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JULY23, 190? TtitL duiviyi SEVENTH PAGE I Pleasant Fields of Holy IVrit Save for my dally range Among the pleasant fields of Holy Writ, I might despair. —TENNYSON. The International Sunday-School Lesson Third Quarter. Lesson V . 1 Kings xvi, 23-33. July 31, 1904. OMNI AND AHAB. I HE throne of the Northern Kingdom was the shuttle cock of ambition for half a century. Seven kings had it and four of them got it by violence and mur der. Reigns were brief anS d'-nasties interrupted. The exodus of the Levites deprived the nation of a saline element. Civil war broke out. Conditions wax. ed worse and worse, until one king set the torch to Ins own palace and Tirzah, that synonym of beauty, lay in ashes. The history of the Southern Kingdom presents a marked contrast. Almost the entire period is covered by the reign of a single monarch, Asa, one of the noblest men who ever wore a crown. No such black succession maintained as did in Israel. One need not go far to find the cause of the opposite fortunes of Israel Book of Kings, ft was made 850 B. C.. b«ars the name of Jehovah and Omri, and, confirms Bible history and geography. Household Letters CONTINUED FROM SIXTH PAGE. THE GIRL I AM NOT. | til, when we had been exchanging letters To the writer of the letter signed Un- for several months, we sent each other now.. I wish to aav- “Como again- I our Pictures. 1 was very sorely disap- nown, I wish t , , ,’i_v pointed, for the pictured face of my cor- :rongly approve of a “ , y f" respondent was far from being ‘a thing * to l° f beauty.' However, I could not give up • but wo«W Hke to those dear interesting letters without a known strongly I knew you.'- I too the woman I am not, be, but sometimes when my faults, partic ularly what mamma calls my “one fault," ' be to ’ and see her for myself, a violent temper, overcomes me I confess ! ..j wont> t saw and j 8 urrei._™, - ‘jte girl I am not the ideal girl proceeded to fall hopelessly in love with afar. When I sit down and take a the dear girl, never giving another struggle, so 1 decided the best plan would adored, I that tj, seems a o deliberate look into my real self and thought to that disappriliiUing Qld photo The inscription on the Moabite store I weigh my faults against my good qual- which was calmly reposing in my grip, is in ancient Phoenician and covers tVir- Uties, these latter seem so few and poor j Indeed, the picture was not a good like- ty-four lines. It is an interesting incident ! compared to the graces of my fair ideal, ness, the soul did not speak clearly . . .. . . „ . .. & . .that I almost despair. j through It. at when the Arabs found the archaeo- . we grow strong by striving to | “I went to see her whenever I could, logists anxious to secure this stone, [overcome and tb*>ugh we may not conquer j for ‘there were others.’ I was not the only they became suspicious and broke it up j we cgn continue to try to live each day j inoth fluttering around that one particu- into small, pieces, to be used as amulets, -better than the one just past. j lar flame. At last my leave o? absence Not understanding its historical value. ! As to the fast girls about which Un- could be extended no longer so I pro- they thought the reason it was wanted ^ told us I am sure if they could ; ceeded to learn my fate The last night I %___ ® I hear some of the remarks those atten- ; was to be in town she refused all en- was that it possessed some magic spe^- y ve -. young men make to each other ! gagements for me—bless hpr dear heart— The infinite patience of the archaeologist I concerning them they would not be quite : and then—oh! well—when X went to the so exihilerated over the ‘‘attentions’’ paid 1 T * 11 them. Having a host of cousins and their chums who pour into my appreciative ear all their little love affairs. I know some thing about the “quality” of such atten (a class of workmen not generally un derstood or appreciated) is illustrated in the recovery of the fragments. the restoration of the stone and its transla tion. It is in the Louvre in Paris. Two golden calves seemed an incident so small that it might be winked at. They were only graven reminders of the true God. They were far apart. One was at the northern and the other at the southern boundary. Their setting up was an insignificant affair, not worth making a fuss over. But no! That was the crevice in the dike. Through that small orifice and Judah. The former drifted further |came all t-he putrid flood of idolism. The and faster from that national rectitude ! beginnings of evil should be resisted, which alone brings national peace and joy. It has been aptly said that every age thinks itself a crisis, but no one can doubt but that the advent of Ahab brought a supreme issue in the history of Israel. The chronicler feels justified in giving all the balance of his book to the narration of these dark and stirring scenes. Allah's name means “Father's brother.'' the suggestion being that Ahab is Omri’s other self in impiety. Just at this juncture, Jezebel, a female .Tudas Iscariot, cast her black shadow on Hebrew s history. She is another Irene of Constantinople, or Catharine de Med- Icis of France, or Shakespearean Lady Macbeth. She is the inventor of priestly inquisition and first supporter of relig ious persecution. She was masterful, in domitable, and implacable. Her father had killed his brother in the Zidonian throne. Such was the fierce and fanatical blood that flowed in her veins. It was an evil day for both Tsrael and Judah when Aliab took the woman to he his wifi. The pains and penalties of Spurious Exhibitor T was at an ordinary small fishmonger's shop in the back street of a suburb that T found him. Some kippered herrings, the mid ribs of a halibut, a piece of ice and some parsley composed the stock, and the odor was such as one expects In such a place. He himself stepped for ward from a little glazed counting house as I enter ed. He was a short, spare man, with a dried up appearance like order to get the herrings, and a worried look about the eyes He was dressed unobtrusively In a fishmonger's apron. “YcsSIr?" he said. “Kippers is cheap, too—’’ “Thank you” I said, stopping him. “I am not wanting any fish today. My pur that choice perpetuated themselves for ! pose in coming is to interview you, if a thousand years. It was tinder her ma lign influence that positive i-ffolatry was established. Calf worship had, it is true, been previously established and was un authorized and corrupt. The calf was, however, everywhere recognized as a symbol of Jehovah, and tinder this sign he was still worshiped. But with the advent of Jezebel the Baals supplanted .Teh ivah. A great Baallto temple was built in Samaria with the evident pur- p< pe of surpassing that of Jehovah in Jerusalem. Eight hundred priests in gor geous regalia served at the altars. The pi mp of a sensuous cult was substituted for the simple and speaking rites of an elevated theistic religion. The essence of the faith of Israel found Its expression in the simple creeij “Jehovah, Israel’s God; Israel. Jehovah's people.” But In place of the revered name of Jehovah it was deliberately proposed to substi- t qe the t* ante cf the Baals. Tt was a you have no objection." “Interview me?” He looked almost suspiciously vacant. “For ‘Black and White.’ ” T said. “Yon are, 1 believe, Mr. Tosh, by profession a fishmonger, but you paint in your spare moments, and you sent in a picture to the Royal academy?” The little man gasped, “How did you know?” he said. “It's our business,” I said magnificent ly. “The public likes to know these mat ters, so We find out. I may as well tell you that, as a fishmonger, you're much more likely to make a hit with anything you paint Chan you are as a mere artist. Mere artists are too plentiful, and they’ve been to art Softools and spent their lives ir having opportunities studying. You, of course, never had any opportunities?” “Not many," said Mr. Tosh. “I— You’ve always loved art. however,” I even as a hotel that evening I was verily treading on the tops of those ten-story buildings and I felt as though I was the only man who had ever heard the softly-murmured words, ‘I love you.’ Well, I am going back for her in about two months, and when lions, and yon «... .heir reclpi- |if„f ,S£SVgninoS TlCyonr l.U.r, and SSSSSmS.”' W "" «*— sketches. Twilight, won’t you write j j .fi ave tried t again? Little Mother, please give this lit tie girl a seat in the Household. GERTA. HER DEGREE. ‘Every woman must have her fad, you see, Canary, cat, club or else—a degree. No taste have you shown for the first- named three; But much time you’ve given to the last,” said he. “A. M. and Ph.D. attest the store Of knowledge you’ve gained from learn ing’s lore; Next, by loyal fervor swayed, a P. O. C.; Ancestral culture and family tree Made you colonial dame, which gave C. D.; Then a daughter. P. A. R., the degree. Now, something I’d add to the last. Please hear! Not E. for to me you've always been DEAR. DARLING’S the degree. T’d confer,” said ho. “That one nbo\e all I’d prefer,” said she. —MARY PETTUS THOMAS. THEY ARE NOT INCOMPATIBLE. Elka, is the study of the art of beinj to enter the Household be fore. if I ever do get into it Mother Mob shall never close the door on me again. MAS DBVENIA CARDO. THE TRUE ARISTOCRACY. Fanchon’s sweetheart must be a very patient young man, if he is waiting for her answer until she can arrive at a decision from the advice given her in the Household. Several have, adyised her not to marry him because the social standing of his family was considered lower than hors. They seem to forget the fact that one can rise above one's early environments, and that the brilliant story of American history has many such figures .adorning its pages. Old traditions of family and of wealth are not going to do us much good any way. They count for nothing beside character. I am tired of the old story of Mayflower descendants and aristo cratic forefathers. T long for the time that is coming when honor and principle- constituting a stable character—will he the standard by which gentle men and gentle women will measure their brother man. Well-bred men and women will not honor a manly man or a womanly wom- agreeable and that of learning to cook an an ! the less because of his or her incompatible? Why not learn both? I ancestry am sure the average girl has plenty of time if she will only use it in this way. And I very strongly imagine some of that acquired pleasantness would vanish when confronted by the disgusted impression of a husband, as lie surveyed soggy bis cuit, scorched corn bread, etc. I am a farmer's daughter, and enjoy making the kitchen tidy as well ns the parlor. I can't understand why a girl can’t learn housekeeping in conjunction with the higher accomplishments. I imagine that Elka's case Is the ex ception and not the rule. Even if a girl learns to cook well, after marriage she is not apt to he tidy; to have a place for everything, and everything In its place, hurrying hither, thither every thing helter-sclter. and unable to find anything she wants. This is my obser vation. Mother M. E. B., T wrote to the Writ- ler’s Mutual Benefit League, inclosing stamp for particulars, and have re ceived no reply. My full name and ad dress was written on the outside in case it should not be delivered. Can you tell me what to do? I do hope I won’t be stuffed in a pigeon hole, and my ques tion remain unanswered as before. POLLY PODUM. I hope you have received a reply from the league ere this. T only knew of their business when they sent me manu script to revise. M. E. B. AN blow at monotheism. In the place of the j interrupted. “Exactly: and God u-pro to be substituted “gods ; child you used to paint.” . . one iron were w uu _ , | vorabiy impressed by your brilliant and many,” namely. alT the local deities of Mr. lo. h nodded. . [cheerful family. “That strange fellow over fertility—with all their shameful and Do you remember if . there with overalls and leather cap—who murderous rites. Including the burning ; beat you for drawing upon the white.- , Ig he anvhow? - of children. To such a foul depth, had Israel fallen! The cumulative nature of sin has a startling illustration In that the sa ^ c superlative terms are used to descr.be the sin of son as well as of father. Each did worse than all before him. John .Mia .son. T like everything you write. The principles of socialism are dear to my heart. T. N. Cog. your letter is good and true, and it is much to be. regretted that such prejudices and sentiments exist among the farming class. The “shutins’ have my sincere sympa thy. I should be glad if Mrs. Bryan would publish Will Ward Mitchell’s ad dress. ORION KLESMER. “EVEN AS A CHILD.” (To our Household brother—gifted Will Ward 'Mitchell—sick and alone in far away Kansas, those lines are inscribed in token of his well-known fondness for children:) How calm and sweet the baby looks! No dark dream mars its sleep, No memory of sin to mnKC Jts guardian angel weep. Its feet have never strayed in paths To sinful mortals known; Its hands are pure as those that weave Garlands about God's throne. I The baby sleeps and dreams and smiles, 1 As angels smil e above: Jts little breast is the white home Of peace and trust and love. “Even as a child.” the Savior said, We must be as a child, < Ere we v.in walk the golden streets Amid the Undefiled. —SMILING JONAS. Big Days at 15he World’s Fair People everywhere are awakening to the fact that about the greatest show this or any other country has ever seen is The LOUISIANA PURCHASE EXPOSITION I They are coming with their families, not for a few days only, but for weeks, so that they may do full justice to the event. As a souvenir and remembrance of their visit and as a history of the EXPOSITION they wisely secure That Superb Series ° f Photographic Reproductions The Forest City World’s Fair Art Portfolios hopefully. “No? Well, it's a pity we can't work In any of these details.” “My uncle used to boat me,” said Mr. Tosh with a eudden Inspirations “What for?” I demanded. “Running away from school. He brought me up. ” “Quite so,” I said. “You were an or phan? It was your habit to steal away from school into the woods and watch ! the sunset, while you ought to have been The 1 advent of Elijah makes it an epoch - doing subtractions? It is to this that of absorbing interest. It is the descrip- you attribute your ability to depict clouds THE TEACHERS' LANTERN. AYIth Ahab a new and vivid section of Hebrew history begins. It closes with the destruction of the house of Omri by Jehu. Its imoortance is indicated by the fact that its incidents are recorded at length. ENGINEER’S STRENUOUS STU r*T: May I inquire if this is the House hold? Thanks. Mother Meb. Frankly, kind mater, for quite awhile I've been fa- I . A PLAY ON THE NAMES OF SOME HOUSEHOLDERS. j Now. kind mater, don't sneer at one of washed walls of his cottage?” I inquired, j well, as I’m a “new arrival” in the , to throw Vbrick 8 aBe” "sur^To No.” ! family, and being uninitiated in the pro- ! throw it clear above my “Brownhe-id ” “Perhaps your mother did?” I said \ vailing rules, will sa.y to the startled ones, f an “Your intruder my “Brownhead.' you not have enough “Patient; an operating engineer and “Grace Darling,” to "allow ThiT'di for an electric, light and water works ! B ’ — allow tnil = “ l ! and trees, and—’ ’Vlgiires are my subject,” said Mr. | Tosh in rather a hurt way. “It doesn’t matter.” I said. “You gain- ! ed your insight into the human figure by watching the London crowds in the Lon- t. character. “A companion of fools . and every day the yearning grew strong- myself am not afraid of scaring out as er. But yonr uncle, a practical man, him self a fishmonger—would not hear of it. He apprenticed you to his own business. Y’ou loathed it. You were limited to the study of still-life. The only drawings you were able to make were of lobsters and your inspirations were drawn from— ” I had paused to see if Mr. To-sh were assenting to my sketch of his early life and struggles—which I wished to have ac curate. "Haddocks.” he said, completing the tion of one of the decisive battles of the world—the battle betweeen Jfhovah and Baal. It is both the glory and the shame of the nation. Abab's foolish choice of a wife resulted in lasting dishonor. Companionship ^ don streets. You longed to be an art! shall be destroyed.” There was a general law against marriage with a heathen. For a king to violate that law was all the more reprehensible because of the ex emplary power of his high position. Aet Ahab considered it a. light thing He was unwarned by all previous visitations which were in vain as far as be was con cerned. Jezebel is odious in the last degree, hut she must be treated with historic fair ness She was a vigorous woman of a vigorous race. Her name is linked with the classic names of Bolus, Pygmalio and Dido. Samaria was a nam destined to become familiar and significant. Its origin as here given, is exceedingly interesting. Omri’s removal of his capital from Tir zah to Samaria was like Constantine s removal from Rome to Constantinople. The new site was exceedingly advanta geous—for strength and beauty. The name is derived from that of the owner of the hill, Shermer, from whom it was purchased at a price which is curiously a matter of record to this day. \ stone cries out in witness to the ac curacy of Scripture. Thirty-six years ago a missionary in Syria found what is now known as the Moabite stone, and which is said to read like a new chapter in the power house in Alabama.” And as this is Sunday night my engine, dynamos and pumps are lightly loaded and consequently running nicely, and as everybody is off the .street during church hours. I de cided tp <lo a strenuous stunt and break in the Household—in that way I'm sure of admittance. In this first visit I wish to he “ca'm iand serene.” At any rate, l won’t “turn j the (calciums) lights on the widowers and i—old maids, nor “pump up” the platonic j love bubble. But Cousin Reddy is being j so fiercely criticized, analyzed and minl- j rnized by the girls (?) (past and present), i also discussed and “cussed” by the male I free thinkers of the Household, I offer him my oily right hand and would encourage ! him to brace up and come back at ’em ! ag'in. and amplify hts code of procedure preliminary to—popping the question. I many “rats” by shooting into the culi nary department as Cousin Reddy, be cause I am a "mere man,” a benedict of four years* training (and not an eligible). But apropos to his businesslike idea of gression? There now, “Dew Drop” that frown and look pleasant while 1 cat a “Georgia Cracker,” for we must ail soon go round by tile way of "Virginia,” and some one must get “Reddy” to “Marie;’ “Edna,” or “Marie” “Aldrich.” Docs that seem like a “Paradox?” There, don't be so “Desolate” or “Constant” either, but take a. “Cucumber Green;” he cafeful not to "Slip,” and we will get an “Old Bachelor” and an “Old Maid” lo shed a “Sunbeam” on our way while wo go to see the “Hermit.” And as we jour ney along maybe we can have “Mary Pettus” Just a little bit, and who knows but what we may find a “Diamond in the Rough," if some “Cricket" has not taken it off? And now, while we take our “Heartsease” in this beautiful shade, some of you working girls please "Sher lock's” hair, but be careful to preserve every tiny curl, for when he becomes a noted barrister, as lie is destined to be in the near future, you will all want to remember him as your champion. How for Lorn this place looks! “Fin?” ta, you are too "Homespun” In your ideas- These, beautiful art-view,s (there are 4S0 of them) taken by the official photographer of the Exposition, and the vivid descriptive matter written by Secretary Stevens of the Fair, will beguile many an hour .-and afford, much useful knowledge. The views will be highly prized and much-enjoyed by old and young alike. The series of 30 parts (you should secure them all) will prove A Delight to Every Member of the Family Affording equal enjoyment to those who visit the Fair and to those who do not How to Get the Views pj|j out this Coupon and bring or send to us, with 10 CENTS, as indicated below. These snp«rt>‘ reproduc tions* which will constitute a complete souvenir and record of the Exposition.* are not d istribated by us as a matter of proflt.butratti er to please oar readers. Although the regular price is 25 cents* we place the entire series within the reach of every reader at Only 10c a Part, to cover the cost-of HAND LING. WRAPPING, AD- DRESSING. MAILING, KTC. Simply cut out the coupon at the right and bring or lend to us with ten cents and any part issned will he mailed to yon at once. Call on or address z o Q- Z3 o u in LU 06 o u_ BE SURE TO STATE WHICH PART YOU WISH 1904. PUBLISHERS THE SUNNY SOUTH, ATLANTA, GA. Enclosed herewith find TEN CENTS to cover cost of postage and expense of mailing Part No. of "THE FOREST CITY,’'series of World’s Fair Views, to which I am entitled as one of your readers. Name. P. O. State SEND ONE COUPON AND IOC FOR EACH PART DESIRED matchmaking, will suggest that the mar- j Why. that “Glenn” down there lboks ried state very often assumes the en- | as though some "Knight of the Road” vironments of “real” human existence and might pounce upon us and say, “Throw grimly prosaic at that. And it’s well I up your Hand. Miller.” Perhaps if he enough to display some common sense as does he will draw “Hempperly”—much well as sentiment (if possible) while draw- I earlier than lie intends to. Ing in the lottery of matrimony. And j And now, if some one will give me a those who are indifferent to that phase of the. matter are destined sooner or later sentence for me, with the most cunning to a r^fle awakening from love’s dreams, wink. "That’s right.” he added, slyly. And after such victims (?) hurry to pro- “You’re the man for me. I wish I had hi aim to the world that marriage is a your imagination. I tell you what. : f ai ** 1 *e, and means poverty, humiliation though. I’ll give you a couple of guineas ancl obscurity. Not so! It’s the grandest if my picture goes at the price I want Institution ever given to man. Though it f | rarely retains to anyone blinding enchant- _ , ’ ment many decades after being solemn- I had never seen a. man so changed In j ised. Fact is young married folks have a moment. The dull, vacant look had to so soon drop down to a working, eat- vanished, and in its place was a preter- j ing, living, human basis that if they are natural sharpness. | not mated religeously, intellectually, in- "That's what I'll do,” he said, and i dustrially and financially—that is, 'scien tifically—well! and if—really, it's just I <nid indis- 1 wonderful how well they do get along * together. You see 1 set in to defend the _ . . ; cousin's case gratis—it's my disposition to “E>on t 5^ou recognize me. he return- champion the “under boy” in a mix-up. ed. “I thought you did. 1—I—’’ Ho And in this case I sincerely admire “the dropped his nead guiltily; but it was too | boy.” But Tallulah’s fickle smiles be- iate. 1 had recognized him. j'Vitdhed me, so I could not stand the "You're James Brown, the fireman, who matter -o f - fa ct scrutiny of Man of the “Penny.” I’ll get some “Beverage” and see if I can’t catch the “Kid,” <ind #o Oh. my! I did not catch him; "Becky” was not “Sharpe” enough that time, and I may have to come again, THE SUNNY SOUTH, DEPARTMENT, Atlanta, Ga. ^ VERITAS. winked again. "'What do you mean?” nantly. FREE PUNT SIMPLE OFFER contains a bl| fund af Information t work, to select colors, kind of paint to yen space; Just how much paint is required to nr^iouN makes everything so plain that any onewithout experience can do to book shows a number ot buildings in eeior*. , ne ,, e ete _ •Id you Inaeloctindcolars forbody. trim mind. w thtr Clin per dallon tor hl*hd*t /V2S2• Valnt. OlIC proof Minora], Barn. Kaof and fonto H ramx. OE|> par gallon for hlgtiaat graPO '’**’ 1 ’! I T M(ly mtxed DOC paint. Our garacs. our own special will cover double the surface, last neela or blla- balf the cost of other paint. better at tors, guaranteed lorflvo »«•«. and win ££ the end of five/ears than other patnt wiu m ^| or Mun- Teetlmontala from painter* everywhere an^coio^ plea of Beroco in our free color i«mpl»don’t want to paint your havaa. barn aratharamm » SAVK SEARS. ROEBUCKS CO.. «*-•»• painted a picture called ‘Hero Waiting for Leander’ for the a.eademy last year; you’re Morton Griggs, the postman-art- 1 is.t, who was boomed the year before for [ his ‘Cleopatra;’ you’re Rev. John Pitts, i the East End clergyman, whose "Massa- and i ere of the Innocents’ was a feature in we will.send you | [ 90 0, because it was painted during mo ments snatched while changing your sur plice In the vestry; you’re George Jen nings, bo'sun of H. M. S. Emerald, who wielded an artist's brush during the long night watches on the China seas, and. produced in '99 'The Tussle of the Trire mes;’ you're—” 1 pursued the Indictment as my memory served me. 1 had intter- viewed some of those men myself, but not until now had I recognized that one and all were the same, and that none other than the little man in front of me. “You're a fraud,” I ended «p. "In a sense,” he said sadlV, “I am a fraud. My name is Robinson, and lam in reality an artist, and nothing else." "These various businesses—” “Were assumed for the purpose of sell ing my pictures. I found it was the only wav If it is a fraud to pose as a clergy man or a chimney-sweep, instead of a— w'ha you have called a ‘mer artist,’ the public has encouraged it. It will buy a fishmonger's picture when it will buy no other. I have a wife and family. I ask you not to denounce me.” "I must,” I said sternly; and though he pleaded with me at great length. I have as is plain, kept to that stern ne cessity. The public must be defended at all hazards. we win j — FREE by return r .n c ir s ™; free book con tains sample* ■bowing the ex act ealar of aver/ ^ ,U ile C .r«fn- eral. Enamel an. Buggy Paint. »j*o .everything in paint “Grinding World, and will give up. With a bow to all—Fineta and Marian Miller, especially, as they, are Alabamans, I make my exit, though would he pleased to call again if my “uniform” is not offensive. ENGINEER. HIS “HOMELY” UNKNOWN COR RESPONDENT. I have been interested in the talks of the Householders concerning "unknown correspondents.” I agree with the ma jority that it is generally not wise or prudent to write to persons about whom you know nothing save that they indite agreeable letters. But circumstances al ter cases, and In some instances It is not amiss to cultivate friendship and study character by correspondence. Here is a case in point It was told me by a friend and 1 give it to you as near ly as possible In his own words: "I was returning south from a trip to Michigan and I stopped in Virginia to visit my brother. While I was there he received a letter from a young lady in a distant state. It seemed he had been a close friend of this young lady’s elder sister, but, as often happens, they had drifted apart. He had written inquiring about her old friends and the young lady- had replied. I was allowed to read her letter and It impressed me so much that when I arrived at home I wrote to her. “I waited a good many day-s before an answer came to my letter, but when it did come it was well worth waiting for. I replied immediately and begged that she would as promptly write again. She did this and a correspondence ensued. Which grBduglly grew more intimate un- Francis, Ala. SOME INCIDENTS IN THE LIFE OF AN ACTOR. Dear Household; Lomacita, the mira cle gardener, has asked for accounts of personal experiences by Househo.Uers, and Mother Meb seconds the suggestion. Here goes for the first bit of "shop talk:” It was in February. I was touring the south witli a well known lyceum male quartet, when, closing our circuit near Snreveport, La., we had to make a jump of nearly- 1,000 miles into Iowa. It was very warm and damp, of course, in the Creole State, but when we alighted from the cars in the Hawkeye country there was a heavy- coat of “the beautiful” man- j tling the earth, and a difference in the ; temperature of over a half hundred de- j grees. Now, there is nothing remarkable in ; this incident, and I relate it only to ini- , press some of the vicissitudes of the pub- ■ lie entertairfer. We arrived at near 8 o’clock, and the I big audience was waiting for us in the i comfortably- heated and lighted audito- ; rium. A three-minute supper was boit- | ed. the while several thousand doctors, | undertakers and dyspepsia-dope vendors I throughout the world smiled in sweet ! anticipation of the new year’s fat re ceipts, and getting into our dress suits after the manner of so many boneless j wonders, we were in a few minutes ■ entertaining the good people for the lttle ! that we were wortli at that special mo- i ment. The next morning early we arose and took a 12-mile drive to connect j for the next point. Cross-country navi gation in the north is restricted to “bob 1 sleds” in that kind of weather, and that was our vehicle. We arrived at tiie next date at 6 p. m. Immediately after the concert, we dressed, donned a “double header” of covering, and were dumped unceremoniously into a huge "bob sled” for a 30-mile drive—and the thermome ter thumbing its nose at us at 18 below! Four miles out our driver lost the way. the sleigh was overturned and we were thrown Into a snow-drift some 4 ..feet deep. About this time the heated stones In the bed of the vehicle ceased to have any virtue for this unacclimated and unreconstructed son of Dixie, and X be gan to wish I were back home with “moinmer.” That was an awful trip. Over the vast, seemingly trackless, wastes of scowling snows our horses plodded and stumbled, their steaming nostrils laden with long, ghostly icicles, the barren trees mocking us and beckoning earth ward with their long, skeletonlike, limbs, glassy with crystal pendants several feet in length, and only an occasional pass ing sleigh with a merry party on board and the tinkling bells and peals of laugh ter to break the monotony. At 5 a. m. we arrived at our destina tion. more dead than alive, only- to find the station deserted, locked and a high fire inside to laugh at us, as we bat tered upon the door, unable to reach the Tantalus prize. Finally, the train arrived to carry us into Des Moines. Our next date was reached at 7 o'clock in the evening in an obscure town, where the hotel accommodations were not such as would attract a Waldorf- Astoria epicure, and we were forced to rise to take the train the following day at 3:30 a. m.l Oh, who wouldn't be an entertainer? 1 might tell you of a later experience out in Oregon when I was shut off by floods and wash outs and braved the ele ments in a long drive, which was half swim. arriving just in time to fill the engagement, and of a thrilling voyage on the Pacific, battling with the gales off Cape Flattery, on the same ship that later went down with a Half thousand good smls aboard, many of them drown ed, and of divers other adventures, but will defer till I learn the fate of this tiresome recital. Lately 1 have had the misfortune to lose a bundle of letters forwarded me by my brother, due possibly- to the wash outs ih the west. Will those who wrote please write again, recapitulating con tents Of the lost correspondence? I re gret this unfortunate affair very- much, but it is only one of the necessary mis haps of the road, and is not the first that has happened to me. CAROL . ELMORE. Gwynn, Ark. A MOTHERLESS WAIF. Is there among the many Householders some one who would be willing to take for her own a little motherless girl 5 years old? The child is of respectable parent age. but her condition Is peculiarly un fortunate. The father earns very little [as night watchman, and his brood of j children sadly lack a mother's care. At night they are alone and during the day ! they are still left to take care of them- [ selves. i The older children attend school irreg- | ularly, having all of the house work to j do, but little .Daisy is running wild in ! the streets, playing with little darkies, dodging trains and horses’ feet, receiving no attention only when she is with the children of a neighbor, who is looking after her own cares for the waif also. It is a pathetic sight to pass her, bare headed and barefooted, neglected in her helpless innocence, exposed daily to many darfgers, when she might be the pride and joy- of some childless home. She is bright and pretty-, with violet eyes, a sunny, curly head, a peach blossom complexion j and a voice of rare sweetness, a veritable little song bird. Tils father told me that he was anxious about his children all the time, but it seems that he can make no better ar rangement for their welfare, vre would be willing to give the child to some one who <g>uld do a better part by her. My- own ne‘st is crowded with birdlings and I have little of this world's goods, but my- heart yearns over this little one and I hope sincerely that some good wom an will read this and see a way to gratify the wish of her life. DREAMER. WHAT GIRLS MAY DO. A stranger, who has not long been a : [ reader of The Sunny South, would like to become a member of the Household, i Here’s my hand. Cousin Reddy, on the . temperance and morality questions. I [ am glad you told us you were sober and i temperate; it shows you respect your own | opinions and carry them out. Also, I | like Will Ward Mitchell’s outspoken I views, and I appreciated his little story | of the man who punished the other for speaking evil of a defenceless “sister” woman. I wish our southern girls and women would use their influence more strongly- in inducing their young men associates to be sober and honorable. We influence others, and mould their char acters and destines for time and for eter nity more than we realize. \ Girls should be careful*how they act, I but I believe there are enough earnest, thoughtful girls in this country to work wonders in reforming society and put ting It on a. higher basis—if they would be true to their best ideals. They have a right to ask in association and in mar riage purity for purity, sobriety for so briety, honor for honor. There is no reason why a young man should not be as temperate and moral as he requires his sister or his sweetheart to be. If loss of the esteem and society of women was tiie price a man had to say for indulgence in evil ways there would be fewer "wild” young men. We read too much trash. If we would read better books It would have an en nobling influence, on our characters. Good books are like good company; they help us to grow like them—to become useful men and women, who will be loved and honored for the good wo do to humanity. I would like to hear from some of you concerning the reading of novels, and about what kind of fiction is improving and what kind is injurious. Next time I write I will tell you how I came to get The Sunny South. FRANCES. North Carolina. A GIRL WHO MARRIED BENEATH HERSELF. T am the sister of Prescott, the Texas boy who contributes to the Household. I would like to tell Fanchon about a girl friend of mine who married into an in ferior family—inferior as to cultun and refinement, 1 mean. The young man had been a suilor of mine. I liked him very much and i was lotli to take my good /mother's advice and give him up. I sec now that it was the wisest tiling to do. He married a dear friend of mine and she is very un happy. for they live with his people and they are very uncongenial to her. She is ao much more refined than they are that she is like a lily among thistles. She has lost social caste to some extent, of course. Also, her husband drinks whisky as his father did before him. I think in a matter of such life tong im portance as marriage girls shEuai be guided by judgment and the advise of their parents rather than by love—or rather impulse, for it is often just an impulse of attraction that passes with time. I think Old Maid quite pretty in her picture. She does not look old at all. I will close this, my first letter in over a year with one question; Do you House holders think it is wrong for an engaged girl to allow her betrothed lover to kiss her? AURELIA. „ Texas.