Historical Newspapers of South Carolina

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A Song o? Mysteries Who shall say what snowflakes light Falling on the lambs at night. Clothed them in their coats of white? $ WhV&hall say what veins of son Through the rose's petals ran, . Till they crimson one by one? \O Love, is all our knowing: ?are clad and flowers are blowing. "When the wiid birds are a-wing In the blue and bloom of spring, Who shall say what makes them sing? Who shall tell this heart of mine Why in thunder and in shine Still the mossed-oak lures the vine? "We but know the wild bird singeth And the lured vine clingeth, clingeth. Who shall say why rosiest dawn trieameth, streametk, dreameth on, . To the breast of Darkness drawn? And why thou, by earth caressed, Still hath sought me-loved me best, Crept like sunlight to my breast? Day and Dark may love and sever, ? But thou lo vest me forever! -{Prank* L Stanton, in Atlanta Constitu? tion. What the Kettle Sang. BY HELEN K. WHITNEY. The Widow Rubble was brushing her smooth black hair, and giving her niece, Dolly Hedges, a piece of her mind at the same time. '?I wonder you ain't ashamed of it, and "you a church member, too!' she cried. ?But, Aunt Tabitha, what is it? T?naTImve I done?" pleaded Dolly, raising a^pair of clear blue eyes to her aunt's snapping black ones. ? W ha? have yon done I You haven't p*i|n^ed5and puckered, and set your cap to catch Deacon Holly-oh, no!" In her wrath Tabitha twisted her back bair till it was the size of a bick oryliit? ?Oh, aunt! how can you say such a dreadful thing?" Shy, sweet tem? pered Dolly flashed out the words with a spirit akin to her auat's. ?You know it's not true." "I know 'tis true." Th?iblack eyes snapped again, and the widow brushed and scolded with equal energy. ?Didn't I sec you run down to the gate only this morning in your bluo merino dress, and your best hat, and ask the deacon to take you to town in his spring wagon? And 'tain't the first time, either." ?IvljyT?nnt Tabitha!'' Dolly's blue eyes opeued .very wide, as she looked at her au??t in surprise. ?'You know it was too snowy for rae to walk to to^r?"today, and we were obliged to baye that trimming to finish the fluting on Mrs. Gieen's cashmere dress. I had been watchiugall the morning for ac?ance to ride down." ?I ?on't doubt it." ?I didn't know the deacon would pass:-how could 1? and it would bare been all the same if Farmer Dob? son, or old Uncle Peter Jones, had come along." ?.Oh, yes, that'll do to tell," retorted the widow. * 'And of course it was absolutely necessary for you to run - back and get a piece of bread and j mi, or something, for that spoiled young one that's always stuck along with his fa*I?ei3" Dolly laughed, in spite of her vexa- j tion. went- back for my muff," she ned, ?and Freddie said he was hungry, so, of course, I brought him the beeatf." ?Oh, you needn't make excuses, and think PU believe 'em. I know well enough 'twould be a good match for a poor girl like you, that lias to mal, . our own living. But Deacon Holly s too smart to be caught like that; and it's for your own good I'm a-warning you, Doily Hedges. But I shall come over and speak to Sister Dorcas about it after a while, for I see there's no use talking reason to you." ?You may spare yourself the trou? ble, Aunt Tabitha, for my mother knows all yon can tell her, already," retorted Doily, a3 she drew the hood of "her waterproof over her head, and waited proudly away. But there was a troubled look in her downcast eyes, and the envenomed words stiil rankled in her bosom. Deacon Holly felt weary and worn as he entered his lonely dwelling. The large, handsome rooms, with their costly furniture, had a dreary, deso? late look that made him shiver. The dining-room looked snug and cheerful. A bright fire blazed in the ample fire-place, and the sun streamed through the west window, lighting up a pot of vivid chrysanthemums which stood on the wide sill. Aunt Patty, the presiding genius of the housekeeping arrangements, had taken her knitting and gone out to have a chat with the next neighbor, haying, however, with commendable prudence, first replenished the fire wi'h afresh back-log and front stick, and hung the iron tea-kettle over it to save building a fire in the kitchen. Aunt i/attj-'s other preparations for tea were already made. The cold beef was sliced and set away in thc safe. Thc apple butter was already dished iu the cut-glass bowl; a mince pie was cut, and a pitcher of sweet cream stood ready for the table, which was already set, and covered with an extra cloth to pr otect It from the dust. The gingerbread was sliced, and a plate of honey stood in c-ose proximity to a loaf of brownbread and a pot of yellow butter. Deacon Holly was tired, and throw? ing himself into an easy-chair by the fire, he fell to meditating on his lonely lot. It was three years since little Fred? die's mother had been laid to rest un? der the daisies on the hill-side, and the deacon had never ceased to miss her. Somehow, the more he thought of berthe more attractive seemed his latest day-dream, of giving the sub tfeot&l old house another mistress. and hie boy a. new mother. He looked down with a smile at Freddie, who had fal leu asleep before the fire, with his head on a crimson ottoman. The smile was followed by a look of perplexity as Deacon Holly leaned back iu the cushioned chair, and set to work ou a problem that had recen liv begun to puzzle bim sadly. And while he puzzled, a pair of black eyes seemed to claim his attention iu the fore? ground, while tito bewildering blue ones cast shy glances at him from a disiauce, as if too timid to approach nearer. The black eyes looked very attract? ive, thc blue ones very entrancing, and the frown over thc deacon's nose deepened perceptibly. Presently a most wonderful thing occurred. An amazing thing, such as thc deacon had never heard of in all his life before. The iron tea-kettle, which had ful? some time been singing away quite i?vmerrily, suddenly puffed out a cloud of steam, lifted its lid, tilted itself on one side, and leere I at the deacon in the most ludicrous and unaccountable manner. The deacon could scarcely believe the evidence of his senses. He put on i his spectacles and stared at the kettle in amazement To his ituense surprise, the erratic kettle blew out another cloud of steam, tilted still farther to one side, raid gave a broader stare than ever. It then began to situ:, in a boister? ous tone: "Double, double, toil and trouble, The deacon's married the Widow Rubble." At this Deacon Holly drew himself up with an air of quiet dignity. "I beg your pardon, Mrs. Kettle," he said, mildly. **You are laboring under a mistake. I am not married to anybody." "Oh, yes, you are, old chap," re? turned the tea-kettle, saucily. "You are married to the "Widow Rubble that was, and she's ont in the kitchen this minnie, jawing Aunt Putty for putting so much wood on the fire, and for having both honey and apple but? ter for supper." "Dear me," sighed the deacon. "I really had no idea of such a thing. 1 think you are mistaken, ma'am, in? deed." "Xo, no, deacon, no mistake about lt, I do assure you. Such things fre? quently happen, my dear sir, take my word for it," persisted the kettie. "But-but it certainly cannot be a a legal marriage, when it occurred without my knowledge." 4Ob, bless your heart, that makes no difference-no diff?rence at ali. my dear sir! You are in for it now, and will have to face the music. Rubble rhymes to trouble, you know. The worst of it is, the poor little boy will come in for bis share of the trouble. I tell you, it made my blood boil to see her or der that poor child around before you came home today. Xo won? der he's asleep o n the rag this minute, ' and when she made him shovel off all the snow from around the house, and then finish getting that load of coal into the cellar-a bitterly cold day like this, too. . The deacon groaned. "I should think youd a known bet? ter, deacon. I real' \ should," went or. the tea-kettle. "Didn't your com mon j sense tell you that Hubble rhymes to trouble, and Dolly rhymes lo Holly? What could be plainer than that? However, h's too late now, and here's the new madam at her tricks already. Look at her now, a-grabbing that poor child by the scruff of the neck, and hustling him into the kitchen, just be? cause iie went to sleep on the floor." "I won't stand il," cried thc deacon i jumping up. "I*m so glad you're awake, deacon," 6aid Aunt Patty's mild voice. "I've i waited half an hour for you lo wake \ ap, and I'm dreadful afraid (he tea is spoiled, standing so long." The deacon rubbed his eyes and stared at Aunt Patty, ut the cozy table, at thc merry blazing fire, and then at the iron tea-kettle. It hung demurely from its hook over the ruddy blaze, singing tn low, sub? dued tones, unlike the boisterous way in which it had so recently buen in? dulging. A weight seemed taken from the deacon's heart, his spirits rose, lie was not married, after all! "Where's Freddie?'' he asked, as lie took his scat at the table and sipped his tea. "Oh, the poor child was so hungrv I gave him his supper long ago, and he's gone off som'crs, I don't know where." The deacon finished his supper with a good appetite and a light heart j The "Widow Rubble ma In quite an j attractive appearance in her wine ! colored merino dress, with her black i hair smooth and shining, and her j cheeks a little, just a lit!Ie redder Hum j nature had made them, her black eyes j as black as ever. "Must you go? Do slay longer," she was saying, politely, lo her friend and crony, Miss Miranda Peek, who had run in for a half-hour's gossip. "Oil, dear, no. 1 must go at once,'' returned ihe visitor. ?.lint I must say," ?he added, as her hostess accompanied her lo the door, "I shouid think that bjy would bc an objection." s,Oi), not at all." Thc door was open, now, and the widow's voice was high and shrill. "Freddie is old enough to be of some assistance now, and 1 should put him to work at once, ile has been spoiled all lu's life, i I know, but i would soon put a stop to all that." "Good evening, ladies." The words proceeded from a tall form which loomed up in ihe dark i ness, unperceived beforo. I Loth ladies uttered little shrieks of I surprise, I 1 .?Pear me, Deneen Holly! 1 did not see you in the dark. Do walk in." Mrs. Rubble gave her friend a terri? fied pinch, which the conscience stricken Miss Peck returned with in? terest. "Do come in, deacon," ^persisted thc widow, determined to bridge mat tors over, if possible. "Not tonight, thanks, Mrs. Rub I ble/' returned the deacon, politely, but coldly. ??My boy, Freddie, hus j run off, and I called to sec it* he was I fcerc." ??The dear child! He isn't here, deacon; but come in, ami I will send out to look for him. He can't be far a way." j "Ob, I couldn't think of troubling j you. Ile hus probably run over tu *cc his friend, Miss Dolly Hedges. ; Til just run over and look him up my? self. Don't let me de.uin you, la? dies." And the deacon walked off. Doily's blue eyes dropped a little, and the color deepened on her rounded checks as the deacon entered and dis? covered Freddie sitting in her lap, making himself quite at home, palling her carls and lier blue ribbon bow. When, a short time thereafter, pretty Dolly Hedges became Mrs. Deacon Holly, the disgusted widow informed her friend Miss Peck, in confidence, thal it all ne of Dolly's making 60 umehof that spoiled young one. Unconscious Mrs. Rubble! She never suspected that her fate had been influenced by what thc old iron tea? kettle sung. - [New York" Weekly. The Pitcher Plant. Among the many vegetable wonders, the pitcher plant, or huntsman cup, is the most interesting. The plant grows wild in peat bogs in Nor;bern Ohio, and ia much valued as a vegetable curiosity. The plant grows in clumps; leaves al! radial and hollow, hence the name pitcher. Thc hollow leaves are most generally Jillc,! with water for the purpose of drowning insects; the inner face of the shield is beset with stiff bristles pointing down? ward, allowing the insects to enter, but by no means allowing them to es? cape. I have found as many as a dozen species of insects entrapped in one of these vegetable magazines. The victims that fall prey to this plant soou decay and become a liquid form, which is imbibed thro ugh the inner coating of the leaf and assimi? lated. The proof that thia plant does feed on insects is that the liquid never becomes very offensive. The piant dtinks up thc organic matteras fast as i it dissolves. There is au insect that is a little too much for this plant. It enters into the pitchers or hollow | leaves and feeds upon its relatives as J they happen to fall victims to this plant. When he becomes tired of this lile he makes a dart to thc bottom of j the water, drills a hole through the j cup and escape?, allowing the water to pass away after his departure. (Ohio Practical Farmer. Harvesting Hay. Now, it is a wonder somebody hadn't thought of this before. Of what? Why, of harvesting hay just as grain is harvested. Judge Davis Was tried it on his farm near Mineral Point. The reaper and binder intro? duced into a field of timothy grass worked splendidly. The sheaves of grass cured rapidly in shock, the hay was free from sand and dirt that is usually collected from raking the ground, retained much more of its sweetness, tenderness, and aroma J than if treated by the old scattering j and bleaching process, and Judge Davis says thc hay is not only worth *2 per ton more than if harvested in thc usual way, but that both expense and labor were saved. Now, why didn't somebody think of all this years ugo?-[Columbus (Ohio) State Journal. The "Traveling Stones." The curious ??traveling stones" of Australia are paralleled in Nevada. They are described as being perfectly round, about us large as a walnut and of nu ivory nature. When distributed about on thc floor, table or atty other .-mooth surface within two or three feet of each other, they immediately commence traveling toward each other until they meet at a common center and there He huddled up in a bunch ?ike eggs in a nest. A single steno removed to a distance of four feet, upon being released, returns to the heap, but, if taken away as much as live feet, remains motionless. It is needless to say that they are largely composed of magnetic iron ore. [Philadelphia Press. Date Palms in Arizona. Hail Hanlon,^ miles below Yuma, has twenty date palm trees in his var? den, thc largest of which is iifieen years old. Jt is thirty feet high. Six of the oldest trees arc in bearing. Dy actual count one bunch contains 2?00 ?hites, li weighs fur:y pounds. There arc several muri) larger hunches, so ?hick that thc fruit on them cannot be counted correctly, but it i* estimated that there arc *IOOO dates in each bunch, and that they will weigh at 'east lifty pounds. - [Tombstone Epitaph. An Experienced Agent. House Agent-Rush around to 126 Bank street, quick, and get last month's rent. Bookkeeper-What's up? Agent-As 1 passed there this morn? ing I heard a baby. There won't bo any spare cash around that house for six weeks at least, Tve had 'em my? self.- [New York Weekly. It ie reported that $1,000,000 is to bc spent on fortifications in .British Columbia. RUNNING AMOL The Frightful Malay Method of Committing Suicide. A Frenzied Desire For Indis? criminate Slaughter. It may bc said, in most instanceSj that running amok is but a horrible form of suicide. That crime is specially forbidden to followers of Mohammed, though it is by no means sure that the prohibition has any in? fluence in this case. Anyhow, a Malay who wishes to shuffle off his mortal coil prefers to cut and .stab and shoot his fellow-creatures ali round rather than perform those operations on him? self. It comes to the same thing in in the end generally, for he is destroyed like a mad dog, if not taken and hanged. At the same time he will escape if he can, and in that case his madness soon passes. But no re? morse assails him. On the contrary, he feels that he has done the proper thing, and 6 tar ts on a new lease of existence. If this principle be borne in mind that to run amok means committing suicide-we have a master key, as it were, to varied motives which seem inconsistent with any theory. Thus, the most frequent cause is gambling. Next, perhaps, comes a sense of wrong, with which must be reckoned that incitement very common at the native courts-delayed promotion, or rivalry. In 18G3 the brother of a Sumatran Rajah, holding the high rank of Datu Tomanggoiig, stood by his sovereign at a great Durbar. The command of the forces iu some small expedition was granted to a chief whom he dis.iked. Forthwith the Tomanggoiig seized a spear, and killed thirteen persons, including the Rajah, before that same chief cut him down. Him probably the murderer had not tried to reach. For, among the inter? esting points of the amok frenzy, there is none so curious as the neglect of the persons seized to execute vengeance on one who has actually done the WTong. This is such a general rule that thc exceptions are probably accidental. We have heard of several Maylays who were roused to fury by losses at the gaming table-in one instance, by cheating, which had been passionately charged against the croupier. But even nuder such circumstances, when his amok lit came on, the loser turned aside, cut his way through the specta? tors, leaving two dead, and so, slash? ing and thrusting, down the campong. Another instance that occurs to us was that of a man who wanted opium on credit. He did not avenge himself on the Chinaman who refused, but, ns ueual, upon unoffending passers-by. Regarding the act as suicide, this con? duct becomes less unintelligible; no other explanation will solve it at ali, unless we suppose thc man blind or quite out of his seuses-which cannot be admitted. Again, when love is the cause, the same curious result follows. All other peoples reused to murder pitch by this form of despair kill the woman or the rival or both; a Malay kiils anybody but these! Insult is a motive not to be forgotten by any means; fear is another. A boatman of Sin? gapore conveyed two wealthy Chinese merchants to a junk in the harbor which had brought some emigrant coolies, and he went on board with them. The captain had a feast ready for his consignees, in which pork was conspicuous, naturally. They knew the boatman well, and in their rough Chinese fashiou asked him, a Moham? medan, to partake. He declined good humored ly, and whet? they bored him with boisterous pressing, he returned to his sampan. Presently the merchants joined him, and one said, from the deck, <*You needn't have been so particular. I never told of your pork feast at my go-down." Instantly thc Maiay sprang up, parang in hand, cut down his insulter-one of those accidents referred to, probably-and leaped on board. Captain and crew jumped over the &idc like one man. But the hapless coolies, fresh from China, did not understand, and before they could follow thc example he had massacred half-a-dozen. A man-o-war lying close by 6ent an armed boat Instantly and the amok was shot while search? ing up and down for more victims. [London Standard. Anecdote of Emperor Frederick. A pretty story of thc late Emperor Frederick is told iu one of the Ger? man papers. Some years ago, shortly before the death of thc old Emperor of Germany, a tall, handsome gentle? man jumped into a third class carriage of a local railway at Berlin, just, as thc train was leaving thc station. An S old flower seller, with a basket of newly cut hyacinths, was the only other occupant of the compartment. Ile a^kel thc old danie to .'.eli him a bunch, and, mollified by his snave manner, she chose tho freshest and largest and handed it to him. Its price was a pinny, hut as thc gentle- ? man lind no coppers and thc old wc man no change, not having sold any j of her goods yet, she was paid with a mark piece, which, as she said at once, j was a thing that had never been heard of before in a third class carriage; Presently the stranger and the llow er seller were deep in conversation, and it turned out that the poor woman j was the only breadwinner of a family of four. lier son was crippled, her granddaughter a little schoolgirl, and her husband had for 6ome months been out of work. Thc stranger then suggested that should apply on her husband's behalf to tho railway au? thorities. '?That is no good what? ever," she replied, as she wiped her tears with her apron. "It you haven't thc Pope for your cousin nowadays, you can't fret anybody to h?ten tc you." "Try the Emperor," thc stranger went on. "Alas!" she sighed. "Ii ihe old gentleman was allowed to sec the petitions that are sent it might dc some good, but he docs not get tc know about us poor people." "Well, then, let your husband write to the Crown Tri nee." "Yes," she said, "he might do that,"' and she would tell him as soon as she had sold her flowers. By this time the train lind got to the terminus. The old dame bundled out her basket, and no? ticed with astonishment that thc offi? cials and the crowd on the platform looked at her carriage and saluted and cheered. "What's up!" she asked. "Why, the Crown Prince was in thc same compartment with you." Then the flower seller held her head high and told every syllable of what had happened to the delighted crowd. Her flowers were sold before five minutes were over, and a fortnight afterward her husband was at work again in his old place.-[New York Herald. An English Tulip Show. For thc las. 67 years there has been held a tulip show at the Orange Tree Inn, Butley, a small village near Mac? clesfield, England. So popular is it with the tulip fraternity that many admirers of the flower arc attracted to it from Manchester, Macclesfield, Stockport, eic. The show is con? ducted according to all thc old tradi? tions; the flowers are staged in gin? ger-beer bottles iii one room; in another sit the secretary and the ex? hibitors, and as the flowers are judged, stewards bring to the secretary the blooms awarded prizes; the name? of the varieties and exhibitors are entered by him iu a book and the proper card8 affixed to them; they are then returned to thc showroom and arranged on a sloping stage-like an old-fashioned plant stage-placed at one end of the room, where they are on view for a few days, non-subscribers being "ad? mitted on payment of silver at the doors." If any one would witness something of thc old enthusiasm which stirs the tulip-growing fraternity, he should pay a visit to the Butley Tulip Show. One curious proviso in the schedule of prizes is that growers may be required to prove on oath the flow? ers they bring to the show were grown and bloomed by them.-[Garden and Forest. Shoes Half-Soled in 16 3Iinutesa "1 can half-sole and heel your shoes in just fifteen minutes," said the shoe? maker, and he did it. A Mail and Expressman had dropped into thc place for an item of news, and he got it. "The mechanism is very simple once it is known," said the shoe re? pairer. "Here I remove thc outer sole with the knife and cut it clean for the new sole to be put on. With these nippers I pull the worn-down edges of the heel off and remove the protruding nails. Then I place thc shoe on a last. That has just taken five minutes. Thc last is put ou the machine, and away she goes. "You can sec how it is done now and wonder why it was not discovered years ago." The n achine does its work nicely in five more minutes and thc new soles are ready to bc smoothed off and blacked. This is all done in just six minutes by the watch, the shoo repairer having completed his work in just one minute over the time specified. The shoe repairer said that the ma? chine took up less time and space than two men, and he could get his wor.c done much faster. - ["New York Mail and Express. Artificial Stone. Thc production of artificial stone, especially for pavements, is largely on the increase. The ba??is of this pro? duct is crushed granite, which is in? corporated with Portland cement, the water in the process being automatical? ly gauged. After these materials are well blended, the concrete is laid in slab molds lined with zinc. When the slabs are sot they are turned out of the molds and steeped for about ten days in a solution of silicate of soda, by which process they become indurated. The silicate of soda solution is made hy boiling a special kind of soda with 70 per cent, caustic soda, previously made into a solution with water; tho silie.i of the stone dissolves and the solution is diluted for use to tho re? quired strength. Thc siabs arc taken out of the solution, scoured with water, and stacked in yards where they arc kept for sonic mon.hs before being sent away from the works. A Queer Timekeeper. In Liberia there is neither dock nor timepiece of any sort, the reckoning of time being- guided entirely by the ! Min's movement and position. The sun in Liberia rises at G a.m. and sets at ? p. m. almost to thc minute all the yeai* round, and at noon it is verti ! cally overhead. Thc islanders of thc South Pacific have no clocks. They \ ! have a curious timekeeper of their j own. Taking thc kernels of flic nuts I of the candle tree, they wash them I and string them on the mid rib of a ' palm leaf. This is propped up iu%l thc top kernel lighted. As all the kernels aro of the same size and sub? stance they burn each a certain num? ber of minutes, setting tire then to thc one below. The natives tic bits of bark cloth along the string at regular intervals to make divisions of lime - [Boston Herald. -ri- * ? J She Had Her Tses. A New York housewife went to in? spect a batch of newly arrived immi? grants and picked out a modest-look, lng Norwegian lass. ?'Can you cook?" "No." "Can you look after thc children?*' "No." .'Then, pray, what, can you do?" I "Miik reindeer." BETTER BEES. A Proposed New Departure in Bee Culture. An Expert Says the Insect can Be Improved by Breeding. J. Edward Giles, lu writing on the desirability of producing a larger race of bees, proposes to cross our present race of bees with the giant bees of India, and obtain a race with long proboscis and perhaps increased size (if that should be found to bc of any advantage). This improved race should be crossed with the Som li American stingless bee, and thus a race would bo secured with all the good points of the Italian bee, with lengthened proboscis and stingless; such a bee, in fact, as it would be difficult to improve. It might be found desirable to breed out the swanning instinct, for there appears to be no reason why it cannot be bred out of bees as thoroughly as tho sit? ting instinct has been bred out of cer? tain races of domestic fowls. But now that swarming can be so com? pletely controlled by the use of queen traps and automatic hivers, this is a point of minor importance. Mr. Giles is of opinion that the im? provement of our bees is of sufficient importance, and the prospect of suc? cess sufficiently great, lo justify the Agricultural Department of the United States in undertaking the cost of the necessary experiments. The cost to the Government would be trifling in comparison with the benefits that would accrue ii the experiments were successful. Few individuals who are competent to do the work would have the means to carry it out at their own expense, because the study of the habits of the stingless race* iu their native country would necessarily en? tail a residence of a few years in South America. Mr. Giles quotes the honey crop for 1879 as twenty-five million pounds, or about half a pound for the year to each inhabitant of the United States. At au average of ten cents per pound the value of Ihe honey crop for that year would be about $2,500,000, not reckoning the value of 2,220,000 pounds of wax, the amount that would be secreted in the production of the quantity of honey named. If we had a race of stingless bees there is good reason to believe that the value of the crop would soon bc doubled, for many wonld be induced to go into the business of bee keeping who are now deterred by fear of the sting?, or who live in thickly settled villages and hesitate to keep bees for fear their neighbors will consider their pets a nuisance. Even in the oldest and most thickly settled states the number of bees could easily be doubled without exhausting the honey supply, and there ?3 practi? cally no limit to the amount of honey which could be produced by plauting special crops in suitable places. Mr. Giles differs from those who think that an increased supply of honey would lower the prices and glut the market, as experience shows that as the supply of any article of food increases,the demand always grows. As an illustration, he quotes the case of a farmer with whom he compared notes on the price of farm produce. Thc farmer was at the time preparing a load of tomatoes for market, and he remarked that it was easier to sell a wagon load of tomatoes now than it was to sell a peck when Lc first began to raise them. The reason it is difficult to sell honey is that people have not learned to use it. When its many wholesome qualities are understood it will take a prominent place as a daily food, and nothing will bring this about more quickly than the proposed new de? parture in bee culture. The Wealth of the Osage Indians. L. A. Wismeyer and wife of Gray Horse aud Dr. R Bird of Pawhuska, L T., are at the Windsor. Mr. Wis meycr and Dr. Bird arc both post traders, this part of the nation being known as the Osage agency, repre? s?ntalo- thc big and little Osasre and the Kansas or Kaw Indians. Mr.Wis ineyer has been among tlie Osages for fifteen years, thc first seven of which he was Government clerk, and since that time he has been a post trader. "The Osages," he said, "are the richest per capita, I think, of any tribe of Indians in tho Indian Terri? tory. Tiiey have a reservation of 1,500,000 acrcs,and receive about $21G e.cii a year from thc Government. The Osages at one time owned tho most of Southern Kansas, but made a treaty with the government about 18G5, and received a large sum from thc sale of their Janus, J which wore opened up for set- ! tlcmeut. The Nal ional Government now hold-! in trust for the Osages about $800,000, and pays them 7 per cent, per annum on thc amounts. This makes about $400,000 a year that is divided among about 1700, ihe present number of Osage Indians. They were shrewd in their early treaties with the Government and are now a wealthy people, having $8.000,000 iu cadi, with an income of $400,000, in addition to their reservation of 1,000, 000 acres held in common and their farms and stock. "They are becoming highly civilized. "When 1 first wont among the Osages they numbered 2300, but an epidemic of small-pox and measles cut them down lo about 1500, but they have > siuce increased to about 1700. -[Col? orado Sun. In the United Sta'.es there are about sixteen million cows-one for every four persons. The American Soldier* To know the American soldier well you muat toil with him over the desert trail wheo tho sun beats hotly down on the dry and verdureless earth, and the dust rises in white clouds that hide the column from view, and fill the eyes, the mustaches, the eats, the mouth, with profanity and vexatio . Herc is where lus songs and jokes pro? claim the stuff that lie is made of. Then, when you are sent out with him in the dead of winter over twenty inches of snow, your equipments and supplies on bob-sieds, he it is that dismounts lime and again without a murmur, pushing, to help the mules up hill, and re-packing the overturned sleds a dozen times in a day;-then, after it all, digging his hole in the snow, and putting up his tent at night, all the time joking with his ..Bunkie," and ready as ever to steal a wisp of hay or G, handful of oats for his shivering horse. He it is that jumped into a boiling hot spring to Save the life of the daughter of a private citizen-a deed for which the citizen, who was a rich man, proffered the astounding sum of five dollars,and thc government the gold medal of honor; he that took a flat-bottomed boat out of the heavy sea in New York Harbor to rescue a drowning boy; that lost his life for his fidelity while attempting to swim an icy stream with dispatches; who, siugle-handed,scrved a field gun through an action, with a bullet in his leg, to hold a position; he that you believe incapable of anything but ''bucking f? -o" and drinking strong liquors.-[Harper's "Weekly. ? Painful Decoration. A good anecdote is told of M. Carnot, the president of France, who is about tovi3it Savoy. As usual, he will take with him a collection of decorations and other distinctions for distribution among the notables of the towus lie will pass through. The president of the RepuL 'ic, ia order to enhauce the value of the decoration, is accustomed to pia it himself on the breast of the happy recipient. On his last provincial tour it appears that he made a mess of the operation. A statue had just been unveiled aud and the customary speeches delivered, when the persons to be decorated were invited to get on to the platform. Among them was a fat farmer to whom the Academic Palms were al? lotted. M. Carnot approached him and proceeded to pin the blue ribbon on his breast, but whether the pin was blunt or the cloth of the farmer's coat hard, he found the task difficult. However, at length he succeeded. But judge of his surprise on seeing the farmer trembling and as pale as a ghost. He at first thought it was simply emotion, but the farmer get? ting worse, General Brugere advanced aud found that the pin had stuck in his breast, and that he was bleeding freely. To extract it was of course the work of a second, and the farmer recovered, but it will be a long time before he forgets the first day he wore his decoration.- [London Globe. Panther and Leopard in Deadly Combat? At noon today Harmston's circus was thrown into consternation. The Chinese attendants who had been left in charge became panic stricken, for in the end cage of the menagerie the famous black panther and the beauti? ful leopard met in mortal combat. The struggle was one never to be for? gotten by those who were fortunate enough to witness it Tho panther fastened his teeth in the throat of the leopard and the fight was fierce and terrible in the extreme. To add t" the awfulness of the en? counter all the other animals became excited. The lions and tigers roared and rushed frantically about their cages, the monkeys kept up a terrible chattering, and the huge black bears got up on their hind legs and moved liercely about, clawing at the bars of thc cages and endeavoring with all their might to get out. The deadly struggle, however, wag short. In five minutes the leopard, a really beautiful animal, lay still and vanquished, with throat and breast torn open, and the panther retired, satisfied to take the penalty of the law for wilful murder. The greatest wonder of all was that the cages stood the fearful attacks of the lions and tigers. Had they not been care? fully overhauled before they were placed in the circus there might have been a very serious occurrence to re? cord.- (Shanghai Mercury. A Popular Russian Toy. In au article in Scribner, on the Nevsky Prospekt, St. Pctcrburg's great street, through which she takes thc reader entertainingly, and with the result of giving a very vivid impres? sion of the picturesque and human sides of thc Czar's chief city aud thor? oughfare, Miss Isabel P. Hapgood tells the following story: "There ii always a popular toy of thc hour. Cac year it consisted of highly colored, beautifully made bot? tle-imps, which wore loudly cried as Aincrikanskiya zhiteli-inhabitants of America. We inquired the reason for their name. <4 ?Tiley arc made in the exact image af tho Americans,' explained the peas lint vendor, offering a pale blue imp, with a long red tongue anda phenom? enal tail, for our admiration. " 'We aro inhabitants of America. ls the likeness very strong?' we ;iskcd. "The crowd tittered softly ; the man ooked frightened; but finding that no lire fate threatened, he was soon vo .iferating again, with a roguish tin." Europe consumes about $30,000,000 vonh of gold and silver yearly for ?late, jewelry aud ornaments. Repletion, that face of thine, that face of tb ine, And ail thy lovely self, dear one. When first thy dear eyes answered mine. Seemed perfect. "Oh! what have I done" I asked God humbly-"that to me Thou gavest this human blessing rare?" ??My perfect flower !" I breathed o'er thee, "God never made a flower SQ fair.*' Then, when between thy dear lips stole Thy voice in sou?-like lark's on wing I whispered to my happy soul, "It is as though a rose should sins-'' -[Kate Vannah, in Kate Field's Washing? ton. HUMOROUS. A frog is always in (lie spring of life. A half holiday is better than no loaf. Tourists go from mountain to maintain, seeking other climbs. Over in Canada they are still talk? ing about coming itt out of the reign. The "Hammock Song'1 is thc latest. It's bound to be popular, lt has such a swing to it. The difference between a looking glass and a dude is that one reflects, but can't talk. Country ?iiild (who secs no novelty in a week)- What is all this grass for? City Child-That's to keep off of. First Broker: That man Jayguller is as bright as a streak of lightning. Second Broker: Yes, and just as crooked. ? ?Young Whizz is living a rather fast life now, isn't he?" ??Yes, he has to you know, lie's a conductor on an express train." ..Decline a man," the teacher cried. The maiden colored red. "Decline a man?" the pupil sighed, "I can't-I won't!" she said. When the market reports read, "Butter growing weak," the presump? tion is that the reporter has kept shy of the boarding houses. "Thai man can stand and shoulder 600 pounds dead weight." ??Humph! I sat down the other day and shoul? dered a $33,000 mortgage." Lady-A gentleman called, you say. Did he leave any name? Parlor Maid-Yes'm. I asked him his name. fie said it was ??Immaterial." Mrs. Gnmso (entering the carriage after the entertainment)-Did you like the concert, dear? Gumso-Yes, love; everything except the music. He-A woman can't conceal her feelings. She-Can't, eh? She cart kiss a women she hates. He-Yes; but she doesn't fool the woman auy. The man wo speaks of his wages when a^ked for a loan never fails to dignify the same by the name of ealary' when engaged in the business ot courtship. It may look very thin And yet no one will doubt, That be blew his money in At a big blow-out. She-Why do you toy so nervously with that fan-are you afraid of it? He (gallantly)-I am afraid of any? thing that could produce a cooiuess between us. Fosdick-Does the winner of a foot? race get more than the purse? Kick? shaw-What else should he get? Fos? dick-I thought he might be entitled to the gait money. It is said that the longer a person is in eating, the more pleasure will be derived from ?U Therefore the mau who wrestles with the boarding-house steak should be supremely happy. Caustic: Hello, Bagley, old boy, id me shake your hand. I hear you are engaged. Bagley : Don't bc ia a hurry, old man. I'm not married yet. Caustic: That's the very reason I congratulate you. Customer (to waiter who has brought him a beefsteak very much underdone)-Waiter, just send for the butcher, will you? Waiter-What, sir? Customer-This steak doesn't seem to be quite dead yet! A Blind Hymn Writer. The oldest and best known hymn writer now living is a blind woman, Fanny Crosby of Park avenue, this city. Her hymns, ??Pass Me Not, O Gentle Saviour," ??Rescue the Perish? ing," ??Saviour, More Than Life to Me" and ??Jesus, Keep Me Near the Cross," are known and sung where? ever the English language is spoken, and, although blind from infancy, she has composed more thau 3000 otha s. She is now sixty-five years of age, and before she made hymn writing her life work wa* for many years a teacher of the blind. AU of her poetical efforts are dictated to a secretary, and so fat h ful is her mem? ory that she of teu composes a dozen or more hymns before she dictates them to her assistant. Her disposi? tion is a sunny, hopeful one, and her cosey home is the abiding place of cheerfulness and contentment.-[New York Herald. It Was No Go. In a hall in Glasgow a few weeks i go there was a lecture on ??Marriage aud After." The lecturer said that men should kiss their wives ac they did when they were a year or two married. When the lecture was over an old man went home, put his arms around his wife's neck and kissed her. Mt st? og the lecturer next day ho said: ??lt's no go." ?What isn't?" said the lecturer. *<Weel," said the man, ??when I kissed my wife she said, ?What's gone wrang wi' ye, ye auld fool, ye?1" [Boston Globe. ? ? Xo Cause for Fear. Tourist-If you s.iw me drop down his horrible precipice, you would bo ;crribly upset, wotvd you not? Guide-Oh! not in the least; you lave naid me in advance, von know?