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I DECADENCE IN AR.T Orypvright, 1901*. hy Aula PototU roily Anne Greenway's family thought her decidedly gifted, and that young lady's singular esteem for her relatives' opinions forced her to come to the same conclusion. Nevertheless, when she announced her intention of studying art, her father demurred. It was one thing to have talent, but quite a different matter to depart from the beaten track, and Polly's family had other views for her. "Let her marry and settle down," said her father. But Polly's lips came together In a very firm line. There were plenty of women In the world. Let those who felt Inclined marry and be given in marriage; as for her, she had a mission in life and she meant to perform It. And nhe went about wearing such a set apart expression that parental objections care way and she was allowed one meager bat soul Inspiring year in New York. After that began the long battle with publishers and advertising bureaus. Discouragement she met at first with the joy of resistance, but that sort of joy weakens with use, and surely Tolly's ill luck was phenomenal. At last her cover for the Christmas number of a magazine was accepted and hope once more lit its lamp in her breast But when a villainous lithographer transformed her designs so that nothing remained that she could v call her own, her stoicism gave way utterly, and she folded her wings for a season. It was just at this Juncture that the Y. M. O. D. C. made his nppearanco. This title he acquired later on, when she discovered that he was a Young Man of Diabolical Cunning. Tolly had met him at more than one function, and he swelled the list of a large and uninteresting bowing acquaintance from which individuals whrs once in a long while selected to mi op vacancies made by removals and ^occasional misunderstandings. W%y should he call upon her? She ran ftpldly over her scant knowledge concerning him as she came down to meet him. llather stiff and expressionless. Rumored well off and on the point of marriage to some stranger. Nothing very decided, nothing particularly attractive. The Y. M. O. D. C. rose before she had time to smile any "glad to see you" flbe. "Good morning, Miss Greenway. Perhaps I should apologize for troubling you, but the truth Is I am In a dilemma and have come to you for advice." Polly settled herself and became nil attention. A man may be most uninteresting, but the moment be asks for edvice be becomes in the eyes of the vug- .,<5ggMian^?el^onsultlng n most dlscernworth cultivating. ~ \rare that I "Ton probably are not uvC have been building a house She believed she had heard It mltt^ tloned In connection with the homecoming of the stranger bride. "It la completed," he continued, "and is now ready for the decorators. Just here is where I wsnt your advice. There are lots of professional decorators, but none of my friends' houses aatUA^a ssia k vHtt-Mvw wv. mvuic vi lurui uuw ucru done by well known decorators. 1 choose to think they show a lack of Individuality. Now, I beg of you to undertake the management of the whole scheme of decoration and furnishing. Oh, pray don't veto It," as Polly's eyebrows went up to her pompadour, "till you have heard me out. I want each room In my house to be part of one scheme and the keynote of the whole thing to be simplicity. If you will undertake It you shall have all the help you wish?anything, everything you need to carry It out. It Is well planned and well finished. I don't want It to be ostentatious or handsome or have any of those nnbolstery things, but to be quiet, restful, artistic?a home in every sense of the word." "But I don't believe I'm competent," said Polly, whom the Idea began to appeal stroi;?.y?"In fact, I am sure I'm not." "Does that mean that you wouldn't care to undertake it?" "Oh, dear, not I think I should like It above all things. I wish I bod taken op that sort of thing at the art school." "Then let as go at once and look at the house, and you can form your plans." In five minutes they were on a car. Polly was carried off her feet. The whole undertaking grew momentarily more attractive, and, as she was an Inveterate castle builder, by the time the car stopped at Lincoln street she had # Dmoqm a" successful middle aged decorator. Rhi found the house a perfect gem In Its way, beautifully laid out and with all aorta of possibilities in the way of decoration. Am aba went from room to room her delight and enthusiasm were goodtoaae. 80 the work waa undertaken, and upon the whole everything went well. She did not often see the Y. M. O. D C.,. but bla appreciation and suggestions were always helpful, and a tele? to.rrr Tm TaUj Bpckley 22 out difficulties with atubbdro or Inefficient workmen. It is bard to say just when Polly began to hate the bride elect, but the feeling reached Its climax on that day when, everything being completed, the workmen gone and the owner out of town, she stole back for a last look before the key should have left her possession. She sat down on a high backed settle commanding a vista of three rooms. The sun threw stains and splashes of color on the vhlald floor, and outside a high wind whistled mournfully, the sort of wind that sings to sensltivo ears of sorrow and desolation. "I don't care how mauy houses 1 should decorate, there could never be another one just like this, and his wife Will bring a whole lot of wedding presents and stufT aud Just ruin everything. I wish I had never seen the place. I wish I had never been born," sho ended miserably. Then she wiped her eyes angrily.' "No wonder I haven't been a success," she thought. "I am a weak minded simpleton anyway, and no doubt that fact is patent to every one but myself." But notwithstanding her scorn of herself the tears continued to come from some inexhaustible source. "Well, this is a success anyway," she mused a trifle more cheerfully, "and the color scheme and the plan are my own, and It cannot possibly turn into wretched, glaring pinks and blues or any old washed out things." Then all at once the Y. M. O. D. C. stood before her horrified eyes, and she felt like a thief as she stood up weakly and tendered liim the key. "No; sit down. Let's talk about it," he 1 said. "Great success, Isn't It? I cannot flatter myself too much for my courage and wisdom In going to you." He sat down beside her on the settle, looking so thoroughly contented and prosperous that she linted him from the bottom of her heart, or thought she did, which Is Just the same thing till i we find out the difference. "Everything is ilnlshed. When shall we move in?" lie said. "It needs a woman in trailing robes handling delicate china and moving lightly from room to room to give the finishing touch and turn it into a home." "It will need servants in the kitchen and provisions in the pantry and plenty of management," said Polly grimly, ' sick of the picture he drew and de- j termined to cut short his rhapsody. "Well," he said quizzically, "when shall we move in and begin the management?" "I should think your fiancee would have some choice in the matter." "Oh, I don't know," said he unconcernedly. "I think, perhaps, she will be satisfied." ! "You take a good deal for granted," ' said Polly. "You must think n wife is a perfect noneutity." r" "You will be a good deal together, I hope," he went on, Ignoring her remarks. "I like the way you manage things." "Do you,indeed?" thought Polly. Her lips quivered, and she made a mental resolution never agnin to cross the threshold. There was a long silence while Polly looked at the rooms, and the Y. M. O. D. C. looked at her. Finally Polly stood up, but he took her hand and drew her down again. ; "When are we going to be married, Polly?" he said. "Who?" gasped Polly. ** "We?you and I?Polly." "We?and your fiancee?what do you mean?" she cried In distress. "There Isn't auy one hut you, Polly. I built the house just to Ket you to decornte It; then people had to provide ^ reason, and It really wasn't worth ^hfrj^contra dieting them. I'm a dreadful sinner, Poify", "but"! ooulan't Intdrest you in any other way. Do forgive me and admit that you love the house ?and me." But Polly, wholly unprepared and too paralyzed for speech, sat back cold and pale. She' shivered slightly. A fire of driftwood had been laid in the quaint corner fireplace. "Come, Polly," he said, taking her hand again; "we will light the fire and talk it over." And they did. gawr Pads af Smokers. "Men who enn afford to smoke really good cigars have more fads than other men you will meet in a day's walk," said a Broadway manufacturer who makes a good many cigars to ordor for his customers. "I know men who throw a cigar away the moment the ashes fall off. They believe the taste of It Is ruined then. For such customers I make very close rolled clgare. "Other customers like a cigar (tolled so light that the ashes float off of their own accord. They like the red Are. Many men will never relight a cigar after It has gone out. Nothing could Induce them to. Others relight a cigar five or six times beforo they discard it Needless to say; they do not get the best of a good cigar. "I hare one customer who has a special brand of after dinner cigars made for him. They cost him $1 each net and are of medium size. It la bis invariable habit to keep the cigar between his teeth half an hour before lighting it. Ills guests may light up With the coffee, but he never does. He likes to Inhale the fragrance of the tobacco?to become permeated with It, so to speak?before he lights up. Then the cigar lasts him precisely one hoar." ?New York Times. Good mm Hu Word. Vim,,. 1/U?Btu> n??-l *? ?? " ??v?uv> u?\ju?muv unT\i w oa; iimi if be ever married a mun It would be because she wanted to xx\ake him miserable, yet she married that young Frlszletop after she had known him only a week. Gwendolen?Yes; It seems to have been a case of bate at first sight.?Chicago Tribune. ' 1 "&Y heart. / ? ud beoiU pi sigbt completely: ! *>' ?-? Humor and Philosophy 1 * By DUNCAN M. StUJH ?+ 1 Copyright. 1904. by Duncan If. Smith. ' HB HAS TO HAVE IT. \ It you'd great and wealthy be, I , If you're anxious to succeed. Seek a fortune teller; he Will supply your every need. Sure success he will dispense. If you pay him fifty cents. If you're sick and In distress. He will cure you every time. Kvll spirits won't molest If you clink him dime on dlmat Great will be your recompense If you pay him fifty cents. Palmist and clairvoyant, he Render will your sweetheart trust Present, future, past he'll see. And he'll tell It all to you. With a throbbing soul Intense, If you give him fifty cents. Every one can wealthy be, Joyous, happy, richly blessed. Who this wondrous man will see And disburse at his request. In his business coin he needs? Has to have. If he succeeds. ? - ' A Thank You Job. V Teacher?You should lovlj your schobl. I don't complain bAauae I have to come here every dny^ Willie?Neither would I Ifut could draw a salary for It. # No Skill Required! m~ "I wish I knew n recipe for falling heir to a million." "It shouldn't be very hard work. Jenks did it, and he had had uo practice whatever." Good Enough to Eat. You see a maid, demure and neat, Who seems quite good enough to eat. And so she is. but not the way You had in mind, for I dare say That she Is food enough to eat. And strong enough. If It's your treat; Bo don't take out this damsel shy Unless you have the price to hug. Easier to Do. "Still Belling gold bricks to ths farmers?" "No; that was too slow. I'm gelling gold mines to the aristocrats." Hardened. "There goes a man who writes many of the popular songs of tlfr- Jjw/*. "Some men will do anything for money." ; ' j; FarewelL Goodby, straw hat. v '*" You to the mat. Away! You've had your day. Once you were fresh and bright. Now you're a sight. Do..'t linger round the plaea Chase Yourself. Begone! You can't be placed In pawn. No self respecting cow "Would eat you now. You're a relic, a has been, A twin y To a back nuniber. You cumber W The earth. You've gone b|Lmr, To the dump! JT PERT PARAGRAPHS, The world would.Jbe- Jixj abode, of j peace if there were not so many peo- 1 pie In It tlint Just won't see thing* , from onr point of view. 1 There isn't any use trying to cush- ' Ion the sharp corners of the world j with your own avoirdupois. f It takes a really clever person to be ' good all the time. * The reason why some people don't ( take physical culture exeftise Is be- j cause they do It oitfy when they have nothing else to do. ^ In some steam heated 3ats the feet ( of the radiators suffer cruelly from chilblains. '.f$% When you don't know what else to do* ask the Janitor to do a bit of repairing, and wait until he does It. ' i ~ ?*& man may be reasonably cultured and atill leave bin table manner* at home when he goes to a railway lunch counter. |t take* a rainy day to show how heartleMly your friend* have treated you. Beware of going out to spend a night with the man who tell* you he 1* not drinking. w w v ' * That little czarowlt* doe* not realize how much more than hi* share of the world'* trouble be 1* billed to tnherlt. The man who failed to get a nomination can't see how hi* country would Cto the dog* If hie party happened g*t \ illiggffijiyyjl ODD MOON BELIEF8. 1 foe OA of Xlfkt mm Foo4 For <h? " Immortal Got*. Certain it la that a belief In the moon U the abode of the fathers was widely ( spread among the people apeaklng the , Aryan languages. To the present day the peasants In Swabla are heard to ay, "May I go to the moon If I did it," instead of "May I die if I did it." Nay, people who work on the Sabbath day are threatening even now that they Will go to the moon?that is, that they will die and be punished In the moon. A more startling idea?peculiar, it would seem, to India?was that of the 1 moon serving as the food of the gods. And yet, though it sounds strange to us, it was not so very unnatural an idea after all. The gods, though invisible, had been located In the sky. In the same sky the golden moon, often compared to a round of golden butter, was seen regularly to decrease. And if it were being consumed by anybody by whom could It be consumed if not by the gods? Hence the ready conclusion that It was so and that it was, in fact, this food which secured to the gods their immortal life. If so much had once been granted, then came the question. How was the moon gradually increased and restored to lis fullness? And here the old superstition came iu that the souls of the departed entered the moon, so that the waxing of the moon might readily be accounted for by this more ancient article of faith. Hence the systematized belief that the moon wanes while it is being eaten by the gods and that it waxes while it Is being filled by the departed souls entering It. A last conclusion was that the gods when feeding on the moon were really feeding on the souls of the departed. TOMB OF CONFUCIUS. One of (b* Chief Spot* of Interest In the Orient. The city of Chufuhslen, the Mecca of the believers in Confucianism, Is In the province of Shangtung, one of the most i populous districts of the prlent. Here < Confucius was born, and here his acred bones lie burled. Tho tomb, which is located in one of the largest cemeteries In the province, about three miles out from the oltn nhnvo montlnn. ed, Is one of the most imposing in the whole empire. Tho grave Itself is surmounted by an earth mound about twelve feet In i height, the whole surrounded by a cluster of gnarled oaks and stately cypress trees. Before tho mound Is a tablet about six feet broad and twenty < feet high, upou which are Inscribed the J names and deeds of the great founder of Confucianism, n religion adhered to by over 400,000,000 human beings. The burden of this Inscription, according to reliable translation, is "Perfect One," "Absolutely Pure," "Perfect Sage," "First Teacher," "Great Philosopher," etc. The; avenue which leads up to the philosopher's tomb is even more Interesting than the actual place of burial Itself. On each side of the avenue are rows of figures of huge animals cut in stone?lions, tigers, elephants and iiorses, besides numerous mythical creatures, such as animals half dog ind half frog, four legs ind twicers1 mnny wings,lbfSWfeS' a ttu}Utude of unnmnable monsters that Sever lived on the earth, In the water or in the air. Taken altogether, the burial place of Confucius is one of the chief spots of interest in the ori suu The Caric of Money. A negro was arrested for stealing. Be bad been caught helping himself to the contents of the cnsh drawer In the store of a Mr. Appleton. The magistrate before whom the negro was Drought knew him and was much surprised to learn the charge against the prisoner. Looking at the negro earnestly, he snid: "Sara, I'm sorry to see you here. Didn't you know that no good could come from stolen monBy? There's a curse on It." "Well, Jedge," replied the prisoner, "I didn't know Mlstab Appleton stole Sat money. 1 couldn't tell dat by jest Looktn' at it."?Harper's-Weekly. Hard Lack. "Just my luck!" she exclaimed, stamping her little foot angrily. "What's the matter?" be asked. "There's a pin," she returned, pointing to one on the floor near her foot, "and you know the superstition, of course." " 'See a pin and pick It up, through all the day you'll have good luck,'" he quoted. "Exactly," she said. "Through all the day,' and hero it Is evening when 1 see It"?Pittsburg Press. Sweet Woman's Way. Sweet Maid?You must remember that ours was a summer engagement The Man?That means If you see any one you like better you'll break It "Yes." "And If 1 see any one I like better"? "Til sue you for breach of promise." ?Boston Traveler. I 1 ? Often Remflnded. "How often," said the philosopher, "a man la reminded of his own littleness in tills great world?" "Yea," answered Mr, Cumrox, "especially If he lias three daughters who hare bsen to boarding school."?Washington Star. Hta Title. "Did Edith marry a title?" "Well, she married Rounders, who I* known about town as a prince of good fellows."?Cleveland Leader. rially CatmtMt. "X doubt if you know the difference between grand opera and comic opera." "Oh, but 1 do. Qrand opera la n? la."-Peek. _ * J Humor and Philosophy ? By DUNCAN M. SMITH 1 J Copyright, 1904, by Duncitn M. Smith. . h PERT PARAGRAPHS. J c When a woman perpetrates a Joke 0 With a hatpin any one can see the n point. t( ? b Mosquitoes have some discrlmtna- Q tlon; they only luneli off the cigarette 0 smoker as a last resort. t J A mean trick looks lots meaner In e four neighbor's youngster than It looks s In your own. j ? i When a policeman is in bad humor t he may consider breathing disorderly I conduct. ii ? 11 If reason governed in affairs of the heart there might be less business for t the mnrriage license clerk. t ? r Lack of opportunity to lie naughty a keeps more men good than fear of the n law. \ ? L The man who wishes to develon hi? . bump of caution should purchase a 1, mule. v - b The grafter wishes to have every- a thing reformed but the thing by which i he Is turning a few dishonest dollars. b - o Wisdom that cannot be coined Into n dollars does not receive any consld- y arable amount of honor or attention g In this kind of a world. c - fl One thing that prevents a man from t using his friends more Is the fact that a they arc busy using him so much of B the time. g Doubtless some women get married so they can eat onions whenever they feel like it without running any risks, o - t The coal trust cannot get excited h over the rumor that the sun Is grow- v Ing colder. It may see a prospective li customer. n If a little girl could have her way she b would turn her home Into an asylum t for orphan cats. c t It's Hoodoo. f Bome things there are that you may do ^ And not get punished very hard? t Get drunk, run oft a time or two 0 And still escape the stern regard Of evil fortunes when they pass ' Tour way; but you can shed your tsars b If you should break a looking glass 1] You'll have bad luck for seven years. ^ When baby freta and won't be still ? Sometimes .you're half Inclined to see v If looking glass and hammer will ^ Distract hi# mind till good he'll be. You'd better hope the fit will pass And let him yell to spilt your ears. For If he breaks the looking glass You'll have bad luck for seven yearn A friend has borrowed of you ten; You know you'll nevei get It back. C Don't look into the mirror then, ? Lest you should hear the mirror crack. Just dodge around and let things pass And try to bear misfortune's Jeers. <1 But don't you break a looking giaa* Or you'll go bump for seven yeara. j. Suited the Kind. - "How Is Williams setting alougf 1 "He's rnnnlng his business Into the 1 ground." 1 "Too bad." 1 "No, It's all right. lie Is a well dig- 1 ??." J The Joker. That through the country he might fly, Like lobstera on the wing. He took an auto out to try, \ And then he bought the thing. , Said the repair man to his clerk. I The while he laughed in glee, "No odds how hard that guy may work, ( ril draw his salaree." Always the Issue. "We must touch tho voters of my county up on the iuouey question." ouif mjr uear uir, iuc money quen tlon Is not an Issue this fall."' , "It Is with the fellows I am going | to do business with." , - 1 Hardly an Asset. * 1 "All Is lost but honor." I "Well, that is something. Can't yon borrow money on It 7" Pretenders. * While from a mln be stole a kiss. It needless was, 'twixt you and (U. 'Twai Just a play to do that way; He might have had a dosen free. ( Down to His Site. "He Is writing for posterity." "He most agree with the theory that the race Is degenerating." ] I Not There. "Three Is a crowd, you know." "That so? Did you ere* ride on a < Chicago atonal car?" 1 -*' ' *- V*" '.."M ''L ,V. -v , - ' . " ' JSE OF PERSONAL PRONOUF f Vky the Cae?ltlT?(et Appear Ah 2 were to Be Telklep ef lell. "r All the uncultivated appear almost alrays to be talking about themselves, ut It Is easy for a superficial observer ) exaggerate the extent to which this i the case. For instance. If you disuse with a cultivated man a question f morals or the wisdom or rectitude of ny particular line of conduct^ he will ell you what he (hlnke right or what >e thinks wrong or what strikes him a wise or foolish, with very little use f the personal pronoun. He can see he situation from the outside. Bet if 'ou discuss It with an uneducated man te Is Incapable of this detached attlude of mind. The uneducated man can nly picture the circumstances to htmplf by picturing himself In the midst f them. What he thinks right and rise Is, no doubt, often a great deal tetter and wiser than what he would ictually have done. "Such and such a hlng was wrong; I should not have Lone it," he says, or: "Such and sueh ens foolish. Now, had It been me, I ihould have done so and so." To the ophistlcated listener be gives an lmtresslon of appalling self righteous- ^ less and even perhaps of hyprocrlsy, tut the Impression Is a mistaken one. Ie argues In the vocative case, because t is mo one in wblch be can most easly express himself. Some people. It mu*t be admitted, atract confidences from those who hare >o weakness for mnking them. We are iot alluding to those persons who by i method of deft cross questioning nan a go to abstract information with rhlch they have no business. Such aformatlon is not confided by Its origin 1 owner, but stolen from him, or at < ~\ east wormed out of him. The people re mean have that in tholr face and earing which makes all the world t home with them. Whoever meets hem may know that they are lncapale of giving a snub or a rebuff to any ne who claims their sympathy, be be ever so silly. They go about the rorld unarmed and unafraid and, to lve human nature Its due, unhurt. Unonsclously, it Is they who make the rat confidence, telling those who Ma hem, even for the first time, that tbey re sympathetic and detached, and as hrewd as they are harmless.?London pectator. Itraage Pate of u Eagliih Earl, "1 cauie across a bit of treasure the ther day," writes a Washington auhor who Is down on Capo Cod. "It i the log book of the schooner Hera, rhlch sailed from Boston on a day a the seventies. She sailed with a * ew first mate on board. "He seemed an ambitious man, and ie understood navigation. The cap* aln suspected him of a desire to be aaster of a vessel himself some day, >ut there was little about him to sag* est that he was anything i^t a sailor. ?ha third day out he wAyAaught by he down haul of the mfx&stnnd went verboard. His body was wer recovred. When the Hera cameBack from ler voyage she was met by two Stag- v Lshmen. They had crossed the waer posthaste to find that first mate. Somebody had died In England, and? cell, the man who was lost off that Yankee schooner was the Earl of Aberdeen."?Washington Poet. # Dor* ok Too HcbtUt, "This won't go for only one stamp/* aid the village postmaster to old TJnle Kluh as the latter handed him a mlky nud much sealed missive. "Whuf for? What's de iuaddah wld Lat?" 'Too heavy," replied the postmaster, lalanclng It on his hand. "Umph! I tolo dat boy so when he ras a-wrltln' of It. I tole him he was vrltln* too henby a ban*, bat he kep' 9 n n-benrln' down an' a-bearln* down * ?n de pen, lahk a load o' hay. I'll take V. t back, sah, an' mck him write wld a >encll. I ain't gwlne spen' np mo' 2 isntses Jes' for his plglieadedness." An Odd Record. The late Miss Julia Moore, Sir John doore's niece, like many very old popple, was extremely proud pf her age ind lost no opportunity of showing !?. CVheu she was asked by a friend if she ivas going to see the coronation q( King Edward VII. she answered: "No. [ have been out of London for the last three coronations, and I don't care to liter my record," What an exaltation >ne must feel at being able to say n * 1 thing like thatl Mrcagth. "Some scientist has declared that there Is as much strength In three Jf** is there Is tn a pound of beeMnT aid the observer. "Well," replied the actor, "I sgg once that would have ellmf t the other two egga from that pi, V Hon."?Exchange. . B*]| Prarlig Por tk? Slattr.^Q Mrs. Bitter?I Just hate that \&edf ""11 ? t hope she'll lose all her monff some disfiguring illness, be ruiithe by a train? Rev. Ooodhart?Sls^tan ter! We are told to pray for o^J' mlee. Mrs. Bitter?Well, I'm *' for all those things for her:? t>hla Press. . jfd J not the LaatlorS'a PaaM. ^ A traveling man found a hair in hlsw >rder of lioney at a Muscotah hotel tad \ complained to the landlord about It. J T run't half* It" - ----- - "i wiwwiu rvpiiM. , ||>. 'I bought It for combed hOney."?Kao- "V las City Star. . \ 71 A laraieal DIIcmmm. F "Did Jones have appendicitis?" I "The doctors disagreed. Some thought -* 4 be had money and some thought m ,, ? hadn't."?Pock. I flBy l My spark may grow greater by kiaJllng my brother's taper.?Jeremy Tap3M v.. . \