Press Alt + R to read the document text or Alt + P to download or print.

No preview available

The URL can be used to link to this page

Home My WebLink AboutThe New Era, 1884-02-15, Page 8'+`ebz'ua, 'y 1 a 188,4. • A Cumpee ser the World. Did ever you stand in the crowded street, In the glare et the pity Imp And list to the treed of a lull fou feet • In the guaiutly mugical tramp 2 As the purging crowd goes tp and fro, Tisa pleasant sight, I weer', 1To mare the figure* that come and go In the ever -banging scone, Dere the publican walks with the sinner proud, nd the pnycroAd Levee welks in the gleamy cowl. With Lazarus, cheek byiowl, And the daughter of toil, with her freshyoung heart, As pure es the epotleee fame, Atop 'with `the manse who makes her inert Ir' the haunts of tin ,and, shame. Stow lightly trips the country lass'. In she midst of the city'ia ilia, Asfreshly pure as the daiaied grass That grows on her native bills;, And the beggar, ten, with his hungry eye, And his lean, wan face and crutch, Gives a blessing, the same to the passer-by, As he gives hurt little or muob, When time has beaten the world's tatoo,. And in dusky armor flight Is treading with echelon footsteps through The gloom of the anent night, How many of those shall be daintily fed, And shall sing to slumbere`sweet, While many will go to a sleepless bed Apd never a crumb to eat -iOIJSI,FEL._ • EY AUTHOR OF "buss MOLLr,""heticaI," ETO It was only when she had poured all her Story iuto his- eympathetio, ears, and list- ened to the various remarks with which it was reeeived=remarks that coincided so exactly with her own view of tbe.oase,-that-', dismay filled her, and wonder as to whether the story had been her own to tell. But Mr. Weston soothed her fears. " I am glad you told me," he said in en odd, jerky manner,_ "I am •cure it was bast, so do not trouble about it. • !The seoret is quite 'bate with me ; I," with an. unoomfortable little laugh, " am not the least likely to 'meek, of it. But all the same it is pre- poeterous, it ought not.to be allowed. Why •dies she give itir If she had said 'no- ., even if the does say no, there ie no power in the world that nen force her against her inolina'tion.". "You de not understand Charity," PAilie' said, liftiug rather a tearful face to the dark one bent' upon her. " Why," with momentary enthusiasm, " the would marry anybody to please father 1 But," • she added more quietly, "however much she • may pretend when the time Domes, I eha11, know it is. only because slip is Bo good, and would not vex or Bross him for worlds. T ‘shall rememberhow often, she has pried at the thoughts- of it." ' "'• Mr. Westou•was pacing up and down the room now, Pp11ie's words apparently.'find- ing aready eoiio•in his heart. • "'I tmust be' prevented; at last he said, as if to himself. " Why, Felix himself," -and then Btopped abruptly. "Yes," said' Pollie, raising, her head, "therifis just that one faint hope7'he`giay not like her!" '• " Not muoh fear.of that." " Not muoh hope, you mean. But, Mr. •Weston," watching him anxiously, as she• spoke, to see what effecther words might have, "he may be a nine man" -evidently the possibility was a faint one-" and if he is—" . • . - "Well?" ' "I am going to ask. him -to tell him I mean'--" • . "wllat?" . "Why, how Is it that Charityagreed, just for father's sake;` and. I have quite made up my mind;' with quiet determina- tion, "'to try apd saveher, because I know she would not do it herself. So," with a long breath, " I' am going to ark him: to go away. Oh, M. Weston,:do you think he will go ?". •.• " Very little doubt of . it, I should say.'' That is, of course, provided he believer you. -Why- watt on earth, under those oiroutn- standee, would' make hire, wish to remain 2"• "Why, the money' of course 1''_ • At those words her listener started; and seemed about to make a hasty remark, but after a second's pause, he said quietly, " No, no, Mies' Pollie, you are hard on hirrl';.:i I• don't think," with �a smile,. "that even Felix Warburton" -and . then euiidenly • breaking 'off, " But don't let:us talk about him yet. I expect we shall have 'quite enough of him by.and-by.;' let us strive to forget him for the present" "And, you won't forget," Said Pollie; "If anyidee comes to you: that would set it right, to lea_ me ;know. Don't you -know anything bad about him that. you. couid tell father?" • "-I-have no dd'ubb I could .rake up, a good deal if I tried, but . the: quention is, would your father believe me "- "I..believe he would," said Tonle 'ear. nelstly, " at any rate you could but try." Boft-hearted, tender was becoming a..perfeet dragon in• her!: attempts to guard the golden apples, which she felt, would of a shrew 'be stolen from under her watohful. eyes, sooner or later. Perhaps Mr. Weston •did • think of a pian. of., help; for the next morning, when breakfast was over, and iii beard Mr. Warburtore-ask forPol- lie's ' presence • iii , the library, where he• .wan,c,1 some one to read • to him, and had wateLied Cousin_Sarah preparing to. slip; away to her .usual morning ocoupation of letter• writing, he asked Mies Warburton if she w.,uld play one game of :billiards. with him Asked her boldly before the • all, so that any excuse would have been difficult ; and when She attempted a faltering remark abode " many duties," he replied, that•he- would wait till all the duties. were over. `" And it is raining :hard,'.youwont- 'of-door out - 'of -door amusement ie impossible." • And Charity, not knowing' whet °lee to say, answered ".Yes." On his way to the . billiard -room he teas, waylaid, by Pollie. •"" Mr. Weston." He stopped, hearing the low voice in the passage. " Mr. Weston, I forgot last night, ,whenI said that to' you. ' Do you remember, About •telling father something against.'' Cousin Felix, I forgot twos breaking a pro.. mise. You.prust ,not do it indeed. • Will you please forget all -about it ?" ' ' " But what was the promise?" " It was to Charity. I ,promised her that till I saw him," with a little -stress on the words, "' I would not think or say, anye , thing against 'him. You know, of course, as Charity says, he may be very nice, Will you remember?'' . " Yes," &nodded, " I will Say nothing at all ;•that will bathe satast plan." -- " Yes --i suppose so. Till we see hint," with &faint gleam. hope. - Then of to P lI spedr back to the library, and Mr. Weston•d awdled on to . the billiard, lliardd. room. A bright fire Was burning there, and everything looked cheerful. ' He eaun• tered over to the rug, and 'stood leaning against the mantelpiece, with hie 'nye turned in the diraotion of the door. Would ehe come? " Yes," he believed to, " but not yet per. haps,'" and Tile ,thoughts • returned to hie own affaire during this interval of Waiting. "1•mutt be .off," he Bald at length'haif aloud, and then lower .still, " POor Char. ity!" • But, however mirth deservin of it • g pity,. brave Charity nevertheleea, one defiervin .of respect as well, For the aeoret, whereof the arab faint whispering.e • had been *WV- ing to make themselves heard of late, was gradually .disoovering itself; and the low voice, if she cared to lteten to it, was ready to spook up boldly and plaialy now. But that was what the would not permit, It was a little -aching spot et present, but it pot regarded, ib might maw to ache in time. These sort .of wounds do not heal any the quicker for care and attention; far better to, Ignore, them. But these pleasant past ten days, all tbie walking and ekating, talking and billiard•playing,would not, robe felt, in the future of her lite, count quite for 'naught. " Yon have, been a long time," he said, and there was something in his tone which' brought a delicate Gush into. Miss Warbur. ton's cheek. • " I am sorry," he replied. "Have I really kept you waiting? Let us have our game at once, or Pollie will be wanting me to go and take her place in the library. I have promieed to go at twelve." " I do not want to play," he said. slowly. 1 want to talk to you." " Then you have lured ine here under false pretence's, I think; she made answer in a would-be playful manner ;nevertheless ehe did move a few steps nearer the fire- place as she apoke, to hear what he had to Bay. But hafors -hs.. had time to .break,.the. silence, the door way opened again to admit Pollie-an ata lour, • barraased-lookiug, Pollie. " Charity : dear, the second poet ie in,. and" -with e. sudden impetuous haste- " father • wants you to Dome at once and. answer Cousin Felix's letter." +" Coggin ' Felix," repeated Charity, 'faintly,-the-nolorslowlyfading away; "oh, Pollie 1" He is in London," went on Pollie excitedly ; "" be did not even oome.here first, but be has written, and father wants you to go and write to him." " Ob, poor Charity," went on Pollie, taking the two slim white hands in hers, utterly heedless of the apeotator'•of tine little drama, Who was:. leaning lip against the nianteiehelf.What possible interest could it have for. him? • !' Oh, poor Oharfty, I would have written, offered to do so, but father said he would rather you did ib"- - --- "' Of course," acid Charity, very low. Why, Pollie," with, a faint attempt at speaking lightly, " I am- the eldest; I can- not have you take all my duties from me 1 You two," but ,she did not give a•glanoe . towards the. tall figure OD the hearthrug, "must play together. You will have time for a. good game before luncheon," and she turned away. . Ob, Mr. Weston;'" .cried Pollie, as the door closed behind the slight figure, ";he is coming now. ' He is actually in England," with a little gasp. "When is he coming ?" Mr. Weston was no longer a calm, die - interested spectator, there, was something of fire and energy in, his dark eyes., • '" Wednesday neat week, and to -day is Thursday." "Wednesday," he repeated;. "that:is the day of Lady Burnett's fanny ball; is it not?" • ""Yes, Charity is going, and you also, are you not ?"• ""I think not, I shall probably have lett by then." .... " Are you ,going -._away?" cried Pollie. "I am so sorry," "That is very kind of,your :Miss Pollie. The world is not so very wide.; •perhaps we may meet. again." - • - . , But Pollie shook her head diseonselately. "I shall go away," she said; "I cannot 'play. 'I can think of nothiug :but cousin Felix and poor Oharity-.-I muet,gq and see- • what she.•i, doing. But," turning back and glancing up at the steady eyee, which looked so sympathetio, " all :the .same I thank you very. much for having been so kind.I •am sure if you could have thought. of a plan,. you Would: I wieb;" a little wistfully, "that my plan'had,bden a right' .one, beoause it might have 'tone some "Abusing. Felix, eh,to your father?" "' Yes, but still it would have been mean, I know. Charity would not have done 'It, eo," with a sigh• -!".but it :does seem a pity that she did not have a chance 1". " She will have a chance," said. Mr. West3tl'wtvGa siidden determination, and drawing himself very upright as he spoke -spoke almost ' more ,to himself than to Pollie. ''.," Such as it is she' filial' have it." • Apd, then Pollie orept,away sorrowful and heavy-hearted; for Mr, Weston's, vague promisee did ;not impress . her with' much hope or comfort. CHAPTER III•. ' Rein, rain, •stillourin hoelessly` P g... hopelessly; steadily down., now:. at 4 o'clock just as it haddone at l0,this :morning. 1 Pollie, forgetting her sorrows :for the moment, is -deep in a story of euoh' vivid interest, that she is lost to the whole out- side world, as she follows the adventures of herd heroine• step by Step, seated . in .the fires.gl.w, on a low stool at Mr. Weston's feet. He, cousin Sarah, ,and Mr. Warbur ton have 'beep discussing some question of. America vers'ua England ; this has g .. , . occupied ;them for' the laet'hour,. but now'tea has been brought in, and the teamaker.being. absent, there -hive been sundry vain endea vors to attract the attention of Mies hoblie; and pend her in search' ofher slater, "L.et We go," said Mr. Weston,'epeaking almost eagerly for him, rising, as he spoke; as if toput no cut Of thequestion. •" >4 sup- pose I shall find her in the schoolroom," and he was gone before any one could pre- vent bine. •• Directly he opened the door, he saw his guest had been oorreot,.for the girl he was in search of was seated .in the shabby old armohair,.drawn up close bo' the fire. Yes, ofcourse it was . Miss Warburton, though in a way, unlike her, for theta was some: thing in the attitude of the -girl-strongly suggestive of tears. At the openingof the door, however, the head was raised a little, and a suffloiently steady yoke! asked : " •Is that you, Pollie ?" Then immediately added in rather a startled tone.: ," Mr. Weston !"' ' •"Yee, it, is I,: Mr. Weston. 'You know you were l w r called awayout 1u of the bi ' tlliard- rooin this mothing, nefore I had time to say what I Wanted to say, se now I have followed you up here to go on with. my story." • Milled emend the s room whiletspeaking, and Was now standing in hit aeoustomed attitude before her, one arm resting on the mantelshelf. He spoke quietly, very quietly, but there was something 'Phis palm, deter' Mined tense that made- Oharity lift her head and gayquickly, but very gently: " No, ;lease do net go on With,it.' I think I would rather not hear it." -But ag she -lifted hothead .to ypaak, the firelight shin. ing aoroea heraoe betrayed a gleam of teats on the dark eyelashes: • "Blit you shall .Bear it," he said with sudden determination, kneeling by her side andlag in `e ,o, p g• her hands in his. "Charity, dear Charity, I love you! You knew it, you must know it. Will you forget -what a short time we have kttotvn each other, and promise to be my wife?_ " I cannot; " in a soft, low yoioe, but with • asmemmistemee the words, splatah fella large tear on to the hand that held 1 era.. " What are you orying for ?" Without. heediug herwords, ""You wore crying when I oame in ; you have been unhappy All day, May I net even know what ie the platter ?" But there waa no reply... " Charity 1" ehe Started at the word. " You must not call .me that," she paid. " You. must give me a reason then. I cannot take your words yet as an answer to my question, for, Charity, I love you l" "But you most 1" she cried, drawing away her hands from his, and rising to her feet with sudden decision. " My answer to your question is 'No," The tears were gone now; she was statid.J ing opposite him, the width of the fireplaoe. between them -the stately Charity War- burton he had drat known -and he felt very nitwit further apart from her than he had done from the tearful girl seated iu the old armchair. Nevertheiets he was in earnest,, and he fanoiedseparation should afoot him. So he took a couple of steps nearer to her, till be stood by her side once more. She did not shrink away, from him, bub stood perfectly still, only shenever raised her eyee. Then-" You, do 'not love me 7" That was what be said quite low, as he. thus paused beside her. He wetted what might have beena. whole minute in perfect enacts,,.tlte•oply- aeundtbs.il_Qi5y tiolung.Qf. the clock, and then with an inpatient movement turned away.. "Silence means consent," then he said a little bitterly, "1 will not bother you any mere. Good bye, Mies Warburton 1." She sad not looked up till then, bub as he said' those words, almost involuntarily she raised her eyes to his, and, all their sad story was •so easy to read. Even then she made no answer in words, made no attempt to prevent his departure. ' But Mr, Weston turned bank at once. " Charity," he said, in a troubled voice, " look up," and she obeyed. "Charity," be went On, a red flush for a moment appearing on his dark cheek, " I believe," •with a' momentary hesitation, "that you do like me." Mr. Weston," she replied, clasping her two hands • tightly together, and her low voice grew lower still' as she spoke, " if I tell you one thing you will iiinderstaud why you must go away at once, and never speak to-me,'auy more. I'ern to marry Cocain Felix," •- • " Yee,"' he said, "'so I have been told." He did not mentionl'ollie's name, and ' Charity never thought of. her. ' Her father was the person the did think of; but whet did it matter after all? In a little while every one would know it, only= Mr Weston, then if you knew it-" • " You think I should not • have spoken, • But I do not see that You are not engaged• to him. 'It is only fair I should take my • chance, and I have taken it. And I be lieve," with sudden yehemenoe, " that If' there was no • Gingen Felix in the case,I should have won you. Ie • itznotso.? Say yes, Oharity,", . • ," It is very bard 1" the pried, not answer- ing his word.n." I have indeed you trouble, and yet I have tried so: hard to do right, :and everything seems wrong." - • " Don't look like that; Charity. ' You shall do right, or `rather what` you think 'right:'': I shall not try to prevent. you 1. I will go:awayto-night, or' to•morrow.morn. ing, and you shall • never see :me again, and you shall saorifioe yourself as you see fit, or rather as yoilr father sees fit, for it is for his sake,.I suppose, you are doing it. But first of all dry your tearer fcrget all I have said to you,'• remember only what friends we have been •these last ••three weeks; and tell me the whole story.. 'Per baps a door of escape may yet open 1" But though Charity Shook her head at that, she allowed bereelf.to' •be calmed by his friendly words; and', to be entioed back -to her favorite stet. And then she ,poured ;forth the whole story, • asshe had learned ' to know it se web of lite, and almost unknowingly to herself; oontrived at the same tinge to let the secret of her own young heartbe clear y eon by the dark, watchful, eyes. , ` • Now I have told yen- everything," 'she said, " as you askedme; and," •hesitating, " of course it is fair,you should know, -as" and here she paused, but thewistful looks in the pretty eyes said the rest. "Yes,"said••her listener, "I have heard it all; and my opinion is that you are wrong. No, you must listen to•nie now.": Perhaps Mr. Weston had been alittle, deceived by • Charity's ,girlish; shrinking member ; `.hadS not quite realized the strong,'powerful will that Jay .it " No," she said, in those soft,;firm tones he`had leareedito•know. "•You mean aril, but 1 do not want to bear the .other sideof it, There may be one, of course, but it does not affect mo:', Father 'wisher it, and that is all I:care -to know." • • S" But; charity "-Mr. Weston .was'firing his .last. shots! -now; ,in. 'the iutervale ,of. peeingdo up apd wn the room,. and charity. was seated very still': and . upright, with folded hands, to_receive them "" lit Charity, if he knew'=yo.�rfa , that yen did not want it. --" • " He will never. know."' • "'' He, should .know'; } ,al?e ifferent ,new even to what' d o th " ebb-'ttiree w e . e a k ago, when you•first promised him." . "Things are just the: same se far as Felix :and ,I are concerned," she answered, though her cheeks grew a shade whiter. "Father is 'old and blind, anddrusts me;. be shall _never kuew that," her voice. fab tered, " I was tempted to break my' trust." Mr. Weston tufned'away in silence, and - took another turn the whole length of the' room ere speaking. - "And , Felix ? " then . he uestion When he comes "with a sort of . ph ,he, triumph., in his tones,;" may netlike you." • Then. I shall be free, ' My pride ," With. a half laugh; " Will not be muoh hurt." "" And supposing,' he was standing stili now, looking down with tender, pitiful e y ea on. her'sli ht a ri ht t hre "suppos- ing slight, p g B. peps• ing he should wish.to marry you for --for the sake of other things, although-" "Although he did'not like me? " Her - voice trembled a little then, bat•ehe weaton quite firmly, "" You mui;t, nob say that, We have agreed, Pollie and I, not ,to believe anything against him until we see him. ZOO must not bat me break that promise." Mt. Weston turned abruptly away. u p Y_ a • ""You, have 'oonquered, , then he said: "I shall go ; I do not ore to stay in this happy home any longer.. But tall me first,. did" ou write to. Warburton to.day? "Yes ; he wants to come nett yWednes- day or Thureday.;iz •' - "An .'",. d what did you ss- to hbm 7 Y y Just Whatm - father told nip': that we ehould'be glad to see him." . • "Notbipg else ?" There. was a shadow Of anxiety in his tone. Nothing," lifting her sweet eyes to. his, but a shade of color swept over her feu as she spoke. BO noted it, though he made no further remark-perhap� s' noted it with a half doubt, but she had a oken the truth. Wag - there any neoeaaityp to own to the great tear that had fallen right in the•oentre of the neat " Charity Warburton "-a tear, which Would, if the postboy had not been. waiting for the letters, have necessitated 'a fresh sheet of paper, but Under the elroum. stances was quite iinpossible? Se she had folded it Up, and potted it, with a moment•'' arY P ! miles v she h Edwar " so. this again, it I Shall' comes, a come bao " now, but raised her that you myself th "So be never forg think, Oh are the sw Bath a de, to any one Courage These woman's ler so Basi gained .is. f " Good -by band in h her -eyes to to love, " night, so t also," with always rem ere MY. -hien He aaid no laid his nth rested in his, ward glanoe "Good-bye all said, Mr, paratory to dr " Good bye, down yet, She and that has , m I• must . Bay good -b, you," coming a a anything yet?" I'gave her a o told you'I would," his uleter as he spo take it." ' " Thank you, 11'Ir. gravely, " I kuew y you see, Charity is. no think'things Mean th quite fair: "' ehe is 'not lik Weston said, as' he gt cart, and kissed his.b stood.cn. the doorstep to sight. Once more Charity a seated .. over the bedroom dress and.similar frivolii Wednesday, and the nigi nett'e fancy ball. This: has been a long thinks; it seems a great d a few. ,days since Mr. Wesi bye to her in the darkening But one thing there remains t. for. The last train is in from Courtin Pelix has not arrived, liberty to go to her ball, and any ideas. 01' the. coming' -sin. tomorrow. So she , strives to dark eyes that spoke of have to interest herself, as' Pollie , is do, powdering of her hair, the . am of •the white lane oap; and muel Which are to mark her out,'fn ht bleak dress; as a Royalist of -rep France. • " Mre. Sayer , Will be' here directly,1. Hy," for •Cousin Sarah's ball -going d wake over, rand •.Mise Warburton was t have the benefit of Mrs. Sayerlsmatronly wing •to : protect her.' . "Where are your mittens?. Now , here is your fan.. Do open it,•and let me see how you look, ,Oh,Iieau.. titan' Dear- Oharity, 'how I wish I were going with you!" " In two. years,:Polite ; only two years," " In two years ; why. .. then;, Charity, you will ..—" •' But Miss Warburton did not' wait to hear what would ' have :become of her' in. two years. "My.oloak,' Pollie. Come, I hear the carriage. "' And •with •a- kiss, 'rharity. hastened. away, . • - Once iii the ballroom, amidst • the -lights and Music, for the moment Charity forgot all her troubles. • She tried so hard net to remember, that perhaps that partly helped her, so she danced and enjoyed herself, and ,the color heightened in her cheeks, until sorrowful past and 'uncertain future were alike merged in the -present. • "I thought Mr. Weston bad . gone," MTS. . Sayer ' once remarked.;to Charity, meeting ' • Yes;":"q said , :Oharitq 'quickly, ',' he has gone -left us,:L'mean. Bus. he is. here," . said Etre., Bayer ;, "1 'have just met him. I suppose," not wish- ing to detain the . girl front :the waltz just beginning, t! that• he is :staying somewhere' ,elsein the neighborhood.'!:.• Charitysup supposed rte also, as there seemed ' nothiugielse to say,•and:turned away With her partner.: :She must he Mistaken, was. her own thought. • ' But after. this dance- fresh' agitation was fir store for her then I'mean X21 a rburton, said Lady Burnett, stopping her, ." there Is a gentleman here who wishes to • be introduced to you, I think he el/Me with Mr, Weston ;: hie name is thesa8ne as yours, so perhaps he may' turn out to be an unknown relation.' May I bring him in ?" • " Yes, I. should be lad," said Charity,. g with whitenin' cheeks.g • Y Then:he :had oome at last and Mr. Wee= ton had brought him soh hemight for' himself the effect that Cousin Felix would have upon her. But I' shall: not flinch now," she thought, ." the worst Was over long •ago." 'And for one aeoond,only her .;memory wavered back to. the ' school.' room in the twilight; and' to the dark eyes that hadthere looked into hers. • • " Come, Miert Warburton; -shall we exp• plore this ooneervatory ? It looks:pool and, pleasant." -,- - • It did indeed and.Mies;-Warburton, with willing feet, turn g in amongstthe flowers; where-the.•eted :light of the Chinese lanterns. was moremerobful•• •not' quite so demonstrative of paling oheeks as. the glare of the ballroom. " A capital. 'get . up,'" 'remarked her partner by-and•by, looking in the direction of the doorway, • • :And Charity; looking. too, saw' enter es tall figure clad . in black armor from head to but.onl t one ar of. the knight's t drinks, that was o perfect es to have lied forth the admiration of her companion, arrested her attention. His right arm was. in a sling.-• " Couin Felin Cousin Felix 1". Her -quick-beating heart seemed saying hie name aloud, as he advanced slowlyto her, Lad Burnett by his side. . Y "1 do not understand," Mies Warburton heard her -say, ag they approached ; " but never mind, 101201 be sure to gee you again by-and-by." Tben they dreW nearer yet. ` " Mr. Warburton, Charity, wants to he introduced toyou." ..And Oharity bowed a little wonderingly towards the uiaii•olad figure. "Mr, Paget," Went- on Lady Burkett, turning towards Charity's companion, ".will you kindly take me baok to the ball - Y00121 ?"" And Mr. Paget rising, he and lady Bur. nett departed together. .&groat desire over Oharity to -rise - • While respects; it of Paradise, of', Government reporter of a Montreal`; • aited upon tbie gentleman a short time ago and puu'to 'himthe following•query: Chief, do you find ;the duties irksome 'and dangerous in your etran'ge calling 7" • "Irksome," replied Mr. Murphy, "I set: doni find them ; but that they are attended with danger is very true. There is danger to be faced, of course, froth'. wind, weather and criminals, and the least of thesedan-: gers• is not those of exposure and bad weather. The heavy, moist atnoosphere that gathers, - over the. 'water Ie very con-: duoive to rheumatism, and Many' ;of my men suffer• from that complaint more or less.. I ;believe. that our danger from expo- sure from this • time forward' is past,'as St. Jacobs Oil, if applied in :time in oases of rheumatism,•has a wonderful way,of knock- ing that malady out of people, It certainly relieved ire of 'a .severe pain in my'shoal- dere." Decline of French eopulntlon, If :all the bleeping; of life 'mime to that nation which hes-a stationary•ordeoreasing population; what ` a happy country France ought, to be 1 According to thereturne of - vital statiiitios for 1882 recently published it would seem that France is rapidly;reaoh- ing the, condition inwhich the birthe are only just'.suffioient to •supplythe waste paused by •death. • In • 1882, as compared with 1881, • there were 10,000 more deaths and. 150 a 'e 0 .f w r marriages.. rriagee.. ; Sixty years ago, under the restoration, France would have doubled its pepulation.in 112.years ; at the present rate the doubling would oo•. oupy 207 years, tut for the steady imam. .gration of an enormous body of foreigners into the country every year. Tbie is a' state Of attire .which . ought to , bring comfort to our. Malthuaiane who, 'no doubt, will be able to • demonstrate tops that thero.ls-no such thing as discomfort or 'distress in a counttty existing under euoh sound' economical conditions. It does not. seem .to be regarded with .quite much :oomplaoenoy., by French statesmen and statieticienB; who are waking themselves, withsome anxiety, what is likely to happen• when the population of France, even with the addition of a few millions of Germane, Ibeliana, and Belgians, will be rather lees than ball: that of Germany. -Pall blah. (,Iaiette, • 'GENTLEMEN, -Your Hop:bitters have been of. great value to me. I Wks laid up with typhoid fever dbr• over two nionths, and could get• no relief until 1 tried yrur Hop Bitters. To those gaff ering with debility or any one in feeble health, II cordially'reoommend them, C. STOETZEL, treet, Chicago,irl Quite ITnsywpathetic Birdie MoHennepin and her brother Were at the seashore. "'Ob, see'that!" exolaimed Birdie. ee' a 13 - n. t. inquired the rip. dolfn. " Why, see that little oloudletjustabove the wavelet like a tiny leaflet danoing.o'er the scene." , "0, Donis, yon had better go ant to the pumplet in the baok yardlet and soak your iittleheedlet." ' Mrs. Unice Thornton, of Ponaceok H., met her --death the other day in strange manner. While eating °levee one became lodged in bar throat and could not be removed. The next day she was seized ith a fit of violent t g aemg in one of i p , which she died. Ladies Whose husbands insist on going,out between the note ehould-prlinsrve' this for future use. - Nothing is eo oreduloue as vanity, or. tib ignorant of what becomes itself. -Q.YDIA• E. PINKHAM'8, -•- -- E G E. ABL O - �'�T E�MPOUND'.`• is a Positive Cure :• ' For all threes. Painful Compinlnte.nnd Weaknesses eo common to our beet female population. ASSiiu:cinofor {Potman3avented'byaWoman, Prepared by a Woman.. ' 'rho Clreoeest nedlent 1liscovery Sines tile Minn., of Instery, :. welt revives.AIM'drooping ,spirits invigorates and • harmonizes the organic 'functions, gi'ves elasticity and. firmness to the step,resttire,ithonatural lustre tethe eye, andnlents on the pale olieok of woman the freal".. roses. of life's epring and early summer tithe.' .1::-.7y4 Physicians Use Itnn'tl Prescr'ib'e li. Freely. -ids emoves faintness, flatuloney, destroys all crai"ing - for . stiinulant,,and relievesweakness o2 the 'stomach. That fooling of bearing down, enlist/1g pain, weight and backache, Is always permanentlyoured by it use .' >'or the curd `o .C neComplaintsplnints of clho' . fh1Y Compound la uiunrpnseed. LYDIA E. PINSIIAM'8'SLOOD PCI;IFIEIR • WUl eradicate evory vestige of Iiulnoil from.. tho- Blood, and give tone and strength .'to:the system, of roan woman or child. Insist on having it,' Both the Compound and Blood Purifier are prepared at 223 and 255 western. Avenuo, Lynn, Meas. Price of . . either, $1:. Six bottles for $5. Sent by man intim form • of pills, or of lbsetlgesi oy receipt of'pries, El per box 'or either, Airs. Mitcham freely ant{wers all'ottere of ' nquiry. Enales° 3et, stamp. Send forpamphiet. .... No fondly should be without LYDIA E. PINIfireM'g _ tivl a PILLS. They cure cops tpftlon,. biliousness. , and torpidity of the liver. 25 roma per box.. "• geirSold by til Drugsfeta.`iD to E'•F'CuRIJSj• - � t, ,n r. mot iwouhavt d ort o bleu andthhenhova a the return again, moan EPILEPSY cal caro. I havo rondo tho to letig of y. I EPrant m or FALLING re theESoaBfe loegbeady. Iothrri h my remedy to rethe worst c rreceiving Decease c re. S ndart'' failed o no reason efor n no 0 oitt e o cure. fendae onto fora ,0 treatise an a t w Dottie of my oetail708 Maly. Clive Express and )alit Onlce, It costa yon Deihl atrial, and I will mare you. Address Dr. b. 3, hOO ,Ie Pearl fit„ Now York. tfAICIPAL C1U1ICILi(9I'A .11 ND BOIL • bIPOBTANT BOOK POYMUT I CIPAL ootinohlore'an omoere cont d a brief and familiar style.the 'municipal Ontario with forme. 800 edges ;.bound piioe on . dollar! , Address' PEATP & TRACY Publiehet• WANT AN'Y LADIES •0 . who are out of e county, distance ne o • work at their homes Sent by mail ; an rte canvassing. Address UN Washington