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THE MERCURY. MERCURY. entered a» Second-class Mat tor at Sandersville Vostofjlce April 37, ttso. Sandersville, Washington Connty, 6a. PUBLI8HED BY A. J. JERNIGAN & CO. Proprietor* and Editor*, T] Al J ' ,ThltyiaA> A (O., Proprietors, DKVOTED TO LITERATURE, AGRICULTURE AND GENERAL INTELLIGENCE. SUBSCRIPTION: $1.BO Per Annum. Subscription: $1.60 Per Teat. VOLUME VII. SANDERSVILLE. GA.. TUESDAY. MARCH 29. 188:. NUMBER 48. E. S. LANGMADE FROZEN NORTHWEST. POST-OFFICE BURGLARIZED. TUG COMMISSIONERS IN THE FLAMES, BUDGET OF FUN. attorney at law, sandersville, o». glTirAi^ B. D. Kvari, ft EVANS & EVANS, ATTORNEYS AT LAW banderville, ga. fTh. saffold, attorney AT LAW, SANDERSVILLE, GA. Will practice in all the Court* of the Middle Circuit and in the oountiei lurroumling Washington. Speoinl at* tention given to commercial law. H. N. HOLLIFIELD, Physician & Surgeon, sandersville, ga. Onto, next iloor to Mrs. Bayne-’* Millinery jliir.', on IUrri-s utrest. BUY YOim from JBR;ISrXC3-A.2SI, (Nona genuine without our trade mark.) O.V HAND AND FOR SALK SPECTACLES, NOSE GLASSES, Etc., Etc. Watches, Clocks AND JEWELRY REPAIRED BY J B X^IsTJOt A3ST. THE B. AND 0. EXPRESS CO. Tin*> Mnungf to Kconp tlio Hnnt Syatciu. S.VOtK melting and flooding the niVEll VALLEYS, Terrible Hcenca In I>nkotn._Enil*rnnti In th© Snow—A Brave Rouen©. A dispatch from Bismarck Dnkotn, under date of last Sunday soys: There is a furious blizzard raging to-night, and the air is so thick with snow that it is impossible to sec across the street. Relief parties which were sent out this morn ing, mid about whose safety the greatest concern was felt, cuine bnck this after noon, one boat bringing “Dutch Mike" and Thomas Whitley,taken from a shuck, where they hnd been for nearly twenty- four hours, and the yawl bringing II. McCarty and wife and C. A. Beal, found on u little mound opposite Fort Lincoln wiili water within six inches of them. In such a.blinding storm the return of the boats is little short of miraculous. The report of the drowning of Superintend ent Graham, on the Mandan side cannot be verified here, as there is no communi cation. There is no ice running in tin: river, which indicates that, the gorge is still holding nbove. The Buford rise of thirty feet rnnnot get here beforo tomor row. The train from the cast to-duy brought more emigrants, and there are now over 100 here. The Northern Pacific is returning enst passengers, who desire it, free. Tint WBATDRU flltOWINO COI.DKH. The published statement that the Northern Pacific river warehouse in Bis- jnnrek was full of goods for the up river is a mistake, the goods having been re moved in anticipation of tho high water. The high trestle of the Northern Pacific bridge will require but three or four days to repair. Word readied Bismarck to night that a whole family hnd probably perished, or is still held captive at a point 20 miles above. Parties at Painted Woods have been telegraphed to go to the rescue. It is getting colder. The Missouri river is still on tho ram page. The Buford rise readied Bismarck to-day, and the water is (lowing over the prairie at a greater depth and more ter rible speed than ever. The stream lias risen a foot here to-day, which is equal to rise of over twenty feet in the upper river, as the water is spread out over a stretch of country six miles wide. The fearful blizzard has abated and left over six inches of snow throughout the Northwest. This will add to the flood, nnd as the sun lias come out warm, the tributaries of the Missouri are already growing from the melting snow. it is oflicially announced that the Bal timore nnd Ohio Express company have trooped the express franchise of the East Tennessee, Virginia and Geoigia sys'em. Several weeks since a trusted agent of die Baltimore and Ohio came south and made u careful examination of the ex press Im ,incss on the East Tennessee sys tem, When lie made his report, negotia tions were at once begun, which culmi nated in ttic deal being closed, and mi May l-t the Baltimore nnd Ohio ex press will be placed on all the lines of the great southern railway system, and the Southern Express company will withdraw. 'The scoop of the franchise was a great victory for the Baltimore nnd Ohio, and will give them 2,200 miles of road on which their express will operate. It will give them entrance to nil the leading fontlu i ti cities, and their hold in (lit smith is now firmly established. This senop gives color to the rumor relative h the consolidation of tho Richmond ami West I’i int Terminal system with lint of the Baltimore and Ohio, and leads to tin l« liet that the latter deni lias been con- Minuted. CUTTING THE WIRES. Tlis Wuslrrn I'ninn and llio Freiicli fnlil* Cuinimny’* Wrangle. As a result of somo misunderstanding between the Western Union telegraph comp,my and the French cable company, n gang of linemen employed by tho latter company are now going over the route of Hie American union lines, now part of the Western Union system, between Now V[>rk ami Boston, cutting in two those wires at every place where they have J'ceii run into Western Union oflices. I he French cable company lms opened hst oflices nil along the route, and will, ii is generally understood, soon Jt'rsiige to compete witli the Western 1 niini for local cable business Rcpru- fPiitniivcs of the Western Union aro watching Hie French cable company’s tmm, ami at every place tho wires are cut ' 'iter a protest, but do not interfere. The matter will evidently lie litigated. The trouble between the companies grew out m the French company’s withdrawal n°m the cable pool. The French cable company claims two wires from New '"rli to their Cape Cod olllce and nro oow taking forcible possession by cutting these wires wherever they aro run into Western Union offices. ■NTHUNAI, RK.VHNUE UOl.T/dCTIONH. I ' ^huigton D. C.,—Collections of in- l,,| i revenue during tho first eight °f die fiscal year ending June 30, Wi.wera $74,248,808, being $917,007 . , ban the collections during the cor- rn. Ponding period of the last fiscal year. Here was a decrease of $3,735,590 in < eipts from spirits, an increase of $989,- 'oon tobacco, nil increase of $1,378,- *, - ‘"t mfmented liquors, an increase of i ’08 on miscellaneous objects and a ei-hT'r 6 °f $54,794 on penalties. Re 1( ,;l 11s for February, 1887, were $80,003 jS4|. lan receipts for the same month of I.IVEH IjOHT AT HEA. A dispatch from Washington D. C., J "ays: Commander Davis, of the rminiig ship Saratoga, reports from "it Spain, Trinidad, that vvh'lc at San ernancliiio anchorage, February 24, a "mil boat swamped oil La Brae point, ?, . c paymaster’s clerk, Albert Taylor „ (, ."ie; Joseph Oates, apothecary; H. H. c ’ s ?e, armourer, and Wm. Foster, boat ■ w#in, lost their lives. you got the hydrophobia?'’ what makes you ask that ‘Well, I Dent'd tun suy to- got awfully bitten when she had a fortune in lioi , “Pa, have *'°i Bertie; question J” 1 1 a Y that you you thought °wn name.’’ TI1B PERIL OK THE PEOPLE. The reselling parties that made the wonderful journey into the lowlands yes terday, and sa-ed the lives of six men and one woman who were perched upon the tops of houses nnd in trees, are the heroes of the day. A telegram from Fort Lincoln yesterday announced tlint the people could be seen from that point standing on the hay stacks and in the trees, and unless they were rescued they would perish in the flood. If is referred to in the Lincoln dispatch, although many claim that the country directly op posite the fort is settled, and numerous inhabitants of the Hooded district are still in danger, if not swept away. A re port also comes from the north to the ef fect that at Painted Wood, the settlers have been in the trees and on the liny stacks for two days and relief parties have been sent to that point. The report that Superintendent Graham, of the Northern Pacific road,has been drowned, lias been denied, and it is learned that the rumor grew out of his attempt to come to Bismarck Friday evening. The gorge at Sibley Island remains firm, nnd all efforts to remove it aro vain. If the present state of nUiiira should remain a week, the Missouri would have a perma nent channel cut across the county at least two miles cast of its old course. 'Pile ice is flowing freely today, and io lie- lodged in blocks of from a rod to a quar ter of a mile in length on the farms and meadow land of the settlers. The North ern Pacific trestle has not been repaired, and it is impossible for the company to work upon the structure on account of the floating ice. KUNNINO FKOM THE WATERS. So rapidly did tho flood rise nt Painted Wood tlint two families, including five children, started to pack their household goods preparatory to moving back from the stream. Their houses were located on the low land, and before they got ready to start the water was within six feet of their houses. They then started but were compelled to go through the low land a quarter of a mile before they could reacli Buttes, their house being on the highest point in the locality. No sooner did the water reach that height, thun it swept down into the low land, and for overt! quarter of a mile tho hor ror stricken people were pursued by the rushing waters. Before they reached the higli land, they were overtaken, and for the last four rods were compelled to wado through three feet of water. One of the children had to be carried a long distance. Another train loud of passengers ar rived in from east today, and will be sent back free if desired. . THE ANNISTON LAND CO. nut to lfenr the Nnm©— unction Case. tiled in the city court Alu., by the Anniston linst Roden et al., who la laud company some anized another corpora- ume of Anniston land in the defendants from on the ground that the rty of the complainants older that name some nd because such other it in fact an Anniston identified nt all with putting oil its stock on rer its actual values, is mniston land company nd a wrong to the pub- iiiants corporation is not y land company which iiized in Anniston, but J some years ago by f Talladega who bought erty in Anniston and so h Anniston, while the vas bought and is still Birmingham. The Albany, <ln„ Po.t-yifllco ttobbril of money nnd Hlnnipa, A special to the Atlanta Constitution Irom Albany, On., Tuesday says; Our city was considerably excited this morn ing when it was reported that a bold and daring burglary hnd been perpetrated nt ) the post-office some time during the night. An investigation soon revealed tho truth of the rumor and led to a dis covery of the amourt lost. The safe was bored into, the drill being placed in such a position as to break the combination, and the draweis were rifled of their con tents. 1 he vault containing tho money was carried away with the stamps nnd registered letters. Six hundred or $700 in money and $800 or $1,000 in stamp* were taken by the thieves. Besides these, about thirty registered letters, the exact vnlue of which is not i known at present, were stolen. An en trance into the post office was effected through the back door, which was locked and barred securely when the otlico was closed for the night. Early this morning tho broken vault and the papers wero found on the banks of thu river, where they hnd been left by the thieves after rilling them of their contents. The work is evidently thnt of professionals, who go prepared for their work, mid strenu ous efforts will he made to bring them to justice and retribution. Captain Y. G. Rust, tho clever and efficient postmaster, telegraphed immediately to the authori ties at Washington nnd 'to Inspector Booth, of yttlnnta, notifying them of the robbery. DEFYING OFFICERS. Three Men It <••1*1 Arreat and Are Shot Down. A special from Montgomery, Alabama, last Sunday to the Atlanta Constitution says: Further particulars of the bloody tragedy which occurred at Mount Meigs, Friday morning, have been received. The sheriff’s posse of six officers went to the home of James S. Sidney, colored, who was wanted for grand larceny, nnd who had previously openly defied the officers. The posse found Sidney nnd his two stepsons barricaded in their house nnd armed with shotguns and axes. Deputy Parks, who led the posse, cnlled Sidney and told him to surrender quickly ns the officers wero determined to take him. Sidney replied that he would kill or be killed before lie would surrender. The officers then forced the door open, and the shooting began. Two of thu officers shot Sidney and he fell dead. Tho two stepsons were both wounded, one in the face nnd the other in the thigh. After the melee ended, it was found tlint the negroes were armed with two shot guns nnd five axes. Neither of the offi cers were hurt. The boy shot in flic face will lose an eye, nnd the other’s wounds are various. An iuquest was held nml the officers released, Sidney's family was a terror to thu community where they lived. BEECHERS SUCCESSOR. Dr. Joseph Parker, of London, Talked el for Pljrmonth. The question of who is to succeed Mr. Beecher in tho Plymouth church pulpit bus already obtruded itself upon the minds of the congregation, and in many instances given rise to conjectures upon tlie ultimate selection of the trustees. The major preferences nt present seem to be Dr. Joseph Parker, of London. Dr. Parker was a friend nnd admirer of Mr. Beecher, and for years there was the strongest bond of sympathy between the two, who in many ways resembled each other. During Ids visit to England Mr. Beecher was tlie guest of Dr. Parker, and preached in his church, the City Temple, in llolborn. Four years ago Dr. Parker come over to til's country and de livered a few of his sermons in Plymouth church. Those who heard him wer* much impressed by his brilliant oratory. It is snid that General Horatio King lias a liking for Dr. Parker, while John T. Howard, one of the founders of the church, would be pleased to sec Dr. Ly- nau Abbot t in tho Plymouth pulpit. Mr. I limans G. Shciwood thinks it would bo a wise plan to select a minister who is to tally different from Mr. Beecher, so that no disparaging comparisons can be drawn. A TOWN BURNED. Blackvlll* Houlli Cnrolioa It Visited by a a Deetruetlve lire. The entire business portion of the little town of Blackville, 8. C., was burned Wednesday. The fire originated in the rear of the general merchandise sforo of P. W. Farrell and had gained considerable headway before it was dis covered and notwithstanding the efforts of tho entire town to check the fire in a remarkably short time the flames hnd spread to adjoining buildings, and in less than half an hour almost the entire town was one mass of flames and nt night tlie other portion of the town oast of the rail road was one mass of ashes, twenty-seven houses having been consumed. Among tlie buildings consumed were: P. W. Farrell’s and Martin & Son's gen eral merchandise store; J. L. Buse’s large brick grocery house; D. K. Brigg’s drug store; W. A. Jarrell’s general store; Simon Brown’s new brick general store; Martin Keeler’s grocery store and bar; Brown’s livery stable and a handsome residence; the large warehouse of the South Carolina railroad; half a dozen small stores and many residences. The depot was one of the few buildings in town that escaped the flames. The loss is estimated at $200,000. Insurance about $50,000. FIRE AT LAURENBURG S. C. About four o’clock Wednesday morn ing, a fire broke out in Leggett's hotel, at Laurenburg, and the building together with all contents, was destroyed. The loss is estimated at $10,000; insurance $5,000. The Carolina Central railroad depot and ft largo cotton platform was 100 feet distant, and was for a while iu great jeopardy, but by the determined exertion of tlie citizens was saved. No oilier property destroyed. There was no loss of life, hut the inmates of the hotel barely hud time to escape in their night clothes. Tho fire is said to have been in cendiary. .4 VPOINTED UNDER THE INTER STATE COMMERCE RILL. Tlie Nnmc* at' Ills Alan Appointed nnd (lie Term* Wlileli They are to Hervo—Hhort Hkeirtar* of Tbelr Lire*. The president has appointed the fol lowing interstate commerce commission ers: Thomas M. Cooley, of Michigan, for a term of six years; William R. Morrison, of Illinois, five years; Augustus Schoeu- maker, of New York, four yenrs; Aldncc F. Walker, of Vermont, three years; Walter L. Bragg,of Alabama, two yenrs. SKETCHES OK THE COMMISSION, The fact that Mr. Cooley’s nmno heads thu list does not necessarily indicate that lie will be chairman of the commission, as it must elect its own chairman. Tlie following is a sketch of the public careers of tlie men composing the commission, excepting Mr. Morrison, whose public services nre so generally known ns to need no description. Thomas M. Cooley was born at Attica, N. Y., in 1824, studied law in thnt state and removed to Michigan in 1843, where he has since resided. In 1857 he Wns elected compiler of tho state laws nnd in 1850 reporter of tho supremo court. In 185?) 1 - was chosen by tho regents as commissioner to organize thn law depart ment of the university of Michigan, and ho has ever since been connected with it. In 1804 he was elected justioo of the su premo court and was re-elected in 1809 and in 1877; he was nominated by tlie republicans for ro-election in 1885, and was defeated. He is author of a number of ® ntidnrd legal works. He was recent ly appointed by United States Judge Gresham receiver of tho Wabasli railroad company. Aldacc F. Walker is a Vermont lawyer, about forty-four yenrs old, n republican in politics, who studied law with Sena tor Edmuds. lie served ns colonel in tlie union army and has since been practicing law at Rutland. In the Vermont somite lie lias tukeu a leading part in framing legislation to solve tho railway problem, and lias given much study to tho ques tion. Augustus Shoemaker, of Kingston, N. V., was born in Ulster county, N. Y., March 2, 1828, and is n lawyer in active practice. He bus always been a democrat in polities. He has been judge of his county, and candidate of his party for supreme court judge. Ho was a slate senator during Governor Tilden’s term as governor, and was one of.the leaders in tlie legislature. He was always a close personal nnd political friend of Mr. Til- den. Mr. Shoemaker was attorney gen eral of New York state in 1878 nnd '79, succeeding Sir. Fairchild, thn present acting secretary of the treasury. In 1880 lie was presented by tho anti-Tammany delegation from New York, in tlie demo cratic state convention in 1875 and in 1880, and also thu Gbicngo convention in 1884. Mr. Shoemaker is now a member of (lie civil service commission of Now York state, having been appointed by Governor Cleveland undretained in office by Governor Hill. Walter L. Bragg was born in Alabama in 1838, but resided in Arkansas from 1843 to 1801. lie was educated nt Har vard university and the Cambridge law school, and practiced law in Arkansas for some years. At tho close of tlie war lie settled in Alabama, and was for some years the luw partner of Senator Morgan, lie lias been a leading democrat in that state for some years, and has served as liationnl delegnte, presidential elector and a member of the democratic liutionnl committee. In 1884 he was rondo presi dent of tlie Alabama state railroad com mission, and served in thnt position four years, during which time ninny impor tant questions arising between the rail roads nnd their customers were satisfac torily adjusted. A WEALTHY CELESTIAL. Il« Wenr* Ml.000,000 Wnrili of Diamond* While being Pliotogrnplied. Mr. Chang Yen Hoon, Chinese ministci, sat for some photoganphs Thursday. He was accompanied by his interpreter and two or three lady friends who were anx ious to see tlie operation. His servants carried up to the photographer’s room two or three trunks nnd several smaller eases, in which were ten or a dozen chnngcs of costume. The minister was “done” in eacli of these and in as many different positions. He wore a silk cap, in the center of which was a large dia mond, nbout the size of a hazel nut. Thu cap fitted so closely that the diamond looked like a huge star set in his skull. From the cap floated a long peacock feather. Around his neck was a necklace of three chains, each of whicli was nbout a yard long composed of precious stones, every sixth of which was a diamond. Ilis interpreter, one of tho party, said the aggregate value of the jewels which adorned tho person of the representative of the “flowery kingdom” was about u million dollars. The different costumes were composed of the richest silks and satiuB embroidered with solid gold and trimmed with the richest furs. Mr. Chang Yen Hoon is said to be the richest man in China. CELESTIAL (-AMBLERS. Lieutenant Walton, of the sixth police district of Philadelphia, with a squad of twenty-four officers, Sunday night raided six of the lending Chinese gambling laces and succeeded in capturing one undred and thirty-three Chinamen, to gether with a large quantity of gambling paraphernalia, opium smoking outfits and other fixtures. All the places raided arc iu the immediate neighborhood of Ninth and Race streets, and the vicinity is the rendezvous of almost the entire Chinese population on Sunday. The fact that gambling having been carried on so openly, and the noise created by such u large congregation of celestials, has been a source of frequent complaint to tho authorities, and upon these, war rants were sworn out and placed in the hands of tlie sixth district officers, with the result above stated. In one house alone, on Race street, a two-story struc ture, ninety-seven people were captured, and iu others various numbers, from sixty $own. APPALLING SCENES AT A FIRE IN BUFFALO, N. Y. Over Thirty Live* l.o«t In lira Fire—Tlie March Wlnil* Fan the Mnd Flame*— Partial Mat of tho©© Killed. Fire was discovered nt 3:30 o'clock Friday morning in tlie Richmond hotel, nt Buffalo, N. Y. The building was sit uated nt the corner of Maine and Eagle streets, extending through to Washing ton. Tho origin of the tire is not ns yet known. Wm. H. Alpert, night clerk, says: “The tire started iu the cloak room under tlie main stairway at 8:50 o’clock. There -was nobody up but inysolf, Joe, tho night porter, and Plummer, and hell boy. I pulled all four of tlie fire alarms on the different floors, and tho people enmo flying down stnirs in their night clothes. The fire followed the stairways and elevator, and inside of five minutes reached tlie toop floor. 1 rushed out of doors after doing all I could.” The spread of the flames is said to have been frightful in its rapidity. The ele vator shaft served as a flue for tlie Annies nnd they rushod up it to the top floor. The house contained u inrge number of guests, nnd their heartrending shrieks could plainly bo heard. Ladders wero raised (and ns many ns possible saved. A largo number of guests wero unable to effect their escape. At 4 o’clock the eu- tire Richmond hotel, St. James hnll and other property in tho block were doomed to speedy destruction. The wliolo place burned like a tinder box, tho corridor in tlie center of tlie building acting as a great funnel nnd the flumes streamed up wards. Tho guests found themselves IMPRIBONED BY A WALL OK KI1IK. The screams of thu guests could be heard for blocks. At many windows could be seen the guests iu their night clothes, calling loudly for help. At third story window two guests were seen by tho crowd to fall back into tlie flames. One man jumped from tho fifth floor to the roof of a two story wooden building adjoining. Ho was seriously injured. The wife and daughter of Sir. Mann, one of the proprietors, were badly burned, but nre in private quarters. A number of other injured persons nre ulso being cared for nt privato houses. There were many narrow escapes nud a number of instances of pcrsonnl bravery nnd self- sacrifice by both inmates of the hotel and firemen rescuers. The following is a list of those known to have perished in the flames: Katie Kent, servnnt; Minnie Kelly, servant; Katie Pierce, servant; Wilson Purcell, of R. G. Dun & Co.;' Mark Os borne, tiny clerk at the hotel; Johnson, a Toronto, railway man; Kate Wolf, of Lock port, servant. The dying are: Jacob Kalin, New York; Henry B. Rumsey, New York; Maggie Muhlnch, Buffalo; Stary Nolan, Buffnlo; Edward Whelan, Newburgh. Sluny others wero lost, lint it is impos sible to get a full list of their names. It is nu undoubted fact thnt at least thirty persons perished. The total damage to property is estimated at about $400,000. REFUSED ADMITTANCE. ( nlnretl Men (Jail on NUerinnn but a Hotel t'lerk Refnaea to Admit Them. Tuesday morning a party of colored men walked up to tho register, iu tlie Florence hotel, Birmingham Ala., aud asked if Sir. John Sherman was stopping there. Receiving an affirmative reply, tlie “brother in black” stated that he desired to call on the Hon. John. Man ager Thomas Cowan, of tho hotel, told him that no colored people, except serv- j ants, were allowed up stairs. Tho negro I went away, but iu a little while several ' others came for the purpose of seeing ! Sir. Sherman. Slanager Cowun told them ! very emphatically they could not go up j to sec Mr. Sherman, or any one else, j Mr. Sherman heard of the matter, and j sent General Warner, who was in his ; room, down to tho office to seo about it. Mr. Cowan told General Warner that Senator Sherman or no one else could re ceive negroes in tlie rooms or parlor of that hotel. Mr. Sherman and General Warner at once paid their bills nnd went to another hotel. The Evening News, editorially condemns tho action of Manager Cowan. The Age and Chronicle will have little to say. ACCIDENT AT CHURCH. 4 Platform (Jive* Wav nml Mnnv l’er»on* are Wounded. A panic occurred at the Roman Catlio- i lie church of Nativity, corner of Dnshiel and Thirty-ninth streets,Chicago, Thurs day afternoon. Tho church was com pletely crowded,nud outside on tlie steps lending up to tho church was a vast crowd unable to gain admittance. Sud denly there was a sharp crack, followed by a grinding crash, and fully 200 men, women and children were precipitated ten feet, the front door platform having given wav. Twenty-three persons in nil received more or less serious injuries. Mrs. Bermm, an aged woman, had her bnck broken; P. O’Connor had botli legs broken. Many people were injured by ! being tramped on. People inside the church were nt first inclined to rush for tlie doors, blit were calmed owing to the words of the officiating priest. VIRGINIAN INDEBTEDNESS. At Richmond a caucus of the demo- | cratic members of legislature of Virginia | was held Monday night and spent three liours in the discussion of various meas ures presented at this session, looking to a settlement of the state debt. The cau cus agreed not to take a vote on any question till all who wished had an op portunity to express their views on the subject. A majority of those who spoke Monday night favored the constitutional amendment proposed by Senator Rhea, which provides that all bonds not funded in new threes by tho time such amend ment is ratified by the people shall be forever barred, and prohibiting all future legislation looking to their payment. The caucus adjourned till Wednesday. HUMOROUS SKETCHES FKOM VARIOUS SOURCES. A Wine Provision—No Thermometer Needed—Tlie St. Louis Girl's Way—Sarcastic—All In the Faintly, Etc. Two old men lamenting tho changes that have taken place. First old man (sadly)—“I cannot enjoy myself now as 1 could when I was a boy. * I can't eat half as much.” Second old man—“I cannot eat as much now ns I could when I wna a boy, but I regard that as rather a wise pro vision.” “Why so?” “Becauso I haven’t half as much to eat.”—Arkansas Traveler. No Thermometer Needed. “Must he pretty cold out your way,” lie observed to a farmer who had just come into market with his whiskers full of frost. “Yes, tolerable.” “What did vour thermometer regis ter?” “.I haiu’t got none.” “I should think you'd want to know how cold it was.” “No, I don't keer much. I kin alius tell by touching by tongue to the axe whethor it’s last summer or this winter. —Detroit Free Preen. Tlie Si. Louta Girl's Way. At the toboggan slide: St. J.ouis girl—“What are these love ly caps, or hoods thnt tho girl’s wear?” Cleveland girU— “O, these are toeques. Ain’t they pretty?" St. Louis girl—“Yes. But they wouldn’t becoino fashionable in St. Louis." “Why not?" “O, because we could just as well pin our ears over tho tops of our heads.”— Cleveland Sun. All in tlie Family. Some ten or twelve days ago u digni fied and respectable appearing woman visited tho Gratiot avenue police station to secure ndvico in a rather delicate mat ter. As she stated tho case: “A man lias been paying his atten tion to me for two yenrs past, and we have been engaged for over six months. Ail at once 1 discovered n coldness; he comes nt longer intervals; he is not the same man. 1 reproach him, and now he seems to havo skipped. Can’t I have him arrested for broach of promise?” She wai given somo sound ndvico aud went her way. Yesterday one of the officers met her on the stroot and asked her how the matter stood, and she cheer fully replied: “Oh, that's all right. He has acted the part of a perfoct gentleman!” “Thon ho lias married yon?” ‘ ‘Oh, no; ho has married my daughter. It seems that, lie was loving her all the time instead of me.” - Detroit Free, Press. Sarcastic. “Did I leave my false teeth in here ?” asked a red-headed man, us ho rushed into a Madison street restaurant. “Haven’t seen them,” replied one of the waiters. “Arc you sure about thnt?” “Ves. sir.” “Well, you see, continued tho red headed man, “I wout to sleep in tho ticket-scalper's office across the way, and when I awoke my teeth wero gone. I didn’t know but what I had left them in the piece of steak I tried to eat over here; but seeing you don’t know any thing about them it is barely possible those ticket men were mean enough to take them. — Chicago llerald. Reiter Locking Girls ut Home. It is narrated of a distinguished Amer ican journuLst that when lie visited Egypt for the liist time he rode out one mourning to take a look at tlie pyra mids. Mounted up in a bony Assyrian mule he had inspected these mammoth chefs d’lvuvro of tho lost arts, when suddenly lie was brought face to face with tlie sphinx.. “Gosh!” said lie, in tones of astonish ment. “What's this?” “That,” explained 1 Bissau Ben Ali, the faithful Muracluke guide, “that is tho famous sphinx, emblazoned in song and illumined in story.” “Humph,” ejaculated tlie journalist, after a critical icview of the placid dame’s features, “so this is the sphiux, eh? Well, I don’t think she amounts to very much; we’ve got girls iu our office 100 per cent better looking than she is.” — Chicago News. Two Maine .Judge*. During a recess from business in tho Maine Executive Council the other day Councilor Warren told a story about a i Justice of the Fence in Hancock County, before whom a culprit was nrraigned for drunkene9s and disturbance. A trial was an unusual occurrence in the little village, and a large crowd dime to hear it. The Justico, a heavy gaited, thick-skulled old fellow, desired to make a profouud impression. After lie heard the case he arose, and holding a copy of tho Revised Statutes before him, aud peering over his spectacles al the trem bling respondent, delivered himself as follows: “Considering the importance of this ease and the enormity of the offense with which you aro charged (ahem!) the Court fines you one dollar and costs— aud may God have mercy on your soul.” This reminded Councillor Lord of a story about a Justice of tlie Peace in Cumberland County, who had a similar case. “Prisoner at the bar, be you guilty or not guilty?” ho asked. “Guilty,” said t e respondent. “Gentlemen,” said the Justice, “we will now go on with the ease." Tho inference was that the Justice de sired to prove whether the mail lied or not.—Lewiston Journal. Reedier Was Alive. There are probably but few newspaper reporters in this city that havo not inter viewed Henry Ward Beecher. The Ply mouth pastor enjoys great popularity among the roporters, for he is accessible, gcniul, and, as a rule, talkative. He is always ready to engage in a harmless bit of chaff with the newspaper meu, but he will not brook insqlence. The la-t- meuiiontd fact was recently impressed upon the alleged mind of u swaggering THE MERCURY. PUBLISHED EVERT TUESDAY. NOTICE! Ail Communication* intended fat this Paper must be accompanied by Ibe full name of the writer—not neceeearily for publication, but as a guarantee of good faith. We are in no way reeponetble fee the mien* or opinion* of correepond- onto. youngster who snid thnt he represented a Brooklyn paper. A rumor that Mr. Beecher was dead got started in some un accountable manner nnd spread like wildfire. Reporters by tho score hurried to Mr. Beecher's house nnd were there confronted by tho famous preacher halo and hearty. After awhile along enmo a young inaii who snid to Mr. Beecher with nn impudent grin that ho had been sent by tho city editor of the Brooklyn “to find out whether Brcclicr was alive or dead.” "Well,” said tho Plymouth pastor, “I smiposo you know who I am .'” "Oil, yes,” answered tho fellow pertly, “hut I would like to have it directly from you that you arc not dead.” “An,” murmured tlie stalwart pastor, as ho laid a heavy hand on the funny young man’s coat collnr. The next in stant the young man was held up in the air and shaken as a dog would shako a saw dust doll. Mr. Beecher set him down on the sidewalk not any too gently and quiotly remnrkod: “Now. you can go to your city editor and tell him that you havo received actual proof thnt I am alive.”—New York 'limes. Early American Milling. Tho first uccount of mining in wliat is now the United States, is found in tho histories of the Spanish conquests. Only thirty-three years aftor tho discovery of America, tho Spaniards mined gold and silver in what is now Now Mexico, but the records of their work nro incomplete. Gold mining was tried in New England 225 years ago by Governor John Win- throp. Ho opened mines near Middle- town, Conn., then, and look out gold. Ono vein was opened lo the doptii of 125 feet, aud a good deni ol drifting done. The mino wns abandoned, and the location forgotten until thirty-four years ago, when it was rediscovered,nnd several attempts linvo bcon matlo sinco to work it, but they wero not successful. Tho ore contains gold, but it is of too low grade to pay now. Gold mining lins boon conducted profitably iu Virginia, North and South Cnroliuin and Georgia since tlie early part of the present century. The gold dis coveries in Colorado wore made by a gold miner From Georgia. Before tho over shadowing discoveries in California and “Pike’s Peak," there wero frequent min ing excitements in these States, similar to what we have of lato yenrs becomo nc- enstomed to. We remember ono onco when thousands of men rushed to tlio Great l’eedee River of South Carolina, and they obtained a good deal of gold. And we remember when men used to say “there is ore in Virginia which runs $10 a bushel, uml you can’t see n bit of gold in it!” That was considered a wonderful thing. Thon, as it ever is, tho host things were a good ways off. Tho finest collection of gold spccimons iu thu United States came from North Carolina mines. Milling in limestone was conducted in AVisconsin, what is now Illinois. Iowa, Missouri nnd Arknusas in tho early part of the present century. Sixty years ugr< Dubuquo was a mining cuinp of 2,001) population, and tlio min s were wholly in limostono, with ninny features like those of tho limestone in Colorado, Now Mexico, Utah and Nevada. Tho princi pal difference is that the lead ores of tho Rocky Mountains regions contain inoro silver than those of I ho Eastern States. Mining litigation was conducted in those days, and as long ns thirty-three years ago the United States Supremo Court re duced a decision involving tlio titlo to tho limestone ore in ms of Dubuque. Tho mines in the limestone on tho St. Francis Rivor, Missouri, were worked in prehistoric times, mid were productive whilo Spain owned that region of country. Baron Caroudclot, for whom Cnrondclet, near St. Louis, is named, purchased annually for several years, nn amount of lead which was produced thoro which was equal to one-third tho annual prod net of Colorado at t'lo pres ent time. — Denver Depublican. Hotels in Mexico. “Tlie Mexican hotel proprietor does not show tlie lenst anxiety as to wliother you stop witli li in or not. I asked tho proprietor of the hotel I went to what ho charged per day. lie snid $4, and that without board. “Why don’t you run a restaurant in connection i” 1 inquired. “Oh, it would be a bother,” replied the landlord. “Why don't you give meals with board, American style, and make the profits yourself?” “It would be too much bother,” lie re plied, shrugging his shoulders. Actually, the proprietor is so afraid of being bothered lie don’t care a straw whether anyone stops with him or not. 1 asked for a wash list to give out somo linen to be washed, and was informed ihat they never furnished lists for wash ing nor had anything to do with liuindry- ing clothes, because it was a bother. Some of the servants lmd kin people, though, who might wash for me, 1 was itilormed. A tourist, I was told, came on ahead and said to tlie proprietor of a hotel that lie had eighty in his party, who would arrive next day, and wanted to know if any reduction would be made from the regular charge of $4 per day oil account of tlie large number. Tlio pro prietor, with a languid Sigh, informed tlio astonished tourist that lie would charge each of his party $t.50 becauso he would have so much bother.—Boston llerald. A Young Mother’s Grief. A pretty little story is told of one of the prettiest and sweetest little women iu Englewood. She has been a wife seven years, nnd three times a mother. Not long ago one of her bnbes—her youngest—died, and was taken on a cold day to Oakwoid for burial. Tho young mother was half dived with grief, but proved sufficiently strong on tlie day of the funeral to ride to tho cemetery. After the services were over at tho vault she requested that the coffin be once more opened, and the undertaker grat ified her wish. Being left almost aiono with her dead for a moment the poor mother suddenly took the lifeless littlo body in her arms, pulled from beneath her cloak a warm aud tieccy cheese cloth child’s quilt, and carefully wrapped it about the form of the infant, murmur ing: “There—there—my little darling shall not bo cold. This will keep her warm.”—Chicago Herald. The silk weavers of the United States are forming a national organization that will join the workmen and women of England. ,