A YOMAS'S EPITAPH.
Jlorolie a poor woman
Who always nan tired;
Who lived in a houso
Wboro liolp was not liirod
Ilor last words on earth wore,
"Dear friends, I am going
Whoro washing ain't Uono,
Nor sweeping, nor sewing,
And ovorjthlng tlioro
Is exact to my wiBlici,
For whero thoy don't cat
There's no washing up dishes.
Til he where loud anthems
Will always be ringing;
For. having no voico,
I'll bo clear of tho singing.
Don'tmourn for mo now,
Don't mourn for mo novor,
I'm going to do nothing
For ovorand ovon"
AUNT MARGARET'S DREAM.
BY JANE rnKNTICE.
From tho Courior-JournaL
A very quiot, ordorly honsohold wo
woro at tho farm after that wild, frolio
Bomo, noisy Joo had gono back to his
city lifo. Ho had only dragged through
ft month and n half of tho summer at tho
doar, delightful old country homo when
ho declared tho wholo placo a boro, but
in truth it had only been bored by him,
and packing uponco nioro ho wont back
to his work in tho city, leaving every
thing moro poacoful for his absenco; all,
porhaps, oxcept two anxious, yearning
hearts that woro fast growing
sorrowful and old one tho moth
er's, tho other tho father's. Hut
littlo tho high-spirited boy thought of
that the morning ho drovo away from
tho old farm gnto; his spirit, liko tho
prancing liorso tho driver firmly held
in check, was impatient to bo off, to bo
freed from restraint. How hurriedly
ho told tho old folks good-bye, and then
as ho dnahed away threw a kias from tho
tips of his fingers to his sister Noll, who
stood uud looked longingly after him.
Uh, brothers, sons, too littlo you caro
for tho tender, anxious hoarts at homo
wlion you set sail upon an untried Dca
and vonturo out alone.
Soveral wooks passed
away quiot-
ly and pleasantly, too,
occasional bits of news.
oxcept for
Bad no
goes hero, thoro and
everywhere,
yon Know, which lound tlio way
out to our country nome, that Joo was
not living pint as ho ought to do; rathor
too fast, too fond of drink and somo
times found at the gaining table. Poor
Aunt Margaret, it soomod as if hor faco
grow u littlo thinner, hor hair a littlo
winter overy day after that. I shall
novor forgot how sho looked ono morn
ing as wo all sat around tho breakfast
table. Pushing hor plato away, hav
ing scarcely tasted tho food upon it,
eho said, looking up at uncle, who was
himself in dangor of falling into a
brown study over his smoking mufilns
and steaks.
"Husband couldn't you sparo a littlo
timo to run up to tho city in a day or
two? I foar that things nro going
wrong with our boy somo way. 'That
was a queor dream I hud last night "
and horo sho leaned hor head upon hor
hand and looked down thoughtfully.
"I thought that Josoph was standing on
a prouipico, nt a fearful height, abovo a
blaok, j'awning son, nnd that wo were
powerless to holp him, but when I
roached out my hands and shrieked for
aid an ugly littlo dwarf camo in sight,
nnd in answer to my ontreatios ho said
that thoro was only ono way to savo my
boy, and that was inonoy; but oven
that effort would cost mo tho lifo of
my other child, and then as I throw up
my hands in dispair, a beautiful angol
nppoured at my side. At that instant I
uwoko."
"Tut, tut; thoro's nothing in dreams,
wife. What could thoro bo in
tmoh uaiiBenso us that?" and un
do wont on nipping his cof
feo, wliilo Nollio glanced toward mo
with n strange, serious oxprossion on
lior faoo, and then witli a cheerful smile
at hor mother sho said:
"Novor mind, mother, you know 'tis
said that dreams go by contraries, and
if so Josoph is going to mako us very
happy about something."
Aunt Margaret shook hor head sadly,
but nothing mora was said about tho
dream. I think, howover, it did not
quito pass out of anybody's mind, for
Into that afternoon, when" tho sound of
tho massivo old door knookor resounded
through the house, wo all startod ner
vously. A sigh of relief wont round
when Andrew returned to Buy
that it was Mr. Wells to see
Miss Nollio. Poor Noll, I think
sho had boon longing for some
thing to broak tho monotony of tho day;
nho might have been glad if it had been
any other visitor than Mr. Wells. Un
cle Ben But in his big arm-chair read
jug the papor, but in no way ignorant
of what was passing around him and bo
Noll did not refuse to go into tho pnr
lor. Mr. Wells was a noighbor farmer,
you must understand. Pray do not let
your imagination rush oil' into pictur
ing Bomo rustle young gallant of ton
dor years and Bcntimoutal heart. No;
iuoh is not tho boau that comes court
ing our Nollio to-day. There ho is
a lank, grim-visaged littloman, slightly
stooped about tho shoulders, bonding
beneath tho weight of tho sixty years
ho hud lived through, I guess. His
thin, white hair hung ' in a mot
neglect! fusion about his nook
and cars, mid tho long white
beard flowing down upon his breast,
udded not a littlo toward tho appourunoo
of a putrmrch. Wait ti minute; worse
than nil this, ho was n mast misoiahlo
miser, und had ulready been twice mar
ried; und how could ho dura set his
heart on our fun-loving, innocent,
kind hearted Noll; hhn no gentle and
childlike that wo couldn't hour to Imvo
tho limine left a Mingle day without hor.
Matty Union it had tioomid Ntruuiz to
kio why Undo Hen would have NulHu
mmlvo Mr. WolU' attention, and why
ho would ei Ut In tulMug ubout wlmt
Huo iuIcIi tho licit old iimn would bo
foruiiy girl.
I kiul ouco or tnfoo )mn Aunt
Margaret nay Mint timea worn rather
hard, niut that Undo didn't always hnvo
n littlo ready cliango wlion it was wanted.
Porhaps that was whv lio thought it
best tliat Nollio should bo, as he somo
times Haid, well married.
Tlioro was John Athorligh, a nephew
of Mr. Wells, tho only child of his poor
dead sister, to whom tho wretched old
misor novor oren lont a helping hand.
John was poor, but ho was just as gen-1
erous and as good as any nobleman that
over lived, bomo now undo didn't
scom to bo well pleased when ho camo
nbont.ns ho of ton did, to walk with Nollio
in tho cool of tho ovoning, down tho long
shady avonuo, or sit by hor side and
talk out on tho old stono stops leading
up to tho porch. Tho very, old stops
whore, I guess, Nellio s mother nnd
fnthor sat togethor and talked of lovo
and tho happy, undiscovored future
during tho days of their honoymoon
long, long ago. I used to think
somotimes ns I watched John and
Nollio walk how that it would bo a
pity to spoil that match, for John was
just good enough for Nellie, and Nel
lio well, sho wus entirely too good for
anybody except John. All tlioso re
flections and mnnv moro, passed
through my mind while XVollio
tho parlor nnd talked to her
old lover, and Aunt Margaret
sat in
miserly
sat in
a low rocking chair with her knitting
lying idlo on her lap, while undo con
tinued to road tlio nows.
By nnd by another loud knock ro
sounded through tho house, nnd pres
ently Androw nnnounced a visitor to
sco Mr. Brandon immediately. I
looked at Aunt Mnrgaret; sljo had
clasped her hands nervously togothor.'
Whon undo loft tho room sho asked
almost beseechingly of mo:
I wonder who it can bo, Margie
can you think?" ,
I know lior nervous stato of anxiety. I
and detorminod nt onco to find out
nbout tho visitor, and, if possible, ro-i
liovo her fears. I crept softly into tho
back parlor and up to tho folding doors,
which, owing to an arrangement of
honvy curtains, was often left ajar,
through which I hoped to get a sight of
tho visitor. I had no soonor stolen up
to tho door than I heard footsteps in
the hall, and undo ushered his visitor
into tho room. It was too Into to re
treat; what could I do? To pass'
through into tho front would bo to in
trude upon Nellio and her company: to
como out from bohind tho curtain would
bo to appear liko a spv; so thoro I stood
stonostill and waited. Tho fust fow
minutes I wns too much surpiTsed and
uneasy about my own situation to bo,
uwiiro of what was going on in tho
room, when nt lust I caught tho found
oi tno stranger s voico; no was saying
somotiung liico this:
"It is a vory unfortunate piece of
work, sir. I beg leave to sympathize
with you nndyour family; but business,
is ousmosH, you Know. JL wns sent
hereto sottlo this matter in a respect
ablo manner, if possible, and I inusti
prococd to do it at onco. Your son. I
am sorry to tell you, sir, but porhaps'
you know ho has livod a littlo fast of
lato rathor too fond of wino and ova
company "
"lea, yes, undo said.
as if
mipa-
tient to got nt tho worst.
"I am.sorry to toll you, sir," tho
strangor continued, "but I think it hap-;
ponod whilo ho was undor tho influence'
of liquor, nnd likoly surrounded by his
evil companions. To bo brief this isj
the wholo story: Your son hns brokon
into tho monoy-safo and robbed his om-'
ployor of $5,000.
Utobbod! O God, my boy a rob
ber 1" I
1 shall novor forgot tho groan with
which undo sank back upon tho o hair,
from which he had risen at that start-1
ling nows.
I own it looks bad, sir, but I havo
como to seo if wo can't arrange it somo-
how. His employer, as you know is.
your friend. Jlo hid mo say that ho is
not only willing but anxious to shield,
your family naino from disgrace and
your boy from tho pcnitontinry, if itj
can possibly bo dono. But tho mon
ey must bo refunded thoro's no other
courso." '
" Kivo thousand dollars I impossiblo 1"
undo oxoluimed. "It would lie to tako,
everything to ruin my family."
"i supposo nothing can bo dono
then," tho strangor said deliberately and'
arose ns if to depart.
"But, wait a moment : lot mo think."
undo said, leaning his head forward on
tho table by which ho sat. By and by,
getting up, ho said : "1 will seo what
can bo done," and left tho room. I was
trying m vnm to think what ho could
bo about, when suddenly ho ro-oiitorod
tho room, nccompanied by Mr. Wells.
Alas, I thought of that miserly old man
ns our only moans of holp. Then thoy
all throe talked together in a low tone
of voico. I could only understand a
word now and then of unclo's tromulous
voice. Putting it all togethor, I know
ho meant this: Joo must not bo sent to
tho ponitonthry that would kill Aunt
Margaret. Tho farm tho old home
stead I know was so doar to him must
go before that should bo done. Would
Mr. Wells advance tho money? Tak
ing uncle's arm ho drow him aside, so
near by the curtain beneath which I
stood concealed I thought thoy could
almost hear my breathing; his voice
was low, subdued to a whisper, but I
could hoar tho name of Nellio; somo-
thing should bo dono if Nollio would
consent, fl rent heavens I I thoVht and
shuddered, can it bepossiblo ho will ask
for Nellie's hand in return for that?
Will undo sell ono ohild to buy another I
"I cannot tell ; it shall not bo unless
sha is willing," Undo said, nnd left tho
room. It seemed liko an ago to mo that
I stood there trembling with indigna
tion and horror. If sue is willing I
Will they let her be tho sacrifice to
savn tluuisolves, and thou Hay thnt she
is willing; but then I thought of poor
Aunt Margaret, with bowed head and
brokon heart; something inunt bo dono
for her. Yes, after all.it would bo u
noble thing for Nellio bdo.
lust thui who entered tli rooifi with
her father. l caught sight uf her fuoo
wIih Knew it all. 1 hud novor boon
htir look like tltut before. 1 nut kimi
Unolu did not reallKo the nxtmit uf tho
HHiirillMO hU daughter vut ubout to
niuko, 1 would not wrong him by hup-
pining unit ho did,
"Alio is hero to affirm that sliois will
ing," undo said. Tho stranger looked
np in bowildorcd perplexity. Mr.
Wells camo forward to meet Nollio say
ing: "ion nave neon mado awaro of tho
importanco of this step. ail supposo
thoro is no timo for needless haranguo
about the matter; if Joo is Bavcd your
lather must go to-morrow morning
witli tlio inonoy. Uf courso l Jiavo no
jncei of tho placo and do not want it;
jhid if you will consent to an early mar
riagc and hero tho man winced a littlo,
jperhaps because ho couldn't entirely
jorgot tho strangor's presence I am
j willing to mako you a dowry of tho
1 amount in cash, tho valuoof tlio farm;
understand, howevea, tnattiio wedding
ehall tako place immediately."
"I am ready," was all Nellio an
Bwored. Oh how her whito, wretched
faco and hollow voico smoto upon my
heart. I thought I could scarcely wait
until the stranger, who had now accom
plished his mission, was ready to depart.
Then Nellio, with both hands up to her
face, ran out of tho room. A few min
utes later undo went out, followed by
Mrs. Wolls, tlio latter saying something
about returning with a minister.
My blood fairly boiled. I rushed
out of tho room into tho yard I wanted
to broatho tho fresh air; I was nlmost
stilled with indignation and anger.
Scarcely conscious of whero I was go
ing, I wandered among tho treos somo
distanco down toward tho gate. When
coming suddenly out upon tho drivo I
found myself directly in front of Mr.
Wells, who was slowly driving out.
Politely lifting his hat, ho stopped his
horso for mo to pass, but I found it
utterly impossible to movo a stop with
out first giving vont to somo of my an
gry feelings.
"Sir," I said, marshaling my oourago
and ondcavoring to appear undismayed,
"is it indeed possible that you aro so
lost to every manly sentiment of rogard
for tho osteem and respect of your fol
low beings as to compel a woman to
marry you, and that wlion you know sho
abhors the very ground you walk upon ?
lou know as woll as I can toll you that
Nollio nnd John love each other dearly,
and if sho woro married to you a thou
sand times, sho will always lovo him
just the snmo."
With that I was satisfied, and with
out watting for n replv I rushed back
into tho houso. Undo and Nollio woro
bonding over Aunt Margaret, who had
swooned away. When at last sho re
turned to consciousness, it seemed ns if
sho would broak hor heart with weep
ing, first about Joo then about Nel
lie. But Nellio kept up so bravoly and
tried hard to appear as if sho didn't
think it would bo much of a sacrifico
after all, that gradually wo all grow
calm and began to mako ready for tho
weddinc What a mockery it was I
thought, but something must bo dono to
mako things look a littlo cheerful. I
gathered somo fresh flowers for the
vases and arranged things about tho
houso with as much neatness and caro
as my drooping spirits would permit of.
Promptly nt 8 o'clock thoro camo a
knock nt tho door. Wo woro all stand
ing around in Aunt Margarot'a room
looking as wretched as possible, Nollio,
drossed in a plain whito muslin, trying
to look chcorful.but making a miserable
failure when, to our great surpriso,
Mr. Wells, unannounced, walked into
tho room, nccompaniod by his nephow,
John Athorleigh.
"Miss Nellio," ho began, without
waiting to bo spokon to, "my feolings
hnvo undorgono a great change since I
saw you this afternoon partly owing to
a certain littlo affuir. You can ask
your Cousin Margio horo about it somo
time. But my feelings liavo been so
groatly changed that I should not bo
oven willing to marry you now. Of
courso I haven't boon blind to tlio fact
that you and John havo loved each oth
er all along; and now if you aro willing
to oxehango grooms, why it will all bo,
right. I conldn't think of having a
wife who would bo in lovo with a young
scupo-gruco liko this as Jong as siia
lives. I havo made ovor a deed of the
placo equally divided between you and
John. It shall bo a bridal prosont from
tho old undo. I am able to give it vou
know. Now nro vou willing to mako
tho oxehango?" And tho poor old man
actually smiled as if in scorn of himself.
"Aro you willing, Nellio?" John ask
ed, holding out both hands to hor. How
eho slipped her hands into them, and
oriod as if hor heart would break ; but
wo all know thoy woro tears of joy. Yery
quietly I stole ovor to Aunt Margaret s
eido and whispered, Nollio is saved; tho
old misor has surely turned to a saint.
"It is mvdroain, my dream! Aunt
Margarot said ; has not tho littlo black
dwarf indoed becomo an angol?"
"I guess wo had as woll havo it all
over and lo dono with it, Mr. Wolls
continued, rubbing his hands together
ns if woll pleasod with lnmsolf and ev
erybody olso. "I've been with John
and got tho licenso; thodoed is nllmado
out, and tho prcaohor is already in tho
parlor."
lou may bo suro tho sorrowful fueos
of a lew minutes ago brightonod up at
this strnngo turn of affairs, and joyful
ly enough wo nil repaired to tho parlor,
whoro Nellio and John woro united in
marruigo. lou should havo soon dear
Ynut Margarot s iaco wlion she kissed
tho bride. Didn't wo nil kiss her,
though no, not all. Mr. Wells I
moan never to call him u miserly old
wretch or say other ugly names agaiu.
Howovor, I don't think hoha.1 auything
to do with this pieco of moroy. I ro
gard it as a special interference of
Provuloneo. But 1 nm gottmg away
ftom the subject. Did ho kiss hor?
No. But this is tho reason why. Nol
lio wont straight up, and, putting both
arms around him, kissed him right
heartily. I tun suro, had ho been tho
bridegroom, sho would never havo
kissed him like that.
What a perfect picture of self-sat isfaa-
tion tho old man wui after that, but ho
had tho good grace to remain only a
littlo while after tho ooiomony. Qf
courtio wo were all living to talk about
tho htrango things that had happened.
'J could not help thinking, ns wo all east
Iftnd, grateful ghuiivs after hU retreat
ing figure, how niaoh happier no muttt
bo than if ho had got tlio unwilling lit
tlo brldo, with tho knowledge tliut nho
uud everbody uho wan niiierublo about
it. How happy wo would havo been
after that, except for poor, erring Joo.
. .Ill 'l - 11 A
Uncio icni to ino cuy uie next morn'
intr nnd did not return for two days
His faco was dark and solemn when
ho camo into tho old I101130 again, but no
ono dared to question him. It wns lato in
tho owning, and wo had waited sup
per for his coming. Yery quickly wo
gathered around tlio tablo and bowed
our heads, while Undo askod a bles
sing, suddenly a shadow fell across'
the doorway, and when wo raised , our
heads imagine what surpriso wo felt
there stood tho truant boy Joe. Aunt
Margaret sprang to her feet.
"Don't como to meet mo yet, moth
er," ho said, "until 1. show you that I
havo noc forfeited all claim to your
respect and love; that everything was
not so bad as you havo thought. I,
didn't steal that money, or over meant
to steal it. I am willing to acknowl
edgo my share of tho wrong; it was
getting into bad company and drinking
to much whisky, but 1 havo not
been guilty of stealing anything
thoy havo proven. After I had been
drinking freely nnd made a fool of my
self, as liqinr always makes me do, tho
boys dragged mo into the plan they hnd
already fixed upon, nnd until I was too
drunk to know anything, thoy hurried
mo away with thorn: but thoy havo been
found. It is all cleared up now, and
father shan't loso anvthing by mo.
"Thank tho blessed Lord for thnt,"
Aunt Margaret said, nnd, pntting both
arms around him, sho drow him into tho
room. You may bo suro a great
burdens weight was lifted from our
hearts when wo heard Joe's story
through, and how thankful wo were thnt
ho had been saved, and that Nellio wus
saved. I shudder yet to think how near
thoy woro to tho precipico boneath
which yawned tho dark, dreadful sea
in Aunt Margaret's dream. But tho
angel's wing has turned tho darkness
into light, our sorrow into joy.
Tlio Stylo of Courtship in Green
land. When tho Danish missionaries had
secured tho confidenco of tho Green
landers, marriage was made a religious
ceremony. Formerly tho man married
tho woman by forco. Ono of tho mis
sionaries, writing to his journal, do-
scribes tho present stylo of courtship as
follows: Tho suitor, coming to mis
sionary, says :
"I should liko to have a wifo."
"Whom?"nsks tho missionary. Tho'
man names tho woman. "Hast thou
spoken to hor?"
Sometimes tho man will annwor:
"Yes, eho is not unwilling; but thou
knowest womankind !"
Moro frequently tlio answor is, "No."
"Why not?"
"It is difficult. Girls aro prudish.
Thou must spoak to her." Tho mis
sionary summons the girl, and nftor a
littlo conversation, says :
"1 think it is timo l havo thoo mar
ried."
"I won't marry."
"What a pity I I havo a suitor fon
thoo."
"Whom?" Tho missionary names'
tho man who has sought his aid. '
"Ho is good for nothing! I won't!
havo him 1" '
But," replies tho missionary, "hois,
a good provider. Ho throws his har
poon with skill, nnd ho loves thoo."
Though listening to his praise with
evident plensuro, tho girl answers:
"I won t havo him."
"Woll, I won't fcreo thee. I shall
soon find a wil'o for such a clover fellow."
Tlio missionary remains silent, no
though ho understood that"No"to have
ended tho matter. At last, with a sigh,
sho wliispers:
"Just as thou wilt havo it."
"No," answers the clorgymnn, "ns
than wilt; I'll not porsundo thee."
Thon, with ncloop groan, comos les,
spoken somowhat quickly, and tho mat
ter is settled.
Ono of Cleveland's "Little Stono3.'
Washington Dispatch to Boston Herald.
Presidont Cleveland is doveloping as
a story teller. Ho hns diminished tlio
valuo of petitions for ofiico a good deal
by n story which ho told an ollico-seok-ing
sonator. Ho said that whon ho wns
mayor of Buffalo tlioro was a sharp
contest for tho position of chief of po
lice. Ono candidate .in particular was
indorsed by such a vory largo number
of citizens that when ho saw tho potition
tho mayor felt that probably ho was tho
man who ought to bo appointed. Ho
tatcd this conclusion to two of his
friends who called to seo him, but thoy
informed him that in thoir opinion tho
appointment would not bo n good
0110, and should not bo made. Ho,
thereupon, showed them tho pa
llors aigned by such a largo unm
oor of leadiug citizens, and said ho did
not seo how ho could ignore it. Thay
thereupon nsked him to delay action for
two days in order that thoy might pro
sent n papor to him, anil went avay.
At tho end of the timo they roturned,
bringing nnother potition sigued by a
long list of iiutlalo people, somo of
them prominent in tho city, and a nu ta
bor of thorn his friends. It wns not a
petition for the )laco of chief of police,
lint was addressed to tho Govomor of
Now York, and stated that Grovor
Olovoland, mayor of Buffalo, had been
guilty of oinber.zloment of tho public
funds, was unfit to hold tho office, nnd
ought to bo romoved. It simply show
ed how easily roputublo peoplo could
bo got to sign a potition without read
ing it. Since thnt time Mr. Cleveland
snys ho has not had a high opinion of
signatures to petitions relative to tho
offices.
Men euro D. Conway says tho Budd
hists of Ceylon believe that if a woman
behaves herself sho will eventually bo
I'omo t mail,
Tho uommitti'o appointed to receive
funds fur a suitable monument to Peter
Cooper in Now York, havo received in
popular stilnioriptions $7,7:27.41, uud u
good deal iiiurtt has been promised.
Tho monument to 01M ?2f,000.
English Snobbery.
Mr. Chnrle3 G. Leland thus writes
from London to tho Now Orleans
Times- Democrat: "Thero is, however,
in England, as in every other country, a
disposition to greatly oxnggcrato tho
advantage which thb United States en
joys in possessing so much choap land.
I wns told, only recently, that but for
this wo might bo as backward as any
country. To which I replied : 'Do you
really attribute our prosperity to land
alono ?' 'Yes,' was tho answor. 'How,
then, is it that Itussia, with so much
productive soil, is tho land of ipisorably
poor peasants?' 'Ah I tho Russians aro
a very different pooplo from tho Amer
icans.' 'There,' I said, 'at the very first
question you changa your argument
from tho land to tho character of tho
inhabitants.' Adam Smith has shown
that in fact tho worst land in any
country is generally tho first settled.
It is not understood hero or elsewhere
in Europe that tho truest elements of
prosperity in a country arc freedom,
equality, justice and education. Add
to this frco exchanges without much
oxtravaganco, few paupers and very
fow immoderate fortunes, and wo
should hnvo tlio chief elements of ma
terial prosperity. If wo tako let us
say, 1,000 men, nnd settle them any
where there may bo found for every
ono his work. If thoy can produce
moro than they can consumo of any
fabrio or material let them soli it to
another community. But if wo intro
duce to this commerce a millionaire, a
lord or any person who will keep a
largo train of hnlf idle servants and cs
tablish extravagant standards of living
and wants boyond tho mnjority, wo at
onco bring in that which results in in
doleuco, povorty and vice. An aristoc
racy did groat good and littlo harm dur
ing tho Middlo Ages; now the condi
tions nro exactly rovorscd. Tlio point
was long since passed in America when
this becamo generally understood.
Hero in England wo nre just getting to
it. Half tho world is still moro than
half convinced of tho truth of tho coup-lot-
Iiet laws and learning or religion dio;
But, oh, prosorro our old nobility 1
wliilo tho other half is beginning to be
liovo that for overy grain of independ
ence and culture in tho aristocrat thero
necessarily results ounces, if not pounds,
of Uunkeyism and degradation in his
dependents nnd admirers. I havo
spoken of tho rapidly growing prosper
ity of England and tho manifest im
provement in tho education and ap
pearance of tho lower class. Just in
proportion to this is tho growing im
patience at tho prostigo of moro rank
nnd inherited wealth, and tho anger
that such boings as, flunkies and servile
followers nnd docondonts should bo
regularly trained and made, so to speak,
to disgraco the naino of Englishman.
Thackeray was tho first to effectively
show what a mean snob and slavo an
iiinglisliman could become by being a
servant and parasito, and how tho
higher the lord wns, tho lower tho lack
ey became. I bclievo that to his works
more is duo than to nny other cause
that tho educated and moro intelligent
poople of Groat Britain havo of late
separated themsehes so much from the
titled classes and begun to speak so
much less kindly of them. Twenty
years ago peoplo laughed at Jamea'
yellow plush and scorned tho snob; now
thoy aro beginning to ask why thoy
exist and what caused them? Onco
thoy would kill tlio snake to punish him
for being 0110; now thay would doit to
prevent futuro snakes from coming."
A Big Meteor m California.
Tlio Cliico (Cal.) Chronicle contains
tho following account of a great meteor
thnt recently foil in that vincinity. It
was ninny times larger and heavier than
the meteor that foil in northern Iowa
somo years ago, which was considered
a rcmarkablo thing of tho kind. The
Chronicle says:
The iiory meteor that foil just east
of our city, lighting up tho country for
miles around, camo with tho noiso of
ninny thunders, and our citizens were
startled with tho dread thought that it
was tho crack of doom. A part
of our citizens went out to search
for tho hcavonly visitor, nccom
paniod by tho geologist of tho
Chronicle staff. In tho party wero C. B.
Woods, O. Harshbarger, Stove Mageo,
E. B. Johnston, George, Newell, Jack
Torrill, Hornian Groenland, E. E. Can
fiold, Joo Sproul, H. C. Mansfield,
Bert Mason. Thoy struck a bco lino for
tho foothills, nearly duo cast of town,
and camo to a halt at u farm-houso six
milos from horo. Tho party scattered
and instituted a search. Thoy walked
over rocks, through canons, and ex
amined tho bed of n creek for somo signs
oftho stono from tho clouds. Woods and
Mansfield woro absent from the sonrcli
ors noarly nn hour, whon thoy woro
linnlly soon running towards tho" wagon
ynviug thoir hands and 3,olling. Thoy
cairn up almost breathless, but managed
to tell that tho object of their tramp
had been found, A rush was mado by
the explorors to tho spot that had been
designated, nearly a mile away and a
littlo higher on tho foothills. Arriving
tlioro thoy woro certainly woll reward
ed for t'heir pains. The "aerolite"
was lyiug nlongsido a pilo of rock3,
nnd in nppoaranco some-what re
sembled n pyramid. In length it was
n fow indies ovor thirty feet and
in diameter over two feet. " Its weight
is placed at soveral tons. In color it
has tho appearance of slato whilo stand
ing a fow foot from it, but upon closer
examination it looks liko coppor. The
monster was struck several heavy blows
with a sledge hammer, but no impres
sion could be mado upon it. A cold
ohisol was then tncd upon it, but not a
scratch could bo mado. In falling, the
burning stone had struck upon n lava
formation, otherwise it would hnvo
gono far into the bosom of old mother
earth. As it struck tho rock it glanced
oil into tho ground nnd burned a gutter
nearly two foot in depth for a distanco
of 1100 foot.
Passing Shadows.
Several years ago I was returning to
my Western homo nfler a summer spent
in tho East doing tlio watering places;
a friend was accompanying mo, nudas
wo wero lounging in a sleeper wo both
dropped off into rovorio. The train
was slowing up at a small country re
sort; 1 raised my window nnd looked
out. On the platform at tho station I
saw three young girls nccompanied
by an escort; thoy wero laugh
ing mirthfully over an attempt
of ono of tho girls to climb
upon a barrel standing on end under
tho cornice of tho station. Tho sun
was shining gloriously, but a littlo
shower had driven tlio party beneath
tho cornice for protection. At last this
young girl gained hor footing nnd stood
victoriously on tho barrel; then glanc
ing into tho car.3 she evidontly saw tho
amusement sho had provoked, for a
slight shade of crimson flushed her
cheeks. TI113 young lass with her peach
bloom visage somehow drow my eager
attention, and although I looked on her
for only a minuto at most, I thought
her an nngel. She was clad in soino
whito creamy substance which felf
about her graceful form. I grow en
thusiastic and tried to find her eyes;
thoy wero flashing horo and there in
their wild mirth, pecming to outdo in
brightness tho glistening shower which
fell between us. But nt last in their
rapid courso thoy mot mine, and I fell
desperately in lovo with thoir owner.
But the train was ofi'again and tho vision
gone.
After wo had passed out of view I fell
buck into my seat and thought again.
My Duke aroused 1110 by saying: "Not
a bad-looking girl that one on tho bar
rel." I supposo I said no to this exclama
tion, but if I elid it was mechanical, for
I was not in his world then.
Wo reached my homo. Duke ro
mained my guest for a fow days nnd
thon returned to his post in tho East,
for ho was an officer in tho navy. I
took up my routino duties of commer
cial lifo once moro and in a short timo
all remombranco of tho maiden on tho
barrel had passeil away to memory's
graveyard.
Threo years elapsed and ngain I was
going to try tho East for a month in
tho winter to get a change which I
needed after very clcso attention to
business, so I wrote to my friend Duko
at Washington that I was coming on to
ent his salt for awhile.
During our various rounds in tho gay
capital wo wero ono evening at a Mr.
S 's houso at a recoption. I moved
through the assembled throng of mon
and women. Thoy were of all nation
alities, brought together in that cos
mopolitan place.
After awJiilo I sought tho conserva
tory, whero I whiled away tho timo eat
ing nn ico and chatting with a littlo
French lady. I had not been thero
long before Duko camo sauntering in
witli a gentleman on his arm, whom he
presented to Mademoiselle; ho remain
ed a moment and gave mo a look which
meant "Como with mo!" and with an
apology to Mademoiselle I took his arm
and walked off.
"What do you mean, Duke," I said,
"by rushing a fellow away in this man
ner from a bewitching creature like
Madomoisello? Havo you something
so very important on hand?"
"Yes, my boy," ho replied. "Como
with mo and I guarantee that what I
give you in oxehango will provo equally
as captivating to your susceptible heart.
"I've got a settler for you!"
Holed 1110 through several rooms
and linnlly stDpped within n vory dimly-lighted
apartment. Tho objoct of
liis search was at tho further end of
this room in a bay window that wns
raised, letting the moonbeams fall
across the rich carpet, and half within
tho shadow 1 taiva womnn sitting; n
man was leaning in tho paitial dark
ness at tho back of her chair.
I was presented, a delicate hand was
oxtondod into tho light and a soft voice,
whioh seemed n'part of tho moonlight,
bade mo bo seated. I sat down on a
divan near her. Boforol was awaro of
it Duko had quitted us and tho gentle
man at her back had excused himseli
nnd gono away.
When my companion spoko it was
with a voico liko tho tinglo of silver.
Sho seemed somo old and loved friend
speaking in that sweet, gentlo voice.
Sho was not a stranger to me. Oh, no!
Sho wns 0110 of those beings we dream
ofundlenrii to know and lovo long be
foro wo moot thorn in tho flesh.
She sat thero as sho talked, toying
with somo roses on hor corsage, when
ono of tho delicnto buds fell from the
bunch resting thoro and rolled to my
foot. As I picked it up sho leaned that
perfect head into tlio light, and bend
iug over, asked for tho truant roso.
I did not give it to her, but sat thore
gazing into that beautiful face, through
tlioso eyes into her very soul, and in
that glanco I know boforo me sat the
woman whom I had learned to lovo the
othor timo our eyes had mot I Finally,
I becamo more composed and stam
mered out somothing about memories
in which sho had taken part.
Sho answered that somehow beforo,
in n dream or somowhero olso, sho had
seen mv face, had known it woll!
Then" I told hor tho story of tho mnid
c on tho barrel and tho man on the
train. Hor faco lighted up ; she sighed,
and I thought it was a sigh of lovo for
that long timo ago that niomont in the
past.
All sorts of fancies wero running
through my brain, when from out the
darkness at her back stepped a man who
said: , . , ...
"Ah, my dear, do you not think it is
timo wo woro going to X 's?
Sho nroso and prosonted me, in that
beautiful voico that soemed a part of
tho moonlight, to her husband, and
then', with an an rovoir, was gono. 1
found tho roso in my hand and kissed
it. It was sacred in my eyes, for it was
all that was loft of my romautio but
vain dream of love.
A MissAldrich, of Walla Walla, W.
T. awallowed a dental tooth in a den
tist's office last woek.
r