THE OREGON SCOUT
S Jt CHAHCEY, - Publishers
UNION OREGON.
DOGS AS HORSES.
1n Country Where They Arc tlio rteasti
of Harden.
I havo mot M. Nantet, tho Belgian au
thor, who follows tho usago of his coun
try in utilizing tho dog as a draught an
imal. Ho has a llttlo phaeton drawn by
dogs in which ho drives about when at
Jiomo, and in which ho has coino from
Urussels to Paris. M. Nantet thinks
that Belgium, with her cheerless sky
and sodden soil, Is able to hold her own,
and bo among tho most prosperous na
tions of Europe, becauso tho dog is not
only tho friend and comrado, but tho
carrier of tho poor man. Tho coster
monger and his wifo in Paris or London
aro broken down promaturoly from fa
tlguo, and tho stabling and fodder for a
donkey is a hoavy tax on tholr profits,
but tholr Belgian brethren can houso
tholr dogs with thorasolves. Tho dogs,
aftor being unharnessed dlno with their
masters, and in winter sloop boforo tho
kitchen flro. v
Tho strength of a good draught dog Is
marvelous. Ho does not spoil roads llko
a horse, and whon tired ho asks to Ho
down, a favor always granted, and, on
being rosted, goes on again cheorfully.
Tho pair which drew M. Nantet is of
avorago sizo and strength, and had a
long lino of ancestors, who did good
work in their tlmo as carriers. Whon at
an inn tholr mastor used to unharness
thom and tako them with him into the
ooifco room, whoro thoy lay down at his
foot. Ho drovo all tho way, unless
whoro thoro was a stcop hill to climb.
At a placo called Louvroll tho mayor
loanl ho had como into tho town, and
informed hhn that his equipage came
within tho reach of tho Grammont Law
,1ot tho Protection of Animals. "Very
woll," answorcd tho Belgian, who was
preparing to start, and ho ordered tho
dogs to got Into tho phaoton and sit on
tho Beat, whllo ho drew them. Thoy
obeyed and stayed thoro until thoy woro
beyond tho bounds of tho commune,
whoro thoy descondod to bo harnessed.
To avoid crowds, who might think well
to tako part with tho dogs against their
master, M. Nantot kept clear of large
towns. At Compelgn ho telegraphed to
a number of Belgians hero at what time
"ho was likely to reach Paris, and they
wont out to meet him. Whon he was
sighted the dogs woro going at a brisk
puce. He thinks thoy could huvo done
the journey comfortably in live days, but
as ho is us much their friend us tholr
owner ho gave them seven. Put Is Cor.
London Daily News.
THE MONROE DOCTRINE.
Text of tint I'uhhiii'ii In Whli'h It M'lirt I'-! rut
filvrii to tho World.
Presldont Monroe's! ssoventh annual
message, December 'J. lS'Jii: Tho cltizcum
of the United States cherish uontlmonts
tho most frlondly in favor of tho liberty
and happiness of tholr fellow-men on
that sido of tho Atlantic. In the wars of
tho European Powers, In matters relat
ing to thomsolves, wo havo nover takon
any part, nor does It comport with our
polioy to do so. It is only whon our
rights aro invaded or seriously menaced
that wo resent injuries or make prepar
ations for our defense With tho move
ments of tills hemisphere wo aro of
necessity more immediately concerned,
and by causes whluh must bo obvious to
all enlightened and impartial observers.
Tho political systom of tho allied Powers
is essentially different in this respect
from that of America. This dllTorenco
jiroceeds from that which exists in tholr
Tespoctivo Uovornmonts. And to tho do
fonuo of our own, which has boon
achieved by tho loss of so much blood
and troasuro and maintained by tho wls
dom of their most enlightened citizens,
and undor which wo havo enjoyed unex
ampled felicity, this wholo Nation Is do--voted.
Wo owo It, thorofore, to candor
and to tho amicable relations existing
"between tho United States and those
(Powers to doolaro that wo should con
nidor any nttompt on their part to ex
tend their system to any portion of this
liomlsphoro as dangorous to our poaro
and safety. With tho existing colonies
or dependencies of uny European Power
wi havo not Interfered and shall not In
terfere. Hut with tho Governments who
havo declared their independence we
have, on great consideration and on just
principles, acknowledged we could not
vlow any interposition for the purpose
of oppressing them, or controlling in
any other manner their destiny, by any
European power, In any other light than
us tho manifestation of an unfriendly
disposition toward tho United Status.
A DOLLYS HOSPITAL.
t)nm of tlio Mirny Uurloiu Inatltittloua of
tlu KiikIIkIi MtitropidU.
Ono of the most curious of tho many
curious Institutions in London is the
doll'M hospital in Fulham road. Patients
aro admitted for broken heads or frac
tured limbs, lossof hair, oye, nose, teeth,
lingers, hands, toes and wasting away
i if tlio bodv. Oneratlons tako nlaco
ovoryday between nine a, m. and eight
p. in. u no sumo uou may do orougnt to
tho hospital over and over again for a
urokon head, arm or log. Hut tho little
nursn novor loaves her without manv
kisses and a promise from tho attendant
to bo very good to her.
"How manv natlonts havo you in tho
hotipllal to-duy?" asked a visitor of uu
attendant tho other day.
"Not more than twonty-llvoj but como
nnu boo them."
"A good many of them aro serlouscases.
'1'lu'rn'n iL familv of four over there.
Tho mother has a broken head and her
holdler sou has lost his head and ono
Tho two L'lrls aro a irood deal bat
tnri.il. Ono looks as tlioiiL'h she were
going bald. This doll has lost ono oyo
and tho tip or nor noso, out n can oo
uuslly mended, because she has a waxen
funn. Hero's a doll with a irash down
one Hldo of her fuco, and its so deep that
I'm afraid Hho will oo onugou to uuvo a
....... 1, .ml M'liln In u illHtnemhorod doll.
I am going to tlx a now head and limbs
on to tno stump; it wumu wuu
thrown away If tho doll hadn't boon
ery old." Lonuou uuuur.
TOASTS OF ALL KINDS.
Many Way In Which Housekeeper Ca
Utilize St Hie Dread.
Thoro aro a varioty of oxcollent dishes
that can bo mado from stalo bread which
is thrown away as usolosa. Economical
housekeepers strlvo to utllizo overy par
ticlo of food, and often with admlrablo
results. Tho following will bo found,
good mothods of using stalo broad,
which otherwiso would bo thrown away:
Buttered Toast Cut tho slices some
what thick; vhcn toastod, butter thom
on both sldos, and koop warm until
served. A toasting fork should bo used,
and caro takon that tho bread does not
got burnt.
Milk Toast Toast tho slices of broad,
pllo them In a dish, which must bo woll
warmed, boll somo milk with a littlo
salt, a teaspoonful of flour, ono of but
ter, rubbed togothcr; pour this over tho
toast, and servo hot.
Vegotablo Toast Tako tho remains
of any cooked vegotablo, tho flavor of
which blends woll, season with a littlo
pepper, salt and French mustard, add
tho yolk of an egg, and mix woll;
thicken ovor tho flro, thon spread tho
mixturo ovor tho slices of toast, brush
ovor them a beaton egg, strew flno
bread crumbs on tho top, and servo hot.
French Toast Boat two eggs, add ono
cupful of milk, with peppor and salt to
tasto; dip Into this slices of bread, and
fry thom in hot butter until brown.
Sausago Toast Fry somo sausages,
strip tho skins oIT, and mix with tho
meat somo scalded parsloy, chopped very
flno, add a littlo chcoso grated, mix in a
vory llttlo mustard, and spread tho mix
turo on brown bread that has beet
toasted and buttered.
Lemon Toast Tako tho yelks of throb
eggs, beat thom woll and stir thom Into
a cupful of milk; cut somo stalo bread
in slices and soak thom for a minuto in
tho eggs and milk, thon fry to a light
brown In butter, and dust on a littlo
powdorod sugar, and thon add a llttlo
lemon julco.
Peach Toast Cut somo round sltcos off
milk rolls, removo tho crust, und fry
thom a palo yellow in butter. Tako a
tin of preserved poachos, turn out tho
julco into a saucopan, add a littlo sugar
and a glass of whito winojboil it up, put
In tho peaches, slmmor a few minutes,
drain them, and placo half a poach, con
cavo sltlo uppermost, on oach pleco of
bread, placo a pleco of currant jolly in
tho cavity of oach poach, pour tho syrup
round, and servo.
Egg Toast Poach somo eggs, lay thom
on buttered toast, and pour ovor thom
somo Worcestorshlro sauce. Servo hot.
Ham Toast Grato somo cooked ham,
afid an egg well beaton, a small pleco of
butter, and a llttlo croam, mix all to
gother, and stir ovor a flro until hot;
fry sllcos of bread in a littlo buttor, and
pour the mixturo over thom.
Wash Toast Chop very lino cold roast
beef, and boll In a llttlo water, aim si
llttlo milk, and thicken with Hour;
neason to tasto, aud pour ovor sllcos ol
toast.
Anchovv Toast Wash and pound
finely a quartorof a pound of anchovies,
mix thom with somo curry powdor, a
llttlo mustard, a fow drops of lemon
juice, and a teaspoonful of buttor.
Cover buttered toast with tno mixturo,
and sorvo hot.
Chlokon Toast Chopcold chicken vory
flno, put Into a saucopan, season with
popper, salt and mustard, add a small
pleco of buttor, ono tablespoonful ol
cream, and just enough water to eovor
tho chicken, slmmor altogether llfteon
minutes, and sorvo on buttored toast.
These dishes aro all simple and inex
pensive, and mako an oxcollent varioty
for breakfast, luncheon and tea. Dom-
orost's Monthly Fashion Journal.
LEFT-LEGGED HUMANITY.
CurlmiH Ittiveliitlon ItoKimlliig Our 'nt-
uriil lVuoHtrliui Kvcciuriciuos.
Professor Hall. In "Lo Duadlsmo Cere
bral," spoaks of man as a right-handod
animal, lioing rigiit-uanueu, it is popu
larly assumed that bo is calso right
lowed, hut this doos not annoar to bo
- n n r
tho case. Standing working with tho
riirht hand thoro Is a tendency to use
tho loft log for balance Many people
find less exertion In going round clroles
to tho right than to tho loft; raco-traoks
aro nearly always mudo for running cir
olos to the riirht.
So the majority of tho movomonts aro
more roadlly performed to tho right, as
dancing, running, oto. Tlio ruio in wiuk
linr is to kooti to tho riirht, and this ap
pears to bo almost unlversall it Is moro
natural to boar to tlio riirht. Of a lanro
number of people from the bettor edu
cated classes asked about tho oxistonco
of a rule, only 07 por cent, males and 53
per cent, remales were uwaro oi tno
rule; tho larger majority oboy it uncon
sciously in walking. Crowds tend to boar
to the right. The left leg being tho
stronger is moro readily brought into
action; hence troops start olf with tho
loft foot; It Is tho foot which Is placed
In tho stirrup of tho saddlo or stop of
tho bieyole In mounting; so that tho left
foot Is the foot from which a man takes
olf from In jumping.
In tho experiences of Mr. G. H. Dar
win blindfolding boys and tolling thom
to walk straight, tho right-handed ono
diverged to tlio right nnd vleo-vorsa.
From measurements of Dr. Carson of
tho skeletons of tho two legs, in 61.3
per cent, the left was tho longer and
H5.8 tho right. For measurements ol
tho feet tho writer collected tho draw-
. . ... iM, i . ...in.
lugs ami measurements ui -uu pmrs wiui j
tho result that in -H per coin, mo Jen
was longer, in U1.5 por cent, the right
and in ill. 6 per cont. they wero tho
same site. Measurements at the first
joint gave fitl percent, larger, and at the
instep A'i.h por cent. From tho ttiblo ol
tho figures It is obsorved that tho lofl
foot U tho moro frequently tho largoi
in the male than In tho female sex,
and tho porcontago of feet of the
namo size Is greater in the fomuln. The
porcontago of tho right larger than the
left 1h very constant, whereas tho num
ber of tho loft larger than those in
which both feet wero tho samo sire arc
much more variable. Man, being nat
urally or artificially right-handed und
loft-legged, tends unconsciously to boai
to tho right; lower anlmula, on thoothei
hand, appear nearly always to circle tc
tho loft. Pall MU Oazottu.
Washing faded carpet In a strong so
lution of valt watur will roatoro lta color.
SCIENCE AND INDUSTRY.
Four telegraphic messages can now
bo transmitted over ono wlro at ono time
by using tho quadruplox system.
Tho disinfecting power of amlnol
gas is such that whon introduced into
sowago it -very quickly destroys tho mi
crobes of putrefaction and of many dis
eases. Dongola is mado principally from
Brazilian and Kanean goatskins, by a
process that combines tawing with tan
ning. Tho tawing gives strength to tho
fiber to resist tho action of tho water.
Tho manufacture of sugar by tho
diffusion process In Louisiana has re
sulted in a groat increaso of output.
Moreovor, thero is already growing up
a moro scientific agriculture, a hotter
knowledgo of tho problems of sugar
manufacture, a moro scientific method
in tho sugar houso, and tho introduction
of improved machinery.
Tho American watches havo attained
such oxcollonco that thoy aro now uni
versally regarded as superior time
pieces to those of Swiss and French
manufacture, and, in respect alike to
finish and accuracy, tho hand-mado
Amorican watches aro acknowledged to
havo no superior, while their cheapness
is simply wondorf l.
In tho now process of making whito
load tho oro as it comos from tho mine
Is volatilized. and oxidized by tho air,
tho fumes aro condensed In a slightly
acid liquor, and tho resulting sludgo is
washed and dried for tho markot without
having been touched by tho men. Quick
noss of manufacture, starting with oro
and not with tho purified motal, and
avoldanco of danger to tho workmen,
aro among tho advantages of tho now
systom.
Fertilizing material is now pro
cured from iron. In tho manufacture of
Bessemer stool alight basic slag known
as Thomas slag Is tho result, which Is
reducod to an impalpable powder and
sold to farmers, as it contains a largo
proportion of tho phosphoric acid. Thoso
who aro familiar with tho merits of tho
slag estimate that It contains twonty
ono per cont. of plant food.
A Fronch scientist removed tho shell
en olthor sido of an egg without injur
ing tho mombrano, in patches about tho
size of tho diameter of a pea, snugly
fitted tho openings with bits of glass,
placed tho egg with tho glass bull's eyes
In an incubator, run by clock-work and
revolving onco oach hour, and had tho
ploasuro of looking through and watch
ing tho chango upon tho inside at tho
end of each sixty minutes.
It has been estimated that tho capi
talization of tho various corporations
and concerns in this country dopondont
upon electricity for their business, from
tho Western Union Tolegraph Company
down tothehumblo3tma!cerof electrical
appliances, in not less than -(100,01)0,000.
Thi:i meaiH that tho pooplo now pay an
annual tnx of between thlrty-flvo and
forty millions for a convonionco which
forty years ago had scarcoly begun to
attract attention as something moro than
a soiontlflo toy. Philadelphia Record.
A locturo was recontly delivered at
Madras, India., on tho mosquito. Tho
locturor, Mr. II. Sullivan Thomas, con
siders tho mosquito a most useful pest,
seven-eighths of its existence being do
voted to the sorvico of men and only
ono-eighth to their annoyaneo. It
uxlsts In tho larval state twonty-ono
days, and during that period engages In
sanitary work with ardor and thorough
ness. Wherever there is dirty wator,
wherever thero is a filthy drain, thoro
the mosquito larviu aro to bo found in
hundreds, voraciously dovourlng tho
contaminating mattor. N. O. Times
Nomoerat.
A REMARKABLE WORK.
A l'ttlntinij Aiming to Represent Kvcry
l'luiHO of lluiiiiin Kxlstcncti.
A painting romarkablo for its breadth
of conception has boon placed on exhibi
tion in tho Yalo roadlng room by Its do
slgnor, U. Grant Houston, of Mahattan,
Kan., who Is at prosont a tutor at tho
university with a vlow to ontorlng tho
Divinity School. Tho work Is entitled
"Tho Universe," boing Intended to em
brace every phaso of human existence,
and is divided Into eight planes tho In
fernal, the material, tho human, tho in
tellectual, the moral, tho Christian, tho
future and the eternal.
Tho Infernal piano ropresonts dark
ness as pictured by Danto and Milton.
Tho material plane represents tho sun
breaking upon tho chaotic world. In
tho conter Is Christ, about whom tho
whole universe turns; Ills foot rest on
tho material plane, and Ills hands reach
Into the eternal. Tlio figures on tho
riirht of Chrl U represent tho pro-Christ
aln ora, thosj on tlio left tho Chrlstaln
era. in the human piano on tho right,
Adam and Eve aro drifting away from
Christ, with Adam looking mournfully
back.
Tho Intelluotual piano shows pro-hls
torlo men, tho oavo-dwollor and tho vlue-
lovlng god Haochus. An altar on which
tho golden calf of Jewish Idolatary rests
rises in the background of this plane.
Modern civilization, with Julius Ciosar
and Napoleon, Is ulso depleted. In tho
moral plane tlio Mosaic dispensation Is
represented by Mosos with his rod point
ing to tho llllilo; David nnu dosiiuaaro
with Moses.
The flashing of lightning In tho sky
represents tho appearance of God on
Mount Slual. An allusion to the prosont
civilization Is on tho right of this plane,
with the Hart hold I statuo of Liberty
and figures of Shakospoaro and Luthor,
Tho Christian piano Is represented by
Christ with the material plane on ono
sido and tho Hlblo on tho other. Before
tho baolllcii from which camo tho modern
church edlllconro Potor, John and James.
Tho Bible, tho fountain, and tho cross
are raised high above tho plane of human
existence. In tho future and otornal
planes are represented tho various the
orles of future existence. Mr. Houston
bus patented an "Educational Model of
tho Universe." irlvlng illustrations of
tho movements of tho heavenly bodlos
and material Illustrations of mental and
moral truths. This model is at the North
western University in Chicago. Ex-Pros
ldont Porter, of Yalo University, and
Professor Thayer, of tho Harvard Dlvln
ity School, havo shown Hpeolal Interest
In Mr Houston' work. Chicago Journal.
FROM AFAR.
The wind l blowing.
Tho stars are glowing.
So are ihlne eyes, my sovereign queen I
Up In tho heaven the moon Is riding.
Above the clouds she Is gliding, gliding;
Gazing at thec, I ween.
Her light Is passing,
Tho clouiH aro massing,
Tho shadows rolgn supremo.
Thy love eludes me.
Thy glanco deludes me,
Mocking, with eyos lhat droam.
Thou fair moon-mnlden.
My heart Is I ad in.
Laden with longing, deep with despair.
Thy strange nllurlng,
My soul ttnmunng.
Leaves It ucaptivo there.
The world doth claim theo; t;
I do l ot blame ti co;
Only the darkness Is mlno. ' ,
It st 11 contents mo "
That naught prevents mn.
Afar, I may watch thee nlno.
Tho moon Is out, and the earth is black,
And the sun Is quenched In Its llery truck,
And tho stars nre drowned nnd my heart Is dead,
Tho darkness reigns where tho light hath fled,
Tls tho end of nlL 'tis tlio hnnd of fato,
And with folded arms I wait, I wait.
From afar no moro I may watch thoo shine,
And the dnrkness is mine, and thitiol
Mane l'etravsky, in N. Y. Tribune.
A MUTUAL FIUEND.
What Ho Accomplished at a
Strange Wedding Feast.
Ono ovcnlng in spring I wns looking
over tho playbills, wondering what
thoator I would attend. 1 was with
Hornard Loumugno, a young lawyer,
who wns as grave as a judge. For an
hour, during which timo wo had been
promenading tho boulevard, wo hud
been stupid and silent, like men who
do not know what to do with their
timo.
Suddenly I porcoivod tho sprightly
figure of my friend, Henri Mnrtin.
"Ah!" I cried, "Mnrtin will suggest
a way of passing tho evening."
Martin had nover had a well-defined
profession. Ho had been a littlo of
evory thing musician, actor, littera
teur, mathematician, merchant, manu
facturer. IIo was a handsomo fellow,
of about tho medium height, slender,
having a woll-shaped head, a silky
mustache and boautiful black oyes,
largo and earnest. Martin is essenti
ally a man of action; ho never soems
to bo at rest
"Ah! how fortunate I am to find
you!" ho exclaimed; and then, making
a disdainful gesture toward tho play
bills, ho askod: "Do you think of going
to tho thoator?"
"Yes."
"Havo you dined?"
"Not yet."
"Thou all goes woll. Return homo,
both of you, and got into ovening
dross ns quickly as you can." Thon,
oponlng his overcoat, he continued:
'You sco 1 am alroady dressed. Mako
haste. It will not do to bo lato on
such an occasion. Wo must bo thoro
nt 8:30."
"Hut whoro aro you going to tako
us?"
"Bah! as though you did not know!
But como! como! Do not lose a mo
ment."
Whon Martin organized an expedi
tion there was nothing to do but to
oboy. Thoro was ono cortainty that
his companions would not be bored.
Martin called a cab which was pass
ing, and wo wero taken home, whoro
wo woro allowed ten minutes to dross.
Wo woro soon altogether again in
tho cab, which was drivon in tho di
rection of tho Champs Elysccs. Mar
tin smoked his cigtirotto In solemn
majosty. Again I askod:
"Whoro aro you taking us?"
My itioistenco scorned to vox him,
but ho condescended to roply:
"To tho Porto Maillot."
"For dinnor?"
"Certainly for dinnor."
"And was it necessary that wo
should don evoning dress when only
wo thrco aro to dino togothor?" askod
Loumugno. who was put out, for ho
had no affection for his swallow-tail.
Martin turned a sovero glanco on us
as ho said:
"Aro vou accustomed to attond wed
ding feasts In street costume?"
"Aro wo going to a wedding fonst?
"Certainly."
"That of ono of you- frionds?"
"Yes of ono of my frionds."
"What's his namo?"
"I don't know."
"O, come, Martin, spoak soriously."
"I am speaking seriously. About
two o'clock this afternoon, whllo pass
ing tho Church of tho Trinity, I saw a
charming, tulorablo brldo como forth,
and I said to myself: 'Thoro Is a brido
to whom I would llko to drink a toast,'
Now tho only way to toast her Is, of
cout so, to bo a guest at her wedding
feast, and to hor wedding feast wo aro
going, my frionds. 1 hoard hor fathor-
In-law say to ono of tho guests: 'This
ovoulng at tho Porto Maillot. And I
know tho namo of tho brido I learned
it from tho boadlo It is Mllo. Lemon
nior Blanche Lomonnior. You shall
poo how charming she is a droam of
love and beauty!"
Whon wo arrived at tho restaurant
Martin had tho ale of ono who had
come, In all soriousnoss, as a guest of
tho woddlng-foasU
Thoro wero three wedding parties nt
tho restaurant that ovoulng, conse
quently tho wholo establishment was
in a commotion. Tho waiters rushed
up and down tho stairs. Tho stowards
leaned ovor tho baliHtors1 of tho three
floors, shouting, storming, calling for
napkins, knives nnd glasses.
"Tho moment is propitious," said
Martin, with dollghL "And throo
wedding feasts at that! If wo aro ex
cluded from ours wo can attond ono of
tho others."
Thon, with graceful assurance, ho
laid to un uttoaduutt
"Mlle.'Lemonnicr's wedding party?"
"First floor."
"Wo wero a littlo apprehensive In ro
gard to tho termination of our expedi
tion as wo followed Martin. Ho,
howovor, was soon in tho room whero
tho servants had just finished sotting
the table.
"Ah, I am glad to see you aro ready
In good time," said Martin, in a tono
of voieo befitting a master of coto
monles. Tlio steward, who held a paper in
his hand, bowed respectfully.
"Is this tho list of tho guests?"
said Martin, taking tho paper from
tho stoward. "Lot us seo if it is cor
rect." Surveying tho tablo with a gravo
nlr, ho verified tho list, and then said
sharply:
"You havo mado a mistake. Throo
covers aro wanting. It is fortunato I
arrived early." Whilo tho confused
stoward called over tho baluster, giv
ing orders for threo moro covors, Mar
tin added our threo names to tho list
and mado tho necessary changes on
tho tablo. IIo arranged a placo for
himself opposito tho bride, placing us
at a short distance from him in order
that we might como to his rescue if
ho got into difficulty.
Then wo solemnly waited tho ar
rival of tho wedding guests, who soon
assembled.
Weddings aro usually gay, but thoro
are also thoso which aro melancholy.
That of Mllo. Lomonnior belonged to
tho latter category.
When M. Joseph Durand began to
pay court to Mile. Lomonnior, as I
afterwards learned, thoir positions, as
far as fortune was concerned, wero
about equal. Mile. Lomonnior had a
dowr' of ono hundred thousand francs
and expectations of coming in for
two hundred thousand moro, all of
which had been amassed by hor
father in tho wino business. Her
father and mother woro good, honest
people, whoso only fault was oxcosslvo
love of money. What they found de
sirable in Joseph Durand was not so
much his amiability, his refined man
ner and his tender lovo for Blanche, as
his important position in a largo dry
goods linn, tho forty thousand francs
which his parents woro to givohim on
tho day of his marriage, and tho mag
nificent property which would fall to
him later. No ono know better than
M. Lemonnier tho value of tho vine
yards on his proporty. which was sit
uated in tho contor of Gascony. Tho
oldor Durand, moreovor, had ono hun
dred thousand francs in bank, which
in timo would como to his son.
Blanche paid no attention to thoso
business matters. She loved Joseph
Dsrand simply becauso she loved him,
becauso ho had a manly form and a
rather sevoro countenance which al
ways softened boforo her smllo, and
becauso she Imagined that with him
lifo would be an uninterrupted series
of pleasures. Joseph Durand's lovo
for Blanche was equally unselfish. IIo
adored tho charming, sprightly littlo
brunette; ho adored her plump figure,
hor bright face, hor velvoty eyes aud
hor beautiful waving tresses.
Groat was tho consternation, there
fore, whon on tho ovening before tho
day set for signing tho contract M.
Lomonnier, boforo tho assembled mom
bora of tho two families, declared that
tho marriajjo should not tako placo.
Having hecomo suspicious, M. Lom
onnior had a fow days boforo under
taken to verify tho declarations of tho
Durand family, and he had just re
ceived news that tho banker who had
hold tho ono hundred thousand francs
which his prospective son-in-law was
to inherit was about to suspend pay
ment. "You know this, monsiour," ho said
to M. Durand, "yot you did not toll
us."
M. Durand warmly defended his
bankor, who, ho declared, was an hon
est man, and ho assorted that although
temporarily embarrassed ho would
pass triumphantly through tho crisis
in his allalrs. M. Durand wns intor-
ruptod by M. Lomonnior, who said,
brusquely:
'My daughtor will novor havo a sou
of your ono hundrod thousand francs.
But that would bo nothing if your
vinos wero not blighted by tho phyl
loxera, or if your bankor falls it is bo-
causo Gascony has been ruined by tho
phylloxo -a."
In vain did M. Du and explain tho
depredations of tho enemy; that ho
had at great exponso replaced tho In
jured vines with others from America.
M. Lomonnior would not listen.
"lou havo uecoiveu us! ho ex
claimed. "Tho alTair is ended."
But as this did not accord with tho
dosiros of Blaneho Lomonnier tho
atlalr was not ended. She porsuaded
him to withdraw his objections to
tho marriage, not by speaking of hor
lovo, lor sho know mat sucn an ar
gument would havo llttlo iniluonco
with tho old tradesman, but by warn
ing him of tho scandal which tho
breaking of tho ongagomont would
cause, and by threatening that sho
would novor marry and would enter
a convent, old and classic measuros
which novor fnll to bring obdurato
fathors to terms.
Tho contract accordingly was signed
and tho marrlauo took placo. Tho
nuptials, howovor, wero not accom
panlcd with rejoicings. Tho fathers
in-law looked at each othor llko dogs
that nre old enemies and tho mothers
in-law soomed ready to oat each
othor. Tho guosts, whom gossip had
mado aware ot tno situation, were
constrained and bored. Thoro was
no laughter; the conversation waa
carried on in low toues. the mar
riage ceremony was a melunoholy
affair.
Tho wedding foast would probably
have been equally us mclanoholy If on
entering the festal hall tho two families
had not encountered tho joyous pres
ent of my friond Martin, who gayly
welcomed thom. Ho extended his
hand to ench of tho fathers-in-law,
smiling ns though ho himself wero a
party to tho wedding, and ho said In a.
reassuring tono:
"Evory thing has been looked after.
Thoso imbeciles had mado several
mistakes, but it is all right now."
M. Durand thought ho was an in
tlmato friend of tho' Lemonnier fam
ily; M. Lomonnier supposed ho was o,
friend of the Durands; both shook
him warmly by tho hand. His joy
ous fuco and his eager manner seemed
to restore thoir sincerity M. Lemon
nier. howovor, yielding to hU natural
dislrut, leaned ovor Martin, and,
whispering, snid:
What is vour namo? I can not re
call it."
"Martin Henri Martin," answored
my friond. "Don't you romembor
me?"
"Ah! yes Martin! yes, Honri Mar
tin! I romembor It now. It is strange
how ono forgets names on such an
occasion. Martin yos, yes, Martin!"
Ho tried to shako hands with Mar
tin again, but tho latter- had flown to
tho sido of tho bride.
"Hero, madamc," ho said, "hore is
your place." Then, tapping Josoph
Durand on tho shoulder, ho romarkeds
"You ought to consider yourself a
very happy man. Your wifo is an
adorablo creature."
Ho did not stop to listen to tho
thanks of tho bridegroom, but moved
about tho table, calling tho names of
the guests and showing them their
places. He was so gracious with the
olderly ladios, so respectful to tho-
oung ladies and so all'ablo and
ovial with tho mon that in fifteen
minutes ho had mado a conquest of
the wholo wedding party.
Martin's good humor was mfee
tious and communicated itsolf to tho
quests, and when at last ho took his
seat, after having assured himself
that all othors had been properly
placed, a discroot ripplo of laughter
an down the tablo.
I'lio gloom had beon dispelled. M.
Durand and M. Lemonnier con
versed amiably and passed mutual
compliments in regard to tho charm
ing Henri Martin, whom oach bo
lioved to bo a friend of tho othor; tho
ountenanco oft ho mothers-in-law soft-
sned, and tho bridogroom said to his
brido:
'Ho is a vory attractivo man, your
friond Martin."
'You should say your friond."
'Ah, yes, your friond, our friend.
Your friends aro now my friends and
my frionds aro yours."
Whon Mnrtin was seated he made
a sign to tho stoward to servo tho
dinnor, and ho continued to direct the
proceedings. Ho ate but little, oc
cupying him-jolf in making others eat
and drirk. From timo to timo he
called tho waiter's attention to the
fact that wino was wanting at one
and of tlio table, that some point in
ho sorvico had boon neglected at
another part of tho board. Then ho
nddt-ossed tho bridogroom as follows:
Durand, my friend, you aro speak
ing to tho brido in too low a voice.
That will not do. my friond. Upon
my Honor, it win not io.
Whon tho timo for toasts arrived
Martin rose to his full height, glass in
hand. Conversation ceased. AIL
eagerly awaited his words. Address
ing tho newly-married couple, ho said:
My young friends for as I havo
long boon tho friond of ono of
you, I consider mysolf honcoforth
tho friond of both It is aa
friond that I wish you happi
ness on your ontranco into married
life. But I ought to address to you a
fow words of advice, to warn you of
tho adversities of earthly existence, of
tho rovorses of fortune that aro Inci
dent to it"
M. Durand nnd M. Lemonnier
listened with opon mouths.
"But four nothing," cried Martin.
You shall pass victoriously through
all trials, and thon your vines shall no
moro bo blighted by tho phylloxora
and your bankers shall not fail. Our
most Illustrious savants aro seeking a
remedy for tho evil caused by tho
phylloxera. They shall find it. Tho
ruined lands shall becomo rich and
credit shall bo ro-ostabllshed. Your
happiness shall bo crowned by fort
une. My young frionds. I drink to
your futuro fortune, to your childron,
to your grandchildren, to your groat
grandchildren." Martin's toast was loudly ap
plauded. M. Lomonnior pronounced
It to bo most felicitous. Thoro woro
othor toasts, but scarcely any ono list
ened to thom. Every thing rovolved
about Martin, who was soon busy di
recting tho romoval of tho tablo in
ordor that tho room might bo cleared
for dancing.
It was Martin who opened tho ball
nithoneof tho bridesmaids. All fol
lowed in his train, liko peoplo undor a
charm, singing hymoncal songs. It
was ho who presided with gravity
over all tho amusing llttlo ceremonies,
without which a wedding foast among
tho bourgeolso would bo Incomplote.
It wns ho who at last conducted tho
young couple to tholr carriage.
It is eight years slnco Josoph
Durand was wedded to Blanche
Lomonnier. Thoy aro very happy
and havo throe childron, who doto on
their friond Honri Martin. . M.
Durand's vinos yield suporbly, his
banker Is solvont, and his ono hun
drod thousand francs aro drawing In
terest. To this day tho two families
dlsputo over tho question whether
their friond Henri Martin was invited
to tho wedding foast by tho Duranda
or by tho Lomonnlera. Boston Traveller.
r