Newspaper Page Text
thinks the measure sound.
>I\J. GORDON STANDS BY THE MIL
ITARY ADVISORY BOARD.
Relieve* It Proper Tlint Periods
Slionl'l Be Placed on Commissions.
Critical OUlcers >llnlit Think Bet
ter of the Bill if They Should Bend
ll— Wat Not Inspired by n Desire
for the Removal of Col. Candler.
Poor Material May Be Got Rid of,
anti Maj. Gordon Believes That a
Strom? Consideration Measure
Has Many Opponents In Savannah,
Who Believe It Will Impair the
Service.
The Governor has signed the bill mak
ing the commissions of all officers In the
state service expire Feb. 1 and at the end
of every three years thereafter. The in
formation was conveyed In an Atlanta dis
patch in the Morning News yesterday.
Opposition to the measure has been gen
eral in Savannah. Every officer, save one,
tv ho has heen heard to give an expression
of his opinion has opposed it. The ex
eeption is Maj. Boirne Gordon, who says
he is confident that many of those who re
gard the measure as likely to be detrimen
tal to the service would have their views
altered if they should see’ the bill and
know just what it contemplates.
Maj. Gordon is a member of the Mil
tary Advisory Board. The board recom
mended that the period be placed upon all
commissions, and it is doubtless as a re
sult of that recommendation that the bill
was proposed in the Legislature. At the
time the measure was so thoroughly dis
cussed in the board meeting in a Atlanta
a few months ago, Maj. Gordon approved
of it. and since then he has had no reason
to believe he was wrong.
The idea of the board was that ineffi
cient officers could be got rid of by fheir
commands if such a law were in effect.
.Maj. Gordon does not believe that the in
troduction of political methods will neces
sarily follow or that officers will feel that
they have to sacrifice thyir conception of
duty to a necessity of remaining on the
best of terms with their men if they de
sire to retain their commissions. It is his
belief that the men understand and appre
ciate thoroughly just what constitutes a
good officer, and that none of them would
care to stoop so low as to seek to oust
such an officer for the satisfaction of some
personal grudge.
There will be no necessity for the re
examination of officers, who may be re
elected by their companies to the positions
they hold. If there should be a promo
tion, there would, of course, be an exam
ination for the new grade, but Maj. Gor
don says it was never contemplated that
re-elections should be followed by re-ex
aminations, as that would be obviously
unjust and unnecessary.
Officers in Savannah are all in the dark
as to just how the law will be made ef
fective. That will all depead upon the
orders sent out by the adjutant general's
office. It may be that everything can be
managed without difficulty, but it would
seem that there would be utter confusion
compassed by having all commissions ex
pire with Feb. 1. None would have au
thority to pass upon matters in connection
with the elections, the entire machinery
of the choice of officers being made up of
officers themselves. Officers all over the
stare dvffl awaittbis information with no
little interest.
Maj. Gordon, in so far as is known, is
the only officer in the city who has seen
the bill and thoroughly understands all
of its provisions. Others would be glad
to see a copy. Its close study might dis
close something that has not appealed io
them thus far and effect a change of the
present sentiment against the measure.
Some provision may have been made for
a gradual expiration of commissions,
thereby leaving some officer in command
of a company until an election is held.
Unless there has been something of that
kind determined upon it would be difficult
to understand just what would be done if
there should be a call for riot duty during
the interregnum.
The feeling aroused among some of the
officers when the passage of the bill in
the House was announced has shown not
the slightest diminution, and they are as
bitterly opposed to it as they were before
it received the Governor's signature. They
are confident that the,ineasure will inter
fere with the proper conduct of the ser
vice and impair its efficiency.
A prominent officer whose position in
the command of his company is assured
beyond all peradventure for as long as he
may desire to hold it, is among those en
listed against the measure, as he believes
it a menace to the service. It is that offi
cer's belief that a good offleet may some
times be induced to give up his commis
sion and not stand for re-election simply
hoeause he knows of some opposition that
has been manifested to him. It Is also
that officer’s belief that even the present
s’stem of electing officers is wrong, as
the places should be appointive, rather
than elective, the idea of an election be
ing opposed to the real ethics of military
and a controversion of the policy that pre
vails in ail regular establishments, where
military seienee prevails and the thought
and experience of ages have come down
as a heritage to fighting organizations.
Of course there will be nothing for It
'nit acceptation. The law wil l be recogniz
ed and elections will be held every three
years for incumbents to have their popu
larity with their commands tested. The
political Idea may or may not become
grafted upon that of adherence to duty,
but it is the belief of nearly all the offi
:' rs that the service will be harmed. The e
is ihe satisfaction of knowing that the last
Legislature is not the last for all time,
however, and those interested In the w I
f ire of the military hope ihat. if the meas
ure does prove hurtful, its repeal w !1 be
as easily effected as was its passage.
Maj. Gordon says he knew nothing
about the report that the recommend i ion
of the Advisory Board was influenced by
the desire to oust Col. Candler from th l
command of the Fifth Regiment, if th r■
was any such ulterior motive in the mind*
"f any members of the lioard it was not
communicated! to him. It was slmp’y the
id'-a that inefficient officers, who have
weighed as an incubus upon the seivice,
could be got rid of.
The inspection of all the commands last
curing and summer by 001. W. G. Obear.
inspector general, was answerable for the
conception of the idea. Col. Obear report
'd io the board that he had found maiked
inefficiency among the commanding offl
-1 "re, there having been many totally <ili
'luaiifled to fill thejr positions. The board
w inted to correct this state of affairs an]
decided that it could best be done by p ac
i'lg a period upon all commissions.
notion was ovehih i.eil
•fudge Falllganl Denied a New Trial
in tile Railroad Case.
■J' dge Falllganl overruled yesterday the
motion for a new trial in the care of the
"'lit hern Supply Company against the
* lorlda Southern Railroad Company. Ti e
db satisfied litigant filed Its exceptions w
Ihe verdict and Judgment of the court
'■me lime ago and Ihe case was argued
1 ben. The decision of ihe court, returned
"'I yesterday, setijea the matter ro far as
" ' Superior Court is concerned and t<n
” R neceaaary >o lake Iho a hi goer,
1 * iinaf reversal Is deslrod.
ff ■Epßßpj ff
£ 1
Sprang; l„ lo Popularity
a* tlie True Cure for
GRIP
AV hen Grip prevails Cough Syrups,
Emu&ions, Inhalers and even Pills and
Clusters are palmed off as cures.
But the true cure is "77," prepared by
Dr. Humphreys in 1894 when Grip was
raging oral the peotde panic stricken by
its fatality. "77" sprang into popularity
il!'i> r.'ing ihe ptague, restoring confidence
ami quieting the fears of the people.
Its popularity is ever extending until it
is used in every family for Grip, Colds,
t oughs, Sore Throat, Influenza nnd Ca
tarrh and as a preventive for Pneu
monia. \
Manual of ail Diseases sent free.
For sale by all druggists, or sent on re
ceipt of price, 25c, or five for SI.OO. Hum
phreys’ Homeopathic Medicine Cos., cor
ner William and John sts., New York.
CITY BREVITIES.
Palestine Comamndery No. 7, K. TANARUS„ will
meet to-morrow, Christmas day, at 11:30
a. m., for the usual Christmas observance.
It is expected that there will be a large at
tendance.
In the Recorder’s Court yesterday morn
ing Robert Weeks, a colored toy 14 years
old, charged with firing crackers on the
street, was sentenced to a whipping to be
applied by his mother.
The Weather Bureau predicts fair
weather for to-day, with a lower mercury,
ami for to-morrow, clear with fresh west
winds. The mean temperature yesterday
was 55. and the rainfall .09 of an inch.
An unknown white man fired hie p’stol
into a barroom on Harris and East Broad
streets last night, then jumping into a
hack made good his escape. Though there
was a good many people in the bar at the
time no one was hurt as the shot went too
high.
Bob Newman, a young darkey from the
country, was picked up on the streets
drunk and sent to the barracks. It was
afterwards discovered that Bob had been
purposely made drunk by another colored
man, who, after getting him properly load
ed, took all of the money he had and skip
ped out,
Joseph iN. Smith or No. 101 Third, east,
was awarded the prize at the Royal Music
Hall yesterday for the best amateur per
former. The prize was a gold watch. The
Royal offers a number of prizes for the
city’s local talent. The contests are every
Friday night. After all the amateurs have
appeared, they again appear on the stage
without their make-up, and the one ac
corded the loudest applause gets the prize.
Mr. George E. Field was the recipient, a
day or two ago, of a handsome watch, with
chain and charm, the present of the em
ployes of the Atlantic, Gulf and Pacific
Company’s dredge No. 5. which Mr. Field
has had charge of since it began work on
the Georgia and Alabama terminal on
Hutchinson Island several months ago.
Mr. Field has been assigned by his com
pany to work of the same nature in Phil
adelphia, Pa., end this is a farewell gift
as a small token of the esteem of his em
ployes. Mr. Field is succeeded by his sec
retary. Mr. J. C. Fitzell, who well merits
this promotion bestowed upon him. Mr.
Fitzell has made many friends in Savan
nah during his stay here, who will be
pleased to learn of his promotion.
LOCAL PERSONAL.
Dr. S. Latimer Phillips left yesterday
for Virginia.
Mr. G. E. Trice of Hampton is registered
at the Pulaski.
Mr. M. Porter of Albany ts the guest
of t'he De Soto.
Mr. H. Callahan of Atlanta is registered
at the De Soto.
Mr. H. L. Rossiter of Albany is regis
tered at the De Soto.
Mr. H. H. Epping of Columbus is reg
istered at the De Soto.
Mr. and Mrs. W. R. Li.liott of Perry’s
Mills are the guests of the Pulaski.
Mr. J. F. Furlong, Jr., left last night for
Macon, where he will make a short visit.
Mr. W. E. Arthur of Ft. Meade was
among yesterday’s arrivals at the Screven.
Mr. J. Bowen of Hamlet, N. C-, was
among the arrivals at the Screven yester
day.
Mr. Thomas Brooks of Atlanta was
among the arrivals at the De Soto yester
day.
Mr. L. D. Wylly is in the city, having
returned from St. James’ College for the
holidays.
Mrs. Augustus Boulineou of Columbus
is visitiing her mother, Mrs. F. I/. Marsh,
41 Montgomery street.
Mr. and Mrs. AY. AV. Mallard left yes
terday for AYalthourvtlle, where they will
spend Christmas with relatives.
Miss Lila Thompson of Quitman, Ga.,
has returned home after a visit to her
aunt, Mrs. T. F. Smith, No. 223 Duffy
street, west.
Misses Lucile and Cornelia Lucas King
man of Sumter, S. C., are the guests of
their uncle and aunt, Air. and Mrs. A. M.
Lucas on AValdburg street, east.
Colelctor of the Port John H. Deveaux,
who was run over nearly three weeks ago
by a two-horse team, is improving slightly.
Although not confined continually to bed,
he cannot leave the house.
Mr. Craig Barrow is in the city for the
Christmas holidays. He is a student at the
University of Maryland, Baltimore, and
will be graduated from the medical de
partment next commencement.
Mr. Percy Baker of the Tampa Naval
Stores Company is in Savannah on a visit.
Air. Baker was formerly with the S. P.
Shotter Company and has a great many
friends here who will be glad to see him
among them, particularly at such a fes
tive season as this.
The young gentlemen who attend the
Technological School from Savannah are
back home for the holidays. They wifi
have until Jan. 8. Among them are
Messrs. S dney Rj a s, AV. P. Sullivan, R.
B Sullivan. VV. L. Logan, E. AV. Cub
ledge. Frank Bell, J. A. G. Carson, Jr.,
John L. Dwyer, and Walter Harper.
CHRISTMAS EVE WITH POLICE.
Twenty Arrest* Reported lip to 2
O'f'loek This Morning.
The usual Christmas Eve number of
arrests for drunkenness and disorderly
conduct, were made last night, and up to
about 2 o’clock this morning, numbered
about twenty. They will spend to-day in
the barracks, and come up before Re
corder Hartrldge Christmas morning,
when many of them will get Christmas
presents that they probably little antlct
linted when they started the celebration.
Colored Mason*' Installation.
The colored Masons will hold a public
installation of officers Wednesday night.
There are seven lodges in th* city, and ths
officers will be installed by D. P. Grand
Muster Alexander Ellis
THE MORNING NEWS, SUNDAY", DECEMBER 24, 1899.
NO LACK OF THINGS TO EAT.
Market Gay Wltli Decorations nail
Filled With Christmas Supplies.
Christmas in the minds of many persons
Is synonymous with a plentiful supply of
good eatables and the Savannah market
man knowing this fact, takes pains to sec
that the want is supplied.
Not in twcr.iy years has the city mnrket
been more beautifully decorated or better
stocked with supplies, than it has this
Christmas, was the opinion of a number
of persons who v.sited it yesterday. The
stallmen got to work on their decorations
about the middle of the week, and yester
day their stalls were covegpd with holly,
bay and pine, wreathed with long green
Vines. Some of the stalls boasted Christ
mas trees covered w ith gaudy decorations,
and having numerous paper lanterns,
which, as daylight faded, were lighted
and made a very pretty appearance.
Besides the decorations, the stalls were
loaded with everything that could appeal
to the epicure, and a rushing business was
done all day. Besides the regular sup
ply of standard meats of all kinds, which
were of the best quality, game was un
usually abundant, and in prime condition.
From the little squirrel to the lordly buck
was displayed on ihe counters and found
a ready sale. Squirrels sold at from 10 to
15 cents, according to size and quality.
Opossums, also, a rather ran- animal in
the market, were quite plentiful, and had
a steady demand. Many of the dealers
had live ones attached to the stalls, and
they attracted a good deal of attention.
Venison sold at from 20 to 25 cents a
pound, and there was an unusually large
demand for it.
It was for the various members of the
bird tribe, however, that the demand was
greatest, and of these turkeys, as usual
at this season, were most called for. One
dealer sold over 700 in less than three
days. The supply was unusually large
and of excellent quality, and they nold at
from 12% to 17% cents a pounds. One of
these birds, which was displayed on the
stall of H. Logan, seemed to have been
the grandfather of the whole tribe, for he
weighed, after being dressed, thirty-four
pounds, and Mr. Logan received for him
$6.50. Immense quantities of partridges
were also for sale, and brought 25 cents a
pair. Doves, too, were plentiful, but Were
not so popular with customers as were the
partridges. Among the larger game birds
there were many kinds of wild ducks,
which were sold at $1 a paiiy and also sev
eral prairie chickens, which were sold at
$1.50 a pair.
Among the vegetable dealers there was
an equally plentiful supply of table deli
cacies, and prices were unusually low.
Fine lettuce were sold two heads for 15
cents, and spinach, for two bunches,
brought the same price. Cauliflower was
plentiful, of excellent quality and cheap,
selling V>er head at about the same rate
as the lettuce. There was a large sup
ply of celery, both Kalamazoo and that
raised locally, and quite a number of sal
ad dishes, among the most popular of
which was chicory and watercress.
Among the fishermen the supply' was not
so plentiful, but the quality was good and
good prices were secured. Trout still
holds Its place as the favorite fish, but
the demand for others was also good.
Though shad are running, there was prac
tically none in the market, as the fisher
men find that they can get better prices
for them in New York than they can here.
A catch of eleven of these fish was made
yesterday by one of the stallmen, who
shipped them North and secured $1.25
apiece for them. Neither are oysters over
plentiful, and they sell readily at 20 cents
a quart.
Taken in its departments, the market
was unusually well stocked, and as the
sales were large, the dealers are corre
spondingly happy.
COIRTS QUIT FOR CHRISTMAS.
Magistrate* Will Tnkc a Rest From
Business To-morrow.
The courts have adjourned over Christ
mas. The eager litigants have been con
strained to contain themselves for a while
and the courts wifi transact no business
until Tuesday. Then the legal grind will
begin again.
The resump ion of court business in the
Superior Court will be characterized by
the hearing of a number of erim nal eases.
The solicitor general had determined to
take these up before Christmas, but his
illness has prevented and caused (heir
postponement until after the holidays.
Among these is the case of AV. S. Mell,
who will be tried for murder as soon ns
the holidays are over and the trials are
again resumed.
"A Fool’* Paradise."
The entertainment committee of Ihe Y.
M. H. A. has been successful in all affairs
given by them this season, and in select
ing "A Fool’s Paradise" for ad amat c
performance, it has made no mistake. Th
play was otlglnally produced by' an all
star cast, headed by Olga Nelhersole and
Henry Irving. It is a much stronger play
than "Sunset,” which the Y. M. 11. A.
so successfully presented last May. The
cast is undoubtedly the strongest ever
brought together in Savannah locally. It
includes Miss Lil’ie Selig, Miss Beulah
Hexter, Miss Edith Robinson. Messrs. J.
M. Black, J. M. Dreyer, H. L. Kayton,
Le Roy Loven stein, L. Neuberger.
Carpenters* Brotherhood officers.
Local Union, No. 318, United Brotherhood
of Carpenters and Joiners of America,
held its semi-annual election last week
with the following result:
President, Chas. P. Davis; vice prsident,
M. H. Anderson: recording secretary,
James McLeon; financial secretary, T. J.
Carter; treasurer, AV. B. Seabrooks; ward
en, J. S. Quartcrman; trustee, C. AV.
Swlnton; delegates to Building Trade
Council, T. J. Reese and Samuel Smalis.
Mrs. Kruger Cuts Hl* Hair.
From the New York Herald.
Mr. Hunt, a hairdresser at Pretoria, has
arrived in England, and has g.ven some
interesting itenis to his leading trade or
gan.
"Kruger,” he says, "like the rest of the
Boers, is very careless about his toilet.
He hao never yet visited a hair dress r; ho
sets his own razor and shaves himself,
and Betty (Mrs. Kruger) cuts his hair.
Nevertheless, he is a practical man, and
has his good and bad points. The trade la
Pretoria was kept very busy for about ten
days giving the burghers a commando hair
cut— No. 1 clipper ail over.”
—Mayor Hayes of Baltimore, who took
office recently, is throwing into the waste
basket, unread, all mail applications for
office. “I shall not consider applications
ior any positions until after Jan. 1,” he
say*.
Is looked forward to with expectations of joy
M and gladness. The ordeal of bringing the little
one lnto tlle world, however, is a critical one
O G£L$ for the mother-to-be, and her anticipations of
mJtm fl MMW the coming event are shadowed with gloom.
Half the pain and all the danger of child-birth
can be entirely avoided by the use of "Mother’s Friend, ’* a scientific
liniment of pncelesa value to all women.
Sold by all druggists at one dollar per MOTHER’S
A booklet, giving all details, will be
sent free by liradhcld Regulator Company, M W““MW JH|
Atlanta, Ga. S M\M C.MW EJ 1
A PYTHON'S APPETITE.
FEATHERS \NI> F'l It CON'S! MED AT
HIS FORTNIGHTLY MEALS.
J’Tlnir to Clear Out AV hen He Lifts
111* Heuil"— A Snake Problem,
From the Manchester Guardian.
The serpent, subtlest beast of all the field,
Off huge extent sometimes with brazen
eyes
And hairy mane terriflek. though to thee
Not noxious, but obedient at thy call.
The young July- sun, shocked at the
blackness over Manchester, made haste to
mount above it; and as his beams, in
stantly climbed, topped the last range of
clouds, lie looked down upon Belle A r ue
and shone on the line of gaudy parrots
that were picketed outside the lion-house.
As his glint* touched these children of a
sun-bathed land it kindled more Brightly,
as though In glad recognition, while they
in turn greeted him with a hoarse outburst
of cries. They shrugged and plumed
Ihemselves, calling out in gross
mockery- of men’s speech, and their dusty
corner was transformed by the wizard's
touch into a little vortex of life and glad
dened with color and noise. Ttie gro
tesque fowls, now become drunken with
the sunshine, beckoned uncouthly and
winkled their circular eyes at me. calling
out husky words of greeting; gladly would
I have stayed and bandied words with
them, but my steps were bent towards a
very different place. Out of all this merry
life I plunged into the gloom of a mu
seum, where certain cold, clammy snakes
were to bo seen; the turnstile clicked be
hind mei the screaming of the parrots died
from my hearing, and I felt as though 1
■had left life behind me.
For the condition of snake existence as
it appears to the casual observer at a
place like Belle Y’ue is as far removed
from liveliness as it is from the stable
desolation of death. And consider, a mu
seum! I confess with shame that I am
averse to museums, whether public or
private, and that I have tittle taste for
that cheerless kind of information which
can only be studied in death and petrifac
tion. The peering antiquary may harvest
a whole crop of knowledge from shards
and flints, skulls and mummies; I have
nothing but admiration for the patience
and learning with which he is inspired;
but for my part I desire to be absent from
those dismal halls where ihe coughing
caretaker plies her besom and the solitary
visitor’s footfall echoes along the dreary
aisle. I believe I am not remarkable for
this dislike, and it was a happy thought
of the Belle Vile authorities Io house their
serpents in the museum, and to add the
obscure fascination of their low life Io the
attraction of the antiquities; without it.
although death makes a brave show, I
fear he had known but few visitors here.
I went in, I say, with protests, and sat
alone for a little while among the slum
bering reptiles. In two or three cages
were coiled several feet of python, asleep;
in others several feet of boa-constrictor,
asleep; here was a viper, there a rattle
snake, asleep; the Amb’yrhynchus Cris
tatus, in spite of his nan". slept not less
profoundly than the simple alligator, an l
the Nilotic Monitor, as if to stultify his
own profession, snored aloud in luxurious
slumber. Flying foxes, Ihat disdain th?
brightness of day, carry their principles of
topsy-turveydom so far as to hang by the
feet (asleep) from the roof of iheir eng l
until nightfall; they, like th* rest of the
company, seemed Io mock at my wakeful
ness. AVherever I looked 1 cpui.l see evi
dence of nothing worthy the tiapic of life.
Stuffed birds and apes ami tigers iixed me
with the stare of their glass eyes; upon
one side of me were cases of knives and
implements that were discarded and obso
lete thousands of years ago; upon another
the skull of a murderer grinned at mt
from beneath its gibbet-cap. Asa sane
man in a roadhouse begins to doubt his
own sanity, I began presently to wonder
whether I were really alive, or. more ac
curately, to wonder whether there were
such a thing as Now. And, as I looked
at the snakes, the propriety of their pres
ence here became suddenly plain to me. In
the brisk open-air world the dim flicker
of their life would have seamed like
death; here, amid the darkness' of remote
ages and the dust of death, the pa’e flame
was clearly visible. I felt as though I
had fallen through story after story in
the unfinished structure of evolution, and
now, after having looked out from the up
per windows, sat in the twilit basement
of creation. For not only its place in the
natural world, but its place in the very
earliest pages of recorded history, sur
rounds the serpent with a halo of import
ance and with a dank atmosphere of an
tiquity.
it is but natural, and a supreme exam
ple of a common fallacy, that this reptile,
which apparently does nothing but kill
and cat and sleep, which has so mean an
intelligence (or so gross a palate) that it
will eat a blanket in mistake for a sheep,
has from oldest time had a regulation for
profound wisdom. How far that wisdom
depends on the reptile's protracted slum
bers; whether they grow wisest who sleep
the deepest, and, as the Eastern philoso
phers teach, the highest state is achieved
by contemplation and the forsaking of
works; or whether it is a sign of wisdom
to sleep long, it would tie hard to say; but
it is a fact that the earliest records of the
serpent show him to us as both wise and
sleeping. It was thus that Satan, wan
dering from Orontes to Darien, and from
the Ob to the Indus, came upon that "fit
test imp of fraud” which ho made his
instalment; fast sleeping he found him,
Not yet in horrid shade or dismal den,
Nor nocent yet; but, on the grassy herb,
Fearless, unfeared he slept; In at his
mouth
The devil entered; and his brutal sense.
In heart or head, possessing, soon in
spired
AVith act Intelligential; but his sleep
Disturb not, waiting close the approach
of morn.
The instrument of temptation makes al
so (imaged in the scared vision of a mis
handled train) an excellent instrument of
warning; and the curious may discover
in the exhibition of snakes anew and
highly moral significance.
It will be seen that my reflections in the
serpent-house were not cheerful, and dis
mal indeed would have been my condition
but lor the timely arrival of the keeper,
who invested the scene with much-need
ed commonplace. "Serpents? No, there’s
nothing very strange about them; they’re
just the same as any other kind of beast—
you mustn't play the fool with them. See
that python?" And he pointed to a' cage
in which a huge serpent lay "in laby
rinth of many a round self-roiled," the
slow respiration heaving along its body as
an unbroken wave licks a ship's side. “He
was fed last night—had eight fowls, big
ones, 100, and he'd have lapped up as
many more as I'd have given him."
Christmas
yl Greeting. __
/W We wish every one a pleasant
CHRISTMAS, and a merry one. We
ourselves are grateful for the generous patron
age accorded us during the year, nearly spent,
and hope we merit a continuance of it during
the coining year.
Our HOLIDAY SELECTIONS are not quite ex
hausted, notwithstanding the great demands on
our capabilities, and we can yet supply some
handsome PRESENTATION ARTICLES
For Ladies, Men, Boys, Misses
and Children.
If you forgot or were unable to
carry out a Christmas intention, you l\
can repair the lapse
FOR NEW YEARS. /t %!/
F
The Btein-Bloch Ca
"Dear me,” said I: "'what a very large
appetite."
“Large, d'you say? Way, that's nothing
at all. He'd eat twice as many more, and
you and me, and all. Rabbits we give
them, and rats; and this chap'll have to
get a pig or sheep or something to do him
good. Alive? Yes, of course; but they kill
them quicker than you or 1 could. They
just curl around them and they’re dead
before you could say 'knife.' ”
I said "knife” under my breath, and
for my comfort tried to imagine the swift
ness of the pig's death. "How often ore
they fed?” 1 asked.
"About once a fortnight. This python
was fed last night; if you come to-morrow
you’ll ask if it’s the same one, it'll have
swelled so much. It’s the food doing him
good. He'll hardly move now for a fort
night. You can touch title one tf you
like and If you’re quick enough about it."
The impulse that leads one to dangle
one's feet over n precipice made me accept
the invitation. The keeper opened n tiny
door In the python's cage, and, Just with
in. the thickest part of the huge green
coll was lying. I placed my hand on the
quivering, shining skin, while the keeper
watched ttie reptile's head. Suddenly,
“That’ll do. Wo! Hilly," said he, slam
ming the door as the snake raised Ha
evil head and darted out a vibrating fork
ed thread from between Its Jaws. “Time
to clear out when he lifts his head; he'd
be out and have you In another second."
"But doesn't It take a minute or two
to unravel Itself?" I asked, when I had
recovered.
"A minute or two! Just about as long
as It takes a fly to wink Its eye—that's
all the time he wants. He won't keep you
waiting longer than that. They’ll take
me as soon as you, or anylsxly else. Clev
er? No. they’re not clever. Snakes
aren’t as clever as they would be if they
had more brains; their brains are 100
small. But they know me all right—they
know me by the rattle of my keys when
I come to feed them. When I come In
(he dark sometimes I can hear that
twenty-live foot python Jumping about the
cage like a good un, and I can't open the
door sometimes to give him Ills meat. He’d
go for me same as if I was a fowl; and
when he's hungry I keep away—l should
be afraid of being lapped up.”
We moved on to a cage of cobras. “You
think you could catch hold of one of
these when they're obstropolus, but
they're rum uns, I tell you,” Of the rat
tlesnakes he, said: "They’ll never touch
you without giving warning; If you hear
the rattle, you’re all right; If you don't
you get burled.”
WRh this ominous remark the keeper
was about to leave me, but I had a ques
tion to ask him about snakes that I
thought would embarrass him. The way
had to be prepared cunningly,
"X auppose you know a good deal about
snakes?” X asked, with studied careless
ness. The man modestly replied that he
thought he knew whatever was to be
known on the subject. “Do snakes ever
swallow each other?" was my next ques
tion.
“Yes; I once had two pythons In a cage,
one a few feet longer than the other. One
morning when X came I found the big one
alone, looking pretty fat, with the small
er one's head just peeping out of his
mouth. But I made him fetch tt up; I
beat him with a switch from the tall up.
wards and he disgorged It Inch by Inch,
and tt wasn't a penny the worse.”
I drew a long breath. “In your opinion,
as an expert,” I said, "what would hap.
pen if three snakes caught hold of each
other by the tails, In the form of a circle,
and I>egan to eat each other?"
"Why, of course—m'm—what did you
say. sir? In a circle? Oh, I see now. I'm
hanged if It didn't puzzle me for a min
ute! You see, the first snake would swat
low the others. What’s that? Which Is
the first snake? Why, the ona-of course.
It's being swallowed Itself. Isn't tt? Hang
it, there is no first snake! Anyway, I’ve
lived with snakes, and i’vs never seen
them do that, or try to. You see, the
hud snake would ho hound to swallow -
no—well, I must be oft, sir; good morn-
Ing.”
He walked off Hcratchlng hit. head and
muttering under hl breath, leaving me to
revise mv notlois about the activity of
serpents, while 1 gazed at the large python
and said "knife” to myself.
I'l.nii inn lints.
From the Philadelphia Record.
A curious thing about Panama hats Is
that they ate not made In Panama, but
are so called because that city was at one
time the greatest market for them. Tho
tlnest are obtained at Payta, Peru, and
Guayaquil. They are made of the fljiro
of the pineapple plant, are a soft as Hllk,
and so pliable that they can easily t,
folded up and carried in iho packet. Ex
cellent specimens are also made by the na
tives of Cuba.
Scotch nud Irish Whiskies.
The finest imported from Scotland and
Ireland are lo be had from Lippman
Brothers. They are Imported by thai firm
in bottle* from the disttderles tn Scotland
and Ireland. And if you want the cele
brated Old Highland Scotch whiskey, or
the Wheeler Irish whiskey, call on Lipp
man Brothers for It,
This firm has decided to sell all lm[>ortcd
wines and liquors ai retail, which we think
is quite an acquisition for our Savannah
consumers.
Lippman Brothers have something espe
cially nice from Scotland called Cherry
whiskey, Imported from Rutherford of
Leith, Scotland, and we are safe in saying
nothing like this has ever been imported
In these parts before. It has the most
delightful cherry flavor, and the whiskey
is not of the strongest type.—ad.
For Snl<—d> H. P. Boiler.
To make room, we will sell one of the
boilers now in use In the Morning News
building. It is a 40 H. P., return tubular
boiler and is in good order. It will be de
livered on the sidewalk.
Also for sale, one 50 H. P. American-
Ball engine, never used. A splendid piece
of machinery.
The attention of parlies putting up saw
mills Is invited to this outfit. Apply at or
addrees the Morning Newa, Savannah,
Ga.—ad.
—Kansas Is doubled by a dispute as o
whose memories it will perpetuate in its
allotted space In the statuary hall of the
capital building at Washington. Quite a
faction favors John Blown anti Preston
B. Plumb for the honor.
FRENCH CLARET WINES, and
GERMAN RHINE and MOSELLE WINES
and FRENCH COGNAC BRANDIES.
All these fine Wines and Liquors are Imported by us in glass direct from
the growers in Europe.
Our St. Juliet! Claret Wine from Everest, Dupont & Cos of Bordeaux.
France, Is one of their apeclaltles, and one at extremely low price.
The Chateaux Leovllle, one of their superior Claret Wines, well known all
over the United Slates.
We also carry tn bond Claret Wlnas from this celebrated firm In casks.
Our Rhine and Moselle Wines are Imported from Martin Deutz, Frank
fort, Germany, are the beat that coma to the United States.
BODKNIIKIM Is very fine and eba tp.
NIERHTKIN also very good.
RUDEBHKIM very choice.
RAUn.NTHAL. selected grapes, very elegant.
LIEBFRA NMIIXMI, quite celebr .led
MARCOBRUNNER CABINET, elegant and rare.
YOHANNISBUROKR Is perfection.
SPARKLING HOCK. SPARKLING MOSELLE, SPARKLING MU6CA
TELLK and FINE FRENCH COGNAC BRANDIES.
Special Brandies are Imported direct from Fiance by us, tn casas and casks.
a LIPPMAN BROTHERS.
TO-DAY’S WEATHER FORECAST.
Washington Forecast for Sunday and
Monday—
For Georgia: Fair Sunday with cool-r
In eastern portion. Monday fair; fresh
weaterly winds.
For Eastern Florida: Fair Sunday with
cooler In northern portion. Monday fair;
fresh westerly winds.
For Western Florida: Fair Sunday amt
Monday; light to fresh westerly winds.
For South Carolina: Fair In Western,
rain followed by fair and cooler In eastern
portion Sunday; brisk westerly winds.
Yesterday's Weather at Savannah-
Maximum temperature, 3 p. m.. 64degrees
Minimum tem,>eralure, 3 a. m..„ 46 degrees
Mean temperature 66 degrees
Normal temperature 64 degrees
Excess of temperature 1 degree
Accumulated excess since Dec. '?
1 degrees
Accumulated excess since Jan.
1 290 degree*
Rainfall 09 Inch
Normal 11 Inch
Deficiency since Dec. 1 1.33 Inches
Deficiency since Jan. 1 9.48 Inches
River Report—'The hight of the Savan
nah river at Augusta, at 8 a. m., (75th me
ridian lime), yesterday, was 7.4 feet, a rise
of 0.5 foot during the preceding twenty
four hours.
Observations taken Dec. 23, 1896, 8 p. m.
(75 fit meridian time), at the same njpment
Of time at ull stations, for the Morning
News:
Kama of Station" | -|-T.| *V. Rain
Norfolk, cloudy 60 I 8~ ,00~
Hatteras, cloudy 56 I 8 .00
Wilmington, raining 58 | 16 .18
Charlotte, raining 40 j g .96
Raleigh, raining 40 | 8 .30
Charleston, raining 60 | 12 .02
Atlanta, cloudy 40 j 6 1.36
Augusta, raining 54 | L .78
Savannah, raining 62 | 14 09
Jacksonville, cloudy 62 j 18 .01
Jupiter, clear 68 | 10 .00
Key West, clear 72 ; 6 .00
Tampa, raining 64 | 16 .16
Mobile, cloudy 46 j 10 .00
Montgomery, cloudy 44 | 8 .64
New Orleans, cloudy | 48 | .00
Galveston, clear I 54 8 .00
Corpus Chrlstl, clear I 56 i 6 .00
Palestine, clear | 48 1 L .00
-|-T, temperature; *V, velocity of w ind. -
H. B. Boyer,
Local Forecast Official.
5