HIS BEST DAY.
NI know a boy likes Cnrls'mns best
Cos Santa Clans conies then;
lie likes to liang bis stocking tip,
An take It down agu.r,
An count his nren a uit-but I
I'drutbvr have It fourth Julr.
"That other boy likes Cbrls'mas best
Cos o" the Cbrls'mas trees
To Sunday schools nu' things to eat,
An' when tliey's been n froero.
lie likes to slide and skate, but myt
What's that longs.de o fourth July?
Tlirls'mns Is good, but Fourth July I
That day's the best of nil
O my! I wlfht could be the Fourth
All summer an' nil fall!
No other time begins to be
Bo good as Fourth July to me!
"I hope 'at when the Fourth Is here
My niotber'll think Its right
To let me creep down stairs an' fire
My crackers off 'fore light.
I'll blow my horn, and shoot my gunl
Au' wake up pa! an' have such fun I
"At dark I'll fire my shooting stars,
Au let my rorkets glare.
An cur tnv Itnmnn rniulles flfT
Vh:zil Rushl Ihixxt Ilangl I'opI Flare!"
Chrls'uias Is good "iiough, but myl
I'druther have It Four h July!
I wlsht 'twas always Fourth Julyl"
Womankind.
OOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO
5 A Fireworks Caoture.
iooooooooqoooooooooooooooo I
IIOUBIjH raged on the Irrigation
"ll ditch. The upper gang and the low
-i er gang were at outs. The former
had lost a horse and the lower gang was
supposed to Include the thief.
"It iust means a fight," exclaimed Mack
to Simpson, as the two members of the
lower gang rode over the plains one sum
n.n ..tf.li. 'Tlinrn nnti'f lm nut" hnrsi
UI. U.l... ......
stealing around these parts and not have
fightliiff."
"Xo; and the feeling isn t any too good
already." added the other.
The ponies loped easily, and turning
down the trail went swiftly into the thick
suutlowers of a ravine. It was nearly sun-
tet and the tall weeds seemed to be ni
most like young saplings. Suddenly the
horses stopped; ahead was an unusual
sight, a white-topped prairie schooner.
"A one-horse rig. too," exclaimed Simp
'son, looking at the thills that were on the
front of the wagon.
"And deserted, too," and Matt drew
nearer to the strange outfit.
'Well, what do you think of a man that
will do this?" He pulled the curtains
aside and showed the sleeping form of a
boy perhaps 7 years old. The little fel
low looked peaked and helpless and the
sympathies of both the men were aroused
by the sight.
"Well, he's a rascal," was the reply at
last and the curtain was dropped.
"He ain't a rascal," came from the in
side of the wagon. "My papa is good to
roe."
"Hello, there, what are you doing here?"
asked Matt.
"Waiting for fireworks; papa has gone
after them. He always gets them for me
on the Fo'ther July."
"What did be say?" asked Matt.
"Says his father has gone after fire
works a likely story. The boy's hungry;
that is what is the matter with him."
"Well, let's feed him. I'll go over and
get him something from the camp. And,
say, I'll bring him some fireworks, too.
I'd forgot it, but to-day Is the Fourth of
July, and the boss has a lot of rockets and
things ready to fire off. All the men are
out bunting for the horse thief and they
have forgotten all about it. I can steal a
few."
Away rode Matt in the gathering dark
ness, and although the pony went very
fast, and the man did not stny in camp
more than a few momcn'.s, the wait seem
ed a long one to the watcher in the ravine
with the boy. The child was hungry and
nervous and confided to the man that he
had been "awful sick." Simpson felt ex
ceedingly sorry for the little one, and was
more and more indignant at the actions of
the man who had forsaken such n precious
charge.
"Here he comes," he said at last, when
the rattle of horse's hoofs was heard on
the prairie sod. Matt came down the ra
vine and had some dililcultv in findlnir
theWa"b15lilUcleirin the sunflowers. At
last be opened the package of food and
laid the fireworks on the grass beside the
boy.
"Supper first," was the order from
Simpson, and the three ate the generous
supply that had been brought.
"Good thing not to take the kid to the
ranch," said Matt. "The men will have
A rough time there to-night, and they
wouldn t spare the boy."
"Now for the fun," and away went one
of the rockets into the darkness, scatter
ing its splendor over the level plains that
spread from the edge of the ravine. The
jack rabbits and the prairie owls saw it
and wondered what it could be.
Somebody else saw it, for away off to
the south, where its light was visible only
ns a faint glimmer, there was a company
of horsemen, and they turned their nu!
Dials in that direction.
"Hark!" said Mntt, as the fun was at
Its height. "Somebody s coming."
The light of the last rocket had given
a passing view of a man on horseback at
the crest of a ravine. In a moment the
man was near them and he was accomnan
led by a large number. In the midst of
the party, with his head bound in a large
red handkerchief, was seen the figure of a
man tied on a horse.
"We have got the thief," said the leader
of the newcomers.
"Well," replied Matt, "what are you
bringing nim nere ror-
"We Kind or lost our way ana we
thought this was the camp. But we are
colne to settle with the rascal right here,
anyhow. It might not bo best to take
him to the camp, after all."
''Sure it is the man?" '
"Hound to be got the horse."
Tn the dim light of the little fire of sun
flower stalks that somebody had kindled
ti, nrlsoner was brought forth. He pre
sented a pitiful appearance and the men
lmost felt sorry for mm. tnu, xney
knew the unwritten law.
1. Jack Rabbit roily, want n cracker?
Poll Not on your life, .Tacky. 1 vo
sworn oft" smoking.
Jack Then let's have n nonrtn oi diny
1 1 .. I . n. .! ti .
race. 1 m n regular cracKerjum m
ing.
3. Humph! This looks like one on me.
5. Polly How's
that for a cracker,
Jack?
What have you there?" remarked one
of the newcomers, pointing to the boy who I
stood by, looking with open-mouthed as
tonishment on the weird scene.
"Nothing but a kid that we picked up,"
answered Matt. "Let him alone, will
you?"
"Say, fellows," wont on the visitor,
"what's the matter with letting the boy
fire some of his rockets and make a re
spectable illumination for this proceed
ing?"
The others agreed, and the child was
placed in position at the head of the two
lines that bad formed and had in bis hand The men of both gangs liked the suggoit
a big rocket that was to be fired at the tion and spent a happy evening together,
signal, and then the bands were to be When the boy and the emigrant drove
taken from the prisoner and be could be
hit by any one who was quick enough. It
was thought that he would get enough
punishment to prevent him from ever re
turning to that section again. lie evident
ly thought 60, too, for he was trying his
best to escape.
"All ready," called Matt. "Go!"
The bandage was dropped from the
man's eyes and the ropes came from off
his feet and arms. A dozen whips were
raised to strike, but before they could be
used a dramatic scene followed. The boy
who was to fire the rocket dropped the
signal in the grass and the bunches of
fire went skurrylng away in the tall sun.
flowers. For himself, the little fellow
made one leap, and before a whip descend
ed be was clinging to the man's neck with
both arms around the same in an embrace
Unit meant a great deal.
Oh, it s papal" be cried, and the man,
instead of running, stood holding the child
to bis breast,
Well, this is a go," said Matt. "What
have you men been doing?"
"Make him run," called one of the more
excitable ones among them. lie raised
his
whip again, but Simpson stood be-1
tween and would have received the blow
on his own shoulders.
"You have captured the wrong man.
said the stranger.
But you dldn t say so."
"How could I when you had put a yard
of cotton over my mouth? I was looking
for something to cat, and you mado a
rush and got me tied before I could get
word to you. I tried not to let you get me,
though."
"Yes, you fought like a tiger."
"My boy and I are traveling back east,1
went on the man. "One of our horses gave
out back here a ways, and we had to get that exactly one year ago practically tho
along with one. The boy's mother died same interest nnd anxiety as that monl
in the mountnins, and I must take him to fested in 1803 hovered about the Fourth
my folks. We are very poor, but we are
honest."
"Then how did you get the horse that
belongs to the gang?"
"I .lid not aot the horse. This is mv own
l,orge
"Wb'ii ro nlont thnt. finm nn. imvs."
said the leader, and they went toward the
rnnnliA lmtiftn. whorft tho mon liml thi'lr
headquarters.
"nrlni? little fireworks nnd his tilnv-
things," called one of the men, and they T1e series of thrilling events that accom
gathered up tho remainder of the rockets, panted this Important occurrence, the In
On tho way the boy fired several, and their tense national anxiety of July 3 that was
path was thus marked with fire and shout- followed by widespread rejoicing tho en
Ing, for the men enjoyed the sight as well s"lnS day, mork an epoch In ardent Lis
as he. torical event that, being within our near
As they came into camp they saw all tho
upper gang men and the remainder of the
lower gang employes gatnerea mere, anis
unwonted sight made them afraid that
trouble was In the air.
"We have got your horse," called Matt,
as they drew nearer,
"So have we," came the strange answer.
Sure enough, as they entered the camp
there was brought a horse with a piece
of nicket rone tied to his neck, and when
they stood him beside the horse ridden by
the stranger the two animals looked like
as twins.
"But this Is tho richt one," explained
one of the men. pointing to the rope. "He
L
2. Poll I'll KO '
have u cracker. JacH
mo.
Hut won't you
1) have one 03
1. Tut!
powder.
smell
--TV '
nsP- " IRA V
tAlKs?r
C. Zip! Keraoom! Hud of the Tnle.
-San Francisco Examiner.
had been in the tall weeds ami was tan-
gled by his ropo."
"Seems to me that we owe you an apol
ogy," said Matt, addressing tne stranger.
"Lets oeiebratc It. added the happy
Simpson. "If it hadn't been for the boy
we would have given the man pretty bod
treatment. Lot him fire his rockets."
So the remainder of the fireworks went
Into the dark and illuminated the scene
that was so unusual on the plains.
"While we are about it," went on bimp-
son, "let's shake hands and be friends
again."
on east a few days afterward they were
soated behind two horses, and the good
wishes of both camps went with them.
Chicago Record.
TWO MEMORABLE FOURTHS.
One Followed the Vail of Gettjralinrir,
the Other the Victory at Fantlauo.
HIS country has
seen some sensa
tional and dramatic
celebrations of the
Fourth of July, and
these same go to en
force historical sig
nificance with those
whose memory
reaches back into
the past generation.
Just 3U years ago
this Independence
Day, that of 1803
was one of expres
sive, heartfelt emotion. When the sun
rose on that vivid Fourth of July and tho
preparations were made In the midst of
devastating war to pay homage to the na
tlou's natal day, the wires Hashed the
.news that Gettysburg had seen the most
momentous victory for the Union arms,
and that vicksburg had fallen. It was
perhaps the most critical period of the war
the high-water mark of the prowess of
one army, when Its forces had pursued a
victorious march and were actually In
ripe alien territory. The whole nation
quivered with excitement, and it was In
deed a glorious Fourth when the news
came that Grant and Meade had simul
taneously won two such vital victories.
It is a singular coincidental situation
or July, lB'JH. It requires brief cxerciso
or memory to revive with a thrill the rare
eagerness with which the whole people of
tllls country were awaiting news of tho
novnl campaign in Cuba as the month of
July drifted in. It was July 3 that the
most remarkable exploit ever aceomnllsk
pd by American arms came to fruition
on that day the United States navy mot
1,10 foe -onS sought for, and Ccrvera's
feet was destroyed In Santiago harbor.
actual knowledge and participation, wilj
i"bmeu.
Rnolna Term,
I "They're off in a bunch."
S.V Wft
tut What's this; i
UNITED STATES NAVY
MUCH INTEREST AHOUSfiD DY
ITS ACHIEVEMENTS.
tad. with Which tl.e0.ncrBir.l.1lo
On.,c.,un...ed-l..e WB- VM
to Unlisted Moil KnrAbov. the Aver-
muo-I'IuMI'1 elilp'.
That the eny nml uc
mud
In which tbtf American p
. ..... - U....I.. turn orettttfd n N)
nl
Iv
or nim oi chmii" . .
o I .crust in that Important and pow
.... ii in, urvlln O
or
orful brnncli of me ."" '"
thu
the
Undo Snni Ih rimy nm-
.. h.. timt ronclt
: i n... iinvvnntl n Hint
... '.i i i ih.. nnvv n id nil til
iniorinmii'ii ""' - ....
nortulns thereto. The l..ulrleH come
principally (rum ih H'lwlor, w ier "
Jackie In full n-Rnlln l "
horo ns Admiral Pewoy. the icrvntMt
of the Kroflt. That the next few yeiim
will boo the injection of r MW
i i...,.iii...i. into tho imvy thnt Ih,
.. i... ..i,tuif! men mid the VlUU
..t ii... f..-..liii nliiinutlt tlin t III
UIUIIOU Ul It"-' IV...J."
nctunted more by the suwwtiuiti
wages paid raihor tltnn the love of
country, l deinoiistrntud by .the wish
of thousnmls of brlRlit nnd couniKeou
younj; Amerlciiii to otiler (lie nervlco
In view of the coiidltloiw thai provnll.
The personnel of tho imvy la b fol
lows: Admlrali I
Hear Admlrslt
(,omm;uor
tMKmlt-r ,
L.cu.enaut Cawn.Mlofs
Lleuteuantt urBiuri
Ucuteuanu ijauWn...
Mot gas
CfcUr Kugl
63
74
Sf0
7(1
197
TO
ly As sinni r.,"
AnUtnut i:.iic.ipfi wl
04
Total .a.Mil rMitMil 1.M8
Hnllstod wn 'tbrw f '."
Hull. niru il IMNI 4.(73
AuureDllciM ,i7fl
Tlal
In the Marine Con there ore 72 or
fleers and 3.170 men, nmkliij; n total In
tho nary, officers and men, of 23,r4)l.
The apRregnte number of the vels
In the regular navy, Including all ves
sels In service and tiiwler construction,
Is ISO, divided ns follows:
First cliH bttlrh!n.... IS
tivcond (Iih twttlrtMos..... 1
Armored ctuIh-m 2
Double turrclrd tuonltr 0
Single stevl lurrrted iun!tr
Blnsle Iron turr:cl monitors .13
I'rotectcd crulwr. ....13
1'rotrcted rru'srr ibcatlitd with wood... It
L'HDrotccinl crulstrs. 8
Gunboat V
Mgbt-draugbt gunboats.. 3
Composite gunboats. 0
rralomz snip
SDeela! cUi
Torprria boat dettruycrs 10
Torpedo boats 33
Sntimarloo torpxlo boat.. 1
Wood torrmlo boat 1
Tondo boats captured la last war 8
Iron rru'ser 0
Wooden cralairs K
Halllas vessels 0
Tug It
Wooden steam versls unfit for sa ser
vice 11
Wooden silling ressels unfit for a ser
vice Of tho Bcnmnn brnncli, soninon gun
ncrs receive (20 monthly, Hon men (21,
nnd flrst-clnss apprentices (21. An or
dtuary senm-n gets (10 n month nnd
second-class npprentlcos (IS, while
landsmen aro allowed (10 nnd third
class apprentices (0. Of tho chief pet
ty olllccrs tho chief tnastcr-nt-nrtns,
which position nny bright apprentice
can achieve In time, receives (05 per
month. Chief gunners' tnntos nnd chief
gun cnptnlns get (50 each.
tuo petty oiuccrs nrc cmssiticu ns
chiefs, first, second nnd third class,
each bolng paid In proportion to the
class to which ho belongs. Tho smno
scale prevails among the enlisted tnun
The lnndsmnn is the recruit from
shore, who Joins the navy with no pre
vious experience. He docs tho mcnlnl
work, and sometimes he nttalnn the
dignity of conl-passor. Three or four
enlistments will enable him to bo called
a senmnn. Lnndsmen assigned to duty
ns Jacks-of-the-dust and lamplighters
receive (5 a month In addition to their
pay. Tho boy of robust condition nnd
average Intelligence enn become nn ap
prentice upon application, provided ho
is supplied with the written or verbal
consent of his parents nnd tho ncccs
sary letters of recommendation. Cla
cinnatl Enquirer.
EGYPTIAN ELECTRIC FISH.
Epecles Found In the Nile that Give
Considerable Hioclt.
An Interesting fish thnt Inhabits tlio
waters of tlio Nile Is tho nialaptorurus
clectricus, which Is considered nboiit
tno uest species of electrical fish, fnr
unllko tho gymnotiw and torpedo, Its
ciecinc organs do not affect Its mo
tlon. In n rrnnor recently nrpHonfiwi tn
tho Royal Institution at London, tho
meory is nuvnucou by Trofessor Gotch
that thO Beat Of tho rlrWm.rnntlvn
force is tho nerve-center Itself, nnd not
tho collection of plntes which liavo
hitherto been considered tho electric
organ of tho flsh. Theso plates num
ber nbout two million.
modified muscular substnnco sopnrntod
by an albuminous composition, wlillo
each Is connected by a slnglo norvo
uner to tho nerve-center. A measure
ment or tno ciectro-motlvo forco of tlio
cells by a cnnlllnrv ninnmnf,. m.
vealod tho fact that tlio olcctro-motlvo
rorco was of tho snmo order ns that
produced by tho contraction of a mus
cio, ana amounted to nimnt at m nn
volt Between tho excitation of tho
norvo nnd tlio nmxlimmTTu?5
tlvo rorco tliuro Is u 1 1 iiim-I-W.
1-I.OW or n second. n.i "
uluctru'inotlvv tarn- is cZS
HliiKlo nioinontaiy x.-iiniion
luirvo. At the wim- n,tnJ., 6' IS
institution already tvtvtn tVjU!
trio current ftou. , of ,"H
electric fishes was mi,..Wii iv I
pliuno, nml also slma cvr , 'id!
of tlio nudlyiico. Kuuu, uf SHI
woru iiruuureu ny tin. Kcrirf n. It
or Columbia UuhH-Hity wi9
Nllo last Minuucr. mid nro mI
111 tllO IIUlHOtllll of n. (WiijT1
zoology of thnt iututh
Transcript.
Tlio weight of n a. in s brain Mill
Is mild, liotliltiir to 1 with i.t. .. Ml
power. It Is u niifKti..i, 0f dlnut wl
of Intellect. Tho t ii r lt
tho gnmtur tlio u t,r the brain. II
till IrMM 9
American ongliii-vrs -niimitia.w
oro In sight In thu H .utii Afrt. Jil
district- culled the lim.i ..Vil
nlKiut f 1,000,000,(00 worth of thl
clous inotnt. Hut uiiiciiM
inetttodR of production nre cn,hioT,ii
...III I... ,11.. , . .. V"
will leijuiic iiii fvntn iipulUUl
lino circuiniiuu nun use, i
... .t t. - 41
Institution of Civil Iinclneen. i '. J
cent address, wild that jmIi i( fJ
practically ioslblo betwern tsj w
iwst-olllcos In tho t mud KiorM
Theorotfcnlly It Is pcmlble lo tnj
ICuropo, and tho HrltUu poitOw
tlioritlM nro cotikldt rinK tbc k
slon of stitclnl tulenli. lie rableita&r
glum, Holland and (tniianr.
Au argnnlzvtl offort u bolnDt4(k
statin, out consuinntiun in (krattili
scientific methods of treAtmmt U
roady SO twiMtorin h r patlnu but
Imwii oihhih1, and ot'n rs nrt toUjw,
vldotl. A congr4s Is Ik 1iIJ Ii S
llu for tlio purjMMK' of maklrt tb n
against constiiiiptlon n imtloual am
incnt throughout the 0"t rman mm
It linn t)oon decided to esUbiltbi
meteoroloslcnl olwervntory at lit to
of tho great cathedral spire b
Germany. The Ulm cathedral u t
of tho most extraordinary In tiUUM,
on account of tho grent size nod Mr
of Its single spire, which mtbtt u
elevation of C23 feet. Altbos;h in
irrvnt church was lcBun more tlutatu
hundred years ago, the spire wusl
completed until 1690.
It, LydekUer, the Kngllsh MtnnW
says that tortoise-shell, which t
from tho horny skin overlyin? tn
ttnun nt most sm-clt'B of turtle. J
sessos tho property of weldlns ,
foctly that no trnce or jhucuoh
ble. Two plates to be united Un
.I...I. ..Il.imil niU'lK IX'Vt Hill 10 tW
IIIVI. H.IJI.W...
site directions, nnd nro then .!
togethor In n metal press, www -notion
of boiling water. Iniltnuoottf
tolso-sholl Is made by palntinf Wrt
with n paste of lime litharge nndtja,
which is rubU-d off after drying. TO
process leaves dnrk siots of mi
phldo In tho horn, resembling tbtwii
tllng of rcnl tortolso-shell.
mw fa.a Miiff. '
1 (jUUIUll JMtwW-
novs from 10 to 2t make IteW
lighting soldiers. Their youthful r
" . .. . o.i.i nnr facta
carries uiom nnni, . .
ger In an exalted mood, which m
war of Its terrors. There wen !iJ
CllllinilJIt 1" lliuv.... ..Mrfcl
dlor gonornisoniy -i '"-"': .,il
(Jrnnt wns under -10 when he nl
tho wnr. Stonewnll jncau
. . no .. il Ml II
linmortni mine iu " -.,,
0.nl8horldnw.l?"iJ
before ho wns 88. Nnpoleo nbJ
mnster of Egypt, crossed the Af
young men iimtf .,. ml,
civil wnr wns fought by
nnd boys. There nre living retertjj
that war who aro now only M jj"
ago; yet thnt wnr begnu thlrtyW
years agch
A I'onny Havr.l. .
Tho Individual who saves a dowr
ono direction nnd liiimlliV P
ceeds to spend two In nnotuer, j
sort of reward of virtue , Je Jg
clmrncter. "rvo stoppei m
said tho girl with tho violc ts, w
stirred her chocolate. "I l K
I trimmed this hat I'm wenrtW ,
month, nnd saved W " w
saved so much that I fc" b0' tbre)
a now gown, nnd It wll I coj Qg
times what I saved beforo It i n
It's always tho way. 1 Btt 7 peti
ticket by walking down town, J v
a dollnr for violets beforo 1 8 (tl
I'm going to stop trying to 'J 9
I'vo pnlntcd a proverb to go
mantel to remind mo of it- ' "
saved is a dollnr wasted.
Every tlmo wo moot a school tjjj
wo nnd thnt wo havo nlwn,y,
nAitnnlnff ntlAi
uuuuvitiii iwiumwi " " . .
When a boy clnlms to bo sick
morning U Is usually ft Blg"h rda.
wants to go fishing boioro b
IS AO"