'tj j MOTHER SAYS "COME IN." Ia memory still I plainly hear My mother calling: "Willie, dear Come, Willie! Hurry in!" In fancy I can see the door And her there aa she stood of yore. And hear her say: "Come in!" In every gladdest honr of play My jeys were always swept away, v For mother ne'er forgot to say "Oh, Willie! Now come in!" O it was long ago that I Obeyed that sweet, that fond old cry Of "Willie dear, come in!" And oh, I would that I could be A child again, back there, and she Remained to call me in! Ah, when my cares are put away, When I am through with toil and play, Shall I, up there, hear mother say. In loving tones, "Come in?" Chicago Times-Herald. 7 ULIA PRIMM had finished teach fj ing her first country school. The last day had come and gone, with "pieces" by the brightest pupils. The child wonder had lisped several verses to the infinite delight of Its parents and broken down in the same place where It had been prompted twenty times be fore. The fat girl with a penchant for the pathetic had wrung the eyes of her listeners with her most dolorous selec tion. The promising young man. a fa vorite of the teacher's, had rendered "Spartacus to the Gladiators" In such stentorian tones as to stampede some passing cattle. The parents had departed astonished at the prodigious progress of every body, and the scholars one by one had said goodby and disappeared through the doorway. The tall, smart-looking schoolma'am was writing home to the folks In the Bast She was trying to put some of the ludicrous things that had happened Into her letter and leave out the home sickness. It was no easy matter. For six months she had thought of little else but the nice, bookish people in her dear college town In Massachusetts and contrasted them with the frightful specimens about her. Julia Primm was well educated, having been reared ia a family where a knowledge of English grammar was thought necessary to sal vation. She packed up a few of the letters from her mother to read during vaca tion and started for the door. A mo- WHAT, AARON, TOtJ HEBE ?" ment's glance at the lengthening shad ows told her she had lingered too long. It was a dark, lonely walk to her boarding bouse through the woods. Though not a timorous person, she might have given way to a shudder, when she noticed her largest pupil waiting at the door. "What, Aaron, you here?" "Yes. I got a sort o' hankering af ter the old spot," said the student of the elements of English grammar, slip ping her bundle of letters Into his ca pacious pocket. "Fact is, you've done so much for me, I felt as ef I wanted to ax ye somethin' the very worst way, If you don't mind." "Well, what is it? There's no need to be backward," she said, suspecting nothing. "I Jes' felt as ef I couldn't go home till I " Before the astounded teacher could gather strength enough for an emphat ic "no" a kiss had descended upon her thin, precise lips., "I didn't want to ruffle ye over much," said Aaron, soothingly, "but I reckoned you'd done so much for me ; and you knewed I thought a heap of you all along and couldn't help it" She turned to leave abruptly without a -word of rebuke, but the woods were too dark and threatening; plainly he had selected the best time for his over ture. "I thought you came to school for something else," was the meanest thing she could think of to say. "Well, I b'en tryin' to get all I could get out o' school, and you can't blame ime ef I thought the school marm was (the best thing I could get." ; "I don't think you can explain your conduct in that way," she said, but nevertheless he continued: No one appreciated better than Miss Primm his struggle with the rule of ,three and the past participle. She had encouraged his efforts and told him to ask questions when in doubt. The lit tle green arithmetic had been a sore trial to him, but she shared his satisfac tion completely whenhe mastered it. Going to and from meeting he had teen her constant escort; It had never occurred to her that he had any other motive than a desire to learn. And now it appeared that her efforts had been largely in vain. Her own earnest pupil had turned out a lover, and she did not know what to do with him. Never hav ing played the coquette, she was at a loss to know what answer to give to ' his proposal, but perhaps her silence was effective enough. "Everybody knows I tried hard enough to fit myself, but I jes' allowed if I didn't marry an education some of the fine points might escape me. Of v course I hain't given up tryin' I got a heap mapped out for summer evenin's." ' It was the teacher that answered: "Nothing short of Latin and Greek will do, I assure you, and then if you are of the same mind " "Oh. I never expect to change that," he said with determination, and if she hadn't taken her letters very quietly TEXAS GIRL'S ZIG-ZAG CAREER PUTS FICTION ON THE SHELF. The dime novelist may now go out of business. Here are the facts: Elaine Sinclair, born in a log cabin, In Blanco County, Texas. Farm boys fought about her before she was 13. Trashy books gave her a longing for fine garments. She put on her brother's clothes, took a gun and waylaid the stage which had passed by her house every day since her birth. No suspicion as to Elaine. Several months after she returned home, "dressed to kill," Her old mother said Elaine had been visiting ber rich aunt, who died and left her money. Son of rich banker In the country Slocum was his name married the girl. Honeymoon In New Orleans. Bride wanted to go abroad. Groom said no. Bride taken ill. Groom's father, rich old banker, comes on to see what's the matter. Few days later son sent home; old man lingers; hypnotized by bis daughter-in-law. They elope to Europe. One day daughter-in-law disappears with young and handsome man. Old man Slocum, nearly penniless, works his way home on tramp steamer. Amount alleged to have been spent by Slocum pere, $40,000. Six months later, Elaine returned to Blanco County, Texas, her old home, radiant In ribbons, dazzling with dia monds. A few months later, in New Orleans again. Cage Horn, pilot of Creole, and also a high roller as a gambler, meets her. Hypnotized. They travel up and down the river. One night she proposes a scheme to Cage Horn. Steal the boat and take It into other waters. She does It. Boat slips her cables and gets away. Reaches and retreated to ber boarding bouse, a similar outbreak to that which com menced their journey might have occur red. When left alone In her own room Julia gave herself up to reflection. Her carefully formed plans for the future were upset; her dearest anticipations were dashed; her dream had been suc ceeded by a reality which, something told her, was much the best thing. All during her school life she had been pre paring for a career; there were many bright spots in it, but It was unmixed with sentiment. She would go West and make a competence. This would take about five years, and it meant contact with a vastly different element from that of her own quiet college town but she would persevere. There were lots of poor boys who lacked mothers, there were sewing cir cles that needed encouragement, she might even Indulge moderately in cats and parrots, and, best of all, she would found a missionary society to give light to certain portions of the globe that are said to be languishing in heathen darkness. But all this was Idle speculation now. She was called to another sphere. She must marry and settle down here la the wilderness, where there was suffi cient heathen darkness at home. The classics would be more than useless, culture would be superfluous, hard work alone would tell. Her imagina tion faltered while she dropped a bum- die of old letters and a mist came be fore her eyes. Days after she pondered the same question. She had the letter already written to her people, telling of her al tered intentions, but she hesitated to mail it. After all, Aaron was very young and impulsive. Did he know his own mind? Did she know hers? Was it not her education he courted? 1 Vacation was rapidly passing. Julia still clung fondly to her former career. She was thinking constantly of Aaron, but she never saw him and seldom heard from him. People at her board ing house said he had changed; they also said she had changed. She longed to know something, but to ask would surely create gossip. About this time odd stories began to be current "What do you think?" said a neigh bor. "Aaron Wood has chopped out a shanty big enough for a meetln' house. He raised the logs hisself dur ing harvest. What do you suppose ails the feller?" "Dunno," said another. "I found him studyin' some nonsense he called Greek. I guess he's a trifle addled. I told him he'd better learn Choctaw 'twould be more use to him, and he could make more out of It. He allowed he'd make a heap out of Greek ef things turned out right I'll like to see him do It." The country looked its best when Julia set out for school on the first day of the new term. The woods were quite green, but here and there were crimson splashes of autumn. The crops were In, contentment reigned, and a general desire was felt for more re finement throughout the district. But the spell of peacefulness and plenty did not suffice to quiet the trow bled soul of Julia Primm. For the first time in life she was disposed to under rate the classics. . She could not en dure the thought of Aaron's making himself ridiculous even in the search for knowledge, of being the sport of these poor wits. Julia's conscience was one easily disturbed. She felt that she had been doing him a great wrong. She did not want him to study himself to death, but there was only one way to prevent it When she reached the school Aaron was already In-his seat He was busy at work with more books than would go into his desk; strange books that had never entered that school before. She laid down her narasol and remov ed her veil. His face was " very red and expectant. It' was no longer the boy who came early and swept out the room the bright, eager, questioning look had faded out of his countenance he seemed almost middle-aged. In a moment all doubt of his affection van ished. . "You mustn't study any more for awhile," she said. '...' "Well, you know what I am study lug for, don't you?" 'Yes; but you've studied enough for that already." And that evening she mailed the let ter to her people. Waverly Magazine. A scientist has discovered that house cleaning Is cavsed by a microbe. " yji the Rio Grande and is repainted and floated under the name of Elaine. For weeks and weeks the voyages were like that which Cleopatra is said to have made on the Nile when she wove the meshes about Anthony. Weeks later. Alva Lugo. Mexican gambler, on board. Big game between him and Cage Horn. Latter loses. Finally puts up the boat and loses bis craft Horn shoots himself and dies in Elaine's lap. Elaine in Guadalajara. Married to rich old Don. Lives In a palace. Still beautiful, still youthful, still a dream! Enter rich Don's son. Hypnotized. Elaine elopes with him. Old Don In hot pursuit Overtakes elopers as they are about to set sail for South America. Elaine defiant In chains; then in jail, in Guadalajara. Son escapes. Here the facts run out SENATE'S LITTLE GIANT. Spooner of Wisconsin Said to Be a Pres idential Possibility. The eyes of some of the political prophets at Washington are on Senator John C. Spooner, of Wisconsin. They think he is good presidential timber and has an excellent chance of being nominated in 1904. Spooner is an in teresting figure. He is small of stature, quick and fiery In debate and one of the most Independent -men in the Senate, says a Washington writer. Nobody controls Spooner but himself. He has been the ablest and most eloquent de fender of the present administration in the great crisis of the last few years and at the same time has shown the most independence. He threw down the gauntlet to Senator Hanna and re fused to regard the ship subsidy bill as a party measure. Spooner is called the little giant of debate in the Senate. He does not speak often. He is reserved for emer gencies and when he speaks there is a full Senate to hear him. He has all the attributes of the orator, and, coupled with these, all the methods of a great lawyer. These combined make him the most invulnerable debater in the Sen ate. He has the fire of Tillman and the culture of Lodge, the quiet wit of Mason and the profundity of Hoar; the eloquence of Depew orForaker and the JOHN C. SPOON ER, exactness of statement of Piatt of Con necticut or Hale, of Maine. In debate he combines all the qualities of all the other forcible men' in the Senate and with all these attributes he has more independence than most of them. The administration counsels with Spooner, but does not always win him to its measures. When there are differences of opinion, he holds to his own. Spooner is an Indianian by birth, but has been a resident of Wisconsin since 1859. He was educated there, enlisted in the Union army there, carried a mus ket in the ranks, and afterwards com manded a company in a Wisconsin regi ment; was brevetted major at the close of service and became private and mili tary secretary to Governor Fairchild. He began his law practice In the Wis consin woods, at Hudson, was elected to the Legislature, and after that was known only as a promising lawyer until he was elected to the United States Sen ate in 1885. He attracted attention in the Senate as an orator in his eulogy in memory of the "Black Eagle of Illi nois" when Senator John A. Logan died. That eulogy stamped Spooner as one of the men of rare eloquence in the American Congress, and he has not dis appointed his admirers since, whether he spoke from the heart deep "senti ments or took up the grave and intri cate discussion of constitutional, rights or International law. He has neither the commanding presence nor the full volume of voice given to other men who measure words with him in debate, but his speech commands by reason of the great thoughts clothed in graceful lan guage, the sound logic, and the knowl edge of law at his command. Cp-to-Date. Poetlcus I have here a companion poem to "The Man with the Hoe." Editor What Is it called? : Poetlcus "The Woman with the Ax," and I've dedicated it to Mrs. Nation. Chicago Chronicle. CALAMITY JANE." ONE OF THE REMARKABLE WO MEN OF THE WEST. Female in Bex, but Man in Employ ment and Association Noted Char acter Will End Her Days in a Mon tana Pool-house. . "Calamity Jane" has sought an asy lum in the poorhouse of Gallatin Coun ty, Mont As a child of the frontier, an army scout In the disguise of a man, a dispatch bearer through a country swarming with a cunning enemy, an Indian fighter feared by the redskins, a mail carrier in the Black Hills, a free rover among the rough characters of the border, a woman in sex but a man in employment and association, "Ca lamity Jane's" life puts the imagination of the novelist to blush Her adven tures have been the base of a familiar character of the dime novel, but the lurid pen of the yellow writer has con cocted no more desperate exploit than actually fell to the lot of this remark able woman. In private. life "Calamity Jane" Is Mrs. Martha Burk. She owes her nick name to Captain Eagan, of the United States army, whose life she saved In a battle with Indians In 1872. She was then only 20 years old, but was already acting as a scout This is her own story of the incident: 'I was serving under Captain Eagan, and while near Goose Creek on the site of the present town of Sheridan, Wyo., we had a three-day skirmish. We lost bIx men killed and several wounded. Then our detachment was ambushed about" a mile from camp. Captain CALAMITr JAKE. Eagan was one of the first to be shot during the fight .that followel, and, hap pening to be near him, I was able to reach his side in time to prevent him from falling from his horse. I man aged to get him on my horse, In front of me. and made a dash for camp, which we reached safely.. After recov ering from his wound Captain Eagan laughingly called me 'Calamity Jane, the heroine of the plains, and the name has stuck to me through life." Mrs. Burk was born in Princeton, Mo., in 1852. Her father, J. Cannary, was lured to Montana in 1865 by the hope of ."striking it rich" in the new gold fields. During the five months' trip overland Martha became an expert rifle shot and' a daring rider. Shortly after the family reached Montana the mother died, and the father, being dis appointed, decided to return to Mis souri. At Salt Lake City he too died, leaving four younger children to the caTe of Martha, then but 15 years old. Employment was found for her at Fort Bridge, Wyo., and she continued to ride and shoot until her reputation became widespread. Her association with the soldiers filled her with a longing to go on the warpath against the Indians, and when General Custer was ordered in 1870 to make a campaign against the Apaches In Arizona she decided to put a desper ate plan into execution. She put on the suit of a cowboy, clipped a little off the end of her hair, rode to Fort Russell, Wyo., and boldly asked to be engaged as. a scout. 1 She was accepted and, though her sex was soon discovered, General Custer let her off with a scold ing. She pleaded to be retained, and, as she had proved her ability, she was retained in the service and continued to wear man's clothing. It was a thrilling campaign, in which she performed a number of daring mis sions and had several narrow escapes. Only once did she despair of her life. She bad been trapped by two Indians, but her markmanship enabled her to kill one of them and escape. From the Apache campaign she went back to Wyoming to join the expedition under Custer, Miles and Crook. She fought in the campaign against the Nez Perces In 1873, and was in various minor en gagements in Montana and Wyoming luring the following year. She accom panied General Crook as a scout in 1875 in the expedition to the Black Hills to protect the miners and settlers from the threatening Sioux. The Ill-fated year 1876 found the fe male soldier with Custer, Miles and rerry ia the Big Horn country In north ern Wyoming, where the Indians were ireatlng trouble! It was In this cam paign that "Calamity Jane" performed i. perilous feat of carrying dispatches through a hostile country. The season was cold and wet and she had to ford the Platte River near Fort Fetterman. The exposure brought on pneumonia. 3he was granted an indefinite furlough, which may have served her life, for a few months later occurred the Custer massacre. Her next employment was as United States mail carrier on the dangerous route between Deadwood and Custer, t was during this period-that William Hickok ("Wild Bill") was assassinated by Jack McCall, a notorious desperado. "Calamity Jane" joined the posse in pursuit of the murderer, and when he was cornered in a butcher shop she brought Mm to bay with a cleaver. Her love for army life took her back into the service, and she was assigned to the Seventh Cavalry. She helped to build Fort Mead, S. D., and In 1S78 was i honorably discharged. Resuming petti coats, she settled on a ranch near Miles City, Mont, but has since wandered about from place to place in the West In 1884 she married Clinton Burk at El Paso, by whom she had a daughter In 1886. The husband died in 1895. Mrs. Burk's ambition then was to give her daughter a good education. Though only 50 years of age, "Calamity Jane" bears the scars of a dozen bullets, and the hardships of her life have .broken her down. For several years past she gained a livelihood by selling a book of her adventures. SPEED OF AN EARTHQUAKE. Preliminary Tremors Travel at Bate of 345 Miles a Minute. Speaking of the Indian earthquakes of 1897, a London scientist says the vi brations traveled to Europe, where they were recorded at very many stations, and no doubt would have been equally well recorded at many other places on the surface qf our world had there been provided suitable instruments. The preliminary tremors, which are prob ably waves of compression, traveled through the world to reach Italy and other countries with an average rate of 345 miles a minute, or 9 kilometers a second a rate which, it will be ob served, is higher than that at which similar movements can be transmitted through glass or steel. The large waves, which are probably quasi-elastic gravi tation waves, by traveling over the sur face of the earth, reached Europe at a rate of 113 miles a minute, or 2.98 kilo meters a second. It is likely that these latter disturb ances reached stations In Europe by traveling from their origin in two direc tions round the world. As an Indica tion of this, we are told that at several of the European stations slight undula tions are to be seen on the selsmograms at times we should expect to find such markings, had they traveled from India to Europe by the longest possible route. From the period of these waves, which is taken at twenty-two seconds, and their velocity, their length may be inferred, an estimate of which is thirty-four miles; while their height as deducted from their length, and the maximum angle of tilting, Is estimated at twenty inches. The slowness of the movement was such that they could not be felt, while the magnitude was such that the unaid ed eye of an observer would not be able to recognize any differential move ments in his surroundings. The large ness of these disturbances and their great duration, extending over several hours, preclude them from ttys category of tremors, vibrations or microscisms. Pittsburg Dispatch. Coaching for His Conversation. As an overgrown boy for I was six feet tall at fourteen I had experienced all the agonies of bashfulness in the society of the other sex; though greatly attracted to it says Col. Higginson. I find it difficult to convince my associ ates of later years that I then habitu ally sat mute while others chattered. a wora or two of remonstrance from my mother had In a single day correct ed this during my senior year, so far as the family table was concerned, and this emboldened me to try the experi ment on a wider field. I said to my self, thinking of other young men who made themselves quite agreeable: "These youths are not your superiors perhaps in the recitation room or the playground hardly your equals. Why not cope with them elsewhere?" Thus Influenced, I conquered myself in a single evening and lost my shyness for ever. The process was unique, so far as I know, and I have often recom mended it to shy young men. Being invited to a small party, I considered beforehand what young la dles would probably be there. With each one I had, of course, something in common kinship, or neighborhood, or favorite pursuit. This would do, I rea soned, for a starting point So I put down on a small sheet of paper what I would say to, each, if I happened to be near her. It worked like a charm. I found myself chatting away the whole evening, and heard the next day that everybody was surprised at the trans formation. I have to this day the little bit of magic paper, on which I after ward underscored, before sleeping, the points actually used. Heroes Bnried by Night. One of the most romantic burials In history was that of Alaric, the king of the West Goths, who invaded Italy, captured and sacked Rome Aug. 24, 410. After this success he was prepar ing to carry his arms Into Sicily, when he died suddenly at Cosentia, Italy. His soldiers buried him in the bed of the River Busento. after turning the water into another channel. With him was interred great treasure and the digging was done by prisoners who afterward were put to death that the exact spot might remain unknown. Another Roman conqueror, Attila the Hun, was buried in 453 A. D. In the midst of a plain. His body was In closed In three coffins the first of gold, fhe second of silver, the third and outer of iron. - He, like Alaric, was sur rounded by great treasure and buried by prisoners who were afterward killed. A third secret and romantic burial was that of the Spanish explorer, Fer-r nando de Soto, the discoverer of the Mississippi River. Shortly after find ing the river he died of malarial fever, and to keep his body from falling into the hands of the savages It was placed In a coffin, which 'at midnight was taken to the middle of the great stream and sunk. Woman's Home Compan ion. . Superstitions as to Rattlesnakes. The American Indian believes the rattlesnake to possess occult virtues, and quite a number of whites sem to have been converted to the same opin ion. The sale of rattlesnake oil for rhuematism and neuralgia has grown steadily from the humblest beginning, and Is to-day a small but profitable in dustry. In some parts of Maine and New Brunswick neckties made of rattle snake skins are employed as a specific for bad coughs and colds, and the rattle is used by believers In voodoo of the southland as a charm against bad luck. Take an honest Invoice of yourself at least once a year; no man ever helped himself by over-estimating his ability. The failure of one man is often the beginning of another man's success. OUB BUDGET OF JFUN. HUMOROUS SAYINGS AND DO. INGS HERE AND THERE. Jokes and Jokelets that Are Supposed to Have Been Recently Born Sayings and Doings that Ars Old, Cnrions and Laughable The Week's Hnmor. "Judy and I got into a terrible tangle shopping to-day." "How?" "I owed her 10 cents, and borrowed 5 cents and then 50 cents." "Well?" "Then I paid her 30 cents for some thing she bought " ' "Yes?" "And she paid 40 cents for something I bought and then we treated each other to ice-cream soda." "Well?" "She says I still owe her a nickel." Reciprocal Devotion, He Mrs. Cashley has all the money, yet she and her husband seem to be perfectly in harmony. She They are, too. He's watching all the time to get a chance to spend her money, and she's watching him all the time to keep him from it" How He Descended. Mr. Hod O'Hoolv Shure an' I'm dis- cindid from some of th' greatest houses in Ireland. ' , . Widow Bid Brady Shure ye have on a laddher. ' A Protective Disclaimer. "Well, my man, I suppose you will saw a little wood to pay for your din ner?" "No'm. I'm no wood-sawyer, mum; trimmin' trees rubber trees, mum, is my trade." Standing in His Own Light. "I'll never give you up, Miss Per kinsnever.'? "That's it, Mr. Hopkins; I'd be afraid to marry such a determined, obstinate man as you are." He Didn't Notice. First Burglar How many rooms wuz dey in dat house you cracked? Second Burglar I dunno. I wuz only interested In the haul. Baltimore American. Source of A ngulsh. "Huh! I wouldn't cry s' hard jes' 'cause teacher licked me!" "I ain't cryin' 'cause teacher licked me; I'm cryin' 'cause I ain't big enough to lick him." True Kconomy. Friend Why do you wear those fear fully old-fashioned collars? Winkers (a man of affairs! Because when the washerwoman sends them to anybody else they send them back. New York Weekly. Antiquatetl. "" " ; "More new gowns!" he cried. "Why, yes," she answered sweetly. "All of mine are last century style." Philadelphia North American. Not Yet Transformed. Nell She's a blonde, Isn't she"? Belle Not yet but she's just dying to be one. Cincinnati Enquirer. A Mean Scheme, Hicks Can you change a twenty-dollar bill? Wicks (thoughtlessly) I guess so. Hicks Then lend me five. Sommer ville Journal. In a Bnarding-House. The Professor If you blease! Vake ip vake up! Voice from Next Room (sleepily) What'n thunder's matter? The Professor It is mine vish dot en you schnore, you would schnore in der same key vat der key is vat I Way In. You vas schnoring in G flat und it spoils mine music, by golly, alretty! Disillusioned. Cholly Smasher Come, dearest, leave the stage and intrust your sweet young life to me. Miss Makeup Thank you, my boy; I have a good home with my married daughter. Ohio State Journal. How She Knew. "That horrid Maud has been gossip ing about me." "Why, how do you know?" "She kissed me twice when we met to-day." Fliegende Blaetter. ' : They Made the Crowd. "What's all that crowd of women over there at Bargen's?" "Shoppers who read Bargen's 'ad.'" "But that's an unusually large crowd for so early in the morning." "I know, but the 'ad' said: 'Come early and avoid the crowd!" Catholic Standard and Times. A Difficulty Removed. "Dlcket when yon divided those five caramels with little sister did you give her three? . "" "No, ma. , I guessed they wouldn't come out even so I et one 'fore I be gun to divide." Puck. Just Her Way. Jack Well, then, since you have broken off the engagement suppose you give me back the ring.' Julia Eh you see, Jack, er Mr. Do Trow, I've become very much attached to this ring; it just suits me. So when " Tom Getthere proposed last night I told him I didn't want a new ring, but that he could see you and pay you what .thir' cost you. Philadelphia Press. - His Trouble. First Rabbit My friend Longyear is trying to think out a method by which ' we can overcome our natural timidity." Second Rabbit Indeed! What sue- ' cess has he had? First Rabbit Not very much. You see, Just when he begins to meditate he's apt to hear some noise and it gets him rattled. Puck. The Best Preserver. Customer I want to get something that will preserve wood. New Clerk Yes, sir, here's Just the thing you want. Customer Nonsense! That's a pad-, lock. New Clerk Yes, sir. Put that on your woodshed door and no thief will ever get in. Philadelphia Press. Physically, Mot Financially. "Harold," began the homely Misi Goldrox, "of course you know that fath er has failed " "Ah, really, Miss Goldrox, I must ask. you to " "Why, you must have noticed how much he has failed. The doctor says his death is only " "As I was saying, Miss Goldrox Mabel I must ask you to let me com fort you in your approaching bereave ment" Catholic Standard and Times. Insinuation Repelled. ."Are you going to cut any figure In that new scheme for rapid transit that's, coming up in a few weeks?" asked one" of his political associates. "No, sir!" indignantly answered the Alderman from the 'Steenth Ward. "My figure is going to be as high as anybody- else's, b gursh!" Chicago. Tribune. An Excuse. The Count Dear me, Baron, your face! Duelling again, at your age and so recently married? . t The Baron Ach, no! It is my Ameri can wife. She makes me eat with a fork! Life. Very Disastrous. She Were you ever in a railroad dis aster? . He Yes. I once kissed the wrong girl in a tunnel. Chicago Chronicle. In the Maine Woods. Guide What luck to-day? Other Guide Good luck. ' My man shot at six different marks and no bul let come closter ter - me than ; four inches, by hookey! A Feeble Imitation. "Bodkins isn't a ' genuine society man." "Why not?" "He takes cold every time he wears his dress suit" Chicago Record. A Bad Break. Miss Swelltop Our piano Is some what in need of tuning, but will you not play for us, Count? Count Spolatro (absent mindedly) Weeza pleasure. Where essa de han dle? Philadelphia Times. All Oft Tom So your engagement with May is broken. I thought she fairly doted on you. Dick So she did, but her father was a powerful anti-dote. St Louis Re public. The Proper Thing.' Mistress I hope I didn't disturb you and your lover when I went into the kitchen last night? Cook Not at all, mum! Oi told him you was my chappyrone! Puck. Limitations. First Cavalier The-King can do no wrong! Second Cavalier Ah, yes! And what a wearisome life a King's must be, to be sure! Puck. Differcn'e Briggs I hear you have been, oper ating in Wall street . Griggs A great mistake. I've been operated upon. Harper's Bazar. A Benefactor of His Kind. . A bright-eyed but ragged urchin en tered the shop of a tobacconist with the intention of getting a light for the stump of a cigar, but there was no gas jet to be seen. "I say, mister, give us & light" "We sell lights, sonny." "Well, sell us one," and he placed down his last halfpenny on the counter, for which he received a box of matches, and having secured a light offered the box to" the tobacconist saying: "Put them on the shelf, mister, and the next gent as asks for a light give him one o' mine:" Odd Duty of Hanoverian Firemen. In Hanover the fire brigade has sel-' dom to extinguish a fire; so it is now required that the wearers of the regula tion helmet shall attend to accidents and suddness illness In the public streets. For instance, if an old lady feels faint under the burdens of ber winter finery, she has butto.attract the attention of the nearest "policeman, who 1 in his turn telephones for the fire brigade, which promptly turns up in a carriage and four. . ; -