University of South Carolina Libraries
Upp weary. ? uneday is dreary? i St?B, Still beycaeery I All bravely face ! I Tiua life thou'rt speridiDg [ WO! hare an ending ; jleauwbile, God's lending" AO needed grace: -[Se v. C A. S. Dwight, in Observer. ie Minister's Bairns' New Clothes. BT KEY. B y REE 51 AX ASHLEY. [The Rev. William Washington was pastor of a small church many ago ia Port Mouton, an obscure, hamlet in the southeastern of Nova Scotia. He was the of two daughters and eight His salary was so small that these were not like those "which are foonshr appareled anti live deli Jy," or Hire^ki king's courts." o? the mother's gar inade over for the girls, father got through with (rousers what was left ?ndcd in true apostolical rom father to sons, from the youngest. Se little end of - the succession, ras chronically empty ; it np even when propped |but hung on a uait in the fiat and as thin asasuu 'ashiugton had so mach wisdom of Providence, confidence in the rccti own purposes, that he If little trouble about thc ministerial clothes. In of thss sort were left en care of Mrs. "Washington, fica! mind and patient fin make use itself for the repair of the family wardrobe, had the boys good reason : "There is a divinity that end?-rough-hew them as for the miracles she the posteriors of panta marvels of maternal In? fi, there was a limit even ?, and there were times (heel and loom were in king idle through the le material as scarce mee when she was he received help ted source. fi? ju*t after the ?ii UK ait crackled with and all the moref quiet waters covered frith thick ice, the mic went to the littleanpainted meet -asnee LO preach his usual two sermon, a serrata which he had ?ljr elaborated% into eleven and every bead carried in his head disdainful of all aid of pen note. His wife followed on after with a long traii of children be? lier, taking good cab not to dis" i Iva meditations; ;forfwhat had he i th his family when the whole tug in wickedness? of the boys, lotlerer, Dick ireem, finding lt itara to tear icfves away from the Warm glow reat open hearth itere not in ?SS?OU. It was qm te late *y started, and they hurried up *or lost time. The road 'u^iiagr^ ?ed over a dike an ia let of the sea from lake beyond, that was nearly ted with a growth of prim i The ice of this lake was and glary it shone in the like a great mirror, the brothers were halfway dyke their attention was ar ested by a black spot on tl? ice. Dick, the eldest was skilled in woodcraft, ite DO ed as a precocious hunt ^^^.F.tol&dkmta^ in great it J '-'that is a silver fox, as my name is Dick; and his at this ti aie of the year is worth of money. If I could only get fallow's fur, we'd get a chance some of our old clothes." fBui what's the use of iffing, when know you can't get him," said rubbing his ears to keep them freezing, and stamping nis feet jp his blood at its business, trty anyway," was the reso :reply. <*Come on!" and he began with all his might, making it for Frecm to keep np with further end of t?ie dike was honsG of Sol Stewart, known as Sol" through the whole ham Fas a rheumatic old Scotch isa, who, in spite of his wife's ito, had determined to stay at tijat morning, where he could his stiff joints by the open fire s.nd ?moke his ancient black it him or make If?A?a??Be (big family lus kne*?F, as a soi t of coin trying to read some But bis comfort ich for his conscience, ?d asleep; Iris pipe fell ith, and with its spilled the pages before him. live heart of fire, that bottom of the pipe, rolled iacliued plane and lodged hairs of Brent-the dog jjipg at his feet. Straighl ? ^mped up with a howl Uncle Sol dream of ipet. Nor did the Nwtil be was awakened by sbo Shouted in his ear : Sol! Uncle Sol! there's a oa the ice, and I want the gun ; for i haven't time lae:" tj*#. siller fox^' and be kk e^fift, aud added: "Ye're 1? S?SIer fox*s are as sea ree as t?? powderkorn and the ?hot pouch that hong over the mantel. His wits, however; were in a muddle between his scruples and his natural interest, and he said : "But ye ken its Soon day, an' the Coommaridment says: 'Remember the Sab'-weel? weel? ye canna help it; siller foxes are terra valuable, an' the Lord will surely let you off-if-if-you inek sure to get the fox." Brent, seeing the preparations for nuntiug, made the house resound, till Dick bade him cease. Thc gun was already loaded, but with duck shot instead of ball, aud there wa? no time to draw the charge and substitute an? other. The two boys started ou a ru? for that part of the lake which joiued Uncle Sol's estate. The old man hurried after, and, seeing that it was a silver fox beyond all question, shouted after them: "If ye dinna fetch him I'll ne'er forgive ye!" The fox was nearer than when first seen, it having taken a course leading to the woods at the Stewart e:id of thc Jake. Brent begau the chase at once, Dick and his brother following as fast as the glary condition of Hie ice would admit, in the hope of getting near enough for a shot, and ali the while wishing with a forty-horse rower for skates, in the use of which t :cy were so wel? skilled. Seeing the dog, the fox increased his efforts, but only to make his footing less secure, and causing him to zigzag so much that he Jost much time. In the meantime Uncle Sol, not dar? ing to venture upon the icc with his cane, yet growing more and more ex? cited, got an idea, which he immedi? ately acted upon. He hobbled up the hill to the meeting house, where, just as the minister was beginning his second head, he broke in with "There's a siller tox on the ice, an the meen isters lads are at his heels; an' ye maun a' coom down an' keep the beest fra' gitten' ashore. Siller foxes are nae plenty, ye ken!" The service ended summarily ; young and old rushed for the door aud the 1 ike, leaving the minister to follow, if he chose, which ne did, and at no leisurely pace either. Uncle Sol was left far in the rear, saying to himself with a chuckle: "The meenister hae saved the maist o' his sermon for an? other day; an'if his lads secure the fox, it'll bc a braw day for him." On reaching the shore his hopes seemed likely of fulfillment The dog, used to the ice, was gainiug on the fox notwithstanding his wily movements. Brent was the heavier, and when the fox found that he was getting too close he took a sudden sheer, which eansed Bteut to shoot far ahaad be? fore he could regain control of his feet. Dick had fired old Queen Anne, but without affect, save at the breech end, where she kicked so badly that the marksman was laid flat upon his back with a bump that made him see stars in daytime. Nevertheless things "were growing hot for the fox. The whole congregation, minister and all, had deployed right and left upon the ice? and were now closing in with a circle that had Reynard inside. The boys waved their caps, the .women spread their dresses and shooed with ail their might, all the lasses being as eager as the rest, while the men sought to confuse the fox by shouting at the top of their voices. Closely pressed by Brent the fox made a dash for the outer space through the gap presented by Dick's legs. Dick clubbed his gua and the next instant the fox Jay dead before him, and a loud shout of victory ren the air, which was lustily responded to by Uncle Sol, who still stood upon tite shore. When the fox was landed the old Scotchman, after examining it ca re? in Hy, exclaimed: "It's wulh ivery bit o' sax puu teul" It was indeed a prize; the+fox was large and thc fur in the most, perfect condition. The body of it was as black as jet, while every hair tapered off to a brilliant silvery white which made the whole pelt look as if ,'it were constantly emitting sparks of elec? tricity. But what wa3 to be done with it? To whom did it belong? "Brethren," said the minister, form? ing a church meeting on the spot, wi th the fox as the centre of interest, "this is the Lord's Day, and my heart mis? gives me as to the propriety of our conduct in suffering ourselves to bc betrayed into a fox hunt upon thc Sabbath. But the skiu of the fox is of great value; and since it has come : Into onr hands for disposal, I ask yon < to vole the proceeds to the Society for i the Civilization of thc Micmac In- j Jians." 1 What more he would have said, i aone could tell, for he was interrupted ! 1 t>y Uncle Sol, who said, with much J 1 earnestness: "Na, na? breethren ; if i the Sabbatli hae been broken, it must 1 be inend't diff'rent fra that. Ye kei how that thc meenistcr's bairns hae hardly claes eneuch to keep the frost fra their marrow. Claes is ceeviliza iion, an' the Lord sent the fox for the ;eevilization of themeenister'sbairns; * in' I move that tho Lord's will be ione." 1 The motion was carried by acclama tion, notwithstanding an attempted protest on the part of the minister, ind in spite of the blushes and con- j 1 fusion of the bairns themselves. The skin brought thirty-six dollars, I 8 every penny of which went on ten- j * penny errands in the hands of Mrs. | Washington, who made each a skill- i * ful transmutation of the skin in clothes 1 that Uncle Sol's motion, thc first and the last one he ever made, was fully ? justified.- [New York Independent^^ Painting by Mule-Power. JBBHB Walter Burridge, the artist, \M great volcano Kilauea,tm Wk&e Pacific/' upon a fl 4i? feet long and bi feet high-22,248 square feet-which shows the wonders of the greatest crater of the globe. This painting,with the accessory spec? tacular effects, will form thc volcano cyclorama iii the Midway Plaisance* which foran part of the Hawaiian ex? hibit for the World's Fail-. Almost directly south of the University of Chicago and east of the Cairo street stands a polygonal building nearly 140 feet in diameter and 60 foe* high, inside the building on a circular tra?:k is a movable scaffold 55 feet in height. Weil up to the top of the staging two men are at work wielding large brush* es which paint iu the sky on the cir? cular canvas that lines the interior of the building, and the slapping of Hie brushes comes dowu faintly to two long-eared, ioose-joiuted, lazy-looking mules harnessed to the car which car? ries the high scaffold. These mules don't know tue difference bel ween a wash drawing a circus poster, but they are very large actors in painting Kilauea. A shout from above, "Hey, there, Alpher and Omega, git upi" in Bur ridge's voice, emphasized by a chunk of wood landing cn Omega's quiescent spinal column, gives the cue, and the artist's long-eared assistants shake off the Stupor of meditation and day dreams and pull the creaking, trembling scaffold around the track until a sharp "Whoa!" sends them wool-gathering again. Painting by mu'e power Is one of those innova? tions brought out by the tremendous pressure under which all work is done in Jackson Park and the Midway Plaisance.-[Chicago News Record. John Ouincy Adams' Cold Bath. Of ali the subjects upon which one has convictions there are none except religion and politics conceiting whicb oue holds more strenuously to his own views and methods than one does on thc subject of bathing. The healthy and vigorous man with an iron con? stitution, who for 50 years has every morning taken a plunge into the cold? est water obtainable, will, with ag? gressive vitality, tell you that his splendid health is entirely due to this habit. Such a person usually has all but open contempt for one who is content to keep himself equally clean and healthy by less violent methods, and wonders how such a hot-house plant can hope to flourish. John Quincy Adams was a man of this sort. It is related of him that while he was Pr?sidant l?e walked every morning from the White House down to the Potomac and, regardless of ice and cold weathei, took a plunge into the river, and came out brisk and glowing. If he had been a king of France instead of President of the the United States, he would have caused the death of many a poor cour? tier with a weaker action of the heart who attempted to follow bim. We may admire the constitution of such a person, but to suppose his method good for everyone would be a great mistake, and an abuse of the bath which happily docs not often occur. A cold bath is certainly a great stimulant, and in one form or another almost every person can take snch a bath. If he has a constitution which will sustain the shock, he can take it as Mr. Adams did, with great advantage; a little less robust person can stand a cold shower-bath, or a plunge iu a bath-tub of cold water; aud a much less vigorous one can still have all the benefit of the stimulant, with its after-glow, by takiug the water in a basin and applying it with a sponge or wash-cloth.-[DemoresL ? Lemon Tree Bears Oranges. The strange case of a tree's discon? tent, or eccentric and sudden change of business, has just come to the no. tice of the Ojai. Twenty years ago Joseph Hobart, who has a thrifty fruit ranch iu the Upper Valley, among other stock purchased a lemon tree from Dana B. Clark, then a well known Montecito nurseryman. The tree grew and bore fruit accordiug to contract, but being in an unfavorable situation has been considerably set b ick by frost. The main tree was cut away and yoong sprouts grew up some 15 feet and continued the lemon producing business. Now the marvel is that the newest sprouts from the old lemon tree are this year bearing a good-sized crop of navel oranges. The original lemon was probably grafted upon orange stock, and there may be nothing wonderful in nature allowing [he germ of the orange to lay dormant for twenty years and then suddenly ?evelop. But how is it that the tree is growing navel oranges when, if on information is correct, that particular ?iud of oranges were introduced less Iban twenty years ago? Mr. Hobart iias cut away thc lemon-producing Brauches and now propopes to have va orange tree for a while.- [Nord ?off (Cal. ) Ojai. They Will Be Essentials. There are two branches of knowl idge now not generally acquired or encwu which will be absolutely indis? pensable toj>eople of the next geuera ion. These are chemistry and ?tenog .apby. Even nowadays educated lousekecpers are devoting much at ention to sanitary science, round vhich cluster many ologies and in ivhich chemistry plays no minor part. \s for stenography, that still dffictilt ttudy is being constantly simplified, md it is a question of but a few years when the stenographic art will be I aught in the public school?. Pupils \ n.My not be obliged io acquire an ox- ? laust ive knowledge of it, but to 6 neb j i degree of proficiency that in after i fe they may save much time and | ?tine of business or in | ;tioii8 of professional \ eekly. \ au average each of >r iras. ... $L CUTTING DIAMONDS. How Precious Stones in the Rough Are Handled. ?xperts Cleave* Cut and Pol* iah the Gems? The first eflort to break up the dia? mond-cutting monopoly of Amster? dam, which has lasted for so many years, was recently made by a large New York jewelry establishment, and the Jewelers' Weekly give* a full de? scription of it. It works an import? ant epoch in the diamond-cutting in? dustry of this country. Thc object of the new enterprise is tc establish on this side of the water an extensive and thoroughly equipped factory on a larger seale than ever attempted be? fore in this country for handling rough diamonds and passing them through the various stages until they appear as a finished article ready for tho market. The establishment is provided with steam power and is as complete in every sense as any to be foun? in Amsterdam or elsewhere. Thc first operation thc rough dia? mond uudergoes is called splitting or cleaving. This is necessary in order to derive the best results for commer? cial purposes. The process consists first in determining the proper plau and direction for dividing tho stone into parts, a proceeding that requires judgment and long experience. The rough stone is theu embedded in cement, and a dull-edged diamond is rubbed across its surface so as to leave an indentation that determines the line of cleaveage. The operation is then repeated with a diamond hav? ing a slightly sharper edge, and finally with one as keen as a razor. A marked depression is thus made, into which a sharp steel knife is in? serted, A quick and light blow di? vides the stone into two parts. The next process is known as that of cutting, an operation during which the stone is given its natural form. In this department the new factory con? tains a feature of peculiar interest. It possesses a machine never before used in America, and only recently adopted by a few of the largest establishments in Europe. Instead of following the old method of rubbing two stones to? gether by ham7, the stone undergoing treatment is inserted iu the chuck of a lathe revolving at a high rate of speed, and is placed in contact with another diamond, that is likewise fastened in an adjustable chuck, held in the hand of the operator. In the course of this operation the stone receives its form aud outline. This process secures a much better result than could be ob? tained by thc old method. The powder which results from the stones rubbing against each other is used later in pol? ishing. The stone is then ready for the polisher. He must first determine the character he will give the diamond and select the method of working on it. To prepare the stone he has an assistant, technically known as a set? ter. The latter, haviug received in? structions, inserts the stone in a coni? cal mass of molten lead, allowing a particular section to remain exposed. As soon as the lead has hardened the polisher places the stone upon hi? wheel, which rotates at a rate of 2300 revolutions per minute. Each setter has from five to six polishers to supply, aud as each pol? isher has at least four diamonds in work at a time the setter has fully 20 different stones to keep in settings, lt is his duty not only to set each stone to the best of advantage, but also to return it to the proper polisher. As the position of each diamond is changed in the setting from 25 to 30 times au idea of the number of opera? tions required before the stone is properly faceted may be acquired. Having arrived at a certain stage, the stone is sent back to the cutter to remove sharp edges or irregularities that may have arisen during the pro? cess of polishing. At his hands, also, the stone receives its perfectly rounded form, after which it is returned to the polisher, who gives it its finishing touches. It is interesting to note that a parcel ot rough goods is kept intact throughout the whole process, the product being retained as one parcel. lt may start at 1000 carats of rough goods and go through all the various operations until it appears as a parcel of gems weighing perhaps no more than 350 carats, varying in size aud quality, but all derived from the origi? nal parcel. All the various departments of the establishment are in active operation, and in the near future, it is expected, will employ over 100 men. The pres? ent force includes botli foreign and American workmen. The foreigners aro all Hollanders of long experience in Amsterdam establishments. It has been necessary to secure thc very best class of artisans, as thc American market demands the finest quality of workmanship. The establishment is now fairly under way and all indica? tions point to a successful execution of thc plan of establishing on an ex? tensive scale the cutting and polishing ot diamonds in this country. Deadly Blowguns of the Carins, Among the arrivals is Edward A. Wallace, who for a year and a half has been gold mining in Demorara, ihe wild and little known country be? low the Orinoco river and near the Amazon. Ur is a stalwart young englishman. "Iii this queer country," he sahl, "there ure tour or live tribes of ln ilhuis. f?f whom thc mojl powerful ! ure the Carib*. They are about live feet seven or eight inches high on tho iverage, and very muscular. They *re singu?? e$fert Wii?ji ??ill)on : 1 called the blowgun, made of palm wood, twelve feet long, from winch Uicy shoot a little poisoned plug. With this weapon they can shoot ac? curately 250 to 300 yards, and what? ever is struck is dead at once. I have seen them shoot a bird in thc top of the tallest tree* and it was dead before it reached the ground. Anything scratched by ihe end of thc sharpened missile Cannot survive. What is the poison? That is one of (he strangest or mysteries. The En? glish naturalist, Waterton, has spent lots of time trying to lind out. lt is called wouiali, but how it is made nobody knows. It is a secret handed down in the Macusi tribe, ami only a few iu that know it. When they make it they leave all their M omen and children and go off in the woods. Thc other tribes use it,buy it of them, but they don't know how it is made. "Their blowguns have two sights one iu front and the other a foot bacK. They each consist of a tootii from a little wild animal something like a rat. It is wonderful how ac? curately they shoo'. The poison h afeo used to tip their arrows, for they use bows, too, as well as blowguns. TheCaribs and others arc exceedingly careful of thc poison, for if they were not many of them would die by acci? dent. The venom which kills a bird or animal so suddenly whenever the scratch is made by thc pointe I missile docs not make thc flesh poisonous; it has no effect taken internally.-[San Francisco Examiner. Coffee as a Medicine. A pure cup of hot coffee has long been used as a genMc stimulent and a delightful beverage, but it is now used quite freely as a specific in typhoid fever. There ai e medicinal properties in the beverage that are of great value, and never before properly appreciated. When thc beaus are burnt on hot coals in a sick room tim odor makes an ex? cellent disinfectant, and a pleasaut smell in the house. lu malarial and epidemic regions coffee is an invalu? able article. To go forth in the open air in the morning before breakfast in such places is inviting attacks of the prevailing diseases, but if a cup of hot codee is drunk first, one is almost as sure not to get it as if he had taken quinine. Coffee is an an anti-malarial tonic If one needs a stimulant there ls nothing so beneficial as hot coffee. It is even recommended for drunkards. If they have a craving for their drink make a good cup of strong coffee for them, and make them take it while piping hot. It will often satisfy the craving, and warm the stomach. But coffee must be made properly to do the best good, and to be agree? able. This is the rule recommended by physicians: Two ounces of coffee should be used to each pint of water. The waler must come to a good boil before it is ht to drink. After that do not boil it for any length of time, as the strength and aroma will be lost. Bitterness will also be developed. [\ankee Blade. Do Water Wheels Bun Faster at XighU For years the question whether water wheels run faster at night than during the day has been catalogued among the things which no man can find out. They do if they are so geared as to be affected by the varying fulness and speed of the current in which they are set. There is no doubt that all streams are fuller and all streams carry more water at midnight than they do at noon. In the first place, thc increased coolness of the air pre? vents evaporation and subsequent dry? ing up of the smaller tributaries; and, in the second place, the condensation of the moisture in the air in the shape of dew is always sufficient to add something to large streams and their branches. Heavy dews arc often so copious as to be almost equal to a small shower of rain. We often hear dewdrops falling from the overloaded leaves and find all exposed objects as wet as if they had undergone a shower during the night A large portion of this moisture must get iuto the minute channels which, of course, conduct it to mill streams. "Often," says Humboldt, ?the effect upon a shallow stream is very noticeable, indeed." If it is at all "noticeable," a wheel turned by such a stream would "go faster by night thait by day."-[indianapolis News. A Horse's Slide Bown Hill. A horse, which had been hauling its owner around on an improvised sleigh a day or two ago, was finally, to bia great astonishment, treated to a jolly coast down hill. The outfit had reached the top of a long hill out near Woodstock, and, as there were no shafts to the sled, it ran up against the horse's heels. He reared up, anil, slipping, fell over backward on the sled. The driver saw him coming and got out of the way. The stakes at tho sides of the sled held the horse on, and away he went shooting down thc hill, till finally thc sled brought up on the railroad track. Tho stakes were re? moved, and the horse walked out un ??jtired. He was turned about and hauled the sled and his master up the hill, which suited him belter than ' i the riding down on his back. The fti<rht of the horse eroinj: down thc in cline, with his legs waving in the air, was very comical. - [Portland Or<*> ^onian. A Lake That Cannot Freeze. In thc vicinitv of Chestertown, Md. ? there is a picturesque Jake, which, be? cause of the fact that it bas never been known to be ru filed or disturbed by the most violent storms, is called <[\U pond. This pond has never been known to have even a ?kim of ice ou ?ts sui face, and during tho recent In? iense cold weather was not . frozen, but was ti favorite resott fs* wa*?r fowi,-[Baltimore ta SPURIOUS MONEY. Curiosities of Counterfeiting at the Treasury Department. Making Bills With Pen and Ink and "Sweating" Coins. The most extraordinary counterfeits flrhich hare come under the attention oftheScciet Service were recently captured in Indiana, writes Bene Bache in a Washington letter. They ?vere executed hy a lunatic confined in the Central Asylum at ludianapo is. Notice was a traded to his work by two of his note?, each for $10, which were found in circulation and were well worn. Three oihers, which were still in Iiis possession, were sc* cured. They were executed without the knowledge of his ofiicial keepers, and he will not be permitted to tum out any more. The notes, which are preserved as curiosities at the Treasury Depart? ment, are all them done with the pen and black and red mk. This mau, however, is not the person who for many years past has been uttering the remarkable pen-and-ink bill? which have puzzled the authorities so hopelessly. Thc latter is evidently not at all insane, unies? it be on this special hobby, and his workmanship is in so superior a style of art that banks have accepted his productions as genuine. ' Jiakes only two a year, and they^i^n up with surpris? ing regularity from all parts of the country, no two of them being passed in the same city. Tiie work cannot possibly pay, being a fad of some ec? centric. The general effect of the lunatic's notes is good, though the workmanship is crude. But the most remarkable point about them is that they do not pretend to imitate any particular bills, being a mixture of varioun designs on different varieties of the National cur? rency, with some original additions out of the crazy brain of their author. For example, one of them is a hun? dred-dollar note, with the face of a Treasury note and the back of a Na? tional bank note The head of Washington, which adorns the face, is an absurd carica? ture. On the back, instead of the us? ual engraving of the Signing of the Declaration of Independence, there is a group of figures representing Christ and His Apostles. Christ has a long spear in his hand. One of the Apostles wears a stovepipe hat and another has a dagger. Instead of the seal of thc State at one end, there is a picture of a sow. The geometric lathe work is laboriously imitated with the pen. A fifty-dollar note has likewise thc faco of a treasury note and the back of a national bank note. A portrait which may represent Jefferson is on the front. On the reverse, in place of the proper design representing the embarkation of the Pilgrims, is a scene that is evidently of a religious character, with saints, etc. These highly original pictures are in the very crudest style of art. They seem to have some allegorical meaning There is a similar vignette on the back of a ten-dollar note, taking the place of De Sc*o in his great act of discov? ering the Mississippi river. By some accident another ten-dollar bill, which is a silver certificate, has both sides fairly correct, though the inscriptions on it are iu exceedingly bad English. ? One of the most curious of modern methods of attacking the national cur? rency is the "sweating" of coins. The process is both simple and profitable, though it requires some expertness. An electric battery is employed in connection with a small tank filled with a solution of cyanide of potash. The operation to be performed is merely that of electro-plating by the deposition of metal. A copper wire, connected with the battery, is so ar? ranged that its two ends are immersed in the solution. To the end which is the positive pole is attached a small lump of plati? num or zinc, while to the other ex? tremity or negative pole is fastened a $20 sold piece, for example. The current being turned on, the chemical solution absorbs gold from the coin, and after it has taken up as much of thc precious metal as it can hold thc surplus of the latter begins to deposit itself upon the lump of zinc. This process may be continued until all of the sold in the coin has vanished, transferring itself to the zinc. However, tins is not the object con? templated by the swindlers. Their purpose is merely to take from the coin a portion of its material so small as to make no easily perceptible differ? ence. Accordingly, after allowing thc operation to proceed for a short time with one piece of money, they substitute another. Rarely do they attempt to remove over 75 cents in value after this fashion from a double eagle. With smaller pieces thc per? centage taken away is proportionate, exercising discretion they insure safely. Gold pieces from which so small a fraction of their weight has been abstracted by sweating bear no altered aspect to thc inexperienced eye. Au expert perceives by the feel an unhealthy smoothness, the sharp linos made by the die being softened down. This is very differ? ent from the effect produced by (he abrasion incidental to ordinary wear. But tho quality which betrays sweated coins lo the adopt is just what is most likely to deceive most people. Naturally, their outer coat.having been removed, they arc brilliant when newly put in circulation. T-toay are as blight as if fresh from tbe ???t. This very peculiarity excites the distrust of persons who are acquainted with such matters. A good uiauy of them reach ^.^aaury here, lo be immediately stamped with the word "Light" rejected. Bat coins which have been sweated are mollly issued and circnlated in parts of the country far away from Washington and from the sub-treas? uries. This is purposely done in order that they may escape detection On the whole, considering how simple the process is, it is rather surprising that this kind of fraud is not more widely pursued. So long as it is done discreetly there is comparatively little chance of detection. Extent of the Great World's Fairs, lu his paper before thc British So? ciety of Arts, on tue coming Chicago exhibition, Mr. James Dredge of the Royal British Commission presented a summary of previous World's Fairs and their results. The first great World's Fair was held in Hyde Park London, in 1851, in a single building 1851 feet long and 450 feet wide. It ; accommodated not quite 14,000 ex hibitors, half of whom came from the colonies, and closed with a net profit of $750,000. The first World's Fair in the United S ates was held in ??ew York in 1853, accommodated 4100 ex? hibitors witiiin an area of 263,000 square feet and lost $300,000. The first Paris Exhibition, in 1855, covered 1,886,000 square feet, had nearly 24,000 exhibitors, 144 of whom woire from the United Stales, and wa? visited by .5,162,000 persons. Smaller exhibitions were held in Melbourne in 1854, Turin in 1856, Brussels in 1857, Lausanne in 1858, and Hanover in 1859. The second International Ex? hibition in London was held in 1862, covered 17 acres, was visited by 6, 210,000 persons, and lost $2,001,500. The second Great Exhibition in Paris, in 1863, covered ll acres be? sides many annexes, and had 52,200 exhibitors and 10,200,000 visitors. The Great Exhibition at Vienna in 1873 failed on account of the cholera. The Centennial Exhibition in Phila? delphia in 1876 occupied 285 acres; was participated in by 32 foreign nations, while the United States fur? nished 30,864 exhibitors, Great Britain and its colonies 3584, and Spain 3822 ; and was visited by 9,911.000 persons. The Paris Exhibition of 1878 covered 54 acres, with annexes and special buildings; had 52,835 exhibitors, of whom 1203 were American; was at? tended by more than 16,000,000 visit? ors; and lost $8,580,000. The Paris Exhibition of 1889 exceeded all these, and had 30.000,000 visitors. The Chicago Exhibition will occupy 666 acres, of which more than 200 acres will bc crowded with buildings. The total expense of it will be between $8.000.000 and $10,000,000.-[Popu? lar Science Monthly. The Palace of a British Millionaire. The lebuilding of Mount Stuart, Lord Bute's palace near Rothesay, Scotland, makes it the most magnifi? cent mansion in Great Britain. Tiie base of tho building covers a fraction more than an acre, and it is built in the mediaeval Gothic style of the thirteenth century. The walls, tur rets and balconies are built or the beautiful variegated granite and sand stones from Kirkcudbrightshire, the floors and arches being of clouded Italian marbles. The main hall is con structed entirely of alabaster, the sup? ports being columns of oxidized brass and bronze. The gallery and grand staircase are of marbles brought from Sicily and Carrara. The drawing rooms are panelled with alternate strips of cherry, walu ut and ebouy, all from America. The main dining room, which was built so as to accommodate 280 guests, is finished after the style of the drawing rooms, with the exception of relief figures \nd mosaic* of fish, game, animals, etc. The ceilings and chim? ney pieces of all these rooms are most artistic, and so also are the windows, mantels and doors, the werk of which is extremely elaborate. There are three immense libraries and a billiard room, all with carved stoae fireplaces of antique design. In one wing there are Turkish and swimming baths, large conservatories, aviaries and aquariums. The whole palace is healed through? out with steam and hot water pipes and lighted both by gas and electri? city. The pictures ii? the galleries alone are worth over $100,000 aud the books ir the libraries as much more. The building, decorating and furnishing of this palace, which is without doubt the finest private resi? dence on the globe, entailed an outiay of over $5,000,000.-[Loudon Sun. What a Maverick Is? Some years ago a mau named Mav? erick located near Austin, Texas, and went into the stock busiuees. He had considerable money and cstabjis'.ed a large ranch, mostly of cattle. He was what might be termed a progressive man, but his ideas of progress were not suitable to his surroundings. For instance, he concluded, that branding cattle was useless-in fact, barbai ons -and he determined that the red-hot iron should never again be pressed gainst the side of an anim il belonging to him. He kept his word, but he didn't keep his cattle This was a regular picnic for the cowboys of that locality, who of all things could never be accused of being at all scrupulous on questions of honor, especially when lhere was a steer involved in the case. Well, the cowboys picked up Maver? ick's cattle wherever they could hud them, aud it was not long before every hoof of them was gone and he was re? duced lo almost poverty. Ever since that every unbranded head of cattle over six mouths of agc bas been! called a m;ive>4ci- anti is regarded by J tho cowbo^ as the properly of him who first tinds it ?nd bticks his brand o? it.^Jj-^^xt??e Commercial, Painter Frost, : - Old Painter Frost is a queer old wight, And he works away on the window glass; His castles and trees and rocks all white He paints as the furious blizzards pass. There are flowers and sta's and faces wrought By old man Frost in the dead of night; ; When the sun shines cold on his canvas straught His paintings hang in their proper light. The vanished strokes of the old Are seen no more in tbe homes But the grand old painter is never j His art is long he will come again^ He will come again with hi?s frozen ! And perhaps will make us a gr<? sketch, Or a weather prophet in hoary plush Who has promised the "gentle spring5' t? fetch. -[St. Louis Post-Dispatch. HUMOROUS. A burning question-My dear, have you made the fire? The picture of a scene in Greece need not be done in oil. j The man who married a church choir singer says they met by chants, i Thc mau who buckles down to busi? ness runs but little chance of being 6 trapped. j Paster-Do you fear death, brother? Brother-Oh, no; I eat everything my wife cooks. "You've been losing flesh lately, haven't you?" "Yes; I have been shaving myself." Hicks-Is that your dog? 1 sup? pose you consider him Al? Wicks Oh, no; he is K9. Artist-Can you tell me where I can ob iain a lay figure? Friend-Yes; al a chicken lander's. Wife-Oh, John, how much I love you! Husband (reaching for pocket? book)-How much. She-Don't you think D'Auber's pictures of animals are natural ? He They are certainly beastly. For medicine to banish iai A pretty price he'll, pay; He says in explanation that He would not live all weigh. "How do you like my new hat, George?" "It's the dearest thing of the kind you ever had, love." Pastor (carving)-Are you fond of wild ducks, Mrs. Youngblood? Mrs. Youngblood-Yes; I married one. Jagson says it isn't the lack of space at the top that worries him, but the great plenty of it before you reach there. Some of the particular people will presently be objecting to the use of the word "next" because it is evidently a *~ barberism. ~ '' . He-Carrie, will yon always love me or will you tliink less of me as the years go by. She-That were im? possible, Harry. Though I have no reputation for brilliancy," the clam observed, "even my detractors will admit that I know how to keep my mouth shut." Hostess-Will you have a piece of pie, Georgie? Georgie-Yes'm, bnt please make it double size, because ma told me not to ask for two pieces. ??Noorich tells?pf <nat he never^?e^. stroys a receipted bin." "No. He's^^~ more likely to have 'em framed and hung up in bk parlor as curiosities." "Oh,com?aSaiD>sw'eet dream!" she sang, And herfather standing by, Remarked "'Twill come if you will make Anotbef"2&Lpf pie." Although manufacturers of spoons do not enjoy a wy high rank as writers, the majority TflMjiem have produced a great mauy stirPm^r tides. Irate Customer (in a restaurant)-. I have been waiting here half an hoar.. Hibernian Waiter-Half an houri Be* dad, I have been waiting here two years. Woman-What a shocking colt I Tramp-My dear madam, while l?m / j no great respector of conventionalities/ i cannot bring myself to make a/ j elaborate toilet until af ter dinner. M. Tom-What about that preityAirl you fell ia love with at the seaside? Are you still waiting ou her? Jttarry -No she is waiting on me?w. I take my meals at an uptown*restau? rant. ?No," said good old Mrs. Jenkins, "I haven't, any faith in these new? fangled specifics. Tve j&ai?edr-e?ghfc children iu my timcr lind the good ^Ss. old-fashioned yarbs is quite good ?noug?ffor me." "There is an old saying to the effect that the three hardest words in tho language to say are "I am wrong." rhat's a mistake. It is much harder Lo say "You are wrong" when the .'You" is a strapping big fellow. A little Scotch boy, on being res? cued by a bystander from thc dock in? to which he had fallen, expressed lieartfelt gratitude, saying: ?I am so ylad you got mc out. What a lickiu* 1 wad have i rae my mither if I had jeen drooncd!" A Famous Madstone. Ruff Jones of Talbo ton, Ga., has a famous m ad s lo nc. ll. M. Johnson of Alabama was bitten on the shoulder )y a mad dog and having heard of Mr. Jones' madstoue, he came over te ry the virtue of the celebrated stone. Soon after it%as placed on thc wound Mr. Johnson - All asleep and slept ?bout two houj^p? Meleya just beioie ie went to)?Jeep he had a tingling sen. lation in his shoulder. The stone readily adhered lo thc wouud where t was allowed to remain, for some ime. After it was removed Mr. Jones thought he could see a little loisouous substance sticking to the ?tone.-[Atlanta Constitution. __.- i Au Exception. Snooper-There is nothing perfect >n this earth. / - Swayback-You>|brget G Uley.