I
A SEASIDE FLIRTATION.
With sorrow In her eyes of blue.
With trembling bands she slowly penned It
The little parting billet doux
That eoascJence told her now should end It.
Those tete-a-tetes olons the shore.
Those cypsjlucs with fern filled basket,
Must Join the dear delights of yoro
And only Uro In memory's casket.
There never was a heart like Jack's:
lie told his passion iu his glances.
She sealed her note with scented wax,
But could not drown her dismal fancies.
When Le should read his suit denied,
So long the theme of Idle gazers,
She pictured him a suicide,
And shuddered at the thought of razorst
At last she slept but not till dawn
Mad blossomed through the ocean vapors
Jock couml her missive with ayawr
When he had the morning pajwre.
He gave his beard n languid twirl
And murmured as he sat n smoking
Tear stained by Jove poor little firlt
I thought she knew that I was jokii.g:"
Samuel Minturn Peck In Century.
TOM IIKMPKH'S ESCAPE.
The wonderful providence that saved
old Tom Hemper from tho vengeance ol
the Comanche Indians fifteen, or sixteen
years ago has been discussed in many a
western fort and around many n hunter's
amp lire. That his adventures were
true in every particular can be vouched
for by a dozen living persons today, though
old Tom himself was wiped out a dozen
.years ago. He was a scout, hunter nnd
guide, and he took u party of amateur
hunters nnd sportsmen from Santa Fe
down the Canadian river into Texas and
the land of the Comanches. The party
numbered twenty-two men, some of them
l)eing English tourists, and they were un
disturbed for two weeks after getting
down to what is called the great elbow of
the Canadian. Then Indian signs became
very fresh, nnd one morning old Tom
started out on a scout. Two other old
hunters with the party remained in
camp.
The Canadian runs alongside of a moun
tain range for several hundred miles, and
this range is broken with many small vnl
Jeys and creeks. Tom went to tho east as
lie left camp, keeping between tho foot
hills and the river. Ho was on foot and
ailert, but after a Talk of an hour he dis
covered no signs, and had to conclude that
tho Indians had approached from tho other
direction. Just as he was on the point of
burning back ho found a spring of ice cold
water, nnd had to lie down on his stomach'
to reach it and satisfy his thirst. Ho was
drinking when something alighted on his
linck. His ilrst thought was that it was
41 panther, but.next instant he saw the
leggings of n red skin and knew that he
was a prisoner. When pulled to his feet
lie found himself in the presence of three
Comanches, who wero out after game.
His great surprio seemed to please them
immensely, but they offered him no vio
lence whatever. He was first disarmed,
his hands then tied behind his back, and
the Indians gave hl'ii to understand that
ie was to accompany them to their village.
"While there was no Indian war at that
time, tho savages were hostile to any and
-all white men who invaded their domain,
.and old Tom swiftly realized that ho was
in a bad scrape. Ho could speak and
understood the Comnucho dialect with per
feet ease, but this fact he kept to himself.
As they moved away 0110 of his captors
isnld:
"Ho is an old hunter, and we shall have
.a good time burning him. He is probably
tho leader of tho party below."
'We went out after a deer nnd captured
a white man," laughed the one addressed.
"Keep your eyes on him, for he is evi
dently ns brave as a bear and us strong as
.a horse."
The prisoner was conducted about three
miles up tho river and a mile to tho cast,
nt which point a Comanche villago was
'located. It was in a valley about three
miles long and a mile wide, and contained
-sixty or seventy lodges. Nearly nil tho
warriors of tho village wero away watch
ing the white party, but as soon as tho
prisoner entered the village a messenger
was dispatched to bring them iu. Before
noon all had returned, and there was
great rejoieing over tho capture of tho
hunter. Tho head chief of tho tribe was
expected at tho camp on the morrow, and
it was decided not to do anything with tho
(prisoner until his arrival.
Tom was shoved into a lodge nnd three
warriors placed on guard over him. Whilo
they evidently feared him, they at tho
same time wanted to keep him fresh and
strong for tho "fun" next day, and they
therefore gave him plenty to eat and
drink nnd did not even tie his hands. Ho
realized what was in store for him if he
could not make his escape, but any nt
tempt to take French leave with three
warriors on guard would have been his
death. Every flvo or six minutes one of
them looked into tho lodge, and until a
3ato hour of tho night tho whole populaco
were on tho move and helping to keep
watch. All thoughts of attacking the
party below were given up for the time
lieing, nnd every one looked forward to a
fine entertninment on the morrow. Tom
'.heard the flenus discussing in what ways
they should torture him. One of the
guards said that he had seen a white man
Smug up to a limb with a stick thrust
through tho bones of his legs, as the
farmer hangs up a slaughtered hog, and
that ho lived for half a day. One1 wanted
to skin him alive, another believed in a
slow fire, and almost every one who camo
up had a suggestion to make. It was con
cluded that he would die game, and that
tiis equal had not been captured for years.
"Seeing there was no chance of escape
just then," said Old Tom, "I made up my
anind there was no use fretting over tho
case, nnd I took things easy. I nto hear
tily, nnd nbout 10 o'clock at night turned
5n and slept like a brick until nfter day
light, I intended to tako advantage of tho
very first opening, and I knew that would
not come before I wns led out in tho
morning. Where they set out to hnvo a
regular holiday over a prisoner, running
tho gaunthjt Is always tho first thing In
order, and U afltre tho only opportunity to
bolt."
It was 9 clock next morning beforo
tho big chief nnd his staff arrived, and nn
hour later tho prisoner was brought out
The warriors had arranged themselves in
two lines, und were armed with clubs and
switches. Old Tom was taken to tho head
of tho lines, nnd a warrior who could
speak a little English made him under
stand that ho was to run to tho foot of tho
lino and return, and that if ho ran fast
nd strong he would bo set at lloerty on
Ills return. This was all stuff, of course,
Imt it is always given out to every pris
oner to encourage him. The chief called
out to tho men not to hit tho prisoner too
hard, nnd all was ready for tho start.
Tom intended to -wheel square about nnd
ran for tho river. There was not ono
chnnco in a thousand for him, hut ho pre
ferred death by tho bullet to death by
torturo. He was even bracing himself for
his run when there wero shouts of alarm
all around him, and he saw two Indian
boys coming down tho valley on horse
back, making signs as they came. Tom
was hurried back to tho lodge, the village
was all excitement, and in live minutct
fifty warriors wero riding up the valley.
Tom figured that some of his party were
scouting around to learu his fate, and that
they had come Into tho valley nnd had
been seen by tho village sentinels. This,
as was afterward ascertained, was tho cor
rect supposition.
Tho Indians did not return until 0
o'clock In the afternoon. At nbout 0 old
Tom was brought out again, and this time
ho was tied to a stake. For some re.isou
the redskins hod decided to spare him the
gauntlet. This was from no feeling of
mercy, of course, but their long ride had
probably tired them out.
"There was no possible show for me to
innko n break," said tho old man. "I was
backed up to the stout Make, my hands
nnd feet tied to it by strips of green hide,
and then they were ready to begin busi
ness. I saw them getting their knives
and tomahawks ready to throw nt me,
and in my desperntion nnd despair I railed
out nt them, speaking tho ilrst words
siuco my capture. I reviled nnd cursed
them and dared them to do their worst,
and while I was speaking tho sub-chief,
who was the head of tho village nnd whose
name was Spotted Horse, threw up his
arms and fell back dead."
Tho chief was no doubt predisposed to
heart disease. He had been in tho saddle
for six or seven hours, laboring under a
keen excitement all the time, nnd it needed
only the increased excitement brought on
by tho hunter's denunciation to precipi
tate tho fatal stroke. That tho Indians
considered it an act of divine vengeance
was plain in a moment. It wns scarcely
known that he was dead before Tom was
untied nnd conducted back to the lodge,
and tho village at onco went into mourn
ing.
"It was two days beforo they buried
him," said Tom, "and meanwhile I was
well treated but closely guarded. On the
third day I was taken out again. I had
heard the reds discussing tho matter from
all standpoints. Some contended that 1
was nn evil spirit, nnd if not permitted to
depart would work them some terrible
calamity, while others argued that I must
bo burned and my ashis scattered to the
winds to propitiate t3 ovil one. Those
who held to the hitter opinion were in tho
majority. I was lot. to bo tortured, but
burned nil vs."
He was tied to the same stake, and the
fnggots heaped nround him, but just ns
they were being lighted he broke out in
Uerce raillery again. His words airected
tho whole crowd, but he would no doubt
have perished had not nature come to his
aid. The hush which had fallen upon the
village was broken by a fnr oil' roar, andn
moment later a cyclone swept into the
valley from the east like a raging lion. It
came and was gone in sixty seconds, nnd
a sad wreck was left behind. Every lodge
was down nnd many of them carried
away, whilo many of the people wero
hurt, nnd two children killed outright by
falling limbs and Hying debris.
"I never saw Indians lose their heads
us those chaps did," said old Tom. "I
was left quite alone for the next quarter
of an hour, while those who had escaped
unhurt were running about in a childish
way, It was just growing dusk when nn
Indian pony was led up to the stake by
tho head chief in person. I was cut loose
by a warrior, lilted upon tho pony by two
others, nnd told by the chief that I was nt
liberty to go. I was too dazed to under
stand, but they gave tho horso n slap and
away we went. For tho next ten minutes I
was no better than an idiot or u crazy mnn,
but my senses llnally returned nnd I saw
through it. They regarded me as an evil
spirit nnd wanted to get rid of me. My
rillo was strapped to tho saddlo, as was
even' other article they had taken from
me, nnd they had given mo one of their
best horses. Inside of two hours 1 was
back at our camp, but only to find tho
party gone. They hail hecomo alarmed
and moved about thirty miles up the
stream, where I found them next day."
Tom not only had the Comanche out
lit to prove tho truth of what ho said, but
the next year, when tho chiefs of the tribo
held a powwow with n government com
mission, tho entire story was told anew by
tho Indians, and many inquiries were
made as to what had become of tho white
man's devil. New York Sun.
Splendid Shooting In Austria.
From a recent statistical report issued
by the minister of apiculture, Austria
still offers splendid shooting to JSlmrods
There were killed last year throughout the
empire 11,708 stags, 09,007 (leer, U.Ull
chamois, S.ouG boars, 1,319,008 hares,
U0,i)07 rabbits, -15.1 marmots, 12,704 wood
cocks, 9, 1)111 hazel hens, 100,951 pheasants,
1,100,104 partridges, 8:J,(V.(7 quails, 48,l.r)0
snipe, 1,1 O.j wild geeso nnd 05,187 wild
ducks. In addition, tho hunt after anl-
, mals of prey was no less successful, thero
having been killed d Dears, laa wolves,
27 lynxes, 25,242 foxes, 27,1100 polecats,
1,005 otters, 2,459 badgers, 970 eagles,
119.793 hawks and 1,150 owls.
The El Dorado for hunters, however, is
Dalmatia, where tho chase is open to nil,
and no claims for damages, caused by
game of any kind, nro demanded. When
the Ionian islands wero in possession of
tho British, many olllcers of tho garrison
made hunting trips to tho coast of Dal
matia. Their reports wero extravagant
in tone as to tho beauty of that wild
country, but tho accommodations wero so
wretched and In some cases tho inhab
Hants wero so repcllcut as to cnuso a
gradual diminution in tho number of these
dangerous hunting expeditious. San
Francisco Chronicle.
MyHterlm of Astrology.
Now that Heron Allen and palmistry
aro no longer mysteries, society is seeking
for u new "fad." Several pioneers in tho
movement to revive the mysterious have
pitched upon strology nnd have dlscoV'
cred a learned pundit iu tho person of n
venerable English physician, who, al
though not an advertised astrologer, Is
said to bo nn udept in this science, which
hns lcen practiced in J)r. Il.'s family for
three genern'.isns. bevernl Wall street
brokers aro In tho councils of this sage,
who will venture no prophecy unless he
knows tho exact date and place of, the
subject's birth. Oiven the data, he will
prophesy witu surprising commence, w
W. Astor ai Grace Greenwood, the
author, aro aaaong thoso who have made
Jests of these physician astrologers. Xew
York Graphic.
To rromote Patriotism.
We havo tor years advocated the play
Ing of n national air, "Hull Columblu" or
"The Star Spangled Manner," nt tho close
of every muslral and uramntic entertain
rnent given in tho United States. Such n
movement would bo calculated to promote
a feeling of patriotism among the people,
especially, among the younger element of
tho commun'ty. No concert or dramatic
performance is given In Great Britain that
is not closed with the singing or playing
of the national anthem. Who will begin
the movement hero In the United States)
Musical Herald.
JIIDXIGHT ON THE DOCKS.
SHADOWS COME AND VANISH LIKE
GHOSTS IN THE DARKNESS.
riio lamely 1.1 fa of Dock 'Watchmen Mini
the Queer Way of the llciiiarkuhle
Characters Who rrequent the Hock
After Dark.
A sharp nor'westcr hnd driven tho wntch-
men of tho North river docks to their stoves
and shelter, while a pale moon illuminated
tho desolate scene outside, deepening tho
somlx-r shadows around. On tho pier nt tho
foot of est Twenty-sixth street n nwrter
approached tho wharf buildings, and peered
in nt a window through which a light was
shining. Iu the room, seated in tui arm
chair, uniformed, his cap on his head, a lan
tern close lesi(io him, was tho watchman.
A sharp rap on tho door startled him, and
instinctively ho seized tho lantern nnd camo
out.
As tho rcixirter withdrew tho watchman
hold his lantern high up in the air and peered
nround nt the mass of timber and rubbish,
then closed tho door nnd returned to his
ihelter.
At nn adjoining wharf n canal kargo
swayed gently on the waves. Attracted by
a cheerful light which shono from its cabin
window, tho reporter went toward it. Tho
room was tastefully furnished with the ordi
nary comforts of a clmmler. It was a suite
of aiuirtmcnts gathered together in a space
about uino feet square. A kettle boiled
cheerily on tho small stovo in one corner, a
mirror iu gilt frame hung from tho ceiling,
marino chromos decorated the walls, little
white curtains adorned tho windows, and a
canary lluttorcd shout in a cage hanging iu
the center of tho cabin.
Tho reporter tapixxl on tho window, nnd a
thin, lnnkv bov who was whittling liesido tho
stove got up, thrust his nose against tho win-
low pane, then climbing tho companion way
raised tho hatch and appeared head and
shoulders above tho cabin. A few inquiries
' vclopcd tho fact that the barge was named
lary Jane, and that she carried lumter up
the Erie canal.
"Are vou all alono on IxKirdi" Ho replied
with a slow hod Of tho head.
"Aro you tho captain?''
"Naw, dad's gone ashoor," ho answered
slowlv. Just then tho head of a woman ap
peared Ixvsido tho boy und a whispered con
ference ensued.
"Aro you tho captain's wife, madaini"
asked tho ivjwrter.
"I reckon so,'" replied tho woman angrily,
"but what do you want to know for? Suth
in's wrong, I guess," and a pained expression
passed over her face as sho looked with long
ing eyes toward tho lights and tho city in the
distance. In spito of assurances, her anxiety
aroused by tho questions asked became
greater.
ow if sutluns wrong, why don't yo toll
mo?'' she pleaded. "I know suthlu's tho mat
ter. I'm sure on itl Why don't vo tell moi"
"What is wrong?" asked tho reporter.
"Well, yo seo my husband went nslioro this
mornin' 'speeting to return at noon, nnd hu
ain't back yet."
It was usless to ask further questions; the
woman was inconsolable, and refused to an
swer any. Tho rexrtor withdrew, leaving
tlij two figures outlined against the sky tho
wifo looking nuxiously towurd tho city, tho
boy watching tho lights on tho river, while
the cabin within was desolate.
On tho Wilson lino steamship docks a little
man leaned lazily up against a jxist, pulling
huge clouds of tobacco from n pijxi and gaz
ing solemnly at tho boards.
"Pretty quiet around here?" said tho re
porter.
"Ves. Somothm' liko a graveyard to
night," replied tho man in a deep, sepulchral
voice, his oyes still fixed on tho ground. "I
was wntchin' tho rats scamporin' about there.
H'm! Thoy'ro havin' a high old tuno to
night; nono of tho men's workin' yo bee, nnd
they're undisturled."
A stout, muscular man clothed in pea-
jacket and sou'wester, saunttTod slowly up
and down tho dock, humming the "Girl I left
lchiiid mo" in a gruir, unmusical voice.
"Wuz that two IkjIIs, mate?" ho inquired of
tho solemn individual.
"Ono lxll," replied tho wntchman.
"Good night for suicides i'' suggested tho
reporter.
"Yes, or oven a murder," continued tho
watchman, gloomily. "There's been many
on accident and much loss of life hnponed
around hero night times."
"Do you generally attempt a rescuo?"
"Of eourso wo do. Who elso would if wo
didn't? You seo wo'ro so used to it that wo
understand all tho sounds and noises around
hero. Wo can tell tho difference between n
dash of tho wavo und tho splash of a suicido.
Why, I could detect tho slightest footstep in
any part of this dock. Do you hear that?"
A low, plaintive sound liko tho moan of
somo ono iu distress echoed noar by. "Now,
that sounds liko a groan, but it ain't; it's tho
wind. There, hear thut? That's tho side of
snmo ship scratchin' nlongsido tho wharf.
Somo timo ago a soloon keeper had trouble
with his wifo. Ho took a duckin', and when
wo fished him out ho thanked us, took n car
and went homo. No ono was tho wiser 'cept
ing ourselves. Pretty women-tramps, broken
down bankers, lovers, bums, nil kinds, drops
over tho side hero into tho river ut night, and
wo generally flshos 'em out."
"Don't you .report thoso cases to tho
police)"
"Wo ain't obliged to, 'causo wo ain't ofllcers
of tho law. Then wo don't often seo a imliec
inan above Fourteenth street. It's too quiet
for 'em, I guess."
Schooners and small craft wero anchored
alongside the wharves, whilo lights shono
from the cabin windows nnd their columns
of smoke iourod from tho small chimneys on
tho barges. Attracted by a light which hung
from a short mast drifting about in tho wind
tho reporter walked to tho end of a wharf
nnd found a canal loat lying a few yards
from the end. A solitary man paced tho
dock endeavoring in every way to dodgo the
cold wind. In reply to inquiries as to what
was on bonrd tho man shouted in answer:
"Nuthin. I'm light."
"Going to start?"
"Yen, in half an hour; waltln' for a steam
tuc now."
Two rough looking men wero walking
alone In tho darkest iwrtion of tho road and
talking in subdued voices, whon suddenly
thoy dodged out of sight. Presently they
emerged on the deserted uock oi a nargo.
"Ill, thero, what d'yo want?" shouted ono,
seeing tho reporter. "Nuthin, eh? Well,
tako it and cit. then I" nt the same time fol
lowing his mate ho disappeared nver tho sido
of tho barge, apiarotitly Into tho river. A
moment later and a rowboat glided out of
tho slip with two men in it. Thoy rowed
close to tno uocks auu stocrou wjvuru
I rrlim.
"Hlver pirates, I guess," whispered a
watchman to tho reporter. Tho river craft
with their many lights moving in all direc
tions diminished in numoer, aim suonuu iw
imnrttuivo overv moment. Dawn
was breaking over tho glimmer of distant
lights, and a gentle gray light stolo oyor tho
entire scene till then so gloomy. Perfect
.iiHiirm-i.lfTi.vl fnr n time, then tho sound of
moving wugons and the sight of hurrying
figures showed that night on tho docks had
uassod. New York livening nun.
CHINESE MONEY LENDING SYSTEM,
The rian of a "Woo-cy" Slmrcs nnd
Shareholders Henry Premium.
Tho Chincso havo a way of borrowing and
lending monoy under n system that they coll
n Woo-ey, that allows its members toliorrow
money in a stated sum nnd rejuiy it by in
stallments. Any member of n Woo-ey who
takes a share nnd does not wish to borrow
himself obtains a good Interest on tho monoy
he invests. The plan of n Woo-ey is as follows:
Ah Sing wants to borrow $100 and repay
it In Installments, so ho starts a Woo-ey j his
Ilrst step is to Hnd twenty jiorsons who aro
willing to take n 5 shore iu n M00 Woo-ey.
Ah Sing is known as tho Woo-cy Tow, or
head of tho Woo-ey; tho shareholders nro
known as Woo-ey Chi, or children of tho
Woo-ey. The Woo-ey lasts for twenty months;
each Woo-ey Chi pays iu $5 to tho Woo-ey
Tow, so that Ah Sing obtains his 3100. At
tho end of tho mouth Ah Sing goes to eaeh
of the shareholders nnd asks for bids for tho
next loan; each memlwr writes his name nnd
tho amount of interest hi is willing to jmy on
n slip of paper. Every nietnlter has tho right
of borrowing money onco during tho WHwy.
After the bids aro nil received they aro
luxmed and read and the money lent to the
highest bidder. Wo will suppose that 2 per
cent, is the highest bid. Ah Sing, who now
pavs the Ilrst installment, lias to pay in tho
full amount of $5, while the others deduct
tho 2 er cent, and pay in $4.90. When the
next installment falls duo thero nro two
mcmlers who have to pay in tho full amount,
nnd so the Woo-ey runs on.
At tho end of llfteen or sixteen months tho
Interest offered is often as high as 25 or !0
per cent., but as liftoen of tho members hnv.
ixirrowed, and so havo to pay iu tho full
amount of ,"). it is only tho four or llvo left
who get the IxMietlt of tho heavy interest.
Sometimes toward tho last of tho Wixvoy,
when two or throe different ones wish to bor
row, the rates offered nre often as high as 75
ix;r cent,, and iu ono instance that I know of,
just lief ore the Cliini. e Nsw Yonr, 100 ixr
cent was bid on a $5 Woo-oy. As thero
wero three menilxrs that had not lxrrowod,
tho hard up Celestial had only to pay tho
heavy premium to two men. Sometimes t ho
Woo-ov is as low as fifty cents n slinre, nnd l
have known of Woo-oys as high as f."i0 n
share. Those who iro Into a Y oo-oy as nn In
vestment, and do not borrow themselves,
generally get a largo interest for their
money. San Francisco Cor. Chicago lleralil,
i:ilu Wheeler "Wilcox nt Work.
"I liko to 1x3 interrupted," said Ella
Wheeler Wilcox, "and that is ono reason
why I liko New York; there is no other place
whero interruption cor.ies so cosuy.
"No, I am not ono of tho poets who fly t
nature. I don't moan any dlsresixx?t to nn
turo; tho pathless forests nro very lino thin;"
in themselves, but thoy don't inspire mo lik
human beings, humnn thoughts nnd lnrua:
doings. I want to bo among people and fee
tho pulso of humanity throb. I enjoy havin
my fellow creatures nbout me. I liko to hea
tho teams rattle by iu tho street I liko t.
stop work now and then and go out and wall
down town, and seo tho world busy as it i
busy hero in tho city every day.
"I boliove I write best wltn peopio noon
me in tho room. Of couso, I shouldn't wis!
to feel that they wero dependent on mo foi
ntertaininent, but I Hko tho atmosphere o:
i social company, chatting nniong themselve:
ind sneaking to mo now nnd thou. 1 car
Join in tho talk nnd then go Ixick to jxjii am.
aix.'r just as readily as It 1 were alono."
"And you don't nnd the tnreau oi your
thouchts broken or confused?"
"If I stoi) half a dozen times 1 know that
tho linos will run just as smoothly in tho end
as if I had turned tho koy upon myself anil
insisted on a lino frenzy in solitude. I mean
it: I liko to bo interrupted. It is two month!.
ago now that n poem camo to mo ntthothe
atro ono night I had timo to writo a few
verses only, aud since then 1 havo lxen on;
of town, and I havo Ixsjn learning to cool.
nnd I havo had other writing to do. It wiu.
not until Sunday evening that I found time
to finish Hint ixxmi. Thero wero ixxiplo here
until 10:30, but when I was ablo to sit down
at my writing table tho stanzas camo as
fresh and as naturally as It tno tnougiu
hadn't been interrupted for weeks in finding
expression." Eliza Putnam Heaton in Buf
falo News.
The Immortal Texan.
Sam Houston was not rondorod so cynical
by his first unfortunate vonturo as to render
him unfit for married life, ns his moro than
fifty years of unalloyod happiness in that ro
tation amply demonstrates. Ho not onlj
married after Incoming a citizen of tho re
public of Texas, but was a dovotod husbanc
and a judicious father, dying in tho midst o.
Ills fnmily in 1803. Ono of his sons inherite''
a considerable share of tho fathor's sturdi
ncss nnd talents.
To illustrate Houston's dovotion to hi'
second nnd real wifo, tho following ineidoni
was related to tho writer of this by nn ok'
Washington lmbituo and journalist, who
know him well during his sonntorshli-l&lft-M).
Houston was know to Ixj intensely
fond of amusements, but no friends could in
duce him to attend tho theatre, circus or n
public ball lieing rallied on his "Puritan
ism" by Mr. Clay, tho old hero of San Ja
cinto quietly replied: "lam not jxirsonally
of opinion that thero Is anything wrong in
those recreations; but my wifo is a deeply re
ligious woman; she is mast strenuously op
posed to tho theatre, otc., and though she has
never oven hinted thnt sho would rather 1
"diould avoid such places, yet, knowing her
sentiments, I think my foregoing so momen
tary a pleasure but n small cross for mo to
bear to insure her moro jxirfect happiness."
Chattauooga Times.
A Letter Carrier' "Walk.
I havo often ix-cn asked to explain how a let
ter carrier walks along, apparently with caso,
nt a rapid gait over slipix.-ry ground, and runs
up and down fey front steps, whilo other
folks aro barely ablo to keep thoir footing
whilo thoy creep along In rubbei-s or with a
set of thoso steel prong nuisances fastened to
their shoes. Tho carriers soon leurn to walk
over slippery places without falling liecauso
wo havo so much of it to do, und oxjxirieiico
has taught us how wo should handle our Iwd
ies and legs when on dangerous ground.
When passing over sleety places wo don't
walk erect, but bend forward, taking short
steps and never lotting ono foot get far away
from tho other. Then, when wo step, tho
foot is put down solidly, all of it nt onco, on
tho ground, with no hoel nnd too movement,
which leads to slip und falls. It's not grace
ful, this way of wulking, but It's safe, and 1
can iiss any ordinary jxxlestrlan on a slip
pery day and bo iu no ilanger of falling,
whilo ho is constantly slipping. Carrier in
Globo-Democrat
MUslmippI' Agricultural College.
Tho farm of tho Mississippi Agricultural
college not only iays expenses, but Is a
source of revenue. What Is moro, tho land
Is constantly improving. Tho farm was on
old cotton plantation that hod Ixson devoted
to raising ono crop so long that it had bc
como practically unproductive. Ily adopt
ing a system of rotation, keepinglalry cows,
and plowing under green crops, tho land hnj
lwcomo very productive. Chicago Time
A GOOD COLLECTOR,
HOW DON M. DICKINSON MADE A
FIRM COME TO TIME.
A Oooil Story Told fj n Western Con-
KrrsKtnuii Getting Ono Hundred Cent
on ttt Dollar Out of n Hnd Cao ot
ltnnkruptry round Out.
A western congressman tells tho following
ntxnit Mr. Don M. Dickinson, of Michigan,
the postmaster general.
"Yes, I know Dickinson, of Michigan, very
well. I havo lxxn In somo railroad cases
ith him. Ho is chain lightning. Dickinson
has made tho bulk of his fortune in tho prac
tice of one legnl sixx;ialty. Hois tho best
collector of bad debts on tho fnce of tho
earth. Oh, no; I don't menu small debts.
This is tho way of it: In the Ilrst place, thero
Used to Ixj a gixxl many peopio with a Imd
habit of failing every few years. Thoy al
ways on ed largo sums of money to eastern
merchants nnd capitalists, and did not mean
to tviy a cent if they could help it. To this
class Dickinson was nnd is a mortal terror.
Thero is no device thnt the swindling debtor
can adopt that Dickinson can not see through,
and ho is ns sharp on the trail as tho lxst
Parisian detective. 1 he mnn who can pay
and won't is tho fellow Dickinson likes to get
hold of. About ten years ago to illustrate
what 1 mean thero were three big failures
in Detroit. One firm had tho sympathy of
everybody, but tho others were uncertain
customers. Tho two doubtful concerns each
owed over $250,000 to Now York and Boston
people.
I.1KK A 11 A 1) CASK.
"Among other creditors was a New Kngland
shoo manufacturer for a largo sum. This
tlrm quietly retained Dickinson as their
counsel, and tho largest other creditor did
tho same tiling. 'Don't let them know I uiii
in tho case.' mild ho as ho left his clients. Ho
went homo. Tho ngent of tho New Kuglaud
tlrm camo out to seo tho broken merchant I
nm talking about Ho was a Clcrmuu Jew
generally good responsible people, but when
they are tnckv, look outl Tho usual tales
were told of customers who could not come
to timo, and all that. It really lxkod like a
bad case, and tho lloston sluxt concern wns
about to accept a settlement nt twenty cents
on tho dollar. 'Don't go it for day or two,
said Dickinson.
"Just how ho wns going to get tho money
out of tho Ismolitish customer ho did not
know, but lie wns sure there had been somo
swindling. It happened that In his house
hold thero hnd been an extremely pretty
Irish girl living as a domestic for many
years. Sho wns faithful, neat, ami unusually
intelligent, and tho household was very much
attached to her. About a year Ix-foro this
she had married a very industrious young
countryman of licr own, who was a thrifty
young boss drnyumn. That evening after
dinner Dickinson learned that Maggie's hus
band had broken his leg a week or two lx
fore. lie went nround to see tho man. 'How
did it happen, Pete?' hu asked. 'Well, yo
see, sir, 1 was on a bit of a job that but, sir,
tho man told me, sir, that 1 must not toll.'
" 'Nonsense; you can toll mo, can't you?'
said Dickinson; 'and why not tell Mr. Dick
inson, Peter?' said tho Irishman's pretty wifo.
So it camo nlxmt that two weeks before, Into
at night, Peter had been dray ing goods from
tho rear end of a store. A heavy box had
slipped aud broke his leg.
HAW TltllOUQII IT,
" 'lint why did you say you must not tell?'
said the lawyer. 'I'm sure 1 don't know, sir;
Hint's what Mr. Katzenynnimer told mo, sir,'
answered tho man.
" 'Kut.onyammer; so you aro working for
him, ehf asked Dickinson. Ho soon gotoutof
tho Irishman all ho knew. 'I see it now,'
said ho to himself as ho went home. The
noxt morning Mr. K. was rather surprised to
receive a call from tho great lawyer. Ho hnd
not scut for him, and was somewhat a little
uneasy. 'I nm tho attorney for Messrs.
Blank, of lloston,' ho lxgan, very politely.
'They havo a claim against you of $17,977.hO.
What do you intend doing about it, Mr.
lCatzenyniunicr?'
" 'Vy, 1 haf fallt, you know, Mr. Dickin
son; I don't know how much I can ay on do
dollar.'
" 'You must pay this in full, or I will send
you to tho ixmitentinry in less than u month,'
said Dickinson, sternly. 'You havo been
running your goods out of your store nt
night, and sending them to Chicago uuctiou
houses to Imj sold for whatever thoy would
bring in cash, and you havo llllod up your
books with false entries.'
" 'Fader Abraham I' screamed tho othor, as
white as ho could become. "How tit you lint
all dis oud?'
" 'It doesn't matter how I know it all, and
if you don't settlo now, today, I will havo
you arrested beforo to-morrow night. Vou
aro watched; you can't get nwnyjso don't try
It,' und with that Dickinson left It Imp
elled that lie had dropixjd on to whnt tho
man had been doing. How ho guessed it lie
doesn't know himself. About 2 o'clock tho
man came around to seo what terms ho could
make. 'None, sir, except 100 cents on the
dollar,' was tho only reply. In three dny
tho claim was puid in full." Missouri Ho-
publican.
An Underground rormt.
An underground forest was recently dis
covered iu the metal mountains of Saxony,
These mountains uro covered witli forests of
lines and firs, iu which . thero aro a large
number of oixm spnees serving as pastures for
tho cattlo kept on them during tho summer.
Many of these forest pastures aro Inundated
iu full and remain under water until the
rummer following. Tho result of thoso pe
riodical inundations is tho formation of deep
layers of txjut, which supply tho region with
vuluablo heating mnterial. Along a puss
through that forest region a railroad is now
building ImHwccii tho cities of Annaburg and
Schwarzeiiberg. In ono of tho jxMit pastures
the navvies havo just laid open tho stems oi
a primeval forest iu an advanced stage of the
process of jxjtrifaction, or enrbonizntion. Tho
stems are all of the ilr family, from fifteen to
thirty inches' circuinfcronco on tho average,
and imbedded in peat somo fifteen to twenty
feet under tho surfneo. No reliable estimate
of the ago of tho forest has yet been pub
lished. Chleugo News.
An Uufortmiuto Habit
Drown It has been reported to mo, Robin
son, that you said I am a man of uusavory
reputation.
ltoblnson (surprised) Why, I nover said
anything of tho kind, Brown,
irown I got tho information straight
ltoblnson Well, I assure you, llrown, tlial
I nover intended to say such a thing, and 11
I did, I attribute it to my unfortunate habit
of thinking aloud. New York Hun.
Servants In Germany,
Tho servant girl question is not so much ol
a problem In Uormaiiy as It is iu this coun
try. The very pretty custom prevails then
of decorating household servants for long
and satisfactory service, Ono "union" hat
within twelvo years docorated 400 servants.
Something of a similar nature is done in
England. Cloveland Lcauor, . . .
DAUGhTERS OF EVE.
Sarah Orno Jowctt has como into a snnf
littlo fortune by the recent death of nn uncla
Mr. and Airs. Komero expect to cntertalr
largely this winter at tho handsome new
Mexican legation In Washington.
Tho Into Mmo. Boucicuult's property It
Paris Is estimated to Ixj worth $12,000,000.
She left $2,000,000 for tho founding of a hos
pitnl.
Mrs. Frances Hodgson Burnett, who is in
Florence, Italy, for tho winter, has received
$S,000 for her story "Sara Cremo" from an
Kuglish magazine.
Dorothy Whitney, tho naval secretaryTi
Uaby daughter, has attained tho ago of ten
mouths and celebrated tho occasion by cut
ting her tenth tooth.
Mmo, Cnndelaria, of San Antonio, Tex., it
living in extremo poverty nt tho ago of 100.
Sho is tho solo adult survivor of tho fumout
Fort Alamo massacre.
Mrs. Cleveland has been doing n good deal
of Christinas shopping of late. It is said
that she has spent much time in examining
sido saddles and fishing tackle,
'Irs. Scott Siddons, years ngo, being
warned that she was losing her "stag
ilguro," discarded corsets und grew more
shnixdy from that day forward, so they suy.
Sarah Bernhardt sent her photograph to
Mrs. Bernnrd-Beere, tho English nctrcss, in
scrilxvl whh tho words: "Tho Princess
Fedora Bernhardt to Princess Fedora Ber
uard." Graco Matthews, daughter of Justlco fetnn
loy Matthews, will sik-ihI tho winter at
Princeton, N. J., keeping house for her
brother, who is preparing to enter tho Pres
byterian ministry,
Margaret W. lighten writes to Tho Swiss
Cross that her favorite pet is a lovely littlo
grass snake of u milky green color, which is
so tamo and cute that sho was nccustomod to
let if, roam around tho liouso nt will, until on
opbldiophobic member of the family begaa
to object
PLAYS AND ACTORS.
"Natural Gas" is a big success in San Fran
cisco. Julia Marlowowill soon start out on a tou
of tho principal cities.
Clara Morris hns decided to ceaso playing:
for throe weeks, Ix-ginning Dec. 19.
It is reported thnt Geraldino Uhnerwill
shortly ixxxmio Mrs. Sir Arthur Sullivan.
Kato Forsyth, having returned east, will
sail for Europe immediately after tho holi
days. Lester Wallack lias rheumatism so badly
that ho has given up tho idea ot starring this
season.
Helen Bnncroft intends to go abroad in tha-
spring. Sho will rest for tho remainder ot
tho season.
Fanny Davenport will susixmd hor tour
for four weeks beforo opening the now Broad
way theatre, Now i ork, Feb. 27. with bar--
dou's "La Tosca"
Dion Boucicault and Thoodoro Moss aro at
loggerheads over a canceled dato of tho for
mer at tho Star theatre, Now York city. Mr.
Boucicault will reorganize his company and
rcsumo tho read Jan. !t.
Modjeska will go to Poland noxt season.
Sho may net thero and in Germany and
Russia. Sho will bo seen for ouo week in
this city beforo her dciwrture, at tho Opera
house, in March, in a ohakesxireau reper
toire. Jennio Ycnmnns is a nntlvo of Sidney, N.
S. W., nnd has liecn on tho stngo since in
fancy. Four of her songs in "Our Jennta
were written by herself. Uthers were writ
ten for her by Edward Harrigan, Barnoy
Kugan, Harry Pepper and Williani Sweat,
num.
M. Coquolln, tho famous French actor, is.
It seems, as modest ns ho is great. Somo ono
said to liim on an occasion when ho was as
signed to a minor rolo in n play, that it must
seem odd for him not to piny the leading1
I (art "But I huvo tho leading part," said
ho. "How is that? Aro you not cast for tb
character ?" "Certainly. That is th
leading part Whatever part I tako la al
ways tho leading part"
STRAY BITS.
A Hartford coin collector has n cent pice
of tho United States coinage of 1790, which i
considered to bo worth nearly $500.
Tho Detroit Journal says thut thero arei
men in Michigan so mean and despicable that
"their souls would rattle nround in n flea's
car like a iea iu a bass drum."
A year ngo Miss Clara Mooro, of Cincin
nati, went to visit friends in Los Angeles,
Cul. Sho had a few hundred dollnrs with,
her, which sho invested iu southern Califor
nia lauds, and in tho boom that followed she
sold out her prottrty at a net gain ot
$12.r.I000.
Ono of tho cheapest and best modes ot
destroying Insects iu jxit plants is to invert
the pot und dip tho plants for a fow seconds
in wuter wurmed to 1U0 degs. A German
paper, referring to this plan, says that tha
azalea will stand 1!M degs. without injury.
Usually heat tho water pretty well, and pour
in cool until 1!30 degs. is reached.
-One of the peculiarities of tho natives ot
South Africa is their aversion to tho uso ot
wuter for external purposes during dry
weather, es-chilly when thoy aro in perspi
ration. Thoy avoid bathing except during
heavy rains, when they tako ud vantage of
tho opiKjrtuntty for purposes of bodily clean
liness. Their reasons for so doing are that
Iroquoiit ablutions debilitate the system and
render it incapable of withstanding tho local
climate and that very frequently baths or
I olio wed by malarial fever or cutaneous,
eruptions over the Joints.
FURS FOR WINTER.
Fur trimmed costumes aro in favor.
Muffs aro larger and badger is a favorite
trimming fur.
Black lynx Is a good fur to trim a long seal
garment with.
Silver fox is n lieautiful but very delicate
fur. It is nlwnys costly.
Tho long seal sacquo, 43 or 43 inches la
length, nover goes out of fashion.
Cross fox furs aro very becoming, th
brown Imrs or crossings on tho yellow haring
a line effect
Tho new seal sacqucs and paletots ar
beautifully curved iu tho back seam to fit
over the bustlo.
Tho prettiest fur border for n black plush,
wrap trimmed with fhio cut jet is black, fox,
but it is not cheap.
Stoles aud boas of bear or wolverine far
with niuITs to mutch, uro affected by young
ladles who dms in English styles.
Tho seal set of boa and muff is a very popu
lar purchase for a Christmas gift, but a hat,
turban, or bonnet ought always to bo nddtL
Tho long seal wraps of this season are un
usually elegant, csixx-Ially whon triiMBsd.
as many are, with Hussion sable, uuptiMk!
otter, or tho finest grades of lynx.