COMFORTED.
I
Td Just been desperate all that day; I couldn't
stand one thing more: I
The work was piling and piling up, like an aw-
(nl mountnln before.
I gave tny ittsticlnth a twist and a wring, the
wring of my b tterest mood.
And nld: "If the Lord Is tender, or cares,
He'll show tne u token for good."
And Mllly turned, ns she stood outside, In her
pretty new tlgured gown,
1 saw the tenrs In her big blue eyes God bless
her! they seemed to drown
A little of nil I was suffering. Slio watted, and
then said she:
41 Peihaps Ho sends us some tokens that we do
not look to see."
When she was gone I sat down and cried, with
my head on tho old roil shawl,
I almost thought there wasn't a God to plan
lor th s world at nil!
Hut after I'd cried my tears away, I thought of
what Mllly had sa d;
1 thought of It all the afternoon, and when I
had gono to bed.
In tho morning I went to tho door, and there
wns tny cactus at latt in bloom;
A great, red, glorious blossom that had burst
'twUt the 1 ght and gloom.
And when I looked deep into Its heart, I felt a
kind of an awe:
The sheaf of stamens! that parted cupt but
that wasn't all I saw.
I giuod at tht gnarlv. prickly plant, so bare
and crooked nnd dry.
With that bloiom Just like a rosy star dropped
out of tho morning sky,
Then sanlc to my knees beside tho door, nnd
there on tho cold, wet sod.
I knew thoie was One who cared for me, nnd
He was the loving God.
For oh! If He has tho power to make such a
lloww bv loro d vine,
Perhaps Ho will bring a pure white soul from
such a poor life us m ne;
II Is dry, and twisted, and dreary, filled up with
mv household dust;
But ah' I have seen His token, and I know I
can wait and trust.
Ellen Hamlin Uutlcr, In Maine Farmer.
TWICE DEAD !
Tho Mossaco of tho Oorp30 A
Strange, True Talo.
(Written for This I'iiper.
I.
I HE night was bail.
Hum and sleet
canto In tlorco gusta
Tho darkness was
awful.
"Are tho horses
rondy?"
Tho speaker was
panoplied in rub
ber; great-coat, hat
and boots, and was
looking at the prim
ing of a braco of
pistols. Tho young
man to whom tho
question had boon
addressed had just
co mo into tho
loom, stamping and
blowing with tho bnistorousuoss of youth
and health.
"Yes, t-ir; nnd we'd hotter hurry up, for
tbev won't stand tied much longer. My
eyo. hut it's dark out doors!"
"do and toll I'rof. Cronin to bo ready for
us by tho timo wo got back. Tell Pat and
lavo to conio on and bi ing tho dark la torn
ivith you as you como back."
'All right, sir," and tho young man wont
out.
Aithtir Denver, loft alono, slipped his
pistols into his pockets, looked all around
tho waiting-room of Westmoreland Col
lego, in which ho was standing, whistled
oltly n part of a tune in an nhsont-uiindud
way, and stopped out of tho light room
Into tho darkness of tho storm.
Tho sudden tnuisition lrom light to dark
blinded him, but ho soon saw tho dim
lights in the far-oif windows of tho college
aori.iitoiy, and discerned before him tho
swaying blanches of tho trews and tho
rush of nilit;drops acrors tho nth of
light that t-treamed from tho window of
th.3 loom hu had just loft.
Ho remained standing long onough to
havo developed soma itnpationco though,
if tlio wind could have taken oogn zanco of
tho face it boat against, it would have por
rcived that tho m nd was far awny and was
noticing nolthor tho weather nor tho low
ering temperature when simultaneously a
cood-natured peal of laughter and a clatter
of horses' hoots announced tho arrival of
his young friond with tho team. Ho drovo
up at a dashing pneo and reined his horsos
In so suddenly it throw them on thoir
fcaun'ohes. Arthur could dimlv boo, behind
tho rostloss horses, a light spring wagon
and in it tho dark and shadowy figures of
threo moil. Ho climbed in and took tho va
cant seat besido tho driver. At a word tho
mettlesome steeds sprang forward nnd
sped tin ougu tho darkness at a breakneck
pace.
'You will havo to loarn to bo more quiet
on expeditions of this sort, Morton," said
Arthur Donvor.
"It wns not I who laughed so boisterously
just before wo camo up with you," replied
tho young man.
"Indued? I thought It was."
"No, sir. It was Oraoino."
"Oraomol Tho idiot! What does ho out
on such a night as this?"
"Ho bo alwuys out on these koind of
noights, sor," spoko up ono of tho men on
the back soat.
Arthur Denver shrugged his shoulders.
"Aro you sure you know the load, Mor
ton?" "Iloon over it over sinco I was a child,
sir."
And ho did know it, for they How around
tho hillsides, over dangerous ground
enough In daylight, without an accident
Thu rain still beat in gusts directly in their
faces. A smothered inipreca. ion from onu
or tho othor of tho two men in tho back
tent, botrayod thoir nativity and early re
ligious training, as well as varied tho
monotony by marking tho possngo of somo
particularly rough chnck-holo or high
culvert. They npod on, winding among
the hills and measuring many a Uronry
lano boforo thoy stopped. And whon they
did halt, it wns boforo a gate that had over
it a lingo white arch dimly discernible
through tho murky night. Tho gate was
lockud, but It yielded to tho "open hcsamo"
of a broad key in tho hands of Morton.
Through (ho gnto tho wagon passed, und
ah ng tho grnvoled drivowny wounu its
tortuous way nii'ong tho habitations of tho
dead until it camo to a now-tntido grave.
Hero tho mon alighted. d while tho Into
occupants of tho rem .t hhovolod away
at tho mound, Morton hitched tho horses
nnd stopped back to watch tho gate, and
Arthur skilfully lit his plpo beneath his
great-coat and smoked.
Half mi hour later thn samo team wns
making a return trip over tho same road
A filth passenger wax now aboatd. Hut
this passenger lay on thu lloor of tho
wagon In a sack.
At tho college gate Prof. Cronin met
'them.
"Havo you got Alice?" ho Inquired. "You
hud butter put her in your room. Pro!.
Denver, till to-night; tlui lock Is broken on
thu door of the dissecting room, and if it
will not incoiiYcnle.Dc "
".Not at all"
m
Kim
Morton drove on slowly through ths col
lege grove. The wind had died down and
tho rain ceased, leaving tho air full ot
damp fog. The first indications of dawn
were barely observable in the gradually
clearing eastern horizon as tho trees began
to loom into spectral shape, holding their
over tho wagon passing beneath. The
somber pllo of the college outlined itself
indistinctly against tho gray sky. To tho
loft lay tho dormitory hall, to tho right tho
building occupied by tho laboratories, reci
tation rooms and tho bachelor apartments
of Prof. Arthur Denver. To tho last-mentioned
place thoy drove. Tho professor
paid tho men, dismissed Morton with the
Wn SHOVELED AWAY TIJE M0UXD.
horses, took tho sack In his arms and noise
lessly entered tho house. Hu laid his bur
don on n sofa, and retiring into tho next
room went to bed.
11.
Goorgo Dascnr was handsome, clover,
passionate, weak; and, because ho was
weak, cruel. Ho loved Aunto Morso blind
ly, madly. Sho - well, Bho was young, and
if sho felt a reciprocal sentiment for n
young man who besieged her at every
nvtiilabio opportunity with fierco lovo, who
could blamo her) Sho knew not her own
honrt, to toll the truth, and vasolllatod be
tween tho taciturn pi ofossor nt tho medi
cal collego and the handsome grain buyer.
Sometimes sho thought for long days how
happy she would bo it Arthur Denver
would smllo and cast his brown oyes on
her alway. And then Dascar would como
into her mind nnd all his windy sighs and
protestations of how ho certainly should
dlo unless sho would lovo him in roturn.
At this stage in her reflections she would
look at herself in tho lass and wonder
what any ono could boo In her to lovo so
desperately all of which showod that Das
car's llattery had not fallen on stony
ground.
That satno gray morning, after tho
Btormy night, Dnscar camo down to his
ofllce with unusually light stop. Tlio ollico
boy was surprised at not being kicked.
Tho dog caught his master's good humor,
as dogs will, und ti d himself into Ixau
knots on the lloor as an evidence thereof.
"Poor Alice!" muttered Dascar to liim
golf, as ho picked up his morning paper and
adjusted himself to scrutinize its contouts.
"Poor Alice! Sho wasn't a bad girl. I
should havo wanted her to live, had It not
been for that mlserablo secret On the
whole, sho acted very woll about it. Though
sho nlwnys opposed my paying attention to
Annio, yet she never did any thing to In
jure my prospects. Now sho is di-ad, and
tho last mouth is closed that could blah
any thing of that cursed business. I wish
tho memory of it had died with Allco.
Well, bars and bolts ot certain institutions
aro as strong as the gravo and keep secrets
as well."
Ho read his paper. Ho throw it down and
sauntered out along tho street to seo if ho
could got n sight ot Annio. Ho had often
passed her houso boforo at oven moro un
reasonable hours than this to catch a
glimjwe of hor. This timo ho was success
ful. Sho was on tho porch just starting to
town.
'Mr. Dascar, of all mon!"
"And why not Mr. Dascar?" offering his
arm and closing tho gate for hor.
"Who would havo thought of seoing you
at this time of day? I should havo im
agined you iininorsed in business nnd to
bacco smoke by this timo. Papa always is.
And horo you aro, without tho scent of a
cigar, actually! What will happen next
when"
Sho would hnvo chattered on, for she was
in a happy, talkative mood, but ho inter
rupted. "I told you I would not 6moko if you dis
liked it. I would do any thing for you. I
camo by on purpose to boo - if not you, at
least tho house that sheltered you lost
night in tho dreadful storm. I envy it"
Ho spoko softly, yet with a peculiar
abandon and lncoheronco that was a protty
fdinulat.on of emotion.
"O dear!" said Annie, innocently enough.
Goorgo Dascar's brain worked fast Out
of tlio many thoughts that rushed through
It camo this conclusion: "Toll hor now, be
foro that other fool does. You'ro all safe.
Tho only witness is dead."
"Mhs Morse Annie, I will say it. Have
you not soon it? I must marry you. You
know I lovo you to my death. Do not toll
mo 'nay.' I know this Is a quoor timo nnd
place for a proposal I can not help it My
feelings overpowor mo. I daro not look
you In tho face. I shall call this ovoulng
and loarn my fato. I lonvo you and turn
hore. No, do not answer." And he was
gono.
Annlo stopped a momont gazing nt his
receding form. Her heart iiuttorod; sho
waa dizzy. It was only for n moment, how
ever, for sho hurried on hor errand, a
bright iiamo burning in each cheek.
That forenoon there was a terrific battle.
Tlio arena was Annio Morso's honrt; tho
combatants, Goorgo Dascar and Arthur
Denver. Not n literal hand-to-hand com
bat, as in tho days of chivalry, but Annie
would now think of one and thon of tho
other in a dazed way that bespoke her tho
subject of cross mesmeric influences.
Arthur Denver was to como that after
noon and tuko hor to seo tho now city
llbra-y- Ho would havo a chance to lm
provo his prospect Would ho do it? If he
didu't woll, sho didn't know what, If ho
didn't
Tho afternoon passed, but no Arthur
Denver camo, notwithstanding ho had
pleaded with hor to make the engagement,
and to do so she had broken soveral others.
Sho was piqued.
When Goorgo Dascar camo ho had that
much In his favor that ho know not of. Ho
Improved his cbnnceB well, and whon ho
left her houso that evening it waa with the
promlHo ot hor hand.
Things went on smoothly. Tho wedding
was at hand. Arthur Donver did not show
himself.
III.
Arthur Dnnver awoVo from hU
lumbers and came book into his nnte-room,
he saw an empty sack lying on the lloor.
"Where has it gone?" he exclalmod.
His first seusation waa a peculiar cold
wave, commencing along the lower part of
the spinal column nnd terminotlng promts,
ououily among the root of his hair. Then
.... ,,,,tinMa nKmit thn ktmnii Alma
tome tieinbllnir there. Ix ibort, h wu
A-,, --hi ' -
feared. lie recovered partially, however,
!n n moment, and looked under the lounge.
This trait ho probably Inherited from his
maternal ancestors. Of course ho did not
expect to see any thing undor tho louuge,
but t io exertion rollovcd his mind nnd he
nroso and wondered why "it" had boon
taken away in broad daylight Ho went to
sco Morton and found him In bed. Ho
called on Prof. Cronin, only to bo told
that tho professor had not seen any thing
of "It" hadn't been in Denver's room that
morning. Then thoro wns n scono. No
body know any thing of "it" but thoe
three nnd tho two hlr d assist tilts. It wns
improbable that tho last-montioncd would
havo taken "it," for thoy wore profession
als and depended on tho college for em
ployment In their semi-ghoulish calling. It
could hardly bo posslblo that tho othor
college boys had played a joke. The only
thing to do was to keep qulot and await
developments. Ot courso it would turn up
in n day or so.
Hut it didn't Arthur Denver spent that
day In quiet but earnest investigation, to
such an extent that ho forgot Annlo Morso
and her engagement Tho next day and
the next and many days passed and no so
lution to tho mystery. The affair leaked
out somehow, and tho studonts noticed
with reticent awe tho nddouod aspect of
thoir best-beloved professor.
IV.
Allco Cranston opened hor eyes and know
not whoro sho was. Sho was cold, sho
know, and damp to tho skin, but a vail
seomed to hang over her mind. Making an
elfort to move, sho felt an excruciating
pa'n in every muscle ISho continued her
oxortlons, however, until sho had extri
cated herself from tho sack, and stood up
in her grave-clothos in tho Bltting-room of
Plot Arthur Denver. Her oyes had in
them n wild staro, ami showed that, al
though sho had boon restored to life, rea
son had not yet resumed its full dominion.
Sho seemed to bo laboring under somo
imaginary fear and, with a low cry of pain,
she darted to tho door, turned tho key,
opened tho door and lied through tho hall.
Instead of turning to tho loft when bIio loft
tho professor's door, which would have
taken hor in a few steps to tho front oxit of
thu building, she ran to tho right, which led
her into the penetralia of tho house. On
she How in her delirium ti I suddenly, upon
turning n corner, sho rushed Into tho arms
of Martin Grnemo.
Martin Graemo wns tho janitor ot West
moreland Medical Collego laboratory. Ho
was what was left of a great physician.
Through pecuniary trouble his mind had
been shaken nnd whon soon after this blow
his boloved wife and his only daughter
went to tho gravo within two weeks of
ench other, old Dr. Graomo turnol from
horrid griof to silly senility. Ho proved
himself harmless. Ho loved to wander
about the buildings, muttering incoherent
ly to himself. Tho true, courtoous gontle
nian survived tho wreck of tho scientist and
Scholar, and, treating all tho studonts with
studious gontllity and lospoet, ho in turn
was always tho recipient of thoir pity and
equally exempt from their joking rude
ness. His venerable aspect helped him in
this as woll. His hair was of peculiar
whiteness and his face boro tho marks of a
learned sago rathor than a crooning dotard.
Ho had nskod for and received tho position
of Janitor of tho laboratory and amused
himself with childish roarrangoment of its
paraphernalia. Ho lived by himself in a
Binall cottage a little distanca back of tho
collego grounds tho same little cottage
whoro ho had spent many years boforo,
the happy days with his wife anil daughter.
Miss Cranston started back from tho
rough encounter with now terror. In a
moment, however, tho serono nspect of tho
bowed old man whom she had almost up
set changed her terror into confidence
Her dl.traught mind studied a moment his
patriarchal appearance, as woll as that
benevolence and chivalry which oven her
oonfusod faculties could discern in his face,
nnd tho next Instant sho throw horsolf on
lilm for protootion.
"O, snvo mo, sir!" sho crlod, clasping her
arms about htm; "protect mol Somo ono
Is after mo! Dill you not seo it? Oh! thoro,
there! Soo Its horrid eyes!"
So sho ran on In an ocstaoy of frenzy. A
jano man In tho old doctor's place would
aavo beou nonplussed; thu lmbocllo
loomed to comprehend tho whole situation.
Ho caught down a groat-coat that hung
upon tho wull of tho hallway by thom,
throw it over hor shoulders, gavo hor his
arm, and together thoy wont out of tlio
rear door through tho woods-path to Dr.
Graumo's cottage.
V.
Timo passed on. This saying is trito, but
it is very ossoutlal to a story-tollor. Whon
Arthur Dsnvor romoinborod his engage
ment with Miss Morso it was alroudy
forty-eight hours too lato to fulfill it. Tho
rnystory of tho missing corpso had bo on
grossed Ills mind that even tho thoughts of
tho sweet girl who had filled his quiet Ufa
HE READ THE PAIlAOnAPIL
with dollcious liopos woro crowded from
his attention. Ho sat down immediately
to pen his regrets and request pardon.
As be prepared to put his pen on tho paper
bis eyo casually fell on a nowspaper that
lay upon tlio table, and ho read this para
graph in tho local news
I "The engagement of Miss Annie Morse to
Mr. George Dascar is announced. The wed
ling will probably occur In the lutter part of
July,"
Ho put down his pen slowly and took up
the paper. Ho road tho paragraph a dozen
times. Laying the paper down on tho
table he arose and contemplated thn little
iqulb profoundly, with his hands lit his
pockets. Then he said;
Thodovll'"
Ho ho did not send his noto. Neither
could ho make up his mind to soo Annie,
knowing hur to be another's; that other,
too, Dascar, whom for somo roason he had
slways Instinctively despised. Now he
doubly dotplsed him lor a good reason.
Thu wind and ruin of March gave way to
the more temperate weather ot succeeding
mouths until, in course of time, July came
round, bringing much elation to Dacar,
palpitation and unaccountable uneasiness
to Aunle and bitterness and melancholy to
Arthur Denver. An incident occurred,
however, at this time that brought affairs
to a crisis. It U came about UutMgb
Graeme. Ono day ho stopped up to Arthur
on tho collego campus nnd snld;
"Doctor, I havo n pntiont at my houso
whoso dlseaso battles mo. I desiro your
services In consultation if you havo lols
uro." This Willi all tho grandeur imag
inable. "Certainly, Dr. Graeme, I shall bo glad to
bo of any service I havo nn hour's leisure "
At the cottage ho saw a nalo, thin wom
an, almost a skeleton, lying in tho bed. A
rapid glance of his trained eyo saw tho ev
idences ot approaching denth. As ho ap
proached hor bedsldo she raised hor eyes.
"Oh, sir," sho said, in a faint gnsplng
Volco which ho hnd to bond low to hoar, "I
do not need a physician so much as I do a
friend. I havo been delirious a long while
and do not know now whoro I am nor who
this old man is who takes care of mo so
kindly and attentively. I may llvo long
onough yot to do somo gooil 1 haw tried
to toll tho old man, but either ho Is silly or
1 urn notyot sane."
"His mind Is mostly gono."
'Woll, his hoart Is aft whole yot! Hut
my broath is short -I have no timo to ex
plain - what 1 do not clearly understand
mysolf. Answer mo jiomo questions sir.
I abjure you - as allying woman that you
speak the truth -as I shall. Do you do
you know - Goorgo l)acar?"
Arthur Denver started, colored, hesi
tated, gazed at her sorutlnlzlngly and sus
piciously nodded affirmatively.
"Do vim--know Annio Morso? Yos? Ara
you a a friend of hers? Thou toll mo
are thoso two -to bo married?"
"Thoy are. Next wook."
The woman gavo n little scream nnd
fainted. Arthur hastily gavo hor a restora
tive and sho revived.
"I must-see her. Lean -closor. My
strength Is falling."
Ho bent his ear closo to her Hps mil sho
whi'pered a few words that made htm
sprln.' to his feet Growing red and whito
in turn, ho gla.od upon her.
"What proof?" ho roaioil.
Sho signed him to bo silent and wont on
faintly.
"His letters are at - Mrs. Sherman's
on Schuyler avonuo together with
abundance of other proof."
"In threo hours sho shall bo horo." ho
said, regaining his composure. "I loavo
you somo strengthening wino. Modieino is
usoloss. It is wrong to deceive you with
falso hopes. You may llvo a wook and you
may dlo to-night. God forbid that you
should dlo before I return. Quiet yourself.
Sho shall return with mo."
Ho was gono.
An hour, two hours, throo hours passed,
llko as many lifetimes In tho invalid's
room, as sho lay gazing at tho slow-moving
hands of tho clock. Throe hours passed.
Soon tho quick ear of tho dying woman
caught tho sound of hoofs and soon tho
crunching of the gravel announced that n
carriago had stopped broro tho door. A
momont later Miss Morso camo into tho
room, followed by Graomo and her father.
Annie's eyo caught tho wan, emaciated
fueo nnd looked sympathy. Tho invalid
motioned them to bo soatod. Graomo of
ficiously otlored Annlo a chair, but sho
drew closo to tho bed.
"You havo something to say to mo?" bIio
said.
Tho sick woman gaspodonco or twicoatid
spoko with a groat effort:
"You will not bo offended? You you
will bo bo - calm':"
"Indeed, yes."
"I have not much much broatli. For
give forgive -"
"Yes, yes, poor soul! I understand. I
forglvo you nny pain you may cause mo.
Do not bo afraid. Speak out My father Is
hore."
Allco looked rolloved. Sho rested a few
moments, thop, motioning Annio to como
near, as Dr. Donvor had done, sho whis
pered in her oar the same words that had
so startled him:
"George Dascar has a wife in tho insauo
asylum at HoneBborough."
When Annlo foil back hor fathor caught
hor.
"He calm, daughter, and thank God for
whnt you have esoupud. I know it all. Dr.
Denver has put tho proofs in my hands. It
Is onough proof to say that at a hint from
mo Mr. Dascar has loft town. ' To this
dying woman, howovor, nolthor tho doctor
nor I could rotuso tho satisfaction of
speaking tho words that would sovor you
from thut ''
"Never mind, father. Do not nbuso him
yot It is so sudden. I must think. Ploaso
take mo home."
Hor face woro an unnatural pallor as sho
left tho apartment.
"How did you got possession of thoso
papers?" asked Arthur Donvor of tho sick
woman when ho called later In tlio evening.
"Mrs. Dascnr, after sho had boon cruolly
dosorted, was my best friend. Wo lived
like Bisters until his persecution drove her
crazy. I took possession of all hor papors
when thoy took her away to tho mad
houso?" "At tho plneo I got tho papers thoy tola
mo you hnd loft there some tlmu ago and
had taken another boardlng-placo. Did
you como from thoro horo?"
"No; I went from thoro to tho to
tho-"
Dr. Denvor bent low to catch tho words
to boIvo tlio rnystory of tho woman's pres
ence at Oraomo's, for the old man gavo n
now story ovory time ho wns asked how
tho woman camo beneath his root
"Take a little wine," ho sahL Sho drank
ami, renting a moment, suld:
"To the to thu now department in the
in tho Marino Hospital"
Dr. Arthur's face was us lion whon ho put
tho next question.
"Are you tho nurso who was omployod
there and bail brain fever? You aro not
Allco Allco Cranston?"
Tho answer solved moro mysteries than
one in Arthur's uiliitl
"I am."
A spasm passod over tho sick ono's face,
tho arms woro thrown wildly up, and sank
slowly down, tho head full back, tho oyes
grow fixod and glassy, the ohln dropped,
leaving tho mouth partly open. Dr. Don.
ver touched the woman's Hps with tho tips
of his lingers and said quietly: "This tlmu
sho U deud." Pomfiiet Jor.
Tho Depth of tho Ocean.
Tho greatest known depth of tlio
ocean is midway between tho Island
of Tristan d'Acunha und tlio mouth of
tho Rio do la Plato. Tho bottom waa
thoro roachod at a dopth of l0,2!10
feet, or ti miles, oxcoouMng by moro
than 17,000 foot tho height of Mount
Everest, the loftiest mountain in tho
world. In tlio North Atlantic Ocoun,
south of Newfoundland, soundings
havo boon inado to a dopth of -1,080
fathoms, or 27, 480 foot, whilo depths
exceeding Jll.O.iO, or 0 tnllos, aro ro
ported hotith of the Ilormuda Islands.
Tho avorago dopth of tho Pacific Ocoau,
between Japan and California. la a little
over 2,000 fathoms, between Chill and
tho Sunilwlch Islands 2,600 fathoms,
and between Chili and Now Zealand
1,600 fathoms. Tho avorago dopth of
all tho ocean la from 2,000 to 2,500
fiithoina. Chicago Horald,
I
lliislnrss unit Politics IMsrussril llj Young
lVopli f llnth Spjps.
Of course llirtntions nrojjoing on on
ovory sido. Thoro Is not n pirl on
hitiul but who, ut tho entl of Iho ocu
son, would havo found hvv special
"ntllnlly." Yot thoro is such :t rndlcul
dilTeroncc between Kussltin ami Amer
ican flirtation as to inako tho Husslan
article almost unrecognizable to tho
tnerican. Social lifo in Russia oven,
in largo centers of population .senst
on such linos as constantly to throw
the men and women together; family
men aro in tho habit of bringing their
unmarried friends to their homes.
Here social nnd business questions, as
woll as politics, all such topics as aro
considered of interest to men alone,
aro freely discussed in tho family cir
clemostly over tho tea-table.
Tlio girls, as woll as tlio women, gft
to be thoroughly versod and interested
in tho most serious of life's problems,
and, as occasion offers, turn out. -plen-did
helpmeets to men in all their un
dertakings. No matter what social or
political question is brought upper
most by tho times, it is thoroughly
discussed in tlio presence of women,
nnd tho men's course frequently is
modified according to the women's
suggestions. So. in thoir flirtations,
then, the younger tho two kindred
spirits, the more thoy vio against each
other in stringing up their talk to tho
most serious topics; their idea is that
lovo may make them womanish and
handicap their usefulness in their
chosen sphere of action. As soon,
however, as a couple of lovers come to
an understanding thoy begin to lay
plans for a lifo's work in common.
Tho futurn does not appear to thoso
enthusiasts In tvxy other form than
that of a wido field of duties toward
thoir lower, oppressed brethren. A
Russian girl of liberal toadoncios
scorns tho idea of being "supported"
bv her husband. And again, it would
bo ditlleult to find young peoplo in
Russia nowadays who would bo will
ing to pledge their lovo to ono ntsothor
"forever and over, " as was tho custom
of sentimental lovors of formor tlmos
Their acknowledged ambition, how
ever, is to bo "honest" boforo any
thing olso, and they protniso to deal
fairly with each othor, and not to treat
each other with rechauffe sontitnent
when thoro is nothing olso to offer.
When tho ardor of lovo gives out thoy
aro prepared to remain trtto and fast
friends. It is understood neverthe
less that, were a stronger, unconquer
able passion to assort itaolf in oithor
of the two for another, then tho othicfl
of tho young "Intolligoncia" would
command tho unloved husband or wifo
to commit a peculiar kind of hari-kari
giving ills or her partner full liberty
of choleo. Though tlio Greek Church
is strongly sot against divorco, and
there is no othor but Church mar
riagos recognized by Russian laws,
thoro is a kind of prido among liboral
minded young married peoplo which
impols thorn not to impose lovo and
company on one who refuses to appre
ciate it.
Not long sinco still stranger idoas
wero popular among tho educated
Russian young people. A few years
ago it was by no means an uncommon
thing for two young ontliuslasts to
marry on a 11 cm understanding never
to assume toward ono another tho re
lations of husband and wifo This
transaction, though taking tlio form
of a church wodding, was called a
"fictitious" marriage, and was gonor
ally resorted to to holp a liboral
minded maidon who had not yot
roaehed hor legal majority to throw
off tho tutelage of unsympathotio par
cnts or tutors, and to acquire tho right
to dispose of her estate or hor money
at hor own will, sinco In Russia a mar
ried woman no matter how young
and inexperienced is perfectly indo
pendent from hor husband In hor prop
orty rights. N. Y. Star.
Didn't Like tho Milk.
A London Bishop had gono down
Into tho country to visit a charitable
institution, into which poor lads had
been drafted from tho east ond of Lon
dtn. and in addressing thorn ho con
gratulated thom upon tho dolights of
thoir now rosidonco. Tho boys looked
unaccountably gloomy and downcast
and tho Hlshop kindly asked:
"Aro you not comfortablo? Havo
you any complaints to makor
At last the leader raised his hand.
"Tlio milk, my Lord."
"Why, what on earth do you moanP
The milk hero is tenfold better than
you ovorhad in London."
"No, indeed, it ain't," cried tho boy
"In London thoy always buys our milk
out of a nice, clean shop, and horo
why, horo they squoozo If. out of
beastly cow." Tld-Hits.
Curious Test of Brooding.
It is told of a wealthy family in this
city Unit it is thoir regular custom to
apply to now acquaintances a test o
breeding which thoy aro accustomed
call tlio "booby trap." 'J'hoy soat tho
stranger in a rocking chair and sit
about to watch him or her. If tko
visitor rocks tho vordict is given
against him and lie is thoncoforth cu
off from tho calling list of tlio family.
If ho or sho sits quietly and does not
stir to nnd fro tho case is considered
as being decidedly in his or lior favor.
N. Y. Star.
The following epitaph on husband
nnd wifo tho husband having died
first is to bo seen in ono of tho Paris
ian cemeteries: "I am anxiously await
ing you A. I). 1827." "Horo I am
A. U. 1807." Tho good lady had take
her time about it.
FLIRTATIONS IN RUSSIA.
THE LIMEKILN CLUa
TThnt the Sorlct.v Acromillhnl Sinn
Its foundation In 187.
When tho meeting hnd been called
to ordc and several of tlio windowl
lowered from tho top to lot out tha
odor of burning woolen, causod by
hitler loots getting his back too near
tlio hot stove, Brother Gardner arose
and said:
"Wo hov begun do twelfth ynr ob do
oxistenco of dis club, an' it ar' nn ap
propriate timo for figgoriti' up what
wo hov accomplished as an organiza
tion. I hov made a leetlo calkerlatlon,
which I will pureoed to read:
" o have improved tho moral
Matus of do ciill'd race in Amorlca 5'J
per cent.
"Wo hov reformed upwards of (ostl-
tnatcd) H0(X) pussons, who war ad
dicted to do use of intoxicatln' drinks.
"Wo liv converted upwards of (es
timated) 1.000.000 pussons to do sci
enco of tiygieiuio an' sanitary rogula
shtius. "Twelve y'ars ngo 3,000.000 dog3
owned by ciill'd pussons war' allowed
to sleep under the bod. To-day tha
number is estimated at loss than 100.
"When dis club was first organizod
do loss of chickens in do United States
by midnight ovaporashun was calkor-
lated at K000 per night fur cbory
night in do y'ar. At dis ditto it will
not alvorago fifty.
"I welvo y ars ago no cull'd pusson
in diss hull Icontry felt any moral ob-
ligashtm when in do presonco of a wa
ter tnellyon. At do prosont timo do
said mollyon has got to bo do biggest
an do ripest sort, an1 to hold out
actual incouragomont to bo tooken in,
bofo' a cull'd man kin bo tempted.
"In seventeen difforont States dia
club has taken preeedoneo of tho reg
ular legislachuros, an1 its purcoed-
ings ar' road atr honored wid fur mo'
interest.
"In many localities do Limekiln
Club is considered do superior of Con-
gross, an' our reports on agriculture
lishln , possum-lluntin, an' astronomy
ar' accepted as standard by a larcro ma
jority.
"Wo hov Inducted tho speorit ot
economy an' thrift into (estimated)
4,000,000 bosoms, adding to do capital
of do kontry at least $75,000, 000 per
y'ar.
"Twolvo y'ars ago do best educated
cull'd man in dis kontry couldn't tell
a slx-shilllii' ehromo from a $2,000
piiiutin'. At tho prosont date do samo
kin bo told six miles off.
"Ebon up to sebon y'ars ago no cull'd
pusson in dis kontry had any idea of
gravitashuu, astronomy or medical
science. Jo-day 0,000,000 of our raco
know why a grindstun falls to do
ground when you point it up in tho air.
Almos' obry man. woman an1 child
koops track ob do moon's phases an'
knows do sun's dlstanco from do airth.
Do cause an' effect of ehlllblaiiiH la
now common knowledge an' do cull'd
man who gits a whack in dooyo knows
all about do virchews of frosh boof as
a remedy.
"To sum up, wo hov mado a record
of which ebory member of do club mny
justly feel proud, an1 wo hov honestly
aimed do right to Inscribe on our bnu
nor: Sic Semper Tremor."
Rev. Penstock, who has been very
quiot for a fow wooks past, now nroso
to inquiro:
"Does do cha'r fully comprehend do
moanln' of do Latin term just used?"
"Do cha'r does!" was tho omplmtlo
response.
"Exactly, but I Iwhat did do '
cha'r mean to infer?"
"llruddor Penstock," ropllod tho
president, with a wholo cold stociigo
company in his tones, "dis cha'r hasn't
passod frow collego an' bin loaded
down wld certificates an' diplomas,
but nevertheless ho rocltons on know
in' what he is talk in' about. Do moan
in' of dat Latin is: 'Wo Hov Got To
Do Top.'"
"Hut I I!"
"Rrudder Penstock, sot down! You
is dlsturbin' do mootln' an' layin' your
self liable to a lino of half a miilyon
dollars!''
Penstock fell backwards In a honp.
and the presidont then announced tho
local officers and committcoa. Dotroit
Froo Press.
Funerals in Venice.
Whoro is tho porson who, upon tho
first eager introduction to tho gondola,
has not felt that ho is stopping into
his colli n when, with scant graco, ho
creeps into tho blfui't cabin of this
lltho black boat? With mo tho Im
pression was pothapi dooponod bo
cause in our passago up tho canal w
twice made way for a funoral proces
sion bound for tho island cemetery to
tho north of tho city. Tho ono Cunor
al was that of a girl. Sho lay undor
u blue pall in thn middle of tho boat,
a crown of whito flowors, symbolical
of hor virginity, bolng ovoc tho poll.
Tlio other was a youth, whoso tender
ago was marked by tho crimson pall.
Roth wero flanked by tall candles.
After tlio bodies camo tho friends in
other gondolas, priests in violet, und
acolytes in scarlet. Tho sun blazed
uiioii all from tho bluo hoavoiiH, so
that even this dolorous scene, on acted
on tho smooth purpled water, between
tho high mildewed old "palazzd," was
not wholly melancholy. Cornhlll
Magazine.
A wall street man recontly cele
brated tho sllvor unnlvoi,snryj of hui
wedding by making handsome pres
ents of monoy to employes gt hla firm,
tho glfta varying with tho length ot
sorvico porformed. It la said that
over $10,000 waa distributed lu tkl
happy mannor.