The Abbeville press and banner. (Abbeville, S.C.) 1869-1924, September 02, 1891, Image 6
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iTwixt Life and Death
UNDER MEDICAL ADVICE.
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A Story of the FrancoPrussian
War.
BY ROBERT BUCHANAN.
? CHAPTER I.
THE GATHE11ING STOEJL
/ N a suncy Sabbath
7 A afternoon in the
4 f /\\fgr ^Jftncontb of October,
' iH |W]S70, tbe Cbevalier
JUde Gavrolles and
rNfii Blanche, a beauti
y?un8 gifl heJf
? Ijf'S L tween seve nteen
m3and eighteen yetrs
^gayLjga^l of age, attended
service in the
,' ~"t Lady, in the little
liillf 1 fflliff la village of Etretat,
UlJu 1 la cililJil* 6ituated some ten
er twelve English miles from the Beaport
% town of Havre, in Normandy.
There was a scanty congregation, consisting
for the most part of peasant
iromen, who, during the religions ceremonies,
whispered mnch among themselves
and otherwise paid unusually little attention'to
the ministrations of Father Andre,
the cure. The service over, all seemed
. greatly relieved and pressed rapidly out;
arto the open air to find the'churchyard
Ijfv thronged with eager groups of villagers
| who were eagerly discussing news just
^ communicated by telegraph from the seat
, of war
T1>? on/4 hia rtnnrrlitnr wcrn
XUO VUC'aiiCX nuu W49 WWM^MW* "? ?
< almost the last to leave. As they lingered
? in the porch they were joined by Father
Andre, who salutedj them .with friendly
P, WRoect
! Seen thns ruce to i?te. ?.n? cnevalier and
* the little priest offered a striking contrast,
f. lor the former was a tall, powerfully
? built man of forty-five, with erect, mili[
tary carri-jge and a face still preserving
' much of the freshness of youth; while tha
latter, short, plump and rotund, was well
on in the sixties, with a head that drooped
between his shoulders and hair frosted'
Over with silver rime.
"Bad news, Chevalier!" cried Father
Andre, nodding nervously at the groups
in the churchyard. "You have heard of
course?"
"Yes. Father," was the reply; "the Ger
mans are rapidly advancing, and we are
ooo <o taste the horrors of defeat in grim
arnest."
Ab he spoke he glanced somewhat wistfully
at the fair face of the girl, looking
P*- eagerly and wonderingly into his?a spirit J
: OflXlzed and softened reflection of his own
face, without the lines left by time or
aorrow.
"Grim earnest, as yon say!" cried the
little priest, with a pugnacious toss of the
-Itead. "But let them look to it?let them
lake care; they may go a step too far, these
Oermans. Our bayonets will dig theii
'graves, though they were twenty timeB as
?uny!"
The Chevalier sighed as he responded:
After all, they are but paying an old
?fcu. We overran tbeir country as they |
are overrunning ours." ~
;7: "But it is different?it is widely different.
The great Napoleon "
j-^Sowed desolation and misery far and
. wiae," interrupted the Chevalier.
a great soldier, a miriculons
j^BOldier!" ^ ' I
t- soldiet, granted, but a little i
man, Father. We are reaping now what
be sowed oeiore we were oorn:
Father Andre, perspiring violently, uttered
an angry exclamation; then, conquer"
fag his excitement, he forced a smile and
added:
r< "Ah! but I know?>0very ono knows?yon
> ere a man of peace! From the first you
' lieve said we were in the wrODg. Well, it
?ay be pbBsible; but our folly, if it were
folly, was expiated by the foolish Em1
peror at Sedan. Now it is another affair.
$ The oountry is in danger, Chevalier. All
\ true men are flocking; to the standard of
; our beloved France. I swear to you that
g; if I were a few years younger, and did
f not wear this black coat* I would be fighting
at the front myself!"
Once more the Chevalier glanced tenderly
at his daughter, and his countenance
grew troubled with some inner pain,
p' "Will you dine with us to-night, Father
? - -?on 1? ?1__.l ? T
AllUItJ l UD U6&CU. x uu>o ovmoiuuijj
&,' ^ery particular to say to you."
"Many thanks, Chevalier; I will come.
2 must crave mademoiselle's pardon a
thousand times if 1 have frightened her
with my warlike talk."
5-1'.' "I am not frightened," answered
Blanche, with a gentle smile; "only I was
Be thinking how terrible is war! Why cannot
men love one another, and remain at
peace?"
Quitting the churchyard, the Chevalier
' -a&d bis daughter took a path which led
ly a circuitous route up to the summit of
Hie sea-cliffs.
On the very tammit of the cliff, to the
Tight of Etretat, looking seaward, stands
file tiny chapel of Notre Dame de la Garde
(Our Lady of Safety;, the door of which is
pen day and night, and the altar of which
is hung with all sorts of rude votive offerJags,
made by the fishermen and those who
' there. Hither father and daughter
bent their footsteps, and presently en'.crtog
the little chapel, stood tor a few minutes
in meditat on.
Over the altar hung a rude picture, replesentiug
shipwrecked sailors on a raft,
-while above them, through an opening in
file clond, appeared a miraculous vision of
Our Lady herself. Only one other person
was in the building?a very old woman?
kneelicg before the picture, praying volu?
Uv and telling her bends. Presently she
lose to her feet and hobbled to the door,
till muttering to herself. She paused on
the cliff and looked down at the calm sea,
moving ber bead painfally from side to
:de.
Tbe Chevalier and his daughter approached
ber.
"Good day. mother," said the former.
"Were you offering up a prayer for some
one out yonder on the sea.'"
The old woman looked at him from bead
to foot, then at the fair girl at his side.
"My son is not a fisherman," she answered;
"he is. a soldier."
~ Well, It is the same thing. There are
perils on the land as well as on the ocean,
?nd jnst now worse perils. Where is youi
on at present?"
"At the front," was the reply. "Tbe
food God only knows if he lives still."
?he added savagely: "The accursed Germans!
I have heard that out there in
Xiorraine. where the Prussians came, our
& .folks poisoned the spring wellB. It was
veil done?well done!"
"Nay, mother; it was wickedly done, If
done at all!" cried Blanche, indignantly.
"But I'll never believe it of our brave
, countrymen!"
The old woman looked at her balefully.
"It is all verv welL" she returned, "for
fine folks like you to talk like that! You
aristocrats look on while we poor folks are
driven out to die. My son is a pe is int. I
could not buy him a substitute; he had to
go."
"Let it comfort you," mid the girl, "that
3ie s fight ng for a noble cause!"
"A roble Cnuse. What care I for the
rause? I want my son. Had he been a fine
Eatleman like bim beside yon, he would
ve staved safe at home: but he was poor.
mi nave saia, ana tbeyfooK mm from me
f ?my Jean, my only son! Ah, it is an infamy!
There h one God for the p oor and
Mother for the rich; and it is the poor who
must mfi'er for all the evil our rulers do!"
80 saying. and once more subsiding into
it i?okeu aiutte.in^s. the Cione moved feellv
away, raitierana aaugnter turned sadly
and walked slowly along the summit of the
cliffs.
' Blanche, my child, yon heard what the
old *vomr.n said? She was right. In theso
sac1 iiincs of war the evil falls only upon the
iiaIi ova tlr\A I'nrttTC
j'UUi , \? uiK. kilo llwu ui c 0|nuv.u> v^? wu auw " o
it is not just!"
She irnzed at him earnestly, as il not
quite garnering nis meaning, D3fore she
replied:
"But it is not only the poor who are
fighting now for the Fatherland. The
journals are full of the names of those
who are flocking to take service against
the enemy, and the flower of our old nobility
is among them. Many have gonfl
even as common 6oldiers. Ah! but they
are brave."
The Chevalier's face flushed; but the
Bush faded, and the old look of pain returned.
"Come. Blanche!" he yud,hurriedly, and
they walked on.
After following for about a mile the foot.
path along the cliffs, they turned inlandt
and crossing the plateau of grass and
thyme, came upon open fields, where all
the summer the yellow colza had been
growing. Presently they approached the
shadow of fir woods. A modest gate
opened to a narrow avenue winding: through
the trees, and following this aveuue for
some distance they came in sight of the
old chateau which for many a generation
had been the dwelling o>" -he family.
It was an o^fl-fashioned house, with a
grand old porch and terrace facing; the;
I south, and surrounded on every side by
woodland and belts of pasture. The garden
I ir* frnnt nf if trna orror>/I in orrtipao anrl
6hady walks, and behind it were several
orchards connected with the home farm.i
Seen in the subdued light of that autumnal
day the place looked somewhat forlorn and
a little neglected; for the Chevalier de
Gavrolles, though of old descent, was not
a rich man, and found it necessary for'
many reasons to economize his income.'
One gardener, with occasional assistance
from Houzel, the forester, had to keep
the flower-beds and parterres in decent
order; one old man servant or butler, in'
addition to the serving maids, had to
supei intend matters within the house.
A certain picturesqueness was added to
the chateau by a peacock in full plumage,
who was strutting ou the terrace and
screading hie irisetftail in the rosy sunset
light. As they approached, BTanohe left
her father's side and ran toward the bird,
which greeted her with its harsh discordant
cry.
"Poor Blanche!" he muttered; "6he is so
happy now!"
He sat down on the terrace and lighted
a cigar. His thoughts were traveling back!
to the day when his beloved wife had
died, leaving him a lonely widower, withi
that one child. Since then Blanche had
been the joy and comfort of his life, and
they had dwelt together in solitude, seeing
little or no society, and seldom quitting
their country home. A student?almost a
book-worm?he ha l belied all the tradi-,
tions of his house by deolining at the very,
outset a military career, for which he had
neither taste nor inclination. He had
held a commission during his youth and;
seen some active service abroad; but when
the empire came he had left the army,married
and led the life of a quiet country
gentleman. 1
Father Andre cams according to appointment,
and the three dined together, waited |
gn by old Hubert, the butler, who was clad
in the faded livery of the family. More
than once during the repast the talk turned 1
upon the central topic of public interest;
and the lit'.le priest, waraied with wine, ]
had occasion to reiterate bis belligerent .
sentiments, to tl^e huge ^gltgfct"ayl ap-' i '
proval of old Hubert, wilo'uiinoai <i*oppM
the dishes in the excitement of his ea^eJ
sympathy. At last Blanche left the table, '
Hniiei t retired and the o gentlemen were f
Text tEeir co$e? 1
Tor some minute? they talked on gen? '
eral matters: then, after an uneasy glanc? '
at the closed door, the Chevalier said: <
"I wished to sp?ak to you, Father An- '
dre, on a subject which concerns the happiness
of my dear daughter." i
"Ah!"
The priest's eyes sparkled, end he pursed I
his lips knowingly.
"Blanche, as you know, Is now nearly i
eighteen. Should anything happen to me
she would be aloae in the world.
"The fact is, Father Andre, that I can- !
not quite acquit myself of selfishness and ;
want of patriotism at a moment so threatening
to the liberties of my dear country.
I have hesitated for a long time, but now
mv mind is made up. I have not drawn
a sword for over twenty years, but last
night I wrote to the administration, offering
my services as an old officer and a
volunteer."
An impulsive "bravo" was on Father
Andre's lips, but he ^booked himself, and
assumed a look of extreme concern and
I sympathy.
"Jbut Mademoiselle Blanche? Does she
know? Have you told her?"
The Chevalier shook nis head.
Unable to restrain his enthusiasm any
longer, Father Andre reached out his hand
and grasped that of his entertainer. .
"It is a noble determination! Mademoi-j
selle Blanche will offer no obstacles, I am
sure."
"I do not,think she will." returned the
CUevalier, "wiien 1 nave made my duty
plain to her; for though she is a child, sh-f
has rare courage. What I have further to
Bay concerns her future. During my absence,
and afterward, if?if anything
6hould happen while I nm away, 6he Will
remain here at the chateau."
"Certainly."
"Mere Fevereau. the housekeeper, is her
nfor eVin
U1U UU1 co, uji-uunv uui lull vi-UJ vwuv< ) p-w
will never neglect her charge. For the rest
you, old friend, will look in from time to
time, to see that all goes well. Should she
be low-spirited and anxious, you will comfort
her, will you not? And, 6hould I
never return "
Tears rose in his eyes; but conquering
his emotion, and brushing the moisture
away with his hand, he proceeded:
" Should I riever return, you will watch
over her and protect her. Her worldly
position will be secure?I have attended to
all that?and she will remain mistress ef
the chateau."
"Nay.nay," cried the priest good-numoredly.
"The good God will bring you safely
back to mademoiselle. Yoa will kill a few
rascally Germans, and return like a hero
when the war is done!"
"But you promise to do as I have asked
you? You accept the commission as a
6acred tru6t?"
"As a sacre 1 trust, Chevalier."
Presently the prieut rose to go, for the
evening was well advanced and Le was an
early bird. Before departing he accompanied
his host to the drawing-room, a large
chamber furnished in the style of Louis
Quatorze, and here they found Blanche all
gilone, seated at the harmonium and singing
one of the sweet old hymns once so
popular in Normandy. They entered
quHitly and stood listening, When the
hymn was fiuisded the Chevalier bent over
her and kissed her fondly.
"I shall tell her to-night," he whispered
to Father Andre as they parted at the
porch.
He returned slowly to the drawing-room
and found that his daughter had drawn
back the heavy window curtains and was
gazing out upon the garden, flooded by the
lays of the mil moon. The moonlight
ciept in, shone softly upon her ftceand
clung round her tall, slight form like a
robe of mignetic brightness. Quietly and
silently the Chevalier, joined her in th?
recess or tne oriel-window, and they gazed
out upo.i the night together.
"Is it not beautiful?" said the girl, holding
his hand and raising it to her lijiS.
"Hark! I tn ink I can hear the sound of
the pea."
"It is the wind in the treetops," replied
the Chevaiier. almost vacantly.
Blanche, with a sad smile of infinite
fon.luess, placed his hand against her
cluek, and kept it there tenderly, while
her dreamy eyes still searched the mooulight
on the elteping woods.
At Lst he could boar the suspense nc
longer- Hot withdrawing his Band, he
i *
1UUACU uuwu u^iuju iuo ia^o vi uid uau^uici
and said in a low voice:
"Blanche, lhave something to say to you
?something, my child, that may cause you
some surprise, and perhaps a little pain.
In a few days, my da:ling, I must leave
you and go upon a journey."
Something in the tone more than in the
words startled the girl. She turned quickly,
and with an eager cry gazed into her
father's eyes.
"Father, what is it? Something has happened.
Going upon a journej.
you going?"
He took her head between his two trembling
handc and kissed her gently on the
forehead before he replied.
"To the fiontier^BJanche. The country
is in danger, and I am going to take my
place among the soldiers of France."
CHAPTER II.
BLANCHE.
It was pome minutes before Blanche
could realize the full significance of her
futher'9 words; and even when she did so
sne aid not weep ana wau in me manner
of hysterical damsels. Her father had
not misestimated her character; Ehe possessed
both courage and self-control. Yet
it would have been seen, had the sunlight
been shining upon her, that the lifeblood
had fled from her cheeks, leaving
them white and cold as marble, and that
in her eyes there was a fixed expression of
horror and pain. Trembling violently, she
clung to her father, as if she already felt
the iron hand which was about to snatch
him from her.
"Father, you will not go! France has
thousands upon thousands of soldiers, and
I liave only you? Promise me you will
stay?promise, and I know you will keep
your word."
"My word is already given," replied the
Chevalier, gently; "and it pledges me to
accent service ia the defense of mv couu
try. My darling, I have hesitated a long
time in my great love and oare for you; but
the events of the last few days have decided
me, and if I am now delayed I should
feel myself little better than a miserable
coward."
"No one would think you that!" exclaimed
Blanche. "All the world know?
that you are brave.''
"Blanche, my darling, do not unman me.
You know now which way my duty lies.
Suffer me to fulfill it; you must! you will!"
"It is so sudden, so terrible," shd replied.
"And we were so happy here together.
Oh, father, must you go?"
"You know I must."
"Then I will try to bear it?I will try to
justify your faith in me. And in a little
while you will come back to me, will you
not?"
"Yes, dear, God willing."
As fie spoke he clasped her in his arms,
and kissed her tenderly again and again.
Both were strongly moved; both seemed to
feel the Bhadow of an eternal separation.
But with a strong effort the noble girl conquered
her agony before it could conquer
her, and sought with all her power to
11 rrVifnn +V?a Knrdfln nf Vior cnrrrtw
The next morning when they met she
was calm and resigned, though very pale.
She had spent the greater part of the
night in prayer, and sacred strength had
come to her from the divine source of all
onr smiles and tears. Her father looked
at her in wonder; for he knew the depth of
her devotion to him and realized fnlly
the supreme effort the was making for his
sake.
Two days later came letters from the administration
accepting his volnntry services
ond bj^ding him to repair at once to
pfatCy, almost calmly, Blanche Baw to
the preparations for his departure; but on
:he last night before the separation the
mguish became too much for her and she
kirlv broke down and sobbei noon his
j'reaet. Then"taking from her bosom a
small gold medallion attached to a slen~
Jer golden chain, Bbc placed it in his hands,
saying:
"Father, seel It contains my mother's
portrait and mine. You will wear it, will
I7/-.71 r?rtt9 PprVinno?flo.3 knows!?it will
[>e a charm to keep you saf?, to bring yon
back to me. On,* father, father!" she
added wildly, "what shall I do when you
are gone away?"
He drew her softly to him, smoothing
her hair with bis hinds and looking|into
heT eye9.
Blanche, my child," he said, "do not let
nj be selfish in our sorrow; do not let us
forget that ours is a common misery,
shared by thousands upon thousands, not
only here in France, but yonder in Germany,
beyond the Rhine."
"Ah, my father, you are good. Even in
yonr great sorrow you feel for others more
than for yourself. But all tho world knows
?even Father Andre has said it io the
pulpit?our enemies are monsters, without
pity ana without love."
"Nay, Blanche," he answered, gently,
"they are only Unfortunate men like ourselves,
speaking a different tongue, but
capable of the same holy alfections. They
are not to blame, but the evil rulers who
rrge them on. It is with a sad heart, my
child, that I draw the sword against any
fellow-creature; but the peril of France is
my justification, and whatever blow I
strike will be a blow of self-defense."
[TO BE CONTINUED.]
The Hemp Industry.
Kentucky has heretofore been our
principal hemp producing State, but
the constantly increasing use of fibre for
various purposes, and especially for
binding twine, seems to de;nand for it
a wider area of cultivation than it has
previously, occupied. In the last annual
report of the Secretary of Agriculture it
is said there is no reason why hemp culture
should not be extended over a dozen
States and the product used in manufactures
which now employ thousands of
tons of imported fibre. In the manufacture
of binder-twine alone there is an
outlet for upward of fifty thousand tons
of hemp anuually. Mauila is no better
than hemp, and sisal quite inferior.
When the market for binder-twiue was
first created American hemp fitted the
demand?the more carefully prepared
article, straight or dressed hemp, being
employed. About ten years ago the demand
increased to a point beyond the
6upply, and to meet the exigency of the
case other fibres were employed. Manila
and sisal came into use, and as the consumption
of binder-twine grew to its
present enormous proportions these fibres
held their position and hemp was relegated
to the background.
Extensive manufacturers of harvesting
machinery are quoted as saying that
there is no fibre in the world better
! suited to this use than American hemp.
The usual course of procedure in Kentucky
in raising hemp on blue grass sod
is to plow about four inches deep in the
fall or early spring; sow about the time
to plant corn; sow broadcast thirty-three
pounds of seed per acre, having first
prepared the seed-bed thoroughly, aud
cover by dragging with the harro .v as for
any of the small grains. About one hundred
days are required for the crop to
mature. The fact that sisal hemp can
be grown in this country was satisfactorily
demonstrated many years ago, but
the frost line sharply marks the northern
limit of its cultivation.?Ncio York
World.
j A family at .Norristown, Pa., keeps
fortr-eeven cats. Its name is carefully
kept from the public, but it is undoubtedly
well and unfavorably known to al]
the neighbors.
BLUECOAT BOYS. |;
t
CHARITY PUPILS OF ONE OP f
LONDON'S INSTITUTIONS. t
i [
How the Boys Are Dressed?Taught 1
to Take Care of Themselves? s
Their Dining Room?
Mode ot Admission. t
"V
Two boys who strode along the Strand *
a couple of days ago attracted quite 1
enough attention to satisfy them, per- ?
haps more. They were dressed alike, ?
though one was a tall, black haired, jj
olive complexioned fellow, not a bit ^
English in appearance, while the other c
was rather short, had very broad shoulders,
red cheeks, and short curly hair,
in color about two shades darker than an
ordinary halo. Neither of them wore
anything but hair upon their heads. As
they strode along at a good swinging
pace the long and loose tailed blue coats
-4- * ? ?~ ilinwlrr nKrtnf
Will (J 11 Lucy VVUIC UicjJJJCUiaiiluiaiij uuwuv
their yellow-FtockiDged legs.
The coats were fastened about the
waist by narrow leather belts that resembled
old-fashijned skate straps. A
dozen silver buttons?at any rate, they
looked like silver?ran in a straight line
from a point six inches below the chin
down to the leather belt. A long and >
narrow piece of white linen, which covered
the top three buttons, represented
a collar and gave the boys a
clerical cut. Their stockings were yellow?a
robust shade of canary. Their
shoes were low and large. It seemed to
be there was a great waste of leather in
them, but this did not appear to bothor
the boys.
The pair were "Bluecoat" boys from
Christ's Hospital echool. Everybody in
London knows the school, and has often
3een the boys. Strangers always look at
them with great interest, ask what they .
are, and, having found out, pay a visit 1
to Christ's Hospital and walk over as 4
much of that interesting and ancient pile e
as the gatekeeper with the black fop hat c
with the 6ilver lace band will permit. s
Londoners will not see so much of the c
boys in future, as the school is to be re? 0
moved. *
The school dates from the reign of Ed- 1
waid VI., and his statue is among the 1
many interesting features of the great c
structure at which one can get a peep 6
between tall iron railings in Newgata a
street. It was founded at a charity; that &
Is, boys who could not otherwise obtain
in education on account of the poverty ?
of their parents, or the lack of them, *
were to be given an education, and a 4
pretty thorough one, at Christ's Hospi- 8
tal. But as the years rolled on and gave j ^
place to others the real charity boy rolled v
on too and gave place to others who ?
A- 1
THE OLD PUMP.
would be very indignant indeed were it
insinuated that they were even on the
most distact terms with charity. This
change gave the Charity Commissioners ]
an opportunity to step in and take a t
hand in the government, and, according I r
to their decision, a new site is to be ob- ! r
taincd for the school. This site has not ' s
been obtained yet, though good judges | s
?supposed to be so at least!?have been ?
on the look out for some time. c
The site of the present school build* c
ings contains five and one-fourth acrcs, ^
and the buildinss, I tm informed, are tc \ \
be demolished when the new site has , r
been procured and the present one has j
been sold. I am told that an offer of t
?500,000 has been made for it. To de- ?
molish the buildings will he to remove r
one of the oldest and most interesting 1
monumeuts in London. So vast are these {
buildings that in many of the corridors
and other passages that are open to the ]
elements the roar of London is unheard <
or falls upon the air in a sleepy murmur, j
Lovers of the antique and of thearchi- j
tecturally severe could spend hours in (
the great dining hall. It is the second \
largest hall of tha kind in London, that <
of Westminster ranking first. It is 195 ]
feet long from wall to wall. The ceiling (
is of oak, the great beams, black with <
-IrtrtL-Jnrr nrinilopniia pvpn fit. thfi tre*
a{SC' J/uu-v.v? -
mendous height from which they look
down. The sides of the hall are panelled
with oak, also black, to a height of
at least ten feet, and along the top of j
one panel is a long row of tablets con- j
taining the names of the various treas- j
urers of the hospital. ]
The stained glass windows, through \
the dark rich colors of which the sun- j
light is softened as it streams, contain ]
the crests of many of the Governors,
while the central windows bear the Royal i
Arms. On the east wall is a large paint- i
ing by Vario, who began the work in \
1684 and finished it in 1690. It was j
painted to commemorate the foundation <
and endowment, within the hospital, of (
the Royal Mathematical School by King 1
Charles II. by letters patent in 1673, and |
shows the mathematical scholars pre- ]
senting the Charter of Edward VI. On j
the same walls are life size portraits, in ,
oils, of Her Majesty the Queen, commemorating
her visit to the hospital in (
1845, the Prince Consort and the Duke <
of Cambridge. i
At the north end of the hall is a galler i
for visiters aud friends of the Governors 1
during an entertainment. On the face of 1
the gallery are the Royal Arms. At the '
other end of the hall is the organ and <
u place for the choir. There, too, ara
the arms of the school, two Bluecoat
boys, placed there in the Jubilee year,
and showing that, at that time, the school
dated from Edward VI., 1553, to Victoria,
18S7. Underneath is the inscription:
"Fear God and Honor the King."
Five rows of oak tables stretch from '
one end of the hall to the other, and on
each side of each row is a row of oak
benches. At these tables the boys, of
whom there are 750. eat three meals a
lay. The boys lay the tables, demolish
he food aad clear the tables. Against
he east wall, about the centre, is an old
ashioned reading desk. In this one of
he seniors, or Grecians, a9 they a:o
:alled, reads, before and after meals,
hree times a day. The cicerone said the
-V.; ((.oK/rirvMS ?
uujcvb vvao aivruya ign^ivu^i
The Bluecoat boys should be able to
ake care of themselves almost any?
pkere, for they are taught to do everyhing
for themselves. They make their
wn beds and make them well. In each
lormitory there are fifty iron bedsteads,
o constructed that if a boy happens to
)o kicked out of bed he has only about
iltecn inches to fall, though the cicerone
lid not say that kicking each other out
if bed was one of the usual amusements.
J!!
A BLTTECOAT BOY.
rbe boys black their own boot3, and
'catch it" if their boots are not proprly
cleaned, and if the blacking brushes
io not looK at all times reasonably repectable.
The monitors and first Greians
are not compelled to clean theii
iwn boots, some younger boy is expected
o perform the operation for them, bul
or this the younger boy must be paid,
hat is according to the rules, and oi
ourse the rules are obeyed. The cicerone
aid that no fagging was practiced. He
dded the saving clause, "so far as ]
JIOW."
To be admitted to the school a boy
iust not be younger than ten or older
han eleven years, The school is inended
"for children of persons distinnished
in literature, science or art, or
a the service of the Crown, or those
iho have rendered services to the public
r to Christ's Hospital; for children of
iverymen of certain city companies."
Children are also admitted now by comletition,
so that brain9, and not poverty,
3 an open sesame. Admission is by preentation
of a Governor?tjjere are 300
Jovernors?or of the Council of Alaonors.
According to the rules, no child shall
ie admitted whose parents or relations
lo not need assistance toward theeducaion
and maintenance of such child.
THE BOYS AT PLAY.
There is an impression m some quarters
hat this rule has not at all times been
igidly enforced. No presentations cr
Lomination3 are likely to by issued for
everal years, as each Governor is retricted
to one presentation in six years
?for which he may receive several huaIred
applications?as under the scheme
if the Charity Commissioners, the num>er
of boys in the boarding school is to
>e considerably reduced. To be adnitted,
a boy must, of course, be iu
jood health, be intelligent and be able
o read and write and have, age con:idered,
a reasonable knowledge of
geography, arithmetic and grammar,
iny boy should be able to pass the elimination.
The boys have a splendid playground,
[t is paved, however, so that cricket is
jut cf the question. Football is the
principal amusement, and very odd the
joys look when they tuck up their long
;oats in order to be unhampered while
:hev try to kick holes in the ball or in
>ach other. After a game .they are
much given to rushing to the old pump
ind drinking from one of the oldest
wells and of the purest water in London.
?London Herald.
Resnlts of Impaction of Ear-Wax.
Impaction of cererum, or car-wax, as
t is popularly called, usually produces
10 more consequence than partial or temporary
deafness. But Dr. Dalbey, of
[owa, publishes a case which shows that
:his apparently simple coadition may
produce serious and even dangerous
resrilts of a far-reaching character.
The case was that of a farmer who had
seen completely deaf in the right ear for
iweuty-five years. One day, after exposure
to dampness, an acute pain developed
in this ear, followed by complete paralysis
of the right side of the face. The
ioctor carefully syringed it, and found
that the ear-drum had been destroyed,
md that the wax had worked into tho
little cavities in the bone behind the ear,
ind pressed against the nerve which
controls the superficial muscles of the
face. At the expiration of a few months
3f electrical treatment tho patient was
entirely cured of his paralysis. This
:ase emphasizes the necessity of mothers
md nurses being minutely watchful in
the care of the cars of children who arc
;ither too young or heedless to attend to
the matter themselves.?New Tork Mail
znd Express.
Barbara Pretchie, of war fame, is
buried in the cemetery of the German
Reformed Church, near Frederick, Md.
Her grave is marked simply by a stone
that bears her name, age and the dat<
"1862." Briers run wild over th?
mound.
A shark twenty-five feet in length was
recently caught in the harbor of Panama,
and its skin was half an inch thick*
A New Baby Carrier.
This most iDgeuious and useful little
article is in reality a miniature hammock,
which can he fistened round the neck
at various heights by strong hooks. The
baby being" placed inside the hands of
the nurse are left perfectly free, the arms
saved from aDy strain or subsequent ach
A NEW BABY CARRIER.
ing, and perfect comfort and safety are
insured for the child. The "baby carrier"
-weighs under three ounces, will
wash and when not in use can be folded
up into a very small compass and carried
in the pocket.
Every woman knows how, when tQe
baby wants to be nursed, everything else
must be put aside and every movement
studied; therefore, the value of an article
the use of which admits of a book or
work being held and saves the arms from
many an hour's aching can be thoroughly
aDDreciated.?Ladies' Pictorial London.
A Lecture on Trees Illustrated With
au Umbrella.
Here we have a form of the cypress?
Hero the palm?
And here the pine.?FliegentJe Blaettei'.
Half Oak. Half Cherrj\
Near the old cemetery in West Alexandria,
W. Va., a big tree is growing,
which forks at three feet nine inche3
{mm fV?n npfAimrl A rina*nnf.l v if. i<a d
",u j
white oak, but on examination it appears
that above the fork it branches into
two specie9, one a white oak and the
other a white cherry, with the foliage
puculiar to each. The oak is about
ixty-five and the cherry fifty.five feet
high.?Times-Donocrat.
"When "William Penn sailed tip the
Delaware, in 1682, there were aboul
3,500 white people in the province and
territories, and on the eastern bank oJ
the river from Trenton to Salem. A
few wigwams and not over twenty
houses were to be found within the entire
limits of what is now Philadelphia.
In 1684 the infant town had about2,50C
residents, while iu 1699 Philadelphia
and its Liberties had nearly 5,000
people. Between this period and 179C
there are almost no trustworthy records
of population. The Philadelphia
Directory, published in 1785 by Francis
White, contains approximately
3,900 names of citizens, while Mao
Pherson's Directory for the same yeai
has more than 6,000 names. In 179C
the first census was taken, and the
population was found to be 54.39L
AKEW YORK girl has set a worthy
example to all women. She was to be
married and w*s ready to go to the
altar wfcen her 1 usband came to her
intoxicated. Sue loved the man, but refused
to risk her happiness with one
who would go to hid wedding in such a
condition. She pointed to the door and
commanded him never again to enter
her home. It not only required courage
but a great deal of common sense
to do that, but it was the proper thing
for the occasion.
There are now in the deld 6,996 ordained
missionaries and a multitude of
lay workers upon active duty. The missionary
work was begun within the
memory of living people, and the missionary
spirit was never before so uni,
vereol among Christian people as now.
>;
' ' ' '
THE MERRY BEGGAR..
I brave the day, I brave the night,.
I throw my sorrows to the wind.
And try to keep a cheerful mind.
Although my coat is thin and light;
Although my hat
Is wondered at,
Because I shaved the outer rimTo
try and keep it smooth and trim;
I laugh and sing, and whistle, too,
When I have wind enough to spare,.
But in the sharp and frosty air
My breath comes short, my nose turns bluv
My fingers freeze.
And my poor knees
Would knock together did they daray
But still I keep a jaunty air.
When bread is scarce and shelter poor
I watch the sparrows, and I say ', .
"I only want a meal a day."
And if they turn me from the door
I tramp for weeks
And dodge the beaks,
And with no money for a bed
T 4??t r? n nwiVimntT AW a c Ka/1
A bljr (Ui tuwunaj vi a bu?w?
.>?**
I brave the day, I bravs the night*
I throw my sorrows to the wind,
'Tls wise to keep a cheerful mind
And screw your courage for the fight.
And so, kind Sir,
In case you err,
"With overpity, worse than none,
Just hand a copper and have don *
?Nina F. Layard, in Longman's^
PITH AND POINT. 1
Herd In confidence?Tame deer.-*
Puck.
Appointed to fill a vacancy?Tour
dining table.?Puck.
The hounded man usually goes to th?
dogs.?Piiiiburg Pott.
Birds never quarrel over a difference
Of a pinion.?Yonkert Gazette.
Occasionally the wisest owl hoots at
the wrong time?Atchison Globe.
A lounge is sometimes used in thfr
bed's-stead.-*-Binghamton Republican.
It takes the yellows to give the peach
growers the blues.?Baltimore American*
The modern girl often lontjs for sucl*
a Boaz Ruth had.?Binghamlon Repttilican.
i
Always forgive your enemies?espe?:
cially tho3e you can't whip.-'TcakXf
Sifting*.
Hunger may sharpen the wits, but it. .
puts a vicious wire-edge on the tempefJ
?Pack.
"When I work I frequently play?'}
"What is your business?" "I'm a flra*
man."? Yankee Blade.
There are people who get credit foir f ;
being good simply because they havd
poor health.?Rami Born.
A paradox?That the horse in tha
tread-mill 6hould keep on straight ahead,
and yet be always-turning.
"When men say ' 'short accounts make
long friends" they do not refer to banc
accounts.?JSTew York Herald.
A life-size picture of the penitentiary
should be kept in the. office of everj
State Treasurer.?Qalvaton Jiews.
The New York murderer thinks thafe
"electrocution" is not only a poor worfl
but a tough sentence.?Chicago Timet. \
The man who hasn't the capacity tfl|
attend to his own business always finds
others to do it for him.?Galmton Nevoti
The sports of children may satisfy the!
child, but they usually spread a wave of
riio^nnfonf thrnnwh tha whole neicrhbirf*
hood.?Puck. ? I
The pickpocket is a living example of
the truth that in order to succeed ia life
one should keep in touch with his feli
lows.?Beaton Courier. i
She?"Don't you sing? Why, hoW
stupid of you!" He?"If you'd ever
heard me you'd thiuk it was everlasting
smart of me."?West Shore.
The quickest way to convince a person;
of the accuracy of the Darwinian theory
is to show him a summer boy with hiii
hair clipped.?Binqhamton Republican. i *
Two men looked at a branch of bay, ]
And bath for fame did itch;
Pate gave to one the crown of leaves^
AUUUCUC1 guw liug onnvu.
?Puck. i
There are said to be nearly six thousand
pieces in a modern locomotive?especially
when the engineer fails to Beg
the rear lights on the train ahead.?Chicago
Post.
If you will but notice it, there sraf
more learned fools in this world thaa
ignorant ones; or is it because they hava
better facilities for exhibiting their foolJ
ishness??Boston Transcript.
Briton?"If you are such a rampant!
American I should think you would re-'
main where Americana are most appre-j
dated." American?"I do?in London..
and Paris."?Kate Field's Washington, ;
He slipped the ring upon her hand,
And kissed bis bonny bride;
And the Etrains of the same old wedding
march
Went outward wirti the tied.
? Washington Post.
* An actor makes real love to a pretty
girl in private life. "Dearest, I love
you devotedly. I implore you to listen!
to me?I?I?I?goodness gracious,'
Where's the prompter?"?Fliegtndc BlattA
ter.
Miss Summit?"Have you heard the
dreadful news about Miss Ringster? Yes*
terday she jumped out of a three storywindow
and killed herself." Miss Pali-'
sade?"Oh, isn't that awful? "What did
she have on?"?Cloak Review.
William the Wanderer (.it the kitchen
window, sniffing the delicious odor ofj
the cooking dinner)?"Beauteous maid,]
I smell?" The Cook?"I knowye do;
an' if yor don't go away from here I'll'
put the boord av hilth on yer."?Jury. ;
Probably the hardest, most trying
thine: which can befall anyone in thisj
world is the endeavor to decipher the;
important memoranda he has jotted;
down with such confidence of being able
to read right oi when he wants to use
them.?Boston Transcript.
A memo*r of the Fire Brigade Committee
of the County Council at the Guildhall
banquet observed to a neighboring'
Alderman: "Theacoustics are very bad
in this hall." "Really!" replies the latter.
"You surprise me. I can't smell
anything."?London 2'ruth.
"So you mustered up courage and
called upon-.her last night?" "I did."
"Did she seem pleased?" "To tell the
truth, I was so nervous that I didn't no-;
tice, but I guess she was pleased, for as
I got up to go I saw that she looked
very happy."?Nex York Press. A
The tax comissioners in New York re-1
ceive $4000 a year each, except the'
President, who gets $5000.
: - .. .