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_z WHO KNOWS? Who of us know How our next neighbor fares? How of the woes and many cares That rise like mountains in their way? And who of us can say We know of that large world we never see, The world of poverty? Who of us know How much of pain a smiling face conceals, How little of the sunlight ever steals Into the lives of those who seem the happiest? 1' The one who makes us merry with the jest, May he not carry in his heart so free A wound he does not wish the worid to see? Who of us love, And loving, cherish but the empty name, And feed our hearts on naught; the flame i That burns so brilliant and so bright, That lights our path as do the stars of night, Goes out as quick as heaven's lightning flashes, R And leaves us?ashes! ?George Wilmot Harris. The Versailles Locket. BY WOOD RUFF CHARK. Reginald Fontaine owed his prosperity largely to personal skill as a workman, aaw/IA^ oefno Tr\ norf QICA VllC auu iv tv/nvv/v uioivo. xu ^/ui vj wwvj success was the result of economy, and that sound judgment which led him when once he had saved a little money to rent the principal corner store in town and advertise briskly. And part was due to his name, which had an aristocratic ound. Fontaine was a young man of fine address, with a knack of apt apparel, and he quickly became the leading jeweler. His credit was excellent from the start. He bought discrectly of the manufacturers, won and held the popular retail trade, and in five years rose to a good commercial position. One September morning a stranger asked for Mr. Fontaine at his store, a gentleman of foreign acceut and appearance, handsomely atlired, with a shrewd, energetic face. He was salesman for a French manufacturing firm, who solicited trade direct with American retailers. His j prices seemed high, although his wares I were original in pattern, and the stones of uperior purity and lustre. In fact, it was a grade of jewels more costly than Fontaine had yet carried, and it appeared doubtful if his quiet town would justify such expensive investments. Accordingly he declined to buy. The stranger retired, but in a half-hour returned again. lie had made inquiries at the banks, and satisfied himself of the jeweler's responsibility. He now offered to leave a few articles on commission, for the purpose of introducing his styles. Fontaine welcomed this proposal, and ! gave the required receipts, obtaining a ; dozen very handsome gold breastpins, j bearing ruby, sapphire, and emerald j in unique settings, and a costly locket. I He exulted over the brilliant additions to j his exhibit, which would at least lend eclat to the stock and add to his repute. nru? 1?i...* 1 IXC lUtivtb C3|Jtv,?anj ?ao a uuiuu&i; aucession, and lie gave it a conspicuous plate-glass shelf of his corner show win dow. It was oval in form, of solid gold, 1 adorned with delicate bas-relief work and . dainty enamel. It was studded with a cluster of five diamonds on each side, i These diamonds were clear and vivid, uniform in size and quality, and of radiant depth. 4'We ought to give that locket a name," < gaid Jean Fontaine, as he stood by the 1 window, admiring it. Jean was Reginald's brother and chief clerk, a skillful ] and competent assistant. _ "Suppose we label it former property < of Marie Antoinette," suggested licgi- I nald, who was wont to make free use of his imagination. "No, no!" replied the more prosaic Jean. "We can't ascribe historical qual ities. it looks too new. we migut call it'A Congo Souvenir,'or 'The Tonquin i Trophy.'" 1 Reginald demurred. i "Not one in ten of our customers will i know it is French, or even understand such a name. They will think it was made i in Connecticut, unless we state the contrary. I will have a little placard printed, naming it the 'Versailles Locket,' and announcing maself as importer. Accordingly, next day appeared a delicate advertisement in black-and-white: "The Versailles Locket.?Our own Importation.?Direct from France.?Genuine Diamonds.?Fine Gold. ? Hand : Graven.?Price, $3,000. Time passed. The ladies of the town i came, examined and admired the locket. 1 Christmas went by, and still the jewel lay in its satin bed upon the plate-glass shelf unsold. The breastpins were taken, : hut fhf> lrvlcpfc Tvrnvpd ton PYnprtsivp fnr ?- ?? 1? ? -"I Fontaine's patrons. Twenty-five hundred ; dollars was the sum he stood accountable 1 for to the French manufacturer in pay- i ment for this lockct should he make a sale, and although in confidential momcnte he offered it to epecial customers at twenty-seven hundred, no one profited 1 by this liberal discount from the set : price. Every night the locket was care- i fully put away in the burglar-proof com- < partmcnt of his huge steel vault, and every < morning its plush box was restored to the show-shelf, but the jewel seemed likely to remain as an advertisement until the traveling salcman reappeared to claim it. i One day a gentleman came in and left 1 his gold watch for repairs. This was a ^_ tall, majestic person, whom Fontaine had often seen of late upon the streets, weartr? r* o Vi er?olelrir* /in r\ rmd r? mnlfrtn t? uv,a t j oviuoivui v,a]7 uuu a lUUllUU ulster, with collar and cuffs and pocketlaps of seal fur, and clad throughout in 1 costly deference to fashion. Uis watch was heavily chased, and very valuable. 1 He was particular to take a receipt in the '< name of F. F. Barton, and departed abruptly, without so much as recognizing in Reginald Fontaine the proprietor of ' the premises. 1 At the appointed time Mr. Barton re- ' turned for his watch. Fontaine in person waited on him, and noticed the massive 1 signet ring worn by his customer, the 1 W. onyx monogram of which seemed cracked. 1 Mif Barton threw down a fifty-dollar bill with an indifferent air, and gathered up : the change without appearing to take count of it. lie hooked the golden loop of his heavy chain into its buttonhole, restored the "watch to his pocket with an i nir rvf nnf? tlirnpd aw.1V. "I see that your signet is broken," said Reginald Fontaine, respectfully. "A little," replied Mr. Barton, drawing on his fleece-lined glove. "I am now taking orders for signets. Should you wish to have the stone replaced at any time, I can have it du. plicated with precision at reasonable i cost." I The visitor bowed as he pulled on his 1 other glove, and replied: "It is an heirloom in my family, and was cracked a century ago. Nothing could replace it." "In that case, of course not," rejoined Fontaine. He drew from a drawer a ring-tray. "If you are interested in rings, examine these. I have some odd forms here. I don't expect you to buy, sir; but I am an enthusiast in my trade, and if any one likes to look, I like to show the foods." "-sSJ1 " - And, in fact, it was a feature of Fontaine's sagacious policy that he tried to have every customer see as many of his wares as possible. Mr. Barton glanced incuriously over the tray. "I've seen acrcs of rings," he replied, with a curling lip. And he continued to button his gloves. "Is there anything I can show you that you are interested in?" continued Fontaine, politely, replacing the tray. "Family plate, tableware, children's or ladies' ornaments " Mr. Barton had faced towards the door. He turned about with feeble curiosity to ask: "What have you in the way of ladies' ornaments?" Fontaine led his customer to a showcase glittering with bracelets, combs, pins, and other bijoutry. "The variety has been a little broken by our Christmas sales " he began. "No matter, I need not trouble you," interrupted Mr. Barton. "There is nothing here that I wish." "It is the best assortment in town!" retorted Reginald Fontaine. "Very likely. But I came from Paris only six months since, and shall return in the spring. I think I can afford to wait until that time before I buy." With some warmth Fontaine flew to the show-window and caught up the locket. He put this before his scornful visitor. "Here is something you have never seen excelled in Paris or elsewhere." Mr. Barton looked at the locket in silencc. He drew off his gloves and took up the jewel. He examined it minutely, and said, at last: ' These arc genuine brilliants?" "Guaranteed true diamonds." "A very handsome affair?very handsome. This came from France?" "Versailles. It is a masterpiece, sir, known as the Versailles Locket." i? uat ao iuv fsi tew < "Three thousand dollars." Mr. Barton inspected it closely, and laid it down at last with manifest change of beaming. He looked at Reginald Fontaine more cordially, and said, in an insinuating tone: "I presume you would shade that price a little for cash?" "I might, a very little," returned the jeweler, now speaking coldly in his turn. "Well, I'll see. I'll send my wife around to look at it. She likes such toys, but whether she will buy or not is quite uncertain. Luckily for me,she has money of her own. For my part, three thousand dollars is too much to put into a jewel." "What is your business, Mr. Barton?" inquired Fontaine. "Importer of oil paintings. Iam also I commissioned by wealthy people to buy works of art abroad, and usually make a | trip once a year. Am here now to receive I a shipment from Antwerp. My wife and I are stopping at the Desplaines House." tie laia aown aa emuussuu uaiu, ucau; engraved with his name and bearing his crest, bowed and sauntered out. Three days later a messenger came to Reginald Fontaine with this note: "Dear Sir: Please bring the locket to Room 24, Desplaines House, at two o'clock this afternoon. My wife wishes to see it, and is unable to leave the hotel. I can't promise you that she will buy; but, as you like to show j'our wares, I would be pleased to have you submit the locket to her. "Yours, F. F. Barton." Reginald Fontaine thought a moment, rhen his dignity asserted itself. He called his trusty brother, and showed him the note. "Jean, I'll let you wait on these people. Sell the locket if you can. Gettwenty-seven hundred if you can't do any better. Take good care of the locket." A porter led Jean that afternoon to Room 24, and knocked upon the door. "TT.nfpr snid .1 voice within. Jean went in. A lovely young woman, richly clad, with pale face and languid air, reclined in an easy-chair. Before her on a centre-table was a tray of wineglasses. Mr. Barton stood opposite, and still upheld a newly opened bottle from which he had just poured a tiny glass of dark wine. He bowed to Jean. "You are from the jeweler's?" "Yes, sir." "Step forward, if you please." The porter went out and closed the door. Jean handed forth the locket, which Mr. Barton passed to his wife. "How beautiful!" OUsv 1?a1/3 U Ia lirrhf onri nTominAfl kjlic lb IV bUV ngiAW it critically. "Had you not better take this now?" said Mr. Barton, proffering her the glass of wine. She took it, and looked toward Jean. "Perhaps this gentleman " she said, suggestively. " Certainly," replied Mr. Barton. He poured out two more glasses, and pushed one toward Jean. " Will you join us, sir? It is port. Do you like sweet wine?" Jean was very temperate and unused to liquors. But here were a couple, evidently of high social rank, accustomed, -i 1* il. t - : Ti no uouot, 10 me tureigu usu ui wine. it might give offense to refuse, and bargains Dften hang on trifles. He responded lourtcously, and sipped the sweet port to the quick bottom of his glass. " Take a seat here," said the lady. Jean accepted a large easy chair by her side. She turned her bright, dazzling eyes upon him, * " You are certain these are real diamonds?'' " Warranted genuine, madam," returned Jean. His voice sounded thick to his own ears, a strange oppression rose into his brain, the world seemed rocking upon endless waves, and the lady and the locket appeared to float away?away. ** **? When Jean awoke, twilight filled the room with fantastic shadows, and rays from the street lamps fell flickering on the walls. He know he was in a place he had seen before, but all was so unwonted, and the languor that lay upon him was so deli j 1 *:? r?it. i,? U1UUS UI1U euuiiailllll*^, mat jllu iCib OULM nv; was in a dream from which he hated to awaken. Even the loud knocking at the door failed to rouse him to reality, and when he heard his brother's voice crying out in alarm: "Jean! Jean!" it only stirred his wrath, as if summoned at an unwelcome hour. Then followed silence, and he sat marveling at the luxurious surroundings, and the mystery of his presence here. The turning of a key was followed by the quick entrance of the hotel clerk and Reginald Fontaine. The jeweler darted forward to his brother and clasped his urm; he looked into his dilated eyes and bewildered face, and cried: "Jean! Jean! What is the matter? Where is the locket?" The locket! Jean sprang up. His lethargy departed. He understood, and tottering toward his brother, fell senseless at his feet. ***** Ten days later the French salesman reappeared. In vain Reginald Fontaine recounted these facts ana urged delay until the swindler was captured and the locket recovered. The Frenchman only . ' ^ ' * a - - shrugged and listened, and at the end repeated: "Settlement!" Fontaine at last drew a chcck for the amount of his indebtedness, and the Frenchman disappeared. Time passed. No trace was found of Barton nor his lovely wife. One day, in Ma-tit V/vrlr T?nrrinol/1 Triciforl fVlf "Ro<nifeS' Gallery at Police Headquarters. Es saw many faces there not in the collection of his home officials?among these, F. F. Barton, and the French salesman who had commissioned the locket 1 Although the police could not explain this coincidence and scouted his conclusions, Fontaine always believed himself the victim of a double conspiracy; that the knaves traveled the globe with ample capital, one placing jewels stolen abroad in the hands of responsible dealers in small American towns, the other following to recapture the prizes, and the original conspirator returning to demand payment for the loss. But while he never placed hand 01 eyes again upon the French salesman, he had the satisfaction of adding his testimony to the catalogue of evidence against Mr. Barton at a later day, and of seeing him consigned to prison. The Versailles Locket, however, never reappeared, but Mr. Reginald Fontaine concluded that his experience was worth the two thousand five hundred dollars which *4- Viim ITo rloalo nr\ mnrp TCifVl Tin known foreign manufacturers, neithei does he trust valuable jewels among strangers.?Frank Leslie's. A Characteristic of the T'linkits. The T'linkits, writes Lieut. Schwatka, in the Independent, never understand the meaning of a joke, and if it is of a practical nature they are sure to get quite angry; and if it is not, it falls as flat on their nature as the reading of last year's almanac. They will sometimes "guy" each other a little, at a personal mishap, as slipping down in the mud, falling in the water, or something similar thereto, but beyond this they never go, or seem to understand. Any adventure that has a funny character to it, and that we would dub "a good joke," rolls off of their intellect like water off a duck's back. A white man, living in Sitka, did a great deal of hunting to while away the time; and to increase his score among the ducks which he sought, the most abundant of all game thereabouts, he sent East and bought a number of duck decoys. These were placed in the water where he knew those water fowl were generally plentiful, and they were left until they had succeeded in decoying some of the birds about them. They came under the observation of a young T'linkit hunter, who ran to his house and got an old worn-out shot-gun^ and then he commenced the not very difficult task I of crawling upon the decoys, needlessly j keeping out of sight behind the logs and brush of the beach until, at the water's edge, he was about forty yards away, and safely hidden behind a big drift-stump. He then preceeded to let the dozen decoys have a ringing discharge from both barrels that nearly tore his shoulder off, and set his ears to ringing like buzz-saws, but that, of course, had no effect on the wooden ducks, much to the young man's astonishment. He wasted a great deal of ammunition before the truth dawned on his mind. Now an American boy, under similar circumstances, would have crept back to the brush, hiding closer to the ground than before, and after getting well out of sight, would have taken particular pains to have forgotten all about it as soon as possible. Our Sitka youth, on the contrary, was in a rage, and he lost no great amount of time in hunting up the owner of the decoys, and despite tho latter's immoderate laughter, which only angered ? Al--. ? ^Kninre r?oi/1 I Hi Hi LUC I11U1C, lie luaisicu. uu yuiu for the ammunition he had expended on the wooden ducks, and was so persistent in his demands, that the owner paid it to get rid of him; and which thoroughly settled the case, for the Indian had no shame or modesty as to the part he had acted in the adventure. Animals that Change Color. There is a tiny crustacean, the chameleon 6hrimp, which can alter its hue to that of any material on which it happens to rest. On a sandy bottom it appears gray or sand-colored; when lurking among seaweed it becomes green, or red or brown, according to the nature of its momentary background. Probably the effect is quite unconscious, or at least involuntary, like blushing with ourselves? and nobody ever blushed on purpose, though they do say a distinguished poet once complained that an eminent actor did not follow his stage directions because he omitted lo obey the rubrical remark, "Here Harold purples with anger." The change is produced by certain automatic muscles which force up particular pigment cells above the others, green coming to the top on a green surface, red on a ruddy one, and brown or gray where the circumstances demand them. Many kinds of fish similarly alter color to suit their background by forcing forward or backward certain special pigment-cells known as chromatophores, whose various combinationa produce at wiil almost any required tone or shade. Almost all reptiles and amphibians possess the power of changing their hue in accordance with their environment in a very high degree; and among certain tree toads and frogs it is difficult to say what is the normal coloring, as they vary indefinitely from buff and dove-color to chocolate-brown, rose, and even lilac.?Cornhill. A T?ATC?rfnl FvnlnsivP. " * ?r ? j If melinite, the new explosive invented j by a French chcmist, is all that the gov- | eminent of France claims, it will revolutionize warfare. General Brialmont, who has recently been experimenting in Belgium with the new explosive, has advised the Roumanian Government to suspend labor on the defensive works around Bucharest. He asserts that it will be necessary to devise new plans to withstand the new exjilosivc. If Bucharest, one of the very strongest fortresses in Europe is unable to withstand the force of melinite, the coast fortifications of all the world may be considered worthless. It is worth while to bear in mind, however, that bluffing is a favorite move in the game of European diplomacy just at present. Russia, for instance, claims the invention of an explosive a trifle of ten or fifteen times more powerful than melinite.?New York Commercial. A Very Sanguine Man. "There goes one of the most sanguis men I ever knew." "So?" "Yes, his implicit faith in the advancement of civilization, and the good things the future has in store for us is simply wonderful." "Does he think the future will bring messenger boys who can walk a mile in half a day? Surely he is not so rash as that." "Oh, worse than that. Why he actually argues that the next century will bring barbers who can cut a man's hair, and not let more than half of it drop down the back of his neck,?Siftings. I -?s i WOMAN'S WORLD. PLEASANT LITERATURE FOR FEMININE READERS. Her Answer. On my right at a dinner sat Mollie, On my left there was little May Bello, Who is always so sparkling and jolly, And who fikes me, I fancy, quite well. The former somehow spoke of ages; "Now, what would you take me to be?" I asked. She replied: "Of life's pages I suppose you nave turned twenty-three " Miss Belle, on my left was abstracted, And did not our words overhear, Nor knew she the answer expected As I whispered quite low in her ear. " And what would you take me for, Mary?" And then the small maideu perverse," From out of abstraction, quite wary. Responded: "For betteror worse." Samuel William Cooper, in Life. Ladies of Sumatra. The wealth of a Lampong lady is estimated by the number and weight of her ornaments; these, however, are only :fully di splayed on feast days and other hfch occasions; such is etiquette among "trie upper ten" in the southeastern part of Sumatra. Native goldsmiths make these ornaments, and the purchaser gives in exchange weight for weight, in silver or gold, as the case may be. Young girls end oro TiPfivilr" with them; indeed, every young miss is arrayed in sinkels or bracelets, of many shapes, of silver; the greater the wealth and higher the position of the parent, the larger the number of glittering bands and tinkling ornaments of every sort; rows upon rows of bracelets on her arms, and large button-like rings in her ears, and all these ornaments are worn until she marries. Bound to Be in Style. Dakota ladies will have fashionable styles. A leading merchant in one of the towns states that many of hi3 lady customers buy the most costly material for dress on the installment plan, paying each month what can be realized from hens and cows. One lady in the Upper James Valley, not having the hens or cows, and the wheat crop leaving no margins, was at a loss how to secure a fine fur cloak, but proved equal to the occasion. She went to trapping minks. fiKo o errant- anppoaa nnn tnnned tlifi ^ ? tides herself. She then sent them to a St. Paul house, and had returned a beautiful cloak at small expense. The St. Paul parties wanted to give her $125 for it, but she would not sell it any price.? tit. Paul Qlobe. Chinese Maids in Silken Trousers. One oriental damsel who was airing herself and her finery simultaneously yesterday afternoon on Dupont utreet wore a pale-blue silk coat with huge flannel-like Bleeves trimmed with black and pale yellow silk braid. Her trousers were of black silk, also bordered with pale yellow ; her boat-like sabots were embroidered with blue silk, and the deep white soles provide an area about three square inches for the maid to stand erect upon. Another celestial maiden was similarly dressed, except that that garment which, among Christians, is peculiar to males, was a corneous orange silk. A third i?irl ? O ~" O o ~ ? wore an azure-blue skirt, a crimson coat, and bright green trousers. Still another wore a pale violet cloak over a dark-blue blouse, her trousers also being green. A very brilliant costume was a crimson silk coat with a broad band of green and red embroidery running all around the skirts, neck and sleeves; the trousers were bright blue and the shoes prettilv embroidered in pink and gold. A pale blue cloak, violet trousers with yellow trimmings, pearl-beaded head-dress, and finely worked silver bangles on wrists and feet formed the principal features of the costume of a small Mongol maiden, who held in her hand the diminutive cue of her small brother who trotted before her. The boy was hardly less attractively dressed, and his pale pink silk round hat was decorated with a bright red silk knob and huge tassel of the same material and color.?San Francisco Chronicle. The Courtesy of a Turkish Sultan. M. Julliard tells the following interestins storv in his article on "Life Beneath the Crescent," in the Cosmopolitan: I have not spoken of the Beylerby Palace, situated on the Asiatic shores of the Bosphorus; but it is, beyond question, tbe most charming of the residences of the Sultans. It is flanked on the right and left by two pavilions, which are very pleasant and of remarkable elegance. Beautiful terraces, hanging gardens in tiers, where grow the rarest plants, a summer-house crowning the top of the slope, porticos, yoke elms, fountains, clusters of roses?nothing is wanting in this incomparable residence to make it the most agreablec buen retiros that I ever saw. The Empress Eugenie, after having taken part in the inauguration of the Suez ? "1 OCH prvr?a /InTrfl in 4l\io V/UUUI Hi loucr, puootv* ouiuo m iuio beautiful residence, proudly "enthroned among all these charming surroundings. On this occasion Abdul Aziz displayed a gallantry that the sovereigns of the West, well-bred as they are, might indeed envy. Previous to the arrival of the Empress, a government commissioner was sent to Paris to get a model of the sleeping apartments of Eugenie. He copied the smallest details, even to a book left open at a certain page,even to a piece of unfinished embroidery left on a work-basket. Every thing was reproduced in the Beylerby Palace with the most scrupulous fidelity ?hangings, carpets, furniture, works of art, all the thousand knick-knacks were to be found there in their original form and place, the most trifling differences being observed, as if they had been transported by a magic wand. When the Empress entered this marvelous chamber, and the room leading to it, she cried, taken by surprise: "Ah! mon Dieu, Pin at home!" Fashion Notes. Wide gold bands are an old style now revived in bracelets. Some new imported French hose are in black and white checks. The tailor-made costume continues to be the correct style for street dress. ryrrny nolle o nrl T\/*nnlY?fl Imnnrfl X UIUIUU Ull^Ui-auiio Ituu |/V*MV\'V ????0represent fashions that are going out of vogue. French jackets in varions styles arc seen as a part of many Spring toilets. A favorite shape. Handsome ribbon is much used in the making up of floral ornaments for house and table decoration. The hair is still dressed high, but the small knot at the back of the head is adopted by many ladies. Cheviots and Angora cloths, ia fine linc9, checks and stripes, furnish material for many of the light-weight spring suits. AmoDg the favorite colors for dressy toilets are golden brown, pale primrose yellow, copper color and Persian lilac. ( . Outside jackets for Spring wear are longer than those worn last fall, and a hood of the material of the garment, lined with striped satin, is added. Bonnets of black lace and black beaded Spanish net over foundations of primrose, lavendar, pink, sea green or cherry satin, are worn oy iasmonauie lauies at me present time. The newest plain English jackets are cut considerably longer than last spring, and are perfect fitting at the back and under the arms, with loose fronts fitted by a single dart. Some of the new white wools have gay figures or minute lines of golden brown, cardinal, black, heliotrope or blue. They should be trimmed with rows of picot velvet ribbon. The coronet is a feature of the new Spring bonnets. II may be simply a revers of straw, or of beads, or velvet ornamented with beads, or else of fine flowers massed together without foliage. Loops of velvet of the darkest moss green are used to trim some of the new bonnets, and these are lined with spinach or apple green satin, the flowers used with these trimmings being pale green hops and pink roses. Both double and single-breasted jackets are worn. Horn buttons with eyes in the centre, or else tinted pearl buttons, are used on double-breasted coats, and smaller lasting or braid buttons upon single-breasted ones. Some lower-crowned bonnets are shown, the crowns being of silk or lace or of beads, with brims of straw or beaded.- There are also handkerchief crowns in soft folds, with some of the corncrs turned up in points in front. Among tlie Spring wraps may be seen dolman shapes with short jacket backs and long tab fronts, very short visites with sling sleeves and Russian hood, and still others have the fronts gathered to a point, and finished with heavy silk cord and jet tassels. Camel's hair, albatross, serge and nun's cloth are among the white wool goods intended for spring and summer wear. Heavv watered ribbon, an inch and a quarter wide, will be used as a garniture upon these dresses, being placed in rows upon the overskirt, both front and back. Smooth taffetas and beiges are shown among the new wool stuffs. These are always popular, on account of their light weight, and may be" had plain or barred in lines of contrasting color, or crossed with knotted threads of the same shade, or striped with double or twisted threads, giving a rough surface. Foremost among the new skirt draperies are the bell skirts and the inverted bell skirts, two directly opposing styles. One shows the skirt draped at the back with an appearance of fullness at the bottom, and is intended for stout ladies, the other, intended for slender women, having the fulness immediately below the waist. The effect in either case, when arranged in moderation, is excellent. Yegetable Meat-Eaters. One of the best known of these insecteating plants found here, as well as in Lapland and Scandinavia, is the sun-dew, discovered about a century ago. Another plant, the so-called Flytrap of Venus (Dionsa) of America, which was * * 4. T-I 1 J 1 J J J Drougnt 10 JLngiunu oue iiuuureu. auu twenty years ago, has received the name of Venus for the reason that, like the Goddess of Beauty, it attracts and captivates everything that heedlessly approaches it. At the bottom of the plant the leaves cluster like a rosette; from the center of this arises the flower stalk. The edge of the leaf, which is nearly circular, is over-grown with strong bristles, while its surface is covered with small glands, at either side of which are three long hairs. A fly approaches; carelessly it settles on the leaf, and perchance touches one of the six long hairs: suddenly the leaf flolds, the bristles interlace, and the insect is caught. Oftentimes the whole tragedy takes but ten seconds. The sensitive hairs have performed their duty; now begins the work of the glands. These discharge a large quantity of a colorless acid slime?the digestive fluid, pepsin?and the closed leaf changes at once into a stomachic organ. After a lapse of eight or nine days the leaf reopens, the insect has disappeared, the prey has been consumed. The above-mentioned facts constitute the main features of the process of digestion, but in connection with it many questions arise. What happens, for instance, if a non-edible object; irritate the hairs, perhaps a stone or a j piece of wood? The leaf closes with the! greatest possible swiftness, but soon discovers its mistake, and docs not discharge the digestive juice; after a lapse of twenty-four hours it again unfolds, ready for another capture. This does away with the marks of distinction thus far generally accepted, namely, that "plants live, animals live and feel," for the Dionsea distinguishes quite readily, by taste and feeling, that which is digestible from that which is not. By experiment, it has been ascertained that nitrogenous nourishment is preferred by the Dionaja; hence every kind of meat (beef, pork, and veal, either raw, fried or stewea) is digested by the plant; also albumen and cheese; the latter, however, causes disturbances during digestion, and the leaf easily ails.?Popular Science Monthly. The Gulf Stream's Warmth.. '1 tie tact is wen uuaersiooa, 01 course, that Great Britain and other parts of northwestern Europe owe much, in the matter of climate and temperature, to the wanning influence of the Gulf Stream. The extent of the effect which is thus produced, according to the calculations made by Dr. Croll, almost exceed belief, or even comprehension, in a mathematical sense. He has found, by careful scientific estimate, that the amount of heat conveyed northward in the Atlantic by this stream is equivalent to 77,479, 050,000,000,000,000 foot pounds of energy per day, which is equal to all the heat received by 1,500,935 square miles . at the equator, and more heat than is ' conveyed by all the air currents?and so 1 positive is its climatic effect, and so far 1 reaching, that, according to Dr. Croll, 1 the heat of the Arctic seas and North ' Atlantic would be diminished to that im- { mense extent by the stoppage or diversion of the creat ocean river. ' Be Careful of Yonr Signature. A gentleman of wealth, while practicing penmanship one day, wrote his name upon a blank slip of paper and allowed it j to lie on his desk. It attracted the attent ion of a neighbor, who, for a joke, , filled the space above the signature in the , form of a promissory note, and a few days j afterward the joking neighbor presented , the paper, with an oiler to allow consid- j erable discount if the apparant drawei ^ would cash it at the time. The gentle- ^ man perceived the joke, and the holder of , the document, placing it in his pocket, j departed, and nothing more was said ^ about it. Subsequently the holder was stricken with paralysis and died, and his j executors, finding the note, and having ( no knowledge of the joke attached to it, brought suit and received the sum for which it was drawn.?Youth's Companion. ( t 1 "our forestt THEIR INTIMATE RELATIONS TO THE PUBLIC WELFARE. Why the Trees Should Be Preserved From Destruction ?Their HealthGiving: Properties?Suggestions For Their Preservation, Etc. Prof. Edmund J. James of the University of Pennsylvania lectured recently at the Academy of Fine Arts, in Philadelphia, on "Our Forests and the Public Weal." He said: "The forests of any large country bear a peculiar relation to our national prosperity. Most people have an inadequate idea of the economic value of our own forests, the product of which in 1880 exceeded $700,000,000. This interest ranks third in the line of our material prosperity, counting manufacturing first and agriculture second. If forests were of no more consequence than as the source of the increment of wealth which their annual yield represents, they would be worthy of especial attention and care. But although the National Government has put forth great efforts and expended untold sums for the promotion of agriculture and manufacturing, for improving highways and rivers, it has done almost nothing for the protection and cultivation of our forests, fyr\?-*i varVkt/lVk TTfft nort Q IQTTPOI* iivm tvxuca nc uic ugimug a migu value in natural wealth than from all other natural supplies. But the argument that we should take care of our forests for fear that a scarcity of timber would follow their destruction is not the only one presented for their sustenance. A more important one is that they determine to a greater extent climatic and hygienic conditions. Whether the presence of forests increases the rainfall in a given area is a disputed question, but that they bring about a much better distribution of moisture throughout the year is not doubted. The forests are the regulators of the character of our great and little streams. This affects navigation and the whole transportation system of the country. It affects manufacturing, for factories and mills would not be founded along a water course which is a torrent one-fourth of a year and a dry bed during a like period. It affects the water supply of our great cities. It would, for instance, be possible to seriously injure agricultural interests along the lower Ohio by merely cutting off the forests at its sources. "Moreover, trees purify the atmosphere. They dry it when too damp and moisten it wnen too dry. 1 ney are mauuiaciurera of ozone, the life-giving element of the atmosphere. Dr. Pepper has shown that the greatest immunity from consumption exists where large areas of pine forests still stand. "If all the forests were cut off from the American continent the greater part of it would become in half a generation a howling wilderness incapable of supporting man or beast. A certain ratio, between twenty and thirty per cent, of the whole agricultural region of any country must, for the good of the rest, remain forest land. "It was estimated in 1870 that 10,000000 acres of forest land were cleared each year, at which rate of consumption it would require only forty years to clear out all woodland reported as belonging to private parties. The great pine forests of New England, New York, and Pennsylvania are rapidly disappearing, while those of Michigan and Wisconsin cannot last much lone-er at the present rate of consumption, and the great forests of the Southern States will disappear in their turn. Browsing animals and forest fires, however, are as destructive as the axe. The railroads, moreover, inflict enormous damage on the forests. Ties are cut from young trees, which would in fifty years afford immense quantities of valuable timber. For this purpose 30,000,000 vigorous young trees are destroyed annually. "It all amounts to this: We are cutting off our forests much faster than we are reproducing them. What can we do to prevent our forests entirely disappearing? First, a wide and extensive care on the part of the Government is necessary. It is a short-sighted policy to hand the timber resources of the country over to private parties without control. The Government timber lands should be taken from the list of lands for sale and be kept under the control of the Government. The general establishment of a State holiday called 'Arbor Day' is necessary. A school of forestry should be established, where the unsolved problems could be wnrlroH nut. flnrJ thfi knowledge acauired "" v* 4lkWV* "*** ? ? ? O" A be distributed. "It goes without saying that the Government should enact and enforce laws which shall put an end to the criminal destruction of our forests. We need in this State a commission of forestry, whose first business should be to take account of stock of all forests in the State. "We need in adequate library right here in Philadelphia of books on this subject, particularly the French and German works." Bread in Sweden. At Falun, writes a Globe-Democrat correspondent, we found the average Swedish inn, with a cheerless dining room, where each table was piled high with * * *11 * 1 knackbrod, enougn on eacu rauie 10 ieeu twenty soldiers. The knackbrod is a national institution and a sign surer than any sign post or frontier stone to tell one that he is in Sweden. It is made of rye or barley flour, mixed with potatoes and quantities of caraway seeds; is baked in thin sheets a foot in diameter, with a hole in the middle, and through this hole the market women run a string and carry it around for sale. In the bread market at Stockholm they fasten these strings of knackbrod to their shoulder yokes in piles that roach from the yokes nearly to the ground. To an tinappreciative palate it tastes (juite as much as it looks like dog biscuit and is tougher than anything else the human teeth struggle with. Besides the knackbrod, the Swedes offer you many varieties of sweet bread full of carlway seeds, and with the morning coffee afive you plates of these fancy kickshaws, [>ut never any plain white bread, and the ;offee at Falun was something to make jne shiver with disgust. How to Polish Cows' Horns. First boil the horn to remove the pith, 1 f it has been freshly taken from the ani- 1 nal; but if it is an old, dry horn the pith 1 nay be dried out, and boiling is not ] lecessary; but it may be laid in hot water 'or a short time to make it soft. Then .crape off all the roughness with a coarse 1 ile, a knife, or a piece of glass. When < ;ho rough spots are removed rub around ( :he horn with coarse sandpaper, then ] A-ith a finer kind. After this, rub the i 10m lengthwise with a flannel cloth 1 vhich has been dipped in powdered 1 pumice stone or rotten stone, and moist- ! meed in linseed oil. This rubbing should i continue .'ill all the sandpaper marks are 1 emoved, then give a final rubbing with a i ilean flannel cloth, and lastly with a piece i >f tissue-paper.?Inter-Ocean. < * ?? f '; r . - ?y THE HOME DOCTOR. For Nasal Catarrh. Take four or five tablespoonfuls warm salt water, add two drops tincture blood root and snuff up the nostrils, holding it there a few minutes, then snuff it up hard to clean out the nostrils. Try this every morning. In using any liniment for rheumatism, neuralgia or any aches, swellings, etc., wet a cloth with it and bind on or press on it with the hands till it heats up well, or heat it well by the fire. For a dry, hacking cough, two or three I: times a day take a little pinch of salt, let it dissolve slowly on the tongue and then swallow. Another: Take five cents worth each pulverized licorice, pulverized licorice extract and ground flaxseed} mix to- . gether, put a little in a cup, add strained . noney to sweeten wen, sieep in not water till licorice is dissolved. Take a good dose of it as often as the cough is troublesome. It is a sure, safe, speedy relief. Try it once.?J. W. Foote. ~ ?? - V>*4 Seventeen Health Hints. 1. Be regular in your habits. 2. If possible, go to bed at the same hour every night. 3. Rise in the morning soon after you " are awake. ' ? 4. A sponge bath of cold or tepid water should be followed by friction with towel or hand. 5. Eat plain food. 6. Begin your morning meal with fruit. 7. Don't go to work immediately after eating. 8. He moacratc in tne use ot liquids at all seasons. V 9. It is safer to filter and boil drinking J water. 10. Exercise in the open air whenever ; the weather permits. 11. In malarious districts do your / walking in the middle of the day. 12. Keep the feet comfortable and well protected. 13. (Wear woolen clothing the year jound. 14. See that your sleeping rooms and living rooms are well ventilated, and that sewer gas does not enter them. 15. Brush your teeth at least twice a day, night and morning. 16. Don't worry. It interferes with . the healthful action of the stomach. 17. You must have interesting occupation in vigorous old age. Continue to * keep the brain active. Rest means rust. ?Herald of Health. . , 'words of wisdom. . ' ; yZ'J They are happy whose natures sort with ' | their vocations. Longing for goodness does not bring it. It is to be sought with all the might. Modesty is to worth what' shadonfe are , in a painting; she gives to it strength and relief. Old men's eyes are like old men's memories; they are strongest for things a long .'-fi way off. '$& Men resemble the gods in nothing so c' much as in doing good for then: fellowcreatures. . You cannot dream yourself into a character; you must hammer and forge yourself one. Imitate time. It. destroys slowly. It : undermines, wears, loosens, separates. It does not uproot. A weak mind is like a microscope, which magnifies trifling things, but can- . j not receive great ones. Do not fail to make good resolutions ^ now because you failed to keep some you made last year. Try again. Thou shalt know by experience how salt the savor is of other's bread, and how a _ - At. 9A. !_ x. -1*?1 J I saa. a pain it 13 iu cumu ?uu uuucuu another's stairs. I All mankind are happier for having been happy, s? that, if you make them happy now, you make them happy twenty years hence by the memory of it. He is the greatest man who chooses the right with invincible resolution, who bears the heaviest burdens cheerfully, and whose reliance on truth and virtue u the most unfaltering. Flattery is often a traffic of mutual ^ meanness, where, although both parties J intend deception, neither are deceived, since words that cost little are exchanged for hopes that cost less. "We have certain work to do for orn needs, and that is to be done strenously; other work to do for our delight, and > that is to be done heartily; neither is it ' to be done by halves or shifts; but with a will; and what is not worth this effort is not to be done at all. The Great Pension Building. The interior of the great hall of the pension building will soon be finished. The immense stretch of wall has nearly \ V -ii 1 or?i^ cnmo i/Ioq Mn Ka , ? ail liccu piaaicicu, uuu. jumv, ?? formed of what the completed half will look like. Whatever difference of opinion there may be as to the merits of the outside of the building, it will no doubt - -1 be generally admitted that this hall is a graud room. In point of size it is larger, with one exception, than any audience room in this country, and in point of j capacity stauds a'jout fourth, in the : list of the large interiors of the world. The great Mormon tabernacle in Salt i Lake City is said to have the largest -5 capacity of any building in this country. It will seat about 15,000 people. Gen. Meigs, the architect of the pen- a sion building, says that the hall in the pension building and the galleries surrounding it have a seating capacity of . ^ 11,307 men. The hall itself is 316 feet " long and 11G feet wide, while it has two ties of galleries extending all around it which are 12 feet in width. A third gallery, which encircles the hall, has a ^ width of 5 feet. Gen. Meigs says he has estimated that 30,000 people can find standing room in this great space. St. Peter's Church, Koine, which is the largest structure in the world, will, in the same way, hold 54,000 people, while the Milan Cathedral will accommodate 37,000; St. Paul's Rome, 22,000, and St. Paul's London, 24,000. Gen. Meigs says he has no doubt that the principal portion of the inaugration exercises will in the futrue be held in this hall, as well is public funerals and other excrcises i tvhich attract lai-ge gatherings of the f people.? Washington Star. 3 The national debt per capita of the 1 United States is $23, or including State | lebts, $27; that of France is $124; of 1 -i J. *107. tiK. M jrruut 1^1 nam, 71M1 , v/a nu*4uuuj fiiu, h [taly, $80; of Belgium, $78; of Germany, m ?39. The combined national and State fl :axes, excluding county, town and other I ocal taxes, are, for the United States, ] M-50 Per capita, or $6, including paynent on the public debt; for Italy, $10.42; fl 'or Holland, $10.90; for Belgium, $11; "or Great Britain, $11.80; for Germany, ?12; for France, $18, or, with the annual Jeficit, $10.