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I IN THE I: H| A NARRATIVE ( Ey SEWAKD ^ (CorTBTOffT 1991 BT I CHAPTER XVII. [continued.] "Twist," I said. The Chinaman shrieked again in pain. "Twist harder," I said, after a moment. ?"Helpee!" yelled Sid Kee. "Tiakee off! Hurtee like nation!" "Were you ever in San Francisco?" "No?Oaow! Killee me! Killee me! No hurtee so long!" "If I promise not to hurt you, but to send you back to China, then will you tell?" "Less!" yelled the vanquished Chinaman. "Now, Sid Kee, I' am determined to know where Annie Ealston is, or at least what became of her. You are the only one alive that can tell me." "Lannie Kalson not belong to me," groaned Sid Kee. "Whom did she belong to?" "Me no dare tell. Me gettee killed." "You will crefc killed if you don't tell. Was it Cha Fong?" Sid Kee's eyes opened wide with astonishment. "You know Cha Fong?" he exclaimed. "I did know him. I happened to kill him. He wouldn't do what I told him to do. Do you take warning?" "Cha Fong! Him dead?" t "Yes he is dead. What of it?" "Tlakee off ilons. Me tell." I had the irons taken off. Sid Kee came close to me and whispered: "You know Gambok Snellee?" "I did know him. I killed him, too." "Evleybody killed!" shouted* Sid Kee. "An! me no gettee killed?" "Not if you restore Annie Ralston in good health and uninjured, or tell us where she can be found." "Me tell," he said. ".Nobody know Lannee Raslon. She clome me. I hide Lannee Raslon in cave. HenKo-Hi not know. Slodiers not kn ow. Nobody know but Gambok Snellee, Cha Fong and Sid Kee. Gambok Snellee, him say, keep safe till him clome. Him gettee Cha Fong and Linglise girl. Clome back, live in Talmooch. Gambok Snellee dead, Cha Fong dead, me glivee you. Me no want Lannee Raslon." "Well, by all that's great!" said Captain Harwood. Langston sat in a chair, leaning against a table. His face wa3 very white. His wide-open eyes were fixed on Sid Kee. "The case is plain to me, gentlemen," I said joyfully. "This fellow is a faithful agent of Gambok Snell. He has brought the girl to this island and, by some connivance, he has succeeded in getting her hidden away to be kept in safety until his master's return. His master was unfortunate enough to meet with an experience which effectually prevented his return. By that stroke of good fortune the girl has been kept unharmed. But this Cellow deserves no credit for that. He simply dared not harm her, for his orders were explicit. Gambok Snell wanted her himself. And the English girl Cha Fong was to have was Miss Arnold, who will soon be safe in her father's house. There is the matter ' in a nutshell. Gambok Snell told me the Ketoto was lost with all on board. But that is neither here nor there, now. "What we want is Annie RalBton. Is it not as I have said it?" I asked Sid.Fee. "Jus3 li' vou say,'' he answered. "ADU now ILlill J-UU1" mnsicis am dead, and you have no fear of punishment from them, you are willing to give up Annie Ralston to save your cwn worthless life. Is it so?" "Less. Me show you." "Lead the way," I said. "You led me to her once before; do so again." He led the way out of the palace. "1 did not suppose," I said to Langston and Captain Harwood, "that a spot existed in Quiental that my soldiers had not ransacked. But there may be one. I believe this fellow is telling the truth now." "He would not risk his life by a lie when he is alone in our hands," replied the captain. ' Sid Kee led us about the same kind of a journey as he had led me on the memorable occasion of our first meeting. He did not seem to possess the faculty of going in a straight direction. His whole life was so crooked that even his walk was so. He led us up one street and down another, all the time muttering to himself in his gibberish. He took us toward the sea, then away from it. Finally he struck into a rough street, evidently but little used. He went into a small wooden house. It was then occupied Ti.mni.o linf Kofnra tVio rovnliiHnn ?Jjf vuiuaiO) uuv ik/vfcv<. v ? it had been the abode of Sid Kee?so he informed us. We went inside, and our guide tore np a corner of the floor, much the same as a terrier would tear up ground if he knew there was a rat under it. It had evidently not been taken up in some lime. "How could auybodylive in there?" exclaimed Captain Harwood. ''How could you feed her?" "See!" and Sid Kee pointed to a ^*7- small, square opening, just large enough to pass a dish through. We waited breathlessly until he had dag a hole large enough for us to enjjSLv ter. We rushed through it. We found ourselves in a marble-lined room about twenty feet square, furnished comfortably, and lighted by a lamp. A ventilating sbaft ran to tne roof, giving a supply of air. There was a small door leading frpv ki into another room, but -we had no time uor inclination to look into it then. Kueeling bj the side of a bed, praying, or moaniag in a low tone, foam was a woman. "Sice, .Lannee Ralston, said Sid ? I mslied to her. She heard us pennies: and rose to her feet. I held \ HINA SEA 8 $ * m DF ADVENTURE. || W.; HOPKINS; ^ tOBEBT BOKSEB'S SOJTg.) ^ out my hand to greet her. Shi recoiled from me and gave me a lool of entreaty. The face was the sam< that I had seen with Sid Kee in Sai Francisco. "Miss Ralston, you are freesaved," I said. "We are irom Sai Francisco, and have come to rescu< you. Your brother is not half a mil* away. See, here is an officer of th< I United States. Come." She wept, but allowed herself to b< assisted out of the cellar, and walkec with us to the palace. CHAPTER XVIII. BEFORE THE CURTAIN' DROPS. Ten days later the captain's gig lay at the wharf at Quiental, and a happj party were about to embark in her to board the Beaver, which lay, with steam up, ready to transport us at once to Hong Kong. "We had been delayed by the illness of Edward Ralston, who was but just sufficiently recovered to warrant his making the long journey home. He and Annie were going to San Francisco. Miss Ralston had somewhat recovered from her six months' incarceration. Between her and Miss Arnold a deep friendship had 6prung up?a friendship that was to ripen and deepen as the years went on. Mere words are utterly inadequate to express the gratitude of the Ralstons toward Lacgston and myself for our efforts to rescue Annie. The results of this gratitude were' afterward made apparent to me in the benefits Talmooch received, induced by Western influence. As I said, the Ralstons were going home. Miss Arnold and I were going to Hong Kong to meet her father. If that gentleman raised no objections, and we anticipated none, we were to be united in marriage by Mr. Avery, and take up our permanent residence in the palace of Quiental. It was not until I had given my solemn promise to return that Garu-Saak, Oso-Bark and Bado-Eor signified their willingness for me to leave them even for a time. ' I asked Mr. Avery to accompany me, but the old man preferred to remain and take care of his people until j we returned. It was doubtful just what Langston would do. He had avowed his intention to remain in Talmooch and assist me in building up a nation. His legal knowledge would prove invaluable to me; but he had also fallen Joonorntolo in lr>VA With A TlTll A VIC^ojk/uai^wy ?w ? v .? Ralston, and I doubted if he would see her leave Hong Kong and not accompany her. I firmly cherished a fond hope that in the near fature they would take the step Miss Arnold and I had resolved upon, and become citizens of Talmooch. I even proposed to Langston that he become my Secretary for Foreign Affairs; and he laughingly accepted, provided we could obtain the protection of the United States Government. Ealston promised that we should have it if Western influence could bring it about. Mr. Avery, Garu-Saak and OsoBark bade us adieu at the wharf, and watched us as we rowed toward the Beaver. When we were safely on board and the anchor was raised guns were fired from the shore. We waved farewells to our friends on land and rapidly steamed away. A a xro cmt. further nntl farther awav from Talmooch I watched the island through a powerful glass. Framed in the stone setting of the little window in the north tower I saw the pale, furrowed face of the old missionary looking sadly after us. Good, faithful friend! He deserved all that I could do for his welfare, and I resolved, upon my return, to substantially reward him for his kind, fatherly care over Miss Arnold during our long stay on the island and his faithful assistance to me in my dangerous plans. And so I leave you. Trusting in the future'as I have always trusted, firm in my belief that Talmooch shall some day make for itself a name among nations, of which both you and I shall be proud, I lift my hat to the glorious stars and Btripes?emblem of liberty?that floats above me from the masthead, and fondly, sadly, say: Adieu! THE END. Prueslun Compulsory Service. Compulsory service has been in force in Prussia since 1817, and in 1871 it was extended to the whole of the Empire. Every German, with exceptions similar to those in France, TToora in flifl ormT AXi UOU ODi Y U ?T ? W J VU* o *u vuv ?? or navy. The term of service includes two years with the colors in the standing army (three years in the cavalrj and artillery), four years in the re serve of the standing army, two year: in the Landwehr, and four in th? Laudsturm. On leaving the activ* army and passing into the reserves the men may be refused permissioi to emigrate during their first year o civil life. After the standing army has beer recruited to its full strength eacl: year, the surplus conscripts are en rolled in the Ersatztruppen, and fo: twelve years undergo annual training Until the age of forty-two all Ger mans, whether they have served ir the active army or only in the Ersatz truppen, are liable to be called upon to serve in the Landsturm In the in fantry men of good education are al lowed, under certain conditions, t( 1 nil I pUlCUKSO lucil vuouuaig? year's service.?Chambers's Journal, The Age of Niagara. A geologist ot some note has beei studying the wear and tear of Niagara and has made calculations therefron in order to find out the age of th< famous Falls. He has come to thi conclusion that they have just com pleted their ten thousandth birthda; S and are as vigorous now as ever the: 1 were. OUR BUDGET OF HUMOR. . ..^i *?Tonipp rnn LAUUn I CK-rnuvuMiNu wiurMLo rwn \ LOVERS OF FUN. c f i Qaeen o' the Links?In Luck?Up to Date ?Making Progress?One of the Awfal [ Consequences?A Standing Grievance ! ?He is Not a Specialist, Etc., Etc. \ If you're waking, call me early?call me . early, mother, pray; ' I have to get my golf togs on, and ft takes me half the day. ?Chicago Record. In Lack. ? First Dear Girl?"1 have no friends J to speak of." 5 Second Dear Girl?"Lucky friends." 1 -Life. Up to Date. i Marketinan?"Well, little girl, i whftl1 will WATI llOTTJ 9" J (TUftl U 111 JVU uu r v . } Little Girl?"Have you got any i horseless radish?" j Making Progress. [ "How are you getting on with your automobile?" "I can start it all right, but I can't stop unless I ran into something."? Chicago Record. One of the Awful Conscqaences. "Maria, who is that pounding on i the piano?" t "It's the hired girl. We can't afford ; to buy beefsteak any more, and she has to have some exercise." A Standing: Grievance. "Thero will always be more or less friction between the United States and Canada." "Yes; they will keep working oS their confounded ten-cent pieces on us!"?Puck. He is Not a Specialist. "So your neck pains you?" said tho physician. "Yes, terribly!" wailed the patient. "Sorry, sir, but I can't help you; I'm not a specialist in rubber."?Detroit Free Press. Fancy and Fact. "You and young Chubbleigh don't speak to each other any more, Ethel. What is the matter?" "Nothing, only he told me one day when we were at the park that I had a swan-like neck, and I told him he had a swan-like walk." XJ1 LI i II ? UUL 4X1 IJIO JUVBK i *. ?nsf *- i o _c? : y First Lion?"Any choice, old man?" Second Lion?"J'11 have a little oJ the dark if you don't mind."?Life. The Only Drawback. Smith?"Brown has just finished flying-machine that he has been at work on for the last ten years." Jones?"Indeed! And is it a success?" Smith?"Yes, with one exception* it refuses to get off the earth." A Generous Souvenir. "Is George so much in love with ! the Chicago girl?" "I should say be was. He gave up i yachting on her account, and when he sold his boat he took the extra j mainsail aud had hi3 shoemaker make Laura a pair of canvas shoes out of i it." Au Expert Opinion. "My ideas," said the young man, haughtily, "are at least twenty years ' ahead of the times." "Great mistake," said the railroad man, gravely; "great mistake. The way to avoid collisions in this life i.i to run strictly according to schedulo." ?Washington Star. The Temper ofTlmmlm. '"Timmins seemed like a very mild little fellow." "Mild! I gues3 not. He's a perfeet terror whenever hi3 wife gives him a chance." "How is it that I never noticed it?'' "Because he never gets the chance." ?Cleveland Plain Dealer. A Justifiable Complaint'. "There is too much system in this -~ Kunlnaao " rrv/iwl fill Tfl'Il m\'. BULiUUl UU91UCOO) ? ? ^ ? "Just because I snickcred a little, the monitor turned mo over to the teacher; the teacher tamed me over to tho principal, ami the principal turned mo over to pa." "Was that all?*' "No; pa turnod me over his knee." A Severe Attack. 1 "I have to be home every night at 10 o'clock," said tie married man, "on account of tho baby." 1 "How old is she?" '"Thirty-tv/o years." "What?" "Yes, thirty-two yenn. You :?*e ' the baby is my wife; sho never got s over her infancy."?Detroit. Free. 1 Press. 1 Tliit To;! 1 "If you can help it," :<aiu tiie giil in bine, "never let any one buy your ) little brother a drum." i "Why nol':" "Well, j?ot as Lieutenant Hrow:; f 3eeuied to be rescuing tbe point of . proposing la?t ni^ht,'* c.vclnimed the girl in blue, "Willie, who was iu the next room, sounded tups on his drum, and the lieutenant took it as a hint."' i ?Chicago Post. Vnyoml Hi* Oep'.li. ) "The study of tlio occult sciencasi ? infAvost.fl ma vow rn;ieK" reuoaikcd . the new boarder. ''X lovo to explore the dark depths oC '.he raysterions, to delve into the regions of the un5 known. 1o fathom ihe unfathomable, as it wore, and to " 1 "May J. help yoa to somj of the 3 hash, professor?" intenupted the s landlady. And the trood woman never P why the other boarders smilod auui* ? b!y.?Chicago - : - - ---'<: Ls ; ...... . . ' ' 1 LIFE ABOARD m The Routine or\ J\dmiral Di ^ Bugle's JRevteille H JACK AT WORK New York Citx (Special).?The life of the sailors aboard Admiral Dewey's flagship, the cruiser Olympia, is a duplicate of the routine peculiar to every other boat in the United States Navy. The discipline has not been relaxed becnuse the jack tars acquitted themselves so well at Manila. On the contrary, an extra effort is ; made by the crew to hold by good be; havior in peace the laurels they won in time of war. The men-o'-war's men of the Olympia are feted and petted while ashore, but once under the Admiral's eye tbey return to the stern realities of life on the ocean wave. 1-. - i t :?i.-? JLt 19 I!OI a very lasviuauug ui miuij hilarious life that of the man forward on board a modern warship. There is a monotony and sameness of things that eat into the heart at times, and it is only the excitement caused by a wreck or a storm or a series of battles like that recently experienced that lends a welcome air of diversion to the naval day. To rise at 5.30 to the harsh notes of a bugle and drum is the order, except during the few winter months, when a half hour's grace "is permitted. The "musics," as the marine drummers and buglars are called, are summoned ten minutes before time by the corporal of the guard. The two lads, rubbing the sleep from their eyes, take their stand near the forward hatch, and, at the word from the officer of the deck, break into the stillness of the early morning with an infernal hubbub technically known as "reveille." The hideous uproar speed ? * -i - r ? ? ,1 liy orings a, cuurus ui gi uuio mm ? ? WRITING HOME. (On board the flagship Oiympia.) yawns, not unmixed with something stronger, from the occupants of the hammock-crowded berth deck, and presently the ladder leading above is thronged with half-clad figures mounting upward in a ghostly procession. Each figure carries upon his shoulder his individual hammock, carefully lashed and fettered. This he deposits in the receptacles prepared for the purpose and ?then hies himself to bis mess, where he finds steaming coffee without milk and barely sweetened, but extremely welcome a3 an eyeopener. The spotlessly clean decks of naval vessels are proverbial. This cleanliness, which seemed novel even to royal' eyes, is the result of hours of hard, constant work every morning on board every ship in the service. It is to the rtffinov. tlmf oil nrnisA nr blame in reference to the condition of a ship belongs, and directly after the crew has had its early coffee he is on deck personally superintending the holystoning and scrubbing and perhaps painting. Herelieves the officer of the deck, who goes below for a light lunch, and then sees that the boatswain's mates and the captains of the different parts of the ship distribute their men to the best advantage. If it be wash day the crew is allowed to attend to its laundry work before the '7HT3 BARBER'S CHAIR OK TEE OLYMP1A. scrubbing begins, for.be it understood, there are no "Hop Lees" or colored women in the naval service. It is seldom that the ship's cook, who has the exclusive privilege to J make and sell dried apple pies at twenty-five cents a pie, and the Bhip's barber, who pursues histonsorial art at the rate of SI each quarter for every THE FEXCI man on his books, scrub their own " ' mt -:~V. doming. iubj ure uku cuuu^u iu hire a needy landsmau or coal passer to do it for them. As the sailor's outfit consists solely of cloth or white duck trousers, flannel inside and outside shirts ami the i ordinary cotton hose, the operaticc. of; THE OLYMPIA, I B eWeu's Flagship From the JS to ppedoWn. ^ AND AT PLAY. || washing does not call for skill orprep' aration. For instance, if the artich to be renovated is the flannel shirt. Jack selects a clear part of the deck sprinkles a little water upon the spot then spreads his shirt, previously soaked, upon the deck. Then witl salt water soap and a scrubbing brusl he sets to work. A subsequent rinsinf completes the task and the gnrmeiil AT MESS ON BOj is fastened with bits of twine to the clothesline stretched from mast tc mast. Holystoning decks and scrubbing ladders and gratings with sand and canvas continues until ten minutes ol 8 o'clock, when the' call to "spread mess gear" is sounded by the boatswain's mate ou watch. This is also the signal to clean up, and each jackif grabs a deck bucket, gets his share ol fresh water from the captain of his part of the ship, Und makes his toilet, which, if not elaborate, amply suffices for his needs. After the washing,4 the sailor't toilet consists of a vigorous rubbing with a coarse towel?ni3 own privatt property?and a hair brushing witl the aid of an ancient brush and a small wooden-framed glass generally carriec in the little chest, or ditty box, whict is the officially approved trunk of each jackie. At the stroke of eight bells, fi o'clock, the call to breakfast is given, Salty air and an open, free life produce excellent appetites, and there is no dawdling in the race for the mess tables on the berthdeckl %'H CHAPLAIN P.EAXEY, OF THE OLY1IPIA. Breakfast over, the men have until 9 to smoke, then all hands are turned to and the ship is cleaned np for quarters. This latter ceremony is conducted daily, rain or shine. During week days the morning hours are generally devoted to drill. A settled schedule is made out when the ship goes into commission, and this is strictly adhered to. Each ship has its general quarters, fire quarters, collision drill, abandon ship, arm and away boats, broadsword exercise, or something of similar character, and from 9.30 until noon the decks are alive with men under instruction. Dinner is followed by a short rest, and at 1 o'clock "turn to" is sounded again. During the afternoon five clays of tiie week tne crew is Kept at work attending to tho multifarious duties of the ship. Saturday afternoon is considered a half holiday, the smoking lamp is lighted, and if the ship is in port the men are allowed to see visitors and enjoy themselves according to their individual inclinations. With mess-gear in the early evening, the working day ends. Supper is followed by a period of re 81 x?n nprT T tllT XJIMLXJJLJ. laxotion until the mellow notes of the bugle sound taps, and the boatswain's mate's whistle echoes through the decks in the last call of the day? "pipe down." There are many other incidents which go to make up the naval day. At sea. when the ship's company is . -v- : ; I i~i 1 ?- i Uiviucu JJ-llU nttitiiCO, 1110 XilUUUlODj is greater than in port. It is during the latter time, with the fleet at anchor off some friendly city, or when the ship is tied up to a dock in one of the home navy yards, that Jack finds his hours filled with variety and pleasures sufficient to satisfy even his desires. It is then the liberty list?a potent term in the navy?is made out. To discover one's name on the liberty list means shore with its fascinating attractions, and if there is anything on this footstool the average sailor loves it is to "hit the beach" with a few 3 dollars in his pocket. > Sunday is, as far as possible, kept > as a day of rest. After the morning > scrub and inspection comes service by ? the chaplain. The old rhyme of 1 j Six days shalt thou labor and do all that thou art able; ? On tbe seventh, holystone the decks and 1 scour the cable, iRD THE OLYMPIA. Is no longer appropriate, since all ? labor, except what is absolutely necessary, is dispensed with. ; To attend divine service, dressed in . their best, is the one extra duty reI quired of the men, and the afternoon I is practically free until sundown. Chaplain Reaney, of the Olympia, is ) one of tho most popular men aboard, ) and the men confide in him to an ext tent that is remarkable. i , Diogenes on a New Queit. > A street scene in Athens about 300 B. C. Time, evening. Diogenes eni ters, swinging his lantern. Stranger j coming from opposite direction meets i Diogenes and.greets him with: i "For whom art thou looking, 1 friend?" I Diogenes?"For'an honest man." l Same scene, two hours later, in the l dark. Same Diogenes, this time without lantern, bumps into same stranger. I Stranger?"For whom art thou looking, friend?" Diogenes?"For the confounded thief that stole my lantern!"?New i York Tribune. The Local Newapaper, Every thoughtful man, says the Terre Haute Express, whose observation of meu acd things is valuable; every man who has been obliged to rely upon himself for advancement, | whose aspiration has been high ' enough and his will strong enough to advance himself; every man who recognizes the ladder by which he climbed, and is not ashamed to acknowledge he was once at the bottom round, has a good word for the home paper, the country newspaper, which is the barometer of business and the artery through which it is increased and kept alive. A Ate ill; Ui liiu n VUH4 A soldier's mouldy hat has just been found under a huge stone in the "Valley of Death" at Balaclava. Some boys had shifted the bowlder, as bees had built a nest beneath it, and; the youngsters wanted to get the honey. From the design of the badge it is evident that the headgear belonged to a trooper of the Seventeenth Lancers, a corps which was included in the immortal Light Brigade. ? Londorf Chronicle. Oyster Opening an Art. It takes one hundred million oysters a week to satisfy the requirements of the New York market. This year the supply promises to be prolific. 1 I ANATOMY OF THE OYSTER. I The oyster openers are a class I>y themselves, as distinct and clannish as the 'longshoremeu for ocean liners. They receive SI a thousand, and it 1 is a poor shucker tbat cannot earn ?5 ' in a day's work of eight hours. Many; ] of them earn 88 and $9. ? There are as many ways of opening j an oyster a:i there are of carving a 1 dnck, and each shucker thinks that ' nis way is the best. It depends upon 1 where a man has been brought up to J the business. Men who have been ' brought up in New York use nothing 1 but the knife, but they use it in different ways. Not one man in a bun- 1 dred is a good side knife opener. 1 Other men who use nothing but the 1 knife simply stab the oyster. Epicures ' declare that this spoils it, but oyster- 1 men say that for the general trade it makes little difference. If a shucker has been brought up in the South, j Baltimore or Norfolk, for instance, he , uses a hammer as well as a knife in ' opening an oyster. j An Editor'* Just Plaint. "Send in your items of news when ^ fViAv are fresh." says the Salisbury | . (Mo.) Press. "We don't like to publiali a birth after the child is weaned, ^ a marriage after the honeymoon is j over, a death after the widow is mar- , ried again, nor the notice of an enteri taiument after the job work is done r elsewhere and the editor is charged i ' ; fos admission." > ^ fir THE NORTH STAR IS THREE SUNS.' I No Eye at the Telescope Can See Them* 1^8 Bat the Caiuer* Prove* It* [ jB The news from Lidk Observatory ;VJH that the North Star, 255,000,000.000 of miles away from us, has been found ? to be not one star, but three?swing- :m ing around in great orbits like tixfl> ^9| moon, earth and sun?is another re- -.9 markable result of the application of j9 photo-spectroscopy to the telescopio studv of the heavens. Always fas- ;- ? cinating, the search for dcnble and multiple stars has become of the high- J est interest since the spectroscope has '? made it possible to discover multiple'|fl stats which the greatest telescopes do sS not reveal to the eye. The three components of Polaris cannot be seen a9 with the most powerful telescope in the world. But the Lick star spec* M troscope, attached to the great thirtysix-inch refractor, makes it plain that there are suns revolving about a' sun -:m where, the eye distinguishes Dae on? -? twinkling light. Ten years ago at the Harvard Uni- * versity Observatory the first photo- * spectroscopic multiple star was dis- ; | covered unexpectedly. The star 3 Mizar, the middle star of the handle ' of the Big Dipper, has been called ? * "naked-eye" double because it has ft $ visible companion, Alcor, close to it? But RicciOli in 1650 discovered with ; ' the telescope that Miisar "had a tele-1 ecopic double. Miaax seems to have- "i been the first double i;tar discovered ' with a telescope. The apparent die- $ tance between Mizar and Alcor is H nearly forty times the distance that ' separates the components of Mizar. . The telescope shows, too, that thereare other stars between Mizar and Alcor. -^111 Two centuries after the telescope '- I revealed two stars in Mizar the spec- I troscooe showed that the brighter of J the components was itself made up of two stars. In photographs taken air / the Harvard Observatory in 1889 th*' K line in the spectrum of Mizar ap* "< peared double. In other plates the line was single, in others it was hazy. : I A close scrutiny of all the plate* ^ phowed that the line was double at intervals of fifty-two days. Thi? proved to astronomers that thebrighter component of Mizar wo? . really two stars. A spectroscope* takes cognizance of the motion of & star to or from the earth. When one $ star begins to approach and the other \ to recede from us, the lines in the _* spectrum of the approaching star will ? be displaced toward the violet end, ^3 while those of the receding star' will ':?j be displaced toward the red end. - The; - J lines will at first appear hazy, bat 1 when the approach and recession of I the stars reach a maximum the line* : | will appear dotible. The calculated distance between the components of Mizar is about 143,000,000 miles, and the brilliancy of the star is estimated > to be over a hundred times greater than that of our sun. A number of other {photo-spectroscopic [multiple stars have been dincovered recently. With the Lick tele* ^ scope and spectroscope, fourteen have S been found. This method of disoov*- -"M ery came about from the use of th*, | spectra to determine the velocity with ~ which stars approached or receded from the earth. The North Star, it i was found a short while ago, is now ., ] shooting earth *ard_ at a velocity of i BlilUtJU illUC3 u acuuuu, AUW Vi vuw suns of the North Star triple rev9lv? about each other every four days and these two swing about the third.? V New York Sun. The Abnae of Slangy Expreaaiona. "Everybody who likes to see an ex4 " pressive word retain its significance^ V is distressed at the fate which hai ! overtaken the expression 'rubber* .1 neck,' " said a man who is interested in phrases of current slang, "for there* was never a word before which watf , / \ overworked to mean so many different* things. It was bad enough when applied to persons who were craning their necks to see something, or when , -i that meaning was further extended td- -A apply to a person who took more thaii an allowable interest in the affairs of ' others. In those cases the word had some real appropriateness. But that original use of it has all but disap-,, Vvi peared, and it is used now to cover almost any case with wliich it formerly needed several words to express. 'That's a rubberneck on you,' I heard a man say to another the other day, and I wondered what significance '? there could possibly be in 'that'srubbernecked good,' as another reckless talker said to me when he meant he had gotten the best of an another in an argument. There ought to be j some means of protecting an expressive slang word like that, to keep it ? from degenereting into nonsense that has no connection with the original significance. Most of these words are founded in the first place on some 5 real fitness for what gives them their original start. What makes them Sk burden to the flesh afterward is th? habit of applying them indiscriminately to anything that seems to call for emphatic slang. Tins depioranie habit has already rained such a word as'rubberneck.'"?New York San. Said to Bs ths Lnrgeat Gladstone.' Bert Fisher, of Stanford, visited Friends near Washington, Ind., re- * iently. He had with him the largest niadjtone, it is claimed, ever found. Fisher has had the madstone in his possession for over ten years, and during that time has applied it with success to over 700 bites. The stone was found at St. Augustine, Fla., about twenty years ago. In one case a young . . . * i v 1 1 i' lady was Ditten oil tne aniiie oy a maa 9 log, and for eighteen months her foot ivas so swollen that she was una'olo to wear a shoe. The madstone was applied, and adhered to the wound for ainety-two hours, when it dropped )ff. In a few days the young lady ivas able to wear her shoe. Crop MortpaEea in Porto R!co. In Porto Rico, as in other West i [ndian islands, the custom of mortgaging crops has prevailed. Once a pear the planter goes to a banker or private money lender and borrows 4 inough to enable him to employ labor md cultivate. When his crops ma:ure he repays the loan, together with ^terest at me rate 01 tea or twelve jr even twenty per cent. Xow that :he hurricane has destroyed his growing canes or fruits he finds himself ivith a heavy mortganeoD his land and jo money to go ahead and plant again. rhas the plantei suffers, the laborer suffers and the whoie commerce of ;he island suffers vj - -' M