Below is the OCR text representation for this newspapers page.

ST. PETEKSBUBG’S DEFENCES. The Trouble an EoKiish Fleet Would Have in Taking »x. Peierfeburf* “But you are aware that the Russian fleet could not stand against the English fleet ?” suggested a reporter to a Rus sian officer now in this country. “True enough,” quickly admitted the officer. “England has seventy-two armor clad men-of-war against thirty on the Russian side. But you must not forget that Russia cannot be forced to a marine war. She has to defend her coast line, and this she is fully able to do, even against the English navy. For that purpose we have 120 torpedo boats and nine sloops-of-war. But in case of defence the coast fortresses are chiefly to be relied upon, and that is our strong point.” “It is reported that England intends to transfer the war to the Baltic and to the Black sea,” said the reporter. “Well, they are welcome there. On entering the Baltic the English men-of war could not do anything more than force our government to keep at the capital an army of a certain strength. But as to taking St. Petersburg there can be no question whatever, and the English know it as well as we do. Let all Europe go there by the sea and St. Petersburg could not be taken. I have served myself in the Cronstadt fortress and know perfectly well the whole ar rangement of formidable forces there. I will give you just a faint idea of the situation. Cronstadt is situated on the Kotlin Island, forty-six versts, or about thirty-one miles, from St. Petersburg. There are two channels leading to the capital, one north and the other south from Cronstadt. Both channels are, as it were, virtually closed by the three strategic lines of powerful forts on arti ficial islands. Now, in order to reach St. Petersburg the English men-of-war would have to pass between these forts. By a device of our own we may concen trate the fire of at least a hundred can nons at any time and on any point of those channels. As I have said already, we might easily sink there the combined fleet of all Europe. The cannon we have there are of the heaviest and best make in existence. Some of them could welcome the English with half ton can non balls. Our men-of-war might also stand between those forts and act as forts. Besides all that, each channel there is closed by torpedoes. I hope yon see now that it is quite impossible _ for the English to pass Cronstadt and to reach our capita). Besides Oron stadt we have those excellent coast fortresses, such as Sveaborg and Vyborg. The whole coast of the Finn Bay is guarded by torpedoes. No, no, the English w.-uid have to keep at a re spectable distance trom Cronstadt.” Youth of Ferdinand Ward. The Caledonia, Ne.v Y >rk, Adv< r'iser says: Strange things happen in this world, but one of the strangest in this century was the manner of Gen. GrautT rum and by such an instrnu Hit as Fer dinaud Ward. During the lapse oi time between 1831 and 1876, while Grunt was winning world-vide fame as a soldier in the field an I as President of the United States, the person that was destined to drag him in sorrow and mis ery to the grave was an unpromising Geneseo stripling, a youth without I honor at home and unknown outside of ; • the village limits—in short, a goo 1-for- I nothing young bummer, apparently I without a single qualification that ! would mark him as one likely to win in future life so much as a nod of recogni tion even from the mightiest soldier and I most illustrious citizen of the United i States of his day. And yet, if this young I soallawag had been shot in one of his . ribald sprees or strnck by lightning, Gen. Grant would in all human proba bility have been rich and enjoying mod erately good health to-day, for however | obscure Ferd. Ward was as a boy, there was a certain devilish, latent talent there for cunning and wild speculation possessed, perhaps, by no other human being, and, as it happened, those pecu liar qualifications were so directed as uot only to hoodwink, deceive and ruin . jT the unsuspecting Grant, but men of ripe experience in financial affairs. Had a soothsayer appeared in Geneseo twenty p years ago and predicted such a future f for the lad Ward, he would have been sent to a lunatic asylum as a dangerous character to be at large. Such are the xny -t rious ways of Providence in shap ing our ends here below.. An Unfortunate People. A Honolulu letter to the St. Louis Globe-D< mo-rat says the charge so fre quently made that the mission arics are responsible for the rapid extinction of the native race at the Sandwich Islands is without any foundation. The seeds of deadly disease were sown before their arrival. The Hawaiian race is doomed, and nothing bnt a miracle could save them from certain extinction. That disease has made awful ravages among them is due to their contact with for eigners. Os late years leprosy has been introduced by the Chinese, and it has spread with alarming rapidity. It is estimated by good observers that fully one-fifth of all the native population is infected with it, or with similar com plaints in such an aggravated form as scarcely to be distinguished from the genuine Asia*’ prosy. Th? Composition of the On Cent. Do yon know of what the common one cent piece is composed? It is ninety-five per cent of copper and five per cent of tin and zinc. There is no nickel in it. Its real intrinsic value is about one-tenth of a cent Tne old penny used to be made of pure copper, and was worth one-third of a cent Few . counterfeits have been made on the one cent piece. If would not pay. 100 many would have to be made and dis tributed to produce any money for the sharpers. The old penny was ofice co”nferfeited, rhe fraud being made at B mingham, England. It didn’t pay, and the counterfeiters gave it up tor a bad job.— Albany Argus. dfriyette. VOL. XII. SUMMERVILLE. GEORGIA. WEDNESDAY EVENING. MAY 27,1885. NO. 19. A BROKEN DREAM. High soared the flames upon the hearth, The wind howled fitfully without, And wind and flame like revellers Seemed gleefully to laugh and shout, As Maud and I before the fire Leaned idly back and smiled and sighed, Her robe of violet velvet bung In shadowy folds down at her side. Her golden hair in rippling waves Hung carelessly below her waist, And creamy lace from shoulders white Fell, and its web-like pattern traced. Her gaze was always on the fire, And mine was always upon her; The faint, sweet smell of sandalwood Came over as her fan did stir. A score of years—and once again I sit within the olden room, And back upon the air there floats The faint, sweet sandalwood perfume. Parted world-wide are Maud and I, Yet. like a subtle, shy caress, I feel anear me fall the folds Os that soft violet velvet dress. Hattie Tyng Griswold. AN AWKWARD MOMENT, [From Harper’s Weekly.) “You must have been in some pretty tight places at different times, Roger. We know what you got the cross for, but I suppose that the chances were often very nearly as heavy against you.” The man who made this remark was seated opposite his friend before the cheerful fire in the smoking-room of a London military club. Both had the bronzed faces and prematurely grizzled hair which betoken long sojourns under almost tropical skies. The one who had been addressed as “Roger” was slightly the elder, and upon his broad chest bore the tiny scrap of ribbon that indi cated that the wearer had won the most prized of English decorations, the Vic toria Cross. Ho did not reply for a minute or two to his companion’s words. Apparently they bad called up many reminiscences, few of which were agreeable, but at last a smile lighted up his features, and he said: “Yes, old boy; I’ve very often thought my life wasn’t going to last a second longer; but the most awkward moment I ever put in wasn't in the** field.” “No. Then I presume that it was when you were besieged in the Resi dency during the Mutiny ?” “It wasn't iu action at all. It was on board ship.” “Wreck ?” “No. That is to say, the ship wasn't wrecked, but I thought I was.” “Tell me about it” “Well, I don't mind. It’s twenty years ago. and the telling can’t hurt anyone now. Still you will understand that the names I shall give you are not the true ones, and you must promise not to try and find out what those were. “All right. I’ll be content with the story.” “Here goes, then,” said Roger, set tling himself back in his chair. “It occurred just after we’d finished up the last of those black devils. I had pretty nearly got over the wounds I received in the affair for which the Queen gave me the cross, and I reported myself as fit for duty. The colonel, however, bless his old heart 1 wouldn’t hear of it, and insisted on my taking a year’s leave. There was no canal in those days, and the pleasantest way of going home then—and I don’t know that it isn’t now—was by one of the fine clip per ships round the Cape. I was for tunate enough to get a cabin to myself on board the Winchester, of Greene’s line. The purser, Watson, I had met at some dinners in Calcutta, and he promised to make things as pleasant as possible. We had very few passengers, mostly invalid officers, two or three civilians, and four ladies. I saw three of the ladies on deck when we sailed, and none of them impressed me as Ire ing specially charming. The captain, whose name was, we’ll say, John Smith, looked like one of the regular navy. He wore a uniform and sword, and was very severe of aspect and stiff in bear ing. I found out afterward that he was a regular martinet, and the half dozen midshipmen and the minor officers stood in considerable awe of him. On my being introduced, he favored me with a formal grasp of the hand, and jerked out a few words about having heard of me before. “We did not begin to drop down the river till the day was fairly advanced, and I had scarcely got my traps in order when it was tim- to dress for dinner. In those days the captain would have been insulted if his passengers did not turn out in full evening toggery. We soldiers were seated at table in accordance with our rank, and as I had only just got my company, I was pretty well down toward the foot, or purser’s end. This I did not at first feel inclined to regret, as the prospect appeared that we should be a little more free and easy than were the fogies up at the top. Bat when I had got fairly settled into my place, I looked toward the captain, and immediately be gan to deplore my insignificance. Seated on his right was the prettiest girl I had ever seen. Her eyes were—well, it’s no use my giving you an auctioneer's cata logue of her charms. You just picture your ideal, and she would come very near it Ail I knew was that I was com pletely knocked over. lam sure my 1 neighbors must have thought I was either surly or stupid, for I never ad dressed them, and I was scarcely con ! scions what replies I made to their re- marks, All my attention was given to a silent watching of my new divinity, and I frantically envied the captain and a bluff old colonel who were privileged to sit beside her. “As soon as dinner was over I got hold of my friend Watson, and inquired the name of the young lady. “ ‘She’s a Miss Latimer,’ he said; ‘came out with us this voyage, I suppose only for her health, since she’s going right back. Understand she’s an orphan, and got some money. Dresses well, at least. Shall I introduce you ?’ “Os course I jumped at the offer, and very soon the magic words were spoken which privileged me to speak to my idol. You see even now I get enthusiastic and romantic in my lauguage when I talk about her, so you can imagine the condi tion of hopeless ‘ smite’ in which I was then. Well, she proved to be just as charming as she looked, and before I turned in for the night I was deeply, desperately in love. “I don’t suppose there is any place in the world so favorable for love-making as a comfortable passenger ship. Not one of these new ‘ocean grayhounds’ that rush at break-neck speed through all kinds of weather, and land you at your destination almost before you have time to know any one aboard, but a fine clipper vessel, whose only propelling power is nature’s breath, and to the passengers on which every change of weather or shift of wind is of vast im port and interest. These afford endless themes for talk, and mutual interest seems to draw people closer together. Miss Latimer had quite an affection for the Winchester, which had brought her safely from England, and was then bear ing her back. She and the captain ap peared to be on excellent terms, and she was often invited to walk on the captain's own side of the quarter-deck—a pathway which we were supposed not to venture to tread without a special summons. “There was something about Miss Lat imer—Rose was her name—which was irresistibly attractive to me. Ido not know exactly how to describe it, except as a curious compound of girlish inno cence and womanly frankness. One would never dream of flirting with her, and I fancy few people would have ven tured on any direct love-making without a speedy accompaniment of a humble entreaty for her hand. She was awfully . kind to me; used always to bo afraid that I’d overexert myself, and was constantly making me tell her stories of my experi ences. lam afraid that sometimes I a little overdid the Othello business, but she never seemed to mind. “Day after day slipped away in an ec stasy of happiness tempered with occa sional qualms of doubt. I hesitated to put my fate to the test, for if by any chance she should r fuse me—and despite mv b lief that my affection was returned such an event was barely possible—it would be very unpleacant to meet her every day for at least two months. Again, if she accepted me, I should be so anxious to be married that I couldn’t bear to think of waiting till we got to England. There Is no need for me to i-ay that I was very young; yon can see that from my state of mind. Well, finally I made a confidant of Watson. He cut the Gordian knot at once, ‘Ask the lady,’ he said, and if she consents get the captain to marry you as soon as she's agreeable.’ “ 'But is that legal ?’ I inquired. “ 'Perfectly. It will be duly entered in the ship’s log just the same as a birth. The captain is ex officio clergyman, magistrate, registrar, and sometimes doctor.’ “The idea was splendid, and I gave Watson my best thanks. I should have at once proceeded to act on bis advice, bnt it occurred to me that it might lie as well to sound the captain and sec if he would be 'ling to perform the cere mony. You see, I wanted to have every thing sure before I put my fate to the test. I waited through one day for a favorable opportunity to speak to the captain on deck, but he never invited me to share his walk. So the next morn ing I sent a message by his boy, asking if he could spare me a few minutes. The boy speedily returned with a request that 1 would follow him to the captain’s cabin. “1 found the great man sitting at his table looking over a chart. Somehow or other he appeared to me as unusually formidable. “ ‘Good morning, Captain Hamilton,’ he said, as he waved me to take a seat, ‘Can I do anything for you ?’ “ ‘Well, captain, it’s rather a delicate matter, but I wanted to ask you some thing about your powers on board.’ “ ‘They are absolute, sir,’ he answered a little sternly. Why do you ask ? Do you want some one put in irons for in sulting you ?’ •“Not exactly, captain. The fetters that I would like you to use are of a dif ferent kind—the matrimonial ones.’ “ ‘The devil you say 1’ he exclaimed, jumping to his feet, and his face light ing up with a sailor’s quick sympathy for a love affair. ‘So you have lost your heart to one of my passengers? Pray which is it ?’ “ ‘Well, captain,’ I answered, ‘I know I can trust you not to let this go any i further at present. It is Miss L dimer.’ “I didn’t quite like the look that came ! over his face. Is it passible, I thought, I that this old sea-dog is a little bit gone ‘ in that quarter himself ? “He gave me plenty oi time to think before he made any verbal comment on my announcement. His first words were: “ ‘Pray, sir, have you spoken to the lady on the subject of your hopes ?’ “ ‘Not yet, eaptain.’ “ ‘Has she given you any encourage ment to think that the love you say you feel is returned by her ?’ “ ‘No, captain; but she lias been very kind to me, and has talked to me a great leal, and seemed to like to have me talk to her.’ “ ‘And on these faint grounds you base your hopes ?’ “I didn’t at all like the tone in which he made that remark, and I was about to reply a little haughtily. I suppose he saw the expression on my face, and he stopped me from speaking by hold ing up his hand. “ ‘Don’t say any more, Captain Ham ilton. I ought to have stopped you be fore. I couldn’t possibly marry you to the lady.’ “ ‘Why not, Captain Smith,’ I asked, rather warmly. “ ‘Because, sir, I couldu’t very well marry you to my own wile.’ “ ‘What ?' I almost shrieked. “ ‘My wife,’ ho answered firmly. ‘I nm sorry you should be placed in so un pleasant a position. It is partly my fault, but much more that of your own youth and rashness. You are an officer and a gentleman, and will respect the secret I am obliged to confide to you.’ “I felt so utterly crushed that I was scarcely sensible of where 1 was. Cer tainly I did not fully understand all ho was saying, but I managed to retain sense enough to bow my head in sign of aseent. “ ‘I was married,’ said the captain, ‘ when I was last home, to Miss Latimer, who was left au orphan under unusually sad circumstances and surroundings. She dreaded to bo left in England alone. The owners of this lino do not allow their captains to have their wives with them even as passengers. We therefore decided to keep our marriage secret, and my wife booked as a passenger under her maiden name. Not a soul on lioard except yourself knows the truth. I trust to you to keep It sacred, tor 1 don’t want to retire yet for a voyage or two.’ “I am sure I don’t know how I got from his cabin to my own, but once in the latter, I bolted the door, and never came out till the next morning. I can't tell if the captain ever confided to his wife what took place in his cabin, but I sometimes fancied I could sec in her face, when her eyes fell on me, an ex pression of mingled pity and amuse ment that I never noticed there before. One thing I was sure of, however, and t hat was that when I became more famil iar with her I did not think her quite so pretty ns I did at first. “When the Winchester touched at Ht. Helena, I arranged with Captain Smith that I should go ashore there, and wait for the next vessel of Greene's line. We made ill health and the need of land air the excuse. “That time in the captain’s cabin was the most awkward moment I ever knew. I suppose I nm the only fellow who ever asked a man to marry him to his own wife. At any rate, if there is another, he has my sympathy.” Julian Magnus. - Indians as Horse Thieves. The manner in which the Indians steal horses is as follows: Two or three men approach the encampment cautiously soon after nightfall, and take advantage of any creek, dell or brushwood that may serve to conceal them from the ob servation of the out pickets; if they suc ceed in reaching the extremity of the village undiscovered they stand up and walk deliberately through it, wrapped in their buffalo robes. They can no longer be distinguished from the Pawnees of the party by the faint light of the half extinguished fires; and as they pass the groups of horses collected before their respective owners’ lodges, they cut with a sharp knife the lariats that secure those they purpose to carry off. As soon as they have loosened the required num ber, each man jumps upon one and they drive off the rest at full speed, shaking their blankets and urging the alarmed animals to their utmost exertions. Os course they obtain a considerable start of any pursuit, and, if the night is dark, run but little risk of being overtaken. The manner of securing horses on the prairie against these depredators is two fold; either to tie them by a lariat passed round the neck or to ‘hobble’ them, which is affected by tying the fore legs close together, by leather thongs passed round them below the knee joint. This latter is the safer plan, because a thief can sometimes cut the lariat as he walks ' without risk of observation; but if he stoops down to untie or cut a strong leather thong between the shins of a horse, he not only runs more risk of alarming the animal, but incurs suspi cion from any one who may happen to be lying awake in the neighborhood. In cases where there is a probability of such an attempt, it is.better both to tie and hobble them. Tub power of Niagara Falls, exclusive of the velocity with which the. water r, tel >.s the brink, is calculated to be 5 G 00,009 horse power, or nearly one fourth of li» whole steam power A the sarsh. A SPANISH BASTILE. WHO ENTERS CASTLE MORRO LEAVES HOPE BEHIND. All the Records of Prisoners Token to Spain and there Destroyed. The severity, and even cruelty, with which Cuban insurgents are punished by the Spanish authorities is well known. A correspondent of the Boston Herald gives an interesting description of Castle Morro, at Havana, which has witnessed many mysterious imprisonments and executions: “Who enters Castle Morro leaves all hope behind. To pass between its por tals involuntarily, for any reason, is considered equivalent to a sentence of death, and many who have gone there cannot even be traced beyond the iron doors. Some say that the records of ar rest and confinement are sent to the Minister of Justice at Madrid. Others suggest that the daily reports of the commandant are sent to Spain and de stroyed after perusal. But, however it may be, the common understanding is that whoever enters Morro Castle loses his identity, and never comes out again, for the bodies of the dead are said to be cast over the parapets into the sea. “This castle stands at the entrance to the harbor of Havana; a picturesque but gloomy pile—massive masonry resting upon the crest of a rock which rises about 200 feet perpendicularly out of the seas. It is the point of a peninsula which embraces the harbor of Havana and makes the latter, when once entered, as safe ns any in the world. Covering many acres with its walls and dungeons the castle is one of the largest and most formidable fortresses in the world, sur passing even Fortress Monroe iu its ex tent. The present castle is not so an cient as some others on the island, as the English captured it and blew it up 100 years ago, compelling the Spaniards to spend a million or two of dollars in its re-erection. Modern artillery would batter down the walls, but would make no impression upon the eternal rocks, among whose crevices and ravines the dungeons of the castle have been placed. There is no prison in Europe so secure I from capture, either by exterior or in terior attack, for the corridors constitute a labyrinth in which it is said the com mandant himself requires a guide. No pen will ever record, and no mind can ever correctly imagine, tho horrors which have taken place within those walls. The iniquities of the Inquisition did not surpass them, if the stories that are told are true; and people say that the cruelties still continue. “The life of every citizen of Cuba is the property of the Captain-General, to be disposed of as he chooses, and ho has chosen that many of them be spent within these castlo walls. Nobody knows how large a number arc in con finement; nobody knows who they are or what they suffer; all the public ever knows is that Senor So-and-so has been ‘denounced’ and taken to the Castle, and his friends keep mighty quiet lest they have to join him there. These Senors So-and-so seldom, if ever, come back from the Castle, and it is better for the family and friends not to ask why. Tho Castle is for political prisoners ex clusively, and when we were over there our guide told us it was full. He showed us the place—-a little parade ground—where tho executions take place, and the precipice over which the bodies of the dead are cast into the sea, bnt could give no clue to the number annually shot, or the number who die in the dungeons; and the officers and guards on duty were quite as uncommu nicative, if they were not as ignorant. To all inquirers they have one answer. If yon ask them how many prisoners are confined in the dungeons, the same reply will be: “ 'Dios sabe.' (God knows). “ ‘How many ever come out alive ?’ “ 'Dios sabe.’ " ‘Dothey ever secure release?’ “ ‘ Dios sabe.’ “And the words were true. Heaven, and heaven only, knows all that har transpired within these gloomy walls. The officers on guard are changed often, and while they stay it is their business to learn as little as possible. When a prisoner is sent there they lock him up and report the fact to headquarters. With that their duty and their knowl edge end. And it is in this way that Cuba is governed. The theory of gov ernment which Spain has followed since she assumed control of the Western Hemisphere, and by which she has lost all that she once had, is still in vogue. The Spaniard has learned no lesson by experience. He seems oblivious of the results of tyranny in Mexico and South America, and has seen a magnificent empire pass from his hands without re i alizing that murder and cruelty are not i the best modes of securing peace and ; promoting civilization.” i ■ '• i The North Pole.—Lieut. Lockwood . reached 83 degrees 24 min. north lati > tude, which is about 456 statute miles l from the pole. The chief object explor i ' ers have in view who seek the pole is 1 i the fame they expect to enjoy if they succeed. An explorer may not get with in hundreds of miles of the pole, and yet 3 geographers applaud hi.s work if he a pushes into the unknown area, adds . news facts to the maps, and collects in s formation that meteorologists and other scientific men say is useful to them. HOW GRANT SAVED LEE. HIS GREAT MAGNANIMITY AT THE CLOSE OF THE WAR. He Keeps li!m Word of Honor* and Prevent* Stunton from Ordering nn Arrest. An interesting story of Gen. Grant’s magnanimity at the close of the war, and his keen sense of honor, comes from a New York correspondent. The war wasover. Gen. Lee and his half-starved Confederates had returned to their deso late homes on their parole of honor. The victorious armies, under Grant and Sherman, were encamped in and around Washington and Jeff Davis was in Fort ress Monroe. Gens. Grant and Rawlins were play ing a game of billiards in the National Hotel and two civilians were indulging iu that pastime on an opposite table. A major entered the room in a hurry and whispered to Grant. The latter laid his cue on the tabic, saying: “Raw lins, don't disturb the balls until I re turn,” and hurried out. One of the civilians said to the other: “Pay for the game and hurry out. There's something up.” In front of the hotel stood a mounted sentinel. Grant ordered the soldier to dismount, and springing into the saddle rode up the avenue so fast as to attract attention. The first civilian questioned the soldier as to the cause but was an swered with the surprise of one who knew nothing. On being told of the General's breakneck ride it was decided to go to the War Department and learn the cause, if possible. Col. Barroll, of the Second Regular Infantry, was dis bursing ( Ulcer in the Quartermaster’s Department, and to the Colonel one of the civilians went for information. Ask ing him if he knew the reason of Gon. Grant’s hasty action and if he had seen the hero of the hour around the Depart ment. Co). Barroll answered, “Yes,’’ but was surprised at anybody’s knowl edge of the event. When told of what transpired, the Col. said: “Well, as you are aware of the coming of Gen. Grant I will tell you all about it, providing you promise not to repeat it. “Secretary Stanton sent for mo in reference to the execution of certain orders, and while listening to his in structions Gen. Grant came iu. The Secretary 'greeted the General with a pleasant ‘Good morning,’ which the latter returned and said: ‘Mr. Secretary, I understand that you have issued orders for Gen. Lee and others, and I desire to know if such orders have been placed in the hands of any officer for execution.’ “ ‘I have issued orders for the arrest of all the prominent rebels, and officers will be dispatched on the mission soon,’ replied the Secretary. “Gen. Grant appeared cool, th-ongh laboring under mental excitement, and quickly said: “ ‘Mr. Secretary, when Gen. Lee sur rendered to me at Appomattox I gave him my word and honor that neither he nor any of bis followers would be dis turbed so long as they obeyed their parole of honor. I have learned nothing to cause me to believe that any of my late adversaries have broken their prom ises, and have come hero to make you aware of that fact and would also sug gest that those orders be canceled.’ “Sacretarv Stanton became terribly angry, and said: “ ‘Gen. Grant, are you aware whom yon are taking to ? lam the Secretary of War.’ “Quick as a flash Grant answered back: ‘And I am Gen. Grant. Issue those orders at your peril.’ Then turn ing on his heel Grant walked out as un concerned as if nothing had happened. “It is needless to say,” continued Col. Barroll, “that neither Lee nor any of bis soldiers were arrested. I was dis missed from the presence of the Secre tary with the remark that my services in connection with the arrest of the leading rebels would be dispensed with until he took time to consider, and I now wait the result of his decision.” Like some cases in law the decision of the great War Secretary was reserved for all time, but whether the game of billiards was ever played to an end has never been definitely known. Oil in Russia. Russia has, it is estimated, 14,000 square miles of oil-producing territory, but the field at Baku is the only one worked, and this covers a space of three I and a half square miles only. The out put is enormous. A gentleman who witnessed the opening of one well says a column of oil spurted up to the height of 100 feet, carrying big stones with it, and that it continued flowing till a large lake of petroleum was formed. The product is refined on the spot, the resi-< due being used as fuel for steamers oa the Caspian and on many of the Rus sian railways. qp “What did the sparrow do yesterday ?” ; asks a poetess. Well, dear, we think he followed out his usual scheme, which is to—get up at 4 a. m.—hop around in tho gutters—quarrel with his neighbors— dig bait, not for fishing, but for amuse ment—take a balh in the puddle—quar i rel the rest of the day—and retire at i about 6p. m. If you have any more curiosity as to what he did you will have ’ to apply somewhere else, as this is all the information we can give yqu. A BATCH OF STRAY JOKES FOUND IN THE « OIAJMNH OF OI.'K t UVMOKOUS EXCHANGES. The Blnlden mid l lie Ilnrte-Tlie Unwlan General—A Trn.edy in One Act— Making his Word Good. Etc., Etc. TIIB LOUISVILLE MAUDEN. A Louisville girl who was visiting here a short time ago scored a signal triumph over a fresh young society man of this city. They were sitting upon a sofa together, and as the conversation progressed he allowed his arm to grad ually fall down until he had it around her waist. She arose very indignant, and he made the following explanation and apology: “I hope you will not think anytning of this. It is just away I have. AU the Memphis boys act the same way, and you will have to get used to it. I hope you will not take any offence at it, as it’s just my way.” She left the room, but came back in a few minutes with a married friend and sat down on the sofa again. Soon she began to yawn and gave every ostensi ble proof of being thoroughly bored. Finally she said: “I’m dreadfully sleepy, and I hope you’ll go home. You mustn’t take any offence at this. Ail the Louis ville girls act the same way. You are exceedingly tiresome, and you had bet ter go home at once. Don’t be offended at this. It is simply away I have !” He stood not upon the order of his going.— Memphis Times. GOD THE SPIRIT. Oh, blessed Spirit! let me feel Thy vital breath upon my heart; Thirsting for thee, I lowly kneel, And wait till thou thyself impart. To Thee ray earth-dimmed spirit cries; Change thou my blindness into sight. Give me from shades of sin to rise, And bathe my soul in Heaven’s pure light. Thou const, to my weak thought unfold Tho wonders of Christ’s ma’ch'ess grace; Canst bid faith’s ravished eyes behold The glories of his unveiled face I If but tby quickening breath inspire. This heart with fervent love shall glow; And kindling as with Hen ven’s own fire, Heaven's bliss, on earth begun, shall know. Come, Holy Spirit, fill this breast With thy sweet, soul-transforming power; Bo thou my ever present guest, My life, my joy, from hour to hour I AVOIDING A BEAT. The editor of the Deadwood Roarer atttended church for tho first time last Sunday. In about an hour he rushed into the office and shouted: “What the blazes are you fellows doing? How about the news from the seat of war ?” “What news ?” “Why, all this about the Egyptian army being drowned in the Red Sea. Why, the Gospel sharp up at the church was telling us about it just now, and not a word of it in this morning’s paper. Hustle round, you fellows, and get the facts, or the Snap Shot will get a beat on ns. Look spry, there, and run an extra edition, while I put on the bulle tin board ‘Great English Victory in the Soudan.’” THE SITUATION IN AFGHANISTAN. The Czar—General Komaroff, why did you attack the Afghans? General Komaroff—l crave pardon, sire, but did you ever come suddenly upon a flock of wild geese when yon had your gun loaded for lions ? The Czar—No, General. General K—Well, sire, then it would be useless for me to make any explana tion. The Czar—My brave and gallan General 1 Here, take this medal and, when you got a good chance, hit ’em again !— New York Journal. ECONOMY IS WEALTH. A farmer and his wife went into the dentist’s. “How much do you charge for fillin’ teeth ?” asked the farmer. “From two to five dollars.” “An’ how much for pullin’ ?” “Fifty cents.” “Mariar, he said, turning to his wife, you’d better git it pulled.” HE MADE HIS WORD GOOD. A passenger got off to walk around a little. As the train began to move again the passenger jumped aboard, but just then he discovered that he had but one overshoe. Thinking that he dropped the other, he pulled off the remaining shoe and threw it out on the platform, exclaiming: “There, that makes a good pair of overshoes for somebody.” Entering the car, there, to his great as tonishment, was his other overshoe. A look of intense disgust came upon his face, bnt he did not hesitate. Quickly pick ing up the lone arctic he hurried to the platform, threw the shoe as far As he could back toward the other one and shouted: “By jimminy, there is a pair of over shoes for somebody I”— Chieayo Herald. A Hnsband’s Interest. “A married woman buys a house and lot with her own money; she and her husband live in the house, during which time the husband is relieved from pay ing rent which he would have been obliged to pay had not his wife bought the house and lot; at the end of three years she wishes to sell the property and the question is does the husband have any claim upon it and can she give a good title without the signature of the husband to the deed. Is the husband’s interest, if he has any, to be taken into account at ail in the transaction ?” According to the laws of the State of New York a married woman may sell her own real estate and make a good title without her husband’s joining in the deed, but most lawyers out of pru dential considerations, advise their clients to get the signature of the bus. band to deeds made by a married wo man. A short time ago this was neces sary to make the title good, but recent legislation has changed that and while a married man cannot deed real estate un i less his wife joins iu the deed, a married . woman may do so with her own prop- I erty.— Tribune.