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k and Its r.vili. ease, for it curt be ng tine, is destroying rospeots of countless "young gin's. Let a keen observer go along the streets and watch how many vc ung girls iust stepping upon thelthreeholcHof womanhood,and his or her hearty instead of warming to their freshness and youthful innocence, shudders tit the bold and inviting glances which are losing or have al ready lost the modest look of young maidenhood. There is nothing more beautiful than modesty, in the young particularly and when that is wanting the chief oharm of a young girl is lost. Do you think, girls, that the men who forget their manliness and dig nity so far as to engage in this sense less pastime, would think of you for a moment as wives? Oh, no! And to prove it to you I will tell you of a little conversation I overheard a few days ago, which made me burn with indig nation, and caused me to write this letter to you to show you that the very men you flirt with are the first to turn your silliness into ridicule, and often wor. j e. Two gentlemen were talking not far from my corner, and no doubt think ing that the old woman in the corner was not paying attention to them they talked quite unreservedly. The older of the two was evidently a man of sense, with a just idea of honor. He was saying to his companion : “I suppose you intend to marry Miss M., as I see you are paying her such devoted attention.” “Do you see any green in my eyes ?’ was the very vulgar reply. “Why, as for marrying Miss M., I’d rather be excused. She is too great a flirt to ever make a true wife. The way I came to Know her was on the street; she gave me a sweet little look, which encouraged me to bow. My bow was returned, and I joined in her prome nade. I afterward took her to get some lunch, and ordered wine, just to see how far she would let me go at the first meeting; and, by Jove! I was surprised to see how she could drink. But I have since found that she can hold her own pretty well. I mean to drep her soon and seek fresh game.” “I think it very dishonorable to act so,” said the elder^man. /( smIu iu“ ciuvr4ui«u• The younger bridled up, and said: ‘‘What right have you to speak to me thuB? I feel perfectly justified in doing as I have done. If the girls choose to make fools of themselves, I am not going to preach wisdom to to them. I mC&n to have all the fun I can out of them.” Very plain language, girls, but you lay yourselves open to it. How can you expect men to want you as wives when you hold youselves so cheaply that any well-dressed rake can walk up to you and become your escort? And do you think you are sacred to the man you have favored for the mo ment, and that he keeps this pleasant little folly to himseli ? If you think so, you are sadly mistaken ; he feels contempt for you, and when he gets among his kind he boasts of the “mash” he made, and calls you a jolly little thing, and hints at a darker end ing than you ever thought of—when folly shall have become vice. Soon you are marked, and your good name is bandied from mouth to mouth as being no better than you should be, and it Is only the respecta bility of your parents that saves you from disgrace. Girls, girls, look well to the smart s set for yeur feet; avoid the appearance of evil as well as evil itself. G. 8. A Treasured Lock of Hair. f Among Jthe, dead, after one of the engagements during the late war, lay the outstretched form of a handsome young man, of fair and intellectual features. Hi had been struck down by a ball in the centre of his throat. The stranger gazing for a moment at the inanimate body, so lately instinct with life, thought of the loved ones yet to hear and mourn over their lost one. It was a strange impulse, perhaps, hut that stianger—albeit an enemy a few moments before—kneel ed beside the dead, and separating a look from his beautiful but disheveled hair, placed it carefully in his pocket. The body after wards proved to be that of young Preston, of South Carolina, and the lock of hair soon after the report of his death found its way to the hand of the young lady at Provi dence, Rhode Island, to whom he had been betrothed, as an Invaluable sou venir. A wise man reflects before*he speaks; a fool speaks, and reflects on what he has uttered. A pictured faos with softly-glowing eyes, That seek my own with s. eat and timid grace I I gaze Into their blu^ like summer skies, And there a tander ‘Ale math Inks can trtc». A happy secret, iraugl t wilh love’s own bliss Is wrli ten on that fair and blushing cheek, And i n those lips Jove might sue :o kiss, A mute confession lies she may not speak. I wonder, if that face, Instinct with life, Could rise before me in its beauty rare, All calm and trustlul, free fiom Jarring, • Btrife, I stilt wou d deem her most divinely fair 7 Would witching grace still breathe in every line, And soft, unstudied harmony prevail O’er form arid feature T Would those eyes meet mine With that sweet secret which tljey could not veil ? Ah, well! perhaps ’tls best ’tls but a faoe Upon a bit ol canvas which I see, For I might covet all that wondrous grace, ' And long for smiles which might not beam for me! How Blanche Won the Wager. “Good-night, Miss Trumbull. I trust you wili experience no ill effects from the sudden shower.” “None in the least, I’m sure. Thanks, Mr. Grosvenor, for this very pleasant evening,” responded Miss Trumbull as she turned to enter the door. Dick Grosverior ran lightly down the steps and as he said “home” to the ebony-hued Jehu sprang into his car nage sinking back into the deep cush ions and a deep reverie at the Baine time, and was aroused from neither until the stopping of the carriage pro claimed their arrival at the hotel. In the meantime his late compan ion went slowly up the stairs of pol ished oak m this delightful summer cottage, and carefully opened the door of her room that she might not dis turb her cousin. It was a needless caution, however, for there sat the young lady deeply interested in the last new novel but looking up when the door opened. “Why, Blanche dear, home al ready ?” “Yes ; it is eleven o’clock though, Is there a breath'of air anywhere?” And she walked over by the window where she gracefully sank into an in viting chair and began taking off her long white kids. “Fair was she to behold!” in the language of the poet. Blanche was about nineteen years old, of medium height, with that fine, well rounded figure that is not compelled to resort to the modiste to couceal the angular ities often found in the lithe, willowy forms. Hair of a beautiful brown, bordering on the darker shades and scarcely less enchanting than the glo rious eyes. O ! ye poets of the ages past! Large and luxuriant, dark brown in color, and varied in expres sion ever betokening her changing moods, now pensive and dreamy, and anon mirthfully bewitching. Her complexion was almost perfect—as are those only of a fair skin and dark hair and eyes—pure and clear like the creamy white rosebud. “What kind of a time did you have ?.” asked Nettie, breaking the silence. “Oh, very nice, as such things go. I must confess I am Dot much 19 favor of parlor theatricals unless there is a little merit.” How long this was discus ed that night can only be surmised ; but it is generally understood that ladies can talk when they once get started. The ntxt afternoon the two young ladies strolled out into the well kept lawn, pausing in the shade of some gracetul trees where a hammock swung invitingly. This was soon duly appropriated by Miss Braid wood who was at once absorbed in the tragic recital of the woes of her favorite heroine. “Why will you read those trashy novels, Net? You know they are^all alike and yet you shed a few tears over each one,” inquired Blanche one day. But to this little outburst Nettie vouchsafed no reply, Blanche seated herself on a rustic chair aud silence reigned, broken only by the turning of a leaf and the twit ter of the little birds in the trees. Suddenly there came the sound of pattering footfalls over the grass and a small black and tan dog presented itself with a startled bark ; a minute later Dick Grosvenor was seen slowly sauntering down the gravel walk, twirling his cane as he kept time to the tune he was humming. “Good afternoon, ladies! What! not through with Ariadne yet?” to Miss Braid wood, whose proolivltles he understood so-well. But Nettie only smiled as she "re turned his greeting. “Miss Trumbull, will you permit lue?” and without awaiting a reply Dick threw himself down with easy nonchalance on the greenewood and prepared to li^ht an Havana. “What is the latest news at the hotel ? ’ inquired Blanche. “Nothing new, I think, though Jane Raymond has a new beau. Ai least she ought to have for her old one is about played out.” he said reflec tively. “For shame, sir! I think Jane is a real nice girl!” “80 she is—for the kind. As what- is-his-name wwuld say, for tboee who like that kind of a girl, she is about the kind of a girl they would like.” Looking very comfortable was Dick as he lay stretched out there, lazy fashion, and watched the curling rings of smoke from his cigar as they circled above his head. Then the few minutes’ silence was broken with : “I say, Miss Trumbull, do you know why you are like na ture’s sleep? Positively I felt rather mean and dull this morning, but now I am recovering. Give it up? Well, Because you are a sweet restorer.” Blanche smiled while Nettie broke out with : “Pooh ! that is awful, Mr. Grosvenor! I am really ashamed of sueh a conundrum for you if you are not for yourself, and besides I think you ought to know better.” “Crushed again ! Oh, cruel one!” and he hqld up h is hands in mock sup plication. Then then the conversation became general and finally drifted into a rec ognition of friends in disguise. “Well, I will tell you what we will do to settle it. You know Mrs. Jardin gives a ma querade party next week, and I will wager a box of gloves each that I can find you among the throng,” said Dick. Dick stayed until the tea bell aroused him from his delightful conversation, when up he sprang resisting all invi tations to remain on the plea of an en gagement. Whistling for his dog who had for the last half hour been busy keeping Aunt Brown’s favorite tabby among the branches of a neighboring pear tree, Dick strode down to the gate and jumping into his dog-cart rolled rapidly toward the beach. The next few days were busy with preparations for the ball, for it was one of the events of the season. Blanche had not much faith in her ability to elude the sharp eyes of the young man, but a conversation with Nettie and Mrs. Brown restored some what her confidence in her powers. Now, while Dick was afe honorable as most young men Iffe was not to be defeated in his pet projeot. So, by bribing the colored boy whose sister was Aunt Brown's dressing-maid, he elicited the somewhat incoherent in formation that “Missy Brown had lobliest gauze and spangled dress, and she looked powful fine in it, she; yes’n two or free moah big paper boxes had noffln but two or free powful black and white riding dresses most like missy’s ole riding habit frown ober de phaytom,” as he persisted in calling pheton. “What two black ones?” asked Dick, knowing he meant the dominos. But Julius only grinned. “Dun ’spec she bab whole chist full,” was all the satisfaction Dick could get out of him. However, he had it all settled in his own mind like this: “Of course the matronly Mrs. Brown would not wear the spangles that had oharmed the colored boy ; that’s Nettie’s. “Yes, and Mrs. Brown will be taste fully attired in the ever present dom ino aud will of course chaperon Miss Trumbull in s<»me fascinating oos- tume. Oh, it is easy enough !” and he smiled with a self-satisfied air. At last came the night of the party. The electric lights illuminated Mrs. Jardin’s beautiful house and grounds, till what with the splash of the cool fountains, strains of music wafted out ou the soft night air, and the perfume of many fragrant flowers, it seemed like a seotion of fairyland. Dick did not go very early as be did not care much for the social throng he knew were certain to be present, and it was about half past two when he entered th- ball room plainly attired as a Russian monk with sandals on his feet, his gown girded with a cord, and the cowl of his brown robe drawn well over his mask. He chose this costume as a common one affording him more opportunity for moling around unobserved aud partially due, it must be confessed, to a feeling of laziness—or shall we be charitable, and call it indifference ? His sharp gray eyes peered around eagerly in search of the trio, as he kuew they would keep together most of the time ami finally he discovered them in the next room. There g u*t as he expected ! Nettie a golden hair ed Tltania. spangles and all, engag- d in a mild flirtation with a sober Turk in a gorgeous scarlet tez and patri archal beard. Close at hand was one of the multitudinous dominos. Mrs. Brown with the smoked glasses she so often wore in the evening, aud near her was Blanche. O ye gods and golden image- ! It almost took Dick’s breath away to see that handsome figure as Lady Dedlock. Every ges ture was queenly, and the admiring crowds around her testified to her regal bearing. Dick threaded his way as best he could through the crowded drawing room and stood by a small table bear ing portfolios of engravings. “My lady, will you favor me with the next dance ?” he asked in a low tone. With a gracious sn ile she took his arm and they started for the prome nade. “Delightful music?” volunteered Dick, bound to make her talk. “Yes!” she answered In musical ac cents low and sweet ea the sighing of the summer wind. “Perhaps you would prefer the promenade to the dance?” “I would much prefer it. I am tired of dancing. Unless you will be dissatisfied ?” she concluded. “H >w could I so long as I am with you ?” he murmured, tenderly gazing into her eyes as best he could for the mask. s “Oh! fie, ’ and she tapped his arm with her feather fan. They were now in the conservatory. “Do you know many here to night?” she inquired formally. “I know Miss Trumbull!” he ex claimed triumphantly as he rbmoved the mask. “You dissemble well. You really ask that question like a veritable duenna. But remove your mask and get cooled off.” “No, she was not warm.,’ It mat tered little to Dick, and he continued gayly. “I will have some new gloves now. Be sure and get them large enough ; I wear seven and a quarter. By the way, I surmise the gay Titania to be Miss Braid wood ; I am right,-! sup pose.” “Smart boy,” was the mocking re ply- , Dick rattled on. “How stupid in your aunt to come! She stands there in her everlasting domino! I believe if I were the cha peron of any young lady as handsome as—ahem ! well, some I know—I would depart from the trodden paths of maskdom, and come out as a sun flower or a piece of Japanese pottery— anything for a sensation.” Lady Dedloek coughed indiscreetly. “Miss Trumbull, you will permit me to escort you to supper. Please do not refuse.” “Perhaps when the company un masks you will see some one you pre fer to me.” “Never I In faot if it were not for you I would—” he protested vehem ently. ‘There! I have heard young men talk like that before.” “How often shall I tell you that I always speak the truth? Why I am Truthful James himself! Besides, I do not know what I can do to con vince you that I mean every word I say.” Lady Dedlock only smiley. “Come! there is the bugle call for unmasking and supper.” “First to my party, if you please.” She took Dick’s arm aud they re joined the plain domino and the gab zy Titania. Then all unmasked, at a given signal. Dick stood there his face wreathed with self-satisfied smiles, which turned to the blankest amaze ment when he saw the mask removed from my lady’s faoe and beheld—plain Mrs. Everleigh Brown. He sank into the nearest chair utterly speechless But where was Miss Trumbull ? Dick turned to the airy fairy Titania, but it really was Miss Braidswood as he had supposed ; and there—yes, there in the plain domino with the smoked glasses in her hand, an amused smile on her face—stood Blanche, more beautiful than ever. in reality, she smiled with an I told you so air. While at the supper table Blanche related how the Lad} Dedlock costume was originally intended for her ; but it was too large aud stately and she f x- ebanged with her aunt. Dick posi tively asserted that had it not been for tire eye glasses he would have known her ii. spite of ail things by her glori ous eyes.. Dick groaned mentally as he thought of all he had said to Mrs. Brown. When he told the ladies a few days afterward they had a merry time over it. Blanche said, however, that she knew her aunt took no offence for she was the dearest aunt in the world.” Educational Progression. A foreign exchange reveals these- " crets of a plan adopted by the “ Ger man School Association” to raise money to aid German students in Austria. The beneficiaries themselves are model contributors. They have imposed on themselves what they call the “seventh mug tax,” to be levied and collected in this original way: Meetings are to be held once a week or oftener by about 2000 stuci-uts of the different universities, wi>o will refrain from drinking the “seventh mug” and deposit each the 7 krouzers which the beer would co-1 in a general fund for the use of the above-named association. It is believed this volun tary tfcx will yield 15,0C0 florins a year, While the students will probably be just as well off as if they had taken the drink. Incidentally statistics are to be gathered about beer consumption by German students. Other educational matters of inter est are un ier discussion. Thus, gym nastic exercises on an extensive scale are being introduced in the schools of France. There has been of late years a decided movement In favor of this kind of training. Many gymnastic societies have been established, are In a flourishing condi tion, and are having reflex influence upon the young. In Paris public gymnasiums are being established. In England again,the equipments for gen eral primary education are being added to. In the Bchool year which oloeed August SI, accomodations for ISO,000 ’ new pupils were provided, school registers show j6o,000 more children to be enrolled than a year ago, while the average attendance has increased by over 100,000. Night schools, however, in wiiich alone great olasses of the community can be taught,are unfortunately diminishing. There Are only one-half as many of them as in 1870, while the falling off in enrollment is from 78,000 to 38,600. The present ratio of night schools to day schools is 1 to 20; twelve’ years ago it was 1 to 5. The character of the instruction afforded in the schools throughout the United Kingdom is improving from year to year. Perpetual Motion.^ Th* Clock at Brunei* Which Dm* Fot Even Heed to be Wound. The ludicrous side of the affair over came Dick’s rueful recollections of what he had been saying aud he gave way to hearty laughter. “All right, Miss Trumbull, you shall have tlie best box of gloves iu New York.” Mrs. Browu kindly released him from his engagement for supper, aud as he offered his arm loMiss Trumbull In September last a new perpetual clock wan put up at the Gare du Nord, Brussels, in suoh a position a3 to be fully exposed to the influences of wind and weather, and, though it has not since been touched, it has continued to keep good time ever since. The weight is constantly wound up by a fan placed in the chimney. As soon as it approaches the extreme height of its course, it actuates a break which stops the fan, and the gr eater the tend ency of the fan to revolve, so much the more strongly does the break aot to prevent it. A simple pawl arrange* ment prevents a down draught from exerting any effect. There is no neces sity for a Are, as the natural draught of the chimney or pipe is sufficient, and if the clock is placed out of doors all that is required is to place it above a pipe, sixteen or twenty-feet high. The clock is made to run for twenty- four hours after being wound up, so as to provide for any temporary stoppage* but by the addition of a wheel or two it may be made to go for eight days after cessation of winding. The in ventor, M. Auguste Dardenne, a na tive of Belgium, showing his original model at the Paris Exhibition in 1878, but has since oousiderabiy improved upon it. He Had Rather Die. A physician falls into a fit while making a round of visits, and is car ried into a drug store. “Send for Dr. X , says somebody. “No, no, not for him,” says the dying man feebly, at the mention of his rival’s name; “if he brought mo round it would ad vertise him. I prefer to die.” I