud. but bad two enormous leaves that blew aud twisted about In tbe wind like serpents—In fact, it look ed. as tbe natives bad said, like a gi gantic spider. Its stem was four feet across and but a foot high. It bad but two leaves In reality, that were six or eight feet long aud split up by the wind so that they resembled ribbons. This la prob ably tbe moat extraordinary tree kuown. It grows for nearly, If not quite, a century, but never upward be yond about a foot, simply expanding until It reaches tbe diameter given, looking In its adult state like a singu lar stool on the plain from ten to eight een Inches In circumference. Wheu the wind came rushing In from tbe sea, lifting tbe curious ribbon-llke leaves and tossing them about. It al most seemed to tbe discoverer that the strange plant had suddenly become Im bued with life and was struggling to escape. When a description and pic ture of the plant were sent to England It was, like many other discoveries, dis credited, but soon the plant Itself was received, and now Welwltschla mlra- bills Is known to botanists. the workman was fortunate enough to become a master blockmaker, aud to commemorate the charity of tbe wood man be used to take bls workmen once u year to the fair lop tree and give them a feast of beans aud bacon. The beaus have been dropped, but the feasts still remain. The Value of Xewapapers. As a general thing the people under estimate tbe value of the dally and weekly newspapers. It Is frequently the case that those who abuse the newspapers of their community never contribute a penny toward maklug them useful. We bave known business me.*: to-withhold their advertmementa and subscriptions from a worthy paper and then And fault If they are not giv en complimentary uotlo s in nearly ev ery issue. There are preachers, too. Who sometimes tor the time being for get all about tbe gospel and score tbe editors when tbelr only sin has been In saying that the preacher delivered a strong, able, forceful sermon. The newspapers of the country are worthy Institutions. If one would pause for a moment and ponder on what this world would be like without honest newspapers, he or she would soon come to the conclusion that tbe country could not get along without them.—Danville Register. Lookin* Ahead. : . 1 ' After Henry W. Oliver of Pittsburg sad combined tbe various ore proper- ties tn the Lake Superior country Judge Moore and tbe Republic Iron and Steel company wanted him to make a twenty-five year coutract, with privilege of renewal at tbe end of that time, that be would sell them so many tons a year at a flxed price. “I would not do it.” said Mr. Oliver the other day. “I’m sixty years old now. In twenty-five years I will tie eighty five, an old man, in falliug health and hard of hearing. If I gave that contract, some line day a grand son would come Into tbe room where I was dreaming before the fire. “ ‘Hey, grandfather.’ he would say. “'What's the matter, boy?’ I'd an swer. “ ‘Old Judge Moore and old Mr. Gates are downstairs!’ be would yell. “ 'What do they want?’ “ They want to know If you are ready to renew that fool ore contract you made with them twenty-five years ago.’ "No, sir,” continued Mr. Oliver, “I won’t run any grandson of mine up against a proposition like that.” lie Coaid Act French.* Dudley Wooten of Dallas. Tex., mem ber of the Fifty-seventh congress, has a fund of Sam Houston stories with which he frequently regaled members in the house cafe last winter. In one of these stories he calls attention to the fact that France was the first na tion to recognize the Texan republic. A minister was sent to the capital, which was then Houston. The minis ter kuew no English, nnd President Houston could speak nothing but Cher okee and English. An Interpreter war H! MADB THZ MOST PHOFOUND HOWS, sent for. When be arrived, tbe min ister had bls first qudleuce witb Pres ident Houston. The minister came in, bowing low and sweeping tbe floor witb his cha peau. He made a dozen of these flour ishes. President Houston watched him closely, and when it was time for him to respond he made ten or twelve of the most profound bows, each time sweeping tbe floor witb Ills cocked hat. Then, turning to tbe interpreter. Hous ton said: , ‘Tell tbe Frenchman that if 1 can’t speak French I can act French.” A “Gold Brick” Market. They Hide * *d Hew ■•*"*<* I* Get Foo«. They Owls are much commoner in wlntet than one is led to believe by th* occa sional s|>e<-lmen* which are seen abroad In tbe daytime If we searched th* hollow tree* systematically any morn lug. we should probably discover sever al screech owls aud perhaps some of the larger specie*. We might be sur prised to tlnd some of tbe screech owls red aud others gray. and. like the ear ly ornithologists, we might conclude that the difference In color was due to difference in age or sex. It la now known that there are two distinct color phases of this specie* not dependent ou either age or sex. though Just what they are dei>eodent on Is not yet known. When taken from their retreats in winter, these bird* frequently feign death, shutting tbelr eyes and lying l>erfectly still In the band. By and by, wheu they And that their little ruse does not succeed, they will snap their bills and bite and scratch In a solemn but very effective manner. How they manage to get enough to eat on tbe dark, cold nights Is a mystery to those unacquainted with tbe woods; but, aa a matter of fact, there Is more prey abroad ou winter nights thau Is gener ally supposed. Wild mice are very nu merous, a fact which is attested by their footprints on the uewly fallen snow, and owls are most expert mouse catchers. Tbelr bearing is so acute that not a squeak escapes them, and they themselves are so soft on tbe wing that they do uot alarm the game.—Wo man's Home Companion. He Wo* Hi* Bet. The infant had been put to bed against bis will, and, having got there, showed no inclination to go to sleep. He called hie mother In to kiss her good night once more, to give him a glass of water, to put another cover on the bed, to tell her something very lm- l>ortant, to ask her bow to spell North Carolina and to explain why be hap- (>ened to be her little boy Instead of Aunt Bertha's. Finally she rebelled. 'You simply must go to sleep,” she commanded sternly. "I shall not come Into this room again tonight.” She re tired to tbe next room, and before long he called her. “No, I’m not coming. Nothing will induce me to come to you again.” "I’ll bet I can make you come,” boasted tbe youngster. “1’11 bet you can't,” replied the exas perated parent. There was a pause, and then tlie small voice, raised to its utmost, ex claimed. "Tbe devil aud all his works!” He won his bet.—New York Post. Weather Prophet*. A common leech makes a good ba rometer. Fill a tumbler half full of wa ter, put tbe leech into It aud tie a piece of muslin over the top to keep tbe leech from getting out. All you have to do to And out what sort of weather we are going to have Is to watch the little creature. For example, when tbe day Is to be fine the leech will remalu at the bottom of tbe glass, colled up In spiral shape and quite motionless. If rain may be expected, It will creep to the top of tbe glass and stay there un til it clears off. If the leech twists It self and is very restless, there Is going to be a windstorm. If It keeps out of tbe water for several days, look out for a thunderstorm. The Indications for frosty weather are the same as for flue and for snow the same as for rain.— Toledo Blade. The Newspaper. Your great man shines before tbe populace In vain—without the newspa per. He spread eagles the constitution In vain—without tbe newspaper. His clarion voice wakes up the universe In vain—without the newspaper. His most astounding financial enterprises serve him in vain—without the newspa per. His scientific researches and achievements are In vain—without tbe newspaper. His success in every walk of life is In vain—without the newspa- I>er. The newspaper is tbe famemaker of the age. Of course, some of the fame Is cheap, but It satisfies tbe living wearer of the cloak even though pos terity change It.—New Y'ork Press. Broken on the Wheel. The most general punishment for criminals condemned to death In tbe eighteenth century was the wheel. Tbe victim was laid out and bound to a large wheel, the executioner breaking tbe bones of bls arms, legs and thighs with a heavy Iron bar. his dexterous manipulation of which was always ap plauded by the crowd. In recompense for his unthankful task l>e received a fee of 25 livres.—Paul Lacroix. Dam«*' Su**e*tloa. A melancholy author went to Dumas and moaned that If he did not raise 300 francs be was afraid he would bave to charcoal smoke himself and bis two children. Dumas rummaged bls cof fers at once, but could only And 200 francs. "But I must have 300 or I and the little ones are lost.” "Suppose you only suffocate yourself and one of them then," said Dumas. Th* Rhymester and the Poet. Ascum—Well, then, what Is tbe dif ference between a rhymester and a poet? NtwPf -Usually e poet Is out who — calls himself a rhymester, and a rhyme ster Is one who calls himself a pu*L— Philadelphia Press. S*ki*S hare. Softlelgb—Are you quite sure Miss Banks Is not In? Tbe Maid—Of course I am. She gave me oue of your photographs In order to make me doubly sure. — Chicago News. To be good and disagreeable Is high treason against tbe royalty of virtue.— Moore. HI* Social Repetition*. A Fair Esehan*e. FoBowin* a Prescription. Larry—How did Murphy break hl* arm? Denny-Following the doctor's pre scrip tioa. Larry—Pbwat? Denny—Yls; It blew out av th' win dow, and Murphy wint after It—Phila delphia Record. Th* first American newspaper was American hickory Is tbe best wood in Blobbe— Wigwag boasts that be has Public Occurrences. It appeared in never made an enemy. Boston in 1600 and wan promptly sup th* world for fuel. If its value is reck Slobba — Perhaps enemies are born, pressed by tbe government of the col- oned at 100, oak la worth 84, beech 66 and white pin* only 30. sny. not made Philadelphia Record. •■•mie». OWLS IN WINTER. Where Leeehe* The experts of the redemption di vision of the treusury recently eased the feelings of S Chicago womau con siderably by redeeming two $10 notes which she told tbe department had been accidentally destroyed by her husband. The money belonged to a church society of which the womau was treasurer and was to bave been used for missionary work. After the money bad been paid to her in small sums she bad it changed into two new $10 bills, which she thought would be safe in the stove, so she placed tbe money beneath the grate. Several days later her husband burned some old newspapers, also tlie money. When the time came for turning over the money to the missionary, the treasurer went to tbe stove and found instead of two crisp notes only a few charred fragments. These she gathered upend Mol Forgone*. sent to the treasury department. Tbe Dr. Man Baltera—And so you still re case made a great deal of merriment member that lecture 1 delivered in your in the department "If I were out of town fifteen years ago. Well. I’m very a job.” remarked one of tbe assistant glad indeed to meet you. secretaries, “I should get a load of gold Hl Tlteflst—Yep. I paid a dollar for bricks and start for Chicago.” two tickets to that show and didn’t git to use ’em. I didn't know but as bow America* Citlsen*. you mout take 'em off my bands. Here Representative Fitzgerald of New they be.—Kansas City Journal. York tells the story of tbe Irishman who went to get naturalized aud In A Rnr*ala Coenter Hnabnnd. “I don't think it's a nice thing to any answer to the question, "Have you of Mrs. Odsent that she got her hus read the constitution of the United States?” replied, "No. yer honor. I band at a bargain counter. “Oh, but It's true. He was tbe youug have not, but me friend. Mike lama man that saved her life in a crush at a han, read It to me, and mighty well glove sale at 8potcash's one day."— pleased I wuz with it.” "Which reminds me,” said Repre Chicago Tribune. sentative Ryan of Buffalo when he heard Fitzgerald's story, "of tbe *qn-> IsnaFinatl**, “Don’t you And literary work a great Jim Naples, a prosperous Italian in Buffalo, announced himself as n can tax on your Imagination?” “Yes." answered tbe author. "I keep didate for the assembly. A reportet on Imagining that every book 1 write went down to interview him. “ ‘What do you think of tbe consti Is going to be a hit and make a for tution of tbe United States, Mr. Na tune.”—Washington Star. ples?* the reporter asked. Jim thought It is tbe opinion of tbe cynical bach bard for a minute or two and then elor that the original bone of conten aaid, with great dignity: “ ‘I think it are very nice.' ” tion was a rib.—Pittsburg Dispatch. Pessimist—What makes you an opti mist? Optimist—Looking nt dismal chaps “Did Ayreksstll take In a partner when be started his newest get rich like you. What makes you a penal mist? scheme T' Pessimist-Looking at cheerful chaps “No; only tbe people who bought the like you.- Detroit Free Press. stock.”—Cincinnati Tribune. Th* Victim*. <EW SHORT STORIES "You say bls wife bad him arrested for repeating? I didn't know she took any Interest in political elections?" “In political elections?" “Yes, didn't you say she accused him of repeating?" "Yea. Bigamy.”—Catholic Standard and Time*._______________ _ The maa without a purpose la like a ship without a rudder—a waif, a noth ing. a no man. Have a purpose In life, and. having IL throw such strength of mind and muscle Into your work aa God has giveu you.-Carly le.