' JUST GI\E IT A THOUGHT How little it costs if we give it a thougli *• To make happy some heart each day 1 Just one kind word or a tender stuile. As we go on our daily way: Perchance a look will suffl-e to clear The cloud from a loved one's face. And the press of a hand in sympathy A sorrowful te tr efface. One walks in sunlight: another goes All weary in the shade: One treads a pad- :hat is fair end smooth; Another must pay for aid. It costs so little! 1 wonder why We give it so little thought: A smile—kind word»—a glance—a thonght! What magic with them is wrought —New York News. ——---- -—■—■-------- -— O; no more railroading in mine." said the hungry reporter, as he tilted hl» chair back and eie- rated his heels on the desk that the city editor called hi» when he was there, "There are some things in this world I'm not adapted for. That's one,” The rest of the "late watch" gatb- erad around, with exclamations of amazement and surprise, and he cou tinned: You see. I once applied to a dlrislon superintendent for a Job. and was as- surad my application would be consid­ ered the very first vacancy that oc­ curred. Then I waited The suspense was not especially trying to me. but 1 could see I was wearing on the friends with whom I was board.ug consider­ ably. One day. however, the “caller." the man that rounds up the train men when they are wanted to go out on a special, came around with a note re­ questing me to call nt the superintend­ ent's office. Of course. I compiled with the request, and was told that they wanted tne to act as assistant agent for a day or two at a place called Don- eril's, or something like that. I wanted to know if I would hare time to go and pack my grip, but they seemed to think such a delay would materially prejudice the prospect! of the road, so I grabl>ed the pass and made for the train, which I manapd to catch, after a brief but exciting cha»e. Then my "grief.” as the rail- road men called it. began. "This train don’t stop at Donerll'a. young feller." said tbe conductor, a« he pocketesl my pass and pn^-eeded calm.y on his rounds. 1 would have liked to have a»ked him what I was expected to do about it. but his counte­ nance was so stern and forbidding I did not dare. We were rapidly nearing my desti­ nation. and something had to be done, iso I informed a brakeman of my pre­ dicament. and he very kindly volun­ teered to ask “Fatty Duff" to alow down a Uttle at Isoneril’s and let me off. I presume he did so. but If there was any—te«l ictlon In the speed of the train It was too »light for my uuprac- tlced eye to detect. The brakeman en­ couraged me. however, and. as there appeared to Ise no other alternative, wdieti we were nearly abreast of tbe platform I let go and dropped. 1 did not light right away, but when I did land the concussion was some­ thing awful, and as I rollM over and over It seemed to n»e I insist have gath­ ered up about all the Splinters there were In that platform 111 different |>or tion» of my anatomy. I was »till gyrating when the last car whizzed by. but I heard the "hiud man's" timely warning: "Look out. young man. you'll tear your clothes!" It was a rickety old station, the walls fiescvsed with inaslnvi tomatoes Emp­ ty chlcketl coops, fruit tsoxes. berry cheats and watermelon rinds, scatter,-! •bout the platform, exhaled a faded snd depressing odor, and the only vis Ible indication of life or denth was the swarms ot flies buzxlng drowsily In tlie hot sunshine I pick«! my way to the office and present«! my credential» to the agent, a tall, lank man. with a long neck, careworn feature«, and a stiff hat that look«! out of place in the mid»: of such rural surroundings, He was abaorb«! in u newspaper, and it was aometlme l>efore he notl<«l me, At length, however, he threw down the paper, read my letter, and Invited me to make myself at home. T!.vu Lv un- bosomed himself: "I'm sick and tired of this btisinc he said. "The work's enough to ki mule, but it's the Injustice and lack of appreciation that makes me hot. can’t pick up a pa|>er without »cell lot of Tot’ about tbe heroism of 1 motive engineers, and tbe terrible sponsibility that makes train dispatch­ ers hump shouldered l>efore their time but never a single, solitary word about Station agents. Why. to read the pa pera. a person would think an en; n< went through life with bls eye glued the rail and a death grip ou the re­ versing lever, and that the train dis­ patcher had to put in all his spare time nopping his head with hair vigor to keep from turning gray in a alngle night. But look at the facta. "Any track walker can tell you an engtn«*r Is asleep more than the time when out on the line, that the only way to cal to a slow flag or a »1 op signal beave • rock through t >e cab w while, a» for the trait dispatch all know what he is wttb an eight-hour tr ardoooa duties «vnsist poor wretches out on Ing us into «'tiding him a n ute of fruit, fresh eggs a Heroism I lt«»i«insibillty! ain’t enough to give a per taste for stroug drink!" A «ppear«! In the dire 4l>out half a mile dot When be mum«! idea of my dutie -You ••rte ta cl-iswfi«' fea« mjr I*wn< auce- "Tbal a bad. rd. "Y u t»et car over thirty-six boars, and we're liable to $500 fine." Tue cow was unloaded Immediate­ ly. When I returned to the office he called my attention to a bbl of 98 cents I had collected ou a washing machine. "You corrected that bill before you collected it. I hope?” "Corrected it? No. What's wrong?" “Oh. a mere trifle: that comes under the Interstate Commerce I-aw. and by overcharging 13 cents you've laid us liable to a fine of $5.000. or two years in tbe penitentiary, or both— that's all. See what circular 2.301 violate any says: ’Agents who of the provisions of tbe Inter- state Commerce I-aw will them- •elves be personally liable to the pen­ alties imposed thereby. Ignorance of the law is no excuse for its violation.' That's soothing, ain't it? And here's a ca»e of brandv you've forwarded to Iowa, a prohibition State. That's an­ other misdemeanor, but. thank God. we can probably es- ape to the hills before the authorities get on to It." He sprang from bis chair and began pacing the floor, muttering to himself: "Oh. no; there's no heroism r«juired to run a station—no responsibility at­ tached to tbe position. Fines are laid up for you. jails and penitentiaries yawn for you; but that's nothing— that's merely tbe every-day routine." He caught sight of the express book and stopped short. "Those quails." he faltered, looking “You examined at me imploringly, each bird, as :he law directs, to see that It had not l«een captured by a net. pound, weir or trap? You know rule sd says agents must acquaint them­ selves with and be governed by the game laws of their State and Terri­ tory." 1 could not speak, but he read the answer In my downcast face. He ex­ tended bis hand to me. while a look of sublime exaltation transfigured bis homely countenance. "As the agent." he said, and bls voice bad the terrible calmness of In- s; air. “I am responsible for your crimes —I am forever undone, but I t>ear you no malice. It was fate, whatever hap­ pens. remember. I forgive you. but." and he jammed his hat d--wn over his ears and his eyes glared wildly, "they will never take me alive." Then he strode out of the off! ?e and disappeared. The sun sank below tbe western hor­ izon znd twilight znd mosquitoes In­ vade«! tne melancholy landscape. Presently a freight train came along and halted for water. It so happened that an empty box-car stopped right opposite the office, and »• I raxed into I ter sit right down ami familiarize your­ self with them. You'll find 'em all In those file«. R. sides the tariffs, there's 724 supplements and 1.017 amend­ ments. in addition to 2.286 circulars that you should po»t up on. Then, there's the special commodity rates, and the modified ruling« as applied to the different tariffs and the new rul­ ings— there » 480 of 'em—thaï Uve ap- ¡x'ared since the last classification was issu«!. After you get all those down pat. it would be well to devote a little time to the local classification and tariffs—learn the terminal points, and get the routing instructions committed to memory. Hello! there's that freight coming at last. Tell ’em there’s noth­ ing for 'em. I've got to go across the street aud collect some bill»—you can check out any freight they've got.” And be again withdrew. The conductor walked in and said: Ask ’¡m if he's got anything for No. I put the question to the train dis patcher over tbe wire, aud he answer­ ed "No.” very plainly and distinctly. After a while the train pulled out. and I was looking for the "s. to report them, when the train patcher began calling the off. .-e. I answered, aud he said: "Get No 23.” "They're gone.” “Stop 'em." “I say they’ve gone." “Fetch 'em back." "They're gone. I »—" “Shut rhat key and go an id bring that train back for orders!" I clos««! the key and wandered lezaly out on tbe platform. In vague hope of seeing the agent, or •omrthitig might happen. To my prise. I saw that the freight had »top­ ped at the other end of the yard, about three-quarter» of a mile away. I cou'd still hear the dispatcher calling, and knew by the vicious sound of the in­ struments that he was mad. Thoughts of cvllisions and the possibility of lie­ lug responsible for a terrible accident flash«! across uiy mind, and 1 start«l for that train on a run. The distance was greater than 1 had imsginvL and 1 was completely blown when 1 came up with it. The conductor was lying on his back, under a car. fix.ng some thing about the air brake. 1 manage«! to gasp out that the train dlapatcber wanted him for orders. '"Tell him to go plumb to h—I!" s’l-mied the c. dn -or. and then slm'y continued hl» labor. As there seem«! nothing e se to l>e done. 1 start««! back to the station to deliver the message, and bad gon» but a short distance when the engine passe! me. bac»:, g up to the office. It «*»» going to«« fast for me to board it. «o the conductor and engineer had !«een waiting ten minu­ te« or more when I eventually reached the station. "If it’» all the same to you. part­ ner." *a.«l t .e -'»’i.-l r. w • free.- g (HiliteneM. "wed Just a» ««on get out of here. We ve g->t families at the other end of the run. and *ud like to get there t«ef<>re they grow out of our remembrance ” 1 w»lk«l Into the office and told the dispatcher I had str fit!" aratively After quiet for a feeble g of tbe ■ up the ■ SOT TXT! SS SHRÎEKFD. the hospitably open d2 gets fairly Into ope­ ration. This reg.on in 19t»> produced •«5 5 per cent of the entire country's wheat 51 1 per cent of its corn. 78.2 l>er cent of it» tiarley. 2.7 per cent of its buckwheat. 4’ 1 per cent of its oats and 30 1 per •■ent of it» rye. or 53 1 per ■ent of the country'» cereals in ths ag­ gregate. In ls5o. on the other hand, this - hh ty | rt«!i>-*ed only 9.6 per .-ent of the country'« cereal yieh! Of tbe country'« cattle, horse*, mules, sheep, swine and other farm animals 59 4 per ,-ent were found w, «t of the M.sstssippl In I'.»«', as •outpaced with 11.9 per cent in 185t>. Th.« .ocality in HAW produced 1» « i*r cent of the country's gold and 1».' 8 ¡»>r cent of It» silver. While the center of the country’s area, ex us:ve of Alaska and the isl- - - Ka: «ss. ’he cemer of the country's i. and population is In Indiana, and that of ut ac tbe "nntry's manufacture« Is In Ohio. \ agh thia reg'on had 27 5 per cent of the whole country's population In 11W and fumi» «L In value. 43 2 per •tit of the country'» farm products of 1 sort» the product of its manufact- res mearly half of which »m fur­ s’ -1 y Ml«»' r . calif — a and M!n- •a • wm only 16.1 per cent of that he entire country But here. too. there ha» been an immense advance. ' -r in !<<’ th!» on ty provided : ly 9 per .-ent of the country'» manufact- • relative gain is pu ng tt.e ring center westward. »tward sw1 be center u Noanegotiable “Pls is a fine paper." said Meander­ ing Mike; “ft says dat de difficulty is not so much In perducln' value as in gittfn' it to de best market.” “What's dut to you?" said Plodding Pete. "It describes my trouble percisely. I've got an appetite dat some o’ dese rich folks would give a million dol­ lars fur. An' what good is It?"— Washington Star. "Mister," said tbe seedy hobo, ad­ dressing a prosperou>looking citizen, "would you kludjy favor a worthy but unfortunate feliow-mau with a few pennies?" "What is your occupation?" asked tbe other, as he put bls hand in bis pocket "Sir," replied the victim of hard luck, as he held up a tat’«rad font -sleeve an-' sm.l.-d grimly, "I've been cUectlng rents for some time past" The old, old Story. "Have you ever sent any of your poems to the magazine«?" asked the •ent¡mental maid. "Yes," answered tbe long-haired verse carperter. "but merely as a guar­ anty of good faith and not necessar.ly for publication." Ravage, of Time. A.as! the mystery of poor mamma's disappears nee Is now explained." Very Appropriate. • Remember, my boy." sail tbe good old deacon, ’that even the hairs of our heads are numbered." "Well, uncle." rejoined tbe Irrever­ ent : epbew. "In your case the count doesn't take up much of the enumer­ ating angel's time." Some kind friends were giving to erect a column of marble over the de­ ceased jokesmith. One Man's Wisdom. "Here is a fine piece." said the deal­ Smith—Gotrox was worth over a er. million when he died, but he didn't "Why. that's a funny coltffan." re­ leave a will. plied the friend, gazing at the peculiar Jone»—I wonder why? carving. Smith—Ob. I guess he wanted h'.s "Well, didn't you say he was a Joke­ heirs to get tbe benefit of his wealth smith instead of tbe lawyers. CONSOLATION. widow Ketchum—My busband left me quite a good deal when be died. Mr. Oldbateb—Well, you ought to be used to that: you know he did tbe same thing when he was living. Hard tn Plea««. “They're accusing you now." said the friend of the political boss, "of putting money Into politics." "Huh." snorted the boss. "There's no pleasin' 'em at all. Before I made my pile they accused me of takin' money out o' politics."—Philadelphia Press. The Main Thine. Mr. Nervey—Miss Roxley, I adore you. Will you not be my wife? Miss Roxley (haughtily »—The Idea of y ur proposing to a girl tn my smtk.nl You should know better. Mr. Nervey—I do krww better, but no richer.— Philadelphia Press. Fnlty l>e»crlbed. FcHp.ed. Ascum—My wife telephoned to me “We can excei you in everything. to go to Woodley's and get a talarrt boasted the American. Lemme see. a tabaret's one of those “1 don't think you can.” responded wide low th.ngs like a table, only------ the Englishman. Outlate—Yes: It's a low thing with “How about our get rich-quick con­ corners all over it that stands al> ut cerns? Have you any to equal them?" shin high In tbe dark—Philadelphia "Sure! How about our njblemen Preas. that marry American girls?” Enrr. Gritty George—Yes. little boy. I am always taking my meals am- ng stran­ gers. 4 <’M end—Oh. bow lucky you ire! Why you can take two pieces of Ple­ Another Matter. Messenger—Your wife »ays you s?x>uld come home st e. Mr. Easy- 1 boy Pe hc.ise has burned down. "Oh. weiL that's all gbL It d.dn t belong to me." "But the furniture was destroyed too." "Um-um I Belonged to the 1 ment bouse " "And de coal ta de cellar j bum- "I can especially recommend this In'.“ "What! Get out of tile way. I paid tailor-made gown for service." said the genial manager of the ready-to-wear for that coal yesterday!" department Sir." answered the young Lady cus­ tomer. with a look that was calculated to freexe tbe mercury In a thermome­ ter. “I'm not going out to service." Mr»»«e Fancv. Patient—After taking that med! Ine I bad eome very mysterious drear..« Doctor— Weil. I told you It would cause you to dream of tbe impoaelble. l'atient—1 guess you are right, doc- tor. I dreamed 1 saa sertimg your bilL Another War Ramar. PrtzclUa—Lleutet ar t Huggins seems to be rather attent-ve to Mia» Edera letgb of late •A Mel cent—Ye» and she A eviîer.tl ’ •kirm »hing a-> und trying to pre- p- ttate an engagement. Cetd Coos fort. 9 aa g bls way>— T tells me that k and houae- d lady jcahnly?—Tre I have had -•-•fui y taught, f. e I Lars always bel I that no lady wb-> d *s not uz-ler- eland he ■.•r-j.ee; g a praq-eriy JL-w; sports must be abandoned, aside from skating, tobogganing and kindrod amusements, the search for new games to occupy the long evenings begins. It is in supplying this demand for nov­ elties to fill In the winter season that a number of inventors have found for­ tune smiling on them in earnest and discovered that some simple game or puzzle, which came to them perhaps in an Instant, has made them rich. So it is not surprising that a host of new amusements makes Its appearance ev­ ery year, and that old favorites are soon displaced with novelties of a Later date. In the picture we show a new adaptation of a game which would have been popular many years ago had It not been for tbe high price of tbe implements with which It is played. It is unnecessary to refer to the actual cost of the table, cues and balls which go to make up the pool and billiard outfit, as these are well known, but recently substitutes I for these high priced implements 1 have been Introduced at a lower cost, The apparatus here shown does not even require a special table, but can l>e played on the dining table, with tbe aid of a cushion of webbing stretched around tbe edges by means of > corner brackets. The pockets for tbe pool game consist of pyramidal blocks. which rest on the table and have each apex bored out to a depth sufficient to contain the ball. Tbe latter must be struck with a cue and driven up the inclined surface of the pryamid with sufficient force to drop It Into the pocket at tbe top. It would seem that no »mail degree of skill will be necessary 1n order to lodge the ball In tbe pocket, neither overshooting nor falEng short in the attempt General Andrew Jackson's statue In Lafayette square. Washington, is the oldest equestrian s-arue now standing In tbe United States. The first equestrian statue erected In the New World, which still stands. is a colossal statue of Charles IV. of Spain. In the city of Mexico. The sixteen thousand monastic es­ tablishments of France have about four hundred thousand inmates, or one to every one hundred of the popula­ tion. The Washington Elm at Cambridge Is now old and feeble. A plain tablet near the trunk bears the following in­ scription by Longfellow: “Under thi< tree Washington first took command of the American army. July 3. 1775." In centra! England there is a broad region among the mining and manu­ facturing district« which lies more or les« continuously under a pall of stnok*. and where an area of land, estimated to cover fourteen thousand acres. Is buried with ash heaps and refuse, on which a little grass grows. This is • gnificantly called the "Black Country." M Te»sipoff. a Russian naval sur­ geon attached to th? Baltic Sea fleet has been experimenting with an appa­ ratus for taking photographs of the sea floor at any depth: and. it is re­ ported. with ’n -b success that reli­ able reco-ds of submarine life may now te reckoned among our available sources of biological knowledge. South American cities have many equestrian statues, but the most nota­ ble is ’bat of Bolivar, the Venezuelan liberator, which ha« a prominent place in one of the parks of Caracas, It Is estimated that there are almost four hundred equesri an statues In the world. At present Washington has eight, or one-fiftieth of the entire num­ ber scattered among the cities of all countries. A most Interesting memorial of the Boman occupation of England has Just been • Id under the auctioneer's hammer. This is the Roman station of Amboglanna. the largest on the fa­ mous wall which marked the limit of the Roman province. After an exist­ ence of ISO year« the wails of the station, five feet thick, are in a won­ derful state of preservation. The gate­ ways are nolle -q-ecimen.s of Roman work. Seme of the wedge-shap«1 stone« In the arches are still to be »een on the ground. The Interior the camp is marked with lines of streets and ths ruins cf buildings. ANTS KIDNAP THEIR FOES. Raid» Nel«hb*rlns Village, and Carry Off Many Priasners Dr. H C. McCook tells of a species of kldnaptaff ant« which make organ­ ized attacks on other ant vl.lages for the purpose of capturing slaves. Here i« an «cccunt of the attack: “The “At last tbe tnuater Is complete. uon in Mysteriously but effectively the signal f a rvvo- •Forward? la given and the column mormt; moves from the hill. There Is no regular alignment, but a show of sol­ idarity. a h ding of tbe ranks within close compass and tou -b—a ’rout step.’ in fact. There Is no general: there are no subordinate offi 'era. but such is the sympathetic un ty that they seem to move In respsmae to one will and com- ma nd. If every warr-r is a law unto himself the law so binds and ani­ mate« and ’ a *..,e that tie ends of ar. organized ■ rt are serve«? “Assault, battle ami pi.'.age fol w tie. The obje quickly upon the sortie. tvs point of tbe march is not far aw. A hundred yards distant Is a Fus. vtlinge. T'«e route thereto lies aen shouting wira' the clge of a grove, over a footpa could tell what. ■k'ng a fa en tree, under whose she.: " Why I am afraid this to a revira- and shaded by tufts tuf1 of gras« ;» tbe de- tion" said be voted commune, lt 1« feet le in num- “ Raimundo Gabriele.' bra and there li » a bare show of de- smooth, nnrufl M ti tl-S of bi 19 tbe f- Teel«x>ters bar! tbem- CT the ■ t I and Flung» Into gatea, Tbe v..lagera flee at woaet through aaaaa..ed or Mall—Ye», «nd comp-uLacrr ' secret passages. Home run the gaunt­ let through tbe assaulting ranks. All who can. carry a part of the family ty,-al? Why Isn't , it a* right to pay future debts at tbe -ate of 5 »hillings to tee pound as to pay past ones?” Never Tottchet Him. "Hello, o.d chap sa! 1 the chronic borrower as be met an acquaintance. "you re looking w ell." ■ Ye«. and I'm feeling well." replied the other, "since I gave up my worst habit." “What was that’” asked the c. b “I cave up giving up." was the brief bat s gm 3■'ant rep .y. Not Mach of an Improvement. Do you think that man descended m monkeys r S'tae « sded." Answered M:«s Cayenne. “and some merely ires» tf- ferenti,. —Washington Star.