Historical Newspapers of South Carolina

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I, A BALLAD OF CHARLIE'S MEN. BY SHABLOT M. HALL. Duncan and I at the kirk would wed. And soon should our bridal vows be said, When a pibroch thrilled through the morning air And a white cockade gleamed brightly there; Twas Charlie Stuart bowed low at my "U lend me your lover now,' he criea, *'And when I march homeward adown the glen iYou shall wed the bravest of Charlie's men." Dun*?an, my lover, was fair to see, Stately and tall as the dark pine tree; Black was his eye as the deep midnight; His arm was strong and his step was light; His words were kind and his laugh rang free; And oh! he was all the world to Ae! But he marched away through the narrow alen t for Scotland with Charlie's men. The days were long and the nights were drear, My heart grew sick with its weight of fear; For the battle was fought and the battle wa3 lost, lAnd the hearts of the living must count the cost; 'And Charlie Stuart's an outlaw now, IWith a price in gold on his bonnie,brow; 'And never the watchers in brae and glen Shall welcome the coming of Charlie's men. 'And Duncan, my lover, my life, my light, Was the first to fall in that bitter fight; IWith Scotland's banner clasped close in l:_ i i Jiia nanu They laid him to sleep in that stranger land; Narrow and lonely and low in his bed, The gorse of the southland blooms thick o'er his head; But still I roam through the mournful glen And wait for the marching of Charlie's men. The mavis and merle in the thicket pipe clear, But the wail of the pibroch is all I can hear; The heather a-bloom takes the tint of his plaid. And tne foam of the burn shows the Stuart cockade; The moonlipht that falls on the rocks of Ben More Is alive with the gleam of his targe and claymore,? 'And still in my heart and the haunted glen t There echoes the marching of Charlie s men. ?Everybody's Magazine. ..???rt??wA'vwnr,n I THE PENSION T0S5ELLI ? o o oooooooooooocooccocooooooc I sr'T rather glad I am going, it I will be jolly to see so many I Americans again," said Dora to her sister, as she set down her glass and looked with a slightly bored expression across the brilliant room. The Grand Hotel. Rome, had for the past week been gay with American, English and German guests. Here and there an Italian officer with goldlaced coat and curled mustache was seen. And yet Dora Morton's air was one of ennui, and she seemed little interested in the scene. "Yes," said her younger sister, brightly, translating the next course on the menu in an aside to her father. "I am tired of these evening at the hotel, and it will be a relief to have a jolly, informal American dance again. I am glad Airs. lilVlDgSlon luviieu us iu im- I'ciieion." "Is it that mademoiselle will give me the honor of presenting my friend, iieutenant Rosplliotti?" Dora turned and found Lieutenant Count Humberto de Cassablanca bowing and greeting them. He was in lull dress, artillery uniform, and his silver spurs clinked together as his heels met. Mr. Morton rose gravely and shook hands and offered him a chair. Estelle vivaciously expressed pleasure at meeting any friend of the officer's, and shortly after the presentation had been made, and the two officers had joined the group. Dora caught her sister's eye and the party rose and left the dining-room, the Italian hovering at the side of the girl and chatting with sparkling animation. Mr. Morton bringing up the rear and opening his cigar case. At lunuuaic, t:Av;iaiiiicu Lieutenant Rospillotti, as they paused in the flower-embowered central hall outside, where the music was and .where many guests were promenading or sitting at little tables sipping coffee, "that we, too, are invited to the pension losselli this evening. It is Indeed a rare privilege meet these charming American girls here in Rome; they are so beautiful, so gracious, so fascinating, so full of boil esprit, so piquante. Oh! they are tout a fait ravissante," he added softiy to Estelle, glancing at her eagerly. "We Italians are always captivated by the fair Americans, who come from far across the sea to teach us what is truly witty aud admirable." Estelle laughed delightedly and he continued: "A secret, mademoiselle! My friend, the Count, is in love, ah! madly in love with your sister! Happy man," lie sighed, "to be in love with an American!" The other two had reached the end of the promenade. The Count had been talking earnestly aud Dora looked somewhat uneasy and restless. "Come, Estelle," she said, "the carriage is here; we must be off. Perhaps we will meet these gentlemen later," and she bowed coldly to the two men, who, after a few words with Mr. Morton, donned their long blue cavalier cloaks and departed. "I am so glad to see you both," said Mrs. Livingston, a little later, as the two girls entered the cozy front hall of the pension. "We shall have such a merry evening, with so many American girls here and no less than twenty uiucers. iiunii 01 ir, uear, uuu milgave Dora's arm a little pinch, "twenty officers, and each one far more gallant than an American knows how to be. Mme. Tosselli knows them all well and she tells me they represent the best blood of Rome. Who knows but " and .she stopped abruptlj', catching a cudden expression in the girl's face. "Come. I must see that you meet everybody and have a good time." The pension was a large, pleasant one, on tne l'incian inn, a tavonte winter home for Americana. Mine. Tosselli was noted for lier genial hospitality and the frequent informal dances she would give, at which were always a number of gay young titled Romans, who seemed delighted with the opportunity of meeting the American ladles stopping there. The Mortons had been in Iiome most of the winter. The girls had been studyinar the galleries and the language, enjoying the opera, and now that spring had fairly commenced this was the last dance of the season prior to the general after-Easter exodus. Everyone was talking this evening of the great ceremonies of the day bofore. The little drawinsrrooms of the pension opened one from the other, so that there was an excellent opportunity for dancing on their parquet floors, and the evening passed rapidly. Dora had found Count Casablanca especially attractive. He had claimed more than one tete-a-tete, and she grew more and more uneasy. How different these Italian gallants were from Americans! More subtle and in some ways more fascinating, with perfectly polished manners, and bearing of undoubted elegance, yet to her memory came constantly the picture of some one who had no title, no uniform, no ready flow of witty banter, yet with a quiet strength, forcefulness and simplicity these men lacked* Cleveland was far away and its business streets ? tha were tur less jjujiuieomjc iu?u boulevards and Corso of Rome, and John Biggs was probably at tbat moment?allowing for the difference in time?working quietly in his bare little office. John Biggs?the Cavalier Humberto di Casablanca!?ClevelandRome! Dora had unconsciously been fingering a ring beneath her glove, and now rose suddenly and leaving the Count with her sister hurried through the room to join Mrs. Livingston, who was sitting out in the hall. As she passed one of the curtain-hung corners, she caught a fragment of conversation that made her pause. It was in Italian, which she understood easily. "But, signora," said a man's voice, "I find he is worth a million of American money, and if it comes about, your commission will amply reward you." "That will come later," replied Mme. Tosselli, "but for the present I find it ? ? ~ * * " T)r> m? I simpner 10 ue y.iiu eauii ntut:. x uj mc the hundred francs now, and you both will be bid to my dances as usual." Dora passed quickly out into the hall, her brain in a whirl. Vague suspicions, stray snatches of hints, rumors, all these seemed suddenly confirmed by what she had just heard. Her heart was beating fast and the rooms seemed oppressive." Just then a kindly faced man stepped up quickly with a cordial greeting and she exclaimed: "Oh, Arthur Powers, I am so glad you are here to-night! I must see you a minute! Quick, come into this corner and answer me. You are a friend in need. Don't ask any questions, but answer, answer! How does Mme. Tosselli know?how does she get all these officers here at her dances, do they pay her?" Powers looked at her a moment, kindly and with a sudden appreciation of her excitement. "Yes," he said quietly, "ten francs each a night." "Why, oh. why?" "In order that they may meet American girls." "And then?" "And theu follow up the acquaintance; find out who they are. and if they are wealthy, , perhaps " "Yes, yes, but is this really true?" "Dora," said Powers, gravely, looking straight into her eyes, "these Italians are patricians; they have lineage, social position and?poverty. Economically speaking, they are non-producers?they have titles to sustain, uniforms to buy, palaces to keep up. In these pensions they meet American girls, unsophisticated in Italian customs and strict Italian etiquette. Many of them have wealth; they have been brought up under simplier social conditions. They are easily fascinated with the glamour and romance of an Italian title. These men are brilliant, fascinating men of the world. They know how to make women admire them. The pension keepers, such as Mme. Tosselli, recognize the situation. They are business women. Twenty officers at ten francs apiece is no small item on the credit side of her bookkeeping, and a possible commission later on, if a marriage is arranged " "Oh, please don't! Yes, yes. I understand! Thank you, Arthur; I shall always be grateful to you. Please take me to Mrs. Livingston." Cassablanca was trying to make bis way to them, but Dora eluded him and slipped over to her hostess. Goodnights were being said and Mr. Morton had just appeared to drive his daughters home. "Oh, Dora," whispered Estelle, as they went to put ou their wraps. "I have a secret, and I must tell you. Papa has just handed me a cable message from?can you guess?" "Quick," cried Dora, "is it from " "It is from John Biggs." said Estelle. "He commissions me to buy you a bouquet of Easter flowers and surprise you with them. The message was delayed in Paris, and should have been here Friday. I was to got them for you for Easter, provided I thought you would really like them. Otherwise, I was to return his money order. Shall I get them?" The girls said good night to Mrs. Livingston and esconced themselves in lue carriage, it was a moonlight night, and Rome lay about them wrapped in beauty and mystery. "Shall I?" whispered Estelle. as the carriage rolled down the Via Slstina. Dora was silent for a moment; she was again fingering the ring. "Yes." she said at length. "Suppose you could find any flowers you wanted here in Rome," whispered her sister, "what kind would you choose?" Dora looked out into the night and her eyes did not see the streets about her. "American bride roses," she said.? W. F. Dix. in Town and Country. ' Falling Out of Your Hoot*. The fact that persons who fall great distances ofteu lose their boots in the desceut has not yet been explained, perhaps the most recent case is that of Mr. Charles James, of St. Agnes, who was unfortunate enough to fall a distance 01 iiu ieec in roiureen mine. During the fall both his boots (which had been tightly laced) came off and were discovered in the shaft fathoms above him. The phenomenon is not confined to miners. I know a case of a young woman falling down a "plump," losing her boots in the same peculiar manner.?Cornish Post. 1 THE REALM C Now York Citv.?White with cream | p makes a favorite combination of the a season, and is rarely lovely in its ef- s feet. The smart May Manton blouse Q/f P |: FANCY SHIRT WAIST. n g Illustrated exemplifies white Loulsine ti silk with cream guipure, bunches of n black velvet ribbon and handsome but- p tons in delicate Persian enamel. But w the design is equally well suited to 1 crepe de Chine, peau de soie, taffeta, li Korea crepe, and to the favorite light- lr weight wool crepes, albatross and the n like, as well as to batiste, silk mull and similar delicate fabrics. The foundation is a fitted lining that closes at the centre front and on which ? the waist proper is arranged. The s] backs are laid in straight tucks that n *a nvorin iri fit the waist line to give a ^ tapering effect, but the fronts are r< tucked a short distance below the yoke only and fall in becoming fulness below. The sleeves are in bishop style, tucked at the upper portion, and ^ are finished with straight cuffs at the wrists. The neck is completed by a J stock of lace run with black velvet , ribbon, that is entirely unlined, the body lining being in this instance omitted. To cut this waist for a woman of k medium size four yards of material t, twenty-one Inches wide, three and five- a eight yards twenty-seven inches wide, p three and a half yards thirty-two Inches wide or two and one-eight yards forty-four inches wide will be required, with one and a half yards of w WOMAN'S INCR05 j insertion and half yard of all-over luce to trim as illustrated. % c f Woman's Incroyable Cape. ^ Historic influences are apparent on a every side. The very charming May n Manton cape illustrated in the large r drawing owes its inspiration to the Directoire, as is shown by the big pointed revers, but in common with includes fpatnres that fl UiUOC ICfUUiU *uwv>.v? are all its own. The material from f which the original is made is black taffeta with applique of cream point de Venise and ties of white chiffon, and is lined with white satin; but peau ? de soie or light-weight cloth can be ? substituted with perfect correctness. ? The under or foundation cape is * dart-fitted and extends well over the c shoulders and is trimmed with the ? four tiny bias frills. The outer cape f is shorter and plain about the edge and is trimmed with the lace applique v only; while the big revers turn back v and are faced with the lace and edged " with a single frill. At the neck is a * deep turn-over collar that meets the r revers, to which the chiffon ties are attached. If a plainer effect is de- * sired the outer cape can be omitted, c the under alone made from either D silk or cloth, tailor-stitched, or trimmed 0 as simply or as elaborately as one may choose. 13 To cut this cape for a woman of medium size two and a half yards twentv-one inches wide or one &nd a quar ter yards fifty inches wide will be required with one and five-eight yards of lace applique, three-eight yards of all-over lace, eight yards of ruffling two inches wide, one yard one and a half Inches wide for revers and one' and a half yards chiffon for ties, to trim as Illustrated. For Separate Waists. White on -ose, on green, black on red, on heliotrope, on gray, on navy blue is the range of color noticed in fancy stripe, woven albatross, which Is recommended for separate waists on a warm spring day. Far cooler than flannel the albatross waist is es- pecially light. It has no lining what- c ever, except in the collar and cuffs, s and can be had ready-made In good s styles with strapped and stitched \ tucks in the solid colors, White, cream, f w / )F FASHION. 1 < * ffifflaart ale blue and mode-colored albatross re in demand for a cool, light-height ummer gown. Modish Petticoat*. White taffeta petticoats are shown a great variety this season and are a the best of taste, except those rhich match the gowns. Tucked rufles with a hem joined by a crosstltching of gold thread trim one prety model, while another has pleatings f white chiffon with a tiny ruche on be edges. Black chiffon is also used or the ruffles, and again there is a etachable flounce made of white lull, lace insertion and edging which an be laundered. 8nmm?r Girl's New Fad. - - . xl A new fad WUlCQ iue summer (rill bring forth is the hatpin made f artificial roses. At one of the fashjnable Southern resorts a daintily ostiimed woman wore a hat of fin? rhite muslin and her hatpins of Amer* ran beauty roses were its only trimling. One was worn on the outside nd the other on the inside of the hat. 'aturally the flowers will have to be banged to harmonize with various ostumes. Pretty Ribbon Effects. Gauze ribbon in narrow widths i3 luch used for ruching on summer owns, and other very pretty effects in rimming are made with some of the arrow fancy ribbons which come in retty combinations of color, and also ith little jewels through the centre, 'he latter style is more of a braid 1 effect, but braids of all sorts are 1 use, especially the lace braids larked with gold threads. A Glove Pointer. You can prevent your long evening loves from slipping down by cutting iits in the toD. running ribbon irough and tying it in a bow at the ack of the arm. One, two or three aws may be used. A Pretty Combination. A pretty combination for a stylish ummer hat is a white fancy straw immed with three or four shades of ellow, either in tulle or chiffon and owers, and a black velvet bow at one ide. Features of the Latest MilllnerjFlowers which merely suggest the inds they imitate are a striking feaLire of the new millinery, yet they re beautiful beyond description, esecially the crepe and chiffon roses. Washable Belts. Washable belts are shown for wear ritli summer shirt waists. :able cape. A White Stem. r<^ A long white stem is the feature of ertain handsome plume? of ostrich pathers, which are of various colors? ..?? "wop Volenti!* nr nolo hllip No iiUf glUJ, V*. ttempt is made to color the shaft to aatch the feathers. It is allowed to emain a clear white. A Favorite Material. Muslin well covered with velvet lowers is predicted as one of the avorite dress materials. Woman1* Tucked Circular Skirt. The tucked skirt is fashionable and raceful in one and suits the season's oft, clinging materials to a nicety, lilk and wool crepes de Chine, challie, dia silk, foulard and the like are all harming when so treated, and the ntire range of liner cotton and linen abric is suitable. The May Manon original, from which the sketch /as made, is of barege in soft old blue nth applique of deep cream colored uipure and falls in fascinating soft olds as it hangs free below the handun tucks. The skirt is circular in shape and is An nnfollal lin^ +A fho InrIL ULJVUU VU I'UiUHV.* '?nv-u tu kUC luui ated point, whore they cease and the aaterial falls free to give the flounce ffect. To cut this skirt for a woman of aedium size nine and a quarter yards TUCKED CIBCULAB SKIBT. if material twenty-one inches wide, even yards twenty-seven inches wide, ix and a half yards thirty-two inches vide or four and a half yards forty- i our Inches wide will he required. J *"y i - v. V . /V j I CHINESE FEAR OF AN ECLIPSE. And How a Clever Miwionary Made Us* of the Fact. In the "New" LIppincott, Rev. Frederic Poole, ex-misslonary to China, writes of some thrilling adventures which he and his wife experienced there. His quick wit in using an eclipse of the moon to avert personal violence is here quoted: "I looked up, -but the sky was cloudless, and through the clear atmosphere the stars sparkied like diamonds. "Casting my eyes across the darkblue expanse, my attention was arrested by the fact that the moon had assumed a most peculiar shape, and while this all happened in less time than it takes to tell, yet I distinctly remember the sense of perplexity which this celestial phenomenon produced. "The sensation was brief, and was i succeeded by a positive certainty. It j was an eclipse, tliank God! and in 1 this I saw a glimmer of hope. "I knew with what suspicious dread the Chinese regard a lunar eclipse, and I determined to work upon that well-grounded fear. Stepping forward to the prow of our boat, revolver. in hand, I raised my hands to heaven and fired two shots at the moon, and with a hysterical laugh I cried: "'Look! look there!* "Involuntary every face was uplifted. The effect was magical. The shouting ceased, the stones dropped from their hands, and an awesome fear took possession of them. Already the spectacle had been observed by the inhabitants of the town, and the very dogs were responding to their peculiar canine instinct and were furiously barking in harmony with the general consternation. Gongs were being beaten, tire-crackers exploded, and drums of every description belabored with the belief that is universal among the Chinese that it is only noise, and plenty of it, that will frighten away the 'dragon that is consuming the moon.' The deafening din is kept up until the eclipse has passed, and the natives are jubilant in the conviction that they have succeeded in scaring the rapacious monster away, and under such circumstances who could prove to them that they had not? "This was the sight that paralyzed our tormentors, and with terrified haste they slunk away to join the anti dragon demonstration in the town, .while I remained motionless, with my glistening revolver menacing the moon; and that perfectly natural phenomenon in the heavens, so awe-inspiring to the Chinese, is undoubtedly attributed to me and my noisy revolver to this day by the inhabitants of that inhospitable Chinese town." WORDS OF WISDOM. Influence is immortal. Cheap success is ever too dear. ^ There is no gain without giving.^" Fast living is really but slow dying. Beneficence is better than benevolence. Ease ensues only from earnest endeavor. Love is a conviction that supersedes the senses. The run-away tongue raises the dust of scandal. Regret cannot bring the arrow back to the bow. What is morally wrong can never be politically right. Often he who most fears life is least _ r_?; ,i j uiiuiu ul ucaiu. He who is seeking comfort cannot | win tlie conflict. A diamond must remain dirt if it be not willing to lose half itself. When a man turns the light on others he must not expect to stay in the shade himself. If men were as anxious to do right as they are to get their rights the world would be righted. The man who seeks to pillow on popular applause finds it hard to sleep for fear the bubble will burst.?Iiflfcn's Horn. Fishing at Crystal Palace. London is establishing at the Crystal Palace a fishing preserve where auy one who wishes to fish with flies for trout may have that delightful pleas ure. une oi me wimu JO OOCIal acres in extent, is being stocked with American rainbow trout. Two hundred of these bave been taken from the acquariuru in which they were reared and placed in the waters of the lake. The water io rather muddy, and the trout themselves would not call it fresh if they could tell what they think about it. If they thrive in the lake the experiment will be considered a success, though for the first year angling is allowed the trout will be taken oft the hook immediately they are caught and replaced in the water. The fish are not feed artificially, but are left to find their own food in the lake. The only thing to be feared is the possibility of an outbreak of gill fever, causcd by stirring up the mud at the bottom in dry weather, when the water is low. This would suffocate the fish. A Woman Saddler. It is more than likely that the only woman saddler in America is a Gcr| man woman, who carries on her trade J in Florida. Her husband was a sad tiler and harness-maKer, wnu a anuy beside the little house in which they lived. He never made money, but the two lived frugally and coutentedly until his death. Then there was trouble. The widow owned a small place, but had no money to live upon, and the sum to be procured by selling the shop would not count for much. So she determined lo continue her husband's business on her own account, retaining his apprentice. In course of time she mastered the trad" and built up a flourishing business, long ago acquiring a much larger bank account than her husband had ever dreamed accumulating. An Irish Rccrult's Excuse. An Irish recruit was once brought up for breaking into barracks?that is, getting over the ivall instead of entering by the gate. "But. Murphy," said the officer, "though you were late, you should have come in by the gate." "Plaifie, yer honor," said Murphy. "I was afraid of waking the sentry."? Tit-Bits. SALISBURY FEARS IRELAND British Premier Deolares "Any Measure of Independence" Dangerous. Chinks a Dublin Government Would Tales Advantage of Troubles Elsewhere To Strike For Freedom, London.?The Marquis of Salisbury, speaking at the banquet of the Nonconformist Unionist Association, said: "It home rule had passed in 1893, what -would England's position, with a hostile Irish Government Ln Dublin, have been to-day? What would our position have been if we not only had to meet the Transvaal and the Orange Free State, but also an equally hostile Ireland by our side? "We know now from our South African experience the danger of letting Ireland have a measure of independence. We know now that If we allowed those who are leading Irish politics unlimited power of making preparations against us we should have to | begin by conquering Ireland, if ever we had to fight any other power." In. the first part of his address the Premier said: "It is a sad retrospect when we think of the number of young lives that have been quenched, the splendid hopes cut short, and the amount of blood shed in the war in South Africa. It is a grievous retrospect. Yet from it any suggestions of wrong on the part of the empire is absolutely absent. Indeed, there are circumstances which can make every lover of his country look back with exultation and gratitude upon the two years just passed. "These circumstances have been able to show that the spirit of our countrymen has burned as blight as at any other period in our history. "When I was in the Foreign Office I used to hear not infrequently that our time had passed, that our star had set, that we were living on the valor of those who had gone before. The war In South Africa has shown the strength of England, which was never more conclusively shown. There is no power in the world but now knows that if it defied the might of England it would defy one of the most formidable enemies it couid encounter." DIED TO SAVE HIS FRIEND. Negro Sacrificed His Life That His Alar* rled Companion Slight Live. Indianapolis, Ind.?William Phelps, of Richmond, Ky., and James Stansbury, of this city, negroes, were cleaning the inside of an eight-foot upright boiler at .the Cereal Wine Mills when an employe turned on th.e steam, thinking the cock was tight. It leaked, and the scalding steam poured in on the two men. The only exit was up a ladder to a manhole in the top. Both i ? xi? i? DKolna roonliofl jumped ior me iuuuci. j. ut^io >vuvmv. it firat, took one step and stopped. He jumped aside and shouted: "You go first, Jim; you are married." Stansbury sprang up the ladder and escaped with slight burns about the face and legs. Though Phelps followed at his heels his act of heroism cost him his life. Both men were being cooked when Phelps jumped aside. By the time he had followed Stansbury up the ladder the flesh was dropping from his limbs. He was cooked alive, and with suprfrme effort dragged his scalded body from the manhole. He lived for two hours in terrible agony, but did not let a groan escape him. "It was Jim's right to go first." said he quietly. "He is married." Phelps had been boarding at Stansbury's house. . SHAMROCK II. DEFEATED. Old Cup Challenger Wan la a Fair Trial by Over Five Minutes. Weymouth, England. ? In weather conditions all favorable for a fair trial, with the wind fresh and steady, tne course clear of all obstructions, and no tides of any consequence, the Shamrock I. beat Sir Thomas L pton's new yacht by five minutes and live seconds over a triangular course of abcut twenty miles. There was no discos erabie holding back of Shamrock II.. although once or twice she pointed such a course as left the suspicion that the steersman was not taking advantage of every chance. There is no doubt the result of tlu trial was distinctly disappointirg to those who had pinned their faith to the new challenger, especially as the Shamrock I. on the previous spius had not showed even equality with the the new racer on any point of sailing, with the exception of running. A well-known English yachting authority, v/ho sailed on Shamrock I., stated that the challenger was quite outsailed, and is "no good." FIRE LOSS FOR LAST YEAR, 4ggreffate Destruction in the United States Amounted to $153,000,000. New York City.?Reports were made at the annual meeting of the National Board of Fire Underwriters, which was held in this city, showing that the aggregate loss by fire in the United States last vear was $155,000,000, or more than in any oue .year hitherto, with the exception of 1S93, when the total reached $167,044,370. On this property loss the fire insur ance companies paid$93,500,000, which has been exceeded only in 1802 and 1893. In New York State losses amounting to $15,875,711 were paid. In New York City during the year there were 9478 alarms and 8405 fires, with an actual loss of $8,814,903, and an insurance loss of $8,059,038. NATIONS COMBINE ACAINST US. Germany Invites France, Austria and Others to Coine In. London.?Germany has invited Austria, France. Holland and Belgium, and possibly Russia and Italy, to combine in a gigantic commercial union, with the object of excluding American competition until the American duties are lowered. Heavy differential duties would, in the event of the union being achieved, be imposed on American goods, and there-would be internal duties. Kill* Her Children and Herself. ** ' ^ 1 ?ooorl Mrs. iieaman l arisou. :i nuiu?, twenty-nine. and two children. Gustav Arthur, aged seven, and Lillie. aged two, were found dead fioni illuniina:ing gas in their home at Providence, It. I. Ill health recently forced her to idleness, and in the tit of despondency it is supposed she arose during the night and turneu on three gas jets. Mr?. Botha to Visit Itruger, Mrs. Louis Botha, who has obtained pcrmissiou to interview Mr. Kriiger and urge him to advocate peace, sailed from Durban, South Africa, for Europe on the steamer Dunvegan Castle. " - - - ? ' ?*; ?. GOD'S MESSAGE TO MAN. ' ? PRECNANT THOUCHTS FROM THE WORLO'S CREATEST PROPHETS. Who Shall Deliver Me? ?Let God Into Your Mirth?The Holy Spirit tlie Indwelling God ? Aggravating Spiritual Ills ? A Prayer for Gentleneai. God strengthen me to bear myself, That heaviest weight of all to bear. Inalienable weight of care. All others are outside myself; I lock tny door and bar them out. The turmoil, tedium, gad-about. I lock my door upon myself; And l?ar them out; but who shall wa*. Self from myself most loathed of aUt If I could once lay down mysolf. And start self-purged upon the race That all must run! Death runs apace. If I could set aside myself, And start with lightened heart upon The road by all men overgone! God harden me against myself, This coward with pathetic voice Who craves for ease and rest and joys; Myself, arch-tiditor to myse'f; My liollowest friend, my deadliest foet My clog' whatever road I go. Yet One there is can curb myseu, Can roll the strangling load from Break off the yoke and set me free. ?Christina Rossetti. Let God Into Your Mirth. A taper plunged into a jar of oxygen blazes more brightly. Without Christ's presence, earth's joys at their best and brightest are like some fair landscape in shadow. When He comes.to hallow them?as He always does when He is invited?they are like the same scene when the sun blazes out on it, flashed from every bend of the rippling river,' briugs beauty into shady corners, opens the flowers, and sets all the birds .singing in the sky. Joys on which He can let the sunshine of His smile fall will be bettered and prolonged thereby; joy? on which He cannot, are not ?for His servants to meddle with. If we cannot make the sign of the cross over our mirt^, and ask Him to bless it, we ha<F bettet>be sorrowful than glad. If we keep Him out of our mirth, "the end of that mirth is heaviness," however jubilant may be its beginning. But Christ cannot only change the water of human joy into the wine of heavenly gladness. Pie can also drop an elixir into the cups of sorrow, and change them into c.ud* of blessing, and salvation. One drop of thnt- nntont inflnonpfi ra n nwf^fpn fhp bitterest draught, even though many a tear has fallen into it. He can make Marah into Elim, and can calm sorrow, into a willing acquiescence not wholly nnlike happiness. Jesus will repeat "this beginning of miracles" in every, sad heart that trusts to Him.?Alexander Maclaren, D. D. , The Holy Spirit tl^e Indwelling God. It still is useXul, and sometimes necessary, to remind ourselves that the Holy Spirit is not an emanation or an influence, but a person; as real<a person as our Lord or as any one of ourselves The influence of the Spirit, when we feel it, is not like that of a mere abstract principle, such as liberty, but is like that of any other person who is not present with us but whose strong individuality ."affects us. The Holy Spirit is the indwelling God. Few men.are as positive now as most men used to be in the definitions of the mutual offices and relations of the three members of the divine Trinity. But whatever else may be disputed, there is general and "hearty agreement that God enters and dwells in consenting human hearts, enlightening con science ann supplying spiritual guidance, encouragement arid ' admonition. Jesus k was God visible in the flesh to men. The divine Spirit has succeeded to his [work and is God no longer visible yet , not the less present and recognizable. v. - \ Aggravating Spiritual Ills. The wheel of an engine has dead points and centres, where the engine can exert no direct power over the machinery. The wheel has to rely on the impulse already received to carry it past the dead point. It goes over this point by the force of habit. The soul reaches dead points in its spiritual history. Perhaps some great trial has come, some change' in circumstances; perhaps there is a temporary loss of interest; if one considers only the state of his feelings today, he vtfjbuld desert his closet and place of prayer. Of course the effect of this would be to aggravate the spiritual ill whence it comes. Then is the time when religious habit is iavaluabluIt carries the man past the dead pointkeeps him in the path of duty; and soon the way of duty becomes also the way Ul Ui>ll[<IUC93.~Ut;illl Ul X UUUfjUl^i A Prayer for Gentlenean. We thank Thee, Heavenly Father, for Thy gentleness, which is both our example and delight. Thy pity and longsuffering deepen assurance that Thou lookest upon us with a Father's heart of love. Forgive us that we hn^ impatient thoughts of life which Thou hast appointed for our teaching and that w? find it so hard to' forgive wiien Thou hast freely pardoned our transgressions. Give us power to labor and to overcome. Help us to use our strength in gentleness. Teach us how to uuderstand and sympathize. May we speak kindly think charitably and look hopefully seeking in all simplicity of obedience to love our neighbor as ourself. So make us like our Lord in truth and gentleness and use us in Thy service evermore. Amen. Gunlallty of Ood'i Love. Our lives are too often graves in which the best possibilities of spiritual beauty and strength lie sleeping. Perhaps not - _ i. - ! . 12 ? ! I.:.. Ua/.^ rPKrtHA OLK? 01 US 13 living m uia .1UC1C cub undeveloped possibilities of usefulness in every one's heart and hand. Many of our lives are like the trees io orchard* a>Hi forests, all over the land these early April days, waitiug for the warm sunshine and gentle rains to call out their foliage and fruits. We need thp warm south wind of God's love and of the Holy Spirit, to woo out the blessed possibilities that are sleeping in our lives. We need Easter in our hearts, a resurrection which shall cause us to arise and shine aud put on our beautiful garments.?J. It. Miiler, D. D. A genial man is both an apostle anil an evangelist?an apostle because he brings men to Christ, an evangelist because lie portrays Christ to men.?P. W. Fuller. Much of Canada Vnexpmrcri. The report of the Director of t?he Geological Survey of Canada makes the amazin' statement that practically nothing is - J -r 4I? ATmv? laiouTi o: oni-uuru ui wc ....? than a million and a quarter square miles of Canada arc still unexplored. This include* the inhospitable detached Arctic portion:'. Almost the entire interior of the Labrador Peninsula or Northeast Territory?in jill 239,000 square miles?is un"" ' * til. .f 4.U?'o *?nrrinn known, ine mineral weaim ui mu ? is said to be immense, while there are dense forests of hard woods. Census ICeturuR in Auawulla. The population of Victoria is 1,193,574. This is an increase of 55,460 in the lasb ten years.