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lewis m. grist, proprietor, j |tii Jndtpcndent Jamily Jtotrapapcr: #r the fJromotion of the $olitical, Social, ^jriculfurat and (Commercial interests of the ^ontlr. |terms? a year in advance. VOL. 35 YORKVILLE, S. C., WEDNESDAY, JUNE 26, 1889. NO. 26. ANOTHER FROM THE DIARY OF MY .ITTIilAN H Author of "The threat Ra ran I Vim Copyright by 0. M. Dunham, and puldisl American Press Association with Cai CHAPTER XX. A CHECK. AVINQ seen the lady into the dSk I I house, the man IvJ v A? vvith tho black mustachios |SjXT turned on his heel ^HHh and sau n torcd m Ha/m away. acter were the result partly of innate evil and partly of circumstances. He had received an excellent education and had graduated from the New York Medical school in good standing. Up to that time, beyond a tendency to loose company and irregular habits, ho had developed no noticeably bad tendencies. The chances were that ho would outgrow his youthful follies and become a useful member of society. Almost immediately upon his graduation, however, his destiny took a sinister turn. At a parting supper with his comrades he got into a quarrel with ouo of them, ending in a scuffle in which blows wero exchanged. Tho quarrel was patched up and tho two antagonists shook hands and drank together, but Horace secretly bore a grudge and was determined to "get even." At the end of the evening, his late antagonist being somewhat tho worse for liquor, Horace volunteered to seo him home. They walked off together, Horace revolving in his mind tho scheme of some practical joke. That night Hoi ace's companion was found insensible on his doorstep with the mark of a blow from a slungshot behind his ear He never entirely recovered consciousness, and died the next day after uttering the name of Horace Dupee. Horace was arrested on a charge of murder, and in default of bail wa3 thrown into prison. After a long series of delays extending over a year, ho was brought to trial and acquitted. The evidence, though amounting to a strong probability, was not conclusive, and the jury gave him the benefit of tho doubt. Ho went forth nominally a freeman, but his 6ocial and professional career were blasted ere they had fairly begun. The shadow of the mark of Cain, if not tho mark itself, was upon him. Ho might have changed his namo and and achieved success iD another country. But half from sullen obstinacy, half from lack of business energy, he did not do this. Instead, ho drifted into bad society and soon found himself in harmony with it. The class of society in which he had formerly moved ceased to know him. Tho police began to take an interest in him, but he was shrewd and cautious enough to avoid falling into their hands. Some of his escapes were very narrow, but up the present time his photograph had not appeared in tho rogue's gallery. In such a case, however, detection is sure to come sooner or later. Some oversight is committed, some "pal" turns state's evidence, or some fatality occurs. Since the time of his downfall Horace finrwv> Vinrl tvnnrlprprl from nlnr.fi to nlnr.o and lived in most states of the Union. But again and again he returned to New York, though he knew that he ran greater risks there than elsewhere. At the tirni we come up with him he had been absent from the city for nearly a year. It was on the day after his arrival that his com panion, Grush, had called his attention to Mrs. Ketelle. She was the sister of the man of whose murder he had been accused. This fac? was sufficient to inspire him with animosity against her. lie had never seen her before. The only member of the family with whom he had ever come in personal contact was Jerrold Nolen. But he owed them all a grudge. If it had not been for them ho might have had a successful career. He was prepared, therefore, to do her whatever ill turn came in his way. It was an additional motive that the ill turn to her could be made of advantage to himself. Grush had suggested this, and though he had turned aside tho suggestion ho considered it none tho less. There was no need of letting Grush into tho affair. In secret councils was safety. Besides Grush had no claims upon him?quite the contrary; he, too, was associated with' whatever was disastrous in his life. He made up his mind to carry out his purposo with out saying anyming 10 urusn aoout u. Several days passed. Ono afternoon Mrs. Ketelle left her house and took a Fourth avenue car uptown. She left it in the neighborhood of Harlem, walked across town a couple of blocks and entered the door of a small flat that formed part of an unfinished block on a side street. She remained there for upwards of an hour. Twilight was beginning to fall when sho came out. She liad not walked far when sho heard a step behind her, and a voice said, "Good evening, Mrs, Ketelle. How is the judge today?" She turned and saw at her sido a well dressed man of dark complexion, who fixed his eyes upon her in a manner sho did not like. But his knowledge of her name and of her husband led her to suppose that sho must have met him somewhere and forgotten him. "You must excuse me, sir," she said, "but you have the advantage of me/ "Indeed, I believe you are right," he answered, with a short laugh. "Tho advantage is all on my side. But tell me, Jfrs. Ketelle, how does married life suit you? Does tho judgo como up to your expectations? For my part I should think twico before marrying a woman so much younger than myself. By tho time you are coming into full bloom tho judgo ill Vm ir? fVm corn n nrl rhllnw lr?n f Will ^ W"N/ wv*v .vv... But I suppose you know how to manago him. Ho hasn't betrayed any symptoms of the green eyed monster yet, has he?" This speech produced such astonishment in Paulino that she could not find words to interrupt it But when the speaker paused sho stood still and looked him curiously in the face. "You don't seem to bo intoxicated," sho said at length. "You may bo crazy. Whatever you are, I advise you to go. I do not want you." "No, I suppose not," ho replied, returning her glanco insolently. "I am not tho lucky man. The judgo has no cause to be jealous of me. But, on tho other hand, I may bo of some use to him. Of course, it will bo a pity to 6poil your little game. You havo managed it all so nicely, even to providing him with lodgings; and ho is such a fino looking young fellow, and it is all so lovely and romantic. But, you see, I havo a high regard for tho judge, and I can't bear to i sec h'm made a fool of. Theso billings j and cooings in tho park and assignations j in flats?they must bo stopped. Society j won't stand it. And tho best way to stop it that I can think of is to tell Judge Ketelle." Pauline listened to all this attentively, at first with a dreadful fear that this unknown man had become acquainted with the fact that her brother had returned to New York. But as ho went on she perceived that he supposed Percy to be her lover; and then his object be :s crimp: \ INSPECTOR BYRNES. AYVTIIOUN'K. 111k Robbery,*" "An Amerlaii.*" Elc. led, through special arrangement 1 ?y tho ssoll A Co., New York ami London.] j came clear. A deep blush overspread j her face. That 6ho should bo thought | capable, oven by a wretch who did not | know her, of an illicit intrigue, filled i her with horror and anger. But underneath this feeling there was another and a more powerful one. It was a feeling of relief and joy that her brother was safe, at least that she could save him by the sacrifice (so far as this man was concerned) of her reputation as a pure woman. By letting him continue to suppose that it was an ordinary intriguo in which she was engaged, and paying him for his silence?for she divined that it was for that purpose he had accosted her?sho could keep Percy's secret until the time arrived when it might safely bo divulged. Tho sacrifice was perhaps as arduous a ono as an honest woman could bo called upon to make; but there was no hesitation in her mind as to whether or not sho should make it "I have heard that there were such persons as you, but I never saw one before," sho said. "You are a blackmailer, aro you not?" There was something In her tone that touched a soro spot in him, callous and degraded though he had become. To see her beautiful face and angry eyes gazing straight into his, and to feel that her contempt for liim was far too great for her to make any attempt to express it in words, wjis an experience that even ho found trying. Ho remembered, with a pang of hopeless rage, that ho might havo 60 lived as to have the right to meet this lovely woman on terms of social equality, and to win her respect and perhaps her regard. As it was, it was impossible for one human being to despise another more than she despised him. And yet what right had she to j despise him if she were herself reprehensible before society? The thought hardened him again. "I see you are up to business as well as to some other things," he said. "I hav? my living to make; you are paid for by your husband and amuse yourself by deceiving him. If ho divorces you, you may find out what it is to make your own way in the world; as long as your good looks last no doubt it will be easy; but after that you may be ready to take a few lessons from me. But meantime I intend to bleed you for what I want. As soon as you get tired of paying me I shall go to the judge?and you will go to the deviL Is that plain?" "Yes, I understand you. You will certainly earn your money," she remarked, with a smile that ma8e him grind his teeth. "Well, then, I will pay you for your silence. Now, as to the amount. Have you thought about that?" "You will hand over five hudred dol lars this evening. I will let you know when I want any more." "No," she said decisively, "I will not give you five hundred dollars. That is absurd." "Either that, or your husband knows all about your performances before he goes to bed to-night" "Very welL But recollect that by betraying mo to him you will free me from every restraint and scruple. I suppose you don't need to bo told that I am not kindly disposed toward you. The pleasure of destroying you would compensate mo for tho loss of social position you speak of. While v^u are with my husband I shall be with Inspector Byrnes. I promise you faithfully that you shall suffer tho utmost penalty of tho law, and after tho law has done with you I will take you in hand myself. When that time comes you will wish that the law had kept you longer. You will never draw a breath that is not free from pain and terror as long as you live. Look at me, sir. Don't you think I mean what I say?" The quietness of anger at white heat was in her eyes and voice, and it scared the man somewhat, as it would have scared a much more doughty rascal He forced a laugh and 6truck his boot with his cane. After a moment she turned and resumed her walk up tho street. lie remained where he was until she was half a block distant. Then he hastened after her and overtook her. "Look here, Mrs. Ketelle," he said, "business is business. I'm not a fooL Tell mo what you can do, and I'll give you my answer." She replied at once, continuing her walking, but keeping her eyes upon him as sho spoke. "I am allowed by my husband fifty dollars a week pocket money. I will pay you twenty dollars a week until in my opinion you havo had enough. 1 will pay you your first month's wages in advance?eighty dollars. You must bo careful not to apply for moro until tho month is out. Those are my terms." "They won't do!" said he, blusteringly. "You'll pay mo two hundred now and fifty a week, or it's no deal! Come, now!" "If you address mo again, except to accept my proposition, I will havo you arrested, como what may!" Tho color rushed to her faco and her eyes flashed. Sho was losing her temper, and sho was evidently in earnest. Ho was silent a moment, and then shrugged his shoulders. "All right, I'll take it," hosaid. "Handover tho money." "I do not carry that amount in my nnrcn " c\in rnfiivno/l OUV AVbUlUbU "How am I to get it, then?" "You will como to my houso liko any other person to whom things are paid. Did you think I was going to mako appointments to meet you at the street corners, or in liquor 6aloons? My husband will pay you." "Your husband! Look here, Mrs. Ketelle, you aro a smart woman; but if you think you can play any gamo on me, you aro mistaken. You liave more at stake than I have. Don't try to bluff mel" "If I liavo tho most at stake, why do I you feel uneasy? You will receive your money in that way, or nit at all. It is just as you chooso." They had now reached tho corner of tho avenue; Paulino signaled tho down town car that was approaching, and got in. Tho man followed her. Sho handed tho conductor a double fare, remarking, "I am paying for that person." No conversation passed whilo they wcro in tho car. Dupeo was ill at case, Wnr\ nrviil/1 tirvf 1.? 1 5 -*V i/Ub uv V-V/uava ocw uub Llicit IJU I1ULL ID? best of the situation. Sho could not afford to betray him. On tho other hand, what if Judgo Ketello should happen to know him by 6ight? No; ho was certain they had never met; the judgo had taken no part in his trial, either as witness or jurist. Besides, again, was it not her interest to protect him? TIjo car stopped, and they got out and walked across to her house. Tho door was opened to her ring, and they entered. "Is Judgo Ketello in?" sho asked tho servant. "Yes, madam. Ho has just gone into tho library." "Sit down here," sho said to Dupee, addressing him as if ho wero a tradesman's clerk who liad called for his bill. "I will let you know when it is ready." Sho passed through a door on tho right, leaving him there. Presently ho heard hervoico and another?tho judge's?in conversation. Then sho opened another door further up tho hall and called to him, "Como this way, please." Ho went forward, and found himself in tho library. Tho judge was seated at a writing tablo on which stood a student's lamp. IIo was in tho act of taking his check book from a drawer. "What amount did you say, my dear?" ho inquired, suspending his pen over tho inkstand. "Eighty dollars," she replied. Tho judgo began to write. "What name?" ho inquired, looking up at Dupee, who stood somewhat in tho shadow. "What is your name?" Mrs. Ketelle re-1 peated. Dupeo now fancied ho know why 6ho had brought him to tho house. In tho first place, the check could be traced;' then tho judgo could bo called to provo that it had been paid to him; and, finally, sho had hoped to surprise him into bo1 traying his name. But ho had gone too far to go back; and as for the name, that was easily managed. It was partly from a malicious motive that lie answered: | "My namo is John Grush." j "John Crush," echoed tho judge, writing it down. He signed tho check and | extended it toward Dupee. "Have you j receipted cno ouir no oskou. Dupee looked at Mrs. Ketelle. "I did j not get a bill," she said. "Tho check is ! itself a receipt, is it not?" I "Yes, yes, to bo euro," rejoined her ! husband. "Well, that's all right, then; that's all!" "You may go," Bald Mrs. Ketelle, glancing at Dupee as if he were a piece of furniture. When she heard the street door close, she went round to her hus; band and kissed him. "You are very good," she said. ""What?to give you eighty dollars J without asking you what you had bought?" ho returned, laughing. "Yes; but you shall know somo time." "My dearest, I am not curious; I only want you to love me. Do you know," h9 added, "I can't get it out of my head that I have met that fellow?that clerk who was here just now?that I have seen him somewhere before?and under odd i circumstances, too." "Where?" said she, startled and deeply interested. "Hum! I can't fix it! Maybe I shall remember later. But it's no consequence, j after all. Now one more kiss, and I'll go and get ready for dinner." CHAPTER XXL AT HEADQUARTERS. HE next mornCS I * ing, while the _A . I J judge and PauI I line were sitting v ) I L over their breakfT| fast, he said: "By r'friYi'liii I way, my dar. | ling, you rememJftmflSiil ber saying ifffiMffTlL'fll<$JH yosioraay mat ^at p?1"5011? MJpjf. IB> | black haired Wllr/*!1' fU&l man? whom I wfvj/}' paid a check to, i/wf^ reminded me of some one?" Pauline, who had been sitting in a listless and pensive posture, instantly brightened up and expectation sparkled in her eyes. "Yes, I remember! Have you thought who it is?" "It occurred to mo last night, or early this morning, while I was lying awake. The name ho gavo yesterday ovcning? John?something" "John Grush." "John Grush?yes; that was not tho namo of tho person I am thinking of. I don't mean to imply that his namo may not have been John Grush. But ho certainly bears a remarkable resemblance to another man whom you, I think, never saw, but whose name will bo familiar^ you." "Who? tell me!" Tho judgo was a little surprised at her impatience. "Mind you, it'sonly a fancy of mine," ho 6aid. "Perhaps I shouldn't havo mentioned it; but it had such an oaci relation 10 a matter very near to you. Of course, howover, it is impossible that the person who was here last night can bo the man I refer to." "But who is it?" "He reminded mo of Horace Dupee," said tho judge. "Of course you know whom I mean. I was not personally engaged in tho trial, but I dropped into tho court ono day, and watched tho proceedings for half an hour. That was tho only occasion on which 1 ever saw Dupee. Ho was a striking looking fellow, and I retained an unusually distinct memory of his features. This man Grush looks a good deal older than Dupeo did ?though, to bo sure, it was soveral years ago." "Will you havo somo more coffee, dear?" asked Pauline. "No more, thank you. I'll go and smoko a cigar, and then? How is your mother feeling this morning?" "About tho same. I havo an idea it might bo good for her to get up to breakfast in tho mornings. I think sho could, if sho tried. Perhaps a stimulus of some sort would benefit her?somo great piece of news, for instance." "Possibly. But I hardly think there is any news that would bo likely to interest your mother. Sho hardly over so much as looks in a newspaper." "I don't mean news of that kind. But if, for instance, sho should hear that tho thief who committed tho robbery of which Percy was accused was caught and convicted; or (if it wero possible) that Percy himself i3 not dead, but had in somo strango way escaped 1" "Ah, yes; such news would givo her fresh life, no doubt. But wo must not let our imagination take so wide a range." "It is not impossible. Why may not Percy bo alive? No ono has seen his dead body. Why may ho not return some day? Men havo ofiten returned who wero thought to bo lost for years and years." "Why, my dear, do not let your mind run on such thoughts! You are excited already. Wo must not hopo to seo Percy again." After a pauso Paulino said, "If he were to come back do you think ho would bo arrested on that old charge?" "Speaking from tho legal point of view, I suppose ho would be." "But suppose ho wero to come backsuppose ho wero in New York now? would it bo unsafo for him to be seen or to hnrn if. L-nnvvn? Would ln> li:n<? tr keep in hiding until his innocence could bo proven?" "My dearest wife," replied the judge, gently, "tho law cannot bo affected by sentiment. If it were so, it would ceaso to bo the law. I do not say that, in ceasing to bo tho law, it might not, in certain instances, become something better and higher. Only in certain inj stances, mind you! As to Percy's case, I thero is no reason to supposo that ho would bo treated with any social severity. Quito tho contrary. It is almost certain that tho original prosecutor would not appear; and tho government would scarcely take up tho matter. No; Percy would bo arrested and certain fori malities gono through with, and?but, bless my 60ul, I am talking as if tho poor boy wcro still in this world! God bless him! IIo is far beyond tho reach of worldly justice or injustico now!" With theso words the good judge got up, and after kissing his wife's hand in a chivalrous fashion of his, ho went into tho library to 6moke his cigar. Pauline loved her husband, but she was glad to bo alone at that moment. She was wrought up to a high pitch of excitement, and felt the necessity of I dealing with her thoughts and emotions | in private. She went up to her boudoir 1 and locked herself in. Since the occurrenco of tho day before she hud more than onco been on the point of revealing tho whole matter to her husband. Had it concerned herself alone, sho would havo dono so at the outset. But tho secret was Percy's in the first place, and she could not tell how she had been blackmailed without revealing his presence in the city. No doubt the judge would keep the secret, j for her sake, if for no other reason; but she had reflected that it could do no good to Percy to have him know it; and if Percy's presence should happen to bo discovered in any other way it might prove awkward for the judge to have been found in the position of sheltering a fugitive from justice. On the other hand, she could not tell Percy of the insult that had been put upon her, because ho would undoubtedly sacrifice everything to inflict summary punishment upon the blackmailer. She had therefore decided to pay the latter a Bum of money, giving him to understand that no more would be forthcoming for a month, and in the course of that month she intended to turn all her energies to the task of clearing Percy, by 6omo means or other, of the old charge which so hampered and obstructed him. She would then be free to deal with tho blackmailer at her leisure, and she intended to punish him to tho full extent of the law. But tho revelation of the blackmailer's identity changed tho whole aspect of the case. To Pauline it had been totally unexpected; and yet in looking back she could fancy that she had known him intuitively from tho first. Bo that as it might, it was a triumph moro complete than she had ever dared to anticipate. Dupeo was the man who had murdered her brother Jerrold; lie (as she believed) was tho man who had cast a nearly fatal shadow over the career of Percy; and he, again, delivered himself, bound hand and foot, into her power by perpetrating upon her the crime of blackmail. She had him securely, for though lie had given a false name the judge would be able to identity him as tho recipient of the check, and tho case against hinj would thus be proved. Ho would be arrested on that charge, and then it would go hard, but tho whole truth should como out. She regarded Percy as being as good as free, and was strongly impelled to go and tell him tho 6tory at once; but, on second thought, she decided to wait until the probability had been rnado a certainty, and then bring him news in which there should be no element of conjecture. She wished, moreover, to enjoy tho pleasure of managing the affair herself, without either her husband's or her brother's help. Having determined in her own mind her plan of proceedings, she waited until her husband had started on his daily trip to his office, and then she put on her cloak and bonnet and went out herself. . It was a fine, clear forenoon. It was not the first time she had visited police headquarters, and she knew the way thither. The squalid denizens of Bleecker and Mulberry streets stared at the handBome lady as she passed by, but she was too much preoccupied by tho matter in hand to notice their observation. She mounted the steps of tho big white faced building with a light heart, and asked to bo admitted to see Inspector Byrnes. She had iust put the question to the sergeant when the inspector came out, In hat and overcoat. Ho recognized her immediately, and lifted his hat with a smile. "You are going out," she said. "When can I see you?" "I am not going out," was his reply. "I am going to ask you to come into my office and have a talk. If you had not come hero I might have called on you today. Como in." And ho oonducted her to the inner room. "Now, then," ho said, when they were seated, "what.is the news?" "It is you who should have news for me," she returned, smiling. "I'm sure you have had time to find out a dozen such mysteries as tho one I asked you about." The inspector woro an amused look. "When you want to bamboozle an old hand like ine," he said, "you must first of all learn to command your face. You must not look happy if you expect me to believe that you are miserable. If you have lost a brother, you must not loot as if you had found one!" Pauline blushed and got a little frightened. "It was not my brother that I asked you to find. Inspector Byrnes," she said. "No. the brother was to be thrown in, 1 suppose! This is fine weather we are having just now, Mrs. Ketelie," ho added, in another tone. "Capital for exercise!" "I beg your pardon." He laughed. "You live up near the park," he said. "Would it bo too far for you to walk up to One Hundred and Twenty-lifth 6treet, or that neighborhood?" "To One Hundred and Twenty-fifth 6treet?" "By the way, that reminds me of something; perhaps you may bo able to enlighten me. There is an English friend of mine in town, a gentleman by the name of Clifton. lie is over here to look after the interests of a valuable English estate. It seems that the hereditary owner of thi3 estate lately deceased, and it became necessary to find the next man in the succession. It was known that he had gono to New Zealand, but upon investigation thero it appeared that he had left on a visit,to this country. Finally news of him was received from Mexico. Does tho story interest you?" "Let mo hear," she said. Well, in Mexico a man answering to his name was found; but on being told of his inheritance, he declared that ho would have nothing to do with it. That Eeemed odd; for people are not in tho habit of throwing away three-quarters of a million of money. Just then a person appeared on Iho scene who aflirmed that this man was not the person ho represented himself to be at all, but an impostor. That 6eemed possible in one way; in the other way, an impostor would be the last man in the world whom one would expect to let a great property slip between his lingers. My English friend was puzzled; but he knew that this mysterious gentleman had lately been in New York, and it occurred to him that it might bo a good plan to come on here and see if ho could learn anything more about him. "Now, it so happens that I have an acquaintance in Mexico who makes a point of knowing what goes on there, and whenever he hears of anything that ho thinks might interest me ho drops mo a line, or sends a telegram, if there is any hurry. Ho had heard about this alfair I speak of, and also that tho mysterious gentleman had had an interview with somo government officials, and immediately afterwards had left Mexico en routo for tho United States. Ho telegraphed this information, together with tho alleged name of tho mysterious gentleman. It was a namo I had heard before, and I had even met tho gentleman himself. So, when tho steamer was announced, I took half an hour and went down to tho wharf I to say good day to him. And then, Mrs. Ketelle, a curious thing happened." He paused and fixed his eyes on her. She sat before him with her hands tightly clasped in her lap, her lips compressed and her eyes dark with emotion. "The gentleman whom I saw," continued tho inspector, "was not the one named in tho telegram, but it was an iutimato friend of his, whom I had also met before. lie had, however, been reported dead. But seeing him alivo and well, though somowhat changed in ap- [ pcarancc, I carno to tho conclusion that perhaps a mistako had been made, and that it was tho friend who had died" But Paulino could restrain herself no longer. She lifted her hands slightly and let them fall again. "lie was a dear friend of mine," sho said, whilo tho tears caino into her eyes; "he was a good friend to Percy. I sco you know all, inspector; you seem to know everything! What aro you going to do with him?" [TO UK CONTINITKO NKXT WKKK.] ffcijr When a man says "I hoar a noise," it probably never occurs to him that there is nothing in the wide world that anybody can hear but a noise. I ptettttonwros: Reading. THE TOWNSHIP BONDS. A DISCUSSION ?>' THE QUESTION FROM OPPOSITE STANDPOINTS. [Kditorinl in Lancaster Review, .111110").] We are not altogether satisfied that the county commissioners are acting wisely in refusing to certify to the completion of the Three C's railroad through this county, in accordance with their original contract with the construction company. No one doubts for a moment that the commissioners are acting from the best of motives; that they are being prompted by an honest desire to protect and promote the best interests of the county, hut there are always two sides to every question, and this township homi question is no exception to the rule. Aside from any legal or moral obligation which may rest upon the com missioners, or upon me xownsnips they represent in this mutter, to carry out their original contract, let us consider for a moment whether there is anything to be gained by the course adopted by the commissioners. Now, it is no longer a matter of speculation as to whether the township bonds will eventually have to be paid. Whatever may Ikj said as to the consistency or inconsistency, policy or impolicy, wisdom or unwisdom, good law or the absence of all law in the decisions of the highest tribunal of the State upon the constitutionality and validity of these township bonds, it cannot now be successfully denied, however much we might wish it otherwise, that the bonds and interest will have to be met by us as they mature. The supreme court has so, in effect, declared, and its judgment is final, whether right or wrong. What advantage, therefore, can possibly result from the further refusal of the commissioners to sign the certificate referred to? What's the use of kicking against the pricks? The commissioners cannot possibly relieve us of this self-imposed burden by simply refusing to certify to a well known fact?the completion of the railroad through the county. Their action, however, or rather their non-action, affects, not the validity of the bonds, hut their market value, for capitalists, who are always chary, will not pay anything like face value for a security where every formality of its execution and delivery has not been complied with. Who is to be benefitted by the depreciation in value of the bonds? It is not the townships, whose obligations they are, as decided by the su promo court, for the enect 01 its judgment is that these bonds will have to he paid dollar for dollar when they mature. It is not the railroad itself, for in being forced to float the bonds at less than their real value., the company is thereby diminishing its ability to further equip and extend the road,to the extent of the depreciation. It is the capitalists, and they alone, who take the bonds, who will profit by the absence of the commissioners' certificate. They will do so at the expense of the railroad and Lancaster county's credit. An individual dislikes to see his paper discounted by third parties?made the object of speculation and profit?when he knows it is worth one hundred cents on the dollar and that he will have it to pay whether willing or not; then how much more important is it that we as a people should feel a just pride in having our solemn obligations command their real worth when placed 011 the market. Jf we could derive any possible benefit from the deprecation of the bonds, if thereby our burden could be made lighter when "pay day" comes round, there might be some excuse for our taking | advantage of the present situation, even at the expense of our credit, but there is nothing whatever to justify us in indulgingsuch a hope. Depend iijion it, we will never get rid of those bonds except by paying tlieni in full. Does the refusal of the commissioners to sign the certificate referred to end this matter? We doubt it. Is it not likely that the railroad prmui'inv will hrinu-nn action airailist thorn for damages sustained by reason of such refusal ? More litigation means more money out of the pockets of tax-payers. We understand that in order to effect an amicable settlement of this matter now, the railroad authorities are willing to make some concessions to the first year or two's interest and also pay into the county treasury a stipulated sum in cash, but if they are forced to take further legal steps the prospects for a compromise will most assuredly grow "beautifully less." We have not a particle of interest in this matter only as a citizen and tax-payer; we own* none of the bonds and never expect to. As a member of the legislature we did all in our power to prevent the passage of what is known as the valdating act, while the people themselves who made the subscriptions should say whether the bonds were to be validated or not, and not the legislature; but since the act was passed notwithstanding, and since the supreme court has decided that the bonds are now valid obligations of the townships voting them, we doubt the wisdom and propriety of inviting further litigation over the matter. A UKI'LY TO THE AMOVE. [From the Lancaster Lodger, Juno 12.] Messrs. IMUors :?The Review of the nth instant contains an editorial headed "The issue between the County Commissioners and the Three C's Kali road Company," in which the county commissioners are criticised for "not certifying to the completion of the railroad through the county in accordance with their original contract with the construction company." While the article was written in good spirit and is a strong statement of the railroad's view of this question, yet the editor has evidently not thoroughly examined both sides of the "issue".' That the matter may be better understood hit a few facts be stated. Cnder the Act of 1SS;1, allowing townships to subscribe for stock in railroads, Cane Creek, (Jill's Creek and Pleasant Mill townships, in this county, subscribed in the aggregate !?77,non, to be paid in coupon-bonds. The predecessors in office of the present board of county commissioners signed and sealed the bonds and deposited them with the Boston Safe Deposit and Trust company, of Huston, Mass., under a written agreement with the trust company that the bonds should not be delivered to the railroad company until the county commissioners signed a certificate that the railroad was completed, and that the bonds should not bear interest except J'rom the time of the signing of the certificate. In other words, the county commissioners still kept control over the bonds, since the bonds bad no validity without delivery, and they wen; not to be delivered until the commissioners said so. The trust company being the agent of the county commissioners, with no power to deliver the bonds except such as should be afterwards given by the county commissioners, still bold these bonds as it is their duty to do. The county commissioners refuse to sign the certificate, hence the dilemma of the railroad company. Now the Review comes to the rescue of the railroad company and advises the signature of the certificate, or in other words, advises the county commissioners to deliver the bonds. In the ease of Perrin vs. Floyd, and Whitesides vs. Neely, the supreme court distinctly hold that the Act of 1 HH:i is unconstitutional, that townshins could not subscribe to railroads, and that all bonds issued by townships in aid of railroads are void. In view of these decisions the old hoard of commissioners and the present hoard, repeatedly refused to deliver these bonds in response to the demands of the railroad company. The legislature, in order to mend matters, passed the Act of Inks, to provide for the payment of howls issued by townships in aid of rait roads, and in the ! body of the Act the bonds for which ! provision is made are described as "bonds heretofore issued by any town- 1 shipAfter this Act the railroad and construction companies again demanded the delivery of the bonds, and on the refusal of the commissioners they applied to the supreme court for a mandamus to compel the commissioners to siirn the certificate referred to and thereby deliver the bonds. The supreme court dismissed the petition for mandamus and refused to order the county commissioners to sign the certificate, on the (/round that it wan not the duty of the county commissioners to sign it. Now the Review criticises as unwise the acts of officials in refusing to do what the highest court in the State decides is no part of their duty. < )fficials are to be blamed for neglect of duty or unskillfulness in the performance of duty, but when they refuse to go beyond the duties which the law imposes, they are entitled to commendation rather than censure. It is the duty of the county commissioners to keep "hands off" in this matter and do nothing that would in anyway prejudice the rights of tax-payers by whom they are elected and expected to serve, and the editorial, notwithstanding it does not impugn motives, is calculated to canst* blame to be given to officials by ignorant parties, when in fact they are acting in the strict line of duty and for the best interests of the people. The Review thinks the county commissioners ought to sign the certificate and deliver the bonds because that was the contract; but the supreme court has decided that neither the people of the townships nor the county commissioners as their agents had any right to make such a contract, that everything done under the Act of 1883 was absolutely without authority and void. There is, therefore,no legal duty requiring the county commissioners to perform the act _.i i .. xi. ~ T> K??4- 4-K ^ T> r\ auviseu uy iiii? xvrviuw, i?iii mi.- - itview intimates that tliere is a moral duty that requires the original eontract to he carried out. We fail to see any question of morals in the case. A large portion of the people of these townships have always opposed and still oppose the issue of bonds, they have never consented to he taxed to pay these bonds, and now oppose the signing of the certificate referred to. Does morality require the county commissioners to ignore the rights of dissenting taxpayers on a question in which a majority have no right to bind the minority ? If the majority had no right under the constitution to bind the minority in voting the subscription, would it not rather be immoral to ignore the rights of the minority? If'A, Band (', form a partnership to run a newspaper, is A morally bound to pay contracts made by B and C in speculating in cotton futures, railroad stock, or anything else outside of the partnership business, simply because B and (1 constitute a majority and made the unlawful contracts ? When 11 and ('say to A, that he ought to pay because a majority of the firm ought to govern, is it not a sufficient answer in law and morals for A to renlv that B and (' had no authority to | I)itul him in such matters? In like manner tax-payers wlm opposed the subscription do nothing immoral when they demand of the county commissioners that they refuse to carry out the unlawful contract. There is a great deal of loose talk about the duty to give? up the bonds because the townships voted to do so. This opinion utterly ignores the just principle that majorities cannot bind minorities in unlawful contracts. Again, it is contended that under the Act of 1SSS and the decision of the supreme court declaring that act constitutional, the bonded debt has been fixed upon the townships and that there is no escape from the payment of the debt. Suppose this is so, does that justify the county commissioners to "clinch the nail" as it were by turning the bonds loose? Is it the duty of the commissioners to drive another nail in the coffin of the people after the undertakers have done all they can do? If, as the lieview claims', there is no escape from the debt, why should the county commissioners be blamed for refusing to do what the law does not require of them? If the bonds are depreciated the depreciation is the result of tin; l?u* in flie ciise nud not. the action of the commissioners. And if there is no escape from their payment, they ought not to depreciate. Indeed, it is rumored that the railroad has heen offered ninety-five cents on the dollar for the bonds; a good offer for 7 per cent, bonds in this country. Hut, assuming theconstitutionality of the Act of 1KX8 declaring township bonds already issued to he debts of the townships, there is still a serious question concerning the validity of the bonds in the townships in Lancaster. Suppose the Act of ISSN is constitutional ? Does that Act apply to Lancaster county ? The Act simply provides for the payment of bonus already issued. Hut the townships in Lancaster have not yet issued any bonds. The bonds are still in the hands of the agents of the county commissioners undelivered and unliverable until further action on the part of the county commissioners. Delivery is essential to the issuance and validity of bonds. Hence, the Act of 1XX8, although constitutional, may yet be held not to apply to the townships of Cane ('reek, (Jill's Creek and Pleasant Hill, which have not yet bulled bonds. The urgency of the railroad to obtain t>>e certificate and delivery of the 1 .ads shows their anxiety that the homls should lie delivered and issued so as to aid tlieni in showing the applicability of the Act to Lancaster county. The Heview wants the commissioners to turn the honds loose and deprive taxpayers of the right to make this question, or to impair the force of the question. This unsettled question alone is sufficient to justify the county commissioners in their refusal, oven if it were their duty otherwise, to sign the certificate. It is our oninion that further legislation may he necessary before these townships' in Lancaster can he made to pay these debts, and in this view it is all the more to lie regretted that the editor of the Review, who is a member of the legislature, should be espousing the cause of the railroad against the people. That he is honest and courageous in his convictions, no one who knows him doubts, but all the same we think he has made a mistake. Ika R. Joxks, Clerk Hoard County Coinm'rs. Black Rki'Pku.?The two kinds of black pepper known to this country come from Sumatra and Singapore. Very little pepper is dusted before it is ground, notwithstanding the claims of spice grinders. The shell or skin on good pepper contains the essential constituents of the spice much more than the inside kernel, which when free from the shell produces white, not black pepper; but the heavy grains with the shell on, make tin; best jiepper. The Singapore pepper, which is the best, is separated into heavy and light grains and the better quality?the heavyis mostly sold whole, while the light grains are ground. It is better for the housekeeper to buy whole pepper and grind it herself.?[Hood Housekeeping. ON TIIK PREVENTION OF CONSUMPTION. The following report lias been forwarded lo the board ofhoalth of New York city in response to the aecoinpa- i nying resolution of tbe board. Resolved, That l)rs. T. M. Pruddcn, II. M. Riggs and II. P. Looniis, the pathologists of this department, be and are hereby requested to formulatea brief and comprehensive statement regarding the contagiousness of tuberculosis in man, stating therein the evidence of the same and recommending in the briefest possible manner practicable the simplest means of protection from its influence. llKl'OUT. The disease known as tuberculosis and, when affecting the lungs, as i?nlmonary tuberculosis (consumption), is very common in the human being and in certain of the domestic animals, especially cattle. About onefourth of all deaths occurring in the human being during adult life is caused by it, and nearly one-half of the entire population at sonic time in life acquires it. The disease is the same in nature in animals and in man. and has the same cause. It lias been proven beyond a doubt that a living; germ, called the tubercle bacillus, is the cause and the only cause of tuberculosis. It does not seem necessary to state facts upon which this assertion is based, for the observation first made by Robert Keck, in 1882, has ben confirmed so often and so completely, that it now constitutes one of the most absolutely demonstrated facts in medicine. Tuberculosis may affect any organ of the body, but most frequently first involves the lungs. When the living germs find their way into the body they multiply there, if favorable conditions for their growth exists, and produce small new growths or nodlilts (tubercles) which tend to soften. The discharge from these softened tubercles, containing the living germs, are thrown off from the body. In pulmonary tuberculosis these discharges constitute, in part, the expectoration. The germs thus thrown off do not grow outside the living human or animal body, except under artificial conditions, although they may retain their vitality and virulence for long periods of time, even when thoroughly dried. As tuberculosis can only result from the action of these germs, it follows from what has has just been said, that when the disease is acquired, it must result from receiving into the body the living germs that have come from some other human being or animal affected with the disease. It has been abundantly established that the disease may be transmitted by meator milk froin tubercular animals. The milk glands in milch cows often become affected with the disease when their lungs are involved, and the milk from such animals may contain the living germs and is capable of producing the disease. Among stall-fed dairy cows 20 or .'10 per cent, are sometimes found to be affected with the disease. Tubercular animals are also frequently killed for food; their flesh sometimes contains the germ, and if not, 41 /?*?? ?Moid' nonc. I I II M t IUf^ 1 1 I V *."< H IIYl-t 1 l.TUI|MUU, W1 ........ mittin<jr the disease. Boiling the milk or thoroughly cooking the meat destroys the germs. Although the meat and milk from tubercular animals constitute actual and important sources of danger, the disease is acquired, as a rule, through its communication from man to man. Tuberculosis is commonly produced in the lungs (which are the organs most frequently affected) by breathing air in which the living germsare suspended as dust. The material which is coughed up, sometimes in large quantities by persons suffering from consumption, contains these germs, often in enormous numbers. This material, when expectorated, frequently lodges in places where it afterward dries, as on the streets, carpets, floors, clothing, handkerchiefs, etc. After drying, in one way or ' another, it is very apt to become pul- 1 veri/cd and float in the air as dust. J It has been shown experimentally that dust collected from the most 1 varied points, in hospital wards, asy- : lums, prisons, private houses, etc., where consumptive patients are pros- ] ent, or have been present, is capable ; of producing tuberculosis in animals 1 when used for their inoculation. Such j dust may retain for weeks its power 1 of producing the disease. On the ! other hand, dust collected from rooms 1 in institutions or houses that have 1 not been occupied by tubercular pa- ' tionts, does not produce the disease ' when used for the inoculation of animals. ' These observations show that 1 where there are cases of pulmonary ! tuberculosis, under ordinary condi- 1 4lw. .lnw< sMim-ittmilimr Hmill of- < VIWII.ij lli\ VH..H .nil ten contains the tubercle bacili; and 1 persons inhaling the air in which ! this dust is suspended may he taking j in the livinggerms. It should, how- j ever, he distinctly understood that the hreath of tuberculous patients, j and the moist sputum, received in ] proper cups, are not elements of dan- 1 ger, hut only the dried and pulver- : ized sputum. The hreath and moist 1 sputum are free from danger, because ] the germs are not dislodged from moist surfaces by currents of air. if ; all discharges were destroyed at the time of ex it from the body, the great- I est danger of communication from man to man would he removed. It then follows, from what has been . said, that the tuberculosis is a distinctly preventable disease. It is a well-known fact that some persons, and especially the members : of certain families, are particularly liable to tuberculosis, and this liability can be transmitted from parents to children. So marked and so frequent is this liability, and so frequent is this development of the disease in particular families, that the disease lias long been considered hereditary. We now know that tuberculosis can only be caused by the entrance of the germ into the body ; and that this 1 transmitted liability simply renders the individual a more easy prey to ! the living germs when once they j have gained entrance. The frequent occurrence of several cases of pulmonary tuberculosis in a family is, then, to be explained, not on the supposition that the disease itself has been inherited, hut that it has been produced after birth by transmission directly from some at- | fected individual. Where the parents are affected with tuberculosis the children, from the earliest moments of life, are exposed to the disease under the most favorable conditions for its transmission, for not only is the dust of the house likely to contain the bacilli, but the relationship also between parents and children, especially between mother and eiiihl, are of that close and intimate nature especially favorable for the transmission by direct contact. If, then, tuberculosis is not inher- 1 ited, the question of prevention resolves itself, principally, into the avoidance of tubercular meat and milk, and the destruction of the dis- . charges, especially the sputum, of I tubercular individuals. As to the 1 tirst means of communication, those measures of prevention alone answer the requirements which embrace the governmental inspection of dairy 1 cows and of animals slau^tered for food and the rijjid exclusion and des'""" 'on .ill tliowO fftlliw] t/\ lm fll- < bercular. For the removal of the seeond means of eonimunieation?/. r., the sputum of tubercular invitluals?the j problem is simple when the patients are confined to their rooms or houses; 1 then wooden or pasteboard cups with covers should always be at hand i for the reception of the sputum. < These cups are supported in simple racks, and at least once daily, or i more frequently if necessary, should be removed from the racks and thrown with their contents into the lire. The disposition of the expectoration of persons who are not confined to their rooms or homes is a far more difficult problem. The expectoration certainly should not be discharged on the street, and the only practical means for its collection seems to be in handkerchiefs, which, when soiled, should at the earliest possible moment be soaked in a solution of live per cent, of carbolic acid and then boiled and washed. Handkerchiefs thus soiled are exceedingly dangerous factors in distributing turberele bacilli; for when the sputum becomes dry, it is easily separated in flakes from the cloth and then soon becomes puverized and suspended as dust. It becomes evident from what has been said, that the means which will most certainly prevent the spread of this disease from one individual to another, are those of scrupulous cleanliness regarding the sputum. These means lie Inrtrelv within the power of the affected person. It is, l'urtliermore, to he remembered that consumption is not always, as was formerly supposed, a fatal disease, but that it is in very many cases a distinctly curable affection. An individual who is well on the road to recovery may, if he does not with the greatest care destroy his sputum, diminish greatly Ins chances of recovery by self-inoculation. While the greatest danger of the spread of the disease from the sick to the well is in private houses and hospitals, yet, if this danger is thoroughly appreciated, it is, for the most part, quite under control, through the immediate destruction of the sputum and the enforcement of habits of cleanliness. Hut in places of public assembly, such as churches and theatres, particularly the latter, the conditions are different, and safety would seem to depend largely upon a dilution and partial removal of the floating and possibly dangerous dust by means of adequate ventilation. Rooms in private houses and hospital wards that are occupied by phthisical patients should from time to time be thoroughly cleaned and disinfected, and this should always be done after they are vacated, before they are again occupied by other individuals. Steamship eompaniesshould be obliged to furnish separate apartments for consumptive persons, so that no tuirc/m in tlui <> v iinnwiiK nf tr*lvol 1,1 V^.hv..v.vu ? v.t*.x need be forced to share a room with one who might he a source of active danger to him. We desire especially to emphasize the following facts: 1st. That tuberculosis is a distinctly preventable disease; 2nd. That it is not directly inherited ; and drd. That it is acquired by the direct transmission of the tubercle bacillus from the sick to the healthy, usually by means of the dried and pulverized sputum floating as dust in the air. The measures, then, which are suggested for the prevention of the spread of the tuberculosis are : 1st. The security of the public against tubercular meat and milk, attained by a rigid otlicial inspection ofcattle; 2nd. The dissemination among the people of the knowledge that every tubercular person may be a source of actual danger to his associates, if the discharges from the lungs are not immediately destroyed or rendered harmless; and tfrd. The careful disinfection of rooms and hospital wards that are occupied or have been occupied by phthisical patients. 11 k km ann* m. bk;?s, T. Mitchkll Pkuddkk, 11 en 11 v P. Loom is, Pathologists to the New York City Health Department. Tiik Nkkd kou Salt.?The importance of salt as an article of diet, iccording to the scientific writers, is overruled, couunucu u.??u oi large piantities of salt ]>reduces scurvy. The popular belief that an appetite for salt is universal anions the lower uiimalsis without foundation in fact. 1 logs, cats and other carniverous animals show no fondness for it, and the <111 io is true of the fruit eating animals. Even herbivorous animals do not eat salt regularly with their food, but only at long intervals, which suggests the thought that perhaps they take it as a vermifuge. Jn certain parts of the world where salt is unknown, antelopes abound in countless numbers, and in parts of Africa where salt is abundant, the antelopes show no fondness for it. There are many instances in which Hocks of sheep and herds of cattle have been reared successfully without salt. In certain parts of Central Africa salt is more scarce than gold, and to say that i certain man eats salt is to say that lie is very rich. Vet the people living there have existed for ages and have enjoyed the best of barbarous health, without a taste of salt from infancy to old age. .Salt is not in use in Siberia as a common constituent of food, and the same was true of the North American Indians previous to the discovery of the continent by Europeans and for many years after, and is still true of the Pampas Indians of South America.? [Good Housekeeping. A Comforting Nightcap.?"It ain't ev'rybody I'd put to sleep in this room," said old Mrs. Jinks, to the fastiduous and extremely nervous young minister who was spending the night in li., at her house. "This here room is full of sacred associa1: ii'iml <>.i "inv fir^f 11U JI .*} iu Jin*, r?i IU ? nit UII , iiy J uwv husband died in that bed with his head on these very pillers, and poor Mr. Jinks died settin' ri^ht in that L'orner. Sometimes when I conic into the room in the tlark I think I see liim settin' there still. "My own father died lyin' right on that lounge under the winder. Poor pa! He was a Speeritualist, iind he alius said he'd appear in this room again after he died, and sometimes I'm foolish enough to look for him. If you should see anything of him to-night, you'd better not tell me; for it'd ho a sign to me that there was something in Speeritualism, and I'd hate to think that. "My son by my lirst man fell dead of heart disease right where you are standing, lie was a doctor, and 1 tiler's two whole skeletons in that [ losct that belonged to him; and a half-a-dozen skulls in that lower drawer. "Well, good-night, and pleasant dreams." Pimm.KM of tiik Skxks.?You have a hoy and a girl?twins, perhaps. Which will outlive the other? Nothing hut death to hoth is certain, hut in all probability if they hoth live to the age of your girl M ill live the longer. Here are some curious statistics taken from the Atlanta Constitution: In lssu there Mere 50,000,0011 people in this country, and H82,000 more males than females. That Mas only because more males were horn. The females live tin; longer. Of the centenarians 1,400 Mere men and 2,000 M'ere women. The hoys start out nearly 1,000,000 ahead and are in the majority until the sixteenth year, M'hen the girls are a little more numerous. SMeet sixteen is a numerous ago anyhow. After that lirst one and then the other is in the majority, the girls gradually gaining after thirty-six and leaving the men far behind at seventy-live. There are some interesting facts about the old people. The native whites constitute about three-fourths of the entire population, but have only oneseventh of the centenarians. The colored is only one-eighth of the entire population, but has three-fourths of the centenarians. K??r ilie Yorkvilli: Enquirer. REMINISCENCES OF WESTERN YORK. Mr. William (Turk) Turner hasal- . ready come in for a place in these rcniiniscensea. We would be glad to give the readera view of his courting days. He married Miss Rebecca Childers. That was early in the beginning of the present century, long before the writer was born, and we must rely upon the testimony of others for the matter in this connection. Our information runs thus: Early in life his wife took the nick-name of "Asher." Whether it was before he began to pay his respects to her with a view of "making love" or not, it is none of the writer's business; neither does it concern the reader. When "Turk" would come on his courting visits it is reasonable that "Asher" would "fix up." In those days the earls made their own dresses, and. as Major Jones would say, it would not take such a superfluity of "jing-amarecs" as it now takes to tlx them up to receive their beaux. "Asher" put on her new dress. In what manner "Turk" came we don't know, but think he surely had his shirt collar buttoned on a mission of that kind. He was an awkward hand at courting and was hard put to it to find anything to say. Taking his seat by "Asher" he would give her a rap over the shoulder with a little twig of a switch in order to start her to talking. Then he would say: "Why, Asher,you've got on your new frock." His family was mostly girls, each of which he called by some nick-name, such as "Poss," "Coot," "Cub," "Shoog," &c. We have noticed in a previous chapter that he, too, had an additional nick name?"Red-rust." At one time he lived on Bullock's creek, with "Big" Bill Wilson. "Big" Bill had a negro woman called Sylo. She was one of those turbulent viragotical kind of women that stirs things around generally when anything didn't go to please her; and by the way she was a woman of great muscular powers and plucky, too. Bill Wilson's was a great resort for all the plug uglies, riff-raff and mountebanks of the county, as he generally kept liquor. It goes without saying that Bill enjoyed such company much better than "Sylo" did, and when she wanted to get rid of such crowds she would raise the "war whoop" and sail them. White and black were alike the objects of her wrath, and Big Bill fared but little if any better than his associates. While "Turk" didn't enter into any of these turmoils, he looked on with that prejudice and conviction that a negro had no rights that even ruffians were bound to respect. But he continuously and prudently kept these sentiin liiin?r>!f wlion Svl/i whs about. We have already told our readers that "Turk" was a little Zaeeheus kind of a man who would weigh but little over 100 pounds. He commonly carried a great bludgeon of a walking stick that would measure at least three-fourths of his height, and large accordingly. This stick he carried in his left hand as he used that one the most. Relating some ofSylo's exploits one day to the writer, he held out the stick aforesaid in his left hand and said: "If Sylo would do me like she does Rill Wilson, Rill Allen Crosby and others, I would put such a 'feller' as that to the side of her head." But "Red-rust" made this threat where Silo never would hear of it, or she would have "gone for him." The patrols hardly ever failed to find a negro at Bill Wilson's when they went on such trips. Notwithstanding his faults, Billy Wilson was a kind hearted man, and as far as I know was liked by his neighbors, whom he always helped when within his power. lie was a tine specimen of manhood ; over six feet high and well proportioned; a man of good sense, and all his faults were at his own expense. lie was an honest man; or at least, I never heard him charged with doing a dishonest act. He died some years after the close of the war; and thus another of Western York's noted men passed from the stage of action. j. l. s. A Considerate Governor.? There is a well authenticated story of a governor of a penal settlement, who having fixed the date when two of his convicts were to be hanged for stealing, remembered, a few days liefore the date named for the execution, that he had an important social engagement for that same afternoon. 11(3 .sellI ior me jneu auu t'Apmmcu to them Ills difficulty. "It cannot matter much to you," said he, "whether you are hanged on Tuesday or Wednesday next. It is, however, a matter of some moment to me, and you would greatly oblige me if you would consent to be hanged on Tuesday instead of Wednesday, as named in the Gazette." The men were inclined to stand on their rights, so he told them to think over the matter. They came to him the next morning and'agreed to his wish on certain terms, which he readily accented. The conditions were so much rum and so much tobacco for each day previous to their execution. A few days thus rendered happy wore better to them than one more day of dreary existence on prison fare. A Scrap Book.?We have frequently advocated the use of a scraphook; but a useful hint will bear repetition. One who has never been accustomed to preserve short articles, poems, tales, etc.. in a scrapbook, can hardly realize the pleasure it affords to sit down and turn over the pleasant, familiar pages. Here a piece of poetry meets the eye, which you would long since have lost had it not been for your scrap-book. There is a witty anecdote?it does you good to laughover it, although it may be for the twentieth time. Next is a valuable recipe you had almost forgotten, and which you found just in time to save much perplexity. There is a sweet little story, the memory of which has cheered and encouraged you when almost ready to despair under the pressure of life's cares. I ndeed, you can hardly take up a single paper* without reperusing. Then hoard with care tin? precious gems, and see at the end of the year what a rich treasure you will have accumulated.? [Grant County Witness. When "Joiix" Took to Washing.?There are no laundrymen in China. No linen is worn there. The rich use silk and woolen undergarments, and the poor wear woolen or cotton. As starching and ironing are unknown, the female servants do all the laundry work. The reason of the great number of laundrymen here is that when the Union Pacific railroad threw hundreds of Chinamen out of employment they east about for something to do, and as there was a great demand for washerwomen, and a scant supply of them in the west, the Mongolian turned his attention to her trade. He learned it so quickly and so well that he stuck to it, and made so much money that the calling soon became popular. Gradually the laundrymen came east, and no city, and now few villages of any si/.e in the whole country, are without a Chinese "laundry."?[San Francisco Call. The Middle Ages.?"The Middles" is a name applied to the period lietwecn the fall of the Roman empire to the Fifth century and the invention of printing in the Fifteenth ; or, as timed by some historians, from the invasion of France byUlovis in 480, to that of Naples by Charles VIII in 1 "){)">. It comprised about ten centuries, and is often called "The Dark A-es." j. M -- : AM