Banks County journal. (Homer, Ga.) 1897-current, July 08, 1897, Image 7

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Nlghtlnfcalos warble about It Ml night under blossom and star; This wild swan Is dying without It, Aud the eagle crycth afar; The sun ho doth mount but to And It, Senreliing the green earth o’er; But more doth a man’s heart mind it, Oh, more, more, morel A Brother’s Sacrifice. By STANLEY HOWARD. WAS leaning against the rail ing in the park, enjoying a cigar and watching the carriages ns they passed. It was the fash ionable hour, and this was a favorite occupa tion of mine. Had I been , jjjjj | ; younger, I might possibly have in dulged in a dream of the time when riches and luxury should be mine, when the inner circle of society should be my world; but I was no longer young'. At sixty one is contented with sufficient, and wealth loses much of its fascination. I have found it so, at least. There was a block for two or three minutes, and the occupants of the ear tiage which was standing just- in front of me arrested my attention. There were two ladies and a gentleman husband and wife and daughter I took them to be. The man, who was about my age, was exceedingly good-looking, an and the young lady was pretty, but it was the elder lady who particularly in terested me. Her hair was quite white and her face pale, but so handsome, aud so exquisitely sweet in expression, that in a moment my old brain was weaving a romance about her. Many people looked at the carriage aud sev eral bowed. Evidently the occupants were people well known. “You seem interested,” said a man, touching my arm, as the carriage HAd answered, shortly. 1 have ■BSiBKIfW rsion to entering into con versation with strangers. The man looked at me curiously, with a smile upon his face. He was tall and thin, only fairly well dressed, but of gentlemanly bearing, and there were deep lines under his eyes and about his mouth. “I have been looking for you for two months past,” he said. “For me! You have made a mis take, I think.” “Y r ou have chauged little, Mr. Har graves; I must have changed much, or you would remember me.” “Certainly I have forgotten on,” I said, politely, hearing him call me by name. “Robert Denmore.” For a moment I was silent—Den more! “Of course—yes. We met in Vienna, didn’t we?” He nodded and we shook hands. “Vienna—twenty years ago,” I said. “How time flies! What have the years brought to you?” living death,” was the strange answer. I looked inquiringly at him. “True,” he said. ‘.‘Come to'flsy rooms and retiew 3ur old friendship. I haven’t a friend left iu the world ex cept you; and I cannot let you go now I have found you. I have been look ing for you for two months—two months to-morrow. I can fix the time to an hour.” Robert Denmore had always puzzled me—-he puzzled me now. As I walked home with him, my mind slipped back twenty years. He and I had met in Vienna, and finding our tastes agreed, had traveled about together for a few months. We became very good friends, but he told me little about himself. He seemed to have done with the past altogether, and thought very little about the future. I remember him saying once, “I never think about what I did yesterday; I don’t care what happens to-morrow; to-day is all I trouble myself about,” and he carried this system of existence to such an ex tent that arrangements were often up set. No doubt there was a secret iu his past life, but I found him an inter esting companion, and his secret did not concern me. After dinner that night we sat and smoked. “It does me good to see you again,” he said. “The fact of the matter is, that I want to tell you a story, Were yon never curious about me in the old days?” “Yes, often.” “Well, I want to tell you my his tory. I was a disappointed man then; I am a broken-down one now,'without friends, almost without money. Oh! lam not going to borrow. You re member when I left you and returned to England?” “I do, and you promised to look me up in London, which promise you never kept.” “No; but you received a letter from me telling you that I was going abroad?” “Yes.” “That letter was a lie. I have not been out of the country since. I knew I was not going when I wrote that let ter.” He spoke as if the statement was the keynote to his whole history. His manner quite startled me. “You wonder why I took the trouble to tell yon a lie? Well, I wanted to be forgotten; I did not want you to try to find me.” “And yet you have spent the last two months looking for me,” I said. “I don't want to be forgotten any more. I want to have a friend in the world to talk to.” ©He was silent for a moment and re lit his pipe. ‘‘There were two of us,” he said; “twin boys. I was the elder by ten minutes, and we were born three months after our father’s death. We grew up great friends, as twins often are, and yet we were very different. I developed into a quiet, studious, grave faced youngster. I was slorv at learn ing, slow of speech, and nobody’s favorite. My r brother, Richard, on the contrary, was bright, clever; even as a THE SECRET, Over the gray leagues of ocean The Infinite yearneth alone; The forests with wandering emotion The thing they know not intone; Creation nroso but to see It, A million lamps in the blue; But a lover he shall be It If ono sweet maid Is true. —G. E. IVoodberry, in the June Century. boy his conversation was accounted brilliant. He could do anything and everything,was full of fun and laughter, aud generous and thoughtless to a fault. Bichard Denmore was petted by everybody. When we were about sixteen my mother died. I remember the night before her death as if it were yesterday only. “ ‘You are my eldest boy, Kobert,’ she said, taking my strong hand in her feeble one. ‘You are, perhaps, not so clever, naturally, as Bichard, but you have got balance, which he has not. Bicliard troubles me often. ’ “‘Everybody likes him, mother,’ I answered.' “ ‘That makes all the more danger; aud I want you, Bobert, to look after Bichard. ’ ‘ ‘ ‘I shall always love him. ’ “ ‘And you will help him?’ “ ‘Yes, always.’ “More than onee that night she made me repeat the promise, and I took an oath, little knowing what the oath meant. “Time passed, and we both got on well. I had, perhaps, the most money, but then I did not go out as much ns Richard did, and he gave away more than I did, too. “The humdrum round of my daily life was suddenly disturbed—pleas antly so. Alice Eversham came into it, and from the first moment 1 saw her I loved her. I had never even cared about a woman before; had never even, as a hoy, had a preference for one of the pupils at the seminary for young ladies we passed every morning on our way to school. For a long time I loved in silence. I feared to put my fate to the test, and when I plucked up my courage to ask Alice to be my wife I was too late. She was kind and gentle, but her ‘no’ was final. “ ‘But, Alice, I will wait. You will change—you must change,’ I said, in in my despair. “ ‘I shall never change.’ “ ‘Who is the—the other man?’ “‘I cannot tell you that. A woman does not confess her love for a man before that man lias asked her.’ “Life has been black enough for me many times, heavens knows, but never so black as it was then. It is the one great passion I have known, and it has made me what I am to-day. “A week later Richard bounced into my room one night, threw himself down in nu easy chair, and began to laugh. “ ‘Got the blues, Bobbie?’ “ ‘No.’ “ ‘Well, congratulate me. I’m tire happiest fellow in the world. I want you to bo my best man. I’m going to be married.’ “ ‘Married!’ “ ‘Yes; I am caught at last—the dearest girl living. You know her W.l.’ “ ‘Who is it?’ “ ‘Alice Eversham.’ “I sprang from my chair and brought my clinched flst down upon the table. Blind rage took possession of me for a moment. “ ‘Hallo!’ he exclaimed. ‘What’s the matter? Are you in love with her, too?’ “ ‘No; I was thinking,’ I answered, stupidly. “ ‘lf you think like that often you will smash all your furniture. Come, tell me the truth, Bobbie. You are in love with Alice yourself. I cannot blame you. Anyway, she will be your sister, old fellow. ’ “His words were intended as a con solation, but they were maddening. It was only afterwards, when I became sane enough to think calmly, that I felt Richard had as much right to happiness as I had. We both loved her, aud she loved me. It was all fair, honest dealing; I could not com plain. “Richard’s wedding-day was a tor ture. “ ‘Good-by, Robert,’ Alice said, just before they went away. ‘You forgive me?’ “ ‘There is nothing to forgive,’ 1 answered. “ ‘And you wish me happiness?’ “‘With all my heart!’ I said. ‘We shall not see much of each other, Alice, in the future; it is better not; but remember, I am your brother— more, your friend. If you should ever want me, send for me.’ “ ‘When we come back I shall send for you at once,’ she answered, merrily. “ ‘And I shall not come. In trouble you shall find me ready, but otherwise I shall be out of reach. I leave Eng land to-morrow, and I do not know when I shall return.’ “‘I shall have to get into trouble quickly,’ she said. ‘Good-by!’ “I left England and wandered about, tryiug to forget. Alice had been mar ried ten years when I first met you, Hargraves, and during that time I did not see her, but I heard constantly from Richard, and beggared myself almost in helping him. He did not seem to have au idea of the value of money —spent it as if there was no limit to his income. “It was a letter I received from Alice which made me leave you so sud denly. Richard was again in serious difficulty, aud she wrote to me with out his knowledge, he having told her then for the first time how often I had helped him before, saying that he could not ask me again. I went to her, and found matters about as bad as they could be. Richard was desperate and half ashamed to see me. By a terri ble struggle, and pledging my credit to the utmost limit, I managed, as I thought, to set him straight. I be lieve Alice would have gone down upon her knees to thank me had I let her; and Richard thanked me, too, but did not seem quite at ease. I was glad to get away from them, and I made arrangements to leave England agaifi. To be perfectly truthful, my resources were so reduced that I meant to set tle in some continental town where living was cheap. All my preparations were made, when I received a tele gram : “ ‘Come to me at once. Alice.’ “Wondering what new complica tion had arisen for I could read trou ble in the message—l went. “Alice was alone. “ ‘Bobert,’ she said, clutching my arm, and there was a look of horror in her eyes, ‘is it true?’ “ ‘ls what true?’ “ ‘That Bichard is a thief?’ “ ‘No. Who lias said so?’ “ ‘We were dining out last night, and I overheard two men talking about Bichard. They were surprised to see him there. One of them said dis tinctly that he had committed for gery with regird to some company matter, and was liable to be arrested at any moment.’ “ ‘Nonsense, Alice! You are mis taken. ’ “‘They mentioned liis name —B. Denmore. Oh, Bobert! I have been brave through my troubles—heaven knows I have —but if this is true it will kill me.’ “‘Did these men appear to know Bicliard well?’ I asked. “ ‘No. They heard his name, aud then began to talk. ” “ ‘Have you said anything to Bich ard about it?’ “ ‘No. I ought to do it, but lam a coward, and dare not. If it is all n lie he would never forgive me for doubting him. If it is true—Bobert, you once promised to always be my friend—you must save him, for my sake and my child’s.’ “ ‘I am always your friend,’ I an swered, taking her hand in mine. ‘I will find out ail about this story. It is all a mistake, probably; aud if not, there is more than one B. Denmore, for instance.’ “I was terribly afraid that the story was true, but I spoke to lessen her anxiety. The look of a startled hare came into her eyes, but I did not think about it until afterwards. How the men Alice overheard obtained their information I do not know, but it was in substance true. A heartless fraud had been committed, and appar ently by B. Denmore. I was help less. What could I do? And then Alice’s and look took posses sion of me. I think for a few days I was almost mad. I need not Tell you how, link by link, the chain of evi dence was forged—l helped to forge it myself. It was easy. The fact of my preparations for leaving England, the uncertainty of my destination, my pledged credit. “I was arrested, tried, convicted. There was no mercy for the man who, liv a heartless fraud, had brought ruin and destitution to many—death by suicide to more than one. I was sentenced to twenty years’ penal servi tude. Two months ago to-morrow I regained my liberty.” He stopped—his tale was told. “Denmore!” I exclaimed, starting to my feet. “You did this for a brother’s sake?” “No; for the sake of the woman I loved.” “It was a monstrous folly. It was wicked.” “It is over.” “And your brother?” “He remained silent —has been silent ever since. Things have pros pered with him—fortune is his. Twenty years is a long time to re member, He has quite forgotten me. ” f ‘Scoundrel! And his wife?” “I do not know, Hargraves, but I tkiiili she must have believed me guilty. You see, the evidence against me was very strong.” I was silent. Presently Denmore took some papers from his pocket. “I saw this iu a shop w indow yester day, and bought it,” he said, handing me a photograph. “On it was printed, ‘Hon. Richard Denmore and wife.’ He has become famous. Do you recog nize the picture?” Then I remembered the occupants of the carriage in the park. “I think I have kept my oath, Har graves.” I took his hand and pressed it, but I did not speak. A lump was ip my throat, and words would not come.— The Home Queen. The Weight of the Earth. According to the most accurate cal culations the earth weighs 6,069,000,- 000,000,000,000,000 tons or 12,138,- 000,000,000,000,000,000,000 pounds. The weight of the earth is equal to seventy-eight moons. The weight of the earth is equal to 1625 times the weight of Great Britain and Ireland, counting that they extend down to the centre of the earth; fifty-two and one-half times Europe, eleven and one-half times Asia, thirteen and one third times North and South America, and seventeen aud one-half times Africa. If the earth should fall into the sun, the sun would hardly feel the impact, but it would take the earth sixty-five days to get there after it started.—Strand Magazine. A Unique King. A ring recently exhibited at Ant werp, Belgium, w-as the admiration of diamond cutters and merchants, be cause it was the first successful at tempt to cut a ring out of a single stone. There are a great many diffi culties in this method of cutting dia monds, as the stones have a certain cleavage and particular veins, all of which have to be carefully studied in order to prevent splitting just as suc cess seems within roach. After several unsuccessful attempts aud three years’ labor the feat has been accomplished by the patience and skill of M. Antoin, one of the best known lapidaries -of Antwerp. The ring is about six-eighths of an inch in diameter. Montana Kloquence. The Bozeman (Montana) Chronicle tells of a Montana Legislator who, when some corrections in spelling and grammar in his bill were called to his attention by the committee, said: “Why, you fellows have mucilated it!” It was the same statesman who said, in addressing a committee of wdiich he was a member: “The muddy slough of politics -was the bowlder upon which the law was split in twain, and fell in a thousand pieces from the pedro of justice. Let us, then, gear up our lions, that ive can go forth withs clear head.” A “CURSE CARD” LEAGUE. NEW YORK WOMEN TO REPRESS PROFANITY ON THE STREETS. How They Will Try to Stop I lie Habit— Gotham's Luxuriant Hotel*—HSlOO a Hay for a Bridal Suite—Gosnip About Noted Grand Dames aud Swell Gown*. (Special New York Letter.) The New York League of Purists is up in arms again. This time it is to repress profanity on the streets and in public conveyances. The committee has chosen some thirty young ladies, workers in the organization, and pro vided each with a novelty in the shape of a bundle of “Curse cards.” The plan is, for the lady to carry a package of these cards whenever on a mission of charity, shopping or prom enading on the public highways. For instance, if she is traveling in an ele vated train, and hears a man who has accidently passed his station, or for any other reason, murmur a subdued “swear word,” she is to hand him a curse card, which invites him to fill in the blank form, and bind himself for a stated time to refrain from swearing. Asa rule the culprit is so astonished by the request, and so charmed by the winning smile of the giver of the card, that he pledges himself. The thirty ladies are of various nationalities; be cause in a great metropolis like New York “cuss” words fly through the air in every-tongue under heaven. The architecture of the houses and hotels in New York has advanced so rapidly in the last ten years, that there is now no city in the world which con tains so many beautiful and various specimens. The magnitude and splendor of the new hotels astound Europeans who visit us and who have been taught to believe that Paris, London and the Biviera lead the world. For the bridal suite at the Hotel New Netherland the modest price of FKOCK OF CAFE-AU-LAIT BROADCLOTH. GOWN OF A STUNNING CHECK .SIOO per day is asked, exclusive of board. The Astoria, now being erected next to the Waldorf, is to eclipse them all, if such a thing is possible. The Waldorf, by the way, has be come the meeting place for fashion able dames, who lunch there after a shopping tour. Both Mrs. General Harrison and Mrs. Cleveland (who w'as accompanied by Ruth, now a tall and graceful girl of some six years) were there the other day. I learned that Mrs. Har rison was iu New York to attend some of the Art sales. The famous baby boy was not visible. Mrs. Cleveland, f \ ffiu v'U WmM SCOTCH HEATHEK SIIXTURE SUIT, WITH NEAT BLAZER JACKET. queenly in her bearing, looked ex tremely well in a black aud white check gown, the broad revers on her open Eton coat giving a very stylish effect. Mrs. Harrison, as “bonnie” as a Highland lassie, was gowned in a sensible well-fitting Scotch heather mixture suit, her fashionable coat being of the blazer pattern. Miss Lillian Bussell, the “American Beauty,” is organizing a Wheel Club with an idea of holding a bicycle meet in Centrnl Park on the Four-in-hand BLACK AND WHITE CHECK GOWN, WITH BROAD BEVEES ON ETON COAT. Club lines. The real difficulty will be for the club members and their guests at the meet to separate themselves from the crowd of cyclists who would infest the park on such an occasion. Miss Bussell’s suggestion is that the club should invent a really smart uni form dress for the ladies, and one for men as much unlike the cap and knickerbocker disfigurement of the “scorcher” as possible. In this way the meet might be a pretty aud imposing innovation, but not otherwise. Bloomers are to be tabooed. Miss Russell naively says that man’s invention gave the petticoat to woman to prevent her running after him. She is a devotee of all out-door sports, and is always the Queen of Beauty at the races. It is hard to tell at such times which attracts the more attention—the fair Lillian or the win ning horse. At Morris Park the other day she was a “thing of beauty” to look upon; still fair as a lily- with a complexion that ahvays suggests peaches and cream. She stood saucily on a chair with her glasses levelled on her favor ite horse and looked the incarnation of good nature as her horse brought up the rear. Her gown was of a stunning check, the skirt cut in the latest fash ion, while the open-fronted jacket showed off to advantage a stiff bosom shirt. Near her stood Miss Isabel Irving, another well-known actress and soci ety woman and blonde beauty of the ethereal type, in a frock of cafe-au lait broadcloth, the smart coat and skirt trimmed uniquely with black silk braid. She wore a soft silk blouse of brown spotted silk and had her field glasses flung over her shoulder—alto gether a swagger figure. The costumes illustrated herewith were designed by The National Cloak Cos., of New York. Status of Dojs. The owner of a valuable Newfound land dog in New Orleans sought dam ages from a railroad company for kill ing it. The case turned on the validity of an act of the Louisiana Legislature, recognizing- dogs as personal property only when placed on the assessmeni rolls. The Supreme Court sustains the law and refuses damages, since the dog was not assessed, incidentally denning the law in regard to dogs iu general as follows: “The very fact that they are without protection of the criminal laws shows that property in dogs is of an imperfect or qualified nature, aud that they stand, as it were, between ani mals ferae naturae, in which, until subdued, there is no property, and domestic animals, in which the right of property is complete. They are not considered as being upon the same plane with horses, cattle, sheep and other domestic animals, but rather in the category of cats, monkeys, parrots, singing birds and similar annuals kept for pleasure, curiosity or caprice. Un like domestic animals, they are useful neither as beasts of burden,'for draft, nor for food. HOUSEHOLD MATTERS. Ink Stain, on "Woodwork. Tnk spots on polished woodwork can be removed by the use of caustic soda or oxalic acid. When the stain is on the surface of the polish it can be taken out by the use of a little water slightly impregnated with the soda. When the stain lias entered deeply into the wood diluted oxalic acid will erase it better than anything else. The wood will, in such a case, require to he refinished, ns the polish will be gone after this treatment. Any woodwork that has been untouched by shellac or varnish, no matter how stained or dirty it may be, can be made beautifully fresh and clean by an application of oxalic acid dilution. To Foot Stockings. Taking the worn-out sock, fold it on the seam, aud where the heel merges into the leg begin to cut, aud keeping half way between the two edges, cut off the under part; then cut open the lieal seam and spreading out the part cut away from the stocking make a pattern from which to cut out anew bottom of cloth. Fold this to gether in the middle and stitch to gether the rounded edges for anew heel; then, unfolding, stitch the new bottom into the stocking, holding the former towards you, as on account of the room for seam or shrinkage, which, of course, was allowed in cutting the pattern, it wifi be larger than the stocking. Woolen or cotten stockings past wearing should not lie thrown away, as often one pair is useful in mending another.—St. Louis Star. Use of Waxed Paper. When the housekeeper becomes as wise as she is progressive she will learn that her bread aud cake ought to be delivered to her done up in waxed paper. Bread from bakeries and pub lic places such as stores and distribu ting stations, ought to be wrapped, each loaf separately, in waxed paper. ; A few dealers are using this sort of I wrapping, which is put around the ! loaves as soon as they are baked. A ; string is tied around the package, and j the knot is sealed and stamped with ! the baker’s name aud the weight and quality of the bread. In this way it ! is kept from contact with disease i germs and is also moist and whole ' some. Au additional advantage is that j the consumer receives the bread with ! confidence, kiiowing that it cannot have collected injurious germs by in discriminate handling. A Creole Housewife’s Idea of Salads. “Speaking of salads,” said a noted old Creole housewife the other day, “the salad for health is the green salad with simple French dressing. Such a salad ought to be on our tables every day, at least once in the course of the year round. To get a real French dressing in the quickest and best way, take six tablespoonfuls of oil, two tablespoonfuls of vinegar, a half tea spoonful of salt and a half of pepper. But the full quantity of oil into the jar, together with the vinegar, and agitate violently. This saves any amount of beating and produces an emulsion im mediately green salad is used, with a tablespoonful of parsley, cut very fine, sprinkled over again. Salads of this order are the most healthful in the world as food. The family that eats much oil never knows a headache, and the medical qualities of lettuce, celery and watercress are such as all nervous, energetic people require as a sedative. The Americans eat too much meat and too little vegetables.'The Creoles hap pily blend both. This accounts in many instances for the longevity aud good health of the race. As for the pounger ones,” and madam shrugged :ier shoulders in true Parisian fashion, “They make too much American for me. ” —New Orleans Picayune. Frozen Puddings. The season for hot puddings with rich sauces having passed, frozen pud dings will he found a delicious dessert for the summer dinner table, They differ from ice cream in being much richer, and having custard as a foun dation. The recipes here given will enable housekeepers to serve their tables with variety during the hot months: Iced Pudding—Make a quart of rich egg custard, mix with it an ounce of finely-cut citron, one-fourth of a pound of chopped candied fruits, an ounce of pisthchio nuts, blanched and split, the juice of one orange and lemon each with a pint of whipped cream. Pack into a pudding mold, fiury in salt and ice for three hours. Frozen Chocolate Pudding—Boil half a pint of milk and one-fourth of a pound of fine chocolate together for two or three minutes; add two table spoonfuls of powdered sugar. Beat three cupfuls of cream aud three table spoonfuls of sugar until solid; when the chocolate is very cold, mix in half the cream andfreeze. Line a pudding mold with the frozen cream. Flavor the remaining cream with vanilla; fill up the centre of the mold with it, cover, and bury in salt aud ice for two hours. When ready to serve, turn out on a cold dish, and garnish with tiny chocolate bonbons. Frozen Cabinet Pudding—Cut a dozen stale lady fingers into small pieces. Pound four ounces of maca roons and rub with the lady fingers through a coarse sieve. Put a quart of rich milk on to boil, beat the eggs into a teacup of sugar, and stir into the boiling milk, take from the fire, mil stand aside to cool. Garnish the bottom of a fancy pudding mold with -andied cherries or strawberries; put jver a layer of thinly-sliced stale sponge cake, then a sprinkle of the macaroons, then another layer of the fruit and sponge cake. Pour the custard over, cover the mold securely, pack in salt and ice, aud freeze for three hours. When ready to serve turn the pudding out on a cold dish, uul garnish with candied fruit. Southern Frozen Pudding— Make a quart of rich custard. - Put a pint of water and a pound of sugar in a small saucepan, and boil until a thick sirup; take from the fire and mix in three ounces of blanched and pounded ilmonds, one ounce of chopped citron, two ounces each of stoned raisins and dried currants, with an ounce each of candied orange and lemon peel. Let cool, aud mix with the custard. Beat •the whites of four eggs, add gradually to the mixture, flavor with a teaspoon - fnl of vanilla. Turn into a freezer and freeze. —Houeewife. CURIOUS FACTS. Nearly every castle in England has its underground passages. A goose with two hearts was recently killed by a resident of Bbydope, Eng land. With a single blow of his insignifi cant tail an elephant can knock down the strongest man. The Congress of the United States has met annually in Washington since November 17, 1800. The hall of the House of Bcpresen tatives at Washington is the largest legislative room iu the world. It is estimated that the shingle mills of Whatooin County, Wash., cut an average of 2,000,000 shingles'per day. The Bhode Island House passed an act to punish trespassing on steam railroads, except at regular crossings. The popular belief that the sap of trees goes down into the roots in winter and rises again iu the spring is false. It has been observed that Indians sneeze very seldom, while Chinese sneeze ten times as much, even, as the white race. A pocket-book containing $40,000, which was lost in St. Louis, was found by a bell-boy iu a hotel and returned to its owner. Some Birmingham (England) trades man has turned loose in the streets a pair of herons with advertisements at tached to them. Success has attended the experiment of some land owners at Orlando, Fla., who undertook to raise Kentucky blue grass and timothy. The National Museum, in the City of Mexico, has received a curious Aztec map, which shows the boundaries of the canton of Chieontepec, in the State of Vera Cruz. Plate-glass shelves are being used in French libraries and are said to give complete satisfaction. The wear and tear on the bindings of the books is said to be very much less. Au ancient quadrant bearing the name of Bobert Kidd, the celebrated pirate, is iu possession of a family at Bocklaud, Me. It is more than 200 years old, and is mounted with ivory, which has now turned dark brown with age. The river Yangtse, above Ichang, China, has been closed to navigation, not by a decree of the Emperor of the flowery land, but by nature. A recent laud slide lias created a dangerous cataract. The debris has compressed the channel to eight}' yards wide with a fall of ten feet. Natives of Gibraltar and tbe Moors across the strait have a tradition that there exists a cavern whence subter ranean passage leads under tbe straits to the mountains on the African side. The existence of this passage, they say, is known to the monkeys, who re gularly use it iu passing from one con tinent to the other. Chain ot Human Bones. Cyrus O. Thornton, a farmer living a few miles out of Bolivar, has an odd watch chain. It is made of humaß hones. The chain consists of eight links, each a trifle more than an inch long, connected by plated rings. The chain is about ten inches long, and has been highly polished by years of weal and glistens like ivory. Thornton secured the chain at Peters burg, Ya., in 1864. He was a mem ber of Company E, Fiftieth New York Engineers. A member of the Twenty first New York Infantry made two chains while confined in Libby Prison, and on his release met Thornton and sold him the chain for SSO in green backs. Thornton has forgotten the maker’s name. The bones were taken from amputated arms and legs, and it required eighteen months’ time to carve out the ehains. For many years after he came home from the -war Thornton wore the chain every day, but for several years be has worn it only on Memorial Day and at Grand Army reunions. Some of his neigh bors once laughed at the idea of the bones being taken from human bodies, and he sent the chain to a surgeon, who examined it and pronounced it to be of human bones.—Fall River (Mass.) News. One Cent Due Mr. Cleveland. There is a balance of one cent due Grover Cleveland as President of the United States on the records of the Treasury Department awaiting his signature for payment. When the outgoing President was paid his last month’s salary there was still a frac tion due, and in the hurry and change of Administration the matter was over looked until too late to receive the President’s signature. If at the expiration of three years the amount has not been drawn, it will be returned U> the United States Treasury and become legally dead, or “covered in,” according to the term used in such instances, and can never be recovered, unless a special claim is instituted against the Government and the wear and tear of a special appro priation gone through with, the same as any other appropriation is passed. Under no consideration can the amount be paid from an appropriation or sur plus already in existeuce. A special warrant is required for the payment of the salary of the Chief Ex ecutive, while lesser officials and clerks are paid by check on the Treasury that can be cashed at any National bank.— Washington dispatch to the Pittsburg Dispatch. Convict Salvation Kecrnits. The latest plan of the Salvation Army to gain recruits is to swear in convicts converted in prisons. Five men in a Sau Francisco prison, each of whom has several years to serve, joined the army the other day with a characteristic ceremony. The exercises, which were held, of course, in the jail, were at tended by a thousand people. The new “Soldiers of the Lord” were obliged to answer all the questions of the ex tremely severe “articles of war” and to sign the customary documents. The prisoners had first been required to pass through the regular probationary period. A Bishop Startles Folks. Bishop Talbot, of Rochester, Eng land, has startled the borongh of Southwark by walking through the streets early one week day morning in frill vestmeuts, with mitre and cope. He had to open a church, and preferred to walk to it from the house where he had dressed rather than take a cab.