CONFIDENCE. 4fc I POOR PLACE FOR THESPIANS. Co 5 poverty does not render a man morbid it makes him gentle and kind-hearted. That is what it did for Jonathan Harrod. In the early days we had roomed together in col lege I was going to say slept together, but Jonathan seldom slept. He smoked and drank coffee and worked instead, and blossomed into a winner of prizes. As Jonathan was in love as well as in debt, and Just as prone as I to substi tute pipes for meals when the larder was low, we learned to love each other during those four years with an affec tion that was Arm and confiding. Jonathan used to advise me to fall in love, too. "I tell you, old man," he would say, when opening a letter of familiar blue, "when you are not feel ing well, and the world grates on you like a camel's-hair shirt, there is noth ing so good as an old-fashioned love letter." , The writer of the old-fashioned mis sives lived out West, in Harrod's na tive town, and, although 1 never met her, I came to know her almost as well as Harrod did, he spoke of htv so often. And then I used to watch his face when he read her letters. They must have been tender and sympathetic, but withal a dash of ambition and inspira tion in them. No tale of village gossip could have brought that light into Jon athan's eyes nor that flash of color to his cheek. At their conclusion he would dream a while, perhaps, and then fall at his books and work like mad. He showed me her picture one night. She was dark with a high forehead and shadowy eyes. The mouth and chin were both well formed but rather masculine. It was a beautiful face though not pretty. Although Harrod had loved the girl all his life and she him, if there be aught in the signs of the zodiac they had a misunderstanding of some sort or other during the summer that fol lowed his graduation. When he re turned East the following autumn he was quieter than ever before, and, if possible, more gentle and sympathetic. He and I had rooms together, where, In lieu of other inexpensive pastimes, we were wont to spend the evenings work ing and reading. I saw from the first that something ailed him; and, as he no longer received the blue envelopes, nor counseled me to lose my heart, I guessed the reason and asked no ques tions. He did not become apathetic Jonathan didn't. His old habit of work was stronger than ever. And now his stories began to appear occasionally in the magazines, and the dear public to recognize his name and to read what went with it. Two years had passed away before Jonathan had made even the slightest reference to this love affair of his, and that was when he came into my room one cheerless, gray November after noon, the picture of abject melancholy. In his hand was a crumpled piece of paper. This he placed before me on the table, then he went and seated him self before the fireplace, where I could not see his face. The paper was a clip ping from some inland journal describ ing in florid terms the. wedding of Miss Winifred Conover to one Amos Schen eck. . Only half the article had been clipped, evidently, and this had been pasted on a half-sheet of note paper. I read the tawdry effusion through, then I twisted it to pieces and dropped it Into the waste basket. "Jonathan, my boy," I said, going over and seating myself on the arm of his chair, "who sent you this thing?" "I do not know." And there was a world of sadness in his voice. "The en velope was addressed in a strange hand and not a word acompanied It." We were both silent for a moment. The logs were burning cheerily, outside the wind was blowing a gale. Jonathan sat with his face in his hands. "When I came here to you just now," he said, "I was chilled and lonely the day is so somber, and I had been tramping all over the country, and well, I came to say good-by. I wanted to leave this life and wait for Winifred in the next, for"--his voice went straight to my heart "ah, Billy, I love her so!" I re garded him with compassion. "You lie down here on the lounge before the fire," I commanded him, "and stop this brooding." I pushed forward the couch as I spoke, and he dropped on it like an obedient child. He gave me one grateful look, and then, under the in fluence of the genial warmth and the fatigue of many vigils fell fast asleep. There are days in the lives of us all, I fancy, when a vague and subtle sense of mystery invests the commonest ob jects; when our minds recognize new qualities in common things; when the look in the eyes of a child, the glint of sunlight in a woman's hair, the sound of a distant churcbbell, stir feelings deep within us we have never known befori-. That afternoon there was a white tarnation in the vase on my writ ing table, and as I sat there pondering Jonathan's sorrows its perfume stole into my brain like a sweet and potent anodyne. It conjured up visions as fair as the dreams of Dr. Faustus, and yet and yet, there was a sense of forebod ing, a premonition of something about to occur. Whether or not I dozed I cannot say, but suddenly I was aware that some other than Jonathan was in the room, and that he was wide awake and look ing at me intently. I raised my eyes, and there, to my infinite surprise and astonishment, I saw standing opposite me, across the table, a stylishly gowned young woman.' I started to my feet with an apology on my lips, but as I glanced at her face my tongue was tied and I remained silent. She was dark and with a high forehead and shadowy eyes. The mouth and chin were both well formed, but rather masculine. And she was beautiful, though not pretty. , "Miss Conover," I exclaimed. "Yes," she answered, with a voice that was low and vibrant, "it Is I." Then, with her brown eyes fixed on the white carnation and the color mantling her cheek, she continued. "I have Just arrived in the city. Yesterday I learned that an ancient enemy of Jonathan's sent him a. paragraph from an account of cousin's wedding, and" the color increased, then quickly subsided "knowing Jonathan so well, I wished, if possible, to see him before the clip ping reached him. And you see, I knew you aiso knew him well." Her lips closed tightly for a second, then curved into a smile. Two great tears started from beneath the drooping lashes, but were quickly intercepted. I looked toward the place where Jon athan lay. A screen was between him and the visitor, and only his soft res piration betrayed his presence. I turned to Miss Conover. "Jonathan loves yon," I said. "Do you love him?" Her eyes flashed witli a womanly luster, but again her lips were tirin. "For if you do," I exclaim ed, pulling aside the screen with a sin gle swift movement, "he is here." "Jonathan:" Then as I left the room I looked back and saw her kneeling at his side. Brooklyn Standard Union. LET US ALL LAUGH. JOKES FROM THE PENS OF VA RIOUS HUMORISTS. Pleasant Incident Occurring the World Over Sayings that Are Cheer ful to Old or Young Funny Selec tions that Yon Will Enjoy. Fair Widow Yes, I've made up my mind that when I die I shall be cre mated, as my husband was. Gallant Captain Dear lady, please don't talk about such dreadful things Consider how much better it would be. In your case, to er cross out the c Punch. r--r Reasonable. The Father Look here, my boy, you told me you would need only $600 for your college term, and now you want $500 more. The Son But this is for the things I don't need. Life. Hie First Celebration. "This month I celebrate my twenty fourth birthday." "That's odd so do I." "But I celebrate mine for the first time." Heitere Welt. KILLED HIS SISTER IN FUN. Thespian Methinks we had better omit onr performance at Hayville to-night. This paper says eggs are selling there at 5 cents a dozen and tomatoes are rotting on the vines. Chicago Inter Ocean. No Alternative. '"That's a terrible noise in the nurs ery, Mollie," said the mistress. "What the matter? Can't you keep the baby quiet?" "Shure, ma'am," replied Mollie, can't keep him quiet unless I let him make a noise." St. Louis Globe-Demo crat TOLD OVER A WAR TROPHY. WHAT A DINNER REPRESENTS. Growth of the Different Viands In volves an Outlay of $500,000,000. Recently a inau who is fond of arith metic made up his mind that he would find out how much a dinner really cost. He first ascertained that the dinner he was eating cost 75 cents, presumably. He contradicted this and then made out the following statement about the cost of that dinner. The pepper, he said, came from 10, 000 miles away. It grew on a bush eight feet high, which must have had a growth of at least five years. The pepper was picked green; it had to be dried in the sun, and this meant em ploying women. It took one ship and 1,000 miles of railroad to bring the pep per to the United States. The flour of which the bread was made came from Dakota; some one owned the land, and that meant the in vesting of capital, and he had also to pay wages to workingmen. The flour Pnblic Interest Shown in Spanish Gnu at Lincoln Park, Chicago. The Spanish trophy gun, the Maria Teresa, in Lincoln Park, Chicago, con tinues to be an attraction to citizens and strangers. The gun itself is merely an ordinary modern engine of war, such as are employed in warship arma ment, but the association of the Maria Teresa with the naval battle off Santi ago in July, 181)8, and its mute story of the prowess and skill of the Amer ican navy gives the gun a sort of pres tige which it otherwise Mould not have And not only that, but it tells for itself and for Spain that Spanish ordnance is far from being mediaeval in pattern, i t did me a heap of good tant-general In the volunteer service, and he is now attached to the staff ol Gen. Miles. He is a man of ability and great unpretentiousness. A few days before lie. donned his uni form he went over to Fort McHenry, Baltimore, on oflicial business. A Wax Department clerk went along with him. When the two men arrived at Fort Mc Henry, the new captain pointed to a long shell road that runs through th post. "Do you see that road?" asked the captain. "Yes." "Well, I made that whole road my self. It was as tough a job as I ever performed, and as bitter a period, bui 1 was serv- A Horseless Carriage. sueugtu or projectue-throwmg power. In fact, this particular gun and its mounting and equipment compares fa j vorably with the latest improved heavy ; artillery of the nations. But it is not so much the gun Itself as the crowds that gather about it that ; interests the observer of men and things, says the Chicago Chronicle. It ; is the variety of facial expressions ing with an artillery regiment, part of which was stationed here, and one night when I was on guard the officer of the day crept up on me unawares and found me sitting down on a pile of gunny sacks, neglecting my post. I got a general court-martial for neglect of duty of post, and was sentenced to six mouths in the guardhouse. My sen tence tickled the old provost sersreant Kight. School Teacher What little boy can tell me where is the home of the swal low? Bobby I kin, please. School Teacher Well, Bobby? Bobby The home of the swallow is the stummick. Tit-Bits. Another on Chicago. The Philadelphlan Isn't the mud on this street a trifle deep? Chicagoan (proudly) Deep? It Is the deepest mud on any paved street in the world! Indianapolis Press. , nature to enjoy whatever stirs his mar tial spirit, and Maria Teresa exerts a which the monster cannon causes that mightily, for he was in need of a steady makes the study. It seems to be man's prisoner to build that road. I built it ! and crunched many a million oyster i shells building it. I never find mvselr had to be ground, and the building of I Poweirul influence in that direction and j feeling chesty and high-and-mighty. ana all that sort of thing, that 1 dont shut my eyes and think of this shell Wash- the mill and the plant, or machiuery meant more money invested. The mill ers had to be paid, coopers had to be paid for making the barrels, and, of course, the wood of which the barrels were made had to be cut and sawed and shaped, and this meant the em ployment of more men. Then the flour had to be shipped over the railroad and handled again by cartmen before it came into the hotfise. The tea on the table came from China and the coffee from South America. The codfish had to be brought from Maine. Men had to be employed to catch the fish; other men and women were em ployed in drying, packing and boxing it, and it, too. had to make a long rail road journey. The salt came from the Indian reser vation in the northwestern 'part of New York State. The spices in the cake came from the spice islands' in the Indian archipelago. The canned peaches came from California, and they, too, represented the employment of capital and labor. The little dinner represent ed, directly or indirectly, the employ ment of $500,000,000 of capital and 5, 000,000 men. Memphis Commercial-Appeal. also in refreshing the memory of events ' of war that transpired long ago. it is quite common to see two or j road over in Fort McHenry." i uiree gray-uaireu men get into a con- j ington Star versation about the big gun, when one 1 will recite an incident of the civil war j in which heavy ordnance played a con j spicuous part. Then another remem i bers incidents of his soldier days, and His Redeeming Quality. Judge You were begging on the pub lie streets and yet you had $20 In your pocket. Prisoner Yes, Jedge; I may not be as industrious as some, y'r honor, but I m no spendthrift. New York Weekly Great Canals. Probably the largest canal in the world a distinction of some note in these days of wonderful engineering How an Indian Died. A resident of Little Rock, who pass ed through the territory of the Chicka saw nation recently, tells through the Washington Post of the execution of a young Indian for violation of the laws of his tribe. Among the Chickasaws stealing Is punishable by death, and It seems that this young buck bad been thrice convicted of larceny. The chief of the tribe, who alone could save him, refused a pardon, and there was noth ing to do but carry out the sentence. The condemned man was placed In a wagon and driven to a graveyard just east of the little village where he had been tried. He descended from the wagon and with stoical demeanor walk ed to where his grave had been freshly dug, and surveyed it with apparent un concern. Then he knelt and prayed with a preacher who had known him from boyhood. Arising, he walked firmly to the head of his grave, where he took his seat upon a large stone, facing death with a courage that seem ed sublime. After saying a few words., in which he advised all young men of his race to take warning and lead honest lives, he was blindfolded, and a second later-the sharp report of a dozen Win chesters rang out, and bis earthly ex istence was ended. None to Be Marriel. Te.ss Were there any marrying men down at the shore? Jess Yes; It was awfully aggrava ting. Tess Aggravating? Jess Yes; there were four ministers and two Justices of the peace there. Philadelphia Press. Not Surprised. "Yes," said the man with the bored expression, "I'll admit the truth of ev ery word you say about the weather being oppressively hot. But I don't see the use of making it a topic of con versation." "Why, It is such remarkable weather that I couldn't help mentioning it." "There Is a point on which I beg to disagree with you. It is not remark able weather. I have never in all my life known an August when it was not oppressively hot." Washington Star. A Habit of His. "Si," yelled the neighbor from the road, "your wife has jist run off with Bill Johnson." "She liez, hez she?" answered the farmer in the field; "wall, Bill allays wuz a-borrerin' trouble. Git ap there!" Indianapolis Press. New Product for Hens. XI 10,000 for a Single Pearl. The largest price ever asked and paid for a single pearl was 110,000, which was the value of the great Tavernier pearl. It was originally in the posses sion of an Arabian merchant, and Mons. Tavernier traveled from Paris to Catifa with the express intention of purchasing the pearl. Although he went prepared to pay any sum between 1,000 and 100,000, he concluded that he would be able to obtain it for about 25,000. His first offer was 10,000, but after the deal had remained open for a few days this had risen to 75,000. Finally the trans action was closed with 110,000, and pearl experts state that It is a clear bar gain at that price. It is the largest and most perfect gem of its kind known, and Its luster is said to be unrivaled. It is exactly two inches in length and oval-shaped. New Cure for Lockjaw. Dr. Roux, of the Pasteur Institute, announces the discovery of an efficient cure for lockjaw. The antitetanic serum used In Germany would not work till Dr. Roux hit on the plan of Injecting it into the brain under the membranes. His plan has been tried with complete success on a man. Odd Numbers. The Siamese have a great horror of odd numbers, and were never known to put five, seven, nine or eleven windows in a house or temple. It Is a rare man who doesn't do fool things every day. then almost unconsciousiy they move together slowly to a seat under a near by tree and there fight their wars over again, each recounting his experiences, hair-breadth escapes and final return to the pursuits of peace. It was this big gun that revived their memories and started the veterans to the shade of a tree. That they were unacquainted be fore this was no matter, for they were bound by ties of comradeship, and the first connection of the great cannon with events of a third of a century ago was enough. No formal Introduction was needed, nor did it matter in the least if one had worn the blue and the other the gray. It was the comrade ship which battlefields create and it needed Only this lone trophy gun to start its fires aglow. Perhaps the most interesting visitors of the big gun are children. It is no ticed that they feel as though they were in the presence of something dreadful, and the four mortars hard by, each weighing more than 17,000 pounds and capable of throwing a shell of more than 1,000 pounds' weight, only increases the awe of the youngsters. Children nearly always talk In a low voice while there and move about in pairs or in groups. They seem to catch the meaning-of the gun and mortars and what they were made for. "This can non Is about as awe-inspiring to. chil dren as a graveyard," said- a bystander as a little group walked around the gun, their eyes wide open. There is a class of people who visit the mortars and the big gun and find Just the kind of inspiration they want. They are young men who are ambitious to be soldiers and "face the cannon's mouth." Their Imagination is whetted until they can see themselves sweeping across fields and charging over hills, and the war machinery there arouses all the martial spirit in them. They amuse veterans of the battlefield, but for all that "the big gun and the mon ster mortars teach them a lesson that is altogether wholesome," as an old soldier of many campaigns put it Then there are the peace-at-auy-price visitor. The gun and the mortars to him are fiends, fiends from the under world incarnated in life-destroying agencies agencies that destroy in an ger. "That gun is a devil in steel, ami its only business in the world is to deal leath and destruction," said he to the group he was with, and he worked him self into a frenzy of anger over the aw fulness of sentiments other than those of peace and good-will toward men. feats is the Chenab Irrigation Canal in the Northwest provinces of India. Its breadth is 200 feet, with a main channel some 450 miles' long, while the principal branches have an aggregate length of 2,000 miles, and the village branches will extend, when completed, some 4.000 miles additional. But, apart from irrigation, the longest canal In the world is that which extends from the frontier of China to St. Petersburg, and is 4,472 miles in length. The Ben gal Canal, connecting with the River Ganges, is 900 miles long, and in all India there are 14,000 miles of canals, irrigating 8,000,000 of acres. "Mrs. Wales and Daughters." When in the country the Princess of Wales delights in making little expe ditions incognito. An amusing and true story has just leaked out about one of these impromptu excursions at Sand ringham. Her royal highness, with the two princesses, had driven a long dis tance from home in her favorite pony Summer Boarder What kind of fowls are these? Farmer -Landlord Plymouth Rocks. Summer Boarder Oh, yes. They're the kind that lays the corner-stones, int they? Had to Give Way. "Have your summer vacation plans matured yet, Billy?" "Oh, yes; but they had to be side tracked on account of some summer cart, and as lunch drew near thev Sotes tuat also matured." Indianap- giad to put up at a picturesque village olls Journal- iuu. xue lanciiora uaa his suspicions as to who his guests were, and after I ja i - . . iuiil-u uau ueen servea Drought the vis Writing a Wrong. "What's on hand?" asked the city editor. "I am now going," said the reporter, who had been assigned to a murder story, "to write a great wrong." Den ver Times. A Drop Too Much. Hoax What made the elevator fall? Joax The elevator man took a drop too much. Philadelphia Record. Fool for Luck. Quizzell My wife's the luckiest goose; found a dollar bill to-day and 10 cents last week. Fizzell Humph! Mine finds some thing every day. Quizzell That so? What? Fizzell Fault Detroit Free Press. A General Term. "Where did they go for their vaca tion?" "To the mountains." "What mountains?" "Well, I think they are Just in the rear of their Uncle Jim Stebbins' farm house down in Southern lllinoy." Cleveland Plain Dealer. To Solid. "Yes, I ate the cake she baked. make myself solid, you know!" "Did you succeed?" "In a sense. I couldn't feel any sol ider if I had eaten brickbats and ce ment" Detroit Journal. Prodigal's Choice. "Well, dad," cried the prodigal son, flippantly, "wouldn't you better go out and kill the fatted calf now?" "Yes, I guess I would," returned the old man slowly. "One calf Is enough to keep at a time." Harper's Bazar. Why Willie Stays Home. TRTTTTTjT" Minister Ransom Was Absent-Minded and Had to Be Aroused. Former Minister to Mexico Ransom is very absent-minded. After the Min ister left the cloakroom of the House one of the members said: "Did you ever talk to the Minister when Jris mind has been occupied with business?" and, without wating for a reply, the member continued: "I did. I met him soon after his return from Mexico, and after we shook bands ha said: " 'How is your sister, Frank?' " 'She 'is well,' I said. "The Minister's mind then returned to some business for five minutes and then he said: " 'How is your sister, Frank?' and, as before, I replied that she was well. Five minutes later he raised his eyes from some papers and remarked: " 'Oh, Frank, how is your sister?' I thought the conversation was becoming rather monotouous, and to change it I answered that she was very ill. " 'Bless me! you don't say so! I am sorry to hear it Frank.' "He turned to his papers again for another five minutes, and hang me if he didn't turn around and say: " 'Frank, how is your sister?' At first I thought he was guying me, but, looking at him sharply, I realized that he had forgotten the conversation, and I answered sadly, 'She is dead.' " 'Why man, you don't mean it!' he exclaimed, jumping from his seat, and extending his hand in a most sympa thetic manner, adding: 'That Is dread ful. When did it happen? Tell me all about it.' " 'Why,' I replied, T killed her just now. When I came in your office I told you she was well twice; then I told you she was very ill and that didn't im press you. So, for your benefit, I have just killed her.' "The old man looked at me for a mo ment and then replied: " 'You must pardon me, Frank. I was thinking about these papers." HIPPOPOTAMI DISAPPEARING. Has Been Mother Why don't you go out, Wil lie, and play with Sammy Jones? Willie I played with Sammy Jones yesterday, and I don't s'pose he's well enough yet to get out Inter Ocean. Good Alarm Clock. Employer I congratulate you on that new baby of yours, Higgins. Higgins Thank you, sir. Employer And I have no doubt that hereafter you will be waked up early enough mornings to get to the office every day on time. Somerville Journal. Another Woman Joke. "Our women's base-ball club went to pieces." "Game too exhausting?" "No, but we couldn't find a lady pire who would give a decision sticks to it." Detroit Free Press. um-and Too True. "Youngling is going to marry the widow Henpeck." "Why, she's twice as old as he is." "Oh, well, he'll age fast enough after the wedding." Brooklyn Life. t Knew Her Hab't. "That typewriter girl isn't in love with anybody around this office." "How do you know?" "Why, when she gets too warm she takes her collar off." Indianapolis Journal. itors' book. entry: ters." An Easy One. Great Actor I propose making a fare well tour of the nrovlnces. What nlov Whereupon the pringess, would you advise? Critic "Much Adieu About Nothing." not to be outdone, made the following pntvv " f t-u 1 . ... .1 i Mrs. Wales and two daugh- ' Detroit Journal. Enthusiastic Photographer. Fair One's Father Why did you A Curious Bird. The kiwi hails from New Zealand, bring that kodak with you? and is a rare bird. It is perfectly wing- Poor Lover That I might catch your less, and not a sign of hair or feathers expression of astonishment when I ask- protects the eyes. This gives the kiwi ed you for your daughter's hand. Flie- a comical look. It is almost wholly geude Blaetter. nocturnal in its habits. Like the owl ' of the north the setting of the sun means the beginning of life to them. Then they hop about like rabbits. They are really the clowns of the fowl world. Moving Stairways. Two types of moving stairways for the Manhattan Elevated stations in New York City are to be put on trial shortly. One is a ramp consisting of an endless rubber band running over drums. In the other type regular steps will take tiie place of the nearly smooth incline, so that a passenger al ways stands on a level surface. Can't Suit 'Km. "When he hustles they say It's all for effect." ' "Yes." "And when he quiets down they say he's posing." Cleveland Plain Dealer. Different. - "Dawdler plays golf so well he ought to be a professional." "Yes, 1 suggested It to him, but he says nothing would Induce him to work so hard in hot weather." Useful. Fair painter I hope you don't mind my sketching In your field? Farmer Lord, no, missie! You keep the birds off the peas better'n a' ordin ary scarecrow. Tit-Bits. Good of Its Kind, "What sort of a table do they set at your house?" asked the prospective boarder. "Table of waits and measures," said Asbury Peppers in reply. "The first long and the latter short." London Tid-Blts. Orderine by the Card. Diner (to restaurant waiter) What have you got for dinner? Waiter Roast beeffricassedchicken stewedlambhasbbakedandfrled pota toes college puddingmilkteaandcoffee. Dinner Give me the third, fourth, fifth, sixth, eighteenth and nineteenth syllables Tit-Bits. Not a Curve lor 211 Miles, The longest stretch of railway with out a curve is 211 miles, from Buenos Ayres- to the foot of the Andes, on the new Argentine Pacific Railway. ITgly Little Thing. Friend Everybody says the baby looks like you, doesn't that please you? Mr. Newpop Oh, I don't know; but I tell you what, I'm glad nobody thinks of saying 1 look like the baby. Stand ard and Times. A One-Man Road. A Washington man who put in ten ears of soldiering in the regular army f the United States was recently ap-! T.ted a captain and assistant adju- If a woman wants to work the trem uio stops on her husband, she should put on her prettiest dress when she does It Nothing spoils the effect of tears quicker than a soiled wrappper. Not Headquarters. 'Mi "What did her father say?" "He said he couldn't understand why I came to him all his property was in bis wife's name." Cleveland Plain Dealer. wv Picking Pockets with Toes. The Gauchos, or dwellers in the ex tensive plains of Buenos Ayres, are marvelously dexterous with both hand. and feet. Many of them have acquired through long practice such skill in using their toes as- if they were fingers that they can fling the lasso and even pick pockets with them. Some time ago a Frenchman who was fishing In one of the rivers of Buenos Ayres was warned to be on his guard against the light-fingered natives. He forthwith kept a vigilant watch on his compan ions, but nevertheless one day when his attention was closely riveted on his float a wily Gaucho drew near and deli cately inserting his foot, extracted the Frenchman's hooks and other valua bles from his pocket Boston Tran script ' ' Larger the Better. The wrasses, thick-lipped fish found near rocky shores, differ from most other fish in that the larger they are the better they are adapted for food They grow to 50 pounds. The Last One in Natal Slaughtered. The last hippopotamus has been slaughtered in Natal. All the larger and more curious creatures are disap pearing so fast that this will be a mo notonous world, at any rate for natur alists, in another century. Not so long ago the hippopotamus haunted the rivers of Cape Colony and Natal, and "lake cow bacon," as the salted layer of meat underlying the hide is called. was a favorite dish, but now this huge creature has disappeared from both countries. The hunter has been its en emy for many a century, but the rifle is a far more deadly weapon than the assegai. The animal had an appetite propor tional to its bulk and can accommodate a great deal of vegetable produce. Be sides this, it is a wasteful feeder, tramping down and tearing up much more than it consumes, and it prefers cultivated plants to wild vegetation. lhat has proved its doom in Natal. One herd was left at Seacow lake, a coast lagoon near Durban, and was protected by the government. It con sisted of parents and a family of five. Unfortunately these, like young people all the world over, loved "sweeties," and made nocturnal raids on the neigh boring sugar cane plantations. The owners petitioned the government, a warrant of execution was granted and the parental bull, who must have been nearly 50 years old, was the last to fall, and will henceforth be only an "ex hibit" at the Durban museum. So the strange creatures of the earth disappear before the white man, the great destroyer. The hippopotamus, the elephant, and the giraffe, to speak only of Africa, with many kinds of antelope, are rapidly diminishing in numbers. London Standard. Bad Spelling. To spell badly Is no longer consid ered particularly illiterate that is to say, it does not betoken a want of ed ucation. An eminent lawyer, who is considered one of the most "brainy" men of his time, said recently that un til he was married he had always spell ed husband with an i after the u, and a noted physician when taking his ex aminations at the medical college tripped up on "medicine." Another funny case was that of a young man who, having been graduated with the highest honors from his university, sent out cards, which he had written per sonally, saying that he had formed a "bulslness" partnership with Mr, So-and-So. The fact of the matter is that spelling Is so neglected in the curri culum of schools and colleges nowa days that it is a hit-or-miss kind of ac complishment Those who have ac curacy and "ear" remember the vari ous combinations, and others fail utter ly to retain the impression made while reading or studying, the provision made in modern boys' schools and colleges to train the sense of sound and its expres sion being of little account. Dream of a Volunteer. When I come home from the Philippines I want no speeches made, No jeweled sword nor loving cap, No banquet nor parade; But just a table set for two, A good, old-fashioned feast. With flaky shortcake, light and white- Two dozen at the least. When I come home from the Philippines 1 want some peach preserves; A nutmeg-sprinkled custard pie Would soothe my shattered nerves: And don't forget the apple sauce. Nor hot molasses cake, With lots of ginger in it, too, Like mother used to make. When I come home from the Philippine I want a home-made meal; The kind that leaves no after taste Of 'smoke and fire and steel. So have it ready, with my chair Just where it used to be, And I'll hang up my army hat ' And sit right down to tea. -Leslie's Weekly. The Roman Monta da Pieta. The most lenient pawnbroker's shop In the world is said to be the Monta da Pieta, at Rome, which has existed ever since 1585. It loans from $3 to $5 upon good security without demanding in terest; but 2 per cent per annum la charged upon all greater sums. The wreckless sea captain is tilt moat popular with sailors.