J
Keeping accounts.
A Duty Which Errry Farmer Own to
Himself BncI ItU Fmnllr.
Whon I was a. lad it seemed all tho
mechanics, merchants and professional
men in my neighborhood looked for
ward with great anticipations to when
thoy could own and live on a farm,
even if it was a small ono. It scorned
Ihcy were willing to devote their
younger days lo tho accumulation of a
competency Bufllcient to buy a farm
where they might pass tho more mn-
1urc years in a quiet and contented life.
L ving in a viilago and buying every
thing they consume except w ater and
nlr, led them to look upon tho farm as
n life of independence and ease. 1 sus
pect that most of these men, when they
bought their farms, wont West for
their location, for T see in tho Now Eng
land States farm after farm abandoned,
the fences mudo of chestnut rails rotted
away, and all kinds of timber growing
on tho once fortllo fields and orchards.
1 liavo been amused, and frequently
instructed, lis'ening to persons contem
plating farming, that have made their
start in life by some other means. 1
llko to see a person start a farming
plant with plenty of backing. If ho is
not a good observer and does not talk
over matters with his neighbors, ho will
have a good deal of experience to com
pensate him for his reduced bank ac
count.
This man. with his freo bank nccount,
hns a great donl of plcasuro in his an
ticipations, in his improvements and in
vestments. Ho will make some of his
neighbors envious in tho lnvlshness of
his expenditures. Ho is planting three
dollnrs whore only ono will como up.
Ho is farming, perhaps, for pleasure.
I llko to seo this kind of work go on
when I do not have to sign tho checks.
Only a small percentage of tho fanners
Iceep a diary, hence can not tell you the
cost of putting in a crop, or what it
costs to harvest same. It is but a small
matter to keep a book in your pocket,
or on tho table, and every night put
down tho Important transactions of the
day. Say It costs so much to plow, so
much t'i seed, so much to harvest, and
my sales woro so much. Now, after
'deducting rent of land, etc., what Is my
net profit? Tho samo with the dairy.
'Charge feed, hay, rent, taxes and labor,
and deduct from recoipts, and you will
see whethor you aro in a losing game or
not. It is not safe to run a busluesF
'without keeping books.
There aro many small points in busi
ness which seem insignificant in them
solves, but whon you como to aggregate
thorn they will astonish you. A bank
cashier told mo formerly ho did not
chargo tho half cent or tho 11 vo cents In
'Computing interest; but later on, whoa
ho examined into their immonso busi
ness, and computed fractions and small
.amounts, ho was surprised at tho ug
gnlo. and henceforth ho takes all the
'.smallest crumbs duo him.
This keeping of accounts is a noun
of gratification, and makes tlto porsr
moro intelligent. Does any ono wai
to stand up and noklowledgo that h
does not pursue tho muthods of iutolli
gent, progressive farmers? 1 claim
that progressive farming stands at tho
bond of a.l callings. It is tho very
foundation and guiding star of our Nn
Hon. Pacific Hural Press.
WORDS "OFCAUTION.
I'I'ikIihk'o unit Kcoiioiny Nwttwnry to Km
ciMH III I'liriiiliiir l'lii'MiillH.
On tho farm, and in all tho various
dotails of rural and domestic life, pru
'donce and a just economy of time and
moans are incumbent in an eminent de
gree. Tho earth itso'f is composed of
atoms, and tho most gigantic fortunes
consist of aggregated items, inslgnlll-
cant in themselves, individually conslil-
,.i ,,i,., ..,,.,(.,,,,,,!,.(.)
in unity and as a whole. In tho man
ngomont of a farm, all needless expend
iture should be systematically avoided,
and the Income made to exceed the out
lay as far as possible. Pecuniary em
barrassment should always bo regarded
as a contingency of evil boding, and If
contended against with onorgy and per
severing fortitude, it must son. be
overcome. Debt, with but little hope
of its removal, Is a millstone, dragging
us down and crushing tho life out of us.
lie careful, therefore, in incurring any
pecuniary responsibility which does not
present a clear deliverance with the ad
vantages which a wlho use of It ought
always to Insure.
A farmer who purchaos a good farm
and can pay down one-third of the
price, give a mortgage for tho other
two-thirds and possesses the heart and
resolution to work it faithfully and
well, enters upon tho true path to suc
cess, lie will labor with tho oncour
ing kuowledgo that each day's exertion
will lessen his indebtedness, and bring
him nearer to the goal when lie shall
bo disenthralled, and bocomo a free
holder in Its most cheering souse, lint,
without duo economy In every depart
ment, in the dwelling as well as In tho
barn and in tho fields, this gratifying
achievement may not be reached until
Into in life, or may bo indefinitely post
poned. A prudent oversight, thoro
foro. over all the operations of a farm,
in order that every tiling may bo dono
that ought to bo done, and nothing
bo wuhtoil, will oxort a powerful in
Jhionco in placing a family on tho high
road to an early Independence, House
hold. 1 A planter of Mllltown, (la., wrote a
nolo some time ago and placed it inside
a bale of cottim, asking the mnuufao
turors to communicate with htm. Six
months after ho received a letter from
Wndsworth Mills, Lancashire, England,
btatlng that tho cotton was worlh thero
twolvo cents a pound. The planter had
gold it for eight and throo-quartor
cents, ami ho has been having quite an
instructive correspondence with tho
firm in tho old country. . ..
THE FIRE-WORSHIPPERS.
OeKrlptlnn of nil Knlcrtnlninpnt Rlren by
a I'nmre Xoblnimtii.
Perhaps no raco of people is less
known or moro interesting to thetu
dent and traveler than tho Parsoca or
Firo-Worshipcrs of India. Thoy aro
delightful hosts, and, as it was my
good fortuno to form tho acquaintance
of Sir Frnmgco Domshaw Petit, who
was knighted for a gift of $500,000 to
an educational institution, l win on
deavor to dosorlbo an entertainment J
attended at Ills palace. Sir Framgce
lives In patriarchal magnificence, and
when his whole family is seated at tu
bio they number fifty-live. We wero
recoived in tho grand drawing-room,
as largo as a fair-sized church, and
presented to the ladies. Wo found them
pretty, intelligent and vivacious, and
it is no exaggeration to say that they
compared quite favorably with thol
American sisters. Tho ladies wero at
tired in graceful native costumes. Tho
drcs consisted of a waist, such
as is worn by Europeans, with a long
scarf of embroidered silk, or crapo,
called a mrrc, wrapped" several times
around tho waist and falling in broad
folds about the limbs in lieu of a skirt.
Ono end of tho sarro was brought over
tho head and dropped gracefully iu
front, constituting a very effective
head dress. Their jewels wero mag
nificent. No crowned head of Europe
possesses their equal, and such an ar
ray of diamonds, pearls, sapphires,
md emeralds can scarcely bo imag
ined. Ono of tho guests wore eight
jtrlngs of pearls, which faroxcolod tho
o'.obrated nocklaco of Queen Mar
guerite of Italy. Tho state costume
of tho moa is white, but on ordinary
iccaslons thoy appear attired in tho
:onvontional evening dross. Ono po
uliarity of thoir costume ir, not, how-
aver, to bo mot In a London drawing-
room. Thoy never uncover their
loads, and a high, conical Persian
hat, or, at meals, a skull cap, always
omplotos thoir dross.
On tho occasion I am describing an
orchestra played selections from
Italian operas, and, after conversing
iwhilo upon topics o universal intor
ist, our host mado a sign to tho sorv-
ints, who brought in V-mkots filled
vith largo bouquets of Eastern llowors.
Hitch lady soleotod one, sprinkled it
vith roso-wator from a tall silvorvaso,
prosonted it to the gentleman who was
to escort her to dinner, and thou, tak
ing his arm, sho led tho way to whore
it table was spread, overlooking tho
sea.
Thero wo woro regaled with tea.
!olToo. cakes, fruits and twenty-two
icinds of delicious native sweets, which
had been collected in honor of our
coming. It was an event not to be
forgotten. The waving palms and
tropical Hoivers, tho splash cof tho
waves, mingling with tho soft strains
ot music, tho beautiful women with
thoir Hashing jewels and gracoful
dress, woro typical of tho languid,
Jreamy hunt, and carried ono uncon
sciously back to tho days of Haroun
il-Rinhld.
Whon tea was over wo wero taken
for a delightful drive in handsome
European turnouts, and then to dine at
another Pursco house. Tho coromonv
was long and stately, all tho dishes
woro native, but the wines woro Euro
pean, and tills dinner, with that excep
tion, was representative of native
manners before thoy had received tho
European touch. Tho ladios whom wo
escorted gave us bouquets, as in tho
afternoon, and tho host hung chaplets
of white jasamincH about our necks
,md wrists. Tho menu cards boro
glided crests, and thoy gave us bon
bons wrapped la gold loaf to carry
away. It was a dream of tho East, but
tho poi'footly-nppolutod table, sur
rounded by intelligent men and graco
ful women, made it hard to believo
that the members of this rellued so
ciety woro the Fire-Worshipers wo had
boon brought up to despise as heathen.
W. 1J. Chatllold, in America.
An Ample Apology.
Through some unaccountable caro
lossuoss In tho composing-room of a
rural journal, tho obituary of ono of
the town's llvost citizens crept Into tho
paper ono morning. It was not many
hours after the issue of the edition
that the "lamented" himself crept Into
the sanctum, and vigorously demanded
a correction In tho next morning's pa
per. It appeared as follows:
"Our yesterday's edition contained
tho aniiouucemeiit of the doath of our
esteemed fellow-townsman, Colonel
Jones. It is with profound regret that
wo state that our aunouuceinuiit was
premature. Tho Colonel still lives,
and wo beg to assuro him not only of
our distinguished consideration, but
that it shall bo our constant effort to
seo that ho shall not bo annoyed in tills
manner again until tho last dread hour
has la very truth arrived. To this ond
wo have ordered tho standing obitu
ary of Colonel Jones to be distributed.
-Harper's Magazine.
Iust year thoro woro 5,315 di
vorces granted In France. Tho de
mands woro largely made by tho wives,
and those who had been married from
tlvo to ton years woro tho most Humor
ous In seeking release from matrimo
nial bonds. There wero two divorces
granted of cnuplos who had celebrated
their golden weddings.
In England tho proper ratio of
doctors to population Is said to be one
to l.'.'OO, but by this rule there are 1,
919 too many doctors in Loudon, and
while GOO die every year, 1,800 now
ones are turned out. Competition is so
great that in some parts of the city
doctors will sue u putlunt, proscribe
and supply medlclue for slxpuneo a
visit.
SERPENT AND SEAL.
Hnw n Well-nlrectril llillU-t Hobbed I
llon-Comtrlclor of IIU Prey.
I was paddling along In a small ca
noo on ono of tho numerous tributaries
of tho Hlo Parana, looklncr for ducks
or any thing worth shooting, whon
suddenly I heard bohind mo a fearful
yell and a great splashing In the water.
A bond In tho river prevented mo see
ing what it was, but thinking it was
somo tapirs or carplachos bathing, I
turned my canoo in order to get a shot
at them, and saw a liugo snako hang
ing from a trco with his body curled
two or three times round an unfort-
unat) soil. The water around thorn
was foaming, and every now and then
the seal and tho fore part of tho snako
would disappear below tho surface
and remain bolow for several sec
onds, until In a moment tho snake
would twist his body Into a sort of
corkscrew shape, and lift tho seal right
out of tho water, and thoy would re
main swinging In tho air, only sup
ported by tho snako's tall. At one
time I saw tho second seal jump out of
tho water to catch hold of tho snako.
and all three remained in tho air, roar
ing and yelling most fearfully for somo
time, whon suddenly they dropped into
tho water again, tho snako novor los
ing his hold of tho treo.
As nono of tho combatants scorned to
bo In tho least affected by my ap
proach, I put my canoe within some
ten or twelve yards of them, so as to
have a good shot at the snako next
time thoy appeared, and I had scarcely
laid down my paddlo and caught up
my gun whon they came up again.
aimed right at tho snako where ho had
curlod himself round tho seal, and gave
him both barrels. The offeet could
not have boon greater. Tho snako lot
go of the treo and foil with tho whole
length of his body into tho water,
splashing mo all over, and then again
the throe disappeared. After about a
minute both seals como up on tho other
sido of tho cauoo, looking at mo and
shaking thoir heads in tho samo way
as dogs do whon thoy como out of
wator. They had whito breasts, and
I noticed that ono of them was bleed
lag from a wound in tho neck, but
whether from my shot or from a bito of
the snako 1 could not tell.
Tho snako a little later eniwled up
tho "barranca" out of tho wator, as if
nothing was tho matter with him, so I
gave him ono shot moro, "which mado
him disappoar iu tho bushes, whoro I,
being alono in tho canoo, thought it
moro prudent not to follow him. Ho
was a very big one, for from tho branch
to which ho had his tail attached down
to tho water was a distrncoof some
fourteon feot, and when ho fell ills tail
nearly reached my canoe. I do not un
derstand, though, how he would have
managed to eat one of tho seals, each
ono of which was tho sizo of an ordi
nary man." Buenos Ay res Standard.
EFFECTS OF CRED.T.
I.oIh of Money Siiviul If You Abitulii from
JtiiiinliiK ltliU.
I sco that thoro are tilings about
this ladles' shopping trade of ours that
you do not know. Lot mo explain
them. You see, wo have two kinds of
customers cash and credit. For tho
cash custonior wo take no risks and
grant no favors. For tho credit cus
tomers wo do almost any and ovory
thing thoy ask of us. Wo are glad to
get them and make ovory effort to
swell thoir number. Somo houses
take nolo of whore purchases aro sent,
and whenever a fashionable address ap
pears oa thoir shipping books write tho
lady at that address offering to put her
name on the credit list. Other houses,
like ours, dislike to force that trade,
and simply wait until such a lady asks
a favor of a day's or a weok's accom
modation to pay for a heavy purchase,
or olso comes and asks in plain terms
to bo allowed to run a bill hore. Then,
though sho does not know how eager
wo aro, wo jump to accommodato lior.
A lady who has a bill at our store
spends all tho way from 50 per cent, to
600 per cent, moro than If sho hadn't.
Not only does sho buy every thing sho
wants at this store whore sho has a
hill, passing all the rest ovory day, but
sho buys things sho does not always
afford. You need not laugh; men
do tho samo thing. Wo are glad to
get nioii ta run bills hero as well as
women. It was only yesterday that
a gentleman told me that ho had never
boon thoroughly well drossod until wo
let him run an account witli us. He
used to hato to part with money for
things ho could possibly do without,
but now lie hits dressing gowns,
pajamas, silk hoso, scarfs a plenty,
and the Lord knows what. Ho says
that when ho gets our bill once a
quartor ho is always pushed into doing
somo oxtra piece of work ho is an
artist in ordor to got extra money to
moot this expense. Ho Is different
from most men, because ho says this
spending money causes him to mako
money, since ho is driven to oaru a
great deal more than ho spends each
time that our bill comes in. Hut tho
ladies can not do that, you say. No;
thoy simply light it out or coax it out
of their husbands. N. Y. Herald.
Tho farmers around Elborton, Go.,
know tho worth of persimmons, and
for years have made It a point never to
cut down a persimmon tree. In places
o many treos have been left standing
that tho fields look llko orchards; and
indeed they are, persimmon orchards,
tho trees of which boar Hue crops of
fruit almost as valuable as com for
fattening hogs. Tho farmors say that
tho persimmon tree draws but little
strength or moisture from tho soil, and
that oxoolont urops are grown even be
neath thoir shade.
EVOLUTION OF WOMAN.
ITow It linn Already IfTectcil the VUllilo
Aspect of Moilprn I.tfc.
If wo look back a quarter of a cent
ury thero is no change so mnrked in
social and business life as that In tho
position of women in regnrd to educa
tion, employment and freedom of ac
tion. And this position of self-depend
enco and self-defence is taken without
any question. A few years ago in Lon
don it was not just tho tiling for an un
married girl to bo seon abroad alono
even in her mother's carriage. Sho
may now bo seen in a hansom. It is
not long ago that it was thought un
safo for women to travel without a
male protector. A brace of spirited
girls may now go clear round the
world together in entiro safety, and
without exciting any sentiment more
dangerous than admiration. So far
as tho world is concerned they
nre entirely safe, if thoy desire
to be. Perhaps wo might have
moro cause for anxiety for tho well
being of a young man or a couple of
young men on tho samo journoy. Tho
world in all civilized lands will treat
tho woman as sho wishes to bo treated.
It seems to bo well settled that women
can protect themselves, now that thoy
aro permitted to do so, and that they
can como as near to supporting them
selves as a good many mon. Indeed,
among the colored women of tho South,
it is quite a prevalent question whethor
thoy can afford to tako husbands.
It is a subject of constant specula
tion what effect this change of position
will have upon tho character of tho
sox. Tho sox has always despised a
man who is not independent and self
sustaining. The moa havo liked wom
en who wcro( not too independent.
Will womon bo less attractive to mon
as thoy bocomo loss helpless, and
will their indopondonco work a
subtle change in thoir nature which
will bo increasing as time goes on, ac
cording to tho laws of heredity? Will
tho habit of self-reliance, of taking
active part In business, porhaps in
politics (for a good many womon aro
saying that thoy will bo willing to voto
and run, or saunter, 'or olllcc, if Provi
denco puts tho ballot in their hands),
put certain other admirable qualities
in placo of tho acknowledged feminine
graces and charms? This is an open
question, and ono much more impor
tant than tho tariff or tho surplus
oven the reported surplus of womon In
certain Statos. For it can not bo but
that tho education of womon and their
increasing freedom of action will as
virtually affect this Nation as it has al
ready affected tho visiblo aspect of
modern life. Charles Dudley Warner,
in llarpor's Magazine.
PERSONAL POPULARITY.
A Few Noinlblo WoriN About People
"wllli A xth to Crlncl."
Tho traditional esteem in which is
hold tho man who has an axo to grind
is very slight. Solf-interest, which is
hardly moro than a synonym of selfish
ness, is conceded to bo tho mainspring
of his lifo, and, naturally, it attracts
littlo sympathy. Tho man or woman
who would suecood must do so by re
lating himself to something higher
than himself, or he fails toinspiro that
response in tho minds of thoo around
him, which produces tho vital inugnot-
ism of a working atmosphere. As n
general statement, this is always truo;
but tho changing conditions of modern
lifo lias linked moro closely all motives
and all Intorosts, till, In a very literal
sonso, It is truo that no man llvoth to
hlmsolf. Practically, therefore, thoef
foct is just this: Tho man who has un axe
to grind Is ready, in return, to help
grind anothor man's axo, and tho most
cheerful and encouraging atmosphoro
of mutual good will and response is on
gondored. In fact, tho axiom is quito
rodooiued, by these modern conditions,
from any specially unworthy souse of
interpretation. Most people who aro
good for any thing havo tho traditional
axe to grind, and the traditional iron
in tho fire. Tho law of co-operation
prevails. It binds together the com
munity. All workers aro, to a gtvat
extent, dependent on each other, and
tho recognition and acceptance of this
fact Is mutually helpful. Tho nolo of
tho age Is individuality. Personal
popularity is almost an Indisponsnblo
condition of success. Ono may like or
dislike this fact, as may bo, but at all
events he must accept it. Nor is it
without a hlghor sido, bocauso in its
ultimate analysis It implies tho im
portance of character as a factor in
nil achievement. It Is not enough that
tho artist paint a picture which
Is a joy of possession; tho potential
purchaser looks bohind tho picture to
tho painter and asks of his lifo, his
idoas, and thoso detormlno largely his
rank In art, Tho lecturer comes to tho
city with a now subject to present. Tho
topic may bo of interest, and oven im
portance; it may be something the
community should caro for; but unless
tho speaker secures a personal consid
eration and inspires personal Intorest,
ho Is apt to fall of that degree of pro
fessional consideration which is justly
his duo, unless ho bo ono who brings a
world-wide reputation, and has already
earned his place In public appreciation
by tho invalid testimony of noblo and
important work. Tho weak sido of tho
element of personal popularity iu-0a
factor in success is, that tho communi
ty sometimes doos homago to a very
poor and inadequate oort of idol. Put
in tho long run these things udjust
thomsolvos. Boston Traveler.
A bullet fired Into a Tennessee
neero who was stoalluir a nlir struck
him iu the right ii'in, ran up to the
shoulder, passed dovm to tho left side,
twisted nrouud tiVu fltw, and dropped
ut hla feu'
JOHN BROWN'S BODY.
Btory of the Orleln of the MoU Popular
or All Wrtr Hone.
In tho song "John Brown's Body
wo havo an example of a melody anu a
set of words which saom never to have
bwn written or composed by any body.
It is a genuine "folk-song," growing
out of a wide-spread sentiment, as
many old folk-songs havo done, which
far more closely respond to tho music
al wants of the common people than
any carefully-prepared and cleverly
composed song could bo. In tho case
of this song, however, its recent origin
and almost instant growth into com
mon use give as an opportunity to
traco its beginnings and development
in a way which is impossible with
older songs.
Tho tune of "John Hrown's Body"
had Its origin beforo tho words that
are now known or remembered in con
nection with it It was sung before
tho war of thorebolion. as long ago, at
least, as 1S5G, to words which do not
now remain in use, at certain Now En
gland cr.mp-meetlngs and revival scrv
ices.
Two members of tho lloston militia
company, called tho "Tigers," hap
pening to be at a camp-meeting in a
small town in New Hampshire, heard
tho song sung to religious words, and
cmomborcd the air. Tho name of ono
of these men was Purington and of tho
other John Drown.
Not long after this the war brok
out, and tho "Tigers" wero mado n
part of tho Twelfth Massachusetts
Regiment of Volunteers, which rendez
voused at Fort Warren, in Boston har
bor. Hero tho two men already named,
Purington and Brown, formed, with
two others, named Edgcrly and Green-
leaf, a quartette, and tho quartotto
sang, among its other songs, all sorts
of words of thoir own "getting up" to
this tune.
John Brown was a good-natured
Scotchman, and tho members of tho
quartotto say they sang "John Brown
this and John Brown that" to tho tune,
until, by an almost unconscious change,
tho hero of them was changed from
John Brown, of tho "Tigers," to John
Brown, of llarpor's Ferry, and tho
rand and simplo verso came- into ex
istence: John Hrown's body lies a-mouldcring In tho
i; round,
Hut his soul Is marching on.
Before this timo tho masses of the
North had not beon in oxact sympathy
with tho purposes of John Brown, but
tho excitement of tho early days of
tho war called out a sentiment which
thoso words exactly fitted. Whenever
tho soldier quartotto wero in Boston
thoy wero called upon to sing this
song. The Twelfth regiment took it
up. Samuol C. Perkins, of Brockton,
a membor oi Maitland's Band, which
was stationed with tho regiment at
Fort Warren, wrote down tho air while
a soldior whistled it. Then the band
played it every day.
When Edward Evorett formally pro
sonted tho set of colors of tho Twelfth
regiment on Boston Common, tho
speccli of acceptance being mado by
Colonel Fletcher Webster ot tho regi
ment, tho tune was played, and tho
multitude fairly went wild ovor it.
riie band played the tuno going up
Stato stroet in June, 18(51, and tho sol
diors sang it as thoy marched along
Tho crowd along the sidewalk took up
tho air and joined in tho chorus:
"Glory. glory, hallelujah.
Ills soul is murchlng on!"
Soon aftor tho regiment sang it in
marching through Now York on tho
way to Baltimore, with tho samo offoct.
It spread at onco through tho army
and throughout tho country, and be
came the anthem of tho Union.
In December. 1801, Mrs. Julia Ward
Howo wrote for tho air tho words be
ginning:
Mine oyes havo seon tho glory of tho coming of
tho Lord,
which was callod "Tho Battlo llymr.
of tho Ropublic," which soon became
mmonsoly popular, but novor su-
planted in common use tho old simple
words.
Tills Is tho story of tho origin of
John Brown's Body" as told by tho
members of the band and tho regiment
with whom it had Its uso as a popular
song. Youth's Companion.
Charity and Low-Neck Gowns.
As sho is a German Princess the
Queen of Swedon, of course, attaches
great Importance to etiquette. At tho
samo timo her deep desire to roliovo
poverty of ovory kind prompts her to
favor what Cartor calls "tho simplifica
tion of lifo." Sometimes tho conflict
between theso two interests leads to
funny Incidents. For example, on ono
occasion tho Queon was told that somo
ladies did not caro to bo presented at
court oa account of tho groat expense
Incurred on this occasion. This was a
revolution to the Queen, and a thought
struck hor.
"Well," sho exclaimed, "at my noxt
drawing room ovory body must como
iu calico dressos."
"And must bo cut low in tho nock?"
ono of the courtiers asked.
"Of course You don't supposo I
intend my guests to como in overy-duy
uttiro?"
"But your Majesty forgets that thoso
gowns, too, will be of no uso after
ward, for nobody wears low-necked,
calico drosses."
"Ah! don't thoy? I thought of
course they did." Boston Tnuibcript.
An Easton. Pa., woman hnnrrht n
pair of shoos, and at homo found a
small purse uostllng iu the too of one
of them. It contained ono thousand
two hundred dollars In negotiable
bonds. She found the ownar. wli
- . , - - w t w-
fusud to baliovo she had lost the bouds
at urn, out was soon ooariaccd.
TURNING THE TABLES.
How a Thoun'itrnl I.ntrpr Outwitted Mil
licit Olrl'n Father.
Mr. Hummer had appeared to bo
nervous for some timo.
Ever and anonymously ho would
lower his paper and look ovor his
spectacles at tho clock, and his fnco
would tako on a moro cruel and dotor
mined expression.
Mrs. Hummer said nothing, as shc
rapidly plied hor needle, but occasion
ally sho also would cast furtive and
anxious glances at tho clock and hor
husband's faco.
Neither tho husband nor tho wlfo
broke tho silence, until the old-fnsh-iomd
clock on tho mantlo-pioce had a
mysterious Inward convulsion, and
chimed out the hour of eleven. Then,
with it sudden gesture, Mr. Hummer
throw down his paper, and turned to
his wife, with suppressed fierceness in
his manner, and asked:
"Is that young Beauman in tho par
lor yet?"
Mrs. Hummer could only nod in re
ply, while her faco assumed an even
moro anxious expression.
A moment Mr. Hummer hesitated,
and then, rising with but poorly con
cealed anger, ho drew upon his good
right foot tho heavy boot which had
covered it during tho day. and, while
dear, timid littlo Mrs. Hummer con
cealed her faco in her handkerchief,
tipped softly out into tho front hall,
and as silently closed the door.
All was still. Tho silence seemed
almost painful to tho tender-hearted
little mother waiting in the living
room, and sho longed to warn her
daughter's lover of his peril.
Minutes parsed, which seemed as
hours, but thero came to hor ears no
sounds of violent altercation. The sus
pense was terrible.
Suddenly tho door opened softly, and
old Mr. Hummer tiptoed in again, like
the "Son John" of history, with ono
boot off and ono boot on, and stood bo
foro hor.
For full a ininuto ho stood gazing
silently at his wife, with a puzzled ex
pression upon his face, while faintly
and indistinctly from tho parlor came
tho soft sounds of sweet convcrso still
unbroken.
"Well?" interrogated Mrs. Hummer
at length.
"Well," answered tho old man,
"what do' you b'l'evo that impudent
young snipper snapper has got, but
a short-nosed, lop-eared, cross-eyed,
bow-legged, whito bull pup layin' on
tho mat in front of tho parlor door,
that wont let a fond parent como with
in ten feet of him. C. N. Hood, in
Drake's Magazine.
AMERICAN FABLES.
(iooiI Storliw with .Mi i nils Tluit Cun He
Uiiilerstood by Kvorj- lioily.
TIIK OX A.'l THE ASS.
An Ox and an Ass dwelt together in
tho samo Field, and many of tho ani
mals went to thorn to Inquire about tho
Weather. When tho Ox was asked
whether the winter was to bo opon or
vigorous he Invariably replied:
"I can not say for Certain just now
Pleaso call Again."
The Ass, on tho Contrary, was
Prompt to reply:
"This is going to bo a very, very
opon winter, and buds will start In
February." Or,
"This is going to bo tho Coldest win
ter we havo had for twenty years, and
wo shall got no Spring boforo Juno."
Whon Winter was over it was always
found that tho Ass had missed it, whilo
tho Ox had gained further Roputntion
for wi sdom by refusing to express an
opinion. It thus camo About that tho
Ass was spoken of in Ridicule and
Contempt.
Moral: This also includes Wiggins
untl tho Kentucky Gooso-Bono.
THE AVOI.K AND THE HAKE,
A Iluro which had beon soized by a
wolf uttered loud Lamentations and
Besought him to spare hor life.
"Give mo ono good reason," replied
tho Wolf.
"Because wo aro both Hunted by
Man. Even now I may bo Pursued by
somo Boy Seeking my life"
"Ah! thon, it will bo a Favor to put
you whoro ho can't find you," said tho
Wolf, as he bit hor iu two and Bolted
tho pieces.
MoitAi.: Whon you aro the Wolf it is
sufo to Argue Whon you aro tho
Hare, it is wiser to run for it.
A.V UNGUATEKUl. I'UIII.IC.
An American City Treasurer having
been ubsont from homo for Three Wholo
Days, tho Common Council ordered an
Investigation of his accounts. It Was
soon Discovered that he was a defaulter
and had Absconded to Canada. Ho
was Located and Interviewed by a com
mittee whom ho Received with great
Dignity and Courtesy.
"Gontlemon, this speaks ill for your
Manners," ho said, as thoy Referred to
tho littlo Shortage of $100,000. "I did
hope you camo here to show your Grat-
uudo, but you insult mo. Somo De
faulters would havo burled that Money i
or used It for Personal Exponsos. I
laid ovory dollar of it out in buying
Wheat, and encouraging tho Agri
culture of tho Country. Go Hence,
base Ingrates!"
Mouai.. Agriculture must bo En
couraged at any cost. Detroit Froo
Press.
How He Lost Time.
Pedestrian B-b-boy, can you t-t-toll
mo how f-f-far It Is to tho po-po-poot-
olllco?
Nowsboy What d'yo say, mlstor?
Pedestrian I - I-reckon you - you -
hoard me How f-f-far Is It to tho po-
post-oilico?
Nowsboy Only half a block, mlstor.
If you hadn't antopped to ask mo yoa'd
a boon there a'reudy. Liio.