Historical Newspapers of South Carolina

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JVfaid, V/ife ii ?f Mimmruinnniiriru *>^f 1a(oo pron) 1 mruinrninnnnnnn / Ev MRS.'AL 4 r i? PART n. CHAPTER II. ' Continued. Opposite Sieinbausen sat Hauptwann Ghering, and the former could Ihardly bring himself to answer tbe 4?ood-humored commonplace remarks addressed to him by his successful :| rival, as .he noticed tbe assiduity with which that audacious little dark-eyed cousin waited upon him. sweetened hie ? coffee, heaped cake upon Lis piate, and absolutely leaned ber band upon liis shoulder. ' It was too barefaced! !But bis attention -was agreeably diverted. He was delightfully surprised by the 1 <]uiet c-are bestowed upon him by Lies. In.after days he reflected with surprise on the pieces of cakc he de- 1 voured and the cups of coffee he called 1 tor on that memorable occasion. 1 It was so heavenly to have the cake 1 handed over his shoulder by Lies' 1 small firm hand, and, turning to thank her, to find her sweet eyes and lips so 1 near, and yet. alas! so far. 1 Why was she so distractingly kind? Was it really meant for him. or de- ' fiance of his opposite neighbor? 1 If the latter, it was unwise to rouse i (suspicion.at that stage of affairs. ' iuiIocl/1 stainhfinspn was besrinning to "wisli he "was away in tbe solitude J of Lis own rooms, that he might.think over some wild plans that would sug- < gest themselves to bis imagination. 1 Matters were evidently becoming des- < perate between the Hauptmann and < bis injured wife, and Well, divorce is not such a tremon- 1 dous .affair in Germany, especially I when a husband has no .objection, J though he was not so engrossed by bis < pretty attendant as not to cast .angry i glances at Steinbausen occasionally toward the end of the repast. < At last, as the vigor of tbe onslaught j somewhat relaxed, tbe k!ndly Burgo- ) meister, standing up in his place, called aloud that tbey would have no more ( of daylight than would permit them to i view the ruins?at least, such of them < as were disposed to undertake the steep and slippery ascent. < "Let those who follow me hold up j Iheri hands." .? Two-thirds of the party obeyed. t Come, eome!". cried the Doctor, to fJteinhausen, "this is too much! ] "Dancing last night, driving this y morning, climbing this afternoon! j "I positively cannot allow my patient ?uch license. 1 "Stay here by the 'Ofen' qnietly and f test, while we make tbe ascent. "T A in mTT nn/i]??if X IlilYC a JUUliiai 1U 1UJ jyvvuvt, ? much at your service, and perhaps " ,' "M^y good friend," interrupted Steintausen, resolutely, "I feci strong enough to set you at difiance, and I am determined to see the ruins. There ie no use in talking to me;" and. missing Lies as he turned around, he went hastily into a small outer room or entrance hall, where, rather to hie surprise, be found the object of his search In close conversation with Burchardt. They were evidently enjoying a good |oke, for Burchardt was laughing loudly, and Lies' mirth, though less noisy, was fully as hearty. JBotn stopped on perceiving me major, ^ and, on his asking "what amused them, Lies was silent and Burchardt replied that he (Steinhausen) should know all about It before the day was over. The party was soon ready for the 1 scent, and with many sliding, slippings, and not a few falls, with jest ( and laughter, and much good-humored t chaff, they climbed the steep hillside? Burchardt making himself excessively ^ obnoxious by keeping at the side of Frau Ghering, and talking in the most heedless way of that husband of hers? 1 a topic evidently unwelcome to the un- 1 happy wife. At length,, as they approached a ? atiffer part of the ascent. Burchardt ' suddenly found the exertion too much ( *? v.:? v,?,.t. 4i,? ? JLUi 1J1UJ, iUlU IUIUOI uavru. IV J Vim I litolder and more indolent members of the company who had stayed behind. f This move, however, did little toward favoring the tete-a-tete which Stein- * hausen sought. Lies kept perseveringly with the rest frf the party, and he had to console himself by walking as near her as possible, and assisting her in the various difficulties of the path. At length the summit was reached, and the company dispersed to examine the ruins. The small space at the top of the lofty rock had been completely covered by buildings of rare beauty, to judge by the remains?graceful arches, long, ^ pointed, slender windows, the delicate tracery still unbroken; fluted columns, 1 and ribbed cloisters, the openings at one side showing a sheer descent some ' hundreds of feet to a thick pine wbod. ' inclosing a small lake, all thickly covered with the purest snow, and spark- ! ling in the sunshine, already showing 1 4 a red evening tinge. ' Here Steinhausen found himself at ( Inst alone with Lies, and his first question was: "What wore you and Burchardt 1 laughing at so heartily?" "Ob, only at a mistake one of the party had made?the Rittmeister will 1 tell you about it, much better than I could. "How lovely these ruins are, and even more beautiful in winter than iu summer, when I first saw them." 1 "In summer!" repeated Steinhausen. rinnble to resist the painful attraction of one subject. "Then mny I ask?when?when your unfortunate mnrriage took place?" "Indeed. you may not!" she replied, quickly. "This is a topic on which I cannot hear to speak." "] beg your pardon for forcing it ob you." he returned; "hut one day y?u , -will tell me all. you will treat me with tLe confidence my deepest, tenderest fcjiupathy deserves." . , or Widow?! ?V MlulrulmnI_ :he Fnen)g. jb^<? jrnjTxmjTjrmjijrLriS >A ! EXANDER.j "Major von Steiniausen knows tliere is a barrier " she began, in low tones, with averted head. "1 'do," he answered; "but need it be insuperable?" "I?fst me tell you about these ruins," _ t_ _ i. a - sue luierrujuru, uxhiu;. "You know.tJbe 'Kloster* was built by Celestine monks whom the Emperor Charles the Fourth brought from Avigood. The architect " "Lies," said Hauptmann Ghering, coming up behind them, "I wish yoti would come to Gretchen, she is faint and unwell; I am certain she -has caught a chill; do come." "This is the most barefaced conduct I ever witnessed." thought Steinhausen, gazing after them with profound amazement, as Lies, without a word of .apology, turned at once and accompanied the Hauptmann in the direction from which he had come. *'I did not think Lies would "have submitted so tamely; she does Jiot seem afraid of the fellow either. "There is something .about it all I cannot understand," and he walketi felowly on alone, not by any means taking the deep interest in the beautiful ruins which he ought to have done. Falling in presently with the Burgomeister, they had an agricultural conversation about the resources o,f the Jistrict, the amount of wheat p<?r acre produced, etc., till the worthy leader yf the expedition -gave the word of i-ommand to descend. Steinbausen took liis stand on a piece of rock, and saw the company jile past, the fair invalid hanging on tfee fclauptmann's aria. who supported her steps wit* the utmost care And tenderness. .Lies followed. Ike Burgoaaeister's laughter hanging on her arm?t? this )air Steiukausen accardingly joined liinself. ; The descent was considerably more : lifflcult than the climbing up, and Steinbausen found he bad enoiigk to io to help the two ladies. "Herr Major, can you not confide one i >f these ladies to my care?" cried a i ;oung 'Guts Besitzer,1 wko had turned 1 >aek to meet them; -"you kave teo muck : ind I too little to do." "Erlauben Sie mir. gnadiges Frau- i ein," and be offered bis arm 1o tke i ounger girl, who immediately accepted i t, and went merrily on. Stednbausen then drew Lies' arm 1 hrough his own .and they prtceedetl ] 'or some way in silence. j At last he asked: "" i "When will you explain to me the nysteries with which you seem t* be ; mrrounded T "Why should you be called upon to < ittend to .that?that girl to whom your J nisbnnd is so shamelessly devoted? < L'ell me!" i "Major von Steinliausen." she inter- 1 upted, in a low, unsteady v^ice, "I i nus* beg of you not to question me ] low; liave patience and to-morrow you 1 shall have a full explanation?a written \ explanation of al] that puzzles you. "That is due to the?the interest you i express and seem to feel." I "Seem!" cried Steinhausen. "Can you 1 mnu it seeming? > "I?I believe it is real," she returned, ! md Stelnhausen fancied lie felt a slight ] iressure on bis arm, to wkicli lie ] varmly responded; but all ke said ] iva*>; "Thank you." ] The remainder of the descent was accomplished almost in silence, but witk i in amount of tender care on the part s >f her companion very intelligent to l Lies. At length they reached tke little ' estauration, -where the sleigks were ilready drawn up. "Burgomeister," said Steinhausen, ' naking his way to that authoritative ' ndividual, who was issuing emphatic >rders, "permit me to lead the pr?ces- '< ;ion. ' "My horse is so restless that it is ' safer for all parties if I start first."* "Good, mein Herr Maj?r. Wko is < ?our partner?" "Fitiu Ghering. Herr Burgomeister." 1 ad i me t-iauptmann mnisis 011 ?seorting his wife back, as she is n?t 1 so well?fainted among the ruins or ' some such thing. 1 "Why not return as you came, "with 1 Frauloin Ghering? a very charming companion." "Frau Ghering?Fraulein Ghering!" epeated Steinhausen, like a man in a Iream. '> "Ach. Himmel! what do you mean? t drove Frau Ghering here to-day." "By no means," returned the jovial ungistrate. "You escorted Herr Ilauptmanu's ?ousin. 1 thought you were old acquaintances." "Acquaintances or not," exelaimefi Steinhausen, quivering with the new light breaking upon him, "I wish to ilrive the same lady as 1 brought flown." : 'Good,' returned the Burgomeister. "There she stands. If you wish to be first? go." He pointed to Lies, who stood n?r the door, -with downcast eyes, and coloring to the roots of her hair. Steinhausen strode across the room, and. taking from her The wraps with which she was encumbered, silently offered her his arm. silently led her to [he sleigh, silently wrapped her up with the same assidious care, and. taking his place beside her. drove off rapidly. StiM in tiiJpjipfi "fill thr? rosta nrntion and its guests were left at some distance, then, handing the rein* to his groom, who was perched behind, he exclaimed, in an earnest and somewhat indignant v?iee: "What is this cruel trick y?>u have played upon me? "Give me your promised explanation now." "Indeed, indeed, Herr Major, I fcave played no trick upon you," cried Lies, who was still very pale. "We have both been Belf-deceived. I did not understand that you thought I was my cousin's wife till a couple of hour6 ago. when we were waiting for the rest of our party end your allusion last night to the 'barrier' which you knew existed between us. made me think you were yourself married. "It was awkward .mmediately to explain. I -thought it would be better ?less?Jess terrible to write. Pray forgive " "Meine Geliebte/" interrupted Steinhausen, trying to find her hand among the furs in which she was wrapped, "the knowledge that you are free is too delicious to leave r?om for anything but delight. "I breathe, I hope again; tell me^tell me how all this tissue of mistakes arose." He had found the hand, wiaioh. after a moment's hesitation, was gently withdrawn. "When the Frau Burgomeister presented you to us last night, you must have taken Gretehen for Fraulein and myself for Frau Ghering, and nothing occurred to correct the error. "My own conduct must have con-, firmed you in your mistake." "I see it all," cried Steinbau^en; "but go on. explain everything, the old nays tery which so puzzled me at Bergfelder." "Ah! that is a long story." replied his companion, the color coming back to her cheeks, and .a sweet, conscious smile to her lips, as she proceeded to relate the .history, interrupted by pertinent questions from Steinhausen. which drew out minuter details. Lies, it appeared, had a sister a few years older than herself, to whom she had been fondly attached, and whom she closely resembled. This sister was early married to her cousin, the Hauptmanu Ghering?a very happy but short-lived union. At the end of two years the young wife was carried off by. fever, leaving an infant daughter first to afflict and then to comfort the bereaved father. About . a year and a half after the death of her sister, Lies was greatly surprised by a proposal from her cousin that she should be that sister's successor, and mother to the little niece she cherished so fondly. In Germany such a proposition haxl in it nothing revolting, and although Lies at first, from a personal disinclination, rejected her brother-in-law's offer, she was over-persuaded, especially by her mother, to accept it, stipulating only that the engagement (almost as serious an affair ia Germany as a marriage) should not be formally announced until the second year of her brother-in-law's vnaownooa una eiupseu. Before that period, a. stroag <x>nv jetton had grown upon her that she e*uld not and ought not to complete the sacrifice urged upon her by her faaily. At length, by a tremendous effort of moral courage, she brought herself to explain her difficulties to the Hauptnann himself. A most painful straggle ensued, for the unhappy widower was more in leve/with her than she believed, and mgry beyond description at his disappointment. The war of '?5G broke out at this juncture of the family history, and Lies had first to, endure the great trial ; 3f parting on unfriendly terms from , tier cousin, for -wjhora she had a sin- : :-ere sisterly regard, and then the further grief, when he 'ay severely rvounde^ after Koniggratz, of his re- ! fusal to permit her to go and nurse , tiim. or to come to Villa Bellevue. that j tke whole family might care for aDd Lend him. In this depressed mood, saddened , jnd sobered by the disappointment she , had caused every one, she was roueed to a little of her old playfulness by ' CMarcken's report of the curiosity re- . speeting herself expressed by tbe ] Prussian Rittipeister when looking at tier photograph, and -which the little Backfischchen accidentally overbeard. , Lies determined that the intruder should not be gratified, and gave the servants strict injunctions to that effect. Accident and her father and mother's warm sympathy with, the rejected , Hauptmann, assisted her game, which the unexpected fire and earnestness of tier Prussian admirer made more ear- , aest than she had anticipated. Having once mystified him, she was , ashamed to explain, and his evident ! sincerity half alarmed, half interested ' hor So much she could rot kelp acknowledging. Many anxieties and serious losses followed the disappearance of the , Prussian troops, and amid this gen- . eral gloom her only gleam of comfort t rras the announcement of her cousin md brother-in-law's engagement to a ; pretty Silesian girl, a relative of the ; Burgomeister. and the consequent res- ( toration of the frank friendliness j which used to exist between them. Herr Hauptmann Ghcriug had been , about a year married, and this was ] Lies' first visit to her kinsman in hie new home. i All this, and many move particulars, answers to Steinhausec's questions 1 and minor explanations, occupied al- ; most all the drive back. They were already over the bridge ; wnen Lies' voice same nno suence. "Tell me." asked Steinhausen, who had again taken the reins, "did you ever think without indignation of the audacious enemy who dared to speak to you of love on scarce twenty-four hours' acquaintance? "I confess the memory of it appalls myself. Yet, meine Lielie, llebe Lies! it was a true instinct, which urged mo to grasp the jewel ibai seemed within my reach. "Have you forgiven me yet?" "Ah, yes," said Lies, and there was a sound or tears in her voice. "You were abrupt, and?and perhaps audacious; but I think you were more iu earnest than I then believed."' "And I am as earnest now as thee. "I am no longer a foe. Prussian, and Saien, and Bavarian?we have fought side by side; we have suffered and conquered together. "You have surely learned to look on me as a countryman: take me for something closer and dearer still." "But after all, Herr Major," she returned in a very tremulous tone, ".We know very little of each other, "Would it not be wiser " "Great Leavens!" cried Steinhausen, "is there no voice in your heart to plead for me; no answering instinct to draw you to me as I have been fascinated by you? "I ask you for life and home and happiness, and I ask to bestow the same on you." These words brought them to the Burgomeister's house, and Sieinhausen, without waiting for a reply, assisted his companion to alight, an I felt with a triumphant sensation that she rons tremblinc DerceBtiblv. Leaving his sleigh to the groom's care, he followed Lies across the hall to -a well wanned and lighted room leading to the salon. "I want jour answer," he said earnes*Jj\ "Are you indifferent?so averse to me?" "I have tried so hard not to think of you," said Lies, softly, a very sweet smile stealing around her lips, "but?I almost fear to say " "Yes!" cried Steinhausen, rapturously. "Why hesitate, why torment me any longerV" Then drawing her to him, "I claim a double privilege, as your bridegroom, and your sleighing partner," he said, and folded her in a long, passionate embrace, kissing tenderly the tearful eyes raised to his, the gentle yielding to his caresses speaking consent more eloquently than words. "One request, my sweetest bride!" exclaimed Steinhausen; "you must not refuse, for it is my first. "In a month I must again bo with my regiment; let us' not part as be trotbed, but as husband and wile; you are noble enough to rise superior to trifling considerations. "Let us go to the good father and mother?tfcey will be my friends,1 I am sure?and then, dearest, no senseless delays. "These are trying times, and I shall feel strong for whatever happens, when I know I leave behind a wife, with all a wife's rights and claims?do you censent to this?" "I think you are very kind and food," returned Lies, divining his object. and pressing his arm with shy tenderness. "I understand you, I believe. Let us be guided by what my parents decide." But the brief moment of quiet was over. The cracking of -whips, the sound 01 tec sieign nejis. me sarin Huouuug i of boy* and tbe glare of torches, announced the arrival of the Burgomeisler's party, and Steinhausen weut out to meet tnem, wfcile Lies stole away to her room. "Ah! Herr Major, you have lost the beet part, our torchlight return," cried the Burgomeister and the Hauptmann together. "Lost!" cried Steinhausen. joyously, as he embraced the Hauptmann. much to that gentleman's surprise; "I have won, my good consin! won all that I wanted!" THE END. Thoughtful. General "Joe" Wheeler relates the following amusing incident that took place during the night of the El Cauey affair; "General Lawton's division was marching back to El Poso, there to take up a new position in the morn-'ing. The General in company w;th Major Creighton Webb, inspector general of bis staff, was standing at the edge of tbe road, watching hie troops file past. Just as tbe dawn was breaking the colored troops came In sight. They gave evidence of being dead tired j but were nevertheless full of 'ginger.' ! "General Lawton's attention wcs attracted to a certain corporal of the Twenty-fifth Infantry, a great six-foot negro, who in addition to a couple of Uuns and two cartridge belts loaded full was carrying a dcg. The soldier to whom the other gun belonged was limping alongside his comrade. "The General halted the men. 'Here, corporal.' said he to the six-foot man, 'didn't you march all last night?' " 'Yes, sir,' responded the ncjro, saluting. "'And fought all dcy?' " 'Yes, sir.' " 'You have, besides, been narcfcing since ten o'clock to-night?' " 'Yes, sir.' " 'Then,' said Lawton, 'why on earth are you carrying that dog?' " 'Well, General,' replied the negro, showing his white teeth in a broad ?rin, 'the dog's tired!'" ? Woman's Home Companion. The Alligator in Franco. The French are to have an alKgatcr farn. Several French capitalists retfioi+Ail /jnnnfi'tr rmrf?linCA i LCUUJ Yjouru lUiO VVUUUJ iV v-w-v a few head of stock "with winch to start it The point selected for tbe venture is somewhere in the south of France. The French prize the alligator's skin so highly that the leather j dealers belive it will pay to raise the j animals directly on hone soil?or, more properly in home waters. If they succeed it will be tho first farm of its kind in the world. Alligator skin is daily crowing rarer and more high priced, while the demand for it continnes on tho increase. The French require large quantities cf it for shoes, bags, portfolios, and toilet articles. President Loubet, not long ago, received as a gift, an entire hunting enit mnrtn nf tho finpst -filrinS Ob taiuable.?Boston Transcript. The Snltan's Jewels. A correspondent, writing from Constantinople to a Paris journal, claixus, as the result of personal inspection, to give details of tie amazing collection of jewels in the Sultan's treasury. The tr.rbans cl" all the Sultans since Mahoraet II. are there, all glittering with rare and large gems of the purest water. There are also the royal throne of Persia, carried off by the Turks in 1514, and covered with more than on a/V'j mhiac? omorol^c nn/1 fin** and also the tlirone of Sulieman I., from the dome of which there hangs over the head of the Caliph an emerald six inches long and four deep. Those two thrones are the chief objects in the'collection.?London Globe. Time to Act. When college girls take to hazing one another into hysterics, it is about time to adopt some of the strong restraining methods employed upon their mascuiiae fellow-atuCenta.?.Chicago New. ' .i. . * ... ' v V ' THE GREAT DESTROYER SOME STARTLINC FACTS ABOUT THE VICE OF INTEMPERANCE. Tumm: Br To Sober?Tli* Word* of Petition I'reiented fa. the Ohi<i I^'ElsJatnre in 183C Are as Appo?li? Now as Ther "Were Then. '"Bp re sobers if ye covet Healthy days and peaceful nights, Strong drink warpeth those who lov, 21 Into sad and fearful sights. "B" ye sober!" cheeks grow haggard. Eyes turn dim. and pulse tide blood Buns too fast, or crurubleth laggard When there's poison in the flood. Shun the "dram" that can but darken When its vapor gleam has lied. Ilea son says?and ye must harken? Lessened drink brings doubled bread." Though your rulers may neglect ye. "Be ye sober!" in your strength! And they must and shall respect ye And the light shall dawn at length. But let none cry out for freedom. With a loud and feverish breath. While they let a foul cup lead them To the slavery of death. ?Eliza Cook. What Intemperance Doc*. Intemperance cats down youth in it vigor, manhood in its strength, and ag< in its weakness. It breaks the father'i heart, bereaves the doting mother, ex tinguishes natural affection, erases con ;iugal love, blots out filial attachments blights parental hope, and brings dow: mourning age in sorrow to the grave It. produces weakness, not strength sickness, not health: death, not life. I makes wives, widows: children, or phans; fathers, fiends; and ail of them paupers and beggars. '' It bails fevers, feeds rheumatism nurses gout, welcomes epidemic, in vites the cholera, imports pestilence and embraces consumptions. It cover the land with idleness, poverty, dis case and crime, ft fills your jails, sup plies your almshouses and demand your asylums. It engenders conrro versies, fosters quarrels and cherishe riots. It condemns laws, spurns order and loves mobs. It crowds your peni tentiaries and furnishes victims fo your scaffolds.. It is the life-blood o the gambler, the aliment of the cdun terfeit^r, the prop of the highwayman n ?-i/? +V>r> oimnAnt f\f tho miflnin^PTl UiiU luc 0U|/yv* t Vi iuv uiiiMijDM* diary. It countenances tbe liar, re spects tbe thief, and esteems tbe bias phemer. It violates obligation, rever ences fraud and honors infamy. It defames benevolence, hates love accuses virtue, and slanders innocence It incites the father to butcher his off spring, helps the husband to massaen his wife, and aids the child to grin* the parricidai axe. It burns up men consumes women, detests life, curse God, and despises heaven. It suborm witnesses, nurses perjury, defiles th< jury box. and stains the judicial er mine. It bribes votes, disqualify voters, corrupts elections, pollutes on institutions, and endangers our govern ment. It degrades the citizen, debases thi legislator, dishonors the statesman nnd disarms the patriot. It bring; shame, not honor: terror, not safety despair, not hope; misery, not hapni ness: and now. as with the malevoleno of a fiend, it calmly surveys its fright ful desolations, still insatiate witl havoc; it poi?ons felicity, kills peace ruins reputations, and wipes out na tionnl honor, then curses the world am lnii?rh? nt its I'liins. It does all that and more?it murder the soul. It is the son of villainies the father of all crimes, the mother o' abominations, the devil's best frierid and God's worst enemy.?Petition b.i Ohio Legislature in 1836. "What Rom Wrought. A cnrpenter earning $3 a day. fathei of three bright boys (between live am eight years), living in a home of hii own in Buffalo, N. Y., went on a strik< with several hundred other carpenters While hanging about tbe saloons witl others he began drinking. Two yean later the family lived in a vile hove ajot fit to b9 called home. The delicate little mother supported the family by working in a sweatshop One morning she went to her work at usual, and within an hour she was brought home dead?heart failure. The father sold all the furniture foi drink, then stripped the boys of theii clothing and left tlieni in the bittei cold December weather naked. When he came home later in the d;ij and found them crying from the eolc he tied bits of iron into a rope and beai tliem until a policeman broke in and ar rested him. One of the children was unconscious, neither of the others coulc stand, all of them had deep outs anc bruises all over their bodies. The am of one bad been broken by the iron. The judge, in sentencing the man used thpse words: "You are the mosi brutal, inhuman father I ever saw You go down for ninety days."?Rain\< Horn. Ben Law in Britain. What is officially known as the "li censing act of 1904" and popularl) known as the "brewer*' endowmeni bill," has passed the British Parlia ment, and went into effect January 1 The law was the result of a po liticai "deal" between the brewers and the Government. It is universally <le nouneed as the most infamous licens ing measure ever passed by a Britisli Parliament. Petitions numbering 8180 containing 319,632 signatures, were pre sented against it. 3464 being official p^ tions under seal. There were just two petitions in its favor, containing 2Z' signatures. Temperance Notes. Ireland consumes per head slightlj more whisky than England, and Scotland nearly twice as muc-b. The law prohibiting saloons withir 500 feet of a public park is being enforced against a number of places ir Indianapolis. Speaking at a temperance meetinp at Norwich, England, the Bishop oi Ipswich said that whatever legislation was joyously received by the trade must be. from the temperance reformer's standpoint, nothing hort of a calamity. Tlie Chicago Tribune remarks that the drinkers and drunkards of Chicago are contributing the little sum of 250,000 to the City Hal! to give them the privilege of spending money for whisky and beer during the coming year. An exhibit in the Transportation Building at the St. Louis Fair furnished a splendid illustration of the ;iecesity for "eternal vigilance." The Baptist Missionary Society had on exhibition one of their gospel cars, and by some intere.' tinjr coincident of fate or the Exposition management, immediately joiniug tbe car was a carload c? beer. ' ''v-'-"'"-. ' . ... ,j . -li^A - - ; ' ' , . - >: THE SUNDAY SCHOOL INTERNATIONAL LESSON COMMENTS FOR MARCH 19. Subject: Heallnjr of tlio Man Born Blind, John lx? 1-11?Golrtfin Test, John Iz. 6?Memory Veriea. 10,11?Cutinucntarjr on the Day's Leitou. I. A man born blind (v. 1). 1. "A* Jesus passed by." Jesus still lingered ac Jerusalem, and in one of His walks, perhaps to or from a synagogue, He came to i. this blind man. "He saw." Jesus took notice of his .affliction; looked upon him with concern. He anticipated his need. That look meant sight to the blind man. ' 'A man." He was a beggar; it was his trade, but among all bis petitions he did not ask for sight. Yet Jesus gave it. An illustration of free grace. This man was hopeless, helpless, poor. '"Blind from his birth." Of the six miracles connected with blindness which are recorded in the gospels tliis is the oniy case described a.1 blindness from birth. In this lies its speJ eial characteristic, for since the world began it was not heard that any man opened the eves of one that was born blind (v. 32). Blindness is very common in Palestine. II. Jesus explains the mystery of providence (vs. 2-5). 2. "Discipies asked. The first question that arose in their minds was why this blindness existed. '"Who did sin." Scripture teaches that all disease, and even aeath, is the fruit of sin. The Jewish error consisted in believing that all special afflictions were divine visitations for special sins. This error Jesus cor rected. Mark ttie contrast oeiween tneir thoughts and those of Jesii'e in reply. Repentance calls our own afflictions punishments, but love calls the Afflictions of othsrs trials. "This man." But how could ^ the man sin before his birth? The doctrine g sf the transmigration of souls. by which the same soul is supposed to inhabit difier* ?nt bodies, was quite general among the ' Greeks and Asiatics, but there is no clear * proof that this doctrine was prevalent I, *mong these Jews. On the popular suppo3 lition that special calamities are a punish* ment for special sins, the disciples desire * to know whose sin caused this man's snf' fering. Was it his parents'sin or his own? 1 If Je*us had replied his own they would * aave asked, How? i, 3. "Neither," That is, so as to be the :aus<> of the blindness. Our Lord does not deny the existence of sin, either in this maa or in his parents. The disciples looked to the origin of the suffering; our " Lord looked to its removal. They asked, * "Who is to blame?" Jesus asked, "Who * is to 8ave?" Instead of looking to tba i- dark abyss, out of which sin ajid misery ? originated, the Lord's heart looks to the ? glory, of God, who by redemption exalts fallen man to even higher blessedness than that of creature innocence. "Works of ' God?manifest." Not that this man was * born blind for the sole purpose that a r miracle might> be wrought, but that his 1 blindness furnished the occasion for Jesus . to perform the divine work of healing him thus to 9how Himself to be God. God is * not responsible for sin and its conse* quencee, but both afford Him an opportu* nity to show His power and grace. r 4.' "We must work." (R. V.) By the - plural "we." as given in the R. V., Jesus associates His apostles with Him in the work. It is encouraging to think that ' "we," poor weak men, can he "workers ,* together with L'linst." To na tne worja of evil, of wretchedness, lonely sorrow, f destitution and disease is the work of God. 3 "While it is day."- The day represents opi. porlunity; the night, opportunity past. s 5. "In the world." He would not be long in the flesh, but he has never ceased to be the light of the world. Sip is darke ness. He is in bold contrast to sin. "I am the light." Like the sun, it is My business f to dispense light and heat everywhere; to r neglect no opportunity to enlighten and . save the bodies and souls of men. The case before them was altogether bevond human means, but Jesus reminded ftis disciple* f that in Him were light and life. III. The blind man was healed (vs. 0, F 7). 6. "Made clay?anointed." Jesus : inows His power by proceeding, in His own way, to neal the man. Notice, L a There is no connection between the means used and the effect produced. 2. Christ came into physical contact to attract at3 tention and to stimulate faith; where faith was in lively exercise. He healed by His word, and at a distance. 3. Christ appeals } to two of the man's senses, his bearing and feeling, thereby arousing faith. Christ t gave His personal attention to this case, even though His patient was a beggar. 7. "Go." Would He now prove His faith in f a stranger? Would He Hesitate because of , His lifelong teaching that He must not 7 wash the eyes medicinally on the Sabbath; much leas at a pool of water? Would He now do what He could? Here came the practical test, proving His faith and obedience. "Siloam." A fountain under the 11- T 1 Ko. | WttllO UA l/CI uotticui kvnaiu vuv vuovj w c tween the city and the'brook Kidron. It 1 ; is still to be seen, one of the few undis? ' puted 6ites in Jerusalem. "By interpreta; tion, sent." That is, "outlet of waters;" either because it was looked upon as a gift ' sent from God for the use of the city, or , because it6 waters were directed or sent : by canals or pipes into different quarters, ' for the same purpose. Some think there is an allusion to Gisn. 49:10; that this foun1 tain^was a type of Shiloh, the Christ, the , sent of God, and that it was to direct the , man's mind to the accomplishment of that . proDhecy. he misrht find encouragement of faith in this. The pool by its very name was a type of Christ. "He went." He be: lieved and obeyed. We frequently lose ' God's best gifts because we fail to act in : time. "Came seeing." The cure was instantaneous. IV. Various discussions (vs. S-ll). 8. j "Is not this he?" There was an immediate . #tir among the neighbors; they noticed the 1 great change in the man. The same is true fvhen Christ gives spiritual eyesight 5 Begged.'' This is the first mention of the I fact that he was a beggar. He must have I been well known. 9. "I am he." Jesus , had met and healed the man on Friday right, at the beginning of the Sabbath, und the neighbors had not seen him go to ' the pool, so that on the next morning they ' were hardly able to believe their senses. But the man himself gave a positive testi* ! mony. 10. "How?opened." His neigh bors gathered around him and asked foi nn explanation. Many are anxious to know how things are done, even though the? have no faith. 11. "He answered." He had never seen his neighbors before, but t now, looking right it them, he deliver! f this wonderful testimony to the power oi Christ. It is short, clear, positive. "A man." First he knew Him only as "the > Man" (R. V.) called Jesus, then as a prophet (v. 17), then as a Man with, whon^ I God was (vs. 31-33), then He was the Sov of God (vs. 35-38). 1 Artificial Rabies. A German paper states that artificial rubies have been produced in France ( by reducing small natural rubies into a . very fine powder, which is melted in an ' electric furnace, cooled rapidly and orystalized. The product obtained, from what was of little worth on acr count of minuteness, possesses a comparatively high value. The main difficulty encountered is to prevent cavities and fissures ir. the crystals. Hau -on "Evangeline.'* 1 Lor.gjVllow's "Evangeline" has been banitiied from British Columbia j ftehnnis. Tin* reasons given for ibis treamx-ni of the unhappy Evangeline are that the poem is tainted with an ' nnfi-British spirit and that, although it is a beautiful and liijrhly moral protlu?tion. it is Incoming stale. i Seven Son* For the Army. Married eight years, a German namtil Prow. lias seven sons. all ot : whom he has pledged to the Oorman I army. Ma ot Plant Oil*. An experimenter in India has shown j oils from liftj-six kinds of common plants. Jt'oniaJ* Mad* of l'eat. Ilie latest novelty in stationery is postal cards made from peat. J&rcbJI Tht Frind ?f Slnnen. J9^? Friendship is to love in the human affis^^H ties the same as adhesion- is to cobesionj^HB the phygicial affinities. It ia not so stroi^HH though greater in its range and simil?r9M| its nature. Love can, .hardly lire vritho|H friendship, and friendship is a land phosphorescent love^Hhe hght without tHH Jaeat, writes Leaader Turney, m the SMOgm tist Union. S9H Love seeks its completions, friendship ^RH complements. Human atoms group tbe^HD selves into soda! molfecu'et according mysterious attractions, even as the bv^HH thetical atoms of the chemist. Frieadslu{H9| are made at the behest of love, or t&stjHM or reason. Self-interest may guide in formation of associations, but not in toHB making of .friendships. These come frn^Bn love when tears, laughter, prayers or kinW dred resolutions spring from two htorttHH that cannot be kept apart; or from muniaB tastes in the enjoyment of a dish. a or an art; or from the deliberate purpoMflBj of aspiring nature which learns to ?eek ir^K others supply for its own deficiencis*. tflH the bee the honeyed blossom, the strtmmer^B ing Moses his Aaron, the mother , of J&OiHn and His beloved discWe. a comDsnionshin^HI made sacredly sweet by their great gr?^Kfl and later their great joy. -Friend/-shoal<^B| be chosen with regard fbr themselves, as-flfl piration for ourselves, respect for sodetj^Hj and reverence for God. Friendships should be conserved?by re-^R serve, as appetite is whetted by abstin-M ence; by considerateness. for both friendtf^H must be served by the friendship; by con<^H stunt, though noi ton familiar, intercourse^? becaufo they who would journey far tofl gether would better walk'than run. Let Be remembered, friendshiu is not a unquenchable, but a candle that most aj kept out of the wind. As perfect music flu not produced by to imperfect instrument* so there comes no perfect haroony~t?H| friendship from 'hunt&n- nature, in wbich|^B there is always something out of tune-? some discord of pride, deCeit or.ambitioa.Kl There are beautiful friendships it then world, but like the glories-of the chil?^H \ VV1. iL -J*. ? * S % uuuuie, racy are mace 01 Baas ana EHMy OJ^MC lost in a moment. Therefore, a true friend^^H ehip should be as tendcrly/cursed as an in<^H fant?for it ;s as frail, ls sweet, aa darling,? Possibilities? MeaAxre ttiem by -the ivayj^B in -which rp^n can serve one another, . ra^Hj the need of every man for-hrip, "from biM fellows, by the beauty of dinQtartaLedne*g,H by the nobility of iielf-sacri^ce, by thdB greatness of a sentiment'that, can forget SB { lace and b?ood,,&, recognizi;^ a coimncnt^H nmanity. He who was the friend of tife'HB nere has ?hown to what heights friendship may rise. MBj The TTItneM ?f Sop<?r*tItion. M Of course tliie rriifn/Yue ituOynfir ten reveals itRilf fn Ve?y pitiful and painzrtflB manifestations. You oittimes grieve-lal^H the superstiticns of the race, hot yoji mij|H remember that the eupenstitidns of ?W race are ao many demonstrations of tuifl existence of the spiritual principle :&jHH which you appeal, and on which#you bajH^ your hopes'. The absurdities of the pa^'A^B faith and worship are venefthle ana ilH lime.' A $reat man. in one pl*?e puts MB thing ntnfcingiy but strong .wnes tjHSm says: "The dying Brahmin conv^laiv?M| clutching the tail of a cow is really end sublime when yon, thiol of the JHH * puke that prompts it." j ,H I And so even when mMWit the fanW^HH tic, the pathetic manifestation* of fieVBB i ligious principle, they only demonstri'j^^M I the depth ana'intensity of that prineiiWB I Wild growths, savage thorns, gariali tlov'.BB ' era, growing on neglected toil, pro ye tflBMjflj possibilities of that soil if it were proper^^H I cultivated.?Rev. W. L. Watkinwn, D. P. H How to IHgcat Sptritval Food,.JwgjHm Oli how love I Thy law! it ie my niedijflHl : tlon all the day.?Psalm 119:97. iA|^B9D i Bonar tells of h simple Christian in a , house who had "meditated the ' ! through rhree tinifcf.'' Thi? ia prcciwij^^H | what the Psalmist had done; he_had' goig^^H Sast reading into meditation. Like LnthjBHjl He "bad shaken every tree in God's guvdfH ! And (TAtKurp^ Wtit fhAroWAm V ** #HM The idea of meditation is "to get influ the middle of & thing", Meditation is i the mind what digestion lis to the bodjflMj Unless the food be digested, the body zfl ! reives no benefit from it. If we would <m^M| I rive the fullest benefit from wfia'f we reflHB | or hear, there must be that ntental digfl^H tion known as meditation. If w* wouSJHS "buy the truth" we must pay, the which Paul intimates when he wrot<B M Timothy; "Meditate upon these thii^H^m give thyself wholly to them." David tated in God's Word because he lovedH^BJ and he loved it the more because he tated in it.?6. B. P. HaR6ck, D. D. J ovH Courage to Fontwt. ' " fl Bj There is nothing we need so ihuchBflHN in all forms, as courage. It .seems tcri^EH i that the most difficult and heroic coutfl I is for a man to foijjet his past. Yet ! is the Christian doctrine aboot uagjH | forgotten is sin treated as though not. Christ does not aek of;you tot over your sin, but to overcome, it..-: fiBHS does not ask you to weep through lor^HH] years about your pin, but to retnevt ?l<ev. W. J. Dawson. e&H The True Cornenton*. - . The cornerstone -of every truly regener?H . ated character is the Lord Jesus; othe^Q I foundation can no one buQd on witho^HH i risking a wreck in this world and etsn^HB] | ruin in the nest world. Hie first act ^Hl] ' bavin# faith is the joining at the new c<H? vert to the atoning Saviour. The Will of God. ] The will of God does not call men , from the commonplaces of everydaj&HRHttJ but condition* their hfe in those comhl I places, until the most commonplace ilHB| > flashes-and gleams with the glory, of. heavens.?G. Campbell Morgan.^^ |BHR Trait HUk.l|||?tt, Yfjl E? The reason why you^do hot trust-'IBWfifil more is that you cbiev Him so littltfjJHHH you would only ask what God would you do, you would soon find your ctHBSfl dence growing.?George Macdonald. sjHHB The Point of View. . >, Everything related to our happinesJHSNB pends upon our point of yiew._^Wu|^^H| lift up our eyes to the hills even JbSB walking in the va)l*y-''oT>^? shaaHuHfj Charles Newcomb. TK. flnnl>> Mh T.Im JlEdKuS There is many a man who jmiH BBBBBI for a life-preserver on a sinking would see his own soul sinking in AKflSH lessness and never think otfche Hfe-li9H|0| We Judge A mils. MH We judge amiss so often becausej|H9|^B judge moral offense by deed rather jHB by disposition. It is possible that yotr^HB^E I were worse men, worse women, m biH| when we saw nothing wrong with, selves, than wc were in those hour'HBH telf-contempc thai Jo'.lowed failure.? tish Reformer. H We Mont Be Tender. jmH YVe can nelp mane people ongat ^'inH keenness, but we can never accomlHgB anything toward making people good]HBR| t-ent by our tenderness.?C. H. Parkhl^Ka^H D. D- JH Hor Many Descendants. IHhI Mrs. E. Barto, of Altoona, Pa.jB^S oently celebrated her ninety-se<fl^9|H birthday anniversary. Her ants include two sons, four daucrn|^Bnj lifty grandchildren, 102 great-gran(*Kj | drcn ami seven great-great-grandlMHB dieu. JESS Rooster Warns IIIk Master. A rooster which wakes Samuel JaH^n 6ou. of Brookdale, N. J.. regularly,^|HHB ;ept on Sunday crowed pcrsisten^HH Sunday, aud Jackson found Ills hHKS roost had been robbed.