The Wolf-Charmer.
Tlioro was sorrow and groat trouble
in tho household of Michael Tronski,
tho fiddler of Aruntra, a small villago
in Austrian Poland. Ho had fallen
that morning from a ladder In tho
course of monding tho thatch on his
cottage roof, and was now lving in bed,
groaning and helpless, with a broken
arm and collar-bone. Worse st 11, there
had been heavy sickness and death in
tJio fasily. Doctors' bills and other
expenses had swallowed up all the
poor violin-scraper's savings. Now
that ho was laid helpless on his back,
destitution and starvation stared him
and his children in the face.
Do not take on so father dear."
said Marscha, tho fiddler's littlo
daughter, as sho moistened tho sick
man's lips with water in a vain at
tempt to allay his burning thirst. Sho
was only twelve years old, but hur
mothcr'fi early death had niado it
necessary to bo womanly very early.
Sho had holpcd tho doctor that day. as
lio sat hor father's broken limb, with a
courago and quiet presence of mind
that had won his highest praise.
"No need of any oilier nurse so long
as you aro with htm, my dear," ho said.
Only sec that ho is kopt quiet and his
mind easy."
"His mind easy! Yes, that was eas
ily said," thought poor Marscha, who
know that there was no more food in
tho house than would servo for that day
and tho next, nor any money to buy
more. Her poor father had, as sho
know, reckoned on earning enough to
keep them for weeks by playing that
very evening at tho wedding feast of
JanoszPutusta, the richest fanner in the
neighborhood. Still the bravo girl re
solved to do her best.
My children! My children!" ho kopt
moaning. "Every tiling gone! Neither
foot! nor money in the house, and I ly
ing hero like a log unable to earn more!
My poor, helpless children, what will
become of them?"
Dear futher," said Marscha. "God
nill prpvido for us, 1 am sure. Mothor
always told mo not to bo afraid. And
then there's Iwan."
"Iwan, yes," said tho old man bit
terly. "Iwan could havo taken my
placo to-night if 1 had not been such an
obstinate ass, and insistod upon him
learning carpontry instead of fiddling.
I was determined that my son should
ho something bettor than a tiddler, for
sooth, and never would let him lenrn.
lie is well avenged now, and wo shall
all starve."
"No, wo shaVt," replied Marscha.
I made enough broad yesterday to last
us for two days yet, and neighbor Hrig
atta gave mo somo mlk this morning.
1 am going to get you somo now."
"My poor, inothorless child!" mut
tered tho man. "May (5od help us, as
you say! Whuro is Anna?"
"Bngattu took hor homo with hor to
lw outof tho way. as she is so littlo.
Drink, dear father," and sho held the
enp to his mouth.
At this moment a tall, handsome boy
entered tho cottage, with grief and dis
may on his face. Marscha made him a
sign to controlo himself. lie mado an
answering sign and slowly approached
the bed.
"Dear fnthor," ho unid, "I have just
Iieard of your terrlblo accident, and my
good master let mo come to you tit
onco to see if I could help."
"No, my boy; there is nothing to bo
done unless." ho corrected himself,
Carlovit. would lot you go over to
Jauosz Pnttistn, at tho farm, and toll
liim that 1 cannot play the violin to
night at tho wedding. There is nobody
in the village whom I can send in my
placo. Wo shall soon know wluit starv
ing moans.
"Father," said tho boy, oagorly, and
with a certain Confusion of manner,
'lot rao go instead of vou."
"You.n said Miehaol "you! What
could you do! 1 never allowed you to
learn oven how to handle the bow."
"Hut I learned for all that," replied
Iwan. blushing deeply. "Don't be an
gry with mo, father, but 1 used toprao
tico in the evenings, after work was
over, on Carlovitz s old liddle. 1 was
o unhappy after you sent mo away,
and I could not hear any more music."
"My poor boy!" said Miehaol. "Hut
lot ino hear oil play."
Iwan took his father's violin, and
played, a slow, plaintive air upon it.
Then he changed the key and rattled
ofTa lively datieo tuno. Hoth wero ex
cellently done.
1 could not havo bolioved it possi
ble." said his father. "You will bo a
better player than over 1 have been,
lean see that, les, you may go to
Pntusta's, and tell him 1 sent vou to
take my place. 1 am sure he will make
no difficulty If you play to him half as
well as ou did to mo just now. You
nru not afraid of tho long walk?"
"IP No, ludeed," Mulled Iwan.
"Keep your mind easy, Marselia," ho
continued, turning to his pale, anxious
littlo sister. "HI lu back to-mght
sonic-what late, perhaps. Willi my pock
ets full uf coppers, with a littlo silver
mixed Willi Ilium 1 nope, nut it s a
good bit of a road, and I must tell
Carlovita not to expect me to-night.
bo goou-oyo, lamer; good-ovo, aiar
Bctia!" And off tipped the light-hearted
boy.
At l'atusta's farm all was bustlo and
excitement, Ihu first feelings of tits
appointment ou learning that Michiel
could not como. nim-oil to tlio wedding,
and had sent so young a substitute,
were quickly allayed on hearing the
lnastorly manner "with which thu lad
handled' Ins father's bow. The most of
tho truest had hoard of the accident
and knew of the great troubles that
one after another had fallen on tlio
fiddler's fain ly. Uonoral sympathy
Ira roiued. '1 he diinoliig. tho happf-
himli and above all lwun's lovelv music.
oiNinud thoir hearts. When the ball
ended, about two lit uio morning, wio
boy was dismissed with not unly tho
promise of payment for his night's
work, but tho pocketful of money of
width ho had spoken to Marsoha, of
which the gtoater part was not coppur,
but shining white silver.
Who bo charming now as Iwnn, strld.
. . . . .i. i I
lllir Milieu iikiihj . .ii "I oil Un UllCo
m.lo walk.'h.s violin slung lightly over
Ins shoulder, and his hands in ins
pockets rattling his gains? Ho kept
wlrstling from time to time to give ex
pression to his pleasure, as ho thought
of his father and Marscha and wee tod
dling Anna.
"Oh. if mother wcro only alivo!" he
thought, "how pleased she would be!
Poor father need not want anything
now. There's enough hero for that
clever littlo sister of initio to keop house
on for a long time. She is thinking of
mo now while she is sitting up waiting
forme. 1 am later than I thought I
should be when I left home. This
wood will cut off a good quarter of a
milo if 1 cross it."
With a boy's thoughtlessness ho loft
tho beaten track, anil turned aside into
a pine wood near. The stiddon dark
ness startled him at lirst, as tho faint
light of the waning moon could not
penetrate through tho thick branches.
Hut confident that ho could find his
way and regain tho high-road again at
the other side of the wood, his eager
ness to rcaeli homo prevented him
from turning back, lie contented h tn
sclf with picking his slops carefully.
Suddenly tho ground seemed to give
iway beneath nun, and no was pructp-
ated into a deep nit. Ho was stunneil
for a moment, but the earth at the bot
tom was soft and no hones were brok
en. Picking himself up Ins first thfught
was his father's precious violin. II
that wero broken, then indeed would
tho measure of their misfortunes bo
full, and his carelessness would have
done it. To his great joy it was unin
jured. Then ho began feeling about
the walls of tlio pit tor a means oi es
cape. Suddenly something mot his
eves that nearly froze his blood with
lorror. Two blowing points liko red-
hot coals glared upon him out of the
darkness around. J wan comprehended
ho matter now. Ho had fallen into
one of tho pitfalls dug to entrap wild
annuals, anil was now Hopelessly itn-
irlsoucd with a wolt! The creature.
to felt, was confounded ami terrified
for tho moment bv tho no so of his fall.
Hut ho was convinced that it would
soon recognize the helplessness to do-
... t . ti I. i . i-
lend nimscii oi ins eouirauo in imsior-
tune, and would make a breakfast of
him In shorter order than it took to
think of it all.
I wail's breath caino thick and fast.
but ho was not ono of those who easily
csign hope. He called to mind the
old ballad of how a valiant Danish
chief was taken
i in battlo by his enemies 1
a cavern full of serpents j
ind thrust into
and other deadly reptiles: how ho had
boon allowed, as a last boon, to tako
with him his harp of seven strings; land
how ho had played upon it tor a nigut
:ind a day using his feet when his
fingers failed him. So long as ho play
ed, not a creature attempted to do h.in
hurt, so groat is tho power ot musio
over oven tho dumb brutes. At bust h s
enemies were moved and openod to him
his prison doors.
"Why may not I tako a loirf out of
that old Danish book?" thought Iwan,
quickly unslingiug his fiddle and bow.
"A violin is as good as a narp any day.
If 1 can manage to keop the bruto off
until daylight, somebody is sure to bo
passing on the road or tho owners of
thu trap will como to seo a tlioro is any
booty."
Ho drew tho bow across tho strings
and commenced a slow, melancholy
tuno that would havo brought tho
tears to his own eyes had not the sense
of desperato danger been the fueling
uppermost m his mind. J. no awtm
beast gavo a long howl.
"lou like musiof" tliouglit iwan.
All rigid, Master Wolf, you shall havo
plonty of it."
ills oes wero now getting accustom
ed to the darkness, and ho perceived
that his dangerous fellow-prisoner was
an enormous gray wolf whoso gaunt
sides spoke of a hunger which would
allord In in small hope ot escapo stiotild
his musio not succeed in exorois ng the
hoped-for charm over it. He played on
with the energy of dispair. Although
It was early spring, and the snow near
ly all molted away, it was still bitterly
cold. Tho poor hoy's lingers soon got
so chilled that they could not long hold
tho bow. still ho liddled bravely on,
his terrible companion only giving vent
from time to time to an unoasy growl,
alternating with a long, melancholy
howl. These sounds, however liorr.ble
In themselves, wero pleasant to Iwan s
ears, as showing him that his musiu
was having tho desired elicit. Hut tho
hours went past, the dawn was break
ing, and tlio poor bows hands wero so
benumbed that lie noticed, to his horror,
that the tones wore getting broken and
oven sometimes refused to come at all.
Hod help me." ho thought, "If I
get quite powerless before anyone
collies to my Help! juy poor miner
and Maibcha! what will they say if I
never come home? And 1 tliouglit to
make them so happy with tho money
that I have earned to-night!"
This thought nerved Ins arm once
more. Hut ho felt it could not bo for
long. His strength was leaving h m ,
fast.
It was now broad daylight. Tho
rtnnblo of a wagon was hoard from tho
road. Hope put new life into lwun's
bow. He drew It across the strings so
as to produce the highest notes which
lie knew would bo tlio most piercing,
accompanying them by a shrill cry at
the top of his voice.
The rumbling ceased. In u few min
utes a kindly, weather lieu ton face was
seen peering over the mouth of tho pit.
"Well, my lad," said tho man, recog
nizing Iwan, whosu passion for musio
and his father's ru.soivo not to maku
lum a tiddler was well-known, "you'vo
chosen an odd placo in which to prac
tice forbidden arts. How caino you
here?"
"Don't stop to as. Look at my com
rade. Hun for a gun," pantud the boy,
still liddliug dopurat ly.
"Moroj ou us.! You have an un
chancy conipan uti, and no mistake,"
cried t he pian, now poreu.v ngtlio brute.
"Hold on a bit longer. 1 will bo back
tu a jiffy,"
He was turning away. At that mo
ment another man appeared. He had
a gup 'on his shoulder. It was Stephen
llurlft. the owner of the pit. Ho came
on with great angry (Urdus.
"What is that?'" ho said. "Who Is
fiddling down tluuoln my pit"
"Now that Is what 1 will coming In
tho ulok of time." cr.od tho wagoner.
"Iwan Tronski is down thcro with a
wolf. If you don't niako qu ck w rk
of tho brute with your gun ho'll soon
niako short work of poor Iwan."
"Tho fiddler's son! How over did ho
get down there?"
W thout waiting for an answer ho
ran to the pit and looked down. Tho
bow had just fallen from the poor boy's
nerveless lingers. Forgetful of tho
danger of tak ng his eyes off the creat
ure, ho stopped to pick it up. Freed
from both spells that had held it hith
erto, tho wolf gavo a wild growl and
sprang at him. Iwan gavo himself up
for lost. Then a shot from tho hunt
er's gun, directed by bis practiced eye,
made the monster harmless forever.
Iwan was taken out of the pit nearly
as dead as the wolf from sheer exhaus
tion. A little brandy from tho hunter's
ilask revived him. Then tho wagoner
gavo h m a lift as far as tho village.
It was a proud moment and a happy
ono for him when, after telling his story,
ho emptied tho enntonts of his pock
ets into his wiso littlo sister's lap, and
heard his father, with tears of thank
fulluess, calling him tho staff of his old
age.
"And now, father." ho concludod,
"you will not forbid mo any more to
practice tho fiddle, I am sure."
It is needless to say what was Mich
ael's answer.
My story ought by rights to end hero.
Hut there is a s -quel to it, for nit that,
which I think 1 must give, although
Iwan never eiicoutcred another such
thrilling adventure as that which fol
lowed on his lirst entranco into public
life.
It was not long after this that a hand
soino carriage drove through tho vil
lage, and stopped at Carlovitz, tho car
penter's door. A pleasant-faced, middle-aged
gentleman got out. It was
Count Forback, from tho castle, tho
great man of tho placo. Ho asked to
seo Iwan Tronski. Iwan caino forward
with quiet self possession.
Stephen Hurla," sad the Count,
"has been telling mo a wonderful story
of a boy who charmed a wolf into pa
t ence bv playing tho v olin to him tho
whole night. Is this true, and aro you
ho?"
Iwan bowed. "Not the whole night,
my lord; only a few hours," ho said
modestly.
"And quito enough too in such grisly
company," answered tho nobleman,
smiling. "You must bo a plucky
youngster. My daughters wero so do-
Iwrlitml wifli llin Rtnrv when Stotilinn
tJu jt thllt thpy avo ,uo no rost untn
T .u.0,ujscd t0 try l0 pot you to play to
them too. I don't think they will be
more difficult to charm than tho wolf.
What do you say? If you will como
back to tho castle with mo, I will make
it worth your while, for your sick fath
er's sake."
"I will como willingly," answored
Iwan, "if my master will sparo me.
Hut indeed, sir, I am but a very poor
playor, as I havo had to learn all L know
in secret."
"I have heard of that too, my boy,"
said the Count, who was himself a mu
sical enthusiast, "and I respect you for
your energy. Carlovitz. will you give
mo tlio boy for to-night?"
Tlio carpenter's consent was readily
given to tho great man. Iwan in his
Sunday best and a very modost best it
was rodo in a carriage for the first
time in his lifo, scarcely able to realize
his good fortune. On arriving at tlio
castle ho was given in charge to tho
housokcopcr, who petted and made
much of him. and told him stories of
her mastor's and tho young ledies'
goodness.
At longth ho was summoned to the
drawing-room. Ho was dazzled at first
bv the lights and the grand drosses of
tho ladies. Hut thoy wore all so kind
that ho soon took courage. A violin
was now put in his hand. Iwan play
ed his very host, ind h;s hoarers wero
delighted. At tho end of tho ovoning
tho Count took him aside.
"My good lad," ho said, "it is plain
to mo that you have a wondorful talent
for music. It would bo a thousand
pities to nogloot it. Should not you
liko to bo a great player?"
"Oh, yos sir!" cried Iwan, his eyes
sparkling.
"Then listen, said tho Count. "It
would bo an easy thing for me to tako
vou from your present employment,
and pay for your teaching at tho Con
servatory of' Vienna. Hut when I was
a lad m father taught mo that it was
of no uso being helped by others unless
1 should trv to holp myself. This 1 am
suro you will bo willing to do. Hero is
nu plan. Will you be willing to bo
guided by mo?"
"I w 11 do anything you toll mo,"
sa d the grateful boy.
"It is this, then." Tho Count put a
gold piece into his hand, "This .s your
navniont for the pleasure you havo giv-
ou us this evening. I see you havo a
largo stock of national Polish inelodi s
at your finger-ends. 1 take great in
terest in thorn, and should liko to maku
a collection of them. If you will come
horo onco a week and play over to mo
us manv as you can recollect, you shall
have tlio sumo sum each time. Lay it
bv until you havo enough to start upon,
and your career is made. Is it a bar
ga n?"
Iwan kissed his hand, and returned
homo a proud and happy boy. Every
week for many months ho went to li s
kind putron's castle, and played to him
not only tho airs that ho had known
all his life, but others which ho took
pains, with his father's help, to collect
troni far and noar. Soon ho had
earned enough for his further mainten
ance and studies. Ho entered tho Con
jorvatory of Musio at Vienna, and wUh
the best instruction that most musical of
cities could give, became ono of tho lirst
ylolln-playors of tho day. It Is red
gold now. instead of coppers and sil
ver, which ho sends from tlmo to tlnio
to his loving and beloved slstor Mar
ietta, to help to keep house with for his
old and infirm father and sister Annie.
fc M. Traquair, in Harper's lounn
leople.
H in II i
Tho Ono Thing Needful.
Tho mother was very slowly trying
lo oat. Littlo Chap was oatmg with
nit trying. Finishing his mual ho laid
lown his fork, and with a look worthy
f iinm tatlou, said to tils mother.
'Why don't you put a littlo vim tuto
.t ?" The Advance.
WHAT SAILORS EAT.
A Diet Mnde Up Lnrcelr "f "Sail
Home" Tlio Luxury of a Prcsli
Vlsli Dinner.
Perhaps somo of tho young admireni
of a "life on tho ocean wave" would
liko to know how they fared aboard
ship. There is no mother's pantry to
visit Each sailor furnishes his own
tin plate, coflee-enp. and knifo and
fork, Ho has no tabic, with chairs
placed for his convenience. When
"grub" is ready to bo seivcd tho cook
gives the signal. A sailor comes and
receives a pan of bread; another takes
a pan of beef, the third take3 tho largo
coffee-pot, with hash or potatoes as tho
cook chooses. Tlio bill of fare Is fixed
by law. At tho beginning of the voy
age the captain calls his crow aft and
inqii res if there aro any who wish to
havo their food weighed. They always
prefer to cat as much as thoy can
"stow away."
Thu sailors eat in the forecastle. If
they are disposed, thoy can rig them
selves a table; otherwise they must sit
around on trunks or tho deck in rough
weather, and take thoir rations. The
olliccrs eat with the captain in tho cab
in, where a table is set and furnished as
at home. A rack is used in rough
weather to keep the dishes from danc
ing If there is a good cook on board
everything goes well, but an unskilled
cook makes all hands miserable.
During rough weather passengers do
not attempt to sit at tho table, but tako
whatever they require in their hands
and eat the best way they can. Ono
day a sailor was eating his rations dur
ing rough weather, when the ship gave
a lurch and a plcco of beef wont gal
loping across the deck. Tho sailor
raised his fork, and making a dash at
the beef, shouted: "Stop that horse."
The sailors called their bouf "salt
Horse." Tho story which they tell is
this: "Ono voyage, when the beef was
particularly tough, a ltorseshoo was
found in the bottom of tho beef barrel,
whereupon ono of the sailors got up the
following rhyme:
"Old horsc.olu liorac, what brought you here?
"From S.iccarnp to Portland pier,
I was iln girhif; lumber for many a year,
I was kicked nnil cuffed with sore abubo
And faltcil down for sailors' use;
lietwecu the mainmast ami the pumps
I was salted down lu f;reat big chunks;
. They hauled me out and picked my bones,
Then shove me over to Davy Jones."
The captain of a sailing ship was ask
ed by his wife if sho couldn't give the
sailors a good dinner. Ho replied that
ho was affraid it would mako them
saucy. She finally prevailed. A lino
turkey was procured from shore and
given to the cook, who served it up in
good order and gavo it to tho sailors.
Ono gavo a scrutinizing look and ex
claimed: "What is this old bird doing
hero?" Another said: "I wonder how
old it is? Must have died of old age."
The third remarked that if it had been
good for anything they would havo
kept it in tho cabin. Thoy finally hovo
it overboard and madoadinnor of "salt
horse." Tho captain's wife, after that,
never meddled with her husband's
housekeeping.
Sometimes a dolphin is caught, and,
as you watch the dying colors of bluo
ami gold, as ho writhes upon tlio deck,
visions of savory chowder and fresh
fried fish oass before vou.
With what an important air tho cook
comes into the cabin and asks for a
nicco of silver, which ho puts into tho
frviiior.nan with the sputtering fish. If
the silver turns black ho cons dors tho
fish to have been noisoned. Ho says
tlmv sometimes eat coppor from the
bottom of a shin or from copper banks,
How anxiously wo await the test thoso
on shore, whoso thoughts aro filled with
nolitics. tho temperance question and di
voreo eases can never know. The silver
is usually found to be bright and shining.
and the luxury of a fresh-fish dinner is
nntovod with unadulterated Happiness.
Oftun a nornoiso is harpooned, and
then there is great excitement. Tho
liver and heart taste similar to those of
a hosr. but one must bo exceedingly
huiiPTV to eniov tho moat. It has ono
virtue that of being fresh. The oil is
usually saved, boing quite valuable,
That found in tho head is much esteom-
ed Tor oiling clocks, etc When a Span
ish mackerel is caught a savory dinner
mm- Im nvimeted.
Sometimes thousands of Hying fish
dart from tho water on all sides of tho
shin. and. snread nir thoir gauzo wings,
llv for a few soconds abovo tho water,
ivhilo wo aro tempted to exclaim:
Fish, fish nil around,
And not one mouthful to eat
For, although thoy aro most delicato
eating, it is impossible to catch them at
sea. Ofteu during tno nigni ono nies
on board. On tho island of Harbadoes
Hm fishermen aro verv successful in
catching these fish, and a moal of boned
Uvlncr llsh. is worth outing.
Dunne sovoro storms tho cook has
many trials trying to serve his meals,
lu carrv ng tho dinner from the galloy
to tho cabin ho is sometimes struck by
i hoav sea. the basket washed from
his grasp, the dinner and dishes
wrecked. On one occasion tho cook of
a bark was struck by a sea and washed
Dverbof.rd, dinner, basket, and all. It
was beyond the power of his shipmates
to save'hlni. H orccstcr Spy.
Pattl's Toilet.
A pecul'arity In conucction with Mmo.
Patti's toilet has been rovealod. It ap
pears that when tho diva goes to her
bath, which sho takes about 5 o'clock
3ti tho ovoning sho is to sing, sho never
Ulowcs tho water to touoh hor nock
mil face, although tho rest of her body
is religiously immersed. Sho has a
singular theor that hot or could water
produces wrinkles, and it is certainly
omo sort of proof, that hor theory Is
orrect, that, in spite of be ng consld
jrably over 40 years of age. tlioro .is
not a wr nklu vis bio on her neck,
throat or face. Of course she insists
that sho keens ooually clean by moans
of cold oreani, which sho uses In copi
ous quant t es, genorally spreadlug It
un her faoo and ne. k. and leaving it
there while- hor maid goes through tho
ha r.drostug proa ss, ofinn a or.od of
an hour or so. Then thu cold oream is
t .ken off vorv oarofiill.v with a towel,
and Mmo. Paul considers horsolt wash
I od. Jew York Mait umi i'xwrois. o
ON THE ICE.
ticencs In Mld-Wlnter nt Jflanrn A
Thrill ins Advonturo lu
the Kaptds.
When, in tho spring, and sometimes
during a protracted thaw in the depth
of winter, tho vast fields of ice that
border the shores of the great upper
lakes aro detached from their moorings
and set in motion by the currents that
set toward tho sea, the great gorgo of
tho Niagara, below the falls, presents a
spoctaclo unsurpassed among icy won
wonders. I say unsurpassed, because
srediblo witnesses havo said that not
even the mighty glaciers of Swdzerland
(how more striking examples of nat
ural power.
Hugo cakes of ico como tumbling
over the cataract in such enormous
quantities that after tho movement has
continued for a week tho whole bed of
tho river below seems filled with them.
The process is often aided by a strong
northerly wind at tho mouth of tho
river, which sets back the ice, and lit
srally piles it into the wide, deep chan
nel. It is difficult to convey to those
unfamiliar with tho locality an ade-
juato idea of the sight.
Think of a tremendous flood of water
fourteen mile3 in length, sometimes
pent between lofty banks, the water
rarying from eighty to two hundred
feet in depth, sometimes raging in a
aarrow channel, and then spread out in
i tranquil flow with a width of half a
aiilo think of such a stream or strait
is this, so burdened by the ico that has
wen poured into it, that only in occa
lional places is the water visiblo at all!
Sometimes the process of freezing com
pacts it; but more often this wonderful
ixhibition is seen in comparatively
uild winter weather. For it must bo
remembered that so deep and rapid a
torrent as this is beyond the direct ac
tion of the frost; nothing could bridge
t with ice from shore to shore but the
tiling of tho channel with the enormous
vinter accumulations of tho upper
iakes.
Tho rigors of tho soason may some
arhut diminish the How of water; yet in
ill seasons the almost immeasurable
lood of Niagra is there, and it must
ind outlet. You may climb over huge
ce-hills and pick your way among ice
jowlders out to the middle of tho
itream, where you can look down into
lomo wido crevice and seo tho water
.hirty feet below, struggling witli its
ncunibrance.
Sounds of cracking and grinding con
Snually aro heard; tho impatient waters
ire lighting witli their bonds, and tho
jrcat mass is slowly, imperceptibly be
ng carried into Lake Ontario while
jedestrians, and even double sloighs,
iro safely crossing over it- Meanwhile
is the great blocks come dashing over
ho falls much faster than thoy can find
ixit below, tlio surface of the river,
vhich Is now the rough and irregular
cd of ice, rises and encroaches upon
Jio banks. In some seasons this rise
mis been as high as sixty feet. There
s seen such an exhibition of the
lowor of the forces of nature as per
laps cannot bo witnessed elsewhere,
in Switzerland, for example, the ma
cstic glaciers creep along their ancient
ods with a march that is irrosisUble;
nit neither man nor naturo has placed
iny impediment in thoir couro to provo
.hem irresistable. Hut on tho banks of
he lower Niagra. I have seen the
vharves crumble like cgg-sholls before
;he pressure of tho great ice-hills; I
lave seen large houses and store
louses, built so high abovo the water
ine that no dangor was dreamod of,
rn from their foundations and borno
ff among the ice-hills, and I have soon
tall oak trees, two feet in diameter,
mapped off liko pipe stems, and even
rn up by tlio roots, by the slow, nu
jcrccptible, and yet irresistable press-
lro of tins American giacior.
Almost any winter, bevond whore tho
nife round ico mountain rises well to
ward the brink of tho American fall,
int in the middle of tho wido channel
n-hiiro in other seasons the waters toss
mil swoll from a depth of two hundred
loot, you may see great lce-liumiuocKs,
lccorated with tho Hags of both na
tions. ou mav no out there by a
well-defined and safe path, through
rallovs and over hills of ico always
co: if hungry, vou may buy refresh-
nents there from a pine-board booth,
vhcro you will seo a cook-stove; and if
'cry ambitious ot unusual experiences,
foil mav actually havo vour photograph
aken on tho ice, in front of tho
witaract.
hi this tremendous winter aspect of
Niagara, it might bo expected that occi
lonts and perilous adventures would
laimeu. I will relate the most re-
liarkablo that occurs to to mo.
In tho month of December, many
rears ago, an American whom wo may
all Clarke was engaged in buying and
shopping timber m the Canadian woods.
oack of Chippewa, which is two miles
ibovo tho Horse-Shoo Fall. Tho river
s here two miles in width, and Hows
with a strong, smooth current, which,
aardlv a in lo bolow. is brokon by tho
irst abrupt descent which beg ns tho
irnri' ratiids. Hut steam-tugs and
itcainboats como down to Chippowa,
mil the river is safelv navigated hero
bv oarsmen of strong arms.cool heads,
and knowledgcof the stream. Clarko
was ono of theso.
Ho had lived all his lifo in sight of
tho river, knew as much of It as any
man could know and had rowed a boat
upon it above the falls from his boy-
lisod. Ho would havo laughed at any
one who had told him that ho could bo
in danger while rowing his boat across
from Chippewa to tho Ainorican shore,
The short December day was nearly
done, but tlioro was &till half an hour's
daylight, when Clarke camo out ot tho
woods where ho had boon overseeing
his choppers, and nulled his skiff out
into the stream. He knew that
better point for crossing was opposito
Navv Island, a littlo abovo; and ho
rowed up toward it.
Tho weather was mild, and had been
for some days, and Clarke found the
river filled with Uoatiii!r ice. As ho
turned fioin tho lower end of tho
island and unshod out into tho current
he saw that tho cakes of ico wore large,
nml tli.it fiiimn ilnvtnrltv WOllld l ro-
nnlrixl In nnil n'rollitil Mill! alUOUg tllOlll
lint tliU did tint trouble him; he
tlinitcrlit In, litul been ill illst Slicll II sit
uation before. If anything did trouble
him, it was tho fear that daylight
might bo spent before ho could reach
the opposite shore.
He had not rowed ten strokes when
he, found himself in a narrow channel
between two great blocks of ice. Men
who use tho oar upon this river aro
quick of observation and Clarko sud
denly suspended his rowing, as ho saw
these ice-cakes slowly closing togcthor
by the action of the current.
He unshi'ip d an oar, and tred to
push one of' m off. Tho oar was
forced out ol hands, tho blocks
closed together 'ion tho boat and
crushed it between them into a shape
less pile of kindlings. Warned of tho
disaster, Clarke leaped in time, and
found himself safe for the present on
the ice.
If he had not thought and acted
quickly in that awful moment, no earth
ly power could have saved him from de
struction. Ho did not know what ho
was braving when ho left the shore no
row boat could float amid the torriblo
washing and grinding of this ice. Ho
knew ho could expect no aid from tho
shore, and he knew that he had begun
the fearful journey over the falls.
He looked toward the island. It was
not lar away, ine leo-otock on which
ho stood was very large; between it and
tho one abovo was a space of clear wa-
er; beyond that stretched the next ico-
akc; and then there was anotner spaco
f water between it and the island.
The feat that he performed to savo
himself was a daring and desperato one,
and probably nothing but desperation
led him to attempt it.
He ran along tho ico upon which ho
food, and made a frantic leap. He
said afterward that the distance, what
ever it was, seemed to him greater than
any man could jump; but he struck tho
next
jxt iceberg a foot from tho water. Not
pausing an
instant lie ran on to tho
next block.
It was at least twenty feet from the
shore of the island. Never stopping to
pull off coat or boots, he plunged into
the icy stream, and breasting tho cur-
en t, swam rapidly to tlio snore, ins
knowledge of the locality enabled him
to find the house of the only occupant
of the island at that t me, before whoso
blaz ng log-firo ho was soon warmed
ml dried. Clarko owed his preserva
tion to a presence of mind and prompt
ness of action which few would exhibit
n the face of such a peril.
James Lkanmclin Fitts.
Safe Car-Heating.
Public indignation against tho rail
oad men who persist in tho uso of car
stoves has reached a point whore ic
will not bo wise to trifle with it.
Tho plea that no substitute for stoves
has been found is now generally recog
nized as false an mendacious, llio
spreading of the knowledge of this
fact leaves no loophole ot excuse lor
the railroad companies to crawl out ot.
Lhoy aro probablv mistaken, oven in
their cold-blooded calculations of
economy, a heir pecuniary tosses oy
lire would doubtless more than pay lor
safe system. I hero is nothing to
show, indeed, that a safe plan would
cost any more than the present murder
ous one. But, even if it would, the
weighing of burning humanity in the
balance with a few dollars and cents by
public corporations is not to bo toler
ated.
There is another point of view for
railroad men to regard this subject
from, and it is singular that some of
them havo not been koon-sightcu
enough to profit by it. Tho company,
having competitors, wn en nrst supplies
travellers with trains of safo cars, so
far as fire is concerned, will secure vir
tually all tho passenger business be
tween its termini, it will unu us gain
in actual travel and in tho good will
which brings freight business. Tho
people aro in a frame of m nil to boy
cott thoso roads which cling to tho
stove, just as soon as they can got tho
opportunity.
There is no room lor any more pala
ver about iliiiicuities. inn saio ueai-
ing cart bo accomplished. It is accom
coinplishcd in a few instances, and tho
people know it. Where thero is a will
there i3 a way. If tho companies do
not do their "duty without, the con
straint of a rigorous law should bo put
upon thotn. Let us have no moro
burnt sacrifices to corporate greed.
New York World.
Fern Culture.
Ferns aro easily cultivated if a fow
practical details aro observed. Grow
ing in their native habitats thoy are,
for tho most part, found in shady posi
tions, where, during their growing
period, thoy have abundatico of mois
ture at their roots; therefore, under
cultivation, a shady window is for most
kinds moro suitable thau a sunny oue,
and during their season of growth a
good supply of water at the roots is
demanded. Whilo it is necessary for
their success to havo an abtindanco of
water, thoy aro at tho same t.mo impa
tient to stagnant so l, ami to provout
anything of tho kind occurring, perfect
drainage is indispensable. Not only is
drainage necessary in the cultivation of
ferns, but it is also needed iu tho cul
ture of all kinds of window and green
house plants after thoy havo attained a
certain size. No plants do I know,
except aquatics, that succod iu a soil
from which tlio water does not pass off
freely. Plants growing m pots six
inches in diameter and over, should
havo good drainage. This may bo
douo by placing over tho holo in tho
bottom of tho pot a piece of broken
pot, over this placo moro of tho samo
material in small nieces, instead of this
pieces of charcoal answer well. Fill
about one-fourth of the hot in this
manner, and over the top placo some
moss or other rough material to prevent
the soil from mixing with tho drainage,
and thoreby preventing tho water from
passing freely out
Tho most suitable soil for ferns is a
mixture of garden loam and the black
sod found in tho woods, about equal
parts of each, then with a good sprink
ling of sharp sand through tho whole,
giving more if the loam is olayoy aud
less if sandy. Vices Magazine.
There are mauy people lu this world who,
not havlni; the slightest knorlwlpe of sculp
ture, nevartheltss are notlcuble for cutting
very Rood figures. lNim Uudgtt.