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- tit* It i» ikul there sue 5o,0l>0.000 Tolutuc 4 in the public libraries of America, while there are but 21,000,- iu Europe. Poplar trees arc being cut down in Fresno county, California, because they draw too much ou the fertility of the soil. A Hungarian journal quotes a list of fourteen catea of suicide in a single regiment of engineers as proof of the bad treatment of the men hr the offi cers of the Hungarian army. The difference between the United States and Mexico is strikingly shown, remarks the Now York Witnes! 1 , in the fact that with us 22 per cent, of the entire population are in school; io Mexico, only four per cent. The statement that 10 per cent, of the population of India are widows is more important than it seems. In former times widows were burned with their dead husbands, and the percentage of survivors was very small indeed. The American Farmer thinks, “it is not very complimentary to the high character cf sheepmen in intellectual ami moral worth, but too near the truth, that most of us are tagging along behind the procession. We arc hustled in wool by Australia, South Amencii, South Africa, India, llussia, and other countries. We are hustled to find just what we can do profitably Jhat everybody else is not doing. Wo find a place once in a while, but when we get around again somebody has gotten there too, anil hustles us to ‘even up,’ There is a front, and we need to find it.” A deputy coroner in Philadelphia the other day was called upon by the agent of an insurance company fora duplicate certificate of death in the case of a child eight months old. It had died of exhaustion caused by teething. The request was such an unusual one that the deputy coroner asked if there was any insurance upon the infant’s life. The agent appeared to be suprised at the ignorance of his questioner, and said: “It’s not at all strange for such a young child to cir- ry insurance on its life. Our company insures infants from the day of birth. In this c ise the parents have been pay ing us five cents a week since Febru ary last.” It has been said privately by way of expanation of the opposition to the automatic coupler, says the Brooklyn Citizen, that ou freight cars it could not work well, because a great deal of “slack” is required ou a long freight train in order that the engine at starting may overcome the inertia of the cars. But it is easily possible to construct a coupler that will join automatically and still have just as much “slack” as the present link and pin by the use of which so many poor fellows lose either their limbs or lives, getting nothing from the com pany for them selves or surviving relatives by way of cotnpeusation. It is a simple thing. Soys the New York Post: Balti more is becoming frightened at the loss of trade with the country to the southwest of it as far as Tennessee. There was a time when the merchants of the city waxed fat' from the profits of this trade, but it has been diverted elsewhere by the extensions of the Norfolk and Western and the Shenan doah Valley Railroad, in which Balti. more capitalists hold only' an insignif icant interest. New cities and new industries are springing up like the prophet’s gourd in the territory men tioned, so that for Baltimore not to have its finger in the pie is a serious matter. This conviction came home with humiliating force during the decennial celebration of Roanoke re cently. Here is a city whose popula tion inis increased in ten years from 400 to 25,000. It is full of energetic business men, and one industrial es tablishment is being added to another as fast as it can be built. Roanoke boasts that in another ten years its population will have lisen to 100,000. Thoughtlessness. Farmer Simpson was an exceedingly mild-natured man, and would find excuses for the shortcomings of his neighbors, for the faults of his horses and in fact for every unpleasant tiling that came in ids way. He purchased a cow and had the greatest difiieulty in keeping her in the pa-lure. “She’s kind of a rovin' critter, but she means well,” lie said, after a walk of several miles in pursuit of her. One morning lie was milking the cow, when she began to kick violent ly, upset the stoo ! , sen* the pail fly ing. and all the milk was spilled. The farmer got up, and contemplat ing the ruin, said gravely to a witness of the disaster: “Well, iii»\v, that’s the worst fault this cow has.” Then after a moment’s meditation, feeling that perhaps he had been un- necessarily’ severe, he added, “That is, if you can call it a fault; maybe it't only thoughtlessness.” The Brighter Day. When droary weatner, cold and wet. Produces “blues” and melancholy, Look back o’er life and don’t forget That most of it was bright and jolly. There never was a day of rain But sunshine followed soon thereafter, And gloomy mood or aching pain Gave way to health and merry laughter. The bells of Time Will ring their chime Of mingled joy and sorrow; Yet the refrain In hopeful strain, Speaks sweetly for tomorrow. When clouds of darkness hang their pall Before the future you’re exploring. With patience wait for them to fall, In faith their threatening looks ignoring; Their “silver lining” soon will show As Fortune's breezes blow them over, 4.nd just beyond the rosv glow Will light your pathway through the clover. The ringing bells Have tolled their knells. And now proclaim with pleasure A sunny day That's come to stay. Filled high with precious treasure. — [George E. Bowen. The Lighthouse Keeper’s Laughter. BY MAKLTOX DOWNING. The mines of New Zealand hare turn’'*! «»ut $250,000,000 of gold. llyppolite, the Insurgent General of Hayti, was making bravo headway against Legitime, the oppressor. The patriot forces, or rebels as they were then termed, had gradually hem med the national army within the precincts of Port-nu-Prinee, the capi tal, but the navy was yet free to cruise along the coast and harass the towns and villages of the enemy. Seven well-armed vessels comprised the fleet. This squadron, however, failed to have everything its own way ou the high seas, being held greatly in check by Hyppolite’s two irien-of-war, the Mercedes and Jucque-Mal, under command of a brave American who had volunteered his services to assist an outraged people. The mode of fighting adopted by the admiral of the Patriot General was exceedingly annoying, not to say destructive, to Legitime’s fleet. He could not meet force with force, and therefore was obliged to resort to stra’egy and artifice to accomplish his purpose. In the quiet hours of night while the Nationalist vessels were lying in port with the greater part of their sea men sleeping in their hammocks, the dauntless American on board the Mercedes would dash in among the fleet; deliver a rapid fire from the only two guns which he had, and be away again before the eyes of the drowsy Haytiuns were thoroughly opened, and long ere the steam in the boilers was powerful enough to move their en gines, the patriots would be leagues distant, seeking u safe retreat in some of the numerous bays along the coast. Time and again Legitime’s admiral essayed to crush the alien commander, but the latter always received timely warning from the people whom he was befriending at such risk to him self, and invariably succeeded in making good his escape. One night, with bis two small ves sels, the American was at anchor in the harbor of Aux-Cayes. His fires were brightly burning in thefurnaces, and with “springs” ou the cables, he was ready to slip and run at the first indication of danger. Throughout the day the wind had been blowing a gale, one of those fierce “Northers” so common in the West Indies, but as evening approached the tempest lulled, and when the bright light ou the outer reef streamed forth over the waters, a warning to approaching mariners, the weather hud begun to resume its wonted tran quility. Pierre Chapelle, the keeper, was away from ins post of duty. Some said he was supporting Legitime, but those who knew the man best were awaro that he was filling the position of petty officer on board the Mercedes. Yet the lantern within the old tower upon the shore was never neglected, for the delicate hands of his beauti ful daughter Estelle trimmed the wicks. Several hours had elapsed since the sun went down, but she lovoly Creole still remained in the turret, gazing out through the window at the su f which was still beating heavily upon the coral boulders. Suddenly she was startled by some object striking ugain-t the pane with such force as to shiver the glass. An instant only the young girl felt alarmed, then she smiled, for she know what had caused her momentary fright. Some bird, in its nocturnal wanderings, attracted by the glare of the beacon, had flown headlong to its desuh. “Poor tiling 1" murmured Estelle compassionately, “perhaps it is only stunned. 1 will descend and see.” Hurrying down the short flight of stone steps the maiden i»sued forth into the night and went in search of the wounded bird. She found it where it had fallen; and, picking it'| up carefully, returned to the lantern- room. A glance convinced Estelle that the victim of its own rashness was of no ordinary species. She examined its plumage more closely, and was i&stouished to dud a piece of thin ps.per irmly secured to one of the tail feathers by a fine, hair-like wire. Relieving the feathered messenger of its burden, Estelle opened the mis sive and read,— “Legitime has learned that you are in or near Aux-Cayes, and baa sent the Men-of- War, Belize and Tausant, to attempt your capture. They sailed this morning from Port-au-Prince, July 10th. A few moments, Estelle contem plated the important despatch, while the unfortunate bearer lay dead in her baud. Then it dawned upon her that the wanting must reach its destina tion and she must speed it on, for was not her own father on board the Mer cedes? And another, a young sailor, and the gir I’s heart gave a quick bound as she thought of the brave mariner who had asked her to be his wife when the cruel war should draw to a close. Quickly thrusting the paper into the bosom of her dress, and drawing the light lace mantle, which was sus pended to her shoulders, over her dark, luxuriant hair, Estelle again descended the stairs and hastened to a sheltered cove, where a small skiff lay moored to the drooping branch of a mango tree. She loosened the painter, grasped the oars, and pushed out into the bay. As the courageous girl rounded the low point of laud the outlines of the patriots’ vessels, the Mercedes ami Jacque-Mal, became visible. Estelle pulled straight towards the former, but when within a few feet of the craft which she sought, her way was checked by the challenge— “Qui va la?” But only for an instant did our heroine hesitate, then she recognized the voice of her betrothed. “Francois Maniqu&t! It is I, Es telle I” she exclaimed joyfully. “Where is your American comman dant I I have a message for him. He is in danger.” “Danger, mademoiselle?” was asked, in a voice that to Estelle bore a strong foreign accent. “What new danger threatens us? ’ Ere the girl could answer, her boat touched the side-steps, and assisted by Francois Maniquat site climbed to the deck, where she was confronted by a tall, fine-looking man, wearing a long, broad-bladed sword, and with two glittering revolvers thrust into his belt, while his attire was a com bination of naval and civic costume. “This, monsieur,” returned the maiden, placing the paper in the Atneican’s hand, “was brought to the lighthouse tower to-night by a poor pigeon which beat out its frail life against the glass of the lantern. You will know whether it is of importance or not.” The commander took the message and hurried with it to his cabin,where he remained but a moment, then reap peared and issued several orders to ids men in quick succession. Turning to Estelle he grasped her hand and said with much earnest ness: “Mademoiselle, you have this night performed a deed of heroism for which every patriot of Hayti should feel grateful to you. The warning sent by a friend has come to our hand just iu time. Now let the Tausant and Belize of the whole of Legitime’s fleet appear, we shall be ready to receive them. But you, my dear young lady, must hasten again on shore, for per chance ere long this deck will present a scene unfit for your eyes to witness. Francois, you will see that Mademois elle is safely escorted to her home.” “Pardon, Monsieur Commandant, can you at this time afford to spare any of your force?” asked the young seaman. • “Monsieur,” interposed Estelle, “Francois Maniquat’s duty is here with you. I came alone, and fear not so to return. An revoir!” and with out further parley the daughter of the lighthouse keeper descended to her boat and pulled away in the darkness, thankful that site had not boon too late to accomplish her mission. Ere Estelle reached the cove a rock et ascended from the deck of the Mer cedes. It was the signal for her con sort to get under weigh and put to sea, where there would be plenty of room to manoeuvre. When the girl reached her station in the iaiitern-tower she saw the two vessels of the patriots move slowly out of the harbor. An hour later the boom of a gun readied her ears, fol lowed by another, and she knew that the battle had begun. Oh, how she prayed for the success of her friends. All through the night the brave girl remained at her post of observation. Occasionally she caught sight of the streaming trail of tire from a rocket as one vessel sig nalled to another, while the boom of a cannon was almost incessant. As morning approached, everything becaUie q tiet, and she knew that the struggle had been decided. But who are the victors. When the sun arose, Estelle descried the smoke of two steamers close down upon the horizon. Slowly the vessels drew in towards the land, and ere long the Mercedes and Ja«que-Mal, battered and torn from their recent fierce encounter 4 rounded the outer reef. As they passed the lighthouse tower each discharged a gun and dipped their colon in respectful salute to the heroine who had brought them the timely u^&uing. It had come none too soon, for scarcely was the American clear of the harbor ere he saw the Belize aud Tausant coming down upon him under a heavy press of steam. The fight had been a dodging one. but the su perior seamanship of the Insurgent Admiral asserted itself, and although he did not effect the capture of either of the enemy, he succeeded in sending them back to Port-au-Prince in a very dilapidated condition. Two months later victory rested on the banners of Hyppolite, and after the vessels of the vanquished had been turned over to their American ally, the lighthouse keeper, Pierre Chapelle, and his young shipmate, Francois Maniquat, asked leave to re turn to Aux-Cayes, where a happy and joyful wedding took place, join ing the sailor who had taken part in tiie memorable strife and the brave girl who had carried the warning in time to save the infant fleet of the patriots. — [Yankee Blade. The Desert Doomed. Tt:c wotiderfal results of irrigation have been shown in a most remark able manner by a freak of the Colo rado River. La-t year the mystery of Sallou Lake attracted the attention and wonder ^f the state until its source was fotnd in a break in the river bank. Tjiis year a phenomenon not less woudeSful is to be seen in the same region. .The desert has been transformed. iThe bare sands that have made the region terrible to travelers and I stockmen have given place to verdure. Underbrush has covered the country in the line of the inundation, a^d where only the hard iest of deseit plants could before maintain a precarious struggle lor ex istence luxuriant vegetation now covers the land. The desert is doomed. Its disap pearance may not be seen by this generation or the next, yet the time is coming when orchards and fields will cover the thousands of square miles now given over to desolation. The infrequent desert plant and the occa sional buzzard will give away to all the products of the tropical and semi- tropical lauds that its portion is fit to raise. The day may come when the pres ent Colorado desert will be reckoned among the most productive laud iu California. There was a time when the plains of Kern and Tulare were held but little more in esteem-than is the desert of today. The magic power of irrigation has transformed the old alkali plains into a garden, and it will dro as much for the dreaded Colorado 'desert.— [Madera (Cal.) Mercury How a Newsboy Collected a Bill. There is a South Side boy who is bound to be a Napoleon in finance if he lives. His age is 14, and a little while ago he ran a newspaper route. A certain Soutli side doctor was his customer, and wheu the physician’s bill reached $1 the boy presented it. It was hard to collect. The boy called several times, but the doctor never had the dollar. The physicim moved away and the lad lost sight of him for a time, but fi tally located him on the West Side and renewed his attacks. At last one day he told his r lie would make one more effort, and then if that were not successful he would give it up. Accordingly lie went to tho'doctor’s office and found the doctor out. But inside the door hung the customary slate. On it the boy wrote, “Call at street, William Smith.” The doctor culle t and the boy saw him coming up the street. He told his mother what he had done, and said: “Now, I will go and hide and you can show him the bill.” “I will do nothing of the kind, Willie Smith,” said the lady, “and you ought to bo ashamed of yourself.” A young lady visitor in the family thought more of the scheme and, confronting the doctor at the door, presented the bill. The pro- fe*sioual man said that the joke was • >n him, paid the dollar, and went away laughing. — [Cleveland Plain Dealer. BIRDS OF THE SEA Storm’s Approach Throws Them Into a Panic. In Prolonged Gales Thousands Are Sometimes Killed. A Cent Well Invested. Miss A. J. Anderson, matron of the Door of Hope, a charitable insti tution for girls, found a cent in the street. At that time the Door of Hope was contemplating buying a cemetery lot in which to bury the girls who died while in its care, and Miss Anderson declared that she would consecrate the cent to this cause. She bought an egg and sold the chicken that was hatched from it for a dollar. The dollar was invested in silk ribbons, cardboard and fancy- articles. Out of the cardboard were cut Scriptural texts, and the siik was cro cheted into little rings, which with strips of satin sash ribbon made good photograph holders. The fancy ar ticles were sold at good profits. Now Miss Anderson lias nearly $12, and she hopes to have at the expira tion of the year enough money to pay for a centre-piece iu the cemetery lot which has been purchased.— [New York World. A dairy, stock farm and agricultural experiment station are to be estab lished this year, iu connection with the University at Leipzig. The heavy storms of the sea trouble not the ships which sail upon its w’aters, but the many sea birds that live and float upon the stormy Atlan tic are greatly disheartened aud fright ened by the furious anger of old Nep tune. Along the rocky coasts of New England, or the sandy reefs of the southern states, the flocks of sea fowl denote the approaching storm by wild and unearthly cries, which later mingle witli the roar of the surf, and the wash of the raiu and spray. Far out at sea the birds utter wild cries of alarm wheu the ocean begins to darken and the wind to moan across the ex pansive waste of waters, and with all the speed possible they fly toward some point of laud to escape the dan ger. The few which are caught in the storm, far from the land, make the wild screaming of the storm more horrible by their piteous cries and ex cited calls. Washed hither and thither by the relentless storm, they fly around in hopeless search for some harbor of retreat. Should tin light of some passing vessel, or the flash light of a warning lighthouse, attract their at tention, they are lured on to a danger far greater than that experienced from the waves and wind’*. Storms do not always warn the birds in time to permit them to reach the shore. The terns, petrels, gulls, ducks and other sea fowl may be far from the shore, skimming over the water in graceful sweeps, when a coast storm suddenly comes out of the northwest. At the first sign of such a change in the weather the birds invariably seek some barber of safety, but if the storm shuts them out from the coast they are forced to fly around in flocks until accident leads them to a retreat. Sea fowl at such times flock together, and a lost company may number thou sands of birds, representing a hetero geneous collection of all the species of sea birds. Such motley collections frequently dash against the light house of some exposed point, where hundreds of their number are killed by the collision. Ocean steamers serve as an allurement for them, aud they follow the light of the vessel as a moth does the candle light. If not attracted by any light the birds fly around until exhausted by their exer tions, or until the storm abates. During prolonged storms thousands of lost sea fowl are destroyed upon the ocean through their inability to reach land, or to outride the furious gales. While a large proportion of the flock would eventually succumb to the fury of the wind and waves, there are many others that would show their marvelous powers iu outriding the storm. To fly against a ga'e that is blowing at the rate of forty or fifty miles an hour would require bones of iron and muscles of steel, aud the lost birds very rarely succeed iu holding their own in such a storm. They buffet with a gale bravely, circling around and around to make headway against it, but in time they are swept far out to sea. The waves offer no resting place for them, and they are forced to trust entirely to their wings for safety. After heavy storms of several days the terns and petrels have been found a thousand miles from the shore, weak and almost dead from their exertiens. Others have been discovered floaiiii<r on the water dead, the bluck-and-blue patches on their bodies telling the ter rible story of strain and hopeless ex ertion. Thev fought bravely a«r-inst the adverse elements and only suc cumbed after a long battle. Incoming vessels have brought solitary sea fowl that would light upon the masts of the ships when completely exhausted after lighting against the storms. This welcome place of rest is secured de spite all presence of danger from the passengers. Floating spars and wrecks have been the means of saving the lives of such lost birds. They would tloat on them for hours or days until they be came thoroughly rested from their labors, and then they would begin their long journey toward some shore at the first favorable opportunity. Their instinct at such times is uner ring, a id they generally make for th* nearest point of land, although it may be hundreds of miles away and they are completely turned around. It may be, however, that they take their bearings from the sun while they are floating upon the temporary resting buoys. — [Detroit Free Press. single item—au orchestra of fifty musicians, always ready to charm, aud shorten the lengths of the jour neys. But it must be said that these are singularly abridged by the extra ordinary speed of the splendid ve.vsel. The Polar Star travels ordinarily at the rate of eighteen knots au hour. On her trial trip she made nineteen and a half. She made the recent trip from Croustadt to Copenhagen iu thirty-eight hours. The apartments of the Czar aud the Empress are of course on the starboard side, the place of honor. The two bedrooms are en suite. The first things that attract attention are the height of the ceilings and the im mense size of the windows, and then the incomparable brilliancy of the woodwork. In the Czar’s study there is a writing desk that one might take for a beautiful casting of tortoise shells. It is of maple and marvel lously polished. A few family photo graphs, a copper image of Saint Alex ander, and an image of Christ form the only decorations of the bed cham ber. The same simplicity iu the rooms of the Czarina. The walls and furniture are of molcsquine; empire design on a clear ground, parallel bauds supporting crowns. But the favorite yacht of the im perial family is the Tsarevna, which may be translated either as the daugh ter or the fiancee of the Czar. This yacht is commanded by Captain Friedrichs. If the Polar Star is a magnificent palace, the Tsarevna is a retreat. It is made small purposely for the admission of intimate friends only. There is no room in it for suites. It is on board this vessel that the Czar, the Empress', and children take refuge in the summer months from the annoyances of imperial grandeur. The dining-room is divided into two pieces. Consequently, it is also the parlor. As all the family are fond of music, the little piano is al ways open. The old music scores, ranged upon a little shelf, are well worn and thumbed. Sometimes the Czar, when in a pleasant mo >d, takes a part in the concert. He plays the flute, not as a virtuoso, but without pretension. — [Figaro. A Model Colony Town. American and English capitalists, headed by I. G. Greene of Now York, have begun a novel enterprise in Southern California. This is the foundation of a model colony town in San Diego county, twelve miles south of Riverside. It is called Ales sandro, after the hero of Mrs. Jack son’s “Ramona.” The town is to be built on each side of the railroad, the business houses ou one side and resi dences on the other. Connection be tween the two will be by subways and liberal space on each side of the railroad will bu laid out iu little parks. To prevent speculation every pur chaser of a lot must agree to build a house to cost not less than $2000, and this must conform to a certain style of architecture. No lots will bo sold until the streets ate all paved, side walks laid, sewers completed, and gas or electricity put In. This will occupy about two years. The company con trols 2000 acres, divided into twenty- acre tracts, and these will be planted with oranges aud other fruits. Fred erick L iw Olmstead has laid out the place, and the sewerage has been de signed by an expert. If all provisions are carried out, this colony town will surpass Pasadena or Riverside iu beauty. — [New York Tribune. Kindness Tames Easily. The faculty with which birds and small animals are tamed by kind ness is not generalIv apprec ated. The robin sings by our doorway all the Summer 1 >ng. yet we rarely think of him or individualize him. The robin, however, is a very kindly bird, and if he is given a little encouragement he will realily learn to come at your call, and often take food from yo-$r bunds. The brown-thrasher is another sociable bird, which Ireqnentlv builds In r nest m ar the haunts of men, and i> Un twn to have allowed little ciril- j dren. who have gained her confidence, | to feed her on hi r nest. Some people j seem to have the art of ga'n'ng the : love of bird* an 1 little wild creatures | o: the woods. Even a creature with j so I t le intelligem’e as our comm n i frog may he trained to know the dif ference bitweiii individuals, anti will *it for hour-* while you sc.a oh his back an 1 feed flies to him. Even the squir.fl, the most timid and wary of all wild cr atures, soon learns con tinence from kindness. — [New Yuri Tr.buiie. The Czar’s Yachts. Emperor Alexander’s yacht, Poliar- nays Zvesda, or Polar Star, is the largest pleasure boat that has ever been built. We might say that it is a marine palace. It is 300 feet long, draws nineteen feet, and is 4900 tons burden. Ths crew numbers 300 picked men, commanded by Prince Chak- hovsky. The service is innumerable. Au idea of it may be formed by one A Linguistic Enterprise. Sen or Do L uicinel of Mexico is fitting out at his proper expense an expedition into Central America for the purpose of collecting data for the study of the Maya language. The work is to be done under the direction of an international advisory commit tee, and Dr. Hilborne T. Crcsson, the well-known ethnologist, has charge of the expedition. The Mayas comprise sixteen distinct tribes in Central America and Yucatan, possessing an abundant literature, chiefly iu cul tured tablets. It is proposed now to photograph these so that students may ponder over them at their leisure. There are some Maya bqfijtfT^ong sheets of paper “folded like a screen-’' — [New Orleans Picayune. Love’s Silence. A flash of azure; a folded wing, A waft of song on the winds of sprits: Listen! I hear the bluebird sing. A feathered arrow; a bolt far thrown; The silent flight of a form swift flowp; A pause—and I hear the wood-dove’i moan* Bluebird, hued like the plains above; * Summer's messenger, fleet-winged do ve; F Hath autumn never a song of love? ( And the one replies from a bough breeze- swung. And the other the still green glooms s mong; “sweet, oh, sweet, are the songs unsi ng.” —[Charles Henry Luders. HUMOROUS. One article that no jeweller carries in stock—the dog watch. It is the sub-cutaneous moustache which receives the most fondling. The man who drives a cart is very frequently interested iu real estate movements. “All I want is my hone,” as the barber remarked, when he grabbed it from his shopuia e. The violinist is not necessarily pro fuse in his manner; but lie doftflsa great deal of bowing and scrapinL. Persistency is the road to sucAess. The only known exception to this rule is the case of a hen sitting ou a cl\iua egg- “No,” said M.ss Ferula, “I am liot much of a speller, I must ailmi.; Vet then, you know, I’ve been a leachier nearly all my life, and I’ve never h|uu any time to teach myself.” “Can you do this piece of workV' asked Mr. Trotter of an applicant fiir the job. “I guess so, sir.” “Well, I don’t want a man who guesses, I wat t one who knows ho can do it.” Now doth the busy little moth Improve each shining minute, By bunting up your woolen stutl And laying egg els in it. He had struck a match on his boot heel, and his wife remarked: “You are as spry as a cat, arn’t you?” “Do you think so?” lie returned, in a pleased tone. “Yes. You light ou your feet, you know.” “I’d like a job, sir, as waiter,” said the applicant. *’Y'ou have had expe rience in waiting, I suppose?” queried the restaurant proprietor. “Indeed I have.” “For how long?” “Why, sir, I’ve taken meals iu a restaurant for 12 years.” Daughter—Y'ou Know, father, they ■ are going to have a fair at the church next week, ami I thought I would like to get something for it. Father (hand ing her a check)—Certainly, my daughter. In the cause • of cnarity I am always liberal. What were you going to get? Daughter—TslftncTMug in the way of a new gown. I Modes of Burial in All Countries. The Mohammedans always, whether in their own country or in one of adoption, bury without coffin or casket of auy kind. # During the time of the old Roman • empire the dead bodies of all except suicides were burned. The Greeks sometimes bury their • dead in the ground, but more general ly cremated them in imitation of the. Romans. In India, up till within the last few years, the wife, either according to her wishes or otherwise, was cremated on the same funeral pyre that con verted her dead husband’s remains into ashes. When a child dies in Greenland, the natives bury a live dog with it, the dog to bo used by the child as a guide to the other world. When questioned in regard to this peculiar superstition, they will only answer: “A dog can find his way anywhere.” The natives of Australia tie the hands of their dead together and pull out their nails; this is for fear that the corpse may scratch its way out of the grave and become a vampire. The primitive Russians place a cer tificate of character in the dead per sonas hands, which is to be given to ' St. Peter at the gates of heaven.— TAtianta Constitution. Electricity in Warfare. A e’ever piece of work was recently done by the telegraph battalion of au English regiment in the course of some night experiments. An exten- sive cable was rapidly laid over the roughest possible ground, and that, too, without the slightest assistance from searchlights, and the lieutenant general was thus enabled not only to find a lost brigade, but to control the simultaneous advance and attack of three separate brigades on an ea^ work at midnight. The telegraph,] fact, rendered a most difficult doubtful operation comparatively ej and certain. At some late manaeai too, a highly useful attempt was to produce on a map at headquarU plan of battle, step by step, as it gressed many miles away, by of reports wired from the field, attempt did not succeed becaas^ maps available were not on a si scale; but the feasibility of the! was demonstrated, while its val a general directing operations, wide field is obvious. Wi scale maps,a balloon and increa serving staff it is likely to be i most important aid to the st; and the tactician.—[New York mercial Advertiser.